The Beatles are Coming

Through a generous sponsorship of Countyline Chiropractic Medical and Rehab Centers, the City of Lauderhill is pleased to announce that on February 16, 2013, at the Lieberman Botanical Gardens' Amphitheater, a Tribute to the Beatles is coming.

The concert, performed by THE BEATLEMANIAX, will be from 7 pm to 9:15 pm, and like our other concerts IS FREE.

Broward County Early Voting Begins October 27th

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections’ Office is prepared to be of service to voters at the 17 Early Voting Sites open for the 2012 General Election. Instead of voting at their polling place, or voting by mail using an absentee ballot, voters may take advantage of Early Voting which will take place from:

Saturday, October 27 - Saturday, November 3, 2012
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Voting Sites-A list of the 17 Sites and hours is available on our website at www.browardsoe.org.  A list of the sites is also attached to this email. Broward County voters may go to any of the Early Voting Sites to cast a vote. 

Lauderhill Halloween Event Postponed to Tuesday Oct. 30

Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Lauderhill Halloween Event has be Postponed to Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

Hurricane Sandy Preparation

For those that have been caught up in the Presidential elections coming up, you may not have noticed that there is Hurricane Sandy projected to head from the Caribbean north into the Bahamas.  It's closest point to us should be early AM on Friday the 26th.

At this point no Declaration of Emergency has been given, but we could expect high winds and rain.  A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued.   No closures have been announced, and it is possible none may not be forthcoming unless the storm turns towards us.  However, heightened awareness is in order.

Broward County Schools have cancelled all outside activities for Thursday and Friday.

While a list of what you should be doing could be given here, by this point most people, with the storms we have had, should be fully versed on how to get ready if needed.  So it won't be repeated except for one matter.

Rain has been the biggest problem from these storms, particularly in the NW area of the city.   The ground is still wet, and flooding is a concern. City employees are taking proper steps so as to be prepared, and hopefully the SFWMD will be ready too.

The City would like everyone be advised that water accumulation in the roadways and swales with  percolation over a 12-24 hour period is normal during any heavy rain events.

The one item that may help is whether your drains near your homes are open or clogged.  If they are clogged, and you can easily remove and dispose of the debris, then you may want to do so.  That way water will flow unimpeded.  However, if there is any chance that you could put yourself in risk to clear the drain, DON'T DO IT.  Please notify the city of the location so that crews can deal with it.  You may email me if you like at mayor@lauderhill-fl.gov.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know.  I want to insure you that the city is aware of the storm, and have already started to addressing it.

5th Season of Jazz Picnic in the Park and Special Concerts- Tentative Schedule

Later this year the City of Lauderhill will begin its 5th Season of JAZZ PICNIC IN THE PARK, in the Lieberman Botanical Gardens, on Inverrary Blvd.  Like previous years, the concert will run on Sundays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, and is free.

At this time the tentative schedule and Sponsor is:

December 9 - Jazz Survivors (sponsored by North Shore Medical Center -FMC Campus)

January 13 - Sound of Vision (sponsored by the Inverrary Association)

February 10 - Oop Bop Sh'Bam (sponsored by the Inverrary Association)

March 10 - Meryl Tanenger 

April 14 - Hook

Also on Saturday, April 20 as Special JAMMIN' IN THE PARK FEST will take place at the Botanical Gardens from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm.  This concert is sponsored by Broward County Cultural Council and Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.  While the acts for this event are not completely set the following opening act is:

10:30 am to 2: 30 pm, April 20 - Mary Washington Brooks Band 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email me at mayor@lauderhill-fl.gov.

ALSO STAY TUNE TO A VERY SPECIAL ONE TIME CONCERT EVENT TO BE HELD ON THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 SPONSORED BY COUNTYLINE CHIROPRACTIC AND REHAB CENTER.

Lauderhill Bronco Cheerleaders Compete in Nationals

Over Thanksgiving Weekend, four Lauderhill Bronco Cheerleading Squads will be competing in the 2012 SE Region Pop Warner Cheer/Dance Competition.

The event starts on November 22 at Rosen Shingle Creek and Silver Spur Arena in Orlando.

If you are in the area, please stop by and support your local hometown teams.

eLauderhill News Recommends

The upcoming elections have a very long ballot.  In the past eLauderhill News has given out numerous endorsements.  This election year, those recommendations will be limited to the Constitutional Amendments (for which recommendations are already out and there is limited information on them) and a few races that are not as well covered but are important to Lauderhill.

Therefore,  eLauderhill News now Recommends the following candidates:

Lauderhill City Commission - Seat #3

M. Margaret Bates

School Board Member At Large Seat #9

Robin Bartleman

Vote to Retain All Appellate and Supreme Court Judges

Fitness Classes

Classes are scheduled on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Sadkin Community Center, 1176 NW 42nd Way, Lauderhill.  Classes are only $20/month and all fitness levels are welcomed.  Call 954-321-2450 for more information.

Also available:
Fridays is Yoga ($5, 6:30 pm to 7 pm) and African Dance (7 pm to 8:30 pm). 

Saturdays, Martial Art Classes ages 6-12 yrs old from 10 am to noon, and at Wolk Park (across the street) is Cardio Tennis ($) at 8:30 am.

Fitness class members only - free child care available, ages 5 to 12 yrs old.

Lauderhill’s Green Series About to Kick Off…..

For the last year Commissioner Thurston’s Office has held several well attended and highly educational Green Seminars.   The Green Series will continue monthly (excluding December) until March 28, 2013.

Classes include:

October 25, 2012 – Xeriscape and Edible Landscaping

November 8, 2012 – Rain Barrel Irrigation

January 31, 2013 – Starting Your First Garden

February 28, 2013 – What Can be Grown at a Condo

March 28, 2013 – Fast Growing Fruits and Vegetables

The Green Series Classes will be at Lauderhill’s City Hall located at 5581 W. Oakland Park Boulevard in the Multi Purpose Rooms on the first floor and start at 6 pm.

“There is no cost to attendees of the Green Series, and sometimes we have giveaways. The classes in the Green Series are not only educational but often quite fun! Residents have made lasting improvements to their homes through gardening and have enjoyed their new found green thumb,” explains event organizer Commissioner Ken Thurston.

If you would like to attend one of the Green Series classes, please call Brittany at 954-777-2040 or email her at bhubbard@lauderhill-fl.gov.  

Florida Constitutional Amendments

On the November election ballot, besides voting for your elected leaders will be 12 Constitutional Amendments to be voted on.  The following is a summation of each one, and eLauderhill News' recommendations:

AMENDMENT #1

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit laws from compelling any Floridian/employer to purchase, obtain or provide health care coverage. This would allow a person/employer to purchase services directly from a health care provider and allow a health care provider to accept direct payment for services if a patient chooses to pay out of pocket.

INTENT:  To opt out of Federally Mandated Health Care

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  Most likely is unconstitutional.  Even Republicans concede the federal Supremacy Clause prevents Florida from really doing anything to override a federal law.  "It will either sit there in our Constitution and not have any effect, or if someone saw some legal conflict, perhaps they could use this to challenge it," said Rep. Scott Plakon, a Longwood Republican who sponsored the amendment in the House and saw the first draft tossed off the 2010 ballot by the state Supreme Court.

AMENDMENT #2

The proposed measure would allow for property tax discounts for disabled veterans. This bill explicitly extends the rights to ad valorem tax discounts, made available in 2010 to all veterans who were residents of Florida prior to their service, to all combat-disabled veterans currently living in Florida whether they were residents prior to their service or not.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO because it would provide benefits to non-Floridians before their service.  However if it was solely for Florida Residents prior to their service, it could have been recommended.

AMENDMENT #3

The measure proposes replacing existing revenue limits with a new limitation based on inflation and population change. Any funds that exceed the revenue limits would be placed in the state's "rainy day fund." Once the fund reaches 10% of the prior year's total budget the Florida State Legislature would be required to vote to either provide tax relief or reduce property taxes. The Florida version is Constitutional Amendment 3 on the November ballot. This would replace the current cap on allowed state revenue increases with a new cap.

INTENT:  To create a similar system to Colorado's TABOR restrictions to limit state and local governments revenue growth.  Interestingly, Colorado voters eventually rejected extension to TABOR in 2005 and it expired in 2010.  It has failed passage in 20 other states.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  Colorado voters decided that TABOR did not work and changed their mind after seeing what negative impacts it was creating in their state.  AARP and the League of Women Voters oppose it.  The proposed revenue cap could prevent government services from keeping up with demand.  Florida Business Watch opposes TABOR because of trickle-down effects to local governments. We oppose setting a new baseline at a point of diminished revenues and oppose setting budgets based on an arbitrary formula.  It is clear that wide group of diverse interest groups, both public and private are in opposition.  This is someone what rare to find such diverse groups in agreement.

AMENDMENT #4

This proposal does three things: 1) provides an additional homestead exemption for first time homebuyers up to the full value of their home phased out over five years, 2) reduces the assessment cap on non-homesteaded property from 10% to 5% and delays the expiration of that cap to 2023, and 3) removes the recapture provision of all assessment caps.

The proposed amendment would prohibit increases in the assessed value of  homestead property if the fair market value of the property decreases; reduces the limitation on annual assessment increases to non-homestead property; and provides an additional homestead exemption.

Specifically, non-homestead or commercial property would have their assessment increases capped at 3 percent per year. The property tax rate would also be lowered to 10 percent for rental and 5 percent for commercial properties. According to reports, this will put non-homestead or commercial property owners in line with the benefit received by homestead owners.

Additionally, the measure would implement an additional homestead exemption for first-time buyers equal to 50 percent of the median home price in the county. The additional exemption, however, would be gradually reduced until it expires within 5 years.

INTENT:  To create and increase additional Homestead Exemptions.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  Florida Business Watch stated that Amendment 4, a cap on the assessed value of all non-homesteaded property, in on the November ballot and will adversely affect local government budgets. If passed, Amendment 4 is expected to cost Florida's cities and counties more than $157 million in the first year. Because of the compounding nature of this tax change, the effect on city and county budgets will be well over $1 billion dollars in the first 4 years alone.

Ultimately the continuous limitations placed on local government has a cumulative effect whereby not only cities be unable to provide required services, but inequities between property owners will continue to be created.

Also, there was a time that the homestead exemption was created to benefit Florida residents.  With the advent of so many additional homestead exemption, the benefit to Floridians has essentially been eliminated, only causing tax rates to rise to account for lost revenues.

AMENDMENT #5

This proposed constitutional revision eliminates the requirement that a general law repealing a court rule pass by a two-thirds vote of each house, thereby providing that the Legislature may repeal a rule of court by a general law approved by a majority vote of each house of the Legislature that expresses the policy behind the repeal.

The proposed bill proposes that three justices be added to the seven-member court. Additionally, two divisions - civil and criminal - would be created within the high court with five justices each. The governor would be in charge of appointing the chief justices for each division and two would alternate as chief justice of the entire court. Appointees would have to be confirmed by the Senate. The proposed legislation also grants the House access to investigative files of the Judicial Qualifications Commission and sets aside at least 2.25 percent of the state's general revenue to fund the judicial branch.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  The proposal has garnered opposition from judges across the state and The Florida Bar, the legal group that represents the state's 90,000 lawyers.  This is nothing more than an attack on a independent Judiciary by another branch of government.

AMENDMENT #6

Proposes an amendment to prohibit public dollars from funding abortions. This would prohibit the State Constitution from being interpreted to create broader rights than those contained in the U.S. Constitution. Exempts federal law requirements, physician-certified physical danger to the mother and instances of rape or incest.

RECOMMENDATION:  NONE.  This is nothing more than whether or not you are Pro-Choice or Pro-Life.  Depending upon what you believe will decide how you will vote.  Pro-Choice will vote NO,  Pro-Life will vote YES.  Therefore, no recommendation is necessary.

AMENDMENT #8

Proposes an amendment to remove a prohibition on revenues from public treasury being used to aid any church, sect or religious denomination in aid of a sectarian institution. This would insure that no individual/entity can be denied any government benefit, funding or support based on religious identity or belief.

RECOMMENDATION:   NONE.  Again, this is another attempt to break down the Separation of State and Church.  If you believe there should be Separation you would vote NO.  If you believe there shouldn't be Separation between the two you would vote YES.  Therefore, no recommendation is necessary.

AMENDMENT #9

If enacted this amendment would authorize the legislature to totally or partially exempt surviving spouses of military veterans or first responders who died in the line of duty from paying property taxes.

It creates a new homestead exemption for surviving spouses of the military and first responders killed in the line of duty. Exemption can be granted for the full value of the home. Expected revenue loss to local governments is $0.6 million starting in 13-14.

RECOMMENDATION:  YES.  However, it is hoped that if it passes, the legislature will limit the exemption so long as the surviving spouse is single to help them through a difficult time and for a limited period of time.

AMENDMENT #10

If enacted this amendment would provide an exemption from ad valorem taxes levied by local governments on tangible personal property that's value is greater than $25,000 but less than $50,000.

It doubles the current exemption on tangible personal property taxes to $50,000. This could impact your business if you have tangible personal property like machinery of between $25,000 and $50,000. Expected revenue loss to local governments is $20.1 million beginning in 13-14.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  Each granted increase in exemption to taxes makes it that much harder for local government to pay for required services, and requires those remaining categories that they can tax to pay more than their fair share.  No economic basis is provided to justify this tax exemption other than to increasingly provide a series of exemption until available taxing sources will be highly limited and highly taxed.  It will increase inequities among entities.

AMENDMENT #11

If enacted this amendment would enable the state legislature to authorize counties and municipalities to offer additional tax exemptions on the homes of low-income seniors.

It will also provide an additional exemption to low-income seniors if counties and municipalities choose to offer it. There are a number of eligibility requirements and 100% of taxes owed can be exempted. Expected revenue loss to local governments is $9.1 million in 14-15.

RECOMMENDATION:  NO.  Already with existing homestead exemptions for senior, many properties pay no property taxes nor pay for any the services they use.  Therefore, the pool of properties that can be taxed will be decreased causing those properties to pay more.

AMENDMENT #12

If enacted this amendment would replace the president of the Florida Student Association with the chair of the council of state university student body presidents as the student member of the Board of Governors of the State University System. The amendment also requires that the Board of Governors create a council of state university student body presidents.

RECOMMENDATION:  NONE

What You Need To Know About Identification for the General Election

Broward County, Florida (October 3, 2012) –Tuesday, October 9, 2012 is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming General Election.  We would like to inform Broward County voters that in order to accommodate the potential voter, our offices will remain open Monday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 9, 2012 until 7:00 p.m. Main Broward Supervisor of Elections Office Governmental Center 115 S. Andrews Ave. Room #102 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Voting Equipment Center at the Lauderhill Mall 3:00 pm-5:00pm 1501 NW 40th Avenue Lauderhill, FL 33313 PLEASE NOTE:  New voter applications must be in our office by 7:00 p.m. next Tuesday, October 9, 2012 or must bear a postmark of October 9. ·         Once you are registered to vote, please remember that you will receive your voter information card in two to three weeks.  While you wait for your voter information card, you can find pertinent information regarding your polling place on our website by clicking on Precinct Finder . You do not need your voter information card in order to vote as it is not a form of ID.  The voter information card is an informational piece. Florida law requires voters to present a picture ID with signature.  Acceptable forms of ID are: Florida Driver’s License (quickest to process), Florida ID Card (quickest to process), US Passport, Military or Student ID, Public Assistance ID, Neighborhood association identification and Debit/Credit Card. If the voter’s picture ID does not contain a signature, an additional document with signature may be used. By law, your voter ID must be current and valid. You will be asked for ID, if you do not have ID, by law you MUST vote a Provisional Ballot.  I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter’s identity, not to verify the voter’s ID number or address. The photograph on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature on the ID is compared to the signature on record.

Notes of the Commission Meeting of September 24

On September 24, the City Commission held its Regular Commission Meeting.  The following are notes of interest (all items passed unanimously unless otherwise indicated):

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING:

1. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-09-134:    PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $5,000,000 CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2012, 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; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE 2012 BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE NEGOTIATED SALE OF THE 2012 BONDS TO BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY.


2. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-08-131:  ESTABLISHING A LOCAL HIRING PROCESS FOR CITY RESIDENTS (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.).  Passed 4-1 with Mayor Kaplan voting against.  It was noted that the City already has it as a policy under Civil Service Rules and this Ordinance not only modified those policies without going through the normal process, but expanded to all employees though the method applied presently does not exist (and would be difficult to apply).


3. ORDINANCE NO. 12O-09-147:  REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 12O-06-122, WHICH ESTABLISHED A MORATORIUM ON CLINICS; AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS (LDR) AND ADDRESSING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PROVIDERS;  ADDING THE DEFINITION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE;  ADDING USES AND DEFINITIONS FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TESTING FACILITY, MEDICAL OFFICES WITH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRACTITIONER, MEDICAL OFFICES WITH CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRACTITIONERS, AND AFTER HOUR MEDICAL OFFICES; AMENDING  USES ALLOWED IN NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, BY REPEALING THE BIRTHING CENTER AND CLINICS LAND USE CATEGORIES, BY AMENDING THE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TESTING FACILITY, HEALTH CLINIC, HOSPITAL AND PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER LAND USE CATEGORY AND ALLOWING IT AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE ZONING DISTRICTS, BY ADDING AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE (CW) AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (CN) ZONING DISTRICTS MEDICAL OFFICES WITH NON-CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRACTITIONER, BY ADDING AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE IN THE COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE (CW) AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (CN) ZONING DISTRICTS MEDICAL OFFICES WITH CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRACTITIONER AND AFTER HOUR MEDICAL OFFICES; ADDING SECTION 5.28., OFFICES; ADDING SUBSECTION 5.28.1., MEDICAL AND ADDING THREE PARAGRAPHS ADDRESSING MEDICAL OFFICES WITH A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRACTITIONER.


RESOLUTIONS
DEES

4. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-214:  ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL OF KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,400.00 TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE “INVERRARY BOULEVARD RESURFACING PROJECT” TO INCLUDE DESIGN SERVICES, PERMITTING, PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 305-351-6525.


PALS

5. RESOLUTION NO. 12R-09-218:   APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND BROWARD COUNTY FOR COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES WHICH REMAINS EFFECTIVE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2013; PROVIDING THAT ONE OPTION TO EXTEND FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR TERM REMAINS AVAILABLE; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS TO ROUTES 1 THROUGH 5, INCREASING THE HOURS TO A 60-HOUR WEEK, CHANGING TO A “NO CHARGE” FARE, ESTABLISHING ROUTES 6 & 7.


OLD BUSINESS

A. EXPANSION OF THE INTEREST FREE ENERGY LOANS TO ALL PROPERTIES IN LAUDERHILL, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF LOAN ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TO $2500 AND COMMERCIALLY ZONED PROPERTY UP TO $4000, AND PAYBACK PERIOD ON COMMERCIAL LOANS TO 36 MONTHS (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).  Tabled to a Workshop for additional information requested by Commission.