Weston commission approves land-use code changes, updates charter language and renews Acela software subscription

The City Commission of Weston on April 21 approved three ordinance- and resolution-level items, including a second-reading amendment to Title 12 (land use), a first-reading change to code sections aligning council terminology with a recent charter amendment, and a renewal of the city's Acela permitting software subscription.

The commission adopted the Title 12 amendment on its second and final reading. Mayor Margaret Brown called the item and the measure was moved by Commissioner Byron Jaffe and seconded by Commissioner Fabio Andrade; the roll call vote was unanimous (Andrade — yes; Vice Mayor Henry Mead — yes; Commissioner Mary Molina McPhee — yes; Jaffe — yes; Mayor Brown — yes). During discussion Commissioner Jaffe asked for confirmation that the requirement for a barrier on a swale “exempts anything that's titled residential including single family and or multifamily whether it's an HOA or not an HOA in the City Of Weston.” City Manager Don Decker replied, “Yes, that's correct.”

At first reading the commission also approved an ordinance to amend the city code where references remained to the former title “alternate presiding officer,” updating those references to the vice mayor title adopted in the recent charter amendment. That motion was moved by Commissioner Fabio Andrade and seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; the roll call was unanimous.

The commission additionally approved a resolution renewing the agreement with Acela Inc. for the city’s enterprise permitting, code enforcement and business tax receipt software. City Manager Don Decker described the item to the commission: “The cost for this service is approximately a hundred $50,000 per year. It has an annual increase of approximately 5% per year over the terms of the agreement.” Decker told the commission staff recommends renewal, saying replacing the system “would come at a very significant cost and also be disruptive to our users, the residents and businesses and our staff who use this software on a regular basis.” Commissioner Byron Jaffe said the system is useful to him as a research tool and called it “very, pretty user friendly.” The renewal was moved by Commissioner Fabio Andrade, seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe, and carried unanimously.

The meeting opened and closed a unanimous consent agenda as well; Vice Mayor Henry Mead moved the consent agenda and Commissioner Byron Jaffe seconded the motion.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: moved by Vice Mayor Henry Mead; seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance (Agenda Item 6) — Amend Title 12 (land use), second and final reading: motion moved by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; seconded by Commissioner Fabio Andrade; outcome: approved (unanimous). Commissioner Jaffe asked for and received confirmation from City Manager Don Decker that the swale barrier requirement exempts residential properties, including single-family and multifamily whether HOA or not.

- Ordinance (Agenda Item 7) — Amend city code to replace references to “alternate presiding officer” with “vice mayor” (first reading): motion moved by Commissioner Fabio Andrade; seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Resolution (Agenda Item 8) — Renewal of Acela Inc. software subscription and waiver under section 32.12 (best interest waiver): motion moved by Commissioner Fabio Andrade; seconded by Commissioner Byron Jaffe; outcome: approved (unanimous). City Manager Don Decker stated the subscription runs about $150,000 per year with roughly a 5% annual increase and recommended renewal to avoid significant replacement costs and operational disruption.

No public comments were made on any of the three items at the time of each vote. The meeting adjourned following brief condolences extended by Mayor Brown to staff members who experienced family losses earlier in the day.