MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 18, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by President Pio Ieraci.

Board Members present: Ieraci, Berkowitz, Glickfield, Gill, Hamaker, Songer, McBride, Alfano, Baldwin, Bindler, Casier, Comis, Creal, Drews, Freismuth, Gilligan, Leeds, Mayer, Montross, Nicholson-Brown and Talerico.

Approval of Minutes - The minutes of December 21, 2006 were approved.

Old & New Business -

Pio Ieraci was thanked for assuming the position of President and it was agreed that we should all cooperate in assisting him in whatever way is needed.

President Ieraci introduced and welcomed Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Christine Teel.

Commissioner Teel shared the following:

• Expression of sympathy for Bob Rozema was read at the City Commission Meeting; memorial bench with landscaping embellishment at entry to the Mile was discussed.
• Traffic light at A1A and Oakland Park is being monitored.
• Sign is posted on A1A alerting potential violators about the city�s noise ordinance; tickets have been issued.
• Will be attending Legislative Days in Tallahassee.
• As Commissioner Teel toured A1A and Galt Mile with head of Code Enforcement to check out conditions of buildings, roofs, etc. regarding disrepair and code violations, they found a homeless man in one of the vacant buildings. The many code violations they found must be cleaned up to make the structure safe and presentable.
• Starting to plan budget; pushing for master plan for east side of A1A; doing a parking study.
• Replacing former Major Mary Negrey (promoted to Assistant Chief) as District 1 chief is Fort Lauderdale Police Department Major Paul Kiley, 954-828-5479.

Il Lugano � Ralph Hamaker - Work is being done inside (at a snail�s pace).

Francis Casier questioned why the building is right on the street, opining that the setback is inadequate. Nevertheless, the building is in compliance with zoning regulations.

Jitney - Sun Trolley � now 50 cents; will pick up at the Community Center; article on Galt Mile website has schedules, etc.

Galt Mile Web Site � Eric Berkowitz -

• November Hits: 837,161 hits; 13,968 unique site visits (first timers)
• December Hits: 728,768 hits; 10,124 unique site visits

New articles include:

• November:

  • Election Day Changes on the Galt Mile - Reflecting the nationwide political shift back to the center, longtime District 22 Congressman E. Clay Shaw was defeated by Democratic opponent Florida Senator Ron Klein. Broward Commissioner Jim Scott also relinquished his District 4 seat to a political newcomer, attorney Ken Keechl.

  • Keechl Keeps a Promise! - Commissioner-elect Ken Keechl�s initial challenges include fully familiarizing himself with constituent and county issues, assigning priorities and achieving consensus - with both his constituents and his peers.
  • Naugle Warns of Pension Time Bomb - Mayor Naugle warned that the growing pension burden would undermine the city�s recovery, Naugle exclaimed, �Paying lifetime benefits to employees that retire in their 40s is not sustainable.�
  • Blue Ribbon Insurance Panel Weighs In - Created by the Governor, the Florida Property and Casualty Insurance Reform Committee released their findings in a 230 page report with 6 pages of recommendations.
  • Bob Rozema - Galt Mile Loses a Friend - When President Robert Rozema of the Galt Mile Community Association passed away, not only did the neighborhood residents and merchants lose an irrepressible advocate, they lost a fast friend.

• December:

  • House Conference on Property Insurance - District 91 Statehouse Representative Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff notified the Galt Mile Community Association about a three-day conference used as a pre-session brainstorming effort in preparation for the impending Special Session on Insurance.

  • Sun Trolley - Take the Shuttle! - The local bus service formerly operated by City Cruiser is now called Sun Trolley. Their mission is �to allow the continued growth and economic development of downtown Fort Lauderdale while avoiding traffic congestion.�
  • Galt Mile Security Plan Update - Terror at The Galleon - Some residents are laboring under the misconception that the Galt Mile neighborhood is devoid of crime. The unfortunate victims of a recent armed robbery at the Galleon Condominium don�t agree... and they aren�t alone.
  • The Annual Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon - Preparing for a repeat of last year's event, the February 18^th A1A Marathon will either evolve into another signature event or deteriorate into a Presidents Day weekend source of Barrier Island road rage.

Treasurer�s Report - Leah Glickfield reported $16,172.82 in our Treasury. All member Associations are current.

Other Business

• In response to an inquiry, Commissioner Teel will investigate a structure being built at Playa del Sol.
• Lengthy discussion ensued regarding parking reduction for Galt Mile, codes, variances, etc. in relation to the purchase of the building at 3465 Galt Ocean Drive by Dr. Toledano. Pio distributed a letter dated January 17, 2007 from the doctor about the project. A letter in support of this project had been written by Bob Rozema to the City. After discussion, a motion was made by Franci Bindler reaffirming the previous letter by Bob Rosema in support of Dr. Toledano. Dott Nicholson-Brown seconded the motion, which passed with five (5) persons against the motion. Commissioner Teel encouraged attendance at the Commission Meeting on February 6, 2007 at 6:00 p.m., when some of these issues will be addressed.
• Safety Patrol � Edgewater Arms has agreed to participate. Southpoint is the only building that has not signed.
• Leah Glickfield asked for help in calling people for the meetings; George Mayer and Lorraine Alfano volunteered to help.

Next Board Meeting - The next regular Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2007.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Fern McBride, Secretary