Notes of the Commission Meeting of August 25

On August 25, the City Commission met and the following are notes on certain items of interest:

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

1. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-135: Approved PROVIDING FOR SEPARATION BETWEEN SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES, AND LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES.

2. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-138: Approved amending SCHEDULE J. LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION, IRRIGATION AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS, CREATING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION, BY ADDING STANDARDS REFERENCE IN THE “FLORIDA GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT DESIGNATION LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE” MANUAL (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

3. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-139: Tabled AN ORDINANCE creating Lighting standards, Energy Conservation in Lighting, and reducing Light Pollution and Glare. (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

4. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-140: Tabled AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (IVCS) UNIT BE DISPLAYED ON THE SITE PLAN to a Workshop to give specific notice to effected business (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

5. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-141: Tabled to a Workshop TO REQUIRE WITHIN NEW DEVELOPMENTS AN IVCS UNIT IN ALL COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO), COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC), GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG), COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) ZONING DISTRICTS AND IN THE TRANSIT ORIENTED CORRIDOR FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES DESIGNATION, TO REQUIRE EXISTING SUCH DEVELOPMENT TO ADD SUCH IVCS UNITS WITHIN A SPECIFIED TIME, AND TO ADD NUISANCE REQUIREMENTS THAT CAN ALSO CAUSE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITS. NUMBER OF UNITS ARE DEPENDENT UPON PARKING SPACES WITHIN A FACILITIES. (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

6. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-08-142: Approved AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 6, PROHIBITED SIGNS AND ALLOWING DYNAMIC DISPLAYS (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER BENSON).

RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

7. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-177: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL NUISANCE ABATEMENT BOARD BY THE CITY COMMISSIONERS INDIVIDUALLY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY CITY COMMISSION).

8. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-178: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION ESTABLISHING A POLICY OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO PARTNER WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) BY JOINING THE ENERGY STAR CHALLENGE AND TO PURCHASE ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES AND PRODUCTS WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE AND COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE CITY (REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

9. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-179: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES 2008 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES).

10. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-180: Approved A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REQUESTING THAT COMCAST TELEVISE THE ANNUAL CITY COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOPS MEETINGS OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND ALL REGULAR WORKSHOPS EACH YEAR WITHOUT COST TO THE CITY.

11. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-181: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULE DATES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY CITY STAFF FOR THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR; ENABLING STAFF TO PROVIDE ADVANCED NOTICE AND PUBLICATION TO THE PUBLIC OF SUCH DATES.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

12. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-183: APPROVED A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE BID TO JMW CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $512,000.00 FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN APPROXIMATE 2,100 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION TO THE EXISTING FIRE STATION 73 BUILDING, AND FOR RE-ROOFING, PAINTING AND FIRE SPRINKLER UPGRADES TO THE EXISTING BUILDING.

M.I.S.

13. RESOLUTION NO. 08O-08-186: APPROVED A RESOLUTION WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS; AWARDING THE PURCHASE OF PROPRIETARY GPS DEVICES AND SOFTWARE LICENSING FOR VEHICLE TRACKING FROM GOMRM, INC., A SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER, IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $156,400.00.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

14. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-188: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DONATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,400.00 FROM THE STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO THE BROWARD ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT DRUG TREATMENT, DRUG EDUCATION OR DRUG PREVENTION, CRIME PREVENTION, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, OR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE GUIDELINES.

15. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-189: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DONATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 FROM THE STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO LEARNING FOR SUCCESS, INC. TO HELP FUND THE “KIDS AND THE POWER OF WORK (KAPOW) PROGRAM” TO BE PRESENTED TO ROYAL PALM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PAUL TURNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE GUIDELINES.

16. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-190: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,401.80 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) WIRELESS AGPS TRACKING SYSTEMS FROM GPSIT, INC. BASED UPON THE GOVERNMENT SALES BID LIST FOR USE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT VICE, INTELLIGENCE AND NARCOTICS UNIT FOR COVERT SURVEILLANCE.

17. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-08-191: APPROVED A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE EQUITABLE SHARING OF SEIZED ASSETS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $135,660.00 FROM THE UNITED STATES (U.S.) MARSHALLS SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND FLORIDA STATE LAW; AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO SPEND $59,087.00 OF THE SEIZED ASSETS TO PURCHASE VARIOUS EQUIPMENT TO BE LOANED TO THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE FOR THEIR USE; PROVIDING FOR THE DISTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,573.00 TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW.

Lauderhill Crime Statistics Shows Crime Decreasing

Uniform Crime Reporting/ Lauderhill Police Department

For the first six months of 2008, the following data has been documented:

Total criminal offenses for the first six months of 2008 is down 1%

Murder No change

Sexual Battery down 41%

Robbery down 1.8%

Aggravated Assault down 3.2%

Burglary up 9.4%

Larceny(Theft) down 1.6%

Motor Vehicle Theft down 12.1%

A Girl with an Apple, A True Story

August 1942, Piotrkow , Poland

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow's Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square. Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

'Whatever you do,' Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me,'don't tell them your age. Say you're sixteen.' I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, then asked my age. 'Sixteen,'I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children,sick and elderly people. I whispered to Isidore, 'Why?' He didn't answer. I ran to Mama's side and said I wanted to stay with her. 'No,'she said sternly. 'Get away. Don't be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.'

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany . We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.'Don't call me Herman anymore.' I said to my brothers. 'Call me 94983.'

I was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator. I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number.

Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald's sub-camps near Berlin . One morning I thought I heard my mother's voice,'Son,' she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel.' Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream. But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear.

A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone. On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree. I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German. 'Do you have something to eat?' She didn't understand. I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life.

She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence. I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, 'I'll see you tomorrow.' I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple. We didn't dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both. I didn't know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me? Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia . 'Don't return,' I told the girl that day. 'We're leaving.' I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I'd never learned, the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed. On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM. In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over. I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers. Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived; I'm not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival. In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none. My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America , where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years. By August 1957 I'd opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in.

One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me. 'I've got a date. She's got a Polish friend. Let's double date.' A blind date? Nah, that wasn't for me. But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma. I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn't so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life.

The four of us drove out to Coney Island . Roma was easy to talk to,easy to be with. Turned out she was wary of blind dates too! We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn't remember having a better time.

We piled back into Sid's car, Roma and I sharing the backseat. As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject, 'Where were you,' she asked softly, 'during the war?' 'The camps,' I said, the terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss. I had tried to forget. But you can never forget. She nodded. 'My family was hiding on a farm in Germany , not far from Berlin ,' she told me. 'My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.' I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were, both survivors, in a new world. 'There was a camp next to the farm.' Roma continued. 'I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.'

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. 'What did he look like? I asked. 'He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.' My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it. This couldn't be. 'Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?' Roma looked at me in amazement. 'Yes!' 'That was me! ' I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn't believe it! My angel.

'I'm not letting you go.' I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn't want to wait. 'You're crazy!' she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week. There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.

Herman Rosenblat, Miami Beach , Florida

---

This is a true story and you can find out more by Googling Herman Rosenblat. He was Bar Mitzvahed at age 75. This story is being made into a movie called The Fence.

26 DISTRICT SCHOOLS OPEN 2008/09 YEAR WITH NEW PRINCIPALS

Twenty-six Broward County Public Schools will open the 2008/09 year under the leadership of new principals. Below is a partial list of principals that may service Lauderhill students which includes first-year educational leaders and those who were reassigned from other schools or positions in the District.

PRINCIPAL SCHOOL
Frances Fuce-Ollivierre - Castle Hill Elementary (Interim Principal)
Marvis Ward - King, Martin Luther Elementary (Interim Principal)
Valoria Latson - Larkdale Elementary
Patricia Hague - Plantation Middle
Oslay Gil - Sunrise Middle School (Interim Principal)

The City of Lauderhill Will Resume Full Operations After Tropical Storm Fay

After The City of Lauderhill’s encounter with Tropical Storm Fay, we are pleased to report the City is intact and unscathed from any damage.

As of 11:58 AM, the Tropical Storm Warnings and Watch were lifted for our area. A Tornado Watch is still in effect until 4 PM. Watch for local flooding and heavy rains as bans of weather from Fay are still passing through our area.

All City Buildings and Parks and subsequent operations will reopen for business as usual on Wednesday, the 20th of August. Employees shall return to work at that time as well. Regularly scheduled garbage pick up shall proceed as normal. City buses and meetings will resume as scheduled.

As always, if anything should change, an additional City Press Release will be sent and posted on the City website at www.lauderhill-fl.gov. Or you can tune into 1650 am for City related updates. Residents are encouraged to monitor the television and radio for announcements related to County services.

The Broward County Hurricane Hotline will remain in operations on a 24-hour basis until the threat from Tropical Storm Fay has passed. Call 3-1-1 if you have any questions.

Update #8 on Tropical Storm Fay

The Broward County Emergency Operation Center is continuing to monitor the impacts of Tropical Storm Fay and will continue to do so throughout the day. The Rapid Impact Assessment conducted by Broward County and all municipalities determined that there was minimal damage as a result of the storm.

Broward County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning. A flood watch is in effect until 8:00 p.m. this evening and a tornado watch until 4:00 p.m.

FPL reports that 5,300 customers are currently without power, primarily in northern Broward County. They are working continuously to restore power and have brought in extra crews to expedite the restoration process.

Approximately 30 traffic signals are not working at this time; however, that is primarily due to power outages. There are no reports of debris that would impact traffic. When a traffic signal is inoperable, motorists should treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

The City of Lauderhill and Broward County is in the process of returning to normal operations. The following information is provided:

Broward County School Board Chair Robin Bartleman announced that all Broward County schools and administrative offices will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, August 20. This will be the first day of schools and motorists are reminded to be aware of school zones and obey posted speed limits.

All Broward County government offices will be open tomorrow. This includes the Clerk of Courts, Public Defender's Office, State Attorney's Office, the judiciary, Property Appraiser's Office and the Supervisor of Election Office. It is expected that the Secretary of State will make a decision concerning the resumption of early voting later today.

Broward County bridges are now fully operational.

Mass Transit is operating on their normal bus schedule today. The number to call to check on bus schedules and routes is 954-357-8400. The telephone number for the hearing impaired is 954-357-8302.

Residents that have taken advantage of the Broward County mass care and special medical needs shelters are returning home. Transportation is being provided for those residents that need assistance.

The Coast Guard has opened Port Everglades to all ship traffic effective 10:30 a.m. this morning and the Greater Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is operating under normal conditions.

Starting on Wednesday, August 20, as per normal schedule, regular collection of recyclables and garbage will resume in all of Broward County. Items not picked up (while services were suspended) will be collected on the next regularly scheduled collection day. Residents that have sustained damage to their homes and need assistance should call the Red Cross at 954-797-3800 for assistance.

The 3-1-1 hotline will remain operational throughout the day for residents that may need assistance.

Update #7 on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

As we approach the end of Tropical Storm Fay, we have some final information. This should be my last advisory unless conditions dictate otherwise. Normal services should be starting to come back starting tomorrow, and by the end of the week, everything should be back to normal. Keep following the city's web site for more information: http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/.

To assist us in the future, I would appreciate if you would respond as to what methods of local Lauderhill communication you used, and if they were useful to you. We utilize the city's web site, e-mails from the Mayor's Emergency Contact System, other e-mails from Press Releases issued by the city, this Blog, 1650 AM (for which would be more utilized in times of power failures and more significant damage), and any other method I may have left out.

My interest is to determine the effectiveness of each method and where improvement could lie. Thank you.

Mayor Kaplan

FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL

Luckily Fay's impact on us was far less than anticipated. We can expect improving conditions now except for some mild trailing end squalls.

The City Manager drove the city between 3 and 6 AM and did not see any flooding or signs of damage. However, there were sporadic and short power outages (no downed power lines). Our crews will be doing a full tour of the City later today to search for damage and problems.

We can expect tropical windforce gusts and rain bands throughout the day today, with most of the bad weather ending after 2 p.m.

FROM BROWARD COUNTY

It is important that you inspect your property for any storm damage as soon as it is safe to do so. For the purposes of reporting to FEMA, you should advise the County's Economic Development Office ntaylor@broward.org or dwilkinson@broward.org of any damage you may have had. That office will assist you in directing your damage reports to the appropriate local and federal officials. You will also need to make your damage claim to your insurance company.

We met with representatives from Florida Power and Light company this morning. There are approximately 5,200 customers without power in Broward County, mainly transformer issues. The expectation is that power would be restored by 2 p.m.

As of 7 a.m., Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport continues to operate smoothly after a long evening of heavy rain and high winds. We have an additional 3 cancelled flights this morning in addition to the 17 cancelled flights Monday evening. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines on the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

Please be aware of standing water or flooded streets during the course of the day.

All bridges in Broward County will resume normal operations at 9:00 a.m. this morning. This includes bridges operated by Broward County and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Broward County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Tornado Watch this morning. Early damage assessments indicate that Broward County has experienced very little damage. Residents are advised to continue to monitor weather conditions and only travel this morning if necessary.

Rapid Impact Assessment teams are currently working throughout Broward County to confirm that there are no major roadway problems or debris issues. No major flooding issues have been reported.

Residents are reminded that children should not be permitted to wade in standing water for health and safety reasons.

Mass Transit is operating on their normal bus schedule today. The number to call to check on bus schedules and routes is 954-357-8400. The telephone number for the hearing impaired is 954-357-8302.

The Arthur Ashe mass care shelter operated by Red Cross and the Special Medical Needs Shelter housed a total of 67 people. Plans are underway to return residents in shelters to their homes later this morning.

The Broward County Hotline 3-1-1 will remain operational throughout the day to assist residents.

Update #6 on Tropical Storm Fay

Given the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, TS Fay will be showing its strongest presence in our area (Broward County) between Tuesday around 1 am and 11am, with sustained winds between 40 to 50 mph. with the strongest winds between 1 am and 4 am. Residents and visitors are urged to stay off the roads during these times.

There has been no annoucement from the Aviation Department regarding a closure of the airport; however, it is strongly advised that anyone holding airline reservations for tonight and early tomorrow morning check with their airline.

Broward County residents should be prepared for sustained Tropical Storm Force winds beginning at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, August 19. The Broward County Emergency Operations Center will remain activated at a Level II to respond to any protective actions that may be necessary during this time.

Residents are strongly advised to remain indoors tonight and tomorrow morning while the tropical force winds are impacting Broward County. Broward County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, Tornado Watch and Flood Watch.

Mass Transit will continue bus service this evening with their normal bus service ending at 12:45 a.m. when they will cease operations. Bus service will not resume operations until sustained tropical force winds have subsided. An update when bus service is expected to resume will be announced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Early morning bus riders can call 3-1-1 for updated information on when bus service will resume.

Three shelters opened today at 3:00 p.m. for residents that need to evacuate. The mass care shelter is located at Arthur Ashe Middle School, 1701 N.W. 23 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, and a pet-friendly shelter is open at Millennium Middle School, 5803 N.W. 94 Ave., Tamarac.

A Special Medical Needs shelter also opened today at 3:00 p.m. Residents can still call 3-1-1 if they need assistance to evacuate to a medical needs shelter.

As announced earlier, all County government offices will remain closed on Tuesday. The Broward County Commission meeting and workshop has been cancelled as well. Broward County employees can call the employee hotline at 954-831-8589 or 3-1-1 for information.

All Broward County bridges are now in a "locked down" position. During tropical storm force winds the roadways can be very dangerous. If a traffic signal is not working, the intersection should be treated as a four-way stop. Residents are asked not to drive unless it is an emergency during tropical storm force winds.

Waste Management, Inc. will provide recycling, garbage and bulk waste collection in Lauderhill on Tuesday, August 19, as soon as weather conditions allow. Do not put out your garbage early.

The Southwest Regional (BIC) Landfill and Broward County's three Trash Transfer stations will be closed on Tuesday, August 19.

Update #5 on Tropical Storm Fay

FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL

Broward County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flood and Tornado Watch.

All City Buildings and Parks will close at 3 pm today, August 18th, 2008 and remain closed on Tuesday, August 19th. Any scheduled City Meetings are cancelled as well until Wednesday, August 20th. Regularly scheduled garbage pickup for residents serviced by All Service Refuse is suspended until Wednesday, August 20th while residents serviced by Waste Management is tentative for Tuesday, August 19th.

Subsequent weather advisories may dictate changes in services. If anything should change, an additional City Press Release will be sent and posted on the City website at www.lauderhill-fl.gov. Also, please tune into 1650 am for City related updates. Residents are encouraged to monitor television and radio for emergency announcements related to County services like Mass Transit, School, Airports and Seaport.

The Broward County Hurricane Hotline will remain in operations on a 24-hour basis until the threat from Tropical Storm Fay has passed. Call 3-1-1 if you have any questions.

Update #4 on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

Another update on Tropical Storm Fay:

FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL

Broward County emergency management is advising that sustained Tropical Storm force winds will be felt in our area beginning this evening. Subsequently, BC has issued a 'declaration of local state of emergency', and the City Manager has opened Lauderhill's Emergency Operations Center with a low level of staffing to deal with any issues that may occur during the night. Additionally, the City has issued a local state of emergency in order to properly documents the actions of our staff during this storm.

Finally, Lauderhill will be closing general City operations at 3:00 pm, and the City will remain closed until Wednesday 08/19.

Additional information may also be received by listening to Lauderhill's Radio Station, 1650 AM, going to the city web site: www.lauderhill-fl.gov, which will be updated as needed.

FROM BROWARD COUNTY

Winds tonight between 25-35 MPH with gusts up to 43 MPH. Tomorrow, 28-33 MPH, with gusts up to 47 MPH mainly in the earlier part of the day.

Broward County Emergency Operations Center remains at a Level II activation and is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Fay. The following protective actions are being taken:

Broward County School Board Chair Robin Bartleman announced that Broward County Schools will be closed tomorrow. This includes all charter schools.

Broward County Government will remain closed on Tuesday. This includes the Clerk of Courts, Public Defender's Office, State Attorney's Office, the judiciary and the Property Appraiser's Office. The Supervisor of Election Office will be closed tomorrow as well as all the early voting locations.

A voluntary evacuation for residents that live in mobile home and low-lying areas prone to flooding is in place. One Red Cross mass care shelter will be opened at 3:00 p.m. today at Arthur Ashe Middle School, 1701 N.W. 23 Ave., Fort Lauderdale and a pet-friendly shelter will open at Millennium Middle School, 5803 N.W. 94 Ave., Tamarac. If you plan to go to the pet-friendly shelter you must bring proof of pet vaccination, pet license and any special medications or food required.

One special medical needs shelter will be opened for residents that have a medical condition that requires a greater level of care than that provided at a Red Cross mass care shelter, but does not require hospitalization. If you have not already preregistered for the special medical needs shelter you can call 3-1-1 for assistance.

Three bridges operated by the Broward County Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division will close (locked in the down position) at 6:00 p.m. today. They are the Andrews Avenue Bridge, 3rd Avenue Bridge and the SW4/7 Avenue Bridge in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Department of Transportation has not announced closure of bridges that they operate in Broward County.

Broward College is canceling all classes after 5 p.m. today. All Broward College campuses will close at 6 p.m. today. All classes have been canceled on Tuesday.

Travelers should check with their cruise and airlines before leaving for Port Everglades or the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

Hospice Care of Southeast Florida has announced that patients and families in Monroe, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties contact 1-800-372-1757 to determine special needs they may have due to Tropical Storm Fay.

Broward County remains under a Tropical Storm warning, flood watch and tornado watch. Residents are advised to remain indoors during severe weather.
The Broward County Hotline will remain operational until the threat of Tropical Storm Fay is over. Residents should call 3-1-1 for information.

Update #3 on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

We have been receiving some updates that I wanted to make you aware of.

Mayor Kaplan


FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL

Broward County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flood Watch.

All City Buildings and Parks are currently open for business as usual. Regularly scheduled garbage pick up shall proceed as normal. Please wait until tomorrow morning to put on Tuesdays garbage if weather conditions should change. City buses are running as scheduled as well.

Subsequent weather advisories may dictate changes in services. If anything should change, an additional City Press Release will be sent and posted on the City website at www.lauderhill-fl.gov. Also, please tune into Lauderhill's Radio Station, 1650 AM for City related updates. Residents are encouraged to monitor television and radio for emergency announcements related to County services like Mass Transit, School, Airports and Seaport.

The Broward County Hurricane Hotline will remain in operations on a 24-hour basis until the threat from Tropical Storm Fay has passed. Call 3-1-1 if you have any questions.


FROM BROWARD COUNTY:

Broward County Emergency Operations Center has been elevated from a monitoring level to a Level II activation at 7:00 a.m. Monday, August 18 in response to Tropical Storm Fay. A Level II activation is a partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center which will allow the Broward Emergency Response Team to respond to changing conditions quickly.

Broward County is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Flood Watch. County government will close today, August 18, at noon, as well as all Courthouse facilities, including the Clerk of Courts, Public Defender's Office, State Attorney's Office, and the judiciary. The Property Appraiser's Office will also close at noon today.

Mass Transit will remain operational today and this evening. A decision will be made later today concerning the overnight transit operations.

While we are not currently in the storm cone for a direct hit, we are on the Northeast side of the storm where the heaviest weather is expected. We can likely expect strong winds, heavy rain, gusts of 39-54 miles per hour throughout the next 12-24 hours, as well as the possibility of tornadoes during that time. Due to this and for the safety of our employees, The Broward Alliance, along with County government offices will close today at noon.

Normal operations continue for Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Cruise and airline passengers should check with their cruise line or airline for the latest information. The Coast Guard will cease new ship arrivals by noon today. All ships in port must sail by 5:00 p.m. today. Truck traffic at Port Everglades will continue until such time that winds reach tropical storm force.

The Broward County Hurricane Hotline will remain in operation on a 24-hour basis until the threat from Tropical Storm Fay has passed. To reach the Hotline, call 3-1-1. The hotline has received more than 2,600 calls since Monday when it activated with 1,000 calls received during the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. period.

FURTHER UPDATE FROM BROWARD COUNTY

According to the 11 a.m. Advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Fay has moved slightly further east, creating a stronger possibility for worsening weather in Broward County over the next 12-24 hours. There has been no change in the status of the TROPICAL STORM WARNING, currently in effect. There is expectation for more than 2-4 inches of rain, winds with gusts reaching 39-54 miles per hour, and a strong possibility of tornadoes associated with feeder bands passing through Broward County.

County offices and Broward Schools, Courts, and other Constitutional offices will be closed tomorrow, August 19th, since the effects of this tropical storm will be felt until approximately 6 p.m. tomorrow. Area bridges will be locked down to boat traffic beginning at 6 p.m. this afternoon. Boats should seek safe harbor prior to that time.

The Port and Airport are presently open; we will advise you if there is any change in that regard. The Coast Guard currently has the Port on Level Yankee, which requires ocean going vessels to depart the Port. Landside operations are still open. Passengers are urged to verify flight and cruise information with their carrier. Aviation has advised us that there has not yet been any forecast of sustained winds of over 40 miles per hour, which would be the point at which the airport would consider closing. Other decisions concerning flights and schedules are made by the airlines. We have not yet been notified of any schedule changes into or out of FLL.

Please be certain that you have removed all outdoor furniture and decorations, as well as any debris that can become a projectile in high winds. Again, please take all precautions to assure your safety and well being.

Update #2 on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

The following was received from Broward County that you should be aware of:

Broward County will close County Government offices effective Monday, August 18 at noon in order to facilitate protective response actions resulting from Tropical Storm Fay. In addition, the Broward County Superintendent of Schools has announced that all Broward County public schools will be closed on Monday. The following exceptions and clarifications are provided:

.Broward County Courts will be open on Monday.
.Broward County Port Everglades and the Greater Fort Lauderdale International Airport will be open on Monday and will remain open unless weather conditions require closure.
.Broward County libraries will be closed all day on Monday.
.Broward County parks will be close at noon.
.Bus service will continue with normal operations on Monday as weather conditions permit.
.Animal Care shelters will be closed on Monday.

There is a possibility that the Broward County Emergency Operations Center will announce a mandatory evacuation tomorrow of all residents living in mobile homes and those residents that live in low-lying areas. A coastal evacuation will not be ordered. If an evacuation is ordered, regional shelters will be opened on Monday to accommodate evacuees. Shelter locations will be announced as they are readied. Residents that must evacuate are encouraged to stay with family or friends whenever possible. Special medical needs shelters may also be open on Monday to accommodate those residents that require special assistance.

Shelters will also be opened for homeless persons if necessary. Transportation will be provided from three pick-up points in the County beginning at noon on Monday. The pick-up points include Pompano Beach City Hall, 100 West Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, the Salvation Army Lodge, 1445 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale and in south Broward at the corner of N. 21 Avenue and Lincoln Street and/or the corner of N. 21 Ave. and Sherman Street.

The Broward County Emergency Operations Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Fay and is partially activated. A full activation is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. on Monday. The Broward County hurricane hotline is open. Residents can reach the hotline by calling 3-1-1 or 954-831-4000 or visit the Broward County web site at www.broward.org.

As to Lauderhill services, more is planned to be forthcoming.

Update on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

I have been receiving the following information which I am passing on to you.

Mayor Kaplan

FROM BROWARD COUNTY:

As of 4 p.m. this afternoon, the Broward County Emergency Operations Center will be open in order to serve the residents, visitors and businesses of Broward County.

The current track has the storm heading northwest, making a gradual turn to the north toward Key West, and continuing west of Naples and Fort Myers late Monday and early Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center has issued a TROPICAL STORM WATCH for Miami Dade and Broward Counties. This means that it is possible that tropical storm winds in excess of 35 miles per hour and strong rains (2 to 4 inches) could be felt here as early as noon on Monday. There is a possibility of tornadoes as the storm moves west of us through the Florida straits.

There is no evacuation order issued for Broward at this time. There is not expected to be a tidal storm surge related to this tropical storm, so we are not anticipating an evacuation of the eastern portion of the county.

Please take all appropriate precautions to insure the safety and well being of your family, your guests and your property.

FROM THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL:

* Currently under a Tropical Storm Watch.

* BC EM Director states most likely will be under a Tropical Storm Warning late tonight early tomorrow.

* Full activation of Broward County EOC will be tomorrow at 0700 hours, municipal reps need to report.

*Announcement on Schools will be sent out in an email to municipalities just before a 3:30 pm conference call announcement today advising on what they plan on doing.

* Broward County Government will open in morning and close at noon after employees secure their offices.

* No news on Bus Transportation or garbage. But if county controls your landfill they may be gone by noon.

* Expect 2 to 4 inches of rain as of the latest report may change on any change in the storm.

* BC Will open a few special needs shelters initially may need to prepare for West Coast resident sheltering.

* The County is prepared to issue a State of Emergency when needed, and if they do, we will likewise issue a Lauderhill State of Emergency. Govenor has declared a state emergency already.

We will make a decission tomorrow moring if we will close early, but so far Lauderhill is open for business tomorrow

Information on Tropical Storm Fay

Dear Residents of Lauderhill,

At this point we are following the movement of Tropical Storm Fay. Presently, projectories show that it could come into our area, but it is too far off to know for sure where it may travel. The path shows that it can pass as far west as along the west coast of Florida, to over the east coast of Florida. The best information for now is that if it passes through the state, it would have an impact from mid Monday to mid Wednesday, with the closest approach on mid Tuesday. It does look like that at a minimum we will receive some wind and rain, but that also could change.

The recommendation is that since this is a weekend, it would be wise to make sure that any loose exterior landscaping, or loose objects that could fly, be disposed of/secured. Also, if there are drains in the area, that they be inspected so that they are not clogged. You may also wish to look over your emergency plans to make sure that you will be prepared in the event Fay does approach our area, i.e., food, water, batteries, etc. It is easier to plan ahead, then to wait until everyone else is trying to do the same thing at the same time.

The best course of action is to be prepared. Also, if you are doing any work around your house, you need to be careful about it. Don't hurt yourself, and get help if you need it to avoid injuries.

The Broward County School District has posted an emergency hotline message about Tropical Storm Fay, 754-321-0321. They still expected to hold classes Monday, subject to further advances by Fay.

As matters develop, more postings will be made as warranted.

Cardio Kickboxing

Every Wednesday from 6 to 7 PM, at St. George Community Park, participate free in Cardio Kickboxing. Dress comfortably (sneakers and work out attire). Bring your own towel, water, etc.

Get Free Help on Foreclsures

In these difficult times, many in our community are facing foreclosure on their homes. The Florida Bar, along with Florida Legal Services and the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Lawyers Division (RPPTL) of the Bar, has set up a program called FLASH - Florida Attorneys Saving Homes. The purpose of the program is to provide free legal representation to those facing foreclosure to help people keep their homes. If you are a homeowner facing foreclosure, please call toll free 1-866-607-2187 for assistance.

Also, the City of Tamarac and Coral Springs will be conducting a Foreclosure Seminar to help all residents in the region in getting the help they need. Lauderhill residents are invited to attend.

eLauderhill Recommends

On August 26, 2008, residents of the City of Lauderhill will be able to vote in the Primary. Prior to August 26, residents will be able to vote through requesting an absentee ballot, or by early voting at one of the centers around the county (August 11 - August 24). Early Voting Precincts, in or near Lauderhill, are at the Lauderhill Mall and the Tamarac Library on Commercial Blvd. If you wait until August 26, you will only be able to vote at your assigned precinct. For more voting information: http://www.browardsoe.org/ and click on sample ballot.

As to your vote, eLauderhill News gives the following recommendations:

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 94
Roshawn Banks DEM
Eric Hammond DEM Qualified
Robert L. Lynch DEM
Hazelle Rogers DEM Qualified
Ken Thurston DEM Qualified
Rubin Young DEM

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 29
Michael E. Carn DEM
Earlean C. Smiley DEM
Christopher “Chris” Smith DEM Endorsed
Terry A. Williams Edden

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 23
Alcee L. Hastings DEM Endorsed
Ray Torres Sanchez DEM

SHERIFF
S. “Shak” Dhanji DEM
Scott J. Israel DEM Endorsed
Richard “Rick” Lemack DEM
Wiley Thompson DEM Qualified
Bruce Lee Udolf DEM

PROPERTY APPRAISER
Lori Parrish DEM Endorsed
Sara E. Truini DEM

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
Adriane P. Reesey DEM
Brenda C. Snipes DEM Endorsed

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 9
John Billingsley, Jr. DEM Qualified
Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. DEM
Allen B. Jackson DEM
Dale V.C. Holness DEM Endorsed

PUBLIC DEFENDER, 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Alex Arreaza DEM
Howard Finkelstein DEM

CIRCUIT JUDGE 17TH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT, GROUP 3
Bernard Isaac “Bernie” Bober
Pedro E. Dijols
Mardi Anne Levey Qualified

CIRCUIT JUDGE 17TH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT, GROUP 21
Merrilee Ehrlich
Paul D. Eichner Endorsed
John Robert Howes

CIRCUIT JUDGE 17TH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT, GROUP 27
Steven Brian Feren Endorsed
Mark W. Rickard
Ed Sugar

CIRCUIT JUDGE 17TH JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT, GROUP 34
Renee Goldenberg Endorsed
Kim T. Mollica

COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 18
Ellen A. Feld Qualified
Julio E. Gonzalez Qualified

COUNTY COURT JUDGE, GROUP 27
Catalina M. Avalos Endorsed
Ian Richards

SCHOOL BOARD AT LARGE, SEAT 9
Robin Bartleman Endorsed
Dee Schroeder

COUNTY REFERENDUM
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT
Shall the County Charter be amended to require that, for all elections, beginning with the November 4, 2008, General Election, the County Auditor prepare, and the County Commission place on the ballot, immediately following the ballot question, a separate financial impact statement, not exceeding seventy-five words, estimating the increase or decrease in revenues or costs to the County resulting from approval of any proposed Charter amendment? Recommends Yes

Updated on Lauderhill

The following is some information that may be of interest concerning the ongoing activities of the city:

ADMINISTRATION:

GO Bond - 66% of GO Bonds projects are complete. Approximately 1/2 of the money has been spent. The bond was approved by voters 11/12/04, the Official Issue Date of the bond was 8/18/05, the required completion date for projects under the GO Bond is August 17, 2010.

CODE/BUILDING SERVICES:

Commercial Blvd. Shoppes - Petsmart and Office Max are awaiting TCO finals and TCO package.

The Villas had a meeting, and they are shortly expected to submit plans to the city.

Code Enforcement issued 75 Notices of Violation and 4 tickets for the week of July 28.

The city has hired a contractor to cut the over grown grass for abandoned property around the city. Six more empty homes were found last week.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA):

We are receiving $30,000 for grant from the Design Arts Panel for a Cultural Planning Grant. The request was for $45,000, but due to budget cuts the County only funded $30,000 for the entire year. We were the only applicant.

The Broward Alliance is co-sponsoring the joint booth at the ULI Conference in Miami coming up in October.

DEES:

Completed the layout for Renaissance Park wall installation.

FIRE-RESCUE:

Meeting occurred to discuss special events at the Central Regional Park.

Working on Vehicle Accident Revenue Study

Bid was reviewed for Station 73 addition.

Staff is redesigning the Paint Palette Program.

The department, for the week of July 28, responded to 5 fire calls, 148 EMS calls, 1 hazardous condition call, 26 false calls. Average response time was under 6 minutes.

PALS:

The city terminated Quality Transportation contract, and is entering into a contract with Limousines of South Florida to provide Community Shuttle Bus service in the city.

Ridership on the Community Shuttle Bus was 28,791 in May, averaging 1300/day of operation. That is up from the last report of 1200/day.

Demand response transport was 405.

A women's exercises group was started by a volunteer (Looby) at the Sports Park. See preceding article on this topic.

PLANNING & ZONING:

Ongoing Projects
* Smart Code
* Ten Year Water Supply Plan
* Lauderhill City Center DRI
* EAR Based Amendments
* LEED Certification/Green Building

COMMENDATIONS:

Letter was received from USDOT to the police department notifying them that they had been declared the 2007-8 International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Challenge First Place Winner for Municipalities (101-200 sworn officers).

Letter was received from the Police Chief of Maplewood, NJ, thanking Det. Robert Chifford for his assistance with locating a suspect who had been calling in numerous bogus bomb threats in his city.

Broward Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Bus Route Changes

The Broward County Commission will hold a public hearing at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, to receive public comments on proposed changes to Broward County Transit (BCT) routes 2, 4, 5, 7, 16, 28 and the new, proposed “University Drive Breeze” service. If approved by the Commission, the changes would become effective on Sunday, September 21. To view maps of the proposed routes, visit www.broward.org/bct.

The new, limited-stop “University Breeze” service will travel along University Drive from Westview Drive in Coral Springs to Northwest 183 Street in North Miami-Dade County, continuing to State Road 441, then south to the Golden Glades Park and Ride lot, making stops at major street intersections only. Service frequency will be every 30 minutes on weekdays during morning and afternoon peak hours. There will be no service during the midday and on weekends.

Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to participate in the public hearing should call 954-357-8355 or 954-357-8302 (TTY) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. For persons unable to attend the meeting, comments should be mailed to Broward County Transit, Marketing Section, 3201 W. Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069.

Broward County Transit Hosts Public Workshops On Transportation Development Plan

Broward County Transit (BCT) is hosting a public workshop to receive public input on a multi-year Transportation Development Plan (TDP) that provides guidance on the capital and operating priorities for public transit for 2009 through 2018.

The public workshop is designed to provide feedback to the Broward County Commission for developing a public transportation plan to meet current and future needs of Broward County residents and visitors.

The workshop will be held as follows:

• Thursday, August 14, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.,
Broward County Lauderhill Towne Centre Library
6399 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderhill
Accessible by BCT route 72

The public will be asked to provide their comments to the following questions: What are the three major public transportation issues in our region? What should be done now and in the future to improve public transportation?

Comments to the workshop should be sent to bctsurvey@broward.org. Please indicate in the subject field: TDP Workshop Comments. To learn more about the TDP, go to www.broward.org/bct/transitplan.htm.

For additional information about the meeting, or to request an interpreter for the hearing impaired, contact Jonathan Roberson, Broward County Transportation Department, at 954-357-8338.

Central Lauderhill Resident’s Association Announces the 3rd Annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Giveaway Resource Fair

The Back to School Book Bag and School Supply Giveaway Resource Fair is on Saturday, August 9, 2008, from 10 AM – 3 PM, at the Lauderhill Boys & Girls Club. (1900 NW 55th Ave.)

Parents be advised: Children must come with an adult and an ID proving Lauderhill residency. Supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a two (2) book bag limit per family.

The Back to School Book Bag and School Supply Giveaway Resource Fair will also promote literacy and health awareness for families with children K-12. There will be books for children and teens, health education, back to school physicals, and supplies including book bags, pencils, pens, and crayons.

For more information, contact Beryl Collins at 954-321-8322 or 954-609-3033.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Opening of a New Passive Park

The City of Lauderhill will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony, opening a new park located in the West Ken Lark Neighborhood.

On Friday, the 1st of August, 2008, at 10 AM, the residents of West Ken Lark will join Lauderhill’s City Commission to celebrate the opening of a new beautifully landscaped Passive Park at NW 32 Avenue and NW 17 Street.

The idle land was generally described by residents as an eye soar. Residents and members of the West Ken Lark Homeowners’ Association asked the City Commission to transform the quarter of an acre into a Passive Park. Through the City’s General Obligation bond dollars $46,000 was designated to develop this beautiful new Passive Park, located at 3255 NW 17 Street. The President of the West Ken Lark Homeowners’ Association, Mr. James Bradley, states, “I am very happy that the community of West Ken Lark has another park to for everyone to enjoy!”

The New Passive 17th Street Park, similarly to the newly opened Renaissance Park, was developed by the City’s Department of Environmental and Engineering Services employees rather than a contractor to help save money. The staff constructed meandering concrete sidewalks, planted Bahia Sod, new shrubbery and plants – which all require less water than other types of sod and plants. In addition, they transported mature trees that were once on the site of the old City Hall site that was recently demolished. The Park also includes a bike rack and will soon have benches as well.

Join Mr. Bradley, the residents of Lauderhill, and City Officials, as we celebrate the opening of the new NW 17 Street Passive Park in West Ken Lark, Friday, the 1st of August at 10 AM!

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, please call 954-730-3000.

New Lauderhill Libraries Hours

The Broward County Commission has, due to budgetary cuts, set new reduced hours for the county libraries serving Lauderhill, effective August 1, 2008. The new hours are:

Lauderhill Mall Libary
Sunday & Friday - Closed
Monday & Wednesday - 12 to 8 PM
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM

Lauderhill Towne Center Library
Sunday & Friday - Closed
Monday & Tuesday - 12 to 8 PM
Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM

OUTLOOK: CONGRESS SET TO CLEAR HOUSING BILL

Congress this week appears slated to clear the biggest housing
package in a generation, a measure that would provide help for at-risk
subprime borrowers, place a tough new regulator in charge of Fannie Mae
and Freddie Mac, create an affordable housing trust fund and provide tax
breaks to spur homebuying.

The package was placed on the fast-track when Treasury Secretary
Paulson last week asked lawmakers to include a plan to help Fannie and
Freddie, whose stock plummeted over fears they are undercapitalized.

The proposal would provide a temporary increase for the line of
credit the two have with Treasury and allow the department to purchase
equity in the two and grant the Federal Reserve new powers so it can
consult their regulator on setting capital standards for Fannie and
Freddie. Lawmakers are expected to place restrictions on the plan to
limit taxpayer liability.

In exchange for inclusion of the plan, House Democrats demanded
that about $4 billion in Community Development Block Grant funding for
communities to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed homes be attached,
despite a White House veto threat over the provision.

House Speaker Pelosi last week predicted the president would not
veto the package with the block grant funding in the face of Fannie's
and Freddie's troubles.

The House is slated to vote Wednesday on the package, which
includes a revamp of the oversight at Fannie, Freddie and the Federal
Home Loan Bank System; an overhaul of the Federal Housing
Administration's mortgage insurance program, and allow the FHA to
guarantee up to $300 billion in new loans for at-risk subprime
borrowers.

It also would siphon some of Fannie's and Freddie's new business
to create an affordable-housing trust fund, providing about $500 million
annually to low-income residents.

The Senate is expected to take up the measure and clear it by
the end of the week.

House to Consider $8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Shortfall Remedy and Update on House Passes Bill

The House of Representatives is reportedly prepared to consider legislation Wednesday to transfer $8.017 billion to the Highway Trust Fund to offset a projected shortfall in Fiscal Year 2009.

Sources indicate that the House leadership plans to expedite the bill, introduced last Thursday, to a floor vote using a procedure known as suspension of the rules. Under such a maneuver, the bill can bypass a committee hearing and gain House passage if at least two-thirds of representatives vote "yes." The procedure is commonly used in the House to pass noncontroversial legislation.

The bill, HR 6532, was introduced by House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. Its cosponsors include House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-Minn., and John Mica, R-Fla., the T&I Committee's ranking minority member.

"We appreciate the strong support being shown by members of both the House and Senate to solve this critical problem, and keep America's transportation projects moving forward," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. Several organizations have sent letters to members of the House today urging approval of the measure.

"The nation's highway system has significant capital, operating, and maintenance needs, and state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations have developed long-term transportation investment plans based on anticipated guaranteed funding levels," wrote R. Bruce Josten, executive vice president for government affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "A reduction in guaranteed spending in 2009 would disrupt projects already underway and further delay necessary maintenance, upgrades, and expansion of our nation's infrastructure."

The National Association of Manufacturers told representatives an infusion of cash to the Highway Trust Fund is important to prevent a deficit that would adversely affect everyone in the nation who supplies materials for highway construction.

The House's planned vote Wednesday follows efforts earlier this month by Senate transportation appropriations leaders Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Kit Bond, R-Mo., to also provide an injection of $8.017 billion to the trust fund. The Senate Appropriations Committee included the provision two weeks ago in reporting out the FY 2009 transportation spending bill. Senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley, leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, have also led efforts for action to restore solvency to the Highway Trust Fund.

The president's budget proposal in February projected that the trust fund would show a deficit of at least $3.3 billion in FY 2009 because expenditures have exceeded the trust fund balance. A new forecast is due from the U.S. Treasury Department in late July.

A transfer of $8.017 billion to the Highway Trust Fund would match the exact amount transferred out of the fund into general revenue in 1998 as part of an agreement negotiated to win passage of such provisions as funding guarantees and budget firewalls for the trust fund programs.

AASHTO and other organizations have warned Congress and the states that the $3.3 billion cash shortfall forecast in the trust fund's Highway Account for FY 2009 would result in a cut of $14 billion in federal highway funding because of the way federal highway funds are disbursed over several years.

"With the impending deficit in the HTF, many states are making plans to drastically scale back state road programs," wrote Jennifer Wilson, president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association. "Industry experts calculate the funding cuts will result in job losses nationwide totaling 380,000."

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UPDATE - House Passes Highway Funding Bill, Brushing Aside Veto Threat

From Congressional Quarterly, By Colby Itkowitz, CQ Staff

Ignoring a White House veto threat, the House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed legislation designed to shore up the federal Highway Trust Fund with $8 billion in general revenue.

Despite the president’s threat and opposition from some Republicans, the House passed the bill by 387-37. That was substantially more than the two-thirds majority required under the expedited procedure used for consideration of the bill.

“I wish as one of the strongest conservatives in the House to have some other alternative to bring you today, but I do not have that,” John L. Mica, R-Fla., the ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said.

The Highway Trust Fund earlier was expected to have a $3 billion shortfall in 2009, but new estimates scheduled to be released next week show that figure could increase to $6 billion as Americans drive less in response to $4 per gallon gasoline prices. The trust fund is financed through an 18.4-cents-per- gallon excise tax on gasoline.

Unless more revenue becomes available, hundreds of projects authorized in the 2005 highway law could not start and ones already in progress could have to be stretched out.

But the White House said in a statement of administration policy that Congress needs to come up with a better way to shore up the trust fund.

“This bill is both a gimmick and a dangerous precedent that shifts costs from users to taxpayers at large,” the White House said. “Moreover, the measure would unnecessarily increase the deficit and would place any hope of future, responsible constraints on highway spending in jeopardy.”

The Bush administration had suggested borrowing $3.2 billion from the federal mass transit account to cover the highway shortfall, but that was quickly rejected by most lawmakers.

Republicans on the House Budget Committee opposed the measure, as did their counterparts on the Appropriations Committee.

But most members of both parties were more concerned about keeping highway dollars flowing.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn, chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, promised that his committee will come up with creative financing when it tackles a rewrite of the surface transportation law next year. But he said that they were racing the clock to avoid a disruptive shortfall in the meantime.

Looby's Angels Meet for Cardio Exercise

Looby's Angels is a group of approximately 40 to 50 women to meet three days a week at the Sports Park for cardio exercise. The coach is Looby, hence the name Looby's Angels. Meetings are on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from 8 PM to 9:15 PM. The class is free--and it is asked that the participants come with a good attitude and enthusiasm.

The women in the group range in ages from 18 through 72 and are almost all professionals. With so many different talent and experiences in the group, the group is looking to give back to the community and volunteer. To that end, the group is also currently organizing a can food drive and planning visits to local nursing homes and community centers.

Activities at Veteran's Park

Veteran's Park, 7600 NW 50th Street, holds several classes and activities:

JAZZERCISE
Monday - Thursday, 6 PM to 7 PM
$35/month (no contract); 8 week Pass (unlimited use) $86; One class - $10
Contact: Kim Vienneau, 954-698-9707; http://www.jazzercise.com/

JUDO
Monday and Wednesdays, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Ages 6 and older
Registration Fee $25; Monthly Fee $50
Contact: Mike Cobb, 954-473-9679

KENDO
Fridays, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Ages 12 and older
Registration Fee $25; Monthly Fee $50
Contact: Mike cobb, 954-473-9679

SOCCER
In House Team, Ages 5-10, $120/child
Traveling Team, Ages 9-18, $200/child
Contact: Keith Davis, 954-587-5401/954-793-7782

SCRABBLE CLUB #276
Wednesdays 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fee $3
Contact: Sandy Bloom 954-726-6449

TAE KWON DO
Tuesdays and Thursday
Beginner's/Children's Classes 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM
Adult Classes 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Come watch or participate in 1 free class
Registration Fee $15; Monthly Fee $30/$40
Contact Master Tony Dodd, 561-866-1952

YOGA
Tuesdays, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
10 Classes for $100 or $12/class
Contact: Evelyn Freiberg, 954-721-8110

CAMERA CLUB
2nd and 4th Wednesday each Month
Contact: Warren Dorfman, 954-971-1495

DANCE
Saturdays 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Registration Fee $10/Semester Fee $150
Contact: Terry Stonom, 954-321-1412/954-544-0479
Email: tstonom@mtbbc.org, Web Site: http://www.tessence.org/

TAI CHI IN THE PARK
Tai Chi/Qiqong/Meditation
Fridays 7 PM - 9 PM and Sunday 9 AM - 11 AM
Contact: Shifu Abbey Rader, 954-663-8118; Email: abbeyrader@hotmail.com

NAUTILUS WEIGHT ROOM
Call Veterans's Park for information, 954-572-1459

WEEKEND POOL PARTIES
Call Veterans Park for Information, 954-572-1459

Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Workshop July 26

Lauderhill Police Department Wins National Award

The Lauderhill Police Department won first place in their category, for it's traffic initiatives in the City. This award was given by the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Challenge. This is the first time a Florida municipal agency has ever won this award.

Notes of Commission Meeting of July 14

On July 14, the City Commission met at a Regular Meeting (the last one before Summer Recess until August 25), and the following items of interest were discussed:

PRESENTATIONS:

A PRESENTATION BY IRVIN KIFFIN, DIRECTOR, PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES, RECOGNIZING THE LAUDERHILL ANGELS NETBALL UNDER 14 TEAM FOR WINING THE NATIONAL U-14 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.


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

1. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-07-129: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AMENDING THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL TO INCLUDE THOSE AREAS ANNEXED AND TO EXCLUDE THOSE AREAS DEANNEXED AS A RESULT OF THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1071


ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING:

2. ORDINANCE NO. 080-06-125: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM TO CREATE A CITIZENS’ BILL OF RIGHTS BASED UPON RIGHTS ALREADY PROVIDED WITHIN FLORIDA STATE LAW AND CONTAINED IN THE CHARTER AND CODE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.


RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

3. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-166: THE COMMISSION BIFROCATED THE TWO SECTIONS IN 2 SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS. AS TO PERMITTING BROWARD CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TO ENDORSE THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) APPLICATION TO SHUT DOWN STATE ROAD 7/U.S. 441 FOR THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 12, 2008 FROM 1 P.M. UNTIL 6 P.M., THE COMMISSION TABLED THE REQUEST UNTIL THE CITY ADMINISTRATION CAN REVIEW IT FURTHER AND THEN TO BRING IT BACK TO A SPECIAL MEETING. AS TO AUTHORIZING THE BCCI TO MAKE TWO (2) PARTIAL PAYMENTS TO THE CITY AS IT RELATES TO POLICE AND FIRE DETAILS FOR THE CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL EVENT WITH A 15% DOWN PAYMENT NOW IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,982.00 AND TO PAY THE BALANCE DUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,234.00 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT, INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED PAYMENT IN FULL IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,217.00 AT LEAST 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT THE COMMISSION APPROVAL THE REQUEST; (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS).


BUSINESS/ NEIGHBORHOOD ENRICHMENT

4. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-167: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2008/2009 SHIP BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $567,130.00.

5. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-168: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ONE YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009; BUDGETING $807,337.00 IN CDBG FUNDS TO VARIOUS PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.

6. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-169: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE AMENDMENT TO THE LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN (LHAP) FOR THE STATE HOUSING INITIATIVE PROGRAM (SHIP) TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT FOR THE PURCHASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM $10,000.00 TO $20,000.00 AND TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT FOR THE MINOR HOME REPAIR AND DISASTER MITIGATION AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS FROM $15,000.00 TO $20,000.00.


PARKS AND LEISURE SERVICES

7. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-170: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND RITA BOURNE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SWIM INSTRUCTORS SERVING THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL WHICH WILL INCREASE REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL WITHOUT THE COST OF ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.


POLICE DEPARTMENT

8. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-171: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DONATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,800.00 FROM THE STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS TO SUPPORT DRUG TREATMENT, DRUG EDUCATION OR DRUG PREVENTION, CRIME PREVENTION, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, OR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE GUIDELINES.

9. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-172: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00 FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND TO THE FAMILY LITERACY & LIFESKILLS PROGRAM THROUGH MATTOD & ASSOCIATES FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DRIFTWOOD TERRACE APARTMENTS GED PROGRAM.

10. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-173: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL ACCEPTING THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,333.00; ACKNOWLEDGING THAT NO MATCHING FUNDS ARE REQUIRED; AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF THOSE FUNDS TO INDIVIDUAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS AS REQUESTED.


QUASI JUDICIAL - FIRST READING:

11. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-07-174: APPROVED A RESOLUTION GRANTING TO RAISING INDIVIDUAL STUDENT EXCELLENCE (RISE) EDUCATION SCHOOLS, INC. A SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW A CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (GRADES K THROUGH 5TH) WITH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND AFTERSCHOOL CHILD CARE SERVICES TO SHARE SPACE WITH SMART SCHOOL, INC, A CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL AT 3698 N.W. 15TH STREET, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA BY A 4-1 VOTE. COMMISSION BENSON VOTING AGAINST IT.

Activities at Sadkin Center

Sadkin Center, located at 1176 NW 42nd Way, has numerous activities for active adults to participate in. The following is a list of those activities:

Billiards - M-F 8am to 9pm, Free
Bingo - Wednesday 11am to 1:45pm, $6/10
Art Class - Thursday 10am to 10:30am, Free
Beading Class - Wednesday 10am to 10:45am, Free
Current Events - M-F 10am to 11 am, Free
Dominoes - M-F 9am to 3 pm, Free
Art Therapy - Monday 10am to 11 am, Free
Fitness Class, Tuesday & Thursday, 9am to 10 am, Free
Game time - M-F 8am to 11:30 am, Free
Lunch Program - M-F 11am, Donations
Nautilus, M-F 8am to noon, Free
Socialization - M-F 8am to 12:30pm, Free
Movies & Popcorn - Friday 10am to noon, Free
S.H.I.N.E., By Appointment Only call 800-963-5337 - 9:30am to noon, Free

Upcoming Special Events:

**** Wednesday July 23 at 10:30 am Free FTRI Telephones to help you "hear better" on the phone. Defective FTRI units will be exchanged for working units for free also. One telephone/person. Call Terry Johnson at 954-321-2450

**** Book Review Thursdays - July 24, August 21 & September 25 at 10 am

**** Sea Escape Boat Ride, Thursday, September 11, 8am to 4:30pm, $30.95

A View of New West Ken Lark Park

U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings Announces $677,000 Federal Grant for U.S. 441/State Road 7 Interchange in Lauderhill

U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding a $676,935 grant for the U.S. 441/State Road 7 Interchange at 11th Street in Lauderhill. The funding, which will help increase access to the new Central Broward Regional Park, including the Park’s cricket fields, regional library, and performing arts center, was secured by Representative Hastings in the Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

“This grant supports the City of Lauderhill’s efforts to develop and grow while placing a special emphasis on the Regional Park and all that it offers Broward residents,” said Representative Hastings. “This interchange project is part of a larger county-wide revitalization of the U.S. 441/State Road 7 corridor on which I have been working tirelessly for years. I am so pleased that the federal government is making this necessary investment along the corridor encouraging continued growth to meet the needs of our community.”

“The interchange improvements at U.S. 441/State Road 7 are vital to the economic and cultural development of Central Broward County,” said Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan. “We are grateful our Congressman Alcee Hastings has made this possible.”

“I am excited about the opportunity this affords the State Road 7 corridor and thank Congressman Hastings for obtaining the federal funds,” added Lauderhill Vice-Mayor Margaret Bates.

Representative Hastings has made improving the U.S. 441/State Road 7 corridor a top priority. In 2005, he was successful in securing federal authorization for improved mass transit along the road which made Broward County eligible for millions in federal funding to make improvements along the road. He also secured $300,000 in the House of Representatives in Fiscal Year 2007 for the interchange, though the funding was lost when Senate Republicans blocked it from becoming law.

Federal Update Affecting Cities

Senate Stalled, Not Deadlocked, on Housing Bill
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act, H.R. 3221, a landmark federal housing reform and foreclosure prevention bill, was on track to pass the Senate by a veto-proof margin last week. Consideration came to an abrupt halt after a dispute on an amendment offered by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) that would extend several energy tax breaks.

Underlying the dispute is the fact that House and Senate leaders are still negotiating how to pay for the bill. Unlike the Senate, the House pay-go rules require that new non-emergency spending not add to the federal deficit. The Ensign amendment, which contains no offsets, would likely fail the pay-go rules and could ultimately doom the entire bill.

In addition to Sen. Ensign’s amendment, another pay-go issue to be addressed is the one-time allocation of nearly $4 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to cities and states to help stabilize neighborhoods affected by high foreclosure rates. Although the CDBG funding under the bill contains no offsets, the Senate has designated these funds as “emergency spending,” so no off-set is required. However, it isn’t clear if a majority of the House members will accept the “emergency spending” designation, particularly the fiscally conservative “Blue-Dog” Democrats who are organized around the principal of fiscal discipline.

House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) has stated he would not object to eliminating the CDBG funding if keeping it in jeopardizes passage of the overall bill. NLC and other local government and housing groups are strongly urging House and Senate members to retain the CDBG funding in the bill and are lobbying Blue-Dog Democrats for their support. A list of Blue-Dog Democrats can be found at: www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/. The Senate is expected to resume action on the bill next week.

Work on Spending Bills Gets Underway
Before returning home for the July Fourth recess, House and Senate committees began action on the FY 2009 spending bills. While Congress is in the early stages of the appropriations process that will fund federal programs for FY 2009 and may not complete the process until after a new President is in office, funding recommendations emerging from Senate and House appropriations committee are, so far, generally favorable for federal programs important to cities and towns. The process resumes when Congress returns to the Washington the week of June 7th. We are a long way from the finish line, but the following are our general observations of committee work to date on programs important to cities and towns:

Crime Prevention Programs
House and Senate appropriators are rejecting the President’s proposed $1 billion cuts in funding for local crime prevention and law enforcement activities, including the elimination of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and the consolidation of virtually all federal public safety and crime prevention grant programs important to local governments.

Housing and Community Revitalization Programs
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development is recommending an allocation of $66.7 billion for transportation programs and $41.5 billion for housing programs, rejecting the majority of the Administration’s proposed cuts in the programs (including CDBG) and reflecting the impact of the skyrocketing home mortgage defaults by shifting priorities to affordable rental housing programs. The Subcommittee has not addressed the anticipated shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund.

Energy Programs
The House Appropriations Committee has approved funding for energy programs, including an initial commitment of $295 million to support the startup of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, an increase in renewable energy program and rejected elimination of the weatherization assistance program.

Environmental Programs
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies rejected proposed cuts in programs important to cities and towns by keeping most programs at current levels and increasing funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Homeland Security Programs
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees both rejected the cuts for state and local homeland security grants recommended by the President.

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Programs
The Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services and Education are recommending funding increase es in many of the programs that are important to cities in a wide range of human services, education and workforce programs.

Bill Would Require Uniform Treatment of Municipal, Corporate Bonds
House Financial Services Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) and House Ways and Means Subcommittee Chair Richard Neal (D-MA) have introduced legislation to require rating agencies to provide equal treatment for municipal bonds. The Municipal Bond Fairness Act, H.R. 6308, which NLC supports, will eliminate the ability of the rating agencies to use separate standards for municipal bonds and other bonds. The practice of using a separate scale for corporate bonds and municipal bonds that the industry has employed for many years has in many cases caused high quality general obligation bonds to be rated lower than comparable corporate bonds. This legislation would eliminate that unfair situation by requiring those credit rating agencies that choose to seek designation as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) to use rating symbols consistently for every security to which they are assigned. Although it has been introduced and may get a hearing, the legislation is unlikely to get floor action this year.

House Reauthorizes Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program
On June 25, the House of Representatives voted 406-11 in support of H.R. 3546, which reauthorizes (but does not appropriate money for) the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne JAG). The reauthorization bill provides up to $1.1 billion per year through 2012 for funding local crime prevention, drug task force, and anti-gang initiatives. The House bill is identical to the version the Senate passed by unanimous consent last year.

The President has called for the elimination of the program, but has not indicated whether he will sign or veto the bill.

COURTS

Sixth Circuit Rules Against Local Governments
As reported last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit denied our request for relief from a federal rule that preempts local government control in the video franchising process. Instead, the Court upheld an FCC rule issued in March 2007 that severely restricts the ability of local governments to protect their citizens, rights of way, community channels and public safety networks in the franchise process.

A coalition of other national groups argued that the FCC did not have statutory authority over the local franchise process. The 6th Circuit three-judge panel unanimously disagreed and determined that the FCC has authority over the state and local regulators who authorize new video franchises in their markets. The judges also ruled that the FCC “did not engage in arbitrary and capricious rulemaking” when it adopted the rule, which, among other things, imposed a “shot-clock” of 90 or 180 days by which local franchise authorities must act on new applications for cable franchises regardless of local circumstances and limited local governments’ ability to ensure that all of their citizens benefit from competition and advances in telecommunications technology – not just a chosen few.

In a response to the decision, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said the court “recognized and unanimously supported the Commission’s authority.” Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, who voted against the rule, said in a written statement that “the FCC apparently has more expansive authority than many believed. The good news is that we can use our authority to promote competitive video offerings, while also protecting consumers and public access.”

Coalition members, which include NLC, NATOA, USCM, and NACo, are reviewing the case and discussing our options.

Notes of the Regular Commission Meetings of June 30

On June 30, the City Commission met in a Regular Meeting, and the following are some points of interests:

ORDINANCES-FIRST READING:

1. ORDINANCE NO. 080-06-125: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER, TO CREATE SECTION 1.04, CITIZENS’ BILL OF RIGHTS, TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT NOVEMBER 4. After an amendment was passed (3 to 2) to the item, clarifying where the rights come from, Florida Statute or City Charter, passed 5-0.


ORDINANCES-SECOND READING:

2. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-123: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER TO ELIMINATE THE POSITION OF DEPUTY VICE MAYOR TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT NOVEMBER 4, 2008. (Passed 4-1, Mayor Kaplan voting against).

3. ORDINANCE NO 08O-06-124: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT NOVEMBER 4, 2008, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2006, PROVIDING TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS TO SERVE NO MORE THAN THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE FOUR-YEAR TERMS.

4. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-126: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER, ADDING A PROVISION REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR A PUBLIC REPRIMAND WHICH WILL REQUIRE A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION WHEN A COMMISSIONER INTERFERES WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, OR AS OTHERWISE PRESCRIBED BY LAW.

5. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-127: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER AMENDING THE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING WHEN TO HOLD THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW CITY COMMISSION TO BE 14 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION (so as to provide sufficient time for the Supervisor of Election to certify the election).


ORDINANCES-THIRD READING:

6. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-02-105: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE TO ADD LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE HOME, HOWEVER PROHIBITING SUCH USE UNLESS VESTED BEFORE FEBRUARY 15TH, 2008; ADDING PROVISIONS REGARDING PERSONNEL, PRE-REQUISITES, GROUPS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.


RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

7. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-163: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH PETIONVILLE, HAITI, TO DEVELOP BUSINESS, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES FOR EACH OTHERS BENEFIT. (REQUESTED BY COMMISSION HOLNESS).

8. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-149: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR A COLLABORATIVE, MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL APPROACH TO ADDRESS COUNTY-WIDE WATER RESOURCES NEEDS; ESTABLISHING THE BROWARD WATER RESOURCES TASK FORCE COMPOSED OF ELECTED COUNTY AND CITY COMMISSIONERS, AND OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD, SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICTS; AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF A TECHNICAL/PROFESSIONAL STAFF WORKGROUP TO ADVISE THE TASK FORCE; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; PROVIDING FOR MEETINGS OF THE TASK FORCE AND TECHNICAL/PROFESSIONAL STAFF WORKGROUP; PROVIDING FOR STAFF SUPPORT(REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

9. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-150: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE DR. BOBBY JONES COMPLEX FOR EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION IN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES AND COMMISSIONER HAYWARD J. BENSON, JR.).


D.E.E.S.

10. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-157: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AWARD OF BID TO COASTAL CONTRACTING & DEVELOPMENT, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $190,000.00 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN PLANS AND CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR (4) BUS SHELTERS ON STATE ROAD 7/U.S. 411 INCLUDING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL APPROVAL, EARTHWORK, FOUNDATION, SHELTER STRUCTURE, ROOFING, ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES, SOLAR LIGHTING AND BENCHES, AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.


POLICE

11. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-158: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL FORFEITURE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,380.00 TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A MOBILE OPEN AREA SURVEILLANCE TOWER (SKY WATCH) FROM ICX HEIGHTS CORPORATION.

12. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-160: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DONATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,800.00 FROM THE STATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) TO VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS TO SUPPORT DRUG TREATMENT, DRUG EDUCATION OR DRUG PREVENTION, CRIME PREVENTION, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD, OR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE GUIDELINES.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

13. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-161: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER ACCELERATED LEARNING SOLUTIONS, INC., A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION PARTNERS, INC., TO ALLOW A CHARTER SECONDARY SCHOOL ON PROPERTY MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE AAA PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 4800 NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA.


OLD BUSINESS:

A. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-05-120: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING THE REMAINING MEMBERS TO THE LAUDERHILL LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 420.9076.

B. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-137: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING AN ADDITIONAL MEMBER TO THE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL.


NEW BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION/UPDATE OF STATUS OF PINE ISLAND ROAD - The City and County Commmissioner Ilene Lieberman have worked out terms to resolve difference on the construction of the wall, and are proceeding forward to finalize them.

Housing Stabilization Bill on Hold in Senate

Senate efforts have stalled to pass a landmark bill that would address the housing and mortgage foreclosure crisis and strengthen the economy by fostering stabilization of the housing market. The fate of H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, remains in limbo because of a dispute over an amendment that would extend a series of energy-related tax provisions.

The dispute is significant enough that passage of the massive housing package may not take place until after the upcoming July 4 recess. Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) is pushing to offer the energy provision and said he was willing to use all the procedural tools at his disposal to try to force a vote on his amendment. The provision has no offsets and Democratic leaders have indicated that they will not accept the amendment in its current form.

The Bill passed the House of Representatives in May and is trying to work through the Senate House conference committee to address a few remaining differences. Once agreed to by both houses, the bill can be sent to the President before the month-long August recess.

The bill, which has the bipartisan support of both Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), would give the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks much more active roles in helping families at risk of foreclosure.

The bill would authorize FHA to refinance up to $300 billion in distressed mortgage loans under a temporary “HOPE for Homeowners” program that would help an estimated 400,000 homeowners in danger of losing their homes by enabling them to refinance their mortgages into smaller, lower-interest conventional loans. In exchange for this assistance, homeowners under the program would be required to share any future appreciation in home value with FHA.

Lenders would also have to forgive a portion of the loan’s balance to qualify. In exchange, the lender holding the original mortgage would get a final payout guaranteed by FHA insurance regardless of the homeowner’s future ability to repay the refinanced loan.

The new program includes a number of conditions to ensure property speculators do not benefit, including a requirement that qualified homes must be owner-occupied.

The bill would also establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund funded by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of the affordable housing goals Congress set for the government-sponsored entities. The HOPE for Homeowners program would initially be financed by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, after which the funds would go solely to the construction of new affordable housing.

Cities and states affected by high foreclosure rates would also get help to mitigate the negative effects of the foreclosure crisis on neighborhoods and municipal budgets.

The bill would make a one-time emergency allocation of nearly $4 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to cities and states to help stabilize neighborhoods distressed by rising rates of vacant housing caused by foreclosure. These funds, which would go only to cities with very high foreclosure rates, would be in addition to the funding provided for CDBG formula grants under the normal appropriations process.

The bill would also give Federal Home Loan Banks new authority to guarantee tax-exempt municipal bonds as an alternative to traditional bond insurance, giving cities a new competitive financing option for community and economic development and infrastructure improvement projects. The President has objected to both provisions, and has warned that their inclusion could lead him veto the bill.

One troubling provision is that the bill would provide a temporary new standard deduction for homeowners who pay state and local property taxes, but do not itemize their income tax deductions on their federal returns. Unlike the House-passed bill, which provides an unconditional deduction, in the Senate version, homeowners would be ineligible for the deduction if the state or local jurisdiction raises property taxes. House Democratic staffers have indicated the House will likely insist on the unconditional deduction when House-Senate negotiations begin.

July 4th Celebration

On Friday, July 4, the City of Lauderhill in conjunction with the Cricket Council USA, will hold the Freedom T20 Cricket Tournament. 20/20 Cricket will be played all day long with musical entertainment, and fireworks in the evening.

The Festivities are FREE to the public, though the county will charge a $1.50 as a park entry fee. For more information call 954-730-3000, or for details on the cricket matches call 561-361-1700.