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Record of Proceedings

Hollywood CRA Regular Meeting - January 15, 2025

Hollywood Public Meetings — Wednesday, January 15, 2025
BodyHollywood, Florida
SessionHollywood Public Meetings
DateWednesday, January 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:26:20

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
5:44

There you go.

5:45

All right.

5:46

Everybody is pause.

5:49

All right, we're ready.

5:50

All right.

5:50

Good morning, everyone.

5:52

Morning.

5:53

Good morning.

5:54

Today is Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, the year of the City of Hollywood Centennial.

6:00

Behind me is a beautiful uh what'd you call that, Joanna?

6:05

Medallion?

6:06

Medallion.

6:07

There you go, medallion identifying the city's uh centennial 1925 to 2025 behind us.

6:12

So we'll proudly display that throughout the year as we commemorate the city's centennial uh and uh uh hold a variety of different events to celebrate the city's milestone throughout the year.

6:23

And so thank you all so much.

6:26

We are here for a regular community redevelopment agency meeting.

6:29

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

6:35

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

6:42

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

6:50

Thank you.

6:52

Roll call, please.

6:54

Board member Shohan.

6:56

Here.

6:56

Board Member Hernandez.

6:58

Here.

6:58

Board Member Kalari.

7:01

Here.

7:02

Vice Chair Quintana.

7:04

Here.

7:05

Board Member Biedeman.

7:07

Here.

7:07

Board Member Gruber.

7:08

Here.

7:09

Chair Levy.

7:10

Here.

7:10

All right, thank you all so much.

7:12

Uh are there any conflict disclosures today?

7:15

If not, let's go ahead to 9 a.m.

7:17

Citizens' Comments.

7:19

If you are here to speak at Citizen Comments, uh the clerk will accept the speaker card and we will be happy to hear you for uh the three minutes that you are allotted.

7:29

Ellen Chervin.

7:31

Welcome.

7:38

Good morning to all and happy new year.

7:41

I wish you all the best.

7:43

I'm now speaking to the board of the CRA.

7:46

I come and I represent my neighborhood.

7:50

Yeah, I hold the title in an organization.

7:53

It's not about the title, it's about our neighborhood.

7:58

And I'm very glad to be here on behalf of Peter Hernandez, who I'm sure will be there to help us every inch of the way.

8:55

Not two, three.

9:02

From all over.

9:03

License plates.

9:04

I don't know if they're taking them from someplace else and fixing them up.

9:08

All the garbage is going in the back.

9:11

You can see it coming up over the fence.

9:15

These are all facts.

9:17

And I come before this board, not as a commission, the board is to do something and to have better communication with the residents in the area who are interested in making sure that we follow through.

9:35

I know I send my photos to the mayor and commissioners with my explanation.

9:42

Most of the time, all of the time.

9:45

It is addressed by someone in a positive manner.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works████████████████16%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Parking███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Building Permits Management█████5%
Public Art████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM, the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board held a regular meeting in Commission Chambers at City Hall. The meeting covered consent items, property improvement program (PIP) grants, and extensive board comments on downtown and beach initiatives. All items on the consent and regular agendas were approved unanimously, including several PIP grants modified during discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • R-CRA-2025-01: Resolution changing the regular CRA Board meetings in October 2025 and January 2026. Approved unanimously.
  • R-CRA-2025-02: Resolution amending the Downtown District FY2025 budget, reallocating $3 million to the Hollywood Beach Golf Course clubhouse and $175,000 for the Art and Culture Center renovation carry-forward. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ellen Chervin spoke as a neighborhood representative, expressing concerns about garbage collection issues, illegal dumping, and inconsistent pickup on 26th Avenue. She urged better communication and service from the city and CRA.

Discussion Items

Property Improvement Program (PIP) Grants – All Unanimously Approved

  1. 2024 & 2026 Hollywood Blvd (Hollywood 26, LLC) – Originally $75,000; amended to $150,000 after property owner explained two separate parcels and significant private investment (~$600,000). Improvements include awnings, impact windows, paint, stucco, and a parking lot. Some board members raised aesthetic concerns but supported modernization.
  2. 2028 Harrison Street (2028 Harrison Property, LLC) – $75,000 for impact windows, paint, stucco, and awnings. Private investment ~$160,000. Approved without opposition.
  3. 2134 Lincoln Street (Lincolnwood Towers Condominium, Inc.) – Initial $75,000 amended to $90,000 contingent on including parking lot improvements. Property owner committed to addressing the grass parking area. Board also directed CRA staff to explore sewer connection opportunities with the city.
  4. 1501 S. Ocean Drive (Oxford Towers, Inc.) – $75,000. Continued from November 2024. Property board needed to choose among three paint colors. Board approved the grant contingent on removal of old shutters once impact windows are installed, and authorized any of the three proposed color schemes.
  5. 1800 N. Ocean Drive (Oasis Condominium Association) – $39,025.60 for a new barrel tile roof, paint/stucco, and exterior lighting. Property owner confirmed deposits made and permits filed. Board encouraged sealing the driveway.

Beach and Downtown Infrastructure Updates

  • Festoon Lighting: Board Member Biederman criticized ongoing outages in the downtown light curtain installation. CRA staff confirmed parts arrived Jan. 15 and repairs would be completed immediately. Final payment withheld until full operation.
  • Near‑Shore Artificial Reef: 48 reef units; deployment scheduled for March 26–28, 2025. Staff is coordinating with Ocean Rescue Alliance, Beach Safety, and Broward County for signage, QR codes, and possible buoys. Discussion on safety vs. navigational aids.
  • FLIF (Fort Lauderdale Film Festival / Cinema Paradiso): Facing a $50,000–$80,000 deficit after state cultural funding cuts. CRA staff reported low attendance, lack of marketing, and parent organization’s focus on Fort Lauderdale location. Board directed CRA to work with building owner Ken Siegel over the next 60 days to find a sustainable operator or solution.
  • Mile High Sandwich Shop PIP: Retroactive approval for improvements made before the pandemic. CRA Executive Director will process via memo as a mini‑grant ($25,000 or less).
  • Tyler Street Sidewalk: Trip hazards from tree roots. Contractor assessing grinding vs. replacement. Board awaiting proposal.
  • Downtown Alley Drainage: North alley has improper pitch causing water to pond near buildings. CRA exploring inverted pitch and French drains.
  • Downtown Parking & Valet: Board Member Hernandez requested extending valet service to Monday–Wednesday; CRA will evaluate cost.
  • Solid Waste / Garbage Haulers: Downtown businesses cite seven different haulers as a problem. Board supported exploring centralized compactor or single‑hauler contract.
  • Scooters & Bicycles on Sidewalks: Businesses report safety issues, especially near café tables. Board will consider an ordinance.
  • Washington & Dixie Highway Corner: Gas station (Triple B) remains unsightly; CRA to work with Housing Trust Group on cleanup or redevelopment.
  • Adam Street Senior Apartments: Delayed by county subdivision approval. CRA to follow up.
  • Hollywood Bridge: Aesthetic condition; CRA to coordinate with FDOT on painting.
  • Bandshell Façade: Mosaic mural planned for east side; west side needs a durable, washable finish.
  • General CRA Sunset Planning: Chair Levy asked for a comprehensive overview of downtown project obligations and revenue projections for FY2026–2027 at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • All five PIP grants were approved unanimously, with amendments to increase amounts for the Hollywood Blvd ($150,000) and Lincolnwood ($90,000) projects.
  • CRA staff directed to prepare a comprehensive update on downtown grants, infrastructure projects, and financial projections for the February meeting.
  • The Oxford Towers PIP was approved contingent on shutter removal; color selection left to the condo board.
  • Board supported investigating valet expansion, sewer extension in downtown alleys, and a single‑hauler waste solution.
  • CRA will work with Cinema Paradiso and property owner Ken Siegel over the next 60 days to determine a path forward.
  • No further business; meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

There you go. All right. Everybody is pause. All right, we're ready. All right. Good morning, everyone. Morning. Good morning. Today is Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, the year of the City of Hollywood Centennial. Behind me is a beautiful uh what'd you call that, Joanna? Medallion? Medallion. There you go, medallion identifying the city's uh centennial 1925 to 2025 behind us. So we'll proudly display that throughout the year as we commemorate the city's centennial uh and uh uh hold a variety of different events to celebrate the city's milestone throughout the year. And so thank you all so much. We are here for a regular community redevelopment agency meeting. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Roll call, please. Board member Shohan. Here. Board Member Hernandez. Here. Board Member Kalari. Here. Vice Chair Quintana. Here. Board Member Biedeman. Here. Board Member Gruber. Here. Chair Levy. Here. All right, thank you all so much. Uh are there any conflict disclosures today? If not, let's go ahead to 9 a.m. Citizens' Comments. If you are here to speak at Citizen Comments, uh the clerk will accept the speaker card and we will be happy to hear you for uh the three minutes that you are allotted. Ellen Chervin. Welcome. Good morning to all and happy new year. I wish you all the best. I'm now speaking to the board of the CRA. I come and I represent my neighborhood. Yeah, I hold the title in an organization. It's not about the title, it's about our neighborhood. And I'm very glad to be here on behalf of Peter Hernandez, who I'm sure will be there to help us every inch of the way. Not two, three.

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