HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Citywide Ticket Policy 06/28/12CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Johnny Martinez, P.E.
City Manager
FROM: Zari S. Watkins, Esq.
Executive Assistant to City Manager
DATE: June 19, 2012
SUBJECT: Proposed Language for APM
re: Citywide Ticket Policy
The Miami -Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust ("Commission on Ethics") has adopted
new guidelines and recommendations and an addendum of suggested permissible public purposes for
City officials, staff and employees concerning the receipt of tickets by public officials through the "public
benefit" clauses in certain government contracts. On March 22, 2012, the City Commission adopted
Resolution No. R-12-0124, directing the City Manager and the City Attorney to work with the directors and
executive directors of all City -run venues to recommend a fair and equitable ticket distribution policy
consistent with the new guidelines adopted by the Miami -Dade County Commission on Ethics for the City
Commission's consideration and approval.
On April 24, 2012, the Commission on Ethics issued a General Letter of Instruction to the City of Miami,
finding that there was no violation of Section 2-613 of the City Code when the City receives tickets from
companies doing business with the City, as long as the tickets are given for the use and benefit of the
City. The General Letter of Instruction further instructed the City to develop and revise its policy
concerning the use, distribution and reporting of tickets and other benefits obtained by the City through
contractual agreements for the use of certain City -owned venues.
The following ticket policy is being considered for adoption as the City's newest administrative
policy:
For All City -run Venues:
•. Upon notification of the availability of community benefits or complimentary tickets from each
respective Promoter/Event holder, the manager for each venue shall advise Promoters/Event
holders to distribute said community benefits or complimentary tickets to the public, or for some
other charitable purpose, as the Promoter/Event holder may deem appropriate.
• Notwithstanding, the following officials may request and receive community benefits or
complimentary tickets for a particular performance of any production, event, tour, etc. for which
such tickets are available, to be used for any permissible public purpose:
• Mayor and City Commissioners;
• City Manager:
• In the event the Mayor, City Commissioners, or City Manager are unable to use their tickets, the
City Manager may otherwise distribute the tickets for any permissible public purpose.
• Notwithstanding anything provided by this administrative policy, all City officials, board members
and employees receiving public, community benefits, or complimentary tickets for productions,
events, tours, etc. at City -run venues are required to comply with Sections 112.313(4) and
112.3148(4), Florida Statutes, as well as Section 2-11.1 of the Miami -Dade County Code and
Sections 2-611 through 2-619 of the Miami City Code, as amended, in addition to the guidelines
and addendum set forth by the Commission on Ethics and all other applicable federal, state and
local laws.