LTC 037-2024 LTC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding Spring Break 2024MIAM I BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC#
037-2024
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
Joseph M. Centorino, Inspector ~IA
Rafael E. Granado, city clerk / ~[
February 5, 2024
LTC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding Spring Break 2024.
On behalf of the Ocean Drive Association Board of Directors, attached please find a Letter to
Commission regarding Spring Break 2024.
F:\CLER\$ALL\L TC FROM ASSOCIATIONS\OCEAN DRIVE 02052024.docx
Feb ruary 5, 20 24 V ia Em a il
M ay or Steven M eine r
C om m issio ne r T any a B hatt
C om m issio ne r Lau ra D o m ing u e z
C o m m issio ne r A lex Fe rn an d ez
C o m m issio ne r Jo e M ag azin e
C o m m issio ner Kriste n R o se n G o nzalez
C o m m issio ne r D av id Su arez
C ity M an ager A lina H u d a k
Subject: 20 24 Spring Break Plan n ing
D ear H o no rab le M ay o r, Co m m issio n e rs an d M a d am e M a n ag e r:
W e w atched w ith great inte rest the C o m m issio n's discu ssio n co n ce rn in g Sp rin g Brea k . W e co m m e n d yo u fo r
devoting m uch attentio n to th is m atte r.
T he O D A bo ard also m e t to discuss Sp rin g Brea k 20 24 . T h e ove rw h e lm in g co n cl u sio n fr o m ou r d iscu ssio n s is
that we need to elevate conditions on Ocean Drive throughout the year. We need to communicate to
visitors, residents and business operators every day that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With
that comment as background, we would make the following observations about the key weekends in March
2024.
• We support the comprehensive and overwhelming police presence contemplated. The safety of our
guests and employees is our shared top priority.
• We also must recognize the March is the busiest month of the year on the beach (unrelated to spring
break) and we need keep that in mind as we consider communication strategies that will be heard by both
those looking to be disruptive and our highly sought-after guests from around the world.
• We encourage the Commission and Administration to exploit the extensive PR and crisis management
resources employed, (at our expense), by the GMCVB. We need to reach out to those resources well in
advance of Spring Break. The city needs a well-rehearsed and unified communication strategy between and
among the elected and appointed leadership of the city. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE
OF HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY.
• While we recognize the importance of providing the Manager with the authority to impose a curfew
should conditions warrant, we don't support the premature or casual communication of a curfew. IT IS
CRITICAL TO KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS NOT SO EASY TO DELIVER MESSENGING TO THE TARGET AUDIENCE
COMMITTED TO DISRUPTION.
• We note that in previous years the implementation of the curfew has resulted in law enforcement in our
streets with loudspeakers, late in the evening, indicating we are in a State of Emergency. While the
implementation of a curfew is complicated, and we are not experts, how we maintain order without creating,
inadvertently, an unnecessary environment filled with fear among our best guests and residents needs to be
a priority.
• Our ODA board would welcome a dialogue with the city leadership about possible voluntary closure of
outside operations at midnight in the Thursday-Sunday period on the two key weekends. WHILE WE HAVE
MORE WORK TO DO, WE BELIEVE THAT ALL OPERATO RS ARE LIKELY TO COMMIT TO AND PUBLICALY
COMMUNICATE PLANS NOW TO CLOSE OUTSIDE AT MIDNIGHT DURING THE TARGETED WEEKENDS. We
have concerns about required complete closure of responsible businesses and the projection of their guests
into the street at the stroke of midnight. We believe that continuing service to registered hotel guests at their
home hotels_@ properly licensed bars is consistent with MB's elevated hospitality reputation.
Respectfully,
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director
For the Board of Directors
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Chairman
Jonathan Plutzik
The Betsy
Vice Chairman
Jamil Dib
V&E Restaurants
Secretary
Tom Glassie
Avalon Hotel
Treasurer
Alfie Feola
Altanini Realty
Steven Boucher
Boucher Brothers
Management, Inc.
Rory Greenberg
The Collins
Mark Muhlrad
Starlite Hotel
Salem Munayyer
Nakash Holdings
Scott Srebnick
Goldman Properties
Janet Suarez
YUCA Hospitality
Orlando Valdes
Cavalier & Henrosa
Hotels
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director