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Here’s The Scoop … Next Stop Ann Arbor Michigan … Goodbye….

Here’s The Scoop …. Commissioner Mark Brown Seat 3 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea … Updated … Final Tally … Brown Wins Every Precinct! ..

Here’s The Scoop … Today’s The Day …Election Day 2012 For Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Seat 3 …

Here’s The Scoop … Scene & Heard Around Town One Day Before The 2012 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Nonpartisan Municipal Election For Commission Seat 3 …. Final Preparations …

Here’s The Scoop ….The CIC-PAC Decides To Clarify Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate Edmund Malkoon’s “Endorsement” In The 2012 Race…. It’s Called Circling The Wagons …Covering Your Bases … Saving Face? …

Here’s The Scoop …. 48 Hours Before The January 31 2012 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Nonpartisan Municipal Election For Commission Seat 3 …

Here’s The Scoop … Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate For Seat 3 Edmund Malkoon Turns Out To Be His Own “Troublemaker” In This Election …/ The Final Candidate Treasurerer Reports Due Before the January 31st Election ….

Here’s The Scoop ..Lauderdale-By-The-Sea & CIC Endorsed Candidate For Seat 3 Edmund Malkoon Is Taking “A Wait And See Approach” On Violating Fl. Election Rules While His Campaign Cohort Cindy Geesey Disses LBTS Democrats In Sentinel Interview !!!!…

Here’s The Scoop … Candidate Malkoon Starts Early Delivering For A Vote And A Strange Need Of Sympathetic Support 6 Days Out From Election Day …

Here’s The Scoop … Preparation And Presentation Vs. None Whatsoever When It Comes To Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Candidate For Seat 3 Mark Brown Vs. Edmund Malkoon …

Here’s The Scoop … October 12, 2010 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Regular Commission Agenda … The Start Of Something New …

October 10, 2010 by Barbara

IT’S A NEW CHAPTER IN LBTS …  BLANK PAGES READY TO FILL WITH A  NEW VISION FOR OUR FUTURE …

Dear Readers … We are starting a new “chapter” in LBTS with the Regular Comm. Mtg. on Tues. night… The meeting will be the only Comm. Mtg. in Oct….The first to see if the Aventura model works as well here in LBTS… The Roundtable on Oct. 26, 2010 at 7pm will be the replacement for the 2nd Comm. Mtg. of the month and should offer the start of major discussion/direction and clarification to the boards/committees/ Administration on the roles all will play in planning the vision of LBTS’ future… The goal is to have the Roundtable meetings for the purpose of extended commentary and discussion followed by shorter concise Comm. Mtgs. …. Chapter one…page one…

TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA

TOWN COMMISSION MEETING

TUESDAY, OCT. 12, 2010 AT 7 PM

JARVIS HALL

AGENDA BACKUP DOCUMENTS

1. CALL TO ORDER, MAYOR ROSEANN MINNET

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. INVOCATION – Reverend George Hunsaker

4. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, DEFERRALS OF AGENDA ITEMS

5. PRESENTATIONS

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS

7. PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSION

a. BSO Police Monthly Report – September 2010 (Chief Oscar Llerena)

Backup- EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Deputy Eric Weiner & Deputy Manny Alvarez
Deputy Weiner and Deputy Alvarez were recently selected to participate in a crime suppression
program with an emphasis on enforcement of narcotics laws and investigation of narcotics
related offenses. They were chosen for this assignment as a result of their leadership integrity
and dedication to duty.
They immediately began working several investigations involving narcotics and other criminal
activity. Within a few short months the results of their investigations are impressive. They have
logged a total of 51 arrests and executed two search warrants yielding seizures of felony amounts of cocaine marijuana and illegally possessed prescription pills. In addition their participation was instrumental in solving severa other criminal investigations which resulted in
the recovery of a substantial amount of stolen property.
Their tenacity hard work dedication and team work in the apprehension of criminal offenders is
exemplary. Their dedication to the pursuit of criminals contributes to the success of the
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea District and embodies the highest standards of professional law
enforcement.

NOTABLE INCIDENTS/EVENTS
On September 8, 2010 LBTS deputies received a call of a burglary to a vehicle that just
occurred. Based on the suspect description deputies responded to a local hotel. Deputies had
previously contacted several suspicious subjects who were staying at that hotel. Deputies set up
surveillance and observed the subjects return to the hotel with multiple stolen items. Suspects
were arrested and most of the victims were able to recover their property.
On September 13, 2010 LBTS deputies received a call of a suspicious 55 gallon drum that had
washed up on the beach Investigation revealed that the drum contained seawater and diesel
fuel. Investigation revealed that the incident appeared to be criminal and was turned over to
LBTS- VFD and handled as a haz-mat incident.
On September 15, 2010 LBTS deputies responded to a assist the LBTS- VFD with traffic control
during a fire at the Fountainhead Condominium. Traffic flow on Ocean Drive was restricted for
several hours. No traffic related concerns were reported.
On September 17, 2010 LBTS deputies responded to a domestic disturbance. Investigation
revealed that a female has stabbed a male in the chest with a large knife. The female suspect
was arrested on scene. The male victim is expected to survive.
On September 19, 2010 LBTS deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driving without
headlights. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot. A perimeter was established but the suspect
escaped Subsequent investigation revealed the identity of the suspect. District deputies are in
the process of obtaining an arrest warrant.
On September 26, 2010 an LBTS deputy on patrol observed several subjects breaking into
vehicles. A perimeter was established and the suspects were arrested with the assistance of
BSO K9 and Aviation.

CRIME STATISTICS
CRIME/CURRENT MONTH/PRIOR MONTH/2009 YTD/2010 YTD
AUTO THEFT 0/ 0/ 8/ 6
BURGLARY-BUSINESS 0 /2/ 8 /11
BURGLARY-CONVEYANCE 4/ 2/ 38/ 25
BURGLARY-RESIDENCE 6/ 0/ 13/ 19
BURGLARY-STRUCTURE 0 /1/ 2/ 7
FORCIBLE SEX 0/ 0/ 0 /1
HOMICIDE 0/ 0 /0/ 0
ROBBERY 0/ 0/ 3/ 6
THEFT-GRAND 0/ 3 /21 /30
THEFT-PETIT 2/ 7 /40 /39
TOTALS 12/ 15/ 133/ 144

b. VFD Fire Monthly Report – September 2010 (Chief Steve Paine)

BC- What’s the deal… we have a new chief..but it looks like same-old/ same-old…in actions seen and heard…How long does it take for Broward Dispatch to remove the VFD from getting medical call dispatch calls?…Certainly not a month…If the VFD shows up but the call is canceled ..do they still get paid…That’s an issue VM Dodd is still concerned about.. On the accident that happened…were the proper procedures to investigate an accident followed with those involved…formal statements…testing …and  a record kept… What’s the deal about so many new officers … and what’s the deal with so much equipment being mishandled as we are hearing it is… The amendment to the contract…is a little weird …see below…(Resolutions)…The VFD still needs Town oversight…in this writer’s opinion…

BACKUP- Overview
In the first week of September Mutual Aid agreements with the City of Oakland Park, Fort
Lauderdale and Pompano Beach Fire Departments were agreed to Some minor details are still
being worked out.
Members from the fire department attended a 911 ceremony at the Fire Fighter Memorial in
Fort Lauderdale and the department participated in a climb at the Tower Club in Pompano
Beach to reach a total number of 112 stories in memory of fallen fire fighters and police officers
from New York City.
Response
The Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a total of 87 emergency calls during the
month of September.
The Volunteer Fire Department responded to 23 fire calls
Out of the 23 fire calls 1 was a high rise fire which was located at 390Q North Ocean
Drive and a HAZMAT call which was located at 4520 EI Mar Drive on the beach where a
95 gallon drum half full of ignitable liquid such as gasoline HAZMAT team from City of
Fort Lauderdale Fire Department and Broward County Fire Department were requested
to respond via mutual aid.
The Volunteer Fire Department also responded to 64 medical calls in which 38 were
cancelled.
The Fire Chief and Fire Administrator are still working on Broward County
Communication Center to change the dispatch cards to improve the services to the
citizens of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Training
The Volunteer Fire Department has 37 regular members and 23 associates
Three members attended training at the Emergency Operations Center for incident.
Command on scale events involving local state and federal agencies.

Average response time for first engine out 4:14

c. AMR EMS Monthly Report – September 2010 (Chief Brooke Liddle)

Backup- OVERALL AVERAGE TIME LESS THAN 6 MINUTES 002:38 100% time

8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. September 27, 2010 Special Public Hearing Minutes

b. September 27, 2010 Regular Commission Meeting Minutes

9. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Use of Jarvis Hall for a Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party, Saturday, November 6, 2010, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Municipal Services Director Don Prince)

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: Use of Jarvis Hall for a Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party
EXPLANATION: Mr Keith Carlisle is a resident of Lauderdale-By-The Sea and would like to have a Sweet Sixteen
Birthday Party in Jarvis Hall on Saturday November 6 2010 from 7pm to l l pm
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that Mr Carlisle be granted the use of Jarvis Hall. There are no other events
on that day on the calendar.

b. Use of Jarvis Hall for Morning Star Condominium annual meeting, Saturday, November 20, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Municipal Services Director Don Prince)

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE Use of Jarvis Hall for Morning Star Condominium annual meeting
EXPLANATION: The Morning Star Condominium Assoc Inc. would like to hold their annual meeting in Jarvis Hall on
Saturday November 20 2010 from l l am to 2pm.
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that Morning Star Condominium be granted the use of Jarvis Hall as they
have been holding their annual meetings in Jarvis Hall for several years and have always left the facility in good
condition.

c. Special Event Application for a Public Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 5, 2010 (Interim Assistant Town Manager Bud Bentley)

Backup- SUBJECT: Special Event Application for a Public Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday December
5, 2010
EXPLANATION: The Chabad Lauderdale-By-The-Sea has submitted the attached special event application
Exhibit 1: requesting Commission approval to hold a public Menorah lighting ceremony at the Beach Pavilion
between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on Sunday December 5, 2010
Pelican Square was the location of last years event however the number of participants significantly exceeded
the projected number causing the unplanned closure of the intersection for 2 hours. This year the public lighting
ceremony will be at the Beach Pavilion After the ceremony the Menorah will be moved to the east side of
Pelican Square west end of the east Commercial Blvd median
STAFF RECOMMENDATION We recommend approval of the event with the following conditions
1 The applicant shall coordinate with BSO the exact location of the event so that no streets are closed
and to the satisfaction of BSO attendees are in a safe location and that traffic flow will not be
adversely affected
2 Bathroom facilities temporary facilities or within the building shall be provided to meet Broward
County requirements which based on last years estimated attendance of 200 attendees equals 4
portables
Note: The County requirements assume the attendees are 50 Male and 50 Female and that 1
portable will be provided per every 75 Males and 1 portable for every 40 Females The calculation
for 200 attendees is for 100 males 13 portable are required and for 100 females 25portables are
required for a total of 4 portables
The applicant projects attendance of 85 people The application states no restrooms will be
provided which is not sufficient The event producer may be able to use facilities at local business
that are above their required number by providing a letter of commitment from local establishments
near the event site
3 The certificate of Insurance and Liability shall be provided by November 5, 2010
4 The event site shall be organized in a safe manner to protect attendees For example all extension
cords shall be covered to avoid a trip hazard
5 This event is of a size and type as to not require additional solid waste disposal containers
6 The Town Manager may suspend permission for this event or the on-site Town representative may
terminate the event due to applicant not complying with the teams and conditions of the Town’s
event permit or for health or safety reasons such as crowds that exceed the capacity of the event site
7 In the event that insurance certificates licenses and other material requirements are not provided by
the required dates the approval for this event shall expires unless the Town Manager fords there are
extenuating circumstances that the event sponsors have resolved or can immediately cure without
compromising the health welfare and safety of the citizens of the Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
and those attending the event and without increase the cost of administration to the Town.

d. Modification to Advertising Policy to Fill a Position Permanently (Town Manager Connie Hoffmann)

BC- This writer believes this agenda item shows the difference between Town Managers big time!… This writer asked Comm. Clottey to put forward an item to make it mandatory for advertising for positions such as department heads after former TM Colon elevated Code Enforcement Officer Bowman to Director of Development without advertising outside of Town Hall ..Mr Bowman did not have the qualifications to be Dir. of Development according to the job description and has shown he was and still is not qualified…especially as we face many changes being made as we move forward with the vision of the Town…in this writer’s opinion… The meeting on Jan 13, 2009 had this new requirement on as a consent agenda item (12g)…and it was not voted on until this meeting was continued with a workshop on Jan 22& 23, 2009…It passed 5-0 but was substandard in the outcome as this writer posted after the fact …It called only for a position $50,000 and over to be advertised in the Sun-Sentinel only…I posted on this site on Jan 26, 2009 -”OOPs. G.passed 5-0 for ads to be placed for positions over $50 thousand in Sentinel…but needed to include Fl League of Cities…to get the top job applicants”…Town Manager Hoffmann has not only addressed dealing with the current situation to retain Int. TM Bentley…who absolutely should be retained…but the substandard result of that 2009 vote….

Backup-SUBJECT: TITLE WAIVER OF ADVERTISING POLICY TO FILL A POSITION PERMANENTLY
EXPLANATION: In January 2009 the Commission adopted a policy that any open position paying over $50,000 per year
cannot be filled on a permanent basis until it is first advertised in the Sun Sentinel and all qualified candidates are
interviewed. It is requested that 1) the Commission waive that policy for filling the Assistant Town Manager position on this
particular occasion and 2) amend the policy itself to provide that positions be advertised in an appropriate venue to recruit
qualified candidates for the position and 3) amend the policy to provide that the top five qualified candidates be interviewed
assuming that five candidates qualify for the position
We have an individual currently serving in the Assistant Town Manager position on an Interim basis who is qualified
has proved himself to be extremely capable has been well-received by the Town’s residents businesses and staff and is
completely immersed in large number of important projects The expense and time involved in advertising the position and
interviewing applicants for the position does not appear to be warranted in this instance
A newspaper ad is often not the most cost effective advertising venue for senior positions and the wording change would give
the Town Manager more flexibility in using other advertising locations such as the League of Cities datagram which is
widely distributed and charges no fees to advertise or on professional association websites which target the specific audience
you want to reach with your recruitment.
The requirement to interview all qualified candidates is not normal HR practice Often many applicants will meet the basic
requirements of the position and a review of their experience via careful review of their resume is normally done to narrow
the field. I often then do some background checking on candidates to narrow the field even further before commencing with
interviews as my practice is to do very lengthy involved interviews I think it is more practical for the policy to require
interviewing the top five candidates.
RECOMMENDATION: Waive the policy for the appointment of an Assistant Town Manager in 2010 and modify
the policy to allow advertising the recruitment in a “venue appropriate for the position” for other recruitments and to
require interviewing only the top five candidates.

e. Valet Trial Period: 60-day Evaluation Report (Interim Assistant Town Manager Bud Bentley)

BC- It looks like the trial- period proved what many said it would… very little..by way of it’s full impact due to low usage in the off-season…Recommended by staff is to continue it and re-evaluate in the winter…The parking meter use was between 44.5 hrs -28hrs..avg. low 40 ea. wk…

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: Valet Trial Period d6a0y Evaluation Report
EXPLANATION: At its meeting of July 13 2010 the Commission approved a 90 day trial period for the
operation of a valet service from the public right of way (ROW) on El Mar Drive A copy of the license
agreement is attached (Exhibit 1) for your reference The trial period for the valet service started on August 2,
2010 and is scheduled to end on October 30, 2010 The Commission requested an evaluation report at the end of
60 days
The valet company provided weekly reports about their operation which included start and ending times and the
number of cars parked This data has been summarized in the attached table (Exhibit 2) During the trial
period the operation was observed by the police code parking and administration Input was collected during
the trial period as well as at the conclusion of the 60 day period specifically for this report
Three issues came up during the trial period
1 Use of three private parking spaces on the north side of the Country Ham and Eggs Restaurant
This was initially reported as parking in the alley We confirmed that the valet was not parking in the
alleyway but on private property We received no reports that the activity was causing any problems and
I conferred with the Aruba manager who indicated there was no impact on their valet operation
2 Having one valet operator on duty at certain times
Due to the low number of cars being parked on most week nights the valet would sometimes have one
person on duty As the data in the table indicates on low volume nights the valet would often close by
9pm Parking up to three cars in the alley on private property allowed one operator to accommodate the
parkers
We received input from two people expression of concern that the valet service should be staffed by at
least two people We will continue to monitor the operation and should staffing levels cause problems
we will work with the operator to correct it
3 Blocking of meters after valet service ended for the evening
There were several documented occasions when the valet service closed for the evening but did not
remove the no parking signs from the two assigned meters thus preventing the public from parking at
these two Town Center meters After several changes in procedures the valet service seems to have
resolved the problem From staffs perspective this was the only problem with the valet service during
the trial period
101 Ocean advises that they are happy with the results during the trial period and would like to continue
providing this service to the public and their customers
Generally the public input was positive about the current trial period but cautionary about problems that may
arise during the season
RECOMMENDATION: We recommend 1)Extending the trial period until February 27, 2011 which will allow us to
evaluate the service during the peak tourist season The Town still retains
the right to revoke the license at will
2) Authorizing the Town Manager to execute a new license agreement with the
terms and conditions modified for the new trial period in a form approved
by the Town Attorney.

10. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC COMMENTS

BC- the problem with the plethora of new 1st reading ordinances is what this writer previously posted and VM Dodd/ Comm. Sasser/Mayor Minnet and P & Z Vice- Chair Yann Brandt have all stated prior but has still not been rectified… They are being looked at for cleaning up the code and either removing the out of date content or content found in other parts of the code …But…not the full content of the ordinances and what should remain or should be tossed or brought into the ordinance currently and for the future… The TAtty. is still going by what the prev. Comm/Admin. directed…and not what it appears this Comm. wants…which would be to tie the ordinances in with the vision of the future of this town…Back to the drawing board for a few of these…meaning ….the TAtty. and the P & Z board to look at the full ordinance and not just a portion… which ends up costing money and time…for re-visiting them…

1. Ordinances 1st Reading

a. Ordinance 2010-15: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE V “ZONING” OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTIONS 30-261, “B-1-A DISTRICT – BUSINESS” AND 30-271, “B-1 DISTRICT – BUSINESS” TO REVISE THE USES PERMITTED IN THESE ZONING DISTRICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Backup- EXPLANATION: At the July 14 2010 Commission Roundtable meeting direction was given to staff to
consider adding pet grooming to the business zoning districts in the Code The Commission also authorized staff
to review the districts overall to develop additional recommended changes to the lists of uses so that the Town
could avoid having to engage in the lengthy and costly process of adopting a Notice of Intent and an Ordinance
each time anew type of business seeks to locate in the Town
At the Commission meeting of July 27, 2010 the Commission approved Resolution 2010-60( Exhibit 3) adopting
a Notice of Intent The Notice authorized moving forward with amending Chapter 30 Unified Land
Development Regulations of the Town Code of Ordinances by revising the business uses in the B1 and B1A
zoning districts A public hearing was held on the Notice of Intent at the Town Commission meeting on August
25, 2010 Walter Keller Consultant reviewed the existing business uses in the B1 and B1A zoning districts
and commonly accepted business uses from other cities Mr Keller provided a suggested listing of uses for the
Planning and Zoning Board
BOARD RECOMMENDATION: On September 15, 2010 the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the
proposed uses and recommended approval of all the uses recommended by Mr Keller Exhibit 2 Vice
Chairman Brandt made a motion to approve the recommended list of uses by Mr Keller as set forth in the
backup seconded by Mr Wick In a roll call vote the motion passed 4- 0
Note: Walter Keller Consultant and the Planning and Zoning Board also recommended some conditional uses
be added to these districts which staff supports However the recommended conditional uses and their related
criteria and procedures are outside the scope of the current Notice of Intent and thus this issue will be brought to
the Town Commission separately
RECOMMENDATION: Approval Also after P& Z reviewed and approved the proposed amendments staff
noted that there are additional uses permitted inB1that are not in B1A. They are

1 Coin operated dry cleaning and laundry around pickup stations
2 Hardware
3 Drive through services
4 Bait and tackle shop
5 Bicycle rental shop with no outside storage
6 Dental laboratory
7 Fishing pier
Staff would recommend that these also be added to the B1A Zoning district with the exception of fishing piers

b. Ordinance 2010-16: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE SEA, AMENDING CHAPTER 30, UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, ARTICLE VIII. SIGN REGULATIONS, TO REVISE PROVISIONS AND CLARIFY TERMS, REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS REGARDING SIGN REGULATIONS; FURTHER CREATING A NEW SECTION 30-510, SEVERABILITY REGARDING SIGN REGULATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC- This is the one that this writer addressed when posting about the Sept. P & Z meeting and the concerns by V-Chair Yann Brandt over the pole signs…He asked his fellow board members to table this…they did not agree to do so…as this writer thought they should have..out of common courtesy to a fellow board member…and the TAtty. stating it would not impede anything and the fact that it was changed although it was stated there were no changes…as it was currently contained in the ord…The P & Z said it could come back…and it will…especially after the explanation cover sheet shows …staff did indeed change the rules for pole signs…expanding the removal…”The regulations for pole and pylon signs were conflicting. The regulations made them legal nonconforming signs though they were not labeled as such. These signs have now been addressed separately according to their legal nonconforming status. At staffs direction the removal and replacement criteria were expanded to provide for removal and replacement upon damage greater than 50 % of the replacement value or upon abandonment of the legal nonconforming pole or pylon sign for a period of six months or more.”… and because the decision needs to be made as we work on the new vision of the Town….Do we want to retain pole/pylon signs to retain the small town look or remove them for a streamlined look found in other municipalities…

Backup- EXPLANATION
History- At its July 27, 2010 meeting the Town Commission approved Resolution 2010-60 (Exhibit 1) adopting
a Notice of Intent to move forward with amending Chapter 30 Article VIII Sign Regulations of the Town’s
Code of Ordinances These revisions to the sign code enhance severability provisions resolve internal conflicts
and enhance defensibility in light of recent case law Several minor changes have also been made to address
inconsistencies and implementation issues identified by Town staff These additional changes were drafted to
reflect current interpretation and practice as provided by Town staff and do not revisit the approach to sign
regulation in the Town
Summary Of Changes: A number of changes have been implemented in the proposed Ordinance in order to
enhance the defensibility of the Code Most of these changes are technical in nature and many alter the format
or presentation of the regulation in ways that make the Code less susceptible to challenge without major changes
to the impact of the regulation All changes are noted in the Ordinance in strike-through and underline font plain
text sections are already a part of the Code The following changes are highlighted for the Town Commission
review
Permit review procedures and time frames were added to protect against constitutional
challenges
Working with staff we identified several types of signs which present legal concerns are not
utilized in the Town are addressed inconsistently or appear in multiple areas of the Town’s Code
Defunct unused sign types color palette and other requirements were deleted and inconsistencies and
duplications were resolved

Severability provisions were added and the substitution clause was updated to enhance
defensibility
Protections were added for protected noncommercial speech
Flag regulations have been revised to eliminate constitutional concerns and based on the
concerns and direction of staff to implement standards which reflect the current usage size and
development of flags in the Town
The regulations for pole and pylon signs were conflicting The regulations made them legal non
conforming signs though they were not labeled as such These signs have now been addressed
separately according to their legal nonconforming status At staffs direction the removal and
replacement criteria were expanded to provide for removal and replacement upon damage greater than
50 % of the replacement value or upon abandonment of the legal nonconforming pole or pylon sign for
a period of six months or more
The definition of canopy and awning signs was amended to clarify procedures to enhance
defensibility and at the direction of staff to reflect recent right-of-way encroachment legislation
approved by the Town Commission
A number of other technical changes were made which help create a more consistent and
defensible Code with clearer implementation procedures and reduce interpretation issues
RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed this Ordinance at their September 15
2010 meeting and recommended its approval Minutes attached Exhibit 3

c. Ordinance 2010-17: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 30 “UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS” TO CREATE SECTION 30-22 “ZONING RELIEF PROCEDURES” TO ADDRESS POSSIBLE UNINTENDED VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS CODE OR ITS RELATED RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICT, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC- This one is a gotta do it ord…akin to the school board/transportation and greenhouse gas ords. required by all municipalities…

Backup- History: At the Commission meeting of July 27, 2010 the Commission approved Resolution 2o10-16 (Exhibit 1)
adopting a Notice of Intent The Notice authorized moving forward with amending Chapter 30 Unified Land
Development Regulations of the Town Code of Ordinances by creating Section 30-22 Zoning Relief
Procedures to provide for a zoning relief procedure to address possible unintended violations of federal and
state laws in the application of the Code or its related rules policies and procedures This proposed amendment
provides a preventative procedure to protect the Town from legal challenges and facilitates the resolution of
disputes A public hearing was held on the Notice of Intent at the Town Commission meeting on August 25,
2010
Background: From time to time the Town Land Development Regulations LDRs are updated to conform with
recent legal precedent The Town’s application of its Code and related rules policies and practices is governed
by constantly-evolving case law decisions addressing the rights of applicants and affected parties under the
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act “RLUIPA”the First Amendment to the US
Constitution the Americans with Disabilities Act the Fair Housing Act and other applicable state and federal
laws
Ordinance In order to encourage resolution of disputes and avoid costly litigation it is recommended that the
LDRs be amended by this Ordinance to provide a general zoning relief procedure consistent with federal law
An example of the application of the procedure is a request for a waiver from development regulations when a
reasonable accommodation may be necessary to afford a disabled person the equal opportunity to use a dwelling
under the Fair Housing Act The Act makes it unlawful for the Town to refuse to make reasonable
accommodations modifications or exceptions to rules policies practices or services when such accommodations may be necessary to allow a resident the equal right to housing As an example it may be a
reasonable accommodation to waive a setback requirement so that a paved path can be provided to a resident who
has impaired mobility
Consistent with recent case law developments the proposed zoning relief procedure expands the reasonable
accommodation process to address additional types of alleged violations of state and federal civil rights law such
as a claim that a municipal land development regulation imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise in
violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act “RLUIPA “The proposed procedure
provides a case by casereview process by which Town staff and the Town Attorney will evaluate claims under
federal or state statutes concerning the application of the LDRs or related policies in accordance with the
standards of the applicable legal precedent The request will then be scheduled for a public hearing with public
notice for consideration by the Town Commission
Scone The proposed zoning relief procedure supplements existing procedures within the LDRs including the
zoning variance procedure of Section 30-8 and the procedure for appeal of administrative decisions as provided
under Section 30-7(d) of the Town Code It is intended to apply only when all other procedures have failed to
provide legally required relief
Implementation The zoning relief process will be implemented by Development Services staff Staff will advise
interested persons of the procedure and provide public information and forms
RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed this Ordinance at their September 15,
2010 meeting and recommended its approval Minutes are attached( Exhibit 3).

d. Ordinance 2010-18: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 30-313(31) “ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES,” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SHEDS, STORAGE BUILDINGS AND OTHER ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

Backup- EXPLANATION: At the June 9 2010 Commission Roundtable meeting direction was given to staff to move
forward with drafting an ordinance amending the code to address sheds and storage containers that do not require
a permit The intent was to allow an easier process for approving these structures while maintaining compliance
with the code It would allow sheds not requiring a building permit to be placed with the condition that it would
be removed in the event of a Hurricane Warning At the Commission meeting of July 27, 2010 the Commission
approved Resolution 2010-60 (Exhibit 2 )adopting a Notice of Intent The Notice authorized moving forward
with amending Chapter 30 Unified Land Development Regulations of the Town Code of Ordinances to address
these shed and storage container changes A public hearing was held on the Notice of Intent at the Town
Commission meeting on August 25, 2010
The draft ordinance was reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board on September 15, 2010 and the Board
recommended approval with changes which have been incorporated into the attached Ordinance Exhibit 1
Staff concurs with the Board’s recommended changes Draft minutes of this item of the September 15, 2010
meeting is attached Exhibit 3
BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following recommendations
1 Reword lines 405 to clarify that accessory buildings can be at
least 1 story in height for a two-family and multiple-family home.
dwellings
2 Remove the rear and side set back requirement at line 88
3 Remove Hurricane Watch from line 95
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval with Board recommendations which have been incorporated
into this Ordinance.

2. Ordinances 2nd Reading

a. Ordinance 2010-14: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10 “GARBAGE AND REFUSE”, ARTICLE III “SOLID WASTE”, DIVISION 1 ”GENERALLY” BY ADDING SECTION 10-46 ENTITLED “DEBRIS COLLECTION ON PRIVATE ROADWAYS DURING AN EMERGENCY”, PROVIDING FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL ON PRIVATE COMMUNITY STREETS IN EMERGENCIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Approved on first reading at the September 14, 2010 Commission meeting.

BC- addressed at the last meeting..to assure we can partake in receiving federal funds if we are declared to be in a state of emergency …

11. RESOLUTION – “Public Comments”

a. RESOLUTION 2010-33: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SURPLUS FUNDS TRUST FUND INVESTMENT POOL (FLORIDA PRIME) AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE TOWN OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT TRANSACTIONS WITH FLORIDA PRIME, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ANY CONFLICTING RESOLUTION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BC- the first part of cleaning up the Fl. Trust Fund Pool situation… left over from the prev. admin….and anything that removes Town Clerk White as the designee while she is still employed in this Town…this writer applauds…

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION FLORIDA PRIME
EXPLANATION: At the regular commission meeting on September 14, 2010 we removed Town Clerk June White as the
designated contact for investments with Florida Prime We now need to designate the new contacts and authorize the Town
Manager to complete the necessary paperwork in the form of the Disclosure Statement and Participant Account Maintenance
Form Please note that this does not mean we are changing the Town’s investments with Florida Prime right now but this will
allows us to do so in the future
RECOMMENDATION:Approve the attached resolution.

b. RESOLUTION 2010-34: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN A COMMERCIAL CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT WITH SUNTRUST BANK AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE TOWN OFFICIALS TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER THE ACCOUNT AND CONDUCT TRANSACTIONS WITH THE ACCOUNT, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ANY CONFLICTING RESOLUTION, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC- WHOAHHH…Town employees under Colon used their personal credit cards to purchase on-line for the Town’s purchases!…YIKES!…It just keeps on coming….

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: A resolution authorizing participation in a commercial credit card account with Sun Trust Bank
and authorizing appropriate Town officials to conduct transactions with the SunTrust card account
EXPLANATION: This resolution authorizes participation in a commercial credit card account with Sun Trust
Bank Issuance of a Town credit card to the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager would be beneficial for
on-line purchases obtaining discounts that are time-specific and avoiding sales tax applied when personal credit
cards are used to purchase Town goods Now if we wish to purchase something on-line from a vendor other than
Office Depot or Kinko’s with whom we have Town credit cards a Town employee must use their personal credit
card and be reimbursed Vendors charge sales tax because the individual paying for the product does not have
exempt status Use of a credit card for payment still requires that procurement regulations be followed
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the attached resolution with SunTrust Bank authorizing appropriate Town officials to be issued a Town
credit card
EXHIBITS: unincorporated Organization Certificate of Authority Commercial Credit Card Account.

c. RESOLUTION 2010-35: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING A CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SIGN IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE STATE RIGHT OF WAY; DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE TOWN OFFICIAL TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ANY CONFLICTING RESOLUTION; SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC- so we waited through 2 administrations…for signage to remedy the parking at the Bougainvilla lot..now known as the A1A lot  and were given the run- around…it appears now that the run- around came from the prior administration in-town!.. In two months the new Administration have provided pics of locations for parking signs in the ROWs in-town not only for the A1A lot but others as well….and the FDOT only requires a resolution (the one above) and maintenance to proceed… Just add it to the pile …of past foibles that impacted the Town…

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: A Resolution (Exhibit 1) of the Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Florida authorizing a
construction agreement Exhibit 2 with the State of Florida Department of Transportation for construction
installation and maintenance of sign improvements within the State Right of Way
EXPLANATION: In order for the Town to erect parking signs in the Florida Department of Transportation’s
Right of Way to guide residents and visitors to Town parking the Town must approve a resolution stating that
the Town would be responsible for any maintenance or repair These signs as shown on (Exhibit 3) direct the
public to the El Prado and Bougainvilla parking lots
RECOMMENDATION: Approve

d. RESOLUTION 2010-36: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC-The VFD amendments include lengthening the response time for a command officer from 7 min. to 9 min..and to stop the 20% of call within 20 min. to required to attend at least 70 training hours annually…

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE TOWN
EXPLANATION: The current agreement between the Town and the Volunteer Fire Department commenced on October 1,
2008 and expires on October 1, 2013 Either party may terminate the agreement without cause with 180 days notice to the
other party
The Town Manager has met with members of the VFD Board Directors and the Board of Directors on several occasions to
discuss changes in their agreement with the Town We have come to tentative agreement pending approval by the VFD
membership on Monday October, 11 and by the Town Commission of the following revisions to the agreement
1 Modify the agreement to define a process for determining the Town’s funding of the VFD’s annual budget that
involves discussion with the Town Manager and the Town Commission and that replaces the defined dollar amount
with an automatic increase that is contained in the existing agreement The $725,580 operating budget referenced in
the revised agreement reflects the amount in the budget for the VFD contract approved by the Town Commission
last month
2 Allocate $187,314 to a vehicle and equipment replacement reserve Per the revised agreement terms expenditures
can be made from the replacement reserve only by mutual consent of the VFD and the Town during the term of this
agreement and must follow the Town’s purchasing policies The revisions clarify that the Town owns and holds the
reserve fund The Town included $187,314 in the approved FY2010/2011 budget for this purpose
3 Modify the arrangement between the parties regarding the collection of fire inspection fees Effective October 2010
all fire inspection fees billed shall be remitted directly to the Town and effective January 1, 2011 the Town will
take over billing responsibility for the fire inspection fees The VFD will continue to do the annual fire inspections
4 Eliminate the requirement that a command officer respond to an emergency call within 7 minutes and instead
incorporate a command officer into the required first fire company response within 9 minutes of dispatch of the call
90% of the time
5 Clarify that the VFD shall respond to all fire rescue calls rather than all emergency 911 calls which will
eliminate the issue of any legal requirement that they respond to all medical calls
6 Eliminate the requirement that regular members of the VFD respond to 20% of calls within 20 minutes as that is an
internal issue for the VFD and replace it with a requirement that all active members of the VFD receive a minimum
of 70 hours of training per year The training issue is important to the Town
Adoption of the resolution will be dependent on approval of the changes by the VFD membership at their meeting on
Monday October 11th
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the first amendment to the agreement between the VFD and the Town

12. QUASI JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS

13. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

14. OLD BUSINESS

15. NEW BUSINESS

a. Commission meeting and Roundtable schedule for November and December (Town Clerk June White)

BC- pick another day for the Roundtable meetings…

Backup- SUBJECT TITLE: Commission meeting and Roundtable Schedule for November and December 2010
EXPLANATION: Direction is requested from the Commission regarding a Roundtable meeting during the Thanksgiving
week and the week before New Years

b. Commission approval of Three (3) Hardship Permit Applications (Town Clerk June White):
* Paradise by the Sea Motel
* Sea Cliff Apartments
* Parkhill Apartments

BC- there was no recommendation on the backup for these permits…Dir. Jeff Bowman asked for Parking Enforcement to do a search for legal units and electric meters for each one..

Backup- TO: JEFF BOWMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
FROM: KIMBERLY WILLIAMS CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICE SUBJECT: HARDSHIP PARKING INSPECTIONS
DATE 10/7/2010
An inspection and the required research has been completed on the following addresses for the requested hardship
parking permits
Address # of units /#of meters /#of legal units/# of parking places
Paradise BTS 4208 Ocean Dr 15/ 15 /15/ 12
Sea Cliff Apts 4201 El Mar Dr 12/ 12/ 12/ 12
Parkhill Apts 4144 El Mar Drive 11/ 11/ 11 /6

16. TOWN MANAGER REPORT

BC- The TM has asked for clarification and direction on the Chamber funding and parking times for beach parking (no time limit as of now) …as well as updating her progress report and cleared up a few items such as the districts…which stay the same until the 2014 municipal election…She also states invoices were compiled to turn over to the BSO for the Halloween/Easter event props missing…On that topic we hear former event co-chair Marc Furth is bemoaning persecution over his being the perceived go-to first person of interest for the BSO…Why wouldn’t he and his wife Cristie be the first…after all it was stated that Municipal Works Supervisor Don Prince made it known he turned over the keys to the warehouse after being told to do so by former TM Colon to the Furths and afterward the the event props were nowhere to be found…We hear in the aftermath of this coming to light..a few pals of the Furths were incredulous …first to the charges and those making them and then when they too found out what was gone and the lame explanation of foul weather ruining all the vinyl props … OUCH!… We are told the BSO could use outside BSO to investigate rather than in-town…Stay-tuned…

Backup-Clarification on Chamber of Commerce Contribution
I would appreciate clarification on three issues regarding the Town’s contribution to the
Chamber of Commerce
1 The Chamber is inquiring whether they will receive from the Town the
approximate $9,400 that was withheld from their approved contribution by the
former Town Manager Vice Mayor Dodd raised the issue at one of the budget
discussions but the full Commission did not respond to the question If it is your
intent that those funds be remitted to the Chamber I need that direction before
we close the books on the last fiscal year

BC- Cannot see this one happening…VM wanted to give the $9,400 instead of any increase as he stated…

2 The minutes from the discussion of the contribution to the Chamber of
Commerce indicate that the Chamber was to provide clarification on the
expenditure of the $11,159 for advertising The Chamber indicates they sent the
attached advertising breakdown to the Commission on September 17th Please
advise me whether this information fulfills your request as we need to set up our
monthly payments to the Chamber in the new fiscal year

BC- this one needs direction…are the Comms. going to actively look to see the advertising done and the results…as well as put together a Business Development Committee to move the Chamber/Town into a more aggressive advertising/marketing future in the Town…Will it include our Chamber offering insurance as many Chamber’s do for small business?…

3 The Town did not enter into an agreement with the Chamber last year regarding
the expenditure of the Town’s contribution although there had been an
agreement in prior years Is it your intent that we develop an agreement that
addresses the use of the Town’s contribution in the current fiscal year And can
I make the first months contribution to the Chamber before we execute such an
agreement

BC- I presume this is to clarify the use of funds…ie…Comm. Clottey’s statements of not wanting Town funds to be used as donations from the Chamber elsewhere…

TM- cont.-Congratulations to the Chamber on the great turnout for the Fish Fry on Wednesday
night

Fiscal Year End
The Finance staff is hard at work closing out the records for the fiscal year that just
ended and working with the new auditors We have retained the services of a former
municipal controller to go through all of the past depreciation schedules to determine
how much money has been set aside to replace various capital assets in the
depreciation account Once we have that analysis done we will be in a position to
correctly appropriate from those funds when we are replacing capital equipment
Global Coral Reef Alliance Agreement
The Town Attorney has been in recent contact with Dr Goreau’s attorney and will be
providing an update on progress of discussions regarding contract amendments at the
Commission meeting

BC-This one is a little disconcerting…the Comms. should be informed before they get on the dais…

LETF Funds
The Vice Mayor had requested a breakdown of the amount spent on painting and
carpeting expenses from LETF funds for the public safety complex The contractor has
indicated the amount for those items was $4,545

BC-I do not think this is what the VM wanted …I believe he wanted a full breakdown on expenditures…

New Parking Permits
The replacement of the beach permit parking signs with resident permit parking only
signs will be completed next week It should be noted that the old beach permits had no
limitations on the number of hours someone could stay in the space If someone with a
resident permit parks in what used to be designated as a beach space they can park
for an unlimited amount of hours up until 2 am because of code provisions regarding
beach parking When we repeal the section of the code that deals with beach parking

permits the Commission will need to decide whether you wish to limit the number of hours that a car can park in those spaces

BC-3 hr. limit would suffice…longer -all day park valet or farther away…

P& Z Board Request for E-Mail Blasts
At their September meeting the P & Z Board asked that staff send the P & Z Board
agendas via email to local organizations associations members of the public and
churches in order to increase public involvement and attendance at their meetings
Town staff will look at building that capability into the website when we redesign it this
year to automatically send such an email when the P & Z Board agenda is loaded onto
the website There is also the possibility that we will be able to use Code Red software
to do this once we have this program up and running It is budgeted
Tennis Court Lighting
In answer to the question posed at the last Commission meeting we issued 84 tennis
court keys last fiscal year for total revenue of $6,825 The annual fee last year was
$105 but fees are prorated so if you buy a key in June you would only pay $35
We will be looking at options to improve the lighting at the tennis courts at less cost than
the estimates provided at your last meeting

BC- the tennis court crowd have been hot and heavy with corresponding to Town/Comms. to keep their courts as is for membership use/rights..but still want to  improve it big time with taxpayer funds…Open the door to have the courts the same as all recreational offerings in town… giving in-town residents first gibs at court time…

BC- from the progress report…excerpts…

Commission Districts Study-Intent is to hire a university to do analysis of balanced districts for the Commission election Spring 2012
in 2014. RFP for study to Commission in Spring 2012 so that districts can be designated by September 2012 as required by Charter Article 6-6.1 (5)

Investigation of Missing Halloween & Easter Items-TM met with Police Chief 9/ 24 for his input on information needed to start the
Halloween & Easter Items investigation. All invoices/payments pulled for Easter, Halloween & Fourth of July events. Municipal Services Director has searched warehouse and noted which items the Town has in its possession. List of items of significant value missing will be provided to BSO week of October 11th.

17. TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT

18. ADJOURNMENT.

Link to backup- http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/backup2009.htm

Meeting televised on Comcast Ch. 78/ Live-stream on Town’s website and then archived video available… http://lbts.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

more to come…

Post Division

Here’s The Scoop … Follow-Ups … Lauderdale-By-The-Sea VFD / Former HR Mgr. Discrimination Dismissal Clarification ….

October 8, 2010 by Barbara

UPDATED INFO …

Dear Readers …while we await the backup for next Tues. night’s Reg. Comm. Mtg… this writer received some more information to update the previous post…

On the LBTS-VFD …we have heard this… Chief Paine made former Deputy Chief Joe Padden, a second Deputy Chief…. Padden lost the election last month by a vote by the members  for his opponent John Louvaris ..We are told that position is not in the by-laws…and there is a conflict with Padden being both the President of the VFD Board and a Deputy Chief…We are also told Chief Paine has a problem with Louvaris as Deputy Chief…and that is why he created this position… The update concerning Louvaris is we are informed he did have a court date last July after he was charged with misdemeanor  petit-theft … I am also informed there are no by-laws about any such conflict for being a member or a leader…unlike the purported and prev. posted  problem that the former VFD Chief had when it was said he was not forthcoming on his application to become a member concerning his history of having any criminal charges … Therefore there was nothing to prevent Louvaris from being voted in as Deputy Chief… I am also told the VFD is going to make some changes to their by-laws at their upcoming meeting this month… Any changes if actually implemented are long overdue… This writer tired to get any new by-laws after statements were made to cover some actions made by the VFD over the last 2 yrs…Those PRRs came back that there were none… I have made another PRR today for any changes to the by-laws that are voted in this month…The Town should receive them as well….The Town Manager is a non-voting member of the VFD Board and she should maintain that role to keep oversight …which is something that was asked of the previous TM …Ms. Colon started out indicating she would do so and then balked and stayed away…intentionally in this writer’s opinion…We are also informed the VFD still has a couple hundred thousand left in the kitty from their benefactor and want to buy a new truck…most likely it will be leased…What happens to the Town owned truck?… Even if they have the funds available…it is still a bad P.R. move by the VFD when an audit just showed no need for another truck…and the Town is starting an apparatus fund ….as well as the VM and Comm. making it clear they did not want a repeat of surprise trucks bought and then presented to the Commission as was the case over the past few years…There was a backlash the last time around… That money from the benefactor was originally intended for a new firehouse… More on the accident to a member last week should be coming as we hear inquiries have been made from both inside the dept. and outside for what happened and why the scene may have been cleared before an full investigation was done … More to come we are sure …. This writer sent in a PRR for the last quarterly income/expense report and year-end today as well…

…………

On the subject of former HR Mgr. Kathy O’Brien’s dismissed discrimination complaint…I am told it was unusual that she claimed race and age…On the subject she referred to in her complaint of an alleged overpayment to herself.. Ms. O’Brien was able to explain that it was a misprint and she was not paid extra as it appeared from the documentation left from her time in charge…It was looked into and it did turn out to be yet another mistake…or another case of sloppy or sub-standard work in Town Hall …..in this writer’s opinion…nevertheless it was removed from her dismissal as a result…

………..

more to come………

Post Division

Here’s The Scoop … Scene & Heard Around Town ….

October 7, 2010 by Barbara

GADSBY GIVES TOWN GOBS OF VISITORS TO TOWN YET AGAIN  ….

BC-Looks like Dave Gadsby’s Village Grill & Pub Event for the Patriots vs the Dolphins…brought the die-hard fans in town once again in large..large numbers… A plus for all …

We hear Vice Mayor Dodd has put on the Oct. Roundtable agenda for Oct. 26th the Entertainment District he put on when sitting on the dais as a lone supporter while Comm. …. With the VM’s record thus far since the March 2010 election and the new Comm./Admin. it’s a sure bet …he will be a winner on this one just as he has been for all the other agenda items shot down prior and now either in place or in progress!… Reader’s may recall …BSO was supportive of this idea as well… And with a future that should include … wider sidewalks…an easier wider turn around at the end of Commercial by the pavilion…the new permanent access from the Pier parking lot…..wider sidewalks…sidewalk cafes…the possible removal of business parking requirements….and the correct drainage to remove Lake Colon (VM Dodd has put the drainage back on to address as well after seeing Lake Colon a few weeks back) …it makes sense…

…………………….

LBTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL FISH FRY … REELS IN THE RESIDENTS /BUSINESSES ….

Residents Loyola Gray, Regis Brady,Vito Chiarello, Ex. Director of the Chamber Judy Swaggerty, Asst. Town Manager Bud Bentley & wife,Diana & Ken Kuglar

Chamber President Paul Novak addresses the crowd

BC- next up for the Chamber of Commerce …the LBTS Art/Craft fair at the end of the month …Oct. 30 & 31st….

Statistics for Sept….

Sept./ YTD /9/09
Walk-Ins 737/ 12,787 /638
Visitor Guides Mailed 90/ 2,010 /180
Various Ad Responses 6/ 114
Diving Inquiries 20/ 505/ 43
Relocation Inquiries 17 /188/ 26
Car Rental Inquiries 32/ 579/ 48
Room Inquiries 98 /1,323 /128
Total Traffic 1,000/ 17,506/ 1,063
Website Hits 8,166 /90,007 /8,023
Memberships Renewed 205
New Memberships 5/ 37/ 3
Non-Renewals 40
Pre-paid 2009/10 /11
Businesses Closed 9
Total Membership 204

Want more info/ or a LBTS-Chamber of Commerce gift online? …. http://www.lbts.com/chamber.html

……………….

LBTS-VFD CHANGES LEADERSHIP …. BUT RETAINS OLD HABITS? …..

On Oct. 1st the leadership of the LBTS-VFD changed over to those voted in last month…. or did it?… We hear former Deputy Chief Joe Padder may have been appointed by the new Chief as Asst. Chief of the VFD despite the fact the members voted for his opponent John Louvaris to be Deputy Chief.. Hmmm. While there are questions on Louvaris being able to be a leader while still facing a court appearance (unless charges were dropped) …we were informed by past VFD he could return as a member while awaiting that trial…but not back in his former post as Bazillion Chief…In any event …his opponent is now placed above him in the chain of command?… Not only that but how can you be Asst. Chief and Pres. of the Board?… That’s not all…we hear that while the ladder truck has come back ( the “Big Kahuna” has been removed we are told) ….after a long time out for service…last Thurs. night while training one member (Rosa the Tomato lady’s son) who is also a Town employee (parking enforcement) was injured while on the ladder and taken to the hospital …He was there for a few hours and released we are told… On Friday, residents were taken aback to see a new truck by the VFD and lots of picture taking… Quite alarming to taxpayers who had just read (prev. post) that the Town appointed auditor stated the LBTS-VFD did not need any new trucks as well as those of us who sat through the budget last week and were told there would be an apparatus account for future purchases of trucks…VM Dodd made it clear the Commission did not want any more surprises from the VFD of purchased new trucks ala former Chief Perkins & VM McIntee’s purchases sprung on us in the past… We hear the VFD wants to lease the new truck on their own…What’s wrong with this picture?… Bad P.R. if they did so or are planning to do so….especially when you add to the above reasons…a sunk boat we still have no update on the insurance for…and asking for us to buy another ATV in the new budget… Add to that the new Chief stating he had a 5 year plan and informing the Comm./taxpayers after being set-up to do so by Comm. Clottey (prev. post) at the Sept. Comm. meeting membership would be capped to keep costs down… The VFD income/expense quarterly’s do not show a large Booster Fund or donations that would be along the lines of the big bucks once received from their deceased benefactor used to buy the other VFD owned trucks over the past few years since they were re-instated as the Town’s fire department…

One more thing about the VFD being bandied about …NO ONE is talking about getting rid of the VFD as the CIC may be planning to hang their “hats” on for the next election …(this writer received 2 e-mails from CIC member former Mayor,Ken Wardlaw with an old BSO removal of the VFD e-mail he sent out in 2008 in the last 2 wks)…The talk is perhaps making the VFD the Town Fire Dept. rather than a contractor as they once were… OOPS!… I hear a CIC political balloon being popped …big time!…

………………

NOW OPEN FOR DINNER …..

We are told the Anglin’s Beach Cafe is now open for yet another place in town to go for dinner….Bon Appetite …

…………..

SHE CLAIMED IT FOR WHAT? ….

This writer made a PRR for the discrimination case former HR Mgr. Kathy O’Brien made and against the Town and was dismissed (prev. post)… After receiving it 2 things popped up that are quite an eye-opener… Ms. O’Brien put down for her “particulars” she is a “white female and I am 59 years in age”…she stated she was hired on Jan 31, 2005 and placed on Administrative leave on April 27, 2010…She went on to state Finance Di. Kaola King was never subjected to any disciplinary action…and that former Asst. TM John Olinzock was fired “because he didn’t stop the incorrect payment which I had process”… She stated under #2 “On May 28, 2010, I received a letter stating my termination for incompetence in performance of duties based on my actions and decisions in making payouts to the former Town Manager, as well as alleged overpayment to myself./ #3 I believe I was discriminated against in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1984, as amended.”..  On another page which the discrimination circumstances were to be check off were…race and age…HUH?… This writer has sent a request to the Town for follow-up info on why Race/Age would be checked off..and what were the alleged overpayments Ms. O’Brien states she is was charged with for making to herself and was never mentioned on the dais or in any backup prior…will post upon receipt…

………………….

Next up…Tomorrow the backup and reports for updates to come for the 10/12/10 Regular Commission Meeting…Should include updates for the Coral Reef Project/ BSO Halloween & Easter Investigation for missing props etc….

………………….

more to come…

Post Division

Here’s The Scoop … From Posted “Notes”… Lauderdale- By- The- Sea E-Mail Updates/ Town Projects In Process & Completed/ LBTS-CIC Desparate For A Cause In 2010? …

October 1, 2010 by Barbara

NOTES OF INTEREST ….

Dear Readers …it will be an extra long day today with Lilly…and the last post on the 9/27/10 Comm. Mtg. is in the works…In the meantime…just a few “notes” that have crossed my desk and are of interest…

“From: Finance Director
Sent: Mon 9/27/2010 10:47 AM
To: Finance Director; Roseann Minnet; Chris Vincent; Stuart Dodd; Birute Ann Clottey; Scot Sasser
Cc: Connie Hoffmann; Bud Bentley
Subject: Termination Terms of SunTrust Agreement
This is a follow-up to a question that was asked at a recent meeting. Under the SunTrust Treasury Management Terms and Conditions as reviewed by the town attorney, there is essentially a 30 day notification period required in order to terminate the relationship with SunTrust Bank. The town manager and I have discussed the desire to issue an RFP and competitively bid the Town’s banking services in the near future. In the meantime, we will look to diversify some of the holdings by investing with other institutions. Those investments will also be done competitively. Hope this helps. Please call or write if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Doug Haag
Acting Finance Director
Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
4501 Ocean Drive
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Phone: 954-776-0576
Email: FD@lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov

From: Finance Director
Sent: Mon 9/27/2010 9:59 AM
To: Finance Director; Roseann Minnet; Chris Vincent; Stuart Dodd; Birute Ann Clottey; Scot Sasser
Cc: Connie Hoffmann; Bud Bentley
Subject: RE: Helpful Information re: Tax Distribution
I just wanted to add a point of clarification regarding this memo I sent to you last week. You may have noticed that the total amount for tax revenues ($7,090,763) is not consistent with the amount in the budget summary that is on the agenda for tonight’s hearing ($6,736,225). The reason is that Florida Statute allows us to budget a collection rate of only 95% on ad valorem tax revenues. If you multiply the $7,090,763 by 95%, you will get $6,736,225. I apologize for leaving this out of the original memo.

Thanks,

Doug Haag
Acting Finance Director
Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
4501 Ocean Drive
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308

…………….
From: June White
Sent: Fri 9/24/2010 5:05 PM
To: Susan Trevarthen; Commissioner Birute Ann Clottey; Commissioner Chris Vincent; Commissioner Scot Sasser; Mayor Roseann Minnet ; Vice Mayor Stuart Dodd
Subject: Town Manager Project Report
Attached is the Town Manager’s Project Report which was not included in your flash drives.

June White, CMC
Town of Lauderdale By-The-Sea
4501 N. Ocean Drive
Lauderdale By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Office: 954-776-0576
Fax: 954-776-1857

As previously posted the project list did not make it to the online backup for us non-Commissioners … There were 9 pages of the “Town Manager’s 8/20/2010 List of Significant Assignments/Projects”..

EXCERPTS…. with…”NOTES”…

Non-profit & Church waiver from temp sign fees …TAtty working on a new resolution and necessary code amendments to not only address fees but other sign codes… To Comm. Oct.

Other Fire Inspection Fee Modifications …Staff & Fire Marshall are evaluating fire inspection fees to align them with actual costs …To Comm. Oct.

Outdated Technology …Report from consultant received. PC & laptop replacements called for completed. Funds included in FY2010/2011 budget to network servers for better efficiency & other hardware improvements. Included $25K in budget to replace telephone system …Report to Comm. Oct.

Personal Policies …Policies are outdated and need a substantial overhaul; Town Manager to prepare proposed revisions for Commission review in Sept….To Comm. Oct.

BC…of note…need to remove the accrued vacation/sick leave upon leaving employment …caps…and no yearly accruals either…use it or lose it policy please…

Purchasing Policy …Request for review/updating of purchasing policies. T Atty has prepared a boilerplate RFP format that we are now using. Project to review purchasing policies on backburner due to higher priorities…No date to Comm….

BC…of note…need to make sure all are read aloud as prior to the vindictive and unnecessary past actions of the former TM in slighting the contractors who came to hear the bids and were able to get info to get their bonds in time…returning the  bid process to being transparent in LBTS…

Town Website Improvements…Funding proposed in FY 2010/2011 budget to improve the website from the user’s perspective & reflect our brand better than it currently does. Consultant will be selected to do work in October…To Comm. Dec.

BC-…of note…to come with improvements will be e-alerts…

Revisions to Dept. Monthly Reports… Development Services and Finance Dept. Reports revised. Municipal Services next up for revisions. Delayed by other priorities. Will discuss revisions to VFD report with new Chief

Town Attorney cost projections & possibility of different fee arrangement…Discussed fee arrangement with Town Attorney and will updat the Commission at first meeting in October…To Comm. Oct.

BC…of note…Mayor asked for a long overdue look to put TAtty. on retainer v hourly rate…as well as cut down on # of Atty’s coming to meetings…

Evaluation of cost reduction alternatives for building services….Presented report to Commission in July; direction to come back in 6 months w proposals…To Comm. Jan 2011

BC…of note…a look to see about contracting out for building services..that should also be looked at for other departments in the future to save on costs for ins/benefits of full time Town employment…

VFD budget & Agreement….Revised fire budget provided to Commission with Sept. 27th budget agenda item. Drafting amendments to the agreement with VFD …To Comm. Oct.

BC-…of note… New Chief…new 5 year plan he stated he is implementing…so far …so good….

BC…Alert….Talk about old CIC playbook being dusted off yet again…scroll down ….

Status of Contracts for Planning Services ….Town has 2 open contracts for planning services- Walter Keller and Keith & Schnars- and Chen has done some ping (?)under. Need to determine relative experience and cost of all three and make recommendations to TC (Town Comm) on how to handle. Dure to workload, this will not occur until October at best…To Comm. Oct.

BC…of note… $$$$$…what is Walter Keller charging these days…We heard former TM Colon was hit w/ a $9,000 bill from K & S and refused to pay…Chen…not thrilled w/ them or Ocampo…

Visioning & Master Plan Updates….Staff preparing a report on which 2004 Master Plan recommendations have been implemented in all or part. TMgr to outline suggested approach…To Comm. October Roundtable

BC…of note… Looking forward to TM Hoffmann’s suggested approach! …

Banking Services….Town will consolidate various accounts effective October 1. Assessing existing banking agreement for competitiveness and will seek TAtty’s reading on ability to terminate agreement early if we wish…To Comm. Fall 2010

BC…of note…see above e-mail from Acting Finance Dir. Haag…former TM Colon stuck it to the taxpayers …yet again…with a 3 yr. term w/ SunTrust and all those non-int. bearing accts. we have  in there..(prev. post)…

Improved efficiency in finance operations…Consultant has identified numerous efficiency improvement opportunities & is now implementing them as Acting Finance Director. Funds to buy upgrades for financial system in the proposed budget

BC…of note…hopefully a cut in finance staff from 4 as the prev. TM employed down to?…

Review of Boat Ordinances & Fishing Ordinances…Commission asked that these items come back for discussion in September; since Sept. agendas are so full, suggest items be placed on the October roundtable instead…October roundtable

BC- of note…per Comm. Sasser recommendation and the direction of the Comm…”At the 4/16 roundtable, Commission expressed desire to have recurring events placed on calendar two years in advance…

Choice Environmental Negotiations ….Comm. Sasser, Town Attorney & Asst T Mgr have met w Choice several times on a variety of issues; Ordinance amending mixed use options and providing for temporary suspension of service was adopted by the Commission on 1st reading on 7/27 and on 8/25 on second reading. Negotiations with Choice on other issues continues…To Comm. Oct.

BC…of note… Choice had a 3 yr contract…up next year….

Lease of warehouse…Intent is to lease out north half of the warehouse & offices. Staff developing an RFP for leasing agent…To Comm. Oct.

BC…of note…. back to a real use of the bldg. …that now makes more sense to hold on to…

Revisions to Special Events Policy …Staff to draft amendments to policy to allow TMgr approval of some events; fee schedule to reflect $200 for annual events of higher#? ; look at issue of Traffic control officer being mandated at some events (discuss w/ Police Chief) ….October roundtable

Reso 1222- Retiree Health Insurance …to come back to the Commission to discuss…October roundtable

BC…of note… Cha…Ching ….

Charter Review Board…Commission to appoint board

BC…of note…Mayor put this on…it’s time…

Commission Districts Study… Intent is to hire a university to do analysis of balanced districts for next Commission election in2013; RFP for study to Commission in Spring 2012 for adoption of new districts in summer of 2012…

BC- sent note to town…election March of 20102…not 2013… From Town Muni-codes under elections…

“(5) The geographic boundary for the northern and southern districts shall be designated, prepared and identified no later than the first of September, 2004, and again in 2012 through a contract entered into by the Town with an accredited four (4) year college or university located within the state of Florida for the purpose of identifying and designating the northern and southern election districts within the Town. The Town Commission district boundaries shall be of equal population, compact, proportional, and logically related to the natural internal boundaries of the neighborhoods within the Town. The principal of nondiscrimination and one person/one vote shall be adhered to strictly.”

BC- so according to the above it needs to be clarified if the time to enter is the first of Sept. 2012  as well which is after the March 2012 election…If that is the accurate timeframe …the March 2012 LBTS municipal election will remain as it has been with 2 north/2 south candidates for Comm…and Mayor townwide… leaving decision for 2014 March municipal election…

KNOCK…KNOCK BSO ….OPEN UP ….

Investigation of Missing Halloween & Easter Items…TM met with Police Chief 9/24 for his input on information needed to start investigation. Information will be provided to BSO next week

FILL ER UP…

Swimming Pool at Public Safety Bldg…Got study results back, no asbestos. Don Prince is arranging for bids to fill in pool

BC…of note…. can we fill in the bld. as well?…

Imperial Lane Traffic Calming …. Commission reviewed Traffic Engineer’s plan & directed us to implement. Staff to discuss with neighborhood. Neighborhood entryway features will be considered as part of neighborhood entry program.

Trial Valet Project…Plan approved by Commission in July. Valet Parking operation trial stage…report to TC in October

BC…of note… is it a go for season?…

Open outlet to alley from Pier pkg lot…Walter Keller did on-site evaluation on Aug. 5th and recommendations provided Aug. 13th. Copy given to Pier tenants to evaluate their costs and to Commission. Advised Commission we will proceed unless they asked for discussion

BC- of note…the Town/Pier tenants are waiting for Broward County to do striping as advised…not open yet…

Red light camera for Comm/A1A inter…Have prepared a report on implementation issues for Commission review. Deferred to October roundtable due to heavy meeting schedule in Sept…Oct. roundtable

BC…of note…still want a reconsideration on this one… drop it…

Town-wide Parking Study…Asst. TM has reviewed 2005 parking study & having consultant who prepared it (Keller) update certain data in it. That will cut down the cost of the Parking study. RFP for study given to Commission in September. To report back to Commission on cost of Keller update.

Reduction of Parking Requirements….At  6/23 mtg TC (Town Comm.) asked we look at possible parking requirements in the downtown. Walter Keller tasked to look at options and prepare recommendations. Will go to P & Z for review.

BC- of note…Comm. Sasser in reviewing the minutes from the 6/23 rountable and seeing VM Dodd’s inclusion of this downtown requirements as well as it going to P & Z… has put it back on the Oct. 12, 2010 Comm. Mtg. to go to P & Z …

Completed Projects…emails over memos…implemented in May /Jarvis Hall lighting …completed in June/Ords. for Administration…adopted in June & July 2010/P & Z & Bd of Adj. …adopted in May 2010/ Ethics Ord….adopted in July 2010/Code of Conduct …signed July 2010/ Lien Mitigation…adopted in June 2010/ LAP project match …Town advised of match req. in May 2010/Speeding on Seagrape…BSO conducted traffic enforcement in April & May/ Analysis of Contingencies & Reserves…provided in June/July 4th Fireworks…completed/Colon Payout…inquiry completed;settlement agreement approved by TC in July; reimbursement recd in agreed amt in Aug; TA withdrew suit/ RFP for External Auditor…completed; Audit Committee has met and ranked proposers…(BC- of note new audit firm hired…less cost…and found payroll MIA not found by Colon preferred-firm)/Additional Bocce Court…completed 8/15…(BC-of note…completed within months of new TC afte r a 2 yr delay from prev. Comm…at fraction of cost)/ Olinzock final separation…on 6/22 TC decided to revise termination “with cause/ Granicus …Report provided to TC on 5/25 agenda; staff reviewed list of Granicus features Comm. Vincent submitted & provided report that we can use almost all features/ Soccer Program ….Town staff approved lease of soccer field for soccer camp/ 24 hours opening Ordinance….Staff researched other cities’ practices; ordinance reviewed and recommended 3-2 by p & Z Board at June meeting; Commission decided not to proceed with ordinance on July 27th…(BC- of note…The Comm. was not given correct P & Z info on vote and members of prevailing side intentions…needs to be revisited by Comm.)/ More detailed Commission mtg. minutes…At the 4/12 roundtable mtg the Commission asked that Commission minutes contain more detail. That is now being done & Commission has expressed approval of the degree of detail/ Perez & Assoc. site plan issues…have been issued a permit after meetings with Jeff Bowman; determined they would be exempt from site plan requirements if they changed their renovations from a duplex to a triplex which they did/

COUNTER CLOCK-WISE PROJECT …

Pavilion Clock…Clock deemed not appropriate for proposed location by the four Commissioners who viewed it, so clock returned to maker. No cost to Town …

BC- of note…This writer sent an inquiry to the Town on this one..which 4 Comms…and who is the “maker”? …Former Comms. Silverstone & Furth…No funds were fronted to them by prev. TM?…

Continuing…Stormwater Plan Contract Questions…Asst. TM completed review of Chen contract and prior studies to determine compliance w contract terms. Concluded Chen complied with contract terms… (BC …of note…Question still is the amount of the plan that was already in the Town’s receipt from Tele-Vac etc…and charged to Town to reprint in report?)/Ord 2013-3 City Organization Ord 2010-4… Commission reviewed at 6/23 roundtable; Ordinance passed on first reading in July and second reading in August/ Monthly Report from Chamber of Commerce …At the 4/16 roundtable mtg. the TC asked the Chamber to provide a monthly report to the Town. Chamber’s newsletter which provides statistical data is provided to TC…(BC—of note…needs to be revisited by TC after new advertising funds approved in budget…as well as TC establishing a Business Development Committee to address the future advertising etc…for Chamber)/Corner Lot Pool Ordinance…passed on first reading in August & 2nd reading in August 2010/Abandoned Property Ordinance…Passed on first reading in August & 2nd reading in September 2010/ Reduce Fire Inspection Fees for Small Business…Passed on 1st reading in August & 2nd reading in September 2010/Appropriation to cover budget shortfalls from Colon payout…Completed.Commission approved appropriations in June & August 2010/ Chamber of Commerce Roof…Completed September 2010/Selection of External Auditor …Grau & Assoc. selected by Audit Committee/ Cash Reports…Provided report to Commission on September 124th. Will provide quarterly in future/ Investment Policy & Review of Current Investments…Presented new investment policy for TC consideration at Sept. 14th meeting and reported on current investments at same meeting/ Withholding $7,000 from Chamber of Commerce… At 4./16 roundtable meeting Commission discussed former TMgr’s decision to withhold funding from the Chamber due to financial reports showing profit for 2009. Commission asked the Town Atty. to provide legal advice on this matter. Topic has come up several times at Commission meetings, but no direction to make payment, so moving this item to completed list…(BC…of note…seems to be completed due to the VM as proponent not voting for the $11,500 advertising budget approved)…Ordinance amending code on accessory buildings….Staff developed an ordinance & P & Z reviewed it and recommended approval. Notice of intent on 8/25 agenda…(BC…of note…TC passed it)…Status of projects approved in prior fiscal years and closeout of old projects ….Addressed in CIP plan presented at September 20 roundtable…(BC- of note…would like to see what was done behind the scenes under the $15,000 by former TM for prior yrs. as well as full backup of Pavilion and Public Safety Bldg)/Senior Program Operation Issues….Commission concerned whether Town satisfying grant requirements, policy of charging non-residents and pt residents and hold harmless forms participants required to fill out. TM provided TC with a report on what grant required during the week of August 9th. Implementing changes to improve compliance. Recommend we drop hold harmless agreements…(BC…of note…Do not recall hold harmless was voted or directed to drop…also name change to Community Center from Senior Center)….

BC…of note…look what can be done with the right TM & TC at the helm!….

…………………

IT’S 2010….NOT 2006….TIME TO MOVE ON….

Received this at 10:07 pm yesterday on my Blackberry to me and undisclosed recipients…Titled “VFD FYI From Ken Wardlaw  Nov. 8, 2006 1:51 pm”
“In as much as the citizens prevailed on all four of the amendments on the ballot., this would appear to be Parker’s revenge. Ken

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA
Volunteer fire crew kicked out
The volunteer fire department in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea no longer exists.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office, which provides fire-rescue services for the tiny northeast Broward city, kicked out the department, and notified Chief James Silverstone to return all equipment.

The city contracted with BSO in 2004 to provide fire-rescue services. BSO, in turn, hired the volunteers — with the understanding that they would follow BSO’s safety regulations. But, things didn’t go as planned.

”We had problems with the leadership,” said Elliot Cohen, BSO spokesman. “For two years, they haven’t followed safety procedures.”

Leaders sometimes showed up at fire scenes wearing T-shirts and shorts. Radios were not used to communicate at scenes. Volunteer leaders did not check in regularly with BSO.

The department’s breaches of the contract ”constitute an immediate threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents, citizens and visitors,” read a BSO letter given Tuesday to Silverstone.

The volunteer fire department plans to fight BSO’s actions, Silverstone said.

”BSO is looking for a way out of the contract,” he said.

BSO said it is creating a reserve unit where the rank and file can sign up to continue working as firefighters”

BC…of note…I have not had contact with Mr. Wardlaw in 2+ years…to send this now…looks like that dusty playbook of CIC desperation is looking for something to rally the “troops”…The only way the VFD will cease to exist in this town is from within… which hopefully will not happen with the recent cleaning of their house… with more cleanup to come….

………….

more to come…

Post Division

Here’s The Scoop … The September 27, 2010 Regular Commission Meeting … The Line Is Finally Drawn …

September 29, 2010 by Barbara

TIME TO ENVISION THE FUTURE ….

Dear Readers … for this writer the Commission meeting on Sept. 27th was the line drawn in the sand I was anxiously waiting for ….To get past a tough 5 months  (almost to the day, April 26th) from the time John Olinzock was sacked one week after his boss, Esther Colon and Connie Hoffmann came into town offering up her experience and services for the Interim Town Manager position in order to help us through the transition following one tough municipal election ….The vote by the Commission for the new FY 2010/2011 budget and for a new Town Manager in order to move on and be able to focus on the future rather than the past was for me something all of us should take pride in …. I know we will no doubt uncover more left behind from prior Administrations that will require attention….. but, after seeing our new Town Manager and her handpicked Asst. Town Manager, and Finance Director, over the last 5 months …they can deal with and address anything else they uncover…and help this town in its vision for the next decade …..Now is the time for the Commission to deal with the boards/committees and direct them in the roles they will play as well as the role the rest of the residents and businesses will play in the larger vision process…It is also opens the door for those who threw up their hands and walked away ….to come back and offer up their knowledge and expertise to sit alongside those of us who did not go through the process five years ago and come up with the plan that is carried out to fruition ….

An overview/excerpts/ Verbatim comments  of the 9/27/10 Commission meeting with the Town Manager Resolution to be posted separately …

The meeting began with the pledge and a moment of silence due to Rev. Hunsaker not being in attendance… There were no additions, deletions etc…so next up was Public Comment…which produced the unfortunate lone commentary from CIC member Tom Carr (prev. post) … Following that was the monthly Public Safety updates (see agenda)..There were no questions for the BSO …but the Mayor/VM Dodd realized that there should have been and asked Chief Llerena to come up before Comm. comments to address the employee of the months and the large cases they broke which were attached to the backup… This writer believes the BSO should take the monthly update time to get the word out on these rather large busts…especially in light of all the increases we hear we face with a new contract next year… The BSO report passed 5-0…The new VFD Chief came up and was asked about the medical call and hi-rise drill from VM Dodd after a resident inquired on fire drills… Chief Paine replied the medical calls would show a decrease after the newly implemented dispatch/ fingerprint sign -in etc…he discussed last month… Fire drills will be done at hi-rises in town and Chief Pained explained how that would work as well as other training  ..He said he had a 5 year agenda …and hi-rise drill would be done every 6 mos-annually with designated hi-rise residents helping in accounting for residents in a real fire…The Mayor asked for this to be on Ch. 78 & on Town website to allow hi-rises the opportunity to partake in the drills… Comm. Clottey  stated the Commissioners all met with Chief Paine and when she met with him he informed her they now had a cap for members of 66 …Chief Paine stated it was to keep costs down for training, supplies and gear..He said there are 66 members now and 2 left for professional fire departments so 2 were coming in… Comm. Clottey asked him to explain the training being done and to make it a practice to keep informing them and the public…Paine spoke about going to the roof of Ocean Colony …going to old & new condos and flash training and a computer generated program that gave the FFs the role of what to do/not to do with an expanding dangerous fire that involved 40 departments and a conclusion in 35 minutes,,Comm. Vincent asked about the Beach Patrol and stated residents had concerns..Paine spoke of all Beach Patrol members getting their lifeguard certification in order to be able to be on patrol and there would always be 2 cert. members on each ATV during rough times and weekends …He did assert they are not lifeguards…The VFD report passed 5-0…AMR Chief Brook Liddle came to discuss the return of the emergency medical review committee …It has been dormant for some time…Readers will remember it arose after some concerns about Hipaa and AMR’s accountability on the job… This program is still not desired by many residents who fear Commissioners will be privy to their private medical information…The VM and Comm. Clottey spoke of how impressed and worthwhile it was and in the end put forth a new member should step into the role (which is revolving)..The Mayor stated she had not been on the committee yet…but encouraged a new member as well…Comm. Sasser made a motion for Comm. Vincent  and Comm. Clottey seconded it…it passed 5-0 s well as 5-0 vote for the AMR report…

The minutes …which again were really well done this time…passed 5-0 separately after the Town Clerk described a few minor changes she made on the 2nd set…

The Consent Agenda had some items the Int. TM wanted pulled…to add they would be approved with the TAtty. approval … those were item A & C… B (auto, prop, liability ins &  wkers comp) & D (50,000  for cost overruns for TAtty.) …passed no discussion 5-0… A. was the tennis program and the newly implemented split of revenue with the tennis pro (prev. posts)… Comm. Clottey asked to explain the free programs…The TM explained the Comm. indicated they wanted some free programs in the agreement…Comm. Sasser asked that it be for Town residents ..After further discussion and a curve ball of sorts concerning relatives of LBTS residents.. it was decided it would be for residents and relatives …VM Dodd wants feedback on the new structured program and was told that would be coming… It passed 5-0..

BC- one question from this writer after hearing the dialog on the dais…Have the rules changed for use?… Will the courts be used by anyone ….even from over the bridge who pays for recreation …allowing for residents to have first choice?… Will this bring out the “group” who use it primarily now to protest?…

Consent item C was about the health ins….(see agenda post )… Finance Dir. Haag reiterated what was in the backup…and the increase…He added because we had a lack of notification time dealing with the increase the FLOC verbally offered that if we go out and are able to secure better rates they will give us 45 days,…. The increase for health ins. for employees who receive 100% for single /primary employee and 50% for dependent…The TM stated in the backup to go out for a broker and see if we can do better..It passed 5-0 for group health ins. with FMIT

BC- This writer still believes the issue of 100% coverage needs to be dealt with…

The Ordinances for 1st reading were the Comprehensive Plan (prev. posts)…no public comment /no Comm. comment passed 5-0… Ord. 2010-14 was to make sure we are eligible for FEMA  reimbursement… after a few questions on the services and who declares the emergency… (It’s done at every level according to the TAtty.)…TM Hoffmann stated the Gov. is the only one who can call for a State of Emergency to get the FEMA reimbursements to kick in… Bud Bentley answered questions about who was contracted for the cleanup…Post Bucklye is the management vendor…as well 2 debris removal companies…and after questions from VM Dodd he will check the pricing of Choice… Comm. Sasser asked who was in charge TM or Mayor…Mayor can step up as the TAtty. believes we have on the books… It passed 5-0….

Resolutions…first one was the dreaded and dreadful Interlocal school board reso…voted down last time 3-2…Still not happy or inclined to pass it was Comms. Vincent/Sasser and VM Dodd …but having no choice …and after VM Dodd reluctantly gave a 2nd to Clottey’s motion it passe 5-0 as the 3 Comms. looked as if they were holding their noses …

Resolution B. was the Town Manager Agreement..as previously posted and in the Sentinel…it was a 5-0 vote for Ms. Hoffmann… A detailed post to come with verbatim commentary…

Resolution c. was dealing with the parking fees…(yep again)…It was decided that there will be no more beach parking permits …only residential for $50 annual/ $40 for seniors 65 & over per Comm. Sasser’s proposal/ pro-rated on July 1st to $30… Comm. Clottey again showing she is being led by the nose down a blunderous path… stated that there had been many who came for beach parking  (3 CIC cronies who live 3-4 blocks away and are able bodied except for one speakers spouse)… She also pulled out this zinger…that had everyone rolling their eyes and shaking their heads… She stated that a long time ago it was only those who lived west of A1A who could get a beach parking permit…HUH?… The Mayor said that was a new one to her…and stated she had purchased one in the past and lives on A1A… Comm Clottey wanted the staff to look into it…The Vice Mayor was quite emphatic that to do so was a waste of staff time…especially since there is no more beach parking…Hardship permits will rise a little to $125 (they had been 200 and then were lowered down again in 2009)…Employment parking was to be moved from $120-$150 or from $10 -$12.50 a month…and Bougainvilla/ Poinciana would go up to $1….The VM stated he was very happy with the recommendations and felt $50 was a bargain… Clottey asked why we were not increasing the El Mar lot and Mr. Bentley went on to discuss making that lot for visitors …He also stated in the code that lot fee was never implemented…Comm. Vincent was pleased with the handicapped spaces being recommended to be moved and asked if we were in compliance with the recommended number…Mr Bentley felt we were since it is a new lot…Comm. Clottey had her 2nd time to respond to the VM and looked a little frazzled…sort of like the girl feeling she was picked on in class…She stated it was her “responsibility to point out what residents have told me.”..it is “My job”…”if you want to make fun of me, so be it” (not what he was doing) …

BC-That must have been some flawed CIC meeting the night before…and this is just the tip of the iceberg…from Comm. Clottey for the evening following that meeting…sad to say…

The Mayor understood the rate and parking lot increases but had concerns about the hardship/ employee rates being increased… Town Manager Hoffmann and Bud Bentley spoke of comparatives to other municipalities and how low we are…as well as calling attention to some actions that take place by employers who usually cover employee parking using the low rate to pay for employees to park elsewhere leaving ..The increase are moving slowly to be increased…The vote was taken on the above consolidation residential-beach permits/ increases and passed 5-0… Comm. Sasser thanked Asst Town Clerk Nikki Smith for the hot pink permits for the next year…

The Commission faced its first Qausi-Judicial Hearing and Mitigation of Recorded Liens decision since they put it in the books… Development Dir. Jeff Bowman was not present and Asst, TM Bud Bentley stood in along with Code Officer Kim Williams …Bentley gave a brief intro to this being the 1st time and dealing with it in other communities he and  the TM had worked in…He explained the criteria and the percentages..In this case the Respondent was asking for a 90% reduction and the Respondent was a bank…who took the property in Bel Air over …it was a foreclosure… The TAtty. stepped in to walk them through the process of the proceeding…and asked the Town Clerk to swear all those who intended to speak…June White not only could not do it …she lost her voice and was replaced on the dais later on by Nikki Smith …TAtty. Trevarthen carried out the swearing in…Comm Sasser asked some questions of the the TAtty. for explanation of equitable consideration and flexibility on the situation… Code Officer Kim Williams walked the Comm. through the long history of the property and a fence problem among other items…and how it progressed from the violation to the Spec. Magistrate and the growing fines… The Respondent was Sue King who was hired by the Well Fargo’s Foreclosure Property dept. to be a liaison stated it was an inherited problem for the bank found after doing a title search…she expanded the cost for repairs for the bank to include a new kitchen AC pool and fence…She spoke of LBTS not having a procedure for mitigation in place when she began the job…and that she contacted Comms. and Town and was told to hold on until after March…She stated her clients have been cooperative with the Town… The TAtty. stated for the record any letters or correspondence must be disclosed …The Mayor stated she had  received an email but did not respond and spoke also to Hank  Overton to bring it back to the Comm./ Comm. Clottey stated she received emails and stated she responded she did not go along with the request/VM Dodd stated he had contact and did say to hang in there and it will be brought up at the next Comm…He added he never spoke about the outcome promised …. Comm. Vincent asked the Respondent to go back through the history and stated the bank complied and “we do appreciate that” stating the bank was not at fault…He asked if it was purchased for a flip and it was acknowledged it was…With that the TAtty. stated there were no more questions…they received the evidence and the Mayor called up Bill Vitoli who made a comment as allowed in these procedures by the public after being sworn in…He spoke of a property by him that was being cared for by the neighbors at their expense..He wanted a high fine for the inconvenience these properties bring to the neighbors…There wasa short recess called…

After the recess the Respondents’ Rep. stated she had been doing this for 2 years…Comm. Vincent had more questions about the certificate of title and the Rep answered those questions adding this property was maintained by the bank…and the Comm. could verify with Kim Williams on that in reference to Mr. Viltoli’s comments… Comm Clottey questioned the woman about her employment …if she was a bank employee…She stated she was not…Comm. Clottey stated she must be getting a percentage then.. Ms. King answered she did not …she makes $500 as liaison plus $250 to travel to these meetings…No more questions…Comm. Vincent made a motion to change the mitigation to 80% …20% of the fines would be charged to end this… The VM seconded for discussion and stated 90% was never what he had in mind when pushing for this and asked if the funds received could go elsewhere than the Gen. Fund for something worthwhile…The TAtty. asked for staff input about code fines and where they can go… Mr. Haag thought it could be designated if the the Comm. directs it to be… and the TM stated how it would be transferred and accounted for …The VM said he wanted it to go on the Roundtable for discussion… Comm. Vincent refined his motion to include the exact amounts of the funds required …and it passed 5-0 with the TAtty. stating it was to be paid in 30 days…

Before Comm. Comments was when Chief Llerna was called up to cover the report that was overlooked… He spoke about the midnight shift as well as the deputy of the month and their big arrests…He stated arrests have increased significantly…A loud applause came from the hall….

Comm. Comments began with Comm. Clottey who stated she would be brief…she was grateful for no increase in the millage…She welcomed the Town Manager stating she had been wonderful (see future post on the TM Reso. Clottey comments)…She stated she was sad about the Reef Project (prev. posts) and that conversations between attorneys were  going on…She stated it is no cost to Dr. Goreau …his attorney is pro bono …but a cost to the Town…and that it will be an asset to the community…

BC- We hear other CIC members took the same stance and want the Town to go ahead on the current breached contract…speaks volumes about the organization…and pet projects…calling for them to turn a blind eye…

Comm. Vincent stated he wanted to stay focused on what had just transpired with the budget and the millage… He stated on a personal level he wanted to thank Doug Haag…Bud Bentley..and Ms. Hoffmann…He said this Commission made the right decision and that there is sincere admiration from the residents and businesses and he looks forward to working with her…

Vice Mayor Dodd…gave his Hillsboro Inlet update…and stated ” It is finally a pleasure to be seated up here and serve the best interests of the town. To many who watch at home on TV and for those who attend the meetings you will have noticed the obvious signs of harmony and civility on the dais , shorter meetings and fewer public comments. What you may not have noticed is the level of professionalism that has permeated throughout the way the town operates. Businesses have given me feedback that they no longer dread coming to town hall because there is an attitude of “How can we help you” as opposed to “ It says in black and white”….. I as the Vice Mayor ( still haven’t got used to that yet) receive the information necessary to make the right decisions to steer the town where it needs to be going. Rome wasn’t built in a day so we have to be patient. Our new Town Manager unfortunately only has two hands and I think there will be enough to keep both of them busy for quite some time. Behind the scenes I am receiving the information that the town manager will be opening every cupboard and closet checking for skeletons and whether the contents is up to snuff. In this back-up you may not have noticed the Health, dental, vision, life and short term disability insurance for town employees will be reviewed in a timely manor this coming year with appropriate recommendations, staff will be consulted and a survey of other local municipalities to ensure we are where we need to be. You are all aware that large cash balances in bank accounts were not earning any interest and finally we have someone in charge who is more concerned about financial matters rather than winning awards. I am aware of many other issues, the purchasing manual, the employment agreements and the salaries of our staff to name three areas where the manager will be making recommendations to this commission. The many parking issues will be the subject of a comprehensive study no more of the “to bag or not to bag”  just how much staff time and effort was spent locking and unlocking all the bags let alone the commission’s time discussing where the bags were located to say nothing of the lost revenue. These are exciting times and I look forward to continuing to serve and work with town staff to keep the town on track for the future.”…

Commissioner Sasser – “I want to thank Mayor Minnet for all the hard and successful work she did negotiating the Town Manager contract. I understand how difficult it can be negotiating knowing that final approval will come back to 4 other decision makers. The original draft came to us with all the key hot buttons addressed and I, for one, am grateful of the professional manner in which this was handled.

I also want to thank the Town Manager for her partnership. I do not use the word “partnership” lightly. I feel she has given on several points that she ordinarily would not have agreed to in order to overcome our concerns from past experience. We are rebounding from a bad relationship and Connie has been very understanding and committed. I also want to thank her for her patience, particularly with me, during this process. Sometimes negotiating can cause friction but her professionalism has constantly shined through. That is, unless she’s mad at me.

The end result is that we have a very experienced Town Manager that is committed to us. That chose us as much as we chose her. We have an arduous road ahead of us with many things to accomplish. This years’ budget is the first step. I thank Connie and staff for meeting the Commission expectation of keeping millage rates the same this year when our revenues are down over a million dollars.

It is now time to look to the future. We must stay committed to getting a clear and concise plan. This starts with direction from this dais. It will take commitment, focus, clear communication and teamwork. I am ready to join the team to my left and right to jump start then jet fuel this endeavor into the future. I personally feel this starts with some minor revisions to our Master Plan and will be adding this to our next Roundtable meeting. I look forward to working with my partners up here and you to ensure the viability of our town for ours and future generations.”…

Mayo Minnet stated she didn’t know if she could follow that…all had done a great job…She said what a difference two years make …and said she may have been the liaison for the Town Manager agreement but it was the TAtty. who recommended all the Commissioners be involved …and she tanked Ms. Trevarthen for that  recommendation…She welcomed Connie officially and she also thanked everyone who participated in the budget during the meetings and everyone who spoke…She said again we are facing a huge sewer increase and what a fete it was to maintain the budget/millage and  being able to go ahead with the FDOT project…to be able to pull that off was something…She was looking now toward the future and sees it as positive…that included the Reef Project and the attorneys involved working together on that…

New Business was a bit disconnected and in need of being returned to the agenda…as we hear Comm. Sasser has done…This was his item and he stated he had spoken to P & Z Vice Chair Yann Brandt who wanted to review any changes in the parking requirement to help the business district… The TM stated the Comm. may recall they hired Walter Keller to look at this and make recommendations for the downtown area…..

BC- #1…please …please …no “you may recall” to the Comm….still brings a shudder to this writer as it was always a red flag that the former TM was not being forthcoming about whatever the item/subject was…

#2…Here is where the disconnect and the confusion began… It was thought that Walter Keller was to update the 2005 parking study dealing with spaces …before going out for RFP… Walter Keller still brings a shudder as well, due to prior to 2008 and his overbearing participation in the MPSC …when this writer witnessed him not allowing the committee to move forward…stating a “study” was needed first… It led to some major discontent as a result…As for P & Z much the same…

The TM  said there should be some discussion because the boards were feeling they were to “rubber stamp” issues and how did the Commission want to deal with this …Should it go the boards for input and then the Commission having that input from them….

The Mayor said she wanted to see it on a Roundtable…

The Vice Mayor stated he felt this went against what they just agreed to and that this was the first example of a sub-committee coming to the Commission to put something before the sub-committee (prev. post)… He said this was one of things he had been campaigning for…and he was 100% for it going to the P & Z and that they be provided the suitable backup… He also wanted to make sure the businesses already paying the req. allocated spaces were addressed and included in the equation…for the impact…and that is where he stood on this …but then he backed off to say if the Mayor wanted it to go the Roundtable first to give the board direction on it he was happy to go either way…

Comm. Sasser agreed with the VM that he was happy for it to go to the Roundtable first if she thought that was important……

The Mayor she did think it was important because it was going to RFP  and this was part of it…She was wrong and asked where she was wrong …Mr. Bentley provided some clarification and stated the parking regulations had been discussed a month or month and a half ago and Walter Keller was hired to do the study prior…to  the RFP for the parking operational study… adding there was some overlap…He stated he spoke to Keller and his element to the parking study should be given to the Town later in the week…

Comm. Clottey wanted to know about the income from 101 who she said is one of the ones that pays a significant amount of money and Bud said 101/Aruba & Benihana…and offered to pull the amount up this evening or email it the next day…The Mayor told him to bring it to the Roundtable..

Comm. Sasser said he would put it on the next Roundtable…but the Mayor said staff would do that…The VM made a motion for it to go the Roundtable but that was not necessary stated the Mayor…Comm. Sasser ended by stating he had heard from many people on this subject and it something were to delay it he would still like it to go the P & Z…

BC- The problem is…the October meetings are set to start with the one Comm. mtg/ one Roundtable a month…meaning the P & Z would not be able to start on this until Nov. since they meet the week prior to the Roundtable..I believe the Comm. Sasser /VM Dodd and the TM got it right…P & Z 1st then to Comm….

The next new business item was for an alternate for P & Z…it is VM Dodd’s pick to replace his appointee who declined…He asked for residents to apply…

The Comm. needed to approve hardship permits for condos…and after Asst. TC spoke about the night time parking applicants come in to address…there was much discussion on allowing overnight parking for hardship permit parking which is not currently allowed in the code per Asst. TM Bentley…

BC- Again, we are faced with falling down on the job… These hardship permits are for owners and renters of these properties and I have to believe that for all these years they have parked overnight with them…otherwise what good are they…I do not believe they were used for visitor parking…Hmmm…

Mr Bentley added this was the same situation they would find themselves in when the Wings hardship permits are enacted….( it’s a ways off Bentley acknowledged for Wings…currently to go to litigation…prev. post)… After more discussion the mayor made them aware they needed to do something and they voted to pass them…5-0

The final NB item was the garbage increase…which Mr.Bentley explained…it’s minor for single residential homes…and after he explained the situation and the numbers….receiving kudos for his calculations and finding the errors…Comm. Sasser asked if Choice would rectify a mailing that had the amount wrong…Bud felt it made more sense to ask them to include the clarification in the next bill to save on mailing cost…It passed 5-0…

The Town Manager stated her report was short due to finishing the budget the evening before…(a followup project list was received later by the Comm. although not in the online backup on the Town’s website as of the meeting)… She added the increase for parking from .50-$1 was for Poinciana as well as Bougainvilla…and she had nothing else to add…

Comm. Sasser asked about the payroll debacle and if the former Auditing firm should have caught this and if there was any liability…The TM said the TAtty. should look at the contract and come back …

BC- A Reader sent me this…on this topic…when I inquired …”I would definitely file a complaint with them to put them on notice. That is acct 101. Not worth trying to sue for reparation. Maybe complain to the partner in charge, ask for all the payroll work papers for the past five years. Ask for their audit plan for the same years; it will tell you if and how they planned to audit payroll. Ask for an explanation and ask who has done their peer review. If they are lame with a response then complain to the state licensing board and their peer review firm. Who knows how they might respond. But these types of questions will scare them I promise. Make sure the documents sent out with requests and complaints are available to for you to post but hold off until they have complete all their responses. You never know what they might offer. An accounting firms reputation is “ALL” they have to bank on and they would be loath to damage it.”…Sounds good to me…

The TAtty Report from Ms. Trevarthen was covering the questions on amendments..such as the Fl. proposition 4 developers vs. environmentalist which will be on the ballot and elected officials and Towns receiving questions on it…She stated Town funds could not be used to take a position for or against …A statute strips cities from the right to campaign…The municipalities can use funds for educational uses…and it’s quite rigorous…She also stated some towns adopt resolutions …but some do not… When asked about elected officials being asked their opinion she stated they still had 1st amendment rights …they cannot be gagged…it is to make sure public funds are not used …

The meeting was adjourned …

Meeting and backup archived on Town website ….link …. http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/

more to come…

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Here’s The Scoop … Nice Things …

September 18, 2010 by Barbara

LILLY  5 MONTHS …

Lilly at Brookfield Zoo …

Lilly Watching Yo Gabba Gabba …

Lilly contemplates her next grab …

Dear Readers …it’s hard to believe but 5 months has flown by and Lilly is still keen on standing whenever she can with an assist …2 fingers is enough ….or in her jumperoo…Just getting the hang of turning over and skooging a few inches forward…or circling around …She’s got her knees in the right place…but hasn’t quite got the front end to cooperate at the same time…. All in due time…She’s sitting up in her high chair and has graduated to rice cereal with bananas or carrots…She went to the zoo for the 2nd time (see pic above) and in the carrier worn by  Nana she eyed with wonder the animals for the 1st time … She’s “talking” up a storm and quite miss little independent as well as very vocal and  specific about her likes and dislikes… to the point that if one toy is missing from its usual spot she makes it known until it’s reset…Hmmm….we wonder where that comes from!…

All in all…it’s a lot of work…but what a blast….for this writer/Nana to be able to see the world through her new eyes …Nice!…

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PROUD MOM …

Mayor Roseann Minnet who recently became engaged to her guy, Chuck (prev. post) now has even more reason to celebrate as her son C.J. has just popped the question to his gal, Erica as well!… Congratulations Mayor…Congratulations C.J and Erica…..Nice!…

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FINALLY SENTINEL COVERAGE AS WELL AS MUTUAL AID  FROM FT. LAUDERDALE …

Sentinel ….Fountainhead fire last week …

The new Sentinel reporter assigned to our Town for the Sentinel has already posted more news briefs online than we’ve seen in the last year!…Nice!… (Except the last sentence in his story might be cause some concerns?)…….

……………

“LAUDERDALE BY-THE-SEA —
No injuries were reported Wednesday when fire broke out at the Fountainhead condominiums, according to a city spokesman.
The fire in the high-rise complex along the 3900 block of North Ocean Drive was reported about 10:45 a.m.
It appeared that a water heater in one of the units on the third floor caught fire, said Steve D’Oliveira, spokesman for Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. It wasn’t immediately known what sparked the fire.

Firefighters from the city’s volunteer department were on the scene, along with personnel from Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue.
Some residents responded to the condo fire alarm by leaving, but responders did not organize a building evacuation.”

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/lauderdale-by-the-sea/fl-fountainhead-condo-fire-20100915,0,1283899.story

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IT’S GONE …BUT NOT FORGOTTEN …

So for all of you who’ve sent inquiries…the 1st buoy is gone from the Furth’s motel…and we are told now sits in the Cry of the Water storage unit….Nice? …. Well, maybe not for the taxpayers who paid for it when all is said and done…but nice for those who saw it as a major eyesore on El Mar Drive for far too long….

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more to come….

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Here’s The Scoop … The Lauderdale-By-The Sea VFD Election Results …Some Big Surprises ….

September 13, 2010 by Barbara

NO “BIG KAHUNA”  ON THE LADDER ANYMORE …. BUT….

Dear Readers … early word is the elections took place last night for the VFD leadership positions…. While we were told the big 102 Ft. ladder truck still out being serviced and is no longer labeled “The Big Kahuna” ….

Interim Fire Chief Steve Paine is now the only”Big Kauna” in the department after suddenly becoming unopposed for the permanent Fire Chief position…….Deputy Chief Joe Padden decided instead to run again for Deputy Chief…but he lost to former Capt. John Louvaris …Padden was then voted in a President which means President Ken Johnson only had a one year term…(he remains on the Board)… Kevin Padden is again the Battalion Chief….and…..Administrator Danny Chavez lost in his run for treasurer against former Comm. Jim Silverstone ..

That’s all we know so far…

Congratulations to all…

http://www.lbtsfire.com/

more to come….

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Here’s The Scoop … Some Scurried “Scoops” …

September 13, 2010 by Barbara

Dear Readers …with Lilly in my lap … just a brief post of some updated “scoops” … PIO D’Oliveira just let me know the backup for tonight’s budget meeting at 7 pm and tomorrow’s Regular Commission Meeting are now fixed!… The updated budget/justification sheets will be forthcoming as well…and as promised the originals will stay on…Thanks to Steve!…

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/backup2010BUD.htm

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/town/backup2009.htm

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We heard that Hazmat was called out yet again to LBTS this morning ….for a barrel that came onto the beach …The VFD contacted the Comms. and all was ok…no cause for alarm after it was looked over… Nice that Chief Paine informed the Commissioners… this time…

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We are told the Halloween decorations for the hall are pretty much done…Outstanding plywood structures that will last for quite some time and should go over and beyond making up for the Furth’s “taking their ball and going home” antics of  leaving the Town’s Halloween props closet bare from what was in it in bygone years while they called the shots…..I am told there are pics of the process and will be pics coming during the set-up and event… The fantastic Halloween poster was made by Sunny Eckhardt …and can be seen on the Town’s website as well as our sister site … http://heresthescooponline.com/

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Coverage of the Budget Meeting to come…and remember Readers ….tonight at 7pm in Jarvis Hall (millage/fire assessment to be set ) and Sept. 27th at 6 pm are the only opportunities for taxpayers to make their voices heard for the FY2010/2011 LBTS Adopted Budget…

Comcast Ch. 78/ Town website live stream and archived …http://lbts.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

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more to come…

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Here’s The Scoop …The September 13, 2010 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Budget Workshop … Are All The Ingredients Inside? …

September 11, 2010 by Barbara

WHAT’S INSIDE THE PIE? …

Dear Readers …unfortunately some sort of snafu has taken place with the backup this week for the budget meeting on Sept. 13, 2010 at 6 pm …While the Resolutions are difficult to read the numbers are unreadable ….. This writer sent an email to PIO D’Oliveira to call his attention to the problem in order for the Town to address and correct the problem ASAP …. In the meantime… while I was lucky enough to get a copy from a Commissioner of the numbers they received in their backup to see what will make up this year’s budget “pie”…and how big a slice will go where…the fax provided is still too small to decipher the exact figures…so please don’t hold me to the totals if they are not 100% accurate …They will be updated when they are available on the Town website and can be zoomed in on!….

TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA

TOWN COMMISSION

SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING

MONDAY, SEPT. 13, 2010
AT 7 PM IN JARVIS HALL

AGENDA BACKUP DOCUMENTS

1. CALL TO ORDER, MAYOR ROSEANN MINNET

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. PUBLIC COMMENTS

4. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

5. RESOLUTIONS – PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. RESOLUTION 2010-26 – Adopting Final Fire Assessment

BC- The fire assessment will remain at the $130 figure decided on last year for 2 years in order to avoid return special meetings from Burton and Assoc. (prev. post) …They will return next year and we will need to revise the amount up or down depending on what happens with the current service…

In the background we are hearing there might not be the $700,000 VFD budget with the rest going into a Town controlled apparatus account as we thought …The TM has met with the VFD a few times and according to her 9/14/2010 report met again with them on Friday (9/10) …Her backup states “we discussed ways that they could reduce their budget to conform with the Commission’s request that the budget not include the 4% increase they first requested. I will bring back their revised budget to the Commission for discussion once I receive it.”.. That language does not sound like the $700,000 discussed at the last budget meeting..it sounds like the same amount as last year or roughly $900,000…We also heard the $900,000 was the figure discussed at a meeting held by the VFD last week…Hmmm…

Mon. the 13th we hear is also when the VFD will vote for the new permanent Chief (Acting Chief Steve Paine vs. Dep. Chief Joe Padden) and we are told the Dep. Chief position has former Capt. John Louvaris a candidate …No word if Dep. Chief Padden loses his bid to become Chief he will then throw his name in for Dep. Chief at the meeting as he is allowed to do …

The TM in her report for the 14th also states the VFD “are proceeding with plans to incorporate certain minimum qualifications standards into their by-laws as recommended by the Town’s consultant to assure volunteers have the training and certification generally required of professional fire officers these days.  The Board is also proposing to the membership that the Fire Chief and the President of the VFD be elected for a two year term rather than a one year term.”…..We are told the changing of the by-laws should take 3-4 months under the current rules and require 2 votes of the membership?…Those changes used to be brought to the Commission as well…Will they this time?…

b. RESOLUTION 2010-27 – Adopting Tentative Millage

BC-The Resolution is for the 4.0900 millage rate voted 4-1 (Comm. Clottey voted no)….The vote was for the higher rate due to the standard practice of not being able to raise it once it is set…and always being able to lower it as stated by VM Dodd at the first meeting and reiterated by Comm. Sasser and Mayor Minnet at the following meeting …with VM Dodd and Comm. Sasser emphasizing their final vote would be to retain the 3.9990 …which we suspect will still be the case…The question will be if Mayor Minnet and Comm. Vincent will vote to retain it as well…Comm. Clottey by casting her no vote should join them to keep 3.9990 unless she did an about face in the interim…

c. RESOLUTION 2010-28 – Adopting Tentative Budget

BC- The Acting Finance Director, Doug Haag provided a letter to the Commission via the TM stating the budget summary for this resolution “reflects only the changes that you agreed to at the commission meeting in August and the resolution calls for the 4.0900 millage rate we got at the meeting.” He went on to add they are “still working on a variety of budget issues”…Those include the VFD budget, heath insurance premiums, parking revenue analysis and capital improvement plan.”…He adds “and the reductions necessary to allow us to hold the millage at the current rate of 3.9990.”…He states “a final budget document reflecting the 3.9990 mills will be prepared for you to review at the commission roundtable on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 5:00pm. Assuming the Commission approves our recommendations, the resolution adopting the millage at the second and final budget hearing on Monday, September 27,2010 at 6:00pm will reflect the 3.9990 millage rate.”..

We hear many files are impossible to find in the aftermath of the previous Administration concerning insurance etc… This writer thinks the millage can be retained  in part by considering a past recommendation at a 2008 budget meeting made by John Thompson and sure to be enacted by other municipalities who have not done so already…That is for employees to be required to pay into the insurance they receive at a rate comparable to non-government workers …(if that has not been enacted behind the scenes already)…Parking revenue can increase by ridding the Town of the current restrictive parking requirements for businesses and allowing for metered parking along El Mar Drive as has been put forth …The VM found some informative ideas as well to aid in the parking revenue and update the antiquated meter problems throughout the town …Capital improvements will need to be fleshed out by this Commission/Administration both short-term and long-term…

The 2010/2011 proposed budget figure totals with the 4.0900 millage…

Note: they were done trying to decipher the accurate numbers from a faxed copy…with small print…so don’t hold me to them…

Revenues… Gen. Fund $10,233,659.00 /Spec. Rev. Funds $1,o20,751.00/Parking Imp. Fund $784,625.00/ Sewer Ent. Fund $1,246,695.00/Cap.Imp. Fund $2,470,425.00/ Memorandum Total 15,756,156.00

Expenditure/Expenses Gen. Fund $10,233,659.00/ Spec. Rev. Funds $1,020.751.00/ Parking Imp. Fund $784,625.00/Sewer Ent. Fund $1,246695.00/ Cap. Imp. Fund $2,470,425.00/ Memorandum Total $ 15,756,156.00

Reserves with the 4.0990 …cannot be deciphered …

6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2ND AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING ON MILLAGE AND BUDGET

BC- attached was the announcement it will be at 6 pm on Sept. 27, 2010 in Jarvis Hall and will allow for one last chance for taxpayers to be heard before the FY 2010/2011 budget is adopted…

7. ADJOURNMENT

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The meeting will be on Comcast ch. 78 /Town website livestream and then archived …http://lbts.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

more to come…

Post Division

Here’s The Scoop …. The Lauderdale-By-The-Sea VFD To Honor Those Who Served On 9/11/2001 By Climbing 87 Floors …

September 9, 2010 by Barbara

SATURDAY SEPT. 11, 2010 …

The LBTS-VFD will join other Broward Firefighters at a 9/11 event at the Fort Lauderdale Fire And Safety Museum in the morning around 9:30 am to honor those who served on 9/11/2001 …

After that the department will head over to the Pompano Beach Club located at 101 Briny Ave. in Pompano Beach to climb the 29 story condo 3 times to commemorate 87 floors which was the number of floors firefighters climbed at the World Trade Center… The “window” for the climb to take place is said to be between 11 am – noon or soon after …depending on the Ft. Lauderdale event ..

http://www.lbtsfire.com/

http://www.fortlauderdalefiremuseum.com/

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more to come….

Post Division
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