During the citizen comment period at the Nov. 5 CRA meeting, longtime beach resident Bob Glickman warned that flap gates and drainage maintenance remain inadequate and urged the Florida Department of Transportation to inspect and repair outfalls and flap gates on A1A. Glickman said surface lots and side streets along the beach are regularly flooded during king tides.

CRA staff said they have made repeated requests to FDOT to bring senior staff to a future meeting and to coordinate maintenance; staff pledged to continue outreach. The board discussed possible interlocal arrangements or reimbursement if the city/CRA were to perform maintenance on FDOT assets.

Vac truck purchase
Separately, the CRA approved a resolution to transfer approximately $526,000 to the City of Hollywood to purchase a vacuum (vactor) sewer cleaner truck. Vin Morrell, director of utilities, said the CRA’s purchase would add capacity for district maintenance. A public question raised whether an extended four‑year maintenance agreement (quoted at about $62,000) should be purchased. Morrell said based on their experience with similar machines the CRA will “pass on the maintenance at this time.”

Board direction and next steps
Board members asked staff to document outreach to FDOT in writing and to pursue face‑to‑face meetings with FDOT decision-makers. The CRA and utilities staff said they will consider whether an interlocal agreement or reimbursement arrangement is possible if FDOT’s contractor cannot provide adequate maintenance.

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“If they would come down here and see it firsthand, they will do something about it,” resident Bob Glickman said regarding FDOT visits to the beachfront drainage locations. Vin Morrell said, “Based on our experience with the machines, we will… pass on the maintenance at this time.”

The vac truck transfer resolution carried unanimously.