Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 171705

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 171705

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-722-17

Control: County Commission

File Name: SECURITY CAMERAS IN REGIONAL PARKS

Introduced: 6/28/2017

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 7/6/2017

Agenda Date: 7/6/2017

Agenda Item Number: 11A18

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY POLICY THAT, IN ORDER TO ENSURE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN FURTHERANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION, FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 BUDGET, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION, IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS IN ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS; DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING SUCH FUNDS FROM ANY LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 171396]

Indexes:	CRIME PREVENTION
	PARKS
	SECURITY CAMERAS

Sponsors:

Sen. Javier D. Souto, Prime 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	7/6/2017	11A18	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Heyman expressed concern about the costs associated with the purchase of video surveillance cameras for over 40 regional parks, noting she did not want to see a reduction in operating hours or personnel. Ms. Maria Nardi, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Director, reported a $3.2 million cost estimate. She said that General Obligation Bond (GOB) funding was used to pay for cameras in new facilities only; otherwise, there was no other funding available. Commissioner Souto said that the purchase and installation of cameras did not need to be completed at one time or that the money needed to come from the PROS budget. He indicated that there was money from other sources that could be allocated. Commissioner Souto expressed the need to start the process of installing cameras now, noting cameras would prevent crime in the parks. Commissioner Heyman expressed concern that according to the resolution; the funds would be allocated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 budget. She said that video cameras were a great tool to prevent crime; however, the $3.2 million cost estimate was only for the purchase and installation of cameras in regional parks. Commissioner Heyman asked Ms. Nardi and Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt to determine the recurring costs associated with the storage of video surveillance data. Commissioner Heyman requested that Commissioner Souto amend his proposal to read “if money was available” rather than “shall be allocated in FY 2017-18”. Discussion ensued between Commissioner Heyman and Commissioner Souto about the camera funding. Commissioner Jordan questioned whether the language “the County Mayor or Mayor’s designees to consider allocating such funds from any legally available funding source” was sufficient to satisfy Commissioner Heyman’s concern. Assistant County Attorney Monica Rizo responded that Commissioner Jordan’s statement was correct and the funding was also subject to an appropriation which needed to be considered by the Board. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote to adopt the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

County Attorney	6/28/2017		Assigned	Monica Rizo

Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee	6/14/2017	2B Amended	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s)				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Miguel Gonzalez read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Chairman Souto presented a reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard on the foregoing proposed resolution. Assistant Director Freddie Ramirez, Miami-Dade Police Department, advised the Committee that the proposed resolution would significantly impact the Department’s current campaign against violent crimes, youth initiatives, and purchasing equipment for officers that were not taken from the General Fund. He noted the amount for the proposed camera system was more than the available amount in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) and the Department would be impacted. Chairman Souto clarified the proposed resolution directed the Mayor to consider the LETF as a possible funding source. He commented on the importance of cameras in the parks. Commissioner Jordan requested further explanation from Assistant Director Ramirez. Assistant Director Ramirez said funds were being requested from the LETF funds that were used to augment the Department’s strategic enforcement strategies; youth initiatives; and purchasing safety equipment that would not be covered under General Fund. He noted a lot of funds were earmarked for technology and the remaining balance would not be sufficient for the amount needed in the foregoing resolution; and did not stipulate the technology maintenance. Assistant Director Ramirez agreed that cameras would be beneficial to parks; however, noted the Department was relying on the remaining LETF funds for its strategic planning and addressing youth violence. Commissioner Jordan asked, and Assistant Director Ramirez confirmed, that the LETF was accumulated through forfeitures. Chairman Souto said the request was for any funding source the Mayor had at his disposal to install cameras in the parks, beginning with the regional parks. Commissioner Jordan noted the title of the item stated “or other legally available funding source,” and gave the option of looking at other funding sources. Commissioner Diaz suggested removing the language “the LETF collected pursuant to Florida Statutes section 932.705, et.al. or other” and including “any” legally available funding source. There being no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution as amended.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY POLICY THAT, IN ORDER TO ENSURE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN FURTHERANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION, FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 BUDGET, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION, IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS IN ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS; DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING SUCH FUNDS FROM ANY LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING SOURCE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 171396]

BODY
WHEREAS, for over a decade, this Board has been seeking to have surveillance cameras installed at all Miami-Dade County owned or operated parks; and
WHEREAS, in January of 2006, the Intergovernmental, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee requested and received a report on the status of surveillance cameras at County parks, wherein the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (�PROS�) noted that it continued to work with the Miami-Dade Police Department (�MDPD�) on the implementation of surveillance cameras at parks and other security and crime prevention measures; and
WHEREAS, at that January 2006 committee meeting, it was suggested that the administration explore the feasibility of using forfeiture funds in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (�LETF�) to acquire such cameras as a crime prevention measure; and
WHEREAS, again, in July of 2009, the Recreation, Culture and Tourism Committee requested and received a report on the status of surveillance cameras at regional parks; and
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2012, this Board adopted Resolution No. R-68-12, which resolution sought to have the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee develop a comprehensive plan to provide increased security at County regional parks, inclusive of the installation of video surveillance cameras at parks; and
WHEREAS, further, as part of Resolution No. R-68-12, the Board directed the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee to identify potential sources of funding to implement the security plan and to report back to the Board on the information sought by such resolution; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2013, the County�s administrative staff provided an oral report to the Cultural Affairs and Recreation Committee in response to Resolution No. R-68-12 wherein they informed the Committee that limited cameras existed at some regional and community parks but that PROS had devised a plan to install approximately 450 cameras at all regional parks, as funding became available, at a cost of approximately $3.2 million; and
WHEREAS, on November 5, 2014, this Board approved Resolution No. R-1010-14, which directed the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee to report to the Board on the status of acquiring and installing video surveillance cameras at all County regional parks; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2015, the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee presented to the Board the report, attached hereto as Exhibit �A�, on the status of video surveillance cameras at all County regional parks, which again indicated that the cost to fully equip all 13 regional parks with full-time 24 hour video surveillance camera coverage and monitoring would costs approximately $3.2 million; and
WHEREAS, the June 2, 2015 report identified the following funding sources for the acquisition and installation of the video surveillance cameras: grants; the LETF; Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond funds; and corporate giving or sponsorships; and
WHEREAS, it has now been over two years since the Board received the administration�s report and over four years since the Board approved Resolution No. R-68-12, stressing the importance of having a safety plan and increased security at County Parks, yet, video surveillance cameras are still not present at all County regional parks; and
WHEREAS, neighborhood safety and crime prevention continue to be a pressing concern for County residents and families as well as for this Board; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure safer parks, safer neighborhoods and in furtherance of crime prevention, this Board desires to establish, as a County policy, that funds be allocated in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget, subject to appropriation, in an amount sufficient to purchase and install video surveillance cameras at all County regional parks; and
WHEREAS, the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee shall consider the use of [[the LETF collected pursuant to Florida Statutes section 932.705, et. al. or other]]1>>any<< legally available funding source,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated and approved as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. In order to ensure safer parks, safer neighborhoods and in furtherance of crime prevention, this Board desires to establish, as a County policy, that funds be allocated in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget, subject to appropriation, in an amount sufficient to purchase and install video surveillance cameras at all County regional parks. The County Mayor or Mayor�s designee shall consider the use of [[the LETF collected pursuant to Florida Statutes section 932.705, et. al. or other]]>>any<< legally available funding source in order to fund such purchase and installation of video surveillance cameras at County regional parks.

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