Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting – March 20, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting – March 20, 2025
The City of Miramar Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025, beginning at 7:04 p.m. and extending past 11:00 p.m. The meeting featured multiple presentations, unanimous approval of several consent and resolution items, public comments on waste management and property issues, and a deferred vote on educational mitigation agreements. Mayor Wayne M. Messam participated remotely from Tallahassee on legislative matters.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the March 4, 2025 meeting were approved.
- Temp. Reso. #R8363 – Approved a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program subaward for a standby generator at Lift Station #42, not-to-exceed $149,880.60.
- Temp. Reso. #R8352 – Approved Change Order No. 3 with Conti L.L.C. for a reverse osmosis skid system at the West Water Treatment Plant, totaling $395,414 (including $195,414 for additional work and $200,000 contingency). (Pulled for discussion, later approved unanimously.)
- Temp. Reso. #R8359 – Awarded sidewalk construction/repair/replacement contract to Bhalai Construction LLC for $218,940 (bid $182,450 plus 20% contingency). (Pulled for discussion, later approved unanimously.)
- Temp. Reso. #R8346 – Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Broward County for a NatureScape Irrigation Service, costing $54,045 over five years.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roland Sherizard (address 3494 Foxcroft Road) read a 1983 letter from the city attorney stating that easements on a Foxcroft property were for utility lines only, not thoroughfares. He also thanked the police and fire departments for recent service in his community.
- Richard Ramcharitar (address 5010 SW 166th Avenue, Southwest Ranches; Director, Broward Clean Air) thanked the city for opposing a proposed incinerator near Miramar, invited attendees to a Zero Waste Forum (April 1–3, 2025 at Anne Kolb Nature Center), and expressed interest in bringing a workshop to Miramar.
Discussion Items
Water Treatment Plant Upgrade (Temp. Reso. #R8352)
- Senior Project Manager Eric François and Utilities Director Francois Domond explained that Change Order No. 3 adds isolation valves and piping to enable a bypass system for future expansion. The new reverse osmosis train will add 2.5 million gallons per day capacity. Current plants produce ~16.4 MGD out of a maximum 17.75 MGD, with existing trains running at full capacity 24/7. The project is 40% complete and expected to finish ahead of the revised June 29, 2026 deadline. Commissioners emphasized the need for redundancy and flexibility. Approved unanimously.
Sidewalk Construction Services (Temp. Reso. #R8359)
- Assistant Public Works Director Steven Hastings stated the contract will address about 50% of the city’s immediate sidewalk repair needs, focusing on trip hazards near schools, parks, and major roads. Root barriers will be installed where tree roots cause damage. Commissioner Colbourne requested a full evaluation of sidewalk needs. Approved unanimously.
Water Play Structure Replacement (Temp. Reso. #R8376) (Agenda Item #6)
- Parks Assistant Director Holly Hicks presented the replacement of the 17-year-old water play structure at Miramar Regional Park. The existing structure closed early due to structural safety issues. The new structure from L Squared Enterprises (Vortex equipment) features 22 interactive elements, a larger walking platform for adult assistance, lower water and energy consumption, and powder-coated stainless steel. Total cost is $923,553 ($684,796 base + $238,757 contingency). Manufacturing takes 16 weeks; installation about 4 weeks. Staff confirmed warranties (25 years on posts, 3 years on installation), inspections by city building and state health departments, and liquidated damages for delays. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about oversight based on past project deficiencies. Commissioners Sherizard noted features for sensory needs; Edwards asked about capacity (100 participants). Approved unanimously.
Brandon's Bistro Lease (Temp. Reso. #R8374) (Agenda Item #7)
- Development Officer DeBon Campbell presented a 10-year lease (with two 5-year renewal options) for Brandon's Bistro to occupy 3,800 sq ft of vacant retail space at Miramar Town Center. The city provides a shell (as-is) and a tenant improvement allowance capped at $325,000 (about 2.5 years of rent). Annual base rent starts at $152,500 with 3% increases. A 12-month rent-free build-out period is included. The restaurant expects to create 50 local jobs. Commissioner Chambers detailed the building’s controversial history; Mayor Messam noted the tenant brings diversity of cuisine. Commissioner Edwards asked about parking; staff mentioned a master signage plan and valet service. Commissioner Sherizard raised utility connection challenges (water meter, gas line); owners said they had learned from prior tenant issues. Approved unanimously (4-1? Actually recorded as unanimous: all yes).
Appointment to Solid Waste Authority (Temp. Reso. #R8318) (Agenda Item #8)
- Solid Waste & Recycling Manager Ralph Trapani and Executive Director Todd Stottlemyer presented the Solid Waste Authority’s progress: 28 of 31 Broward municipalities have joined; a master plan is due August 2025. Scenarios for waste diversion (current 31% toward state goal of 75%) were discussed. Commissioner Chambers nominated Commissioner Colbourne as the primary representative (replacing former Vice Mayor Davis). After debate, the commission voted 4-1 (Mayor Messam voted no) to appoint Commissioner Colbourne.
Deferral of Educational Mitigation Agreement Resolution (Temp. Reso. #R8379) (Agenda Item #11)
- Building, Planning & Zoning Director Nixon Lebrun explained that the resolution supports releasing nine cities from Tri-Party Educational Mitigation Agreements, which impose higher school impact costs (e.g., $5,000 per unit in activity centers vs. about $1,667 via standard impact fees). The School Board has formed a working group (meeting April 3). Several commissioners requested more information. Commissioner Chambers raised concerns about long-term city costs for infrastructure without receiving the impact fees. The item was deferred to the May 7, 2025 meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Agenda (Items 1, 2, 5) with items 3 and 4 pulled, discussed, and approved unanimously.
- Approved Temp. Reso. #R8352 (Reverse osmosis change order) – Unanimous.
- Approved Temp. Reso. #R8359 (Sidewalk contract) – Unanimous.
- Approved Temp. Reso. #R8376 (Water play structure) – Unanimous.
- Approved Temp. Reso. #R8374 (Brandon's Bistro lease) – Unanimous.
- Approved Temp. Reso. #R8318 (Appointment to Solid Waste Authority) – 4-1 (Mayor Messam opposed).
- Deferred Temp. Reso. #R8379 to the May 7, 2025 meeting without a vote.
- Item #9 (Capital Improvements Element ordinance) continued to April 16, 2025 per staff request.
- Commissioner Chambers requested an ordinance to make the police chief and fire chief charter officers (requiring charter amendment and ballot question).
- Commissioner Sherizard requested a decorum procedure for disruptive attendees.
- Meeting extended to approximately 11:30 p.m. to complete reports.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting is being recorded. Good evening, everyone. It is now seven oh four. We're going to start the meeting of the Myanmar City Commission, and it 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 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.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight and ATNTU versus Channel Ninety Nine for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of March twentieth, twenty twenty-five at twelve thirty PM. No members from the public have registered to participate virtually in this meeting. Here. Commissioner Edwards. President. City Manager, Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Gary 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 and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We do have a commemoration list and of bereaved City of Myanmar employees. And they are as follows. Kirk Hobson Garcia from Public Works lost his cousin. Horace Derek's Public Works lost his father. Christoph Hubert. Parks and Rex, daughter. Samina Ahmed Support Services, Father-in-law. Let's keep our colleagues and our thoughts and our prayers as they bereave their lost loved ones. Let's have a moment of silence. Before we go on to presentations and our proclamations, just would like to let the public know that I am in Tallahassee at our state for at the Capitol. I'm dealing with matters regarding the incinerator and our two bills that have been submitted. And I would like to personally welcome our two new colleagues, newly elected commissioners, Commissioner Sherizard and Commissioner Edwards. So I would like to welcome them to the City of Myanmar Commission. And we have two proclamations for this evening. And I would like to ask if City Manager Dr. Roy Virgin to come forward to present the government finance professionals week proclamation that I will read into the record. Let me know when you're ready. All right. Whereas the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, also known as FGFOA, is a professional association founded in 1937 and serves more than 3300 professionals from state, county, and city governments, school districts, colleges, and universities, special districts, and private firms. And whereas the FGFOA is dedicated to being a professional resource by providing opportunities through education, networking, leadership, and information. And whereas this government finance professionals week, sponsored by the FGFOA and all its member government organizations, is a week-long series of activities aimed at recognizing government finance professionals and the vital services that they provide to our state and our community. And whereas during this week, government finance professionals throughout the state of Florida will be acknowledged for their hard work, dedication, and leadership. Now, therefore, I Wayne Messon, mayor of the city of Miramar, and on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim March 17, 21 as government finance professionals week. And we would like to thank the hardworking staff of the Miramar City's Finance Department for all of their amazing work that they do to ensure the fiscal matters of the City of Myanmar are intact and our books are balanced. So thank you all so much for all the work that you do on behalf of the Miramar City Commission and our residents. Thank you so much. Let's give them a round of applause. Can we confirm, Commissioner Colburn, you requested a proclamation and recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month? Are the recipients present today? There are no recipients present today. It's going to be okay.
openpublica.com