Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - April 21, 2026

The City Commission held a conference meeting on April 21, 2026, beginning in the afternoon and ending at 6 p.m. Commissioners delivered reports on community events and projects, received updates on major infrastructure and development initiatives, and discussed proposed changes to the outdoor event ordinance. The meeting also addressed a press conference held earlier that day by the NAACP regarding allegations of a hostile work environment in the police department.

Commission Reports

• Commissioner Herbst announced a workshop for Lockhart Park redesign on April 22 at 6 p.m. at the Kaplan building, to be noticed and rebroadcast.
• Commissioner Beasley Pittman requested a moment of silence for Levi Henry, founder of the West Side Gazette, who recently passed. She reported on a joint CRA meeting with Plantation regarding the 441 corridor, and highlighted the ribbon cutting of the Pompe Station pump station in Dorsey River Bend, a $67.8 million stormwater improvement project with nearly 10 miles of new pipe and drainage infrastructure.
• Commissioner Glassman reported on multiple events: speaking at the Birch Park Beach Finger Street Neighborhood Association annual meeting; the opening of Schmorgasburg (a pop-up outdoor market in Flagler Village); upcoming panel discussions on development and real estate; a water billing meeting in Holiday Park; the Fort Lauderdale Open (swimming competition, expected 25+ Olympians); a community meeting on Sunrise Lane improvements; and the police department fallen officer memorial ceremony on May 6.
• Vice Mayor noted that River Walk was named the eighth best river walk in the country, and celebrated the success of the Tortuga Music Festival (20,000+ attendees daily). He reported Hattie Curley's 100th birthday celebration, and that the Solid Waste Authority master plan was passed unanimously. He raised concerns about the city's lien amnesty program, which provides up to 85% penalty reduction, suggesting it is too high. City staff clarified that nuisance, repeat, noise, and vacation rental violations now receive only a 50% reduction, and the program expires September 30 with a review in June. The Vice Mayor also inquired about FPL's undergrounding decisions, scheduling of building inspectors, and the upcoming living seawall ordinance.
• Mayor reported on the Battle of the Paddles pickleball tournament at The Fort, participation in a Smart City Expo panel, and presenting medals at the American Cup diving championship at the aquatic center. He commended the Tortuga Festival's traffic management and announced upcoming events: Harvey Milk Heart Honors Award on April 30, the Mayor's Student Chess Challenge on May 2, and the Outshine Film Festival on May 3.

City Manager Report

• City Manager Williams recognized Daphne St. Ville (Home Rule Hero Award) and Assistant Chief Lynette Falzone (president of National Association of Law Enforcement Executives).
• Broward County Public Schools will no longer use City of Fort Lauderdale school resource officers: Seagull School closes August 10, and the remaining 11 officers will be reassigned by January 31, 2027. The city currently has 23 sworn vacancies and a $1.2 million budget impact from lost reimbursement. Discussion focused on filling vacancies with returning SROs versus requesting additional staffing.

Discussion Items

Business 1: International Swimming Hall of Fame Project Update

• The project is split into four phases. Phase 1 (ocean rescue building and seawall) is on track to open later summer 2026. Phase 2 (west building) closed financing in March. The development team presented plans for an aquarium focused on the Florida Reef, with 8 interactive galleries, RFID bracelets, a Hall of Fame experience (10 galleries covering swimming history, lifeguard training, Navy SEALs, etc.), a 4D theater, and a frameless immersive art experience. Construction is set to begin July 2026, with completion targeted for end of 2028.

Business 2: Prospect Lake Clean Water Center Progress Update

• The tower crane has been removed, signaling the end of major construction. Nanofiltration skid 1 and 2 are being commissioned; skid 3 is starting. A 54-inch pipe from the well field is now connected. Injection wells 1 and 2 received FDEP authorization for operational testing. Ten city employees arrived for training; the next group arrives in May. Commercial operation remains on schedule for September 2026. A corrosion treatment pilot and PFOS pilot are gathering data.

Business 3: Water and Wastewater Consent Orders Update and I&I Program

• The water consent order approved in January 2026 has milestones for condition assessment (July 2027), certification report (Oct 2027), and asset management plan (May 2028).
• For the wastewater consent order (amended 2020, expires March 2027), 72 of 76 projects are complete. The remaining four include force main and injection well work. An extension to December 2026 is requested for emergency generators at the wastewater treatment plant.
• The pending second amendment addresses inflow and infiltration (I&I). The city is already conducting evaluations, basin identification, and repairs using pipe lining, point repairs, and manhole lining. Projects are completed in Flagler Village and underway in other areas. Commissioner asked for a map and percentage of system addressed; staff will provide.

Business 4: Outdoor Event Ordinance Presentation

• Proposed changes include increasing application fees: $500 for 90+ days in advance, $1,500 for 60-89 days, $2,000 for less than 60 days (previously $200 and events under 60 days were not accepted).
• A new impact fee matrix assigns fees based on limited, moderate, or major impact, replacing the current beach sand use fee.
• Two new designations were introduced:
  • Signature Event (e.g., Tortuga Music Festival, Lauderdale Air Show, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show): maximum fee cap of $25,000 per day.
  • Legacy Event (run/walk events with five or more years in good standing): maximum fee cap of $2,500 per day.
• Options to limit events were discussed: no more than one event per month with a road closure on the barrier island; a civic association acknowledgment form; one quiet weekend per month on the barrier island; and seasonal restrictions.
• Commissioners expressed support for the fee structure and designations but requested further discussion on the limiting event considerations. Staff will bring a draft ordinance amendment back in May or early June.

Key Outcomes

• Staff received direction to proceed with drafting an ordinance that incorporates increased application fees, the impact fee matrix, and the signature and legacy designations.
• The limiting event considerations will be discussed further at the next conference meeting (May 19 or first meeting in June) before a first reading.
• The city manager was asked to evaluate the lien amnesty program for potential modification, with a presentation expected in June.
• Staff will report back on the NAACP allegations regarding hostile work environment in the police department. A statement has been drafted in response to media inquiries.