Broward County Commission Meeting - September 5, 2024

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:22 p.m. in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. Commissioners Mark D. Bogen, Lamar P. Fisher, Vice-Mayor Beam Furr, Steve Geller, Robert McKinzie, Mayor Nan H. Rich, Hazelle P. Rogers, and Michael Udine were present. Commissioner Tim Ryan was absent. The meeting included a consent agenda, public hearings, and regular agenda items, covering board appointments, aviation leases, land use amendments, budget resolutions, and naming of county property. Notable presentations included a $25 million federal grant for electric buses and the naming of two courtrooms and a library.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Items 1 through 28, with the following modifications:
  • Item 11 (Royal Caribbean cruise terminal agreement) deferred to September 17.
  • Item 13 (low/no emissions bus grant) transferred to Regular Agenda.
  • Item 7 (Community Partnerships funding) pulled by Mayor Rich for separate vote due to her abstention; approved 7-0.
  • Item 52 (Big Brothers Big Sisters donation) and Item 55 (meeting calendar amendment) transferred to Consent; approved 8-0.
• All consent items passed unanimously (8-0) unless noted, with Commissioner Ryan absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 30 – Margate Land Use Amendment (PC 24-3): Teresa DeCristofaro and Marilyn Neeland spoke in opposition to developing a former golf course into 132 townhomes, citing loss of green space, increased traffic, and impact on senior residents. They presented a petition with 3,563 signatures against the project. The developer’s attorney, Matthew Scott, stated the applicant had reduced units, added a park, and reached agreements with some neighboring associations, but opponents refused to meet.
• Item 46 – Naming Courtroom for James Fox Miller: Chris Nelson spoke in opposition, alleging connections to the FTX scandal and criticizing the naming process. Charles Miller, son of the honoree, defended his father’s legacy and ethical standards.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Federal Grant for Electric Buses (10:57 a.m.): Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, along with FTA Regional Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor, presented a $25 million grant from the FTA’s Low or No Emissions Program for electric buses and charging infrastructure at the Northeast Transit Center in Pompano Beach. The grant is the largest discretionary transit grant in BCT history. The Board approved Resolution 2024-374 with a scrivener’s error corrected (missing "t" on line 31). Vote: 7-0 (Commissioner McKinzie out of room; Ryan absent).
• Item 30 – Margate Land Use Plan Amendment (PC 24-3): After public testimony, Commissioner Bogen expressed concerns about community opposition and lack of developer outreach. Commissioner Geller supported the item, noting the need for housing and deference to local government. The Board approved Ordinance 2024-25, with a brief tabling earlier. Final vote: 7-1 (Commissioner Bogen voted no; Ryan absent).
• Item 46 – Naming Courtroom WW11166 as “The James Fox Miller Courtroom”: Commissioners debated the process. Vice-Mayor Furr sponsored the item, praising Miller’s legal career (former Florida Bar president, top family lawyer). Public speaker Chris Nelson opposed, referencing FTX. Commissioners McKinzie and Udine voted no, citing concerns about naming courtrooms after lawyers and the need for a more rigorous process. The Board approved Resolution 2024-416, 6-2, and directed County Administrator Monica Cepero and County Attorney Andrew Meyers to develop a new naming process for future proposals.
• Item 47 – Naming Courtroom 14150 as “Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein Courtroom”: Senator Geller sponsored the resolution honoring retired Chief Judge Peter Weinstein for his 21 years on the bench, legislative career, and community service. Judge Weinstein and his wife Barbara spoke. All commissioners expressed support, though some noted the need for judicious naming. Approved 8-0.
• Item 48 – Naming Stirling Road Branch Library as “The Marta-Beth Friedman Stirling Road Branch Library”: Mayor Rich sponsored the resolution, joined by all commissioners. Bernie Friedman, husband of the late Marta-Beth Friedman, spoke about her advocacy for libraries and community service. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz also spoke. Approved 8-0.
• Items 35-37 – Utility Rate Resolutions:
  • Item 35: Retail Water and Wastewater Rates – Approved 6-2 (Commissioners Bogen and McKinzie voted no).
  • Item 36: Raw Water Supply Large User Rates – Approved 8-0.
  • Item 37: Wastewater Large User Rates – Approved 7-1 (Commissioner Bogen voted no).
• Items 39-43 – Supplemental Budget Resolutions:
  • Items 39 (General Fund, $30,000) and 40 (Special Revenue Funds, $12,970,116): Discussion focused on a $7.1 million overtime payment for BSO 911 dispatch. Commissioners Bogen and Udine questioned BSO representatives about the need for overtime given recent staffing increases. Colonel Dunbar and Director Angela Myers explained training lags, 12-hour shifts, and mandatory training. The items were approved 7-0 (Commissioner Bogen out of room for votes).
  • Item 41 (Capital Outlay Funds, $12,427,443): Approved 7-0.
  • Item 42 (Enterprise Funds, $106,188,919): Approved 7-0.
  • Item 43 (Internal Service and Debt Service Funds, $450,000 and $3,010): Approved 7-0.
• Item 44 – Repeal of Police and Criminal Justice Review Board Ordinance: County Attorney explained a new state law necessitated repeal to avoid preemption. Commissioner Rogers sponsored. Approved 7-0 (Commissioners Bogen and Ryan absent).
• Item 45 – Preservation of Historical Cultural Resources Sites: Ordinance amending code sections. Approved 7-0.
• Item 49 – JetBlue Airways Lease Amendment: Seventh amendment for Terminal 3 Modernization, increasing addendum by $5.2 million to $270,465,000. Approved 7-0.
• Item 50 – Substitute Canvassing Board Appointment: Commissioner Fisher appointed as substitute for the 2024 general election; Commissioner Udine appointed as alternate. Approved 7-0.
• Item 51 – Executive Session (Shade Meeting): Approved to commence for collective bargaining pursuant to FS §447.605. Vote 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved Resolution 2024-374 accepting $25 million FTA grant for electric buses (7-0).
• Enacted Ordinance 2024-25 for Margate Land Use Plan amendment (PC 24-3) by a 7-1 vote.
• Enacted Ordinance 2024-30 repealing the Police and Criminal Justice Review Board (7-0).
• Enacted Ordinance 2024-31 regarding historical preservation (7-0).
• Approved naming of Courtroom WW11166 as "The James Fox Miller Courtroom" (Resolution 2024-416, 6-2) and directed staff to develop a new naming process.
• Approved naming of Courtroom 14150 as "Chief Judge Peter M. Weinstein Courtroom" (Resolution 2024-417, 8-0).
• Approved naming of Stirling Road Branch Library as "Marta-Beth Friedman Stirling Road Branch Library" (Resolution 2024-418, 8-0).
• Approved revised water/wastewater rates (Items 35-37) with dissenting votes on Items 35 and 37.
• Approved supplemental budget resolutions (Items 39-43) totaling over $131 million, including $7.1 million for BSO 911 dispatch overtime.
• Approved the seventh amendment to JetBlue lease agreement (Item 49).
• Appointed Commissioner Fisher as substitute to the Canvassing Board with Commissioner Udine as alternate (Item 50).
• Approved executive session for collective bargaining (Item 51).