Pembroke Pines breaks from rotation, extends Hernandez as vice mayor. Here’s why
Pembroke Pines commissioners on Wednesday moved to extend Vice Mayor Michael Hernandez’s term until the first meeting in January, tying the decision to the prospective charter change on election timing.
The April 15 City Commission meeting opened with several celebratory proclamations, including recognition of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School boys basketball team for its state championship and the city’s designation as an Autism Friendly City by the nonprofit Center for Autism & Related Disorders.
Hernandez, who has served as vice mayor for the past year, was commended by Mayor Angelo Castillo for his work in the role. Hernandez then made a motion to appoint District 2 Commissioner Tom Good as the next vice mayor.
Under the city’s rotating system and agenda, the role was expected to go to District 2 Commissioner Jay Schwartz. The vice mayor position was assigned in April to follow the city’s March municipal elections.
“It is the desire of the City Commission to afford all of the members of the City Commission an equal opportunity and access to serve as vice mayor in a rotating capacity,” the ordinance describing the role and the dais seating arrangements reads.
Good said he was “truly humbled and thankful for the nomination,” but that he holds concerns about the city’s potential move to shift elections from March to November.
“It seems like the intention of the selection of the vice mayor was to be in alignment with the election cycle and in the absence of addressing that, it seems like we might be a little bit out of sorts,” Good said.
Good added that if the city moves elections to November, a charter amendment would likely be needed to address how and when the vice mayor is chosen.
At some point during the transition, he said, one of the commissioners would have an extended tenure in the position. He then made a substitute motion to extend Hernandez’s tenure through November.
Castillo suggested it be extended through January because of the holidays and uncertainty surrounding the charter question.
City Attorney Sam Goren said that proposed charter amendments already include language shifting vice mayor selection from April to December if voters approve a 2026 ballot question, effective 2028.
Good noted that extending the term to the first meeting in January would allow flexibility if voters reject the change.
“But if the charter is approved, then that’s going to be the firm date that should override,” he said.
District 3 Commissioner Maria Rodirguez suggested shortening the vice mayor’s term instead.
“I’d rather someone give up some time than to take more time,” she said. “... But I think it’s maybe more noble to take less time off than to add more time to a vice mayorship.”
The substitute motion passed 3-2, with dissenting votes from Rodriguez and Schwartz.
