Broward County Commission Meeting – May 6, 2025

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners convened on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:07 AM and adjourned at 12:39 PM. The meeting included proclamations, an Innovation Day presentation, a consent agenda with 41 items, public hearings, and regular agenda items. Key actions included approval of numerous contracts and budget resolutions, a continued debate on a new ambulance transport certificate, and updates on the Heart Project and legislative matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (Items 1–41) with modifications: Item 9 moved to regular agenda, Supplemental Item 54 moved to consent, Items 11, 27, and 36 pulled for separate consideration.
• Board appointments approved: Joseph Kenner (Homeless Continuum of Care Board), Claudia Castillo (Broward Cultural Council), Shaena Wan Lockhart (Advisory Board for Individuals with Disabilities), each with conflict-of-interest waivers.
• Numerous departmental motions approved, including:
  • Terminal Building Lease Agreement with Triangle Services of Florida, Inc. for 236 sq ft breakroom space at FLL Airport (Aug 2025–Aug 2030).
  • Threshold increase for Roofing Maintenance contract with Advanced Roofing, Inc. ($500,000 increase, new five-year max $2,425,650).
  • First Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with City of Fort Lauderdale for Effluent Force Main Project (contingent on city approval by May 9, 2025).
  • Lighting system agreements with City of Parkland at no cost to the county.
  • Revocable License Agreement with FDOT for canal improvements.
  • Lease amendment with AW Riverbend, LLC and RMC Riverbend, LLC (five-year extension, additional renewal option).
  • Fourth Amendment with WellSky Corporation for HMIS software ($390,000 increase).
  • Settlement Agreement for Medication Assisted Treatment Program services ($29,920, pulled by public, approved as amended).
  • Funding resolution for local match funding ($3,663,295) and conflict waivers for advisory board members.
  • Funding increases for housing service providers (May–Sept 2025) and conflict waivers.
  • Underground Duct Bank & Manhole Installation Agreement and easement for Port Everglades Southport Phase IXa ($1,627,725 to FPL).
  • Federal subgrant for Hurricane Milton disaster relief (DR-4834).
  • Reappointments to Racial Equity Task Force (Dr. Jeff Holness, Regina A. Faulk).
  • Budget resolutions for Law Enforcement Trust Fund ($92,508 for speed boards; $12,610 for utility trailer).
  • Four resolutions setting public hearings for May 20, 2025: Port Everglades franchises (marine terminal security, vessel bunkering, cargo handler, stevedore) and administrative code amendment for Broward Addiction Recovery Division.
  • Travel approval for more than five Libraries Division employees.
  • Fourth Amendment with Presidio Networked Solutions for Cisco equipment (six-month extension).
  • Contracts: US Foods ($520,000 initial, up to $1,000,000) for food distribution; PetData, Inc. ($4,774,700) for animal tag licensing; Gannett Fleming, Inc. ($18,500,000) for PD&E study (pulled by public, approved as amended).
  • Contracts for Transit Bus Stop Shelter Infrastructure (HC&E Group, $1,514,625 initial; Primus Construction, $1,936,875 initial).
  • Award to Mobile Tech of South Florida LLC for hydraulic system repair ($634,500 initial).
  • First Amendment with Corvel Healthcare for workers' comp services (one-year extension).
  • Authorization for CDBG-MIT Subrecipient Agreement for Broadview Park flood mitigation ($5,000,000).
• Quasi-judicial consent items: Plat approvals for Empowerment (001-MP-24), Fruscians Tract plat note amendment, and Biltmore Mansions non-vehicular access line amendment.
• County Auditor reports acknowledged: Follow-up Review of Audit of Purchasing & Inventory Management – Transit Division (Report 25-15) and Fleet Services Division Fuel Audit (Report 25-16). Commissioner Udine pulled the fuel audit; board discussed it and approved.
• Authorization for Aviation Department Director to act on Silver Airways bankruptcy.
• Resolutions for Florida Inland Navigation District grants: Deerfield Island Basin Dock Phase I ($70,000 grant/$140,000 total), Environmental Resource Center Phase I ($916,050/$1,832,100), Outdoor Classroom Phase I ($173,750/$347,500).
• Revocable License Agreement with City of Coconut Creek for multi-use pathway.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 11 (Settlement Agreement): Chris Nelson spoke in support, praising BAR services.
• Item 27 (PD&E Study): Joe Wynne signed up but did not appear.
• Item 44 (BLS Transport Certificate): Six speakers:
  • Charles Maiman (MCT Express) supported the trauma agency's recommendation to deny.
  • Nick Matthews (National Health Transport) opposed approval, citing 33-minute response times and system adequacy.
  • Alissa Garcia (National Health Transport) highlighted their infrastructure and 26 ambulances.
  • Yaima Acosta (AMR) opposed, stating 10-12 ambulances daily and capacity to add more.
  • Ingrid Basiles (applicant) argued that other providers are not meeting needs; she can deploy 10 BLS vehicles and has a letter of need from John Knox Village.

Discussion Items

• Innovation Day Presentation: Lenny Vialpando and Phil McChesney showcased 3D rendering, 3D printing, VR, drones, LIDAR, and AI used for flood response, transit planning, and public engagement. Commissioners asked about a hologram box and cybersecurity concerns.
• Item 36 (Fuel Audit Report): Commissioner Udine noted discrepancies and urged quarterly re-audits; board approved.
• Item 44 (BLS Transport Certificate): Extensive debate. Commissioner Geller moved to deny, citing seven code criteria that the applicant did not meet, including lack of need, insufficient emergency backup, and staffing shortages. Commissioner Rogers favored approval, citing competition and aging population. Commissioner McKenzie questioned the process and supported tabling to allow code revision. Commissioner Udine moved to continue until a new ordinance (Item 54) is drafted. The board voted 8-0-1 to continue (Commissioner Fisher abstained due to John Knox Village board membership).
• Item 51 (Heart Project): Vice-Mayor Bogen reported 5,323 people tested, over 62% with abnormal findings affecting over 3,000 lives. Three video testimonials: a judge with quadruple bypass, a former MLB player with blockages, and a stage four cancer survivor. Commissioner Furr noted plans to share data with insurers.
• Commissioner Reports (Item 52):
  • Rogers: Requested agenda discussion on unincorporated area incorporation and tariff impact on budget.
  • Geller: Discussed town halls, legislative session concerns (property tax elimination, sales tax cuts), and preference for improving bus transit over East-West rail.
  • Bogen: Plans to bring ordinance allowing patients to choose hospital destinations.
  • Rich: Highlighted Coordinating Council newsletter and behavioral health conference (May 21-22).
  • Fisher: Third ILA presentation to Broward League of Cities; expects June 10 commission meeting.
  • McKinzie: Reported improvements at Delevoe Park; visited Blanche Ely House Museum.
  • Furr: Volunteer appreciation at Animal Care; microchip tag program; Port Everglades sand bypass contract completed; Solid Waste Master Plan draft due May 8; SFWMD CSNF Study; P3 Eco-Challenge event.
  • Auditor Melton: Recognized Internal Audit Awareness Month.
• County Administrator's Report (Item 53):
  • Hurricane Preparedness Week.
  • Broward & Beyond Business Conference on Friday.
  • Legislative update: Session extended to June 6; proposed tax cuts (2.8 billion, 1.6 billion recurring) including sales tax reduction to 5.25% with $30 million annual impact to Broward; TDT provisions; county lobbyists active.
  • Budget workshop next week; departments being asked to make cuts.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (all unanimous unless noted):
  • Consent agenda as modified (Items 1–41 except 9, 11, 27, 36; adding 54).
  • Individual consent items: 11 (amended), 27 (amended), 36, 54.
  • Items 9, 42, 43, 45–50: all approved 8-0.
  • Resolution 2025-84 (Item 9), Resolutions 2025-85 to 2025-198 (budget items).
• Continued: Item 44 (BLS Transport Certificate) until after Item 54 ordinance is drafted and set for public hearing. Vote: 8-0-1 (Fisher abstained).
• Directed: County Attorney to draft ordinance creating Class 6 certificate for small businesses (Item 54).
• Item 55 (Land purchases): Approved 8-1 (Commissioner Udine dissented).
• Future Agenda Items: Discussion on incorporation of unincorporated areas, tariff impact on budget, East-West rail vs. bus transit, hospital choice for ambulance transport, and affordable housing funding (BOLD Justice) to be addressed during budget discussions.