LAUDERDALE ISLES CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
MINUTES
General Meeting 19 February 1998
LIGM199802.TXT
Trustees present at the meeting (based on sign-in sheet) are indicated by an asterisk (*):
*Randy Dunlap (RD)/Andros *George Counts (GC)/Nassau Neil Leibowitz (NL)/Bim *Ann Guardino (AG)/Okee *Marion Dunn (MD)/Cat Cay Tony Torti (TT)/Sugarloaf *Tony Spalding (Tsp)/34th *Geri Connelly (Geri)/Tort *Jay Hinchcliffe (JH)/Flam Harriet Hodgsen (HH)/W Hbr *Terry Simonds (TS)/Gulf *Betty-Ann Campbell (BAC)/RS *Joan Sheridan (JS)/K Largo Jim Whetsel (JW)/RN Audrey Edwards (AE)/Marath
1. The meeting was called to order by President Starkweather at 7:40PM.
2. Lane Representation Tonight (based on sign-in sheet)
Andros--1 Bimini--0 Cat Cay--2 Duck Key (incl all homes)--2 Flamingo--3 Gulfstream--5 Key Largo--2 Marathon--1 Nassau--8 Okeechobee--1 Sugarloaf--2 Tortugas--3 Whale Harbor--2 Riverland-North--0 Riverland-South--1 TOTAL: 33
3. President Starkweather introduced BSO Deputy Bob Kerr. Deputy Kerr reported on crime in the Isles and surrounding areas consisted mainly of daylight burglaries of bikes, plants, etc., essentially anything left out in plain sight. He reported they are apprehending 3-4 suspects a day, mostly in the Broadview and Melrose Park areas. Very few here in the Isles. Suspects were all juveniles, except one who was 21. Truancy is a very big factor in daylight burglaries, and anyone seeing a school-age kid wandering about during school hours should contact BSO. Use the non-emergency number 765-4321 if it's not an emergency and 911 if it is an emergency. Our zone, as far as BSO is concerned, is Zone 502. Deputy Kerr's voice-mail number is 896-9074 and his desk number is 321-4828. Call for crime statistics if interested.
He reported that the COP program is working, and that the next class will be on 2 March in Pompano.
4. It was MOVED and SECONDED that the reading of the minutes of the November 1997 General Meeting be dispensed with. The motion PASSED.
5. Treasurer Betty-Anne Campbell reported a balance in the treasury of $4595.31. It was MOVED and SECONDED that the treasurer's report be accepted as presented. The motion PASSED.
6. President Starkweather reported on the Riverland Woods project, saying that nothing new had happened since the publication of the article in the Newsletter. He stated that it was unfortunate that Mr. Amsdell had reneged on his promise, but, as we had nothing in writing, there was little we could do about it from a legal standpoint. He urged all residents to write a letter to Mr. Amsdell telling him how disappointed in his decision they were and asking him if he would change his mind and honor his promise. In addition, letters to City and County Commissioners expressing one's opinion would not hurt. Mark Olsen remarked from the floor how impressed Mr. Amsdell was with the positive response from the Sunset (Homeowner's) Group. He went on to say the project will require replatting and that this would take six months or so. During this time, all residents are urged to speak out for Riverland Woods, write letters, perhaps contact the media to see if they would be interested in carrying the story. Randy Dunlap remarked from the floor that the project was considered as marginal at best, and that pressure from civic groups may reverse the decision to build the storage facility. Joan Sheridan stated that thousands of people have been affected by this decision and they are not happy campers. She mentioned that the book prepared for City and County officials showing support for Riverland Woods should be sent to Amsdell. After discussion it was MOVED and SECONDED that a copy of the documents of support for Riverland Woods be mailed to Amsdell. The motion PASSED.
From the floor, George Counts suggested that a special issue of the Newsletter be written and distributed to all residents outlining what each could do to help turn the Riverland Woods situation around. President Starkweather agreed this would be a good idea.
7. Joan Sheridan reported that the Bennet David property issue is still on track, and the differential between properties involved in trade is about $200K.
8. President Starkweather reported on the Hacienda issue stating that the developer is well under way towards building townhouse-type apartments of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom type. The entire property is under deed restriction, copy of which is on the table at the back of the room tonight. Buffering on the river side of the development may be an issue, due to the fact that they may be forced into removing the Australian Pines, deemed a "pest specie" by the state and replacing them with something else. Hopefully, the new plantings will be as dense or denser than what is there now. It was noted that the number of 1-bedroom apartments indicate that the increased load on the school system will be minimal. He went on to say that the height of the proposed structure may actually be a benefit towards the reducing of traffic noise from the highways to the south of us.
9. President Starkweather reported that the Broward County Office of Environmental Service is roaring ahead with the plan to drain some 241 acres with a French drain that will empty into the Dolphin Canal between Gulfstream and Key Largo Lanes. The OES design meets all specifications in place now. We may ask that elevated standards be imposed on this project, but chances of this happening are slim.
President Starkweather said that he has a list of the members of the S. Fla. Regional Planning Council and that volunteers are needed to work with them to get the standards elevated. Our main concern, he said, is water quality in our canals and in the New River. LICIA is not totally satisfied that the waters will not be polluted by runoff through the proposed system. He went on to say that plans for the system are on the table at the back of the room tonight.
Randy Dunlap asked if the Lauderdale Isles Water Management District has any jurisdiction to deny a permit for the project, and that perhaps an attorney should be retained int he matter. After discussion it was MOVED and SECONDED that the Lauderdale Isles Water Management District retain the services of an attorney to render an opinion on the issue, vis-a-vis the technicalities of the law and possible recourse later. In addition, the Lauderdale Isles Water Management District would be asked if it would pay for independent water sampling now, as a "before" or control sample, and again after the drainage system has been in use for a time. The motion PASSED. At the next trustee meeting on 19 March 1998 the trustees will discuss the situation with the Lauderdale Isles Water Management District.
10. Joan Sheridan reported that the entry-way sign plantings will be soon ready for installation. After discussion it was MOVED and SECONDED that a committee be set up to look at the plantings offered by the county and that the committee be empowered to choose the plantings. The motion PASSED. Joan Sheridan stated that the committee would meet at her house on Key Largo Lane on Tues, 24 Feb 1998, at 7:30PM.
11. Joan Sheridan reported for the Annexation Committee in the absence of committee chairman Pete Sheridan. She stated that the County is offering consultants to meet with homeowner's groups to explain the annexation process. The county pays for the consultants. It was MOVED and SECONDED that the trustees, at the next trustee meeting, 19 March 1998, select a consultant for the purpose of advising LICIA on the annexation process. The chosen consultant would meet with the general membership at either the May 1998 or November 1998 general meeting. The motion PASSED.
12. George Counts reported that he needs help in the Riverland Rd. cleanup. Call George or see him after the meeting.
13. From the floor it was reported by a resident at 2530 Sugarloaf Lane that the house at 2531 Okeechobee had burned down recently and that a boat had sunk in the canal behind the house. He wanted to know what LICIA could do to get the hulk removed. He was told that this was the first time an officer or trustee had heard of the incident, and we would do what we could to get the ball rolling. The resident advised us to contact his wife, Nancy Harrington, at 831-0903.
14. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23PM.
Respectively submitted, Terry Simonds, Secretary.