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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

City of Miramar Fire Protection Assessment and Budget Public Hearing - September 13, 2023

City Commission — Wednesday, September 13, 2023

BodyMiramar, Florida

SessionCity Commission

DateWednesday, September 13, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:02:40

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

We are proud that for over 20 years, more than 1,600 young people have participated with the Sunbeam support.

0:07

Miramar's 3700 businesses are the backbone to our economic resilience.

0:42

Good evening.

0:44

The fiscal year 2024 fire protection assessment and public and budget public hearing of the city of Myanmar is now called to order.

0:54

An opportunity was given to the public to email the city clerk prior to the public hearing with any questions, comments, concerns on items we will hear on this evening's agenda.

1:04

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 hearing unless modified by the chair.

1:18

This public hearing is being streamed live at Miramarfl.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT Uverse Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers.

1:32

As of September 13th at 4 30 p.m., no members from the public have registered to participate virtually in this meeting.

1:40

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.

1:50

Please be sure to mention your name and address for the record prior to addressing the commission.

1:56

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 being taken.

2:04

At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

2:09

Mayor Massum.

2:10

Here.

2:11

Commissioner Barnes.

2:13

Commissioner Chambers.

2:14

Yes.

2:15

Commissioner Colburn.

2:16

Yeah.

2:17

Vice Mayor Davis.

2:19

City Manager Dr.

2:20

Virgin.

2:22

City Attorney Powell.

2:23

Here.

2:24

Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:32

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:54

At this time, we will observe a moment of silence for any condolences we are observing in the community.

3:20

Thank you.

3:23

We have one presentation prior to our public hearing, and we are pleased to welcome our state representative Marie Woodson to come forward to present a presentation to the City of Myanmar.

3:38

Good evening, Madam Representative.

3:40

How are you?

3:43

If you can just press the I'm doing great.

3:47

How about you?

3:49

Great.

3:49

Good, good.

3:50

Good evening, Mr.

3:51

Mayor.

3:56

Commissioners, Mr.

3:58

Manager, City staff, and of course the beautiful resident of the City of Myanmar.

4:05

I'm here this evening with uh Commissioner Senator Book is not here tonight, but his chief of staff, Sean Lahaki.

4:14

I want to make sure I say your last name right.

4:16

Sean Lahaki is here with me to make a presentation to the City of Myanmar.

4:22

It is my honor to be with you again, as I have appeared several times to the City Commission.

4:28

Um thank you for allowing me for giving me a few minutes during your budget hearing meeting to make this presentation.

4:35

And I hope what I'm about to present to you will benefit this process.

4:40

As you know, from the legislative update, we are working very hard for the residents of Myanmar as well, just like you are doing in the commission.

4:49

As a state representative for District 105, I proudly represent parts of Hollandale Beach, Hollywood, Myanmar, Pembroke Pines, and all communities in Pembroke Park and West Park.

5:01

My office and I have been very busy in the district during the past few months, meeting residents, hearing the concern, meeting with local officials, and participating in community events as well.

5:13

Now I'm preparing to go back to Tallahassee next week for the start of committee weeks and the legislative process for the 2024 session.

5:22

As always, I'm committed to represent advocate and speak up for the resident of District 105 in the City of Florida.

5:30

And Senator Book is committed as well.

5:33

I look forward to working with the Commission to ensure the needs of Myanmar are considered with the goal of achieving positive results.

5:42

Member of the House of Representatives and the Senate, we are responsible to secure funds for specific reasons with the cooperation of our colleagues and also with the governor's office.

6:07

And we do our part.

6:09

So we are here tonight to present you a check, actually, two checks that I have from two projects that was given to me.

6:17

So Senator Book and I, we have worked very hard to secure the funding.

6:23

The first one is no, let me have this.

6:26

The first one is the one that was given to me for the canal improvement on university and book board.

6:33

So we are here to present you with a checks of $350,000 that we work very hard to secure for the resident of Myanmar.

6:42

As well, there's another check for $300,000 for the South Central Southeast Focal Print Senior Center as well.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████████28%

Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%

Public Engagement█████████████13%

Property Tax██████████10%

Senior Services████████8%

Procedural███████7%

Public Safety████4%

Stormwater Management████4%

Legislative Updates███3%

Summary of Proceedings

City of Miramar Fire Protection Assessment and Budget Public Hearing - September 13, 2023

The City of Miramar City Commission held a public hearing on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting addressed the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget, including the ad valorem tax millage rate, fire protection assessments, stormwater management assessments, and water/wastewater utility rate adjustments. State Representative Marie Woodson presented checks for local projects totaling $650,000. The commission heard public comments, deliberated, and voted on each item.

Public Comments & Testimony

Roland Abel (resident) expressed concern over the cumulative impact of proposed increases, particularly the water/wastewater rate adjustment, noting that a city employee had left Miramar due to affordability. He urged the commission to consider residents' ability to pay, especially seniors on fixed incomes, and requested attention to the base charges that are not tied to usage.

Discussion Items

Presentation by State Representative Marie Woodson: Rep. Woodson presented two checks: $350,000 for the Miramar Canal Improvement Project and $300,000 for the South Central Southeast Focal Point Senior Center, secured through state appropriations with Senator Book.
Item 1: First Reading of Ordinance O1816 - Ad Valorem Tax Millage Rate: The proposed millage rate is 7.1172 mills ($7.1172 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value), which is 8.70% above the rolled-back rate of 6.5473 mills. The average homesteaded single-family home (assessed value increase of $8,100 due to 3% cap) would see a tax increase of $58.23. The total average increase for homesteaded property, including the fire fee, is $139.21 per year ($11.60/month). Commercial properties would see a $269 increase in city taxes but a $150 reduction in fire assessment, netting $118 increase. The millage rate covers 45% of general fund revenues, with public safety consuming 51% of general fund expenditures.
Item 2: Resolution R7962 - Fire Protection Assessment: The proposed residential fire fee is $479.21 per year, an increase of $80.98. The assessment study was updated in 2022. The fire fee is separate from the millage and funds fire suppression services only (not EMS). Multiple exemptions are available, including low-income senior, long-term residency senior, disabled veteran, totally/permanently disabled, surviving spouse of military/first responder, and a city hardship exemption (application deadline August 31). 96 properties qualified for the hardship exemption in tax year 2023.
Item 3: First Reading of Ordinance O1815 - Tentative Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget for FY2024: The tentative budget of $279.6 million includes $147.3 million general fund, $68.8 million enterprise funds, $50.3 million capital improvement fund, $12 million debt service fund, and $1.2 million other funds. $8.6 million increase over FY2023, attributed to grants, debt, and appropriated fund balance. Salaries and benefits account for 68% of general fund expenses.
Item 4: Resolution R7971 - Stormwater Management Service Assessment: The rate remains unchanged at $120 per equivalent residential unit (ERU). There are 58,000 ERUs citywide, generating $6.7 million in FY2024. Funds support stormwater operations, capital projects (canal embankment restoration, historic Miramar drainage improvement phase 4), equipment, and debt service.
Item 5: Resolution R7980 - Water/Wastewater Utility Rate Adjustment: Based on a rate study by GovRates Inc., the proposed adjustment increases the typical 5,000-gallon user bill by about $20/month in FY2024 ($103.36 total). Rates are to be adjusted annually through FY2028, with 3% increase in FY2024. Key drivers: 10% annual operating cost increases, debt service coverage issues (target 200% all-in coverage), $79 million in capital needs through FY2028, and inflation in chemicals (some up 254%) and contracts (up 102%). Miramar's rates remain competitive among Broward County utilities. Commissioner Chambers voted no, citing concerns about the burden on residents. The commission directed staff to explore affordability programs for seniors and low-income residents, particularly regarding the base (fixed) charge.

Key Outcomes

Item 1 (Millage Rate): Motion to approve first reading passed 5-0. Second public hearing scheduled for September 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
Item 2 (Fire Assessment): Motion to adopt the fire protection assessment rate passed 5-0.
Item 3 (Tentative Budget): Motion to adopt the tentative FY2024 budget passed 5-0. Second public hearing on September 27, 2023.
Item 4 (Stormwater Assessment): Motion to approve the stormwater assessment rate passed 5-0.
Item 5 (Water/Wastewater Rates): Motion to approve the rate schedule passed 4-1 (Commissioner Chambers voted no). Staff directed to research and present options for utility affordability programs for seniors and other residents, to be considered before final adoption.

Meeting Transcript

We are proud that for over 20 years, more than 1,600 young people have participated with the Sunbeam support. Miramar's 3700 businesses are the backbone to our economic resilience. Good evening. The fiscal year 2024 fire protection assessment and public and budget public hearing of the city of Myanmar is now called to order. An opportunity was given to the public to email the city clerk prior to the public hearing 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 before the hearing unless modified by the chair. This public hearing is being streamed live at Miramarfl.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT Uverse Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of September 13th at 4 30 p.m., no 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 city commission prior to any action being taken. At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Massum. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Commissioner Chambers. Yes. Commissioner Colburn. Yeah. Vice Mayor Davis. City Manager Dr. Virgin. City Attorney Powell. Here. Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. At this time, we will observe a moment of silence for any condolences we are observing in the community. Thank you. We have one presentation prior to our public hearing, and we are pleased to welcome our state representative Marie Woodson to come forward to present a presentation to the City of Myanmar. Good evening, Madam Representative. How are you? If you can just press the I'm doing great. How about you? Great. Good, good. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Commissioners, Mr. Manager, City staff, and of course the beautiful resident of the City of Myanmar. I'm here this evening with uh Commissioner Senator Book is not here tonight, but his chief of staff, Sean Lahaki. I want to make sure I say your last name right. Sean Lahaki is here with me to make a presentation to the City of Myanmar. It is my honor to be with you again, as I have appeared several times to the City Commission. Um thank you for allowing me for giving me a few minutes during your budget hearing meeting to make this presentation. And I hope what I'm about to present to you will benefit this process. As you know, from the legislative update, we are working very hard for the residents of Myanmar as well, just like you are doing in the commission. As a state representative for District 105, I proudly represent parts of Hollandale Beach, Hollywood, Myanmar, Pembroke Pines, and all communities in Pembroke Park and West Park. My office and I have been very busy in the district during the past few months, meeting residents, hearing the concern, meeting with local officials, and participating in community events as well. Now I'm preparing to go back to Tallahassee next week for the start of committee weeks and the legislative process for the 2024 session. As always, I'm committed to represent advocate and speak up for the resident of District 105 in the City of Florida.

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