Thursday, June 30, 2011

Mayor Travels to Fiuggi Italy for Sister Cities

At the request of the Lauderhill Sister City organization, Mayor Kaplan is traveling to Fiuggi, Italy, to determine whether there is an interest to develop a new sister city. The City Commission passed a Resolution several months ago asking the Mayor to advise them on this matter.

The travel is not being paid with taxpayers funds.

The Lauderhill Sister City organization is also seeking out other possible Sister Cities.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Broward County Transit is Moving to the Future

Broward County Transit (BCT) is "moving to the future" with one of the very best and most productive public bus systems in the nation, director Tim Garling reported May 10.

"When you combine our fixed bus routes, community buses and Paratransit service, BCT provides close to 40 million rides each year." "BCT plays a large role in the future economic development, livability and sustainability of our County and region."

BCT strategies for meeting the future transit needs of the community include advancing regional travel by appealing to new and existing commuters, promoting energy efficiency, connecting with passengers through smart phones and other technology, and providing for rider safety, comfort and convenience. "And, we're working hard to attract the next generation of transit riders," said Garling.

Examples cited include:

• Two new I-595 Express routes from southwest Broward to downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami are scheduled to launch in early 2012. New 95 Express Route service from southwest Broward County to downtown Miami and the Miami Civic Center area has been highly successful. Since the service was launched in January, ridership has increased 126 percent to more than 450 rides per day. These popular routes have 60-foot-long articulated buses, Wi-Fi capabilities and hybrid diesel engines that reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

• BCT was the first transit system in South Florida to introduce Google™ Transit to assist riders with online trip planning.

• Social media has been incorporated to appeal to a wider audience. A Facebook page provides frequent system updates and information of interest to customers. A BCT YouTube site includes a informative new "Go Green" video that shares the environmental benefits of using public transportation.

• "Real Time" bus information will be available via handheld devices, laptops and personal computers no later than 2013.

• Easier ways to pay a bus fare are in the works. Garling said plans include an interoperable fare payment system where customers can use a bank card or even a mobile phone to purchase trips on the BCT system.

• New customer comforts and conveniences are on the horizon. An aggressive, $23 million construction program calls for an additional 680 new bus shelters by 2014, bringing the system total to 1,177 countywide. The new Northeast Transit Center will open this fall at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Dixie Highway in Pompano Beach. Future construction projects include a major renovation at the Ravenswood Bus Facility in Dania Beach, a Park and Ride Lot at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, and an updated transfer facility at the Lauderhill Mall in Lauderhill.

"Technology is key to our future," Garling concluded, "but the strength of Broward County Transit has been and always will be its employees. We are all here to get you there."

For more information on Broward County Transit, visit www.broward.org/bct.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Lauderhill Community Shuttle Bus Program Cuts Operating Hours

By a 4 to 1 vote, Mayor Kaplan voting against, the City Commission has cut the hours of the Lauderhill Community Shuttle Bus program from 60 to 36 hours.

The Mayor did not object to the number of hours being cut, because funding is not available to continue it, but the issue was the particular routes and hours of operation. He felt that due consideration was not given to those using the system to go to and from their work, that Route 1 & 5 are duplicates so that those hours could be cut back and provide more hours to other routes, and that the decision of where to cut was based on faulty data.

The Mayor provided another schedule that he felt would not create as much hardship to residents that the Commission rejected.

Already the city has received numerous calls objecting to the change, and a petition signed by 500 people. The next time residents can address the Commission on this is at the 7 PM Public Hearing at City Hall on June 27.

The hours are operation are:

Route 1: 8:45 am to 4:00 pm
Route 2: 8:45 am to 3:45 pm
Route 3: 10:35 am to 6:00 pm
Route 4: 8:45 am to 3:45 pm
Route 5: 10:50 am to 6:05 pm

As it can be seen, virtually no hours will be provided for commuters to work. The hours recommended by the Mayor provided for hours starting earlier and later on Routes 1, 2, 3, and 4, some down time during the day when ridership should be lower, and the elimination of Route 5 since it duplicates Route 1 (but goes in reverse).

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Notes of the Regular Commission Meeting of June 13

On June 13, the City Commission held its regular Commission Meeting, and the following are some items of interest (all votes were unanimous unless otherwise indicated):

VI. PROCLAMATIONS:

A. HONORING LEONARD ALLWORTH DUNCANSON ON HIS RETIREMENT.

B. DECLARING JUNE 13, 2011 AS NATIONAL ARBOR DAY.

C. DECLARING JUNE 13, 2011 AS DILLARD CENTER FOR THE ARTS’ JAZZ ENSEMBLE DAY.

VII. PRESENTATIONS

A. PRESENTATION TO “BOYS TO MEN CLUB” OF LAUDERHILL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

B. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO LAUDERHILL RESIDENT, LORA THOMSON

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS ----- FIRST READING:

1. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-125: TO AMEND THE TAX IMPOSED AND LEVIED ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO PROVIDE RATES PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 202.19.

2. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-128: AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, WINDERMERE/TREE GARDENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, SECTION 2-236, ESTABLISHING ADVISORY COUNCIL, TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO ALLOW FOR EITHER FIVE (5) OR SEVEN (7) REGULAR MEMBERS.

3. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-132: REPEALING SIENNA GREENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AS THE DISTRICT DID NOT PASS BY A MAJORITY VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD; RESERVING SECTIONS FOR FUTURE USE.

4. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-134: AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP IDENTIFIED IN LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, CHANGING FROM OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL (S-1) TO COMMERCIAL RECREATION (CR) LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS TRACT “A”, INVERRARY COUNTRY CLUB, TOGETHER WITH THOSE PARCELS OF LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE EAST GOLD COURSE AND WEST GOLF COURSE.

5. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-135: AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND PERTAINING TO ADULT ENTERTAINMENT USES; BY REPEALING ADULT ENTERTAINMENT USES AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC) AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) ZONING DISTRICTS.

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING:

6. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-05-124: AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES TO RATES BY FIVE PERCENT (5%) AS IS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY AND AS IS AUTHORIZED BY FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 205.0535(4).

RESOLUTIONS
ADMINISTRATION


7. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-85: APPROVING THE LETTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN CROWN CASTLE SOUTH, L.L.C., ON BEHALF OF NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC., AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CURRENT GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT FOR ITS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE LOCATED AT 2000 CITY HALL DRIVE (BU# 812072) FOR FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL FIVE (5) YEAR RENEWALS.

8. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-86: APPROVING THE REVISED FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATING AND LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A CULTURAL CENTER AND LIBRARY IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO CENTRAL BROWARD REGIONAL PARK. Removed from Agenda.

9. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-87: AWARDING THE BID TO PROFESSIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR CONSULTING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER; AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET CODE NUMBER. Removed from the Agenda.

COMMISSION

10. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-88: NAMING THE CITY GARAGE AFTER MIKE LAROCHE IN HIS MEMORY AFTER HIS MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

DEES

11. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-91: APPROVING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO PROVIDE COST SHARE SUPPORT OF A WATER CONSERVATION INCENTIVES PROGRAM TO BE COORDINATED BY BROWARD COUNTY WITHIN THE CITY’S WATER UTILITY SERVICE AREAS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY TO CONDUCT SPECIFIC MEDIA PROMOTION, OUTREACH, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH FOSTERING A COUNTYWIDE WATER CONSERVATION ETHIC IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR A FIVE (5) YEAR TERM; PROVIDING FOR A COST ALLOCATION TO THE CITY FOR THE FIRST YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,159.00; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 401-917-6307.

12. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-96: ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL OF R.J. BEHAR & COMPANY, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $63,601.00 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE “PROMENADE ALONG STATE ROAD 7/U.S. 441 @ 11TH PLACE” TO INCLUDE MINOR ROAD, SIDEWALK, LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING DESIGNS.

FINANCE

13. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-97: RANKING THE PROPOSALS FOR AUDIT SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2011, 2012, AND 2013. Removed from the Agenda.

14. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-98: APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP3) SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S 2010 ACTION PLAN.

15. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-99: AMENDING THE FUND BALANCE POLICY FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL. Tabled to workshop of June 20.

16. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-100: APPROVING THE 2011 AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE DIVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BROWARD COUNTY FIFTH CENT ADDITIONAL LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX ON MOTOR FUEL FOR TRANSIT.

17. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-101: APPROVING THE 2011 AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL PROVIDING FOR THE DIVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX IMPOSED BY THE BROWARD COUNTY LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX ORDINANCE.

18. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-102: APPROVING THE 2011 AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE DIVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BROWARD COUNTY ADDITIONAL LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX ON MOTOR FUEL ORDINANCE.

PALS

19. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-103: APPROVING THE RECIPROCAL USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY LAUDERHILL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR THE SHARING OF RESOURCES FOR OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND RECREATION FACILITIES AND FOR EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.

20. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-104: APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND BROWARD COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES WHICH IS EFFECTIVE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2012, WITH TWO ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR OPTIONS TO EXTEND AVAILABLE; PROVIDING FOR A REDUCTION IN BUS ROUTE REVENUE HOURS ON ALL FIVE ROUTES FROM 60 SERVICE HOURS PER WEEK TO 36 SERVICE HOURS PER WEEK; REFLECTING THE CORRESPONDING DECREASE IN ANNUAL OPERATING FUNDING DUE TO THE REDUCTION IN SERVICE HOURS. Passes 4-1, Mayor Kaplan voting against. Mayor Kaplan expressed that there will be those that could lose their jobs by restricting the hours. He proposed an alternative which was not considered by staff or the Commission.

21. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-105: EXERCISING ITS LAST OPTION TO EXTEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LIMOUSINES OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE; PROVIDING THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL TAKE EFFECT RETROACTIVELY COMMENCING AUGUST 11, 2010 AND ENDING ON AUGUST 10, 2011 WITH NO REMAINING OPTIONS TO RENEW; PROVIDING SECOND ADDENDUM TO INCLUDE REDUCTION IN HOURS FOR SERVICE ROUTES FROM 60 HOURS PER WEEK TO 36 HOURS PER WEEK.

HR

22. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-106: APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF THE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN WITH HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY TO INCLUDE A POS AND A HMO FOR A ONE YEAR TERM BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2011 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 AT AN INCREASE OF 5.82%.

POLICE

23. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-06-107: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,614.93 FOR THE PURCHASE OF METAL TARGET SYSTEMS FOR FIREARMS QUALIFICATIONS FROM THE LOW QUOTE, LAW ENFORCEMENT TARGETS; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 001-247-0300.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

New Garbage Company for Lauderhill Starts July 1

The City of Lauderhill has approved a new contract to change our garbage removal company from Waste Management to Republic Service, a Lauderhill business with offices on 31st Ave.

Waste Management has been serving the city for over 30 years, however Republic Service (a/k/a All Service Refuse) was the service provider for the newly annexed SE area of the city. By state law, and expiration of existing contracts, the city was able to merge the service providers back to one company at this time.

Republic Service is separately entering into a partnership with SWS to provide some of the garbage service to Lauderhill, which will overall reduce the costs to residents and businesses.

Effective July 1, the new service will begin, and new trash containers will be distributed to residents. The service will stay the same, except that all Lauderhill residents will have a reduction in their garbage costs.

The SE area will see the largest deduction of about 40% (because the county contract that just expired was higher than the rest of Lauderhill). All other residents will see a drop of over 20%. New citywide regular (not backdoor) residential house collection rates will be reduced to $15.00 for the 96 gallon container.

NOTE: The recycling contract is a separate service which will continue as it is now, but is up for new bids. So the service provider could change in the future. Waste Management continues to provide this service.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lauderhill Community to Design Rare Multigenerational Playground

City of Lauderhill, FLIPANY, Humana Inc. and KaBOOM! host design day Thurs., June 16 for first-of-its-kind play and interactive space for all generations

WHAT: The City of Lauderhill Parks and Leisure Services Department, Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth (FLIPANY), Humana, Inc., and organizers from KaBOOM! will host a playground Design Day for children and seniors at the Environ Cultural Center in Lauderhill on Thurs., June 16. More than 50 community residents and children will play a direct role in planning and designing a multigenerational playground that will be built at Ruth Rothkopf Park on Wed., Aug. 3 at Ruth Rothkopf Park.

Design day will begin with area children drawing their DREAM playground. Kids from the community will put crayon to paper and draw what will ultimately become a reality. In fact, the elements of their drawings will be incorporated into the final design. Design Day will also be the first meeting of the playground planning committee that will work over the next seven weeks to plan and prepare for construction of the new playground.

Volunteers from Humana and the community will build the new, 2,500 sq. ft. community playground. This unique space will also include five standalone exercise stations for adults and senior citizens to enjoy. In addition, volunteers will build new picnic tables, benches, shade areas and an enhanced walking path.

WHY: The new Lauderhill community playground will provide a safe place to play for more than 1,200 children along with their parents and grandparents. Currently, children who play at Ruth Rothkopf Park only have a small amount of old, out-dated equipment to enjoy. The new multigenerational playground will accommodate people of all ages and abilities and provide a diverse gathering area for Lauderhill residents.

This innovative space will be the first playground funded by Humana through a partnership with KaBOOM! For 15 years, KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit whose vision is to create a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, has been building playgrounds to fight Play Deficit (the lack of play in the lives of America’s children). This lack of play is having profound consequences on kids’ health and well-being. Today’s kids spend less time playing outside than any previous generation in part because only 1-in-5 children live within walking distance of a park or playground.

Humana, Florida’s largest Medicare health benefits company, is commemorating its 50th anniversary in August by donating funds, resources and time to this project in an effort to show gratitude to the South Florida community for its support over the years and to promote lifelong well-being for its citizens.

WHEN: Thursday, June 16
Noon to 1 p.m. Children designing their dream playground
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers participating in planning meeting

WHERE: Environ Cultural Center, 3800 Environ Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33319

VISUALS: Children drawing their dream playgrounds. Also, representatives from Humana, KaBOOM! and the City of Lauderhill will do a site walk to explore the current space at Ruth Rothkopf Park.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Thursday, June 09, 2011

ANOTHER KaBOOM PLAYGROUND ON ITS WAY

The City of Lauderhill has be awarded to again be the recipient of a fresh new KaBOOM! Playground.

Our corporate sponsor is HUMANA!!!!!!!

This playground is being planned to be an interactive multi-generational playground to fit within the community of Inverrary.

Important dates:

** Design Day - Thursday June 16th
** Build Day - Wednesday August 3rd at Ruth Rothkoph Park, off Inverrary Blvd. and 44th Street.

Congrats to the Inverrary community and families!! Ruth Rothkopf Park here we come!

Times and additional places to be announced………

Monday, June 06, 2011

Police Blotter - Arrests

1) Detective XXXXXX arrested XXXXXXX for forcibly removing a gold necklace from an elderly woman's neck. It occurred near the bus stop in the 3100 block of NW 19th Street (Lauderhill Point) The arrestee was picked up in the Swap Shop.

2) A few days ago, a juvenile was arrested for Burglary at XXXX NW 3 Street. The juvenile removed a lap top, Wii game and a play station system. A second juvenile is being sought.

3) Detective XXXXXX arrested a juvenile for Attempted Burglary at XXXX NW 82 Ave. A full confession was obtained along with information about a gang at Piper High.

4) Two more people were arrested for Burglary. XXXXX from Lauderhill and XXXXX from Plantation entered XXXX NW 46 Ave.#X and removed a flat screen tv, laptop and cellphone. All property has been recovered.

5) Officers on the east side of our city responded to a burglary in process where three male adults were arrested. The break-in occurred at XXXX NW 18 Place (West Kenlark). All property has been recovered. One adult lives a block away, a second in Driftwood on 19th Street and 31 Ave and a third in Ft.Lauderdale.

6) XXXX XXXXX of XXXX NW 14 St. Lauderhill, was arrested for Burglary on Wednesday, for entering the residence at XXXX NW 43 Terrace. The arrestee's partner, XXXXX XXXXXX from Plantation was also arrested for Burglary as he waited outside.

7) A man was arrested Monday night after robbing a CVS pharmacy and then leaving a trail of cash and other items that helped police find him inside a nearby laundry mat, authorities said. A man robbed the CVS pharmacy along the 5500 block of Oakland Park Boulevard at gunpoint. He took an undetermined amount of money from the register and other items from the store. While running away, the man dropped cash and some other items, leaving a trail that led police to a laundry mat at the 7 Star plaza where the suspect was apprehended.

8) XXXX XXXX was arrested at a traffic stop in the 5500 block of Oakland Park Blvd. He had an active warrant for his arrest for Driving while License Suspended. He was also charged with cannabis possession and violating his felony probation.

9) XXX XXXXX was arrested for aggravated domestic battery at XXXX NW 46 Ave. #XXX.

10) XXXXX XXXXXXX was arrested in a burglary in process as officers surrounded the building, he was on the roof removing an A/C unit. He was arrested at XXXX NW 19th Street.

11) XXXX XXXXXX was arrested in Cypress Grove during a disturbance.

12) XXXXXX XXXXXX was arrested in John Mullin Park when an officer was talking to him when a colt 38 cal fell out of his pant leg. He also had an active traffic warrant an no CCF license.

13) Crime Suppression Unit watched as two juveniles were looking into windows at XXXX La Mirage. When traffic went by, they ducked into bushes. Both were taken into custody for Loitering and Attempted Burglary.

14) Two juveniles were loitering in front of the convenience store at XXXX Pine Island Road. One provided a false name the other had cannabis. Both were arrested.

15) XXXX XXXXXX was arrested at Flamingo Liquors after a call about the person selling DVD's and threatening with a gun. As officers attempted to frisk the person, he attempted to flee but was restrained. He had 10.5 grams of cannabis on his person and was arrested for drugs and battery on a law enforcement officer.

16) Armed Robbery occurred in Cypress Grove where three males forcibly took fifty dollars and a bottle of liquor.

17) A second robbery occurred in Cypress Grove in an elevator where one male pulled out a revolver and demanded money. Two shots fired but no one struck.

18)Armed robbery in the 2000 block of NW 49 Ave where a juvenile grabbed an IPOD. Officers located and arrested the juvenile at XXXX NW 20 Street. Property was returned.

19) Officer XXXXX arrested two juveniles who were riding ATVs and fleeing police in the 4000 block of NW 16 Street. The city seized the ATV.

20) Two court ordered drug search warrants were conducted by the swat team:

XXXX NW 16th Street - Four arrests
Sale and Delivery of Cocaine
Possession of a Stolen Firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of Cannabis
Possession of Cocaine
One firearm seized, 4 grams of cocaine and 10 grams of cannabis

XXXX NW 46th Ave #X (King's Row) - Two arrests
Sale and Delivery of Cannabis and Cocaine
Outstanding warrants on both
One shotgun and three handguns seized
Two bulletproof vests
Apt had surveillance cameras
183 grams of Cannabis seized
30 ecstasy pills seized
$1,100 cash seized