City Commission Approves Release of Maintenance Bond for Completed Fire Line Improvements
The Commission approved Resolution 26-29, releasing a $7,825 maintenance bond tied to water improvements for the Archdiocese of Miami’s Edward A. McCarthy High School development in Southwest Ranches. As part of the project, the developer installed fire line service improvements connected to Cooper City’s water system. The City required financial security to ensure the work was completed properly and remained acceptable after installation. This item does not authorize new construction or City spending. Instead, it closes out the City’s maintenance security requirement after staff confirmed the improvements passed the required one-year inspection and were acceptable to the City. The $7,825 letter of credit represented 25% of the certified completed cost for the water facilities, and approval of the resolution releases that financial guarantee in full.
City Commission Approves Agreement for AI Demographic and Mobility Analytics Platform
The Commission approved an agreement with Placer Labs, Inc. for an artificial intelligence-powered analytics platform designed to help the City better understand visitation trends, demographic patterns, and community activity through anonymized mobility data. The three-year agreement has a total cost not to exceed $64,922, with the first-year cost of $19,999 funded through a budget amendment. According to City staff, the platform will provide tools that support data-driven decision-making across multiple areas of City operations, including economic development, parks and recreation planning, transportation, public safety, land use analysis, and community engagement initiatives. The software can analyze real-time and historical visitation patterns, helping staff understand where visitors come from, how often locations are used, and how activity trends change over time. Staff explained that the platform could assist the City with evaluating attendance at parks and events, identifying business and retail trends, strengthening grant applications with supporting data, and improving long-term planning efforts. Backup materials included examples related to Flamingo West Park that demonstrated how the platform can provide visitor origin and usage information. The agreement was approved as a non-competitive purchase under the City’s procurement code. Staff stated that Placer AI offers proprietary datasets and analytical tools not readily available through public sources or competing platforms, and noted that maintaining continuity in the data is important for long-term comparisons and planning analysis.
City Commission Approves Additional Funding for Wastewater Lift Station Pump Repairs
The Commission approved a $65,000 change order with PSI Technologies, Inc. to perform additional repairs on wastewater lift station pumps throughout the city. The funding increases the amount authorized under the existing contract to address multiple pump failures affecting the City’s wastewater system. Several lift stations were operating with only one functional pump due to equipment failures. Broward County requirements mandate that each lift station maintain two alternating pumps to ensure reliable wastewater operations and reduce the risk of system failures or service disruptions. The approved funding will cover repairs for two damaged pumps currently in service at lift stations #41 and #52, along with repairs to five additional spare pumps that are used as backup equipment throughout the system. The City previously approved up to $100,000 in pump repairs under the existing contract, which had already been utilized to repair pumps at numerous lift stations across Cooper City. Utilities staff has explained that the additional repairs are necessary to maintain operational reliability within the wastewater collection system and ensure the City can quickly respond to future equipment failures. Funding for the repair work will come from the Utilities Department’s Fiscal Year 2026 lift station maintenance budget, which included contingency funding specifically intended for unexpected equipment repair scenarios.
City Commission Approves City Manager’s Contract Extension and Compensation Adjustment
The Commission approved the yearly performance evaluation for City Manager Alex Rey and authorized updates to his employment agreement, including a 10-percent salary increase, a one-year contract extension through May 31, 2028, and modifications to employee benefits. As part of the evaluation process required under the City Manager’s employment agreement, each City Commissioner completed a performance review evaluating the City Manager’s leadership, management, communication, financial oversight, and overall performance. The agenda materials also included a salary survey comparing compensation for city managers in other municipalities, along with a summary of accomplishments completed during the past year.
City Commission Approves First Reading of Ordinance Updating Code Enforcement Fine Schedule
The Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 26-14, which updates Cooper City’s code enforcement citation fine schedule for a variety of public safety and quality-of-life violations. The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 13 of the City Code to modernize and standardize fines associated with common violations that frequently generate resident complaints and enforcement activity. The proposed update is intended to strengthen compliance efforts while providing clearer and more consistent enforcement penalties throughout the City. The updated fine schedule includes violations related to animal nuisances, littering, overgrown landscaping, illegal parking, smoking in parks, garage sales without permits, placement of trash receptacles, commercial vehicle parking in residential areas, and reckless micromobility operation involving devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. The ordinance also establishes enhanced penalties for certain repeat violations. Under the proposed schedule, some offenses would carry higher fines after an initial citation, including animal feeding violations, reckless micromobility violations, and improper trash receptacle placement. The ordinance further allows repeat violations of any code provision to be fined up to $500. Examples included in the updated schedule are:
· $100 fines for loose dogs, animal nuisances, overgrown lots, smoking in parks, and certain parking violations;
· $250 fines for litter violations, bulk trash violations, fire code violations, and solicitation violations;
· $150 fines related to violations of the City’s Uniform Traffic Control provisions; and
· Escalating penalties for reckless micromobility operation, including potential impoundment for repeat violations.
The proposed changes support the City’s proactive public safety goals and are designed to help address nuisance conditions and recurring community concerns while encouraging voluntary compliance with City regulations. The proposed ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting scheduled for June 9, 2026.
City Commission Amends and Approves Ordinance Establishing Micromobility Device Impoundment Procedures
The Commission amended and approved Ordinance 26-02 on second and final reading, establishing a formal impoundment process for micromobility devices operated in violation of the City’s micromobility regulations. The ordinance creates new procedures within the City Code that authorize law enforcement officers to seize and temporarily impound devices such as electric bicycles and motorized scooters when operated recklessly or in violation of specific provisions of the City Code. According to the ordinance, the new process includes procedural safeguards requiring written notice of impoundment within 48 hours, information regarding hearing rights, and an opportunity for the owner or parent/guardian of a minor to challenge the impoundment before a Special Magistrate. If the City does not meet its burden during the hearing process, the device must be released without City-imposed fees. If the violation is upheld, the device may remain impounded for a 30-day period. The ordinance also establishes that owners are responsible for reasonable towing, storage, and administrative costs associated with the impoundment. The ordinance further includes an educational diversion component that allows the City Manager or designee to reduce or waive certain administrative fees if the operator completes a City-sponsored micromobility safety education program. Additional provisions address the handling of unclaimed devices and establish affirmative defenses in situations involving stolen or unauthorized use of a device. During Commission discussion, members raised concerns about reckless operation involving traditional bicycles in addition to motorized micromobility devices. The Commission discussed incidents involving bicyclists riding recklessly, traveling against traffic, performing wheelies near pedestrians, and creating unsafe conditions in public areas. As part of the final approval, the ordinance was amended to expand portions of the impoundment language to also address reckless bicycle operation, rather than limiting enforcement solely to motorized micromobility devices. The City Attorney confirmed the amendment would be incorporated into the final ordinance language approved by the Commission during second reading.
City Commission Approves Second Reading of Charter Amendment Referendum on Filling Commission Vacancies
The City Commission approved Ordinance 26-08 on second reading, placing a proposed Charter amendment on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot that would change how vacancies on the City Commission are filled. If approved by voters, the amendment would allow the remaining members of the City Commission to appoint a qualified successor by majority vote, rather than requiring certain special elections to fill vacant seats. Under the proposed Charter amendment, if a vacancy occurs with two years or less remaining in the term, the appointed individual would serve the remainder of the unexpired term without an election being held. If more than two years remain in the term, the appointee would serve until the next regular City election held in November of an even-numbered year, at which time voters would elect someone to complete the remainder of the term. The proposal is intended to reduce the cost associated with conducting special elections while also maintaining continuity on the City Commission. The ordinance repeals and replaces a previous version of Ordinance 26-08 adopted on March 24, 2026, with revised ballot language and updated Charter amendment language.
Cooper City Optimist Audit Discussion and Commission Direction
The Commission held an extensive discussion regarding the audit findings associated with Cooper City Optimist and the organization’s compliance with its Facility Use Agreement (FUA) with the City.The discussion centered primarily on financial oversight, operational transparency, internal controls, and the need to modernize administrative procedures tied to the youth sports organization’s operations at City facilities.
Audit Findings and Areas of Concern
The audit identified approximately 53 findings and recommendations related to financial controls, operational procedures, purchasing practices, documentation, and oversight processes. Commissioners emphasized that many of the concerns involved accountability and transparency measures rather than allegations of intentional wrongdoing.
The most significant concerns discussed during the meeting included:
· Financial oversight and accounting procedures
· Lack of standardized purchasing controls
· Cash handling procedures and concession operations
· Documentation and recordkeeping practices
· Bid and procurement compliance for certain purchases
· Tracking and reconciliation of registration revenue
· Technology and reporting limitations
· Overall governance and administrative consistency
Commissioners repeatedly stated that the discussion was not intended to diminish the value of Cooper City Optimist or the volunteers who support youth athletics, but rather to establish stronger operational safeguards moving forward. Representatives from Cooper City Optimist acknowledged the concerns raised in the audit and stated that corrective actions were already underway.
During the meeting, Optimist representatives reported:
· Approximately 25 of the 53 audit-related items had already been completed;
· Most remaining items were tied to financial controls and administrative procedures;
· The organization intended to complete the remaining items by the end of 2026;
· Many of the corrective measures would require additional time because board members and volunteers are not full-time employees.
Optimist leadership also stated that:
· The organization was willing to work collaboratively with the City;
· Additional safeguards and transparency measures were appropriate;
· They were open to implementing improved technology systems;
· They supported strengthening accountability measures.
Representatives explained that many operational requirements under the broader Facility Use Agreement had already been addressed. During the discussion, it was stated that the agreement contained 213 required items, with only 24 still in progress at the time of the meeting.
Discussion Regarding Financial Controls and Technology
One of the major topics discussed by the Commission involved implementing stronger financial monitoring systems, particularly at concession stands and other revenue-generating operations. Commissioners discussed:
· Installing point-of-sale (POS) systems;
· Allowing the City administrative-level access to sales reporting;
· Improving inventory tracking;
· Creating clearer audit trails for purchases and transactions;
· Strengthening visibility into concession operations and registration revenues.
There was significant discussion about the need for “guardrails” to protect both the organization and the public while also maintaining trust within the community.
Commission Direction and Next Steps
The Commission ultimately directed staff to continue working collaboratively with Cooper City Optimist to address the remaining audit findings and improve operational controls.
Commissioners discussed establishing benchmark timelines for corrective actions, with references made to 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, and end-of-year implementation goals for various items.
The Commission emphasized that the City is not seeking to take over youth sports operations, while maintaining the goal of strengthening accountability and public confidence. Commissioners also discussed potentially utilizing City financial staff to help guide implementation of improved financial procedures and internal controls. Throughout the discussion, Commissioners reiterated their support for youth athletics and the longstanding role Cooper City Optimist plays in the community, while stressing that stronger financial and operational safeguards are necessary moving forward.
Golf Course Application Update
During the City Commission Regular Meeting on May 26, 2026 , the City Attorney shared an update from the Planning Department. On May 21, 2026, the applicant requested that the LUPA petition move forward to the Development Review Committee (DRC) process. The application is currently scheduled to be reviewed at the DRC meeting on June 24, 2026. At this stage, the application is moving through the City’s review process. The City Attorney stated that the City will continue to update the City Commission if there are any changes to the application or if any new or subsequent applications are submitted on behalf of the developer.
More Information
For more information related to the May 26, 2026 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=84ce1049647e4656bdc939ffb45e08ef&ip=true.
The next City Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.