City Attorney JJ Hearn warned stakeholders not to interfere with the bidding process for a full football program in Coral Springs.
Screenshot of Coral Springs City livestream
The topic of football once again dominated the latest city commission meeting, with fans of the current state of the sport in Coral Springs showing up to say they want things to stay the way they are for local youth.
Although this item was not on the agenda for the Wednesday, March 4, meeting, coaches and parents stopped by the commission chambers to express support for their program, in response to the city’s plan to consolidate a comprehensive football program.
“The city is facing a global football plan “This effort will help ensure consistent use of facilities, a clearer schedule and more streamlined operations, creating a positive and reliable experience for families, players and coaches.”
The city has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking any organization interested in submitting plans, and it is now up to the evaluation committee to review the submissions.
Last meeting of the commission, supporters of Coral Springs Youth Soccer Club – who apparently did not submit an offer – had a packed house to speak on behalf of his program. This time, several speakers supported the Springs Soccer Club, which submitted a bid for the RFP.
City Attorney JJ Hearn warned speakers against interfering with the proposal procurement processsaying city officials learned that emails had been sent encouraging residents to come to the commission meeting to speak out on the plan, including some discussion points.
Hearn added that it could violate the bidding process if people spoke to the request of an organization responding to a bid, which could result in the bid being rejected.
Residents who wished to speak out of their own accord were invited to do so.
Laurie Thomas, director of operations for the Springs Soccer Club, spoke about her club’s impact, saying her remarks had nothing to do with the tender.
“It’s more than a football club,” Thomas said. “This is the Springs Soccer Club. One vision, one club, one community. What started as just an idea has grown into something much bigger. A place where children believe, where families come together and where a city is proud of its youth.”
Hearn said he would assess whether Thomas’ remarks constituted a violation of the bidding process.
Diego Perez, a Coral Springs resident and founder of the Agape Soccer Academy, said his experience running a soccer club showed him the importance of local recreational leagues.
“In my experience, when a city allows only one football entity to provide football lessons in all parts of the city, it creates disappointment for a section of citizens,” he said. “Families want the freedom to choose a football program based on their needs and values. »
After the speakers, city officials tried to allay concerns that some programs would be cut under the proposal. They did the same at the last meeting of the commission.
“It’s the exact same process that happened six years ago that we’re repeating now because they’re at the end of the contract,” City Manager Catherine Givens said.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen asked for clarification that neither recreational nor travel soccer would be eliminated.
“The intent is to be able to present a recommendation to this commission so that there is sufficient time for the travel football program to be able to have tryouts so that we can continue to have travel football,” Givens responded.
Taxation and other topics
The next topic up for discussion was allowing the Broward County Tax Collector’s Office to keep up to 2 percent of the non-ad valorem assessments it collects and remits to the city.
“Based on the assessments we have for fiscal year 2026, and we have three — fire assessment, solid waste assessment and stormwater assessment — the fiscal impact for us is approximately $828,000 and on top of that possible administrative costs,” said Ileana Kyriakides, the city’s budget and sustainability director.
Mayor Scott Brook said it might be a stupid question, but he asked if it was negotiable.
The new county office was created in 2025 following a voter-approved referendum in 2024, so towns didn’t have a chance to budget for the 2 percent they would have to give up to the county office, Givens said.
She said they discussed the issue with the tax collector’s office, and it agreed to charge only 1 percent this year, although it could charge up to 2 percent.
The mayor said he was almost inclined to say no.
“The law allows them to go up to 2%,” Hearn said. “So the 1% saves us, quote, $400,000 right now, but that’s a lot more than last year.”
Commissioners approved the item.
During the meeting, the city also proclaimed March Irish-American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month and Anal Cancer Awareness Month, with the mayor discussing his wife’s battle with the disease approximately 17 years earlier.
The commissioners also proclaimed the 49th edition Broward County Waterway Cleanupi.e. Saturday March 7.
Police Chief Brad Mock read an amendment to the city ordinance that would allow certain personnel to enter city property without permission, but he also created an appeals process for anyone cited for trespassing.
The next meeting of the commission will take place on Wednesday March 25.
