Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission held a conference meeting on February 17, 2026, beginning at approximately 1:30 PM with a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board session, followed by the regular commission meeting. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including state legislative updates, water billing and assistance programs, a proposed certificate of use process, and an update on the new city hall project. The commission received public comments, debated key issues, and provided direction to staff on several items.

CRA Meeting (Consent Calendar)

• Approved minutes from the February 3, 2026 CRA board meeting.
• Approved Resolution R1: A Central City Community Redevelopment Area Property and Business Improvement Program incentive forgivable loan of $225,000 and a non-residential facade improvement program forgivable loan of $125,000 to the Art of T LLC. The company is moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to 900 Northeast 3rd Street, a warehouse purchased in spring 2025. They currently employ 27 employees and plan to add 7. The resolution passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marilyn Momano (professional planner and legislative representative for Broward section of Florida APA): Spoke against SB 948 (the "Florida Starter Home Act"), calling it a "false promise" and "the death of the American dream of owning a single-family home." She detailed how the bill would preempt local zoning for single-family districts, allowing townhouses, duplexes, reduced setbacks, and minimal parking. She urged the commission to monitor legislative efforts to insert such provisions into other bills.
• Abby Kenner (District 4 resident): Criticized the city's water billing and credit policies, stating that customers should receive full refunds for overcharges regardless of whether usage exceeds double the average. She disputed that meters are read accurately and claimed hundreds of residents are experiencing unjustifiably high bills. She mentioned a potential class-action lawsuit.
• Rusty Warren (co-founder/co-CEO of Ivy Realty) and Nick Matthews (Seven Group, representing Tower 101): Presented an alternative proposal for the city to purchase Tower 101 as a new city hall. They estimated savings of up to $200 million compared to building new, offered to fund due diligence, and asked the city to evaluate their proposal over 30-45 days. Mayor Trantalis and Commissioner Glassman questioned why they did not participate in the earlier unsolicited proposal process. Commissioner Glassman expressed strong opposition to delaying the current project, stating it would be unethical to abandon the selected developer after a lengthy process. The commission ultimately did not take up the proposal.
• Marilyn Momano (second appearance): Urged the commission to consider the Tower 101 alternative, arguing that an economical, functional city hall is more important than an iconic building, especially given potential property tax reform that could reduce city revenues.

Discussion Items

1. Communications from Advisory Boards

• Planning and Zoning Board Communication: The board requested staff research expanding public notice requirements for large projects (40 acres, such as the "rock pit property" in the northwest). Currently, notices are sent to property owners within 300 feet. The commission directed staff to research broader notification methods, including neighboring civic associations outside city limits, and report back.
• Budget Advisory Board (BAB) Communication: Chairman Bill Brown reported that the BAB voted 9-0 to recommend implementing a certificate of use process (see Business Item 1). They requested a one-year pilot with benchmarks.

2. State Legislative Mid-Session Update (CF1)

• Presented by Daphne Sainville, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager. Key topics:
  • Property Tax Bills: Eight joint resolutions; HB 203 (gradual phase-out of non-school property tax for homestead over 10 years) is on the House calendar for a vote. The Senate has not advanced companion bills, but a special session may be called. The commission expressed concerns about the fiscal impact on city budgets.
  • DEI and Local Government Preemption: HB 1001/SB 1134 would prohibit local governments from funding or promoting DEI initiatives. Staff is seeking clarification on whether proclamations, festivals (e.g., Sistrunk Festival), and other events would be affected. The commission voiced strong opposition and directed staff to advocate against the legislation.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): SB 48 would make ADU ordinances mandatory for local governments, with restrictions on short-term rentals. The commission supports the Senate version.
  • Live Local Act Amendments: SB 1548 would expand preemptions for affordable housing, allowing development on public property and restricting local dimensional regulations. The commission opposed the bill.
  • Advanced Air Mobility: HB 1093/SB 1362 would fund vertiports via FDOT. The commission supported monitoring to ensure funding parity with general aviation.
  • Appropriations: The city requested 9 appropriations; 7 are "in play" in either the House or Senate budgets, including funds for aviation training, fire boat replacement, substance abuse treatment, road resurfacing, Los Olas mobility improvements, and Galt Mile safety improvements.

3. Managing Your Water Bill – Rates, Prevention, and Customer Assistance (CF2)

• Presented by Linda Short (Finance Director), Aaron Kendrick (Deputy Finance Director), and Ingrid Schimbaum (Utility Services Program Manager). Over 56,000 accounts billed, with average monthly bills for 5,000 gallons at $173.83 (including sanitation). Rate increases support infrastructure (Prospect Lake Clean Water Center): 22% water/9% sewer in FY2025, 9%/9% in FY2026, 9%/5% in FY2027, then 5%/5% thereafter.
• Common causes of high bills: leaks (toilets, faucets, irrigation), water softeners, pool refills, pressure washing, and seasonal visitors.
• Credits: The city offers credits for known leaks and unexplained "mystery leaks" if usage doubles the 12-month average. Credits cover the difference above the average. Mystery leak credits are limited to once per residence. Commissioner Sorensen questioned the one-time limit and the doubling threshold, and the commission directed staff to evaluate lowering the threshold and allowing multiple mystery credits. The city also offers pool refill credits (75%+ refill) and payment arrangements (0% interest over 12-30 months). A new Municipal Services Affordability Program provides up to $1,000 toward utility bills for income-qualified residents.
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): Installation began in December 2025; 1,085 meters installed as of February 17. The goal is to replace all ~65,000 meters by mid-2027. Residents will receive a customer portal (Sprite Point) for real-time usage data and leak alerts once the system is fully operational.

4. Proposed Certificate of Use Process (Business 1)

• Presented by Michael Ferrer (Urban Planner). A certificate of use would verify a business use is permitted at a specific location before a lease is signed or permits are applied for. This would streamline the current convoluted process and prevent costly mistakes. Staff proposed a minimum fee of $230.50, based on a survey of 17 municipalities. The BAB and Economic Development Advisory Board both recommended moving forward with a one-year pilot. The commission gave consensus to proceed, asking staff to minimize processing time (target a few days) and to note any cost recovery impacts.

5. City Hall Update – Interim Agreement Term Sheet (Business 3)

• Presented by City Manager, with Kevin Polito (Strategic Communications), Alex Barrett and Cody Keyes (developer team), Ben Rogers (Operations), City Attorney, Eric Singer (outside P3 counsel), Quentin Pugh (Assistant City Manager), and others.
• Timeline: Interim agreement targeted for April 2026; comprehensive agreement and guaranteed maximum price by October 2026; construction start early 2027; commission chambers substantial completion summer 2028; full completion spring 2029.
• Term Sheet Highlights: Non-binding outline of pre-development phase terms. Key issues discussed:
  • Developer Fee: 5% on allowable expenses if the city terminates for convenience. Several commissioners objected to paying a profit on top of reimbursed expenses. Mayor Trantalis asked staff to research prior P3 deals for consistency. Vice Mayor Herbst expressed concern about the equity component (10% capital requirement with up to 11.5% return) and requested an analysis of the financing cost differential compared to city-issued debt.
  • Termination Scenarios: First 90 days – developer can terminate with no cost. After that, if the city terminates for convenience, the developer receives 100% of allowable expenses plus the 5% fee. If the developer defaults or fails to meet milestones, reimbursement is reduced (50% of design expenses, 0% of non-design). If both parties cannot reach a comprehensive agreement, shared risk: 100% of design expenses, 50% of other expenses.
  • Space Programming: Building size reduced to ~220,000-230,000 square feet to house approximately 700 employees. Tenant engagement ongoing.
  • Site Remediation: Developer will take over remediation of contamination from the existing diesel generator tank.
  • Local/Small Business Participation: Developer to propose voluntary goals for subcontractors, including minority- and veteran-owned businesses, subject to state law.
  • The commission gave direction to continue negotiations based on feedback, with a focus on the developer fee, allowable expenses, and financing terms. The interim agreement is expected back in April.

Key Outcomes

• CRA: Approved two forgivable loans totaling $350,000 to Art of T LLC.
• Public Notice for Large Projects: Directed staff to research and propose expanded public notice requirements for projects exceeding typical sizes (e.g., 40 acres), including notification to civic associations outside city limits.
• Certificate of Use: Directed staff to proceed with development of the process and bring an ordinance for a one-year pilot.
• Water Bill Credits: Directed staff to evaluate modifying credit thresholds (e.g., lowering the doubling requirement) and allowing multiple mystery leak credits, pending AMI implementation.
• City Hall Project: Directed staff to continue negotiating the interim agreement with Fort Lauderdale City Hall Partners (Core/Plenary), with additional analysis on the developer fee, equity return, and cost comparisons to city financing. The commission declined to delay the process to evaluate the Tower 101 proposal.
• Legislative Advocacy: Directed staff to advocate against HB 1001/SB 1134 (DEI preemption), SB 1548 (Live Local Act amendments), and to support favorable provisions such as advanced air mobility funding and protection against ADU short-term rentals.