TITLE
RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE ACTIONS OF THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-959-18, IN EXECUTING A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (USDOT) FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION (FTA) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,250,000.00 UNDER FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2023 PILOT PROGRAM FOR TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) PLANNING SECTION 20005(B) FUNDS FOR THE LITTLE HAITI NORTHEAST CORRIDOR COMMUTER RAIL STATION MASTER TOD PLAN; RATIFYING RECEIPT OF AND EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS

BODY
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. This Board ratifies pursuant to Resolution No. R-959-18, the execution by the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee of a grant agreement the USDOT FTA in the amount of $1,250,000.00 under the FY 2023 Pilot Program for TOD Planning Section 20005(b) (Project # D2020-TODP-004) for the Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station for the Northeast Corridor. The funding will be used for the Master TOD Plan for the Miami-Dade County Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station for the Northeast Corridor project.

Section 2. This Board ratifies the receipt of and expenditure of funds received.

HEADER
Date:

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

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: Ratification of Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Transportation for $1,250,000 under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (Section 20005(b))

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
This item seeks ratification by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) of the Administration�s actions in applying for, receiving and executing a grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning (Section 20005(b)) in the amount of $1,250,000. The funds will be used to prepare a Master TOD Plan for the Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station as part of the Northeast Corridor project.

Pursuant to Resolution No. R-959-18, the Administration is authorized to execute grant agreements with FTA on behalf of the County, including the authority to receive and expend funds. This item ratifies the Administration�s execution of the grant agreement.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) sought funding to create a station area and mobility plan to encourage equitable transit-oriented growth around the Little Haiti Station. The plan will enhance multimodal transportation options, provide access to job centers and encourage affordable, higher-density housing developments.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board ratify the Administration�s execution of the grant agreement with FTA in the amount of $1,250,000 under the FY 2023 Transit-Oriented Development Planning (Section 20005(b)) Program. This ratification includes the Administration�s authority to receive and expend grant funds.

Scope
The Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station for the Northeast Corridor project is located in District 3, represented by Commissioner Keon Hardemon.

Delegated Authority
The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is delegated the authority to: (1) retroactively apply for, receive, and expend grant funds, and to execute grant agreements and related documents with the FTA; and (2) apply for, receive and expend any additional funds that may become available under the FTA Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning, and to execute any necessary agreements with non-County parties to implement the program.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
The grant provides funding of up to $1,250,000 for the preparation of a Master TOD Plan for the Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station as part of the Northeast Corridor project. No matching or in-kind contribution is required from Miami-Dade County.

Program Name / Program Number County Budget Funding Source
STRATEGIC MIAMI AREA RAPID TRANSIT PLAN (SMART) PHASE 1 - 672670 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and Multi-Year Capital Plan, Volume 2, Page 162 Federal Funds

Track Record/Monitor
The County has entered into numerous funding agreements with FTA since 1991. The Grant Manager for this award is Paola Baez, Chief of Multi-Modal Development Planning, DTPW.

Background
On April 18, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), through the FTA, announced the selection of projects funded with FY 2023 and prior year appropriations under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning.
This program is authorized under federal public transportation law, including Section 20005(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, with funding authorized by 49 U.S.C. � 5338(a)(2)(B), and further supported by Section 30009 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The program supports comprehensive and site-specific planning efforts associated with new fixed-guideway and core capacity transit capital projects.
DTPW will utilize these funds to support planning efforts for the Little Haiti Commuter Rail Station within the Northeast Corridor project. The department will coordinate with property owners and stakeholders to promote transit-oriented development along the corridor, with a focus on enhancing mobility, improving connectivity and accessibility, expanding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, encouraging mixed-use development, and identifying opportunities for public-private partnerships.
The proposed Master TOD Plan will advance the County�s efforts to increase mixed-use development near rapid transit stations by identifying priority locations and providing implementation strategies for TOD areas with strong potential to support ridership, economic development, multimodal connectivity, and accessibility. DTPW anticipates completing the work plan activities within four years of grant award.


___________________
Jimmy Morales
Chief Operating Officer