Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2018-203 directing the County Administrator to publish a Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room (Room 422), Governmental Center, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to consider the application of Host Agency, LLC, for a nonexclusive franchise  to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for a one-year term, commencing on May 8, 2018, and ending on May 7, 2019.

ACTION:  (T-10:47 AM)  Approved.

VOTE:  8-0.  Commissioner Sharief was not present.

Public hearing is required pursuant to Chapter 94-429, Laws of Florida, and Section 32.22a of the Broward County Administrative Code. Franchises are granted pursuant to Chapter 32 of the Broward County Administrative Code.

It allows a Public Hearing date to be set and notices to be published twice in local newspapers.

None.

THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

This action supports the Board of County Commissioners' Value of "Ensuring economic opportunities for all people and businesses in Broward" and the Goal to "Increase the economic strength and impact of revenue-generating County enterprises balancing economic, environmental, and community needs."

Host Agency, LLC (Host), was formed in the State of Virginia on August 24, 2016, by its sole owner and managing member T. Parker Host, Inc. (T. Parker Host), to manage the company’s steamship agency services. Host registered to conduct business in the State of Florida on November 1, 2016. Host has submitted an application for a new, non-exclusive steamship agent franchise at Port Everglades. Host's parent company, T. Parker Host, has held a steamship agent franchise at Port Everglades since June 26, 2012 (Item No. 4-PH), which expires on June 25, 2018.

Port staff has reviewed the steamship agent franchise application against the enumerated criteria set forth in Chapter 32 of the Broward County Administrative Code. Staff’s due diligence included corresponding with the Applicant’s representative to clarify franchise requirements, and reviewing the Applicant’s corporate status, business history/experience, litigation history, insurance, financial documents and creditworthiness, required licenses, company programs and policies, and statement of intended activities. In addition, the Applicant’s environmental history was reviewed, and no environmental violations were found.

Based on the information provided in the application and staff's review, staff has determined that the Applicant meets the criteria for the granting of a steamship agent franchise. Steamship agent franchises may be granted for any period of time up to five years. Past practice has been for staff to recommend the granting of a new steamship agent franchise for an initial term of one year. Accordingly, staff is recommending that the steamship agent franchise be granted for an initial one-year term.  Complete application and supporting documents are on file in the Port Everglades Business Administration Office.

Jorge Hernández, Enterprise Director of Administration, (954) 468-3501
Ángela Osorno Belleme, Franchise Manager, Business Administration Division, (954) 468-0112