Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - April 22, 2026
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - April 22, 2026
The City of Miramar Commission held a regular meeting on April 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, a consent agenda, discussion of resolutions and an ordinance, and public comments. Key actions included approval of a tower lease buyout, first reading of an RV parking ordinance, and acceptance of the annual financial audit.
Presentations & Recognitions
- Arbor Day Proclamation: Observed April 24, 2026; presented by Landscape Planner Gaudi Castellone.
- Earth Day Proclamation: Observed April 22, 2026; presented by Commissioner Avril Cherasard. Celebrated city's 70th anniversary with planting 70 trees and fruit trees in parks.
- Proclamation Honoring Miramar Police Cadet Frantz Cherasard: Posthumously established the Frantz Cherasard Legacy of Service Cadet Award. Family in attendance.
- National Apprenticeship Week Proclamation: Spring National Apprenticeship Week, April 26 – May 2, 2026; presented by Vice Mayor Edwards.
- Teen Council Advisory Board – Close-Up Washington DC Trip: Four students (Ariel Brickhead Hyman, Kamsiumba, Cadence Cocker, Adai Hawkins) presented their week-long civic engagement trip, including meeting Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
- Life Saving Award: Firefighter Ricky Rivera rescued an 8-year-old neurodivergent, non-verbal boy from a pond during the April 18, 2026 autism fair at Miramar Regional Park. Child was discharged the next day at baseline neurological function.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved unanimously without discussion, except item 2 which was pulled:
- Minutes of meetings on February 11, 2026, March 18, 2026, and November 5, 2025 workshop.
- (Pulled for separate discussion)
- Temp. Reso. #R8665: Purchase of Fire-Rescue supplies from Broward County Sheriff's Office for $71,000 (total FY2026 spend $145,000).
- Temp. Reso. #R8652: Utility bill printing/mailing contract with InfoSend, Inc., annual not-to-exceed $380,000.
- Temp. Reso. #R8667: Flooring replacement at Cultural Arts Center ($52,644.47) and Ansin Park Sports Complex ($77,058.35), total $129,702.82, using state contract.
- Temp. Reso. #R8668: Project agreement with CPH Consulting for Fuel Depot Canopy design/construction services at Wastewater Reclamation Facility, additional $74,405.
- Temp. Reso. #R8653: Blower Air Header Repairs at Wastewater Reclamation Facility, awarded to Condo Electric Industrial Supply, Inc., not-to-exceed $246,300.
- Temp. Reso. #R8638: Failure analysis of Caterpillar Generator No. 4 at Wastewater Reclamation Facility, total $596,500 with Pantropic Power, Inc., including $195,000 analysis and $330,000 expected repairs allowance.
- Temp. Reso. #R8670: Reuse Flow Meter Vault Installation at Wastewater Reclamation Facility, awarded to Cacique Utilities, L.L.C., not-to-exceed $106,000.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Ordinance O1867 (RV Parking): Five residents spoke in strong support. Charlene Cooper (8437 Southampton Drive) described deteriorating neighborhood conditions and safety hazards. Dr. Barbara Hawkins (2604 Connell Road, 30-year resident) cited years of code enforcement inaction and property value decline. Alwyn Elliott (8820 South Bermuda Drive) noted trailer parking and strain on city resources. Dahlia West (241 Flamingo Drive, 22–25 year resident) reported blocked streets, emergency access issues, and illegal electrical/plumbing connections. All urged immediate passage.
Discussion Items
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Item 2 – Youth Baseball Program at Silver Lakes Sports Complex: Commissioner Chambers pulled item for discussion. Staff presented: Pyramid Sports & Entertainment Group (minority-owned, NFLPA/MLBPA certified) awarded a one-year contract with two one-year renewable options. City receives $2,000/month ($24,000/year). Program serves ages 4U–15U (with T-ball), requires 75% Miramar residents. Commissioner Chambers asked about affordability; staff noted potential subsidies through grants. Approved unanimously.
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Item 10 – Furniture for Miramar Branch Library Second Floor Office Space: Debon Campbell presented the $375,749 purchase (using state piggyback contract) to furnish the repurposed second floor for marketing, economic development, housing, and customer service departments. Photos showed overcrowded current conditions. Commissioner Cherasard attempted to amend the layout to allocate 450 sq ft for Broward County Commissioner Davis’ satellite office, but after discussion (Commissioner Chambers favored staff space, Vice Mayor Edwards noted the need), the motion was not seconded. Commissioner Chambers requested staff visit Overtown Youth Center for inspiration. Approved 5-0.
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Item 11 – Communication Tower Lease Buyout by Octagon Towers: Chief CIP Officer Elizabeth Valera presented: one-time payment of $1,045,000 for a 40-year buyout (through 2066) of the ground lease at Vizcaya Park (130-ft tower, 784 sq ft). Current monthly rent $3,869 with 4% annual increase; remaining payments through 2035 total $561,000. Staff negotiated from initial $400,000 offer. Commissioner Cherasard argued the deal undervalues the lease ($2,900/month vs. $3,869 current, a $969/month reduction). Mayor Messam and others noted declining tower industry due to 5G small cells and state legislation allowing free placement on easements; recommended accepting the cash and investing at 4%+ to exceed rent. Commissioner Chambers supported. Approved 5-0.
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Item 12 – Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY2025: Kevin Adderley and auditor Gene Borno presented: unmodified (clean) opinion for the 37th consecutive year, no findings. City received Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting. Commissioner Colbourne confirmed city’s healthy reserves and AA bond rating. Approved unanimously.
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Item 13 – First Reading of Ordinance O1867 (Recreational Vehicle Parking): Sponsored by Commissioner Colbourne. Amends Chapter 20 to require registration (free) of RVs on residentially zoned properties, prohibit third-party occupancy/living purposes, and allow property inspection upon request. Police Commander Ricardo Collings explained enforcement: $300 first offense plus daily $100 fines until compliance. Mayor suggested increasing fine to $500; Commissioner Colbourne noted $300 is consistent with other city fines, and the daily cumulation provides strong deterrence. Commission agreed to keep $300. Second reading scheduled for May 20, 2026. Passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda items 1 and 3–9 approved.
- Item 2 (baseball program) approved unanimously.
- Item 10 (library furniture) approved 5-0.
- Item 11 (tower lease buyout) approved 5-0.
- Item 12 (ACFR) approved unanimously.
- Item 13 (RV ordinance) passed first reading 5-0; second reading May 20, 2026.
- Upcoming events announced: Community meetings (Your City, Your Future) on April 30, May 14, May 28; Business Grant Support Workshop April 23; Jamaica High 5K May 9; Autism Walk April 25; and other community events.
- Executive session announced for May 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM to discuss pending litigation (Light Academy of Florida vs. City of Miramar, case CACE-25-011992).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. The meeting of the Miramar City Commission 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 meet commission meeting and televised on Comcast Channel Seventy Eight and ATT Universe Channels ninety nine for all of Miramar's subscribers. On you. And to the Republic for which it's us. One nation. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you. We do have a commemoration list of bereaved City of Myanmar employees. Janae Marissette, Police Code Compliance Division, Father-in-law, Claude Brown, Parks and Rex Department, Mother in Law, Maxo, Saint Talis, Public Works, Cousin, Leslie Bell, Public Works, Uncle. Our community, our community observances, Anyxia joiner Delanoy, the resident who was hit by a vehicle, the runner. We had our funeral on this past Saturday. And as well as Lisette Fernandez, wife of Jesus Navito. This is brought to us by Vice Mayor Edwards. Let's keep our colleagues in the city of Myanmar as well as our residents and friends in our thoughts and prayers. Let's have a moment of silence. On to presentations. We will amend the agenda and we will move up our presentation by our teen council advisory board for their Washington, D.C. trip. So it's entitled Close Up, Washington, DC is our Teen Advisory Council here. I think they're sitting over to our left, and we would like to bring them up forward to have their presentation. Let's give them a big Myanmar round of applause. Good evening. So good evening, Mayor Massum, Vice Mayor Carson, City Commissioners, City Managers, City Attorney, and City Clerk. My name is Ariel Brickhead Hyman, and I am the teen council advisory board's chairperson. Today we will be sharing an overview of our recent trip with close-up to highlight what we have gained from this opportunity. Through the CLOSA Foundation, TCAB members, Cam C. Cadence, Adai, Nikoya, and I traveled to Washington, D.C. for an immersive week of civic engagement. During this experience, we didn't just learn about the government. We saw how it worked for ourselves. From participating in mock Congress to engaging in policy debates, we explored the values that shape our nation and the history behind the monuments that represent it. Most importantly, we gained a firsthand understanding of the legislative process and discovered how powerful youth advocacy can be both at the local and national level. Good evening. My name is Kamsiumba. And on our first day, we stood in the presence of some of the most powerful symbols in American history. These monuments are not just landmarks, they're also reminders of the nation of the nation that was built up off this drugs and sacrifices and the progress. Being there made history feel real and challenge us to think about the role that we each play in continuing that legacy. Good evening, everyone. My name is Cadence Cocker. On the second day, we expanded our understanding through meaningful stories and perspectives during a visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We also visited the National Mall, where we saw a broader narrative of America shaped by endurance, diversity, and progress. These experiences pushed us to reflect on identity, equity, and responsibility we have to build a more inclusive future. Thank you. And here are some more pictures of that day. Good evening. My name is Adai Hawkins. On day three, we visited the Capitol.
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