LAUDERDALE ISLES CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOC., INC.
MINUTES
General Meeting, 17 Aug 1995
1. The meeting was called to order by Pres. Gary
Starkweather at 7:40PM. Approximately 40 souls were in
attendance.
2. It was Moved and Seconded that, because there were copies
of the minutes of the last General Meeting (May 1995) avail-
able at the back of the room, the reading of the minutes be
dispensed with. Motion Passed.
3. The Treasurer's report showed Assets of $6883.95,
including $490 in uncollected dues, and Liabilities of
$6883.95. It was Moved and Seconded that the Treasurer's
report be accepted. The motion Passed.
4. Gary Starkweather (GS) introduced BSO Deputy Tony Wilson
(TW) who gave the following report: Crime rate appears to be
down in this area, but advised neighbors to watch
neighboring property for suspicious activity. The radar
speed-control activity on R'Land Road is still quite active
and is still attracting quite a few residents of the Isles.
TW remarked that he has received several complaints about
County Ordinance violations. He advised us to check our
property and those of neighbors for possible violations, for
he and a trainee will be in the Isles starting Sunday 20 Aug
issuing notices of violations. These will be in the form of
warnings; citations to follow if not resolved. In
particular, he will be looking for motor homes/campers
plugged into the house, obvious evidence of living in such
vehicles, boats, no tags, parking in street, etc. He also
mentioned he had received complaints about live-aboards in
boats in the canals. There was some discussion as to whether
or not this was legal, particularly as it applied to short-
term (several days) use of a boat. TW said that Broward
County Ordinances say you cannot live aboard a boat in this
area. A comment from the floor suggested that as this is an
R1A single-family residential area, a live-aboard would
constitute a second family living on the property and would
therefore be in violation. TW said he would research the
exact law pertaining to live-aboards before taking action.
5. GS recognized Gene Wilk (GW), aide to Rep. Tracy Stafford
from the 92nd District. The main subject of GW's
presentation was that of annexation. He stated that he was
in favor of having residents of the proposed area vote on
the proposal, at a time of the year when most would be
expected to be in residence, and after full and complete
explanation of the ramifications of annexation had been
given to all residents of the area in question. He stated
that the next meeting of the ad hoc Committee on Annexation
will be at 7:30PM on 7 September 1995 at the Hollywood City
Hall. When asked who he thought may be behind the
annexation, he replied he did not know. He further stated
that the committee is still holding hearings to develop
procedures that could be applied county-wide, and that no
decisions have been made as to what areas may be involved or
what procedure should be followed in annexation of an area.
He felt that annexations are not particularly imminent, but
that concerned citizens should stay on top of proceedings to
stay abreast of developments. It was asked from the floor
that since LICIA had been opposed in the past to annexation
should we have a voice present at the annexation hearings?
GW replied in the affirmative, offering that petitions and
letters can be very effective.
He identified four annexation methods, briefly describing
each. These methods are: Legislative action, voluntary,
involuntary, and by enclave. Details of these methods were
briefly discussed and are available in Chapter 4 of House
Committee on Community Affairs obtainable through Rep.
Stafford's office. When asked if the annexation ad hoc
committee could change the rules, i.e., add another
annexation method, GW said that it would be possible only if
present annexation laws were to be changed. In other words,
it would take the full legislative process to do so which he
deemed possible, but at this point not probable. He remarked
that he felt that few members of the committee were in favor
of forced (involuntary) annexation; most members simply have
not yet made up their minds.
GW was asked from the floor if there was a list of state
representatives available. He said yes, and that he would
submit the complete list of Representatives and Senators to
LICIA.
GW then shifted to a presentation of Rep. Stafford's views
on other subjects, including juvenile justice.
6. GS called for a show of hands re the following:
Those in favor of annexation - 0
Those against annexation - 30
Those against involuntary annexation - Unanimous
Those undecided, want more information - 4
It was Moved and Seconded that a letter from LICIA to the ad
hoc annexation committee relating the consensus of those
present at the general meeting as pertains to annexation in
any form of the Lauderdale Isles area be presented to that
committee at their next meeting on 7 September. Motion
Passed. It was suggested from the floor that data from other
communities that have been annexed be gathered to show the
tax-base before and after situations so that we may be more
fully aware of what is involved in annexation from a
financial standpoint. Rep. Stafford's office is to send
LICIA transcripts of the committee meetings so we can see
what is and has transpired along these lines.
7. GS announced that there has been little if any progress
made with regards the Pantry Pride shopping center. George
Counts (GC) remarked that he had filed a complaint with the
City of Ft. Lauderdale regarding the open, overflowing
dumpster on the property, but no action seems to have been
taken by the city. GS stated that the owner of the shopping
center, Mr. Bettencourt, had refused our invitation to
attend a LICIA meeting and discuss the issues.
Joan Sheridan (JS) remarked that she had spoken with the
owner of the truck-rental operation regarding the number of
vehicles parked on a public way. She was told that these
vehicles were merely in the process of being moved. JS
stated that the county sheriff would be asked to take the
situation in hand if he (the owner) would not rectify it.
It was Moved and Seconded that letters of complaint with
regards to the deplorable condition of the shopping center
and the way in which complaints in the past have been
handled by the city be sent to various agencies in the city
including, but not limited to, the Mayor, Code Enforcement,
etc. The motion Passed.
8. NEW BUSINESS
GS discussed development activities on the Danielle property
that lies between the river and SR84. He stated that the
Florida Marine Patrol and other agencies had asked Mr.
Danielle to stop what he was doing on several occasions. It
was subsequently revealed that he had received all the
necessary permits for what he was doing, and work proceeded.
Although it appears that he is illegal, he seems to be
conforming to the conditions of all permits issued to date.
Bob Halpern (BH), 2690 Key Largo Lane, was recognized. He
stated that he has meticulously documented the operations on
the Danielle property and believes Mr. Danielle is not doing
what he is telling authorities he is doing. BH said that he
has photographs of the area taken when several years ago he
moved to the cul de sac at the end of Key Largo, overlooking
the river and Mr. Danielle's property. These photos, he
says, when compared to recent photos, clearly show the river
bank as having been extended out into the river by several
feet as a result of Mr. Danielle's dumping of several
hundred cubic yards of dirt and rip rap along the bank. BH
remarked that it appears that Mr. Danielle is literally
stealing the river. He asked, is this really a commercial
development masquerading as a residential endeavor?
After discussion from the floor, BH volunteered to chair a
committee to find out exactly what is going on with regards
Mr. Danielle's property and report to the membership. George
Counts volunteered to serve with BH, and mentioned that he
would enlist the efforts of Bud Johnson. It was Moved and
Seconded that LICIA send letters to the appropriate agencies
to find out what the applicant is and is not allowed to do
within the scope of the permits that have been issued. As
there appears to be some confusion over who has jurisdiction
over what in this area, it was suggested that Rep.
Stafford's office might be able to assist us in finding out
just who may be the appropriate agency(ies) to contact. The
motion Passed.
GS reported on the Hollywood "Recycling" Facility, stating
that two other petitions for Administrative Hearing had been
filed, one by FP&L, and that nothing further has transpired
to date. It may be that LICIA can "ride the coattails" of
one of the other larger, richer, petitioners, thereby
expending little effort.
GS reported that the BSO Marine Dept. is still looking for
a dock with a davit and 24-hr access here in the Isles at
which to base a small, fast boat. GC mentioned that he knows
of someone who may have such facilities and will contact
him.
With regards to the possibility of the erection of
"Lauderdale Isles" entry signs at 441 and Riverland and at
Riverland near the school, a poll of those present showed
unanimous approval (with one abstention). GS called for the
sign committee to proceed. There was a round of applause for
the committee's work to date, in particular the article
prepared for the August 1995 Newsletter.
GS called members attention to the displays at the back of
the room, stating it was an effort to show members of the
LICIA what their association is doing and how it is being
done.
Kitty Stack announced that fines by the county against Farm
Stores for illegally trimming trees near the store had been
dropped. Instead, Farm Stores was ordered to plant 18 new
trees, this time on their property and not County property.
She remarked that the store looked quite nice now, new grass
having been planted.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
at 9:55PM.
Respectfully submitted, Terry Simonds, Secretary.
