Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2025

The Hollywood City Commission held its regular meeting on March 5, 2025, beginning at 1:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included award presentations, a proclamation for Irish American Heritage Month, the annual report of the General Obligation Bond Oversight Advisory Committee, a resolution on the continuance/sunsetting of advisory boards, establishment of a code enforcement lien amnesty program, and award of a contract for tidal flooding mitigation. Commissioners also discussed parking issues, community events, and various citizen concerns.

Consent Calendar

• R-2025-062 through R-2025-069: Approved unanimously (7‑0) on a motion by Commissioner Callari, seconded by Vice Mayor Quintana. Items included approval of meeting minutes (April 8, 2024 special; May 1 and May 15, 2024 regular), an amended agreement with Broward County for the Swim Central Program, ratification of a Marine Law Enforcement grant application ($131,128), purchase of vertical solids pumps ($466,953), engineering services for wastewater emergency updates ($223,875), and blanket purchase agreements for concrete grinding repairs ($200,000 per vendor).

Presentations, Proclamations & Awards

• P-2025-009: Acting Fire Chief Jameel Ziadie presented the Meritorious Service Award to Fire Lieutenant Brian Ettinger and Business Compliance Manager April Allen for their role in removing a hazardous buoy.
• P-2025-010: Police Chief Jeffrey Devlin and Public Information Manager Deanna Bettineschi recognized multiple officers for awards from November 2024 through January 2025, including lifesaving awards and special recognition for Hurricane Milton deployment.
• P-2025-011: Commissioner Hernandez read a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month. Consul General of Ireland Sarah Kavanagh and representatives of the New Hibernians of Hollywood accepted the proclamation.
• P-2025-012: Terry Cantrell, Chair of the General Obligation Bond Oversight Advisory Committee, presented the annual report, noting that the committee has met approximately 30 times over five years and that most projects are in their final stages, with fewer than two years remaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the GOB Advisory Board (Item 17): Terry Cantrell (Chair, GOB Advisory Committee) argued that the board should continue until projects are complete, emphasizing its role in transparency and communication with residents.
• On the Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty Program (Item 18): Three speakers expressed general support but urged the city to prosecute egregious violators. Siobhan McLaughlin called the program a “great first step.” Eamon Toner noted the difficulty homeowners face in finding contractors to resolve code issues.
• 5:00 PM Citizens’ Comments: Speakers included Andy Ruffner (Hollywood Historical Society), who reported on the successful centennial history hunt; Ann Ralston, who requested later meeting times to improve public participation and asked about the golf course and stray cat; John McGuire (Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council), who thanked the city for support and announced a Transgender Day of Visibility event on March 31; Frank Zehner, who described difficulty obtaining a permit to replace a fence; Susana Lopez, who asked for city‑maintained tree trimming; and Lyle Palmer (by phone, audio issues – his comments were not heard).

Discussion Items

• Item 17: Continuance/Sunsetting of Advisory Boards – City Clerk Patricia Cerny explained that staff recommended sunsetting the Young Circle ArtsPark Advisory Board (its duties to be absorbed by the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Advisory Board) and continuing all other boards. Commissioner Hernandez requested that a Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board be created later. A motion to accept the staff recommendation was made by Commissioner Hernandez and seconded by Commissioner Callari. Commissioner Biederman moved to amend the motion to also sunset the GOB Advisory Board, arguing that projects were nearly complete and that the board lacked diverse geographic representation. After extensive debate – with Commissioner Shuham, Vice Mayor Quintana, Mayor Levy, and Commissioner Callari favoring continuation (possibly with reduced meeting frequency) and Commissioners Gruber, Biederman, and Hernandez favoring sunsetting – the amendment failed on a voice vote (3‑4). The main motion then passed 6‑1 (Commissioner Biederman opposed).
• Item 18: Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty Program – Jovan Douglas, Director of Parking & Code Compliance, presented the program, which offers 100% lien forgiveness for qualifying residential and commercial properties to encourage compliance. Key points: 587 total liens; average lien age ~5 years, average cost ~$50,000; utility liens and abatement costs are excluded. Commissioner Biederman asked for Creole translation of outreach materials. Commissioner Hernandez proposed an amendment to provide a compliance letter once properties are brought into code, which passed unanimously. The amended resolution passed unanimously (7‑0).
• Item 19: Tidal Flooding Mitigation and Shoreline Protection Contract – Jose Cortes, Director of Design & Construction Management, explained that the project is partially funded by a $18.3 million FDEP grant that must be spent by June 2026. The contract award to Shoreline Foundation, Inc. ($3,648,808) covers 10 sites (group A) that are already designed and permitted. Two bids were received; Shoreline was the low bidder. Discussion focused on cost (about $1,600 per linear foot), the need to quickly execute remaining scopes (B, C, D) to meet the grant deadline, and the use of a construction‑manager‑at‑risk approach for larger segments. The resolution passed unanimously (7‑0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All eight resolutions approved unanimously.
• Advisory Board Sunsetting: Young Circle ArtsPark Advisory Board sunset; all other boards (including GOB Advisory Committee) continued. GOB board will meet at least twice per year; frequency may be reduced.
• Lien Amnesty Program: Approved with amendment requiring compliance letters. Program runs March 5 – December 31, 2025.
• Tidal Flooding Contract: Awarded to Shoreline Foundation, Inc. for $3,648,808.
• Commissioner Initiatives: Directed staff to prepare a white paper on parking ordinance consistency and potential solutions (due within one month). Commissioners also voiced support for advertising the Swim Central program, reviewing the Margaritaville parking agreement, and addressing individual code‑related concerns.
• Executive Session Announced: Interim City Attorney Damaris Henlon announced an executive session scheduled for March 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM regarding litigation City of Hollywood vs. BellSouth Telecommunications LLC.