Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations
General Meeting
January 8, 2013
City Hall- 8th Floor Conference Room
- Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Marilyn Mammano at 7:30 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Attendance: First Vice President Ron Centamore took the roll and declared a quorum.
- Minutes: The minutes of the September 11, 2012 and November 13, 2012 general meetings were each unanimously approved upon a motion and second.
- Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Madeline Treasurer circulated her monthly Report showing a balance as of December 31, 2012 of $7,596.79.
- Representative Gwendolyn Clark-Reid gave a report on legislation affecting North Broward Hospital District. As the result of an audit, it appears that no major changes are being contemplated. Ms. Clark-Reid also indicated that upcoming legislative issues concerned the implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act, parasailing, government ethics and the conduct of elections. Dennis Ulmer pointed out that the City Commission has listed its legislative priorities and stated that said list is should be supported by CFLCA, especially the need for relief in the area of Short Term Rentals. March 1st is the deadline for filing new bills. The City Commission has retained 2 lobbyists to generate support for its “list”. Ms. Clark-Reid indicated that she appreciated the discussion on Short Term Rentals.
- Old Business:
- President Mammano reported that the Reapportionment Committee has decided to recommend that no neighborhood be divided between districts like Progresso Village is currently split between Districts 2 and 3 and has identified the need to rebalance Districts 1 and 2 and 2 and 4.
- Mr. Centamore stated that renewals have been sent electronically and, where necessary by mail, to reps and presidents.
- Consensus Committee Report: Chairman Donna Mergenhagen distributed the latest draft of the Report. The Report was unanimously approved with leave of the Board to reformat for distribution. It was anticipated that the Report would be presented at the January 15, 2013 Visioning meeting.
- New Business: City staff made presentations (for information only) on the following new proposed ordinances:
- City Speed Hump Policy. Mr. Eric Czerniejewski, Mobility Manager, stated, in response to comments that the speed and volume criteria for speed humps would not change and that no additional criteria like land use (schools) would be added. He stated that in 2013 the City would be looking at other traffic calming devices besides speed humps. The City would be looking for ways to add respondents to the survey.
- Public Participation Policy. This policy, presented by Ms. Ella Parker, planner, focuses primarily on setting procedures to be followed by developers prior to submitting plans to DRC. Ms. Parker was asked about Code Reform and how neighborhood compatibility was going to be addressed. She stated that the work done was being reconsidered with respect to two (2) building forms but not with respect to neighborhood compatibility. There was spirited discussion about the proposal and Chair Mammano asked for volunteers to form a committee to prepare a response. Six members volunteered and the Committee will meet prior to the next general meeting.
- Modification of Park Buffer Requirements. Currently, where a park abuts residential property, a wall and landscape buffer is required. The proposal would eliminate the wall requirement and give the City the flexibility on the best way to handle the transition between non-residential and residential property. Currently in order to not build the wall the City must file a variance request some times with community support. Mr. Anthony Fajardo, planner, stated that he anticipates the ordinance change will be presented to the Commission on February 19. Members suggested that general support for more flexibility but were concerned about relying entirely on city staff to make that decision. Some other way should be explored to waive the wall but keep formal community input
Copies of the proposals will be provided to the Council for review and comment. Written comments were requested.
- For the Good of the Community: Nominations for WOW Awards and Community Appearance Awards are encouraged. Ms. Mammano offered to assist neighborhoods in making nominations. Forms were available at the meeting and on the City website. On January 25-26, Broward County will be hosting conference and exhibition on solar energy (GoSolarFest).
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.