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Biography
Catherine "Cat" Uden has lived in Hollywood's District 1 for over 20 years with her husband and 2 sons. She is a former teacher, having worked for Broward County Public Schools for 15 years. Cat works full time on environmental policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Cat has been a volunteer and civic advocate promoting open, transparent government, neighborhood integrity, and smart growth. She is the most qualified candidate for District 1 Commissioner.
Education
Cat graduated from Florida International University with a degree in Psychology, and then went on to study Education at FIU and Barry University.
Occupation
For nearly a decade, Cat has been working as Florida Field Representative for an international environmental organization, helping to pass bipartisan legislation to protect the oceans at all levels of government.
Civic Experience
Graduate of Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Hollywood program, Hollywood Sustainability Advisory Committee, Hollywood Parks & Rec Advisory Committee, Hollywood Citizens Policy Academy, Broward County Schools Human Relations Committee & Green Advisory Committee, Chair of Surfrider Foundation Broward County Chapter, Hollywood Women's Club, Member of Hollywood Lakes Civic Association, West Lake Village Architectural Control Board, South Broward High School PTSO
Endorsements
Sun Sentinel, Broward County Commissioner Beam Furr, Hollywood District 1 Commissioner Caryl Shuham, Former Senator Eleanor Sobel, Broward Teachers Union, Miami Realtors and R World, Broward County School Board members Maura Bulman, Allen Zeman, and Debra Hixon, Former Hollywood Commissioners Dick Blattner and Linda Anderson, Hispanic Vote
Campaign Phone
954-261-5438
Immediately, I would like to work on open, transparent government with a focus on clear information, customer service, and efficient processes for residents and business owners. I will make sure that we have a clear plan for beach maintenance, cleanliness, and safety going forward as the Beach CRA sunsets. Within 2 years, we need a beach master plan and Comprehensive Plan 2050 for managing growth. These plans should reflect a community vision. Flood prone "hot spots" in the stormwater master plan and critical infrastructure need to be addressed.
Hollywood should focus on reduction of single-use products and implement more reuse/refill, such as continuing to install water bottle refill fountains in city facilities and parks. The Commission, staff, and residents will need to understand the newly adopted Solid Waste Master Plan and how the county will recycle going forward. Hollywood's Sustainability and Resiliency Departments need to educate residents, students, and businesses about these issues through public workshops, school events, and social media. Because I have a background in environment, I understand the waste crisis very well and the importance of reduction at the source. I personally take advantage of the city's composting program.
Some projects are labeled "affordable" and are really not affordable at all. Hollywood has many unaffordable apartments and condos, and I believe that Hollywood is making a mistake by approving a Live Local Act project on our public oceanfront land. Oceanfront housing is not going to be affordable. Public Private Partnerships should be explored for areas west of Federal Highway because affordable high rise units should be built close to mass transit and major highways, not in a mandatory hurricane evacuation zone out on the barrier island. Hollywood should help residents connect with county & state programs and grants that help residents, especially seniors, afford to remain in their homes.
Hollywood's FY 2027 city budget will be a billion dollars. In watching presentations and attending workshops about our city budget, I know that our finance department is preparing for the possibilty that Amendment 3 may pass. I would not want to cut public safety, but instead, eliminate wasteful spending. I would look into developer impact fees, grants, public private partnerships, nonprofit partnerships, and better economic development. Budget cut decisions should be made with community input.
I’ve been helping to amplify important issues in the city for many years, informing residents about opportunities to participate, and then how to participate. Hollywood is only one of two cities in all of Broward County that holds all of their commission meetings during the work day. I pushed the City to give residents the ability to speak from home for Citizen Comments and pushed for Citizen Comments at 2 meetings per month instead of 1. We must give better information to the public on how our City Hall, Commission, and departments function and where to find information. Because I’ve worked with many different municipalities across Florida, I can make comparisons and identify areas for improvement. Resident voices must be prioritized.
