Hollywood City Commission Meeting Summary – December 4, 2024

The Hollywood City Commission held a regular meeting on December 4, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 7:36 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including routine approvals, policy updates, major budget amendments, capital projects, and public comments. Key decisions included approval of a $7.5 million grant match for Sunset Park, funding for the Hollywood Beach Golf Course clubhouse, purchase of property for a parking garage, and adoption of updated irrigation and naming policies.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–16 were approved unanimously (7‑0). These included: position control amendments, approval of March 2024 meeting minutes, a stop‑loss insurance agreement with Cigna (up to $786,072.10), a Hurricane Loss Mitigation Grant for Fire Station 31 ($250,000), a sidewalk network project agreement with FDOT, a roof replacement for Fire Station 31 ($300,000), a Community Development Block Grant for the Liberia Economic and Social Development Center ($175,000), indemnification agreements for fire rescue training, an emergency medical billing agreement with Change Healthcare, a Justice Assistance Grant ($36,856), and a metal fabrication and welding services agreement ($451,875).
• Item 30 (solid waste interlocal agreement) was withdrawn by the City Manager.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Terry Cantrell (745 Harrison Street) expressed support for the irrigation ordinance but urged enforcement, stating it is currently “aspirational.”
• Karen Caputo (2631 Garfield Street) urged the Commission to ensure that “Sunset Park” remains permanently named as such, citing its history and community support.
• Ann Ralston (326 S 14th Avenue) questioned the purchase price of the Harrison Street property and suggested additional appraisals.
• Richard Boyhan (2914 Cleveland Street) thanked the Public Works Department for promptly removing a tree branch that posed a hazard to his electric scooter.
• Zachary Rinkins (Broward County Animal Care) promoted free pet clinics and adoption events, and encouraged microchip usage.
• Jim Romano (4601 Harding Street) and Greg Martin (812 N 46th Avenue) spoke on the street co‑naming item; Mr. Martin clarified that the co‑naming is honorary and does not change addresses.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – Irrigation Conservation Ordinance (Second Reading): An ordinance amending Chapter 51 to implement mandatory year‑round landscape irrigation conservation measures per South Florida Water Management District requirements. The public hearing was opened and closed after one speaker. Commissioner Hernandez requested staff to explore automatic rain shut‑off systems for city sprinklers. The ordinance passed 6‑0 (Commissioner Biederman absent).
• Item 19 – Vacating Right‑of‑Way Easement (Second Reading): Ordinance to vacate an easement in Block 9 of the original plat of Hollywood. No public speakers; passed 6‑0.
• Item 22 – Donations to the City Policy: Repealed previous policy and implemented a new policy distinguishing restricted and unrestricted donations, with City Manager authorized to accept donations under $100,000. Passed unanimously.
• Item 23 – Naming Policy and Procedures: Extensive discussion on criteria for naming facilities, amenities, and streets. Amendments included: removing the distinction between living and deceased persons (unified five‑sevenths vote), requiring a bronze plaque for biographical information, and striking the word “financial” from the criteria. The amended policy passed unanimously.
• Item 24 – Co‑Naming 46th Avenue as “Gottlieb Avenue”: Resolution to honorarily name the segment from Hollywood Boulevard to Sheridan Street after Marvin Gottlieb. Passed unanimously.
• Item 25 – Budget Amendment (FY 2025): The most debated item. After lengthy discussion, the Commission approved (6‑1, Vice Mayor Quintana opposed) the following allocation: $7.5 million from Orangebrook GOB funds for the Sunset Park grant match; $5.05 million from the General Fund fund balance (to be reimbursed by the CRA) for the Hollywood Beach Golf Course clubhouse; $450,000 from surplus projects for the same clubhouse. Park impact fees were not used as originally proposed.
• Item 34 – Purchase of 1702‑1710 and 1716 Harrison Street: Approved (6‑1, Commissioner Biederman opposed) at $4.968 million, with an amendment to revise the reverter clause to allow future affordable housing including senior or veteran housing on the site.
• Item 20 – Brightline Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant: Approved unanimously (7‑0) with Option 2, which keeps Garfield Street open while exploring safety improvements within 12 months.
• Item 33 – Hollywood Beach Clubhouse Construction Management at Risk: Approved (6‑1, Commissioner Biederman opposed) for $10,440,293.
• Item 35 – Reimbursement Resolution for Parking Garage: Approved unanimously (7‑0) with an amendment to include tax and tax‑exempt bonds.
• Item 28 – CRA Coastal Roadway Resiliency Phase IV: Approved unanimously.
• Item 29 – Sunset Park Grant Application: Approved unanimously.
• Item 31 – Stormwater Pump Station Change Order: Approved unanimously.
• Item 32 – Property Insurance Renewal: Approved unanimously.
• Item 27 – Comprehensive Schedule of Fees Update: Approved 6‑1 (Mayor Levy opposed).
• Item 26 – Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report: Presentation only; no vote. Commissioners discussed strategies to reduce emissions, particularly from buildings and air conditioning.

Key Outcomes

• Irrigation Ordinance adopted (O‑2024‑18).
• Easement Vacation adopted (O‑2024‑19).
• Donation Policy updated (R‑2024‑396).
• Naming Policy updated with amendments (R‑2024‑397).
• Gottlieb Avenue co‑naming approved (R‑2024‑398).
• Budget Amendment (R‑2024‑399) passed 6‑1, allocating $7.5M from Orangebrook GOB to Sunset Park match, $5.05M general fund (to be reimbursed by CRA) and $450K surplus for Hollywood Beach clubhouse.
• Harrison Street Property purchase approved (R‑2024‑406) 6‑1, with reverter clause amendment.
• Brightline Grant (R‑2024‑395) approved with Option 2.
• Hollywood Beach Clubhouse construction agreement (R‑2024‑405) approved 6‑1.
• Reimbursement Resolution (R‑2024‑407) approved.
• Sunset Park named officially via resolution (R‑2024‑409) passed unanimously.
• Interim City Attorney appointed: Damaris Henlon effective January 1, 2025 (R‑2024‑410).
• Vice Mayor appointed: Commissioner Idelma Quintana for a one‑year term (R‑2024‑408).
• City Attorney Recruitment authorized; staff to hire a recruiting firm.
• Sunset Park officially named, and commitment to place name on deed.
• Commissioner Comments included requests for: graffiti prevention paint, MLK mural lighting, holiday decorations on Hollywood Blvd west of City Hall, a volunteer animal reunification center, noise level measurement at ArtsPark, and a water safety buoy study at the beach.