ANALYSIS:
At the June 29, 2016 Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board meeting, Farah Service presented their Urban Sports Equipment (“USE”, formerly known as “EUE”) to the board members. USE is sports-use equipment with stretching and fitness functions, equipped with a digital panel for sponsorship and information (Exhibit A). Composed of stainless steel, it has a digital sign and is installed on a durable deck. The USE equipment provides the opportunity for people to engage in various outdoor physical activities for free.
The company offered to have this equipment installed at no cost to the City, and would be responsible for all the required maintenance and replacements. Per Farah Service, the cost of the fixtures and maintenance is offset by sponsorship on the digital panel. A pilot program proposal would not include advertising in year one.
The Parks and Recreational Facilities Board unanimously motioned to recommend a pilot program of ten units to be dispersed throughout the City, as the Parks and Recreation Department sees fit (Exhibit B).
At the November 9, 2016 City Commission meeting, a referral to the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs Committee (“NCAC”) was made to discuss the placement of USE at different locations throughout the City.
At the March 1, 2017 NCAC meeting, the Committee members directed staff to work with the Procurement Department to identify other vendors that may be able to provide the same equipment/service. Since then, the Parks and Recreation Department worked with the Procurement Department on identifying a scope for Request for Information (“RFI”) for Compact Fitness Equipment Stations.
RFI 2017-216-WG (Exhibit C) was publicly noticed for the purpose of interested parties to submit information on outdoor fitness equipment options, which they deemed would meet the goals of expanding fitness opportunities on rights-of-way, street ends and small public spaces. The option for a display board for sponsorship and public service announcements was also included for consideration. The City received four submittals in response to the issued RFI.
After comparing Farah Service’s proposal with submittals received through the RFI process, it is recommended to proceed with the USE outdoor fitness equipment provided by Farah Service. Some of the leading factors behind the recommendation are equipment/exercise options, zero cost to the City for installation and maintenance of the equipment, compact dimensions, and material selection.
At the June 30, 2017 NCAC meeting, a question came up regarding whether the proposed equipment and potential sponsorship display board at the parks would be consistent with Article 7 of the Miami-Dade County Charter (Exhibit D) concerning parks, aquatic preserves, and preservation lands. After legal review, it has been determined that such proposals are consistent with Article 7, Section 7.02, because
[n]othing in this Article shall prevent . . . the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair by . . . private operators of . . . the following ..:
* * *
J. Advertising in connection with sponsorship of . . . facilities in the park, provided however all such facilities and uses are compatible with the particular park . . . .
Section 7.02 (“Restrictions and Exceptions”), Article 7, Miami-Dade County Charter. Such facilities and uses would be compatible with the park locations to be proposed. The NCAC did not make a recommendation regarding this item, but requested that it be placed on the July 26, 2017 City Commission agenda as a discussion item.
If approved, ten fitness stations will be installed throughout the City based on compatible and mutually agreed upon locations, the fitness stations will have no financial impact on the City for the entire length of the program, and the program would not include any advertising in year one.
During the one-year pilot program, no sponsorship will be allowed. After the tenth month of the pilot program, the Administration will provide the City Commission with an analysis and recommendation as to the program’s success. At which time, the City may opt to engage in a long-term relationship with Farah Service to include additional units and sponsorship, or terminate the program and have all units removed by the vendor at no cost to the City. Should the program be approved and continue beyond one year, any sponsorship signage will be subject to Planning Board and City Commission approvals.
At the September 25, 2017 City Commission meeting, a referral to NCAC was made by acclamation to discuss placement of USE outdoor fitness equipment at different locations throughout the City.
As previously mention, at the June 29, 2016 Parks and Recreational Advisory Board meeting, the board discussed general areas for placement; however, the board deferred to the Parks and Recreation Department to select the locations. Based on their feedback, the Parks and Recreation Department has developed an initial list of potential locations, as follows:
1. Lummus Park (2 Stations)
2. Flamingo Park (2 Stations)
3. Polo Park (1 Station)
4. Maurice Gibb Memorial Park (1 Station)
5. Bandshell Park by the Sand Bowl (1 Station)
6. Normandy lsle Park (1 Station)
7. Fairway Park (1 Station)
8. Tatum Park (1 Station)
Street ends and right-of-way areas may also be considered, such as West Avenue and 10th or
14th and along the Venetian Causeway.
The Parks and Recreation Department is open to revisions and all City parks (as shown in Exhibit E) may be considered to determine placement of the equipment.