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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-26-0297 City of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive ResolutionR-26-0297 Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Legislation File Number:19183Final Action Date:7/9/2026 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, SUBJECT TO THE ELECTION HEREIN PROVIDED FOR, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($450,000,000.00) OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ("BONDS") OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA ("CITY"), IN ONE OR MORE SEPARATE SERIES, TO REPAIR AND REPLACE CRITICALLY DETERIORATING FIRE AND POLICE FACILITIES, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTING NEW FIRE STATIONS AND A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTERS FOR POLICE AND FIRST RESPONDERS, WITH INTEREST PAYABLE AT RATES NOT EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM RATE ALLOWED BY LAW; PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES TO PAY SUCH BONDS, PROVIDED THAT THE DEBT MILLAGE NOT EXCEED THE RATE OF 0.5935 MILLS, WITH SAID REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION AND MAKING PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC NOTICES AND HOLDING A BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE AT SAID ELECTION, WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS; DESCRIBING THE REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS MAINTAINED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF FLORIDA AND OF THE CHARTER AND CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED, WHICH THE CITY HAS ADOPTED AND DESIRES TO USE FOR HOLDING SUCH BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND THE PROVISIONS HEREOF PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45)DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION; CONTAINING A REPEALER PROVISION AND A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION. SPONSOR(S): Mayor Eileen T. Higgins, Commissioner Rolando Escalona in technology, innovation, and resiliency; and City of MiamiPage 1of 9File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed On:8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 WHEREAS, the City is committed to elevating the quality of life of its residents by improving public safety, housing, mobility, diverse shared spaces that foster community, an efficient and transparent government; and of Miami Department of Fire-- and millions of visitors each year, placing themselves in harm's way daily to ensure public safety; and WHEREAS, the Miami Police Department maintains public order and provides essential public safety services, including crime prevention, emergency response, criminal investigations, and traffic enforcement; and WHEREAS, Miami Police officers serve as first responders and community partners, providing assistance during critical incidents, natural disasters, and medical emergencies, while building trust through community outreach and sustained collaboration with residents, businesses, and other government agencies; and WHEREAS, the Miami Police Department has consistently delivered measurable public safety gains, including sustained and significant reductions in violent crime in recent years; and WHEREAS, in 2025, the Miami Police Department achieved an additional 20% reduction in violent crime, contributing to the lowest homicide rate per capita in the City since 1956; and -performing urban police agencies; and WHEREAS, Miami Fire-Rescue provides critical, life-saving emergency response services across the City, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, and the operation of specialized units including technical rescue, dive rescue, fireboats, and hazardous materials response; and WHEREAS, in 2025, Miami paramedics and firefighters responded to over 99,197 calls citywide, of which 75,596 were for emergency medical services; and WHEREAS, Miami Fire-Rescue conducts citywide public safety functions including fire inspections and coordination with local, regional, and statewide partners during large-scale events and emergencies, while maintaining 24-hour, 7-day operational readiness throughout the City; and WHEREAS, Miami Fire-Rescue holds an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 Public Protection Classification, the highest rating achievable, reflecting a department that consistently delivers excellence in emergency response under demanding conditions; and WHEREAS, Miami's first responders represent the City at its best, and the quality of the facilities they work from should reflect that; and -Rescue's reputation for exemplary service, professionalism, and results, their ability to carry out their respective duties at the highest level is limited by outdated, undersized, and deteriorating facilities; and City of Miami Page 2 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 WHEREAS, many Miami Police Department and Miami Fire-Rescue facilities are approaching, have reached, or have exceeded their useful life; and WHEREAS, the current Miami Police Headquarters, opened in 1976 and designed to house approximately 560 officers, now serves nearly 1,390 sworn personnel and nearly 400 professional staff, far exceeding its intended capacity and limiting its ability to support and expand modern policing operations; and WHEREAS, decades of deferred maintenance have left the facility in conditions that are department; and WHEREAS, the Miami Police Headquarters has experienced and will continue to experience significant infrastructure failures, including widespread plumbing breakdowns resulting in leaks, flooding, and inoperable restrooms, as well as outdated electrical systems; and WHEREAS, recurring roof leaks have damaged equipment, disrupted daily activities, WHEREAS, these leaks result in a cycle of frequent and costly emergency repairs in a 50-year building that has exceeded its useful life; and WHEREAS, multiple Miami Fire-Rescue stations across the City are undersized and in deteriorating condition due to years of deferred maintenance, which limits their ability to support personnel, modern equipment, and efficient emergency response in a growing city; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive assessment of every City fire station has been conducted, with findings indicating that some stations can be rehabilitated, some require expansion, and others must be fully rebuilt; and WHEREAS, of the City's 17 operating fire stations, eight (8) were built more than 50 years ago and two (2) are more than 60 years old and were not designed to meet the demands of contemporary emergency response operations; and WHEREAS, advances in firefighting equipment and technology have resulted in substantially larger vehicles and apparatus than were in use when many of these stations were constructed, and current stations are too small to safely and efficiently accommodate them; and WHEREAS, because some stations cannot house modern emergency response vehicles, Miami Fire-Rescue is forced to store equipment outside or at distant stations away from the areas they are intended to serve, impacting readiness and response times; and WHEREAS, expansion, modernization and the addition of new stations will lower call volumes at neighboring stations and shorten response times for residents; and WHEREAS, the City's firefighters, who live at stations during their 24-hour shifts, are dealing with inadequate living quarters and restroom facilities, and in some cases, forced to operate with fewer functional restrooms than necessary due to failed or insufficient plumbing; and City of Miami Page 3 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 WHEREAS, the firefighter training center, an essential facility for preparing firefighters to effectively respond to emergencies, is a 100 year old building that has experienced such severe and persistent plumbing failures that it has required the use of portable bathrooms in order to remain operational; and WHEREAS, investment in modern, safe, and fully functional facilities is necessary to protect Miami's first responders so that they can continue to protect the public; and WHEREAS, new and upgraded facilities will support modern policing and emergency response technologies, enabling Miami's first responders to address evolving public safety challenges; and WHEREAS, the market for top police and firefighting talent is highly competitive, and modern, well-equipped facilities are a meaningful factor in a department's ability to attract and retain the skilled professionals who sustain a high level of service; and WHEREAS, modernized facilities will strengthen the City's ability to recruit and retain top first responders, ensuring Miami maintains the personnel necessary to meet any and all demands; and WHEREAS, the long-term benefits of this investment include facilities built to current operational standards, expanded capacity to accommodate workforce growth and service demands, integrated technology to enhance public safety outcomes, reduced long-term maintenance costs, and increased public trust through a visible commitment to those who serve; and WHEREAS, the City Commission, at its July 9, 2026 City Commission meeting, determined it is in the best interests of residents for the City to pledge the proceeds of the sale nd of current Miami Police Headquarters located at 400 Northwest 2 Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 issued pursuant to this Resolution, or for the MPD Sale Proceeds to be used to fund the capital projects contemplated herein in lieu of issuing or using Bond funds; and WHEREAS, the City Commission, at its July 9, 2026 City Commission meeting, determined it is in the best interests of residents for the City to apply for and use any grants that may be awarded to the City for the capital projects contemplated herein for either the repayment of any outstanding Bonds proposed to be issued pursuant to this Resolution, or to be used to fund the capital projects contemplated herein in lieu of issuing or using Bond funds, subject at all times to any terms or requirements imposed by the grantor and any applicable law, rules and regulations that govern any potential grant programs and awards; and WHEREAS, the City Commission, at its July 9, 2026 City Commission meeting, determined it is in the best interests of residents for the City, to the extent feasible, to negotiate any public or community benefits with third-capital projects contemplated herein for either the repayment of any outstanding Bonds proposed to be issued pursuant to this Resolution, or to be used to fund the capital projects contemplated herein in lieu of issuing or using Bond funds; and WHEREAS, the City Commission, at its July 9, 2026 City Commission meeting, determined it is in the best interests of residents for the City, to the extent feasible, to identify and consider public-capital projects contemplated herein in lieu of issuing or using Bond funds; and City of Miami Page 4 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 WHEREAS, the City of Miami wishes to seek the approval of the electors for the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $450 million for the purpose of repairing and replacing critically deteriorating fire-rescue and police facilities, including constructing new fire rescue stations and a new public safety headquarters; and WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Florida, Article VII, Section 12, as well as Section 100.211, Florida Statutes, authorize and require a voter referendum for the approval of the issuance of general obligation bonds by a municipality; 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. Section 2. In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Statutes, and other applicable Laws of the State of Florida, particularly the Municipal Home Rule Powers Act (Chapter 166 of the Florida Statutes, as amended), Chapter 100, Florida Statues, as amended, the Charter of the City of Miami, as amended ("Charter"), the Code of the City of Miami, as amended ("City Code"),a Bond Referendum Special Election is being called and directed to be 3, 2026, including for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or disapproval the proposed issuance of an aggregate principal amount not exceeding Four Hundred Fifty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($450,000,000.00) of the City's general obligation bonds ("Bonds"), in one or more separate series, for capital projects and improvements to repair and replace critically deteriorating fire and police facilities, including constructing new fire stations and a new public safety headquarters for police and first responders, with interest payable at rates not exceeding the maximum allowed by law and providing for the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes to pay such Bonds provided that the debt millage not exceed the Section 3. The Bond Referendum Special Election shall be held at the polling places in the precincts designated, all as shown on the list attached hereto and made a part hereof and ed by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami- State of Florida ("State"). The Precinct Election Clerks and Inspectors to serve at said polling places on said Bond Referendum Special Election date shall be those designated by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida, for such purpose in accordance with the general laws of the State. A description of the registration books and records which pertain to Special Election precincts wholly or partly within the City and which the City is adopting and desires to use for holding such Bond Referendum Special Election is all voter information cards, registration books, records and certificates pertaining to electors of the City and established and maintained as official by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida, in conformity with the provisions of the general laws of the State, are hereby adopted and declared to be, and shall hereafter be recognized and accepted as, official registration cards, books, records and certificates of the City. Section 4. In compliance with Section 100.341, Florida Statutes, regarding ballots used in bond referenda, the ballot shall include a printed description of the issuance of bonds to be voted on as prescribed by the City Commission calling for the Bond Referendum, with the City of Miami Page 5 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 amount of the bonds, the interest rate thereon, and other details necessary to inform the electors to be printed on the ballot in connection with the question "For Bonds" and "Against Bonds". In compliance with Sections 100.211 and 100.342, Florida Statutes, regarding any bond referendum not otherwise provided for, there shall be at least thirty (30) days' notice of the Bond Referendum Special Election by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to publish notice of the adoption of the herein resolution and of the provisions hereof, at least twice, once in the fifth week and once in the third week prior to the week in which the aforesaid Bond Referendum Special Election is to be held, in newspaper(s) of general circulation in the City, which notice shall be substantially in the following form: NOTICE OF BOND REFERENDUM SPECIAL ELECTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 26-0297 Notice is hereby given that a Bond Referendum Special Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the City of Miami, Florida, at the polling places in the several election precincts designated by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami- Dade County, Florida, as set forth herein, unless otherwise provided by law, and submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Miami, Florida, the following question, as set forth herein: "To enhance citywide public safety by improving critically deteriorating facilities for firefighters and paramedics through renovations, modernizations, and new construction, and by building a modern, mission-ready public safety headquarters for police and first responders, shall the City of Miami issue $450 million in General Obligation Bonds, within maximum lawful interest rates, payable from ad valorem taxes, with no increase to the current capital projects debt millage rate ___________________ FOR BONDS ___________________ AGAINST BONDS Section 5. The official ballot to be used at said Bond Referendum Special Election shall be in full compliance with the laws of the State with respect to vote-by-mail ballots and to the use of the mechanical voting machines or the Computer Election System, and shall be in substantially the following form: Official Ballot for Bond Referendum Special Election Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in the City of Miami, Florida for Approval or Disapproval of the Following Question: ---------------------------------------------------------- Safe and Ready Miami: General Obligation Bonds for Police/Fire Facilities without Increasing Millage Rate City of Miami Page 6 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 ----------------------------------------------------------- To enhance citywide public safety by improving critically deteriorating facilities for firefighters and paramedics through renovations, modernizations, and new construction, and by building a modern, mission-ready public safety headquarters for police and first responders, shall the City of Miami issue $450 million in General Obligation Bonds, within maximum lawful interest rates, payable from ad valorem taxes, with no increase to the current capital projects debt millage rate (0.5935), and an independent annual audit? _____________ FOR BONDS _____________ AGAINST BONDS Section 6. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with the requirements of general election laws. Electors desiring to vote in approval of the Question described above, shall be instructed to vote their selection next to the words "FOR BONDS" within the ballot containing the statement relating to the Question. Electors desiring to vote to disapprove the Question, shall be instructed to vote their selection next to the words "AGAINST BONDS" within the ballot containing the statement relating to the Question. Once individuals are satisfied with their choice, they shall press the "Vote" button and the ballot shall be cast. Section 7. The City Clerk shall cause to be prepared vote-by-mail ballots containing the Question set forth in Section 5 above for the use of vote-by-mail electors entitled to cast such ballots in said Bond Referendum Special Election. Section 8. All qualified electors of said City shall be permitted to vote in said Bond Referendum Special Election and the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida, is hereby requested, authorized, and directed to furnish, at the cost and expense of the City, a list of all qualified electors residing in the City as shown by the registration books and records of the Office of said Supervisor of Elections and duly certify the same for delivery to and for use by the election officials designated to serve at the respective polling places in said election precincts. Section 9. For the purpose of enabling persons to register who are qualified to vote in the Bond Referendum Special Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and who have not registered under the provisions of the general laws of Florida and Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, or who have transferred their legal residence from one voting precinct to another in the City, they may register Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM. to 5:00 P.M. at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County located at 2700 Northwest 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33172 within such period of time as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida. In addition to the above place and times, qualified persons may register at such branch offices and may also use any mobile registration van for the purpose of registration in order to vote in the herein described Bond Referendum Special Election during such times and on such dates as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida. City of Miami Page 7 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183 Enactment Number: R-26-0297 Section 10. Todd B. Hannon, the City Clerk of the City, or his duly appointed successor, is hereby designated and appointed as the official representative of the City Commission in all transactions with the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida, in relation to matters pertaining to the use of the registration books and the holding of said Bond Referendum Special Election. Section 11. For the purposes of paying for repairs and replacing critically deteriorating fire and police facilities, including constructing new fire stations and a new public safety headquarters for police and first responders, with interest payable at rates not to exceed the maximum rate allowed by law, to be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied on all taxable property in the City, provided that the debt millage not exceed the rate of 0.5935, there shall be issued, under the authority of the Constitution and laws of the State, including particularly the Charter, the City Code, the Municipal Home Rule Powers Act (Chapter 166 of the Florida Statutes, as amended), Chapter 100 of the Florida Statutes, as amended, and subject to the election hereinbefore provided for, general obligation bonds of the City, in one or more separate series of such Bonds at such time(s) as determined by the City Commission, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding Four Hundred Fifty Million and 00/100 Dollars issued general obligation bonds, including other limited ad valorem bonds, of the City then outstanding at the time of issuance of such series of Bonds. Section 12. Such Bonds shall be issued as fully registered bonds in the denomination of Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000.00) each or any integral multiple thereof, shall bear interest at a rate or rates not exceeding the maximum rate provided for by Florida Statutes at such time of issuance, shall be in such form(s), and shall be executed by such officers of the City or any financial institution and in such manner, as the City Commission shall provide by series resolution(s) adopted prior to the issuance of such series of Bonds. The principal of such Bonds shall mature and is to be due and payable at such time or times, not exceeding thirty (30) years from the date of each respective series at the date(s) of issuance thereof, but shall not mature at any time longer than the probable useful lives (in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) of any capital improvement assets for which such Bonds are issued. Section 13. For the prompt payment of the principal of, interest on, and any discount or premium related thereto, if any, for such Bonds, the City shall levy and collect annually an ad valorem tax upon all taxable property within the City, over and above all taxes authorized to be levied by the City, sufficient to pay such principal, interest, and premium if any and in accordance with any discount, if any, as the same respectively become due and payable, provided that the debt millage not exceed the rate of 0.5935. Section 14. Further details of such Bonds shall be determined by the City Commission in one or more separate series resolution(s) for such Bonds. The City Commission may by resolution consolidate into a single issue or separate into two or more series, all or any part of the Bonds hereby authorized. Section 15. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements or provisions of this Resolution should be held contrary to any express provision of law, or contrary to the policy of express law, though not expressly prohibited, or against public policy, or shall for any reason whatsoever be held invalid, then such covenants, agreements or provisions shall be null and void and shall be deemed separate from the remaining covenants, agreements or provisions, City of Miami Page 8 of 9 File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on: 8/11/2026 File ID: 19183Enactment Number:R-26-0297 and shall in no way affect the validity of any of the other provisions of this Resolution or of the Bonds issued hereunder. Section 16. The City Clerk shall deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, Florida, not later than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the herein Bond Referendum Special Election. Section 17. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature 1 of the Mayor. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: 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 MiamiPage 9of 9File ID: 19183 (Revision: B) Printed on:8/11/2026