2001-24627 RESO
RESOLUTION NO.2001-24627
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING A PROGRAM
OF PRODUCTION INCENTIVES, ATTACHED AS
EXHIBIT "A" TO TIDS RESOLUTION; SAID PROGRAM
TO BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE FILM & PRINT
DIVISION OF THE CITY'S OFFICE OF ARTS CULTURE
& ENTERTAINMENT.
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the great value and benefit the production
industry brings to Miami Beach in relation to economic impact and cultural contribution;
and
WHEREAS, establishment of production incentives world-wide has become a
competitive aspect to facilitate and provide incentives directed at productions of all sizes;
and
WHEREAS, to recognize and respond to the City's production and entertainment
industries in facilitating production within Miami Beach, and providing a competitive
advantage to attract the domestic and international entertainment community, the City's
Film & Print Division, in partnership with the Production Industry Council, has
developed the following incentives, as attached and incorporated in Exhibit "A" to this
Resolution, to strategically and competitively position the City to attract and support the
production industry in the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and
City Commission herein approve and adopt a Program of Production Incentives, as set
forth in detail in the attached Exhibit "A"; said Program to be administered through the
Film & Print Division of the City's Office of Arts, Culture & Entertainment.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIST7tlday of October
, 2001.
Attest:
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MAYOR
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APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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City of Miami Beach
Production Incentives Program
Page 1
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Designed to be applied to large televisionlfeature film projects Miami Beach
hosts each year, these productions can take over a month of coordination work
and typically film locally for extended time periods. These projects have the
highest budgets and economic impact, with average daily budgets that average
between $150,000 and $500,000, per day.
For a Film to Qualify:
1) It must meet or exceed two out of these three categories:
. Size of (local) crew: 75 or more
. Days in Production in Miami Beach: 5 or more
. Total Budget: $1,000,000 or more
2) It must meet or exceed a minimum of 100 room nights total during the
length of the production in Miami Beach
Qualified Film would receive:
. Waiver of vehicle beach access fees (per production), limited
to 12 vehicles per day.
. Elimination of Police administrative fees ($20 per officer)
. Use of the Convention Center Parking Lot (P Lot) for no-cost
crew parking (only if available for use - not to be in conflict
with any City/Convention Center event)
Convention Center Parking
When not in use for a convention or other City event, the
Convention Center Parking Lot can be made available under the
following conditions:
. For a fee of $250, production companies will receive 1/4 of
the Lot (not to exceed 200 spaces) to use as a base camp
for a 24-hour period. A production may also purchase a
permit for crew parking for the same area and price.
IEXHIBIT AI
City of Miami Beach Production Incentives Program
Page 2
. Consideration for neighboring residents and businesses
would be paramount in permitting the use of this Lot.
Guidelines established for Residential Filming would be
applied to Convention Center parking requests and will
address hours of operation or other aspects of the
production that may have impact on the surrounding
residents. These guidelines require a percentage of
affirmative "sign-offs" from affected neighbors for parking
requests which exceed "normal" hours of operation and
specifically address residential concerns in respect to
productions.
. The Lot would only be available when it is not in conflict with
other Convention/City activities.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would
administer this aspect of the Program jointly.
PRODUCTION COMPANY MOBILE UNIT (PCRV) PERMIT
Parking of production mobile units is a top issue for our
fashion/print companies. These large vehicles, which are
converted mobile recreation vehicles, house wardrobe, hair,
makeup, portable studios, dressing rooms, lounges and operate as
offices. In response to the concerns expressed by this industry, it is
proposed that a PCRV decal/pass be developed that would allow
these production units to park (legally) without having to worry
about feeding meters. This Program will not be in effect in
Residential Parking Zones. The permit would be made available for
the following fees:
. $75 per month - one month at a time - City-wide
. $175 for three months - all three months bought at once - City-
wide
. $25 discounted incentive rate for one month - North Beach
(north of 63rd street)
. Decal/pass will be eligible within legal parking spaces only
IEXHIBIT AI
City of Miami Beach Production Incentives Program
Page 3
. Could be run utilizing a hangtag system - issued to a specific
vehicle, non-transferable.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would
administer this aspect of the Program jointly.
BEACH ACCESS
To encourage production during Miami Beach's off-season, it is
proposed to offer Beach Access Permits at a reduced rate. This
program would not be promoted to increase the amount of vehicles
on the beach, but rather we hope that this incentive will be used to
help attract productions during slower production months.
. During the months of June through September, we would
reduce vehicle beach access by 50% to $75.00 (per
vehicle/per day)
. This Vehicle Beach Access Program is currently
administered in accordance with the City's beach usage
policies.
This would be coordinated between the Film & Print Division and
the Police Department, with the Film & Print Division assuming all
administrative duties.
SCOUTING PERMITS
Identified as a priority issue by production professionals, scouting
permits will assist production scouts with ease of access. Scouting
is when a producer or director travels to several "potential" filming
sites to assess their suitability to a particular project.
. Temporary scouting permits available on a per project basis
at the direction of the Film & Print Division. The permit will
allow cars to park at legal metered parking at no cost and
within all residential zones. It would also allow a max of 20
minutes in (marked) loading zones.
. The scouting permits would be limited in time (typically not
for more than one day).
IEXHIBIT Ai
City of Miami Beach Production Incentives Program
Page 4
. A $50 per day charge will apply.
. This Program would utilize a hang tag system similar to the
hang tag system currently used by the Parking Department
for Residential Guest Parking in which passes are
numerically tracked and are limited in time by usage of a
"scratch off" date.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would
administer this aspect of the Program jointly
IEXHIBIT Ai
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
DATE: October 17, 2001
FROM:
Jorge M. Gonzalez ..f
City Manager OtfJ"'"O
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM OF PRODUCTION
INCENTIVES TO BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE FILM & PRINT
DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT.
SUBJECT:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS:
Miami Beach's production industry attracts international projects of all sizes contributing
substantially to our economy, our lifestyle and image worldwide. With any successful business,
the key to continued prosperity is constant innovation in response to a client's needs. This
package of proposed incentives will strategically and competitively position the City to attract and
support these industries, designed to increase the ease with which productions can work and
succeed in Miami Beach.
Communities worldwide are competing to attract this desirable market by offering special incentive
programs to the industry. When re-established two years ago, the State Office of the Film
Commissioner prioritized the establishment of an up-front tax exemption program now being
offered to VideofTV & Film productions statewide. When commenting on the state's tax exemption
plan Florida Film Commissioner Rebecca Dirden-Mattingly said "This incentive is a good first step
in regaining lost ground and business that we've lost to other locations." "Every dollar that the
production company recoups from the incentive goes into the pockets of Floridians who have
been hired to produce the film, serve as vendors or act as service support businesses," Mattingly
said, "And it is those very Floridians, those who go to work each and every day in this industry
who will benefit from this the most." Similarly, many states have enacted large scale incentives
programs to attract the production industry, including California with over $50 million funded over
3 years, North Carolina with a 15% rebate program and New Mexico with over $20 million in
funding authorized. In addition to the financial aspects of these programs, the establishment of
specially targeted incentives is also recognized as being a strong communication tool in attracting
the production community.
AGENDA ITEM C'7L)
DATE /o-/7-cJ(
Production Incentives
Page 2
October 17,2001
Production figures for Miami Beach over the last 2 years indicate that production is down, both in
volume and fiscal impact. Other production centers across the US have also experienced a drop
in production due primarily to the strength ofthe US dollar overseas. The Office of Arts, Culture &
Entertainment in partnership with the production Industry Council feel it is imperative to address
this production drop by utilizing the avenues available to us. This program of incentives is just one
facet of our continuing efforts to streamline our internal process and increase efficiency in serving
our production clients.
This package of incentives was developed in partnership with the Production Industry Council and
has received unanimous endorsement from the Transportation & Parking Committee and the
Finance and Citywide Capitol Projects Committee.
The Transportation & Parking Committee was very enthusiastic about the program and felt that it
recognized the important economic and cultural contributions of this industry and that addressing
the existing concerns regarding parking will allow the City to more easily accommodate and
facilitate productions.
Adoption and implementation of this incentive program will provide the City with a strategic and
competitive advantage. This program also addresses our continued efforts to more readily
accommodate productions, which in turn shall have the effect of raising our production profile
world-wide and shall be a valuable tool in attracting productions which may be considering other
locations.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Designed to be applied to the 4 to 6 large televisionlfeature film projects Miami Beach hosts each
year, these productions can take over a month of coordination work and typically film locally for
extended time periods. These projects have the highest budgets and economic impact, with
average daily budgets that average between $150,000 and $500,000 per day.
The main impact of this proposed incentive will be to communicate a clear and strong message of
Miami Beach's ability to host and attract large-scale film and television projects.
This incentive is estimated to be available to approximately 4 to 6 productions each year. The
decision to base an entire Hollywood Spectacular here will not be based on these incentives
alone, yet would increase our ability to capture additional days of filming on large projects which
would result in additional revenue of between $250,000 to $1 million dollars daily. The ability to
"win" filming days from regional competing communities by offering these incentives will not only
provide a benefit to the films directly impacted, but shall communicate a message to major
production centers world-wide that the incentives are available. Word of mouth in the film
community is priceless, and positive feedback echoed in Los Angeles can bring these additional
filming days, and added budgets, to Miami Beach.
Production Incentives
Page 3
OCTOBER 17,2001
CONVENTION CENTER PARKING
One of the main "coordination" challenges that large scale productions face when filming in Miami
Beach is finding a location that can serve as a 'base camp' and for crew parking. Base camp is
where make-up, catering areas, equipment and production offices and wardrobe trailers are
located. Crew parking can require anywhere from 50 to 250 spaces for vehicles. Productions
scramble to rent private parking lots, which are in close proximity to shooting locations. There is a
severe shortage of such lots in Miami Beach and when available, the rental of these lots by
productions displaces parking for the public.
The ability to offer a section of the Convention Center lot, when not in use by convention or TOPA
users, will be of great benefit to the production industry. The Convention Center lot would only be
available if there is no conflict at the Convention Center or other City event that require the space.
This program received the endorsement of the Transportation and Parking Committee.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would administer this program jointly.
PCRV PERMIT
Parking of production recreational vehicles (RVs) is a top issue for our key fashionlprint
companies. These large vehicles have been converted to house wardrobe, hair and makeup - a
portable studio, dressing room, lounge and office. In response to the concerns expressed by this
industry, it is proposed that a PCRV decal/pass be developed that would allow RVs to park
(legally) without having to worry about feeding meters. This program will not be in effect for
residential parking zones.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would administer this program jointly.
BEACH ACCESS
To encourage production during Miami Beach's off-season, it is proposed to offer Beach Access
Permits at a reduced rate. This program would not be promoted to increase the amount of
vehicles on the beach, but rather we hope that this incentive will be used to help attract
productions during slower production months.
This would be coordinated between the Film & Print Division and the Police Department with the
Film & Print Division assuming all administrative duties.
SCOUTING PERMITS
Identified as a priority issue by production professionals, scouting permits will assist production
scouts with ease of access. Scouting is when a producer or director travels to several "potential"
filming sites to assess their suitability to a particular project. Many times scouting forays can last
upwards of 10 hours in a day. We propose to offer a permit that would be issued on a one-dayl
per project basis that will allow these scouts to legally park at meters and utilize commercial
loading zones. By allowing scouts to have access to loading zones and allow quick in and out for
meters, the process of scouting in South Beach shall be made easier, thus making initial visits to
Miami Beach more productive and pleasant for decision makers.
The Film & Print Division and the Parking Department would administer this program jointly
Production Incentives
Page 4
OCTOBER 17,2001
CONCLUSION:
Since the office was established over 12 years ago, the Film & Print Industry has grown to be one
ofthe top revenue generators city-wide. The cultural influence of this industry has also been very
important to the revitalization of Miami Beach due to the fashion, media and glamour that
accompanies this. Recent television programs that profile Miami Beach have emphasized the
fashion and modeling industry and have focused on this industry as a primary attraction to visitors.
The development of a program of incentives to streamline and offer a greater ease in
accommodating this vital economic and cultural Miami Beach industry has been as a result of
direct input from the Production Industry Council and professional members of the industry. The
fashion, print, film and television industries are fundamental to the buzz and style that has made
Miami Beach an international destination, and has contributed over $120 million dollars to the
City's economy over the last two years. This package of proposed incentives will strategically and
competitively position the City to attract and support these industries, and shall increase the ease
with which productions can work and succeed in Miami Beach.
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