CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE MEETING
City to Explore More Ways to Address Flood Concerns
In the 37 days prior to Tropical Storm Eta, the City received almost 26 inches of rain, nearly half of its annual rainfall total. These unprecedented rains saturated soils and filled drainage systems. Following this extreme rainfall and in anticipation of the tropical storm conditions, the City used vac trucks to empty catch basins, drew down stormwater retention areas and checked storm drains for clogs. The City handed out 6,000 sandbags to help neighbors prevent flooding on their own property. Even with these efforts, the additional 10.5” of rain from T.S. Eta exceeded the stormwater capacity and created widespread flooding. The City initiated a 24-hour response operation with a hired fleet of dozens of additional vac trucks to try to alleviate flooding throughout the City. While many residents were concerned that system maintenance was a contributor to the flooding from the extreme rainfall, the City currently operates a proactive storm drain inspection program, checking each of the 9,000+ catch basins twice a year to assess the need for maintenance or repair. In response to the recent rain events, the City committed to continued vigilance in maintaining the stormwater management systems and directing resources to develop and construct additional stormwater improvement projects in the areas hardest hit by T.S. Eta.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) BOARD MEETING
CRA Board Approves Forgivable Loan for The Blue Tree Café
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, approved a $225,000 forgivable loan for The Blue Tree Café, a multi-brand virtual kitchen and restaurant proposed at 612 NW 9 Avenue. The restaurant, scheduled for a spring 2021 opening, will introduce a Southern-style menu with healthy soul food, as well as a vegan and low-sodium options, while offering carry-out service, delivery, and catering. For details, visit bit.ly/2H9F9Ka.
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
City Commission Approves Fort Lauderdale Concours Event at Las Olas Garage
The City Commission approved an event agreement for Fort Lauderdale Concours, after assurance that COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Fort Lauderdale Concours is an invitation-only cultural event showcasing collector automobiles that is scheduled for Saturday, February 13, 2021, at the Las Olas Garage. In an effort to minimize impacts to nearby residents, the event agreement specifies that amplified music will end by 9 p.m. The event is contingent upon Broward County approval. The discussion on the Igloo Cooler Festival, which was part of this item, was deferred to December 2. For details, visitbit.ly/2UBXEKp.
Runway and Taxiway Intersection Improvements Coming to FXE
The City of Fort Lauderdale has received a $20,986 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the design costs for the Runway 9 Run-up Area Relocation and South End Taxiways Intersection Improvements at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). These projects will alleviate airfield traffic along the south side of FXE and facilitate compliance with current FAA design standards relating to taxiway intersections. For details, visit bit.ly/395HEZR.
City Seeks Grant Funding for Complete Streets Projects
The City Commission authorized the submittal of applications to the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)’s Complete Streets and other Local Initiatives Program (CSLIP). The grant would be used for the complete street projects on NE 26 Street in Coral Ridge and the NE 15 Avenue in Lake Ridge & Poinsettia Heights, which will bring traffic calming features, pedestrian safety enhancements, and bike lanes to these areas. Thank you to staff for all of your work on this as well as the Lake Ridge Civic Association and Poinsettia Heights Civic Association. For details, visit bit.ly/38RfEZJ.
City Commission Approves Additional Funds for Recyclable Materials Processing Contract
The City Commission approved an amendment to the City’s contract with Waste Management Inc. of Florida for recyclable materials processing services, increasing the funds by $1.2 million due to decreases in the market value of recyclable materials and increases in volumes collected since the contract was approved on May 7, 2019. For details, visit bit.ly/3fdbnB4.
City Commission Approves the AMSO Friendsgiving Weekend Get Together and 14th Annual Cleveland Clinic Florida 13.1 Fort Lauderdale and Veterans Day 5K
The City Commission approved event agreements for the AMSO Friendsgiving Weekend Get Together scheduled for Friday, November 27 - Sunday, November 29 at American Social; and the 14th Annual Cleveland Clinic Florida 13.1 Fort Lauderdale and Veterans Day 5K scheduled for Sunday, December 13 along A1A, after a discussion on COVID-19 precautions that will be in place. Both event agreements allow for amplified music until 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Sunday) and road closures. The events are contingent upon Broward County approval. For details, visit bit.ly/38SMRE3.
Fort Lauderdale Receives Federal Funding for Housing Assistance
The City Commission approved amendments needed so the City can accept additional resources through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CDBG CARES Act). The $1,640,833 in grant funding will help provide temporary housing relief for Fort Lauderdale residents who have been affected by the ongoing pandemic. For details, visit bit.ly/3pBhpA1.
City Commission Approves $4M Purchase of Property for New Park
The City Commission approved up to $4,050,000 of the Park Bond for the purchase of a waterfront parcel at SW 5 Court and SW 12 Avenue, which will be used to develop a public park (this site is just over the Swing Bridge near Riverside Park). The vacant site is approximately 2.165 acres and features approximately 750 linear feet of frontage on the North Fork of the New River. For details, visit bit.ly/2Kaj8vU.
Temporary Fire Station Coming to Vistamar Street
The City Commission approved an ordinance approving a public purpose use for a temporary fire station and a surface parking lot in the Central Beach Regional Activity Center, located at 735 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. This location is the closest City-owned vacant property to the existing Fire Station #13, located at 2781 East Sunrise Boulevard, which will be rebuilt. Thank you to the Central Beach Alliance for your input on this project. For details, visit bit.ly/3kA5kHK.
City Seeks to Protect Environment by Reducing Use of Polystyrene
The City Commission approved on the second reading, 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/2UEulXA.
More Information
Next City Commission Meetings on December 2, 2020
The next City Commission meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, December 2 (note that we will not be meeting on that Tuesday, December 1). 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 December 2, 2020
The swearing-in ceremony for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission was changed to December 2, 2020. Information about the swearing-in ceremony will be posted on the City website at www.fortlauderdale.gov.
For More Information
The City of Fort Lauderdale offers numerous ways for neighbors to receive important information and updates:
