Coral Springs has selected Georgia Elliott to serve as City Clerk
From David Volz
The City of Coral Springs is pleased to announce the selection of Assistant City Clerk, Georgia Elliott, to serve as City Clerk.
In her role, Elliott will oversee the Office of the City Clerk responsible for managing municipal elections, fulfilling public records requests, ensuring the public is properly notified about public meetings, and attending city commission meetings. Elliott will take the place of longtime City Clerk, Debra Thomas, who is retiring in December after spending nearly 30 years in municipal government.
Elliott joined the city in 2014 and first served as a Principal Office Assistant for the Office of the City Clerk. She was then promoted to Records Management Coordinator in 2016, and again to Assistant City Clerk in 2020. Elliott also takes part in the city’s Leadership Development Program.
“Georgia is an experienced and dedicated leader who cares deeply for Coral Springs,” said Dale Pazdra, Deputy City Manager, “I have complete confidence that she will execute this role with excellence, and I look forward to working more closely with her in her new position.”
Elliott is a Florida Certified Records Manager (FCRM) and a current IIMC Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) candidate.
Fort Lauderdale Commission approves major projects
From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved several major projects during a recent meeting.
The City Commission adopted a resolution, by a 3-1 vote, authorizing a development permit for a 36-story, mixed-use building with 400 multi-family residential units and 5,499 square feet of space for commercial use, proposed at 199 NW 5th Avenue in the Downtown Regional Activity Center – West Mixed-Use district. The project supports a mix of uses including a range of employment, shopping, service, cultural and higher density residential. The project, located in a Downtown Transition Zone, required alternative design approval to allow for a deviation in height and building length. With approval, the City Commission acknowledged that the project’s design, while deviating from the design guidelines, met the overall intent of the Downtown Master Plan. The Downtown Master Plan regulations are designed to provide a seamless transition between the Downtown urban core and lower intensity areas and blend with adjacent neighborhoods such as City View located to the northeast of the site.
The City Commission approved a resolution to amend the Master Lease Agreement with Lessee, Rahn Bahia Mar, LLC, for the City owned property known as Bahia Mar. The amendment modifies the Master Lease Agreement to accommodate a new proposed conceptual site plan for proposed structures. During the discussion, the Lessee assured the commission that the amendment does not impact any existing provisions and terms regarding the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Commissioner Steve Glassman said, “The City Attorney explained that the amendment is ministerial and permits the newly offered conceptual plan to move forward to the regulatory process of DRC, Planning and Zoning and City Commission. The amended conceptual site plan eliminates a building, eliminates the overhangs on all of the buildings, and creates a much improved space for the Boat Show. The City Commission also approved the dockage of a floating vessel to be used as part of the Bahia Mar Marina Village. This former Fisher Island ferry will be transformed into a restaurant/bar alongside AIA,” said Glassman.
The City Commission approved an ordinance on first reading to allow Fort Lauderdale Beach hoteliers to offer food and beverage service, including alcohol, on the beach to their guests and members of the public who are renting chairs from the City’s concessionaire. The Commission discussed amending the draft ordinance to include a pilot period of one year to test the program’s success and allow stakeholders and community members to continue dialogue for potential improvements or modifications to the ordinance. Between now and second reading, the City Attorney will add a clause to provide for the repeal of the ordinance unless re-enacted by the City Commission within 365 days.
Glassman said, “I brought forward many of the concerns expressed at my District Two pre-agenda meeting including safety, the opportunity for other beach restaurants and hotels to participate, and equal treatment of all visitors on the sand. I have requested that city staff continue dialogue with all stakeholders and the neighborhood association to closely monitor this pilot program,” he said.
The City Commission reached an agreement to appoint Pat Reilly as the City Auditor and reached an agreement on his employment contract that shall be executed by the Mayor. The annual salary for the City Auditor has been set for $240,000.
The City Commission voted 4-0 vote to approve a merit increase for City Attorney Alain Boileau. After reviewing the annual report of the Attorney’s Office, the Commission determined that the attorney’s salary should be increased from $243k to $260k. The Commission cited the fact that Mr. Boileau serves the largest City in Broward County and that his salary should be commensurate with his duties and responsibilities. The attorney credited his staff for the office’s success.
The City Commission adopted a resolution to approve a Not-for-Profit Grant Participation Agreement with the Delta Education and Life Development Foundation, Inc., in the amount of $96,000 to help fund roof repairs. As part of the proposed grant agreement, the City will have use of the Delta House in Osswald Park for recreational programs and events up to three times per month, without charge for the remaining part of the lease, which expires in 2059. The Foundation, known as the Delta House, is a non-profit organization that provides adolescent health and development programs, economic and social action initiatives, early childhood reading programs, and tutorial programs, as well as offers college and vocational scholarships to recognize high school students. Due to the current condition of the building, many of these programs are operating virtually. Upon repair, all programming will return in person at the Delta house.
The City Commission approved and authorized the execution of a revocable license agreement with the Broward Partnership for the Homeless for the installation and maintenance of improvements along NW 7 Avenue in conjunction with the “Seven on Seventh” project. The 9- story building, located at 920 NW 7th Avenue was approved in March 2021 and includes 72 affordable housing units, ground floor retail, and 124 parking spaces. The City’s site plan approval requires the developer, Broward Partnership for The Homeless, Inc., to install and maintain the landscape material, soil cells, root barriers, and irrigation system on the east side of NW 7th Avenue.
