The Hollywood City Commission held a regular meeting on October 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approvals, quasi-judicial hearings, and detailed discussions on beach dune projects, affordable housing developments, and city contracts. The meeting adjourned after approximately 6 hours.
Approved unanimously with the exception of item 12 (taken separately). Key items included:
Former Commissioner Dick Blattner requested the center be named after Maurice Gruber, father of Commissioner Gruber. The commission unanimously approved the resolution and directed staff to bring a formal naming resolution to a future meeting.
Interlocal Agreement with Broward County for a $3.2 million dune project covering Hollywood Beach (excluding Central Beach from Cleveland to Harrison streets). County’s design includes native vegetation, 10-foot offset from knee wall in most areas, and a maximum dune height of 8.4 feet NAVD (8.9 feet at Dania transition). The city will be responsible for maintenance (estimated $160,000–$320,000 annually).
Key concerns:
Amendment (by Commissioner Callari):
Applicant sought to replace a deteriorating living wall with an artificial green wall. Fire code concerns were raised. After discussion, the commission approved the resolution with the condition that the applicant work with staff to ensure the artificial material meets fire code, and if not, to explore alternative materials (e.g., ceramic tile mosaic).
Proposal for an 8-story, 110-unit affordable housing development (30%–80% AMI) with 157 parking spaces, 24 spaces for school staff, 744 sq ft office, and amenities. Applicant (Housing Trust Group) presented evidence of sufficient density (using county bonus policy) and traffic impact (de minimis).
Public opposition (Cindy Abraham) cited lack of resident vote, parking concerns, and alternative site. Applicant noted 10% veteran preference and leasing preference for Hollywood residents/workers.
Design Options – Applicant presented three options: original (modern with glass railings), Option A (simplified modern), and Option B (Mediterranean style). Commission chose the original design after debate.
Vote: Motion to approve the ordinance (PUD amendment) and resolution (site plan and design) with staff conditions. Both passed 6-0 (Commissioner Callari absent).
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to City Hall here in the city of Hollywood. Today's October ninth, twenty twenty-five, and we are all here for a regular city commission meeting. Thank you, Mayor. Um I just wanted to um recognize and send our condolences to the family of uh Larry Mendelssohn. Um many people in Hollywood may know Mr. Mendelson as the founder basically of HICO, uh, one of Hollywood's largest corporations. Um Mr. Mendelson passed away uh September 27th. Um for many of us who have been involved as Commissioner Biederman was talking about earlier with the chamber and various um activities in Hollywood, we all know Heiko. Um the Mendelsons took over Heiko in the 90s, and he served as its CEO for over 35 years, one of the longest serving CEOs in history. And um, if you were curious and you had invested a hundred thousand dollars in Haiko at that time, you would now have a hundred and thirty million dollars. So sissy shame on all of you. Um went from being a fairly local uh company that did uh um aerospace parts, and now it's in 15 countries with 11,000 employees. Um, and so again, thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to recognize the Mendelssohn family, thank them for their commitment and investment in Hollywood, and in fact, Heiko was Hollywood's first Fortune 500 company. So we send our condolences and our appreciation for their investment in our community. Thank you. Thank you. As before we rise, also we one of our proclamations will be in remembrance of the October 7th attacks on Israel. And I'd like you to please think of the victims of that tragic day and uh the resulting two years where a lot of people have lost their lives uh as a result of that attack. So please rise for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic from which one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. A tradition we have here in Hollywood as well is at the start of each meeting, we recognize our veterans, active service personnel, and their families. So if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or even an active service member or family member, please rise. We'd like to recognize you. Thank you. Roll call, please. Commissioner Gruber. Commissioner Biederman. Here, Vice Mayor Quintana, here. Commissioner Shoeham here. Commissioner Hernandez. Here. Commissioner Kallary here, Mayor Levy. Here uh today's consent agenda includes items five through twenty three. Pat, are there any speaker cards on items five through twenty-three? Yes, number twelve. Number twelve, thank you. We'll take that up at the start of the motion following the proclamations. And uh there's a motion to approve the balance of the consent agenda. Motion to approve. Motion from Commissioner Collary, second from Commissioner Gruber. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, those items carry unanimously. And again, we'll take item 12 following our proclamations.