Notes of the Regular Commission Workshop of September 15

1. 2009 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - Presentation by Alcalde & Fay, the city's federal lobbyist. In the last year we obtained:

a. $677,000 Appropriation for improvements to US 441/State Road 7 and Sunrise Blvd.
b. Obtained a PHA Number from USHUD to permit the Lauderhill Housing Agency to administer Section 8 Housing Vouchers within the city.
c. Secured $5000 sponsorship for MLK Day from Cruise Line Foundation for 2008.

Working on (partial list):

a. Support HR.2164/S.1310 the Medicare Ambulance Payment Extension Act to provide for a 5% increase in 2008 and 2009 to ambulance service providers, which is pending in congress.
b. Working on the HUD Federal Mortgage Assistance Program to homeowners, under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

2. DISCUSSION OF RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS REGARDING 56TH AVENUE RENOVATION. Comments were received concerning issues related to the construction and completion of the road. Numerous questions were asked, and the City Manager and staff responded to these questions and comments. Issues included: completion date/status, sprinkler problems, no U-Turn signs, inability to back out of property, trees/foliage, bus routes, water pressure, bicycle lanes, drainage/flooding. Staff will meet with the residents to specifically address issues raised. Additionally, since the road is expected to be done in November, the Commission will place on the December Regular Workshop a follow up so that any unresolved issues can be addressed.

(Note: Following the meeting the city staff appears to have come up with a plan to allow U-Turns on 56th Avenue. The designs are still be worked on, and if approved can be implemented before the completion of the road expected in November.)

3. Withdrew DISCUSSION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF 56TH AVENUE.

4. WITHDREW FROM THE AGENDA THE DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-139 TABLED AT THE AUGUST 25, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING. It required additional review before presenting to the Commission for review.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-139: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS creating Light standards and requirements to add conservation, residential and nonresidential to address light emission; create light conservation and adding requirements on materials, landscaping, reflectivity, review, and shielding (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

5. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-140 TABLED AT THE AUGUST 25, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-140: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ADDING REQUIRING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (IVCS) UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE SITE PLAN (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). Based upon discussions, some modifications would suggested to the ordinance. Some Commissioners expressed concerned over it in light of the Camera Laws being discussed by the County. It was decided to place this on the November Workshop for further discussion and to see what action the County takes on its own Camera law.

6. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-141 TABLED AT THE AUGUST 25, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-141: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE WITHIN NEW DEVELOPMENTS AN IVCS UNIT IN ALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) ZONING DISTRICTS AND IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED CORRIDOR FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES DESIGNATION, TO REQUIRE EXISTING AND TO ADD NUISANCE REQUIREMENTS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). See #5 above.

7. DISCUSSION OF PLACING ORDINANCES ON CITY COMMISSION AGENDA (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES). Because of the cost of publication, an explanation of how to avoid such costs. It was recommended that an item be put to a Workshop for discussion before the Commission Meeting, which does happen. Also, another suggestion was not to publish for second reading until the item passes on first reading. Other viewpoints were considered which included not wanting to always have to follow this procedure which may delay the implementation.

8. DISCUSSION OF NEW LETTERHEAD DESIGN (REQUESTED BY DEPUTY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). Examples were provided showing all elected officials on the same letterhead, with Charter Officers. Since the city can create a template to avoid waste of pre-printed stationary that will not have to be thrown out when a change occurs, 4 out of 5 Commissioners decided to proceed. When a letter is generated, the template will print the information on each page. Commissioner Berger did not want the other elected officials and charter officers on his stationary. However, the consensus was to proceed for a new design.

9. DISCUSSION OF THE CANNON POINT AREA (REQUESTED BY DEPUTY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). A report was given by the police on the situation. 956 calls were placed in the past year. Majority of calls are related to missing persons and Mental Issues/Baker Act persons.

10. DISCUSSION OF REQUIRED GENERAL FUND BALANCE (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER CHARLES FARANDA). Projected balance is 10.25%. Commission directed to create a Resolution to establish a policy of 10% minimum as fund balance.

11. EVALUATION OF CITY MANAGER - Overall rating of 4.39 out of 5

12. EVALUATION OF CITY ATTORNEY - Overall rating of 4.38 out of 5

13. EVALUATION OF CITY CLERK - Overall rating 4.43 out of 5