LAUDERDALE ISLES CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOC., INC.
General Meeting, 16 May 1996
1. The meeting was called to order by Pres. Gary
Starkweather (GS) at 7:40 PM. Approximately 150 souls were
in attendance.
2. President Starkweather welcomed all to the meeting.
3. It was MOVED and SECONDED that the reading of the
minutes of the February 1996 General Meeting be dispensed
with because copies had been made available to those
present. There being no objection, a show of hands indicated
the motion PASSED.
4. Treasurer Campbell was not present at this time, so GS
presented an abbreviated treasurer's report which stated
that approximately $7100 is in the Association's account. He
stated that payables are approximately $350, while
undeposited funds are $460. To date, $945 has been donated
towards entrance signs. It was MOVED and SECONDED that this
report be accepted. The motion PASSED.
5. GS introduced BSO Deputy Mike Rosenthal (MR),
substituting for Deputy Wilson who underwent dental surgery
and could not attend. MR asked if there were any questions,
comments, etc., from the floor.
Joan Sheridan asked about the operation in the early-morning
hours last week when a police helicopter hovered over the
Isles for several hours. MR stated that there were several
individuals stealing from boats. They were apprehended and
all property has been returned to its owners. Charges have
been filed against the suspects.
The problem of racing on SR 84 just east of SR 7 was raised.
MR said he would advise Deputy Wilson of the situation. It
was noted that the property in question is in the Town of
Davie; MR advised that BSO could notify Davie to see what
could be done about the situation. He stated that "border"
areas such as this quite often "fall in the crack" so to
speak; if the town of Davie is unable to take action, then
BSO could.
MR remarked that street-name signs make the jobs of police
and EMS much easier.
A remark from the floor addressed cars racing down certain
lanes and questioned if anything could be done before
someone is injured. MR suggested that the tag number of the
offending vehicle be given to BSO, who would then advise the
driver/owner that he/she should mend his/her ways!
MR was asked from the floor if BSO had relaxed their patrols
in LI in recent months. He replied that BSO is short of
manpower and available deputies are being assigned to areas
of higher crime than ours. He stated that there are three
cars assigned in this area south of Broward Blvd.: one each
in Melrose Park and west of 441, leaving one car to cover
the remaining areas. He also stated that two deputies are
being dispatched to more dangerous incidents, further
reducing available deputies on patrol in the Isles.
Concern was raised from the floor regarding groups of
schoolchildren on Riverland Rd. in the area of Flamingo
Lane. It was stated that it is a very dangerous situation
with the children paying little attention to the traffic,
which is not always travelling at the proper speed. MR said
he would pass along the information to the day shift.
When asked if there were any criminal activities in the
Isles of which we should be aware. MR said that things are
relatively quiet.
Joan Sheridan requested crime statistics for this area. MR
said that Crime Analysis might be able to furnish a copy.
Kitty Stack remarked that a quarterly report is available
from BSO for $25.
5. GS stated that the meeting would now be thrown open as
a forum for questions and answers from local government
officials. He further stated that representatives from
Sunset Civic Association, Riverland Village, River Landings,
and Riverland Woods were in attendance at tonight's meeting.
He then announced that the Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis
Club is providing their facility gratis for our meetings and
asked for a round of thanks from those present for the
Club's participation in community affairs such as this.
GS turned the floor over to George Hanbury (GH), Ft.
Lauderdale City Manager. GH mentioned that the city has
about 10% of the population of the County, which forms
approximately 20% of the County's tax base. He went on to
say that Ft. Lauderdale's tax base needs to be preserved,
and that the city is looking to expand its tax base. "If Ft.
Lauderdale's tax base starts to reduce significantly more,
then that means the tax base of Broward County is going to
have to be increased somewhere else," he said. He added,
however, that the city does not wish to annex anyone who
does not wish to be annexed.
He remarked that the city has committed to dredge and
maintain the New River in city limits to a depth of 10 ft at
mean low water (MLW) and canals in the city to a depth of 4
ft at MLW.
GH said the city would perform a comparison of property for
anyone in this area to compare the tax rates, benefits,
etc., to other cities. He said that the fire service and
municipal service fees now paid by Isles residents to the
county would be "...almost equivalent to what you would be
paying on the ad valorem tax that the City of Ft. Lauderdale
charges."
GH then introduced Steve Kastner (SK), city Fire Marshall,
who addressed the resolution of the problem with the old
Pantry Pride shopping center. SK stated that the first step
is through a civil process. If that process is ineffective,
then criminal charges are initiated. He stated that they had
been working on the property for several years.
Cheryl Donisi (CD), city Code-Enforcement Officer, described
the situation at the abandoned shopping center and outlined
what had been done recently and what will be done in the
future. She stated that the Miami-Lauderdale Auto Auction
was not aware of the fact that there was a violation in
effect with cars parked on the property and inside the
building. They stated that they had been informed by the
property manager, Mr. Malic, that all was well. Electric
service to the building, inside of which cars had been
parked illegally, was cut and the auto-auction was advised
that the cars must be removed. Pressure from the city
finally caused the cars to be removed.
She stated that there were five individuals that make up the
estate of the late Mr. Betencort, the owner, and that there
was some question as to against whom criminal charges would
be filed. A suggestion from the floor was to charge all
five. She said this was not practical, and that time is
needed to make sure that all is done properly. She stated
that there is a lien of $240,000 against the property by the
city.
She then remarked on the truck-sales operation on the south
end of the property, which is permitted and licensed. She
has advised the owners of that operation that trucks over 20
ft. long could not be parked on the property.
It was mentioned from the floor that the property just to
the north of the shopping-center property is still being
used as a dirt-bike and ATV track and is a nuisance and
annoyance to neighbors as well as a potential safety hazard.
SK said he would bring this to the attention of the city
police district commander.
Randy Dunlap asked if the building was in usable condition
and what would be the approximate cost of razing the
structure. Because of the asbestos present in the building,
SK said, it would probably cost about $500,000. This figure
is based on $5/square foot, estimated. GH remarked that it
might be feasible for the city to acquire the building for
the liens and then spend $500,000 to tear it down. That
would be something GH would have to take to the city
commission for their approval.
GH stated the "...city commission is considering going with
a referendum for upgrading parks and even buying parks in
the city of Ft. Lauderdale." This was met with applause from
the floor.
JS spoke on the Bennett David property, saying that perhaps
this area could be combined with the shopping-center area
and the city property across Riverland Rd. to form one large
green area. She then asked how could the city and the
community could work together to make something happen with
these properties to improve the area. GH replied he felt
something could be worked out and the area would make a nice
city/county park; he would have no objection of recommending
the proposal to the City Commission. He remarked, however,
that our area would eventually have to be in the city to
have something more than a passive park operation estab-
lished.
Pete Sheridan stated a desire for the community to meet with
the city as soon as possible and talk over all the issues
involved in what it would take to clean up the property,
including annexation by the City of Ft. Lauderdale. Pete
further stated that our home values are dropping daily
because of the abandoned shopping center.
GH agreed, and said he would be glad to meet with us
anytime.
Pete Sheridan MOVED and SECONDED that an Annexation
Feasibility Study Committee be formed. This committee would
discuss the shopping-center problem and its solutions as
well as pros and cons of being annexed by the city. By a
show of hands, the motion PASSED.
Pete Sheridan volunteered to chair the committee. The
following individuals volunteered to serve on the committee:
Danielle and Brian Cerny, 2555 Flamingo, 797-8657
Sharon Littlejohn, 2442 Flamingo, 791-7904
Pete Charbonneau, 2655 Nassau, 584-5784
Elliot Goldstein, ?, 792-6827
Craig Canning, 3404 SW 25th St., 587-3492
Kitty Stack, Whale Harbor, 587-2732
Randy Dunlap, 2425 Andros, 583-8314
Rick Cunningham, 3400 SW 26th St., 321-9562
Betsy Mauserhardt, 2430 Bimini, 583-0442
Neil Leibowitz, 2490 Bimini, 584-7591
George Counts, 2449 Nassau, 584-4926
Mark Olsen (Atty), 315 NE 3rd Ave., 524-3111
Richard Phillips, 2648 Gulfstream, 583-7026
Pete then asked that the city contact LICIA by the middle of
next week to set up a meeting. GH said, "I will personally
be involved as well as my two assistants Bud Bently and Pete
Witchen (?) plus all the staff..."
From the floor it was stated that the situation concerning
the shopping center has been going on for some 5 years. Was
he just now, in the last month or so, aware of it? GH
responded that his office was made aware in April of this
year.
From the floor, "How long before we may see some improve-
ments in the area, including the property just to the north
of the shopping center?" SK stated it would take a week or
so. He further stated that public safety is receiving
substantial budget increases this year that should be seen
as more police presence in our area and more effective
enforcement.
From the floor, "What is the property at the NE corner of
Riverland and 441 going to be?" JS said it would be a Shell
station with carwash.
GH introduced Commissioner Carlton Moore (CM). He said that
foreclosure of the shopping-center property may or may not
be the way to go. As far as the dirt bikes racing on the
property to the north, he stated that the property owner
must post the property and sign an affidavit for us (the
city) stating that in the absence of the owner's actually
seeing a violation on their property a (city) police officer
has the right to make an arrest and remove the individual
from the property.
CM stated that he was a strong advocate of parks. He further
remarked that the extent of parks really boils down to what
residents would be willing to pay. The city could offer many
services to the Isles if we were a part of the city.
With regards to the drug situation at the intersection of
Davie Blvd. and 441, he said there is a special team that
will be addressing the problems in that area.
6. President Starkweather thanked all city and county
officials for attending the meeting and then recessed the
meeting for 15 minutes at 9:05 PM
7. GS reconvened the meeting at 9:20 PM
8. GS referenced a letter from BSO Chief Auer regarding the
annual National Night Out on Crime Meeting to be held on
Monday, 20 May. George Counts said he would like several
volunteers to attend the meeting.
9. JS commented to the neighborhood-improvement projects
being undertaken and welcomed Ted Vitale, Neighborhood
Planner from the county. He and the county landscaping
representative regarding our signage project. She stated
that the $20 donation being requested is for signs at the
entrance to each lane. The county is to erect entry signs on
Riverland Road under the auspices of the Neighborhood
Improvement Program.
A question from the floor asked if signs would be replaced
at the entrance to each lane where there was a fire hydrant.
Pete Sheridan stated that signs can be replaced in those
areas, as long as the sign is replaced in the originally
surveyed location for signs.
A question from the floor asked whether signs would be
installed at the entrance to 34th Avenue. PC stated that the
estimated cost of installing new signs included signs at
34th Ave. After disussion, it was MOVED and SECONDED that
entry signs be installed at 34th Ave. The motion PASSED.
10. Pete Sheridan announced that the LICIA BBS is now on-
line at 581-1684 and invited visitors to browse around the
BBS.
11. Pete Sheridan reiterated that the purpose of the
Annexation Feasibility-Study Committee is not to propose
annexation, but to gather facts concerning annexation and
present them to residents of LI.
12. GC announced that the Citizens On Patrol program needs
volunteers. Anyone interested should contact Neil Leibowitz.
13. There being no further business, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:00PM.
Respectfully submitted, Terry Simonds, Secretary
