Monthly Archives: May 2012


May 2012 Board

Council of Civic Association
Board Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2012
City Hall, 8th Floor

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Acting President Marilyn Mammano at 5:35 pm.

2. Attendance: All present except District IV Rep Brucie Cummings. Betty Shelley attended as Acting First Vice President. Second Vice President position stood vacant. Former Past President Genia Ellis was in attendance.

3. Minutes: The minutes for the April Board meeting were not available and this item was deferred.

4. Treasurer’s Report: Ms. Klein circulated the Treasurer’s Report showing an ending balance as of May 1, 2012 of $8,436.86, not including recent expenses and approved expenditures of $500 for map as Council gift to City in honor of Centennial, $500 for website, and $100 stipend for Council representative to NUSA. A Report as of May 31, 2012 will be presented at the June General Membership Meeting for approval.

5. Ms. Mammono made a President’s Report about recent matters she believed to be of interest to the Council including the Broward Center Expansion Plans. It was recommended that we have a speaker at the August General Meeting about this topic. She also noted the new parks plan and the closing of the FAU downtown campus. She also circulated a copy of the letter provided to Hal Barnes on behalf of the Council supporting the NCIP/BCIP grants.

6. Membership: Ms. Mamanno noted the Council was invited to present at Commissioner Bobby DuBose’s pre-agenda meeting on June 4, 2012. We have 30 paid memberships and 5 memberships expected for processing. The District Reps are planning to continue to encourage neighborhoods to join based on growing membership and influence and other recommendations of the Ad Hoc Consensus Committee.

7. Website: It was decided that the new website would be unveiled at the Sept general meeting.
8. Ad Hoc Code Reform: Ms. Mammano stated that it appeared that the Commission and staff would be picking pieces of the consultant’s report to move forward.
9. Ad Hoc Consensus Committee: Ms. Mergenhagen reported that the committee’s second meeting was to occur immediately after the Board meeting. There was some discussion about the direction the committee should take but it was agreed to let the committee process continue unfettered and to see where it led.

10. Visioning Committee: After some discussion, the Board was in agreement that the Council should look for an individual to monitor the work of the City’s Visioning Committee on behalf of the Council rather than establish an ad hoc committee. The Board further agreed that to seek an interested volunteer from the general membership for this task.

11. June 12 General Membership Meeting Agenda: Greg Stuart, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization is to be the guest speaker about transportation. The election for a new President will also take place at this meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor. The required 10 day notice about the election is to be sent to all City recognized associations with the caveat that only members of the Council in good standing can vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Golub
Recording Secretary


May 2012 General

Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations
General Meeting
May 10, 2011
City Hall- 8th Floor Conference Room

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Doug Sterner at 7:30 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Attendance: 1st Vice President Marilyn Mammano took the roll and declared a quorum. . Ms. Mammano noted the individuals who were representing Civic Associations for which the 2011 dues have not been received. Representatives were urged to get duplicate (or original) renewals and checks in as soon as possible.

3. Treasurer’s Report: There was no Treasurer’s Report because Mr. Gabe Ocasio Davila was not in attendance.

4. FLPD Police Report: Acting Major Mike Gregory stated that residents are still using “911” for inappropriate non-emergency reasons. that do not involve a serious and immediate threat to person or property. The non-emergency number is 954-828-5700. He said that the current crime trend showed an increase in “confidence” schemes in parking lots and on the streets. He observed that vehicle burglaries commonly included the theft of something else. He warned against assisting in a “crime of opportunity” by leaving valuables in the vehicle visible to the thief. He stated that the FLPD was preparing for special city events including Haitian Flag Day on May 18, Memorial Day Beach Party and July 4 and hurricane season. President Sterner raised a concern about police officers who made insensitive and insulting comments to victims in the that could also indicate that the police did not take investigation of the crime seriously. Other representatives added experiences. Acting Major Gregory said victims should file complaints because such behavior is not tolerated.

5. Visioning Committee: Tim Smith gave a presentation about the 2011 Fort Lauderdale Visioning Committee. While plans have been commissioned for individual neighborhoods, there has not been an attempt to develop a comprehensive master plan for the whole city since 1985. Tim said that the 2011 Visioning Committee was directed to look forward 25 years. The Committee intends to gather data and surveys on a broad inclusionary basis from al 62 neighborhoods and 14 business organizations, and many civic organizations (rather than only talking to a core of recognized civic and business leaders) as well as young adults “20 under 20”. The City Commission has authorized $54,000 to hire a consultant to coordinate the survey phase. Over the summer, City staff will compile facts and statistics about the City from data accessible to them. It is hoped that the final phases – developing the Plan and implementing the Plan would be funded and supported by the Commission. He noted that all three finalist for City Manager supported the idea of a “vision plan” by which to govern the City.

In the discussion that followed the presentation, many representatives took the position that it is futile to develop a master plan if the City Commission was not compelled to made decisions in accordance with the plan. It was also suggested that CFLCA officially get involved in the work of the Committee . Both ideas will be discussed at the next Board meeting.

6. Florida Neighborhoods Conference. Hal Barnes gave an update on the Conference to be held in Ft Lauderdale on July 7,8,and 9, 2011 at Pier 66. Early registration of $50 closes June 1. Registration is limited to 200 Information and registration can be found on line on the City website and at floridaneighborhoodsconference.org.

President Sterner announced that the CFLCA would provide subsidies for 4 persons who had never attended the Conference before –one from each District – on a first come first serve basis.

7. Ms. Mergenhagen reported that there were many events scheduled through the end of the year for the Centennial celebration. If a neighborhood wanted access to displays, plaques, children’s’ trunks, etc, call Shannon at 954-828-4743. The calendar of events is on the City website. Susan Gilles’ historian contract is over in July with one more workshop to be scheduled in June.

8. By-Laws Committee: Ms. Mergenhagen circulated the By-Laws Committee’s suggested revisions to those in attendance. She recommended comments in June and a vote in July. A representative noted that the summer was a bad time to hold a vote. The Committee will still take comments on the proposed revisions and will discuss the best time for a vote.

9. Audit Committee: Betty Shelley announced that the audit committee could not perform the annual audit in a timely manner because insufficient information was provided. Therefore, the audit is delayed.
10. Counsel Corner. President Sterner announced that CFLCA would be preparing a monthly news article for the associations to include in newsletters or email blasts to better publicize the work and activities of the Counsel, neighborhoods and the City.
11. President Sterner announced that District 2 Rep Shirley Smith is recuperating from knee surgery. He also thanked Rock Island for providing refreshments.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Rochelle Golub
Recording Secretary