Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - July 5, 2023
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - July 5, 2023
The City Commission met on July 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included presentations, approval of the consent agenda (with three items discussed separately), resolutions on stormwater and fire assessments and the millage rate, public hearings on a budget amendment and a landscaping project, a quasi-judicial hearing for a Comcast data center, and a discussion on the amphitheater contract. Key votes included approval of the FY2024 fire assessment rate increase, the FY2024 millage rate (no tax increase but fire fee increase), and several infrastructure projects.
Presentations
- Education Advisory Board 2023 Annual Scholarship Awards: Recognized three high school graduates receiving scholarships: Amaya Flores (Nova Southeastern University), Roger San Martin (Broward College), and Rihanna Sacke (Florida State University). Funded by donations; 62 applications this year.
- Florida Sister Cities International Economic Development Summit: Staff reported on a trade mission to Panama City and Colón, Panama, highlighting opportunities for business partnerships and the Foreign Trade Zone.
- Water Bottling Program (Commissioner Colbourne): Launched “Miramar on Tap” bottled water to promote the city’s high-quality tap water. The water comes from the city’s own treatment plants. Commissioner Barnes praised the utilities department.
Consent Calendar
All consent agenda items were approved unanimously except items 7, 14, and 17 were pulled for discussion. The consent agenda included: approval of minutes, generator set at Fire Station 19 (R7895), well pump purchase (R7925), fabrication services renewal (R7928), SCADA upgrade (R7922), change order for West Water Treatment Plant (R7893), Miramar Regional Park trails (originally item 7, then separately approved after discussion), underground conduit installation (R7929), flooring replacement (R7915), fuel depot maintenance (R7923), audio-visual upgrade at Multi-Service Center (R7919), computer lease (R7910), multi-factor authentication renewal (R7908), park Wi-Fi (originally item 14, then separately approved), Wi-Fi licenses renewal (R7918), Flock Safety license plate cameras (R7932), and NSU sublease renewal (originally item 17, then separately approved).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on any consent agenda items during the meeting. For quasi-judicial item 24, no public testimony was offered. For other items, no speakers registered.
Discussion Items
- Item 7: Miramar Regional Park Recreational Trails (pulled from consent): Staff presented a federally funded project ($213,467 total) for new walking trails and two shaded pavilions at the dog park. Vice Mayor Davis expressed support. Approved unanimously.
- Item 14: Park Wi-Fi Implementation (pulled): Information Technology Director Clayton Jenkins presented phase one of a multi-year project to install Wi-Fi at Lakeshore, Shirley Branca, and Vizcaya Parks. Vice Mayor Davis questioned the prioritization and asked that Monarch Lakes Park be included. Staff agreed to reconsider the list. Approved unanimously.
- Item 17: Nova Southeastern University Sublease Renewal (pulled): Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Debon Campbell presented the second five-year renewal of the sublease for 21,100 sq ft at the Miramar Library Education Facility. The base rent covers the city's debt service. Vice Mayor Davis and Commissioners discussed the fixed rent (below market value) and sought more community collaboration from NSU. NSU representatives noted 800 Miramar students, a master’s program in psychiatric nursing, and offices for autism and trafficking services. Commissioner Chambers asked about expanding partnerships. Approved unanimously.
- Item 18: Stormwater Assessment Rate: Public Works Director Anthony Collins presented the FY2024 preliminary stormwater rate at $120 per ERU (no increase). Revenue projected at $6.7 million. Public hearing set for Sept 13, 2023. Approved unanimously.
- Items 19 & 20: Fire Protection Assessment & Millage Rate (presented together): Management & Budget Director Rafael Sanmiguel presented the FY2024 proposed budget ($361 million total). The proposed millage rate is 7.1172 mills (no increase from last year, but 8.7% above rollback rate). The residential fire assessment fee increases by $80.98 per year (to $479.21). Average homestead property sees $58.23 increase in city tax and $139.21 total increase including fire fee. Staff noted various exemptions for low-income seniors, disabled, and veterans. Vice Mayor Davis asked about improving the city’s hardship exemption (currently only about 100 households qualify). Staff will work on expanding eligibility. Approved unanimously.
- Item 21: Roof Replacement and Solar Panels at Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WWRF): Energy Resource Manager Rasheed McCallum presented a project to install a 201 kW solar system and replace roofs on four buildings. Total cost $1,460,927. The solar system will offset 40% of the site’s annual energy consumption. Siemens will install solar panels; Advanced Roofing will do roofing. Local workforce training opportunities were discussed. Approved unanimously.
- Item 22: Third Budget Amendment (FY2023): Staff presented reprogramming of funds from completed projects to cover shortfalls in landscaping and park improvements. Approved unanimously.
- Item 23: Landscape and Beautification of Miramar Parkway and Miramar Boulevard: City Engineer Salvador Zuniga presented awarding the contract to HG Construction Development and Investment ($1,115,049 total). Commissioner Colbourne requested a review of plant selections. Vice Mayor Davis inquired about minority business goals; staff confirmed a 20% goal and that enforcement policies are being finalized. Approved unanimously.
- Item 24: Comcast Miramar Data Center (Quasi-Judicial): Senior Planner Deyman Rodriguez presented a site plan for an 11,180 sq ft data center on an overflow parking lot. The existing Comcast office building is vacant (900 employees now remote). The data center will have no staff except occasional technicians. The community appearance board recommended approval. Applicant Liz Somerstein answered questions. The commission approved the site plan, community appearance, and overall application unanimously.
- Item 27: Amphitheater Budget (Other Business): Commissioner Colbourne presented line items from the FY2021 operating budget for Class X (amphitheater manager) and noted $733,000 budgeted for FY2024. She expressed concern about a prior accusation from Class X’s attorney regarding campaign contributions and recusal. City Attorney confirmed no recusal required. City Manager Virgin noted that outsourcing vs. city staffing involves different costs. Commissioner Barnes questioned the push to renew a contract with two years remaining. No formal action was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: All items approved (with items 7, 14, 17 discussed separately then passed).
- Stormwater Assessment: Preliminary rate set at $120/ERU; public hearing scheduled for Sept 13, 2023.
- Fire Assessment & Millage: Tentative millage rate of 7.1172 mills approved; fire fee increase to $479.21 per residential unit; public hearing set for Sept 13, 2023.
- Roof/Solar Project: Approved (1,460,927).
- Budget Amendment: Approved.
- Landscape Project: Approved (1,115,049).
- Comcast Data Center: Site plan and appearance approved.
- Amphitheater Discussion: No vote; commission noted budget details.
- Continuance: Item 25 (Sam’s Club fuel station) continued to August 16, 2023 meeting.
- Next Meeting: August 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM, with closed session at 6:00 PM on pending litigation.
Meeting Transcript
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