Mayor Kaplan Announces Candidacy for County Commission District 1

Mayor Richard J Kaplan announced that he has filed to run for the County Commission-District 1, as a Democrat in the upcoming 2012 elections.

The District is expected to include parts of Lauderhill, Sunrise, Tamarac and Plantation, and may include parts of North Lauderdale, Margate and/or Weston. Final district boundary lines are expected to be approved in the next few months.

In 1998, he was the youngest ever elected Mayor of the City of Lauderhill, Florida and has since been re-elected in 2002, 2006 and 2010 making him the longest serving Mayor in the city’s history, as well as the longest serving elected official (over 23 years).

Mayor Kaplan serves on numerous boards, often serving as Chair or President. Some of these boards include the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Florida MPOAC, AMPO, Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC), State of Florida Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Steering Committee (2003 & 2009), State of Florida 2025 Long Range Planning Steering Committee (2005) that created the 2025 Florida Transportation Plan, US Conference of Mayors – Transportation and Communication Committee, National League of City - Transportation & Infrastructure Services Steering Committee.

He has developed an expertise in transportation matters as well as energy/environmental issues, and has successfully authored over 190 pieces of legislation in the City, particularly in the areas of energy, environmental and implementing government operation efficiencies.

Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan, and lived mostly in his hometown of Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.G.S. degree, received a J.D. degree from Cleveland State University, and a LL.M.-Taxation from the University of Miami writing a Thesis analyzing State and Local Taxation with an examination of the potential of a VAT Tax.

He is also an attorney practicing in the areas of Estate Planning/Probate, Real Estate and Corporate/Business Law. He is married to Lynn for over 22 years, and has one son, Andrew, a senior attending the University of Michigan as a Communications Major.

Mayor Kaplan was awarded the first ever “Mayor of the Year” from the Florida League of Cities. Additionally he has received numerous other awards including the “Vision for the Future in Transportation Leadership” from the South Florida Commuter Services, “Outstanding Professional Achievement in Metropolitan Transportation Planning” from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), and the “Vision Award” from the Smart Growth Partnership.

You can following Richard's campaign on Facebook, and a web site is being developed.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Richard J Kaplan, Democrat for County Commissioner District 1

Notes of the Commission Meeting of November 14

On November 14, the Commission held a Regular Commission Meeting, and the following are notes of interest (all items passed unanimously unless otherwise indicated):

RESOLUTIONS:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-11-239: APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR UNITOWN 2012.

2. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-11-242: RETROACTIVELY EXTENDING THE DATE OF THE SITE PLAN APPROVAL FROM AUGUST 6TH, 2010 TO NOVEMBER 14TH, 2014 FOR A FIVE-STORY BUILDING CONSISTING OF 127 ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY UNITS ON THE VACANT LAND AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF INVERRARY BOULEVARD AND NW 44TH STREET.

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERSQUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING

3. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-11-243: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO JAAHL LAUDERHILL, LLC, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW THE CONVEYANCE OF VEHICULAR REPAIR SERVICE USES AT 7527 WEST OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA; PROVIDING THE EXISTING 6,192 SQUARE FEET, ONE-STORY BUILDING IS A LEGAL NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURE.

4. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-231: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO MEDIX URGENT CARE CENTER, LLC, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW A ± 750 SQUARE FOOT CLINIC WITH LABORATORY SERVICES AT 2331 NORTH STATE ROAD 7, UNIT 102.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday of the year. It is one of the few holidays that anyone in America can celebrate. It is both nondenominational and nondiscriminatory. It is a joyous holiday to celebrate giving Thanks to what we have, and the promise of what we hope for. For those who are less fortunate, it is a time for helping and sharing.

Surrounding the Thanks itself are some of the most enjoyable traditions of any holiday. Turkey, with stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes/yams, pumpkin pie, special parades, a few extra days off and football, just to name a few. Bringing this all together with family and friends. What could possibly make anyone more happy?

So when you sit down this year to your Thanksgiving Feast, stop a moment and think of what is truly important, and enjoy the moment knowing that what you have IS what is truly important.

On behalf of the City of Lauderhill, my family and myself, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and go Lions (I'm from Detroit, and this year we are winning).

Santa Delivery

Santa and his friends will be available to come to your home to drop off a special present for your children. That's right, Santa will visit your house. Santa brings gifts, smiles for pictures and videos, and can repeat a message that Mom or Dad might want their children to hear.

PARENTS MUST PROVIDE ALL GIFTS THAT ARE DELIVERED!

Deliveries are limited to City of Lauderhill residents, and your child should be 2-10 years of age to participate.

THIS IS A FREE SERVICE.

Registration for this program begins via telephone only on Monday, November 28 and is taken on a first-call, first--served basis. Space is limited.

After the completion and confirmation of registration, parents are to wrap and clearly identify for whom the gift is intended, and drop it off at the Lauderhill Sports Park at 7500 W. Oakland Blvd., The DEADLINE for dropping off gifts is THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011.

For more information or to register, please call 954-572-1478.

New Flood Maps Coming Out

On November 15, new Flood Maps should be approved changing the way for many on who is required to have flood insurance.

Under the new proposed maps, many will no longer be in flood zones requiring the insurance, though it is recommended that you may want to still keep it.

To see about your property, as proposed, go to:

Proposed New Flood Zone Maps

The directions are: type in the address in the box to the top right. Zoom a little bit closer to the house using the side bar on the left, then click on your house. A popup box will appear telling you whether you will be mandated to get flood insurance and the old versus the new flood map panel and elevation information.

The Broward Green Expo is Here

On November 18 and 19, the City of Lauderhill is presenting the Broward Green Expo at the Inverrary Hotel, 3801 Inverrary Blvd., Lauderhill. This free event is from 9 to 5 pm, and on the night of the 18th, Jazz Survivors will be performing at the amphitheatre next door at the Lieberman Botanical Gardens.

An exhibition hall with about 100 vendors, plus seminars of over 30 speakers, will present information on how to GO GREEN, for residents, business and government. Green jobs training, marketing, technology, and financing will be only a few of the subjects to be presented. Jessica Balsam from the US Department of Energy will be our keynote speaker.

This event is sponsored by numerous vendors, including SWS, DMS, Broward Minority Builders Coalition and Republic Service.

For more information please go to Broward Green Expo Web Site, or check it out on Facebook and Twitter.

Broward MPO secures a $1.5 million FTA Grant

The Broward MPO has been awarded a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to conduct a study (Alternatives Analysis) to explore enhanced bus and bus rapid transit alternatives on University Drive.

The study will focus on a 27-mile stretch of University Drive between Sample Road and Hallandale Beach Boulevard, which includes through the City of Lauderhill. This section of road has a mix of land uses but is primarily commercial, and includes a number of employment centers.

Providing more transportation choices would not only improve access to these employment centers but would also greatly enhance economic competitiveness of the cities that border this segment of University Drive.

Expressions of Joy - Lauderhill Arts Center

Notes of the Regular Commission Meeting of October 31

On October 31, the City Commission held its Regular Commission Meeting. The following of notes of interest (all items passed unanimously unless otherwise noted):

RESOLUTIONS

ADMINISTRATION

1. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-208: CREATING A HISTORICAL COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.


COMMISSION

2. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-213: OPTING TO FOREGO THE SALARY INCREASE IN THE CITY COMMISSIONERS’ SALARIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012; (REQUESTED BY CITY COMMISSION).


DEES

3. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-219: APPROVING THE LOCAL AGENCY PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE “PROMENADE ALONG 11TH PLACE ENDING AT STATE ROAD 7/U.S. 441” TO INCLUDE MINOR ROAD, SIDEWALK, LIGHTING, AND LANDSCAPING DESIGNS; PROVIDING FOR GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $678,405.00; RECOGNIZING THAT NO MATCHING FUNDS ARE REQUIRED FROM THE CITY.


FIRE

4. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-220: APPROVING THE REGIONAL INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY DIVISION AND CITY OF LAUDERHILL PROVIDING FOR COOPERATIVE PARTICIPATION IN A REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY INTRANET.

5. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-221: AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE ADDENDUM TO EMS COUNTY GRANT FUNDING FOR PARTICIPATING AGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN BROWARD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO ACCEPT SIX (6) AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR UNITS FROM BROWARD COUNTY AS PART OF A MULTI-AGENCY GRANT.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING

6. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-231: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO MEDIX URGENT CARE CENTER, LLC, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW A CLINIC WITH LABORATORY SERVICES AT 2331 NORTH STATE ROAD 7, UNIT 102. Tabled to next meeting.

7. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-232: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO THE JAMAICA EX-POLICE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. (JEPASF), SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW A NON-PROFIT SOCIAL CLUB WITH INDOOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ACCESSORY ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT OAKBROOK PLAZA, 7153 WEST OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD. Passes 4-1, Commissioner Benson against.

8. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-233: GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER TO FIRST COAST ENERGY, LLP #2830, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF AN EXISTING 24-HOUR SERVICE STATION WITH AUTOMATED CAR WASH AND CONVENIENCE STORE AT 7000 WEST COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD, LAUDERHILL.

9. RESOLUTION NO. 11R-10-234: UPHOLDING THE DENIAL OF AN APPEAL OF THE CITY PLANNER’S DETERMINATION THAT A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPLICATION FILED BY THE APPLICANTS AND, WINSTON WHITE AND ALMA TAJAH WHITE, FOR A BANQUET HALL IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) ZONING DISTRICT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED FOR PROPERTY KNOWN AS CONDOMINIUM UNITS I AND J, INVERRARY BOULEVARD PLAZA, A CONDOMINIUM, KNOWN AS 4506 AND 4508 INVERRARY BOULEVARD. Removed from Agenda.

Broward League of Cities Offers Students Leadership and Scholarship Opportunities

With the start of the new school year, the Broward League of Cities is proud to announce two opportunities for students interested in public service, government and civic responsibility: the Student Ambassador program and the Scholarship for Government Studies.

Student Ambassador Program

The Student Ambassador program is open to high school juniors who plan to pursue a career in public administration, political science or other government-related field. Four students, representing each quadrant of the county, are selected for a two-year term, during which they attend Broward League of Cities general membership meetings, board of directors meetings and other functions pertaining to the operation of the Broward League. Under the tutelage of the League's Education Committee, students have the opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn the intricacies of governing at the municipal level.

In order to be eligible for the Student Ambassador program, students must be residents of Broward County and attend a Broward County public or charter school. Applications are due by Nov. 18 and can be found on the Broward League of Cities website at http://www.browardleague.org/.

Scholarship for Government Studies

The Broward League also offers scholarships to outstanding high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university to pursue a major in public administration, political science or other government-related field. The Scholarship for Government Studies awards $1,000 each to four students, one from each quadrant of the county in an effort to provide valuable financial support to the future leaders of Broward County.

In order to be eligible for the Scholarship for Government Studies, students must be residents of Broward County and attend a Broward County public or charter school. Applications are due by Feb. 10 and can be found on the Broward League of Cities website at http://www.browardleague.org/.

Fostering Our Community Leaders of Tomorrow

The Broward League of Cities recognizes the value of promoting excellence in education in our community. We encourage parents, educators and friends to urge students interested in public service to apply for these programs. Providing students with a strong foundation in government prepares strong leaders for generations to come.