February 2016- Neighborhood Meeting

February 2016-Neighborhood Meeting

Hi Neighbors,

The meeting tonight began with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:05. Because it was “Cupcake Night” everyone was encouraged to help themselves to the array of different kinds of cupcakes baked by members and a cup of coffee or soft drink.

Our first speaker was FLPD Officer Fernandez with the crime report for January and part of February.  There were two residential burglaries in the 800 block of 12th Court, two houses next to each other. Entrance was obtained by prying open the back door on one of the houses.  There were three vehicle burglaries, two of which were in the cemetery and one in the 400 block of 20th Street.  All three were unlocked cars with items in plain view, one car’s windows were down with a purse on the seat.  All in all, our crime statistics are staying low compared to other parts of the City.  Someone asked why a Broward Sheriff vehicle was in our area recently.  None of the officers at the meeting knew but said it was probably a BSO Task Force Unit that was following up on a lead.

Our next speaker was Alan Dodd with Ft. Lauderdale Public Works Department who presented us with architectural renderings of the future Fire Station 8 that will be built east of the railroad tracks on SW 1st Ave and just south of SW 17th Street.  The future station will not have a multi-purpose Community Room  due to lack of sufficient funds and lack of space in the facility that will be housing a HazMat vehicle, fire trucks and equipment, and all personnel from other stations in the event of beach evacuations during a hurricane.  The station is still in the design phase, to be completed by fall. Bidding for the contract will be in January 2017, and constructed by 2018.  A question was raised about the need for another fire station so close to Station 3 south of SR 84 on SW 4th Ave. Fire Chief Hoecherl answered by telling us that there are too many calls for Sta. 3 to answer in the optimum time of 6 minutes, presently.  There is also a need for a fire station on the east side of the railroad tracks due to the increase in trains that is in our future.  

A visually-impaired neighbor asked Alan Dodd with Public Works if he knew of any plans for audible crosswalks in the near future.  Mr. Dodd advised him to contact the Transportation & Mobility Department for that information.

The 50/50 raffle was won by Paul Ruble, who promptly gave his winnings back to the Association.  Thank you, Paul.

Our next Neighborhood meeting will be May 24th.  Hope to see you then.

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary