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City Commission
The City Commission will meet on Tuesday, 
March 18, 2014. 
 
100 N. Andrews Ave. 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
 
Conference- 1:30 p.m. Regular Meeting- 6:00 p.m.
 
Click here to review Commission Meeting agendas. 
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MARCH 2014

Town Hall Meeting  

 

The 2014 Telephone Town Hall Meetings kicked off with a call hosted by Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler on March 5.  Vice Mayor and District I Commissioner Bruce G. Roberts will host the next Town Hall Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on April 8. 
  
During the calls neighbors have a chance to provide input on City services, initiatives and events.  All of the meetings are open to everyone in Fort Lauderdale, regardless of the Commission District in which you live or work.  Neighbors with listed phone numbers will receive a phone call prior to the start of the meeting.  Those that are available and wish to participate can stay on the line to share their idea or listen to the discussion.  Alternatively, residents can also call the toll free number (855) 269-4484 from their home or cell phone to participate.  Click here to listen to the call with the Mayor or to learn more about the Telephone Town Hall Meetings and how to participate.
  
Mark your calendar for the upcoming meetings, which will take place from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.:
District II Commissioner Trantalis- May 14
District III Commissioner DuBose- June 9
District IV Commissioner Rogers- July 10
$50 Million for the Wave
  
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently announced that President Obama's Fiscal Year 2015 Budget includes a recommendation to provide approximately $50 million for Fort Lauderdale's Wave Streetcar project.
  
The project is being managed by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, in partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Downtown Development Authority of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Florida Department of Transportation.  The proposed funding, provided through the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program, is in addition to an $18 million TIGER grant announced in June 2012, and will provide the remaining federal funds needed to design and construct the 2.7-mile streetcar project in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
  
Click here to read the complete story. 

International Exchange on Environmental Issues

 


              

The City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County recently hosted a delegation of five city officials from Durban, South Africa, for a week-long visit focused on a variety of environmental issues. Durban is located on the Indian Ocean coast in eastern South Africa and shares many common features with our area, including warm climates, strong tourism sectors, and diverse populations.

 

The South African visitors all work for the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department of eThekwini Municipality, which encompasses the city of Durban and surrounding communities.  With over 3.4 million residents, it is the third-largest metropolitan municipality in South Africa, behind only Johannesburg and Cape Town.

 

The Durban visitors were particularly interested in the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, which was originally signed by Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties in 2009 to facilitate close collaboration on the issues of climate adaptation and reduction of carbon emissions. Click here to read more. 

Third in the Nation
  

Fort Lauderdale recently received national recognition for our leadership in making streets safer and more accessible for everyone who uses them.  The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of the national non-profit Smart Growth America, ranked more than 80 Complete Streets policies that were adopted nationwide in 2013.  Fort Lauderdale's policy, which was developed in collaboration with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, ranked #3 in the country and #1 in Florida.

 

The City is working to transform the future of transportation in our community.  Through our citywide Vision, Strategic Plan, and Commission Annual Action Plan we are moving forward with initiatives designed to build connectivity, identify mobility and sustainability solutions, and ultimately, develop a safe multimodal transportation network for our neighbors and visitors. 

 

Our goal is to become a fully connected city of tomorrow - a city that is anchored by mobility and walkability, a city that is pedestrian-friendly, and a city that depends less on vehicles and relies more on alternative modes of transportation.  

Wind Turbines   
 

Through our Citywide Vision and Strategic Plan, Fort Lauderdale is building a strong, resilient and sustainable community. 

 

Today, our vision is taking shape at Mills Pond Park, home to the City's first wind turbines and electric vehicle charging stations! 

 

Located at 2201 NW 9th Avenue, this exciting green initiative will reduce our reliance on FPL for electricity, save energy, conserve natural resources, and protect and preserve our environment.  Plus, by promoting the use of electric vehicles, we are working to reduce our community's carbon footprint. 

 

The $221,000 project is being funded by stimulus money that is part of a $2 million energy efficiency and conservation block grant the City received from the federal government.  Click here for more information on the turbines.

Waste Drop-off Events
  

The City of Fort Lauderdale has partnered with neighboring communities to provide convenient, new options for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste and electronics (proof of residency required with driver's license or utility bill).

 

Cooperative agreements with other cities provide our residents with free access to dispose of hazardous waste and electronics in partnering cities.

 

The drop-off events are critical to protecting the environment by reducing the volume of waste in landfills and preventing the contamination of ground water.  Fort Lauderdale residents are invited to participate in ANY of the drop-off events.  The next event will take place on April 26, click here for more information.  

Free Tax Prep  

 

The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department will provide valuable free income tax preparation to help hard-working families in our community.  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides FREE tax preparation services for qualified individuals with an income of less than $52,000. Services are offered at Carter Park, located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard.  Hours are Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  No appointment is necessary.  For more information, please click here or contact (954) 828-5411.

Get In the Green
  

Attention Multi-Family Properties:

 

This is the final month to submit your rebate applications for recycling.  Visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/getinthegreen today for details.  Be sure to also check out our helpful online tools and request a free set of interior trash-recycling containers!

March Artist
 

Fort Lauderdale proudly displays original artwork from local artists each month on the first floor of City Hall.  For the month of March 2014, Fort Lauderdale is proud to welcome Leigh E. McDonald.  Leigh finds inspiration in the colors and textures of nature.  Her work combines elements of printmaking, painting, and fiber techniques such as stitching, weaving, crocheting, knitting, beading and embroidery to create each piece.  Her art quilts have been exhibited in galleries and museums in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Texas, California and Michigan.  Click here to read Leigh's full biography and be sure to stop by City Hall to see her art on display through the end of the month.  

Friday Night Tunes
  

Enjoy a FREE concert series with a broad range of musical varieties featuring a different live performer each month! The featured performer for March 21 includes neo soul and old school cover sounds from Shaw Kelly and soft rock and jazz from EnVee.  Friday Night Tunes takes place from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the third Friday of each month through May, at Joseph C. Carter Park, which is located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard.  Bring your chairs, blankets, and snacks to relax under the stars.  For more information, click here or call (954) 828-5363.

Spring Break Camp
  

Our spring break camps are jam-packed with fun activities!  Your child will create spring crafts, make a splash with swimming, leap into sports and fitness, and enjoy a field trip adventure.  Children ages 5-11 enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome.  Five convenient locations are available.  For more information, please call (954) 828-PARK (7275) or click here.

Earth Hour
Earth Hour 2014 Video (60 sec)
Earth Hour 2014 Video (60 sec)
 

The City of Fort Lauderdale proudly supports Earth Hour 2014 and its mission to create a sustainable world.  On Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., communities everywhere will switch off lights for one hour to celebrate a commitment to the planet by leading a more sustainable lifestyle.  

The City of Fort Lauderdale plans to participate by turning off non-essential lighting at City Hall. Where possible, we invite our neighbors to join us in an effort to preserve our planet for future generations.  For more information on this World Wildlife Fund initiative, please visit www.earthhour.org

Get Swimming!
  
The Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons for all ages and skill levels, infant through adult.  Heated pools and certified instructors are available at a location near you.  In addition to swimming lessons, we also offer lap swim, lifeguard training, pool parties, pool rentals, recreational swim, swim team, and water aerobics.  For more details, call (954) 828-6555 or click here. 
Summer Camp
  

Our summer community camps are action-packed with playtime, creative expression, and friendly competition.  Children will express their imagination with arts and crafts. Sports, fitness activities, and swimming will build strength, coordination, and teamwork.  Registration begins March 31 for residents April 14 for non-residents, if space is available.  Many of our programs fill quickly, so register early to secure your spot!  For information, click here or call (954) 828-PARK (7275).

Riverland Eggstravaganza
  
Children will enjoy finding hidden treasure in bright, colorful eggs plus, they can meet the
Spring Bunny!  Other highlights include a bounce house, face painting, food trucks, live music and entertainment, contests, games and prizes.  The pool will be open from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  For details, please click here or call (954) 828-5320.
Raft Race
  
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale and The Wasie Foundation are happy to announce the third annual New River Raft Race.  The New River Raft Race will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The race will start and finish on the New River in front of Esplanade Park, which is located next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and across from the Museum of Discovery and Science.  The race theme is "Pirates of the River," so decorate your raft and crew!  Click here for more information. 
Jazz Brunch
  
The SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch is an ideal way to relax and enjoy Fort Lauderdale's scenic Riverwalk from Esplanade Park to Riverfront. Listen to the soulful sounds of outstanding local jazz artists on four stages from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.  The scheduled performers for Sunday, April 6 include: the Jeff Prine Group featuring Juanita Dixon, Rita Wilburn and Kat Riggins; Lee Kevin and the A List; Victorya Cole Jazz Montage; and the Dizzy Blue Trio.

 

The SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch is partnering with the Water Taxi to offer free shuttle service on April 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Round trip shuttle service will be available every 20 minutes from the following locations: Las Olas Riverfront, Smoker Park and behind Mangos Restaurant & Lounge.  Leashed and well-behaved pets are welcome aboard.

 

The SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch is produced by the City of Fort Lauderdale and is sponsored by SunTrust Bank, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, News Radio 610 WIOD, Beck's Sapphire and Bud Light Platinum.  For more information, please call our 24-hour event hotline at (954) 828-5363 or click here. 

2014 Hurricane Expo
  

Save the date for the 2014 Hurricane Expo, which will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at War Memorial Auditorium, which is located in Holiday Park at 800 NE 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Learn how to pack a disaster kit, track storms and prepare an emergency plan.  Click here for more information on the upcoming expo.

Speak Up Broward 

 

Speak Up Broward is listening.  It's time for the people of Broward to speak up about how we get around today - and how we want to get around tomorrow.  In coordination with the Commitment 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan Update, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization has started an important conversation with our community that will lead us to an action plan and timeline to expand our transportation choices.  One of the most important things our leaders can do is to listen.  Transportation affects our lives every day.  Click here to learn how you can be a part of the conversation to help.
Ukulele Fest
 
The South Florida Ukulele Fest 2014 (March 28-30) is bringing some of the best ukulele performers in North America for a full weekend of concerts, ukulele skills workshops, food trucks, ukulele shopping and family FUN in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
  

On Friday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m., the South Florida Ukulele Fest 2014 kicks off with a FREE ukulele jam and concert at ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale at Holiday Park.

 

Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. the South Florida Ukulele Fest 2014 takes over Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street in Downtown Fort Lauderdale with a full day of music, ukulele skills workshops, food trucks, shopping and family activities all day.
Tour De Force
 

The 2014 Tour De Force (TDF) police charity bicycle ride is set to kick off April 7 in North Miami Beach and conclude in Daytona Beach Shores on April 11.  The Tour is a 5-day ride that averages approximately 50-55 miles each day and will pass through 42 law enforcement jurisdictions.  Last year more than 500 law enforcement personnel from across the state participated with 50 riders completing the entire 270-mile trek to Daytona Beach Shores.

 

The inaugural 1997 Tour was dedicated to Trooper Robert Smith who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver.  The Tour has grown in size each year and TDF is proud to announce that as a non-profit charity organization, they have raised more than $275,000.00 for families of fallen officers and law enforcement related organizations.  A total of $36,000 was paid to 5 families for the 2013 Tour.

 

This year's tour will benefit the families of all fallen Florida Law Enforcement Officers that were lost in the line of duty during 2013.  TDF's goal is to raise $60,000.00.  If you are interested in participating please register on the website.  Contact Detective Craig Catlin via email at craig.catlin@nmbpd.org for any questions. 

Mid-Century Modern Architecture
 

Interested in modern architecture?  Join featured speaker Marrilyn Rathbun, who will present a short illustrated history of Fort Lauderdale's signature post WWII modern architecture on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the New River Inn, which is located at 231 SW 2nd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

Included will be an introduction to the architects and the developers that made the mid-century boom happen.  

The lecture is free and open to the public.  Seating is limited, please be sure to RSVP by emailing education@fortlauderdalehistorycenter.org or by calling (954) 463-4431, ext. 16.

City of Fort Lauderdale