8THE CITY OF PLEASANT LIVING
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CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
The Honorable Mayor & Members ofthe City Commission
Steven Alexander, City Manager
Quentin Pough, Director of Parks and Recreation ()I
October 20, 2015 Agenda Item NO.:.Q....
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to expend an amount not to
exceed $10,000 to South Florida Football Officiating Association for
referee service payments during fiscal year 2015-2016.
The City's youth tackle football program, South Miami Grey Ghost
Football, is a member of Miami Extreme Youth Football League ("the
League"). The league is comprised of approximately eighteen (18)
different member parks. Miami Extreme Youth Football League has the
duty and responsibility to negotiate contracts as it pertains to the league
and its members.
In 2014, the League re-negotiated and executed the officiating contract
with South Florida Football Officiating Association ("SFFOA") for the next
four (4) years. This contract provides security and cost saving measures
to the League and its members.
The City forecast the expenditure and is requesting to pay up to $10,000
to SFFOA for procurement of referee services for fiscal year 2015-2016.
$10,000 annually.
001-2000-572-5630, Football, with a current balance of $33,156.
Resolution for approval
Officiating contract between the League and SFFOA
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RESOLUTION NO: _________ _
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to expend an amount not to exceed $10,000 to
South Florida Football Officials Association, Inc. (SFFOA) for referee service payments during
fiscal year 2015-2016.
WHEREAS, the city's youth tackle football program, South Miami Grey Ghost Football, is a
member of the Miami-Dade Extreme Youth Football League, Inc. (the League); and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the League re-negotiated and executed the officiating contract with South
Florida Football Officials Association, Inc. (SFFOA) for the next 4 years; and
WHEREAS, this contract provides security and cost saving measures to the League and its
members; and
WHEREAS, the city forecast the expenditure of up to $10,000 to SFFOA for procurement of
referee services for fiscal year 2015-2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The City Manager is authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $10,000 to South
Florida Football Officials Association, Inc. during fiscal year 2015-2016 for referee service payments,
drawn from Football account 001-2000-572-5630, with a current balance of $33,156.
Section 2. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 3. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by
vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this __ day of _____ • 2015.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard
Vice Mayor Harris
Commissioner Edmond
Commissioner Liebman
Commissioner Welsh
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
In as much as the South Florida Football Officials, Inc. (SFFOA) is desirous of providing
officiating services and the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League (Xtreme) desires tD
retain officiating services for its games. This memorandum outlines the basic
understanding of the parties and is nDt intended tD be all encDmpassing Dr address every
pDtential situation. ,The parties agree that tllere may be a need tD address additiDnal
pDints Dr issues not specifically covered by this agreement.
This cDntract is for a term of fDur years commencing with the 2014 fDotball seaSDn and
ending with the conclnsiDn of the 2017 fODtball season. The term season means the
cDmpetitive football season cnstomarily running frDm sDmetime in August until early
December.
Officials are considered independent contractors and are not employees of SFFOA,
Xtreme Dr any of its teams. SFFOA will provide a game Dfficiating crew of fDur (4)
Dfficials consisting of a referee, umpire, linesman and line judge. The referee shall be a
high school eligible fDotball official with no less than tIn'ee (3) years experience and no
more than one Dfficial on the crew shall be in their first year Df officiating, unless an
emergency or lack Df more experience Dfficials requires that two be assigued and they
shall be assigned tD the lowest weights possible when that need arises. Ideally the crew'
should consist of one varsity rated official, one official with two (2) or more years of
experience, one first and one second year official. In no event shall there be less than
three (3) Dfficials for any contest absent injury to an official during a game or other
unforeseen and situation not commuoicated to the referee or Booking Commissioner.
Playoff crews may be increased to include a back judge for the three highest weight
classes, a timer and a line to gain crew. Jnnior Peewees will have two (2) officials for
regular season and playoffs, and four (4) for the championship game. If a Peewee game
is paired with a game of a higher weight for a two game set on Saturday, four (4) officials
will be scheduled:
SFFOA will provide, at no charge, no more than two (2) coaches rule clinics prior to the
competitive season. The SFFOA Rules Interpreter, Booking Commissioner and/or
Executive Board Member will conduct the clinic.
Games will be officiated according to the National Federation of State High SchoDI
AssDciations (NFHSA) and Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) Rules,
Florida High School Athletic Association and Guidelines and exceptions as adopted by
Xu'eme's Board. Said exemptions shall be distributed to the crew chiefs. It is not
unforeseen that other exceptions may be necessary in order to ensure competition and fail'
play.
For the regular season, SFFOA officials shall be compensated for their services based on
the munber of games worked. The referee shall wear a league provided logo hat, officials
shall not wear patches for any other Jeagues worked, but may wear a patch or other
marking indicating their affiliation with the SFFOA. Officials are expected to arrive
thilty (30) minutes before kickoff of the first game to inspect field conditions, check line
to gain equipment, meet with park commissioner and head coaches to ensure a timely
start to the day's games. Xtreme shall have the teams weighed in and ready nD less than
ten (10) minutes prior to kickoff. In the event that the teams are not ready the opening
kickoff of the game the game shall be called. The parties 1lI1derstand that while the day
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of games is long there may be an occasion where a game 11ms long or ends early. The
coaches are expected to take their respective teams to be weighed in at halftime of the
previous game. If the previous game ended early (that is more than ten (10) minutes
before its scheduled Idckoff), both coaches must agree to start their game early. It is
understood that a coach may nonetheless want to start his game as scheduled. Ifprevious
game ends late, or inside ten (10) minutes prior to the schedoled kickoff, then teams and
coaches are expected to proceed with their pl'e-game responsibilities. If teams are not
ready to start at their scheduled time the game shall be called at the request of the team
ready to play. Late arriving officials or early departing officials shall be paid in quarterly
increments of the actual game worked. If official was a last minute replacement for
another official, Xtreme is encourage to pay that official a full game fee provided that he
works the majority of the game. If in doubt Xtreme may obtain verification fi'om the
Booking Commissioner, reimbursement if any shall be handled through SFFOA who will
in turn deal with the official( s) if overpaid.
Suspensions, cancellations or forfeits prior to game day should be communicated to the
Booldng Commissioner and the park schedule adjusted accordingly to eliminate the
interval for the canceled or forfeited game. Xtreme understands the SFFOA has invested
in assignntent software to communicate game assignments to officials the Xtreme has
mandated a schedule lock where schedules become fmal and can be plJblished, changes
after that date shall be slJbject to a $25 change fee. Any changes in order of weights that
do not affect game times will not. be charged the game fee lmless the park or team is
considered by Xtreme and SFFOA Presidents to be a habitual offender. Officials will be
paid for game day cancellations and forfeits with the exception of the last scheduled
game on that field for the day if four or more games are scheduled. In the event that the
last game' is canceled the game officials shall be released immediately and not expect
compensation from the home team, if home team officials request the crew to wait to see
if the team or additional players arrive or other sitnation or dispute to be resolved they do
so understanding that the officials will be paid regardless of whether or not game is
actually played. If, however, the schedule calls for three or less games and any game is
canceled the offici'* shall be paid for that canceled game. It is understood that Xtreme
By-laws provide that the team causing the last minute cancellation shall be responsible
for the officials fees, therefore payment if not received at the game site will be handled
through Xtreme and SFFOA administration. in the event that the last game on a field is
canceled or forfeited and there are other games to be played on another field that is not
fully staffed, if a departing official works the major portion of a game on another field, he
will be compensated as if he had worked the entire game. An official not working the
majority will be compensated in quarterly increments actually worked. If a game is not
played or completed, the originally assigti.ed officials will be given preference to work the
rescheduled game. If official not previously paid they will only be paid the game fee
upon retlirn. If officials where previously paid and only a portion of the game is being
made up, officials will be entitled to receive an additional $12.00 travel reimbursement
during 2014 and 2015 seasons and $15.00 dming the 2016 and 2017 seasons for Miami-
Dade and Broward Counties only. Any apportiomnent of a game fee between the official
working the rescheduled game and the official that was originally assigned will be made
by SFFOA and officials directly.
Compensation for game officials during the term of tbis agreement shall be as follows.
For scrimmages, pre-season games or jamborees $15.00 per official per hour in 2014 and
2015 and $20.00 per official per hour in 2016 and 2017 for weeks other than the week
prior to the first competitive week of the season teams may elect to use three rather than
four officials with the exception of peewees that may use two at any time. Compensation
for field officials shall be $50 for the 2014 and 2015 Seasons and $55 for the 2016 and
2017 Seasons for all divisions during regular season and playoff games Compensation of
$60.00 for 2014 and 2015 and $65.00 dnring 2016 and 2017 for all divisions for
championship games or league sponsored games, with the exception of the Peewees that
shall remain at $55 and $60 with a four member officiating crew. Compensation for
electronic clock operators (timers) shall be $40 if requested during the regular season or
playoff games and $45 for all divisions for league sponsored and championship games.
Officials shall be paid in cash during halftime of their last game at that site for the day, it
is understood that all officials may not be paid at the same time. Checks will not be
accepted, \m1ess approved and submitted prior to game day and subject to a handling
charge of seven dollars ($7.00) per official per game, and any check snbmitted after game
day for a forfeited, suspended or some other reason is also subject to the handling charge.
While it is understood that the league currently has no team outside Miami-Dade and
Broward Counties for any games outside those counties, a travel fee of $100.00 as long
as average price per gallon remains at or below $4.00, parties agree to negotiate travel fee
if necessary and price per gallon exceeds $4.00 during the term of this contract. Travel
shall be paid for only one car canying the entire officiating crew. If officials choose to
travel separately only one travel fee will be paid and may be divided by the officials
themselves. A Supervisor of Officials shall be provided for any championship or other
league hosted game. A league hosted game is defined as any contest between teams at a
central site or where the league is responsible for payment. A line to gain crew may be
provided at the option of Xtreme and the line to gain crew of three (3) members, if
furnished, shall be paid $35.00 per game, however the Xtreme may request only a down
indicator official (box man) be provided at $40.00. The Supervisor of Officials will be
paid $35.00 per game. If Xtreme intends to make payment for all officials by way of a
single check SFFOA agrees to bill Xtreme sufficiently in advance to allow Xtreme to
issue a check 72 hours before the event so that arrangements can be made to negotiate the
check in order to pay officials in cash at the game site, if not Xtreme shall be responsible
for paying officials in cash on site at the conclusion of each game or other appropriate
interval during the event.
The SFFOA Board shall appoint one of its members to se~ve as its Booking
Commissioner who will be responsible for assigning officials to Xtreme games. The
Booking Commissioner shall be compensated for these services on a per member parle
pel' year basis, the compensation during the term of this agreement shall be $150. Said
fee is to be paid to the SFFOA immediately at the conclusion of the competitive season.
Xtrerne shall provide a safe and properly lined field for all contests. The field shall be
roped off from spectators as required by Xtreme bylaws. The respective Comnllssioners
should make an effOlt to introduce themselves to the officiating crew and where or how
they can be reached should the need arises. The home team is responsible for having a
line to gain crew of three (3) people (preferably adults) ready and available during the
applicable pre-game period to meet with the head linesman. Failure to have a line to gain
crew available to start the game or second half will result in a five (5) YaJ.'d delay of game
penalty. All autllOrized sideline personnel need to be properly identified aJId if in the
coaches' area will be the responsibility of the head coach. The head coach may receive a
warning before a penalty for unauthorized personnel in the coaches box during the game,
however, the head coach may be penalized based on the conduct of individuals in the
coaches box, authorized or not, without w,arning. Both teams shall assign personnel to
ensure that only autllOrized persons are within the rope. The Xtreme home team may at
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its sole discretion extend its hospitality to game officials, without promise or expectation
of favorable treatment. SFFOA understands that a home team's hospitality is not to be
abused. Nonetheless the home team has a responsibility to ensnre that officials just as its
players are properly hydrated during the day. Game attendants should provide water or
fluids to officials during water breaks and time outs during a game. Additional water or
fluids may be provided at the concession stand or other designated area during halftime
and between games. Just as officials are concemed with player safety the home team
should concem itself with making sure officials are properly hydrated and in a position to
,complete their assignment.
Any questions or dispntes that occur as a result of an interpretation of a nue should first
be addressed with the referee as prescribed under the NFHSA rules and should involve
the immediately proceeding play. It is important to note that Pal-k Commissioners have
delegated game day authority to Head Coaches for their respective games.
Commissioners may consult with the referee and ask questions during halftime or
between games, but they are not authorized to intemlpt play or approach officials during
a game for a rule explanation or clarification. It is understood that there is no provision
to play' a game under protest under the 11Iles. Notwithstanding, SFFOA understands that
fUlther investigation and uniform interpretation of the rules is a necessity. Coaches and
Commissioners shall cOl1l1l1unicate their questions or concems to the Xtreme President
who will request an official niles interpretation from the SFFOA Rules Interpreter. A
written interpretation of the nile or rules involved will be sent electronically to the
Xtreme President to be forwarded to the Coach or Commissioner initiating the inquiry.
Any 11I1e interpretation will be presented'to the SFFOA membership as a training tool at
the next scheduled officials meeting and disseminated to crew chiefs immediately to
ensure the consistent application of file 11I1e or rules in question. The SFFOA Rules
interpreter mayor may not be available at Xtreme Board Meetings, but will handle only
less involved interpretations.
It is tl~e mission of SFFOA to provide quality, trained and intpartial contest officials for
area youth league contests. With that in mind SFFOA needs to be advised of any
situation that may impact on an official's ability to be intpartial. SFFOA makes every
effOlt to determine which officials have 'children or a family member associated or
playing for a palticular park. SFFOA will not assign those officials games either home or
away involving those teams. SFFOA relies on its officials to disclose any potential
conflict before the season but sometimes an official may fail or neglect to advise SFFOA
of a potential conflict. Further SFFOA nnderstands that as officials, its members are in a
position of authority and serve as role models for many children. Any acts of
inappropriate behavior need to be communicated to Xtreme President immediately who
will in tum contact the Booking Commissioner or SFFOA President. All incidents
should accurately documented and list contact infoIDlation for any witnesses in writing as
soon as possible. Every incident will be investigated. 11le parties nnderstand that
SFFOA is involved in offiCiating contests between two competitors and that Xtreme
member teams and coaches are sometimes swayed by emotion and their desire to win.
Sometimes the decision in a grune is not resolved in a mrumer favorable or satisfactory to
a party who may misinterpret the situation. Misunderstandings between a coach and
official can be resolved, but frivolous andlor punitive complaints will not be tolerated.
Any complaint that after investigation is detelmined to be baseless or intended to damage
the reputation or standing of the official in question shall be referred to Xtreme President
or Board for further action. Xtreme and SFFOA Presidents shall conduct investigations
or designate a member of their respective organization to do so. Investigative finding
sbaH be tli,ejoint responsibili~ otboth Xtreme iIlld. .SFFQA. DiSQipliuaryor otli,¢t !lillian.
to be ti\!cell $li!IU b~ the t~$polll!ibility ofSl!'FOA Qf X~ WitllJil jt~ G~, :By-:J;,I)WS,
'Ruie$ OtGrtidlilin~s. .
By wa,y. of' thelt sigillltU1'~8the pllrll.~iJ8t\:e ib4f tlUiI. $~t~ fotth tl!e.f!'~Worl( of '\hej);
te1atilliliiijlll fCIitb:e. pecipti. $¢t fortli, abQVilcaM: to w\!i1~ ~oge~@; W.m~ eachofthej);
tespective: QrgaIDzi\ff'9Ull f\!,e stan<ll!rd. by whJeb all oth:~s~relliel!sured.