CAN THE “BROOM BOYS” CAMPAIGN MAKE THE VOTERS FORGET? ….

Dear Readers…Tomorrow starts the month in which those ready to take on the “2-Hats/Broom Boys” need to make their decision known to those who will be backing them….Strategies will need to be made with an eye on March 2010 and the expectations of an election just like those we experienced  in the March 2006 and January 2008  Commission outcome …The majority changes yet again due to voters unhappy with the status quo majority in charge on the dais and the Town Administration….

What will be seen from the “Mc-Furth Campaign Committee Gang” and their campaign themed BTSTimes will be an attempt to lobotomize the voters to the past bad acts  from the “Broom Boys”…and the Town Manager…They tried this before ….attempting to quiet “Jerry” down”on the dais ……to stop “Jimmy” from putting forth ideas that hit  the voters in their pocketbooks (until the election is past…ie the Public Safety Complex 2008)…. all met with little success and plenty of chest thumping from McIntee exploding and letting it be known  nobody was gonna be telling  him what to do….But that was when other candidates were running…not the “Broom Boys part 2″…. If it starts to look like McIntee is on meds, perhaps it might be that Mr and Mrs “event coordinator” after putting their fingers in the air to see which way the wind is blowing, and not liking direction found, demanded a “promise” to strictly adhere to the 7 month “spiritual”campaign path to provide them any hope of retaining their seats….. thus allowing “Town Hall East” to stand again like “Tara”!…..

The BTSTimes will surely be filled with more psychedelic feel- good pablum to lull those unsuspecting few into believing the “2-Hats” are wearing “white hats” and are the “good guys”…still!….Epiphanies at sunrise cannot suffice this go- round though…Nope, because this time there’s a record attached to their brooms …They have a 4 year record to contend with… and a competitive fact-filled local newspaper, a neighboring community newspaper, community reporters from the daily newspapers….and this site…With each and every act that has their names connected to it I see lots and lots of headlines!….There is now an opposing organization, Unite Our Town that has mobilized faster in numbers than the CIC did in its heyday… (and those days are long gone now)….chomping at the bit….ready to beat the drum … and hit the streets running  to deliver the message of bad deeds done by McIntee/Silverstone /Colon on every front doorstep in town!… Past “Broom Boys” supporters are in concert in saying no 2nd term for these guys…Many we hear voted for “Jerry” because they knew and liked “Jimmy”…”No more”…they say…”Jimmy” let them down…and they have no desire of 4 more years of McIntee!… Those who came forward for the VFD know it’s a non-issue for this election……The VFD is here to stay…that’s a given…Eyes will glaze over if the VFD is front and center…There is a buzz around town on if the VFD members can provide the first blow to the Vice Mayor/ Deputy Chief in October that if they follow through on demoting him to VFD member only, will redeem for many residents where exactly the department’s loyalty lies… Will the Mc-Furth’s campaign be running on the referendums?…Are they still going to pursue the 33 feet?… If so, when? …Will there be a backlash? …Will there be petitions to see if the voters really want 33 feet or 44 feet south/15 stories north?…How about ethics..no more “2-Hats” in the future?…. This writer thinks a “laundry list” of items should be included if we are still going this route… After all we heard from the “Broom Boys” in the past March elections needed to stay in LBTS due to LBTS March municipal voters…discerning, astute voters who will be fully prepared to tackle referendum items…like lifeguards, bonds etc….So why not throw it all on there and let these diligent voters decide on it all in the voting booth?…

The lazy days of August gone, we prepare now for a busy, busy fall….A few days after Labor Day…it’s time to take your seats at Town Commission meetings…Commission Round Table meetings…Town Budget Hearing meetings …and a Town Manager Performance Review?…

We will watch in anticipation for campaign hats being thrown in the ring…one hat at a time, new hats, clean hats, hats that bring with them new ideas to be heard, offering new direction for the Town and for new exemplary records to be made on the dais that may finally, finally give us the future we so richly deserve. And to think when that  happens, it was done with our brains still intact knowing it was our fully informed votes made it possible!

more to come…..

Tags: By The Sea Times, Civic Organizations, Cristie Furth, Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Jerry McIntee. Lauderdale By The Sea Commissioner Jim Silverstone, local government, Local News, Local Politics, Marc Furth, Scoops, Unite Our Town, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized

2009-2010 LBTS-VFD BUDGET WITH 4% INCREASE …$877,783.00/$73,148.57 PER MONTH ….

AUG.-SEPT. TOWN TOPICS …page 5…

“THE TOWN’S VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED A 102-FOOT AERIAL LADDER TRUCK IN JULY FOR $150,000 FROM THE NORTH EAST VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY IN MARYLAND”

THE 3RD LBTS-VFD INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT (previous reports in the VFD category)

BC- What stands out for this taxpayer…(Some comparisons this report/2nd report 1-1-09 to 1-31-09/ 1st report 10-1-08 to 12-31-08)….

Page 1..

Income from Other Contract Rev. 10,976.21/2nd report 0.00/ 1st report 3,953.46

Income from Fire Inspection 17,468.70/2nd report 4,600/ 1st report-no listing

Income from Fire Watch 4,091.00 /2nd report 375.00/ 1st report-no listing

Expenses….Fire Call Incentive 31,462.50/ 2nd report 34,860.00/1st report 27,615.00

Expenses….Medical Call Incentive 18,605.00/ 2nd report 7,250.00/ 1st report 10.00

Expenses… Awards 492.00 /2nd report 400.00/ 1st report-no listing

Expenses Fire Inspections 5,620.00/2nd report 1,533.25/ 1st report-no listing

Expenses Fire Suppression Personnel -Other 4,773.75/2nd report 315.00/ 1st report (270)

Expenses Beach Patrol  Incentive 2,270.00/2nd report 1,675.00/ 1st report 445.00

Expenses Salary 11,343.76/11,487.76/ 1st report-no listing

Expenses Total Fire Suppression Personnel 90,091.18/ 2nd report 84,434.53/ 1st report 67,399.99

Page 2….

Expenses Beach Rescue Service  Fire Boat 9,548.48/ Equipment 1,025.65/ Other 4,658.63/ Sea Doo 2,570.36 /Total Beach Rescue Service 18,727.72/2nd report equipment 4,859.43/Sea Doo 8,820.76 /Total Beach Rescue Service 14,785.74/ 1st report Total Beach Rescue Service 2,157.44

Expenses Promo Items Expenses 2,000/2nd report 1,679.00/1st report 1,650.00

Expenses consulting services 760/2nd report 250/ 1st report 452

Expenses Fire Service phone 1,427.13/cable 515.42/internet service 826.52/ Station Operation Expense 541.25/ Apparatus Misc. 1,717.95/ 2nd report phone 1,588.01/TV 993.86/internet service 22.95/Apparatus Misc 10.74/ 1st report phone 958.17/TV 269.47/ internet services 22.95/ Apparatus Misc. 170.95

Expenses Equipment Fire Apparatus 5,503.86/ 2nd report 14,382.89/ 1st report.1,482.00

Expenses computer 1,841.63/2nd report 3,331.20/ 1st report 691.00

Expenses Radio communications 3,391.55/2nd report 12,426.95/ 1st report  4,010.42

Expenses Hurricane Trailer 2,146.37

Expenses Total Supplies  8,7788.76/2nd report 8,445.17/ 1st report 1,940.00

Expenses Uniform Bunker Gear 6,852.22/ 2nd report 3,492.51/ 1st report 16,443.73

Expenses Station Uniform 6,788.74/ 2nd report 2,189.57/ 1st report 18,030.89

3rd page….

Expenses Misc 26,205.99/ 2nd report 14,760.36/ 1st report 511.90

Expenses Inspector Comp. 12,500.98/ 2nd report 12,499.01/ 1st report-no listing

Expenses Town Split 6,380.35/ 2nd report-no listing/ 1st report-no listing

Future Purchase Fund 37,040.93/ 2nd report 8,155.56/ 1st report (26,530.59)

OF NOTE… no expense shown for the ads purchased in the Mc-Furth Times in any of the reports…/ No Booster Fund Expenses shown in any of the 3 reports- 1st report does show “Due To Booster Acct (50,000) (Advance start up cost)”……

With the Expenses increasing with each of the 3 Income/Expense Statements…and the constant purchases we are witnessing, culminating in a $150,000 purchase of the 102 ft ladder truck with nary a thought of its appearance of “over the top consumption” for this little  2 1/2 mile town, especially in these hard economic times the current VFD looks like they hit the jackpot!….With the 4% increase coming there way in October and their split of yearly town wide fire inspections the good times are guaranteed to continue under the current VFD leadership of the Vice Mayor-Deputy Chief!…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea VFD, Scoops, VFD
Posted in Uncategorized

BRING THE SCISSORS ….

“Sunshine law seminar open to public

FORT LAUDERDALE – Citizens who want to know more about accessing public records can join reporters and attorneys at this year’s First Amendment Foundation’s Sunshine Seminar.

The seminar will cover current sunshine laws, open government, open meetings and accessing public records.

“The whole purpose of open government is for us to keep an eye on what our government is doing,” said Barbara A. Petersen, the foundation’s president.

The seminar will be at the Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale from 9 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Sept. 29.

The foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes education and training on people’s constitutional rights in an open government system. Pete Weitzel, former managing editor of the Miami Herald, helped found the organization in 1984 and served as president from 1984 to 1995.

In 1996, the foundation saw a need to change the yearly seminar to an “on the road series” to cities around the country. “People began requesting seminars,” said Patterson.

Costs for attendance range from $10 to $25 and includes the “2009 Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual”. For registration information, call 800-337-3518 or visit http://www.floridafaf.org/

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/sfl-sunshine-seminar-082809,0,2652650.story

more to come….

Tags: local government, News, public records requests, Scoops
Posted in Uncategorized

BLINDERS ARE  A MUST ….

Dear Readers… When attending the non- “read aloud” bids on August 27th…(prev. post) …this writer observed the following Lauderdale-By-The -Sea job opening on the Town board in Town Hall…

SENIOR OFFICE SPECIALIST

Characteristics of the Class

Responsible administrative work in conducting the business operations of a department. Considerable independent initiative and judgment is exercised in conformance with standard operating policies and procedures.

Examples essential of functions provide information on flood zones, maintains parking, payroll, purchase orders, account balances, collect fees and prepare reports. Attend parking hearings, answer phones, direct calls, take messages, set up appointments and perform record searches. Ingoing and outgoing mail / interoffice department supplies and purchase orders, other department head assigned duties.

Training/Experience

High school/ GED

Grade 112- $32, 462-$34,151

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

ESSENTIALLY SEDENTARY, OCCASIONAL WALKING, BENDING, LIGHT LIFTING OR OTHER RESTRICTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. SOME TASKS REQUIRE VISUAL PERCEPTION AND DISCRIMINATION. SOME TASKS REQUIRE ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ABILITY.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

TASKS ARE REGULARLY PERFORMED WITHOUT EXPOSURE TO ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS EG. DIRT, COLD, RAIN, FUMES.

BC- Of note- the above may well be a government mandated requirement for such job applications…but fodder still in its need…in the same vein as hairdryers coming with a tag warning not to use in the tub!…

Also quite a chuckle came after Comm. Dodd observed the job posted on the board and remarked …”Do you suppose they are looking for someone to deal with e-mails!”….

This writer heard that the head of Code enforcement was leaving at the end of the month …as well as the assistant to the director of Municipal works…thus far I have not seen any job openings posted for these positions on the Town website/ Town board or in the Sentinel as was voted on to be required after Comm. Clottey made such a motion long ago…Unless there is some department switcheroo with no new hires required…..(more hats?)…are we seeing another UNILATERAL decision by the Town Manager…..to bypass the direction of the Commission?…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdaler By The Sea job openings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Uncategorized

WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING ….

Dear Readers …It never fails…the plethora of material to post being supplied by this Town administration  …Just when you think there can be no more…there is!…

It makes this writer often wonder…when can I become a “centrist” once more?… I suppose it will be when the actions are no longer done that require such postings …I am hopeful that day will come…… sooner rather than later……

But alas…it is not today…no sirree….. sad to say….

In the previous post was the August 29,2009 Sentinel RFP 09-08-01 for “Public Safety Complex-Police Office Improvements” which contained the new Town Manager directed change of the RFP bids to be “PUBLICLY OPENED AND RECEIPT ACKNOWLEDGED”… on the date and time the bids are required for consideration…replacing the longstanding LBTS-RFPs previously published with the “publicly opened and read aloud”….

Now comes this….on the Town website (scan and link below)…the RFP 09-08-01 “PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX-POLICE OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS”

4th paragraph….

“SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE UNDERSIGNED AT THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK, TOWN HALL, 4501 OCEAN DRIVE, LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, FLORIDA 33308 UNTIL 2:00PM ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2009 “…

ALERT…ALERT… HERE IT COMES…

“AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ ALOUD.”

BC- the bid onlineon the Town’s own website has the same verbage used prior to the Sentinel change published on the 29th!…Now we have to wonder what is in the bid packets?…Which of the two will be followed if the Commission does not vote in the affirmative to return to the “publicly opened and read aloud” directing  specifics be included in the LBTS purchasing manual/a new ordinance that will return to the Town the same guidelines we observed until it went array?…ARGHHHH……….

THE RFP SCAN …Town website (8/29/09)…

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea RFP 09-0801 Police Safety Complex- Police Office Improverments, Lauderdalke By The Sea Town Manager Esther Colon, LBTS Town website, local government, Local Politics, RFPs read aloud/not read aloud, Scoops
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SOMETHING’S REALLY  ROTTEN …. IN THIS  “BANANA REPUBLIC”… ….

Dear Readers … Previous posts have show the wily ways of a Town Manager backed by her current dais majority “Gang of 3” and her no-term /$250,000 severance payout contract (prev. post) when it comes to UNILATERALLY making major changes in this Town WITHOUT the Commission that makes it appear that LBTS is “ROTTEN”!…That there are things going on behind the scenes that call to question the transparency of government as we are entitled to have….the transparency the Town Manager and her “gang of 3” promised in January 2008!…

In the last post on the RFPs that covered the 4 RFPs ( 7-29-09/8-11-09/8-27-09) NOT  “publicly opened and read aloud” though published and included in all 4 bid packages would take place. At the 4th RFP  last Thursday, the Town Clerk told Commissioner Dodd and this writer she was only to “acknowledge receipt of them”…HUH?…That was NOT what the RFP said …This writer  read and showed to her the RFP , nevertheless….she took no impetus to perform the “obligation”of the Town….to carry it out….

After the 4th such act of not reading the RFP aloud….I knew something was coming…something underhanded…something “rotten”….and it did ….TODAY!….

In today’s Sentinel …Legal Notices …page 41E-F ….. ADVERTISEMENT for BIDS…

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP-09-08-01

THE TOWN OF LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA IS SEEKING SEALED PROPOSALS FOR “PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX-POLICE OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS”..

It goes on to describe the plans and specifications can be obtained at Ocampo and Assoc. with a $100 fee per set of plans… A mandatory pre-bid conference at 2 pm at the Public Safety Complex on Sept. 9, 2009 …All questions must be submitted to Ocampo by Sept. 16,2009 and then this…

“SEALED PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE UNDERSIGNED AT THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK, TOWN HALL,4501 OCEAN DRIVE, LAUDERDALE- BY- THE- SEA, FLORIDA 33308 UNTIL 2:00PM ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30,2009″….

ALERT….ALERT ….HERE IT IS…..

“AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL PUBLICLY OPENED AND RECEIPT ACKNOWLEDGED.”….

BC- there you have it the Town Manager UNILATERALLY changed the way we the Town of LBTS accept RFP bids…thus casting a further shadow over the Town to those who would bid and those who decide to do business in our Town!!!!!…

You cannot have it both ways…with this change published in the Sentinel, it clearly shows that the Town was definitely in the wrong of not following the “obligation” of the previous 4 RFPs being “publicly opened and read aloud” (per publications) and we the town ….are tarnished in the eyes of those companies that bid!..

At the August 11, 2009 Commercial Blvd. drainage bid opening (prev. post) a vendor spoke of backdoor deals ….as a result of the non- read aloud bid openings in LBTS …the Manager outside standing next to the vendor had the “IMPERIAL” audacity to actually say “aloud” …that the man must be used to this happening in “other towns”…not ours!……YIKES!….

With this action taken by our administration……LBTS is not doing what our neighboring towns all do…(prev. post) and what is the norm in the handling of such RFP bids throughout the state and the nation…We are going down a path….the wrong path…and in a direction that is anything but the right direction….We are at the mercy of a Town Manager that is inflicting immeasurable harm upon our town!…It’s got to stop!…

It needs to  happen BEFORE March 2010!…

At the September 9, 2009 Commission meeting this issue will be on the agenda…(Comm. Dodd put it on)…and we will see what the “Gang of 3” will do…Motions MUST be made!…Will the “Gang”  back the Town Manager and thwart government transparency? Will the “Gang” assist in the shut down of competition from RFP bidders who will deliberately take a pass on LBTS due to the Manager’s new policy on opened bids no longer being read aloud?…The appearance of dirty dealing going on behind closed doors in Town Hall is front and center with each and every UNILATERAL move we have witnessed from this administration since January 2008……with no end in sight…

If the “Gang” does not do an about face, and abandon ship to do what is best for their constituents …and if August is any indication of more to come……we will be facing much more damage  before we can give the Town Manager and her “Gang” the ouster next March!…

It’s time for residents and taxpayers to show up and be vocal to stop this downward, dirty dealing spiral we now find ourselves in!…

THE SCANNED PORTION …. RFP 09-08-01 Sentinel 8/29/09 pg 41F

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager Esther Colon. RFP 09-08-01, LBTS Bid process, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
Posted in Uncategorized

AUGUST 27, 2009 2 PM IN TOWN HALL… CONFERENCE ROOM….

Dear Readers ….the bid was like all the rest for RFP 09-07-04 “Sewer Line and Storm Drain Maintenance & Repair” …3rd paragraph included in the bid package, “Sealed Proposals will be received by the undersigned at the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall 4501 Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida 33308 until 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 27,2009 AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ ALOUD, SHORTLY THEREAFTER. Any bid received after time and date specified will not be considered”…So at 1:45 this writer and Commissioner Dodd came separately to see what would happen with this 4th RFP after the previous 3 starting on July 29, 2009 (prev. posts) were NOT publicly opened and read aloud…according to any sane person’s interpretation of what that means!… Turns out the 4th time was again the distorted and disturbing interpretation used by the Town Administration asserted point blank by the Town Clerk herself. The Town Clerk with the Assist. Town Manager concluded that it NOW means…to open them, read the names (this time the towns) and NOT the bid prices!…This writer again as I did on July 29, 2009 if they were NOT going to read out the prices and received the same response…”NO”…Commissioner Dodd then made reference to the bid and paragraph 3…and received the Town’s interpretation! … An interpretation not used prior to the July 29, 2009 opening or any surrounding towns!….Again this will be addressed on Sept. 9, 2009 at the Regular Commission meeting to change the LBTS purchasing manual to add the specifics to again allow the RFPs to be opened at the time and date published….An ordinance also needs to be made so there can be no more nonsense done without the commission’s knowledge…most other towns have an ordinance as well as the manual…

I  e-mailed the Town to see about seeing the RFPs  after turning down the $47.58 charge for the packets themselves (prev. post)…and received the following response…

RE: Recent PRR on bids
Monday, August 24, 2009 1:30 PM
From:
“Steve D’Olivera”

To:
[email protected]

Barbara:

I spoke with the Town Clerk and she said to call her office if you want to set up a time to review the bid packets. She suggested setting aside at least an hour. The only time that she requested you not come in was between 12 and 2 PM, when staffers go on lunch break and she is short-staffed. Town Hall closes at 4:30 PM.

Steve

I sent a reply of thanks to Steve and called the office as instructed, the Receptionist went to inquire and came back with the same times, I asked about setting up a time as the e-mail said and was told I did not need to do that!…

This writer made the trek to the Town Hall to see the previous 3 no longer “read aloud” RFPs …which never took longer than 10-20 minutes tops…10 days after they were accepted…(this must be done by all the bidders if they want to see what they can usually see the day OF elsewhere)…. and was now advised “to set aside at least an hour” for just the July 29, 2009 RFPs!… On top of that the Town Clerk told the PIO that she is “short staffed”…so the the change of procedure helps how exactly?…

Upon my entering the building at 2 pm, I found the 3 bids were available for me to look at….but when I asked if I could use the conference room which was empty, I was told by Officer Specialist/Assist. Town Clerk Nikki Smith who checked with someone in the back (Town Clerk or Town Manager?) “NO. you will have to sit in the lobby.”…More bad P.R. for the current administration!…DUMB!…

July 29, 2009…RFP 09-06-02 ….IT Bids… (information technology)

This package of 9 bidders was just clipped together with a big black clip…

1. Dynamic Systems Solutions Inc. Fort Lauderdale- Terms initial fee $1,500/ system maint. & network support$2,400 per mo./ additional consulting $85.00 per hr.

2. Calvin Giordano & Assoc. Fort Lauderdale- Assoc. $165- 3 hrs. $495.00/ network admin. $135-8 hrs. $1240.00/ IT support Spec. hrly support $85.00 32 hrs.$2720/ monthly fixed fee $4450.00

3. Brazart Corp. Oakland Park price proposal $968.00 per mo./ addt. time $60.50 per hr/non-sched.- on call addressed in less than 8 hrs

DeRose Technologies Pompano Beach Windows server std. $820.00/ Microsoft exchg. 2003 $300/ email software $150.Cisco $125/laptop comp. $1360/ desktop comp. $2100/ per mo. $4855.00/ tech support level 1 $70 per hr/ level 2 $95 per hr/ systems eng. $135 per hr

5. JDL Technologies Fort Lauderdale monthly maint. option 1 per hr $120/ option 2 2 hr $80/ option3 server and infrastructure maint. & setup $299/ updates $100/ exchg. $24/ backup verification $24/ labor hrly $80

6. Dennis R Deblois Miami monthly maint. $1500/ beyond hrly $125

7. Solution Response LLC Coral Springs30 on call hrs per mo. $60 per hr/ greater than 30 $65 per hr.

8. City of Coral Springs Coral springs 10/1/09- 9/30/10 monthly $700/excess hrly rate $70

9. Rad Gov Fort Lauderdale on call support $54.18/ monthly maint. fixed service fee $133, 120.00

BC- No evaluation or analysis was included by staff….although the e-mail exchange (prev. post) between the Town Atty-Asst. Town Manager and Town Manager Colon ends with the Town Manager sending an e-mail stating the staff will review and recommend to the Commission (evaluate)…Hmmmmm…..

August 11, 2009 …..RFP 09-07-01….. Commercial Blvd. Drainage Project

This RFP was in a big blue notebook which included dividers…the 1st one was for analysis and it was empty…

1. Mullings Engineering Sunrise-removed their bid due to a misinterpretation of the bid…contained was the removal and the letter refunding the dep. from the Town Clerk…the bid was $44,170

2. Williams Paving Co Miami Dade $80,000

3. Man Con Deerfield Beach $61,500

4. Johnson Davis Inc. Lantana Fl. $69,000

5. Ric Man Int. Inc. Pompano Beach  $115,617

6. Straightline Engineering Miami $58,300

7. Omega Boca Raton $64,894

8. Florida Siteworks Davie  $33,450

9. ABK Construction Miami  $69,000

10. Miguel Lopez Medley Fl. $79,125

11. DBF Construction Pompano Beach $65,813

12. Coastal Contracting Hollywood $36,445

13. Atlantic Civil Construction Orlando Fl. $73,000

14. PBH Enterprises $48,333.60

15. ARZ Builders Boca Raton $ 47,500

16. GMI Contracting Davie $48,400

BC- With such a large range…we must look for any and all change orders from the lower bidders as the job progresses/ with a$36, 445 bid from Coastal Contracting the company contracted for the Pavilion and quoted in the Hi-Riser as saying the drainage was addressed with the administration prior to construction…only to be informed the town did not have the funds (did not reach the commission for decision) this too should be added to the long list of bad unilateral decisions made by the Town Manager on her Performance Review…

August 11, 2009 …RFP 09-07-02…. Parking Citation Process Services

This was the RFP that was first put on as an “emergency” consent agenda item for the hand held devices that started the spiral down to the RFPs no longer being “read aloud” in retaliation (this writer’s opinion) for Comm. Dodd’s finding the real costs involved in the backup materials…insisting on an RFP… bad advertising used (prev. post) and a vote after no bids were received from the dais to go out again….

1. Duncan Wisconsin (current vendor)…Autocite X3 hand held -provide 3 option 1 price per citation processed $2.62 …Special collections contingency fee 30% on deliq. accts/ option 2 Equipment fee- price per hand held per mo. $250….price per citation $1.93…Spec. Collections contingency 30% of actual fees collected on deliq. accts.

2. Complus Terrytown N.Y. hand held IT 3100 Series Casio / option 1 $2.95 per ticket issued/ option 2 percentage 11% all stat of Fla. ticket collections…11% all out of state ticket collections/ alternative solution $2 per ticket issued regardless of ultimate disposition or process ability of each citation

3. Iyetek Kalamzoo, Mich. (The Rep came and spoke at the commission meeting to re-bid this project after the non-responses) The package included the following LBTS issues approx. 14,000 citations per year/ the current system was last updated in 1996/ Iytek proposes a revisited system with online management providing the same functionality as the old system while adding state of the art features…3 units 1st yr rental fee per unit $2851 per/ standard ticket $1.25 per/ ticket processing  …in state 25% /out of state 30% / total start up $13,590

BC- Again no evaluation or analysis was included and again we will need to see when and if staff does “evaluate” before the Sept. 9, 2009 meeting where all should be on the agenda for the Commissioners to decide…If there is no “evaluation” ie “review and recommendation”…more unnecessary time will be used to be spiteful and vindictive (this writer’s opinion) for calling the Town Manager to task for her past unilateral actions!…

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea RFP bid prices, local government, RFP 09-06-02, RFP 09-07-01, RFP 09-07-02, scoop, Scoops
Posted in Uncategorized

PLAN A …..

PLAN B……

‘City Manager – City of Pompano Beach

(pop. 104,000) Salary: $175,000 – $195,000 DOQ. $204-million budget; 700-plus employees. Located on the Atlantic Ocean in southeast Florida, Pompano Beach presents a great opportunity for a seasoned city manager with exceptional leadership skills and a track record of success in implementing plans and projects to help this All-American City award winner make the most of its considerable assets. The city’s roots run deep and, despite its size, it has retained a friendly and family-oriented atmosphere more commonly found in smaller towns. The mayor and City Commission are a collegial group and share the same vision of what they are seeking in a city manager. The successful candidate must have excellent judgment and effective communication skills, and be forthright with, and responsive to, the members of the City Commission and the public. Establishing a good relationship and communicating with various community groups is an important part of the job in Pompano Beach. The ideal city manager will be forward-thinking, capable of assisting the City Commission in establishing a clear vision for the city’s future and drive the organization steadily to the attainment of that vision. Candidates must have a track record of obtaining a strong performance from staff, improving customer service, and managing successfully under tight financial constraints. The ability to drive the organization to higher performance levels and build consensus in the community to achieve the city’s plans on a variety of fronts is also important. Candidates should have experience in managing in an urban environment and have demonstrated good working relationships with diverse populations and neighborhood associations. City manager experience and Florida local-government experience is strongly preferred. Pompano Beach is in the process of evaluating whether to discontinue contracting for police services with the sheriff and reestablish its own Police Department. The new city manager will have to help the City Commission analyze the challenges and costs inherent in such a move and direct the implementation effort should it be decided to build a new department. In other significant initiatives, the city recently contracted with a private firm to manage the city’s two community redevelopment areas (CRAs) and is in the process of completely updating its zoning code. The city manager is expected to coordinate city efforts with the CRAs, oversee implementation of the new zoning code, and spearhead the development of a transit hub and redevelopment of the city’s center core. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in public administration or a related field, and 10 years senior-management experience in a medium or large city or in an urban county. See a more detailed job/city profile at http://www.mercergroupinc.com. Send résumé, cover letter and five professional references to Connie Hoffmann of The Mercer Group at [email protected]. Closing date: August 31, 2009.’

2ND CHOICE……

It comes with a catchy theme song ….  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8gYPEawTY&feature=related

Billing and Customer Service Supervisor – The Villages

(pop. 73,000) Salary: $31,183.92 – $54,681.19. Provides daily operational oversight and supervision of Finance Department employees engaged in billing and customer-service functions for the district utility bills, district recreation amenity bills and trash bills rendered on behalf of private contractors for a fee. Incumbent will direct a workforce of five to 10 employees. Incumbent must be able to operate within district or department policy guidelines using independent judgment in achieving assigned objectives. Must possess the ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulation, and the ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or a closely related field from a four-year college or university. Requires a minimum of three years of related job experience in the management of utility customer-service functions for a large and complex utility in the public or private sector. This position requires computer skills with working knowledge of governmental accounting and billing software and Microsoft Office. Exempt-level position with full benefits. DFWP/EOE. Submit application to District Human Resources Department, 3231 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162; fax: (352) 751-3909, Attn: Human Resources. Applications are available at http://www.districtgov.org.

http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/News.aspx?CNID=1405

more to come….

Tags: Lauderdale By The Sea Town Manager performance Review, local government, Municipal positions, Scoops
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BYE BYE BURGER KING …. HELLO TACO BELL? …

We hear Burger King did not re-sign its lease after being closed down for so long…and word around town…it’s going to be a Taco Bell!

Town Hall East ….Town Hall South?…

Isn’t there a non- compete clause about having 2 in-town?…OUCH! ….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8sZ1DWsAHE

more to come ….

Tags: Scoops, Taco Bell in Lauderdale By The Sea
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Dear Readers …The Vice Mayor has been in retaliation mode…after receiving a Public Records Request for his e-mails from his personal e-mail account from a constituent, Yann Brandt. Mr. Brandt asked for his e-mails to find out whether there was any prior knowledge in the “reassignment” of former BSO Chief Scott Gooding (prev. posts)…Rather than complying, the Vice Mayor has chosen not to respond 2 months after the request and now finds himself way over the “reasonable time” to produce such a request per the Florida State Statutes…He decided instead to ask for all e-mails of “Town-related business” from his 2 “foes” on the dais Mayor Minnet and Commissioner Dodd from May 1, 2009 to August 13, 2009…(prev. post)….

Commissioner Dodd asked for an opinion from the Town Attorney, and put the item on the September 9, 2009 agenda….

The Attorney made an opinion…. She wrote a 4 page response…produced and distributed on 8/24/09 to the Commission…

“I. QUESTION PRESENTED

You have asked me to provide guidance on the legal standards applicable to recent public records requests for documents related to Town business that may be located in the personal email accounts of Town elected officials ( referred to herein as “Town Commissioners”.

“II. DISCUSSION

A.  Are e-mails in the Private Email accounts of Elected Officials Public Record?

Answer …”POSSIBLY. Pursuant to Article I, section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, any document made or received in communication with official Town business that is “intended to perpetuate, COMMUNICATE or formalize knowledge” is a public record. (statute and case law followed)

“E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE PUBLIC RECORDS IF THEY MEET THIS TEST. See AGOs 01-20 and 07-14. BY DEFINITION, EMAIL INVOLVES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN 2 PERSONS (unless one were to email himself or herself for some reason) THEREFORE, ANY EMAILS BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ANOTHER PERSON THAT RELATE TO OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS ARE PUBLIC RECORD UNLESS THEY MEET A SPECIFIC EXEMPTION IN THE STATUTE ( social security numbers are exempt from disclosure, for example).

WHETHER, THE RECORD IS LOCATED IN A TOWN EMAIL ACCOUNT OR A PRIVATE ACCOUNT IS IRRELEVANT TO WHETHER IT IS CONSIDERED A PUBLIC RECORD. IF CONNECTED TO OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS AND IS INTENDED TO PERPETUATE, COMMUNICATE OR FORMALIZE KNOWLEDGE, IT IS A PUBLIC RECORD EVEN IF CONTAINED IN A PRIVATE EMAIL ACCOUNT. Likewise, if it is NOT related to official Town business, it is NOT a public record even if contained in a Town email account. State v. City of Clearwater, 863 So. 2nd 149,154 (Fla. 2003).

WHAT IS OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS? THE PLAIN MEANING OF THE PHRASE APPLIES. ACCORDING TO ONE OPINION OF THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL, IF THE ITEM WAS RECEIVED BY THE ELECTED OFFICIAL IN HIS OR HER CAPACITY- IN OTHER WORDS, BECAUSE OF HIS OR HER STATUS AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THEN IT RELATES TO THE TRANSACTION OF OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS. See AGO 77-141 (copies of letters or other documents provided by newspaper reporters or individual citizens to a mayor in his official capacity are public records, unless covered by a specific exemption). An example of a record NOT related to Town business is an e-mail concerning one’s family, personal business activities, personal financial matters,planned vacation, or other matters having nothing to do with the Town.

AN EMAIL THAT RELATES TO A MATTER THAT HAS BEEN OR WILL BE ON A TOWN COMMISSION AGENDA IS DEFINITELY A PUBLIC RECORD, BUT SO ARE MANY OTHER EMAILS. EMAILS RELATED TO MATTERS THAT MAY NEVER BE ON THE AGENDA, BUT ARE STILL RELATED TO OFFICIAL TOWN BUSINESS, ARE PUBLIC RECORDS ALSO. An example might be an email from a resident to an elected official complaining about an issue in Town and seeking assistance with it, where the issue is resolved by being referred to staff without even appearing on the agenda. Another example might be an email to or from a resident or other person stating opinions about or discussing matters of official Town business, such as a potential new regulation or property development.”

B. dealt with Sunshine…and the response was the same as previously presented by Attys. Abbott and Trevarthen…”One-sided written communication- from one commissioner to another, with no response and no interaction- is not a violation of Sunshine Law.”

“C. Do the Normal Rules for Production of Public Records Apply to the Individual Town Commissioners as They Respond to Such Requests?

YES. THE NORMAL REQUIREMENTS– TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REQUEST AND RESPOND WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, BASED ON THE SCOPE AND COMPLEXITY OF RESPONDING TO THE REQUEST AND TO REDACT THEM AS NECESSARY TO APPLY ANY STANDARD EXEMPTIONS—APPLY. See Tribune Co. V. Cannella 458 So. 2d 1075 (Fla. 1984).

The person producing these public records also has the ability to CHARGE A SPECIAL CHARGE IF THE NATURE AND VOLUME OF THE RECORDS TO BE INSPECTED REQUIRES EXTENSIVE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES OR EXTENSIVE USE OF CLERICAL OR SUPERVISORY ASSISTANCE. See Section 119.07(4)(d) Fla. Stat. “EXTENSIVE ” HAS BEEN INTERPRETED BY THE COURTS TO MEAN REQUIRING MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OF TIME TO LOCATE, REVIEW FOR ANY EXEMPTIONS, COPY AND REFILE THE PUBLIC RECORD. See Florida Institutional Legal Services, Inc. V. Florida Dept. of Corrections 579 So. 2d 267 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991).

The charge must be REASONABLE, and based on the cost ACTUALLY INCURRED in responding. See section 119.00 (11), Fla. Star., and Board of County Commissioners of Highland County V. Colby, 976 So. 2d 31,37 (Fla 2d DCA 2008) If copies are requested, the PERSON PRODUCING the records CAN CHARGE A REASONABLE FEE FOR MAKING AND PROVIDING COPIES. See Sections 119.01 (1) and 119.07 (4), Fla. Stat. THE REQUESTOR IS ENTITLED TO REQUEST AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST, AND THE PRODUCING PERSON MAY REQUEST A DEPOSIT TO SECURE THAT AMOUNT.”

“III. CONCLUSION

The emails in a Town Commissioner’s private email account may be public records subject to disclosure if they involve another person, relate to official Town business and are intended to perpetuate, communicate or formalize knowledge. The provision of such Commissioner public records, directly or indirectly, to another Town Commissioner is not a violation of Sunshine Law. Those commissioners receiving such public records are reminded not to respond to or interact with other commissioners in any way about these records outside of a public meeting. The normal rules are applicable to the persons individually responding to these public records requests, including the requirement to respond within a reasonable time based on the circumstance and the ability to charge fees if extensive amounts of resources or time are required to respond.”

“Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about it or would like to discuss this matter.”

BC-There you have it…but is it enough…this opinion from the Town Attorney?… Commissioner Dodd was contacted by the Town Manager to see if he wanted to remove his agenda item, now having his questions answered….He responded “absolutely not!”….He said he’s “going for bear!”….

He does not intend to leave it at this…There are many other questions that require  the Attorney General’s opinion…..and some updated answers….

A few to consider, the confidentiality that might be included in a “header” of an e-mail from a constituent, and/ or friend…The confidentiality/ may not be reproduced etc… that is included in an e-mail  from a business/ Atty. …. advisory form of e-mails in that capacity before, during or after an election such as e-mails that are involving Town related business but are strategy to run a campaign….and of course allowing a sitting elected official (Vice Mayor McIntee) to effectively cut off a method of communication that provides many their only avenue to communicate by fearing retribution for having done so! ….

Commissioner Dodd also informed the Town Manager that with this “targeted” PRRs  for only the Mayor and himself….Vice Mayor McIntee may have “opened the floodgates” for  PRRs for 3 1/2 years from Vice Mayor McIntee…and his pal Comm. Silverstone  along with Comm. Clottey for her time in office…from ALL of their e-mail accounts and town phones!…….

This writer has many of what those PRRs would entail from the past years…as sender/ recipient/ Cc.  concerning the 3 commissioners ….(including at the last election)…..the undertaking would be massive from just these!… The emails are similar to what is being asked for under “Town related business” …which includes….advice, election strategy, opinion, forwarded emails from others,with and without their knowledge (including those still left by the VM’s side) and much more…YIKES!….

In the end it still comes down to this ….While it may be legal and within his “rights” …. he has either he has lost his mind, or had some very bad counsel (most likely not by e-mail) and has now entered into what may well be “the straw that broke the camel’s back”…in his attempt to be re-elected in March 2010…(So many, many straws!)….

There is no way out now for Vice Mayor McIntee….If he does not comply with the long overdue request from Mr Brandt he is in trouble per the laws…….If he withdraws his PRRs, it will not be forgotten and it will not go away…. Again, he has stopped many residents from any future communications by e-mail to their elected officials….He has cost the taxpayers time and money going down this road thus far….and if he goes for broke and keeps his PRRs intact….we will be diverted from Town business to require more opinions from the state and perhaps beyond….We’re likely left to deal with multiple lawsuits for producing documents and hard drives…and whatever else is not forthcoming……

This Mc-vasion of privacy…..is madness….March Madness!

Thanks, Vice Mayor!…..

more to come….

Tags: lauderdale by the sea public records requests, Lauderdale By the Sea Vice Mayor Jerry McIntee, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
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