LTC 063-2024 LTC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding the Proposed Miami Music FestivalM IA M I BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC#
063-2024 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 General
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk /J··/
February 22, 2024
L TC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding the Proposed Miami Music
Festival
On behalf of the Ocean Drive Association Board of Directors, attached please find a Letter to
Commission regarding the proposed Miami Music Festival.
F:\CLER\$ALL\L TC FROM ASSOCIATIONS\OCEAN DRIVE 02222024.docx
February 21, 2024 Via Email
Mayor Steven Meiner
Commissioner Tanya Bhatt
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Commissioner Joe Magazine
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Commissioner David Suarez
City Manager Alina Hudak
Subject: LTC proposed Miami Music Festival
Dear Honorable Mayor, Commissioners and Madame Manager:
The ODA Board of Directors was given the opportunity to meet "virtually" with individuals (the
"Sponsors") regarding the Music Festival proposed for March 2025 on Thursday, February 25,
2024. David Wallack, owner of Mangos, Jerry Libbin, former CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber
of Commerce made the presentation. It was represented to the ODA board that neither David
or Jerry has an official and/or compensated role with the festival. Also in attendance was Mr.
Gregory Elias who was presented as a seasoned festival producer with a strong relationship
with Live Nation.
We appreciate the continuing strong effort of the Commission to resolve the issues associated
with Spring Break. Consequently, we believe it is wise to continue to be open to ideas brought
forward that might contribute to a better March environment.
Our conclusions concerning the proposed music festival, based on information provided to
date, are as follows:
• The information provided by the "Sponsors" is high level and not comprehensive. The
festival Sponsors are asking for a five-year commitment with a performance driven
additional five-year extension. Approval by the Commission implies a possible ten-year
commitment by the City to the Festival. The ODA Board is not in a position to reach a
definitive conclusion about the festival at this time given the limited information
provided. We believe it would be imprudent for the city to do so either.
• We are deeply concerned about the ability of the City of Miami Beach to handle a
three-day festival attracting 25-40,000 attend ees EACH day, noting in addition, that
the cursory presentation made did not take into consideration the additional burden
of managing those who may be visiting the city during the Spring Break period with no
intention of attending the Festival.
• The "Sponsors" indicated that they were not able to provide a detailed site plan at this
time. A very rough, incomplete and not professionally drawn site plan was held up to
the screen during the virtual session. It was clear to the ODA board that NOT all site
plan issues were properly addressed in the rough depiction provided.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Chairman
Jonathan Plutzik
The Betsy
Vice Chairman
JamilDib
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
ODA LTC Proposed Miami Music Festival- Feb 21, 2024
• The ODA board is comprised of leading hotel and F & B operators on Ocean Drive. We care deeply about the impact
of any activation on residents and visitors. There is a particular interest on the board in understanding the precise
load in and load out plan for the festival. A complete understanding of the conditions at the site for the
approximately 14-day period that Mr. Elias indicated would be involved in preparation for the execution of the
festival is essential for making a responsible decision about the festival. No such information about the conditions
during load in/load out or beach and "spoiled area" was available for consideration. The ODA Board remains very
concerned that high paying hotel guests' beach access and site lines will be substantially compromised during the
entire period that the music festival is present.
• Finally, we were not convinced that a festival of this size and scope is the right direction for the city
generally or specifically to address mitigation of Spring Break concerns.
We are not in a position to encourage the Finance Committee to approve the Festival without substantial
additional information being delivered by the "Sponsors" There can be no assurance that, if such information
was delivered, that a Festival of the scale being proposed is appropriate for the Lummus Park and Beach location.
We welcome the opportunity to review and consider more information if it becomes available.
Respectfully,
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director
For the Board of Directors