City of Miramar Commission Regular Meeting – May 1, 2024
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City of Miramar Commission Regular Meeting – May 1, 2024
The City of Miramar Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included a youth council presentation, a series of proclamations, approval of a consent agenda, a public hearing on a land development code amendment, and extensive commission reports and discussion on community events, affordable housing, and other city matters.
Presentations
- Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Update: Multiple YAC members reported on their activities, including attendance at the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C., where they participated in workshops and heard President Joe Biden speak. They also described a visit to the White House facilitated by Mayor Messam, a tree planting at Riverrun Park on Earth Day (April 20, 2024) that will produce an estimated 4,000 pounds of oxygen and absorb 3,800 pounds of carbon dioxide, and a chess challenge event. The council also urged the public to sign a petition opposing the construction of an incinerator near the city, citing potential effects on air and water quality and biodiversity. YAC seniors were recognized for their contributions.
Proclamations
Mayor Messam, Vice Mayor Davis, Commissioner Barnes, and Commissioner Colbourne presented the following proclamations (all for May 2024):
- Municipal Clerks' Week (May 5–11, 2024) – Passport services offered without appointment on May 6–7 from 9 a.m. to noon at City Hall.
- Haitian Heritage Month – Recognized the Haitian Lawyers Association and Marbo (Miramar Haitian American Residents and Business Owners) for providing free legal clinics and community service.
- National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5–11) – Urged residents to prepare for hurricane season (June 1–November 30).
- Older Americans Month – Theme “Powered by Connection”; noted that Miramar has 15,930 senior residents out of approximately 105,303 adults.
- National Pet Month – Recognized Flamingo Road Animal Hospital; noted that 68% of U.S. households own a pet.
- Youth Apprenticeship Week (May 5–11) – Highlighted the city’s youth apprenticeship program (ninth year) for at-risk youth aged 18–26; noted that from 2010–2020, 389,860 youth aged 16–24 began registered apprenticeships nationally.
- Small Business Month – Honored Antonio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant Inc., a family-owned business operating at the same location since 1972.
- Stroke Awareness Month – Noted that strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. (140,000/year), occur every 40 seconds, and about 80% are preventable.
- National Cities, Towns, and Villages Month – Celebrated the NLC’s 100th anniversary; Commissioner Colbourne serves as NLC Women in Municipal Government president.
- Mental Health Awareness Month – Recognized Mujeres Latinas; announced an inclusive mental health event on June 1, 2024, at the Youth Center (7000 Miramar Parkway) in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Consent Agenda
All consent items were approved by a unanimous vote.
- Item 2: Resolution #R8115 – Approval of additional software licenses and implementation services for the Tyler Technologies EnerGov project (not-to-exceed $258,380).
- Item 3: Resolution #R8113 – Second amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Broward County for Community Shuttle Service.
- Item 4: Resolution #R8110 – Memorandum of Understanding between the City Utilities Department and the Florida Department of Health for Wastewater Surveillance Partnership.
- (Item 1 – minutes of April 2 and April 17, 2024, were deferred to the May 15, 2024 meeting.)
Public Hearing
- Item 5: Second reading of Ordinance #O1826 – Amending the Land Development Code to add Section 325 “Reasonable Accommodation” procedures for individuals with disabilities under federal law (Fair Housing Act, ADA, etc.). No public comments were received. The ordinance passed unanimously on a vote of 5–0.
Commission Reports & Discussion
- Vice Mayor Davis reported on successful community events: “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” (volunteer beautification for six homes with code violations), the “Safe House Initiative” at fire stations (providing refuge and resources), and the first Autism Walk and Fair (over 2,000 signed up, ~500 attended; 1 in 64 children diagnosed with autism). She thanked multiple departments and noted the programs are models for other cities.
- Commissioner Colbourne highlighted the upcoming Asian American Pacific Islander Month celebration (May 4 at Shirley Branca Park, 5–8 p.m., over 1,000 registered), the “In Vogue” event at the Cultural Center, and requested that Miramar TV be advertised alongside other city channels.
- Commissioner Chambers praised the Early Childhood graduation, the Haitian pageant, prescription drug take-back event, and the autism walk. He requested removal of plexiglass separators installed during the pandemic and improved communication at service counters with permanent glass. He also raised concerns about requiring residents to contact insurance for pipe leaks, suggesting a city loan option without insurance involvement to avoid premium increases.
- Commissioner Barnes reminded residents of City Hall being lit purple for Stroke Awareness Month and invited the public to a health fair at Christway Baptist Church (June 1, 10 a.m., 954-442-747). He also announced Creole language classes and a “How to Do Business with the City” session in Creole.
- Mayor Messam provided updates:
- HD Perry Park opened as a replacement for Perry and Wellman fields, part of an interlocal with Broward County Schools; signs are being printed and the park will open once coordinating with the school board is complete.
- Miami-Dade County will present technical findings on air quality assessments for three potential incinerator sites (including near Miramar) on May 7, 2024, with a site recommendation expected in September.
- He requested an affordable housing master plan update and proposed a grant program for affordable housing developers using the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (initial allocation between $100,000 and $300,000).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
- Ordinance O1826 (Reasonable Accommodation) passed unanimously on second reading.
- Affordable Housing Discussion: Multiple commissioners expressed the need for a comprehensive affordable housing master plan. Commissioner Chambers called current efforts ineffective and requested a meeting with staff. Commissioner Colbourne requested a presentation from Broward County on its affordable housing programs and that commissioners receive a copy of the county’s ordinance. Mayor Messam emphasized that a master plan is needed to comply with a new county ordinance, guide future funding, and attract county resources. The City Manager committed to scheduling a workshop after gathering input from each commissioner.
- Technical Issue: The live stream audio was not working on the website (TV channels worked). IT Director Clayton Jenkins stated that the old system would be replaced starting May 2 to resolve the issue by the next meeting.
- Commissioner Chambers requested that the Parks and Recreation Director place signs at HD Perry Park to inform the public why it remains closed. The Director confirmed signs are in production.
- Vice Mayor Davis suggested that the affordable housing discussion include incentives for homeowners to create accessory dwelling units (“granny flats”).
- Commissioner Chambers also asked that Public Works remove the plexiglass separators installed during the pandemic and ensure any permanent glass counters allow for clear audio communication.
- The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
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 before the city commission unless modified by the chair. This meeting is being streamed live at Miramarfl.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and Channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers on ATT Uverse. As of May first, 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 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. Mayor Messam. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Here. Commissioner Colburn. Here. Vice Mayor Davis. Here. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. City Attorney Gary. Here. Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Raymond Jones, Public Works, daughter. Public Works Aunt. I am Sudan Eubings. I'm the Vice President of the Myanmar Youth Advisory Council. Um, and not present with us here today is Rally Satisabo, who is our historian. I am Alan Naranjo. I'm the Secretary of the Youth Advisory Council. Not present here is Rachel Charles, our parliamentarian. Hello, my name is Samara Tassey, and I am a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Hello, my name is Claudia Cora, and I'm a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Hello, my name is Corey Graham, and I'm a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Hello, my name is Maya Ruiz, and I'm a member of the Youth Advisory Council. My name is Anaga Eyer, and I'm a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Hello, my name is Javon Thomas, and I am a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Hello, my name is Tavin Codner, and I'm a member of the Youth Advisory Council. So as the 2025 school year is coming to an end, we have some seniors that will be graduating. That's including Amar Mansuri, who's our president, Valerie Satisabal, who's her historian, Rachel Charles, our parliamentarian, as well as Claudia Cora. In March, we had the opportunity to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.
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