City of Margate 5790 Margate Boulevard Margate, FL: 33063 954-972-6454 www.margatel.com Meeting Minutes LoP 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, April 16, 2025 7:00 PM Commission Chambers and Zoom.us Webinar ID: 874 2301 8457 htps./uso2webzoom.uB/87423018457 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present: 5- Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano, Commissioner Anthony N. Caggiano, Commissioner Joanne Simone, Vice Mayor Antonio V. Arserio and Mayor Arlene R. Schwartz MOMIENT OF SILENCE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A. ID: 2025-092 LORENZO MANZI, 8TH GRADE, RAMBLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL 1) PRESENTATIONS) ATHLETES OF THE MONTH A. ID: 2025-073 BASEBALL: LORENZO MANZI, 13 YEARS OLD (Team: Trash Pandas - Major League) LORENZO MANZI introduced his family. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION FOR YEARS OF SERVICE B. ID 2025-070 ERIC SANZARE, FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC FIRE DEPARTMENT 25 YEARS RYAN R. RAMPERSAD, MAINTENANCE WORKER I PARKS & RECREATION - 10 YEARS TAMMIE J. ABSTON-RIZWAN, SERVICE WORKER II PARKS & RECREATION - 10 YEARS City of Margate Page 1 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 PROCLAMATIONS) C. ID: 2025-087 HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY APRIL 24, 2025 (presented to Rabbi Michelle L. Goldsmith, Temple Beth Am, Margate, Florida) TEMPLE BETH AM, RABBI MICHELLE L. GOLDSMITH, expressed her gratitude and spoke on this Item. 2) PUBLIC DISCUSSION MAYOR, ARLENE R. SCHWARTZ, provided instructions on how to submit a Public Discussion. MARGATE RESIDENT, DONNA L. FELLOWS, referenced the U8 Softball team and asked ift they could seek sponsorship from organizations for children who could not afford the registration. She also asked what Margate was doing about the homeless children. CITY OF MARGATE, TRACY VAN WINKLE, just returned from Firefighters' Park and overheard members of the public allegedly complain that there were not enough basketball fields with one suggesting that they should make an inside court. PRESIDENT OF PARADISE GARDENS IV, JOHN H. DONOHOO, received constant calls from residents in his community complaining about iguanas and read a statement on the same. He voiced his concerns that Margate state that they should have a permit to euthanize them despite this practice being legal in allegedly twenty two Florida state parks and neighboring cites BOARD MEMBER OF PARADISE GARDENS IV, MJ, continued Mr. Donohoo's discussion on iguanas, provided documentation to the board and sought the City Commission's help on this matter. DOUGLAS R. KEMP, PARADISE GARDENS IV, advised that he was a former Humane Society officer and he continued to discuss the issues with iguanas in his community. He sought clarification from information provided at a previous City Commission meeting on' what their community could do with this growing problem. He was advised by a member ofs staff from Water Taxi, Inc., that they did not see many iguanas in Fort Lauderdale and made reference to bounties being placed on them. REVEREND ROBERTA (BOBBIE) G. KNOWLES discussed the problems of iguanas in her neighborhood and said that something had to be done. EARL R., PARADISE GARDENS IV, discussed the problems of iguanas, in his neighborhood and sought direction on how to eradicate this problem. GWENDA ARTIAGA, PARADISE GARDENS IV, discussed the problems caused by iguanas which resulted in her being unable to have a flower garden, that they also caused the cracks in her seawall and she wanted this problem addressed. CARMEL, PARADISE GARDENS IV, discussed the problems of iguanas at her property which resulted in having a tree removed, that they were also going under the foundation of her house and said that something had to be done. MARGATE RESIDENT, ELSA SANCHEZ, read a statement pertaining to campaign signs in Margate. She thanked the staff of Parks and Recreation and Director Jones and Police City of Margate Page 2 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 and Fire Departments fori the wonderful International Day Festival. MARGATE RESIDENT, JONATHAN KRALJIC, read a statement about the process of board appointments and recommended fact checking the application. COMMISSIONER, JOANNE SIMONE, agreed that the iguanas were a nuisance as she looked to City Manager Curtis to find a solution and referenced revising the City's Code with a consideration to include iguanas. CITY ATTORNEY, DAVID N. TOLCES, said that under the City's current code, the property owners of the Homeowners Association (HOA) in Paradise Gardens IV, advised thati they could hire someone to trap iguanas by applying for a permit from the City's Animal Control Officers. He also emphasized that the current City's code, it was illegal to kill animals in the City. He advised that the Florida Fish and' Wildlife Conservation Commission did allow for the humane killing ofi guanas at their property which did not necessarily extend to the areas that they lived. He informed that the City's code would have to be amended to allow fori individuals to kill iguanas. COMMISSIONER SIMONE would like to do something similar to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and said that the Code needed to be reviewed and changed to allow for the killing of mice, rats, iguanas, bufo toads and anything that was dangerous to humans and pets. VICE MAYOR, ANTONIO V. ARSERIO, was in favor of looking into the City's code pertaining toi iguanas, forewarned that it was not as cut and dry as it sounded and he did not agree in regulating firearms. He did not believe that residents should be forced to hire ai trapper and suggested that the code should read to the effect of" "pests (which would cover mice) or invasive species.' : He said that the Florida Fish and' Wildlife Conservation Commission encouraged the killing of invasive species. He referenced that hunters should be properly licensed, the issues with how guanas should be destroyed and discussed the use of guns to resolve this problem. He questioned whether the City trapped iguanas. COMMISSIONER, ANTHONY N. CAGGIANO, referenced "kill any animal" and alleged that a Google search specified that a cockroach was categorized as part of the animal kingdom and indicated that the killing of them by pest controllers could be against the City's current code. He agreed that the code should be reviewed and tightened up and potentially, giving people the opportunity to kill the iguanas. CITY MANAGER, CALE CURTIS, confirmed that the City did not trap iguanas and he believed that it was illegal to relocate them. MAYOR SCHWARTZ, lived on the C14 for 42 years and informed that she had lost 15 feet of bank. She highlighted that there had been kids on the C14 shooting across with air rifles, she voiced her concerns on safety for her and her neighbors and forewarned that they would have to be very careful as to how the code was written. She suggested giving a permit specifically to a select person as opposed to any other person who may own a ball bearing (BB) gun or air rifle but would not allow it City-wide. Discussion ensued. CITY MANAGER CURTIS recapped and said that there was support to look at potential code revisions with some parameters. He explained that the code change to allow the humane euthanization of invasive species was easy but it would be more difficult to put City of Margate Page 3 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41. PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 the parameters on how it was done. Discussion ensued on how the code change could be implemented. 3) COMMISSION COMMENTS COMMISSIONER, TOMMY RUZZANO, sent Happy Passover and Easter greetings. He said that they should get rid of the Code pertaining to the iguanas and place it on the next City Commission Meeting Agenda. He indicated that if an iguana was on your property, the public should have a right to "take it out." Discussion ensued on iguanas and changing the Code. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO highlighted the City's forthcoming events. He congratulated his daughter who represented the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and came in third place in the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) in Daytona. He mentioned Ms. Fellows and Ms. Van Winkle, referenced hearing sports problems within the City and discussed the same. He did not believe any laws had been broken pertaining to the display of signs around Margate and said that they should have a workshop. He agreed with Mr. Kraljic pertaining to Board member applicants. He was in disagreement with the time change at the last Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO, highlighted that the new Publix will open on Rock Island and Atlantic Boulevard tomorrow. He also highlighted the City's events. He sent Passover and Easter greetings. He praised the organizational skills of putting together the International Day Festival. COMMISSIONER SIMONE, sent Easter and Passover greetings and congratulated and praised the employees on their years of service. She congratulated the Margate Fire Cadets for winning trophies ati the 2025 Fire Explorer/Cadet Competition at the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety. She questioned whether Hildebrand Amusement Rides had still not paid the City. CITY MANAGER CURTIS confirmed to Commissioner Simone that the answer was still no but he had been assured that Hildebrand Amusement Rides would pay 'timely." Discussion ensued. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO sent Easter and Passover greetings and echoed Commissioner Caggiano's comments on the Springtime Egg Hunt. He hadi the pleasure of being invited to Cokesbury United Methodist Church and spoke to the Cub Scouts on his position as a City official, thanked the Police and Fire Departments for attending and referenced Officer Patterson for doing an incredible job. He said that he had discussed indoor basketball in the past in relation to their downtown which would be part of the civic component such as community center. He opposed the time for the new CRA meeting. MAYOR SCHWARTZ referenced Sunrise's Village Multipurpose Center where they have an indoor basketball, community services and senior center. She attended the meeting when Margate Fire Cadets won the overall trophy out of 17 other divisions. She reminded everyone that signs on commercial properties have rules and said that she wanted a workshop. Discussion ensued on signs on properties and on Margate's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event. City of Margate Page 4 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 4) CITY MANAGER'S REPORT There was no City Manager's report. 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: 2025-094 MOTION - APPROVAL OF CITY COMMISSION MINUTES: MARCH 26, 2025 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP APPROVED B. ID: 2025-093 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DEES) TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THREE (3) INTERNSHIP POSITIONS, PROVIDING FOR. AN EFFECTIVE DATE APPROVED C. ID: 2025-095 MOTION ACCEPTING THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 APPROVED D. ID: 2025-096 RESOLUTION - EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF FLORIDA SENATE BILL 494: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO POST ON ITS WEBSITE THE NAMES OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE VIOLATED SPECIFIED ANIMAL CRUELTY AND SENATE BILL 150: AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY PROVIDING INCREASED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSES COMMITTED DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY; AND FOR PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. APPROVED E. ID: 2025-097 RESOLUTION EXPRESSING STRONG OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 1242 AND HOUSE BILL 991 THAT SEEK TO ELIMINATE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES; URGING ALL MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE SENATE BILL 1242. AND HOUSE BILL 991 THAT WOULD RESTRICT OR ELIMINATE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES; THE BROWARD COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. APPROVED City of Margate Page 5 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 Approval of the Consent Agenda 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: 2025-072 APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF CITY OF MARGATE DIRECTOR, FIRST ALTERNATE, AND SECOND ALTERNATE TO THE BROWARD LEAGUE OF CITIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2025-2026. A motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Vice Mayor Arserio, that: Director: Anthony N. Caggiano First alternate: Arlene R. Schwartz Second Alternate: Tommy Ruzzano This carried as follows: Yes: 5-. Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano; Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz B. ID 2025-086 APPROVING THE WAIVING OF BIDDING FOR ACQUISITION FROM THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND ACCOUNT TO ENHANCE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S K-9 UNIT TO INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) REPLACEMENT CANINE, MISCELLANEOUS K-9 AND HANDLER EQUIPMENT, AND TRAINING, AT. A COST NOT TO EXCEED $23,050.00 A motion was made by commissioner Simone, seconded by Commissioner Caggiano, that this Resolution, should be approved. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO indicated that this Item was being funded by law enforcement trust funds and confiscated funds. Discussion ensued. MS. FELLOWS explained that she was glad that they were approving this Item. This carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Commissioner Ruzzano, Commissioner Caggiano, Commissioner Simone, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz City of Margate Page 6 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41. PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 7) ORDINANCE/S) - SECOND READING A. ID: 2025-077 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MARGATE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 33, "POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT; OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS," ARTICLE VI, "TRAFFIC CONTROL," BY ENACTING A NEW SECTION 33-73, ENTITLED "SPEED DETECTION SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL ZONES," TO PROVIDE FOR PURPOSE AND INTENT, DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE AUTHORIZATION TO USE SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT DETECTION SYSTEMS, A DETERMINATION OF SAFETY NEED, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED LIMIT DETECTION SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL ZONES; PROVIDING FOR A LOCAL HEARING OFFICER TO HEAR APPEALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING AN: EFFECTIVE DATE A motion was made by Commissioner Caggiano, seconded by Vice Mayor Arserio, that this Item, should be discussed. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO's intent was not to have an incredible amount of back and forth due to previous discussions. He understood how it could be perceived as a money grab. He advised that the law stipulated that it could only be used in school zones and a study had to be conducted which showed that there was a problem. He explained that the number one goal was safety and any monies recouped could only be used for public safety funding, such as extra police, firefighters and license plate readers. He read the statistics on three program updates on Pinecrest, South Miami and High Springs which demonstrated 90% reductions of speeding and approximately 90% of those had not received a second violation. Discussion ensued on whether Coconut Creek utilized this system. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO stated he would not be voting for this Item and explained that the City Commission should not be voting for the Ordinance tonight and would prefer to put funding towards awareness and visual lighting in the school zone. He questioned whether any of the companies were implementing the cameras during non-school hours. CITY MANAGER CURTIS was unaware if any of the companies rani the cameras outside of school hours. He advised that if that was a requirement for the City, it would completely rearrange the structure of the funding as the suppliers would therefore not provide the cameras at no fee as the installation would become more of a cost to the City as opposed to it being funded and revenue producing. COMMISSIONER RUZZANO said that he was informed by other cities that they could not regulate the hours COMMISSIONER SIMONE, was against this Item and believed that the cameras were a facade. She questioned that ift the cameras were not about the money, why was there indication of how the revenue could be spent once received. She could not understand the harm in waiting and why there was the rush to go forward with it. City of Margate Page 7 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO highlighted the statistics read by Vice Mayor Arserio and said that 90% of the drivers ticketed did not do it a second time which he considered was awareness. Discussion ensued on the statistics. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO clarified that' "all day" meant that the cameras would only operate during the school day. MS. VAN WINKLE explained that she was totally against the cameras. MR. KRALJIC read a statement pertaining to eight US states where the speed cameras were banned entirely. MS. FELLOWS explained that she was against this Item. MS. SANCHEZ said that after conducting some research, she explained that she was no longer in favor of the cameras. RICHARD ZUCCHINI explained that if they passed this Item, it would not hurt. MARGATE RESIDENT, LAUREN BERACHA, was against this Item and that it was a money grab. COMMISSIONER CAGGIANO clarified that should the City Commission decide at a later date to implement this Item, it would not cost the City a penny. VICE MAYOR ARSERIO clarified that in terms of the hours of operation during school days, the minimum speed limit was 11 miles over but it did not mean that their Police would not be there but it was impossible for them to be in every spot as the revenue to fund that would be astronomical. He said that the speed threshold could be adjusted during non-flashing hours which he would consider increasing. He said similar to the downtown, the developers would be paying for it. Discussion ensued. MAYOR SCHWARTZ outlined her thoughts on this Item which included that she was not negotiating with anyone to install a speed zone or a red light camera. She discussed the importance of changing the behavior, said that she would vote to put this Ordinance in place and that she would not be choosing or meeting with anyone. Discussion ensued. A motion was made by Commissioner Ruzzano, seconded by Commissioner Simone, that this Ordinance, Second Reading, should be tabled. This failed by the following vote: Yes: 2- Commissioner Ruzzano and Commissioner Simone No: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz City of Margate Page 8 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 2025 The original motion carried as follows: Yes: 3- Commissioner Caggiano, Vice Mayor Arserio and Mayor Schwartz No: 2- Commissioner Ruzzano and Commissioner Simone ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:26pm. Respectfully submitted, Transcribed by Salene E. Edwards I JenniferM. Johnson, City Clerk Date: 518/2025 PLEASE NOTE: City of Margate Page 9 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM Regular City Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes April 16, 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 orr 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: 874 2301 8457 or can listen via 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.MargaterL.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 cick 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.us/187423018457 Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 12 626 5799 or +1 929 205 6099 City of Margate Page 10 Printed on 5/01/2025 2:41 PM