City Commission Workshop Notes of October 20

On October 20, the City Commission held its regular monthly workshop and the following are notes of interest:

1) BUS TRANSFER STATION – LAUDERHILL MALL (MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN) - Plans are proceeding but taking longer to accomplish then originally expected.  There is a matter related to supplying security to the facility that is being addressed.

2)  Ordinance No. 150-06-123:  Campaign contributions by Charter Officers and Attorney Discussion - Consensus of the Commission was not to pursue this law as it was felt to possibly not be needed over the objections of Mayor Kaplan.  However they did agree to hold off any further action until the Florida Bar issues an Ethics Opinion concerning the Supervisor of Elections Attorney on whether it is legal for a person in that capacity can be involved in a campaign, or is it a conflict to their client's interest.

(REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN)

3) GOOD NEIGHBOR STORE INITIATIVE (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR HAYWARD J.

BENSON, JR.) - Agreed to let it move forward and provide support

4)  BUSINESS LICENSEE FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR
HAWYARD

5) FLORIDA PACE FUNDING AGENCY (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR BENSON) - Agreed to support.  This conforms to the prior Ordinance passed by the City Commission in 2011 to authorize PACE within the city.  However, a small amendment is now required to that ordinance, plus a resolution specifically to authorize funding.

6) CITY COMMISSION MEETING TIMES (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES) - Discussion on possibly moving Commission Meetings once a month to the afternoon.  Consensus was against this however as an experiment, one future meeting could be tried to see if there is a change in attendance.

7) DISCUSSION AND CLARIFICATION OF SECTION 3.03 – ELECTION AND TERM OF

OFFICE. (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES.) - Clarification was that the 12 year consecutive terms limits applies to the person and not the seat.  Therefore, a Commissioner who had already served 10 years could run for Mayor, but if elected could only serve for 2 of the 4 years of that term. 

8) RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS DIRECTORS/ EMPLOYEES/ CHIEFS (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER CHARLES FARANDA) - Present law requires the Police and Fire Chief to live in the city.  It is possible that this may be changed to allow them to also live in a contiguous city to Lauderhill.

9) DISCUSSION/PROCEDURE TO CHANGE THE MAILING ADDRESS OF ANNEXED

AREAS FROM FT. LAUDERDALE TO LAUDERHILL (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER M. MARGARET BATES.) - This is a function mostly of the Post Office.  The City Attorney will send them a letter to see what can be done about it.