The Miramar City Commission held a regular meeting on November 20, 2024, starting at 7:03 PM and adjourning at approximately 11:45 PM. The agenda included proclamations, youth council presentations, approval of consent items, multiple resolutions, public hearings, and a major quasi-judicial item: The Park at Miramar mixed-use development. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Proclamations & Presentations:
Item 12 (Fire Apparatus Purchase): Division Chief Cliff Ricketts presented purchase of 10 vehicles (ladder truck, engines, rescues, battalion units) totaling $8,181,898. Funding from Bank of America lease purchase and vehicle replacement account. Approved unanimously.
Item 13 (Pickleball Courts): Assistant Director Holly Hicks presented award to Bejar Construction for $367,614. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about congestion and parking at Silver Lakes Tennis Complex. Parks Director Billy Neal noted overflow parking and existing pickleball locations citywide. Other commissioners expressed strong support for expanding pickleball infrastructure. Approved (Commissioner Chambers voted yes after discussion).
Item 14 (VIP/Restroom Containers): Change Order No. 3 for phase two of shipping container project at Miramar Regional Park ($195,331.27). Commissioner Chambers inquired about amphitheater sound mitigation and future rain protection; staff reported cost issues and future project schedules. Approved (Commissioner Chambers voted no).
Items 15 & 16 (Bike/Pedestrian Improvements): City Engineer Salvador Zuniga presented award of IFB to FG Construction for construction ($3,240,983 including 10% contingency) and award of RFQ to Carnahan, Proctor & Cross for CEI services ($447,499.69). Funded by FDOT LAP grant with maximum contribution of $3,546,931. Commissioner Colburn thanked for obtaining grants; Commissioner Barnes requested police watch for cyclist safety. Approved unanimously.
Item 17 (Mitigation Credits): Assistant City Engineer Leah deRiel presented agreement with Bluefield Ranch Mitigation Bank for 16.2 wetland mitigation credits at $260,000/credit ($4.212M) plus $988K contingency ($5.2M total). Required for Pembroke Road/Miramar Parkway expansion permits. Approved unanimously.
Item 18 (Unauthorized Public Camping/Sleeping Ordinance – Second Reading): Major Tysheika Shaw presented the ordinance aligning with HB 1365. Data showed 101 homeless encounters in 2024 (up from 88 in 2022). New initiatives: Homeless Task Force Coordinator Officer Ryan Little, grant for pickup truck ($30,000), contract with Broward County Transit for 500 bus passes (charged for 250). Commissioners praised the compassionate, proactive approach. Approved unanimously.
Item 19 (FY24 Budget Amendment – Second Reading): Management & Budget Assistant Director Carmen Dominguez presented $2.98M increase in general fund expense and revenue. Police overtime exceeded budget by $1.6M; public works by $363K; parks by $398K. Budget department will expand overtime reporting. Discussion focused on overtime drivers (special events, minimum staffing, vacancies, unplanned events). Commissioners acknowledged need for better cost projections. Approved unanimously.
Items 20-23 (Zoning Map Amendment, DRI Amendment, Residential Unit Mix Acknowledgement, Traffic Concurrency Amendment): Building, Planning & Zoning Director Nixon LeBrun presented. All second readings, consistent with comprehensive plan, approved unanimously.
Items 24 & 25 (The Park at Miramar – Quasi-Judicial): This mixed-use development on 125.8 acres at northeast corner of Red Road and Miramar Parkway includes 2,874 dwelling units, 337,317 sq ft commercial, 125,354 sq ft office, 185-room hotel, parks and plazas. Applicant requests: allocation of 156 flex units and 500 redevelopment units; variances for lot frontage, build-to-line, building height, and sign size; site plan and CAB approval; development agreement. Staff (Nixon LeBrun) presented variances and community benefits: 100 affordable units (including 10 hometown heroes), up to $8M contribution to affordable housing fund, 15% WMBE construction participation, local business support. Applicant (Dennis Mealy, Andy Anson, James Bree) emphasized economic impact ($1B investment, $10M annual revenue, $30M one-time fees). Commissioner Colburn questioned variances and traffic/hospital impacts. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about police/fire staffing and hospital capacity. Mayor Messam highlighted transformative potential and connectivity to city hall. Meeting extended to 11:20 PM, then to 11:45 PM. Multiple motions for each application and variance were approved unanimously. The development agreement (Item 25) was approved unanimously.
Item 26 (Universal Drywall Conditional Use): Proposed enlargement of nonconforming office building at 6110 Pembroke Road. Staff recommended conditions (solid fencing, landscaping). Approved unanimously.
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