Lauderhill Lowers Property Tax Rate

For the 2013-2014 tax year, the City of Lauderhill has lowered its property tax rate from $7.4198   to $7.3698.  The Fire Rescue Fee stayed the same at $388.00 for residential property, 100% funds the cost of this service.  Also, the Voter Approved GO Bond assessment remained at $1.2804.

Lauderhill Has A Very Successful Community Shuttle Bus Program

Statistics have been released showing the success of the Lauderhill Community Shuttle Bus Program.  Every route far exceeds the minimum 7.1 passengers/revenue hour.  As an example, the following are typical numbers from August:

Route 1 - East Side clockwise:  24.5 passengers/revenue hour
Route 2 - Central:  31.6 passengers/revenue hour
Route 3 - Inverrary:  30.7 passengers/revenue hour
Route 4 - West Side:  24.9 passengers/revenue hour
Route 5 - East Side counter-clockwise:  27 passengers/revenue hour
Route 6 - West Ken Lark:  21.1 passengers/revenue hour
Route 7 - St. George/Broward Estate:  18.9 passengers/revenue hour

Lauderhill Mayor Wins USGBC Most Outstanding Green Elected Official for 2013

On September 21 at the US Green Building Councils Gala Verde Awards Dinner, Lauderhill Mayor Richard J Kaplan won the prestigious Most Outstanding Green Elected Official for 2013.  It is the first time a city official has won the award.

The 17 awards in a variety of areas are given to recognize and honor those outstanding projects, inspiration businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental Chapter members who are LEEDing the way to a more sustainable built environment in our South Florida community.

Notes of the Commission Meetings of September 12

On September 12, the City Commission met in a variety of meetings.  Before the Regular Commission Meeting, which was rescheduled to the 12th, numerous meetings were held relating to assessments for Safe Neighborhood District, Fire Rescue Fee, Nuisance Abatement, Stormwater, Garbage, and CRA.  The following are notes of interest from the Regular Commission Meeting (all items passed unanimously unless otherwise indicated):

PUBLIC HEARINGS----FIRST READING:

ORDINANCE NO. 13O-09-138:  SETTING AND ADOPTING THE 2013-2014 PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AT THE OPERATING MILLAGE RATE OF 7.3698 PER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000); SETTING AND ADOPTING THE 2013-2014 VOTED DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE AT A RATE OF 1.2804 PER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000).

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-171:  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, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-173:   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, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-175:   APPROVING THE TENTATIVE PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR THE MANORS OF INVERRARY SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AT THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF 2.0 MILLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-177:  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, 2013 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2014; ADOPTING THE PROPOSED NON-AD VALOREM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $250.00 PER PARCEL OF LAND PER YEAR.

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - FIRST READING:

ORDINANCE NO: 13O-08-129:   AMENDING SECTION 2-159, TO AMEND THE ORDER OF BUSINESS ACCORDINGLY (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

ORDINANCE NO: 13O-08-130:   AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 2-163, DEBATE AND DECORUM, PROVIDING TIME LIMITS ON GENERAL PRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING SECTION REGARDING OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD  (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER HOWARD BERGER).

ORDINANCE NO. 13O-08-136:   SECTION 2-2.5 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES - COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENTS GENERALLY;  CREATING SUBSECTION (I), PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF MEETINGS; CREATING SUBSECTION (J), DESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, AND ACTING CHAIRS  (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN.).

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS - SECOND READING:

ORDINANCE NO. 13O-08-135:  AMENDING SECTION 21-47, SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES, TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER AND SEWER AVAILABILITY RATES BASED UPON THE JUNE 2013 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR INFLATION.

ORDINANCE NO. 13O-08-137:  GARBAGE, REFUSE AND TRASH; APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEDULE OF RATES, FEES AND CHARGES PURSUANT TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES OF FLORIDA, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP D/B/A ALL SERVICE REFUSE.

RESOLUTIONS:

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-180:   SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE AND ILLEGAL FIREARMS TRAFFICKING THROUGH MORE RESPONSIBLE GUN SALES AND MARKETING PRACTICES, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COORDINATE WITH THE POLICE CHIEF TO PARTNER WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES TO CREATE A COALITION IN SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE AND TO WORK WITH GUN AND AMMUNITION SUPPLIERS TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSIDERATION OF SALES AND MARKETING SAFEGUARDS, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO SEND A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO ALL SOUTH FLORIDA MUNICIPALITIES, THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., ALL MEMBERS OF FLORIDA’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, AND TO THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES).

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-181:   APPROVING THE DONATIONS OF FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $8,780.00 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD TO THE LIST OF DESIGNATED ENTITIES; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT FROM BUDGET CODE NUMBER 001-101-8126.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-182:  APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S 5-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014 THROUGH 2018, WHICH MAY BE UPDATED PERIODICALLY.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-186:  APPROVING THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSFER FUNDS WITHIN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY TO COVER FUTURE EXPENDITURES FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-187:   APPROVING THE REQUEST FROM THE LAUDERHILL HOUSING AUTHORITY TO WAIVE BUILDING AND ENGINEERING PERMIT FEES FOR THE FIFTEEN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN CENTRAL LAUDERHILL.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-191:   EXERCISING THE LAST OPTION TO EXTEND THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LIMOUSINES OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. AND THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL FOR SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE FOR A ONE (1) YEAR TERM WITH THE PRICING FOR ROUTES 1 THROUGH 5 AT $34.25/PER HOUR AND ROUTES 6 AND 7 AT $55.00/PER HOUR EFFECTIVE AUGUST 11, 2013 THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2014.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-192:  APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND T'ESSENCE/TERRY STONOM DANCE ACADEMY, INC. TO PROVIDE DANCE CLASSES AT THE SPORTS PARK AND VETERAN'S PARK.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-193:  APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND AMERICAN ARTS, INC. TO PROVIDE TAE KWON DO CLASSES AT VETERAN'S PARK.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-194:  APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND NATIONAL SPORT JUDO AND NATIONAL JUDO TRAINING CENTER, INC. TO PROVIDE JUDO AND KENDO CLASSES AT VETERAN'S PARK.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-195:  APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK PURCHASE OF MARKED POLICE VEHICLES INCLUDING TEN (10) V-6 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDANS AND FOUR (4) V-6 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SUVS AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $373,140.00 FROM DUVAL FORD BASED UPON BIDS SOLICITED BY THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-196:   APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) 2014 FORD FUSION-S SEDANS UNMARKED POLICE VEHICLES AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $92,285.00 FROM DON REID FORD BASED UPON BIDS SOLICITED BY THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION.

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-197:   APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING; APPROVING THE PIGGYBACK PURCHASE OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO OUTFIT MARKED POLICE VEHICLES INCLUDING TEN (10) V-6 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDANS AND FOUR (4) V-6 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SUVS AT A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $64,293.00 FROM AMERICAN INTERCEPTORS BASED UPON BIDS SOLICITED BY THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION.

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

RESOLUTION NO. 13R-09-198:  GRANTING TO TOBOLSKI, LLC A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER, WITH CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT A RESTAURANT BAR WITH INDOOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT 1451 NW 31ST AVENUE.

Broward County Transit to Hold Community Meetings on Proposed Changes to Routes 18 and 441 Breeze

Broward County Transit (BCT) has scheduled community meetings to provide the public with information on the proposed service changes to Route 18 and 441 Breeze, in advance of a public hearing to be scheduled by the Broward County Commission for October 2013.

The community meetings will allow bus passengers to review and comment on the proposed service changes which would be effective in early-January 2014, as follows:

• Tuesday, September 17, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Central Broward Regional Park, Field House
3700 Northwest 11 Place, Lauderhill
(Northeast corner of 441 and Sunrise Boulevard)
Bus Routes 18, 36, 40, 81, walk from Lauderhill Transfer Facility

Customers will have new options for travel along State Road 7/441 with these proposed service changes. This includes more weekend service, extended early morning/late night service, and extended limited-stop service. These service changes will provide more consistent timing between buses, improve service reliability, and address overcrowding conditions. 

Following is a brief description of the proposed changes for routes 18 and 441 Breeze:

Route 18 – The current route will be modified to provide local bus service along State Road 7/441 between Lauderhill Mall and the Golden Glades Park and Ride in Miami Gardens. Customers travelling northbound from Golden Glades Park and Ride to Lauderhill Mall would not be affected during the week. On the weekends, these customers would have more frequent service. Customers travelling to Sandalfoot Cove Boulevard/Sample Road/Turtle Creek Drive or any location north of Lauderhill Mall would have to transfer at Lauderhill Mall.

Route 19 – The “new” route will provide local bus service along State Road 7/441 between Lauderhill Mall and Sandalfoot Cove Boulevard in west Boca Raton. Customers travelling southbound from Sandalfoot Cove Boulevard/Sample Road /Turtle Creek Drive to Lauderhill Mall would not be affected during the week. On the weekends, these customers would have more frequent service. Customers travelling to Golden Glades Park and Ride or any location south of Lauderhill Mall would have to transfer at Lauderhill Mall.

Route 441 “Breeze” Limited-Stop – Expanded mid-day weekday service will provide limited-stop service along State Road 7/441 between the Golden Glades Park and Ride in Miami Gardens and Turtle Creek Boulevard in Coral Springs. This includes more frequent service and the addition of five (5) new bus stops at Johnson Street in Hollywood; Northwest 19 Street in Lauderhill; NW 26 Street in Lauderhill; Northwest 41 Street in Lauderdale Lakes, and Southgate Boulevard in Margate.

Persons unable to attend the community meetings should send comments to: Broward County Transit, 1 North University Drive, Room 2401B, Plantation, FL 33324, or to bctsurvey@broward.org. 

U.S. Green Building Council South Florida Chapter Announces Finalist Nominees for GalaVerde Awards

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) South Florida Chapter has announced the Finalist Nominees for the nonprofit organization's upcoming GalaVerde: The 2013 LEEDership and Green Awards Program.  The awards ceremony will be held September 21, 2013.

With the Weston-based The Spinnaker Group as Presenting Sponsor, the fourth annual GalaVerde will recognize and honor those outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental Chapter members who are leading the way to a more sustainably built environment in our South Florida community.

GalaVerde Awards Finalists for the Most Outstanding Green Elected Official are:

• Michael Gongora -- City of Miami Beach Commissioner
• Richard Kaplan -- City of Lauderhill Mayor
• Mark Sarnoff -- City of Miami Commissioner
• Philip Stoddard -- City of South Miami Mayor

LAUDERHILL FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN

Most of the City of Lauderhill’s improvements were in the area of canal bank stabilization and restricting of the swales and canal embankments.  The City has also been maintaining the existing drainage system by continual cleaning of culverts, catch basins, and retention areas.  Upcoming projects include paving and restructuring of the swales and canal embankment in various canals as well as a culvert replacement.  However, projects that were reported in last year's progress report are shown below with updated information:

1.            Continue with the drainage system maintenance including catch basins, pipes, and culvert cleaning – on-going

2.            Hired a contractor to assist with culvert and catch basin cleaning to include inventory updates – in progress

3.          Roadway improvements including installation of catch basins and swale reconfiguration NW 55 Avenue – in progress

4.     Continue monitoring and stabilization at hot spot areas including Westwind Lake, Canals 20, NW 33 Street – in progress

5.            Canal 25 and 26 bank stabilization/repair – completed

6.            Embankment stabilization canal 29 – completed

7.           NW 47 Avenue roadway including culvert replacement and installation of catch basins and french drains – complete

8.            Culvert Replacement at NW 50 St. and NW 82 Ave. – in progress

9.            Roadway and Swale improvements on Inverrary Blvd. – planned for 2014

10.         NW 19^th Street roadway and culvert improvement – County project planned for 2014

One of the most exciting accomplishments this year was the CRS Class upgrade.  From the beginning of the CRS membership year in 1978, the City has been a Class 9 which allowed for a 5% discount on flood insurance premiums.  With the new Class 7 designation, our residents and business owners located within the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are now eligible for a 15% discount.

New FEMA flood maps were released and we are waiting for the final letter of determination announcing the acceptance.  Once that letter has been received, there will be a six month waiting period at which time Broward County will adopt the new maps.  Once that has taken place, the City will also adopt the new.  There is currently no time limit for the letter of determination issuance.

Lauderhill Purchases New Fire Truck

On August 26, the City of Lauderhill put its newest Fire Truck into service.  The pumper truck is assigned to Fire Station 110 on 31st Ave.

Oakland Park Blvd Transit Public Workshop

On Tuesday, September 10 from 4 to 7 PM, at the Lauderhill City Hall, a Public Workshop will be held concerning the Oakland Park Blvd., Transit Alternatives Analysis Study.

This study, and the proposed improvements, will run on Oakland Park Blvd. from the Sawgrass Expressway to A1A.

For more information go to www.oaklandparkboulevardtransit study.com or contact the FDOT Project Manager, Ms. Khalilah Ffrench, PE at 954-677-7898.