Miramar City Commission Meeting - November 5, 2025
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Miramar City Commission Meeting
Date: November 5, 2025
The Miramar City Commission met on November 5, 2025, to address a variety of items including multiple proclamations, consent agenda approvals, and a contentious settlement agreement regarding an 84-unit affordable housing development. The meeting also featured a presentation from the family of a cold case homicide victim and a resolution to establish an emergency food assistance program.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- National Recycling Day (November 15, 2025): Accepted by representatives of Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. (Broward County Radiance chapter).
- Panamanian Independence Day and Heritage Month: Recognized by Vice Mayor Colburn; Melissa Stewart, a city employee of Panamanian descent, accepted the proclamation.
- National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month (November 2025): Accepted by Jeff Alexander of Food for the Poor, who highlighted recent donations of 30 pallets of aid for Jamaica.
- Epilepsy Awareness Month (November 2025): Proclaimed by the commission.
- 602 Help Month (November 2025): Recognized for the city's customer service line (954-602-HELP).
- National Veterans and Military Families Month (November 2025): Honored with a video presentation and street pole banners for 18 Miramar veterans.
Consent Calendar
- Item 2: Grant funding from the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County ($73,500 for senior services, including a breakfast program for 125 seniors daily). Approved unanimously.
- Item 5: Local Agency Program Agreement with FDOT for design services on Honey Hill Drive (multi-use path, lighting, ADA ramps) – $307,322. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 16 (Foxcroft Development): Multiple residents of Foxcroft and Miramar Club spoke in opposition to the settlement agreement. They expressed concerns about excessive density (84 units on 2.13 acres), crime, traffic, and the developer's conduct. Speakers included Sharan Mullings, Millicent Matt Bean, Deborah Morgan, Any Bernard, Cheryl Gutman, Kimberly Williams, Hilary Marshall, and Roland Sherizard (president of Foxcroft condominiums). They urged the commission to continue fighting the lawsuit rather than settle.
- Cold Case (Altadori family): Attorney Kirchconzi addressed the commission on behalf of the family of a quadruple murder from 1997, asking for additional police resources. The police chief confirmed the case remains active with ongoing investigation.
Discussion Items
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Items 8-10, 12, 14, 15: Routine appointments, insurance renewals, and budget amendments were approved with minimal discussion.
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Item 11 (Solid Waste Assessment): A resolution to move residential solid waste fees from monthly utility bills to the annual property tax bill (non-ad valorem assessment). The city collects 92% on utility bills vs. 96% on tax rolls. No fee increase; residents will see a decrease in monthly utility bills. Approved unanimously after discussion about renter impacts.
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Item 16 (Foxcroft Settlement – 84-unit affordable housing):
- The developer (Arbor Rich Housing Partners) sued after the city denied their site plan, plat, and CAB applications in October 2024.
- Staff recommended settlement, citing strong legal arguments for the developer (technical code compliance) and risk of losing in court, leading to no concessions for residents.
- Settlement terms: Developer increases donation from $150,000 to $200,000 for road maintenance, adds CPTED measures (lighting, security cameras, six-foot wall, landscaping), on-site management, background checks, and pothole repairs.
- Commissioner Chambers proposed a compromise (senior housing at 110-120 units) but was ruled infeasible due to time constraints (court deadline November 18).
- Vote: 3-2 in favor of settlement (Vice Mayor Colburn, Commissioner Edwards, Mayor Massum yes; Commissioners Chambers and Sherizard no).
- The mayor acknowledged the difficult decision and urged residents to report any construction issues.
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Item 18 (Emergency Food Assistance Program): Sponsored by Vice Mayor Colburn to address food insecurity amid federal shutdown concerns. The resolution was amended to authorize $150,000 for the city manager to develop and implement the program. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent items 2, 5, 8-10, 12, 14, 15: All approved unanimously.
- Item 11 (Solid Waste Assessment): Adopted unanimously; effective November 2026.
- Item 16 (Foxcroft Settlement): Approved 3-2; settlement includes concessions but no changes to unit count (84 units).
- Item 18 (Food Assistance): Approved with $150,000 cap; city manager to report back.
- Commission reports: Commissioner Chambers received consensus to explore a mobile health clinic for Jamaica and a staff relief trip; Vice Mayor Colburn noted ongoing donations for Jamaica and plans to address Glades Middle School closure.
- Cold case: Commission acknowledged the Altadori family’s request; police chief committed to continued investigation.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. The meeting of the Miramar City Commission is now called to order, and 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 or 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 ATT U versus Channel 99 for all Myanmar City subscribers. Mayor Masson. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Commissioner Sherizard. Present. Vice Mayor Colburn. Yeah. Commissioner Edwards. Yeah. City Manager Dr. Virgin. Here. City Attorney Booker. City Attorney Powell. Let us all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. We do have a commemoration list of bereaved City of Myanmar employees. Indy Romnerin from the Engineering and Strategic Development Department. Laws of Father-in-law, Eddie Russley, Public Works, Mother and Aunt. Maxo Saintelis, Public Works, Brother in Law. Aubrey Boyd, Public Works, Aunt. Shauncia Harrell, Human Resources, Aunt. Let's keep our colleagues and city staff in our thoughts and prayers, as well as any other condolences we are observing in the community, and we'll have a moment of silence. Thank you. Before we move on, I have some exciting news to share. The Myanmar Cultural Center has been nominated in three categories for South Florida Favorites by the Sun Sentinel, the Art Gallery, Life Theater, and Summer Camp. This recognition reflects the incredible work that MCC staff does every day to make MCC a true hub where community and culture converge for our great city. So let's give our cultural affairs department a big round of applause and congratulations on these recognition. Also, please note that item 13 has been pulled from tonight's agenda. And now we'll go on to presentations for our proclamations. Y'all want to join me from that? At this time, I invite top ladies of Distinction Inc. representative to the dais to receive the national recycling. No, this recycling day, we'll jump there since I grabbed this one first. This was on top. Good evening, ladies. Proclamation National Recycling Day, November 15th, 2025. Whereas the City of Myanmar recognizes that responsible stewardship of our natural resources is essential to the health, prosperity, and sustainability of our community. And whereas recycling conserves raw materials, reduces energy consumption, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and diverts waste from landfills, protecting our environment for future generations. And whereas the act of recycling empowers every resident, business, and institution to contribute directly to a circular economy that minimizes waste and maximizes resources efficiency. And whereas National Recycling Day observed annually on November 15th serves as a nationwide call to reinforce recycling habits, educate our citizens, and celebrate collective progress towards a zero-waste future. And whereas the city of Myanmar commits to leading by example through expanded curbsite collection, public education campaigns, partnerships with local recyclers, and investment in innovative waste reduction technologies. And whereas the city of Myanmar urges all residents, schools, businesses, and organizations to pledge to recycle right by knowing what materials are accepted locally. Participate in community cleanup and collection events, purchase products made with recycled content to close the loop and educate one another on the economic and environmental benefits of recycling. Now, therefore, I wane Mesa, mayor of the city of Myanmar, and on behalf of Vice Mayor Yvette Colburn and the City Commission do hereby proclaim November 15th, 2025 as national recycling day. Vice Mayor Colburn. Yes, thank you.
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