Editor’s note: At the Nov. 27 Special city commission meeting, Deerfield Beach commission decided to do the evaluation themselves regarding potential operators for the pier restaurant. [A panel presented them with a final ranking on Nov. 27.]
On Nov. 29, the commission did their own final ranking based on their individual rankings.
- Class Act Restaurant Group LLC
- Burgerfi (Two Together LLC)
- Brewzzi International Inc.
According to Purchasing Manager David Santucci, the commission voted unanimously to accept the ranking and authorized staff to negotiate a lease. The lease is currently being worked on by the city attorney. The matter will come before the commission again to approve the lease.
City Attorney Andy Maurodis said, “the ranking has been approved, nothing has been awarded. It states in the RFP [Request for Proposals] that the final lease must be approved by the city commission.”
Pier Restaurant
Dear Editor:
I was taken aback by typical Deerfield Politics being played.[Nov. 29 Special city commission meeting to re-rank pier operators.] No different than in the past! They may argue with this, but it’s a very self-serving group as many of us see it.
As a resident, I am disgusted with the commission, except Joe Miller on this particular vote, though it should not count. Joe actually stood his ground last night and went with whom the staff recommended. As the staff did not play politics. They were looking out for what was best for the city, but obviously the mayor and commission thought otherwise. It’s like a broken record, I have seen and heard this before.
However, all this said, no one, including our city attorney, who I believe knew this, went ahead and let the commission proceed with giving a lease to Class Act.
I am disgusted, as many others are.
John Grassi
Deerfield Beach
Hello Mr. Grassi:
I appreciate your interest in the selection process for the Pier Restaurant operator.
The process employed last night [Nov. 29] was strictly according to the law and City Charter.
I assume your concern is with the provision of the Charter requiring a 4/5 vote prior to the award of a lease for the Pier Restaurant (Section 7.09).
I am sure you are aware that last evening no lease was awarded.
What did occur was a ranking process.The ranking was then approved by all four commissioners present. The resolution provided for negotiations with the No. 1 ranked firm with the commission having the final say in approving a lease for the Pier Restaurant if staff felt that an acceptable lease had been negotiated.
The resolution also indicates that if the city does not negotiate an acceptable lease with the No. 1 ranked firm, the commission could authorize negotiations with the No. 2 ranked firm for eventual consideration by the commission.
When an actual lease is presented to the commission for award, it must be approved by a 4/5 vote – we are not at that stage yet.
The resolution, adopted [Nov. 29] by a vote of four commissioners, should make all this clear.
1. No lease was awarded and thus Section 7.09 of the Charter is not applicable.
2. The commission merely approved a ranking and authorized negotiations; as it happens it did so by a 4/5 vote (though this was not necessary).
3. When a final lease is awarded, it will require a vote of 4/5 of the commission.
Andrew Maurodis
City Attorney, Deerfield Beach
