May 2020 General Meeting

General CPCA ZOOM Meeting  May 26, 2020

Hi Croissant Park Neighbors,

We experimented last night with a General Meeting on ZOOM due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements. We announced on nextdoor.com and on Facebook, asking that those interested in joining us to send their email address to mycroissantpark@gmail.com.  Those people who responded received an invitation to the ZOOM meeting at 7pm on Tuesday night. We would have liked to have more in attendance but it gave us a chance to see how to conduct a ZOOM meeting.  Board members in attendance were Pat, Rhonda, Jodi, Joe and Virginia.

—Our FLPD Neighborhood Watch team was not able to attend due to FLPD policy that prohibits them from participating on ZOOM. They sent the crime report stats for February through May.  There were eleven larceny thefts (oddly, seven of which were in one day at one address), one assault and battery on April 30th on 20th St., and one vehicle burglary.  

—The Treasurer reports that CPCA has donated $250 each to Sunshine Cathedral and Seventh-Day Adventists for their feeding programs. Jodi reported that anyone who is interested may go to browardschools.com and search for Food Distribution sites.  

—The neighbors at the meeting expressed their preference for the ZOOM format for General meetings. For those who work it can be difficult and inconvenient to attend our 7pm meetings at the Community Center. It was suggested that ZOOM meetings can be recorded for minutes. 

—Stay tuned on nextdoor.com and on Facebook for the June meeting announcement.

Minutes by Virginia.

Neighborhood Zoom Meeting

To our Croissant Park Neighbors:

First and foremost, we hope that everyone is well. The Association’s priority continues to be the well-being of our residents and their families.  The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is evolving from day-to-day, and we are taking guidance from the City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and the State of Florida. The Board continues to make decisions regarding the Association and how we can interact with our members in a way that is informative, but safe, as we focus on doing our part to help reduce the spread of the virus.

In light of current guidelines set by governmental agencies, the Board has determined that it is not feasible to hold an “in-person” Association meeting for May, and quite frankly, probably not for June either. We have therefore decided to experiment with a “Zoom” Association meeting. All residents of Croissant Park are invited to attend. The meeting will be on the regular date and time (Tuesday, May 26^th @ 7 PM), and access will be by invitation sent to your email address. So that we don’t bother people who don’t want to attend, we are asking that you send your email address to MyCroissantPark@Gmail.com with your street address and let us know that you want to participate. You will get a notice of the meeting and be able to sign in when it starts.

We are excited about the prospect of holding a meeting this way. We are asking the Fort Lauderdale Police representative to participate and be available for questions. Hopefully, we will also be able to answer general questions or concerns that you may have about things that are opening in the neighborhood and resources - all without you having to leave your home or wear a mask (or pants). We think the format will work. I recently appeared at a court hearing via zoom with 35 other attorneys, and even with a group like that, everything was very orderly, so there is no reason we can’t do it.

We recently contributed to the food pantry at Sunshine Cathedral and the Fort Lauderdale Seventh Day Adventist Church. Both are in our neighborhood, and both are helping the food-insecure neighbors. Sunshine Cathedral has a food program on Wednesdays and the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Tuesdays. If you know anyone in the neighborhood who might need some help with food but can’t get out to these events (both are drive-through), the Seventh-Day Adventists have let us know that they will deliver food to the homebound. Email us, and we will put you in contact with them.

For some people, the only thing between them or their kids being hungry are programs like this. Both groups can really use monetary contributions to keep them going. If you would like to donate, please contact us, and we will give you the information you need.

 As we are going through these difficult and unprecedented times, we thank you again for your understanding and cooperation.  We hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy. If you have any questions or suggestions, please send us an email. We hope to see you at our Zoom Association meeting on the 26^th.

Pat Rathburn, President

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Croissant Park Civic Association

City Commission Request for Review - Poinciana Crossing.

Call-Up Memo

Exhibit 1

Please see the attached and above Links being sent on behalf of the Director’s office by the Urban Design & Planning Division of Sustainable Development.

Honorable Mayor and Commissioners,

PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Sustainable Development requests the City Commission to notify staff as soon as possible if the Commission does not intend to call this item up for review.

Assigned Planner:

Adam Schnell

30-Day Expiration:

May 30, 2020

Case Number:

PL-R19061

Location:

1801 SW 1st Avenue

Project Summary:

Proposed Uses:

113 Affordable Housing Multifamily Residential Units

Lot Size:

100,794 square-feet / 2.31 acres

Height:

7 stories / 75 feet

Parking:

116 Parking Spaces Provided on Site and 10 on Street Parking Spaces

In order to comply with Section 47-26.A.2 of the ULDR, City Commission Request for Review, the City Commission must notify the department of its intent to call the item, which same must be heard by the City Commission prior to the end of the 30-day period. A motion to set a hearing to review the decision by the lower body shall then be considered, which could take place at the next available City Commission meeting physically held at City Hall.

If the City Commission would like to review the application, please provide a statement of intent via e-mail to Jeff Modarelli, City Clerk, and copy Chris Lagerbloom, City Manager; Alain Boileau, City Attorney and Anthony Greg Fajardo, Director, Department of Sustainable Development.  If the City Commission does not intend to review the application, notification of such prior to the end of the 30-day period is requested so the applicant can proceed with the permitting process in a timely manner.

For additional information, please see attached project site plan, elevations and renderings for reference. Complete hard copy plans are available for review upon request.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION IS PROHIBITED BY SUNSHINE LAW. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO ANY COMMISSION MEMBER. ALL DISCUSSIONS ON ITEMS RELATIVE TO THE AGENDA SHOULD TAKE PLACE AT THE SCHEDULED COMMISSION MEETINGS.

Anthony Greg Fajardo | Director

City of Fort Lauderdale | Department of Sustainable Development

700 NW 19th Avenue | Fort Lauderdale FL 33311

P: (954) 828-5984  E: afajardo@fortlauderdale.gov<mailto:afajardo@fortlauderdale.gov>

Be Careful What You Wish For….

I know everyone is going a little stir crazy now - on top of anxiety about lost wages, kid's education, job security, food, toilet paper, rent, mortgages- you name it - we are worried. I don't remember what a good night's sleep feels like. My dog wants me to get out of the house and leave him alone so badly - he has this strange look in his eyes now and  I'm getting a little afraid of turning my back on him.  The entire country has our same concerns- and we have our own unique ones as our economy is tied to tourism - restaurants, cruise lines, etc.  The current Federal Government suggestions on "Opening up America Again" may be sounding good to folks who are really struggling- but all I can do is remind everyone to be careful and look to history to give us some guidelines.

I'm sure you have all heard the comparison between what is happening now with COVID 19  and what the world experienced just over 100 years ago with the "Spanish Flu," (just to make the point - COVID 19 is named because the virus first appeared in 2019  - not because it is the 19th version of coronavirus - just like the Spanish flu did not originate in Spain. It was called the Spanish flu because it manifested itself among soldiers fighting in WWI. None of the combatants - Germany, France, Britain etc.  wanted to report on anything that would impact the war effort so the press in those countries was censured. Spain was a neutral country - thus their press was free to report on the wave of influenza that was wreaking havoc at the time - thus the moniker "Spanish Flu"). But I digress.
The important historical fact of note is that the first wave of the Spanish flu was bad- people got really sick -but many people who got it survived. The mortality rate in the spring of 1918 when it first appeared in the U.S. at an Army base in Kansas was similar to normal seasonal flu.  By the end of the summer of 1918, flu cases had dropped off and people thought they were out of the woods and began relaxing some of the safety measures they had imposed -such as masks and 1918 "social distancing". Then the second wave of the virus hit in September of 1918 - and this time a huge number of the people who were infected did not survive. Young, healthy people were dying horrible deaths within a day of their symptoms first appearing. Millions died worldwide - over 195,000 people died in the U.S during October 2018 alone. The theory is that during the lull between the spring and summer of 1918 the virus mutated and continued to be spread by wartime troop movements.  It died out again by late December 1918- and then one of the last waves hit in January - April 1919. By that time, the war was over so the world-wide spread due to troop movements slowed and the virus slowly died out.

Public health officials in 1918 knew that quarantining would help slow the spread of the virus- but many were unwilling to do that during wartime. Particularly in Europe, where there were shortages of just about everything, they were loath to put one more burden on their citizens.

So here we are - back at looking at "Opening Up America Again". Yes - without question - we need to do this to survive- hopefully, the sooner the better. But if the history of 1918 has taught us anything - it is that we need to make sure that the sacrifices people have made personally and professionally to try and slow the spread of the virus does not end up being for nothing.  If we go back to pre-quarantine "normal" without adequate testing capabilities and a firm plan - we run the risk of a second wave of cases hitting us that will end up overwhelming our health care systems and causing a second shut down of the economy. Today, the head of the CDC warned that the second wave of this virus that is likely to hit in the fall of this year will be very bad as it combines with the start of the normal flu season. Apparently, there may be some clarification of his remarks, but history would tend to support his initial comments. So, no matter what the plan is – no matter when we are told it is “safe” to go back to work – use your own best judgment. I think masks are going to continue to be a required fashion statement for a good long while and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Stay safe.

Pat Rathburn

2020 Senior Exemptions - update

Residents who have applied for the 2020 Low-Income Senior Exemption but have not yet provided the supporting income documentation still have plenty of time to do so.  Many residents have contacted our office concerned about having the necessary paperwork in time as the IRS has extended the 2019 tax filing deadline. Applicants have until September 18, 2020 to provide our office with a copy of their 2019 Income Tax Return Form 1040 or SSA-1099 as well as any additional supporting documentation for their exemption application.

Our office will be mailing Senior Exemption receipts in mid-June to all residents who have completed their application along with income verification.  Any exemption applications approved after this mailing will show on the 2020 TRIM (proposed tax) Notice mailed by our office in August.

During these uncertain times, all communication with our office can be handled via email, fax, phone or by USPS mail.  Residents can email any documentation directly to our Customer Service Department at CSEmgmt@bcpa.net or fax to (954)357-6188.  If you prefer to mail your information, our mailing address is Broward County Property Appraiser, Attn: Customer Service, 115 S Andrews Avenue, Room # 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301.

Once it is safe to do so, our office will return to our regular schedule of visiting communities to assist with filing for exemptions and answering any questions residents may have.  In the meantime, we are always here to help.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office directly at (954)357-6830 or email me at martykiar@bcpa.net. 

Take care,

Marty Kiar, CFA

Robert L. Wolfe, CFE Mobile Exemption and Information Team – Specialist II Office of Marty Kiar Broward County Property Appraiser 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 111 Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33301 P 954-357-6871 | E rwolfe@bcpa.net  | www.bcpa.net Follow our office at  http://www.facebook.com/MartyKiarBCPA and http://www.twitter.com/MartyKiarBCPA

File Now for the 2020 Senior Exemption

Property owners who are 65 years or older may qualify for an additional exemption on their Homesteaded property. This additional exemption – which applies only to the county's portion of the taxes and city taxes for residents of cities that have adopted this exemption – saves the average Broward senior nearly $300 each year in taxes. To qualify for this valuable tax-saving exemption, an applicant must be 65 or older as of January 1, 2020 AND have a combined HOUSEHOLD adjusted gross income for 2019 not exceeding $30,721. If you believe you qualify for this exemption, please click on this link for steps to ensure proper filing: http://www.bcpa.net/senior_instructions.asp

Residents who received the Additional Senior Exemption in 2019 will receive a renewal card in the mail. If you still meet the income requirement, simply sign the renewal card and return it to our office by May 1 so we can ensure you receive this exemption for 2020. Rest assured there is no personal information listed on the renewal postcard. For questions regarding property tax exemptions, please call (954)357-6830.

2020 Homestead Exemption/Save Our Homes Cap Set by the State

The Florida Department of Revenue has set the 2020 Save Our Homes cap at 2.3%. This cap limits increases to the Assessed/Save Our Homes Value for properties receiving Homestead Exemption to no more than 3% per year or the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) regardless of increases to the just value of the property. This cap results in considerable savings over time for properties with Homestead Exemption. It is important to remember this is not a cap on the actual taxes, but rather a cap on the assessed value of the property.

Important: The Save Our Homes cap begins the year after you receive Homestead Exemption and automatically renews each year. This cap does not cover new construction or construction that was not taxed before the "Save Our Homes" limit applied to a particular property. Many owners will face a significant increase in property taxes when they purchase a property as the previous owner's exemptions will be removed and the Save Our Homes (SOH) value reset. Florida law requires the SOH value be brought up to the just value of the property when Homestead Exemption is added or removed from the property. For this reason, our office offers a New Homebuyer's Tax Estimator on our website at www.bcpa.net This estimator allows prospective buyers the ability to plan ahead when purchasing a new home.

The absolute filing deadline for any 2020 exemption is September 18, 2020.

If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please visit our website at www.bcpa.net, call us at (954)357-6830 or email me directly at martykiar@bcpa.net

Take care,

Marty Kiar
Broward County Property Appraiser

Croissant Park General meeting February 2020

Officer Pekrol

Croissant Park Civic Association Hi Croissant Park Neighbors, —Our February 25th meeting was attended by Board members Michelle, Rhonda, Jodi, Heather, Joe, and Virginia. Michelle led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

FLPD Officer Pekrol told us he had no crimes to report for this period! We discussed the removal of the City bus bench at CVS on Federal Hwy and 17th Street, due to the abundance of vagrants hanging out there every day, making it impossible for anyone to use the bench and area to wait for the bus. This is the City’s latest effort to discourage loitering in various parts of Fort Lauderdale. They have also made the area behind the cigar store at SR-84 and Federal undesirable for vagrants by installing landscaping and 24/7 lighting. The areas around Broward General Hospital are most vulnerable because when homeless/vagrant folks are discharged they often stay in the vicinity of Poinciana Park. According to Ofc. Petrol the difference between a vagrant and a homeless person is usually a matter of choice. The homeless do not choose to be homeless and vagrants choose that lifestyle. Interesting interpretation.

Randall Lisk

Our speaker tonight was Randall Lisk with the Museum of Discovery and Science. Randall is recruiting volunteers to work in the museum in various departments. The bulk of his volunteer pool is the high school students who are required to fulfill 40 hours of volunteering from 9th grade to 12th grade in order to get their diploma. In addition to the students, he encourages adults to work as an usher in the IMAX theater or at the gift shop, and as a greeter for the Moving Discovery after Dark (MODS.org) on Friday evenings. Volunteers who complete the required number of hours will receive a Manatee level membership to the museum worth $130/year. To apply to volunteer email the Volunteer Coordinator at modsvolapp@mods.net

The Croissant Park 2020 newsletter is now available online at Facebook, Nextdoor and on this blog, or copy and paste this web address https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EU-7AAvqYFDFVJskyRSjWZh6MMySqFPB

John Bertino & Virginia

Our neighborhood entryway signs on 9th Avenue fell into disrepair and have been torn down. We are asking all Croissant Park neighbors for ideas and designs for the new ones. Please submit all suggestions to mycroissantpark@gmail.com —The City has re-done Bryant Peney Park with new landscaping, new seating and a refurbished bus bench nearby. Check out our beautiful park, including the attractive mosaic work. —Our Board member Jodi will be discussing plans for the third annual Bark-in-the park event coming in October. Join us at our next General meeting on May 26th and find out how the event will shape up this year. —The 50/50 raffle was won by our friend John Bertino and he generously donated his winning back to Croissant Park Civic Association. Minutes by Virginia Photos by Rhonda