HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsOFFICIAL FILE COPY
CLERK OF THE BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
MEMORANDUM
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
TO: Honorable Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III DATE: May 21, 2024
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Geri Bonzon-Keenan
County Attorney
SUBJECT: Resolution directing the County Mayor to
support Zero Drownings Miami -Dade and
the Collaborative to increase water safety for
certain young children in Miami -Dade
County, including, but not limited to,
establishing an office of drowning
prevention and instituting a three-year trial
program; authorizing the County Mayor to
receive and expend up to $750,000.00 in
grant funding from the Children's Trust for
the three-year trial program; authorizing the
County Mayor to negotiate and execute all
necessary agreements and documents with
the Zero Drownings Miami -Dade
collaborative partners and funders and
providers to effectuate the trial program, and
to exercise all provisions contained therein;
directing the County Mayor to identify
legally available funding to support
dedicated staff for the trial program in the
fiscal years 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-
2026, and 2026-2027 County budgets; after
the trial program ends and subject to
satisfying certain conditions, authorizing the
County Mayor to accept and expend future
grant funds to continue the zero Drownings
Miami -Dade collaborative and program and
execute necessary agreements and
documents for the same; waiving Resolution
No. R-130-06; and requiring reports
Resolution No. R-455-24
The accompanying resolution was prepared and placed on the agenda at the request of Prime Sponsor
Commissioner Keon Hardemon and Co -Sponsors Commissioner Marleine Bastien, Commissioner Kevin
Marino Cabrera, Senator Rene Garcia, Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez and Commissioner Micky
Steinberg.
Geri Bonzon-Keenan
County Attorney
GBK/uw
MEMORANDUM
(Revised)
TO:
FROM:
Honorable Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
onzon-Keenan
County Attorney
DATE: May 21, 2024
Amended
SUBJECT: Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Please note any items checked.
"3-Day Rule" for committees applicable if raised
6 weeks required between first reading and public hearing
4 weeks notification to municipal officials required prior to public
hearing
Decreases revenues or increases expenditures without balancing budget
Budget required
Statement of fiscal impact required
Statement of social equity required
Ordinance creating a new board requires detailed County Mayor's
report for public hearing
No committee review
Applicable legislation requires more than a majority vote (i.e., 2/3's
present , 2/3 membership , 3/5's , unanimous , CDMP
7 vote requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or (4)(c) , CDMP 2/3 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(3)(h) or (4)(c) , or CDMP 9 vote
requirement per 2-116.1(4)(c)(2) ) to approve
Current information regarding funding source, index code and available
balance, and available capacity (if debt is contemplated) required
Approved
Veto
Override
Mayor
RESOLUTION NO. R-455-24
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
5-21-24
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR
COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO SUPPORT ZERO
DROWNINGS MIAMI-DADE AND THE COLLABORATIVE
TO INCREASE WATER SAFETY FOR CERTAIN YOUNG
CHILDREN IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF
DROWNING PREVENTION AND INSTITUTING A THREE-
YEAR TRIAL PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO RECEIVE
AND EXPEND UP TO $750,000.00 IN GRANT FUNDING
FROM THE CHILDREN' S TRUST FOR THE THREE-YEAR
TRIAL PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR
OR COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS AND
DOCUMENTS WITH THE ZERO DROWNINGS MIAMI-DADE
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND FUNDERS AND
PROVIDERS TO EFFECTUATE THE TRIAL PROGRAM, AND
TO EXERCISE ALL PROVISIONS CONTAINED THEREIN;
DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR'S
DESIGNEE TO IDENTIFY LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDING
TO SUPPORT DEDICATED STAFF FOR THE TRIAL
PROGRAM IN THE FISCAL YEARS 2023-2024, 2024-2025,
2025-2026, AND 2026-2027 COUNTY BUDGETS; AFTER THE
TRIAL PROGRAM ENDS AND SUBJECT TO SATISFYING
CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT
AND EXPEND FUTURE GRANT FUNDS TO CONTINUE THE
ZERO DROWNINGS MIAMI-DADE COLLABORATIVE AND
PROGRAM AND EXECUTE NECESSARY AGREEMENTS
AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE SAME; WAIVING
RESOLUTION NO. R-130-06; AND REQUIRING REPORTS
WHEREAS, all too often, the local news in Miami -Dade County reports on the accidental
drowning of a toddler or young child; and
WHEREAS, such a tragedy can take place in a matter of seconds while a caretaker's
attention is diverted elsewhere —in the time it takes to answer a phone call or a knock at the door;
and
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 2
WHEREAS, it can happen in the family swimming pool, or in a natural body of water,
such as the ocean, or a lake or canal; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"),
drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, claiming an estimated
236,000 lives each year; and
WHEREAS, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance reports that, on average, 3,500
to 4,000 people lose their lives to drowning each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the CDC reports that more children ages one to four years old die from
drowning than any other cause of death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the CDC reports that for children ages five to 14 years old, drowning is
the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, from 2018 to 2020, Florida had the highest rate of unintentional
drowning deaths in the United States for children age zero to nine years old, according to
the Florida Depaillnent of Health; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Depailiuent of Children and Families reports that, in 2023, at
least 97 children died in Florida from accidental drowning; and
WHEREAS, in Miami -Dade County, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital
Statistics reported that from 2020 to 2022, the leading cause of death for children ages one to nine
was drowning; and
WHEREAS, the CDC reports that for every child under age 18 who dies from drowning,
another seven receive emergency depaitinent care for non -fatal drowning; and
WHEREAS, even if a young child has a non -fatal drowning experience, they can still be
left with severe brain damage and other long-term disabilities; and
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 3
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross and the CDC stress the importance of drowning
prevention efforts, including pool alarms, pool fencing, supervision, use of flotation devices, and
swimming lessons; and
WHEREAS, of these, formal swimming lessons has the potential to make dramatic
reductions in the risk of drowning in preschool and kindergarten age children; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross Scientific Review Council reports that it has been
demonstrated that children aged two to four years old can acquire the motor skills for swimming
and that most children aged four and a half years old are developmentally ready to do so; and
WHEREAS, according to the archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicines,
participation in formal swimming lessons is associated with an 88 percent reduction in the risk of
drowning for children; and
WHEREAS, Miami -Dade County has various programs that offer swim safety lessons;
and
WHEREAS, for example, in 2022 to 2023, the Miami -Dade County Parks, Recreation and
Open Spaces Depaituient ("PROS") provided swim lessons to over 7,000 children, with most
lessons taking place during the summer months, and a smaller percentage of lessons taking place
during the school year, outside of school hours; and
WHEREAS, more is needed; and
WHEREAS, to date, there is not a comprehensive, community -wide drowning prevention
program for children in Miami -Dade County; and
WHEREAS, Broward County established a drowning prevention initiative in 1999 that is
carried out in a partnership between its parks department, the Broward County Public School
system, and the Children's Services Council of Broward County; and
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 4
WHEREAS, Broward County' s drowning prevention initiative provides a large-scale,
learn -to -swim model, providing free swim lessons to 18,000 students during the school year; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, Broward County' s collaborative has enrolled more than
601,000 children in their swim safety program, providing more than 3.5 million water safety
lessons; and
WHEREAS, recently, a collaborative of representatives in Miami -Dade County, including
county staff from the Office of the County Mayor, PROS, the Community Action and Human
Services Department ("CAHSD"), and Miami -Dade Fire Rescue ("MDFR"), and The Children's
Trust ("The Trust"), and Miami -Dade County Public Schools ("M-DCPS"), and the American Red
Cross, and The Miami Foundation (together, the "Collaborative Group"), convened to brainstorm
about how to create a large-scale community -wide swimming program in Miami -Dade County,
using the Broward program as a model; and
WHEREAS, the result of the Collaborative Group is Zero Drownings Miami -Dade, a
three-year trial program ("Program") with the goal of increasing water safety for certain young
children in Miami -Dade County; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Program, the County would expand its current swim program
and work with the Collaborative Group to coordinate and facilitate free swim lessons for cohorts
of four -year -old and kindergarten -aged children at nearby public or private water safety swim
providers; and
WHEREAS, participating children would include those participating in the County' s Head
Start program, certain children in The Trust funded Thrive-By-5 private child care centers, and M-
DCPS kindergarten classrooms; and
WHEREAS, the children would be transported to nearby water safety swim providers to
receive essential drowning prevention instructions, during a 10-day, 30-minute group class; and
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 5
WHEREAS, providing the lesson during school hours has the advantage of ensuring the
swim facility is open and available and also makes it more likely the child will complete the
program; and
WHEREAS, each partner in the Collaborative Group will play a critical role to the
initiative during the three-year trial Program, as outlined below:
Miami -Foundation: serve as the pro-bono fiscal agent. Donation of fiscal agent services
will be evaluated after the trial Program.
The Children's Trust: provide $1,800,000.00 in funding for the Program, $750,000.00 of
which will support County staff costs, and $1,050,000.00 of which is slated to support
transportation costs, swim lesson costs, and other Program funding needs; future funding
for years two and three of the Program and beyond is contemplated at $500,000.00 each
year, but requires further Trust board approval; serve as Program facilitator; work to raise
private funding for the Program; and provide marketing and communications support.
County staff: [CAHSD] coordinate the inclusion of the Program into the Head Start
program, including obtaining necessary waiver, releases, and permission slips from
parents, and facilitating transportation to the swim lessons; [PROS] operate and coordinate
the Program and the use of county and municipal and private pools; [PROS] ensure swim
providers are certified according to state law and background screened; [PROS] direct
payments from the fiscal agent to swim providers and for transportation costs; provide
funding for staff in years two and three (anticipated to be four staff persons dedicated to
the Program); [MDFR] support program awareness and assist in preparing water safety
education materials and outreach.
M-DCPS: coordinate the inclusion of the Program into its kindergarten classrooms and
facilitate transportation services during the school day, including obtaining necessary
waiver, releases, and permission slips from parents.
American Red Cross: provide $12,000.00 toward the swim lessons in year one of the
Program, with possible future funding support; assist with swim guidelines and curriculum.
WHEREAS, other potential Program partners include the United Way Miami, and the Key
Biscayne Community Foundation, as well as additional private funders; and
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 6
WHEREAS, during year one (which will run roughly from April of 2024 through fiscal
year 2024-2025), it is anticipated that the Program will be provided to 4,400 children being
served at 12 swim sites, including several PROS -operated swim sites (Oak Grove, Palm
Springs North, Marva Bannerman, Rockway, A.D. Barnes, West Perrine, Naranja, South Dade);
and
WHEREAS, during year two (fiscal year 2025 to 2026), it is anticipated that the
Program will be provided to 10,000 participating children at 20 swim sites; and
WHEREAS, during year three (fiscal year 2026 to 2027), it is anticipated that the
Program will be fully implemented county -wide with a target goal of 20,000 participating
children per year at 30 swim sites; and
WHEREAS, it is the aim of the Collaborative Group to continue the Program beyond
the three-year trial term; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to increase water safety for children in the county and
supports the goal of the Collaborative Group and the implementation of the Zero
Drownings Miami -Dade Program,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Approves the foregoing recitals, which are incorporated herein
by reference.
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to take all
necessary steps to support Zero Drownings Miami -Dade and the collaborative to increase water
safety for certain young children in Miami -Dade County, including, but not limited to,
establishing an Office of Drowning Prevention in the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Department ("PROS"), or such other persons or department as designated by the County Mayor,
and instituting a three-year Zero
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 7
Drownings Miami -Dade trial program ("Program"), and encouraging the participation of
neurodiverse children in the Program.
Section 3. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to receive and
expend up to $750,000.00 in grant funding from The Children's Trust for the Program to support
staffing costs, as well as any additional funds provided as part of the Program for reimbursements
for swim lessons and transportation costs provided by, or incurred by, the County.
Section 4. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to negotiate and
execute all necessary agreements and documents with the Zero Drownings Miami -Dade
collaborative partners, funders, and swim and transportation providers to effectuate the Program,
following review and approval of such agreements for form and legal sufficiency by the County
Attorney's Office, and to exercise all provisions contained therein, including termination and
amendment, provided such amendments do not alter the purpose or term of the Program.
Section 5. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to identify legally
available funding in the fiscal years 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 County
budgets to fund dedicated staff persons to support the work of the Program, and to expend any
funds allocated by the Board for the Program.
Section 6. Requires the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee to submit an initial
report on the trial program ("Initial Trial Program Report") to this Board within 90 days after the
365th day of the commencement of the trial program and to place the completed report on an
agenda of the full Board without committee review pursuant to rule 5.06(j) of the Board's Rules
of Procedure. The Initial Trial Program Report, at a minimum, shall provide: (a) the number of
swim lessons provided; (b) the location of the participating children and the swim providers; (c)
the agreements entered into and the roles of the participating trial program partners; and (d) general
program outcomes. The County Mayor or County Mayor's designee is further directed to submit
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 8
a final report on the trial program to the Board, prior to the conclusion of the third year of the trial
program ("Final Trial Program Report"), and to place the Final Trial Program Report on an agenda
of the full Board without committee review pursuant to rule 5.06(j) of the Board's Rules of
Procedure. At a minimum, the Final Trial Program Report shall provide all the information
required in the Initial Trial Program Report as well as any new developments in the program since
the previous report and a recommendation as to continuing the Zero Drownings Miami -Dade
program beyond the trial term.
Section 7. Authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor's designee, after the end of
the trial program and subject to this Board's acceptance of the Final Trial Program Report, to
accept and expend any future grant funds provided to the County for the continuation of the Zero
Drownings Miami -Dade program, or allocated by the Board for the program, and to execute all
necessary agreements and documents with the Zero Drownings Miami -Dade collaborative
partners, funders, and swim and transportation providers for the continuation of the program,
following review and approval of such agreements for form and legal sufficiency by the County
Attorney's Office, and to exercise all provisions contained therein.
Section 8. Waives the requirements of Resolution No. R-130-06, requiring non-
governmental parties to execute agreements prior to presentation to this Board for approval.
The Prime Sponsor of the foregoing resolution is Commissioner Keon Hardemon and the
Co -Sponsors are Commissioner Marleine Bastien, Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera, Senator
Rene Garcia, Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez and Commissioner Micky Steinberg. It was
offered by Commissioner Keon Hardemon , who moved its adoption. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia and upon being put to a vote, the vote was
as follows:
Marleine Bastien
Kevin Marino Cabrera
Roberto J. Gonzalez
Danielle Cohen Higgins
Kionne L. McGhee
Micky Steinberg
Amended
Agenda Item No. 11(A)(4)
Page No. 9
Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Chairman aye
Anthony Rodriguez, Vice Chairman aye
aye Juan Carlos Bermudez
aye
aye
aye
absent
aye
Sen. Rene Garcia
Keon Hardemon
Eileen Higgins
Raquel A. Regalado
aye
aye
aye
aye
aye
The Chairperson thereupon declared this resolution duly passed and adopted this 21st day
of May, 2024. This resolution shall become effective upon the earlier of (1) 10 days after the date
of its adoption unless vetoed by the County Mayor, and if vetoed, shall become effective only upon
an override by this Board, or (2) approval by the County Mayor of this resolution and the filing of
this approval with the Clerk of the Board.
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Approved by County Attorney as
to form and legal sufficiency.
Leigh C. Kobrinski
Shanika A. Graves
Melanie Spencer
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY ITS BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JUAN FERNANDEZ-BARQUIN, CLERK
By: Basia Pruna
Deputy Clerk