LTC 561-2023 New Years EveMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC# 561-2023
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Mana�
December 21, 2023 lJ' '\ \
New Year's Eve
The purpose of this Letter to Commission ("L TC") is to provide an update on the city's
comprehensive preparations for New Year's Eve to maintain essential staffing levels and
ensure a safe, enjoyable celebration for all.
As we gear up for one of the busiest weekends of the year on Miami Beach, we are
committed to providing an overview of the city's readiness for the upcoming New Year's
festivities. This memo aims to outline our departmental staffing plans and events schedule.
To ring in the new year, the city is producing and partnering with neighborhood groups to
provide three, free events, including fireworks presented by the City and the Ocean Drive
Association that will be launched from 10 Street at 11 :59 p.m. on Sunday, December 31,
2023; a Collins Park beachfront concert on Sunday, December 31 at 8 p.m. with Orchestra
Miami and special guests The Latin Divos, followed by fireworks; and a New Year's Day
outdoor concert featuring the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Orchestra on 12 Street
and Ocean Drive at 5:30 p.m. as part of Miami Beach OnStage!.
Starting Friday, December 29 at 7 a.m. through Tuesday, January 2 at 7 a.m., Ocean Drive
will be closed to vehicular traffic and transformed into a pedestrian corridor with cafe
extensions.
Departmental Plans
In addition to our current daytime staffing, approximately 30 police officers will be dedicated
to the Entertainment District for New Year's weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
beginning at 3 p.m. each day. These officers will be assigned footposts along Ocean Drive
and Collins Avenue, with some on bicycles throughout the district. MBPD's Motor Unit will
assist with traffic enforcement and manage the traffic flow as visitors exit the city after the
fireworks display
Furthermore, the Miami Beach Police Department will conduct License Plate Reader (LPR)
details on the 5th Street corridor on Friday, December 29, and Saturday, December 30
beginning at 5 p.m.
The Miami Beach Fire Department will provide enhanced staffing for Ocean Drive on New
Year's Eve, including an Advanced Life Support transport rescue unit and a fire engine.
Additionally, they will have night inspection teams to monitor and enforce occupant loads
and compliance with life-safety codes. The Fire Department is providing off-duty staffing for
7 fireworks displays citywide and a number of special events. The Public Safety
Communications Division will augment staffing as needed to monitor special event
channels.
The Code Compliance Department will activate all operational personnel on New Year's Eve
and provide significantly enhanced staffing for New Year's Day. The coverage will include
citywide coverage to respond to all calls for service and complaints. The Art Deco Cultural
District will be staffed with a dedicated team of 6 Code Compliance Officers and 1 Code
Compliance Administrator to provide continuous seamless coverage within the district during
the period.
Code Compliance officers will be patrolling the entire City with a focus on quality-of-life
issues, excessively loud music, short-term rentals, illegal commercial events, and
continuous coverage at the Miami Beach Marina, with a proactive approach and providing
rapid response times citywide.
The Parks and Recreation Department staffing enhancements will consist of expanded
service hours and increased personnel assignments ranging from Park Rangers to
maintenance and janitorial staff along the Lummus/South Pointe/Ocean Drive corridor, and
the beachfront at 21 Street. Additionally, due to large New Year's Eve crowds, enhanced
staffing will be deployed to the 73 and 76 streets beachfront restrooms.
The Parking Department will increase staffing throughout the holiday weekend. Parking
garages will be staffed with ambassadors to assist customers and provide directions to
available parking locations. Additional enforcement officers will be assigned to residential
zones to prevent illegal parking and maintain parking availability for residents. Parking
Enforcement Officers will be available to assist the Police Department as needed.
Transportation and Mobility Department staff will be available throughout the weekend to
monitor traffic flows and provide timely traffic updates. Additionally, the city's traffic
monitoring and management contractor will monitor major thoroughfares to detect incidents
creating congestion using available resources and equipment, including the WAZE mobile
application, existing closed-circuit television cameras in the city, and several portable
variable message signs for traffic/event messaging, and modify traffic signal timing as
necessary to help mitigate congestion. Traffic monitors will operate 17 hours a day from 9
a.m. to 2 a.m. starting on Friday, December 29,
through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Miami Beach Trolley service will offer extended hours on New Year's Eve. Trolleys will run
from 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023, until 2 a.m. on Monday, Jan u ary 1, 2024.
The Office of Marketing & Communications will be sharing the Ocean Drive vehicular
closure via a traffic text notification as well as their bi-weekly e-newsletter and social media
platforms. Additionally, the team will share New Year's event happenings and Ocean Drive
fireworks across the city's digital platforms to include Nextdoor and a dedicated New
Year's email.
The Division of Emergency Management is developing a coordinated Event Action Plan
based on the operational plans from key departments. This plan aims to streamline our
efforts and ensure a well-organized and secure environment for all residents and visitors.
Our commitment remains unwavering to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for
residents and visitors. We appreciate your continued support as we work towards a
memorable 2024 New Year's celebration in Miami Beach.
ATH