CRA-2. - Approve $100k for Normandy Fountain Shade Sails

North Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (NBCRA) 2

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the City Manager enact his authority to waive the bid, providing that the vendor consents to execute the contract at a price not exceeding their 2021 estimate of $64,000 with an additional 10 percent contingency.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Each year, the City sponsors events and activities to activate its outdoor public spaces and promote community engagement. As envisioned in the North Beach Master Plan and the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan, Normandy Fountain Plaza has been prioritized for activation as a community gathering space and commercial hub.

To that end, the City has made strategic capital investments to enhance the public realm and support placemaking initiatives. Completed in 2022, the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Department led the transformation of the plaza by installing oolite seating, upgraded lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian-oriented streetscape elements. The project also included the construction of foundations and posts for future suspended shade or lighting elements.

Under a recurring sponsorship agreement with the City, the Normandy Fountain Business Association (NFBA) organizes seasonal, family-friendly plaza events that align with the CRA’s goals of increased foot traffic, commercial vitality, and neighborhood cohesion.

Since 2024, the North Beach CRA Advisory Committee has discussed the need for a permanent shade structure to enhance usability and comfort at the plaza. In 2025, the Committee received a proposal from ShadeFla, Inc., a local vendor and longtime North Beach stakeholder, offering reduced pricing for the design and installation of a custom shade system, utilizing the previously constructed infrastructure.

On May 13, 2025, the Advisory Committee unanimously approved a motion recommending the use of CRA funds (transmitted via LTC 214-2025, see Attachment A), in an amount not to exceed $100,000, to fund the project and expedite its installation by Summer 2025.

ANALYSIS

Public Benefits

The City and North Beach CRA continuously explore ways to allocate resources, program, and develop initiatives to incentivize public engagement and promote economic development. Installing permanent shade sails at Normandy Fountain Plaza is expected to:

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Enhance visitor comfort and safety during hot weather and peak sun hours. Promote consistent, year-round activation of the space. Support small businesses by increasing foot traffic and dwell time in the commercial core. Complement recent capital investments and elevate the visual and functional appeal of the plaza.

Conformance with North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan

The proposed shade structure aligns with the goals and objectives of the North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan, adopted by City Commission Resolution No. 2021-31709 and North Beach CRA Resolution No. 003-2021. The Redevelopment Plan specifically identifies Normandy Fountain as a priority area for capital improvements that enhance walkability, public space usage, and economic vitality (Redevelopment Plan 6.2 and 9.4.1).

Key redevelopment strategies supported by this project include:

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Improving pedestrian infrastructure and comfort to support mixed-use activity and commerce. (Redevelopment Plan 7.2) Activating underutilized public space to encourage community gathering and increase consumer activity. (Redevelopment Plan 7.1) Promoting the long-term transformation of Normandy Fountain from an automobile- dominated area into a neighborhood-serving destination. (Redevelopment Plan 9.4.1)

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Accordingly, using CRA funds for this capital improvement advances the core redevelopment objectives and strategies of the adopted North Beach CRA Redevelopment Plan. This expenditure also aligns with the Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County and the Community Redevelopment Act (Chapter 163, Florida Statutes).

Waiver of Competitive Bidding by City Commission

ShadeFla, Inc. is owned and operated by a longtime North Beach resident and former Chair of the Mayor’s North Beach Master Plan Steering Committee. In 2021, the vendor prepared a cost estimate of approximately $64,000 for design and installation of a custom sail-shade at the Normandy Fountain. ShadeFla has offered to complete the project expeditiously, in recognition of its enduring commitment to the neighborhood’s revitalization.

Pursuant to a companion agenda item, the City Commission will consider a waiver of formal competitive bidding, as permitted by 5/7ths vote under Section 82-39(a) of the City Code. Although this waiver is not before the North Beach CRA Board, the Administration finds it serves the public interest, provided the contract does not exceed the 2021 estimate of $64,000, given the unique local expertise and cost savings that this sole-source arrangement provides.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

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Total CRA funding commitment: not to exceed $100,000. Final CRA expenditure will be reduced by the value of ShadeFla, Inc.’s in-kind contribution.

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Funding contingent upon allocation of funds currently available within North Beach CRA FY 2025-2026 budget.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

The proposed shade structure will enhance usability at Normandy Fountain Plaza, support small businesses, and advance the City’s long-term placemaking and public space activation goals in North Beach.

Subject to CRA budget appropriation and a vendor cost proposal consistent with ShadeFla's 2021 cost estimate, The Administration recommends that the City Manager enact his authority to waive the bid, providing that the vendor consents to execute the contract at a price not exceeding their 2021 estimate of $64,000 with an additional 10 percent contingency. The City will coordinate permitting and scheduling and provide a project update to the Mayor and City Commission via LTC upon completion.

A public unveiling of the new shade sails may be coordinated with the Normandy Fountain Business Association’s fall programming to celebrate this community improvement

Applicable Area

North Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? Yes

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): NORMANDY FOUNTAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Department

Economic Development

Sponsor(s)

Board Member Tanya K. Bhatt

DAVID SEXTON, PRESIDENT,

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Joint, Allocate NBCRA Funds, Normandy Fountain Shade Structure-Waive Bid/Execute Agmt. (Bhatt) ED

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)