CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
City Exploring Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
Looking ahead to the end of the end of year, the City Commission discussed potential ideas to celebrate the 2020 holiday season. In addition to bringing the festive snowman back to Fort Lauderdale beach, City staff will explore several options, including coordinating small community events in each Commission District on the same night in late November or early December. Look for future updates on plans to celebrate the holidays on the City website at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BOARD MEETING
CRA Board Approves Amendment to Loan Agreement with North West 6th Investments, LLC
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, passed a resolution to modify the schedule to disburse loan funds to North West 6th Investments, LLC for the new Sistrunk Marketplace at 115 Sistrunk Boulevard. The food hall suffered unforeseen financial hardships as it operated under a reduced customer capacity to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Under the original loan agreement, North West 6th Investments was scheduled to receive the initial payment one year after the property received a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Under the revised agreement however, the developer will receive the first payment when the final CO is issued. For details visit bit.ly/2TYKbMk
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Lauderdale Air Show Approved for Nov. 21 – Nov. 22
The City Commission approved an agreement with Lauderdale Air Show, LLC to hold the Air Show on Fort Lauderdale beach Nov. 21-22, 2020. The annual Air Show is an exciting family-friendly event that features aircraft flight demonstrations and thrilling entertainment on Fort Lauderdale beach. Event organizers plan to incorporate safety measures that have proven successful at recent air shows, including social distancing in viewing areas and an enhanced live stream experience to protect the health and welfare of residents and visitors. For details visit bit.ly/3n1ZLDH
City Receives Grant for North Fork Riverfront Park
The Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) awarded the City of Fort Lauderdale a grant for North Fork Riverfront Park. The grant will fund up to $75,000 of the cost to design and permit improvements in the park. Located on a City-owned parcel on the south bank of the New River, the park will serve as a green space for the surrounding neighborhood and enable recreational vessels, kayaks, and paddle boards to access the Intracoastal Waterway from the New River. For details visit bit.ly/3k138ZE
City Commission Designates Funding for Tunnel Top Park
The City Commission approved an agreement to fund $10.6 million towards Tunnel Top Park, one of four signature projects to be completed as part of the Parks Bond. The park will be located over the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel on the north side of Las Olas Boulevard. Plans for the project include raising the intersection at Las Olas Boulevard and 6 Avenue, reconstructing the north ventilating building on site, and installing new landscaping and hardscaping. For details visit bit.ly/34YDbFA.
City Approves $5.5 Million Investment in Sewer Infrastructure
The Commission approved eight amendments to the 2021 fiscal year budget, including a transfer of $5.5 million to be used for several capital improvement projects. Planned infrastructure upgrades include replacement and/or rehabilitation of pump stations and sewer basins in Dolphin Isles, Bayview Drive, and the Las Olas Marina to improve reliability and sustainability of the City’s sewer system. I have been pushing to speed up the timeline for these important infrastructure projects that were not originally budgeted until years down the road. I want to personally thank the City Manager and Public Works Director for working with me in getting this accomplished. For details visit bit.ly/353SDjR
City Seeks to Protect Environment by Reducing Use of Polystyrene
The City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit the use of polystyrene products on public property and in public facilities. Polystyrene is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable material that endangers wildlife, waterways, and ecosystems. The City is taking a proactive step to end the use of polystyrene on public property to encourage others to use more environmentally friendly alternatives. For details visit bit.ly/3exDsCt.
City Simplifies Construction and Landscaping Fees
The City Commission approved on the second reading, changes to the Code of Ordinances Chapter 9, regarding Building and Construction Fees as well as Landscaping and Tree Removal Permit Fees. The changes will simplify the way fees are calculated, reduce the amount of fees collected, and keep the building fund in line with State of Florida statutory requirements. For details, visit bit.ly/366i5oh.
City Amends Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR)
The City Commission also approved on the second reading, an ordinance codifying the quantitative design standards of the Downtown Master Plan, adopted the Downtown Character Area Boundaries, established the Downtown Transition Zones, and amended several sections of the City’s ULDR related to the Downtown Regional Activity Center. Following the first reading, the City added a minimum requirement of 400 square feet for residential units and requested staff conduct additional analysis on minimum parking ratio requirements, specific location of the transition zone boundaries, and the impact of wind to towers based on tower separation. The codification is the result of extensive public input obtained over the past two years. For details, visit bit.ly/2IczaF5.
City Seeks Input on Landlord Registration Program
The City Commission deferred to December 15, 2020 the first reading of an ordinance to create a Landlord Registration Program. Gathering contact information for landlords and property managers will help the City engage appropriate parties regarding public safety and code compliance concerns. The Commission deferred the item to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide input before the first ordinance reading. For details visitbit.ly/2TXFsun.
First Reading Approval for Publix at A1A and NE 30th Street
The Commission approved a rezoning and related site plan for Publix Supermarket. Please note that I reviewed on the record with the Public Works Director all of the related infrastructure improvements from A1A to the Intracoastal. In addition, I am working on securing a left turn signal at NE 30th Street and A1A heading both north and south into Dolphin Isles and Lauderdale Beach Homeowners Association.
More Information
Next City Commission Meetings on November 17, 2020
The next City Commission meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 17. The public can listen to and view the meetings on FLTV, YouTube, Zoom, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To learn more about City Commission meetings, including how to view agendas and sign up to speak, visit fortlauderdale.gov/vcmeetings.
Commission Swearing-In Ceremony January 5, 2021
Mark your calendar, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission will be sworn in for their next term in office on January 5, 2021. Information about the swearing-in ceremony will be posted in the coming weeks on the City website at www.fortlauderdale.gov.
