(Ms. Uden will be answering more questions in upcoming issues of IH) – by Steve Schneider
Catherine “Cat” Uden is running for Hollywood mayor against incumbent Josh Levy, who is seeking his third and final term in office. A third candidate, Eduardo Flores, 28, has also declared his intention to run in the non-partisan race for mayor. Election Day is Nov. 5.
The job of Hollywood mayor is officially a part-time position. However, Uden says that if elected, she will quit her day job to serve the city as a full time mayor. In the interview below she introduces herself to Inside Hillcrest readers. And gives her perspective on all of the development happening in Hollywood.
In the June and July issues of Inside Hillcrest, Uden will spell out areas where she differs with Levy. And she will talk about the type of development she favors and thinks is needed to keep Hollywood a great place to live for voters, and their children, and grandchildren. Uden will also discuss her views on leadership, consensus, compromise, and negotiation.
Readers also are invited to submit questions so we can get answers for you. Please email info@insidehillcrest.com with your questions.
1-Is this your first run for public office? If so, please, tell Inside Hillcrest readers about yourself.
This is my first run for public office. I moved from the DC area in 1994 to attend Florida International University. I have lived in Hollywood for 20 years. I taught elementary school for Broward County Public Schools for 15 years, 13 of those years at Stirling Elementary. For the past 6 years, I have worked for an international non-profit organization on policies to protect the oceans. In my career with legislation and advocacy, I have worked on the local, state, and federal levels with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. I understand how state legislation impacts local governments, particularly in the realm of preemption. I served on Hollywood’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, Hollywood’s Parks and Rec Advisory Committee as Chair, Broward County Schools Human Relations Committee, West Lake Village Architectural Control Board, Surfrider Foundation Broward County Chapter as Chair, Stirling Elementary PTA as Vice President, completed Citizens Police Academy with Hollywood PD, and graduated from the Leadership Hollywood program with the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. I’m a member of Hollywood Lakes Civic Association, South Broward High School PTSO, Hollywood Women’s Club, and I now volunteer for the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hollywood program. I speak at many Hollywood City Commission meetings, CRA meetings, and advisory committee meetings. I teach advocacy workshops and enjoy empowering others so that they can take action in their communities. In my free time, I enjoy stand up paddling on the ocean, and I successfully led a campaign to open up Hollywood Beach to more water recreation after being prohibited from paddling on 89% of our beach. We now have a new ordinance which allows paddlers much more freedom.
2- As a public-school teacher, you were probably good at grading students. So, how do you grade Mayor Levy on his two terms as Hollywood mayor? And explain your grades and the categories you selected to grade him.
Mayor Levy has maintained a professional leadership style. He has met his 2016 goal of increasing the taxable property values in Hollywood. For the past 7 years, though, Mayor Levy has been tone-deaf to what residents are experiencing in their neighborhood and how the development is affecting their quality of life. When Mayor Levy ran in 2016, he claimed to care about the unique character of Hollywood beach and its height restrictions. A few years later, he was voting to allow a developer to build a 30-story private skyscraper on our public oceanfront land. For residents in the RAC (Regional Activities Center that allows greater height and density), the increase in taxable values has left these residents subject to a redevelopment process that is eliminating single family homes in lieu of 5 story projects. There needs to be a conversation about how to develop in a respectful way, considering current residents. As for day-to-day concerns, the building/permitting department seems to be as frustrating as ever, maintenance and code enforcement has been lacking, and litter and illegal dumping is rampant.
3- Mayor Levy has been Mayor for almost eight years. Have taxes and fees gone up, down or remained the same during his service? And when can City taxpayers expect to see substantial tax and fee savings because of all the development happening in Hollywood?
I have not spoken with anyone who has seen their taxes go down. There was a GO Bond special election, and Hollywood residents voted to raise their own taxes to pay for a new police station, parks improvements, and other public improvement projects. Development can sometimes pay for itself, depending on the type of project, location, and city services needed for the development. Most residents I speak with have not seen an improvement in city services with all this new development. In watching the 2025 Fiscal Strategy Workshop, it will be important to look at our expenditures. For example, spending $106K on a single, poorly constructed lifeguard tower (while Dania Beach spent $98K for two quality towers) is not a good use of taxpayer money.
4- You’ve been working on environmental legislation.
You also helped lead the charge to stop a private developer from building a mixed-used development on public land at the Hollywood Beach. Tell us why you opposed this use of City-owned land for an upscale private development.
1301 S Ocean Drive is a special area of the beach to locals. It is a quiet area of the beach enjoyed by families, summer camps, and those who enjoy water recreation. 3 acres were deeded to the city for parks, recreation, open space, and public purpose.
Those 3 acres were given to the city as mitigation for allowing the Summit Towers next door to have greater height/density. 1 acre was purchased with Land and Water Conservation Funds for the purpose of public recreation, yet the City did not disclose the fact that this land was federally protected. I brought the proposed project at Harry Berry Park to the attention of the National Park Service. During the vote on the comprehensive agreement, Commissioner Shuham pointed out that the deal greatly favored the developer, and for 45 minutes, she tore the agreement apart and highlighted the risks we would incur for 99 years with an unknown condo association. We need to stand firm on barrier island overdevelopment, prepare for sea level rise, and not destroy what makes our beach special. In addition, the County’s Chief Resilience Officer, Dr. Jurado, highlighted the problems with this flood prone area.
5- Also, please address this related point:
don’t we need a lot more development in Hollywood to modernize the community and generate the tax revenue we will need to deal with issues that concern you, like
climate change and sea level rise?
Some development and redevelopment is necessary and financially beneficial for the city. We should not be building on green recreational spaces or building new towers on the barrier island, and respect should be given to historic structures/districts. Some balance will be necessary to make sure that we move forward without overdevelopment like some other areas of South Florida have. Most Hollywood residents do not want to see Hollywood turn into Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Overdevelopment is bad for flooding, traffic, the environment, and quality of life. The City should encourage projects that are good for the community. We need a plan with a vision and clear guidelines that have resulted from collaboration with residents. We can’t be against all change and all development, but there needs to be balance. Hollywood will continue to attract development, but we should do it in a responsible way. In addition, with the new Live Local Act state law and Tallahassee continuing to chip away at home rule, developers will be able to build with greater height and density and may not have to adhere to any green building standards.
