Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 151776

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File Number: 151776

File Type: Resolution

Status: Amended

Version: 0

Reference:

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: MUNICIPAL ID CARDS

Introduced: 7/30/2015

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action:

Agenda Date: 9/1/2015

Agenda Item Number: 11A11

Notes:

SEE 160405 FOR FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED.

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO EXAMINE AND PREPARE A REPORT REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY AND BENEFITS OF ISSUING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A COUNTY IDENTIFICATION CARD PROGRAM [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 151523]

Indexes:

MUNICIPAL CARDS

Sponsors:	Juan C. Zapata, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Daniella Levine Cava, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Jean Monestime, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, 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	9/1/2015	11A11	Amended
REPORT:	See Agenda Item 11A11, Legislative File No. 160405 for the amended version.

County Attorney	7/30/2015		Assigned	Annery Pulgar Alfonso	7/30/2015

Strategic Planning & Government Operations Cmte	7/7/2015	2C AMENDED	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s)				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Juliette Antoine read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Vice Chair Sosa opened the public hearing on the proposed resolution. Ms. Francesca Menes, 2800 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 800, Miami, representing the Florida Immigrant Coalition as their Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, expressed her appreciation to Chairman Zapata for introducing this initiative. She noted that New York City as well as other cities had adopted municipal identification card programs, noting it would help provide undocumented and homeless residents with access to many County services. Ms. Saroi Portillo, 1040 NE 145 Street, North Miami, representing the Florida Immigrant Coalition as a volunteer and a former Miami Workers Center staff member and volunteer, noted support for the proposed resolution. Mr. Amrry Gonzalez, 10630 SW 99 Terrace, Miami, representing the Miami Workers Center, noted support for the proposed resolution. He said the identification cards would bring safety and security to County residents; increase relations between the police and immigrants; as well as provide access to banking services, library cards, health care services and the ability to enter hospitals to visit sick patients. Ms. Rosana Araujo, 6850 W 14 Court, Hialeah, representing the Miami Workers Center and the Coalition of Immigrants, indicated support for the proposed resolution. She explained that she was an immigrant, noting that an identification card could save her life and provide access to needed services. Ms. Cherise Bryant, 16919 NW 14 Avenue, Miami Gardens, representing the Miami Workers Center, noted the municipal identification program would benefit the Afro-American community. She pointed out identification would allow residents to cash checks, obtain internet access at County libraries, and apply for federal government services. Commissioners Levine Cava and Sosa asked to be listed as a Co-Sponsor to the foregoing proposed resolution. Commissioner Zapata stressed the need to learn from the experiences of other communities before adopting a local program. Discussion pursued between County Commissioners about the identification card program. Commissioner Bovo noted his support; however, addressed concerns about people’s willingness to participate. Vice Chair Sosa stressed the need for the report to provide information on the process used by other states, and the method the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles used to pay for their identification card program. Commissioner Levine Cava pointed out that the fear of deportation existed among many immigrants without adequate documentation over reporting crimes to local law enforcement. She stressed the need to ensure residents felt comfortable in reaching out to law enforcement officials. Commissioner Zapata pointed out that the local government was responsible for providing services that ensure public safety. He noted the need to give residents legitimacy so they felt entitled to local services and part of the community, without actually giving them immigration status. Commissioner Zapata suggested to proceed cautiously; to review what other communities had accomplished; and to determine the best method to implement a program that works for the local community. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended. The foregoing proposed resolution was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation with committee amendments to obtain information from the other states/cities and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on program implementation, participation, costs and outcomes.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXAMINE AND PREPARE A REPORT REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY AND BENEFITS OF ISSUING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND DEVELOP A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A COUNTY IDENTIFICATION CARD PROGRAM

BODY
WHEREAS, a number of municipalities throughout the country, including the City of Aventura in Florida, have begun issuing county and municipal identification cards which are assisting residents in obtaining various services within their communities; and
WHEREAS, the identification cards may provide proof of residency, which could assist residents in obtaining access to county and municipal services, including access to parks, and the ability to reserve facilities, such as tennis courts, and to enroll in government-sponsored recreation programs; and
WHEREAS, in order to obtain a county or municipal identification card, residents must generally apply in person and provide documentation of residency, such as a driver�s license or identification card, a voter�s registration card, passport, mortgage deed, lease, or utility bill; and
WHEREAS, many Miami-Dade County residents do not have access to various forms of identification and sometimes may have difficulty proving that they reside in the county; and
WHEREAS, this Board finds that Miami-Dade County residents will benefit from a County issued identification card that displays the card holder�s photograph, name, date of birth, address, and card issue and expiration dates; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to study the feasibility and benefits of issuing identification cards to Miami-Dade County residents,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to examine the feasibility and benefits of issuing Miami-Dade County identification cards to County residents and develop a plan for the implementation of a County Identification Card program. The feasibility study shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
a. The efficacy of implementing a Miami-Dade County Identification Card program, in particular with respect to the potential use of the identification cards for access to County services;
b. The costs associated with implementing a Miami-Dade County Identification Card program, including any fee to residents;
c. Identification of a funding source for the implementation of a Miami-Dade County Identification Card program;
d. Identification of the department that would administer the Miami-Dade County Identification Card program;
e. Identification of the information that would be displayed on the Miami-Dade County Identification Card, which at a minimum should include the card holder�s photograph, name, date of birth, address, and card issue and expiration dates; and
f. Identification of the type of documents that would be acceptable to prove identity and residency in Miami-Dade County;
>>g. Review and analysis of county and municipal identification card programs implemented throughout the United States.<<
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to provide a report on the feasibility and benefits of a County Identification Card program and include a plan for the adoption of such program as set forth in Section 1 above to this Board within 180 days of the effective date of this resolution. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall place such report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.