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Record of Proceedings

Regular City Commission Meeting - March 19, 2025

Hollywood Public Meetings — Wednesday, March 19, 2025
BodyHollywood, Florida
SessionHollywood Public Meetings
DateWednesday, March 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:42:36

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
3:39

All right, welcome everyone.

3:40

Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood.

3:42

Today is March nineteenth, twenty twenty-five.

3:45

We are here, of course, for a regular City Commission meeting.

3:47

Appreciate everybody in attendance.

3:49

Great to see our law enforcement and public safety staff here with us today.

4:36

So if you are a veteran or active in the U.S.

4:39

Armed Forces or a family member thereof, please rise.

4:42

We'd love to recognize you.

5:00

Roll call, please.

5:02

Commissioner Shoeham.

5:03

Here.

5:04

Commissioner Hernandez.

5:06

Here.

5:06

Commissioner Kalleri.

5:08

Here.

5:08

Commissioner Gruber?

5:10

Here.

5:10

Commissioner Biederman.

5:12

Here.

5:12

Vice Mayor Quintana?

5:14

Here.

5:14

Mayor Levy.

5:15

Here.

5:16

All right, great.

5:17

Today's consent agenda includes items five through eleven.

5:21

These are items that don't usually require individual discussion.

5:23

However, if there is a speaker card on today's consent agenda, we'll be happy to remove an item for discussion as well as take a request from the dais.

5:31

Pat, are there any speaker cards on five through eleven?

5:34

No.

5:34

No speaker cards, any requests from the Dais.

5:37

If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve.

5:40

We have a motion from Commissioner Kollary.

5:42

Second.

5:43

Second from Vice Mayor Quintana.

5:45

All those in favor of moving items five through eleven on consent today.

5:49

Say aye.

5:49

Aye.

5:50

Any opposed?

5:51

Hearing none of those items carry unanimously.

5:55

All right, on to our 1 p.m.

5:57

presentations, proclamations, and awards.

6:00

We will begin with a proclamation in recognition of Eid El Futur Day.

6:04

This is a holiday commemorating, I believe, the end of Ramadan.

6:07

We'll maybe learn a minute uh about it a little bit more.

6:10

Uh accepting the proclamation would have been uh MacArthur High School student uh uh Aliah Abdulbaki, she is uh a member of the city's youth ambassador program, but I believe she is home and ill.

6:22

So uh we'd like to invite Rahim Sacharan, our director of IT to accept the proclamation.

6:27

Presenting it will be uh Commissioner Biederman, who as you can see is wearing the traditional uh Moroccan uh garb that uh uh he picked up in Morocco at the Souk in Marrakesh uh and uh wore this today in honor of the holiday.

6:42

So, Commissioner Biederman.

6:44

Thank you, Mayor.

6:45

Please forgive me if I my pronunciation isn't there.

6:49

Uh Eid Al-Fatar Day, March 30th, 2025, whereas the City of Hollywood Islamic community is a vibrant and important part of the diverse and multi-ethnic society that comprises the residents of our city.

7:03

And whereas Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, marking the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, and it lasts for 29 to 30 days based on the timing of the astronomical new moon, and whereas Eid al-Fitar is on the first day of the month on Shawal, Islamic calendar, and marks the end of Ramadan.

7:26

Eid al-Fatar for the year 2025 is observed at sundown on Saturday, March 29th, ending at sundown on Sunday, March 30th, 2025.

7:38

And whereas one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, fasting in Ramadan, is a time for reflection, contemplation, and celebration, and includes fasting each day from sunrise to sunset.

7:51

At the end of the day at sunset, the fast is broken, often celebrated with family, friends, and the community, and is followed by the evening prayer.

7:59

And whereas Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitar, a festival of breaking the fast, a very happy, joyous celebration with family and friends, and includes eating gifts to children, the sharing of sweets and dressing in fine clothing.

8:15

Now, therefore, Josh Levy, mayor of the City of Hollywood, Florida, and the Hollywood City Commission hereby proclaim March 30th, 2025 as Eid al-Fatar Day in the City of Hollywood.

8:33

Rahim, it sounds like we'll all be coming to your house on the afternoon of of the 30th to get those sweets and uh and and celebrate.

8:39

So go ahead, sir.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████████22%
Sustainability██████████10%
Zoning and Land Use█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Public Works███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Affordable Housing████4%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Regular City Commission Meeting - March 19, 2025

The Hollywood City Commission met on March 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Commission Chambers for a Regular Meeting. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, proclamations, award recognitions, public hearings on zoning and development, presentations from advisory boards, numerous resolutions, and citizen comments. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

  • R-2025-073: Settlement with Marisa Newman for $127,500.00 — approved.
  • R-2025-074: Settlement with Modesta Meza-Role for $83,125.00 — approved.
  • R-2025-075: Acceptance of $56,250.00 Urban and Community Forestry Grant (no matching funds) — approved.
  • R-2025-076: Agreement with CBRE, Inc. for real estate brokerage services (annual amount up to $125,000) — approved.
  • R-2025-077: Change order for code compliance vehicle lease (increase from $343,450.24 to $414,870.52, extension through September 30, 2025) — approved.
  • R-2025-078: Traffic control agreement with Parkview at Hillcrest Homeowners’ Association — approved.
  • R-2025-079: Piggyback purchase agreement with Polydyne Inc. for emulsified polymer (up to $640,000 through August 19, 2025) — approved.

Presentations, Proclamations & Awards

  • P-2025-013: Proclamation recognizing March 30, 2025 as Eid al-Fitr Day. Commissioner Biederman read the proclamation; Raheem Seecharran (IT Director) accepted.
  • P-2025-014: Fire Department awards: Supervisor of the Year – Captain Eric Lombardi; Firefighter of the Year – Christian Chavez (not present); Employee of the Year – Nina McCray.
  • P-2025-015: Second Chance/Citizens Award of Valor presented to Dennis Waters for life-saving actions at South Broward High School. Citizen Frank Martin, rescued, also attended.
  • P-2025-016: Police Department awards: Supervisor of the Year – Sergeant Aldo Blanco; Officer of the Year – Detective Theophilus Defreze; Employee of the Year – Veronica Evans (Victims Advocate).

Public Hearings & Development Items

  • PO-2025-001 (1:15 PM Time Certain): Ordinance on first reading to rezone 22 acres at 1600 S. Park Road from Government Use (GU) to Planned Development (PD) for a mixed-use project (Park Road Master Development Plan). A public hearing was held; Ann Ralston expressed traffic concerns. The ordinance passed on first reading 7-0 (Enactment No. O-2025-04). Second reading and companion site plan will come later.
  • R-2025-080 (2:00 PM Time Certain): Resolution approving design and site plan for a 120,000 sq ft commercial building (Dick's House of Sports) at 2800 Oakwood Boulevard (Oakwood Plaza). The public hearing included applicant presentation by Dennis Mele and Josh Gelfman (Kimco). Discussion included parking, landscaping, and phasing. Approved unanimously.

Advisory Board Presentations

  • P-2025-017: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Board annual report presented by Chair Ettore de Torres. Key points: improved cycling connectivity, facility visits, public art program, and need for better marketing.
  • P-2025-018: Sustainability Advisory Committee annual report presented by Chair Julia Poliadis. Highlights included Earth Day event (over 300 participants), sea turtle lighting outreach, coalition with neighboring cities, opposition to artificial turf, composting program, and microtransit needs. Discussion followed on costs, artificial turf benefits, and plastic restrictions.

Resolutions

  • R-2025-081: Appointment of City Commission delegates to Broward County League of Cities: Commissioner Callari (voting), Commissioner Hernandez (alternate) — approved.
  • R-2025-082: Second change order with AT&T Mobility LLC for cellular services, increasing contract from $1,171,333.33 to $2,071,333.33 — approved.
  • R-2025-083: Blanket purchase agreement with ER Tech Systems Group for dual-purpose camera systems (up to $1.2 million over three years) — approved.
  • R-2025-084: Blanket purchase agreement with Revinu, Inc. for biosolids hauling and disposal ($2,769,600 annually, initial 5-year term with three 5-year renewals) — approved.
  • R-2025-085 (Walk-on): Settlement with Craig A. Smith & Associates, LLC and AT&T Florida for $1,050,000 related to ocean outfall litigation — approved.

Commission Comments & City Manager

  • Commissioner Shuham: Thanked South Broward High School JROTC and Liberia Civic Association; noted broken elevator fix at ArtsPark; proposed voluntary noise detectors for restaurants/bars; requested support to revive Hollywood Jazz Festival for 2026.
  • Commissioner Hernandez: Requested updates on downtown striping, 5G pole relocation, civic association sign exemptions, and list of vacant underutilized properties along Sheridan Street, Pembroke Road, and 22nd Avenue.
  • Commissioner Callari: Mentioned House Bill 1123 (Septic to Sewer) passing committee; proposed 50/50 partnership for cameras in gated communities; thanked all for nominations; requested list of city-owned non-easement properties by district; noted pickleball parking issues.
  • Commissioner Gruber: Thanked Tallahassee trip participants; requested sharing time on LED board at Margaritaville bandshell; sought update on lighting at Playland Estates entrance.
  • Commissioner Biederman: Proposed LED message boards (fixed and portable) in city budget; suggested composting display for new water accounts.
  • Vice Mayor Quintana: Thanked Public Utilities for career outreach; noted exercise equipment at Zinkil Park; announced ActiveNet software now live; raised concerns about exterior lighting at Washington Park and Kay Gaither Community Centers; requested white paper on parking; supported backyard chicken feasibility study; invited to Earth Day and Salsa Fest.
  • Mayor Levy: Supported continued sculpture art at ArtsPark (including Daniel Popper's 'Aeonium') and development of a citywide sculpture program; approved use of city logo for an Argentinian symphony event.
  • City Attorney: Presented and passed walk-on settlement R-2025-085.
  • City Manager: Announced Spring Break safety; Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off on April 6; thanked Commission for jazz festival revival.

Public Comments & Testimony (5:00 PM)

  • Ann Ralston (326 S 14th Avenue): Criticized bike lane markings as ineffective; supported moving meetings to 7:00 PM for better public access; expressed excitement about golf course clubhouse construction; praised Interim City Attorney.
  • Mateo Watson (3680 N 56th Avenue): Expressed disappointment with the African American Advisory Council’s leadership and staff liaison; called for accountability and community focus. The Chairwoman Joanne Reese later responded, noting efforts and his disruptive behavior.
  • Joanne Reese Fullington (2135 Wiley Street): Raised concern about proliferation of smoke shops (estimated 30 in Broward, 7 in Hollywood); also addressed the internal council dispute and defended staff liaison.

Key Outcomes

  • All consent and regular agenda resolutions passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Ordinance O-2025-04 (Park Road rezoning) passed first reading 7-0; second reading scheduled.
  • Design and site plan approved for Dick's House of Sports at Oakwood Plaza.
  • City Commission delegated to League of Cities: Callari (voting), Hernandez (alternate).
  • Settlement of $1,050,000 with AT&T approved.
  • Commission directed staff to explore: jazz festival revival, civic association sign codification, LED message boards, composting promotion, list of city-owned properties, and noise detector pilot program.

Meeting Transcript

All right, welcome everyone. Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood. Today is March nineteenth, twenty twenty-five. We are here, of course, for a regular City Commission meeting. Appreciate everybody in attendance. Great to see our law enforcement and public safety staff here with us today. So if you are a veteran or active in the U.S. Armed Forces or a family member thereof, please rise. We'd love to recognize you. Roll call, please. Commissioner Shoeham. Here. Commissioner Hernandez. Here. Commissioner Kalleri. Here. Commissioner Gruber? Here. Commissioner Biederman. Here. Vice Mayor Quintana? Here. Mayor Levy. Here. All right, great. Today's consent agenda includes items five through eleven. These are items that don't usually require individual discussion. However, if there is a speaker card on today's consent agenda, we'll be happy to remove an item for discussion as well as take a request from the dais. Pat, are there any speaker cards on five through eleven? No. No speaker cards, any requests from the Dais. If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve. We have a motion from Commissioner Kollary. Second. Second from Vice Mayor Quintana. All those in favor of moving items five through eleven on consent today. Say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none of those items carry unanimously. All right, on to our 1 p.m. presentations, proclamations, and awards. We will begin with a proclamation in recognition of Eid El Futur Day. This is a holiday commemorating, I believe, the end of Ramadan. We'll maybe learn a minute uh about it a little bit more. Uh accepting the proclamation would have been uh MacArthur High School student uh uh Aliah Abdulbaki, she is uh a member of the city's youth ambassador program, but I believe she is home and ill. So uh we'd like to invite Rahim Sacharan, our director of IT to accept the proclamation. Presenting it will be uh Commissioner Biederman, who as you can see is wearing the traditional uh Moroccan uh garb that uh uh he picked up in Morocco at the Souk in Marrakesh uh and uh wore this today in honor of the holiday. So, Commissioner Biederman. Thank you, Mayor.

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