HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutionCity of Miami
Resolution
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 5656 Final Action Date: 3/28/2019
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION AUTHORIZING THE
EXPENDITURE OF ATTORNEY'S FEES AND THE RETENTION OF HUNTON
ANDREWS KURTH LLP AS LEGAL CONSULTANTS TO WORK IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND TO PROVIDE SUBJECT
MATTER EXPERTISE ON NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI
AND FREEDOM PARK LLC; ALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE NON -
DEPARTMENTAL LEGAL SERVICES ACCOUNT NO.
00001.980000.531010.0000.00000.
WHEREAS, at the November 6, 2018 Special Election, City of Miami ("City") voters
approved a referendum, by over sixty percent (60%), approving an amendment to Section 29-B
of the Charter of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended, authorizing the City Commission to
negotiate and execute a ninety nine (99) year lease with Miami Freedom Park LLC for
approximately seventy three (73) acres of City land, waiving competitive bidding, converting
Melreese Country Club (1400 Northwest 37 Avenue), at no cost to City, to a soccer stadium; a
minimum of 1,000,000 square feet of office, retail, and commercial uses; a minimum of 750
hotel rooms; providing for a living wage for on -site employees; for a minimum rent of
$3,577,365.00 and a twenty million dollar ($20,000,000) contribution to the City for a fifty-eight
(58) acre public park or other green space ("Project"); and
WHEREAS, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP ("Hunton") has substantial relevant experience
negotiating similar agreements; and
WHEREAS, Hunton represented New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a
Empire State Development in the development of a sports and entertainment destination in
Belmont Park, which will include an eighteen thousand (18,000) seat arena for the New York
Islanders National Hockey League franchise, as well as an adjacent "retail village," a hotel,
commercial office space, community space, and parking; and
WHEREAS, Hunton represented Clark County Stadium Authority d/b/a the Las Vegas
Stadium Authority in the financing, development, construction, and leasing of a $1.9 billion
dollar, sixty five thousand (65,000) seat domed stadium to serve as the future home of the Las
Vegas Raiders National Football League franchise; and
WHEREAS, Hunton represented Landry's Restaurants, Inc. in connection with the
acquisition of the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada; the
acquisition of the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey; the acquisition of
the Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi; and the acquisition of the Golden
Nugget Lake Charles Casino and Resort; and
WHEREAS, Hunton represented the Harris County -Houston Sports Authority in
connection with the development and leasing of Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium, the Toyota
Center, and the BBVA Compass Stadium, all in Houston, Texas; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 5656 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/4/2025
File ID: 5656 Enactment Number:
WHEREAS, Hunton represented the City of Sugar Land, Texas in connection with the
development of a minor league baseball stadium and a six thousand five hundred (6,500) seat
performing arts center; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission, at its meeting on March 14, 2019, pursuant to
Resolution No. 19-0117, expressed an interest in being advised of and selecting all outside
consultants, law firms, real estate appraisers or brokerage firms, surveyors, mappers, or any
other vendor, contractor, or provider for this Project; and
WHEREAS, for the reasons stated herein, the Office of the City Attorney requests
authorization to retain Hunton as legal consultants to provide subject matter expertise on
negotiations regarding the development and construction of the Project;
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. The retention of the Hunton as legal consultants to work in consultation with
the City Attorney and to provide subject matter expertise on negotiations regarding the Project is
authorized.'
Section 3. The expenditure of attorney's fees for the retention of Hunton with funds
allocated from Non -Departmental Legal Services Account No.
00001.980000.531010.0000.00000 is authorized.'
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.'
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
Barnaby I_. Min, Deputy City Attorney 3/19/2019
1 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.
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.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 5656 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/4/2025