Tuesday November 14, 2006 
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
8^th Floor Conference Room – City Hall
Networking by members as they enjoyed assorted cheeses, crackers, chips, a selection of fruits, and cookies provided by Genia Ellis and Betty Shelley produced small conversations everywhere with the separation wall open. 
CALL TO ORDER: President Genia Duncan Ellis called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Ellis led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.    
ATTENDANCE OF BOARD MEMBERS: Recording Secretary Bunney Brenneman recorded the attendance of Officers and Directors with those present as:  President Genia Ellis, First Vice President Reid Morgan (7:31), Second Vice President Elizabeth Hays, Treasurer Ed Coyle Barranco, Recording Secretary Bunney Brenneman, Corresponding Secretary David Marshall, District I Representative Betty Shelley,  District II Representative Jan Idelman, District III  Representative Audley Ebanks, District IV Representative Jeanie Burke, and Chairman of Committees Richard Mancuso.
ROLL CALL BY 1^st  VICE PRESIDENT: 1^st Vice President Reid Morgan called the roll of member associations and determined that of 42 member associations, only 6 were not present for a total of 36 associations represented,  and a quorum was met.          
MINUTES of the October 10, 2006 were unavailable.   
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Ed Barranco presented his report which indicated a combined Balance of $6,352.92.  The Asencia CD has been renewed.  The report was accepted as presented and on the web site (Attachment A).
ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS: President Ellis introduced Vice Mayor Cindi Hutchinson, County Commissioner-Elect Ken Keechl, and State Representative Jack Seiler. 
State Representative Seiler told us that he will be in Tallahassee next week and anticipates that there will be a Special Session of the Florida Legislature probably in December or January to consider both hot issues: Homeowner’s Insurance and Property Taxes. 
Robert’s Rules Roundup – President Ellis indicated that the seminar was well-attended and successful.   
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Holiday Party Announcement –We will hold a Holiday Party on Tuesday December 5, 2006 from 6:00 -9:00 PM in the 8^th Floor Cafeteria.  Meats consisting of Honey Baked Ham from Genia Ellis, and Turkey Breasts from Betty Shelley will be donated, beverages, plates, and tableware will be provided by the Council.  All member representatives are requested to bring Salads, Vegetables, and Desserts to share with all. 
2. Request from Vice Mayor – Vice Mayor Cindi Hutchinson has identified a great community need for children’s shoes: she requested that those able to contribute New Shoes (possibly go to K-Mart and buy them) for children – Infants to 17 Years of Age – drop them off at the City Hall.  She also told us that District IV will have a holiday event at Tarpon Bend on December 19^th this year.
3. Appointment of District IV Representative for remainder of term – Jeanie Burke of Harbordale has agreed to accept the appointment as the District IV Representative to fill the remainder of the term of Bill Nielsen. 
OLD BUSINESS: 
1. Announcement Downtown Transit Circulation public information meeting starting at 5:00 PM tomorrow.
Contact Pamela Adams at Adams Consulting for details.
2. Show up at Commission 6:00 PM Meeting on Tuesday November 21, 2006 -  to thank Neighborhood Services for their hard work and tremendous job on the very successful 2006 Florida Neighborhoods Conference held here in Fort Lauderdale.  
ROUNDTABLE – NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY – President Genia Ellis read the Council position (Attachment B) to start off the discussion.  Scribes appointed were Pam Brown and Lauren Herman. 

An introduction by Roundtable Chairman Ed Barranco was brief and he acknowledged the presence of Mayor Jim Naugle. Chairman Barranco recognized panelist and former Commissioner Tim Smith who gave background on the City Code with reference to building.  The last rewrite was in 1997 and he has been working with Mike Madfis, Ray Dettman, and Linda Brown on code/developmental matters and concerns.

• Architect Gus Carbonell spoke next and stated that the Code should be tweaked and changed. He went on to state that there are Old Plats of lots 50’ x 150’ in contrast to now when there are homes with 8,000 Sq. Ft. of enclosed space.  He ended by stating that development occurs in an organized effort.

• Tony Abbate, Architect, stated that our present Code treats everyone in a one size fits all manner.  There are Urban Planning models presently available in both England and Australia. In Fort Lauderdale, neighborhoods need to develop a character concept and guidelines: use a Master Plan to set the guidelines.  Buildings need to be designed around trees, not vice versa. Spanish Mediterranean buildings do not work here with our need for air conditioning.

•  Land Use Attorney Courtney Crush was next and stated that overall everyone needs to decide what neighborhood compatibility is!  She represents clients seeking to build or develop.

• Developer/Builder Rene Lepine stated that as a developer has worked in 6 different countries.  We need dwelling units here in Fort Lauderdale, however, zoning approval in this town is now at 2 years. The ULDR process has not changed at all.  The basic problem is that we are not addressing the demand.  Flagler Village is an example: it was supposed to have  substantially more units, but things have changed.

• President Genia Ellis stated that we are seeing that old Florida neighborhoods are disappearing.  Questions ranged from, “How can neighborhoods be schooled in an overlay?” to “How to keep the character of a neighborhood?”

 Various points were brought forth by audience members including Donna Mergenhagen on lack of green space, Rixon Rafter, and a Colee Hammock resident were both seeking change.  Dr Elizabeth Hays opined that they want to keep the character of their neighborhood.  Marilyn Romano of Harbordale remarked that building to the maximum is the problem: the zoning envelope needs to be changed. Ray Dettman of Harbordale stated that development concerns boil down to lack of planning: for example, garbage cans with no storage and no guest parking. 

A Tarpon River resident expressed concerns about townhouses on single family lots, getting setbacks adjusted, and curb cuts. Dave Marshall of Riverside Park stated that they have three issues: one, preservation of canopy;  two, condo conversions (parking requirements create problems with cars sticking out into the street) ;  and three, transition in the way of bulk is a major concern :i.e., a larger use next door.  In addition, there is the pace of change.  He also mentioned an existing video, “The 4-Hour House” by the San Francisco Builders. It was suggested by another attendee that we cannot merely depend upon Code Enforcement: we need an objective Code .that can be relied upon.  G.L. Franklin of River Oaks stated that with the creation of McMansions, there is an issue of privacy. 

Two-story houses need a smaller footprint: 35 feet high is too high.  Ken Strand has noticed in his neighborhood that construction crews are not very neat.  Code is not enforced about renting dock space.  The next objection was that travel trailers are left in residential neighborhood city-wide far too long rather than just when readying for or returning from trips. 

There were several residents in succession in agreement about the need to reduce allowable heights overall. Shirley Smith of Central Beach Alliance was followed by Richard Heidelberger who felt that building permit numbers should be given to Home Owner’s Associations. Joe Welch of The Landings referred to an article from Coral Gables in 2005 addressing these very concerns.  Michael Madfis felt that it is important to preserve the character of the neighborhoods.  Tim Holt of Notting Hill, England, stated that  trade-offs are needed  – higher for downtown and lower for outlying areas.  Art Seitz of Central Beach Alliance stated that the first beach solutions would be height limits East of the Intracoastal; a massive need for alternative transportation on the Beach, and a North-South, East-West grid.

Debra Van Valkenburg of Chula Vista brought out their concerns for improved drainage, urban canopy, and building height as it relates to airport traffic from Runway 13/31 height, while Rudy Herman also of Chula Vista brought out their lack of sidewalks.

Steve Glassman of Central Beach Alliance felt that there has been an abuse of variances, and that to preserve a ”seaside village atmosphere” will require balance and common sense.  A resident from Rio Vista stated that there is undulating electricity: one house with 200 amp service vs. the next one with 60 amp service.  Infrastructure has not – and is not – keeping up.  Joan Parks of River Oaks neighborhood stated that each development needs to have a Master Plan.  We are running out of water, for certain.  Chris Relyea from Harbour Inlet , who is at FAU, suggested that FAU might be used as a resource to help with this project of Neighborhood Compatibility and offered to work on getting this done.  By general consensus, members welcomed his suggestion and agreed to let him try to do this.  All members are encouraged to e-mail to President Genia Ellis    with further neighborhood concerns related to compatibility.