Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 131120

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File Number: 131120

File Type: Resolution

Status: Before the Board

Version: 0

Reference:

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: EXTEND SEWER SERVICE TO COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS

Introduced: 5/29/2013

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action:

Agenda Date: 7/2/2013

Agenda Item Number: 11A10

Notes:

SEE 132022 FOR FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED.

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE PLAN TO EXTEND SEWER SERVICE TO COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS

Indexes:

WATER AND SEWER

Sponsors:	Jean Monestime, Prime Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	7/2/2013	11A10	Amended
REPORT:	See Agenda Item 11A10 Amended; Legislative File No. 132022.

Infrastructure & Capital Improvements Committee	6/11/2013	2B	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Sarah Davis read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Heyman that the Committee forward the foregoing proposed resolution to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Chairwoman Moss, followed by discussion. Commissioner Moss noted the “Now Therefore” section provided that the sewer extension plan would be incorporated into the Water and Sewer five-year capital program after consideration and approval by this Board. He asked whether this meant that the Commission members were approving the expenditures that would be contained in the plan, and whether this included all funded and unfunded projects in the five-year capital improvement program. Mr. Renfrow noted it would include unfunded projects sometimes. He reminded the Committee members that Commissioner Monestime had mentioned in a number of meetings an area in his district that was industrially-zoned land with no sewer service. He observed that Commissioner Monestime was trying to provide an economic boost to this neighborhood. Commissioner Moss said that he was aware and supportive of what Commissioner Monestime was trying to do, and asked what would happen when it was incorporated into the five-year program. Mr. Renfrow indicated that whatever was identified in the plan would be incorporated into the five-year program. Deputy Mayor Alina Hudak noted the item was asking the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee to develop a plan within 90 days. She said she assumed that at that point the Commission members would discuss the plan. She pointed out that this timing coincided with the review of the budget by the Commission members; and the budget included the five-year capital improvement program. She stated that the Commission members may or may not decide at that point to amend this five-year program to include the projects in the plan. Commissioner Moss noted the Commission members had a discussion about challenged communities, and how to improve the infrastructure within these communities. He indicated that he supported the item, but wanted it to be extended to examine infrastructure needs in challenged communities throughout the County; and at that point the Commission members could prioritize funding needs for these communities in this multi-billion dollar bond program. Mr. Renfrow clarified that the Administration would develop a plan and submit it to the Board for discussion. Commissioner Moss asked the County Attorney’s office to draft a resolution directing the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee to develop a plan to extend sewer service to challenged communities throughout the County. Chairman Zapata asked whether the purpose of this plan was to consider projects that would further economic development, or simply to consider projects that were economically feasible. He stressed the importance of determining whether the infrastructure projects would provide an economic boost to the community. Deputy Mayor Hudak indicated that in all of her conversations with Commissioner Monestime it appeared that his vision was to tie infrastructure projects with economic development. Chairman Zapata pointed out that the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee was asked to develop a plan to extend sewer service to the major commercial corridors identified in the Water and Sewer report, and he requested that the Administration rank these areas with regard to how much economic benefit they would obtain from the infrastructure projects. Deputy Mayor Hudak noted if this was what the Commission members desired, it could be done, but it would require significant analysis, and therefore, would take more time. Chairman Zapata said in that case he would withdraw his request. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee members proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

County Attorney	5/29/2013		Assigned	Henry N. Gillman

County Attorney	5/29/2013		Referred	Infrastructure & Capital Improvements Committee	6/11/2013

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE PLAN TO EXTEND SEWER SERVICE TO COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS

BODY

WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County�s water and sewer infrastructure is aging and overburdened; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade has programmed billions of dollars in capital construction to replace outdated pipes, pumps, and treatment plants in the coming years; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department recently released a report entitled �Cost Estimate to Connect Residential and Commercial Properties to the County�s Water and Sewer System� (the �Report�); and
WHEREAS, the Report showed that there were significant areas within the County�s Water and Sewer service territory that lacked connection to water and sewer service; and
WHEREAS, the Report demonstrated that there are entire sections of commercially zoned property within this service area that do not have reasonable access to sewer services; and
WHEREAS, the Report estimated the cost to extend sewer lines to these areas at $386 million, which was recently revised downward by WASD to $230 million; and
WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Capital plan does not include sewer extensions for any of these important commercial corridors; and
WHEREAS, businesses producing wastewater that cannot be legally discharged to a septic tank cannot open in these areas, which severely limits the economic productivity of these areas; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the County to maximize the economic potential for its business corridors,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board directs the Mayor or the Mayor�s designee to develop a plan to extend sewer service to the major commercial corridors identified in the Water and Sewer report including, but not limited to: NW 7th Avenue, NW 22nd Avenue, NW 27th Avenue, NW 79th Street, NE 2nd Avenue, Biscayne Boulevard, SW 40th Street, and South Dixie Highway where significant clusters of commercial and industrial zoned property lack access to sewer lines. The plan shall be due within 90 days of the adoption of this Resolution. The sewer extension plan shall be incorporated into the Water and Sewer 5-year capital program after consideration and approval by this Board.