Regular City Commission Meeting – June 3, 2026

The Hollywood City Commission met on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Commission Chambers at City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard. The meeting covered routine consent items, proclamations for Gun Violence Awareness Day and Brauser Maimonides Academy students, annual reports from advisory boards, time‑certain ordinances, a major debate over the proposed Jazz Festival, adoption of the 25‑year Waterworks 2050 master plan, and a proposal to place a referendum on the November 2026 ballot for the transfer of a 1.41‑acre beachfront parcel to Broward County for environmental mitigation.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5‑26 (minutes, contracts, change orders, piggyback procurements, etc.) were approved unanimously without discussion.

Proclamations & Presentations

• National Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 5, 2026) – Presented by Commissioner Biederman and accepted by school board member Debbie Hickson. Hickson noted the city is providing free gun safety locks at the police station. Statistic cited: 125 Americans killed by gun violence daily, 3,172 gun deaths per year in Florida.
• Recognition of 8th Grade Students of Brauser Maimonides Academy – Presented by Commissioner Gruber. Students spoke about their civics projects on segregation, the Bill of Rights, citizenship, and the First Amendment.
• Second Chance Coin Award – Fire Chief Jeffrey Levy recognized the crew of Rescue 40 and Engine 40 for performing double sequential defibrillation on a 62‑year‑old tourist in cardiac arrest on February 12, 2026. The patient survived without deficits. This was the department’s first use of the technique.
• Community Development Advisory Board Annual Report – Chair Mitch Anton reported on the distribution of federal Community Development Block Grant funds to organizations providing food, shelter, after‑school programs, and domestic violence services. An extra $250,000 was allocated to the Teen Center.
• Hollywood Housing Authority Annual Report – Chair Octavia Mills and Vice Chair Aaron Arvasti presented the 2025 plan. Key projects: renovation of Driftwood Terrace (90 senior units) and development of Hollywood Vista – an 8‑story, 118‑unit building with 29 units at 50% AMI and the rest at 30%–80% AMI, with a 30‑year affordability guarantee. The authority was designated a HUD High Performer (96% CMAP score).
• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Annual Report – Chair Andrew Miranda explained the AMI‑based affordability model vs. income‑based subsidies. AHAC reviewed local housing policies and recommended incentives. A comprehensive housing needs study for the City of Hollywood, using federal HOME funds, is expected by the end of September 2026. Commissioners noted that one out of two Broward County residents is housing cost‑burdened.

Emerald Hills Safety Enhancement District – Second Reading (Item 33)

• Ordinance O‑2026‑012a – Extended the sunset of the Emerald Hills Safety Enhancement District and increased the annual non‑ad valorem assessment maximum per property. The district provides extra police patrol and security cameras. A resident poll returned overwhelming support. Advertised public hearing; no speaker cards. Passed unanimously (7‑0).

Fletcher Street Vacation – Second Reading (Item 34)

• Ordinance O‑2026‑013a – Vacated a portion of platted Fletcher Street within the Hollywood Pines plat. Mayor Levy abstained due to a conflict of interest. Passed 6‑0.

Jazz Festival Concert Agreement (Item 35)

• Resolution R‑2026‑156 – Authorized an agreement with the Rhythm Foundation to produce the Real Jazz Festival at ArtsPark and downtown Hollywood. Original proposed amount: up to $250,000 (including a $50,000 county grant). After extensive debate over cost vs. community benefit, the commission amended the cap to $150,000 total (inclusive of any county grant); if the county grant is not received, the city contribution is capped at $100,000. A state grant application for $75,000 is pending. The festival will feature headliners at ArtsPark, activation of downtown businesses with wine tasting, and street closures. A motion to amend to a $100,000 city cap failed; the amended motion passed 6‑1 with Commissioner Hernandez opposed.

Margaritaville Johnson Street Parcel – Fourth Amendment (Item 36)

• Resolution R‑2026‑201 – Renewed the license agreement with MVHF, LLC for the Johnson Street parcel for five years with an option to renew. Approved unanimously.

Waterworks 2050 Master Plan Adoption (Item 37)

• Resolution R‑2026‑202 – Adopted the 25‑year water and wastewater master plans, with a total program cost of over $2.7 billion ($1.46 billion for water/wastewater projects, $1.3 billion for septic‑to‑sewer conversion). The plan allows the city to bring forward projects without separate resolutions and authorizes grant/loan applications. Commissioner Hernandez voted no, citing concerns about future rate increases and fiscal priorities. Passed 6‑1.

On‑Call Emergency Water & Sewer Repairs – Southeastern Engineering (Item 38)

• Resolution R‑2026‑203 – Renewed the unit price contract with Southeastern Engineering Contractors, Inc. for up to $1.5 million. Approved unanimously.

Lakes Neighborhood Exfiltration Phase I (Item 39)

• Resolution R‑2026‑204 – Awarded the contract for construction of exfiltration trenches to Man‑Con, Inc. in an amount up to $4,539,045. The project is partially funded by a $3.25 million state grant. The trenches will reduce runoff that contributes to flooding in the Hollywood Lakes area. Approved unanimously.

Beachfront Property Referendum (Item 40)

• Resolution R‑2026‑205 – Authorized placing a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to approve the sale, transfer, or other disposition of a 1.41‑acre city‑owned beachfront parcel (north of the Dania Beach Pier, adjacent to Dr. Von Mizell‑Eula Johnson State Park) to Broward County for environmental mitigation. The property is under a conservation easement. Commissioners discussed adding a reverter clause and clarifying ballot language. The item was initially tabled for language revision; later in the meeting, revised language was presented and approved 5‑2 (Commissioners Hernandez and Vice Mayor Callari opposed). Final ballot summary: “The city desires to enter into an agreement with Broward County to sell or otherwise dispose of beachfront property located north of the Dania Beach Pier … for the restricted purpose of conserving the land in its natural state for environmental mitigation.”

Comments by the City Commission, City Attorney & City Manager

• Vice Mayor Callari – Proposed motions to cut commissioner salary increases if the property tax reform passes and to allocate dedicated funding for downtown events (St. Patrick’s Day, Hollyweird, Mardi Gras). The motions were not voted on but received informal support to be brought back as resolutions.
• Commissioner Hernandez – Urged faster tree trimming around streetlights, better coordination with Waste Pro on sidewalk damage, and a focus on fiscal prudence.
• Commissioner Gruber – Requested funding for speed bumps in Playland Estates (Farragut and Raleigh streets).
• Commissioner Biederman – Invited the community to “Taste of the West Side” on June 24 at Boulevard Heights Community Center.
• Commissioner Quintana – Announced a tree education workshop on June 6 at Kaither Community Center and summer storytime events.
• Commissioner Shuham – Thanked staff for meeting with the historical society; reminded residents of the hurricane preparedness meeting on June 11 at 1301 Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center.
• Mayor Levy – Promoted the Rhythm Foundation show on June 6 and urged early sandbag distribution for hurricane season.
• City Manager Raelin Storey – Announced World Cup watch parties downtown on June 27 and July 19.
• Deputy City Manager Adam Reichbeck – Summarized the property tax reform bills (HB 1F/SB 4F) passed by the state legislature: homestead exemption to rise to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 (adjusted for CPI thereafter), non‑homestead assessment cap reduced from 10% to 5%, and the ballot question requiring 60% voter approval. Estimated city impact: $15 million revenue loss in year one, $28 million in year two.

Public Comments

• Ann Ralston – Questioned compliance with state statute on inventory of city‑owned properties suitable for affordable housing; urged that septic‑to‑sewer costs not fall on existing ratepayers.
• Michael Seltzer – Praised the commission’s dedication; offered to help with homeless and youth initiatives; criticized candidates who ask for support but do not attend meetings.
• Jordan Holliday (Residents for Resilience) – Asked the commission to strengthen fertilizer regulations to reduce nutrient runoff. Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach have adopted seasonal bans.
• Andre Brown – Challenged the city to inspect parks more rigorously; condemned a racist comment in an email about affordable housing at 1301; urged inclusion of low‑ and moderate‑income residents in beach area development.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Emerald Hills Safety Enhancement District extended; assessment cap increased – passed 7‑0.
• Fletcher Street vacation approved 6‑0.
• Jazz Festival agreement approved 6‑1 with a maximum city contribution of $150,000 (or $100,000 if county grant not received).
• Margaritaville Johnson Street license renewal approved unanimously.
• Waterworks 2050 Master Plan adopted 6‑1.
• Southeastern Engineering on‑call contract renewed unanimously.
• Lakes Neighborhood Exfiltration Phase I contract awarded unanimously.
• Beachfront property referendum placed on November 2026 ballot – passed 5‑2.
• Item 41 (old police headquarters referendum) withdrawn by the city attorney.
• Two motions (salary cuts and downtown event funding) were discussed informally with support to be brought back as resolutions.
• City staff to prepare a communication strategy on the property tax ballot measure in compliance with state law.