Pembroke Pines leaders to consider police funding, park turf improvements
The Pembroke Pines City Commission is scheduled to meet for the second time this month with a packed agenda that includes motions to approve police funding, an artificial turf and discussion on policy for town hall meetings.
The meeting will be held inside the commission chambers at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
Commissioners will begin with a swearing-in ceremony for two incumbent commissioners, District 1’s Thomas Good and District 4’s Michael Hernandez.
Among the major items up for discussion is a proposal to renew a five-year services and purchasing agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for police equipment and technology.
The agreement, not to exceed about $5 million, would include funding for body-worn cameras, tasers and an extensive “Axon Air” drone program featuring Skydio drones.
The commission will also consider approving a $198,700 task order with Florida Atlantic University to complete a comprehensive vulnerability assessment for the city. The project would be funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Pembroke Pines already has a Master Research Agreement with FAU, which was established to further the research objective of the city and the university.
Commissioners will also vote on a 10-year agreement that would allow Somerset Academy to install artificial turf and other improvements at Field No. 7 at Pembroke Shores Park, a plea supported by Hernandez and youth sports enthusiasts in the city.
Meanwhile, the commission is set to vote to adopt an agreement that would allow the city to provide potable water and wastewater services to a 55.8-acre property to a piece of land in Southwest Ranches, which does not have its own centralized municipal water system.
The commission is also expected to discuss the sale of Pines Place Towers after a prospective buyer terminated its agreement on Feb. 6. A letter from Elliott White of Hayden Glade Pines LLC addressed to the city manager about the decision was added to the regular agenda for discussion.
The city is also looking to adopt a formalized policy for how elected officials request and conduct town hall meetings following the fallout of Commissioner Jay D. Schwartz’s canceled event last month.
The policy clarifies that these are official business meetings, not political or campaign events, where staff can present information and public comment is taken. It establishes that the mayor may call citywide meetings, while commissioners can call district-specific town halls.
Residents can attend the meeting in person at the commission chambers at the Charles F. Dodge City Center or tune in live through the city’s YouTube livestream.
