TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO SUSPEND POLICE-DIRECTED TOWING OPERATIONS WHERE THE OWNER DOES NOT CONSENT TO THE REMOVAL OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) STATE OF EMERGENCY; AND URGING THE CITIES OF CORAL GABLES, MIAMI AND MIAMI BEACH TO ADOPT SIMILAR LEGISLATION

BODY
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the State of Florida in response to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency for Miami-Dade County in response to the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the County Mayor has issued �Safer At Home� protocols to encourage residents to remain at home to stop the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to chapter 30 of the Miami-Dade County Code (�Code�), Miami-Dade County has jurisdiction over towing operations in the unincorporated areas and certain incorporated of the County; and
WHEREAS, section 30-478 of the Code exempts the Cities of Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Beach from County towing jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, suspending police-directed towing operations where the owner does not consent to the removal of the vehicle will support the �Safer at Home� protocols by encouraging residents to leave their vehicles in place during the state of emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like to direct the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to suspend police-directed towing operations where the owner does not consent to the removal of the vehicle during the current state of emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Board also would like to urge the Cities of Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Beach to adopt similar legislation,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Boards:
Section 1. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to suspend police directed towing operations where the owner does not consent to the removal of the vehicle during the state of emergency ordered on March 12, 2020, as extended by subsequent orders.
Section 2. Urges the Cities of Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Beach to adopt similar legislation.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Mayor, Chair and Members of the City Commissions, and City Manager of the Cities of Coral Gables, Miami and Miami Beach.