Blazzfest at the Sports Park

This year's Annual Blazzfest will feature Jeffrey Osborne, Maxi Priest and more. The event will begin at 5 p.m on June 2, at the Lauderhill Sports Park, 7500 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Tickets are $15 through Ticketmaster or box office, 954-730-3000.

Food will be available, but bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

Lauderhill Netball Team is Victorious

The Lauderhill Angels Netball Team won the Junior Division of the AGAPE Netball Tournament this weekend in Tucker GA. Congratulations to the Team.

Harmony Development Center Success

The Harmony Development Center Board of Directors recently announced their success with their program, Lauderhill FOCUS (Families On Commitment for Understanding and Solutions). During the first fiscal quarter of 2006-7:

1) 32 youths have been admitted and have received crime prevention services;
2) 98% of youth who completed the program have no law violations for 6 months following the program;
3) 88% of youth who completed the program have no law violations for 12 months following the program;
4) 100% of youth who were referred by the State Attorney and Lauderhill PD during this quarter successfully completed the program.

These numbers clearly express the dedicated, effectiveness and leadership of HDC in proving services for youth and their families in Lauderhill. The City help support this program through providing Community Development Block Grant Funds and by fund raising through the Lauderhill Hispanic Festival.

New Field Turf At Sports Park

The City of Lauderhill is in the process of installing a new surface for the multi-purpose field at the Lauderhill Sports Park. In the past the city used Bermuda Grass, which requires significant maintenance, and will last 5 years. To reduce the costs of maintenance, and increase the use of the field, the city is installing field turf, a new type of artificial surface which is similar to real grass.

Mowing, watering, and the need to occasionally close the field to allow the grass to be repaired will be eliminated. The surface is designed to last 10-15 years (or 2 to 3 times longer than grass). However, the cost of the field is about 30% more than the grass system previously used. It is expected that over the life of the field, the city will more than make up for the additional costs.

This is the first field in the city to use this surface, and it may be the first city field to have it installed in the region. It is planned that if the expectations for the new field are confirmed, other fields will likewise be converted at the time they need replacement. Field turf is used in many professional and major college stadiums around the country.

Progress at the Central Regional Park

Redevelopment Plan Meeting About State Road 7

Please attend the Redevelopment Plan Update regarding State Road 7 (441) in Lauderhill – Central Broward. Join City and County officials, developers, and business owners at 9:45 am, Saturday, April 28th, at St. George Park, (3501 NW 8th Street), to discuss plans for Lauderhill’s redevelopment plans on the State Road 7 (441) corridor.

Presentations will include: Carishoca (Amera Inc.), The Lauderhill City Center (Lauderhill Mall), All Americas Cultural Mall (for Cultural Diversity), The Bobby Jones Gospel Center, Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown Town Homes (Centerline Homes), Saint James Town Homes (United Homes), Phil Smith Chevrolet, Millennium Inc. (a business development organization) , and National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD).

Breakfast will be provided.

Please attend this community meeting where community input is welcome!

Sponsors include: The City of Lauderhill, The Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, and Amera Corporation.

For more information please e-mail: jwilliams@lauderhil-fl.gov. Or call 954-777-2041.

Brief Notes From The City

The following are some brief notes of interest for activities occurring in Lauderhill:

1) The Unsafe Structures Board has been conducting meetings concerning evacuating The Villas, and having the property be repaired to make safe again.

2) The Central Regional Park is under construction, and we are still being told that it should be opened in November, 2007.

3) The City is completing the closing documents for purchase of Mission Lake Plaza.

4) Plans are being submitted for rebuilding the Lauderhill Mall and surrounding area. New construction will include about 2000 residential units, 600,000 square feet of retail and 400,000 square feet of office. The name is being changed to the Lauderhill City Centre.

5) The City has received audited financial statements from VCCC (developers of the All Americas Cultural Mall, which is the cultural facility part of Carishoca). It has been verified that they do have cash on hand, and have expended cash on design work. Pro forma financials for the project are expected shortly.

6) Stonegridge Garden Condominiums Section 1 thru 4:

a) Section 1 thru 3 are all working on making upgrades as now required by the code, i.e., electrical ground system, fire walls, plywood of 5/8 inch, replace all plumbing, resolution of asbestos issues. They are hoping all work completed in the next 6 months. Section 2 is in negotiations with their insurance company through their contractor's Attorney.

b) Section 4 has not had any repair work performed to the buildings in about 3 months. No work crews are present. A company was hired by the condominium to make repairs.

7) Discussions continue on devising a plan for redevelopment of the Old City Hall site on 55th Avenue.

8) Parks and Leisure Services Department reports the follow:

a) 100+ players participated in tennis lessons/matches at Westwind Park;

b) 32 players participated with senior softball at Westwind Park;

c) 55 children participated in bicycle educational and awareness day;

d) 92 participated in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament at West Ken Lark Park;

e) Intergenerational poetry luncheon was a big success;

f) Lauderhill basketball draft-teams selected. Program has expanded to now use Living Word Fellowship Church facility;

g) 80 participants in baseball program.

9) Officer Otis Lawrence was chosen Officer of the Year for 2006.

10) Victoria Murray, Support Service Aide II, was chosen Civilian of the Year for 2006.

Notes of Commission Meeting of April 12

On April 12, the Commission met, and the following matters of interest were discussed and acted upon:

FIRST READING:

1) Vendor Vehicles and Ice Cream Vending Vehicles Ordinance was table to a workshop.
2) Passed amendment of Franchise Agreement with Waste Management, increasing garbage rates as required under their contract which is common to all such contracts.
3) Passed a change in the code changing the name of "Local Occupational License" to "Local Business Tax," to be consistent with Florida Statutes.
4) Tabled to a Workshop an Ordinance to allow parking on city sidewalks. Concerns were brought up that the ordinance may violate federal ADA guidelines, and that this is a serious issue within the city with the lack of available residential parking. Additional information was requested to assist in resolving this important problem.

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Approved the creation of an annual event to be known as the Florida-Caribbean Games to be held at the Central Broward Regional Park.
2) Tabled to a Workshop for further discussion and input by residents, at their request, the proposed alternative to locate the Central Broward East-West Light Right along Broward Blvd., and instead to Sunrise Blvd.
3) Approved recommendation of the Educational Advisory board to disburses funds of $2715 for Write Side Poets. The funds comes from the Education Grant Program Funds.
4) Approved CDBG reprograming of funds in the total amount of $283,316 to be geared specifically to emergency rehabilitation for very low income seniors (age 62 or older) and disabled. $100,000 is for First Time Homebuyers to enable renters to become first time homeowners. $150,000 is for the Elderly/Disabled Storm Shutter Assistance Program.
5)Approved the emergency lease of two 40 passenger buses for city use for 3 years. Five city buses are presently not operational.

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

1) Approved on second reading a Variance request by St. James Townhomes to locate the required 8' masonry wall from 5' from the property line, onto the property line.

2) Approved on second reading a Variance request by St. James Townhomes to allow a 8' decorative fence with columns on the west property line in place of a masonry wall.

NEW BUSINESS:

None

The Police Blotter

The following are a few of the informational items concerning actions by our Police Department:

Our Officer responded to 3850 NW 6 Ct. for a 911 hang up call. Upon checking the identity of the resident, he was arrested for a Possession of Cocaine warrant.

A suspect attempted to roll out a shopping cart from Publix worth $700.00. He was arrested for grand theft.

Officers responded to 1810 NW 52 Ave. on a delayed auto theft. Officers were able to track down the suspect in Lauderdale Lakes where he was arrested and the vehicle returned.

Officer Miceli responded to 3200 West Broward Blvd concerning a person standing in the middle of traffic. The suspect charged Officer Miceli and our Officer was bitten on the hand. The suspect was arrested for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Marked decoy vehicles were placed at the entrances to the Swap Shop over the weekend. No reported crime there over the weekend.

Officers responded to an Armed Robbery that occurred at NW 12 St. and 441. Officers were advised that three suspects fled the scene in a vehicle and were being chased by two victims in another vehicle. Dispatch advised that the suspects were shooting at the victim’s vehicle while southbound on the Turnpike. 45 Minutes later, Miami Dade Police called us to advise they had our three suspects in custody after being involved in an accident with injuries in Dade. Our Detective responded.

New Water Restrictions Effective Friday, April 13

At their meeting today the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District approved Phase II water restrictions for Broward County. These restrictions become effective tomorrow, Friday, April 13, 2007. For residential users (on less than 5 acres of land) this will reduce irrigation from three days per week to two. Odd numbered residences may water on Wednesday and Saturday, even numbered residences on Thursday and Sunday. Restrictions apply to all users – the only exception is those using 100% reclaimed water.

Get Your GED

At St. George Community Park, a program has been made available to help you earn your GED. This program is sponsored by the City of Lauderhill and Broward County Public Schools. For more information call 954-791-1039 or visit St. George Community Park, 3501 NW 8th Street, Lauderhill. Complete the placement test and registration forms. Get Your Diploma and Get Ahead.

Notes of the Commission Meeting of March 26

On March 26, the City Commission met at their Regular Commission Meeting, and the following are some of the items of interest that were on the agenda:

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

1) M. Margaret Bates was elected by the Commission to serve as Vice-Mayor for the next year.
2) Hayward Benson was elected by the Commission to serve as Deputy Vice-Mayor for the next year.

PROCLAMATIONS:

1) The Mayor declared April 15 - April 22, 2007 as the "Days of Remembrance" of the Victims of the Holocaust.
2) The Mayor declared the month of April, 2007 as "Water Conservation Month."

PRESENTATIONS:

1) The Police Chief provided a report on the State of the Police Department. The presentation included some information including:
a) Sworn Officers 2002 - 88; 2006 - 116, an increase of 28 officers in 4 years.
b) We are in the last year of the COPS Universal Grant Program of $375,000 to pay for 5 new officers. Beginning the next year Lauderhill will be obligated to pay for these officers in full
c) Arrests 2002 - 1504; 2006 - 1861
d) Traffic Citation 2004 - 5472; 2005 - 4715; 2006 - 13214. This past year's increase can be attributed to a program on red light enforcement and seat belt enforcement in conjunction with other police agencies.
e) Seized $417,000 in cash and property for 2006 through the Vice and Narcotics Department.


SECOND READING ON ORDINANCES:

1) Approved to modify the City Code as to City Elections and Election of Vice-Mayor and Deputy Vice-Mayor, so as to conform to the voter approved charter referendum of 2006.

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Accepted the Right-of-way Consent Agreement from FP&L, to allow the city to use the property designated as Renaissance Park along 55th Avenue.
2) Approved speed humps on 73th Avenue and 37th Court, per the petition of residents living along said roads, pursuant to the procedure set down for approval of speed humps.
3) Approved requesting Broward County Transit Division relocate the bus stop located at NW 33rd Avenue to NW 33rd Terrace, or in the alternative place a new bus stop at NW 33rd Terrace. (NOTE: We were advised that this has already been done)

VARIANCES:

1) Listened to and approved the request for 2 variances from St. James Townhouses, Inc., from City Code to substitute a 8' decorative fence on the west property line, instead of a 8' masonry wall 5' from the west property line, and also to allow a 8' masonry wall on the north property line, instead of 5' off of the north property line. The development is on the north side of the County Regional Park, east of 441.

Fund Raiser to Help Residents of StoneBridge Gardens Condominiums

The Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce and Stonebridge Gardens Condominiums is hosting a local gospel artist concert to raise funds for displaced families to re-build after hurricane Wilma, 2005!!!

The last of these events will be a GOSPEL CONCERT on Saturday, April 14th at Faith Tabernacle Center, 7100 West Oakland Park Blvd. from 6-10pm. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children.

For more information on these events, you can contact the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce at (954)318-6118, Info@thelauderhillchamberofcommerce.com

It is asked that all funds be made out to LCC Fundraiser and submitted no later then Friday, April 20th 2007.

Nominations Now Being Accepted For Sun-Sentinel's Publisher's Community Service Awards

The Sun-Sentinel Publisher's Community Service Awards honor individuals who, through outstanding accomplishments and service, have improved the quality of life for South Florida residents.

This year, the awards have been expanded to include:
One (1) Publisher's Community Service Award winner and five (5) Community Service Shining Stars in each county.

Each Community Service Award winner receives a $5,000 award to be donated to the nonprofit agency or agencies of his/her choice. In addition, each Community Service Shining Star winner receives a $1,000 award to be donated to the nonprofit agency or agencies of his/her choice.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m., April 30, 2007 by email only. For award criteria and to download a nomination form, visit www.sun-sentinel.com/communityserviceawards.

Contact: Danay Torano
Sun-Sentinel Charities Manager
(954) 356-4361
(561) 278-6277 ext 4361

Notes of Commission Workshop of March 19

The City Commission met on March 19 to discuss the following items:

1) Consensus was reached to proceed with reconstruction of the old city hall on 47th Ave., along with a new park adjacent to it. The old city hall will be used for offices, a meeting room, and to house historical artifacts of the city as its museum.

2) Information was given as to a function in support of the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Complex on March 27 at the Broward County Convention Center.

3) Discussion on resolving issues relating to a modification of the Vendor Truck laws of the city, and to distinguish Ice Cream Vendors in residential neighborhoods from Commercial Vendors in business districts.

NW 70th Avenue Traffic Calming Study

A study has recently been completed to study traffic problems, and traffic calming on NW 70th Avenue and Inverrary Blvd. (between University Drive and NW 70th Avenue). The study showed that peak traffic hours are at 7-8 AM and again at 6- 6 PM. Inverrary Blvd. showed that speeding of 5 or 10 MPH plus over the speed limit occurs on average between 31.7% to 27.8% of the time during the weekday. On NW 70th Avenue, it ranges on average from 5.8% to 22.8% of the time. Both depending upon time of day, and the day of the week.

During Peak AM hours Inverrary Blvd. has speeding 32.9% from 5 to 10 MPH over the speed limit, and 23.7% over 10 MPH. In Peak PM hours it is 43.1% and 33.8%, respectively. On Peak AM for NW 70th Avenue, it is 21.9% and 10.2%, and Peak PM is 18.4% and 6.3%, again respectively as to MPH.

The 85th percentile of speeding is 39 MPH on NW 70 Avenue, and 44 MPH on Inverrary Blvd. In both cases, the speed limit is 30 MPH. The conclusion is that there is a serious speeding problem on both streets which needs resolution.

Another part of the study was to determine what percentage of traffic were using these streets as a cut through the area. On Inverrary Blvd. during Peak AM hours was determined to be 9.4% of the traffic, and 9.5% during Peak PM hours. NW 70th Avenue has 9.8% and 8.6%, respectively.

The report proceeds to discuss several options to induce traffic calming. The recommendation of the report was to have "the City of Lauderhill work with the residents, through a series of public workshops, to determine which traffic calming treatments would be acceptable and effective in their neighborhood."

P.S. Follow up note: The Lauderhill Police Department has set up a special task force for Selective Enforcement by the Traffic Unit. From April 30 to May 4, 37 citations were written. Speed ranges were from 14 to 27 MPH over the speed limit of 30 MPH. Continued enforcement will be conducted.

Affordable Housing Lottery

The City of Lauderhill has partnered with the Housing Finance Authority of Broward County to build twenty-six single family homes in the City of Lauderhill called Renaissance Village. A Lottery for first time homebuyers will soon begin to determine who will be able to purchase them.

The City of Lauderhill will be assigning lottery numbers for people interested in purchasing new affordable single family housing units located in Renaissance Village (NW 55th Avenue & NW 21st/ NW 26th Street). The homes are being sold as part of the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) to address affordable housing needs within the City of Lauderhill.

Applicants looking to purchase these homes must have very low, low, or moderate incomes based on Federal Income Guidelines. Lottery numbers will be assigned on April 12, 2007, between the hours of 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, located at 3800 Inverrary Boulevard Suites #109-111, Lauderhill, FL 33319.

To qualify, an applicant must be a first time home buyer or not have owned a home in the past three years. The lottery will be held at 12:00 PM, on April 13, 2007, in the Commission Chambers for the 13 lots allocated by the City of Lauderhill. Preference will be given to up to 5 essential City Staff Personnel if applicable.

GL Homes is offering (3) different models of homes:
Model I: $158, 500, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2315 total sq.feet
Model II: $162,500, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2367 total sq.feet
Model III: $176,500, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2652 total sq.feet

For more information regarding the Renaissance Village lottery, please call 954-730-3036