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Infrastructure Task Force approves letters backing Fort Lauderdale Gold Mile safety and Triplex pump-station grant requests
Summary
The Infrastructure Task Force voted to send two letters of support — one for the Gold Mile Safety Improvement Project and one for the Triplex Pump Station — but members said the group must confirm with the city attorney that writing such letters is within the task force’s authority.
The Infrastructure Task Force voted on Oct. (date not specified) to approve two letters of support backing the City of Fort Lauderdale’s request for fiscal year 2026 state appropriation funding for the Gold Mile Safety Improvement Project and for the Triplex pump station.
The move followed staff requests that letters of community and advisory-group support be included as attachments to grant applications. “Letters of support for the Triplex pump station as well as for the Gold Mile improvement projects… strengthen our applications,” Courtney, special projects coordinator for public works, told the task force.
The vote came after members debated whether drafting letters directly to state funding authorities falls within the task force’s remit. James, a committee member, said the task force’s purpose is to make recommendations to the City Commission and expressed concern that “we’re crossing that line” if the task force communicates directly with the governor or state agencies. The chair proposed, and the group adopted, modified language: the letters will be addressed to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, with staff able to share them with state offices as appropriate. The motion to approve the two letters carried on a voice vote; members said the approval was contingent on confirmation from the city attorney that the action is permissible under the task force’s founding resolution (Resolution 17-46).
Members also asked staff to broaden outreach for neighborhood input: one member recommended contacting the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations before finalizing support language for the Gold Mile project. Staff said an HOA had already provided a letter for the Gold Mile effort and that public works would coordinate any additional outreach.
Chair and staff said the grants would require a 50 percent local match if awarded, with the state covering the other half.
Task force members asked staff to route the finalized letters through the City Commission packet process so the letters could be included in grant submittals if desired. Staff said they would coordinate signatures and would seek the city attorney’s guidance on whether the task force may sign or should limit itself to making a recommendation to the commission.
The task force moved on after confirming the letters would be sent to the City Commission and public works would be copied.
