Fort Lauderdale City Commission Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission convened on December 16, 2025, following a lengthy executive session. The meeting opened with pledges, a moment of silence, and special presentations honoring the 60th anniversary of the Alpha Rho Boley Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the 43rd anniversary of the Rick Case Bikes for Kids program, a Small Project of the Year award for the Public Works Department, and a recognition of interim city attorney D. Wayne Spence. The commission approved the consent agenda unanimously before moving to discussion items regarding a whole blood exchange program and public beach development plans.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved all items on the consent agenda without pull.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Whole Blood Exchange Program (Item M1):

  • Andrew Livingston (Citizen/Father): Expressed full support by sharing a personal story where his son survived a severe accident due to immediate whole blood transfusion by Broward Sheriff's Office paramedics. He urged the commission to adopt the program to save lives.
  • Stephen Livingston (Citizen/Survivor): Expressed full support, stating he is the "living, breathing reason" the program is needed. He emphasized the tragedy of patients who bled out before blood was available and dedicated his support to "doing it for Taylor" and others in similar situations.

• Beach Park Project (Item R5 - Basketball Court Relocation):

  • Tracy Powell (Citizen): Expressed strong opposition to moving the historical beachfront basketball courts, arguing that relocation erases a community staple and that location is the primary value of public amenities. She requested staff return with a plan keeping the courts in their current spot.
  • Sally Al's House (Citizen/DAR Member): Expressed opposition citing historic preservation, suggesting that moving the courts could encourage the removal of other historic elements at the site of the original 1838 fort.
  • Dan Santoro (Citizen/Historian): Expressed support for keeping the courts on the beach but raised concerns about the legal implications of the Bahia Mar agreement potentially violating the 1904 donation deed restrictions regarding commercial enterprises.
  • Chris Nelson (Citizen): Expressed strong opposition to the relocation, characterizing it as an attempt to displace young local users for wealthy tourists. He alleged a racial element to the proposed change and strongly opposed the narrative that public land was being given to developers.
  • Jaris Goss (Citizen): Expressed concern regarding environmental impacts, specifically soil disturbance and lack of documentation regarding rehabilitation vs. new construction alternatives.
  • Nancy Thomas (Citizen): Expressed concern over insufficient public notice and outreach procedures regarding major projects, citing the beach park decision as an example where the public was not adequately informed until late in the process.
  • Greg Bruton (Citizen): Expressed opposition to the claim that moving the courts facilitates desegregation history, calling it inaccurate and inappropriate, and noted that changes are inevitable.
  • Diana (Citizen): Expressed opposition to privatizing the beach, arguing the commission is serving developers over residents and that environmental issues with the proposed site are unresolved.
  • Barbara Stern (Citizen): Expressed strong opposition to the St. Regis/Bahia Mar marketing claims of exclusive beaches, noting the interlocal agreement allows for substitution and arguing it is unreasonable to move courts for less than $1 million when funds are available.
  • Devin Thomas (Citizen/Law Student): Expressed opposition, stating the majority of the public disagrees with the relocation and warning of legal action if public rights are not protected.
  • John Rodstrom (Citizen): Expressed opposition, arguing the commission is giving public land away to a developer without adequate revenue return and citing the community as a valid "other factor" for withholding consent on the substitution.
  • Susan Peterson (Citizen/History Writer): Expressed opposition, criticizing the exclusive luxury imagery of the resort ad and highlighting the historical significance of the courts as one of the few remaining beach basketball courts in the country.
  • Diana (Citizen): Expressed concern that the original agreement documents were incorrect regarding the location of pickleball courts, suggesting a lack of transparency that contributed to public outrage.
  • Greg Risley (Citizen): Expressed opposition, viewing the issue as a broader conflict between the public and developers, noting the developer's marketing language implies exclusive private use of the beach area.

• Liquor License Ordinance (Item OFR1):

  • Marilyn Manano (Citizen/Lauderdale Tomorrow): Expressed support for streamlining but raised concerns about the delegation of authority, lack of a 30-day commission call-up for the public to appeal, and the lack of language prohibiting licensees from claiming exclusive rights to the beach or monopolizing beach chairs.

Discussion Items

• Whole Blood Exchange Program (M1): The Fire Chief and a representative from Broward Health presented the program, highlighting an 80% increase in survivability for trauma patients. The motion was approved unanimously. Commissioner Beasley Pittman noted the unique nature of the partnership providing blood at no cost to taxpayers.
• Beach Park Site Plan (R5):
  • Commissioner Glassman: Requested clarification on the legal ability to substitute the basketball courts for pickleball courts under the interlocal agreement. The City Attorney explained that while the CDD must consent to substitutions, they cannot unreasonably withhold consent, but the process is subjective and could lead to litigation. The City Manager noted the developer has previously indicated they are not receptive to substituting the courts.
  • Commissioner Beasley Pittman: Expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding funding sources (CDD funds vs. developer advances) and permit feasibility regarding the coastal construction line. She noted that the current plan involves moving courts 400 feet from the water, which significantly alters the user experience.
  • Commissioner Sorensen: Highlighted the need for a single point of engagement with the developer and the City Attorney to explore alternatives. He suggested the public's desire to keep the courts could be a reasonable basis for withholding consent or negotiating a new agreement.
  • Mayor Trentals: Expressed concern over the tight timeline (deadline in January 2027) and the risk of litigation which could delay the project further. The Mayor suggested deferring the decision to seek more clarity on funding, permitting, and legal obligations.
• City Hall Project Designations: Commissioner Glassman inquired about the status of negotiations with the selected City Hall design firms, with the City Manager confirming a kickoff meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2026.
• Commission Reports: Members shared updates on community events, including the holiday light-ups, the groundbreaking for the YMCA and New Hope Baptist Church, the Orange Bowl Tennis Championships, and a proposed one-day internship program for high school students via the Boys and Girls Club.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred indefinitely: Resolution R5 (Site Plan Alternative 1A for Fort Lauderdale Beach Park) to allow for further clarification on funding, permitting, and legal negotiations with the CDD and developers.
• Deferred to January 20, 2026: Resolution R4 (Los Olas Mobility Project) to allow owners to participate.
• Deferred to January 6, 2026: Resolution R6 (Holiday Park Parking Garage) to allow for more specific information.
• Deferred to January 6, 2026: Public Hearing 2 (Brownfield Area designation for 3100 NE 32nd Ave) due to insufficient newspaper notice.
• Approved:
  • M1: Memorandum of Understanding with Broward Health for the whole blood exchange program.
  • R1: Appointments to various boards and committees.
  • R2: Acceptance of the 2025 State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.
  • R3: Ratification of the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 769 regarding personal rescue watercraft.
  • R7: Approval of the amendment to the site plan for the Ombell project.
  • PH 1: Designation of 3100 NE 32nd Ave as a Brownfield Area.
  • PH 3: Amendment to policy FLU 1.1.12 of the Comprehensive Plan regarding the Uptown TOD.
  • PH 4 & PH 5: Approval of after-the-fact waivers for boat lifts at 100 and 102 Hendrix Isle.
  • OFR 1: First reading of the ordinance amending the code regarding sales of food and alcoholic beverages on public beaches (with Mayor's suggestion to add a 30-day commission call-up provision).
  • OFR 2: First reading of the ordinance amending restrictions on employment of relatives.
  • OFR 3: First reading of the ordinance amending chapter 27 regarding vehicles for hire (shuttles, pedicabs).
  • Walk-on Motion: Approved an increase in contract cost capacity for the Talent Booking Agency pool.
• City Hall Design: The commission selected a top and secondary choice for the new City Hall design following a conference meeting review.
• New Year's Event: Confirmed plans include both fireworks (approx. 6 minutes, $6,000) and a drone show, along with live entertainment by Philip Phillips.