Monday, February 10, 2025

Croissant Park General Meeting January 28, 2025 Minutes

 CPCA General Meeting Jan 28, 2025

Called to order at 6:38 pm

 

2025 Board member introductions:

 

Pat Rathburn, President

Jarrod Gaylis, Vice President

Carlos Lang, Treasurer

Rhonda Kramer, Director at Large

Michelle Dimaria, Director at Large

Stacey Miscisin, Director at Large

John Marangio, Secretary

 

Quorum confirmed

The board and general members reviewed and approved minutes from the Oct 2024 meeting.

 

Police/Crime report presented by Officer Jackson.

6 crimes:

Criminal -tires slashed

Larceny -Amazon package stolen

Residential burglary -break in and squatting

Homicide -still active investigation 1600 block SW 3rd Ave.

Suicide -no details

 

How to self-report a fender bender/minor accident -Officer Jackson provided handouts with QR codes.

 

Pat introduced concerns for residents who are exhibiting struggles with self-care.

Officer Jackson suggested accessing the Elderly Abuse website. Police cannot provide mental health care. The new program has an officer assigned to go out to select calls with a mental health component. Officer Jackson will provide additional follow-up on this program and offered to have the Cyber Security Team come and present what Red Flags to be on the alert for. 

 

Broward County Appraisers Office. Two representatives from the Office of Marty Kiar presented an overview of this Broward County Office.

 

Crimes against property/ Deed Fraud provided handouts for OWNER ALERT Register via QR code or by calling  954 357 5579. Website web.bcpa.net/owneralert.

Discussed some common attempts at fraud, such as calls offering a copy of your deed for $$$.

Accepting low-income discounts for seniors 65 and over and under 37K.

Disability exceptions include an additional $5k off.

Veterans and Active Service-connected disability.

Widow/widower exception: additional $5k off, not income-driven.

Accepting Homestead applications.

Can opt for quarterly payments vs annual sums via the property tax division.

 

Pat presented the beginning of the Chinese New Year Calendar.

Additional details on the Agenda.

 

New business: Pat asked the members and attendees to provide topics for upcoming meetings.











 

Virginia requested the Cyber Crimes offer from the Police Department.

Pat talked about the new development on the corner of 17th St and Andrews.

Pat and Rhonda attended a meeting about the new legislation on Live Local affecting the South RAC (Regional Activity Center). Pat recapped the rules of new construction and offered affordable units (10%), allowing for more lenient building restrictions.


New legislation allows for residential buildings with commercial space and a certain percentage of affordable units, and it allows building heights equal to those within a one-mile radius.

 

Attendees asked, "How are the LOW INCOME/AFFORDABLE INCOME rates assessed and monitored?" Jarrod Gaylis shared that finances are scrutinized appropriately. Jarrod and Pat also referred to additional corridors that have been slated for these new Live Local legislative rules: along SR 84, Davie Boulevard, and Andrews Ave.

 

Ted Inserra spoke about traffic studies that are overly focused and do not take large areas and impacts into consideration.

 

Joe Russell brought up a swath of land along tracks that is now vacant and appears to be prepared for development. 

 

Primo Liquors opened at the site of a Convenience store on Davie Boulevard and Train Tracks.

 

Michelle Dimaria presented an award from the CPCA Joe Shover Citizenship Award.

This year's award was presented to Pat Rathburn, who had been active on the CPCA board since 2007, many of those years as President.

Michelle cited numerous affiliations, committees, and events spearheaded by Pat Rathburn.

Pat accepted graciously.


Michelle handed out raffle tickets for the Croissant Park giveaways.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.


Minutes by John Marangio, Secretary

Pictures by Rhonda Kramer, Director

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

P.S. (Joe) Shover Citizenship Award Presentation (2024)

Patricia Rathburn receives
P.S. (Joe) Shover Citizenship Award

The Joe Shover Citizenship Award was created to recognize those who best exemplify dedication, activism, and leadership in protecting and enhancing the quality of life in our community.

This year (2024), we honored the Croissant Park Civic Association’s President, Patricia Rathburn. Pat began serving on the Board of Directors in 2007. As President, Pat attends meetings with the District 4 City Commissioner and regularly attends meetings on issues pertaining to District 4 and city-wide issues. 

Pat has worked tirelessly with the city to improve our neighborhood walkability and ADA accessibility and create safer biking paths and lanes throughout the southwest neighborhoods.  She spearheaded Croissant Park’s 100th anniversary party and coordinated activities and events to ensure its success.

Using her legal expertise gained in decades of representing neighbors in real estate transactions, estate planning, and other civil matters, Pat has drafted countless letters and emails to the city regarding issues and projects that directly affect the safety and integrity of our neighborhood.  She has fought for Croissant Park’s best interests, protecting and enhancing our home values and the safety of our residents.

In addition to serving on the Croissant Park Civic Association board, Pat is on the Boards of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the City Board of Adjustments.

Pat's dedication to the well-being of our neighborhood, her activism, and her leadership exemplify the qualities of an individual who contributes to making Croissant Park a nice place to live.

presented by Michelle DiMaria

pictures by Rhonda Kramer

If you haven't already sent in your 2025 membership dues, you can use the application below, PayPal, or Zelle at CroissantParkCivic@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming meetings: February 25th—Pet Foto Contest, May 27th, June 24th, September 30th, and October 28th in the Croissant Park Community Center at 6:30 p.m.