Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 090339

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 090339

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-80-09

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: BASEBALL ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Introduced: 2/11/2009

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 1/22/2009

Agenda Date: 1/22/2009

Agenda Item Number: 11A2

Notes:

THIS IS FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED. ALSO SEE 082795.

Title:

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NATIONAL YOUTH BASEBALL ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN HIALEAH, FLORIDA [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 082795]

Indexes:

BASEBALL

Sponsors:

Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	2/11/2009		Assigned	Bruce Libhaber

Board of County Commissioners	1/22/2009	11A2 AMENDEd	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Gimenez stated he understood the development of the National Youth Baseball Academy was contingent upon construction of the Florida Marlins Baseball Stadium (FMBS), and asked if the youth facility would only be built if the FMBS was constructed. Vice-Chairman Diaz affirmed that the youth academy was tied to the construction of the FMBS. Commissioner Heyman spoke in support of the youth academy, but expressed concern with the term “unequivocal” in this resolution since she was told this project was tied to the baseball stadium. She clarified for the record that Mayor League Baseball (MLB) representatives met with her office and confirmed that this project was tied to the FMBS, and their position was that unless the FMBS was built, MLB would not provide the $3.2 million in funding to develop the youth academy project in Hialeah. County Attorney Cuevas noted during the course of negotiations pertaining to the FMBS, other agreements might have addressed this issue, but this resolution was silent on that point. Chairman Moss noted he perceived the intent of this resolution was only to support the development of the youth academy, with no fiscal impact to the County. County Attorney Cuevas affirmed that was correct. Commissioner Sorenson noted her concerns were the same as Commissioner Heyman’s concerns regarding the term “unequivocal” and the statement that this project was tied to the FMBS. She offered a friendly amendment to delete the word “unequivocal” from this resolution, and said she would support it if it was amended. Commissioner Diaz concurred with Chairman Moss’ statement that this was a supportive item with no fiscal impact to the County, but agreed with the amendment. In response to Commissioner Souto’s question regarding why the youth facility was proposed to be built in the City of Hialeah rather than in Miami-Dade County, County Manager George Burgess noted during conversations with the City of Hialeah, MLB recognized the need for a youth academy and expressed a commitment to build a youth academy in Hialeah or South Florida that was tied to their commitment to have a presence in South Florida. He noted without a presence, MLB probably would not support a youth baseball academy here. Commissioner Souto asked if this proposal was ever presented before the County Commission, alerting them that this project would be built in the City of Hialeah instead of a county park. County Manager Burgess noted the agreement for a youth academy was not negotiated between the MLB and the County, but with the MLB and the City of Hialeah. He noted he recalled that MLB representatives and Mayor Robaina, City of Hialeah, came before this Board during discussions about the FMBS, and said that they were committed to developing a youth academy in the City of Hialeah, which was very clear geographically and was no surprise. Commissioner Souto asked if MLB ever came before the County Commission to propose a youth facility be built in Miami-Dade County. Chairman Moss noted he recalled a Board of County Commission discussion on land annexation to Hialeah as a prospective location for the new FMBS and, at that time, the County was pushing MLB to bring other proposals to the table if they wanted support from the community for the FMBS. He noted MLB representatives held discussions with the City of Hialeah, which resulted in a decision to move forward with building a youth academy in the City of Hialeah, and was how the academy came about. County Manager Burgess concurred with Commissioner Moss’ recollection of the events and discussions on the challenges of finding a good location for the FMBS and making it work in the annexed land in Hialeah. Mr. Burgess noted he believed Mr. Robert DuPuy, CEO of MLB, was present during the BCC’s discussions on the Baseball Stadium Agreement (BSA) and expressed MLB’s commitment to build a youth baseball academy in the City of Hialeah. Commissioner Souto noted he had nothing against the City of Hialeah, but was concerned with the location of his academy not being conducive to all youth countywide participating in it. In response to Commissioner Sosa’s question whether the word “unequivocal” could legally be removed from the title of this resolution, Assistant County Attorney Bruce Libhaber noted it could. Commissioner Sosa expressed concern with this project only transpiring if the FMBS was built. She noted she would support this resolution if it was not attached to the FMBS, and commended Mayor Robaina and the City of Hialeah for donating the land for this project. Commissioner Seijas pointed out the MLB contracted with the City of Hialeah for this facility at no cost to the County, and the MLB discussed building it in a regional park, but the space in that park was insufficient. She noted Mayor Robaina donated the land for the academy, and it was clearly stated that this academy would serve all youth countywide. Chairman Moss pointed out the City of Hialeah was part of Miami-Dade County, and the County would work with its municipalities while under his chairmanship. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the foregoing proposed resolution was adopted as amended to delete the word “unequivocal” throughout the title and body of this resolution.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NATIONAL YOUTH BASEBALL ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN HIALEAH, FLORIDA

BODY
WHEREAS, the purpose of the National Baseball Academy will be to train baseball professionals, including players, management, umpires, and facility maintenance professionals; and
WHEREAS, the National Baseball Academy will be a state of the art 20 acre facility, including multiple baseball fields, batting cages, and office space; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the National Baseball Academy in Hialeah will serve as an economic stimulus to Miami-Dade County while simultaneously promoting fitness and a deeper appreciation for America�s pastime; and
WHEREAS, this facility will provide activities for Miami-Dade County�s youth from five years of age through high school; and
WHEREAS, the commitment of Major League Baseball towards the establishment of the National Baseball Academy in Hialeah is the kind of public-private partnership that should be encouraged,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board, hereby expresses its support for the Major League Baseball National Youth Baseball Academy project in Hialeah, Florida.