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City Commission
The City Commission will meet on Tuesday, 
October 7, 2014. 
 
100 N. Andrews Ave. 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
 
Conference Meeting- 1:30 Regular Meeting- 6:00 p.m.
 
Click here to review Commission Meeting agendas. 
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September 2014

State of the City 

 

Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler delivered the annual State of the City Address to a packed audience in the new Huizenga Pavilion at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on September 4, 2014. Fort Lauderdale Board and Committee members were recognized for their service to the City during the Advisory Board Reception prior to the address.  As he delivered his speech, the Mayor highlighted the numerous reasons for the strong state of our community, including low unemployment, increasing property values, and a steady millage rate. Click here to read more about our community and why Fort Lauderdale is such a fantastic place to live, work, play, and raise a family. 

Annual Budget


The City Commission unanimously passed the FY 2015 Budget, marking the first time in nearly a decade the budget has passed by a 5-0 vote.  Our millage rate of 4.1193 remains unchanged and represents the eighth consecutive year that the City has held the line on property taxes.  It also continues to rank as the second lowest tax rate among the 25 largest cities in Florida.  There is no increase to our fire assessment fee and we are projecting a $54 million reserve fund balance, which is above our adopted policy and exceeds the national standard for municipal governments.  Our strong reserves along with our low debt load enhance the City's bond ratings, saving residents and businesses millions of dollars in interest costs and strengthening our long-term financial stability.  A notable 42 percent of the more than 1,500 ideas identified in our citywide Visioning process are supported by our FY 2015 Budget.  Residents will benefit from resources dedicated to new neighbor support initiatives; extended protection by our beach lifeguards; mobility and walkability projects; street resurfacing; bridge repair and maintenance; traffic calming measures; park improvements; climate change mitigation; and investments in our water distribution and wastewater collection systems.  Our budget reflects the priorities of our neighbors; provides the resources to deliver quality, cost effective services; and invests in social capital to build community, expand civic engagement, and enhance quality of life as we continue to make Fort Lauderdale "The City You Never Want to Leave."

Seasonal High Tides     


Flooding in low-lying areas is more likely in the fall months, as the close proximity of the moon, high tides, rising sea levels and inclement weather conditions combine to exacerbate flooding risks.

 

As a coastal community with numerous low-lying areas and 300 miles of canal coastline, Fort Lauderdale neighbors are advised to be especially vigilant during the months of September, October and November.

 

While the City maintains an extensive stormwater master plan and is instituting both aggressive maintenance and innovative adaptation solutions to address drainage, including the installation of tidal valves, the location and natural geography of the City makes neighborhoods susceptible to flooding.

 

Click here for more information to better prepare for these types of weather events.

National Champions

 

  

 

Swim Fort Lauderdale claimed the U.S. Masters National Championship Team title held August 13-17.  A team of 46 swimmers represented Swim Fort Lauderdale at the national championship at the University of Maryland. The team won five relay championship titles and 10 individual championship titles. Congratulations to our title winners: Deidre Novotny, Ewa Dorante, Laura Lastfogel, Megan Lassen, Susan Witting, Lance Rutkin, Kristof Kertesz, Eric Jackwin, Graeme Fiser, Philipp Djang, Naomi Szekeres, Miguel Dorante, Terry Lage, and Richard Jordan. And a special thank you to the Swim Fort Lauderdale Masters Team Coaches for all of their hard work preparing, coaching, building, leading, and organizing the team: Marty Hendrick, Megan Lassen, Mike Averett, and Michael Gallager.

NOVA Helps Build Community

 

The City of Fort Lauderdale issued a call for volunteers for a recent Adopt-A-Neighbor event to assist a local homeowner with property improvements. The response from the City's neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations was tremendous, but there was one group of zealous students that really embraced the spirit of volunteerism!  

 

Nova Southeastern University's Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement recruited so many volunteers that the City's Neighbor Volunteer Office created "Nova Southeastern University Day of Service."

 

On Saturday, August 30, 84 Nova students partnered with the Neighbor Volunteer Office to work on four different community projects, click here to read the complete story 

Little Libraries

 

Take a book. Return a book. The Little Free Library program promotes literacy and a love of reading through free book exchanges. Through this program, neighbors are able to promote a sense of community as they share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations. Click here to find a Little Free Library location in your neighborhood. 

Get On Nextdoor

 

The City of Fort Lauderdale uses Nextdoor to foster greater neighbor-to-neighbor and citywide communication.  Residents can use Nextdoor to access private websites for their neighborhoods, where they can get to know their neighbors, ask questions and exchange local advice and recommendations.  Neighbors can use Nextdoor to discuss events, school activities, contractor recommendations, disaster preparedness, recent crime activity, and even search for lost pets.

 

Nextdoor was specifically designed to allow neighbors to safely share information.  All members must verify their address and accounts are password-protected. This effective tool has served as a valuable resource to engage residents and create a safer and stronger community.  Visit www.nextdoor.com and enter your address to create an account.  To learn more, call the City's Neighbor Support Office at (954) 828-5213. 

CodeRED 

 

The City of Fort Lauderdale uses CodeRED� to send emergency notifications to registered phone numbers. In the event of an evacuation notice, utility outage, water main break, flood, or other emergency situation, the system will deliver a recorded message to either a live person, answering machine or voicemail. Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED�, registration is free and personal information will be kept confidential. CodeRED� now also features a mobile alert app, which can deliver messages right to your smartphone, download the app now from the app store 

Feature Artist

 

Fort Lauderdale proudly displays original artwork from local artists each month on the first floor of City Hall. For the month of September 2014, Fort Lauderdale selected well-known local photographer, Clay WielandClick here to read about Clay's unique Infrared Photography
and be sure to stop by City Hall to see how he captures local landmarks in a different light.  His striking photography is on display on the first floor of City Hall through the end of the month.  

Night Owl Market 


Join the Flagler Village Civic Association for the Night Owl Market and Street Festival on Saturday, September 20 from 5 to 11 pm. This free event features live music and entertainment; interactive art; food trucks; a green market; and unique merchandise from local artists, crafters and designers. Plus, as part of National Drive Electric Week, the event will showcase more than 35 electric vehicles and provide event-goers with the opportunity for test drives from 5 - 8 pm. It all takes place at Peter Feldman Park, 310 NE 6 Street, and along a quarter mile stretch of NE 3rd Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Click here for details. 

Friday Night Tunes 


Enjoy a FREE concert series with a broad range of musical varieties featuring a different live performer each month! Friday Night Tunes takes place the third Friday of each month, September through November, at Joseph C. Carter Park. Bring your chairs, picnic blankets, and snacks to relax under the stars. From jazz to pop, Friday Night Tunes has it all. Click here for more information. 

Skywarn     


Fort Lauderdale's neighbors are invited to learn how to help keep their communities safe by becoming certified SKYWARN Weather Spotters. The City of Fort Lauderdale Domestic Preparedness and Emergency Management Bureau, in partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS), will host a SKYWARN Weather Spotter Workshop on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 10 am to 2:30 pm. This free workshop, which is being offered in recognition of 2014 National Preparedness Month, will take place at Fire-Rescue Station 53, located at 2200 Executive Airport Way in Fort Lauderdale. Click here to learn more.

Calling all Volunteers   


The Citizens Volunteer Corps needs your help.  Join us on Saturday, September 27 at 8am at Holiday Park for an exterior painting project to enhance the park for our community.  We will spruce up curbs, the press box, concession stands, and more.  Holiday Park is located at 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Refreshments will be provided. Earn NCIP and BCIP Points/$ or community service hours for participating! Click here or contact Maxine Singh at City Hall (954) 828-5005 for more information. 

Business Tax Moving     


Beginning Monday, October 6, the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Office will be located in the Utility Billing Office on the first floor of City Hall. There will be a dedicated counter in Utility Billing for business tax transactions, including new applications, and payments. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. The Business Tax Office will be closed on Friday, October 3, to complete the move to City Hall. For more information, call (954) 828-5195.

Landscape Workshop   


In an effort to enhance our resiliency, Fort Lauderdale is exploring integrating principles
of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ into the Landscape and Tree Preservation Requirements of the City's Unified Land Development Regulations (Section 47-21). 

We invite neighbors to attend a public workshop to learn more and provide input. The workshop will take place Tuesday, October 14, from 5 to 6:30 pm on the first floor of City Hall.

Community Police Forum    


The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is offering a six-week Community Police Forum to residents of the City of Fort Lauderdale, as well as civic and government organization members. The Community Police Forum is 
designed to foster an active partnership with the community. Well informed citizens who have an awareness of the mission, resources, policies and services of their Police Department, are critical to the success of this partnership and are encouraged to register to learn more about Internal Affairs, Patrol, Crime Prevention, Internet Crimes, Intelligent Lead Policing, Criminal Investigations, Neighborhood Services, and Special Operations. For more information send an email to [email protected], or click here for a program application. 

Spooktacular Halloween      halloween-ghost.jpg


The City will transform into a world of folklore as princesses, superheroes, pirates, ghosts, goblins, and more fill the streets celebrating Halloween at one of our several events suitable for the entire family! For more information, please click here or call (954) 828-PARK (7275). 

Snyder Park Fall Fest (ages 6+, $5/ea) October 4, 10 am-2 pm, Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Avenue.

Croissant Park Halloween Party (free) October 25, 4 - 6 pm, Croissant Park, 245 West Park Drive.

Trick or Treat on Second Street (free) October 26, 1 - 5 pm, Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street.

Spooky Halloween Dance (free) October 30, 6:30-8:30 pm Bass Park, 2750 NW 19th Strret.

Boat Show

 

Fort Lauderdale will host the world's largest international Boat Show Oct. 30 thru November 3, 2014. Show exhibits range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. A wide variety of boats and sea vessels will be on display including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, cabin cruisers, sailing yachts, catamarans, and extraordinary superyachts.


Covering seven locations and more than 3 million square feet of space, the show's transportation network of bus shuttles, water taxis, and riverboats ensures attendees can get around easily. Visit the Boat Show website for more information. 

Sister Cities

 

Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI) is pleased to announce the establishment of two innovative programs in our sister city of Panama City, Panama, where GFLSCI's first Sister School was just inaugurated. The program was established by GFLSCI Panama Committee Chair, Donna Scantlebury and will incorporate GFLSCI Turkish Committee's successful "If I were Mayor" contest. Dr. Ayese Celic and Muge Nugenis created the program for 5th grade elementary school students at the Panama City School of Coelgio Bilingue Juan Pablo and a to-be-named school in Fort Lauderdale. Click here to read about second new GFLSCI program, "The Social Business Challenge" in Panama City, Panama. 

Let's Talk Transportation

 

The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization is reaching out to citizens and businesses in Broward regarding the future of Broward's transportation system.  They will host the four (4) televised interactive E-Townhall meetings. Participants can share their thoughts and help determine the transportation choices for Broward. 
Plus, participate in an online survey to have your voice heard and a chance to win a prize.

Click here for details about the televised E-Townhalls and online survey. 
City of Fort Lauderdale