TITLE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT (FIND) WATERWAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A WATERWAY MAINTENANCE VESSEL FOR THE REMOVAL OF MARINE DEBRIS, TO RECEIVE AND EXPEND FUNDS FROM SAID GRANT, AND TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING A DISBURSEMENT OF UP TO $45,000.00 FROM THE COUNTY'S BISCAYNE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT TRUST FUND PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-40 OF THE CODE OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND CERTIFYING ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FIND WATERWAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT

BODY
WHEREAS, the County wishes to apply for and receive grant funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) related to the County�s marine debris removal program; and

WHEREAS, the County�s application for this particular Waterway Assistance Program grant from FIND is required to be accompanied by a resolution of this Board, and pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 66B-2.006, such County resolution is required to follow a particular form and include certain required language and County certifications, all of which are included herein; and

WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County is interested in carrying out the following described project for the enjoyment of the citizenry of Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida:
� Project Title: Vessel Acquisition for DERM Marine Debris Removal Program
� Total Estimated Cost: $90,000.00
� Brief Description of Project: Miami-Dade County, through its Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), seeks to purchase a waterway maintenance vessel for the purpose of implementing and enhancing the County�s marine debris removal and disposal program within Biscayne Bay, its tidal tributaries, and foreshore, as marine debris poses a hazard to navigation, property, public health and safety, and the environment, the timely and cost-effective removal and disposal of marine debris is critical to mitigating such hazards, and the purchase and use of such vessel by the County may allow it to conduct removal of marine debris more quickly and in a more cost-effective manner; and

WHEREAS, FIND financial assistance is required for the program mentioned above; and

WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying 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:

Section 1. The project described herein is hereby authorized, as provided in this resolution and with the County funding source as provided herein in section 4 of this resolution.

Section 2. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is hereby authorized to apply to the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Waterway Assistance Program for grant funding in the amount of 50 percent of the actual cost of the project on behalf of Miami-Dade County. As further outlined herein and in the grant application attached as Exhibit A to this resolution, the project is the purchase of a County waterway maintenance vessel for the purpose of implementing and enhancing the County�s marine debris removal and disposal program in Biscayne Bay. The grant application shall be in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A. The County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is further authorized to receive and expend the grant funds received pursuant to such application, and to execute a grant agreement that is consistent with the application and this resolution, after approval by the County Attorney�s Office as to form and legal sufficiency.

Section 3. This Board hereby certifies to the following:
1. The County will accept the terms and conditions set forth in FIND Rule 66B-2 of the Florida Administrative Code and which will be a part of the Project Agreement for any assistance awarded under the proposal included in the County�s grant application and attached hereto as Exhibit A.
2. The County is in complete accord with such proposal and will carry out the Program in the manner described in the proposal and any plans and specifications attached thereto unless prior approval for any change has been received from FIND.
3. The County has the ability and intention to finance its share of the cost of the project, and the project will be operated and maintained at the expense of the County for public use.
4. The County will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, or national origin in the use of any property or facility acquired or developed pursuant to this proposal, and the County shall comply with the terms and intent of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, P.L.88-352(1964) and design and construct all such facilities to comply fully with statutes relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities as well as other federal, state and local laws, rules and requirements.
5. The County will maintain adequate financial records on the proposed project to substantiate claims for reimbursement.
6. The County will make available to FIND, if requested, a post-audit of expenses incurred on the project prior to, or in conjunction with, a request for the final 10 percent of the funding agreed to by FIND.

Section 4. This Board, pursuant to section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, hereby approves the disbursement of up to $45,000.00 of vessel registration fees from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) to be used to fund the 50 percent match requirement of the FIND grant funding described in section 2 above. The use of the waterway maintenance vessel acquired with such vessel registration fees in the BBEETF shall be limited to those uses that are consistent with section 7-22.1 and section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, in addition to all applicable state laws related to the use of such vessel registration fees.

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Date:

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

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Application for the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program (FIND WAP) to Purchase a Waterway Maintenance Vessel; and Authorizing a Disbursement from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund as Grant Matching Funds

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
The purpose of this item is to seek approval from the Board of County Commissioners of an application for up to $45,000.00 in grant funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program (FIND WAP). If awarded, this grant will assist with the purchase of a waterway maintenance vessel for the purpose of implementing and enhancing the County�s marine debris removal and disposal program within Biscayne Bay, its tidal tributaries, and foreshore, as marine debris poses a hazard to navigation, property, public health and safety, and the environment. The timely and cost-effective removal and disposal of marine debris is critical to mitigating such hazards, and the purchase and use of such vessel by the County will allow it to conduct removal of marine debris more quickly and in a more cost-effective manner. The resolution also certifies certain conditions required by the FIND WAP. The waterway maintenance vessel will be used by the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) in the implementation of its marine debris removal and disposal program.

Additionally, this item seeks to authorize a disbursement of up to $45,000.00 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) as the required match for the purchase of a waterway maintenance vessel for the purpose of implementing and enhancing the County�s marine debris removal and disposal program in Biscayne Bay. The use of the waterway maintenance vessel acquired with such vessel registration fees in the BBEETF shall be limited to those uses that are consistent with section 7-22.1 and section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopt the attached resolution which approves the application for up to $45,000.00 in grant funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program (FIND WAP) and authorize a disbursement of up to $45,000.00 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) as the required County match.

Scope
This project will benefit the County�s tidal waterways and coastal areas, including Biscayne Bay, its tidal tributaries, and foreshore, within Commission Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 represented by Commissioner Marleine Bastien, Commissioner Keon Hardemon, Commissioner Micky Steinberg, Commissioner Vicki L. Lopez, Commissioner Raquel Regalado, Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins and Vice Chairman Kionne L. McGhee, respectively.
Delegation of Authority
This item will authorize the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to apply to the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Waterway Assistance Program for grant funding in the amount of up to $45,000.00 which will serve as a 50 percent match of the actual cost of the project on behalf of Miami-Dade County.

Additionally, the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is authorized to receive and expend the grant funds received pursuant to such application, and to execute a grant agreement that is consistent with the application and this resolution, after approval by the County Attorney�s Office as to form and legal sufficiency.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The vessel to be acquired currently has an estimated purchase price of approximately $80,000.00, fully equipped and trailered. An estimated total cost of up to $90,000.00 is being used for the purpose of the FIND WAP grant application to account for potential increases in the purchase price prior to acquisition. If awarded, the FIND WAP will provide fifty (50)
percent of the vessel�s actual purchase price, or up to $45,000.00, and the County will be required to provide matching funds in an equal amount (i.e. up to $45,000.00).

Additionally, this resolution authorizes the disbursement of up to $45,000.00 from the BBEETF as matching funds. The source of these funds will be annual vessel registration fees collected by the County as authorized by Section 328.66 Florida Statutes. The current available balance of unencumbered annual vessel registration fees in the BBEETF as of March 27, 2026 is approximately $128,399.00.

The cost associated with the maintenance of the vessel after acquisition is estimated to be less than $10,200.00 per year, which will be paid from DERM�s operating budget.

Track Record/Monitor
Pamela Sweeney, Chief of DERM�s Water Resources Coordination Division, will monitor activities related to management of the grant and the expenditure of the requested funds.

Background
DERM has a successful and on-going program that removes marine debris from the County�s tidal waterways, including but not limited to Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. The marine debris targeted by this program includes derelict vessels, lost and abandoned fishing gear, illegal structures, and miscellaneous other deleterious materials both large and small. Depending on the type, size, and location of the debris, this work is conducted by County vendors, DERM staff, volunteers, individuals performing court-mandated community service, or a combination of these.

In furtherance of this program, DERM seeks to acquire a dedicated workboat that is rugged and has a shallow draft, wide beam and plenty of deck space, characteristics that will enhance DERM�s ability to directly access, transport, and remove larger types and quantities of marine debris, particularly from shallow water areas. Vessels currently possessed by DERM are not intended for, or especially well-suited to, performing such tasks. Acquiring the desired vessel is expected to result in marine debris removal and disposal by DERM that is more timely, efficient, cost-effective, and far reaching.

The use of annual vessel registration fees deposited into the BBEETF for this purpose is consistent with Section 7-22.1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County in that the vessel will be used exclusively for activities involving fisheries and habitat enhancement and maintenance, and other waterway maintenance, regulation, and enhancement. Approval of the disbursement for this purpose is also consistent with Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, which allows BBEETF funds to be used for the restoration and enhancement of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore.

The County�s application for this particular Waterway Assistance Program grant from FIND is required to be accompanied by a resolution of this Board, and pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 66B-2.006, such County resolution is required to follow a particular form and include certain required language and County certifications, all of which are included herein as follows:

1. The County will accept the terms and conditions set forth in FIND Rule 66B-2 of the Florida Administrative Code and which will be a part of the Project Agreement for any assistance awarded under the proposal included in the County�s grant application.
2. The County is in complete accord with such proposal and will carry out the Program in the manner described in the proposal and any plans and specifications attached thereto unless prior approval for any change has been received from FIND.
3. The County has the ability and intention to finance its share of the cost of the project, and the project will be operated and maintained at the expense of the County for public use.
4. The County will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, or national origin in the use of any property or facility acquired or developed pursuant to this proposal, and the County shall comply with the terms and intent of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, P.L.88-352(1964) and design and construct all such facilities to comply fully with statutes relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities as well as other federal, state and local laws, rules and requirements.
5. The County will maintain adequate financial records on the proposed project to substantiate claims for reimbursement.
6. The County will make available to FIND, if requested, a post-audit of expenses incurred on the project prior to, or in conjunction with, a request for the final 10 percent of the funding agreed to by FIND.

In accordance with Section 24-40(4) of the Code, I have received and considered the attached recommendation of the DERM Director for the disbursement of up to $45,000.00 from the BBEETF.


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Roy Coley
Chief Utilities and Regulatory Services Officer