Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - February 11, 2026
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - February 11, 2026
The Miramar City Commission held its regular meeting on February 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included four proclamations, presentations from the Youth Advisory Council, a school district update on consolidations, a police department report on homelessness, approval of the consent agenda, and a first reading of an ordinance amending landscaping and tree mitigation standards. The commission also addressed public comments and internal matters.
Proclamations
- The Mayor proclaimed February 20, 2026, as Government Communicators Day, February 2026 as Black History Month, February 2026 as American Heart Month, and January 21, 2026, as Alpha Rho Boule Day.
Presentations
- Youth Advisory Council reported on their attendance at the National League of Cities (NLC) conference in Salt Lake City, where they participated in workshops on grassroots campaigns, public space design, and accessibility. They highlighted their role in inspiring a similar youth council in North Miami and their involvement in city events.
- Teen Council Advisory Board presentation was deferred to the March 4, 2026 meeting.
- School District Update (by School Board Member Rebecca Thompson and Dr. Valerie Wanza): Explained the district's "redefining" plan due to a loss of nearly 50,000 students over 10 years from factors including school choice vouchers, rising cost of living, and charter school competition. Key actions: closure of Sunshine Elementary (students to Fairway Elementary, with busing across Miramar Parkway due to safety concerns), conversion of Hollandale High School to a 4-day school week (with students in West Park rezoned to Miramar High School), and future plans to turn Glades Middle School into a K–8 campus with a technical focus (which will require closing another elementary school in the west). The district will begin community conversations in May 2026 for additional changes. Additionally, the district noted that immigration enforcement concerns have led to a decline in immigrant student enrollment, with a drop of roughly 15–18,000 students during the school year across the county.
- Homelessness Update (by Police Chief Delrish Moss): In 2025, police identified 117 unsheltered individuals (139 contacts), with successes including 30 individuals receiving housing solutions and several family reunifications (e.g., a domestic violence survivor, a 76-year-old man). In 2026 to date, 26 unsheltered individuals were located (9 received housing, 5 awaiting solutions, 12 refused assistance). Chief Moss emphasized that homelessness is not a crime and that officers are trained to connect individuals with resources provided by partners such as Henderson Behavioral Health, Flight Center, and Broward Partnership. Several commissioners discussed the need for emergency shelter solutions and a potential city fund for short-term housing.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda (items 1–16) was approved unanimously. Two items were pulled for separate discussion:
- Item 3 (Resolution R8605): Master Services Agreement with Nova Southeastern University for up to $85,000 per fiscal year for training, research, and consulting services. Approved 5–0.
- Item 8 (Resolution R8603): Facility Use Agreement with Church in the Glades for Sunday services at Sunset Lakes Park for FY 2026. Approved 5–0.
Ordinance - First Reading
- Item 17 (Ordinance O1860): Amendment to the Land Development Code (Chapter 5, Section 506) on Landscaping Standards, including updates on synthetic turf (consistent with state law) and a new Homeowner Association (HOA) Tree Mitigation Program. The program allows HOAs to substitute smaller trees when space or utility conflicts exist, requires a tree inventory, species plan, and risk assessment, and waives permit fees for compliant mitigation plans. The ordinance also addresses root pruning and tree removal processes. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval on January 13, 2026. The commission approved the first reading 5–0, with second reading scheduled for March 4, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- All consent and ordinance items were approved by unanimous votes (5–0).
- The tree mitigation ordinance will move to a second reading on March 4, 2026.
- The youth advisory council presentation was received; the teen council presentation is deferred.
- The school district will begin further community engagement in May 2026 regarding additional school consolidations.
- The police department will continue homelessness outreach and coordinate with city staff on potential emergency housing funding.
- City Attorney announced a closed executive session for March 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM to discuss pending litigation (Alan Reinfeld et al. v. City of Miramar).
- Commissioners addressed public comments regarding commission unity and a disruptive incident at a recent Black History Month event, affirming the body's collegiality.
Meeting Transcript
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 public 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 dot gov slash commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight and the ATT Uverse Channel Ninety Nine for all Myanmar City subscribers. As of February eleventh, twenty twenty-six, four thirty PM. One member from the public has registered to participate virtually in this meeting. If someone is 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. We have a couple of proclamations to present, and the first will be in honor of Government Communications Day, and I invite marketing director Lorna Walker and team to receive the proclamation. Let's give them a round of applause. We have a lot of communicators up here. Proclamation, Government Communicators Day, February 20th, 2026. Whereas the role of government communications professionals is to inform, educate, and engage their communities, and whereas the City of Miramar's communicating provides robust government communication that creates trust and inspires residents to take action and be involved. And whereas the City of Myanmar's marketing department create relationships and calls to action, build awareness and understanding through storytelling, engage and foster engagement on civic issues and use of all channels to include people in critical decisions. And whereas it is essential to have strong communications and government because it is a foundational element of living in a democracy where citizens have the freedom to make their voice heard. And whereas the city of Myanmar is proud and has deep gratitude and recognition of the marketing department who serve as government communicators, professionalism, dedication, hard work, commitment, enthusiasm, and sacrifice. Now, therefore, I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the city of Miramar, and behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim February 20th, 2026 as government communicators day. Let's give our marketing department a big round of applause. Let's give them a round of applause. Parks and recs department, as we all know, our staff organizes and handles all logistics for most of our pretty much all of our city events. And we have some of the best professionals available to put on amazing events for our community. Black History Month, February 2026. Whereas Black History Month celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history and their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our nation's history. And whereas in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association of the Study of African American Life launched the first Negro History Week, a week-long observance of Black history to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans. And whereas Dr. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History sought to turn their commemorations more forthrightly into a far-reaching, organized and sustained effort to transform how black folks viewed themselves and how the world viewed them. And whereas on February 10th, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing Black History Month during the United States by centennial stating, we can seize the opportunity to honor the two often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. And whereas in 2026, the hundredth anniversary theme, a century of black history commemorations, invites reflection on how Black history celebrations have shaped and elevated the social, cultural, and political status of Black people. And whereas the efforts that have made February the month of Black History finds its way not simply into the schools of the Afric of the American nation, but also in the cultural heritage sites, public squares, workplaces, houses of worship, and homes across the land and across the oceans. And whereas recognizing Black History Month fosters awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the significant contributions and experiences of African Americans, and I encourage all residents to observe this month through meaningful educational and commemorative activities, honoring African American history and heritage. Now, therefore, in recognition of African Americans, past and present, I Wayne Messam, mayor of the City of Myanmar, and on behalf of the City Commission, do hereby proclaim February 2026 to be Black History Month here in the City of Myanmar, and we thank our Parks and Recs Department for all that they do, and our various departments like our Cultural Affairs Department that all work collectively to extend the Black experience to the community as we recognize Black History during the month of February. Thank you all for all that you do. Thank you. American Heart Month, February 2026. Whereas American Heart Month was established by President Lyndon Johnson in December 1963 and is observed to raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. And whereas heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. About 915,973 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2023. That's one in every three deaths. And whereas heart disease affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excess alcohol use. And whereas 73% of Americans believe that heart attacks can be prevented but aren't motivated to do anything, while 66% of Americans don't consider themselves at risk for heart disease, and 60% put no effort into improving their heart health. And whereas the good news, in most cases, heart disease is preventable when individuals adopt a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, treating high blood pressure, engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week, and observing regular preventative health checkups. And whereas American Heart Month is observed to raise awareness of the importance of heart health and to encourage the adoption of healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. Warning signs of heart disease have been shown to appear in people as young as 18 years old. Risk factors such as high blood pressure should be taken seriously. And people are encouraged to adopt healthy behaviors, including engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily and consulting with their health care provider to develop nutritious eating habits that support overall health. And whereas the month of February is American Health Heart Health Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health, and the first Friday of February was national wear red in the United States. However, feel free to wear red any day in February to raise awareness by staying active, eating healthy, and watching your weight all while wearing your favorite red outfit. Now, therefore, I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the city of Miramar, and on behalf of the City Commission, support and encourage all to take an active role in their heart health during the entire month of February, and do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 in the City of Myanmar is American Heart Month.
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