Title
MOTION TO PASS PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-15 ON FIRST READING.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-15 IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 32, ENTITLED “DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES”, BY ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES “COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD”; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SECOND AND FINAL READING IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2, 2026.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. On June 19, 2019, Ordinance 1928, creating Section 32.192 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, was adopted by the City Commission creating the City of Pembroke Pines’ Diversity and Heritage Advisory Board (“Diversity Board”).
2. The Board was created with great dignity, grace, and forethought and to formalize the Diversity and Heritage Committee, which had donated countless hours making thoughtful recommendations to the City Commission on enhancing the City’s community identity and increasing resident participation in City events.
3. The Florida Legislature enacted Chapter 2026-43 Laws of Florida, codified in § 166.04971, Florida Statutes (“DEI Statute”) which expressly prohibits municipalities from funding, promoting, or taking any official action related to “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”.
4. Any existing ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, or policies relating to “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” are void as of January 1, 2027.
5. The City Attorney’s Office has opined that the Diversity Board ordinance is void as of January 1, 2027.
6. The City Commission wishes to create a new advisory board to remove any doubt as to compliance or a perceived conflict with the DEI Statute.
7. The City Commission desires to create an advisory board to unequivocally operate in a manner consistent with state law and provide recommendations to the Commission concerning histo...
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