The City of Sunrise Commission voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of school‑zone speed detection systems and to approve a piggyback professional services agreement with BlueLine Solutions (piggyback agreement no. 25‑15‑07‑CM) to administer the program.

The ordinance, approved 4–0, authorizes school‑zone speed detection in accordance with state law, establishes a local hearing officer process and administrative costs, and designates specific school‑zone locations. The separate piggyback agreement was approved the same evening to allow the vendor to begin implementation. The votes were taken after extended discussion about community notification, the vendor’s 30‑day warning period and whether the city should require a longer warning window.

“Part of that effort has got to begin by contacting, and working out in concentric circles, starting with the individual schools,” Sunrise Police Chief Daniel Ransone said, describing the department’s outreach plan and saying the department expected rollout early next year.

Why it matters: City leaders said the primary objective is safety — reducing dangerous speeding in school zones — but commissioners also weighed costs and community notice. State statute requires a warning period before citations may be issued; staff and the vendor described how the contract and operational choices affect how many and how soon enforcement notices would be mailed and how many days the city must rely on public outreach.

Key details and mechanics

- The contract calls for a 30‑day warning period during which cameras record but only warnings are mailed, consistent with state statutory language referenced by staff and the city attorney. Chief Ransone and staff said they plan an aggressive community outreach campaign to notify parents, PTAs, businesses and residents well in advance of the enforcement start date.

- Extending the vendor’s no‑cost warning period was discussed. Procurement staff explained the piggyback contract sets the 30‑day warning period; extending the period under the current contract would incur a per‑notice cost to the city. Staff initially described the extension cost as $22 per mailed warning; a subsequent procurement clarification during the discussion corrected the per‑notice cost to $25 per mailed notice, paid by the city if commissioners elect to extend the paid warning window beyond the contract baseline.

- Commissioners debated hours of operation. Under the ordinance the city may run cameras only when the school‑zone restrictions are in effect (the flashing school lights pattern) or for the full school day (a longer, bookended period). Staff and the vendor said many Broward County cities run cameras for the entirety of the school day; the contract allows the city to pivot later if the commission chooses.

- Vendor role and negotiation: Mark Fraser, national director of sales for BlueLine Solutions, said the company will comply with the contract and is willing to negotiate program timing and cost concerns with the city if commissioners request changes.

Votes and next steps

- Ordinance (second reading/adoption): Motion by Deputy Mayor Kirch; second by Assistant Deputy Mayor Guzman. Vote: Deputy Mayor Kirch — yes; Assistant Deputy Mayor Guzman — yes; Commissioner LaToya Clark — yes; Mayor Ryan — yes. Outcome: approved, 4–0.

- Piggyback agreement (BlueLine Solutions, 25‑15‑07‑CM): Motion by Deputy Mayor Kirch; second by Assistant Deputy Mayor Guzman. Vote: Deputy Mayor Kirch — yes; Assistant Deputy Mayor Guzman — yes; Commissioner Clark — yes; Mayor Ryan — yes. Outcome: approved, 4–0. The chief said implementation is targeted for after the winter holidays, with outreach beginning immediately.

What commissioners asked staff to do

Commissioners asked staff and the police chief to broaden outreach to schools, parents, resident associations, property managers and businesses. Commissioners also asked staff to place a follow‑up agenda item (old business) to revisit the hours of operation and to return with options and a recommendation on the warning‑period question so a full commission can consider any change once all members are present.

Speakers quoted in this article are those who spoke at the meeting and are listed in the article’s speaker roster below.

Ending: With the vendor approved and the ordinance adopted, city staff said they will launch a public education campaign and return to the commission with timing details if commissioners request changes to hours or the warning period.