2024-09-18 Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting: Budget, Fire Apparatus, Zoning, Foxcroft Deferred, Anti-Hatred Resolution
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2024-09-18 Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting
The Miramar City Commission held its regular meeting on September 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM at 2300 Civic Center Place. The meeting included presentations, approval of consent items, resolutions on fees and compensation, a substantial fire apparatus financing package, first reading of a major mixed-use rezoning, a quasi-judicial hearing on an affordable housing project that was deferred, and a resolution condemning hatred toward Haitian Americans. The meeting was extended twice to accommodate public testimony and deliberations, concluding after midnight.
Presentations
- Local Government Academy Graduation: Chief of Staff Kassandra Carvalho-Lindsay recognized 42 graduates from the 2024 Local Government Academy, with special awards for perfect attendance. Sponsors included Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike's, Subway, and Bahama Breeze.
- Broward County Property Appraiser's Office: Property Appraiser Marty Kiar updated the commission on market values in Miramar, which rose from $23 billion (2023) to $25 billion (2024, an 8% increase). Taxable value increased 8.27% to $15.161 billion, yielding an estimated $8.3 million in additional revenue. He detailed exemptions (seniors, veterans, widows, first responders) and promoted the free Owner Alert program (260,000 signups, half of Miramar homesteaded owners). He also highlighted successful prosecutions for title fraud, including a recent case involving 53 stolen identities.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Minutes from September 4, 2024 Special Meeting; water/sewer easement for Alexan Miramar; emergency medical transportation agreement with the State of Florida; first renewal of holiday decorations with Light 'Er Up LLC ($249,500); comprehensive vulnerability assessment with Kimley Horn ($198,700); additional HVAC parts/services from Trane US Inc. ($35,000); amendment for water pipeline assessment with McKim & Creed ($249,958.48); third renewal of liquid polymer supply with Polydyne Inc. (up to $230,000). Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were pulled for separate discussion but all passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Support for Fire Chief Ray Perez: Seven speakers, including former employees, residents, and representatives from the Liberal Black Firefighters of Broward County and the Professional Firefighters Association of South Florida, publicly supported Chief Perez against a vote of no confidence by Local 2820. They praised his leadership, diversity initiatives, transparency, and professionalism, and questioned the validity of the union vote held over multiple days at various locations.
- Foxcroft Project Concerns: Several residents of Foxcroft and surrounding communities expressed opposition to Item 14 (Residences at Foxcroft Cove), citing traffic congestion, crime, loss of privacy, inadequate road access, and the development's name confusion. They requested deferral or denial.
Discussion Items
- FY2025 Fee Schedule (Reso. #R8214): Approved 5-0. The schedule includes increases across multiple departments: finance (5% on business tax receipts), fire rescue (3.5% CPI-based), utilities (8% per prior resolution), social services (3% on early childhood and senior programs), building/planning/zoning (alcohol license review from $108 to $200; temporary alcohol permit from $54 to $100; land use amendments; variance fees from $250 to $500 for residential, new $3,000 for multi-family/non-residential; alcohol extended-hours license up to $500 for full liquor). Parks and recreation also raised food truck vendor fees and swim instruction fees. Staff noted that most increases affect businesses, not residents. Discussion clarified that reasonable accommodation variances (e.g., for wheelchairs) have separate lower fees.
- Comprehensive Pay Plan (Reso. #R8229): Approved 5-0. Covers ~350 non-represented employees. Key elements: 3% COLA (October), 2% merit (May 2025), increased longevity rates matching union contract, living wage raised to $15.45/hour, new medical insurance benefit for retiring division directors or above (until Medicare eligibility), and salary adjustments for five IT employees to maintain FLSA exempt status. Commissioner Chambers requested a future item on salary changes for the city commission.
- Fire Apparatus Financing (Reso. #R8235): Approved 5-0. Authorized $8 million lease-purchase with Bank of America Public Capital Corp at 3.85% fixed rate for 7 years to replace 10 vehicles (4 engines, 1 platform ladder, 3 rescues, 2 battalion units). Some existing engines are 23 years old. Discussion included fleet reliability, ISO rating improvement, and potential donation of retired units to other countries or use in school outreach. Vice Mayor Davis and Commissioner Chambers suggested exploring donation options.
- The Park Rezoning – First Reading (Ord. #O1827): Approved 5-0 (second reading scheduled October 16). Changes ~102 acres at Miramar Parkway and Red Road from Rural (RL) and Planned Industrial Development (PID) to Mixed-Use High (MH) to allow mixed-use development including multifamily, hotel, office, retail, parks, and trails. Applicant (Dennis Mealy) presented renderings. Discussion focused on a proposed traffic signal at the Red Road entrance (Commissioner Chambers concerned about congestion) and the need for a fire station within the development. Commissioner Colburn requested additional meetings before second reading.
- Live Local Act Ordinance – First Reading (Ord. #O1834): Continued to October 2, 2024 at staff request.
- Residences at Foxcroft Cove – Quasi-Judicial Hearing (Reso. #R8172): Staff Presentation: Nixon Lebrun described an 84-unit affordable housing (30-80% AMI) on a 2.13-acre vacant lot at 3300 Foxcroft Road. The development would have a 5-story building with a parking garage, 188 spaces (exceeding code), perimeter fence, and security cameras. The applicant had made changes based on prior community meetings (e.g., added parking, increased unit sizes). Applicant Presentation: Paul Grelecki (New Rock Companies) detailed the project's 50-year affordability period, tenant screening (background checks, code of conduct), and construction management. He noted the developer has an access easement via Foxcroft Road, a private road owned by the Foxcroft Condominium Association. Public Testimony: Residents raised concerns about insufficient street access, traffic (exacerbated by nearby new developments), crime (police chief acknowledged potential increase based on comparable projects), construction noise, building height, loss of property values, and the name confusion with the existing Foxcroft Condominium. The HOA president (Roland Sherizard) stated the board had not granted access and was not satisfied with the developer's offers. Outcome: After discussion, the Commission voted unanimously (5-0) to defer the item to a future meeting (likely October 16) to allow the developer to meet again with the Foxcroft community and address unresolved issues. Commissioner Barnes emphasized the lack of prior resident engagement.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0 (all items).
- FY2025 Fee Schedule (R8214): Approved 5-0.
- Comprehensive Pay Plan (R8229): Approved 5-0.
- Fire Apparatus Financing (R8235): Approved 5-0. Further staff work on donation policy requested.
- The Park Rezoning First Reading (O1827): Approved 5-0. Second reading October 16.
- Live Local Act Ordinance (O1834): Continued to October 2.
- Foxcroft Cove (R8172): Deferred 5-0 for community engagement.
- Resolution Condemning Hatred Against Haitian Americans (R8241): Approved 5-0 (Commissioner Barnes voted retroactively).
- Meeting Extensions: Extended twice (first to 11:30 PM, then additional 20 minutes) to complete agenda.
- Future Meetings: Special Commission Meetings on October 2 at 6:30 PM and 6:45 PM (attorney-client sessions on litigation); regular meeting October 16.
Meeting Transcript
Report West for many factors, not just uh the sensitive environmental and human risk issues, but as well as um what it would be. Good evening. The meeting of the Mayomar 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. Excuse me. With any questions, comments 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 ATT Uverse subscribers on Channel 99. As of September 18, 2024, 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. Please note tonight um Vice Mayor Davis will be appearing remotely. At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Massum. Here. Commissioner Barnes. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Commissioner Colburn. Here. Vice Mayor Davis. Here. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. City Attorney Gary. Here. Let us rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. My pledge of allegiance. We do have a commemoration list for bereaved city of Myanmar employees. Keith DeVaux, Social Services, Lost His Mother, Arland Alonde, St. Till Prince, Financial Services, Sister. Leah Dereel, Engineering, Uncle, Olicia Waits, Human Resources, Uncle. Let's keep our colleagues and peers in our thoughts and prayers during their time of bereavement, as well as any other condolences we are expressing in our community. At this time, let's have a moment of silence. Now at this time, we have two presentations. Our first presentation will be for the local government academy graduation. And at this time, I invite Chief of Staff Cassandra Lindsay to the podium. Good evening, madam. How are you? Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk. My name is Cassandra Carvalho Lindsay, and I am the Chief of Staff in the Office of the City Manager. It is an honor to stand before you this evening to recognize the graduates of the city's local government academy. And they're all here this evening looking so beautiful. The local government academy was launched in July 2022.
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