Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting - May 21, 2025
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Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting - May 21, 2025
The Regular City Commission Meeting of the City of Hollywood, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Josh Levy at 1:08 PM on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the City Commission Chambers. Vice Mayor Idelma Quintana was absent attending a conference. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, proclamations, presentations, regular agenda items, and citizen comments, concluding at 5:21 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Items 5-21 were approved unanimously (6-0) on a motion by Commissioner Callari, seconded by Commissioner Hernandez. Item 22 (Garfield Garage painting) was withdrawn by the City Manager to be brought back with expanded scope.
- Key approvals included:
- R-2025-140: Amendment to authorized positions for FY2025.
- R-2025-141: FY2025 operating budget amendment.
- R-2025-142: Additional attorneys’ fees up to $25,000 for Fox Rothschild (total $125,000).
- R-2025-143: 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda.
- R-2025-144: Extension and additional design services for Hollywood Beach Golf Course & Clubhouse ($4,350).
- R-2025-146: Community Aesthetic Feature Agreement for public art utility wrap.
- R-2025-147: Right-of-way dedication to Broward County for Dowdy Community Center renovation.
- R-2025-148: Non-utility development impact fee study with Alfred Benesch ($176,010).
- R-2025-149: Final ranking for financial advisory services – PFM Financial Advisors LLC.
- R-2025-150: Renewal of school crossing guard services with Kemp Group ($720,000).
- R-2025-151: Engineering services for conversion of wastewater disinfection to sodium hypochlorite ($494,305).
- R-2025-152: Water main replacement design in Boulevard Heights area ($193,700).
- R-2025-153: Floodplain management plan update with Tetra Tech ($400,000).
- R-2025-154: Second renewal of liquid oxygen supply with Airgas ($498,000).
- R-2025-155: Amendment for stormwater improvements design with Hazen and Sawyer ($99,807).
- R-2025-156: Change order for NAPA auto parts – increase to $650,000 and one-year renewal.
Public Comments
- Ann Ralston (326 S 14th Ave): Expressed concerns about parking at Orangebrook Golf Course and the closure of Echo Golf Course for stormwater work, stating members and leagues are inconvenienced. She noted over 5,800 games per year are at stake for leagues alone.
- Cat Uden (1120 Lyontree St): Applauded Jamie Hernandez’s service but raised concerns about hurricane evacuation planning for the barrier island, citing resource needs (fuel, transportation, shelters) and the risk of overpopulation. She emphasized that 10,000 residents on the island could become displaced.
- Daniel McMurtry (1700 W 56th Ave): Criticized the new Taft Street sidewalk (11 ft wide) as an “abomination” and “eyesore,” noting it is wider than the southbound lane (128 inches vs. 132 inches). He requested that residents not be ticketed for parking partially on the sidewalk or placing trash out, and asked for tree trimming and better communication.
- Richard Barcel (1501 S Ocean Drive): Asked for city protection regarding condo retrofits, stating owners are being forced to remove shutters and assessments have risen from $7,000 to $44,000 in ten years.
- Helen Chervin (2470 Adams St): Expressed frustration over lack of communication about the Fletcher Street wall project, noting only 13 residents attended the virtual meeting. She praised city staff for helping with trash bins but called for better community engagement.
- Andre Brown (2316 Mayo St): Urged the city to address drainage issues, stating there are 4,000 drains but only four VAC trucks. He called for hiring more staff and using city trucks rather than private contractors for drain cleaning.
Discussion Items
- Item 10 – Splash Pad at Mara Berman Giulianti Park: Commissioner Hernandez requested the item be pulled to allow Commissioner Gruber to move it. A video presentation by Jose Cortez, Director of Design and Construction Management, showed the design and schedule. Manufacturing is expected to take 10 weeks, installation starting by August 11, 2025, with substantial completion by September 15, 2025. The resolution passed 6-0.
- Item 28 – Citywide Stormwater Improvements: Vincent Morello, Director of Public Utilities, explained the project includes Waypro valve installation, canal clearing at ECO golf course, and other improvements. The map showed projects in all districts. The resolution passed 6-0.
- Item 29 – FPL Underground Distribution for Injection Wells: Vincent Morello stated this is critical for meeting the December 2025 deadline to abandon the ocean outfall. The FPL line will run from 20th Avenue to the plant. The resolution passed 6-0.
- Proclamations and Presentations:
- Mental Health Awareness Month: Commissioner Callari read the proclamation. Marilyn Lieberman (NAMI) noted 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, and 2 in 5 incarcerated have a history of mental illness. Dr. Brian Mangan was introduced as the new public safety psychologist.
- 8th Grade Students of Brauser Maimonides Academy: Commissioner Gruber read the proclamation. A student spoke about civics. The city also received a centennial plaque from Bravo Awards.
- National Public Works Week: Commissioner Biederman read the proclamation. Joseph Kroll, Public Works Director, accepted.
- Building Safety Month: Commissioner Hernandez read the proclamation. Andria Wingett, Director of Development Services, introduced the building division staff (60 people).
- Diamond Service Awards: Alyssa Chuck presented the Team Diamond Award to the Community Development Division and the Individual Diamond Award to Felisa Yarns, Senior Human Resources Analyst, who helped fill 104 positions in two years.
- Planning & Development Board Annual Report: Chair Diana Pittarelli reported that the board approved 29 development applications in the past 12 months, including a 200-unit mixed-use project, a 500-key hotel at Diplomat Landing, and three text amendments. She noted the board forwarded recommendations for three text amendments, two comprehensive plan amendments, and two land use plan amendments.
- Commissioner Comments:
- Commissioner Shuham: Discussed FDOT mobility plans on A1A, requested staff review of a lengthy detour. Noted a Senate bill restricting development process changes. Announced Solid Waste Authority draft master plan public meetings (June 10, 11, 16, 17). Expressed disappointment over Garfield Garage item removal.
- Commissioner Biederman: Warned about Microsoft pop-up scam. Announced Memorial Day concert at Boulevard Heights Amphitheater (May 24, 7:30 PM).
- Commissioner Hernandez: Requested support for improvements at Poinciana Dog Park (restrooms) using park impact fees. Support was granted. Also requested fixing Henry Graham Park splash pads.
- Commissioner Callari: Requested beautification of Dixie Highway FEC corridor, a mobile library or temporary library space for the closed Hollywood Library branch (not expected to open until end of 2025), extending sidewalks, pocket parks in stormwater hotspots, using Anne Kolb parking lot for July 4th traffic mitigation, and installing astro turf at Rotary Park softball fields. All requests received support.
- Commissioner Gruber: Noted a crosswalk visibility issue at 72nd Ave and Hope Street due to low-hanging trees. Requested update on permits for Richard Blattner Mindfulness Park pavilion. Praised quick installation of a solar light on Keyser Avenue.
- Mayor Levy: Announced progress on sand bypass project, traffic calming construction, FDOT public meeting on Turnpike Stirling Road exit, and senior programming ideas from Community Enhancement Collaboration visit.
- Hurricane Season Update: Emergency Coordinator Jamie Hernandez (leaving for City of Homestead) presented 2025 hurricane season outlook. Noted changes in sandbag distribution (pre-filled bags from vendor), new satellite internet, weather stations, and portable barriers. The city’s pension funding level is now at 71% (up from low 50s). Vincent Morello provided utility preparedness: 14 pumps available, scaling to 20 within 24 hours, pump watch program using staff from other departments, and 24/7 remote monitoring.
- Youth Ambassador Program: Commissioner Callari presented scholarships ($1,000 each) to graduating seniors Aaliyah Abdulbaki and Deven Sessarego, and $500 to returning ambassador Gerard Brown. The group premiered a recycling education video and announced the launch of the Hollywood Youth Ambassador Network.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 6-0 with items 5-21 (item 22 withdrawn).
- Item 10 (Splash Pad): Approved 6-0.
- Item 28 (Stormwater Improvements): Approved 6-0.
- Item 29 (FPL Injection Wells): Approved 6-0.
- Commissioner Requests: All requests for staff studies or actions (Dixie Highway beautification, library alternatives, pocket parks, Anne Kolb parking, Rotary Park astro turf, etc.) received verbal support from the majority.
- Future Meetings: Executive session scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 9:30 AM regarding litigation. Special commission meeting for board appointments on May 28, 2025.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:21 PM.
Meeting Transcript
We got some more students coming in. We'll get going in just a minute. All right. Well, good mor good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood, everyone. It's great to see all of you in attendance, including and especially the eighth grade class from Browser uh Maimonides Academy. Welcome, welcome students. Uh at the start of each meeting, we begin with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Today is, of course, May 21st, 2025. And this is a regular city commission meeting, but no meeting is ever regular. There's always important work uh and meaningful items on the agenda, and that includes today. So if you all please rise for the moment of silence, followed by the pledge. God bless America. And everywhere else. So at the start of each meeting, students, we take an important moment to recognize uh U.S. veterans, active service personnel, and their families. So if there's someone here who has a relative who's served or is serving, or if you're serving in the U.S. armed forces, please rise. We'd like to recognize you. Thank you. Clerk, roll call, please. Commissioner Beterman. Vice Mayor Quintana. Commissioner Shoeham. Commissioner Hernandez. Here. Commissioner Kallery. Here. Commissioner Gruber. Here. Mayor Levy. Here. All right. Thank you so much. Uh Commissioner Vice Mayor Quintana is away at WA conference. And so she does have a reason why she's not here. But we wish her a successful conference. Today's consent agenda includes items five through twenty-two on our agenda. These are items that don't usually require individual discussion. However, if we do have a comment card from anybody in the public, or if any member of the city commission wants to remove an item for specific discussion on that item and consideration, we are always happy to do so. Today, item 22, um, which is the repainting of the Garfield Garage on the beach, is withdrawn by the city manager because he wanted to ex bring it back with an expanded scope of service that will take care of some stucco work and other needs uh that were gonna be on a separate item, but it's better to bring them as two. And so that'll come back uh to us in the next commission meeting, and we look forward to that improvement. So item 22 is withdrawn. The remaining are items five through twenty-one. Clerk, are there any speaker cards on five through twenty-one? No cards. No cards. Any requests from the dais? Um Mayor, I'd like to pull an item number ten only for a brief discussion. Okay, item number ten.
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