10-24-2019 Special Commission Workshop MeetingThe City of City Commission
, eiEfura Speciai WMeeting
October 24, 2019
Following the 9 a.m. Commission Liaison Meeting
" Executive Conference Room
19200 West Country Club Drive Aventura, FL 33180
AGENDA
Call to Order/Roll Call
2, Agreement Between the City and Virgin Trains USA, LLC*
3, Adjournment
* Back-up Information Exists
** PowerPoint Presentation
This meeting is open to the public. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all persons who are disabled and who
need special accommodations to participate in this meeting because of that disability should contact the Office of the City Clerk, 305-466-
8901, not later than two days prior to such proceeding. One or more members of the City of Aventura Advisory Boards may be in attendance
and may participate at the meeting. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made by the Aventura City Commission with respect to any matter
considered at such meeting or hearing will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record
of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Agenda items may be
viewed at the Office of the City Clerk, City of Aventura Government Center, 19200 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura, Florida, 33180, or
online at cityofaventura.com. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of any agenda item should contact the City Clerk at 305-466-8901.
AGREEMENT CONCERNING AVENTURA STATION
BETWEEN THE CITY OF AVENTURA
AND VIRGIN TRAINS USA, LLC
This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 14th day of October 2019, by
and between THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, a Florida municipal corporation
("City"), and VIRGIN TRAINS USA, LLC, ("Virgin Trains"), collectively the "Parties."
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2019, pursuant to Resolution No. 2019-56, the City
Commission of the City of Aventura (the "City") approved an Interlocal Agreement
Between the City of Aventura and Miami-Dade County (the "County") (the "Interlocal")
concerning the pedestrian bridge (the "Bridge") to be built by Virgin Trains to connect the
proposed new passenger rail station (the "Aventura Station") to be operated by Virgin
Trains, to connect from the Aventura Station to the Aventura Mall complex , as described
in the Interlocal, a copy of which Interlocal is attached hereto and incorporated herein as
Exhibit "A"; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission approved the Interlocal subject to this
Agreement between the City and Virgin Trains; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire herein to address certain issues pertaining to the
design, construction, and operation of the Bridge in order to promote the public health,
welfare and safety and the goals and objectives of the Parties.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration of the mutual covenants set
forth herein and in the Interlocal and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto do covenant and
agree, as follows:
1. RECITALS. That the foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are ratified and confirmed as
being true and correct and are made a specific part of this Agreement.
2. OBLIGATIONS OF VIRGIN TRAINS.
a. Virgin Trains shall assure that the design of the Bridge is presented to and
approved by the City Commission after input by AMV and Seritage (as those
entities are described in the Interlocal). The design features shall comply
with all applicable bridge construction codes, illumination standards, and
with aesthetic features which conform to City standards as may be set and
determined by the City Commission.
b. Virgin Trains shall provide for and obtain City Commission approval of a
construction time-table (including milestones) for the completion of the
design and physical construction of the Bridge by Virgin Trains.
c. Virgin Trains shall consult with the Aventura Police Department and
Aventura Mall complex security personnel, and obtain the written approval
of the Aventura Police Department, as to the security and surveillance
systems and security and patrol operations of the Bridge.
d. Virgin Trains shall diligently work with the City, County, and FDOT to enable
the Bridge to be closed to pedestrian traffic at those times that the Aventura
Station is closed, so that public safety is protected. The required efforts of
Virgin Trains shall include, but shall not be limited to, obtaining any
necessary legislative authorization or formulating the grant of easements
for the Bridge in a manner that enables such Bridge closures to be
implemented.
e. Virgin Trains shall provide and obtain the City Manager's written approval
of a Hurricane Evacuation Plan by which the Virgin Trains may be utilized
to assist residents of the City and other persons located in the vicinity of the
Aventura Station to utilize the railway as a means of evacuation in advance
of a storm event.
f. Virgin Trains shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide for the relocation
or adjustment of any City landscaping in any right of way in the vicinity of
the Aventura Station, the railway tracks or the Bridge, which landscaping is
in any way impacted by the Aventura Station, railway tracks or Bridge,
subject to the City Manager's written approval.
g. Virgin Trains hereby grants to the City the exclusive naming rights for the
Bridge, and recognizes that the City shall retain and use all revenue related
to those naming rights in the event that City subsequently grants naming
rights to others at City's discretion.
h. Virgin Trains shall demonstrate to the City satisfactory evidence of Virgin
Train's binding commitment to build the Aventura Station and the Bridge, in
the event that the County does not construct the Aventura Station or the
Bridge.
3. OTHER PROVISIONS.
a. In case of any conflict between this Agreement and the Interlocal, this
Agreement shall control. The terms used in this Agreement have the same
meaning as those used in the Interlocal unless expressly noted otherwise
herein.
b. No term of this Agreement may be modified except in writing executed by
all Parties to this Agreement. The City Manager may act for City hereunder.
c. If any term of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be void or unenforceable, said finding shall not affect the enforceability
of the remaining terms of this Agreement.
d. This Agreement shall be effective upon execution, and shall remain in full
force and effect for the duration of design, construction, and existence of
the Aventura Station and/or Bridge.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have made and executed this
Agreement on the respective dates under each signature, effective upon the date first
appearing above, with the City of Aventura, signing by and through its City Manager,
authorized to execute same, and by the representative of Virgin Trains, authorized to
execute same.
FOR CITY:
ATTEST: CITY OF AVENTURA
By: .. . _ _.. .
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC Ronald J. Wasson
City Clerk City Manager
Dated:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency
for the use of and reliance by the City
of Aventura only:
City Attorney
FOR VIRGIN TRAINS:
By: Dated:
Managing Member
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF AVENTURA
AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
This AGREEMENT made and entered into this 14th day of October, 2019, by and
between the CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, a municipal corporation of the STATE OF
FLORIDA, hereinafter referred to as the "City", and MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, a political
subdivision of the STATE OF FLORIDA, hereinafter referred to as the "County". City and
County collectively referred to herein as "Parties."
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Virgin Trains USA LLC ("Virgin Trains") has constructed and is
operating a privately-owned passenger railway system with passenger train stations in
Downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, generally along the Northeast
Corridor of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan; and
WHEREAS, the County and Virgin Trains are collaborating on a project to
construct a passenger rail station(s) and pedestrian bridge, generally along the Northeast
Corridor, at or around NE 197th Street (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, both Parties herein wish to facilitate said transportation improvements
and provide transportation alternatives for the residents of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2016-69, approved by the Aventura City
Commission on November 17, 2016, the City, Aventura Mall Venture hereinafter referred
to as "AMV", TB Carpenter Parcel, LLC hereinafter referred to as "TB Carpenter", and
Seritage SRC Finance, LLC hereinafter referred to as "Seritage", entered into an
agreement (the "Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement") wherein AMV and
Seritage irrevocably committed to contribute funds to the City in an amount of TWO
City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000) each, totaling FOUR MILLION DOLLARS
($4,000,000.00), to fund a major transportation improvement (the "Project") , which
pursuant to this Agreement consists of a pedestrian bridge from the Aventura Mall to a
proposed passenger rail station; and
WHEREAS, the Project consists of the major transportation improvement, namely
the pedestrian bridge, that was the subject of the Tripartite Transportation Contribution
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Tripartite Transportation Contribution
Agreement, the funding commitments of AMV and Seritage must be secured by a surety
bonds, escrow deposits or Letter of Credit; and
WHEREAS, AMV and Seritage must maintain legally sufficient guarantees in place
throughout the term of the Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2018, the City, AMV, Seritage, and TB Carpenter
entered into the First Amendment to the Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement
(the "First Amendment"); and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment provides in part that AMV may also secure its
funding commitment with a corporate guaranty given by Shopping Center Management,
a Florida general partnership, or any other type of security, approved in writing by the City
Manager and City Attorney; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment additionally provides in part that Seritage may
also secure its funding commitment with any other type of security, approved in writing by
the City Manager and City Attorney; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment provides that in the event construction work or
the implementation of the transportation improvement project that is the subject of the
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement has not commenced by January 1,
2025, AMV's and Seritage's funding commitment as required by the Tripartite
Transportation Contribution Agreement shall be terminated and the City shall release
AMV and Seritage of any and all such funding obligations, except as otherwise provided
in the Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and covenants contained
herein, the Parties agree:
1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITY:
1.1.Funding Contribution: The City agrees that it will disburse to the County funding
in the amount of FOUR MILLION DOLLARS ($4,000,000.00) for the design and
construction of an elevated pedestrian bridge from, at or near, the east right-of-
way line of Biscayne Boulevard/State Road 5 traversing across to, at or near, the
west right-of-way line of West Dixie Highway at or near NE 197th Street and
providing pedestrian access to and from the proposed train station(s)/center
platform to either an outparcel at the Aventura Mall or the adjacent right-of-way
(the "Bridge"). The City shall disburse said funds, upon receipt of the funds from
AMV and Seritage, but in no event shall the disbursement be later than thirty (30)
calendar days after the execution by Virgin Trains, the County, or another third-
party developer of a contract for the physical construction of the Bridge. The
County may utilize these funds for payment towards the costs of design and/or
construction of the Bridge, either via disbursement to a County contractor or to
Virgin Trains or other third-party developer. In the event that the County fails to
have the Bridge constructed in accordance with this Agreement by no later than
January 1, 2025, then the County shall refund the Bridge Funds to the City to be
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
held and disbursed by the City in accordance with the Tripartite Transportation
Contribution Agreement. The City shall incur no liability for any costs in excess of
said funding amount unless there has been a duly authorized increase which is
expressly approved by duly adopted Resolution of the City Commission.
1.2.Obligation to Pursue Rights: The City shall diligently pursue all its rights
under the Tripartite Transportation Contribution Agreement, including but not
limited to enforcing the requirement in that agreement that AMV and Seritage must
secure its respective funding commitment by a surety bond, escrow deposit or
Letter of Credit or other form of security as described above at all times throughout
the term of the Tripartite Contribution Agreement. In the event that the City does
not successfully enforce its rights under the Tripartite Transportation Contribution
Agreement concerning the funding commitment, and upon the County's request,
the City shall assign its rights under that agreement to the County so that the
County may directly seek such funds from AMV and Seritage.
1.3.Right-of-Way and Permitting: The City shall assist the County, and/or any
contractor or third-party developer, in obtaining access to any right-of-way that is
within the City's boundaries and is required to complete the construction of the
Bridge. The City shall also assist the County, and/or any contractor or third-party
developer, in any permitting or plan review necessary to construct the Bridge
within the City boundaries.
1 A.Condition. The Parties recognize that the City's obligations under this Agreement
are expressly subject to the condition precedent that the City reach a separate
agreement directly with Virgin Trains ( "the City/Virgin Trains Agreement") to
address the City's specific concerns as to the timely construction of the Bridge,
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
the Bridge's aesthetic design, lighting, security (including input from both the
City's Police Department and Aventura Mall complex security) , Bridge naming
rights being exclusively allocated to the City, preservation of landscaping along
the right of way in the vicinity of the Aventura Station, railway tracks and Bridge,
and other components and features.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY:
2.1.Construction: The County shall enter into an agreement with Virgin Trains or any
other third-party developer to require the developer to procure and manage the
services of licensed professionals to design and construct the Bridge. The County
may also, at its sole discretion, procure the services of licensed professionals to
design and/or construct the Bridge. The County's failure to enter into any
agreement(s) or contract(s) for the design and/or construction of the Bridge shall
not be deemed a violation of this Agreement, except as specified below. In no way
does this Agreement require the County to enter into agreements for the design
or construction of the Bridge, except as provided by that certain Land Acquisition
and Development Agreement between the County and Virgin Trains (the "Bridge
Agreement") which was approved by the County's Board of County
Commissioners on October 11, 2019. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
the County shall diligently pursue all its rights and remedies under the Bridge
Agreement, including but not limited to enforcing the requirement that Virgin
Trains (or its successors or assigns) use commercially reasonable efforts to
acquire the rights necessary to construct the Bridge. In the event that the County
defaults on the Bridge Agreement or does not diligently pursue its rights and
remedies thereunder, the City may, at its option, terminate the Agreement, upon
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
which termination the County shall refund the Bridge Funds to the City to be held
and disbursed by the City in accordance with the Tripartite Transportation
Contribution Agreement.
2.2.Design and Review: The County shall cooperate with the City during the design
and construction of the Project as provided herein. The County shall name the
station as the "Aventura Station" if requested by the City Commission. The City
shall be invited to be a part of design discussions and shall be provided with any
revisions as the design progresses. Communications made by the County to the
City shall be via email to the City Manager with a copy to the City Clerk. The
County shall provide the City with the design plans of the Project, which, at a
minimum shall include provisions for a covered and air conditioned pedestrian
bridge with a moving sidewalk, for the City's review. The City shall provide any
and all comments it may have on said design plans to the County within ten (10)
business days of receipt of the design plans. The City's failure to provide
comments within the timeframe set out herein shall be deemed as though the City
has no comments. The City's comments, as shall mutually be agreed upon by the
parties after discussion, will be incorporated into the design plans. The City
acknowledges that the provisions of this paragraph are not intended to cause a
disruption or delay in the design or implementation of the Project but are included
to keep the City apprised of the design of a Project spanning the major arterial
roadway within in its corporate boundary. Further, in light of the circumstance that
location and manner of the connection of the Bridge to the Aventura Mall is a key
component of the purpose of the Bridge, the Parties agree that the location,
design, and construction of the Bridge is subject to the reasonable prior approval
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
of AMV, its successors and assigns, and to the reasonable approval as Seritage,
its successors and assigns, for consistency with the purposes of the Tripartite
Transportation Contribution Agreement.
2.3.Bridge Closure. In order to protect public safety and security, the County shall
work with Virgin Trains and FDOT to assure that the Bridge shall be closed to
pedestrian traffic at times and hours when the passenger trains are not operating
at the Aventura Station.
3. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS: The Parties shall comply with applicable federal, state
and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations in performing their respective
duties, responsibilities, and obligations pursuant to this Agreement and with all
applicable laws relating to the Project. The Parties shall not unlawfully discriminate in
the performance of their respective duties under this Agreement.
4. INDEMNIFICATION: To the extent authorized by Florida law, the City hereby agrees
to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the County to the extent of all the
limitations included with Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, from all claims, demands,
liabilities and suits of any nature whatsoever arising out of, because of or due to the
breach of this Agreement by the City, its agents or employees. It is specifically
understood and agreed that this indemnification clause does not cover or indemnify
the County for its sole negligence or breach of contract.
To the extent authorized by Florida law, the County hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend, save and hold harmless the City to the extent of all the limitations included in
Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, from all claims, demands, liabilities and suits of any
nature whatsoever arising out of, because of or due to the breach of this Agreement by
the County, its agents or employees. It is specifically understood and agreed that this
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
indemnification clause does not cover or indemnify the City for its sole negligence or
breach of contract.
5. DISPUTE RESOLUTION, APPLICABLE LAW: The Parties shall resolve any
disputes, controversies or claims between them arising out of this Agreement in
accordance with the "Florida Governmental Conflict Resolution Act", Chapter 164,
Florida Statutes, as amended. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Florida. Venue in any proceedings shall be in Miami-Dade, Florida. Each
Party will bear its own attorney's fees.
6. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS: This document incorporates and includes
all prior negotiations, correspondence, conversations, agreements and
understandings applicable to the matters contained herein and the Parties agree that
there are no commitments, agreements, or understandings concerning the subject
matter of this agreement that are not contained or referenced in this document.
Accordingly, the Parties agree that no deviation from the terms hereof shall be
predicated upon any prior representations or agreements, whether oral or written,
unless referenced in this document. It is further agreed that no modification,
amendment or alteration in the terms contained herein shall be effective unless set
forth in writing in accordance with this section. No modification, amendment or
alteration in the terms or conditions contained herein shall be effective unless
contained in a written document prepared with the same or similar formality as this
Agreement and executed by the Parties. The City Manager shall act for City
hereunder.
7. JOINT PREPARATION: The Parties acknowledge that they have sought and received
whatever competent advice and counsel as was necessary for them to form a full and
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
complete understanding of all rights and obligations herein and that the preparation of
this Agreement has been their joint effort. The language agreed to expresses their
mutual intent and the resulting document shall not, solely as a matter of judicial
construction, be construed more severely against one of the Parties from the other.
8. SEVERANCE: In the event a portion of this Agreement is found to be invalid by a
court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue to be effective
unless the City or County elect to terminate this Agreement. An election to terminate
this Agreement based upon this provision shall be made within seven (7) business
days after the finding by the court becomes final.
9. NOTICES: Any and all notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be
sent by first class mail, addressed as follows:
To the County:
Attention: Department of Transportation and Public Works
do Director
Miami-Dade County
701 NW 1 Court, Suite 1700
Miami, Florida 33136
(786) 469-5406
To the City:
Attention: City Manager
Aventura City Government Center
19200 W. Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
(305)466-8900
10.RECITALS. The recitals set forth on pages 1-3 hereof are incorporated herein as a
part of this Agreement.
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City of Aventura—Interlocal Agreement with Miami-Dade County
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto set their hands and official seals the
day and year first above written.
ATTEST: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
BY ITS BOARD OF
HARVEY RUVIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CLERK OF THE BOARD
BY: BY:
Deputy Clerk County Mayor or County Mayor's Designee
Approved by County Attorney as to form and legal sufficiency:
County Attorney
ATTEST: CITY OF AVENTURA, a municipal
corporation of the State of Florida
BY: BY:
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk Ronald J. Wasson, City Manager
(Affix City Seal)
Approved by City Attorney as to legal form and correctness:
City Attorney
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