Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025
Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission held its regular meeting on May 6, 2025, starting at approximately 6:00 PM following a late afternoon conference meeting. The agenda included presentations, consent agenda items, motions, resolutions, public hearings, and commission reports. Key discussions centered on the new police headquarters' structural concerns, board appointments, a park naming, and beach recreation amenities.
Presentations
- Mayor Trantalis presented a proclamation recognizing May 1, 2025, as Israel's Independence Day. Deputy Consul General Ayelet Black accepted, thanking the city for its support.
- Commissioner Glassman presented a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month, accepted by Randy Coleman and Sandra Ala of Goodman Jewish Family Services.
- Vice Mayor Herbst presented a proclamation for Economic Development Week (May 11-17, 2025), accepted by Daphne Sanville.
- Commissioner Beasley-Pittman presented a proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month, accepted by Dr. Joe Orveck of NAMI Broward County, who noted that 1 in 5 adults experience mental health conditions and invited participation in the October 4 walk.
- Commissioner Sorensen presented a proclamation for Honor Flight South Florida Day (May 17, 2025), accepted by co-chair Jessica Easterling, noting 70 veterans will be honored on Mission 35.
Consent Calendar
- Approved en bloc (all items except CR1 and CM9): CM-1 (Vegan Block Party), CM-2 (Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes Big Zip Tournament), CM-3 (Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes), CM-4 (FlockFest 2025), CM-5 (Stiles Pirtle right-of-way license), CM-6 (AECOM change order for police HQ - with public comment), CM-7 (Broward County effluent force main amendment), CM-8 (Mills Pond Park lease second amendment), CP-1 through CP-6 (various purchase agreements), CR-2 (film permitting interlocal), CR-3 (lot clearing liens), CR-4 (budget amendment - revised), CR-5 (federal courthouse parking garage ground lease), and CP-5 (Fitnessmith piggyback). Vote: 4-0 (Commissioner Herbst absent for part? Actually all present) – all ayes.
- CR-1 pulled: Resolution naming new park at 501 SW 12th Avenue as "Abiaka Park." Parks Director Carl Williams explained the name was chosen by the Riverside Park Residents Association (28 members voted in support). Approved unanimously.
- CM-9 pulled: Third Amendment to lease for Wellness Center at 4750 N Federal Highway (60-month rent: $436,834). Commissioner Glassman questioned whether the city could use its own property (former fire union hall) instead. Staff noted plans for future city hall wellness center. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Barbara Stern (on CM-6): Criticized continued payments to AECOM for police headquarters given structural issues, calling it a "money pit." Assistant City Manager Anthony Fajardo clarified the change order was for contract services extension, not related to deflection issues.
- Barbara Stern (on M-3): Urged the commission to stop construction and hold a workshop on the building's safety. Commissioner Herbst defended the project's oversight, noting multiple engineering reviews.
- Judith Stern (on R-1): Opposed appointment of Michael Albeda to Charter Review Board, citing prior allegations and comparing to standards used to block others. She provided a written statement.
- Barbara Stern (on R-1): Opposed Michael Albeda's appointment, alleging disrespect toward Vice Mayor Herbst and calling him unfit.
Discussion Items
- M-1 (SHIP Funding): Motion approving $700,000 in SHIP funding to Oasis of Hope CDC for new homeownership construction. Approved unanimously.
- M-2 (Butler Building Upgrade): Agreement with Walker Design & Construction ($2,705,087.82) for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Approved unanimously.
- M-3 (Police HQ Change Order No. 24): Change order with Moss & Associates ($1,284,060.50) for construction management at risk. Debate centered on a newly released WJE phase two peer review citing life safety concerns (shear walls, columns, roof beams). Fajardo said the change order includes two deflection-related items (micropile monitoring, glass refabrication). Commissioner Herbst asked to delay a full presentation to the June 3 meeting to allow time for AECOM responses. Approved 4-1 (Vice Mayor Herbst dissented).
- R-1 (Board Appointments): Appointments to numerous boards were read into record. Vice Mayor Herbst criticized blocking of prior appointments, noting a "cardinal sin" comment from November. Commissioner Glassman read a statement from Elijah Manley supporting Michael Albeda. Commissioner Beasley-Pittman attempted to remove a name but was told it was too late. Resolution approved as amended (including two late nominations). Vote: all ayes.
- R-2 (YMCA Holiday Park Lease): Resolution declaring intent to lease to YMCA for up to 50 years, with public hearing set for June 17, 2025. Approved unanimously.
- R-3 (Breakers Avenue Grant): $3 million FDOT grant for resiliency and pedestrian improvements. Staff noted an $2.8 million funding gap, with potential closure via CERTAX funds (estimated $3.5-4 million for city). Approved unanimously.
- R-4 (Easement Vacation): Quasi-judicial resolution vacating a sewer easement at 1055 N Federal Highway. Public hearing closed and resolution approved unanimously.
- R-5 (Canopy Hotel Site Plan): Amending site plan for 100 SE 8th Avenue from 11-story dual-brand to 9-story Canopy Hotel. Commissioner Sorensen raised concerns from Venezuela Condo Association president about shading from podium height change. Applicant Robert Lockery explained the new design reduces height and should allow more light. Approved unanimously.
- Public Hearings (PH-1 through PH-4):
- PH-1: Stormwater pump station at 845 NW 3rd Avenue. Approved unanimously.
- PH-2: Dock waiver at 501 Hendricks Isle (Hendricks West). Applicant accepted 14 conditions; condition 7 amended to ban short-term rentals as defined in code. Approved unanimously.
- PH-3: Boat lift waiver at 155 Isle of Venice #501. Approved unanimously.
- PH-4: Dock piles waiver at 629 Idlewyld Drive. Approved unanimously.
- PH-5: Removed from agenda.
- Ordinance First Readings:
- OFR-1: Amending maximum daily code violation penalties to align with state law. Commissioner Sorensen discussed enforcement and collection challenges; staff noted upcoming July 1 presentation on lien amnesty program. Approved on first reading.
- OFR-2: Amending ULDR to permit Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for residential units. Approved on first reading.
- Ordinance Second Readings:
- OSR-1: Rezoning 539 NW 13th Avenue from RS-8 to NWRAC-MUw (CRA project). Approved unanimously.
- OSR-2: Vacating portion of NE 6th Terrace right-of-way for YMCA/Broward Health. Approved unanimously.
Commission Reports and Other Discussions
- Monarch Hill Landfill: Vice Mayor Herbst informed the commission about Broward County's 164 process regarding landfill expansion. City Manager Williams noted Fort Lauderdale is a major contributor and will need to decide on participation.
- Basketball Courts at Beach: Commissioner Beasley-Pittman expressed opposition to moving basketball courts for pickleball, citing community emails. Mayor Trantalis suggested a holistic upgrade of the area including picnic tables and possible additional courts. Commissioner Glassman supported improvements but opposed removing existing amenities.
- Traffic Management: Commissioner Glassman criticized traffic congestion during weekend events (air show, swim series, Grand Prix) and asked for better coordination and traffic control.
- Himmarshee Street Late-Night Liquor: Mayor Trantalis shared a letter from Broward Center, Science Museum, and DDA seeking reconsideration of 4 AM licenses. Staff to bring a presentation in June.
- 17th Avenue/SE 17th Site Triangle: Commissioner Sorensen requested exploration of a street closure at 17th Avenue and Las Olas due to site triangle issues. Mayor Trantalis asked for a factual summary before broader discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Police HQ: Change order approved 4-1; full presentation on structural issues moved to June 3 commission conference.
- Board Appointments: All appointments approved despite controversy over vetting and blocking of prior nominees.
- Abiaka Park: New park named and approved.
- Breakers Avenue: $3 million grant accepted; funding gap remains.
- Dock/waiver approvals: All four public hearings approved unanimously.
- Ordinances: Both first readings and both second readings approved.
- Future items: June 17 public hearing on YMCA lease; June 3 presentation on police HQ; summer discussions on Himmarshee and CERTAX funding.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Commission meeting this May 6, 2025. I want to apologize to the community for our delayed start, but our afternoon meeting ran pretty late. So I appreciate your patience and welcome. For those of you who are here for the first time, uh, welcome to our city commission meeting. And uh we thank you for partaking in the business of the commission tonight. Um what the process that we follow here is we begin our evenings with the Pledge of Allegiance and then a moment of silence and then we get into our agenda. But before we even do that, we have presentations. Tonight we have five presentations, and these presentations are regard are regarding either events that are taking place in our city, recognizing individuals or groups, or in some way, some sometimes uh acknowledging uh activities that are taking place in our city and acknowledging those individuals that are part of that. So here we are tonight. Uh I'd like to begin by inviting Mahogany Tillman. Mahogany, are you here? There she is. Uh she will join, she's a senior at Dillard High School, and I ask her to join me at the podium, and uh we'll together do the Pledge of Allegiance. So please stand. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which one nation under God, in the visible, what liberty and justice for all. Great, thank you so much. What um your last year? Yes. Wonderful. Are you going to college after this? Yeah. Where are you going? South Carolina State University. Oh, congratulations. Thank you. Well, we have this little tote bag for you so that you don't forget us when you leave town and go up to school. So thank you so much. Thank you. Do you mind taking a picture with us? Okay, thank you, Mahogany. Good luck at school. Um, I now ask uh everyone to please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. So before we begin, uh I have a few employee retirements to announce. Uh we take this time in our meetings to recognize those individuals who have worked with our city at least 10 years, and tonight we have some really uh long-term employees who are now retiring. Uh I'd like to announce Daniel Rizone, uh police officer who's been with us for 17 and a half years. Thank you, Daniel, for your uh service to our community. Joseph Georgiana, who has been an HVAC technician and Parks and Recreation, he's been with us 20 years. Congratulations, George Joe. Al Battle. Where's Al? We miss Al. He's been with us. He was the uh uh uh uh DSD director, uh most recently the DSC director, and he's been with us uh for 20 years. Thank you so much for your service, Al. Last meeting was his last meeting. David Bagurin, uh Baguen, uh, who is a firefighter and paramedic. Uh he has been with us for 25 years. Thank you, David, for your service. Uh Avis Wilkinson, no.
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