Chris Casale, Assistant Director, Parks & Leisure Services Department

Brad J. Ostroff, Interim Director, Parks and Leisure Services Department

Issue Statement:  South Florida Food and Wine Inc. (SFFW) has been providing event management services for the City of Oakland Park since 2015.  Currently, the contractor provides services for the City's largest events, which range from one to three days in length.  The current agreement is set to expire August 6, 2021.  The City is satisfied with the services and wishes to enter into a new agreement.

Recommended Action:  The City Commission adopt a resolution authorizing the proper City officials to enter into an agreement with South Florida Food and Wine, Inc. for a three (3) year period with the option to be renewed for two (2) additional two (2) year periods, if mutually agreed upon.

Please note that the agreement was not bid out which is allowable under the exemptions clause of our Code of Ordinances on procurement.

Sec. 2-198.  Exceptions to competitive procurement requirement.

g.   Artistic services which are original and creative in character and skill in a recognized field of artistic endeavor such as music, dance, drama, painting, and sculpture, photography, culinary arts, fashion design and the like.

Ms. Christine Najac is the managing director of South Florida Food and Wine, Inc.  A member of Florida Festivals and Events, Ms. Najac is a guest presenter and roundtable discussion moderator at the annual conference.  At the 2019 Florida Festivals and Events annual conference, TASTE of Oakland Park won best of award for its marketing poster.  As a contract event manager Ms. Najac develops, plans, and executes breakout culinary events within larger events for private entities.  As an in-office consultant, Ms. Najac assists with event production for the City.

The City has contracted with South Florida Food and Wine since March of 2015 to assist in creating specialized events that promote the City of Oakland Park and the culinary activity in the Culinary Arts District. Ms. Najac has worked with City staff to grow events and has been pivotal in the success of events such as TASTE of Oakland Park, Holiday Village, Dancing in the Street, and Latin Fest.

Under the contract, Ms. Najac will also be providing additional consulting services to the Parks & Leisure Services department to assist with the planning and delivery of other city events. 

The annual cost for the contract is $85,000 for events as shown in Exhibit A. This cost will be included in the FY 2022 budget.  The $85,000 in event management costs is the same amount as the FY 2019 year under the expiring contract.  Event cost is in FY 2021 were lower, at $71,500, which reflected the cancellation and modification of City events due to the impact of COVID-19.

For services rendered unrelated to the events in Exhibit A, an hourly rate of $40.00 per hour will apply; such services will be limited to budgeted, available funds.  This rate remains unchanged from the prior contract.