Coral Springs City Commission Retreat

CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA CORAL SPRINGS CITY COMMISSION SPRING RETREAT SUMMARY Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Multi-Purpose Room, Public Safety and 5:00 PM Public Works Complex 4150 NW 120 Avenue Coral Springs, Florida 33065 Call to Order Mayor Brook called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. Roll Call Mayor Scott J. Brook Commissioner Shawn Cerra Commissioner Joshua Simmons Commissioner Joseph McHugh Also in attendance: City Manager Catherine Givens City Attorney John Hearn City Clerk Georgia Elliott Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Commission Communications 1. Next Steps with Commission Vacancy (Catherine Givens and John Hearn) City Attorney Hearn outlined the process for filling Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer’s Commission seat (Seat 3). Discussion followed, and Mr. Hearn responded to questions from the Commission. • A consensus was reached to retain the option, if necessary, to appoint a successor to serve until a new Commissioner is elected – with preference being given to an applicant who has served on the City Commission and does not intent to run for Seat 3. • A consensus was reached not to reappoint a Vice Mayor, and to designate the longest‑serving Commissioner present at any given meeting to perform the Vice Mayor’s duties in the mayor’s absence. • A consensus was reached to place the Seat 3 Commissioner (two‑year unexpired term) on the November 2026 General Election ballot, with interested candidates qualifying during the qualifying period in June. 2. Board, Committee, and Group Appointments (Dale Pazdra)  City Manager Givens and staff reviewed the board, committee, and group appointments previously held by former Vice Mayor Metayer. The Commission discussed the proposed reappointments, and consensus was reached on the following: • Broward League of Cities: Commissioner Cerra, Commissioner McHugh, and Mayor Brook • Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Commissioner Simmons • Coral Springs Charter School Board of Directors: Commissioner Simmons Chair and Mayor Brook Vice Chair • Florida League of Cities: Commissioner Simmons • Solid Waste Authority: Commissioner Cerra • Coral Springs Charter School Advisory Committee: Commissioner Simmons • Accessibility Advisory Group: Mayor Brook • Environmental Sustainability Group: Commissioner Simmons City Manager Givens presented a letter of appreciation intended for those who expressed condolences on the passing of Vice Mayor Metayer and upcoming events to honor her memory. The Commission reached consensus to support the letter as presented. Commission Retreat Items 3. Downtown Mixed Use (DTMU) Update (Tina Jou and Elizabeth Chang) Deputy City Manager Julie Krolak and Jim Hickey of Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. presented the benefits of shifting the areas of focus towards a DT-MU code designation. They reviewed strategies for gathering public input and guided the Commission through an exercise using display boards and a model recreation of the area to review the proposed changes. The Commission reached consensus to proceed with staff’s recommendation, with the condition that first‑floor uses be restricted to commercial only. 4. Strategic Plan Update (Nicole Giordano) • 2026 Strategic Plan for Commission Adoption City Manager Givens provided an overview of the “Strategic Highlights FY 2027–2033” publication, while Nicole Giordano walked through the 2026 Strategic Plan and emphasized the progress of current city initiatives. • City Connections Framework City Manager Givens and Nicole Giordano discussed the framework designed to standardize information‑sharing and collaboration with public entities at both the national and international levels. • Mental Health Options for the Community (Chris Bator and Sean Khan) Chief Bator provided an overview of the Community Mental Health Manager position and its role in supporting the community’s behavioral and mental health. Following the presentation, a discussion ensued, and Chief Bator along with Sean Khan addressed questions from the Commission. 5. Economic Development Update (Kristi Bartlett)  Ms. Bartlett gave a report on current economic development in the city. She responded to questions and shared updates on prospective new business development across the city. Mayor Brook requested to be scheduled on upcoming retention visits. 6. Schools Update (April Wyche) Ms. Wyche provided an update on local schools and the city’s education-focused programming. She noted that Coral Springs schools continue to remain unaffected by Broward County Public Schools’ Redefining Schools initiative. She also announced that applications for the 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Program will be accepted from May 1 through June 1. Commissioner Simmons requested the promotion of the Youth Ambassador Program at the Teen Political Forum and upcoming events. 7. Events Update (Neirah Sankar) City Manager Givens explained the events handout provided by Ms. Sankar. 8. Staff Updates • Compensation Benchmark Study Results (Kathy Reul) Ms. Reul presented a benchmark study on compensation for elected officials participating in the Northwest Council of the Elected Officials. Discussion followed, and staff responded to questions from the Commission. A consensus was reached, with three members of the Commission supporting placement of a referendum question on this year’s election ballot to remove commission compensation from the City Charter. Mayor Brook did not join the consensus. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. /s/ Georgia Elliott _________________ Georgia Elliott, CMC City Clerk