Safety, Noise Issues Drive Ultra 2020 Debate

Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey, at podium, appearing in opposition to renewal of the Ultra Music Festival’s presence on Virginia Key, before a meeting of the Miami City Commission. April 11 2019. (Key New/Tony Winton)

Key Biscayne Council Member Katie Petros, at podium, asking Miami City Commision to revoke the license for the Ultra Music Festival, April 11, 2019. Council Member Igancio Segurola, left, also spoke in opposition to the concert (Key News/Tony Winton)

Reports of noise and heavy demands on first responders during the Ultra Music Festival — including confirmation that two people went into the water — have set the stage for another showdown vote at Miami City Hall on whether Virginia Key will continue to be the concert’s home.

The Miami City Commission will consider revoking Ultra’s license agreement at its May 9 meeting. Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey and Village Council Members Katie Petros and Ignacio Segurola all spoke against a renewal. “We could have had a real catastrophe on our hands,” said Davey, noting the large crowds that flooded the Rickenbacker Causeway when the bus transportation system broke down.

Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, whose swing vote last November approved the Ultra contract, reversed his position after reading a series of letters from City residents complaining about noise and other problems from last month’s concert. “I am going to oppose extending this contract,” he said.

Man recieves medical attention from City of Miami paramedics during Ultra Music Festival, March 31, 2019 (Key News/Tony Winton)

Carollo appeared surprised when told by Segurola about the water incidents. Officials said one of the two marine actions involved an intoxicated person near a water taxi dock. A second person jumped off a Rickenbacker Causeway bridge and was arrested for attempting to get inside the concert, police said. Despite 377 police and 350 security guards, Miami Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban said paramedics handled 281 emergency calls. “The most prevalent calls were related to vomiting, syncope [fainting], overdoses, altered mental statuses.” He said 32 of the calls involved overdoses of differing causes.

But canceling Ultra’s contract at Virginia Key appears to be an uphill fight. Carollo’s switch aligns him with Commissioner Ken Russell, who cast the lone vote against the concert last year. But Commissioner Keon Hardemon remained a steadfast concert supporter, saying Ultra was “not some wild frat party.”

Commissioner Manolo Reyes asked City Manager Emilio Gonzalez: “Is it worth another try?”

“Yes, sir, I believe so,” Gonzalez said, adding that next year the City should be given supreme command of the event, instead of sharing it with Miami-Dade County staff.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez outlined a long list of changes he will seek for a repeat event, including reducing low frequency bass, imposing earlier event ending times, reducing the event’s size, and increasing water transportation.

After the meeting, Davey said finding a different home for Ultra will take much more work.

“I’ve got some hope because of Carollo’s response,” he said.  He said Key Biscayne will encourage other communities from Brickell to Coconut Grove to oppose the Virginia Key location.

Those communities picked up a significant ally in Miami Foundation President Javier Soto, who told commissioners, “The disruption stretched far beyond the shores of Key Biscayne and into the central core of the City of Miami,” adding the concert limited access to many parks during Spring Break. “Enhance and preserve all of our parks, including Virginia Key park, rather than seeking to monetize them,” he said.

In another potential trouble spot for a 2020 concert, Miami-Dade commissioners will be reviewing Ultra. The County’s Transportation and Finance Committee will review the miles-long traffic snarls and bus transportation problems. Village Manager Andrea Agha said she is expecting to get initial traffic counts this week, along with more detailed information about ecological impacts of the concert. The meeting is Tuesday at the Stephen Clark Government Center at 2 p.m.