Hollywood City Commission Meeting – April 16, 2025
Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting – April 16, 2025
The City of Hollywood Commission met on April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting began with a moment of silence, Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of veterans, and roll call. The consent agenda (items #5–29) was approved with a 6–1 vote (Item #11 pulled and approved separately). Presentations, proclamations, and regular agenda items covered topics including cardiac arrest survival, community development, affordable housing, a jazz festival proposal, transit services, and multiple capital improvement projects. Public comments were heard at 5:00 PM. The meeting adjourned after commission and city manager comments.
Consent Calendar
- A resolution amending the FY 2025 operating and capital budgets and accepting grants (R-2025-106).
- A settlement with Laurel Gerges for $62,500 (R-2025-107).
- Approval of meeting minutes from July 3, 2024, and August 28, 2024 (R-2025-108; R-2025-109).
- A no-cost extension for grants management software (R-2025-110).
- Amendment to purchase and sale agreement for University Station parking unit, increasing purchase price by $308,623.77 for parking guidance equipment (R-2025-111).
- Acceptance of a $120,000 donation from ANF Charitable Fund for educational space interior buildout at University Station (R-2025-112) — This item was pulled and later approved 6–1 after discussion.
- Amendment to maintenance agreement with FDOT for US 441/SR7 lighting (R-2025-113).
- Authorization for 56th Avenue Wall Project with Kimley-Horn ($77,563) (R-2025-114).
- Authorization for Johnson Street Local Agency Project with Marlin Engineering ($31,259.22) (R-2025-115).
- Authorization for construction engineering inspection services for tidal flooding mitigation sites with Corradino Group ($236,384) (R-2025-116).
- Amendment to landscape maintenance agreement for The Tropic Hollywood development (R-2025-117).
- Sole source purchase of Lifepak 15 for Fire Rescue ($61,817.13) (R-2025-118).
- Second amendment to interlocal lease for Driftwood schools recreational area (R-2025-119).
- Purchase of park and playground equipment (piggyback, $62,176) (R-2025-120).
- Traffic control agreements with Harbor Islands communities (R-2025-121).
- Blanket purchase agreement for plumbing at wastewater treatment plant ($149,500) (R-2025-122).
- Blanket purchase agreement for electric motor repair (piggyback, $300,000) (R-2025-123).
- Sole source purchase of Neptune meters ($600,000 over 3 years) (R-2025-124).
- Purchase of machinery protection system ($149,346) (R-2025-125).
- Change order for clarifier repair extension (R-2025-126).
- Blanket purchase agreement for citywide pressure cleaning ($130,000) (R-2025-127).
- Bridge painting project ($158,490) (R-2025-128).
- Rental of industrial equipment (piggyback, $100,000) (R-2025-129).
- Amendment to FDOT landscape maintenance agreement for A1A (R-2025-130).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Claire Garrett (Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Advisory Board member) expressed full support for reviving the Hollywood Jazz Festival as a two-day event, recommending reliance on local talent including Dillard High School Jazz Ensemble. She noted the Broward County Cultural Festival Grant (up to $50,000) as a potential funding source.
- Alex Riscio (Affordable Housing Advisory Committee member) urged the commission to move forward with staff exploration of the jazz festival, calling it “quintessential” to the city’s brand.
- Vivian Horboth (winner of Broward Sierra Club Earth Day Art Contest) presented a sculpture highlighting plastic pollution from food packaging and urged awareness.
- Mateo Watson (recently removed from advisory councils) expressed disappointment but pledged continued service to Hollywood, urging future advocates to persist through resistance.
- Ann Ralston (public comment) praised the planned jazz festival, noted faded speed hump markings, and suggested better signage.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation for Israel’s 77th Independence Day and Jewish American Heritage Month – Mayor and commissioners recognized the occasion, expressing solidarity with Israel and condemning antisemitism. (Item 30)
- Proclamation for National Community Development Week (April 21-25) – Commissioner Biederman read the proclamation; staff highlighted $13.3 million in federal funds over five years for infrastructure, housing, and services. (Item 31)
- Hollywood HERO Program Presentation – Dr. Randy Katz reported that the city’s cardiac arrest survival rate doubled from 10% (2017) to 18% (2024) with 10% neurologically intact survival, outperforming state and national averages. Key opportunity: bystander CPR rates (below average) and AED use (under 1%). Patrick, a retired city employee and survivor, shared his story, emphasizing the importance of AEDs in parks and police vehicles.
- Community Development Advisory Board Annual Report – Chair Mitch Anton and staff Ryan Coote reviewed CDBG and HOME program achievements: 34 housing rehabs completed (on track to double last year), 416 unsheltered individuals served via community court, 17 housed, and $2.2 million invested in sidewalks, fields, and parks. A video showcased the Neighborhood Pride Program collaborating with Rebuilding Together Broward to rehab 78 homes over three years.
- Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Annual Report – Presenter Alex Riscio highlighted AHAC’s role in securing $1.8 million in state funding and $600,000 in program income. Recommendations included impact fee strategies based on affordability levels, flexibility in density/parking requirements, support for transit-oriented development, and publicizing city-owned property inventory via an online map.
- Hollywood Housing Authority Annual Report – Chair Octavia Mills and executive director Tony Gutierrez reported serving over 950 families through Housing Choice Vouchers, 90 units at Apollo Terrace (all leased), and a planned redevelopment of Driftwood Terrace via RAD conversion closing by August 2025. HHA is shifting from public housing to project-based vouchers.
- Hollywood Jazz Festival Options – Director Ricky Engle presented options: a one-day event (~$200,000) or two-day (~$300,000) for April 2026 or October/November 2026. Commissioners debated scale, timing, ticket policy, and funding. Consensus: start small (possibly with local talent and Rhythm Foundation), explore grants, and issue an RFQ for a promoter. Commissioners favored November to allow more time and avoid competition with Salsa Fest.
- Transit Services Study Findings – Consultant Kurt Lehmann from Cambridge Systematics reviewed the Sun Shuttle (microtransit, 2 zones, $2/ride) and HollyGo (free fixed-route, 4 routes). Key data: 89% of Sun Shuttle riders satisfied; HollyGo ridership at 3.5 riders/hour vs. county target of 7. Duplication of services in some areas. Recommendations included reallocating resources, improving marketing (especially in Haitian Creole and Spanish), enhancing app language accessibility, and adding mid-block crosswalks. Commissioners raised concerns about coverage gaps (e.g., District 4, north‐central areas) and lack of connectivity to the beach.
- Sunset Park Master Plan – Jose (DCM) recommended Miller Legg & Associates (ranked first) for architectural/engineering services. Firm president Michael Kroll noted experience with former golf course conversions and environmental/stormwater solutions. Discussion included handling of lime sludge/arsenic soils, potential brownfield reuse, and integration with the stormwater master plan. Approved unanimously.
- Hollywood Beach Golf Course Update – Staff reported seeding in May, liner installation for irrigation reuse water complete, and ongoing stormwater management modifications requiring environmental monitoring wells (with Langan Engineering, $133,500). Commissioner Shuham noted dust issues for neighbors.
- Police Headquarters Additional Services – Three additional service proposals (ODP) approved for design, geotechnical, and environmental services ($286,139). Project is ahead of schedule with TCO expected June 2026. Owner direct purchase program saved ~$650,000, returned to project budget.
- Washington Park Industrial Area Redevelopment – Plusurbia Design selected to develop a comprehensive redevelopment program ($149,500). Vice Mayor Quintana emphasized unique community outreach methods.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 6–1 (items 5–10, 12–29) with Item 11 individually approved 6–1 (Commissioner Biederman dissenting on cost of Barry University buildout).
- Alley vacation ordinance (Item 32) passed 7–0 on first reading.
- Sunset Park Master Plan implementation (Item 39) – Resolution approved; Miller Legg & Associates to negotiate contract.
- Hollywood Beach Golf Course environmental services (Item 40) – Resolution approved unanimously.
- Police Headquarters additional design services (Item 42) – Resolution approved unanimously.
- Washington Park redevelopment program (Item 43) – Resolution approved unanimously.
- The commission directed staff to:
- Issue an RFQ for a jazz festival promoter, consider Rhythm Foundation for a jazz night, and apply for county and federal grants.
- Adjust Sun Shuttle zones to eliminate duplication and expand coverage north of Hollywood Boulevard.
- Work with Circuit (microtransit vendor) to improve marketing and app accessibility.
- Explore mid-block crosswalks for HollyGo stops.
- Provide a list of school facilities available for public use (per Commissioner Gruber).
- Analyze McKinley Street for speed bumps (per Commissioner Biederman).
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:35 PM after commissioner and city manager comments.
Meeting Transcript
All right, welcome everybody. Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood. Today is April sixteenth, twenty twenty five. We are here for a regular but always uh important city commission meeting. We begin each meeting with a moment of silence, followed by a Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise. So if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or a family member thereof, please rise. We'd like to recognize you. Roll call, please. Commissioner Kallery. Commissioner Gruber. Commissioner Biederman. Vice Mayor Quintana. Here. Commissioner Shoeham. Commissioner Hernandez. Mayor Levy. Here. Commissioner Clary will be coming in a little bit later. Today's consent agenda includes items five through twenty-nine. These are items that don't usually require individual discussion. However, if we do have a speaker card on any of them, or if a member of the body requires individual discussion of an item, we are happy to remove it for later in the agenda. Pat, are there any speaker cards on five through twenty-nine? No. Are there any requests to pull? Hearing not ten and eleven. Second. We have a motion from Vice Mayor Cantana, second from Commissioner Hernandez to approve items five through ten and twelve through twenty-nine. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none of those items carry unanimously, we'll take up item eleven after uh before item 34. All right. On to our uh 1 p.m. presentations, proclamations, and awards, ladies and gentlemen. Each year we take uh a moment to uh recognize Jewish American Heritage Month, which is May of 2025, together this year with the 77th anniversary of Israel's Independence Day, which is May 1st, 2025. I do see uh Lori Fink here on behalf of Congresswoman W. Oswald Schultz's office is here to accept uh the proclamation. Um I don't believe any of the rabbis, because of Passover uh that I invited to accept the proclamation that were able to make it today. Uh so Commissioner Gruber, please go ahead and present go ahead. Waiting for Thank you, Mayor. Uh proclamation, City of Hollywood, Florida in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, May 2025, and the 77th anniversary of the State of Israel's Independence Day. Whereas each May, we proudly recognize Jewish American Heritage Month, honoring the profound contributions of Jewish Americans to our country in the arts, sciences, business, public service, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. Their resilience and dedication to community continue to shape the soul of our nation. And whereas this year's celebration comes at a deeply emotional time, as we also mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel, whose strength and democratic values have remained steadfast, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy since the October 7th terrorist attacks. The courage and resolve shown by the people of Israel during this time is of historical magnitude and carries with it existential implications. And whereas we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and the global Jewish community, and we continue to yearn and pray for the safe return of the hostages still held in captivity as we uplift their families and loved ones with hope and strength. And whereas the bond between the United States and Israel is rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and an enduring commitment to peace, freedom, and human dignity, these values must guide us now more than ever as we confront rising anti-Semitism and all forms of hate with our own unity and resolve.
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