Broward County Commission Meeting – September 17, 2024
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Broward County Commission Meeting – September 17, 2024
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 10:09 AM to 12:38 PM in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. Mayor Nan Rich presided. The meeting included four proclamations, a consent agenda, two items pulled for separate consideration, a public hearing section, and several regular agenda items. Key actions included approval of a new term sheet with the Florida Panthers for arena operations and a resolution supporting the release of ten cities from outdated educational mitigation agreements.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–44 were approved as a block, with the following exceptions: Item 36 (health insurance and benefits) and Item 39 (PFAS settlement) were pulled for separate votes; Item 44 (cricket event agreement) was withdrawn. Regular Agenda Item 56 and Supplemental Items 60 and 62 were transferred to the Consent Agenda.
- All consent items were passed by a 7-0 vote (Commissioners Geller and McKinzie were not audible during the vote).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 61 (Tri-Party Educational Mitigation Agreements): Four speakers addressed the board:
- Dennis Mealy (representing property owners) argued that the agreements, recorded against properties without property owner consent, are no longer justified since schools are no longer overcrowded, and they impose excessive fees beyond regular impact fees.
- Chris Akabusu (Director of Facility Planning, Broward County Public Schools) stated that the agreements help recoup the full cost of student stations, and that removing them would result in millions of dollars in lost revenue to the school board. He noted that affordable housing projects can still pay regular impact fees if certified.
- Russ Clannette (attorney for the City of Oakland Park) described how the Sky Project in Oakland Park required a $1 million payment to the school board for only six expected students, and a future affordable housing project would face a $2 million fee. He urged the county to add its voice to the request for release.
- Melissa P. Dunn (Commissioner, City of Lauderhill) expressed support for the resolution, noting that her city faces possible school closures while still bound by the 2007 agreement.
Discussion Items
- Item 36 (Health Insurance and Benefits): Commissioner Bogen pulled the item to oppose a 5% increase in employees’ payroll deductions (Motion A). He argued that employees should not face higher costs. County Administrator Monica Cepero noted the impact would be small (e.g., $13 annual increase for employee-only coverage). Vice-Mayor Furr moved approval of Motion A, which passed 6-1 (Bogen opposed). Motions B (457 deferred compensation match with $2,600 annual cap) and C (UnitedHealthcare Diabetic Level 2 Program with $5 per pay period surcharge) passed unanimously.
- Item 39 (PFAS Settlements): Vice-Mayor Furr pulled the item to seek an update on mitigation plans for wastewater and biosolids. County Administrator confirmed that funds are in the budget and an update on wastewater is being prepared. The motion to authorize the County Administrator to execute settlement documents passed 7-0.
- Item 57 (Florida Panthers Arena Term Sheet): County Administrator Monica Cepero presented the proposed 19-year agreement (9-year initial term with two 5-year county options). The Panthers would pay $51.5 million to satisfy outstanding bond debt, increase annual community donations to $1 million, double co-branding marketing to $1 million, and contribute $300,000 annually for youth hockey. The county would commit $25 million per year from Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for capital and operating expenses, dropping to $20 million in the second renewal. The Panthers also receive exclusive rights to propose development on 70 acres of county-owned land around the arena, subject to county approval.
- Matt Caldwell (Panthers President/CEO) highlighted the team’s community investments, growing attendance (66% of ticket buyers from outside Broward, 30 sellouts in 2023–24), and economic impact ($125 million from two playoff runs).
- Commissioners expressed strong support, citing the team’s partnership, community engagement, and the need for a long-term commitment. Commissioner Udine emphasized that the county should let the Panthers drive the vision for development. Mayor Rich and Commissioner Rogers noted the importance of affordable housing considerations in future development. The term sheet was approved 9-0 (Commissioners Geller and McKinzie voted telephonically).
- Item 61 (Tri-Party Educational Mitigation Agreements): Commissioner Fisher sponsored a resolution supporting the release of ten cities from agreements that impose additional student station fees beyond standard impact fees. He argued the agreements are outdated (schools are no longer overcrowded) and hinder affordable housing development. Vice-Mayor Furr expressed concern about undermining public school funding, but the resolution passed 7-1 (Furr opposed). Commissioner Fisher requested that the county send a letter to the school board and schedule a joint meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Item 36A (Health Insurance Increase): Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Bogen opposed).
- Item 36B and 36C (Benefits): Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Item 39 (PFAS Settlements): Approved 7-0.
- Item 57 (Panthers Term Sheet): Approved 9-0 (Commissioners Geller and McKinzie telephonically).
- Item 61 (Educational Mitigation Release): Approved 7-1 (Vice-Mayor Furr opposed).
- Public Hearing Items (45–54): All passed unanimously (8-0, with Commissioner Geller telephonically).
- Proclamations were presented: Hispanic Heritage Month, Diaper Needs Awareness Week, Banned Books Week, and National Recovery Month/National Addiction Professionals Day.
- Reports: Mayor Rich recognized National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day. County Administrator Cepero thanked Assistant County Administrator Kevin Kelleher for his work on the Panthers agreement and noted September is National Preparedness Month and Hunger Action Month.
- Non-Agenda Items: Vice-Mayor Furr announced a Solid Waste Authority public meeting on September 18 in Lauderhill, a Resilience Roundtable on the Vulnerability Assessment Plan, and thanked James Gaddis for whistleblowing on state park projects. Commissioner Rogers advised she would be on Caribbean Radio to promote voter registration and the Microgrant Program.
Meeting Transcript
Your mobile device. A registration form must be completed for each item you wish to speak on. If you have trouble registering digitally, visit County Administration on the fourth floor for assistance. No further speaker sign ups will be accepted after an item has been called. Please show respect for others and refrain from making impertinent slanderous remarks or personal attacks. Boisterous behavior, including applause. Booing and cheering is not permitted. Thank you for joining us. The meeting will begin shortly. I call the meeting to order. If anybody can hear good morning, how are you? Okay. All right. Let's get this show on the road. Okay. Let's get the members. I know I then I know gallers in New York, right? Okay. All right. Good morning. One, two, three, four, five. We're good. We're good. Okay. Good morning, everyone. This is like morning, everyone. This is the Brown County Board of County Commissioners meeting of Tuesday, September seventeenth, twenty twenty-four. This morning, I would like to invite our deputy county administrator to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ladies and gentlemen, it is customary that we observe a moment of silence in honor of notable persons from our community who have recently passed. Colleagues, does anyone have uh anyone they wish to remember this morning? Commissioner Rogers, thank you, Madam Mayor, colleagues, those listening. Commissioner Aisha Gordon from the City of Oakland Park wanted for me to recognize Deacon J. C. Clark Sr., who was a pioneer in the City of Oakland Park community for several years. Significant figure as she would describe this special person. He will be missed not only by his family, but also his community. Commissioner Carlene Maxwell Williams, City of Lauderdale Lakes, Senior Deacon Cleveland Grant, passed peacefully at the age of 102. Family and children, grandchildren, everyone, the city of Lauderdale Lakes mourns that loss. And they will forever treasure and cherish the memories. Violet Elise Gray, age 99 of the City of Sunrise, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, September 11th. She worked in the nursing field at Greenridge Hospital for 45 years and has a passion for family and friends. She will be greatly missed by friends and family and the community. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, everyone. Thank you. Okay. Let us all also remember that recently many of us attended commemorations for the 23rd anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Please remember all the people who perished in those terrorist attacks. Let us also remember all the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces, both here and abroad, and thank them for their service. We'll pause for a moment of silence.
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