Fort Lauderdale City Commission Meeting - November 4, 2025

The City Commission convened on November 4, 2025, to conduct public business following a closed session. The meeting began with presentations honoring local heroes, recognizing long-serving retirees, and celebrating community milestones including the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps and the centennial of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Vice Mayor Herbst called for a review of the Commission's request regarding the Amalfi development project (UDP S24035) due to concerns over procedural statements made at a prior Planning & Zoning hearing. After public testimony and legal clarification, no motion was made to proceed with a de novo hearing, effectively concluding the review without further action.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes and agenda as amended.
• Approved all consent agenda items collectively (CM2, CM4, CR2) without pull.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Water Safety and Safety Advocacy:
  • Commissioner Waltzer presented checks totaling over $5.3 million for infrastructure and police equipment; expressed commitment to continue securing funds.
  • Capt. Jeffrey Hart (FWC) expressed strong support for Commissioner Waltzer's partnership and the mission to remove derelict vessels and ensure waterway safety.
  • Sarah Perry (Aiden Perry Foundation) expressed a passionate position on the necessity of water safety infrastructure, sharing her son's death and her initiative to install hero life rings in bodies of water to save future lives.
• Veterans Recognition:
  • Vice Mayor Herbst presented a proclamation for the Marine Corps' 250th birthday; Commander Larry Roberts and Marshal Beltman expressed pride in their service and the legacy of the Corps.
  • Commissioner Sorensen recognized 149 city employee veterans and presented lapel pins, expressing gratitude for their service to the nation and community.
• Neighborhood Presentation (River Oaks Civic Association):
  • Ted and Sarah expressed strong concern and dissatisfaction regarding city development priorities. They stated that residents feel unheard and abandoned as the city prioritizes tourist attractions and economic development over neighborhood needs, road conditions, and sidewalk quality. They criticized the commission for "bickering" and allowing personal pride to influence voting decisions over resident help.
• Amalfi Development Review (UDP S24035):
  • Alan Zeman (Homeowner Association President): Expressed support for the Vice Mayor's call-up, stating residents of six HOAs voted between 88% and 100% against the development. He argued the Planning & Zoning board glossed over the yard modification process.
  • Fernando Oliveira (Everglades Club): Expressed opposition based on a poll where 94% of responding homeowners opposed the project.
  • Ellen Bogdanov (Everglades Condo Association): Expressed that the Board voted to support the project after negotiations, noting residents have a right to oppose, but the board's decision stood.
  • Stephen Nagy: Expressed a position that the project is illegal under current code, stating the setbacks are being violated and the building should not exceed 80 feet based on dimensional requirements.
  • Robert Gindhart (White Egret): Expressed concern about the speed of the decision and the lack of time to rethink, supporting a review process.
  • Bill Brown (Central Beach Alliance): Expressed support for the project, citing a community vote in favor (224 to 171) and defending the procedural correctness of the Planning & Zoning hearing.
  • D. Wayne Spence (City Attorney): Expressed clarification regarding his prior actions, stating his intent was to ensure the board followed procedural criteria to avoid litigation, and denied advising the board to vote in a specific way.
  • Stephanie Toothacre (Amalfi Project Representative): Expressed support for the project, detailing the extensive negotiation with neighbors and stating the project team never threatened litigation.
  • Commissioner Glassman: Expressed respect for opponents but ultimately supported the Planning & Zoning decision, stating the street experience matters more than height and staff concurred on the code.

Discussion Items

• Amalfi Development Review (UDP S24035):
  • Vice Mayor Herbst requested a discussion and potential call-up of the Amalfi case (2317 North Ocean Blvd) to address concerns regarding procedural statements made during the Planning & Zoning meeting that may have influenced the vote.
  • City Attorney D. Wayne Spence clarified that his prior remarks were intended to ensure the board adhered to code criteria to protect against legal challenges, explicitly denying any instruction to vote for approval.
  • Mayor Trentals and Commissioner Glassman debated the scope of the review, noting that a de novo hearing would replace the existing record rather than simply clarify procedural misunderstandings.
  • Staff (Development Services): Discussed the "yard modification" code requirements, acknowledging the ongoing confusion and lack of direction to fix the ordinance, which contributes to the frequent need for modifications.
  • Commissioner Beasley Pittman questioned the necessity of the code structure regarding yard modifications.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Approved minutes, agenda, and all consent agenda items.
  • Approved R1: Appointment of multiple board and committee members (Aviation Advisory Board, Board of Adjustment, Budget Advisory Board, DDA, Fire Rescue Advisory Committee, GERS Board, Public Art Board).
  • Approved R2: Award of $750,000 to Cis Trunk Apartments, LLC for affordable housing development.
  • Approved R3: 3% merit salary increase for City Auditor Patrick Riley.
  • Approved PH1: Ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the 10-year water supply facility work plan.
  • Approved PH2 and PH3: Waivers for finger piers and mooring piles at 309 Sunset Drive and 3013/319 Harbor Drive.
  • Approved OFR1, OFR2, OFR3 (First Reading) and OSR1 (Second Reading) regarding utility accounts, valet parking, CRAB board terms, and sidewalk undergrounding.
• Motion to Continue Amalfi Case:
  • No motion was made to grant a de novo hearing for the Amalfi development. Consequently, the call-up request failed, and the Planning & Zoning decision remains in effect.
• Directives:
  • Commission expressed agreement (via Mayor and Commissioner Glassman) to explore fixing the "yard modification" code section in the future.
• Next Steps:
  • Meeting adjourned; no further action on the Amalfi case scheduled unless a new procedural step is initiated.