City Commission Regular Meeting Brief for December 10, 2024

City Commission Appoints Members to Planning and Zoning Board
The City Commission approved Mayor Curran’s appointments of Jeff Green and Carol Bilotti to the Planning and Zoning Board. Additionally, Commissioner Jason Smith’s appointment of James Goulet to the Planning and Zoning Board has been approved.

City Commission Approves Resolution Allowing for Site Plan Amendment
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-44, which allows for a Site Plan Amendment pursuant to Site Plan Amendment Petition SPA #8-1-24 for the approximately 18 acres of real property know as Schott Communities generally located at 6591 Flamingo Road in Cooper City. Schott Communities petitioned to add a main entry gate off the Flamingo Road access via Schott Circle and arm bars at the Luray Road secondary access. The 18-acre site is located immediately south of the Franklin Academy Charter School off Flamingo Road. The plans for the main entrance include a 6-foot-tall decorative aluminum rail fencing with faux stone wall columns, ground-lit signage, and new landscaping. The entry point will have both a visitor and a resident lane. The visitor lane will have a call box while the resident/decal lane will have a card reader. The frequencies will be compatible with BSO Police and Fire clickers for emergencies. These proposed entry gates are being installed to enhance security measures, keep the site more secure for its residents, and eliminate cut-through traffic from Franklin Academy. Schott Communities has special needs residential housing in addition to their religious programs so keeping the site secure and safe is important.

City Commission Approves Resolution to Adopt Commission Meeting Schedule
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-38 and adopted a Commission Meeting schedule for 2024-2025.

City Commission Approves Piggyback Agreement for Purchase of Traffic Calming Devices
The City Commission approved a piggyback agreement from the City of Plantation agreement No. 033-23 with Transportation Solutions and Lighting, Inc. for the purchase of traffic calming devices (speed cushions) for the City’s traffic calming pilot program. Nine (9) speed cushions will be placed at separate locations, which have been selected for a pilot program that will allow City staff to observe the reduction of speed and improved safety on these corridors and determine whether permanent speed humps will be desired at the following locations for this pilot program:

  • Hiatus Road – from Stirling Road to SW 55 Street
  • SW 52 Street – from SW 94 Avenue to SW 95 Avenue
  • SW 113 Avenue – from Stirling Road to SW 55 Street
  • SW 118 Avenue – from SW 49 Street to SW 52 Street
  • Stonebridge Parkway – from W Lake Boulevard to NE Lake Boulevard
  • SW 49 Street – from Flamingo Road to SW 118 Avenue
  • Stonebridge Parkway – NE Lake Boulevard to SE Lake Boulevard
  • SW 52 Street – from SW 90 Avenue to SW 88 Terrace

On December 12, 2023, The Corradino Group (City’s consultant) presented a preliminary Traffic Calming Study to the City Commission, which reviewed 51 corridor segments in Cooper City. The study, conducted between May and June 2023, included data on speed, volume, and a 5-year crash history. Seven corridors with high speeds were identified for further examination. The final report, submitted on February 19, 2024, recommended traffic calming measures for 14 corridors based on traffic data. On March 12, 2024, the Commission discussed these findings and implemented a Traffic Calming Pilot Program with temporary speed cushions in the previously listed street sections. On May 28, 2024, the City Commission approved a Traffic Calming Pilot Program Design and Evaluation for temporary speed cushions at these nine (9) locations with the consultant. These nine locations require twenty-six (26) total cushions, each 6 feet wide by 24 feet long by 3 inches in height. Since each street width is typically 20-24 feet wide, three cushions are required for eight of the nine locations and two cushions at one location. The cost for the initial pilot program will be less than $45,000.00. Following the evaluation of this program, City can decide whether to keep these in place, relocate them, or convert them to permanent speed humps (constructed of asphalt) within the budget process.

City Commission Approves Revised Job Descriptions and Pay Grades for the Utility Department and City Manager’s Office, Confirming Appointment of Deputy City Manager
The City Commission approved revised job description and pay grades for multiple Utility Department positions: Engineer I, Engineer II, GIS Technician, and Utility Instrumentation Technician (Electrician). Additionally, the City Commission approved the creation of the Deputy City Manager position and confirmed the appointment of Jennifer McMahon for the role. The Deputy City Manager will assist in managing projects requiring multi-departmental involvement or not necessarily fitting into one department. This individual will cover for the City Manager in their absence and may be called to serve in of the director’s roles in the event of a vacancy. The Utilities Department has many position vacancies that can be utilized to fund the changes proposed within their department. The Deputy City Manager will be funded by eliminating the Administrative Assistant to the City Manager, now vacant, and the Procurement Management vacancy (2 months) in the Finance Department, the funds set aside for a Strategic Planning consultant ($20,000) which will be done in-house and the Engineer II vacancy for 3 months.

City Commission Approves Expenditure Under Piggyback Agreement for Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation
The City Commission approved an expenditure, not to exceed $699,652.30, under a piggyback agreement executed on February 3, 2024, between the City and Miller Pipeline, LLC, utilizing the City of Ocala’s contract. This agreement funds wastewater collection system rehabilitation, including sewer gravity main and lateral lining, cleaning, and TV inspection services, through January 2025. The contract will run concurrently with the City of Ocala contract and is subject to extension under terms and conditions acceptable to the City, including funding provisions. The City of Ocala and the contractor can renew this agreement for up to two (2) additional one-year (1) terms through written consent. Approximately 25% of Cooper City’s gravity sewer lines are comprised of vitrified clay pipes. Over time, these pipes, along with the manholes, have developed cracks, significantly contributing to increased inflow and infiltration. These additional flows increase flow and demands on the wastewater conveyance system and treatment plant, resulting in escalated costs. The sewer lining rehabilitation program serves to mitigate these effects by reducing groundwater infiltration and stormwater inflow in the sanitary sewer collection system. The City began a sewer rehabilitation program to correct this problem. This program consists of the rehabilitation of aging and deteriorating gravity sewer lines. The funds are available in the Water & Sewer Capital Projects Fund and budgeted for this purpose.

City Commission Approves Agreement for Design, Permitting, and Bidding Services to Construct Headworks Process at Utility Plant
The City Commission approved an agreement, Task Order No. 2024-22, between the City and Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. in the amount of $798,209 for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Headworks Design Project. This project will provide for the removal of large, bulky solids and improve odor control at the City’s wastewater treatment plant. Cooper City’s George A. Haughney (GAH) Wastewater Treatment Plant includes one primary sedimentation (Surge) Tank, three package wastewater treatment units consisting of contact stabilization/activated sludge with aeration, digestion and clarification, followed by disinfection of the treated, clarified effluent. Settled sludge is sent from the three package wastewater treatment units to high solids dewatering centrifuges prior to these biosolids being hauled to a residual management facility in central Florida. A portion of the treated wastewater effluent gets discharged by vertical turbine pumps to a deep injection well approximately 3,400 feet below the land surface, while the majority (about 1.7 million gallons per day) is pumped to the City of Hollywood for its tertiary treatment and irrigational reuse system. The GAH treatment scheme currently accumulates bulky solids within the surge tank which becomes problematic to manage, remove, and dispose of since landfills don’t accept these liquid wastes, and it is expensive and problematic to stage and dry these waste streams. This practice is not desirable and creates undue odors and nuisance concerns. It is therefore desirable and warranted to add a headworks process to the front of the plant such that these bulky solids are removed completely with fine screening on conveyors that drop the solids onto a dumpster, while screened wastewater then gets distributed to the three separate treatment units. A new meter and instruments to measure inflow will be included and sufficient provisions will provide redundancy for two screens and flow channels to be included for maintenance and capacity requirements to fulfill peak flow and treatment demands for the facility. With the addition of a headwork process, the City will be able to screen out these bulky solids at the front of the treatment facility, manage and handle them more appropriately, and better control these contaminants as it will free operators to focus more time on other critical equipment, processes, and logging of their operations for improved treatment reliability. The funds for this project design services are included in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and should be adequate to complete these services by the end of 2025.

City Commission Approves Amendment to Professional Services Agreement
The City Commission approved an amendment to a professional services agreement with Witt O’Brien LLC to manage and navigate complex federal assistance programs through April 30, 2027. This will meet the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 obligation requirement deadline of December 31, 2024, and extend the City’s agreement with Witt O’Brien LLC to manage the federal assistance program through the final closeout. Their services encompass various activities, including grant administration, compliance monitoring, financial management, and reporting. By amending the agreement via a change order, the city can maintain continuity in its operations and ensure accountability in using federal funds. The approved amount, not to exceed $200,250, will allow Witt O’Brien LLC to provide professional services through the final closeout of ARPA projects.

City Commission Provides Direction to Bring Forward Ordinance that Would Repeal Section 2-26 of the City’s Code of Ordinances
The City Commission provided direction to City staff and the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would repeal Section 2-26 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. This ordinance will require two readings for approval.

City Commission Approves Drafted and Adopted Resolution for Renaming of Concession Stand at Sports Complex
The City Commission approved the renaming of the east concession stand at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex in memory of Karen Rodgers. Karen Rodgers was a long-time resident and active member of the Cooper City community. She was born in New York, New York, and lived in Cooper City for the past 25 years. Her dedicated service to the Cooper City Optimist Youth League Sports Program has left a lasting impact on the City. Karen oversaw scheduling umpires and then began helping with the concession stands to eventually run them. She would go shopping at Sam’s, BJ’s, and other shops to restock and load all the concession stands and make sure they were clean. She volunteered every year for the Cooper City Optimist Golf Tournament selling raffle tickets.

Discussion on Retirement Health Insurance Benefits for Certain Elected Officials
The City Commission provided City staff with direction to draft a new ordinance that will revisit Ordinance 24-22, which was passed on second reading in October 2024, related to retirement health insurance benefits for certain former members of the City Commission. Ordinance 24-22 ratified and confirmed a retirement health insurance benefit for certain former members of the City Commission who have been elected to three consecutive terms and reached the age of 50. The Ordinance stipulates that an elected official’s spouse will be covered within this retirement benefit only if married to the elected official at the time of investiture. Additionally, the benefit shall not exceed the greater of $1,000 or the amount equal to the City’s cost for “Employee + Family” health insurance coverage. At the time of the Ordinance’s approval, the City pays $26,184 toward an individual “Employee + Family” plan on an annual basis. Furthermore, this retirement health insurance benefit will be paused should a vested elected official be elected to additional term(s) on the Cooper City Commission. A new ordinance will require two readings for approval.

City Commission Approves Letter of Support to Newly Elected Broward County School Board
The City Commission approved an updated letter of support to be sent to the newly elected Broward County School Board members, requesting that children who reside in the County Glen community, located in Cooper City, be given choice to attend Pioneer Middle School. On March 28, and December 12, 2023 the City Commission voted to approve the drafting of a letter of support to the Broward County School Board requesting that the Children of the Country Glen Development be given the choice to attend Pioneer Middle School.

Discussion on City Commission’s Seating Arrangement
City Commission directed City staff to draft a resolution that would amend the current resolution regarding seating arrangement on the dais.

Discussion on Hometown Heroes Banner Program
City Commission provided City staff with direction to initiate a Hometown Heroes Banner Program to help recognize and honor Cooper City residents and staff members who have served in the United States armed forces with honorable discharge.

Discussion on Graduating Senior Banner Program
The City Commission approved a City program to recognize graduating seniors at Cooper City High School with banners that would be installed on certain light poles.

City Commission Approves Resolution Regarding Public Camping or Sleeping
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-45, providing for notice of complaints for public camping or sleeping, in accordance with Section 125.0231(4), Florida Statutes, as it provides clear processes for addressing public camping or sleeping complaints. During the 2024 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1365, which introduced Section 125.0231, prohibiting public camping or sleeping in certain areas. In response, Broward County enacted Ordinance 2024-37, applying countywide and authorizing enforcement by both the county sheriff and municipal law enforcement. While the City of Cooper City does not have a conflicting ordinance, the City can enforce the County’s Ordinance. This resolution addresses the need for a procedure to provide notice of complaints to the City Commission in compliance with Section 125.023(4), ensuring that affected parties understand how to file such complaints.

City Commission Approves Resolution to Seek Extension of Grant Agreement
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-46, which authorizes the City Manager or his designee to seek an extension of Grant Agreement No. LW751, pertaining to the Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex. This extension of certain grant timelines works to ensure retention of funds by extending the completion date of the project accordance with the terms and conditions of the Grant with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Grant Agreement LW751 established a project completion date of December 31, 2024. Due to the City’s staffing turnover, several project elements are forthcoming and an extension to the project’s timeline was necessary to amend the project completion date from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025. The DEP requires the execution of the Amendment to Agreement No. LW751 (Amendment No. 1) to amend the timeline. Amendment No. 1 will provide the City with the necessary schedule to complete the Suellen Fardelmann Sports Complex project improvements. The Project scope of contractual services includes the design, engineering, and permitting to develop and renovate this Complex as follows:

  • Baseball Field (REN) – Field backstop and dugout fencing (Forthcoming)
  • ADA Accessible Playground (NEW) – Construct and install new ADA playground (Forthcoming)
  • Basketball Courts (REN) – Resurfacing and court lighting (Completed)
  • Volleyball Courts (REN) – Court lighting (Completed)
  • Pickleball Courts (REN) – Resurfacing and court lighting (Completed)
  • Security Lighting (NEW) – Non-field lighting general site improvements (Forthcoming)
  • Restrooms (REN) – Painting of exterior restrooms (Forthcoming)

The estimated cost of the project was originally proposed at $493,000.00. The LWCF Grant award towards this project is $246,500.00, and the City must provide at least a fifty percent (50%) nonfederal match from the City of $246,500.00. Total project expenditures to date include $212,654.53, with $280,345.47 funds remaining. Funding for this project is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Fund.

City Commission Approves Resolution Regarding the City’s Legislative Priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-47 which authorizes the general appropriations pursuit of the City’s legislative priorities in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and if funded, to authorize the City Manager to accept the award of appropriated funds, execute the grant agreements, expend budgeted funds, and take all necessary steps to implement the terms and conditions of the grant agreements. The State Legislature annually considers appropriations which provide funding for infrastructure, programs, and projects. On December 2, 2024, the City hosted the Cooper City FY2025-2026 State Legislative Priorities Workshop, convening elected officials and legislative representatives to discuss and prioritize projects for general appropriations requests. As part of the State Legislative Priorities Workshop, the City Manager presented five (5) infrastructure projects as options for general appropriations requests, as follows:

1)        Cooper City Water and WWTP Electrical System and Generator Project: The recommended request is $5.398 Million.

2)        Cooper City WWTP New Headworks Facility Project: Recommended request of $3.5 Million.

3)        Cooper City Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation Project Phase 2: Recommended request of $722,000.

4)        Cooper City SW 49th Street Culvert Rehabilitation/Replacement Project: Recommended request of $700,000.

5)        Cooper City Bill Lips Sports Complex Energy Efficient Lighting Project: Recommended request of $1 Million.

The Legislative Representatives and Ronald L. Book, P.A. Government Affairs Firm (Lobbyists), considered the options presented and directed the City to pursue the following two (2) projects for general appropriations requests:

1)        Cooper City Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation Project Phase 2

  1. Estimated Project Cost is $1.444 Million
  2. Legislative Request $722,000 and Local Share $722,000

2)        Cooper City SW 49th Street Culvert Rehabilitation/Replacement Project

  1. Estimated Project Cost is $2.410 Million
  2. Additional funding required is $700,000

City Commission Approves Resolution for Issuance of Emergency Line of Credit
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-48, which renews the City’s tax-exempt Hurricane/Disaster Line of Credit in the amount of $10,000,000. At the July 24, 2019, Finance Advisory Board meeting, the board recommended that the Commission select TD Bank as the provider of the Hurricane/Disaster Line of Credit, with the provision that certain terms were subject to revision. This was a 5-year line of credit, which is now due for renewal. The 2024 Revolving Line of Credit (LOC) Note will be secured by a pledge of and lien upon Pledged Revenues. Pledged Revenues means: 1) Pledge of Federal and State funds received for reimbursement of disaster expenses and 2) Covenant to budget and appropriate from legally available non-ad valorem revenues.

City Commission Approves Agreement for Design/Build Services Related to SW 49 Street Culvert
The City Commission approved Resolution 24-49, authorizing the Design/Build Agreement between the City and JVA Engineering Contractors, Inc. for the design, permitting, and construction services for replacing the 15-foot diameter steel drainage culvert under SW 49 Street at the C-11 Canal between Flamingo Road and SW 118 Avenue. This agreement is for all related and required restoration for $2,300,000 plus an additional $115,000 for contingency purposes in the event of unexpected changes in the delivery of the project. The C-11 South Canal is a major regional drainage canal that flows through many municipalities in Broward County and extends into Miami-Dade County. In Cooper City, it crosses SW 49th Street through a 15’x146’ steel culvert, which has deteriorated to the point that the SFWMD has determined that it must be replaced. A report, dated August 6, 2020, prepared by the FDOT Consultant, Transystems Corporation Consultants, identified deficiencies in the culvert and asked the City to evaluate the report and take appropriate actions. Based on that report, the City retained the services of Calvin Giordano & Associates (CGA) who, through their sub-consultant, Lakdas & Yohalem Engineering (LYE), recommended full replacement of the culvert. Not satisfied with this recommendation, perhaps, the City sought a second opinion from Corradino. Corradino conducted additional assessments and submitted their findings to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The SFWMD responded that “the existing culvert should be replaced in-kind or preferably with better flow/discharge capacity. The cost of the project is being covered through a combination of federal and state funding. The City will utilize $704,756 in reserves to supplement the aforementioned funding. Additional state funds have been requested and, if granted, will reduce the City’s contribution.

More Information
For more information related to the items on the December 10, 2024 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=99416492c057459982a45eea664aec63&ip=true.

The next City Commission Regular Meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328, on January 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM.