Got a ticket in Hallandale despite “Free Parking” sign & staff approval. Who’s in the right here?

Need some local perspective on this mess that happened to me in Hallandale.

I went to Kiska Lounge the other night. Before leaving my car, I specifically asked the staff if parking in their lot was free for customers. They said yes, you’re fine. There’s also a big sign right there that says “Free Parking” I took a photo.

Had dinner, dropped a decent chunk of money there, came back out, and got ticket on my windshield.

I appealed to the city, explained everything, attached the photo of the sign. Their Parking Enforcement office replied in the most dismissive, borderline rude way, they basically saying the sign isn’t “authorized” by the city so it doesn’t matter, completely ignoring what I wrote about the staff telling me I could park there.

My question is, how on earth is it MY job to verify if a business has an “official” parking arrangement with the city? Shouldn’t the city be going after businesses putting up misleading signs instead of ticketing residents and customers?

Anyone else in Hallandale Beach run into this nonsense? Am I wrong for being pissed?