[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551164,"mediaKeyId","5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1","parentId",5353774,"title","Miramar commission approves budget, millage and multiple contracts; stormwater fee raised to $135 per ERU — votes at a glance","audioSeconds",2543,"startMs",11175000,"endMs",13718000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1&start=11175&end=13718","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1/thumbnail_11175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551164/Miramar/Broward-County/Florida/Miramar-commission-approves-budget-millage-and-multiple-contracts-stormwater-fee-raised-to-135-per-ERU-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551164-baf5d598a915619d3fdeac229e9f9dec/orig.mp4?Expires=1776193167&Signature=CXxSr49my266pxmOiopxP3fcnaCJFYh11~KsqtuJOLRS2ufgeJXvvTDyGRkgbL8T5Lku~QvP6YdZQMpGOm-47VVfMW6S6RCpqkig7nFv4H1MpIZ7-JSA~NZURVcWOxwhbJvF~WGpC0Eo3kpfOTyDGdgcooioKCDmqBrYs-wp3z4bnOeBNEX~lYbZo3cHr-QfJiAsXK6PgcsHrOZq9dIxdFfRLMcEv59ViKfWaKpKJJ~8Co1qCBldhIAiALTGc68wAOWnGHYAh3O5fOnIUXxc6r3We8eFuhuYAgDqnkSMbxiuyElsS5Ryzv3pUzZBfoT2-gX5Xc9DFb2FMd6ehXKFnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Miramar","date","2025-07-09T18:31:00Z","article","The Miramar City Commission on July 9 voted on multiple budget, assessment, capital and community‑development items as it set the fiscal path for Fiscal Year 2026 and approved several construction and service awards.

Highlights: the commission set the proposed operating millage at 7.1172 mills and approved the fire protection assessment rates and the process to set the final rates at the September hearings; it approved a preliminary stormwater assessment increase from $120 to $135 per equivalent residential unit (ERU); it awarded construction and inspection contracts for the AC Perry K‑8 sidewalk project and approved several capital and community development disbursements.

Budget and tax items
- Millage and budget process: Management and Budget Director Rafael San Miguel recommended and the commission approved a proposed operating millage of 7.1172 mills for FY 2026 and set public hearings for adoption (first public hearing set for Sept. 15). Staff said no millage increase was proposed and that the average homestead property would see a modest increase in taxes reflecting property valuation changes.
- Fire protection assessment: the commission approved continuation of the fire assessment process; staff described exemptions administered through Broward County and local hardship rules adopted in April 2024.
- Stormwater assessment: the commission set the preliminary stormwater rate at $135 per ERU (up $15 from the prior $120 per ERU). Staff said the increase will fund operations, maintenance, debt service and future drainage capital projects including Miramar drainage phases 5 and 6.

Procurement, contracts and capital projects
- AC Perry sidewalks (Items 20 & 21): the commission awarded the construction contract to Homestead Concrete and Drainage, Inc. for a contract award not to exceed $1,155,003 (bid $1,050,003 plus 10% contingency). The commission also awarded construction engineering & inspection (CEI) services to the most qualified proposer (agenda listed Carnahan, Proctor & Cross, Inc.) with compensation not to exceed the amount shown in the agenda paperwork. Staff said federal Safe Routes to School funds will reimburse eligible construction costs (approximately $1,008,525 of the project).
- Pipeline repairs (Item 24): the commission approved change order No. 2 to the pipeline leak repairs and replacement contract with Plumber Mike's, Inc. in the amount of $1,227,650 to address additional service line repairs, bringing the vendor’s revised contract total to $3,142,500. Staff said the additional work responded to a large number of previously undetected leaks in several neighborhoods and will reduce water loss and restore system pressure.
- Parkview affordable housing (Item 25): the commission authorized payment of $1,500,000 to Florida Community Development Corporation (FCDC) to cover additional site, elevation and stormwater work required by Broward County plan review for the Parkview affordable housing project; staff said the funds were budgeted across CIP and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in prior actions and the payment ratifies an executed amendment.
- Vehicle donation (Item 23): the commission approved donation of one surplus public‑safety van (value less than $5,000) to the Justice Project of South Florida, a nonprofit reentry program.

Community development and grants
- CDBG consolidated plan (Item 30): the commission approved the five‑year consolidated plan (2025–2030) and the FY 2025–26 annual action plan for CDBG resources; staff said the city’s allocation for PY 2025–26 is approximately $825,000 and the recommended uses include residential rehabilitation, rental assistance, program administration and inspections.
- CDBG amendments (Item 31): the commission approved reallocations that move available commercial rehabilitation funds from prior years into the city’s rental assistance program (specific reallocations recorded in the agenda: $143,000 and $23,000 among program years).

Other business
- Scholarships and sponsorship funds (Item 17): the commission approved distribution of $78,500 in 70th anniversary sponsorships to nonprofits and to fund scholarships (staff presented eligibility and administration details).
- Land‑development and floodplain ordinances (Items 26 & 28): the commission adopted an amendment removing a minimum dollar requirement for vacation‑rental commercial general liability insurance in the land development code (1st reading) and approved a floodplain‑management code update to increase minimum design freeboard to 2 feet where appropriate (second reading) to maintain and seek improved Community Rating System discounts.

Most items were approved by recorded vote with unanimous yes votes from Commissioners Chambers, Scheherazard, Vice Mayor Colburn, Commissioner Edwards and Mayor Wayne Messam, unless noted otherwise in the public record. The commission set Sept. 15 for the first public hearing on the tentative budget, millage and final assessments.

For readers: the commission’s packet contains full agendas, staff reports, and contract documents; the city clerk’s office can provide the final signed agreements and recorded covenants after they are filed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Miramar - CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 2025-07-09 7:00 PM - REVISED - Jul 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 9 meeting the commission set the tentative millage and adopted several items including sidewalk and CEI contracts for AC Perry, a stormwater rate increase, pipeline repair change order, $1.5M housing payment, and CDBG consolidated plan; most measures passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Miramar, Broward County, Florida","taxId",3579,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551169,"Miramar High School band urges city for $50,000 in replacement instruments; commissioners pledge follow‑up",230,2343000,2573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1&start=2343&end=2573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1/thumbnail_2343000.jpg","/articles/6551169/Miramar/Broward-County/Florida/Miramar-High-School-band-urges-city-for-50000-in-replacement-instruments-commissioners-pledge-followup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551169-b3d620c7f7096504efb05164a63268c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776193167&Signature=c-W05dxhyTmve-lOqFgdRpvm88KCe4Q6mlNWEIeXzw3eXlZubz6qLqVf0d-UPioQID628G3rf1oAsnR-CaPf4KjIxDZMwqbc0UrIa7~tPsSztDa5r317sRhvL0c2ae7GvCEyl4YkGRu8iXip0uNAMi9vWZe~jhcmRT-l8N5G1~488wawTuJJ8wOXZOPeRflkL2I64FH0muK1oGIJMO-TZD4xd1PHNnNQJc7iwXaEtJeSxSv6lX59P~JD3p8t8adgxxtC3tusPe2gFB1SvEiMJYn~qH4AMlIm-WG8FCaxL9XOiY1fjfB-OE7a-mRPLo0xR~NUbExkBNErECYY4M5Mkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Lopez, band director at Miramar High School, told the Miramar City Commission on July 9 that the school’s nationally recognized marching band is performing on decades‑old instruments and needs roughly $50,000 to modernize its percussion inventory.

\"To properly overhaul and modernize our instrument inventory, we're facing a cost of approximately $50,000,\" Lopez said at the public‑comment podium. \"Our percussion section ranked number one in the entire state of Florida is playing on instruments that are nearly 30 years old. Many are falling apart, barely holding on together with tape and goodwill.\"

Lopez said the band — a program he described as more than a marching band, with jazz groups and a nationally recognized drum line — raises funds and charges fees but cannot fully cover the cost of new instructional instruments. \"Because these are instructional items, students should not bear the full responsibility in securing these materials themselves,\" he said.

Drum major Jaden Cox also spoke, describing the program’s impact on discipline and teamwork and adding, \"Your support will mean the world to us and it will show every student here that our community believes in what we do.\"

Mayor Wayne Messam told Lopez and the students the commission and staff would follow up. \"We'll have discussions with our city manager, as well as each elected official may also want to see how they can help as well,\" Messam said. The mayor asked the group to leave contact information with the clerk so staff could follow up with options.

The commission did not make a formal appropriation during the meeting. Commissioners said they would consider the request and work with city staff to identify possible support, including internal options and outreach to private partners.","Band director Kevin Lopez asked commissioners to help replace percussion and other aging instruments; the commission asked staff to follow up and said elected officials would consider options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551173,"Miramar commission approves release of 1996 combination agreement for Mega Center Miramar, replaces it with land covenant",1585,3326000,4911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1&start=3326&end=4911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353774-0d77899a7cec412f629886e7e219bba1/thumbnail_3326000.jpg","/articles/6551173/Miramar/Broward-County/Florida/Miramar-commission-approves-release-of-1996-combination-agreement-for-Mega-Center-Miramar-replaces-it-with-land-covenant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551173-29b5e3e90cadc5073f8a20e62dcc4320/orig.mp4?Expires=1776193167&Signature=IUgfpdXSiU3BPBsGm0JESKOxhRw4oBSnEWb7HgeA~OUsEQsN3g5BMOGoQ2azPLh8T-8S7cJlcjuofrEug6ydb4~q3w~VyKuFRkgICbSFaRUoPh86RguSPo4TIkSo7GcNS6gofQEGg49y0ntp~20KaArUjZc3EU-RYL9fJzBTvcqCc-f~YzIJfkEWvyf8EF7SgClG6sFfWkmSMoXAT3tRg1xySEYHkQhwbLhI2yOi6-ta-w9rydQLkSVEbfcTDL~cc37-vhKq7-ayhRVHk3JG4RoJryiqqXaChYBubTKvpQpXouRIPkG0js1exgOQ~6mwx0X3OdC-TwGGY81BCn3FBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Miramar City Commission on July 9 approved a staff‑recommended release of a 1996 combination agreement that required five platted lots at the Mega Center Miramar to remain under unified ownership, replacing it with a recorded covenant that runs with the land.

City staff said the change will let the current owner sell individual platted parcels while keeping development tied to the site plan that the commission approved in 2016. The covenant requires future owners to remain “in substantial compliance” with that site plan, planning staff said.

Planning and zoning presenter Damon Rodriguez told the commission the 1996 agreement functioned as a unity of title, effectively treating separate parcels as one building site. Rodriguez and city planning staff described the requested amendment as administrative: it removes the unified‑ownership requirement while preserving the site‑plan commitments through a recorded declaration of covenants, restrictions and easements. \"The covenant in lieu will be acting essentially as a unity of title,\" Rodriguez said during the presentation.

David Sachs, attorney for Mega Center Miramar LLC, said the applicant sought flexibility to sell a portion of the platted parcels while keeping the approved site plan protections in place. \"The only thing that we're doing is asking this commission for a release of that restrictive agreement from 1996,\" Sachs said, adding that staff and the city attorney negotiated the replacement declaration.

Commissioners asked whether selling one parcel could reduce parking or access that had been accounted for under the unified site plan. Planning staff and city attorney clarified that the recorded covenant ties any future development to the 2016 approvals: changes to uses, parking, or site layout would still be subject to the city's development review process and could require future approvals.

Commissioner Avril Scheherazard and Commissioner Chambers pressed staff to explain the origin and intent of the 1996 restriction and how the covenant will protect the public interest; staff said the covenant preserves parking, drainage and maintenance obligations while allowing multiple owners. Vice Mayor Colburn asked why the restriction was used originally and was told it preserved a unified campus approach for setbacks, lot coverage and shared infrastructure.

The commission approved the release and covenant by a recorded vote: Commissioners Chambers, Scheherazard, Vice Mayor Colburn, Commissioner Edwards and Mayor Wayne Messam voted yes.

The replacement covenant will be recorded with the county and the city manager was authorized to execute documents necessary to implement the change. City staff said the covenant will be enforced through the same development‑review checks that apply when new permits are sought, and the recorded instrument will appear in public records.","The commission voted unanimously to release a restrictive 1996 ‘unity of title’ agreement for the Mega Center Miramar site and adopt a covenant running with the land to preserve the 2016 approved site plan while allowing individual parcels to be sold.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Miramar commission approves budget, millage and multiple contracts; stormwater fee raised to $135 per ERU — votes at a glance

Miramar High School band urges city for $50,000 in replacement instruments; commissioners pledge follow‑up

Miramar commission approves release of 1996 combination agreement for Mega Center Miramar, replaces it with land covenant