City of Margate 5790 Margate Boulevard Margate, FL: 33063 954-972-6454 www.margatefl.com Meeting Minutes Regular City Commission Meeting Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz Vice Mayor Antonio V. Arserio Commissioners: Anthony N. Caggiano, Tommy Ruzzano, Joanne Simone City Manager Cale Curtis City Attorney Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman City Clerk Jennifer, M. Johnson Wednesday, February 19, 2025 7:00 PM Commission Chambers and Zoom.us Webinar ID: 814 9840 3278 tps.aso2webzoom.s/81498403278 CALL TO ORDER MOMENT OF SILENCE The Moment of Silence followed after the Call to Order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL The Roll Call was called after the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: 5- Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano, Commissioner Anthony N. Caggiano, Commissioner Joanne Simone, Vice Mayor Antonio V. Arserio and Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz 1) PRESENTATIONS) A. ID: 2025-026 2024-2025 D.A.R.E. (DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION) WINNERS LIBERTY BLEMENTARY- OFFICER PAUL LINDEMAN WINNERS- JULIA LOUIS AND LANDON NUNEZ ATLANTIC WEST- OFFICER RALPH SCAPEKKOTTA WINNERS- EDWARD MEJIA PEREZ. AND AMAYAH DESTAMAR MARGATE ELEMENTARY- - OFFICER TONY CARECCIA WINNERS- TIMOTHY POINT-DU-JOUR AND OLIVIA HENRY SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, (SRO) ANTONIO CARECCIA, explained that they were here to honor the students and discussed the 10 week Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) course. SRO, PAUL LINDEMAN, represented Liberty Elementary and presented the winners for his school. City of Margate Page 1 Printed on: 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 SRO, RALPH SCAPERROTTA, represented Atlantic West and presented the winners for his school. Meeting went into Recess. Meeting Reconvened. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION FOR YEARS OF SERVICE B. ID: 2025-008 EDWARD B. PICKERING, BATTALION CHIEF FIRE DEPARTMENT 20 YEARS CHRISTOPHER SIMMONS II, COMMUNITY SERVICE AIDE I POLICE DEPARTMENT - 15 YEARS NEIL: D. SOHN, POLICE OFFICER - POLICE DEPARTMENT 10 YEARS KELLY A. MCGILVRAY, BUYER II - FINANCE DEPARTMENT - 5 YEARS JUNIOR C. JAGLAL, MAINTENANCE WORKER I PARKS & RECREATION 5 YEARS AL CERCHIONE, representative of SFDF Aerial Imagery, presented a picture of Fire House 58 to Fire Chief Lorenzo. 2) PUBLIC DISCUSSION BOCA RATON RESIDENTS, STEPHANIE BROWN AND JADE, represented the Elite Athletics Gym and requested any type of assistance or donations to support their athletes to participate in the 2025 Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando. VICE MAYOR, ANTONIO V.. ARSERIO, questioned whether they would qualify for the City Commission sponsorship as they were Margate based. CITY MANAGER, CALE CURTIS, directed the Elite Athletics Gym representatives to the City's Website's donation request form. MARGATE RESIDENT, JULI VAN DER MEULEN, thanked City Manager Curtis, Assistant City Manager, Vignola and the Department of Environmental and Engineering Services (DEES) Director Keyser pertaining to an issue with. AT&T and oak trees. She wished Mayor Schwartz's mother well. COMMISSIONER, TOMMY RUZZANO, informed the representatives of Elite. Athletics Gym that the City had a grants program and that he would help them out with whatever he could do. ELSA. J. SANCHEZ referenced a sign that was located on State Road 441 and NW 8th Street and requested information on how long the same would be there. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO had been advised that they could not regulate signs and City of Margate Page 2 Printed on 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 referenced City Attorney Tolces. CITY ATTORNEY, DAVID N. TOLCES, advised that under the City's sign code, they could not regulate content. He said that the City was reviewing their Sign Codes for revisions or whether they were in compliance. Discussion ensued. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO explained that from a non-lawyer perspective, the problem with the City's Code was how you treat one, was how you would have to treat all. MAYOR ARLENE R. SCHWARTZ advised that there was a rule on commercial signs. Discussion ensued. REGIONAL MANAGER FOR FLORIDA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES (FLDFS) FOR JIMMY PATRONIS, LUCDWIN LUCK informed that Mr. Patronis was leaving his post which would leave a vacancy and that he would be running for Congress He advised that FLDFS regulated the insurance industry. MAYOR SCHWARTZ suggested that a meeting could be organized with a group of Homeowners Associations with FLDFS. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO discussed the implications of the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program fees. FLDFS, LUCDWIN LUCK, explained that the MSFH program was up to $10,000 and that an initial payment of $5,000 was the requirement and when everything had gone through the process, the participant would receive a full reimbursement MAYOR SCHWARTZ simplified Mr. Luck's response by informing that for the MSFH, they would receive two for one. Discussion ensued with references to Ygrene and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. MARGATE RESIDENT, DONNA L. FELLOWS, questioned City Manager Curtis if he could look into the chain link fence at a church that was being renovated on NWS 9th St and Melaleuca Drive. MARGATE RESIDENT, LAUREN BERACHA, agreed with Commissioner Ruzzano that the City should look at all oft the signs. MARGATE RESIDENT, TRACY VAN WINKLE, questioned whether they were in the process of repairing and replacing old signs and referenced a sign on Southgate coming east. She made comment about election signs. 3) COMMISSION COMMENTS COMMISSIONER RUZZANO thanked the DARE winners and also the SROs and said that they did a great job. He advised that one oft the developers had sent a revised plan for the east side which consisted of 75,000 square feet of shopping, dining and retail and 27 townhomes as opposed to apartments and that they were in favor of keeping the Ace Plaza as it was. He questioned whether the Carnival was going to be placed on next City ofA Margate Page 3 Printed on: 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 month's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Meeting Agenda. CITY MANAGER, CALE CURTIS, advised that they were working on scheduling a special meeting next week from the CRA to consider a fair application. Discussion ensued on the Carnival. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO advised that there were 10 board positions available if anyone from the public was interested in applying. He wished David Volz a Happy Birthday. He informed that there would be a grand opening of baseball at Margate Sports Complex on March 1st and that there were new scoreboards at that location. He said that Parks and Recreation was doing a great job and advised that they had already started redoing the fields at Southeast Park. He advised that on March 8th, the 2nd Annual Margate Meatball Mania would take place at the Margate Sports Complex. He referenced Royal Palm Boulevard heading west from State Road 7 and asked for road improvements due to a number of complaints and accidents. He asked for an update on information for Broward Sheriff Office (BSO) pertaining to the Fire Department. He advised that the City of Parkland's Manager was writing to the manager at Broward County's 911 line and that they were pleading for a meeting sO that all the cities could get on it for a faster response time. CITY MANAGER CURTIS said that BSO were in receipt oft the City's information which they were evaluating and that they had a meeting set up with Fire Chief Lorenzo to go over some of the operations and hoped to receive some numbers back within the next couple of months. COMMISSIONER, ANTHONY N. CAGGIANO, thanked the DARE winners and SROs and commented on the same. He praised the customer service of the Parks and Recreation staff and highlighted the forthcoming Sounds and Sundown event. COMMISSIONER, JOANNE SIMONE, recognized the City's wonderful employees and said that Margate was great due to their staff. She thanked residents who emailed and provided positive feedback pertaining to staff members and referenced the Building Department's Amy Tobey and Shadia Abraham and Department of Environmental and Engineering Services' (DEES) Water Utilities, Michelle Spatafora and Tilitha (Tee) Hawkins. She said that she also received positive feedback about Public Works' Director, Batista. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO received positive feedback pertaining to the City Clerk's Office's, Office Specialist III, Howard Pavillard. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO, said that the staff had been great and explained a good experience with DEES Water Utilities. He expressed that whilst he did not have any problem with the upcoming fair, he was concerned about outstanding funds which would need to be paid prior to their start. He also said that prior to starting the downtown development, the City may wish to consider holding some type or bond or money up front. He continued to discuss plans for the potential CRA negotiations and the introduction of flock license plate readers at some plazas. CITY MANAGER CURTIS said that he conversed with the Chief of Police pertaining to flock license plate readers and explained that Walmart had just changed hands with the General Manager and he did not anticipate there would be challenges getting that changed. City ofl Margate Page 4 Printed on 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 Discussion ensued on flock license plate readers. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO said Walmart initially had a substation for the City's Police when it was first built. He believed that if Walmart wanted to continue to operate, they should fund a full time Police Officer. Discussion ensued on Walmart's operating hours and installing a flock license plate reader. MAYOR SCHWARTZ congratulated the children who won the DARE awards and praised the SROs. She thanked the City and the Police Department who have completed some traffic studies and advised that speed humps would be installed in Oakland Hills. She expressed her concerns about outstanding fees the Fair owed to the City. She thanked those who sent good regards to her Mother. 4) CITY MANAGER'S REPORT CITY MANAGER CURTIS expressed his appreciation to all the staff who were recognized at this meeting and the rest of the employees for the great job that they continued to do. 5) CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under Consent Agenda are viewed to be routine and the recommendation will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. If discussion is desired by the Commission, the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately. A. ID: 2025-033 MOTION - APPROVAL OF CITY COMMISSION MINUTES: JANUARY 22, 2025 REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING @ 6:30PM APPROVED B. ID 2025-044 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA APPROVING THE CITY OF MARGATE STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE 2025 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO SEND A COPY OF THE CITY OF MARGATE STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE 2025 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO THE BROWARD COUNTY DELEGATION FOR CONSIDERATION: PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE UP IN PRIORITY LISTED PROJECTS, BASED UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY'S LOBBYIST, WITHOUT FURTHER COMMISSION ACTION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE APPROVED C. ID 2025-041 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AWARDING BID 2025-002- - NW 27TH STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS TO PABON ENGINEERING, INC; PROVIDING FOR A NOT TO EXCEED TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $395,000.00 INCLUSIVE OF CONTINGENCIES AND ALLOWANCES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE APPROVED Approval oft the Consent Agenda City of Margate Page 5 Printed on: 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 A motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by' Vice Mayor Arserio, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz 6) RESOLUTION(S) A. ID: 2025-043 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, APPROVING PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS AT CALYPSO COVE AQUATICS FACILITY AND FIREFIGHTERS PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $198,900.00 AND AN ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN PERCENT CONTINGENCY FOR A TOTAL OF $228,680.95; PROVIDING FOR UTILIZATION OF CITY OF AVENTURA CONTRACT WITH JANICE M. RILEY, INC. D/B/A THE PAVING LADY; PROVIDING FOR CONTINGENCY; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE A motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Vice Mayor Arserio, that this Resolution, should be discussed. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO questioned whether this Item pertained to leftover funds that were available. CITY MANAGER CURTIS advised that this Item would be funded by year end budget adjustment. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO said that this Item was long overdue and indicated that the parking lot at Firefighters' Park was not in a good condition. He recommended that proper maintenance plans be put in place when the City invested in their parks. Discussion ensued. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO forewarned about the utilization of another City's contract and referenced the CRA plaza. He suggested that next time, they should go out to bid. He recommended placing filter fabric and 57 stone for Firefighters' Park's parking lot. MAYOR SCHWARTZ concurred with Commissioner Ruzzano's comments and referenced and questioned 5C's Contingencies were inclusive. CITY MANAGER CURTIS advised that the contingency was something that the City was adding on as they had not engineered the parking lot and did not know of its condition. He explained that they were not redoing the walking trail. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO questioned ift the City could budget or investigate a pedestrian bridge from Winfield Boulevard into Firefighters' Park for next year. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO explained that he was previously advised that the Homeowners of the Carolinas owned that property. CITY MANAGER CURTIS advised that the Carolina Association owned the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) easement by Firefighters' Park and the walking trail that was on the easement and the bridge were a part of an Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) City ofA Margate Page 6 Printed on 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 project that the City had submitted. He explained that one of the challenges with the MPO was that they wanted 24/7 access and that the park could not be opened at midnight. He informed that he would obtain pricing on putting in for the pedestrian bridge and that he could either bring it back to the City Commission or include it in next year's budget process. Discussion ensued on owning an FPL easement. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, MICHAEL A. JONES, addressed some oft the conversation discussed and advised that they were looking to submit a future grant to improve the walking/fitness trail. He said that were unaware of any voids or deficiencies hence the contingency when adding to that project. He also informed that they utilize the piggyback contracts as the contractor they knew was a guaranteed quality of service and that they recently used them for a walkway at Coral Gate Park but indicated that for future bids, they would definitely go out for bids on large scale projects. Discussion ensued on whether the bridge would be well utilized. The motion carried as follows: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz 7) ORDINANCE/S) - SECOND READING A. ID: 2025-040 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, A TOTAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING $120,000,000 WATER AND WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA TO FINANCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM OF THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS, FINDINGS, AUTHORIZATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF THE FIRST SERIES OF BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000,000; PROVIDING FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF BONDS, REDEMPTION PROVISIONS, EXECUTION OF BONDS, NEGOTIABILITY, REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION OF BONDS; PROVIDING FOR THE FORM OF BONDS; PROVIDING FOR SECURITY FOR THE BONDS FROM NET REVENUES OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS; PROVIDING FOR THE APPLICATION OF BOND PROCEEDS; PROVIDING FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 85-27, AS SUPPLEMENTED, AMENDED AND RESTATED BY ORDINANCE NOS. 92-34, 96-16, 99-29, 2004-02, 2006-06, 07-04 AND 2009-06; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. A motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Vice Mayor Arserio, that this Ordinance, Second Reading, should be discussed: Cityo ofl Margate Page 7 Printed on 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 VICE MAYOR ARSERIO explained that he received many concerns about the City's water systems and advised that this is what the residents voted for which would not lead to a tax increase. He also praised some of the residents and board presidents for sharing the information about this bond and explained that the City were restricted on messaging. He repeated his request for an information section on the City's website of what was current and what the next steps were. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO understood that one of the City of Fort Lauderdale's water plants was now a private entity. He congratulated the City staff and that the residents overwhelmly voted to approve this $120,000,000 project. MAYOR SCHWARTZ thanked DEES for their intervention on the bond. She asked what the rates would be. CITY MANAGER CURTIS advised that once they went to market and issued those bonds, they would have an idea of what interest rates the City would need to pay back. He confirmed that the website would also be updated on different stages of the bond. Discussion ensued. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO, explained that the City was buying a product that if nothing happened, it worked. Discussion ensued. MS. FELLOWS questioned whether they were going to receive quality H20 and a reduced odor. MS. VAN DER MEULEN, referenced a polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) lawsuit and encouraged the City to get involved as it could help the City with repayments. MAYOR SCHWARTZ forewarned that people were ingesting PFAS with most items that contained plastic. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO advised that 20% of PFAS was in the water and 80% was what people were wearing or in the environmental. He also explained that the City had attended meetings with attorneys pertaining to the PFAS lawsuit. Discussion ensued on PFAS. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO addressed Ms. Fellows comments and explained that when the City rebuilds their whole water system which would come up to the meter, he assumed that this would probably be all brand new. He indicated that from the meter to the house was the homeowner's responsibility and referenced a galvanized water line. He said that in the future, he would not have a problem if the City devised a program for residents to replace their lines from their water meter to their house. MAYOR SCHWARTZ thought that there used to be a payment of approximately $15 to install a camera to view water lines. Discussion ensued. City of Margate Page 8 Printed on 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 The motion carried as follows: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz VICE MAYOR ARSERIO explained that he conducted his research on fluoride in drinking water and advised that many cities were removing the same. He said that one of the Government representations was filing a bill to ban it statewide and recommended that Margate should consider removing it from the water. Discussion ensued. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35pm. Respectfully submitted, Transcribed by Salene E. Edwards - Mennifef M. Johnson, City Clerk Date: 3u/2025 PLEASE NOTE: City of Margate Page 9 Printed on: 2/26/2025 2:18 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes February 19, 2025 If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, the person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Anyone desiring a verbatim transcript shall have the responsibility, at his/her own expense, to arrange for the transcript. [Unified Land Development Code Section 40.300(C)] Any representation made before any City Board, any Administrative Board, or the City Commission in the application for a variance, special exception, conditional use or request for any other permit shall be deemed a condition of the granting of the permit. Should any representation be false or should said representation not be continued as represented, same shall be deemed a violation of the permit and a violation of this section. Any person with a disability requiring auxiliary aids and services for this meeting may call the City Clerk's office at (954) 972-6454 with their request at least two business days prior to the meeting date. One or more members of the City of Margate Boards may be in attendance and may participate at the meeting. Members of the public are invited to view this meeting through Zoom using Webinar ID: 814 9840 3278 or can listen viai telephone by calling one of the following phone numbers: US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099. . A copy of the Agenda for this Meeting is posted on www.MargateL.com and on the main bulletin board outside City Hall located at! 5790 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063. THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE: Go to www.margatef.com Go to "Agendas & Minutes" > Find the respective meeting date and click "Agenda Summary" to view the agenda items and see the Zoom meeting information ALTERNATE OPTION FOR VIEWING AND LISTENING TO THE MEETING THROUGH ZOOM.US Instructions: Topic: "Margate Regular City Commission Meeting" Enter the following link to join the webinar: htps/ls02webzom.ts/81498403278 Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +. 1 Z 26 6799 or +1 929 05 6099 City ofA Margate Page 10 Printed on: 2/26/2025 2:18 PM