TITLE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISBURSEMENT OF $350,000 FROM THE BISCAYNE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT TRUST FUND TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT IN BISCAYNE BAY THROUGH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BISCAYNE BAY RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

BODY
WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board, pursuant to Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, authorizes the disbursement of funds not to exceed $350,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to provide funding for environmental enhancement and restoration activities within Biscayne Bay such as the removal and disposal of trash and solid waste from restored bay islands, and the planting of native wetland plants and the control of exotic plants at other sites restored through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

HEADER
Date:

To: Honorable Rebeca Sosa, Chairwoman
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Disbursement of $350,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement
Trust Fund to Conduct Environmental Enhancement in Biscayne Bay through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne
Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program Recommendation

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached resolution authorizing the disbursement of $350,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for removal of trash from restored bay islands, bay environmental restoration, habitat maintenance, and biological monitoring in connection with the ongoing Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

Scope
This disbursement request will primarily benefit coastal areas of Commission Districts 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
This resolution authorizes the disbursement of funds from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for Biscayne Bay restoration and enhancement activities. This disbursement is consistent with Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County that allows the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to be used for the restoration and enhancement of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. The available balance of the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust (Index Code: TFPE400010, Subobject: 22430) as of 11/30/2012: $1,284,000.

Track Record/Monitor
The Restoration and Enhancement Section Chief, Stephen Blair, within the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Division of Environmental Resources Management, will monitor the activities performed with these funds.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
Background
The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources conducts various environmental restoration and enhancement activities throughout Biscayne Bay as part of the Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program. These environmental enhancement projects are assisted financially by agencies such as the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Inland Navigation District.

The project agreements between Miami-Dade County and the funding agencies require that sites restored under the Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program be maintained. This disbursement will provide funding for maintenance activities at such sites to include removing and disposing of trash and solid waste from bay islands, and planting native plants and controlling exotic plant species in restored areas of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. These restoration activities will be conducted over the next two years by County staff and by outside contractors under a competitive bidding process.

I have received and considered the attached recommendation from the Director of the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.

________________________________
Jack Osterholt, Deputy Mayor

OTHER
Date: January 16, 2013

To: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

From: Jack Osterholt, Deputy Mayor, Director
Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources

Subject: Recommendation for Disbursement of $350,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to Conduct Environmental Enhancement in Biscayne Bay through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program

Pursuant to Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, I am recommending the disbursement of $350,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for maintenance and monitoring of environmental restoration areas pursuant to project agreements between Miami-Dade County and various funding partners. These restoration activities are conducted by the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources at previously restored sites in connection with the County�s ongoing Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

The coastal environments in Biscayne Bay face many challenges and threats to their present and future health. This disbursement request will provide funding for maintenance activities at sites restored under the Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program to include removing and disposing of trash and solid waste from bay islands, and planting native plants and controlling exotic plant species in restored areas of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. These restoration activities will be conducted over the next two years by County staff and by outside contractors under a competitive bidding process.

The $350,000 requested for disbursement will be drawn from funds deposited into the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for the purpose of restoring and enhancing Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. The proposed activities are consistent with the goals and intent of the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund Ordinance as codified in Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

Attachment: Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund Resolution