Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - July 9, 2025
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting (July 9, 2025)
The Miramar City Commission met on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, beginning at approximately 7:02 PM in the Commission Chambers at 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL. The meeting included proclamations, employee recognition, public participation, a 15-item consent calendar, board appointments, budget and assessment rate resolutions, two ordinance second readings, and one first reading. All votes taken during the meeting were unanimously approved (5-0). Public participation was held beginning at 7:32 PM. The meeting was twice extended to complete the agenda and concluded after 11:00 PM. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Proclamations & Presentations
- July 2025 proclaimed Parks & Recreation Month with the theme 'Build Together, Play Together.'
- July 10, 2025 proclaimed Bahamian Independence Day (52nd anniversary); City Hall will be lit in Bahamian national colors.
- July proclaimed UV Safety Awareness Month; Senior Landscape Planner Sue-Ling Rosario noted that dense tree canopies can block up to 95% of UV radiation.
- Abdul 'Chubby' Ghani was recognized for 30 years of service to the City of Miramar.
- Chief of Staff Cassandra Carvalho Lindsey presented a Caribbean American Heritage Month celebration recap.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kevin Lopez, band director at Miramar High School for the past seven years, spoke on behalf of the 200-student Miramar Soldier Band. He stated that the program has quadrupled student participation, achieved seven consecutive superior ratings at Florida Band Masters Association assessments, and earned an 'A' school rating for the first time in 11 years. He expressed that the band's instruments are often older than the students and sometimes break right before performances, and requested city assistance. Mayor Messam responded that the city 'will do something' and would follow up with the school.
Consent Calendar
Approved by one motion, with item 14 pulled for separate discussion. Items approved included:
- Minutes to be placed on the September 3, 2025 Commission meeting agenda.
- $50,000 for contracted laboratory testing services from Advanced Environmental Laboratories, Inc. (total expenditure $124,999 for FY2025).
- $220,000 perimeter fence installation at the West Water Treatment Plant to Eastern Harbour Group, Inc., plus $80,000 project allowance (total not-to-exceed $300,000).
- $120,517.50 ArcGIS Enterprise upgrade and managed services with NV5 Geospatial, Inc., with competitive bidding waived.
- $80,855 underground conduit installation on Miramar Parkway from Douglas Road to Palm Avenue to Florida Keys Contractors, L.L.C.
- $98,515 aquatic plant harvester purchase from Weedoo Greenboat Inc.
- $250,000 Stormwater Master Plan grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- $145,970 renewal of multi-factor authentication software licenses with AIP-UP, L.L.C.
- Ratification of $61,778 emergency purchase of security software services from Mission Critical Systems, L.L.C. (total expenditure $113,521).
- $498,411 smoke control and building automation system improvements at the Miramar Cultural Center Artspark, plus $50,000 contingency (total $548,411) to Trane U.S., Inc.
- $200,000 citywide purchase of goods from W.W. Grainger, Inc.
- $453,000 second one-year renewal of security guard services with Bright Light Security Services, L.L.C.
- $173,180 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for electric vehicle charging stations.
- $75,000 of Law Enforcement Trust Funds for advanced Miramar Police Department training.
Discussion Items
- Item 14 (Megacenter Miramar Covenant): Staff presented the release of a 1996 Combination Agreement for five platted lots (7481, 7451, 7429, 7377, and 7401 Riviera Boulevard) and its replacement with a covenant running with the land. The change allows the owner to sell parcels individually while remaining bound to the 2016-approved site plan. Applicant attorney David Sachs and staff answered commissioner questions; the item was approved.
- Board Appointments: Bradford Larkin was appointed to the Civil Service Board by the City Manager. Alex Linwood was selected for the Teen Council at-large seat over Caitlin Barrett and Jordan Lewis.
- 70th Anniversary Sponsorship Funds: Approved distribution of $78,500, including $5,000 each to the American Cancer Society, Rotary Club of Miramar Pines, QANES Club of East Miramar Pines, and Christmas in July Foundation, with the remaining $58,500 for scholarships (up to ten $2,000 awards for graduating seniors with a 3.0 GPA and financial need). Commissioners Chambers and Sherizard requested consideration for students below a 3.0 GPA and an added community-service component.
- FY26 Budget and Millage (Items 18 and 19): Management and Budget Director Rafael Sanmiguel presented the $423 million proposed FY26 budget. The proposed operating millage rate remains 7.1172 mills with no increase, and the fire protection assessment remains at 100% of the estimated rate. The average homesteaded single-family home would see a tax increase of $63.72 per year ($5.31/month), while the average homesteaded household pays about $2,700 per year ($2.45/day) for city services. Commissioner Sherizard expressed concern about the city's 43% reliance on ad valorem revenue, asked staff to explore using the lower of Save Our Homes or assessed value for the fire fee hardship exemption, and advocated for a resident referendum on budget priorities. Mayor Messam cautioned that significant millage reductions would likely affect staffing, noting that salaries and benefits represent about 70% of the general fund. The public hearing was set for September 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
- Stormwater Assessment (Item 22): Approved the preliminary FY26 stormwater rate of $135 per equivalent residential unit (ERU), an increase of $15/year ($1.25/month), generating projected revenue of $7,879,100. Funds will support operations, debt service, and future capital projects including Historic Miramar drainage improvements phases five and six.
- AC Perry K-8 Projects (Items 20 and 21): Approved construction award to Homestead Concrete & Drainage, Inc. for sidewalk improvements in the amount of $1,155,000.03, and the CEI (construction engineering and inspection) services award to Carnahan, Proctor & Cross, Inc. for $236,455.95. Construction is expected to begin in approximately three months. Note: The resolution for item 21 was read aloud with the CEI amount as $263,455.95, while the agenda and staff presentation both state $236,455.95.
- Surplus Van Donation (Item 23): Approved donation of one used Public Safety police passenger van, valued at or below $5,000, to the Justice Project of South Florida, Inc. The recipient spoke about using the van for outreach, reentry services, and transporting youth program participants. Commissioner Edwards, who sponsored the item, praised the organization's work.
- Pipeline Leak Repairs (Item 24): Approved Change Order #2 with Plumber Mikes, Inc. for $1,350,650. Staff reported 247 leaks in the Silver Lakes community beginning in 2022 and an additional 226 leaks this year in Viscaya, Huntington, Arbor Lakes, Riviera Isles, and Sunset Lakes. The project is projected to save 475 gallons per minute and $1,285,749 in water costs. Commissioner Chambers noted the existing pipes were inferior developer-installed materials; staff confirmed replacements use high-grade HDPE pipe.
- Parkview Affordable Housing (Item 25): Approved a $1,500,000 expenditure to Florida Community Development Corporation (FCDC) for site work, infrastructure, drainage, and park development, and ratified the November 2024 agreement amendment. Funding consists of $1.3 million from CIP project 53025 and $200,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Staff clarified the additional funding addresses Broward County elevation and stormwater requirements.
- Vacation Rentals Ordinance (Item 26, First Reading): Approved an amendment to Land Development Code Section 405.11 removing the minimum general liability insurance coverage for vacation rentals while retaining the insurance requirement. Staff noted the Planning and Zoning Board recommended denial on July 8, 2025. Commissioner Chambers stated the $2 million minimum was an oversight creating a burden on short-term rental operators. Second reading is scheduled for September 3, 2025.
- Item 27 (Zoning Certificates of Use, Second Reading): Staff requested and received a continuance to the October 22, 2025 Commission meeting.
- Floodplain Management Ordinance (Item 28, Second Reading): Approved the reorganization of floodplain standards into a new Chapter 6 and an increase in the design flood elevation to base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard (up from one). The change maintains the city's Community Rating System Class 8 rating, providing a 10% flood insurance premium discount to policyholders.
- FY25 Budget Amendment (Item 29, Second Reading): Approved a $43,000 amendment from the Fire and EMS CIP fund (fund 381) for transfer switch and generator work: $9,300 for Fire Station 19, $20,000 for Fire Station 84, and $13,000 for Fire Station 100. Commissioner Edwards, who was not present for the roll call, requested and had his yes vote recorded in the minutes.
- CDBG Consolidated Plan and Action Plans (Items 30 and 31): Approved the 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan and 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan with an estimated $825,000 in CDBG funds ($501,000 residential rehabilitation, $35,000 rehabilitation inspections, $124,000 rental assistance, and $165,000 program administration). Also approved reallocating $165,000 from commercial rehabilitation programs to rental assistance ($143,000 from 2023-24 and $22,000 from 2024-25). Commissioner Sherizard requested future consideration of condo owner access and program administration costs. Mayor Messam warned that the federal government has proposed zero funding for CDBG in the 2026 budget.
Key Outcomes
- All consent, resolution, and ordinance items before the Commission were approved unanimously (5-0).
- Public hearings set: September 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM for the tentative budget, proposed millage rate, and final fire and stormwater assessment rates; September 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM for the final FY26 budget and capital improvement program.
- Second reading of the vacation rental insurance ordinance (O1850) scheduled for September 3, 2025.
- Item 27 (Zoning Certificates of Use) continued to October 22, 2025.
- The City Manager's office was directed to explore assistance options for the Miramar High School band program.
- Staff was asked to provide Commissioner Sherizard with information on the Youth Enrichment Center renovation timeline and the renaming of the Alexandra P. Davis Center.
Meeting Transcript
All right, the time is seven oh two. Like to ask everyone to take your seats. All elected officials, please come to the dais for gathering in and roll call. 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 Miramar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATTU versus Channel 99 for all City of Myanmar subscribers. As of July 9th, 2025 at 3 p.m., no members from the public has 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 and will be considered by the city commission before or prior to any action taken at this time. Commissioner Chambers. Here. City Attorney Powell. Here. City Attorney Gary. Here. First, Jasmine Thurston, marketing department lost her uncle. Jordi Spencer, Parks and Recreation Department, Father. Daniel McVeigh, Parks and Recreation. It says summer camp counselor. I'm assuming that's a reference. That that is a staff. Okay. And Giovanni Thomas from our youth advisory council lost his father. Let's keep our city staff as well as our youth advisory council member in our thoughts and prayers as they bereave the loss of family members. Let's have a moment of silence. Thank you. Please note the staff is requesting that item number 27 dash 081847 under public hearing be continued to the October 22nd Commission meeting. So item number 27 has been requested by staff to be continued until the October 22nd Commission meeting. On to proclamations. All right, we're ready to get this going? Okay. Parks and recreation month, July 20, 2025. Whereas Parks and Recreation is an integral is an integral part of the community throughout this country, including the city of Myanmar. And whereas the 2025 National Recreation and Park Association theme, build together, play together, is a reminder of the contributions of more than a hundred and sixty thousand full-time park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers who maintain our country's close to home parks. And whereas together, we are building and maintaining sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations. And whereas together, we are building thriving communities focused on health and wellness, high quality programs, and spaces accessible and inclusive for all. And whereas parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles. And whereas parks and recreation is an essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change. And whereas the U.S. House of Representative has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month. Now, therefore, I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the city of Miramar, and on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim July 2025 as parks and recreation month. And I think we all can agree that our parks and recreation department and staff and all of over our 40 parks, as well as all the events that we do in the city, we are a gold standard for many communities as relates to providing recreational spaces as well as with the dynamic programming that takes place at our wonderful parks. And that will not be possible without the amazing individuals that are joining us here on this dais. So let's give them a big round of applause. So everyone turn sideways, slide to your left and to your right. Let's get skinny. And I invite our city clerk, Miss Denise Gibbs, as well as any other Bahamians that may be here in the commission that you want to join us on the dais and observance of Bahamian Independence Day. Any other Bahamians of Bahamian descent? Okay, come on down, come on down, come on down. See if this was August, every Jamaican and Trinity would be running up here without any, I'd have to ask them twice, right?
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