Broward County Commission Meeting - October 8, 2024

The Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10:12 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. in Room 422 of the Broward County Governmental Center. Mayor Nan Rich presided. The meeting included approval of a large consent agenda, two public hearings on land use and ordinances, and a lengthy debate on the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Key decisions included enacting ordinances on camping and alcoholic beverages, approving a PACE program overhaul with a delayed effective date, and failing a motion for municipal cultural grants.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–41 approved unanimously (9-0) except where noted. Items 52 and 55 were transferred to the consent agenda at the Mayor’s request.
• Board appointments were made to multiple advisory boards, including the Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Small Business Development Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and others. Conflict waivers were approved where required.
• Aviation Department: Approved first amendments to two Public Transportation Grant Agreements for North Perry Airport projects: Mitigate RW 1L-19R Crossings & Extend TW A (increased to $2,911,925) and Mitigate Hot Spot 3 (increased to $1,424,820).
• Public Works: Approved Work Authorization No. KCI-018 for Broadview Park Green Infrastructure for Stormwater Flood Mitigation ($649,588).
• Real Property: Authorized the County Administrator to acquire real property through April 16, 2025, with conditions.
• Solid Waste: Approved a shell interlocal agreement for solid waste disposal support services for new municipalities.
• Human Services: Approved a grant application to HRSA for HIV/AIDS services ($3,238,574).
• Port Everglades: Accepted a Federal Port Security Grant ($1,411,111) and approved an amendment to an interlocal agreement with FDOT for traffic sensors.
• Office of Economic and Small Business Development: Approved the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Q4 FY2024 performance report.
• Office of Management and Budget: Approved FY2025 personnel cap of 6,930. Approved multiple Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) budget resolutions for BSO task forces and programs, totaling over $3.3 million.
• County Auditor: Acknowledged an audit of living wage compliance (Report No. 24-29).
• County Attorney: Approved settlements: $111,623 from State of Florida for unpaid invoices; a settlement in Zambrano v. Broward County; and a settlement with James A. Cummings, Inc. et al. in courthouse litigation.
• County Administration: Amended October meeting calendar.
• Parks and Recreation: Approved a settlement for the Secret Woods Nature Center Manatee Overlook Structure ($400,000) and authorized an agreement with Worldwide Sports Management Group to end cricket event management.
• Children's Services Council: Approved $17,500 for Lights On Afterschool event.
• Quasi-Judicial Consent: Approved non-vehicular access line amendments, plat note amendments, and a new plat (Generation at Wilton Manors).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 47 (PACE Ordinance): Seven members of the public signed up to speak. Chris Peterson (Fortify Financial), Rachel Hobbs (Home Run Financing), Bernie Friedman, Nicholas Matthews (Becker Firm on behalf of Wine Green), Neil Schiller (Renew Financial), and Jennifer Rojo Soares (Renew Financial) expressed concerns about last-minute amendments, pricing due diligence, and the use of just value versus AVMs. They urged approval of Senator Geller’s amendment to delay the effective date to allow further negotiation. Robert Holroyd was unable to speak due to being stuck in Tallahassee.
• On Item 49 (PACE Interlocal Agreement): Aaron Dady (Petros Pace Finance) requested confirmation that the agreement would be flexible enough for commercial pace transactions. County Attorney Meyers confirmed it was approved as to form with room for modifications.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – LETF Funding for School Resource Officers in Pompano Beach: Commissioner Udine pulled the item from consent to raise awareness. Vice-Mayor Furr questioned equity and moved to defer. After clarification that funds were solely for Pompano Beach (federal LETF), the motion to defer was withdrawn. Commissioner Udine’s motion to approve passed 8-0 (Commissioner McKinzie absent).
• Item 21 – Ethics Ordinance Amendment: Commissioner Bogen pulled the item, explaining it would raise the food limit from $5 to $25 and lower the drink limit from $100 to $25. Commissioner Geller suggested expanding to cover publicly noticed events. The board agreed to defer to the next meeting to allow drafting of amendments. Vote: 8-0 (Vice-Mayor Furr initially absent, later voted aye to make it 9-0).
• Item 46 – Public Camping or Sleeping Ordinance: Enacted after discussion about enforcement, incarceration costs, and coordination with municipalities. County Attorney Meyers emphasized the ordinance tracks state law and focuses on warnings and civil citations. The board also agreed to schedule a workshop on homelessness.
• Item 47 – PACE Ordinance: Extensive debate on amendments. Commissioners Furr, Geller, and the County Attorney proposed different approaches. After discussion, the board approved the ordinance as amended by Senator Geller (delaying effective date to January 31, 2025) and including a friendly amendment changing “commercial” to “certified” on line 224. Vote: 8-0 (Commissioner McKinzie absent).
• Item 49 – PACE Interlocal Agreement: Tabled initially, then approved as amended after reconsideration of Item 48. Vote: 8-0.
• Item 50 – Florida Medical Center Status: Discussion only. Commissioner Rogers convened a meeting of affected municipalities. County Administrator reported the hospital is in bankruptcy, no bidders, and operational until court decides. Fire rescue officials noted loss of 24-hour cardiac intervention creates transport burdens.
• Item 51 – Municipal Cultural Grant Program: Commissioner Geller proposed allocating $50,000 per commissioner for cultural programming in municipalities with matching funds and city procurement. Concerns raised about equity (9 cities in some districts) and accountability. The motion failed 3-5 (Commissioners Fisher, Ryan, Udine, Vice-Mayor Furr, Mayor Rich opposed).
• Non-Agenda Items: Commissioner Bogen discussed a healthcare pilot project and cancer screening. Commissioner Ryan inquired about emergency shelters and volunteering for Hurricane Milton. Commissioner Fisher addressed Edgewood flooding rumors. Vice-Mayor Furr discussed the Tampa landfill, the vulnerability assessment, and Read for the Record. Commissioner Geller reported on his district meeting, the Anne Frank exhibit, and a Silver Tsunami workshop. Commissioner Rogers discussed the Cultural Arts Program, FITCE foreign trade zones, Junior Carnival, and J’ouvert Festival. County Attorney Meyers thanked Commissioner Geller for help in courthouse litigation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (as amended) by unanimous vote (9-0) at 11:08 a.m.
• Item 13 (Pompano SROs): Approved (Resolution 2024-451) 8-0.
• Item 21 (Ethics Ordinance): Deferred to next meeting.
• Items 42–48 (Public Hearings): All approved or enacted, with votes ranging 8-0 to 9-0.
  • 42: Shell LNG bunkering franchise (Resolution 2024-465) – 9-0.
  • 43A & 43B: Land use plan amendments (Resolutions 2024-466, 2024-467) – 9-0.
  • 44: Alleyway vacation (Resolution 2024-468) – 9-0.
  • 45: Alcoholic beverages ordinance (Ordinance 2024-36) – 9-0.
  • 46: Public camping ordinance (Ordinance 2024-37) – 9-0.
  • 47: PACE ordinance (Ordinance 2024-38) as amended – 8-0.
  • 48: Admin Code amendment (Resolution 2024-469) – 8-0, reconsidered and approved again with additional amendment.
• Item 49 (PACE ILA): Approved 8-0 after tabling.
• Item 51 (Cultural Grants): Failed 3-5.
• Item 52 (Donations): Approved on consent.
• Hurricane Preparedness: County Administrator reported local state of emergency issued, EOC activated (Level 2), sandbag distribution ongoing, parks open, shelters not anticipated. Courts and schools closed Wednesday and Thursday.