[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537756,"mediaKeyId","3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad","parentId",3443741,"title","Votes at a glance: Margate approves contracts, CRA extension, fire-station waivers and magistrate compensation","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",2071000,"endMs",2176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad&start=2071&end=2176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad/thumbnail_2071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537756/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Margate-approves-contracts-CRA-extension-fire-station-waivers-and-magistrate-compensation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537756-05e1ce309827237404c4d7a1efaff581/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169726&Signature=lRL5h9RWqioNq7SRr9OI8dM9h8SPiz24haL0nYF-tWiywyZKFo5UTeO4I4jP~TGnnPgUnaoOfO7-KAlDMv6UhcOjZmzzfJeOOP-YG7jPvYnSJiX~j2qd5kIHDLWitt1SOtwMPtWCTyBJ9r~c9HLPqXVF5pLJR9h6y-9u7cXN4OkH7tzr5WNRsxDEpieqh2KqowjfSLw8Z1cDnWxwZZ5GeWYRXTydrcqcSv244iJBN4iLNo~T1QKGCv19mELqIdBwqU--GqZVKlC0I51n9ulHZvE0iz5OXZf8TeEXyTZmcHtWxW3TxHCnl7qDIHdcG5qr2fgnV96BsmLwPpmXNZ8PQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Margate","date","2025-05-22T00:00:00Z","article","At its May 21 meeting the Margate City Commission approved several consent items and resolutions with little debate. Highlights:

- Consent agenda (items 5a and 5b): The commission authorized administration to negotiate with the top-ranked firm Global Tech Inc. under RFQ 2020-58 for design-build services for wastewater treatment and headworks rehabilitation, and approved an interlocal agreement with Broward County and the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency extending the CRA's sunset date. Both items were approved as part of the consent agenda.

- Resolution (item 6a): The commission waived bidding and authorized contracts for fire-station improvements with Lawrence Contracting LLC and preferred security vendors CSI Video Security and Security 101. Funding was identified from fire impact fees in the amount of $108,472.47 plus a 10% contingency; the resolution passed on roll call.

- Resolution (item 6c): The commission amended compensation terms for special magistrate services provided by the law offices of John Jay Hearn; the item passed on roll call.

All of the above items were approved by the commission as presented during the meeting. Individual roll-call confirmations were recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Margate - 5/21/25 Regular City Commission Meeting - May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission approved consent items and a slate of resolutions including authorization to negotiate a wastewater design-build agreement, an interlocal extension for the Margate CRA, waivers for fire-station security work, and compensation relief for special magistrate services.","taxTitle","Margate, Broward County, Florida","taxId",5088,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537760,"Margate approves ordinance letting property owners remove nonnative iguanas; residents sharply divided",2847,3825000,6672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad&start=3825&end=6672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad/thumbnail_3825000.jpg","/articles/6537760/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Margate-approves-ordinance-letting-property-owners-remove-nonnative-iguanas-residents-sharply-divided","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537760-83c25318f1704ac6c7447329b91bf91c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169726&Signature=EACLHKZK7rV3qnwuB2~6GBJA61NK6rolWyenhl4HGrjmMmjcoP~MIOOxEqwCAihq6lOkVfj~L17QW6zv7~SkY967wgG74tkGcHkKjROFWqQIqqlnl68TA-VHLUuQu-~zWEt1DzXWt6SEU7gjCU4KL7MSHloYvxd8Drx2Dvyzc~SZkvQhjCcFOKoJenQLy~mjiJXhXr4ZvRA31DuiFI9~mNA01FnIEzIkCj61cSeVkoh8DPjWgo95OZMQNxtNQ0~jE4E17SYHnLwWsTjvH3bO2DpCN7EbEq3sJLeaPrvG8PKRYyJLNyv91HrE47sj4UXgHfVbipa9cJruvlFzbUL9lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Margate City Commission on May 21 approved a city ordinance on second reading that permits property owners and authorized agents to humanely remove nonnative invasive iguanas on private property and establishes limited sanctuary exceptions and enforcement rules. The measure passed 4-1 after a lengthy public hearing in which residents described extensive property damage and safety concerns.

The ordinance amends City of Margate Code, including Chapter 6 (Animals and Fowl) and provisions in Chapter 33 (Police and Law Enforcement Offenses), to carve out an exception for nonnative invasive iguana species while preserving other animal-protection language. City staff and several residents referenced Florida's list of invasive species and noted the state allows euthanizing certain invasive animals; commissioners said the change is intended to align local code with state practice and to allow property owners to act on their own land or to authorize others to act.

Residents who supported the ordinance described extensive landscaping and infrastructure damage. Several public speakers said iguanas dig burrows that undermine seawalls and foundations, eat ornamental and fruit trees, and create unsanitary conditions. One speaker, Gwen Arteaga, said a seawall repair cost about $14,000 and attributed much of the damage to iguana burrowing; another speaker said he counted more than 40 baby iguanas emerging from a yard last year. Supporters said humane removal is often the only practical remedy after repellents and exclusion measures fail.

Opponents and some commissioners warned the change could create public-safety risks. Speakers cited incidents of people shooting from canals and concerns about pellet and air rifles, the risk to bystanders and pets, and enforcement difficulties. Mayor Arlene Schwartz said she would vote no because of safety concerns and the potential for illegal shooting into private property, though she noted such conduct already would be illegal. City officials and some commissioners encouraged residents to use licensed professionals and to be mindful that state law already prohibits shooting onto another person's property.

The final roll-call vote was 4-1: Commissioners Rosano, Casciano, Simone and Vice Mayor Serio voted yes; Mayor Arlene Schwartz voted no. City staff said the ordinance becomes effective immediately.","After a public hearing with extended testimony, the Margate City Commission approved a second-reading ordinance to allow the humane removal of nonnative invasive iguanas on private property and to recognize certain wildlife sanctuary exceptions. The measure passed 4-1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537765,"Margate sets $373 maximum fire-assessment cap, directs notices ahead of July public hearing",1453,2315000,3768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad&start=2315&end=3768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443741-90b6a60921342c920e27137485db36ad/thumbnail_2315000.jpg","/articles/6537765/Margate/Broward-County/Florida/Margate-sets-373-maximum-fire-assessment-cap-directs-notices-ahead-of-July-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537765-4cd69e89f288d4d80b0bb5567f49fc30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169726&Signature=RcHq2SqZRApXodoLtgaYgfQzd~ztqnTQVN26LPasaBpHLRhkSKdtp3O05Q1UrwX3FxjMt10CQsVXClImMyF1RqdGIFwOn3CCSH6blyS~m0zwPt2KQv5J42oxtDYyvdJUprlBXfkpSFv-9UNV61rB2ZUY7WRH4S2VDXBUVKNMgjK2TIAejrqXUUI4rgKDRdvt1WGolLbYT1T7ujLmQZ9PdEHiYl~PpDzVVwJrieZ7x3MjCqXfx-YwkLJz7nXSBhrtUCApQs8VuXL4uC3ZIEYRewNfSM7aB1fpO1aoiyGRUbOeMvMdkbbXiTAtX~H9o54X-02b4Vc0hY9XBiQvLgLJmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Margate City Commission voted 4-1 on May 21, 2025, to set the city's maximum allowable fire-assessment cap at $373 per residential unit and to direct staff to prepare the assessment roll and mail required notices to property owners. The motion sets a legal ceiling under the city's existing fire-assessment study but does not set the final rate, officials said.

Commissioners and members of the public debated the measure at length because it frames how the city can raise recurring revenue to cover projected increases in fire-department costs. City staff said the $373 figure is the maximum allowed by the city's fire-assessment study; the commission has set the actual assessed rate lower in recent years. City staff estimated the notice mailings required by law would cost about $40,000. The city manager and commissioners said the procedural vote preserves the option to raise the rate incrementally in future years without the annual expense of full-municipal mailings.

Supporters urged modest, regular increases to avoid sharp future hikes. Brian Palmer, a union representative for the Margate firefighters, urged the commission to begin increasing compensation now to retain personnel and to avoid service declines. Residents and some commissioners warned about the cost burden on households; one commissioner proposed leaving the rate at $300 this year but that amendment failed. The commission discussed the potential fiscal impacts: staff stated this year's fire budget is about $17,000,000 and that the current $300 assessment brings in about $10,000,000, with roughly $7,000,000 subsidized from other city revenues.

The item moved the process forward: staff will mail notices to property owners, and the commission will hold the statutorily required public hearing in July, when it will set the final assessed rate to be charged for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The commission's roll-call vote on May 21 recorded four yes votes and one no; Mayor Arlene Schwartz cast the lone no vote.

The decision does not immediately change residents' bills. City staff emphasized this vote only sets the legal maximum permitted by the city's assessment study; any adopted increase would come later after additional public notice and a separate vote.","The City Commission voted 4-1 on May 21 to set the maximum allowable fire assessment at $373 per residential unit and to direct staff to prepare the assessment roll and mail required notices; the final rate will be set at a later public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Margate approves contracts, CRA extension, fire-station waivers and magistrate compensation

Margate approves ordinance letting property owners remove nonnative iguanas; residents sharply divided

Margate sets $373 maximum fire-assessment cap, directs notices ahead of July public hearing