Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 171312
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File Number: 171312 File Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Version: 0 Reference: R-620-17 Control: County Commission
File Name: BISCAYNE BAY MARINE HEALTH SUMMIT Introduced: 5/18/2017
Requester: NONE Cost: Final Action: 6/6/2017
Agenda Date: 6/6/2017 Agenda Item Number: 11A6
Notes: Title: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BISCAYNE BAY MARINE HEALTH SUMMIT IN CONCEPT AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE SPEAKERS FOR THE SUMMIT, AS APPROPRIATE AND FEASIBLE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 171120]
Indexes: BISCAYNE BAY
  SUMMIT
Sponsors: Daniella Levine Cava, Prime Sponsor
  Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
  Jean Monestime, Co-Sponsor
  Sen. Javier D. Souto, 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 6/6/2017 11A6 Adopted P

County Attorney 5/18/2017 Assigned Abbie N. Schwaderer 5/18/2017

Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee 5/10/2017 2A Amended Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s) P
REPORT: Assistant County Attorney Monica Rizo-Perez read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. She advised the proposed resolution would be amended to reflect a 10-year plan in the last Whereas Clause on handwritten page 4, rather than a 25-year plan. Mr. Steve Sauls, President, IOS on the Bay Condominium, 720 NE 62nd Street, appeared before the Committee in support of the foregoing proposed resolution. He requested the Committee’s support of the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit (Summit) which would be held on June 28, 2017 at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus. Mr. Sauls said the Summit would include all stakeholders, and was aimed at developing a long-term action plan for Biscayne Bay. Mr. Luiz Rodrigues, Executive Director, Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches, 360 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, appeared before the Committee in support of the foregoing proposed resolution. He noted a coalition of government entities, non-profits and private organizations was created to develop a 10-year action plan to address not only marine debris flowing into Biscayne Bay, but also chemical pollutants. Mr. Rodrigues requested the Committee’s support for the Summit’s Steering Committee’s efforts in working with the County, universities, and non-profit organizations, to create an action plan to protect Biscayne Bay for future generations. Following Mr. Rodrigues’ comments regarding efforts to clean up Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Chairman Souto suggested the County consider a Sister Bay program. Mr. Rodrigues said he met with the Vice Mayor approximately a year and a half ago; and a representative from the State of Rio met with County representatives to discuss a potential partnership. Commissioner Levine Cava concurred with the possibility of a Sister Bay program. Mr. Albert Gomez, 3566 Vista Court, appeared before the Committee in support of the foregoing proposed resolution. He said the Summit would provide Miami-Dade County with an opportunity to address issues relating to marine health comprehensively; and requested the Committee’s support and participation for the Summit. Mr. Gomez mentioned his partnership with the Mayors in Haiti; and a request from the Mayor of Port-au-Prince to the Public Works Department for decommissioned front loaders and back loaders for their sewage and marine debris problems. Commissioner Levine Cava thanked the speakers for their efforts regarding Biscayne Bay, and noted Clerk Harvey Ruvin was also supportive. She noted the foregoing proposed resolution pertained to the recreational asset, the health of the Bay, and the County’s economy; and it was timely to prevent the threat to existing aquatic life. Commissioner Levine Cava said County staff was actively engaged; and expressed appreciation to her colleagues for moving the proposed resolution forward. Commissioner Monestime and Chairman Souto requested to be listed as co-sponsors to the foregoing proposed resolution. Chairman Souto suggested placing posters in the libraries regarding the Summit. He noted libraries were becoming education centers and he congratulated Interim Library Director Ray Baker, and former Director Gia Arbogast for their efforts. Chairman Souto mentioned a new event at the West Dade Regional Library featuring Latin America nights, and noted Brazilian night would be featured this month. He noted Brazil was Miami-Dade County’s number one partner; and the State’s number one business partner. Chairman Souto indicated that he was in contact with a university in Brazil regarding the development of programs. Chairman Souto noted Majorie Stoneman Douglas, who named the Everglades “river of grass” was mentioned; and he commented on the importance of caring for the Everglades. Chairman Souto also mentioned that Sunset Drive was known as Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Drive. There being no further questions or comments, the Committee voted to forward the foregoing proposed resolution to the County Commission with Committee amendment(s) to reflect a 10-year plan in the last Whereas Clause on handwritten page 4, rather than a 25-year plan.

Legislative Text


TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BISCAYNE BAY MARINE HEALTH SUMMIT IN CONCEPT AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE SPEAKERS FOR THE SUMMIT, AS APPROPRIATE AND FEASIBLE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 171120]

BODY
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay is located in Miami-Dade County and has immense value to the community because of its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and environmental significance; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay provides habitat and nursery grounds for important commercial and recreational fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, in addition to providing refuge to threatened and endangered species; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay is contained in part within Biscayne National Park, which protects part of the third-largest coral reef system in the word and the longest remaining stretch of mangrove forest on the east coast of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has also recognized that Biscayne Bay deserves special protection, and parts of Biscayne Bay are protected as State of Florida Aquatic Preserves and Outstanding Florida Waters; and
WHEREAS, the water quality and ecological balance of Biscayne Bay are important issues that may have effects on human health, the health of the environment, and the local economy; and
WHEREAS, chemical and nutrient pollution, as well as marine debris in Biscayne Bay, poses a threat to aquatic life in Biscayne Bay and in the oceans in general; and
WHEREAS, as such, it is essential to address the various important issues related to Biscayne Bay in order to assure the future health of Biscayne Bay and protect valuable environmental resources so that future generations may enjoy the health, recreational, environmental, and economic benefits that can result from a healthy and debris-free Biscayne Bay; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has a long record of accomplishments through programs like spoil island restoration, bay bottom restoration, shoreline erosion control, and public education and participation events like Baynanza, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year; and
WHEREAS, many of these successful programs came from community collaborations, starting with the Biscayne Bay Committee and Management Plan in the 1970s and the Biscayne Bay Partnership Initiative in the 2000s; and
WHEREAS, these previous community collaborations led to significant progress in reversing the decline of Biscayne Bay through innovative programs to restore and stabilize shoreline habitat and through comprehensive reports like the Biscayne Bay Partnership�s 2001 report �One Bright, Great Bay�; and
WHEREAS, the Biscayne Bay Coalition Partners are following on this important work by gathering a broad coalition of academic, government, and civic organizations and individuals, and are currently organizing a Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit, to be held in June 2017; and
WHEREAS, the goals of this Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit may include promoting Biscayne Bay health-related initiatives; encouraging partnerships to support the health of Biscayne Bay; involving all stakeholders; and developing a >>10<<[[25]]1-year plan to ensure the sustainable health of Biscayne Bay; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to support this Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit in concept and directs the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to provide speakers from Miami-Dade County for the Summit, as appropriate and feasible,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board hereby expresses its support in concept for the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit, which is planned to be held in June 2017, and directs the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to provide speakers from Miami-Dade County for the Summit, as appropriate and feasible.


1 Committee amendments are indicated as follows: Words stricken through and/or [[double bracketed]] are deleted, words underscored and/or >>double arrowed<< are added.



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