LAUDERDALE ISLES CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
MINUTES -GENERAL MEETING May 17, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Charles Love
The following board members and trustees were present: Charles Love, Sharon Barre,
Marie Love, Keith Lindgren, Ruth Ann Lindgren, Patricia Coba, Harriet Hodgson, Sabrina Farmer, Yelka Mikolji, Fran Zeitz, Louis (Jim) Crockett, Leland Easton and Dirk Lowry
There were enough voting members present to meet a quorum.
Guests: Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, Jeri Pryor- Neighborhood Services Program Coordinator City of Fort Lauderdale, Kathleen Gunn; Assistant City Manager of Fort Lauderdale, Captain Todd Peney; Fort Lauderdale Police Department
The president requested that each board member and trustee introduce themselves.
Minutes of Trustee’s meeting of April 19, 2007 were distributed earlier and approved.
Treasurer Keith Lindgren read the Treasurer’s report stating a total income of $12,190.00, with new cash reserves of $31,132.24.
Charles gave a brief lane sign update. A photo was taken with Leland Easton displaying his enlarged matching fund check of $8,000.00, along with Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, board members and beautification committee members.
Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson introduced herself and spoke of WaterWorks 2011 which is a program that will cost many millions of dollars for water and sewer infrastructure improvements. Sixty million dollars will be spent for District 4. She stated she took many tours of the City within the past 30 days to get a feel for the ongoing construction. She informed the group that there is a Commissioner’s pre agenda meeting which is held the first and third Monday of each month where she reviews the items on the agenda and twice a month there is a City Commissioner’s regular meeting. It was noted that each month Charles Love attends a pre-agenda meeting. This is her last term in office and she will be leaving in two years. Next Commissioner Hutchinson talked about rezoning. She stated that it is up to us the residents to decide what we want for the zoning requirements of our neighborhood. It is not her decision. Her staff could come out and speak to us again if needed. Commissioner Hutchinson suggested LICIA send a formal letter to the City indicating our zoning preferences. Charles Love stated that the City made a presentation to the residents of Lauderdale Isles at the Yacht Club and solicited the opinion of approximately the 65 residents in attendance and at the end of the meeting in discussions with the residents it was very apparent that approximately 90% voted to keep Broward County Zoning as is with no changes. Articles were incorporated into our spring issue Newsletter at which point Commissioner Hutchinson said we have done our job.
It was noted we need the tabulations from Cheryl Dickey.
Kathleen Gunn, Assistant City Manager advised she would tabulate votes and also inform Cindi of when these public meetings would take place. Cindi stated we should attend these public meetings. After these meetings are held it then goes to the Planning & Zoning Board and then the Commission. Kathleen Gunn informed the attendees that the Planning & Zoning Board with staff member Don Morris would explain the process. Cindi said she would review the information before it is presented to Planning & Zoning and would make sure all the neighborhoods in her district would be informed.
Questions were asked regarding code enforcement on a foreclosed home and a property on Riverland Road in disrepair in which Ms. Hutchinson advised to call her office and stay anonymous if preferred or Email her. A question was asked regarding the new proposed 18 miles of waterway from canal to ditches. She remarked at this time an internal study /workshop is in progress and no decision has been made.
Captain Todd Peney reported there were three crimes in March, one in April and two in May. The majority were vehicle burglaries and vehicle break ins. The shooting of March 6th is still being investigated. He stated this neighborhood is doing very well. Watering restrictions are still in effect; even numbered homes can water Sunday from 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m., odd numbered homes can water Saturday from 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Code enforcement monitors this during the day and if a resident complains in the evening the Police Department is notified.
Geri Pryor Neighborhood Services Program Coordinator spoke of the NCIGP and the status of the lane sign project. The City is requiring and providing a survey of the 13 lanes which is now in progress. Next the attorneys will review the legal agreement. Once approved LICIA can begin the construction of the lane signs with the contractors. When we are invoiced we are to send invoices to Geri Pryor and she will inform the finance department to send us a check.
We should spend City money first.
She informed the group of the 2008 kick off grant program presentation to be held on June 26th and June 28th 2007 at George English Park from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
It was noted that it is taking a very long time for the city to conduct this survey.
Charles Love spoke briefly about the election of new board members of Lauderdale Isles Water Management Drainage District which has a governing board comprised of two local residents and Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson. The term of the residents is expiring and a new board will be voted on. Residents are accessed $15.00 a year on their Broward County tax bill. At this time there is $36,000 in this fund. Originally this money was for cleaning our canals and assisting Broward County in the clean up. Charles Love and Harriet Hodgson went to the City of Fort Lauderdale to have their names placed on the ballot. Election will be held at the Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club on May 30th from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. Voting information was printed in our LICIA newsletter. A question was asked if we could spend some of this money to put signs on the bulkheads with the name of each canal. It was noted that Manatee signs were missing. Also asked do we have to spend this money and where can we spend it. No decision was noted.
Next item addressed by Charles Love was airport expansion. The planning of this expansion has been going on for thirteen years. There was a meeting on May 1st in which Mr. Love was the only attendee from the Isles.
It was noted that there is nothing new with the property on Riverland Road and 441.
Charles will update residents of the landscaping on Riverland Road when he is informed by the City.
A motion was made and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marie Love - Secretary