I CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Grant called to order the Regular City Commission Meeting at 6:04 PM.

II ROLL CALL

5 -

Present:

Commissioner Richard R. Campbell,Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn,Commissioner

John T. Hodgson,Vice Mayor Sarai Martin, and Mayor Denise D. Grant

ALSO PRESENT:

Kennie Hobbs, Jr., Interim City Manager

Hans Ottinot, Interim City Attorney

Constance Stanley, Police Chief

Andrea M. Anderson, City Clerk

III

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (AND CITY MANAGER RESPONSES TO

THE PUBLIC, IF THE TIME PERMITS DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING OF

THE CITY COMMISSION)

IV ADJOURNMENT (NO LATER THAN 6:30 PM)

I CALL TO ORDER OF REGULAR MEETING

II HOUSEKEEPING

A motion was made by Vice Mayor S. Martin, seconded by Commissioner R.

Campbell, to ACCEPT the Revised Version of the City Commission Meeting

Agenda for February 10, 2025, including moving items 11 and 12 to be heard

immediately after presentations. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

III PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG FOLLOWED BY GOOD AND WELFARE

IV CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Commissioner M. Dunn, seconded by Commissioner R.

Campbell, that this Consent Agenda was approved. The motion carried by the

following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

V APPROVAL OF MINUTES

VI PROCLAMATIONS / COMMENDATIONS (10 MINUTES MAXIMUM)

VII PRESENTATIONS (15 MINUTES MAXIMUM)

PRESENTATION FOR BLACK HISTORY AND REGGAE MONTH

(REQUESTED BY MAYOR DENISE D. GRANT).

Attachments:

Presentation A - BlackHistoryReggae_Honorees (As Referenced

Within Minutes)

PRESENTATION

FEDERAL

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS

AND

COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR DENISE D.

GRANT).

LAUDERHILL

TEACHERS

APPRECIATION

PRESENTATION

(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER MELISSA P. DUNN).

Attachments:

Presentation C- Lauderhill Teachers Appreciation (As Referenced

Within Minutes)

PRESENTATION OF RECOGNITION TO FIRE CHIEF ROBERT

TORRES FOR AN INNOVATION AWARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF

MIAMI (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE HOBBS).

Attachments: Chief Robert Torres_FCI Award Letter

PRESENTATION

FOR

THE

STATEWIDE

SENIOR

DOMINO

TOURNAMENT (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE

HOBBS).

XI QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS (IF NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA)

All persons speaking on the following quasi-judicial matters were collectively

sworn in.

11.

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-22:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA GRANTING TO EAGLES

NEST COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE

DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW

WITHIN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) ZONING DISTRICT A CHARTER

PRIMARY

SCHOOL

WITH

TRANSPORTATION

SERVICES,

WITH

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS IN A 31,667+

SQUARE FEET BUILDING LOCATED ON A 2.07± ACRE SITE LEGALLY

DESCRIBED AS A PORTION OF TRACT E, INDUSTRIAL 100 UNIT 2,

ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT

BOOK 85, PAGE 2 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF BROWARD

COUNTY, FLORIDA, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 3698 NW 15TH

STREET,

LAUDERHILL,

FLORIDA;

AND

PROVIDING

FOR

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-22

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-22

Attachment A - Application

Attachment B - Development Review Report (DRR)

Attachment C - Narrative

Attachment D - Floor Plan

Attachment E - Survey

Attachment F - Public Notice Affidavit

Attachment G - Conditions of Approval (UNSIGNED)

Item 11 - Eagles Nest Presentation (As Referenced Within Minutes)

Interim City Attorney Ottinot collectively swore in all persons wishing to speak

on agenda item 11.

City Planner Molly Howson gave an overview of the subject resolution, as

detailed in the backup, highlighting the following:

• The City heard from Eagle’s Nest Charter Academy (ENCA) in 2014, as they

sought to move into the subject location previously occupied by RISE Academy;

ENCA was granted a special exception to operate a charter school in 2014 with

a five-year window, thus expiring on March 19, 2019

• In 2019 ENCA requested an extension of the special exception; at that time,

city staff had concerns about the location being in the light industrial zoning

district, so staff again recommended denial in 2019, but the City Commission

approved ENCA for a five-year extension, which expired in June 24, 2024

• In 2015, the State Legislature issued a requirement for cities, municipalities,

and counties to treat charter schools no differently than they would public

schools

• In 2024, when ENCA requested another extension of their special extension; in

light of the 2015 State law, the school was no longer a permitted use in subject

zoning district, so city staff recommended denial, and removed those approval

permissions from the City’s Land Development Regulations (LDR); staff

informed the applicant when they approached the City for the extension that

they could not obtain it

•

With State legislation requiring municipalities to treat charter and public

schools equally, despite a special exception approval for charter schools being

removed from the LDR, a special exception remained in the LDR for public

schools, so ENCA was able to submit the subject application

• City staff’s concerns were strictly based on the suitability of the location for a

school; staff had no concerns about ENCA being responsible operators.

Keith Poliakoff, the applicant’s representative, highlighted the following:

• The subject property had been used exclusively for a school since 1997

• Despite the zoning being light industrial, the aerial of the site location showed

the school site was bordered by the Georgetown townhomes, a vacant lot, a

store that sold parts for boats, and across the street there was a moving

company that had become partners with the school

• 95 percent of the school’s students arrived by bus, and more than 70 percent

lived in Lauderhill; with the planned closure of another nearby public school, they

expected that percent to be 100 percent Lauderhill residents

•

The school currently had 295 students with a capacity for 300 students;

The site was 100 percent built out as a school

They expected the school to be rated B by 2026; their Coral Springs school

had an A rating for the current school year

The applicant’s ability to make improvements and upgrades to school

•

buildings and the site was made difficult by city staff continuing to make them

come back every five years to apply for an extension to their special exception,

nor did it foster an environment in which students and their parents could feel

confident in the permanence of the school’s location, where students’ younger

siblings could attend as they became of age

•

The applicant sought approval for an indefinite special exception, allowing

ENCA to remain at the subject location until it was no longer in operation, thus

removing the need to return before the Commission every five years to extend

the special exception; this would bolster their confidence in making

improvements

•

Highlighted the school’s significant community involvement in city initiatives

and events, such as food drives, Fire Safety Week, Lauderhill’s Fall Festival,

submitting an entrant for Lauderhill’s Teacher of the Year Award; they supported

the City’s parks and facilities by utilizing them for activities and events

• From 2014 to date, the school had an excellent track record of never having

any accidents, complaints, issues, etc.

• The applicant disagreed with staff’s comment that the subject site was in an

industrial area, as they felt this was not truly an industrial area; therefore, ENCA

should not be constantly penalized for being in an industrial area

• The applicant disagreed with staff comment four as to economic benefits and

liabilities; though staff acknowledged there were economic benefits from the

school being located where it was, staff failed to realize that communities

gained success when they attract residents wishing to live near successful

schools; students’ parents patronized local businesses traveling to and from the

school for their children, and they consistently sought to do business with

companies and organizations in the areas, particularly those that serviced the

school

• Regarding comment seven, in which staff did not find the applicant’s use to be

consistent to the health, safety, and welfare of the general public, the applicant

was puzzled how staff used this factor to not find in favor of the school,

considering the school’s positive track record at the subject site

• The applicant heard through the grapevine that city staff mentioned the

applicant was asked over the years to make improvements; the applicant had

no record of any such requests and they were willing do so if the felt sure of the

permanence of their location; as they loved their school, and they wished it to be

a jewel in the City, a school Lauderhill students wanted to attend

•

The principal, parents, school alumni, and other professionals were present

to support the school and the subject application.

Commissioner Dunn wished to know if 95 percent of the students were bussed

to the school and from which Lauderhill neighborhoods did students originate.

Mr. Poliakoff understood students outside a two-mile radius of the school were

eligible to be bussed to ENCA.

Christine Mentis, Executive Director, and former principal of ENCA, said she

oversaw the Lauderhill and Coral Springs campuses. This was her third time

coming before the City Commission for the special exception approval to

ensure the school’s operation at the subject site.

She noted they had four

buses transporting approximately 200 of the 295 students to their school;

students lived two to four miles in surrounding areas of Lauderhill.

The school’s bus coordinator explained there were three buses at Eagle’s Nest

that serviced Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, and Fort Lauderdale within a two- to

four-mile radius of the school. Most of the children bussed to the school in

Lauderhill came from the NW 56th Avenue area in Inverrary and along Sunrise

Boulevard.

Commissioner Dunn commented, with regard to the economic impact of the

school, historically, she understood the space was zoned industrial with the

vision that the uses in that area would be in the manufacturing industry.

Ms. Howson clarified the economic impact of the school in relation to the

subject area’s zoning was with regard to the economic benefits and liabilities;

staff had to look at the impact, not only of the applicant wishing to occupy the

subject site, but the impact on the existing neighborhood, and business uses

surrounding the school. She said the City considered the subject area to be

Lauderhill’s industrial area, of which the City was proud, adding that the

business Mr. Poliakoff referenced as selling boat parts was a large marine

company that manufactured boat parts; they had outdoor storage, and they

produced life safety boats for cruise ships, etc.

There was also a stone

manufacturer, a moving company, the UPS located in the area, and Broward

County Schools had warehousing located in the area. She admitted that though

industrial uses were not always the most glamourous, they were very, very

important, as this area made up less than five percent of the City’s total land

area.

Interim City Manager Kennie Hobbs affirmed the subject area was the City’s

only industrial area, and over the years the City made changes to Lauderhill’s

light industrial, and commercial warehouse district that abutted the residential

community, amortizing some of the uses. He indicated the City often received

inquiries from businesses that wished to either expand within the subject area,

or were considering moving into that area. With regard to complaints, he stated

the City received numerous complaints over many years.

City staff held

community meetings in the area when the City sought to do improvements in

this business district, and, through the Community Redevelopment Agency

(CRA), staff met with the community on such matters. There were complaints

from parents who spoke about 18-wheelers traversing the area’s streets not

being a safe environment for children.

He said city staff heard concerns

expressed by area businesses that drove 18-wheelers and large commercial

vehicles about students crossing the streets while their vehicles drove up and

down those streets. Mr. Hobbs thought it misleading to state that Georgetown

was part of the subject school community, as they were not; Georgetown was

located to the rear of the school, but there was no direct entrance into

Georgetown. He said the AT&T site that had a fence that was locked until

recently; they did not allow anyone to traverse between the two sites; even the

vacant lot that would be developed into residential was not a part of Lauderhill’s

industrial area; thus, the aerial shown by the applicant was misleading.

explained it was not city staff who requested that the applicant return before the

Commission every five years; city staff consistently recommended denial of the

subject item, as they did for the present resolution; this was to facilitate the

subject site being utilized for an industrial use.

recommendation of denial.

Staff stood behind its

Commissioner Campbell mentioned speaking with an ENCA representative on

the subject item, and part of what he pointed out in that discussion was nothing

he saw thus far that came from the City indicated the school itself posed a

problem, nor was anyone involved in the subject process denying the

importance of a school. He visited the site and the surrounding area, and he

knew the City Commission recently approved a site on which large trucks would

be parked that was adjacent to ENCA. The school itself was in good condition,

and there was no doubt that the teachers were doing a wonderful job with the

students, so this was not what was at issue. He understood from staff that the

City desired to keep the school in Lauderhill, just at an alternate location, where

the environment was better suited for a learning experience; he knew part of the

calculation was the economic cost of physically moving the school from one

location to another. It was with the latter that he had a problem; one’s learning

environment was not restricted to what took place inside the school, but the

external environment had to be taken into consideration.

Commissioner

Campbell remarked that NW 38th Avenue became the City’s entertainment

district, for which certain businesses were amortized, as their uses were no

longer considered suitable; thus, the idea of a business moving out of the

subject area for such reasons was not a new concept. He hoped the school

could present information that made him feel more comfortable, particularly in

light of city staff’s statements as to there being more suitable locations in

Lauderhill for the school; he questioned why it was so important for the school

to remain at the subject location in the middle of the City’s only industrial zone.

The school was in the middle of an environment in which it was unusual to

foster security and education for Lauderhill’s students; elsewhere, it would not

be possible to put students in such an environment.

It upset him when

Lauderhill’s communities were used as a selling point, as it was clear that

residents of Georgetown were not a significant portion of ENCA’s student body,

since over 200 students were bussed to the school. He hoped the applicant

would clarify for him why, since so many students were bussed from other

areas in Lauderhill, the school did not seek a more suitable relocation within the

City.

Ms. Mentis affirmed economic challenges were the main reason for remaining

at the subject location, as charter schools received less funding than traditional

public schools, though they were still a public school. There were no additional

tuition, fees, etc. that were assessed to their students; their funding came from

the State. With regard to relocating elsewhere in Lauderhill, she was unaware

of any recommendations from city staff regarding other more suitable sites in

Lauderhill. ENCA representatives met with city staff, including the City Manager

and Economic Development Coordinator Renee Thrasher, beginning in August

2024 to discuss the needs of the school, and the possibility of relocating to

another site in Lauderhill; Ms. Thrasher promised to work diligently to find an

alternate location within Lauderhill. To date, staff was unable to find a suitable

site with the appropriate square footage in Lauderhill to which the school could

relocate.

Commissioner Campbell pointed out that despite the current industrial uses

surrounding the school, as the subject area was zoned industrial, there was no

way to predict what future industrial uses might come to the area that could

pose further safety challenges for the school’s students.

Ms. Mentis responded that for the last ten years of occupying the current space,

even with the nearby presence of UPS, etc., they had a good relationship with

neighboring businesses and the school was well entrenched in the

neighborhood.

The school absolutely understood the student safety concerns

expressed by the City, and they worked closely with Police Chief Stanley to walk

the school site and make adjustments to enhance the safety and security of the

school. She said they posted traffic markers and ensured their schedule was in

sync with surrounding businesses; when students arrived and departed, there

was ample staff assisting students and parents. The school was not invited to

participate in any conversations mentioned by Mr. Hobbs regarding safety

concerns due to the presence of the school; in ten years of the school

occupying the subject site, they had a perfect safety record, with no students

being injured, etc. in any way. She knew there were Broward schools located in

appropriately zoned areas that had safety incidents; ENCA took the safety of

their students very seriously.

Again, the school welcomed discussions about

possible relocation to a more suitable site in Lauderhill, and if such a location

was found, the school would need time to build a reserve to afford that

transition.

Mr. Hobbs noted when city staff and ENCA representatives met in August 2024,

the time to move was one of the points the then city manager brought up; an

outcome from that meeting was Economic Development staff worked with P&Z

staff to identify areas suitable for a school. He recalled that an actual property

was identified, though it might not have met the criteria the school set for

move-in suitability. One of the points staff made at the August meeting was that

because the expiration of the special exception had taken place, the school was

operating illegally via a noncompliant use in the subject area. He thought a

meeting of minds was reached between the parties for the school to operate for

the remainder of the school year, while the school sought to identify another

Lauderhill location to which they could move; staff agreed in August 2024 that it

was not reasonable to expect the school to move immediately.

A letter of

agreement to this effect was sent to ENCA to sign and return to the City, but

this did not happen; the next communication was to meet at the present time,

so there was prior communication between the school and city staff, identifying

a transition plan that would take the school through to the end of the current

school year. He believed there was an understanding that the timeframe was to

allow the school time to remain open, while building a reserve for relocation, and

notify parents of the upcoming move.

Ms. Mentis disagreed that there was a meeting of minds between city staff and

ENCA. The follow-up conversation to the August dialog was that relocating the

school in one year was unrealistic while continuing to operate the school,

looking for another location that might require build out, and moving before the

next school year began. She felt city planners well knew there was no way to

do all this in less than one year, as a school year was less than an actual year.

She said the additional part of the follow up conversation was that ENCA would

do its due diligence finding another location in the City, and city staff asked

school representatives to keep notes of their efforts in this regard; thus, the City

was willing to extend the special exception for another year if the school could

provide written proof of their efforts. Ms. Mentis said this was the part of the

conversation that was left out of the letter from the City that ENCA was

expected to sign, so ENCA emailed city staff, stating the letter did not detail

everything the city and the school agreed to do in the effort to find another site.

ENCA felt that if they signed the letter as sent by the City, it meant they were

agreeing to vacate their current location in a year’s time, thereby displacing their

students after June 2025, which was not the full breadth of the discussion.

Mr. Hobbs explained the reason for the form of the letter was due to the fact that

when the last five-year extension was granted to give the school time to find

another location; city staff informed the school they would be recommending

denial of the special exception application; the then commission granted the

applicant five years to do the abovementioned things regarding building financial

reserves, finding another location, moving, and notifying parents. He said the

City Manager’s agreeing to give the school an additional year last year meant

the school was given six years to do the above; this was the reason staff was

not willing to go beyond a one-year extension.

Ms. Mentis was adamant that at the approval of the second special exception no

verbiage was not conveyed to the school that over the five years of the extended

special exception the school should relocate, and do all that that process

required; this would be supported by the City Commission meeting at which

they received approval for a second special exception, at which she spoke for

about a minute.

She said the only caveat at that meeting was former

Commissioner Margaret Bates asking the school to confirm they would not

expand to 9-12, they would stay K-8, which the school did; there was no other

discussion about finding another location, or they would have actively worked to

find another location. She agreed with staff that the school initiated the present

special exception renewal process, with no expectation that it would not be

renewed; they only wished to stay in compliance with city code.

Commissioner Campbell understood the need for allowing time for the school to

relocate, but he was not willing to continuously extend the special exception

without a clear understanding of the end result.

Ms. Howson remarked it was zoning staff’s job to advise the Commission when

uses were compatible or incompatible with each other; at present, the City had

a school zone running through the heart of the City’s industrial area, and this

was not appealing to businesses wishing to locate their manufacturing business

to the subject area.

She thought staff had a very productive and attentive

relationship with both Ms. Mentis, and the property owner, Mr. Lacvalla 2:23:13

for the duration of the special exceptions’ history, and staff’s hope was that

there was a way to keep the school in Lauderhill, as they were clearly a great

benefit. Staff was willing to discuss a reasonable timeframe with ENCA, with

the understanding that the school had to move location.

Mr. Hobbs indicated that in the City’s last conversation with the school regarding

moving to another location, staff felt one year was sufficient, of which half of that

time had now passed. In response to the Commission asking staff what would

be a reasonable time to give the school to relocate, the end of next school year

was felt to be a fitting timeframe; staff did not support another five-year

extension being granted.

Mayor Grant commented, in observing the persons present in support of the

school, including students, she saw a lot of learning, and it appeared students

were attentive and happy. It was difficult for her, particularly as a mother and a

resident, to support closing a school just because it was not in the right area.

She mentioned being raised in New Jersey, in close proximity of New York,

where oftentimes a school was next to a business; learning, for her, could

happen anywhere, and this was a better situation than that found in places

around the world where students walked miles to school without shoes, and

were taught in environments lacking desks, chairs, etc., yet some scored higher

than those in places with every resource available to them.

Some Broward

schools were not doing very well, despite the resources available to them, and

ENCA was a school with limited resources that continued to provide quality

education, showing improvements in their grade, moving from an F to a B,

which was excellent.

Mayor Grant said the safety component was very

important, asking for data/records to support complaints related to safety

concerns having the school so close to light industrial uses.

Mr. Hobbs responded that staff find the recordings, as proper noticing was

issued to all property owners and businesses in the area, including safe

neighborhood districts (SNDs), of CRA meetings, etc.; the recordings would

show the complaints and concerns expressed by residents and businesses.

Mr. Poliakoff stated there were no complaints. Residents and business owners

might have attended any one or more public meetings where they expressed

safety concerns, but there were no documented complaints in the City against

ENCA. Staff might not like that a school occupied the subject site for some 27

years, but ENCA was a wonderful asset to the City, and he hoped Mr. Hobbs

would recognize what a great benefit it was to the community; he said he felt

very disappointed.

Mayor Grant acknowledged the need for the City to be reasonable, particularly in

light of the direction it appeared the Commission was heading, one in which she

preferred not to go. She questioned what the plan would be if the students and

teachers were displaced by not allowing the school to stay at the subject

location, particularly as the majority of the students, and some of the teachers

were Lauderhill residents with families to take care of, and they contributed to

the City’s economy. She asked staff to give examples of relocation options in

Lauderhill.

Interim City Attorney Ottinot asked for the focus of the discussion to remain on

the renewal of the special exception in relation to the zoning aspect, as this was

the issue.

Mr. Hobbs replied the City’s zoning code spoke to zoned areas suitable for

schools and that information was communicated to the school and available to

the public.

He clarified that at no time when staff recommended denial, or

encouraged the school to find another location in Lauderhill, was there any

question about liking the school; in fact, Ms. Howson was on record as stating

ENCA was an excellent asset to the Lauderhill community. Staff’s only position

was in relation to the zoning; that is, the incompatibility of the use, a school, in

relation to the surrounding industrial uses for which the area was zoned; staff

communicated information to the applicant on what areas in Lauderhill were

zoned for schools.

Interim City Attorney Ottinot stated the subject resolution proposed a five-year

extension of the existing special exception, taking it to 2029.

Vice Mayor Martin struggled with the whole process of the subject resolution,

and he supported granting the school more time to relocate, but not five years.

Commissioner Campbell clarified he was not recommending the displacement

of students; he thought the school should remain open in Lauderhill, if possible,

but this was a matter of zoning, so it could not be said that regardless of the

zoning issues, the school must remain at its present location.

He supported

granting the school reasonable time to find and move to a new location, with city

staff working with the school to explore all possibilities in Lauderhill. There were

times when schools were located next to less than advantageous neighbors,

but the City Commission and city administration had to do the best they could to

put schools in safe areas. He said after a two-year extension the school might

return before the Commission to state finding another location in Lauderhill was

impossible, but he felt the possibilities for alternate locations in Lauderhill had

yet to be properly explored.

Ms. Mentis commented ENCA absolutely respected all the work the City did in

Lauderhill, as well as the conversations that took place between city staff and

school administrators.

They met with city staff to discuss alternate locations,

and they independently worked to find other locations in Lauderhill for the

school; ideally, they wished to remain in Lauderhill, but, based on

conversations, no suitable location was found to which ENCA could relocate.

She urged staff to reproduce the list of alternate locations they provided to

ENCA, as she had an email from staff confirming no alternate locations were

found in Lauderhill. The buildout of their subject location was close to $1 million,

and the school could not create a reserve to hold funds, so it was unrealistic to

expect them to relocate within a year.

Mr. Poliakoff asked if the Commission could table the subject resolution to the

next Commission meeting to allow time for staff to present a list of alternate

locations within Lauderhill that were built out, and ready for the school to occupy

that were within four miles of its current location.

Adonis Lumpkin, the educational consultant for ENCA, and a Lauderhill property

owner, urged the Commission to listen to the persons speaking in support of

keeping ENCA at its present location, and to acknowledge the persons present

to show support for the school. The Commission had the power to allow the

school to remain at its present location, if they so wished; not doing so

contributed to the ongoing disenfranchisement of certain groups in cities,

states, and the country as a whole. He noted the Commission could create a

special zoning for ENCA to allow the school to remain at its present location,

and the school would ensure every safety measure possible was put in place to

address safety concerns.

ENCA did its best to remain good neighbors to

surrounding businesses, and good partners with the City, utilizing local services

for school events, venues, etc.; they were a positive part of the Lauderhill

community.

Commissioner Hodgson mentioned hearing nothing adverse in the present

meeting’s dialog in relation to the presence of the school since its being at the

subject location, particularly with regard to the safety of its students. He, too,

desired evidence of expressed safety concerns due to the school being at its

present location, agreeing with Mayor Grant of the need to be cognizant of the

school’s students who would be affected, asking if their interest was being

taken into consideration. Considering that such a significant number of ENCA’S

students were Lauderhill residents, the question of what would happen to them

if the school was forced to close was a serious concern. He questioned which

was more importance, attracting businesses to the subject area, or the future of

the students; he felt the Commission needed to give more serious thought to

the matter before voting on the subject resolution.

Commissioner Dunn mentioned doing her due diligence on the proposed

resolution prior to the present meeting, including communicating with the

community, meeting with several of area businesses, speaking with an ENCA

representative, and meeting with city staff; her primary question was as to the

number of Lauderhill students the school served.

She came to the meeting

prepared to have an open conversation with the school about how to make the

subject situation work, but after hearing Mr. Poliakoff’s presentation, along with

what she learned in her online research about ENCA, she now had more

questions. Her main concern was the bussing in of 90 percent of the students

from Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, and Lauderhill, amounting to about

200 students, with the remaining 95 coming from communities closer to the

school. Despite the promise made to former City Commissioner Bates that the

school would not serve students beyond eighth grade, the beginning sentence

on the school’s website stated the school was state-approved to serve students

K-12, though they currently served K-8.

Commissioner Dunn remarked she

was in the marketing businesses, and oftentimes when businesses wished to

state their intentions, they led with such a sentence, covering themselves with

what they did currently. She looked at how the school was promoted on a

number of websites, such as Niche, where they, too, stated the school had 284

students in grades K-12; this was a red flag for her, asking why if the school

only served K-8 they had other verbiage on their website.

Ms. Mentis stated K-12 was their current charter approval, which they received

in 2014/2015. They were originally Eagle’s Nest Elementary, and they received

a high performance designation from the State of Florida for receiving three

consecutive A grades. She said when they went through the renewal process

with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), they were able to expand their

grade levels from K-5 to K-12, as they were recognized as a reputable school

that knew how to operate well. BCPS expanded their contract to accept up to

500 students; their current contract with BCPS allowed them to have up to 800

students; the school knew it lacked the capacity to physically accommodate

800 students at its present location.

She commented that because the State

and the County approved the school for K-12, everything online that mentioned

the school included its K-12 designation; they had parents who constantly

asked them to expand, so their children could remain at the same school K-12.

Operationally, the school was very comfortable continuing to service students

K-8.

Commissioner Dunn mentioned another business that came before the

Commission with a similar challenge to that of the school’s; it was an assisted

living facility (ALF), and she recalled the then commission voted 5-0 not to

extend the special exception, due to a zoning change, and the City’s vision for

the neighborhood in which the ALF was located.

Mr. Hobbs added that in 2006, the City, through the CRA, developed a

redevelopment plan that spoke specifically to uses within the area zoned light

industrial, and warehouse district.

The plan was advertised, with multiple

community meetings related to the anticipated use of that area. He noted that

during that time businesses were amortized from that area based on the

approved plan that was publicly discussed, including public hearings at City

Hall, where staff spoke specifically to what those uses were, what anticipated

uses would be, and the plan for the City envisioned by the Commission and

community.

Mr. Hobbs stated that plan was again updated in 2023, so the

anticipated uses for the subject area were known and vetted, and in relation to

ENCA specifically, when the first special exception was applied for in 2014, staff

recommended denial, and still did to date. The special exception was approved

with a limit of five years, and there was no talk of the school coming back for an

extension, yet the school returned before the Commission in 2019, and, again,

received approval to extend for five years, but this approval was not with an

understanding that the school should return to request another extension in five

years. Staff understood the various concerns of the parents and residents, and

that staff, per the Commission’s directive, should work with the applicant to

determine a reasonable timeframe for the school to relocate. He reiterated that

staff’s recommendation was solely based on the subject use, and the existing

zoning of the area; this was a matter that had been going on for over 20 years,

and the elements involved were discussed repeatedly at public meetings, etc.;

the City’s conversations on the anticipated uses for the subject area began in

the 1990s.

Mayor Grant observed it appeared that her colleagues were more inclined for

the school to relocate, asking them to suggest a reasonable timeframe for the

school to relocate.

Commissioner Campbell thought staff’s recommended one year was cutting it

too close, and it would likely take more time to find a relocation site and move,

so he was leaning toward extending the school’s special exception for two more

years.

Commissioner Dunn concurred with a two-year extension, thus changing the

language that recommended the special exception being in effect until 2029 to

2027. Additionally, language should be added to the resolution that during the

two-year extension the school would create an action plan for the relocation,

and that the two-year extension would be the final extension on the special

exception. She did not support approving the school remaining at the present

location indefinitely, and/or be grandfathered in as an allowable use in the area.

Vice Mayor Martin supported a two-year extension.

Mr. Hobbs sought clarification as to when the two-year extension would begin.

Interim City Attorney pointed out the end date of the two-year extension would

be July 1, 2027.

Mr. Lumpkin remarked a two-year extension was unreasonable, as a space to

accommodate the school was nonexistent; if five years was off the table, then

four was better than two, as three years was still insufficient.

Commissioner Campbell said he was sticking to the two-year extension, as the

present conversation regarding the school relocating began years before the

present meeting; at the time of the last five-year extension in 2019, city staff

clearly communicated the need for the school to find an alternate site. If at the

time the two-year extension expired the school was well into the process of

relocation, they could ask the Commission to consider a possible one-year

extension.

Mr. Lumpkin asked if this language could be included in the resolution.

Commissioner Campbell did not think this was necessary.

Interim City Attorney Ottinot responded the school would be in the same

position without the inclusion of the language, as if they were well into the

process of finding a new location, and they still needed another year, they could

simply ask the Commission, as it would still be a discretionary discussion,

regardless of staff’s recommendation.

With the extension of the special

extension being to July 1, 2027, the extension was, in fact, more than two years.

He clarified the only amendment to the subject resolution was to condition eight,

changing the end date from July 1, 2029, to July 1, 2027.

Mayor Grant opened the discussion to the public.

Brent Lewis, Lauderhill resident, remarked that academic achievement was

very important to him and a public education allowed him to attend college, to

later get a job, and then start a business in Lauderhill. In the subject instance,

he felt as though he was being misled or hustled; as he reviewed some of the

Florida Department of Education data, beginning with 2015, he saw that the

grade for ENAC was F, and in subsequent, consecutive years, it was D, C, C,

D, C. He understood the thinking that in the next academic year they would be

moving toward reaching a B, but the data indicated the school grade varied

between C and D, which meant next year it could be a D.

achievement score showed ENCA at a C, a mathematics achievement score of

D, and science score of F; the file number to view this data was

fldoe.org/file/18534/schoolgrades24.xlsx. Mr. Lewis believed that the school

The English

cared about their students, but their academic records did not show this to him.

Brandy Biven, second grade reading teacher at ENCA, stated the last time she

stood before the Lauderhill City Commission, she was a student at ENCA, and

it felt like a full circle moment in her life. The school was truly a special place,

where learning, growth, and transformation happened every day; the school

was more than just a place for academic education; it was a community built on

support, dedication, and a shared belief that every student had the potential to

succeed. She said from their credible teachers who poured their heart and soul

into their work, to their families, and staff who continuously supported each

other, they cultivated an environment where every student felt seen, heard, and

empowered to reach their full potential. Ms. Biven commented that her time as

a student at ENCA was nothing short of evolving, as she not only went in with

challenges, she came out with a sense of pride and a new outlook on

education. The obstacles she faced as a student paired with the guidance from

her teachers shaped her academic journey and personal growth; she did not

just learn from her textbooks, she learned from peers, mentors, and the

collective energy of the entire school. She was inspired to give back to the next

generation of students and when she returned to ENCA as a teacher, it was not

just a career choice, it was a calling, as she wished to give back in the same

ways her teachers gave to her. She was now filled with gratitude and a deep

sense of purpose, as teaching was not just a job, it was a privilege, and an

opportunity for her to continue to grow alongside her students, learning from

them just as she did when she was in their shoes. The energy and enthusiasm

at the school was truly contagious, as their students were not just preparing for

the future, they were actively shaping it, and she was incredibly proud of the

students, staff, and families that made it so unique; together they were creating

a legacy of excellence, of which she was excited to be a part.

Albert Green, Lauderhill resident, stated he went to the smart school that was

once located in the same building, in which he now worked as the ENCA’s

interim principal, so he was a living witness to what the building could do for its

students. He worked hard at his job at a school in Lauderhill, with Lauderhill

students, in the city in which his family and he resided, and he was investing,

putting back his time and energy into ENCA, urging the Commission not to take

that away.

Mayor Grant received no further input from the public.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor S. Martin, seconded by Commissioner

Campbell, that this Resolution be approved, changing the special exception end

date to July 1, 2027, as discussed. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

XII QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING

12.

ORDINANCE 25O-02-105: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION

OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, GRANTING TO AIRPORT

COMMERCE, LLC, A VARIANCE TO ALLOW A NEW FAST FOOD

RESTAURANT WITH A DRIVE-THROUGH WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL

GENERAL (CG) ZONING DISTRICT WHICH IS RELIEF FROM THE

CITY’S LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ARTICLE III, SECTION

5.32.2.E, REQUIRING

ANOTHER

RESTAURANT;

MINIMUM 1000 FEET DISTANCE FROM

FREESTANDING FAST FOOD DRIVE-THROUGH

SAID PROPERTY LOCATED ON AN

APPROXIMATELY 4.8 ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 5517-5577 WEST

OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL;

AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

AND PROVIDING FOR

Attachments: ORD. NO. 25O-02-105

AR ORD. NO. 25O-02-105

Attachment A - Application

Attachment B - Development Review Report (DRR)

Attachment C - Narrative

Attachment D - Conceptual Site Plan

Attachment E - Survey

Attachment F - Public Notice Affidavit

Legal Description airport commerce- EXHIBIT A

Item 12 - Shoppes at Inverrary Wendys (As Referenced Within

Minutes)

Commissioner Dunn understood, after reviewing the backup, and speaking to

the applicant’s representative, the subject project would bring another fast food

restaurant to the subject area, where three already existed, as did a food desert.

The health outcome data for the subject area showed poor health that was

being exacerbated by unhealthy eating to a large extent; thus, she could not

support the subject item.

Interim City Attorney Ottinot collectively swore in all persons wishing to speak

on agenda item number 12.

Commissioner Campbell understood Commissioner Dunn’s concerns, but he

wished the same concern was expressed about a month prior, as where he

lived there was a strip of about six fast food restaurants, and the Commission

voted to increase that number to seven.

He understood that the existing

Wendy’s in the subject area that was close to the proposed restaurant would

soon close; as a pro-business person, he thought it was always possible to

create reasons to prevent folks from running businesses as opposed to opening

the City’s doors to welcome more business to Lauderhill.

Vice Mayor Martin sought clarification, as after speaking with staff, he

understood the proposed development was not really a new restaurant, it was

just the relocation of an existing restaurant.

Hope Calhoun, the applicant’s representative, affirmed this to be the case; the

proposed ordinance was just the first step in providing the subject Wendy’s the

opportunity to relocate. As she understood, the existing Wendy’s located just to

the west of the proposed site intended to close and relocate if their site plan

was later approved.

Commissioner Dunn pointed out that there was a difference between the area

referred to earlier in Inverrary, and the subject area when it came down to

access to healthy food, as the latter had a high incidence of diabetes and

chronic disease that was exacerbated by the prevalence of fast food

restaurants. She said in the subject area, there was a cluster where the cancer

rate was 72 percent higher than the rest of the County; her concern laid with the

health and wellbeing of the community’s residents. She, too, was pro-business,

and she constantly advocated for the economic mobility of the City’s residents

through entrepreneurship and this was a matter of public record. As elected

officials, the Commission had the ability to shape public health with the types of

policies passed, hence her opposing the City changing its distancing rule that

allowed more tobacco stores in Lauderhill.

She felt denying the proposed

ordinance was a similar opportunity for the City’s elected officials to put policies

in place to protect the public good, particularly since the Commission advocated

for a healthier community.

Commissioner Hodgson respected the views expressed for

Lauderhill, but he, too, was pro-business and the creation of employment.

healthier

Commissioner Campbell hoped at the Commission’s next workshop there

could be an agenda item detailing the number of restaurants in Lauderhill, and

their types, asking if the City should look at eliminating some of the fast food

restaurants in the area where he lived, as there were folks in his area with

health challenges. As the City had no policy in place for the Commission to be

selective as to the types of restaurants in Lauderhill, the Commission could not

be selective in only approving the location of certain types of restaurants in

specific areas of the City.

Planning & Zoning Director Daniel Keester-O’Mills said the City had several

uses subject to separation requirements, and fast food restaurants was one

such use, for which the requirement was 1,000 feet. Several cities had such a

requirement, and Lauderhill had not received a significant number of such

variance applications over the years, and this was mostly due to the five criteria

outlined in the report in the backup.

He said the application before the

Commission was for a new restaurant, and in moving from the existing location,

this left the question of what would happen to the building from which the

Wendy’s would relocate, as it could, potentially, allow another drive through

operator to occupy that building, unless Wendy’s demolished it once they left.

Even if they did demolish the building, the existing location was more than 1,000

feet from the proposed new location.

Mayor Grant wished to know the closing date of the existing Wendy’s on

Oakland Blvd.

Ms. Calhoun indicated she was unsure of that date. One of the things that

made the proposed new site unique was that in 2012 there was a master site

plan for the subject property, and the specific parcel being discussed included a

fast food restaurant. She doubted there would be similarly situated parcels in

Lauderhill of this size that had previous approval for a drive through restaurant.

Mayor Grant questioned if the new Wendy’s would be a regular Wendy’s with a

drive through, or would be there anything special added.

Ms. Calhoun explained she represented the property owner, and Wendy’s would

eventually come before city staff, and the City Commission with their proposed

site plan. She understood this would at least be a newer, updated version. If

the subject ordinance was approved, the Wendy’s applicant would present a

site plan application.

Mayor Grant asked if it was possible that both Wendy’s would be operating at

the same time.

Mr. Keester-O’Mills answered yes.

Commissioner Dunn sought confirmation that with the new Wendy’s, there

would be five fast food restaurants in the subject area.

Mr. Keester-O’Mills replied there was actually a sixth fast food restaurant right

off of Oakland, a Haitian restaurant with a drive through component.

Mayor Grant wondered if Haitian food was considered fast food, as Jamaican

food was not considered fast food, asking if it was the contents of the food that

deemed it fast food, or was it because the restaurant had a drive through.

Ms. Howson remarked it was the amount of preparation that was done before

the food was served that determined if a restaurant fell into that category.

Commissioner Dunn asked about traffic.

Mr. Keester-O’Mills explained the traffic aspect had yet to be reviewed, as this

would be part of the site plan application process.

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Hodgson, seconded by Commissioner

Campbell, that this Ordinance be approved on first reading to the City

Commission Meeting, due back on 2/24/2025. The motion carried by the following

vote:

4 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner J. Hodgson, Vice Mayor S. Martin, and

Mayor D. Grant

1 - Commissioner M. Dunn

No:

Abstain:

VIII

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - FIRST READING (NOT ON CONSENT

AGENDA) (AS ADVERTISED IN THE SUN-SENTINEL)

ORDINANCE NO. 25O-02-104: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AMENDING

THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED

“ADMINISTRATION,” ARTICLE IV, ENTITLED “CITY COMMISSION,”

SECTION 2-157 ENTITLED “AGENDA” TO REQUIRE SIMPLE

MAJORITY TO CHANGE AN AGENDA’S ORDER OF BUSINESS;

AMENDING SECTION 2-159 ENTITLED “ORDER OF BUSINESS” TO

CHANGE THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AT REGULAR MEETINGS;

AMENDING SECTION 2-160 ENTITLED “CONSENT AGENDA” TO

ALLOW ITEMS TO BE APPROVED AS GROUPED WITHOUT

SEPARATE TITLE READING; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS,

SEVERABILTY, AND CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE

HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments: ORD. NO. 25O-02-104

AR ORD. NO. 25O-02-104

Memorandum- Proposal to Revise Agenda Procedures and Prioritize

Quasi-Judicial Matters

Agenda - City of Pompano Beach

Agenda - City of Tamarac

A motion was made by Vice Mayor S. Martin, seconded by Commissioner J.

Hodgson, that this Ordinance be approved on first reading to the City Commission

Meeting, due back on 2/24/2025. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - SECOND READING (NOT ON CONSENT

AGENDA) (AS ADVERTISED IN THE SUN-SENTINEL)

1A.

ORDINANCE NO. 25O-01-102: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AMENDING

CHAPTER 2 ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATION,” ARTICLE II ENTITLED

“OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES,” BY DELETING SECTION 2-21

ENTITLED “COMMISSION TO APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTIONS PRIOR

TO FILLING POSITIONS AND CHANGES IN JOB DESCRIPTIONS”;

PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND CODIFICATION;

AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY

INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments: ORD 25O-01-102 Ordinance removing job description approval

AR 25O-01-102

Memo to City Commission from City Manager - Job Descriptions.pdf

This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

1B.

ORDINANCE NO. 25O-01-103: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, APPROVING

AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT

OF $933,852 AND

CAPITAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENT IN THE

AMOUNT OF $1,746,014 AND A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN

THE AMOUNT OF $128,339 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025; REFLECTING

APROPRIATE

ADJUSTMENTS

VARIOUS

REVENUE

AND

EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS AS SPECIFICALLY INDICATED IN THE

BREAKDOWN IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,808,205; PROVIDING

VARIOUS BUDGET CODE NUMBERS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER,

KENNIE HOBBS, JR).

Attachments: ORD 25O-01-103 Ordinance budget adjustment

AR 25O-01-103

1-27 Budget Adjustment.pdf

This Ordinance was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

X RESOLUTIONS (IF NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-21:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL WAIVING COMPETITIVE

BIDDING REQUIREMENTS TO AUTHORIZE AN AGREEMENT WITH

NATIONAL METERING SERVICES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF

AUTOMATED METER READERS BASED ON

PASCO COUNTY CONTRACT IFB-SN-23-007; AUTHORIZING PAYMENT

IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000 FROM THE

PIGGYBACK OF

APPROPRIATE BUDGET CODE NUMBER; AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM

CITY MANAGER AND INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AND

EXECUTE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE

HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-21

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-21

2023-02-10 PASCO CO CONTRACT

BCC 02-07-2023 - C36 UTOM23-0144 - Agreement National Metering

Services

National Metering Services, Inc Bid Schedule

Test Proposal

LauderhillFl2024

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-23:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL ACCEPTING A GRANT IN

THE AMOUNT UP TO $23,186.24 FROM THE FIREHOUSE SUBS

PUBLIC

SAFETY

FOUNDATION

BOARD

DIRECTORS

PURCHASE

BULLSEYE FIRE

EXTINGUISHER

SIMULATOR

PACKAGE TO TEACH RESIDENTS ON THE PROPER USE OF FIRE

EXTINGUISHERS; AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER OR

DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE

HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-23

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-23

APPROVED_ Q1 2025 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

Grant

FH Subs 2024 - Letter to CM

FH letter to FC

Letter to FH

CHECKLIST_ONLY_12-2021

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-24:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE SIXTH

AMENDED ANNUAL CALENDAR OF CITY HOSTED SPECIAL EVENTS

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

(REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-24

AR RES. NO. 25-02-24

Updated Commissioner Events (Sixth)

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-25:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING ORAL

DURLOO

REGULAR

MEMBER

THE

LAUDERHILL

COMMUNITY AND BUDGET ADVISORY BOARD TO REPRESENT

GEOGRAPHIC AREA 3 FOR THE REMAINDER OF A TWO (2) YEAR

TERM EXPIRING JULY 2025; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE

DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-25

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-25

CBAB Board List

CBAB Zone Map

Durloo, Oral - CBAB Application

A motion was made by Vice Mayor S. Martin, seconded by Commissioner

Campbell, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following

vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-26:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING CORENA

WIGGINS BY COMMISSIONER RICHARD CAMPBELL TO SERVE AS A

MEMBER OF THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD FOR

THE VACANT UNEXPIRED FOUR (4) YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE

NOVEMBER 2026 OR CONCURRENT WITH THE COMMISSIONER

SEAT, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-26

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-26

YPAB Board List

Wiggins, Corena - YPAB Application

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-27:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING RODNEY

HUMPHREY BY MAYOR DENISE D. GRANT AND BARBARA

ROBINSON BY VICE MAYOR SARAI “RAY” MARTIN TO SERVE AS

MEMBERS OF THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE

REMAINDER OF AN UNEXPIRED FOUR (4) YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE

NOVEMBER

2026 OR

CONCURRENT

WITH

THE

RESPECTIVE

MAYORAL AND COMMISSIONER SEAT, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST;

AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-27

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-27

Recreation Advisory Board List

Humphrey, Rodney - Recreation Advisory Board Application

Robinson, Barbara - Recreation Advisory Board Application

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-28:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING SHAYLA

MCCLOUD AS RECOMMENDED BY MAYOR DENISE D. GRANT TO

SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR

THE VACANT UNEXPIRED FOUR (4) YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE

NOVEMBER 2026 OR CONCURRENT WITH THE COMMISSIONER

SEAT, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-28

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-28

EAB Board List

McCloud, Shayla - EAB Application

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-29:

COMMISSION OF THE CITY

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING

CHRISTOPHER LEWIS TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE REMAINDER

OF THE UNEXPIRED FOUR (4) YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE JUNE 2028;

AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Attachments: RES. NO. 25R-02-29

AR RES. NO. 025R-02-29

LAHAC Board List

Lewis, Christopher - LAHAC Application

A motion was made by Commissioner J. Hodgson, seconded by Commissioner M.

Dunn, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

10.

RESOLUTION 25R-02-30: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION

OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND AT THE

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BROWARD FOR FISCAL YEAR

2024/2025; AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND

APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS TO SET UP A BUDGET AND A POLICY TO

EFFECTUATE THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY INTERIM CITY MANAGER KENNIE

HOBBS, JR.).

Attachments:

RES 25R-02-30 Establishing Community Impact fund with Broward

Foundation

AR RES. NO. 25R-02-30

Memo - Community Impact Fund

Commissioner Dunn wished to amend the memo by adding a phrase at the end

of the sentence in the fourth paragraph, as contained in the backup; she

proposed: “… designed to address the social determinants of health in

Lauderhill.” Being specific about the social determinants of health spoke to the

community as a whole along five different key areas. She knew this was in

alignment with the Foundation’s mission and Lauderhill’s Strategic Plan.

Commissioner Campbell observed that the sentence of the paragraph in

question was currently written to apply to anything; if this was the case, he

questioned why specific language should be added. As the present language

allowed the ability to fit to anything, adding specific language could lead to

excluding things in the future.

Commissioner Dunn pointed out that social determinants of health were quite

broad; for example, one criterion was social connectedness, which could be

projects for parks, and sports; another criterion was economic mobility.

The

reason for her suggested language was to bring this back to the City’s strategic

plan, making sure whatever projects were proposed were intentional in their

impact on the Lauderhill community’s health and wellbeing. The language was

to provide focus and intention behind the creation of the subject fund.

She

noticed in the community plan the City put forward how, for example, a major

portion of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars were used to

support infrastructure development.

Thus, the message to the community

would be that the subject funding would be used to address community issues

the City did not have funding to address in its general budget.

Commissioner Campbell continued to feel there was no need to amend the

language for the reasons he stated earlier.

Mayor Grant thought the broadness of the proposed resolution gave the City

more flexibility, facilitating the City’s ability to direct the committee that would be

established; the City would be involved in the selection of committee members.

The City would then be in a position to guide and recommend to that committee

projects that were of most importance to Lauderhill.

Mayor Grant opened the discussion to the public.

Jonathen Allen, Lauderhill resident and Vice President of the Community

Foundation of Broward (CFB), thanked the Commission for considering the

subject resolution, and Mr. Hobbs, and Mr. Ottinot for drafting the resolution.

The fund would be implemented in whatever manner the Commission deemed

best; Lauderhill would be one of two Broward cities creating the subject fund

that would be

perpetual fund to support community impact needs, as

determined by the Commission, the governing body, well into the future.

added that members, residents, and businesses of Lauderhill could make

contributions to the subject fund.

A motion was made by Commissioner Campbell, seconded by Vice Mayor S.

Martin, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following

vote:

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,

Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant

Abstain:

10A.

10B.

10C.

10D.

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-31:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AWARDING

THE KEY TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO DR. JULIUS GARVEY FOR

HIS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF HIS FATHER,

MARCUS GARVEY, AND HIS ADVOCACY FOR THE PARDON AND

EXONERATION OF MARCUS GARVEY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR DENISE GRANT).

Attachments: RES 25R-02-31 Honoring Dr. Julius W Garvey-2-10-25

AR 25R-02-31

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-32:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AWARDING

THE KEY TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO THE HONORABLE OLIVIA

“BABSY” GRANGE FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO CULTURE,

ENTERTAINMENT, WOMEN AND GENDER AFFAIRS, AND SPORTS;

AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY

MAYOR DENISE GRANT).

Attachments: RES 25R-02-32 Honoring Oliva Babsy Grange-February -10-25

AR 25R-02-32

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-33:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AWARDING

THE KEY TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO ROHAN MARLEY FOR HIS

DEDICATION TO UPHOLDING THE LEGACY OF HIS FATHER, BOB

MARLEY, AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CULTURE AND REGGAE

MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE WORLD; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR DENISE GRANT).

Attachments: RES 25R-02-33 Honoring Rohan Marley-2-10-25

AR 25R-02-33

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

RESOLUTION NO. 25R-02-34:

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY

COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AWARDING

THE KEY TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO BOBBY R. HENRY FOR HIS

REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE

BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR DENISE D. GRANT,

MAYOR).

Attachments: RES 25R-02-34 Honoring Bobby Henry 2-10-25

AR 25R-02-34

This Resolution was approved on the Consent Agenda. (See Consideration of

Consent Agenda for vote tally.)

XIII QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, SECOND READING

XIV UNFINISHED BUSINESS

XV OLD BUSINESS

XVI NEW BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE THE MARCH 10, 2025 CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND THE

MARCH 17, 2025 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP.

Mayor Grant noted it was necessary to cancel the March 10 meeting, as some

Commission members would be traveling to Washington, D.C., and others

would be out of town, so a quorum would not be achieved. For March 17 and

18, at least two elected officials would be traveling to Tallahassee for Broward

Days, so there was a possibility of not achieving a quorum.

Mr. Hobbs explained staff would work with the Commission for a date to

reschedule the March 17th workshop; the Commission could vote on the new

date at the March 31, 2025, Commission meeting.

Commissioner Dunn opined that attending Broward Days had less meaning for

the City than attending the Florida League of Cities’ Legislative Days, where

there would be the combined power of local elected officials from across the

state discussing a particular, set agenda that could include some of President

Trumps recently passed executive orders, with which, in some cases,

Governor DeSantis was in alignment. She intended to attend Legislative Days.

• There was a City Commission consensus to cancel the City Commission

meeting of March 10, 2025.

XVII

COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS SHALL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY

BEFORE ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Hodgson thanked Mayor Grant for hosting the Black History

Month event, at which recognition was given to such persons as Rohan Marley,

son of Bob Marley, and Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Jamaican National Hero,

Marcus Garvey, and Jamaican entertainer, Ernie Smith.

afternoon.

It was a fantastic

Commissioner Dunn stated on the coming Wednesday there would be

Lauderhill Health and Prosperity (LHPP) meeting; anyone interested in

becoming a member could visit the City’s website, searching LHPP to sign up.

On the following Thursday, cohort ten of Lauderhill Shines would begin, for

which there were over 50 applications, from which 25 Lauderhill business

owners would be selected to participate. She thanked Vice Mayor Martin and

Commissioner Hodgson for their support in welcoming cohort ten.

She

attended the Solid Waste Authority workshop earlier in the day, and they were

considering various models for managing solid waste; when the City was going

into further discussions about the development of a 40-year master plan, she

would recommend the executive director of the Solid Waste Authority address

the City Commission. Mr. Hobbs assigned two members of city staff who were

subject experts in this area to ensure that whatever was put forward for

consideration was in the best interest of both the County and the City.

Commissioner

Campbell

reminded

his

fellow

elected

officials

that

presentations, while extremely important, should adhere to the established

timeframe; if an upcoming agenda already had three or four presentations, he

suggested his colleagues consider moving an added presentation to

subsequent meeting agenda.

Interim City Manager Hobbs thanked staff for planning and executing an

exceptional Martin Luther King (MLK) Black History Month celebration at the

Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) the past Saturday night; the

Commission was thanked for their support in promoting the event. The event

was well attended, and staff received great feedback from residents and

businesses; it was said that the 2025 event was one of the best concerts held

over the last several years.

Mayor Grant thanked everyone for attending and celebrating the City’s Black

History Month events.

She agreed with adhering to the timeframe set for

presentations; moving forward, she would monitor this aspect of future

meetings with more vigilance. The MLK concert was excellent; city staff did a

great job marketing, and executing the event.

XVIII ADJOURNMENT - 10:09 PM