Broward County Commission Meeting – February 11, 2025

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners convened on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10:07 a.m. and adjourned at 11:25 a.m. at the Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422. All nine commissioners were present. The agenda included proclamations, a consent agenda, public hearings on land use and ordinance amendments, debate on a major arena operating agreement with the Florida Panthers, a deferred discussion on solid waste, and reports from the Mayor and County Administrator.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (9-0) the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 1 through 26, with Regular Items 32, 33, 34 and Supplemental Items 37, 39, 40 transferred to consent, and Item 38 deferred to the February 25 meeting.
• Board Appointments: Shelby Spicer (Advisory Board for Individuals with Disabilities), RaShana Dabney-Donovan (Bicycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee), Allison Bruchwalski (Substance Abuse Advisory Board), LaurieAnne Minoff (School Oversight Committee), Karlene Maxwell-Williams (Racial Equity Task Force) – all approved 9-0 with waivers where needed.
• Aviation: Design proposal for Terminal 2 Water Feature Artwork at FLL Airport approved (not to exceed $350,000).
• Port Everglades: Grant acceptance ($300,000 from USEPA Clean Ports) and budget resolution for Port Security Grant matching funds ($315,735).
• Office of Emergency Management: License agreement with U.S. Department of Defense for military training at two county locations.
• Intergovernmental Affairs: 2025 State Legislative and Executive Program approved; reappointment of Katherine R. Koch to Racial Equity Task Force with conflict waiver.
• Medical Examiner: Agreement with Florida Department of Health for forensic epidemiologist position ($135,355 annually through August 2028).
• Public Hearing Authorizations: Resolutions adopted to publish notices for hearings on Feb. 25, 2025 (JAX LNG franchise renewal, Resilient Environment Department fee update, Griffin Landmark easement vacation, false ethics complaint attorney’s fee ordinance) and Apr. 22, 2025 (land clearance liens).
• Resilient Environment/Housing Finance: First Amendment to Funding Agreement with Andrews Apartments, LLC (District 8).
• Finance/Accounting: Quarterly Financial Report for Children’s Services Council filed.
• Purchasing: Contracts awarded for Chilled Water Loops Treatment ($539,300 over five years), Pine Island Road Engineering ($1.74 million over project), and BMSD Block Rebuild Program ($25,000).
• Quasi-Judicial Items: Plat amendments approved (Alexander Young, Marigold, BF Pompano) subject to staff recommendations.
• County Auditor: Follow-up Review of Audit of Investment Program (Report 25-08) acknowledged and filed after brief discussion (Commissioner Udine).
• County Attorney: Participation Agreement for Petroleum Products Corporation Superfund Site approved.
• County Commission: Donations totaling $3,500 to Caribbean Americas Soccer Association, United Negro College Fund, and Island SPACE Caribbean Museum approved (District 9).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak on any public hearing items (27-30) or the delegation item (31).

Discussion Items

• Item 25 – Broward County Civic Arena Operating and License Agreements with Florida Panthers: Commissioner Rich pulled the item from consent for discussion. County Administrator Monica Cepero summarized the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (initial term July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2033, with two five-year county options). Key provisions: Panthers will fully repay $51.5 million in outstanding bonds; commit at least $1 million annually in community contributions; and may submit a development vision for the property within the first four years. Multiple commissioners (Rich, Bogen, Geller, Rogers, Davis via staff) praised the Panthers’ community involvement. Matt Calderone (Panthers president) thanked the commission and noted the organization’s commitment to the region. The board approved the operating agreement, license agreement, and related resolutions (redemption of bonds up to $50 million, TDT fund transfer of $15 million, budget resolutions for bond defeasance, etc.) all by 9-0 votes.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Furr thanked Public Communications staff for memorializing a courtroom and Highway Construction Director Richard Tornese for a bicycle route tour. He reported on a four-hour Solid Waste Workshop, emphasizing the need for a landfill (20% residual waste even after diversion), urgency after Tampa Bay’s landfill capacity drop, and discussion of emerging technologies. He also shared a meeting with Miccosukee Tribe Chairman Talbert Cypress to open communication. He promoted the Ignite Broward arts festival (Feb. 14-23, 2025) starting in Hollywood.
• County Administrator’s Report: Monica Cepero encouraged attendance at Ignite Broward events across three cities and recognized Ronald J. Puentes as Broward County 2024 Chief Building Official of the Year.
• Deferred Item: Item 38 (alternative solid waste disposal options) was deferred to the February 25, 2025 meeting without objection.
• Non-Agenda Items: Commissioner Fisher congratulated Greg Stuart on being elected Vice President of the Association of MPOs. Commissioner Davis’s staff reported on community events in District 7.

Key Outcomes

• Item 25 (Civic Arena) – Approved 9-0: Second Amended and Restated Operating and License Agreements with Florida Panthers; resolutions authorizing bond redemption (up to $50 million), TDT fund transfer ($15 million), and budget appropriations for defeasance ($49.13 million for Series 2006B/2016 bonds; $2.37 million for Series 2018 note); and a directive to draft an ordinance amending tourist development tax provisions.
• Public Hearings – All Enacted: Ordinance 2025-05 (Land Use Plan map amendment PC 24-6, Fort Lauderdale) – 8-0 (Bogen absent); Ordinance 2025-06 (text amendment PCT 24-3, Uptown Urban Village Activity Center) – 8-0; Resolution 2025-031 (easement vacation, Sunrise) – 8-0 then 9-0 after Bogen requested vote; Ordinance 2025-07 (Cone of Silence amendment) – 8-0 then 9-0; Ordinance 2025-08 (Storage and Seizure of Personal Property) – 9-0.
• Consent Agenda – Approved 9-0 as amended, with items pulled discussed and voted separately.
• Staff Recognition: Ronald J. Puentes recognized as Chief Building Official of the Year.
• Next Meeting: February 25, 2025, 10:00 AM, Room 422, including deferred solid waste discussion and scheduled public hearings.