Tamarac staff preview zoning change, ambulance remounts, lobbying contract and parks alcohol proposal ahead of June 11 meeting

TAMARAC, Fla. — City staff on June 9 reviewed a range of items for the June 11 commission meeting, including a proposed text amendment to the Land Development Code that would limit where funeral homes can operate, a proposed termination trigger for the Woodlands Overlay District tied to developer funding, plans to remount two fire-rescue units that staff said would save about $154,000 compared with buying new chassis, a proposed federal lobbying contract not to exceed $78,000, and a request to allow sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at certain city events in parks.

Staff said the funeral-home text amendment responds to an “uptick” in inquiries and would remove funeral homes as an allowed use in the city’s mixed-use and public-facility zoning districts while leaving them allowed in business-park zones. Planning staff said the city identified 17 funeral homes within a five-mile radius and three located inside the city. “Given the fact that you have that many with 3 in the city, there’s no need to have them in all the zoning district,” Planning staff said.

The change is presented as a text amendment to the Land Development Code and, according to staff, is consistent with the review standards for text amendments and with the city’s comprehensive plan. Staff recommended the commission adopt the ordinance on first reading at the June 11 meeting.

Staff also outlined the Woodlands Overlay District, noting it was established in 2004 and has been extended several times since a 2018 zoning update. The proposed code change would terminate the overlay “at such time as when the code enforcement structure and officer funded by Woodlands section 9 required by the development agreement between Woodlands Club Holdings LLLP and the City of Tamarac is established,” staff said. Staff said they are negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the developer and expect the officer to be brought on around issuance of the first building permit under the development agreement.

On emergency vehicles, Fire Department leadership described a plan to remount the ambulance boxes onto new chassis instead of buying fully new units. “For a new unit, it would be $590,000. And for this remount option, it’s $436,000. So it’s gonna be about a hundred and $54,000 savings doing it this way,” the Fire Chief said. Staff provided additional details: the remounts include two Stryker power-load systems and installed mobile radios, and staff said the units being replaced are 2014 models with more than 100,000 miles. The total price shown in the presentation was $873,000 for the package; staff estimated delivery could take up to two years but said previous orders had similar lead times.

Public works and emergency-management staff described an interlocal agreement with Broward County to use county disposal sites as backup after hurricanes. “This resolution is to an agreement with Broward County as a backup in case during hurricanes that we need to use their disposal site to dispose any hurricane debris that we have,” Mustafa Alba, Public Services Director, said. He identified a county site near Powerline Road and Sample Road and said space is provided at no cost initially but disposal costs would be eligible for FEMA reimbursement when applicable.

On procurement and outside services, staff said the consent agenda includes a federal lobbying-services contract with Becker and Polyakov for a not-to-exceed amount of $78,000 beginning July 1, 2025. The City Manager introduced the contract item during the review; no formal commission action occurred at the staff review meeting.

Parks and Recreation staff briefed commissioners on a draft ordinance to allow sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at city parks and events. “This was coded in 1975… we just wanna offer the same amenities to our residents when they come to our events,” the Interim Parks and Recreation Director said. Staff described two possible models used by other cities: contracting outside vendors who must provide insurance and security and receive city approval, or a city-run license model where city staff are certified to serve. Staff said the policy and vendor contract details still need to be worked out.

Commissioner Martin Bolton’s request to create a memorial-bench initiative was placed on the agenda for discussion. Parks staff said their assessment of other communities showed proliferating benches and recommended a less intrusive paver alternative; staff identified a potential site for memorial pavers near public art outside Station 15 and said they will provide an update at the commission meeting.

The staff agenda review ended with reminders that the commission will hold a reception on June 11 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall atrium and the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Attendance and timing: the staff review ran about 22 minutes, covered roughly eight substantive agenda items, and included presentations from planning, public services, fire, parks and the city clerk’s office. No formal votes were taken at the staff review; items were placed on the June 11 commission agenda for consideration.