Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationFile Number: 09-00274 Final Action Date: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING A "COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM," TO INCLUDE BICYCLING AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY'S") TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY INITIATIVES, WITH SAID GUIDELINES TO BE DEVELOPED BY CITY STAFF WITHIN SIXTY (60 DAYS); FURTHER URGING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ADOPTION OF THE "COMPLETE STREETS" GUIDELINES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED STATES SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, THE SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, THE MAYOR AND COUNTY MANAGER OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. WHEREAS, the United States now has 300 million people, and that number is expected to grow to 365 million by 2030 and to 420 million by 2050, with the vast majority of that growth to be in congested urban areas where significant limitations exist on accommodating increased motor vehicle travel; and WHEREAS, since 1980, the number of miles Americans have driven has grown three times faster than the United States population; and WHEREAS, a local and national transportation system that invests in, and is conducive to, bicycling reduces traffic congestion in the most heavily congested urban areas while promoting an overall improved quality of life that is valuable for the nation; and WHEREAS, more than 200 cities throughout the United States, representing more than 35 million people, have committed to implementing bicycle friendly action plans to make those cities more bicycle friendly; and WHEREAS, the greatest potential for increased bicycle usage is in major urban areas where 40 percent of trips are two miles or less and 28 percent are less than one mile; and WHEREAS, the transportation sector contributes one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and passenger automobiles and light trucks alone contribute 21 percent; and WHEREAS, ten percent of global oil production goes solely toward fueling America's cars and trucks and the United States could save 462 millions of gallons of gasoline a year by increasing cycling from one percent to one and a half percent of all trips; and City of Miami Page 1 of 3 Printed On: 3/4/2009 City of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Legislation Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Resolution File Number: 09-00274 Final Action Date: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING A "COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM," TO INCLUDE BICYCLING AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE CITY OF MIAMI'S ("CITY'S") TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY INITIATIVES, WITH SAID GUIDELINES TO BE DEVELOPED BY CITY STAFF WITHIN SIXTY (60 DAYS); FURTHER URGING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ADOPTION OF THE "COMPLETE STREETS" GUIDELINES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED STATES SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, THE SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, THE MAYOR AND COUNTY MANAGER OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. WHEREAS, the United States now has 300 million people, and that number is expected to grow to 365 million by 2030 and to 420 million by 2050, with the vast majority of that growth to be in congested urban areas where significant limitations exist on accommodating increased motor vehicle travel; and WHEREAS, since 1980, the number of miles Americans have driven has grown three times faster than the United States population; and WHEREAS, a local and national transportation system that invests in, and is conducive to, bicycling reduces traffic congestion in the most heavily congested urban areas while promoting an overall improved quality of life that is valuable for the nation; and WHEREAS, more than 200 cities throughout the United States, representing more than 35 million people, have committed to implementing bicycle friendly action plans to make those cities more bicycle friendly; and WHEREAS, the greatest potential for increased bicycle usage is in major urban areas where 40 percent of trips are two miles or less and 28 percent are less than one mile; and WHEREAS, the transportation sector contributes one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and passenger automobiles and light trucks alone contribute 21 percent; and WHEREAS, ten percent of global oil production goes solely toward fueling America's cars and trucks and the United States could save 462 millions of gallons of gasoline a year by increasing cycling from one percent to one and a half percent of all trips; and City of Miami Page 1 of 3 Printed On: 3/4/2009 File Number: 09-00274 WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control estimates that if all physically inactive Americans became active, $77 billion in medical costs would be saved; and WHEREAS, the United States is challenged by an obesity epidemic, demonstrated by 65 percent of United States adults being either overweight or obese, and 13 percent of children and adolescents are overweight, due, in large part, to a lack of regular activity; and WHEREAS, the percentage of United States children who walk or bike to school has dropped by 70 percent since 1969, such that only 15 percent of students either walk or bike to school in 2001 and the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in recent years; and WHEREAS, the City of Miami adopted the Miami Climate Protection Agreement on April 12, 2007, calling for the enactment of policies and programs designed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, a key component of which is to implement climate -friendly land -use policies and invest in public transportation and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the City of Miami adopted the Bicycle Action Plan on October 16, 2008, calling for, among other things, the promotion of policies intended to create a "Complete Streets" policy; and WHEREAS, more than 80 jurisdictions, including cities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and states spanning all regions of the country, have adopted "Complete Streets" policies that direct transportation planners to consider the needs of all users when transportation investment decisions are made; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets policies benefit communities in numerous ways, by making streets designed for all users safer, easing congestion, and costing less in the long run, while encouraging economic development; and WHEREAS, Complete Streets policies also make important contributions toward alleviating the serious national challenges of energy security, climate change and obesity, and promoting clean air, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps children and adults get more physical activity by providing safe, convenient alternatives to driving; and WHEREAS, the streets within the City of Miami are owned, maintained and under the jurisdiction of the State of Florida, Department of Transportation, and Miami -Dade County; and WHEREAS, last year Senator Harkin introduced the Complete Streets Act of 2008 (S. 2686), a landmark bill to ensure that streets truly work for people of all ages and abilities, and it is an important piece of legislation that would ensure that future transportation investments made by the State Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations create appropriate and safe transportation facilities for all those using the road -motorists, transit vehicles and riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section. City of Miami Page 2 of 3 Printed On: 3/4/2009 File Number: 09-00274 Section 2. The City Manager is directed to work with City Staff to develop guidelines intended to create a "Complete Streets Program" that provide appropriate and safe transportation facilities for all who use our roads- motorists, transit vehicles and riders, bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Section 3. The City Manager shall present the guidelines for the Complete Streets Program to the Commission within sixty (60) days of the approval of this Resolution. Section 4. The City Commission urges the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation, Miami -Dade County and the Metropolitan Planning Organization to embrace and adopt Complete Streets guidelines and policies that acknowledge the contributions of bicycles as a means to reduce vehicle miles by integrating bicycle use into standard street design; and Section 5. The City Commission urges the President and the members of the United States Congress to support the Complete Streets Act when it is introduced in the 111th Congress and throughout the development of the next transportation authorization bill. Section 6. The City Clerk is instructed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretaries of the United States and Florida Departments of Transportation, the Mayor and County Manager of Miami -Dade County, and the Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption and signature of the Mayor.{1} APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS% JULIE O. BRU CITY ATTORNEY Footnotes: {1} If the mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission. City of Miami Page 3 of 3 Printed On: 3/412009