City Commission Approves Appointment to Public Safety Advisory Board
The Commission approved the appointment of William Turner to the Public Safety Advisory Board (PSAB), following a nomination by Commissioner Smith. The appointment fills a position on the advisory board, which provides recommendations to the City Commission on matters related to public safety. The PSAB was reestablished by the City Commission on February 11, 2025, through the adoption of Ordinance No. 25-05. The board serves in an advisory capacity to the City on issues involving public safety services, emergency response, public safety facilities, and matters related to the City’s agreement with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The PSAB generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. Meeting dates are published on the City’s calendar and may be subject to change.
City Commission Authorizes Pursuit of Federal Community Project Funding for Water and Wastewater Plant Electrical System Improvements
The Commission authorized City staff to pursue a Fiscal Year 2027 Community Project Funding (CPF) request in an amount not to exceed $10.31 million to support electrical system improvements at the Cooper City Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant. If the funding request is successful, the authorization also allows the City Manager to accept the grant award, execute the grant agreement, expend budgeted funds, and take all necessary actions to implement the project. Community Project Funding, formerly known as congressional earmarks, allows Members of Congress to request federal funding for projects that address significant local needs or provide a public benefit within their districts. As part of this process, the City’s request will be submitted to the Office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for consideration. Each member of the House of Representatives may submit only 15 CPF requests for the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process, meaning that only a limited number of proposals will ultimately be advanced for federal funding. The proposed project focuses on critical electrical system upgrades at the City’s water and wastewater treatment facilities. Planned improvements include enhancements to electrical power equipment and distribution systems, upgrades to emergency generators, improvements to fuel storage capacity, and upgrades to the facilities’ electrical grounding systems. These improvements are intended to strengthen the reliability and resilience of the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure, ensuring that essential treatment operations can continue safely and efficiently during severe weather events or power disruptions. The project is currently moving forward in phases. The design phase is scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 2026, with the CPF request intended to support the construction phase and Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services required to complete the improvements. The total estimated cost for construction and CEI services for the project is approximately $20.62 million. To support this effort, the City has also submitted a Resilient Florida Grant proposal for $10.31 million. The City’s application ranked among the top five projects statewide, and funding is anticipated to be awarded during the summer of 2026. If awarded, the Resilient Florida grant funding would support a portion of the project costs, while the requested federal CPF funding would provide additional cost-share support for construction and inspection services.
City Commission Approves EPA Grant Agreement for Sewer Line Rehabilitation and Inflow/Infiltration Correction Project
The Commission approved Resolution 26-19 authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Cooper City’s Gravity Sewer Line Rehabilitation and Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Correction Project. The resolution also authorizes the City Manager to accept the grant funding, provide the required local match, execute any necessary amendments to the agreement, draw down funds, and expend budgeted funds to carry out the project. The grant funding originates from a Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding request submitted by the City through the office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The project was subsequently included in the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, securing $959,757 in federal funding to assist the City with improvements to its wastewater infrastructure. The project focuses on rehabilitating aging gravity sewer lines and addressing inflow and infiltration within the sewer system. Inflow and infiltration occurs when groundwater or stormwater enters the sanitary sewer system through deteriorated pipes, joints, or manholes, which can reduce system efficiency and increase treatment costs. By rehabilitating the sewer infrastructure and correcting these issues, the City aims to improve the reliability and performance of the wastewater system while protecting environmental quality. Approval of the resolution allows the City to formally accept the federal funding and move forward with implementing the project in accordance with the EPA grant requirements.
City Commission Approves Task Order for Stormwater Regulatory Compliance Services
The Commission approved Task Order 2026-02 with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. to provide professional consulting services to administer and implement Cooper City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements. The approved task order allows for an amount not to exceed $47,835 in Fiscal Year 2026, while also authorizing expenditures in subsequent fiscal years within the limits of each approved annual budget. The NPDES program, established under the federal Clean Water Act, regulates the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. As a co-permittee under Broward County’s MS4 permit, Cooper City must maintain a comprehensive Stormwater Management Program that meets requirements set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. These responsibilities include public education and outreach, identifying and eliminating illicit discharges, controlling runoff from construction and post-construction activities, preventing pollution in municipal operations, monitoring water quality, and preparing annual regulatory reports. Under the approved agreement, Hazen and Sawyer will serve as the City’s primary consultant through the continuing professional consulting services contract awarded through RFQ No. 2024-1-PW in accordance with the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA). Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC will participate as a subconsultant and will continue supporting many of the technical components of the City’s MS4 compliance program. This structure allows the City to maintain continuity and institutional knowledge while ensuring the work is performed under a CCNA-compliant contract with appropriate engineering oversight, quality assurance, and regulatory coordination. Funding for the task order will come from existing budgeted funds within the Utilities Department’s professional services account.
City Commission Approves Agreement with Broward County Supervisor of Elections for the 2026 Cooper City Municipal Election
The Commission authorized City staff to enter into an agreement with the Broward County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) for the administration of the 2026 Cooper City Municipal Election. Under this agreement, the Broward County Supervisor of Elections will conduct the municipal election on behalf of the City and provide the services necessary to administer the election in accordance with state law and established election procedures. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the Supervisor of Elections and the City. The Broward County Supervisor of Elections will oversee key components of the election process, including ballot preparation, polling place operations, election staffing, voting equipment, tabulation of results, and overall administration of the election. The City, in turn, agrees to coordinate with the Supervisor of Elections and comply with the terms necessary to facilitate the election. Municipalities that rely on the Broward County Supervisor of Elections to conduct their elections are required to enter into a formal agreement outlining the services to be provided and the responsibilities of each party. This agreement ensures that all election activities are conducted in a consistent and legally compliant manner. The total cost of the 2026 municipal election will vary based on several factors, including the number of ballot styles, the presence of charter questions, and the number of poll workers required to staff polling locations. The final cost associated with conducting the election will be incorporated into the City’s Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget.
City Commission Approves Renewal of Risk Management Consultant Agreement
The Commission approved the renewal of the City’s Risk Management Consultant agreement for a one-year term, with a cost not to exceed $25,000. The agreement also includes the option for up to five additional one-year renewals, allowing the City to maintain continuity in risk management support services if needed in future years. The consultant agreement provides professional assistance with a range of risk management responsibilities that were previously handled by the City’s Human Resources Director. Following the resignation of the former Human Resources Director on June 17, 2024, the City engaged a risk management consultant to ensure these critical duties continued without disruption. The consultant provides support in several key areas, including assisting the Finance Department’s Procurement Section with determining appropriate Certificate of Insurance (COI) requirements for City solicitations, monitoring and following up on claims involving damage to City property, and coordinating with the City’s insurance carriers regarding lawsuits or claims filed against the City. This role helps ensure the City maintains appropriate insurance coverage, manages potential liabilities, and responds effectively to risk-related matters. The consultant’s services are billed at a rate of $75 per hour, with an estimated workload of approximately 6.41 hours per week throughout the year. Funding for the agreement is available within the City’s approved budget, where $25,000 was allocated for risk management services in Fiscal Year 2025–2026. As of February 3, 2026, $9,543.75 had been expended under the previous purchase order, leaving sufficient budgeted funds to support the renewed agreement through the remainder of the fiscal year.
City Commission Approves Piggyback Agreement for Meeting Streaming and Closed Captioning Services
The Commission authorized a piggyback agreement with Granicus, LLC, pursuant to Omnia Partners Contract No. 159768, to provide software and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that support the City’s public meeting streaming and closed captioning services. The agreement allows the City Clerk’s Office to continue utilizing the Granicus platform for legislative management and meeting transparency functions. The City Clerk’s Office currently relies on specialized software tools to manage legislative processes, support public meeting transparency, and ensure that records and meeting information remain accessible to residents, businesses, and stakeholders. These systems also allow the City to livestream meetings, provide closed captioning services, manage agendas and minutes, and maintain public access to meeting archives. To ensure continuity of these services and avoid disruption to the City’s legislative management operations, staff recommended entering into a piggyback agreement through the cooperative purchasing structure provided by Omnia Partners Contract No. 159768. By utilizing this cooperative contract, the City benefits from competitively established pricing and contractual protections without the need to conduct a separate procurement process. The piggyback agreement will run concurrently with the Omnia Partners contract and is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2028, unless extended under the terms of the agreement. During this period, the City will have the opportunity to evaluate the long-term suitability of the Granicus platform and determine whether to continue with the current system or pursue alternative software solutions through a future competitive solicitation in accordance with the City’s procurement requirements. Funding for the agreement is included within the City Clerk’s Office operating budget under professional services. The Fiscal Year 2026 approved budget includes $30,000 for these services, and a budget amendment of $864 from the General Fund Contingency was approved to fully fund the agreement for a total of $30,864.
City Commission Declares Surplus Computers and Donation to Bahamian School
The Commission approved a motion declaring several City-owned computers and related technology equipment as surplus and authorizing their donation to a public high school in the Bahamas. The action follows a comprehensive review of City equipment conducted as part of the City’s ongoing asset management efforts. During this review, staff identified several computers and technology devices that are no longer needed for City operations because they have been replaced with newer systems. Although these computers have reached the end of their useful life for municipal purposes, they remain functional and can still provide value in an educational environment. Under Cooper City Code of Ordinances Section 2-202, surplus personal property must be disposed of in accordance with procedures established by the City Manager. These procedures allow for several options, including sale, trade-in, transfer to another government agency, donation to a charitable organization, or disposal if the items have no remaining value. In this case, staff recommended declaring the equipment surplus and donating it to a public high school in the Bahamas that has expressed a need for technology resources to support classroom instruction and student learning. The donation is consistent with the City’s commitment to responsible management of public assets while supporting educational opportunities. By donating the equipment, the City extends the useful life of the technology while assisting a school that may not otherwise have access to these resources. Declaring the equipment surplus also supports efficient operational practices within the City. Removing outdated technology helps reduce storage needs, improves workspace organization, and ensures that staff rely on current and reliable equipment. It also helps eliminate unnecessary maintenance or storage costs associated with retaining obsolete devices.
Discussion of Living Wall Public Art Installation at the Community Center Deferred for Future Workshop
The Commission discussed a proposal to install a living wall public art feature at the Cooper City Community Center but ultimately decided to defer action on the item. The Commission agreed to revisit the proposal during an upcoming workshop that will focus on reviewing and prioritizing a variety of capital improvement projects. The proposal stems from the Landscape Master Plan and Design Guidelines adopted by the Commission on October 22, 2024. The Landscape Master Plan establishes a cohesive vision for beautifying public spaces throughout the City. The plan includes branding and design elements intended to create a unified visual identity across parks, roadways, facilities, and other public areas. As part of this effort, the Master Plan also identifies opportunities to incorporate public art that reflects Cooper City as a fun, vibrant, active, beautiful, diverse, and connected community. One concept presented to the Commission was the installation of a “living wall,” a vertical garden feature that combines art, landscaping, and sustainability. Living walls are designed to celebrate biodiversity while creating nature-inspired installations that can enhance the visual appeal of public spaces. These installations use plant-based panels and environmentally conscious materials to create attractive and sustainable design features. Two potential installation options for the west-facing exterior wall of the Community Center. While the Commission expressed interest in the concept, members determined that the proposal should be considered alongside other potential capital improvement initiatives. As a result, the Commission deferred the item to allow for further discussion during an upcoming workshop where multiple capital projects and funding priorities will be reviewed.
City Commission Approves Task Order to Revise Proposed Hiatus Road Traffic Safety Improvements
The Commission approved Task Order UTL-26-021D with The Corradino Group, Inc. for planning, surveying, engineering design, permitting, bidding assistance, and optional support services related to the Hiatus Road Traffic Safety Improvements Project, in an amount not to exceed $272,460. The project stems from longstanding safety concerns at the intersection of Hiatus Road and NE Lake Boulevard. A traffic study conducted in 2016 by Calvin, Giordano and Associates identified issues including excessive vehicle speeds and a pattern of right-angle crashes. Based on those findings, several traffic-calming options were evaluated, and the City initially selected the installation of a roundabout as the preferred solution to improve safety and traffic flow. In 2025, The Corradino Group prepared design drawings for the proposed roundabout and presented the concept during a public outreach meeting at City Hall. During the meeting, residents from surrounding neighborhoods expressed strong concerns regarding the size and potential impacts of the roundabout. The design required a larger construction footprint than originally anticipated and would have required the acquisition or dedication of portions of adjacent properties to accommodate the intersection geometry and maintenance needs. Following significant community feedback, the City Commission directed staff to discontinue pursuit of the roundabout concept and instead explore alternative traffic-calming solutions that would improve safety while minimizing impacts to nearby properties. The revised plan focuses on corridor-based traffic safety improvements along Hiatus Road from approximately 500 feet south of Stirling Road to approximately 900 feet north of NE Lake Boulevard. The new approach prioritizes traffic-calming measures and operational improvements designed to enhance roadway safety while avoiding the need for additional right-of-way acquisition.The approved task order is structured in phases.
Phase 1 will include planning activities such as developing a conceptual corridor alternative, preparing a preliminary engineer’s cost estimate, establishing a project schedule, and coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Broward County Traffic Engineering Division to support amendments to the existing FDOT grant agreement. Phase 1 services are capped at $18,870 and will help determine whether sufficient external funding is available to advance the project. If funding from the State and Broward County cannot be secured, the City will not proceed beyond this phase.
If funding is confirmed, Phase 2 will include full design and permitting services necessary to move the project toward construction. These services include project management, agency coordination, supplemental topographic surveys, roadway design, permitting, coordination with FDOT, and bidding assistance. Phase 2 services total $172,905. Optional services, which may be authorized if needed during final design or construction, include subsurface utility engineering, tree inventory and disposition planning, landscape and irrigation design, electrical design for irrigation systems, water connection plans, and post-design construction support. These optional services total $80,685, bringing the overall potential project total to $272,460 if all services are utilized.
Funding for the project is supported through multiple sources. The City received a $370,000 state appropriation through a Fiscal Year 2024 State-Funded Grant Agreement with FDOT, with the City providing a $150,000 local match. As construction cost estimates increased, the City also applied for and was awarded $1,043,101 through the Transportation Surtax Grant Match Program established under the Broward County Transportation System Surtax Interlocal Agreement. The City’s local match for the surtax funding is $260,776. Approval of this task order allows the City to move forward with a redesigned traffic safety improvement strategy for the Hiatus Road corridor that responds to community concerns while continuing to address long-standing roadway safety issues.
City Commission Approves Improvements for Fields 5 and 6 at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex
The City Commission approved expenditures for athletic field improvements at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex related to Field 5 and Field 6, while deferring any work associated with Field C pending further evaluation. The approved work focuses on replacing worn turf and improving the irrigation system on Field 6 to help maintain safe and reliable playing conditions for the community’s athletic programs. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains the athletic fields and irrigation infrastructure at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex and periodically performs improvements to ensure field quality and long-term performance. As part of this effort, staff brought forward several vendor contracts to support sod replacement, irrigation improvements, and field maintenance work. For Field 5, the Commission approved the replacement of approximately 3,000 square feet of infield sod. The sod installation will be completed by Javy Ortiz Nursery, LLC, doing business as Pitch & Grade, at a cost of $2.50 per square foot, resulting in an estimated cost of approximately $7,500. For Field 6, the Commission approved replacement of the outfield sod covering approximately 24,000 square feet, also at a cost of $2.50 per square foot, for an estimated cost of approximately $60,000. In addition, irrigation improvements will be performed for the Field 6 outfield by Flow Grown Irrigation, LLC at an estimated cost of $40,000. These improvements will help ensure proper watering coverage and system reliability across the field. During discussion of the item, the Commission determined that any expenditures related to Field C should not move forward at this time. The Commission directed staff to wait until the consultant currently assisting the City with recreation and maintenance master planning efforts has an opportunity to evaluate Field C and provide guidance. This approach will help ensure that any potential improvements to Field C align with the broader planning efforts underway for the City’s parks and athletic facilities. The originally proposed contracts also included grading and irrigation work for Field C, but those portions of the project were not approved. By focusing on Fields 5 and 6 at this time, the City can address immediate field maintenance needs while allowing additional planning and analysis before making further investments in Field C.
City Commission Approves Agreement to Evaluate Energy Efficiency Opportunities
The Commission approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a Project Development Agreement between the City of Cooper City and Energy Systems Group, LLC (ESG) to evaluate potential energy efficiency and cost-savings opportunities across City facilities and infrastructure. The agreement will allow ESG to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the City’s buildings, systems, and operations to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption, improving operational efficiency, and lowering long-term utility and maintenance costs. Through this evaluation process, ESG will analyze areas such as lighting systems, HVAC equipment, building controls, and other energy-related infrastructure to determine where improvements or upgrades could generate measurable savings for the City. Under this new agreement:
· ESG must submit proposed projects within 120 days of signing.
· The City is not required to approve any project unless it shows a cost recovery period of
· under 20 years.
· Any costs incurred by ESG for projects accepted by the City will be included in the cost
· recovery calculation, ensuring transparency and alignment with the City’s financial
· thresholds.
This revised framework offers the City a low-risk way to assess energy efficiency upgrades whilemaintaining control over financial commitments. Specifically, we plan to evaluate the following options:
1. Citywide AC Replacement
2. LED Streetlight Conversion
3. Facility Lighting Systems Upgrade at various locations
4. Pool Heater & Chillers at the Pool and Tennis Center
5. Sports Lighting (Bill Lips)
City Commission Approves Water Service Agreement for One Equivalent Residential Connection
The City Commission approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a Water Agreement between the City of Cooper City and Nur-Ul-Islam of South Florida Inc. to provide a new water service connection to a single-family home located at 5801 SW 106th Avenue in Davie, Florida. The agreement allows for one Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) to the City’s water distribution system at a total cost of $5,302.00, which includes the applicable surcharge. As part of the agreement, the City also accepted a Utility Easement Agreement that grants Cooper City access to the property for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the water service connection. The approval specifically limits the service to water only for a single-family residential use. Sewer service will not be provided by the City, and the property will continue to operate on its existing septic system. The request was submitted by Nur-Ul-Islam of South Florida Inc., which owns the property. The Town of Davie reviewed the request and approved the connection through Resolution No. R2025-189. The City of Cooper City owns and operates the utility infrastructure along SW 106th Avenue and confirmed that sufficient system capacity exists to support the requested connection. Under the terms of the agreement, Nur-Ul-Islam of South Florida Inc. is responsible for all installation costs associated with the connection. The payment of $5,302.00 has been submitted to the City and will be deposited into the City’s developer contribution revenue account, helping support the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for that line item.
City Commission Approves First Readomg of Charter Amendment Referendum Regarding Special Elections
The City Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 26-08 proposing an amendment to the Cooper City Charter related to the process for filling vacancies on the City Commission. The proposed amendment would revise Section 3.10 of the City Charter to provide for coordination with the Broward County Supervisor of Elections when conducting a special election to fill a vacant Commission seat. If ultimately approved, the Charter amendment would clarify that special elections to fill Commission vacancies will be coordinated with the Broward County Supervisor of Elections and conducted in accordance with the timeframes established in the City Charter or as otherwise required by the Supervisor of Elections. The proposed amendment was recommended by the City’s Charter Review Board, which convened pursuant to Section 7.02 of the City Charter to evaluate potential updates and improvements to the governing document. Because amendments to the City Charter must be approved by the voters, the ordinance directs that the proposed amendment be placed on the ballot for consideration by Cooper City voters during the General Municipal Election scheduled for November 3, 2026. The ballot question will ask voters whether the Charter should be amended to provide for coordination with the Broward County Supervisor of Elections to conduct special elections in the event of a City Commission vacancy. The ordinance also authorizes the City Clerk to advertise the referendum election in accordance with the City’s Code of Ordinances and the State of Florida Election Code. According to the staff analysis, the proposed Charter amendment will have no financial impact on the City. Approval on first reading allows the ordinance to advance to a second reading at the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for March 24, 2026. If approved on second reading, the proposed Charter amendment will be formally placed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for voter consideration.
City Commission Approves First Reading of Charter Amendment Referendum Regarding Borrowing and Municipal Bonds
The Commission approved Ordinance No. 26-11 on first reading proposing an amendment to the Cooper City Charter related to the requirements for issuing municipal bonds and borrowing funds. The proposed amendment would revise Section 5.15 of the City Charter, which addresses referendum requirements for the expenditure of public funds. Currently, the Charter requires a referendum each time the City seeks to borrow money, contract loans, or issue bonds payable from ad valorem taxes that mature more than twelve months after issuance and are used to finance or refinance capital projects. The proposed amendment would instead align the Charter language with the requirements established under Florida law by requiring a referendum only when mandated by state law for the issuance of municipal bonds or borrowing of funds. The proposed change was recommended by the City’s Charter Review Board following its review of potential updates to the City Charter. If approved on second reading by the City Commission, the proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot for voter consideration during the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. This ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for March 24, 2026.
City Commission Approves Charter Amendment Referendum Regarding City Commission Compensation on First Reading
The City Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 26-12 proposing an amendment to the Cooper City Charter related to the compensation of City Commission members. The proposed amendment would revise Section 3.06 of the City Charter to establish a process for adjusting commissioner salaries based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), South Region. Under the proposed amendment, adjustments to the salaries of Commission members could be made as part of the City’s annual budget adoption process, provided the adjustment does not exceed the increase reflected in the Consumer Price Index for the South Region. Any proposed salary increase that exceeds the CPI would require approval by the voters of Cooper City through a referendum election. The proposed Charter amendment was recommended by the City’s Charter Review Board as part of its review of potential updates to the City’s governing document. If approved during a second reading scheduled for the City Commission Regular Meeting on March 24, 2026, the measure would be placed before Cooper City voters during the General Municipal Election scheduled for November 3, 2026.
More Information
For more information regarding the March 10, 2026 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=989ffdf24aa0413785ecd216c4571af1&ip=true.
The next City Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026 at City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.