Plantation council proclaims End Jew Hatred Day; approves microtransit pilot, park design, tree-trimming contract and amends golf membership discount

The City of Plantation City Council on April 23, 2025, issued a mayoral proclamation declaring April 29, 2025, as End Jew Hatred Day and approved several interrelated municipal actions, including a one-year microtransit pilot, engineering design for an inclusive playground at Liberty Tree Park, a citywide tree-trimming services contract, and an amended golf-membership discount for retired vested city employees.

The proclamations and votes were part of a packed agenda that included public comments on the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and repeated resident concerns about short-term rental activity. Council members voted on pulled consent items and separate motions; most measures passed by roll call vote.

The council presented a proclamation, read by Mayor Nick Sordle, that cites rising antisemitic incidents nationally and marks Yom HaShoah. Claudia Tawasini Khalif, representing the End Jew Hatred movement, accepted the proclamation and told the council, “This is more than just a proclamation. It is a powerful statement that hatred has no place in our communities.”

Microtransit pilot approved

The council approved a one-year microtransit pilot contract with the on-demand operator discussed in procurement staff’s presentation. Procurement Director Charles Spencer told the council that Plantation’s competitive process produced hourly rates of $36.63 per hour for the smaller vehicle and $44.89 per hour for the larger vehicle (compared with Sunrise’s $37.47 and $45.94 rates). The pilot includes an initial one-year firm term after which the city can terminate for convenience (staff referenced a post‑term notice period of about 60 days).

Several speakers raised concerns about cost and reliability. Resident Dennis Conklin said the “on demand thing” would cost $1,319,046.30 and urged the council to reject it; resident Joe Wynne said cities that run free microtransit often later impose fares because demand outstrips capacity. Council approved the measure by roll call (yes votes recorded by the clerk). The council directed staff to proceed with the contract and programming described in the procurement packet.

Golf-membership discount amended and approved

The council debated and amended a resolution on discounted golf-course memberships for retired vested city employees. The council adopted language specifying that “retired vested city employees in good standing who are continuously current members as of the passing of this resolution are eligible to receive a 20% discount off the Plantation resident membership rate.” Parks and recreation staff confirmed numbers used in the debate: the Plantation resident annual rate is $3,400 and the nonresident rate is $4,700; a 20% discount off the resident rate would lower that member’s payment by $680.

The amendment passed on roll call with one recorded no vote from Council member Horland; other members voted yes. Council members discussed limiting the discount to those who maintain continuous membership and clarifying verification procedures for employee/retiree status.

Liberty Tree Park design work

The council approved engineering services to support design work at Liberty Tree Park tied to a planned inclusive playground. Parks and Recreation Director Bridal O’Toole told the council the project is funded by a $200,000 state grant plus a $200,000 city match; the contract before the council covers park design and accessibility improvements to ensure restrooms, parking and circulation meet ADA standards for users of the inclusive playground. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.

Citywide tree-trimming contract

Public Works Director Matt Thompson described the city’s ongoing tree-mapping effort and the need for outside contractors to address a large maintenance backlog. Thompson said the city has recorded more than 20,000 city‑owned trees and that the in-house crew (12 staff) cannot complete all necessary structural pruning and canopy maintenance. The council awarded the citywide tree-trimming services contract to expand capacity; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.

Public comments and finance discussion

During public comment, resident and frequent speaker Dennis Conklin urged the council to review the CRA and the city’s financial reserves, citing figures from the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), and asked for reconsideration of extra Gateway 7 millage used within the CRA. Conklin described net assets, escrow and interest accruals and urged more active deployment of CRA funds to stimulate the Gateway 7 area. Council members acknowledged receipt of his concerns and the CAFR was included in consent actions earlier in the meeting.

Other notes

- The council held a neighborhood‑level recognition and service-award segment honoring longtime public safety and public‑works employees, including volunteer firefighter Aston Bright, who was recognized by the state as Volunteer Firefighter of the Year and thanked the council for the proclamation earlier on antisemitism. - Parks and Recreation announced upcoming events, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Central Park (start 5 p.m., Friday night) and other spring programs.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.