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 of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, consenting to the assignment of a nonexclusive, unrestricted steamship agent services franchise from Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc., to A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for the remainder of the current five-year franchise term; providing for franchise terms and conditions.
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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
Allows for the Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ consideration of the Resolution consenting to the assignment of a nonexclusive, unrestricted Port Everglades steamship agent services franchise to A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for the remainder of the current five-year franchise term.
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Previous Action Taken
Request to Set Public Hearing was approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners on November 12, 2024 (Item No. 15).
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 December 1, 2020 (Item No. 62), the Board granted the renewal of a nonexclusive, unrestricted steamship agent services franchise to Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc. ("Moran"), for a five-year term from January 3, 2021, through January 2, 2026. On September 24, 2024, staff received a letter from Moran requesting that its steamship agent franchise be assigned to A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, for the remainder of the current term, which expires on January 2, 2026. Subsequent to that request, A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, applied for a nonexclusive, unrestricted franchise to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for the remainder of the current five-year franchise term. A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, was established in Tampa, Florida, in 1945, and is a limited liability company registered to conduct business in the State of Florida since November 19, 2010.
Staff reviewed the steamship agent services franchise application against the enumerated criteria outlined in Chapter 32 of the Administrative Code. Staff's due diligence included, among other things: (a) corresponding with A. R. Savage and Son, LLC’s representative to clarify franchise requirements; (b) reviewing A. R. Savage and Son, LLC’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 A. R. Savage and Son, LLC's safety and environmental history and found no infractions.
By submitting the signed franchise application, A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, has agreed to comply with all franchise conditions outlined in Section 32.24 of the Administrative Code.
Based on the review of information provided in the franchise application, staff recommends consenting to the assignment of the steamship agent services franchise. Per Section 32.26 of the Administrative Code, the County may consent to assign the steamship agent services franchise. Consistent with past practice, staff recommends assigning the franchise to A. R. Savage and Son, LLC for the remainder of the current five-year term.
The Resolution to Publish Notice of Public Hearing and the signed franchise application documents are attached to the Request to Set Public Hearing Agenda Item (Item No. 15) approved by the Board on November 12, 2024.
Source of Additional Information
Jorge Hernández, Director, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-3501
Paula Serpa, Franchise and Business Permit Manager, Business Development Division, Port Everglades Department, (954) 468-0185
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
A. R. Savage and Son, LLC, has paid the required assignment fee of $4,200 and the annual fee of $2,360 for the remainder of the franchise term, for a total of $6,560.