Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - June 17, 2025

The City Commission held a conference meeting on June 17, 2025, beginning at 1:30 PM. The meeting included a joint budget workshop with the Budget Advisory Board, followed by the regular conference agenda covering communications, old/new business items, and commissioner reports. Key topics included the 10-year financial outlook, Sailboat Bend Vision Plan, mixed-use code updates, code enforcement lien collection, net zero plan next steps, and appointments to the Election Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Spencer Lasday (Sustainability Advisory Board) presented on the communication from the SAB, recommending that the city adopt an EV fleet policy for non-pursuit emergency vehicles to meet net zero goals.
• Chris (Historic Preservation Board) reported that the HPB was favorable to the Sailboat Bend Vision Plan and supported implementing its initiatives.
• Jacqueline Scott (Planning and Zoning Board) expressed frustration that PZB meetings are held in the lobby of Development Services, calling it an unprofessional environment, and requested a more suitable venue.
• Doug Egan spoke in support of the mixed-use code update, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the 150-foot height limit and using form-based regulations to guide development along corridors.
• Ted and Sarah (River Oaks Civic Association) voiced concerns about the removal of single-use residential references and the lack of density limitations, urging protection of single-family neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

• Budget Workshop (Joint with Budget Advisory Board): Kyle Stevens from Stantec Consulting presented the 10-year financial forecast for eight funds. Key assumptions included a 7.3% increase in property values for FY26, $61.8 million full cost recovery of fire assessment, $10 million placeholder for new city hall, and $4.6 million expiration of SAFER grant in FY28. The general fund dashboard showed a balanced budget in FY26 but projected deficits starting in FY27, with a need for a 0.55 mill increase in FY27 to maintain sustainability. Water and sewer rates are projected to increase 9% in FY26-27, then 5% thereafter. Stormwater rates need 15% in FY26, 20% in FY27-28, then 15% through FY32. The sanitation fund requires 5% annual increases. The parking and building funds are projected to be sustainable. The airport fund is self-sufficient.
• BUS-1: Sailboat Bend Vision Plan: Andrew Georgiatis from Dover, Kohl & Partners presented the plan, which was developed over 18 months with community input. Key elements include gateway features, street design improvements, park programming, a polishing marsh for water quality, and missing middle housing. The plan includes short-term, mid-term, and long-term implementation tasks. The city has allocated $100,000 in the FY26 budget for next steps.
• BUS-2: Mixed-Use Code Project Update: Principal Planner Jim Hetzel presented the project, which aims to update mixed-use regulations in response to the Live Local Act and Broward County policy. Staff proposed moving forward with amendments to limit building length to 200 feet, require podium step-backs, cap floor plates at 10,000 sq ft, implement residential transition areas, remove single-use residential references, and apply mixed-use rules to Live Local projects. The commission directed staff to proceed with these amendments.
• BUS-3: Code Enforcement Lien Collection and Administrative Cost Recovery: Portia Garcia presented an update on lien collections. The city has $66 million in outstanding liens, with 1,321 properties responsible. The current amnesty program has collected $2.4 million in reductions from $16 million in liens. The commission supported restarting the lien foreclosure process (subject to staffing) and revising the discharge policy for uncollectible liens. The amnesty discount was recommended to be changed from 90% to 85%.
• BUS-4: Net Zero Plan Next Steps: Sustainability Coordinator Lucy Ramirez presented the five-year roadmap. Initiatives include $200,000 for a community energy strategic plan, $200,000 to expand Circuit microtransit in the Northwest service area, $100,000 per year for solar panels on city facilities, and a fleet electrification policy for non-emergency vehicles. The commission expressed support for all initiatives except the fleet policy, which Vice Mayor Herbst opposed. A majority (Mayor Trantalis, Commissioner Glassman, Commissioner Beasley-Pittman, Commissioner Sorensen) supported the fleet policy, giving direction to proceed.
• BUS-5: Mayor’s Appointments to the Election Board: Mayor Trantalis appointed Commissioners Beasley-Pittman and Glassman to certify the results of the election for the employee-appointed Civil Service Board member.
• City Manager’s Report: Interim City Attorney D’Wayne Spence noted that for the upcoming PH-1 item (unrelated to the conference meeting), a unanimous vote of the full commission is required because portions of the property are zoned park. He proposed a walk-on resolution to allow Commissioner Sorensen to participate remotely.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Workshop: The commission received the 10-year financial forecast and will use it to set the maximum millage rate and non-ad valorem assessment rates at the June 30 meeting.
• Sailboat Bend Vision Plan: The commission supported the plan and the $100,000 allocation for implementation.
• Mixed-Use Code Update: Staff was directed to move forward with the proposed amendments with a goal of bringing them to the commission in approximately four months.
• Code Enforcement Lien Collection: The commission supported restarting lien foreclosure efforts (pending staffing), revising the discharge policy, and modifying the amnesty discount to 85%.
• Net Zero Plan: The commission supported the community energy strategic plan, Circuit microtransit expansion, and solar panel installations. The fleet electrification policy was approved by a majority.
• Election Board Appointments: Commissioners Beasley-Pittman and Glassman were appointed to certify the Civil Service Board election.
• Temporary Street Closure: The commission supported a temporary closure of Southeast 17th Avenue for a six-month trial, with the Transportation and Mobility Department to report back on impacts.