Pembroke Pines commission endorses appropriations request for Footprint to Success Clubhouse; consent agenda and appointments approved unanimously

The City of Pembroke Pines Commission on Feb. 5 voted unanimously to authorize a commission‑level letter of support for Footprint to Success Clubhouse’s state appropriations request and approved routine business items and board appointments.

Why it matters: Footprint to Success Clubhouse is an established nonprofit clubhouse program that serves adults with severe and persistent mental illness; the commission’s endorsement provides a municipal signatory for the organization’s local appropriations request to the Florida Legislature and allows the city’s official letterhead to be used.

Commissioner Rodriguez introduced the request and asked staff to read the item into the record. Assistant City Manager Michael Stamm provided background on the site: Footprint to Success operates at the Southwest Hammocks development, a 100‑unit affordable supportive‑housing project at Pembroke Road and University Drive with about 5,000 square feet of on‑site supportive services. Stamm said the development received planning and zoning approval in December 2021 and a certificate of occupancy in July 2024.

Dawn Mitchell, representing Footprint to Success Clubhouse, described the organization’s services: "For Footprint the clubhouse has been in operation for 15 years. We just moved to Pembroke Pines in September of last year," and detailed employment supports, a drop‑in day respite center, education resources and job‑readiness services. Commissioners said they had toured the facility and praised the program.

The organization is seeking an appropriations allocation to build a test kitchen to train members for employment in the food service sector. Commissioner Rodriguez moved to authorize the commission to sign a letter of support on city letterhead; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Good and passed unanimously. The commission indicated the signed letter would be available the following day.

Dawn Mitchell announced a ribbon‑cutting ceremony for the clubhouse on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon; commissioners asked the clerk to note the date and said they would make every effort to attend.

Votes at a glance - Motion to authorize a letter of support for Footprint to Success Clubhouse local appropriations request — Mover: Commissioner Rodriguez; Second: Vice Mayor Good; Outcome: Passed unanimously (5–0). Provenance: transcript lines beginning at the item introduction and concluding at the recorded vote. - Motion to approve Consent Agenda, items 1–16 — Mover: Commissioner Rodriguez; Second: Commissioner Hernandez; Outcome: Passed unanimously (5–0). Provenance: transcript lines for the consent vote.

Appointments and recognitions - The commission announced appointments to boards: George Rodriguez was appointed to the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee; Dr. Scott Lewis and Claudia Bonilla were appointed to the Environmental Advisory Board. Commissioners briefly introduced the appointees and posed congratulatory remarks.

Ending: The signed letter of support will be completed by staff; Footprint to Success Clubhouse will hold a ribbon‑cutting Feb. 28 and will return for a fuller presentation with the CEO at a later meeting.