HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Samuel J. Dubbin-Letter to Elected Officials RE Jungle Island Charter AmendmentLl 1
DUBBIN
KRAVETZ
VIA EMAIL
Hon. Mayor Francis Suarez
Hon. Chairman Keon Hardemon
Hon. Vice Chairman Ken Russell
Hon. Willy Gort, District One
Hon. Joe Carollo, District Three
Hon. Manolo Reyes, District Four
Hon. Emilio Gonzalez, City Manager
Hon. Victoria Mendez, City Attorney
Hon. Todd B. Hannon, City Clerk
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
June 7, 2018
SAMUEL J. DUBBIN, P.A.
DIRECT (305) 357-9004
sd ubbin ®dubbinkravetz.com
Subject: City Commission Agenda Item #4102, Special Meeting for Proposed
Referendum on Jungle Island Hotel Charter Amendment Schedule for June 8, 2018
Dear All:
This firm represents 1000 Venetian Way Condominium Association, Inc. ("1000
Venetian.").1 We were recently informed that the City Commission would hold a special
meeting this Friday, June 8, 2018, to consider a resolution to submit a proposed Charter
amendment to the voters to authorize the City Commission" that would, among other actions,
waive competitive bidding and approve a proposed Fifth Modification to the Lease with ESJ JI
Leasehold, LLC ("ESJ" or "Lessee")("Fifth Modification") to extend the current lease term and
authorize ESJ to build a hotel on Watson Island.
The residents of 1000 Venetian urge the Commission to withdraw the item from
consideration on June 8, because (1) the proposed referendum violates state law governing ballot
clarity and accuracy; (2) the proposed Fifth Modification violates the City Charter by authorizing
a lease of public land for less than Fair Market Value ("FMV"); and (3) the Lessee has violated
its current contractual obligations under its existing Lease Agreement with the City by applying
for permits forbidden by the lease, and failing to honor its obligation to mitigate the impact of
leasehold improvements on adjacent neighborhoods. My clients urge the Commission to insist
the ballot language and charter amendment comply with all applicable laws, and insist on
complete accuracy and transparency, before voting to allow such a far-reaching referendum to be
placed before the City's voters.
i The 1000 Venetian Way Condominium is located on the Venetian Causeway, on Biscayne
Island, approximately 1100 feet from the Jungle Island site, directly across the Intracoastal
Waterway.
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1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SU 04 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 U A 1 j s„),,m4kei
TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700 • FAX (305) 371-4701
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Hon. Mayor and City Commissioners
June 7, 2018
Page 2
1. The Proposed Ballot Language is Misleading and Violates State Law. The proposed
Lease amendment materially contradicts the Resolutions, the proposed Charter amendment
language, and the proposed ballot summary, in violation of section 101.161(1), Florida Statutes.
The operative proposed amendment incorporated into the Commission's published resolution,
the Fifth Modification to the Lease with ESJ, proposes to extend an option to ESJ to build a hotel
on the City's property, but expressly does not obligate ESJ to build a hotel. Moreover, even if
ESJ "chooses" to build the hotel, it would have as long as 10 years before being obligated to pay
any "additional rent" of $250,000, and as long as 13 years before the "additional rent" would
increase to $1,250,000 (or 5% of gross sales).
a. The Lease amendment gives ESJ sole discretion whether to build a hotel, which is not
disclosed in the Resolution materials or the Ballot Language. Section 5(a) of the proposed Fifth
Modification provides:
5. Development and Construction of Hotel. The Lease is hereby amended
to ad the following provisions regarding the development and construction of the
Hotel:
(a) Lessee's Right to Construct & Maintain Hotel.
The Lessee shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own
cost, an expense, to design, develop, construct, install, equip,
operate, manage, sublease, rent an maintain the Hotel on the Subject
Property....
(Emphasis supplied). This language giving the ESJ the sole, unilateral authority to decide
whether or not to construct the Hotel is no accident. In an earlier draft, someone on the City staff
attempted to strike the words "have the right, but not the obligation," which would have made
construction of the Hotel mandatory.
b. The Resolution materials also do not disclose that under the Lease agreement, there
will be no "additional rent" unless ESJ decides to build a hotel, which could take as long as 10-
13 years. Similarly, the published City Resolution, Charter amendment, and Ballot Summary do
not inform the public that ESJ's rent will not increase at all unless and until it chooses to build
the hotel, for which it can wait 10 years. Paragraph 5(e) provides:
(e) Development Schedule.
In the event Lessee proceeds with the construction of the Hotel, Lessee
will be required to (i) obtain a Master Building Permit ("Master Permit-) for the
Hotel from the City within four (4) years of the Effective Date of this
DUBBIN & KRAVETZ, LLP
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SUITE 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 • TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 ,
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Hon. Mayor and City Commissioners
June 7, 2018
Page 3
Modification, and (ii) receive a temporary certificate of occupancy ("TCO") for
the Hotel within six (6) years of obtaining the Master Permit.
Additionally, Paragraph 7 provides:
7. Hotel Annual Rent. Commencing on the date that the Hotel opens for
business to the general public and on the first (1st) day of every calendar month
thereafter until the Hotel Stabilization Date, Lessee shall pay, in addition to
Minimum Annual Rent and Percentage Rent (both of which are not related to the
Hotel and do not include Gross Revenue generated by the Hotel), Hotel Annual
Base Rent to Lessor in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000) per year, .... Beginning on the Hotel Stabilization Date and on the
first (1'I) day of every calendar month thereafter, Less shall pay Hotel Annual
Base Rent in the amount of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000) per year ... .
c. The advertised "contributions" to the Park improvements and for Low Income
Housing are subject to ESJ's sole discretion, which is not disclosed. The current proposal also
misleads the public about the widely touted "contributions" of $700,000 for the Ichimura-Miami
Japanese Gardens and $500,000 for renovation of single family homes in blighted areas of the
City. Nothing in the City's Resolution, the proposed Charter amendment to Section 29-B, or the
Ballot Summary, discloses that ESJ is under no obligation to make these contributions unless it
decides, in its sole discretion, to build the hotel. To the contrary, all included language suggests
these contributions will be made if the electorate votes "yes" in the referendum, which is not
true.
The City's open-ended accommodations to ESJ are nowhere mentioned in the proposed
Resolutions, the proposed amendment to the Charter, or the Ballot Summary. In fact, the only
fair reading of the Resolutions, amendment, an ballot is that there will be a new privately funded
hotel, with additional rent starting of $250,000 and increasing to $1,250,000, Lessee
contributions of $700,000 to the Gardens and $500,000 for housing in blighted areas. The
misleading Resolution language is part of Exhibit 1, page 3, as "A" and page 7, marked as "B."
The misleading Charter amendment language is also part of Exhibit 1, page 10, and marked as
d. The Ballot Summary is misleading and violates State law because it does not disclose
that the hotel, rent, and contributions are solely within ESJ's control and may never occur. The
2 While there are a number of legal and policy reasons why the proposal should be rejected, but
the illegality of the Resolution and Ballot Language alone present a threshold harrier to the City
Commission considering the item on Friday.
DUBBIN & KRAVETZ, LLP
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SUITE 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 • TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Hon. Mayor and City Commissioners
June 7, 2018
Page 4
ballot summary proposed in the Resolution misleads the voting public about the true effect of the
actual Lease amendment being proposed by the City, in violation of State law, which requires
ballot summaries to use "clear and unambiguous language" and disclose the "chief purpose" of
the measure.
According to the version of Item 4102 published on the City's agenda website Monday
(June 4), the ballot summary would state:
Shall Miami's Charter be amended extending Jungle Island's Lease for an
additional 39-years, plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive bidding and
allowing construction of a privately funded hotel and attractions with a maximum
130-foot height in exchange for:
• Additional annual rent for the hotel of $250,000.00 increasing to
$1,150,000.00 or 5.0% of hotel gross sales, whichever greater;
• A contribution of $700,000.00 to the adjacent City park and $500,000.00 for
low-income housing.3
Exhibit 1, page 12, marked as "D."
When compared to the actual Lease amendment, this Ballot Summary is misleading
under Section 101.161(1), Florida Statutes, which provides:
(1) Whenever a constitutional amendment or other public measure is
submitted to the vote of the people, a ballot summary of such amendment or other
public measure shall be printed in clear and unambiguous language on the ballot
after the list of candidates, followed by the word "yes" and also by the word "no"
.... The ballot summary of the amendment or other public measure shall be an
explanatory statement, not exceeding 75 words in length, of the chief purpose of
the measure.
According to the Third District Court of Appeal, the statutory requirements of "clear and
unambiguous language" and disclosure of the "chief purpose" forbids precisely the kind of
misleading summary found here:
3 Strangely, the Resolution on the City"s Agenda Website, "Item 4102" dated "05/02-2018,"
has different ballot language than the identically identified and titled Resolution provided to the
undersigned in response to a May 30, 2018 public records request. See Exhibit 2. page 12.
marked as "E.". However, the switch does not change the fundamentally misleading nature of
the currently proposed ballot language.
DUBBIN & KRAVETZ, LLP
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SUITE 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 • TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Hon. Mayor and City Commissioners
June 7, 2018
Page 5
The purpose of this requirement [in section 101.161(1)] is to provide the voter
with fair notice of the content of the proposed measure so that he or she will not
be misled as to its purpose and may intelligently cast his or her vote.... As stated
by the Florida Supreme Court, the "ballot title and summary cannot either 'fly
under false colors' or 'hide the ball' as to [its] true effect."
City of Miami v. Stats, 919 So.2d 485, 487 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005) (citations omitted).
When compared to the Lease language that is being incorporated in the Resolution, it is
clear that the current ballot language is materially misleading. Its "true effect is different than its
apparent effect;" it is "flying under false colors;" and it is "hiding the ball" as to its true effect.
In Let Miami Beach Decide, Inc. v. City of Miami Beach, 120 So.3d 1282 (Fla. 3d DCA
2013), the Third District held:
The focus of this case is whether the City framed the ballot questions in a
manner that accurately communicates their true effect as required by section
101.161, Florida Statutes (2013). The apparent purpose of the lease approval
question is to obtain voter approval of the lease as required by the Charter
Provision. The lease approval question as written, however. does not fulfill this
function. To approve a lease under the Charter Provision, the voters must be
given notice of the material terms of the lease they are being asked to approve.
Because the lease approval question fails to give voters this necessary
information, by including such information or referring voters to records
providing such information, it sloes not quralifv as a proper ballot question to
obtain voter approval cif the lease. Because its true effect is different from its
apparent effect, the lease approval question is confusing and violates the
requirement of ballot clarity and accuracy established by section 101.161. For
this reason, the lease approval question must be removed from the ballot.
120 So.3d at 1284. As in Let Miami Beach Deckle, the variations between the proposed ballot
language and the actual Lease amendment that would result from an affirmative vote render the
ballot illegal under section 101.161(1).
The Proposed Lease Amendment Violates Section 29-B of the City Charter.
The proposed Fifth Modification violates Section 29-B of the City Charter because it
would approve a lease of land owned by the City on Watson Island to ESJ for less than Fair
Market Value ("FMV"). Section 29-B provides:
DUBBIN & KRAVETZ, LLP
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SUITE 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 • TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 ,
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Hon. Mayor and City Commissioners
June 7, 2018
Page 6
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Charter or the
City Code, and except as provided below, the city commission is prohibited from
favorably considering any sale or lease of property owned by the city unless there
is a return to the city of fair market value under such proposed sale or lease.
The appraisal by Joseph Blake & Associates of the subject property, used as a hotel as its
"highest and best use," concludes that fair market rent today is $1,410,000. But the actual Lease
gives ESJ the sole option of waiting 10 years before the additional rent could increase from zero
$250,000, and 3 extra years (for a total of 13) before it would reach $1,250,000. The "fair
market rent" identified by the City's appraisers, applies TODAY, not in 5, 10, or 13 years as the
Lessee has the right to wait under the Fifth Modification. The Blake appraisal itself states:
No consideration is given for the construction period and any rent abatement
during the construction period: not the lease -up or future stabilization of the
income .streams from the various components.
(Emphasis supplied).
In other words, with the Fair Market Value of $1.41 million per year as today's Fair
Market Value, the possibility' of receiving $250,000 in ten years, or $1,250,000 in 13 years, is not
the same as actual payment of that sum today. (And, of course, $1,250,000 in 13 years is not the
"same" as $1,410,000 million today.)
A similar transaction involving an open-ended option where the charter required fair
market value for any sale of public land, was held to violate that charter in Gunderson v. City of
Fort Myers, 276 So.2d 529 (Fla. 2d DCA 1973). In Gunderson, the city charter provided that
"no [public] property shall be sold for less than the full appraised value thereof." The court
noted that "the record reveals no attempt to grapple with the question whether an immediate
payment of cash will compensate the city fairly for agreeing to sell in the future at a price
presently fixed." It concluded: "The city is, at a bare minimum, bound by its own charter ... .
["I']he circuit court should have enjoined the sale and declared the option contract beyond the
city's power to enter on the basis of the appraisal rendered."
3. ESJ has failed to honor several provisions of the existing lease with the City
designed to protect neighbors from adverse impacts of further development.
a. Failure to conduct proper sound engineerin<a analysis. Contrary to the current Lease
agreement, ESJ has not worked in good faith with the neighboring residents to mitigate the sound
and light impact of future improvements. Section 7.2(a) of the current Lease. which ESJ
assumed
DUBBIN & KRAVETZ, LLP
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE • SUITE 300 • CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA 33134 • TELEPHONE (305) 371-4700
all other rights; calling for a referendum special election and providing that Charter
Amendment No._ will be submitted to the electorate at the referendum special election
to be held on August 28, 2018; designating and appointing the City Clerk as the official
representative of the City Commission with respect to the use of voter registration books
and records; further directing the City Clerk to cause a certified copy of the herein
Resolution to be delivered to the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida,
not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of such special election; providing an
immediate effective date for this Resolution.
Background of Item:
The City of Miami ("City") is the owner of that certain tract of land on Watson Island
comprising approximately 19.35 acres and located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
("Property").
ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC ("ESJ") and the City are parties to that certain Lease and
Development Agreement, as modified from time to time (as so modified, collectively,
"Lease") for the Property.
Pursuant to the Lease, ESJ is leasing the Property from the City for the operation of a
botanical garden and theme park attraction known as Jungle Island ("Jungle Island").
The Lease was modified pursuant to, the Third Modification to the Lease and
Development Agreement ("Third Modification") which modified the Lease definition for
"Additional Improvements" to possibly include a themed hotel and related retail and
entertainment, thereby providing ESJ with the potential opportunity to develop and
operate a hotel on the Property, subject to approval of the electorate in a Citywide
referendum, and further subject to the approval of the State of Florida Board of Trustees
of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and any and all applicable laws, codes, and
regulations, including, but not limited to, the City's Zoning Ordinance.
ESJ desires to develop a hotel, parking structure, and related improvements
(collectively, "Hotel") on the Property and requires an extension on the term of the
Lease, which has approximately Forty Three (43) years remaining, to obtain the
financing necessary for the construction of the Hotel.
Chapter 29-C of the Charter of the City of Miami states that Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary contained in the Charter or Code of the City of Miami, no sale,
conveyance, lease or management agreement may be entered into for the
management, occupancy or use of the area known as Watson Island for periods greater
than one year unless (1) there shall have been, prior to the date of the city commission's
consideration of such sale, lease, management agreement, an advertisement soliciting
proposals for said sale, lease or management agreement, published in a daily
newspaper of general paid circulation in the city, allowing not less than ninety (90) days
for the city's receipt of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said
advertisement to be no less than one-fourth page and the headline in the advertisement
to be in a type no smaller than 18-point; and, (2) the proposed transaction be approved
by a majority of the votes cast by the electorate at a referendum. The procedures for
selection of proposals shall be those provided by Charter section 29-A(c) or (d) as
appropriate and/or by applicable City Code provisions. Nothing herein shall affect the
existing rights or privileges, if any, of any lessee, permittee, licensee or concessionaire
currently situated in said area; however, any enlargement, amendment, transfer, or
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increase in those rights or privileges as may be in existence at the time this amendment
is adopted shall require compliance with the provisions of this amendment. This Charter
Amendment shall not affect the city's use or occupancy of the area, nor shall it apply to
contracts for the construction of any city facilities or improvements in the area; further,
nothing contained herein shall apply to projects of any governmental agency or
instrumentality.
The City and ESJ desire to enter into both an Escrow Agreement ("Escrow") and the
Fifth Modification ("Modification") to the Lease and Development Agreement ("Lease"),
both in substantially the attached form, which will modify the current remaining lease
term ("Term") of Forty Three (43) years and extend the Term from the year 2060 to the
year 2099 and include a Fifteen (15) year option to extend the Lease to 2114; providing
rent payment of the greater of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5.0%) of annual gross revenues from a new privately
funded hotel development with a minimum cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00)
with a maximum height of One Hundred Thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City
approval and successful zoning changes, with said rent being in addition to the currently
received greater of annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty
Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and percentage rent from Jungle Island revenue; providing
parking spaces sufficient to meet zoning code requirements; further providing ancillary
improvements consisting of retail, and/or restaurant space of up to Ten Thousand
(10,000) square feet and meeting room space of up to Thirty Thousand (30,000) square
feet; with the aggregate payment of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00)
towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens ("Japanese Gardens") for construction
of a walkway to Jungle Island, necessary repairs and maintenance of the Japanese
Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) over a Ten
(10) year period to be used for the renovation of historic single family homes in blighted
areas of the City whose residents are of low economic means ; establishing a reserve
account for capital repairs of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year;
implementing a transfer fee of Three Percent (3%) of gross sales, less the outstanding
principal balance of all debt owed by ESJ to an unaffiliated third party and transaction
costs, if the Property is transferred or assigned; further implementing a refinancing fee
of One Percent (1 %) of the refinancing loan proceeds, less all third party costs,
expenses, amounts required to fully repay the debt being refinanced and all refinancing
proceeds not disbursed to ESJ investors, should the Property be refinanced after the
initial refinancing; a rent credit to ESJ in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000.00) to be credited as reimbursements for costs related to shoreline
stabilization and improvements needed as a result of erosion from hurricane damage in
2017.
Pursuant to the Charter of the City ("Charter") Section 29-B, entitled "City Owned
Property Sale or Lease -Generally" and Section 3(f)(iii), entitled "Powers," the City will
need two (2) independent appraisals affirming the fair market value of the Agreement.
The Agreement with ESJ will be subject to such other restrictions, reversions, and
retention by the City of all other rights.
Pursuant to Resolution No. , adopted on , the City Attorney was
directed to draft the ballot language contained within the Resolution.
Budget Impact Analysis
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Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Item is Related to Revenue
Item is NOT funded by Bonds
Total Fiscal Impact:
$250,000 per year after the hotel opens for business and continuing for the first 3 years then
increasing to the greater of $1,150,000 or 5% of gross revenues. Account
#04002.221100.448000 rents and royalties.
Reviewed By
Real Estate and Asset Management Aldo Bustamante Department Head Review Completed 05/02/2018 10:46 AM
Office of Management and Budget Everton Garvis Budget Analyst Review Completed 05/02/2018 4:14 PM
Office of Management and Budget Christopher M Rose Budget Review Completed 05/04/2018 12:28 PM
City Manager's Office Fernando Casamayor Assistant City Manager Review Completed 05/14/2018 9:22 AM
Legislative Division Valentin J Alvarez Legislative Division Review Completed 05/14/2018 3:49 PM
City Manager's Office Nikolas Pascual City Manager Review Completed 05/29/2018 11:36 AM
Office of the City Attomey Barnaby L. Min Deputy City Attorney Review Completed 05/31/2018 4:19 PM
Office of the City Attorney Victoria Mendez Approved Form and Correctness Pending
City Commission Todd B. Hannon Meeting Pending 06/08/2018 10:30 AM
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 4102 Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"); SPECIFICALLY PROPOSING TO
AMEND SECTION 29-B OF THE CHARTER, ENTITLED "CITY -OWNED
PROPERTY SALE OR LEASE -GENERALLY", TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY
COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, TO
WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE BOTH AN ESCROW AGREEMENT ("ESCROW') AND THE FIFTH
MODIFICATION ("FIFTH MODIFICATION") TO THE LEASE AND
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ("LEASE") BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI
("CITY") AND ESJ JI LEASEHOLD, LLC ("ESJ") FOR 19.35 ACRES OF CITY -
OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY, AMENDING CERTAIN TERMS OF THE
EXISTING LEASE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING
MATERIAL TERMS: ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE 19.35 ACRES OF
CITY -OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY; MODIFICATION TO THE
CURRENT REMAINING LEASE TERM ("TERM") OF APPROXIMATELY FORTY
THREE (43) YEARS AND EXTENDING THE TERM TO 2099, WITH AN
ADDITIONAL OPTION OF FIFTEEN (15) YEARS TO EXTEND THE LEASE TO
2114; PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL ANNUAL RENT OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00) INCREASING, ONCE A PROPOSED
HOTEL HAS STABILIZED, TO THE GREATER OF ONE MILLION ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,150,000.00) OR FIVE PERCENT
(5%) OF ANNUAL GROSS REVENUES FROM THE PROPOSED FIFTY
MILLION DOLLAR ($50,000,000.00) HOTEL, WITH A ONE HUNDRED THIRTY
(130) FOOT MAXIMUM HEIGHT, SUBJECT TO CITY APPROVALS AND
SUCCESSFUL LAND USE AND ZONING CHANGES, AS NECESSARY;
PROVIDING PARKING, RETAIURESTAURANT, AND MEETING ROOM
SPACE; PROVIDING IMPROVEMENTS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE TO
THE ICHIMURA-MIAMI JAPANESE GARDENS IN THE AMOUNT OF SEVEN
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000.00); PROVIDING A
CONTRIBUTION OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00),
PAID OVER A TEN (10) YEAR PERIOD, FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING
RENOVATIONS IN BLIGHTED AREAS OF THE CITY; ESTABLISHING A
REPAIR RESERVE ACCOUNT; IMPLEMENTING A THREE PERCENT (3%)
TRANSFER FEE OF GROSS SALE PROCEEDS; IMPLEMENTING A
REFINANCING FEE OF ONE PERCENT (1%) OF LOAN PROCEEDS;
PROVIDING A RENT CREDIT TO ESJ IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00) FOR REIMBURSEMENTS OF COSTS
RELATED TO SHORELINE STABILIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
AS A RESULT OF EROSION FROM HURRICANE DAMAGE IN 2017; WITH
RESTRICTIONS, REVERSIONS, AND RETENTION BY THE CITY OF ALL
OTHER RIGHTS; CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
AUGUST 28, 2018; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS
THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF
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THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF
ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA NOT LESS THAN 45 DAYS
PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ESCROW AND FIFTH MODIFICATION,
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE ELECTORATE, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND SUBJECT TO DELIVER TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
RESOLUTION, THE EXECUTED FIFTH AMENDMENT TO BE HELD IN
ESCROW BY THE CITY ATTORNEY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO TAKE ANY AND ALL STEPS NECESSARY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO
COMPLY WITH THE ESCROW; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") is the owner of that certain tract of land on Watson
Island comprising approximately 19.35 acres and located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami,
Florida ("Property"); and
WHEREAS, ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC ("ESJ") and the City are parties to that certain Lease
and Development Agreement, as modified from time to time (collectively, "Lease") for the
Property; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Lease, ESJ is leasing the Property from the City for the
operation of a botanical garden and theme park attraction known as Jungle Island ("Jungle
Island"); and
WHEREAS, the Lease was modified pursuant to the Third Modification to the Lease and
Development Agreement ("Third Modification") which modified the Lease definition for
"Additional Improvements" to possibly include a themed hotel and related retail and
entertainment, thereby providing ESJ with the potential opportunity to develop and operate a
hotel on the Property, subject to approval of the electorate in a City-wide referendum and further
subject to the approval of the State of Florida Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement
Trust Fund and any and all applicable laws, codes, and regulations, including, but not limited to,
the City's Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, ESJ desires to develop a hotel, parking structure, and related improvements
(collectively, "Hotel") on the Property and requires an extension on the term of the Lease, which
has approximately forty-three (43) years remaining, to obtain the financing necessary for the
construction of the Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Section 29-C of the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida ("Charter") states
that "Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Charter or Code of the City
of Miami, no sale, conveyance, lease or management agreement may be entered into for the
management, occupancy or use of the area known as Watson Island for periods greater than
one year unless (1) there shall have been, prior to the date of the City Commission's
consideration of such sale, lease, management agreement, an advertisement soliciting
proposals for said sale, lease or management agreement, published in a daily newspaper of
general paid circulation in the City, allowing not less than ninety (90) days for the City's receipt
of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said advertisement to be no less than
one-fourth page and the headline in the advertisement to be in a type no smaller than 18-point;
and, (2) the proposed transaction be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the electorate
at a referendum. The procedures for selection of proposals shall be those provided by Charter
section 29-A(c) or (d) as appropriate and/or by applicable City Code provisions. Nothing herein
shall affect the existing rights or privileges, if any, of any lessee, permittee, licensee or
concessionaire currently situated in said area; however, any enlargement, amendment, transfer,
or increase in those rights or privileges as may be in existence at the time this amendment is
adopted shall require compliance with the provisions of this amendment. This Charter
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Amendment shall not affect the City's use or occupancy of the area, nor shall it apply to
contracts for the construction of any City facilities or improvements in the area; further, nothing
contained herein shall apply to projects of any govemmental agency or instrumentality;" and
WHEREAS, the City and ESJ desire to enter into both an Escrow Agreement ("Escrow")
and a Fifth Modification to the Lease and Development Agreement ("Fifth Modification"), both in
substantially the attached form, which will modify the current remaining lease term ("Term") of
approximately forty three (43) years and extend the Term from the year 2060 to the year 2099
and include a fifteen (15) year option to extend the Lease to 2114; providing additional annual
rent payment of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) and, once the Hotel has
stabilized, increasing to the greater of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5%) of annual gross revenues from a new privately funded
Hotel with a minimum cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), with a maximum height of
one hundred thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City approval and successful land use and k
zoning changes, as necessary, with said rent being in addition to the currently received greater
of annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars ($502,168.00)
and percentage rent from Jungle Island revenue; providing parking spaces sufficient to meet
zoning ordinance requirements; further providing ancillary improvements consisting of retail
and/or restaurant space of up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet and meeting room space of
up to thirty thousand (30,000) square feet; with the aggregate payment of Seven Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens ("Japanese
Gardens") for construction of a walkway to Jungle Island, necessary repairs, and maintenance
of the Japanese Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00)
over a ten (10) year period to be used for the renovation of homes in blighted areas of the City
whose residents are of low economic means; establishing a reserve account for capital repairs
of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year; implementing a transfer fee of Three
Percent (3%) of gross sales proceeds if the Property is transferred or assigned; implementing a
refinancing fee of One Percent (1%) of the refinancing loan proceeds should the Property be
refinanced after the initial refinancing; providing a rent credit to ESJ in the amount of Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to be credited as reimbursements for costs related to
shoreline stabilization and improvements needed as a result of erosion from hurricane damage
in 2017; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Section 29-B of the Charter, entitled "City Owned Property
Sale or Lease -Generally," and Section 3(f)(iii) of the Charter, entitled "Powers," the City needs
two (2) independent appraisals affirming the fair market value of the Hotel as reflected in the
Fifth Modification; and
WHEREAS, the Fifth Modification with ESJ will be subject to such other restrictions,
reversions, and retention by the City of all other rights; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. _ adopted on , the City Attorney
was directed to draft the ballot language contained herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. In accordance with the provisions of Section 29-B of the Charter and Section
6.03 of the Miami -Dade County Home Rule Charter, a Special Election is being called and
directed in the City from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 for the purpose
of submitting to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or disapproval of the
proposed Fifth Modification to the Lease for the Property.
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Section 3. Section 29-B of the Charter is proposed to be amended in the following
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"CHARTER AND CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA a,
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Sec. 29-B. City -owned property sale or lease -Generally. 4- ° kc
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Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Charter or the City -0 v
Code, and except as provided below, the city commission is prohibited from "' °
favorably considering any sale or lease of property owned by the city unless
there is a return to the city of fair market value under such proposed sale or
lease. The city commission is also prohibited from favorably considering any sale
or lease of city -owned property unless (a) there shall have been, prior to the date
of the city commission's consideration of such sale or lease, an advertisement
soliciting proposals for said sale or lease published in a daily newspaper of
general paid circulation in the city, allowing not less than ninety (90) days for the
city's receipt of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said
advertisement to be no less than one-fourth ('/4) page and the headline in the
advertisement to be in a type no smaller than 18- point and, (b) except as
provided below, there shall have been at least three (3) written proposals
received from prospective purchasers or lessees; however, if there are less than
three (3) such proposals received and if the guaranteed return under the
proposal whose acceptance is being considered is equal to fair market value the
city commission determines that the contemplated sale or lease will be in the
city's best interest then, subject to the approval of a majority of the votes cast by
the electorate at a referendum, the sale or lease may be consummated. Any
lease for the development of improvements of city -owned property which has
been approved by voter referendum shall require additional voter referendum
approval for a development on City -owned property where the developer has not
obtained the necessary building permits within four (4) years of the effective date
of the lease. Such section shall not be applicable when the delay in the
performance of any obligation is as a result of force majeure, or litigation that
questions the validity of the vote, or the City Commission action to place the
question for referendum, then the performance of such obligation shall be
extended by the length of the delay. In the case of city -owned property which is
not waterfront, when the value of such property to be sold or leased (individual
leaseholds within a single city -owned property shall not be considered as a single
parcel of property for such valuation purposes) is five hundred thousand dollars
($500,000) or less, based on an appraisal performed by a state -certified
appraiser, the city commission, by a 4/5ths affirmative vote, may sell or lease
said city-. owned property after compliance with the advertisement requirements
set forth above but without the necessity of a referendum.
The above provisions and any other city requirements for competitive bidding
shall not apply when:
(a) conveying property to implement housing programs or projects which are
intended to benefit persons or households with low and/or moderate
income, the criteria of which to be provided for by federal and/or state law
or by the city commission;
(b) conveying property to implement projects authorized under the Florida
Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, as amended;
1 Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and
unchanged material.
(c) conveying property to implement projects of any governmental agency or
instrumentality;
(d) disposing of property acquired as a result of foreclosure;
(e) disposing of property acquired in connection with delinquent taxes which
properties were conveyed to the city by the Miami -Dade board of county
commissioners under the provisions of Section 197.592 Florida Statutes,
as amended; and
(f) disposing of non -waterfront property to the owner of an adjacent property
when the subject property is 7,500 square feet or less or the subject non -
waterfront property is non -buildable.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the city commission, by a 4/5ths
affirmative vote, may:
(a) grant a lessee of city -owned property a one-time extension during the last
five years of its lease, without the necessity of a referendum, for the
purpose of funding additional capital improvements. The extended term
shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the original term or ten years,
whichever is less. The granting of such an extension is subject to the
lessee paying fair market rent as determined by the city at the time of
such extension and not being in default of its lease with the city nor in
arrearage of any monies due the city; and
(b) amend the Lease Agreement between the City of Miami and Biscayne
Bay Restaurant Corp., d/b/a Rusty Pelican, dated February 13, 1970, as
amended, to (i) extend the lease for an additional term of fifteen (15)
years, with the option to renew for two (2) additional five (5) year periods,
(ii) increase the amount of the minimum guarantee to the City to at least
$360,000 per lease year effective upon execution of the lease
amendment, and (iii) require Rusty Pelican to complete capital
improvements to the property, including a public baywalk, in the amount
of not less than $3 Million, within twenty-four (24) months of the effective
date of the lease amendment; and
(c) waive competitive bidding and execute a lease with Dade Heritage Trust,
Inc. for the City -owned building located at 190 Southeast 12th Terrace,
for a term of thirty (30) years, with two (2) thirty (30) year renewals, for
minimum annual rent of $600.00 with Consumer Price Index adjustments,
with restrictions, reversions, and retention by the City of all other rights;
and
(d) waive competitive bidding and execute a Fifth Amendment to the Lease
Agreement with Aligned Bayshore Marina, LLC, also known as Monty's,
to extend the current lease term by an additional term of approximately
thirty -two (32) years (to expire May 31, 2067), with two (2) ten (10) year
options to renew for a total term of fifty-two (52) years (to expire May 31,
2087); which will increase minimum rent payment by an additional two
hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) per lease year, for a minimum of
ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) over the base term of the amended
Lease Agreement, or one and three quarters percent (1.75%) of gross
rent receipts from the Property, whichever is greater, as additional rent
due to the City and, commencing January 1, 2019, minimum annual total
rent (inclusive of the additional minimum rent) shall be one million five
hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00), plus an additional twenty five
thousand dollars ($25,000.00) to be paid on an annual basis for the full
amended term to a special fund to be established by the City for the
benefit of low income housing renovation; further providing capital
improvements to the Property of a minimum of seven million five hundred
thousand dollars ($7,500,000.00) to be spent within three (3) years of the
electorate's approval of the Fifth Amendment to the Lease Agreement;
further creating a capital account requiring a minimum additional
investment in the Property of four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) over the
amended Lease term, inclusive of the renewal options; requiring a
Transfer Fee payment to the City if the Property is transferred or
assigned; and further requiring a Refinancing Fee payment to the City
should the Property be refinanced after the initial refinancing.
(e) waive competitive bidding and approve the Fifth Modification to the Lease
with ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC, which modifies the remaining term of
approximately forty three (43) years and extends the Term from the year
2060 to the year 2099 and includes a Fifteen (15) vear option to extend
the Lease to the vear 2114; providing an additional annual rent payment
of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) increasing, once
the proposed hotel has stabilized, to the greater of One Million One
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5%) of
annual qross revenues from a new privately funded hotel development
with a minimum cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) with a
maximum height of One Hundred Thirty (130) feet and a design subject to
City approval and successful land use and zoning changes, as
necessary, with said rent being in addition to the currently received
greater of annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty
Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and percentage rent from Jungle Island
revenue; with parking spaces sufficient to meet zoning ordinance
requirements; ancillary improvements consisting of retail and/or
restaurant space of up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet and meeting
room space of up to thirty thousand (30,000) square feet; with an
aggregate payment of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00)
towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens for construction of a
walkway to Jungle Island and necessary repairs and maintenance of the
Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) over a ten (10) year period to be used
for the renovation of homes in blighted areas of the City whose residents
are of low economic means; establishing a reserve account for capital
repairs of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year;
implementing a transfer fee of Three Percent (3%) of gross sales
proceeds, if the Property is transferred or assigned; implementing a
refinancing fee of One Percent (1%) of refinancing loan proceeds, should
the Property be refinanced after the initial refinancing.
Notwithstanding anything in this Charter to the contrary, the City may enter into
leases or management agreements, for any City -owned submerged lands, with
entities having a possessory or ownership interest in the abutting riparian
uplands for building marinas, docks or like facilities, using methods adopted by
ordinance on the condition that such leases or management agreements result in
a return to the City of at least fair market value."
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Section 4. The Special Election shall be held at the polling places in the precincts
designated, all as shown on the list attached hereto and made a part hereof and referred to as
Exhibit No. 1 or as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida ("Supervisor of Elections") in conformity with the provisions of the general laws of the
State of Florida ("State"). The Precinct Election Clerks and Inspectors to serve at said polling
places on said Special Election date shall be those designated by the Supervisor of Elections
for such purpose in accordance with the general laws of the State. A description of the
registration books and records which pertain to Special Election precincts wholly or partly within
the City and which the City is adopting and desires to use for holding such Special Election is all
voter information cards, registration books, records, and certificates pertaining to electors of the
City and established and maintained as official by the Supervisor of Elections in conformity with
the provisions of the general laws of the State are hereby adopted and declared to be, and shall
hereafter be recognized and accepted as, official voter information cards, registration books,
records, and certificates of the City.
Section 5. In compliance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes (2016), regarding any
Special Election not otherwise provided for, there shall be at least thirty (30) days' notice of the
Special Election by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The City Clerk
is authorized and directed to publish notice of the adoption of this Resolution and of the
provisions hereof at least twice - once in the fifth week and once in the third week prior to the
week in which the aforesaid Special Election is to be held - in newspaper(s) of general
circulation in the City which notice shall be substantially in the following form:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TO AMEND THE MIAMI CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO.
A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from
7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the City of Miami, Florida, at the polling places in the
several Special Election precincts designated by the Board of County
Commissioners of Miami -Dade County, Florida as set forth herein, unless
otherwise provided by law, and submitting to the qualified electors of the City of
Miami, Florida, the following question:
Shall Miami's Charter be amended extending Jungle Island's Lease for an
additional 39-years, plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive bidding and
allowing construction of a privately funded hotel and attractions with a maximum
130-foot height in exchange for:
• Additional annual rent for the hotel of $250,000.00 increasing to
$1,150,000.00 or 5.0% of hotel gross sales, whichever greater;
• A contribution of $700,000.00 to the adjacent City park and $500,000.00 for
low-income housing.
This Charter Amendment will amend Section 29-B of the Miami Charter waiving
competitive bidding and approving the Fifth Modification to the Lease with ESJ JI
Leasehold, LLC, for an additional thirty nine (39) years, plus a fifteen (15) year
option, under requiring Jungle Island to build and privately fund a new hotel and
attractions, with a maximum one hundred thirty (130) foot height; pay additional
annual rent for the hotel of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00),
increasing to One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,150,000.00)
or Five Percent (5%) of hotel gross sales, whichever is greater; and contribute
Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) to the adjacent City park and
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for low-income housing; with a
Three Percent (3%) transfer fee of gross sales proceeds and One Percent (1%)
refinancing fee; with restrictions, reversions, and retention by the City of all other
rights, to be redeveloped pursuant to the proposed Fifth Modification to the
Lease.
By order of the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida.
Section 6. The official ballot to be used at said Special Election shall be in full
compliance with the laws of the State with respect to vote -by -mail ballots and to the use of the
mechanical voting machines or the Computer Election System and shall be in substantially the
following form:
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Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
"Official Ballot"
Special Election
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
for Approval or Disapproval of the following question:
Proposed Jungle Island hotel and lease
extension on City -owned Watson Island.
Shall Miami's Charter be amended extending
Jungle Island's Lease for an additional 39-years,
plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive bidding
and allowing construction of a privately funded
hotel and attractions with a maximum 130-foot
height in exchange for:
• Additional annual rent for the hotel of
$250,000.00 increasing to $1,150,000.00 or
5.0% of hotel gross sales, whichever greater;
• A contribution of $700,000.00 to the adjacent
City park and $500,000.00 for low-income
housing.
YES
NO
Section 7. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with requirements of general
election laws. Electors desiring to vote in approval of the Question described above shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "YES" within the ballot containing the
statement relating to the Question. Electors desiring to vote to disapprove the Question shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "NO" within the ballot containing the statement
relating to the Question. Once individuals are satisfied with their choice, they shall press the
"Vote" button and the ballot shall be cast.
Section 8. The City Clerk shall cause to be prepared vote -by -mail ballots containing the
Question set forth in Section 6 above for the use of vote -by -mail electors entitled to cast such
ballots in said Special Election.
Section 9. All qualified electors of said City shall be permitted to vote in said Special
Election and the Supervisor of Elections is hereby requested, authorized, and directed to
furnish, at the cost and expense of the City, a list of all qualified electors residing in the City as
shown by the registration books and records of the Office of said Supervisor of Elections and
duly certify the same for delivery to and for use by the election officials designated to serve at
the respective polling places in said general election precincts.
Section 10. For the purpose of enabling persons to register who are qualified to vote in
said Special Election on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 and who have not registered under the
provisions of the general laws of the State and Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Miami,
Florida, as amended, or who have transferred their legal residence from one voting precinct to
another in the City, they may register Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the
Miami -Dade County Elections Department located at 2700 Northwest 87th Avenue, Doral,
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Florida within such period of time as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections. In
addition to the above place and times, qualified persons may register at such branch offices and
may also use any mobile registration van for the purpose of registration in order to vote in the
herein described Special Election during such times and on such dates as may be designated
by the Supervisor of Elections.
Section 11. Todd B. Hannon, the Clerk, or his duly appointed successor, is hereby
designated and appointed as the official representative of the City Commission in all
transactions with the Supervisor of Elections related to matters pertaining to the use of the
registration books and the holding of said Special Election.
Section 12. The City Clerk shall deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Supervisor of Elections not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the Special Election.
Section 13. By a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote, the City Manager is authorized2 to
execute the Escrow and Fifth Modification and to deliver to the City Attorney, on behalf of the
City as Escrow Agent, within seven (7) days of the effective date of this Resolution, the
executed Fifth Modification subject to approval by the electorate.
Section 14. The City Attorney is authorized' to take any and all steps on behalf of the
City to comply with the Escrow.
Section 15. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.3
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
2 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all requirements that may be imposed by
the City Attorney, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
3 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
EXHIBIT 2
° R
Date: 05/02/2018
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
File ID: #4102
Commission Meeting Date: 06/08/2018
Requesting Department: Department of Real
Estate and Asset Management
Sponsored By:
District Impacted: District 2
Type: Resolution
Subject: Charter Amendment - Jungle Island
Purpose of Item:
A Resolution of the Miami City Commission, with attachment(s), approving, setting forth
and submitting to the electorate a proposed charter amendment, amending the Charter
of the City of Miami, Florida as amended ("Charter"), known as Charter Amendment
No.; amending Section 29-B of the Charter entitled "City -Owned Property Sale or
Lease — Generally" to authorize the City Commission by a four —fifths (4/5ths) affirmative
vote, waive competitive bidding and execute the proposed Escrow and Fifth
Modification to the Lease with ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC, which will modify the remaining
term of Forty Three (43) years and extend the Term from the year 2060 to the year
2099 and include a Fifteen (15) year option to extend the Lease to the year 2114;
provide an annual rent payment, once the hotel has stabilized, of the greater of One
Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5.0%) of
annual gross revenues from a new privately funded hotel development with a minimum
cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) with a maximum height of One Hundred
Thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City approval and successful zoning changes,
with said rent being in addition to the currently received greater of annual rent of Five
Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and
percentage rent from Jungle Island revenue; provide parking spaces sufficient to meet
zoning code requirements; further providing ancillary improvements consisting of retail,
and/or restaurant space of up to Ten Thousand (10,000) square feet and meeting room
space of up to Thirty Thousand (30,000) square feet; with the aggregate payment of
Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese
Gardens for construction of a walkway to Jungle Island, necessary repairs and
maintenance of the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens; payments totaling Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) over a Ten (10) year period to be used for the
renovation of historic single family homes in blighted areas of the City whose residents
are of low economic means; establish a reserve account for capital repairs of Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year; implement a transfer fee of Three
Percent (3%) of gross sales, less the outstanding principal balance of all debt owed by
ESJ to an unaffiliated third party and transaction costs, if the Property is transferred or
assigned; further implement a refinancing fee of One Percent (1 %) of the refinancing
loan proceeds, less all third party costs, expenses, amounts required to fully repay the
debt being refinanced and all refinancing proceeds not disbursed to ESJ investors,
should the Property be refinanced after the initial refinancing; a rent credit to ESJ in the
amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to be credited as
reimbursements for costs related to shoreline stabilization and improvements needed as
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
a result of erosion from hurricane damage in 2017., with additional terms and conditions
as set forth in the Agreement; with restrictions, reversions, and retention by the City of
all other rights; calling for a referendum special election and providing that Charter
Amendment No._ will be submitted to the electorate at the referendum special election
to be held on August 28, 2018; designating and appointing the City Clerk as the official
representative of the City Commission with respect to the use of voter registration books
and records; further directing the City Clerk to cause a certified copy of the herein
Resolution to be delivered to the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida,
not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of such special election; providing an
immediate effective date for this Resolution.
Background of Item:
The City of Miami ("City") is the owner of that certain tract of land on Watson Island
comprising approximately 19.35 acres and located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
("Property").
ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC ("ESJ") and the City are parties to that certain Lease and
Development Agreement, as modified from time to time (as so modified, collectively,
"Lease") for the Property.
Pursuant to the Lease, ESJ is leasing the Property from the City for the operation of a
botanical garden and theme park attraction known as Jungle Island ("Jungle Island").
The Lease was modified pursuant to, the Third Modification to the Lease and
Development Agreement ("Third Modification") which modified the Lease definition for
"Additional Improvements" to possibly include a themed hotel and related retail and
entertainment, thereby providing ESJ with the potential opportunity to develop and
operate a hotel on the Property, subject to approval of the electorate in a Citywide
referendum, and further subject to the approval of the State of Florida Board of Trustees
of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and any and all applicable laws, codes, and
regulations, including, but not limited to, the City's Zoning Ordinance.
ESJ desires to develop a hotel, parking structure, and related improvements
(collectively, "Hotel") on the Property and requires an extension on the term of the
Lease, which has approximately Forty Three (43) years remaining, to obtain the
financing necessary for the construction of the Hotel.
Chapter 29-C of the Charter of the City of Miami states that Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary contained in the Charter or Code of the City of Miami, no sale,
conveyance, lease or management agreement may be entered into for the
management, occupancy or use of the area known as Watson Island for periods greater
than one year unless (1) there shall have been, prior to the date of the city commission's
consideration of such sale, lease, management agreement, an advertisement soliciting
proposals for said sale, lease or management agreement, published in a daily
newspaper of general paid circulation in the city, allowing not less than ninety (90) days
for the city's receipt of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said
advertisement to be no less than one-fourth page and the headline in the advertisement
to be in a type no smaller than 18-point; and, (2) the proposed transaction be approved
by a majority of the votes cast by the electorate at a referendum. The procedures for
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
selection of proposals shall be those provided by Charter section 29-A(c) or (d) as
appropriate and/or by applicable City Code provisions. Nothing herein shall affect the
existing rights or privileges, if any, of any lessee, permittee, licensee or concessionaire
currently situated in said area; however, any enlargement, amendment, transfer, or
increase in those rights or privileges as may be in existence at the time this amendment
is adopted shall require compliance with the provisions of this amendment. This Charter
Amendment shall not affect the city's use or occupancy of the area, nor shall it apply to
contracts for the construction of any city facilities or improvements in the area; further,
nothing contained herein shall apply to projects of any governmental agency or
instrumentality.
The City and ESJ desire to enter into both an Escrow Agreement ("Escrow") and the
Fifth Modification ("Modification") to the Lease and Development Agreement ("Lease"),
both in substantially the attached form, which will modify the current remaining lease
term ("Term") of Forty Three (43) years and extend the Term from the year 2060 to the
year 2099 and include a Fifteen (15) year option to extend the Lease to 2114; providing
rent payment of the greater of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5.0%) of annual gross revenues from a new privately
funded hotel development with a minimum cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00)
with a maximum height of One Hundred Thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City
approval and successful zoning changes, with said rent being in addition to the currently
received greater of annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty
Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and percentage rent from Jungle Island revenue; providing
parking spaces sufficient to meet zoning code requirements; further providing ancillary
improvements consisting of retail, and/or restaurant space of up to Ten Thousand
(10,000) square feet and meeting room space of up to Thirty Thousand (30,000) square
feet; with the aggregate payment of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00)
towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens ("Japanese Gardens") for construction
of a walkway to Jungle Island, necessary repairs and maintenance of the Japanese
Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) over a Ten
(10) year period to be used for the renovation of historic single family homes in blighted
areas of the City whose residents are of low economic means ; establishing a reserve
account for capital repairs of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year;
implementing a transfer fee of Three Percent (3%) of gross sales, less the outstanding
principal balance of all debt owed by ESJ to an unaffiliated third party and transaction
costs, if the Property is transferred or assigned; further implementing a refinancing fee
of One Percent (1 %) of the refinancing loan proceeds, less all third party costs,
expenses, amounts required to fully repay the debt being refinanced and all refinancing
proceeds not disbursed to ESJ investors, should the Property be refinanced after the
initial refinancing; a rent credit to ESJ in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000.00) to be credited as reimbursements for costs related to shoreline
stabilization and improvements needed as a result of erosion from hurricane damage in
2017.
Pursuant to the Charter of the City ("Charter") Section 29-B, entitled "City Owned
Property Sale or Lease -Generally" and Section 3(f)(iii), entitled "Powers," the City will
need two (2) independent appraisals affirming the fair market value of the Agreement.
The Agreement with ESJ will be subject to such other restrictions, reversions, and
retention by the City of all other rights.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Pursuant to Resolution No. , adopted on , the City Attorney was
directed to draft the ballot language contained within the Resolution.
Budget Impact Analysis
Item is Related to Revenue
Item is NOT funded by Bonds
Total Fiscal Impact:
$250,000 per year after the hotel opens for business and continuing for the first 3 years then
increasing to the greater of $1,150,000 or 5% of gross revenues. Account
#04002.221100.448000 rents and royalties.
Real Estate and Asset Management
Office of Management and Budget
Office of Management and Budget
City Manager's Office
Legislative Division
City Manager's Office
Office of the City Attomey
Office of the City Attorney
City Commission
Reviewed By
Aldo Bustamante
Everton Garvis
Christopher M Rose
Femando Casamayor
Valentin J Alvarez
Nikolas Pascual
Barnaby L. Min
Victoria Mendez
Todd B. Hannon
Department Head Review
Budget Analyst Review
Budget Review
Assistant City Manager Review
Legislative Division Review
City Manager Review
Deputy City Attorney Review
Approved Form and Correctness
Meeting
Completed 05/02/2018 10:46 AM
Completed 05/02/2018 4:14 PM
Completed 05/04/2018 12:28 PM
Completed 05/14/2018 9:22 AM
Completed 05/14/2018 3:49 PM
Completed 05/29/2018 11:36 AM
Pending 05/17/2018 8:39 AM
Pending
Pending 06/08/2018 10:30 AM
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 4102
Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
(i) APPROVING, SETTING FORTH, AND SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE
A PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CHARTER"); AMENDING
SECTION 29-B OF THE CHARTER, ENTITLED "CITY -OWNED PROPERTY
SALE OR LEASE -GENERALLY", AUTHORIZING THE CITY COMMISSION BY
A FOUR -FIFTHS (4/5THS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE
BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE BOTH AN
ESCROW AGREEMENT ("ESCROW") AND THE FIFTH MODIFICATION
("FIFTH MODIFICATION") TO THE LEASE AND DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT ("LEASE"), BOTH IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM,
BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND ESJ JI LEASEHOLD, LLC
("ESJ") FOR 19.35 ACRES OF CITY OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY,
AMENDING CERTAIN TERMS OF THE EXISTING LEASE INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL TERMS: FOR ADDITIONAL
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE 19.35 ACRES OF CITY -OWNED WATERFRONT
PROPERTY; TO MODIFY THE CURRENT REMAINING LEASE TERM
("TERM") OF APPROXIMATELY FORTY THREE (43) YEARS AND EXTEND
THE TERM TO 2099, WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION OF FIFTEEN (15)
YEARS TO EXTEND THE LEASE TO 2114; PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL
ANNUAL RENT OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($250,000.00) INCREASING, ONCE THE HOTEL HAS STABILIZED, TO THE
GREATER OF ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($1,150,000.00) OR FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF ANNUAL GROSS REVENUES
FROM A FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR ($50,000,000.00) HOTEL, WITH A ONE
HUNDRED THIRTY (130) FOOT MAXIMUM HEIGHT, SUBJECT TO CITY
DESIGN APPROVAL AND SUCCESSFUL ZONING CHANGES; PROVIDING
PARKING, RETAIURESTAURANT AND MEETING ROOM SPACE;
PROVIDING IMPROVEMENTS, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO THE
ICHIMURA-MIAMI JAPANESE GARDENS IN THE AMOUNT OF SEVEN
HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($700,000.00); PROVIDING A
CONTRIBUTION OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00),
PAID OVER A TEN (10) YEAR PERIOD, FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING
RENOVATIONS IN BLIGHTED AREAS OF THE CITY; ESTABLISH A REPAIRS
RESERVE ACCOUNT; IMPLEMENTING A THREE PERCENT (3%) TRANSFER
FEE OF GROSS SALE PROCEEDS; AND FURTHER IMPLEMENTING A
REFINANCING FEE OF ONE PERCENT (1%) OF LOAN PROCEEDS; A RENT
CREDIT TO ESJ IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($500,000.00) TO BE CREDITED AS REIMBURSEMENTS FOR COSTS
RELATED TO SHORELINE STABILIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
AS A RESULT OF EROSION FROM HURRICANE DAMAGE IN 2017; WITH
RESTRICTIONS, REVERSIONS, AND RETENTION BY THE CITY OF ALL
OTHER RIGHTS; CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
AUGUST 28, 2018; DESIGNATING AND APPOINTING THE CITY CLERK AS
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY COMMISSION WITH
RESPECT TO THE USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION BOOKS AND RECORDS;
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CAUSE A CERTIFIED COPY OF
THE HEREIN RESOLUTION TO BE DELIVERED TO THE SUPERVISOR OF
ELECTIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, NOT LESS THAN 45 DAYS
PRIOR TO THE DATE OF SUCH SPECIAL ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ESCROW AND FIFTH MODIFICATION,
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE ELECTORATE, AND TO DELIVER TO THE
CITY ATTORNEY, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AS ESCROW AGENT, WITHIN
SEVEN (7) DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS RESOLUTION, THE
EXECUTED FIFTH AMENDMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
TAKE ALL STEPS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO COMPLY WITH THE
ESCROW; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS
RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") is the owner of that certain tract of land on Watson
Island comprising approximately 19.35 acres and located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
("Property"); and
WHEREAS, ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC ("ESJ") and the City are parties to that certain Lease
and Development Agreement, as modified from time to time (as so modified, collectively,
"Lease") for the Property; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Lease, ESJ is leasing the Property from the City for the
operation of a botanical garden and theme park attraction known as Jungle Island ("Jungle
Island"); and
WHEREAS, the Lease was modified pursuant to, the Third Modification to the Lease and
Development Agreement ("Third Modification") which modified the Lease definition for
"Additional Improvements" to possibly include a themed hotel and related retail and
entertainment, thereby providing ESJ with the potential opportunity to develop and operate a
hotel on the Property, subject to approval of the electorate in a Citywide referendum, and further
subject to the approval of the State of Honda Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement
Trust Fund and any and all applicable laws, codes, and regulations, including, but not limited to,
the City's Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, ESJ desires to develop a hotel, parking structure, and related improvements
(collectively, "Hotel") on the Property and requires an extension on the term of the Lease, which
has approximately forty-three (43) years remaining, to obtain the financing necessary for the
construction of the Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 29-C of the Charter of the City of Miami states as follows:
"Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Charter or Code of the City of
Miami, no sale, conveyance, lease or management agreement may be entered into for the
management, occupancy or use of the area known as Watson Island for periods greater than
one year unless (1) there shall have been, prior to the date of the City Commission's
consideration of such sale, lease, management agreement, an advertisement soliciting
proposals for said sale, lease or management agreement, published in a daily newspaper of
general paid circulation in the City, allowing not less than ninety (90) days for the City's receipt
of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said advertisement to be no less than
one-fourth page and the headline in the advertisement to be in a type no smaller than 18-point;
and, (2) the proposed transaction be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the electorate
at a referendum. The procedures for selection of proposals shall be those provided by Charter
section 29-A(c) or (d) as appropriate and/or by applicable City Code provisions. Nothing herein
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
shall affect the existing rights or privileges, if any, of any lessee, permittee, licensee or
concessionaire currently situated in said area; however, any enlargement, amendment, transfer,
or increase in those rights or privileges as may be in existence at the time this amendment is
adopted shall require compliance with the provisions of this amendment. This Charter
Amendment shall not affect the City's use or occupancy of the area, nor shall it apply to
contracts for the construction of any City facilities or improvements in the area; further, nothing
contained herein shall apply to projects of any governmental agency or instrumentality;" and
WHEREAS, the City and ESJ desire to enter into both an Escrow Agreement ("Escrow")
and the Fifth Modification to the Lease and Development Agreement ("Fifth Modification"), both
in substantially the attached form, which will modify the current remaining lease term ("Term") of
approximately forty three (43) years and extend the Term from the year 2060 to the year 2099
and include a fifteen (15) year option to extend the Lease to 2114; providing additional annual
rent payment of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) and, once the hotel has
stabilized, increasing to the greater of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5%) of annual gross revenues from a new privately funded
hotel development with a minimum cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), with a
maximum height of one hundred thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City approval and
successful zoning changes, with said rent being in addition to the currently received greater of
annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and
percentage rent from Jungle Island revenue; providing parking spaces sufficient to meet zoning
code requirements; further providing ancillary improvements consisting of retail, and/or
restaurant space of up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet and meeting room space of up to
thirty thousand (30,000) square feet; with the aggregate payment of Seven Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($700,000.00) towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens ("Japanese Gardens") for
construction of a walkway to Jungle Island, necessary repairs and maintenance of the Japanese
Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) over a ten (10) year
period to be used for the renovation of homes in blighted areas of the City whose residents are
of low economic means; establishing a reserve account for capital repairs of Two Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year; implementing a transfer fee of Three Percent (3%) of
gross sales proceeds, if the Property is transferred or assigned; further implementing a
refinancing fee of One Percent (1%) of the refinancing loan proceeds, should the Property be
refinanced after the initial refinancing; a rent credit to ESJ in the amount of Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to be credited as reimbursements for costs related to shoreline
stabilization and improvements needed as a result of erosion from hurricane damage in 2017;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Charter of the City ("Charter") Section 29-B, entitled "City
Owned Property Sale or Lease -Generally" and Section 3(f)(iii), entitled "Powers," the City will
need two (2) independent appraisals affirming the fair market value of the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement with ESJ will be subject to such other restrictions,
reversions, and retention by the City of all other rights; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. _, adopted on , the City Attorney
was directed to draft the ballot language contained herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Section 2. In accordance with the provisions of Section 29-B of the Charter, and §6.03 of
the Miami -Dade County Home Rule Charter, a Special Election is being called and directed in
the City of Miami, Florida, from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M., on Tuesday, August 28, 2018,
including for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or
disapproval of the proposed Modification to the Lease for the Property known as Jungle Island.
Section 3. Section 29-B of the Charter is proposed to be amended in the following
particulars:1
"CHARTER AND CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
SUBPART A. THE CHARTER
Sec. 29-B. City -owned property sale or lease -Generally.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Charter or the City
Code, and except as provided below, the city commission is prohibited from
favorably considering any sale or lease of property owned by the city unless
there is a return to the city of fair market value under such proposed sale or
lease. The city commission is also prohibited from favorably considering any sale
or lease of city -owned property unless (a) there shall have been, prior to the date
of the city commission's consideration of such sale or lease, an advertisement
soliciting proposals for said sale or lease published in a daily newspaper of
general paid circulation in the city, allowing not Tess than ninety (90) days for the
city's receipt of proposals from prospective purchasers or lessees, said
advertisement to be no Tess than one-fourth (') page and the headline in the
advertisement to be in a type no smaller than 18- point and, (b) except as
provided below, there shall have been at least three (3) written proposals
received from prospective purchasers or lessees; however, if there are less than
three (3) such proposals received and if the guaranteed return under the
proposal whose acceptance is being considered is equal to fair market value the
city commission determines that the contemplated sale or lease will be in the
city's best interest then, subject to the approval of a majority of the votes cast by
the electorate at a referendum, the sale or lease may be consummated. Any
lease for the development of improvements of city -owned property which has
been approved by voter referendum shall require additional voter referendum
approval for a development on City -owned property where the developer has not
obtained the necessary building permits within four (4) years of the effective date
of the lease. Such section shall not be applicable when the delay in the
performance of any obligation is as a result of force majeure, or litigation that
questions the validity of the vote, or the City Commission action to place the
question for referendum, then the performance of such obligation shall be
extended by the length of the delay. In the case of city -owned property which is
not waterfront, when the value of such property to be sold or leased (individual
leaseholds within a single city -owned property shall not be considered as a single
parcel of property for such valuation purposes) is five hundred thousand dollars
($500,000) or less, based on an appraisal performed by a state -certified
appraiser, the city commission, by a 4/5ths affirmative vote, may sell or lease
said city- owned property after compliance with the advertisement requirements
set forth above but without the necessity of a referendum.
1 Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted and
unchanged material.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
The above provisions and any other city requirements for competitive bidding
shall not apply when:
(a) conveying property to implement housing programs or projects which are
intended to benefit persons or households with low and/or moderate
income, the criteria of which to be provided for by federal and/or state law
or by the city commission;
(b) conveying property to implement projects authorized under the Florida
Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, as amended;
(c) conveying property to implement projects of any governmental agency or
instrumentality;
(d) disposing of property acquired as a result of foreclosure;
(e) disposing of property acquired in connection with delinquent taxes which
properties were conveyed to the city by the Miami -Dade board of county
commissioners under the provisions of Section 197.592 Florida Statutes,
as amended; and
(f) disposing of non -waterfront property to the owner of an adjacent property
when the subject property is 7,500 square feet or less or the subject non -
waterfront property is non -buildable.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the city commission, by a 4/5ths
affirmative vote, may:
(a) grant a lessee of city -owned property a one-time extension during the last
five years of its lease, without the necessity of a referendum, for the
purpose of funding additional capital improvements. The extended term
shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the original term or ten years,
whichever is less. The granting of such an extension is subject to the
lessee paying fair market rent as determined by the city at the time of
such extension and not being in default of its lease with the city nor in
arrearage of any monies due the city; and
(b) amend the Lease Agreement between the City of Miami and Biscayne
Bay Restaurant Corp., d/b/a Rusty Pelican, dated February 13, 1970, as
amended, to (i) extend the lease for an additional term of fifteen (15)
years, with the option to renew for two (2) additional five (5) year periods,
(ii) increase the amount of the minimum guarantee to the City to at least
$360,000 per lease year effective upon execution of the lease
amendment, and (iii) require Rusty Pelican to complete capital
improvements to the property, including a public baywaik, in the amount
of not less than $3 Million, within twenty-four (24) months of the effective
date of the lease amendment; and
(c) waive competitive bidding and execute a lease with Dade Heritage Trust,
Inc. for the City -owned building located at 190 Southeast 12th Terrace,
for a term of thirty (30) years, with two (2) thirty (30) year renewals, for
minimum annual rent of $600.00 with Consumer Price Index adjustments,
with restrictions, reversions, and retention by the City of all other rights;
and
(d) waive competitive bidding and execute a Fifth Amendment to the Lease
Agreement with Aligned Bayshore Marina, LLC, also known as Monty's,
to extend the current lease term by an additional term of approximately
thirty -two (32) years (to expire May 31, 2067), with two (2) ten (10) year
options to renew for a total term of fifty-two (52) years (to expire May 31,
2087); which will increase minimum rent payment by an additional two
hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) per lease year, for a minimum of
ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) over the base term of the amended
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Lease Agreement, or one and three quarters percent (1.75%) of gross
rent receipts from the Property, whichever is greater, as additional rent
due to the City and, commencing January 1, 2019, minimum annual total
rent (inclusive of the additional minimum rent) shall be one million five
hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00), plus an additional twenty five
thousand dollars ($25,000.00) to be paid on an annual basis for the full
amended term to a special fund to be established by the City for the
benefit of low income housing renovation; further providing capital
improvements to the Property of a minimum of seven million five hundred
thousand dollars ($7,500,000.00) to be spent within three (3) years of the
electorate's approval of the Fifth Amendment to the Lease Agreement;
further creating a capital account requiring a minimum additional
investment in the Property of four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) over the
amended Lease term, inclusive of the renewal options; requiring a
Transfer Fee payment to the City if the Property is transferred or
assigned; and further requiring a Refinancing Fee payment to the City
should the Property be refinanced after the initial refinancing.
(e) waive competitive bidding and approve the Fifth Modification to the Lease
with ESJ JI Leasehold, LLC, which modifies the remaining term of
approximately forty three (43) years and extends the Term from the year
2060 to the year 2099 and includes a Fifteen (15) year option to extend
the Lease to the year 2114; provides an additional annual rent payment of
Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) increasing, once the
hotel has stabilized, to the greater of One Million One Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($1 150 000.00) or Five Percent (5%) of annual gross
revenues from a new privately funded hotel development with a minimum
cost of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) with a maximum height of
One Hundred Thirty (130) feet and a design subject to City approval and
successful zoning changes, with said rent being in addition to the
currently received greater of annual rent of Five Hundred Two Thousand
One Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars ($502,168.00) and percentage rent from
Jungle Island revenue; with parking spaces sufficient to meet zoning code
requirements; ancillary improvements consisting of retail and/or
restaurant space of up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet and meeting
room space of up to thirty thousand (30,000) square feet; with an
aggregate payment of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00)
towards the Ichimura-Miami Japanese Gardens for construction of a
walkway to Jungle Island and necessary repairs and maintenance of the
lchimura-Miami Japanese Gardens; payments totaling Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500 000.00) over a ten (10) year period to be used
for the renovation of homes in blighted areas of the City whose residents
are of low economic means; establishing a reserve account for capital
repairs of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year;
implementing a transfer fee of Three Percent (3%) of gross sales
proceeds, if the Property is transferred or assigned; further implementing
a refinancing fee of One Percent (1%) of refinancing loan proceeds,
should the Property be refinanced after the initial refinancing.
Notwithstanding anything in this Charter to the contrary, the City may enter into
leases or management agreements, for any City -owned submerged lands, with
entities having a possessory or ownership interest in the abutting riparian
uplands for building marinas, docks or like facilities, using methods adopted by
ordinance on the condition that such leases or management agreements result in
a return to the City of at least fair market value."
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Section 4. The Special Election shall be held at the polling places in the precincts
designated, all as shown on the list attached hereto and made a part hereof and referred to as
Exhibit No. 1 or as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida, in conformity with the provisions of the general laws of the State of Florida ("State").
The Precinct Election Clerks and Inspectors to serve at said polling places on said Special
Election date shall be those designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida for such purpose in accordance with the general laws of the State. A description of the
registration books and records which pertain to Special Election precincts wholly or partly within
the City and which the City is adopting and desires to use for holding such Special Election is all
voter information cards, registration books, records, and certificates pertaining to electors of the
City and established and maintained as official by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade
County, Florida in conformity with the provisions of the general laws of the State are hereby
adopted and declared to be, and shall hereafter be recognized and accepted as, official voter
information cards, registration books, records, and certificates of the City.
Section 5. In compliance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes (2016), regarding any
Special Election not otherwise provided for, there shall be at least thirty (30) days' notice of the
Special Election by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The City Clerk
of the City of Miami, Florida ("Clerk") is authorized and directed to publish notice of the adoption
of this Resolution and of the provisions hereof at least twice, once in the fifth week and once in
the third week prior to the week in which the aforesaid Special Election is to be held, in
newspaper(s) of general circulation in the City which notice shall be substantially in the following
form:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TO AMEND THE MIAMI CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 IN THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO.
A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from
7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the City of Miami, Florida, at the polling places in the
several Special Election precincts designated by the Board of County
Commissioners of Miami -Dade County, Florida, as set forth herein, unless
otherwise provided by law, and submitting to the qualified electors of the City of
Miami, Florida, the following question:
Shall Miami's Charter be amended extending Jungle Island's Lease on Watson
Island for an additional 39-years, plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive
bidding, as follows;
Jungle Island shall:
1. build and privately fund hotel and attractions, with 130-foot maximum height;
pay additional annual rent for the hotel of $250,000.00, increasing to
• $1,150,000.00 or 5.0% of hotel gross sales, whichever greater;
• contribute $700,000.00 to the adjacent City park and $500,000.00 for low-
income housing.
This Charter Amendment will amend Section 29-B of the Miami Charter waiving
competitive bidding and approving the Fifth Modification to the Lease with ESJ JI
Leasehold, LLC, for an additional thirty nine (39) years, plus a fifteen (15) year
option, under the following terms, Jungle Island shall: build and privately fund a
new hotel and attractions, with a maximum one hundred thirty (130) foot height;
pay additional annual rent for the hotel of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2 .
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
($250,000.00), increasing to One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($1,150,000.00) or Five Percent (5%) of hotel gross sales, whichever is greater;
and, contribute Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) to the adjacent
City park and Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for low-income
housing; with a Three Percent (3%) transfer fee of gross sales proceeds; and an
approximate One Percent (1%) refinancing fee; with restrictions, reversions, and
retention by the City of all other rights, to be redeveloped pursuant to the
proposed Fifth Modification to the Lease.
By order of the Commission of the City of Miami, Florida.
Section 6. The official ballot to be used at said Special Election shall be in full
compliance with the laws of the State with respect to vote -by -mail ballots and to the use of the
mechanical voting machines or the Computer Election System and shall be in substantially the
following form:
"Official Ballot"
Special Election
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
for Approval or Disapproval of the following question:
Proposed Jungle Island hotel and lease
extension on City -owned Watson Island.
Shall Miami's Charter be amended extending Jungle
Island's Lease on Watson Island for an additional 39-
years, plus 15-year option, by waiving competitive bidding,
as follows; �t
Jungle Island shall:
• build and privately fund hotel and attractions, with 130-
foot maximum height;
• pay additional annual rent for the hotel of
$250,000.00, increasing to $1,150,000.00 or 5.0%
of hotel gross sales, whichever greater;
• contribute $700,000.00 to the adjacent City park and
$500,000.00 for low-income housing.
YES
NO
Section 7. The form of the ballot shall be in accordance with requirements of general
election laws. Electors desiring to vote in approval of the Question described above shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "YES" within the ballot containing the
statement relating to the Question. Electors desiring to vote to disapprove the Question shall be
instructed to vote their selection next to the word "NO" within the ballot containing the statement
relating to the Question. Once individuals are satisfied with their choice, they shall press the
"Vote" button and the ballot shall be cast.
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) SP.2
on 06/08/2018 , City Clerk
Section 8. The Clerk shall cause to be prepared vote -by -mail ballots containing the
Question set forth in Section 6 above for the use of vote -by -mail electors entitled to cast such
ballots in said Special Election.
Section 9. All qualified electors of said City shall be permitted to vote in said Special
Election and the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida is hereby requested,
authorized, and directed to furnish, at the cost and expense of the City, a list of all qualified
electors residing in the City as shown by the registration books and records of the Office of said
Supervisor of Elections and duly certify the same for delivery to and for use by the election
officials designated to serve at the respective polling places in said general election precincts.
Section 10. For the purpose of enabling persons to register who are qualified to vote in
said Special Election on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, and who have not registered under the
provisions of the general laws of the State and Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Miami,
Florida, or who have transferred their legal residence from one voting precinct to another in the
City, they may register Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Miami -Dade
County Elections Department located at 2700 Northwest 87th Avenue, Doral, Florida, within
such period of time as may be designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County,
Florida. In addition to the above place and times, qualified persons may register at such branch
offices and may also use any mobile registration van for the purpose of registration in order to
vote in the herein described Special Election during such times and on such dates as may be
designated by the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida.
Section 11. Todd B. Hannon, the Clerk, or his duly appointed successor, is hereby
designated and appointed as the official representative of the City Commission in all
transactions with the Supervisor of Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida related to matters
pertaining to the use of the registration books and the holding of said Special Election.
Section 12. The Clerk shall deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to the Supervisor of
Elections of Miami -Dade County, Florida not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the
Special Election.
Section 13. By a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote, the City Manager is authorized2 to
execute the Escrow and Fifth Modification and to deliver to the City Attorney, on behalf of the
City as Escrow Agent, within seven (7) days of the effective date of this resolution, the executed
Fifth Modification.
Section 14. The City Attorney is authorized' to take all steps on behalf of the City to
comply with the Escrow.
Section 15. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.3
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
2 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all requirements that may be imposed by
the City Attorney, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
3 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.