Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO PORT EVERGLADES BUSINESS PERMITS; AMENDING SECTION 22½-6D OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Barbara Sharief)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of June 1, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Permits the Board to consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Motor carriers are required to obtain a Port Everglades Motor Carrier Business Permit ("Business Permit") to operate at Port Everglades. The bulk of business for these motor carriers results from cruise traffic, which has been suspended since March 14, 2020, due to a No Sail Order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business Permits normally expire on June 30 of each year, but last year were extended through August 2020 by prior Board action.
While many motor carriers did not renew their Business Permits for the 2020-2021 year, several did. However, with cruise traffic suspended, motor carriers found essentially no customers at the Port.
The Code of Ordinances does not expressly authorize the Board to waive fees or extend expiration dates for Business Permits. The proposed Ordinance would authorize the Board to waive fees or extend expiration dates by resolution in the event of a declared emergency.
If the proposed Ordinance is approved, the Board could then, by resolution, extend the duration of all Business Permits at no additional cost to the motor carrier, and could waive fees and penalties related to Business Permits.
Source of Additional Information
Annika E. Ashton, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget is attached as Exhibit 2.