Minutes of the Croissant Park Civic Association neighborhood meeting - February 25th, 2025

 Minutes of the CPCA General Meeting Feb 25, 2025. Called to order at 6:35 pm.

Board members in attendance: > 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 Minutes from the January 25, 2025, meeting were approved. FLPD Officers Jackson and Trujillo with Crime Report: -1 larceny bike and scooter. -Auto break-in through trunk of car. -Question about updates on shooting on 3rd Ave.; officers had nothing to report, and the case remains open. Guest Speaker: District 4 Commissioner Ben Sorenson. Accompanied by Vicky and Sabrina, colleagues from the commission office. Question from Pat regarding building codes for new high rises: Ben responded, "LIVE LOCAL." A new law passed by the Governor allows any new building to match the height of any building within a mile. Ben reported that Fort Lauderdale downtown has NO height limit if approved by the FAA. A new building of over 600 feet in height was recently approved. Ben proposed a height limitation for new construction in the downtown area, which he plans to explore. Under the LIVE LOCAL legislation, at least 40% of new construction must be affordable housing. Pat added that two projects are planned through the South RAC Regional Activity Center in and around our local neighborhood. Ben plans to fight against these aggressive growth plans and find a way to regulate vacation rentals more tightly. The audience asked what Ben plans to present to leaders in Tallahassee: He stated a few changes to lower building heights. He mentioned concerns around additional cars, traffic, and congestion. Suggestions about adding requirements to construction companies to improve infrastructure. Ben discussed sewage and other capacity studies that are required for new construction. The audience asked what is planned to address road issues and potholes. Ben provided his cell number

(954) 802-3311

and the FIXITFTL app or Google FIXITFTL. Question about Bridge vs. Tunnel: Ben supports a tunnel and estimates it may be 10 years out from now. He reviewed several reasons to support a tunnel over a bridge. Police Station update: Following the construction issues that caused structural integrity issues in this new building, the Project Manager said the City has to pay a percentage to correct them. Ben challenged this, and the construction company agreed to financially support any corrections that need to be made and that remedial measures would be their responsibility. Regarding the City Hall, Ben supports placing it in the current City Hall; other suggestions are placing it next to the new Police Station. Pat asked about sudden increases in water bills, and Ben stated this is due to a new water facility being built. Also, sewage capacity has increased water bills. If a large increase is being seen, Ben asked that he be made aware, and he will inquire. Questions were posed around a traffic study to put a traffic light at Perimeter Road to address increased traffic due to the Pickle Ball courts. Ben said that request was turned down. Ben was thanked for his time and departed to attend another meeting. Pat reviewed the city’s plan to begin Smoke Testing in the sewer pipes. This will be done block by block. Pat passed around the flyer with a QR code for audience members to scan and get additional information. Pat then pivoted to introduce the PET PHOTO Contest and asked attendees to place votes based on their favorites. The Winners were Lea Cornblatt's kitty in 1st place (2nd year for cats!) and David Mintz's German Shepherd (the graduate). See pictures below. The audience asked about bulk trash regs, code enforcement, and street lamp outages. It was recommended that all these issues and items be reported to code enforcement and FIXITFTL or on the FPL website. It was announced that Croissant Park will hold a neighborhood Yard Sale on May 17th. Signs will be provided, and details will follow. The meeting adjourned at 730 pm. Minutes by John Marangio, Secretary Pic by Rhonda Kramer Donuts provided by our neighbor Bobby Palusha, owner of The Hollywood Donut Factory on Las Olas - spectacular!! The next meeting will be on May 27, 2025 If you would like to follow us on Facebook, use this link -

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087445265622

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

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.