Saturday, July 30, 2011

Notes of the CRA and Regular Commission Meeting of July 11

On July 11, the City Commission held a CRA Meeting and Regular Commission Meeting. The following are notes of interest (all votes were unanimous unless otherwise indicated):


CRA MEETING:

Commissioner Berger absent from this meeting.

1) RCP LOAN APPLICATION FOR NW 55 AVENUE PROPERTY

Application is proceeding to obtain funds with 0% interest. The intent is to purchase the land, if it appraises, then turn it over to the Lauderhill Housing Authority to construct single family homes.

2) INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INCUBATOR RELOCATION

To save money, consensus was to move the program to the Inverrary Corporate Park office building. Tenants will pay $250/month, and the city will pay the remaining $50/month, plus cover the security deposit.

3) DISCUSSION OF PAC FUNDING

Because of the issue with the county not including interest, as provided in our agreement, the city is taking steps in its options. Also, staff will look at other alternatives so that the facility is within the proposed budget, plus make sure that it is consistent with today's economy and circumstances. The voter approved Lauderhill GO Bond requires a "Performing Arts Center" must be built with $5.8 Million. The County is matching that with another $5.8 Million, plus the funds for the new Library.

4) RESCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 12 MEETING

Approved 4-0 to move it to September 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM.



REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:


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

1. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-07-142: PERTAINING TO THE SMARTCODE; REPEALING IN ITS ENTIRETY SCHEDULE S, PROVISIONS FOR LAUDERHILL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA; CREATING A NEW SCHEDULE S, SMARTCODE. Withdrew


ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING:


2. ORDINANCE NO. 11O-06-139: APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES TO BALANCE THE FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR CUMULATIVE BUDGET TRANSFERS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,846,580.48; PROVIDING VARIOUS BUDGET CODE NUMBERS.


RESOLUTIONS
ADMINISTRATION

3. 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.

4. 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. Withdrew from Agenda.


FINANCE

5. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-07-122: APPROVING THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2016 AND THE ONE YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012.


FIRE

6. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-07-123: DECLARING THE 1982 EMERGENCY ONE 110’ LADDER FIRE TRUCK TO BE SURPLUS AND OBSOLETE AND AUTHORIZING ITS DISPOSAL OR SALE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY OF LAUDERHILL CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 2-143(b); PROVIDING THAT THE TRUCK WILL BE TRADED IN FOR A $5,000.00 CREDIT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT FIRE ENGINE.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:
QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

7. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-07-125: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO CN INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW THE CONVEYANCE OF AN EXISTING 24-HOUR CONVENIENCE STORE WITH BEER AND WINE SALES AND OUTDOOR GAS CYLINDER EXCHANGE , AT THE KWIK STOP AT 1401 N.W. 31ST AVENUE, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.

8. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-07-126: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO PINEAPPLES CAFÉ, INC., SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT A RESTAURANT BAR AND BANQUET HALL WITH LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, AT THE BONVALE PLAZA LOCATED AT 7529-7531 WEST OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Comcast Launches Internet Essentials for Families at Reduced Costs

Today, communities need to have digitally literate populations to succeed. The role the Internet plays in the classroom, workplace, and at home cannot be understated. For students the Internet is the dictionary, encyclopedia, library, and tutor all rolled into one. For their teachers it provides new tools and resources without adding new budget items. For families the Internet allows them to track and participate in their child’s education.

In conjunction with the 2011 “Back to School” season, Comcast will launch Internet Essentials, a groundbreaking program to close the digital divide by bringing the Internet home to families with a child receiving a free school lunch under the National School Lunch Program.

Traditional approaches to close the digital divide have focused on the creation of public computer labs at schools, libraries, and community centers. These often come with additional costs for service, equipment, and staffing, and still leave children and their families without access during off hours.

"We will require a national commitment to make this work because the individual initiatives out there are not moving the needle fast enough," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in an interview with Reuters.

Genachowski said the FCC will work with the industry and local governments to address affordability, relevance, digital literacy and trust, all issues that have held back broadband adoption. Comcast Internet Essentials is a new approach that focuses on working with legislators, policy makers, and educators to provide access at home.

Comcast Internet Essentials will provide eligible families with affordable home Internet service ($9.95 per month), a low-cost computer ($149.99 plus taxes), and digital literacy training.

David Cohen, Comcast Executive Vice President, stated, “We are very excited about this program because it has the potential to have a real impact on not only the lives of the family and children who access broadband, but also on their communities as those children grow up to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers.”

Policy makers, elected officials and educators can all help to make this program a success by raising awareness about broadband adoption and its benefits for families, as well as sharing information about the Comcast Internet Essentials program with colleagues and qualifying families.

To learn how you can spread the word visit www.internetessentials.com.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Golf Tournament Benefiting Lauderhill Youth Sports

The Lauderhill Golf Tournament to benefit Lauderhill Youth Sports Programs will take place on Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Inverrary Country Club.

This is a 4 person Best Ball Scramble - with a Shotgun start - beginning at 8 am. $100 per person.

Skill challenges, lunch, award ceremony, and silent auction all part of the day's events. Don’t miss out.

Call Scott Newton for more information at 954-730-3084 for more information.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Armed Robber - Still At Large. Public Asked to Help


Aggravated Battery with a Firearm… Armed Robbery Case#11-05-4407.

Lauderhill detectives are investigating an aggravated battery with a firearm/armed robbery that occurred on May 19, 2011 around 10:45pm.

The victim, a 53 year old male was walking into his apartment complex (Cypress Grove, 1800 Block of N.W. 19th street) when he was approached by a black male, muscular built, 5’7”, over 200 lbs, wearing a stocking cap (Composite above).

The suspect used handgun to commit the robbery on the victim. During the robbery, the suspect struck the victim in the head with the handgun. He then placed the handgun to the left side of the victim’s neck and shot him. The suspect fled the area on foot.

The victim suffered from injuries to his neck and was transported to Broward General Hospital where he was treated and released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS or Detective Andrew Kiefer at (954) 497-4700.

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Mortgage Assistance




Here's a list of mortgage companies that will all be there to help Florida families:

American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc.
Aurora
Bank of America
Chase
Citi
GMAC/Homecomings
HSBC
Lender Business Processing Services (LBPS)
Litton
NationStar
Ocwen
OneWest Bank
PNC/National City
Regions
Select Portfolio Servicing (SPS)
SunTrust
Wells Fargo/Wachovia

Several local, HUD-approved non-profit counseling organizations will be on-site as well to advise homeowners, including:

NHS of South Florida
Housing Development Corporation of South Florida
Consolidated Credit
Dream Home
Consumer Credit Management
Oasis of Hope
REACH
Cornerstone Financial Education
Credit Card Management Services
Nanay
CredAbility

Plus representatives from the following organizations:

Fannie Mae
Freddie Mac
Florida Hardest Hit Funds
HUD
Making Home Affordable

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Grant Funds for Rent/Mortgage/Utility/Deposits for Lauderhill Residents

ATTENTION LAUDERHILL RESIDENTS –

If you are in need of Grant Funds for RENT, MORTGAGE, UTILITY, OR SECURITY DEPOSITS Assistance……… help is available.

Please go to The Central Region Family Success Center for more information.
(Edgar P. Mills Center)
900 NW 31st Avenue; Suite 3000
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
954-357-5001
Mon-Fri 8:00am to 6:00pm