District IV Commissioner Romney Rogers Newsletter

District IV Commissioner Romney Rogers

Fall is in the air! And, while we were fortunate to have escaped the major wrath of Hurricane Irma, now is not the time to let our guards down. Hurricane Season runs through Nov. 30 each year. I would like to thank everyone who put “neighbor helping neighbor” into practice, time and again, both before Irma’s arrival and in its aftermath. Going forward, we must remind residents to trim trees and take other precautionary measures when Hurricane Season approaches. Some of our neighbors were without power for nearly two weeks.

Debris Removal – We ask for your continued patience with the ongoing debris removal process. Crews are working seven days a week from sun up to sun down in every zone in the City to remove 1,000,000 cubic yards of storm debris, along with thousands of hazardous trees and limbs. The Hurricane Irma Debris Removal Map may help you follow the schedule, which has been divided into zones. See www.fortlauderdale.gov/debris.

How to File for Disaster Assistance – If you believe you may qualify for federal disaster assistance due to Hurricane Irma, you can log on to http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov. After you enter your address, the system will verify whether your property is eligible. Then, simply follow the instructions to file a claim. The filing deadline is Nov. 30, 2017.
Also, you should make sure to file any insurance claims in a timely manner and to record the cost of any casualty loss. The casualty damage that is not covered by insurance reimbursement may be deductible on your 2017 tax return, so make sure to check with your accountant or tax advisor on that issue.

King Tide Predictions – The City reviews NOAA’s tide predictions for the Andrews Avenue Bridge. The average high tide for the year is then calculated, and the following dates on which high tide will exceed the average high tide by six inches or more are predicted as Oct. 4-11, Oct. 15-22, Nov. 2-9, and Dec. 2-6. The City website will provide updates, as needed. To prepare and for safety tips, please review the information at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/kingtide.

City Budget – On Sept. 13, the City Commission adopted the FY 2018 City Budget, calling for no increase in the current millage rate of 4.1193 per $1,000 of taxable value and no increase in the fire assessment fee for FY 2018, which begins on Oct. 1. This marks the eleventh consecutive year that we have kept the same millage rate. You can access budget information via the Financial Transparency Portal of the Quick Links menu on the City’s homepage at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov.

2017 Telephone Town Hall Meetings (TTHMs) – To review the TTHMs already held this year, please visit http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/tthm. My TTHM is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10 (originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12) at 7 PM. To join the call, the dial-in number is 1-855-840-6970.
SE 17th Street Mobility Working Group – After the formal adoption of the SE 17th Street Mobility Plan this past summer, a working group was formed to shepherd the implementation of the plan. At the Aug. 29 kick-off meeting, I explained the intent of the working group: “To Evaluate, Educate, and Implement” the Mobility Plan.

Following up on the small-group stakeholder meetings I convened in April and September of last year, this working group is made up of representatives from seven nearby neighborhood associations, commercial property owners along the corridor, the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, Broward County (including Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport), the Florida Department of Transportation, the FEC Railway, Brightline, and the City. The group has been tasked with prioritizing plan recommendations to take the necessary next steps toward implementation. Two meetings have been held to date, and the group reached consensus that an “origin and destination study” should be completed to better understand where people are going to and where they are coming from. The group ranked the Top 10 Recommendations out of the plan and will prioritize the Top 5 Recommendations at our October meeting.

“Go Big, Go Fast” Update – To follow the City’s progress on infrastructure projects, you can check the webpage at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1626/16?backlist=%2f. Additional details are at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/gobiggofast. For example, a sewer main replacement in Tarpon River is having an impact on several neighborhoods, as tanker trucks are being used to vacuum and transport sewage. Neighbors may notice tanker trucks with hoses in manholes until the project is complete. To report overflowing manholes or sewage spills, contact our 24-hour Neighbor Call Center at 954-828-8000. Your understanding is appreciated.
Advisory Boards – I have one upcoming opening on the Community Appearance Board and two openings on the Community Services Board. You may apply online via http://fortlauderdale.granicus.com/boards/w/535c460f8191bab3. Thank you for your interest.
________________________________________________________________________________________________  My City Hall Office Hours are Mondays from 4 - 5:30 PM and Tuesdays from 9 AM - Noon (in non-Commission weeks). To schedule a meeting or sign up to receive this newsletter and other information about what’s going on in the City, contact MJ Matthews at 954-828-5028 or mmatthews@fortlauderdale.gov.