2008-26760 ResoRESOLUTION NO. zoos-26760
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, WAIVING SPACE
RENTAL CHARGES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000, AND
PARKING FEES, FOR THE BOTS IQ COMPETITION TO BE
HELD APRIL 26 -MAY 6, 2008, 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 school
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 2008
here in Miami Beach, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, from April 28 to May 6,
2008; 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 and parking fees will allows Bots1O 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 $24,000, and parking
fees, for the BotslQ Competition, to be held April 26 -May 6, 2008, at the Miami Beach
Convention Center.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of February, 2008.
Attest: MAYOR
''~ ~ lM~'WW\ Matti H. Bower
CITY CLERK ~~~~
FORM & LANGUAGE
Robert Parcher ~ TfON
/ i~ A~~ 'Y~6 Io K
AGENDA ITEM
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
WAIVER OF RENTAL CHARGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000 AND PARKING FEES FOR BOTS
10 COMPETITION
Intended Outcome
~ Improve availability and accessibility of major events. ~
Issue:
i Shail the Mayor and City Commission approve a request from Bots10, Inc. for a waiver of $24,000 in
space rental charges, and parking fees, for the Miami Beach Convention Center for its National
Robotics Competition on April 26 -May 8, 2008?
item
This event hosts hundreds of focal 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.
Bots10 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 Miami Beach Convention Center, where the
Commission waived all rental fees as well parking for the event.
At its regular meeting of September 18, 2007, the Convention Center Advisory Board approved a
discount of $15,000 of the proposed rental of $39,000; 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
rental fee was made. In light of the educational nature of this national event, it is recommended that
the additional rent waiver request be granted, as well as the parking waiver.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
The CCAB recommended to the Commission to approve a waiver of the remaining $24,000 at their
September 18, 2007 meeting.
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: ~
2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary: This waiver, if approved, equates to a loss of $39,000 in Convention
Center revenue. 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. Furthermore, it is estimated that the City is waiving a maximum of
approximately $1500 in parking revenue, per day, which woukt have otherwise been generated from event
attendees. The event runs for ei ht 8 da s, which totals a roximatef $12,000.
Office
~ Qe~'a~rtr~ent D~jriactor ~ ~ssiatant City Manager ~ Cky Manager ~
A A I A 7C A 111 r A /'~1 I Agenda Item G7~(
Date a i3-v6
® MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, viww.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Bower and Members of the City
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: February 13, 2008
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, WAIVING SPACE RENTAL
CHARGES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000, AND PARKING FEES,
FOR THE BOTS IQ COMPETITION TO BEHELD APRIL 26 -MAY
6, 2008, AT THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission approve the proposed
resolution.
This item addresses a request from BotslQ, Inc. for a waiver of $24,000 in space
rental charges for the Miami Beach Convention Center and parking fees for its
National Robotics Competition on April 26 -May 6, 2008. 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 "Battlebots", 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 Miami Beach Convention Center, where the Commission waived all rental
fees, as well parking fees for the event.
At its regular meeting of September 18, 2007, the Convention Center Advisory
Board (CCAB) approved a discount of $15,000 of the proposed rental of $39,000;
this is the maximum discount permissible under their authority of the CCAB as
Page 2 of 2
Rental Waiver - BotslQ
granted by the City Commission. The CCAB further recommended, in a separate
action, waiver of the $24,000 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 recommending a parking waiver consistent with the approval
granted by the Commission last year.
FISCAL IMPACT
This waiver, if approved, equates to a loss of $39,000 in Convention Center
revenue. 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. Furthermore,
it is estimated that the City is waiving a maximum of approximately $1500 in parking
revenue, per day, which would have otherwise been generated from event
attendees. The event runs for eight (8) days, which totals approximately $12,000.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the City Commission approve the proposed
resolution.