A new Community Events and Civic Engagement Advisory Board would replace the diversity board before Florida's DEI ban voids it Jan. 1. First vote is Nov. 4.
Pembroke Pines plans to replace its Diversity and Heritage Advisory Board with a new Community Events and Civic Engagement Advisory Board. The City Commission takes a first vote on the change at its 6:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The proposal is Proposed Ordinance 2026-15. It is item 14 on the Nov. 4 agenda. Second and final reading is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 2, according to the agenda item.
Why the city is doing it
A new state law, Chapter 2026-43, Laws of Florida, bars cities from funding, promoting or taking official action on diversity, equity and inclusion. Local rules that conflict with it become void Jan. 1, 2027.
The ordinance says the City Attorney’s Office has concluded that the 2019 ordinance creating the diversity board is void as of that date. The commission wants a new board “to remove any doubt as to compliance or a perceived conflict” with the law, the ordinance says.
Commissioners asked the city attorney to draft the replacement at their Oct. 21 meeting. We reported on the city attorney’s analysis before that meeting.
What the new board would do
Its stated mission is to strengthen connections among residents and with City Hall. It would make recommendations on community events, civic engagement and recognizing the city’s history and traditions.
Under the ordinance, the board would:
- advise the commission on city-sponsored activities, programs and events
- review upcoming city events and suggest ideas on programming, publicity, accessibility and turnout
- review attendance figures, feedback and staff summaries after events
- recommend ways to preserve and recognize local history, landmarks and civic traditions, and significant civic and historical observances, “consistent with applicable law”
- look for grants and sponsorships for city festivals, celebrations and history programs
City staff would still run the events. The board’s recommendations would be advisory only.
How it would be set up
| Under Ordinance 2026-15 | |
|---|---|
| Regular members | 15, three appointed by the mayor and by each of the four commissioners |
| Alternates | 10, two per appointing official |
| Where members live | Commissioners appoint from their own district; the mayor’s picks can live anywhere |
| First members | The current diversity board members, unless the appointing official decides otherwise |
| Meetings | At least once a quarter |
| Quorum | Eight voting members |
The old board had the same size, 15 regular members and 10 alternates. Its mission was “to promote awareness and to celebrate the rich heritage and the vast diversity of the city.”
The city lists the initial cost of the new board as none, according to the agenda item’s financial impact section.
What it means for you
- Nothing changes in city services. Both the old and new boards are advisory.
- If you serve on the diversity board, the ordinance gives you a seat on the new one unless the official who appointed you directs otherwise.
- You can speak on the ordinance at either reading, at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way. Meetings also stream on the city’s live stream page.
- City events tied to state or federal observances, such as the Hispanic Heritage Festival, are not affected by the change, under the city attorney’s earlier reading of the law.
Also on the Nov. 4 agenda: design money for widening SW 196th Avenue between Pembroke Road and Pines Boulevard.
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