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North Miami council directs RFP for Enchanted Forest stables after residents, operator press for repairs
Summary
City council discussed deferred maintenance and operator arrangements at the Enchanted Forest equestrian facility, heard public comments from operator Melissa Benton and resident Frank Woolen, and directed staff to issue an RFP while using budgeted city and CRA funds to repair the site.
Council members on Tuesday moved to put the Enchanted Forest equestrian facility out for bid and to spend budgeted funds on repairs after staff described an expired operator contract and widespread deferred maintenance.
The city manager told the council the existing operator27s contract expired in 2020 and the stables and associated shelters need roof, fence and invasive-plant removal work; the council was asked to authorize an RFP to seek either a new operator or a public-private partnership. "We do have the money there to fix it," one councilmember said, noting that the Community Redevelopment Agency had put $200,000 toward work on the arena.
During the public hearing, Frank Woolen, who said he has experience with more than 100 stables, urged the council to consider the community that uses the facility and warned against turning the site into an exclusive private operation: "I believe that this is being driven by a very wealthy family who'd like to have their own private stables here in North Miami," Woolen said. Melissa Benton, who identified herself as the longtime operator of MM Equestrian Farm/Eminem Stables, described ten years of operation and ongoing efforts to repair roofs, fencing and remove invasive plants. "The roof is rotting in multiple places and needs to be replaced," Benton said, and she thanked staff for increased attention and CRA funding to address the problems.
Council members debated scope and goals for rehabilitation, with some members urging a first-class repair while others said the facility should remain family-friendly and affordable. The council confirmed direction to issue the RFP and to use the budgeted funds and CRA allocation to address deferred maintenance; staff stated the shelters would be reopened by the end of summer once repairs are made. The council did not adopt a separate resolution on the floor beyond the direction to proceed with the procurement process.
Next steps: staff will prepare and publish an RFP consistent with procurement rules and will begin spending the budgeted funds to repair shelters and site infrastructure, with further council oversight anticipated as proposals are received.
