Notes of the Commission Meeting September 24

On September 24, the Commission held multiple meetings, and the following matters of interest were discussed and acted upon:

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)

Approved on second reading the purchase of vacant land located at the corner of 55th Avenue and 19th Street for $650,000.00.


REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION

SECOND READING - MANDATORY PLACING ON AGENDA PER STATE LAW:

1) Approved adopting the Tentative Property Tax Levy in the amount of $4.7340, and the voter approved debt service millage of $.75. This is a decrease from the present year of $6.02, a $1.286 reduction.

2) Approved the Budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the amount of $106,646,159. Vote was 4 - 1, with Mayor Kaplan against. (See the article on the stated reasons given on the dissenting vote.)


PROCLAMATIONS:

Fire Prevention Week Proclamation - Please plan your escape plan in case of a fire, and clean your space heaters from lint. There will be an Open House at the West Fire Station on October 6, in the afternoon. Free food and fun.


PRESENTATIONS:

1) Winners announced for the Educational Advisory Board's "My Favorite Teacher" Contest. The winning essays will be published in the City's Spotlight Newsletter.

2) Presentation by the Chamber of Commerce on their progress and programs they provide to the business community.


FIRST READING - REMAINING ITEMS:

Approved authorizing the City Manager to waive permit fees in cases of emergency or demonstrated hardship, such as after a natural disaster.


SECOND READING:

Approved the supplemental appropriations of $935,000 to balance the 2007 fiscal year.

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Approved the appointment of Ziedler Partnership, Inc., followed by Zyscovich, Inc, if the first rated company is unable to enter into an acceptable contract with the city, to provide architectural services in the plan and design of the Lauderhill Performing Arts/Cultural Center.

2) Approved a Resolution to enter into a sister city relationship with Suzano, Brazil. We have had already several cultural events with artists from Suzano, and more are being scheduled.

3) Approved of a Resolution opposing the Florida Hometown Democracy's proposed Amendment to the Florida Constitution. More will be brought up on this matter subsequently.

4) Approved, on a 4-1 vote, a Resolution supporting the concept to create a Safe Neighborhood Program for the City of Lauderhill, and to develop a plan on how it could operate. Approval authorized the city to study and submit alternative plans for the Commission to review. It was not to implement any particular program since no details were provided on what the results would be. Commission Berger voted against authorizing staff to create a Safe Neighborhood plan for Commission review, and instead supported just authorizing special tax assessments to fund the police department.

5) Approved a contract with Cubellis/SGR architects to provide professional architectural, and engineering services in the design services for the new city hall.

6) Tabled to a workshop the creation of a city diversity advisory council, to provide more discussion and review of the proposal.

7) Approved the upcoming calendar schedule for meetings through Sept. 30, 2008.

8) Approved the purchase of benches, chairs and other park amenities for Renaissance Park, utilizing GO Bond Funds, of $63,594.15. The Lauderhill Public Arts Committee is contributing to this park, which will have the first public art project instituted by this committee.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:


NEW BUSINESS: