HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-19-0045 Bid Waiver MemoKen Russell
Board Chair
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Board Chair Ken Russell and
Members of the CRA Board
FROM: Jason Walker
Executive Director
BACKGROUND:
Jason Walker
Executive Director
DATE: October 30, 2019
SUBJECT: Recommendations and findings
to waive competitive negotiation procedures
per City Code, authorizing the allocation of
Grant funds to the Sundari Foundation, Inc
d/b/a Lotus House
The Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment
Agency ("CRA") is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects
within its redevelopment area in accordance with the 2010 CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Plan").
The CRA approved and adopted Resolution No. CRA-R-16-0040, authorizing the Executive
Director to implement the findings of the Grand Jury Report for Miami -Dade County
recommending that tax increment funds ("TIF") received by the CRA, be used primarily for
removal of slum and blight, and assisting with affordable housing for families and individuals of
low or moderate income.
The Sundari Foundation, Inc. doing business as Lotus House ("Lotus House"), is the one of the
best operated charities in South Florida, offering humanitarian services to the women and children
indigent and homeless population. Lotus House possess a unique and highly specialized
expertise in assisting chronic homeless and victims of domestic violence and offering shelter,
temporary housing and mental health, as well as, substance abuse disorders treatment, through
its Program ("Program"). Lotus House's mission critical belief that each human life is to be
respected; providing all clients with dignified basic human needs such as temporary housing and
shelter, food, clothes and shelter, specifically addresses deleterious effects to the CRA's
redevelopment area.
Lotus House requested aid from the CRA in the amount of $100,000 in grant funding, towards
underwriting a portion of the costs associated with the Program, and furthering its efforts through
the provision of additional services to the homeless. The Executive Director reviewed and vetted
Lotus House's request, in accordance with the objectives of the Plan.
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
1401 N. Miami Ave 1 2"d Floor] Miami, FL 33136
Tel (305) 679 68681 http://www.miami-cra.org/
RECOMMENDATION
In light of the above mentioned, in addition to Lotus House's commitment to the principles
identified in the CRA's Plan, and in consideration of the Executive Director's pledge to allocate
grant funding to Lotus House, approval of a waiver of the formal requirements of competitive
sealed bidding methods as not being practicable nor advantageous to the CRA as set forth in the
City Code of Ordinances, as amended, specifically Sections 18-85 (a), and the affirmation of these
written findings and the forwarding of the same to the Board of Commissioners of the Omni
Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency for ratification by a four -fifths (4/5th)
vote is respectfully requested.
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
1401 N. Miami Ave 1 2"d Floor] Miami, FL 33136
Tel (305) 679 68681 http://www.miami-cra.org/