C7F - Approve Bass Museum Mou

Resolutions - C7 F

C7 F A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (THE “MOU”) BETWEEN FRIENDS OF THE BASS MUSEUM, INC. AND THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REGARDING DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE BASS MUSEUM EXPANSION PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE THE MOU; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE MOU. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

TITLE:

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, IN SUBSTANTIAL FORM, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (THE “MOU”) BETWEEN FRIENDS OF THE BASS MUSEUM, INC. AND THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, REGARDING DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE BASS MUSEUM EXPANSION PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE THE MOU; AND FURTHER, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE MOU.

RECOMMENDATION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (City Commission) adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The Bass Museum Expansion Project (Project) was approved as part of the 2022 General Obligation Bond for Arts & Culture (GOBAC) Program in the amount of $15.7M. The Project includes building/adding an indoor/outdoor structure that will serve as a multi-use cultural space maker, a space to convene community in the form of a gathering space, café, and non-traditional art exhibition space, adjacent to The Bass Museum’s (The BASS) southwestern flank.

In June 2024, the City engaged Zyscovich, Inc. to complete a Needs Assessment and Basis of Design Criteria for the Project that reflects the The BASS’ future vision, needs, and business model. The services were required to develop functional space programming, which will serve as a road map (basis of design) for the design Architect.

In September 2024, a process was initiated to issue a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to select a firm for architectural design services for the Project, to provide complete design, permitting, construction documents, bid assistance, and post design services.

In March 2025, during their Board of Trustees meeting, The BASS discussed the possibility of raising/releasing private funds to cover the architecture and engineering fees for the Project. This initiative would enable the reallocation of a portion of the GO Bond funds currently budgeted for soft costs toward hard costs, thereby increasing the projected construction budget. The City will oversee the execution of the design by The BASS and will retain responsibility for the construction phase. This is contingent upon final approval by the City Commission and the execution of the MOU between the Friends of The BASS Museum, Inc. and the City of Miami Beach.

ANALYSIS

The Board of Trustees of The BASS, during their scheduled meeting, agreed/accepted the creation of an independent process whereby the Board of Trustees reviews and selects the

architect for the Project. The BASS contacted the City and has proposed contracting and funding the design services directly, through their available funding. The details of the agreement are outlined in the MOU (Exhibit A), to be executed in substantial form, upon approval by the City Commission. The BASS has reviewed and approved the MOU in substantial form.

The BASS has proceeded with the selection of the Architect for the Project. On July 23, 2025, the City Commission approved the issuance of an RFQ for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Project. The CMAR is a project delivery method where the construction manager commits to delivering a project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The construction manager will provide pre-construction services including constructability reviews, scheduling, and periodic construction cost estimates throughout the design phase. Early collaboration between the design and construction teams is critical to ensure the design remains within budget. The RFQ for CMAR was issued in July 2025, responses to the solicitation were received, and the award of the contract is anticipated in December 2025.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The total budget allocated for the Bass Museum Expansion Project is $15.7 million, which includes approximately $11.1 million designated for construction.

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

N/A

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Capital Improvement Projects

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Execute MOU, Bass Museum Expansion Project. CIP