UNITOWN 2009 YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM

Sponsored by the Coral Springs Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee
A Unique Workshop in Diversity ~ Community Values ~ Leadership

“A place to learn how each of us is different and discover how each of us is alike!”

WHEN: SATURDAY morning, February 14th to MONDAY afternoon, February 16th 2008

WHO: Approximately sixty students in the 9th,10th and 11th grade from public and private high schools in the cities of Coral Springs and our partner cities. A team of trained volunteer leaders from the community, the high schools and area colleges will direct the program.

WHAT: UNITOWN is a weekend retreat for high school students where they receive training and enlightenment on issues involving diversity, community values and leadership. It brings together a group of diverse high school students from many racial, religious and cultural backgrounds in a controlled setting to interact with each other with a carefully selected, skilled and equally diverse adult/student volunteer staff. Students who attend will be sharing experiences of their own culture, gaining a better understanding of other groups and preparing themselves for leadership roles in their schools and in our community.

PURPOSE: UNITOWN will train youth for effective leadership in a pluralistic democracy without bigotry or discrimination and without compromise of distinctive faiths or identities. The objectives are:

**To learn about prejudice and discrimination and the effect they have on others within our society;
**To achieve greater understanding and respect for one’s self through interaction with persons of different ethnic origins;
**To develop skills needed to help solve individual and group problems in human relations;
**To help students understand and respect cultures different from their own; and
**To give direction to young people’s convictions and ideas regarding society.

COST: Although the program costs $150 per person, the student is only asked to pay a $40 Registration fee, which will be refunded to the student upon attendance and completion of the Camp. This includes room and board for the weekend (including snacks), facilitators’ fees, T-shirts, materials, photographs and reception. The program is subsidized by funding as recommended by The City of Lauderhill Commissioners.

WHERE: Gold Coast Christian Camp is located in Lake Worth, Florida. The delegates will stay in cabins. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with snacks will be provided.

TRANSPORTATION: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Camp for the Lauderhill student representatives.

QUESTIONS: Call Joy or Ruth at City of Lauderhill (954) 321-2450

To You and Yours,

Chip-A-Tree Program Returns

County residents who are not sure what to do with the tree after the holidays are directed to the County’s Parks and Recreation Division’s Chip-A-Tree program. The free program encourages residents to bring their Christmas trees (no decorated trees will be accepted) to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. Last year, the Division recycled 10,561 trees, representing 132 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills.

The program begins Friday, December 26, and runs through Sunday, January 18. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations. Regular weekend holiday gate entrance fee will not be in effect for recyclers.

Chip-A-Tree Drop Off locations www.broward.org/parks/pr45.htm.

Happy Hanukah

Construction on New Lauderhill City Hall

New Art Sculpture for Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

The city has approved a new sculpture for the Botanical Garden designed by Mark Fuller. The funds to pay for this piece of art comes from the Public Art fee charged to developers (which cannot be spent for anything but public art), and is not from general tax revenues.

Space Heaters Can Be Dangerous

Its that time of year when we see cooler temperatures. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. According to the most recent NFPA research report, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires, causing 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

To help keep our community safe and warm this season, here are some recommended guidelines:

• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home — when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

As the City's Fire Marshal the use of portable space heaters in the workplace is discouraged, however if they are permitted please make sure that it is used in a safe manner and turned off at the end of the day, better yet just unplug it.

Have a safe a Holiday Season.

Marc Celetti
Deputy Fire Chief
Operations & Fire Prevention Bureau
Lauderhill Fire Rescue

Notes of the Commission Meeting, CRA Meeting, Special Commission Meeting and Workshop Meeting of December 8

On December 8, the City Commission met and held a Regular Commission Meeting, CRA Meeting, Special Commission Meeting and Workshop Meeting. The following is some points of interest from those meetings:

CRA MEETING:

1) CLOSING N.W. 19 STREET - to make it into a greenway, from the Turnpike to just east of Renaissance Plaza.

2) MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE REPORT - The Task Force has been meeting, and have developed an a plan to submit recommendations to the Commission at the Annual Retreat.

3) REDEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PROGRAM FUNDS - $5 1/2 million allocated to CRA's from the County. Projects are presently stalled due to economic reasons, so we need to determine how to use these funds. These funds must be spent by 2011. The recommendation was to use them towards the Cultural Arts Center, followed by a track/football facility at the regional park, and then a garage at the regional park.

4) DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. ULI EXPO went well, and we are getting more response from new business inquiries.
B. NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS - 1 in 7 get funded, so it may take a couple years to get.
C. CANNON POINT AMORTIZATION - Will be on Jan. 12 agenda.


WORKSHOP MEETING:

1. PRESENTATION BY MALCOLM PIRNIE REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF WATER SYSTEMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). South Florida Water Management has capped the water supply usage. Cities like Lauderhill will have to find ways to obtain water from alternative sources if they wish to exceed the cap of 8.9 Million gallons/day, or they will have to stop growth. The proposed plan for a reverse osmosis plant to draw from the Floridan Aquifer for Lauderhill is $40 Million. In conjunction with the Broward Water Resource Task Force, that the Mayor is a member, the city is seeking alternative ways to avoid this large an expenditure of funds. Conservation and reuse of water are two of the ways. The city will have to commit to decisions during 2009, and thereafter to implement.

2. PRESENTATION BY BROWARD COUNTY PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION STAFF ON STATUS OF MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL BROWARD BOULEVARD CORRIDOR REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. THOR (Transit/Housing Oriented Redevelopment) & TOC (Transit Oriented Corridors). County is looking to do it on Broward Blvd. in the unincorporated areas since Broward Estates is not interested at this time. Lauderhill instead could look at a Greenway system, and consider development on a case by case basis. It will have to brought to the neighborhood to consider before proceeding. In the future the county is looking at Oakland Park Blvd.

3. DISCUSSION OF ELIMINATION OF DEPUTY VICE MAYOR. The Commission decided to create a Alternate Presiding Officer for occassions when the Mayor and Vice Mayor is absent, so that the Commission can conduct a meeting when there still remains a quorum. The person will not have a title, and will be appointed annually by the Commission.

4. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-140 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-140: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ARTICLE IV, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, SECTION 5.3. SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS, SUBSECTION 5.3.1, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW; ADDING SUBPARAGRAPH A.8. AND REQUIRING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (IVCS) UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE SITE PLAN; ADDING SUBPARAGRAPH B.2. AND REQUIRING THE IVCS UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANS; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). The Commission consensus was to keep it tabled for further information and action by the County.

5. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-08-141 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-141: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS SCHEDULE E, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC USES; ADDING SECTION 3 TO REQUIRE WITHIN NEW DEVELOPMENTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS IN ALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) ZONING DISTRICTS AND IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED CORRIDOR FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES DESIGNATION, TO REQUIRE EXISTING BUSINESSES TO INSTALL SUCH SYSTEMS WITHIN FIVE YEARS, TO ADD NUISANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). The Commission consensus was to keep it tabled for further information and action by the County.

6. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 08O-09-152 TABLED AT THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING.

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-09-152: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7 ½ CODE ENFORCEMENT, TO CREATE A NEW ARTICLE III ENTITLED “ABANDONED REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY,” SECTIONS 7 ½ - 40 THROUGH 7 ½ - 50 TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, PROVIDING FOR PURPOSE AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). Discussion concerning the proposed state law was brought up. That law would supercede local laws if passed. Mayor Kaplan drafted the law, and State Rep. Porth is sponsoring it in the Legislature. However, action to proceed was agreed to. Several questions came up as to provisions of the proposed ordinance, which the City Attorney and Mayor Kaplan will discuss before moving it forward to be voted upon.

7. WRAP UP DISCUSSION OF BROWARD CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL, INC. (BCCI) (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.). Concerns were addressed over parking issues at the event.


SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING:

Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-272: DECLARING THE INTENT TO USE THE UNIFORM METHOD FOR COLLECTING NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS LEVIED WITHIN THE INCORPORATED AREA OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE COST OF PROVIDING STORMWATER SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL BILLING IN LIEU OF MONTHLY BILLING FOR SUCH FEES; STATING A NEED FOR SUCH LEVY TO COVER THE ACTUAL COSTS FOR SERVICES. The stormwater service is self funded and cannot run at a deficit. Right now the newly annexed areas stormwater service fee is being paid for by the rest of the city.


CITY COMMISSION MEETING:

PROCLAMATIONS:

A. A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JOEL WAUL, A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FOR BEING ENTERED IN TO THE “GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS” FOR THE BIGGEST RUBBER BAND BALL IN THE WORLD.

B. A PROCLAMATION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JOEL LESHINSKY FOR HIS THOUGHTFUL PARTICIPATION IN PREPARING A THANKSGIVING FEAST FOR EMPLOYEES OF LAUDERHILL WHO HAD TO WORK ON THE HOLIDAY.

C. A PROCLAMATION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO PRESTIGE AUTO WASH AND SALON FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION OF THE FOOD FOR THE THANKSGIVING FEAST FOR EMPLOYEES OF LAUDERHILL WHO HAD TO WORK ON THE HOLIDAY.


PRESENTATIONS:

A. A PRESENTATION BY POLICE CHIEF, KENNETH PACHNEK IN RECOGNITION OF LAUDERHILL POLICE OFFICERS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT POLICE WORK WITH THE “DUNKIN DONUTS” ROBBERIES.


ORDINANCES --- SECOND READING:

1. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-157: Adoption of Zoning District Map by changing from General Commercial (CG) to Commercial Entertainment (CE) the zoning district of two parcels more commonly described as the former Prempart Motors Used Car lot.

2. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-158: Amending the LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM ONE-MILE SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN GAME ROOMS AND BINGO HALLS RETROACTIVE TO OCTOBER 28, 2008.(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

3. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 080-11-159: Amending the LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ALLOWING WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE (CW) ZONING DISTRICT A PRIVATE CLUB, LODGE HALL, AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS).


RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

4. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-282: A RESOLUTION APPROVING PAYMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES TO THE BROWARD LEAGUE OF CITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,288.00 FOR THE 2008-2009 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 001-101-5410.

5. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-283: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REGARDING THE BROWARD COUNTY LAND STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JOHN E. MULLIN PARK EXTENSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00; PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION, PLAYGROUND, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING AND SIGNAGE FOR THIS PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 THROUGH THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-361-6540; PROVIDING THAT BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION BOND FUNDS WILL MATCH THE ADDITIONAL $75,000.00.

6. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-284: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REGARDING THE BROWARD COUNTY LAND STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLD CITY HALL PARK ON 47th AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.00; PROVIDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION, PLAYGROUND, LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING AND SIGNAGE FOR THIS PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000.00 THROUGH THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-361-6232; PROVIDING THAT BROWARD COUNTY SAFE PARKS AND LAND PRESERVATION BOND FUNDS WILL MATCH THE ADDITIONAL $75,000.00.

7. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-295: INDICATING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE TAX-EXEMPT BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND INSTALLATION OF VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS DETAILED IN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND TO USE A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS TO REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES PAID OR INCURRED PRIOR TO THE DATE OF ISSUANCE THEREOF.

8. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-296: APPROVING THE LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAZELLE P. ROGERS TO OCCUPY AND MAINTAIN AN OFFICE IN CONNECTION WITH HER OFFICIAL BUSINESS AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE LOCATED AT CORPORATE PARK, 3800 INVERRARY BOULEVARD, SUITE 307.


POLICE DEPARTMENT

9. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-286: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,695.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE “CRIMEVIEW SERVER” SOFTWARE FOR CRIME ANALYSIS AND MAPPING FROM THE SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER, THE OMEGA GROUP.

10. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-287: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,335.99 FOR THE PURCHASE OF DUTY AND TRAINING AMMUNITION FROM THE SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER, FLORIDA BULLET, INC.

11. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-288: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONTRACT #07C-206; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,139.25 TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT RADIO SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FROM MOTOROLA, INC.

12. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-289: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK OF THE MARTIN COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT PRICING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,590.20 TO PURCHASE EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING AND EQUIPMENT FROM LOCAL SUPPLIER EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLY (EVS).

13. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-290: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A REQUIRED UPGRADE TO THE CURRENT POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR DATA TRANSFER DURING THE UPGRADE; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

14. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-291: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,229.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EVIDENCE RETENTION SUPPLIES FROM SIRCHIE FINGERPRINT LABORATORIES; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

15. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-292: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,424.14 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTING AND EQUIPMENT FROM LOCAL SUPPLIER EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLY (EVS) FOR THE SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM VAN, BASED UPON THE MARTIN COUNTY FLORIDA CONTRACT PRICING (#AR-2007-2066.

16. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-293: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500.00 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL MLK TASKFORCE TO SUPPORT THE 2009 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION FESTIVITIES.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

17. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-12-294: GRANTING TO PRECISION DIAGNOSTIC, INC. A LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) ZONING DISTRICT, A TEMPORARY STORAGE AND USE OF A MOBILE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE (MRI) UNIT ON PROPERTY MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE LAUDERHILL SQUARE OUTPARCEL LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH STATE ROAD 7 AND N.W. 24th STREET, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.


NEW BUSINESS

A. SET DATE FOR CITY COMMISSION RETREAT. January 30, 2009 at 9:00 AM at the Lauderhill Golf Center.

Walls on Pine Island Road Scheduled to Start

For several years, the City of Lauderhill has tried to work with Broward County on new walls on Pine Island Road when the county widens the road. Funding for the road widening is from county gas tax revenues, and Lauderhill has been unable to stop the county from going forward.

Following the wishes from the residents in the area, the city worked to mitigate the problem as much as possible to provide as much safety and privacy as it could. Since this project is owned and managed by Broward County, Lauderhill has been told that construction will start in Jan '09 and that Contractor will start first with the west side (southbound) widening. It is anticipated that construction along Lauderhill's side will start after April '09.

The City did obtain an agreement with the County to erect the wall while the road work is done in the city's boundary, so Lauderhill is expected to finish the design plans by mid January '09 in order to facilitate the construction process. The new wall barrier will be placed as a replacement of the existing fence/wall.

"This Christmas the Musical" - A Hilarious Stage Play where Motown meets Hip Hop

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. (ENCORE PAC Inc.) will hold its Grand Finale Fundraising Event at Parkway Middle School of the Arts ▪ 3600 NW 5th Court ▪ Lauderhill, Florida 33311.

Saturday, December 13, 2008 ▪ Showtime 2pm

It's Christmas Eve in the small town of Musicville and Ms. Mabel, a longtime Musicville resident, is preparing a big dinner for her family. What started out as just a few snowflakes, turned into the worst storm Musicville had ever seen! There would be no family in town for Christmas dinner this year.

Just when Ms. Mabel thought she'd be all alone on Christmas… there was a knock at the door!

What happens next is a MUST see!

Tickets only $10 ea.(donation) - Ask about group rates
To order tickets: call: (954)253-5115 (954)309-5665 (754)234-3481
email: encorepac@gmail.com
Mail payment to: PO Box 771354 ▪ Coral Springs, FL 33077

About ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc.:

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. is a non-profit children's theater group committed to providing a safe environment and creative outlet for South Florida's youth. ENCORE was founded in 2006, by Kyla Maull, Georgette Belton and Nicole Nelson, longtime advocates of children's involvement in the performing arts. Every Saturday, 10am-3pm, children ages 6-19, selected through an audition process, participate in a performing arts workshop at the Herbert G. Sadkin Community Center in Lauderhill, Florida. Through technical acting, dance and vocal training children are exposed to creative expression, critical thinking, public speaking and more. In addition to appearing in ENCORE's original productions, twice a year, they also perform at many events throughout South Florida. (ENCORE alum have also successfully auditioned for Nickelodeon and Producer/Director Tyler Perry and may appear in upcoming productions). Unlike other performing arts schools whose services are too expensive for most families, ENCORE is FREE for children ages 6-19yrs, regardless of household income, welcoming all children from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Partners/Sponsors/Participants include: Mayor Richard J. Kaplan & the City of Lauderhill, The Herbert G. Sadkin Community Center, WQHT Hot 105 FM, DemoWorld Entertainment, Vintage Diversity.

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc.
PO BOX 771354
Coral Springs, FL 33077
954-309-5665
encorepac@gmail.comwww.myspace.com/encorepac

ENCORE Performing Arts Center Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing a safe environment and creative outlet for South Florida's youth.Encore Performing Arts Center Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a 501 c(3) Non-profit corporation.

Mayor's State of the City Speech - 2008

On December 8, at 6:30 PM, and during subsequent times afterwards in December, the Mayor will be giving his State of the City Speech on Comcast TV. It should be broadcasted on Channel 12 and/or 78. The text of the speech will also be available at under "Lauderhill Links" on the right side of this web site.

Donate Your Toys To The Needy

Again this year, the Fire-Rescue Department is supporting the PALS effort to help our residents in need. Starting Monday, 12/01/08 through12/15/08, we will be collecting food and toys for the holiday season.

If you would like to help, we will be accepting new / unwrapped toys and NON-PERISHABLE food items until Monday, 12/15/08, in time for distribution on Wednesday, 12/17. Sorry, we will not be able to accept any items after Monday, 12/15. To donate, you may take items to any of our FOUR fire stations:

Station 57 (Headquarters - 1980 NW 56 Ave.)
Station 30 (1181 NW 41 Terr, - right next to the Sadkin Center)
Station 73 (7801 NW 50 St - In front of Veteran's Park)
Station 110 (3120 NW 12 Place - Our newest station, on NW 31st Ave & NW12th Place)

Or, if you would like to donate and cannot make it to one of our stations, please call me and I will make arrangements to have things picked up (954-730-2950). Here's wishing you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season.

Tim Hautamaki
Assistant Fire Chief
Lauderhill Fire-Rescue

Lauderhill Garden Club has Formed

Photo by Jody Leshinsky at the Ilene Lieberman Botanical Garden

Volunteers have come forward to form the Lauderhill Garden Club. Meetings are on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month at Veterans Park, starting at 9:30 AM. The club will work with the city to find areas of the city to landscape.

Anyone with a green thumb, or would like a green thumb, and would like to volunteer, please attend the meetings. For more information you can also call Jennifer Tai, at 954-742-9457.

Notes of Commission Meeting of November 24

On November 24, the Commission held its Regular Commission Meeting, the first after the election. The following are some notes from that meeting that may be of interest:

ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR:

Commissioner Hawyard Benson was selected to serve as Vice Mayor for the next year.


ORDINANCES - FIRST READING:

1. Approved on a vote of 4 to 1 (Commissioner Holness voting against) ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-157: ADOPTION OF ZONING DISTRICT MAP BY CHANGING FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) TO COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT (CE) THE ZONING DISTRICT OF TWO PARCELS, MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS THE FORMER PREMPART MOTORS USED CAR LOT.

2, Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-11-158: AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM ONE-MILE SEPARATION DISTANCE BETWEEN GAME ROOMS AND BINGO HALLS RETROACTIVE TO OCTOBER 28, 2008(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

3. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 080-11-159: AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY ALLOWING WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE (CW) ZONING DISTRICT A PRIVATE CLUB, LODGE HALL, AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS).


ORDINANCES - SECOND READING:

4. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-10-156: AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND PERTAINING TO CONVENIENCE STORES; AMENDING BY ADDING AND DEFINING CONVENIENCE STORE, GROCERY STORE, SPECIALTY FOOD STORE, AND SUPERMARKET; BY ALLOWING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS GROCERY STORES AND SPECIALTY FOOD STORES AS A PERMITTED USE; BY ADDING SECTION 5.15.A., CONVENIENCE STORE AND ADDING SUBSECTIONS ADDRESSING MINIMUM SEPARATION, LOCATION, MAXIMUM SIZE, VISIBILITY, EMPLOYEE TRAINING, AND AMUSEMENT DEVICES.


RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

5. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-261: A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CERTIFIED RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 2008 CITY OF LAUDERHILL GENERAL ELECTION FROM THE BROWARD COUNTY CANVASSING BOARD, BROWARD COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE.

6. Approved on a vote of 4 to 1 (Commissioner Berger voting against) RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-262: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL SUPPORTING AN INCREASE IN FLORIDA’S CIGARETTE TAX; PROVING AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

7. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-263: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL RELATING TO UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES, UTILIZING ANY MEANS NECESSARY TO REQUIRE THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ELIMINATE UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CONSIDERING SPONSORSHIP OF AN INITIATIVE PETITION, TO AMEND ARTICLE VII, SECTION 18 (a) OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION TO ELIMINATE THE CLAUSE THAT ALLOWS FOR UNFUNDED MANDATES BY A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY, AND TO POTENTIALLY AMEND OTHER CLAUSES OF SAID SUBSECTION; PROVING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

8. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-264: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL SUPPORTING AN AMENDMENT TO FLORIDA’S CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPERATE UNDER THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW; PROVING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

9. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-265: A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR UNITOWN 2009; PROVIDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

10. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-266: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) STATE HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION AND LANDSCAPE GRANT FOR SUNRISE BOULEVARD MEDIANS FROM STATE ROAD 7/U.S. 441 THROUGH N.W. 31st AVENUE IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $125,000.00 FOR THE DESIGN, INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION, LANDSCAPING AND LABOR FOR THIS PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF CITY MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,5000.00 FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 450-925-3110; PROVIDING THAT FDOT WILL MATCH THE ADDITIONAL $62,500.00.

11. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-267: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FORECLOSURE FUNDS IN THE PROJECTED NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ONE YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009; ENABLING THE CITY TO SUBMIT THE PLAN TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR THE USE OF FORECLOSURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,293,288.00 TO ACQUIRE, REHABILITATE, RE-DEVELOP AND RE-SELL FORECLOSED/ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

12. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-241: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LEASE RENEWAL PROPOSAL FROM FORAM GROUP, INC. REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF THE LEASE FOR THE CURRENT CITY HALL SITE LOCATED AT CORPORATE PARK AT INVERRARY; PROVIDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS.


D.E.E.S.

13. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-268: ACCEPTING AND APPROVING A FIFTEEN FOOT (15’) DRAINAGE EASEMENT DEDICATION FROM CECIL MILTON KNOWN AS 2750 N.W. 56th AVENUE.

14. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-269: AWARDING THE BID TO GRACE & NAEEM UDDIN, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $754,119.00 FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE SADKIN SENIOR CENTER.

15. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-270: AWARDING THE BID TO PALM BEACH BUILDING GROUP, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $149,960.00 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING WITH RESTROOMS AT JACKIE GLEASON PARK IN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.

16. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-271: APPROVING THE FIRST CHANGE ORDER TO THE SUPERIOR LANDSCAPING AND LAWN SERVICE CONTRACT FOR AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $302,496.23 FOR ADDITIONAL WORK ON PROJECT 02.15G DUE TO DESIGN DEFICIENCIES AND/OR AT THE REQUEST OF LAUDERHILL RESIDENTS.

17. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-273: APPROVING THE LIST OF CONSULTING FIRMS FOR THE “MISCELLANEOUS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES” CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (DEES) IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES/CATEGORIES INCLUDING ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPING, ENVIRONMENTAL, CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION, SURVEYING AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS BASED UPON CITY STAFF’S EVALUATIONS AND RANKINGS; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE VARIOUS CONSULTANTS ON AN “AS NEEDED” BASIS FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE FIRMS LISTED FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES AND/OR SPECIALTIES.


PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES

18. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-275: APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT (8) BUS FARE BOXES, STANCHIONS AND KEYS FOR THE CITY’S COMMUNITY SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, AND TWO (2) SPARE VAULTS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,869.20.


POLICE DEPARTMENT

19. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-276: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,852.35 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TEN (10) X-26 TASERS WITH REQUIRED ACCESSORIES AND SUPPLIES FROM THE SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER OF THESE PARTICULAR TASERS, DGG TASER & TACTICAL SUPPLY, INC.; APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR A SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER.

20. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-277: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $167,852.00 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF TEN (10) POLICE VEHICLES BASED UPON THE BIDS RECEIVED BY THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BID NO. 08-16-0908.

21. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-278: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,886.30 FOR THE PURCHASE OF SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM TACTICAL BALLISTIC VESTS BASED UPON THE STATE OF FLORIDA PURCHASING CONTRACT #680-850-05-1 WHICH PROVIDES QUOTES FROM GL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

22. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-279: APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,826.25 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE GUN RACKS FROM EMERGENCY VEHICLE SUPPLY (EVS) BASED UPON THE CITY OF MIAMI CONTRACT #05-06-035A(10.

23. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-280: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,000.00 TO BE UTILIZED TO FUND DEPARTMENT TRAINING COSTS.

24. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-11-281: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL; PROVIDING FOR THE CITY TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,945.00 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PROVIDE IN-KIND MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,486.00.


NEW BUSINESS

A. SET A DATE FOR A WORKSHOP MEETING IN DECEMBER. Set for Monday, December 8 at 3:30 PM.

B. DISCUSSION OF ART SELECTION FOR ILENE LIEBERMAN BOTANICAL GARDENS. Accepted art selection for the Garden.

C. DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LAUDERHILL GARDEN CLUB WHICH HAS FORMED.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Photos of the New City Hall Under Construction

ICC Senior Men's Americas Cricket Championship Games

From November 25 through 30, the ICC Senior Men's Americas Championship Games will be played at the Central Regional Park. The games are part of the PEPSI ICC Development Program - Americas. They will be played from 10 AM to 6 PM each day, except on November 28, and are free to the public. The national teams from Bermuda, Cayman, Canada, Argentina, Suriname and the USA are the participants.

Santa Deliveries

1st Jazz Picnic in the Park a Success

Picture by Jody Leshinsky

On November 9, the Jazz Survivors performed at the Lieberman Botanical Gardens. The event was held under perfect weather, and everyone enjoyed the performance. The acoustics of the park are incredible, and many took a day off just to lay on the grass, relax, and listen to great jazz. Cannoli Kitchen even came by and gave out free pizza.

The next performance is January 11, 10 to 2 PM, with the Sounds of Vision performing. For more information:

http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/jazz.pdf

To listen to the Sounds of Vision:

http://www.scottklarman.com/

Swearing In of New Commission

On November 18, at 12 noon, in the Commission Chambers, Lauderhill City Hall, we will be conducting the Swearing-In Ceremony for Commissioners Holness and Commissioner Berger, who were re-elected on November 4. All are invited to attend.

Free Residential Yard Waste Program Continues Due to Popular Demand

Broward County Waste and Recycling Services and Partner Cities will continue their popular residential trash program through 2009. Yard waste, bulky waste and scrap metals for recycling can be taken to three trash transfer stations at no charge to residents.

Items are accepted on Saturdays only, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the following trash transfer station locations:

• 2780 N. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach
• 5490 Reese Road, Davie
• 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., West Park

For questions or more information on what items will be accepted, please call the recycling hotline at 954-765-4999 or visit www.broward.org/waste.

Analysis of the Lauderhill Commissioner Races

As everyone knows, Commissioner Berger and Commission Holness won re-election on November 4. But how and where did they win. Each race had unique qualities in how voters decided who to vote for. The results and this analysis show the impact of some of these factors.

Lauderhill Seat #1, pitted Howard Berger, Tyson Jones and Randy Robinson against each other. Since Mr. Berger and Jones have both sat on the Commission, it was commonly seen as a race between the two of them, which it was.

Mr. Berger did his best in all but one precinct north of Oakland Park Blvd., the south half of Central Lauderhill, and the East Side. His best areas were 3L which is part of Inverrary (by 247 votes), and 15L –Environ (by 451 votes). Mr. Jones did best in the north half of Central, and the entire Southeast Area (newly annexed). His best precinct was 29L – part of Broward Estates (by 226 votes).

Randy Robinson was the third candidate, and trailed far behind. However, his entry into this race could have been significant. While the difference between Tyson and Berger was 1154 votes, Mr. Robinson received 1334 votes. Those 1373 votes were spread relatively evenly throughout all precincts.

While it is impossible to say if Mr. Robinson had not run that it would have changed the result. It appears that the results probably would have been a lot closer. If Mr. Robinson had not run, then for Jones to win, it would have required him to take over 84% of Robinson’s vote. Not necessarily that likely because Mr. Robinson’s vote was too spread out around the city, but still possible. Therefore, Mr. Robinson could have played a factor in the result of this race. Also interesting in this race was that Early Voting heavily favored Mr. Jones, but Absentee and Election Day voting went to Mr. Berger.

In Lauderhill Seat #2, the race clearly favored Commissioner Holness against 4 other challengers. He led in all precincts except the three in St. George and Broward Estates, where Jacob Greene won by a good margin. Otherwise, the victory was clear cut.

What was interesting about this race was the difference between 2nd and 3rd place. Throughout the city Ruth Lynch and Jacob Greene were somewhat closer, with only 2 notably concentrated exceptions. Mr. Greene did slightly better (102 votes) in Inverrary, and he did significantly better in the Southeast area of the city (the newly annexed area) where he resides. In those 5 precincts in the Southeast, Mr. Greene received 1020 more votes than Ms. Lynch, and added to his advantage of 392 votes from the remaining 24 precincts.

The other two candidates were Terry Corrado and Paul Shelton, who were not factors in this race.

Jazz Picnic in the Park - 1st in Series, Sunday Nov. 9, 10 AM

How to Deliver Your Absentee Ballot?

I know that this election season has been difficult, particularly in trying to vote. Many have spent hours on line waiting to Early Vote. Others will wait until Nov. 4 to vote. For those that are voting Absentee, you may have questions concerning how to make sure your ballot gets to the Supervisor of Elections on time. It must be at the Supervisors' office by 7 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to be counted (however, see below on specific times for the Lauderhill Mall).

On this you have several choices. First of all you can mail it in. But if it is not on time, it won't count. At this point, to mail it in on Monday, and expect it to be there by Tuesday may not work. This leaves you with two choices:

1) You can take it to your regular precinct on Nov. 4, and turn it in for a regular ballot (which kind of defeated the point in the first place), or

2) You can hand deliver the ballot to the Supervisor of Elections office. This is not the same as the precinct. The nearest SOE office is in the BACK OF THE LAUDERHILL MALL. This is not the place where the Early Voting Precinct is. Drive to the back of the Mall. You make not only bring your own ballot, but that of anyone else you would like. You must deliver it there by 5 PM on Monday. There is also a SOE office in downtown Ft. Lauderdale if that is more convenient to you, and they will accept them up until 7 PM on Tuesday.

For any other information, contact the Supervisor of Elections office directly. Otherwise, thanks for voting.

Lauderhill Receives Land Preservation's Parks for People Grant

Great News!!!!!!! - Our Grants Administrator was successful in obtaining for Lauderhill the full amount of a Parks Grant applied for. We will receive $75,000 for 1st City Hall Park on 47th, and $75,000 for John E. Mullin Park Extension.

Notes of Commission Meeting of October 27

On October 27, the City Commission met at its Regular Commission Meeting. The following are some items of interest:


ORDINANCES ---- FIRST READING:

1. Tabled to a Workshop ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-139 AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO ADD CONSERVATION; ADDRESS LIGHT EMISSION; PROVIDING LIGHT CONSERVATION AND ADDING REQUIREMENTS ON MATERIALS, LANDSCAPING, REFLECTIVITY, REVIEW, AND SHIELDING (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). Also, City Manager will obtain the necessary lighting expertise to advise the Commission.


2. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 08O-10-156 AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND PERTAINING TO CONVENIENCE STORES; ADDING AND DEFINING CONVENIENCE STORE, GROCERY STORE, SPECIALTY FOOD STORE, AND SUPERMARKET; AMENDING PERMITTED AND SPECIAL EXCEPTION USES, BY ALLOWING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS GROCERY STORES AND SPECIALTY FOOD STORES AS A PERMITTED USE; ADDING SECTION 5.15.A., CONVENIENCE STORE AND ADDING SUBSECTIONS ADDRESSING MINIMUM SEPARATION, LOCATION, MAXIMUM SIZE, VISIBILITY, EMPLOYEE TRAINING, AND AMUSEMENT DEVICES; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS.

RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

3. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-224 APPROVING THE DATES REQUESTED BY THE LAUDERHILL MALL FOR SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS TO HOLD VARIOUS CARNIVALS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MALL AS PART OF FUNDRAISING EFFORTS WHERE A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WOULD BE DONATED AS SPONSORSHIPS TO VARIOUS CITY EVENTS.

4. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-225 APPROVING THE ELECTION OF DR. MERCY MOORE TO SERVE AS THE EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD FOR THE TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010.

5. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-226 APPROVING THE BOARD APPOINTMENT OF GRACE D. KING TO FILL A VACANT POSITION ON THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD FOR A ONE (1) YEAR TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 2009.

6. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-227 APPOINTING FOUR (4) MEMBERS TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD BY VARIOUS INDIVIDUAL CITY COMMISSIONERS; APPOINTING ONE (1) ALTERNATE TO THE BOARD BY THE CITY COMMISSION AS A WHOLE FOR A ONE (1) YEAR TERM.

7. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-228 APPROVING TWO (2) APPOINTMENTS BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN AS APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION TO THE LAUDERHILL HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD FOR A ONE (1) YEAR TERM AND A TWO (2) YEAR TERM RESPECTIVELY.

8. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-231 APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF JANICE CARTER AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AS SELECTED BY THE BOARD TO SERVE A TWO (2) YEAR TERM.

9. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-233 making an appointment to FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF WIN HOFFMAN FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE BY THE CITY COMMISSION AS A WHOLE FOR THE TERM ENDING JUNE 2010.

10. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-234 APPROVING AND APPOINTING THE TWO (2) INDIVIDUALS SELECTED BY THE TASK FORCE ITSELF TO SERVE ON THE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.

11. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-235 APPOINTING MEMBERS AND ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE UNSAFE STRUCTURES BOARD FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO FILL VACANT POSITIONS.

12. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-236 APPROVING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BROWARD METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (BMPO) AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL RELATIVE TO THE OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD TURNPIKE INVESTIGATION.

13. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-239 URGING THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO FULLY FUND AND SUSTAIN BROWARD COUNTY’S TRAFFIC MAGISTRATE CITATION PROGRAM; IN THE ABSENCE OF FULL FUNDING BY THE LEGISLATURE, URGING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, THE BROWARD COUNTY CLERK OF THE COURTS, THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE, THE POLICE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION, ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN BROWARD COUNTY AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED ENTITY TO COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP A MECHANISM TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDING IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE BROWARD COUNTY TRAFFIC MAGISTRATE CITATION PROGRAM; URGING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY AND ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN BROWARD COUNTY TO CONSIDER IMPOSING A SURCHARGE ON ALL TRAFFIC TICKETS ISSUED WITHIN THE COUNTY TO ASSIST WITH THE FULL FUNDING OF THE TRAFFIC MAGISTRATE PROGRAM; URGING THE ABOVE-REFERENCED ENTITIES TO JOIN IN THIS REQUEST FOR FULL FUNDING OF THE BROWARD COUNTY TRAFFIC MAGISTRATE CITATION PROGRAM (REQUESTED BY CITY COMMISSION).

14. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-240 APPROVING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND BROWARD COUNTY FOR THE JOINT FUNDING OF THE BUFFER WALL CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF PINE ISLAND ROAD FROM SOUTH OF NORTHWEST 45TH COURT TO SOUTH OF NORTHWEST 50TH STREET AND FROM NORTH OF NORTHWEST 50TH STREET TO SOUTH OF NORTHWEST 52nd STREET.

15. Withdrew RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-241 APPROVING THE LEASE RENEWAL PROPOSAL FROM FORAM GROUP, INC. REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF THE LEASE FOR THE CURRENT CITY HALL SITE LOCATED AT CORPORATE PARK AT INVERRARY COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING MARCH 31, 2010; PROVIDING A SIX (6) MONTH EARLY TERMINATION CLAUSE FOR THE CITY; REQUIRING A MINIMUM OCCUPANCY THROUGH JULY 30, 2009.

16. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-242 URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO EQUALIZE FUNDING BASED ON POPULATION TO PROVIDE EACH REGION OF FLORIDA, INCLUDING SOUTH FLORIDA, ITS FAIR SHARE OF STATE FUNDING (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES).

17. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-244 REQUESTING THE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE TO EXPLORE THE CONCEPT OF ESTABLISHING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY; REQUESTING THE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE TO PROVIDE A SUMMARY REPORT REGARDING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN THE FINAL REPORT TO THE CITY COMMISSION (REQUESTED BY DEPUTY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.).

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

18. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-245 APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A PAYMENT REQUEST TO BROWARD COUNTY PURSUANT TO THE LAUDERHILL STATE ROAD 7 CORRIDOR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR FUNDING UNDER THE REDEVELOPMENT CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE STATE ROAD 7 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA); PROVIDING FOR CONVERSION OF THE $3,000,000,000.00 LOAN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PREMPART MOTORS TO A GRANT; PROVIDING FOR A DRAW OF $183,826.00 FOR COMPLETED IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE ROAD 7 INTERSECTIONS.

D.E.E.S.

19. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-247 ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL FROM KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,500.00 TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND TO COORDINATE THE INTERIOR RENOVATION AND EXTERIOR HURRICANE WILMA REPAIR TO THE SADKIN COMMUNITY CENTER, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY BIDDING AND PERMITTING.

FINANCE

20. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-248 APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH MOTOROLA, INC. FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO EQUIPMENT BASED UPON THE BIDS SOLICITED BY THE BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE; PROVIDING FOR A TERM COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2008 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,008.32 TO BE SPLIT AMONG ALL DEPARTMENTS FROM FUND BUDGET CODE FUND 4620.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

21. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-249 APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE LEASE/PURCHASE IN THE AMOUNT OF $199,963.00 FROM HALL-MARK FIRE APPARATUS OF ONE (1) 2009 HORTON CUSTOM ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT TRANSPORT VEHICLE BASED UPON THE BIDS SOLICITED BY THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION CONTRACT #07-07-0828; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-311-6614.

HUMAN RESOURCES

22. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-252 APPROVING THE MODIFICATION OF JOB TITLE FROM GRANTS WRITER TO GRANTS MANAGER.

POLICE

22. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-253 APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONTRACT #07C-206; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,631.52 TO PURCHASE RADIO EQUIPMENT TO BE INSTALLED IN THE POLICE BUILDING FROM MOTOROLA, INC.; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

23. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-254 APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,554.49 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) DELL SERVERS AND SERVER TAPE RACK FROM THE DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION WHICH IS A SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIER FOR THE COMPATIBLE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TO AVOID THE NEED FOR ANY CONVERSION; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936.

24. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-255 APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,136.40 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) TACTICAL RIFLES FOR USE BY THE SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM FROM CARBONE’S CUSTOM FIREARMS.

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

25. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-256: GRANTING TO THE LESSEE, EVOLUTION GAMES TECHNOLOGY, INC., A SPECIAL EXCEPTION DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT, A 2,730 SQUARE FEET ADULT GAME ROOM USE ON AN APPROXIMATE ± 4.80 ACRE SITE KNOWN AS INVERRARY PLAZA WEST, 7301 A. WEST OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.

26. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 08R-10-257 GRANTING TO THE OWNER, DAGAM OIL COMPANY, INC., A SPECIAL EXCEPTION DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT, A SERVICE STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE USE ON AN APPROXIMATE ± 0.33 ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 3609 WEST BROWARD BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.

We were supposed to hold a Regular Commission Meeting on November 10. However, because of the election, and the potential changes in the Charter, it is unknown at this time whether a meeting will be held that day.

Commissioner Lee Mirsky Passes

Commissioner Leanna "Lee" Mirsky passed away on Friday, October 24,2008. She will be buried in New Jersey. The family advised if anyone wishing to do a donation to send it to the Alzheimer's Foundation in her name.

New Home Buyer Tax Credit

When President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 into law on July 30, a world of opportunities became available to first-time home buyers, home owners struggling to pay their mortgages and renters alike.

In addition to giving local governments the assistance they need to support and expand local programs and initiatives through a one-time allocation of nearly $4 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) neighborhood stabilization funds to help ease the burden of vacant housing caused by foreclosure, the legislation brings additional relief to homeowners in response to the mortgage foreclosure crisis and is intended to strengthen the economy by restoring confidence in the housing and credit markets.

“This landmark bill contains several provisions to help home buyers, stop the slide in home prices, provide a lifeline to borrowers facing foreclosure, improve mortgage liquidity and expand the supply of affordable rental housing,” said National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) President Sandy Dunn.

NLC President Cynthia McCollum, council member, Madison, Ala., recently praised the act, saying, “The legislation will help thousands of Americans stay in their homes, provide cities with the funding they need to stop the downward spiral of home vacancies and neighborhood deterioration, and stabilize the home financing system.”

A centerpiece of the act is a temporary, $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit for the purchase of any home. The tax credit can be used for homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. It is expected to provide a significant financial incentive for qualified home buyers who may not have been able to afford to buy during the past few years.

According to Dunn, the tax credit “will increase housing demand, get home buyers back into the marketplace and fight falling home prices, which threaten the economy as a whole.”

NAHB has set up a website, http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/, to help educate consumers about how the tax credit works and how they can put it to their advantage. The site has attracted enormous interest — since July 30, more than 100,000 people have visited.

Combined with near-record low interest rates, a large selection of homes on the market to choose from, and competitive prices, the tax credit is one more reason that now is an ideal time to buy a home.

Details: For more information on the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and resources available from NAHB, visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/.

Notes of Commission Workshop of October 20

On October 20, the City Commission held a Regular Workshop Meeting. The following are notes of interest from that meeting:

1. 2009 STATE LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW - State has another budget shortfall, and it is expected to continue. Special session may be necessary just to get through to the next legislative session. They used non-recurring dollars to cover recurring costs, and it didn't get them through. Now those funds are not available to use again. Money will be very tight. However, money from the federal government will be more available than the State, and a federal component is important. Energy and water will be big issues in the legislature.

2. PRESENTATION BY INTEREST COMMITTEE FOR FLORIDA CARIBBEAN GAMES - Explanation of the development of the games. Also, a presentation to add to the Central Regional Park a track & field and football/soccer field on the 2 east fields of the park. Cost estimates run from $3 million with 1000 seats, to almost $5.4 million with 5000 seats. During special events, temporary seats could occur to bring seating up to 10,000. The project is expected to be phased in. The expected date of the Florida Caribbean Games is May 2010. It was requested for the City to support this development and make it a priority. By Consensus, the Commission all agreed to support to the next level. It was noted that Community support is crucial to this process to pursue this further.

3. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER ON NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM GRANTS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN). The City Manager advised on the law, and the time constraints. It requires the funds to be obligated within 18 months, and expended within 4 years. The deadline for applying for the funds by the city is December 1 through a consolidated plan amendment. Eligible projects are purchasing and redeveloped foreclosed property, establishing land banks, demolishing blighted abandoned structures and redevelop, purchase property through short sales discounts and resale, and others. It can not be used for foreclosure prevention. Staff will put together a plan quickly so that we can approve a timely application by the end of November.

Listen to the Lauderhill Commissioner Candidates Speak

The Inverrary Association hosted a Candidates Night to allow each of the 7 Candidates that attended to address the audience, and answer questions on a variety of subjects. This event was recorded, and is available to be heard on Lauderhill's web' site, using the following link: http://lauderhill-fl.net/102208.html.

Eight Years Later

eLauderhill News Recommends

On November 4, eLauderhill News Recommends the following items on the ballot:

PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Barack Obama/Joseph Bidden-Dem. eLauderhill News ENDORSES
John McCain/Sarah Palin-Rep.
Bob Barr/Wayne A. Root-LBT
Alan Keyes/Brian Rohrbough-AIP
Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez-ECO

20th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Debbie Wasserman Schultz-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES
Margaret Hostetter-NPA

23rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Marion D. Thorpe, Jr.-REP
Alcee L. Hastings-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES

29th STATE SENATE

Christopher "Chris" Smith-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES

93rd STATE HOUSE

Perry E. Thurston, Jr.-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES

SHERIFF

Scott Israel-Dem. Qualified
Albert Lamberti-Rep. eLauderhill News ENDORSES

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

Howard C. Forman-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES
Beverly B. Kennedy-NPA

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

Brenda C. Snipes-DEM eLauderhill News ENDORSES
Ellen H. Brodsky-NPA

LAUDERHILL SEAT #1

Howard Berger
Tyson T. Jones
Randy Robinson
NO RECOMMENDATION

LAUDERHILL SEAT #2

Terry Corrado
Jacob Greene
Dale V. C. Holness eLauderhill News ENDORSES
Ruth Roman Lynch
Paul R. Shelton

CITY OF LAUDERHILL 2008 REFERENDUM BALLOT QUESTIONS

1) Referendum Amending City Charter, Section 3.06, to Eliminate the Position of Deputy Vice Mayor.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST, since it is a needed position and has no additional cost to the city

2) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.03, to Provide City Commission Term Limits of 12 consecutive years.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION

3) Referendum Amending City Charter to Create Section 1.04, listing in the Charter a Citizens’ Bill of Rights that are already provided by law.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION, though it needs to be known that it creates no new rights, and therefore is misleading, plus it clutters the Charter

4) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.08, Regarding Procedures for a Public Reprimand to Elected Officials who violates the Lauderhill Charter by "Interfering with the Administration."

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

5) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.04, Regarding the First Meeting for New City Commission, to be set 2 weeks after the election to provide time for certification of the election.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR to resolve a technical problem

ALL SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEAL JUSTICES

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS ENDORSES

CIRCUIT JUDGE, 17TH CIRCUIT

GROUP 3

Bernard Isaac "Bernie" Bober
Pedro E. Dijols which is a vote for Marty Levy

Considering what has happened in this court involved dispute, NO RECOMMENDATION IS GIVEN

GROUP 21

Merrilee Ehrlich
Paul D. Eichner eLauderhill News ENDORSES

GROUP 27

Steven Brian Feren eLauderhill News ENDORSES
Mark W. Rickard

BROWARD COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS

Creation of a Metropolitan Transit Authority: Would create an advisory body to be known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority, governed by an appointed Board of Trustees, which will have the responsibility to recommend improvements to the County's public transit plan, programs, operations, and to assist with the coordination of a comprehensive, regional public transit system.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST since it is duplicative of other funded boards and therefore waste taxpayers dollars

· Non-Interference in County Administration: Would prohibit the County Commission or individual County Commissioners from interfering directly with County employees and provide that all recommendations to County Administration be made through the County Administrator, except for the purposes of formal inquiries and investigations.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

· County Commission Meetings, Rules and Voting (Recusal): Would require Commissioners who recuse themselves due to a voting conflict resulting from a financial interest in the matter to leave the Commission chamber and not communicate or participate in any discussion.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

· Broward County Housing Council: Would provide for a Broward County Housing Council to serve in a non-taxing advisory capacity to facilitate coordination between the County, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit groups to address such issues as affordable and workforce housing and homelessness, and to make annual recommendations regarding streamlining governmental regulations and enhancing housing stability.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION since there is insufficient information to make a decision

· Broward County Regionalism Policy Statements: Would add a policy statement to the Broward County Charter defining Broward County government’s duty to develop and implement programs, policies and budget with a countywide and regional focus, without being precluded from delivering services on a less than regional basis.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION since there is insufficient information to make a decision, and being that Broward County is not a region, but a sub-region.

· Broward County Parks Preservation: Would designate County-owned parks as either natural area parks or regional parks, and would prohibit the sale, transfer or change of use of such parks without an affirmative vote of sixty percent (60%) of the electorate.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR though there is little information

· Broward County Environmental Policy Statement: Would add an environmental policy statement to the Broward County Charter clarifying Broward County government’s duty to enact ordinances which protect its citizens’ right to a sustainable environment, including clean air and clean water, while encouraging the stewardship of natural resources.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST since there is insufficient information to make a decision, and too many concerns remain

· Broward County Ethics Commission: Would create a Broward County Ethics Commission for the specific purpose of preparing a Code of Ethics regulating the behavior of Broward County Commissioners, to be considered by the County Commission and/or the electors of Broward County.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

· Redistricting Process: Would provide for the use of an independent redistricting consultant to develop plans for redistricting of the County Commission’s single-member districts.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

· One Year Hiatus between End of Management & Efficiency Study Committee (MESC) and Beginning of Charter Review Commission: Would require the MESC to meet in 2009 and every six (6) years thereafter in order to provide for a one (1) year hiatus between the meeting of the Charter Review Commission and MESC.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

FLORIDA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

No. 1
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE I, SECTION 2
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Ballot Summary:
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to delete provisions authorizing the Legislature to regulate or prohibit the ownership, inheritance, disposition, and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

No. 2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE I, NEW SECTION
FLORIDA MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT
Ballot Summary:
This amendment protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and provides that no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST

No. 3
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 3 AND 4 ARTICLE XII, NEW SECTION
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS NOT AFFECTING THE ASSESSED VALUE OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY
Ballot Summary:
Authorizes the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit consideration of changes or improvements to residential real property which increase resistance to wind damage and installation of renewable energy source devices as factors in assessing the property’s value for ad valorem taxation purposes. Effective upon adoption, repeals the existing renewable energy source device exemption no longer in effect.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST

No. 4
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 3 AND 4 ARTICLE XII, SECTION 28
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF PERPETUALLY CONSERVED LAND; CLASSIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF LAND USED FOR CONSERVATION
Ballot Summary:
Requires Legislature to provide a property tax exemption for real property encumbered by perpetual conservation easements or other perpetual conservation protections, defined by general law. Requires Legislature to provide for classification and assessment of land used for conservation purposes, and not perpetually encumbered, solely on the basis of character or use. Subjects assessment benefit to conditions, limitations, and reasonable definitions established by general law. Applies to property taxes beginning in 2010.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST due to a lack of information of the impact of this amendment

No. 6
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 4 ARTICLE XII, NEW SECTION
ASSESSMENT OF WORKING WATERFRONT PROPERTY BASED UPON CURRENT USE
Ballot Summary:
Provides for assessment based upon use of land used predominantly for commercial fishing purposes; land used for vessel launches into waters that are navigable and accessible to the public; marinas and drystacks that are open to the public; and water-dependent marine manufacturing facilities, commercial fishing facilities, and marine vessel construction and repair facilities and their support activities, subject to conditions, limitations, and reasonable definitions specified by general law.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION due to a lack of information

No. 8
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 9
LOCAL OPTION COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING.
Ballot Summary:
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require that the Legislature authorize counties to levy a local option sales tax to supplement community college funding; requiring voter approval to levy the tax; providing that approved taxes will sunset after 5 years and may be reauthorized by the voters.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

Early Voting Starts October 20

While it has been nearly impossible to ignore that there is an upcoming election, I can’t express to you more the importance of voting. Early voting begins Oct. 20. In the area of Lauderhill, the closest places are the Lauderhill Mall and Tamarac Library on Commercial Blvd. Considering how many may vote, Early Voting may be very desirable. For more information: http://www.browardsoe.org/content.aspx?id=152.

If you wish to absentee vote, you must do so ASAP. I do not know when the cut off is. To get information and to request an absentee ballot: http://www.browardsoe.org/items.aspx?id=28.

The City of Lauderhill has an Official Web Site on voting issues (without recommendations), which also contains the full text of the Charter Amendments: http://lauderhill-fl.gov/voting.html

Remember, the most important thing is to vote. Be prepared for a very long ballot, front and back, 8 to 10 pages long. The city elections and referendums will be at the end.

Also, please be aware that there will be a Candidates Night (sponsored by the Inverrary Association) on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7 PM at the Environ Cultural Center. All are invited, and bring questions to ask. Signs are on Inverrary Blvd., advertising it. We are planning to tape this debate and try to broadcast it later on the city's radio station 1650 AM.

Castle Gardens is having their debate on the 21st at 7 PM. There may be other groups hosting such nights, but I have not been advised of them.

eLauderhill News Recommendations will be published on October 20.

New City Hall Under Construction 10/14/08

Special to the Jewish Week by Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf

Not everyone can claim to be the neighbor of a Presidential candidate - I can, though, because I am. Barack Obama's Chicago home is across the street from KAM Isaiah Israel, the Hyde Park synagogue at which I've served for 27 years. He spoke to our congregation as an Illinois state senator; more recently, his Secret Service agents have made use of our, shall we say, facilities. But it's not neighborly instinct that's led me to support the Obama candidacy: I support Barack Obama because he stands for what I believe, what our tradition demands. We sometimes forget, but an integral part of that tradition is dialogue and a willingness to disagree. Certainly many who call me their rabbi have taken political positions far from mine - just as Barack Obama's opinions have differed from those of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

On March 18, the candidate gave a speech that made abundantly clear that he and Wright often disagree. Obama condemned Wright's 'incendiary language,' and 'views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation.' Of course, race is only one issue on which Wright has stepped beyond the bounds of civil discourse. He's frequently made statements regarding Israel and the Jewish community that I find troubling. But to limit our understanding of Obama to the ill-conceived comments of the man who once led his church is dishonest and self-defeating.

Obama's strong positions on poverty and the climate, his early and consistent opposition to the Iraq War, his commitment to ending the Darfur genocide - all these speak directly to Jewish concerns. If we're sidetracked by Wright's words, we'll be working against these interests. After all, a preacher speaks to a congregation, not for the congregation.

Many people remain concerned that Obama isn't committed to Israel . Some want him to fall in line behind the intransigent, conservative thinking that has silenced Jewish debate on Israeli policy and enabled the Bush Administration's criminal neglect of the diplomatic process. Clearly, though, anyone who thinks Obama waffles on Israel hasn't been paying attention.

In 2007, he spoke to AIPAC about 'a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel .' Today, his website states clearly that America 's 'first and incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be to the security of Israel .' For my part, I've sometimes found Obama too cautious on Israel . He, like all our polits, knows he mustn't stray too far from the conventional line, and that can be disappointing. But unlike anyone else on the stump, Obama has also made it clear that he'll broaden the dialogue. He knows what peace entails. Speaking recently before a Jewish audience in Cleveland , Obama did the unthinkable - he challenged the room. He talked about the need to ask 'difficult questions' on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: 'I sat down with the head of Israeli security forces,' he said 'and his view of the Palestinians was incredibly nuanced.. There's good and there's bad, and he was willing to say sometimes we make mistakes. and if we're just pressing down on these folks constantly, without giving them some prospects for hope, that's not good for our security.'

Yet, in spite of all of Obama's strengths, we've been loathe to admit a difficult truth: Among some American Jews, race plays a key role in the hesitation to support the Obama candidacy. We've forgotten that Black and Jewish America once shared a common vision. In the civil rights era, I and many in our community stood shoulder to shoulder with the giants of our generation, demanding freedom for all Americans.

Obama himself doesn't share our amnesia, however. 'I would not be sitting here,' he said in Cleveland , 'if it were not for a whole host of Jewish Americans.' That was literal truth, but not everyone remembers it.

I've worked with Obama for more than a decade, as has my son, a lawyer who represents children and people with disabilities. He has admired Obama's dedication and skill as he worked on issues affecting our most vulnerable citizens. Obama is no anti-Semite. He is not anti-Israel. He is one of our own, the one figure on the political scene who remembers our past, and has a real vision for repairing our present. Barack Obama is brilliant and open-hearted; he is wiser and more thoughtful than his former minister. He offers what America , Israel , and the Jewish community need: a US President willing to ask hard questions, and grapple with difficult answers. I am very proud to be his neighbor. I hope someday to visit him in the White House.

Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf is rabbi emeritus at Chicago 's KAM Isaiah Israel, Illinois' oldest Jewish congregation

Lauderhill to Receive $4.293 Million to Help Foreclosures

It was announced that more than $541 million in federal foreclosure aid is coming to Florida. The money will be distributed through the state to cities and counties throughout Florida for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. The funding is provided through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program under The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The CDBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lauderhill's portion is $4.293 Million.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act appropriated nearly $4 billion for assistance to state and local governments for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. State and local governments may use the funds to purchase and redevelop foreclosed and abandoned homes and property. The funds can also be used to offer downpayment and closing cost assistance to low- to moderate-income homebuyers. State and local governments will also have the ability to create “land banks” to assemble, temporarily manage, and dispose of vacant land to encourage re-use or development of property.

At this time no specific discussion has taken place on how this money will be spent. It is anticipated that staff may be advising the Commission at the October 20th Commission Workshop about these available funds, and how they could be utilized. However, it will take more time to properly make the determination on how best this could help Lauderhill and its residents.

Lauderhill Charter Amendments

In addition to all the other items on the November ballot, the City of Lauderhill will have two groups of items to vote on. The first is the election for Commissioners in Seat 1 and 2. The other is the 5 Charter Amendments being presented to the residents.

Each of the Amendments went through the Charter Review Board. They presented to us several items, of which 5 were approved to vote on. Each of these items which the Board reviewed were at the request of one of the elected officials. They took the position of trying to present to the Commission what Commissioners requested to be submitted for a vote. Not all of the amendments were supported by Commissioners. Discussion on these Amendments can be seen on the June 13th posting on the "Notes of the Commission Meeting of June 9."

At the end of each item you will find eLauderhill News' recommendations.

The 5 items are:

CITY OF LAUDERHILL 2008 REFERENDUM BALLOT QUESTIONS

1) Referendum Amending City Charter, Section 3.06, to Eliminate the Position of Deputy Vice Mayor.

Shall the City of Lauderhill amend its Charter, Section 3.06, to eliminate the position of deputy vice mayor, as more particularly described in Ordinance 08O-06-123.

_____ YES.
_____ NO.


Mayor Kaplan voted against this because of his belief that if the Mayor and Vice-Mayor was absent, the laws of the city do not provide who would run meetings and assume the responsibilities of the position. This in fact has happened several times in the past, and that is why the position was created.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS AGAINST.

2) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.03, to Provide City Commission Term Limits.

Shall the City of Lauderhill amend its Charter, Section 3.03, to provide terms limits for City Commissioners to serve no more than three (3) consecutive four-year terms, as more particularly described in Ordinance 08O-06-124.

_____ YES.
_____ NO.

While several Commissioners expressed that they do not support this, only Commissioner Berger voted against it. Those that did not support, but voted to place it on the ballot, felt that at a minimum the public should have a right to vote on this topic.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION

3) Referendum Amending City Charter to Create Section 1.04, Citizens’ Bill of Rights.

Shall the City of Lauderhill amend its Charter to create Section 1.04, the Citizens’ Bill of Rights as more particularly described in Ordinance 08O-06-125.

_____ YES.
_____ NO.

This item originally failed until an amendment to the item was approved on a 3-2 vote. The amendment required the Charter Amendment to show where each "Right" originates from. So that the public knows, just like Broward's Bill of Rights, THIS AMENDMENT CREATES NO NEW RIGHTS IN LAUDERHILL, but seeks now to only restate them in a manner that is more condensed. Unlike the US Bill of Rights that does create new rights not found anywhere else. These "Rights" originate from the Florida Constitution, Florida Law, or Lauderhill Charter already, and is listed in the full text of the Amendment.

The original objection was that by not showing where the rights originates from, it was misleading the public into thinking that new rights were being created. If this items fails, the Rights of Residents will remain exactly the same as they already exist.

eLauderhill News GIVES NO RECOMMENDATION

4) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.08, Regarding Procedures for a Public Reprimand.

Shall the City amend its Charter, Section 3.08, to provide that a public reprimand be pursuant to ordinance(s), requiring a unanimous vote of the remaining members to approve, or as otherwise prescribed by State law, as more particularly described in Ordinance 08O-06-126.

_____ YES.
_____ NO.

The language in the ballot item is incorrectly stated, in that it left out that the Public Reprimand is only for Lauderhill Elected Officials. This was to address the loophole in the City Charter that prohibits Elected Officials from "Interfering with the Administration." Present law provides no penalty if they do. Originally, the language proposed was to create an option to remove the Elected Official that interferes. However, the consensus was to only provide for a Public Reprimand process. Commission Berger voted against this and did not support any penalties on first reading.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

5) Referendum Amending the City Charter, Section 3.04, Regarding the First Meeting for New City Commission.

Shall the City of Lauderhill amend its Charter, Section 3.04, to provide a procedure to determine the first meeting date for the new city commission, as more particularly described in Ordinance 08O-06-127.

______ YES.
______ NO.

Presently the Charter requires swearing in of newly elected officials to occur 3 days after the election, or upon certification of the election results, whichever occurs first. In the past, the results use to come in within a day or two. The city was informed that election results will no longer be available within the 3 days. In 2006, the results in a much smaller election took 7 days, and therefore caused a delay in the swearing in. It is expected that in the November election it could take even longer, up to 2 weeks possible.

To avoid the problem of when elected officials will be sworn in, the Amendment proposes to delay the swearing in for 2 weeks, which hopefully should be enough time for the Supervisor of Election to complete their certification process.

eLauderhill News RECOMMENDS FOR

Lauderhill Candidates Debate

On Tuesday, October 14 at 7:15 PM, the NW Lauderhill Neighbors Association will conduct a Candidates night at Veterans Park. Also, on Wednesday, October 22 at 7 PM, the Inverrary Association will conduct a Candidates Debate at the Environ Cultural Center. Candidates for Lauderhill Commission Seat 1 and 2 will speak, along with information given about the Lauderhill Charter Referendums.

A Women's View

Editor's Note: The following was a request from a group of women that asked that this message be posted as a Letter to the Editor.

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,

We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate that has a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection, alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian who stood against her), gun control, the separation of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.Therefore, we invite you to reply here: womensaynopalin@gmail.com, with a short, succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and place of residence.We will post your responses on a blog called "Women Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to publicize as widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your earliest convenience the greater the volume of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be. Thank you for your time and action.VIVA!

Sincerely,
Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York , NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com