TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, THE FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE AND OTHER APPLICABLE STATE AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF MUSEUM PARK

BODY
WHEREAS, in 2004, Miami-Dade County committed to the establishment of a Museum Park at what was then known as Bicentennial Park in the City of Miami to include a new Museum of Science and the Miami Art Museum for modern art; and
WHEREAS, indeed, in 2004, the voters of Miami-Dade County approved the issuance of general obligation bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $552,692,000 to construct and improve libraries, cultural facilities, and Head Start learning centers for pre-school children to offer multicultural educational opportunities and activities; and
WHEREAS, specifically, Miami Art Museum was allocated $100 million for the development and construction of a new 150,000 square foot art museum and Museum of Science and the History Miami (formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida) were jointly allocated $175 million (later reduced to $171 million) for the development and construction of a new 250,000 science and technology museum and planetarium, at Bicentennial Park, as well as for the renovation and expansion of History Miami; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, this Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City, the County and the two museums which provided the framework for a series of lease and funding agreements in order to provide land, bond funds, needed infrastructure, and transportation to Miami Art Museum, Museum of Science and the to-be-developed 21-acre park at Museum Park; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the County has provided funding to both Miami Art Museum and Museum of Science for the development and construction of the two museums and Miami Art Museum and Museum of Science have also been incredibly successful in securing private funding sources for the museums; and
WHEREAS, in fact, recently Miami Art Museum opened its doors and has since received thousands of visitors; and
WHEREAS, Museum of Science is set to be completed and opened in 2015; and
WHEREAS, in the meantime, little work has been done to develop the 21-acre park in Museum Park and the funds that have been identified for the development of the Park are not sufficient to develop the park to the extent that is necessary and fitting for its location and for the key cultural landmarks that Museum Park will house; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County residents and companies, through the issuance and repayment of over $200 million in bonds, through local City of Miami contributions towards the development of Museum Park and through the donations of millions of dollars directly to Miami Art Museum and Museum of Science by private individuals and companies, have provided outstanding financial support towards the development of Museum Park; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to urge the State of Florida to also contribute towards a lasting cultural and recreational landmark- Museum Park- for the benefit and enjoyment of Florida residents, tourists and future generations,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Legislature, the Florida Secretary of State, and other applicable State Agencies to provide state funding for the development and enhancement of the 21-acre park at Museum Park.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation and the Florida Secretary of State.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the appropriation set forth in Section 1 above and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2014 state legislative package to include this item.