City Commission Regular Meeting Brief for January 14, 2025
City Commission Approves Appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board
The City Commission approved the appointments of Howard Schachere and Lauren Lopez to the City’s Planning and Zoning Board.
City Commission Approves Variance Petition
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-04, granting the request for variance petition #V10-2-24, which was submitted by Monterra Investments, LLC., for the property generally located at 3600 N. University Drive in Cooper City. The approved petition allows the property to decrease the required parking as set forth in Section 24-4(g) of the City’s Code of Ordinances by twelve spaces. The basis for the petition was to allow an incoming yoga studio, which is required to abide by a Community Assembly designation within our City Code, the ability to vary from the parking ratio of one parking space for every 100 square feet of floor area within the yoga studio. The City Commission voted in favor of the variance following multiple statements from neighboring business owners who shared no concerns for available parking spaces and their belief that the yoga studio will increase movement to the shopping center and positively impact their respective businesses. It is important to note City staff had received a letter from neighboring Brightstar Credit Union expressing concern with the variance. However, the applicant committed to the new yoga studio not exceeding 40 participants at a time.
City Commission Designates and Appoints Members to Preservation Boards
The City Commission approved the appointments of Chris Heywang, Kevin Greenblatt, Kathleen Smith, Devon Sweet, and Scott Zucker to the Royal Palm Ranches and Lake Maranatha Preservation Board of the City of Cooper City.
City Commission Provides Direction to Draft Facility Use Agreement with Cooper City Optimist Club
The City Commission provided City staff with direction to draft and negotiate a facility use agreement with the Cooper City Optimist Club. Additionally, the City Commission agreed to scheduling a workshop to facilitate a discussion between members of the Commission and Optimist leadership.
City Commission Approves Creation of Charter Review Board
The City Commission provided approval for creating a Charter Review Board by February 1, 2025. Members of the Commission shall appoint their representatives at the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025. The Commission’s direction will be for the Charter Review Board to submit its recommendation(s) by no later than August 31, 2025. The City Commission shall the sole and exclusive discretion to determine which recommendation(s), if any, for alterations, revisions, or amendments made by the board shall be presented to the electors of the City of Cooper City for consideration. Upon completion of the Charter Review Board’s reports, the board shall be dismissed by the Commission by resolution. Any Cooper City resident interested in applying for the board can do so by visiting: https://coopercity.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B6B555694-E6ED-4811-95F9-68AA3BD0A2FF%7D/uploads/Citizens_Resource_Sheet_August2024.pdf.
City Commission Provides Direction to Re-Create Public Safety Advisory Board
The City Commission has provided staff with direction to draft an ordinance that will help re-create the City’s Public Safety Advisory Board. The ordinance, which will require two readings, will be brought forward during upcoming meetings.
City Commission Approves Agreement for Consulting Design Services
The City Commission approved an agreement for consulting design services with R.J. Behar & Company, Inc. for $779,490.58 for the Stirling Road Roadway and Drainage Improvement project, between Flamingo Road and Palm Avenue. This project’s design services will also include sub-consulting services for surveying, geotechnical engineering, and landscape architectural services to mitigate any trees impacted by the project. This project was determined to be eligible for funding, through a surtax grant, by the Broward County Board of Commissioners. The surtax funding is a result of Broward County voters approving a 30-year one-percent sales surtax for transportation in November 2018. Transportation Surtax-funded projects are intended to address transit and mobility challenges most prevalent in our communities. The County’s Mobility Advancement Program (MAP) Administration works with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the application, evaluation, ranking, and recommendation for funding of Municipal Capital Projects (MCPs), and with internal County agencies for the application, evaluation, ranking, and recommendation for funding of Municipal Rehabilitation and Maintenance (R&M) Projects. In October 2022, the City advertised RFQ 2022-2-PW-Stirling Road Improvement Project Planning and Engineering Services. The RFQ solicitation closed in November 2022. In February 2023, the City’s Evaluation Committee scored the submittals, short-listed the top firms, and ranked the proposals. At the March 14, 2023, Regular Commission Meeting, the City Commission passed and approved a motion authorizing the City Manager to enter contract negotiations for design improvements to Stirling Road with the number 1 ranked firm R.J. Behar & Company, Inc. The approved agreement between the City and R.J. Behar & Company, Inc. is the result of the negotiations. The Consultant will first prepare a few alternative layouts for the roadway considering the City’s desire to develop either bike lanes with sidewalks; or multi-use paths, roadway lanes, and turn lanes. It will also improve the storm drainage system with curb and gutter, and these modifications will consider adjacent property needs or requirements for access and signage while improving stormwater run-off management, lighting, and other enhancements to the median landscaping and irrigation systems. Upgrading of the current span-wire intersection signal control to mast arms at specific locations of SW 106th Avenue and Hiatus Road and completion of a speed study are also to be included in this project, while the conversion of the span-wire at SW 106th Avenue may be fast-tracked ahead of the larger project.
City Commission Approves Change Order for Water Service Line Replacement Project
The City Commission approved a Change Order to Purchase No. 2024-8591 for the Flamingo Gardens Water Service Line Replacement capital project in the amount of $46,255, which will the increase the overall cost of the project to $368,070. On April 19, 2024, the City of Cooper City issued Purchase Order No. 2024-8591 for the Flamingo Gardens Water Service Line Replacement, following the City Commission approval on April 9, 2024. During the project, the contractor encountered unforeseen issues that required extra labor and materials to resolve. The Contractor identified several problems that complicated his installation, including deeper excavations for a number of water services that were buried at greater depth than is standard (some were as deep as 5.5 feet deep), some water service saddles had bent saddle bolts from large boulders that were backfilled over the main, and some services required rerouting around tree root systems as well as some tree stump grinding services being required which encased one water meter. These problems required additional equipment, parts and labor to ensure the water service lines could be installed properly and meet all safety and performance standards. There is sufficient funding available in the Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Project Fund and within this capital project to cover the additional expenses.
City Commission Approves Piggyback Agreement for Plant Supply and Installation
The City Commission authorized City staff to piggyback on the Town of Davie’s Contract No. ITB-MP-24-27 for plant supply and installation at various locations. Accessing this competitively established contract allows the City to purchase and install plants within City limits and additional services, such as site preparation and removing existing plant material in the amount of $500,000 for a period of three (3) months to match the Town of Davie contract with an option for an additional one year, if such option is exercised by the Town of Davie. The Town of Davie issued an invitation to bid (ITB No. MP-24-27) on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The Town of Davie received three bids on February 29, 2024, and subsequently evaluated. Creative North, Inc. was awarded as the primary vendor, and Green Dreams Corp. as the secondary vendor on May 15, 2024, through Resolution No. R 2024-103. The term of the agreement was a period of one year from execution of the agreement, with one, one-year option-to-renew. The Town of Davie issued Creative North, Inc. a termination for convenience letter on September 11, 2024, and issued an activation of a secondary vendor letter to Green Dreams Paradise Corp on October 2, 2024, making Green Dreams Paradise Corp the primary vendor. Accessing Town of Davie Contract No. ITB-MP-24-27 will allow the City to begin implementation of the Beautification Master Plan by replacing all dead plant materials, planting new trees, and re-doing the median landscape based on our new guidelines.
City Commission Appoints Representatives and Alternates for Organizations Outside the City of Cooper City
The City Commission appointed Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi as the City’s representative and Commissioner Jeremy Katzman as the alternative representative to the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). With respect to representation at the Broward League of Cities, Commissioner Katzman was appointed Director, with Commission Ryan Shrouder appointed Alternate, and Commissioner Jason Smith serving as Second Alternate. Commissioner Smith was also appointed to serve as the City’s representative at the Florida League of Cities. Furthermore, Mayor James Curran was appointed to serve as the City’s appointee for the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycable Materials Processing Authority of Broward County’s Governing Board, with Commissioner Shrouder being appointed Alternate.
City Commission Approves Amendment to Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-01 which amends Resolution 24-37, adopted on September 24, 2024. This approval provides for an amendment to the City’s adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The budget has been amended in the amount of $14,300,865 which is comprised of $10,368,280 for rollovers from 2024 to 2025 and $3,932,585 for appropriations. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, general fund revenues exceeded general fund expenditures by $12,989,229 increasing the unassigned fund balance to $28,600,175. The City now has the ability to use this funding for key projects that now require additional funding. Additionally, $20,000 is being appropriated to fund tuition reimbursement for City employees to further education. For more details on projects receiving additional funding and more information on this agenda item, please visit: https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/coopercity-meet-ac8481aa8ef0488da9e25f46bd7f4f91/ITEM-Attachment-004-beecb97176e744739af1fd89e87ac51d.pdf.
City Commission Rejects Resolution 25-02
The City Commission rejected a resolution which would have amended the administrative procedures and policies for the conduct of City Commission business, providing for the assignment of seating on the dais by the Mayor of Cooper City.
City Commission Approves Professional Services Agreement
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-03, which authorizes a professional services agreement between the City and Ronald L. Book, Esq. to provide coordination and all necessary legislative relations and lobbying services for the City in a total annual compensation of $60,000, payable in equal monthly installments of $5,000. The State Legislature annually considers appropriations which provide funding for infrastructure, programs, and projects. For over a decade, the City has engaged Ronald L. Book, Esq. to coordinate legislative relations with Elected Officials and State Representatives to prioritize projects for general appropriations requests and provide state lobbying services, including the monitoring of legislation which benefit the residents of Cooper City. Most impressively, Ronald L. Book, Esq. and his team have successfully aided the City to secure general appropriations for infrastructure projects over the past three years, including:
- Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation Project, Phase 1: $700,000
- SW 49th Street Culvert Rehabilitation/Replacement Project: $575,000
- Hiatus Road Traffic Safety Improvement Project: $370,000
- Community Center Tot Lot Project: $50,000
- Michael D. Riordan “City Mike” Park Project: $112,500
- Bill Lips Park Project: $50,000
City Commission Approves Ordinance 25-01 on First Reading
The City Commission approved an ordinance, on first reading, that would amend Section 2-26 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled “Prohibited Campaign Contributions.” The amendment would specifically strike “real estate developer” from the types of campaign contributions that are currently prohibited in Cooper City elections. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading and public hearing during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025.
City Commission Amends and Approves Ordinance 25-02 on First Reading
The City Commission approved an ordinance, on first reading, which would repeal Ordinance 24-22 adopted on October 22, 2024, which 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. Ordinance 24-22 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. In amending and approving Ordinance 25-02, on first reading, the Ordinance passed in October 2024 would be repealed and reconfirm the historical practices for retiree health insurance benefits. Within the new proposed ordinance, the City will provide eligible elected officials, and any spouses of eligible elected officials, upon completion of their terms of office, city health insurance coverage until the age of 65. When a participant becomes eligible for Medicare the City shall provide basic individual supplementary insurance coverage. Further, eligible elected officials may elect dependent health insurance coverage at his/her own expense. In order to qualify as an eligible participant, an individual must have been elected to three (3) consecutive terms as a Cooper City elected official and completed the third term of office prior to the effective date of this ordinance. Furthermore, the City Commission made an amendment to state that eligible participants must begin taking the benefit when they become eligible to receive the benefit. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading and public hearing during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025.
City Commission Approves Ordinance 25-03 on First Reading
The City Commission approved an ordinance, on first reading, that would amend Ordinance 24-21, which was adopted on September 27, 2024, providing for certain benefits for the City’s elected officials in accordance with Section 3.06 of the City Charter. On September 17, 2024, Ordinance No. 24-21 was adopted, authorizing the enrollment of elected officials in the general employee class of the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Subsequently, FRS advised that this was not permissible, as elected officials must be enrolled in the elected officer class. This resulted in the need to consider alternative retirement plans. To address this issue and to align with the original intent of offering retirement benefits to elected officials, this new ordinance proposes a 401(k)-pension plan retroactive to September 17, 2024. The proposed amendments ensure compliance with FRS regulations and offer a viable treatment plan for elected officials. The 401(k) option allows for a City contribution capped at 12%, which provides a cost-effective alternative to the FRS elected officer class. This approach balances fiscal responsibility with the City’s commitment to providing fair and competitive benefits to its elected officials. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for January 28, 2025.
More Information
For more information related to the items on the January 14, 2025 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=ac8481aa8ef0488da9e25f46bd7f4f91&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 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM.