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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationCity of Miami Legislation Resolution City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com File Number: 16-01228 Final Action Date: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE ALL NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE ACTION, INCLUDING THE ALLOCATION OF EMERGENCY FUNDING, TO COMBAT AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE ZIKA VIRUS IN THE CITY OF MIAMI; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE DESIGNATED OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN. WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to the Zika virus on February 1, 2016; and WHEREAS, the Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes egypti species mosquito; WHEREAS, signs and symptoms for those individuals infected with the Zika virus include acute onset of low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (reddening of eye), body aches, headache, eye pain, and vomiting; however, only about 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus are symptomatic; and WHEREAS, the Zika virus may also be transmitted by a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy, through sex from a person who has the Zika virus to his or her partners or through blood transfusion; and WHEREAS, the Zika virus is linked to microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects; and WHEREAS, presently there is no specific treatment against the Zika virus; and WHEREAS, John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, former Surgeon General of Florida and State Health Officer, by virtue of Executive Order Number 16-29 of Governor Rick Scott, declared that a public health emergency exists in Miami -Dade County related to the Zika virus on February 4, 2016; and WHEREAS, neighborhoods within the City of Miami ("City"), including the Wynwood Neighborhood, have been identified as the nation's first area with active Zika virus transmission through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Florida Department of Health ("DOH"); and WHEREAS, the Wynwood Neighborhood is a globally recognized center for art and culture, home to a large number of art galleries, artist studios, restaurants and clothing wholesalers; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") issued an unprecedented travel warning, advising pregnant woman and their partners not to travel to several neighborhoods in the City of Miami, including the Wynwood Neighborhood, which is the first time the CDC has warned people not to travel to an American neighborhood for fear of catching an infectious disease; and City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File Id: 16-01228 (Version: 1) Printed On: 8/29/2016 File Number: 16-01228 WHEREAS, businesses throughout the affected neighborhoods have been adversely affected by the Zika virus as it has discouraged visitors, both residents and tourists alike, resulting in several business being forced to cancel events and/or indefinitely close; and WHEREAS, because of the potential impact of the Zika virus is still relatively unknown, and in light of the significant harm that the virus may cause, the Miami City Commission ("City Commission") believes that steps must be taken to ensure the City of Miami is prepared to combat and prevent the spread of the Zika virus in order to ensure the health and safety of residents, tourists and business partners alike, not only throughout the Wynwood Neighborhood, but the City as a whole; 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 as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The City Commission urges the United States Congress, Florida Legislature and Miami -Dade County to immediately take all necessary and appropriate action including, but not limited to, the allocation of emergency funding, to combat and prevent the spread of the Zika virus in order to ensure the health and safety of residents, tourists and business partners alike, not only throughout the Wynwood Neighborhood, but the City as a whole. Section 3. The City Commission further calls upon the United States Congress, Florida Legislature and Miami -Dade County to allocate additional funding to the City to be used for (1) the promotion, marketing, dissemination of information, and other similar services, in order to encourage residents and tourists to continue to visit the City of Miami and the Wynwood Neighborhood, (2) the creation of an economic recovery program to assist those businesses within the City of Miami who have suffered a demonstrable economic loss due the Zika virus, and (3) infrastructure upgrades to improve drainage, reduce flooding, and prevent standing water. Section 4. The City Commission directs the City's federal and state lobbyists to advocate for the funding as set forth in Sections 2 and 3 above, and authorizes and directs the City Manager to include this item as a legislative priority when the 2016 Legislative Package is presented to the City Commission. Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the United States Congressional Delegation from Florida, The Florida Cabinet, The Miami -Dade County Legislative Delegation, and Miami -Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, with City Commission authorization that this Resolution may be utilized in any and all efforts, public and private, to deliver additional funding to the City and the Wynwood Neighborhood. Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor. (1} APPROVED AS TO FORM ANCQRRECTNESS: c u tom—� VI q ORIA M NDEZ— CI Y ATTORNEY City of Miami Page 2 of 3 File Id: 16-01228 (Version: 1) Printed On: 8/29/2016 File Number: 16-01228 Footnotes: {1} if the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) 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 File Id: 16-01228 (Version: 1) Printed On: 8/29/2016