HomeMy WebLinkAbout18127 MemorandumSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting
September 11, 2025
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Board Chair Christine King Date: September 8, 2025
and Members of the CRA
Board File: 18127
From: James McQueen
Executive Director
Subject: Authorize Engagement of Holland &
Knight, LLP ("H&K") as Special
Counsel
Enclosures: File # 18127 - Backup
BACKGROUND:
A Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW CRA"), pursuant to Section 18-72(b)(16) of the Code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), as adopted by the SEOPW CRA, authorizing the Executive
Director to engage the law firm Holland & Knight, LLP, a Florida Limited Liability Partnership
("H&K"), for the representation of the SEOPW CRA in complex real estate matters ("Purpose"), further
authorizing the expenditure of attorneys' fees and costs associated with said engagement.
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners of the SEOPW CRA approve and adopt the attached
Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to engage H&K for the Purpose stated herein.
JUSTIFICATION:
Pursuant to Section 163.340(9), Florida Statutes (the "Act") community redevelopment means
"undertakings, activities, or projects of a ... community redevelopment agency in a community
redevelopment area for the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slums and
blight...."
Section 163.356(3)(c), Florida Statutes, permits the SEOPW CRA to retain [outside] counsel, as it
requires, in furtherance of the Plan.
Lastly, Section 18-72(b)(16) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), as
adopted by the SEOPW CRA, provides for the exclusion of legal services, including, but not limited to,
attorney services, paralegals, expert witnesses, jury consultants, legal support services, legal research,
court reporters and stenographers.
FUNDING SOURCE:
Account No. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000.
FACT SHEET:
Company name: Holland & Knight, LLP.
Address: 701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3300, Miami, Florida 33131
Scope of work or services (Summary): Serving as special counsel for representation in connection with
the SEOPW CRA's complex real estate matters in accordance with the Plan.
Page 2 of 6
AGENDA ITEM
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FORM
SEOPW CRA
CRA Board Meeting Date: September 11, 2025
CRA Section:
Approved by:
Approval:
1
Executive Director 9/4/2025
Miguel A Valentin, :,lance Off;cer 9/4/2025
Page 3 of 6
Southeast Overtown/Park West
Community Redevelopment Agency
File Type: CRA Resolution
Enactment Number:
File Number: 18127 Final Action Date:9/11/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ("SEOPW CRA"), PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-
72(6)(16) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY
CODE"), AS ADOPTED BY THE SEOPW CRA, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO ENGAGE THE LAW FIRM HOLLAND & KNIGHT, LLP, A FLORIDA
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP ("H&K"), FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF THE
SEOPW CRA IN COMPLEX REAL ESTATE MATTERS ("PURPOSE"), AUTHORIZING
THE EXPENDITURE OF ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID
ENGAGEMENT, WITH FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM ACCOUNT NO.
10050.920101.531010.0000.00000; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE SEOPW CRA AND H&K; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL OTHER
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, AND EXTENSIONS,
SUBJECT TO ALL ALLOCATIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, PRIOR BUDGETARY
APPROVALS, COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY
CODE, INCLUDING THE CITY'S PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE, ANTI -DEFICIENCY
ACT, AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLES, AS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18
OF THE CITY CODE, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO COUNSEL, AND IN
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE
PURPOSE STATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR THE INCORPORATION OF
RECITALS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW
CRA") is a community redevelopment agency created pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and is
responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its Redevelopment
Area in accordance with the 2018 Updated Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment
Plan ("Plan"); and
WHEREAS, Section 163.356(3)(c), Florida Statutes, permits the SEOPW CRA to retain [outside]
counsel, as it requires, in furtherance of the Plan; and
WHEREAS, Section 18-72(b)(16) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City
Code"), as adopted by the SEOPW CRA, provides for the exclusion of legal services, including, but not
limited to, attorney services, paralegals, expert witnesses, jury consultants, legal support services, legal
research, court reporters and stenographers; and
Page 4 of 6
WHEREAS, the SEOPW CRA is presently engaged with Holland & Knight, LLP, a Florida
Limited Liability Partnership ("H&K"), as special counsel, primarily handling general and specialized
real estate matters; and
WHEREAS, the SEOPW CRA desires to continue engaging H&K for said legal services, but
wishes to expand said services to alternative dispute resolutions and mediations arising out of complex
real estate development matters; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Director recommends William Bloom, Esq. ("Mr. Bloom"), of H&K,
to continue as special counsel for representation primarily in handling the SEOPW CRA's comprehensive
real estate transactions and Miguel de Grandy, Esq. ("Mr. de Grandy), of H&K, as special counsel for
representation in alternative dispute resolutions and mediations arising out of such transactions; and
WHEREAS, by engaging Mr. Bloom and Mr. de Grandy of H&K, the SEOPW CRA can obtain
the additional services necessary for continuing to carry out the functions of the Plan; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bloom and Mr. de Grandy of H&K are both highly specialized attorneys that
handle a variety of issues of different community redevelopment agencies and have extensive current and
past experiences performing the services needed by the SEOPW CRA; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners finds that authorizing this Resolution would further the
SEOPW CRA redevelopment goals and objectives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY:
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. Pursuant to Section 18-72(b)(16) of the City Code, as adopted by the SEOPW
CRA, the Executive Director is authorized to engage H&K as outside counsel on complex real estate
matters and disputes arising out of such.
Section 3. The Executive Director is hereby authorized to expend attorneys' fees and costs
associated with said Purpose, with funds allocated from Account No. 10050.920101.531010.0000.00000.
Section 4. The Executive Director is hereby further authorized to negotiate and execute an
Engagement Agreement between the SEOPW CRA and H&K, and any and all other documents,
including any amendments, renewals, and extensions, subject to all allocations, appropriations, prior
budgetary approvals, compliance with all applicable provisions of the City Code, including the City's
Procurement Ordinance, Anti -Deficiency Act, and Financial Integrity Principles, as set forth in Chapter
18 of the City Code, all in forms acceptable to Counsel, and in compliance with all applicable laws, as
necessary for said Purpose.
Section 5. Sections of this Resolution may be renumbered or re -lettered, and corrections of
typographical errors which do not affect the intent may be authorized by the Executive Director, or his
designee, without need of public hearing, by filing a corrected copy of the same with the City Clerk.
Section 6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
Page 5 of 6
4
ounsel 9/4/2025
Page 6 of 6