Item M1 � M.1
� � �, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe � ��r�i
�r � s�� Mayor Heather Carruthers,District 3
The Florida.Keys Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Sylvia J.Murphy,District 5
County Commission Meeting
August 19, 2020
Agenda Item Number: M.1
Agenda Item Summary #7123
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 3
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Carol Schreck(305) 292-3430
No
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion and update on feasibility of a toll in Monroe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Tolls have been collected along the Overseas Highway twice in the
history of the Keys. Card Sound Road currently collects a toll.
The BOCC has discussed the possibility of tolling the Keys several times over the last several years.
Many members of the public have raised the subject of tolling to help fund infrastructure
improvements, assist with sea level rise mitigation, assist law enforcement, alleviate traffic
problems, and assist with evacuation and reentry.
On April 30, 2017 the Village Council of Islamorada passed resolution 17-04-30 "related to
exploring the establishment of a toll road of part of US Highway 1 within Monroe County to assist in
funding transportation improvements, water quality improvements, and other pressing needs within
Islamorada and the Florida Keys." The resolution also requested the support from all five (5)
municipalities within the County as well s from the Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners in exploring the feasibility of establishing US-1 toll lanes coming into the Florida
Keys.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: On June 21, 2017, the Board of County
Commissioners unanimously passed resolution 157-2017 to support the exploration of a toll into the
Florida Keys for non-residents to offset tourist impact, protection and improvement of water quality
and to support infrastructure investment to mitigate against rising sea level.
On July 21, 2010 the BOCC in a unanimous vote, directed Staff to investigate and research the
practicality and ability to establish a toll on the Monroe County end of the 18 mile Stretch with
would allow the County to fund the wastewater mandate and address infrastructure needs related to
sea level rise.
For additional background, please see the July 2010 "Tolling US l" Research Report (binder)
prepared by the office of Commissioner Heather Carruthers and presented as backup to the July 21,
2010 BOCC meeting agenda item.
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7/15/20 (LI) BOCC continued this item to the BOCC 8/19/20 meeting.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Res 157-2017 (tolls)
Islamorada Res 17-04-30 tolls
Last Stand support 7.2017 (tolls)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: N/A
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Heather Carruthers Completed 07/08/2020 9:47 AM
Bob Shillinger Completed 07/08/2020 1:32 PM
Kathy Peters Completed 07/08/2020 1:45 PM
Board of County Commissioners Completed 07/15/2020 9:00 AM
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RESOLUTION NO. 157 -2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPLORATION OF
A TOLL INTO THE FLORIDA KEYS FOR NON-
RESIDENTS TO OFFSET TOURIST IMPACT,
PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATER
QUALITY AND TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT TO MITIGATE AGAINST RISING
SEA LEVEL.
WHEREAS, Monroe County and the Florida Keys is an extremely popular tourist
destination, with approximately 80% of visitors entering the Florida Keys by via U.S. Highway 1
and
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WHEREAS, the percent of those driving into the Florida Keys with a personal vehicle
has increased by 12.8% from 2015 to 2016 2; and e
WHEREAS, Monroe County's US-1 has earned an All-American Road Status; and
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WHEREAS, Monroe County is home to two (2) National Parks, seven (7) Florida State r�
Parks (including Keys Overseas Heritage Trail), four (4) Wildlife Sanctuaries and a National
Marine Sanctuary; and
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WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes the importance of and supports maintaining a
quality destination to ensure and protect its environmental and economic health; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has experienced a treasurable increase in tidal flooding
and is considered ground zero for experiencing the destructive impacts of global climate change
and sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, at least 24 of the 27 bridges Monroe County maintains are scheduled for
repair or replacement within the next 10 years3; and
WHEREAS, at least 22.5% of the Monroe County maintained roadways are rated as
`'poor" or "very poor", meaning these roadways have failed or are past their optimal point
requiring progressive rehabilitation 4; and
12016 TDC Visitor Profile Survey(January—December 2015/2016)(based on survey sample size 3600)
Z Ibid.
3 Bridge Assessment Report,Kisinger Campo&Associates,Corp.,September 2014
4 Monroe County,Florida Pavement Management Analysis Report,IM.S Infrastructure Services,February 2014
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WHEREAS, many of the bridges are the sole conduit for the fresh water lines from the
mainland aquifer; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes the vital importance of tourism to all
municipalities and unincorporated areas of the Florida Keys and believes tourists can contribute
to reserving the destination by alleviating the negative impacts of the vibrant tourist-based
economy; and
WHEREAS, tolls have been collected along the Overseas Highway twice in its history
(1927 ferry boat from No Name Key to Key West and the 1938 Lower Matecumbe); and
WHEREAS, since 1926 Monroe County has operated and continues to operate a toll on
Card Sound Road; and
WHEREAS, there is some precedents in Florida for using funds derived from tolls for
non-transportation purposes;
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WHEREAS, the Village of Islamorada has adopted resolution 17-04-30, which asks the .9
four other municipalities in the Florida Keys and the County to jointly support a feasibility study
for establishing "US-1 toll lanes coming into the Florida Keys to assist in funding transportation
improvements, water quality improvements, and other pressing needs within the Florida Keys."
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
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1. The Board supports the exploration of a feasibility study for
establishing toll lanes on U.S. 1 coming into the Florida Keys for non-
residents to offset tourist impacts, for the protection and improvement
of water quality, to support infrastructure investment as mitigation
against global climate change and sea level rise, and for other pressing
needs within the Florida Keys.
2. Staff is authorized to work with the municipalities and to expend
county resources in support of this endeavor.
5 See,e.g., F.S.338.26(3)(b),entitled Alligator Alley Toll Road,which allows toll funds to be used for such
non-transportation related projects as water conveyance projects, sewer plant engineering design
plans, land acquisition, and other Everglades construction projects.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting held on the 2 1"day of June,2017.
Mayor George Neugent Yes
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice Yes
fr Commissioner Danny Kolhage Yes
k Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes
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"�,� ' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
% A�ttglfi,KEV MADOK, CLERK OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY. BY
Deputy Clerk Mayor
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RESOLUTION NO. 17-04-30
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF
ISLAMORADA, VILLAGE OF ISLANDS, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO EXPLORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
TOLL ROAD OF PART OF US HIGHWAY 1 WITHIN
MONROE COUNTY TO ASSIST IN FUNDING
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS, WATER QUALITY
IMPROVEMENTS,AND OTHER PRESSING NEEDS WITHIN
ISLAMORADA AND THE FLORIDA KEYS;AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys, including Islamorada, Village of Islands (the "Village") has
become an extremely popular tourist destination,with most visitors entering the Florida Keys via U.S.
Highway I ("US-1"); and
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WHEREAS, the influx of seasonal visitors in the Village has impacted the needs of the local
population that lives within an area of limited natural resources and infrastructure; and. .
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WHEREAS,the Village Council of Islamorada, Village of islands (the"Village Council") is �6
aware of the impact that increased tourism has had on the resources of the Village as well as on its
residents; and M
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WHEREAS,the Village Council recognizes the vital importance of tourist and visitors to the cCD
local economy, the Village Council has determined that visitors and tourists can contribute to
alleviating the negative impacts of a vibrant tourist-based economy on local infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, a non-transportation toll on US-1 has long been identified as a possible source
of funding to address some of the impacts on natural resources and local infrastructure; and c 0
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WHEREAS,Village Council recognizes the vital importance of tourist and visitors to the local N
economy,the Village Council has determined that visitors and tourists can contribute to alleviating the
negative impacts of a vibrant tourist-based economy; and E
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WHEREAS, Monroe County, Florida (the "County") has a long-established toll on Card
Sound Road; and a <
WHEREAS, tolls have been otherwise established in other areas of the State to assist with
non-transportation costs associated with the secondary effects of such impacts;and
WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to explore all options related to the establishment of
a toll on US-I to assist in funding transportation improvements,water quality improvements,and other
pressing needs within the Village and the rest of the County; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council further recognizes the importance of engaging all relevant
stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local levels in exploring the feasibility of establishing proposed
US-1 toll lanes within the County; and
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WHEREAS,the Village Council desires to memorialize its intent to explore the feasibility of
establishing US-1 toll lanes coming into the Florida Keys and requests the support from all five (5)
municipalities within the County as well as from the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
(`BOCC").
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF
ISLAMORADA,VILLAGE OF ISLANDS, FLORIDA,AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals.The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by
this reference.
Section 2. Exploring Feasib li of Proposed 'Poll on U.S. Highway 1. The Village
Council hereby states its intent to explore the feasibility of proposed US-1 toll lanes coming into the
Florida Keys to assist in funding transportation improvements,water quality improvements,and other
pressing needs within the Florida Keys. The Village Council hereby requests the support and from all
Five (5) municipalities within Monroe County as well as from the BOCC in adopting similar
Resolutions. N ._
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Section 3. Transmittal. The Village Clerk is directed to furnish copies of this Resolution 5
to
• Monroe County Board of County Commissioners c
• City of Key Colony Beach
• City of Key West o
• City of Layton
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• City of Marathon
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Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its c
adoption.
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Motion to adopt by Councilman Mike Forster, second by Councilwoman Deb Gillis. E 0)
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FINAL VOTE AT ADOPTION y
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VILLAGE COUNCIL OF ISLAMORADA, VILLAGE OF ISLANDS:
Mayor Jim Mooney YES
Vice-Mayor Chris Sante YES
Councilman Mike Forster YES
Councilwoman Deb Gillis YES
Councilwoman Cheryl Meads YES
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PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2017.
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J ' M 0NEY,MAYOR
ATTEST:
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VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF
ISLAMORADA, VILLAGE OF ISLANDS ONLY
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ROGET V. BRYAN, VILLAGE ATTORNEY
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Board of County Commission
June 21,2017
Murray E. Nelson Government Center
Key Largo, Florida
Agenda Item K-2
Mayor Neugent and Commissioners, I am Deb Curlee Vice President of Last Stand speaking on behalf of
Last Stand.
We support the resolution for the exploration of a toll into the Florida Keys for non residents as long as
revenue generated will be specifically used as stated in the resolution for the protection and
improvement of water quality and to help improvements to infrastructure to mitigate against sea level
rise.
Thank you,
R,
D Cudee o
Vic President Last Stand
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