Miami Today: Week of Thursday, August 2, 2018

2

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

The Insider AIR TRAFFIC GAINS: More than 22.4 million passengers flew into and out of Miami International Airport in the first six months of this year, a 1.64% gain over the first half of 2017, the latest figures from the county’s aviation department show. Domestic travel is up 2.15% and international travel up 1.09%. For June, the most recent month, domestic travel was up 3.16% and international travel down 3.02%. For the year to date, almost 52% of all passengers were flying domestically and just over 48% were on international flights. Freight tonnage for the first half of the year was up 4.57%, with more than 1.1 million tons of freight going through the airport.

COLOMBIANS TARGET MIAMI HOMES: Colombians continue to be the most numerous group abroad who make web searches for Miami-Dade homes, according to the Miami Association of Realtors, making 12.2% of all international housing searches on the association’s portal. They were followed by searchers from Venezuela, 9.6%; Canada, 6.1%; Pakistan, 6%; Argentina, 5.5%; Brazil, 4.9%; India, 4.5%; the Dominican Republic, 3.8%; Peru, 3.4%; and Spain, 3.2%.

NEW YORKERS EYE MIAMI: The New York metropolitan area produced more than one in five of all domestic home-seekers going through the Miami Association of Realtors’ web portal in the first quarter of this year excluding Miamians. The New York metro’s 21.4% of portal users far surpassed the second-largest group from the Orlando area, 4.8%. Third in rankings is the Tampa area, 3.8%, followed by Boston, 3.6%; Philadelphia, 3.6%, Chicago, The last dredging of the seaport area added depths of 48 to 52 feet when work was completed in 2014.

3.4%; the District of Columbia, 3.2%; and Atlanta, 3.1%.

County OKs funding most of study for dredging to add port capabilities

HOMER: Speaking last week at Marlins Park to a One Community One Goal annual reporting session on targeted jobs creation for which more than 1,500 persons had registered, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho hit a real hometown home run for the hundreds who remained seated behind home plate by the time he spoke. Mr. Carvalho, who at the last second in February backed out of

By Jesse Scheckner accepting a move from Miami to Manhattan to become chancellor of New York’s far-larger school system, got Miami-Dade commissioners enough applause to circle the bases when he pointedly told the crowd “It is far better to speak from Marlins Park Alberto Carvalho have approved paying both the rethan Yankee Stadium.” mainder of the county’s investment PARAGUAYAN VISIT: Paraguayan President-elect Mario Abdo Benitez visited the US Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral on Monday, meeting with Adm. Kurt Tidd, SOUTHCOM commander, and other senior leaders to discuss the U.S.-Paraguay defense partnership. Mr. Abdo Benitez was in the US for meetings as he prepares to assume duties as president on Aug. 15. During the visit, SOUTHCOM prsonnel briefed him on Mario Benitez, left, and Kurt Tidd the command’s mission and its commitment to working closely with partners across the region.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRADE: A Coral Gables trade seminar this month will focus on companies that are interested in reaching the Caribbean market or are planning to join Enterprise Florida on a Nov. 13-16 trade mission to the Dominican Republic, to which Florida companies exported about $3 billion last year. The seminar will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

Aug. 14 in the Venetian Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. “Florida is the gateway to trade with Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Dominican Republic is our leading Caribbean trade partner,” said Manny Mencia, senior vice president of international trade and Manny Mencia development for Enterprise Florida, the state’s main economic development organization. Details: Alejandra Henao, (305) 808-3670 or ahenao@enterpriseflorida.com BIG ISSUES AND ART: Temporary public art interventions in 10 MiamiDade County neighborhoods to explore the impact of rising seas on the community are in the running to receive up to $1 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies in a program targeting civic issues and local communities through art.

Of more than 200 cities that applied, Miami-Dade has been named one of 14 finalists. Winners are to be named this fall.

The county’s entry, “Climate Sync Miami,” would commission Miami-based artists to create the art at parks, libraries and transportation locations. The effort is spearheaded by Michael Bloomberg the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs through the Art in Public Places program. “This year’s proposals focus on critical issues facing our country in exciting and creative says,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies founder and ex-mayor of New York, which is not among finalists. Also in the running is Coral Springs, partnering with the City of Parkland for five temporary installations to promote healing after the Douglas High School shootings in February.

FLAMINGOES FOR FLORIDA: The “iconic” American Flamingo, “with its luminous pink plumage and characteristic tall graceful poise,” may be reclassified as a native Florida species, which could ensure greater protection and conservation. Miami-Dade commissioners have voted to support a petition, partially prepared by Zoo Miami, to evaluate the species status of the bird, whose numbers in the region have fallen precipitously since the 1800s due to hunting and resultant agitated breeding, according to a document from Zoo Miami personnel.

The American Flamingo population in Florida has not exceeded 500 birds since before 1903, while about 50,000 American Flamingo adult birds live throughout the Caribbean. And though American Flamingo sightings in Florida are growing more common as the bird population continues to rebound, zoo personnel wrote that Flamingos “are not known to have nested in Florida for more than a century.”

CORRECTION: A report last week on residential developments in Doral should have said that Downtown Doral spans 250 acres with 5,000 residential units that include 5350 Park Condo Tower and Canarias in The Residences, among others.

in a $3 million feasibility study of improvements to PortMiami as well as the portion the US Army Corps of Engineers would be responsible for paying.

Commissioners last week OK’d spending a total $2,443,750 to fund the study – a combination of $556,250 the county spent to start the study in June plus $1.8875 million to cover the county’s half of the remaining balance and advance fund the Corps’ share.

Because a 2019 civil works plan has not yet been released, the Corps may not allot funds for its remaining share until the plan becomes available, according to a July 24 memo from Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt.

Seaport department staff members responsible for monitoring the federal cost share agreement are Becky Hope, chief planning and real estate development, and Hydi Webb, deputy port director.

“Our seaport is a vital economic engine for not only Miami-Dade County but all of South Florida, and its continued growth represents thousands of jobs and increased opportunities for our community,” Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, chairwoman of the Trade and Tourism Committee, said in June.

A public meeting highlighting alternatives and a tentatively selected plan are expected by 2020 upon completion of the plan, Corps spokesperson Susan Jackson previously told Miami Today.

Improvements being researched are mostly meant to accommodate larger commercial cruise vessels coming to PortMiami, which are constrained under current conditions, according to port spokesperson Andria Muniz-Amador.

Many of the cruise ships are unable to pass containerships docked at berths while being loaded, leading to delays, according to Ms. Jackson, who wrote that improvements would increase efficiency, cruise industry growth and facilitate the creation of more cruise vessel berths.

Biscayne Bay Pilots assisting ship navigating the harbor are having trouble maneuvering the large ships, as well as freighters with

It’s a step to serve next cargo and cruise generation: Juan Kurlya.

cargo capacities of 11,000 TEUs (20-foot-equivalent units), Ms. Jackson wrote.

With freighters of up to 14,000 TEUs now in the world fleet, those troubles will only worsen.

Visiting vessels now demand to be scheduled weeks in advance to determine arrival conditions, and their greater size requires precise accommodation.

“In order to expand the economic significance of PortMiami, sustained investments in infrastructure are critical,” Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez said in June.

On March 26, Port Director Juan Kurlya requested a new study of navigational and safety harbor improvements from the Corps, including deepening and widening the outer channel, widening the Lummus Island turning basin and widening of the south shipping channel.

The expansion done by the Corps, he wrote, would complement upgrades made during the Miami Harbor Phase III Improvements project that ran from 2012 to September 2015.

Phase III, which cost $205.6 million, according to Corps documents, deepened and widened Fisherman’s Channel and the Lummus Island turning basin.

Improvements to PortMiami began in 1990, when Congress authorized deepening and expansion of the port to 42 feet, and were completed three years later.

Phase II of improvements began shortly after and cost $40 million to upgrade the south harbor; however, geological obstruction halted the project until July 2006, when the Corps’ Jacksonville District com-

pleted the work.

In February 2004, the Corps used the 1,140-foot, 6,000-TEU Susan Mærsk freighter as its model vessel in determining the port’s optimum depth. Its underkeel clearance, or minimum clearance between the deepest point of the ship and the bottom of the port, was set at three feet.

Today, many vessels exceed that depth, Ms. Jackson wrote.

The 2018 Work Plan for the Miami Harbor Safety and Navigational Channel Improvements Program at PortMiami adheres to the Corps’ “three-by-three” rule, requiring completion within three years, no more than $3 million in federal dollars in cost and concurrent review at the Corps’ district, division and headquarters level.

PortMiami contributes more than $41.4 billion of economic impact annually to the county and generates 342,352 direct, indirect and induced jobs, according to Ms. Muniz-Amador.

“As the port continues to increase its capacity,” Mr. Kurlya said, “the feasibility study for the Miami Harbor Safety and Navigational Channel Improvements Program is another important step to further serve our current customers and respond effectively to the next generation of cruise and cargo business.”

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

Phone: (305) 358-2663 Staff Writers:

John Charles Robbins jrobbins@miamitodaynews.com Katya Maruri kmaruri@miamitodaynews.com Jesse Scheckner jscheckner@miamitodaynews.com People Column people@miamitodaynews.com Michael Lewis mlewis@miamitodaynews.com

Like us: Miami Today Follow us: @MiamiTodayNews

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

3

No doldrums: jobs spurt up in manufacturing, construction Growing jobs are giving MiamiDade County’s economy a solid boost in the heat of summer months that decades ago were known only for the off-season doldrums.

Both the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the One Community One Goal targeted job creation program here produced figures last week that showed a stronger labor situation than Miami has ever seen – at least in the total number of persons employed.

Miami-Dade in June had 1,340,663 persons working, the federal bureau reported in its monthly look at the labor force. That’s a few hundred below the May all-time peak for the county but a far smaller drop from May than normal as the economy shifts into the summer.

Unemployment was 4.1%, just off from the 4% of May that was the lowest unemployment rate here in a decade.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Giménez hailed that far lower unemployment as he spoke last week in the annual reporting session at Marlins Park for One Community One Goal, which he co-chairs. “As a result of our work, unemployment in Miami-Dade stands at just 4.1% as of June,” he said.

The 4.1%, however, is still above the unemployment level for the state as a whole, which stood at 3.8%.

Total unemployment in the county was listed at 57,700 persons out of a civilian labor force of 1,398,400, according to the federal labor bureau.

While the total of nonfarm employment in Miami-Dade rose just 0.6%, there were vast disparities between labor categories.

The fastest growth in MiamiDade for any industry by percentage over the past 12 months was manufacturing, where employment rose 16.6% during the period to 49,100 persons. That’s the highest number of persons working in manufacturing in Miami-Dade since the county employed 49,500 in those industries in December 2005. On the other hand, that’s a rise in the midst of a long-time slump – back in March 1990, the county employed 88,000 persons in manufacturing.

Another industry with wide employment fluctuations is construction, which in the past 12 months gained 13% in total jobs to 53,100, the highest employment the industry since January 2008 – but construction jobs here fell as low as 30,000 in January 2012 during the Great Recession.

Construction gains are again being propelled by residential construction, which had plunged after the housing crisis of a decade ago.

In the first six months of this year total new building permits in South Florida have risen 26% in value over the first six months of last year, with new starts totaling more than $5.8 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.

In Dodge’s report last week, residential construction had grown 53% in the first half of the year from the first half of 2017, hitting $2.67 billion. Commercial construction, still the larger share of the pie, grew only 3% in those six months to about $3.15 billion.

That trend continues, with new residential construction start values up 66% in June alone while commercial fell 44% in new start values for the month versus June 2017.

Other than the two high-percent-

County leaders point to more than 1,000 new jobs at the Amazon fulfillment center to open in Opa-locka.

age growth industries in the county, employment in other industries grew far more slowly or declined.

Gaining year over year were education and health services, up 2% at 185,700 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, up 1.5% at 297,400 jobs; and other services, up 0.4% at 52,200 jobs.

Falling off in employment for the 12 months were professional and business services, down 0.3% at 171,500 jobs; financial activities, down 0.7% at 82,200 jobs; leisure and hospitality, down 0.8% at 142,200 jobs; and information, down 1.6% at 18,800 jobs.

The One Community One Goal report looked only at the six-year gains in its targeted industries, seven areas where it has focused job-creating efforts since it was reborn from a 1990s Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce-led effort to a new Beacon Council-run initiative.

Those advances were large, totaling 67,015 new jobs of the total gain it listed for the community in that period of 171,885. The targeted industries as a group grew jobs 18%, while the community as a whole jobs grew 15%.

Those targeted categories don’t match exactly with the industry categories of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The largest total job gain in the targeted groups was in hospitality and tourism, which added 27,439 jobs, a 22% six-year growth to 152,210 jobs. While the number of jobs was larger, jobs in the industry tend to pay less on the community pay scale than in the other targeted industries. The program initially had the aim of producing jobs that pay well above the county’s average levels.

The second largest of the targeted industries in job growth was life science and health care, a sector that added 15,813 jobs in the six years, a 13% growth to 141,205, the One Community One Goal report showed.

The next largest total growth was 7,982 jobs in trade and logistics, up 24% to 41417.

The other sectors were aviation, up 5,056 jobs to 26,504, a 24% gain; creative design, up 4,724 jobs to 34,070, a 16% gain; technology, up 3,267 jobs to 11,440, a 40% gain; and banking & finance, up 2,734 jobs to 40,557, a 7% gain.

Mayor Giménez summed up the efforts at the One Community One

Goal session by saying “we are doing a fantastic job of creating opportunities in our community.” And he said more jobs are on the way: “Multiple prospects in the pipeline will now create even more job opportunities in the region.”

Amazon figures prominently in his thinking. He noted that more than 1,000 jobs are expected to be added to the economy when the digital giant opens its Opa-locka center this fall.

And there could be more from

Amazon: the mayor said the community is still in the running to become Amazon’s second global headquarters: “We do have a great chance of luring Amazon’s HQ2 here.”

Also looming large on the jobs horizon, the mayor cited American Dream Miami, the retail theme park planned in the county’s Northwest quadrant that he said will bring 20,000 jobs during construction followed by 14,000 permanent jobs as the giant development serves 30

million visitors annually.

The county and the state as a whole are pictured as strong as economists look at job and economic prospects for the future.

The Coral Gables-based Washington Economics Group last week noted that “the new federal tax changes will increase the advantage” of especially Florida and Texas in economic growth, with both expected to lead the larger states in the percentage increase of gross domestic product. The first quarter saw a 3% gain for Texas and 2.5% for Florida as the nation’s largest percentage gains.

In fact, Florida as a whole moved from worst to first in a new federal survey of job creation released last week.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Florida had a net gain of 214,372 private-sector jobs in the last three months of 2017 – largest net gain of jobs by any state.

That stood in contrast to the bureau’s last quarterly report on “business employment dynamics,” which showed Florida leading the nation in net private-sector job losses in the third quarter of 2017, losing about 134,000 net jobs.

Economists and state officials attributed Florida’ job losses during the third quarter to the impact of Hurricane Irma, which struck in September. They predicted Florida’s job growth would likely rebound, which the new report verified.

6

MIAMI TODAY

VIEWPOINT

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

Miami Today is an independent voice of the community, published weekly at 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133. Telephone (305) 358-2663

Don’t let Dolphins’ bonanza reopen business bidding war Miami opens purses for sports so freely and so often that it was no surprise when the county last week granted the Miami Dolphins up to $71 million to build a practice site that could cost $70 million beside the teamowned stadium in Miami Gardens on what is now a parking lot.

That move 10 miles south from Broward County was smart: it would have made business sense for the team without the county paying any incentives at all, and we are pleased that they will convert raw land to a higher use.

But by using incentive money to lure a business from Broward, the county ignored a decades-old multi-county accord that bans pirating business from neighbors, thus potentially opening a new era of free-for-all bidding wars.

The county cited as a reason for the payout the 100 jobs of players, coaches and staff who practice in Broward – except that they work in Miami-Dade for games. So we’re paying incentives of up to $710,000 per head

for jobs that we already had on Sundays.

Yet the incentive has to be for jobs, because total construction could cost less than the incentive of $71 million that we are dangling.

Then there’s the third possibility: “This incentive should be called what it is … a bribe,” said Frank Nero, managing director of the Economic Solutions Group, who for almost two decades ran our economic development organization, the Beacon Council, which normally recommends to the county when to offer business incentives.

Whether it’s jobs or capital investment or simply a gift we’re funding, the incentive to move from Broward could trigger repercussions that have nothing to do with sports and everything to do with economic development.

The danger beyond the cash giveaway is that spending to lure a business across the county line could unleash a backlash from Broward County that would result in bidding wars for businesses and erode a spirit that has been building in South Florida in which counties cooperate in luring major industries for the region’s benefit. It might even taint the multi-county cooperation to fund and host the economic bonanza Super Bowl in Miami.

Look back 25 years. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were offering economic jackpots to not only outside companies but also to nearby businesses to

L etters Preserve Coral Gables’ birthplace, its patrimony

Thank you for highlighting the Coral Gables historic preservation issue in the article

by Katherine Lewin, “Gables commissioners on the spot over historic cleaners building fate” on July 12.

As per the article, the Coral Gables City Commission showed a great respect for our city’s historic legacy and patrimonial heritage by rescinding by a 5-0 decision the April 24 resolution that “authorized the City to enter into a parking agreement with owner MML [Mirella LaSalle] once the owner demolishes the structure.”

And in a second resolution, the commission asked staff to discuss with Mrs. LaSalle options that would “save” the building. Let’s hope Mrs. LaSalle will consider overtures by the city to preserve this unique piece of history.

Unfortunately, there is not much more to do unless the city and the owner agree to negotiate a “saving grace” deal. In order for the building to be saved, restored, and re-purposed, Mrs. LaSalle must hold off on demolition and negotiate with the city. As much as citizens have fought to “save” this building [at least for now], the next move is to strongly urge the City of Coral Gables to do whatever it can to keep the property. The deal may be expensive, but how does one put a price on a one-of-a-kind historical artifact/ treasure… the place where Coral Gables was founded?

In response to the mayor’s comments regarding the city’s “extensive spending on other historic renovations and purchases,” as important is the premise that preservation is not a zero sum game and it should not be weighed against how many buildings are saved versus how many are sacrificed. The key word is preservation and, yes, every opportunity that presents itself to preserve a community’s cultural patrimony [whether private or public] should trigger the same

move operations across county lines. Those packages contained local and state incentives, with businesses vying for larger payoffs to jump from county to county.

The state quit the game first when thenGov. Lawton Chiles prohibited state payoffs in economic musical chairs within Florida.

But the counties continued to offer their own funds to lure businesses from their neighbors.

Shifts from North Dade to South Broward became common for all the wrong reasons.

Then the heads of the three counties’ economic development organizations united to end the foolishness with formal agreements to not swipe businesses from each other with locally funded incentives.

The three agreed that before reaching across a county line, a development group leader had to formally give the home county first chance to retain the business. Only if the home county couldn’t accommodate the company and it was looking to exit the region could an incentive be offered, and then only if the home county signed off in writing.

That ended job piracy, until now.

We doubt that spending to lure Dolphins training, which has been billed as economic development, had much to do with the Beacon Council. No development organization could call that $71 million well spent while far bigger prizes like a 50,000-job Amazon headquarters are up for grabs with Miami still in the running.

to the

Still, all that development money just flew away. And we can’t see how that would please Broward.

So what happens the next time Broward spies a Miami-Dade firm to lure north?

Would Broward stick to the no-piracy agreement that Miami-Dade just ignored, even though there was no net economic return on investment for us?

Though we strongly disagreed that having the Florida Marlins renamed Miami Marlins was worth a $3 billion stadium, at least we got a Miami name for our money. But what do we publicize from a practice area? There are no bragging rights.

We got no economic development, no publicity bonanza and nothing much else from a practice facility except possible problems if our neighbors to the north resent our poaching.

So although the Beacon Council didn’t engineer this $71 million incentive, it can’t just punt. Beacon leaders need to carry the ball back to their Broward counterparts and make sure the no-poaching pact is kept alive, at least as far as the development organizations are concerned.

Despite what county commissions do, development organizations themselves must not revert to bidding wars by dangling incentives across county lines. Those lures to neighboring businesses too often become giveaways that make no economic sense.

E ditor

Metrorail and buses. Employees can enjoy reading, social media work and iPad work Letters for publication may be sent to the during their commutes.

Editor, Miami Today, 2000 S. Dixie Hwy, Another benefit is that bus and trainloads of Suite 100, Miami, FL 33133 or e-mail to government employees could regularly report letters@miamitodaynews.com. Letters the cleanliness, comfort and effectiveness of may be condensed for space. transportation vehicles, train and bus stations.

Employees would save money on gas, tolls, reaction: protect the historic integrity of the wear and tear on vehicles and themselves.

Edmund J. Mazzei Sr. resource, not destroy it.

If any building should be preserved, it is this one. Built by founding architect H. George Fink, [who was instrumental in building the City of Coral Gables along with his first cousin The spin – The ballot and the media refer George Merrick], the 1923 property served as to the property as “The Melreese Country Merrick’s first office [preceding City Hall] and Club.”

This may be the designated name for housed Merrick’s construction company. One the complex.

But it is definitely not a councan say that the building was the birthplace try club. It is a municipal golf course and of the City Beautiful.

Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell athletic field for children. Open to everyone President, Historic Preservation at a low price.

This should be made clear. Otherwise Association of Coral Gables voters think this is some facility for the few wealthy.

This is not about golf vs. soccer. This is about money and greed.

Vincent Damian The July 19 article “County considers remote telecommuting centers” discussed government employees “dreading” their daily (traffic - driving) commutes to and from work.

It suggests telecommuting as an alternative You are one of the few voices of reason work arrangement. in this town. Park land should be considered There are real problems with this, such sacred ground, to be preserved and protected. as worker productivity being lower, costs Great disappointment with the commissioners associated with back office remote centers, who voted for this travesty. space utilization losses with empty offices and Elvis Cruz desks at current county work sites.

The issue is rush hour traffic and too many cars on the road.

Easy, simple solution: Require all county Terrific article. The public is being misled employees to use Metrorail and public transportation (including public school by these corrupt politicians, typical Miami style. We need more parks for our kids, not employees).

This will reduce road traffic, reduce stress another revenue-generating project for these associated with driving on heavily trafficked greedy developers.

Angela Scudieri roadway systems, and increase ridership on

How to Write

Maintain Metrorail’s elevators and escalators

Newer Metrorail cars and buses are most welcomed. Poor maintenance of Metrorail elevators and escalators, along with the continued deplorable condition of the bus shelters, must be addressed as well. By not doing so, mass transit ridership will continue to drop off and even more traffic congestion increase on our streets.

Harry E. Gottlieb

Big ballot language issue: Melreese is no country club Innovation district within Little River Business hub

Concept of telecommuting could generate problems

Vote to develop Melreese a major disappointment

Need is for more parks, not generation of revenue

The properties within the Magic City Innovation District are in Lemon City and Little River. All the properties fall within the official Little River Business District, also known as the Little River Industrial District. Smart investors have been investing in Lemon City and Little River for over 20 years.

Peter Ehrlich

miamitodaynews.com FOUNDED JUNE 2, 1983 VOLUME XXXVI No. 10 ENTIRE CONTENTS © 2018

To contact us: News

Advertising Classifieds Subscriptions Reprints

(305) 358-2663 (305) 358-1008 (305) 358-1008 (305) 358-2663 (305) 358-2663

Editor and Publisher / Michael Lewis Vice President / Carmen Betancourt-Lewis

MIAMI TODAY (ISSN: 0889-2296) is published weekly for $145 per year; airmail: to Europe $190 per year, the Americas $145 per year. Published by Today Enterprises Inc., 2000 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 100, Miami, Florida 33133, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Miami, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MIAMI TODAY, 2000 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 100, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33133.

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

7

16 county properties clustered in transit development zone

By Jesse Scheckner

Sixteen Miami-Dade properties around Government Center previously under City of Miami jurisdiction will be incorporated into the Fixed-Guideway Rapid Transit Development Zone (RTZ), transforming the regulatory and development approval framework for the area.

County commissioners last week unanimously approved ordinance changes to reassign jurisdiction of the properties to the county, enabling further construction adjacent to the rapid transit station.

The changes, submitted in June by Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr., require public hearings prior to future development and establish uniform height standards for the Brightline, Government Center and Brickell subzones as determined by the county’s aviation department.

They passed with amendments addressing parking concerns of Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and clarifying language regarding fire codes and services.

At a July 12 Chairman’s Policy Council meeting, Ms. Sosa said parking accommodations should be given to residents in the area after noting none were to be provided under the new ordinance.

Nathan Kogan, assistant director of the county’s regulatory and economic resources department, said such a practice was usual when developing urban centers “to encourage that transit ridership.”

But Ms. Sosa, Mr. Bovo and commissioners Sally Heyman, Dennis Moss and Javier Souto demanded more reasonable parking accommodations.

“I love the idea of creating environments where you assume everybody doesn’t have a car because no one needs a car, but that’s not the reality,” Ms. Heyman had said.

The ordinance that passed last week includes one parking space per residential unit within a half-mile of the subzone east of Interstate 95 and permits requests for reduced parking.

Prior to the jurisdiction change, the properties had been part of the now-defunct Government Center Development of Regional Impact program, Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt wrote last month. The impact program was established in 1972 to ensure state and regional government collaboration on largescale projects with high traffic

HistoryMiami is among properties clumped into the Fixed-Guideway Rapid Transit Development Zone.

‘I love the idea of creating environments where you assume everybody doesn’t have a car because no one needs a car, but that’s not the reality.’

Sally Heyman and collateral impacts. It was eliminated by state lawmakers in June 2015.

That left properties including the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, Miami-Dade Juvenile Assessment Center, Juvenile Justice Center, Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, Main Library, HistoryMiami Museum and several county facilities and parking structures under the city’s regulatory planning, zoning and developmental control.

New development in the area, Mr. Osterholt wrote, could “result in additional housing and business opportunities.”

Plan review standards detailed

in the new ordinance “to facilitate future growth” and contribute to “the urban revitalization of the downtown area” include: ■Encouragement to blend residential, commercial, office, hotel and restaurant developments with transit and government facilities.

■Development meeting certification standards from the Florida Green Buildings Coalition or other similarly ecologically conscious organizations.

■Public open spaces such as plazas, squares, greens and landscaped areas with scales “complementary with the intensity of proposed development,” with furniture, art, paved walkways and lighting enhancements.

■Construction congruous with surrounding properties that is comfortable, interesting and pedestrian-safe, with ample street-level windows.

■Bridges, paths and sidewalks connecting to the Metrorail and Metromover systems.

■Signage and lighting harmonious with existing development and helpful to pedestrian and vehicle navigation.

■Clearly marked crosswalks at street corners and mid-block locales.

In April 2014, county commissioners expanded the RTZ boundaries to redevelop properties adjacent to Government Center, which established the Downtown Intermodal District Corridor Sub-Zone and allowed for Brightline development.

Commissioners this June passed a related ordinance to

expand the RTZ to establish the Brickell Station Subzone, which is to feature mixed-use developments featuring hotels, offices, residential and commercial buildings, government facilities, healthcare centers, public spaces and rental car services.

Except for recent RTZ expansions in downtown and Brickell, including the Brightline property, lands within the zone are county-owned.

Under the ordinance passed last week, owners of historic properties in the Government Center subzone may seek city approval to sell their unused development rights to preserve their properties.

Although the county reclaims jurisdiction over the crumbling civil courthouse on Flagler Street, whose adjacent parcel was chosen by commissioners last week as the site for its replacement, recertification and renovation oversight of the old building will remain with the city to ensure continued court services, according to county attorneys, who said new permits will go to the county.

“Just when you think it’s safe not to discuss the civil courthouse,” Ms. Heyman, who championed building a new courthouse on the neighboring plot, said to a round of laughter. “We all know how bad it is – the existing courthouse. The last thing we want is to have it shut down before we have a replacement.”

YYour our BBusiness usiness PPath, ath, Cleared.

Cleared.

Turn Tu urn daunting dau aunttin ing into innto ddoable. oaabl ble. e. FFor or fast or fas ast st an aand nd efficient effific ef fici cie ientt banking ban a ki king ng solutions, sol oluuttio ionnss, speak ions speaak with sp withh wi an an experienced exp xper erie ienc ncedd banker ban a ke ker today. tooda day. y.

305.

30 305.280.0050 5.28 280.

0.00 00500 | 11firstbank.com firsttba fir bank nk.c .co com om

Commercial Loans | Business Checking Business Money Market | Business Lines of Credit

All loans are subject to credit approval. All FirstBank products and services are available only in Florida and subject to the bank’s Terms and Conditions.

8

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

City board recommends Calle Ocho apartments/retail plan

By John Charles Robbins

A developer plans to transform a corner block in Little Havana into a mixed-use apartment building lined by retail shops.

Altman Development Corp. is proposing to construct a project called Altis Little Havana at 2100 SW Eighth St. Plans call for about 224 residences, 9,500 square feet of commercial-retail, and parking for about 351 vehicles.

The city’s Urban Development Review Board has recommended approval, with a couple of conditions.

The 1.96 acres has three frontages, said Javier F. Avino, an attorney representing the developer.

The commercial space is to be ground floor retail, and the project will include a 20-foot-wide crossblock pedestrian passageway. He said the passageway offers nice connectivity for the neighborhood.

The entrance drive will be off of Southwest Eighth Street, a one-way street.

The architectural firm is Anillo, Toledo, Lopez, and the architect presenting was Carlos Jimenez.

He went over details of the site plan and a few renderings. The main lobby will be in the northwest corner of the structure. Much of the parking will be interior locations with liners all around.

Review board member Ignacio Permuy complimented the design of the inward parking. “A great job,” he said. But he was less complimentary about the mass of the structure.

“With regard to the massing, it seems it’s a rectangle … I’d hope you’d break it up … this is

Miami’s Urban Development Review Board recommended Altis Little Havana with several conditions.

a very long linear mass. Perhaps a little more play with the building heights,” Mr. Permuy said.

In a letter to the city, Mr. Avino wrote: “The Property is located within Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial uses along Calle Ocho.

The northern portion of the property, consisting of approximately 59,165 square feet, has a zoning designation of T6-8-0.

The remaining 26,502 square feet of the Property to the south has a zoning designation of T4-L.” The different zoning classifications are reflected in the height: the project will rise eight stories on the northern section and three stories on the southern end.

“The modern design incorporates white and silver smooth stucco with green accents and aluminum elements, as further depicted in the attached plans.

The linear box-like forms of the structure create movement along SW 8th Street, broken up by the transparent glazing wall façade located above the cross-block pedestrian passage,” wrote Mr. Avino.

The letter references several requested waivers, with a response or explanation from Mr. Avino.

The applicant has applied for a waiver allowing reduction in driveway width from 23 to 22 feet.

“This Waiver will allow for proper vehicle circulation within the garage while providing the necessary parking stall length and turning radius at all corners.

Driveway widths of 22 feet will also permit more open space for the pedestrian passage in furtherance of the intent of Miami 21 while maintaining compliance with required parking design standards,” Mr. Avino wrote.

The applicant is requesting a waiver to allow up to a 10% reduction in required parking, from 383 to 351 spaces.

Mr. Avino noted the project is along “walkable and busy” Calle Ocho, and “this waiver will allow a modest reduction in the required parking, permitting the buildable area of the property to accommodate retail, residential space, and proper internal circulation rather than excess parking area, in furtherance of the guiding principles of Miami 21.”

Other waivers requested include allowing the substitution of a commercial loading berth of 12 by 35 feet with two residential loading berths of 10 by 20 feet; allowing vehicular, loading, and service access from a principal frontage; and allowing a 3% increase in maximum lot coverage on the portion of the property zoned T6, from 80% to 83%.

Mr. Avino wrote: “The proposed Project will provide needed residential uses to this area and will be in keeping with the context and scale of the neighborhood.

The requested Waivers allow the Project to remain consistent with the guiding principles of Miami 21, permitting a mix of uses, a pedestrian cross-block passage, and open space within an irregularly shaped Property with split zoning.”

Board member Fidel Perez said a few parts of the plan could use improvement, including the public passageway. He said the crosswalk goes nowhere.

A developer representative said the walkway would connect a residential area to the south with planned retail stores along Southwest Eighth Street.

Regarding three homes to the south, they look into a blank wall of the proposed Atlis Little Havana, said Mr. Perez, who suggested a change there.

Mr. Perez also said the swimming pool doesn’t work where it is planned.

Asked by the board, Mr. Avino confirmed the residential units will be rentals. He said no rates have yet been set, however, it is expected the building would serve a workforce population.

Board member Gerald Marston was also a bit critical of the massing, suggesting variations to break up the long façade.

Mr. Marston moved to recommend the approval, with these conditions: consider further development of retail on Eighth Street and in the passageway; enhance landscaping on the south elevation; and revisit the location of the pool.

State Farm asks to block ‘disclosure of benefits’ information

By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida

State Farm Florida Insurance Co. is asking a judge to block disclosure of detailed company information related to “assignment of benefits” – an insurance practice at the center of fierce political and legal debates in recent years.

State Farm filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court after the state Office of Insurance Regulation received a public-records request for information that State Farm and other insurers were required to submit to the state.

The information includes several

years’ worth of data about the handling of property-insurance claims and assignment of benefits.

State Farm contends the information is a trade secret and is exempt from disclosure under Florida’s public-records laws.

A state trade-secret law allows companies to ask courts to keep information confidential.

“The OIR’s (Office of Insurance Regulation’s) public disclosure of State Farm’s data call responses, which were submitted to OIR under a claim of trade secret, will cause State Farm immediate and irreparable injury because public dissemination of the documents and informa-

tion will destroy the trade secret value of the compiled information which gives State Farm a competitive advantage in the Florida property insurance market,” the lawsuit said.

Assignment of benefits has been highly controversial in recent years, with insurers arguing that litigation and fraud involving the practice are driving up property-insurance premiums. The issue has primarily focused on residential water-damage claims, though it also has extended to such issues as claims for vehicle windshield damage.

The practice, widely known as AOB, involves policyholders

Artists bring meaning to forgotten elements.

– Jim Buckley

signing over benefits to contractors, who then pursue payment from insurers – often leading to disputes and lawsuits. Contractors and plaintiffs’ attorneys argue it helps ensure that damage claims are paid properly.

Amid heavy lobbying, lawmakers have debated making changes in assignment-of-benefits laws, but the House and Senate have not been able to come to agreement. Some senators, including Banking and Insurance Chairwoman Anitere Flores of Miami, have been openly skeptical of the insurance industry’s arguments on the issue.

The Office of Insurance Regulation in 2015 and 2017 issued data calls to insurers writing homeowners’ and dwelling-fire policies, according to the lawsuit.

Generally, data calls are used to examine the activities of insurers.

The data calls required insurers to submit a wide range of information about claims and assignments of benefits. The 2015 data call, for example, collected information about each claim for water or roof damage closed by the insurers between Jan. 1, 2010, and Sept.

30, 2015, the lawsuit said.

The Office of Insurance Regulation received a public-records request in June from Elizabeth Tuxbury, a graduate student at Connecticut’s Quinnipiac Uni-

versity who, in part, sought the “underlying data” from the data calls. Ms. Tuxbury’s request was not limited to information submitted by State Farm, according to a copy attached to the lawsuit.

An attorney for the Office of Insurance Regulation notified State Farm that it would comply with the public-records request unless the insurer went to court under the trade-secret law.

The lawsuit, which has been assigned to Circuit Judge Karen Gievers, contends that the insurer could be harmed in several ways if the information is released. “(The) data, in providing claimlevel data broken down by ZIP code, would allow an insurer to identify AOB ‘hot spots’ in Florida that could then be used to tailor underwriting decisions in those areas,” the lawsuit said.

“Another carrier could use State Farm’s data in conjunction with, or in lieu of, its own to evaluate where to write or not write insurance policies in such areas.

“The data has value to third party vendors such as water mitigation/extraction companies who might seek to contract with State Farm, or who are pursuing claims against State Farm. Claim-level data relating to how much State Farm has paid for such services in the past would be invaluable in negotiations with State Farm.”

10

MIAMI TODAY

TODAY’S NEWS

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

Cross Bay Express trolley may charge $5, start in September

By John Charles Robbins

The City of Miami has agreed to expand its trolley system by launching a Cross Bay Express to ferry passengers from Downtown Miami to Miami Beach and back.

It will be the first and only City of Miami trolley route to charge a fee for the ride. The idea – the hope – is that the service pays for itself.

But a couple of city commissioners questioned who picks up the tab if the new route loses money.

On July 26, commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate an amendment to a current agreement between Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, adding the Cross Bay Express trolley route to the city’s trolley system to provide service from Bayside Marketplace to Miami Beach and back.

The new route would travel along Biscayne Boulevard, east on the MacArthur Causeway, south on Alton Road to South Pointe Drive, Washington Avenue to Fifth Street, and west on MacArthur Causeway for about total 9.67 miles seven days a week, “charging a fare not yet determined,” the resolution says.

City officials said the new route will operate with double-decker buses. The pilot program is for one year.

Commissioner Ken Russell successfully added a stop at the Frost Museum/PAMM Metromover station, adjacent to the MacArthur Causeway.

The resolution notes the pilot program is pending modifications

‘He doesn’t understand me. If there is a shortfall, who is legally responsible?’

Joe Carollo The City of Miami has a broad web of trolleys within city limits, all free. Fares would break new ground.

in operating hours. It further authorizes the city manager to make future changes to the route and negotiate and execute all other documents, including any amendments and modifications to the agreement as may be deemed necessary “… subject to the availability of funds and budgetary approval.”

“Who is paying for this?” asked Commissioner Wifredo “Willy” Gort. He was joined in the inquiry

by Commissioner Joe Carollo.

Alan Dodd, director of the Department of Resilience and Public Works, said the plan is to contract with a vendor for the pilot program, to see how popular it is. No vehicles will be purchased, he said.

Commissioners pushed him for answers to who would be

responsible for financial losses.

“Our intent is that the private company absorb [loses],” Mr. Dodd told commissioners.

“He doesn’t understand me. If there is a shortfall, who is legally responsible?” asked Mr. Carollo.

Mr. Dodd’s boss, Assistant City Manager Nzeribe Ihekwaba, responded: “It is a valid point … if there is a shortfall the city would be responsible.”

But Mr. Ihekwaba went on to explain the plans for the pilot program include establishing a fare to help cover costs.

Negotiations are not final, he said, but the program generally would have the contractor provide vehicles and drivers and city provide diesel fuel.

At the meeting, Mr. Russell said the administration was

considering $5 for the fare. In an email this week, responding to Miami Today, Mr. Russell said the city manager was estimating $5 per ride, but it will be set later based on projected usage and costs.

Also in an email, Eugene Ramirez, director of the city’s Office of Communications, wrote: “Right now the details, including fare, are still being worked out.

The City is committed to offering an inexpensive and convenient express service that is accessible and sustainable.”

The new trolley route was sponsored by Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Russell.

A background memo notes the City of Miami now operates a multitude of free trolleys in the Allapattah, Biscayne, Brickell,

Coconut Grove, Coral Way, Downtown, Health District, Little Havana, Overtown, Wynwood and Little Haiti areas.

“This route provides new transportation service for residents, tourists, and commuters alike by providing additional linkage between the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach,” it says.

The route will link to stops of the Miami Beach trolley, existing City of Miami Biscayne and Coral Way Trolley routes, MiamiDade County Metromover and Metrobus routes including 3, 93, C (103), M (113), S (119) and 120 Beach Max. The Cross Bay Express route is expected to begin operating around Labor Day as a pilot project, with possible expansion of stops and routes if it succeeds, city officials said.

Mayor declares county ‘needs to stop politicizing bus routes’

By Jesse Scheckner

A five-minute presentation at last week’s county commission meeting by the director of a nonprofit transit advocacy group prompted Mayor Carlos Giménez to declare that Miami-Dade needs to “stop politicizing bus routes.”

“Frankly, they’ve been politicized for too long,” he said.

Mr. Giménez’s assertion came in response to Transit Alliance Miami Director Azhar Chougle’s “How to fix the Bus System (in five minutes or less),” which examined several county bus routes.

“I welcome this gentleman’s input,” said Mr. Giménez, adding that he’d like to spend time discussing ideas with him. “I think a lot of what he has to say makes sense.”

Switching between slides showing several bus routes whose designs, he said, defied all logic with regard to organization, Mr. Chougle, who said previously he’d reached out to every commissioner and the mayor, told commissioners the solution to the county’s declining Metrobus ridership are shorter, straighter, more efficient and easier to understand routes.

“If any of you can discern where these [current] routes actually go and if they get there in any sort of efficient manner, I praise you, because they are largely incom-

prehensible,” Mr. Chougle told commissioners. “If I was to make my way here from the dais to the door, I wouldn’t be stepping over the seats and going through the rows, but essentially that’s what bus riders are forced to do.”

The county, he said, should hire a consultant specialized in bus system redesigns like Jared Walker, whom Palm Beach County and Houston hired to retool their transit network.

Other areas currently redesigning their bus systems include Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, San Jose and Philadelphia.

And while bus ridership is indeed falling nationwide, the contrary is true for cities taking action, Mr. Chougle said. Houston’s ridership is up 6.8% after it overhauled its bus system, “taking very squiggly all-around-manner routes into straight, high-frequency routes,” he said.

Seattle’s ridership is up 4.1%, he said, as is Jacksonville, with a 2.2% increase.

“This is something that’s happening nationwide,” Mr. Chougle said with the commission’s full attention, adding that hiring a consultant would cost $500,000 to $1 million but that it is “money you will recover if you build ridership” and the only solution currently available.

“Maybe the problem is here,”

‘If any of you can discern where these routes actually go and if they get there in any sort of efficient manner, I praise you, because they are largely incomprehensible.’

Azhar Chougle commission Chairman Esteban Bovo Jr. said, gesturing toward himself and his fellow commissioners. “I got on a bus route one time as an experiment from Dolphin Mall to go to Kendall.

We were going through these neighborhoods of Sweetwater that didn’t make any sense. If we had gone straight down 107th Avenue, we would have gained 20 minutes of time. We need to look at these things. We could become much

more efficient if we were willing to take this stuff to heart.”

Mr. Chougle was invited by Daniella Levine Cava to speak before the commission as a result of his group’s five-part online campaign, “Where is My Bus,” which evaluated the Metrobus system and made improvement recommendations.

Between March 2017 and 2018, Metrobus was hit with 39 service reductions, with only one increase, according to service adjustment brochures and transit ridership reports that Transit Alliance Miami examined. In two cases, the group found that route adjustments during the same period led to 90,000 riders leaving the bus system or finding alternative routes – a 78.3% dip in ridership.

Route 103 C, which ran MidBeach and South Beach riders across the MacArthur Causeway to the Omni Terminal and Government Center, dropped from 70,000 to 11,500 monthly riders – an 84% reduction – when it cut its MacArthur stretch. Several other routes, including Route 108 H in the northeast corner of the county, suffered similar exoduses.

Frequency also played a significant role in ridership decline, the study found. Buses running at 10-minute intervals, the highest Metrobus frequency in Miami-Dade, comprise just 1%

of the county fleet. About 74% of buses run at 30-minute or longer intervals, based on averages from May 18 bus schedules, the group determined.

Some buses never even enter their routes due to too few vehicles being available for service, resulting in “ghost buses,” as Transit Alliance Miami calls them, whose frequency increased 152% between January and March this year, according to transit service logs.

Unreliable real-time bus tracking, poor or nonexistent shelter at bus stops and fare box breakdowns resulting in lower fare collection and uncounted riders were found as additional contributing factors to ridership count declines.

The solution, Mr. Chougle told commissioners last week, is for the county to discard its “rollercoaster routes” that run in low-frequency circles in favor of efficient, often straight, high-frequency courses.

Solutions, once found during a two-year process from start to finish, should be plugged in as they are determined, and commissioners and transportation personnel should avoid the bureaucratic entanglements that often stall progress, he said.

“This is not about sending transit in places where it’s not effective,” he said. “The bus system should go where the bus system should go.”

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

13

Technology

County gurus prepare for inevitable automated vehicles

By Jesse Scheckner

Automated vehicles – selfdriving and self-parking cars, trucks, air and watercraft – are no longer things of science fiction.

The technology is here, albeit primitively and in limited number, and Miami-Dade County’s transportation sector is preparing for its inevitable ubiquity.

Automated vehicle technology, or AV, is coming faster than many expect, according to Mayor Carlos Giménez, who told Miami Today last week that Miami-Dade’s partnership with Ford to map the county in preparation of driverless cars places the county “on the forefront” of AV readiness.

“I’m not talking 15, 20 years; I’m taking a five- to 10-year time period when you’re going to see a lot of automated vehicles on the streets of our town,” he said.

“That will change not only the way we get around but also the kind of money we spend.”

Currently, all vehicles on the road with partial AV features are classified as having Level 1 or Level 2 autonomous technology.

Such tech ranges from adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping automation to advanced driver assistance system that control the brakes, steering and acceleration while still requiring humans behind the wheel.

Just around the corner is Level 3 technology, which allows vehicles to take full control under specific situations like freeway driving (minus on- and off-ramp navigation and city driving).

Drivers are still required, but active monitoring is unnecessary until conditions demand it.

Once vehicles reach Level 4 automation, human drivers won’t be required, though manual input will be possible. Level 4 vehicles are expected to operate within limited geographical ranges while in autonomous mode and may not exceed specific speeds.

Finally, Level 5 vehicles will be fully autonomous and capable of traveling anywhere and at any safe speed, with no control options for passengers, who will be able to work, read, nap or watch a movie while commuting.

But those hoping AV will alleviate Miami-Dade’s traffic woes should temper their expectations, according to transportation planner Tewari Edmonson, who said fewer demands on drivers may result in increased gridlock.

“Traffic congestion may go up,” he said. “If everyone has access to an automated vehicle, a lot more people will [be on the road]. Old commuters or students without driver’s licenses will now have the ability to use a single occupancy vehicle.”

How fast these advances will arrive and be adopted for government use depends on auto manu-

In Level 5 vehicles, passengers will be able to work, read, nap or watch a movie as vehicle does the work.

facturers and AV developers, said Jesus Guerra, deputy director of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).

Regulation and use in the public sector, he said, typically follows the lead of private industry.

“Usually the technology first comes to private cars,” he said.

“Government is a little behind regarding technology, because we can’t put the money into something that may not work.

The private sector gets it first, and when everyone gets it and it works well, then the public sector comes in and can try those technologies.”

In anticipation of this tech shift, the TPO two years ago commissioned a study, titled “Impact of Future Technology in the 2045 LRTP,” of how AV and peripheral technology will affect the county’s long-range transportation plan through 2045.

The study’s advisory group, consisting of personnel from the TPO, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), MiamiDade Transportation and Public Works (TPW) and consultants from Miami-based engineering firm Corradino Group, envisions a three-part timeline for AV rollout.

Between 2020 and 2025, expected developments include: ■Infrastructure able to support future AV needs.

■Improvements to PortMiami to facilitate next-generation tech; however, because automating container terminals is expensive, ports may delay buying in unless necessary.

■Devices that save logistics businesses billions by helping to move goods and assets through supply chain warehouses faster and cheaper.

■”Smart city” improvements to energy, water, waste, transit, retailing, utilities, wellness and healthcare, banking, building

and manufacturing.

Key to this step is expansion of the “Internet of Things,” an overarching network of devices, vehicles, appliances and other items with electronics, software, sensors and movement mechanisms capable of exchanging data and impacting the physical world, resulting in higher efficiency, reduced human labor and related economic benefits.

“As technology further evolves, vehicles will become fully autonomous,” the study states. “Eventually, the computers will perform all these tasks simultaneously and as quick as, or quicker than, the human brain.”

One example of that technology is the “smart” signal control system the Department of Transportation and Public Works is in the process of using to overhaul the county’s traffic grid. At present, the signals can adjust to traffic flow, but as autonomy becomes more widespread, the signals will also be able to communicate with vehicles and, theoretically, improve street conditions.

“Right now, when the light turns green, the first human has to respond, then the next, etcetera,” transportation department

Executive Director Alice Bravo said. “With autonomy, all the cars could move forward like a platoon and get through much faster. It’s a way for technology to increase the capacity of the roadways without widening them.”

Some groups are moving now to better facilitate AV on highways, where the technology will be used earlier and more frequently than in urban areas.

The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) – which operates state roads 836, 874, 878, 112 and 924 – is working to install on the 836 expressway higher visibility pavement marking and signage, such as LED reflective pavement markers and reflective striping that performs in wet weather, to be detected by camera-based AV systems.

“MDX declared 836 an intelligent, smart corridor, with the idea that as these technologies came on, it could be used as a testing corridor,” MDX consultant Albert Sosa said. “We want to put systems in place that facilitate that.”

Once demands calls for it, MDX highways will establish dedicated express technology (XT) lanes for automated and connected vehicles, though such

Mayor Carlos Giménez and Alice Bravo in the Traffic Control Center.

accommodations aren’t expected in the short-term, Mr. Sosa said, adding that current widening efforts on the inside shoulders of the 836 intended for transit usage will eventually become XT lanes.

“For those vehicles to leverage the technologies they promise – they’re safer, can drive closer together and at a higher rate of speed – we’ll be able to use our existing infrastructure,” he said.

“We can’t keep building asphalt and lanes.”

About 25% of vehicles on the road are expected to be selfdriving and self-parking between 2026 and 2035, leading to some transportation job loss, the TPO study states.

Possible advancements during this period include: ■Automated transit buses, whose job impact “will be complicated by union relationships/negotiations” and require increased skill and maintenance personnel.

■Limited autonomous or semi-autonomous heavy-duty trucks.

■Experimental autonomous ambulances and increased use of ambulance drones, or “AirMules,” by hospitals and government.

■Expanded AV ridesharing.

Uber expects its entire fleet to be fully autonomous by 2030.

■Solar-powered in-road light systems that detect pedestrians crossing the street, as well as safety reflectors featuring sensors, LED lights, wireless charging and communications that blink to alert drivers of pedestrian movements.

■A push toward solar roadways and experimentation with road friction technology, which would generate power from tire movement on roadways.

As with all prospective timelines, some developments may arrive and be applied sooner than expected. In this case, Mr. Guerra said it is likely.

“All the movement you see, this is something that may happen much faster,” he said. “Every speculation we made for 2035 could happen earlier.”

From 2036 to 2045, the study states the county will build on the work of the two previous phases and include in its longrage transportation plan provisions for a wide range of public sector autonomous vehicles and related infrastructure, a spectrum of smart city technology and electric roadway, air and water vehicles.

“We don’t see any major impacts from autonomous vehicles until we have at least a 50% penetration rate,” Mr. Edmonson said. “But Miami-Dade County is proactive in addressing autonomous vehicles. We’re not waiting on that. We’re taking the first step.”

22

TODAY’S NEWS

MIAMI TODAY

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

For first time in seven years, Miami doesn’t lower tax rate

By John Charles Robbins

The proposed overall millage rate in the City of Miami, used to calculate property tax bills, will remain unchanged for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The city commission on July 26 set the proposed overall millage rate for fiscal year 2018-19 at 8.0300 mills.

It includes general operating millage of 7.5865, and debt service of 0.4435, reflecting slight adjustments from the current fiscal year.

The city’s proposed budget for the new year was released in July

by Mayor Francis Suarez and City Manager Emilio T. González.

Mr. González referred to the millage rate adjustment in his cover letter with the proposed budget.

“There is no increase in the total property tax rate. We are, however, proposing increasing the operating property tax millage by 0.15 mills and reducing the debt millage rate by the same amount. This will require a supermajority of four votes of the City Commission according to State law, instead of the normal three-vote simple majority,” wrote Mr. González.

The vote was unanimous.

The current overall millage rate for the city is split this way: general operating millage of 7.4365, and debt service of 0.5935.

Final approval of the millage rate for 2018-19 is expected in late September and will mark the first time in seven years the city hasn’t lowered the overall millage rate. For comparison, the city’s overall millage rate in fiscal year 2011 was 8.6441 mills.

The General Fund includes revenues from a variety of sources, including fees, fines, and state and local taxes. Property tax revenue comprises 47.9% of total General

TAX ROLL AND MILLAGE HISTORY Taxable Assessed Value (Billions)

Net Assessed Valuation of Taxable Property and Total City Millage rate

Total Millage Rate

‘There is no increase in the total property tax rate.’

Emilio Gonzalez

Fund revenues and represents the largest source of funding for general operations.

In the proposed 2018-19 General Fund Budget of $750,686,000, property tax revenue amounts to about $356.7 million.

Christopher Rose, Office of Management and Budget director, reported that every tenth mill will generate approximately $4.6 million for the City of Miami General Fund in the next fiscal year.

Florida law governs the setting of millage rates by municipalities, adoption of budget, and the timeframes required of each.

It requires that the City of Miami advise the property appraiser of its

proposed millage within 35 days of the July 1 certification of value so that the information can be included in the notice of proposed property taxes mailed to property owners in August.

Even with the city’s overall millage rate remaining unchanged, many property owners can expect to pay a bit more in overall property taxes due to an increase in assessed value at the county level. According to the MiamiDade County property appraiser, this year the city had an overall property value increase of 4.8%, before new construction.

The same state statute governs the timeframes for the first and

NEWS HEADLINES FROM MIAMI TODAY

second budget hearings.

The city commission’s vote July 26 set the first budget hearing for Sept. 13 and the second for Sept.

27. The hearings are set for 5:05 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive.

Effectively, the tentative millage adopted represents the upper limit for the millage rates to be considered in September. The commission may lower the general operating millage rate at either of the two budget hearings, but effectively cannot raise it above what is adopted in July. State law allows for this possibility, but it cannot be practically achieved

within the timeframes provided in state law. According to the property appraiser’s office, this re-noticing of millage rates has not been accomplished even once in the history of the state.

Last month, Mayor Suarez and the city manager presented a proposed 2018-19 General Fund Budget of $750,686,000, which is $23.858 million more than the current adopted General Fund Budget of $726,828,000.

“This is the part of the budget that funds the largest number of City functions, has the least number of restrictions on how the funds can be spent, and therefore has the most pressure upon it,” Mr. González wrote in his cover letter.

The city’s proposed Operating Budget for the coming fiscal year amounts to $1.086 billion, and includes a $14 million reserve for labor negotiations and $5 million for beautification projects.

The proposed operating and capital budgets are available at the city’s website at www.miamigov. com/budget.

Miami Today has always been a reliable vehicle for your

Legal

ADVERTISING

And now, we are making it easier for you by providing forms for your Legal Notices

ONLINE Visit

www.miamitodaynews.com/advertise/legal-advertising

Sign up today to receive news headlines by email.

• FICTITIOUS NAME • NOTICE TO CREDITORS • NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION • NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE • DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND MORE...

Contact Angela Lee for more information at 305-358-2663 or at legals@miamitodaynews.com

Contact: kmaruri@miamitodaynews.com and write “Headlines” in the subject line

MiaMiToday A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

MiaMiToday

A Singular Voice in an Evolving City

24

WEEK OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018

MIAMI TODAY

What costs less than a year’s worth of

and is far better for you?

Subscribe to our E-paper only $60 a year • Easy to read and navigate • Unlimited access to 12 years of searchable archives • Available before print edition GET YOURS AT MIAMITODAYEPAPER.COM

MiaM iToday A Singular Voice in an Evolving City