January 2016 Neighborhood Meeting and Potluck Supper

Hey C.P. Neighbors,

Happy 2016!  Wowza, what a turn out for the Pot Luck Supper meeting!  We had well over 50 attendees and a ton of scrumptious food.  The meeting kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance led by one of our new Board members, Jodi Perraud.  She and our other new Board member Nicohle Kallio were introduced to the neighbors; we are so glad to welcome these ladies to the Board.  The 2016 CPCA Board is as follows:

Pat Rathburn- President, Michelle DiMaria- V.P., Joe Russell-Treasurer, Virginia Dill Russell-Secretary.   Directors: Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Beth Falkenhagen, Nicohle Kallio and Jodi Perraud.

Officer Fernandez from FLPD gave us our crime report for the period of November through December 2015. We had 2 residential burglaries and 1 attempt, 2 stolen vehicles, 5 vehicle break-ins, 3 were in unlocked cars.  One vehicle break-in was in the cemetery and the perp was caught.  In another of the vehicle burglaries a gun was stolen but the gun was subsequently recovered. Nice work FLPD.  All in all, Officer Fernandez told us that compared to City-wide crime, our stats are low and we are doing very well.  A question was raised about the drug Flakka and we were told that a local detective who was sent to China reported that it has now become illegal there to manufacture the drug and many of the factories are being shut down. There should be less and less of the drug on the streets here as China tightens their laws.

Our speaker tonight was Commissioner Romney Rogers, who was accompanied by City Manager Lee Feldman, Asst. City Attorney D’Wayne Spence, Zoning Administrator Anthony Fajardo , John Ruttino with Broward County.  The format tonight was a Q and A session, with neighbors writing their questions on an index card, which Pat then presented to Comm. Rogers.  

Question 1: who is responsible for the repair of sidewalks in front of our homes? Answer: the homeowner is responsible, but the City pays “trip and fall” lawsuits.  If you hire the City to do your sidewalk, you can pay the cost over 10 years, which makes its easier on the pocketbook.  And, they will do a great job because that’s all they do.

Question 2: Northbound 3rd Ave. near the bridge has a 25 MPH painted on the paved roadway.  Could we do that here in Croissant Park to help alleviate the speeding problem? Answer: The County must approve it.  Lee Feldman says to let him know which streets, he will forward info to John Ruttino.  

Question 3: Can we get some kind of ruling on new buildings that have garage doors fronting the street, front doors on sides of homes that are built to property lines and some better rules for providing sufficient parking.  We have made our requests for these items clear for several years.  Answer: Anthony Fajardo with Zoning tells us “it is still on the list.  It takes time to revise zoning.  It is a low priority.”  Regarding cluster homes ordinance: Pat reminds Mr. Fajardo that they were to be an exception only, but have become the norm and to please take that into consideration.
Question 4: How long does an “open permit” last?  We have new structures in the neighborhood that remain unfinished and consequently, off the tax rolls. Answer: They have 180 days with a valid permit and when they commence activity the 180 days starts over. Let Zoning know which properties we think might be violating the rules. 

Question 5: Why are Vacation Rentals treated differently than Sober Homes and Crew Houses?  Answer:  These are complicated issues that fall under the purview of ADA (American Disabilities Act) and FHA (Fair Housing Act) and to make changes we will need to appeal to the State Legislature and higher up.  “It won’t change without pressure”.  The suggestion is to write to our Congresswoman Lois Frankel at https://frankel.house.gov. You can also use Twitter, Facebook, or the old-fashioned way: Washington, DC Office:1037 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515,(202) 225-9890.  Boca Raton Office: 2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 490, Boca Raton, FL 33431, (561) 998-9045 (866) 264-0957  fax (561)998-9048.

Question 6:  How many parking spaces are aloud per house/unit?  Answer: 2 per unit. 

Question 7:  SW 22nd Street has a gravel road that trucks cut through to SR 84. Answer:  It is illegal for the trucks to use that road, call the non-emergency police department number (954) 764-HELP (4357) to report these trucks.  Get a license plate if you can.  

Question 8:  Is it legal for Realtors to leave their signs in yards even when the house is rented or sold?  Answer: It is NOT a Code violation.  

Question 9:  What can we do when cars are illegally parked on sidewalks?  It usually happens at night when Code is not out to see the infraction.  Answer:  Call the non-emergency police phone number (954) 764-HELP (4357).  Hey everybody-put this number in your contacts list on your phones.  Apparently it a very handy number!!

Question 10:  How hard would it be to re-zone our neighborhood to better reflect single family zoning?  Answer: 60% of the neighborhood in agreement is necessary to get the ball rolling, followed by many hearings.  The process requires a big effort on the part of the residents.

Question 11:  This is more of a comment on the Rustic Manors building in the vicinity of Broward General Hospital.  It is under investigation regarding their right to provide housing for clients of their Pompano Beach treatment center.  Under the Social Services Residential Facility (SSRF)regulations they can house their clients there if they complete the proper application process. 

Question 12: How can we report if we suspect a home is renting to transients on a regular basis?  Answer: code@fortlauderdale.gov or call Lee Feldman’s office at (954) 828-5013.

Question 13:  Why does it take Code Enforcement so long to enforce code when there is unpermitted building occurring such as bedroom/bathroom add-ons on my street? Between my neighbor and I, we called Code several times to no avail.  Answer:  They will look into it.  In the meantime, we, the residents, are the eyes and ears, please report what you see to the relevant agencies.

Millie Porter won the raffle prize tonight of a brand-new 30-cup coffee urn.  I guess that means you’ll be having some big meetings at your house, Millie. 

The winners of the red  ‘Drive Like Your Kids Live Here’ signs were Sandy McClung, Chris Kallio, Joe Russell and Kathy Bower.  Pat Rathburn won the 50/50 raffle and donated her winnings back to the Association.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50-ish.

Photos by Rhonda

Winners of the 2015 Holiday Lights contest

Minutes by Virginia