City Attorney's Report on Summary of Accomplishments and Proposed Goals

Pursuant to the City Charter, the city attorney serves as legal advisor to the Commission and the City Manager, assures that the city is represented in all legal proceedings and performs any other duties prescribed by Charter and by ordinance. Over the past several years, the City of Lauderhill has experienced unprecedented change and growth. As the city continues to grow and change, we strive to provide legal services as directed by the City Commission and City Manager to facilitate the execution of the city’s goals. Simultaneously, we work with all city departments to address legal issues as they arise. For example, we work with the finance department in order to complete real estate purchases and bond transactions. Similarly, we work with risk management in order to minimize the city’s liability risk exposure.

A summary of some of the major accomplishments of the following year follow:
· Negotiated the purchase of the new city hall site
· Negotiated the purchase of Mission Lake Plaza
· Negotiated the purchase of the extension of Renaissance Park
· Negotiated the interlocal agreement with Broward County for the county to contribute $3 million dollars to purchase Premier Motors
· Negotiated the purchase of Premier Motors
· Negotiated the terms of the interlocal agreement with Broward County for the county to contribute $5.8 million dollars for the design and development of the cultural center and for the city to lease the cultural center site for 99 years
· Provided co-bond counsel legal services for the $13.4 Million Dollar Certificate of Participation and the $5 Million Dollar Water and Sewer Revenue Bond
· Provided legal services to the new Charter Review Board
· Represent the interest of the city in prosecutions before the unsafe structures board
· Drafted request for qualifications for the architects to design the new city hall and cultural arts center
· Provided legal services to the CRA director in drafting leases for residential and commercial properties
· Complete annexation amendment to Charter to reflect new city boundary map as a result of annexations of Broward Estates
· Processed Forfeitures in this fiscal year this far through July resulting in over $80,431.00 in forfeiture funds and seized and obtained title to approximately 11 cars for violations of the Florida Forfeiture Contraband Act
· Negotiated with City of Plantation and City of Fort Lauderdale re: additional annexations and prepare and file Local Bill with Broward County Legislative Delegation for boundary correction/de-annexation/annexation of Renaissance Baptist Tabernacle Church on Broward Boulevard to de-annex parking lot to City of Plantation; annex portion of N.W. 31st from City of Fort Lauderdale; de-annex portion of Sunrise Blvd & N.W. 31st back to County. Track HB 953 through Florida Legislature until passage. Didn’t get reached by Legislature due to attention to property tax issue – will continue same process next year to get passed through Legislature in 2007-2008.
· Prepare advertisements, notice and Intent Resolution for Annual Garbage Assessment non ad-valorem tax assessment. Obtain approvals from Broward County Tax Appraiser and Broward County Revenue Collector and Broward County Commission for extension for filing deadline until March 1, 2007. Prepare all ads and assist in notices and calculations for Annual Tax Bill.
· Municipal Prosecutor – handle all court arraignments and trials throughout the year for City Code violations.
· Successful settlement in favor of City for reimbursement in full in the amount of $37,219.00 with MP Underground Technologies for water main break caused during drilling.

Goals for 2008:
To assist the City Commission and City Manager in the execution of the city’s goals for the coming year such as:
· design and construction of new city hall
· design and construction of the cultural center
· redevelopment of Central Lauderhill
· completion of the SR 7 redevelopment projects