CPCA General Meeting October 2022 - Candidates Forum

 CPCA General meeting-October 2022

—The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members in attendance were Pat, Rhonda, Heather, Jodi, Joe, and Virginia.

—FLPD Officers Haggarty and Jackson head up the Community Support Unit for our neighborhood. They report one stolen car that was recovered within a day, stolen tags from another car, a car burglary (car broken into), and one residential burglary (storage shed in the backyard). No violent crimes.  Both officers reminded us of the importance of always locking our cars and not leaving valuables in the car in plain sight. Ofc. Jackson stated that 911 calls will get answered ASAP unless a more dire active crime occurs at the same time.  But she emphasized that they will answer 911 as soon as possible with another unit.  All in all, crime is low at this time in our vicinity.

—The slate of CPCA Board Directors added a new member, Carlos Lang.  The slate includes Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Virginia Russell, Joe Russell, Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Jodi Perraud, and Carlos Lang.  The slate was voted on and approved by the CPCA members in attendance.  The new Board will convene in January 2023.

—We provided CPCA members the opportunity to hear from all seven candidates running for  District 4 City Commissioner. They are (from left to right) Kevin Cochrane, Ted Inserra, Mike Lambrechts, Kitty McGowan, Ed Rebholz, Jackie Scott, and Warren Sturman. Pat presented a QandA format which included a 5-minute speed round for the candidates to introduce themselves, individual questions for each candidate derived from the audience suggestions, and a final two-minute roundup.

Minutes by Virginia Russell, Secretary

Pics by Rhonda Kramer, Director

Candidates Forum at Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, October 25, 2022 7:00 pm

Dear Neighbors,

Please join us on Tuesday, October 25^th for the election of Board members for 2023 and the final candidate’s forum for District 4 Commissioner.

Many of you have already decided which candidate is going to get your vote but just in case this will be the last opportunity for you to see all the candidates together and make your final selection. We also wanted to remind people who are not early voting that the polling place for Croissant Park has been relocated to the Seventh Day Adventist Church on 9^th Avenue and Davie Blvd.

If you have specific questions, please submit them to us in advance as we will be limiting questions from the audience in order to move the discussion along. We care about what you care about so please submit questions in advance.

The Civic Association has already donated our usual trunk full of candy for the Halloween Party that will be held at the Community Center on Saturday, October 29th but they can always use more. So, if you would like to donate a bag of treats, just bring them to the meeting.  Thanks!

 

Pat  Rathburn

President Croissant Park Civic Association

Patricia A. Rathburn P.A.

500 SE 17 Street #312

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-764-6166

The Community Center is at 245 West Park Dr. - right next to the neighborhood pools/school.

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting -- Sept 27, 2022

 Dear Neighbor,

We anticipate having the Tuesday, September 27 meeting in person at the Croissant Park Community Center at 7 PM - 245 West Park Dr. This is subject to weather conditions-. If we are under a storm warning, the city may close the building. Given the current projected path of Ian, we do not anticipate having to cancel the meeting but Just wanted to put the warning out there.

We have been contacted by the representatives of several campaigns who have asked for a few minutes for their candidates to speak. So far, we have heard from Kitty McGowan, Jackie Scott, and Ed Reboltz. Other candidates may be planning on attending but have not reached out to the Civic Association to let us know. If you have a favorite candite who is not on the foregoing list, you might want to reach out to them and let them know the date and time of the meeting and that they can contact me at patricia@rathburnpa.com to let me know they plan on attending.

For those candidates in attendance, we anticipate them all giving a short introduction and then opening the floor to questions.

We hope to see you all there on Tuesday night!

Pat Rathburn, President, Croissant Park Civic Association

cookies will be served!

Croissant Park General Meeting--June 2022

 General CPCA meeting-June 2022

—Meeting opened with an introduction of the Board members Pat Rathburn-President, Virginia Russell-Secretary, Joe Russell-Treasurer, Rhonda Kramer-Director, and Heather Cunniff-Director.

—All present took part in the Pledge of Allegiance.

—Officer Pena with FLPD tells us we have the lowest crime statistics in the City. He recommends that we “lock, lock and lock…car, house, outer buildings”. FLPD and the City are working on a solution to the panhandling problem. They are limited on what they can enforce due to the 1st Amendment.

—We have two candidates tonight who will run for  Commissioner of the 4th District, to replace Ben Sorenson, who will run for Florida Congress.

—Ted Inserta, is running for the Commissioner of District IV, a chef who grew up locally and wants to “keep things as they are…we are the epicenter of Broward”.

—Jackie Scott is also running for District IV Commissioner. Jackie is the President and originator of the Colee Hammock Civic Association. Jackie’s priorities are public safety, infrastructure,
waterways, and development.

—Our speaker tonight is from Code Enforcement, Reggie White, Community Inspections Supervisor.  Reggie urges us and our neighbors to understand that all containers of trash, recyclables, and yard waste must be removed from the street after being emptied and located in an area behind the front of the house - basically, out of sight.  Inside a carport is acceptable.  Containers still out on the street on Saturday will be cited. 

—Vacation Rentals are under scrutiny by Code.  No parties are allowed and only 2 people per bedroom, per unit, are permitted. You can call a non-emergency number 954-828-8000 to report parties, etc.

If you are calling Code Enforcement to report an infraction you will be required to give your name and address.  It is no longer anonymous to report a neighbor’s infraction.

—Our next speaker was Ryan Thomas, District IV Director of Community Affairs, Ofc of Comm. Ben Sorensen.  Ryan is a take-charge kinda guy and we hope he stays on after Comm. Sorensen moves on. He reported that the Tree Ordinance is being rewritten and will be voted on again in the future.  Also, a panhandling law will be in effect and will clarify what can and cannot be enforced regarding panhandling. Meanwhile, complaints go to rthomas@fortlauderdale.gov. 

—Croissant Park will be hosting our annual Bark-in-the-Park, a pet parade and bicycle safety event for all neighborhoods on October 29th at Bryant Peney Park.  Stay tuned.

—Poinciana Park Civic Association will host an SRAC meeting.

—Croissant Park Civic Association will have its next meeting on September 27th.  See you then, enjoy the summer.

—Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.

—Minutes by Virginia-Sec’y.

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Pictures by Rhonda, Director

Neighborhood Meeting - Code Enforcement, Tuesday, June 28, 2022 7:00 pm

Are you tired of your neighbors leaving their trash bins out on a permanent basis? Annoyed when bulk trash appears on swales three weeks before bulk trash? Upset about boats or trailers permanently parked on swale? Concerned about enclosing carports or screen porches without permits? Well, these are some of the most common complaints that Code Enforcement (and the Board of CPCA) get from neighbors who want to make Croissant Park "a nice place to live”. Everyone wants to know why SOMEONE is not doing something but due to recent changes in state law Code Enforcement is required to get the name and address of the person calling in the code complaint before they will act. A lot of folks are seriously annoyed by their neighbor’s actions but don’t want to cause bad feelings by ratting them out to Code. We are often asked "well if no one is calling in complaints, what do the code officers assigned to Croissant Park do all day?" You would think that they would notice some of these violations on their own just by driving through the neighborhood. This is particularly true on the east side of 4^th Avenue where dumpsters are in the streets, not covered, overflowing with trash, abandoned vehicles (and boats) litter the swales, etc.

Well, if you want to know the answers to these questions or have some of your own attend the last Croissant Park Civic Association meeting before summer break and ask. We will have representatives of Code Enforcement there to answer your questions and give an update on enforcement activity.

 Don’t complain if you don’t participate.

 Hope to see you all there tomorrow night at 7 PM.

 Pat Rathburn, CPCA President

The meeting will be in the Community Center - 245 West Park Dr. (next to the pools) at 7:00 pm.

AGENDA:

Call to order

Establish Quorum

Pledge to Flag

Intro police officers

Intro City of Fort Lauderdale Code Enforcement

Code presentation

Questions and Answers

New business

Old business

Adjourn

 Croissant Park General Meeting-May 2022

Hello Neighbors,

—Our meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members in attendance were Vice-President Michelle DiMaria, Rhonda Kramer, Joe Russell and Virginia Russell.

—FLPD Officer Rob Mauro, who is celebrating his 25th year with the City police force, brought us the welcome news that Croissant Park has had a 14% drop in crime for the first months of 2022.  In May we had one residential burglary, and two reports of larceny. Burglary involves breaking into a structure to commit a crime, whereas larceny involves taking property without the use of force or breaking into a structure to do so, such as shoplifting.

—Our speaker tonight was Phil Schwab, Project Manager with the Florida Department of Transportation. He was accompanied by Mike Ciscar and Gorky Charpentier, Engineers with the Corradino Group.  We were presented with a comprehensive environmental summary of New River crossing alternatives. The alternatives include a low-level bascule bridge, mid-level bascule bridge, a high-level fixed bridge and a tunnel.  Each alternative becomes increasingly more expensive to build, as the bridge height increases; the tunnel having the highest construction cost  and most right-of-way impacts.  The improved crossing is necessary because the Brightline Train and the proposed Broward Commuter Rail would require that the current bridge remain closed for too long, impeding marine traffic on the New River.

—Commissioner Sorensen reported that the City has appropriated $2.4 million for improvements to Croissant Park Elementary School and Park. He also mentioned that the City tree ordinances will be rewritten to tighten up on violators who cut down trees.

—Our next CPCA General meeting will be on June 28th at 7pm at the CP Community Canter.  See you there!

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting - May 31, 2022 - Bridge/Tunnel presentation

 Broward Commuter Rail? Bridge? Tunnel?

How does this affect me and my neighborhood?

The Croissant Park Civic Association invites you to join our Tuesday, May 31 General Membership Meeting @ 7:00 pm at the Croissant Park Community Center, 245 West Park Drive.  

Our guest speaker will be Lauren Hatchell, Central and South Florida Senior Public Information Officer for Media Relations Group, LLC. Ms. Hatchell’s presentation will include a PowerPoint and exhibit boards explaining what the proposed options are for the railroad crossing of the New River, and the changes they will make to the current railroad crossings in our neighborhoods.  Please check out the links below to learn more about this project: 

Broward Commuter Rail Project Team Presentation regarding Bridge/Tunnel Phil Schwab – FDOT Broward Commuter Rail Project Manager (Presenter) Detailed presentation on the four options for the planned New River rail crossing for the Coastal Link Commuter Train. Three bridge options and a tunnel are under review with the tunnel the most controversial. The presentation is available along with other important related documents on the Ft. Lauderdale Council of Civic Associations website. https://bit.ly/34wIPBp

Broward Commuter Rail

https://www.broward.org/commuterrail/Pages/default.aspx

Fort Lauderdale Leaders Vote in Support of New River Train Tunnel Proposal

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale-leaders-vote-in-support-of-new-river-train-tunnel-proposal/2663956/

Our neighborhood FLPD officers will be in attendance to provide a crime update and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Hope to see you there!

Michelle DiMaria, Vice President - Croissant Park Civic Association

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting -February 22, 2022

 Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting-February 22, 2022

Hello Neighbors,

—Our February CPCA meeting was attended by six Board members and approximately 30 people from Croissant Park and neighboring Associations. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

—FLPD Officer Pena is the afternoon beat officer for CP. He reported that crime was down 40% in 2021 until now.  For January and February, a neighbor’s motorcycle was stolen. There were petty thefts, one being a garden gnome stolen from a yard. 

There is a “Safe Zone” designated in front of the Police Department on Broward Blvd.  This is where you can safely meet up for transactions with people you might be buying or selling items on Craig’s List, for example. 

Ofc. Pena urges people to report any loud parties in AirB&B rentals in CP.

—Our speakers tonight were Adam Schnell and Christopher Cooper from the Department of Sustainable Development, and Ella Parker from Urban Design and Planning. They outlined the SRAC (So. Regional Activity Center) proposal for an affordable workforce housing corridor between Andrews Avenue, FEC Railroad, S.R. 84, and Davie Blvd.

A lively Q&A followed with various comments about the density and height issues.  Many are concerned about our property values and congestion.  If you want to voice your concerns you are urged to attend Planning and Zoning meetings.  The next P&Z meeting will be at City Hall on March 16th. We need representation at these meetings.

—Our next CPCA meeting will be on Tuesday, May 31st at 7pm in the CP Community Center. We hope to see you there. 

—Minutes by Virginia-Secretary

Pictures by Rhonda Kramer

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting - February 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Please plan on attending this important meeting Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the Community Center - 245 West Park Drive, next to the pools.

The city is proposing to give developers incentives to develop workforce housing projects south of Davie between the RR tracks and South Andrews. Some of the incentives they are offering will allow substantial increases in permitted height and the number of units allowed. It will also allow developers to skip the Planning & Zoning Board review and go directly to the Commission for approval of their projects.

We have been “discussing” this with staff and so far have not been impressed by the response. The City made TWO presentations to Poinciana Park Civic Association, one where other folks were invited, one a follow up for their members only that we were not told about, and the city has said they didn’t make a presentation to us because it “doesn’t affect Croissant Park”. They clearly had no intention of talking to us until the CPCA Board demanded it. Even then, after promising that the item would be deferred from the Feb. 16^th P&Z meeting until a presentation could be made to us, staff was silent when we asked for a deferral at that meeting until March. Instead of a deferral staff offered to make the presentation and then let Pat Rathburn (me), CPCA President, as the sole member of the public in attendance make comments.  Are you starting to see the problem?  We disagree with staff’s assessment that we will not be impacted.

The affordable housing project built at 17^th and Andrews has only 1 parking space for each unit – units that allow up to 5 adults. Where are the extra people going to park? Where are their kids going to play? What neighborhood are they going to cut through to avoid major arterials? You guessed it, Croissant Park. We have been saying for years that the city pays attention to neighborhood associations with a lot of vocal members. For too many years, the Board members have been the only people the City hears from in Croissant Park and there are only nine of us, and the City knows it. Why else would they feel they could ignore us with impunity? The P& Z Board instructed staff to make presentations to all of the affected Civic Associations in November. Staff chose to ignore those instructions and Croissant Park. Wouldn’t you like to know why? Wouldn’t you like a say in what is being built on our border?

 Please plan on attending the meeting where the City is finally, weeks before it goes back to P&Z, going to make a presentation.

See you Tuesday,

Patricia Rathburn, CPCA President

p.s. We will also have our FLPD neighborhood officers available for a crime report and answer any questions or comments you may have.

Masks are required inside the Community Center for this meeting.

Farewell to Curtiss Berry

CURTISS CROSBY BERRY

Mr. Curtiss C. Berry of Ft. Lauderdale passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the age of 90.

Curtiss was born September 16, 1931, the 5th son of Rena Couch and Martin Berry.

Curtiss was a lifelong resident of Ft. Lauderdale.

After graduating from Lutheran High School in Ft. Lauderdale, he worked at the United States Post Office.

Curtiss joined the Army in March 1952 spending 30 months stationed in Germany.

After being honorably discharged he returned to Ft. Lauderdale and went back to work at the United States Post Office.

In December 1955 he began his truck driving career working with American Oil Company (AMOCO).

He later became a Commercial agent for Amoco (self-employed).

In 1956 Curtiss married Patricia Cramer and they had 3 children Michael, Rena, and Jill.

In 1967 he started Berry Brothers Oil Company. After selling the oil company in 1985 he started Curtiss Berry Trucking which consisted of hauling heavy equipment, cranes, bulldozers, etc. with his wife and son, Michael.

His wife, Pat, began a career with the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Curtiss was a lifetime member of the Federal Little League assisting Floyd Hull with the building of the stadium.

He was also a lifetime member of the Lauderdale Small Boat Club, where he held office as Commodore and was on the board of directors. He was active with the waterway clean-up and enjoyed boating and participating in the boat parades.

Curtiss was very active with the Croissant Park Civic Association, held office as President, and was active on the recycling committee.

In the '60s Curtiss suggested installing an Air Horn on responding fire trucks to alert drivers.

Curtiss served on various City of Ft. Lauderdale boards for many years. After retirement Curtiss enjoyed growing tomatoes, visiting with friends in the neighborhood, and playing lotto.

Curtiss loved animals, feeding any that came around and helping his neighbors with many tasks including digging holes with a backhoe, planting trees for the beautification of Ft. Lauderdale. Many neighbors would stop to talk to Curtiss to get advice or just pass the time.

Curtiss was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers David and Gene.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Berry, children Michael Berry, Rena Greenway (Alfred), Jill (David), his grandson Joshua, his brothers Clifford and Martin, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on February 4th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at:

Barbara Falowski Funeral Home, 900 NW 5th Ave, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33315

Graveside service will be held at the Lauderdale Memorial Gardens immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to:

Wounded Warriors Veterans Association or P&J Animal League, 410 SW 18th Street, Fort Lauderdale FL 33315 - a 501(c)3 or call 954-303-3860

 

#Croissant Park #Pet Photo Contest 2022

We haven't done this in a few years because we had Bark in the Park instead but Covid has put that event on temporary hold for now. It will reappear as soon as possible. It was a lot of fun to see everyone's photo entries a few years ago and we hope to get even more this year. Please use Nextdoor and search for #Croissant Park #Pet Photo Contest 2022 and use THAT POST ONLY to submit your entry. Rules:

1. You must be a member of the Croissant Park Civic Association in 2022 to submit a photo. Anyone can vote if you live in Croissant Park. 2. Any pet is eligible - does not have to be a dog or cat. You can submit more than one in separate replies. 3. If you would like to submit a photo but are not yet a member, you will need to join by retrieving the Membership Application in the 'Documents' section under the green 'Home' label located on the left of your screen if you are on Nextdoor and mail a check right away. You can also join via PayPal - just send $20 to MyCroissantPark@gmail.com. If you can't find the Membership Application, just mail a check to CPCA, P.O. Box 13117, Fort Lauderdale FL 33316. You can submit your photo online via Nextdoor now - but it will not be voted on unless you join either before, or at the February meeting (if we are able to have an in-person meeting as planned). 4. Voting will be entirely online since we aren't sure about a February in-person meeting yet. You can vote with a 'reply' to your favorite pet picture on the thread or a Private Message to me if you want your vote to be confidential and a surprise. 5. Submission deadline is Monday, February 21st (President's Day). But the sooner you post your picture, the more opportunities to have a neighbor vote for you! Hint - gather your Croissant Park neighbors to vote - It's Legal! 6. The winner will be featured on Nextdoor and will receive a great prize!

Rhonda Kramer

Helpme@RhondaKramer.com

Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting January 2022

 CPCA Neighborhood meeting January 2022

—A ZOOM meeting was attended by the CPCA Board and some members of the Association.

—FLPD Officer Pena is Croissant Park’s new Zone Officer. Ofc. Pena reported that CPCA has the lowest crimes of any civic association in our area. For December 2021 and January 2022 to date, there was only one crime reported, an auto theft.  The definition of auto theft is when a vehicle is actually stolen.  Auto burglary/robbery is when an auto is broken into and items are stolen.  We can look forward to Ofc. Pena supplying us with the crime report at future meetings.  

—Karen Warfel and Shelby Rodrigues from the City’s Systems Planning Office were invited to our Zoom meeting to present their plans for SW/SE 17th Street, from SW 9th Ave. to Federal Hwy.  At issue are the bike lanes: four options are on the table: 1) 11’ vehicle travel lane with 4’ bike lanes,  2) move trees between vehicles and bike lane, 3) raise bike lane to sidewalk level, 4)  two-way bike lane on S side only, 5’ sidewalk, two 11’ vehicle lanes. Traffic calming is the ultimate goal.  The S curve at the railroad tracks and 17th Street is also under discussion. FEC RR may straighten the track.  More signage,  re-striping to warn, and raised markers to alert drivers of the dangerous curve are also being discussed. Pat asked if the curb at the canvas shop could be removed.

In addition to these traffic issues on 17th Street, traffic has become a problem at the new Whole Foods entrance/exit on 17th Street, creating traffic jams in both directions.  Karen Warfel assures us that the Systems Planning Office will look into it and consider various solutions.

—PET PHOTO CONTEST-Hopefully our next Neighborhood meeting will be in person at the Community Center on February 22nd and Rhonda has announced that we will have our ever-popular Pet Photo Contest!  Starting February 1st you can post your adorable pet’s photo by finding the thread for “pet photo contest 2022” on Nextdoor.  Post your photo and vote!  Even if you don’t have a photo to share…Vote! Please do not post/vote elsewhere. Just use the post created for the contest or you will be lost.

—We hope to see you on February 22 at the Community Center. You can pay 2022 dues in person at the door, on PayPal, or by mail at: CPCA, P.O. Box 13117, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316.  It is $20 and you can find the Association on PayPal at MyCroissantPark@gmail.com.

Minutes by Virginia Russell, Secretary