Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollywood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Downtown streetscape and wayfinding wrap-up
Downtown improvements are nearly done: crosswalk repairs on Hollywood Boulevard are complete, crash-rated bollards are almost all in, Harrison Street landscaping is planted, and new directional signage is going up. The vacant La Piazza building will get window wrapping to brighten the block.
School Zone Warning Lights
The commission took the first step toward bringing back red-light cameras, limited to serious violations like running red lights and illegal U-turns, with officers reviewing each citation. Most commissioners had concerns; a broader roadway-safety workshop is planned for the new commission before second reading.
Downtown walkability and food trucks
A restaurateur got a code violation for hosting food trucks in his own parking lot because of the 200-foot rule. The commission directed staff to review the aging ordinance, possibly letting restaurants opt in if parking works out.
Hollywood Hills High School traffic and flooding
A resident described daily chaos outside her home near the high school — parents U-turning mid-street, kids crossing dangerously, and chronic flooding on Sarazen Drive that the city promised three years ago to fix.
Carolina Street signal modifications and A1A undergrounding
The big A1A undergrounding and streetscape project got a $59,208 change order and a 240-day extension to finish FPL pole removal and restoration work. The new Carolina Street pedestrian crossing signal should be up in about 45 days.
Property Improvement Program Grants
A new downtown restaurant owner got stuck paying out of pocket for awnings and paint tied to a building code violation his landlord never disclosed, then found the CRA grant fund already committed. The board stepped in to direct staff to process his roughly $7,500 application, raising questions about how the CPIP program handles after-the-fact work and wait lists.
Parking Fee Waiver
Hollywood is hooking locals up with free beach garage parking whenever king tides flood the streets. If you live near the coast, you finally have a dry, no-cost spot to leave your car.
Citywide Professional Answering Service
City will hire 22nd Century Technologies to replace the notorious phone tree with a 24/7 AI and live-agent service. Contract must come back to commissioners with the price before final approval.
City Attorney Performance and Compensation
Commissioner Hernandez publicly questioned whether the city attorney's office has the experience and staffing Hollywood needs, pointing to outside counsel spending and delayed certification. The full commission weighed in, and a detailed performance review with department feedback is set for later this month.
Sidewalk Cafés at US-1/Young Circle
An agreement with FDOT would let restaurants operate sidewalk cafés in the state right of way on the western edge of US-1/Young Circle, supporting downtown dining.
Resilient Florida Resiliency Projects
Three resiliency projects get a shot at state grant funding, with the city on the hook for matching dollars if awarded.
Employees' Retirement Fund Correction
A drafting error in last summer's pension ordinance accidentally cut off seven longtime employees' ability to purchase credited service. The fix passed first reading.
Fire Station 74 HVAC Replacement Cost Increase
Up to $1.9 million contract with Lebolo Construction to replace the fire station's failing HVAC system.
Gracewood Sidewalk Network Project
The city locked in a $200,000 federal Vision Zero safety grant (with $50,000 match) and picked Kimley-Horn to design new Gracewood neighborhood sidewalks.
Self-storage facility proposed at 1109 North 21st Avenue
A developer proposes a four-story, 50,472-square-foot self-storage building with one residential unit, and wants the required 10-foot setback reduced to zero. Neighbors on 21st Avenue would see a taller building closer to the property line than the code normally allows.
Joint board meeting membership dispute
Board member Glickman raised that the full planning board was excluded from a June 29 joint hearing and asked whether the matter can be reheard; the city attorney and chair pushed to move on, creating a tense exchange.
Countywide climate resilience plan
Commissioner Shuham pitched the Regional Resilience Plan — a $28 billion, 50-year roadmap for adapting to flooding, heat, and sea level rise — and asked the board to factor it into development recommendations.
33-unit apartment proposal at 1504-1510 North Dixie Highway
A four-story, 33-unit apartment building is proposed on North Dixie Highway and Roosevelt Street in the Regional Activity Center. It would add housing density along the Dixie Highway corridor.
Rezoning of 2326 Thomas Street to Government Use
The county wants to formally rezone its 53-year-old bus shelter storage yard to Government Use so it can eventually modernize the facility. Neighbors worry about the site's neglected condition and what could be built there someday.
27-unit apartment proposal at 1118-1126 North 17th Avenue
A four-story, 27-unit apartment building is proposed in the FH-1 district within the Regional Activity Center. It would add residential density to the 17th Avenue neighborhood.
Transportation Surtax Funding Application
The city was scheduled to apply for Broward County transportation surtax funds for city-wide road rehabilitation and maintenance, and possibly on-demand microtransit service if money remains.
Neighborhood Code Enforcement and Traffic Safety Concerns
Longtime resident Helen Chervin described illegal truck parking, suspected criminal activity, and dangerous cut-through traffic near her neighborhood, saying code enforcement can't keep up. Hernandez gave out his cell number and asked residents to report issues directly.
FY 2027 Authorized Positions
The resolution setting how many and what kind of positions each city department may staff in FY 2027 was scheduled for action. It affects city staffing levels and service capacity.
Cinema Paradiso funding and downtown marketing
The Art and Culture Center reported Cinema Paradiso draws 800–1,000 monthly and plans a film festival, senior matinees, and international programming. The board released $15,000 in quarterly funding but wants future funding moved out of the marketing budget line.
Downtown CRA budget and TIF incentives
Proposed budget amendments would revise FY 2026 revenues and expenditures for the Downtown District and expenditures for the Beach District.
First Amendment lawsuit
A former NFL player is suing Hollywood over alleged free speech violations, setting the stage for a messy and potentially expensive legal battle. Local taxpayers might end up footing the bill if the city can't resolve this quickly.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2027–2031)
Staff showed costs like medical supplies (up 160%), health insurance (up 65%), and fuel (up nearly 50%) over three years. Commissioner Shuham asked for data on the cost of past deferred maintenance to help explain the budget to residents.
City fee schedule update
The city updated its fee schedule with CPI-based increases (2.15%), updated water/sewer rates and added new parking garage fees. Resident Ann Ralston objected that residents are being squeezed by rising costs.
Procurement code modernization and cone of silence
A big update to the city's procurement and finance codes passed 6-1. The fight was over a new power for the commission to vote to waive the 'cone of silence' on procurements — Shuham said it invites lobbying; Biederman said the current rule makes their job harder.
Beachfront flexibility unit allocation
The Gramanzini family, longtime Hollywood Beach business owners, want a two-bedroom apartment above Senor Frogs — mostly so their 80-something parents can live in an elevator building. The Board recommended approval, but the City Commission makes the final decision on pulling one unit from the city's pool of 3,886 flexibility units.
Traffic congestion at 28th Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
Board member Richard Blattner again asked for a subcommittee with FDOT and the city to address growing traffic from all the approved projects at 28th Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard.
Micro-transit service renewal (Circuit)
A $1.4 million FDOT grant will fund a micro-transit pilot along the Tri-Rail corridor, with the city committing 50% matching funds.
Boulevard Heights senior program funding
State Rep. Marie Woodson delivered a $170,000 check expanding the Memorial-operated senior program at the Boulevard Heights center — the social lifeline she and Mayor Levy described for isolated seniors.
Local Business Tax Receipt Overhaul
Business license fees are going up 5% — most categories just a few dollars a year, raising about $125,000 total. Passed 4-3 over objections that the city shouldn't pinch businesses and landlords in a high-cost economy.
Downtown 4 a.m. liquor licenses
There are 13 bars with 4 a.m. licenses downtown, and some business owners and residents worry promoters are drawing unruly late-night crowds. The Commission will get police and legal analysis before considering a cap or one-year moratorium on new licenses.
Hollywood Vista affordable housing redevelopment
The abandoned Hollywood Village complex gets a second life as an 118-unit affordable development, financed with a $1.88 million reinvestment of federal dollars already tied to the site — resolving HUD compliance problems and locking in 99-year affordability.
Crime Prevention Funding From Forfeiture Funds
A $139,500 donation of law enforcement forfeiture funds was on the consent agenda to continue safe neighborhood and crime prevention programs, using seized funds rather than tax dollars.
Behavioral Health Core Grant Funding
The Fire Rescue department was slated to accept $327,782.20 from the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition with no local matching required, supporting behavioral health response capacity.
Highland Gardens and Tyler Street Sidewalk/Street Projects
Two FDOT reimbursement agreements were on the consent agenda: $722,113 for the Highland Gardens Sidewalk Project and up to $964,747 for the Tyler Street Project design phase from North 21st Avenue to North Young Circle. State money covers the costs, so this stretches local dollars for walkability and street improvements.
Traffic Calming Priorities
Commissioners agreed current speed tables are too harsh — even for ambulances — and asked staff to look at gentler designs. A resident also asked for follow-through on traffic studies and calming on South 24th Avenue after three serious crashes.
Charnow Park Splash Pad Redesign
The Mayor asked for options on the $2 million Charnow Park budget before committing to an expensive splash pad rebuild; Commissioner Shuham defended keeping a splash pad but acknowledged outdated mechanics.
North 56th Avenue Privacy Wall Replacement
A contract with MBR Construction, Inc. for up to $470,240 was on the consent agenda to replace the privacy wall along North 56th Avenue. This is a neighborhood infrastructure fix for residents along that corridor.
Lawn Acres side-yard variance and neighborhood character
A homeowner sought to extend his house 3 feet 9 inches along a non-conforming side setback. Neighbors protested drainage, privacy, and crowding concerns, and the board's denial motion tied 3-3, killing the request for now.
Firefighter contract and pension changes
The commission finalized pension ordinance changes and ratified the 2025-2028 fire union contract, raising member contributions and adjusting benefit accrual and retirement dates.
Stormwater Program Management Consulting
Stormwater construction capacity more than doubled and a $2.3 million sewer rehab contract was added — more work on pipes, manholes, and flooding fixes.
Downtown infrastructure complaints
Bob Glickman reported deep, worsening potholes on both sides of the Hollywood Beach Bridge span and asked they be fixed before they damage the bridge.
Johnson Street Bridge replacement advancing
Two contracts for construction engineering, inspection, and management on the Johnson Street Bridge replacement moved forward on the consent agenda.
Historic Preservation Board under-staffed
Board members and speakers pressed for protections for the Hollywood Beach Hotel and properties outside the current historic district, citing past studies identifying 100 historically significant beach properties. Dana Gallup urged TDR restrictions tied to historic facades.
Boulevard Heights Sidewalk Infill
The city will seek up to $5 million in federal-via-MPO grant money to fill missing sidewalks in Boulevard Heights — safer walking routes for a neighborhood that needs them.
Rotary Park and GO Bond Completion
Vice Mayor Callari wants every remaining GO bond project finished before her term ends — especially Rotary Park, which is finally out for bid after permit delays, with pricing due back by August.