HomeMy WebLinkAbout5130 Bid Waiver MemoKen Russell
Board Chair
Aire
`rs
Omni
C R A
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Jason Walker
Executive Director
TO: Board Chair Ken Russell and DATE: February 12, 2019
Members of the CRA Board
FROM: Jason Walker
Executive Director
SUBJECT: Recommendations and findings
to waive competitive negotiation procedures
per City Code, authorizing the allocation of
Grant funds to Inhabit Earth Inc. for the
Temporary Pop -Up Farm, Open Space
Initiative in the CRA
BACKGROUND:
The Board of Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment
Agency ("CRA") is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects
within its redevelopment area in accordance with the 2009 CRA Redevelopment Plan ("Plan").
Section 4.4.D, C-2 and A-2 of the Plan lists the CRA's objective to "improve the public realm"
through means such as `[Eliminating] conditions which contribute to blight, " as well "[Providing]
a system of public open spaces" and also to "[Enhancing] the areas visual attractiveness to
businesses and residents."
There exists vacant and currently underutilized properties within the CRA. The Open Space
Initiative is to find creative ways to activate the underutilized properties in the area through
partnerships and strategies such as but not limited to a Temporary Urban Farm, Neighborhood
Greenspace and or Event Space to improve the public realm and the quality of life of residents
in the area.
Inhabit Earth, INC. ("Inhabit Earth"), possess vast and highly specialized expertise in providing
Temporary Urban farm throughout the region. Inhabit's mission, through its program, is to
activate underutilize urban lots and engage local residents. Moreover, Inhabit has an
established presence urban areas, with a history of providing help and working with community
partners to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce blight.
Inhabit requested aid from the CRA in the amount of $400,000 in grant funding in an amount of
$400,000 towards underwriting a portion of the costs associated with the Program, and
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
1401 N. Miami Ave' 2"d Floor' Miami, FL 33136
Tel (305) 679 68681 http://www.miami-cra.org/
furthering its organizational mission. The Executive Director reviewed and vetted Inhabit's
request, in accordance with the objectives of the Plan.
RECOMMENDATION
In light of the above mentioned, in addition to Inhabit's commitment to the principles identified in
the CRA's Plan for well over twenty-three (23) years, approval of a waiver of the formal
requirements of competitive sealed bidding methods as not being practicable nor advantageous
to the CRA as set forth in the City Code of Ordinances, as amended, specifically Sections 18-85
(a), and the affirmation of these written findings and the forwarding of the same to the Board of
Commissioners of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency for
ratification by a four fifths (4/5th) vote is respectfully requested.
OMNI COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
1401 N. Miami Ave' 2"d Floor' Miami, FL 33136
Tel (305) 679 68681 http://www.miami-cra.org/