Tamarac announces emergency generator purchase and appoints new Parks and Recreation Director

The Tamarac City Commission meeting on July 9, 2025, focused on several key issues, including hurricane preparedness, public safety updates, and community development initiatives.

A significant discussion centered on enhancing hurricane preparedness for residents. City officials announced the completion of a dedicated hurricane section on the city’s website, which will provide essential resources, including links to Florida Power & Light (FPL) for reporting outages. Additionally, a proposal was made to distribute a special hurricane edition of the city’s newsletter, the Grama, to ensure that residents, particularly seniors who may not frequently visit the website, have access to vital information.

City Manager Jim McGowan provided updates on a gas leak on University Drive, confirming that the situation has been contained and repairs are underway, alleviating any immediate danger to the public. He also reported on an emergency purchase of a new generator for the Tamarac Community Center, which is necessary due to the failure of the existing unit. The total cost for the new generator and its installation is approximately $230,174, with a temporary generator provided to maintain services during the transition.

In personnel news, Melissa Petrone was officially appointed as the new Director of Parks and Recreation, recognized for her two decades of service and leadership in the department. The meeting also celebrated Division Chief Tommy Demopoulos, who received the NFPA's Fire Marshal of the Year award for 2024, highlighting his commitment to fire prevention and community safety.

The city received recognition as an Amazon Cloud Services Champion for 2025, showcasing its innovative use of technology to enhance municipal services. This accolade reflects Tamarac's commitment to digital transformation and effective service delivery.

In community engagement, the city announced upcoming events, including a Back to School Splash on August 2 and a community resource fair on August 9. A public meeting regarding a comprehensive vulnerability assessment is scheduled for August 21, encouraging resident participation and feedback.

The next commission meeting is set for August 27, 2025, at 9:30 AM, where further discussions on community initiatives and safety measures are expected.