Broward County Commission Regular Meeting – February 25, 2025

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners met on February 25, 2025, from 10:07 a.m. to 1:08 p.m. in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, multiple public hearings, and debate on several items, most notably a series of land‑use amendments and ordinances related to the proposed expansion of the Monarch Hill Landfill. The board also recognized Florida Bicycle Month and Water Matters Day with proclamations, and observed a moment of silence for several individuals.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 28 were approved unanimously (9‑0) with the following exceptions: Items 4, 10, and 27 were pulled for separate consideration. Items 39, 42, and 46 were moved to the Consent Agenda and approved. Item 47 was withdrawn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 27 (Hands‑Free Driving Resolution): Demetrius Branca, whose son was killed by a distracted driver, urged adoption of the resolution. He noted that 30 states have enacted hands‑free laws and that Broward County saw 38,000 crashes, 23,000 injuries, and 221 fatalities in 2024. Several commissioners expressed support, and the resolution was adopted unanimously (9‑0).
• Items 33‑36 (Monarch Hill Landfill Expansion): Twenty‑two members of the public spoke, mostly in opposition. Representatives from the cities of Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, and others cited concerns about odors, groundwater contamination, health risks, broken promises by Waste Management, and the need to wait for the Solid Waste Authority’s master plan. One speaker (Greg Ross, former SWA chair) supported the expansion, arguing it was necessary for the county’s waste disposal needs. Several elected officials, including State Representative Dan Daly and others, urged delay or denial.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 (Funding Increase for Broward Behavioral Health Coalition): Commissioner Rich abstained due to her board membership. The item was approved 8‑0.
• Item 10 (Youth Climate Action Fund Grant): Mayor Furr highlighted the $100,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for youth‑led climate projects, with a March 15 deadline. Approved unanimously.
• Item 27 (Hands‑Free Driving Resolution): Resolution supporting state legislation requiring hands‑free use of mobile devices while driving. Approved unanimously.
• Items 33‑36 (Monarch Hill Landfill): These four items were heard together and voted separately. The county attorney read amended motion statements that tied approval to Waste Management’s execution of a restrictive covenant, agreement, and voluntary commitments. Commissioner Geller argued that waiting for the SWA master plan was not realistic and that the county needed the capacity. Commissioner Bogen and others opposed, citing prior promises, environmental concerns, and the availability of other disposal options. The votes were:
  • Item 33 (Land Use Plan Amendment): Approved 5‑3 (Commissioners Davis, Fisher, and Vice‑Mayor Bogen voting no; Commissioner McKinzie absent).
  • Item 34 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment): Approved 5‑3 (same split).
  • Item 35 (Waste Limitation Ordinance): Approved 8‑0 (Commissioner McKinzie absent).
  • Item 36 (Height Limitation for Landfills): Approved 5‑3 (same split).
• Item 37 (Third Amendment – Wheelabrator Agreement): This amendment gives the county a unilateral option to extend the waste‑to‑energy agreement to 2033 if it delivers 500,000 tons of waste. Approved 7‑1 (Vice‑Mayor Bogen opposed; Commissioner McKinzie absent).
• Item 43 (Alternative Solid Waste Disposal Options): Deferred to the March 11, 2025 commission meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Board Appointments (Item 1): Tonya Wesley Pile appointed to the Substance Abuse Advisory Board; Knellee Bisram appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women. Both approved with conflict waivers where applicable.
• Aviation (Item 2): Approved first amendments to Lyft and Uber operating agreements at FLL and Port Everglades, allowing up to five additional one‑year terms.
• Transportation Grant (Item 3): Approved $49,737 grant for Taxiway M pavement rehabilitation at North Perry Airport.
• Ryan White Program (Item 5): Adopted Resolution No. 2025‑032 authorizing $20,206,459 for Ryan White services; approved single source for Broward Health Department and 25 conflict waivers.
• Davie CRA Extension (Item 11): Approved interlocal agreement extending the Town of Davie CRA to 2039 with $18.56 million in county contributions for affordable housing.
• Driftwood Terrace Housing (Item 12): Authorized up to $26,000,000 in multifamily housing revenue notes for rehabilitation.
• Quarterly Investment Report (Item 13) and Tree Preservation Trust Fund (Item 14): Filed as required.
• Interpretation and Translation Services (Item 16): Awarded contracts with a five‑year estimated amount of $1,178,933.
• Settlements (Items 18, 19): Approved two claim settlements.
• Plat Approvals (Items 20‑22): Approved 2nd Street Estates plat, Federation Manor plat note amendment, and Croatian American Social Club plat modification.
• Audit Report (Item 23): Acknowledged and filed audit on backflow prevention device testing.
• Prompt Payment Policy (Item 24): Directed County Attorney to draft ordinance amending the policy.
• Cultural Grants (Item 25): Filed semi‑annual report and closed FY2024 grant cycle.
• Jury Compensation (Item 26): Directed County Administrator to discuss supplemental compensation for long felony trials with the Clerk of Courts.
• Anchoring Limitation Area (Item 28): Directed County Attorney to draft an ILA with Fort Lauderdale for Lake Sylvan.
• Port Everglades Bunkering Franchise (Item 29): Adopted Resolution No. 2025‑037, renewing a five‑year franchise to JAX LNG, LLC.
• RED Fees (Item 30): Adopted Resolution No. 2025‑038 updating fees consistent with a fee study.
• Easement Vacation (Item 31): Adopted Resolution No. 2025‑039 vacating five easements in the Town of Davie.
• Ethics Complaints (Item 32): Enacted Ordinance No. 2025‑09 allowing attorney’s fee recovery for false ethics complaints.
• Tourist Development Taxes (Item 39): Set a public hearing for March 11, 2025, on a proposed ordinance.
• Airport Grounds Maintenance (Item 40): Awarded contracts for Groups 1 and 2 (five‑year totals $3,639,736 and $3,181,875).
• Fire Suppression Services (Item 41): Awarded contract to Polaris Fire Protection (five‑year total $10,374,176).
• Nature Centers Exhibit Design (Item 42): Approved final ranking of firms.
• Operational Audit of FLL (Item 46): Approved engagement letter with the Auditor General.

Note: The meeting was adjourned at 1:08 p.m. and proceeded to the Joint Legislative Delegation Workshop in Room 430.