OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Broward County Commission Meeting – Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Upcoming and Archived Meetings — Tuesday, April 22, 2025
BodyBroward County, Florida
SessionUpcoming and Archived Meetings
DateTuesday, April 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:02:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And honor all the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces, both here and abroad, and thank them for the service.

0:08

And if we'll pause for a moment of silence.

0:22

Thank you.

0:22

Please take your seat.

0:28

Wanna welcome everyone to the meeting.

0:30

I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter and Passover with your families.

0:33

Today is April 22nd, a big day for another reason.

0:36

It's Earth Day.

0:38

And I'm proud to say that Broward County, led by a resilient environmental staff, and our municipal partners is one of the best environmental stewards of anywhere in the country.

0:47

And I want to thank them for that.

0:50

We should be proud of them and proud of the work they've been doing.

0:55

The music today was selected by Commissioner Rogers.

1:06

In the office, he said he was great.

1:11

Is he going to perform again?

1:12

Or are we?

1:13

Yes, okay.

1:14

Um I'll let you kind of introduce him.

1:18

Um Commissioner Rogers, if you'd like to would you like to introduce okay.

1:24

Thank you, Mr.

1:25

Mayor Colleague, and I must congratulate and thank my colleague here who started this cultural component here at the our commission meeting.

1:35

And yes, thank you very much.

1:37

It gives me an honor and privilege to welcome our international renowned dub poet as he shared with you.

1:46

It's uh poetry with a beat, and it started in Jamaica, but it is for everyone.

1:52

The message, please listen to the message.

1:55

Malachi Smith.

2:01

Thanks, man.

2:02

Commissioners.

2:04

So um, as the commissioner said, this brand of poetry, dub poetry, it has a connection to the motherland in that it came across the Atlantic and it manifested itself as the poetry in Jamaica, which functioned as part of the disguised mode.

2:22

It became DJing, rapping, so they're all cousins, they're all tied into that neat bow.

2:28

I'm gonna do one piece with a track and give you an idea of what it feels like on stage, working out with a band.

2:36

Okay, and this one is titled The Kids of Today are reaching out.

2:43

We need to reach back and save them.

2:46

Are you ready?

2:50

Gotcha, Bill, got to be back of families, free the kids from the net and teach them positive.

3:01

You say the cool kid, you tatu my TV cut it.

3:04

You say the one where you shoot at my TV come.

3:07

You say the one with the AGL who can get beer.

3:13

You say the one who cool graduate but never been to school, Mama, Papa, Granny, Grandpa.

3:26

Take this key, open your ears and digest reality.

3:32

Turn the woman to a school.

3:35

Use books as a tool to shop me, young mind.

3:39

Don't leave them behind.

3:40

Cause in that needs a time, if you don't have a head, you're dead.

3:46

Got to bill, got to bill, a back of families.

3:52

Free the kids from the nest and teach them positive.

3:59

After birth, a key the sock clean that some mother earth.

4:03

Who went to a such a flow from the fountain of your beam, not nuclear mid inferior complex ice cream with that in the corner as a partner who leap by you to charge a murder?

4:16

Got it, Bill, got it, Bill, back our families.

4:22

Free the kids from the nest and teach them positive.

4:28

Teach the youth their history, the origin of civilization from the days of Queen Hot Soto, long before King Bob Bellam, before Michelangelo and Alexander the Great, there was Timeth and Newbia.

4:45

Before the French had done I for Toa, the Geeze Hot Skyscraper, man said, got to bill, got to Bill, back of Millis, for your free the kids from the net and teach them positive.

5:00

Tree, the origin of civilization from the days of Queen Hot Soto, long before King Bob Bellam, before Michelangelo Analyzander degree, there was Timeth and Ubifor the French had done I Fotoa Giza Hot Skyscraper Manna Teda Gotabill Familles for your free the kids from the net and teach them podcasting about the middle passage on the sardine ships of slavery how for peer and for pie like luck to come build this country how dear blood to the volume of the Atlantic Ocean So every time you're deep in the sea you're swimming in the tears of the black said got to bill got to bill back off free the kids from the net and teaching you say the cool kid you tato TV come you say the one where Yashu Tatumat you say the one with the AGL who can get BL the one who cool graduate but never been to school teach the kids the gun is death give the kids a heart for a pet tell the kids a non-story but don't forget to teach reality full them up with science and art give the kids the right star the jump is up to beaten in their chest mama papa, we have to do the best.

6:20

I said got it, got it back off.

6:25

Thank you so much, Mr.

6:31

Mayor, and he's uh police officer, retired police officer out of Miami Day.

6:38

Awesome point.

6:39

Thank you, my Alachi.

6:41

Thank you, Malikai.

6:42

That was great.

6:43

I'll touch on me a club.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████████████32%
Personnel Matters██████████████████18%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Procurement And Contracting█████5%
Public Comment███3%
Tourism Promotion███3%
Arts And Culture██2%
Driver's License Services██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Broward County Commission Meeting – Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The Broward County Commission convened on April 22, 2025, at 10:02 a.m. in Room 422 of the Governmental Center. The meeting recessed at 12:39 p.m., reconvened at 1:11 p.m., recessed again at 3:45 p.m., reconvened at 3:57 p.m., and adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Commissioners present: Vice-Mayor Mark D. Bogen, Lamar P. Fisher, Mayor Beam Furr, Steve Geller, Robert McKinzie, Nan H. Rich, Hazelle P. Rogers, Alexandra P. Davis (participated telephonically for consent and part of regular agenda), and Michael Udine. The agenda included consent items (1-39), public hearings (40-50), and regular agenda (51-70). Several proclamations were presented, and a dub poet performed.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1-39 approved unanimously (8-0, Vice-Mayor Bogen absent for some). Notable approvals:
    • Terminal Building Lease Agreement with PrimeFlight Aviation Services (Item 2) – 5-year lease at FLL.
    • Resolution accepting a 50-year Sovereignty Submerged Lands Easement (Item 24) – no cost to County.
    • First Amendment to Temporary Revocable License Agreement with Florida Gas Transmission (Item 5).
    • Tri‑Party Grant Agreement with City of Fort Lauderdale and Performing Arts Center Authority – County contribution not to exceed $5 million (Item 36, pulled from consent for brief discussion).
    • Performing Arts Center Authority budget for FY 2025: $62,547,730 (Item 37).
    • Final Guaranteed Maximum Price for 500-Car Secured Parking Garage & Plaza: $17,597,743 (Item 60, transferred to consent).
    • Resolution approving Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for Broward Commuter Rail‑North Project – $20 million for Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) study (Item 61, transferred to consent).
    • Appointment of Dr. Ertha Posey to Library Advisory Board and related conflict waiver (Item 67).
    • Direction to draft ordinance regarding private school transportation providers (Item 68).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 48 (Motor Carrier Ordinance): Eight speakers addressed the Board:

    • Myra Viera (private children’s transportation) requested that regulations match lower Department of Children and Families standards instead of higher vehicle‑for‑hire requirements; cited insurance $500,000 for vans vs. $100,000 for child‑care facilities.
    • Jean Bernard St. Alien (Taxi Drivers Association) argued that $13 minimum fare at port/airport is insufficient after credit‑card fees; called for higher rates.
    • Joe Davis (Yellow Cab/United Cab) supported the ordinance and Commissioner Fisher’s amendments on color‑scheme protection and pre‑negotiated rates; opposed allowing uninspected outside vehicles.
    • Nick Matthews (Becker Firm, for Yellow Cab) urged passing the ordinance with Fisher amendments.
    • Rick Versace (Florida Limousine Association) opposed elimination of the cap on for‑hire vehicles and requirement for out‑of‑county vehicles to get Broward inspections; suggested telematics and cameras instead.
    • Ina Lee (Travel Host, representing tourism) stressed the need for clean, well‑maintained taxis ahead of IPW (International Pow Wow) in 2025 – 6,000 travel professionals, projected $383 million economic impact in year one.
    • Bill Walker (Broward Workshop) echoed quality concerns.
    • Oz Atgun (Florida Limousine Association) opposed mandatory Broward inspection for vehicles already inspected in other counties.

  • Item 45 (Land Clearance Lien): One speaker (Jimmy Wexelbaum) signed up but did not appear.

  • Item 50 (Speed Detection Systems in School Zones): Nick Matthews (Becker Firm, representing RedSpeed) spoke in favor; cited 98% reduction in speeding in Pinecrest after six months, 90% of violators non‑local, and <12% recidivism.

  • Item 49 (Collective Bargaining Impasse – BSO): Both union and BSO presented positions; no public testimony from outside parties.

Discussion Items

  • Item 66 – Tax Collector Appointment Scalping: Commissioner Rogers moved to direct County Attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting unauthorized sale/resale of public service appointments (e.g., driver’s license appointments). Tax Collector Abby Ajahi supported the measure, noting 43,000 transactions per year from non‑Broward residents. Passed 8‑0.

  • Item 48 – Motor Carrier Ordinance: After extensive debate, the Board enacted Ordinance 2025‑18 as amended (Exhibit 2 from Commissioner Fisher on color scheme and pre‑negotiated rates; plus a technical amendment by County Attorney’s office). The ordinance updates definitions, minimum vehicle requirements, fare payment methods, and penalties. The Board committed to separately study vehicle quality standards, fares, and insurance requirements for children’s transportation. Passed 8‑0.

  • Items 50 & 51 – Speed Detection Systems in School Zones: Heard concurrently. Item 50 (Ordinance) and Item 51 (Resolution urging municipalities) were debated at length. Key amendments adopted:

    • 90‑day public awareness campaign before enforcement begins.
    • 100‑foot deceleration zone after yellow flashing lights before citation can be issued.
    • Grandfathering three cities that already had operational programs (applied to county for license agreements).
    • Funds from citations in the BMSD (Broward Municipal Services District) to remain in the BMSD.
    • Municipalities may choose to enforce only when flashers are on or all school hours, but must follow the 90‑day and 100‑foot requirements if using county right‑of‑way. Item 50 passed 8‑0; Item 51 (Resolution) passed 7‑0 (Commissioner Davis and Vice‑Mayor Bogen absent).

  • Item 49 – Collective Bargaining Impasse (BSO Article 21 – Job Bidding): The sole unresolved issue was whether detention deputies could continue bidding for specific posts and facilities by seniority (current practice for 32 years). BSO sought to eliminate post/facility bidding; union opposed. After hours of testimony, the Board facilitated a compromise:

    • Agreed language: “In the event of excessive sick calls, medical emergencies, assault/fights, deaths in custody, or for other legitimate operational needs, management has the right to move detention personnel from their post to address the issue. This provision shall not be used in a punitive, arbitrary, or capricious manner. Under these circumstances, the backfill restriction shall not apply.”
    • The Board adopted this amendment as the resolution of the impasse. Vote: 7‑0 (Commissioner Davis and Vice‑Mayor Bogen not present).

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinances Enacted: No. 2025‑18 (Motor Carriers) and No. 2025‑19 (Speed Detection Systems in School Zones).
  • Resolutions Approved: Nos. 2025‑069 through 2025‑083 (including budget transfers, vacation/abandonment, amended Administrative Code, and the LPA/BCR‑North approval).
  • Contracts/Agreements Approved: Multi‑million‑dollar amendments for airport consultant services (Items 52‑59, up to $10 million each); Baggage Handling Systems contract (Oshkosh AeroTech, initial $21.4 million, potential five‑year total $53.6 million).
  • Impasse Resolved: Compromise language on BSO job bidding adopted.
  • Direction to County Attorney: Draft ordinances on (a) tax collector appointment scalping and (b) private school transportation providers.
  • Next Steps: Second public hearings for Items 40 (Port Everglades terminal lease) and 41 (FIT amendment) set for May 6, 2025. The Supplemental Budget public hearing also set for May 6, 2025. Office of Management and Budget to return with tiny‑house discussion.

Meeting Transcript

And honor all the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces, both here and abroad, and thank them for the service. And if we'll pause for a moment of silence. Thank you. Please take your seat. Wanna welcome everyone to the meeting. I hope everybody had a wonderful Easter and Passover with your families. Today is April 22nd, a big day for another reason. It's Earth Day. And I'm proud to say that Broward County, led by a resilient environmental staff, and our municipal partners is one of the best environmental stewards of anywhere in the country. And I want to thank them for that. We should be proud of them and proud of the work they've been doing. The music today was selected by Commissioner Rogers. In the office, he said he was great. Is he going to perform again? Or are we? Yes, okay. Um I'll let you kind of introduce him. Um Commissioner Rogers, if you'd like to would you like to introduce okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Colleague, and I must congratulate and thank my colleague here who started this cultural component here at the our commission meeting. And yes, thank you very much. It gives me an honor and privilege to welcome our international renowned dub poet as he shared with you. It's uh poetry with a beat, and it started in Jamaica, but it is for everyone. The message, please listen to the message. Malachi Smith. Thanks, man. Commissioners. So um, as the commissioner said, this brand of poetry, dub poetry, it has a connection to the motherland in that it came across the Atlantic and it manifested itself as the poetry in Jamaica, which functioned as part of the disguised mode. It became DJing, rapping, so they're all cousins, they're all tied into that neat bow. I'm gonna do one piece with a track and give you an idea of what it feels like on stage, working out with a band. Okay, and this one is titled The Kids of Today are reaching out. We need to reach back and save them. Are you ready? Gotcha, Bill, got to be back of families, free the kids from the net and teach them positive. You say the cool kid, you tatu my TV cut it. You say the one where you shoot at my TV come. You say the one with the AGL who can get beer. You say the one who cool graduate but never been to school, Mama, Papa, Granny, Grandpa. Take this key, open your ears and digest reality. Turn the woman to a school. Use books as a tool to shop me, young mind. Don't leave them behind. Cause in that needs a time, if you don't have a head, you're dead. Got to bill, got to bill, a back of families. Free the kids from the nest and teach them positive. After birth, a key the sock clean that some mother earth. Who went to a such a flow from the fountain of your beam, not nuclear mid inferior complex ice cream with that in the corner as a partner who leap by you to charge a murder? Got it, Bill, got it, Bill, back our families. Free the kids from the nest and teach them positive. Teach the youth their history, the origin of civilization from the days of Queen Hot Soto, long before King Bob Bellam, before Michelangelo and Alexander the Great, there was Timeth and Newbia.

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