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

In case you missed them, the following are highlights from the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meetings on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. The video is available at youtube.com/cityoffortlauderdale, and the vote summary will be available later this week at fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Commission Discusses Plans for the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA
The City Commission held a joint workshop with the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights (NPF) Community Redevelopment Advisory Board to discuss the status and future of the redevelopment programs in the area. A presentation provided an overview of the many completed and in-progress housing projects, as well as projects currently funded and in the pipeline. While the area continues to develop, some needs remain, including a supermarket and additional parking and transit options, along with more entertainment and commercial development. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4cIuC1F. 

Commission Hears from Urban Land Institute Regarding Ideas for the New City Hall
The City Commission was shown a presentation from the Southeast Florida/Caribbean Urban Land Institute about its findings for the new City Hall. The group offered recommendations as to where the new building should be located, what services should be available, how it can be funded, and what components may be considered for inclusion in the design.  This proposal would see the new City Hall consolidate a majority of City departments in one location and serve as a central hub for government business. For details, visit ftlcity.info/45KyKfv.  

Commission Provided Update on the Status of the New FLPD Headquarters
The City Commission was given an update on the new Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters construction project, including the current status and future considerations. Ground was broken on the project in June 2023, and one year later, construction is about 50% completed. However, a deflection issue was discovered in March of 2024, and initial efforts to address the issue were not successful. The deflection is a bending of the roof slab, causing hairline fractures in the concrete. The City engaged the services of an independent engineer to provide supplemental recommendations, and the teams recently agreed on measures to successfully resolve the deflection. The Commission made clear that any costs associated with steps taken to fix the issue should not be incurred by the City. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3RSsi09.

Commission Looks at a Standardized System for Allocating Park Impact Fees
The City Commission heard recommendations for a standardized process for allocating park impact fees collected by the City. The recommendation included utilizing existing funds to support signature Parks Bond projects, including Lockhart Park, Holiday Park, Carter Park, and the Tunnel Top Plaza. Staff also recommended that future funds be split equally between regional and district parks. The Commission indicated a desire to have the Parks, Recreation and Beaches Advisory Board review the suggestions and bring its recommendations back for consideration. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4d22Z47.

Board of Commissioners Appropriates Funds to Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA
The Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners approved an appropriation of $1.3 to the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Heights CRA Development Incentive account. This follows the termination of the $3 million Development Incentive Program with Avenue D’Arts FLL, LLC. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3xE3jqC.

Commission Approves a Plan to Reduce Lead Emissions at the FXE Airport
The City Commission adopted a resolution to approve a plan to reduce lead emissions at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), located at 6000 NW 21st Avenue. Residents who live close to the airport raised concerns about aviation gas potentially contaminating soil and air quality following a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Soil samples were screened for lead concentration at four sites where pre-flight checks are performed before takeoff. While a report indicated that lead concentration existed in the soil samples, the amounts did not exceed regulatory levels established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. FXE is currently working to promote a safe transition from aviation gas to aircraft unleaded fuel. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4eDVB0a.

Commission Approves Agreements for Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation
The City Commission approved agreements with three parties for the implementation of advanced metering infrastructure, an integrated system of smart water meters, communication networks, and data management systems. The City owns and operates more than 65,000 water meters that utilize mechanical moving parts to measure water flow. These older meters degrade over time and can register inaccurate flow measurements, resulting in inconsistent water billing, and dissatisfaction among residents. The new meters will use solid state technology to provide more accurate readings and allow for remote turn on/off.  Customers will be able to monitor water consumption through a customer portal and receive reports of abnormal water usage that may be associated with a break.  The three agreements amount to $69.9 million, with $21.1 million of that dedicated to 20-year operational and maintenance costs. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3Lsa95X.  

Commission Accepts Partial Payment from Insurance Carriers for City Hall Flood Damages
The City Commission accepted an advanced partial payment of $5.35 million from the City’s property insurance carriers for damages sustained to City Hall during the April 2023 flood event. The City previously recovered $500,000 from its insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program. The City continues to pursue potential future insurance payments. For details, visit ftlcity.info/4cMErvN.

Commission Advances Project for the Design and Construction of Wastewater Infrastructure
The City Commission approved a $46 million agreement for the design and construction of 48-inch and 54-inch wastewater force mains along SE 9th Avenue and SE 10th Avenue to the George T. Lohmeyer Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project will rehabilitate or replace more than 15,000 linear feet of existing pipes and install an additional 8,220 linear feet of pipes. The project will also incur approximately $6.1 million in estimated fees for construction engineering and inspection services and in-house project management for a total amount of $52.1 million. Funds for the agreement are available in the fiscal year 2024 Community Investment Plan. For details, visit ftlcity.info/3ztzJVh.

Commission Sets Dates for Several Public Hearings Focused on FY 2025 Proposed Budget
The City Commission approved several motions and resolutions that establish dates and rates for required public hearings related to the budget and Non-Ad Valorem assessments for fiscal year 2025. Public hearings are scheduled to begin at 5:01 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, and Thursday, September 12, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, 201 SW 5th Avenue.

• Sunrise Key Neighborhood Improvement District: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3xCLhFd.
• Lauderdale Isles Water Management District: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3xElBrM.
• Non-Ad Valorem Assessment - Nuisance Abatement: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3RQwRIy.
• Non-Ad Valorem Fire Assessment Fee: For details, visit ftlcity.info/4ePuMX9.
• Beach Business Improvement Assessment: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3VQERKH.
• Non-Ad Valorem Assessment for Utility Undergrounding: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3VMrtan. 
• Non-Ad Valorem Stormwater Assessment: For details, visit ftlcity.info/3W4AOM3. 

Information
For more information on the July 2, 2024, Commission meetings, visit fortlauderdale.legistar.com/calendar.

Upcoming City Commission Meetings
NOTE: The City Commission now enters its summer break. The next regularly scheduled City Commission meetings will occur on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312..

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