JOINT WORKSHOP WITH CITIZENS’ POLICE REVIEW BOARD
Discussion on Citizens’ Police Review Board
The City Commission conducted a Joint Workshop with the Citizens' Police Review Board. The meeting focused on discussing the role of the board, examining various types of oversight models, and listening to recommendations to potentially expand the board’s responsibilities. Recommendations brought forward by the board for consideration included: having an opportunity to review category 2 complaints received by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, adding officer training to the types of recommendations the board can make, reviewing annual reports including the department’s annual response to resistance report, and advocating for more frequent department-wide bias awareness training. The City Manager will review the board’s recommendations and present a proposal to the City Commission for consideration at a future meeting. For details, visitbit.ly/31LWn7X.
CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
LauderTrail Update and Discussion on Next Steps
Staff from the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department along with and representatives from Old Dillard Trail and Mockingbird Trail provided an update to the City Commission on the status of the LauderTrail project and share suggestions for next steps. Over the past two years, the City’s LauderTrail working group, which sunset on August 1, met regularly to guide the early development of project, which upon completion, will connect 17 neighborhoods, 26 parks, 11 K-12 schools, 7 entertainment districts, 14 government services, 3 higher education centers, and over 30 cultural centers. To move the project forward, staff’s recommendations included creating a new steering committee, conducting a feasibility study, creating a master plan, and designing and constructing the first three segments of the trail as part of a pilot project. For details, visit bit.ly/2F00rZd.
Procurement Disparity Study Results
Staff from the Procurement Division of the City’s Finance Department and staff from MGT Consulting Group summarized the findings of a study that analyzed the City’s procurement practices in the categories of architecture and engineering, construction, goods, other services, and professional services between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2018 to determine if disparities exist between the utilization and availability of minority and women-owned businesses. The consultant commended the City on several of its current procedures and made recommendations on ways to increase participation and facilitate opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women, or other socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. For details, visit bit.ly/3lDnyd2.
Update on Audit of Beach CRA Improvement Projects
The City Auditor has engaged the services of Carr, Riggs, & Ingram CPAs to conduct a continuous audit of the construction projects that are underway in the Beach Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), including the Las Olas Boulevard Corridor Improvements and Aquatic Center Renovations. A review of final invoicing documentation for the Las Olas Garage is forthcoming once the necessary materials are submitted. The audit also includes reviews of the monthly submittals for pay applications related to the Aquatic Center Renovation. The City Auditor’s Office will continue to oversee this project and will provide periodic updates to the City Commission. For details, visit bit.ly/2DiNDg8.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BOARD MEETING
CRA Board Approves $640,000 Development Incentive for Affordable Housing Project
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, approved a $640,000 Development Incentive Program Loan to Mount Hermon Housing, Ltd. for the Mount Hermon Apartments, an affordable senior housing project of approximately 100 units located in Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood at the corner of NW 4th Street and NW 8th Avenue. Plans for the project include a mix of 77 one-bedroom/one-bath and 33 two-bedroom/two-bath units with structured parking and numerous amenities. The development will be an environmentally friendly community and the project will obtain a National Green Building Certification. For details, visitbit.ly/3hT4g11.
CRA Operating Budget and CIP Allocations Approved for Fiscal Year 2021
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, passed a resolution approving the final Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Operating Budget and Community Investment Plan Allocations for Fiscal Year 2021. The CRA Tax Increment Finance (TIF) revenue for the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights (NPF) Area consists of contributions from four separate taxing districts: City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Children Services Council, and North Broward Hospital District. The Central City Area TIF revenue comes from a contribution from the City of Fort Lauderdale. The estimates from the two redevelopment districts are expected to provide $15,867,046 in total Tax Increment Financing revenue, including $15,314,859 in the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA and $552,187 in the Central City CRA. For details, visit bit.ly/2ETkd8Q.
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Lease Approved for NE 13th Street Police Substation
The City Commission approved a 60-month lease amendment in the amount of $847,206.18 for the Police Department’s 13th Street Substation, located at 533 NE 13 Street. Since September 2015, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has operated a substation at this property. Currently, there are eight units operating out of the substation, including: Traffic Homicide, the DUI Unit, Community Engagement Team, Crime Prevention, Homeless Outreach, the Motor Unit, School Resource, and Environmental Crimes. For details, visit bit.ly/2YcnOFZ.
Commission Approves Amendment to Regional E-911 Communications System
The City Commission approved an amendment to the Consolidated Regional E-911 Communications System and the Regional Interlocal Agreement between Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale for cooperative participation in the Regional Public Safety Intranet. The proposed amendment addresses the following changes: (1) Establishes a baseline of services to all participating municipalities; (2) Redefines the responsibilities of the Operational Review Team (ORT) as it relates to the review of operational issues that may affect field operations of the fire and law disciplines; and (3) Permits an engagement process for which the identification of an issue or a revision to a policy, procedure, or policy of the 911 system can be raised by any of the participating law enforcement or fire rescue agencies. For details, visit bit.ly/3gNNFub.
Fire Rescue Receives $1 million Grant from FEMA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The City Commission accepted a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the amount of $1,074,072 on behalf of the City’s Fire Rescue Department. The funding will enable the Fire Rescue Department to implement a Fitness/Wellness and Injury Reduction Training Program for all sworn members of the department. Plans include setting up a series of workshops that will be taught by industry experts focusing on topics including physical fitness, nutrition, behavioral health/stress management, mental performance, injury prevention, and sleep management.
Commission Approves Consolidated Budget Amendment to Fiscal Year 2020
The City Commission approved a Consolidated Budget Amendment. Highlights are outlined below. For details, visit bit.ly/2GlUgj5.
· Funds Appropriated to Enhance Tree Canopy
The Tree Canopy Trust Fund maintained by the City, allows trust fund dollars to be used to enhance tree canopy coverage. The City’s Parks Division incurred $111,630 in expenses associated with the purchase and planting of more than 1,000 trees throughout the City. The City Commission approved appropriating $111,630 from the Tree Canopy Trust Fund to cover the expenses eligible for reimbursement.
· Funds Appropriated for City Hall 8th Floor Renovations
Funding in the amount of $97,500 was appropriated for renovations to the 8th floor of City Hall. The project will include a redesign of the 8th floor City Commission offices to better accommodate the additional staff working in the offices of the Mayor and Commissioners. The project will include an expansion of the office area and redesign the common space to better accommodate staff while maintaining Sunshine governance rules. Funding was available in the Facilities Assessment Interior Repair/Construction project, which was recommended to be used for this improvement project.
· Funds Appropriated to Improve Acoustics at South Side Cultural Center
An appropriation of $18,804 was approved for acoustical improvements at the City’s South Side Cultural Arts Center, located at 701 S. Andrews Avenue. Facilities Maintenance received complaints that the rooms on the lower floor of the facility created tremendous amounts of noise that transferred to the second floor of the building. The noise also caused an echo effect in each individual room of the first floor. Upon investigation, it was determined that there was not suitable sound deadening material to prevent this from happening. An acoustic study was performed to determine how to best remedy the noise issues. Based on the findings, a plan was put together to improve the building’s acoustics.
City Accepts $11,869 Grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District
The City Commission accepted a grant in the amount of $11,869 from the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) to cover 75% of salvage/disposal costs associated with the removal of a derelict 40-foot sailing vessel in the Intracoastal Waterway. The remainder of the $3,956 in costs will be funded from a Broward Boating Improvement Grant which was awarded to the City in 2019. For details, visit bit.ly/3lEtZfP.
City Accepts $10,000 Grant for Architectural Resource Survey
The City Commission accepted a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. The funds will be used to hire a historic preservation consultant to organize and conduct a reconnaissance level Architectural Resource Survey of the Croissant Park neighborhood. The survey will result in a minimum of 500 Florida Master Site File historic resource group and historic structures forms and a final survey report. For details, visit bit.ly/34TzLEq.
City Supports Posting "No Thru Trucks" Signs in Rio Vista Neighborhood
The City Commission adopted a resolution of support for the Broward County Traffic Engineering Division (BCTED) to post “No Thru Trucks” signs at the intersections of SE 7 Street, SE 9 Street, and SE 12 Street at South Federal Highway in the Rio Vista neighborhood. The installation of the new signage will help decrease the amount of cut-through truck traffic, enhance the safety of the residential streets, and alert commercial truck drivers of the restriction prior to entering the residential streets. For details, visitbit.ly/2EMBsZO.
Agreement Approved for General Environmental Engineering Consulting Services
The City Commission awarded a two-year continuing contract for general environmental engineering consulting services to the top four ranked firms: E Sciences, Inc., Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., GHD Services, Inc., and Terracon Consultants, Inc. in the estimated aggregate, two-year amount of $300,000 to be distributed among the consultants following the normal task order approval process for city-wide services such as design, testing or monitoring services, permitting, reports, application for grants, environmental site assessments, inspection services, audits, and historical and archeological reviews. For details, visit bit.ly/3hRnnZc.
Consultant Hired to Activate Areas of Fort Lauderdale Beach
The City Commission approved a one-year, $105,000 agreement with A & R Enterprises of So. FL Inc. to provide activation, management, and staffing for four open space areas along in Fort Lauderdale Beach: D.C. Alexander Park, Las Olas Oceanside Park, Las Olas Garage Amenity Deck, and the Intracoastal promenade south of the Las Olas Bridge. Programming is anticipated to begin in February 2021 and will feature options such as health and wellness opportunities, musical concerts, family activities, and special events. For details, visit bit.ly/32Kh57u.
Additional Funds Approved for Sewer Repairs and Replacement Contract
The City Commission approved a $4 million increase to the annual sewer repairs and replacement contract with Hinterland Group Inc., Luna Development Corp., and Southern Underground Industries, Inc. bringing the contract total to $6 million. Since the initial award of $2 million over a two-year period in September 2019, staff has successfully completed over $1 million and scheduled an additional $1.6 million in water and sewer repairs throughout the City. Projects include the rehabilitation of mainline sanitary sewers and water mains, point repairs of mainlines and laterals, manhole repairs, and testing and sealing of pipe joints. The additional $4 million will cover the costs of the repair projects that have been identified by Public Works Utilities staff, as well as additional repair projects that may be identified in the future. For details, visit bit.ly/32O5moA.
Extension Approved for Computer Search and Crime Analytics Software
The City Commission approved a three-year extension in the amount of $214,869 to the Computer Search and Crime Analytics Software agreement with LexisNexis Risk Solutions. These programs are designed to help the Police Department search electronic records from a variety of sources to further criminal investigations. These include locating fugitives, suspects, witnesses, hidden assets for confiscation/seizure, the identification of criminal associates, and the existence of hidden associations. For details, visitbit.ly/2EFW2v3.
Commission Approves Change Order for Stormwater Infrastructure
The City Commission approved a change order with Continental Construction USA in the amount of $100,091.96 to extend contract time by 41 days and cover infrastructure improvements related to the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Mobility Hub Streetscape Improvements Project. Improvements will include reconstructing catch basins, addressing underground storm water system conflicts, and replacing steel trash containers with concrete receptacles. For details, visit bit.ly/2DjzHCA.
Commission Approves Change Order for North Redundant Sewer Force Main
The City Commission approved a change order with Murphy Pipeline Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $1,452,594.03 to cover extending the southern portion of the North Redundant Sewer Force Main so that it can more easily connect with the South Redundant Force Main, which is being built by Mancini & Sons, Inc. Funding will also be used to install a 42-inch stub out and valve for future interconnection with the existing 42-inch force main and to provide a 24-inch stub out for future force main rehabilitation along NE 13 Street under a separate project. For details, visit bit.ly/31QrO0M.
City Commission Approves Grant Agreement for Hurricane Dorian Funding
The City Commission approved a grant agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management for Hurricane Dorian reimbursements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the State of Florida funds to reimburse municipalities for Hurricane Dorian expenditures. Dorian charges are related to emergency protective measures. The hurricane project will be funded by FEMA (75%), the State (12.5%) and the City (12.5%). The City expects to submit a claim estimated to be $154,393 to FEMA for Hurricane Dorian. The City estimates it will receive $115,795 in Federal funds from FEMA and $19,299 from the State of Florida. The share to be borne by the City is expected to be $19,299. For details, visitbit.ly/2QN9pM4.
City Commission Approves Purchase of New EMS Station Property
The City Commission approved the purchase of property located at 507 SE 11 Court for the future development of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station in the downtown area. The property search began in April 2019 and focused on the area between the railroad tracks and Federal Highway and between Davie Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard to provide better response times to areas both north and south of the tunnel. City staff has conducted an environmental assessment, archeological assessment, and confirmed zoning compatibility of the 13,450-square foot site that will be purchased for $1.15 million. For details, visit bit.ly/3hPYZqV.
Commission Approves Creation of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)
The City Commission passed an ordinance on first reading to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) to comply with State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) changes. The AHAC is a committee appointed by the City Commission for the purpose of recommending specific initiatives and incentives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing. House Bill 1339, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 9, 2020, requires that the AHAC committee include one locally elected official as of October 1, 2020. This person must be an elected official and participate in two annual training workshops conducted through the Florida Housing Coalition Catalyst Program. If attendance is not complied with, SHIP funds may be withheld. For details, visit bit.ly/34WuQm7.
Rezoning Approved for 6500 and 6520 N. Andrews Avenue
The City Commission passed on second reading an ordinance approving a rezoning from Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial Business District (B-3) to Uptown Urban Village Northeast District (UUV-NE), for approximately 4.3 acres of land located at 6500 and 6520 N. Andrews Avenue. The rezoning application was submitted to permit the development of a mixed use project on the site. The associated development application is currently under review by the Development Review Committee (DRC) and will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) at a future board meeting. For details, visitbit.ly/3bgQh2u.
City Commission Approves Rezoning for Towers Retirement Home
The City Commission approved an ordinance on second reading approving the rezoning of .73 acres of land at 824 NE 2 Street in the Beverly Heights neighborhood from Residential Multifamily Mid Rise/Medium High Density District (RMM-25) to Planned Development District (PDD) and approved a site plan for 39 multifamily residential units. The applicant, Towers Retirement Home, Inc. is proposing to redevelop the existing Towers Retirement Home into a residential multifamily project. On November 17, 2015, the City Commission designated the property as a Historic Landmark. The current request was presented to the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) on February 3, 2020. The HPB approved three Certificates of Appropriateness, which included the complete demolition of the two-story accessory structure on the site, major alteration to rehabilitate the historic landmark, and the new construction of a four-story multifamily residential structure in the southwest corner of the parcel in the same location as the existing two story accessory structure. For details, visit bit.ly/2GofEEt.
City Commission Approves New Engineering Permit Fees
The City Commission approved an ordinance on second reading amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale by creating Section 9-54 to be entitled “Engineering Permit Fees” to establish new fees for the review and inspection of building construction permits and other support services provided by the Engineering Division in the Department of Sustainable Development. Based on an analysis by Matrix Consulting Group, the Department was able to determine the costs associated with these services and update the costs for building construction permit fees to allow for 100% cost recovery and to more closely align with fees from comparable agencies. Upon Commission approval on second reading, the new fees will be effective October 21, 2020. For details, visit bit.ly/3bgSQBP.
Next Virtual City Commission Meetings on September 15
The next virtual meetings of the City Commission are scheduled for Tuesday, September 15. The public can listen to and view the virtual meetings on FLTV, YouTube, Zoom, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To learn more about virtual City Commission meetings, including how to view agendas and sign up to speak, visitfortlauderdale.gov/vcmeetings.
For More Information
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