Pembroke Pines reviews code enforcement staffing and PFAS treatment options after US mayoral meetings
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Summary
Commissioners reported code enforcement is now fully staffed and administration will return with a third-quarter update on operations, magistrate fines, and officer safety. The mayor said the city will pursue PFAS treatment via ion-exchange and include disposal considerations in an upcoming RFP.
Commissioner Schwartz presented the results of a two-phase review of code enforcement policy and implementation at the Feb. 4 meeting, recommending that commissioners give administration an opportunity to operate with a fully staffed enforcement unit and return with a follow-up report.
Key findings and follow-ups:
- Staffing: Administration reported code enforcement is staffed at 100% for the first time since the unit reorganization. Commissioner Schwartz said that should allow better service delivery and suggested the commission monitor performance via a third-quarter report.
- Operational changes: Commissioners questioned whether the courtesy-mailing process is cost-effective given postal delays; Schwartz asked staff to evaluate alternatives to expensive courtesy mailings and to consider case managers to reduce officer paperwork.
- Magistrate tools and fines: Schwartz asked the city manager to review a previously pulled resolution that would expand magistrate authority to deter repeat offenders by allowing higher penalties and additional enforcement tools.
- Officer safety: A new process aligning code-officer safety steps with police procedures is being implemented; commissioners asked police and code leadership to coordinate on details.
PFAS and water treatment:
Mayor Angelo Castillo summarized takeaways from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He said municipal participants expect EPA guidance on PFAS disposal and that the city’s engineering consultants recommend ion-exchange as the treatment method suitable for Pembroke Pines’ water table. The manager said an RFP will include PFAS-disposal provisions so disposal options are evaluated before final design. “We're going to bring back an RFP. This provision will be included with that,” the city manager said.
Next steps: Administration will return with a formal RFP including disposal requirements for PFAS material, and a code-enforcement update is scheduled for the third quarter with potential recommendations on magistrate fines, outreach, and staffing efficiencies.