City Commission Regular Meeting Brief for May 28, 2024

City Commission Approves Ordinance 24-12 on First Reading
The City Commission approved an ordinance, on first reading, providing an update on the date of the Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps. This ordinance will amend Chapter 6 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled “Building and Building Regulations,” amending Article V, entitled “Floodplain Management Administration,” by specifically updating Section 6-69, entitled “Applicability.” This update is related to the new Florida Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps, which will be effective July 31, 2024. The new flood maps will reclassify areas of Cooper City as designated A Zones (flood insurance required). These areas are mainly East of Palm Avenue, west of 90th Avenue, and north of Stirling Road. Prior to the 2014 maps, these areas were in an AH zone, and flood insurance was mandatory. Due to the City’s participation in the CRS Program and our current Class 6 Rating, all flood zone insurance policies receive a 20% discount in premiums. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for June 11, 2024.

City Commission Approves Ordinance 24-13 on First Reading
The City Commission approved, on first reading, rezoning petition #Z 1-1-24, which provides for the rezoning of the approximately .43 acres of real property generally located on the southeast corner of Griffin Road and SW 106 Avenue. This approval would rezone the subject property from A-1, Agriculture (Broward County designation), to R-1-D Single-Family 6000 sq./ft. (Cooper City designation) to preserve the one existing house of the subject property. The proposed subject site is .43 acres and has one single-family home (the oldest in the City of Cooper City). The property was annexed into the City on September 15, 2004, and is part of the Royal Palm Ranches Preservation annexation agreement. The existing zoning and Land Use Plan designations were inherited from Broward County and are the same as before the property was annexed into the City. The pre-annexation agreement that applies to the subject site states that all zoning changes must first come before the Preservation Board for a recommendation and must be approved by a supermajority vote of the City Commission. At the February 24, 2024, meeting, the Royal Palm Ranches Preservation Board recommended approval of the R-1-D Rezoning request. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for July 23, 2024.

City Commission Approves Ordinance 24-14 on First Reading
The City Commission approved, on first reading, rezoning petition #Z 9-2-23, which provides for the rezoning of approximately 19.23 gross acres of real property generally located on the southeast corner of Griffin Road and SW 106 Avenue. This approval would rezone the subject property from A-1, Agriculture (Broward County designation), to R-1-D Single-Family 6000 sq./ft. (Cooper City designation) to build thirty-eight (38) houses, providing for the allocation of nineteen (19) flex units. The property was annexed into the City on September 15, 2004, and is part of the Royal Palm Ranches Preservation annexation agreement. The existing zoning and Land Use Plan designations were inherited from Broward County and are the same as before the property was annexed into the City. The pre-annexation agreement that applies to the subject site states that all zoning changes must first come before the Royal Palm Ranches Preservation Board for a recommendation and must be approved by a super-majority vote of the City Commission. At the February 24, 2024, meeting, the Royal Palm Ranches Preservation Board recommended approval of the R-1-D Rezoning. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for July 23, 2024.

City Commission Appoints Member to Education Advisory Board
The City Commission approved Commissioner Jeremy Katzman’s appointment of Ellen Kay to the Education Advisory Board.

City Commission Approves Modification to the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Calendar
The City Commission approved minor modifications to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Calendar to accommodate changes in the Preliminary Assessment an Preliminary Millage Rate, which must be submitted to the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office. The original calendar was approved by the City Commission during the April 30, 2024 Regular Meeting.

City Commission Approves Traffic Calming Pilot Program
The City Commission approved a traffic calming pilot program design and evaluation for temporary speed cushions at nine (9) corridors with The Corradino Group, Inc., to be used by Public Works, in the amount of $42,495. Corradino Group is one of the three (3) consultants selected through the City’s RFQ 2020-1-UTL and approved by the City Commission on June 8, 2021, after meeting the requirements of Florida Statute (FS) 287.055, commonly known as the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA). On December 12, 2023, the Corradino Group presented a preliminary report to the City Commission on a Traffic Calming Study conducted across fifty-one corridor segments in Cooper City. The study included collecting 72-hour bi-directional speed and volume data between mid-May and mid-June 2023, alongside a 5-year crash review from August 1, 2018, to July 31, 2023. Field reviews targeted corridors where 85th Percentile Speeds exceeded posted limits, identifying seven corridors for further examination. On February 19, 2024, the Corradino Group submitted the final signed and sealed version of the Traffic Calming Study, which highlighted 14 corridors of interest based on traffic volumes and 85th Percentile Speeds, along with recommendations for traffic calming improvements. The citywide traffic calming findings were presented to the City Commission on March 12, 2024, highlighting areas of concern and potential improvements. Following discussions with Corradino Group, City staff recommended the implementation of a Traffic Calming Pilot Program, focusing on installing temporary speed cushions in nine (9) identified speeding-prone corridors while permanent solutions are planned. The nine locations are:

  •          Hiatus Road between SW 56th Court & SW 55th Street
  •          Hiatus Road between SW 57th Circle & SW 59th Street
  •          SW 52nd Street at approximately 9450 SW 52nd Street
  •          SW 113th Street between SW 56th Circle & SW 58th Street
  •          SW 118th Avenue between SW 50th Street & SW 51st Court
  •          Stonebridge Parkway between Forest Hill Dive & Access Road
  •          SW 49th Street between SW 120th Avenue & SW 118th Avenue
  •          Stonebridge Parkway between Anchor Way & Dockside Drive
  •          SW 52nd Street between SW 89th Terrace & SW 89th Way

The project timeline aims to complete Phase I (Design and Permitting) within 120 days of the Notice to Proceed and Phase II (Traffic Analysis) within 90 days after the speed cushions' installation.

City Commission Approves Multiple Job Descriptions
The City Commission approved job description for the Public Works Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. See a full list of the approved job descriptions.

City Commission Approves the Hiring of Utilities Director
The City Commission approved the hiring of Timothy Welch as the City new Utilities Director. Mr. Welch is a utility industry leader with extensive experience in water, wastewater, natural gas, public works, facilities maintenance, capital planning, design, and project delivery, including procurement, construction, administration, and certification. The position opening was posted on the City’s website as well as numerous professional association websites. A number of candidates expressed interest in the position.

City Commission Approves Contract for Electronic Permitting/Electronic Plan Review Solutions
The City Commission approved a contract with Carahsoft Technology Corp. through the OMNIA Partners National Coop #23-692 for electronic permitting/electronic plan review solutions. The City of Cooper City conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to procure an electronic permitting/plan review solution for the Community Development Department. This solution will take the department from a paper-based submittal and issuance operation to a streamlined operation with full digital capabilities with regard to building permits, business tax receipts, and planning and zoning applications and permit issuances. The results of the RFP led to the evaluation committee rejecting all bids as the bid submissions did not comply with the specified Scope of Work detailed by the City in the RFP. All bidders provided a solution for permitting but were unable to provide a specific software solution for digital plan review in their proposals. City staff regrouped and vetted e-permitting/plan review solutions used by neighboring municipalities, and one name repeatedly came up as the product of choice for these municipalities. Their solution was Accela Government Software and E-Permit Hub digital plan review software. Staff then queried their professional associations to find an applicable Coop that would be available to Cooper City. The Carahsoft Technology Corp through the OMNIA Partners National Coop #23-6692 for Electronic Permitting/Electronic Plan Review Solutions was found as a solution that was consistent with the City of Cooper City procurement code. Community Development staff conducted a comprehensive vetting process of the solution with the intent to potentially procure the Accela Government software and the E-Permit Hub digital plan review software. Staff met with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the City of Weston Building and IT departments to discuss their experience with the systems and to observe the applications and their uses in real time. Staff found the systems to be user-friendly from a customer standpoint, and most importantly, transparent. This solution allows a customer, from the moment a permit application is entered through the online portal, to be kept in the loop as to the permit status throughout the entire process. Staff found that the Accela and E-Permit Hub systems integrate seamlessly and provide a clear process for users, constituents, contractors, developers, business owners, and City staff. The approved contract is a 3-year contract for $754,014.29. This contract includes the Accela software licensing for up to 40 users, the E-permit Hub digital plan review software, and the implementation team through Silver Lining Solution. This project was included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Cooper City Budget and will impact the building utilization fund, bringing the building department fund balance within the allowable 4-year average range.

City Commission Approves Resolution 24-13
The City Commission approved a resolution that amends the renewal period for the City’s two municipal parking lots and leasing rates. The City currently leases two municipal parking lots for recreational vehicles (RVs) and other large vehicles. On August 25, 2020, the City Commission adopted Resolution 20-8-3, which increased parking rates to cover the rising repair and replacement costs due to age and wear and tear. Currently, the City receives approximately $152,000 per fiscal year for operating both facilities. To enhance administrative efficiency and to mitigate inflationary pressures related to maintenance and repairs, staff recommended and the Commission approved that lease agreements be renewed on an annual basis, instead of a semi-annual basis, along with a proposed increase ranging from $24 to $37 per year based on the size of the leased lot. The rate increase will take effect for the annual lease period beginning October 1, 2024.

City Commission Approves Ordinance 24-09 on Second Reading
The City Commision approved an ordinance, on second reading, that amends Chapter 12 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled “Parks and Recreation,” by specifically amending Section 12-46(B) entitled “Application Procedure.” This chapter of the City Code had not been updated nor was it following current trends and changes within the industry and the City of Cooper City. While reviewing the City Codes and Resolutions, it came to staff’s attention that some City policies and procedures were not compliant with the current section 12-46(B). This amendment also codifies the ability for residents to submit reservations for recreational facilities no more than 180 days before the date of the proposed use or activity. Previously, reservations could not be placed more than 90 days before the proposed use or activity.

City Commission Approves Ordinance 24-11 on Second Reading
The City Commission approved an ordinance, on second reading, which amends Chapter 17 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled “Traffic and Motor Vehicles.” Within Chapter 17, it specifically amends “Section 17-18 entitled “Prohibited Stopping, Standing or Parking on Certain Roadways,” to prohibit vehicles from blocking traffic during school hours and to require vehicles parking along roadways to face the flow of traffic. This ordinance also amends Section 17-19 entitled “Parking Prohibited Over Catch Basins” to prohibit parking within rights of ways and property lines, and to prohibit trailers, commercial vehicles, and recreational vehicles from parking on roadways.

More Information
For more information related to items on the April 30, 2024 agenda, please visit: https://coopercity.gov/index.asp?SEC=6FBF1E3E-60AB-4CC6-90EF-C800B28068D3&DE=96064FA4-D1C7-4D60-961B-E8D6D1F96611.

The next City Commission Regular Meeting will be held on June 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Cooper City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.