A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING NEW YEAR'S EVE ACTIVITIES ON OCEAN DRIVE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OCEAN DRIVE ASSOCIATION, AND AUTHORIZING (1) THE CLOSURE OF OCEAN DRIVE, BETWEEN 5TH STREET AND 14TH STREET, FROM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019, AT 7:00 A.M., UNTIL THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020, AT 7:00 A.M. ; (2) THE EXPANSION OF PARTICIPATING SIDEWALK CAFES TO THE CENTER LINE ON OCEAN DRIVE, BETWEEN 5TH STREET AND 14TH STREET, FOR FOOD AND/OR BAR SERVICE WITHIN THE EXPANDED SIDEWALK CAFE AREAS, SUBJECT TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVAL OF PLANS ; AND (3) THE EXTENSION OF HOURS UNTIL 7:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 2, 2020, FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR PARTICIPATING SIDEWALK CAFES AND CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENTS WITH A 5:00 A.M. LIQUOR LICENSE, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 6-3(A)(6) OF THE CITY CODE.

Similar to the prior eighteen (18) years, the Ocean Drive Association (ODA) approached the City to request participation and sponsorship of a free fireworks show on the beach east of Lummus Park at midnight on New Year’s Eve.  The City has partnered with the Ocean Drive Association to share in the expenses related to the closure and fireworks for New Year’s Eve, which has ranged from two (2) days to four (4) days depending on if the holiday occurs on a weekend or weekday.

The Ocean Drive Association has requested the closure of Ocean Drive to vehicular traffic from 5th to 14th Streets, beginning the morning of Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 7:00 a.m., and reopening on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 a.m.

For the sanitation and sand-sifting costs and resources specifically directed towards the Ocean Drive road closure and fireworks, the City has , since 2017, shared in:

1. 47% of the costs to Ocean Drive Association's 53% of the costs for two days of closure and fireworks.*

2. The additional ODA sanitation and barricade expenses.*

* These costs are not available at the time of this memo submission, however should be available for discussion at the Commission Meeting.

In addition to closing Ocean Drive, approved sidewalk cafes participating in the Ocean Drive Association’s New Year’s Eve event will be allowed to expand their cafes onto the southbound lane of Ocean Drive, up to the midpoint yellow line.  Participating cafes are required to submit this alternate set of plans to Public Works for approval.  Café expansion uses may include food and bar service, but may not include entertainment elements. The Ocean Drive Association has requested participating cafes be allowed to sell liquor within their café areas beyond the 2:00 a.m. required cut-off and be provided an extension of 5:00 a.m. liquor licenses on Thursday, January 2, 2020 only. 

Additionally, many Miami Beach nightclubs and hotels host special New Year’s Eve events.  The City works with the area hotels and nightclubs to ensure that resources and security are appropriately allocated for the weekend.

The Administration recommends adopting the attached resolution, allowing closure, café expansion and extension of liquor and café liquor license allowance, and accepting a contribution in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 from the Ocean Drive Association toward the costs of closure of Ocean Drive for New Year’s Eve as this event benefits the community and our visitors.