The Miami Beach Garden Conservancy, Inc.'S (the "Conservancy") purpose is to provide volunteer public information, horticultural, educational and conservational services as well as support the capital improvements, programming and building/grounds maintenance needs at the City of Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The Conservancy has been managing the Botanical Garden through various agreements since July 7,1999. On January 17, 2007, the City Commission approved a Management Agreement with the Conservancy for an initial term of five (5) years and one renewal term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2007. Since the Agreement is due to expire on June 30, 2017, with no renewal options remaining, the City has been approached by the Conservancy to request a renewal of the Agreement. Given the conservancy’s request, the Administration is seeking direction from the Commission in regards to the management of the Botanical Gardens.
To facilitate the Commission’s consideration of the Conservancy’s request, as follows is a summary of the current terms of the Management Agreement:
Base Rent ($1.00) annually, due every July
Security Deposit: None
Use: As a botanical garden; education for children/adults; visual, performing arts, special events, receptions, and community meetings; community promotion of beautification and ecological improvement; tourist destination. Duly constituted garden clubs with membership primarily in City shall have right to hold their regular meetings at the Garden at no charge.
City’s Contribution: Conservancy provides proposed annual budget with anticipated funding; City evaluates and determines contribution as part of the City’s annual budgeting process; Contribution has been $152,000/year for FY 2016-2017;
Capital and Maintenance: City is currently responsible for all capital improvements and the maintenance of all infrastructures. Conservancy is currently responsible for the grounds, horticulture, janitorial and other basic maintenance.
Also, included in this memorandum are the following documents:
- Letter requesting to negotiate a new agreement as Exhibit A
- Year-end income statements for FY 2014/15 as Exhibit B
- Operating Budget for FY 2015/16 as Exhibit C
- Programmatic Plan and Schedule for FY 2015/16 as Exhibit C
- Established rental rates, policies and procedures as Exhibit C