Resident tells commission of $100-a-day code fines; other speaker raises minibus, sidewalk and cemetery complaints

Cynthia Haas of Hallandale Beach told the City Commission on April 23 that she faced what she described as steep code compliance fines after a magistrate issued a final order in a case about hazardous tree branches.

Haas said she was initially given 60 days to come into compliance but that it took 166 days to complete the work. "There was a fine accrual of a hundred dollars a day since November 6 until April 22," she told the commission, and said the total imposed on her was now "16,600." She said she had documented communications with city staff and believed she had followed city code enforcement officers' instructions while trying to resolve the hazard.

City Attorney Jennifer Marino told Haas from the dais that the magistrate is an independent official and the commission does not have authority to overturn magistrate decisions. Marino said the city has a mitigation policy and program that can substantially reduce fines and asked Haas to contact department staff who could explain options. A city director in the chamber was identified to speak with her after the meeting.

Dahlia Rodriguez, a first-time meeting attendee who lives in Hallandale Beach, raised multiple service issues during public participation. She said some minibus drivers "do not know the routes" and that buses were not stopping where she needs them to because drivers were "not certified for 88," a phrase she used while describing training or certification problems. Rodriguez said drivers were not pulling to curb cuts required for riders with disabilities and that a county-operated route from the casino to the Holiday Inn lacked designated stops.

Rodriguez also said sidewalk repairs at the intersection of Tenth and Foster and near 1005 Foster Road remain unresolved despite prior complaints, and she complained that a cemetery memorial she had placed was sinking and that grounds maintenance staff had not communicated with her family.

City Manager Dr. Earl acknowledged prior conversations with Rodriguez and said staff would look into the specific sidewalk and cemetery complaints. He identified Dr. Shen, the city's transportation and mobility director, as the staff member who could discuss minibus route issues. Commissioner Butler and Commissioner Adams also spoke: Butler praised the minibus system overall and said many elements are funded or regulated by Broward County, which constrains where buses can stop; Adams noted improvements are underway, including new ADA-compliant signage and a request-for-qualifications to update stops.

No formal action on the specific complaints was taken at the meeting. City staff indicated they would follow up with the speakers after the meeting to explain mitigation options for magistrate fines and to investigate the minibus, sidewalk and cemetery concerns.

The public-comment segment included two speakers who raised resident service and enforcement issues; commissioners said staff would pursue follow-up with the complainants.