Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - January 25, 2023
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - January 25, 2023
The Miramar City Commission met on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, a COVID-19 update, approval of consent agenda items, resolutions, public participation, first readings of two ordinances, and commission reports. The quasi-judicial hearing for a Sam's Club gas station was continued. A resolution denouncing the ban on AP African American Studies was directed for the next meeting.
Proclamation & Presentation
- National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis presented a proclamation to Police Social Worker Saran Earle-Smith and Victims Advocate Program Coordinator Valerie Menard. Commissioner Davis requested that the city manager place the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) in public restrooms to increase awareness. She noted Florida is in the top 10 states for human trafficking.
- COVID-19 and Emergency Management Update: Division Chief Tim Roche reported that as of January 19, 2023, Florida's new case positivity rate increased to 17.9% (from 10% at last meeting) and Broward County increased to 19.2% (from 11.12%). Broward County is at a medium community level (yellow). The CDC recommends masks for immunocompromised individuals at medium levels. Free at-home test kits are available again through the CDC. The Broward County Health Department's homebound vaccination program was discontinued. Commissioner Chambers expressed concern about the discontinuation and asked about alternatives; none were available.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved by a single motion (5-0) after items 5, 6, and 7 were pulled for discussion:
- Minutes of November 14, 2022 (Item 1)
- Fuel card services purchase from Wex Bank, $92,600 for FY2023, plus ratification of $36,612 overage in FY2022 (Item 2)
- Purchase of Automated External Defibrillators from Bound Tree Medical, $114,050 (Item 3)
- First renewal of School Crossing Guard Services Agreement with Nextaff, not-to-exceed $620,000 (Item 4)
- Interlocal agreements with Broward County for surtax-funded road resurfacing projects (Items 6 & 7) – approved separately after discussion.
- Flooring replacement at Miramar Town Center, $257,996 (Item 8)
- Wastewater Reclamation Facility renovation to Vercetti Enterprises, $883,820 plus $100,000 contingency (Item 9)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alison Adams (Miramar Park Homeowners Group): Thanked the commission for renaming Fairway Park to Norma D. Martin Park and praised the event. Requested a bathroom and shelter for the park.
- Gerda Williams (business owner, 6230 SW 27th St): Sought a change of use for a property from single-family residential to a health program (psychiatric nurse practice). The mayor directed her to meet with Planning Director Eric Silva.
- Deborah Shalaba, John Rospina, and Richard Taylor (residents near North Perry Airport): Expressed strong opposition to aircraft noise, low flights, and safety concerns from the airport, which is operated by Broward County. They cited frequent flights, including early morning and late night, and safety risks. The mayor noted a previous resolution (R7777) had been passed on this issue. The speakers were asked to provide their detailed research to staff for further action.
- Giovanni Arana (resident, 2960 Solano Ave): Asked about the availability of liquor bids for the Amphitheater. He expressed interest in bringing concessions and events. The mayor advised him to meet with the procurement department to review existing contracts.
Discussion Items
- Item 5 – Towing Services Agreement (Westway Towing): The item was pulled by Vice Mayor Colbourne for review. Staff explained that the previous towing contractor (A&D Towing) abruptly terminated services, and Westway Towing was selected via piggyback on the City of Tamarac’s contract. The contract complies with new House Bill 133, which prohibits franchise fees but allows an administrative fee up to 25%. Commissioner Barnes expressed support, noting Westway’s location in Miramar and their willingness to help. Commissioner Chambers and Commissioner Davis also supported the vendor. Vice Mayor Colbourne deferred the item to the next meeting (February 1, 2023) for further review. The motion to defer passed 4-2 (Commissioners Barnes and Mayor Messam voted no).
- Items 6 & 7 – Surtax Road Resurfacing Phase 2: Public Works Director Anthony Collins presented the interlocal agreements for two surtax-funded projects. The projects cover roads in Franklin Farms, Country Club Ranches, River Run, Knolls, and University Park. Construction is expected to begin mid-2023 and take about one year. Vice Mayor and other commissioners noted the importance of keeping residents informed. Both items were approved unanimously.
- Item 10 – Board Appointments: Appointments were approved unanimously: Ryan Millet (Blasting Citizens Advisory Committee, Miramar resident at-large), Tanisha Cunningham (Education Advisory Board, Miramar High Innovation Zone), and Ariel Burkett Hindman (Teen Council Advisory Board, at-large). Vacancies remained on the Civil Service Board, Economic Development Advisory Board, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
- Item 11 – Contract Amendment with Community Asphalt for Additional Road Resurfacing: The city sought to waive competitive bidding to add $1,974,728 (plus 12% contingency) for resurfacing from Flamingo Road to Red Road, Dykes Road to SW 172nd Avenue, and local streets. Vice Mayor Colbourne expressed hope that future work would go out for bid. The item was approved unanimously.
- Item 12 – First Reading of FY2023 Budget Amendment (O1801): The amendment appropriates $3 million in ARPA funds from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (transferred from the Federal Grants Fund) and reallocates $56,141 from completed police headquarters project to the Silver Shores Early Childhood Playground Improvement Project. Approved unanimously. Second reading scheduled for February 15, 2023.
- Item 13 – First Reading of Per Diem Amendment (O1804): The ordinance updates per diem meal rates to align with current U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) rates, raising from $6.75 breakfast, $15.75 lunch, $22.50 dinner to local rates (e.g., Fort Lauderdale: $69/day total). The previous rates were set in 2004. Approved unanimously. Second reading scheduled for February 15, 2023.
Key Outcomes
- Item 5 (Towing) deferred to February 1, 2023, for further review of contract terms.
- Items 6 and 7 (Surtax road resurfacing) approved, allowing the city to execute interlocal agreements with Broward County.
- Board appointments approved for three vacancies.
- Budget amendment and per diem ordinance both passed first reading; second reading scheduled for February 15, 2023.
- Mayor Messam announced a directive to staff to prepare a resolution denouncing Governor DeSantis’ ban on the AP African American Studies course. The resolution will be on the February 1, 2023 agenda. No objections were raised.
- Commission reports included updates on community events (park renaming, crime watch, bicycle ride, gun buyback, food drives) and a reminder about the utility emergency number (954-602-HELP).
Other Business & Adjournment
- The commission noted that the quasi-judicial public hearing for the Sam’s Club gas station (Item 14) was continued. An attorney-client session was scheduled for 15 minutes in closed session regarding a pending case. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, here we go. Good evening. 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 prior to the commission meeting with any prior to the commission meeting with any questions regarding 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 proposition before the commission, unless modified by the chair.gov.gov slash commission meeting, and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight and ATT Uverse Channel Ninety Nine for City of Miramar subscribers. I pledge allegiance. Under God. Liberty and Justice. We don't have a commemoration list now, but we will take a moment of silence for any condolences that we are experiencing in the community. Thank you. If she can join me to the front of the dais, and we'll call as my colleagues can come up as well if you desire. And colleagues, if you would like to join us in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and it's being presented to Saron Earl Smith. Is she here? I didn't see yes. And is it two names? Who else am I leaving out? Um, an advocate victims advocate on program coordinator Valerie Menard. You can walk around. Good evening. Proclamation National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January 2023. Whereas January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and whereas every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. And every year since each president has followed this tradition. Whereas human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, includes both forced labor and sex trafficking. It not only represents a threat to international peace and security, but also undermines the rule of law, robs millions of their dignity and freedom, enriches transactional criminals and terrorists, and threatens public safety and nothing national security everywhere. And whereas there are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people, adults and children subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States. Traffickers often take advantage of instability caused by natural disasters, conflict, or a pandemic to exploit others. And whereas anyone can join in the fight against human trafficking and learn to and learn the indicators of human trafficking. If you are in the United States and believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1888 373 7888. That's 1888 373 7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Now, therefore, I wane messam, mayor of the city of Miramore, on behalf of Commissioner Alexander Davis and the City Commission, do hereby proclaim the month of January 2023 as National Human Trafficking and Prevention Month. And I'll uh provide an opportunity for Commissioner Davis to share some words. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. And um I really felt the need to bring this proclamation today. Uh it's very important that we bring awareness to human trafficking. Sometimes we don't believe it exists, so we don't see it up front. It's a very subtle thing that we may not notice the signs of somebody who's being trafficked, traffic trafficked, what's that word? Trafficted. Right. But um, we need to have some awareness, and I would really ask the city manager if he would allow that in some of our public restroom areas, which is where there is a safe place for folks to really reach out to that hotline. I know they do it at the airport. We have the amphitheater here that has a lot of events, people go there. Those public restrooms could have that hotline number, maybe also at the park, Shirley Branca Park, where we have events, and uh possibly anywhere else, maybe at the Anson Sports Complex in those bathrooms. We could have the hotline number for folks if they're being trafficked trafficked, I can't say the word, but they can actually text or call the number to get help and be advised. Um, for those of you who have been keeping tabs, uh, the state of Florida is in the top 10 of states where human trafficking takes place. And I felt it fitting that with our new uh police social worker and our victims advocates that they will get more involved in that because I'm sure it happens here as well. It happens in a lot of diverse communities. Um females tend to be trafficked in terms of sexual violations and men in terms of slave labor laws. So between the Hispanics and the blacks, they'll those are the most affected by these, and we want to make sure that our community, which is black and brown, takes the steps to recognize if there's traffickers here and how to help those who are being trafficked. Thank you so much.
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