City Commission - Regular Meeting

Welcome everyone to the City of Pembroke Pines City Commission meeting of August 19th, 2026. So yesterday was election day and I know many of you had the opportunity to go out and vote. It was kind of a low turnout. Vice Mayor, I'm not quite sure why.

OK. And so but the votes were tallied and people won. And some didn't succeed. But we want to thank them all, those who won and those who ran, for caring about our community enough to put their hat in the ring, and to offer their services to a great community. And so I want to thank all of you for voting. For those of you who didn't get to vote, please set your calendars for the next election. I'm not a good example at a great many things, but I can tell you, and this is the truth, I voted in every election since I was aged 18. Never missed one. No, not quite 200. But it's been a while. And it

Commissioner Good is in traffic, and he's on his way. He just texted me.

Thank you, friends. And I would like to ask you if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be followed by the National Anthem. So please remain standing. And today, leading us in the Pledge and singing the National Anthem is Jenna Channing, who's been here before. She's an eighth grader at American Heritage. Grandparents have been longtime Pembroke Pines residents, and she lives in Davie, and there's nothing wrong with that. So, Janet, if you could come forward, please, whenever you're ready.

Janet Channing, eighth grade. Thank you so very much. Commissioner Good, welcome. If the clerk can mark Commissioner Good as present. Thank you so very, very much. OK. We have some presentations to do today. Okay, this is a proclamation of the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of India's Independence Day. Mr. Tarare, do you want to come forward? Do your friends want to come forward?

Okay. Welcome. All right. So this is a proclamation in the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida, whereas On August 15, 1947, India achieved independence, marking the beginning of its journey as a free and sovereign democratic nation. And on August 15, 2026, marks its 80th anniversary of India's independence, commemorating eight decades of its enduring commitment to liberty, self-determination, democracy, and the rule of law. And whereas the city of Pembroke Pines is proud to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural heritage traditions and history of the Indian community and of all communities, who

And the vice mayor has a certificate of recognition to present.

And I'm going to attempt to do this without my glasses. That's called courage. Could we have the Pines Running Club come up? Yeah. I'm going to read something and then I'll hand this back to you if you have any comments. Okay. But we're off center. We got to come this way. Okay. The goal is to be like right there. Okay. So I'm going to read this. You want to be on my side? Okay. Okay. So on behalf of the City Commission, I'm proud to recognize Pines Running Company as you celebrate your first anniversary. I'm going to let them talk about the club and what it is that they do, but this is their

Carlos will do it. Hold on. I'm going to put this down. Yeah, we have to move.

Hold on. I run every four years. That's about it. It's a one-time event, but it's usually a lot of fun.

You got it. Yeah, that's good. You're going to have to get me a cab. But that's all right. I'm glad that you're out and you're doing it. Congratulations and enjoy. You got it. Okay, now we have the charter schools, our amazing Pembroke Pines Charter Schools. This is, on behalf of the City Commission and our entire community, I congratulate the City of Pembroke Pines Charter Schools on earning two very highly significant awards. The first is the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. This is a prestigious award that honors excellence in budget presentat

And as I go back to the podium, Assistant City Manager Mike Stamm has an announcement to make.

Thank you, Mr. Stamper. Thank you very much. Okay. Commission order to report?

Okay. Appeals of the board, adjustment decisions? Okay. Announcement of board and committee appointments. I'm very happy to appoint and announce the appointment of Myrtha Stamper, Reema Ratchin as a regular member of the Environmental Advisory Board. She's currently serving as an alternate member. And is she here? Would you come forward, please? There's a button there that says speak. Yeah, you're on.

If you could pull the mic down just a little bit. Go ahead.

You have served as an alternate member with... with the great appreciation of the board. And I want to thank you for your service as an alternate member. And your turn came. And whenever possible, it's my policy to appoint alternate members to be regular members. And I think that makes sense, because you know something about what they talk about. And so I really, really want to thank you for your service, and thank you for being a great citizen in Pembroke Pines. Good luck.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Today I'm very pleased to bring forward the appointment of Yenisee Toledo to our Citizens Budget Advisory Board. And she's in the audience. If she can come up to the podium while I introduce her to our public here. So as she comes up, Yenisee has been a resident of Pembroke Pines for eight years. And she brings both a deep commitment to our community and an exceptional professional background in municipal finance. In her application, she expressed a genuine desire to help the city make responsible, transparent, and well-informed budget decisions. And that commitment

Excellent choice and congratulations. Would you like to say a few words?

Congratulations. Thank you, NSC. You're awesome. Thank you very, very much. Okay. The consent agenda today.

Mr. Mayor, I still have another appointment. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry to put both my appointments under a singular item.

So I also, Mr. Mayor, am very proud to bring forward the appointment, and particularly in this case, it's the reassignment of Aaron Lee to the City of Pembroke Pines Budget Advisory Board. So if he can come up. And as he's making his way, let me again introduce you, Aaron, to the public, though we know you. So Aaron is a third-generation resident of Pembroke Pines with more than 25 years of living in our city. His roots here run deep, and his commitment to our neighborhoods, our family, and our future is unmistakable. I want to take a moment to thank his grandmother, Betty, who is here tonight

Mayor. Mayor. Mayor. Mr. Lee, Mayor? Yes, sir. I'd like to, Mr. Lee, come on back down. Come on back down. It's not customary for us to address appointees afterwards, but I must tell you that your work on the Economic Development Board did not go unnoticed by me and your peers and your chairman. Everything that Commissioner Good just said, I want to double that. You have the commitment of this community. Keep moving forward. Make tomorrow better than yesterday. I look forward to seeing the work ahead. Thank you so much.

OK. Today's consent agenda consists of items 1 through 5. What is your pleasure?

Mayor, I'd like to pull 3C. 3 Charlie, please.

3C. OK, so the motion would need to be for one, two, three, A and B, four and five. Is there a motion? Moved by Commissioner Rodriguez. Seconded by the Vice Mayor. Any discussion on those items? Any from the public? Hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Show of passes unanimously.

Commissioner Schwartz, 3C. A motion to approve a request to advertise solicitation C, CS-26-03, countertops for housing apartments. You are recognized. Can I get a second, please? Is there a second? Second by the Vice Mayor. Thank you. City Manager Dodge, I want to thank you for your comments in the Monday Night Memo that I received this morning. I do have some follow-up questions. In the backup, in the ARF, it has, I'm sorry, in the bid package, it says that there's a project manager assigned to this, I guess, overseeing the installation. Do you have that person already identified who that project manager is going to be?

Thank you. I just have a couple questions, that's all.

OK. Mr. Gomes to the City Manager. Is he currently overseeing this project? In the response that we received, it says that the contract has expired. So we have been installing these countertops for a period of time?

And is it the project manager or who approves the number of, I guess, the number of installations expected? Expected?

All right. So specifically at Pines Place, do we know how many are in need of replacement today?

Do you anticipate between now and the end of the year, 68, Kitchens or kitchen slash bathrooms that would need to be replaced. No sir. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Schechter. Mr. Gomes page 13 of the bid package has a total of 68 units That's currently in the bid spec Given the fact that the that the property may be sold and and may be closed upon before the end of the year. I don't know if we are in good faith putting this out to bid in good faith to a potential vendor. They're going to be placing time and effort to put in a bid spec for potentially 68 countertops. But the closing is anticipated to o

I would like to be able to put something out to the public that is going to actually occur. Because what's going to happen is you could have, let's just say, a major retailer with orange stripes on their building. They have the economies of scale to go ahead and procure this from the specific manufacturer. You've already selected where the top is going to be produced and what type of top it's going to be and the bid spec. Therefore, the only other possibility for a vendor to come in is to buy in quantity. The more you buy, the cheaper the price. So if they're putting a bid in for potentially 5

Colleagues, it sounds like staff is not objecting to making some language modifications and quantity modifications. If you're comfortable with that, may it be appropriate for me to move staff's recommendations?

Well, let's see if someone else has something to say, and then you can make a motion. Does anyone else want to be heard on this?

Mr. Mayor, I just got a question. Pine's Place is located where?

So this is a contract for both locations, right? So how do we work through that conversation here? You don't want to knock it down to nothing when you have Pines Point, which you have a requirement to handle those seniors that live at that location. Is that correct?

Okay. So I don't disagree with the as-needed component of this here. If it's not clearly spelled out, I agree to that. But I also, too, recognize that this is a contract that's for both of our vendors locations, and I don't want to cut no spite face on this.

Anybody else? So let me ask you, what is the source of funds for this contract? The community services department's budget.

What is the source of funds? Does it come out of rents? Or is this a grant-funded item? It comes out of the revenue from the rents, Mayor. So it comes out of revenues from the rents. And would this vendor continue to be available to any potential future purchaser?

But thereafter, if they wanted to create a different contract, would they have the ability to use our contractor or their own? Has that been thought through?

Okay. Anyone else want to be heard on this? Commissioner Schwartz, you had a motion?

I'd like to... City Attorney, give me the language. I don't want to mess this one up. It's going out to the street. What would be the appropriate language adopting staff's modification to quantity and language? Well, you indicated as needed.

Yeah, I think the as-needed actually trumps the quantity. I think the as-needed makes it self-evident that there's no quantity guaranteed if it's on an as-needed basis.

Can you still extract a bid if it has no numbers in it? Does having this number in it, even if it says as-needed, allow you to make a determination on prices?

I mean, I think that having a number in there gives you a sense of what the pricing for the service would be I think that is as needed in the document now I believe it is I think it's right there as it says on on an as needed basis so I'm not sure that we need this this motion right there I asked staff to to find me the as needed well there it is what page it's right in front of it

4.1. But you're not looking at the screen I'm looking at, sir. I'm looking online. You don't have one of the screens? Sir, I have two screens. I'm looking at this one. So don't tell me it's in front of me.

On the city screen? Thank you. It's 4.1. 4.1 of the contract. It's in blue.

So that clarifies the as needed. So there's no need for me to make that point, to make a change. I think there should be a separation between point and place. I think there ought to be. Okay, so do you want to make a motion? Yeah, I'd like to. Would that be a bifurcation? I mean, how would you?

Mr. Mayor, if I may offer a suggestion. Yeah. So maybe we can just reference a not-to-exceed number of units that we would do this to. So, I mean, you have 68. Potentially. How many was for Pines Point? How many was for Pines Place? A little fudge factor. Can you put in a not-to-exceed number?

Have we considered, given the fact that we've given the city manager spending authority up to a certain amount before it comes here, that we can just procure the actual material and just pay for the labor, just bid the labor out?

GARY GENSLER- Sir, if you want to have a conversation about the internal operations of the city, this is not the place to have it. That's between, as far as I can tell, this entire discussion should have been in the Monday Night Mail. It was. I got it on Wednesday morning. So how am I going to deal with that? No, but I didn't see the as needed, and I didn't see the 68 versus the 1 versus a discussion about whether or not this should be done on a on a time and materials basis. I mean, the staff knows what they're doing, and they have put forward an RFP that meets their particular needs. And I t

I have two speakers. Al, you are assigned to speak on an item that's on the agenda, so I'm going to call you then if that's okay. All right? And the other speaker is Mario Pena Garcia. If you would please come forward. and state your name and address for the record. Thank you. There's a button there that says Speak on the bottom. Yeah, you're on.

And we, uh, We thank you for your service and for your son's service. And I know the police department is in the back. And you're part of the Pembroke Pines Police Citizens Group. And please talk to them and open a dialogue that will allow you to know what it is that we do to keep the mental health of all of our officers strong. Let's talk about what more we can do. And I want to thank you for coming forward. And thank you, ma'am, as well. It's an honor to have you. OK. Second reading ordinances, number six, city attorney. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Motion, please. Move by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by the Vice Mayor. Any discussion on this?

Mayor, a question to the city attorney. Yeah. City attorney, just to restate for the record, it was determined at first reading I do not have a voting conflict. Has anything changed?

Anyone else? Yes, Mr. Mayor. So I've been brief pretty extensively on this item, and I understand I'm pretty good with everything. I did receive, however, an email today, which I believe all of us may have received it, in reference to something that I don't have an answer to, which was referencing a 3% COLA that was assigned to the retirement plan. And I don't know anything about that. If we can have somebody speak to that for a moment.

So there is a clear reference to the documentation that indicates that there is a 3% co-assignment to this plan, whoever is going to assume responsibility there's a 3% color for certain members is a 2% for certain members and it's the most important thing for me is just that it's all spelled out in the documentation because yet yes it is the the information that was provided you know of course I never had a conversation didn't have time because I just saw it today that that there was no reference in any of the controlling documents I guess that is moving this item forward And I just wanted to

OK. Mr. Mayor, that's all I needed to hear.

Anything else? Thank you. OK. Any from the public? Seeing none, Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Yes. And by your vote, this item passes unanimously. Thank you very much.

Excellent. And I want to congratulate City Manager Dodge, you, Ms. City Attorney Julie, and also Mr. Rothstein for a job well done.

Is there a motion? I'll move it. Moved by the Vice Mayor. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez. Any discussion? Hearing none. Any from the public? Clerk will call the roll.

Yes. And by your vote, this item passes.

Thank you very much. Is there a motion? Move by the vice mayor. Is there a second? Seconded by Commissioner Good. Any discussion? Hearing none, any from the public? Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Yes, and by your vote, this item passes.

You have your forfeits vote. Congratulations, City Commission. Congratulations, Pembroke Pines. We are on our way to doing great things with this item, and I really, really look forward to the next steps.

Moved by the Vice Mayor. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Rodriguez. Any discussion? Hearing none. Any from the public? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Show passes unanimously.

Move it. Moved by the vice mayor, seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez. Any discussion? Seeing none. Any from the public? Seeing none. All those in favor, say aye. Any opposed? Show passes unanimously. Number 11.

Thank you very much. Motion, please. Moved by the Vice Mayor, seconded by... Commissioner Rodriguez, any discussion? Seeing none. Any from the public? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Show passes unanimously.

Reports of the League and MPO representatives.

Very happy to have attended the League of Cities conference. I believe a couple of us were there. One of the sessions that I found most interesting was one on communications, the city of Coral Springs, as well as an attorney who focuses on city communications and kind of the Sunshine Law and things in relation to city communications were there. It was really interesting to, the theme of it was basically going beyond the social post and doing, showing us what the city of Coral Springs as an example was doing. One highlight that we saw is they're actually doing a series on both YouTube and on th

Thank you very, very much. And I want to thank all of you that attended that important conference.

Mayor, customarily, colleagues who've attended conferences, whether it be the mayor's, the National Mayor's Conference, Flower League Conference, usually the material that's covered and gathered is distributed amongst the rest of the commission. If able, can you share that with our executive assistants?

Mr. Dodge, if we can ask Karen to get a copy of the materials for Commissioner Schwartz. He was not able to attend the conferences.

Well, I certainly wasn't able to attend the National Mayors Conference. So any of those.

And it's the US Conference of Mayors. They're all on my desk. She can get a copy of those.

If we could share with all the entire commission. Sure. Thank you. OK. Thanks.

Anything else on that? Commissioner Good on MPO.

There have been no meetings, Mr. Mayor, at this time.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Manager, any items from you?

OK. Commission items. Commissioner Rodriguez, number 12, your recommendation.

Thank you. So my item was just discussion and possible action regarding the draft of a resolution condemning Islamophobia. I just have a couple of words on it. I would like to seek consensus from the commission to direct the administration and the city attorney to bring back a resolution denouncing Islamophobia, anti-Muslim bias, discrimination, threats, and violence. I've been working a lot with the Muslim community, MGAGE, and the Muslim Student Association, which we've all participated in events for. And I've heard growing concerns about increased Islamophobic rhetoric, as a lot of us have

Commissioner Rodriguez, I want to thank you for bringing this item forward. This commission has never shied away from the principle that every single resident of Pembroke Pines, regardless of their characteristics of birth or chance, are welcomed here. and should be respected on equal terms. We have the same set of laws that apply to everyone. There's no reason for there to be this kind of bigotry or racism or hatred of any kind in a city as diverse and beautiful as ours where everybody really does get along. And while the state of Florida has created some new laws in that regard that don't go

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. I agree with modifying our anti-discrimination ordinance, rules, guidance, resolution, whatever they may be. So I just want to make sure that the city attorney recognizes that any changes to the document does not conflict with any state statute, and it does not endorse any organization, and it does not involve any prohibited entity. because it is fully within our authority as a municipal government to affirm our commitment to resident safety and inclusion. You know, I can tell you that our Muslim residents are part of the fabric of Pembroke Pines. We have teachers, d

Mayor. Yes. Assalamu alaikum. I want to be clear from the outset. When we go back, MTIs, 11, 12 years maybe, right? Remember when I was called a threat to national security because I hugged an imam? Remember that? Remember when we didn't have iftar dinners in Broward County? Remember those days? Remember the days when, I mean, like I said, I mean, God forbid you sat down next to a Muslim and had a conversation and broke bread. But the truth is I condemn hatred, intimidation, and discrimination on all levels. Anti-Semitism. I mean, it's been less than a year since I've been attacked on social m

And just know that the city will continue to stand against hatred and discrimination. Mayor, I remember 2015, an eight-year-old boy attending Pines Middle. who came up to me and said that he was being bullied in school because he's a Muslim. And I went to the parents, and the parents were afraid to speak out because they thought they were going to get horrific things done to them or their property. And that's three blocks away from here, right inside the border, right inside the municipal boundary of Pembroke Pines. I remember knocking on the door, and an individual came out and says, well, I'

No, I'm looking to Commissioner Rodriguez with whatever you'd like to motion. I'll second it. I just don't know what.

It's not a motion. It's just a discussion. It's a directive.

So we don't have to establish any wording. I'm in full support of you.

Listen, a lot of people say to me, what's happened to America? What's going on with all this hate and division? I have to tell you, America is just fine. She's waiting for us exactly where we left her. Hopeful that we'll come back. And that's why it's so important when we say to one another, when we say to young people, welcome to America, that those words mean something. and that they don't mean the wrong thing. So I want to thank you, Commissioner Rodriguez, for coming forward with this. Mr. City Attorney, do you have all the guidance that you need?

We will do that. And needless to say, passing this item similar to the anti-Semitism item or any other item that we've ever passed, we take no positions here, ever. on international conflicts. That's not our point. Our point is simply about being benevolent with one another, respectful with one another, regardless of a person's characteristics of birth or chance. And we have always been consistent that way without getting involved in any sort of taking sides or anything like that in international conflicts, that's well beyond this dais. So I don't want anyone to misunderstand the action that w

And thank you again, Commissioner Rodriguez, for a very well thought out item. And with that consensus, we now have item 13. Commissioner Rodriguez, you are recognized again.

Thank you. So my item was simply to put on the table a discussion request for an update from city administration. I asked administration a couple of questions in the document themselves, and I was hoping that they would have an update I know that there was also some follow-up questions, so if somebody from staff can let us know how that texting program is working, how people can sign up, and then afterwards, make sure that we have that information rotated online. I know it is online, and it's been published multiple times, but if we can continue to do that as well. Very well. Mr. Dodge?

Yes, ma'am. Who's going to present on item 13?

So I had a couple of questions on, let me go to my item actually, which I think a lot of them were explained within the Monday Night Memo kind of in writing as well. But I wanted to ask, let me get there one second. So there is a program, the current emergency and then the non-emergency text messaging program that we have available to the city. If you can just speak on that so we have it on the record, we got an explanation. And then if we're able to share, obviously, in all sorts of communication, that would be greatly appreciated.

And no one needs to opt into that one, right? No. That's automatic. Can you give us an example of what would be sent out in that manner?

For the gravity of that one that you mentioned. And then there is the part that is opt-in. Can you talk a little bit about that? And then in the meantime, I believe you can sign up online. Mr. Clerk, would you be able to kind of show us online where that is? Or maybe Amanda can do it on there. just so that people know how to sign up for the opt-in. One that I assume is my assumption and my understanding is that it's guided more to non-emergency scenarios.

OK, awesome. I wanted to simply highlight that because we have been talking about it on the dais continuously regarding a similar platform or something for text messaging because there's so much online. And I think the consensus is and the trend is that now a lot of the more Direct messaging that you need kind of like on a timely basis ends up being text messages a lot of other cities have Been able to to use these services and I believe it is at free cost at least the emergency portion is correct. I

Okay, perfect. If you have anything to add to that.

Dan Giustino, Director of Emergency Management.

OK, perfect. And would we be able to, I know we've mentioned in the past as well, like when projects are going on and there might be a disruption on a particular road for a particular neighborhood, maybe we've talked on the dais, if there are road resurfacing or things like that and that there's going to be a disruption in the space, this text messaging program can also be used for that as well, correct? Yes, that's non-emergency in the opt-in, but we could.

OK, so I wanted to bring the discussion because I think within our professional capacity and then also our personal capacities online to be able to promote this as much as possible because it's only really as useful as however many people sign up and opt into it. And I wanted, obviously, to bring attention to it. And that's why I put it on the agenda. So if we can continuously always online and on social media be able to communicate that we have this communication system, which I think not necessarily innovative, because we all have text messages and we've been using that. But it really slims

Thank you very much for the item anyone else have any questions about this Okay, let's get to item 14 commission Schwartz

Thank you, Mayor. Discussion and possible action to direct city attorney to draft an ordinance amending section 155.510 of the city's land development code currently references domesticated livestock and poultry to include provisions for the management of livestock waste. In the backup, staff has provided some language for us to consider, and if you have any questions about that language, Mr. Stamm is available.

Are there any questions? Did you have a motion to make? I wanted to move it. Okay, is there a second? Is there a second?

Before you say die for lack of a second, the purpose of this is to protect the public from horse manure waste, properly using the appropriate storage bins, how you manage it to prevent runoff. And this came forward from a discussion, I think I did it back in May or June, I believe.

Most of it's in the backup. So I would ask my colleagues for a second.

OK, is there a second? Is there a second? Item dies for lack of a second. Item 15, Commissioner Schwartz. All right.

OK, 15. Let's see how this one goes. Discussion and possible action to review the administration's previously pulled enforcement agenda item. I have Mr. City Attorney Brian Sherman. I'd like for him to come down. Please. Thank you. This one's a little bit unique. This was not commission driven back in 2024. This was prepared by administration, placed on an agenda in Q4 of 2024, and subsequently pulled by the administration for a reason that has not really been quite explained in the public view. Colleagues, as you know, I've sat down with code enforcement now three times this year. January, ag

So if I thank you, city attorney, for your recollection, what I recall hearing in the meeting in January of this year, and again in February of this year, was that it was pulled to give Chief Vargas an opportunity to review the policy as the incoming chief. At those two meetings, I had inquired the city manager to review the information. And here we are just about September. And I had to put it on because we haven't had any movement. Basically, I'm going to give the microphone to the city attorney Sherman. But without stealing his thunder, our magistrate, magistrates, there's three of them, wo

But here's the thing. It's not the dollar amount. I'm not fixated on one value. of how much a fine should be. What I recognize is that we made an adjustment for other items within our city policies because $10 today is a lot less money than it was 10 years ago. And we clearly do not have the attention of repeat offenders when it comes to Cleaning up their property coming into compliance and the magistrate has the ability to if this city were to allow them to do so, to look at some other options. Mr. Sherman, can you please address the commission on, we have two items here. We have exhibit one,

The city attorney's office did it in preparation, just like in order to have a discussion. But that discussion wasn't allowed because the administration pulled it. So you see, Manager Dodge, we have a product produced. Give us the opportunity to discuss it.

Yeah, I just want to say, because I'm trying very, very hard to be as kind about this as I can. But there's been a certain pattern of items placed before this commission agenda which have not been vetted by staff. And I believe that even though we have two new members, we have all been here long enough to know that we rely on professional staff to assist us in organizing presentations before the commission. And with respect to this matter, that was not done. The city manager wasn't talked to. The police chief wasn't talked to. I don't know who else was talked to. I don't know how this came up.

Neither am I, Mayor. So let me just follow up. If the clerk can pull up the actual ARF, the very first page. So I know that we have a really good IT department. This file was created on January the 13th, 2025. Clearly somebody stuck it in there. So now we know who put it in there. We don't know who prepared it, but we at least know who uploaded it. Number two, it was on our agenda on the 5th of February, 2025.

It was on the agenda and then it got pulled. Hold on. It says in control, this is city commission. Did the city commission order this item? It's in First Act? No, the City Commission did not order it. So this is just a created agenda request form, Mr. City Manager, that was never presented to us? Okay, so you're looking at some draft, and what is your point?

Well, the manager had concerns of how it got there. Mayor, you said that you never saw it before. Well, listen. It doesn't matter how it got here. It was on our agenda and it was pulled.

It didn't go through the administration. It was never before us.

We don't control the agenda items. The city manager does. OK, now the commission items.

Look. Commissioner, if you wish to bring the item back, hold on. If you wish to bring this item back after it's vetted with staff, we are duty bound to entertain it. Staff have to be met with. The police chief has to be met with. The director of code has to be met with. The city attorney should be part of that. If you want to bring an item to raise the fines or whatever.

If I want to bring an item to discuss code enforcement, that's one thing. Don't put words in my mouth. No, no, no.

I'm looking at what I'm reading, what you're referring to.

This is not my item. This is not my item. OK, all right.

This is not my item to raise anything on anybody. Hold on. If you wish to bring an item. Meet with staff, vet your item, and bring it back. OK? Thanks. We are now on item 16. Commissioner, Vice Mayor.

Sam, I really want to thank you for making this the longest possible item ever. Sorry, folks.

Okay, Vice Mayor Michael Hernandez, item number one. As our city attorney advised us in the city attorney's office memo number 2026077, dated 6-26-2026, attached here to the governor vetoed Senate Bill 382, which sought to regulate micromobility devices slash e-bikes or electronic bikes. By amending section three one six point two zero six five five Fs the bill would have established crash reporting requirements for police departments and certain statewide operating requirements for e-bikes on shared pathways sidewalks or on pedestrian areas Notwithstanding the veto and given a clear prolifera

Without objection, I'm going to combine the two motions. If someone wants to bifurcate them, let me know. So the motion number one and motion number two are made. Is there a second for discussion? Second.

I'd like to have a discussion add to this. I mean, this is very good. I mean, this is really, if I may. Yes, please. Thank you. So I can tell you that it was very disappointing to see that The governor vetoed an action taken by legislation to deal with an issue that is starting to take over our communities. And the state was probably the best level to manage this particular concern. Vice Mayor, what you put here is an excellent start. I 100% support all this review. I also would like to ask if you can consider adding something that would also incorporate What are other cities doing in the area

I'm happy to do that. I did want to note, because you mentioned it, so Senate Bill 382 was passed not on a bipartisan basis, but unanimously. Now, I don't know if folks pay attention to what happens in Tallahassee. Those folks up there never vote unanimously on any legislation. It was a unanimous vote. Governor DeSantis on, I believe it was June 25th or 26th, vetoed it. Sometimes I can understand where the governor's coming from. Sometimes I can't. This one I can't. Ultimately, to Commissioner Good's point, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but there are often times that we are upset wi

Yes, the police department has something.

Right. Pembroke Pines Police Department. I know, Mr. Mayor, our neighbor and constituent, Al Salve, is back there. And I know he's passionate about the issue and wanted to mention something. I just don't know where.

We're going to have discussion. Then I'm going to bring Al up.

OK. But to just close this point, if you don't know a lot about Senate Bill 382, I think it's important to note nobody's banning any of these vehicles. My 10-year-old daughter said, Daddy, are you trying to take my friend's e-bikes and e-scooters away? And I said, no, honey, Alyssa, I am not. What I am simply trying to do is we have to protect the drivers and operators of the e-bikes and the e-scooters, drivers like me that will get in a car and drive home when I leave here, and pedestrians. Now, I don't have the answers as to how we do that. I am not smart enough to know that. But I do want o

Anyone else wish to be heard on this item?

I believe in theory and the safety, obviously, we'd want to protect all of our residents. But I want to flag and mention that e-bikes and these scooters are sometimes a very reliable source of mobility for some of our residents who cannot afford cars, maybe too young to drive cars, things like that. So, and you guys hear me talk about it all the time, the lack of transportation opportunity and transportation options within the city of Pembroke Pines is obviously a regional issue throughout the county and something that we've all continuously looked to work on. I understand the wanting to make

Sure. Vice Mayor, in preparation of the item, did you have an opportunity to speak to our police department?

I think they're tired of speaking to me on this subject. So there were multiple conversations. going back to, well, first of all, since last year, and then again in June, and then again recently. And I don't want to speak for the chief, but we were all hopeful that there would be some guidance from Tallahassee or some regulation from Tallahassee. And again, unfortunately, the governor vetoed it. So yes, I've been in contact both with Chief Vargas, his command staff, City Manager Dodge, And of course, Mr. Sherman, I don't know where he went now, but Mr. Sherman and Mr. Gorin. Thank you.

All right. So if the governor hadn't vetoed it, it would have been a moving violation?

Commissioner, the text is there in the Senate bill. If you have legal questions, you can direct them to Mr. Gorin.

Mr. Gorin, is it a moving violation? Had it passed?

Okay, so I'm just looking at the execution of it.

Yeah, I'm just trying to see if the enforcement side of it. It's a police matter. If it hadn't been vetoed, it would have been a police matter. If we're looking at doing something in-house, it becomes a code enforcement matter. Can I have the city attorney respond, please? Go ahead. Thank you.

Is that the intent? I mean, City Attorney, are you hearing that you would, with direction from the commission, that you would make it a police enforcement action?

I could actually answer that because it's my item. So my intent, and I need my colleagues' support on this, is not to have our code enforcement out – policing these vehicles. And I certainly appreciate what Commissioner Rodriguez said, which is why I'm certainly not looking for any kind of over-regulation, just safety. But no, I want code enforcement going to homes that are violating code. I don't want code enforcement chasing down folks who are driving either irresponsibly, above a speed limit, or where they shouldn't be. I believe this should be a law enforcement matter. I believe the chief

Okay, so just to follow up with the Vice Mayor. When the item first came forward to us, it was incomplete, so I asked for it to be resent. when I'm reading potential regulation, just for the record, just looking for clarification, law enforcement. That's all. If it had just had included law enforcement, then I wouldn't have had to ask the question.

Sir, I believe you're referring to a technical error that was made by our administrative assistant that didn't put all of the information in the first time within 30 seconds of being notified, I believe, by the city attorney, if I'm not mistaken, in an email chain. You could request the emails or public record. She immediately added the rest of the text. So that's a non-issue.

Anything else? No, I just don't like the waving of the hand. That's all. Vice Mayor, we have to quorum.

Thanks. Okay. Let me sort of weigh in on this. You know, when stuff like this comes up, I tend to be resistant to... legislating quickly I think that there's a Jeffersonian streak in me that the government that governs best governs least let the people figure this thing out if they can this business with the e-bikes has gotten dangerous it's gotten dangerous for adults that drive it's gotten dangerous for adults that use them it's gotten dangerous for kids that use them we're hearing more and more about it Chief Vargas, I had a chat with our good friend Chief Sousa. I remember him from his For

And I have a question, Mayor, because I know the police department had a very short presentation. Would you like to see that, or you just want to direct administration? It's your call. I don't need to see it. So they don't want it. You're good. You're off the hook. I think, yeah, I. Did you, could we, I don't know if you're opening it up.

How long is the presentation? Come on up.

So that's not something we could create?

Sergeant Sands, this is great stuff. Thank you. Thank you. You did a great job with this and Chief and Staff, outstanding. Very, very, very good. I think that we're on to something here that is actually doable and will be workable, Vice Mayor, and that we can really get this done. I am sort of interested in knowing, City Attorney, not now, but as you give this some thought, how we can sort of intervene, if not legally, then persuasively in some way, to get to the parents of children that use these. The Emoto, you mean? Yeah.

Yeah, and to let them know what the rules are that do exist and how to stay safe and whether we can take this material, which is very valuable, and also convert it into some sort of website-driven kind of video that parents can ask kids to watch before they get on one of these things. You know, those are the kinds of things that I think make a difference, is when we explain to folks, OK, you've got an e-bike. You're going to have a lot of fun. Here's how to do it safely. And here's how to use this tool in a safe manner. And here are what the rules are, because when you get on one of these thin

I just wanted to mention that the county themselves are working through their micromobility task force as well on this in partnership with FDOT. It might be valuable. Obviously, these... Some of these pamphlets are FDOT oriented. So I know that the county is working. They have a specific task force for that and mostly on the regulation of both. So when we link up to talk about a more regional approach, the county has that resource as well.

Wonderful. Good catch. Anybody else? All right. Mr. Salvi, can you come down? Good job, Bill.

Your name and address for the record, please.

I really hope so. Al, as always, you are an inspiration to this city. And we're incredibly fortunate to have you as a citizen here. And we're really, really thankful for your testimony. Anyone else on this item? All right. So I made the suggestion to unify the vice mayor's motions under one item and consistent with the two, with the commentary that we've all had that's included in the motion. Are there any questions about the motion? Is that still seconded, Commissioner? Okay. Any further discussion on this? Any from the public? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. And that item passe

So there is- So what work is to be expected to bring this community's assets back into shape?

So you're going to be fixing the sidewalks. You're going to be replanting trees there? OK. And what is the timetable for the completion of this?

OK. So it seems like we have this under control. Mr. Stamm, you've been in touch with Mr. Riber about where this is. Is he satisfied now that he's got the information that he needs?

OK. And for clarification, not this Mr. Hernandez. Not that. Our public services director.

OK, well, those are the questions that I asked. And that's the information that I got. And I wanted to make sure that it was on the record. And if there's anything more that we have to do with respect to trees or sidewalks or anything else, it's an important thing for the safety of our residents and our community, particularly for the people who count on The Americans with Disabilities Act for physical justice in a community that they also live in. Without anything further? Yes, sir. New business, maybe? Just momentarily.

So I... I just want to bring to the attention, we all received an email from Mary Stevens, I believe, this week, right? And she made reference about some activity that's going to be taking place at the BIC, the BLC, the Broward County landfill that we have on our western edge. So have we found out anything about what they're doing?

I can tell you that as far back as maybe four or five months ago, I had a conversation with Beam Fur, who, as you know, has pretty much been the trash and recycling czar at the county, working in tandem with the... with the Solid Waste Authority, that they wish to use BIC as a compost location for vegetation. That's only tree clippings and that kind of thing, no putrefaction waste, no regular household garbage. They are currently also using it, as you know, for concrete and construction debris, wood, that kind of thing. And they're chopping that up and preparing it for reuse and so forth.

I believe, though, Senator Nan Rich's office, I did speak with her chief of staff. This is apparently an unsolicited bid. if I'm not mistaken, for the composting facility.

It's non-solicited, and they can actually go out to bid. But Mr. Manager, can you tell us what you know about it, please?

I'm advised that the composting of vegetation, and you know this better than I do, Commissioner Good, but from your own professional experience, my understanding is that it doesn't generate a great deal of smell or the kind of nuisances that composting garbage would.

So if I may, Mr. Mayor, so you're right, providing that it's done correctly. I believe many years ago, we tried to do a composting in the city, Mr. Manager.

Sure, and it was a process that failed, not necessarily the concept.

Okay. And all I'm going to say is that if we could just keep an eye on this, because even the county has recognized that this could create odors. And the reason why is because, just because it's not food scraps, it's a process where you call, it goes from air to no air, meaning it goes to anaerobic. When you have anaerobic conditions, it means that it starts smelling like an egg. And so these things, what they're doing is they're putting them outside. They're not contained inside. And of course, too, there's a process that has to keep it nice and mixed. If you don't mix it, you don't get air i

Well, just pay attention to what's being done, find out if there's any weaknesses, and if the weaknesses are being adopted as, hey, it's acceptable, and we need to ID if that is going to be acceptable or not for us. And if it's not acceptable to us, then we need to voice an opinion. Because we've already missed an opportunity where they took the landfill and went from 100 feet to 300 feet. We have nothing on record that says, hey, we oppose that. At least here, if they want to move forward, and it's going to be a little bit offensive, but they're OK with it, but we're not. We want to be on rec

Yeah. Mr. Dodge, do you think you can get your arms around this thing?

And that's a whole other conversation, by the way. It's supposed to be the SWA, but it's not. But the point is, though, it's August 20, which is this week. That's the agenda item, and just to pay attention to If they accept it, then who's going to be taking it on under negotiations?

Thank you. I know that you've been working on it. When do you anticipate bringing us a back to recycling plan?

Okay, okay When you feel when you feel you might be ready to present that to us Well, I know the the one for the RFP that we're doing.

Because one of the things that I'm thinking about is doing another. Once we have a package, I'm thinking we should do a survey. I think we should go to residents and do a survey. We already started a process where we said, if you want to use your blue bin for extra garbage, it's an extra $2, blah, blah, blah, blah. Maybe we need to think of what different ways we do this. And so I think that we should probably go back out and survey people and say, we're ready to go back to recycling. This is how it's going to work. Are you in? This is what it's going to cost.

Ask them. Tell them what it costs. Yeah.

Well, OK. Anything else? All right. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much.