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Watch the State of the City Address

Mayor Seiler delivered the annual State of the City Address at the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. The event kicked off with a reception to honor City Committee and Advisory Board Members and was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Customs Facility and Mayor Seiler's State of the City Address.  

 
Highlights from the address included: 
  • Property values rose 9.68% and $329 million in new construction was added to our tax roll
  • No increase in the millage rate for the ninth consecutive year
  • Standard & Poor's raised the City's General Obligation Bond rating to AA+
  • $70 million in upgrades and enhancements to Fort Lauderdale Beach
  • FDOT has over $167 million in road improvements currently underway in the City
  • 16,148 pending building permits in Fort Lauderdale valued at $1.3 billion
  • 7,866 residential units and hotel rooms are under construction, approved or in review for downtown and the beach
  • Lowest number of crimes recorded since the PD began tracking in 1974
  • Fire-Rescue became one of only 32 departments out of 47,000 nationwide to achieve both an ISO Class 1 rating and CFAI national accreditation
  • Welcomed a record 14.3 million visitors who spent $11.4 billion 
  • Executive Airport contributes $839 million to the local economy
  • Launched "Climate 101," the nation's first climate and resiliency training program for City employees
  • Over 1,400 volunteers worked on 53 community service projects this year
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous contributions and support:U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Banyan Air Service, Jet Runway Café, Sano Aviation and Florida Jet.
FY2016 Budget Unanimously Adopted
 
For the second consecutive year, the City Commission passed the budget by a unanimous 5-0 vote. The Fiscal Year 2016 budget calls for no increase to the City's current operating millage rate and no increase to the fire assessment fee. The millage rate for fiscal year 2016 will remain at its current level of 4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value. The City's millage rate and water and sewer rates remain among the lowest in Broward County.This is the ninth consecutive fiscal year that the City Commission has held the line on the property tax rate.

 
Our budget provides us with the resources to deliver quality, cost effective services to our neighbors while investing in social capital to build community, expand civic engagement, and enhance quality of life.  It calls for continued investments to maintain and strengthen our infrastructure, enhance citywide public safety, bolster direct service delivery, enrich programming in parks and recreation, and upgrade critical public safety equipment and apparatus.
Fire Rescue Achieves Accreditation 

Last year, they were recognized as one of the busiest departments in the country; last month they achieved a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Organization (ISO); and this month Fire Rescue has achieved Departmental Accreditation. 

To earn this elite designation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), the department conduced an extensive assessment and evaluation of past, current, and future service levels and internal performance and compare them to industry best practices. Fire Rescue also examined community risk and safety needs and develop community-specific Standards of Cover, evaluate the performance of the department, and establish a method for achieving continuous organizational improvement. The CFAI accreditation process provides a well-defined, internationally-recognized benchmark system to measure the quality of fire and emergency services and will ultimately enhance public safety and help provide better services to our neighbors. Just 32 Fire Departments out of more than 47,000 agencies in the United States have both the ISO 1 and CFAI Accreditation. 
City Earns Best of the Web Award

We're pleased to share that the City website earned a Best City Portal Award from the Center for Digital Government. Now in its 20th year, the annual Best of the Web awards is leading state and local government website competition that recognizes and honors outstanding government websites for their innovation, functionality, productivity and performance. Our new website was also recognized for promoting transparency and civic engagement. The site's organization and aesthetics helped us beat other top contenders including Los Angeles and Raleigh, North Carolina. 
Free Tree Giveaway September 12

Days will be cooler, greener and more beautiful when the City of Fort Lauderdale reaches our goal of a 25% tree canopy cover by 2018.

Residents are invited to help reach that goal by participating in our free tree giveaway from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Osswald Park.  The park is located at 2220 NW 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. With proof of residency, all Fort Lauderdale residents may receive up to two trees per household at no charge. 

Studies show that urban forests have many benefits such as contributing to cleaner air, reducing stormwater runoff, increasing energy savings and carbon sequestration, and creating higher property values.  Due to these findings, the City has emphasized cultivating its urban forest to gain these quantifiable benefits for community health and quality of life.

For details, contact Gene Dempsey, City Forester at 954-828-5785 or GDempsey@fortlauderdale.gov. Learn how to Green Your Routine, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/GYR
Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste September 12

Disposing of household hazardous waste and electronics at an upcoming drop-off event is a free and easy way to safely dispose of unwanted chemicals. The City of Coconut Creek will host the next drop-off event on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Government Center at 4800 West Copans Road. The next event in Fort Lauderdale is scheduled to take place January 30, 2016.  
 
Proof of residency is required (driver's license or utility bill) for hazardous waste, electronics and tire drop-off. Visit the City website for more information. 
Let's Share the Road Safely

Last month in Currents, we introduced sharrows, the bright green pavement markings with the white bicycle and double arrows. Sharrows are used to inform bicyclists and motorists they are sharing the road, identify preferred bicycle routes along low-speed, low-volume streets, and provide alternative routes around construction areas.

Now that you know what sharrows look like and why they're used, click here to learn more about what bicyclists and motorists should do to safely share the road with each other.
Give Input on the Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Please join Commissioner Dean J. Trantalis and Commissioner Bruce G. Roberts for a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the City of Fort Lauderdale's new short-term rental ordinance. The meeting will take place on Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers. The meeting is open to the public and will include opportunities for input on the regulations and requirements contained in the ordinance.
Chill Out at Friday Night Tunes

Friday Night Tunes is back! Enjoy a free concert series with a broad range of musical varieties featuring a different live performer each month. Join us on Friday, September 18 as The Old Skool Gang indulges the crowd with favorite R&B, soul, and funk hits. Friday Night Tunes takes place on the third Friday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m. at Joseph C. Carter Park, which is located at 1450 West Sunrise Boulevard. Bring your chairs, picnic blankets, snacks and friends to jam the night away!  
Coastal Cleanup set for September 19

The 30th Annual Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 9 a.m. until noon. Please dress appropriately for the weather, either rain or shine, as the event will only be cancelled if there is a tropical storm system resulting in a Watch or Warning. Call 954-519-1270 for cancellation information. To participate, bring a hat, gloves, sunscreen and water to one of these Fort Lauderdale cleanup site locations:
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach - Due to a volleyball tournament at South Beach Park, the location this year will be at the corner of A1A and Las Olas Blvd. Pick up a parking pass from the site captain and place on your dashboard for the duration of the Cleanup.
  • Hugh Taylor Birch State Park - When you arrive at the gate, tell park personnel you are participating in the Coastal Cleanup. Sign in near the tunnel entrance to the beach. Walk into the pavilion and the sign-in table is to your right.
Email coastalcleanup@broward.org to register for this year's cleanup event. Please include your name, contact information, organization, and number of attendees.
Help Develop the Parks Master Plan

We need your ideas! The City of Fort Lauderdale is developing a Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. Tell us how you'd like to use your parks, open spaces, trails, and athletic facilities by attending one of the community meetings September 23rd, 24th and 26th. For more information, call 954-828-7275 (PARK) or visit www.playfortlauderdale.com and join the conversation today!

September 23, 6 p.m. | City Hall, 100 N. Andrews Ave., 8th Floor 
September 24, 6 p.m. | Beach Community Center, 3351 NE 33rd Ave.
September 26, 11 a.m. | Osswald Park, 2220 NW 21st Ave.
King Tides Expected Sept. 26-Oct. 2
 
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 from August through November, when tides are expected to be at their highest levels for the year.
 
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. Remember that flooded streets may be covered in either fresh or saltwater. Please take caution whenever driving on flooded streets. When in doubt, turn around.
 
Relax at JM Lexus Sunday JazzBrunch October 4  

Join us the first Sunday of every month on the scenic Riverwalk for the JM Lexus Sunday Jazz Brunch. This free outdoor concert series takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features the best local jazz artists on three stages from Esplanade Park to Riverfront. The performers for October 4 include: the Davis and Dow Quintet, the Nestor Zurita Jazz Quartet and Sabor Latino. The event is sponsored by JM Lexus, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, News Radio 610 WIOD, Beck's Sapphire, and Bud Light Platinum. For details, call 954-828-5363 or visit the City website.
Third Annual Go Solar Fest October 9-10

The Third Annual Go SOLAR & Renewable Energy Fest will be held October 9 & 10, 2015 at the Broward County Convention Center. Go SOLAR Florida will sponsor this FREE event to educate businesses and residents on solar and renewable energy.

The Fest will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Pre-registration is required. For more information visit www.gosolarflorida.org 
Have a Spooktacular Halloween

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

October 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave. 
($5 per person ages 5+)
October 24, 3 - 6 p.m. | Mills Pond, 2201 NW 9th Ave. (Free)
October 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.| Bass Park, 2750 NW 19th St. (Free)
October 31, 1 - 5 p.m.| Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St. (Free)
October 31, 4 - 6 p.m. | Croissant Park, 245 W Park Dr. (Free)
Join Club 55 for Active Adults 

Club 55 encourages active adults to enjoy endless opportunities at 11 City parks for
a discounted annual membership rate of only $55. 
Residents may also qualify for a fee
reduction. 

Activities include: art, line dance, mahjongg, party bridge, trips, walking club, wellness lectures, yoga, and much more! For details, call 954-828-7275 (PARK) or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/club55.
$100 Rebates are Still Available

Our City is part of the Broward Water Partnership, which has set a 20-year goal of saving 30 million gallons of water a day. The program includes many different initiatives, including one that offers $100 rebates for replacing old high flow toilets with new, high-efficiency WaterSense® models. 


If your toilets were installed before 1994, you likely have older high flow toilets that would be eligible for a rebate. Replace those toilets with new, water-saving models and you could receive a rebate of up to $100 for each new toilet. Numerous homeowners, businesses, and associations throughout Broward County are benefiting from this program. A condo association in Sunrise replaced all 138 of their older toilets with newer, water-efficient models, and the association has reported saving approximately $2,000 PER MONTH on their water bill.

 

This program is open to single-family homes, multifamily homes and businesses. 

Visit the Conservation Pays website for more information. 
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