Subject:
Title
Approval Re: Termination of Lease Agreement with Furever Home Animal Rescue, Inc. and Permission to Advertise a Request for Proposals to Lease County Property Located at 2605 Flake Road, Titusville to Operate as an Animal Rescue Facility - District 1
End
Fiscal Impact:
No cost associated with the Termination of the Lease Agreement. The new tenant would be fully responsible for making the necessary repairs/renovations at their own cost.
Dept/Office:
Public Works Department/Facilities and Central Services Department/Purchasing Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners
(1) approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Termination of Lease Agreement with Furever Home Animal Rescue, Inc., which has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management, and Purchasing Services; and
(2) direct staff on any requested revisions to the attached draft Request for Proposals to lease the County property; and
(3) approve the advertisement of the Request for Proposals; and
(4) authorize the appointment of the Selection/ Negotiating Committee, consisting of Terry Talbert, County’s Chief Building Official, Skip Bell, Public Works Department Facilities Program Manager, and Joseph Hellebrand, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Director of Animal Services to make recommendations to the Board to award, revise, or reject the selected and negotiated proposal.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
At the March 11, 2025, Regular Board Meeting, staff requested direction on options pertaining to the County property located at 2605 Flake Road, Titusville, formerly leased by Furever Home Animal Rescue, Inc. After several parties expressed interest in operating an animal rescue shelter at the location, the Board directed staff to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its consideration which would allow an open and competitive process to review all parties interested in leasing the property to operate as an animal rescue facility. The RFP requires that the new tenant, a non-profit organization, would be fully responsible for making the necessary repairs/renovations at their own cost to meet the requirements and regulations for an animal care facility, as well as to address the blighted condition and abhorrent odor. County oversight would be a condition of the new lease to ensure the repairs/renovations are made and appropriate building upkeep is performed.
Once the required repairs/renovations are completed and the required certificate of occupancy is obtained from the City of Titusville, the tenant shall register as an Animal Care Facility per the Brevard County Code before beginning operations. Operation as an animal rescue facility is prohibited until all repairs/renovations addressing the City of Titusville code violations (Code Case #25-000054), applicable building codes, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 150 Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code regulations are complete.
Per the draft RFP, to be considered, the proposer shall attend a mandatory on-site pre-proposal meeting, and the new tenant will be required to complete the following provisional requirements, at its own cost and prior to entering into a long-term lease with Brevard County:
• Engage the services of a State of Florida licensed A/E (Architecture and Engineering) firm to ensure the repairs/renovations are properly designed and will meet the requirements of the RFP and all applicable codes and regulations;
• Perform initial Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing prior to any work (other than testing and assessments) being performed. Reports shall be factored into design documents to ensure all necessary repairs/renovations are identified to meet applicable codes. After any repairs/renovations have been completed, perform clearance testing. The results of the IAQ test must be within acceptable levels;
• Conduct an asbestos survey prior to any work (other than testing and assessments) being performed. Reports shall be factored into design documents to ensure all necessary repairs/renovations are identified to meet applicable codes;
• Conduct all required lead-based paint inspections and/or risk assessments prior to the commencement of any work that may disturb painted surfaces. This includes, but is not limited to, areas with chipping, peeling, or otherwise deteriorated paint;
• All testing must be performed by individuals or firms certified under the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule or other applicable federal, state, or local regulations. Documentation of testing results and any necessary clearance must be provided to the County;
• Correct all City of Titusville Code Violations. Currently, the City of Titusville granted the County an extension to June 9, 2025, to address the code violations;
• Bring the facility up to NFPA 150 Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities Code, Edition 2023 or as amended, Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) or as amended, and any other provisions set forth by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and the Brevard County Public Works Department;
• Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Titusville;
• Obtain an Animal Care Facility Registration from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) as required by the Brevard County Code.
Once all provisional requirements have been met and accepted by the City of Titusville and the County, the lease will be set based on the successful offeror’s minimally accepted lease term requirements and/or as negotiated.
Proposals will be evaluated by the appointed Selection and Negotiation Committee. The Committee will evaluate, score, and rank (1, 2, 3, etc.) all responsive proposals based on the information and references contained in the proposals. The evaluation and selection criteria will be based on the non-profit organization’s qualifications, business plan, references, and financial stability to include, but not limited to liquid assets, approved loans, and/or written commitments to perform work without cost by licensed contractors. The Committee may conduct shortlist interviews/questions and answers from the top-ranked proposers. The Committee will make recommendations to the Board to make the final determination to award, revise, or reject the selected proposal. If no proposal is recommended for acceptance, staff will request further direction from the Board.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return the fully executed Termination of the Lease Agreement to the Public Works Department.