M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: July 20, 2016
Re: A Resolution approving the Interlocal Agreement between the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the development of an “South Dade Transit Way Implementation Plan”
REQUESTTitleT
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MIAMI-DADE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) AND THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY FOR THE SOUTH DADE TRANSIT WAY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN; PROVIDING FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town of Cutler Bay has partnered with the Village of Pinecrest, Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida City, City of Homestead and Miami-Dade County to advocate for the development of rapid transit in South Dade along the US-1 Corridor (South Dixie Highway). On May 12, 2016, the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust voted unanimously to support the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan and for funding for the Project Development and Environment studies for the South Dade Transit Way Corridor to be administered by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has agreed to fund a portion of the South Dade Transit Way Implementation Plan and has asked that each partner contributes a to the initial project funding. The Town of Cutler Bay has been asked to contribute $50,400 or 4.2% of the estimated project cost of $1,210,000. Funding for this Project is an eligible expense from the Town’s Transit Allocation - People’s Transportation Plan Municipal potion.
The South Dade Transit Way Implementation Plan that will at a minimum include the following activities:
• Development of a local corridor vision plan to enhance mobility, accessibility and connectivity along the corridor
• Development of a community engagement plan to look for input and consensus of businesses, residents and elected officials
• Promote the economic development along the corridor
• Participate in charrettes and public meetings to inform the community
• Establish a Project Advisory Team (PAT) with the participation of all parties to work collaboratively to promote the advancement of rapid transit development along the South Dade Transit Way
• Reach consensus on key project issues and work cooperatively towards resolving any conflicts that may arise.
Adoption of the “South Dade Transit Way Implementation Plan” is aligned with the Town’s adopted 2014-19 Strategic Master Plan Goal 9.1: Objective 1 “The Town will continue to enhance roadways and pedestrian facilities”. One of the identified milestones for this objective calls for the “Town’s Public Works Department to continue coordinating this activity [corridor improvements] with Miami-Dade County PW Department and Metropolitan Planning Organization through the use of grants”. Additionally, the concept of improving transit along the US-1 Transit Corridor within the Town is upported by the adopted 2014 Cutler Bay Transportation Master Plan which, was funded in part by the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council approve the attached Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute the Interlocal Agreement with the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).