The City of Fort Lauderdale is hosting City Commission meetings in-person at various temporary locations. If any person wishes to address the City Commission, the person shall sign up using the City Clerk’s iPad. The public can listen to and view City Commission meetings on FLTV, YouTube, Comcast Channel 78, and AT&T U-verse Channel 99. To learn more about City Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.gov/citycommissionmeetings.

In case you missed them, the following are highlights from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The video is available at youtube.com/cityoffortlauderdale, and the vote summary will be available later this week at fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Commission Updated about City’s Continued Response to Address Homelessness
The City Commission was provided with  updates regarding actions taken to address homelessness. Since a state law and City ordinance that prohibit sleeping or camping in public became effective on October 1, 2024, approximately 143 related service requests have been submitted via FixIt FTL. The majority of those requests were generated at locations such as Fort Lauderdale Beach, Esplanade Park, the Riverwalk, and along major thoroughfares. Action was taken to address all of the requests. The City’s process to address homelessness and the related service requests will continue to be refined and improved leading up to January 1, 2025, when civil action can be taken against a county or municipality. In an effort to engage and receive feedback from the community, staff has hosted one public town hall with two more upcoming. The City has also added two officers to the Homeless Outreach Team and two administrative positions to the Office of Neighbor Support. The City and its partners continue to explore options for temporary and long-term shelters. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3YSjmf7.   

Commission Amends Soundscape and Noise Ordinance Following StudyIn 2023, the City Commission reviewed a presentation that outlined strategies for establishing standards for sound measurement, along with recommendations for detecting and enforcing compliance with reasonable maximum permissible sound limits. Following direction from the Commission, staff conducted a noise pilot study that resulted in suggestions for proposed ordinance amendments. With the assistance of the Noise Control Advisory Committee, staff made the following recommendations:

• The inclusion of dBC limits to account for low frequency sounds such as bass;
• The specification that proactive noise measurements are taken five feet from a building, structure, or establishment, and that the maximum permissible sound-level limit for the source of the sound shall apply;
• Non-amplified sound emanating from residential properties shall not be plainly audible for a period of one minute or longer at a distance of 25 feet or more when measured from the source property line between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., among other amendments.

An amended ordinance will be brought to the Commission for consideration at the next meeting. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4ehO0mH.   

CRA Board of Commissioners Accepts Ranking of RFP Committee for Future Development
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners accepted the ranking of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Evaluation Committee for the purchase and development of property at 790 Sistrunk Boulevard. The CRA Board of Commissioners approved a $5 million non-forgivable Development Incentive Program loan to Sistrunk View, LLC, the top-ranked proposer. The organization is planning to develop a six-story, mixed-use affordable housing structure consisting of 75 to 106 apartments, over 10,000 square feet of amenity space, 5,700 square feet of commercial space, and structured parking screened from public view. All of the housing units will be affordable for those with incomes between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI). For details, visit ftlcity.info/4hDCAwA.   

Commission Approves Participation in School Security Assessment Program
The City Commission approved a motion authorizing the participation in the State Schools Security Assessment Program. The program provides funding for local law enforcement agencies to conduct site security assessments for private schools and assist in developing active assailant responses such as drills for students and school personnel. The City will receive approximately $36,400 in grant funds for these activities. For details, visit ftlcity.info/48EB3lG.   

Commission Amends Sections of the Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations
The City Commission adopted a resolution to amend the Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations, including updates to domestic pet (including dogs) access in parks, park property regulations, hours of operation, and enforcement. Previously, dogs were only allowed in designated areas such as Canine Beach, Riverwalk, and specific dog parks in Snyder Park, Riverside Park, and Holiday Park. With the amendment, dogs are now allowed in all City parks as long as they are on a maximum six-foot leash. There are restrictions in areas such as playgrounds, athletic fields, water play areas, and beaches. Other amendments focus on protecting the natural beauty and integrity of park environments, such as measures to prevent damage to trees and other flora. Wildlife protection is also emphasized with prohibitions on trapping, harming or disturbing animals within park boundaries. For details, visit ftlcity.info/40zTCp2.   

Commission Approves Agreement with Early Learning Coalition of Broward County
The City Commission adopted a resolution approving a not-for-profit grant participation agreement for $100,000 with the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County, Inc. The organization will use City funds to provide subsidized childcare for approximately 2,500 children of low-income families who are eligible for the School Readiness Program. These funds will be used to match federal and state grants to help parents and guardians who are working, or attending school, to access affordable childcare at a quality, licensed facility of their choice. For details, view ftlcity.info/40zrF0N.

Commission Accepts Grants to Help Renovate Osswald Park and Carter Park
The City Commission, in separate votes, agreed to accept two grants totaling $370,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The funds will assist with the renovation of Osswald Park and Carter Park. Carter Park received $170,000 in grant funds that will be used for a new playground, picnic facilities, and landscaping, as well as renovations to the football field, basketball courts, and parking lot. Osswald Park was awarded $200,000 for the development of a playground, fitness trail, restrooms, bleachers, landscaping, and security lighting. For details about Osswald Park, visit ftlcity.info/48GW6nS. For details about Carter Park, visit ftlcity.info/48ColnA.   

Commission Allocates CDBG Funds to Offset Costs of Habitat for Humanity Project
The City Commission approved an allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds not to exceed $482,000 to help offset unanticipated costs that have occurred in the preparation to construct Habitat BBI Village project. The project is part of an agreement between the City and Habitat for Humanity Broward, Inc. for the development of 20 affordable townhouse units. During an environmental review, Broward County required a structural assessment of an existing masonry wall, which was ultimately deemed insufficient. As a result, the project team had to revise the site drawings to include the reconstruction of the wall. The project will incur additional costs for the structural assessment of the existing wall, revision of site plans to include a new wall, demolition and removal of existing masonry wall, and construction of the new wall. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3UBLq3Z.   

Information
For more information on the November 7, 2024, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Upcoming City Commission Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will occur on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.

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