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RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. R-1062-13; AND DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE AND FINALIZE AGREEMENTS WITH ALL NECESSARY PARTIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOCCER STADIUM FACILITY FOR NEW MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER FRANCHISE AT THE FORMER ORANGE BOWL STADIUM LOCATION ADJACENT TO MARLINS BALLPARK, SUBJECT TO SUBSEQUENT BOARD CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL AND SCHEDULE AND HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS

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WHEREAS, the sport of soccer, the �World�s Game�, has over 265 million participants worldwide, and is one of the top participation sports in the United States with over 24 million participants; and
WHEREAS, Major League Soccer, the highest level of professional soccer in the United States and Canada, is the third most popular professional sports league in the United States in terms of average attendance; and
WHEREAS, due to the growth of soccer�s popularity, Major League Soccer has announced a strong interest in expanding its league with a strong desire to have a presence in the southeast United States; and
WHEREAS, in light of soccer�s popularity and international appeal, the City of Orlando and Orange and Seminole Counties partnered with Orlando City Soccer Club to bring Major League Soccer to their community in an effort to leverage soccer�s international exposure to further strengthen the area�s tourism and hospitality industry; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2013 Major League Soccer announced that Orlando City Soccer Club, in partnership with the City of Orlando and Orange and Seminole Counties, will be the league�s 21st team joining the league in 2015; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2014, Major League Soccer announced that the City of Atlanta will be the location of the league�s 22nd team as part of the league�s southeastern United States expansion strategy; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has demonstrated its support of the game by strong attendance at local international matches and high television viewership as evidenced by Nielsen ratings of soccer matches, both due in large part to the County�s demographics; and
WHEREAS, a Major League Soccer franchise would generate a positive economic impact to our community by creating jobs and delivering other direct and indirect benefits; and
WHEREAS, on February 5, 2014, Major League Soccer reported that Mr. David Beckham exercised his option to own an Major League Soccer franchise; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Beckman has publicly conveyed his interest in Miami-Dade County as the possible home of his Major League Soccer franchise; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. R-1062-13, this Board, among other things, directed the County Mayor or his designee to identify viable locations in or near downtown Miami for the development of a soccer stadium facility for a new Major League Soccer franchise, to negotiate agreements for such development subject to certain conditions, and to present such agreements to this Board for its consideration; and
WHEREAS, several potential sites were considered, including the site of the former Orange Bowl Stadium located in Little Havana which is adjacent to the site of Marlins Ballpark; and
WHEREAS, a large portion of the site is comprised of property owned by the City of Miami; and
WHEREAS, the site is close to mass transportation and is adjacent to four City of Miami-owned parking garages; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to rescind Resolution No. R-1062-13, and instead direct the County Mayor or his designee to negotiate agreements for the development of a soccer stadium for a new Major League Soccer franchise at the former Orange Bowl Stadium site adjacent to Marlins Ballpark and to present such agreements to this Board for its consideration,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated in this resolution and are approved.
Section 2. Resolution No. R-1062-13 is hereby rescinded.
Section 3. This Board directs the County Mayor or the Mayor�s designee to negotiate and finalize the terms of agreements with all necessary parties for development of a soccer stadium facility for a new Major League Soccer franchise at the former Orange Bowl Stadium location adjacent to the Marlins Ballpark and to present such agreements to this Board for its subsequent consideration and approval. At a minimum, the agreements shall provide as follows: (a) the County shall have no responsibility or obligation to contribute County funds towards the development and construction costs of the soccer stadium facility; (b) the developer of the soccer stadium facility shall be solely responsible for funding all development and construction costs of the stadium facility; and (c) payments shall be due and owing to the County for use and occupancy of the soccer stadium site if such site is owned by the County.
Section 4. The County shall hold three (3) public meetings regarding any resolution approving agreements related to the development of a new soccer stadium facility for a new Major League Soccer franchise. The County Mayor or the Mayor�s designee shall schedule public meetings on any such proposed resolution following the Chairperson�s assignment of the items to committee or following any waiver of the committee requirement. Such public meetings shall be held prior to this Board�s consideration of the proposed resolution. The public meetings required in this section shall be conducted by County staff and shall be for the purpose of soliciting community input about the proposed development. Members of the public, County officials and County staff may be heard at such meetings. All public meetings required hereby shall be held at locations and times which are accessible and convenient to the majority of residents in Miami-Dade County and allow for maximum participation by geographic and ethnic communities within Miami-Dade County. All public meetings shall be appropriately advertised, including use of print advertisements in newspapers of general circulation and community based periodicals. The provisions of this section shall be construed as directory only and failure to comply with the provisions hereof shall not affect the validity of any resolution or action of this Board.