MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

February 19, 2015

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, A. Casier, F. Casier, Claire, Friedman, Gallagher, Hashek, Katkin, Kessler, Larson, Lewandowski, Mercado, Neill, Pohan, Pyatt, Solewin, Tripoli and Vega

Guests present: Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bruce Roberts; Fort Lauderdale Police Department Lt. Tom Gestal; Russell Spadaccini of BocaRaton.com, promoter of the Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival; Jordana Jarjura, Tripp Scott Law Firm; and Stewart Robin, Architect

Approval of Minutes - Minutes of the January 15, 2015 Advisory Board Meeting were approved.

Old and New Business/Guests

• Pio shared a message from Commissioner Chip LaMarca regarding the beach renourishment project as well as the information given at the Presidents� Council meeting; discussion ensued.

• Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bruce Roberts, who spoke about the following City issues:

  • Aquatic complex

  • Marina dredging

  • Parking garage

  • 5,000 living units in the downtown area

  • Bridge inspections

• Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale Police Department Lt. Tom Gestal:

  • Feel free to text or email him if needed; would be open to arriving early before our meetings to meet with individuals who might wish to discuss a problem.

  • Galt area crime statistics are favorable; the biggest problem is homeless predators

  • Discussed the Homeless outreach unit, and the prospect of using this program to teach residents why they should contribute to programs that address the root causes of homelessness instead of giving money to panhandlers. Pio will send message about serving on a committee to help accomplish this.

• Pio introduced Jordana Jarjura, Tripp Scott Law Firm, and Stewart Robin, an Architect with Nest Plans Inc., who gave a presentation regarding redevelopment of a canal-front 11 unit condominium he designed called the 2895 NE 33^rd Court Project, to be built across the Intracoastal Waterway from Coral Ridge Towers.

• Pio introduced promoter Russell Spadaccini, Galt Mile Wine and Food Festival, scheduled for Saturday, March 7^th:

  • 25 local restaurants have signed up; 19 wine; 4 beer/spirits

  • There will be music � a live band called Jack Flash

  • Publicity will include a direct mailer, radio spots, posters in building mailrooms

  • Available parking has been increased since last years event

  • Discounted admission for Galt Mile residents is $63.00

Galt Ocean Mile Street Landscape - Chepo Vega

• The trees on the Mile are in need of trimming; the City will be contacted.

Galt Mile Reading Center - Terry Claire

• We Love Our Library celebration was held on February 12.

• The Galt Mile Library won the Broward County Library System Cultural Programming Award for the third consecutive year.

Galt Mile Web Site � Newsletter � Eric Berkowitz

• January 2015 Web Site Stats: 688,356 hits, 21,532 Unique Site Visits (First Timers)

Articles posted during the past month include:

• January 19, 2015 - Galt Mile Construction Migraines - Throughout 2013 and 2014, the Galt Mile was bubbling with construction. Weeks or months after attending Special Assessment meetings convened to fund the improvements, unit owners watched engineers and contractors reincarnate badly eroded building features - preserving the value of their homes and their quality of life. Last year, some of the neighborhood�s largest associations underwent extensive concrete restorations, insuring that Plaza South, Southpoint and Plaza East remain among the City�s most important properties. The neighborhood association monitors these projects, watching for unanticipated or abusive regulatory obstacles that might unfairly burden assessed unit owners and impede future improvements for every association. Despite political tripping hazards rooted in turf protection, bureaucratic arrogance or garden variety stupidity, Galt Mile associations survived a tricky year.

• January 30, 2015 - 2015 Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival - On Saturday, March 7, 2015, the 3^rd Annual Galt Mile Wine & Food Festival will unfold in our back yard, resurrecting last year�s sequel to the 2013 inaugural event, when thousands of local residents and visitors were rewarded with a delightfully entrancing weekend afternoon � right across the street. The festival is produced by BocaRaton.Com and The Bites! Network � in partnership with the Galt Mile Community Association. From 4 to 8 PM, attendees will choose from scores of fine artisan wines, craft beers & spirits while enjoying distinctive food tastings; live cooking demonstrations; and authoritative insight into pairing each dish with the perfect libation - as outlined by some of South Florida�s most experienced sommeliers and renowned Top Chefs. To otherwise sample these extraordinary signature offerings, restaurant patrons would have to visit each establishment and order its iconic fare - an exercise that would take months and cost a fortune. Instead, you can spend a lazy Saturday afternoon trying them all, one masterpiece after the other, while strolling across the street from your home. By the way, as per an understanding negotiated by the neighborhood association, attending the event will enhance the value of your home. How? Read on...

• February 8, 2015 - Roberts: Lobby List, Firehouse, King Tide - After opening his January/February 2015 newsletter with an outpouring of gratitude for the absence of an opponent in the municipal primary - and a plea to support his fellow incumbent Commission candidates - District 1 City Commissioner Bruce Roberts enumerates the City�s stand on issues soon to be undertaken by the Legislature, announces the completion of an interim facility that will temporarily house Fire Station #54 until the permanent structure is erected (City Project #P10914) at 3201 Northeast 32^nd Street and outlines how recently implemented infrastructure improvements diminish the adverse impacts of rising sea levels due to Global Warming. Before closing with an offer to help constituents address their municipal concerns, Roberts welcomes Jenni Morejon as the new Director of the Department of Sustainable Development, the parent agency of Building Services and Code Compliance, two City divisions that are shaking off a bumpy history.

Other Business

• Recognizing Francis Casier as an �Honorary Permanent Member� of the Galt Mile Community Association for his many years of community service, Pio gave him an award and gift certificate. Similarly recognized for their decades of service, since Leah Glickfield and George Mayer were unable were unable to attend, Pio proposed to deliver their awards and gift certificates as soon as possible.

• Fred Nesbitt asked how an association performing a riser project can protect itself against unit owners who falsely claim damage to their aging air conditioners in order to extort a brand new replacement.

• Marlene Katkin announced that the Fountainhead was holding a formal gala to commemorate its 50^th birthday; cocktails and dinner will be served.

• The Broward Tax Collectors Office will have Saturday hours. Forms are available for snowbirds to confirm their eligibility for a homestead exemption.

Treasurer�s Report - Fred Nesbitt

The Treasurer reported a balance of $15,400.78.

Adjournment - The next regular Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Nick�s Italian Restaurant.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

Fern McBride
Fern McBride, Secretary

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