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Home My WebLink AboutCRA-R-25-0054 MemorandumSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting September 25, 2025 SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM To: Board Chair Christine King Date: September 25, 2025 and Members of the CRA Board File: 18210 From: James McQueen Executive Director Subject: Authorize Engagement of William Bloom, Esq., as Special Counsel Enclosures: 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 William "Bill" Bloom, Esq. ("Bloom"), 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 Bloom for the Purpose stated herein. JUSTIFICATION: Pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency ("SEOPW CRA") is responsible for carrying out community redevelopment activities and projects within its redevelopment area ("Redevelopment Area") in accordance with the 2018 Updated Southeast Overtown/Park West Redevelopment Plan (the "Plan"). 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: Entity name: William Bloom, Esq., of 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 25, 2025 CRA Section: Approved by: Approval: Executive Director 9/18/2025 Miguel A Valcntin, Tiance Off;cer 9/18/2025 Page 3 of 6 Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency File Type: CRA Resolution Enactment Number: CRA-R-25-0054 File Number: 18210 Final Action Date:9/25/2025 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 WILLIAM "BILL" BLOOM, ESQ. ("BLOOM"), 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 BLOOM; 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 WHEREAS, the SEOPW CRA is presently engaged with William `Bill" Bloom, Esq. ("Bloom"), of Holland & Knight, LLP, a Florida Limited Liability Partnership ("H&K"), as special counsel, primarily advising on general and specialized real estate matters; and Page 4 of 6 WHEREAS, Bloom is a highly specialized attorney that handles a variety of issues affecting community redevelopment agencies, and has extensive current and past experiences performing the services needed by the SEOPW CRA; and WHEREAS, the SEOPW CRA desires to continue engaging Bloom on said matters, and to expand the engagement to encompass alternative dispute resolutions and mediations arising out of said matters ("Purpose"); and WHEREAS, the Executive Director recommends that Bloom continue as special counsel to the SEOPW CRA for the Purpose stated herein; and WHEREAS, by the engagement with Bloom, the SEOPW CRA can continue in carrying out the functions of the Plan; 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 Bloom, of H&K, as special 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 Bloom, of 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 i ounsel 9/18/2025 Page 6 of 6