City Commission Meeting Summary for November 18, 2025

The City Commission of Fort Lauderdale convened on November 18, 2025, for a meeting featuring five community presentations, the recognition of retiring employees, and the approval of a consent agenda including resolutions and ordinances. Key discussions involved the appointment of a new City Attorney with a contentious salary review, a comprehensive traffic and stormwater analysis for a proposed rezoning project, and the adoption of updates to the city's tree preservation code.

Consent Calendar

• The entire consent agenda, including minutes, the amended agenda, and multiple administrative motions, was voted on unanimously without items being pulled for separate discussion. All items were approved by the Commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sharon Foster and Jolene Chisholm: Recognized for their retirement after 25 and 12.5 years of service, respectively.
• Student Recognition: Seven students from Dillard High School, Rock Island Elementary, Sunland Park Academy, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Parkway Middle, William Dandy Middle, and the Dillard K-Twelve High School were honored for character traits such as leadership, resilience, and helpfulness.
• Scholarship Recipients: Twelve scholarship recipients from various Fort Lauderdale high schools were recognized for their acceptance into higher education institutions.
• WOW Awards: Dr. Juan Kitterock and Dr. Zaraga (ZeroC Dermatology) and the Community Appearance Board were thanked for presenting a video and receiving a WOW award for the renovation of their building.
• Unity in the Community: Michael Albeda (Lake Ridge Civic Association) and community partners were recognized for the upcoming 10th annual Unity in the Community Grocery and Turkey giveaway, receiving a proclamation from the Mayor.
• Tree Ordinance Award: The City of Fort Lauderdale received the Outstanding Tree Ordinance Award from the Florida Urban Forestry Council for the 2024 tree preservation code update.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of City Attorney: Commissioner Beasley Pittman expressed strong opposition to the proposed $350,000 annual salary for Sherry McCartney, stating it was over $100,000 above the posted job announcement range and that she did not support the salary. Vice Mayor Herbst, while supporting the candidate, stated she would not support the $350,000 figure, preferring a salary of approximately $320,000 (10% above the Deputy City Attorney's current $298,000). Mayor Trentals and the City Manager argued that the higher salary was necessary to achieve parity with the City Manager and to account for the high-pressure, at-will nature of the charter position, noting that previous City Attorneys had sometimes exceeded the City Manager's salary based on tenure. Commissioner Glossman initially expressed concern but ultimately voted in favor of the resolution, stating the salary made sense given the lack of a Deputy City Attorney for the past two decades and the need to avoid salary compression within the legal department.
• Rezoning of 67-Unit Project (Edgewood Oaks): Neighbors, including Ted and Sarah of the River Oak Civic Association, expressed opposition, citing concerns that the 67-unit development would overwhelm the one-way Southwest 26th Street (a church pickup lane), damage the neighborhood's canopy, and cause stormwater runoff issues. Commissioner Beasley Pittman expressed that the neighborhood was "losing" and felt that residents born in the area were being eroded away. In response, the developer (Heidi Davis, representing Gunster) and staff assured the Commission that: 1) The street would remain one-way as requested by neighbors and the church; 2) Traffic projections estimated only peak trips of 30 vehicles per day; 3) A plan to install traffic calming (speed tables) on adjacent streets was agreed upon; 4) Over 20% of the property would be placed in a conservation easement to preserve mature trees; and 5) All stormwater would be retained on-site. The Commission voted to approve the rezoning after these assurances were recorded.

Key Outcomes

• M1 through M4: All four motions (liquid oxygen contract, water main replacement, Parkspawn Master Plan selection, and right-of-way license) were approved unanimously.
• Resolution Appointing City Attorney: Resolution appointing Sherry L. McCartney as City Attorney was approved (Yes: Sorensen, Glossman, Trentals; No: Beasley Pittman, Herbst) with a compensation of $350,000 effective December 15, 2025. Commissioner Beasley Pittman and Vice Mayor Herbst voted no specifically due to the salary amount.
• PH1 (SHIP Funds): Resolution accepting $1,321,921 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership funds was approved unanimously.
• PH3 (Rezoning): Ordinance approving the rezoning from RD 15 to RM 15 for the Edgewood Oaks project was approved unanimously.
• OfR 1 (TDR Amendments): Ordinance on first reading amending Transfer Development Rights regulations was approved unanimously.
• OSR 1 (Utility Accounts): Ordinance on second reading limiting utility account establishment to property owners only was approved unanimously.
• OSR 2 (Valet Parking): Ordinance on second reading establishing boundaries for valet operations was approved unanimously.
• OSR 3 (Board Terms): Ordinance on second reading revising Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board terms was approved unanimously.
• Walk-On Item: Motion authorizing staff to negotiate amendments to agreements with Hall of Fame Partners LLC was approved unanimously.
• Agenda Changes: Item PH2 (Development Agreement with 901 North Federal Owner LLC) was removed from the agenda at the developer's request.