City Commission meeting. The opportunity to provide public comments will be provided during
those portions of the agenda. General public comments and public hearing comments are limited to four minutes per person per item.
You'll be asked to state your name and your address for you for the record.
A ten minute recess will be taken at eight thirty City Clerk roll call, please.
Vice Mayor Orange, Commissioner Gordon, Commissioner Nouvell, Commissioner Badhu, and Mayor Lannigan.
Here.
Okay, we will take a moment of silence and then a pledge to the flag and leading us in the pledge today will be Ms. Mesa.
Thank you, Ms. Aurora. I appreciate that last minute change.
Okay, and Mr. Ever, we have three populations. Our first one for the small business,
small business week, May 4th to May 10, folks are robbed.
Second.
Vice Mayor Orange, Commissioner Gordon. Yes, Commissioner Nouvell. Yes, Commissioner Badhu. Yes.
Mayor Lannigan. Yes.
Well, as small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and enriching neighborhoods with unique character,
creativity and community spirit. And whereas a U.S. small business administration has designated May 4th to 10,
2025 is National Small Business Week, recognizing a 33 million small businesses nationwide that generate 1.5
trillion dollars in annual revenue and embody the diversity resilience and ambition of the American dream.
And whereas small businesses include in artisans, makers, inventors, bring cities to life with handcraft goods and passionate service.
The city of Oakham Park supports local commerce through initiatives like find it in Oakham Park.
Culinary Arts District Interactive Map and find it in Oakham Park. Your business story to enhance engagement and attract visitors.
And whereas the city fosters a thriving business environment through programs such as CRA Business Initiative Program,
the QCT Business and Centre Program, and technical assistance efforts. In 2024, the city launched the job creation
incentive pilot program to attract tenants to transformative mixed use projects, the sky building,
supporting downtown businesses and the Culinary Arts District. And whereas partnerships are vital to economic success,
Oakham Park collaborates with the Brewer County Office of Economic and Small Business Development to expand opportunities and support
small businesses to initiatives like the intentional entrepreneur in listening to your business workshops.
Now, therefore, the city commission of the city built from part Florida by the virtue of the authority.
That's enough by the charter. Does hereby authorize Mayor Timilana, good to proclaim May 4th of the 10th 2025 as National Small Business Week.
Thank you.
Thank you, City Clerk tonight. Commissioner Fitzpudhoe will be presenting the Proclamation to Mr. Sandy McDonald,
the director of the Brewer County Office of Economic and Small Business Development.
In alignment with OESBD's mission to stimulate economic growth, Mr. McDonald is committed to supporting the growth and development of small businesses
and Brewer County, which are a great asset to our local economy. Mr. McDonald also serves as Brewer's designated disadvantaged business enterprise liaison officer,
that's D.B.E.L.O. and works to support the county's commitment to the federal disadvantaged business enterprise, D.B.E.
and airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprise, A.C.D.B.E. programs that OESBD administers along with the county's local small business programs.
Mr. McDonald has worked in the community and economic development on both local and federal programs.
His expertise includes initiating tax increment financing programs, providing supportive economic development services to local municipalities,
Brownfield redevelopment, small minority and women-owned business developments, and creating monitoring and enforcing disadvantaged business enterprise opportunities.
Mr. McDonald, if you could step up to the microphone. Thank you, sir, for being here.
Mr. McDonald, may I thank you.
In all those descriptions, I may add, they all legal standing in the test of time.
And the academic Donald has been paramount in our economic development, not only him, Brewer, but in South Florida.
I thank you for coming to the lecture. I appreciate that.
I'm going to give you the microphone because I know you've got so much things to say about what you're doing in the great county of Brewer.
You know, what you speak about the big-time conference is Friday, which all the entrepreneurs that's here, you should attend.
Because it's a learning that's going to occur that you're going to be able to upgrade your small business and expand and grow.
With that said, Director McDonald, I'm going to pass microphone to you.
Please take your time, sir.
Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you.
Mayor Commissioner, thank you for the acknowledgement and on behalf of Brewer County's Board of County Commissioners
with Mayor Ferris, our Mayor, and County Administrator Monica Superior.
We say thank you for just acknowledging our office, but more importantly, thank you for the partnership.
That Oakland Park has with Brewer County with our office and beyond.
But as the commissioner indicated, we're here simply because with the 31 municipalities, almost 2 million residents, 1300 square miles.
We need to remind everyone.
The small business administration says small businesses are 1 to 500 employees.
Broward, according to the US Census Business Pattern, has 85,000 registered businesses in our county.
But 89% of that 85,000 have 20 employees or less.
So we are truly a small business community, and that's why the county has not only an office of economic and small business development,
they have a dedicated program, which many of your businesses are part of.
To assure that at least 25% of what we do, what we buy, what we make.
25% whether it's to airport, port Everglades, convention and visitors bureau, parks, racks, libraries, government agencies, government west,
roads, transit, BCT, if the county buys it, our office has a chance to make sure at least 25% of what we buy.
We buy from small businesses, and I remember when I first got here 12 years ago this month, and my conversation with Bertha,
I'm like, so we call it the Broward County Small Business Program.
Do we really know what it really is?
It's the cities, because all of the businesses are in the 31 cities.
The county might be administering a program, but we need to work closely with the cities to make sure that the businesses have access.
Education training, including aspiring entrepreneurs.
But at the end of the day for the things the county put cures, there is an opportunity.
There is a carve out, there is an opportunity where those small businesses can be at a small, they can learn to grow,
and I'll just give you one example like that expansion.
Another convention center in a new hotel.
I remember five years ago and he's got started.
Well, Sandy with that program is kind of difficult to you might get a hundred million to be paid to small businesses.
I would have accepted that.
February, we got our numbers in, and so far, 210 million has been paid to small businesses in Broward County.
So Friday is why we do our annual during the same business week.
Our annual small business conference.
We will expect over 900 businesses, primarily small businesses, 80 to 100 vendors and exhibitors,
and exhibitors, bringing morning speakers, afternoon speakers and sessions,
just to make sure businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs know the different resources we have in Broward.
And that's the piece I would like to leave you with.
It's not just the county.
It's the county and all of our partners, the 14 chambers, the 31 municipalities.
We have a group called Airworld, the Alliance of Entrepreneurs Resource Organizations.
That's 20 of us.
Who do something with entrepreneurs, small businesses, start up businesses and scaling businesses?
So I thank you again for the acknowledgement, and I want you to know from our perspective.
We appreciate the work that you're doing, and that's in her team are actually doing to support your entrepreneurs and your small business.
So again, thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you, sir.
Please come down.
Let's take a picture.
This is a great, great photo.
If you're perfect.
Real quick, there was a request by Commissioner Nubo.
I just want to say something to Mr. McDonald.
I truly want to thank you every time Mr. A bears office.
Mrs. Herrera, reach out to you.
You're always there.
You are here in Oakland Park.
You're visible and you're always willing to help the small businesses here.
So I truly want to thank you.
I mean, I mean,
Dido to what the Commissioner said.
I know you've been doing this for many years.
I remember when I sat down with you several years ago.
I knew that you had a vision and a mission.
And as the Commissioner said,
we thank you for all that you do for the small businesses in this county.
Thank you, sir.
And the vice mayor, he's going to be part of the job program.
He's going to expand his dealership here.
Yeah, I'm about 65 years in business.
And that's enough.
Come on down.
Thank you so much.
Directing McDonald's here is your approximation.
And I'm going to move this podium over.
And we're going to take a nice photograph here.
And our next approximation today is mental awareness health month.
Thank you.
Nice to meet you, aren't you?
Yes.
Commissioner Gordon.
Yes.
Commissioner Nubel.
Yes.
Commissioner Badhu.
Yes.
Mayor Lone again.
Yes.
Whereas mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being.
And addressing the mental health needs of children, youth, adult seniors and families is fundamental to having a healthy community.
And whereas all people experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives.
And with the prevalence of mental health conditions in our nation, it is important.
For all members of the community to know that specific tools exist, which can be used to better handle challenges and protect one's health and well-being.
And whereas prevention is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental health conditions.
And with early in effective treatment individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full productive life.
And whereas Nami Broward's mission is to enhance awareness and provide programs in Broward County that support a world-class system for the treatment and recovery of individuals facing mental health challenges.
Nami Broward delivers support, education and advocacy to nurture better understanding, coping strategies and positive outcomes for people and their families navigating the complexities of mental health.
And want to inspire those living with mental health challenges to seek support and to be uplifted by their message, you are not alone.
And whereas individuals experiencing mental health challenges are capable of leading meaningful lives and contributing significantly to society.
Communities aids with those mental health challenges by ensuring access to quality care and appropriate support.
And if treated early, people with mental health conditions are more likely to recover and lead fulfilling lives.
Now, therefore, the City Commission of the City Vocal Park Florida by virtue of the story vested by the charter to see if I authorize Mayor Tim Walter, good to proclaim the month of May.
2025 is mental health awareness month in the City Vocal Park and call upon our community to remote awareness and understanding of the mental wellness and to stand by those with mental health challenges to remind them they are never alone.
Thank you.
Thank you, City Clerk.
Presenting the Proclamation today will be Commissioner Latisha new bold and accepting the Proclamation is Dr. Joseph Oravak.
Chief Executive Officer of Nami National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Nami was founded in Madison, Wisconsin by Harriet, Schuttler and Beverly Young, two women who both had sons diagnosed with schizophrenia and were tired of being blamed for their son's mental illness.
Unhappy with the lack of services available in the treatment of those living with mental illness, the women sought out others with similar concerns.
The first meeting held to address these issues and mental health led to the formation of the National Alliance for the mentally ill in 1979.
In 1997, the legal name was changed to the acronym Nami.
For over 25 years, Dr. Joe has significantly impacted mental health initiatives within higher education institutions across the country and has served for the last 15 years at various universities in cabinet level positions.
Dr. Joe's leadership approaches anchored in empathy and fairness, focusing on educating and empowering individuals, influencing community leaders and fostering collaborative partnerships for strong mental health advocacy.
Commissioner, if you would now meet Dr. Joe, Dr. Joe, thank you for being here.
Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to present this proclamation to you on behalf of the City of Oakland Park in the Commission.
We know that mental health people deal with it. Some people try to hide from it and try to ignore it.
But sometimes it's okay to tell people it's okay to not to be okay.
And the thing is to go and see about it, to talk to someone and not to ignore it.
And for us to look out for each other when we see patterns of our family members or loved ones or friends, close friends that are exhibiting behaviors that are not normal.
It's okay to check in with them because we're all in this together.
So I'm honored to give you this proclamation because we want to break the silence, challenge this stigma and stand with those who struggle together. We can overcome this.
By checking on our loved ones, those that are close to us.
And again, if we just see patterns that are not normal to just check with them.
And I'll give you this chance to say anything.
Thank you. Thank you so much. I do have a few remarks if you don't mind.
With the national lines of mental illness, I want to express our deep appreciation for this proclamation.
This year's national nami message is powerful and personal in every story there is strength.
That story may belong to a neighbor, a colleague, a parent, or a child.
And every time we acknowledge it, we break down the stigma and open the door to hope that strength is found in the families we support.
The individuals who attend our groups and the community members who show up like all of you ready to end stigma and start real conversations.
As you heard, nami is a national and nation's largest grassroots spend a health organization.
And nami Broward is proud to serve as your local grassroots mental health nonprofit.
Here in Broward, we provide completely free evidence-based programs including peer and family support groups, education classes like family to family and nami basics.
Outreach presentations to schools, community groups and first responders, all designed to help people feel heard, seen and supported.
No insurance and no diagnosis required.
Your proclamation articulates the data of how we all need to embrace mental health for all.
And while we receive no federal or state funding and only limited support locally, which I'll get to, we are committed to showing up in every zip code meeting people where they are.
That's why moments like this matter, this proclamation sends a clear message that mental health matters in Oakland Park.
We are proud to bring our services directly to the community libraries, schools, faith centers, not just in offices, and we rely on local partnerships like this one to keep those programs free and accessible.
And also like to take a moment to express our sincere thanks to the city of Oakland Park for the generous grant that you provided through the aid to non-profits, awarded to nami Broward County.
Your support is already at work.
In partnership with the Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center, we are now hosting nami nights on the second and third Tuesday of every month.
These evenings feature individuals from across Broward County courageously sharing their stories through nami's in your own voice presentation because stories matter.
When someone shares their lived experience, it helps others feel seen, heard and not alone, and that's where real change begins.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention a growing movement in Broward County.
We invite our business community, including small businesses and city departments to engage in our stigma free workplace initiative.
I'm so appreciative that through Ms. Herrera that we're already having those conversations, so thank you very much.
These trainings and awareness programs help cities, businesses, and organizations support employee, mental wellness at every level.
And finally, I invite each of you to join us on Saturday, October 4th at Nov. Southeastern University at Florida, Nami's Mental Health for all walk.
Celebrating the community and the purpose and proud that we would be so proud to have members of the Oakland Park community with us.
So thank you again. Thank you for standing with nami Broward County and reminding that our residents here, they are never alone together.
We're building a stronger healthier, more compassionate Broward County.
Thank you.
And our final proclamation is Water Safety Month. Motion moved off.
Second.
Vice Mayor Arns?
Yes.
Mr. Gordon?
Yes.
Mr. Nubo?
Yes.
Mr. Buddhoe?
Yes.
Whereas the summer months in warm Florida weather invite families to enjoy pools, beaches, and splash parks.
Making water activities a cherished part of childhood and community life.
And as the City of Oakland Park is committed to promoting safe, joyful experiences and and around water by raising awareness about the importance of water safety and supporting education efforts.
That help protect our families, especially our youngest swimmers.
And whereas drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children with approximately one in five unintentional drowning victims being children age 14 and younger.
Remindiness that vigilance, preparation and education are essential.
And whereas aqua champ swim school provides year-round aquatic instruction to individuals of all ages and abilities starting with infant swim lessons and continuing through competitive swim team training helping children build confidence skill and lifelong love of swimming.
And whereas the City of Oakland Park recognizes the importance of aquatic instruction and awareness protect residents against drowning and recreational water-related injuries.
All residents to learn basic water safety skills including swimming and CPR supervised children closely around water including pools lakes and beaches promote the use of life jackets for boating and other water activities support aquatic education programs such as those offered by aqua champ swim school.
To enhance water safety knowledge and skills within our community spread awareness about the importance of water safety to prevent drownings and injuries.
Now therefore the City Commission of the City of Oakland Park Florida by the virtue of the authority that's in a private charter to see if I authorize Mayor Tim Waterton to pull claim May 2025 is National Water Safety Month by raising awareness and taking proactive measures.
We can ensure a safer and more enjoyable aquatic experience for all residents and visitors of Oakland Park.
Thank you.
Thank you City Clerk and presenting the proclamation today.
Thank you commissioner I was.
Okay.
Thank you commissioner but who and accepting the proclamation today are our friends from aqua champs.
Mary Jackson the president and Dan Votter the vice president and we also have Miss Sarah Perry who launched the Aden Perry hero life ring initiative.
A little bit about aqua champs and in our guests tonight aqua champs was founded upon a tradition of teaching with with care which started in 1953 and Broward County.
Open their Oakland Park facility in 2020 and they're located at 509 northeast 43rd Street.
They have taught generations of children and adults throughout the decades.
They believe in teaching not just children but also families and caregivers how to create a safer and smarter swimmers.
They teach the wise behind skills being taught and know their job is about water safety education for the whole family.
We've also invited Miss Sarah Perry who launched the Aden Perry hero life ring initiative.
In memory of her son Aden, a western high school student who tragically lost his life in 2022 while attempting to save a person from submerged vehicle.
Inspired by Aden's bravery Sarah works tirelessly to install life saving equipment and communities across Broward County.
Oakland Park has 10 life rings in place with 10 more planned in the city's ongoing efforts to prevent drownings which remain the leading cause of unintentional death of young children in Broward County.
Sarah had already committed to another city to accept the proclamation.
So she can't join us today, but we're going to mail her a copy.
Thank you, City Clerk.
And Mr. Water.
Then come on down.
I want the first to know to the vice mayor.
I've been over a year and a half, two years.
You started this safe water safety program.
You first advocated for it.
You're sitting right there.
And I appreciate that.
I took that aqua swim.
It's going to be aqua jams.
And I made sure I took them to all the schools at the time.
To promote the swimming program and safety.
And they got a lot of students up and now up from the middle school elementary.
They even got my two boys this fast Easter breakout.
And that was gave my 19 on 15 year old and it came in and it's been a week.
Reloading how this went.
They did great.
I asked them today.
I said, well, what do you learn?
It's all in the proclamation.
And they go also.
They have a free.
They are Friday when they invite those kids back to do 30 minutes.
So it's swim time.
Okay.
So they give back to the community.
And we appreciate you.
And this pocket means to you.
And the CEO who could not be here today.
But we did we got you here because you number two in charge.
And so with that I'm going to give you the mic.
Here's a proclamation.
I want to say a few words.
Okay.
Well, thank you guys so much for always just championing aqua jams.
And just water safety in general.
It was five years ago this month that we opened our doors at aqua jams.
Obviously with COVID, we didn't quite get to do our first swimming lesson until June.
But being here, we were the pioneer for the every child of summer scholarship program.
And once we opened our doors, the hall of fame here and for water,
it had an idea about providing scholarships.
But they just didn't know how to do it successfully.
So we kind of helped launch that every child of summer program.
And now it is nationwide.
It's been picked up by some national swim school chains, which is great.
And it provides 500 dollars of swimming lessons to children and need.
And adults in need actually as well.
So all ages.
But then we've also been able to partner with the library.
And so on Fridays once a month we have them coming.
So we have the local park library and a mom's group come for a free swimming lesson.
Just so we can at least touch the lives of a child or a parent just to talk about the layers of protection.
Because it's not just about swimming lessons.
It's about pool fences.
It's about the throwing go campaign.
So we really try to educate the community.
I can't thank you enough for giving us the opportunity.
And just rewarding our hard work because we love what we do.
So thank you.
Thank you.
I want to go work on community and service commissioners.
Let's come down again.
Do we need to say a few comments?
Commissioners.
I just may need to say it.
I think come on.
No, he knows I feel about it.
I mean child drowning is a number one death of children four years in under in state of Florida.
And it shouldn't happen.
It's something so preventable.
It should never happen.
And the problem is I don't know what the problem is.
I mean, I can't put my finger on one thing.
It's this.
It's this money.
It's it's the available pool.
It's there's not one thing.
And the problem is it's not just the kids.
It's the adults.
Because adults don't have swim.
There's.
There's a son or a daughter in the pool drowning.
They can't do it.
They're going to get them.
You're not going to have one death.
You have two deaths or more.
And it to me.
It's.
It's so basic.
It should be like learning to walk.
And unfortunately, it's not.
And we have so much water down here.
South Florida.
Just.
You know, you know, I feel, but I can't say enough about you.
No good work.
You've done.
And you know, if any time I ever need you.
You've always been there.
But he's so some support.
I don't know.
Whenever right there.
No problem.
So I appreciate that.
Thank you so much.
Come on down.
It's.
It's a.
But it's.
It's.
But it's.
It's.
I think it's very important to be able to do that.
Thank you.
Okay.
And at this time, are there any additions,
changes or deletions to the agenda?
Vice Mayor?
I'd like to add the supplemental agenda,
which consists of removing item number four,
and updating the resolution of item 14,
and then adding item 14 to the consent agenda.
Mr. City Manager, was there a presentation for 14?
We certainly have that available,
but this is an exciting opportunity
because it's the first of our entryway signs,
and we're very grateful to the county for their support
of this effort.
But we're certainly going to make big news out of it,
but we're finally in control.
So I don't see any reason why unless there's a desire
on the part of the commission,
we certainly can move it to consent.
I think if it's thanks to Robert County,
and you have a presentation.
Thank you.
I understand that, but I'm going to give you an explanation.
And this is showing fits that I play fairly all the way around.
Remember the day we were going to buy patio furniture
for Dr. Carter G. Wood's a park,
and I said, you want to update,
and I told you know this, we're buying patio furniture tonight.
Same thing night, we're not having a presentation on it.
We've got three or four or five meetings ago.
Tonight we're approving a revocable license.
And if you want to have a presentation,
the revocable license have at it,
but it's a ministerial thing.
Okay, I'd rather have it.
Vice Mayor, I appreciate it.
It's up to the commissioner.
They want to be more than happy to see it,
but I'm just saying I don't play favorites.
I don't, I don't, I treat staff,
the way I treat the rest of the commission.
It's not, it wasn't on the agenda for a presentation
for the fact that it's, it's all it is.
It's a, we're, we're taking and,
and approving a license to have the sign there.
That's all.
We're not, we're not, the approval when we, when we showed,
and I don't know, would I, do you know,
without, we have three, four, five meetings ago,
we have the presentation of where it's going to be,
and what's going to look like?
I don't want to call what you meeting that license.
Okay.
But we did have it though.
Yeah.
Vice Mayor, here's my perspective.
But staff made a presentation as a city manager,
said he's kind of excited.
That staff is presenting this and thinking the county for doing it.
So I would rather not move it onto.
It's up to the commissioner.
They want to do that.
Just, it doesn't matter to me.
We have a call.
Oh, just, let me say yes or no.
You want a presentation or no presentation?
Okay.
Me?
Yeah.
You're next.
Okay.
If there is one available.
And so it's already done.
We do have a brief presentation.
We don't have to look like further.
Okay.
So I just, I'm trying to be fair.
And so, you know, I'm not ever picking on any one of the commissioners here,
that, you know, when a agenda item is agenda item is that agenda item is not more than that agenda item.
I'll say this.
This is my six months here.
And great thing about it is learning.
And when it happened first time,
I didn't know what was going on.
And then you explained to me, and I understood.
So, and I appreciate that.
That, for that, you know, like you say, you don't pay favorites.
So, it was nothing against your mayor.
This is, you know, this is vice mayor.
And so, I have no objection.
But, you know, the city manager wanted to give the presentation.
It's fine if not.
And, you know, I could put it to the consent agenda.
I think we'll find there are three individuals.
Okay.
Thank you for that commissioner.
Vice mayor, I appreciate that.
I'd also like to, you know, it's up to the will commission.
I'd also like to pull agenda item number five for discussion.
Can we have a motion?
Motion to amend the agenda.
Second.
Okay.
Vice mayor.
Yes.
Commissioner Gordon.
Yes.
Mission noble.
Yes.
Mr. Badhu.
Yes.
Motion to approve the amended agenda.
I finished my before you finished.
Oh.
Second.
I guess to the city of town.
No one's second it to is either vice mayor's third.
Okay.
Vice mayor.
Yes.
Commissioner Gordon.
Yes.
Mission noble.
Yes.
Mr. Badhu.
Yes.
Okay.
And we're moving on to presentations.
And our first presentation is the MPO presentation.
Mr. City manager.
I'll kick us off.
Or did you want to kick us off?
I always defer to you.
Terrific.
I appreciate that.
On Tuesday, April 22nd, O'Con Park was proud to host a special occasion for the
Broward MPO.
That's the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
It was the unveiling of the MPO connected communities vision kit.
We were excited that the MPOs elected our vibrant city as the backdrop for this important event.
Approximately 70 guests attended the events, including elected officials from around the county.
MPO staff.
We had U.S. Department of Transportation staff here and people from all around the country.
You might be asking yourself what are connected communities.
Connected communities are places designed for people.
Compact mixed use development that brings daily needs closer together.
Walkable, bikeable streets that are safe and welcoming.
Development patterns that support future transit.
Design that reflects and enhances the local context and identity.
Convenient access to housing, jobs, groceries, education, health care and open space.
A focus on long-term sustainability, mobility and
Divinity.
And what is the connected communities vision kit?
It's a planning and design tool.
It reimagines how future development and central
Broward can support more walkable, compact and livable places.
Whether or not major transit is yet in place.
If built on the principles of transit oriented development.
Flexible structure to define a vision that reflects
local values, needs and long-term aspirations.
And it aligns with future transit investments and
regionally grown strategy.
Mr. Abair.
Before we understand we have a presentation.
At the close of that meeting on the 22nd.
We actually offered a bus trip of Oakland Park highlighting the recent
current and future public and private investments taking place
throughout our great city.
Before we see that video, Mr. Abair, do you have any comments?
So this is a fortuitous time in our city.
You know that I celebrated my 10 years here last September.
And we have been very focused in putting in place the
foundational elements necessary for this city to thrive.
We haven't concluded that effort.
And it's unlikely, no matter how long I stay, that there will be
a conclusion to it.
Because cities are living, breathing, and evolving entities.
And we want them to be viable and to be perpetual.
Because our citizenry will continue to evolve.
And so will the world around us.
The best we can hope for is that we continue to stay on pace with the
changes of the world and prepare for the possibilities of the future.
I don't like to have to put my commissioners to work.
But may or last week we put you to work as our spokesperson for the
efforts that you began leading when you were on the commission all the way back
in 2012 and 2014.
And that followed on the shoulders of people like the vice mayor who
led this city through difficult times, including a severe
recession that affected our entire country.
So tonight we wanted to bring other body up to speed with what we've been
able to achieve.
And so we book in the presentations this evening starting with the
transportation aspect that you cheerleaded for us.
And then finally on the back end of presentations we're going to be talking about
what's happened within the city.
And particularly the CRA because these efforts are complimentary.
Nothing that happens in the city happens in a vacuum.
Because as you indicated this is a community-based effort.
And it means that we have to remain sensitive to every member of our community.
Our small businesses, our senior citizens, our commuters.
Everybody plays a role in making us strong and transportation and
multimodal movement of citizens in every way including and maybe
especially mass transit is a key component of that.
So in order to help you explain how we did what we did we put together
brief video.
And I think we have that fully metham clerk if you would please.
Welcome to Oakland Park Florida, a city on the rocks embracing the
futures through practical integrated community planning.
It's about focusing on the community in the most fundamental way by providing
housing through density, live work, play environments and reduce the
and make it a dependency to create a more sustainable and connected city.
This plan integrates essential elements by employing under-utilized city owned land
for mixed use developments.
Incorporating pedestrian-friendly design and providing sustainable infrastructure
alongside public transportation options.
Oakland Park has been identified as a stop on the Broward Community Railway.
This pivotal opportunity will connect the city to key destinations across
Broward County offering residents and visitors in efficient and sustainable
way of travel.
With projects like the Sky Building, the Horizon of Oakland Park,
Bliss and Oakland, the city is adding density while creating
vibrant spaces for residents and visitors.
The Sky Building located in the heart of the city community,
redevelopment area and, in a qualified census tract, is a transformative
project that exemplifies Oakland Park's commitment to practical
integrated development.
The $60 million public private partnership between the city of Oakland Park and
in our investments features two buildings connected by a Sky Bridge,
with 136 residential units, 15,000 square feet of commercial space,
and over 300 additional parking spaces.
Sky will house Oakland Park City Hall, symbolizing the city's
shift towards a collective center and balanced community.
The project's focus is an attainable housing, with units designated for
residents earning up to 140% of the area median income.
A Jason's Sky, the Horizon of Oakland Park project,
will further enhance downtown residential and commercial options,
with 300 and 11 residential units, commercial space, public parking,
and urban green spaces.
Enhancements like uniform street skates, lush landscape,
and bike lanes promote sustainability and multimodal transport
to connect the community.
The city is currently planning for a grant to conceptualize a
pedestrian overpass crossing Dixie Highway,
connecting the east and west sides of our city,
and eliminating this long-standing barrier.
Main street is a critical connector that will link the
train station to all transportation departments and is in
a heart of the new developments by enhancing walkability
and integrating residential and commercial options.
We're building a sustainable future for Oakland Park.
To learn more about Oakland Park's development initiatives,
visit our website or join us at our next community workshop.
Your input shapes our future.
So Mayor, this is an opportunity for all of us
to look at what has been accomplished.
I imagine that the vice mayor, along before I had the opportunity
to meet him, probably had dreamed of these kind of opportunities
in this city, and it's a long time coming.
But it's here, and it's happening, and we're going to continue
this momentum.
And I want to thank you very much for representing us,
and I want to thank the rest of you for being in attendance at this
important program.
We're making a name for this city on every level of government,
and we're deeply grateful for partnership with the M.L.
and also with the county, because without their continued support,
we wouldn't be able to achieve what we had up.
So, thank you, Mayor, for everything that you've done.
Thank you, Commission, for continuing to be supportive,
and focused on our growth.
Thank you, Mr. Avere, we're thankful to you, staff,
and all of our partners helping to move.
We'll come up successfully into the future.
I'll open it up to the commission real quick. Any comments?
Other than the division, the city manager, and I've never sought before, but now I'm seeing it.
So without that, this doesn't happen.
I see it every day when I get out into the community, city manager on the overwhelming enthusiasm and the energy of people that want to come to Oakland Park.
In advance, play experience what we're going through, this transformation of economic expansion.
And I'm proud to be a commissioner, because I'm looking at all the foods of your, you all labor.
Okay, and all the several commissions, especially you two Mayor Vice Mayor, because it was a vision.
But the city manager made it, cooperated it, put a plan out, and put the personnel to put it in every department.
We got the best employees. I'm not just saying that I know government employees.
We have to pass and I tell the city manager, you are very lucky. You get a five of that, because you hide the best.
And I'm thankful that we're moving forward. Yes, it's going to be expensive on the west side. The west side is going to feel the strategy. Trust me, because I'm working hard each and every day.
Okay, and we'll have real, real strong conversation, city manager behind the scenes, because I have a vision of this explosion going on the west side.
I'm going to put that energy in fire to it. So thank you. The highlight of it, and thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Commissioner.
And thank you Vice Mayor, okay. Thank you for that.
Commissioner.
Yes, I too can see the change and but I also and mindful and know that change takes time, especially when you want to change to align with the business.
I mean, the city's goals on being a resilient and a sustainable city. You just, you know, and even a business.
The way we build and we what we put together in a certain neighborhood, it all has to make sense.
It all has to feed off of what's currently there, like the residents and whatever is developed there.
I understand that change takes time, but meanwhile, we will just continue to have meaningful conversations on everything.
Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Thank you, Mayor.
Everyone has really said it all. Thank you, Mr. Aver. Thank you, staff.
And thank you for those folk who came before some of us, young folk up here on the commission.
Yeah, we, we are just going to keep on, you know, forging forward and until we spread this throughout the city.
So thank you, Mayor, for your input and, and.
The great here at Vice Mayor.
I, I, you added that.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
All right, our next presentation is an update on the Fort Lauderdale forced main replacement project, which is Park Lane East.
Thank you, Mayor.
And this zooms into the very practical and real aspect of taking care of our community and working in partnership with our teammates in Fort Lauderdale.
This is a critically important project for them as well as for our city.
But it is and it has been disruptive.
We did hear from another number of our citizens last week.
Fortunately, through the cooperative efforts of our partners in Fort Lauderdale.
We've been able to address several of their concerns and make adjustments to our plans.
I have Albert Carvin, our director of public works with this this evening.
To introduce the team that we are at work with and to again remind you about this project to apologize for disrupting the community.
But understanding that we're going to do everything we can to make it as least invasive as possible.
Albert.
Just all.
Excuse me.
Albert Carvin Public Works Director, I'll let Vince.
The with 10 more associates do their introductions and start the presentation.
Good evening everybody.
Mayor Commissioner city manager.
Thank you for having us here tonight.
We give you guys an update on our project.
My name is Vincent.
I'm a engineer with Chen Morne Associates for the engineer record on the city of Fort Lauderdale's Core Ridge Force Main Project.
To my right here is Ryan Colts.
He's a superintendent for DMSI, who is leading construction efforts.
And behind me we have project manager Cyril and project manager Gabby.
So we were here a couple of months ago.
We gave a very similar presentation.
We could run through it again.
I don't know if you want me to get real into the details about everything or if everybody has a well understanding of the project.
Mr. Eber, do you have a preference.
I read that to your discussion mayor.
I don't think that it would hurt to have a recap of what this project is all about why it's so important.
But understanding what they're going to do to address the concerns of our community.
So if you would please, thank you, Vince.
All right.
That's good.
So we're here tonight to talk about the city of Fort Lauderdale's Core Ridge Force Main Project, particularly phase four of this project.
This is a design build project with city of Fort Lauderdale as the owner.
David Mancini and Sons as a contractor and Chen Morne Associates as the engineer record.
A little project overview of this project was broken up into four phases total.
It's about 16,500 linear feet of sanitary force pain being replaced.
It ranges in diameters from 24 inch to 48 inch pipeline.
So we're talking about large transmission mains.
Phase four is what we're here kind of to talk about tonight as it's mostly in the city of Oakland Park.
And that's about 7,500 linear feet.
Why is the city replacing this?
So this pipeline was installed around 1977 and it's a major major asset to the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Picking up flows from west city of Fort Lauderdale city of Oakland Park as well as city of city of Wilton Manards.
On in the west seasons this pipeline can see about 18.5 million gallons of fluid traveling through it per day.
So a very large amount.
The project scope on north north east 38th street.
We're replacing the force pain this force pain ranges in size.
But majority of it is a 42 inch internal diameter pipeline, very big transmission main.
We have a couple of different construction methods that we're going to be using to install this pipe.
Majority of it's going to be installed to horizontal directionally drilling.
The trenchless technology and an open cut at our connections and across federal highway.
Restoration anything to stirring construction is going to be restored.
We have pre-construction videos, topographic surveys.
So things are going to be replaced to match existing conditions as best as possible.
A little project scope overview.
Here's a map of phase four.
So far, what's been completed is a HDD horizontal direction on drill on the west side of the project.
This is his own one.
It was a 24 inch force pain.
It was installed across funky Buddha.
This has been installed preliminary pressure tests and restored.
The next step that we're currently working on is zone two of on northeast 38th street.
This is a large directional drill.
It's about 2100 linear feet of 48 inch force pain.
After that, we'll work into zone three, another large directional drill.
Somewhere in between those two, we're going to start working on the open cut across federal highway and into the coral ridge golf course.
Once everything's been installed, the large pipelines will come back.
Make our connections city of open parks, two flow meters, as well as city of open, our city of Wilson manners on 16th Avenue.
And just FY the coral ridge golf course, this drill was completed already.
It's not highlighted on here, but it has been completed.
So sample HDD plan.
We talked about this last time we were here.
We did zone three.
Today we'll highlight zone two just so every, because that's what's being worked on right now.
So zone two is pretty much what's shown in the orange box.
Our extents are going to go that far.
In order to do this large diameter horizontal direction drill, we have very large equipment out there.
We've seen it as large drills, support trucks, dump trucks, there's a lot of moving parts moving around.
That's why you see the zones are so big.
In the red box, just to clarify, these are full road closures.
In the orange, as I mentioned, this is a trenchless technology.
So there will be local traffic able to travel between the pits.
But on each side of it, it's going to be a full road closure.
Just because of the equipment so large.
On the safety factor, we really don't want people that close to our pits, our trenches, and just all the moving equipment around.
I don't know if you've been out there, but so far, federal highway, you could see the large equipment out there.
We started our pilot board.
So here in the blue is kind of showing where the equipment's going to go and our exit pit, just west of 16 Avenue and the roundabout.
We started our pilot board today or this week.
As shown in the green line, we're going to start with the 6th to 8-inch pilot pit.
Travels back and forth between the pits, and we'll slowly enlarge the hole until we get to the proper diameter,
in which we could pull in the new 48-inch pipeline.
Once our kind of time of tameously as we're boring, the contractor knows exactly it's been timed out and calculated when we should start stringing out and fusing the pipeline.
So behind the pits on the west side of the project, we'll start mobilizing large diameter pipeline out there, kind of storing it in the right away and fusing it together,
which you can kind of see in the green, I don't know if everybody could see it, but on the green side of the map.
What we're trying to plan on is having two string lines out between 16th to have and 13th to have.
What this will allow us to do is to have about a one mid-weld during our pullback.
So this is a trenchless technology.
However, the construction impact, we understand that it impacts a lot of people.
These are a couple of different projects that we worked on around Broward County, particularly.
Some of you might be aware that the drill is going on of prospect right now.
It's going to be very similar to that.
The pipeline's large. It's transporting a lot of fluid and just the overall construction effort to get this pipe in the ground.
It's very extensive.
So we've been going back and forth with the city's assistant public works director Chris Lips.
I know there was some concerns about the MOT when it was originally set up.
So we're working as diligent as possible to get new MOT plans and get the proper signs set up to make everybody satisfied.
We've had one on one meetings with Chris Lips and his staff, with the contractor, myself, with the engineer, as well as city of Fort Lotto.
Some of the things we're implementing, additionally, after meeting with your staff,
our six additional variable message boards.
I put a picture there if you guys don't know what a variable message board is.
But essentially what these are trying to do is steer away the public from northeast 38 street as much as possible.
We want to avoid them trying to use this as a cut-through.
So hopefully with these six additional message boards, we get more people to take floor, not a road, as well as Oakland Park Boulevard.
Just to give them the proper warning before they get to 38 street.
So you can see the additional six message boards kind of box and red.
A few other things that we're kind of trying to do to minimize the impact of our MOT.
We also put a road closure signs on 16th to have in 38 street.
These were originally road close, local traffic only, but we changed them to no-through traffic.
We really try to minimize the public trying to cut through the neighborhood as much as possible.
And then once the residents get into the neighborhood, we're setting up the proper signs and the MOT to steer them to the right road they're trying to get to.
So these are the other MOT signs that we about dated.
Kind of getting into the thick of things right now.
This is kind of what set up in the field.
We have our two full road closures.
At federal highway in Northeast 38 street right now, we're all the drill rig and the equipment is set up.
The roundabout 16th Avenue is open, but it's going to need to be shut down for a safety issue.
The exit pit is a little bit west, but we just can't have traffic going over these large pits.
It's just a safety critical issue.
So things that we've done differently since the city manager's been on site.
We're including very detoured custom detour signs.
Specifically, if you're coming up 16th Ave, how do I get the 38 street?
The sign will specifically point you to the road that you're trying to get to.
So just a few examples.
We have detour signs that we're proposing, depending on where you're coming from.
From to get to 16th Avenue, 38th street federal highway, Oakland Park Boulevard, to know exactly which route to take when you need to go somewhere.
There is a lot of entry and exits out of this neighborhood.
So I think for the actual residents, that's a benefit, but it really comes down to somebody who's not used to the neighborhood to try to figure out where they're going.
I try to create a map to show residents exactly which way to come in and where to go and it just doesn't work.
There's way too many different variables. I don't it would be unlimited options.
But just to give you an idea of what we're proposing on our new MOT plan.
If a resident was trying to get to say right here the red star, they're coming down federal highway from the north.
They'll come up to 33rd court.
There's detour signs now off federal highway before we were pointing them to Oakland Park Boulevard.
Now it'll be before that 33rd court. They'll come up down 20th Avenue.
There's detour signs that point directly to 38th street, how to get to 38th street.
And then once they're back on 38th street, they should have a good understanding of how to get to their property.
Kind of shown in this red detour.
Other options are if they're coming from Dixie Highway.
We have road closure local traffic only with detour signs pointing them how to get back to 38th street.
And this example to get around 16th Avenue that would be closed.
So we're working very we work these were all recommendations from clear slips.
And we're trying to work with him as much as possible to make sure everybody's happy and satisfied.
This is a very critical project. Sustainability is a big thing that I just heard on the last video.
And this pipeline is for city of Oakland Park, city of Wilton Manors, and it's for for the future.
So just to give you a little bit of a project schedule or an update phases 1 through 3 on the total project.
We have been completed phase 4, the 24 inch drill on the west side of 38th street has been completed.
The 48th inch in coral ridge has been completed and now we're working on 38th street right at federal highway.
Some upcoming work is to finish that first drill from federal to 16th Avenue.
Once we finish that drill, we'll jump over from 16th Avenue to 13th Avenue to another directional drill.
Somewhere in between that the contract will mobilize to start doing the federal highway crossing.
There is a couple connections we have to do specifically to for city of Oakland and one for city of Wilton Manors.
So those will be done after the drill.
However, we need certification from FTP to make our connections.
So those are kind of pending on the schedule line.
And then overall construction should be is anticipated to be completed fall of 2025.
These are some of our project contacts there. The same is last time I believe since then we've sent you guys a list of with phone numbers all the emerging contacts anybody you need to reach out to.
I'm free 24 seven if there's any emergency you can give me a call you can give Ryan or call.
Gabby or zero will always answer your phone.
Many questions.
Thank you, Vince.
I has indicated went to the site on more than one occasion last week.
I was not pleased with what I was seeing or what I was hearing.
Vince and you may not know this, but our mayor happens to live on Park Lane.
And all of his neighbors know him.
So if I am hearing things trust me when he is hearing them times 10.
I'm not the easiest person to please. I don't pretend to be.
And I do have a tendency to be less patient than some of the other leaders in this city.
But it's because I care about what happens in this city.
And it is something I am grateful for having the opportunity to represent them.
And I want to commend you and your team for being patient with me last week when I was not necessarily particularly patient myself.
Trying to address a conundrum that I thought was unnecessary.
Sometimes the best late plans just are not quite tailored as carefully to the needs of the people that are impacted as they can be.
And your willingness and ability to sit down and reconsider the plan that you had put together is deeply appreciated as is your appearance here this evening.
I will try to continue to maintain my concern for my community.
And we'll do the best I can to be patient with the process that is expensive and cumbersome and ultimately has no choice but to be disruptive in our city.
But with your continued support and cooperation we are I know going to do everything we can to minimize that disruption.
So thank you very much Mayor.
Yeah Vincent Brian I think it was Sarah and Gabby you know we do appreciate you we know the complexity it is trying to pull off a project like this and as a city manager said there were some unique challenges.
I do live right on the corner there and my phone rang off the hook all day long and things that I noticed as my husband and I were out in front.
There was no traffic by our house, which was really nice except people started going around the the signs and then the roundabout was half closed off so they're going the wrong way around the roundabout and meeting other cars head on and it was a nightmare and then six let's see.
The team terrorists between 38th and 36th street.
Five residents left me voice males just from that one street saying it looks like that's a speed way so they're trying to make up some time and get through so.
I'm not sure what we can do but literally five residents just on that to block area left me voice males saying the cars are coming by here so fast just so fast so.
If that could be something that we make sure is is looked at and hopefully a solution for that.
Mr. Carvin.
Yeah I talked to Mr. Lipson them about there's we've caught we've received issues mostly on 20th and 19th Avenue having those same type issues and we requested them to put the digital signage out there just slow down construction ahead just some more in those those areas where.
And this construction crews know that as people get used to the construction area where to go things will we'll we'll start getting back into more and more normally.
Over that over the month a month long time that the construction will occur so it's beginning those that for through that first week is people are navigating through this construction area.
And if I could but one of the things we could consider there are some of the temporary speed situations if we are seeing significant cut through traffic.
So I do want us to be creative if those kind of additional elements can be considered and implemented I think together we can make this like I say as least disruptive as possible.
Yes and Chris Lipson I discussed exactly that see manager about having our availability of our temporary speed tables.
That should it's the increase in that second week yes we will implement that.
Albert had the great good fortune last week of being out of town at the conference where we were awarded a recognition for our special project.
And so his staff took the brunt of my I hear I'm grateful that he's back and leading this charge.
Thank you me.
Commissioner.
Yes.
I hear thank you for being out thank you for giving this presentation.
I hear a lot of signage I need to know.
On the personnel out there with signs slowing the traffic down and deep and giving guidance to where the local.
The local residents that's driving to make sure it's a safety issue and also do you have a BSO officer.
Out there too as well.
We don't currently have BSO officers out there but we were intending on trying to place the.
Speedhumps and more signage stating you know speed of speeding fines double in construction zones and hopefully people would.
Start to follow this because as you know the speeding is a hazard to my employees it's a hazard to everybody in the community not just the residents.
It's my employees that are in those streets so we're trying to look at all aspects to try to keep everybody in a safety.
Manor right and basically I'm coming down six avenue all the time going near the five station nine and we have two two three.
Do to our persons with signs slowing down traffic on one way and 10 minutes traffic to go the opposite way they could see slowly.
So signage is good but of course people don't like to read them and like to follow them but then you have a person out there so you can actually.
We'll call us but hey safety for the most community and everybody wants to be so a lot of residents and all of them maybe.
Yeah I've represented him too.
All right so I need safety all the way around and you're going to have to have people going to have to get a BSO you may be a cause but BSO officer out there and that was slow down that traffic.
You really should consider that okay.
So about safety.
Thank you. Thank you commissioner.
Vice Mayor.
Quickly.
To explain to you you're a closely while you're going from 28 to 48 inches.
Because usually you're going to you know that that tells me upwards in the in the upstream of the flow that you're going to have some laterals coming in there.
The existing pipeline on 38 Street 36 36 and then it upsizes the 42 inch.
The HTP pipeline that we're putting in the outside diameter is 48 inch but the internal diameter is closer to 42 inch.
Look they're wild.
Is there a reason why we need.
We need more capacity there because unless you have more laterals coming into that feeding the sewer flow.
Well we're picking up flow from the city of for a lot of it coming.
Okay west on commercial ballvard we're picking up flow from master.
Flow meter for the city of open park that comes in the right on your hand.
Yeah.
And we're going to get that in the center.
These pipes are 50 years old.
How old are the ladders that come in there?
The feet pipes feeding them.
They've got to be 50 years older more.
And you know it's.
It's inevitable they're going to fail.
Yeah.
The city of wealth and manners is replacing their force pain.
That's connecting to it.
I believe city of open park is as well.
They're moving their flow meter.
So that's going to be a new force.
And then the eight inch closet of federal seems pretty new as well.
So vice mayor.
So the there's as you go along 38th street.
We have the pipeline comes down 12th Avenue is meant as the one meter there.
There's also the the for lotterdale coming down 13th Avenue south by funky Buddha from poor for a lotter or from floor not a there that's a place where the force may it gets additional flow.
And then it's 16th Avenue is a digital flow from west will manners and then at night 20th 20th Avenue a digital flow from our our pump stations in the corals coming into there.
So those are two different the four different feeds.
So you go from 30 36 28 26 28 to 42 to 48 as you cross federal highway.
You get more for.
So there's still full flow coming in there.
And yes, we as Vince said we replaced ours down 12th Avenue just before I got here 16th Avenue is done through big bad nine right after I got here.
Same with the one of the.
The one.
So make sure to make sure the laterals have been.
All are our force means going in to those have been replaced.
So and well, mayors as he's been said and.
I don't know who did that you use a behaving contractor for the prospect road.
Okay.
Let me tell you what the worst paved job I've ever seen at 50th Avenue and prospect road feels like you're going over the roller coaster the little the little you know the mouse track one the little one for little kids.
You know, it's it's sad because the money has been wasted there.
The worst pinch I've ever seen my life and then if you go fast on the west side, you'll have a depression in the road goes like this and up and like down like that and that road was perfect when they read it.
They read it.
Yeah.
And it's not even close.
So what they've placed down right now will be milled and overlaid and a nice fine smooth course will be.
Because they couldn't they couldn't get the hype met the high differences.
Now it's about like this.
It's supposed to.
Yeah.
I think it was.
But the problem is though.
What my.
My.
It was not coming out of my pockets coming out of your.
You're your.
For a lot of the residents pocket.
But just a waste of money.
To do do you will lift and that to mill it and and redo it again.
It should have been done right the first time.
That's a bugs 11 day.
That I mean of city projects is that if I if I live get a customer car with with the interior with their black dirty fingerprints all over it.
You may be jumping down my behind and want my their car detail and I wouldn't blame them.
So to me it's it's just.
It's it's just.
I don't know what I want to call it's just lack of.
Of.
Common sense.
I can't tell you.
But it really it's it's so.
It's.
It's a waste of our money our taxpayers money.
That's all.
The the reason we do the lift the first lift like that or whatever is when we want to finish a project.
We want to finish a project with a nice finished road, but if we're going to continue driving construction equipment over top of that finished lift, it's going to get damaged prior.
So to do a perfect finished lift and then run a construction equipment back over top of it, you're going to get a use road by the time that you actually have a finished project.
There's a lot of heavy equipment that keeps continuing down these roads, metal tract excavators that will imprint the asphalt.
So we do that's why we do the temporary fit first lift and we leave it bench down that point to where we do the final mill and overlay to provide you with a final finished product of a nice brand new road without having all the additional.
And then you drive over that you hear your car tires home and because the excavators are rolled up with the metal tracks and then one thing, whatever you do, make sure the green bike lanes go back in there.
If anyone knows the Sierra knows it, I am a sticker, that road costs the county a lot of money and the outer oak tree, there were hesitant to put it back in there.
And I left Sierra know that if they don't bring it back here and get this thing done, that the project is going to stop Dennis feet because there were suppose to have that done before they get their seal for the other 45 or 50 houses that were waiting out there.
And so I just want to make sure that road is back because I drive every day, every day for 48 years.
Our final product will always turn out to be as good or better than what we started.
That's what I want to hear from you.
Yes, thank you mayor, vice mayor is called working progress, but I understand exactly what you're saying is I drive that road as well.
I just want to piggyback on what commissioner, but who said about using flagmen.
Are you going to, I don't want to, you know, beat a dead horse over the head, but I, with my background in construction, especially what you guys are doing out there.
You can't be that expensive, because a lot of them come from labor companies, correct.
We use in house flagmen, everybody that we use is a current employees of the company.
We use flagmen whenever we need to do single lane closures to where we have to do two way traffic, there's certain points where flagmen are more needed than other points.
We think that there's going to be a possibility, or we need to, like when we're doing our pull back and stuff like that, we're going to be closing down the road for one lane.
We're going to have flagmen out there, or whatever to be able to usher to people to their homes.
There's going to be impacts to some driveways and stuff like that, which we plan on working with each and every resident to make sure that the impact is that minimal is possible.
We do use flagmen as often as necessary when it comes to single lane closures to a traffic down a single lane, everything along those lines we have them out there every single time.
As I don't know if you guys any of you went over by the fresh food market while we were doing our directional drill over there, I had a flagmen on there 24 hours a day.
So I had guys out there in the middle of the night working by themselves, flagging traffic to be able to do one way traffic in and out of the on-clave.
Sure, they had experts, they have certified their train, and it's nothing like having them out there, especially when you're dealing with people.
You know, we're not talking about your being nice.
My being nice?
Yeah, idiots.
That's what they are.
Well, I'll let you speak into all night.
So, when is the project CEOing?
When do you get your final CEO?
The project should be finished by the end of fall, the basically end of fall this year.
We plan on ultimately like the phase that we're working on right now.
We're looking at by the end of June having that phase closed up, working on the next phase for the other drills.
That one will pick another month and a half possibly.
I mean, I'm trying to be, you know, hopefully we can do finish things quicker.
The first drill that we did over by Dixie, we were able to get that into the ground much ahead of schedule.
Sure.
I fully restored back with a brick paper sidewalks.
Everything's back open up the way.
Sure.
It was, it's not better.
I understand.
Because, you know, rainy season is right knocking on our door.
And of course, when that happens, you know, the work that you were doing will have to stop there would be delays.
So just wanted to get an idea.
And I'm sure you have allowed all of that in your contracts.
Yes.
I mean, obviously there can be rain delays, hurricanes.
Obviously it would be a large stopper, typical rain as long as it's not, like,
torrential downpours flooding or cause safety hazards and that aspects.
We typically work through those aspects as much as possible.
Just to keep the jobs moving forward.
Sure.
We work extended hours typically.
We work a lot of overtime to try to make sure that these jobs are completed.
And the most timely fashion is possible.
So I mean, as we told you guys, when we get ready to do this pullback, it's going to be a 24 hour
day's operation that's going to continue for probably up to 72 hours.
And it's, it's very extensive.
It's very well coordinated.
But I mean, it does impact residents.
I mean, it's, it isn't inconvenience, but in the long run or whatever, it's the progress for everybody.
Absolutely.
And we understand and we appreciate you all coming here tonight to explain to us,
namely, as you say, mainly is for public consumption.
There's a lot of people watching, especially those people who are being impacted by this project.
So definitely.
And you guys are expanding as a city and it's really going to help serve all those new buildings
that you guys are building all west.
That's right.
This is really big step for you guys also.
Absolutely.
And we certainly appreciate it.
And we know in the long run, it's going to be a beautiful project.
You know, the end result.
So thank you.
And thank you Mr. Avere for going out there and representing the city and the residents.
You know, being a presence out there, we appreciate that.
I know that you came out there with, with your, with your big stick.
But it's okay.
Well, okay.
But thank you.
We appreciate it.
Thank you.
Yeah.
As the commissioner said, thank you very much.
We appreciate your team.
We understand the complexities.
Most important.
We appreciate that you're working with with Chris lips and the team on our side and keeping our residents informed.
And I got my fingers crossed no more.
No more calls.
Hopefully and everything goes smooth.
A little be warned for the residents.
Please be warned.
I have noticed.
BSO in the construction area.
And I have noticed lights on.
So I think BSO is aware of the number of complaints that are coming from the residents.
So please slow down.
Okay.
And you know what, not just in the construction area, wherever you are going through Auckland Park.
Slow down.
Because you know what we're going to get.
Yeah.
Just for the.
Thank you for that.
What western local park is the service by lowmire service by Barrow County.
So that's all your west reports is all base and D.
That all goes up to north up to Cyprus.
Copes road.
So it helps the eastern part, which is aging infrastructure.
But all the western part.
All heads up to to the wastewater treatment plant at a copes and power line.
Thank you, Vice Mayor.
Okay folks.
Mr. Mayor.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Mr. Mayor.
Okay.
Thank you.
I just want to say because my colleagues touched on everything.
Safety.
Timing.
And I just want to also thank you for stopping the project and addressing the concerns of the community.
Because you know, that's important.
We all want to be good partners.
And but again, just thank you because safety and definitely.
To to express what the vice mayor has said.
I don't know.
I'm just a big thing to replace things back the same way that they were before.
But I heard you say they may it may be even better.
I don't know.
The roads and their swells are there.
So that's that's very important.
But again, thank you.
Thank you.
Okay, folks.
We are going to move on to our next presentation.
And that is the monarch butterfly presentation, Mr.
Mayor.
So thank you very much, Mayor.
In our continuing effort to try to protect the vulnerable environment in which we.
All live and thrive.
This is another opportunity that we are pleased to bring with you.
This falls again within Albert Carvin's review.
And I believe we have also our environmental and sustainability.
Coordinator with us Molly Birch is not with us.
She's at a conference this week.
So will that Albert do the honors here?
If you would.
Thank you, sir.
Mayor.
Vice Mayor of City Commission, Albert Carvin, public works director.
A very good presentation for the the mayor's monarch pledge.
This is.
This is also an agenda item on your your consent agenda number number.
Item number 13.
This slide summarizes why we chose this pledge.
This is a continuation of our being environmentally resilient sustainable by community to protect our natural habitats.
There the pledge has several action items.
The city will.
We'll earn additional recognition through the wildlife as a wildlife friendly city as part of the pledge.
Staff will report back to the National Wildlife.
A federal fund throughout the fiscal continuing through fifth county or 25.
Some of the through this is action item number one.
Some of the things that we've done are tree giveaway.
Tree giveaway.
A couple weeks ago on April 26.
And then we also have on item two.
We've designated several city properties in natural areas.
And then we would like to also recommend that residents contact us or our website.
See if we can certify private properties as as certified wildlife habitats.
That meets the agreement that meet the requirements of the National Wildlife Federation.
And then on action item number three.
So we have as an example of we've already designated we have designated meetings and incorporated pollinator.
Friendly plants into the meetings.
These are for both for mostly for the monarch butterflies.
And that concludes my presentation.
If there are any questions, I'll be more in happy to answer them.
Thank you Mr. Curvin.
We'll open it up.
Questions comments.
Commissioner.
Thank you.
I have a question.
I don't know a lot about monarch butterflies.
Where is there?
Where the day originate from?
From where?
To the originate?
And how prevalent are they in south Florida?
And if my question sounds a little.
I'm a little petty in mature.
Someone used to learn it.
I want to learn more about them.
I know that you were given them out.
Or you would you would give in seeds or something or.
Yeah.
Correct.
Commissioner so for about three years three of the past six years.
I've been giving out milkweed seeds during our free tree.
Give away.
I have been planting milkweed seeds in plants in my yard for about 15 years.
And now in any time of the day you're going to see maybe a half a dozen monarchs.
My understanding is the research that I did and Mr. Carvin you can correct me.
The research I did is basically the monarchs that are here in south Florida are not necessarily migratory monarchs.
They are local monarchs.
So some people will say well if you plant seeds here or if you put the plants in here they're not going to migrate.
That's not true for the monarchs that are here in south Florida.
And at the free tree give away I know Molly arranged for us to get a native milkweed plants which was the swamp milkweed.
Went like hotcakes.
Excellent native to the area.
So I just thought it's a great idea to help move things along and help the monarch population.
I know in general right we keep hearing that that population is decreasing.
I have to research more into the reasons why I'm not sure.
Albert, do you happen to know?
No, I can explain it very well about the local population monarchs.
And I can tell you about the migratory ones more than the local monarchs.
They over winter in Mexico.
All the eastern coasts over winter in Mexico.
The problem is there's a tree called an oomph or something out there.
The name of the tree is they're losing their tree down there.
What happens is that they over winter which means they lay their eggs.
They in winter time they lay their eggs down there and they go through their whole cycle.
And then they come back up to the the eastern coast of the United States and some you're right some some here don't migratory.
But there's a lot of the problems they have to migrate over land.
They can't migrate over water because they stop every night to roost in a tree.
And so you can't have the only from here across.
In the Mexico, and then the other ones on the west coast, they overwinter. These, these, these, the east coast overwinter in the, I think, Sierra moderates down in Mexico. The other ones overwinter in the, in the, the, the, the, the mountains of Southern California, because it's, it's a, a more, you know, normal temperature, but their biggest problem is not so much here, their biggest problem is in Mexico where they're losing the tree that they used to roost in.
And so that's where you're, you're, you're, most of your migratory monarchs are being lost. And this, in fact, they get so heavy on a tree that the tree urges is right.
You would think that a little tiny, but there's millions of them on one tree, we can literally millions of them.
But anything you can do this to help them, the only thing I have, I have a problem with is the pollinator streets.
I need to see them flatten on the, on the fronts of cars. I mean, I hate to say it, but it's, you go down any, any, any road, you know, when that you have a lot of insects or whatever bugs.
You, all you see them on the, on the, what's the calls? I butcher, I see them and someone's back yard on a highly traveled street where they're going to fly out in the street.
Yeah.
So that's my only concern about that.
Yeah. Thank you for sharing.
And that's, that's why you have so many of those, other ones of the love bugs, they, they migrate to the, to the roadways because they're attracted to carbon dioxide from the vehicles.
And you see what happens every year, being in September.
Yeah.
Yeah. And interestingly enough, two things that I noticed seeing a lot of monarchs in the yard.
One is the geckos will wait on the fence where the plants are growing to, to wait to eat the monarchs in the butterflies.
And then also it's the monarchs are flying through the yard every once in a while.
See a bird fly by and he'll have lunches.
So they've got, they've got challenges, right? Car bumpers and everything.
Yeah. So anything we can do and we are all going to park.
So let's bring it right.
Right.
I'm going to educate myself a little more on the monarch.
Butterfly.
But thank you, Mayor.
Thank you.
Vice Mayor.
Okay. Anything else?
Just.
Thank you, Mr. Carman for the presentation.
Thank you, Mr. Carman. We appreciate it.
Oh, okay. And our last presentation today is Oakland Park,
some art growth strategy for redevelopment in the CRA and beyond mystery there.
Thank you, Mayor.
So we've heard on a number of occasions recently about concerns and ideas on economic development.
And I thought it would be important, especially now, as we're in the thick of our budget season,
to regroup and take a look at where we've been and where we've come to.
And then where we intend to bring this city over the next four to five years.
And so to give you and hopefully the public a better understanding of the dynamics of growing a community with economic emphasis.
It's important that we understand the combination of the planning and zoning aspects as well as the economic development aspects of what the city is engaged in.
And how well we're doing in the area that was targeted all the way back in 2014, which is our CRA.
And so I've invited Nesa Herrera and Sierra Morello who are respectively in charge of those two areas,
economic development and planning and zoning to come before us and give us a recap of how they work together,
how we've worked successfully, especially in the CRA and where we go from here.
Ladies, if you would please.
Thank you, Mr. City Manager.
Mayor, Mayor, Commissioner, some members of the public.
Nesa Herrera, Sierra and economic development director.
And I have the pleasure to be joined tonight by my colleague, Sierra Herrera, director of engineering and community development.
Whereas the city manager mentioned we're going to take this opportunity to explain our work and how planning and zoning and economic development interface.
I'll also provide you with an update on where we are within the CRA and was left to be done.
Sure.
All right.
And good evening Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioners.
So I'm going to kick off the smart growth strategy for redevelopment in the CRA and beyond by giving a little high level overview of planning and zoning.
Planning and zoning are terms that are typically used together very frequently, so they are often misunderstood.
And so diving into what the differences are between those two, planning is your decision making process.
It's kind of laying out the vision of how land will be used.
A little hungry, so I'm going to use cooking in this analogy.
And it's really planning is kind of like our cookbook.
And zoning is our rules for the kitchen.
And so what zoning does is it will actually tell us how and when or where we're going to cook or how we're going to cook that recipe that we're getting from the future.
That we're getting from the planning department or from the planning division.
So to ask you, planning will do things like ask you like what kind of meal do you want to be?
What kind do you want to be a walkable downtown?
Do you want to be vibrant parks?
What is it that you're looking for?
That's your big picture.
Is the city manager mentioned previously?
The city is a living, living entity.
And so when we look at the purpose of planning and zoning, we want to make sure that we are promoting that orderly growth.
We're protecting property values as we do so, enhancing quality of life and supporting that economic development throughout the city.
And it is a process, but it has to be changed and shifted from time to time.
But at the end of the day, it's that big picture long range plan that really is going to help us figure out how to cook that grand dinner at the end of the day.
So diving into the land development code.
I'm going to go to our day to day planning.
A little higher level before I turn it back over to Miss Cerera to talk about economic development.
But in our land development code, these are kind of our rules.
This is our open park laws that we apply every single day in the planning and zoning departments.
This is our rule book, our safety manual, and we're kind of working in the kitchen.
It's telling us everything that we need to do, where we need to do it, and this is how we make sure we have the proper dish getting to that meal to the right table.
And so this will have our zoning regulations, our subdivision standards and building requirements.
And this is really what promotes that orderly growth that was mentioned previously.
So strategic planning, this is more of a short term type planning.
You're talking about three to five years out.
So now we went from our day to day planning and current planning to our short term three to five years.
This is what when we look at the resources, what do we have available to us?
What is our budget? What is our staffing needs look like? What is our land inventory?
What do we have resources? Do we have available?
But then we also take this time to assess the strengths and weaknesses and kind of what is in season for the growth of our city and the direction that we need to go.
And then zooming out a little bit more, we have our comprehensive plan, which I've presented on before.
This is our living and breathing document that also helps guide the vision of the city.
This looks at the it's an overall long range plan is you're aware we actually adopted this within the past year.
So we're on year one of our 20 year plan laid out for the city.
And what the comprehensive plan does is it really lays out the vision for the city, the goals, the objectives and the policies.
And this is a city wide document while we may have different areas that we're going to look at.
Remember, this is our 20 year plan. And we do use this on a daily basis to help us guide the direction that we're going to be bringing our city.
So then getting down into a little bit more of the strategy. How do we get development done in the city?
So we've talked about a bigger plan. We know we have a vision. We have our day today that we implement, but really we can start to dive in a little bit deeper on master planning.
And sometimes master planning and economic development are something that's used a little bit more interchangeably in conversations when they are actually very different.
They're from different walks of life. Master planning is more of your area specific.
This is you prepare these to for an area to reflect that local flavor or those constraints or strengths of a certain area.
So it is tailored to the community in which we're doing the master planning for.
And an example of that is the OP 3D. We're very familiar with we have design guidelines and things that apply to the culinary district.
We're trying to create down here in the downtown, but to pick that up and say put that in North Andrews Gardens area.
It wouldn't work. You don't want that type of development in North Andrews Gardens per se.
The lakeside master plan for their neighborhood. It would not apply the same to say the Harlemic bright neighborhood or to the corals.
So master planning is kind of where we take all of our big picture. This is what the city looks like. This is what we wanted to look like, but really making those.
I guess cohesive areas or meals to make the big dinner setting at the end of the day.
So then what happens is once we kind of have all of this in place all of our planning is done and we're implementing on that day today.
That's where economic development really comes in and when we have everything laid out we've put all of the investments in the infrastructure.
The time the resources that's when economic development can really start to bring in those businesses or employers and or even promote the assets that we have.
They they can't promote something that isn't in place and so that's where economic development kind of feeds into the successful strategic and big picture planning.
Once we can kind of get that rolling and on that note, I'm going to actually let this herera dive in a little more on the CRA and economic development.
Thank you Ms. Marari think you did an excellent job in explaining differences between the two.
I think it's important to understand how these two work together. So depending on the challenges and availability of resources cities can choose to use one or both of these tools to effectuate change in a specific area.
And as Sierra mentioned master planning sets the stage in economic development pretty much brings it to life.
The federal government through the environmental protection agency published a document that refer to smart growth for small and medium-sized cities.
On this publication they refer to the term smart growth economic development as a strategy to build on success to build on momentum and taking criminal action to strengthen communities.
This strategy is founded on six principles. One is making the distinction between growth and investment.
The second principle is to be strategic and focus.
Excuse me be tactical and strategic. The third principle is to be focused especially when you have limited resources.
Build on momentum. Investments of time money and other community resources are most effective when they are targeted to a specific area.
Over time that small focus area can be expanded to build on momentum.
Fifth find the right partners for a specific goals successfully economic development relies on partnerships.
It is not about just finding any partner but you truly create change when you select the right partner for emission appropriate initiative.
As you will see later on we have accomplished some of the goals within the Sierra by finding the right partners like within this kind building and horizon of open park.
The sixth principle is communicate and coordinate for small and medium-sized cities like the city of Auckland Park.
This strategy allows local governments to build on success, realize success at a minimal cost by leveraging the resources that other partners may have.
These are the strong partnership that we established with the county to realize the sky building in which through interlocal agreement we received 1.1 million in gas funding to complete the project.
There are examples of partnerships that the city has engaging to implement this strategy is the one we just saw with the power county office of economic and small business development to growing small business capacity and training to support our aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
To explore economic development cities can benefit from a diverse set of tools and policy mechanisms that can be categorized in four areas.
One is economic development and this relates to financial incentives that reduce the cost for businesses and developers so this make investment attractive.
Small business training programs are other tools within this category to be a local capacity.
Cities can also align land use policy with economic development goals as we just learned from Sierra to effectuate with development.
By creating designated areas such as the CRA cities have targeted authority in access to funding tools and will learn a little bit more about that as we go.
The fourth tool is quality of life and enforcement and this one refers to the proactive work that are good.
Senate enforcement division is doing to preserve at the safety and quality of the properties.
This also attracts investment.
Now, let's define the community redevelopment area. Your OPCRA is consists of 107 acres of industrial commercial and residential uses.
That make up nearly 20% of your total city's land area.
The majority of the CRA, as you can see on this map, is comprised by one of the city's two qualified census tracks.
Or QCT. A QCT is a federal designated area that is economically underperforming.
That means that 50% of the households within this area have incomes below 60% of the area median gross income.
Census tracks are generally characterized for this investment and disproportionate conditions of slum and blight.
Therefore, your community redevelopment agency was tasked with the responsibility of eliminating conditions and slum and blight and enhancing the quality of life of the residents by revitalizing the physical and economic resources of your city.
So, let's take a look back and see how the CRA was formed.
Since 1981, the city of Alquim Park recognized the need for redevelopment within areas of the downtown.
After a slum and blight study was conducted, the city established a city-bg target area,
and created a mainstream program to create initiatives to explore redevelopment.
In 2001, the city started the process of creating a CRA by conducting a finding of necessity, which is also a slum and blight study, to identify the area in need of redevelopment.
The following year, the OPCRA was approved by the county.
In 2004, the city's comprehensive plan was amended to include the downtown mix use district as a local activity center.
The following year, the OPCRA plan was approved by the city and the county.
And after two years of negotiations, the city and the county agreed for the city to participate in the redevelopment capital program in lieu of the tax increment financing, which makes your CRA a tiffless CRA.
This was a new concept at the time, because generally CRAs are funded by tax increment financing.
This is a tool to promote economic development, in which you earmark tax revenues generated by the increase in assess values of properties within the designated area.
Because we are a tiffless CRA, we only benefit from the tax increment funding that we receive through the general fund.
This has, and continues to be a challenge for CRA, because traditional CRAs can leverage both the city and the county tax increment funding.
So let's understand how the CRA process work.
Under the Florida law, local governments are allowed to designate redevelopment areas by meeting certain conditions.
And one of those conditions is for the area to have slum and blight.
So in order to do that, they must survey the proposed redevelopment area to determine whether those conditions success.
So once the finding of necessity is adopted that formally identifies the boundaries of the CRA.
After that, the community redevelopment plan is developed and approved.
And this process culminates with a creation of our redevelopment trust fund, where the CRA received the funding that has been earmarked from the tax increment financing and the tax increment funding that we would that would be received by the county.
The OPC array redevelopment plan sets the framework for how effective redevelopment happens in the city.
You'll see on the screen here that details steps, but basically it included data collection and analysis public input identification of projects and the development of a budget and a timeline.
All this work resulted in the preparation of a realistic redevelopment plan that sets the stage for what needed to be done in the downtown and the CRA.
The OPC array was launched during a period of recession, the worst in the United States after the Great Depression.
So we begin with the end in mind by prioritizing infrastructure projects that ensure that we had distribution and collection systems that made the needs of current and future residents.
We also prioritize streetscape projects that would invite visitors and residents to the downtown.
We also completed improvements like the gazebo's, the benches, the landscaping improvements, the archways that gave up on park as sense of community identity.
So as you can see here, your OPC array has been years in the making, we have done environmental assessments, we have done retail and market study, we have also done several studies for the downtown.
And in 2014 actually one of the most significant challenges that the city was experiencing was dilapidated and deteriorating facilities.
Infrastructure in need of improvement and stagnant development.
So over a decade of planning resulted in a rejuvenated city as you'll see.
Or as you saw earlier with the video that was shown.
After five years in 270,000 investment, the Oakland Park downtown development district emerged as a visionary framework for the land use and what the vision for the downtown.
It redefined the heart of the city as a walkable, mixed use and vibrant core.
It also helped us meet several goals of the CRA.
These goals serves as their reference point for leadership and staff.
To year over year, they're focused and know what the vision for the CRA is since its creation in 2005 through its sunset year 2045.
We were planning for the future, we envisioned a downtown that was connected to rail that was built around people, green space and opportunity.
One thing that I would like to highlight here is one of the studies that recommended a complex of potential computer real estate.
As strength to select this area was the significant city owned vacant land that was across the street for where the train station would be.
They were referring to the city owned vacant lots that is now where the sky building is because they saw opportunity for development there.
That would support also the station.
The 2017 redevelopment strategy was the result of a hectic and focused planning year under the new administration.
These said the foundation, all this works at the foundation for what became the 2017-2023 series strategic action plan which is now recognized as the emerging years of the CRA.
The result of this all this planning that was done to set the groundwork for the CRA can be observed here in this chart that shows the measurable impact of the CRA.
As you can see since 2016, the total taxable value of the properties within the CRA has experienced an increase of 170-1%.
Since in 2016 we had taxable values or market values of 926 million and we'll see a jump in 2024 to 2.1 billion in taxable values.
So it's truly a powerful story.
As part of this accomplishments is the sky building which as I mentioned earlier is the result of a strong county partnership.
And with this public private partnership we were also able to realize a lot of the open park theory goals.
And one of those was to bring density to the downtown why because people are the economic engine.
We needed people to support the businesses in the downtown.
In addition to that we brought new commercial development, we brought workforce housing in our city.
We also turned this vacant lots into revenue generating properties that open up opportunities for development across the street with the Horizon of Oakland Park.
So with these two projects, the sky building and the Horizon of Oakland Park, we were able to leverage our most valuable asset and that was land.
As you can see in the downtown and we still have opportunities in the downtown by with the vacant land that we owned.
We had control of what could go into these properties.
This is an strategic advantage that we don't see in other areas of the city such as the west of Oakland Park Boulevard corridor or the North Enders Avenue.
So by owning land within the downtown in the CRAS I mentioned it allowed us to create and transform and to bring the elements that we wanted to see in our downtown.
So let's talk about other accomplishments that we were able to see within the CRA.
Through the engineering department, the engineering division that here by my colleague, we have been able to complete the face one of the city's intangible park, which brings recreation amenities and green space to another serve area of our city.
We also completed face one of the Richard E. Juicy Harp Park course park.
And that includes a dog park.
We also completed the renovations of the 250 building that now host our code enforcement division.
And that I also also located in the Harlem Abrag neighborhood, also located within our qualified census tract.
We also completed sidewalk projects that enhanced the pedestrian safety of our students.
Last year we celebrated the growing opening of a state of the art fire station, fire station nine.
We recently celebrated the reopening of the Dr. G Carter Woodson Park that showcases now renovated sports amenities and a community garden.
The construction of the calling building renovations are on the way.
Our commissioners were not done and we have some projects that are still on the pipeline.
We had the Northeast 13th Avenue improvements that are under the building face.
Stevens feels improvements is under the design phase.
Phase two and three of citizens in the park is currently in design.
This will add a on the ground storm water system and a.
We also have coming up the committed rail station within our downtown that will provide transportation
and connections for residents. It will also activate the downtown and will support the economic stability of our businesses.
Coming up also are several stormwater infrastructure improvements. North East, 6th Avenue.
The agglain wood garden park is that will be located on the vacant lots on North East 31st street is growing in the planning stages.
As you saw in the video, the Dixie Highway Pedestrian Bridge which is planned for the future will connect the east and west areas of your city.
And we also have several roadway projects that have been completed. We have some that are in construction, the prospect road and the 6th Avenue.
In the planning stages, we have the north east of there and the 34th Court.
And as Sierra mentioned earlier, the comprehensive plan 2045 is the framework for land use and infrastructure investment, economic development and mobility enhancements.
And remember, we're only in the first year of a 20 year citywide plan.
These are the geographic areas that were identified in the plan.
This area, we can also see that the comprehensive plan intersect with the Sierra plan, where it identifies a strategic zone.
The open park, Opie 3D, that is bound to the west on by north and north avenue to the south by Ocompar Boulevard and to the north by prospect road.
So this, the comprehensive plan in the Sierra also identify three emerging areas.
The Florida Design District, the Central Park Industrial Center, and the East Harlem Abroad, in addition to other priority corridors such as the prospect road in Andrews Avenue.
There's an area that is located outside of the CRA but is located within an area, a geographic area identified within your complaint and that is the west Ocompar corridor.
But we want to show in this map is sometimes it's better to communicate the impact of our investments by illustration.
So you'll see that the city has made significant public investments on the emerging areas that we mentioned.
However, even on the west side, being an area outside of the CRA, we have made significant improvements and over 20 million investments.
That includes the lakeside sidewalks improvements, the north west, 21st Avenue corridors, enhancements, the fire station, 81, 87, phase one, the stuntson, nature trail, phase two, the Ocompar Boulevard phase two, the oak tree development improvements, the prospect road improvements, the Royal Palm Park improvements, that these are planned investments.
So we'll see them in the future, along with the Royal Palm Park, we had the Veterans Park improvements and the north west, 21st Avenue roadway improvement projects that are in the planning stages.
We also expand our grants for businesses to the west QCT.
And if you remember earlier this year, you approved the first application for this improvement.
So what we're seeing here is that we are investing within the CRA but we're standing to see momentum and the success expanding to other emerging areas within the CRA and areas outside of the CRA where we have continued to do and promote economic development.
This is a map that shows some of the future projects that I showed you earlier.
And the message here focuses that we're not done.
We are not done and to ensure the economic stability and sustainability of our CRA, we have to stay the course as a matter of fact.
We are 2023, 2020, eight serious strategic action plan recommended that we stayed the course and continue the ground work in emerging areas of the CRA and outside of the city.
I like to take this opportunity to say, look at what we have accomplished.
Look at everything else that we still have funding to be done.
Isn't it exciting that the plan that we have committed to and that we have crafted ten years ago is somebody realising.
But we're not done yet.
We're not done yet utterable commissioners says or and I still have a lot of work to do.
We have built relationships with businesses inside and outside of the CRA.
We have continued to spur economic development throughout the city.
Even with limited staffing and an ambitious set of expectations we had delivered meaningful results.
So I I like to ask us all to consider this.
If we.
We have already seen what's possible when we stayed focus.
The CRA's proof of that.
So if we stay the course.
And we deliver what we committed to do.
Back in 2020 in 2005 with the creation of the CRA.
We will help ensure the sustainability, the economic sustainability of the CRA and the QCT it encompasses.
I thank you very much for your leadership, your vision.
And your support.
Oakland Park is truly an example of what can be done with a strategic plan and focus investment.
Thank you very much and with that I conclude my presentation.
So thank you may may or my cut please.
We've been hearing from some vocal community activists recently about concerns that they have.
And I appreciate when community members take time to engage with the citizenry within their areas as well as bring their concerns to the commission.
We're in the thick of the budget season and there have been numerous requests already presented to us yet just today I read and circulated with my senior management team.
I had a line in Bloomberg indicating that states and cities are going to see significant ramifications from what's happening in Washington DC.
How that will impact the goals that we have set forth for us right now and the work that we have underway I'm not sure.
We continue to monitor those situations.
But I urge you please to recognize how much we have on our plate and the challenges with the limited staff and a commitment to try to recognize the challenges of our individual tax paying citizens.
When it comes to having to front the bill for the work that we do.
So I wanted to take this opportunity to present to you.
What we are engaged in where we've been where we are and where we're going.
I think it's fairly clear that we are not done yet.
It's also I think clear that the wisdom of our forefathers and foremothers in this city designated that our attention for economic development should take place primarily in areas of need.
There are two such areas in our city.
One as Nase has indicated is the CRA.
The other area is south of Oakland Park Boulevard west of I95 what is primarily a single family home area in Lakeside.
But that too is a qualified census track and that too is in need of our attention.
Fortunately with the projects that we've brought to bear there and they include the 21st Avenue south of Oakland Park Boulevard project.
That is forthcoming the efforts that we are in in alignment with regarding the urban leaves project.
The lawsuit that you have successfully challenged with the rock crushing plant and the border of Fort Lauderdale as well as the extension of the grant programs to Oakland Park Boulevard on the west side.
Our all beginning a process of seeding just like we did here in the CRA.
But just as we did here in the CRA none of what you've seen this evening happened overnight and none of what we are beginning with on the west side will happen overnight.
And the challenge on the west side unlike the challenge that we faced here in the CRA was we don't own land to leverage.
The land that we had fortunately here in the CRA we have successfully leveraged and we are utilizing those opportunities as property owners to bring to fruition policy objectives.
Adding public parking, adding density, adding affordability, adding commercial spaces and jobs.
These are not advantages that we currently possess in the west qualified census track area.
So the challenges there will be significant but we've begun the process through those critical strategic partnerships with entities such as the urban league as well as the county to bring projects to the area.
But I urge you these are two people in one department and the resources that they have available to them are limited.
I would love to add resources but I am mindful that the goals of this commission and prior commissions have been to be.
Questions and careful about adding to our budget requirements.
And certainly in light of what we're facing right now it only makes sense we still don't know yet what telehassy has the possibility of resting on our shoulders with any kind of changes to property taxes or property.
So I urge you please to be mindful of all of the processes that go into place here and to recognize that none of these are simple or quick answers and that as it has very appropriately indicated we still have a lot to do where we have momentum right now and we have our goals set out for us.
And that process will take us at least through the end of this decade when I hope that we're going to have completed our facility investment almost all of which is being dedicated to the qualified census track as you know.
So this is a recap for you for the public to better understand what the opportunities and the challenges are and here any comments or suggestions that you have that you think might be important for me to keep in mind as we put together the city managers recommended budget which will be coming to you in July.
So thank you mayor for that opportunity.
Thank you Mr. Rivera thank you Mr. Rivera on Miss Marrero we appreciate you highly to a lot of great accomplishments and give us a lot to think about as time goes on we know there's a lot of head wins and we've got things in our favor also so thank you for that I'm going to open it up to the commission now we'd like to start us off.
We'll start real quickly is.
Do we know when our CRA census.
245.
Yes right with the proviso that a bill was entered into the legislature and tell us he just this year it did not pass but the effort was to discontinue all CRA throughout the state.
So we have to be realistic about that sunset provision and any of them right.
So who knows what the answer is actually.
I understand that's why I want to say if you know neither one of those bills one got watered down which was wasn't too bad the other one they never got consensus to do anything with it.
So I think the whole thing's going to die this year, but I guarantee it's coming back.
So if there's any way we can extend the sunset date before they get a hold of this, I would like to see if we can extend that sunset date.
I think between my assessment of where we're at and the forces that we're facing from other government entities are perhaps better investment would be in
taking to the qualified census track idea.
You know, the process of creating a CRA, you are here for module, is arduous.
And nobody wants to give up the receipt of tax increments, including in our case of the county.
Our CRA as nasi indicated is funded by our taxpayers.
But we don't have the CRA in the other qualified census track of our city.
I would much rather try to focus and emphasize partnerships at the federal and state level that would focus on qualified census tracks.
And that respect, as you know, much of our CRA was designated as an opportunity zone.
I understand that a federal level that that is under consideration right now and some of you have recently attended some very high level discussions about that.
I've had discussions myself with individuals that are engaged in that effort.
I would rather see a process because actually the truth of the matter is we get nothing for our CRA anymore.
There was once a very generous loan to grant program and that partnership proved very useful when we went back and renegotiated to get more time after the recession.
But the reality is that has been discontinued.
But the thing is we own the properties that we had to pay anything.
So when John Stunts was here, he bought a proper all over the country.
Absolutely.
And why we can use those properties when we sell them to fund the CRA.
Absolutely.
The challenges as I indicated that the goal for us is to focus on underprivileged areas.
That include not just that qualified census track that is comprised by our CRA, but also the west side.
And how do we do that with limited resources that we do?
Right.
And that's where I would prefer to look at how we can position those opportunities like the Urban League, like that new project that was once a rock crushing plant.
And see what we can do to try to encourage those kind of developments in a wise and community-centered way.
Because I think that that will provide for us some of the momentum that we were able to achieve in the CRA, which will later propel that area to more affluence.
And I think a more comfortable economic demographic as well.
But the luxury we have right now is all the proper move on.
And it's all amazed we've here.
It's a sunny, so comfortable of art.
That's all making this money right now.
It's really good.
And we're not done yet.
No idea.
The crown jewel of our property is that south lot.
That's right there on Oakland Park Boulevard on the end of downtown.
And if I can work with Russ and I literally had a conversation with him that I don't know what hour of the morning this morning.
Clothes.
Because I had some other calls for big first.
But yes.
And we're going to be meeting again next week to talk about that post office property.
Because there's no good reason why the post office can't utilize a resource.
And this is what the federal government claims to be all about today is how do we propel
costs savings in cutting operations, which is what they've done there already.
And then generating opportunity, which is what they've been committed to when they talk about affordable housing.
So, but folks, this is how it works.
This is how the sausage is made.
It's not just a matter of oh my goodness, what are we going to do with the, they flea market.
I don't own the flea market.
I don't control the flea market.
And the people who own the flea market are asking too much money for it.
I don't own the 1299 building.
I don't control the 1299 building.
And the people who own that building are asking too much money for it.
I don't have money to buy the flea market.
I don't have money to buy 1299.
And I can't force people to develop or sell property.
We can set the guidelines.
We can set some of the rules.
But that's as much as we can do in a country that gives property rights to property owners,
which is where those rights belong and because you have the rights to your properties,
you are absolutely be able to determine how they were going to be developed and what it was that they were going to be comprised of.
And that's the genius of what we were able to achieve here.
Thank you.
Can I pick up from?
Thank you.
On Vice-Man.
Let me pick up with that.
City manager is no one here on the commission.
I'm definitely not going to stop what we've been doing right now, especially the downtown, especially me.
It's not going to happen.
Not advocating for that.
Okay.
We're going to state a course.
All right.
Just recently I found out very popular around 3 o'clock in the morning that there have been deep development.
They really all supported.
I wasn't here on the days, but I was out there in the audience supporting that development.
They said, you know, it passed yesterday.
Well, the two days ago at Brown County, I only got to find a plan.
So it's expected, you know, we're going to do a ground breaking.
We're going to see nine units.
You're going to believe roughly half a thousand extra people there on the south west side in Lakeside of Oak and Park.
And I was speaking in terms of the beyond of the presentation.
That's key.
See, that's a thousand extra people that's coming down in our tax base going to want to do shopping.
And we need to enhance the quality of life on the west side along Oak and Park Boulevard,
especially near the rooms to go side.
And yes, I am the one advocate for the dirty first avenue to re-develop that area,
even though we don't own it.
That is correct.
That's why I went to the opportunity zone.
I said, that had to go to Miami to find risk takers who have done it before.
And they didn't Miami and beyond.
And yes, I want to advocate to spring someone here.
Because we do not own those lives.
We don't.
We don't have any neighbors.
However, we still have division because what we've done here in our downtown is tremendous.
And we could expand it to the west side.
I know we can.
Because you hire the right team and look what they have did so far.
So I'm going, I'm going to press that.
Now, yes, we need to have aspirational people who want to see division.
Because we're going to need to have the cure that food desert spot.
We're going to need to get a grocery there with some nice shops to create that economic synergy outside of the CRA.
But it's still within our city.
And yes, the forefathers, we do have a tiffless CRA.
However, I will still by the same person Russ, he's been here for 40, 50 years.
So he gave me a briefing that, hey, if we have a viable project.
And because the relationship that we garnered in the county.
They could help be in the partner in developing that area outside the west side.
So that's what I'm focusing on that.
We could walk in true government at the same time.
I really think we can, which you'll need to ship in your staff.
And this commission will need to ship.
We could do this.
I know we can.
But it's going to take some ingenuity.
It's going to take all of us to resonance.
To profoundly say, hey, what do we want there?
You've got to speak up.
You've got to be engaged.
And you've got to be patient.
Because it won't happen overnight.
It won't happen overnight.
And I'm going to happen my first term.
And if I'm fortunate enough to get a second term, maybe I happen again.
But at least we'll have a plan and action with people see that vision.
And that's what I want to have.
That said, I'm going to hear my other colleagues.
Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Thank you, Mayor.
I, too, city manager.
And thank you, Ms. Harra and Ms.
Harra.
My railroad.
And Ms. Harra for the presentations.
I want to commend you on your work, what you do.
I know it could be challenging, receiving communications.
And you may think that you're not doing anything, but I see you.
And every time we go out to a grand opening,
the first thing a person will say is they talk about how welcoming,
how helpful you were for helping them with their business,
and how to get them, you know, where they are with open doors.
In addition to what I have to ask, I just want to encourage you.
You are doing a great job.
And keep it up.
And because people see you, I know I see you.
And I know you are trying your best.
You are out there hitting the pavement because you know what the community is saying.
You know what the people are saying.
So I just want to thank you.
And with that, also being said, Mr. City Manager A bear.
I know we have ongoing projects right now going on in the CRA.
And I fully support that we complete those projects.
It would be on productive if we were stopping the middle of the projects.
Then we will have unfinished projects all over the city of Auckland Park,
and that's not what we want.
However, there's nothing wrong with keeping the communication going on.
But it's to happen in other places that are outside of the CRA area.
Because we all know and I'm sure we all can agree that they need to be addressed.
And making our lives, forget what slide that was, better, our community better.
So I totally understand and I just want to continue with the conversations.
That's why I say, when I say the West side is going to be rebuilt.
I don't mean tomorrow.
I'm speaking in an existence and I'm speaking it because I know it will.
Just like it happened over here, this CRA started back in what 2005 and we're in 2025 and we're still not completed.
So I know eventually when we start on the West side, at least all those that want and again,
like you said, we can't make a business.
I've had, I've contacted, I've had personal contact with several businesses regarding the West side.
But if the building, the area, if it's not conducive to their business, they're just not going to go further.
So we are reaching out to people to come to fill the West side.
But to that point, I do want to ask questions, just for public consumption.
Are there incentive that are currently being offered to anyone that would like to come and start their business on the West side?
Yes, Commissioner, thank you for the question.
So everybody who comes to us and say that they're looking to open a business within the West side or within the QCT, which is the area for which you expanded your QCT business incentive program.
Tell them about that opportunity.
And we provide them with the guidelines and offer assistance for the application.
As I mentioned earlier, we had a ready property that came before you to benefit from this program and they have already completed the work is the Ocompark Plaza.
Right, thank you.
And I know I know I probably expressed it wrong, like an extension of the CR A being offered to the West side.
I'm probably saying it wrong, but I know it's for the facade.
So I can help clarify that, Renee, is it possible to pull a map?
Yes, please.
I think that would be easier.
No, it's a map that shows the QCT, BIP.
I think we already downloaded. So, yes, in the meantime, just by means of clarification, this
theory boundaries cannot be expanded without going through that extensive process that I talked
about at the beginning. What this commission did last year was to expand the business
grant program to the West Side QCT to address that area in need. With that resolution, you
also expanded the area of benefit for this program to the properties located north of the
open park boulevard corridor to make sure that the transformation was made consistent.
Because, as you know, your QCT is south of open park boulevard to the south bounded to the city boundaries
to the south. In addition to that adjacent area, north of the open park boulevard corridor, this
new QCT business incentive program also covers adjacent areas of the CRA boundaries that
were not included within the CRA and that cannot benefit from the existing CRA business incentive program. So,
this new grant allows properties within the QCT and the adjacent areas that I just mentioned
to benefit from public funding to offset the cost of their facade and exterior improvements.
Okay, because I know there is a business actually a plaza that took advantage of it and it looks awesome.
Yeah, the open park plaza is just be great if their neighbors would take advantage, you know,
if it's available. Absolutely. So, one of the things that we do during our business visitations
is to make businesses aware of this opportunity. So, they can communicate that to their property managers
or the property owners. And whenever we get an opportunity to talk with a property owner within the area,
that could benefit from the QCT, we also make them aware of that. But as the city manager mentioned,
since we don't own the property, we can only facilitate in providing information, but we have no control on them
actually pursuing the grant and completing the application. Thank you. Thank you so much. My pleasure.
And my one last question is for the city manager. I didn't get a chance that you would probably
get back to me on this and it's fine, but it's regarding late side. I know years ago we spoke about upgrading the
millions and everything. Is that project waiting for the urban league or is just not time yet?
There are two different projects I think that you're referencing here. One is connected to the urban league
and the other is connected to the county and they both come together at 26th and 21st Avenue.
The urban league project, they are currently deciding who they're going to work with as the designer
at which point we will re-engage with them and have conversations with them about public improvements
that might be considered as part of that development. The county project Sierra is slated for
construction in later this year. They're actually wrapping up the 100% design right now.
So this is south of Oakland Park Boulevard running along 21st Avenue. So the important message I think
that's communicated here and there are two and thank you commissioner but who for reiterating it.
This doesn't happen overnight and we are engaged over there and we are working diligently to find partners
and to provide opportunities and the concept that we're not doing
whatever is expected on the part of the community is because there is a lot on our play right now and I told
all of you this at the beginning of the year we're moving 90% of our staff and we're building roadways
and buildings and building out parks and this is only what we showed you in the CRA folks.
I've never worked with the city that has undertaken as many projects and delivered as
beautiful as this staff has delivered. Whether it's in parks like the Stunts and Nature Trail or
in new buildings like Station 9 private developments like Bliss and Oakland and the Sky Building and
everything else and I have to say it gets it gets overwhelming sometimes to try to figure out how we can
stay on top of everything that we have on our play right now. So I appreciate commissioner but we saw for
patience. Thank you Mr. Abair and I know you all are over I just wanted to know a
time I because I know it was years and I know things do not happen over to over you know. Thank you.
Thank you Mayor just want to thank both Miss Herrera as well as Miss Mourara for a wonderful
presentation and we got it and I just love how you articulated your points and we heard it loud and clear
it resonated and it certainly does take time okay and I have the patience of Job.
Lots of patience. I learned that it didn't happen overnight and I I have been a big
proponent for revitalizing the entire city but I have put a lot of emphasis on the west side so
happen I live on the west side. Wow I know that we do not own land in certain areas
Mr. Abair but what I do believe that we can do is form some
courtship for better word solicitation of partners. The right partners I got Mr. Doody's
attention turn around and he looked at me says where are you going with that. Thank you you had moved
that time. I I'm I'm not too sure how much we are engaging some of those partners
that have stepped up and partnered with us to do you know the PPPs you know project we have going on and I
love the concept I think what I'm hearing and I do speak to citizens on a daily basis is
well they understand they do wrong wasn't built overnight and we're not wrong with very small city
however I think what we need to do and and to your point commission but who is walking chew
gum at the same time I like that analogy you know yes we we will continue to focus on what we set out
to do however we have to be multi task but single focus but continue you know to engage the the
peripheral so whatever can happen to engage or attract people partners I'm saying let's do it
legally of course right is the duty yes sir so if there are people partners who are interested in
investing in our city I think we should engage them but keep in mind that we know what we want in our city
we know we will look in for a vibrant city we're looking for certain type of businesses certain
type of development in our city and we can achieve that you know speaking of the flea market that's
one of the places that I will be visiting I know that we don't own that plaza but we certainly have
our community enhancement department that can enforce our rules to make sure that people are compliant
you know to our mission of keeping our city clean green and sustainable so I I understood the
presentation it was wonderfully presented and we are here to support as commissioners I think we all
understand what the mission is and don't forget Northwest 44th Street that's a city on the street
it was closed when our very long serving vice mayor was part of the day is that street used to be
closed and then it was opened unfortunately it killed the dreams of a lot of the homeowners who purchased
on that street we want to keep that street good we want to keep it viable we want to keep
we want to mitigate the speeding which has gotten worse I don't care about who's coming from
the turnpike or whose turn it's who needs to get from i95 so 441 that's not my problem
okay there are a lot of residents in that area children are walking the streets from the schools
it is too much speeding so I know that you work very hard on presenting something a couple of years
ago and it didn't pan out but let's continue because people are asking that's it for me thank you
thank you commissioner I think everyone else spoke I just have to say I really appreciate health staff
acknowledges our progress and identifies our opportunities for improvement it's important and I think we do
it well we we celebrate our successes and progress and I think that's an important thing to do to
keep us motivated and focused I know staff works on the long term objectives while they're working on
their day to day responsibilities and I know that can be overwhelming and I think the entire commission
is very thankful that we do have the staff that we have and I want to say no one's perfect and sometimes
we drop the ball and that applies to all of us so I have found that when we do drop the ball
we pick it up and we apologize for dropping the ball and move forward that's the right thing to do so
some people can't run a household and we've got a bunch of people that are running a city and it's not easy
so sometimes sometimes that ball gets dropped I do believe we need to work towards our long and
short term goals I think we need to do it one day at a time we need to make as a commission and as
as a city manager has proven we need to make reasonable and responsible decisions as we hit
roadblocks along the way so I can't tell you right now how we're going to react to a certain situation
until that situation hits and we know what the factors are that we're up against so I just will say
that I have trust and confidence in everyone that works for the city if the ball's dropped we'll
acknowledge that happened and we'll fix what went wrong so I appreciate and know that staff will do
their best and I just have to say 10 years the city has come a long way a very long way and we've got a long
way to go yet we've got a lot of low hanging fruit yet as a community please continue share your
ideas with staff share your observations as you drive through the city watch what's going on around
the city watch or something needs to be fixed replete
We appreciate it. There's not a squeaky wheel. I have learned one thing I recently retired from my job and I worked for 39 years for the same company and I learned one thing along the way through many bosses.
It wasn't what I said, but it was how I said it that made the difference. That is part of what I think my longevity of my job is. So we want to hear from you.
We want to hear your ideas. We want to be productive and most important. Thank you guys for everything you do for the city of Oakland Park.
And I think that is it for this final presentation at this time. I'd like to take 10 minutes for restroom break. So we'll be back at 927, please.
Thank you.
1213-2025 through July 12, 2025. In an amount not to exceed budget and availability, provide for conflicts, provide
facility, provide for an effective date. It remains to reduce by title only a resolution, city commission,
civil park floor up. Approving authorised the proper city official section of three year agreement piggyback
in the city of Cape Coral, contract 19-17-12-hour HR, with advanced roofing ink for roofing
maintenance and repair services. In an amount not to exceed budget and availability, provide
for conflicts, provide for a serverability, provide for an effective date.
Item 9 is a resolution by title only a resolution, city commission, civil park floor up,
approved in a proposal from Kimely Horn Associates to provide assistance with community
shuttle program. In an amount not to exceed $10,000, provide for serverability and
effective date. Item 10 is a resolution by title only a resolution, city commission,
civil park floor up. Approving authorised the proper city official section of agreement
with Safeware Ink in a amount of 338,918-25 cents for the purchase and
installation of AV equipment and cabling for the city commission chambers at the new city
off facility along with the approved owners' contingency of $40,000.
Piggy backing nominee, a cooperative contract is bill-4000,
a $46, public safety emergency preparedness, and related service,
providing for proposed budget amendment, provide for bike58,
provide in an effective date. Item 11, se替 me.
Approving of refri dull from professional e.g tonight to provide pre-installation
installation, collaboration, installation, oversight, quality control, 60-day post-installment
support, and the removal and relocation exists in equipment for repurchase, reproposing
in the city in the sky building, private conflicts, several billion effective day.
Item 12's Resolution by Title Lone of Resolution, City Convention,
C. Volkabar Fura, a proven authorised of our city officials'
as I've seen the updated state highway lighting, lighting maintenance and compensation agreement
with FTOT for maintaining approximately 400 FTOT own street lights located along state roads
within city limits, provide for conflicts, several billion effective day.
Item 13's Resolution by Title Lone of Resolution, City Commission,
C. Volkabar Fura, a proven authorised in the proper city officials,
to enroll the city in the 20-25 Mayor's Monarch pledge program. They are by committing to restoring
Monarch butterfly habitat within the community and encouraging residents to participate
in similar efforts, provide for conflicts, several billion effective day. That concludes the
consent agenda Mr. Mayor.
Motion to adopt.
Thank you.
Vice Mayor, I'm a commissioner Gordon.
Yes, Mr. Nubel. Yes.
Mr. Budhill, Mayor Lonekin. Yes.
Okay, and item number five, I actually asked to be pulled over the past several months. We received a lot of
feedback from residents and exactly what we want. This was regarding the Northeast 38 street rail road
crossing. It is now on the agenda for rehabilitation and that expense to the city is going to be
approximately $632,000. It's a major expense to repair the roadways and why I brought it up,
Mr. Abear, is hoping that Mr. Carbon might just be able to give us a couple bullet points on what to
expect or anything that he can share on that project.
Mr. Carbon, if you would please.
Yes, thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Vice Mayor, see you, Mayor.
And see the commission, Albert Carbon Public Works Director. This is the Northwest 38 street
crossing. This is the one by the Northwest 10th Avenue by the school board, just west of 95.
This is the SFRTA or CSX railroad crossing. It is being completely refurbished except for the
rail tracks themselves. It will be the the ballets that support those tracks, the ties that support
that and then the two approach legs that through to asphalt approach legs from both directions will be
reconstructed within the hundred foot right away, the consists of the CSX right away.
We have no schedule on where they can complete once we sign this agreement. They do have
materials to order and other things to in the contractor to get it get mobilized.
So they will let us know. Give us about 30 day window. This type of work usually takes with about a week
to perform. It could take longer to have been a weather conditions. So that's my update from the
form for the city commission. Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Carbon. So it sounds like probably for a week
period or however long they would close off the whole section. People would leave through this the 10th
Avenue. Yes, they have got 38 street closed from from powerline road. I'm both from
powerline road to traffic through powerline road while traffic through 10th Avenue. I will work with
the neighborhood, whether they want the north west 21st Avenue, gate up in a 39th while edge construction
is going. That'll be what we work out with the neighborhood. Perfect. Excellent. And do you know and just
curious, I know there's always been some activity regarding a light pole over there with accidents and
things. Is there any restructuring of the roadway there or not really? I'm not really familiar with
that light pole. You'd have to let me know which one they're talking about the way. The weather we have
issues west of 10th Avenue. It's not at that intersection. It's not so much the light pole. It's the way
the street comes up. It moves over this when the moves back that. There's nothing there's straight
the road out. There's a yes. There is a little as curving the road. If that's retired with the median
in middle of the road to prevent cars from crossing over the to the other lane to get through the
railroad tracks when the arms are down. We have complaints of that but that has to do with people
not paying attention to the they're increased speed to meet the the road tracks. But the
curves there are the curves and we did repay the curves within the past month. Perfect. I appreciate it.
Anyone else any questions? No. Thank you for clarifying that. I know this does not start the work
but at least the agreement is there to get started. Thank you Mayor. I'm just excited that this work
is getting ready to start. Begin because I'm sure like yourself. All of us we've spoken with received
calls from residents. I'm just excited that this is getting ready to go into the works and thank you
so much Mr. Carvin for explaining. We would then need a motion in a second, motion in a second.
Second. Resolution by title only. Resolution City Commission. See if we'll part forward
to moving on through our private city to choose the excuse to try part of the agreement for the
power of transportation, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. Three in verse F served for
rehabilitation, the great crossing associated crossing control devices at Northwest 38 Street
provide a conflict, sir, but in effective date. Okay and we choose we need a motion. We were
ahead of motion in a second. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Mr. Newbulb. Yes.
Yes. Yes. All right and agenda item number 14. Resolution by title only. Resolution City Commission.
See if we'll come part for it up. Approving authorized in the proper city, official exit,
execute a revocable license agreement and see if we'll come part in part accounting for the
purpose of permitting access, installation and maintenance of city monuments, signage, and associated
landscaping within the county right away along Prospect Road, providing a conflict, several billion
effective date. In Mr. Iber, you have a presentation. We do Mr. Sierra Marrero is here to walk us through
this item and we're very excited that we're moving closer to having our entry way our first entry way
erected. Sierra? Secondly for what? This is our entry. Well, these are our brand new design.
The first one is over Dixie on the southern end going north. We worry we'll approve that one.
Correct. The panel looks one. Yes. Erected first.
Yeah, absolutely. And we are in a tight competition with the Dixie Highway location between the two of
them. So once again, Sierra, we're a director of engineering and community development tonight here
to talk to you about the revocable license agreement with Broward County for the Prospect Road location
for the city's entry sign. So the purpose of this agreement that is before you, we are staying
focused to our strategic plan and our objectives on ensuring that we enhance our civic identity
as a city as we rebrand ourselves for our open park second century. The sign that we are talking about
this evening is at the west on Prospect Road, west of 21st Avenue near the Oak Tree Development.
The county does own the right away jurisdiction there. So we are required to execute a revocable
license agreement with the county in order to not only install but to maintain and access that
property to have our sign on their property location. And I'll just back up the city entry sign location
is actually shown there as you can see on the north side of the road of Prospect Road west of 21st Avenue.
And this is a rendering to remind the commission and the community of what our new entryway sign looks
like. We did get a sneak peek as to the actual constructed version and it is very, very close to the
rendering so we're very excited to unveil that to you once this is executed and we can get through the rest of the
permitting process. This was approved by Commission with Donville Signs back in August of 2024.
And so it is the recommendation of staff that the city commission adopted a resolution authorizing the
appropriate city officials to execute a revocable license agreement between the city of Oak
Park and Broad County for the permit purposes of permitting access, installation and maintenance
of the city monument signage and associated landscaping within the county right away along Prospect Road.
If you have any questions regarding the agreement, I'm available. Thank you, Ms. Murrow.
Second. One thing to say and I already talked to Andrew about it, make sure that the well water doesn't
hit the sign. He's already done a tamaract sign. Tamaract sign looks like it's 20 years old already.
Yeah, it's I go by their every attacking home every day and the well because all that all that
center median is all well water and actually we're responsible for all the maintenance on that
center median even the even the wells and everything but to make sure that well water does not hit that
sign. That's an ain't no cheap sign.
Vice Mayor Ernst. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes, Commissioner Noobold. Yes,
Commissioner. Yes, and we move on to reports from the city commission who'd like to start us off.
Vice Mayor.
Don't tonight.
Just thinking again, the president's like he said mayor for their input on everything and contact
letting us know because together we can build a great city and also I just I know it's been a
while for a lot of these events we attended but I must I would like to spot out the tree give away.
It was well organized.
People they stayed in that line, sandwiched they were there earlier because eventually you start running
out of the trees that they want but for the most part it was a great event well attended as well as
the organization was was awesome. So I love that event and then we also had a great time at the mayor's
gala. So that was nice and also career day was really nice.
As always the joy to go and encourage the children and be there for them.
And I'm looking forward to the art walk and also yeah. That's it in goodnight. Thank you, Commissioner.
I will real quick. Okay, tree give away beautiful. Let's have it again next year at that same venue. More room
more spacious. That's my request. What else? Oh yeah, I did attend a pep rally at
Lloyd estate elementary school because they're preparing for for their citywide exam and it was
absolutely phenomenal. The children were so responsive. We had an excellent time.
On last Saturday, May 3rd, I did my first cleanup of my adoptive street and it was a success.
I think I sent you some pictures. You probably didn't look at them. I can tell the way you
you're expression. But it's okay. It was actually there was a request and it was a loaded
email. So in any event, it was a fantastic turnout and thank you to Mr. Stephen Matier and staff for
providing us with all of the tools that we needed and I just want to say a huge thank you to all of the
volunteers. Happy month.
Another day to all of the mothers out there and the night.
Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. And I'd like to echo Commissioner. Newball and Commissioner Gordon.
Vice Mayor didn't say anything. You're in hell. Commissioner, you're in hell.
Commissioner, you're not responsible.
But I want to say it, let me see.
I was at the slackening before I went to the fire house at North Andrew Gardens Elementary.
They have in the music show, parent night, is that popular cultural center?
From our between six to seven PM. So I said, I told personal, do hard. I will attend.
You know, I do make exceptions for when it's the last second.
You've been, I'll put it on my calendar. So it's albums I can afford today.
Also, myself and Mayor, we had a great time in Charles, cigars.
Business startup. That's right. I'm counting that number.
They came to North Andrew Gardens, opened up on commercial.
And the entrepreneur named Mike by the way, he came from Chicago.
He lost this business and it was beautiful in the establishment.
And he said, it's an internet business, e-commerce. He's going to sell those cigars all across the country.
But he wanted to come to open park city manager.
Because I see I a director, the two person operation director Herrera and the Caesar Gonzalez, you know,
to help bring the business right in my own business.
So I'm thankful for that. Thank you for always all the staff, the whole staff.
We got a good thing going.
But I must say this, I am troubled with the constant increase of the BSO budget that they submit to us.
Mr. Thompson, I assistant city city manager had a beautiful presentation.
And all the residents did appreciate that.
And it's always from year to year.
Ever since I've been in the city, he's been well-class in developing and disseminating what goes on in our budget.
That's why we got the best.
When he was the CFO, he was the best one.
Now he's going to be the best assistant city manager and the size of the limit.
But it is troubling with financial protections that's ongoing with BSO.
And I am concerned about this, you know.
We should have, we are, I hope we will have a robust discussion.
What we get for the increase.
So I'll leave it there for now.
But it is troubling.
It's troubling.
With that said, yes, I have a wonderful budget state.
This upcoming weekend.
It's a special day. We all have mothers.
Yes, we all do.
And my sisters, I have nephews.
And I pick up my mom all the time. She's in heaven.
And God's hands, but hey, if she wasn't hurt, I wouldn't be here.
And she would have been proud of us.
Because I know my sister tells me, with a brother, you know, you're doing great job.
So on all, I want my three sons model too as well.
And you know, all the ladies out there, you have a wonderful day.
Well, everyday is my stable.
You know, we know you got a special this time.
So with that said, I'm good.
God bless, so compartment, God bless.
Each and every one of you, BSO, L.T. Mary, I see you back there.
Thank you for representing us all the time.
Chief, Kvannick, I love the presentation.
And you know, I hope you got to send me those pictures.
Every time I see a truck, I just got to jump on any.
And it's a great presentation. I love the ceremony.
So thank you for keeping us safe and protected each and every day.
So I thank all our three hundred and forty-some of our employees too as well.
You are a professional.
And we love you.
And yeah, I demand a lot because I was one of you and I had to bust my plate.
And yeah, sometimes we don't other people's job.
But you know what?
The victory is that we public servants.
And we give them back to our community.
So I know it's tough, but I appreciate each and every one of you.
What do you do?
W.B.
And be well.
Take care.
Thank you commissioner.
We appreciate that.
And you hit it right on the head.
There's a lot of thanks go around.
Thanks to staff and all the volunteers.
Like the rest of the commission was saying on another successful free tree.
Give away.
I just want to also say thanks to Molly Furch for having native swamp milkweed plants available for our residents this year.
It's a wonderful plant for helping to save the monarch butterflies.
A special thank you and goodbye to Alexandria per side.
She's a manager at hands on South Florida.
Alexandria has been a wonderful organizer and a leader for the Oakland Park monthly food packing and delivery.
She's relocating to New York in her final day with hands on South Florida is actually today.
And just best wishes on your new adventures.
Alexandria you're going to be missed.
Rodrigo Satello will now be our main point of contact for hands on South Florida for that event.
Also, sincere appreciation to Mr. Duane Smith.
He just recently resigned from our arts and culture board and he is moving out of state and he expressed his appreciation for being on the board and I want to express our appreciation back for his contribution over the year.
As commissioner, but who was saying, you know, I just got to say publicly welcome Toro cigars and thank you for investing in Oakland Park.
They had their grand opening ribbon cutting this weekend.
So I just will say like any Oakland Park business.
If you are a cigar officially an adult, you may want to check them out.
This week, northeast high school has exams for their keyton bridge programs.
They are having pepper all these for exams this week. I was there Monday and Tuesday at 8 a.m.
If any of you guys can make it, they have it through next week to stay some are at 8 a.m. and some are 11.
Let Renee know when she has a contact name.
If you guys want to go and do a little pepper allying.
My understanding is the Cambridge program.
I believe there are about 1,700 students in northeast and I think 400 are in the Cambridge program.
Excellent. Yep.
Just today, I want to congratulate Division Chief Gregory May to our Oakland Park fire rescue.
He had served on the Oakland Park.
I'm the Oakland Park Fort Lauderdale Fire Department.
And he is now officially a Division Chief here in Oakland Park.
Welcome Mr. May. We appreciate your coming to Oakland Park.
And then also today, you may have heard we had finally a new fire truck was delivered and a new rescue vehicle.
And that dedication was today.
So again, having these new equipment is good.
Make sure our equipment is all up to shape and when they go for a call, it's going to start everything.
It's going to work properly.
That's all I have, Mr. A bear.
Nothing further. Thank you, man.
Mr. City Attorney.
Nothing but offering to all the mothers have a wonderful mother's day.
Thank you.
Motion to adjourn.