Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - May 20, 2025

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission met on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom. Four commissioners were present (Commissioner Glassman, Beasley-Pittman, Sorensen, and Mayor Trantalis); Vice Mayor Herbst was absent. The meeting included five presentations, a consent agenda, one motion, two resolutions, two first‑reading ordinances (one removed), and three second‑reading ordinances. All votes were 4‑0 except where noted.

Presentations

• Fort Lauderdale High School Mock Trial Team – Recognized by Mayor Trantalis as winners of the Florida Mock Trial State Championship; the team also placed third at nationals. Student Marvin Exantis received the Outstanding Attorney Award at nationals.
• StartUp FTL Entrepreneurial Program – Recognized participants from the program’s first (Fall 2024) and second (Spring 2025) cohorts. The program, a 10‑12 week initiative, concluded with a “Building Business with Impact” pitch competition on April 30, 2025.
• 100th Anniversary of Commission‑Manager Form of Government – The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) presented a certificate to the city. Approximately 70% of Florida’s municipalities operate under this model.
• Menstrual Hygiene Day Proclamation – Commissioner Beasley‑Pittman proclaimed May 28, 2025 as Menstrual Hygiene Day, highlighting period poverty and the work of The Beauty Initiative, which has distributed over one million hygiene products and advocated for the state’s dignity bill. City Manager Williams committed to making menstrual products available in city buildings.
• National Public Works Week Proclamation – Commissioner Sorensen proclaimed May 18–24, 2025 as National Public Works Week. Acting Public Works Director Abby [last name not provided] thanked staff, noting the department’s role in resilience during emergencies such as 2023 floods and Hurricane Irma.

Consent Agenda

All consent items were approved 4‑0 without discussion or public comment:

• CM‑1 – License agreement for food and alcohol on the public beach at The Pelican Grand Beach Resort (2000 North Ocean Boulevard).
• CM‑2 – Amended agreement with Broward County for SWIM Central water safety education at five city pools.
• CM‑3 – Change order No. 1 for Fort Lauderdale Beach Park parking lot improvements (additional 205 days and $69,101.50).
• CM‑4 – Authorization to file a small claims action against Luis Carlos Lopez for $6,837.23.
• CP‑1 – Agreement for marine fuel (90 non‑ethanol and diesel) with Marine Fuel Service & Supply Company for $116,537.76.

Motions

• M‑1 – Approved 4‑0 a first amendment and five‑year extension to the agreement with TMF Holdco, LLC for the annual three‑day Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Commissioner Sorensen noted that a future rate structure for all events will be presented to the commission after a parks board meeting.

Resolutions

• R‑1 – Adopted 4‑0 appointing board and committee members. Commissioner Beasley‑Pittman raised a question about a reappointment to the Homeless Advisory Committee (Michael O’Brien), but the name had already been removed from the resolution by the City Clerk and was not voted on.
• R‑2 – Adopted 3‑1 (Commissioner Glassman dissenting) approving an interlocal agreement with Broward County to extend the Northwest‑Progresso‑Flagler Heights Community Redevelopment Area for ten years using city‑only tax increment funding.

Ordinances – First Reading

• OFR‑1 – Passed 4‑0. Amends Chapter 15 to consolidate local business tax categories.
• OFR‑2 – Removed from agenda at request of staff; no action taken.

Ordinances – Second Reading (Quasi‑Judicial)

• OSR‑1 – Adopted 4‑0 for the Progresso Village Stormwater Pump Station (845 NW 3rd Avenue), a public purpose use and structure, including relief from several ULDR sections. The public hearing was closed unanimously.
• OSR‑2 – Adopted 4‑0. Amends maximum daily penalties for code violations to align with Chapter 162 of Florida State Statutes.
• OSR‑3 – Adopted 4‑0. Amends ULDR Sections 47‑13.20, 47‑13.50, and 47‑28 to permit allocation of residential dwelling units from a sending site to a receiving site via the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.

Other Business

Mayor Trantalis announced that the General Services Administration plans to offer the existing federal courthouse for sale effective January 1, 2027. The city previously discussed potential uses (e.g., new city hall) and will meet with parking officials to address the need for a parking garage for the new courthouse.

Key Outcomes

• All presentations were accepted and recognized as listed.
• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Tortuga Music Festival agreement extended for five years.
• Board and committee appointments approved; one contested name removed prior to vote.
• CRA extension approved 3‑1.
• Business tax consolidation passed first reading.
• Vehicle for hire ordinance (OFR‑2) removed from agenda.
• Stormwater pump station, code violation penalties, and TDR program ordinances all adopted on second reading.
• New federal courthouse sale timeline announced; city to explore options.