City Commission Regular Meeting - September 18, 2023
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City Commission Regular Meeting - September 18, 2023
The City of Miramar Commission held a regular meeting on September 18, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting was streamed live and televised. The commission approved the consent agenda, discussed and voted on fee changes, economic development incentives for Project Gecko, and vehicle purchases, and received reports from commissioners including an update on opposition to a proposed waste-to-energy facility in Miami-Dade County.
Consent Calendar
- Approved consent agenda items (Minutes of September 6, 2023; Digital Police Radio Replacement Grant; Purchase of 113 Portable Radios; FDOT Beautification Grant; Broward MPO Complete Streets support; Removal/disposal of grit services; Holiday Decorations 2023; Public Emergency Medical Transportation Letter of Agreement) unanimously via one motion.
Discussion Items
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Fiscal Year 2024 Fee Changes (Item #9): Presented by Accounting Systems Administrator Samantha Mighty. New fees for all-day rentals of Funbrellas at aquatic pavilions (residents: $60 small weekday/$100 weekend; $80 large weekday/$150 weekend). Half-day pavilion rentals were eliminated. Fire rescue fees increased by 6.9% CPI adjustment for commercial inspections only (not residential). A credit card processing fee (pass-through from vendor) was added for all card payments. No public comments were received. The resolution was approved unanimously.
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Project Gecko – Economic Development Incentives (Items #10 & #11): Presented by Economic Development Assistant Director Richard Hughes. Project Gecko is a healthcare company (Affordable Care Act-related) seeking to bring 600 new jobs (avg. salary ~$72,000) and $375,000 capital investment to Miramar. Item #10: County Strategic Job Creation Incentive Program local match of $180,000 (30% of $600,000 county incentive). Item #11: City local hiring incentive of up to $300,000 ($500 per Miramar resident hired and retained for 5 years). Several commissioners expressed concern about lack of prior notification about the new county program. Commissioner Barnes and Commissioner Chambers voiced support for the incentives, citing job creation and economic benefits. Vice Mayor Davis and Commissioner Colburn requested more detailed information on the program. The commission received a fact sheet from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. Both resolutions were approved unanimously.
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Vehicle and Emergency Equipment Purchase (Item #12): Presented by Public Works Assistant Director Kirk Hobson-Garcia. Authorized purchase of police vehicles and emergency equipment totaling $1,540,884 using Florida Sheriff’s Association and Broward County Sheriff’s Office contracts. Funds allocated from multiple departments. Approved unanimously.
Other Business
- Commission Reports: Vice Mayor Davis reported on the successful Small Business Resource Fair and Social Services Senior Fair, thanking staff. Commissioner Colburn highlighted the Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event. Commissioner Chambers thanked staff for senior events and urged more support for children in schools. Commissioner Barnes promoted the upcoming Brew and Burger event at Viscaya Park. Mayor Messam provided an update on the city’s opposition to the proposed Miami-Dade County waste-to-energy facility at the Opalaca West Airport site (0.8 miles from West Miramar). He detailed the city’s formal opposition letter, meetings with Miami-Dade officials, and legal standing. Vice Mayor Davis asked about recourse if the facility is built; Mayor Messam outlined potential legal challenges and environmental permitting hurdles. The commission expressed solidarity in opposing the site.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Resolution R7955 (FY2024 Fee Changes) approved unanimously.
- Resolution R7959 (Project Gecko – County Incentive Local Match) approved unanimously.
- Resolution R7960 (Project Gecko – Local Hiring Incentive) approved unanimously.
- Resolution R7986 (Vehicle and Emergency Equipment Purchase) approved unanimously.
- No public participation was recorded.
- Meeting adjourned.
Future Workshops
- October 18, 2023, 5:00 PM – Legislative Workshop
- November 1, 2023, 5:00 PM – Sister Cities Board Workshop
- Date TBD – International Protocol and Business Etiquette Workshop
Meeting Transcript
Yes, yeah, I left them upstairs. Good evening. The meeting of the City of Miramar 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 city commission meeting with any questions, comments, concerns on items that will be that we'll hear that we'll 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 city commission unless modified by the chair. The meeting is being streamed live at Miramar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT Uverse Channel 99 for City of Miramar subscribers. As of September 18th, 2023 at 6 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 taken. At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Here. Commissioner Coleburn? Here. Vice Mayor Davis. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, we'll observe a moment of silence for condolences we are experiencing in the community. We do have a commemoration list for City of Myanmar employees who are bereaved. Starting with Chief Delvish Moss Police Department. Cousin. Let's keep our colleagues and our thoughts and our prayers. And let's keep our community and our thoughts and our prayers for members of our community that are also bereaved. Let's have a moment of silence, thank you.gov under the clerk's office for those members of the public that wish to apply, renew or renew their passport. And this would be an observance full of passport awareness month. Now on to consent agenda. Items listed under consent agenda are viewed to be routine, and the recommendation will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. If discussion is desired, the items will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Seeing none back to the dais are there any items that wish to be polled, or may I have a motion on the consent agenda? Item number 10. Item number nine and item number 11. For me was 10. 10 and 11. Yeah, they're all agenda items. So may I have a motion on consent agenda? Motion approved. Second. Madam Clerk, record the votes. Commissioner Barnes. Yes. Commissioner Chambers.
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