The 9th Annual International Business EXPO, “Expanding Beyond Our Borders,”

Free Business Education Seminar

SEMINAR SERIES KICKOFF AND SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

SPECIAL GUESTS: GOOGLE AND CONSTANT CONTACT

OCTOBER 3, 2012 • 4:00 - 8:00 PM

WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM

800 NE 8TH STREET | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

SEMINAR SERIES TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Grant Writing and Grant Opportunities
• Doing Business With Broward County
• How to Start a Business, including Franchising Opportunities
• State of Florida Small Business Incentives and Credit Initiatives
• Business Accounting • Business Financing: traditional and non-traditional lending
• Choose Your Business Structure to include tax and legal requirements
• Marketing Strategies for Growing Your Business
• Website Design
• Google+ and Intuit
• Social Media Marketing
• Get More Sales, Win New Customers: compelling more customers to buy from you

Space is limited. Please reserve your attendance by calling 954.828.4752 or email businesseducation@fortlauderdale.gov

Other Upcoming Seminars:

OCTOBER 24, 2012: HOW TO START A BUSINESS AND FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SPEAKER:  RUSSELL THOMPSON, SCORE

NOVEMBER 28, 2012: DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESSES/SHARING RESOURCES AND HIRING/BUYING LOCAL
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SPEAKERS:  SERGE ATHERWOOD, URBAN REVITALIZATION SOLUTIONS & AMANDA SPANGLER BARTLE, BHP COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

National Take-Back Drugs Initiative & Shed-A-Thon

Updated on Pine Island Road Construction

The City recently received a letter from Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, whose district includes Pine Island Road, giving an update on the construction.  The letter reads as follows:

August 28, 2012

Dear Mayor Kaplan (Richard),

I would like to update you on the progress of construction on Pine Island Road.  County engineering staff has informed me that the majority of the construction is complete and all lanes are open to traffic.

Unfortunately, during final inspection significant inadequacies in the drainage system were discovered through the county drainage pipe video testing.  The contractor is going to repair these defects, which will not require cutting and patching the recently placed asphalt road surface or concrete sidewalks.  However, it will necessitate closing individual traffic lanes at various times.  The repair work will start in a few weeks.

The repairs will be done on both sides of the road and county staff will notify all affected businesses and residents of the remaining work that has to be done.  Once the drainage lines are repaired, the contractor will proceed with installing the final pavement markings, signs, and remaining landscaping to completely finish all elements of the project.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed no later than the beginning of the year.  I hope this information was useful to you.  Please let me know if you need anything further.

Sincerely,
/s/
Ilene Lieberman
Commissioner, District 1

Note:  At this point it is not known if those issues with drainage on Pine Island Road had some effect on the flooding that occurred in the NW area of the city from Isaac.

Notes of the Commission Meeting of September 12, 2012

On September 12, the City Commission held its Regular Commission Meeting.  Normally the meeting would have been on Monday, but had to be moved to accommodate the state requirements on when public hearings on the budget could be heard. The following are notes of interest (all items passed unanimously unless otherwise indicated):


PUBLIC HEARINGS ----- FIRST READING:

1. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-09-142: SETTING AND ADOPTING THE 2012-2013 PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AT THE OPERATING MILLAGE RATE OF $7.4198 PER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000); SETTING AND ADOPTING THE 2012-2013 VOTED DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE AT A RATE OF $1.2804 PER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000).

2. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-09-144:   APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES TO BALANCE THE FISCAL YEAR 2012 BUDGET; PROVIDING VARIOUS BUDGET CODE NUMBERS.

3. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-200:  APPROVING THE TENTATIVE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE WINDERMERE/TREE GARDENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF 2.0 MILLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR FOR THE WINDERMERE/TREE GARDENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

4. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-201:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 FOR THE WINDERMERE/TREE GARDENS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.

5. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-202:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE ISLES OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF 2.0 MILLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR FOR THE ISLES OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

6. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-203:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 FOR THE ISLES OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.

7. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-204:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE MANORS OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF ZERO MILLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $31.00 TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE MASTER ASSOCIATION PLUS AN ADDITIONAL NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT OF $30.96 FOR THE CONDO I CATEGORY RESULTING IN A TOTAL NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT TO THE CONDO I CATEGORY OF $61.96 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR FOR THE MANORS OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

8. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-205:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 FOR THE MANORS OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.

9. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-206:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE HABITAT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF 2.0 MILLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR FOR THE HABITAT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2012 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

10. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-207:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 FOR THE HABITAT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.

11. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-208:  APPROVING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 FOR THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) WHICH SHALL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013.


ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS ----- FIRST READING:

12. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-09-146:  PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $5,000,000 CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2012 AS ADDITIONAL PARITY BONDS UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 89-193 ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 30, 1989,   FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDS, CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM, FUNDING THE BOND RESERVE ACCOUNT IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2012 BONDS AND PAYING COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE 2012 BONDS; FIXING CERTAIN TERMS AND DETAILS OF THE 2012 BONDS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE 2012 BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATED SALE OF THE 2012 BONDS TO BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY.


ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING: 

13. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-07-130:  CREATING SECTION 2-171, EXPENSE ACCOUNTS, TO CLARIFY APPROPRIATE USES OF THE FUNDS FROM THE CITY COMMISSIONER’S ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE ACCOUNTS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

14. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-08-132:   MODIFYING SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR ALL PARKS AND RECREATION USES TO ADJUST DISPARITY BETWEEN RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT FEES.

15. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-08-133:   APPROVING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2012 BUDGET FOR A TOTAL ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $570,291.00; PROVIDING VARIOUS BUDGET CODE NUMBERS.

RESOLUTIONS
COMMISSION

16. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-209:  APPROVING THE CITY COMMISSION’S DECISION TO FOREGO THEIR AUTOMATIC RAISE IN SALARY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2013  (REQUESTED  BY CITY COMMISSION).

17. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-210:  RECOGNIZING “TOGETHER WE SERVE WEEK,” OCTOBER 21-27, 2012, AND ENCOURAGING ALL CITIZENS TO SUPPORT AND TAKE PART IN INCREASING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY  (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER KEN THURSTON).

18. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-211:   APPROVING THE DONATIONS OF FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $14,350.00 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD TO THE LIST OF DESIGNATED ENTITIES; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 001-101-8126.

FINANCE

19. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-212:   APPROVING THE RECOMMENDED RANKINGS OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE FOR RFP 2012-011 TO ENGAGE THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO CONSTRUCT THE LAUDERHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND LIBRARY; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT.  Due to issues with disqualification of 2 bidders by Broward County, and that the matter was to discussed as to their disqualifications the day after this vote, the Resolution was made contingent upon  the results of the meeting with Broward County officials.  1st Rank was James A. Cummings, Inc.

20. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-213:   APPROVING THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSFER FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $60,874.25 BETWEEN LINE ITEMS WITHIN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO COVER CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCIES FOR NUMEROUS PROJECTS AND THE APPROPRIATION OF RECENTLY APPROVED PROJECTS; PROVIDING BUDGET CODE NUMBERS.

Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan - a Finalist for GalaVerde 2012 LEEDership and Green Awards

On September 15, at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale, The South Florida Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) will host the third annual GalaVerde Awards Banquet. The awards will recognize and honor those outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental Chapter members who are leaders in ensuring the future holds a more sustainable built environment in our community. Over 400 attendees are expected to attend.

The USGBC is an organization dedicated to educating and promoting the benefits of sustainable, energy efficient buildings.

Mayor Richard J Kaplan is a Finalist for the “Outstanding Green Elected Officials” among other locally elected officials from Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties.

“It has always been a passion of mine to figure out how to reduce the City’s carbon footprint as well as save us money,” explains Mayor Kaplan.

The City of Lauderhill has been at the forefront of many green initiatives, largely in part thanks to Mayor Kaplan. He has sponsored many resolutions and initiated several programs that help residents, businesses, and even the City become more conscious of the environment. See www.lauderhillgreen.com to better understand the variety of initiatives that make Lauderhill a Green city with the Mayor’s help.

The City of Lauderhill Experiences Localized Flooding After Heavy Down Pours

Lauderhill, FL – The heavy rains that took place last night and into this afternoon caused localized flooding in the northwest section of the City of Lauderhill. Four to five inches of rain have fallen in the last several hours.

City engineers and Emergency Responders are in contact and working with the South Florida Water Management District. The City’s Storm Water Division brought in additional pumps to expedite the drainage of water.

All roads are passable with the exception of the 7900 block of NW 50 Street. NO other damage has been reported at this time.

The City of Lauderhill’s Emergency Operation Center has been activated. Call 954-730-2950 if you have any information to add to this release or need non- life threatening assistance. If you have a true emergency, call 911.

You can also tune into 1650 am for updates, or log onto the City’s website at www.lauderhill-fl.gov.

Old Dillard Museum Fund Raising Jazz Concert

Lauderhill Achieves Higher Class 2 ISO Rating

Congratulation to the Lauderhill Fire Department and our DEES Department for the recent reduction of our ISO rating from a 3 to a Class 2!!  That is the second highest class and only 585 communities (or .7%) qualify.  Even less are a Class 1, the highest rating.  About 12 years ago Lauderhill was a Class 4.  What this means to property owners in the city is that they should see a reduction in their fire insurance premiums.

What is a ISO Rating?

ISO collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data using our Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). We then assign a Public Protection Classification from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria.

By classifying communities' ability to suppress fires, ISO helps the communities evaluate their public fire-protection services. The program provides an objective, countrywide standard that helps fire departments in planning and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and training. And by securing lower fire insurance premiums for communities with better public protection, the PPC program provides incentives and rewards for communities that choose to improve their firefighting services.

ISO has extensive information on more than 47,000 fire-response jurisdictions.

Lauderhill Submits Bloomberg Mayors Challenge

Almost 400 cities in the US have registered to participate in the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge, including the City of Lauderhill.  

The purpose of the Challenge is to celebrate the creative problem solving and incredible innovation that is happening in city halls from coast to coast. The five boldest ideas with the greatest potential for impact will win funding as well as national and local recognition.  Only one application can be submitted under the direction of the Mayor.

Twenty Finalist will be invited to New York City to participate in an intensive two-day collaborative session this fall to strengthen and stretch their ideas.  Of the twenty cities, 4 will win $1 million, and one city will win $5 million, to use on developing their program.

Lauderhill, through an effort organized by Mayor Kaplan, has developed the application to draw on the strengths and directions of developing programs in the city

Applications are due no later than September 14, 2012.

Notes of Special and Regular Commission Meeting of August 27

On August 27, the City Commission met for a Special and Regular Commission Meeting.  The following are some notes of interest from 24 items (all items below passed unanimously unless otherwise indicated):

SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING:

RESOLUTION NO. 12R-08-170:   APPROVING THE MODIFICATION TO THE LAUDERHILL COMMUNITY SHUTTLE BUS ROUTES 1 THROUGH 5 TO INCREASE ITS EXISTING 44-HOUR WEEKLY SERVICE TO 60-HOUR WEEKLY SERVICE; REMOVING THE FARE OF $.50 TO INSTEAD PROVIDE A “NO CHARGE” FARE FOR ALL ROUTES; ESTABLISHING ROUTES #6 AND #7 THAT WILL OPERATE WITHIN THE WEST KEN LARK, ST. GEORGE AND BROWARD ESTATE COMMUNITIES, PROVIDING THAT THE INCREASE OF SERVICE HOURS IS CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR CONTINUED COUNTY FUNDING.


REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:

City Manager presented a report on Tropical Storm Isaac.  The notes on the report are provided below.


FIRST READING - ORDINANCES:

1. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-07-130:   TO CLARIFY APPROPRIATE USES OF THE FUNDS FROM THE CITY COMMISSIONER’S ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE ACCOUNTS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

2. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-08-132:   MODIFYING SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR ALL PARKS AND RECREATION USES TO ADJUST DISPARITY BETWEEN RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT FEES.

RESOLUTIONS:

3. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-08-174:  RENAMING N.W. 9th COURT TO HAVE A DUAL-NAME SUCH THAT “EMMA HARVEY COURT” SHALL BE THE PRIMARY NAME AND SUCH THAT “N.W. 9TH COURT” SHALL BE THE SECONDARY NAME.