Civic Information for August 2010

City of Fort Lauderdale

Civic Packet Update

Distributed July 29,2010

Headlines

• New Utility Billing System
• Notice of Utility Rate Increase
• Requirements for Renewing Resident Beach Parking Cards
• For Your Safety: New Lightning Prediction Systems Installed at Many City Parks
• Starlight Musicals – Each Friday until August 6
• Fort Lauderdale Kicks Off 57th Annual David Deal Playday

New Utility Billing System

Attached, please find the following information about the City of Fort Lauderdale's new Utility Billing System:

1) New Utility Billing System Questions and Answers

2) How to Read Your Utility Bill

3) Top 10 Things You Should Know about the New Utility Billing System

These documents should be helpful in answering many of the most common questions about the new system. All of the documents are also available online at: www.fortlauderdale.gov/utilitybilling

For more information about utility billing, please visit the City’s website at: www.fortlauderdale.gov/utilitybilling. You may also contact a Utility Billing customer service representative during regular business hours at 954-828-5150 or call the City’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.

If you prefer the convenience of the Internet, you may log on to the City’s website at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice and complete the customer service web form. Thank you.

Notice of Utility Rate Increases

In July 2009, the City of Fort Lauderdale approved a five percent utility rate increase for water, wastewater and stormwater service. The rate increase will take effect on August 1, 2010. The City of Fort Lauderdale’s utility rates remain among the lowest in Broward County. To view the current utility rate schedule and for answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/utilitybilling. For more information, please contact the 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 or online at www.fortlauderdale.gov/customerservice.

Requirements for Renewing Resident Beach Parking Cards

If you plan to renew a Resident Beach Parking Card, be advised that four documents are required for proof of residency. The residential address must match on all four documents.

1. A current permanent Florida driver’s license.

2. A current Florida vehicle registration.

3. A current utility bill (within the past 30 days). Acceptable utility bills are water, electric, or cable.

4. A valid twelve-month residential lease or proof of ownership of homesteaded property within the incorporated city limits of the City of Fort Lauderdale.

The cost for renewal is $6. Call 954-828-3700 for more information.

For Your Safety: New Lightning Prediction Systems Installed at Many City Parks

What You Should Know About Our Lightning Prediction Systems

In the United States, more than 400 people are struck by lightning each year. To encourage lightning safety, the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Parks and Recreation Department has installed lightning prediction systems at several park locations. The Parks and Recreation Department will utilize the lightning prediction systems as a weather-monitoring tool that will provide additional protection to employees, recreational program participants and other park patrons.

The following park locations have been equipped with the lightning prediction systems that will be operational ONLY during normal park hours and as warranted for special events:

• Bass Park – 2750 N.W. 19th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Bayview Park – 4401 Bayview Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
• Croissant Park – 245 W. Park Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
• Floyd Hull Stadium – 800 S.W. 28th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
• George English Park – 1101 Bayview Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
• Holiday Park – 1150 G. Harold Martin Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
• Joseph C. Carter Park – 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Lauderdale Manors – 1340 Chateau Park Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Mills Pond Park – 2201 N.W. 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Osswald Park – 2220 N.W. 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Riverland Park – 950 S.W. 27th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
• Snyder Park – 3299 S.W. 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
• Warfield Park – 1000 N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Lightning Prediction System: How It Works

The lightning prediction systems have been installed to provide protection from lightning disasters. Lightning prediction senses and evaluates the shifts and changes in the electrostatic field that precede the occurrence of an actual lightning strike. Lightning is a violent act of nature and the City of Fort Lauderdale recognizes the threat of injuries or death from lightning strikes cannot be entirely eliminated. However, certain precautions can minimize the potential for lightning related injuries.

When the lightning warning system sounds (one 15-second horn blast), the outdoor facility must be cleared of all patrons as soon as possible. The City of Fort Lauderdale has trained staff to help clear the park’s fields. Also, all persons must seek and remain in buildings or vehicles. All persons must wait until the weather clears and the all-clear signal sounds (three five-second blasts) before patrons can resume play. Activities may only resume once the all-clear signal sounds.

It is recommended that when possible, park patrons and staff seek and remain in a sheltered area. If such shelter is unavailable, patrons are encouraged to get into their vehicles. Pavilions, sheds, picnic shelters, tents, covered porches, dugouts or trees should not be used for shelter, as they do NOT protect you from lightning. Individuals should keep away from metal objects such as fences, umbrellas, etc. This policy shall apply to programs and facilities operated by the City of Fort Lauderdale and its affiliated groups.

Lightning Safety Information

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has provided the following information on lightning safety:

• Avoid the Lightning Threat
• Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
• Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
• Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning or increasing wind.
• Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, immediately move to a safe place. Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If a sturdy building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
• If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone except in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use.
• Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring.
• Water pipes conduct electricity. Don’t take a bath or shower or use other plumbing during a storm.

For more information on lightning safety, please visit the following websites:

National Weather Service - http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards - http://www.weather.gov/nwr

American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency - http://www.fema.gov

For more information on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s lightning prediction systems, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 954-828-7275 or e-mail parksinfo@fortlauderdale.gov.

Starlight Musicals – Each Friday until August 6

Join us at the 32nd Annual Bank of America Starlight Musicals Concert Series on Friday nights from 7-10 pm through August 6. This free, outdoor concert series takes place on the football fields in Holiday Park, located at 1300 E. Sunrise Boulevard. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, family and friends to the park for live entertainment under the stars. Starlight Musicals will feature an exciting lineup of bands ranging from rhythm and blues to tropical rock. The lineup includes:

• July 30 – Viva Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll (Classic Rock)
• August 6 - Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways (Tropical Rock/Jimmy Buffet)

For more information, please call our 24-hour hotline at (954) 828-5363 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.

Fort Lauderdale Kicks Off 57th Annual David Deal Playday

Enjoy a Fun-Filled Week for the Entire Family

The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Broward County Parks and Recreation and the Fort Lauderdale Church of God, will celebrate the 57th Annual David Deal Playday with a series of events beginning Saturday, July 31 through Wednesday, August 4. All events, with the exception of the Championship Swim Meet, will take place at Joseph C. Carter Park, located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. All Playday events are free and open to the public.

The 57th Annual David Deal Playday event schedule includes:

Championship Swim Meet

Saturday, July 31, 2010 – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, 501 Seabreeze Boulevard

Tri-county summer swim leagues are invited to compete in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and team relays. Registration deadline is July 23.

Joy in the Park

Saturday, July 31, 2010 – 12 to 8 p.m.

Joy in the Park will feature live music including national gospel artists. The event also includes a free, educational health fair, children’s entertainment, rib cook-off and much more.

Teen 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 3 to 6 p.m.

Come as a team or make one when you get here! High-energy hoops only for the serious ball player. Ages 13-17. To register, call 954-828-4592.

David Deal Playday Kid's Day

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Let the games begin! Olympic sports, novelty competitions, table games and wacky water sports are just a few of the activities planned. Prizes will be awarded all day for the best competitors. Free admission. Groups must pre-register.

Teen Splash Party

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Come make a splash while enjoying hot music and cool pool activities.

Legacy Tribute at the Jazz Café

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 6 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy cool jazz and hot art as we pay tribute to the trailblazers who helped make Playday what it is today.

Boxing Under the Stars

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 – 7 to 11 p.m.

South Florida’s most talented boxers are vying for their titles at the inaugural Boxing Under the Stars event presented in partnership with the Carter Park Contenders Boxing Club and the Florida Gold Coast Boxing Association.

For more information on the 57th Annual David Deal Playday, please call the Playday hotline at 954-828-4759 or visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/life.