CLFCA

All Aboard Florida EIS

 in Resolutions of Council by (updated 4051 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 3986 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 3986 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 3986 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 3604 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

Executive Board Meeting February 25 2013

 in Agendas - Board Meeting by (updated 3986 days ago)

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

February 25 2013 5:00pm

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

Reapportionment Committee

Membership Report

Membership Renewals

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Legislative Committee

Better Meetings Committee

NEW BUSINESS

            Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

ETC Neighbor Survey

SET THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

            Elections

            Stephanie Denham, Neighborhood Support, Nextdoor.com

Shannon Vezina, Public Affairs Office City Newsletter

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

ADJOURN

*Indicates voting items or may be a voting item

Next Board Meeting 

Next General Membership