March 18th, 2008
GENERAL MEETING Minutes
8TH FLOOR Commission Chamber

Meeting was called to Order by President, Genia Ellis at 7:30 PM followed by the
PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE.

ROLL CALL BY First VP, Dr. Hayes and a quorum of members is present.  (Attachment A) Sign In Sheets

MEETING MINUTES of February 12th, 2008 was moved by Dr. Hayes and accepted as submitted  unanimously. (Attachment B).

TREASURER’S REPORT was provided by Treasurer, Ron Centamore and it was moved and accepted unanimously.  (Attachment C)

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GUEST INTRODUCTIONS: Mayor Naugle, Commissioner Teel, City Manager Gretsas, Assistant City Manager David Hebert, Chief Bruce Roberts, Chief James Eddy, Parks/Rec Director Phil Thornburg

Goal Setting Results
Genia Ellis handed out the consolidated list of Goals submitted by all the member associations. They were consolidated into categories that reflected the needs and wants across Fort Lauderdale residents. The categories ranged from Economic Drivers, Crime/Police/ Public safety, Traffic, education, beautification, Citizen Access and City Charter and Operations. The major topic that was discussed the most was the Police department a need to add officers. The full list of goals are in attachment “D”.  Each association was tasked with taking the list to their membership and selecting the top 5 items to be addressed by the Council in the upcoming year and be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting in April.

Update:
1. Ad hoc Committee Code Reform–Richard Mancuso gave a brief description of the status of the RFP indicating that 10 firms have applied and hopefully the Council will have a representative at the table to assist the City in the selection process.

2.  Sub Committee Report on the DRC Process and Customer Service improvements is being assembled and a partnership is developing between the AIA and members of the sub-committee.  The thinking is it will become a Professional type Town Hall meeting where the various types of professionals that are involved in the DRC and Permitting Process will identify issues of concerns for time sensitive projects and suggest methods to remedy the problems.

New Business:
1. The last CVC Crime Walk is scheduled for March 21st, 2008 at the South Middle River neighborhood. A flyer is attached to handouts.   
2. As the City candidates come forth, the Council has set dates for the Candidate Forums and Betty Shelley will be the Chair.  The first will be before the Primary on Thursday January 29th, 2009. The final Forum will be on Thursday, February 26th, 2009. The locations will be in the 1st floor chamber at City Hall at 7:00 PM.
3. The City Wide Yard Sale date has been finalized and event application submitted for approval by the Commission.  The date is May 3rd, 2008, 7am-2pm. It will be in the City Garage adjacent to City Hall. See attached flyer for rental rates and rules. All associations are encouraged to participate and seek other vendors to participate as well.

Old Business:
1. Crime Committee Reported the new Chair, Ron Centamore reported they met on February 17 at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Cafeteria. Captain Bollinger gave a report of the latest number for Cop Count. He said they need to hire 34 officers to meet current needs. The next meeting will be March 19, 2008 at 5:30 in City Hall Cafeteria.

For the good of the Community: 
1. Hal Barnes reported that 22 NCIP project were approved by the City Commissioners recently, including one by the Council. He also talked about the next Florida Neighborhood Conference in Tallahassee on June 26th, 2008. Each Recognized Neighborhood will be given one Scholarship to cover the cost of registration for the conference. There will be a special bus going from Broward County to take members to Tallahassee for a small fee.
2.  There was request by Michael Natalie to address the membership about the proposed Fire Station #46 being built in the Mills Pond Park and the use of park land.  The pros and cons were discussed by many people from members of the Parks & Rec Advisory (opposed), Fire Chief (in favor) Parks Director (in favor) and others including Melrose Manors who would be directly affected if the station is not place in the park as planned.  A request of Parks/Rec and the Fire Department was made to provide additional information about the change of use for the property where the existing station is and whether it could be used as green space to off-set the proposed use of park land.  In addition, a discussion about other property owned by the city that could be converted to park with this change was requested.
3. Council Members requested that an announcement be made that the FOP had written a letter to the Mayor and Commission, indicating a “No Confidence” vote taken naming City Manager George Gretsas and Assistant City Manager, David Hebert.  Several people spoke including Assistant City Manager David Hebert, Mayor Naugle, and Police Chief Roberts. The discussion was tabled until the current union contract is finalized in several weeks.  A short discussion with personal comments from individual ensued however it was pointed out that this was an announcement for the membership. 

Meeting was adjourned at 9pm

Next General Meeting, April 08, 2008 7:00 PM, 8th Floor City Hall
Next Board Meeting, April 28, 2008 5:30 PM, 8th Floor City Hall