Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting – January 24, 2024
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting – January 24, 2024
The City of Miramar Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers at 2300 Civic Center Place. The meeting included presentations, consent agenda approvals, resolutions, a first reading of a budget amendment, and reports from commissioners and staff. No public comments were received.
Presentations
- Miramar Business Academy (MBA) Graduates: The Economic Development and Housing Department, in partnership with Score Broward, launched the MBA program on September 11, 2023. Of 495 initial registrants, 172 participants completed at least 10 of 12 sessions; 72 are Miramar residents. Graduates who submit a business plan are eligible for grants up to $10,000. A graduation ceremony is scheduled for February 8, 2024, 6:30–8:30 PM.
- James Estep Recognition: Commissioner Yvette Colbourne presented a recognition to Battalion Chief James Estep, who served 28 years with Miramar Fire Rescue, including as President of the Professional Firefighters of Miramar Local 2820 from 2017 to 2023. He is retiring in summer 2024.
- 2023 Special Events Recap: Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Janine Alleyne-Maragh and Marketing Director Lorna Walker presented a video recap of the city’s 2023 special events.
Consent Calendar
All 12 consent agenda items were approved by a single motion, except item #2 which was discussed separately. The approved items included:
- Approval of minutes from November 1 and November 13, 2023.
- Purchase of portable and mobile radio equipment ($65,008) and APX Next radios ($102,183) from Motorola Solutions, totaling $167,191 for FY2024 (Item #2 – discussed separately).
- Second one-year renewal of school crossing guard services agreement with The Butler Group of South Florida d/b/a Nextaff, in the amount of $620,000.
- Park Agreement – Fee in Lieu of Land with FC Miramar Phase IV L.L.C. for Miramar Station Phase 2, payment of $2,019,027.71.
- Acceptance of an Absolute Bill of Sale and easements from Miramar Storage Partners L.L.C. for water system improvements; release of surety bond ($175,425) and acceptance of a one-year maintenance bond ($31,014).
- Renewal of security software services and licenses with Sirius Computer Solutions L.L.C., not-to-exceed $94,346 for FY2024.
- Purchase of additional Fire-Rescue supplies and equipment from Broward Sheriff’s Office, $57,001 (total FY2024 spend $132,000).
- Purchase of emergency medical transport billing and collection services from Change Healthcare Technology Enabled Services L.L.C., $157,174 for FY2024.
- Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. for additional boiler and sludge transfer pit rehabilitation services at the Wastewater Reclamation Facility, additional lump sum $33,400 (total project fee $233,070); total expenditure $108,399 for FY2024.
- Award of Invitation for Bids No. 24-002, “Sodium Hypochlorite Tanks Removal and Installation at the WWRF,” to Cacique Utilities L.L.C., not-to-exceed $480,000.
- Award of Invitation for Bid No. 23-038, “Water Pipeline Replacement,” to Cacique Utilities L.L.C., one-year contract, annual amount not-to-exceed $377,240.
- Award of Invitation for Bids No. 23-030, “Historic Miramar Drainage System Improvements Canal Embankment Restoration Phase VI,” to Erosion Solution Corporation, $428,920 for initial one-year term with three one-year renewal options.
Discussion Items
- Item #2 – Radio Equipment Purchase (Consent Agenda): Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis requested discussion on the radio purchase. Police Commander Italia Thurston and Deputy Chief Sanchez explained that 11 additional radios are being purchased as part of a fleet upgrade. The department needs 163 radios total; 120 were purchased previously. The new radios are designed to penetrate hardened school buildings. The school board declined to assist with costs. The unit cost per radio is approximately $7,000. The commission approved the purchase. Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers suggested exploring funding from a gun show held in Miramar.
- Resolution #R8069 – Adoption of Broward County Enhanced Local Mitigation Strategy: Emergency Manager Romeo Lavarius presented. The resolution supports the 2022 Broward County Enhanced Local Mitigation Strategy, which enables eligibility for FEMA and Florida Division of Emergency Management mitigation grants. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution #R8045 – Mutual Aid Agreement with Florida Division of Emergency Management: Division Chief Tara Wagner presented. The agreement renews a five-year statewide mutual aid agreement for disaster assistance and reimbursement. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution #R8056 – Town Center Informational Signage Design Amendment: Support Services Administrator Daryll Johnson presented. Amendment No. 2 to Design2Form L.L.C. for additional design and construction administration services, $184,000 plus $10,000 contingency, total $194,000. Vice Mayor Davis inquired about comprehensive wayfinding signage; staff noted a consultant is evaluating a citywide plan. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution #R8051 – Multi-Purpose Recreational Facility Design Amendment: Daryll Johnson presented. Amendment No. 1 to Walter Zackria Associates P.L.L.C. for additional design services to expand the facility from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet, $306,900 plus $10,000 contingency, total $316,900. Commissioner Chambers questioned the reason for the size increase; staff explained it was based on need for more multipurpose rooms, office space, and a larger kitchen. Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance #O1823 – First Reading of FY2024 Budget Amendment: Management & Budget Assistant Director Carmen Dominguez presented. The second amendment to the FY2024 operating and capital improvement program budget includes: $1.5 million from restricted building division funds to increase building planning and zoning department expenses (personnel $145,000, contractual services $460,000, technology, and capital equipment); reallocation of $20,000 from Shirley Branca Park Canopy Addition (project placed on hold) to new projects: multi-service complex security fencing ($130,000) and conversion of Lakeshore Park tennis courts to pickleball courts ($90,000); reallocation of $100,000 from Skaya Park Running Track (new project) to design a covered pedestrian walkway at Town Center; reallocation of $2,373 from completed Historic Miramar Aquatic Pool Renovation to park improvements; and $70,241 from fund balance for sustainable renewable energy and conservation initiatives (roof moisture remediation). Commissioner Barnes expressed concerns about building inspectors citing homeowners for security cameras; he asked staff to review. Commissioner Chambers requested a meeting with the building official. The ordinance was approved on first reading; second reading scheduled for February 21, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
No members of the public registered to speak virtually or signed in at the meeting. No public comments were made.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved as presented, with item #2 discussed and passed.
- Resolutions: All four resolutions (R8069, R8045, R8056, R8051) were approved unanimously (5-0).
- Ordinance #O1823: Approved on first reading (5-0).
- Commission Reports: Commissioner Barnes raised concerns about building inspectors citing homeowners for security cameras and requested review. Commissioner Chambers reported on community events (Miramar International Art and Fashion Weekend, Breakfast with Santa, Early New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Food Truck Friday, Historic Miramar Pop and Shop) and announced the first Miramar Commission Gala on February 3, 2024. Vice Mayor Davis thanked the fire department for a Save a Life holiday edition, toy giveaway, and the police department for two gun buyback events (January 13 and 20, 2024) that collected 75 guns. She also commended the Economic Development and Housing Department for a “Contracting for Dummies” workshop.
- Police Minimum Staffing Clarification: Mayor Messam invited Police Chief Moss to address social media posts about a reduction in minimum staffing on the midnight shift. Chief Moss explained that the minimum staffing threshold was reduced by one officer to better align with call volume (midnight shift has 50% fewer calls) and to reduce built-in overtime. No officers were removed from the shift; the number of officers on patrol remains the same. The department is hiring 35 additional officers over time.
- City Manager Report: City Manager Dr. Roy Virgin announced the city secured a grant for additional law enforcement officers. He recognized recent promotions: Aaron Williams (Customer Service Manager), Roland Taylor (Deputy Director of Utilities, 22 years), Diselle (Public Safety Officer), Naima Martin (Deputy HR Director), and Kirk Hobson Garcia (Deputy Director of Public Works).
- City Attorney Announcements: City Attorney Norman Powell announced four attorney-client sessions scheduled for February 7, 2024, prior to the special commission meeting, to discuss pending litigation: Lewis Tomey v. City of Miramar, Eco Benz of Miramar LLC v. City of Miramar, Adale Noel Alvarez v. City of Miramar, and Tesla Augustine v. City of Miramar.
- Next Meeting: The next regularly scheduled city commission meeting is February 7, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM (after public participation and reports).
Meeting Transcript
All right, are we gonna have everyone to settle in? We're about to get started. 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 before the city commission unless modified by the chair. This meeting is being streamed live at Myanmar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATT U verse channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of January 24th, 2024 at 4 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. Please be sure to mention your name and address for the record prior to the 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. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here, 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. A two republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice law. City employees on who has family members on the commemoration list who are bereaved. Merrill Lewis from the Public Works Department lost her aunt. Omar Spaulding from the engineering department lost his mother. Let's keep our colleagues and friends in our thoughts and prayers as their family endures the transition of their loved ones. Let's have a moment of silence. Thank you. On to presentations. Mirmar Business Academy, also known as the MBA graduates. On Monday, September 11th, 2023, the Economic Development and Housing Department, in partnership with Score Broward, launched a very ambitious entrepreneurship MBA program called the Mirmar Business Academy. At the inception of the training, a total of 495 individuals registered for the NBA program, and among them approximately a hundred and seventy-one individuals from the city of Myanmar, 57 from Fort Lauderdale, 48 from Pembroke Pines, and 30 from Miami. The rest of the participants are from all over Southeastern Florida cities and as far as New York and Texas. The Myanmar Business Academy targeted aspiring entrepreneurs and owners of businesses that are operating for less than two years. The MBA program consists of two parts: a technical training component and grant funding. At the conclusion of the training, a total number of 172 participants out of the original 495 registrants completed 10 out of 12 sessions, 72 of whom are City of Myanmar residents. Each graduate would be eligible to receive a certificate of achievement, and it should be noted that the Myanmar residents who have completed the Myanmar Business Academy program and submitted a business plan, will also be eligible to apply for a grant up to $10,000 to start our grow a business their business. I'm very proud to share this improved this important initiative with the City Commission and congratulate our director Anita and her team along with the graduates please save the date there will be a special graduation on Thursday February 8th from 6 30 to 8 30 p.m right here in the City of Myanmar chambers for all of the graduates you are all invited congratulations to our Office of economic development and housing and team for this amazing effort our business owners in our community and even some beneficiaries outside of our city limits are benefiting with the City of Myanmar's MBA you all didn't know that we are now uh institution of higher technical training did you congratulations to all the graduates and looking forward to seeing everyone on the 8th our next presentation will be a presentation to James Estep Battalion Chief of Fire Rescue former president of the professional firefighters of Myanmar Local 2820 presented by Commissioner Yvette Colburn please join me thank you hello everyone thank you so much. Thank you so much I will ask my fellow colleagues to please if they will join me as well um I have uh a presentation for Mr. Eatstep and I would like to read his bio a short bio I'm sure he has a long version this is a short version uh before I present it to him he has served the city of Myanmar for an impressive 28 years James began his journey in 1996 displaying unwavering commitment and resilience through out his tenure his passion for service led him through various roles within the fire department ascending through the ranks from fire to battalion chief notably in 2017 to 2023 James served as president for the firefighters for the professional firefighters of Myanmar. During his tenure as president he advocated for the rights and welfare of his fellow firefighters demonstrating exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of their needs James is going to be retiring but not so soon he's got a few more months yet but he is um as he transitioned into retirement this summer James remains committed to aiding municipal employees channeling his passion and financial planning expertise through his company looking ahead he is eager and anticipates a newfound freedom to travel with his beloved wife and two boys his legacy of service leadership and dedication will continue to inspire both within the department and the broader community today I'm presenting this to you in appreciation for your commitment to the city of Myanmar to all the firefighters and for your unwavering support. Thank you so very much one more one more and I will ask uh I will ask you to say a few words but I will also ask if you would like your your family to come up any of your your colleagues and our fire chief as well the executive staff absolutely thank you everybody very nice thank you. I mean, you guys have known us for for years as far as the fire department is concerned. We're we're always there for everybody, and we're dedicated to our job. Um having these relationships with the commission and with the city is always important. I think we've we've done a good job in trying to keep that uh a good thing. But at the end of the day, we're just out there to make sure that we provide the best level of service that we can to the citizens of Miramore, because that's what we're here for. So thank you, everybody, and thank you. Thank you. Thank you so very much. Yes, I do I do invite all of you to come on up as well. Um, also, since you are the former president of the collective bargaining, do we have the new president of the collective bargaining here?
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