HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Summary FormAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
File ID: #14402
Date: 07/28/2023
Commission Meeting Date: 07/27/2023
Requesting Department: City Commission
Sponsored By: Sabina Covo, Christine King
District Impacted: All
Type: Resolution
Subject: Urging Miami -Dade County to Consider Acquiring Bird Key from Bird Key LLC
Budget Impact Analysis
Total Fiscal Impact:
City Commission
Legislative Division
Office of the City Attorney
Office of Management and Budget
Office of the City Attorney
Office of the City Clerk
Reviewed B
Nicole Ewan
Valentin J Alvarez
Thomas M. Fossler
Marie Gouin
Victoria Mendez
City Clerk's Office
Meeting
Legislative Division Review
ACA Review
Budget Review
Approved Form and Correctness
Rendered
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
07/27/2023 9:00 AM
08/01/2023 9:22 AM
08/08/2023 11:42 AM
08/08/2023 5:06 PM
08/09/2023 10:27 PM
08/10/2023 8:05 AM
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-23-0352
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 14402 Final Action Date:7/27/2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ("COUNTY") TO CONSIDER ACQUIRING BIRD KEY FROM BIRD KEY LLC,
THE CURRENT PRIVATE OWNERS, AS PART OF ITS ENVIRONMENTALLY
ENDANGERED LANDS PROGRAM; FURTHER URGING THE COUNTY TO ENACT
LEGISLATION THAT DESIGNATES BIRD KEY AS A PROTECTED
ENVIRONMENTAL SANCTUARY AND RESTRICTS COMMERCIALIZATION OR
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE AREA; URGING THE UNITED STATES
COAST GUARD TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT OF ANY COMMERCIAL PROJECTS PROPOSED IN THE AREA
SURROUNDING BIRD KEY AS PART OF ITS REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESS
AND TO REJECT ANY PROJECTS THAT WOULD DISTURB THE ECOSYSTEM OF
THE ISLAND; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Bird Key is a 3.7-acre islet located in Biscayne Bay off the coast of Miami,
Florida, known for serving as a mangrove -lined sanctuary for numerous native bird species
offering them shelter and a place to rest away from predators on the mainland; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key is one of the few naturally formed islands in Biscayne Bay and has
long been recognized as environmentally endangered land by Miami -Dade County (the
"County") due to its ecological significance and vital role in supporting local wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key is currently privately owned, making it susceptible to potential
commercial development that could further harm the environment and wildlife in the area; and
WHEREAS, recently the island has been plagued with washed-up piles of trash and the
collapse of its rookery in 2019, which has impacted the bird colonies and their natural habitat;
and
WHEREAS, recent proposals have been made to commercialize the area surrounding
Bird Key, which many experts believe will further disturb the area ensuring the bird colonies
never recover; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key remains on the County's Endangered Lands Program, but no
offers have been made to the Matheson family, who currently manage Bird Key LLC, the entity
that owns island, to acquire and protect the land; and
WHEREAS, it is crucial to protect and preserve Bird Key's ecological significance and
the diverse wildlife it supports by ensuring that it remains free from commercialization or other
human development that threatens the already endangered bird species; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-33(f) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida,
as amended, the City Commission, by a majority vote, hereby deems this Resolution to be of an
emergency nature;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby urges the County to consider acquiring Bird
Key from Bird Key LLC, the current private owners, as part of its Environmentally Endangered
Lands Program.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby urges the County to enact legislation that
designates Bird Key as a protected environmental sanctuary and restricts commercialization or
human development around the area.
Section 4. The City Commission hereby urges the United States Coast Guard to
conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment of any commercial projects proposed in
the area surrounding Bird Key as part of its regulatory review process and to reject any projects
that would disturb the ecosystem of the island.
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the
Miami -Dade County Board of Commissioners and to the District Commander for District 7 of the
United State Coast Guard ("USCG"), and the Sector Miami Commander for the USCG Atlantic
Area.
Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ndez, City ttor ey 8/972023