Regular City Commission Meeting and Swearing-In Ceremony - November 20, 2024
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Regular City Commission Meeting and Swearing-In Ceremony - November 20, 2024
The City of Hollywood held a Regular City Commission Meeting on November 20, 2024, beginning at 11:12 AM and including a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials at 2:35 PM. The meeting covered routine consent items, recognition of outgoing Vice Mayor Linda Anderson, approval of a fire apparatus purchase and a sewer infrastructure contract, a controversial presentation on advertising on residential trash containers, and the swearing-in of Mayor Josh Levy and Commissioners Peter Hernandez, Adam Gruber, and Idelma Quintana. The meeting adjourned after 5:00 PM citizen comments.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion:
- Resolution R-2024-373: Amending the FY2024 budget and authorizing year-end transfers and adjustments.
- Resolution R-2024-374: Settlement with Robinson Norelia in the amount of $95,000.
- Resolution R-2024-375: Blanket purchase agreement with Environmental Products Group, Inc. for maintenance and parts of Vactor trucks and a sewer inspection truck (up to $200,000 annually, through September 30, 2026).
- Resolution R-2024-376: Purchase order to Fluid Engineering for two self-cleaning fluid strainers (up to $125,944).
- Resolution R-2024-377: Work order with Craven, Thompson & Associates for in-house engineering support (up to $300,000).
- Resolution R-2024-378: Work order with Arcadis U.S., Inc. for switchgear replacement at the Southern Regional Wastewater Plant (up to $537,183).
- Resolution R-2024-379: Work order with Arcadis U.S., Inc. for a sewer pump station telemetry assessment (up to $153,490).
Recognition of Outgoing Vice Mayor Linda Anderson
City Manager George R. Keller Jr. recognized Vice Mayor Anderson for her dedicated service as District 2 Commissioner. Public comments were made by Laurie Schecter (4500 Surf Road) and Pastor Michael Anderson (New Jerusalem First Baptist Church). Vice Mayor Anderson expressed gratitude, highlighted her achievements including the MLK mural and drainage improvements, and thanked her family, mentors, and staff. She was the first African American elected to the Hollywood City Commission. Commissioners offered well wishes and praised her legacy.
Swearing-In Ceremony
At 2:35 PM, the Commission recessed and reconvened for the swearing-in ceremony. The invocation was given by Rev. Franklin Ekezie (Nativity Catholic Church), the Pledge of Allegiance led by City Clerk Patricia Cerny with the Hollywood Police and Fire Honor Guards, and the National Anthem sung by McArthur High School Chorus. Oaths of office were administered:
- Mayor Josh Levy (sworn by Broward Circuit Judge Michael Davis)
- District 2 Commissioner Peter Hernandez (sworn by Judge Marina Garcia-Wood)
- District 4 Commissioner Adam Gruber (sworn by City Clerk Patricia Cerny)
- District 6 Commissioner Idelma Quintana (sworn by Judge Catalina Avalos) Benediction was given by Pastor Ben Nistor (Sheridan Hills Baptist Church). Each official gave remarks thanking supporters, family, and outlining priorities (flooding, infrastructure, public safety, community engagement).
Discussion Items
Item 14 – Fire Apparatus Purchase (Pierce Impel Top Mount Pumper) – Fire Chief James Russo explained this was the first engine approved under the capital plan, replacing a 2017 unit with high mileage. The purchase, via cooperative contract, costs up to $1,028,229.06. Delivery is expected in 3–3.5 years, aligning with a 10-year replacement cycle. Motion by Commissioner Callari, seconded by Commissioner Biederman. Passed unanimously (7-0).
Item 15 – Lift Station A-09 Force Main Replacement – Director of Public Utilities Vincent Morello described the replacement of approximately 1,600 linear feet of asbestos cement force main on North 70th Avenue, with increased diameter and capacity to accommodate future septic-to-sewer conversions. The contract with Lanzo Construction Company totals $1,905,561, plus $148,500 for construction administration services (EAC Consulting) and up to $250,000 contingency. Motion by Commissioner Biederman, seconded by Commissioner Callari. Passed unanimously (7-0).
Item 16 – All City Ads Advertising on Residential Trash Containers – Director of Public Works Joseph Kroll introduced the program, noting it was a pilot program with no-cost opt-out and a termination clause. Shawn Snow (All City Ads, a Hollywood resident) presented: ads placed on top of trash/recycling bin lids (not visible from street), 32,000 single-family homes divided into 8 zones, ads from local businesses, a 25% revenue share to the city (projected $480,000–$1,000,000 annually), a QR code for city quick links and recycling tracking, and bin maintenance by their crews. Public comments: Terry Cantrell (Hollywood Lakes Civic Association) opposed, calling it "commercial intrusion"; Abbey Kessman (4685 Greenway Drive) objected to forced advertising; Claire Garrett (3148 Calle Largo Drive) read a letter of opposition and stated she would cover ads; Stephen Welsh (Council of Civic Associations) said 18 associations opposed; Patricia Antrican (North Central Hollywood Civic Association) called it blight and noted the city's single-use plastic ban. Commissioner Shuham advocated for a pilot program with zero-cost opt-out and mutual termination for convenience. Commissioner Biederman supported a pilot but stressed no charge to residents. Commissioner Callari and Gruber expressed openness to a pilot. Commissioner Quintana noted the program's potential for recycling education. Mayor Levy suggested Snow rework the agreement with staff into a pilot of 3–6 months. Snow agreed to negotiate. No final vote was taken; the item was directed back to staff for a pilot amendment.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda and Resolutions 12-15 all passed unanimously (7-0).
- Fire apparatus purchase approved.
- Lift Station A-09 replacement contract approved.
- All City Ads program to be renegotiated as a pilot with zero-cost opt-out and termination for convenience before implementation.
- Executive Session scheduled for November 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM to discuss collective bargaining preparation (pension plans).
- Upcoming events announced: Holiday Tree Lighting (Nov 22), Thanksgiving Food Distribution (Nov 23), Shop Small Saturday (Nov 30), Boots on the Boulevard (Dec 8), West Salsa Fest (Jan 4, 2025).
- City received National League of Cities Award for 50 years of membership.
- Commissioner Shuham requested extending the Centennial Committee through the centennial year; discussion deferred to December 4, 2024 meeting.
Public Comments (5:00 PM)
Three speakers addressed the Commission:
- Ann Ralston (326 S 14th Avenue): Congratulated officials, requested more parking at Orangebrook Golf Course due to construction of police station.
- Helen Chervin (2470 Adams Street): Requested longer public comment time; advocated for South Central neighborhood; welcomed Commissioner Hernandez.
- Jonathan Anderson (5660 Flagler Street): Addressed racial justice issues, criticized historical segregation in schools, called for restorative justice and reparations studies. He also noted his service as a Vietnam veteran. Commissioner Biederman responded to some of the concerns.
City Attorney Announcement
Deputy City Attorney Damaris Henlon announced an executive session on November 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM regarding collective bargaining negotiations on defined pension plans.
City Manager Announcements
City Manager Keller announced the National League of Cities Award, upcoming community events, and expressed gratitude to staff and newly elected officials. The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
All right, welcome everyone. Welcome everyone to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood. Today we have the privilege of being here on November 20th, 2024, a special day here in the city of Hollywood. I'm gonna ask everyone to rise for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance as we uh rise for that moment of silence. I think it is fitting today to uh remember uh those of us who knew her personally uh and just maybe had the chance of of getting to know her uh most recently. Jill Tracy, fitting today to recognize as a candidate for office uh here in the city of Hollywood that passed away during the courts in the midst of the election. Um there will be a memorial service for her later this week, and I just want everyone to know that we've issued a proclamation in her memory uh that will be uh shared during her service. So let's think of uh of Jill and her family and all the people that she's touched over the decades of uh her time uh being on the airwaves uh in the community of South Florida uh over the past number of years. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all so much. At the start of each meeting, we also take an important moment to recognize our veterans, active service personnel, and their families. So if you are a uh veteran of the U.S. armed forces or a family member of one, uh please rise. We'd like to recognize you. Commissioner Shoeham. I'm clicking on the other side. Here, go ahead. Commissioner Killari. Commissioner Gruber. Here, Commissioner Biederman. Commissioner Kintana, here, Mayor Levy. Here, all right, thank you all so much. Uh today's consent agenda includes items five through eleven, items that don't ordinarily require individual discussion. However, if there is a speaker card or a request from the dais, we are happy to remove an item for discussion. Pat, are there any speaker cards on five through eleven? No cards. Um, is there a motion from the floor? We have a motion for Commissioner Bieterman and a second from Vice Mayor Anderson to move the consent agenda. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, the item carries unanimously. Those items do. All right. These are items twelve through sixteen. Let's go ahead with item number twelve. Uh it is a resolution of the city commission to accept the certified results of the 2024 municipal general and referendum election held on November 5th, 2024. Uh Pat, are there any speaker cards on the item 12? No, no cards in your um changes. Uh with some additional information. I think we're all familiar with the election results. Congratulations to all the uh folks who uh were successful in their run for office. Uh thanks to everyone who uh was a candidate for office um and um who also voted uh to make decisions on the referendum questions, and we all know uh about the referendum question that will be uh brought forward in the years ahead to uh resolve what would have been question number six in this uh previous election. So let's go ahead with a motion or discussion on this resolution, please. We have a motion from Commissioner Callary and a second from Vice Mayor Anderson to approve uh and accept the certified results of the 2024 municipal election. All of those in favor say aye. Aye, any opposed. Hearing none, that carries unanimously. All right, let's go on now to a special moment, uh, another one of these special moments in time, uh, Mr. Manager and uh ladies and gentlemen.
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