Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission convened on April 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The meeting included several presentations, approval of numerous consent agenda items, the rejection of a bid protest appeal, the approval of a historic landmark designation (with a divided vote), and the designation of a new Vice Mayor. The meeting also addressed various ordinances, resolutions, and public comments.

Presentations

• Bloomberg Philanthropies' Silver What Works Cities Certification: The city was awarded this certification for its data-driven decision-making. Laura (staff member) highlighted that Fort Lauderdale scored a perfect score on budgeting and performance management.
• Heal the Planet Day Proclamation: Vice Mayor Glassman proclaimed April 13, 2025 as Heal the Planet Day. Vanessa Seltzer (CEO) and Ron Bilboa (board member) accepted the proclamation.
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation: Commissioner Beasley-Pittman proclaimed April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Nick Hessing (Children's Services Council of Broward County) accepted.
• Water Conservation Month Proclamation: Commissioner Sorensen proclaimed April 2025 as Water Conservation Month, noting that the average family can save 13,000 gallons of water and $140 per year by replacing old toilets with WaterSense models.
• Tribute to Acting City Manager Susan Grant: The Mayor and Commission presented a gift and thanked Susan Grant for her service as Acting City Manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approved: Minutes from prior meetings; CM-1 (Oceans of Soul Jazz Festival date change); CM-2 (Youth Track Invitational); CM-3 (TJX Law Enforcement Grant Award - $4,222); CM-4 (Pantry Lofts purchase agreement amendment); CM-5 (Riverwalk Residences license amendment); CM-6 (Broward Health Park lease amendment); CM-7 (Workers' Comp settlement - $250,000); CM-8 (Workers' Comp settlement - $150,000); CM-9 (Workers' Comp settlement - $375,000); CM-10 (All Kids Catering additional meal service - $324,000); CR-1 (Tri-Party Grant Agreement); CR-2 (Board-up special assessment liens); CR-3 (NW 15th Ave Complete Streets interlocal amendment); CR-4 (Additional SHIP funds - $43,338); CR-5 (South Ocean Drive Bridge interlocal amendment); CR-6 (FY2025 Budget Amendment); CR-7 (FOP MOU - Captains Promotional Process); CR-8 (FOP MOU - Pay Grievance); CP-1 (Calibration Services Agreement - $167,760).
• Pulled Item: CM-11 (AECOM Change Order No. 9 for Police Headquarters) was pulled by Commissioner Herbst to vote no, but it was eventually approved 4-1.
• Rejected: CM-12 (Beach Wave Wall Light Replacement RFP) - all proposals rejected.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carla Roundtree (District 2 resident): Spoke on CM-1, CM-10, CM-11, and CR-4. She supported the Oceans of Soul Jazz Festival, emphasized the importance of after-school snacks, and asked questions about the AECOM contract and SHIP fund eligibility.
• Sabrina Sauerwald (9-year-old, Virginia Shuman Young Elementary): Presented on food dyes, requesting the city not use city dollars to buy food with artificial dyes. She cited health risks like IBD, tumors, hyperactivity, and anxiety.
• Gianna Maria Silas (7-year-old, Victoria Park resident): Spoke about Holiday Park, noting that the playground is unusable, pickleball courts are always full, and the running trail has been shortened. She expressed sadness and urged improvements.

Discussion Items

• M1 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Odor Control (AECOM): Approved. Commissioner Herbst expressed concern about single-bidder contracts and requested more competitive bidding in the future. AECOM representative Matt Sacker committed to no AECOM-initiated change orders.
• M2/M3 - Automated School Zone Speed Detection Camera Program (Blue Line Solutions Protest): The Chief Procurement Officer presented a timeline of the protest. Commissioner Sorensen moved to table M2 and deny M3, citing process concerns and the need for a rebid. The Commission voted 5-0 to table M2 and 4-1 to deny M3 (Commissioner Herbst voted no on M3). Discussion included testimony from Blue Line and RedSpeed representatives.
• M4 - Piggyback Agreement with Rep Services Inc. for Parks Equipment ($6,000,000): Approved.
• R1 - Appointments to Boards and Committees: Multiple appointments were approved, but the appointment of Barbara Stern to the Planning and Zoning Board was pulled. Stern, an attorney, denied being a lobbyist and defended her candidacy history. Commissioner Glassman opposed the appointment, citing his concerns about her past actions. The separate appointment resolution for Stern failed 3-2.
• R2 - Grant Application for International Swimming Hall of Fame Seawall Replacement ($8,041,538): Approved.
• R3 - Grant Application for International Swimming Hall of Fame Public Dock and Promenade Design ($500,000): Approved.

Public Hearings

• PH-1 - Transfer of Two City-Owned Properties to Performing Arts Center Authority: Approved.
• PH-2 - Historic Landmark Designation of the Frank Croissant House: Deferred from February 18, 2025. After testimony, the Commission voted 3-2 to designate only the building structure, not the land. The vote was tied with Commissioner Beasley-Pittman voting no and Commissioner Sorensen voting yes. The Commission directed staff to review the ULDR to consider requiring property owner assent.
• PH-3 - Boat Lift Waiver at 1414 SE 12th Street: Deferred to May 6, 2025.
• PH-4 - Rezoning of 6000 N. Andrews to Uptown Urban Village Southeast (UUV-SE): Approved on second reading.

Ordinances on First Reading

• OFR-1 - Water Taxi Stops: Approved with an amendment to change 'supervisor or manager' to 'city manager or designee' for the second reading.
• OFR-2 - Uptown Urban Village Zoning Text Amendment: Approved.
• OFR-3 - Annexed Areas Height and Measurement Update: Approved, increasing height limit to 25 feet.

Ordinances on Second Reading

• OSR-1 - Beach Community Center Future Land Use Map Change to Parks: Approved.
• OSR-2 - Administrative Temporary Valet Permit: Approved, with a restriction limiting temporary permits to Las Olas Boulevard between SE 6th Avenue and SE 6th Avenue.

Resolutions Continued

• R-4 - Designation of Vice Mayor: Commissioner Beasley-Pittman introduced a resolution to designate Commissioner John Herbst as Vice Mayor. It was approved 3-2, with Vice Mayor Glassman and Commissioner Sorensen voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Bloomberg Philanthropies Silver What Works Cities Certification received.
• M2 tabled indefinitely; M3 rejected to allow for rebid of the automated school zone camera program.
• Frank Croissant House designated as historic landmark (3-2 vote, building only).
• PH-3 deferred to May 6, 2025.
• Commissioner John Herbst elected as Vice Mayor for the term starting April 1, 2025.
• Two walk-on resolutions approved: One for a grant application for Riverwalk North Seawall Replacement (up to $4 million) and one reaffirming the locally preferred alternative for the New River crossing (with added language acknowledging the county may proceed with a bridge but the city does not support it).
• Staff directed to review ULDR regarding historic designation owner assent and procurement practices.
• Acting City Manager Susan Grant was honored with a gift and recognized for her service.