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.