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Develop and Implement a Public Awareness Campaign on Park Rule Banning Polystyrene Products in Parks � Directive 161838

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Jean Monestime
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

Subject: Develop and Implement a Public Awareness Campaign on Park Rule Banning Polystyrene Products in Parks � Directive 161838

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
At the June 7, 2016 Board of County Commissioners (Board) meeting, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 16-58 (Attachment 1), amending Chapter 26 of the Code of Miami-Dade County banning polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) in parks in certain circumstances. The polystyrene ban does not become effective until July 1, 2017 in order to provide the County sufficient time to inform the public of the polystyrene ban.

At the same meeting, the Board adopted Resolution No. R-501-16 (Attachment 2) directing the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to develop a public awareness campaign, at no cost to the County, to inform the public of the polystyrene ban adopted pursuant to Ordinance No. 16-58, and to report to the Board within 90 days on the status of the implementation and development of the public awareness campaign.

The adopted Ordinance banning polystyrene added Rule 36 to Chapter 26, Park Rules and Regulations. Rule 36, the prohibition regarding sale or use of polystyrene food-service articles in parks and park property, applies to a contractor, vendor, lessee, licensee, programming partner, or permittee of the County that uses, works on, provides services at, or undertakes construction of park property; a special events permittee for an event in a park; or an operator or manager of park property or a facility within a park. A polystyrene article is defined as plates, bowls, cups, utensils, cutlery, tableware, containers, lids, trays, coolers, ice chests, bags, boxes, wrappings, bottles, and all similar articles that consist of polystyrene. This rule does not apply to polystyrene articles that are used for prepackaged food that have been filled and sealed prior to receipt by the parks contractor. A violation of this rule shall be deemed a default under the terms of the applicable contract between the County and the parks contractor. Existing contracts between the County and a parks contractor entered into before June 1, 2016 are not be subject to the requirements of Rule 36, unless the parks contractor voluntarily agrees; however, any renewal or extension of any contract will require the parks contractor to agree in writing to comply with the provisions of Rule 36.

The Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) has developed a public awareness campaign and is implementing the following action items:

* Use frontline PROS staff that has direct interaction or communication with park patrons, such as park and marina managers, park security officers, and park attendants to inform patrons about the upcoming ban on July 1, 2017. When appropriate, the message will be shared during PROS� events and activities.

* Include information about the ban on the homepage of both the Parks and Parks Foundation websites. Distribute messages about the ban through the Parks bi-weekly E-buzz newsletter, Parks Foundation�s bi-weekly newsletter, and PROS� social media platforms that include Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

* Provide the County�s 311 call center with a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) briefing sheet to assist in handling calls and inquiries regarding the ban.

* Distribute press releases in English, Spanish, and Creole throughout the information campaign period.

* Distribute notification by email to all parks contractors, vendors, and concessionaires affected by the new park rule. Any contract between the County and a parks contractor entered into before June 1, 2016 is not subject to the requirements of this Park Rule 36, unless the parks contractor voluntarily agrees, except that renewals or extensions of any contract that are to be exercised by the County, or jointly by the County and the parks contractor, shall only be renewed or extended if the parks contractor agrees in writing to comply with the provisions of Rule 36 during any renewal or extension term.

When the ordinance becomes effective on July 1, 2017, PROS staff will continue to inform park patrons of the ban. The focus will continue to be on education and not on issuing citations. Park visitors will be asked and given the opportunity to remove coolers and other polystyrene items from the park or place the items in their vehicle in lieu of issuing a citation. PROS will issue citations only as a last resort, such as in instances where park patrons are given several warnings regarding polystyrene products in their possession over a period of repeated visits to a park. PROS will also post signage at various County beach entrances informing park patrons of the polystyrene ban, as directed during the Board�s discussion at its June 7, 2016 meeting.

In accordance with Ordinance 14-65, this memorandum will be placed on the next available Board meeting agenda.

If additional information is needed, please contact Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Director Jack Kardys at (305) 755-7903.


Attachment 1: Ordinance No. 16-58
Attachment 2: Resolution No. R-501-16


c: Abigail Price-Williams, County Attorney
Michael Spring, Senior Advisor, Office of the Mayor
Jack Kardys, Director, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Neil R. Singh, Interim Commission Auditor
Christopher Agrippa, Clerk of the Board
Eugene Love, Agenda Coordinator