Commission approves contracts for Johnson Street and Lift Station, creates Hispanic Affairs Council and adopts assessment change; multiple unanimous votes

Hollywood City Commission voted unanimously April 2 to approve a package of contracts and resolutions covering street and infrastructure upgrades, a change to the city’s nonresidential fire-assessment method and the formation of a Hispanic Affairs Council.

The commission approved an award to AUM Construction Inc. for the Johnson Street Local Agency Program (LAP) construction contract, authorized a construction contract for the Lift Station E9 upgrade, adopted a switch from a tiered to a per-square-foot fire assessment for nonresidential properties, authorized purchase/buyout activity under an existing vehicle lease program, and established a seven‑member Hispanic Affairs Council with alternates. The commission also removed an identified individual from two advisory boards at the city manager’s request.

Why it matters: The Johnson Street and Lift Station contracts are parts of multi-source investments—FDOT LAP funding, Broward surtax allocations and city contributions—aimed at improving lighting, drainage, bike lanes and resilience in parts of the city. The assessment change will alter how nonresidential property owners are billed for fire-rescue services beginning in FY 2026. The Hispanic Affairs Council creates a new official channel for outreach and advice to city leaders on Hispanic community issues.

Key votes and approvals (selected)

- Johnson Street LAP construction (AUM Construction Inc.): Commission approved awarding the construction contract in an amount up to $1,894,683 (resolution on the agenda). The contract covers street lighting, shared bike lanes and corridor drainage segments funded through FDOT LAP, Broward surtax and other sources. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Hernandez; vote: unanimous.

- Johnson Street / surtax and related corridor investments: The commission heard a multi-part presentation from design and construction staff explaining the combined funding and project timeline (segments funded by LAP, Broward surtax, county and city funds) and discussed coordination with FDOT, Tri-Rail and FPL on poles and right-of-way. No separate roll call was required for the overview.

- Lift Station E9 upgrade (Southeastern Engineering Contractors Inc.): Commission authorized a construction contract in an amount up to $2,800,000 and related engineering work (Tetra Tech) in an amount up to $195,000. The station, built in 1984, will be modernized to reduce infiltration and improve resilience. Motion made by Commissioner Clary; vote: unanimous.

- Fire-rescue assessment methodology (nonresidential): Commission adopted a change from a tiered square-foot rate structure to a per-square-foot assessment for nonresidential structures effective FY 2026. Staff said the change aims to improve equity among similarly sized businesses; the city estimates a small net revenue change (about $30,000/year). Motion by Commissioner Calari; second by Commissioner Bitterman; vote: unanimous.

- Vehicle lease buyouts (Enterprise fleet): The commission approved moving forward with end-of-lease buyouts for a batch of vehicles under a city blanket purchase agreement to avoid ongoing lease payments and to place vehicles on the city’s roster. Motion by Commissioner Hernandez; second by Commissioner Gruber; vote: unanimous.

- Hispanic Affairs Council (new advisory body): The commission established the Hispanic Affairs Council (five members plus two alternates in the adopted motion) to advise the commission on Hispanic community issues and engagement. Motion by Commissioner Hernandez; second by Commissioner Schuham; vote: unanimous.

- Removal from advisory boards: At the city manager’s request and following a unanimous recommendation from an advisory board, the commission removed an individual from two citizen advisory bodies for conduct cited in board minutes. Motion by Commissioner Clary; second by Commissioner Schuham; vote: unanimous.

What the commission said: City staff and commissioners framed the actions as investments in safety, resiliency and community outreach. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate Johnson Street lighting work with FPL pole replacement and to pursue grant opportunities where eligible. Staff emphasized timelines: the LAP contract begins construction July 2025 with expected completion in early 2026; the bridge and other related segments carry longer schedules.

Next steps and implementation: Contracts will be returned to the departments for execution and to FDOT or the Broward County surtax office where required. The fire-assessment change was submitted to the property appraiser to be reflected in FY 2026 billing. The Hispanic Affairs Council application and appointment process will be managed by the city clerk per the approved resolution.

Votes at a glance (summary table)

- Johnson Street LAP construction (AUM Construction Inc.) — contract_award — mover: Commissioner Hernandez — second: not specified in the record — outcome: approved (unanimous) — amount: up to $1,894,683 — notes: FDOT LAP grant plus surtax and city funds; construction July 2025–March 2026.

- Lift Station E9 upgrade — contract_award — mover: Commissioner Clary — second: Commissioner Schuham — outcome: approved (unanimous) — amount: up to $2,800,000 (construction) + up to $195,000 (engineering/Tetra Tech) — notes: station originally built 1984; resiliency upgrade.

- Fire-rescue assessment methodology change — other (assessment policy) — mover: Commissioner Calari — second: Commissioner Bitterman — outcome: approved (unanimous) — notes: changes nonresidential billing from tiered bands to per-square-foot for FY 2026 (staff estimated ~+$30k net city-wide).

- Vehicle lease buyouts (Enterprise blanket agreement) — other — mover: Commissioner Hernandez — second: Commissioner Gruber — outcome: approved (unanimous) — notes: buyouts to avoid ongoing lease payments; funding available in current capital/lease accounts.

- Hispanic Affairs Council establishment — appointment (advisory council) — mover: Commissioner Hernandez — second: Commissioner Schuham — outcome: approved (unanimous) — notes: 5 members + 2 alternates adopted in motion; staff to manage application process.

- Removal of advisory-board member — other — mover: Commissioner Clary — second: Commissioner Schuham — outcome: approved (unanimous) — notes: city manager requested removal after board vote and staff review.

Selective provenance (transcript excerpts supporting the actions)

- Johnson Street LAP project discussion and award — topicintro excerpt: "Item 25 is a resolution... awarding an invitation for a bid, with AUM Construction Inc... in an amount up to 1,800,000..." (transcript around presentation start). — topicfinish excerpt: "All those in favor of the resolution, say aye... Hearing none. Item carries unanimously." (vote).

- Lift Station E9 award — topicintro excerpt: "Item 27... authorizing the city to execute a contract with Southeastern Engineering Contractors Inc. in an amount up to 2,800,000..." — topicfinish excerpt: "All those in favor, say aye... Hearing none, item carries unanimously."

- Fire assessment change — topicintro excerpt: "This item is about creating greater fairness... currently the City utilizes a tiered structure..." — topicfinish excerpt: "All those in favor of the motion on the floor, say aye... Hearing none, the item carries unanimously."

- Hispanic Affairs Council — topicintro excerpt: "...the establishment of the Hispanic Affairs Council, for the purpose, and to set up the purpose and the duties of the council..." — topicfinish excerpt: "All those in favor of the resolution... say aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, item carries unanimously."

(Full supporting transcript segments are archived in the meeting record.)