Regular City Commission Meeting - January 15, 2025
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Regular City Commission Meeting - January 15, 2025
The Hollywood City Commission held its regular meeting on January 15, 2025, starting at 1:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included approvals of consent items, a contested first reading of a K-12 schools ordinance, a code compliance presentation, and numerous commissioner comments. The meeting adjourned after public comments and announcements.
Consent Calendar
- Items 5-22 were approved unanimously (7-0) as a consent agenda, including:
- Resolution R-2025-001: Amending FY2025 operating budgets and capital improvement plan.
- Resolutions R-2025-002 and R-2025-003: Settlements with Nicholas Espeut ($85,000) and Resa Feinstein ($125,000).
- Resolution R-2025-004: Approving the 2025 state legislative agenda.
- Resolution R-2025-005: Highway maintenance MOA for North 22nd Avenue.
- Resolution R-2025-006: (Pulled for discussion; later approved – see below)
- Resolution R-2025-007: Oakwood Hills plat amendment.
- Resolution R-2025-008: Change order with Robert Half International (increase from $95,000 to $249,000).
- Resolution R-2025-009: Grant acceptance for historic properties survey ($50,000).
- Resolution R-2025-010: T-Mobile BPA for cellular services (up to $477,120 through 2029).
- Resolution R-2025-011: Concert series with Rhythm Foundation ($150,000).
- Resolution R-2025-012: Armored vehicle purchase from Lenco ($388,494).
- Resolution R-2025-013: Property access agreement with Storage Express for ALPR/CCTV equipment.
- Resolution R-2025-014: Liquid chlorine supply BPA with Brenntag (up to $704,625/year).
- Resolution R-2025-015: Preventive maintenance contract for chlorine facility ($286,500).
- Resolution R-2025-016: Change order with Airgas for liquid oxygen (increase from $298,000 to $498,000).
- Resolution R-2025-017: Cloud-based billing software agreement with Tyler Technologies ($195,989).
- Resolution R-2025-018: Pump repair services BPA with Tac Armature ($350,000).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ann Ralston (326 S 14th Avenue): Thanked staff for flood issue resolution and Echo opening. Expressed concern about delays in the golf course clubhouse construction, which was originally promised to open May 1, 2025, but has no foundation yet. Also complained about lack of detour signage during Hollywood Boulevard closures.
- Andre Brown (2316 Mayo Street): Praised Commissioner Hernandez for speaking up for all of District 2. Urged consideration of higher raises for city employees (calling 3% insufficient) and supported efforts to penalize negligent landlords.
- Christopher Lyon (1212 N 46th Avenue): Requested reinstatement of kite surfing north of Dania Pier, claiming the prohibition was communicated by lifeguards. Stated willingness to work with emergency services on rules and registration. The Fire Chief and Marine Chief indicated they would investigate and coordinate with the kite surfing community.
Discussion Items
- Item 10: Diplomat Resort Plat Amendment: Pulled from consent for clarification. Andria Wingett, Development Services Director, explained that the county requested language tweaks to align the plat with approved site plans. The change updates the non-vehicular access line and concurrency note. Approved unanimously (7-0) after brief discussion.
- Item 24: K-12 Schools Ordinance (First Reading): Extensive debate on performance standards for new K-12 schools. Staff presented amendments to Articles 2 and 4 of the Zoning Code, including definitions and standards for location, size, traffic, and distance from bars/lounges/gun shops/adult uses. Key points:
- Mayor Levy expressed concern that the freestanding/standalone building requirement and 1,000-foot distance separation were too restrictive.
- Commissioner Gruber opposed the ordinance, arguing it hinders micro schools and religious schools, and stated the Jewish community is desperate for school space.
- Commissioner Shuham motioned to change “shall not” to “may not” in Section 4.22 V.5 (distance from certain uses). Seconded by Vice Mayor Quintana.
- Commissioner Hernandez proposed an amendment to soften the freestanding building requirement, but later rescinded that amendment.
- The final motion (changing “shall not” to “may not” in subsection 5) passed on a roll call vote: Ayes – Shuham, Hernandez, Callari, Biederman, Quintana; Nays – Gruber, Levy. (5-2)
- Commissioner Gruber also requested staff to return with a separate ordinance defining micro schools and allowing them by right. Support was expressed by several commissioners.
- Item 25: Code Compliance Update: Jovan Douglas presented an overview of the division’s performance, including 18,603 notices of violation in FY2024, increased vacation rental inspections (1,472), and expanded coverage to 7 days a week. Discussion covered proactive enforcement, graffiti removal, education on sanitation, and the need for an amnesty program for code liens. Commissioners praised the team and asked for better communication with property owners and habitual offender lists.
- Item 26: Axon Change Order: Approved unanimously to increase the body-worn camera/taser contract from $3,193,495 to $4,443,495.
- Item 27: Waste Connections Fourth Amendment: Approved unanimously to decrease recyclable processing services contract from $1,900,000 to $1,100,000 for five years.
- Item 28: FDOT Project Funding Agreement for A1A Improvements: Approved unanimously to repeal prior Resolution R-2024-291 and accept $3,481,644 in FDOT reimbursement.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda adopted 7-0 (items 5-9, 11-22).
- Item 10 (Diplomat Plat) adopted 7-0 as amended.
- Item 24 (K-12 Schools Ordinance) passed on first reading 5-2 (Shuham, Hernandez, Callari, Biederman, Quintana in favor; Gruber, Levy opposed). The ordinance includes the change of “shall not” to “may not” in the distance separation provision. Second reading will be scheduled.
- Item 25 received as information; commissioners directed staff to explore a code lien amnesty program, habitual offender reporting, improved property owner communication, and landfill regulation updates.
- Support for further studies:
- Micro schools ordinance: Staff to draft a separate ordinance defining micro schools and allowing them by right (supported by Gruber, Hernandez, Callari).
- Artificial turf regulations: Staff to create standards allowing permeable artificial turf by permit (supported by Gruber, Levy, Hernandez, Callari).
- Water bill credit for irrigation/pool leaks: Mayor Levy requested expansion of rate adjustment eligibility; received commission support. Staff to bring back a text amendment.
- Downtown parking grace period: Commissioner Hernandez proposed a 15-minute courtesy notice before ticketing; received support.
- Hard junk pickup notifications: Mayor Levy asked for improved electronic notifications.
- Commissioner Comments: Included requests for skate park maintenance at Boulevard Heights, centennial events at Carpenter House, lighting checks at community centers, and updates on various projects.
- City Attorney Announcements: Five executive sessions scheduled for litigation matters (January 16 and January 29, 2025).
- City Manager Recognitions: Barbara Armand (IT Analyst, 30 years of service) and Nicole Heran (Deputy Director of Design and Construction Management, 4 years) were honored for their contributions.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:15 PM after public comments.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood. Today is a Wednesday, January fifteenth, twenty twenty five. This is our first meeting of uh twenty twenty five, and we're excited not only for the business that we'll handle today, as we do at each commission meeting, but also because this is the first meeting at the start of the year that I presents the city's uh milestone centennial year. Uh so let's raise our applause for that. Doing uh it is exciting to be able to help further the city's uh aspirations and its success uh each and every year, and uh we're doing so with uh a great amount of pride as the City City celebrates uh 100 years. Uh, there'll be a variety of events throughout the year, a lot of cultural events, a lot of events recognizing where we've been, the challenges we've overcome, and uh what we aspire to achieve in the future. And so uh looking forward to a lot of great celebration with our residents uh behind the dais here, behind myself and the commissioners. You see this uh nice commemorative uh medallion for the city's centennial that will be there for the year. And so with that good spirit, um and to you know also remember that the hundred years of the city's life also presented uh lots of personal hardship and hardship uh for just individuals and for the city as a whole. I'd like to recognize uh Ryan Coote if he can come up, please uh from community development. We received a request to acknowledge uh homeless persons who have might have lost their lives either in Hollywood or elsewhere, uh and those folks are not always remembered. And so uh Ryan, thank you for uh the moment. Good afternoon, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commission. National Homelessness Remembrance Days was December 21st of 2024. This is a day we take to recognize those who have passed away because of homelessness, and we also renew our commitment to making sure we do everything possible to reduce the amount of people who are experiencing homelessness in our city. Absolutely. Thank you. Um yes, so if we could also keep those individuals who've been uh greatly affected by uh Mother Nature's and and forest fires, uh, you know, we're so close to that when we deal with hurricanes and they definitely have had their um unfortunate fair share of uh these devastating fires. And so for all those families and individuals who have lost everything, if we can keep them in our prayers, and if I uh point of privilege as well, um uh yesterday on Facebook, thank God for Facebook in good ways and bad, but it was a reminder that four years ago, um, two days ago, four years ago, that uh we were faced with unknowing challenges with the COVID pandemic, and a picture popped up of when we had to wear face masks and and save lives uh at a rate that I never thought was imaginable in the hospital world. So um, for all those individuals who have lost individual members or friends during COVID, let's keep them in our prayers as well. And I'm just getting word here that there has been a uh tragedy that's that's touched a lot of lives in Hollywood as well. Uh the October 7th massacre in Israel. Um seems like there was a uh there's a deal for uh the hostage release now that's just been announced. And so let's hope and pray for everyone's safe recovery. Think about all those uh um uh important um commemorations. Please rise for that moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Amen to that at the start of each meeting. We also take an important minute to recognize veterans, active service personnel, and their families. So if you are a relative of a U.S. veteran or active service personnel or one yourself, please rise and be recognized. Thank you. Roll call, please. Commissioner Kaleri. Here, Commissioner Gruber. Here, Commissioner Bieterman. Here, Vice Mayor Quintana. Here. Commissioner Shoeham. Here. Commissioner Hernandez. Here. Mayor Levy. Here. Uh ladies and gentlemen, I did re I didn't figure out how to open up everybody's mic all at once. So I'll try to do that whenever we have that uh that roll call. Yay. All right. On to our consent agenda.
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