LAUDERDALE ISLES CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOC., INC.
General Meeting, 16 Nov 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 a beginning balance in
November 1994 of $6528.67. Income in 1995 was $1506.19
yielding a total of $8034.86 Expenses in 1995 totalled
$1799.83 resulting in a 1995 closing balance of $6235.03.
Income through 16 Nov 1995 was $320.00 leaving a balance on
16 Nov 1995 of $6555.03. It was Moved and Seconded that the
Treasurer's report be accepted. The motion Passed.
4. Gary Starkweather (GS) put out a call for all dues to be
paid; contributions and dues would be accepted this evening.
5. GS introduced BSO Deputy Tony Wilson (TW) who gave the
following report: Code-Enforcement personnel will be making
a "sweep" of the area to pinpoint and cite infractions of
the zoning regulations of Broward County. This elicited many
questions and comments from the floor. Joan Sheridan (JS)
remarked that she had contacted a rug merchant at the NE
corner of Riverland and SR7 regarding a license to do
business at that location. The merchant relocated, but was
back in a week. TW remarked that the City (Ft. Lauderdale)
has jurisdiction over that corner, and we would talk to his
contact there about this. JS again mentioned heavy equipment
parked near B&B Rentals; this, too, is in the City's
jurisdiction. TW stated that BSO will not perform selective
enforcement of code infractions.
TW introduced Sgt. Larry Whitford (LW), Supervisor, Marine
Squad/Dive Team, Dept. of Crime Prevention, BSO. LW remarked
that at present there are 6 deputies in 6 boats to watch
after over 43,000 registered boats in the county. They are
concentrated in the ICW area, and could take over an hour to
respond to a complaint here in LI. Along those lines, he
stated that BSO is looking for a dock, preferably with a
hoist or davits, here in LI at which BSO could station a
boat. This would significantly reduce our response time, he
said. An offer of a dock was made from the floor; LW
tentatively accepted the offer, predicated on an inspection
of the facilities. LW stated that derelict vessels in
Broward County waters fall under his department's
jurisdiction. He urged anyone to call his office at 938-0650
to report a derelict vessel. Abandonment of a vessel in
County waters is a criminal offense. Under some conditions,
the DNRP, under a state grant, will pay to have the derelict
removed.
Detective Allen Barnes, BSO Crime Prevention Unit (321-4101)
spoke to the issue of the dumping of materials in the water
or on land. He stated that it is a criminal offense to dump
material. Pete Sheridan (PS) reported that in past months
there have been several incidences of what appeared to be a
fuel spill entering the canal between Gulfstream and Key
Largo Lanes form the river. He was unable to track the spill
to its source. Det. Barnes suggested that the BSO Marine
Unit, Florida Marine Patrol, and the USCG be notified. A
call to the BSO Marine Unit would result in the most rapid
response.
6. GS introduced Orlando Huguet ["hugh-get"](OH), Assistant
Director of Broward County Code and Zoning Enforcement (468-
3437). With OH was Mark Smith, Associate Planner and Senior
Code Enforcement Officer. OH stated that his office is
responsible for the enforcement of zoning codes that impact
on 150,000-200,200 residents of the county. He remarked that
the purpose of the codes is to make the county a pleasant,
safe, and healthy place in which to live. In the case of
infractions, verbal or written warnings are given first,
followed up with citations, fines, and, in some extreme
cases, liens and foreclosure. He stated that Zoning and code
regulations are being looked at now with the goal of new
codifications that would address life styles in the present.
As the codes were written in the 1950's, he admitted there
were some gray areas that need clarification. There were
many questions from the floor, mostly addressing parking and
storage of vehicles and boats on private property. OH
suggested that LICIA research the concerns of residents of
Lauderdale Isles and notify his office in writing of these
concerns. He said that brochures are available, and a copy
of the code would be furnished to LICIA. It was MOVED and
SECONDED that a straw vote be taken in the form of a
questionnaire in the next Newsletter that would address
these concerns, and that a committee be set up to coordinate
efforts along these lines. The motion PASSED.
7. President Starkweather introduced Ed Walstrum (EW), who
is a representative of Marco Betancourt (827-2020 X313), the
owner of the Pantry Pride complex. EW stated that plans to
install a Post Office facility, medical lab, medical clinic,
and Columbian Restaurant are presently on the table.
Asbestos has been encountered in the structure and will have
to removed before any further work can be done. There is an
offer on the table now that may result in a plumbing-supply
operation taking control of the project. No date was given
for any serious work to be done. EW remarked that Mr.
Betancourt wants to "...get rid of the place as soon as he
can." EW asked residents to call him at 321-0015 with
complaints, suggestions, etc. He said he visits the site
daily and will do what he can to address any problems.
8. GS reported on the Annexation Ad Hoc Committee, stating
that the committee will probably not try to force anything
on the community. George Counts (GC), having attended
several of the committee's meetings, stated that he sees no
cause for concern at this time.
9. A question from the floor addressed street signs. GS
stated that various designs are still being looked at with
criteria of net cost and possible re-use of the existing
signs. He stated that the county can fund "entrance signs,"
that is, a sign at the entrance to a subdivision, but not at
individual lanes.
10. JS called for volunteers to join the Urban Greenways
Committee efforts.
11. GS reminded all present of the community cleanup effort
scheduled for Saturday, 18 Nov. JS requested volunteers to
be at the LI Yacht Club at 8:30AM. Larry O'Connor has
offered a garbage truck that day that will visit each lane
to pick up trash. Jean DePuis, of the county office of waste
management, said he would take care of hazmat personally,
but there will be no provisions for routine hazmat handling.
A sign-up sheet was passed around to all present.
12. GS mentioned that the yacht club donates space to LICIA
for its meetings. The club has offered its facilities, bar
included, to LICIA members after the meeting.
13. GS mentioned the matter of rainwater runoff into the
canals here in the isles. He said that whatever accumulates
in our yards eventually finds its way to the river and into
the canals. He admonished all residents to be careful and
exercise common sense in the disposal and storage of
hazmats.
14. A comment from the floor mentioned the high levels of
arsenic found in the area off SR7 north of Lauderdale Isles.
It was stated that water from the Peele water-treatment
facility on SR7 was not at fault, and that the problem could
arise from the fact that homes in the area in question may
have been on an old county dump.
15. A comment from the floor mentioned the odor from the
incinerator in the last week. The odor, resembling hydrogen
sulfide gas (rotten eggs), was reportedly the result of the
incinerator's "...being able to burn some new materials that
they haven't been permitted to burn in the past."
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
at 9:54PM.
Respectfully submitted, Terry Simonds, Secretary.
