YEP….MCINTEE’S ACHILLES HEEL….Marc Furth…..

Dear Readers….Commissioner Silverstone placed on the July 28,2009  Commission meeting New Business item J. “Discussion and/or action for a proclamation for Marc Furth”…At the start of the meeting Comm. Silverstone withdrew his item explaining that he put the item on without Marc Furth’s knowledge …Mr Furth did not want anything …and he [Silverstone] reasoned Marc’s actions were “because of the political environment”…At public comments the Furth proposed proclamation was addressed by speaker and LBTS business owner Louis Marchelos ….his comments are below….In the aftermath on day 2 of the 11 hour Commission meeting when discussing New Business item D. “Discussion and/or action to have public speakers state their full address…the Vice Mayor went after the speaker., Mr Marchelos…but his accusations of what Mr. Marchelos said were as usual “bending the truth” in his attempts to protect his #1 BFF Marc Furth…..(as the Mayor told him was his tendency during one heated exchange when the VM asked the Mayor if she was calling him a liar)…….This writer can tell you with 100% certainty, the most important person in McIntee’s life…is Marc Furth…During the days of being left out in the cold a few years back when the Furths found out that McIntee divulged something they told him in confidence…… he [McIntee] was banned from the Furth motel…and any communications with Marc Furth…It was the only time I have ever seen McIntee as a diminished figure…He was barely treading water…He would have done ANYTHING to get back into Marc Furth’s motel and Marc Furth’s good graces…ANYTHING!….Marc Furth is the one in charge… Marc Furth  IS Jerry McIntee’s Achilles heel…OUCH!….

Public Comments…Louis Marchelos…7/28/09…

“Tonight I was gonna speak in support of the agenda item that Commissioner Silverstone put on in referencing Marc Furth. I am disappointed that Mr. Furth would not wish to receive this proclamation.While I have found his political support of the Bully Bunch abhorrent, I can not deny that he has devoted many hours to the community. I support the proposed recognition but not his political activities which have split this town into factions and have destroyed what the true pioneers of this town had for a future vision.

While we are giving recognition to individuals I think we have an opportunity to partially right a wrong. I propose that at the same time we recognize Furth we issue a proclamation recognizing Scott Gooding for his excellent service to our community, acknowledging his professional competency and his contribution to all our lives.

This man has been wronged and this is an opportunity for those on the dais who said they let the firing take place only because of the separation of powers in Ms. Colon’s contract, put their money where their mouth is. This is a perfect opportunity for the Town to erase this black mark from Scott Gooding’s record. Show some conviction. Show that the dais has a soul.”

Vice Mayor McIntee’s comments on the above …7/29/09…

“And to have another person, another town member, owner of a business come up and attack a town resident by name. We all said specifically no town, nobody speaking can attack anybody by name. I’m not talking about Commissioners, I’m talking citizens. We all agreed to that, nobody could come up and go to that podium and say I don’t like John Doe. He’s a bad guy. He lives over on El Mar Drive and you [Mayor Minnet] let it happen multiple times and it’s wrong. That’s why citizens are at each others throats. This is not a, a position to, to throw your hate against somebody else in town. You can’t use the name of citizens. We have to put up with it, I accept that but no citizen should have to listen to another citizen talking throughout this town about them and making accusations. That’s wrong Mayor and you should have stopped it and you didn’t and I resent it, I yield.”

BC- Looks like the Vice Mayor was veering away from his take on the public comments made by Mr. Marchelos to perhaps include previous posts written on this site…concerning “leader” Furth….

Let’s get one thing straight …. Marc Furth  is not just “a resident”…he is not “John Doe” who “lives over on El Mar Drive”….Marc Furth is also “a business owner”…(like Mr. Marchelos)…Marc Furth is the Town & VFD photographer/ Town event coordinator/Reef project coordinator/MPSC board member/local newspaper owner & Editor/ CIC member /CIC Citizen of the Year/(it is said) #1 advisor to the “Gang of 3″/ (most likely ) the 2010 re-election campaign co-chair  as well as a former Commissioner…Marc Furth has recently written letters with ultimatums to the Town concerning  Commissioner Dodd and the Mayor and is said to have instigated numerous acts upon Mr. Marchelos during the past year concerning the pier and other Marchelos businesses…for July 4th/the pier parking lot/ the Pier lease etc/ special events….Marc Furth is front and center with his #1 BFF McIntee which leaves him in the position of being “fair game” for comment and commentary from the podium…local newspapers …or online posts….DOUBLE OUCH!…

And that’s a wrap… Ya big “HEEL”….

more to come……..

Tags: achilles heel, bending the truth, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Marc Furth, Scoops, Vice Mayor McIntee
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PRODUCING A CHORUS “LINE”…..FROM THE “GANG OF 3” ON THE DAIS…

(Mel Brooks…The Producers..”Springtime For Hitler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K08akOt2kuo )

Dear Readers….The Gang giveth and the Gang taketh away……your freedom of speech…your ability to come to the podium and speak to the dais… They cannot  deal with what they themselves dished out with such zeal while in their glory days …..The onslaught of the opposition squarely aimed at them with no end in sight has rocked them to their core…..Their answer is to silence the residents… in order to control the BULLY  pulpit…and use their “Gang of 3” majority vote to turn their backs on what they themselves insisted would never happen when they took over the dais……HYPOCRITES…

At the July 14, 2009 Commission meeting a CIC member and columnist for the Mc-Furth times came forward and called those who came to speak for Scott Gooding “carpetbaggers” and asked the Commission to return to requiring speakers to state their full address….The Mayor in her comments countered the carpetbagger claim and read the names of those who spoke…BUT ….she did put it on the agenda under new business for this meeting to discuss….The Vice Mayor stomped on his past endorsement of policies for open public commentary…signed up or not…resident or not…He must be running scared…..really, really  scared that his days are numbered…As well he should…the writing is on the wall or in this case …from the public speakers computers… such as the one he went after claiming it was NOT freedom of speech…..

PUBLIC COMMENTS…from Resident Scott Sasser…July 28, 2009…

‘I have been unable to attend the last couple of meetings but wanted to express my complete dismay and utter disgust at the firing of Chief Scott Gooding. I pride myself on trying to understand all the aspects of an issue before rendering an opinion and this is no exception. Let me assure you that nothing given thus far substantiates the actions taken to tarnish a good man’s reputation. Senator Joseph Welch said it best in 1954 when he said “ Until this moment I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness”. I cannot think of a better way of saying just how I feel. You have tarnished that which a man holds most dear to further your own personal gain. This action was clearly taken as a first step in removing the Broward Sheriff’s Office from our town and to feed the narcissism and lust for power of a few evil doers. Those of you who will take the advantage of your 3/2 vote to advance your own personal agenda must take notice that you do so no longer in disguise. You have made your intentions clear and, as one concerned citizen proclaimed, “you have gotten our attention”. You who think you can hide behind the protection of the 3/2 vote do so at your own risk and without regard to the future. If there was ever a doubt to the intentions of you 3/2’ers it was made clear by your utter disregard for the people that came before you and spoke their heart. The icing on the cake was the Town Manager’s complete disregard for any accountability to anyone but the 3/2’ers including the people who live in this town.

Fellow townspeople, in the audience tonight, those watching and those sitting on the dais let it be said that you can no longer feign naivete to what is happening in our town. Nothing less than your safety and freedom are at stake. The boots of totalitarianism can already be heard marching down our streets. The windows are breaking in LBTS. Achtung! Marchello brothers. Achtung! Chief Scott Gooding. Achtung! Broward Sherriff’s Office. The Gestapo is poised and ready to take over the policing of this town. They think their ideology is what is best for you and I and that includes their insatiable lust for power. It has been said that all that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Well I, for one, say no more. The time has come for you to feel the accountability of the people. You will no longer be able to take refuge behind your 3/2 vote. I am here tonight to insist that one of the following need to occur:
1. The immediate re-instatement of Chief Scott Gooding
2. The immediate resignation of the Town Manager as well as each member of the dais except for Stuart Dodd and Mayor Roseanne Minnet

I began with a quote from Senator Welch and I conclude with one as well. “Have you no sense of decency? At long last have you left, no sense of decency?” This is your chance to do the right thing. We patiently sat through your existential discussion regarding rules of etiquette as if it really meant something. Let me tell you, you do not need to know Robert’s Rules you simply need to know the Golden Rule. For those of you who obviously don’t know what this means and certainly did not afford such to Chief Gooding, it says, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Do the right thing or step aside.’

THE VICE MAYOR’S “BITES OF THE APPLE”….continuation Commission meeting 7/29/09

(The VM began with times up to the podium to speak…signing up to speak….and then freedom of speech)….

VM-“OK, we also have to control when people say that sitting dais members are Gestapo and Nazi members, Storm Troopers. That’s over the line, that’s decorum. As a sitting Mayor you have an obligation to control the decorum. That’s, that’s not freedom of speech. That’s losing decorum of a meeting and to say somebody up here is a Storm Trooper and a Nazi.”

BC- The above brought to mind for this former North Shore of Chicago resident the following recollection …Skokie Ill. VS the Nazi’s right to march…It was front page news and the number one topic for those of us who lived in this area and were Jewish… in dealing with freedom of speech…and the effect of allowing for that right to be for everyone…

Excerpt…

‘It is useful to consider the three primary arguments set forth by Skokie in support of its effort to forbid the march. First, the village argued that the display of the swastika promoted “hatred against persons of Jewish faith or ancestry” and that speech that promotes racial or religious hatred is unprotected by the First Amendment. The courts rightly rejected this argument, not on the ground that the swastika doesn’t promote religious hatred, but on the ground that that is not a reason for suppressing speech. After all, it the Nazis could be prohibited from marching in Skokie because the swastika incites religious hatred, then presumably they couldn’t march anywhere for the same reason, and movies could not show the swastika, and even documentaries could not show the swastika. And if the swastika can be banned on this basis, then what other symbols or ideas can be suppressed for similar reasons. What about movies showing members of the Ku Klux Klan? News accounts showing Palestinians committing suicide bombings in Israel or showing Israelis attacking civilians?

Second, the village argued that the purpose of the marches was to inflict emotional harm on the Jewish residents of Skokie and, especially, on the survivors. Certainly, some residents would be deeply offended, shocked and terrified to see Nazis marching through the streets of Skokie. But they might also be offended, shocked and terrified to know that Schindler’s List was playing at a movie theatre in Skokie, or in Chicago, or in Illinois, and African-Americans might be offended, shocked and terrified to know that the movie Birth of a Nation was playing in a theatre in their town or nation. And so on. Moreover, it is doubtful that the actual intent of the Nazis was to inflict emotional harm on the residents of Skokie. Initially, the Nazis sought to march in a totally different community in Chicago, one with almost no Jewish population. But they were denied a permit. They then decided to march in Skokie in order to get publicity for their grievance. Indeed, the signs they planned to carry in Skokie did not say “Bring Back the Holocaust,” but “White Free Speech” and “Free Speech for the White Man.” Making First Amendment rights turn on judgments about a speaker’s subjective intent is a dangerous business, because intent is very elusive and police, prosecutors and jurors are very prone to attribute evil intentions to those whose views they despise.

Third, the village argued that if the Nazis were permitted to march there would be uncontrollable violence. But is this a reason to suppress speech? Isn’t the obligation of the government to protect the speaker and to control and punish the lawbreakers, rather than to invite those who would silence the speech to use threats of violence to achieve their ends? If the village of Skokie had won on this point, then southern communities who wanted to prosecute civil rights marchers in Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham could equally do so, on the plea that such demonstrations would trigger “uncontrollable violence.” Moreover, once government gives in to such threats of violence it effectively invites a “heckler’s veto,” empowering any group of people who want to silence others to do so simply by threatening to violate the law.

The outcome of the Skokie controversy was one of the truly great victories for the First Amendment in American history. It proved that the rule of law must and can prevail. Because of our profound commitment to the principle of free expression even in the excruciatingly painful circumstances of Skokie more than thirty years ago, we remain today the international symbol of free speech. (Ultimately, a deal was worked out and the Nazis agreed to march in Chicago rather than in Skokie.)

As Justice Louis Brandeis once explained, the Framers of our First Amendment knew “that fear breeds repression; that repression breeds hate; that hate menaces stable government; that the path of safety lies in the opportunity to discuss freely supposed grievances and proposed remedies; and that the fitting remedy for evil counsels is good ones.”  The opening today of the Holocaust Museum and Education Center proves the profound wisdom of the principle that “the fitting remedy for evil counsels is good ones.”’

full text link…. http://uchicagolaw.typepad.com/faculty/2009/04/remembering-the-nazis-in-skokie.html

BC- The Mayor made a point of order that the Town Atty. wanted to speak.

VM- ” Well that’s fine but that’s, that’s a step that is not acceptable, just isn’t acceptable and I took Abrundage (VM’s word) to it. I think it was completely wrong and you let it fly by.”

( The VM went off the freedom of speech topic to discuss Marc Furth…will post later)…

VM-” Town, Town, I have a question for the Town Attorney. If somebody has a discussion about accusing dais members of being members of the Nazi organization, Storm Trooper can we say that’s inappropriate cease and desist?”

Town Atty.- ” I think that’s definitely on the line in terms of what’s at the edge of freedom of speech rights as we I believe advised you previously. The line was…”

VM- ” Was that Town business, accusing the dais of being Nazi members?”

TA- ” That’s what I’m saying, I think it’s approaching the line. In essence the way the law reads people can come to the dais and say that I’m a bad attorney and they can come up with every way they can think of with saying I’m doing a bad job as an attorney, but if they say I beat my dog that’s a personal, it has nothing to do…”

BC- this same example was used by previous Town Atty. Dan Abbott the last time the VM wanted to quiet his opponents….

VM- ” If they said you were a Nazi Storm Trooper would you be upset?”

TA- ” Of course and I understand what you’re saying…”

BC….The Vice Mayor went on…….

VM- ” When the Mayor sits there and let that happen and said nothing I was upset. But she let it go on and on and on and that was a step that I lost it and complete decorum and any respect I had for the Mayor right there.”

Mayor Minnet- ” Oh I’m so happy. You are the last person that I want to have respect from.”

VM- ” Well, that’s fine Mayor, but this is a business to run.”

BC- in the end a vote was taken…All speakers must now say their full addresses when at the podium separating out the resident from the non resident……

It remains to be seen if the “Gang of 3” will attempt to apply “cease and desist” to the next speaker who comes to the “edge of freedom of speech”…

No doubt  ….. it is only a matter of time….UNTIL MARCH 2010!…

more to come….

Tags: freedom of speech, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops
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We’re #17 ….With Scenario # 2…In 2009

Scenario…..# 1 15th from the lowest /Scenario #2…17th from the lowest…..

The Commission chose to go with scenario #2…$130.00 at the 7/28/09 Special Meeting…

more to come…

Tags: fire assessment comparisons, LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
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THE MIKE WAS OPEN …VICE MAYOR ….

Dear Readers… The mike was on and the Vice Mayor was caught…rattled…he was really rattled  nearing the end of day 2……saying “This is Bullshit…This is absolute bullshit…she’s [ this writer] starting to run the meetings!”…..

Before the overview of day 2…with  verbatim exchanges on certain items and comments to come in separate posts…Peggy Mohler fiancee’ of Comm. Silverstone  flew into the hall after hearing her business Aruba Beach Cafe’ singled out in the discussion on the Commercial Blvd. drainage problem. Comm. Dodd used the term “Aruba’s river” to relay the problem that would still be facing the town after the Commercial drainage work is completed as specified in the current RFP. The owner of construction company that built the pavilion spoke to the Comm. and singled out the runoff the restaurant has from their lot…adding that the current proposal the town is about proceed with will not successfully alleviate the problem without addressing a separate drainage solution for that runoff….Ms. Mohler came in quite angry and turned to this writer (who knew exactly why she was there) asking how she would be allowed to speak…at first I told her she could not…but then I said she could raise her hand and ask to be recognized and they could vote to allow it…It turned out they were still on the topic of drainage …for the whole town and she raised her hand saying it was the same topic and went to the podium…She lashed out..and spoke of it not being only Aruba…taking offense for the “Aruba’s river” remark…then in her angry state proceeded to make suggestions on how to deal with the problem (Looks like the wrong Fiancee’ is sitting on the dais!)…she said stems from the new pavilion …which she stated sits 11′ in the back…10′ in the front…with the street level being 8’…”Hello”…she said…as she proceeded with talk of assessing the businesses as they do in Fort Lauderdale…In her anger she turned and said this writer’s name and the Aruba’s river comment…I had not said anything about the comment and took umbridge  to it asking to defend myself…The Vice Mayor said I was out of order (Guess he only defends his “gang” from remarks from other residents)…and the Mayor did give me a warning…we took a break to “let the steam fall off our backs” said the Mayor…and McIntee with his open mike made the above Bullshit comments aimed at this resident!…Ms. Mohler had not realized she said my name in error and apologized…Upon returning to finish the meeting as we waited for the Town Manager it can be heard  from the audience as Ms. Mohler set the record straight that she was in error when she said my name…No apology from the Vice Mayor who was clearly insubordinate on the dais. Further exchanges from the VM will be posted later…more of his all too familiar rhetoric..It is definitely time to throw this guy out of office in March……out of the VFD ASAP…and out of town to start all over again somewhere his stale “David vs Goliath” stories might work one more time……unless they read this site!….

DAY 2 …LBTS Commission meeting…overview…

Commissioner Comments…Comm. Clottey came in late…had previously said she was forgoing her comments in order to save time (11 hours for this 2-day meeting) and allow for the Solar light presentation…She did have one comment though on Terra Mar and lift stations after she was contacted that her previous statement on the location of Terra Mar’s was incorrect…She checked it out…found it was by a private property and said in future the Comm. should insist the location be decided on save the problems found in Terra Mar and Bel Air do not occur again…

Comm. Silverstone …”Thank you, I made a promise to myself that you expect us to be accountable up here so what we do what we say what we write and so forth, but that , that accountability goes both ways. (HUH?) I wrote a list of everybody that spoke at public comments cause again there’s a lot of misinformation being spread out there for whatever reason which I think is really at the heart of the problems in this town. Um, but I’m not going to waste a lot of time going through this , but a couple of points”…He spoke of the “resident”  who came to talk of the fishing problem he encountered on the beach…saying “as an example of how it should work”…

BC-Comm. Silverstone did not know how it worked….with an e-mail to this writer…
— On Mon, 7/27/09, Soccersales> wrote:

From: Soccersales>
Subject: HELP HELP HELP from Chad Purcell Sea Ranch A ORDINANCE PROBLEM
To: barbarafcole
Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 4:44 AM
Barbara,

I have been reading your posts and they are very informative! I have a problem and no one even gives me the time of day to be heard!

I am a 38 year single father to a great 5 year old son. I live in Coral Springs and my family owns a condo in Sea Ranch A. Everyone say parents should be more involved with kids and I agree whole heartily!

I go to our condo about 3 days a week and we snorkel play in the sand and recently have been helping the wildlife with watching the turtle nests.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM THAT DRIVES ME NUTS!
Twice now I have had BSO officers come down to me on the beach because my son and I were fishing at about 7 Pm. Not a sole on the beach. I would never even if it was the law fish with people in the water no matter what time.

The Ft. Lauderdale and Wildlife laws state
Fort Lauderdale Beach Rules and Regulations: Fishing or netting of fish is limited to the hours from 6pm until 8 am when on the beach and must conduct in a safe manner. All debris, bait, fish line and hooks, and other fishing equipment or tackle must be removed from the beach after fishing has been conducted.

Article 3 section 8-75
It shall be unlawful for any person to fish or surf cast from any part of the public beach between the hours of 9 am and 6pm. On any day except as follows.( WHICH IS SAYING YOU CAN FISH AFTER 6PM UNTIL 9AM)
1. Fishing and surf net shall be allowed on the sandy part of the beach located between NE 18th Street and NE 23rd street during any hours other then 9am through 4 pm Monday through Friday and 9am through 6pm on Saturday, Sunday and National holidays.

SO LIGHTHOUSE POINT IS SAYING NO, AND CALLING BSO ON ME????
I sit there do not bother anyone and spend memorable times with my son just as my father and grandfather did with me.
They say go to the pier,,, Well if you have been to a pier the language and stuff that goes on there are no place for a 5 year old!
They say go to a jetty,,, Hmmm no rails, long drop, strong currents, and jagged edges,, no thanks!

I called the mayor no call back twice, I called BSO wasn’t sure. Because here is the problem you are patrolled by BSO which would follow Ft. Lauderdale rules, which allows me to fish during those hours with my son.

I am shocked an embarrassed that someone actually gets upset seeing a father and son bonding and spending time teaching him about the finer things in life and about nature?

I NEED AN ANSWER AND WANT MY VOICE TO BE HEARD!

We are owners, and my research shows that I am allowed to fish with my son during those hours. Why would the Sea Ranch or the City not want special moments for families? I will not stopped after once again Police embarrassing me walking down on the beach ( not to mention scarring my son)

CAN I GET A VOICE IN THIS WEEKS MEETING I WANT TO BE HEARD??

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME ASAP AT THE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW.

Warmest Regard’s
Chad Purcell
Re: HELP HELP HELP from Chad Purcell Sea Ranch A ORDINANCE PROBLEM
Monday, July 27, 2009 6:41 AM

FROM: barbarafcole
TO: Soccersales

The meeting is at 7 pm tomorrow night. Public comments is early right after presentations. (#5). Speakers are taken in the order they sign up. You have 3 minutes to speak. It is likely they will not respond to you from the podium (they are not supposed to, but sometimes they do it anyhow) Each is on record saying they will put something on an agenda by request. You could ask them to do so in your speech. I am not sure if the rules are only town or county? It is timely though with Kite boarding to addressed on this agenda as well. There are no meetings in Aug. so even if there is a possibility to do something within the town codes. It would not happen until Sept. The contact #s are on the town website. Good luck. Personally I think fishing should be allowed. Comm. Dodd I believe also has that opinion. which he stated some time ago. But you should contact him yourself as well as the other commissioners. Let me know how it goes. BC

BC- Would Comm. Silverstone still stand by his “example”?…Hmmmm…..
Comm. Silverstone ” Our form of government dictates that we set policy up here, we don’t run the town in that sense we don’t really have any power up here what we do individually is come up with ideas so collectively we can set policy and move forward.” He went on about Mr. Purcell and said he would put it on the next agenda.

BC-This lack of fishing being allowed was previously discussed from the dais by Comm. Dodd and had no support from Comm. Silverstone…OOPS! ..He went the dove overboard and again spoke of Scott Gooding (a precursor to the hatchet job done by the Mc-Furth Times?)…
CS- ” There’s still alot of I think misinformation regarding the issue with Scott Gooding, Chief Gooding. To me it was a simple, simply it was a simple case of a boss, an employee the ability to get things done and the boss in this case , the Town Manager wishing for certain things to happen and being able to work with somebody and she has a job to do for whatever reason, I think she gave her reasons for what happened but she didn’t feel she felt it was best to have this person transferred out of here , get somebody else from the same organization that she could better work with.”
BC- The Colonel from BSO clearly stated TM Colon and Scott Gooding were “like this” as he held two fingers up tightly…adding she always spoke of “Scott and I”…Miss that one Jimmy-boy? YIKES!..
CS-” I think it’s that simple. That’s what happened. She runs the day to day operations of this town. She has to be the one who, who sets, who follows our policy to set in motion how to get things done around here and to deal with the day to day business operations of this town. To which I think she’s doing an outstanding job and at the end of the day it comes down to numbers, numbers don’t lie. There’s nobody that I know that knows municipalities regarding the number system as well as she does , so I think we’re very BLESSED to have her. So at the end of the day a fine job. But, I think whatever happened with that situation (He just said he said what happened?) I wish Chief Gooding the best and I think the Village Grille is having a celebration for him a um, a goodbye party this Friday evening and um it might be a good idea for everybody to attend who wishes to do so, I think that’s a nice Gesture by them.”
BC- My God…give this Comm. his MARCH-ing order…1 term…
Comm. Silvers tone then spoke of his “clock” the one he built with Marc Furth…the consensus from the audience…”tacky”…(pic below)…and also of his comments and “challenge in the Mc-Furth Times…..(see previous post)…

Comm. Dodd..I was prepared at this year’s budget meeting and staff did a very good job of answering most of my questions.  I was asked very early in the meeting by the Town Manager whether I thought the Chamber should be put out to RFP.  I said I would take this away and come back with an answer later.  On consideration I decided that if the manager wanted to be really unpopular then please go ahead and put out the welcome center for an RFP. The going rate is $28,000 and a free building.  It must be specified in the RFP that all profits have to be plowed back into the enterprise since any contractor needs to be registered as a “Not for profit business”.   While pondering this issue I wondered how the town manager would feel if this commission put out the running of the town to an RFP since the capital budget is around 12 million that would be an RFP for $100.00 per minute of each working day.  I feel sure we could get some interesting responses.  I believe we should be going out for every RFP or bid over $15000, and advertising properly with all the  details on the internet and in the local paper.  It is a very competitive market and many companies are prepared to sharpen their pencils in an effort to keep their lucrative governmental contracts.  By the way – town manager , do you have an answer to my July 15^th E-mail requesting when was the last time the town advertised an RFP on the internet or are you still researching it? I will keep today’s comments short since you will be hearing a lot of me on some topics later on but I just wanted to mention that I’m hopeful this town can raise it’s recycling totals when Broward transfers to “single stream” recycling.  It is free revenue for the town and by all accounts of trends from Miami Dade the recycled tonnage approximately doubles. Residents will probably be able to apply for a small wheelie bin into which all paper , aluminum cans, bottles and recyclable plastic – no need to separate and no excuses allowed in my book. Hopefully with the help of Choice, our two local papers, town topics and the internet everyone can start recycling as if we mean it. I get very disappointed when I drive around town on recycling day and observe how many of you residents “just can’t be bothered”.  This has to change as you will be throwing away the town’s revenue and that means your tax dollars if you don’t get the message. I’m looking forward to the break but I hope the commission next year will consider a single August meeting in order to reduce the burden on this agenda.  I already have it on my computer to remind me along with several other issues that in my opinion need adjusting when the political climate changes.Two, organizational issues one regarding public comments we agreed the public could speak on any subject whatsoever at public comments or reserve the right to address one specific topic later on the meeting’s agenda.Secondly The public speaker who addressed fishing struck me as the classic for the “round table conference” if we are in agreement to change the code then the dias can progress forward without wasting attorney or staff time – if we don’t agree the agreed to disagree and move on. Thirdly, we slipped up since we agreed any quasi Judicial hearings would take place on the night of the meeting to be fair to anyone who is paying attorney fees to be at the meeting. Apologies if that was you.Have a wonderful holiday everyone and we can but hope September brings some peace and harmony to this dais after all there is an election coming up in March.

Vice Mayor McIntee…”Ah, thank you the ah, Town’s going in a strong direction and it saddens me that there’s so many people that are trying to tear down  the administration. If you had grounds to tear the administration down I could possibly justify it.” He spoke of the budget …the 11% decrease compared to other towns and “double digit increases”…”It really says to me somebody’s doing really the right thing and the right job.”…He spoke again (a pre-election replay his last Comm. comments ) of the accomplishments…over the past 3 years…(avoiding the fact he rode in on those accomplishment coattails when he took his seat…they were already in progress)…Again with Oriana the P&Z…the property was “incringing” on town property …the million for beautification of El Mar……stating the building has  7 occupant….is in bankruptcy…he’s not trying to destroy the downtown…He helped the “brothers”…he’s not for 3 day events…..we’re a residential town…with a  “Mayberry feeling” …everyone likes the Pavilion…The VFD is back…5 pieces of fire equipment…and in conclusion he talked about  Marc Furth…”If an enemy called with a window…he’d [Marc] be there with a hammer” you gotta laugh…a little  “midnight tour ” vandalism humor don’t ya know…

Mayor Minnet-The Mayor spoke of Chen and Assoc. and rethinking the medians…saying the islands are beautiful in themselves…she was more inclined to make El Mar Drive more walking friendly acknowledging this might take things “backward”…but said “there was a need to look at everything in its fullest capacity”..that we tend to do things over in this town…She said she was going to be putting on a proclamation for Chief Gooding and wished everyone a happy summer…

We then moved on to finish the items on this long agenda…starting with the remaining Consent agenda items…

12b was the approval for $39,000.00 for the annual contract for Tele-Vac to do storm drain cleaning…It was curious that there were 3 bids done by Don Prince Director of Municipal works but not an RFP…and further curiosity came to to this writer when going to Town Hall on Mon. the 27th after seeing an RFP in the Sentinel for sewer line and storm drain maintenance and repair (09-07-06 …including bid opening date 8/27/09 included this time)…I picked up a copy of the published RFP to see the materials were identical to the Consent item to be approved…I asked Don Prince  who explained the consent was storm drain cleaning…piggybacked off of Sunrise and would be a stop-gap until we acquired a contract alone for both storm water and sewer…This was explained also at the meeting. Comm. Dodd asked a question for a resident who wanted to know who owns the sewers…Assist. Olinzock said the Town does in the south and Pompano Beach does in the north where new sewers were installed…passes 5-0

The Commission approved 12 c. and d. for 2 new trucks for the town fleet …total cost approx. $41,000.00…after some discussion from the Town Manager that 2 Comms. (did not say which 2) had directed her to buy the 2nd one this year instead of next rather than repair the transmission…(The Mayor kept the VM in line when he through out a figure of $5000 for the repair…it was in the backup $1700!)…passes 4-1 Mayor Minnet dissented

14  Quasi Judicial Public Hearings…

a. and b. were both for variances for Terra Mar resident Karen D’Uva …the crux of what transpired was we once again had no proper representation from a qualified Development Director and were left with BOA board members to continuously come to the podium…Assist. TM Olinzock was of no help at all…the Commission was informed by those BOA members and the owner that although she has always Terra Mar Drive as her address and has even had it recognized by Broward County when previous permitting was done…on paper it was not so…She was asking on the advice of the BOA for a variance to make that change…The change according to the backup code enforcement advised the change would now make her home non- conforming with the front encroaching on public property…Mrs D’Uva was again caught between a rock and a hard place due to this designation being the impetus for the BOA to agree to her variance for a side yard pool and to keep her shed (which was improperly put in long ago)…There is a long history with this applicant and the Town…when she was given substandard service from an inept department…followed up by disparaging remarks made at a commission meeting from the Town Manager and Director of Development without the applicant being in the hall to counter or defend herself…The Director  involved at the time resigned and Assist. Director was let go… the current department is even worse… all leading to further disarray and obstacles for the resident to go through…After spending hours waiting the first night…the Comm. apparently forgot their rule that  Quasi Judicial items would be addressed the date of the posted meeting and Mrs. D’Uva was forced to come back a second day…and then spent an 1 1/2 going through it…(having spent 2 hours earlier in the month in front of the BOA with her attorney)…. Even with Comm. approval for the change of designation for her front yard she was looking at yet again another variance to proceed….After much discussion the Comm. did vote to allow for the change…Then it was on to the 2nd hurdle (of this meeting for her) and it got dicey and personal with the Vice Mayor originally agreeable to her plight…turning on her after she spoke of the shed and the pool and the history that included the shed was illegal and a similar pool was approved in Bel Air …He sat forward and said he withdrew his motion and went after the applicant saying the town was going to have to investigate..(prev. posts …the shed led to “sweep” of sheds  throughout the town…and the pool in Bel Air it was found was approved by the Town by mistake …both came before the Commission)…He said she needed to follow the process….(Sure YOU want to say that VM?) ..suddenly Jimmy-boy followed suit…saying no hardship was found…HUH?…What hypocrites…these 2 had variances themselves…with the VM carport enclosure (never built) encroaching on the public property (his hardship…he had already bought  his supplies) and Comm. Silverstone  who owns a corner lot needed to fence in his wading pool and asked for fencing (wanting it higher then the allowed 4′)…no hardship……The Mayor was strict in her views in adhering to the code and the rules…she was adamant about not voting for any changes before the ordinances were changed first…and asked the Town Engineer’s position on non approval be read into the record…Comms. Dodd and Clottey sympathized with the resident and taking in to consideration each case…individually …that we are not a planned community and this should move ahead…The applicant said to please approve this…the staff had no comment and the vote was finally taken 3-2 it did not pass …The Mayor did not pass it for her stated reasons…BUT …for the VM and Comm. Silverstone to say no was totally hypocritical …not only because of their own situations (both passed by the Comms. 4-0 )…but because they are on record saying they MUST listen to and follow the advice of the boards…and the BOA board members…. CIC members handpicked by these 2 advised for this variance…OUCH!…

12c. This was for  101 North Ocean in need of  a variance to keep their dumpster enclosure chain link…it was originally approved in error of the town code requiring wood…T he owner said he spent alot for the enclosure…it’s sturdy and cleaner than wood…he offered to put slats in it to reduce the chain link exposure…The Town Engineers did not approve of it …the BOA did recommend approval….The VM said wood fostered “critters”…. Comm. Silverstone asked if there were any others with chain link in town…..the Assist. TM did not know …(there are)…The Mayor asked the Assist. TM  to read the code to which Comm. Silverstone said exasperatedly “No, not the entire code!”…Comm. Silverstone then said it was allowed to be built…Comm. Clottey offered up to let him keep it until he needs to replace it with the proper wood enclosure…that he should not be penalized…Comm. Dodd agreed and said the code should be changed …VM said on the condition it is replaced with a conforming fence he would vote for it…the roll was called…passes 4-1 Mayor Minnet dissenting…

15 Old Business…

a. Reduction of the right-of way performance bond for Minto…WOW!…The “2-hats” had their hypocritical hats on this meeting…big time…for all their talk about listening to staff …following staff….all the rhetoric about Town Manager’s duties and direction……and these 2 chose to vote to lower the performance  bond!…They had help (unfortunately) with Comm. Clottey and Dodd (who was not at the July 23rd meeting to hear the rep. assert a no vote would bring new sidewalks) …It passed 4-1..Mayor Minnet dissenting…What this means is that the sidewalks outside of the unfinished Minto properties will not be the 8′ pink sidewalks until Minto returns to complete the next 2 phases (2-5 yrs from now) leaving the Town to pay for them if the El Mar project proceeds to the north end before Minto comes back…

BC- Of note…Has anybody seen the fence sign for Minto on their construction fence facing the El Prado parking lot…interesting that Ms. Furth/ Code Enforcement/ Town Administration has not has been moot…add to that the sign pointing to the sale office trailer…And how long exactly can the sales trailer stay up? We were told trailers are not allowed and that there was a time frame for sales offices …( Villa Caprice was allowed 6 mos. when they wanted their across from the Holiday Inn)…It sure looks suspect……

b. custom banners…were approved 5-0…$731.50 DEPOSIT on art design…total $1463.00..for DESIGN ONLY…the cost if comparable to last years banners thousands!…

c. Comm. Dodd brought this back to allow the sea turtle monitors  to park closer to the beach near the portals…Comm. Clottey still clueless said she still didn’t think they should park there …they could drop off their equipment and park elsewhere….The Mayor reiterated (it was originally put on by her) that they only come in the early morning  hours …”2-Hats” joined together with the insane assertions there might be possible abuse …with the VM saying if there’s abuse “we pull everything!”…it passed 4-1 Comm. Clottey dissenting..

d. Parking permits and fees …will be addressed art the Sept. 10th round table…after it was required to explain to the VM the difference in procedures for a resolution rather than an ordinance…

BC- Perhaps the VM did not recall it was Comm. Dodd who insisted some time back to separate resolutions with fees from ordinances specifically to allow less constraints in changing the cost…OOPS!…

e. Kite surfing…..No one was there in the audience …so the VM withdrew it…no date deferred…so it’s status quo for kite surfing on the beach….YEA!…

f. was withdrawn it was a duplicate for the round table discussion ..item h.

g. Discussion on the Commercial drainage problem at the Beach Pavilion…Comm. Dodd brought this back because it was cut off at the prior meeting and he still had concerns over its effectiveness and the past actions of the Town Manager not bringing this item to the Commission to address…Assist. Manager Olinzock came to the podium completely adversarial and incredibly ineffective…..as he could not recall when the town became aware of the problem…and asserted the pavilion and the drainage were separate issues..HUH?….Olinzock also stated the extended time for Commercial as compared to the VM street was getting DEP permits…Assist. Olinzock also kept up the Town Administrative charade of being under the gun to complete the pavilion with the last grant (prev. post…it’s OCT. 2009!)…adding  administration takes direction from the dais…(hard to do when it is KEPT from the dais!)…Comm. Dodd relayed the Coastal Construction conversation stating the problems with Aruba’s runoff requiring a separate drainage runoff…the Town Manager spoke up about surrounding properties…and a memo addressing that issue given to the Comm. it included 2 alternatives …and true to her M.O. she decided to veer off and say the RFP was out BUT if Comm. Dodd wanted to not do the RFP and spend no money …she had no problem with it…(it’s really getting to be a tired old act TM)…The VM in la la land said he has been to the pavilion after an hour the water is gone …HUH?…it’s typical and then he brought up the pier being just as guilty of runoff as Aruba…they are trying to get it done… no action taken..RFPs are opened (and hopefully read out loud) Aug. 11,2009 2 pm….

h. The Round Table to discuss the criteria used for the Town Manager Review…after some discussion…that was shocking that the Town Manager does not know what is in her contract (only her 147 large / additions/ perks)…said she could review the Comm. as well…NOT SO…This writer made that mistake and incorrectly asserted it at the podium when first bringing this requirement of her contract to the dais…Comm. Silverstone repeated it…and now the Town Manager has done the same…

Pg. 6-  15.0

After more talk of needing to discuss how to review he a round table is set Sept. 10,2009 5 pm…Jarvis Hall…public should be there!

16 New Business

a. Heroes award…the VM wants to give out medals for Heroes…at $60- $75 a pop…he brought them with passed them down…(the medals brought we  hear are the same as the ones handed out to VFD…and shown in the Mc-Furth Times)…Comm. Clottey was a hoot (for a change)…when she spoke of hearing an alternative of rings and wanted to look into it…she also felt the medals looked “tacky”…and that we’re a little town “not the military”…stating it was going too far…OUCH!…passes 5-0

b. Installation of drainage Bougainvilla from Commercial to Pine…Comm. Dodd wanted to know why we were going approve a study for $8450 dollars for a project that will cost $341,000 and is not in the budget…He expressed his opinion of not liking to do things “piecemeal” and wanting to use the “correct approach” with some planning…He relayed the TM’s assertions at his budget meeting with the staff that a full study would cost $80,000 …and said maybe instead of going around taking photos of garbage containers…photos of flooding could be taken ….Shaun Bamforth from Chen & Assoc came to the podium to express a need for a prioritized list…Town manager Colon said the $80,000 was a previous 1st study and it would now cost $98,000…She again brought up the storm assessment’s demise…the $243,000 …and again made reference to stopping Comm. Blvd. drainage repairs…which brought a motion for a warning to this writer for responding to her tactics…the motion failed 3-2 (thank you Comm. Clottey)…More discussion on the assessment…engineers and from Comm. Silverstone …re-institute the storm water fees……Comm. Clottey said we won’t be able to deduct it from our taxes…and said liked Comm. Dodds idea of priorities …and referred to the problem on the VM’s street and the kids affected…Shaun Bamforth spoke about approaching months where the problems we have now will dissipate adding he had spoken to the administration of doing aplan that would run $30-40,000 and it would cost less than the piecemeal we are now doing…Hmmm….fiscally irresponsible TM?….no vote…and then we had the “Aruba River” fallout …see above….

c. PIO Steve d’Oliveira asked for and received $4,755 to update software for channel 78…passes 5-0

d. Public speakers…”2-Hats” hypocrisy once more…these 2 guys were behind putting an end to resident/ non-resident after the longtime ban for their former friend John Thompson…It was something Comm. Clottey and Dodd ran on to rectify…and now it has come back again because the “Gang of 3” does not like being the minority on the receiving end…SHAME ON YOU!…passes 3-2 Mayor Minnet/ Comm. Dodd dissenting….

e. Comm Dodd wanted to see if another date could be added for citizens to have input…it could not…any resident with questions etc…must contact their Comm. who will then go to the TM…and get back to them…Of course the justification sheets are still not included on the backup…(will post soon on this site)…until Sept. 14th and 28th..

f. Discussion/action on extending the Village Grille and Athena special permits..(will post more on this one later) …in a nutshell…it was holding court for the “Gang of 4″…with an embarrassing “gotcha” for the Assist. TM…and only touching on the Town Manager changing a permit without direction or vote of the Comm. removing 1 part…adding something else…and on the dais interpreting it further…(what happened to following her own rules?)…Comm. Clottey opened “Pandora’s Box” with her suspicions that Athena was putting tables in front of other businesses…when in fact Athena owner Louis Marchelos said he owns the buildings…HIS tables are in front of…and the other tables belong to another business…leading to the VM talking illegalities and state liquor license problems…total spin…A glaring difference in the treatment for Dave Gadsby and Louis Marchelos from the majority on the dais…sad!..In the end ..the applicants will get a 60 day extension….and will be held to 3 month permits that need to be re-upped 60 days before!…that’s 2 times before March!…passes 5-0

g. The Audit…more Town Manager  nonsense…with the Manager ultimatums…her spin on the engagement letter her GAO budget presentation award …something 1265 municipalities  take part in and 90% get the award…pretty funny that the Manager said it’s based on “QUALIFICATIONS” in regards to Auditors…but not for public safety…ARGHHH….She got all testy…saying this is “Too personal” speaking of her integrity  …”I don’t cheat” ..BUT… in this writer’s opinion…giving Comm. outdated info while you possess the up to date figures…”INFORMING” them what you are going to do…then telling the Auditor the Comm. “ACCEPTED” the extended contract with only her signature for a 3 year $200,000.00 deal with a 10% increase per year …says something quite different…The VM chimed in ….going after Comm. Dodd….just a load of BULL#&*#….BUT in the end they will go out for an RFP for next year…passes 5-0…YEA!…

h. was withdrawn…storm water bond issue…will come back later…

The meeting ended with the Vice Mayor taking Comm. Dodd’s notes and asking the attorney if they were public record…DEJA VU…The VM has done it before with Atty. Abbott…and received the same answer both times…they are not public record…Perhaps the VM really is losing his mind?….

No Town Atty. report…adjourned…

more to come…..

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THE MC-ROOST…MARCH 2010…….

Dear Readers…experiencing some computer technical difficulties …. The Mc-Furth Gang of 4 on the dais was showing signs that all is not well in their floundering faction……Guess the Roosters are coming home to roost…and they can’t seem to cope with the ongoing slaughter ….Quite snappish…..and downright impish were they as the time stretched on and on and on…….They’re still on a slippery slope and they just can’t get a grip to stop them from the free fall coming round the bend next March!….

We started with the special hearing at 5 pm and dealt with the “2-Hats” favorite …the fire assessment…Oh, the moolah they have coming with the $130 fire assessment and 4% increase in their contract expected to arrive just in time to fill their coffers and allow for more gluttony when it comes the the Deputy Chief’s insatiable needs to acquire apparatus …..And boy did  Mike Burton from Burton and Assoc. put a little spring in his step….Mr. Burton quoted 2 cases …one was a Supreme Court case Lake County VS Water Oak Management Corp. 1997  which provided that just as Comm. Dodd reminded Mr. Burton of previous comments Mr. Burton made at a past fire assessment meeting…the fire department in responding to auto crash scenes was akin to responding to medical calls as “first responders” in only offering “basic” care and not transport…and were allowed to do so under fire assessment funds… There was a major fumble on the part of the Vice Mayor and the Town Manager when it came to discussing even more equipment and a purchasing plan…even though Mr Burton stressed the reserve funds ( equal to approx. a months savings) was not intended for equipment replacement…The Vice Mayor was in his favorite arena…the “Bash BSO Bigtop”…blame the boys from the BSO … when it comes to all the wrongs that wreaked havoc on the VFD…The Manager walked head long into her newest version of who owns what…There was a heated exchange “2-Hats” calling Comm. Dodd a liar….Comm. Clottey asking the VFD to give up the 4% increase…and in the end direction was given for maintaining the $130 fire assessment…(details to be posted )…

Next came the millage with 3 scenarios provided by the Town Manager  3.9990/ 4.4829/ 5.2076 …the consensus was to keep the 3.9990…with a 10.80% decrease for our municipality…The Mayor made a list of proposed areas to cut back on…direction was given…the sticky wicket seemed to be the Chamber and providing a 2.0-2.5% COLA (cost of living) for the 30 hr employees in town…(although no total price was provided…)…other cuts and specifics to be posted…

The meeting began with Rev George Hunsaker speaking of human nature…trying to get everything done…to wipe the slate clean…reminding all that relationships are more important than personal agendas…

The Wind presentation was withdrawn …a no- show…Mayor Minnet took off her item on the round table as Comm. Dodd had the same item on the agenda…Comm. Silverstone took off his Proclamation for Marc Furth saying he did it without asking and because of the “political environment”…a wet noodle to those not enamored by the Mc-Furth leader….

The Solar Lighting presentation was given by Gregory Perez from Sol Inc.  www.solarlighting.com (previous post )…who gave a powerpoint presentation and spoke of what they could offer…It really should have been put on hold until after the hiatus and maybe the response would have been more receptive…

Honeybees were given a day August 22, 2009 with a Mayoral proclamation and a brief  presentation by Dr. Gosser  http://www.parklandpatriot.com/index.php?sec=1062&id=2049&skip=150 concerning the perils and the benefits of the honeybees…bottom line don’t call the exterminator call a beekeeper…and consider bees in your backyard…

Chen & Assoc./ Ocampo & Assoc. were put on after the MPSC/Comms. asked them both to come up with some plans for the Oriana million and El Mar…surprise… surprise…they can both give us medians based on the AI student winners …and the cost including their percentage (anywhere from 20-27%  brought to light by Comm. Dodd) But later on in the 2 day meetings it became clear that some on the commission are changing their tune on the money being used for the center of the roadway….

Public comments…proved the public commentary is growing in participation from those who sat on the sidelines…but are now fully engaged and eyeing March 2010…detailed post to come…

Reports….Finance/Development/Municipal/ BSO/ AMR  no discussion 5-0….VFD …questions from Comm. Dodd….The Chief filling all in on his daily duties…standards of operation…some good (life jackets required on the fire boat)…some questionable (training at midnight at Europa…prev. post)……jaws of life training…trainers in-house and the Chief while happy and confident in his trainers (no interest in Comm. Clottey’s request for outside trainers as well)…BUT unable to name trainer #5…(#1-4…Joe Padden/Mark Conn/ J & JJr. McIntee)…and some even more questionable…a mass entry of “rookies” from the academy (what academy)…with a mass exodus of trained members being scooped up by professional departments (whose hiring in such large numbers?)….more on this to come…passes 5-0

Town Manager report…Choice garbage…angry residents…getting charged for more toters than they were before…Madam Manager is strictly by the book…( sometimes)…no exceptions (we hear when Waste was under contract exceptions were allowed)…Instead of looking to help…with exceptions…the Manager gave a powerpoint of garbage can faux pas…This writer wonders did Esther don her Floppy hat and Foster Grants going undercover ala her previous escapades to check out the local open container laws at our downtown bars?…The presentation was the talk of the town on Wed. with witty and wicked words of her being way off base…But did Readers pick up the  caveat to her solution…with the 1 cubic toter…requiring an enclosure…requiring a permit… requiring Cha-Ching fees!…

OF NOTE…3 suggestions…coming from readers…1- cancel service for certain units (put them on vacation)…2-…don’t pay or accept service the contract is with the Town not the homeowners…3-redo the contract to allow for the refuse amt. as is done for the condos…for multi-family duplexes etc…(no legal advise being offered…just passing on suggestions)..Choice was receptive…pun intended…caught in the middle and handling it quite well…

Tennis anyone?…Looks like 20+ tennis wannabees are LOVE-in it and ready to dive in to the swim program (no real diving allowed in the Mc-pool)..and then after a cool dip it seem it’s Kickin’on over to Tai Kwon Do…all budgeted to succeed…says the Manager

Last was the news that in order to replace the Town’s mature trees…we would have to insure to the tune of $80,000….but for that amount the dais said…show me the shorties…passes 5-0

The minutes were approved …1..2…3…5-0 no discussion…

Ordinances…1st reading 2009-26 amending water conservation- passes 5-0/ 2nd reading 2009-10 the ongoing chapter 30 Unified land devel. sec. 30-21…Finally (we hope ,we hope no hidden particulars not brought out to bite us in the end) we have a second reading completed…with non- conforming structures allowed to be rebuilt after more than 50% destroyed…to the same footprint and height or higher while keeping to the Town Charter ..(still queasy over it being put to the test)….Right of Ways can have Zeriscape…still have inequitable maintenance and watering depending on the neighborhood…and still not clear…if the Town plants it…they maintain it…but if the homeowner puts it in (zericape) it theirs to upkeep? Again any change…means a trip to development for permits and fees…We have beauty shops…mopeds…fencing…setbacks…and more …passes 5-0/ 2009-12 sidewalk cafes have removable and permanent barriers…allowed in private areas and public…showing it is possible to provide to all  equitably…passes 5-0/ Noise…passes 4-1 (Minnet dissenting) ….posting in depth later…

The clock struck 11…and a vote was taken to proceed…after the VM said he was heading out of town…OOPS!….Let the cat out of the bag VM…advertising your departure…who ya gonna blame this time?…Vote to extend went down 3-2 BFF Silverstone joined the VM to go long…while the others said 20 minutes and they were calling it a night…The VM was P.O.’d…he had plans and insinuated that 2 could play at this game…

Ordinance 2nd reading…2009-25 sanitary sewer disposal service …The VM made good on his stall tactic asking for the Town Atty. to explain…she passed it on the staff…Olinzock explained it was to add a size for service to Oriana…No extra tax to everybody as Comm. Clottey stated showing she skipped the backup…passes 5-0

Consent agenda …the Bel Air signs…subject to the Town Atty’s review..the VM made the motion…and Comm. Silverstone 2nd…a few residents spoke of its placement…the history…what it was replacing and all that entailed…the Mayor stood her ground and reiterated her stance…fiscal and inequitable to other town neighborhoods…Comm. Clottey reiterated the need and the unsightly entry left after the change from septic to sewers…Comm. Silverstone spoke of how the previous walls taken down were probably paid for by the people there so since they paid  it once…it should be done by the Town this time (huh?)…asking also for the Town seal to be included (it is)…The VM looking for any votes he can… spoke of grassroots project and the guys who spearheaded this…saying they bypassed the “channels” and saying “thank goodness they did” OUCH!….Comm. Dodd was unhappy about the $10,000 for a $20,000 job paid to Chen and Assoc…and it went to a vote passes 4-1 (Minnet dissented)…The audience was dumbfounded that Comm. Clottey and VM McIntee did not recuse themselves…they both live in the are benefitting from the signage…Also being asked… why would the VM recuse himself for the sewers in front of his house…but not for these signs?…Hmmmm….

The meeting was adjourned until 2:30 the next day…….

more to come….

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ACT 2 COMMISSION MEETING TODAY 2:30 PM….

The Commission will go at it again…Jarvis Hall 2:30 pm…….

Commissioner Comments..

Consent Agenda …..

Quasi Judicial Hearing….

Old Business….

New Business…..

No Reservations required….open seating….

More to come….

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TONIGHT SPECIAL HEARING  5 PM/ REGULAR COMMISSION  MEETING 7 PM…

5 PM SPECIAL HEARING

A. Resolution 2009-18 FIRE ASSESSMENT….

BURTON AND ASSOC. WILL BE  AT JARVIS HALL ….

B. Resolution 2009-19 MILLAGE RATE….

7 PM….. 2ND Commission Meeting for July…(last one until September)…

Jarvis Hall/ Public Welcome / Public Comments

use link below to also get the agendas/backup

Online ….. http://lbts.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2 / Comcast Channel 78

more to come……

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

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 Uncategorized

Unavailability of solar lighting….HMMMM…

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:10 AM From: “Rick Schuett” <> To: “barbarafcole” <>

Hello Barbara,

I read with great interest your most recent blog, in which the following statement was posted:

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)…

I am President and CEO of SOL, Inc – the world’s largest manufacturer of outdoor commercial grade solar-powered lighting. We have been in business since 1990, and even more interestingly, are located basically in your back yard up here in Palm City, FL.

I would be more than happy to meet with any of the commissioners, the Mayor, the City Council members, or whomever you feel would be appropriate to speak to about this issue, and would welcome the opportunity to do so.

Best Regards,

Rick Schuett

President & CEO

SOL, Inc

www.solarlighting.com

http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/contactus.html
They are looking for turtle friendly lighting. In bollards is what is being thought for redoing El Mar Drive. Let me know how it goes. BC
— On Tue, 7/21/09, Rick Schuett wrote:

From: Rick Schuett
Subject: RE: Some more info on solar lighting
To: “Barbara Cole” <>
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 11:13 AM

We have a turtle-friendly solar-powered light that we can provide, in a bollard.

From: barbarafcole
To: Rick Schuett
Sent: Tue Jul 21 18:00:43 2009
Subject: Re: Some more info on solar lighting

I just heard one Commissioner is doing a solar light presentation at the July 28 Comm. Meeting at Jarvis Hall 7 pm.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:59 PM

From:

“Rick Schuett”

To:

“‘barbarafcole”

Yes, I spoke to the Commissioner who you quoted, we will have someone present at the meeting (I will be out of town on business).

Thanks for the opportunity..

Ms. Cole,

Referance to our solution not being available at this time by Comissioner Clottey at the Master Plan meeting is correct, we are not in a position to release further information at this time.

Thank you

Thanks Jerry, but I have received info from other company that it does. BC

Fw: Information you requested from Sol Inc

Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:03 AM From: “Jerry Sehl”  To: “Barbara Cole”  Message contains attachments,  Just thought I would pass this along…   —– Original Message —– From: To Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 2:27 PM Subject: Information you requested from Sol Inc

Thank you for your interest. Because each of our systems is built depending upon the specific parameters of each project, we’ll need a little more information about your needs.  I would like to thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to answer the questions and send this back to us.  With this information, we’ll be able to size up an appropriate system for you.

Dear Readers…This writer wrote about the MPSC /Commission meeting and Comm. Clottey’s remarks fro “Mr. Sehl” of the unavailability of Solar lighting in the U.S. market…Once again a word search was done by a company from the BCbythesea post…and the above is what transpired…leading up to the July 28, 2009  presentation……The “presentation” agenda item put on by Comm. Clottey is to be made from  gentleman’s company that contacted this writer …..After my correspondence with the company I received an e-mail from the “Oani Sales Dept..”….that a simple Google showed was a company with a 954 phone number ….a Google of the phone number showed the “Sales Dept.” who was contacting me on behalf of Comm. Clottey was “Mr. Sehl”…So I responded back to “Jerry”……”Mr Sehl”AKA Jerry  then sent this writer a “heads up” from the very company I sent the Commissioners way!……I did respond  to him and say thanks …not wanting to cause another “interrogation” for whomever came to speak at the presentation from the “Detective” on the dais… But after seeing the ONLY presenter is the company that picked up the RFP from this site…it is “suspect”  on two fronts…1st…”Mr. Sehl” is not presenting (How many companies does he have anyway?…He is under Oani for this and Online Access Network for repayment for the TV and camera etc…for the July 4th raffle items)…and 2nd…the cutoff date for items from Comms. on agendas is supposed to have been Monday the 20th…..So either the rules were bent for Comm. Clottey or “Mr Sehl” backed out of his “presentation…Hmmmm… In the backup is what this writer thought…in black and white of the assertions made by Comm Clottey at the MPSC/Comm. meeting on the 20th….see below…(available on the Town site)…

7/28/09 Presentations 4 B.

In conclusion….let’s see if the “Gang of 4” on the dais…shoots the messenger once more!….

And thanks Mr. Schuett for pursuing your word search…it may benefit our Town as we deal with our El Mar Drive project…Presentation item 4 D. by Chen and Assoc.

more to come….

Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, local government, local politcs, Local Politics, RFP, Scoops, Solar lights
Posted in Uncategorized