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Record of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Meeting - October 23, 2025

City Commission — Thursday, October 23, 2025
BodyFort Lauderdale, Florida
SessionCity Commission
DateThursday, October 23, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:53:52

Original source
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0:00

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Commission meeting for this uh October 23rd, 2025.

0:07

Thank you all for being here tonight.

0:09

I see we have a very lively bunch of people here.

0:11

If we could all find a seat uh and so we can begin the meeting.

0:15

Uh we have a number of uh of guests here tonight, and we have a lot of opportunities to present uh and recognize individuals and organizations during our presentation session.

0:26

For those of you who are here for the first time, uh I welcome you all and thank you for being here tonight.

0:31

And what we do when we begin our meetings is is with a pledge of allegiance, and then we have a moment of silence.

0:39

We have certain announcements, and then we go to our presentations.

0:42

Tonight we have four presentations in which members of the commission will assist us in in making those presentations.

0:49

And uh so as we begin, I'd like to invite Lindsay Juarez from Questnut Park Elementary.

0:56

Is where's Lindsay?

0:58

Right there.

0:59

Come on up, Lindsay.

1:14

May I ask you all to please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:19

I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:33

Thank you so much.

1:33

Thank you.

1:35

Uh wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.

1:37

Strategic communications.

1:40

Sorry, I'm ready.

1:42

Do you have something for no?

1:45

Okay.

1:45

All right.

1:46

Let me take a picture.

1:48

Is your family here tonight?

1:49

Is anybody any friends or family joining us?

1:53

Why don't you ask her to come up?

1:54

We'll take a picture of them.

1:57

Come on up.

2:08

Oh, nice to meet you.

2:10

I don't even know where to put these.

2:19

Congratulations.

2:20

Thank you so much.

2:22

Hopefully.

2:30

Thank you, Lindsay.

2:33

Now, if you could all please join me in a moment of silence.

2:53

Okay, thank you.

2:54

Um at the beginning of the meetings, we also take this as an opportunity to recognize and to congratulate those who have uh who are retiring from the city who have been here uh for long periods of time.

3:08

In this case, we are here to uh recognize and and thank Gabriela Aguilar, who's been a uh senior administrative assistant in our police department.

3:17

She's worked with us for 19 years.

3:20

So congratulations, Gabriela.

3:23

And thank you for your service to our city.

3:27

So having done that and said that, I'd like this clerk to please call the roll.

3:32

Vice Mayor Herbst.

3:34

Commissioner Glossman.

3:35

Here.

3:35

Commissioner Beasley Pittman.

3:36

Here.

3:36

Commissioner Sorensen.

3:37

Here.

3:37

Mayor Trentals.

3:39

Here.

3:39

Uh we have a couple of agenda announcements.

3:42

M6 is uh going to be removed tonight from the agenda.

3:47

And uh we'll have a walk-on ordinance, amending chapter 25 of the City of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances regarding streets and sidewalks and undergrounding of utility facilities.

3:58

Uh other than that, um may I ask someone to please move to approve the minutes and the agenda as amended.

4:06

So moved.

4:06

It's been moved right here.

4:08

Second moved and seconded.

4:09

Please call the roll.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety████████████████████████████28%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Pending Litigation██████████████14%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Public Engagement█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Urban Planning████4%
Federal Government Relations███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Meeting - October 23, 2025

The City Commission convened on October 23, 2025, to recognize key individuals and organizations, approve a wide-ranging consent calendar, and deliberate on significant public safety and infrastructure matters. The session featured presentations celebrating the sister city relationship with Cap Haitian, the arrival of the Princess Cruises Star Princess vessel, Florida City Week, and the world championship of high diver James Liechtenstein. The commission spent considerable time addressing concerns regarding public safety radio communication systems in condominiums and approved the installation of new street lighting in the Merrills Park neighborhood after extensive public testimony.

Consent Calendar

  • The commission approved the minutes and the agenda as amended, removing Item M6.
  • All items on the consent agenda were approved collectively, except CP2 (Purchase of Mobile Emergency Response Support portable tower), CP3 (Maintenance for Motorola trunk radio system), and CR4 (Street lighting in Merrills Park), which were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mayor Angie Bell (Cap Haitian, Haiti): Expressed full support for strengthening bonds between Fort Lauderdale and Cap Haitian; noted a new direct flight service via Sunrise Airlines starting in December.
  • Marie Lee (Princess Cruises): Expressed full support for the partnership with Fort Lauderdale; highlighted the economic impact of the cruise industry and the environmental technology of the Star Princess.
  • Denise Horlin (Broward League of Cities): Expressed full support for local government recognition; emphasized that city staff, not just elected officials, are essential to serving residents.
  • James Liechtenstein (World High Diving Champion): Expressed full support for the High Dive Tower at the Hall of Fame pool; stated plans to remain in Fort Lauderdale and continue training for gold medals.
  • Commissioner Stephen Glassman: Expressed strong concern and opposition to the current burden of Back-Up Distribution System (BDA) costs falling on condo owners; argued the issue is a city responsibility and requested a uniform system. He expressed hesitation regarding the lack of transparency in inspection processes and potential financial exploitation of residents.
  • Vice Mayor John Herbst: Expressed support for the Commission exploring the use of excess building permit funds to offset BDA costs for residents; suggested a proactive approach to utilizing these funds for safety enforcement.
  • Residents of Merrills Park (Duke Dennis, Ray Saunders, Joanne Saunders, Michael Goller, Dmitry Kryzhanovsky, Andre, Godfrey Johnson, Reginald Youngblood, etc.): The majority of speakers expressed full support for installing street lights citing safety, flood protection, and community character. Some expressed skepticism regarding the Homeowners Association's representation.
  • Residents Opposing/Concerned (Christopher Passeaud, Panarothi Guerrier, Novel Porter, Christopher Paul): Christopher Passeaud expressed cautious concern that brighter lights may encourage speeding; Novel Porter expressed opposition to the project citing cost and the presence of current resident lights; Christopher Paul expressed concern that rising property values could lead to gentrification and displacement on fixed incomes.
  • City Staff (Gladys): Explained the $36,000 monthly cost covers amortization of capital expenses, maintenance, and energy (approx. $788/month for energy only) under an evergreen agreement.

Discussion Items

  • CP2 (Mobile Emergency Response Support Tower): Commissioners discussed the BDA issue in depth. Assistant City Manager Chris Cooper clarified the Florida Fire Prevention Code places the burden on property owners. Commissioner Glassman questioned why buildings pass then fail tests without owner changes and urged the City to explore technological solutions or funding mechanisms to alleviate resident costs. Staff noted the $36,000 monthly cost is for an agreement with FPL, not a simple booster.
  • CP3 (Motorola System Maintenance): Reviewed as part of the broader radio communication discussion; Commissioner Glassman noted this purchase is for the "brains" of the system and would not solve the signal penetration issues in buildings.
  • CR4 (Street Lighting in Merrills Park): The Mayor proposed an incremental approach (starting with 150-275 lights) to test the neighborhood's reaction before committing to the full 550 lights, citing the $36,000/month cost as a concern. Commissioner Beasley Pittman argued the neighbors are ready and wanted to proceed with the full scope of 555 lights as requested in community outreach. The public record showed a divide on cost vs. safety, with many residents emphasizing the safety risk of darkness for elderly residents and children.

Key Outcomes

  • CP2 Approval: Approved with a vote of 5-0 (Yes: Glassman, Beasley Pittman, Sorensen, Herbst, Trentalis).
  • CP3 Approval: Approved with a vote of 5-0 (Yes: Glassman, Beasley Pittman, Sorensen, Herbst, Trentalis).
  • CR4 Approval: Approved with a vote of 4-1 (Yes: Beasley Pittman, Sorensen, Herbst, Trentalis; No: Glassman) to execute an agreement with FPL for 555 LED streetlights.
  • M1 Approval: Vice Mayor Herbst moved, and the Commission voted 5-0 to select Sherry McCartney as City Attorney candidate and authorized Mayor Trentalis to negotiate the employment contract.
  • M2 Approval: Approved 5-0 the invitation to bid for Victoria Park stormwater improvements.
  • M3 Approval: Approved 5-0 a service agreement with Community Care Technology.
  • M4 Approval: Approved 4-1 (No: Herbst) Change Order #30 for police headquarters construction management services.
  • M5 Approval: Approved 5-0 the acceptance of $1,360,000 in FEMA funds for assistance to firefighters.
  • R1 Approval: Approved 5-0 appointments to various boards and committees, including Olivia Anderson, Danella Williams, Samantha Perry Jones, Dev Montwani, Stephanie Toothacre, Mark Burnham, Jacqueline Garcia Ortega, Jody Tanner, James Ward, and Wesley Julius.
  • R2 Approval: Approved 5-0 the amendment to the site plan for Arts Park Lofts.
  • R3 Approval: Approved 5-0 the levying of the 2026 operating millage rate (0.6111) and debt service millage rate (0.3568) for the DDA.
  • R4 Approval: Approved 5-0 the 2026 State Legislative Program, including updates on firearm regulation, condominium cost management, and vessel anchoring restrictions.
  • R5 Approval: Approved 5-0 delegating plat approval authority to the Development Review Committee and Director of Development Services.
  • OSR 1 Approval: Approved 5-0 (with concerns noted by Vice Mayor Herbst and Commissioner Glassman regarding the appeals process) the amendment to the Unified Land Development Regulations regarding variances and special exceptions.
  • OSR 2 Approval: Approved 5-0 the revision of Board of Adjustment voting requirements to a simple majority.
  • OSR 3 Approval: Approved 5-0 the update to notice requirements for historic designation applications.
  • Walk-On Ordinance: Approved 5-0 on first reading the ordinance amending Chapter 25 regarding streets, sidewalks, and the undergrounding of utility facilities.
  • Executive Session: The meeting concluded with the Commission recessing to an executive session for discussions regarding pending litigation.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the City Commission meeting for this uh October 23rd, 2025. Thank you all for being here tonight. I see we have a very lively bunch of people here. If we could all find a seat uh and so we can begin the meeting. Uh we have a number of uh of guests here tonight, and we have a lot of opportunities to present uh and recognize individuals and organizations during our presentation session. For those of you who are here for the first time, uh I welcome you all and thank you for being here tonight. And what we do when we begin our meetings is is with a pledge of allegiance, and then we have a moment of silence. We have certain announcements, and then we go to our presentations. Tonight we have four presentations in which members of the commission will assist us in in making those presentations. And uh so as we begin, I'd like to invite Lindsay Juarez from Questnut Park Elementary. Is where's Lindsay? Right there. Come on up, Lindsay. May I ask you all to please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much. Thank you. Uh wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Strategic communications. Sorry, I'm ready. Do you have something for no? Okay. All right. Let me take a picture. Is your family here tonight? Is anybody any friends or family joining us? Why don't you ask her to come up? We'll take a picture of them. Come on up. Oh, nice to meet you. I don't even know where to put these. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Hopefully. Thank you, Lindsay. Now, if you could all please join me in a moment of silence. Okay, thank you. Um at the beginning of the meetings, we also take this as an opportunity to recognize and to congratulate those who have uh who are retiring from the city who have been here uh for long periods of time. In this case, we are here to uh recognize and and thank Gabriela Aguilar, who's been a uh senior administrative assistant in our police department. She's worked with us for 19 years. So congratulations, Gabriela. And thank you for your service to our city. So having done that and said that, I'd like this clerk to please call the roll. Vice Mayor Herbst. Commissioner Glossman. Here. Commissioner Beasley Pittman. Here. Commissioner Sorensen. Here.

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