Friday, August 15, 2014

Council of Civic Associations August 2014 Meeting


The Performance and Accountability Officer for the School District discussed how and what the School District intends to spend the $800,000,000 on if voters pass the bond.  Money will be allocated to capital improvements in five areas: safety, music and art, athletics, repair and technology (SMART).  Cost to a HO with property valued at $250,000 would be approximately $50 increase in property tax. Participants expressed concern over Fort Lauderdale schools receiving less than the schools in wealthier communities.   
Fort Lauderdale Police reported good success with their juvenile justice program.  The report, "Understanding What FtL Police is Doing to Combat Juvenile Crime", is posted on the Council's website.

The Public Participation Committee reviewed its recommendations to the City for inclusion into the City's  Public Participation Ordinance.  My understanding is that the ordinance was a result of Oakland Park residents' experience when they spoke out against a developer's proposal to convert the North Ridge Medical Center to a private psychiatric and detox facility. 

The Ordinance would require developers, who seek to change the existing use of a property, to provide timely notice to surrounding civic associations and to require the developers to meet with civic association members to address concerns.  This all has to happen prior to the developer going to P&Z. The recommendations were approved by the members.  For more detail, look for minutes of the meeting on the Council's website. 

END 
submitted by Beth Falkenhagen, CPCA Director

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