Yearly Archives: 2013

Council Corner August 2013

 in Council Corner by (updated 3909 days ago)

aaf_signup

At the August 13 2013 Council General Membership Meeting Representatives from All Aboard Florida will present their plans for starting passenger train service from Miami to Orlando including the proposed new train station in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

  • Travel time: The new passenger rail service will transport passengers between downtown Miami and Orlando in approximately three hours.
  • Schedule: All Aboard Florida will offer frequent, regularly scheduled passenger service throughout the day to answer mobility needs. Service will start in the early morning with last departures in the evening. All Aboard Florida is also determining tailored schedules for special events and venues.

Neighborhoods along the train tracks are concerned about increased noise and we are all concerned about issues of safety for pedestrians, cars and emergency vehicles. Representatives from the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization will discuss plans to apply for “Quiet Zones” along the route.

Council Corner August 2013

Click on the link above to download the August 2013 Council Corner

CFLCA GM 8-13-2013

Click on the link above to download  the August 13 General Membership Meeting Agenda

Consensus Committee Report

 in Resolutions of Council by (updated 1137 days ago)
Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations
Consensus Committee Report
Adopted on January 8, 2013

POSITION STATEMENT:  Fort Lauderdale is defined by its unique and diverse neighborhoods

GOAL:  Enhance the quality of life for neighbors and preserve the diversity of neighborhoods.

PROCESS:  Assemble concerns of member neighborhoods.  In November an “issues congress” will be held by the Council to finalize the definition of all issues in this quality of life exercise.  Once complete and adopted by the Council, the project will be presented to the City Commission, the City Manager, and the Visioning Committee for the purposes of prioritization, planning, budgeting, and staff resource allocation.

There are many issues managed by organizations other than the City of Fort Lauderdale that have a direct impact on the quality of life with our neighborhoods.  It is assumed that the City of Fort Lauderdale would exercise every option to enhance things like education and the arts to enhance the life of its citizens.  Other issues like traffic, airport and port management, the hospital system and business development incentives require proactive interaction by the City in order to maximize the results for neighbors. 

NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT

Summary – Neighborhood Enhancement

Redevelopment has entered some neighborhoods at a cost to the quality of life.  Growth and the absence of action have resulted in neighborhood cut through traffic.  The volume, speed and presence have impacted the ability of residents to safely walk and cycle.  The system of sidewalks and bike paths is incomplete and inadequate.

Recommended Actions – Neighborhood Enhancement

  • Maintain single-family neighborhood ambiance
    • Implement NRDC
    • Quantify “Neighborhood compatibility”
    • Refine code for “mixed use” neighborhoods
    • Petition the State of Florida to permit regulation of vacation rentals
  • Update Codes and Ordinances
    • Windpower
    • Solar installation
    • Urban farms/community gardens
    • Roof and vertical gardening
  • Honor all Master Plans filed with the City during review and approval processes
    • Increase the notice to neighbors both in time and visibility for all parts of the development           review process for both residential and commercial
  • Balance neighborhood character with smart re-development
    • Steer density to downtown core
    • Utilize downtown master plan to direct development/developers
  • Honor the past with preservation efforts
    • Blend new development with historic neighborhoods
    • Provide fiscal incentives to retain architecturally significant homes
    • Protect and enforce historic overlays
  • Requirements for new development should be forward sighted and include:
    • Vacation of alleys for developers valued by three-dimensional square footage
    • Long term plans for energy conservation
    • Buried lines, streetscape improvements, density requirements
  • Vacant Lots and Derelict buildings
    • Incentivize owners to maintain. Alter punitive orientation
    • Enforce code; Consider Eminent Domain possession for resale
    • Establish aggressive position with banks and financial institutions negatively impacting neighborhoods and adding to City costs
  • Manage cut through traffic
    • Use roundabouts to slow traffic and conserve energy
    • Install medians and “bump outs”
  • Increase “walkability” and “cyclibility” within the City
    • Shade sidewalks and increase canopy
    • Install crosswalks, bike paths, and buffered bike lanes
    • Widen sidewalks
    • Incentivize property owners to install, widen walks
    • Insure contiguous sidewalk access to public transportation
    • Add bicycle issues to building codes (parking, access)
    • Create a “Bicycle and pedestrian Advisory Board” for he City
  • Integrate neighborhoods with the beach, other entertainment and services via walkways, bike paths and public transportation
    • Assume waterways as component of feeder system
    • Proactively use “complete streets” concepts to maximize benefits of mass transit expansions
  • Assure adequate parking provisions for neighborhoods adjacent to business areas during re-     development and new construction
  • Use code as custodian of neighborhood quality of life
    • Particularly the challenge in commercial/residential intersections and mixed-use areas.
  • Disperse low income housing across all neighborhoods and seek private sector solutions

INFRASTRUCTURE

Summary – Infrastructure

Maintenance and repair of infrastructure is insufficient.  Lack of routine replacement has caused catatrosphic failure, neighborhood impact on health and safety, and cessation of services.  In addition, the decline in maintenance has negatively impacted businesses in the City which serve neighborhoods.  The process by which repair and maintenance is scheduled does not factor elements, traffic, opportunity costs and other causal elements in the prioritization process.  Public transportation is not currently a viable option for Fort Lauderdale neighbors.

Recommended Actions – Infrastructure

  • Change the Canal dredging frequency and rotation
    • Vegetation growth, neighborhood and erosion factors are not currently factored in scheduling
  • Address neighborhood flooding issues
    • Continue purchase of “flood plain” land
    • Assess the valve project
    • Clear street drains on a routine basis
  • Accelerate the replacement of aging water and sewer lines
    • Catastrophic failures have endangered neighborhoods, canal waters, businesses
  • Reassess the rotation of street surfacing and culvert replacement
  • Secure and explore current and future potable water sources
  • Promote use of reclaimed water
  • Public transportation within and to the Downtown core
    • Remove the duplication of TMA/County bus routes/The Wave

PUBLIC PLACES

Summary – Public Places

The Council published a Parks position paper February 2009.  It was re-issued in 2011.  The report is attached.  The cornerstone of the report was a “no net loss” policy.  Public spaces set the tone for the neighborhood and are an indicator of the health of the City.

 Recommended Actions – Public Places

  • Increase both green space and passive parks in neighborhoods
    • Use abandoned property and City owned property
    • Involve the immediate neighbors and City residents as stakeholders in park planning
  • Preserve current green space and native habitat
  • Maintain affordable and convenient public access to the Beach and the River for City residents
    • Establish a contiguous walk on both the north and south sides of the river
  • Set “Urban Forest” goals
    • Maintain and increase canopy
    • Root pruning by City
    • Shade sidewalks (use DT master plan goals throughout the City for landscaping)
    • No removal of mature trees
  • Explore the PUD ordinance for options to increase green space requirements
  • Secure the safety of public places for use by families and residents of all ages
  • Prioritize and budget for maintenance of medians and public properties
  • Enforce “Dog Ordinance” to assure healthy environment for Park users

PUBLIC SAFETY and SOCIAL SERVICES

Summary – Public Safety and Social Services

Crimes by youths and the ‘underserved’ increase and impact the quality of life for all residents.  Youth services and education are critical components to turn around the trend. 

Recommended Actions – Pubic Safety and Social Services

  • Continue the neighborhoods policing teams initiated in 2011
  • Explore creative solutions for youth crime
  • Share the burden of distribution in order to prevent “ghettoization” of neighborhoods
  • Select public transportation corridors for social services
  • Provide adequate services to the homeless and underserved

INTERNAL SUPPORT

Summary – Internal Support

Improvement of response time and effectiveness of response presents a cost saving opportunity.

Partnering for a result is a change neighbors would welcome.  Proactive and progressive code/ordinance changes incorporating incentives would benefit both the residential and business community. 

Recommended Actions – Internal Support

  • Establish more City staff power to create solutions and address concerns
  • Reward partnering across “silos”
  • Coordinate abandoned property issues across departments
  • Provide a bridge to FDOT and other County and State agencies
    • provide resident input
    • improve finished product
  • Inform and involve stakeholders (neighbors)
    • Residents are an invaluable resource before, during and after any initiative

 

Executive Board Meeting July 22, 2013

 in Agendas - Board Meeting by (updated 3909 days ago)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

July 22, 2013 5:30 pm

8th floor Cafeteria, City Hall

AGENDA

ROLL CALL

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE: 1) MEETING MINUTES *
2) TREASURER’S REPORT

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS

OLD BUSINESS

REPORTS

Presidents Report

MPO meeting on Quiet Zones

Web page responsibilities

Membership Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Participation Ordinance

Better Meetings

NEW BUSINESS

Up zoning of Downtown RAC Case 2T13 Scheduled for August 21

Anti Concentration zoning for Social Service Facilities Case 7T13

Swales Presentation

SET THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

Presentation by ALL Aboard Florida and Broward MPO 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

Pet food collection for Meals on Wheels

ADJOURN

*Indicates voting items or may be a voting item

Next Board Meeting August 26 2013

Next General Membership Meeting August 13 2013

All Aboard Florida EIS

 in Resolutions of Council by (updated 3975 days ago)

CFLCA Logo

May 28, 2013

Ms Catherine Dobbs
Transportation Industry Analyst,
Office of Railroad Policy and Development
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Subject All Aboard Florida
Environmental Impact Statement

Dear Ms Dobbs,

The Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations is a coalition of homeowner and civic associations in Fort Lauderdale.  We have been following the progress of various transportation projects along the Florida East Coast Railroad. We understand that the All Aboard Florida Project will increase the number of trains transiting through Fort Lauderdale and facilitate even additional train traffic with the introduction of commuter rail service in the future and increased freight train traffic associated with improvements at Port Everglades.

The Council is devoted to maintaining and improving the quality of life for our residents. Mass transit improvements will increase mobility, reduce congestion, create jobs and protect the environment. These are all worthy goals that we endorse. However, every project has consequences and the Environmental Impact Statement must identity these consequences and possible mitigation actions.

Based on input from our members at various meetings there are a number of issues that must be addressed in the scoping of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

1. As the increased train traffic passes through Fort Lauderdale and adjacent to residential neighborhoods the noise impacts must be addressed. We understand that “quiet zones” have been discussed to mitigate this impact but have no information regarding their effectiveness or cost. The EIS should consider the cost of implementing “quiet zones”, who will pay for them and maintain them?

2. As increased train traffic passes through Fort Lauderdale there will be and increase in the wait time at the grade crossings. What will the impact be on emergency service vehicles, police and fire services? Does the City have sufficient infrastructure located on both sides of the tracks to handle these issues or will an interruption of services cause harm to the public.

3. As increased train traffic passes through Fort Lauderdale, what provisions are being made to protect pedestrians and motorists from accidents at railroad crossing?

4. As increased train traffic passes through Fort Lauderdale, recreational boaters living in western neighborhoods will experience significant and potentially dangerous delays at the railroad bridge across the New River. What provisions are proposed to deal with this issue?

With all of these issues, the EIS should address the responsibility of the private operator to contribute to the cost of mitigation. Also what level of government, Federal, State, County or Local will be responsible for implementing and funding the mitigation?  There should also be consideration of impacts associated with other projects that are likely to be facilitated by All Aboard Florida.

Consideration of these issues is imperative. We hope that the EIS will provide definitive answers to these questions.

Sincerely

Marilyn Mammano

Marilyn Mammano, AICP, President
Council Of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations

 

Executive Board Meeting May 28, 2013

 in Agendas - Board Meeting by (updated 3909 days ago)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Tuesday May 28 2013 5:30 pm

8th floor Cafeteria, City Hall

AGENDA

ROLL CALL

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE: 1) MEETING MINUTES *
2) TREASURER’S REPORT

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS

OLD BUSINESS

REPORTS

Presidents Report

All Aboard Florida EIS and Quiet Zones

Meeting with Lee Feldman

Membership Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Better Meetings Committee

Legislative Committee

Public Participation Committee

NEW BUSINESS

            Search for new Recording Secretary

Web Page training and responsibilities

What to distribute and when

Summer Schedule: cancel the June BOD meeting and July GM Meeting

SET THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

            Reschedule School Board Presentation

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

            “Partnering”??? with the Friends of Shippey House

ADJOURN

*Indicates voting items or may be a voting item

Next Board Meeting July 22, 2013

Next General Membership Meeting August 13, 2013

Executive Board Meeting April 22, 2013

 in Agendas - Board Meeting by (updated 3909 days ago)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

April 22, 2013 5:30 pm

8th floor Conference Room, City Hall

AGENDA

ROLL CALL

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE: 1) MEETING MINUTES *
2) TREASURER’S REPORT

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS

OLD BUSINESS

REPORTS

Presidents Report

Update on FEC Commuter Rail Proposal and impacts on neighborhoods like noise, safety

hazards, congestion interruption of police, fire and emergency services.

Membership Report

New member list

COMMITTEE REPORTS

City Attorney Search Committee

NEW BUSINESS

            Transition issues

            Constant Contact Subscription

            Web page responsibilities

            Summer schedule

            Member survey (it’s free for another 30 days)                                               

SET THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING           

            School Board Representatives.                       

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY            

ADJOURN

*Indicates voting items or may be a voting item

Next Board Meeting May 27 2013  

Next General Membership Meeting May 14 2013 

Executive Board Meeting March 25 2013

 in Agendas - Board Meeting by (updated 3909 days ago)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

March 25 2013, 5:30 pm

8th floor Cafeteria, City Hall

AGENDA

ROLL CALL

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE: 1) MEETING MINUTES *
2) TREASURER’S REPORT

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS

OLD BUSINESS

REPORTS

Presidents Report

Zoning Changes for Flex units and others

Membership Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Note that there will be a meeting of the Legislative Committee at 5:00 pm

NEW BUSINESS

                        Non-emergency citizen complaints (Brucie)

Police Games in July (Donna)

Guidelines for communicating with members (Donna)

Posting events for neighborhoods and CVC (Marilyn)

Correspondence Received (Linda)

SET THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

                        Representatives of the School Board

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

            Salvation Army week announcement

ADJOURN

*Indicates voting items or may be a voting item

Next Board Meeting April 22 2013

Next General Membership Meeting April 9 2013

General Meeting Minutes March 12 2013

 in Minutes - General Meeting by (updated 3527 days ago)

Fort Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations
General Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2013

City Hall, 8th Floor Conference Room

  1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Mammano at 7:30 pm.
  2. VP  Centamore called attendance and declared a quorum.
  3. Minutes:  Minutes of the January meeting were approved as presented.
  4. Treasurer’s Report:   Treasurer Klein provided the monthly report.
  5. POLICE/FIRE REPORT

Captain Victor London reported on transfers and promotions within the FLPD.

Captain Jo-Ann Lorber  reported there will be a Port Everglades emergency drill on the morning of March 20.  Fort Lauderdale has asked that businesses and Associations in the area be notified by the County.  Discussion on the high risk populations around the Port and the impact on the surrounding area followed.

6.GUESTS

Stephanie Denham, Neighborhood Support, was introduced to relay that the meeting regarding Nextdoor.com was held prior to the Council meeting and take additional comments.

Shannon Vezina, Public Affairs Office, requested input on the ‘civic package’ content and presentation.  The format is being redesigned.  She asked anyone with ideas or preferences to contact her and provided her card.

7.OLD BUSINESS

The Nominating Committee Chair, Doug Sterner, presented the slate from the Committee and opened the floor to additional nominations.  No additional nominations were made.  Olivier Turino moved to accept the slate as presented, Marilyn Marcus seconded.  The membership vote was unanimous.  The 2013-2015 Board is listed on the rear and on the website.

8.REPORTS

President Mammano summarized the ETC Survey process and suggested the results be compared to the Council Consensus Report.

First Vice President Centamore stated that 16 renewals have been received.

9. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Legislative Committee will email for input and participants.  Additional volunteers were taken from the floor.  First meeting will be scheduled prior to the next General Meeting.

Better Meetings Committee – those interested can email input and request to participate to Marilyn Mammano.

10. NEW BUSINESS

Dave Parker from Sailboat Bend  raised concerns with the  Redistricting Committee recommendation to move Sailboat Bend to District 2.                  As suggested, he will email the concerns to the board for further discussion.

11. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

“Power of One Hour” and CVC project in Poinciana Park April 6.  Flyers  to be emailed.

Mark your calendars for “Citizen of the Year” awards on May 7 at City Hall.

12. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Donna Mergenhagen

Recording Secretary