Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting – August 27, 2025
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Hollywood City Commission Regular Meeting – August 27, 2025
The Hollywood City Commission held its regular meeting on August 27, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including presentations from state and local officials, several ordinances on second and first readings, major infrastructure contracts, and public comments on commissioner raises and the placement of a 5G node. All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously, and most regular agenda items passed with strong support.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from December 4, 2024, and January 15, 2025.
- Authorized a second amended and restated beach services agreement with MVHF, LLC (Margaritaville).
- Authorized a Local Agency Program agreement with FDOT for the Gracewood Neighborhood Sidewalk Project.
- Approved additional construction administration services for the new Police Headquarters project (up to $434,341).
- Approved ranking and blanket purchase agreements for as-needed demolition services (combined up to $200,000 annually).
- Approved a master services agreement with Fullsteam Software Holdings LLC for parking management.
- Authorized CDBG and CDBG-CV public service agreements totaling $237,000.
- Approved first amendment to reciprocal use agreement with Broward County School Board.
- Authorized termination of service agreement with Vetted Security Solutions, LLC.
- Authorized donation of $125,000 in law enforcement forfeiture funds to multiple community organizations.
- Approved emergency purchase for reconstruction of drywall at Public Utilities ($25,762.14).
- Approved piggyback blanket purchase agreement with A.J. Panzarella for grit and screenings removal ($391,699.61 through February 2027).
- Approved purchase order to Eaton Corporation for high voltage switchgear maintenance ($254,850).
- Approved change order to increase HD Supply contract from $190,000 to $240,000 for cleaning supplies.
- Ratified emergency purchase for Liebert precision cooling systems at City Hall ($212,742).
- Approved change order to increase Rooster Concrete contract from $130,000 to $260,000 annually.
- Approved piggyback blanket purchase agreement with S&R Engineering (Air Changes Mechanical) for HVAC services (up to $750,000).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Commissioner Raises (July 2 vote): Multiple speakers expressed outrage over the 30% to 80% salary increases voted by the commission. Steve Schneider of Hillcrest said he supports a reasonable raise but called the amount exorbitant. Siobhan McLellan urged reconsideration, stating the process was disrespectful and eroded trust. Gary Bagloebeter, former Charter Review Committee chair, called the vote shameful and predicted the next charter review commission will revisit the salary-setting process. Rita Lippoff defended the raises but questioned the process. Andre Brown and Andrew Carp expressed support for the raises, noting that commissioners work hard and the cost is small relative to the $820 million budget.
- 5G Node Placement: Chris and Amanda Albertelli, residents of Highland Gardens, objected to a 5G transmission pole placed 32 feet from their bedroom window. They cited potential health risks, property value decline, and aesthetic blight, and requested relocation. Commissioner Hernandez noted staff is already working with Crown Castle, and Commissioner Shuham acknowledged state preemption limits but offered to assist.
- Construction Site on Roosevelt Street: Jessica Reeder complained about a FDOT sidewalk project on Taft Street that has left heavy equipment and debris in a residential area for months, causing flat tires and damage. She requested immediate cleanup and a timeline. Staff promised to work with FDOT.
- Street Lighting: Henry Graham from Liberia reported dark streets on Raleigh Street and Sheridan Street. Commissioner Shuham said FDOT was already notified about Sheridan. Commissioner Gruber mentioned a solar street light pilot project that could provide quick relief.
- Beach Safety Buoys: Julie Greenfield, a boater and advisory board member, supported vessel exclusion buoys but urged careful placement and inclusion of mooring buoys for natural reefs further offshore.
- Other Comments: Ralston questioned enforcement of jet ski exclusion and fine structure. Bob Glickman suggested pre-approved modular plans for affordable housing and noted hazards from metal plates on A1A. Andre Brown urged more VAC trucks for stormwater maintenance.
Discussion Items
- State Legislative Session (Sen. Jason Pizzo): Senator Pizzo summarized the 2025 session, highlighting SB 1784 (septic-to-sewer, drafted for Hollywood) and a new law making personal addresses of elected officials exempt from public records. He warned of a projected state budget deficit in 18–24 months and emphasized infrastructure as a future focus. Commissioner Shuham raised concerns about SB 180, which she argued preempts local land-use authority. Pizzo defended the bill but acknowledged potential for class-action litigation by cities.
- Proclamations & Awards:
- Hollywood Lions Club presented $2,000 scholarships to students from South Broward and MacArthur High Schools. Commissioners also supported naming a path at Stan Goldman Park after Chris Hickson, a late community figure.
- Lifeguards who rescued a shark-bite victim on July 22 were recognized. The patient was released a week later.
- A proclamation marked the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act; AARP representatives accepted.
- A proclamation recognized International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31). Police Chief Devlin reported a decline in fatal overdoses thanks to education, Narcan, and enforcement, including homicide charges against dealers.
- Police Pension Ordinance (Second Reading): Approved unanimously to codify collective bargaining changes with FOP Lodge 24.
- Emergency Temporary Housing Ordinance (Second Reading): Approved unanimously after discussion clarifying that the 36-month permit period is tied to the structure being uninhabitable per storm declaration. (Item 29)
- Art in Public Places Ordinance (First Reading): Approved 7-0 with direction to staff to bring back second reading language allowing the commission to grant waivers for affordable housing projects of any income threshold. Staff introduced a new “lookbook” to guide developers toward on-site art rather than in-lieu fees. (Item 30)
- Vessel Exclusion and Reef Buoy Project: After lengthy debate, the commission voted unanimously to direct staff to apply for permits for vessel exclusion buoys at a distance consistent with Hallandale Beach (~218 yards) and to include mooring buoys for natural reefs at least 50 yards beyond the exclusion line. The vote authorized the permitting process, not final installation. (Item 32)
- Tidal Flooding Mitigation Project: Approved a $20.76 million construction management at-risk contract with Whiting-Turner for eight sites. City has secured $21.2 million in state grants. Work includes walls, berms, and dock improvements. (Item 33)
- Tyler Technologies Amendment: Approved to increase electronic payment processing contract to $201,009.
- FG Construction Change Order: Approved increasing concrete repair contract from $1.8 million to $2.8 million, combining efforts of Public Works and Engineering.
- Parking Garage Repairs (Change Order #6): Approved $298,220 increase for structural repairs to Radius and Van Buren garages, total now up to $1.16 million.
- State Revolving Fund Loan: Approved $12.38 million loan application for emergency bar screen bypass project at wastewater plant.
- Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Appointments: Approved five members and one alternate (Commissioner Hernandez as alternate).
- State Legislative Session (Lobbyist Joseph Salzverg): Salzverg reported that all four of Hollywood’s appropriation requests were funded but only the adult daycare project ($41,000) survived the governor’s veto. He noted infrastructure and human services as likely priorities for next session.
- Commissioner Comments: Topics included updates on District 5 Eagle Scout, street lighting issues (solar pilot project), support for downtown valet parking expansion, homeless bathing at Henry Graham Park, and a request to explore beach food delivery from local restaurants.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously: All consent agenda items, Police Pension ordinance (2nd reading), Emergency Temporary Housing ordinance (2nd reading), Art in Public Places ordinance (1st reading with direction), Vessel Exclusion Buoy permitting motion, Tidal Flooding contract, Tyler Technologies amendment, FG Construction change order, Parking Garage change order, SRF loan application, and AHAC appointments.
- Directed staff: To bring back second reading of the Art ordinance allowing affordable housing waivers for any income threshold; to apply for permits for vessel exclusion buoys (~218 yards) and mooring buoys; to explore a pilot program for beach food delivery; to provide a comprehensive analysis of SB 180’s impact (informal commitment).
- Other action: City attorney announced executive sessions on September 8, 2025, regarding four pending lawsuits.
- Next steps: Budget hearings on September 15 and 25; septic-to-sewer workshop on October 22; comprehensive plan public meetings on September 10-11.
Meeting Transcript
Hi, Mayor. All right. Great. All right. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to City Hall here in the City of Hollywood. Today is August twenty seventh, twenty twenty-five. Here in this season, that uh city manager will soon include uh budget season and among uh that uh a lot of other important uh issues for the city. And so we thank you for being here. Uh at the start of each meeting, we have a uh moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Today I'd like you to please just keep the memory of uh Lieutenant uh J.J. Murino in your thoughts and his family as well. And also uh unfortunately, the family is affected by the uh tragedy in uh I believe Minnesota earlier this morning. So please rise for a moment of silence followed by the pledge. It is great to see everyone here as the city uh commission resumes its business uh here in this season that uh city manager will soon include uh budget seat okay one point go ahead mayor if we could also include um our security guard Claude who also passed uh recently thank you I pledge allegiance to the United States of America one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all the thank you all the start of each meeting we also take an important moment to recognize our veterans and active service personnel and their families so if you are a U.S. veteran or a family member thereof please rise we'd like to recognize you roll call please Commissioner Bieterman Vice Mayor Quintana here Commissioner Shoeham here. Commissioner Hernandez here. Commissioner Kalari here commissioner Gruber here. Mayor Levy here thank you so much. First item of business is our consent agenda. These are items five through twenty-two today items that don't usually require individual discussion. However if there is a speaker card um by a member of the public or a request by the dais to remove an item for discussion we're happy to do so to point out to the Commission of course on the dais we've received some minor clarified language for the minutes associated with item number five. Are there any requests for discussion by the city commission? Motion to approve patent no cards by the public we have a motion from Commissioner Collery a second from Commissioner Shun to approve the consent agenda. All those in favor say aye. Aye aye. Any opposed hearing none those items carry unanimously all right on to our one p.m presentations proclamations and awards we're honored to have uh Senator Pizzo here. Senator Jason Pizzo who represents uh the state uh district that of course includes uh the city of Hollywood Senator it's an honor to have you thank you thank you thank you for having me and uh sorry for my back to you you guys are my constituents thanks Debbie for the video there mayor commissioners uh it was an interesting session thank you Joanne 34 years as a 911 operator she's always prepared um but it was uh rather uh sort of de minimis as a uh the number of bills that actually passed and and and legislature that was uh legislation that was pushed forward there were no social issue media issue wars uh going on those were all pretty you know pretty much squashed early on uh nothing really of great interest happened during session um some of us became a little more independent I think than others um but who doesn't may uh but it was it was a good session uh and um a couple of good things we survived the veto pen we had two projects uh posed uh 55000 for the Rotary Park uh stormwater improvement the government we got it funded fully funded the governor did veto that but we did get uh 41000 for the adult daycare that did survive the veto pen along with representative cassel and of course your your lobbyist Joe Salzburg uh the new daddy in behind who's who's very good and very effective in a nudge uh you could say in Tallahassee uh of particular note and I think uh of import and I know all of you commissioners and mayor were aware that and Vice Mayor that I was using Hollywood as an example a lot this session uh especially because of the number of uh septic systems still in existence in 2025 at long last uh and with uh I gotta give a shout out to Adam incredibly helpful to her office and great to work with we were able to successfully along with Rep Cassell to pass uh 1123 SB 1784 which really was drafted and written for Hollywood. It was a it was um it it further started as a request with the city manager I remember a while back and Adam saying it's we can get some clarity and particularity in the statute just to say that we're so it really is a is a testament to to you and your staff the commission and staff about uh moving this this uh city back into the 21st into the 21st century. Another bill I passed that my kids hate is the dangerous and excessive speeding. You probably have seen it on the news. If you're doing over 50 miles an hour over the speed limit you're getting arrested and your cars getting impounded. If you're doing a hundred or more in a dangerous fashion or passing you're getting arrested you're going to jail. Too many kids are dying and and we've had arrests now at 123 miles an hour, 137 miles an hour. It was getting out of control. Last year I did the street takeover bill which was also a problem locally where kids were taking over intersections they now know they'd lose their cars as well regardless of who the owner is and and seizing and impounding those so um we're hitting it. One thing I did want to mention, and I was a big advocate for uh some of you know a little personal history about me, what I did before I was a senator. Um as of July 1st, your personal addresses and that of your spouses and adult children, phone numbers and home addresses are now exempt from from uh public record from chapter 119, as it should be. Uh, your state senator is a former homicide prosecutor, had someone uh paid 47,000 to have me and my my kids killed, and then gang members followed us home on another case where I had evacuate my kids for three months and had to live in six different hotels over over four months. Um it's very serious. If people have an issue, uh you are all very accessible and very approachable, and this is the place to have that forum, not in your front yard, not in your backyard, and not in your home. Uh so as of July 1st, you can go ahead and request uh from the uh from the county from the county to have your public addresses exempt. Um with it what you will, but there's a lot of violence on elected officials, and it's really unnecessary. And it's really meant to terrorize families, it's not really meant to to address their grievances as it relates to a public forum. Um but but it's at your discretion. I actually did not the last residence we had. Um I did not. Um, what I what I want to mention is um I gave a keynote, I was asked to give a keynote speech at the speech at the Florida Tax Watch dinner this past year. It's basically a pretty conservative think tank of of people who identify like you know, municipal projects and call them turkey and pork and all that stuff. Um but here's the reality.
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