THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
This action supports the Board of County Commissioners' 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."
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, nonexclusive 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 Host's representative to clarify franchise requirements, and reviewing Host's corporate status, resumes of executive staff and list of managerial personnel, business history/experience, litigation history, insurance, financial documents and creditworthiness, required licenses, company programs and policies, statement of intended activities, and ability to attract and retain new business and promote and develop growth in the business activities at Port Everglades. In addition, Host's safety and environmental history was reviewed, and no violations were found.
Based on the information provided in the application and staff's review, staff has determined that Host 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. The complete application and supporting documents are on file in the Port Everglades Business Administration Division.
To allow for a more efficient franchise approval process, the Resolution granting a franchise (see Exhibit 1) has been modified to incorporate the franchise terms and conditions previously included in the franchise agreement, thus eliminating the need for a separate franchise agreement. Host has, through the submission of the signed franchise application, agreed to comply with all franchise conditions set forth in Section 32.24 of the Broward County Administrative Code and in the Resolution. Once the Resolution is approved by the Board, the Port will, pursuant to Section 32.27 of the Broward County Administrative Code, issue a franchise certificate setting forth the terms and conditions of the franchise.
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