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MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

DECEMBER 17, 2009


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

Board Members present: Berkowitz, Glickfield, Nesbitt, Songer, McBride, Abruzzino, Alfano, Bazerghi, Bindler, Nicholson-Brown, Casier, Freismuth and Weck.

Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the November 19, 2009 meeting were approved.

Old and New Business

Pio introduced City of Fort Lauderdale District I Commissioner and Vice Mayor Bruce Roberts, who shared information on the following:

  • Opening/closing schedule for the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge is regulated by the Coast Guard. The bridge is opened as needed every 15 minutes and 45 minutes after the hour (24/7), plus special openings.

  • The Sasaki plan for Central Beach was approved at the Commission meeting; explained some examples of public realm redevelopment.

  • The improvements to Sistrunk Boulevard (6th Street) are going ahead; $17 million has been slated for this project.

  • A meeting was held last Thursday at the International Swimming Hall of Fame regarding a Central Beach Master Plan.

  • Question asked about the status of the Master Plan for the Galt. Discussed FDOT redevelopment plan/project of the A1A corridor/resurfacing of the road.

  • Pio asked about Sidewalk Replacement Notification; Commission Roberts will check on this.

  • Fred Nesbitt has been appointed to the Fire Bond Committee.

  • Discussed Fire-Rescue Station 54 on 32nd Street and redevelopment of that area.

Managing Director Patricia Zeiler of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association (DFLTMA), Sun Trolley, was introduced. She shared and discussed the following:

  • At this time, the Trolley is funded through September 30, 2010.

  • Would like to develop community committees to develop ideas, route suggestions, etc.

It was suggested that a survey be included in the Galt News asking for volunteers to serve on this committee. Also, suggested was having the buildings put up a notice inviting voluntary participation for those already riding to join the committee. Ms. Zeiler will send a flyer to each building to be posted.

Galt Ocean Drive Landscaping - Pio Ieraci

Comments were made complimenting Chepo for the landscaping improvements along the Galt Mile. Commissioner Roberts was thanked for his contributions to these improvements.

Beach Renourishment

Pio expressed his frustration with this project. Due to the project�s protracted delays, the original engineering reports became obsolete and must be repeated. Pio explained how the Broward Beach Coalition, a committee comprised mainly of beach area hotels and other local business organizations, provided most of the resources required to promote the project. Pio will contact Public Strategies, the public relations specialists that planned the successful strategy for the South County renourishment, to ascertain whether a similar effort can be organized to advance the Fort Lauderdale renourishment.

Galt Mile Web Site � Newsletter � Eric Berkowitz -

Since ad sales continue to exceed $700 per edition, no subsidy has been required.

  • October Web Site Stats: 837,726 hits; 15,293 unique site visits (first timers)

The past month�s articles:

  • November 18, 2009 - Roberts: Firehouse, Football & Free Food - Having carved his public persona from a passionate commitment to public safety as Fort Lauderdale�s former Police Chief, District 1 Commissioner and Vice Mayor Bruce G. Roberts opens and closes his November 2009 Newsletter with reference to another municipal force preoccupied with Public Safety, Fort Lauderdale�s Department of Fire-Rescue. He reviews the new Fire Station located at Executive Airport and recruits participation in the Department's Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Roberts also considers three past and future municipal events - the recent 50th Annual International Boat Show, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl, assessing the fiscal impact that each portends for the City�s treasury.

  • November 24, 2009 - Revived Healthcare Update & Medicare Deadline - In its quest for a health care Holy Grail, Washington DC is narrowing the gap among plans currently under Congressional consideration. With the House bill already on the books, Senate leaders are struggling over the Public Option, as Senators tend to recoil in fear whenever Uncle Sam considers plying a new trade. Notwithstanding, Galt Mile Medicare recipients face a more pressing decision. The annual open enrollment period for the Medicare prescription drug benefit is underway. From November 15 until December 31, 2009, those currently enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan have an opportunity to switch plans. Since most plans have made important changes to their benefits for the upcoming year, including changes to monthly premiums, deductibles, the drugs that are covered or included on the plan formulary, co-pays and coverage in the �donut hole�, tools have been provided to help evaluate your options. A few minutes here could save you $thousands over the next 12 months � whether or not you have any coverage!

  • December 1, 2009 - 40-Year Building Recertification Program - Patterned after a Miami-Dade County program in effect since the 1970�s, Broward County�s 2005 �40-year or Older Building Safety Inspection Program� was implemented to minimize the dangerous structural and electrical failures that increase with a building�s age. Following a 2006 program suspension because of Hurricane Wilma, Fort Lauderdale Building Services Director Valerie Bohlander reviewed the revived plan's requirements at an April 10, 2007, GMCA Presidents Council meeting, explaining that the existing inspection backlog would forestall issuance of Galt Mile association compliance notices until 2009. As warned, several Galt Mile Associations were charged in 2009 with recertifying their structural and electrical building elements. Other member associations built before 1970 should anticipate similar notices next year. An authoritative columnist for the Florida Community Association Journal, well-credentialed Galleon General Manager Marcy Kravit shares her practical conversance with this new challenge. Read on...

  • December 7, 2009 - Current Grabs Galleon Guest - In November, a Galleon resident rescued a visiting guest from the grip of a deadly rip current. Responsible for 8 out of 10 beach fatalities worldwide, rip currents annually claim the lives of several Galt Mile residents and visitors - and threaten dozens more. The City of Fort Lauderdale is fiscally incapable of providing lifeguard oversight along its entire shoreline. Despite the heroic efforts of unheralded Samaritans and other first responders, the obituaries persist � mostly for fatally unprepared visitors. Ironically, these lethal surf beach artifacts are eminently survivable � if the prospective victim remains calm and knows exactly what to do. By minimally enhancing the process ordinarily used to enlighten visitors and guests (the largest pool of rip current victims) about association rules, we may finally rack up a year without an avoidable drowning death!

  • December 14, 2009 - Commissioner Keechl Elected Broward Mayor - Despite the relative brevity of his tenure on the Broward Board of County Commissioners, District 4 Commissioner Ken Keechl was elected Mayor of Broward County by his Commission peers on November 17, 2009. Actually, he was preordained as the County�s top dog last November when Stacy Ritter was elected Mayor and Keechl was named Vice Mayor. In Broward County, the Commission practices a variation of Mayoral musical chairs, allowing every member one year in the largely ceremonial catbird seat after first spending a year as Vice Mayor. Although Keechl�s new status isn�t accompanied by the big stick warmly spoken of by former President Teddy Roosevelt, he can more closely align County policy with his own fiscally conservative, environmentally conscientious ideologies. It also won�t hurt the County�s ethically tarnished image to be headed by a squeaky clean, clear-thinking work-a-holic. As to his District 4 constituents, the Mayor will continue to address their concerns, only with a louder voice.

Other Business

  • Discussed the financial obstacles impeding the redevelopment of Ireland�s Inn.

  • Pio reported speaking to Ellyn Bogdanoff about overturning the Governor�s veto of Senate Bill 714. Instead, Ellyn will be filing a bill affording each individual association the right to opt out of a sprinkler retrofit by a vote of the membership.

Treasurer�s Report - Leah Glickfield

The treasurer reported that we have a balance of $12,001.51.

Next Advisory Board Meeting - The next regular Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Nick�s Italian Restaurant.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Fern McBride
Fern McBride, Secretary

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