April 2023 Newsletter; After the Storm | |
|
Dear Neighbor,
Before I share our monthly newsletter topic below, I wanted to touch upon the storm recovery efforts conducted by the City. Below are some preliminary statistics and information which demonstrate the extraordinary measures taken and extreme volume handled by City Staff during this emergency which caused so much damage and heartbreaking suffering among our neighbors. The numbers referenced below are approximate, as the total for all emergency calls have not fully been logged yet. For full storm updates, please access this link: fortlauderdale.gov/stormupdates
Since this incident began on Wednesday evening, April 12th:
- The City’s 24/7 Customer Service center has answered 9,690 calls
- On Thursday, April 13th at 12:10 am, our City Manager advised that he was been able to secure airboats, high clearance buggies from BSO and Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) through mutual aide.
- On April 13th, City crews were out in neighborhoods clearing storm drains to aid water receding from neighborhoods. More than 30 vacuum trucks were deployed strategically throughout the City.
- Since the beginning of the storm, our team has rescued or relocated approximately 900 people who were either stranded or trapped by water, including 600 people the first night.
- On Thursday, April 13th, our Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the command center during emergencies such as this, was activated. Police, Fire and department heads throughout the City continue to work from this location.
- On April 13th and 14th, the City’s Comfort Stations, were first set up and are still open and ready to serve our neighbors with food, water, showers, etc. These are located at Shirley Small Park (1230 SW 34th Avenue) and Broward County Fleet Service Center (2515 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315)
-
On April 13, 2023, the American Red Cross, in collaboration with the City of Fort Lauderdale, announced the opening of an emergency shelter at Holiday Park to assist those affected by the storm. The Red Cross workers provided warm meals, a safe place to sleep and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs. The Red Cross provided vital services to several hundred residents since its inception. On Friday, April 21st, the Red Cross closed the center at Holiday Park and transitioned any remaining clients to Merrell United Methodist Church in Lauderdale Lakes. Caseworkers continue working with local agencies to provide family assistance and connect residents with resources. For information regarding the center, please call 1-800-REDCROSS.
Although there are many, many more actions that were taken and services still being offered, I just wanted to highlight a few of the above accomplishments achieved by our City through the last twelve days. I want to thank Management, Staff, Police and Fire, and all the personnel on the ground from a variety of agencies, including the State, County, and Sheriff, that, since the night of the storm, stepped up and continue to work 24/7 to assist our hurting community. Their endless dedication to the residents in all four districts of this City was nothing short of heroic and I sincerely thank them for doing everything possible to assist these residents while keeping the City open for business. Fort Lauderdale suffered no fatalities as a result of the storm.
Broward County Storm Related Resources:
State of Florida Division of Emergency Management News Alerts
State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (Business Assistance)
Events on the Barrier Island
At the April 4th City Commission Conference meeting, City staff provided an overview of special events held on the barrier island, how other cities handle similar events, and opportunities for the City to improve the overall process for events going forward and the impact they have on the community.
I reinforced community feedback that the general process for special events on the beach should be reviewed and improved, including traffic management, planning, fees, coordination, communication, and overall safety.
Thank you so much to the residents who came out and spoke on this item and gave invaluable feedback to help us navigate this process moving forward. Your suggestions were excellent, and we will be taking advantage of your wisdom and first-hand knowledge and experience.
One of the major take-aways from the resident comments was this: residents enjoy events on the beach, but feel they need better coordination, communication, and management. At almost every Commission meeting, you will notice that I pull agenda items that involve events on the beach and engage staff in a more detailed discussion. Some key concerns expressed by neighbors were traffic patterns, pedestrians with nowhere to walk, a lack of adequate directional signage and signage for the parking garage, fee structure, bridge coordination with the Coast Guard and many, many more.
Every single one of these concerns is valid and we really do need to see changes made. The public feedback also amplified the point that incorporating the appropriate number of staff to be involved in these endeavors going forward is a critical component to success; we must involve many departments in the planning phase and execution phase. I do believe we need a total overhaul from top to bottom. When we have events occurring at the beach, including Spring Break, we have got to figure a way to move people onto the barrier island, move them while on the barrier island and move them when they are leaving the barrier island.
After raising the issue at almost every Commission meeting, I am so glad that we finally had this dedicated agenda item and finally dissected and discussed it. With all your suggestions and emails, I look forward to seeing plans for overall coordination and much needed improvement. These events not only affect barrier island residents; but they impact our entire community’s ability to navigate our roadways and enjoy our events. I know that we will get there.
| |
|
Neighbor Needs Assessment Survey
Neighbor Support has created a survey to best assess the needs of our neighbors affected by the flood. The goal is to collect and identify the needs of our neighbors and identify partners that could help assist, we are being the connectors to resources. The survey is designed to gather data on current needs of those affected by the flood.
Please help us reach neighbors by sharing this link with our neighbors: Neighbor Needs Assessment (arcgis.com)
| |
|
For crisis counseling and support for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to natural disasters, call the number below.
Help is available.
| |
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRONICS DROP-OFF EVENT LOCATIONS | |
|
Have a clogged storm drain or flooding near you? Contact the #TeamFTL Customer Service Line. It's available 24/7, 4 different ways:
| |
|
Tomorrow, April 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
SR 838/Sunrise Boulevard Bridge Project
Financial Number: 446181-1-52-01 & 441456-1-52-01
Project Length: 0.466 miles from M.P. 0.361 to M.P. 0.827
Project Limits: State Road (SR) 838/Sunrise Boulevard from west of Middle River Drive to east of NW 26th Avenue over the Intracoastal Waterway - Bridge Nos. 860466 and 860467)
Virtual Public Workshop: Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m
To attend the virtual public meeting, please register at the following link http://bit.ly/3EBg5Xk
Projected Letting: March 2024
Start Date: March 2024
Completion Date: March 2026
Estimated Construction Cost: $26,684,552.20
Scope of Work:
The primary objective of the projects is to address the deficient pavement conditions by milling and resurfacing the existing asphalt pavement and to provide bridge rehabilitation for the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge. The bridge rehabilitation project will include structural repairment to the bridge span, and mechanical and electrical work. A bridge tender house parking area will be considered to provide safe access to tenders during their work shift arrival and departure from the tender house. Additionally, the project includes necessary pedestrian modifications to comply with the latest ADA requirements and standards. Other improvements include traffic safety, ITS, signing & pavement markings, lighting, signalization, and drainage improvements.
Construction Impacts:
The Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan will highly prioritize the safety of vehicles, pedestrians, and the contractors while complying with required FDOT standards and criteria. Maintenance of Traffic for this project will be based on the procedures outlined in the current edition of the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and will be in accordance with FDOT’s Standard Plans and Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.
The affected property owners will be notified of the proposed changes by a mass mail out of flyers that will contain detailed information regarding project scope, construction details and schedule.
No driveways will be closed or relocated as part of this project.
Contact Information:
Adham Naiem, P.E. — FDOT Project Manager
Phone:(954) 777-4440
Email: Adham.Naiem@dot.state.fl.us
| |
|
Virtual Public Meeting on Las Olas Isles Character Area Conceptional Design Vision
Thursday, May 4, 2023
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Please join the City of Fort Lauderdale for a virtual public meeting to discuss the Las Olas Isles Character Area Conceptional Design Vision. Commissioner Glassman will host the meeting which will be facilitated by the Transportation and Mobility Department staff.
The Las Olas Boulevard Conceptional Design Vision, including both the Las Olas Isles Character area and the western corridor area, was approved by the City Commission in 2021, marking a significant step forward. We value your input as we work towards advancing improvements to the eastern corridor and would like to invite your comments on the Conceptual Design Vision for the Las Olas Isles Character Area.
When: Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom – Meeting URL Link Below
https://fortlauderdale.zoomgov.com/j/1615563820?pwd=N0hJVStZdE9zQVR6MEVydWpkb0psUT09
Meeting ID: 161 556 3820
Password: 525036
Details: This meeting’s purpose is to exclusively address the Isles Character Area and how we move forward with the design and funding phase. The western corridor will not be discussed. The meeting will include a brief presentation followed by a discussion.
Questions and Comments: may be emailed to TAMPlanning@fortlauderdale.gov
|  | |
Temporary Shut Down of Peele Dixie Water Treatment Plant for Maintenance Activity | |
The City's new magazine is intended to keep YOU connected & involved in what's going on in Fort Lauderdale. You can see the digital version now by clicking the image above. | |
|
Click on the image below to take the City's
communication survey
| |
|
March local elections in other Broward and Palm Beach municipalities demonstrated that many voters did not vote by mail in their usual numbers. Please note that if you typically vote-by-mail, then you must renew your request for all elections through December 2024.
Renew your Vote by Mail Service
| |
|
Due to new Florida election laws, voters need to renew their Vote-by-Mail requests now as these have all expired.
You can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for a specific election or for all elections through December 2024. After the 2024 General Election, you will need to make the request annually.
If you are presently registered to vote in Broward County, you may request a Vote-by-Mail ballot online. You may also request by email, fax, phone, or mail, a vote-by-mail ballot.
Voters who wish to receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot for 2023 through 2024 elections are required to complete a new Vote-by-Mail ballot request.
| |
Residents are encouraged to visit their local library to explore all they have to offer during National Library Week (April 23-29). “There’s More to the Story,” the theme for this year, emphasizes that libraries are more than books. Broward County Library’s 38 branches offer a wide array of resources including entertainment and technology devices, virtual and in-person classes/trainings for business, education and personal/professional development, events and programs for all ages, online resources and much more…all for free with your library card. If you haven't checked out our library, you're missing the full story. | |
|
Fort Lauderdale Artwalk
Saturday, April 29th @ 6pm • Join Us!
| |
|
Celebrating interactive and 3d art experiences with activations, live performances, food, and music!
- Interactive Art!
- Shops
- Art
- Food
- Music & Dance!
- Pet Friendly
- Parking & Ride Share (Circuit)
| |
Fleet Week Port Everglades ~ April 23-30 | |
Port Everglades is honored to host the annual Fleet Week celebration allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to tour ships and thank the armed forces for their service. | |
Another great event in Victoria Park! | |
National Hurricane Preparedness Week is April 30 - May 6 | |
The Downtown Jewish Center Chabad offers teenagers The Solomon Leadership Program to understand their personal value and potential as community leaders. Guest speakers meet with the students to discuss each of the Eight Pillars of Leadership. Last Thursday, I had the honor of speaking on “Judgment” and how that has impacted my personal journey to leadership. Tremendously insightful questions followed; what a pleasure it was to be in the company of these bright, young people!
| |
|
|
We have the following Board Vacancies below. Please email Erica Franceschi EFranceschi@fortlauderdale.gov if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Board of Adjustment
Cemetery System Board of Trustees
Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board
Code Enforcement Board
Community Appearance Board
Community Services Board
Education Advisory Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Sustainability Advisory Board
| |
|
The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cacicedo, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestions acacicedo@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-5923.
| |
Steve Glassman
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, District 2
| | | | |
