Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - September 6, 2023
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - September 6, 2023
The Miramar City Commission held its regular meeting on September 6, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included multiple proclamations, presentations from county and city officials, approval of routine consent agenda items, a quasi-judicial public hearing for a new WSVN-TV news station, and discussion of urgent matters including a proposed solid waste facility near the city's border. The commission approved resolutions on internal audit services, a comprehensive pay plan, and a call for a lead study at North Perry Airport, among other actions.
Proclamations & Presentations
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2023) – proclaimed with recognition that SmartAsset ranked Miramar #1 for economic well-being of Hispanic Americans. (Commissioner Colbourne)
- Senior Center Month (September 2023) – theme “Strengthening Community Connections.” (Mayor Messam)
- Suicide Prevention Awareness Month & Suicide Prevention Week – highlighted that over 45,000 Americans die by suicide each year; in Florida a person dies every two hours. Firearms are the leading method. (Mayor Messam and Vice Mayor Davis)
- Arianna Woolcock Day (September 6, 2023) – honoring the 14-year-old Miramar resident who became the 200-meter national champion at the AAU Junior Olympics. (Mayor Messam)
- Hunger Action Month (September 2023) – noted more than 706,000 individuals in South Florida are food insecure, including over 236,000 children. (Vice Mayor Davis)
- Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar presented an update: Miramar’s total market value rose 19.24% to $23.158 billion; taxable value increased 12.43% to $14.058 billion; $465.5 million in new construction added; approximately 27,357 homesteaded properties; average single-family home sale price ~$655,425, with average taxable value ~$260,000 due to the Save Our Homes cap. He also highlighted the Owner Alert program to combat title fraud and a new crimes-against-property team that has made ~20 arrests.
- Local Government Academy Graduation – 21 graduates completed the eight-week program. (CFO Susan Gooding-Liburd)
- Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC) Program presentation – a new initiative to speed disaster reimbursement; Miramar has opted in and is working on required plans to qualify for up to 85% reimbursement (20% baseline + up to 40% disaster readiness assessment + up to 20% post-disaster questionnaire + 5% EMAP accreditation). (Fire-Rescue Division Chief Tara Wagner)
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from August 16, 2023 (special and regular meetings).
- Resolution #R7957 – Procurement of professional internal audit services from S. Davis & Associates P.A. (amount $200,000 for FY2024). (Pulled and discussed separately; see below.)
- Resolution #R7969 – Award of external audit services to Anthony Brunson P.A. (five-year term with three one-year renewals, annual amount not-to-exceed $104,800).
- Resolution #R7972 – Acceptance of grant from FDEM for DR#4709 severe storms/tornadoes/flooding.
- Resolution #R7940 – Renewal of Workiva Software Maintenance Services from Insight Public Sector (city-wide expenditure $252,100 in FY2023). (Continued from 08/16/23)
- Resolution #R7978 – Purchase of roof replacement services for Biosolids Building from Advanced Roofing ($89,084).
- Resolution #R7952 – Award of bid for West Water Treatment Plant pump and motor replacement ($202,849).
- Resolution #R7956 – Third one-year renewal of Grounds Full Maintenance Services with Brightview Landscape Services ($371,200).
- Item #9 pulled from agenda.
- Resolution #R7947 – Acceptance of FDEP grant ($350,000) for Miramar Canal Improvements using geotubes. (Pulled and discussed separately; see below.)
All remaining consent items were approved unanimously by a single motion.
Discussion Items
Item #2 – Internal Audit Services (Resolution #R7957) – Commissioner Chambers requested discussion. Staff proposed a budget of $200,000, but Commissioner Chambers sought a higher cap to avoid mid-year funding shortfalls, noting that the current $200,000 was fully expended before year-end. After debate, the commission amended the resolution to set a cap of $300,000, allowing the city manager to evaluate actual needs. The item then passed unanimously (5-0).
Item #10 – Miramar Canal Improvement Grant (Resolution #R7947) – Commissioner Chambers made brief remarks thanking staff for their work. The resolution was approved unanimously (5-0).
Item #11 – Comprehensive Pay Plan for Unrepresented Employees (FY2024) – Human Resources Director Randy Cross presented: ~300 full-time and 104 part-time employees covered; a 3% cost-of-living adjustment and a 2% merit increase (for satisfactory or above performance) will take effect October 1, 2023; living wage raised to $15/hour (matching Broward County); new education assistance incentive of $2,000 salary raise for employees who complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree during the fiscal year. Vice Mayor Davis inquired about certifications and trades; staff agreed to explore similar incentives for certification programs. Approved unanimously (5-0).
Item #13 – WSVN-TV News Station Development (Quasi-Judicial) – A 71,272-square-foot office building on an ~8-acre parcel at Miramar Parkway and Red Road. The applicant, Andrew Anson (CEO of Sunbeam Television, owner of WSVN Channel 7), presented plans for the new facility, which will bring 300 jobs to Miramar. The project requires a conditional use permit (for more than one satellite dish antenna – 12 total), a plat waiver, site plan approval, and Community Appearance Board approval. Staff recommended approval subject to five standard conditions. Commissioner Barnes welcomed the station, noting precedent set by NBC 6. Vice Mayor Davis stressed small business participation; the applicant agreed to work with the city’s economic development staff. Art in Public Places requirement (0.25% of construction cost) will apply. After testimony from the applicant and no public opposition, the commission approved each component separately and then the overall project – all unanimous (5-0).
Item #14 – Resolution Urging Lead Study at North Perry Airport – Commissioner Colbourne introduced the resolution, similar to one passed by Pembroke Pines. The resolution asks Broward County to fund and implement a study of lead concentration levels in and around the airport. George Corin, a Pembroke Pines resident and member of the airport’s Community Advisory Committee, spoke in favor, citing a July 2, 2023 Sun Sentinel article that named North Perry Airport as near the top for lead emissions among U.S. non-jet airports. He noted that no testing of air or soil has ever been conducted. Vice Mayor Davis and Commissioner Barnes expressed support while noting that Broward County may be reluctant due to revenue concerns. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
Urgent Resolution – Opposition to Miami-Dade Solid Waste Campus (Added by Mayor Messam) – Mayor Messam presented an emergency resolution urging Miami-Dade County to reject the mayor’s recommendation to locate a new solid waste campus with a waste-to-energy incinerator at the intersection of Chrome Avenue and US 27 (Opa-locka West Airport site). He reported that the Miami-Dade County Commission had accepted the report that day and may vote on site selection on September 18. The resolution passed as an emergency item (requiring 2/3 vote) unanimously (5-0). Staff was directed to gather technical information and engage with Miami-Dade.
Commissioner Reports
- Commissioner Barnes read a statement into the record alleging a toxic work environment for some city staff, with instances of denigration and disrespect. He warned of potential lawsuits and said he would assist staff in seeking legal representation if needed.
- Commissioner Chambers raised an issue with the city’s code prohibiting bottle service (sale of sealed bottles) at city facilities, noting it has caused events to relocate (e.g., Dîner en Blanc, and an event at Vizcaya Park). Assistant City Manager Sean Gill confirmed the code (Section 14-6) limits sales to individual drinks only. Commissioner Chambers and Vice Mayor Davis expressed interest in amending the code, but Commissioner Colbourne and the police assistant chief cited safety concerns (broken glass, rowdy behavior). A consensus was reached to have staff prepare a report and possible ordinance amendment for future discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Passed remaining items (1,3,4,5,6,7,8) unanimously.
- Internal Audit Services: Amended cap to $300,000 and approved (5-0).
- Miramar Canal Grant: Approved (5-0).
- Comprehensive Pay Plan: Approved (5-0).
- WSVN Development: Conditional use, plat waiver, site plan, and appearance board approvals all passed (5-0); overall project approved (5-0).
- North Perry Airport Lead Study Resolution: Approved (5-0).
- Urgent Resolution opposing Miami-Dade incinerator: Approved as emergency (5-0).
- Staff directed to research bottle service code change for city venues, with a report to come to a future meeting.
- Next scheduled meeting: Monday, September 18, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
From design. Ready? Ready? All right. Good evening. The meeting of the Myanmar City Commission is now called to order. An opportunity was given to the public to register to participate or email the city clerk 24 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 proposition the city commission before the city commission unless modified by the chair. This meeting is being streamed live at Miramar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and tell excuse me and ATNT U versus Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of September 6th, 2023 at 6 p.m. Four 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 city commission. All comments submitted will be included as part of the record for this meeting and will be considered by the city commission prior to any action taken. At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Massum. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Commissioner Colburn. Here. Vice Mayor Davis. City Attorney. I'm sorry, City Manager, Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. City Attorney Gary. Here. Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One lady. At this time, we will observe a moment of silence, and we do have a commemoration list of bereaved City of Myanmar employees. David Daniel, police department. Lost his cousin, Edgar Folks, Public Works, Mother. Enid Chambers, Police Department, Aunt. Jackson Fontaine, Public Works, Uncle. Lloyd Huey, Public Works, Nephew. Richard Rutherford, Public Works, Brother. We also would like to keep our fellow Floridians in the Big Bend area that endured the hurricane and the aftermath and recovery efforts in the panhandle and big bend area. So let's keep them in our thoughts and our prayers and any support and resources we can lend their way. I'm sure would be appreciated. At this time now, we'll observe a moment of silence. Now on to presentations. Okay, there are several proclamations forward that have community-wide significance, so I just in advance just called the entire commission up because I'm sure you all probably want to find participate in this. Family can join as well if you would like. Okay. You're telling me pretty good.
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