CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: November 21, 2024.
Agenda Date: December 10, 2024.
Prepared By: Charlene Neuterman, Community Services Director
Through: Stockton Whitten, City Manager
Requested Action:
title
Approve the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation to select Lennar Homes, LLC for RFP P-25-02-COC (Michael C. Blake Subdivision Affordable Housing Project) to construct homes on the remaining lots in the Michael C. Blake Subdivision. Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a Project Agreement which will then be returned to City Council for final approval.
end
body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Cocoa Purchasing Division solicited the RFP for the development of affordable housing in the Michael C Blake Subdivision in the City’s bidding platform, VendorLink, on September 20, 2024. The solicitation was simultaneously advertised in the Florida Today newspaper and posted to the City of Cocoa’s website. A total of 1,629 notifications were sent out to vendors with 39 individual downloads of the RFP.
Proposals were due on October 25, 2024, at 3:00PM local time and a public proposal opening was conducted immediately after by the Purchasing Division. The City received just a single proposal from Lennar Homes, LLC.
On October 29, 2024, the Evaluation Committee held a public meeting to review the response to the solicitation. The committee was comprised of the following individuals:
• Charlene Neuterman, Community Services Director, City of Cocoa
• Rebecca Bowman, Finance Director, City of Cocoa
• Angelia Smith, Board Member, Diamond Square CRA
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the RFP requirements, the evaluation criteria and the proposal submitted. The committee decided that in addition to the written submittal, an oral presentation would be required by the proposer to facilitate the evaluation process.
Representatives from Lennar met with the Evaluation Committee in person on November 15, 2024, at 1:30PM to present their proposal and to respond to questions after which the evaluation committee members independently submitted their scoring results to the Purchasing Division and then reconvened later the same day at 3:00 PM in a public meeting to discuss their scoring results and make a recommendation to City Council.
|
Criteria |
Professional Experience |
Project Design |
Financing Plan |
Development Schedule |
Total |
|
Weight |
20 |
30 |
20 |
30 |
100 |
|
Lennar Homes, LLC |
20 |
28.33 |
19.17 |
28.67 |
96.17 |
|
Rebecca Bowman |
20 |
28 |
20 |
28 |
96 |
|
Charlene Neuterman |
20 |
30 |
20 |
28 |
98 |
|
Angelia Smith |
20 |
27 |
17.5 |
30 |
94.5 |
The submittal by Lennar Homes, LLC was considered by the committee to be extremely professional and complete. The proposer has long-term experience in the Florida housing market including with developing affordable housing. The development concept was thoughtful and includes more home sites than what was thought possible in the request. The various home designs offer multiple options for home elevations and living area square footage with price points being lower than the HUD maximum sales price of $273,000 making them attainable to buyers with household income levels ranging from 30% to 120% of Brevard County’s Area Median Income (AMI).
The proposal notes that the developer would purchase the 17 lots at a price to be negotiated by the City. Any funds received on this project will be used for future affordable housing projects in the City. Attached with the agenda is the proposal by Lennar. The proposal details the plan to split 15 of the 17 lots and construct homes ranging in size from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet. The elevations are included in the packet with a lot plan for the subdivision. This truly is attainable housing for City employees, teachers, public safety employees, nurses, and many more individuals that struggle to find affordable housing for homeownership in Brevard.
Based on this review, the Evaluation Committee recommends that the proposal submitted by Lennar Homes LLC be considered by the City Council to begin negotiations for a Project Agreement.
According to the RFP, the Project Agreement is expected to address the agreed upon terms and conditions of the project including, but not limited to, the proposed conceptual site development plan, building elevations, covenants, conditions, and restrictions, including covenants running with the land, as the City deems necessary or desirable to assist in preventing the development or spread of future slums or blighted areas or to otherwise carry out the purposes of the RFP. The negotiation period shall not exceed three (3) months.
A contract is formed with the City only at such time the City Council and selected proposer approve and execute the written Project Agreement.
PRIORITY AREA CONNECTION:
Economic and Community Development.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Budgeted N/A
This item has no budgetary impact.
PREVIOUS ACTION:
Council authorized the release of an RFP to complete the Michael C. Blake Subdivision.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Approve the Evaluation Committee’s recommendation to select Lennar Homes, LLC for RFP P-25-02-COC (Michael C. Blake Subdivision Affordable Housing Project) to construct homes on the remaining lots in the Michael C. Blake Subdivision. Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a Project Agreement which will then be returned to City Council for final approval.