TITLE
RESOLUTION ADDING A PROJECT TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A NEW 60-BED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER TO THE COUNTY'S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN APPROVED LIST OF PROJECTS

BODY
WHEREAS, Section 2-8.2.7 of the Code, Economic Stimulus Ordinance, provides the process for expediting certain capital development projects; and
WHEREAS, the Economic Stimulus Ordinance also provides that the Board may, from time to time, by subsequent resolution, add or delete projects from the list of Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) Projects; and
WHEREAS, there is a significant and immediate need to create additional emergency shelter bed capacity for victims of domestic violence in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to ensure that additional emergency shelter bed capacity is created in as expeditious a manner as possible, and, adding a new 60-Bed Domestic Violence Center to the list of Economic Stimulus Projects to be expedited under the ESP, will create additional jobs,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board hereby adds a project to design and construct a new, 60-Bed Domestic Violence Center, located in District 8, to the list of Economic Stimulus Projects covered under the County's ESP Program and authorizes the County Mayor or the Mayor's designee to exercise their authority under the ESP with respect to this capital development project.

HEADER
Date:

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

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

Subject: Authorizing the Addition of a Project to Design and Construct a New 60-Bed Domestic
Violence Center to the County�s Economic Stimulus Program List of Projects

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) authorize the addition of a project to design and construct a new 60 emergency shelter bed Domestic Violence Center (ISD W13006/A12-HT-01) to the County's Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) approved list of projects. Section 2-8.2.7 of the Code (ESP Ordinance) provides that the Board may add projects to the ESP list as necessary. The Request to Advertise for design of this project was released in September. The preliminary estimate for design and construction of this project is $8,000,000.

Scope
This project will be located in Commission District 8, which is represented by Vice Chair Lynda Bell, but will benefit victims of domestic violence throughout Miami-Dade County.

Track Record/Monitor
The Internal Services Department�s Design and Construction Services Division, in conjunction with the Homeless Trust (Executive Director Hilda Fernandez) and Domestic Violence Oversight Board staff (Vaughn Tooley), will manage the design and construction of this project.

Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
The estimated cost of this project is $8,000,000, to be funded by the County�s Domestic Violence Oversight Board Trust Fund, which receives 15 percent of the Local Option Food and Beverage Tax specifically designated for construction and operation of new domestic violence centers. Funding allocations for this project will be submitted for Board approval annually through the budget process based on the project status and projected expenditures.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
Background
The Lodge, the first domestic violence center constructed and operated with the Food and Beverage Tax, opened in March 2004 and has since provided emergency shelter for more than 4,000 domestic violence survivors and their dependents.

The existing certified domestic violence centers in Miami-Dade County are often operating at full capacity, creating a lack of available emergency shelter beds for domestic violence survivors and their dependents at a critical and dangerous time in their lives. Presently, 103 of the County�s 127 certified emergency shelter beds are located in northwest Miami-Dade County, and only 24 are located in the southwest area. Development of this new center will significantly address the unmet needs of domestic violence survivors and their dependents in southwest Miami-Dade County. The need for additional capacity is urgent, and was re-emphasized in the 2010 Update to the Domestic Violence Oversight Board�s Domestic Violence Plan that calls for an increase by 30 percent in emergency shelter beds and supportive services over the next five years.

The scope of work for this project includes design services for a domestic violence center that accommodates 60 emergency shelter beds. The foremost consideration is the creation of a welcoming, accessible and safe environment that helps empower survivors and their children by meeting their needs for self-determination, security, and dignity. Design strategies will include best practices in the design of domestic violence facilities, such as, but not limited to, limited visibility into the interior from the public with exterior elements that protect residents� privacy; controlled access that allows residents to come and go freely and safely; and visual screens or enclosures for residents� parking areas to protect confidentiality.

The Internal Services Department is working with the Homeless Trust and its Domestic Violence Oversight Board staff on this project in an effort to expedite the delivery of the new facility. The request for professional services was advertised in September 2013 for the selection of the architect and engineering team.

The ESP Program continues to allow projects to be processed at an accelerated pace. It is respectfully requested that approval of the attached resolution adding this project to the approved ESP list of projects be granted in order to allow this project to move forward in as expeditious a manner as possible. It is in the County�s best interest, and that of many victims of domestic violence in this community, to add this project to the Economic Stimulus Program.



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Russell Benford
Deputy Mayor