Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting – August 19, 2025

The City Commission of Fort Lauderdale held its regular meeting on August 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Vice Mayor John C. Herbst participated via communications technology (per Resolution No. 25-98). A quorum of four commissioners was present. The agenda included presentations, a consent agenda, motions, quasi-judicial resolutions, public hearings, ordinances on first and second reading, and a subsequent Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting.

Presentations

• FIND Check Presentation: Broward County Commissioner Richard Waltzer presented a check for $33,000 from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) to the Fort Lauderdale Police Marine Unit for outboard motors. Commissioner Waltzer noted a prior $220,000 contribution and promised future state funding.
• Shelly Bradshaw Day Proclamation: Commissioner Sorensen presented a proclamation recognizing August 19, 2025, as Shelly Bradshaw Day, honoring her 30 years of service to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Shelly Bradshaw expressed gratitude.
• International Overdose Awareness Day Proclamation: Mayor Trantalis presented a proclamation declaring August 31, 2025, as International Overdose Awareness Day. Phyllis Baebrove, a clinical social worker who lost her daughter to fentanyl, spoke about her advocacy.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved unanimously (4-0). Key items included:

• CM-1 to CM-4: Outdoor event agreements for Christmas on Las Olas, Igloo Cooler Festival, Las Olas Art Fair, and Turkey Trot.
• CM-5: EMS matching grant award of $14,850 from Florida Department of Health.
• CM-6: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) project funding as requested by Broward County.
• CM-7: Rejection of the sole bid for motorized watercraft rental concession.
• CM-8: Software licensing renewal for Assure Claims ($117,793).
• CM-9: Facility Use Agreement with Marine Industries Association of South Florida for code enforcement meetings.
• CM-10: Settlement of liability claim in Tramon Landers v. City of Fort Lauderdale ($200,000).
• CM-11: Appointment of Honored Pioneer for Broward County Historic Preservation Board.
• CR-1: Special assessment liens for lot clearing.
• CR-2: Amendment of demographic designation for Pinnacle at Cypress Phase 2 to age-restricted senior affordable housing.
• CR-3: Ratification of cemetery fee waiver and refund ($9,506.84) for burial of Chaplain Father Ronald G. Perkins. Commissioner Sorensen spoke in support, honoring Perkins' service.
• CR-4: Authorizing FPL easement for Huizenga Park Reimagined Project.
• CR-5 (originally consent, moved to public hearing section): Lease with Marine Industries Association for two properties in Dania Beach.
• CR-6: Consolidated Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2025.
• CP-1: Purchase of extrication struts ($109,921) for fire rescue.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Crossing Guard Services (M-2): Charlie King, a resident, questioned why the city funds crossing guards ($3,165,372 for a two-year contract) instead of the school board, and why private schools were excluded. He argued that private schools receive public funds and should be included. City Manager Raquel Williams and Police Chief Bill Schultz explained that the city has historically covered the cost for 18 public schools, and private schools often use off-duty details. Commissioner Sorensen noted that the city is evaluating needs at both public and private schools for traffic control.
• Residency Requirement for Department Directors (OFR-1): Charlie King spoke against repealing the residency requirement, arguing that department leaders should live in the city to understand residents' experiences. He noted that only 1 of 10 directors currently resides in Fort Lauderdale and called the requirement a low bar. Mayor Trantalis responded that the requirement is not achieving its intended purpose and that many cities do not require it.

Discussion Items

• Motion M-1: Revocable license with Andrews Apartments LLC for temporary right-of-way closures on SW 21st and 22nd Streets for The Era development. Approved 4-0. Attorney Schein requested the motion be amended to allow a different signatory; the amendment was accepted.
• Motion M-2: Crossing guard services contract with GTOPSS LP ($3,165,372). Approved 4-0 after public comment.
• Resolution R-1: Appointment of board and committee members. Approved 4-0.
• Resolution R-2: Quasi-judicial amendment to a site plan for 221 SW 1 Avenue. Deferred at the applicant's request to the September 3 meeting. Approved 4-0.
• Resolution R-3: Plat approval for Calvary Chapel West Campus (6330 NW 31 Avenue). Approved 4-0 after closing public hearing.
• Resolution R-4: Plat approval for 1001 SUB (1001 NE 13th Street). Mayor Trantalis expressed disappointment that the dedicated commercial area was only 6,200 square feet, limiting potential. Approved 4-0.

Public Hearings

• PH-1: HOPWA grant increase to Broward Regional Health Planning Council (not to exceed $331,000). Approved 4-0.
• PH-2: Transfer of $414,750 from Hortt Park to Floyd Hull Stadium for bond-funded improvements. Approved 4-0.
• PH-3: Comprehensive Plan amendment to increase community facility square footage from 1 million to 3,221,560 in South Regional Activity Center (North Broward Hospital District). Approved 4-0.
• PH-4: Future Land Use Map amendment from Community Facilities to South Regional Activity Center for approximately 16.967 acres. Approved 4-0.
• PH-5: Quasi-judicial vacation of right-of-way and easement (1512 NW 19th Street). Approved 4-0.
• PH-6: Rezoning from RM-15 to NWRAC-MUw at 1325 NW 6th Street (New Hope Development Corporation). Commissioner Beasley-Pittman disclosed meetings with the developer. Approved 4-0.
• CR-5 (moved to public hearing): Lease with Marine Industries Association. Due to a late amendment requiring a waiver of the three-day posting requirement, the commission voted 4-0 to waive the notice as an emergency (to secure favorable lease terms). The lease was then approved 4-0. The amendment accelerated rent commencement upon obtaining permits and storing docks.

Ordinances

• OFR-1 (First Reading): Ordinance repealing the residency requirement for department directors (Chapter 2, Section 2-41). Approved 4-0. Mayor Trantalis noted the requirement is not effectively enforced and only 1 of 10 directors lives in the city.
• OSR-1 (Second Reading): Ordinance amending the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA trust fund to terminate other taxing authorities' deposits and adjust tax increment revenue. Passed 3-1, with Commissioner Glassman dissenting.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved 4-0.
• Motion M-1 approved 4-0 with an amendment to allow a different entity signatory.
• Motion M-2 approved 4-0.
• Resolution R-1 (appointments) approved 4-0.
• Resolution R-2 deferred to September 3, 2025, 4-0.
• Resolution R-3 (Calvary Chapel plat) approved 4-0.
• Resolution R-4 (1001 SUB plat) approved 4-0.
• Public hearings PH-1 through PH-6 approved 4-0.
• CR-5 (Marine Industries lease) notice waiver approved 4-0, then lease approved 4-0.
• OFR-1 (repeal residency requirement) approved 4-0 on first reading (second reading required).
• OSR-1 (CRA trust fund amendment) approved 3-1 (Glassman no).
• CRA meeting held after adjournment: Minutes approved 4-0; R1 (Invest Fort Lauderdale governance) approved 4-0 as amended to include neighborhoods Doors and Home Beautiful in board member eligibility.
• City manager reported six proposals received for new city hall procurement; evaluation matrix and outside counsel to be engaged; anticipated return to commission in late October 2025. Mayor urged acceleration due to cost escalation.