At the January 31, 2024, City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission adopted a referral by Commissioner Bhatt to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to discuss an appropriation to purchase and store access mats to be used to create accessible paths for special events held on the beach.

The City of Miami Beach permits over fifty (50) special events on the beachfront and Lummus Park spoil areas each year. Per the City’s Special Events Guidelines, all special events must be designed and operated in adherence with Chapter 553 of the Florida Statutes (the Florida Accessibility Code).

Per the Florida Accessibility Code, Accessibility Requirements applicable to Public Property/Outdoor Events include the following provisions:

• Ensure curb cuts and crosswalks are kept free and clear for usage with a continuous accessible route of 5 ft. in width (width may be reduced to 32” at doorways or passageways not exceeding 2 ft. in length).
  
  
• Where the event site does not have an existing firm, stable, slip resistant surface like sidewalk, pavement or equivalent, such as for events on the beach, grass, etc., event producer must provide an accessible surface (American with Disabilities Act ("ADA") path) to access the event, connect with all amenities within the event that are accessed by the public.

• Accessible routes (ADA paths) shall not have abrupt, vertical changes in level exceeding 0.25” or gaps exceeding 0.5”. Changes in level of up to 0.5” must be beveled, and changes in level exceeding 0.5” must be ramped. Ramps shall not exceed 1/12 slope. All ramps must comply with Florida Building Code – Accessibility (FBC) 405.

• ADA paths must provide access to merchandise within a vendor tent/booth space equivalent to the access provided to the general public.

While the Florida Accessibility Codes dictates that it is the responsibility of the event organizer to make their respective events accessible, including site selection, the City wishes to promote and facilitate the creation of accessible paths for special events held on the beachfront.

The Beach Maintenance Division, in the Facilites and Fleet Management Department, has identified a unit cost for beach access mats of $1,526.25 for each 50 x 5-foot section of accessible pathway.

For reference, for the 2023 South Beach Seafood Festival the event organizer implemented approximately 2,160 linear feet of accessible pathways, while the 2024 Miami Beach Pride Festival implemented approximately 2,000 linear feet of accessible pathways. Using these events for reference, City Staff concurs that 2,100 linear feet of accessible pathways would satisfy accessibility requirements for most special events of similar scale.

In an effort to assist special event organizers, at least partially, with establishing accessible pathways for special events, the Facilities and Fleet Management Department proposes earmarking $64,103.00 for the one-time purchase of 2,100 linear feet of beach access mats.

The Administration recommends the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee review and consider the foregoing information and provide direction on whether to prioritize funding for the purchase and storage of 2,100 linear feet of beach access mats as part of the FY25 budget process.