Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Jonathan Daniels
Department: Port Everglades Division: Operations
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE waiver of dockage fees in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the USS FORT LAUDERDALE while at Port Everglades for commissioning events scheduled from July 25, 2022, through August 1, 2022.
ACTION: (T-10:29 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE waiver of bus fares for military personnel from the USS FORT LAUDERDALE riding on Broward County Transit buses during the period from July 25, 2022, through August 1, 2022.
ACTION: (T-10:29 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
body
Why Action is Necessary
A. Pursuant to Port Everglades Tariff No. 12, Item 940, waiver of dockage charges in excess of $10,000 requires Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) approval.
B. Board approval is required to waive the fares set forth in Section 41.01 of the Broward County Administrative Code.
What Action Accomplishes
A. Waives ship dockage fees for the USS FORT LAUDERDALE during the period that the ship is berthed in Port Everglades for events related to the ship’s commissioning.
B. Authorizes the Transit Division to provide free bus service to military personnel from the USS FORT LAUDERDALE while in uniform or presenting a military ID during the ship commissioning period, from July 25, 2022, through August 1, 2022.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
This action supports the Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ (“Board”) Value of “Ensuring economic opportunities for Broward’s diverse population and businesses” and the Goal to “Increase the economic strength and impact of revenue-generating County enterprises balancing economic, environmental, and community needs.”
Based upon a request approved by the Secretary of the Navy, the commissioning ceremony for the USS FORT LAUDERDALE (LPD-28), is scheduled to take place at Port Everglades on July 30, 2022 (see Exhibit 1).
The commissioning of U.S. Navy ships at other than Navy home ports is not regularly done, and the fact that Broward County and Port Everglades has been chosen to host a U.S. Navy ship commissioning for the seventh time is an honor. The USS FORT LAUDERDALE follows the USS PAUL IGNATIUS (2019), USS JASON DUNHAM (2010), USS BAINBRIDGE (2005), USS HIGGINS (1999), USS COLE (1996), and the USS LEYTE GULF (1987) in being commissioned at Port Everglades.
The USS FORT LAUDERDALE Commissioning Committee has formally requested that dockage charges associated with the ship’s port call in July 2022 be waived (see Exhibit 2). Port Everglades Tariff No. 12, Item No. 940, provides the Port Everglades Chief Executive/Port Director with the authority to waive such charges up to $10,000. Waivers above that amount require Board approval. Given the County’s long-standing valued working relationship with the U.S. Navy and the honor associated with being chosen as the host port for the ship’s commissioning, the Port Everglades Department recommends waiving dockage charges in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the USS FORT LAUDERDALE during her port call from July 25, 2022, through August 1, 2022. The port will also provide approximately 34,000 square feet of floor space in Cruise Terminal 4 at no cost to the U.S. Navy and the Commissioning Committee to hold events associated with the commissioning. The U.S. Navy will be responsible for paying all other applicable marine charges per the Tariff.
The Commissioning Committee separately made a request through the Mayor’s office to waive bus fares for the crew of the USS FORT LAUDERDALE during the period that the ship is in Port Everglades for the commissioning (see Exhibit 3). This request is like the waiver that has been granted by the Board for many years for military personnel in uniform or presenting military IDs during the annual Fleet Week celebration, and the Transportation Department recommends approval of this request.
Source of Additional Information
Ricardo Charlton, Director of Operations, Port Everglades Department, (954-468-0221
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Waiver of the dockage charges will reduce revenue to Port Everglades by approximately $50,000. The Transportation Department estimates a loss of revenue of approximately $500 resulting from the waiver of bus fares.