Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - June 2, 2026

The City Commission convened for a conference meeting on June 2, 2026, at 1:30 PM. The meeting included commission reports, staff presentations, public testimony, and discussions on multiple policy items. No formal votes were taken, but direction was provided to staff on several issues.

Commission Reports & Communications

• Commissioner Glassman reported on recent community events, including the phase two kickoff of Holiday Park improvements and the restoration of Las Olas Garage lighting. He also raised concerns about the Motorola/CI communications system procurement, noting a delay. City Manager Williams stated the recommendation will be to reject all bids and reissue the procurement, with a presentation on June 16.
• Vice Mayor Sorensen proposed moving the conference meeting start time from 1:30 PM to 1:00 PM to allow more time before the regular meeting; the commission agreed.
• Discussion on water quality testing: The city has partnered with Miami Waterkeepers for weekly testing at 15 sites and microbial source tracking (MST) at 5 sites that regularly fail. Human markers were found at all 5 sites; dog markers at one. Commissioner Beasley Pittman urged focusing on cleaning up hotspots like Sweeting Park and involving other agencies (Broward County, SFWMD, FDEP).
• Discussion on property tax reform: The state legislature passed a constitutional amendment for a homestead exemption increase, going to voters in November 2026. Projected impacts: $17 million loss in FY 2028 and $27.3 million in FY 2029. The commission agreed to have a joint workshop with the Budget Advisory Board on June 16 to discuss options and outreach.
• Mayor reported on recent events and raised concerns about a proposed 50-year lease term for Riverwalk Garage, urging flexibility for future redevelopment with FAU and Broward College.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Three speakers addressed the commission on vacation rental enforcement. Vanessa Sperduto (Easy Breezy BNB) argued that the city has not solicited feedback from compliant hosts, that there are over 5,000 active Airbnb listings in Fort Lauderdale (versus 1,500 registered), and that enforcement should penalize unruly guests, not just hosts. Lydia Russo added that locals cause most nuisance problems and suggested guest penalties like in Hollywood and Wilton Manors. Brian Donaldson (president of a neighborhood association with 30% vacation rentals) supported the proposed ordinance changes but emphasized the need for better parking enforcement during parties.

Discussion Items

Storm Season Preparedness

• Staff presented an overview of preparedness for the 2026 storm season, including infrastructure improvements, training, coordination with FPL, sandbag distribution (over 4,000 bags last year), and communication via Alert FTL. Additional pumps have been ordered (5 new, total 9). High-water vehicles: 4 in fire rescue, plus dozens of police SUVs. The commission noted the importance of portable pumps and asked about VAC truck availability.

Limiting Outdoor Events on Barrier Island

• Staff proposed four options: restricting road closures, seasonal restrictions, civic association acknowledgement form, and a quiet weekend designation. Commissioner Glassman recommended no new events during ongoing Las Olas and Sunrise Bridge construction (lasting 12-18 months). Vice Mayor Sorensen wanted to cap monthly road closures. Mayor argued many events (like early morning runs) have minimal impact and are popular. Consensus: adopt civic association form, quiet weekend, and cap road closures at current monthly levels (max 4 in November, 3 in March and May). Any increase would require commission approval.

Water and Wastewater Rate Study

• Consultant Kyle Stevens presented recommendations for FY 2027: a 9% water and 5% sewer revenue increase, increasing fixed cost recovery from 15% to 16%, shifting multifamily fixed charges to per-unit basis, adding a fourth irrigation tier, and adjusting capital expansion fees (water fee increase of 16% to full cost recovery). For leak credits, three options were discussed. The commission directed staff to proceed with Option 3: cap the credit at the customer's annual average bill (keeping 200% threshold). Staff will also track the number of callers requesting credits. Miscellaneous fees will move to full cost recovery.

Vacation Rental Enforcement

• Staff presented proposed ordinance changes to strengthen enforcement, including: daily penalties of $1,000 for operating without a valid certificate, prohibiting issuance/renewal of certificates with unpaid fines, requiring access for safety inspections, preventing ownership restructuring to avoid penalties, and limiting special magistrate suspension deferrals to 14 days. Commissioner Beasley Pittman asked for equal penalties for expired and no certificate, and for expanded nighttime enforcement (currently Thursday-Sunday). Staff will explore overtime funding for additional coverage. The commission supported the changes, including the 14-day deferral limit.

Lien Amnesty Program

• Staff recommended reducing the discount from 85% to 50% for all violations, and excluding certain violation types (nuisance, repeat, noise, vacation rental, irreversible, commercial/industrial/income-producing) from amnesty eligibility, with a hardship review process. Mayor and commissioners endorsed the 50% discount and the exclusion categories, but favored allowing commercial property owners to apply for review. Vice Mayor suggested a possible lower discount (20-25%) but agreed to 50%. The program will be re-evaluated in one year.

Key Outcomes

• Meeting Start Time: Conference meetings will begin at 1:00 PM going forward.
• Communications Procurement: Staff will bring a recommendation to reject all bids and reissue on June 16.
• Water Quality: Staff will develop a strategy to engage partner agencies (Broward County, SFWMD, FDEP) for cleaning up hotspots, particularly Sweeting Park.
• Property Tax: A joint workshop with the Budget Advisory Board will be held on June 16 to discuss impacts and options.
• Barrier Island Events: Staff will prepare first-reading ordinances adopting a civic association acknowledgement form, a quiet weekend designation, and capping monthly road closures at current levels (max 4 in November, 3 in March and May). No new events during Las Olas/Sunrise bridge construction.
• Water Rates: Staff will draft ordinances for FY 2027 rate changes including: 9% water/5% sewer increase, water capacity fee increase to full cost recovery, fixed cost recovery increase to 16%, multifamily per-unit charges, fourth irrigation tier, and Option 3 for leak credits (cap at annual average bill). Miscellaneous fees updated to full cost recovery.
• Vacation Rentals: Staff will bring ordinance amendments with daily penalties, 14-day suspension deferral limit, equal penalties for expired/no certificate, and other clarifications. Overtime funding for expanded nighttime enforcement will be explored.
• Lien Amnesty: Staff will prepare a program with a 50% discount, excluding nuisance, repeat, noise, vacation rental, irreversible, commercial/industrial/income-producing violations from automatic eligibility, with a hardship review process and administrative appeal.
• Multi-Language Communications: Staff will research and recommend which city communications should be translated into Spanish, Creole, and possibly other languages.
• Executive Session: The commission held a closed-door discussion on pending litigation with FDOT (three cases) for approximately one hour before the regular meeting.