Questionnaire: Adam Roberti, candidate for Hollywood City Commission District 5 – Sun Sentinel

Name: Adam Roberti

Campaign website: adamforhollywood.com

Date and place of birth: January 22nd, 1996 – Hollywood, Florida

In your opinion, is your city generally on the right track or wrong track, and why or why not?
As someone born and raised in Hollywood, in District 5, I am running because I feel our city is on the wrong track, and that we need new voices in our city politics to create a better future for Hollywood.

To be clear, Hollywood has immense strengths that remain evident. Hollywood is an exceptionally diverse city demographically and economically, and District 5 itself is one of the most diverse municipal districts in all of Broward County. Hollywood has a talent base of artists, innovators, business owners, activists, young people, and civic leaders that emanate from every possible background and worldview. That provides Hollywood with an envious amount of potential. As the third largest city in Broward County, we could be taking advantage of some very real upside with this amount of talent and diversity.

Unfortunately, we have seen too many failures of both vision and performance from our city commission. Instead of taking advantage of our diverse assets through creative, community-oriented solutions with real buy-in from residents, we have seen the current Commission majority develop an adversarial relationship with voters. Instead of smart and sustainable growth, our residents too often feel governed by monied interests who lack a comprehensive, balanced vision. There are significant opportunities to improve both the policy and the communication elements in order to maximize our potential.

One of the most common refrains I have heard while campaigning is a sentiment that West Hollywood in particular is falling behind the rest of the city. This is a working-class district. As someone who grew up in this District, went to public schools here, and had their first job here, I know what working families mean when they say this. I believe I have the skillset, experience, and ideas needed to get us on the right track.

List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each.
Flooding/Climate Change: The need to build resilient infrastructure is not optional. My professional background is at the intersection of climate and education, and I want my hometown to be a capital of resiliency that serves as a model. Even in District 5, in western Hollywood, flooding remains a persistent issue after regular rainstorms, much less extreme weather. Climate change raises costs and threatens homes, business, and lives. We need to invest in septic to sewer conversion, enhanced drainage, and clean energy solutions. As a member of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force and the Hollywood Sustainability Advisory Committee, I feel uniquely equipped to work with our regional partners to implement solutions, such as pursuing the $20 million in Tier One grant funding from the Broward Countywide Resilience Plan.

Affordability: District 5 is a working-class area with residents of all backgrounds. The American Dream is becoming distant for families. We need to build more affordable housing in a way that is sensible and sustainable, create better-paying jobs within Hollywood by working with both the public and private sector on partnerships, expand homeownership opportunities like the program created by the expiring Beach CRA funds, and reduce property insurance costs by combatting flooding.

Transparency: Over the past several years, residents in Hollywood have felt a sense of conflict with the Commission, particularly regarding controversial developments. Residents deserve a Commission that is responsive and generous with their time, willing to work together with respect. I am prepared to work with staff to enhance our communication offerings and create outreach initiatives to make residents feel like their needs are met and their voices are heard. In fact, through my Hollywood Resident Resources page on my campaign website, I have already started doing that work. That information is available at https://www.adamforhollywood.com/resources.

Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I am opposed to Amendment 3 and will be voting against it. Amendment 3 is a short-sighted idea that would strip Hollywood of the revenues needed to make the long-term investments our city so desperately needs. Homeowners certainly are looking for relief. However, Amendment 3 would actually provide a net negative economic impact for most Florida families. The adverse effects on municipal budgets would far outweigh the immediate short-term savings. Economic development would stall due to a lack of necessary infrastructure investments. Property values would decrease and property insurance would increase as cuts to environmental programs would lead to flooding and weather damage. The diverse families that make up areas like District 5 would too often be left without a safety net, and all of us would be poorer for it. Both of my parents are nurses, and I know Amendment 3 would have impacted them, both as first-time homeowners in this District and due to the negative impacts on hospitals. Amendment 3 is not the solution to the affordability crisis. It is an accelerator. As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to look for more sensible ways to relieve costs. This includes making efficient and effective investments in building resilience, generating economic development, and making sure Hollywood is a comfortable, safe place to live with quality parks, culture, and schools.

If you are elected and Amendment 3 passes, you will have to reduce services or raise other fees. Can you cite a specific city program or service that is wasteful or unnecessary?
Before making any cuts to city services, residents of Hollywood deserve to know that their City Commission is acting from a place of good faith and economic responsibility. Last year, the City Commission voted 5-2 to give themselves a large raise with little public notice or discussion. When I am out campaigning, it is often difficult to get residents to believe in positive change when they read about actions like this. It is a contradiction to need revenue and vote for raises like this. If I was on the Commission, I would have voted no. If Amendment 3 passes, we first need to look inward and act publicly to restore trust in city government as responsible decision makers.

In terms of which specific services I would cut, I believe that my perspective as a younger candidate who also works as the Executive Director of a local non-profit would allow me to take a real look at where new technologies and evolving practices could be used to save money. This includes eliminating duplicative contracts and spending less time and revenue on hiring consultants. When our own staff now has research tools to perform these assessments, we can cut spending without necessarily impacting services. This is not the only place I would look, but it is the first place.

When the conversation around Amendment 3 occurs, too often local officials are quick to throw arts, culture, and nature under the bus. We have a city where economic growth will depend on making resilient investments. We also know that Hollywood’s artistic investment and cultural institutions are some of the most valuable assets we have, specifically as we face a crisis of polarization and media literacy across the country. We need a Commissioner who has the background to understand the impacts of these choices.

How would you assess your city’s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
I am strongly opposed to further development on the barrier island and in other flood vulnerable areas, including the 1301 development and the proposed beach overlay program. Developing in these areas does not make sense from either an environmental or economic perspective. Reasonable minds can disagree on these issues. That’s part of democracy. However, we should all be concerned by the tactics used by the current Commission majority on these issues. In addition to ignoring the sensible concerns of hundreds of residents at public meetings, we have also seen big money interests interceding in elections. In my race, major developers including the Related Group have donated thousands to a leadership PAC which has released a mailer and text blast on behalf of my opponent. Our voters deserve to know who is supporting candidates and why. They also deserve a voice who is not powered by developer interests or PAC money.

I do believe that smart and sensible development is possible within the city of Hollywood. This is necessary to increase the supply of affordable housing and make living in Hollywood attainable for young families and working people. There are ways to build walkable and dense corridors without sacrificing water/sewer infrastructure or destroying green space. I support development located around transit hubs. I am a supporter of the building of a Broward Commuter Rail station in our downtown, expansion of bike lanes and multimodal options, and a much more effective use of our Broward transportation surtax funds. To that end, I plan to work with outgoing County Commissioner Beam Furr, as well as incoming County Commissioner Caryl Shuham, both of whom have endorsed my campaign, to ensure that Hollywood is getting an effective allocation of surtax dollars that make sense for transit-oriented development.

What single factor most distinguishes you from your opponent and why?
Too often, we are faced with a false dichotomy in elections. Voters are forced to ask if they want someone with fresh ideas and a new voice, or if they want someone with the compelling experience necessary to lead immediately. I do not believe that voters should be forced to choose. I believe that I have the proven background to be ready on day one, while also inspiring much-needed generational change within our city’s politics.

As a candidate born, raised, and doing the work in this District, I am prepared to serve with real expertise and insight. In addition to my professional experience with the Cortada Foundation, I also serve on the Broward County Climate Change Task Force, and on Hollywood’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and Floodplain Management Committee.  My community work has been highlighted by the White House and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and featured by national outlets including PBS NewsHour and The Washington Post. This dynamic work has given me the skillset necessary to lead on the issues, be responsive to constituents, and ensure that Hollywood’s taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.

At the same time, I am a younger candidate who is focused on the Hollywood of the future. I want families in District 5 to have the same opportunities I did growing up in this District. I see that future slipping away due to inaction and monied interests. We need someone who is independent of the political grudges and calcified arguments that have defined the past few years on the Hollywood dais. This requires someone who has optimism that we can build coalitions across the entire city and move forward with something new. I believe I offer that needed voice of change, without sacrificing the experience that our residents deserve.

List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
2018 – 2019:

Master of Professional Science, Environment, Culture and Media

University of Miami, Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy, Coral Gables, FL

2014 – 2018:

Bachelor of Arts, Ecosystem Science & Policy, Marine Affairs; Minor: Theatre

University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Coral Gables, FL

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
2021 – Present
Executive Director, Cortada Foundation

The Cortada Foundation, founded by Florida Hall of Fame Artist Xavier Cortada, is a nonprofit that uses interactive art to bring people together around education, civic engagement, and protecting our environment. I build partnerships with schools, parks, libraries, businesses, and local governments to expand youth programs, strengthen neighborhood resilience, and improve everyday quality of life. In this role, I’ve helped secure more than $3 million in public art and education funding for South Florida communities. I also founded the Cortada Science Art Academy, a program that blends hands-on science, creative problem-solving, and leadership development for students.

2019 – 2021
Studio Manager, Cortada Studio

2018 – 2019
Communication Coordinator, Office of Sustainability, University of Miami

2017 – 2019
Naturalist, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, Key Biscayne

2017 – 2019
Teacher, Island Dolphin Care, Key Largo

2017 – 2019
Instructor, SoBe Surf, Miami Beach

2017 – 2018
Biologist, Sea Turtle Conservation Program, Miami-Dade County

2013 – 2014
Sales Associate, Hollister Co.

2010 – 2016
Front Service Clerk, Publix Supermarkets

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
District 5 is a special place, and I feel very fortunate to be from here. But for far too long, residents in District 5 have felt like “the forgotten stepchild” of Hollywood. West Hollywood has felt neglect and obfuscation at a time when other areas of Hollywood have seen investment and change. I believe that voters deserve a commissioner who will fight for the attention and support that District 5 has needed for a long time, while also being publicly diplomatic and collaborative with all the other areas of Hollywood. We deserve better than a Commission that fights with residents and is supported by PAC money and development interests. While I respect all the time and work that every city commissioner has put in, I believe that voters in District 5 are demanding a change in attitude and priorities, not more of the same.

This is a crucial inflection point for Hollywood. There are three open city commission races this year, and the election in District 5 is very likely to determine the future of the Commission. After a controversial two-year stretch, where residents have felt anger over pay raises and poorly considered developments, Hollywood has the opportunity to set forward on a new, more positive path. I believe I am the right candidate to help secure the environmental future of our city, find innovative new ideas for arts and culture, invest in creative economic development, and make Hollywood a more affordable and safe home for residents of every color and creed. I have knocked on thousands of doors during this campaign, because I believe District 5 deserves a candidate who listens to their needs. I have been inspired by my neighbors and their boundless optimism for a better future, and I hope to reward their faith on the Commission.