LTC 145-2008 July 4, 2008 - An American Celebration
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. 145-2008 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti H. Bowerand Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: May 27, 2008
SUBJECT: July 4, 2008 - An American Celebration
In 1991, the City of Miami Beach launched the first "An American Celebration" as a means to attract
more visitors to this area during the 4th of July. This celebration, due to its great success, has been
carried on year after year as a vehicle to continue to bring more visitors to the city. In order to generate
interest in all areas of the city, the event's location alternates between the North Beach community (72nd
Street beach front) and the South Beach Community (Ocean Drive Beach Front) areas.
When producing the event in North Beach, the City must secure a barge in order to shoot the fireworks,
as the width of the beach in North Beach is not wide enough to display the fireworks from land and
provide the required safety perimeter of 500 feet in all directions. Last year, 2007, the City was unable
to secure a barge that met the Coast Guard's specifications for an ocean fireworks shoot and had no
choice but to move the event to South Beach. The City's objective was to produce the event in North
Beach in 2008.
To that end, the City's Procurement Division was asked to assist in securing the services of a barge for
the 2008 July 4th fireworks display. An Invitation for Quotes (IFQ) was issued that invited all vendors
awarded contracts under Miami-Dade County No. 6277-0112 to provide quotes for an ABS Certified
Barge. Only one company submitted a proposal; this proposal was for One Hundred Forty-Five
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($145,500). By comparison, in 2005 the City paid $25,000 for the
same service. The previously contracted company had indicated a minimum cost of $53,000, but was
not interested in competing for the business since barges are in such high demand in South Florida for
the Fourth of July. It should be noted that the $53,000 quote does not include dockage and would
require a redesign of the fireworks shows, which likely increases the cost of fireworks. In light of the
aforementioned, the Administration has determined it to be in the best interest of the City to once again
move the event to South Beach.
Although the fireworks will take place in South Beach, the Administration is working to program some
daytime activities in the North Beach area, as well as coordinating shuttle service from North Beach to
South Beach for the fireworks. Specific details of effort are still being developed and will be caorck[~ated
with the stakeholders of the community. Once additional information is confirmed it will be f_o{wa~d t~
your attention. ~
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Please feel free to contact me with any questions. ~ r :~
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C: Hilda M. Fernandez, Assistant City Manager cr> A„ ,~
Max A. Sklar, Tourism and Cultural Development Director ~ ~ .~._
Michael Aller, Tourism and Convention Director .,~ e:~
JMG/HF/MAS/gf rn ~
W:1Tourism and Cultural DevelopmennTourismWuly 4 2008 LTC 5 27 08.doc