Gazette Wilton Manors
Volume 2 • Issue 15 August 5, 2015
Twice-Monthly Neighborhood Outlook
Page 2 Less Lanes On Wilton Drive
Page 3 Blue Moon 2018
Page 3 Higher Taxes
Page 4 Hagan Park Dog Training
Page 4 Oakland Park Walmart
Business
City Accused of Mismanaging CDBG Funds Money will be used for security cameras, WiFi By Michael d’Oliveira
A decision by city officials to use Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] funds for security cameras brought accusations of mismanagement and ignoring the public by resident Michael Rajner. At the July 28 commission meeting, Rajner said commissioners should have spent the $64,000 in CDGB funds on what the majority of residents wanted: improvements to the road, including sidewalks and fixing holes in the street. Officials said the security camera idea was suggested by a resident. The cameras, as well as WiFi service in the park, were approved in a 3-2 vote, Commissioners Tom Green and Julie Carson dissenting. CDBG funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to cities to address unique community development needs. Highland Estates, located north of Northeast 26 Street and east of Northeast 6 Street, is the only area of the city that qualifies for the funding. In the past, Wilton Manors has used CDBG funding to buy and develop the 14-space overflow parking lot near Island City Park Preserve. Other uses include fitness stations, fencing, sidewalks, a drainage system, solar lighting, landscaping and street resurfacing. Rajner also renewed his call for making parks more dog friendly,
including Island City Park Preserve, located in Highland Estates, and the small overflow parking lot. Todd DeJesus, capital projects and grants manager, said there’s not enough sidewalk repair work to qualify under the grant rules. “It has to be one project.” Commissioner Tom Green disagreed and said the road and sidewalk work needed in Highland Estates could easily use up $64,000. “Funny how there’s never enough money. [Now there’s too much]. We talk about connectivity. Well, there isn’t any.” Commissioner Carson agreed. “There’s nothing more important than sidewalks to walk on. We just finished hearing about public safety,” she said, referring to the large crowd which attended the meeting to demand something be done to improve the safety of Wilton Drive. Vice Mayor Scott Newton said the city needs to survey residents of Highlands Estates first before adding sidewalks. Homeowners, who have sidewalks added in front of their property, at the cost of some of their yard, might get very upset. “You’re going to have a hornet’s nest,” he said. WMG
Community
City Closer to Dixie Hwy Redevelopment By Michael d’Oliveira
As Wilton Drive gets most of the public’s attention when it comes to public safety, city officials are closer to making Dixie Highway more pedestrian friendly. The city has issued a call for bids for the Dixie Highway Streetscape Enhancement project to improve the 0.4-mile stretch of road from the Middle River north to Five Points. The improvements will include decorative pedestrian safety lighting, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, landscaping and signage. The max bid allowed will be $866,250. All bids are due no later
than Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m. The improvements are being funded through a grant from the federal government. The city has also been given approval for a $996,216 state grant to improve Northeast 26 Street east from Andrews Avenue and Five Points. The money would be used to reduce lanes from 12 to 10 feet, improve sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping, lighting, signage and resurface the road. WMG
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Business
Gazette Wilton Drive Lane Reduction
Pedestrian Fatality Has City Reconsidering
Wilton Manors
AUGUST 5, 2015 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 15
By Michael d’Oliveira
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
Photos: J.R. Davis.
Editorial
Those who have wanted the lighted crosswalk in front of city hall on Wilton Drive moved to Northeast 20 Street finally have the answer they were looking for. On July 22, the city announced that the Florida Department of Transportation [FDOT] had decided to install the lighted crosswalk there. A spokesperson said FDOT would also be completing a comprehensive traffic study in the next couple of weeks aimed at finding other ways to make the street safer. While the new crosswalk is constructed, FDOT will install signs to warn motorists of pedestrian activity. Mayor Gary Resnick said he expects the crosswalk to take about 12 months but officials will try and get FDOT to expedite the process. The city’s announcement came one day after Wilton Manors resident Greg Futchi, 68, was killed crossing near 2000 Wilton Drive at 10:45 p.m. According to police, Futchi was not using a crosswalk when he was hit by a driver going southbound on the street. Other recent accidents on Wilton Drive also involved pedestrians not using crosswalks. Futchi’s death led to a rally in front of city hall on July 24. Protesters demanded officials take action to make Wilton Drive safer. Four days later, they moved their protest inside city hall. In a standing room only commission meeting on July 28, and with signs that read “Change the Drive Now,” and “Mayor Resnick Must Go” as well as pictures of Futchi, city officials were criticized for not taking action sooner. “We have been patient. We have been waiting. The Drive has changed and so should we,” said Doug Cureton, owner of Some Men Like It Haute on Wilton Drive. “I saw a car come to a screeching halt in front of my business to avoid hitting someone.” Resident Doug Blevins said the time for debate is over. “It’s been studied to death . . . literally, as we’ve seen last week. But blaming will not bring back these precious lives. Take action now.” This is the second death on Wilton Drive since 2010. Blevins and
others also renewed their call to reduce Wilton Drive from four lanes to two. The Two Lane Initiative, first suggested several years ago, calls for the city’s takeover of Wilton Drive, now owned by the Florida Department of Transportation [FDOT]. Proponents of the Two Lane Initiative want to see parking spaces and landscaping added – similar to how Las Olas is configured. Tom Tabor, one of the main proponents of the Two Lane Initiative, said Wilton Manors needs to follow the example set by other cities across the nation, which have already done similar projects. Commissioners, who have balked at taking over the street in the past, seemed more willing to do so now. “I don’t know how we can do this without a lane reduction. I, quite frankly, think it’s time to do this,” Commissioner Tom Green said. Commissioner Justin Flippen added, “I will not be satisfied until the road is made narrower and safer.” According to FDOT, reconfiguring the road would cost about $500,000. Those who favor two lanes say revenue generated from parking could help fund the cost. Nick Berry, owner of Rumors and Courtyard Café, both on Wilton Drive, said business owners are willing to help fund improvements through the Business Improvement District set up for the street. “We want to be taxed,” he said. Until then, said Tabor, the city should do whatever it can, including traffic cones, planters and striping the street, to slow down traffic. But FDOT’s ownership of the road, said officials, precludes them from doing much in the short term and commissioners defended their previous attempts to work with FDOT in the past. That effort includes getting FDOT to lower the speed limit on Wilton Drive from 35 to 30 miles per hour and getting the signal crosswalk installed in front of city hall. The city tried years ago to get the crosswalk installed at Wilton Drive and Northeast 20 Street but FDOT denied the request in favor of putting it in front of city hall. “The city has been working on this for a long time,” said Green who called for more crosswalks. “You can’t ask people to cross [at a crosswalk] if there are only four crosswalks.” He also called for a heavier police presence. “I hope Wilton Drive becomes known as a speed trap.” The promised lighted crosswalk, said Vice Mayor Scott Newton, is also because of city efforts. “It’s not because of what happened to that gentleman. We have done things.” Not everyone blamed Futchi’s death entirely on the road though. Resident Kimber White, who was not at the meeting, said both pedestrians and the city are responsible for public safety. “I agree we have issues and they need [to be] addressed 150 percent but every accident and or death came from people jaywalking because it's too inconvenient to walk 50 feet to cross. We can put crosswalks at every corner but until the citizen participates in his or her own safety and our bars make sure their patrons are OK to leave, and if not assist them, we will not have the problem fixed.” WMG
ART DIRECTOR • BRENDON LIES ARTWORK@SFGN.COM ONLINE PRODUCER • DENNIS JOZEFOWICZ DENNIS.JOZEFOWICZ@SFGN.COM EDITORIAL ASSISTANT • JILLIAN MELERO JILLIANMELERO@GMAIL.COM NEWS EDITOR • MICHAEL D’OLIVEIRA
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Correction: Last week, SFGN incorrectly identified Tony Dee as the owner of Tropics. Dee actually sold the restaurant last Fall. We regret the error.
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SouthFloridaGayNews August 5, 2015
Opinion
Blue Moon 2018 By Sal Torre
This past Friday, July 31, I sat outside looking for the rare Blue Moon, the second full moon this month. Unfortunately, the cloudy and rainy night hampered my viewing, but gave me the opportunity to relax after a very busy week here in Wilton Manors. As I sat in my yard listening to the rain, my mind began to wander, and I started to think about how things might be different here in Wilton Manors when the next Blue Moon occurs in 2018. That’s right, three years until another Blue Moon. That’s why one should seize the opportunity to embrace this special night as a time to step out of one’s comfort zone and wonder what changes are needed, what change in direction, what change in action is needed to move ahead to a better place before the next Blue Moon. One safe bet for life in Wilton Manors 2018 will see the Church property on 26th Street finally developed. After years of the East Neighborhood Association’s fighting any plans put forth for this site, the developer should be submitting plans for high-end townhomes that would not be rental units. Other development projects might include major plans for properties along Andrews Avenue once the city moves ahead with zoning changes and redevelopment plans put forth by the zoning study recently completed. The Complete Streets Program, if approved by our City Commission, might offer major funding by the MPO, so that the entire city can benefit from additional bike lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks, and safer roadways, The elephant in the room is still Wilton Drive. What does this community need to do now to make the changes we
want before the next Blue Moon? First and foremost, we need to move out of the past and stop the blame game. Of course FDOT and the State wanted to give the city jurisdiction of Wilton Drive a few years back. Thank heavens our city and our elected officials chose not to move ahead at that time, since the entire financial burden would have fallen unto the backs of every resident of Wilton Manors. Not only would we have had the financial responsibility of Wilton Drive, but would have had to agree to take financial responsibility for the entire stretch of State Road 811, from Sunrise Blvd to Oakland Park Blvd, because the state would only release jurisdiction from those two main points. Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park agreed to a jurisdiction change for their portions of the State Road, but only if Wilton Manors picked up the entire tab for maintenance, upkeep, etc., an unacceptable financial burden for our citizens. Just a minor piece of information our Main Street Two–Lane enthusiast forgot to mention this past week. But let’s move on from old news to what is now possible without breaking the bank. The good news is the state’s new willingness to work with cities; and together with Fort Lauderdale, the MPO, and Complete Streets planning, we stand a solid chance of seeing a joint plan for lane reductions, crosswalks, bike lanes, and more – a plan with a price tag not solely paid for by the residents of Wilton Manors. This is the type of planning, with solid financial responsibility, which can actually bring about the changes we want to see by 2018. Another possibility might be in the works, a plan between the state and the county to exchange certain roadways
throughout Broward County. If this plays out, Wilton Drive would become a county road, giving our city much more leeway to implement the changes we all want to see happen. Planning for Wilton Drive is definitely looking solid for us to see major improvements once the next Blue Moon comes again in 2018. Alas, the big challenge I see for 2018 is still parking, parking, parking. The city is at a fork in the road and needs to choose. One road leads to small surface lots at various places around the Arts and Entertainment District, while the other road leads to investing in a municipal parking facility at the now empty corner of Wilton Drive at Hagen Park/City Hall. Recent city discussions have shown that moving ahead with another small surface lot with only minimum spaces would be very expensive and take over 40 years to recover cost. A municipal structure with ground floor retail and parking levels above could be constructed while keeping the majority of the Hagen Park surface lot open during construction. Once completed, the surface lot would be then available for park expansion. Yes, these are tough choices; but we need to take a step back, out of our comfort zone, and think about what we really need to do to bring about the changes we want to see by the next Blue Moon, 2018. It will be here before you know it. Once my wandering mind came back down to the present, I realized that the sky had cleared and there, in all its glory, was the Blue Moon shining brightly, looking down on Wilton Manors. Why? …..Cause life is just better here. WMG
Business
Higher Taxes!
Commission approves tentative property tax increase By Michael d’Oliveira
Property values are up in Wilton Manors and commissioners may take advantage with a slight increase in property taxes. At their budget and millage meeting on July 29, commissioners passed a preliminary millage rate of 6.2683 from the proposed 6.0683. The rate passed 3-2 with Mayor Gary Resnick and Commissioner Tom Green dissenting. Commissioners can still lower the millage at their final millage meeting on Sept. 11 but state law prohibits them from raising it further. This year’s estimated budget is $31,313,000, an increase of $1.13 million over last year. But, said Assistant City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson, most of the increased revenue is eaten up by increases in salaries, pension costs and the city’s water meter replacement program. The fire assessment fee will also increase for home owners. Residential will see an increase from
$169.80 to $195.10. Commercial will rise from $25.45 to $28.74. Industrial will go from $2.55 to $2.14. Institutional will increase from $18.47 to $24.73. Government will go from $21.22 to $26.77. Nursing home will increase from $67.99 to $75.46. Vice Mayor Scott Newton suggested the millage increase, which will generate an estimated $210,000. “I’m not for the increased millage but sometimes we need to do what’s right for the city,” said Newton. The vice mayor suggested the increased revenue could be used to hire a full time park ranger – Colohatchee Park has become known as a place for public sex acts – and another police officer. It could also be used to make parking improvements. Commissioner Julie Carson said parking is one issue that “has been on our backs for a number of years.” Resident Paul Kuta suggested the city
purchase the vacant lot located behind Bona Pizza on Wilton Drive. “We should jump on this opportunity.” If approved, the increase would cost homeowners with homestead exemptions an extra $33.67 in taxes per year. Those without the exemption would pay $325.23. Resnick said he’s generally not in favor of raising taxes when property values increase. He warned that the extra money might not be used for the purposes suggested by Newton. “It tends to go to things we don’t talk about up here.” He also cautioned against a repeat of the city’s last parking venture, the 42-space lot at
Northeast 8 Terrace and Northeast 26 Street, which cost about $780,000 to purchase and pave. Resnick called the expense “exorbitant.” Commissioner Justin Flippen said residents have told him to keep the millage rate as is or lower it. “I’m not sure that’s necessary. [This budget] doesn’t compromise services. I would be cautious.” He also suggested that a police officer, not park ranger, might be needed to help monitor Colohatchee. “Not if sure a ranger will do the job.” Newton responded that the increase might prevent a cut in services if another unforeseen expense came about. WMG
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Community
Business
Come. Sit. Stay.
Dog obedience classes offered at Hagen Park By Natalya Jones
Is your dog a bad pup who keeps peeing on the floor and eating your shoes? Thanks to Hagen Park and their dog obedience classes, your shoes and your house will be relatively safe. It all started in April 1979 when Diane Sedberry, Donna Carvalho, Terri diMarino, and Diane Freund decided to start the class. Sedberry herself was inspired to do the class because of her own dog. “My first Doberman was three quarters of my body weight and I knew I needed to be able to walk her, and not vice versa,” she said. “Since the Doberman was a rescue dog, the members that I adopted her from were all doing obedience training and encouraged me to begin training my new rescue Doberman. I enjoyed the work and began formal training and AKC Obedience Trails to earn titles on two of my Rescue Dobermans. Over the years I titled the two Dobes, and four Shetland Sheepdogs, in Rally obedience, formal Obedience and Canine Good Citizen. I have also gone to events such as career day at Wilton Manors Elementary many years ago and the Ladies Club of Deerfield to show obedience demos. We also have a Drill Team of 4-6 dogs and their handlers that we perform for at the Imperial Point HOA once a year.” Dogs who attend the class will learn basic skills such as loose leash heeling and commands such as “come,” “sit,” “down,” “stay,” and more. Owners are also encouraged to play with their dogs and do minor jumping in the beginner’s class. Rally obedience classes, on the other hand, are geared for trainers that are showing in the Rally show ring to earn titles on their dogs. Other classes offered include the Canine Good Citizen Classes and the AKC (American Kennel Club) testing. Your dog will also be in very good paws, er, hands. The trainers as well as their own dogs are certified: their dogs participate in Obedience Trials and all have obedience
Photo: Wiki User Bull-Dozer.
Oakland Park Walmart
Worries Wilton Manors Commission By Michael d’Oliveira
titles. Jackie Powell, one of the trainers, is accredited with a CPDT-KA (Canine Pet Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) Title from AKC (American Kennel Club). In addition, there are at least three qualified teachers at each beginner’s class. “We are a non-profit organization and our trainers volunteer their time because of our love of dogs and not wanting to see any dog have to go to a shelter, for lack of training,” Sedberry commented. In regards to any inspiring stories she may have, Sedberry said, “We all started out as students ourselves, and have come full circle to show our dogs in AKC obedience competition and to want to give our time freely to the club, to teach others how to train their dogs. We hope to inspire all owners to train their dogs and help their dogs to be all they can be. We encourage the trainer’s children to stand in with their parents so they can be an important part of the family dog’s life. Some students only train once a week while they are in class, other students take it to the next level and work with their beloved pet every day to have something they are really proud of and show their skill set weekly as they improve. Everyone is actually a dog trainer, we just try to pull that skill to the top and help them to train and totally enjoy their family pet.” Not to mention, all proceeds from the classes are given to the Doberman Rescue League, to help pay expenses for vets and food for the homeless and abandoned Dobermans. What’s not to love? Registration for the classes take place at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, excluding July, November, and December. From there, classes are from 7-8 Thurdays and the Skill Building Drill Class is at 8 on Thursday for $5. All classes are held on the basketball courts at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Class cost $70 for a 6 week class. Please call Diane at 954-563-7061 for more information. WMG
The proposed Walmart Supercenter at the former Kmart location on Oakland Park Boulevard has city commissioners in Wilton Manors worried. “It’s going to be a nightmare without controls,” said Mayor Gary Resnick at a recent commission meeting. Oakland Park Commissioners are being asked to approve the construction of a new 121,345 square foot building. The existing vacant Kmart building is 117,692 square feet. The number of parking spaces will also increase from 475 to 494 and the new building would be closer to Oakland Park Boulevard and further from the Middle River. Oakland Park officials hope to make the riverfront portion of the property part of a planned half mile promenade stretching from Northeast 6 Avenue to Dixie Highway. The building is located at 670 E. Oakland Park Boulevard. Wilton Manors is to the west, the other side of Northeast 6 Avenue, and to the south, the other side of the Middle River. The store would have between 225 and 350 employees. Even if the commission rejects the project, Walmart can move into the existing building because it’s already zoned for that use. The vote, which has been postponed twice, is scheduled to be held tonight, Aug. 5, at Oakland Park City Hall. Vice Mayor Tim Lonergan and Commissioner John Adornato have abstained from the vote, saying the companies they work for have done business with Walmart or its foundation. That leaves the decision to the
three remaining commissioners – Mayor Jed Shank and Commissioners Sara Guevrekian and Shari McCartney. Steven Wherry, the Fort Lauderdale attorney representing Walmart, told Oakland Park Commissioners that moving into the existing building was not the first choice of Walmart but that the company would do so if its request to redevelop was denied. “The worst case scenario, Walmart will move into the [existing] Kmart.” Wilton Manors officials, who have spoken at Oakland Park Commission meetings, say their main concern is an estimated increase of traffic on Northeast 6 Avenue adjacent to the Kmart site. Commissioner Tom Green said traffic from the Walmart could have an adverse impact on Wilton Drive, about half a mile south. “It may force us to narrow Wilton Drive,” he said. Walmart has agreed to some restrictions on Northeast 6 Avenue, including a promise that their truck drivers will not make right hand turns onto the street to make deliveries. “We’re willing to commit to not making that turn. Walmart has control over its fleet of trucks. We can make a commitment like that and stick to it. We can be flexible,” Wherry said. The reaction by residents, both in Oakland Park and Wilton Manors, has been more mixed. Some are worried about delivery trucks and an increase in traffic while others, including Oakland Park resident James Andrews, who lives next to the Kmart, said he will be able to walk to the store and expects his property values to go up. WMG
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