Pembroke Pines Update

■ MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Pembroke Pines UPDATE

By Frank C. Ortis

Dear Readers,

It is always very exciting to start a new year with hope, resolutions, and the knowledge that changes are inevitable but can also be exhilarating. We have many events, activities, and programs planned throughout our city this new year for residents of all ages.

We start the new year off by honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way, on Monday, January 16, 2023, from 10 am to 12 noon. This event will include music, poetry, and speeches honoring the man who had a dream. A RISE and SHINE light breakfast will also be served as we celebrate kindness, acceptance, and compassion together. For more info, please visit www.ppines.com/specialevents or call 954-392-2216

The City of Pembroke Pines has initiated a project for the replacement of aging residential water meters, 20 years old or older, throughout the City. This program is necessary to ensure continued accurate billing for all Utility customers. The new water meter will be equipped for mobile drive-by reading, eliminating manual entry of your monthly meter reading, and will contain components to capture consumption usage on an hourly/daily basis and in graph format. This information, when requested, can help residents better understand monthly water usage habits or to determine if there is a leak.

RTS Water Solutions, LLC/Envocore will perform this work. Be sure to watch for your water meter notification -- If you are a part of this program, you will receive two Door Hanger notifications. The contractor will place the 1st Door Hanger Notification (a white door hanger) on your front door within 2 weeks prior to when the work will start. The contractor will then place a second Door Hanger Notification (a white door hanger) on your front door once your water meter has been replaced. For more information or if there are questions, please contact the City of Pembroke Pines Utilities Department at 954-518-9000.

Starting January 10, 2023, through March 10, 2023, Florida residents are invited to enroll their child(ren) into the 2023-2024 school year lottery for the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School System (PPCSS). The Pembroke Pines Charter School System has updated their lottery software. To complete a new lottery application, re-submit your child’s lottery application, re-enroll your child, or submit a reassignment application, go online to www.pinescharter. net towards the bottom left side of the screen click on Apply/Enroll/ Re-enroll for further instructions on how to proceed.

To keep your child’s seat active, parents of currently enrolled PPCSS students are required to re-enroll. Parents who re-enroll by March 10, 2023, will be awarded one volunteer service hour per student. Applicants will be notified via email of the lottery results soon after the open enrollment period ends.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 954-450-1020, or by e-mail at fortis@ ppines.com. Wishing you all a great, safe and prosperous new year!