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MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
  April 20, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 11:25 a.m. by President Pio Ieraci at Nick�s Italian Restaurant.
Board Members present: Ieraci, Berkowitz, Hamaker, Nesbitt, Surdovel, McBride, Abruzzino, Adams, Axelson, Bazerghi, Beard, Bendis, Bibace, Cella, Hashek, Katz, Kessler, Korn, Larson, Madgett, Madonfort, Mancke, Marcus, Mercado, Moyyad, Mullan, Neill, Pohan, Short, Solewin, Soucy and Tripoli
Guests present: Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Bruce Roberts; Fort Lauderdale Police Department Officers T. Levin and T. Ryan.
Approval of Minutes - Minutes of the March 16, 2017 Advisory Board Meeting were approved.
Old and New Business
Sprinkler Retrofit � ELSS: Pio spoke to Ellyn Bogdanoff and George Moraitis who gave him an update on committee status. he Governor agreed to withhold a veto if the legislation is amended to require an approval by two-thirds of an association�s voting interests to opt-out of an ELSS, instead of a simple majority. The new language has already been added.to the bill. Ellyn said the bill will pass in the House. However, Senate approval may be more difficult.
Incidents on the Galt: Pio shared information regarding two incidents that occurred on the Galt Mile. At 9:30 p.m. on 4/14/17, a departing Playa del Sol security guard was accosted by two men wielding a knife and a gun that robbed him and stole his car. On 4/1/17 at 11:25 p.m., two males followed a couple and a woman walking south on Galt Ocean Drive. They pushed a woman to the ground and snatched her purse. Need to notify all associations and the beach patrol about these incidents, and residents should exercise vigilance. Suggestion was made that cameras be aimed trained on the street to possibly record license plate numbers of vehicles passing or entering the property.
Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale Police Officers T. Levin and T. Ryan. The officers reported two robberies, although no arrests were made. Patrols have been beefed up, heightening police presence. They cautioned us to be aware of our surroundings and call the police if a threat is suspected.. (Pio will send out memo). Association video security should be properly maintained and upgraded when necessary.
Pio introduced Fort Lauderdale Ciity Commissioner Bruce Roberts, who shared the following: Safety issues, upgrading eroded drainage infrastructure, traffic management, preparing for next year�s Spring Break disturbances. Regarding cameras, the City is recommending which cameras have the most efficient technology.
Pio discussed water rates: Single family homes are billed less than condominiums. Thanked Fred Nesbitt for the remarkable job he has done in gathering information and statistics regarding the water rates. A meeting was held to negotiate implementation of a more equitable billing formula. A memo to confirm this should be received shortly. The revisions will have no net impact on the City of Fort Lauderdale budget.
Pio did a walk thru/landscape inspection of The Mile with John Jors and Ed Hashek.
Galt Mile Web Site � Newsletter � Eric Berkowitz
- March 2017 Website statistics: 541,328 hits, 22,794 Unique Site Visits (First Timers)
Articles posted during the past month include:
March 18, 2017 - Evolution of a Homeless Program - In 2005, Broward County implemented a plan entitled �A Way Home: Broward County, Florida�s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness�. Blending junk science and urban legend with untested theories about the root causes of homelessness, the plan required homeless candidates to demonstrate �housing readiness� by enduring a prolonged psychological, medical and sociological gauntlet of treatment, counseling and classes while bouncing between shelters and the streets. The vast majority skated when faced with this daunting regimen, and the program�s overall impact on homelessness was negligible. After Congress adopted Federal laws in 2009 that precipitated a nationwide �housing first� initiative, the Broward �A Way Home� plan and local homeless assistance programs were adapted to access new Federal funds. Since then, hundreds of homeless individuals and families have been housed, including more than 500 homeless veterans, and scores of our "chronic homeless" population. See what happened...
March 27, 2017 - Bogdanoff in Tallahassee - On May 4, 2016, a State official issued a questionable interpretation of the Florida Fire Code (AKA: a Declaratory Statement) that empowered local Fire Marshals to require most high-rise associations to install an Emergency Life Safety System (ELSS). An undefined blend of fire safety elements (which includes fire sprinklers), Fort Lauderdale Fire Marshal Jeff Lucas characterized an ELSS as �more expensive than fire sprinklers�. Upon learning how a bureaucrat circumvented the Statutory right of associations to opt-out of the sprinkler retrofit, Statehouse Representative George Moraitis filed House Bill 653 on February 6, 2017. The bill would enable association unit owners to decide - by a full membership vote - whether their association should fund a $multi-million ELSS. Former State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff, who authored the 2010 opt-out law, traveled to Tallahassee to help Moraitis enact his bill. Since the success of this bill will determine whether most Galt Mile unit owners will be forced to cough up a $multi-million assessment, Bogdanoff updates the legislation's progress with weekly reports. Read her recent messages...
April 6, 2017 - March 2017 LaMarca Letter - In his March / April 2017 LaMarca Letter, District 4 Broward Commissioner Chip LaMarca describes how a staged photo shoot of our recently widened beach will carry multiple messages to the State and Federal agencies charged with funding beach projects, blending a �Thank You� card with an invoice and a cordial reminder that their investment will yield a whopping tourism dividend. LaMarca also details how NEPA surveys required for Port Everglades� improvements will safeguard the environment; notes how a Port pilot program to enhance turn times expedited its first shipment of perishable cargo; welcomes Silversea Cruises� newest luxury cruise ship � Silver Muse � to its new winter homeport; applauds recognition of Broward�s green communities by �Keep America Beautiful�; details how an Animal Care Division web portal will facilitate spay and neuter services for �community cats�; and explains how thousands of new parking spaces at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will enhance the explosive growth anticipated for FLL in 2017. Read about it...
Other Business
Regarding Chepo recognition, Ed Hashek reported that he spoke to a City rep regarding placing a plaque on a bench in front of the Commodore. A 2x9 inch bronze plaque will cost under $200.00. A motion was made and passed to purchase the plaque, which will be presented at our June 15 meeting.
Beach Patrol � Fred Nesbitt will have a meeting to see how recent changes are working.
Discussed lighting issues during turtle season.
Fred Nesbitt reported on a canal dredging program that affect two of the Coral Ridge buildings.
Pio shared information regarding background screenings; be very cautious about rejecting applicants; check with your attorney.
Eric needs help with the newsletter. Please contact him with any assistance you can offer.
Treasurer�s Report - Fred Nesbitt
Adjournment - The next regular Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Nick�s Italian Restaurant
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Fern McBride
Fern McBride, Secretary
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