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Commissioners and residents spar over RMA contract; motion to terminate consultant fails
Summary
A motion to terminate RMA as consultant for Northwest CRA projects drew public comment and commissioner debate. Staff and legal clarified termination costs and notice requirements; commissioners ultimately voted the motion down after public comment urging either scope change or retention.
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A motion to terminate the Northwest CRA consultant RMA drew a packed public comment period and divided commissioners at the special joint meeting on Oct. 29.
The motion: A commissioner moved to terminate RMA’s contract as the consultant for Northwest CRA projects. City legal counsel explained termination would require 60 days’ notice and a transition payment equal to approximately 180 days of the contractor’s monthly fee. Legal told the board the monthly fee is approximately $33,217 and that the termination would therefore trigger roughly eight months of fees, a sum staff estimated in public comment at about $250,000.
Public input and commissioner reactions: Several residents addressed the dais. Some urged the commission to preserve RMA’s role, or to amend the scope rather than terminate; others criticized the consultant for perceived failures in serving Northwest neighborhoods. Commissioner comments reflected those split views: several commissioners said they wanted a negotiated change in scope or an opportunity for RMA to respond; others said a new consultant might have produced better outcomes for the Northwest CRA.
Vote outcome: The motion to terminate the RMA contract failed on roll call. Legal and staff noted that a negotiated scope change was possible and could be handled through counsel if the commission preferred that path.
What will happen next: Commissioners asked staff to prepare options — including a negotiated scope amendment or formal competitive solicitation — and to bring recommendations back at a future public workshop. A separate motion passed to schedule a public workshop on consultant scope and communications in December.
Attribution: City legal counsel Miss McKenna and other staff provided the legal and procedural context; multiple residents spoke during public comment.
