|
MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
  October 20, 2016
The meeting was called to order at 11:15 a.m. by President Pio Ieraci at Nick�s Italian Restaurant.
Board Members present: : Ieraci, Berkowitz, Hamaker, Nesbitt, McBride, Abruzzino, Adams, Bazerghi, Bendis, Ceus, Chapman, Cuneo, Friedman, Goldstein, Hashek, Madgett, Mancke, Matsas, Neill, Pohan, Santiago, Sclafani, Smith, Solewin, Soucy, Wenberg and Worsnop.
Guests present: Florida State Representative George Moraitis, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bruce Roberts, Fort Lauderdale Police Department Officer Tom Gestal.
Approval of Minutes - Minutes of the September 15, 2016 Advisory Board Meeting were approved.
Old and New Business/Guests
Pio introduced Florida State Representative George Moraitis:
Representative Moraitis launched an extensive discussion about how the newly mandated Engineered Life Safety System (ELSS) cloaks a costly sprinkler retrofit. Also reviewed was the history of the opt-out process, how this new mandate will force hundreds of thousands of association homeowners to pay $billions despite a lack of evidence demonstrating its necessity. Corrective legislation currently being drafted will be disclosed at the appropriate time.
George applauded the success of the beach project.
Pio remarked that George is running for re-election and that he has been very supportive to our community.
Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Tom Gestal who reported:
Crime statistics are favorable - two cars were broken into and one was stolen on A1A.
Inform association security about the remote breach vulnerability of Infiniti S automobiles � as discussed at the September 15th meeting.
A city-wide plan has been developed to address homeless issues.
Lock your car doors, no matter where they are parked.
Pio spoke about implementing a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in Fort Lauderdale, which will enable the relocation of sea turtle nests to safer sites along the coast. The City Commission approval of pursuing the procedurally complex HCP is supported by Florida Fish and Wildlife and other environmental agencies.
Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bruce Roberts, who shared the following:
Planning/Zoning: The Galleria development project was voted down.
Concerns were raised about rumored construction of a round-about on A1A, despite its removal from the plan to reconstruct A1A along the Galt Mile. Pio will call to clarify.
Roberts was asked about the narrow sidewalk on the west side of A1A.
Bruce will investigate the continuing BCT bus layovers on Galt Ocean Drive.
Bruce gave an update on Fire station 54.
Detailed the benefits of passing the penny sales tax ballot question on November 8, proposed to fund municipal infrastructure and countywide transportation.
Kudos to Fort Lauderdale City Manager Lee Feldman for having been elected President of the International City Managers Association.
Galt Mile Web Site � Newsletter � Eric Berkowitz
- October 2016 Website Statistics: 494,349 hits, 20,765 Unique Site Visits (First Timers)
Articles posted during the past month include:
October 12, 2016 - Constitutional Flotsam - Given the political fireworks launched during Presidential elections, most voters would rather flip a coin than self-educate about Ballot questions or proposed Constitutional Amendments. As a result, unscrupulous politicians and industrial juggernauts religiously use them as vehicles for realizing outrageous measures that would otherwise wither under marginal scrutiny. Although five (5) Proposed Amendments were certified for the ballot, one of them � Amendment 4 - was approved by voters participating in the August 30 Primaries. Of the other four (4) proposed Constitutional Amendments that will appear on the November 8, 2016 general election ballot, one of the two that impact the proliferation of solar energy was admittedly crafted to scam a snoozing Florida electorate. Unfortunately it may work. Don't get caught napping while our energy industry drives up your bill. Read on for this year�s Constitutional Clutter.
October 21, 2016 - September 2016 LaMarca Letter - In his September 2016 constituent update, Broward District 4 Commissioner Chip LaMarca reports having realized a political objective central to his ideological zeitgeist � a tax cut. Sweetened by the fact that the 1% millage reduction will take place in Broward County, where LaMarca recently observed how voters �never met a tax they didn�t like.� Exercising his longstanding advocacy on behalf of local and regional economic engines, LaMarca applauds a property purchase that will expedite complementing the County�s Convention Center with a Headquarters Hotel and retail campus, notes how new technology and a consultant�s recommendations may smooth contentious stakeholder concerns about the Countywide E-911 service, describes how grant funding will help facilitate kitten adoptions and announces the opening of the new Animal Care and Adoption Center in October.
October 31, 2016 - Soaking Fort Lauderdale Ratepayers - In July of 2009, the City of Fort Lauderdale announced a new set of water and sewer rates for utility customers. When questioned about its impact on associations, City officials peddled pablum lifted from the Fort Lauderdale web site �The rate changes will result in an increase of less than $10 per month for 72 percent of single family residential customers.� Since association homeowners are evidently included in the other 28%, Galt Mile Managers, association Treasurers and Finance Committee members surmised that their share of the burden would be somewhat larger. Although assured by City officials that �The rates for single family homes and multi-family residences are identical.�, members of the neighborhood association�s Advisory Board soon learned that association homeowners are charged up to 90% more than their single family counterparts - for the same services. Curious? - Read on...
Other Business
Pio reported that the currently blocked North end of Galt Ocean Drive may be reopened in 60 days.
Tony D�s is closed and the location was placed on the rental market.
The November President�s Council Meeting will be held on the second Monday in November (November 14). Congressman Ted Deutch will attend and the wage survey reports will be distributed.
Treasurer�s Report - Fred Nesbitt
Adjournment - The next regular Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Nick�s Italian Restaurant.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
Fern McBride
Fern McBride, Secretary
RETURN To GOVERNANCE
RETURN To MISSION STATEMENT
RETURN To BY-LAWS
RETURN To MEETING MINUTES INDEX
Click To Top of Page
|
 |
|
|
Meeting Minutes
Click on drop-down menu below and select meeting date.
|
|
|
