City Clerk
Located at: City Hall, Second Floor, 5790 Margate Boulevard, Margate, Florida 33063
Contact Information: Email: cityclerk@margatefl.com Telephone: (954)935-5326
Business Hours: Monday through Thursday 8am to 6pm
In May of 1955, Margate became a town and then on June 22, 1961, Margate became incorporated as a City. At that time, Margate had a Mayor/Council form of government. In March of 1977, the form of government was changed to City Manager/Commission and that has not changed since that time. With this form of government, the City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City and is responsible for administering the affairs and the day-to-day operation of the City. Our City Manager is responsible to the City Commission and carries out the policies set by the Commission.
The City Commission is the legislative body of our government and is comprised of five members who are elected "at large" by the voters of Margate. That means they do not have to live in a certain district of the City. Our Commissioners serve a four-year term of office. Starting in 2012, the City elections will be held in the month of November, in conjunction with Broward County elections. Every March the five Commissioners elect from among themselves a Mayor and a Vice Mayor to serve a one-year term. The Mayor serves as the ceremonial head and as the Chairman of the City Commission for their meetings. Both the Mayor and Vice Mayor have full voting powers on the Commission.
The most important document concerning our city government is the "City Charter". The following is an example of what our Charter contains:
- Type of government.
- Commission terms of office and filing requirements.
- Duties of elected officials.
- Duties of City Manager and City Clerk.
- Sets forth budget and fiscal requirements for the City.
- Provides for certain city boards (volunteers who are appointed by the Commission).
- Contains city boundaries
The Regular City Commission meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday evening at City Hall and start at 7:00 PM. Special meetings are called for as needed. The City Commission also has Workshop Meetings to discuss specific items when more time needs to be devoted to special matters.
All the city meetings (Commission, board and committee) are open to the public with proper notice being given by posting all meeting notices on the bulletin board located on the front of our City Hall and by mailing the notices to the press for reporting to the public on meetings to be held.
In Florida we have a law known as "THE SUNSHINE LAW" that requires open meetings where proper notice must be given by governmental agencies. We welcome your attendance at any of our meetings and encourage you to see your government at work.
Each department of the City is managed by a Department Head who is responsible to the City Manager for the efficient management of their department. The City Clerk and the City Attorney, however, are responsible to and work for the City Commission.
Margate has grown considerably since 1967 when there were approximately 5,700 residents. As of April 2009, there are 53,207 residents. City laws are called ordinances and are passed upon the approval of a majority of the City Commissioners at a public meeting. Ordinances require two meetings and are voted on at each of the two meetings with a record being made of how each Commissioner votes on every item that comes before them. Minutes are required for all city meetings and are available for public inspection.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the City Clerk.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Eleven Members appointed for three year terms.
Meets as needed.
Beautification Committee
3 Members of the Planning and Zoning Board.
Meets after the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting on the 1st Tuesday at 7:00pm, as needed.
Board of Adjustment
5 Members appointed for two year terms.
1st Tuesday at 7 p.m. (Immediately following the Planning and Zoning Board meeting)
City Commission
5 Commissioners elected for four year terms.
Meets monthly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00pm.
Civil Service Board
5 Members with varied appointments for two year terms.
Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:30pm.
Community Redevelopment Agency
5 Commissioners appointed for four year terms.
Meets 2nd Monday of each month at 7 PM.
Development Review Committee
Meets in Commission Chambers monthly on 1st and 3rd Thursday at 9:30am.
Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency
5 Members appointed for two year terms.
Meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 7:00pm, as needed.
Special Magistrate Hearing
Meets 4th Tuesday at 2:00pm.
Unsafe Structures Board
9 members of varying occupations appointed for three year terms.
Meets as needed.
Meeting dates/times are subject to change, call City Hall at 954-972-6454 to verify.
Recognition for Members of the U.S. Military
If you know someone from Margate who has recently joined any branch of the U.S. Military, please contact the City Clerk s office at (954)-935-5321 so that the City Commission can formally recognize you on behalf of the City of Margate.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: All alcoholic beverage allocations MUST be approved by the City Commission. The number of alcoholic beverage allocations are restricted by Districts. Check with the City Clerk's office to determine if there is an allocation available for the classification you desire in the District in which you plan to locate. Applications for getting an Alcoholic Beverage Allocation are available at the Building Department in the Occupational License Division. The Margate City Code sets forth distance restrictions as well as hours of operation.
Extended Hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages requires a SPECIAL PERMIT that must be approved by the City Commission. An application for consideration of a SPECIAL PERMIT is also available at the City Clerk's office and Occupational License Division.
STATE OF FLORIDA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE can be applied for at the State of Florida Division of Alcohol and Tobacco, 5080 Coconut Creek Parkway, Margate, FL 33063, phone (954) 917-1346. APPROVAL BY THE MARGATE CITY COMMISSION IS NEEDED PRIOR TO THE ZONING OFFICIAL SIGNING THE STATE BEVERAGE FORMS.
HOURS FOR SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: The hours of sale of alcoholic beverages at any establishment within the city shall be 8:00AM to 12:00 Midnight, Monday through Saturday; and 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Midnight on Sunday, unless an establishment has obtained a special permit.
NOTE - The following hours APPLY ONLY IF A SPECIAL PERMIT HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE COMMISSION:
From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00a.m. of the following day, Monday through Thursday;
From 8:00 a.m. Friday until 4:00 a.m. the following Saturday;
From 8:00 a.m. Saturday until 4:00 a.m. the following Sunday;
From 12:00 noon Sunday until 2:00 a.m. the following Monday;
From 8:00 a.m. New Year's Eve until 4:00 a.m. on New Year's Day;
From 8:00 a.m. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) until 4:00 a.m. on March18.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SPECIAL PERMITS:
The application fee for a Special Permit for extended hours is $150 per year and the permit must be renewed each year by approval of the City Commission. Special Permits are not transferable. If a business is sold, the new owner must apply for approval. All applicants must furnish a copy of their State License with their application.
DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS:
No liquor or beer and wine license approval for consumption on the premises shall be issued where the place of business is within 1,000 feet of a house of worship, a public or private school, or childcare center.
NOTE: WAIVER OF DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS can be granted through the approval of a variance. Application for a variance must be made and payment of the $200 fee for the variance must be paid before the request for the variance can be put before the Board of Adjustment for a Public Hearing.