Hollywood City Commission Meeting Summary – September 17, 2025

The Hollywood City Commission met on September 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM in City Hall, Commission Chambers Room 219, to discuss a packed agenda covering budget amendments, collective bargaining agreements, a zoning change for a mixed-use development, a seawall license agreement, and affordable housing projects. The meeting also included a proclamation for World Alzheimer's Awareness Month and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–17: The consent agenda (budget amendments, procurement agreements, insurance renewals, and service contracts) was approved unanimously by a 7-0 vote. Items included resolutions for a CivicPlus website package ($200,000/year), flood insurance ($258,007.12), medical supplies with Memorial Healthcare System ($285,000/year) and Broward Sheriff's Office ($170,000/year), Motorola radios ($500,000), Police records management system ($650,000), a Centennial Celebration Concert ($219,005), school zone speed detection systems, utility legal consulting ($500,000), sulfuric acid supply ($504,000), janitorial services ($175,000), and landscape maintenance ($436,738).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darlene Wilson expressed concerns about liability at parks, particularly regarding an empty building at Stanley Goldman Park and the skate park.
• Ann Ralston and Jenny Wenschel opposed the Straley seawall project, citing precedent for other properties and negative impacts on sea turtles (nesting area). Wenschel quoted the city's sustainability policies prohibiting shoreline hardening.
• Dr. Stephen Straley (homeowner) defended the seawall, noting it would be submerged, replace a 75-year-old crumbling wall, and indemnify the city.
• Tom Lander and Ann Ralston (Park East residents) spoke in favor of naming the walking path at Stanley Goldman Park as the Chris Hixon Memorial Trail, honoring Chris Hixon's service.
• Multiple Hillcrest residents (including Ken Crawford, George Jacobson, Mary Denunzio, Bridget DeArco, Cindy Abraham, Steve Schneider, Albert Don Johnston, Patricia Murray, James Wilson, and others) spoke in opposition to the Hillcrest Village (1101 Hillcrest Drive) development, citing traffic congestion, parking shortages, environmental concerns, inaccuracies in density calculations, and violation of community covenants. They also objected to the characterization of Hillcrest as "blighted."
• Supporters (Brittany Rose Diaz Ruiz, Nakia Williams, David P. Brennan, Ken Crawford) spoke in favor of HTG developments, highlighting well-managed properties and the urgent need for affordable housing.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – Proclamation: Recognized September 21, 2025 as World Alzheimer's Awareness Day, highlighting 7.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, including 580,000 in Florida and 47,800 in Broward County.
• Items 19–22 – Retirement & Collective Bargaining: Approved (6-0) the addition of defined contribution and hybrid retirement plans (Employee votes: 432-153; AFSCME votes: 238-10). Ratified three AFSCME collective bargaining agreements (General, Supervisory, Professional) for 2025-2028, with Commissioner Biederman abstaining on the Professional unit due to his wife's membership.
• Item 23 – Chris Hixon Memorial Trail: Approved (7-0) naming the walking path at Stanley Goldman Park as the Chris Hixon Memorial Trail.
• Item 24 – Bryant Property Rezoning: Approved (7-0) on first reading to rezone 5.74 acres from North Mixed-Use to Planned Development for a mixed-use project with 470 units (including 10% workforce housing), preservation of the historic Bryant House, a clubhouse, and place of worship.
• Item 25 – COVID-19 Memorial: Approved (7-0) a $292,052.20 contract with Tower Contracting Corp. for the "Garden of We" memorial at Bob Butterworth Park. The memorial features 12 trees (representing months of lockdown), six circles (six feet apart), and two 8-foot perforated metal panels.
• Item 28 – Straley Seawall License: Approved (6-1) an amended right-of-way license for seawall construction at 5409 North Surf Road. The city confirmed coverage under existing liability and property insurance policies (including $2 million for land improvements). Commissioner Shuham voted no, citing environmental impacts and insurance concerns.
• Item 29 – Pembroke Pines Settlement: Approved (7-0) to settle a 15-year litigation with Pembroke Pines. The settlement terms were not disclosed in open session.
• Items 31–32 – Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Approved unanimously on second reading:
  • Created the Commercial Recreation (CREC) land use category.
  • Changed the land use designation for 23.7 acres at 400 Entrada Drive from Open Space and Recreation to High (50) Residential and Commercial Recreation (Orangebrook LUPA).
• Item 26 – Hillcrest Village PUD Amendment: After a quasi-judicial hearing with sworn testimony and exhibits, approved (7-0) on first reading the PUD amendment for a 110-unit affordable housing development at 1101 Hillcrest Drive. The developer, Housing Trust Group, committed to a veteran leasing preference. The design and site plan will be reviewed at a second reading (targeted for October 9, 2025).

Key Outcomes

• Retirement Plan: New defined contribution and hybrid plans to offer employee choice, effective February 1, 2026. The city expects significant cost savings.
• AFSCME Contracts: Three 3-year collective bargaining agreements (General, Supervisory, Professional) ratified, restoring a longevity step plan and providing cost-of-living increases.
• Seawall Insurance: The city determined it is covered under existing general liability and property insurance, removing the requirement for the homeowner to insure the city-owned seawall.
• Density Confirmation: City staff and the developer confirmed via Broward County records that at least 50 dwelling units remain in the Hillcrest PUD (total cap 2,995), allowing the 110-unit project without exceeding maximum density based on affordable housing density bonuses.
• Traffic Study: The traffic study concluded de minimis impact (50 morning trips, 49 evening trips) with level of service remaining at A. The Park Road development's potential traffic contributions were reviewed and deemed minimal.
• Orangebrook LUPA: The effective date of the land use change is conditioned on Broward County Commission approval.

Next Steps

• Item 26 (Hillcrest Village) will return for a second reading (including site plan and design approval) on October 9, 2025.
• Staff directed to:
  • Explore micro-schools as by-right uses.
  • Reapproach FEMA for updated guidance on ground-floor improvements along the Broadwalk.
  • Prepare an informational report on allowing residential or mixed-use in the Central Beach commercial zone.
  • Consider community feedback on parking permit time limits (currently 24 hours; residents request 48 hours).
• Centennial Celebration: Centenarians are invited to contact the Office of the Mayor to participate.