The City of Fort Lauderdale is hosting City Commission meetings in-person at various temporary locations. If any person wishes to address the City Commission, the person shall sign up using the City Clerk’s iPad. The public can listen to and view City Commission meetings on FLTV, YouTube, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To learn more about City Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.gov/citycommissionmeetings.

In case you missed them, the following are highlights from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The video is available at youtube.com/cityoffortlauderdale, and the vote summary will be available later this week at fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Commission Continues Discussion of Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2025
The Budget Advisory Board and City Commission heard a presentation regarding the fiscal year 2025 Preliminary Budget. The presentation provided an overview of rate adjustments on the tax bill, key revenue, and expenditure changes, along with the program enhancements intended to advance Commission priorities such as public safety, infrastructure improvements, and addressing homelessness. Taxable property values increased by 7.81%, allowing the City to maintain its current low millage rate of 4.1193 for the 18th consecutive year. A 10-year revenue sufficiency model was presented to provide insight into the impact of programmatic changes and proposed rates over the next decade. The FY 2025 Proposed Budget will be presented on July 2, and the Budget Advisory Board will come before the Commission on August 20 to provide the board’s recommendations prior to the two public hearings to be held in September. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3zhCiJN.

Commission Discusses Proposed Changes to Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations
The City Commission reviewed proposed amendments to the Parks and Recreation rules and regulations, as recommended by the Parks, Recreation, and Beaches Board. First discussed at a May 7 Commission meeting, the changes received mixed reactions from the community, particularly regarding regulations for pets within a City park. Initial proposed amendments allowed for leashed dogs to be allowed in City parks, excluding areas such as athletic fields, courts, playgrounds, and the beach. Following community input, the new recommendations would allow leashed dogs in certain parks as determined by neighborhood associations and create designated dog areas in other parks. The Commission directed the board to consider options for a phased approach, either district by district or park by park, and bring guidance back for consideration. For details, visit ftlcity.info/45r4uGp.

Commission Hears Proposals for Local Government Area of Opportunity Funding Program
The City Commission reviewed a proposal for affordable housing in a high-opportunity area of need, with funding supported by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s Local Government Area of Opportunity program. The program provides financial aid to affordable housing developments, and developers can apply for the funding for high-opportunity areas of need with local government support. For details, visit ftlcity.info/45ryjXn.

Commission Approves New Mausoleums at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
The City Commission approved an agreement for the design and construction of three new community mausoleums at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, located at 3201 NW 19th Street. The cemetery is currently at capacity, and the new mausoleums will accommodate the growing number of families seeking burial options by generating 476 additional crypts. The contract with Sagaris Corp. is in the amount of $1.56 million, including $20,000 for permit fees and testing. There will be an additional $86,800 for estimated in-house project management fees for a total of $1.64 million for this agreement. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4crIwoM.

Commission Approves Funds for Asphalt Milling and Resurfacing Projects
The City Commission approved an agreement for annual asphalt milling and resurfacing projects to improve streets across the City. The initial two-year agreement is for $4 million, with an option for two one-year renewals for a potential total contract amount of $8 million. Work for these projects includes installation of asphalt and pavement markings, milling and leveling of existing pavement, and more. Streets that have been deemed to be in poor to fair condition will be prioritized for improvements, based on the Pavement Condition Index. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3zafbB1.

Commission Authorizes Bonds to Finance Improvements to Water and Sewer System
The City Commission authorized the issuance of a series of bonds not to exceed $150 million for improvements to the City’s water and sewer system. A portion of the bonds will be utilized to refinance existing water and sewer debt obligations as well as provide financing for the acquisition, installation, and equipping of advanced metering infrastructure improvements. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3Rytup8.

Commission Authorizes Agreement for the Design Phase of Four New Bridges
The City Commission approved an agreement with FDOT to accept funds for the design of four bridge replacements, three in Harbor Beach and one in Rio Vista. The new bridges include the West Lake Drive bridges at Lucille River, Mercedes River, and Estelle River, as well as SE 7th Street at Rio Cordova. The replacement of the bridges involves the complete demolition of the existing structures and construction of new bridges in the same footprint. A phased approach will be used to maintain traffic during the construction phase. The project scope includes field visits to provide surveys and generate geotechnical reports, which will be used in the development of all submittal packages. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4eqbVlb.

Commission Paves Way for Victory Celebration if (when) the Florida Panthers Win Title
The City Commission approved a resolution that allows for a victory celebration should the NHL’s Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup. The resolution allows for up to $100,000 to fund the event, the same amount that the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is authorized to contribute. 

Information
For more information on the June 18, 2024, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Upcoming City Commission Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will take place on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at NSU Art Museum – Horvitz Auditorium, 1 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

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