CRA Newsletter June 2019

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From Our Commissioner to District 4 Chip LaMarca “2019 Legislative Session Wrap Up” As the 2019 Legislative Session concluded in Tallahassee, I am proud to say that working together, we had many great legislative successes this year and I would like to share a few of them with you. The Florida House made a $686.8 million commitment, with Governor DeSantis, to provide real environmental funding for the Florida’s Everglades restoration, water quality research, septic to sewer conversions and beach nourishment. This environmental funding is critical to making Florida a more sustainable state, while maintaining our multi-billion dollar tourism industry and unique ecosystems. The Legislature also approved another Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday from August 2-6, 2019, where clothing priced at $60 or less, school supplies at $15 or less, and computers (MayorTrantalis…Continued from page7) What do we do about important public improvements such as parking for North Beach Village at the old Natchez lot or an upscale, expanded marina off Las Olas Boulevard? These projects likely would generate additional traffic that would have to be accounted for. So, if we reach the 1989 cap, we’d face some serious questions. And despite the new hotels built and the civic improvements undertaken, there remain spots along the beach that are blighted, such as the Bahia Cabana property. Again, we are about to be at the point where the city would be prohibited from approving more redevelopment. With this traffic limit looming, we need to have a community conversation much like the one that occurred in 1989. Where do we go from here? Are we allocating the precious remaining trips as best as possible? Is it possible to pick and choose or must we accept whatever comes first? And what happens Page 12 and accessories priced $1,000 or less per item, purchased for personal use will be exempt from state and local sales tax. The tax package also called for another seven day Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday where sales taxes will be waived for many disaster preparedness supplies including flashlights, portable generators and batteries from May 31 through June 6, 2019. With the support of Florida State University President John Thrasher and his staff, I was successful in unanimously passing “Andrew’s Law”, named after Andrew Coffey, a lifelong resident of Lighthouse Point, who tragically passed away from a hazing incident at Florida State University. Andrew’s Law adds an amnesty provision to the hazing statute that would incentivize a bystander to call for help and stay with the person in need until first responders arrive. This Legislature was able to accomplish what no legislature was able to since when we reach the limit? We need to think of ways to improve traffic on the beach. Are there ways to improve mass transit, perhaps with shuttles from places like the Galleria Mall? This is where we need to get creative, because I agree with many others that we certainly don’t want any more cars on Fort Lauderdale beach. It is a critical time for Fort Lauderdale, both downtown and on the beach. The decisions we make today will have a lasting impact for decades to come. I’m committed to finding ways for us to grow smartly and maintain our sense of community. 2004, pass a comprehensive firefighter cancer benefits program. Nationwide, 70% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths in 2016, was cancer-related. This bill grants certain benefits to a firefighter upon receiving a diagnosis of cancer. This is a great victory for our brave men and women who protect and serve our communities every day, and I was proud to cosponsor this legislation. I am proud of the many successes that the Florida House achieved this session, and I look forward to seeing what we can do to accomplish more by working together. As always, it is a tremendous honor to serve you as your State Representative in Tallahassee. Representative Chip LaMarca Florida House District 93 June 2019
(The GardenProjectContinued from page9) how most of us see it popping up in the yard at the base of a tree, or in a “boot” on a palm. However, the second photo is the mature leaf and at this stage, it is usually strangling and eventually killing a palm or tree that a homeowner naively thought “wouldn’t it be nice to watch this vine grow and wind its way up this tree”. This is a no uses, high invasive on the UF Assessment list and the FLEPPC Cat 1 list. Asparagus Fern – asparagus aethiopicus and asparagus setaceus I refer to this as an “evil plant”. Little red berries that drop all over the yard, thorns that need thick leather gloves to prevent your hands from being torn, and a root mound that isn’t easy to remove, especially on the a.setaceus variety. I typically curse and think, “what florist from up north thought this would be a great plant to put in the ground?” While the leaves are nice and fernlike, these two varieties should be pulled as soon as you see them sprout. Mexican Petunia- Ruellia simplex I know, I added a sixth one, but I mentioned this is really important to me. Here again, a plant that is found in most of the big box stores in our area and owes its popularity to the fact that most people can plant it and forget it. Thus, the problem; it starts to invade both you and your neighbors. Then when you realize it’s a problem and start trying to get rid of it, it just keeps coming back. Rose-Bechard Butman, NatureScape Broward program director for Broward County has met with big box regional buyers (in a tireless effort) to try to get them to stop selling in South Florida, but it just makes too much money for these retailers. Their profit is at our expense. Check the FLEPPC list, it’s a Category 1 invasive. I added this one as I think that it will be our generation’s version of the Oyster Plant. We thought it was okay to plant, but we have made what might become a huge mistake for our area’s future. As you tackle removing these invasives, and possibly taking cover from an unexpected rain shower; or maybe while you are enjoying that cool beverage; give a little thought to another important matter: your irrigation system. In particular, we have all seen sprinklers running full blast during the middle of a rain storm. While it is easy to recommend that you turn off your system when rain is predicted, the reality is, most homeowners, have their system on a timer and are watering by schedule versus need. Not only does this translate into water waste, it also means higher costs. While I could write a whole column on water management, I want to take this opportunity to make sure everyone knows Broward County has an Irrigation Rebate program that started in May. You are eligible to participate if you meet these criteria: Must have a working irrigation system Must live in a partner city service area (Fort Lauderdale is on the eligibility map) Must irrigate with city water (not lakes, canals, or wells) The more people who participate in these types of programs, the more Broward County will see the need and dedicate resources and opportunities for homeowners to participate. After all, this is your tax dollars at work. Below, please find links to websites and materials mentioned in this article. I appreciate the feedback that website addresses can be cumbersome, so where I can, I have provided a “Google hint” for you to type to get to them. Green Your Routine Fort Lauderdale https://gyr.fortlauderdale.gov/greenergovernment/green-your-routine Florida Friendly Landscaping Google “Florida Friendly Landscaping Residential Checklist 2019” The 2018 form will come up, but I do hope the new 2019 form will be available soon. https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/materials/ FYN_Yard_Recognition_Checklist.pdf Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Google “FLEPPC 2019 List” https://www.fleppc.org/list/list.htm UF/IFAS University of Florida assessment of non-natives plant; web tool https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/ Broward County Irrigation Rebate http://www.broward.org/ IrrigationRebate/Pages/default.aspx Enjoy the summer and hope for the best as we start the 2019 Hurricane season! As always, if you have questions or comments please feel free to contact me. Your Neighbor Anthony Gross anthonylfgproject@gmail.com Coral Ridge Association, Inc. Page 13
Page 1 and 2: What if Bayview Drive was a 4 lane
Page 3 and 4: Coral Ridge Association, Inc. Page
Page 7 and 8: From Our Mayor Dean Trantalis From
Page 9 and 10: As commonly expressed, “wow this
Page 11: Coral Ridge Association, Inc. Page
Page 15 and 16: INNOVATIVELASERTREATMENT NOW AVAILA
Page 17 and 18: (President’sMessage…Continuedfr
Page 19 and 20: Robert B. Judd Phillip Kah & Andrea
Page 23 and 24: NEWS FROM FLORIDA CHILDREN’S THEA
Page 25 and 26: Dollars and Sense in Coral Ridge by

CRA Newsletter June 2019

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