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RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR DESIGNEE�S APPLICATION, RECEIPT, AND EXPENDITURE OF GRANT FUNDS OF UP TO $250,000.00 UPON AWARD FROM THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT THROUGH ITS WATERWAYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THROUGH THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, FOR UPGRADES TO THE FIREBOAT LIFT SYSTEM AT PORTMIAMI; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR DESIGNEE�S UTILIZATION OF UP TO $250,000.00 IN FIRE DISTRICT FUNDS FOR LOCAL PROJECT FUNDING CASH MATCH REQUIREMENTS, EXECUTION OF ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, AND AMENDMENTS, AND EXERCISE OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE AWARD

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying County Mayor�s memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Incorporates and approves the foregoing recital, as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. Approves and authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to apply, receive, and expend grant funds, as described in Exhibit A, of up to $250,000.00 from the Florida Inland Navigation District through its Waterways Assistance Program upon award to Miami-Dade County, through the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (�MDFR�), for upgrades to the fireboat lift system at PortMiami.

Section 3. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to utilize up to $250,000.00 in Fire District Funds for local project funding cash match requirements, execute all necessary agreements, documents, and amendments to effectuate the purposes described in section 2, and exercise the provisions contained in the award provided that any amendments are for the purposes described herein and have been approved by the County Attorney�s Office for form and legal sufficiency.

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Date:
To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: Resolution Approving and Authorizing Miami-Dade County, through Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, to apply for, receive and expend up to $250,000 in grant funds from the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Summary
This item seeks approval and authorization to apply for, receive, and expend up to $250,000.00 in grant funding awarded by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) through its Waterways Assistance Program (WAP) to Miami-Dade County, through the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (MDFR), for upgrades to the fireboat lift system at the Port of Miami. Under section 374.976, Florida Statutes, and chapter 66B 2, Florida Administrative Code, the WAP supports local governmental agencies in enhancing public access to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and related waterways. FIND allocates approximately $10�12 million annually, funding public navigation projects and other waterway related initiatives. Recipient agencies are required to provide matching funds of between 50% to 75% of the total project cost.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approve the attached resolution authorizing the County Mayor�s or County Mayor designee�s application, receipt and expenditure of up to $250,000.00 in WAP grant funds. It is further recommended that the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee be further authorized to utilize up to $250,000.00 in Fire District Funds to satisfy any cash match funding requirements. Additionally, it is recommended that the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee be authorized to execute all necessary agreements, documents, and amendments, provided that any such amendments do not alter the purpose of the agreement from the WAP.

Scope
The services provided with these grant funds will be countywide.

Delegation of Authority
In addition to authorizing the County Mayor�s or County Mayor designee�s application, receipt and expenditure of up to $250,000.00 in grant funds from the WAP and, subject to available funding, utilization of up to $250,000.00 in Fire District Funds to satisfy any cash match funding requirements, this item also authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute all necessary agreements, documents, and amendments as well as to exercise the provisions contained in the award, provided that any amendments are for the purposes described herein and have been approved by the County Attorney�s Office for form and legal sufficiency.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The WAP is funded and administered by the FIND, a state independent special taxing district, established for the continued management and maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Awarded agencies must provide a cash match between 50% to 75% of the total project cost, depending on the category that the project is submitted under. Matching funds will come from the Fire District fund.

Track Record/Monitor
The grant award will be monitored by the MDFR Grants Management Bureau.

Background
Authorized under section 374.976, Florida Statutes, and governed by chapter 66B-2, Florida Administrative Code, the FIND WAP was created by the Florida Legislature to assist local agencies in enhancing waterway access points. Over the past 39 years, FIND has distributed more than $162�million to support navigation, access facilities, environmental education, boating safety, beach renourishment, and other waterway-related improvements. Eligible projects include dredging, aids and markers, inlet management, ramp and dock improvements, shoreline stabilization, environmental and recreational facilities, and boating safety programs

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) is a core partner to local, state, and federal maritime agencies, maintaining 24/7 readiness to protect the County�s waterways that support major commercial, industrial, and recreational activity. MDFR�s Marine Operations Bureau is solely responsible for fire protection and all hazard emergency response across more than 600 square nautical miles of heavily trafficked inland and coastal waters in eastern South Florida. MDFR�s existing fireboats lift at PortMiami. The existing docks are 17 years old, structurally outdated, and are unable to support the operational requirements of the much larger, modern fireboat vessels. These limitations slow deployment, hinder maintenance, create safety risks, and reduce overall vessel readiness.

MDFR seeks to modernize and strengthen the lift infrastructure to ensure reliable, mission-ready fireboat operations. With continued growth in cruise activity, commercial shipping, recreational boating, and major marine events, rapid and coordinated maritime emergency response is critical to public safety and regional resilience. Modernized lift facilities will enhance response capability, improve interagency coordination, and support uninterrupted operations during both routine incidents and large-scale emergencies. This project aligns with WAP priorities by promoting safe navigation, protecting economic activity, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening long-term resilience for the region�s waterfront communities.




Arnold Palmer
Chief of Public Safety