City Commission Finds Renaissance Charter School in Violation of Conditional Use Approval and Revokes Certificate of Use
Following a quasi-judicial public hearing on June 23, 2026, the City Commission found that Renaissance Charter School violated multiple conditions of its Conditional Use approval and voted to revoke the school's Certificate of Use. The hearing proceeded after proper notice was provided; however, no representative of Renaissance Charter School appeared to present testimony, evidence, witnesses, or legal argument on the school's behalf. After listening to testimony and reviewing evidence, presented on behalf of the City, the Commission determined that Renaissance Charter School was in violation of its Conditional Use approval for three separate reasons:
Failure to fund a School Resource Officer (SRO) as required by the Conditional Use approval;
Exceeding the approved student enrollment cap of 1,200 students; and
Failing to comply with traffic-related representations and conditions that were relied upon when the Conditional Use approval was originally granted.
The hearing was conducted as a quasi-judicial proceeding, with the City of Cooper City serving as the petitioner. City staff, law enforcement personnel, and special counsel presented testimony and evidence regarding the school's compliance with the conditions established when the City Commission approved Conditional Use No. 9-1-09 in 2010. Regarding the School Resource Officer requirement, the Commission heard testimony that the school ceased funding the required SRO position from September 2025 through March 2026. Evidence was presented describing the distinction between a School Resource Officer and other security personnel, including the law enforcement authority, public safety responsibilities, and emergency response capabilities provided by a sworn deputy assigned to the campus. Commissioners discussed the impact that the absence of an SRO had on police operations and public safety services. The Commission also reviewed evidence concerning student enrollment levels. Testimony and records presented during the hearing indicated that the school exceeded the enrollment cap established as part of the Conditional Use approval. Commissioners noted that multiple documents introduced into evidence reflected enrollment figures above the approved maximum of 1,200 students. During discussion, the Commission found that the enrollment cap was a specific negotiated condition of approval and concluded that the school had failed to comply with that requirement. A significant portion of the hearing focused on traffic impacts associated with the school. The Commission reviewed testimony from City personnel and law enforcement officials, including observations of traffic congestion, vehicle stacking, blocked turn lanes, traffic backups, unsafe drop-off activity, and impacts to the Palm Avenue and Sheridan Street corridor. Video evidence and testimony described vehicles blocking travel lanes, motorists maneuvering around backed-up traffic, and recurring congestion associated with school operations. The Commission determined that these conditions were inconsistent with representations made in the original Conditional Use application, which stated that the school would not significantly increase traffic congestion or adversely affect vehicular and pedestrian circulation in the area. The City Commission found each of the three alleged violations to be supported by competent substantial evidence. Separate motions were approved, finding Renaissance Charter School in violation of the Conditional Use approval for each of the three reasons. After making those findings, the Commission concluded that the violations were material to the operation of the school and the Conditional Use approval itself. The Commission then voted to revoke the school’s Certificate of Use, effective immediately, determining that the violations warranted enforcement action under the City’s land development regulations. The Commission’s actions concluded the quasi-judicial hearing and directed that the findings be memorialized through a formal written order.
City Commission Confirms Appointment to Senior Advisory Board
The Commission confirmed Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi's appointment of Leonard Breslow to the Senior Advisory Board. The board serves as an advisory body that represents the interests of Cooper City's senior residents by providing recommendations to the Commission on programs, services, communication, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for older adults. The board also serves as a liaison between residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, and the City while collaborating with other advisory boards to support initiatives that benefit the community.
City Commission Approves Amendment to Broward Solid Waste Authority Interlocal Agreement
The Commission approved Resolution 26-32, authorizing the Second Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement for the Broward Solid Waste Disposal and Recyclable Materials Processing Authority. The amendment continues Cooper City's participation in the regional solid waste planning process while providing additional flexibility for participating municipalities in the future. The Broward Solid Waste Authority requested participating agencies approve the revised amendment after it received unanimous support from both the Authority's Executive Committee and Governing Board. It was recommended to move forward with the Second Amendment to remain aligned with the regional planning effort, following the Commission’s initial approval of the Facilities Amendment. This amendment establishes two opportunities for participating municipalities to withdraw from the Authority. Under the agreement, member cities may opt out in 2048 at the conclusion of the long-term agreement. Additionally, the amendment creates an earlier opt-out opportunity in 2027, after responses to the regional Request for Proposals for solid waste disposal and recyclable materials processing have been received and recommended for contract award. This 2027 opt-out provision is independent of any proposed maximum service charges submitted through the procurement process. Approving the amendment does not commit the City to future disposal contracts or establish new rates. Rather, it preserves the City's ability to continue participating in the regional process while maintaining the flexibility to evaluate future proposals and exercise one of the available opt-out provisions if determined to be in the City's best interest.
City Commission Approves Contract for Multi-Year Water Service Line Replacement Program
The Commission approved a piggyback agreement with WSD Contracting, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $2.5 million to continue Cooper City's multi-year water service line replacement program through October 7, 2029. The contract will be used to replace aging water service lines and related infrastructure in the Flamingo Townhomes neighborhood, as well as other areas throughout the City, as part of the Utilities Department's ongoing effort to modernize and improve the reliability of the water distribution system. The replacement program began last year and is designed to address aging underground infrastructure over multiple fiscal years. Rather than completing all work at once, the City has programmed funding annually through its Capital Improvement Program to systematically replace aging water service lines while minimizing disruptions and maintaining reliable water service for residents. The agreement utilizes a competitively awarded Broward County contract through the City's piggyback procurement process, allowing Cooper City to take advantage of an existing contract without conducting its own separate competitive solicitation. Broward County originally advertised the contract in February 2024, received three responsive bids, and awarded the contract to WSD Contracting, Inc. following a competitive evaluation process. In addition to replacing water service lines, the contract includes the installation and replacement of water meters, meter boxes, sample stations, automatic blow-offs, and check valves. The contractor will also perform all necessary asphalt, sod, and landscaping restoration following construction to return affected areas to their original condition. The City has budgeted funding for the project over multiple fiscal years, with the first phase funded through the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program and additional funding planned in future budgets as work progresses into other neighborhoods.
City Commission Rejects Irrigation Contract Amendment, Directs Staff to Complete Suellen Field Irrigation Improvements In-House
The Commission rejected a proposed $90,000 contract amendment that would have authorized Juniper Landscaping of Florida to perform irrigation improvements associated with the Suellen Field Upgrade Project at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex, specifically for Field C, Field 6, and a section of Field 5. Instead, following Commission discussion, staff was directed to complete the irrigation work using City personnel and available internal resources to keep the project moving forward. City staff explained that the request for the contract amendment became necessary after the contractor originally selected for the irrigation portion of the project, Flow Grown Irrigation LLC, failed to execute the required contract documents despite multiple attempts by the City to obtain a signed agreement. Because the irrigation work must be completed before new sod can be installed, staff recommended replacing the original contractor with Juniper Landscaping, which currently provides landscape maintenance services for the City. Staff noted that the proposal would not increase the overall project budget but would simply transfer the previously approved $90,000 allocation to a different contractor. During Commission discussion, the Commission expressed concerns about awarding additional work to Juniper Landscaping, citing dissatisfaction with the company's previous performance, responsiveness, and project timelines. Still, the Commissioner acknowledged the importance of completing the irrigation improvements promptly. The Commission explored several alternatives, including whether the City's Utilities and Parks & Recreation departments possess could perform the irrigation improvements internally. Along with installing irrigation pipe, staff noted that the work also includes modifying irrigation zones, replacing solenoids, balancing water pressure, and ensuring proper operation of the system. With those technical needs considered, the Commission directed staff to pursue an in-house approach for completing the irrigation improvements, utilizing City personnel to the extent practical so the Suellen Field Upgrade Project can continue progressing toward installation of the new playing surface.
City Commission Updates Building Permit Fee Schedule to Comply with New State Law
The Commission approved Resolution 26-31, amending Cooper City's building permit fee schedule to comply with recent changes to Florida law governing private provider plan review and inspection services. The updated fee schedule implements required permit fee reductions for property owners and contractors who choose to utilize licensed private providers to perform certain building code review and inspection functions instead of City staff. Recent amendments to Florida Statute 553.791, including the passage of House Bill 803, require local governments to reduce building permit fees to reflect the City's reduced workload when private providers perform portions of the permitting process. The legislation also prohibits municipalities from charging fees for inspections they do not conduct, revising the City's fee schedule necessary to remain compliant with state law. Under the revised fee schedule, projects utilizing a private provider for plan review only will receive a 25 percent reduction in applicable permit fees, while projects using a private provider solely for inspections will also receive a 25 percent reduction. Applicants who elect to use a private provider for both plan review and inspections will receive a 50 percent reduction in permit fees. In each case, the fee reduction corresponds to the portion of services no longer performed by the City's Building Division. The changes are mandated by State law and are not discretionary. While the revised fee schedule is expected to reduce both Building Division revenues and related operating expenses for permits utilizing private providers, the amendment ensures the City remains in compliance with Florida statutes. Additional modifications to the City's building permit fee schedule may be necessary in the future as the Broward Board of Rules and Appeals (BORA) and other regulatory agencies continue interpreting and implementing the new legislation.
Proposed Revision to Commission Vacancy Charter Amendment Fails; Previously Approved Referendum Language Remains on November Ballot
The June 23, 2026 agenda included a proposed revision to Ordinance 26-08 that would have repealed and replaced the Charter amendment previously approved on May 26, 2026 regarding the process for filling vacancies on the City Commission. The revised proposal did not receive a second following the initial motion, causing the motion to fail. As a result, no action was taken to amend the ordinance, and the Charter amendment approved by the City Commission on May 26, 2026 remains unchanged and will appear before Cooper City voters on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. Under the revised proposal being put forth to Cooper City voters, the following is proposed:
In the event of a vacancy on the City Commission for any reason, the remaining member of the Commission shall, by majority vote, appoint a qualified successor to fill the vacancy. The Commission shall make such appointment within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs.
If, on the date the vacancy occurs, two (2) years or less remain in the unexpired term of the vacated seat, the appointed successor shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term, and no election shall be held to fill the vacancy.
If more than two (2) years remain in the unexpired term, the appointed successor shall serve until a successor is qualified and elected at the next regular City election in November of an even-numbered year.
The person elected at the next regular election shall serve only the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacated seat.
If the Commission’s membership falls below quorum, the remaining members shall by majority vote appoint additional members.
Commission Approves First Reading to Increase City's Emergency Reserve to $3.85 Million
The City Commission approved Ordinance 26-15, on first reading, which proposes an increase to the City's committed emergency reserve within the General Fund by $400,000. If adopted on second reading, the action will increase the City's total committed emergency reserve from $3.45 million to $3.85 million, further strengthening the City's financial preparedness for unforeseen emergencies while maintaining compliance with governmental accounting standards. The proposed ordinance does not appropriate any new funding or increase City spending. Instead, it formally reclassifies existing General Fund balance into the City's committed emergency reserve in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 54 and the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) requirements. Under GASB-54, amounts designated as committed fund balance may only be established, modified, or removed through formal action of the City Commission by ordinance or resolution. The City originally established a $3 million committed emergency reserve and later increased the reserve by $450,000 through Ordinance 21-12, adopted in April 2021. Approval of Ordinance 26-15 would add another $400,000, bringing the total committed emergency reserve to $3.85 million. The reserve is intended to ensure the City has financial resources readily available to respond to emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances while supporting long-term fiscal stability. This proposed ordinance will be brought forward for a second reading during the City Commission Regular Meeting on July 21, 2026.
More Information
For more information related to the June 23, 2026 agenda, please visit: https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=COOPERCITY&me=4366d1c1c30d4b048d7b96da5fae2274&ip=true.
The next City Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM at City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, Cooper City, FL 33328.