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.

Lauderhill Angels in the News - Netball

Lauderhill Angels Played in Jamaica at the InSport U13 Netball Tournament

The Lauderhill Angels U-13 team is in high spirits after an impressive showing in Jamaica last week at the Insport U-13 tournament. The Angels won their games against Saint Patrick 4-2, Quest 5-4 and Mona (Primary School Champs) 9-5. The team was defeated by 1 point in a semi-final thriller by Clan Carty (last years Insport and Primary school champs) 4-5. Although they lost both games to Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls U-13 (A) team 3-10 and 5-8 to their (B) team, Coach Robert Whyte asserts that they need games like these and expects them to benefit from the experience.


Lauderhill Angels in Atlanta

The Under 14 shut the lights off in Atlanta! Where they won the club division and won the area division for the Florida Netball Association. We hear they were really spectacular against NY. The U20’s were disappointed with a third place finish in the club division.


Lauderhill Angels will host at Home

Whats next? The Angels will host the 3rd annual Lauderhill Youth Netball Tournament Saturday July 5th at the Lauderhill Sports Park. Mavisville Prep, Mona Prep, Mona Primary and Quest Prep from the Jamaica school system will participate in this day of netball fun. Winners, a team from Coral Spring, as they have done in the past, will also participate along with other American teams.

FPL's Letter to the Mayor on a Mid-Year Fuel Adjustment Increase

As you know from news accounts and your own recent trips to the gas station, the cost of fuel has risen dramatically. Reflecting the worldwide trend in oil and natural gas markets, the dramatic increase in the cost of fuel is requiring Florida Power & Light Company to propose to the Florida Public Service Commission an increase in the pass-through fuel charge. We expect this to increase residential customer bills by approximately 16 percent.

We never like having to increase the price customers pay for electricity, however, the increase in fuel prices that we have been experiencing is extraordinary. This is not unique to FPL; utilities across the country are experiencing the same issue.

The price of natural gas, which fuels 50 percent of FPL’s electricity generation, has risen from $8.17 per million BTU in July 2007 (which formed the basis of FPL’s 2008 fuel filing) to $10.75 per million BTU in May 2008, a 32 percent increase. Fuel oil, which powers 8 percent of FPL’s electricity generation, has risen for the same period from $57.81 per barrel in July of 2007 to $89.02 per barrel in May of 2008, a 54 percent increase.

As a result, we project that $746 million will be needed to cover the additional fuel costs through the end of 2008. FPL is proposing to recover these costs through an increase in the pass-through fuel charge, which will increase a typical 1,000 kilowatt-hour monthly residential bill from $102.63 to $118.91, or 54 cents a day.

Following established regulatory procedure for a mid-course correction on the pass-through fuel charge, we have asked the PSC to vote on the adjustment at its July 1 meeting. If approved, the fuel adjustment would be reflected in customer bills from August through December 2008. FPL will file its 2009 fuel-price projections with the PSC this September.

It is important to note that FPL customers pay only actual fuel costs that the company incurs. When fuel prices go up, the additional costs are passed through to customers, and when fuel prices go down, the savings are also passed through to customers. There is no profit of any kind for FPL on fuel, which represents about 70 percent of the typical commercial/industrial electric bill.

FPL has taken numerous steps to mitigate the impact of fuel costs by improving the efficiency of its existing plants and building new generation facilities with low or no fuel costs:

· FPL’s fossil fuel power plant fleet is the most fuel efficient among large-scale utilities nationwide. The company has improved fleet fuel efficiency by 10 percent in the past five years and by 18 percent since 1990. As a fossil power plant increases in efficiency, it can generate the same megawatt hour of electricity with less fuel, thus saving money for FPL customers and producing fewer greenhouse gases.

· Looking forward, FPL has proposed to modernize its power plants at Riviera Beach and Cape Canaveral, a move that will save customers roughly $450 million in fuel and other savings over the life of the project. The new units will be considerably more efficient than the existing facilities, using 33 percent less fuel to produce the same amount of power.

· FPL is also in the process of upgrading its existing nuclear facilities to produce an additional 400 megawatts of power, which is the equivalent of a medium-sized fossil fuel plant. Fuel costs for nuclear plants are dramatically lower than for fossil-fuel generation, costing roughly half a cent per kilowatt hour compared to 7 cents for natural gas and 10 cents for fuel oil.

· FPL has also proposed building new solar and wind generation facilities in Florida. The fuel used to power these renewable energy sources is free.

· In addition to upgrading its power plants, FPL operates the country’s number one program for energy efficiency and conservation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Working with our customers, we have been able to avoid building 12 medium-sized power plants since 1980.

We recognize that higher electric bills will be a burden on our customers, and we are encouraging them to take advantage of the many programs we offer to help them manage their monthly electric bills. They can start by visiting www.FPL.com and clicking on the Energy Savings Toolkit, where they will find tips to manage their energy usage, as well as a Home Energy Survey to find out how they can make their homes more energy efficient. Customers can also sign up for Budget Billing, which allows them to smooth out the amount of their monthly bills over the course of a year.

We at FPL are committed to continuing to do whatever we can to deliver the most cost-effective, reliable service possible to all our customers. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me at 561-691-7114.

Sincerely yours,

Pam Rauch
Vice President
External Affairs

Public Hearing on Sunrise Turnpike Entrance

The Florida's Turnpike Enterprise Environmental Management Office will be utilizing the Sadkin Community Center on July 31st, from 5 pm – 8 pm for a public hearing. At the meeting, they will be discussing the improvements being made to the Turnpike Interchange at Sunrise Blvd. The public is welcome to attend and comment on the selected plan chosen to be used at the interchange.

Federal Legislation Affecting Cities

Senate Ends Debate Early on Climate Change Legislation
After three days of debate on a comprehensive climate change proposal that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Senate today failed to invoke cloture to end debate by a vote of 48-36. On Wednesday, opponents to the legislation stalled action by calling for a full reading of the nearly 500-page bill, a process that took nine hours. Debate ended without any discussion or votes on many of the expected amendments.

The legislation included $136 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, $171 billion to support mass transit, and tax relief for the energy needs of low-income consumers. The current legislative language will likely serve as a starting point for next year's debate.

Join Building America's Future Coalition
Building America's Future, a coalition founded by Pennsylvania Governor and former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, continues to call upon local government officials to join this national effort to "create an environment where infrastructure is treated as a national priority."

According to the coalition's website, "In the short term, the Coalition will work with the presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis, is committed to increasing federal funding, and that both party platforms reflect these commitments.

The Coalition will be made up of elected officials throughout the country serving in elected executive and legislative roles at the state and local levels of government. We will work closely with associations that represent these officials, like the National Governors Association, the US Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of County Officials, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the Council of State Governments."

Congress Passes Budget Resolution, Appropriations Delays Still Expected
Congress took the first step in the annual federal funding process by passing the Congressional Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009 (S.Con.Res. 70). The budget resolution, which is drafted b the majority party, does not become law but spells out the parameters for spending and tax bills and sets an overall spending cap for the 12 annual appropriations bills.

The budget resolution passed the Senate by a vote of 46-45 and the House by a vote of 214-210, largely along party lines. It calls for $24.5 billion more in fiscal year 2009 discretionary spending than the $991.6 billion the President requested.

The budget resolution rejects the President's recommended cuts to several programs important to cities, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Byrne State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program, and the COPS program.

The next step in the federal funding process, consideration of the 12 annual appropriations bills, is just beginning. Although the budget resolution would allow Congress to fund programs above the President's recommendation, President Bush has threatened to veto any appropriations bills that exceed his request. As a result, leaders in the House and Senate have acknowledged that action on the fiscal year 2009 spending bills will likely be delayed until after the next President is elected.

Notes of Commission Workshop of June 16

On June 16, the City Commission held its Regular Monthly Workshop. The following items of interest appeared:

1. STATE REPRESENTATIVE ARI PORTH GAVE A LEGISLATIVE REPORT ON WHAT PASSED AND WHAT DID NOT.

2. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BY RUSS KLENET GIVEN BY LAUDERHILL'S STATE LOBBYIST.

3. DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED CULTURAL CENTER (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES). Based upon the desire to building a performing arts center, the facility is not financially feasible to build. Discussion was to give staff direction on alternatives and ideas. Monies to be used from the city bond are to be used by 2010, unless we receive an adjustment to our plan. Staff was directed to come up with plans based upon comments. One of them was to combine the proposed Library with the Cultural Center/Performing Arts Center (with 500 seats hopefully).

4. DISCUSSION ON SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP WITH PETIONVILLE, HAITI (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER DALE V.C. HOLNESS). Consensus was to proceed.

5. DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO. 080-06-125 TABLED AT THE JUNE 9, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING:

ORDINANCE NO. 080-06-125: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM REGARDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL CHARTER, TO CREATE A CITIZENS’ BILL OF RIGHTS, TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT NOVEMBER 4, 2008. The Commission discussed this at a prior workshop, but it created significant confusion as to what this proposal would mean. The Commission directed the City Manager and City Attorney to review it against Florida Law and provide a matrix of its provisions. In this process, it was shown that each and every item in this Bill of Rights are already rights granted by Florida Law or by the City Charter, and therefore provides no new rights. Concern was expressed as to whether it would create more confusion than clarity, and truly would the public even understand what the proposal was about. It was expressed by the Mayor that it makes no sense to put a matter out there with a false hope that it gives something it doesn't. Commissioner Benson supported it. Vice-Mayor Bates had no objection to let it go forward. Mayor Kaplan and Commission Berger felt it should not go forward using the explanation above. Commission Holness had no opinion to go forward. Therefore, there was no consensus to put it on the agenda in the Commission's name. This does not prevent a Commissioner from putting it forth in their own name.

6. PRESENTATION ON ENTRANCE WAY SIGNS. Plans and designs were shown on the signs to be placed throughout the city. The signs and money for the signage was approved under the 2005 GO Bond Issue. The designs will subsequently shown to different associations throughout the city. If everything receives approval, installation could be started by November, 2008.

Jamaica Cricketers at Lauderhill/Goldson Cricket Finals win 5th Championship in 6 Years

Jamaica’s cricket team continued their dominance of the game in the Lauderhill/Goldson 20/20 International Night Cricket Tournament. For the fifth time in six years, after defeating Pakistan in the finals last night, Jamaica claimed the Championship Trophy. Playing in front of a large crowd, on the same night that the CASA Night Soccer League held its own finals, as well as a Netball Tournament at the Lauderhill Sports Complex.

Jamaica chasing a total of 176, scored a total of 178 while loosing only two wickets. Pakistan lost seven wickets in their allotted twenty overs of which Glen Anglin bowled four for Jamaica and took three wickets for 21 runs. Shawn Beckford was the top scorer for Jamaica with 72 runs, including 6 sixes and 4 fours, while Shane Ford made 59 for Pakistan, hitting 5 sixes and 4 fours. The match was a replay of last year’s finals in which Pakistan came out the winner. Jamaica has been to every finals since the championship started in 2002.

Notes of the Commission Meeting of June 9

On June 9, the City Commission met, and the following items of interest were discussed:

PRESENTATIONS:

A. A PRESENTATION/UPDATE BY ALBERT TUCKER ON THE GOSPEL COMPLEX FOR EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION

B. A PRESENTATION BY THE ARTS, CULTURAL AND TOURISM (A.C.T.) BOARD TO RECOGNIZE PARKWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND DAVID RIVERA FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT “CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS”.

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

1. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-05-118: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEDULE OF RATES, FEES AND CHARGES PURSUANT TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.

2. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-05-119: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEDULE OF RATES, FEES AND CHARGES PURSUANT TO THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH ALL SERVICE REFUSE COMPANY, INC.

3. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-123: ULTIMATELY APPROVING AN ORDINANCE TO ELIMINATE THE POSITION OF DEPUTY VICE MAYOR TO APPEAR ON THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION BALLOT NOVEMBER 4, 2008. Originally it failed on a 2-3 vote. Commissioner Benson and Berger voted in favor. Later on reconsideration it passed 4-1, Mayor Kaplan voting against. (REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION). Statements were made that even though there may be a need for the position, which costs no money to have, the voters should have a right to weigh in on this. The position was created to provide someone to run a Commission Meeting in the absence of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor, which, though rare, has occurred. Mayor Kaplan stated that without the position, there can be a problem on who will run the meeting under such circumstances.

4. ORDINANCE NO 08O-06-124: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE CALLING FOR A REFERENDUM PROVIDING TERM LIMITS FOR CITY COMMISSIONERS TO SERVE NO MORE THAN THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE FOUR-YEAR TERMS. Passed 4-1, Commission Berger voted against. (REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER BENSON). Several Commissioners expressed no endorsement for this proposal, but it was the voters right to consider. Note: If this proposal was already law in Lauderhill, it would not, as of this date, had ever had an impact since no elected official has ever served more than 12 consecutive years in a particular office.

5. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-126: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC REPRIMAND, OR LESSER PUNISHMENT, OF A COMMISSIONER, WHEN THAT COMMISSIONER VIOLATES THE CHARTER BY INTERFERING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, SHALL BE PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE(S) WHICH WILL REQUIRE A UNANIMOUSLY VOTE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON A 4-1 VOTE. Commissioner Berger voted against it. (REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION). The Mayor brought this forward because presently the Charter prohibits Commissioners from Interfering with Administration. However, the Charter provides no penalties if they do. It was brought to the Mayor's attention that a Commissioner had "Interfered with the Administration," but being there was no penalty for doing it, the city could not pursue and remedial action against the Commissioner, but it did against the employee for complying with the Commissioners orders.

6. ORDINANCE NO. 08O-06-127: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING WHEN TO HOLD THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW CITY COMMISSION, TO BE 14 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION(REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION). This is to accommodate the Supervisor of Election, who has stated that they cannot certify a city election within the present 3 days required under Lauderhill's Charter. That by giving the 14 days should be sufficient to certify the election for a properly set swearing in ceremony.

ORDINANCES & PUBLIC HEARINGS --- SECOND READING:

8. REMOVE ORDINANCE NO. 08O-02-105 FROM THE TABLE AND REPLACE WITH THE FOLLOWING:

ORDINANCE NO. 08O-02-105: APPROVED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND PERTAINING GENERALLY TO CHILDCARE AND FAMILY DAY CARE HOME, AND AMENDING SCHEDULE A TO PROHIBIT LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE HOME UNLESS VESTED BEFORE FEBRUARY 15TH, 2008; ADDING PROVISIONS REGARDING PERSONNEL, PRE-REQUISITES, GROUPS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. BASED UPON PRIOR MEETINGS, THE COMMISSION AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO ADD NEW LANGUAGE. THEREBY REQUIRING A 3RD READING.

RESOLUTIONS

COMMISSION

9. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-128: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL’S LEED FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS: OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE SILVER STANDARDS TO REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS AND TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND WATER; ADOPTING THE FLORIDA GREEN BUILDING COALITION’S GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT STANDARD RELATING TO OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES IN FLEET MAINTENANCE AND LANDSCAPING TO REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS AND CONSERVE ENERGY AND WATER; PROVIDING THAT THESE ARE VOLUNTARY GOALS AND STANDARDS AND THAT THE CITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH CERTIFICATION PROCESS; SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE OTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY TO ADOPT THESE STANDARDS(REQUESTED BY MAYOR RICHARD J. KAPLAN).

10. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-129 & 130: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS; SUPPORTING INCREASED AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (REQUESTED BY VICE MAYOR M. MARGARET BATES).

11. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-131: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL REQUESTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVIEW THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF ALL CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES IN ORDER TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION REGARDING WHAT BOARDS OR COMMITTEES COULD BE MODIFIED TO BROADEN OR LIBERALIZE THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO SERVE AS A MEMBER.

12. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-132: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL EXPRESSING THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHARTER REVIEW BOARD; ACCEPTING THE TRANSMITTAL OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS FROM THE CHARTER REVIEW BOARD(REQUESTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION).

13. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-133: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE MEDITATION PARK GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND THE INVERRARY ASSOCIATION.

14. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-134: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE START UP BUDGET OF $10,700, FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT TO BE HELD ON JUNE 20, 2009. (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER, CHARLES FARANDA). THE ORIGINAL REQUEST WAS FOR $154,743, BUT WILL BE DISCUSSED WITHIN THE NEXT BUDGET. THE MAYOR AND SOME RESIDENTS EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN OVER SPENDING SUCH LARGE SUMS OF MONEY DURING A PERIOD WHEN THE CITY IS FACING SIGNIFICANT MANDATORY AND ECONOMIC REVENUE CUTBACKS.

15. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-137: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING SEVERAL MEMBERS TO THE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER, CHARLES FARANDA). Additional positions are still available on this Board, as well as other Boards. Those interested can submit their resume to the City Clerk to be considered for appointments.

D.E.E.S.

16. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-139: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AWARD OF BID (P2008-005) TO DYNASERVE FLORIDA, INC. TO PROVIDE GROUND MAINTENANCE FOR MEDIANS, RIGHT-OF-WAYS, DRAINAGE DITCHES, AND CITY-OWNED COMMON AREAS.

17. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-140: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AWARD OF BID TO TENEX ENTERPRISES, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $177,026.60 FOR MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS TO N.W. 31ST AVENUE AT N.W. 12TH PLACE, N.W. 14TH STREET, N.W. 16TH STREET AND FOR THE WIDENING ON N.W. 14TH STREET

FINANCE

18. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-141: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING, AND APPROVING THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS TO BV OIL COMPANY AS THE PRIMARY VENDOR AND TO MACMILLAN COMPANY OF FLORIDA AS THE SECONDARY VENDOR TO ALLOW FOR THE PURCHASE OF DIESEL FUEL, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, BASED UPON THE BIDS SOLICITED BY THE CITY OF CORAL SPRINGS AS “LEAD AGENCY” FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA GOVERNMENTAL PURCHASING CO-OPERATIVE GROUP

POLICE

19. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-144: APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AREA KNOWN AS THE GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS, FIRST READING:

20. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-145: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA RESCINDING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NO. 06R-02-257; CHANGING THE NAME OF THE TENANT FROM “OASIS GAMES, INC.” TO “OASIS BINGO, INC.” AND APPROVING THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-3) ZONING DISTRICT A BINGO HALL AND GAME ROOM, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FORMER 10 CENT BINGO LOCATED AT 4475 NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE, LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

21. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-06-146: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA RESCINDING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NO. 08R-02-53; CHANGING THE NAME OF THE LESSEE AND APPLICANT FROM “FINE ENTERTAINMENT AND ELEGANT AFFAIRS” TO “FINE ENTERTAINMENT & ELEGANT AFFAIRS II, LLC”, APPROVING THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-3) ZONING DISTRICT AN APPROXIMATE 3,173 SQUARE FOOT PRE-EXISTING PUBLIC DANCE BALLROOM LOCATED ON ROCK ISLAND ROAD AND 44TH STREET.

OLD BUSINESS:

22. RESOLUTION NO. 08R-05-120: APPROVED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPOINTING MOST OF THE MEMBERS TO THE LAUDERHILL LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 420.9076; PROVIDING THAT THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF ELEVEN MEMBERS AND PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPOSITION OF BOARD MEMBERS. There still remains a position for a person involved in Labor and Affordable Housing. If interested, please send your resume to the City Clerk.


NEW BUSINESS

23. SCHEDULED THE ANNUAL BUDGET WORKSHOPS ON JULY 15,2008 AT CITY HALL STARTING AT 11 AM.

As Fuel Prices Rise, More Turn to Transit

by Leslie Wollack, National League of Cities

As lawmakers struggle to find answers to surging fuel prices, states are weighing alternatives to help their citizens and use of mass transit has skyrocketed across the country. Car dealers report that demand for fuel-efficient cars have been soaring, as well.

According to Stateline.org, states are offering proposals such as flex-time hours for state employees, allowing campers to store their recreational vehicles longer at state parks and gas tax holidays. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) proposes to give residents debit cards for gas, heating fuel and electricity.

Mass transit systems around the country report standing-room-only crowds on bus lines where seats were once plentiful and parking lots at many bus and light rail stations are suddenly overflowing.

“It’s very clear that a significant portion of the increase in transit use is directly caused by people who are looking for alternatives to paying $3.50 a gallon for gas,” according to William W. Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The largest jump has come from metropolitan areas in the South and West where there are fewer transit options. Denver has seen an 8 percent jump in the first three months of the year compared with last year. Charlotte, N.C., has reported a 34 percent jump in ridership in the past year on its new light rail line. Southern Florida estimates an increase of more than 20 percent in riders during March and April on its commuter rail system between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Central Arkansas Transit Authority reported an increase of about 600 riders a day compared to this time last year. Cities with established public transit systems such as New York, Philadelphia and Boston are seeing smaller increases that still are setting records. New Jersey Transit is setting ridership records for the sixth consecutive year, reporting more than 900,000 trips per weekday on its trains, buses and light-rail vehicles, an increase of 3.5 percent over a year earlier.

A survey by APTA found that a growing number of vacationers also intend to take advantage of the local subway trains and buses while vacationing in U.S. cities this summer. Thirty-five percent of those who will use public transit while visiting a city said they are more likely to use it this summer as opposed to last year.

“With soaring gas prices, the expense of parking your car or renting a vehicle, a growing number of travelers say they will use the local bus and train as the quickest way to save money while visiting major cities,” said Millar. “Travelers also like the fact that its use helps make the environment greener while they can keep more green in their wallet.”

Travelers who originate from large metropolitan areas are more likely to take advantage of a city’s local public transportation system. Fifty percent of those traveling to a city who use transit on their trip are from large urban areas, while 24 percent are from medium-sized metro areas and 27 percent are from smaller cities and towns.

Note: eLauderhill News has been advised that Tri-Rail boasted its highest monthly ridership ever in May and was among the nation's fastest growing commuter rail systems in the first quarter of 2008.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which runs the commuter train, said 371,798 passengers boarded last month, the highest ridership recorded in a single month since service began in 1989.

The trains carried an average of 15,343 passengers a day weekdays in May, a 22.4-percent jump over the same month last year.

At the same time, due to the lack of the State Legislature in providing a dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail, and Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade County Commissions having to make significant cuts due to State Legislature and voter approved mandatory reductions in revenue sources, the three counties may be reducing their subsidy to Tri-Rail.

If this happens, Tri-Rail will have to cut back from 50 trips/week to around 20 trips/week. It would also put them in jeopardy of being in violation with a Federal Grant. Therefore, it is possible that the Federal Government could demand the return of $300 million, which Tri-Rail does not have.

No matter how this is viewed, it is clear that a transportation service, whose need is growing every day, stands a good chance of being reduced or even lost when it is needed most, due to the response by our State Legislature.

Lauderhill Police Department is Re-Accredited

The Lauderhill Police Department and other law enforcement agencies will be receiving their approvals for re-accreditation by the Florida Commission for Accreditation. The Accreditation Ceremony will be on Wednesday, June 11th at 10am at the Coral Springs Marriott, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd. Coral
Springs.

Federal Legislation Affecting Cities

CONGRESS

Mandatory Collective Bargaining Bill on Hold
Acrimonious and partisan disagreements over Senate procedures, a White House veto threat, and the unexpected absence of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), the bill’s primary sponsor, brought debate and action on the mandatory collective bargaining bill (S. 2123/H.R. 980) to a halt earlier this week.

Before debate on the bill was suspended, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asked Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), the bill’s chief opponent, to negotiate terms for further debate on the legislation. Staff-level negotiations continue, but it is unknown at this time when the Senate will resume debate on the bill.

Climate Change Proposal Includes Support for Municipal Programs
On May 20, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. John Warner (D-VA) introduced S. 3036, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, a comprehensive climate change proposal, which includes funding, $136 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and $171 billion to support mass transit. Additionally, the bill calls for tax relief for the energy needs of low-income consumers.

The bill also establishes a cap-and-trade system designed to gradually reduce the amount of greenhouse gases from approximately 2,100 facilities nationwide, including coal burning power plants and factories, natural gas processors, and petroleum refiners, by set amounts by set time frames.

The Senate is expected to begin a two-week floor debate on the legislation beginning June 2.

House Subcommittee Approves Amtrak Reauthorization
On May 22, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved by voice vote the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 6003). The bill authorizes $14.4 billion for Amtrak for capital and operating grants, state intercity passenger grants, and high-speed rail over the five years (FY 2009-2013). Of the $14.4 billion, $4.2 billion is set aside for capital grants, $3 billion for operating grants, $2.5 billion to states to finance new or improved intercity passenger service, and $1.75 billion for grants to states and to Amtrak to fund up to 11 new high-speed rail corridors. The full House is expected to vote on the measure before the August recess. The Senate passed an Amtrak reauthorization measure last year that included $11.4 billion in funding but did not include the high-speed rail provision. Amtrak reauthorization expired in 2002.

Senate Reauthorizes National Flood Insurance Program
Two weeks ago, the Senate passed legislation (S. 2284) to reauthorize the nation’s flood insurance program through 2013. The House passed similar legislation last year for the program, which is set to expire on September 30, 2008 (H.R. 3121, the Flood Insurance and Modernization Act of 2007).

Both versions of the bill phase out subsidized rates on commercial properties, vacation homes, and second homes built before 1974 and increase the amount by which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can raise policy rates in a given year from 10 percent to 15 percent. Both versions also require FEMA to review the nation’s flood maps and provide more funding for updates.
There are two key differences between the bills that will have to be reconciled in a House-Senate conference committee. First, the Senate version forgives the program’s debt, which rose to $17.5 billion in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005. The House version requires a revenue offset in exchange for the debt being forgiven. Second, the House bill includes language to expand the program to allow for the purchase of coverage against wind damage. The Senate version does not include wind coverage, and the White House has threatened to veto any bill with wind damage.

Senate Committee Advances Housing Stabilization Measure
On May 20, the Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved a housing stabilization measure by a vote of 19 to 2. The bill, which is similar to recently-passed House legislation, calls for improved federal regulation and oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored enterprises that together provide the majority of credit for the U.S. home mortgage market. The bill also calls for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure up to $300 billion in refinanced subprime loans to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure caused by rising interest rates.

The overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill came as a result of weeks of negotiations between the sponsor, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), principally over how to shield federal tax revenues from the risk of defaults on loans insured under the new FHA plan. Under the bill, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would create and fund an affordable housing trust fund. All money collected in the first year of the trust fund would go to FHA to cover costs and losses of the new FHA insurance plan. In the second year, 50 percent of the trust fund would go to FHA, and 25 percent in the third year. Trust fund revenues not directed to FHA would be used for the construction of new affordable housing.

The Senate measure, however, may become an obstacle to negotiations with House leaders, who want to devote the first year of affordable housing trust fund money to the construction of housing along the Gulf Coast in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and who believe that the stringent approval process for FHA insurance provides adequate risk protection for federal tax revenues. The Senate will likely consider the bill in the near future to ensure the more difficult negotiations with the House can begin quickly. Both House and Senate leaders have set unofficial goals of sending a housing stabilization and foreclosure prevention measure to the President before the July 4th recess.

COURTS

Supreme Court Upholds Tax Breaks for Municipal Bonds
On May 19, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the preferential tax break that 42 states give their residents who invest in bonds issued by those states and their municipalities. The ruling came as a relief to the $2.6 trillion municipal bond market, a primary vehicle that state and local governments rely upon to raise funds to finance public projects.

Voting 7-2, the justices rejected the argument that a state engages in unconstitutional discrimination against interstate commerce by exempting the interest on its own bonds from residents’ taxable income while taxing the interest earned on the bonds from other states. The Kentucky Court of Appeals had accepted this argument in a case filed by Kentucky residents who paid state income tax on interest from out of state municipal bonds.

The National League of Cities, the National Governors Association, Government Finance Officers Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties, Council of State Governments, U.S. Conference of Mayors, International Municipal Lawyers Association, and International City/County Management Association filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to overturn the Kentucky court and uphold the preferential tax treatment.

Lauderhill Elementary School Students “Cruise” the Job Market

The future is now for 88 fifth grade students from Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary, who visited, on May 22, the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas as part of a year-long School-to-Career program called KAPOW – KIDS AND THE POWER OF WORK. The program is a year-long career development initiative by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, The City of Lauderhill, Learning for Success, Inc. and Broward County Schools. Through KAPOW, teachers and business volunteers collaborate to teach lessons that connect classroom learning with real-world workplace skills. Students are also exposed to many career options.

“The KAPOW site visit is a true work experience” explains Helen O’Connell, Royal Caribbean’s Community Relations Specialist. “During the visit the students will try on fire-fighting equipment, see how the ship's Youth Activity Center Staff leads passengers through a "Mad Science Activity, work at computers with the ship’s Systems Specialist in their Internet Café, and see what it takes to become an exercise instructor in the ShipShape Center – exactly what we do here.”

“These experiences are designed to introduce students to the skills needed to be successful in the workplace and teach them the importance of staying in school to prepare for their own future,” said John Casbarro, KAPOW Regional Coordinator. “We are delighted and very grateful to Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises for their extraordinary commitment.”

Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary School uses the monthly KAPOW lessons taught by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity volunteers to fulfil part of their School Improvement Goal of teaching students the importance of reading, writing, and math skills and how they apply in the workplace, and in life. In the Cross Curriculum Connections component of the program, teachers integrate KAPOW's lessons into science, social studies, math, reading, writing and the fine arts. “This program has given students a new appreciation for the world of work and its volunteer teachers a new appreciation for the world of the classroom,” explains Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness.

Note: eLauderhill News needs to recognize that the KAPOW Program has been one of Commissioner Dale Holness's many initiatives in Lauderhill. He has tirelessly worked to make the program successful.