Name: Joshua D. Rydell
Campaign website: ourcoconutcreek.com
Date, place of birth: June, 1981 Buffalo, NY
Coconut Creek is hiring outside counsel in an effort to prevent the state from widening Florida’s Turnpike through residents’ back yards. Do you support this step and why or why not?
I strongly support this measure of hiring outside counsel to protect Coconut Creek residents from the Florida Department of Transportation’s planned turnpike widening.
The Florida Turnpike expansion has been in the conceptual phase for almost a decade and the project has gone through multiple designs and components in that time. The most recent reiteration is a westward expansion of ten (10) lanes that require all of the expansion to happen on the west side (Coconut Creek) of the turnpike. This design concept will bring the turnpike within feet of numerous Coconut Creek residential developments including a retirement community. Residents are rightfully concerned about car pollution, air quality, contaminated highway water runoff, and overall quality of life and especially unknown potential detrimental health outcomes.
The proposals for a central expansion or an eastern expansion (to industrial areas) have been rejected due to gas lines being underground, meaning an additional cost to the expansion. An eight-lane proposal with central expansion works, however this has not been supported by the Florida Department of Transportation. I have advocated at over a dozen public meetings and been engaged with our City’s state lobbyists as well as FDOT administrators to suggest alternative design strategies. Based on the lack of collaboration, a lawsuit is the final option to look after Coconut Creek residents’ best interests.
Broward County Commissioners are considering approving a higher limit for the disposal of garbage at Monarch Hill landfill, just outside the city limits. What is your position on this proposal?
The current item before the Broward County Commission at their January 28th commission meeting is not just for a hundred-foot height increase but for an over 20-acre land use plan amendment which will change an area designated for Waste to Energy (WTE) to Landfill. This proposal is for BOTH increased height and width and will set Broward County back another decade. I have been strongly opposed and advocating nonstop since Waste Management first filed their expansion application starting with the Planning Council. In October 2022, the Planning Council unanimously voted to not recommend approval to the County Commission of Waste Management’s application.
As a member of the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County’s Executive Committee, I led my colleagues on the committee in urging the County Commission to defer their vote until at least the completion of the Solid Waste Authority’s master plan which has been communicated to the County. There have been no studies conducted discussing the health and welfare of the neighboring communities, no studies discussing linear deficiency in the current landfill, and no studies that correctly explain our water table issues surrounding the site due to the increasing weight of the landfill that is sinking and seeping into our water. We need to fully engage ALL of our stakeholders to understand what Broward County garbage needs will look like in 40 years and not be shortsighted in these decisions.
Simply, I oppose any and all expansion of the Monarch Hill landfill.
The city is considering hiring a retired judge at the eye-catching fee of $550 an hour to independently investigate a dispute between Vice Mayor Railey and her opponent over the management of the Wynmoor retirement community. Do you support this expenditure, and why or why not?
I fully support transparency, however this question as posed is inaccurate. The scope of the outside independent investigation is unrelated to the management of the Wynmoor retirement community. The allegations lodged against Vice Mayor Railey which are specific to the City are that she has misused City resources in her capacity as an elected official. Specifically, that she misused the Coconut Creek Police Department and Building Department. It is noteworthy that Vice Mayor Railey requested the outside investigation.
The city commission gave unanimous consensus for an outside arbiter (an unbiased retired judge with a unique skill set) to conduct an independent investigation about the use of City resources. It is of utmost importance that an independent party conducts this investigation and the arbiter has legal expertise and experience in the nuance of public use, the canons of ethics for elected officials, as well as Florida Statutes.
Upon Vice Mayor Railey’s request and the City Attorney’s recommendation and as a practicing attorney myself, and nearly 20-year member of the Florida Bar, I do support proceeding with the outside investigation. I look forward to reading the results of the investigation so that we may move forward in continuing to build upon strong relationships and trust within our community.
Coconut Creek is one of the few cities in Broward that holds municipal elections in March of odd-numbered years, which limits voter participation and results in extremely low turnouts. Would you favor a move to November elections, and why or why not?
I have publicly supported November elections since I first joined the city commission in 2015 and I will continue to do so. I firmly believe in democracy and the participation of voters to select their representatives, which is most successful when everyone participates. Our constitutional right to vote is sacred and I hope to see an increased voter turnout in our March 11th Municipal Election with three city commission seats on the ballot.
Though I do worry about turnout, the reality is that voting access is limited in this election as there will be no early voting AND due to recent erosive Florida election law changes ALL vote-by-mail (VBM) requests have expired as of January 1st, 2025. This means everyone who was previously signed up to vote by mail MUST re-register on the browardvotes.gov website to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for this March 11th Municipal Election.
I want to emphasize to all Coconut Creek residents who wish to make their vote count to please sign up for a VBM before or by February 27th, 2025 at 5pm deadline to request for this election.
Does Coconut Creek have a serious crime problem, and if so, what should be done about it?
Crime rates are some of the lowest in the entire county in our city and case closure rates are at some of the highest. Coconut Creek, like all Broward, struggles with crime. Our Police Department is focused on solving criminal issues while also forging meaningful relationships with residents.
We have a unique initiative in Coconut Creek that is one of my proudest accomplishments known as “Do the Right Thing Coconut Creek,” where we host monthly ceremonies at the City Hall Commission Chambers in conjunction with our Police Department and local leaders to recognize exemplary young people in our city as role models to their peers and recount their good deeds. Investing in our youth has always been a priority of mine, especially as the father of two brilliant and beautiful daughters.
Is the city too pro-development, or does it strike the right balance between growth and preservation?
I have supported smart growth and development. We have preserved one of the highest amounts of green space per developed acre while minimizing density and keeping the millage rate low. In the past year, the City has launched our Tree Canopy Replacement Grant Program with the intent to increase our tree cover in the city as responsible and committed stewards to the environment. Coconut Creek is blessed with nature preserves, parks, and wildlife that I am committed to preserving, growing, and promoting. We have been a Tree City USA award winner for over 35 years and are committed to preserving our communities.
Redevelopment can enhance distressed neighborhoods and commercial areas. I am proud of the work the City has done to encourage economic development such as the future mixed use Mainstreet downtown vision in the heart of the City for all to enjoy.
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?
I have proudly served the Residents of Coconut Creek since 2015 as Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commissioner.
I have been engaged countywide on regional issues that directly impact Coconut Creek residents and businesses through the Solid Waste Authority of Broward, the Broward League of Cities, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. With nearly a decade of serving the Residents of Coconut Creek, I have been part of the decisions of creating our own Fire Department, creating a partnership with the City of Coral Springs in drastically improving 911 dispatch, and hiring a new city manager, all within the last few years.
My children were born in, go to school in, and play sports in Coconut Creek. My incredible wife is a dedicated educator in the city. We are so proud to raise our family here and have always been deeply involved in the community. My family and I love living in this beautiful place which further drives my commitment to public service.
I give a tremendous amount of credit to anyone that wishes to run for office. The beauty of democracy. I believe all candidates share a common goal of wanting to see our Coconut Creek thrive. On Election Day, I hope the residents decide to allow me to continue working for them. It has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve.
List in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent, colleges and universities attended with years of attendance and degrees held.
Nova Southeastern University Law School 2003 – 2006 Juris Doctorate
University of Delaware 1999 – 2003 Bachelor of Arts
List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
The Law Office of Joshua D. Rydell, PA 2007 – Present
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details and disposition.
No
Have you ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
As I publicly disclosed when I first ran for office (2015) and wrote about when I applied to the Florida Bar, I was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2004. I respectfully cooperated with all requests made of me by law enforcement throughout the investigation. Ultimately, the charges against me were dismissed. I disclosed this to the Sun Sentinel in a 2015 candidate questionnaire completed during my race for the Coconut Creek City Commission and went on to win the paper’s endorsement, as well as other organizations that were aware of the event. I learned from and take full responsibility for this regrettable episode from my past, which is why I have deliberately never attempted to hide, expunge or otherwise obscure it.