M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, ICMA-CM, CFM Town Manager
Date: September 18, 2019
Re: Authorization to Waive Competitive Bidding Process:
Professional Services
REQUEST. Title
title
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH BELL TOWER CONSULTING GROUP, LLC FOR GRANT WRITING AND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES; WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING DUE TO IMPRACTICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town of Cutler Bay (the "Town") has a successful track record of securing grant funding for various projects and services. Much of this success is attributed to the part-time Town's Grants Coordinator, LaKeesha Morris-Moreau, MSW, GPC. In 2013, Ms. Morris-Moreau began working in the Office of the Town Manager and has been instrumental in securing nearly $7 Million in grant funding (Attachment "A"). Ms. Morris-Moreau also ensured the Town received reimbursements for the Town's multiple Joint Participation Agreements and FEMA expenses following Hurricane Irma. Ms. Morris-Moreau demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the Town's funding priorities and overall operations.
On July 30, 2019, Ms. Morris-Moreau rendered her resignation as an employee, effective August 9, 2019. As one of the Town's most knowledgeable staff members, it is the Town's desire to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Ms. Morris-Moreau's company, Bell Tower Consulting Group, LLC, in efforts to continue providing grant writing and administration services for the Town.
Furthermore, I am requesting to waive the competitive bidding due to impracticability, as I believe that as a Grants Consultant, Ms. Morris-Moreau is equipped to continue the successful track record of securing and administering grants and other special projects on behalf of the Town.
In 2009, Ms. Morris-Moreau founded B...
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