WMG Volume 3 • Issue 15 August 3, 2016
Wilton Manors Gazette
Community
Medical
Meet The New Wilton Drive By Michael d’Oliveira
City to Restrict Marijuana Dispensaries By Michael d’Oliveira
In a city where equality for individuals is heavily promoted, commissioners want that same for Wilton Drive. On July 26, commissioners chose Concept 1 for the redesign of Wilton Drive. That plan calls for sidewalks on both sides of the street to be widened. Concept 2 only included the widening of sidewalks on the west side. The Florida Department of Transportation [FDOT] is tasked with designing the project but final approval rests with the commission. The city will hold future meetings to give the public a chance to comment on the design. Commissioner Julie Carson said business owners on both sides of the street should “get a piece of the pie to enjoy.” Vice Mayor Scott Newton said he was “looking to get the best bang for our buck.” Mayor Gary Resnick said he wasn’t a fan of “the east side being left out.” The redesign, known as a “road diet” will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The hope is that the reduction will improve pedestrian safety and make the street more appealing and helping business owners by attracting more visitors. In addition to widening the sidewalks, included in the plans are stamped asphalt crosswalks, additional trees and patio areas. But both sides won’t get exactly the same treatment. Those palm trees and patio areas will be placed in the middle of the new sidewalks but only on the west side of the street, according to the design presentation provided by FDOT.
The project is funded by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization. The project won’t cost the city any money unless officials decide to add additional landscaping, trees, benches or other features. Those extras will have to be paid for by the city. Additional parking spaces will also be added to the existing spots on the street but not many. Advocates of the reduction had hoped for a substantial number but Dwayne Darbonne, a consultant for FDOT, said it would not be a significant number. Commissioners have unanimously supported the redesign but not all the residents are in agreement. The most vocal opponent has been mayoral candidate Boyd Corbin. He’s made opposing Wilton Drive one of his campaign platforms, started a petition to that effect and called for more input from residents. Corbin has said reducing the street to two lanes will cause major traffic problems. Commissioners have said that Fort Lauderdale’s plans to narrow Northeast 4 Avenue now necessitate the need to narrow Wilton Drive. Not doing so, they say, will encourage drivers to speed up when they leave Fort Lauderdale and enter Wilton Manors. But at the July 26 meeting, Corbin countered that Fort Lauderdale’s plans for Northeast 4 Avenue could be reversed by restriping the road. In contrast, the plans for Wilton Drive involve altering the road structure and can’t be as easily undone. WMG
Medical marijuana legalization will be on the ballot this November and if it passes commissioners in Wilton Manors want to be ready to contain it. On July 26, commissioners voted 4-0 to place restrictions on where medical marijuana dispensaries can be located if a business owner wants to open one in the city. Commissioner Justin Flippen was absent. Previously, commissioners had passed a moratorium on dispensaries to give themselves time to come up with permanent regulations. The city can’t outright ban all dispensaries but, per previous court cases dealing with other controversial businesses, such as strip clubs, it can regulate where they are located. “These are coming and you need to zone them before you can’t control where they’re located,” said Mayor Gary Resnick. He cited a dispensary that opened in Tallahassee the day of the commission meeting. According to the Pensacola News Journal, another dispensary is planned for Pensacola. “I’m not opposed to medical marijuana. I just want it in the right location,” said Commissioner Tom Green. A second vote will have to take place before the regulations are finalized but the proposed law includes a minimum distance of 1,000 feet between dispensaries and other dispensaries, schools, daycare centers, houses of worship and licensed rehabilitation facilities. That leaves a maximum potential of four sites. Officials said they would clarify exactly where the dispensaries could be located by the next meeting on Aug. 23. The Aug. 9 meeting has been cancelled. Green wants to go further and prohibit dispensaries from being opened inside check cashing stores and pawn shops. He also worried about the impact a dispensary could have on a neighborhood and asked if they could be kept at least 1,000 feet away from homes. “I still don’t like this being next to
residential areas,” he said. City Attorney Kerry Ezrol said the city could not require dispensaries be located at least 1,000 feet from residential neighborhoods. Ezrol added that the only form of medical marijuana that doctors are allowed to prescribe by the state is known popularly as “Charlotte’s Web” and has been designed to be unusable for the purposes of getting high. Commissioners also voted on regulations regarding the operation of a dispensary, including requiring background checks. But Commissioner Julie Carson criticized the regulations as being too onerous. “I don’t like a lot of this.” In particular, Carson said she did not like that the city could close down a dispensary if the applicant, owner or manager was convicted of a felony. She didn’t think it was fair that the owner of the dispensary would have to pay for the mistake of an employee if the crime wasn’t associated with the dispensary. She added that it was important that the city not get in the way of allowing businesses to offer medicine to people who need it, just as it would not hinder pharmacies selling drugs to combat HIV/AIDS or cancer or any other disease. WMG
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Opinion
WMG
Trains, Marijuana and Marc
August 3, 2016 • Volume 3 • Issue 15 2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
By Sal Torre As I sit down to write this article, three thoughts are running through my head: trains, marijuana, and Marc Hansen. No, this is not a bad trip down memory lane about a train ride with Marc Hansen smoking marijuana. No, these thoughts are separate, but somehow all connected. Thoughts of trains have to do with the rebirth of passenger rail traffic along the East Coast Rail Line. Thoughts of marijuana are due to the recent discussion at City Commission concerning medical marijuana dispensaries here in Wilton Manors. And of course, thoughts of Marc Hansen’s passing this past week, which leaves our South Florida LGBT community missing and mourning a true hero. Riding to work each morning past the downtown Bus Terminal and over the rail tracks on Broward Blvd, I see the daily progress on the future of South Florida taking shape. If you have not been down this way lately, I urge you to do so and look at the train station being built for All Aboard Florida passenger rail service. There used to be a saying, “All great cities have a great train station.” Well, by the looks of this construction, Fort Lauderdale will soon have their great train station. Looking beyond the debut of All Aboard Florida along the East Coast Rail Lines, we also see a commuter rail line taking shape that will connect many Florida East Coast cities from Jupiter to Miami. This commuter line is the game changer for our entire region and will bring so much life and investment into communities up and down the rail tracks. As cities plan for future stations, our city commission seems ready to sit back and take a wait-and-see attitude instead of active steps to secure a station here in Wilton Manors. At a recent City Commission Budget Workshop, Commissioner Tom Green was the only supporter and staunch advocate of setting aside funding each year in the budget for a future train station. Commissioner Flippen was not in attendance, but hopefully will offer his support for such a strategic and forward-thinking path for our city at the next budget workshop. Unfortunately, our Mayor and Commissioners Newton and Carson thought it best to remove the funding from the proposed budget. If our city truly wants a commuter train station we need to demonstrate that, and as another old saying goes, “Put your money where your mouth is.” Otherwise, we will be hopping aboard at Oakland Park’s station.
Community By Michael d’Oliveira
Phone: 954-530-4970 Fax: 954-530-7943
Now, on to marijuana. At our last City Commission meeting, medical marijuana dispensaries, and the zoning of such establishments were discussed. I had not given much thought to this topic because my personal feeling is that this should have been a reality long ago. However, the discussion on zoning locations for such establishments made my ears perk up, take notice, and realize that we had better start listening and understanding what is coming down the pike before it is too late. There is a concern that medical marijuana dispensaries might be the new pill mills that plagued Florida just a few years ago, causing terrible damage to communities. The proposed zoning of such establishments currently includes the B-3 zoning district, which takes in the Oakland Park Blvd/Andrews Avenue corridor and a small portion of Powerline Road by Snook Creek Park. Once again, this part of town will have to deal with one more possible threat to our community, as if the pawn shops, the plasma center, check cashing stores and other social issues are not enough. Why can’t people pick up their medical marijuana prescription along with other medication at the many local pharmacies throughout the area. Are these dispensaries the first step, a foot-hold in unsuspecting communities, to set up shop for the sale of marijuana once restrictions are further lifted? I definitely need more information on this topic, and I hope you will do some research as well. This will be further discussed at our Planning & Zoning Board meeting and again at a future City Commission meeting. Right now, I am leaning toward restricting such establishments as much as possible. Marc Hansen’s passing this past week will leave a huge void in our community. His dedication to volunteerism helped this community in so many ways. For years Marc helped raise much needed funds for local organizations when he was on the board of Pride Fort Lauderdale. He also helped raise funds at the Pride Center by calling Bingo numbers on Saturday nights. He helped organize bowling leagues and so much more. Let us remember Marc for all his energy, hard work, and dedication to our community over the past twenty years. Thank you, Marc, for your unique style, your smile, and all you did to make this community a better place. Sweet dreams, my friend. You will be missed. And so, as another week goes by, let’s keep working together to help make all of our lives just better here. WMG
Waste Management Contract Renewed
Commissioners are happy with the price of the new Waste Management contract but it’s one of the new proposed services that is still subject to debate. On July 26, commissioners voted to approve Waste Management’s bid 4-0. Commissioner Justin Flippen was absent. But before the final vote at their next meeting on Aug. 23, the issue of hazardous materials disposal will have to be debated. The rate will remain at its current monthly level of $22.05 for garbage and bulk pickup and $2.83 for recycling, and the rate can’t be increased for at least three years. Waste Management will also host two document shred events per year. The contract is good for three years with two optional two-year renewals. In the new proposed contract, residents would be entitled to a once-a-month hazardous
waste disposal removal directly from their homes. Commercial entities will also now have the option of obtaining recycling services. Instead of driving to a waste disposal event, residents can call Waste Management and have the items picked-up. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson said that proposal was part of an attempt to prevent people from throwing hazardous waste in the regular garbage stream. She said it would also increase the level of service to residents and to make it more convenient for them to get rid of hazardous materials. She added that the city pays about $24,000 for an annual hazardous waste disposal event. That would no longer be held if commissioners approve the direct pick-up option. The cost for the direct pick-up would be $1.65 per month. Commissioner Tom Green said he liked the
direct pick-up but others were not so sure. Mayor Gary Resnick said he didn’t want to charge residents for a service they’re not going to use. “The people who are going to throw it away are going to throw it away anyway [no matter what service is offered],” said Newton. Waste Management, which has been the city’s contracted waste disposal company since 2003 had a bid that was lower than Waste Pro and World Waste Recycling. For those who don’t want to wait for the next annual disposal event in February or the commission to decide on the direct pick-up option, hazardous materials can be dropped off at 2780 N. Powerline Road in Pompano Beach. Hours of operation are Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Electronics are also accepted. Proof of Wilton Manors residency is required. For more information, call 954-765-4999. WMG
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August 3, 2016
Real Estate Lessons from Pokemon Go
Real Estate Geek
By James Oaksun Things can happen quickly. The right concept, the right spark… Timing is everything. In less time than has passed since my last column, something has hit the global consciousness with such a furor that – incredibly – it is almost as big as WhatsApp and Twitter. Pokemon Go has taken off in a way that no one could have anticipated. Strangers meet, discussions are held, accidents happen, even crimes have been solved with an augmented reality version of a game familiar to many Millennials. And the implications of it go far beyond the obvious. Here, believe it or not, are some simple lessons for real estate from Pokemon Go. Catch them if you can. Well, you will catch them if you're smart! 1. If there is a way to imagine it being done with technology, it will happen. No, maybe it won't happen tomorrow or even next year. But it will happen sooner than you think. And somebody is probably already thinking about it, if not working on it. Is there an innovation that could turn the whole process totally upside down, and leave longtime industry leaders by the side of the road in a matter of a couple weeks?
2. The more you get out and get moving, the better off you are. Yes, theoretically, you can accomplish a lot from the comfort of your couch. But the greater successes are earned when you are out in the world interacting directly (not virtually) with the other players. 3. It can be fun. Life is about living. This is something that needs to be reflected upon more carefully, and a reason why Pokemon Go (and in fact the entire real estate process) is so valuable right now. Times are troubled. The economy is teetering. Articles are appearing that speculate whether we are in a “buyers” market again at least in respect of condos. Unprovoked acts of violence lead to fear and anguish. When done right, Realtors should be looking for ways to create value – to help make the world a better place. We do not exist to extract fees or cause problems. We need to ask ourselves, how do we create joy for our communities, how do we want people to think of us. When the first word that comes to mind when you hear “Realtor” is similar to the first word you think of when you think of “Pokemon Go”, then we will be on the right track. WMG
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James Oaksun, Broward's Real Estate Geek(SM), is Broker-Owner of New Realty Concepts in Oakland Park. In addition to having degrees from Dartmouth and Cornell, he is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI).
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Business
Politics
Volunteers Wanted To Assist Seniors
Frustrated With Water Costs, Officials Look Into Better Rates
By Michael d’Oliveira
By Michael d’Oliveira Like Uncle Sam pointing his finger, Bryan Wilson wants to enlist volunteers. Wilson, director of community relations for SunServe and a resident of the city who serves on the Community Affairs Advisory Board, wants to organize volunteers to help those in need. The volunteers would do everything from landscaping to home repairs to helping seniors learn how to use their smart phones, said Wilson. It’s an idea that Commissioner Julie Carson suggested several years ago and one that code enforcement officials also support. Officials have said their biggest goal with code violations issued to residents and business owners is not to fine anyone but to ensure compliance so the city has a certain aesthetic value. Dilapidated houses and overgrown lawns can have a negative impact on property values. Helping individuals improve the aesthetic quality of their homes helps the individual and the city. Wilson said he wants to help officials develop an “asset-based approach to
Briefs
utilizing community members” to improve the city. He said he was inspired by attending Island City University, a course given to residents and business owners to help them better understand how the city works. It was there, he said, he learned about one senior in particular who was being fined by code enforcement because she was unable to fix the problems she was being cited for. “It’s physically daunting labor that would have been impossible for her to do on her own.”
WMG
Volunteers can come from in or outside the city but beneficiaries must live within the city. To volunteer or ask for assistance, call Wilson at 954-764-5150, extension 106, or email him at bwilson@sunserve.org.
Around Town Check out what’s happening
By Michael d’Oliveira
Drive and other parts of the city use neon signs. A city staff meeting was held July 28 to come up with proposed changes to the regulations. In the near future, staff members say they will have recommended changes to the regulations ready for review by the city commission. WMG
School Board Funds Police Officer For Wilton Manors In an agreement between Wilton Manors and the School Board of Broward County, Broward Schools will pay the city $4,625.20 to provide a school resource police officer [SRO] at Wilton Manors Elementary from Oct.
Fort Lauderdale expires in 2021 and the 25year water contract expires in 2030. According to Mays, Fort Lauderdale sets its rate for Wilton Manors at the same level it does condo users. The water and sewer fees, based on consumption, range from $4.23 per 1,000 gallons to $6.46 per $1,000 gallons. The fixed base rates set by Wilton Manors ranges from $14.48 to $147.55 for sewage and $33.80 to $344.75 for water. City officials say they try and charge Wilton Manors residents no more than it required to pay for the service. City officials have long complained about Fort Lauderdale’s rates. Part of that complaint is that Wilton Manors maintains its own water and sewer infrastructure and it costs nothing, beyond supplying the water, to Fort Lauderdale for providing those services. Bordered by Fort Lauderdale to the south, east and west and Oakland Park to the north, Wilton Manors has to purchase water and sewage services from its bigger neighbor. It’s possible the city could contract with Broward County but that would require hooking into the county’s system – an option that could become very expensive. Mays said he would look into that possibility. WMG
Resnick Selected For Leadership Florida
City Moving Forward On Changes To Sign Regulations City staff members are moving forward with plans to alter the city’s regulations in commercial signs. The issue arose after the commission rejected a measure that would have instructed city staff to stop enforcing the prohibition on neon signs. Despite the prohibition, businesses all along Wilton
Wilton Manors officials aren’t satisfied with the water and sewage rates paid to Fort Lauderdale. To try and get them lower, they’ll be taking steps to negotiate better rates. Finance Director Bob Mays says the city will pay $55,000 to create a water and storm water master plan so the city can have a more accurate view of the true cost of water and sewer services. The city will pay $4,800 to Chen & Associates to assist with negotiations and $25,000 to analyze Fort Lauderdale’s rate methodology, which he called “flawed.” Mays said the city would also be reaching out to Oakland Park officials in an attempt to band together during any upcoming negotiations. “Strength in numbers,” said Mays. Oakland Park also gets its water from Fort Lauderdale. “We need to know what our options are,” said Mayor Gary Resnick. He suggested looking into legal ways of lowering the rate, an idea that resident Paul Kuta suggested during the public hearing. “Again, I believe that we need to legally negotiate lower rates for our water supply and sewage treatment,” said Kuta. The current 20-year sewage contract with
1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2017. In addition to helping protect the school, the SRO will also initiate anti-substance abuse programs and programs that teach students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. WMG
Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick has been selected to participate in Leadership Florida’s 35th Class. Leadership Florida is a year-long program designed to educate and expose a few select individuals to the social and economic issues affecting the state. The goal is to encourage future leaders to use their knowledge and ability to seek solutions for the public interest. “I am thrilled and honored to have been selected for Leadership Florida’s 2016 Class. I want to thank the many Florida leaders who supported my effort, including Greg Haile, John Thomas and all my [GrayRobinson Attorneys at Law] firm colleagues.” WMG
Taste of the Island Looking For Restaurants
Restaurants are wanted to be a part of the 11th Annual Wilton Manors Taste of the Island on Monday, Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve, 1937 Wilton Drive. During the event, attendees will have the chance to sample the culinary creations of dozens of restaurants from some of South Florida’s best restaurants. Various local bars and
businesses also participate. Funds raised from the event benefit the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club, Wilton Manors Historical Society, Wilton Manors Leisure Services and the Wilton Manors Development Alliance. For more information, visit tasteoftheisland.org. To sign up, call 754551-5561, extension 900, or email info@ tasteoftheisland.org WMG
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