Hollywood City Commission Meeting Summary – April 15, 2026
Hollywood City Commission Meeting – April 15, 2026
The Hollywood City Commission met on April 15, 2026, to address a wide-ranging agenda including awards, proclamations, presentations, public hearings, and regular business. Key actions included the unanimous approval of a consent agenda, several ordinances on second reading, and a discussion regarding the future of a residential development and a beach dune project. The meeting began with a moment of silence and recognition of a fallen police officer.
Consent Calendar
- Approved items 5–9 unanimously, including a resolution amending city positions (R-2026-125), a purchase order for a new ambulance (R-2026-126), a skate park equipment agreement (R-2026-127), an interlocal agreement for water resource planning (R-2026-128), and an engineering services contract for lift station upgrades (R-2026-129).
Presentations, Proclamations & Awards
- Fire Rescue Awards (P-2026-021): Fire Chief Jeffrey Levy recognized 2025 award recipients, including Captain Sonia Camacho, Firefighter Robert Burrito, Marine Safety Officer Michelle Gonzalez, and others. Chief Levy also reported that the fire prevention division reduced the open plan review aging list from 35 calendar days (June last year) to 13 calendar days (8 working days) and that high-hazard fire inspection completion exceeded 52% (target 32.5%) for Q1 and Q2.
- Proclamation – Roe Fulkerson Masonic Lodge 75th Anniversary (P-2026-022): Commissioner Quintana presented a proclamation recognizing the lodge's 75th anniversary, celebrated on April 18, 2026. The lodge was named after Dr. Roe Parham Fulkerson, a founding father of Hollywood.
- Proclamation – National Volunteer Appreciation Week (P-2026-023): Vice Mayor Callari presented the proclamation, noting a volunteer appreciation dinner on April 21, 2026, at 6 PM at Boulevard Heights Community Center.
- Proclamation – Earth Day & Arbor Day (P-2026-024): Vice Mayor Callari presented the proclamation. Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Elaine Franklin announced that turtle nesting season started March 1, with six leatherback nests already on Hollywood Beach, and that a tree planting project will focus on west and south Hollywood.
- Green Local Government Recertification Award (P-2026-025): C.J. Davila of the Florida Green Building Coalition presented the city with a recertification award. The city scored 33% of total points in version five of the program, making it the second highest ranked city and the highest scoring city in Florida in 2025. Hollywood first certified in 2012.
- African American Advisory Council Annual Report (P-2026-026): Chair Joanne Fullington-Reese presented the council's report, highlighting the 2025 Black History Month celebration at Washington Park, a Juneteenth event, and a back-to-school haircut event. Goals for 2026 include hosting a sneaker drive and supporting local businesses.
- Education Advisory Committee Annual Report (P-2026-027): Chair Chris Cantor presented the report, noting that between 2021 and 2025, voucher use in Florida doubled from about 12% to 24% statewide. Broward County lost more than 40,000 students over the past decade, with another 10,000 lost this school year alone. The school board has approved six school closures due to underenrollment, with 34 schools named for potential future closure. The district has a hiring freeze and plans to cut at least 1,000 jobs each year for three years. The committee awarded grants totaling $20,000 to 19 Hollywood classrooms. Cantor expressed concerns about the city's white paper on a "buy-right zoning approach for micro schools."
- Marine Advisory Council Annual Report (P-2026-028): Parks and Athletics Manager Alex Nonamaker presented the report. The council advocated for reef marketing, researched near-shore structures, sent a letter to the commission requesting a fertilizer ban, and supported the cardboard boat race and waterway cleanups. Upcoming goals include formulating a new marine event and improving communication between local marine advisory boards.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 22 (2101-2111 N 16th Avenue): Residents expressed strong opposition to the four-story, 22-unit residential development, citing concerns about compatibility with the single-family neighborhood, flooding, privacy, school safety, and traffic. Speakers included Elisabetta Alexieva, George Bograkis, Raymond Lavelli, Svetoslav Kraev, Jerry Kish, Alex Mahan, Johanna Clayton, Debbie Hickson (countywide school board member), Kenneth Fernandez, and others. Several residents noted the existing flooding issues and the potential for the project to worsen them. Debbie Hickson raised concerns about student safety from high-rise balconies overlooking the school courtyard and pool.
- Item 19 (Vessel Exclusion Zone): Divers, snorkelers, and residents spoke in favor of a 300-yard vessel exclusion zone rather than the proposed 218 yards, arguing that 218 yards would place boat traffic directly over popular near-shore reef areas (e.g., Perry Rocks) and increase safety risks for swimmers and divers. Speakers included Jenny Wenschel, Isabel Barney, Mike Ryan, Phyllis Levy, Heather Schiller, Julie Greenfield, Maria Morasso, Siobhan McLaughlin, and others.
- Citizens' Comments (Item 27): Multiple speakers criticized the meeting's scheduling, noting that the 1:30 PM time-certain item (Item 19) was heard after 5 PM, which they considered disrespectful. Other topics included beach dune impacts, parking difficulties at city hall, and a request for assistance for a resident needing a hospital companion.
Discussion Items
- Item 22 – Design and Site Plan for 2101-2111 N 16 Avenue: This quasi-judicial item involved review of a four-story, 22-unit residential development by right. Staff (Andrea Winget, Director of Development Services) recommended approval, stating the project meets all applicable zoning and design criteria. The applicant's attorney (Keith Polyakoff) argued that the project is "as of right" and that the commission has no legal basis to deny it. The Commission discussed ex parte communications, drainage improvements, landscaping, and the project's proximity to South Broward High School. The applicant agreed to additional landscaping near the school and to work with the city on swale restoration to improve drainage. After public testimony and deliberation, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the design and site plan.
- Item 19 – Vessel Exclusion Zone Ordinance: On second reading, the ordinance proposed amending Chapter 98 to create a vessel exclusion zone at 218 yards (consistent with Hallandale Beach), replacing an unenforceable 300-yard ordinance. The fire chief outlined changes from first reading. Proponents argued 218 yards is more manageable by beach safety and still provides a substantial safety buffer; opponents argued 300 yards is safer and that reducing the zone would bring boats closer to reef areas used by divers and snorkelers. The Commission voted 5-2 to adopt the ordinance at 218 yards.
- Item 21 – Charter Amendment on City-Owned Property: On first reading, the Commission approved an ordinance amending Article XIII of the City Charter to clarify language regarding the sale, lease, or purchase of city-owned real property. The amendment will be placed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for voter approval.
- Dune Project Discussion: The Commission discussed the implementation of the Broward County dune project on Hollywood Beach. Commissioners expressed serious concerns about public safety, recreational access, and the dune's impact on the beach's width and emergency vehicle access. Fire Rescue Beach Safety reported that on April 12, 2026, a lifeguard had to manually carry a patient off the beach because dunes blocked vehicle access. Staff presented spot-check measurements showing the beach-to-dune ratio was less than the agreed 2:1 in several areas. The Commission directed the city manager to issue an immediate stop-work order and to bring back an item at the next meeting to consider terminating or modifying the agreement with the county.
Key Outcomes
- Item 18 – Alley Vacation (Alta Hollywood/Gaia Residences): Ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.
- Item 19 – Vessel Exclusion Zone (218 yards): Ordinance passed on second reading, 5-2.
- Item 20 – Zoning Change (2200 Jackson Street, DH-2 to DH-3): Ordinance passed unanimously on first reading.
- Item 21 – Charter Amendment (City-Owned Property): Ordinance passed unanimously on first reading; will go to voters in November 2026.
- Item 22 – Design and Site Plan (2101-2111 N 16th Avenue): Resolution approved unanimously.
- Item 23 – Naming Dog Park as "K9 Kimbo Dog Park": Resolution approved unanimously.
- Item 24 – Supporting Naming North Beach Park after Commissioner Suzanne Gunzburger: Resolution approved unanimously.
- Item 25 – Purchase of Fire Pumper (Pierce Impel, $1,102,637.65): Resolution approved unanimously.
- Dune Project: Commission directed a stop-work order and will consider termination at the next meeting. An executive session may be scheduled prior to the April 22, 2026 workshop.
Meeting Transcript
The meeting is live streamed, and when the item that perhaps you want to speak to uh comes up, you can come in beforehand because as the meeting proceeds, some folks will have had an opportunity to hear their item, participate, and then decide to uh go on about their day. And we are on the air. So uh thank you all. Today is April 15th, 2026. We are here at Hollywood City Hall for a regular city commission meeting, but as I always say, no meeting is ever regular because there's always important um and uh interesting uh substance to uh take on as a city commission and as a community here today. So today is no different. Um we always begin with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and I'd like to uh extend a moment of privilege to Vice Mayor Collary, who would like to uh all of us to reflect on uh someone that our community lost just last night. Come uh Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Actually, I would like to um invite Chief Devlin. Okay. Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Commissioners. Yeah, obviously a uh a fresh wound that cuts very deeply for us, and we're all still really in here, as we learned about this uh not even 24 hours ago. But uh Scott Pardon, uh the ultimate public servant uh with almost 35 years of service to his community, started with his career at uh Pembroke Pines, uh came to Hollywood, served 29 years with us, rising to the rank of major, and finished his career with the Seminole Police Department. Uh Scott was a humble, uh humble servant, leadership style. Um he cared more about his subordinates than any other supervisor I ever met or knew. He had the unique gift to identify someone's talents, foster those talents, and ensure that person had every resource they needed to rise to whatever professional uh goal that they had. Our department is filled with uh leadership roles and people because of Scott's mentorship, uh myself included. Uh Scott was a uh great friend to many. He would uh always make you feel like a best friend of his every time you talk to him, uh no matter how many times I would call him or the length of time in between those calls. Scott would uh always start the conversation about your family, uh identifying each one of them by names, how the wife is, and then circling back to his family, and by the time that was over with, I most of the time forgot what I was calling him about, and I just would make fun of his beloved Dallas Cowboys and he would make fun of my giants, and we'd always hang up with a good laugh. So Scott was a devout family man, cared deeply about his wife Maureen, his daughters, Lindsay and Nicole, and I would like to let them know uh that the Hollywood Police Department will be with them not only today to help get them through this horrific time, but uh for the future to come. We will always be there for them, and they will always be part of the Hollywood Police Department family. So thank you, Mayor for that. Thank you, Chief. And if I could just add, um, he definitely was uh it's an honor to and a privilege to have known him as well uh being part of the police family, uh a lifelong service that he dedicated to policing. Um and it's a reminder to all of us that uh to check on one another. Uh mental health affects everyone. There are no exceptions. Not in law enforcement, not in fire rescue, not anywhere. Those who appear the strongest are often caring the most. We've lost a good one, someone who leaves behind two amazing daughters, as was mentioned, and a beautiful wife Maureen, who is a friend of many a family, um lifelong friends are affected by this. So please uh I encourage everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. And just a reminder, a simple phone call, no matter if it's the strongest person that we know or the weakest can make a difference. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor Kaleri and Chief Devlin, and uh our condolences to uh Scott and his family and uh let's all think of Scott and the life he led and um his uh blessed memory as we rise for that moment of silence, followed by the pledge, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to be all nation under God in the visible liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Uh another important moment we take at each meeting is to recognize our veterans, active service personnel, and their families. So if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or uh a family member thereof or an active service member, please rise. We'd like to recognize you. Thank you. Clerk, would you please call the roll? Commissioner Gruber. Here. Commissioner Bieterman. Here. Commissioner Cantana. Here.
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