Pembroke Pines eyes fall elections, extends vice mayor, bans badges. Here’s a recap
The Pembroke Pines City Commission on Wednesday tackled decisions on next year’s vice mayor, a potential shift of municipal elections to the fall and a measure to prohibit ceremonial police-style badges for elected officials following prior misuse.
The April 15 meeting began with several celebratory proclamations, including the 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.
Assistant City Manager Christina Golding explained how the idea came from a member of the Diversity and Heritage Board and was later brought to the commission by Vice Mayor Michael Hernandez.
To receive the designation from CARD, the city qualified by implementing several initiatives for those with autism and other related disorders.
The initiatives include the installation of “communication boards” at 12 city parks for those with limited verbal communication, introducing comfort K-9 Jellybean, making Memorial Park into an ADA-inclusive playground, and creating sensory-friendly experiences such as “Sensory Saturdays” at the Frank Art Gallery.
The city has also introduced “Social Stories,” guides that outline expectations at city facilities, and “quiet zones” at city events.
“Since August, we have trained over 100 city employees in autism awareness and sensory considerations, ensuring that our staff are better equipped to serve all of our residents,” Golding said.
Baptist Health donated $15,000 to support the communication boards at the 12 city parks and in the quiet zones. Golding said the first quiet zone will debut at Pines Day on April 25.
Hernandez closed the presentation by sharing that he is on the autism spectrum.
“I’m a 43-year-old adult, I’ve struggled with it my entire life. I’m diagnosed,” he said. “It is incredibly challenging at times, but I guess it means that anybody can do anything. ... I learned later on that you experience the world differently and there’s a whole host of advantages with that and untapped potential.”
Remembering Nancy Metayer Bowen
Before moving to agenda items, Commissioner Maria Rodriguez led a moment of silence in remembrance of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen.
“Nancy was a really good friend and I know a lot of us knew her, met her and were encouraged by everything that she did, whether it was for the environment, whether it was simply supporting other people,“ Rodriguez said. “I know that I’m sitting on this dais because of her.”
Top agenda items
The agenda began with commissioners moving to extend Hernandez’s role as Vice Mayor until January, tying the decision to the prospective charter change on election timing.
They also unanimously approved, on first reading, an ordinance that would place a charter amendment before voters, asking whether to move municipal elections from March to November to align with federal, state and county races.
Consent agenda items two through 11 passed unanimously.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a resolution that prohibits the city commission from issuing ceremonial badges to elected officials.
The item referenced a May 21, 2025, incident at Charles W. Flanagan High School in which Commissioner Jay Schwartz misused the badge to question students.
During discussion, Mayor Angelo Castillo asked Schwartz whether he planned to return his badge.
“I’ll coordinate with the city administration to ensure the badge is properly documented and verified and I want to make sure the process is handled responsibly,” Schwartz said.
Other business
Commissioners also addressed previously failed referendum questions 1 and 3 from the last election, voting to direct the city attorney to combine two measures into a single ballot question.
The proposals would lower the threshold required for appointing or removing the city manager and acting city manager from a four-fifths vote to a three-fifths vote.
“If we choose to pick any of these items, they will have to be part of our town hall, citywide town hall meetings,” Castillo said, noting that voters often better understand ballot questions after elections have passed.
Rodriguez also raised the possibility of revisiting a bond referendum for a police and joint public safety complex, which was part of the failed $240 million bond proposal in 2024. She said the current building is not hurricane-safe. Commissioners voted to direct the city attorney to combine the two and bring it back to the dais.
In other business, Schwartz proposed implementing virtual ethics training every other year for city employees and new hires beginning in 2026. The training would be based on human resources-developed modules.
The measure, seconded by Good, passed 4-1, with Hernandez dissenting, citing concerns about adding unnecessary burden to staff.
What’s next?
The next city commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. Residents can tune into the meeting by watching the livestream on the city’s YouTube channel or attend in person.
