City Commission Regular Meeting Brief for April 22, 2025

City Commission Approves Resolution to Pursue Community Project Funding Requests

The City Commission approved Resolution 25-22, which approves and authorizes the City Manager to pursue Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding (CFP) Requests to assist in funding two vital Wastewater Capital Improvement Project, in the amount not to exceed $10 million. The proposed Wastewater Capital Improvement Program Projects are:

  • Wastewater Treatment Plant – Construction of a new headworks facility ($7 million)
    • The headworks process is the initial treatment process for removing bulky solids in wastewater treatment. Currently, the Cooper City Wastewater Treatment Plant lacks a headworks facility, leading to frequent operational challenges, especially during high inflow periods. Without dedicated headworks, debris such as rags and other materials accumulate in the surge tanks, significantly reducing their capacity and efficiency. The introduction of a headworks facility is crucial to remove these materials early in the treatment process, thus protecting the infrastructure, enhancing operational reliability, and safeguarding community health and the environment.
  •  Gravity Sewer Rehabilitation Project – Phase 3 ($3 million)
    •  Cooper City has approximately 17 miles of gravity sewer pipes that have steadily declined in condition due to differential settlement and age. Current condition of the pipes allows ground water into the system, expanding flows and contributes to sanitary sewer overflows from manholes and lift stations, affecting surface water quality. The City’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan recommends a phased approach to replace, or rehabilitate, the gravity sewer lines system. The City successfully secured FY2024 CPF Funds for the Gravity Sewer Line RehabilitationInflow and Infiltration Correction Project ($959,757); FY2024-25 State Appropriation funding for Phase 1 ($700,000); and recently applied for FY2025-26 State Appropriation funding for Phase 2 ($722,000). The proposed Phase 3 Project will continue the work and includes the assessment and rehabilitation of critical sewer lines identified as high-risk for leaks and overflows.

The House Appropriations Committee announced that the Committee is accepting requests for Community Project Funding (CPF), formerly known as earmarks, for the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. Through the CPF Program, Members of Congress can request direct funding for specific entities and projects in their districts to serve the public good. The House Appropriations Committee intends to fund community projects on a limited basis in the FY 2026 Appropriations bills. The CPF Requests that address the most significant needs of local communities, or provide a significant public good, are more likely to be included. As a governmental entity, the City of Cooper City’s CPF Requests require submission to the Office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) for consideration. Per the new rules enforced by the House Appropriations Committee, each Member of the House may only submit 15 CPF Requests. Therefore, the Congresswoman’s Office will not be able to accommodate every request received, even for the worthiest projects.

City Commission Approves Resolution for Community Development Block Grant Application
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-23, which approves and authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Year 51 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Senior Transportation, Minor Home Repairs, and Purchase Assistance Programs. Broward County is a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Broward County administers these funds and allocates a portion to be used by the City of Cooper City for the Minor Home Repairs, Purchase Assistance, and Senior Transportation Programs. The Minor Home Repairs and Purchase Assistance programs are facilitated through the Community Development Department. The Senior Transportation program is facilitated through the Parks and Recreation Department. The funding for this year would occurs from October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026. The Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Transportation program, is applying for $15,000 for the 51st funding year. This amount is consistent with previous applications and previously approved requests. The Community Development Department, Purchase Assistance and Minor Home Repairs program, is applying for $78,000 to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This amount is consistent with previous applications and approved requests.

City Commission Approves Resolution to Extend Interlocal Agreement
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-25, which authorizes the extension of the surtax-funded grant interlocal agreement No. COOP-024, COOP-042, and BC-COOPERC-FY2020-00001, which is a grant pertaining to the Stirling Road Roadway and Drainage Improvement Project. The approval of this Resolution ensures retention of the funds by extending the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) end date from April 30, 2025, to September 27, 2026. According to the Fiscal Year 2020 – Fiscal Year 2029 Mobility Advancement Program Surtax Municipal Projects Funding Plan, and the Mobility Advancement Program Programmed Municipal Surtax Rehabilitation & Maintenance Projects list, the total awarded, programmed, and budgeted funds for this Project (bundled) is $5,036,960 as follows:

  • Municipal Capital: Design Phase - $480,000 (In Progress)
  • Municipal Capital: Construction Phase - $2,112,000 (Forthcoming)
  • Municipal Capital: Construction Phase - $1,408,000 (Forthcoming)
  • Rehabilitation & Maintenance (road resurfacing) - $1,036,960 (Forthcoming)

In June 2022, the Cooper City entered an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) COOP-024, COOP-042, and BCCOOPERC-FY2020-00001 with Broward County for the Surtax-Funded Stirling Road Roadway and Drainage Improvement Project for the Design Phase. The ILA established an end date of April 30, 2025. The City has encountered unforeseen staffing transitions within the Project’s team and consultant contract negotiation delays, impacting the City’s ability to complete the Design Phase within the original project schedule. The Consultant Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the Design Phase was issued to R.J. Behar & Company, Inc. on February 21, 2025, and the Design Phase is currently in progress. Thus, an extension to the County’s ILA was necessary to provide the Design Consultant with the necessary time to complete the scope of work and deliverables.

City Commission Approves Contract for Management & Administrative Professional Services
The City Commission approved the award of Contract No. PSC2025-2 for management and administrative professional services to Total Municipal Solutions, Inc. (TMS) in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the first year with two (2) one-year options to renew. On March 13, 2025, the City Commission held a workshop to discuss the Water and Wastewater Master Plan. As discussed during the workshop, the City’s wastewater treatment plan infrastructure is nearing critical stages of wear and functionality, requiring thorough assessment, upgrades, and rehabilitation. Over the next few years, the City will carry out highly critical projects, including headworks and electrical system replacement. Entering into an agreement with Raj Verma, from TMS, with extensive experience in utility engineering and in-depth knowledge of our system, he will provide City staff with essential support in planning and executing these key infrastructure projects. Mr. Verma previously served as Cooper City’s Utilities Director and holds unique experience, helping him serve as project manager/owner’s representative in the supervision of the design and construction activities.

City Commission Approves Piggyback Agreement for Sewer Vacuum, Hydro-Excavation, and Municipal Plumbing Equipment
The City Commission approved the piggybacking of Sourcewell Contract No. RFP# 101221 for Sewer Vacuum, Hydro-Excavation, and Municipal Pumping Equipment with Related Accessories and Supplies to Great Southern Equipment, LLC (authorized distributor of Gradall Industries, LLC), in an amount not to exceed $650,000, for the purchase of a new Vacall Vactor Truck. This agreement will run concurrently with the Sourcewell contract RFP# 101221, under terms and conditions acceptable to the City. The City currently owns a 14-year-old vacuum truck that is experiencing ongoing mechanical issues, which have affected its operational efficiency. Additionally, the truck is severely rusted and beyond repair. A proposal from Great Southern Equipment for a new Vactor truck, in the amount of $621,717.92, will be used for wet well cleaning at lift stations, addressing sewer backups and main line blockages in manholes, and performing other tasks at the Water Treatment Plant.

The City Commission voted no action on the discussion of the regulation of certain fence materials to prohibit windscreens

A motion was introduced for discussion and possible action regarding the regulation of certain fence materials, specifically to prohibit certain windscreen and shade covers for residents. The Commission voted in favor of taking no action on the motion.

The City Commission tabled the discussion on the action on allowing commercial vehicle parking in residential districts

A motion was introduced to explore options for allowing Cooper City residents to park their work-related commercial vehicles outside their homes, or to potentially use the parking lot fund to develop a dedicated facility for this purpose. The motion was tabled for future discussion.

City Commission Approves Purchase of Annual Maintenance for Advanced Metering Infrastructure System
The City Commission approved the purchase of the annual maintenance for the fixed network, field maintenance for meters and endpoints, and the software for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, as outlined in piggyback agreements with Core & Main LP, and Sensus USA Inc. The yearly cost of the maintenance is $180,000, with a 3% increase beginning year four, and the yearly cost of the software is $24,000 with a 5% increase beginning year two. On August 27, 2024, the City Commission approved a piggyback agreement with Core & Main, LP for the installation of AMI and related services, as well as with Sensus USA, Inc. for the provision of AMI Software as a service. The AMI project officially began in January 2025 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2025. As part of the system’s installation and operational transition, ongoing maintenance services and software support are necessary to ensure that the infrastructure remains operational and efficient.

City Commission Approves Resolution Related to Request for Qualifications
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-26 which authorizes the City Manager to execute agreements with thirteen (13) firms for architecture, geotechnical, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, transportation/transit, civil engineering, landscape architecture, water/wastewater/stormwater, and other services. The City of Cooper City issued a Request for Qualifications under RFQ 2024-1-PW to contract with various qualified consultants, from a wide range of disciplines, to provide general professional engineering services and similar services for various City projects, in compliance with the Florida Statute 287.055 known as the Consultant’s Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA). The RFQ was issued on November 1, 2024, and closed on January 21, 2025. Submittals were opened on January 24, 2025. The firms with a wide range of disciplines are the following: M.C. Harry & Associates, K2M Design, Inc., Walters Zackria Associates, PLLC, Ohlson Lavoie Corporation, Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc., Robayana and Associates, Inc., GFA International, Inc. d/b/a Universal Engineering Services, R.J. Behar & Company, Inc., Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., The Corradino Group, Inc., Miller, Legg & Associates, Inc., Hazen and Sawyer, and Craven, Thompson & Associates, Inc.

More Information
For more information related to the April 22, 2025 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=2fcdc0818d7748d6ba2112c27ce83800&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 May 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM.