Hollywood City Commission Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Hollywood City Commission held a regular meeting on July 7, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM and concluding after midnight. The agenda was extensive, covering consent items, presentations, public hearings on comprehensive plan amendments, affordable housing tax credit commitments, utility rate increases, solid waste authority agreements, and board appointments. Key decisions included unanimous approval of the consent agenda, first reading of three beach-related comprehensive plan amendments, selection of a developer for a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project, adoption of the Waterworks 2050 plan with significant rate increases, and approval of the Solid Waste Authority interlocal amendments with one dissent.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–23 were approved unanimously. These included a $300,000 increase for the Boys & Girls Club teen center expansion, a $500,000 change order for housing rehabilitation contracts, agreements for parking garage painting, software for parking enforcement, tree planting services, and various infrastructure contracts.
• Item 24 (Clean Ambassador Program with Block by Block) was approved after a public comment questioning the cost. The program is funded at $750,000 annually for a five-year initial term.

Presentations, Proclamations & Awards

• Resilient Broward Grant Program (Item 25): Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Broward County Chief Resilience Officer, presented a $20 million county grant program to fund flood mitigation projects. The program offers up to 25% cost share for conveyance projects (pumps, culverts, control structures) and coastal pumping. Applications open in September 2026; the city is preparing submissions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens’ Comments (5:00 PM): Several residents spoke on various issues, including concerns about the Block by Block program cost, the need for a full-time arborist, dune maintenance on the beach, trash on bridges and in alleys, noise from downtown clubs, a broken sidewalk, and a trespassing incident. One resident expressed frustration over the city’s response to a home burglary.
• Public hearings on ordinances: Multiple speakers addressed the comprehensive plan amendments (Items 29–31), criticizing the process as rushed and lacking transparency. Michael Seltzer and Ann Ralston argued that the public was not adequately informed and that the Planning & Development Board meeting was poorly executed. Others, like Keith Poliakoff, supported the tool as a way to unlock redevelopment.
• Item 48 (Dixie Hollywood Apts): Speakers questioned the need for a 100% public art waiver and the inclusion of workforce housing at 120% AMI. The developer confirmed all residents would use the same lobby and that 50% of units would be workforce (25% at 100% AMI or below, 25% at 120% AMI). The project was approved.
• Item 33 (LGAO for 9% tax credits): Three developers presented proposals for affordable housing. After extensive discussion, the commission voted 6-1 to select Pinnacle Vista on State Road 7, with a commitment to work with HTG on the Dixie/Taft site for a future cycle.

Discussion Items

• Firefighters Pension and Collective Bargaining (Items 26–27, 1:15 PM): The commission unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance amending the firefighters’ pension (benefit accrual rate of 3.4%, retirement at age 50 with 10 years or 21 years regardless of age, member contributions 9.85% for Tier 1 and 11.35% for Tier 2). The companion resolution ratifying the 2025–2028 collective bargaining agreement also passed unanimously.
• Zoning Change – 2910 Polk Street (Item 28, 1:15 PM): Unanimously approved on second reading to change zoning from TC-1 to RC-1.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Items 29–31, 2:00 PM):
  • Item 29 (Beach Hotel Density Bonus Program): Established a policy framework to allow hotel density bonuses in exchange for public benefits. Passed unanimously on first reading.
  • Item 30 (Transfer of Development Rights): Created a TDR program to shift development potential from preservation areas to suitable areas. Passed unanimously on first reading.
  • Item 31 (Flexibility Unit Provisions): Modified existing flex unit rules to allow their use as a bonus tool. Passed unanimously on first reading. All three will be transmitted to the state for review.
• 3250 Hollywood Boulevard Development (Item 32, 3:00 PM): Presentation on an unsolicited P3 proposal for the former police headquarters site. The commission discussed three options: accept the P3 process, reject it and issue an RFP, or negotiate directly with the YMCA. Consensus emerged to proceed with the P3 process (Option 1), allowing the YMCA to participate as a partner.
• Local Government Area of Opportunity (LGAO) Contribution (Item 33, 4:00 PM): After presentations from HTG (Midtown Residences and Mosaic Hollywood) and Pinnacle (Pinnacle Vista), the commission voted 6-1 to award the $640,000 LGAO to Pinnacle Vista (90 units on State Road 7). The city manager will work with HTG on a financing mechanism for the Mosaic site (Dixie/Taft) for a future cycle.
• Waterworks 2050 and Rate Increases (Items 37–39, resumed after 9:00 PM):
  • Item 37: Adopted the 25-year, 5-phase septic-to-sewer expansion plan. Passed 6-1 (Gruber opposed).
  • Item 38: Established a water rate schedule with 25% annual increases for the first three years, then 5.75% for years four and five. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 39: Established a sewer rate schedule with the same increases. Passed 6-1 (Gruber opposed). The rate increases are needed to fund $781 million in core infrastructure improvements.
• Solid Waste Authority Amendments (Item 51): After extensive debate, the commission approved (6-1, Hernandez opposed) the first and second amendments to the interlocal agreement, which include an unconditional opt-out provision after one year. The city will continue to negotiate and will have the option to exit if pricing is not favorable.
• Sale of City-Owned Parcels to BHP Community Land Trust (Item 47): The commission approved the sale of five parcels (excluding two Dewey Street lots) for $151,000 to develop affordable/workforce housing. The Dewey Street lots were removed from the agreement, and staff will work with the community before bringing them back.
• Other Items:
  • Item 43 (Circuit Transit micro-transit) approved.
  • Item 44 (stormwater improvements change order) approved.
  • Item 45 (inflow/infiltration repairs) approved.
  • Item 46 (school crossing guard services) approved.
  • Item 48 (Dixie Hollywood Apts funding commitment) approved.
  • Item 49 (Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds) approved.
  • Item 50 (external auditing services) approved.
  • Items 34–36 (water, sewer, business tax ordinances) approved on first reading.
  • Items 40–42 (millage rate, fire rescue assessment, fire inspection assessment) approved.
  • Items 53–54 (board appointments to Historic Preservation Board and Marine Advisory Board) approved.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals: Consent agenda, firefighters pension/contract, zoning change, all three comprehensive plan amendments (first reading), water rate schedule, annual action plan, business tax receipts, millage rate, fire assessments, and board appointments.
• 6-1 votes: Waterworks plan (Gruber opposed), sewer rate schedule (Gruber opposed), solid waste authority (Hernandez opposed), LGAO selection (Hernandez opposed), and sale of city parcels (Hernandez opposed on amendment).
• 6-0 vote: Approval of the LGAO next steps for HTG.
• Direction to staff: Proceed with P3 process for 3250 Hollywood Blvd; negotiate with BHP Community Land Trust for Dewey Street lots after community engagement; research storage container ordinance; and explore grant opportunities for utility costs.
• Next steps: Budget workshop on August 26, 2026; comprehensive plan amendments to be transmitted to the state; LGAO application due August 12, 2026; solid waste authority RFP process to begin.