18To:
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Members of the City Commission
South Miami
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From: The Honorable Stoddard, Mayor
Copy:
Date:
SUBJECT:
Steven Alexander, City Manager
November 5, 2013 Agenda Item No.:
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an
agreement with Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC relating
to representing the City of South Miami before the Florida
Cabinet sitting as the Transmission Line Sitting Board, regarding
the determination of Florida Power & Light's proposed
transmission line corridor through the City of South Miami.
Unfortunately, the City's current State lobbyist, Gomez, Barker & Associates cannot
represent the City at the State Legislation with reference to issues which arise pertaining to
Florida Power & Light because of an existing conflict.
Due to this situation, the City is in need of an alternative lobbying firm to provide the City
with adequate representation related to the determination of Florida Power & Light's
proposed transmission line corridor through the City of South Miami. It is imperative that
the City enter into an agreement with an alternative lobbying firm.
Hence, it is my request and recommendation that the City authorize the City Manager to
enter into an agreement with Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC for a monthly
retainer amount of $3,500. The proposed agreement may be terminated by either party
with 30-days written notice.
DOCUMENTATION: Proposed Resolution
Proposed agreement with Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC
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RESOLUTION NO. _____ _
A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with
Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC relating to representing the City
of South Miami before the Florida Cabinet sitting as the Transmission
Line Sitting Board, regarding the determination of Florida Power &
Light's proposed transmission line corridor through the City of South
Miami.
WHEREAS, the City's current State lobbyist, Gomez, Barker & Associa~es cannot
represent the City at the State Legislation with reference to issues which arise pertaining to
Florida Power & Light because of an existing conflict, and
WHEREAS, the City needs an alternative lobbying firm, in an effort for the City to
have proper representation related to the determination of Florida Power & Light's proposed
transmission line corridor through the City of South Miami, and
WHEREAS, it is recommended that the City authorize the City Manager to enter
into an agreement with Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC for a monthly retainer
amount of $3,500. The proposed agreement will proceed for three (3) months and can be
renewed for a three (3) month block terms, not to be extended, by renewal or otherwise,
beyond September 30, 2014., and
WHEREAS, the proposed agreement may be terminated by either party with 30-
days written notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI THAT:
Section I. The City Manager is authorized to execute an agreement with Southern
Strategy Group of Miami, LLC relating to representing the City of South Miami before the
Florida Cabinet sitting as the Transmission Line Sitting Board, regarding the determination of
Florida Power & Light's proposed transmission line corridor through the City of South Miami,
for a monthly retainer amount of $3,500 from account number 001-13 10-513-3450 with a
current balance of $156,500. A copy of the letter agreement that has been proposed by
Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC is attached.
Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is
for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding
shall not affect the validi~ of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this __ day of ______ , 2013.
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ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Liebman:
Commissioner Newman:
Commissioner Harris:
Commissioner Welsh:
STRATEGY GROUP
'* '*
2000 PONCE DE LEON BOULEVARD, SUITE 624 CORAL CABLES, FL 33134 . {p} 305.421.6304 . WWW.SOSTRATEGY.COM
November 5, 2013
Steve Alexander
City Manager
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
Re: Agreement with Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC
Dear Mr. Alexander:
Thank you very much for your interest in having Southern Strategy Group of Miami, LLC
(SSG provide state executive branch governmental consulting services to the City of
South Miami. SSG is committed to providing the highest level of service in furtherance
of your goals. This agreement will describe the terms under which that representation
will occur.
You have asked that we represent the City of South Miami before the Florida Cabinet
sitting as the Transmission Line Siting Board, regarding the determination of Florida
Power & Light's proposed transmission line corridor through Miami-Dade County.
South Miami will be directly impacted by the final determination and therefore
communicating the impacts to the City to both staff as well as the Cabinet will be of
paramount importance. In addition, as part of our scope of service, SSG will provide
electronic documents on a daily basis, relevant newspaper articles, analyses, and
important governmental announcements.
The entire team of SSG's lobbyists in South Florida will be available to advance the City
of South Miami's interests. You may wish to review in detail the qualifications of the
team at www.usstrategy.com. However, in order to ensure that your needs are
efficiently and fully addressed, I will be the primary contact for this representation. If I
should ever be unavailable, I would encourage you to contact Nelson Diaz or Edgar
Castro. Our contact information is reflected on the attached sheet.
In exchange for these services, the City of South Miami has agreed to pay $3,500 per
month beginning November 1, 2013. SSG will send an invoice on the first of each
month and payment is due by the end of each month. All payments shall be remitted to
P.O. Box 10570, Tallahassee, FL 32302. This agreement will proceed for three (3)
months and can be renewed for three (3) month block terms thereafter. This agreement
may be terminated by either party with 30 days written notice. Costs directly attributable
to the performance of this work will be billed in addition to the monthly retainer, and
these costs may include travel, lobbyist registration fees, and other expenses incurred
on City of South Miami's behalf. For the exception of lobbyist registration fees, no
ACCESS. ADVOCACY. ADVICE.
TEXHS MIDWEST
STRATEGY (;ROUP STRATEGY GROUP STRATE(;Y GROUP
WWW.SOSTRATEGY.COM WWW.TXSTRATEGY.COM WWW.MIDWESTSTRATEGY.COM
Mr. Alexander
Page 2
monthly costs that in the aggregate exceed $100 will be incurred without your prior
approval.
In order for us to comply with Florida laws, it will require you complete any forms
necessary to comply with lobbyist registration requirements that may arise as a result of
our potential representation of City of South Miami during the term of a contract or after
its termination should reporting periods overlap.
It should also be noted that SSG has affiliated offices in other states and within the state
of Florida. SSG has a policy of declining representation of clients when that
representation would immediately create a direct conflict with other clients in the region
in which the representation occurs. We know of no conflicts with our current clients as it
relates to the City of South Miami in South Florida. In order to ensure the candor and
trust in our relationship that forms the basis of effective representation, it is the policy of
SSG to keep confidential within each office all information about your business interests
and strategies.
I believe the above reflects our understanding. If it does, please sign this agreement
and return with the completed client information and lobbyist registration forms, which
are enclosed. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working with
you. Please never hesitate to contact me if we can assist City of South Miami in any
way.
This agreement may not be extended, by renewal or otherwise, beyond September 30,
2014. All disputes shall be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction and venue shall
be in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Sincerely,
Fatima Perez
ATTESTED:
Signature: ________ _
Maria M. Menendez
City Clerk
Read and Approved as to Form, Language,
Legality and Execution Thereof:
Signature: _________ ----"_
City Attorney
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
8y: __________________ __
Steven Alexander
City Manager
Dated: ______ _