Residents of the Springtree West Cove homeowners association pressed city officials during the Aug. 12 Sunrise City Commission meeting for documents and an informational meeting about a long-running canal repair dispute that residents say carries an estimated $4,000,000 repair bill.

Resident Alex Guerrero told commissioners the community is now united and seeking the previously promised meeting with city and county staff. City Manager Mark Lebowski said staff had been coordinating an informational meeting with Broward County but suspended the arrangement after receiving materials indicating the association had retained outside counsel and might pursue litigation. Lebowski said the city attorney advised that further communication regarding the issue should proceed through the association’s counsel and the city attorney’s office.

"The meeting was canceled because of the threat of litigation against the city," Lebowski said. City Attorney Thomas P. Moss confirmed the recommendation: when an outside party has counsel, communications are properly routed through legal counsel to avoid impeding legal positions. Moss said city staff would provide available records to the association’s attorney.

Residents asked for specific documents, including property deed history related to canal-bank ownership. Lebowski and staff said they would compile and provide available records to the association and the city attorney, who will coordinate next steps. Staff said they expect to send documents later in the week and recommended the association use county Commissioner Hazel Rogers’ office as a point of contact for county-level coordination.

No formal commission action was taken on the matter at the meeting. Commissioners and staff emphasized they want to facilitate resolution but must follow legal advice once attorneys are involved. City staff advised residents that public-records requests submitted to the city clerk will also be fulfilled per standard procedures.