Resolution 2024-32943 RESOLUTION NO.! 2024-32943
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF-THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, MADE AT ITS
FEBRUARY 23, 2024.MEETING, AND APPROVING THE WAIVER OF MIAMI
BEACH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM RENTAL FEES AND
ASPONSORSHIP, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 PER FISCAL
YEAR, FOR MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATIONS AND
PROMOTIONS FOR A THREE-YEAR PILOT PERIOD DURING FISCAL YEARS
2024, 2025 AND 2026, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY THE MAYOR AND
CITY COMMISSION THROUGH THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
WHEREAS,the 2022 City of Miami Beach Resident Survey indicates that education is an
important factor contributing to a resident's quality of life and approximately forty-seven percent
(47%) of Miami Beach residents responding to the survey feel a high level of satisfaction with
local public schools regarding student achievement; and
WHEREAS, a community's positive attitude and support towards student education
contributes to the overall educational, economic, and social experience of both students and
parents; and
• WHEREAS, School celebrations, promotions and graduations may impact how students,
parents, and residents perceive education quality, which in turn affects their overall assessment
of quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach public schools range in student population, graduating class
size and level of Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) involvement, support and capacity
and graduations and promotional ceremonies for these schools typically attract between 100 to
1500 attendees depending on the school and size of the class; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the celebrations can range between $5,000 to over $20,000 for
room rental, production, parking/transportation, and food & beverage. While Miami-Dade County
Public Schools may allocate a conservative budget for these ceremonies, it is not unusual for
PTSAs to raise funds to augment the event budget and to secure a family-friendly Miami Beach
or other nearby venue; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), a City-owned asset, can be
leveraged for public school promotions and graduations; and
WHEREAS, during the February 23, 2024 Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee
meeting, the committee recommended the City Commission approve a Miami Beach Convention
Center room rental waiver and a sponsorship, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per fiscal year,
for a three-year pilot period during Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026; AND
WHEREAS, to offset the cost for the basic graduation, including but not limited to staging,
production, food and beverage, and labor package, the Mayor and City, wish to accept the
Committee's recommendation and approve the recurring three(3)year sponsorship, in an amount
not to exceed $50,000, for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026; and
WHEREAS, the graduations and promotions will occur over a two (2) day period and
provide Miami Beach parents, students, teachers, administrators, and families a cost-effective
and convenient option to celebrate milestones for Miami Beach's next generation.
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 accept the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee, made at its February 23, 2024 meeting, and approve the waiver of Miami Beach
Convention Center rental fees and a sponsorship, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per fiscal
' year, for Miami Beach Public School graduations and promotions for a three-year pilot period
during Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 subject to appropriation by the Mayor and City
Commission through the annual budget process.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /3 day of March, 20 4.
•
ATTEST:
MAR 1 5 2024 teven Meiner, Mayor
/
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
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Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
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cm?p.ffnrney Date
Resolutions C7 B
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Aline T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: March 13, 2024
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE, AT ITS
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MEETING, APPROVING THE WAIVER OF MIAMI
BEACH CONVENTION CENTER ROOM RENTAL FEES AND A
SPONSORSHIP, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 PER FISCAL
YEAR, FOR MIAMI BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATIONS AND
PROMOTIONS FOR A THREE-YEAR PILOT PERIOD DURING FISCAL
YEARS 2024, 2025 AND 2026 SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION THROUGH THE ANNUAL BUDGET
PROCESS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution. '
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The 2022 City of Miami Beach Resident Survey indicates that education is an important factor
contributing to a resident's quality of life. Approximately forty-seven percent (47%) of Miami
Beach residents responding to the survey feel a high level of satisfaction with local public
schools regarding student achievement. A community's positive attitude and support towards
student education contributes to the overall educational, economic, and social experience of
both students and parents. School celebrations, promotions and graduations may impact how
students, parents, and residents perceive education quality, which in turn affects their overall
assessment of quality of life.
Miami Beach public schools range in student population, graduating class size and level of
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) involvement, support and capacity. The
graduations and promotional ceremonies for these schools typically attract between 100 to
1500 attendees depending on the school and size of the class. While some schools may opt to
host graduation on campus or at a larger public school, due to space constraints and other
factors, it has become customary for schools and PTSAs to seek a larger private (or public)
venue to host these events. The cost of the celebrations can range between $5,000 to over
$20,000 for room rental, production, parking/transportation, and food & beverage. While Miami-
Dade County Public Schools may allocate a conservative budget for these ceremonies, it is not
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unusual for PTSAs to raise funds to augment the event budget and to secure a family-friendly
Miami Beach or other nearby venue.
Miami Beach Senior High(MBSH)has not hosted its graduation in Miami Beach for a number of
years. In previous years MBSH hosted graduation at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie
Gleason Theater, but has outgrown the venue. In recent years, MBSH has hosted graduation at
institutions of higher learning such as the University of Miami and Florida International University.
Recently, some Miami Beach public schools, students, and parents have shared their request
for Miami Beach venues for such student festivities. A few schools have requested the City's
support in hosting graduations and promotional ceremonies at City-owned venues to inspire and
advance the next generation of leaders.
During the October 18, 2023 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Fernandez referred a
discussion (Item C4 C)to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC)to discuss
the utilization of the Miami Beach Convention Center room rental fee waiver for the 2024 MBSH
graduation ceremony.
ANALYSIS
The Administration sought to determine whether and by what means the Miami Beach
Convention Center (MBCC), a City-owned asset, can be leveraged for MBSH and all other
public school promotions and graduations. Meaningful rationales include:
1) Education is a Public Good. Education is considered a public good that benefits society.
Investing in public school graduations contributes to the overall well-being and development of
the community. Celebrating educational achievements fosters a sense of pride and community
spirit.
2) Equal Access to Opportunities. Public school graduations/promotions provide an
opportunity for students to celebrate their accomplishments and mark the completion of a
significant milestone. Ensuring that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background,
can participate in graduation/promotional ceremonies promotes equality, equity, access, and a
sense of inclusivity.
3) Community Building. Graduation/promotional ceremonies are community events that bring
together families, friends, and educators to celebrate the achievements of students. These
events contribute to community cohesion and can strengthen the bonds within a city. Investing in
such events is an investment in the social fabric of the community.
4) Boosting Morale and Motivation. Graduation/promotional ceremonies serve as positive
reinforcement for students — recognizing their hard work and dedication. A well-organized and
memorable graduation/promotion boosts morale and motivation among students, encouraging
them to pursue further education or enter the workforce with a sense of accomplishment.
5) Positive Branding and Public Relations. Supporting public school graduations/promotional
ceremonies enhance a city's image and brand reputation. It demonstrates a commitment to
education and the success of its residents, which has positive effects on how the city is
perceived by both residents and nonresidents.
For these reasons and as a result of inquiries from residents, parents and students, the
Administration sought to explore the feasibility of hosting all Miami Beach public school
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graduations and promotions in the MBCC.
The recommendation is to coordinate and host (in conjunction with the schools and PTSAs),
over a two (2)-day period, multiple graduations/promotions. This concept creates efficiency by
capitalizing on the utilization and leveraging of labor, staging, production, food and beverage and
event planning. The return on investment is to provide Miami Beach parents, students, teachers,
administrators, and families a cost-effective and convenient option to celebrate milestones for
Miami Beach's next generation.
The participating schools would include the following public schools (at their option):
1) Biscayne Beach Elementary
2) Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8
3) Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School
4) North Beach Elementary
5) Miami Beach Senior High School
6) Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary
The Economic Development Department, Education and Performance Initiatives Division, and
MBCC management and vendors collaboratively seek to organize, coordinate and host
simplified graduation ceremonies,for the last week of May 2024—which is typically a slow sales
period for the MBCC. The City would provide a package including waiver of MBCC room rental
fees and sponsorship for the cost of production (including, but not limited to, chairs, stage,
podium, microphones, tables, decorations, signage, lighting, audio/visual), Wi-Fi, streaming,
security, cleaning, student and dignitary staging areas, and light food and beverage. The
MBCC campus also provides a lovely, scenic backdrop pre- and post-celebration, with dining
and leisure, including the on-campus Rum Room restaurant, Pride Park, and Collins Canal Park.
Schools could augment and financially contribute to any special requests, labor, designs,
production, and/or food and beverage needs, above and beyond the package provided by the
City, if desired. This proposal offers several benefits and efficiencies including: •
• Reduced travel time and energy waste as students and their families do not need to travel
off-island;
• Access to MBCC and other adjacent parking facilities; and
• Generous space accommodations allowing students to invite more loved ones to witness
their advancement.
City staff has reached out to all Miami Beach public schools to gauge interest. To date, the
following schools have expressed interest in hosting their 2024 promotional ceremonies in the
MBCC:
1. Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8
2. Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary
The following schools have made other arrangements for 2024 graduation/promotions, but are
potentially interested in hosting their ceremonies in 2025:
1. Miami Beach Senior High School
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2. North Beach Elementary
3. Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School
4. Biscayne Beach Elementary
Note that MBSH has expressed a preference for stadium/bleacher/theater-style seating for
enhanced visibility. This is a desirable feature currently offered at its planned 2024 graduation
site at the University of Miami's Watsco Center. At this time, should schools intending to host
graduation ceremonies at other venues reconsider, the Administration would welcome their
participation in the City's recommended program for 2024,
To offset the cost for the basic graduation package as described above, the Administration
recommended City sponsorship, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, in addition to the MBCC
room rental waiver for the space (Grand Ballroom and/or Ocean Drive Ballroom). The
sponsorship would offset the cost for the three (3) 2024 promotions. If additional schools
decide to opt-in for the 2024 graduation package at a later date, the Administration does not
anticipate that the sponsorship value would exceed $50,000 for Fiscal Year 2024.
During the February 23, 2024 FERC meeting, the committee recommended the City
Commission approve a Miami Beach Convention Center room rental waiver and a sponsorship,
in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per fiscal year, for a three (3)-year pilot period during Fiscal
Years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE
In accordance with Resolution No. 2023-32857, adopted by the City Commission on
December 13, 2023, the following information has been provided by the item sponsor as it
relates to the subject resolution:
1. Was the Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
2. If so, specify name of lobbyist(s)and principal(s): Not Applicable
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The fiscal impact over the three (3)-year pilot period would not exceed $150,000 — ( up to
$50,000 for FY 2024, up to $50,000 for FY 2025, and up to $50,000 for FY 2026) subject to
appropriation by the Mayor and City Commission through the budget process.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve a room rental
waiver for the Miami Beach Convention Center and a sponsorship in an amount not to exceed
$50,000 per fiscal year for a three (3)-year pilot period during Fiscal Years 2024, 2025 and
2026 to host Miami Beach public school graduations/promotional ceremonies with funding
subject to appropriation by the Mayor and City Commission through the annual budget process.
Applicable Area
Citywide
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Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Strategic Connection
Prosperity- Be known for(K-12)educational excellence.
Legislative Tracking
Economic Development/Education and Performance Initiatives
Sponsor
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Referral Memo
Page 192 of 1070
Committee Assignments-C4 C
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Commissioner Alex Fernandez
DATE: October 18,2023
SUBJECT:REFERRAL TO THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS A FEE
WAIVER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TO
HOLD THEIR 2024 GRADUATION CEREMONY.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
NA
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
NA
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a"Residents Rl0112 goes this Item utilize G.O,
Know"Itom/unuant to pond Funds?
guy Code Section 2-14?
• Yes No
Legislative TraekIng
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
•
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