Monthly Archives: October 2010


October 2010 Board Meeting

Council of Civic Association
Board Meeting Minutes
October 25, 2010
City Hall, 8th Floor
5:30 PM

1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order by President Doug Sterner at 5:35 PM.

2. Board members present: Gabriel Ocasio-Davila, Genia Ellis, Marilyn Mammano, Donna Mergenhagen, David Parker, Shirley Smith, Bruce Tanner, and Tom Welch.

Board members absent: Betty Shelly

Guests attending: Ron Centamore, Richard Mancuso and Dennis Ulmer

3. Minutes. The approval of prior minutes was tabled until next meeting.

4. Treasurer Report. No report at this meeting.

5. Holiday Party. A turkey and ham have been purchased previously and will be done again for the holiday party this year. Members and alternates are invited as well as commission people, with usual attendance.

6. Nominating Committee. The bylaws indicate that the nominating committee is selected in December. The immediate past president is an ex-officio member of the committee. Four people are needed to serve on the committee. Marilyn Mammano agreed to serve as well as Dave Parker. Shirley Smith agreed to serve as an alternate. Betty Shelley was recommended to serve as a member of the nominating committee.

7. Selection of Council representative on City Manager Search Committee. The city wants a representative from the council on the committee. (This portion of the meeting was chaired by Marilyn Mammano.) Two people expressed interest in serving, Doug Sterner and RonCentamore, both of whom were given an opportunity to speak to the council on why they want to be part of the search committee.

A vote was taken with ballots counted by Dennis Ulmer and Richard Mancusco since they is not board members. Nine votes were cast. Doug Sterner won the vote to be the representative to the search committee.

8. November 9 meeting agenda. Guests expected include Valeria Bohlander Noise Ordinance Changes as well as Susan Gillis, historian will for the Centennial Commission Historian.

9. Pantry of Broward Food Drive. A food drive for The Pantry will take place again this year. The council is supporting the event. Members should alert memberships that the drive is going on and that boxes will be provided at the November meeting for distribution. The Pantry of Broward plans to pick up the boxes.

10. Photo Contest. Gabriel Oscaio-Davila spoke about the photography contest for the centennial celebration. He was requested that the announcement of the contest take place at the November general meeting. The idea is to have a contest, 100 years after, with 7 categories for participants to submit. Want to document the city for four seasons in the contest. Submissions to be received by October next year with awards given out at the boat show next year. Flicker web site is where photos can be downloaded. Universities and art schools will also be used to solicit judges. A cocktail party and celebration at the end after photos are at different places in the city. Awards are planned to be given out at a big reception at the end. Tickets to the awards ceremony will be sold except for contributors.

11. Doug announced that a District 1 representative is still needed.

12. Richard Manucuso spoke about the P&Z meeting. A date was set for the community and P&Z board work shop.

13. Doug spoke about street car system that is being considered for Ft. Lauderdale referred to as “The Wave” and went to Portland to observe the same system in another city. A discussion took place and questions were raised.

The next general meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 9.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6: 35 PM.

Recording Secretary,

Bruce Tanner


October 2010 General Meeting

COUNCIL OF FORT LAUDERDALE CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Report: Due to the lack of a quorum no official business was conducted.  In lieu of minutes of the meeting the following report is offered as a record of the proceedings.

The meeting began at approximately 6:15 pm.

Police Report – Capt. John Dale of the FLPD Criminal Investigations unit reported that violent crime in Fort Lauderdale has declined over the same period last year.  The murder rate is 50% lower than 2009, auto theft is down 65%.  Burglaries, both auto and residential have increased. He also reported that the FLPD has received a grant for an automated license plate reader.  Within a 20 day trial period where one car was fitted with the device and operated during 2 shifts, 16 stolen cars and 20 stolen tags were identified.

Forum on Ballot Amendments #8 and #4 – Dr. Joel Herbst, South Area Superintendent of Broward Schools offered an overview of the proposed State Constitutional Amendment #8 which will be on the Nov. 2, 2010 ballot.  The amendment calls for revising class size requirements for public schools.  The amendment would allow a school to use an average per school rather than the current limit which is based on each classroom.  The amendment, if passed, would also raise the limits for each grade grouping.  Dr. Herbst did not take a position on the Amendment.

The next topic discussed was Amendment 4 which would require referenda for the adoption or amendment of Local Government Land Use Plans.  Speaking in favor was Bett Willett of Hometown Democracy.  Opposed was Courtney Crush, a local land use attorney.  Each side was given 5 minutes for an opening statement, followed by 3 minutes each for rebuttals.  By toss of a coin the pro side elected to go last.  There was also a 15 minute Q&A period where members of the audience asked questions of both sides.  Finally both speakers were given 2 minutes for a closing statement.

The meeting ended at approximately 7:30pm.