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MINUTES OF GMCA ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 17, 2005


The Meeting was called to order at 11:00 A.M. by President Bob Rozema.

Board Members present: Rozema, Ieraci, Berkowitz, Glickfield, Gill, Guttman, Alfano, Comis, Freismuth, Gilligan, Hamaker, McBride, Montross, Nicholson-Brown, Santiago and Songer.

Approval of Minutes - The minutes of October 20, 2005 were approved.

Old & New Business - President Rozema introduced and welcomed Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. He thanked the Mayor for his concern and help after Hurricane Wilma.

Mayor Naugle spoke to several issues regarding Hurricane Wilma:

  • He was required to spend the first night of the hurricane at the EOC (Emergency Operations Center).
  • When he became Mayor, he read Fort Lauderdale�s Hurricane Plan which, after Hurricane Andrew, he memorized.
  • Fort Lauderdale�s preparations for Wilma presupposed its being a medium strength storm.
  • Fort Lauderdale is only city in area that operates during storms due to a 40,000 lb. armored vehicle called �The Monster� - formerly a piece of riot control equipment replete with offensive, defensive and advanced communications capabilities.
  • Officials visiting the beach after the storm found that three lifeguard stands were demolished, three were damaged and the balance were okay.
  • During a post-storm tour of the downtown area, he noticed that the newest buildings (those protected by impact glass) sustained the least damage. While impact glass isn�t foolproof, it makes a big difference.
  • After the storm, a �Rapid Impact Assessment� was performed by police officials, fire inspectors, building inspectors, medical personnel, etc. to establish repair priorities.
  • Fort Lauderdale has a fuel contract which provided an adequate fuel supply.
  • Ice was procured within 24 hours after storm and distributed at City Hall.
  • The streets were cleared by CERT volunteers so that garbage removal was possible the day after the storm.
  • A curfew was established from 7 pm to 7 am, and then revised to span 11 pm to 7 am.
  • Some looting occurred (West Sunrise Blvd.) � not food.
  • The City maintained a heavy police presence.
  • Sixty generators powered intersection traffic lights � 2 were stolen. The cost of guarding them exceeded their value.
  • Generators will be kept on hand and serviced
  • Coral Springs had temporary solar powered traffic lights � we will look into this
  • Volunteers came from many areas, including Sheriff�s Deputies from Hillsborough and Volusia Counties.
  • More than 300 trucks and 500 employees and contracted clean-up crews were on City streets daily removing hurricane debris.
  • Responding to a query from Coral Ridge Towers South President Ralph Hamaker as to what Associations could do to help during emergencies, the Mayor suggested they take inventories of people who need special help and cannot take care of themselves.
  • The most significant problem was our lack of power due to inadequate maintenance of power grids. This prevented water plants from functioning adequately - lowering water pressure and requiring chemical detoxification.
  • Generators at gas stations should be statewide
  • His discussion with Governor Bush included: (1) �sales tax holiday� for hurricane supplies; (2) regarding our community offering housing for Katrina evacuees - it would be inappropriate to move them from one hurricane zone to another.
  • Some people may move away from South Florida, but our beautiful tropical paradise will always attract interesting new people
  • We maintain $100 million in reserves for emergencies.
  • Related some of the problems, complaints, plans
  • He addressed some severe problems facing FPL.
  • Street lights on the Mile: The City will remove the bad ones and get the good ones working.

Click Here for full report about Wilma�s overall impact. [Editor]

Other information shared:

  • Small Business Administration has many open positions.
  • Standard & Poor�s rating for Fort Lauderdale has been upgraded to �stable�

Click Here for full report about the meeting with Mayor Jim Naugle. [Editor]

Opus South - Ralph Hamaker - The Developer may pull out; they are going back to the drawing board.

Il Lugano - Ralph Hamaker - They are finally working above ground level.

A1A - Winn-Dixie was up and running quickly after Hurricane Wilma.

Galt Mile Web Site � Eric Berkowitz - October - Hits: 402,403 (averaging 12,080 hits per day); first time site visits: 13,011

New articles include: A review of the October Presidents Council Windows Forum, an explanation of the Miami Protocols, a summary of Hurricane Wilma�s local impact, an article about the new Flu Season and a description of the damage sustained by Fort Lauderdale�s as yet unrenourished beaches.

Correspondence - The crime report has not been updated since the last meeting.

Treasurer�s Report - Leah Glickfield reported $17,142.97 in our Treasury.

Next Board Meeting - THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005 AT 11:00 A.M.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 P.M.

Fern McBride, Assistant Secretary

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