CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
Andrews Avenue Bridge Lighting
The Broward County Cultural Division provided an update on conceptual artwork for the Andrews Avenue Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation project. The proposed artwork includes decorative, dynamic lighting designed to illuminate the piers and portions of the underside of the bridge as well as the pedestrian area under the bridge. For details, visitbit.ly/3lnkUYa. It was a pleasure serving on the Artist's Selection Panel.
Henry E. Kinney Tunnel Top Plaza Project Presentation
Staff from the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) shared an update on the future of the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel. Following an upcoming FDOT rehabilitation project at the tunnel that will feature mobility and safety improvements along US 1, a City project will transform the area above the tunnel into a pedestrian plaza. For details, visit bit.ly/3jBdVu8.
CRA BOARD MEETING
CRA Board Approves Forgivable Loan for Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, approved a $290,000 forgivable loan to Junny Investment Group LLC for Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant, located at 2012 NW 6 Street. The funds are to be used to construct the new restaurant and install a surface water drainage tank. An additional $35,000 may be awarded to the applicant, at the discretion of the CRA’s Executive Director, for legitimate cost overruns for the project. Once complete, Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant will bring West Indian cuisine to Sistrunk Boulevard. For details, visitbit.ly/3izrN6F.
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Fort Lauderdale Receives Broward County Enhanced Marine Law Enforcement Grant
The City was awarded $184,104 in grant funding through Broward County’s Enhanced Marine Law Enforcement Grant Program, which aims to enhance marine law enforcement and improve boating safety in Broward County. The City will use the awarded grant funds to continue “Operation Venice of America” by providing up to 3,696 hours of peak time waterway law enforcement patrols and marine law enforcement training. For details, visitbit.ly/3lnlFR0.
City Commission Approves Agreement for School Resource Officer Program
The City Commission approved a one-year agreement with the School Board of Broward County (SBBC) for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department assigns 10 law enforcement officers to serve as SROs at nine secondary schools: New River Middle, Sunrise Middle, William Dandy Middle, Fort Lauderdale High, Sheridan Technical, Stranahan High, Seagull Alternative, Whiddon-Rogers Education Center, and two officers at Dillard Middle/High. The SBBC will contribute $60,000 per officer for a total amount of $600,000 per school year. For details, visit bit.ly/3iDOFCa.
Fort Lauderdale Joins the Florida Retirement System
City of Fort Lauderdale employees will be eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) effective January 1, 2021. This benefit will be extended to City employees, other than police officers and firefighters, and elected officials seated following the November 3, 2020 election. For details, visit bit.ly/3iy4dal and bit.ly/2SA7pba.
City Commission Approves Grant Funding for Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
The City Commission adopted a resolution approving a not-for-profit grant participation agreement with Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc. The contributions include $225,000 for an informational kiosk program, holiday displays, and special events and celebrations, as well as $50,400 for the monthly Go Riverwalk Magazine that features information from the City in print, online, and through social media. To learn more, visit www.goriverwalk.com. For details, visit bit.ly/33zSyDK and bit.ly/36AGTXn.
Design-Build Agreement Approved for Bayshore Drive Intracoastal Force Main Crossing Services
The City Commission approved a $1,850,500 design-build agreement with DBE Management, Inc. d/b/a DBE Utility Services for the Bayshore Drive Intracoastal Force Main Crossing Services Project. This project includes installing approximately 4,500 feet of force main, including 600 feet of pipes beneath the Intercoastal Waterway. The existing 18-inch ductile iron force main, which conveys wastewater from the Central Beach Alliance area west under the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the main transmission line near NE 9 Street and Middle River Drive, was constructed in the 1980s and is nearing its useful life. For details, visit bit.ly/30HUfgB.
City Accepting Proposals for One Stop Shop Site
Over the next 60 days, the City will accept proposals for development of City-owned property located at 301 N Andrews Avenue, commonly known as the One Stop Shop. An unsolicited proposal has been received from One Stop FTL, LLC that proposes the construction of a recreational and cultural facility and park at the site. For details, visitbit.ly/2SuT53w.
City Commission Approves Purchase of 1016 Waverly Road Under Parks Bond
The City Commission approved the purchase of property at 1016 Waverly Road for development of a park under the parks bond at a cost of $2,540,000. City staff and I connected with neighbors in the Sailboat Bend Historic District, where the vacant site is located, about future activation and the archeological significance of the site. The site is recorded at the Florida Master Site File, which is the state’s official inventory of historical cultural resources. At my request, City staff will seek to make a local designation and submit it to the National Register of Historic Places. For details, visit bit.ly/34v8gzo.
City Commission Approves Amended Consent Order with FDEP (Walk-On Item)
The City Commission adopted a resolution approving an amended consent order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to include and resolve sewer discharges between December 2019 and February 2020. In lieu of paying a monetary fine, the City has proposed projects with a focus on environmental enhancement and restoration aimed at improving the quality of the City’s waterways. To learn more about the City’s efforts to improve infrastructure and waterway quality, visit bit.ly/ftllaudertrac.
Next Virtual City Commission Meetings Set for October 20
The next virtual meetings of the City Commission are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20. 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
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers numerous ways for neighbors to receive important information and updates:
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