City Commission - Special Meeting

City Clerk? As we begin, we kindly ask that all mobile devices be silenced. To ensure the best possible sound quality, please speak clearly and directly into your microphone and remember to mute your microphone when you're not speaking. Should anyone experience difficulty hearing at any time, please raise your hand and a hearing device will be provided to you. Thank you for your cooperation. Please call the roll. Commissioner Rydell. Here. Commissioner Welch. Here. Commissioner Raley.

Here.

Vice Mayor Brody. Here. Mayor Wasserman. Here. City Manager Rose.

Here.

City Attorney Pyburn.

Here.

All right, let's all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God.

Well, thank you and good evening. We're now going to kick it off to our city attorney.

Thank you, Mayor. This meeting is being conducted live with a physical quorum present. The material for today's meeting is available online at coconutcreek.gov. Anyone wishing to appeal any decision made will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim recording of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. The archive of this meeting may be requested from the city clerk or may be heard online at coconutcreek.gov. If you haven't already, please silence your mobile devices. If you must take a phone call, please excuse yourself and step outside. Respect and proper decorum will be maintained throughout the meeting. Vocal outbursts, jeering, cheering, or applause can impair the rights of others and derail the decision-making process.

Thank you so much. Usually at special meetings, we do not have non-agenda item public comment, but we do have somebody here who would like to talk, and she'll be granted three minutes. Tammy Letary, please come on up for your three minutes of public comment. Thank you.

Tammy Latourie, 3302 Carambola Circle South, Coconut Creek. First, you raised our rates to cover the expected cost of separating fire EMS from Margate and to pay for infrastructure for Main Street. Then you voted to separate from Margate during COVID in a virtual meeting despite massive outrage and backlash blocking people from speaking. We were hoodwinked by a mayor who no longer lived here. We now pay a million or two annually for our contract with Carl Springs when we could have stayed with Broward for free. Broward has since upgraded their EMS system. The costs for fire, rescue, and Main Street keep going up. No one wanted Main Street except the developers and their supporters on the Coconut Creek City Commission. The land should have remained undeveloped. Instead, we're bringing more traffic, air pollution, and municipal solid waste to a city and a county that are besieged by noncompliance and mismanagement of municipal solid waste for decades. Recently, you gave two employees bonuses and raises with their total annual package exceeding $300,000. No one in Coconut Creek government should earn that much. The mayor of New York City only earns $287,000. Do you think your jobs are more difficult than his? Eight million people in New York City compared to 58,000. The math doesn't add up. There are roughly 58,000 people in Coconut Creek. Of those, 7,369 are disabled. 11,498 are seniors. And 10.4%, about 5,800, lack health care, yet you brag about a new for-profit facility being built by Baptist Health. The minimum wage is stuck at $7.25 since 2009. Social Security no longer keeps up with inflation. And four out of 10 seniors, about 22 million people, rely solely on Social Security. Now you're burdening us with flock cameras, exorbitant penalties from AI-generated red speed, and ICE at the polls on election day because our city manager ran through this ICE contract without anybody's knowledge. think about what you're doing to us and send the right message that you understand our financial woes too long overdue that you recognize that thank you thank you ordinance 2026-033 this is the first reading and we'll listen to city attorney pyburn on the title thank you

Thank you, Mayor Wasserman. An ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Coconut Creek, Florida, establishing and adopting the City of Coconut Creek's ad valorem tax operating millitrate at 6.8988 mills for the 2027 fiscal year, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, and providing an effective date.

Move it.

Second.

Moved by Commissioner Welch. Seconded by Commissioner Raley. This is the first public hearing on two separate ordinances. First is the City of Coconut Creek's 2026 ad valorem tax rate for the 2027 fiscal year. And second, the 2027 fiscal year budget. The public may address the City Commission and staff on the tax rate. or any portion of the proposed budget. Prior to the public being given the opportunity to speak, we will, though, hear from Peter Gay Lake, Finance and Administrative Services Director, for a brief statement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor. As stated by the Mayor, this is the first public hearing on the City of Coconut Creek's proposed 2026 property tax rate ordinance for the fiscal year 2027 and the 2027 fiscal year operating and capital improvement budget ordinance. The first of these ordinances tentatively adopts an operating millage rate of 6.8988. The second ordinance tentatively adopts the proposed budget as the city's official budget for the 2027 fiscal year. The city's proposed operating millage rate of 6.8988 mills represent a 5.56% increase over the rollback rate of 6.5 357 mills computed pursuant to state law which represents a 5.5 6% increase in property taxes, however, the proposed millage rate represents a 0% increase from the city's current operating millage rate of 6.8 988. The rollback rate is the millage rate that would generate approximately the same ad valorem tax revenue as the prior year, excluding certain changes in the tax base as provided by state law, including allowances for new construction and improvements. The additional ad valorem revenues generated above the rollback rate are necessary to maintain existing city operations and service levels and to address increased costs associated with public safety, contractual and operating expenses, personnel, and other essential municipal services. The proposed millage rate of 6.8988 mills is the same rate that was currently levied by the city and the same rate that is reflected on the notice of proposed property taxes mailed to the property owners in August. Development of the fiscal year 2027 budget began several months ago through a comprehensive process of planning, analysis, review and assessment. Preparation of the 2027 budget presented unique challenges as the city balanced increasing costs, changing revenue conditions, competing priorities and uncertainty surrounding potential property tax reform and its future impact on municipal revenues and operations. Despite these challenges and uncertainties, the fiscal year 27 budget is balanced and continues to address the community's needs and priorities while positioned in the city to respond responsibly to potential financial challenges ahead. The budget also continues to advance the city's three major capital priorities, Fire Station 113, the Police Department improvements, and Main Street. Our residents expect quality municipal services to be delivered efficiently, effectively, and with careful stewardship of public funds. The fiscal year 27 budget has been developed with that responsibility in mind, maintaining the services and priorities that are important to our community, while positioning the city to responsibly address potential fiscal challenges in years ahead. There is a handout available in the back relating to the city's property tax rate and fiscal year 27 budget. If you desire to speak on the property tax rate or budget, please feel free to do so during the public hearing. Mayor, please declare the public hearing open.

I now declare the public hearing to be open. When you come forward to speak, please unmute the microphone. State your name and address clearly for the record. Unmute the microphone when you're done speaking. City Clerk, how are you? Wonderful. Mayor, how are you? Excellent. Is there anyone who is signed in to speak today? Not at this time, Mayor.

Signed up on the next item to speak, but if she wants to speak now.

If you'd like to speak on this item, you can, but you signed up for the other item, Ms. Schumann. It's up to you. You want to wait? Okay. Is there anybody who would like to address the City Commission on the ad valorem tax rate or budget? Okay. Peter Gay?

Sorry. In a few minutes, the city commission will vote on two ordinances. The first ordinance relates to the city's ad valorem tax rate. If adopted without change, the city's operating millage rate will be tentatively set at 6.8988 mills, which represents a 5.56% increase over the rollback rate of 6.5357 mills computed pursuant to state law and a 0% increase over the current rate. The second ordinance tentatively adopts the proposed budget along with the changes that were made at the August 13th budget workshop as the city's adopted budget for 2027 fiscal year. Thank you.

Thank you. Being that there's no further comments or questions, public hearing is declared closed. Are there any questions or comments from the city commission on item number one?

All right. Please call the roll. Commissioner Rydell. Yes. Commissioner Welch. Yes. Commissioner Raley.

Yes.

Vice Mayor Brody.

Yes. Mayor Wasserman. Yes. Thank you. We'll now transition to Ordinance 2026-034. City Attorney.

An ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Coconut Creek, Florida, adopting a budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2027, determining the amount of available funds on hand and estimated revenues for said year, appropriating the funds necessary for the operation of the city for said year. authorizing continuation of a general trust fund, authorizing continuation of grants funds, authorizing continuation of local and federal law enforcement trust funds, authorizing the continuation of the transportation surtax fund, and authorizing reappropriation of unspent economic development division funds, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, and providing an effective date.

Move it. Second. Moved by Commissioner Rydell, seconded by Commissioner Welch. I'll now open the public hearing. When you come forward to speak, please unmute the microphone, state your name and address clearly for the record, and mute the microphone when you're done speaking. City Clerk, please.

Thank you, Mayor. We have one individual assigned to speak on this item, Felicia Schumann.

Good afternoon, commissioners. I'm here tonight to speak on ordinance number 2026-034, an ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Coconut Creek, Florida, adopting the budget for fiscal year 2026 through 2027. In this ordinance, the city includes language authorizing The reappropriation of on spent economic development division funds. That means coconut Creek has economic development money that is not being used and instead of being spent on programs that support our small businesses, entrepreneurs and workforce that money is simply rolling over year after year. coconut creek deserve their constituents deserve business workshops entrepreneur programs workforce training and small business support not unused funds sitting idle tonight i want to highlight several programs that the state of florida already pays for which coconut creek has never applied for these programs cost the city nothing they require no land no new building, and no major financial commitment. The city will only need to use small portion of the unspent economic development funds for refreshments. Our flyers are based at logistics. These include, the programs include the FIU Small Business Development Center Partnership Program, fully funded by the state of Florida and the U.S. Small Business Administration. These programs provide free business coaching, startup assistance, access to capital support, and monthly workshops. Cities across Broward already partner with FIU, SBDC, Coconut Creek never applied. Career source. Broward workforce training grants funded by the state and federal W I O a dollars. These bring job fairs, youth employment programs, employ employer hiring incentives, incentives and career coaching directly into the city at no cost. The Florida Department of Commerce Job Growth Grant Fund, which supports workforce development and small business growth without requiring city funding. The Minority Business Development Agency Community Navigator Program, which provides free minority business coaching certificate assistance and startup support. All these programs are active, open, and ready for Coconut Creek to participate in. I will provide direct links via email after the meeting. These programs will activate the economic development funds. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? Okay. Well, if there's no further comments from the public, we will close the public hearing. We're not there yet. No problem. Are there any questions or comments from the City Commission? Okay.

Please call the roll. Commissioner Rydell. Yes. Commissioner Welch. Yes. Commissioner Raley.

Yes.

Vice Mayor Brody. Yes. Mayor Wasserman. Yes.

Thank you. Resolution 2026-125, a resolution relating to the funds and provision of fire rescue protection services, facilities, and programs in the city of Coconut Creek, Florida, establishing the rate of assessment for fiscal year 2027, imposing fire protection services assessment against assessed property located within the city, and approving the assessment roll. Motion to second?

Move it. Second.

Moved by Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Raley. Peter Gay, please.

All right. This resolution establishes the fire assessment rates for fiscal year 2027, representing a 10% increase from the current rates. The annual rate for single-family properties will increase from $333.26 to $366.59, while the annual rate for multifamily properties will increase from $299.94 to $329.93. The increase helps offset the costs associated with providing fire services, addresses increases in annual operating costs, and takes into consideration anticipated personal costs, including those subject to the ongoing collective bargaining process. These rates, along with the applicable rates for all other property categories detailed in Exhibit A of the backup material, were included in the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes mailed to property owners in August. Thank you.

you peter gay are there any questions or comments from the city commission okay i will now open the public hearing for this item when you come forward to speak please unmute the microphone state your name and address clearly for the record and mute the microphone when you're done speaking city clerk has anybody signed on to speak on this specific item none of this time there thank you is there anybody in the public who would like to speak on this specific item

Okay.

Public hearing is now closed. Please call the roll. commissioner rydell yes commissioner welch yes commissioner railey yes vice mayor brody yes mayor wasserman yes and our final resolution resolution 2026-126 a resolution relating to the collection and disposal of solid waste and recycling the city of coconut creek establishing the rate of assessment for fiscal year 2027 reimposing solid waste services assessment against assessed property located within the city and approving the assessment roll. Is there a motion to second?

Move it. Second.

Approved by Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Rydell. Peter Gay, please.

All right. This resolution establishes the solid waste assessment rate for single-family homes for fiscal year 27. The proposed annual rate is $493.24, representing an increase of $166.70 from the current rate of $326.54. The increase reflects the cost of providing solid waste services, including the addition of weekly single-family residential curbside recycling, beginning in fiscal year 27. Thank you.

Any questions or comments from the City Commission? I'll now open the public hearing. When you come forward to speak, please unmute the microphone, state your name and address clearly for the record, and mute the microphone. When you're done speaking, City Clerk, has anybody signed up to speak on this specific item? Not at this time, Mayor. All right. Is there anybody in the crowd? Oh, Ms. Schumann, you're jumping the gun. I got you. Is there anybody in the crowd who'd like to speak on this item? Come on down, Ms. Schumann. You got it.

Good afternoon commissioners I also wanted to address the solid waste service assessment this year. Coconut Creek increase the solid waste fee by a $166.70 a 51% John of the cities in Broward County face the same increase in disposal and recycling costs but they did not pass a 51% increase to residents in one year. Cities like Coral Springs, Margate, Tamarack, Plantation, Davey, and Pompano Beach spread their increase over multiple years or used their general fund to absorb part of that cost. Coconut Creek did not. Coconut Creek passed 100% of the cost increase directly to residents in a single year. This was a policy choice, not a requirement. We're living in a time of rising gas prices, rising food prices. We have constituents trying to choose whether they're going to buy food this week or buy their medicine or if they're going to buy gas. A 51% solid waste increase on top of everything else is not sustainable for our residents. Other cities protect that their constituents by phasing in increasing renegotiating contracts and using the general fund to soften the impact coconut Creek can do the same. I'm asking the commission to consider a multi-year phase and for future solid waste increases to explore partial general fund support when cause spike and to direct staff to

present a full cost breakdown so residents understand exactly why the increase occurred thank you thank you is there anybody else in the public who'd like to speak on this item okay public hearing is now closed any questions or comments from the city commission oh yes commissioner rayleigh

Just that I don't want it to appear that we're just voting on this, that we've had extensive Commission meetings and workshops. And this has, we have spent hours and days discussing and trying to find alternative measures for our residents. And this was the best solution that we could come up with. So we're not just up here voting. We have already discussed this and torn it apart in all aspects.

Thank you. Fair statement. Oh, yeah. Commissioner Welch.

Well, I mean, not only that those were public meetings, but the behind-the-scenes investigations and meetings with all of the staff and the city manager. But anything that we do here to increase, it doesn't just affect others of those 58,000 residents. It affects us as well. So, I mean, we don't take lightly any increase passed on to any of our residents. This one in particular that you just commented on would have had almost a $70 increase if we didn't change the services for waste at all. The additional was to add the curbside recycling, which we had always promised our residents we would do when the situation warranted. So I'm just saying it wasn't completely the increase that it appears, because almost $70 would have happened if we changed nothing in the regards to our recycling and waste. But thank you for your comments.

Thank you, Commissioner Welch. And I'll just say we have commission meetings here second and fourth Thursday of every month where we dive deep into all the issues that come towards us. We have workshops. We go through the motions. And like you said, this affects our bottom dollar as well as individuals in this city. But let's move along. If there's no further questions or comments from the city commission, please call the roll.

Commissioner Rydell. Yes. Commissioner Welch. Yes. Commissioner Raley. Yes. Vice Mayor Brody. Yes. Mayor Wasserman. Yes.

This will conclude today's special meeting. Is there somebody wants to move to adjourn? Adjourned.