October 2022 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

The Fall arts and cultural scene is upon us; however, in Fort Lauderdale, the arts are a year-round business and economic engine! Case in point: just last week, the City announced a partnership with Broward County that will take arts and cultural affairs to a new level. Over the past several years, Fort Lauderdale has become a thriving mecca for the creative arts, joining other great cities that understand the importance of the arts for residents and visitors alike. From the new artwork displayed on our beach’s lifeguard towers to the exhibits in the City Hall lobby to the many gallery shows, performances and Artwalks, our cultural industry not only enriches our quality of life, but also plays an enormous role in driving our economic engine.

Members of the City Commission, more so than ever, acknowledge that the creative economy is an integral component of a thriving community. I have advocated for and we now have a Cultural Affairs Officer as well as a Public Art Advisory Board. Data presented in the 2017 Arts & Economic Prosperity Report 5 (Americans for the Arts) showed the economic contributions of the arts in 341 diverse communities, including ours. The report indicated that the nonprofit arts and cultural sector was a $414.2 million industry in Broward County alone. Over 60 percent of non-resident survey participants indicated that their main reason for visiting Broward County was to attend an arts or cultural event. This ultimately generates revenue for the hotels, retail stores, restaurants, parking garages, and local businesses that are associated with their visit. This report serves as overwhelming evidence that a thriving arts and cultural community, whether serving residents or out-of-town visitors, substantially enhances our economic expansion.

An important step in strengthening this economic growth took place on October 20^th, when Broward County Government and the City of Fort Lauderdale announced a new partnership and commitment to arts and culture with the launch of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 series (Americans for the Arts), the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States with a strong emphasis on diversity and equity in monetary expenditures. The study will be offered in 22 languages to assist us in reaching as many people as possible.

Keep an eye out when you attend an arts and culture event in the City and throughout Broward County for a chance to participate in the study. There will be QR codes in playbills, lobbies, and mentions from the stage. Findings are expected to be released in Fall 2023. Participating in this study will give us hard evidence of the importance of investing in our thriving arts and cultural community. Please encourage others to take part!

Our full-time residents and visitors are participating in our creative economy like never before. The arts connect us all; they are the soul of our community, and the investments made now in the arts and cultural affairs sector of Fort Lauderdale will undeniably cultivate a unique identity and paint the masterpiece that is Fort Lauderdale.  As Fall is upon us, our arts and cultural scene is brimming with excitement, and I encourage everyone to visit our galleries, murals, and art exhibits or catch a concert, theatrical, or dance production at our numerous venues. In Fort Lauderdale, our diverse, inclusive, and flourishing arts community has something for everyone!   

Top left image: Commissioner Steven Glassman, Artist DJ Chery, and Phillip Dunlap, Director of Broward County Cultural Division.

Bottom image: Joshua Carden, Fort Lauderdale Cultural Affairs Officer, Phillip Dunlap, Director of Broward County Cultural Division, Broward County Commissioner Steven Geller, Commissioner Steven Glassman, and Broward County Mayor Michael Udine.

Make Your Voting Plan Today!

Early Voting 

Early voting has begun! 24 early voting locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. until Sunday, November 6th. To view the early voting sites please click on the image below. 

Ballot Drop-off Locations

Dates and times for Ballot Drop-off Locations for the General Election are listed below.

Early Voting Locations

10/24/2022 – 11/6/2022 (Daily)

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Click here for Early Voting Drop Locations

Broward County Governmental Center

115 S. Andrews Ave. Room #102

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

10/10/2022 – 10/21/2022 (Monday – Friday)

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10/24/2022 – 11/8/2022 (including Saturdays and Sundays)

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Map Directions

SOE Office at the Lauderhill Mall

1501 NW 40th Avenue

Lauderhill, FL, 33313

(Entrance In the back of the Lauderhill Mall)

10/10/2022 – 11/06/2022

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Secure Ballot Intake Station located at the Lauderhill Mall will stay open from

7:00 a.m. on November 6, 2022 through 7:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022

Map Directions

Vote by Mail

Last day for voters to request a Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballot to be mailed for the November 8, 2022 General Election is October 29th. Any VBM requests received after 5:00 p.m. on October 29th will NOT be accepted or processed for this election. You may vote in person early or on Election Day.

Please note, Vote-By-Mail ballots cannot be forwarded. If you want your Vote By-Mail ballot sent to an address that's different from the one on file with the Elections Office, you must send a signed request.

Ballots must be received at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

Election Day - November 8th

Planning to vote on Election Day? Precincts will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Voters on Election Day must vote at their assigned precinct.

Green Your Routine Update!

During a recent tour, I learned of a true homegrown public space recycling program in our neighboring city of Wilton Manors that called on the community to “recycle right”. I am pleased to announce that the City of Fort Lauderdale has entered into a public-private partnership to launch this public recycling program under our “Green Your Routine” initiative designed to meet critical City objectives by promoting resilient and environmentally sound practices that will create a more sustainable environment right here in our City. In response to the current global recycling crisis which is primarily due to poorly labeled receptacles causing non recyclable materials to land in recycling bins, the program utilizes the nonprofit organization Recycle Across America’sⓇ “Let’s recycle right!Ⓡ” movement to offer society-wide standardized recycling labels on the curbside recycling bins. This partnership will have a positive impact on consumers, the recycling industry, and the environment, by helping residents and visitors to recycle properly. The difference between the new recycling receptacles and traditional recycling bins, is the clearly labeled dual-stream design of the receptacle, which also features sponsorship messaging space for local businesses to reach out and let the public know that they support sustainability in our communities. Stay tuned for more sustainable projects in our City as we discover new ways to “Green Your Routine” in Fort Lauderdale and look for these new receptacles!

Click on the image below to read Lake Ridge Civic Association's article regarding the Sunrise Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project. 

Click on the image below to view the latest updates on the New Police Headquarters.

Working In DowntownFTL : Office Market Report

Available Now

The Big Idea: DowntownFTL is evolving as a city ready for the post-pandemic future of work.

Why This Matters for DowntownFTL: The trend of blending living and working is driving a young professional and family-oriented talent base to DowntownFTL, sustaining existing industries and supporting the growth of new sectors.

Please click on the image below to view all of the good work initiated by the city.

PROJECT UPDATE

East Las Olas Crosswalks

Please click on the image to view

Please join Commissioner Glassman along with Transportation & Mobility staff on Thursday, November 3rd at 3 PM to view the current design of the new East Las Olas Boulevard crosswalks.

Please click on the image below to read Fort Lauderdale Magazine's article on beach history.

 The 63rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show returns tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26, through Sunday, October 30.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO 

The 63rd annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show returns Wednesday, October 26, through Sunday, October 30. This premier event is an opportunity to showcase our beautiful city – the Yachting Capital of the World – and support South Florida’s $12.5 billion marine industry and the 149,000 jobs it brings to the area.

There is a lot to see and experience, from the recently renovated Broward County Convention Center to scenic views of A1A along Fort Lauderdale Beach toward Las Olas Marina. The five-day show features a thousand exhibitors from around the world with more than 1,300 boats on display. The show attracts more than 100,000 attendees, so expect event areas to be very busy.

Here’s what you need to know to make it easier to get around:

Parking:

Parking along the beach will be very limited. The only parking locations will be the Las Olas Garage, located at 200 E. Las Olas Circle, and metered on-street parking spaces along A1A north of E. Las Olas Boulevard. Here’s a better option:

• Park at the Riverwalk Center Garage, located at 150 SE 2nd Street. The cost to park for the day is $10.
• From the Riverwalk Center Garage, catch the free LauderGO! Micro Mover at SE 2nd Street and SE 2nd Avenue. Look for the Micro Mover Shuttle Pick Up sign.
• The Micro Mover will drop attendees off at the Water Taxi pick-up location near Salt7 restaurant.
• Hop on the Water Taxi. A full-day ticket costs $15, with no limit to the number of rides. The Water Taxi will drop attendees off at a dock near the boat show.

Additional parking locations are available along Las Olas Boulevard west of SE 12th Avenue. Click here to see the full map. The LauderGO! Community Shuttle also will be operating under its normal schedule during the event. 

Traffic:

Expect A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard to be heavily congested and slow-moving. Following the plan above is recommended in order to avoid driving along the beach if possible.

There are two road closures associated with the boat show, but the impact will be limited:

• SE 5th Street between Seabreeze Boulevard and A1A is currently closed and will remain so until Wednesday, November 9. This area will be a hub for shuttle bus pick up and drop off.
• Las Olas Circle at S Birch Road is currently closed and will remain so until Wednesday, November 16.

Resources:

• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: flibs.com
• Parking and alternative transit options: ftlcity.info/CatchaRide
• LauderGO! Micro Mover: fortlauderdale.gov/micromover
• LauderGO! Community Shuttle: fortlauderdale.gov/communityshuttle
• Water Taxi: watertaxi.com/

New FLPD Officers Join Force as

Crime Numbers Decrease

This week, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) welcomed 15 new officers to the force. The newly sworn officers will support the mission and vision of the City Commission enhancing Public Safety.  

The FLPD continues to see improvements in its efforts to combat violent crime. Police Chief Patrick Lynn reports that Part I Crimes are down citywide this year compared to the same period last year. Homicides are down 29%, sex offense crimes are down 20%, and aggravated assaults are down 4%. This translates to an overall decrease of 4% of violent crime citywide. 

At a recent City Commission Conference meeting, Chief Lynn provided an update on Police Community Engagement Initiatives. These city statistics are significant especially in context of what we are witnessing regarding violent crime in many cities across our nation.

City Commission Top Priority Infrastructure and Resilience Update (September 2022)

Click image to view.

2022 City Commission Priorities

Quarterly Progress Report (September 2022)

Click image to view.

Commission Memo 22-101 - Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Projection Report

King Tides

Each year, Fort Lauderdale experiences seasonal high tides called king tides. These tides primarily impact low-lying areas of our community that are prone to flooding and the effects of sea level rise.

King tides are expected Monday, October 24 - Sunday, October 30. Be aware of possible flooding during the following upcoming predicted high tide times:

• 10/24 8:15 PM
• 10/25 8:49 AM & 8:54 PM
• 10/26 9:30 AM & 9:34 PM
• 10/27 10:14 AM & 10:17 PM
• 10/28 11:02 AM & 11:05 PM
• 10/29 11:55 AM
•  10/30 12:00 AM & 12:52 PM

See information below about what the City is doing and how neighbors can prepare. For additional information, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/kingtides.

What the City is Doing to Prepare

Rising seas threaten roads, infrastructure, and homes in flood-vulnerable areas. The City Commission is committed to rebuilding our infrastructure and ensuring it can handle our growing population as well as global changes in climate. We're investing in our stormwater system to reduce flooding and provide protection from rising sea level.

To date, we have installed over 185 tidal valves that reduce tidal flooding across the City. We've elevated the public seawall along Cordova Road, are in the midst of a seawall improvement project along Hendricks Isle, and are looking ahead to additional similar projects along the south side of Las Olas Boulevard and along SE 10 Street. Elevating public seawalls is just one step in making our community more resilient to sea level rise and tidal flooding. The City is also inspecting flooding potentially caused by private seawalls and requiring property owners to elevate their seawalls to meet City code standards.

The City is currently revising its seawall ordinance to adopt regionally-consistent top elevations standards set by Broward County. Community resilience requires a public/private partnership. Together, investments by the City and our residents can help reduce threats to life safety and protect property from tidal inundation.

How Neighbors Can Prepare 

• Neighbors who live near the water or in low-lying areas should take the following precautions:
• Evaluate your property's readiness and prepare flood protection measures, if needed, such as sandbags to use at door thresholds.
• Review your flood insurance policy to understand your coverage. Additional information on flood insurance, flood insurance rate maps, floodplain management regulations, and ideas to protect your property from flood damage can be found on the City website at www.fortlauderdale.gov/flood.
• Review flood safety tips at www.fortlauderdale.gov/kingtides.

During a King Tide Event:



• Do not drive through flooded areas. Turn around and find an alternate safe route to minimize damage to your vehicle and surrounding property.
•  If you must drive through tidal flood water, rinse the undercarriage of your vehicle to remove any salt water and minimize corrosive damage.
•  If you experience flooding on your street, make sure storm drains are not blocked and remove waste collection carts as quickly as possible after they are emptied or wait until your next scheduled collection day to put them out.
• If you live on a street where the City has installed a tidal valve, ponding may occur if it rains during high tide. Be assured that your tidal valve is working and the ponding will subside as the tide goes out and allows the valve to open and release the rainwater.
• If you encounter flood water, rinse off to remove the saltwater and minimize exposure to pollutants in the ponded water.

If you experience unusual flooding or impassable roads during a tidal event, please make your first phone call to report concerns to the City’s 24-Hour Neighbor Service Center at 954-828-8000 or via our Lauderserv mobile app.

Fort Lauderdale Artwalk - Celebrating Diwali

Saturday, October 29th at 6:00 p.m.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights alongside Halloween weekend with us.

• Art
• Food
• Performances
• Music!
• Shops
• Pet Friendly
• Parking & Ride Circuit 

On October 20th, I attended the Fort Lauderdale Forum to watch the Meet the Candidates-District 4. Always interesting to hear all the district candidates. Best of everything to all; respect must be paid to any citizen who steps up and participates in this grueling process.

On October 20th, Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale announced a new partnership and commitment to arts and culture with the launch of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 series (Americans for the Arts), the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. I am so pleased that the City and County came together to work on this initiative. The Arts are an economic engine!

District 2 neighborhood associations are active and engaged! My staff and I attended the Central Beach Alliance meeting on October 20th! Incredible Board of Directors and membership!

It was great to also be with the Lake Ridge Civic Association on October 20th! Terrific neighborhood and terrific Board of Directors led by president Michael Albetta. Thank you to all the City Staff who joined us for a very informative meeting.

On October 21st, Fort Lauderdale hosted the Diwali Celebration/Festival of Lights at the Las Olas Oceanside Park (LOOP). Our city is so influenced and made richer by the extraordinary cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity of our residents. We are grateful for the contributions of our Hindu American citizens and share the belief of light over darkness as we pursue knowledge, peace, and universal well-being. Happy Diwali!

We have the following Board Vacancies below. Please email Erica Franceschi [email protected] if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.  

Board of Adjustment

Cemetery System Board of Trustees

Code Enforcement Board

Community Appearance Board

Community Services Board 

Education Advisory Board

Insurance 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 [email protected] or 954-828-5923.