FYI Miami: April 19, 2018

Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

FILMING GRANT TO ABC: Miami-Dade County commissioners last week approved a $100,000 grant to ABC Studios from the Television, Film and Entertainment Production Incentives Program to shoot a pilot television series, “Grand Hotel.” The pilot will primarily be shot in Commissioner Sally Heyman’s district, though there will be scenes filmed throughout the county. The funding is to come from the county’s general fund and is only allocated if ABC spends $1 million in the county, if 70% of the project is filmed here and if 80% of the vendors being contracted are registered with the county. Eva Longoria is to produce the show.
TRANSIT GRANTS TARGETED: Mayor Carlos Giménez’s office is to file three grant applications for up to $90 million for transit projects throughout the county. Miami-Dade commissioners last week directed the mayor to apply for the grants through the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. The funds would support “multiple bus and rail projects, vanpool and paratransit services and planning activities,” the legislation says.
SEA LEVEL IMPACT SURVEY: Mayor Carlos Giménez is to prepare a report for Miami-Dade commissioners recommending how to protect water and sewer infrastructure and road infrastructure from sea level rise. Commissioners approved legislation sponsored by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa last week directing the mayor to study the systems to see what improvements may be needed and where. “Much of the water and sewer infrastructure is below ground” and “could be affected by rising water table levels,” the legislation says. The county’s roads could also be vulnerable, as they depend on the stormwater drainage systems. “While we still are unsure as to how it will affect us specifically, we must take precautions to make sure that we have every option on the table to protect our residents,” Ms. Sosa said.
NO KICK OUT OF BOOTS: What do boots, towing and valet parking have in common? Miami city commissioners may find out at a workshop to dig deeper into those matters. At their meeting last week commissioners were to take a final vote on proposed legislation governing the booting of motor vehicles but the ordinance was deferred for at least a month. In the meantime, commissioners agreed to hold a workshop to discuss predatory booting, tow truck regulations, and valet parking services. No date is set. The ordinance to clarify existing requirements and provide additional regulations relating to the immobilization/booting of motor vehicles on private property arose after numerous complaints about booting companies preying on motorists, particularly in Coconut Grove, and charging excessive fees to release vehicles.