THE PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS 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."
On May 8, 2018 (Item 35-PH), Seaport Hub Agencies, Inc. (Seaport), was granted a nonexclusive franchise by the Board to provide steamship agent services at Port Everglades for a term of one year, from May 8, 2018, through May 7, 2019. Seaport has applied for renewal of the franchise for a five-year term, from May 8, 2019, through May 7, 2024.
Seaport registered to conduct business in the State of Florida on August 2, 2005. Seaport has been in operation in Miami (13 years), Houston (four years), and New Orleans (three years), providing steamship agent services to tankers of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, petcoke, sulfur, asphalt, urea, containers, and a wide variety of dry bulk products. As indicated in Section R of the franchise application, Seaport is committed to attracting and retaining new business in Port Everglades.
Staff has reviewed the steamship agent services franchise renewal application against the enumerated renewal criteria set forth in Chapter 32 of the Broward County Administrative Code. Staff’s due diligence included corresponding with Seaport’s representative to clarify franchise requirements and reviewing Seaport’s corporate status, resumes of executive staff and list of managerial personnel, business history/experience, litigation history, insurance, financial documents and creditworthiness, discharge of previous financial obligations to County, compliance with all franchise terms and conditions and established County rules and regulations, required licenses and certificates, company programs and policies, list of equipment to be used at Port Everglades, statement of intended activities, and actions to promote and develop business growth at Port Everglades. Seaport’s environmental history was also reviewed and no environmental violations were found. No false or misleading information was submitted as part of the franchise renewal application. Seaport has, through the submission of the signed franchise renewal application, agreed to comply with all franchise conditions set forth in Section 32.24 of the Broward County Administrative Code.
Based on the review of information provided in the application, staff has determined that Seaport meets the criteria for renewal of a steamship agent franchise. Steamship agent services franchises may be granted for any period of time up to five years. Past practice has been for staff to recommend granting the renewal of a steamship agent services franchise for a term of five years. Accordingly, staff is recommending that the franchise be renewed for a five-year term. The complete application and supporting documents are on file in the Port Everglades Business Administration Division.
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