Broward County Commission Meeting - June 18, 2024

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 10:13 AM to 1:29 PM in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and discussion of several regular agenda items. Key topics included home repair program contracting for the Pompano Beach CRA, authorization for summer recess administrative actions, a proposed landfill height increase, and amendments to the Police and Criminal Justice Review Board ordinance. All items were approved with varying vote tallies.

Consent Calendar

• The Consent Agenda (Items 1-62) was approved as amended with a 9-0 vote. Items 11-13 were moved to after public hearings (water control district appointments), Items 19 and 20 were pulled by Mayor Rich for abstention, Item 32 was withdrawn, Item 36 was pulled by a member of the public, Item 44 was pulled by Commissioner Bogen, Items 56 and 62 were moved to the Regular Agenda, and Items 70, 72, 73, 78, and 79 were added to the Consent Agenda.
• Individual consent items voted separately: Items 19 and 20 (Areawide Council on Aging contracts and budget resolutions) were approved 8-0 with Mayor Rich abstaining. Item 36 (Pompano Beach CRA home repair program) was discussed in detail and approved with a 60%/20%/20% allocation among three vendors. Item 44 (Summer Recess authorization) was approved as amended, restricting certain authority to the County Administrator. Items 78 (Port Director appointment) and 79 (Panthers victory celebration) were approved 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 36 (Pompano Home Repair Program): Vincent Thrower, Gary McLamore, Janice Hayes, and Vince Johnson spoke. They urged the board to award the contract solely to a Pompano Beach-based firm (Land Developers Consortium), arguing that settlement funds were intended to benefit local businesses. Minority Builders Coalition (ranked second) also argued for a local preference, citing their track record and community roots. Staff recommended splitting the work among three vendors to expedite repairs of approximately 200 homes, noting that one vendor would take four years.
• Item 74 (Landfill Height Increase): David Santucci (Deerfield Beach city manager) and John Garrett (Southwest Ranches resident) opposed the direction to draft an ordinance allowing Monarch Hill landfill to increase height from 225 to 325 feet. They argued that the Solid Waste Authority should complete its master plan before any changes, and that the county should focus on reducing waste rather than expanding landfills.
• Item 67 (Police and Criminal Justice Review Board): Ten speakers (Barbeth Foster, Harnore Singh, Anastasia Robinson, Jennifer Fu, Mark Mitchell, Bertitia Combs, May Ling, Shamille Lewis, Shahad Moran West, Rokia Spencer) supported option two (suspend the board for 90 days and revise the ordinance) rather than repeal. They emphasized the importance of civilian oversight, data collection, and addressing issues like deaths in BSO custody, mental health care in jails, and communication fees. Some speakers criticized BSO for lack of transparency.

Discussion Items

• Item 36 (Pompano Home Repair Program): Commissioners debated whether to award the contract to a single Pompano-based firm or split among three qualified vendors. Commissioner Fisher and McKinzie advocated for maximizing local participation, while Vice-Mayor Furr stressed the need to complete repairs quickly, especially during hurricane season. Commissioner Bogan noted the history of the settlement funds and the failure of a previous single vendor. The Board adopted an amendment to allocate 60% of work to the highest-ranked Pompano firm (Land Developers Consortium) and 20% each to the other two, with provisions to reallocate if necessary.
• Item 44 (Summer Recess Authority): Commissioner Bogen objected to giving the Director of Purchasing independent authority to approve actions during recess, arguing only the County Administrator should have that power. The Board amended the motion to require County Administrator approval for any actions by the Purchasing Director. Approved 9-0.
• Item 74 (Landfill Height Increase): Vice-Mayor Furr proposed directing the County Attorney to draft an ordinance increasing the permitted height of the Monarch Hill landfill to 325 feet, arguing that removing organics would reduce odor and greenhouse gases, and that the county must plan for future waste capacity. Commissioner Bogen opposed, citing prior promises from Waste Management and the existence of a 40-year capacity at the Southwest landfill. Commissioner Geller suggested waiting for the Solid Waste Authority master plan. The motion passed 8-1 (Bogen opposed), with a note that final action would await the authority's report.
• Item 67 (Police and Criminal Justice Review Board): The Board considered two options: repeal the board or suspend it for 90 days and revise the ordinance to comply with HB 601. After public testimony, Commissioner Geller moved to adopt option two, emphasizing the need to address mental health issues in jails without painting all officers negatively. The motion passed 9-0.
• Item 56 (Value Adjustment Board Chair): The Board appointed Commissioner Bogen as chair for the Value Adjustment Board. Approved 9-0.
• Item 62 (Children's Services Council Nominations): After individual ballot ranking, the Board approved a list of 16 candidates to submit to Governor DeSantis for appointment. Vote: 8-0 (Commissioner McKinzie absent).
• Item 77 (Library Naming): Mayor Rich submitted a proposal to rename the Stirling Road Branch Library after Marta-Beth Friedman. The Board acknowledged the proposal and co-sponsored it; the item will proceed through the administrative process.
• Item 71 (Canvassing Board): The Board discussed appointments for the 2024 primary election. Commissioner Fisher will serve as substitute for the Supervisor of Elections, Commissioner Udine as alternate, and Commissioner Ryan as second alternate.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Consent Agenda (as amended) 9-0.
• Item 19/20 (Elderly Services): Approved 8-0 with Mayor Rich abstaining.
• Item 36 (Pompano Home Repair): Approved with 60/20/20 allocation and requirement to prioritize Pompano subcontractors. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 44 (Summer Recess Authority): Approved as amended to limit Purchasing Director authority. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 74 (Landfill Height): Motion to direct the County Attorney to draft an ordinance increasing landfill height to 325 feet. Approved 8-1.
• Item 67 (Police Review Board): Ordinance enacted suspending the board for 90 days and directing revision. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 56: Commissioner Bogen appointed VAB chair. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 62: 16 nominees for Children’s Services Council approved. Vote: 8-0.
• Public Hearing Items 63-69: All approved unanimously (items 63-66, 68, 69) or with 8-0 (items 64-67, 68, 69 with Commissioner McKinzie absent). Noted: Item 67 was amended per option two.
• Water Control District Appointments (Items 11-13): Approved with 8-0 votes (Commissioner McKinzie absent).
• Item 78/79: Port Director appointment and Panthers celebration authorization approved 9-0.
• Item 77: Library naming proposal acknowledged for further processing.
• Item 71: Canvassing Board appointments discussed; no formal vote required.