Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - June 3, 2026
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Miramar City Commission Regular Meeting - June 3, 2026
The City of Miramar Commission held a regular meeting on June 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda items, public hearings, ordinances, and reports. Key decisions included approval of several consent items, a contested renewal of amphitheater concession services, adoption of parking regulations for recreational vehicles, and authorization of a contingency fee agreement for code enforcement lien collection. The meeting also featured a discussion on the state legislature's proposed property tax homestead exemption increase and its potential impact on the city's budget.
Proclamations and Presentations
- The Commission issued proclamations for: CPR and AED Awareness Week (June 1-7), Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week, Immigrant Heritage Month, Juneteenth, National Homeownership Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month, National Safety Month, and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Statistics were cited: 13.4 million Caribbean Americans in the U.S.; over 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims die, but CPR can double or triple survival; 7.2 million Americans with Alzheimer's, including 580,000 in Florida and 47,800 in Broward County.
- The Education Advisory Board presented a $1,000 scholarship to Jordan Randolph, a Miramar resident graduating from Hollywood Hills High School with a 4.26 GPA, who will attend Florida Memorial University.
- Commissioner Yvette Colbourne presented a lifetime achievement award to Broward County Commissioner Hazel Rogers for her service to the Caribbean community.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved unanimously (5-0) after being pulled for individual discussion: Item #2 (grant from Areawide Council on Aging for adult day care services, $426,550), Item #6 (renewal of concession services at Miramar Amphitheater with Holsen, Inc. – see discussion below), Item #9 (refurbishment of elevators at Town Center Buildings A, W, and Cultural Arts Center, $368,012), Item #10 (purchase of five replacement buses for Social Services, $569,170), Item #11 (interlocal agreement for stormwater permit, $37,444 first year with 2.5% annual escalation), and Item #13 (service pipeline leak replacement contract with Cacique Utilities, $667,600). Items #1 (minutes), #3, #4, #5, #7, #8, #12, and #14 were approved en bloc without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item #18 (Parking Regulations for Recreational Vehicles): Residents Viviana Leighton Bell and Derwin Bell (6424 SW 33rd Street) expressed concerns: the requirement to register RVs and sign an affidavit not to rent them is an extra burden on responsible owners; the requirement to display the license plate toward the street could lead to theft (RVs are typically backed in); and a 33-foot size limit may not fit all properties. They felt penalized for others' violations.
- No public comments were made on other items.
Discussion Items
- Item #6 – Amphitheater Concession Renewal: Commissioner Chambers moved to table the item to July 8, 2026, citing lack of a performance report and need for clarity on management. The motion failed for lack of a second. Discussion ensued about the contract terms (30% city revenue on alcohol, 25% on food). The concessionaire, Holsen, Inc., has a final one-year renewal option. The item passed 4-1 (Chambers opposed).
- Item #18 – Parking Regulations (Second Reading): Commissioner Yvette Colbourne, the sponsor, stated the ordinance targets illegal rental of RVs (80 identified in two zones) and safety hazards. Police Commander Ricardo Collings explained that registration is free and only for those suspected of violations; the plate visibility requirement does not preclude backing in; and the 24-foot front setback rule is for pedestrian safety (larger RVs can be placed on the side). The ordinance passed 5-0.
- Item #19 – Contingency Fee Agreement for Code Enforcement Lien Collection: City Attorney Norman Powell presented a proposal to retain Belony Law Group on a 20% contingency fee basis to collect unpaid code enforcement liens (estimated over $11 million, some dating back 10 years). Commissioner Chambers expressed concerns about the lack of a cost cap and past experiences with law firms. After discussion, Deputy City Manager Baker noted that previous amnesty programs had little success. The item passed 5-0.
- Property Tax Legislation Discussion: City Attorney Powell reported on the state legislature's joint resolution to increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 for non-school taxes, requiring a 60% voter approval. Budget Director Rafael San Miguel estimated the impact: a $17 million reduction to the general fund in FY27, doubling to $30 million in FY28. The legislation would restrict ad valorem funding to public safety, education, infrastructure, debt service, and retirement benefits, potentially eliminating funding for parks, libraries, social services, and cultural centers. Commissioner Sherizard cautioned against advocacy in informational sessions.
- Commissioner Chambers' Report: He raised concerns about parking issues at the new building adjacent to City Hall, where residents are charged for parking and street parking is overflowing. He requested the City Manager address the situation with the property owner.
- Mayor Messam's Report: He read into the record a letter sent to Miami-Dade County officials opposing any waste-to-energy incinerator at the Airport West site, citing proximity to Miramar neighborhoods, Everglades restoration projects, and lack of transparency. The letter also objected to burning biosolids due to PFAS concerns.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Items #2, #6, #9, #10, #11, #13 approved individually (votes: 5-0 except #6 was 4-1).
- Item #17 (Floodplain Management Planning Committee): Continued to July 8, 2026, by unanimous vote.
- Item #18 (Parking Regulations for RVs): Adopted on second reading (5-0).
- Item #19 (Code Enforcement Lien Collection): Authorized contingency fee agreement with Belony Law Group (5-0).
- Item #16 (FY26 Budget Amendment, First Reading): Approved (5-0); second reading scheduled for July 8, 2026.
- Item #15 (Sludge Hauling Renewal): Approved (5-0) for $1,900,000 for the first renewal year.
- Meeting Extended: Voted to extend to 11:30 PM (4-1, Vice Mayor Edwards opposed).
- Next Meeting: July 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
Reports & Comments
- Vice Mayor Edwards highlighted the onset of hurricane season, urged preparedness, and announced a creative census for Miramar’s artists.
- Commissioner Chambers acknowledged the procurement department and apologized for prior misunderstandings about contractor oversight. He also noted the successful drone show at Miramar Regional Park and the community picnic at Miramar United Methodist Church.
- Commissioner Sherizard reported on the successful safety event for youth, the upcoming homeownership summit (June 13), and urged residents to stay informed on the proposed property tax changes.
- Commissioner Colbourne announced Juneteenth events (dinner and awards June 18, Family Day June 19), a sustainability workshop (June 20), and a ribbon cutting at Body by Chosen (June 27).
- Commissioner Chambers also noted the passing of a police officer and a finance department employee; a moment of silence was observed.
Meeting Transcript
All right, come on, you all it's five after, five after five after. All right, if we can have everyone take your respective places, I'm gonna gabble in the evening. The meeting of the Myanmar 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 or concerns on items we will hear on this evening's agenda. Any person may be heard on this evening's agenda by the 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 channels seventy-eight and ATT U versus channel ninety-nine for all City of Myanmar subscribers. Please be sure to mention your name and address for the record prior to addressing the city 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 role. Officer David Robbins, police department passed away. Chantal, Mill Set, Finance Department, lost her aunt. Let's keep our colleagues and friends in our thoughts and prayers as they go through transition of their family members. And let's remember our police department who've lost one of our best and finest, as well as any other bereavements that may be going on in our community. We will hold a moment of silence. Please join me. Thanks. Thank you. A quick announcement, item number 17, TO 1863. Staff has requests continuance to the meeting of July 8th, 2026. So if there are any members from the public that are online or in the commission chambers, item number 17 will be continued until the July eighth, twenty twenty-six meeting. All right, on to presentations, and um I invite my colleagues to join me in front of the dais. I can just say if you can use good news and appeal from China arbitration. Our first proclamation will be in observance of Caribbean American Heritage Month. And this proclamation was requested by Commissioner Yvette Colburn. And at this time, we invite Mr. Papa Keith, our local is he? Mr. Walcott, is he still here? Is he here? Also, okay. As well as if you received an award today in observance of Caribbean American Heritage Month, if you can join us at the Dais as well. Or any other Caribbean American that wish to be a part of this proclamation. That might be the entire room. Okay. Let's give them a round of applause as they come up. One more. Thank you. All right, for the next for the next proclamations, we'll take the photo after the proclamation reading. Proclamation, Caribbean American Heritage Month. Whereas in 2006, President George H. W. Bush issued the first proclamation recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and in their in the history and culture of the United States, and where an annual proclamation has been issued ever since. And whereas the Caribbean American population in the United States is over 13.4 million. And whereas this month we celebrate the triumph of Caribbean Americans, a diverse community of many nationalities and languages who have become leaders in every sector of American life while maintaining the varied traditions of their countries of origin. And whereas Americans with roots in the Caribbean have greatly enriched our society, contributing to the arts, business, journalism, technology, government, religion, the military, sports, and so many other fields. And whereas a significant portion of the Caribbean American community are proud to call Myanmar their home, thus helping Myanmar earn the distinction of being one of the most diverse cities in all of these United States, especially South Florida. That a four I Wayne Mesa, mayor of the city of Miramar, on behalf of Commissioner Yvette Colburn and on and of the subcity commission, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as Caribbean American Heritage Month. And we're joined, yep, go ahead and clap. And we're joined today by award recipients presented by our very own Commissioner Yvette Colburn today, who have some additional words. Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you for coming out.
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