Ben Sorensen
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 6:44:23
- Avg per meeting
- 11:54
- Segments
- 6555
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Top issues during term (20)
Police headquarters and City Hall projects
Deferring the guaranteed maximum price could push the project back three to six months and inflate costs.
New Fire Station 88 in southeast Fort Lauderdale
Capital project cost not stated in the discussion.
Executive Airport lease consolidation
The airport says hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue have been left on the table over ten years without the fee.
Water Rate and Fee Increases
Not yet quantified, but disputed water bills and potential litigation could carry significant cost.
By-right development vs. neighborhood compatibility
Roof materials and architectural character in the Sailboat Bend Historic District
The applicant says the synthetic barrel roof would cost about $30,000 versus roughly $10,000 for shingles, but last 50 years instead of needing replacement near retirement.
Overhaul of Alcohol Licensing and Entertainment District Rules
Higher fines raise enforcement revenue but compliance costs fall on licensees.
Tarpon River and Shady Banks neighborhood improvements
$1.96 million in FDOT grant money, at risk if the deadline is missed.
Uptown Urban Village rezoning opens door to mixed-use redevelopment
Multimodal street improvements will come as capital improvement projects, partly as a commitment made to FDOT.
Outdoor Event Permitting and Fee Overhaul
Not stated on the record.
Vacation rental enforcement enhancements
Expanded nighttime enforcement coverage is under review in the FY2027 budget; amount not yet determined.
Homeless Advisory Governance Change
Limiting outdoor events on the Barrier Island
Limiting events would reduce special event revenue the city collects.
Sunrise Middle School Phase II Turf Field
$690,520 from the joint-use parks program budget.
Prospect Lake Water Treatment Plant bond authorization
Involves over $1.3 billion in bond and note debt to support water utility infrastructure.
Right-of-Way Definition and Waterway Jurisdiction
Train horn quiet zone under federal review
Not stated in the meeting.
CRA property conveyances and Central City redevelopment funding
Delay risks losing development momentum in one of the city's last underdeveloped areas, per the board chair.
Infrastructure Investment Special Obligation Bond
$26.9 million in bond funding, including $8.1 million for failing roads and $3.8 million for sidewalks citywide.
State property tax constitutional amendment impact
Worst case could approach a $100 million deficit in FY2028 if the most severe property tax proposal passes.
Decisions during term (515)
Recorded while Sorensen was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda (with walk-on quiet zone item added)
Consent Agenda (CM-1 through CM-15, CR-2, CP-1, minus CR-1 and CM-6)
CR-1 — FPL LED Street Lighting, Riverland Neighborhood
CM-6 — World AIDS Day Event at Las Olas Oceanside Park
M-1 — $450,000 HOME-ARP Award to Homes United Ministries for Non-Congregate Shelter at 1722 NW 8 Court
M-2 — $62.9 Million Citywide CCTV Sewer Inspection and Repair Contract
R-1 — Board and Committee Appointments
R-2 — Energy Resilience and Affordability Policy; Rescinds Net Zero Policy
R-3 — FDOT Agreement for Tarpon River and Shady Banks Improvements ($1.96M)
R-4 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 7th Street Crossing
R-5 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 17th Street Crossing
R-6 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 22nd Street Crossing
PH-1 — Alley Vacation, Bokamper's Property Holdings, LLC (Second Reading)
PH-2 — Fire Station Public Purpose Use Ordinance, 507 SE 11th Court (Second Reading)
OFR-1 — Meeting Times Ordinance (First Reading)
OSR-1 — Sidewalk Construction Requirements Ordinance (Second Reading)
OSR-2 — Homeless Advisory Board Ordinance (Second Reading)
OSR-3 — Retirees on General Employees' Retirement Plan Board (Second Reading)
OSR-4 — Police and Firefighters' Retirement System Amendments (Second Reading)
Walk-On — Quiet Zone Resolution Along FEC Railway Corridor
Voting record (277)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Approval of Minutes and Agenda (with walk-on quiet zone item added)
Consent Agenda (CM-1 through CM-15, CR-2, CP-1, minus CR-1 and CM-6)
CR-1 — FPL LED Street Lighting, Riverland Neighborhood
CM-6 — World AIDS Day Event at Las Olas Oceanside Park
M-1 — $450,000 HOME-ARP Award to Homes United Ministries for Non-Congregate Shelter at 1722 NW 8 Court
M-2 — $62.9 Million Citywide CCTV Sewer Inspection and Repair Contract
R-1 — Board and Committee Appointments
R-2 — Energy Resilience and Affordability Policy; Rescinds Net Zero Policy
R-3 — FDOT Agreement for Tarpon River and Shady Banks Improvements ($1.96M)
More work needed on neighborhood concerns about the plan and traffic.
R-4 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 7th Street Crossing
R-5 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 17th Street Crossing
R-6 — FEC/Brightline Safety Letter of Agreement, SW 22nd Street Crossing
PH-1 — Alley Vacation, Bokamper's Property Holdings, LLC (Second Reading)
PH-2 — Fire Station Public Purpose Use Ordinance, 507 SE 11th Court (Second Reading)
Expansion of fire rescue services makes the city safer with faster response.
OFR-1 — Meeting Times Ordinance (First Reading)
OSR-1 — Sidewalk Construction Requirements Ordinance (Second Reading)
OSR-2 — Homeless Advisory Board Ordinance (Second Reading)
OSR-3 — Retirees on General Employees' Retirement Plan Board (Second Reading)
OSR-4 — Police and Firefighters' Retirement System Amendments (Second Reading)
Walk-On — Quiet Zone Resolution Along FEC Railway Corridor
Approval of minutes and agenda as amended
PH-5: Decertification of Himmarshee Special Entertainment District (111 Properties, Inc.)
OFR-1: Extended Hour Permit District ordinance tabled
R-6: The Cypress PDD site plan amendment (400 N. Corporate Drive)
Minutes and agenda as amended (with walk-on school-closure resolution)
Consent agenda (all items except CM-7)
CM-7 Dock lease with Rubber Duck Holdings ($118,146.49)
Wanted to confirm the lease is at fair market rate for 300 linear feet of dock
M-1 Workers' compensation settlement — James Brinton v. City ($850,000)
M-2 FXE Runway 27 Bypass Taxiways — Ranger Construction ($4,942,388)
M-3 Osswald Park Improvements — H.G. Construction ($1,901,043.99)
M-4 Proprietary utility purchases (~$6,857,300)
R-1 Board and committee appointments
R-2 2026 Title VI Program Plan
R-3 Street renaming — 'Mary Brickell Avenue'
R-4 Accepting the South Regional Activity Center Vision Plan
Supportive of the plan's direction and continued stormwater investment
R-5 Additional $105,000 CDBG funds for H.O.M.E.S., Inc. affordable housing
R-6 FXE Parcel 15 lease — seventh amendment
R-7 FXE Parcels 8AB/8G lease consolidation — MABA Aviation
R-8 FXE Parcel 16 lease — Sheltair Sixteen
R-9 FXE multi-parcel lease consolidation — Sheltair Executive South
R-10 Performing Arts Center Authority FY 2027 budget
R-11 VALIC deferred compensation plan administration
PH-1 Transfer of 1306 NW 6th Street to the CRA
PH-2 Transfer of 400 NW 7 Avenue (post office) to the CRA
Insisted on robust public participation as the foundation of any decision
PH-3 Uptown Urban Village zoning ordinance (second reading)
PH-4 Alley vacation — 501 NE Holdings, LP (second reading)
PH-5 Warehouse as conditional use in B-2 districts (second reading)
PH-6 Variance — 1017 SW 19th Street rear yard setback
OSR-1 Outdoor event ordinance (second reading)
Praised Parks and Recreation staff work on the event ordinance