Special City Commission Meeting: Annual Advisory Board Appointments - May 27, 2026

The Hollywood City Commission held a special meeting on May 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall to consider appointments to 13 advisory boards and committees. Mayor Josh Levy presided, with all commissioners present. The meeting focused on filling vacancies across various boards, with several applicants speaking in support of their candidacy. Some items were continued to a future meeting due to insufficient applicants. The commission emphasized dual-office holding restrictions and the importance of board service.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3: Police Officers’ Pension Board – Unanimous appointment of Jeffrey Marano.
• Item 4: Firefighters’ Pension Fund Board – Unanimous appointment of Alexander Luin Diaz.

Public Comments & Testimony

Numerous applicants addressed the commission, sharing their backgrounds and motivations for serving.

• Selva Amiri Atas (applying for multiple boards) spoke about her passion for governance, her family’s history in Hollywood, and her work as a digital content creator. She expressed strong interest in the Historic Preservation Board, followed by Community Development and Planning & Development.
• Massimo Gramanzini (applying for Planning & Development Board) highlighted his local business investments and experience in site plan evaluations. He expressed support for responsible growth.
• Barbara Pomilio (applying for Planning & Development Board) described her architecture and real estate development background, focusing on affordable and workforce housing.
• Steven Morales (reappointment to Planning & Development Board) thanked the commission for eight years of service and noted his role as the only architect on the board.
• Nakia McNeil (appointed to African American Advisory Council) expressed gratitude and a desire to give back as a registered nurse.
• Crystal Marie Gonzalez (student applicant for multiple boards) spoke in favor of sustainability, arts, and education, citing her leadership in student government and community service.
• Vivian Horvath (student applicant) emphasized her art background and passion for community involvement through coloring pages for children.
• Rick Goldman (applying for Marine Advisory Board) shared decades of diving experience and his commitment to reef protection and diver safety.
• Rochelle Buzzi (applying for Sustainability Advisory Committee) detailed her environmental science background, city internship, and federal experience.
• Matthew Liebowitz (student applicant for Education Advisory Committee) advocated for strong schools and teacher support, noting his work with the library and Achieve Miami.
• Lorraine Holland (applying for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Board) spoke of 30 years in Hollywood, her tennis league involvement, and board service.
• Alex Hochberger (reappointment to Parks Board) highlighted five years of service, his work on social media, and endorsed his daughter for a youth position.
• Jesse Hernandez (chair of Hispanic Affairs Council) supported reappointment of Cristina Moinelo and Alejandra Palacios and new member Yareli Lalani.
• Cristina Moinelo and Yareli Lalani (both speaking for Hispanic Affairs Council) expressed support for the council’s revival and upcoming Hispanic Heritage event.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Planning and Development Board – The commission discussed qualifications and categories. Commissioner Biederman noted that Selva Atas qualified as a business owner for the planning board but not for Historic Preservation Board. After public comments, a motion was made and seconded to appoint Steven Morales and Barbara Pomilio as design members and Massimo Gramanzini as a professional member. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 7: Historic Preservation Board – Staff liaison Andrea Winger explained that six seats were open but only three qualified applicants (Dana Gallup, William Treece, Frederick Villiers-Furze). Due to low application numbers, the commission voted to continue the item to the July 7 meeting to allow more time to recruit candidates. The motion passed unanimously, and current members will continue serving until then.
• Item 9: Artwork Selection Committee – The commission had five applicants for four regular seats. After hearing from Selva Atas and two student applicants (Crystal Marie Gonzalez and Vivian Horvath), a motion was made to appoint Selva Atas, Kathleen DiBona, Marcus Moise, and Shiva Orcel-Guerin as regular members, and both students as new youth members (expanding the board to two youth positions). The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 10: Marine Advisory Board – With only three applicants for six positions (if counting youth), Vice Mayor Callari moved to continue the item to July 7 to allow additional applications. The motion passed unanimously, with the youth member continuing to serve.
• Item 11: Sustainability Advisory Committee – Staff noted additional openings due to absences, creating three citywide seats and one business member. The commission voted to appoint Jean Kingston (business), Rochelle Buzzi, Peter Lybrand, and Christopher Wilson as citywide members, with Kenzie Scanlon as student member and Crystal Marie Gonzalez as alternate. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 12: Community Development Advisory Board – After multiple rounds of voting, the commission selected Selva Atas, Lorena Callejas, Christina Frazier, Erin Marvasti, and Shiva Orcel-Guerin as primary members, with Peter Lybrand as alternate. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 13: Education Advisory Committee – Teacher members: Rudd Abreu and Allain McGuffey were appointed over Arlene Valdez and Samantha Walker after discussion about residency. Regular member: Arlene Valdez. Student members: Crystal Marie Gonzalez, Vivian Horvath, and Matthew Liebowitz (board expanded to three students). Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 14: Hispanic Affairs Council – After voting, Yareli Lalani, Cristina Moinelo, and Alejandra Palacios were appointed as members; Marta Khaleel and Floralba Valdes as alternates. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 15: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Advisory Board – Adult members: Ettore DeTorres, Alex Hochberger, Lorraine Holland, and Mary Raynor. Youth members: Deborah Hochberger, Zachary Manasse, and Crystal Marie Gonzalez. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Items 3, 4, 5, 8, 15 – All appointments approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Item 6 – Planning and Development Board: appointed Steven Morales, Barbara Pomilio (design members) and Massimo Gramanzini (professional member).
• Item 7 – Historic Preservation Board: continued to July 7, 2026, for additional applications.
• Item 9 – Artwork Selection Committee: appointed Selva Amiri Atas, Kathleen DiBona, Marcus Moise, Shiva Orcel-Guerin (regular) and Crystal Marie Gonzalez, Vivian Horvath (student members).
• Item 10 – Marine Advisory Board: continued to July 7.
• Item 11 – Sustainability Advisory Committee: appointed Jean Kingston, Rochelle Buzzi, Peter Lybrand, Christopher Wilson (citywide/business), Kenzie Scanlon (student), Crystal Marie Gonzalez (student alternate).
• Item 12 – Community Development Advisory Board: primary members – Selva Amiri Atas, Lorena Callejas, Christina Frazier, Erin Marvasti, Shiva Orcel-Guerin; alternate – Peter Lybrand.
• Item 13 – Education Advisory Committee: teacher members – Rudd Abreu, Allain McGuffie; regular member – Arlene Valdes; student members – Crystal Marie Gonzalez, Vivian Horvath, Matthew Liebowitz.
• Item 14 – Hispanic Affairs Council: members – Yareli Lalani, Cristina Moinelo, Alejandra Palacios; alternates – Marta Khaleel, Floralba Valdes.
• The commission reminded applicants of dual-office holding restrictions for boards with final decision-making authority.
• All terms will be drawn by lots as directed by the city clerk.