R7A - Approve $100k for Normandy Fountain Shade Sails
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NORTH BEACH CRA) ADVISORY COMMITTEE AT ITS MAY 13, 2025 MEETING: APPROVING THE USE OF NORTH BEACH CRA FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 FOR THE NORMANDY FOUNTAIN SHADE SAILS, SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROPRIATION BY THE NORTH BEACH CRA BOARD: WAIVING. BY 5/7TH VOTE, THE FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT IN SECTION 2-367(E) OF THE CITY CODE, FINDING SUCH WAIVER TO BE IN THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST; AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A VENDOR AGREEMENT WITH SHADEFLA, INC. FOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THE SHADE SAILS. JOINT CITY COMMISSION AND NBCRA
Sponsors
Detailed Information
Cached: 3 weeks agoResolutions - R7 A
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 owned by a 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 CRA 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 in Summer 2025.
ANALYSIS
Public Benefits
The City continuously explores 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:
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. 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:
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)
Accordingly, using CRA funds for this capital improvement advances the core redevelopment objectives and strategies of the adopted 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
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, ShadeFla prepared a cost estimate of approximately $64,000 for design and installation of a custom sail-shade at the Normandy Fountain. The vendor has offered to complete the project expeditiously, in recognition of their enduring commitment to the neighborhood’s revitalization.
Pursuant to Section 82-39(a) of the City Code, a 5/7ths vote of the City Commission is required to waive formal competitive bidding. As long as the vendor agrees to fulfill the contract at a price not to exceed its 2021 estimate of $64,000, the Administration recommends that granting the waiver is in the City’s best financial and operational interest, and is justified by the unique local expertise and cost savings that this sole-source arrangement provides.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
• • •
Total CRA funding commitment: not to exceed $100,000. Final CRA expenditure will be reduced by the value of ShadeFla’s in-kind contribution. Funding contingent upon North Beach CRA Board allocation of funds currently available within its 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
Is this a “Residents Right to Know” item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-17?
Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Project?
No
No
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, David Sexton
Department
Economic Development
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Joint, Use NBCRA Funds, Normandy Fountain Shade Structure-Waive Bid/Execute Agmt. (TB) ED 5/7
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)