Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on November 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East, to consider adoption of a proposed Resolution Amending the Broward County Administrative Code, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT; AMENDING CHAPTER 6 AND SECTIONS 25.93, 25.122, AND 25.124 THROUGH 25.126 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (“ADMINISTRATIVE CODE”) REGARDING LANDSCAPING IN SWALES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENT BUILDING POLICY, AND OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS; REPEALING SECTION 25.67 OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE REGARDING TREE DONATIONS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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Why Action is Necessary
The Broward County Charter requires the posting of notice and a public hearing for adoption of amendments to the Broward County Administrative Code.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) may consider adopting the proposed Resolution Amending the Broward County Administrative Code.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
The Broward County Public Works Department (“Department”) oversees multiple divisions and functions including road construction and maintenance, drinking water and sewer service, and solid waste management.
Several provisions of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) pertaining to the Department’s operations have not been updated in years and either no longer accurately describe the Department’s organizational structure or have been rendered obsolete or redundant by later enacted code provisions.
If approved, this Resolution will amend several aspects of the Department’s operations as described in the Administrative Code as follows:
1. The responsibilities of the Department Director will be modified to add the authority to conduct management studies.
2. The following agencies’ responsibilities and functions will be modified:
a. The Facilities Management Division will, among other responsibilities, be required to develop plans for the County’s future space needs;
b. The Highway Construction and Engineering Division will no longer be responsible for managing the donation of real property rights to the County (this function will be transferred to the Real Property and Real Estate Development Division);
c. The Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division’s specific infrastructure maintenance responsibilities will be clarified;
d. Water and Wastewater Services will no longer be required to conduct management studies;
e. The Water Management Division will no longer be required to undertake planning tasks currently overseen by the Resilient Environment Department;
f. The Water and Wastewater Information Technology Division will be required to implement and maintain all process control equipment strategies for Water and Wastewater Services;
g. Solid Waste and Recycling Services will be required to coordinate with appropriate intergovernmental authorities and special districts;
h. The Construction Management Division will be specifically required to manage the Facility Capital Improvement Program; and
i. The Real Property and the Real Estate Development Division would be formally delegated certain authority related to public auctions, donations, and various property-related affidavits, certificates, and agreements.
3. The following agency directors’ qualifications will be modified:
a. The Director of the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division will be required to be licensed as a Professional Engineer;
b. The Director of the Construction Management Division will be required to be licensed as a Professional Engineer or architect, but will no longer have the titles of “County Engineer” and “County Architect”; and
c. The Director of Real Property and Real Estate Development Division will gain the additional title of “Chief Real Estate Officer.”
In addition, if approved, this Resolution will repeal provisions of the Administrative Code that pertain to tree donations because they are redundant with other County programs, and this activity is no longer overseen by the Department.
Finally, if approved, this Resolution clarifies various standards related to landscaping, sustainability and resilient building policy including LEED standards and outdoor lighting standards.
Source of Additional Information
Michael J. Kerr, Chief Counsel, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.