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It was sweltering under the tent at Fred Hunter Memorial Gardens this morning. High humidity bordering on rain, and no breeze. You know what I mean. The occasion was the annual Memorial Day ceremony; an occasion important to me. Under and around the tent were veterans and their families from WW2 forward. Obviously some are very old, frail, but still patriotic and proud as they carried the flags of their organizations, or simply stood and saluted when the pledge and the anthem were played.

Mayor Bober welcomed the audience and gave an excellent speech; something he does frequently and easily it seems. The featured speaker was Air Force General Dennis Ployer. His message was heartfelt and short, speaking of how when fallen soldiers were being readied for the return to their families in the states, that troops would appear from nowhere, without being ordered or assigned, to accompany the body to the plane. Their show of respect honored someone they did not know; yet they knew they needed to honor the soldier. His message: honoring others is something we can all do everyday, because it is respectful, and the right thing to do. Amen to that.

Fred Hunder will be hosting their 55h Armistice Day, now know as Veterans Day, is November 11, at 11:00 am at the cemetary on Taft Street just west of the Turnpike. I hope you will all be there.

Incidentally, if you ever pass by an Elks Lodge, you may notice the clock on the building always shows 11:00. That is the hour that the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, ending the lst World War.

We had a lot of meetings this month. Here is a recap.
. Applied for a $330,000 Justice Assistnce Grant for acquisition of labtop computers and license plate readers for the police department.
. Accepted a $50,000 grant from County Commissioner Gunzburger for the preservation and restoration of the historic Hammerstein house and properpty.
. Passed an ordinance that provides that Code Enforcement liens shall have priority equal to taxes and superior to other liens.
. Accepted a grant from HUD for $625,671 to address homeless prevention.
. Terminated agreement with Ocean Properties for the Johnson Street hotel property. More on this later.
. Approved a resolution for the development of an eight story office building west of the Radius property on Tyler Street. This will be a project of the Berman Development Group, and although this is just the first step in a very long and tedious process, we can look forward to a ground breaking in three years.
. Approved fireworks on the beach, off Garfield Street, for July 4.
Authorized the city to negotiate with the highest ranked firm for red light cameras. Locations to be determined.
. Resolution allowing installation of about 70 bus SHELTERS in cooperation with Broward County, at no cost to the city. And, approved an agreement for the maintenance of the remaining bus benches. Both of these are really significant.
. Approved new water rates. This is complex, but all residents should receive a DVD which will cover all the details and rationale. In spite of the rain, there are still major water and infrastructure issues.
. Imposed a moratorium for institutional uses within the Regional Activity Center. This is generally from Young Circle to Johnson Street, from Federal Highway to Dixie Highway…and it will eventually apply throughout the city. There are several kinds of social service providers who do not have to come to the city for permission…the State licences them without our ability to control.

City Manager Cameron Benson has hired Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark as Assistant City Manager, and her debut was extrordinarily well received. Cathy comes from many years in Coral Gables, working on downtown development projects. She presented her recommendations on how the Commission should proceed with the Johnson Street project. Simply put, we will be going out for an RFP that will be in two parts. The first simply says that the Commission sees the project as containing both a public and private use; ask the proposer for a simple illustration of their vision as well as a report on who the principals are, their experience, the financial capability of the proposer, previous projects, etc. Then, we will select from that list and ask for a full fledged proposal, which can cost six figures easily.

The process will take some time, maybe six months, but we want to get it right. And yes, there will be public input opportunities.

Anyway, Cathy is a refreshing pair of eyes and ears, and I am really excited to have her on our staff.

As always, feel free to contact me with questions, comments, etc. 954-558-0175 (cell) or 954-921-3321 at City Hall.

Thanks.

It was sweltering under the tent at Fred Hunter Memorial Gardens this morning. High humidity bordering on rain, and no breeze. You know what I mean. The occasion was the annual Memorial Day ceremony; an occasion important to me. Under and around the tent were veterans and their families from WW2 forward. Obviously some are very old, frail, but still patriotic and proud as they carried the flags of their organizations, or simply stood and saluted when the pledge and the anthem were played.

Mayor Bober welcomed the audience and gave an excellent speech; something he does frequently and easily it seems. The featured speaker was Air Force General Dennis Ployer. His message was heartfelt and short, speaking of how when fallen soldiers were being readied for the return to their families in the states, that troops would appear from nowhere, without being ordered or assigned, to accompany the body to the plane. Their show of respect honored someone they did not know; yet they knew they needed to honor the soldier. His message: honoring others is something we can all do everyday, because it is respectful, and the right thing to do. Amen to that.

Fred Hunder will be hosting their 55h Armistice Day, now know as Veterans Day, is November 11, at 11:00 am at the cemetary on Taft Street just west of the Turnpike. I hope you will all be there.

Incidentally, if you ever pass by an Elks Lodge, you may notice the clock on the building always shows 11:00. That is the hour that the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, ending the lst World War.

We had a lot of meetings this month. Here is a recap.
. Applied for a $330,000 Justice Assistnce Grant for acquisition of labtop computers and license plate readers for the police department.
. Accepted a $50,000 grant from County Commissioner Gunzburger for the preservation and restoration of the historic Hammerstein house and properpty.
. Passed an ordinance that provides that Code Enforcement liens shall have priority equal to taxes and superior to other liens.
. Accepted a grant from HUD for $625,671 to address homeless prevention.
. Terminated agreement with Ocean Properties for the Johnson Street hotel property. More on this later.
. Approved a resolution for the development of an eight story office building west of the Radius property on Tyler Street. This will be a project of the Berman Development Group, and although this is just the first step in a very long and tedious process, we can look forward to a ground breaking in three years.
. Approved fireworks on the beach, off Garfield Street, for July 4.
Authorized the city to negotiate with the highest ranked firm for red light cameras. Locations to be determined.
. Resolution allowing installation of about 70 bus SHELTERS in cooperation with Broward County, at no cost to the city. And, approved an agreement for the maintenance of the remaining bus benches. Both of these are really significant.
. Approved new water rates. This is complex, but all residents should receive a DVD which will cover all the details and rationale. In spite of the rain, there are still major water and infrastructure issues.
. Imposed a moratorium for institutional uses within the Regional Activity Center. This is generally from Young Circle to Johnson Street, from Federal Highway to Dixie Highway…and it will eventually apply throughout the city. There are several kinds of social service providers who do not have to come to the city for permission…the State licences them without our ability to control.

City Manager Cameron Benson has hired Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark as Assistant City Manager, and her debut was extrordinarily well received. Cathy comes from many years in Coral Gables, working on downtown development projects. She presented her recommendations on how the Commission should proceed with the Johnson Street project. Simply put, we will be going out for an RFP that will be in two parts. The first simply says that the Commission sees the project as containing both a public and private use; ask the proposer for a simple illustration of their vision as well as a report on who the principals are, their experience, the financial capability of the proposer, previous projects, etc. Then, we will select from that list and ask for a full fledged proposal, which can cost six figures easily.

The process will take some time, maybe six months, but we want to get it right. And yes, there will be public input opportunities.

Anyway, Cathy is a refreshing pair of eyes and ears, and I am really excited to have her on our staff.

As always, feel free to contact me with questions, comments, etc. 954-558-0175 (cell) or 954-921-3321 at City Hall.

Thanks.

What a gorgeous day (Thursday). Makes me feel terrific, and I hope you are experiencing good things.

Our regular schedule of Commission meetings. Some of the highlights:
. Approved office space in the old Police Station, now the Annex, for Senator Sobel and Rep. Schwartz. Some controvery over the amount of reimbursement we wil receive versus the cost of renovations of the space, but the differential is small. Citizens as well as city officials have easy access to these representatives, and at some point, the offices will be used by the city when and if Eleanor and Elaine no longer are in office or cease using them.
. Approved a grant to plant trees along 441 from Pembroke Road to Fillmore St.
. Passed legislation related to parking rates, which include two hours of free parking in the two downtown garages. (Take advantage of this when you go downtown to shop or dine) (Note: as of May 1, rates on the two beach garages are $5.00 for the day! Off season rates.
. Approved hiring a qualified agency to oversee the managment of the $7.5 Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant. Will purchase foreclosed properties, rehab them and make them available to qualified residents.
. Applied for Federal grant (Stimulous Package) for the hiring of up to 10 new police officers. Feds pay for the first three years, and we pick up from that point.

There was a joint CRA/Commission meeting at which we adopted the long awaited Zyscovich Plan, which set forth recommendations on density, height etc for the Young Circle and North Federal Highway districts. Now city staff has to create the legislation that defines the zoning designations. This should provide more certainty for developers…knowing what they can build, where, etc. Still lots of work to do, but this is a giant step forward.

Block 55. This is a large project for the area along Young Circle where the old bus station and gas station were.
Phase 1 of the project includes a Publix and seven stories of parking above that. Phase two is for 430 residential units, retail space, more parking, etc. I am told that the paper work for the Publix is on the desk in Lakeland, and hopefully when that is signed, the developer can proceed with the financing necessary to bring the project out of the ground.

The exiting buildings on the site must be demolished before new construction begins.

On May 4, a new Assistant City Manager will be joining City Manager Cameron Benson’s staff. She will have overall responsibility for economic and development related functions. I have been advocating this for a long time and can’t wait for this to happen.

Want to know what is going on in town, events etc? visit www.visithollywoodfl.org for up to the minute lists.

Last year, the Commission approved installation of a bust of Martin Luther King in the Arts Park. There was a national competition for an artist to create the bust, and the result is that on May 21 (Thursday) at 6:00 pm, there will be a ceremony and unveiling. This is a significant project and occasion and I hope you will attend.

A few thoughts before signing off: there has been some publicity about the City asking the Sheriff to quote on the provision of police and fire services for Hollywood. This is because the Commission directed the City Manager to investigate and determine if there was any benefit in outsourcing all services we provide. We did not exclude any department, so police and fire were both included. PERSONALLY: regardless of how much money the Sheriff might (note…might) save, I can not ever see giving up our hometown and outstanding police department. Outsourcing would take away our control of the public safety functions, cause us to lose the familiarity officers have with the community, and break apart the fabric of Hollywood.

Finally, ending on a positive note, most of you know of my deep involvement with the Hollywood YMCA. We have just completed our Scholarship Campaign, to provide financial aid for those in need, and we exceeded our goal of $80,000. Trust me (yes, I know I am a politician but…)this will not be enough, but we will not turn away anyone in need. So if anyone feels so inclined to help us out, I would be happy to hear from you.

The rainy season is upon us, but regardless of how much we get, there will still be a water shortage. So, continue to conserve, and remember that you can only sprinkle twice a week.

Nice talking with you.

Beautiful Spring-like day. Hope you are enjoying this.

This weekend’s Relay for Life at the Arts Park was a great success. Reports are that about $40,000 was raised. Thanks to all who participated.

Looking back through the Commission Agenda packages for March, there wasn’t a lot of hot stuff to report.

However, there was a special meeting for the long awaited presentation of the Zyscovich Report. This project focus was to develope zoning regulations for the Young Circle area and North Federal Highway from the Circle to Johnson Street. The chambers were crowded for this, and the preliminary recommendations seem to meet the expectations of the community, as well as city staff. Zyscovich is finalizing these, which will ultimately be presented to the Commission for adoption, following the process which goes through Planning and Zoning.

What is expected is that there will be zoning districts that are contemporary and complementary with each other, and deal with density and height. The first project to challenge this is known as Block 55. You and I know it better as the former bus station, gas station, Arby’s and the Town House apartments.

While we might all concede that these are tough times for development, given the tightness of the lending community, there are projects out there that principals want to move through the system in anticipation that there is a light at the end of the tunnel…and it is not a train.

The two CRA districts held their meeting on the 19th, and most significant matter was a recommendation to spend $525,000 for new restrooms on the beach at Johnson Street, and repairs and improvements to the garage. Since the hotel project on Johnson and the beach is dead, there will be a proposal or two coming forward dealing with what to do with that property.

Ideas include enlarging the parking lot, and creating a linear, passive park along the Broadwalk..Stay tuned.

There was also a discussion on Parking, in March; very spirited and constructive. We will address some of the recommendations at Wednesday evening’s Commission meeting…starts at 5:00 this time. Tune in on channel 78.

SNIPE HUNTS
Remeber when you were a kid, participating in a Snipe Hunt? I do…at Boy Scout Camp in Defiance,Ohio. You do that once, and never again, right?

Well, Code Enforcement calls illegal signs “Snipe Signs,” the ones advertising mortage reduction, foreclosure protection, terrazo cleaning, investment opportunities that have no risk, and so on. We are all familiar with them.

They really bother me, and I make an effort to pick them up if they are on swales or other public property. Today, on my way to play tennis at David Park, and after that to go to the Relay for Life…I picked up 30!!!. A trunk full. I am not naive enough to think that the sign origniators are moaning and groaning about this, but it sure makes me feel better about what our community is supposed to look like.

THINGS TO DO IN HOLLYWOOD

So you thing this is a dull place to live?
Think again. I was going to list the events, nearly all of them FREE, that residents could attend during April…but the list is way too long.

Instead, please visit these web site:
www.hollywoodfl.org. Click on the pictures or specific sites and you will be surprised.
www.downtownhollywood.com, for a list of local restaurants and entertainment spots that are offering 15% OFF DINNERS on Wednesday nights, for Hollywood residents.  They also list events in the downtown and Arts Park area.

www.artandculturecenter.org, for a listing of events, shows, displays etc at this excellent center just off of the Arts Park.  See my friend Joy Satterlee.

Just this past month, there were three fabulous events:
St Patricks Day Parade was terrific. Commissioner O’Sheehan was the driving force behind this. Love the pipe and drum corps.
Vintage Hollywood, in the Arts Park, was attended by about 12,000 people two weeks ago. Lots of fun.
Brazil Fest…small crowd of 60,000 on the beach to see world class Brazilian entertainers.

Love hearing from you. Contact me by email at rblattner@hollywoodfl.org; or via cell phone at 954-558-0185.

Well, it appears that my earlier attempt to send  you an update did not work.  May have to hire someone to do this.  Sorry if you got the December report.

Just thinking how bizarre it is for people to be still wishing me Happy New Year when 8.33% of the year is gone.

Really kind of a quiet month at City Hall.  Mayor Bober runs a fine meeting, and I think staff is handling a lot of things that used to come to us, but didn’t need to.  Bigger issues we still need to resolve include the Johnson Street hotel project and the related financing of the parking structure, which is the city’s responsibility.  There seems to be a lot of show down meetings, but very little show down.  I think we are near a resolution of the contentious issues and hopefully will be able to get permits moving and construction underway in a few months.

Did you notice the Stirling Road wall.  We were already to pressure clean and paint when someone drove into a section, just west of Park Road.  As soon as we get quote on replacing that section, and get it built, we can proceed with the cosmetics.  The landscape improvements have been done, and although there are stretches that are less than verdent, it will still look better than before.

Lots of people attended the grand opening of Terra Bites, the new restaurant at 46th and Stirling.  The food was very good, and if you like Greek and mediterreania food, you will like this a log.  The owners had a relationship with the famous Taverna Opa.  We need to support this new business.

Speaking of food, the Downtown CRA and local restaurants have developed a great program for Hollywood residents. Through April, Wednesday night dinners at La Baracca, La Piazza Pasta, Lola’s, Luce, Mix Uoltra Lounge, Sage Oyster Bar and Sushi Blues are 15% off for Hollywood residents.  Identify yourself to your server when you are seated.  This is not a special menu…you can order whatever you want. And, park in the city garages on Monroe and or Tyler so you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket.

Starting Monday, Feb. 2, WastePro will begin serving our sanitation customers.  I have met with WastePro, and along with our management team, and very impressed with their commitment.  They have purchased a bunch of new equipment, hired 28 employees (have of them live in Hollywood) and are chomping at the bit to serve our community.  Their phone number is writ large on the trucks, so if you have a problem or question, please be sure to call them.

February will be an important month for elected officials.  There are sessions related to collective bargaining agreements, financial planning for 2010, the Johnson Street project, etc.  You can check out all these meetings on the city web site…www.hollywoodfl.org.

Hope you are doing well in these tough times.  There have been several great sessions related to foreclosure prevention, well planned and well attended.  As the economy slows down, crime moves up.  You can help our police by reporting anything remotely suspicious.  Don’t be bashful about this, or think the police will think you are an alarmist…call 911!

I always benefit from hearing from you.  My cell phone is 954-558-0175, or at City Hall, the number is 954-921-3321.   Dru handles my calls, manages my schedule, etc., and is really good about getting messages to me.  You can also email me at rblattner@hollywoodfl.org.  I have a new blackberry, just like the kids.

Be well.

This is the first time I have been able to create a blog on my own, and after spending hours with a technician learning how to do it, I hope it works.  Those of you over 50 can sympathize with me puny tech skills.

The Commission had many intersting and challenging issues this year, none more controversial than whether to keep sanitation services in house, or privatize.  The process was difficult because the union had the right, by contract, to respond to any outside bid.  Because the city made this a bid, rather than a request for proposal, the private sector responses were set in stone:  they had to stick to the conditions of the bid, not matter what the union came up with.

The budget for 2009 was predicated on saving $3.5 million by privatizing.  The unions counter offer in November showed a savings in that amount, but is required a rate increase, and reduction in service levels.  At the November 19 meeting, the Commission voted 6 - 1 to keep sanitation services “in house”.  I was the one.  At the December 3 meeting, that vote was overturned 5 - 2, and sanitation services will now be provided by WastePro.  Contract will be presented to us in January, and service will begin probably March 1.

Key points:  no increase in cost, and no change in service levels!  Consumers win.

Also on the December 3 agenda was a request for a moratorium on development in the Young Circle area.  This was stimulated by a project located roughly on the site of the old bus station; a project which would include a 25 story building, and would contain a Publix - something seriously needed.   While a planning study is being conducted for that area, the Commission did not approve a moratorium, based on the fact that in this economy has itself become a moratorium.  In the meantime, there are projects that are moving forward slowly.  The issue of the 25 story building will come forward to the Commission in January.  FYI:  the building is not monolithic…there are lower buildings, a hotel, the Publix, self contained parking, etc.

Has the economy hurt?  Of course.  Businesses throughout the city are struggling as consumers (you and i) cut back on our budgets.  It is important that we support those businesses that we can…when you plan to go to dinner, there are some outstanding ones downtown that would love to see you.  The Sheridan Station project at I-95 and Sheridan is moving forward, on schedule; the new fire station on 21st Ave. is ready to open; the new Rotary Park opened in November and is terrific; our parks are open and look great; there are events in the Arts Park.  And, Ocean Dance on the Beach Dec. 30 and 31 is still open for business.  Call the Art and Culture Center for information at 954-921-3274.  This is a wonderful event and a great way to welcome in the new year.

2009 has challenges and opportunities for all of us.  One thing that distresses many is the number of families who are running out of food.  If you can help with packaged food, or with money, contact various providers…Broward Outreach, Jubilee, Salvation Army etc.  Your local church or synagog is also involved.

At the city level, we will work hard to continue providing the highest level of service possible.  Our employees and staff are really doing a terrific job, and we appreciate your participation and cooperation.

My best to you.

Sincerely…Dick

(My website is dick@dickblattner.com)

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