Notes to the CRA Meeting and Regular Commission Meeting

On April 13, the City Commission met and the following items of interest were covered:

CRA MEETING:

1) BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM - Involved micro-loans up to $2500, with a match from the business, for working capital, equipment/machinery, furniture and fixtures. Interest free, and could be forgivable. Loan range from 12 months to 36 months. Funding from CRA or CDBG funds. Also, Commercial Facade Rehabilitation Grant up to $5000 for landscaping, facade imrpovements, signage, paint and parking. Requires a match from the business, and the city's contributino to be used for landsacping improvements in public right of way. Funding coming from Lauderhill Tree Preservation Fund.

2) FALMOUTH SISTER CITIES TRIP - 15 people are privately paying to participate in this program. Art will be shipped down as part of this event. There are several other scheduled activities during the trip, including meeting with the Chamber of Commerce.

3) NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM - Program is proceeding. Can only be used for residential properties.

4) GOSPEL COMPLEX - Update given on the facility by Al Tucker. Upcoming Conference May 2-6. They are moving forward in purchasing the property and obtaining further funding to buy and build.

5) DIRECTOR’S REPORT

A) RCP FUNDS - We are working to draw down the rest of the money of just over $5 Million.

B) CIVIC IQ AND RECON EXPO - CRA Board previously approved. The CIVIC IQ program is proceeding, and responses will become available by the end of April. Expo's are in May and August, and the responses from CIVIC IQ will be used for those Expo's.

C) NEW BUSINESS - Examining cultural facilities and provide suggestions for how these areas could go forward. Creating focus groups in areas around Lauderhill is formed. Information will be forwarded to Commissioners. Continuing discussions on private developements on 441 occured. Detailed information on the Cultural Arts/Library were requested, so that we do not violate the city's GO Bond requirements on this project.


REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:

PRESENTATION:

Presentation introducing the winners of the 2nd Annual Lauderhill College Essay Scholarship. See prior article on the winners.

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS ----- SECOND READING:

1. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 09O-03-118: PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS $6,000,000 CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA STORMWATER UTILITY REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2009 AS ADDITIONAL BONDS UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 04O-04-124 ENACTED ON MAY 10, 2004 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF ADDITIONS, EXTENSIONS, RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY AND PAYING COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE SERIES 2009.

2. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 09O-03-119: CREATING ARTICLE VIII, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, DIVISION I, GENERALLY; PROVIDING INTENT, PURPOSE, AND AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS GENERALLY WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS; PROVIDING ELIGIBILITY TO REQUEST GRANTS, TO LEVY AD VALOREM TAXES ON REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF UP TO 2 MILLS ANNUALLY, AND AUTHORITY TO COLLECT SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS TO SUPPORT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING COMMUNITY POLICING INNOVATIONS PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 197.3635 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500.00 FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR. (At this time this only applies to an area in the central section of the city who requested it by a vote of the owners. See 3 below).

3. Approved ORDINANCE NO. 09O-03-120: CREATING ARTICLE VIII, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, DIVISION 2, WINDERMERE/TREE GARDENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIFIC NAMED DISTRICT, DEFINING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES; PROVIDING ELIGIBILITY TO REQUEST GRANTS, TO LEVY AD VALOREM TAXES ON REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF UP TO 2 MILLS ANNUALLY, AND AUTHORITY TO COLLECT SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS TO SUPPORT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING COMMUNITY POLICING INNOVATIONS PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 197.3635 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500.00 FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR; DESIGNATING BOARD OF DIRECTORS; ESTABLISHING ADVISORY COUNCIL.

4. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-84: APPOINTING WIN HOFFMAN BY THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD FOR THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF SOL SIEGLER EXPIRING NOVEMBER 2010.


D.E.E.S.

5. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-86: AWARDING THE BID TO TRAN CONSTRUCTION, INC., THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BIDDER, AS THE CONTRACTOR TO SERVE AS THE SOLE SUPPLIER AND INSTALLER OF CONCRETE SIDEWALKS, PADS AND CURBS WITHIN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE PERIOD COMMENCING APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2010; GUARANTEEING PRICES FOR THE ONE-YEAR PERIOD.

6. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-87: APPROVING THE AWARD OF BID TO PAVEX CORPORATION D/B/A RANGER CONSTRUCTION SOUTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,774,649.60 FOR PLANNED RESURFACING/REBUILDING OF STREETS WITHIN CENTRAL AND EAST LAUDERHILL.


POLICE DEPARTMENT

7. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-90: APPROVING THE DONATION IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $2,100.00 FROM THE FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS LAST YEAR TO THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: $1,500.00 TO KIWANIS CLUB OF LAUDERHILL EAGLE, $300.00 TO LAUDERHILL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND $300.00 TO THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 110-683-9936(REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS).

8. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-91: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $22,530.20 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB PICK-UP TRUCK FROM THE LOW QUOTE, PHIL SMITH CHEVROLET.

9. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-92: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, RECOVERY ACT EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $264,217.00 AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS; PROVIDING THAT THERE ARE NO MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED TO ACCEPT THESE GRANTS FUNDS.

10. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-93: AUTHORIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS), HIRING RECOVERY ACT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,283,085.00; PROVIDING THAT FUNDS ARE REQUIRED TO BE UTILIZED TO HIRE FIVE (5) SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO IMPLEMENT THE EAST LAUDERHILL CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVE; PROVIDING THAT THERE ARE NO MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THESE GRANTS FUNDS.

11. Approved RESOLUTION NO. 09R-04-94: APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,395.00 TO BURKHARD’S TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT, THE LOW QUOTE, TO PURCHASE AN ENCLOSED TRAILER TO HOUSE AND TRANSPORT POLICE ATV VEHICLES.