May 21, 2003 - City of Miami Beach

Afteraction May 21, 2003 City of Miami Beach3:26:30 p.m.R7E A Resolution Authorizing The Electrowave To Continue The Washington Avenue Route Service; AuthorizingThe Administration To Implement A Change From Electric -Battery To Diesel Technology; And To FurtherEvaluate And Implement Contracting Options, Route Modification Options, And Enhanced Marketing StrategiesThat Would Make The Local Transit Circulator More Efficient And Cost Effective.(Public Works)ACTION: Resolution No. 2003-25218 adopted with amendments. Motion made by CommissionerGross to adopt the recommendation of the Administration; seconded by Commissioner Bower; Voice vote: 6-1; Opposed: Commissioner Steinberg. Fred Beckmann to handle.Item R7E and R7F heard together.Fred Beckmann introduced the item.Joel Volinski, Director, NCTR, the City's consultant, gave a PowerPoint Presentation.Elizabeth Donnelly spoke.David Haber spoke.Joan Annie spoke.Erika Brigham spoke.David Kelsey spoke.Marlo Courtney spokeTourquil Smith spoke.Amendment:Motion made by Commissioner Gross to adopt the recommendation of the Administration tocontinue the service on Washington Avenue route, authorize the change from electric to diesel;continue to work with Miami-Dade County or other vendors to evaluate the alternatives, keepthe headways down, get the big loop, work to adjust the hours to the rider ship, start toimplement the marketing plan, and include in the wayfinding signage; Seconded byCommissioner Bower; Voice vote: 6-1; Opposed: Commissioner Steinberg.Commissioner Steinberg stated he will be voting against the motion because of theconcurrency credit and offered an amendment to remove the concurrency credits.Commissioner Gross stated that he believes the shuttle stands on its own and would not vote for it as a toolfor concurrency. Concurrency is a separate issue and suggested the Commission deal with concurrency.Commissioner Steinberg asked why this item needs to be approved today?Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, stated that marketing has not been done because the Administration wasn'tquite sure of the future of this program. It appears the sentiment of the Commission seems to be that theprogram is worth continuing with the recommendations above. This program does a lot of things and one ofthem is a concurrency credit. Giving up the concurrency credit should be discussed in greater detail. TheAdministration will continue to work with Miami -Dade County to explore different levels of cooperation orperhaps having them take over the operations and explore the diesel routes.Handout or Reference Materials1. Copy of the PowerPoint presentation.2. Pamphlet title "Electrowave"Prepared by the City Clerk’s Office Page No. 22M:\$CMB\CITYCLER\AFTERACT\2003\Afteractions\aa030521.doc