Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - January 21, 2026
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - January 21, 2026
The City of Miramar Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included presentations, consent agenda approvals, resolutions, public hearings, and commission reports. All votes were unanimous unless noted otherwise.
Presentations
- Mental Wellness Month Proclamation: Mayor Messam and Commissioner Cherasard proclaimed January 2026 as Mental Wellness Month, honoring Dr. Gerda Williams for her contributions to mental health in Miramar.
- Cultural Affairs Artscape 2026–2028: Cultural Affairs Director Camasha Cevieux introduced the new public artists for the Miramar Cultural Center Artscape installation, including Cindy Reyes (present) and Gus and Lena Oka Silva and Elena Bolotova (absent).
- APWA Accreditation: Public Works Director Shana Coombs and APWA President-Elect Robert Garland announced the department achieved accreditation on November 25, 2025, becoming the 41st agency in Florida and the second in Broward County. The department conformed to 261 of 276 practices (100% compliance), with two model practices (budget process and fleet procurement) recommended for national best practices.
- Crime Report: Police Chief Delrish Moss reported a 9.9% overall crime reduction in 2025 compared to 2024, including decreases in robberies (9.68%), rapes (42.11%), murders (70%), burglaries (20.87%), thefts from motor vehicles (30.22%), and arsons (40%). The department is budgeted for 265 officers (up from 230) and currently has about 250. The department received its 30th consecutive accreditation from CALEA.
- SelectFlorida Export Mission to South Africa: Senior International Affairs Administrator Paul Njoroge presented highlights from the November 29 – December 11, 2025 trade mission to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Nelson Mandela Bay. Commissioner Cherasard and Edwards participated. Key outcomes included qualifying South African firms for trade pipelines, positioning Miramar as a gateway to the U.S. and Caribbean, and scheduling a South African delegation visit on February 19, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- Items Approved En Masse: The following items were approved unanimously without discussion: minutes of prior workshops; Temp. Reso. #R8547 (grant acceptance for Amphitheater noise abatement); #R8579 (Stormwater Master Plan with Kimley Horn); #R8585 (CDBG amendment); #R8582 (AV Technician services); #R8584 (LED screens for Cultural Center); #R8592 (pumps); #R8575, #R8587, #R8574, #R8577, #R8578, #R8583, #R8586, #R8588, #R8590, #R8589 (various recreational/facility agreements and MOUs).
- Pulled Items: Items 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15 were pulled for discussion and voted on separately (see below).
Discussion Items (Pulled from Consent)
- Item 2 – Amphitheater Noise Abatement Grant: Ratified the City Manager's execution of a grant agreement with Broward County for $265,000 (with a 2:1 match, city contribution $530,000). Presentation detailed sound panel installation. Approved unanimously.
- Item 3 – Stormwater Master Plan: Awarded RFQ to Kimley Horn in the amount of $250,000, funded by an FDEP grant. Discussion included flood zone concerns and coordination with the floodplain management plan. Approved unanimously.
- Item 4 – CDBG Amendment: Reallocated $150,000 from microenterprise assistance to rental assistance. Program offers up to $8,000 per household for rental or mortgage assistance (federal income guidelines, up to 80% AMI). Approved unanimously.
- Items 13, 14, 15 – Youth Sports / Facility Agreements: These MOUs with Southwest Broward Junior Athletic Association (SWBJAA), Optimist Club of Miramar, and Miramar Police Athletic League were discussed together. Concerns were raised about field overuse and resident access. Staff explained field management practices and that contracts limit season usage. Approved unanimously.
Resolutions
- Item 18 – Lift Station Generators (42, 59, 68, 76): Awarded to All Florida Contracting Services for a combined $662,685 (75% FDEM cost share). Approved unanimously.
- Item 19 – Lift Station 54 Generator: Awarded to Juliana Enterprises D/B/A Adal FGC for $161,059. Approved unanimously.
- Item 20 – Regional Biosolids Management Facility: Approved the second Interlocal Agreement with Broward County, securing a reserved capacity of 18,785 wet tons per year with a city contribution of $3,475,000 (6.95% of design cost). Future construction cost estimated at $570 million (city share ~$39.25 million). Approved unanimously.
- Item 21 – Water Meter Replacement: Approved purchase from Sensus USA in an amount not to exceed $1,424,999.66 (plus $74,892 previously authorized) as city standard, waiving competitive bidding. Discussion focused on meter accuracy and billing concerns. Approved unanimously.
- Item 22 – Lift Station Rehabilitation: Approved piggyback agreement with South Florida Utilities, Inc. for $1,461,903.28 (including contingency) to rehabilitate lift stations B, F, 11, 37, 45, 46, 89, and 103. Approved unanimously.
Public Hearings
- Item 23 – Consolidated Retirement Plan Amendments (Second Reading): Approved amendments to the City's Consolidated Retirement and Trust Fund, including joint annuitant substitution, optional COLA, DROP Loan Program, part-time service vesting credit, and a Post-Retirement Option Plan (PROP). The pension board and union were supportive. Approved unanimously.
- Item 24 – Police Officers' Retirement Plan PROP (Second Reading): Approved creating a Post-Retirement Option Plan for the Miramar Police Officers' Retirement Plan. No changes from first reading. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments
- Only one registered speaker, Alex McCrae (address: 2751 Buttonwood Avenue), addressed the Commission during Public Participation. He raised concerns about lift station odors near his home (which he said had sent him to the hospital), street marking conditions and potential toxic dust from cement work, and expressed gratitude for the Commission's work. The Mayor directed staff to coordinate with him on the lift station and street markings.
- No other public comments were made.
Key Outcomes & Next Steps
- All items on the agenda were approved, with all votes unanimous (5-0).
- The City Manager was directed to address the lift station odor issue raised by Mr. McCrae, and to improve communication with him.
- Commissioner Edwards requested a meeting with City Manager, code compliance, building, and public works regarding flood issues in specific areas.
- Vice Mayor Colbourne requested a report on homelessness, including categories, to be presented at a future meeting.
- The City Attorney announced an executive session on February 11, 2026, at approximately 6 PM regarding pending litigation (George Wood v. City of Miramar, OJCC case no. 25-02191 MJR).
- The next regular City Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I just saw that. Good evening. Happy belated new year for our first meeting of the calendar year of twenty twenty six. Good to see everyone here in the chambers. 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.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight. 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 Myanmar FL.gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel 78 and ATTU versus channel 99 for City of Myanmar subscribers. As of January 21st, 2026 at 4 30 p.m., no member 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 for this meeting and will be considered by the city commission prior to any action taken. At this time, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Massum. Here. Commissioner Chambers. Commissioner Sharazard, present Vice Mayor Colburn. Yeah. Commissioner Edwards. 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. We do have a commemoration list of bereaved City of Myanmar employees. It goes as follows. Jeanette Cannon, HR department, lost her mother, Melissa Stewart, HR department, stepmother, Joanne Chung, building planning and zoning, 21-year-old daughter, Jason Chong, procurement, 20 21-year-old niece, Margaret Evans, building planning and zoning, niece, Roderick Clark, Public Works, Brother, Winston Freeman, Finance, Cousin, Shantal, Millset, Finance, Uncle, Madeline Ramos, PD, Aunt, Italia Thurston, PD nephew, and Jasmine Thurston, marketing cousin. Let's keep our colleagues and our thoughts and our prayers as they're going through this difficult time. And any other condolences we are observing in the city of Myanmar. Let's have a moment of silence. On to presentations. Um in observation of mental awareness month. And if we can have Commissioner Sherizard come forward, or if any other commissioners want to join us, feel free to do so as well. And we invite Dr. Gerda Williams to receive this proclamation. Good evening. Welcome, madam. Thank you. Whereas mental wellness is an essential component of overall health and well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, cope with stress, relate to others, and contribute positively to their families and communities. And whereas access to mental health education, early intervention, and culturally responsive care strengthens families, support youth and seniors, and promote safer, healthier neighborhoods. And whereas the City of Myanmar recognizes the importance of mental health practitioners who serve as trusted professionals, advocates, and healers within our community, providing critical clinical services, education, and support. And whereas Dr. Gerda Gerda Williams, a proud Miramar resident, is a respected mental health practitioner whose clinical practice is located in historic Myanmar and whose work has positively impacted countless individuals and families through compassionate professional and dedicated care. And whereas National Mental Wellness Month, observed each January, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage residents to prioritize mental health and well-being for themselves and others. Now, therefore, I Wayne Mesa, Mayor of the City of Miramar, on behalf of Commissioner Avril Sherazard and the City Commission do hereby proclaim January 2026 as mental wellness month. Commissioner Sherazard. Thank you, May Messaman.
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