138-1999 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
http:\\ci,miami-beach.fl.us
138-1999
L.T.C. No.
LETTER TO COMMISSION
June 15, 1999
TO: Mayor Neisen Kasdin and
Members of the City C mission
SUBJECT: MILLENNI
FROM: Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
Attached please find a White Paper draft outlining issues and approaches to concerns raised in
anticipation of Millennium Celebrations, Y2K and New Year's Weekend. This paper provides a step
to formalize recommendations which will shape the City's plans and policies for this important
event.
As further information is collected and formulated, updates will be provided.
Thank you.
SR:MDB:jq
attachment
F:\INFO\$ALL\QUlNJ\L TC.MIL
Draft June 14, 1999
WHITE PAPER ON
THE MTI,LENNIlJM IN MIAMI BEACH
Miami Beach has earned a reputation of being an epicenter of nightlife and entertainment. Through
continuous media exposure in the 90's, the reputation has been recognized worldwide. As New
Years Eve 1999/2000 is thought of as the ultimate celebration, Miami Beach will be the location
of choice for many. This super weekend celebration will start on 12/3 (Friday) and extend through
Sunday 1/2 late night stretching City resources to a difficult level.
The City of Miami Beach learned much about its capacity as a host location during the January 1999
Super Bowl. City resources were pushed to the limit, and the transportation and parking
infrastructure of South Beach virtually shut down. The 100,000 residents of the City and guests in
the 19,717 hotel rooms found themselves inundated by a countless number of regional and out-of-
town visitors who crossed the causeways to dine, dance, drink and cruise. With professional
management and great restraint, the Miami Beach Police Department was able to maintain order in
a situation that was often at the threshold of chaos.
To prevent a repeat of Super Bowl Weekend, and prepare a policy and action plan for the City, an
internal committee has been meeting under the direction off the City Manager's Office including the
Police and Fire departments. This paper provides a step to formalize recommendations which will
shape the City's plans and policies for this important event.
ISSUES AND APPROACHES
1. Determine the level of Police and Fire personnel required on duty to maintain public
safety.
* The Police and Fire Departments have posed this question which, when answered, will
determine the number of personnel available for off duty details for clubs, hotels and
special events. Information from Police and Fire Departments.
2. Identify events and activities currently in the pipeline or under study.
*Proposals, permit applications and inquiries have been received and are summarized
on the attached list updated as of 5/25/99. - Attachment "A"
* All requests for off duty Police and Fire will be brought to the attention of the City
Manager via the Special Events Office.
3. Anticipated Levels of Activity in Hotels, Clubs and Restaurants.
* We can expect all private sector venues to be operating at heightened levels of business
within their existing facilities and at the maximum provided for by the particular business
licenses. Venues such as the Delano and Fountainbleau Hilton have an established
history of large New Year's events. These events will have a major impact on transportation,
parking and other city services.
* The City will conduct a survey of all establishments to determine what plans are
under consideration. Survey will be coordinated by Special Events Office. See Attachment
"B".
* Many of these businesses will request the support of off-duty police and parking staff. The
City's ability to meet these demands is an issue.
4. Recommended Policy on Expansion of Premises.
* In an effort to expand capacity levels, and create a more festive environment, some
existing clubs, hotels and restaurants will request a special events permit to create an
expansion of premises on pub lie property, or on the parking lot of the venue.
* Each of these permits would require the services of additional off-duty police. Ability
to meet demand is again an issue.
* These requests will be consider on a case-by-case basis by the City Manager and Chief
of Police using impact criteria and neighborhood consensus.
5. Recommended Policy on Extending Operating Hours of Licensed Premises
* The City will propose a code amendment which would allow liquor license
establishments to remain open after 5:00 a.m. without the sale of alcohol on a special permit
basis. Planning and Zoning to prepare.
6. Recommended Policy on Street Closures
* Most requests for street closure are a result of businesses seeking expansion of premises.
See item # 4 above.
* Additional requests may be received from independent producers, but would be
unlikely to obtain required "sign offs" and approval from the impacted neighborhood
association.
* All street closures require the services of off duty Police resources.
* This should limit the nightclubs from selling tickets to a number of people which exceed
the clubs occupancy code. Additionally, the closure of any street will contribute to the traffic
congestion and access by life safety vehicles.
7. Recommended Policy on Requests for Special Event Permits
* Current guidelines require a minimum advance request for a permit of 60 days, or 90
days for beachfront events.
* Current guidelines allow for denial of permits for any number of reasons, at the sole
discretion of the City Manager.
* To head off an anticipated flood of requests, an August 1, 1999 cut off date is
recommended for accepting applications for Special Event Permits for the weekend of
December 31,1999.
* Policy will further be guided by limitations of City resources.
8. Steps to Decrease Vehicular Traffic on Miami Beach
* Work with Miami-Dade Transit to provide very convenient and frequent park-and-ride
service from the mainland. Advertising of this service is critical by Miami-Dade, City of
Miami Beach and special event permit holders. To be implemented by Public Works,
Parking and Media Relations.
* Request assistance from Miami-Dade to temporarily increase the fleet of buses on the
Electrowave Shuttle and expand the route. Implemented by Public Works.
* On an emergency basis the City may have to limit access via MacCarthur , Julia Tuttle and
Venetian Causeways, with approval from the County and FDOT. Explore dedicated lane
for emergency and mass transit access. Public Works to obtain approval.
* Explore temporary toll on causeways or entrance to the city to help defray extraordinary
expenses. (consult with Legal)
9. Steps to Increase Available Parking
* Inventory and approve vacant lots as well as school lots, playing fields and daytime
business lots which can be used to temporarily increase parking inventory. Locations
include: - AIton Vacant lots 6th-9th street
- Eckerd lot Alton & 14th street
- Meridian & 17th
- Dade and Meridian Ave (Resnick lot)
- Beach High lot
- Indian Creek 42nd & 43rd street
- Alaska parcel
* Parking Dept.to produce a map of existing and possible parking
* Parking Dept. to explore converting parking garages to valet operation to increase
inventory.
* Parking Dept. to explore employee car pooling / shuttle systems to increase available
inventory.
* Parking and Planning Dept. to prepare commission memo to obtain approval on emergency
use of non-conforming lots for parking during Millennium Weekend.
10. Supplement City Resources
* Inter agency assistance from Miami Dade County, City of Miami Police and the Florida
Highway Patrol to do off-duty detail, coordinated by the Miami Beach Police Dept.
* Assistance from Miami Dade County Fire Rescue. Obtained by Fire Dept.
* IncreastXl support from Miami-Dade County Parks for beach cleaning. Obtained by Parks
Dept.
* Overhead surveillance support from Miami-Dade Police helicopter. Miami Beach Police
Dept. to coordinate.
* Assistance from Transit Authority referenced above. Public Works.
* Assistance from City of Miami in providing additional parking areas such as Watson
Island. Public Works.
* Assistance from Florida Marine Patrol and Coast Guard for waterways.
11. Y2K Emergency Concerns and Contingencies
* A subcommittee lead by the Fire Dept. will address this concern.
12: Fireworks Permits
* All requests for fireworks permits must be routed through City Manager's Office, via
Special Events Office.
* Coordination of fireworks efforts to mark the stroke of midnight will be encouraged.
13. Formation of City Millennium Planning Committee
* Internal Committee consisting of designated CMB personnel. Will implement City
policy and interface with other governmental agencies, neighborhoods, promoters and
businesses.
1999/2000 MIAMI BEACH NEW YEAR'S EVE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
ANNOUNCED PIJBUC EVENTS
I Jeffrey Sanker's New Years Eve Party 12/31/99
location: Hall A & D at the Convention Center, 190 I Convention Center Drive
a public dance party 8:00pm - 5:00am
Estimated Attendance: 10,000
Contact: Jeffrey Sanker (213) 653-0800 ph, (213) 653-9977fax jeffreysanker.com
Spedal Event Permit Applications:
2 First Nite Miami Beach 12/31/99
location: Hall C at the Convention Center, Gleason, Colony, Lincoln Theater, 21st S1. Rec. Ctr.
a cultural New Year's Eve celebration with performing arts 7:00pm - 12:00 midnight
Estimated Attendance: 8,000
Contact: Ellen Wedner (305) 573-6477 ph or (305) 573-6479 fax
3 First Light 01/01/00
location: Beachfront Areas TBA
Time: 6:00-8:00am
Program: TBA
Contact: Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council (305) 672-2787
4 Miami Beach 2000 12/31/99
location: 13th Street Beachfront
a concert to celebrate New Year's Eve featuring Gypsy Kings 6:00pm - 2:00am
Estimated Attendance 8,000
contact: Norman Bedford (305) 538-2445 ph, (305) 538-1599 fax, miamibeach2000.com
5 ACT Productions
Contact: Bruce Orosz (305) 538-3809
Proposal: To close Washington Avenue from 4th-5th Street
for China Grille, Red Square and Tuscan Steak
6 Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Contact: John Thacker (305) 604-3900
Proposal: Beachfront event wi Ocean Drive Magazine
Estimated Attendance: 2,000
Inquiries:
7 Ocean Drive Improvement Association
Contact: Al Feola (305) 531-9478
Proposal: To close Ocean Drive from 5th-15th Street,
And launch fireworks from the beach at midnight
8. ConcertlParty
Contact: Ray Schnitzer 305-673-1476
Proposal: Afternoon party leading to popular headline performance. Lacks venue
Estimated Attendance: 2,000-4,000
F:\INFO\$ALL\QUINJ\MIL.WH5 update 6/14/99
REQUESTED SUPPORT FROM HOST COMMITTEE
Miami-Dade Transit to support park and ride program and increase mass transit schedules.
Assistance in creation of barge launched midnight fireworks display.
Inter agency assistance from Police, Fire, Marine Patrol, Coast Guard and others