Petition to Oppose Charter Amendment Change and "Special Joint Meeting" Between the City and CRA

We, the undersigned residents of Pompano Beach, strongly oppose the use of a misleadingly passed city charter amendment to justify a rushed land swap, and we reject the call for a “special joint meeting” to fast-track this deal.

Our objections include:

1. Misrepresentation of Charter Amendment’s Purpose: The charter amendment was presented as a technical adjustment to align with state law and prevent eminent domain for private gain. However, the real purpose appears to be to enable property transfers that could bypass state restrictions, facilitating deals that may not meet the public-use requirement of Florida law. The amendment’s true intent was misrepresented to voters, and using it to push a specific business transaction at this time is inappropriate and undermines voter trust.
2. Misleading Voter Information Within Voting Locations: Large "Ballot Questions Explained" posters were displayed inside the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center voting location, well within the 150-foot boundary from polling stations, in violation of the Broward Supervisor of Elections campaign rules. Displaying promotional material for the ballot questions within this area was a direct attempt to influence voters while they were actively casting ballots, adding to the misrepresentation of the amendment’s purpose.
3. Enabling a Private “Eminent Domain” Mechanism at the Municipal Level: Contrary to the description of the amendment given to voters, this change effectively grants the city eminent domain-like powers that favor private developers. By enabling a property swap, the city could facilitate private deals in ways prohibited under the state’s public-use requirements. This raises serious concerns about the legality and purpose of the amendment, especially given its misleading presentation to the community.
4. Immediate Application for a Preconceived Swap Deal: The quick use of the amendment for this specific land swap reveals that it was likely premeditated. The true motive was not just to “align” with state law but to enable this very transaction (and potentially others), which was entirely withheld from voters in pre-vote materials. The amendment appears to have been a veiled attempt to pass this specific swap without fully informing residents.
5. Disregarding the Will of the Community and Incoming Officials: A newly elected, non-conflicted commission, chosen by the residents of Pompano Beach, is set to take office shortly. Rushing this swap through with a lame-duck commission, without valid urgency, is a clear attempt to bypass the public’s choice for transparent leadership. Allowing the new commission to review both the amendment and the swap would demonstrate respect for community choice and rebuild trust.
6. Misleading Voters and Campaigning on City Property: It’s critical to recognize that not only was the amendment misrepresented to voters, but it was also actively promoted within voting locations like Emma Lou Olson Civic Center. Voters were misled about the amendment’s intent, while campaign material in the voting area compounded this deception. The same citizens who voted for the amendment, however misguidedly, also voted for new commissioners and expect these new representatives to review the amendment and proposed deal.

We call on our city’s leadership to halt all actions related to the charter amendment and this specific land swap until the new commission is in place. This approach will ensure that Pompano Beach’s future is directed by leaders who genuinely respect and act upon the community’s best interests.