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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO BECOME A KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL, INC. AFFILIATE; AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL, INC. AFFILIATION WITHIN LEGALLY AVAILABLE AND BUDGETED FUNDS

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WHEREAS, litter is a prevalent issue in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Solid Waste Management is responsible for picking up and monitoring litter in 169 corridors throughout Miami Dade County, including 47 litter hotspots and additional 277 illegal dumping hot spots; and
WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department is responsible for routine grounds maintenance of 100 community parks serviced 15 times a year, 104 neighborhood parks serviced 12 times a year, approximately 265 miles of roadway (median) sites serviced 17 times a year and roughly 370 acres of roadside sites serviced 12 times a year, as well as routine grounds maintenance services 24 times a year to Department of Transportation and Public Works property which includes 22 miles of Metrorail with 21 Stations, 20.5 miles of Busway, 19 Metromover stations and 14 facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Solid Waste Management seeks to partner with the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department through Neat Streets Miami, a County board dedicated to the maintenance and beautification of transportation gateways, corridors, and connections, to apply on behalf of Miami-Dade County to become an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. in order to combat and prevent littering in our neighborhoods and public spaces; educate our residents on the proper way to recycle, as well as to promote recycling; and enhance our beautification efforts our community; and
WHEREAS, Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is a national non-profit community improvement organization that builds and sustains vibrant communities by creating clean, beautiful public places; reducing waste and increasing recycling; generating a positive impact on the local economy; and inspiring generations of environmental stewards; and
WHEREAS, Keep America Beautiful Inc. works with corporations, government and civic entities, educational institutions, nonprofits and other organizations to address complex challenges on both a local and national scale; and
WHEREAS, litter is typical waste such as plastic bottles, paper cups, food service containers, fast food wrappers, bags, cigarettes butts, and other trash or garbage that is improperly disposed of in public spaces,
WHEREAS, litter pollutes our roadways and neighborhood walkways; gets washed into storm drains and into waterways, clogging our storm drains, which leads to street flooding; endangers our wildlife; and harms our resources; and
WHEREAS, the Keep America Beautiful, Inc. program will assist in educating our community about littering behavior, waste handling, and beautification, thereby enhancing our community�s image and improving the physical quality of life for our residents and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, the application fee to become a Keep America Beautiful, Inc. affiliate will be paid for by Keep Florida Beautiful, an umbrella organization that brings together more than 40 Florida county and city affiliates; and
WHEREAS, Neat Streets Miami will pay the annual affiliation dues, for which the County�s administration confirms there is sufficient legally available and budgeted funds, and ensure that the proper reporting to Keep America Beautiful, Inc. occurs, as necessary,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is authorized to submit an application on behalf of Miami-Dade County for Miami-Dade County to become a Keep America Beautiful, Inc. affiliate. The Board further directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to take all actions necessary to maintain the Keep America Beautiful, Inc. affiliation, within legally available and budgeted funds.