OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Commission — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyFort Lauderdale, Florida
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:01

Hey, good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Commission meeting this uh October 7th, 2025.

0:07

Thank you all for being here tonight.

0:09

Uh we have some exciting things happening with our presentations tonight.

0:12

I want to thank you all for being here.

0:15

Um for those of you who are here for the first time, uh we welcome you and we thank you for participating in this in this uh uh wonderful opportunity to see your government at work.

0:26

Um and as with every meeting, we start out with our Pledge of Allegiance and then we have a few housekeeping things, and then we move into our presentations.

0:35

Presentations are when we recognize individuals, events, or organizations that are of special interest to our community.

0:42

And tonight we have five.

0:44

So if I could ask you all to please rise and join me, join me and Michael Cunningham and Denico Cepeda, and uh Denico is with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Explorer program, so this that's exciting.

0:58

So if you can please join me at the uh at the podium and saying the pledge together.

1:12

Okay, okay.

1:14

Speaking of the speaker, okay.

1:19

I delete this to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under the individual with liberty and judgment.

1:32

Very good.

1:32

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

1:41

Oh, the guys.

1:45

I just realized over here.

1:50

Are your families with you here?

1:52

Yes.

1:53

Why don't you why don't they come up too and have your picture taken?

1:57

Where are they?

2:19

Thank you.

2:24

Oh, my teeth.

2:27

We'll get in there.

2:38

Okay, that was great.

2:39

Thank you, uh, gentlemen.

2:41

Uh they are part of the trip program at Carter Park.

2:44

So uh want to thank you for uh participating and thank your parents for allowing you to come this this afternoon.

2:51

Now I'd like you all to please join me in a moment of silence.

3:10

Thank you very much.

3:12

Um a new tradition that we've begun is announcing uh folks who have served more than 20 years for the city of Fort Lauderdale and are now retiring.

3:22

So it's my honor and privilege to recognize five people tonight who have served uh significant number of years with us.

3:31

First, uh there's Mabel's Lacona, who's been a facilities worker with Parks and Recreation.

3:37

Uh congratulations, thank you so much, Mables.

3:43

We have Rodrigo Carnaval, who's been in the recreation, who's been a recreation program supervisor in our parks and recreation department.

3:51

He's been with us 20.5 years.

3:54

Congratulations, Rick Rodrigo.

4:00

Matthew Adams, a captain in the fire rescue uh uh division of our city, been with us 32 years.

4:07

Well, congratulations and thank you for your service.

4:12

Donna Samuta, who is uh senior administrative assistant to the Office of Management and Budget, she's now retiring after 20 years.

4:20

So congratulations.

4:23

And fine, oh my god, Kimberly Moss, captain with the police department, 32 years.

4:29

Thank you so much, Kimberly.

4:35

That's exciting.

4:38

So thank you for your service, and uh we appreciate uh all the years that you've contributed to our community to make it safe and better for everybody.

4:48

Um now I'd ask the uh the clerk to please call the roll.

4:51

Vice Mayor Herbst.

4:53

Commissioner Glossman.

4:54

Here.

4:55

Commissioner Beasley Pittman.

4:56

Here.

4:57

Commissioner Sornson.

4:58

Here, Mayor Trental.

5:00

Here.

5:01

We have one walk on motion tonight to add to the agenda, which is a motion to advance four proposers for the City Hall Project.

5:09

Uh, they are Balfour Beatty, uh, Fort Lauderdale Civic Partners, FTL Beacon Collaborative, and FTL City Hall Partners.

5:17

So having said that, oh, and also uh exhibit one to CR three, although we're gonna that um that Riverwalk District area map was revised to correct the the boundaries of the Riverwalk district.

5:34

So uh would someone like to please move to adopt the minutes and the agenda as amended.

5:40

So move.

5:42

Second, it's been moved and seconded.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████26%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Youth Programs█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Federal Government Relations███3%
Urban Planning███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission met on October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The meeting included presentations, consent agenda approvals, discussions on street lighting and radio communication, public hearings on disaster recovery funding, and multiple ordinance readings. The meeting was extended to 11:00 PM.

Presentations

  • Taiwan National Day Proclamation: Mayor Trantalis presented a proclamation recognizing October 10, 2025, as the 114th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Director General Charles Chi Yu Chao and Tina Wang Kodan of Sister Cities International spoke, highlighting sister city ties with Kaohsiung.
  • YMCA Appreciation Award: Commissioner Beasley-Pittman received an award from YMCA representatives for her community service.
  • Lilly Gonzalez Day Proclamation: Commissioner Glassman recognized Lilly Gonzalez for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award and proclaimed October 7, 2025, as Lilly Gonzalez Day.
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation: Commissioner Beasley-Pittman recognized September 15–October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, with remarks from Carolina Veida of the Hispanic Heritage Chamber of Commerce.
  • Fire Prevention Week Proclamation: Vice Mayor Herbst declared October 5–11, 2025, as Fire Prevention Week, focusing on lithium-ion battery safety. Winners of a safety contest were recognized.

Retiree Recognition

Five retiring city employees with 20+ years of service were honored: Mabel Lacona (Parks and Recreation), Rodrigo Carnaval (Parks and Recreation), Matthew Adams (Fire Rescue, 32 years), Donna Samuta (Office of Management and Budget, 20 years), and Kimberly Moss (Police Department, 32 years).

Consent Agenda

Several items were pulled for discussion (CR1, CR3, CR4, CM9), but the remaining consent items were approved unanimously. These included agreements for events (Harmonywaves, Winterfest, Day of the Dead, Chabad Lubavitch, Bonnet House, Riverwalk), BBID grants, AMI implementation change orders, rejection of P25 radio proposals, tax collection agreements, legal invoice payments, and multiple resolutions (LED street lighting for Melrose Park was pulled; FPL grant agreement, Riverwalk service agreements, special counsel appointments, CDBG-DR plan amendment, election call for Lauderdale Isles, Performing Arts Center budget, and budget amendment).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Peter Kim Bleichner (Sunrise East Condo Association) thanked the commission for advancing the Sunrise Lane project through the budget amendment.
  • Caitlin McCall (Melrose Park resident) urged prioritization of drainage solutions for Melrose Park, noting flooding in 2020 and 2023. City Manager Williams stated that Melrose Park is ranked number one for Phase 2 of the Fortified Lauderdale program, with design starting early next year.
  • Numerous residents spoke on the Melrose Park lighting issue (CR1), with opinions divided. Many opposed the lights, citing safety from darkness and desire for drainage improvements first. Others supported the lights, citing safety for children at bus stops and walking. Commissioner Beasley-Pittman showed videos of darkness in the neighborhood and community meetings.
  • Barbara Stern and Chris Tsukowski spoke on M5 (termination of One Stop Shop agreement), criticizing Commissioner Glassman's past treatment of opponents.
  • Trish Halliday, Marilyn Momano, Ted and Sarah, Ray Jordan, Tecina Martin, and April Young spoke on PH1 (CDBG-DR Action Plan), urging that funds be prioritized for resident recovery, not City Hall.

Discussion Items

  • CM9 - Rejection of P25 Radio Communication Proposals: Commissioner Glassman raised concerns about the BDA (bidirectional amplifier) issue, where condominium buildings are being required to install systems costing up to $200,000 due to state mandates. He criticized lack of education and potential conflicts of interest. City staff explained that three proposals were non-responsive and a new solicitation will be issued by end of 2025. Police Chief Schultz and IT staff discussed tower improvements. The motion to reject all proposals passed unanimously.

  • CR1 - LED Street Lighting for Melrose Park: Extensive debate over a $865,887.87 project for 555 decorative LED lights in Melrose Park. Commissioner Beasley-Pittman supported the project, citing community meetings and reduced lighting count. Opponents, led by HOA President Donna Guthrie, argued the survey was flawed, homeowners were not properly consulted, and funds should go to drainage. Mayor Trantalis suggested deferral. After motions and counter-motions, the item was deferred to the next meeting (two weeks) to allow further dialogue between the commissioner and HOA president. Vote: 5-0.

  • OFR2 - Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Ordinance: Commissioner Sorensen requested deferral to November 18, 2025, to allow more community input and staff meetings. Deferred unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • CM9: Approved rejecting all proposals for P25 radio system refresh (5-0).
  • CR1: Deferred to next regular meeting for further community engagement (5-0).
  • M1-M5: All approved unanimously (mobile parking payment service, pump station CEI services, stormwater infrastructure contracts, proprietary purchases, termination of One Stop Shop agreement).
  • R1: Approved appointments to various boards and committees (5-0).
  • PH1: Approved the CDBG-DR Action Plan for $88 million in disaster recovery funds to be submitted to HUD by October 21, 2025 (5-0).
  • PH2: Approved reallocation of $1,100,000 from bond interest to fund design of seven parks improvement projects (5-0).
  • OFR1: Approved on first reading (ordinance updating historic designation notice requirements) (5-0).
  • OFR2: Deferred to November 18, 2025 (5-0).
  • OFR3: Approved on first reading as amended (administrative review of de minimis variances; change from 2-year to 1-year waiting period for Board of Adjustment reapplications to be incorporated on second reading) (5-0).
  • OFR4: Approved on first reading (revising Board of Adjustment voting requirements to simple majority) (5-0).
  • OSR1: Approved on second reading (rezoning for Northwest Regional Activity Center Mixed-Use East District) (4-1, Commissioner Beasley-Pittman dissenting).
  • OSR2: Approved on second reading (extending DROP participation from 36 to 60 months for General Employees' Retirement System) (5-0).
  • OSR3: Approved on second reading (3% general wage increase for non-bargaining unit employees, effective October 12, 2025) (5-0).
  • Walk-On Motion: Approved advancing four proposers for the City Hall Project: Balfour Beatty, Fort Lauderdale Civic Partners, FTL Beacon Collaborative, and FTL City Hall Partners (5-0).

Staff Announcements

City Manager Williams announced new department directors: Ashley Desard (Strategic Communications), Rufus James (Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport), Glenn Marcos (Procurement Services), and Portia Garcia (Community Services).

Meeting Transcript

Hey, good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Commission meeting this uh October 7th, 2025. Thank you all for being here tonight. Uh we have some exciting things happening with our presentations tonight. I want to thank you all for being here. Um for those of you who are here for the first time, uh we welcome you and we thank you for participating in this in this uh uh wonderful opportunity to see your government at work. Um and as with every meeting, we start out with our Pledge of Allegiance and then we have a few housekeeping things, and then we move into our presentations. Presentations are when we recognize individuals, events, or organizations that are of special interest to our community. And tonight we have five. So if I could ask you all to please rise and join me, join me and Michael Cunningham and Denico Cepeda, and uh Denico is with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Explorer program, so this that's exciting. So if you can please join me at the uh at the podium and saying the pledge together. Okay, okay. Speaking of the speaker, okay. I delete this to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under the individual with liberty and judgment. Very good. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, the guys. I just realized over here. Are your families with you here? Yes. Why don't you why don't they come up too and have your picture taken? Where are they? Thank you. Oh, my teeth. We'll get in there. Okay, that was great. Thank you, uh, gentlemen. Uh they are part of the trip program at Carter Park. So uh want to thank you for uh participating and thank your parents for allowing you to come this this afternoon. Now I'd like you all to please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you very much. Um a new tradition that we've begun is announcing uh folks who have served more than 20 years for the city of Fort Lauderdale and are now retiring. So it's my honor and privilege to recognize five people tonight who have served uh significant number of years with us. First, uh there's Mabel's Lacona, who's been a facilities worker with Parks and Recreation. Uh congratulations, thank you so much, Mables. We have Rodrigo Carnaval, who's been in the recreation, who's been a recreation program supervisor in our parks and recreation department. He's been with us 20.5 years. Congratulations, Rick Rodrigo. Matthew Adams, a captain in the fire rescue uh uh division of our city, been with us 32 years. Well, congratulations and thank you for your service. Donna Samuta, who is uh senior administrative assistant to the Office of Management and Budget, she's now retiring after 20 years. So congratulations. And fine, oh my god, Kimberly Moss, captain with the police department, 32 years. Thank you so much, Kimberly. That's exciting. So thank you for your service, and uh we appreciate uh all the years that you've contributed to our community to make it safe and better for everybody. Um now I'd ask the uh the clerk to please call the roll. Vice Mayor Herbst. Commissioner Glossman. Here. Commissioner Beasley Pittman.

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