President Ani Ruiz Chang called the meeting to order at 7:38pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Davie Police Department update: by Officer D. Graziadei
No major crime activity or trends reported since last meeting. Most common reports are burglaries from barns and unlocked vehicles. Most vulnerable house entry points are rear sliding doors. Tips: security lighting, lock doors and use alarms, add a vacation watch with the Davie Police when traveling. Non-emergency telephone number is (954) 764-HELP.
A resident reported that his property had been burgled in January and although he had provided significant leads to the Davie police, no significant action had been taken. Town officials and Officer Graziadei committed to following up with the appropriate people to get an acceptable resolution.
Year to date: 1062 traffic citations written town wide (385 less than last year at same time)
196 accidents year to date (43 more than last year at same time)
Update on Town Events & Projects: by Councilman Gary Jablonski:
Stirling Road striping work will commence on 9/12/2016.
Town is offering free mosquito dunks (2 per residence) in an effort to control mosquitoes and lower risk of residents becoming infected with Zika. Can be collected at Town Hall. Also available for sale at hardware stores. Safe around animals.
A council workshop will be held at Town Hall on 9/13/16 at 7:00 pm on the Recovery Residences (“Sober” Homes) that are located in our town.
Annual budgeting process is ongoing. A workshop will be held at Town Hall on 9/14/16 at 6:00 pm. The final budget proposal will be voted on at the Town Council meeting on 9/29.
President’s Report: by Ani Ruiz Chang
Oasis at Equestrian Park: volunteer cleanup and landscaping. The area will be pressure washed and weeded by volunteers on 9/8 and the Sunshine Ranches Kids Club will help with the planting on 9/10. Thanks to the Town for donating needed materials.
Farmer’s Market: First Saturday of every month beginning Oct 1, 2016. Will be held at the Equestrian Park, 10:am – 2:00 pm. Cost for vendors - $35/booth; free entry for patrons. Still accepting vendors. Contact Ani if you can know anyone who would be interested in participating. Great opportunity even for residents who have excess produce in their yards (mangoes, coconuts, avocados, citrus etc.).
Local elections: the Presidents’ Council will coordinate a debate in October so that residents can get to know and compare the candidates running for positions on the Town Council. More to come on this.
Planned Events: Joint Christmas party with the other HOAs again this December.
Treasurer’s and Membership Reports: by Judy Parker.
•Bank balance end July: $4005.10; Member dues deposited: $250.00; Advertising fees deposited: $1,885.00; Checks written: $1,778.58
Membership currently 262 households.
Committee Reports:
Beautification:
-Cleanup and landscaping of Oasis area of Equestrian Park already covered; landscaping work at the main Sunshine Ranches Entrance (Stirling and Flamingo) delayed until September.
Waggler:
-1 new advertiser – an accountant. Also Archbishop McCarthy placed a 2-mth. Advertisement about the new auditorium and classroom building they are planning to build. Expectation is that a few additional short term ads may be placed by candidates going up for election.
Drainage:
-It was reported that our drainage system has coped with the recent storms and rain very well – no major issues reported. Pointed out that residents wishing to stock their ponds with grass eating carp need to obtain a permit. Drainage chair, Vincent Falleta, will provide more details in a Waggler article.
Unfinished Business:
-2016 – 2017 SRHA Priorities: member input was requested so that the Board can determine whether we are on the right track in terms of meeting residents’ interest. Attendees were asked if they would like to see more community events for example, or whether there are major concerns over area safety or how they are being represented to Town Council. Feedback from residents present was:
a) The access to our Town Council representatives at our monthly general meetings was greatly appreciated. Much easier access than is available at the Town Council meetings.
b) One resident expressed concern over the lack of consistency in how the Town’s code is enforced. It was pointed out that this leads back to policy of the Town to only enforce code violations if another resident calls to complain (with a few exceptions relating to bulk pickup.) It was noted that the full code is available on the Town Website www.southwestranches.org, and that informative articles are usually featured monthly in the Southwest Rancher newsletter. Suggestion: perhaps the Waggler can also feature relevant articles or reinstate the “Ask Andy” column. There was some discussion around whether the non-proactive code policy needs to be reexamined in the future.
c) Entryway plaque refurbishment status: they should be reinstalled by end September, after landscaping work is completed at main Sunshine Ranches entrance.
d) Painting of border on entrance walls: a resident asked whether there was a plan to add a border like we had previously – President responded that there is no decision on that yet.
e) Attendees were asked if there was any interest in Waggler being provided online in PDF format. No one present expressed interest in this.
f) It was reported that the Town Council voted to approve the establishment of a US Highway 27 Business land use category (light commercial) for the plot of land at US 27 and Griffin.
New Business:
TSDOR: President Ani Ruiz-Chang read a brief report provided by the Town Engineer on how the Transportation Surface Drainage Ongoing Rehabilitation (TSDOR) project will affect Sunshine Ranches. Appaloosa Trail, Melaleuca Road and SW 56th Street will be the first to be repaved as part of the 20-yr. development plan.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
Board Members:
Ani Chang -President – Excused Sandra Farah – Vice-president Attendees:Ani Chang -President – Excused Sandra Farah – Vice-president Judy Parker – Treasurer Isolde Cahill – Secretary – Excused Ryan Case – Absent Vilma Lopez Rosina Marrapodi Saied Taie-Tehrani David S. KIuczenski
Call to order
Sandra Farah called to order the regular meeting of the Sunshine Ranches HOA at 7:34 pm on July 26, 2016 at Southwest Ranches City Hall.
Pledge of Allegiance
Sandra Farah conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Among some residents, the following Commission members were present: Dough Mckay, Steve Britkreuz, Freddy Fizikelli and Gary Jablonski,
Council Meeting Recap
Sandra Farah asked resident presents to introduce themselves, then followed the Police report. With the following updates: Year to date 1062 citations, vis 1447 last year. Accidents are up 196 vs 153 last year. Mr. Taie-Tehrani asked about the cameras.
The following is the information from commissioner Jablonski: New roof for the Town - Hall is being completed. Budget is going on right now. - Guardrails: State gave $350,000 and we have to provide match funding for the project. - Contract is being awarded for Stirling Road stripping and signage. Was budgeted at $130,000. The bid came awarded bid came for $40,000, we are running a surplus this year. - Charter School on Griffin west of I-75 is opening on August 27, with expected 2,500 student school. Studies are being conducted on traffic impact, is going to affect traffic in the area. - Griffing Guardrails are Broward county budget - Mr. Kiczenski asked to make the corners of the rails more round, so they don’t harm horses going through. - The Equestrian park is in the budget to have all the irrigation redone.
Pending Business
Archbishop McCarthy: Mr. Anthony Massaro, is asking for a variance to build a theater for the school of 1,800 sq/ft.The head coach invited the residents to the school meeting for further information on the project that will be held at Archbishop McCarthy High School on August 17, to talk about AMHS.Meeting will start at 6:30 pm.There is a letter in the Waggler about it.
As part of Pending Business of the President’s report, there are three major projects that are going on:Oasis at Equestrian Park. Clearing up and landscaping, the Town of Southwest Ranches has committed support and material, the Beautification committee will get volunteers for this project.
Farmers Market: Will be starting every first Saturday of each month at the Equestrian Park, starting October. Ani Chang has close to 30 vendors that confirmed participation.The Town offered to help. DRW is advertising in their magazine, cost for participation is $35.00.
Community Garden, there are two possible locations to stablish the project.
Sandra Farah highlighted the importance of showing price of neighborhood for our city, starting with identify street signs in need of repairs, graffiti and front yards in deferred condition, to start taking action on repair, correct and embellish the city.
Treasurer Report: Statement up to date show $3,04.60 Deposit in the amount of $2,135.00 Balance $4,500. Check to Waggler for $1,778. Membership: 262 paid members. Sandra Farah and Judi Parker asked the presents on ideas to get more member involvement.
New business
A resident of Sunshine Ranches Miguel Shidheh, asked about the project for the 26 acres of land at the intersection of Flamingo and Sheridan, Mr. Mckay followed up with comments on the very early stages of the possibility of any project, there is nothing done, just information and request for feedback from the project owners.Mr. Shidheh considers the project if the city approves will generate noise, and nuisance for the peace of the community.
Discussion also about the commercial project in our rural residential community.
Adjournment
Sandra Farah adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Minutes submitted by: Vilma Lopez
Minutes approved by:
Vice-President Sandra Farah called the June 29, 2016 meeting of the Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Associations at 7:30, PM, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance. The town council elected officials attending the meeting included Vice Mayor Doug McKay, Council Member Steve Breitkreuz, Council Member Freddy Fisikelli, and Council Member Gary Jablonski. The Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association Board members attending included: Vice-President Sandra Farah, Saied Taie-Tehrani, and David S. Kuczenski, who reported minutes as surrogate secretary as Secretary Isolde Cahill was excused. The membership meeting was attended by sixteen attendees, including board members, association members and guests. The newest association member, Pete Tsoukas, was warmly welcomed by the membership.
Davie police officer, Officer D. Graziadei, presented the law enforcement report beginning with since his last report there were twenty-four motor vehicle crashes and one hundred and eighteen moving violations, and since the beginning of the year there have been one hundred and seventy-two motor vehicle crashes and nine hundred and ninety-four moving violations. Officer Graziadei stated that the membership of the Rolling Oaks Homeowners Association requested a last years’ statistics vis-à-vis this years’ statistics for motor vehicle crashes and moving violations within the jurisdiction of the town. He will bring the same statistics to the next town meeting. The criminal reports during the previous month included a trailer theft, stolen cash money from a safe and stolen golf clubs. He also reported on a barn fire near 14600 Stirling Road. Several attendees expressed concern about vehicles running the stop sign on Mustang Trail at the cross road of Holatee Trail. Officer Graziadei stated that he will seek to increase surveillance of the cross roads. Officer Graziadei wrapped up his monthly report discussing the Civilian Police Academy from September 6 through November 22, 2016, which is targets to heighten awareness to residents as to everything the Davie Police does in protecting our town.
Town Officials:
Council Member Gary Jablonski advised the association of the upcoming vote by the Council on new rental regulations for barn rentals and new regulations for the use of the Town’s Rolling Oaks Barn. Council Member Jablonski further reported that the town will be upgrading the landscaping around the Town’s Rolling Oaks Barn to help insulate surrounding homes from noise generated from use of the Barn. Further, the town has received bids on the striping of the lanes of traffic on Stirling Road which will be voted upon at the July Council meeting. He also reported that the Broward County hazardous materials and shredding documents destruction vehicle will be at the Town’s Rolling Oaks Barn on July 9. Residents are encouraged to bring any hazardous materials, unused paint, electronics, old tires and confidential papers to the Barn for destruction. Councilman Jablonski brought to the association’s attention that a new charter school near Griffin Road and 207th Avenue will be accepting approximately 3000 students beginning this fall. This will result in an estimated 3000 more cars on the west end of Griffin Road twice a day. He reported that our town is taking action to have the adversely affected areas of Griffin Road widened to accommodate the additional traffic.
Council Member Steve Breitkreuz reported that many of our town’s officials approached the commission for the City of Pembroke Pines to address the additional traffic. He stated that it was interesting to him that Broward County set a bright line threshold and if the amount of traffic from the school exceeded that threshold Pembroke Pines would be responsible for improvements in Griffin Road. However, the study commissioned by, appointed by and controlled by the City officials of Pembroke Pines concluded that the additional traffic would be two cars less than the Broward County threshold for required widening. Councilman Breitkreuz stated that our Town’s officials fought the development of the new charter school from the onset; however, since the entire project was controlled by the City officials of Pembroke Pines, there was little that our town could do to oppose those efforts.
Councilman Jablonski addressed the association on the issue of the 1% surtax has been forwarded to the Broward Supervisor of Elections to be placed on the November ballot. He reported the proceeds from the final ballot measure will be broken down for ½ of the tax to be apportioned to Broward County for road improvements and ½ of the proceeds will be apportioned to the municipalities. The caveat for the ballot measure is if one of the initiatives fails, both automatically fail. He concluded that the council is generally opposed to another tax.
In conclusion, Councilman Jablonski announced that the Town will be hosting our annual Fourth of July celebration at the Rolling Oaks Barn on the 4th of July.
President’s Report
Since the President was not present, the Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association President’s report was delivered to the association by Vice-President Sandra Farah, who read the President’s comments as follows:
Committee Reports
Treasurer’s Report: Due to illness, Judy Parker was unable to be present, and consequently, member Bob Parker reported as designee on the status of the association’s finances. We began the month with approximately $4,700.00, and after expenses amounting to approximately $1,778, the largest being the publication of the Ranch Waggler, the balance at the end of the month is approximately $3,600.00.
Membership Report: Due to illness, Judy Parker was unable to be present, and consequently, member Bob Parker reported as designee on the status of the association’s membership. We added three new members in the past month, raising the total membership to 256 members.
Ranch Waggler: Chairman Saied Taie-Tehrani. The discussion concerned those advertisers who have not yet paid for the advertisements.
Drainage: Vince Faleltta reported no new drainage projects; however, he provided a detailed report concerning the development of 36 acre home sites being sold by the New Testament Baptist Church. Mr. Faletta’s primary concern is that the residents, most importantly, those within the Sunshine Ranches community should oppose any site plan that provides for road access from within the new development that allows anything more than emergency vehicle access to have access to Hancock Road. Mr. Faletta added that the canal along the former New Testament land development on Hancock Road will be moved eastward.
Guest Speaker Tony Massado addressed the association membership about their pending request for a zoning variance for a proposed Fine Arts Auditorium with approximately 1900 seats and additional ten classrooms. Several members asked questions about possible adverse effects. Association Member Darlene Hay complained about the noise that she hears form the athletic field and requested that Mr. Massado speak with anyone with authority to put an end to the loud profanity laced music coming from the athletic filed that she found extremely offensive. While Mr. Massado expressed vocal concern, questioned whether anything would be done to put an end to the offensive rap music.
Councilman Doug McKay addressed the association membership concerning upcoming elections. He stated that he was elected to become the next Mayor without opposition. Further, he reported that the candidates for District 4 seat are Board member David S. Kuczenski, Esq., and Denise Schroeder. He also reported that the candidates for District 3 will include incumbent Freddie Fiskelli and former Fire Advisory Board member Barry Neuzig.
Council Member Steve Breitkreuz reported that election debates moderated by the League of Women Voters will be held five to four weeks before the November election.
Vice-President Sandra Farah adjourned the association meeting at 8:33 PM.