Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Joseph Morris
Department: Port Everglades Division: Director’s Office
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Port Everglades Sister Seaport Program (“Program”), substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1, establishing a formal framework for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with domestic and international seaports; and authorize the Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director to approve nonmaterial modifications to the Program that do not materially alter its purpose, scope, or substantive requirements; implement and administer the Program; evaluate proposed Sister Seaport relationships; execute Sister Seaport Partnership Declarations substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 2 and approved as to legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office; and take all necessary administrative actions to effectuate the foregoing.
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Why Action is Necessary
On February 17, 2026 (Item No. 34), the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) directed the County Administrator, working with the Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director, to establish a formal Sister Seaport Program for Port Everglades and return the proposed Program to the Board for consideration.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the substantial form of a Sister Seaport Program for Port Everglades and authorizes the Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director to approve nonmaterial modifications to the Program that do not materially alter its purpose, scope, or substantive requirements; implement and administer the Program; evaluate proposed Sister Seaport relationships; execute Sister Seaport Declarations; and take all necessary administrative actions to effectuate the foregoing.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
February 17, 2026 (Item No. 34)
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.”
Port Everglades has long maintained informal partnerships with domestic and international seaports to promote trade, economic development, and the exchange of information and best practices.
On February 17, 2026 (Item No. 34), the Board directed the County Administrator, working with the Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director, to develop a formal Port Everglades Sister Seaport Program (“Program”) and return it to the Board for consideration before implementation.
In response, the Port Everglades Department, in coordination with County Administration, developed the proposed Program (see Exhibit 1) and Sister Seaport Partnership Declaration (see Exhibit 2), both of which are in substantially final form. The Program formalizes existing practices and provides a consistent process for evaluating new partnerships and managing existing relationships. The Program also encourages collaboration on operational improvements and technological innovation.
Board approval is requested for the Program and the standard form Sister Seaport Partnership Declaration. The requested action also authorizes the Port Everglades Chief Executive Officer and Port Director to approve nonmaterial modifications to the Program that do not materially alter its purpose, scope, or substantive requirements; implement and administer the Program; evaluate proposed Sister Seaport relationships; execute Sister Seaport Partnership Declarations substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 2 and approved as to legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office. Signing of Sister Seaport Partnership Declarations may take place virtually or in-person. However, the Board, County Administration, and other applicable stakeholders will be notified in advance of all new Partnership Declarations.
Source of Additional Information
Joseph Morris, Director, Chief Executive Officer and Port Director, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-3516.
Jorge Hernández, Director, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-3501.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None for Program adoption. However, there may be future travel and other costs incurred associated with engagements with sister seaports.