4/1/15 V2i7 by The Gazette

Gazette Wilton Manors

Volume 2 • Issue 7 April 1, 2015

Twice-Monthly Neighborhood Outlook

Page 2 Springtime Events

Page 4 Police Car Investment

Page 5 Information Mishap

Page 6 Water Costs

Page 8 Calendar

The Price To Pay When Living in Wilton Manors The Real Estate Geek begins an investigation into costs Page 3

Mickel Field Receives Loan Page 7

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Opinion

Gazette Springtime In Wilton Manors

Wilton Manors

By Sal Torre

APRIL 1, 2015 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 7

2520 N. DIXIE HIGHWAY • WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 PHONE: 954-530-4970 FAX: 954-530-7943

PUBLISHER • NORM KENT NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER • PIER ANGELO GUIDUGLI ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER / EXECUTIVE EDITOR • JASON PARSLEY JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

Editorial

ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM ONLINE PRODUCER • DENNIS JOZEFOWICZ DENNIS.JOZEFOWICZ@SFGN.COM EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM

Correspondents

MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA • CHRISTIANA LILLY • DENISE ROYAL • NATALYA JONES • JOHN MCDONALD • JAMES OAKSUN • DAVID REPLOGLE

So much is happening this spring. Wilton Manors will soon join such cities as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Salt Lake City that will get a taste of Google’s all-fiber network for high-speed internet and TV services. This service starts with a connection that is up to 1,000 megabits per second, with instant downloads, TV like no other, and endless possibilities. Residents who have had to endure the constant interruptions of Comcast, the lack of availability of U-verse in areas of our city, and just a poor selection of fast, reliable internet services are thrilled to hear of Google’s recent announcement. Our Mayor, who serves on the Federal Communication Commission, and fellow City Commissioners all expressed their enthusiasm on Wilton Manors being selected by Google as the first city in South Florida to gain such a wonderful service and tech advantage. Our city will also enjoy a new municipal parking garage at Hagen Park, designed by leading architect Zaha Hadid. Mayor Resnick stated that the city is pleased to work with Ms. Hadid and delighted with her contemporary and brilliant design. The main city lot, which is the existing ground parking lot at Hagen, will remain open during the construction of the new parking garage so there will be no disruption and loss of parking for our vital business community along Wilton Drive and the Arts and Entertainment District. Once completed on the corner of Wilton Drive and NE 21st Court, this state-of-the art parking facility will free up the existing ground parking lot for open space and park expansion, without the need to purchase additional properties on the opposite end of the park. AND, in another bold move, our City Commission has requested that our Police Department initiate residency requirements for all new officers. This decision is part of an

overall Community Policing Model that the Commission has embraced and is now requesting that our Chief of Police implement. One key element of the Community Policing Model involves integrating the police into the community culture, working together to control and prevent crime. City leaders believe that requiring officers to actually live, work, and play here in Wilton Manors will be the best way to bring about a Police Department that is part of our community, working together with fellow residents to make our city the safest and best place to live in Broward County. According to one city official, this action will also save taxpayers an enormous amount of money since take-home police vehicles will not travel outside the city limits, thus cutting way down on mileage, maintenance, and gas expenses. Sounds too good to be true? April Fools! My apologies, I could not resist the temptation of April Fool’s Day, BUT … We can dream and hope for some of the above to come true in the near future, or we can work toward making our dreams a reality. Seeds of such dreams can be planted now by your involvement in the community, serving on a city board, contacting elected officials, and by letting your voice be heard. The upcoming Goals and Objectives Workshop on April 7 is the beginning of the budget process for our city government and the perfect time to get a pulse on what city department heads and officials are looking to include in the FY 2015/2016 budget that will eventually be adopted in September. The Public Comments segment at such meetings is the perfect time for you to express what your goals and objectives are for our city. WMG

Staff Photographers

J.R. DAVIS • POMPANO BILL • STEVEN SHIRES

Sales & Marketing

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING • MIKE TROTTIER MIKE.TROTTIER@SFGN.COM SALES MANAGER • JUSTIN WYSE JUSTIN.WYSE@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • EDWIN NEIMANN EDWIN.NEIMANN@SFGN.COM ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE • CINDY CURTIS CINDY.CURTIS@SFGN.COM DISTRIBUTION SERVICES • BRIAN SWINFORD ACCOUNTING SERVICES BY CG BOOKKEEPING South Florida Gay News is published weekly. The opinions expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor do not represent the opinions of SFGN, or the Publisher. You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations. Furthermore the word “gay” in SFGN should be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire LGBT community. All of the material/columns that appears in print and online, including articles used in conjunction with the AP, is protected under federal copyright and intellectual property laws, and is jealously guarded by the newspaper. Nothing published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting written consent from the Publisher, at his law ofﬁce, at Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and photographs.

Associated Press

The Goals and Objectives Workshop begins at 6:30 pm on April 7. Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, and all are welcome to attend. Parking is free during all city meetings.

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Can I Afford This Place In The Sun?

Real Estate Geek

By James Oaksun

How affordable is it to buy a house or condo here in South Florida? The answer to this question is, I think, more complicated than it appears. The market here, at least in some neighborhoods, operates on different standards than one might expect. For example, many buyers here are coming “from away,” as we used to say in Maine. Not to say they are totally price insensitive, but they are often coming as cash buyers or with large down payments from places where real estate is more expensive than it is here. Or they are coming from outside the U.S. and have additional motivating factors beyond price. Because my focus is on value, I always counsel my buyers to shop carefully. (Still, when people know what they want and are price insensitive, they can be helped too, and gladly.) To a degree, this will put upward pressure on prices in a way that other parts of the country may not fully experience. So where does that leave us “natives,” living here, working? Is home ownership out of our reach? The short answer is of course “no.” The traditional measure of affordability is to look at the median sale price in an area, and compare that with the median household income, and then ask whether that median income could support the financing for the median house. Now, in Broward County, the median household income where the adult householders are between 25 and 64, is about $57,000. (Two income households would be higher; one income median would be lower.) (This per the U.S. Census.) I would argue that another measure might be better, given the number of outside buyers. Perhaps it would be better to consider whether the median income could afford to buy in a neighborhood at an entry level, perhaps at the 25th as opposed to the 50th percentile. The first thing we need to do, is look at prices in various neighborhoods at the 25th percentile. (Hmm, ask that question of just about any Realtor and see the response. LOL.) Fortunately I have performed those

calculations for my fellow Realtors' convenience. So they don't have to. The table included here is a sampling of neighborhoods/property types where the actual sales prices at the 25th percentile might surprise you. But can you afford it? As a very rough rule of thumb, when you add in real estate taxes, insurances, and condo/HOA dues, generally you can start by figuring you could probably support a mortgage of up to roughly 2.5 times your qualifying annual income. (No this is not a prequalification from the International Bank of James, which does not exist. Only a mortgage professional can give the absolute answer and it depends on a variety of factors.) Add to this a down payment and that's a very ballparky idea. Think of it as “horseshoes and hand grenades,” not “commitment to lend.” So what does it all mean? Yes, it is possible for a two-income household, or a single person with a pretty strong income, to afford a place of their own in Broward County, just not always in the cities and neighborhoods that first come to mind. No, I don't think everyone has a divine right to live in Wilton Manors. But as a Realtor I do believe that property ownership generally makes for a more stable and prosperous society. As I see it there are two options. First, investigate nearby areas that are more affordable and might be poised for price appreciation above the market average. Second, buy properties that need updating and invest your “sweat equity” in making certain improvements that will increase the property value by more than the cost of the improvements. I will explore both of these options in more detail in coming columns. WMG James Oaksun, Broward's Real Estate GeekSM, is a Realtor with the Wilton Manors office of RE/ MAX Preferred. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI).

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Community

Commission Debates “Buy American” Mayor says commission shouldn’t “car shop” for police department By Michael d’Oliveira

A police request to purchase eight new vehicles took a patriotic turn at the March 24 commission meeting when Commissioner Julie Carson asked why two were made by foreign companies. The eight vehicle order, ultimately approved by commissioners, is comprised of three Ford Interceptor sedans, two Ford Interceptor SUVs, one Chevrolet Impala, one Nissan Altima and one Toyota Camry hybrid. Eight aging vehicles will be replaced and sold at auction at a later date. Russell Hanstein, administrative manager for the police department, the current vehicles cost more to maintain. “Why two non-American cars?” she asked. Chief Paul O’Connel said the vehicles were chosen because they best fit the needs of his department. The SUVs, he added, will give the police a bigger presence when in use. “It’s a Japanese car made in America,” Mayor Gary Resnick said.

Inside of a current Broward County police Challenger.

“I understand that, mayor,” said Carson, who added that foreign car companies don’t pay as much in taxes as domestic manufacturers. Commissioner Tom Green also echoed Carson, saying that foreign plants are not unionized and wages are lower. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, union jobs provide better wages than non-union jobs in all sectors of employment. According to Edmunds.com, a site dedicated to researching automobiles and the automotive industry, foreign carmakers don’t pay as much in federal and state taxes but their tax bill is roughly equal to their market share. The 2014 Kogod Made In America Index, compiled by the Kogod School of Business at American University, examines the production of automobiles by foreign and domestic manufacturers. Kogod takes a look at where the company is headquartered, where the vehicle is assembled, where the engine and transmission are produced, where the body, interior, chassis and other parts are produced and what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Domestic Content” score is. The higher the index score, the greater the percentage of the vehicle was made in the U.S. The Nissan Altima, ranked 31st highest in domestic production out of 86 cars, got an index score of 64. The Toyota Camry Hybrid ranked 53 overall and had an index score of 37.5. The Chevrolet Impala was ranked the fourth overall with an index score of 83. The Ford Interceptor sedans and SUVs were not included in the Kogod study. Mayor Gary Resnick questioned why commissioners were delving into a decision on what kind of vehicles to buy for the police. “I’m not going car shopping for the City of

Photo: Christopher Ziemnowicz

Wilton Manors. That sounds like what we’re doing here.” Resident Paul Kuta also accused the commission of “micromanaging” the police department. “It was ridiculous. I thought [the police] were bending over backwards to have a variety of vehicles. They’ve put some thought into that.” Carson said she was just trying to make sure everyone was “on the same page.” City officials set a budget for the vehicles at $295,150. The final cost, including money set aside to alter the vehicles to the needs of the police, was under budget at $243,000. Five of the vehicles will be marked and three will be unmarked, allowing them to be used for undercover work and administrative functions. WMG

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City Produced Sponsorship Packet Highlights Police Chief’s Racist Emails City Commissioner calls embarrassing snafu an “honest mistake” By Michael d’Oliveira

A promotional packet for this year’s Stonewall Festival highlighted two recent racial incidents within Wilton Manors and incorrectly stated that property values were on the decline. The packet’s creator, Stonewall Entertainment Committee Manager Corrie Boyd, also copied, without permission, large portions of the sponsorship packet produced by Pride South Florida, last year’s event organizers. Included were Pride South Florida’s name and phone number. The packet which was distributed to banks and other local businesses before it was recalled, points to two negative

episodes: racist emails distributed by former police chief Richard Perez in 2010 and former city commissioner Ted Galatis’ use of the n-word during an incident with three African Americans in 2014 in front of his home. Perez apologized and was suspended for the emails but was later fired after it was discovered he took payment for hours he did not work. Galatis apologized and said he only used the n-word because he felt threatened. The pamphlet also stated city “real estate values have followed the national downward trend” and that the city’s attempt at economic revitalization has

Community

Corrie Boyd

only met with “partial success.” Last year, city property values jumped 10.1 percent, the second highest in the county. Property values also rose the year before. Jeff Sterling, executive manager of the Entertainment Committee, said Boyd acted alone and was not authorized to print or distribute the packet. A new packet has since been drafted and distributed. City officials also said they were unaware Boyd had created or distributed the packet. Mayor Gary Resnick praised Boyd as someone who has done a good job helping to organize Stonewall in the past. “I’ll talk to him,” Resnick said. Norm Kent, co-chair of Pride South Florida, recently renamed Pride Fort Lauderdale, and publisher of SFGN and The Gazette, criticized the commission and City Manager Joseph Gallegos as “inept and careless” for appointing Boyd to the Stonewall Entertainment Committee. Pride Fort Lauderdale expressed an interest in running the event again but the commission decided the city would do it this year. “This is a typically reckless and irresponsible action by Corrie Boyd. Which explains why Pride South Florida wanted nothing to do with him,” Kent said. He praised Sterling for immediately moving to remove the packets from the community. Commissioner Julie Carson, who called the packet inappropriate,

said the entire commission and city manager shouldn’t be judged for one incident. “People make mistakes. And from what I understand, it's an honest mistake,” Vice Mayor Scott Newton said. City Manager Joseph Gallegos said there would be “bumps” the first time the city’s committee organized the event. “But I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful event.” According to an SFGN article published last year, Boyd resigned from the Pride South Florida board in July of 2014. “John Fugate, a fellow board member and former employee of South Florida Gay News, alleged that Boyd ‘broke the agency’s bylaws when he signed contracts for the musical acts at the event that only the board president could sign,’” wrote SFGN reporter Christiana Lilly. Boyd resigned after the board meeting during which the accusations were made. He claimed Fugate never brought up the issue before then. “It’s in my budget,” Boyd told SFGN at the time. “Every time I tried to get in touch with the people that claimed that they should have signed it . . . they’re not available.” An email and phone message left with Boyd was not returned in time for publication. At their March 24 meeting, commissioners voted to reduce the number of festival days from two days to one. WMG

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Business

City Water Rates Down For Some, Up For Others

By Michael d’Oliveira

ADVERTISE IN THE

GAZETTE AS LITTLE AS $75

EACH ISSUE!

Starting April 1, Wilton Manors residents with 1 inch water meters will save $38.98 in water and sewer base charges per month. Residents with 5/8 inch meters will pay an additional $2.48 per month in base charges. Commissioners unanimously approved the billing adjustment on March 24. They said they made the change in the rate in response to resident complaints. “I always like when I can make good on a campaign promise,” Commissioner Justin Flippen said. Commissioner Julie Carson said she got nothing but positive feedback from residents when the commission announced last month its intentions to change the rate

Originally, 1 inch customers paid $84.10 in water base rates and $36.01 in sewer base rates. 5/8 inch meter customers paid $13.86 for sewer and $32.34 before the change. Other types of customers, including multifamily and commercial, will not see a change in the rate. The reason for the rate difference is the assumption that customers with smaller size meters will put less of a demand on the system; 5/8-inch meters can handle up to 15 gallons of water per minute and 1-inch meters can handle up to 25 gallons per minute. “I’ve always thought, it’s how much water you use, not how fast you get it,” Commissioner Tom Green said. WMG

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Business

Commission Approves Loan for Mickel Field By Michael d’Oliveira

ADVERTISE IN THE

GAZETTE AS LITTLE AS $75

As the saying goes, you’ve got to spend money to make money. And in their plan to redevelop Mickel Field as a driver of economic development along Powerline Road, Wilton Manors commissioners have voted to borrow $744,000 through a 10-year loan. In a 3-0 vote on March 10, commissioners approved the loan from STI Institutional & Government, Inc., a subsidiary of SunTrust Bank. According to Bob Mays, finance director, that was the only firm to respond to the bid request. Mayor Gary Resnick, whose law firm represents SunTrust, recused himself. Commissioner Tom Green was attending a National League of Cities meeting in Washington, D.C. and was absent. The city won’t spend the loan for about six to eight weeks but it will begin earning some interest while the loan is deposited. “We’re earning a little interest too,” Mays said. The interest cost of the loan will be about $93,000 for the first year and $88,000 every year after that until the term of the loan expires. The money is about half of the planned $1.5 million in improvements for the park, formerly known as Mickel Field. The other portion will come from a combination of general funds, impact fees and grants.

The improvements include a walking trail, estate-style fencing, pavilion, concert performance area, volleyball court, additional bathroom, fitness equipment stations and shade canopies. Officials also want to convert the concession stand into a police substation and community meeting space. The small baseball field will be removed to make room for the new amenities but the large one will remain. Security cameras will also be installed and will be funded through $83,000 in federal forfeiture funds. City Manager Joseph Gallegos said the camera feeds would be routed into the police station and information would also be stored there on a cloud storage system. If commissioners approve cameras for other city parks and facilities in the future, Operations Commander Gary Blocker said all the cameras would be integrated. When asked by Resnick who would monitor the cameras, Blocker cited security concerns and declined to answer during the public meeting. “We can talk about that offline, mayor,” Gallegos said. The redevelopment is expected to be completed in July. WMG

EACH ISSUE!

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Calendar of Events

Compiled from the Wilton Manors website

"Tip a (WMPD) Cop" at Courtyard Cafe to Beneﬁt Special Olympics April 3, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Shawn and Nick's Courtyard Café hosts Wilton Manors Police Officers as celebrity waiters to benefit the Special Olympics Florida in their "tip-a-cop" fundraising drive. Join our amazing Officers as they give new meaning to "protect and serve"!

Free Tax Assistance April 4, 11 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Richard C. Sullivan Public Library

Wilton Manors Green Market April 4, 5 & 11, 12 & 18, 19 & 25, 26 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park

Wilton Manors Green Market every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.– 2 p.m. in the Wilton Manors City Hall / Hagen Park parking lot. The Market features Organic Produce, Regular Produce, International Baked Goods, specialty items, spices & herbs, soups, cheeses, coffees & tea, bagels, Nuts & dried fruits, baked goods, and various other international and local vendors. The Market gives residents and visitors to Wilton Manors an exciting shopping alternative and a chance to view, sample and purchase products. For more information on The Market or to become a vendor, visit GreenWilton.com or contact Frank and Ron at 954-531-5363.

Free face-to-face tax help for those of low to moderate income from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

Island City Foundation - Entertainment Committee Meeting April 4, 11, 18 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Sterling Tax and Accounting Services, Inc. The Island City Foundation Entertainment Committee will meet to discuss planning of the Stonewall Parade and Street Festival.

Westside Association of Wilton Manors (WAWM) Annual Meeting April 9, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center

Friends of the Library Book Tent Event April 11, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Hagen Park At the Friends’ Book Tent Event, part of the monthly City Yard Sale, you’ll find used books, CDs, audio books, DVDs, and videos in exchange for a small donation. Top sellers range from books-on-tape to children’s DVDs, from cookbooks to gardening manuals. All donations benefit the Richard C. Sullivan Public Library of Wilton Manors. The Friends will also take your donations of books and audio and video materials.

Island City Yard Sale April 11, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Hagen Park / City Hall The City of Wilton Manors sponsors seven City-Wide Yard Sales each year at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, on the second Saturday of November 2014 – May 2015. For space reservations at Hagen Park and information, please call the Leisure Services Department at 954-390-2115 or 954-390-2130. Each yard sale is free to the public.

City Commission Meeting April 14, 7 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers 2020 Wilton Drive

Economic Development Task Force April 15, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Commission Chambers 2020 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Central Area Neighborhood Association (CANA) Meeting April 15, 7 p.m. at Hagen Park Community Center

Wilton Manors Historical Society April 16, 7 p.m. at City Commission Chambers

Photo: J.R. Davis

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