Commission approves amended maintenance and use agreement with Broward School Board for Cypress Bay facilities; one commissioner votes no

The City Commission of the City of Weston voted Feb. 18 to approve a second amendment to the maintenance and use agreement with the School Board of Broward County covering use and upkeep of athletic facilities at Cypress Bay High School. The amendment adds access to tennis and basketball courts and parking lots and formalizes the city’s ongoing maintenance work on the athletic fields.

City Manager Don Decker told the commission the city has had a maintenance and use agreement with the school board since about February 2009, and the city previously helped fund bleachers and field lighting when Cypress Bay was built. “Since 02/2009, the city has had some form of a maintenance and use agreement in place with Broward County … for the maintenance of and access to the football field at Cypress Bay,” Decker said.

Decker said the city currently spends roughly $60,000 to $80,000 a year on the fields (mowing, herbicides, lining, some grass replacement) and that adding court pressure washing could add roughly $10,000 a year; staff summarized the range as approximately $70,000–$90,000 depending on replacement needs. The amendment also allows shared locks and scheduled access so city leagues and residents can use the courts when not required for school activities.

The measure prompted repeated concern from some commissioners about the city effectively subsidizing school‑board maintenance. Commissioner Melina McPhee said the school board’s upkeep of its outdoor facilities has been “past due” for years and asked for assurance that property‑maintenance standards would be enforceable immediately after second reading; Decker said maintenance standards apply immediately, and only the new site‑plan requirement (for other agenda items) was delayed for existing golf courses. Commissioner Jaffe and Vice Mayor Mead emphasized the long relationship and community benefit of shared use for tournaments and overflow parking.

On liability, staff pointed to a contract clause requiring each party to accept responsibility for its own negligence. “If we caused it we would be liable. But if the school board was negligent it would be their liability, not ours,” Decker said.

Public commenters and commissioners pressed for accountability and questioned whether city taxpayers should fund upkeep on school property. Commissioner Melina McPhee cast the lone dissenting vote at roll call; the other four commissioners voted yes.

The agreement was approved by roll call: Commissioner Andrade — yes; Vice Mayor Mead — yes; Commissioner Melina McPhee — no; Commissioner Jaffe — yes; Mayor Brown — yes. Staff said the amendment will be implemented through existing parks operational procedures and budget allocations for field maintenance.