Updated: Mar 5, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 PM by President Christina Brownlow, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Chris welcomed all and reminded everyone that this is the last Zoom event. Next month’s meeting will be on Wednesday, August 25th, at Town Hall, and Davie Police Dept. will be there with an educational session on home security. We will have refreshments and a raffle and want to encourage people to come.
Davie Police/Crime Report: Detective Hobales provided an update for June: issued 112 citations, 53 in Sunshine Ranches. We didn’t have any reported crimes (burglary, thefts, etc.). This was an improvement over previous months, and he encouraged residents to LOCK car doors and turn on the lights at night, and reminded all not to leave key fobs in cars! Also, a reminder of the Davie Vacation Watch service, whereby residents can advise Davie Police of vacation schedules in order for officers to keep a watch over the property. Two board members used this service and were extremely satisfied with the attention provided by the Police Department.
Town Council Member Comments:
Mayor Steve Breitkreuz: Council meeting tomorrow, please join. Thanked the Town for input on 9-11 event.
Councilman Gary Jablonski reviewed various items that are in the works: 2.5 miles are on the agenda for repaving; generators were installed at Fire Station; guard rails on Hancock - $375K funded by the state; Coronavirus personal protection equipment for personnel - $50K fund. He will take up a request that a board member had re monitoring of the canals by Central Broward Drainage district.
Councilman Bob Hartmann encouraged residents to come to the Budget hearings. Advised that Broward County is no longer doing the flyover mosquito sprays, only the groundwork for fogging via truck.
Council member David Kuczenski spoke about Covid-19 numbers rising and wants more folks to get vaccine. ICU numbers at Memorial West have increased four-fold. We will have a new mural at Founders Park (Flamingo and Griffin by CVS). Also, our two entrance ways (Flamingo & Stirling, Hancock & Griffin) will be repainted before we put up the new plaques. If you like the current color, please come out to the next meeting. Chris said that we would also want to keep them the same color, and we will write the board. August 16 town hall meeting – will discuss and vote on it.
Jim Albritton: Thank you for Rural Arts Board and the First Responders event.
Jason Halberg, VP, provided a request for consideration regarding the annual year-end HOA meeting: We have decided to do a December 12 meeting for that Holiday meeting. We will have fun family and pet events, including a petting zoo, raffle basket, etc. Will invite the Council, Davie Police, Volunteer Fire trucks, etc. Made motion to have $2000 budget for event and got quorum.
Chris, President, gave update. Showed the Waggler for August and Southwest Ranches Town website. You can see the agenda there. Went over some of the ordinances. Council also was so responsive to our request for fireworks and animals. Come and be heard! You are residents and tax-paying citizens!!
Treasurer’s report: Balance $20,566.64 as of June 1.
Finally, a resident requested to put up signs to Slow Down and for speed limits. We need to protect our equestrian community. Chris asked council how to request help/signs/ direction. Mayor Steve suggested putting in a motion, which was passed, stating that Sunshine Ranches HOA is requesting additional signage related to speed limits, mitigating speeding, and informing motorists that they are entering an equestrian community.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Updated: Mar 5, 2022
The meeting opened at 7:30. DaNell D’Alfonso gave the Pledge.
DPD reported 197 citations written for SWR…109 in Sunshine Ranches alone! These occurred mostly along Stirling, Luray, and Volunteer. So far, June has recorded 96 citations. The Chief has specifically requested DPD discuss/repeat the importance of locking car doors. Why? 14 vehicle burglaries have occurred in 8-9 days! How else can we express the importance of locked vehicles?? Folks are leaving valuables and firearms inside their cars, and the thieves are getting these. Councilman Allbritton mentioned cases of windows being smashed in order to get to belongings. DPD has a hotline for fireworks…remember, there are only three legal days (July 4th, December 31st & January 1st). Marianne Allen thanked DPD for everything they are doing!
Mayor Breitkreuz mentioned the Council resolution to oppose a north-bound turn signal at Sheridan and Volunteer. The Town thought the issue dead, but it has resurfaced. Davie’s position is neutral. He is meeting with Ivanhoe to discuss our position (he has spoken to the Ivanhoe commissioner). Chris said to make her phone number available to the neighboring Davie HOA’s if necessary. Jason recommends we send letters to the HOA presidents. We must reach out as soon as possible.
The mayor is planning a 9/11 20th anniversary memorial in partnership with the HOA’s. Marianne recommended a candlelight vigil at one of the parks.
Jason mentioned Wellington’s ban on fireworks…could we pursue? Michelle McBride concurs…helmet laws when horse riding began with the work of one person.
Vice-mayor Hartmann asked Chris if she has heard of any coyote issues in her area. She has not at this point. Regarding Waste Pro, he has spoken with managers and drivers per issues concerning pick-up and debris piles (the contract expires next year). Alina (resident) asked if the pile size could be adjusted (could result in higher fees); Sally (board member) mentioned the hole on 136th which is at least 2 feet deep! Also, per the canals, she asked who is responsible for keeping them free of debris and flowing. He concluded with reminding folks of the July 13th First Responders Photoshoot, whether working or retired, (if weather’s bad, then second date: 20th, third date: 27th). The event will include fire trucks, police vehicles, the mounted units, doctors, nurses, etc.
Councilman Allbritton thanks the HOAs and is looking forward to August for face-to-face meetings once again. DPD was made aware of the anti-Semitic vandalism at Equestrian Park. He wished all a great Fourth of July (his entire family will be down). Please be respectful of your neighbors while celebrating.
Councilman Kuczenski is feeling better following his surgery. He is upset to see the turn signal issue return as he thought it was resolved. Per the last legislative session, any reports of code violations will no longer be anonymous. He offered his cell as necessary (305.815.0990). The scholarship fundraising exceeded expectations this year…all 13 recipients will receive $2,500 each! David discussed the fire fee assessment. He reiterated SRHOA support of the volunteer firefighters. He would like to see the HOA get the t-shirts printed (cost were approved during his tenure as president). Let’s get the entryways painted before installing the new plaques. Call DPD should you suspect illegal fireworks usage.
Chris read Councilman Jablonski’s monthly report.
Marianne Allen is concerned over fire fees and requests further negotiating. She is not happy with bulk service/mess. Could the Comp Board consider more equestrian signage for our area?
Sally Broken mentioned issues with a concrete wall being constructed near her home on Holatee: painters are trespassing onto her property, and the construction is affecting the drive. She called the Town several times, but is yet to be called back. Bob asked if she had a return call from Julio (no). Steve mentioned the look of the wall must be nice on both sides, and must meet final inspection, but Code can do something in the meantime. She should have had a response to her call. Please call Rod. Per the trespassing, the Town cannot do anything, but she has the right to tell them to stay off her property, and she has the right to call DPD.
Jason Halberg discussed our Facebook campaigns and membership drive: currently, we are at 228 members (last year at this time it was 335); Facebook has grown from 160-300 followers! He shared our new membership letter/flyer. He has uploaded the database of new members…Vilma has new memberships pending and Judi reported six more as well. Advertisers have been submitting new payments.
Judi gave the treasurer’s report: the balance for both April 30th and May 31st remains at $20,566.64.
Hello dear neighbors. My message will be brief in order to provide space to print important articles pertaining to the fire assessment, horse safety, and membership. Also, the June minutes will be deferred until the next issue. Thank you for your understanding.
· The Village of Wellington recently approved through Florida legislation (HB 979) “banning the sale and use of fireworks within The Equestrian Preserve of The Village of Wellington all days of the year”. SRHOA has requested that the Town Council review this bill and its applicability to our equestrian community for similar legislative rulings. You may wonder why we would pursue this. Look at the following:
Fireworks near stables create loud noises, lights, and smoke. Horses are afraid of fire. The BHS reported 23 deaths and 166 injuries in horses due to fireworks incidences since 2010.
Fireworks may kill chickens due to heart attacks.
Fireworks can send wildlife running into roadways, flying into buildings, and/or abandoning nests and babies,
Fireworks can lead to a flight-or-fight response in pets, resulting in restlessness, panting, pacing, whining, hiding, and/or running away.
Fireworks particles have been linked to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even heart attacks in humans. The noise can cause tinnitus and deafness. Epileptics may experience seizures.
Fireworks may trigger flashbacks and panic attacks in people suffering from PTSD and autism.
· We again face the issue of a proposed north-bound turn at Sheridan and Volunteer…in spite of our opposition and Council resolution. In order to garner support for our position, SRHOA is actively involved in an education campaign with our Davie neighbors west of Volunteer.
· SRHOA will have its August meeting in person at Town Hall! Refreshments will be provided, and the Davie Police Department will kick off our monthly speaker series with a presentation on personal and home security…look for a meeting announcement to follow.
· SRHOA gives its support and thanks to the members of the Volunteer Fire Department for their time and contributions to our community. Did you know…the VFD was originally housed within Sunshine Ranches?
· In our upcoming September issue, look for a wonderful letter from the Town expressing gratitude for your generosity in this year’s scholarship fundraising. Great details will follow.
· Mayor Breitkreuz’s next “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on September 8th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
· Remember, the Council now meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
· Please stay connected… Email us at sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com, visit our website www.sunshineranches.org, or view our posts at www.facebook.com/SunshineRanches
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris