2011-27605 ResoRESOLUTION NO.
2011-27605
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ENDORSING, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR, AND
STRONGLY URGING THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 212.0305(4)(b) OF THE
CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAX ACT, WHICH WOULD CLEARLY AND
UNEQUIVOCALLY EXPRESS THE CITY'S INTENT THAT THE PROCEEDS
FROM THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT (1%) LEVY TO THE
EXISTING THREE PERCENT (3%) CHARTER COUNTY CONVENTION
DEVELOPMENT TAX (CDT) BE USED SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY FOR
THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING, ENLARGING, REMODELING, REPAIRING,
IMPROVING, PLANNING FOR, OPERATING, MANAGING, OR MAINTAINING
THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER
WHEREAS, the Charter County Convention Development Tax (the "Convention
Development Tax" or "CDT") is the tax imposed by Miami -Dade County (the "County") on the
exercise within its boundaries of the taxable privilege of leasing or letting transient rental
accommodations at the rate of three percent (3%) of the total consideration charged therefore,
and is authorized pursuant to Section 212.0305(4)(b), Florida Statutes ( Section 212.0305; also
known as the "Convention Development Tax Act" or the "Act"), and Chapter 29, Article VI,
Sections 29-60-29.61.1, of the Code of Metropolitan Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires that two-thirds of the CDT monies collected by the County
(including interest received thereon) shall be used to extend, enlarge, and improve the largest
existing publicly owned convention center in the County; and
WHEREAS, as the largest existing publicly owned convention center in Miami -Dade
County, the Miami Beach Convention Center is host to such internationally recognized events
as Art Basel Miami Beach and the Miami International Boat Show, and is a vital economic
engine in the South Florida region which not only supports and brings tourists and visitors to this
area, but serves as a catalyst for the creation of jobs, not only in the convention, hotel ,and food
and beverage industries, but among ancillary businesses and industries, and which, all
combined, contribute toward the continued prestige and economic viability of the South Florida
region, and of the great State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, in order to remain competitive in national and international markets,
discussion about enhancements to the Miami Beach Convention Center have been ongoing for
almost ten years, culminating, in 2010, with the City's creation of the Miami Beach Convention
Center and Conference Facility Expansion Steering Committee (the "Convention Center
Steering Committee" or the "Committee"), and the selection of the world renowned architectural
firm, Arquitectonica, to develop a Master Plan for the proposed expansion of the Convention
Center; and
WHEREAS, at its February 4, 2011 meeting, the Committee unanimously endorsed
Arquitectonica's proposed Master Plan for expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center
(the "Master Plan" or the "Plan"); the Plan envisions the creation of a state of the art,
sustainable facility, with major components including the addition of more than 213,000 square
feet of additional exhibit space (for a total of 715,000 square feet); a 60,000 square foot multi-
purpose ballroom; a 21,600 square foot junior ballroom; an additional 82,000 square feet of
meeting rooms (for a total of 207,800); reorientation of the existing entrance, including the
creation of a new covered drop-off street and an outdoor plaza; and the construction of a new
parking garage (the "Convention Center Expansion Project"); and
WHEREAS, in 2004, following the approval by County voters of the Building Better
Communities General Obligation (0.0.) Bonds, $55 million in County G.O. bonds were
approved toward enhancement and expansion of the Convention Center; notwithstanding this,
and with an estimated budget of $640 million proposed for the Convention Center Expansion
Project, it is vital that the City, County, and State work together to identify future funding sources
for the balance required to successfully undertake and prosecute the Project, as envisioned in
the Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, to that end, Florida State Senator Michael Bennett is sponsoring a bill which
would amend the Convention Development Tax Act to allow a one percent (1 %) increase to the
existing three percent (3%) CDT, with the proceeds of this additional one percent (1%) to be
used to fund improvements to the Miami Beach Convention Center including, in particular, the
Convention Center Expansion Project; and
WHEREAS, at its regular meeting on February 9, 2011, following a presentation by
Convention Center Steering Committee Co -Chairperson Stuart Blumberg, which included an
update on Senator Bennett's proposed bill, the Mayor and City Commission unanimously
passed a motion endorsing and expressing its support for said legislation, as set forth in the title
and body of this Resolution.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby endorses, expresses support for, and strongly urges the Florida State
Legislature to approve a proposed amendment to Section 212.0305(4)(b) of the Convention
Development Tax Act, clearly and unequivocally expressing the City's intent that the proceeds
from the proposed additional one percent (1%) levy to the existing three percent (3%) Charter
County Convention Development Tax (CDT) be used solely and exclusively for the purpose of
extending, enlarging, remodeling, repairing, improving, planning for, operating, managing, or
maintaining the Miami Beach Convention Center.
PASSED and ADOPTED this VA day of 1 bru-f rt/ , 2011.
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FO • EXECUTION
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m MIAMHEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION
TO: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
FROM: Matti Herrera Bower, Mayor • AA-)
DATE: February 1, 2011
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MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: A Discussion of the Funding Bill for the Convention Center Recently Filed by
State Senators Mike Bennett and Rene Garcia.
Please place on the Feb. 9, 2011 Commission meeting agenda a discussion of the funding bill
for the convention center recently filed by State Senators Mike Bennett and Rene Garcia.
Discussion should include whether the City will add the bill to its state legislative agenda and
direct the city manager to take the necessary steps to support its passage.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please
do not hesitate to contact Rebecca Wakefield at extension 6157.
Thank you.
MHB/rw
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safely to all who live, work, and play in n,
Agenda Item "l
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