June 12, 2007
GENERAL MEETING Minutes
8TH FLOOR Commission Chamber

CALL TO ORDER by President Genia Ellis at 7:30 PM followed by the
PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE.

ROLL CALL BY Corresponding Secretary – David Marshall indicating a quorum of members present.  (Attach A) Sign In Sheet included (Attach B)

MEETING MINUTES of May 08, 2008 were moved and accepted as submitted (Attach C).

TREASURER’S REPORT by Ron Centamore was provided, moved and accepted.  (Attach D)

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS
UPDATE:
Valerie Bohlander, Director of Building Services was introduced as our speaker. She started off by announcing the Building/Code had a new email address for code complaints  and new phone # 954 828 5207.
She also introduced Ms. Deborah Hernandez, Asst Code Enforcement Manager.  They discussed the hurricane preparations requirements for constructions sites and that when a hurricane was approaching that all code and building inspectors would be assigned to verifying that this is done on a full time basis.  The discussion went to pools built before 2002 do not have certain fence requirements and the dangers associated with them.  The subject of dock rentals came up and the response was that this is an on going problem and training is on going to enforce these types of complaints. This is an on going issue for Commissioners to address.

Compliments from Harbordale HOA were offered for their Code Officer Mr. Dick Eaton.

A continued concern was expressed regarding the change of information available on the City Code Tracker.  Previously a complete status of a complaint, action and comments was available on line however now that information is only provided in person at the Code Office.   Director Bohlander and Manager Hernandez agreed to have further conversation with the IT staff to see if some of that information may be returned via a change in fields or presentation and the personal information set aside in an area that is not on-line.

Bulk trash has become a major issue and Code has begun to enforce all illegal dumpers. There is an action team will be out and enforcing the bulk trash violators.

Deborah talked abut Code Tracker being put in place because of a project suggested by  Genia Ellis.  This tool replaced the individual spreadsheets that some neighborhoods received on a monthly basis.   You can search code cases and the code enforcer comments and status.

Hurricane preparation: we have begun to enforce the old blue tarps to find out what it will take to get them repaired as a Code violation.

President Ellis announced that the Lone Sailor project shared between the Council and the Navy League had won the Fort Lauderdale Community Appearance Award on June 6th

Jeri Prior announced that the Lone Sailor Project had received Honorable Mention at NUSA in Baton Rouge, LA. and received a fine write up in the local paper with pictures.
NCIP Booklets and programs for new workshops on June 26 and 28 and the July 9th is the Technical presentation.

Ad Hoc Code Reform Committee Report – Richard Mancuso
On July 10th, the Committee will present a power point presentation at the Conference Meeting to the Commission.  All Council members and Committee Members are encouraged to come to show support.

The City Manager has been invited to the July General meeting to discuss the upcoming Budget and Bob Wolfe from County Property Appraisers office will also be speaking on the recent changes made to property taxes.

The neighborhood services night will either be Oct 09/ Nov 13 – a date to be selected by the Board and announced to the membership.  Coordination will occur with the City Manager’s Office and Neighborhood Services.

The Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations requested a plaque to honor Sarah Horn and it has now been approved and ordered.  There is also a plaque in the works for Audley Ebanks and will also be installed at Civic People’s Park to honor these civic activist. 

NEW BUSINESS:

A request for a resolution was presented by Bob Ross of Harbor Beach to required further review of the anticipated change in the hiring and cost of off-duty police officers in the private section. Through a letter provided by the FOPA, it was represented that the cost per hour could double, the associations would have no say in the selection of officers and the change would force most HOAs to no longer hire off-duty policy. By a vote of 20 to 3, it was approved that a letter be generated asking for the city to make no change at this time without further review and inclusion of  Homeowner Associations in this proposed change since it appears to be geared toward businesses. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Doug Sterner of Progresso Village presented a proposed resolution to form a new task force to investigate the process of development and how it should be applied consistently.  Further discussion ensued with a recommendation that the concerns itemized specifically be sent to the existing Ad Hoc Code Reform Committee for review and comment back to the membership before any new tasks were accepted.  By a majority vote, the motion to send the comments to the Ad Hoc Committee was accepted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS/ASS IGNMENTS – Richard Mancuso
No report was made due to lack of action.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 PM