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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-118 B . P . SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGION I . Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to provide a mutual understanding in support of the signatory agencies , organizations , govermments , and individuals that will be working in cooperation to : 1 ) prepare a successful Sustainable Communities Initiative ( SCI) grant application ; and 2) complete the work funded under the SCI grant . II . Background On June 16 , 2009 , the U . S . Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined with the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U . S . Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve access to affordable housing, provide more transportation options , and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide . To do so , the agencies established a set of guiding livability principles and a federal interagency partnership agreement to guide their efforts in coordinating federal housing , transportation , and other infrastructure investments designed to protect the environment, promote equitable development, and address the challenges of climate change . Subsequently, Congress provided a total of $ 150 , 000 , 000 to U . S . HUD for the SCI program to encourage regional planning efforts that integrate housing and transportation decisions , and increase State , regional and local capacity to incorporate livability, sustainability and social equity principles into land use and zoning . From that total amount , $ 100 , 000 , 000 is being made available to encourage metropolitan regions to develop integrated regional plans that articulate a vision for growth that federal housing, transportation and other federal investments can support . 1 More importantly, the three federal agencies have made a commitment to utilize the integrated regional plans or visions to guide their planning and funding decision -making . Going forward, funding to these metropolitan regions will generally be directed towards programs and projects identified in "Regional Plans for Sustainability" aimed at increasing transportation choices , reducing combined housing and transportation costs for American families , improving the quality of life in communities , and improving the natural and built environment . III . Agreement Whereas, there is a recognized need among the signatories for a coordinated, collaborative regional effort to prepare and carry out a successful SCI grant application and work program ; and Whereas, an SCI grant application and work program will be prepared and managed by the Treasure Coast and South Florida Regional Planning Councils in cooperation with the MOU signatories , including , but not limited to , the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners , with the intent of establishing a comprehensive regional plan or vision identifying critical projects and infrastructure to : 1 ) improve the Region ' s sustainability; and 2) assist and guide federal funding agencies in prioritizing and focusing future federal investment in Southeast Florida; and Whereas, the signatories agree to the best of their abilities and within the limits of their budgets to work cooperatively on the grant application and funded project ; and Whereas, any private sector organization, non-profit, academic or research institution, philanthropic partner, community organization , governmental entity , individual , or intermediary agency that bears responsibility for or has an interest in the sustainable development and redevelopment of Southeast Florida may be a partner and signatory to this MOU ; and 2 a Whereas, each of the signatories to this MOU understands that urban redevelopment and the promotion of infill development in Southeast Florida represents environmental , transportation, social , and economic and community development strategies for restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and advancing the goals of the federal SCI program ; and Whereas, each of the signatories to this MOU is committed to following the Livability Principles relating to the sustainable development and redevelopment of Southeast Florida : 1 . Provide more transportation choices . Develop safe , reliable and economic transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs , reduce the nation ' s dependence on foreign oil , improve air quality , reduce greenhouse gas emissions , and promote public health . 2 . Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages , incomes , races and ethnicities to increase mobility , and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation . 3 . Enhance economic competiveness . Improve economic competiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers , educational opportunities , services , and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets . 4 . Support existing communities . Target funding toward existing communities through such strategies as transit- oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling — to increase community revitalization , improve the efficiency of public works investments , and safeguard rural landscapes . 5 . Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Align policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding , and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy . 3 4 6 . Value communities and neighborhoods . Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy , safe , and walkable neighborhoods — rural , urban or suburban . 7 . Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of Climate Change. Enhance community resiliency to the impacts of climate change through the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies . Whereas, any regional plan document developed under the SCI grant will support these Livability Principles and should, to the greatest extent possible and where appropriate , be built upon the foundation of work that has been accomplished and undertaken in the region where existing plans , partnerships , and processes enhance regional planning , coordination and efficiency , reduce unnecessary duplication of effort and responsibilities , and add clarity and accountability to implementation processes . Now, Therefore, this MOU is established to create a framework for coordinating efforts related to the preparation of a successful SCI grant application and successfully completing the work funded under the SCI grant . IV. Programming, Budgeting, Funding and Reimbursement Arrangement a . This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document . Any transfer of funds between parties may take place through existing authorities and procedures . b . Generally, any endeavor involving the transfer of funds will follow normal procurement or other appropriate processes and will be affected in writing by representatives of the organizations involved . c . This MOU in no way restricts the signatories from participating in similar activities or arrangements with other entities or agencies . 4 d . Nothing in this MOU shall obligate the signatories to expend appropriations , obligate funds or enter into any contract or other agreement . V. Effective Date This MOU will become effective upon signature by any two parties . Any Party may terminate its participation in this MOU upon written notice to the other Parties . The provisions of the MOU will be reviewed periodically, as appropriate , and amended or supplemented as may be mutually agreed upon . VI . Other Memorandum of Understandings There are no superseding MOUS on this topic among the Parties hereto . VIIe Signatures This MOU may be executed in one or more counterparts , each of which shall be deemed an original , but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument . Each Party has signed this five-page agreement on a separate page . The original signature pages are on file at the South Florida Regional Planning Council , 3440 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 140 , Hollywood , FL 33021 ; (954) 985 -4416 . 5 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGION By my signature below, my organization/agency becomes a signatory to the Sustainable Communities Initiative Memorandum of Understanding for the Southeast Florida Region, dated May 11 th , 2010 . I understand that the MOU will be executed in one or more counterparts , each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument . This original signature page will be kept on file at the South Florida Regional Planning Council . PJA Signature Peter D . O ' Bryan, Chairman Typed Name and Title Indian River County Board of County Commissioners Organization/Agency May 11 , 2010 Date APPROVED AS TO FORM A19 ® LEGAL Sl9FFOC Ii� CV BY GEORGE A, GLENN A§yl9TAl0T P*Vl4TYA1"ngFwmEY Please return to : South Florida Regional Planning Council 3440 Hollywood Boulevard , Suite 140 Hollywood , Florida 33021 6