§ 8A-416. Temporary moratorium.

(a)

The above recitals of legislative intent and findings are fully incorporated herein as part of this moratorium ordinance. The Board of County Commissioners finds that it is in the best interest of and for the benefit of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Miami-Dade County to institute a temporary moratorium on the issuance of pain clinic registrations, occupational licenses/taxes, certificates of use, permits and development orders so that Miami-Dade County can investigate the complaints surrounding pain clinics including, but not limited to, illegal drug use and distribution, increased crime, drug-related deaths and addictions and other nuisance activities as well as study the effectiveness of recent legislative action, CS/CS/HB 7095 Engrossed 3, in addressing these complaints. For the duration of this temporary moratorium, the County shall cease accepting applications or requests for issuance of pain clinic registrations, occupational licenses/taxes, certificates of use, permits and development orders from pain clinics not registered with the State of Florida Department of Health as of the effective date of this ordinance.

(b)

During the temporary moratorium, the Pain Clinic Task Force shall convene, with all deliberate speed, to investigate the complaints about pain clinics. The Pain Clinic Task Force shall consist of one representative from each of the following: the Miami-Dade County Addiction Services Board, the Nuisance Abatement Board, Consumer Services Department, Miami-Dade County Police Department, and Planning and Zoning Department. The Task Force shall seek collaboration and input from other local, state and federal law enforcement, the State of Florida Department of Health and any other entity or person the Task Forces deems appropriate.

(c)

The Mayor or designee shall provide appropriate staff support to the Task Force. The staff shall: comply with requests for information by the Task Force; assist the Task Force with its duties; maintain and keep the records of the Task Force; prepare, in cooperation with the Task Force, the agenda for each meeting; be responsible for the preparation of such reports, minutes, documents, resolutions or correspondence as the Task Force may direct; and generally administer the business and affairs of the Task Force.

(d)

The Pain Clinic Task Force shall make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effective date of this ordinance on: the effectiveness of CS/CS/HB 7095 Engrossed 3 in addressing the complaints surrounding pain clinics; whether or not it is necessary for the County to take any action to address the complaints surrounding pain clinics; and if so, how to best address the complaints surrounding pain clinics, including, but not limited to, zoning, regulatory, and enforcement recommendations.

(e)

The temporary moratorium shall expire upon enactment of any new ordinance(s) or resolution(s) addressing the underlying complaints or one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of this ordinance, whichever date is earliest.

(Ord. No. 11-61, § 3, 8-2-11)