Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Joseph Morris
Department: Port Everglades Division: Business Development
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on December 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider the assignment of a nonexclusive, unrestricted steamship agent franchise from Norton Lilly International, Inc., to Norton Lilly International U.S., Inc., for the remainder of the five-year term, which expires on February 26, 2027.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Section 32.22 of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) and the applicable provisions of Chapter 94-429, Laws of Florida, Broward County (the “County”) must hold a public hearing prior to granting, renewing, placing on probation, suspending, or revoking a franchise, and pursuant to Section 32.26 of the Administrative Code, a franchise shall not be assigned without the written consent of the County.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Broward County Board of County Commissioners may consider adopting the proposed Resolution consenting to the assignment of a nonexclusive, unrestricted Port Everglades steamship agent franchise to Norton Lilly International U.S., Inc., for the remainder of the five-year term.
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Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
This action supports the Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ (“Board”) Value of “Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the Goal of “Ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward’s lower and middle class.”
On February 8, 2022 (Item No. 22), the Board granted renewal of a nonexclusive franchise to Norton Lilly International, Inc. (“NLI”), to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for a five-year term, from February 27, 2022, through February 26, 2027.
Norton Lilly International U.S., Inc. (“NLI U.S.”), was formed in Alabama on November 7, 2024, and incorporated in Florida on December 20, 2024. This new legal entity was created to satisfy a corporate restructuring by which all the U.S. assets, operations, and employees of NLI will be transferred to NLI U.S. NLI owns 100% of NLI U.S.
NLI requested that its steamship agent franchise be assigned to NLI U.S. for the remainder of the current term, which expires on February 26, 2027. Subsequent to that request, NLI U.S. applied for a nonexclusive, unrestricted franchise to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for the remainder of the five-year term.
NLI and its predecessors have provided steamship agent services at Port Everglades since 2001.
Staff reviewed the steamship agent franchise application against the enumerated renewal criteria outlined in Chapter 32 of the Administrative Code. Staff's due diligence included, among other things: (a) corresponding with NLI U.S.’s representative to clarify franchise requirements; (b) reviewing NLI U.S.’s corporate status, resumes of executive staff, list of managerial personnel, business history/experience, litigation history, insurance certificate(s), financial documents and creditworthiness, discharge of previous financial obligations to the County, compliance with all franchise terms and conditions and established rules and regulations of the County, required licenses and certificates, company programs and policies, and list of equipment to be used at Port Everglades; and (c) the ability to promote and develop growth in the business activities, projects, or facilities of Port Everglades. Staff also reviewed NLI U.S.'s safety and environmental history and found no infractions.
By submitting the signed franchise application, NLI U.S. has agreed to comply with all franchise conditions outlined in Sections 32.23 and 32.24 of the Administrative Code.
Based on the review of information provided in the franchise assignment application, staff recommend consenting to the assignment of the steamship agent franchise. Per Section 32.19 of the Administrative Code, the County may grant steamship agent franchises for up to five years. Consistent with past practice, staff recommends assigning the franchise to NLI U.S. for the remainder of the five-year term.
Source of Additional Information
Jorge Hernández, Director, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-3501.
Maria Mallarino, Franchise and Business Permits Manager, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-0185.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
NLI U.S. has paid the required assignment fee of $4,200 and an annual fee of $2,360 for the remainder of the franchise term.