HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Summary FormAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
File ID: #17133
Date: 01/13/2025
Commission Meeting Date: 01/23/2025
Requesting Department: Department of Real
Estate and Asset Management
Sponsored By:
District Impacted: District 3
Type: Resolution
Subject: Approve - Settlement Agrmt - South River Warehouse
Purpose of Item:
A Resolution of the Miami city commission, with attachments, approving the settlement
agreement ("Settlement Agreement") with South River Warehouse, LLC, a Florida Limited
Liability Company ("Respondent") in Case Number 21-027229-CA-01, pending in the Circuit
Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County, Florida; further authorizing
the City Manager to execute the Settlement Agreement and associated purchase and sale
agreement ("Purchase Agreement") in substantially the form attached and incorporated as
Exhibit "A", substantially incorporating terms and conditions stipulated in the Letter of Intent
attached hereto as Exhibit "B" ("LOI"), between the City of Miami ("City") and Garafia, LLC, a
Florida Limited Liability Company ("Seller"), for the acquisition of real property identified by Folio
numbers 01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 and 01-
4102-006-6490 located in Miami, Florida (collectively "Property"), "), for an affordable housing
project, for a purchase price of nine million dollars ($9,000,000.00); further authorizing the City
Manager to accept Respondent's execution of a general release of its claims and demands, and
a dismissal of its claims against the City of Miami, with prejudice, upon the City of Miami's
completion of certain specific terms, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; further
authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute all necessary documents, including
amendments and modifications to said agreements, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney,
as may be necessary to effectuate said settlement and acquisition; ratifying, approving, and
confirming certain necessary actions by the City Manager and designated City departments in
order to update the capital plan, relevant financial controls and computer systems in connection
therewith, for project close-outs, and for grants and other funding sources in progress in
connection herewith; further approving, authorizing, and directing the City Manager to undertake
this amendment in order to add to and to revise capital projects in the City of Miami's fiscal year
2024-2025 multi -year capital plan adopted on September 7, 2024 pursuant to Resolution No. R-
24-0328 ("Adopted Capital Plan"), as subsequently amended, appropriating funds from the
District 3 Commissioner's share of the City of Miami's Miami For Everyone Program, Project No.
004-D3MFE, in an amount not to exceed ten million eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars
($10,893,000.00), to cover the cost of said settlement and acquisition, including but not limited
to the cost of attorney's fees, expert fees, surveys, environmental reports, title insurance,
demolition, securing the Property, project signage and all related closing costs associated with
said acquisition, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement and
Purchase Agreement.
Background of Item:
The City of Miami ("City") pursuant to Resolution No. R-21-0177, adopted on April 22, 2021,
authorized the City Manager to acquire certain real properties, including certain riverfront
properties located at 5 SW South River Drive and 27 SW South River Drive, Miami, Florida
(collectively, the "Riverfront Property") by negotiated acquisition or by virtue of an eminent
domain action for the express public purpose of establishing public parks within the City. The
City filed a Petition in eminent domain against South River Warehouse, LLC, a Florida Limited
Liability Company ("Respondent") in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for
Miami -Dade County, Florida, Case No. 21-027229-CA-01 for the condemnation of the Riverfront
Property. The Circuit Court has issued a final judgement in favor of the City determining that
the taking of the Riverfront Property is reasonably necessary to serve the public purpose for
which it is being acquired. The final judgement further requires the City to deposit ten million
seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars and no cents ($10,780,000.00) as full compensation
for the taking of the Riverfront Property. Pursuant to Section 73.091 and 73.092, Florida
Statutes, the City is further subject to the payment of attorneys' fees, experts' fees, and costs
claimed as taxable under the amount of the verdict rendered by the jury. The City has identified
an assemblage of properties located within City Commission District 3 and identified by Folio
numbers 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-006-6480 and 01-
4102-006-6480, in Miami, Florida (collectively, the "Alternative Property"), the acquisition of
which would be in the public's best interest. The City plans to construct an affordable housing
project on the Alternative Property given the City's emergency need of affordable housing that is
in the best interest of the City and the community (the "Project"). The Alternative Property is
owned by Garafia, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company ("Seller"), which is affiliated with
Respondent by common ownership. The City and Respondent have agreed to enter into a
settlement agreement ("Settlement Agreement") inclusive of a purchase and sale agreement
("Purchase Agreement") attached and incorporated as Exhibit "A" resolving all claims of the
parties in connection with Case No. 21-027229-CA-01, incorporating terms and conditions
stipulated in the Letter of Intent attached hereto as Exhibit "B" ("LOI"), providing for the payment
of attorney's fees and expert fees, and providing for the City's acquisition of the Alternative
Property for nine million dollars ($9,000,000.00), with such other terms and conditions stipulated
in such Purchase Agreement. The City's total cost for the Settlement Agreement and Purchase
Agreement, including attorney's fees, expert fees, purchase price, and closing costs shall not
exceed ten million eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars ($10,893,000.00). On April 13,
2023, pursuant to Resolution No. R-23-0178, the City of Miami ("City") created the Miami For
Everyone ("MFE") Program to assist communities facing the long-term complications resulting
from declared emergencies and to address the specific needs of the most vulnerable residents
and businesses, through a strategy of focusing the provision of support towards priority areas of
need that will further stabilize economic conditions within City Districts. The Office of the District
3 Commissioner submitted a grant application, to the City for MFE Program, attached and
incorporated herein as Exhibit "C," to fund the Project.
Budget Impact Analysis
Item is NOT Related to Revenue
Item has NOT an Expenditure
Item is NOT funded by Bonds
Total Fiscal Impact:
Total Fiscal Impact: $10,893,000.00
Department of Real Estate and Asset Management
Review Completed
Office of Management and
Office of Management and
Office of Management and
City Manager's Office
City Manager's Office
Budget
Budget
Budget
Reviewed B
01/13/2025 4:28 PM
Carolina Aguila
Lai -wan McGinnis
Leon P Michel
Larry M. Spring
Natasha Colebrook -Williams
Andrew Frey
Budget Analyst Review
Budget Analyst Review
Budget Review
Assistant City Manager
Deputy City Manager Review
Department Head
Skipped
Completed
Completed
Completed
Completed
01/13/2025 5:43 PM
01/13/2025 7:35 PM
01/13/2025 8:36 PM
01/13/2025 9:18 PM
01/13/2025 9:18 PM
City Manager's Office
Legislative Division
Office of the City Attorney
City Commission
Legislative Division
Office of the City Attorney
Office of the City Attorney
Office of the Mayor
Office of the City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Arthur Noriega V
Marta Gomez
Jacqueline Lorenzo
Maricarmen Lopez
Valentin J Alvarez
Jacqueline Lorenzo
George K. Wysong III
Mayor's Office
City Clerk's Office
City Clerk's Office
City Manager Review Completed
Legislative Division Review Completed
ACA Review Completed
Meeting Completed
Legislative Division Review Completed
ACA Review Completed
Approved Form and Correctness with Modification(s)
Signed by the Mayor Completed
Signed and Attested by the City Clerk Completed
Rendered Completed
01/13/2025 10:22 PM
01/13/2025 10:48 PM
01/13/2025 11:03 PM
01/23/2025 9:00 AM
01/24/2025 3:27 PM
01/24/2025 5:22 PM
Completed
01/27/2025 3:28 PM
01/27/2025 3:29 PM
01/27/2025 3:32 PM
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-25-0021
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 17133 Final Action Date:1/23/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
(4/STHS) AFFIRMATIVE VOTE, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), APPROVING AND
GRANTING THE CITY MANAGER THE AUTHORITY AND DISCRETION TO
PROCEED WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO OPTIONS, ON OR
BEFORE FEBRUARY 3, 2025, EITHER: (1) AUTHORIZING THE DEPOSIT AND
PAYMENT OF TEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($10,780,000.00) FOR THE CONDEMNATION OF REAL
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5 AND 27 SOUTHWEST SOUTH RIVER DRIVE,
IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBERS 01-0201-010-1070 AND 01-0201-010-1020
(COLLECTIVELY, "RIVERFRONT PROPERTY"), FROM SOUTH RIVER
WAREHOUSE, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
("RESPONDENT") IN CASE NUMBER 21-027229-CA-01, PENDING IN THE
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA ("CASE"); OR (2) AUTHORIZING AN
AGREEMENT WITH RESPONDENT IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY ("SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT") TO SETTLE THE CASE IN THE
MANNER SET FORTH IN SUCH SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT ("PURCHASE AGREEMENT") IN
SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT
"A," SUBSTANTIALLY INCORPORATING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
STIPULATED IN THE LETTER OF INTENT ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT
"B" ("LOI"), BETWEEN THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") AND GARAFIA, LLC, A
FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("SELLER"), FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED BY FOLIO NUMBERS 01-4102-006-6450,
01-4102-006-6460, 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6480 AND 01-4102-006-
6490 LOCATED IN MIAMI, FLORIDA (COLLECTIVELY, "ALTERNATIVE
PROPERTY"), FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT, FOR UP TO TEN
MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS
($10,893,000.00), WHICH IS INCLUSIVE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF NINE
MILLION DOLLARS ($9,000,000.00), BENEFITS -BASED ATTORNEY'S FEES,
EXPERTS FEES AND LITIGATION COSTS, AND ALL CLOSING COSTS;
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS AND
MODIFICATIONS TO SAID AGREEMENTS, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE EITHER
THE ACQUISITION OF THE RIVERFRONT PROPERTY OR THE
SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE AND ACQUISITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE
PROPERTY; RATIFYING, APPROVING, AND CONFIRMING CERTAIN
NECESSARY ACTIONS BY THE CITY MANAGER AND DESIGNATED CITY
DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE CAPITAL PLAN, RELEVANT
FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH, FOR PROJECT CLOSE-OUTS, AND FOR GRANTS AND
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES IN PROGRESS IN CONNECTION HEREWITH;
FURTHER APPROVING, AUTHORIZING, AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO UNDERTAKE THIS AMENDMENT IN ORDER TO ADD TO AND
TO REVISE CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
MULTI -YEAR CAPITAL PLAN ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2024
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. R-24-0328 ("ADOPTED CAPITAL PLAN"),
AS SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED, APPROPRIATING FUNDS AS SET FORTH
HEREIN, AS APPLICABLE; ALLOCATING, APPROPRIATING, AND
AWARDING FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER'S SHARE OF
THE CITY'S MIAMI FOR EVERYONE PROGRAM, PROJECT NO. 004-D3MFE,
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED NINE MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND
ELEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND TWO DOLLARS ($9,111,502.00)
("MFE PROGRAM FUNDS"), WITH OTHER DISTRICT 3 FUNDING SOURCES
AS SET FORTH HEREIN IN A TOTAL AMOUNT OF TEN MILLION SEVEN
HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,780,000.00) FOR THE
DEPOSIT AND ACQUISITION OF THE RIVERFRONT PROPERTY, OR IN THE
ALTERNATIVE ALLOCATING, APPROPRIATING AND AWARDING SUCH
FUNDS IN A TOTAL AMOUNT OF TEN MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-
THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,893,000.00) FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF
THE CASE AND ACQUISITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY, TO
COVER THE COST OF SAID SETTLEMENT AND ACQUISITION, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE COST OF ATTORNEY'S FEES, EXPERT FEES,
LITIGATION COSTS, SURVEYS, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS, TITLE
INSURANCE, DEMOLITION, SECURING THE PROPERTY, PROJECT
SIGNAGE AND ALL RELATED CLOSING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID
ACQUISITION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT, WITH ALL
SUCH FUNDING SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE,
AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS FOR SAID
PURPOSES; FURTHER WAIVING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY'S
MIAMI FOR EVERYONE PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") pursuant to Resolution No. R-21-0177, adopted on
April 22, 2021, authorized the City Manager to acquire certain real properties, including certain
riverfront properties located at 5 Southwest South River Drive and 27 Southwest South River
Drive, Miami, Florida (collectively, the "Riverfront Property") by negotiated acquisition or by
virtue of an eminent domain action for the express public purpose of establishing public parks
within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City filed a Petition in eminent domain against South River Warehouse,
LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company ("Respondent") in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County, Florida, Case No. 21-027229-CA-01 for the
condemnation of the Riverfront Property ("Case"); and
WHEREAS, the Circuit Court has issued a final judgment in favor of the City determining
that the taking of the Riverfront Property is reasonably necessary to serve the public purpose for
which it is being acquired ("Final Judgment"); and
WHEREAS, the Final Judgment further requires the City to deposit ten million seven
hundred and eighty thousand dollars and no cents ($10,780,000.00) as full compensation for
the taking of the Riverfront Property; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 73.091 and 73.092, Florida Statutes, the City is further
subject to the payment of attorneys' fees, experts' fees, and litigation costs claimed as taxable
under the amount of the verdict rendered by the jury; and
WHEREAS, should the City proceed with the deposit and acquisition of the Riverfront
Property, the attorneys' fees, experts' fees, and litigation costs specified above will be
separately adjudicated and in addition to the deposit amount; and
WHEREAS, the City has identified an assemblage of properties located within City
Commission District 3 and identified by Folio numbers 01-4102-006-6470, 01-4102-006-6460,
01-4102-006-6450, 01-4102-006-6480 and 01-4102-006-6490, in Miami, Florida (collectively,
the "Alternative Property"), the acquisition of which would be in the public's best interest; and
WHEREAS, if acquired, the City plans to construct an affordable housing project on the
Alternative Property given the City's emergency need of affordable housing that is in the best
interest of the City and the community; and
WHEREAS, the Alternative Property is owned by Garafia, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability
Company ("Seller"), which is affiliated with Respondent by common ownership; and
WHEREAS, the City and Respondent have commenced negotiations to enter into a
settlement agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney ("Settlement Agreement") which
shall incorporate the purchase and sale agreement ("Purchase Agreement") attached and
incorporated as Exhibit "A" resolving certain claims of the parties in connection with the Case,
incorporating terms and conditions stipulated in the Letter of Intent attached hereto as Exhibit
"B" ("LOI"), providing for the payment of benefits -based attorney's fees, expert fees, and
litigation costs, and providing for the City's acquisition of the Alternative Property for a purchase
price of nine million dollars ($9,000,000.00), with such other terms and conditions stipulated in
such Purchase Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 166.045(b), Florida Statutes, titled "Proposed Purchase
of Real Property by Municipality; Confidentiality of Records; Procedure," for each purchase in an
amount in excess of $500,000.00, the governing body shall obtain at least two (2) appraisals by
appraisers approved pursuant to Section 253.025, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the City obtained two (2) appraisal reports from licensed State of Florida
certified appraisers; and
WHEREAS, Section 166.045(b), Florida Statutes, further states that if the agreed
purchase price exceeds the average price of the two (2) appraisals, the governing body is
required to approve the purchase by an extraordinary vote (i.e. a four -fifths (4/5ths) vote of the
City Commission); and
WHEREAS, the City's total cost for the Settlement Agreement and Purchase Agreement,
including attorney's fees, expert fees, litigation costs, purchase price, and all closing costs shall
not exceed ten million eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars ($10,893,000.00); and
WHEREAS, on April 13, 2023, pursuant to Resolution No. R-23-0178, the City of Miami
("City") created the Miami For Everyone ("MFE") Program to assist communities facing the long-
term complications resulting from declared emergencies and to address the specific needs of
the most vulnerable residents and businesses, through a strategy of focusing the provision of
support towards priority areas of need that will further stabilize economic conditions within City
Districts; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the District 3 Commissioner will submit a grant application for
MFE program in an amount not to exceed nine million, one hundred eleven thousand, five
hundred two dollars ($9,111,502.00) ("MFE Program Funds") to fund, as applicable, either the
acquisition of the Riverfront Property, or the settlement and acquisition of the Alternative
Property;
WHEREAS, the MFE Program contains various program guidelines and requirements,
including that such funds cannot be used to pay expenditures such as defense and prosecution
of criminal and civil proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the underlying purpose of either acquisition is within the scope of the
Program and accomplishes the goals set forth therein notwithstanding the manner of acquisition
pursuant to condemnation proceedings; and
WHEREAS, as applicable, funding for the deposit and acquisition of the Riverfront
Property will be allocated, appropriated, and awarded from the MFE Program Funds, District 3
Real Estate Acquisition and Accessible Housing GF capital project number 40-6183416, District
3 Parks, Streets, Affordable Housing, and Lighting Improvements Reserve GF capital project
40-B40713A, and District 3 Park Impact Fees, in a combined total amount not to exceed ten
million seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars and no cents ($10,780,000); and
WHEREAS, as applicable, funding for the settlement and acquisition of the Alternative
Property will be allocated, appropriated, and awarded from the MFE Program Funds, District 3
Real Estate Acquisition and Accessible Housing GF capital project number 40-6183416, District
3 Parks, Streets, Affordable Housing, and Lighting Improvements Reserve GF capital project
40-B40713A, and District 3 Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation, in a combined total
amount not to exceed ten million, eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars ($10,893,000.00);
and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to provide the City Manager with the requisite
authority to take either of the following actions on or before February 3, 2025: (1) submit the
deposit for the acquisition of the Riverfront Property; or (2) negotiate and execute the
Settlement Agreement and Purchase Agreement for the settlement of the Case and acquisition
of the Alternative Property; 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 herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Manager is authorized' to either: (1) authorize the deposit and
payment of ten million seven hundred eighty thousand dollars ($10,780,000.00) for the
condemnation of the Riverfront Property as set forth in the Case; or (2) authorize the Settlement
Agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney to settle the Case and negotiate and
execute the incorporated Purchase Agreement in substantially the form attached and
incorporated as Exhibit "A," substantially incorporating terms and conditions stipulated in the
LOI between the City and Seller for the acquisition of the Alternative Property for affordable
housing for up to ten million eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars ($10,893,000.00),
which is inclusive of the purchase price, benefits -based attorney's fees, experts fees and
litigation costs, and all closing costs.
Section 3. The City Manager is further authorized' to negotiate and execute all
necessary documents, including amendments and modifications to said agreements, in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney, as may be necessary to effectuate either the acquisition of the
Riverfront Property or the proposed settlement and acquisition of the Alternative Property.
Section 4. The City Commission hereby ratifies, approves, and confirms certain
necessary actions by the City Manager and designated City departments in order to update the
capital plan, relevant financial controls and computer systems in connection therewith, for
project close-outs, and for grants and other funding sources in progress in connection herewith.
Section 5. The City Manager is further authorized' and directed to undertake a capital
plan amendment in order to add to and to revise capital projects in the City's Adopted Capital
Plan, as amended appropriating funds as set forth herein, as applicable.
Section 6. Funding is allocated, appropriated, and awarded from the District 3
Commissioner's share of the City's MFE Program Funds and other District 3 funding sources as
set forth herein in a total amount of ten million seven hundred eighty thousand dollars
($10,780,000.00) for the deposit and acquisition of the Riverfront Property, or, in the alternative,
in a total amount of ten million eight hundred ninety-three thousand dollars ($10,893,000.00) for
the settlement of the Case and acquisition of the Alternative Property to cover the cost of said
settlement and acquisition, including but not limited to the cost of attorney's fees, expert fees,
litigation costs, surveys, environmental reports, title insurance, demolition, securing the
property, project signage and all related closing costs associated with said acquisition, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement and Purchase
Agreement, with all such funding subject to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws
that regulate the use of such funds for said purposes.
Section 7. The requirements of the MFE Program restricting the use of such funds in
connection with civil proceedings are hereby waived.
Section 8. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.2
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: