Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - October 12, 2022
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - October 12, 2022
The City of Miramar City Commission held a regular meeting on October 12, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a COVID-19 update, approval of consent agenda items, discussion of a special event services contract, a construction manager at risk amendment for a park project, first reading of a firefighter pension ordinance, and a resolution waiving park fees for veterans and active military. The meeting also addressed community concerns about noise from the amphitheater.
Proclamations and Presentations
- Mayor Wayne Messam proclaimed October 2022 as National Arts and Humanities Month (Arttober), October 17–23 as Florida City Government Week, and October 9–15 as Fire Prevention Week with the theme "Fire Won't Wait, Plan Your Escape."
- Division Chief Tim Roche presented a COVID-19 and emergency management update. Statistics: Florida positivity rate 7.90% (down from 24.90% peak in July), Broward County 7.79% (down from 24.44% peak). Broward County vaccination rate: 87.1% of population over 6 months vaccinated; 41.7% with first booster. CDC recommends updated boosters for ages 12+. Flu season noted; hurricane season monitoring Tropical Storm Coral.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–4 and 6 (after item 5 was pulled) were approved unanimously. Items included: minutes from September 22, 2022; second renewal of towing franchise agreement with A&B Towing ($142,000 annual fee); annual chemical purchase ($1,597,000); purchase of generator for wastewater facility ($1,080,300); and approval of GMP Amendment No. 1 for Perry Middle School property project (see discussion below).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made in person or virtually on any agenda item.
Discussion Items
- Item 5: Special Event Services Contract for Afro-Carib Festival – Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Barnes voted no). Awarded to Circle of One Marketing, Inc. for $200,000 to produce the February 25, 2023 festival. Chief CIP Officer Liz Valera presented: three bids received; committee selected Circle of One (woman-owned, SBE). The 2022 festival had 4,000+ attendees and $61,000 in revenue. Commissioner Davis, who co-created the event, expressed strong support. Vice Mayor Colbourne asked about sponsorship expectations; staff confirmed deliverables would be monitored. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about bass noise from recent amphitheater events.
- Item 6: Perry Middle School Park Project – GMP Amendment No. 1 – Approved unanimously after discussion. Support Services Director Daryll Johnson presented: original GMP $5.9M (November 2021) increased to $6.27M due to cost escalation; value engineering removed tennis courts ($688,331) and playground ($384,374) to reach $5,198,779 contract plus $400,000 contingency ($5,598,779 total). Commissioner Chambers objected to playground removal, stating he only requested tennis court removal. Mayor and staff proposed using contingency to purchase playground directly (estimated $200,000 vs. contractor's $400,000). Staff agreed to include a playground with minimum 5 stalls per restroom. Commissioner Davis requested bleachers for spectators; staff agreed to add them. The project includes turf fields, running track, restrooms, and open play area.
- Item 7: First Reading of Firefighter Cancer Presumption Ordinance – Approved unanimously. Human Resources Director Randy Cross explained the ordinance amends pension plan to include conclusive cancer presumption for 21 types of cancers per state statute and adjusts disbursement age from 70.5 to 72.
- Item 8: Waiver of Park Fees for Veterans and Active Military – Approved unanimously. Vice Mayor Colbourne introduced the resolution to formalize existing informal policy.
Commission Reports & Key Outcomes
- Mayor Messam announced the State of the City address on November 3, 2022, at 6:30 PM at the Miramar Cultural Center. He also recommended staff bring back options to limit amphitheater events on school nights (e.g., earlier cutoff time) due to resident complaints about bass noise, particularly on Monday nights. Commissioner Chambers echoed the concern, urging a reasonable solution.
- Commissioner Chambers promoted a community event at River Run Park on Saturday, October 15, 10 AM–2 PM, to give back and support the food bank.
- Commissioner Davis praised the Senior Red Carpet Affair by Social Services, fire department blood pressure screenings, and the Economic Development team's work with film scouts.
- Commissioner Barnes thanked staff for the Miami Broward Carnival and recognized Pastor Appreciation Month.
- City Manager thanked the budget team for adopting the FY2023 budget.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all consent agenda items (items 1–4, 6) unanimously.
- Approved item 5 (Afro-Carib Festival contract) 4-1.
- Approved item 6 (Perry Middle School park project) unanimously with direction to include a playground and minimum 5 restroom stalls per side.
- Approved item 7 (first reading of firefighter cancer ordinance) unanimously; second reading scheduled for November 2, 2022.
- Approved item 8 (veteran/military park fee waiver) unanimously.
- Directed staff to bring back options for amphitheater noise mitigation and earlier event end times on school nights.
Meeting Transcript
We want one other line of the line. I would start when it's like fast, you know. Yes. Yes. Yes. No, we never want to do it. Yeah. Well, where are you? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, we bring it all from the exact time. I don't know. Yeah, just my mask. No, but I will see you. It's hard to do that. That's it. Yeah, I got it. Yeah, I haven't seen the one. They don't want to be hard. I think it's just waiting after that. Yeah. Oh, that's crazy. I know. Did you need somebody to do this? Yeah. Do we get later, man? I have to do it now later. Can we get one of those for Shana? Can we get one of those for Sean on the last floor? Okay. Good evening, everyone. The meeting of the Miramar City Commission is now called to order. An opportunity was given to the public to register to participate or email the city clerk twenty-four hours prior to the commission meeting with any questions, comments, concerns on items we will hear on this evening's agenda. Any person may be heard by the city commission through the chair and upon registering pursuant to the published notice for not more than three minutes on any item. Proposition before the commission, unless modified by the chair. This meeting is being streamed live at Miramar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televise on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT Uverse Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of October twelfth, twenty twenty two at four PM, two members from the public have registered to participate virtually in this meeting. If someone has registered later than this time and would like to speak, they can raise their hand and at the appropriate time, our IT staff will unmute their mic to allow them to speak. Please be sure to mention your name and address for the record prior to addressing the commission. All comments submitted will be included as part of the record for this meeting and will be considered by the Commission prior to any action being taken. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Commissioner Barnes. And tonight we have again the Everglades High School Color Guard who will present the colors, followed by the our saying the pledge of allegiance after the colors are in place. Good afternoon, everyone. I speak directly to you guys, right? So thanks. Uh good evening, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name is Sean Kern. I am the new principal at Everglades High School.
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