C7M - Accept 2025 Ppi Update

Resolutions - C7 M

C7 M A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, (I) ACCEPTING THE 2025 PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION ("PPI") ANNUAL UPDATE AND EVALUATION REPORT, ATTACHED TO THIS RESOLUTION AS EXHIBIT A, DEVELOPED FOR THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM (CRS); (II) ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SERVE AS A PPI COMMITTEE FOR A TERM COMMENCING ON JANUARY 1, 2026 AND EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 2026 (THE "2026 COMMITTEE"), TO IMPLEMENT, MONITOR, AND EVALUATE THE PPI; (III) APPOINTING THE MEMBERS OF THE 2026 COMMITTEE; AND (IV) PRESCRIBING THE PURPOSE AND DUTIES OF THE 2026 COMMITTEE. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the City Commission accept the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Program for Public Information (PPI) Annual Evaluation Update and Evaluation Report prepared for the Community Rating System (CRS) program and to reconvene the annual ad hoc committee starting on January 1st of 2026 and ending on December 31st of 2026. The committee’s continuous participation and work is required to monitor the implementation of flood awareness projects, which provide valuable activity points for the CRS program.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The Program for Public Information Committee (PPI) was first created by the City Commission through Resolution No. 2016-29585 on September 27, 2016. The original Program for Public Information Plan was approved on March 1, 2017, via Resolution No. 2017-29771. The CRS program requires a new PPI Plan every five years and the second plan was created and approved on July 20, 2022 via Resolution No. 2022-32216. A progress report is submitted annually to the City Commission as required by the program.

On October 23, 2025, the Program for Public Information Committee passed a motion approving the Annual Update and Evaluation Report and transmitting it to the City Commission for approval.

ANALYSIS

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program allowing communities to earn flood insurance discounts. Cities earn points for conducting activities promoting flood insurance and reducing flood risk. The CRS rating scores range from 1 to 10 (1 being the highest and 10 the lowest). Miami Beach pursued an aggressive goal to improve its CRS ranking from a Class 6 to a Class 5 and was officially awarded the new score in May 2019. Qualifying policy holders in the city, and the city’s own policies, receive a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums that saves the Miami Beach community millions of dollars annually. This helps offset increasing federal rates. Miami Beach received a letter from FEMA in February 2025 advising that the city has retained its score of a 5.

The mission of the proposed Program for Public Information Committee is to create and monitor a Program for Public Information (PPI) plan with the purpose of reducing flood risk and ultimately reducing the cost of flood insurance. The committee meets twice a year to address CRS requirements and to monitor and evaluate the plan. The committee’s composition requires representation from communications, floodplain management, and the insurance industry. Additional stakeholders listed in the program requirements include representatives from the real estate industry and local banking.

The proposed Program for Public Information Committee members include: • Melissa Berthier, Communications Representative o Director - Marketing and Communications Department • John J. Lee, Insurance Agent o Vice President - FirstService Financial • Alex Carrasco, Banking Industry Representative o Vice President/Private Banking Relationship Manager - First Horizon Bank • Scott Diffenderfer, CIPS, LCAM, Real Estate Industry Representative o Licensed Real Estate Broker Associate - Compass o Past President - Belle Isle Residents Association • Carlos Gutierrez, Real Estate Industry Representative o Real Estate Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker o Past President - Miami Association of Realtors • Mohsen Jarahpour, CFM, Floodplain Manager o Floodplain Manager - Building Department

As specified by the Community Rating System Program for Public Information Committee rules, term limits do not apply due to exception under City Code Section 2-24(b)(2). The liaison for the Committee is the Chief Resilience Officer/ Environment and Sustainability Director.

The Annual Evaluation Reports highlight the progress made toward desired outcomes established on the plan adopted on July 20, 2022, via Resolution No. 2022-32216. It provides data and details regarding project implementation status and recommendations for future improvements.

The Annual Evaluation Report, Exhibit A, includes: • A review of projects; • Progress towards the desired outcomes; and • Recommendations for improvement.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

City staff, specifically the Chief Resilience Officer/ Environment and Sustainability Department Director, the Building Department’s Floodplain Manager, and the Director of Marketing and Communications and staff dedicate hours to the Committee reports and activities. Outreach is distributed through existing communication channels with some target direct mailing and materials at a cost of less than $10,000 annually. Due to the City’s performance in the FEMA full Community Rating System program, qualifying National Flood Insurance Program policyholders receive an annual 25% discount on flood insurance premiums.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:

See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends the City Commission accept the National Flood Insurance Program for Public Information Committee Annual Evaluation Update and Report and reconvene the Ad Hoc Program for Public Information Committee for 2026. The program and Committee are essential for the City to reduce flood risk through awareness communications and to achieve FEMA Community Rating System points, thereby earning flood insurance premium discounts for qualifying residents and businesses.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Environment and Sustainability

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Annual CRS PPI Report Update and Reestablishment of Advisory Committee. (Fernandez) EN