OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - August 18, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyFort Lauderdale, Florida
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:28:27
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Okay, folks, thank you so much.

0:02

I appreciate everyone's patience today.

0:04

Um moving on to the conference meeting.

0:08

Uh before I I begin the conference meeting, I just and I'll I'll do it now and I'll do it later.

0:13

I just want to remind everyone who has not yet voted that today is election day and we'd appreciate if everyone makes their way to the polls to vote.

0:21

We have a lot of important races from school board to primaries and all the different races up and down the the tickets.

0:27

So um if you need to excuse yourself, we'll let you go for a few minutes to go vote.

0:32

But uh we appreciate uh you your uh your voting today.

0:36

So we begin our meeting um with uh communications and we have a communication from the uh fire rescue um uh bond bond issue blue ribbon committee.

0:47

Um and uh Mr.

0:49

Vercenas, are you here?

0:51

There you are.

0:52

Um so we have a communication.

0:57

John, you want to come up uh and talk to us about this communication?

1:02

Thank you for being here.

1:06

You don't have a smile on your face.

1:08

I don't know.

1:08

This is pretty ominous.

1:10

Do you want me to read the whole thing?

1:11

No, no, just give me the punchline.

1:15

Mayor and commissioners, I'm John Brett Senus.

1:18

I'm the current chairman of the blue ribbon committee, fire bond board.

1:25

Um this this uh situation started 22 years ago um when the city voters voted uh a bond issue and you guys, your your predecessors, I think, authorized it.

1:39

I don't think any of you were on the commission then I was one of those predecessors.

1:44

Um approximately ten stations have been in the program, and we have just are about to groundbreak uh station number thirteen reconstruction, which is the last station in the in our mandate.

1:57

Um I think you've noticed the sunrise boulevard uh road work that started that um they have to change the road to get to the new elevation for the uh the fire station exit due to everything being raised due to uh water level changes.

2:16

And we anticipate uh actually the abatement and the demolition work to start here in September and real construction to start uh in December of this year, uh completing the station at the end of December of 2027, and this program will come to an end.

2:37

Um I think staff has done a great job and the department has been very patient, and I think everybody involved is uh happy to see this program sunsetting.

2:50

Thank you.

2:51

Thank you.

2:52

Anyone have any questions of uh John?

2:56

All right.

2:57

Yes, Chief.

3:00

Mayor, I just wanted to personally thank John and the entire team that they've gotten this bond project further along, and I know that there's been times where it's been rather aggravating.

3:09

We haven't seen much movement with the projects, but it's further along than it's been in 22 years, and we're right there at the cusp, I think in the next 30 to 60 days.

3:19

More late than never.

3:20

Exactly.

3:21

All good things come to those who wait, right?

3:23

We're right there.

3:24

22 years later.

3:25

Thank you very much.

3:26

I appreciate your time.

3:27

I I appreciate all the meetings that you're there for and leading and and making this come uh together.

3:33

So thank you.

3:36

All right.

3:37

Mayor, I have a question.

3:38

Um is there anything from the commission perception that we would need to do to make sure this does not stall for another 22 years.

3:49

Can I offer some suggestions since I audited the fire station bond program 15 years ago?

3:54

Uh it starts with number one budgeting for inflation.

3:59

It starts with number two, budgeting sufficient amount of money to actually complete the program.

4:04

We didn't budget enough money for um station eight.

4:08

We didn't uh we didn't actually contemplate how we were going to accomplish station 13 since we thought we were going to get money.

4:17

I'm sorry, not money, we thought we were going to get the land um from the state, which was never gonna happen because it uh it it had a reverter clause back to Antioch College.

4:29

So um if the state ever gave it to us, Antioch College could take it back from the state.

4:34

So that was an absurd suggestion.

4:36

That was a crazy reverter clause that well, it's because Hugh Taylor Birch hated the city of Fort Lauderdale because we took away the land fronting the ocean to build A1A instead of taking the land fronting the intracostal.

4:49

Uh huh.

4:49

So he donated the land for sunrise, and he said, Yeah, I'll give you land for A1A.

4:54

You just have to build it along the intercoastal.

4:56

And we said, No, we really want that ocean front land.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████13%
Aviation Lease Management█████████████13%
Education███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Public Health█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Elections██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting - August 18, 2026

The City of Fort Lauderdale City Commission held a conference meeting on August 18, 2026, at 1:05 PM in the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Community Room. The meeting covered updates on the Fire-Rescue Bond Program, a presentation on the Resilient Broward Grant Program, an informational presentation on the Broward County Public Schools Next Generation Referendum, an overview of the Infrastructure Investment Special Obligation Bond, a presentation on the Harm Reduction Overdose Program, and a discussion on the Airport Leasing Policy and Lease Reversion. Commissioners also gave reports, and the City Manager and City Attorney provided updates.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ted and Sarah (President of River Oaks) spoke in support of the Resilient Broward Grant Program and emphasized the need for the county and airport to address flooding from the airport into neighborhoods like River Oaks and Edgewood. They urged the city to invite airport representatives to discuss flood mitigation efforts.
  • Ignacio Martinez (W Aviation) expressed support for the staff recommendation of a 5% gross rental receipts reversionary rent policy, stating that higher rates would make it difficult for operators to sustain operations. He noted his company has invested $30 million and plans to invest another $10 million.

Discussion Items

  • Fire-Rescue Facilities Bond Issue Blue Ribbon Committee Update (Communication 26-0713): Chairman John Brett Senus reported that the bond program, started 22 years ago, is nearing completion. Station 13 reconstruction is the last station, with abatement/demolition in September 2024 and construction finishing December 2027. Commissioner Glassman noted lessons learned: budget for inflation and sufficient funds. Mayor Trantalis provided historical context on land acquisition challenges.
  • Resilient Broward Grant Program (CF-1): Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Broward County Chief Resilience Officer, presented the program. The county allocated $20 million from reserves to launch a 15-year grant program for flood resilience infrastructure, aiming for a 5:1 leverage for $1.5 billion in installed infrastructure. Grants will cover up to 25% cost share for conveyance projects (culverts, control structures, pumps), coastal pump stations, and seawalls. Applications open September 2, 2026. Mayor Trantalis questioned the county's responsibility for airport-related flooding; Dr. Jurado noted the airport's stormwater management is separate from the study. Commissioner Beasley-Pittman highlighted the opportunity to apply for grants for Melrose Park, Melrose Manors, and Riverland. Public Works Director Todd IGW noted eligibility is limited to specified project types with a three-year implementation timeline.
  • Broward County Public Schools Next Generation Referendum (BUS-1): Superintendent Dr. Hepburn and Chief of Staff John Sullivan presented. The referendum is a renewal (not a new tax) on the November 2026 general election ballot, funding teacher/staff compensation, school safety personnel, and mental health personnel. If passed, 90% of $358 million annual proceeds would go to compensation, 10% to safety and mental health. Average homeowner impact: $418/year ($35/month); condo owner: $230/year ($19/month). Commissioner Herbst asked about the previous bond program; Sullivan clarified this referendum is separate and has been audited with no major findings.
  • Infrastructure Investment Special Obligation Bond (BUS-2): Public Works staff presented an overview of $26.9 million allocated for roadway and sidewalk repairs. $16.1 million for roadways (all city roads rated very poor, serious, or failed) and $11.8 million for sidewalks. Each commission district received an additional $2 million for roads and $2 million for sidewalks. Work will be coordinated with transportation and mobility projects, with completion expected within 18-24 months. Commissioner Herbst noted Poinsettia Heights road conditions; Commissioner Glassman questioned district allocation details; Commissioner Beasley-Pittman inquired about Progresso Village restoration and contractors.
  • Harm Reduction Overdose Program (BUS-3): Battalion Chief Chris Davis Partridge presented the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, established in 2021 to address frequent 911 callers. Two grants (DOH Harm Reduction and CORE) fund post-overdose follow-up and medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone) to bridge the gap to treatment. The program has one lieutenant and two community health coordinators, handling about 3,000 contacts in the last fiscal year. Commissioner Beasley-Pittman praised the program; Mayor Trantalis noted resource abuse concerns. Fire Chief Stephen Golden highlighted the program's role in connecting residents to social services.
  • Airport Leasing Policy and Lease Reversion (BUS-4): Assistant City Manager Ben Rogers and Assistant Airport Director Carlton Harrison presented. A working group with tenants and Kimley-Horn developed recommendations. For commercial aeronautical leases, staff recommended standardizing the reversionary rent at 5% of gross rental receipts (current practice for 8 of 13 leases). The Aviation Advisory Board expressed concerns about the impact of higher rates. Staff recommended 5% for two years, then reevaluate. The policy applies only to new leases or lease renewals, not existing tenants. Commissioner Glassman asked about transaction fees; staff noted the commission previously tabled that issue. The commission reached consensus to support the 5% recommendation.

Key Outcomes

  • Consensus to support the 5% gross rental receipts reversionary rent policy for airport commercial leases, allowing staff to finalize negotiations with W Aviation and Shelter and bring forward a formal leasing policy by end of 2026.
  • City Attorney authorized to pursue legal action against AECOM if a resolution on $3 million cost reimbursement for construction defects is not reached within 10 days.
  • Meeting dates rescheduled: The November 3, 2026 commission meeting (election day) moved to November 6, 2026 (Friday). The December 1, 2026 meeting (conflict with Christmas on Las Olas) moved to December 2, 2026 (Wednesday).
  • Executive session requested on September 2, 2026, for collective bargaining with the FOP.
  • Next steps on Resilient Broward Grant: City staff will participate in webinars and prepare applications for eligible projects.
  • City Manager to invite airport representatives to discuss flood mitigation efforts related to the airport.
  • City Attorney to bring back an ordinance regarding residential construction parking/MOT plans.
  • Sidewalk ordinance amendments to be brought forward for commission consideration in the next month.
  • Water billing complaint tracking to be developed as new systems are implemented.
  • City staff to evaluate road conditions in Poinsettia Heights and consider re-prioritization of sidewalk repairs in Dillett Park.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, folks, thank you so much. I appreciate everyone's patience today. Um moving on to the conference meeting. Uh before I I begin the conference meeting, I just and I'll I'll do it now and I'll do it later. I just want to remind everyone who has not yet voted that today is election day and we'd appreciate if everyone makes their way to the polls to vote. We have a lot of important races from school board to primaries and all the different races up and down the the tickets. So um if you need to excuse yourself, we'll let you go for a few minutes to go vote. But uh we appreciate uh you your uh your voting today. So we begin our meeting um with uh communications and we have a communication from the uh fire rescue um uh bond bond issue blue ribbon committee. Um and uh Mr. Vercenas, are you here? There you are. Um so we have a communication. John, you want to come up uh and talk to us about this communication? Thank you for being here. You don't have a smile on your face. I don't know. This is pretty ominous. Do you want me to read the whole thing? No, no, just give me the punchline. Mayor and commissioners, I'm John Brett Senus. I'm the current chairman of the blue ribbon committee, fire bond board. Um this this uh situation started 22 years ago um when the city voters voted uh a bond issue and you guys, your your predecessors, I think, authorized it. I don't think any of you were on the commission then I was one of those predecessors. Um approximately ten stations have been in the program, and we have just are about to groundbreak uh station number thirteen reconstruction, which is the last station in the in our mandate. Um I think you've noticed the sunrise boulevard uh road work that started that um they have to change the road to get to the new elevation for the uh the fire station exit due to everything being raised due to uh water level changes. And we anticipate uh actually the abatement and the demolition work to start here in September and real construction to start uh in December of this year, uh completing the station at the end of December of 2027, and this program will come to an end. Um I think staff has done a great job and the department has been very patient, and I think everybody involved is uh happy to see this program sunsetting. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone have any questions of uh John? All right. Yes, Chief. Mayor, I just wanted to personally thank John and the entire team that they've gotten this bond project further along, and I know that there's been times where it's been rather aggravating. We haven't seen much movement with the projects, but it's further along than it's been in 22 years, and we're right there at the cusp, I think in the next 30 to 60 days. More late than never. Exactly. All good things come to those who wait, right? We're right there. 22 years later. Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. I I appreciate all the meetings that you're there for and leading and and making this come uh together. So thank you. All right. Mayor, I have a question. Um is there anything from the commission perception that we would need to do to make sure this does not stall for another 22 years. Can I offer some suggestions since I audited the fire station bond program 15 years ago? Uh it starts with number one budgeting for inflation. It starts with number two, budgeting sufficient amount of money to actually complete the program.

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