Fort Lauderdale City Commission Regular Meeting – September 2, 2026

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Police Department Community Room. Mayor Dean Trantalis presided, with Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen, Commissioner Steven Glassman, and Commissioner Pam Beasley-Pittman present. Commissioner John Herbst was absent. The meeting included four presentations, approval of the consent agenda with three items pulled for separate discussion, several motions and resolutions, three public hearings, two first-reading ordinances, and five second-reading ordinances. Key actions included approval of state funding for street safety and fireboat replacement, proclamations for Hunger Action Month and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, recognition of lifeguard champions, and a quasi-judicial appeal that set a de novo hearing.

Presentations

• State Representative Chip LaMarca presented a check for $1,893,078 to the City for Galt Mile Street Safety Improvements and Fire Rescue Fireboat Replacement.
• Vice Mayor Sorensen presented a Proclamation declaring September 2026 as Hunger Action Month. Davica Ramkassoon of Feeding South Florida noted the organization distributed over 5.7 million pounds of food to more than 118,000 individuals in Fort Lauderdale.
• Commissioner Beasley-Pittman presented a Proclamation declaring September 2026 as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Kyla Thorpe Brissette, COO of the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research, accepted on behalf of the organization, which operates 15 centers of excellence across Florida.
• Fire Chief Stephen Gollan recognized winners of the 2026 USLA National Lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard Championships held in Fort Lauderdale, which hosted over 1,200 competitors from across the nation.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with three items pulled: CR1 (Phil Smith Memorial Highway resolution), CR2 (Terry Stiles Memorial Boulevard resolution), and CM3 (FDOT pedestrian/bicycle safety grant). The remaining consent items were approved unanimously, including Winterfest Family Fun Day agreement, Dillard High School Homecoming event, Police Headquarters change order, code enforcement liens, FY2027 lien amnesty program, budget amendment, appointment of Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Kerry Greenwald, meeting rescheduling, alternative meeting location designations, and rooftop solar installation agreement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ted and Sarah (President of River Oaks Civic Association) spoke in support of appellant Sharon Duncan during the quasi-judicial appeal (R3), stating the unlicensed contractor was the party at fault and that the neighborhood unanimously supported her. He also spoke during PH3 (Historic Preservation District) urging preservation of the character of 2nd Street and cautioning against uniform redevelopment.
• Miles Jolly, attorney for appellant Sharon Duncan, argued that the Board of Adjustment lacked competent substantial evidence to deny one variance while granting two others based on the same facts.
• Ian Cohen (CEO of InspectED, a private provider) spoke against OSR3, claiming the proposed private provider fee schedule was “grossly out of compliance” with state law and would increase costs for small contractors.
• Greg Miller (Corebridge Financial) supported OSR5, refuting competitor claims about a merger and affirming Corebridge’s commitment to the city.
• Jeff Francis (representing Nationwide) asked for a “thoughtful pause” on OSR5 to allow verification of the merger’s impact.

Discussion Items

Quasi-Judicial Appeal – Variance Denial (R3)

• The commission heard an appeal of the Board of Adjustment’s denial of a variance for an accessory dwelling at 1017 SW 19th Street. The appellant argued that the board granted two variances (for mechanical equipment setback and minimum lot size) but denied a third (rear setback of 15 feet, with the structure at 5 feet) despite identical facts. Deputy City Attorney D. Wayne Spence defended the board’s decision, stating the record contained competent substantial evidence. After deliberation, Vice Mayor Sorensen moved to set a de novo hearing, finding that competent substantial evidence did not support the board’s decision. The motion passed 4-0, and a de novo hearing was scheduled for October 6, 2026.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Grant (CM3)

• Commissioner Beasley-Pittman asked that the grant be used to educate the public about new pedestrian crosswalks on 6th Avenue. Commissioner Glassman raised concerns about e-bike safety, referencing a recent national news report. Chief Schultz confirmed the grant is for pedestrian safety but could have crossover for e-bike enforcement. The item was approved 4-0.

Fence Height Measurement Ordinance (PH2)

• Director Anthony Fajardo explained the ordinance revises the method for measuring fence heights from the grade of the neighboring property, with a maximum one-foot grade difference allowed. Commissioner Glassman and Vice Mayor Sorensen praised the staff effort. The ordinance passed unanimously.

Private Provider Permit Fees (OSR3)

• After debate, the commission deferred OSR3 to the September 15, 2026 meeting to allow staff to consider capping fees for small projects (e.g., under $20,000) and to ensure parity once a full cost-recovery study is completed. Vice Mayor Sorensen expressed concern about high fees for small contractors. The deferral passed 4-0.

Water Rate Ordinance (OFR1)

• Staff requested approval as amended to include a sewer credit provision that had been omitted. The ordinance updates water fixed-cost recovery, multifamily charges, irrigation tiers, and leak credits. Approved on first reading 4-0.

Street Renaming (OSR2)

• The ordinance repeals an old ordinance to rename Southwest 1st Avenue and Northwest 1st Avenue to Mary Brickell Avenue. Mayor Trantalis voted yes but suggested “Mary Brickell Way” might be more creative. Staff indicated they would bring a follow-up item to consider alternatives. Approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Grant Approval: Accepted $1,893,078 from State Rep. LaMarca for Galt Mile safety and fireboat replacement.
• Proclamations: Declared September 2026 as Hunger Action Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
• Road Designations: Approved resolutions supporting “Phil Smith Memorial Highway” and “Terry Stiles Memorial Boulevard” (both 4-0).
• Appointments: Approved appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Beach Business Improvement District Advisory Board, Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board, Education Advisory Board, and Public Art and Placement Advisory Board.
• Bond Issuance: Authorized $121,250,000 in Water and Sewer Revenue Subordinate Bond and $1,179,649,650 in Note for the Prospect Lake Water Treatment Plant project.
• Ordinances Passed:
  • PH1: Fortune tellers/psychic readers as accessory uses in CB and B-1 districts (2nd reading).
  • PH2: Revised fence/wall height measurement method (2nd reading).
  • PH3: Updated Historic Preservation District permitted uses (2nd reading).
  • OFR1: Water rate changes (1st reading, as amended).
  • OFR2: 3.5% wage increase for non-bargaining unit employees (1st reading).
  • OSR2: Street renaming to Mary Brickell Avenue (2nd reading).
  • OSR4 & OSR5: Plan administrator updates for retirement plans (2nd readings).
• Deferrals: OSR1 (vacation rental ordinance) and OSR3 (private provider fees) deferred to September 15, 2026.
• Walk-On: Approved $54,596 FAA grant for vehicle movement area transponders at Executive Airport.

Next Steps

• The de novo hearing for the variance appeal (R3) is set for October 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
• Staff will bring back revised private provider fee proposals for the September 15, 2026 meeting.
• The e-bike ordinance for parks and shared-use paths is scheduled for a conference presentation on October 6, 2026.