BE PREPARED…..

7 PM -REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING….

1. CALL TO ORDER, MAYOR ROSEANN MINNET

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. INVOCATION – Reverend George Hunsaker

4. PRESENTATIONS

a. Presentation – Wind Energy (Commissioner Clottey)

BC- there is no cover page /or backup that shows Comm. Clottey’s involvement…On a personal note Comm. Clottey NEVER ran on or showed any interest in “green” …In fact it was she that thwarted the Mayor (who was into the “green” issues from the get-go) and resident Yann Brandt’s introduction of an advisory board on energy just like Ft. Lauderdale voted to have at their last Commission meeting…Furthermore  it is disturbing that with the bloated agenda we face due to no Aug. meetings…and the fact that it was Comm. Clottey who pushed the energy issues off until after the budget when it was on a prior agenda (not her items)…that she chose or it was chosen for her to put on 2 presentations!…The company coming… http://www.frombeginningtowind.net/

b. Presentation – Solar Lighting (Commissioner Clottey)

BC- same comments as above/see previous post…company coming…. http://www.solarlightingusa.com/

c. Presentation of proclamation proclaiming August 22, 2009 as Honeybee Awareness Day (Mayor Minnet)

BC- Honeybees…better proclamation then the New Bus. item from Comm. Silverstone for “Gang of 3 – Leader Marc Furth”…at the end of the agenda…This presentation includes a memo e-mail sent to the Mayor from Town Clerk White asking her if she wants to make the proclamation and the Mayor’s response….yes…

d. Presentation – El Mar Drive Streetscape – Chen & Associates, Ocampo & Associates

BC- Hopefully the companies will be informed of the specifics…the history and the “climate” of the town…as they present their plans for the El Mar Drive south end medians (and more) …per the request from the MPSC/Comm. meeting (prev. post)…on July 20th….That Oriana million is burning a hole in the pocket of the “gang”…This taxpayer would like it to be put on hold until after March 2010….

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS

BC- It could be a long line if everyone comes to address the items below and more….unless they take a pass to speak on the item as addressed (speaker’s choice)….

6. REPORTS

a. Finance and Budget Monthly Report – June 2009 (Manager Colon)

BC-Just a few interesting points…page 11- sewer maint. outfall rehab maint. Orig. Budget  $82,000/ YTD 36,930.97/ Curr MTH $2,800.00/ Enc. YTD $700.00/ Unenc.$44,369.03….Advertisements page 8 Orig. Budget $25,000.00/ YTD $4,538.23/ Curr. MTH.0/Enc. YTD. 0/ Unenc. YTD 20,461.77. …Advertisements  page 9 Orig. Budget $3500/ YTD $3500/ Curr. MTH 0/ Unenc. YTD 0….Weiss Serota…Curr. MTH 0

b. Development Services Monthly Report – June 2009 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- Visitors 520/informational calls received 605/ verbal warnings 20/notices of violation 123/ citations issued 2/ spec. master cases 16/ complaints invest. 8/ re-inspec. conducted 160/lien searches 13/ zoning reviews 29/ final inspections 18/ bus. tax license 2/ public records req. 4….27 failure to connect to sewers/ 16 cases to spec. magistrate/ 18 final zoning inspec./ 29 completed fire related permit inspec./ 22 fire related permit applications include resubmittals/ reviewed Broward County Bus. tax licenses , those w/out town bus. license were contacted and issued violation notices/ page 7…Staff processed ADSTAR AD for public notice variance (Hmmm)…can they teach Town Clerk to do the same?)….

c. Municipal Services Monthly Report – June 2009 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

Bc- 123 calls/ 9 complaints …list of daily activities including the pavilion being kept clean…..Hmmmm

d. BSO Police Monthly Report – June 2009 (Lt. Angelo Cedeno)

BC- 2 Deputies transferred out…2 transferred in/ Dep. Eason Deputy of the month….

e. VFD Fire Monthly Report – June 2009 (Chief Perkins)

BC- 27 Reg. in-town members/ 36 Assoc. out of town members/ 27 Fire-Rescue call/ 58 medical call (AMR had 64)/ Training 8 fire-drill…watercraft 6/ Beach patrol …ATV 1 70 hrs & ATV 2 45.25 hrs…out of 115.25 hrs. 42 hrs were non-paid vol time. (pd. from where)/ station watch 42 combined members …1,115+ hrs/ Community serv. 5 # of FF 5…

(Note the town site does not allow for full printing of some sheets sorry for some cut offs…)…

f. AMR EMS Monthly Report – June 2009 (Operations Manager Liddle)

64 calls VFD went on 58 of them)…overall avg. response time 3:41

7. PUBLIC SAFETY DISCUSSION

8. TOWN MANAGER REPORT

a. Solid Waste Update

BC- The backup is the full Choice Environmental contract (also on the agenda New Bus. item i. Comm. Clottey)…This writer previously posted after the 1st contract meeting in Jarvis Hall in the RFP process that the Town was headed for a big fallout with the change in the contract that called for 1 toter for each residence (unit)…and despite trying to get the Administration  ( John Olinzock ) to realize the uproar it would cause…it fell on deaf ears…(surprise…surprise)….and the big fallout as predicted has come down on the town and the contractor (Choice) who is stuck abiding by the Town’s decision of “no exceptions” leaving residents with paying more rather than less and leaving them inundated with extra toters and nowhere to put them. This writer has been told that if Choice did not abide by the Town’s contract of 1 toter for each unit…it would be in breach of the new contract…as would any other company that bid on the RFP including Waste Management. Now in the aftermath the Town Commission must change the contract to allow owners to decide how many toters they require…as it was in the past!…Rackin’ up the reasons for a performance review of the Town Manager and her Assistant…YIKES!

b. Tennis Program

BC- no backup…but we know the program is budgeted for $12,000 next year and we hear it is a hit with kids…per the TM…

c. Swimming Program

BC- no backup…this too is budgeted for next year at $12,000…although the lifeguard position has not been filled …and the program has not begun…

d. Insurance on Town owned Tree

BC- no backup…but it is said it is to address replacing trees after a catastrophic event…

9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. June 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes

b. June 30, 2009 Special Meeting Minutes

c. July 14, 2009 Budget Workshop Minutes

10. ORDINANCES

1. Ordinances 1st Reading – “Public Comments”

a. Ordinance 2009-26: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE SEA AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS 20-121, 20-122, 20-125, AND 20-126 PROVIDING ADDITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; CREATING NEW SECTION 20-126 ENTITLED “WATER CONSERVATION”; RENUMBERING EXISTING SECTIONS 20-126 AND 20-127 AS SECTIONS 20-127 AND 20-128; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION IN ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 20 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

2. Ordinances 2nd Reading – “PUBLIC HEARING”
a. Ordinance 2009-10: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY THE SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 30 “UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE I “IN GENERAL,” SECTION 30-21 “NON-CONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES” TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUATION OF NON-CONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES; AMENDING ARTICLE IV “SITE PLAN PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS,” SECTION 30-123 “APPLICATION FOR FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL” TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN APPROVED SITE PLAN TO REMAIN EFFECTIVE; AMENDING ARTICLE V “ZONING,” DIVISION 2 “DISTRICTS,” SECTION 30-211“RS-5 DISTRICT—RESIDENCE” TO AMEND ROOF OVERHANG SETBACK REQUIREMENTS IN THE RS-5 DISTRICT; AMENDING ARTICLE V “ZONING,” DIVISION 2 “DISTRICTS,” SECTION 30-261 “B-1-A DISTRICT-BUSINESS” IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT BEAUTY SCHOOLS AND HAIR SALONS ARE PERMITTED USES IN THE B-1-A DISTRICT; AMENDING ARTICLE V “ZONING,” DIVISION 2 “DISTRICTS,” SECTION 30-271 “B-1 DISTRICT- BUSINESS” IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT COOKING SCHOOLS, CATERING BUSINESSES, MOTORIZED SCOOTER OR MOPED SALES AND RENTALS, AND BEAUTY SCHOOLS AND HAIR SALONS ARE PERMITTED USES IN THE B-1 DISTRICT; AMENDING ARTICLE V “ZONING,” DIVISION 2 “DISTRICTS,” SECTION 30-313 “GENERAL PROVISIONS” IN ORDER TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES AND TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR DRIVEWAYS, SWALES, AND GENERATORS; FURTHER AMENDING ARTICLE VIII “SIGN REGULATIONS,” SECTION 30-507 “DEFINITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS BY SIGN TYPE,” TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF “SIGN,” “INFORMATIONAL, DIRECTIONAL OR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN,” AND “REAL ESTATE SIGN”; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE Approved 1st reading April 14, 2009
BC- It looks like they finally got it mostly right…but a final verification should be asked from the dais of Atty. White…The catastrophic over 50% non- conforming building replacement looks to be in place for both residential and commercial/ the “zeriscape” is included although it looks like maintaining the ROW/swale is still up to certain owners (the town’s property…some town maintained-Seagrape …some owner maintained- Washingtonia ) still a double standard!…..Bikes..mopeds are in but unfortunately it looks like the shop that rents them on Commercial has already bit the dust…OUCH!…

b. Ordinance 2009-12: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY THE SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 17 “STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES,” ARTICLE VI “SIDEWALK CAFÉS,” SECTION 17-89 “REQUIREMENTS OF A SIDEWALK CAFÉ PERMIT;” PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE Approved 1st reading July 14, 2009
BC- This is to cleanup the OOPS found by Comm. Dodd that showed the present sidewalk cafes (Aruba/Village Grille) did not meet the code that until this change was made required “removable barriers ” and as we all know theirs were permanent…

c. Ordinance 2009-14: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 13 “NOISE” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDED NOISE REGULATIONS; AMENDING CHAPTER 17 “STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES,” ARTICLE VIII “SPECIAL EVENTS” TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS TO PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR DENIAL OF A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR VIOLATION OF NOISE AND OTHER TOWN STANDARDS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Approved 1st reading April 14, 2009 Deferred at the June 9, 2009 Commission meeting by Vice Mayor McIntee
BC-It still looks like trouble…Noise trouble…and code trouble…and fees galore…CHA CHING…The limited testing in the backup that shows the outdoor entertainment is over the allowable new levels…Will the “Gang of 3″ pursue it or have the “leaders from Town Hall East” told them to “silence” this one as we head to election time?…Below the decibels and a few readings Fri/Sat. night…

d. Ordinance 2009-25: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE SEA AMENDING CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE II, SECTION 20-19 PROVIDING FOR RATES AND CHARGES OF TOWN SANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL SERVICE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AS ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 20 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE Approved 1st reading July 14, 2009

11. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

BC- Get ready…time for a time limit on Comm. Comments…the 13 minute VM electioneering is too long and too boring….and too..too predictable!…

12. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Commission approval of contract agreement for construction of Bel-Air monument signs to Coastal Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $19,900 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- The bids were previously posted…the Town is going for the lowest bid from Coastal Construction (Pavilion contractor)…approx. $20,000…for 2 signs…that’s plus the approx. $10,000 for Chen and Assoc…and of course for any change orders…

b. Commission approval for annual storm drain cleaning by TeleVac South as required by (NPDES) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System $39,000 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- This was done by RFP…but the RFP was done by the Director of Development and was not published in the Sentinel…It is a $39,000 contract that is not included on the RFP annual list provided by the Town Manager…Also we hear Tele-Vac has provided Don Prince with video of all sewers and they should be helpful with decisions for dealing with the flooding problems…

c. Commission approval for purchase of a new 2010 F150 4×4 $17,556 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- It’s good to be a government…the 2000 truck is in need of a $1700 repair…but why bother…buy new…keeping up the Town Fleet…and what a fleet we have bought this year…parking enforcement vehicles…etc…

d. Commission approval for purchase an F250 with a Utility Bed not to exceed $23,000 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

Bc- This was originally supposed to be just a new bed cover for the existing truck…but the Town is going for the big 8 cylinder for the beach…$$$$…

13. RESOLUTION – “Public Comments”

14. QUASI JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS

a. Commission approval of re-designation of lot line front per request submitted by Karen D’Uva, property owner of 1658 W. Terra Mar Drive, to change the designated front yard per Town Code Chapter 30 from Seward Drive to West Terra Mar Drive (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- The resident wants a variance for her shed and her pool and fencing…she has been down this road before…according to the backup…and met with roadblocks…This time she came to the BOA with reinforcements…her neighbors who spoke to support her requests…It was decided to ask again for a change of address and although it was repeatedly explained it could not be done at the BOA meeting due to no public notice…the BOA members (3) felt it was the way to proceed and turned it over to the Commission…thus allowing for the shed/pool and fencing… The backup cover has N/A as to staff input…just the code that provides that the change will make this property a non- conforming property as a  result…

b. Town Commission to approve variance request submitted by Karen D’Uva, property owner of 1658 W. Terra Mar Dr. (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- continued from item a…..

c. Commission approval of a zoning variance regarding the dumpster enclosure for 101 Ocean Restaurant located at 101 Commercial Boulevard. The applicant is requesting exception to the Town’s Zoning Code, Chapter 30 to allow the existing chain link enclosure to remain – BOA approval with condition (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- BOA approved…

15. OLD BUSINESS

a. Commission approval of reduction of right-of-way permit performance bond for Villas By The Sea Development, as requested by Minto Communities, LOLC (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock) (Deferred at the June 23, 2009 Commission meeting by Vice Mayor McIntee) Request to defer to July 28, 2009 Deferred at the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting

BC- This was deferred…the Minto properties want to lower the bond…put off the sidewalks…and have no time frame for finishing up their unfinished properties…When this was addressed previously the Town wanted to keep the status quo…the VM wanted to wheel and deal…the Minto Rep. indicated not lowering of the bond would most surely provide Minto the impetus to finish the sidewalks before the projects for it would be cheaper for them to replace them down the line when construction restarted…Of Note what’s with the missing windows on the east side oceanfront building…it looks like they ran out of money…OUCH!…

b. Discussion and/or action regarding location and quantity of custom banners (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock) Deferred at the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting

Bc- At the last meeting the Mayor was to get together with Olinzock to decide on locations…the backup shows 13…and it means we will be racking up the $$$$  for banners to a downtown that might be shut down if the noise ordinance gets the “Gang of 3″ vote…OUCH!….(see the New. Bus. item # 16 B.Res.req. form)….

c. Discussion and/or action of FWC application for parking permits at the beach (Commissioner Dodd) Requested at the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting

BC- Comm. Dodd brought this back after it was turned away for incorrectly being put on as an item for reconsideration…Originally it was the Mayor’s item.. The DEP would again like the Town to understand the Bougainvilla parking is not conducive to their needs in the early hours of turtle monitoring…Give em’ a break…

d. Discussion and/or action of Beach and Residential Parking Permit Fees (Mayor Minnet) Requested at the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting

BC- The Mayor brought this back after it was turned down due to being put on under reconsideration…The Mayor will show the loss of money due to the piddly $20 annual sweetheart deal made for the “Gangs’ CIC chums”…

e. Discussion and/or action regarding Kite Surfing (Vice Mayor McIntee) This item was deferred at the April 28, 2009 Commission meeting to the July 28, 2009 Commission meeting by Vice Mayor McIntee

BC- They’re back…the backup contains an outline for rules and regulations…put forth from an LBTS Resident …(last meeting  on this  presentations were made by other s(prev. post)…personally this writer hope the Commission won’t weigh them down too much…. and put on killer fees…that limits the soaring sights that we condo watchers so enjoy…Look for many to come back for this one!….

f. Discussion and/or action to reschedule the Round Table that cancelled on June 30, 2009 (Mayor Minnet)

BC- looks like the Mayor and Comm. Dodd are both trying to set a date certain to get the Manager reviewed…ASAP…(below item h)…

g. Discussion and/or action regarding pavilion drainage (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- Comm. Dodd wants to address the drainage issue…and all that entails….

h. Discussion and/or action concerning review of the Town Manager as required by the Charter. New date to be set by the Commission for the Round Table review (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- same subject as item as f. but with the “Gang” on hiatus for August…Good luck…

16. NEW BUSINESS

a. Discussion and/or action regarding Heroes awards (Requested at the May 27, 2009 Commission meeting by Vice Mayor McIntee)

BC- Pet project…no backup….. No need for the VM to apply!…

b. Discussion and/or action regarding the installation of drainage on Bougainvilla Drive from Pine Ave to Commercial Blvd (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock)

BC- This is a doozy….especially after the VM “sweetheart deal”debacle last meeting (prev. post)…it includes a Citizen req. form from a resident (7/2/09)…that’s a hoot…(see below)…an $$8450 Chen & Assoc. study…a June 20,2008 Citizen Contact Center Form for the News stand that was just done at the south end of Bougainvilla over 1 year later…(so why the study for Comm. to Pine?)…and a total that’s an eye opener…YIKES!….Can’t get that performance review fast enough for this taxpayer!….

NOTE…TOTAL….$341,187…Bougainvilla …from Commercial to Pine…(picked up by Comm. Dodd…thanks!)…

c. Discussion and/or action regarding Government Channel 78 Software Signage Update – $4,755 (Manager Colon)

BC- upgrades per PIO d’Oliveira…who states in the backup the aging software “switcher” does not work 100% of the time…time to switch up…to the new stuff…how about better backup online…keep it around longer than just to the next meeting…

d. Discussion and/or action to have public speakers state their full address (Mayor Minnet)

BC- this came from Resident Frank Hermann who spoke at the 7/14/09 public comments incorrectly calling the speakers who came to address the termination of BSO Chief Gooding as “Carpetbaggers”…We worked hard to say it should not matter where a public speaker is from…it would be sad to go back to address etc…let it go…

e. Discussion and/or action to hold a budget meeting to allow citizen input before the meeting on September 14, 2009 by which time it will be too late (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- Many residents are now fully invested in the Town’s politics…policies…codes…ordinances…and the budget like never before…Gone are the days of only one person paying attention…The taxpayers want transparency such as the Justification pages of the 2009/10 budget online ( If the Town does not provide it…this site will in Aug.) and a meeting before the date of approval to have their say…Comm. Dodd heard the residents…and put this item on…

f. Discussion and/or action on extending the three months special events permits for Village Grille and Athena Restaurant known as Jazz on the Square and Elvis (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- OOPS!…the majority on the dais in their infinite wisdom (total sarcasm) reduced the 1 year permits to 3 month…BUT….now we face Aug….no meetings and the permits will run out!….Deal with it….give them the permits to carry on….don’t let Elvis leave the street….

g. Discussion and/or action regarding the audit company and the RFP’s (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- This backup is downright dirty…The Manager (as previously posted) only provided the Comm. with the 2005 engagement letter from longtime Auditor Rachlin to Manager Baldwin……not the 2008 letter NOW included in  this backup ( a public records request provided the 2005 WAS the only letter)…and it furthermore did not show the correct amt. for the 3 year contract…The Auditor was then provided a letter falsely stating the Comm. “ACCEPTED” the contract…when in fact the Comm. was “INFORMED” by the Manager that she was going to extend the contract worth just shy of $200,000 over 3 years!…The Manager cannot “INFORM” and must have vote of the Comm. for anything over $15,000….The Manager should have reminded the Comm. of the RFP time ( June) for a possible RFP for a new auditor (the 3 yr. agreement allows for termination by either party) It may not even be a valid contract due to the false statement made in the letter to Rachlin……Let’s see how she handles this one…Ready to watch the familiar melt down? Any other Town Manager would be outta here….for such actions…

h. Discussion and/or action on a storm water bond issue (Commissioner Dodd)

BC- The Manager brought this up at the last meeting after the VM drainage debacle… Piecemeal with the Engineer’s 2nd choice for dealing with this major townwide problem…or do it right?….

i. There seems to have been a dual billing system for garbage collection services. Most paid the correct amount, a few paid less. This has been causing problems since the Town switched to Choice and everyone now is expected to pay the amount set by their dwelling’s category. Switching these dwellings to the commercial rate or letting them have smaller totters would provide some financial relief to these residents who do not need large totters (Commissioner Clottey)

BC- HUH?…Clueless…again…Should be answered in the Manager’s report…

j. Discussion and/or action for a proclamation for Marc Furth (Commissioner Silverstone)

BC- Proclamation for what?….being the Leader of the Mc-Furth Gang?….Running “Town Hall East”….or just July 4th, 2009 …the most divisive- political July 4th many can recall?…Enough!….

17. TOWN ATTORNEY REPORT

18. ADJOURNMENT

more to come…after the fog lifts….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

OXYGEN MAY BE REQUIRED BUT NOT UNDER THE FIRE ASSESSMENT!……..

5 PM-SPECIAL MEETING….BUDGET…..

1. CALL TO ORDER, MAYOR ROSEANN MINNET

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION:

a. Resolution 2009-18: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS IN THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA; DESCRIBING THE METHOD OF ASSESSING FIRE PROTECTION ASSESSED COSTS AGAINST ASSESSED PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN’S GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES, KNOWN AS FIRE PROTECTION ASSESSMENT AREA – TOWNWIDE; ESTABLISHING THE ESTIMATED RATES FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2009; DIRECTING THE PREPARATION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR FIRE PROTECTION ASSESSMENT AREA – TOWNWIDE; AUTHORIZING A PUBLIC HEARING AND DIRECTING THE PROVISION OF NOTICE THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC-  Readers know by now this writer is at a loss as to why we need to maintain $130 fire assessment for a town this size with a VFD that has a membership of 63 members (not the 2009/2010 LBTS budget number of 82 FFs…steady at 60 + or – a few for months now) and we now know cannot be used for VFD medical calls or VFD Beach Patrol …

We are told that there is $35,000.00 in an interest bearing acct. that is not shown in the budget (justification pages…no line item) to pay for Beach Patrol … The VFD has shown in its reports and its income and expense acct. reports thus far that Beach Patrol and medical calls were being paid from the fire assessment..(the only town fund funding the VFD)…We are told the VFD  decided recently to pay the members from their neverending Booster Fund for the 2nd 6 mos. of their 1st contracted year. ( after hush-hush confirmation the fire dept. funds from the town were used incorrectly in the 1st 6 mos. for these calls) The Manager at the 7/14/09 budget meeting said the medical calls were for “training” per Chief Perkins…but some of these medical calls are “code 3″ and are in their report as “medical calls -assist “…OOPS!….The decision of the VFD to use the Booster Fund does not “jibe” with this special acct. (from ad valorem ) the Manager said is in-wait for a “bill” from the VFD for Beach Patrol hours…It seems “suspect” in light of the past payments and no line item last year or in the new budget!…

Fort Lauderdale is going to pay approx. $135 for their large professional fire dept…..Davie is at $104 and Pompano Beach is raising there assessment to $108…again for large professional fire services……We are slated to pay a 4% increase for year 2 per the contract…the amt….$887.875.00 (total with Fire Marshall…ins./ pensions/consultants/audit services…$1,025.776,00)..We have no control or oversight …due to the VFD being a contracted private non- profit corporation….We have watched as the dept. continues to become “bloated” with trucks …now at 5……The Manager’s early on assertions that the town must own all equipment for any future change in fire service providers … went by the wayside after the VFD purchased truck # 2 for the year… again with the purchase of the Jet Ski and the new Dep. Chief Command vehicle (title belongs to the VFD)…and the recent purchase of the $100,000 + 102″ ladder truck…(let’s see if the VFD asks for town funds on this one. It might happen at the 7 pm reg. Comm.meeting to follow during the VFD report per Chief Perkins…The Manager …we hear… has has said no)….With the last truck…the reason given for the purchase is the ISO rating…but a look at the ISO report already gives us credit for the ladder truck (prev. post. “kinder,gentler ISO”)….We hear that in the 1990’s a previous VFD Chief chose to pass on the truck because it “wasn’t worth it” in terms of servicing the town…OUCH!…

So here we taxpayers are…watching as one professional town public safety provider was decimated in retaliation  for “fiscal irresponsibility” and another volunteer public safety provider again in year 2 will be “flush with funds” and allowed to continue to spend like “drunken sailors”…courtesy of a fire assessment that is too high and a hands off policy from the Town Manager!…

Drop the fire assessment cost!…

June 2009 VFD REPORT …

b. Resolution 2009-19: A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2009, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010; STATING THE PERCENTAGE AMOUNT OF THE PROPOSED RATE DOES NOT EXCEED THE ROLLED BACK RATE; ANNOUNCING THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE AND THE TENTATIVE BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTS, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE

BC- It’s an election year…so this will be a fast the Commission will accept the proposed 4.4829 for the year in order to drop it at the Sept. 14th meeting (MONDAY..so it does not compete with Broward County’s Budget workshop) at 5:01 PM to 3.9990…It cannot be raised …thus the “reason” for the rate this evening…

4. ADJOURNMENT

more to come….

Tags: fire assessment, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, millage rate, Scoops, VFD
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD, local government

ONE MAN’S PLAN….

Dear Readers…Master Plan Steering Committee member Bob Eckblad was kind enough to give this writer permission to post his plan for LBTS….He sent it out to the Mayor and Commissioners (see below) and had intended to bring it up at the July 20, 2009 MPSC/Comm. meeting…Unfortunately the meeting ended without him having the opportunity to do so.

Many of you may recall from the Sausage Series (see categories) that at one time during the campaign the M & Ms (McIntee/MacMillan) wanted then candidate Clottey to be pushed out for Bob to run in her place…This writer told candidate Clottey to not allow it to happen if she wanted to be Commissioner…(sorry readers)…but also informed her that potential candidate Eckblad had filled out his CIC questionnaire in order to receive consideration from the CIC to back him should he run…and that as Vice-Chair of the CIC at that time I felt it was correct to ask him to consider coming to the CIC for the members to  consider even after I had heard he was no longer sure he wanted to run. I told her as I told Mr. Eckblad his answers to the questionnaire were really well done and the only problem he would have was his stance on the 15 stories in the north end of town….adding that since that was a moot point at that time it still left the door open, for the CIC to back him if he so desired to pursue it. I also told candidate Clottey  as I told Mr. Eckblad that if he still had any interest in running  to go ahead and file as he could always pull his name at any time….Unfortunately Bob Eckblad chose to stay out of the race….After reading his plan I say to him…there’s always next time Mr. Eckblad….in 2010 or 2012

MR. ECKBLAD’S E-MAIL…………

‘Mayor, Commissioners: With elections coming along next March, and the composition of the Commission possibly changing, I think it’s time for this Commission to set aside some of the petty issues that occupy so much of your time, and put your own positive mark on the history of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

In the last Master Plan Steering Committee meeting, I hear that Marc brought up the suggestion that the Town acquire some properties that are on the market or may be available for purchase at prices we may not see again.  Specifically, he was referring to properties along El Mar Drive that were purchased at inflated prices by the Oriana folks.  I believe the properties he was referring to were Block 15, Lots 13 thru 18, addresses 4329, 4333, 4337, 4341, and 4345 El Mar Drive, totaling 300 feet.  These are currently listed in the MLS for a total of $3,565,000, less than the price the Oriana folks paid and less than the mortgages thereon, commonly referred to as short sales.  This is an opportunity to put together a parcel of properties comprising more than ¾ of an acre that could be used for much needed parking.  If purchased at the asking prices with $565,000 down, a $3,000,000 loan over ten years at 6% would require only annual payments of approximately $400,000, an amount that certainly would not have a significant impact on any anyone’s property taxes.

My vision for this Town’s commercial areas is a more upscale destination than presently exists, more on the order of Las Olas.  I believe this can be attained with some wise investments and a little tweaking of our current zoning.  And I believe we would receive an excellent return on our investment via increased real estate and sales tax revenues, along with, of course parking fees.

In a previous e-mail to you last August and, again in one of our Master Plan Steering Committee meetings, I suggested the purchase of the marina property on Basin Drive and development along the lines of what was proposed in the Master Plan prepared by peter j. smith & company, inc. in January, 2004.  This would serve as not only an attraction in itself, but a destination for the Water Taxis that would bring customers and dollars to our businesses.

Also, I made a suggestion at one of our Master Plan Steering Committee meetings that we look into the possibility of re-zoning Block 30, which is bounded by A1A to the east, Bougainvilla to the west, Datura to the north, and the Town-owned park/Chamber of Commerce property to the south, from residential to commercial.  This might encourage a developer to develop the property into a multi-level, say, one over one or two over one, shopping mall, providing much needed parking on the ground level and professional offices, restaurants, shops, etc. on the upper floor/s.  Here again, this would bring customers and dollars to our businesses.

Instead of wasting money answering lawsuits from property owners in the annexed north beach area, return their zoning to pre-annexation codes and restore their property rights, and use the funds to make a progressive investment in the future of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.  To me, it’s called common sense.  And to those whose primary concern is their property values, a more upscale business district would certainly have a significant positive impact.

Regards, Bob Eckblad, Bel Air resident’

BC- May I add that if the “Gang of 3″ under the leadership of  Marc and Cristie Furth from campaign headquarters (“Town Hall East”) pursue the March 2010 referendum item of 33″ townwide…The residents in the north end of town should either request from the Commission or obtain by petition that a referendum item be placed as well to return the 15 story height limit to the annexed north side of town….It was a close race…and many of those who did not understand the vote or voted just for McIntee (many ex-CIC members) would most likely overturn that vote …thereby putting to bed the Bert J. Harris lawsuits….

more to come….

Tags: 15 story heights, local government, Local Politics, master plans, referendums, Scoops
Posted in Boards, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

NET  TO GROSS….

Dear Readers….Part one of the Vice Mayor’s “electioneering” Commissioner Comments at the July 14,2009 Comm. meeting had to do with his assertions about July 4th…and the “tremendous savings” that came from the Mc-Furth Gang event…in contrast with the previous 2 years…BUT…what he spouted from his “bully pulpit” were not the final numbers and he chose to compare the net from his 2009 co- chaired event to the gross from the previous 2007/2008 events….Thus apples to oranges…

Also of note….the goal in 2008 was to not exceed the 2007 costs of the event put on by the Old Guard….the goal of the 2009 event was to cut down to the bare bones…(re-election year coming)…BUT  when you play fair and compare purchases and size of production to purchases and size of  production for the July 4th 2008/2009 both planned by Marc Furth…..thus apples to apples…..you realize the Vice Mayor tossed out the usual Mc-Furth “bait and switch!”….First his comments…then the figures…

VM- ” First the ah, 4th of July was a huge success. Just to put some figures to the ah, event ah, 2 years ago this town spent $90,000 for the 4th of July. One year ago we spent $80,000. Today we have got a preliminary cost for the 4th of July and it was $20,000 [in 7/14/09 memo]. That event you saw or participated in was done for $20,000 including the fireworks. That’s absolutely phenomenal. It’s , it’s a $60,000 savings over last year and $70,000 over the year before and that can only be attributed to the tremendous work of Marc Furth assisted by his wife Cristie and the tremendous work of the volunteers. My wife and Gail were instrumental in getting them together and Mikos Angeles from the fire department got all the volunteers working together.But,it,it,it went off like ah, like the Olympics! Everything went on time when it was scheduled. Everybody was laughing and ah, I think we eventually collected 13,000 or 14,000 in donations. It was down from the year before um, ah, in general it was a great event and it’s sad that a lot of people chose to boycott it for whatever reasons, I don’t know, but it was non-political. There wasn’t any political hyping from the stand and you know everybody had an opportunity to ah, to be part of a great event and it’s really sad that ah, it wasn’t ah, it wasn’t joined by all in town . But again, to put  that event on for $20,000 that is absolutely a great feat!”

BC- First a quick review…2 years a go the Mc-Furth Gang called for a boycott of the Town July 4th event…and we CIC members followed their marching orders…in fact the ousted VFD put on their own barbecue at the Community Church…This event WAS political from the get-go by being sponsored jointly by the Town/CIC (a PAC Org.)/VFD….The planning was done solely by Marc Furth (fearless leader Marc Furth)…and decisions were made out of the sunshine with an assist from the Town Manager with the RFPs to the notices being put up ….The donations were massively different…due to the Mc-Furth Gang anti-business actions as well as the political divide within the resident voting factions….The parade entries were depleted as well for the same reasons as were those who passed on lining the streets…..The numbers of those who came to the afternoon event also took a nose dive we were told but the food costs compared to the previous year increased…The events should not be compared with fireworks due to the FACT that there was no comparison in the fireworks display shows…from the previous 2 years and this years display put on from the beach at odds with the Broward DEP and their concern for the turtles ….So some comparisons 2007/2008/2009…. purchases and production for 2008 vs 2009….. net minus fireworks for 2007/2008/2009…

JULY 4, 2007 EVENT….

Total $84,333.72

Donations $34,398.00

Fireworks $53,500.00

(Display $34,000.00/ Pier $15,000.00 / Add. Ins & Firewatch $ 4500.00)

NET COST TO TOWN $49,935.72

JULY 4, 2008 EVENT….

Total $83,877.66

Donations $ 34,041.00

Fireworks $46,850.00

Display $26,850.00 [orig $35,000.00 - refund $8150.00]/ Pier $20,000.00

NET COST TO TOWN $49,836.66

JULY 4, 2009 EVENT…..

Total $ 38,488.17

Donations $ 13,782.00

Fireworks $17,325.65

Display 15,000/ fencing for fireworks $2,274.90/ stage supplies 51.65

NET COST TO TOWN $24,706.17

Also compare the following…BOTH Events were planned by Marc Furth…(some of the differences)….

2008 Event…

Temple Display-Purchased 4th of July Decorations….$6,948.00

2009 Event…

No decorations purchased……. $0

2008 Event…

Temple Display- Purchased Banners….$2460.00

2009 Event…

No Banners purchased…. $0

2008 Event…

Classic Car Show…..$1500.00

2009 Event…

Classic Car Show (less cars)…$1000.00

2008 Event…

Cee Jay/ Standing Ovations…Sand castle Flown in per Cristie Furth…$1300.00

2009 Event…

No Sandcastles….$0

2008 Event…

All Star Events…Rides… $ 4674.00

2009 Event…

All Star Events…Rides (less rides)…$ 2410.00

2008 Event…

2 Bands $1000.00

2009 Event….

1 steel Band  $300.00

2008 Event…

Marc Furth Expenses…REPAID…$2,342.12

2009 Event…

Marc Furth Expenses…REPAID….$ 273.17

The Difference 2008/2009  …$14,740.95 ….for Marc Furth purchases…not needed  to re purchase in year 2  & cut backs in production size…..

added to the 2009 Net Cost To Town…$39,447.12/ 2008 Net Cost To Town…$38,488.17 …

So the Mc-Furth 2009 July 4th Event (if all was equal in purchases and size of production) cost $958.95 more with just these listed item (there are more see below scans)…

Taking out the Fireworks……..from the Net Cost To Town…would produce the following…

2007  Net Cost to the town +$3,565.00

2008 Net Cost to the Town  -$2,986.66

2009 Net Cost to the Town -$ 7,380.52

So the 2009 pared down Mc-Furth July 4th event cost the town $4,393.86 MORE than the year before!…

Apples to Apples….Gang….

The Expenditure Sheets…

2007….

2008….

2009…

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, scoops july 4th events
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

FURTH HALL….

Dear Readers….This is where it all goes down ….before and after the daily siesta hours of 4-7 pm….Sightings are a- plenty from TOWN HALL EAST….where marching orders are devised for the “Gang of 3 ” on the dais….from the Leaders of the “Gang of 6″…

Yep, we know the Gang-member #’s go up and down…but let’s clarify…”Gang of 3″…is the Mc-Furth Majority on the dais…Vice Mayor McIntee/ Comm. Silverstone/Comm. Clottey….”Gang of 4″…is the “Gang of 3″ PLUS Town Manager Colon….”Gang of 6″…includes “Leaders Marc and Cristie Furth”….(and you all thought the Leader of the pack was McIntee!)…

They are making the BIG TIME decisions for the future of this town….returning to a LBTS Police Department…a permanent VFD (still)…..33 Feet in height throughout the Town…..adding Christmas-By- The-Sea next Dec. to their cache of CIC/VFD chaired events ….it’s something we heard was discussed after last year’s cancellation and finger pointing….adding fuel to that fire….suddenly the Town has $5000 put aside for the event…located in the justification portion of the 2009-10 budget…left off the budget online….This writer has sent a request it be added for transparency …but no sign of it yet…..In fact we are hearing this year’s line item budget may be a thing of the past….Town Manager Colon is aiding the “gang” with looking for a way to change the Welcome Center and the Chamber as we know it….by inquiring about putting out an RFP…OUCH!…

On the 7/28/09 Commission agenda is a New Business item put on by Comm.Silverstone …Discussion and/or action for a PROCLAMATION of MARC FURTH…… the “homage” to their “Leader”  continues….is there any doubt how this one will go down?…WOW!….

Rumblings are that Cristie Furth may run…if Jimmy-boy takes a pass…Many longtime residents sure hope so…She’s a lightning rod they all say……with plenty heavy baggage for an up and coming opponent to have a field day with…And if there’s a coin toss at the El Mar “Campaign Headquarters”….and she backs down…leaving Jimmy to again push that broom with his BFF McIntee…those same mobilizing very vocal voters say…his mounting BFF foibles…from the dais …and the VFD …..along with his “Norm Crosby” ramblings will make for the same amount of fun…YIKES!…

Some have started to ask ….will the Mc-Furth Times meet with the same investigation as its predecessor…with the Florida  Election Commission inquiries for advertising fees…and rates…to see that no “deals” were made by the candidates/VFD?…..Exactly what are the guidelines for a candidate…when that candidate owns and operates a local politically aligned publication?…Hmmmm….

Whomever it is Furth or Silverstone /McIntee….one thing is for certain….the CIC- BROOM BOYS or BROOM GUY/GAL CAMPAIGN 2010 is coming directly from TOWN HALL EAST….and so will the future of this town….

more to come…….

Tags: LBTS Commission election 2010, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Civic Organizations, Local News, Local Politics, Scoops

THEY SPOKE VOLUMES…..

Dear Readers…Delayed but not forgotten…the public comments made at the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting spoke volumes…below are highlights and some that were written and the speakers were kind enough to e-mail them in to be posted….(any future speakers that would like their speeches posted in full…please send them in)…

In the order they were called… ….

Douglas Baker-a new resident in LBTS for 6 months came to speak about the “move to eliminate BSO and install our own police department”…the current economic environment…the BSO has done a fine job…infrastructure…and the “faction” within the city pushing for the views and the actions for the views they have…

Cindy Geesey – The emergency meeting held on June 30 for discussion and/or action regarding the ouster of BSO Chief Scott Gooding was simply a travesty. Only Mayor Minnet and Commissioner Dodd showed any interest at all in “The will of the people.” The other 3 commissioners either (1) replied to citizen’s individual emails of concern with canned responses that did not even address their specific questions or (2) replied with sarcasm (Gosh, wonder which one of the 3 did that?!) or (3) Failed to reply at all and showed utter confusion on the dais. The bottom line is that Chief Gooding was run out of town by our town manager for failing to be a “yes man.” He was then labeled “Fiscally irresponsible” by a town manager whose picture is next to that term in the dictionary. After this meeting one commissioner told several people “there is more to the story” but of course gave no specifics or facts. Nothing but innuendo. It was also said that Chief Gooding “demanded” money for his department. How can it be a demand when he offered to compromise and work together toward a solution? Someone needs a dictionary. The day after the meeting, two heinous individuals called the employer of a citizen who spoke up for the Chief. They told this man’s employer that he was crazy and should be fired. I call on each of you on the dais to demand that your supporters immediately STOP this intimidation. I understand the panic the New Guard must be feeling as the power slips away and their hidden agendas become clear. Their days are numbered and they know it. Until the Gang of 3 is removed from the dais by either a vote next March or by a recall petition, I demand these new rules for the dais. 1. If you put an item on the agenda, include the back-up so citizens can know the objective of what you’re doing. Include existing ordinances, give a reason for what you want, and simply explain yourself. 2. Do your homework before the meeting. Prepare your comments so you don’t sound like a blithering idiot. 3. Close your darn computers during public comments, commission comments and any presentations. At least act like you’re paying attention to what’s being said. I don’t know if you’re reading a book or looking at Manatee porn on the computer, but STOP IT. 4. Sit up and act professionally. That’s not a lounge chair or Lazy Boy you’re sitting in. Do your stretching exercises or napping at home. 5. Be on the dais when you’re supposed to. Keep your seat until the meeting is adjourned instead of running off the dais like your pants are on fire or like you’ll miss Happy Hour. Stop being rude. Mark your calendars – March 9, 2010…………. Independence Day for the town we love.

Edmund Malkoon -waited for this meeting to address those Commissioners that “spun his words” when he spoke at the podium at the previous meeting about 4th of July….He also spoke about the crowd that came in support of Chief Gooding and the lack of support for the Town Manager…He said the charges if the Chief being fiscally irresponsible was ridiculous and was shocked that none of the Commissioners initially commented (the Gang of 3)….He pointed too the BSO Colonel’s presentation and the Town Manger’s questions of “where do you want the power outlets” and the reduction of only $5000 for landscaping being the response after being fully informed by the BSO of the costs for renovations….He pointed out to Commission if they did not understand the vote was for giving direction to the Town Manager of reinstating Chief Gooding they should should do so this night…

Bob Fleishman-spoke of it being “that time of year again”…the budget, spending, and the “indulgence” by the Town Manager and 3 Commissioners…He spoke of the “reassigning of Chief Gooding”…and the charge of fiscal irresponsibility…asking the Manager “how do you go to bed at night having cut down staff hours and keeping your own salary the same?”…He added the “heck of a severance package you drew up for yourself to the tune of $140,00o, a year’s pay”…He turned to the VFD and Chief Perkin’s reported dressing down (by his Dep. Chief)…that the VFD is a private corporation and the Dep. Chief getting a “brand spankin” new car while the Chief rides around in his own car….and that the VFD holds the title..not the Town…He reminded all of the Town Manager’s previous statements that the Town would own all equipment and then it would be leased back to the VFD…He went on to speak of the signs in Bel Air and the funding…then jumped over to the Town’s “favoritism” and “nepotism” in the bidding process…He touched on the VFD and the VM’s son being paid…closing with relaying that “a citizen of this town has quoted all this will be foigotten by March 2010″…saying his response is this “not for a second, not for a minute, not ever, will we the people forget”….

Daniel Halpert- said he was “beginning to see a pattern of conduct”…..that Chief Gooding got up and said what his needs were and was punished …an act that was like those done in foreign countries…that this is potentially very serious…that the Commission was “losing your legitimacy”….he then gave the “can’t take the heat…get out of the kitchen” line adding they should “take a good look at yourselves and leave”…

Christopher Vincent-It has been about 8 years since the City of Lauderdale By the Sea contracted it’s police services with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office operational personnel have become a familiar part of the policing landscape in our City and with good reason. With the vast amount of resources available to them, simple common sense dictates that a County wide law enforcement can do a better job of fighting crime than smaller, local police agencies. This is certainly evident by the numerous municipalities who have merged with the Sheriff’s Office over the past several decades.

Concerns throughout the city, is that certain members of our Commission as well as our Town Manager may want to pursue their desires of bringing back a Municipal Police Agency.

Although on the surface having a municipal police agency may seem to possess a certain sense of pride and “belonging , this sense of pride is more in the minds of local government officials who want a police department under their control, with little awareness for the overall impact on the safety and security of the community at large.

Getting a municipal police department off the ground

Establishing a police department from scratch is not a simple task. There are significant and monumental challenges confronting a City government when they entertain this idea. First and foremost, what impact will this have on crime while the City creates and finalizes the department’s policies and procedures, budgeting, recruitment, and procurement of equipment to fulfill their mandates? Is the City Council ready, willing and able to undertake the long and daunting process of promulgating new laws and ordinances?

One of the main challenges of establishing a new police department at a local level is the securing of funds. Local governments have to finance these departments, which means that limited resources have to be spread out over all other City services. To maintain the same level of services, taxes will most assuredly have to be increased.

A key constraint confronting the establishment of a municipal police department is the relatively small number of sworn officers that they

are able to draw on. It takes a minimum of one year to hire and train a new police officer, and experienced officers demand higher salaries. (if you can find them)!

There are theories that suggests, when you reduce or alter the presence of crime prevention in any city, crime thrives. And we as a community will not allow that to happen.

Economic Impact

It is a given fact that both the Sheriff’s Office and the establishment of our own City Police Department would engage in the same core principals of law enforcement. There is no doubt that the establishment of a municipal police department has it’s merits, However, in this time of economic struggle, is placing the cost of starting a police department from scratch on the shoulders of the taxpayers a wise and prudent thing to do? Now that’s where fiscal responsibility comes in.

Conclusion

At some point in time, political differences must be set aside and an honest dialog between City Officials, the community and the Sheriff’s Office must occur. The Sheriff’s Office has placed a huge amount of time, energy and resources into providing the City of Lauderdale By The Sea with the finest police services available. There may be a number of key challenges confronting us, however, cool heads can prevail in these trying times with the ultimate goal of the safety and security of our residents and the business community. THANK YOU

Chuck Gress- was unable to attend the last meeting but watched it on his computer …adding “what a meeting it was”…He said there were other people who would like to have been there [in the hall] and were glued to their TVs…He said he wanted to “thank our Town Manager Esther Colon for a job well done, because in one fell swoop, she was able to accomplish something no group has been able to do…AND that was to truly UNITE our town, against the evil doings of several people sitting on the dais.”…He felt that the “vast majority of the residents perceive the firing of Chief Gooding as a conspiracy, devised and executed by you and your rag tag army leaders, Jerry McIntee, Jim Silverstone and, of course Dr. Birute Clottey.”…He said their “actions are going to haunt you repeatedly as long as you are residents in this town. We are not as stupid as you apparently think we are.”…He praised everyone that stood and spoke up for Chief Gooding …He commended and applauded the Mayor and named various residents…saying that most of those in the hall want LBTS to”grow and thrive”…for residents to “live in harmony”…offering this suggestion ..”Vice Mayor Mcintee, Commissioner Silverstone, Commissioner Clottey and Town Manager Colon, do the right thing, give this town back to the people and immediately turn in your resignation.”….

Ron Piersante- Spoke of the flooding item that was in front of the Vice Mayor’s home jokingly asking “is that “Resident” was in the hall”…and calling Assist. Olinzocks’s memo saying the flooding was “documented”…then discussed the flooding on Harbor Drive….He spoke of past allegations of “back room deals” made by the Old Guard….saying “could you imagine if Mayor Parker did this?”…He said that if this Commission approved this item they would be guilty of favoritism….

Beverly Kenendy- Thanked Chief Gooding calling his “the very best Chief”…and spoke of his heart and communicative skills…she spoke of a recall for this Commission…again she spoke of the aftermath she is dealing with after trying to have a decaying real estates sign removed from her neighborhood…the result of her action …she now faced a hearing calling it resentment and payback…she wanted Comm. Clottey to change her vote and get “our Chief back”…calling the town a “Banana Republic….

Frank Hermann- spoke of carpetbaggers speaking at the podium in support of Chief Gooding..he wanted the Commission to have to present address…town you name it…(He was later corrected in his assertions by the Mayor in her comments)…He was not well received by many residents and business owners who had spoken that evening…

Gail Albohn- Thanked the July 4th volunteers….”so many volunteers” and Maureen McIntee…(the numbers later presented by the VM were approx. 100…60+ were VFD/ 4 were Commissioners….10 were committee members…the rest were mostly CIC …the numbers were severely lower than in previous years)…

Maureen McIntee- did a big P.R. …saying “those that want to truly unite our town were there”…100 volunteer (see above)…the VFD “who could not do enough”…(radio communications of the VM yelling and fights between VFD members that were leaked tell another story)… she thanked the Town Manager for the budget…and went further into lala land she said …” Thank you to the silent majority who remains at home”…taking the familiar McIntee tact of “rumors and lies”…ending with going into the past when the previous Town Clerk was fired…(by this Town Manager)…midway through she accused this writer f laughing..I took umbridge to the false accusation and she said it came from that area…sad!..only one person clapped as she walked back to her seat…

George Crossman spoke of Mark Brown and his June 24thstatement (said Mr. Crossman) that the police dept. office was closed at 5 pm “insinuating” no protection in town. (HUH?)…He did not take sides on BSO VS privvate police and spoke of the police that had been killed in the last year…

Louis Marchelos- said there were some tough acts to follow and before he turned to his prepared speech he addressed Mrs. McIntee’s “silent majority” comment…saying “the silent majority is here, awake”…Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. This town should feel flattered, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano in an effort to attract customers for the city businesses have started musical and street events.
The one area they did not imitate is the generosity of our merchants bearing the costs.
The city of Fort Lauderdale has budgeted $ 78,000 for their events. The town of Lauderdale by the Sea has budgeted zero. A win for our town and its merchants.

When these events take place their will always be some individuals inconvenienced by the traffic or the volume. We must be sensitive in their needs but those who complain should have the courage to voice them.
When an anonymous complaint is made it is self defeating. To remedy a situation we must know who what and where. We all know the political nature of this town. If you have a serious noise complaint, call me. I’ll meet you and find a solution. In all honesty I have been able to evaluate the motivation in these complaints.
We all know that some elements in town think of themselves as privileged and try to Bully any innovative ideas. You know who you are , so do we. Whether it is failing to prevent an injustice to the best law enforcement officer this town has ever seen.
Think of how the town staff must fell and the threat they are under when the commission permits such an injustice to the Chief.

The placing of burdensome fees on special events are the actions of a bully bunch. They have no soul, they have no heart, they have no desire but the promotion of their own power.

The bully bunch which includes the higher up in the town administration will destroy the potential of this little town to be unique and great.

Ben Freeny- spoke of the lack of the budget backup being online prior to the meeting and the fact that the public would not be able to comment on it until right before it is approved….he was concerned about the sewer going in front of the Vice Mayor’s home…the pavilion…the signage in Bel Air…the infrastructure and our reserves…

Ellen Kirby- came to address her garbage bill increase of 49% and asked for some response (she received none) and addressed the flooding on Harbor Drive…..

John Oughten said it was “pathetic”…the noise ordinance…the empty stores….and spoke of his line of work before he retired…he asked about those that reportedly complained about noise and the code enforcement effect on the businesses…

Adam Geesey- spoke of his “extreme displeasure in the removal of Chief Gooding ….he said it was “illogical, illegal and ill conceived”…saying he is not usually a person that believes in conspiracies…asking for sworn testimony from the dais that they had no previous knowledge of the Manager’s action…he reminded them they work for us the citizens of LBTS…and ended with “throw the bums out of office now!”……

BC-Fitting words to end the public comments…

more to come…

Tags: BSO, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

TODAY IS COMMISSION/TOWN STAFF BUDGET MEETINGS….

We’re pretty sure at least 2 elected officials will have plenty of questions…and some complaints….doing their due diligence for their constituents…As for the “Gang of 3″…we surmise will only make an appearance to shoot the breeze!

THE TOWN OF LBTS IS HAVING A BLOOD DRIVE….8AM-1PM….July 23,2009…

WANT TO BE PREPARED?…..

AMR will be hosting a
Heartsaver CPR class for
LBTS residents on July 25th
from 9:00am to 4:00 pm at Jarvis Hall.
Fees for the course are $15.00 with a
minimum class size of 10 participants.
The Heartsaver course is designed for the
layperson with little or no medical training.
Please contact Keya Holloway to register at:
954-229-1486 or
at keya.holloway@amr.net

SAY BYE-BYE…

ONE DOWN….ONE TO GO…….

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2009/07/sun-sentinel_topix_comments.php

Just how long will the Portals anonymous blog continue with the Sentinel no longer paying the bills?…

BC-This site is still standing!….so of course….

more to come……

Tags: amr, Blood drive, Damons, local government, Local Politics, Scoops, TOPIX
Posted in Local Politics, Scoops, local government

THE ESTHER COLON AUTHORIZED LBTS-RFPS…. THE WAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN DONE….

Dear Readers….Continuing on with the July 14,2009 LBTS Commission meeting ….we now address the exchange over the Processing Citations Parking Services RFP…(prev. posts)….This was the item that was put back on after a rather lame and suspect attempt made by the Town staff to appease Comm. Dodd’s request that it go out for an RFP after he found out this was not just a $2100 consent item as it was being presented as……but the tip of a rather large contract with a company that has enjoyed its contract with the town for years with no competition ….The RFP the Town reluctantly put in the Sentinel was 1″ by 1 1/2″…and contained no dates …resulting in no bids and leaving the Manager to “job” the item and return it to get the 3-2 vote for what she wanted in the first place….BUT…unfortunately for Town Manager Colon …it didn’t quite turn out that way……

The Mayor read the Old Business Agenda item 15A. a. Commission approval of amendment to existing agreement with Enforcement Technology, Inc. for Processing Parking Citations – $2,100.00 (Assistant Town Manager Olinzock) (This item was deferred at the April 29, 2009 Commission meeting by Commissioner Dodd) Deferred at the June 23,2009 Commission meeting as requested by staff

Previously Chris Hood came forward to speak at public comments on this item and was asked by the Mayor to wait until the item came up for discussion.

Chris Hood- ” I’m a non- resident. My name is Chris Hood. I represent a company called ITek.  http://www.iyetek.com/ I’m not here for myself this evening, I’m actually here to ask this Commission to put the RFP back on the street. I don’t feel it was published appropriately. I had a chance, ah  to just to give you a general ideal of what we do we provide traffic ticket systems for municipalities around the country. Over 300 departments use our system for both parking and moving violations. We found this RFP on Barbara Cole’s website which ah, that was never supposed to happen. We subscribe to many services. We do searches on the internet, We have two people that exclusively do that, so I don’t feel this was put out properly and we would like a chance to bid on it and I would like to see other vendors I compete with bid on it also. I’ll be glad to supply you the names of those people who do that. I looked over your current contract. I think you’re being overcharged. I think there’s more technology that you should be getting for the money you’re paying. I think that it’s a ten year old contract and it needs to be reviewed completely and I think there’s alot of vendors out there including ourselves that can really help this city with new technology and eliminate some of the costs that you’re now being charged because of the way things were done ten years ago. So I want to make that offer to this Commission. I think it’s appropriate. I think that there are some things that you can benefit from. It can bring you more revenue with a newer system. Devices now that used to be single- use which you’re using in this city for parking violations can now be multi- use. They can be used by parking and also the police force to issue tickets, and that doesn’t cost you anymore, it actually costs you less. As you know technology changed very rapidly and in just over the past year there have been some great things happening in law enforcement, even allowing officers to accept signatures on the street, transfer tickets directly into the court and eliminate alot of paper costs. And  with the way our budgets are now you know that is an essential element in operating a city and a police department. So I thank you.”

The Mayor asked Mr. Hood to stay for any questions from the Commission…

Vice Mayor McIntee- ” Did you receive any calls to come here?”

Chris Hood- ” No, I did this all on my own I….”

VM- ” How did you know there was a meeting tonight?”

CH- ” I contacted your city about the RFP.”

VM- ” And you’re saying you just picked it up on a website?”

CH- ” Yes, Barbara Cole’s website. We did a word search and we found on a website that there was an RFP.”

VM- ” Ah, you make a very nice presentation.”

CH- ” Thank you very much.”

VM- “Just thought I’d tell you that.”…He laughed…

BC- Ever the “Detective” …

Comm. Silverstone-” I just have one question and it was a nice presentation, makes alot of sense. To the Town Manager, was this RFP put out any differently than any other RFPs were?”

TM- ” No it wasn’t”

CS- ” OK, then I don’t understand how he did not, you [Mr. Hood] were not aware of this. It’s always been done the same way, that’s my concern. And I’m all for getting as many competitive prices out there as possible.”

CH- ” I did find out it was published in the Sun Sentinel, am I correct? Somebody told me it was published in the Sentinel, but there was also no bids, no responses.”

CS- ” Right, but I do not get, the original bid that was put in the Sun Sentinel, that’s my concern, because if you didn’t do then, the other people also, were it competitive didn’t see it.”

CH- ” Exactly, for example we subscribe to different data bases and we get results everyday. This never appeared.

CS- ” I would call those data bases up and yell at them (laughing), that’s my concern, thanks.”

BC- Could Comm. Silverstone be catching the “clueless” bug from the Comm. to his left?…Jeeze…the data bases do not need to be yelled at…the Town Manager needs to be directed to do what is needed to get the RFPs out there!…The Sentinel ad was insufficient with no information…in this writer’s opinion intentionally…top get the results she wanted!…

Comm. Dodd- ” I just want to show everybody out there  here’s the Sun Sentinel and you can see the crosshatched, those are the bids that are put in normally by other municipalities. This is the amount of space in the column (4x 11/2) inches. They’re trying to find word searches whether there’s a competitive contract whatever they want to bid on.” (He showed the difference of the LBTS parking Citation RFP 1×11/2″) saying the Town published 9 lines, no date and no closing information for bidding . ” I accept the Town Manager is probably trying to be very frugal with advertising inches but this is actually a $46,000 contract for the equipment alone plus the penalties and I believe that our RFPs deserve the space that other municipalities get for their RFPs. So that companies can actually find them. So that we get the best deal as far as this town is concerned. Because there are websites out there.” He asked the TM if she knew of a few and read them out, adding they were free to the municipalities, that the companies paid to do the searches, saying it would make us really competitive without RFPs. He went on to discuss the previous contracts that went out for Garbage and electrician that produce “major savings” for the town (Thanks CD’s “micro-managing”) ” We need to go out with every single RFP even if it makes more work for this town and we should make every effort that they’re advertised properly, they get the coverage they deserve and we get the companies and the quality of companies we’re looking for to do the work in this town.” He made a motion to go out for bid a gain on the Parking RFP and called the TM on her previous dire  “the sky is falling” assertions that the current devices can go at anytime resulting in parking enforcement coming to a standstill saying “so be it! He stated it was fiscally responsible for doing so and asked the TM to do so….APPLAUSE!…

BC- Comm. Dodd was right on target…

Town Manager Colon- “Dependin’ on the type of RFP they’re published in the Sun Sentinel. A construction RFP by guideline is advertised different than a professional service RFP. If your company [Mr. Hood's] did not come in, pick up, an RFP package is in Town Hall and would you please review the entire RFP package that is in your agenda package. If he [Mr Hood] decides to go to Barbara Cole’s website because she decides to advertise, I thank her for the advertisement. All other vendors have the same right that everybody else has to abide an RFP deadline. They’re some RFPs that are a quarter a page like for example the construction RFP that was bigger than the other one. Um, if you want to make an exception because an individual did not bid are we gonna start making exceptions when other people don’t bid for other projects?” HUH?

BC- The TM’s shooting the “messenger” calling her on the Town’s misstep with this RFP!….The RFP package she referred to clearly showed the huge difference in information between the Sentinel ad and the “posted” ads on Town boards and in the bid packages…(prev. post)…

Comm. Dodd- ” Ah, no absolutely not, but these weren’t in the advert in the Sun Sentinel as to when the bids were closing and no bids were put in.”

TM- ” Sir, sir, Commissioner that is not a requirement. What is required to tell him when he has to pick up the bid package and in the bid package it tells you when the specifications are, it is in your agenda package. But to say that this staff or about my office Commissioners. We have bidding more than the norm in the past two years. If because someone goes into someone’s web page and decides to look up RFPs that are duplicated that’s ok. There is no change in the process. The Town Clerk does the RFP in the Sun Sentinel as she has done for the past two years since she worked under my administration. John Olinzock writes the RFP with the assistance of Town Engineers, sometimes professional services and they’re all done the same way. There’s nothin’ new or nothing different.”

BC- EXACTLY THE POINT!….

VM- ” Mr Hood I have a question. You listened to the Town Manager, is that correct?”

CH- ” Yes”

VM- ” Do you disagree with anything she said?”

CH- ” Yes, I do.”

VM- “OK, what do you disagree with?”

CH-” Um, no one bid on this RFP which makes it impossible for your city to get the best deal.”

VM- ” That’s, that’s not the point at all. Did you see the RFPs without dates that she was referring to?”

CH- “No, I didn’t No, I’m afraid I didn’t and I wasn’t looking for Barbara Cole’s website, it came up with a word search,”

VM- ” Have you seen other RFPs where dates weren’t specifically on them?”

CH- ” I see RFPs WITH dates all the time.”

VM- ” And you see them without dates all the time.”

CH- “No, I can’t say that I do, no,”

VM- ” You don’t believe that?”

CH- ” You asked me a question and I answered it.”

VM- ” OK and you, you want us to reject the, the process because you didn’t see it in the Sun Sentinel?”

CH- “No, not because I didn’t see it, this is not, I’m not here for myself. I’m here for the fair process of getting the town the best deal. I will bid on it with my competition. I’ll provide you my competition, names, addresses, contacts, everything. So, I’m not here for myself.”

VM- “I love the community spirit, thank you.”

CH- ” You’re welcome.”

BC- What can be said…twisting to accommodate the irrational reasoning of the TM, her “protector” sounded like an ass….

Comm. Clottey- asked Mr Hood what company he was from and he answered ..” OK, if Joe Schmo had something on his website about this RFP, then you go and pay somebody to do this search, it comes up, that, that’s the new technology out there folks, like it or not” …HUH?…” And people have been usin’ it for quite a few years now. Ah, so it doesn’t matter who’s website you just type some words and turn it on “…HUH?…” and it looks. So it could have been fro anybody’s website. This is technology that has been in use for a while now, it’s new technology. So I think the issue is here. We have been doing something a certain way and we cannot fault the Town Manager for doing things that have been done correctly in the past.”…

BC-Yes we can…

CC- ” But I think that maybe we should look at this particular instance and say hey maybe we can avail ourselves of this new technology. What is it that we could do that this search engine would have picked up our request for proposals? You would have picked this up if it had been on our website?”…Mr Hood said that was correct…” We’re just talkin’ about the application of technology here and I think that unfortunately it took something like this.”

BC- It should have been done from technology savvy employees…ages ago!…

CC-” But I believe we should be using technology and um, I would request the Town Manager to consider that and say OK um, let’s go ahead and let’s put this out again because we now want to use some new, some technology that’s been around that we haven’t been using yet and I hope my request to the Town Manager is not taken the wrong way, as a slap in the face that she didn’t (OOPS) do something correct but times change and we need to change with the times.”

BC- Comm. Clottey once told this writer she was “used to walking on eggshells”…guess she still is!…The TM was incorrect…purposefully incorrect…in my opinion…and it STILL is a Commission- Manager form of government… act accordingly Dr. Clottey…please!…

Mr Hood again said the city could get a much better deal than the one we have from him or somebody else….Comm. Clottey again asked if it were on the Town website the search engines would pick it up…and Mr. Hood agreed they would…

Mr Hood walked back to his seat to applause from an appreciative audience!…

This writer was allowed to speak …I spoke of my website and the process being “misconstrued and used in a negative fashion”…explaining how “tags” work and how this same situation with a vendor had occurred in the past when the Town dealt with “pods”…resulting in the Town hearing from a representative interested in a code change being introduced…”I believe that the excuse that this is how it was always done and it is legal or it is acceptable or whatever. It is not going after the staff, it is going after the process. And if you want to move forward with your infrastructure and you want to move forward with all the other things in this town and you’re going to streamline your staff and you’re going to do all of these innovative things then you get innovative when it comes to your RFPs. And it’s mot only to put it on the town website because that’s limited. Take advantage of having the use if Steve d’Oliveira’, he must know how to do all this and go out and go on the websites that are free and see what you can do with them. This is along the same lines as the issue I had when it came to hiring practices. The same sort of technology should be used,”

BC- The VM tried to stop me , saying I was off topic, but I told hme it di “tie in”…

BC- ” I just don’t think the status quo, you can’t say that the status quo is the way things are one in one area and not in the other. And if we have an administration that is unwilling to bend and move forward in the process, then maybe that’s another item for the review [Town Manager Annual Performance Review], Thank you.”

Comm. Dodd spoke again saying there were no bids including the current vendor. He implored the Town Manager and the dais to “take this gentleman’s [ Mr. Hood] advice ” ending with reiterating he was looking for the best deal for the town…..APPLAUSE!…

BC- HOLD ON…IT TAKES A NOSE DIVE FROM HERE…a bigger nose dive…that is!…Yikes!…

Town Manager – “Commissioner Dodd, no one disagrees with you. but it is the constant derogatory way that things are said about what I do or my staff does. In this town RFPs were limited. We have put , I would say more than tripled RFPs.The point of the matter is the company did not respond by the deadline date.”

BC- The paper did not provide that information!…

TM- ” I have no problems going out for RFP. What I do have a problem with with is that when a company who supposedly has all these great search engines does not submit a bid because the company that has this great technology did not submit or pick up a package on time.”

BC- The Sun Sentinel 1″ ad did not have any information with a submittal date and as Mr. Hood stated did not show up in a search…The Manager needs help!…

TM- “and that’s what I have a problem with because by his own admission he will be submitting a bid. The current company does not have to submit a bid because they do have a current existing contract.”…HUH?…” I just want to make sure any staff starting with the Town Clerk and my assistant, there is no impropriety and they have been RFPin’ the way we have done in the past differently because things were not RFP.”…HUH?…” And there ares some items that by purchasing policy does not have to be RFP. It’s the tone and the accusations that continue to come out that things are bein’ done wrong.”

BC- THEY ARE BEING DONE WRONG!…

TM- ” And again that can be your opinion and the opinion of some of the residents (most!) and I have no problem accepting that but impropriety is not existing.”

BC- This writer STRONGLY disagrees …impropriety does exist in my opinion!…

Comm. Dodd answered the TM and tried to get away from her “victim responses” by getting back to his motion …Comm. Clottey wanted to bypass the Sun Sentinel and only use the net…(Guess she didn’t read the recent news about the legislature having to pass their attempts to bypass hard print for public notices …prev. post)…She wanted it to be a “friendly amendment to Comm. Dodd’s motion…he said no, he wanted both…the VM was seen discussing it with the TM and asked the Town Atty. about the “statutory procedures” required…The TA said they were mandated…Comm. Clottey tried again after the TM spoke of the Sentinel requirements…saying she would do any additional advertising the Comm. wanted…she just wanted “to make sure we do all of them the same way. That we don’t pick and choose where we advertise this way so everything is done in the same fashion”…

BC- This is precisely what the Manager has been doing…”picking and choosing” who would be privy to the RFPs…in my opinion!…OUCH!…

Comm Dodd produced the Town Purchasing Manual that already spelled out the procedures INCLUDING the internet…adding it was policy but we are not doing it!…The TM stated we ARE a member of Demand Star…(an online site)…YIKES!…and Comm. Dodd asked if we used it…the TM did not know!…She said she would have to check….and then….

Commissioner Clottey wanted to DEFER this until the next meeting!..She has really lost it!…

The VM agreed and seconded it!….UNBELIEVABLE!…

Comm. Dodd reminded them he had made the 1st motion…BUT…he had no second…the Town Atty. was asked for how to proceed by the Mayor…The TA said there was no 2nd…the call could be made again for a 2nd but the motion (Dodd’s) was “pending for some time”…The Mayor handed the gavel to the VM and 2nd the Dodd motion…Comm. Clottey still wanted to defer it…and said they still did not know if the RFP went online…

BC- GET READY TO LAUGH OUT LOUD….

The Town Manager said…” June can knock on the closet. If it was put in, you can ask Steve [d'Oliviera] if Steve put it on the web page and if he didn’t you have your answer if it was put online.”

BC- Yes, Comm. Clottey we really are a “Honky Tonk Town”..

June went to the “closet”…and knocked…we all waited and found that it was NOT put on the website we are a member of …(we hear the Town pays annually for the servicewe do not use!)…

The VM said call the roll…hit the gavel and it PASSED 5-0!….

BC- Below is the 2nd attempt for RFPs for Processing Citations Parking Services ..

THE NEW REVISED SENTINEL AD….placed 7/18/09…with dates added!…/Town Website RFP….

What online sites were used should be forthcoming to the Commission….Also, it will be interesting to see if the current contractor was encouraged by the Town to bid as well…

Next up should be the Auditors…that should have gone out last month!…On the new budget for $55,000

more to come…

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Parking Citation Processing Services, RFPs, Scoops
Posted in LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government

REALLY BIG EXPENDITURE….TO PLAY WITH….

Tags: BSO, fire assessment, fire dept. budget, firetruck purchase, Grumman 102' ladder truck, local government, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Local Politics, Public Safety, Scoops, VFD, local government

WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER…..

The Master Plan Steering Committee invited the Commission to meet with them in order to get some reason to continue on as a MPSC….What they got in this writer’s opinion was a reason to “drag their feet” and wait until March 2010 to replace the Broom Boys and the Town Manager…and then perhaps have a newly appointed committee that will be productive due to constructive direction coming from those that replace these 3!…

This meeting was a total embarrassment…a waste of time for the committee…and those who attended and are well aware of how truly lacking in information the majority STILL is……

In attendance were the MPSC / Commission/ Town Clerk/Town Manager/ Town Engineer/ Town Architect-Planner/ 3 residents/Mc-Furth Times Editor Cristie Furth/ Pompano Pelican Reporter Judy Vik/ this writer….

The Mayor spoke of what this meeting was called ….for direction concerning the El Mar Drive Project. and turned it over to MPSC Chair Paul Novak ….He spoke of the purpose being the El Mar project but hoped to discuss other matters as well….He spoke of the project winner …the million…and where to go from here…The Mayor said they should go around the table for Commissioners to speak…She asked the Vice Mayor to begin…he passed…Comm. Clottey said she wanted the architect to incorporate the existing plantings (she said they cost $150,000) in front of Oriana…she spoke of underground wiring…storm sewers and not having the money go all to landscaping…Comm. Silverstone repeated what he has said from the dais…that the medians should not be the focus…and he feels it’s dangerous for pedestrians to be using the medians…he agreed with Comm. Clottey about  underground wiring ….along with flooding and spoke (incredibly) about long time flooding in the north end of El Mar by Washingtonia…he ended with saying it should have a”feeling of pride”…make it “more pleasing” … “keeping a mantra of a small seaside community.”…HUH?…Comm. Dodd informed Comm. Silverstone (correctly) Washingtonia was not part of this (it can only be used south of Commercial Blvd….Homework Jimmy?)….He spoke of the expense of underground wiring and that 1 million won’t cover it…Comm. Dodd said we should include as much as we can of the student’s work and again spoke of his desire of El Mar not being a straight lane…(His pet project is for a meandering road)…Vice Mayor McIntee disagreed with Comm. Dodd saying it should be a straight road and compared it to Misner Park…”straight from one end to another”…He said we were stuck with 1 lane (in front of Oriana) and we should not take the $150,000 landscaping in the mediums out (where did that figure come from?)…Comm. Clottey added that during special events people parked along the medians and that needs to be “kept in mind”…Paul said we should start out with a landscape architect…and agree with leaving the median in front of Oriana alone…stating that left only 3…He asked if any monies could go to the North and VM McIntee said it cannot…..Paul added the need for lighting…and said at least we will see something and it would be a “great accomplishment”…Comm. Clottey said she spoke to “Mr Sehl” and he said solar lighting was not yet available in the U.S….but it was something that we should think about …(audience members disagreed with the assertion of unavailability)…Sandra Booth again spoke of Barbara Wayne who was available to present to the committee and the town her expertise with the most sustainable plant materials available….The Vice Mayor asked if we needed an RFP “if we can afford it”…The Mayor indicated that at the the meeting were Chen and Assoc. Engineers and Ocampo and Assoc. (architect)…and offered them each 5 minutes …

The Town Manager’s lack of informing them about the history of LBTS and El Mar Drive….was embarrassingly evident when Ben Chen of Chen and Assoc. came the podium to speak of having a long term development plan with the community coming together and having charettes!…HELLO?…We have done that…we have had long term development plans…we have had Master plans…3 of them Comm. Silverstone said…Mr Chen also spoke of having a “Ritz Carlton” at one end of El Mar!….OUCH!…He must have picked up the vibe that he was heading in the wrong direction and reeled his comments back in to address underground wiring…the problems with FPL and the prohibitive costs to do so….He spoke of the “unusual elevations we have on El Mar and said we “don’t have a serious flooding problem”…HUH?…He said it could be remedied with paving….REALLY?….and then finally addressed the students work and what could be created …talking of a linear park…a signature project for residents and tourists…going on to speak of planning…and the costs…that having only a million and deciding where that million would be could create a problem…(again was he not informed that we are tied to where it can be used?)…He added we could use grants and stimulus money …even putting forth the idea (and saying this probably wasn’t the time to talk about it) for a special assessment for burying the lines…ending with saying all options were put on the table….Marc Furth asked his opinion about burying the lines under the medians instead of the sidewalks…Mr. Chen went further into the costs…and the hoops required in dealing with FPL…adding if we ever decided to do it his company could do for less….Marc said he had concerns of doing the medians only to dig them up later…wanting instead 8 foot sidewalks….Ernie Ojito from Ocampo then stood at the podium and spoke of projects his company had done…being architects/planners/ and landscape architects…He too was not informed prior …bringing up a Master Plan…and phases …beautifying and incorporating the designs….He spoke of funding available and artists who will get involved such projects. …The VM said we were “off on a tangent” and spoke of the students…the contest …the meetings …that this was like the pavilion ….and how much will it cost to do the student’s project….He wanted it broken down “This is pie in the sky”…(must have wanted to get back on his newest VFD acquisition the 102 ft. ladder truck waiting for him in the El Prado parking lot)…”trust in the students”…The Mayor said the students aren’t professionals…they came up with “thoughts, ideas” they were “creative” with their concepts but now the professionals needed to work to make it a “pedestrian friendly walkway” and take care of the hospitality businesses like Mr. Furths…when phasing it in…Mr Ojito said they can come up with the concept and then it can be scaled down…Again a Master Plan…The Mayor said we’ve done that…the Town Manager said they were outdated….and Comm. Clottey chimed in to ask the TM about a memo she received saying we (LBTS) cannot get stimulus funds “because we’re too small” [in population]…Yann Brandt was sitting a few rows behind Ms. Colon and said that was wrong…TM Colon said that it was correct…Mr. Brandt disagreed and the Town Manager said  to taxpayer/resident Brandt…”I’m not going to argue with you”…Below is an e-mail sent to the Comm./TM from Yann after the meeting and the letter he sent in response to an inquiry fro the TM….(Yann had a discussion with Comm. Clottey after the 1st budget meeting and then received a letter from the TM)…

E-MAIL AND LETTER FROM YANN BRANDT….

Members of the Commission and Town Manager,

I had the distinct pleasure to attend today’s MPSC meeting with all in attendance. In a short 30 minute timeframe, you managed to say something utterly ridiculous, but said it with conviction.

First of, the Town Manager managed to completely rework how stimulus funding is allocated. According to her “expertise”, LBTS is not eligible for EECBG funding. I do have to give it to our TM, she says things with conviction. Since it is her method to ensure that those beneath her are less qualified and does not wish to listen to the resident’s that may know better. Let me reiterate as I did in the meeting, the Town Manager is wrong yet again.

DE-FOA-000013 is the funding guideline for the energy efficiency and community block grant (EECBG). I have attached the guideline for your leisure and to show you in black and white that her conviction does not work for those of us that have the ability to do our homework, which apparently the TM does not wish to do.

“B. ESTIMATED FUNDING
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $3.2 Billion ($3,200,000,000)
for EECBG for fiscal year 2009. DOE will retain $59 million to provide technical assistance and
training for grantees under the program. The amounts available for grants are as follows:
• $1,863,881,000 for formula grants to eligible cities and counties
• $767,480,000 for formula grants to states
• $54,819,900 for formula grants to eligible Indian tribes”

Please see the portion which differentiates between formula allocation and to State allocation. LBTS does not qualify for formula allocation as that was restricted to the largest Cities and Counties in each State, even Broward County did not qualify for formula allocation. As described by DE-FOA-000013 below

“STATES AND TERRITORIES: DISTRIBUTION OF SUBGRANTS
Each state that receives a grant under the program shall use not less than 60 percent of the amount
received to provide subgrants to units of local government in the state that are not eligible for direct
formula grants. The state shall provide the subgrants not later than 180 days after the date on which the
Secretary approves the proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy.
States are required to develop a sub-granting process that expeditiously allocates funding, prevents
fraudulent spending, generates robust reporting, and promotes the EECBG Program principles stated
above.”

The State of Florida will be subgranting over $16 million dollars to non formula allocated Cities and Counties across our State. Now, you may think that this is simple oversight by the Town Manager, however she knew about this. Why? Because she had corresponded with me via USPS mail on the subject to which I replied via USPS and even had a follow up conversation with the Asst. TM. The letter is attached and portion of it states

“A vast majority of the funding was made available through formula allocation to Cities and Counties across the Country. $168 million dollars was allocated to the State of Florida. The share of funds allocated to the State Energy Office was approximately $30 million, 60% of which must be made available to non-formula allocated government entities.
The grant applications will be forthcoming shortly from Governor Crist’s Energy Office, led by Mr. Jeremy Susac. His office can provide guidance to the Town for further information. Feel free to mention my name as an introduction.”

When correct at the meeting, TM Colon told me with authority or shall I say with conviction that I was wrong and did not wish to argue with me. I do not wish to argue either, but be sure to be correct when stating something with “conviction” in a publicly aired meeting because you are our “expert” our “manager” and we must be able to believe that what the TM says is the truth and is correct.

With continuing great concern for the lack of adequate leadership shown in our Town.

Yann Brandt
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Resident and Taxpayer

Chen and Assoc. Engineer Shaun Bamforth went further into the abyss by speaking about the “big question” one lane or two lanes …GULP!….saying we have both…talking of incorporating some designs and having 8 foot sidewalks and a bike lane!….Paul reiterated what happened with the lanes on El Mar and all that stated even with 8 foot sidewalks they will continue to walk in the street….Marc brought up the 440 parking spaces…and Paul asked for a ballpark figure for the report…Mr. Bamforth said we still had $1900 left over from the MPSC height study (recently done for P&Z/MPSC) and that would be more than enough to cover it…The Manager spoke up and said “I thought this Commission wanted to incorporate the students”…HUH?…Comm. Silverstone never disappointing in providing material said he watched the Tour De France and he would like to have art in the medians and keep the 2 lanes but have “squiggly lines” in one lane and that would be the walking lane…Michael San Miguel said they did their homework…the students did an  excellent job and we have no numbers at this point…but if it was going to be 20 million they [committee] were wasting their time….Again Ocampo talked Master Plan…the Mayor reiterated the points …walking friendly…2 lanes…drainage…residents…businesses….and parking capable…Comm. Clottey asked for the preliminary work in a week…saying “we don’t have to drag our feet.”…(That’s exactly what they should do)…Paul said they had consensus to get a number from each firm…the Mayor said with a million to use…the VM said he disagreed with that…Paul said it was what we could do with a million…and Comm. Clottey asked to save the trees or they needed to be moved elsewhere in thee town… …Mr. Bamforth felt some would need to be moved….The Town Manager wanted to make sure each company knew which project they were working with…project #1….and proceeded to point out the wrong one…She said it was missmarked…BUT…the winning project was the only model submitted (asleep at the wheel?)…Sandra spoke of the 2005 Master Plan (which shows it certainly is not outdated)…and problems encountered with maintenance…Paul said we should not call it a Master Plan…it brought forth negative reactions…and Shaun Bamforth said call it a Conceptual Plan…Paul asked to go down the list although he understood the meeting was called to address only El Mar Drive (on the agenda)…He wanted to talk of some future things for MPSC to do…Briefly they spoke of grant monies …and the Mayor said most were matching funds in this economic climate…Bus Shelters…went untouched…Paul’s pet project…a pedestrian overpass over A1A…no discussion (no money)…and parking for new restaurants…getting rid of the requirement…and this one brought out a real humdinger!…Vice Mayor/Dep Chief McIntee warned this was “dangerous” …”very political” for a board member to talk about something that could benefit themselves….saying the “perception is there!”….HA!…What a joke for the VM to be warning anybody about “perception” …Paul was not deterred and continued on about the death knell in our town from being tied down with parking requirements…and it ended with discussion on a parking garage with Jimmy-boy then stating we have an small inventory of parking spaces with none available…stating business owners should build a parking garage…not the town…Hmmm…

BC- So there you have it…to see if there is any forward movement in this million dollar El Mar Project….stay tuned for next week’s report….

Is it August yet?…..

more to come….

Tags: Boards, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, LBTS El Mar Drive Project, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Boards, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops, local government