Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - January 20, 2026

The City Commission held a conference meeting on January 20, 2026, addressing multiple topics including CRA business, the future of the Infrastructure Task Force, an academic update from Broward County School Board members, and a detailed discussion on the Las Olas Mobility Western Corridor design. The meeting began late due to a freight train delay and extended past the scheduled 6:00 PM evening meeting, prompting a deferral of later agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• CRA Board Meeting (suspended then resumed):
  • Approved minutes from the January 6, 2026 CRA Board Meeting (Motion M1). Unanimous vote.
  • Resolution R1: Approved modifications to the Central City Community Redevelopment Area Residential Facade and Landscaping Incentive Program, renaming it the Residential Enhancement Program. Unanimous vote. A public comment raised concerns about vendor payment timelines; CRA staff explained process improvements including reducing required quotes from three to two and creating a professional list.
  • Resolution R2: Approved a third amendment to the interlocal agreement for the Northeast Fourth Avenue Complete Street Project among Broward County, City of Fort Lauderdale, and the CRA to extend the term. Unanimous vote. The Mayor noted concern about tree maintenance along the project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Las Olas Mobility Western Corridor: Multiple residents and stakeholders spoke.
  • Ann Hilmer (Lauderdale Tomorrow & Idlewild HOA): Presented written positions opposing permanent curb bulbouts, removal of medians without further studies, and the designation of SE 15th Avenue as an evacuation route; requested updated traffic and parking studies.
  • Bill Ott (Downtown Fort Lauderdale Civic Association): Expressed support for Alternative 2 (retaining median) in the shops section, citing iconic design, and requested no on-street parking with a bike lane instead. Supported the downtown section median and wider sidewalks.
  • Teddy and Sarah (River Oaks Republic): Criticized the plan for shops; urged exploring options to extend life of existing black olive trees and obtaining additional arborist opinions. Noted that other cities lack medians.
  • Steve Hudson (property owner on Las Olas): Supported removing the median to prioritize wider sidewalks, on-street parking for safety, and noted property owners may fund beautification if consensus on design (no median).
  • Mike Weymouth (CEO, Las Olas Company): Strongly supported Alternative 1 (no median) with on-street parking; highlighted that on-street parking generates significant revenue and acts as a safety buffer. Provided photos of other successful shopping streets without medians.
  • Robert Lockery (for McTeague and Coombs families): Expressed strong support for Alternative 1, citing historic success of on-street parking and need for wider sidewalks.
  • Diana Gagney (Downtown Civic Association): Preferred retaining the median; noted 88% of association survey respondents favored keeping median. Advocated for a parking study first.
  • Maggie Hunt (Lauderdale Tomorrow): Supported keeping the median but with modifications; emphasized need for a parking study and flexible use of lanes. Disagreed with removing on-street parking.
  • Jenny Morihon (Downtown Development Authority): Reiterated DDA's support for no median in the shops section, permanent on-street parking, and more trees; committed to helping with state/federal funding.
  • Charlie Ladd (developer): Strongly advocated for removing the median and planting large containerized oak trees along sidewalks; provided detailed analysis of tree canopy gains. Supported bulbouts for pedestrian safety.

Discussion Items

• Infrastructure Task Force (ITF): The commission discussed whether to extend the ITF (expiring Feb 18, 2026) or convert it into a permanent board. City Manager Williams noted staff is drafting an ordinance for consideration on Feb 3 (first reading) and Feb 17 (second reading). Peter Partington, ITF Chair, confirmed the timeline and recommended the scope focus on underground infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater) unless otherwise directed by commission. The commission agreed to proceed with the ordinance; the Mayor specified the primary focus should be underground infrastructure. Commissioner Sorensen asked about reappointing existing members; staff noted potential conflicts if members serve on two boards.

• School Board Presentation: Broward County School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi and Vice Chair Dr. Jeff Holness presented academic updates:

  • Broward County Public Schools earned an A rating for the second consecutive year; no D or F schools. 93% of District 3 schools are A or B rated.
  • Notable improvements: North Side Elementary from C to A, Stranahan High School received first-ever A rating.
  • Dr. Wanza provided updates on redefining schools due to enrollment decline (10,000 students lost, >$90M/year). Specific proposals for Fort Lauderdale schools: maritime industry program at Stranahan, K-12 sports academy, consolidation of North Fork Elementary into four other schools, and consolidation of Wooden Rogers and Seagull onto the Winden campus with potential for a public safety training facility.
  • Commissioner Sorensen inquired about student engagement; existing teen youth council via Parks and Recreation was noted. Graduation venues for Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan high schools were discussed; staff researching options including War Memorial, Broward Center, etc. School board chair reported meeting with students and alleviating concerns about graduation at Dillard High School.
  • Mayor asked about school board plans for the 250th anniversary of the U.S.; chair was unaware but promised to follow up.

• Las Olas Mobility Western Corridor (Business One): Detailed presentation by Transportation Director Milos Mystorovich and consultant Catherine Prince (WSP). The project covers three segments: downtown (Andrews Ave to tunnel – $5M), shops (tunnel to 17th Ave – $7.5M), and Coley Hammock (12th to 17th Ave – $6.8M). Two design alternatives for the shops segment: Alternative 1 (remove median, add 10-foot sidewalks, on-street parking) and Alternative 2 (retain median, 7-foot sidewalks with alternating parking). Extensive discussion on tree species, longevity of existing black olive trees, and risk assessment by the city arborist and consultant arborist. The commission directed staff to advance the design with no median, wider sidewalks, on-street parking, and bulbouts for pedestrian safety. City Manager noted an additional $1.2M federal earmark for the shops section.

Key Outcomes

• CRA: Resolutions R1 and R2 approved unanimously.
• Infrastructure Task Force: Commission directed staff to draft an ordinance converting the ITF into a permanent board, with first reading on Feb 3, 2026 and second reading on Feb 17, 2026.
• Las Olas Mobility: Commission provided consensus direction: remove the median in the shops section, widen sidewalks, maintain on-street parking, and include bulbouts. Staff will bring an action item for formal approval at the next meeting (Feb 3).
• School Board: No formal action taken; staff to continue exploring graduation venue options and report back. The Mayor asked for information on 250th anniversary programming.
• Deferred Item: Business Two (FXC) and evening meeting items were delayed until approximately 6:30 PM due to extended discussions.