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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-MemoCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA IN.Ea.o& :: RaTEaINTO THE TO: FROM: The Honorable Mayor and FUBLTC REGORDFOR Memb- •- • ►vie City Commission DATE : ITE RDL :I NON -et Pedro G. City Manager ez, P.E. REFERENCES: ENCLOSURES: FILE : RECOMMENDATION After reviewing the history of Margaret Street and after reviewing the improvements that were completed, the Administration recommends that the park -like improvements remain. This includes the fence and gates, pedestrian path and lighting that were installed. The conditions upon which this would be acceptable would be as follow: 1) The gates must remain unlocked so that the area is accessible to the public. 2) The fence installation would need to obtain an after -the -fact building permit. BACKGROUND History Margaret Street is an unpaved/unimproved dedicated right of way. In January, 2001, the City Commission passed a resolution recommending that all such sections of streets within the City limits be paved. One of these sections included three blocks on Margaret (from Frow Avenue to Day Avenue which is approximately 825'). Sometime in 2003, the City was about to proceed with paving Margaret Street between Frow and Day Avenues (three blocks) and notified adjacent property owners. The property owners between Percival and Day Avenues agreed and this one block was paved. The property owners between Frow and Percival Avenues did not want these two blocks paved and instead requested the City Commission to direct that the undeveloped street be preserved as "open green" space. The paving of the this two block portion of Margaret Street was cancelled. The unpaved portion of Margaret Street is still dedicated right of way and is not designated as an official "park". Subsequently, the homeowners met with the NET office to discuss creating a green space at this location for future generations. The NET office and Commissioner's office discussed options to fund the green space improvement with CIP funds. 0024 . S ,h en 0 Margaret Street Green Space March 11, 2008 Page 2 However, it was at this time that the homeowners created the "Grove Heritage Tropical Garden Committee" and wanted to create a garden within the right of way. The Committee stated that they had the support and assistance from numerous non -city entities to design and plant the garden and all they needed from the City were permits. The Public Works Department (PWD) responded on May 27, 2004 with the requirements for obtaining peiinits, including a maintenance agreement. The Committee did not respond to the letter and the City made no commitments to the Committee or any homeowners. The area remained untouched until March 2007. In late March 2007, the District Commission office contacted the Public Works Department to request permission to have the area cleaned and debris removed by local volunteers. The fence and gates were completed within the next few months, without plans being submitted and approved by the PWD or a building permit. The Parks Department then authorized the installation of the meandering path and lighting. Open Space Improvement Margaret Street is an unpaved/unimproved public right of way. For the park -like improvements, Commission action for the closure is not required. Since the area is remaining public/accessible, there is no requirement to re -plat. It also did not require legislation because it is unimproved right-of-way and vehicular traffic was not being restricted. It did not require resolution as this legislative action is only required when a vehicular traffic pattern is impacted. The only conditions required ` for the above - mentioned improvements on Margaret Street are 1) The area must remain open and accessible to the public and 2) An entity must agree to maintain the improvements, in this case, the Parks Department agreed to maintain the improvements. Funding of Green Space Improvements The Homeland Defense/Neighborhood Improvement Bond Program includes an allotment of discretionary funding for each district, known as Quality of Life funds. The allocation of the Quality of Life funds are included in the Capital Improvements Plan which is approved annually via City Commission resolution. The Administration then obtains each District Commissioner's input to determine what projects will be funded with these discretionary funds within the respective District. In this particular case, the green space improvements were paid for by the District 2 Quality of Life discretionary fund. As the projects are identified, they are brought to the Bond Oversight Board for review and recommendation. Once this approval is obtained, procurement may proceed. The procurement is handled in the manner whereby an end -user department places a request; and, Submitted into the public record in connection with item D2.1 on 03-13-08 Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk Margaret Street Green Space March 11, 2008 Page 3 1) If a current open and competitive contract previously approved by the City Commission is available for the work to be performed, said contract will be utilized; 2) If a current contract is unavailable, then the project will be openly and competitively bid out. In this case, the item would go before the City Commission for approval. In the case of the Margaret Street Green Space project, option one was selected for the meandering path and lighting. The Projects implemented through the use of Quality of Life Discretionary funds are included in the Capital Improvement Plan and presented to City Commission, for approval, during the next fiscal year. C: Bill Anido, Assistant City Manager Roger Hernstadt, Assistant City Manager Stephanie Grindell, Director, Public Works Ernest Burkeen, Director, Parks Submitted into the public record in connection with item D2.1 on 03-13-08 Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk