7. 09/2/2024 Sugarloaf Fire Station Bryant
Attorneysat Law
Miller
1545 Raymond Diehl Rd
Olive Suite 30
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Tel 850.222.8611
Fax 850.222.8969
September 24, 2024 "" " �a N t'1
Via email only: Shillinger-Bob@monroecounty-fl.gov
Mr. Robert B. Shillinger,Jr.
Monroe County Attorney
1111 12th St Ste 408
Key West, FL 33040-3005
Re: Fortress Secured, LLC, Unsolicited Proposal to Deliver Fire Station in Sugarloaf
Key;BMO File No. 25009-007
Dear Bob:
Bryant Miller Olive P.A. ("BMO") has been pleased to represent Monroe County
("County") on the referenced project ("Project") since July 2022. This letter follows our recent
telephone conversation confirming that the County has completed the acquisition of the Project
property (closing handled by Greg Oropeza) as well as the execution of agreements to settle
earlier litigation (handled by Jeff Hochman) and the lease with Sugarloaf Wi-Fi, Inc. Thus, it
finally can be said that the original idea of employing the P3 process to resolve old intractable
problems has reached fruition.
You will recall that, when engaged for this Project, BMO was wrapping up a project in
Lee County where we represented Fortress Secured, LLC ("Fortress"). During the unexpectedly
lengthy duration of this Project, the County has considered and granted BMO's requests for
waivers of potential conflicts of interest presented by BMO representing Fortress on the following
projects:
• Everglades City fire station/EOC (August 2023)
• Sumter County School District transportation maintenance facility (November 2023)
• Clay County fire stations (January 2024)
• Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue District fire stations (March 2024)
An agreed condition of these waivers was the separation between (i) the Project and the
responsible BMO lawyers (the undersigned and Ken Artin) and (ii) these other projects and the
responsible BMO lawyers. This separation would last as long as the Project remained active.
Fortress also agreed to this condition and granted waivers of any potential conflicts.
Atlanta Jacksonville Miami Orlando - Tallahassee. Tampa Washington, D.C.
Mr. Robert B. Shillinger,Jr.
Monroe County Attorney
September 24, 2024
Page 2 of 2
We now propose to end our engagement as counsel for the Project.We recognize that time
remains before the ultimate fruition of the Project—a new fire station on Sugarloaf Key. But
construction of that will not begin in earnest until early 2025 and not be completed until mid-
2026. In the short term, it would be efficient to devote BMO's most specialized P3 lawyers to
negotiating and closing the other projects referenced above (Sumter Schools already has closed).
We do not foresee any Project issues arising during this time. If issues were to arise during Project
construction, we would not undertake any representation adverse to the County. If consistent
with The Florida Bar rules, we would open a new matter for the County at that time.
We appreciate the opportunity to represent the County. It ultimately was satisfying to
overcome the unique challenges presented by the Project procurement process. We thank you
and look forward to working with you again.
Sincerely,
BRYANT MILLER OLIVE P.A.
Frederick J. Springer
cc: Pedro J. Mercado (mercado-pedro@monroecounty-fl.gov)
From: ShiUinger-Bob
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2O243:O8PK4
To: Fred Springer
Cc: Mercado-Pedro; DiNovo-Joseph; Ken Arin; [ampo`4bra
Subject: RE: BK4(] + Sugarloaf project
Attachments: 240924 Springer to Shillinger re completion of Sugarloaf matter (02759959).pdf
Follow UpFlag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Fred:
The letter looks good. I'm assuming you don't want me to sign anything since there was no signature block for me. Let
this email constitute the County s agreement to the contents expressed therein.
BobShiUinger
County Attorney
Monroe County Attorney'oOffice
~ 1111 12th Street, Suite 4O8
SM Key West, FL33O4O
- `"~- (306) 292-3470
CITY, / ` (306) 292-3616 (faooimi|e)
&LOCAL
| GOVERNMENT LAW |
L
——... |------- Note, Florida has broad public records law. Any information you send tothis address, including your
contact information, may be subject to public disclosure.
From: Fred Springer<f pringer@bmo|avvzom>
Sent:Tuesday, September 24, 20242:49PM
To: ShiUinger'Bob <ShiUinger'Bob@MonroeCounty'FL.Gov>
Cc: Mercado-Pedro<Mercado'Pedro@MonroeCounty'FL.Gov>; DiNovo-Jooeph <DiNovo-Jooeph@MonroeCounty'
FL.Gov>; KenArtin <kartin@bmo|avvzom>
Subject: BMO +Sugarloaf project
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the County. Whether you know the sender or not, do not click links or
� open attachments you were not expecting.
Bob, o|casc see attached letter following our conversation last week. For convenience, I've referenced the other
projects where the County granted waiver requests.
The main purpose of this is to memorialize completion of the engagement for the Sugarloaf project. Thue, you
do not need Lodo anythingbnrcsponscLoLhis. ThaLsaicivvcva|ucourrc|ationshipvvidhLhcCounLy, sop|casc
do let nmc know if the County has any questions orconcerns.
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Fred Springer 1 61117;][11pll 1 : .ffi!T' 0j "
jjjj%(° '_j1'''_
1545 Raymond Diehl Rd I Tallahassee,FL 323o8
Suite 300
(850)222-8611(0) 1 (850)559-0331(M)
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