City Commission Approves Request to Defer Rezoning Petition to Future Meeting
The City Commission approved an applicant’s request to defer action on Rezoning Petitions #Z 6-1-25 and #Z 6-2-25, which seek to rezone the approximately 2.57 acres of real property generally located on the southwest corner of North University Drive and Solano Avenue in Cooper City, between BrightStar Credit Union and Monterra Apartments. The petitions are seeking to rezone the current zoning of Planned Mixed Use Development (PMUD) District to B-3 – General Business District. Within the request to defer the items, the petitioner stated a request to have them heard at future Commission Meeting without a specific day requested.
City Commission Approves Resolutions Allowing Potential Church to Add High School
The City Commission approved a coordinated set of development requests submitted by Potential Church, located at 12401 Stirling Road, enabling the expansion of its educational offerings to include high school grades. The approved actions, delivered through three resolutions, address amendments to the site plan, conditional use, and the property’s recorded plat note, each serving a specific role in Potential’s broader expansion plans. Through Resolution 25-76, the Commission approved a Site Plan Amendment that authorizes the installation of three modular classroom buildings, each adding two classrooms, for a total of six new classrooms. The site plan also reflects internal modifications that will reclassify or convert existing spaces into five additional classrooms within the main building, raising the total number of classrooms from 26 to 37. Site improvements include a new covered walkway, enhanced landscaping, designated loading zones, and robust traffic management infrastructure to handle increased drop-off and pick-up volumes. A phased high school program will begin with 9th grade in the 2026–2027 school year and will add one grade per year through 12th grade. Through Resolution 25-75, the Commission approved a Conditional Use request to formally increase the student enrollment cap from 412 to 745 and authorize the addition of grades 9 through 12. The resolution outlines traffic mitigation and safety requirements, including a dedicated Director of Campus Security, full-time security officer, staggered dismissal times, overflow parking plans, and real-time coordination with law enforcement to ensure traffic does not spill onto surrounding roads, such as Stirling Road and Flamingo Road. These measures were validated through a traffic study and operational plan reviewed by City staff and independent consultants. Finally, through Resolution 25-77, the Commission approved a Plat Note Amendment modifying the recorded development limitations for the 11.23-acre property. The amendment adjusts the permitted square footage to reflect the expanded facilities as follows:
· School Use: increased from 15,458 square feet to 50,286 square feet
· Church Use: adjusted to 53,383 square feet
· Daycare/Preschool Use: increased from 6,496 square feet to 9,121 square feet
All three items received unanimous recommendations for approval (8–0 vote) from the City’s Planning and Zoning Board prior to being reviewed and approved by the City Commission.
City Commission Approves and Adopts Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Meeting Schedule
The City Commission considered and approved Resolution 25-73, adopting the Commission Meeting Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, in accordance with Section 2-21 of the City’s Code of Ordinances and Section 3.12 of the City Charter. The approved schedule continues the practice of holding regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, with adjustments made to accommodate holidays, conferences, and other municipal considerations. The resolution ensures that the City can formally publish the meeting calendar and provide appropriate notice to residents and staff. During this discussion, the Commission agreed to cancel the Regular Meeting that was tentatively scheduled for December 23, 2025.
City Commission Rejects Proposed Project Development Agreement with Energy Systems Group
The City Commission rejected Resolution 25-74, which sought approval of a new Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the City of Cooper City and Energy Systems Group, LLC (ESG) to explore energy-saving performance services. The proposed agreement was intended to re-engage ESG after a previously terminated PDA. ESG had originally entered into an agreement with the City in 2022 but failed to deliver the required project development report within the 120-day deadline. Although no payments were made and ESG was noted to have acted in good faith, the City formally terminated that agreement in June 2025.
City Commission Approves Continued Use of Software Platform to Support Water Metering Integration
The City Commission approved the continued use of the VXsmart platform and related software services to support Cooper City’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system. VXsmart serves as the City’s customer engagement and utility billing interface and is already integrated with the City’s Customer Information System (CIS) and billing software. The platform offers a secure, user-friendly digital portal that allows residents to monitor water usage, receive proactive communication, and access expanded self-service tools. The decision ensures seamless continuity in operations, protects customer data, and avoids disruptions as the City transitions to its full AMI meter implementation. VXsmart will also support future initiatives, such as demand-response programs and enhanced usage analytics, aligning with the City’s broader modernization strategy. The approved cost includes $12,500 for mobilization and integration services and an annual subscription fee of $28,080, prorated in the current fiscal year, with $112,320 committed over the following four years for continued use of the platform.
City Commission Approves Purchase of Ballfield Top Dressing Through Lee County Piggyback Contract
The City Commission approved the purchase of ballfield top dressing from Ewing Irrigation Products, Inc. in the amount of $24,191.27 for Fiscal Year 2025–2026. The procurement will be made through a piggyback agreement with Lee County’s Bid No. B240216WCD, which was competitively awarded and allows municipalities to participate in volume-based pricing. Top dressing is essential for field maintenance at both Suellen H. Fardelmann and Bill Lips Sports Complexes, where it is used to enhance drainage and field performance on all clay playing surfaces. The material is applied regularly to help manage moisture, ensure safety, and preserve playability across high-use athletic fields. Lee County’s bid process awarded Ewing Irrigation Products, Inc. as the primary vendor for several categories of clay and conditioner products based on the lowest responsive bid. The agreement also identifies Rentokil North America and SiteOne Landscape Supply, LLC as secondary vendors for select categories. Cooper City’s purchase follows the guidelines of Section 2-258(f) of the City’s Procurement Code. Funding is allocated from the Field Maintenance line item in the Parks and Recreation Department’s General Fund budget, which has sufficient capacity to cover the purchase. Due diligence confirmed Ewing’s good standing, with no performance or compliance issues identified during vendor responsibility checks.
City Commission Approves Licensing Agreement for AI-Based Municipal Assistant Platform
The City Commission approved a licensing agreement with Madison AI Assistant, an artificial intelligence platform specifically designed for municipal operations. The agreement allows the City to implement the platform across key departments on a pilot basis, including the City Clerk’s Office, Administration, Human Resources, Finance and Procurement, and Community Development. The Madison AI Assistant securely connects to the City’s internal documents, policies, forms, and procedures, updating its knowledge base weekly. It functions as a private, city-specific AI system, ensuring staff receive responses only from approved information sources. Staff can use the assistant to ask questions, draft meeting recaps, summarize long documents, and generate reports or talking points, streamlining daily operations and improving efficiency. The initial rollout includes three modules: Internal Administration and Management ($20,000), Procurement and Contracts ($20,000), and Elected Officials and Boards ($10,000), for a total not-to-exceed amount of $50,000. Each module includes training, custom reports, and usage tokens capped at $250 per month. The agreement was approved as a non-competitive purchase under Section 2-258(i) of the Cooper City Procurement Code due to the platform’s unique capabilities and cost-effectiveness. The City will evaluate the success of each module before expanding its implementation, with the goal of reducing administrative burdens, enhancing policy research, and improving the delivery of services. Funds for the purchase are allocated in the FY 2026 budget.
City Commission Approves Piggyback Agreement for Sodium Hypochlorite for Water and Wastewater Disinfection
The City Commission approved the piggyback of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Contract No. 519-2, allowing Cooper City to purchase sodium hypochlorite (commonly referred to as liquid chlorine) from Allied Universal Corp. and Odyssey Manufacturing Company in the amount of $120,000 for Fiscal Year 2025–2026. The City will also use this agreement for future budgeted amounts through the duration of the contract and any renewals. Sodium hypochlorite is critical for both potable water and wastewater treatment. It disinfects drinking water prior to distribution and is also used on treated wastewater effluent to meet regulatory requirements before final discharge. The City uses approximately 80,000 gallons of chlorine per year, with costs split evenly between the water and sewer budgets. Fort Lauderdale awarded the contract following a competitive bid process, and Cooper City will issue purchase orders to the lowest responsive and responsible vendor available at the time of each order. The Utilities Department recommended the continued use of Allied, citing a long-standing and successful partnership. Funding for this purchase comes from the Water and Sewer Funds, with $60,000 allocated in each respective department budget line for supplies and chemicals. This contract fully utilizes the available funds in those budget lines for the fiscal year.
City Commission Approves Cooper City’s Membership in the National League of Cities
Following a Commission discussion, the City Commission approved Cooper City’s membership in the National League of Cities (NLC), a national advocacy and resource organization representing local governments across the United States. NLC annual membership, which will cost just under $4,000, will provide Cooper City with access to national research, data-driven best practices, training opportunities, and peer-to-peer networking with thousands of local leaders. These resources are expected to enhance the City’s strategic planning capabilities in key areas such as infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and community engagement. The initiative was presented by Commissioner Katzman and supported as a cost-effective investment that will give the City access to policy support, expert guidance, and tools that would otherwise require significantly more resources to obtain independently. Membership will help the City stay ahead of emerging challenges and implement innovative, forward-looking solutions.
City Commission Approves Appointment of New Director of Community Development
The City Commission approved Resolution 25-78, formally appointing Jason Chockley as the City’s new Director of Community Development in accordance with Section 4.01(4)(c) of the City Charter. The appointment follows the upcoming vacancy in the position and ensures continuity of leadership within the department. Mr. Chockley has served as the Assistant Director of Community Development and brings extensive experience in permitting, code enforcement, development review, and departmental oversight. The City Manager recommended the promotion based on Mr. Chockley’s institutional knowledge, proven leadership, and long-standing commitment to the organization.
City Commission Advances Alternative Safety Improvements for Hiatus Road Following Public Opposition to Roundabout
Following significant public opposition to a previously proposed roundabout project on Hiatus Road near the entrance to the Embassy Lakes community, the City Commission has directed staff to pursue alternative traffic calming and safety enhancements along the corridor. The roundabout proposal, which was intended to address safety and traffic flow concerns near NE Lake Boulevard, faced considerable pushback from residents, particularly those living in Embassy Lakes. Concerns centered around neighborhood impacts, perceived safety risks, and the necessity of such a major infrastructure change. In response to these concerns, City staff, in collaboration with traffic engineering consultants, re-evaluated the project and identified alternative options that would avoid property acquisition and eliminate impacts to nearby communities. During the December 9 Regular Commission meeting, the City Commission expressed support for an alternative plan that includes the installation of raised pavers at the intersection of Hiatus Road and NE Lake Boulevard, along with the implementation of speed tables along Hiatus Road. This approach is intended to improve traffic safety, reduce speeding, and enhance pedestrian visibility while offering a lower-cost, lower-impact solution compared to the original roundabout concept. It also significantly reduces the expected construction timeline. Although the Commission supported the direction of this alternative, a final decision has not yet been made. City staff will first present the proposal to both the Embassy Lakes and Rock Creek homeowners associations to gather feedback and discuss design details. Following these meetings, the City plans to host a larger public meeting to give all residents an opportunity to provide input before moving forward. The City remains committed to improving roadway safety in a way that reflects community values and input while minimizing disruption to established neighborhoods.
Other Items of Discussion
Non-Profit Expo
The City Commission discussed the possibility of organizing a Non-Profit Expo. The Commission provided staff with consensus to move forward with the early steps for organizing an expo that helps shine a light on the non-profit organizations that work year-round in our community. The Commission brought up potential synergies with the City’s Teen Council, Ambassador Program, and Civics Scholar Program, where participants could assist in organizing and carrying out community projects during the potential expo.
Retiree Health Insurance Policy
The Commission discussed retiree health insurance benefits, where it was discovered that certain former employees are receiving a $20 monthly stipend per year of service, which is more than initially proposed by the Commission. The City Attorney explained that while the stipend is not specifically designated for health insurance, the current practice of providing free health insurance to specific retirees is not legally required. The Commission passed a motion directing that retirees must pay for their health insurance using their existing stipend, as the Commission holds that the benefits were not legally contracted and could be changed.
Renaissance Charter School Resource Officer
A discussion focused on Renaissance Charter School’s non-compliance with its conditional use agreement, specifically regarding student safety and funding for a school resource officer (SRO). The City discovered that 6% of the school’s 1,213 students are Cooper City residents, yet the school is not fulfilling its contractual obligation to fund an SRO. The Commission discussed two potential enforcement paths: pursuing fines through Chapter 162 or holding a public quasi-judicial hearing to potentially revoke the conditional use permit. Staff was directed to prepare a recommendation for the Commission to consider, with the understanding that any decision would require a full hearing and presentation of evidence.
Cooper City Optimist Insurance Costs
The City Commission provided approval to the City Manager to provide a $10,000 one-time payment to Cooper City Optimist Club to help cover increased insurance costs, pending compliance with audit deadline of January 15, 2026.
ACH Payment Incentive Program
The City Commission approved an incentive program that will allow a $50 credit for current Utility customers who have historically paid their water bill using cash or check. There are eligibility requirements for this program, which the City will be releasing in the coming weeks. The program is being created to encourage electronic payments, which are more secure and efficient.
More Information
For more information regarding the December 9, 2025 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=f7aa77399d654b02b2a130280cd85db7&ip=true.
The next City Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM at City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.