HomeMy WebLinkAboutcover memoCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO :
The Honorable Mayor and
Me,' . ers of The ity Commissio
FROM : Joe
City
C�.
la
ager
DATE :
SUBJECT
FEB 6 2004
FILE :
Waiver of Conflict of Interest for
The Latin Quarter Cultural Center
Commercial Facade Award
REFERENCES : City Commission Agenda
February 26, 2004
ENCLOSURES:
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached Resolution by a
four -fifths affirmative vote, making the required findings and waiving the conflict of interest to
grant the award of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, in the Public Facilities
and Improvements category, in the amount of $40,000 for the rehabilitation of The Latin Quarter
Cultural Center of Miami Inc. building, located at 1501 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, Florida.
BACKGROUND:
On September 27, 2002, Antonio Wagner submitted a Letter of Interest to Small Business
Opportunity Center, Inc. (SBOC) on behalf of The Latin Quarter Cultural Center of Miami, Inc.
(Latin Quarter) for financial assistance with the rehabilitation of their building located at 1501
S.W. 8th Street. On October 10, 2002, the City Commission allocated CDBG funds, in the Public
Facilities and Improvements category, in the amount of $40,000 for the rehabilitation of the
Latin Quarter Building. At the time of the award, Antonio Wagner was employed by the City of
Miami as Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Administrator and was also the President,
Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Latin Quarter.
Regarding a potential conflict of interest, the City of Miami Law Department determined that a
conflict of interest does exist as relates to Section 2-611 of the City Code which broadly
prohibits employees from entering into a contract or transacting any business with the City or
any person or agency acting for the City. The legal opinion also found that Section 2-612 of the
City Code allows the City Commission, after a public hearing and making the required findings,
to waive a conflict and grant the transaction on a four -fifths affirmative vote. The required
findings identified in the City Code are:
(i) The transaction was solicited through sealed bids; or
(ii) The property or services are unique and the City cannot avail itself of such
property or services without entering into this transaction; and
(iii) The proposed transaction would be in the City's best interest.
It is recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached Resolution by a four -fifths
affirmative vote, making the required findings and waiving the conflict of interest to grant the
award of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, in the Public Facilities and
Improvements category, in the amount of $40,000 for the rehabilitation of The Latin Quarter
Cultural Center of Miami Inc. building, located at 1501 S.W. Bch Street, Miami, Florida.
The j osed Resolution does not have a budgetary impact on the General Fund.
LM /BGR