2007-26489 Reso
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-26489
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, WAIVING SPACE
RENTAL CHARGES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,250, FOR THE
BOTS IQ COMPETITION TO BE HELD APRIL 12-15, 2007 AT
THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER.
WHEREAS, BotslQ, Inc. is a Miami-based 501 (c)3 not for profit company that is
the leading robotics education program in the United States; and
WHEREAS, BotslQ serves middle school through post secondary students,
many locally here in Miami-Dade County, in providing an educational process for the
development of robotics technology; and
WHEREAS, BotslQ has chosen to host its National Robotics Competition 2007
here in Miami Beach at the Miami Beach Convention Center, on April 12-15, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to support BotslQ in its endeavors in providing
technological education to its students; and
WHEREAS, the waiver of space rental costs at the Miami Beach Convention
Center will allows BotslQ to better further its mission.
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 waive space rental charges, in the amount of $27,250, for the
BotslQ Competition, to be held April 12-15, 2007 at the Miami Beach Convention
Center.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of March, 2007.
Attest:
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CITY CLERK
Robert Parcher
~~~
Michael Gongora
Vice-Mayor AS""O
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FORM & LANGU,lI.GE
& FOR EXECUTION
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~
AGENDA ITEM
DATE
COMMISSION, ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
WAIVER OF RENTAL CHARGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,250 FOR BOTS 10 COMPETITION
Ke Intended Outcome Su orted:
Improve availability and accessibility of major events.
Issue:
Shall the Mayor and City Commission approve a request from BotslO, Inc. for a waiver of $27,250 in
space rental charges for the Miami Beach Convention Center for its National Robotics Competition on
ADriI12-15,2007.
Item Summa IRecommendation:
This event hosts hundreds of local high school students as well as those from all over the United
States, Puerto Rico, and Canada who have been involved in designing and building robots to
compete in three different categories for this event. Modeled after the popular Comedy Central series
"Battlebots", this competition allows students to construct high-tech machines to compete in battles
seeking supremacy of technology and survival.
BotslO is a Miami-based 501 {c)3 company that is the leading robotics education program in the U.S.
The company serves student and instructors from middle school through high school and post-
secondary studies. Last year's event was held at the Coconut Grove Convention Center in Miami,
where the City of Miami waived all rental fees as well parking, electrical, police, and fire charges for
the event.
At its regular meeting of February 26, 2007, the Convention Center Advisory Board approved a
discount of $15,000 of the proposed rental of $42,250; this is the maximum discount permissible
under their authority as granted by the City Commission. A request for a waiver of the balance of the
rentai fee was made. In light of the educational nature of this national event, it is recommended that
the additional rent waiver request be granted. The City Administration does not recommend a waiver
of arkin fees for this event, as it would set a recedent for similar future re uests.
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: 1
D 2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary: As this was non-budgeted revenue it will not have a negative impact
on budgeted revenues. SMG is confident that ancillary revenues from the event will offset any non-
billable ex[}enses incurred in the hostino of the event.
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
I
Si n-Ofts:
Department Director
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.....
MIAMI BEACH
AGENDA ITEM
DATE
C70
'3~1'(-()7
lD
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeochfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
FROM:
Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~ ~
March 14, 2007 0
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH WAIVING SPACE RENTAL CHARGES IN THE AMOUNT OF
$27,250 FOR THE BOTS IQ COMPETITION TO BE HELD APRIL 12-15, 2007 AT
THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission approve the proposed resolution.
BACKGROUND
This item addresses a request from BotslQ, Inc. for a waiver of $27,250 in space rental
charges for the Miami Beach Convention Center and parking fees for its National Robotics
Competition on April 12-15, 2007. This event hosts hundreds of local high school students
as well as students from all over the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada who have
been involved in designing and building robots to compete in three different categories for
this event. Modeled after the popular Comedy Central series "Batt/ebots", this competition
allows students to construct high-tech machines to compete in battles seeking supremacy of
technology and survival.
BotslQ is a Miami-based 501 (c)3 company that is the leading robotics education program in
the U.S. The company serves student and instructors from middle school through high
school and post-secondary studies. Last year's event was held at the Coconut Grove
Convention Center in Miami, where the City of Miami waived all rental fees, as well parking,
electrical, police, and fire charges for the event.
At its regular meeting of February 26,2007, the Convention Center Advisory Board (CCAB)
approved a discount of $15,000 of the proposed rental of $42,250; this is the maximum
discount permissible under their authority of the CCAB as granted by the City Commission.
The CCAB further recommended, in a separate action, waiver of the $27,250 rental balance,
in light of the educational nature of this national event, and recommended the City
Commission grant the request.
Additionally, BotslQ requested the City provide in-kind parking for their event. The
Administration is not recommending in favor of a parking waiver as it would set precedent for
similar future requests from other organizations which the City would be unable to support.
FISCAL IMPACT
As this was non-budgeted revenue it will not have a negative impact on budgeted revenues.
SMG is confident that ancillary revenues from the event will offset any non-billable expenses
incurred in the hosting of the event.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission approve the proposed resolution.
03,'05;2007 15:33
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January 22, 2007
Ileana Garcia
Senior Sales Manager
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Ileana,
Thank you for your willingness to support the BotsIQ Uational Robotics Competition
2007, being held in the Miami Beach Convention Cenr:<~r April 12 through 15. As you
know, we have hundreds of students locally who have heen designing and building robots
for this event as well as students traveling from all ove.! tbe U.S., including Puerto Rico,
and Canada to participate.
These students are the future innovators and leaders ofr:his country. and we have an
awesome opportunity to host them and support them in their educational process. BotsIQ
Inc. is a 501C3, not for profit company tbat is the lead'ng robotics education program in
the U.S., based here in Miami. We serve students and irlStructors from middle school
tbrough high school and post secondary studies. The 2007 BotsIQ National Competition
will bring to Miami Beach the "best of the best" in terms oflcids who are designing and
fabricating amazing robots that will compete in three different categories. We have also
invited students from high school and college who havl; worked on other cutting edgc
robotics inventions to showcase their productions at thl' event.
As BotsIQ is a not for profit educational company I ask that a favorable consideration be
granted to us from the generous Miami Beach Commis:;ion and Mayor to waive the fees
for the rental ofthe convention center and parking during the event. The precedent for
this waiver was set last year when City of Miami Mayer, Manny Diaz, wholeheartedly
supported this event by donating the Coconut Grove Convention Center, all the parking,
as well as electrical, fire and police support for tbe cvenl. I would be happy to appear
before the Mayor and the Commission either by myself I)r with young ladies and young
men from local school wid1 their robots to show the amazing work they have
accomplished. I look forward to appositive response and thank you for your
consideration.
Best regards,
Nola Garcia
C.E.O., BotsIQ Inc.
BolslO. Inc. 7865 SW 21 Terrace. Mia"', FL 33155
Tel: (305) 264-1488' Fax (305) 267.2208 'www.Bo15!O.org.info@BotsIO.org