President Chris Brownlow welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Tommy Crivello led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Davie Police: Detective Hobales reported that we had a good month with traffic: 73 citations in Sunshine Ranches and 189 in Southwest Ranches. Regarding crime, many were related to people leaving their purses in their cars. Also, there were 4 people arrested in Landmark who were stealing cars there. Officer Larry said we had 153 Vacation Watches for the month, which is a great thing. Holiday tips for shopping were also shared; remember to take your shopping bags out of your cars!
Council Updates: Mayor Steve Breitkreuz
Special meeting this month regarding fireworks and their effect on farm animals, and the mayor is looking forward to receiving input from residents. The mayor’s call is on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Council Member Gary Jablonski gave an update on the Green Meadows program, as well as the various drainage and transportation projects that are underway. Also, the speed trailers are working and helping to reduce speeding in our area.
Vice Mayor Jim Allbritton also referenced the speed trailers. We are also working with Waste Management (WM) to update the maps for the schedules.
Council Member David Kuczenski will be giving updates on traffic and crime in the upcoming Council meetings to bring more awareness. Also, if you have a drainage or fill issue, please attend the Drainage Board meetings.
Council Member Bob Hartmann thanked everyone who supported him during his election campaign; his campaign’s key themes were about keeping us rural, protecting agricultural and animal needs, keeping our taxes reduced and keeping our families safe. He heard a lot of comments from folks, including those related to public safety, which he feels really needs to be improved in our town.
President Chris introduced Carlos Martinez who gave an update about his property on Hancock and Griffin; he has a contract from a person who wants the property as a personal residence and a backup contract from a developer who wants to use the land as a community facility property. Carlos introduced Mark Fisher who showed his projected plan. He wants to purchase the full 40 acres and build 3 residences for personal use, plans to build a horse trail, and provides other enhancements. There were many positive changes made after the September presentation to the HOA, per the residents’ comments. Chris opened up for questions, comments, and concerns.
Council Member Gary Jablonski asked Mark Fisher to consider a few additional items including moving a north/south horse trail to 136 Avenue, as well as extending the canal on the south side of the property 950 feet to 136 Avenue. He also confirmed that what Mark proposed seemed like a viable project and pretty much everyone will support it once all of the conditions are met.
Mr. Fisher responded to Council Member Jablonski, stating that he was never informed about extending the canal. He also stated that extending the canal, especially on someone else’s property, would be a deal-breaker.
Jason Halberg then called the question in the motion, “Does the community of Sunshine Ranches support Mark Fisher’s proposed development as presented this evening where it will be 3 residential plots on the 40 acres with no rec center as previously presented, and Mark has agreed to deed-restrict all 3 properties so that they cannot be further subdivided in the future?” All were in favor. None were opposed. Council Member David Kuczenski announced that he was refraining from voting to avoid any conflicts.
Finally, Marianne Allen had the floor for comment and requested for the town to put in an ordinance regarding fill issues. A specific resident is bringing a lot of fill onto their property. Chris would like for Marianne to be appointed to the Drainage Board.
Mayor Steve stated that he listened in to the entire meeting, and that of course, he would not be able to comment, but that it was a great meeting.
The next meeting will be on January 25 at 7:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Current News and Updates:
Congratulations, Councilman Kuczenski, on winning 2nd place in the Chili Cook-off! The Car Show festival was great fun and a tremendous success.
Thank you to everyone who attended our SRHOA Party in the Park. We all shared a relaxing afternoon. We look forward to seeing you for our April soiree!
Get ready to enjoy more wonderful artwork by our very own Laura Warren as she continues work on the mural located in Founders (Poliakoff) Park just behind the CVS.
If you would like to host the DPD flashing traffic sign on your swale, please notify the Town. They will help you coordinate with the department.
Thank you to those of you who were kind enough to respect the livestock areas and keep the fireworks noise to a minimum. We appreciate your efforts as we work hard to maintain our rural atmosphere and the safety of our pets.
The Drainage Board will be drafting fill ordinance language. You are welcome to join their monthly meetings to provide input.
Thank you to Lori Parrish, Bob Parker, and Hernan Linares for serving as the SRHOA 2023 Nominating Committee. Please note our bylaws: “Any Member desiring to be a candidate for the Board shall give written notice to the Secretary of the Association not less than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled election.”
Thank you to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and State Representative Robin Bartleman for all the funding they acquired for our town this past year. Folks, they are both working hard for our community.
We remember our resident, and past SRHOA president, Susan Winn. She now lives in love and light with her father, Sherman, and husband, Stuart. She will be missed.
Community events:
Please support the SWR Country Fair taking place January 12th -16th at the corner of Dykes and Griffin. Great family fun will be had by all.
Stay Connected:
Mayor Breitkreuz’s “Q & A with Mayor Breitkreuz,” occurs on the second Wednesday of the month. Please join Steve for an informal discussion pertaining to your concerns. The SWR Farmers’ Market continues to run each Saturday at Green Meadows Sanctuary.
Remember, the Council meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Occasionally, dates may change. Please check the Southwest Rancher and/or www.southwestranches.org for meeting dates, times, and agendas. Internet viewing is also an option, just go to your YouTube connection and type “Town of Southwest Ranches Official Channel.”
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
Support Southwest Ranches’ Certified Community Habitat status by certifying your own backyard through the National Wildlife Federation’s backyard habitat program…it is easy, plus you may purchase and proudly display a certification sign. Go to nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat today to certify.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
Meeting was called to order at 7:40 by President Chris Brownlow. The pledge was led by one of our Veteran members attending the meeting. We proceeded to recognize the 40 years of service to our Chief Police Detective Jeff Hobales with a cake presentation organized by DaNell D’Alfonso. Our chief was very moved and thankful for the tribute from the SRHOA board and members.
Police report by Det Jeff - informed about people walking at about 3 in the morning with backpacks full of mail from different municipalities with over 206 pieces of mail which resulted in the apprehension of 2 female suspects and a person in a vehicle assisting them. He also mentioned the addition of new Laser Units giving positive results with speeders.
Council member David Kuczenski informed about the Broward County animal control to reconsider the time animals are held with police before they are returned.
Council member Bob Hartman spoke about Vince Falletta, his contributions to the drainage committee, ethics, knowledge, and experience in different boards and committees. He asked to name a canal in his memory and proposed the canal on Stirling and Luray.
Council member Gary Jablonski presented a town report on Drainage projects in Southwest Ranches, surtax due to inflation, TSDOR, stormwater project schedule, and future construction on the council agenda for approval. Also discussed were town safety projects. Waste Management started services to the Town of Southwest Ranches on October 1st, it is expected to facilitate solid waste and recycling. Updates on trash and bulk pickup.
Additional information and venues discussed:
HOA’s $1200 contribution to the artist’s wall mural at Gary A. Poliakoff Founders Park
Hay bale contest Oct 29; Sign entrance Green Meadows; Photo contest underway
Holiday light contest award December 9th; Rolling Oaks Halloween event
November 17th, Erica Garcia’s presentation on fireworks and effects on animals. The Mayor is planning a special workshop for this.
Green Meadows civic association thanked SRHOA for their donation.
Our guest speaker was Marty Kiar, who provided valuable information to the residents. Asked the residents if there were any valuation adjustments for their properties to call or email BCPA to check and adjust accordingly. Exemptions: Homestead is capped at 3% increase regardless of the increase in value, additional exemptions based on income tax. Long-term Senior exemption if they live in the town for 25 years or more. Florida ranks first for Title Fraud in the country. Fight the fraud and sign with OWNER ALERT notification program to protect owners from fraudsters from BCPA. Fraud is targeted to Seniors, Low Income, properties paid in full. BCPA works with every city in Broward, FBI, Secret Service, US Attorney, etc. It is mandatory to have an email for a quicker notification from BCPA.
Jason Halberg presented the new potential owner proposal of the ongoing project with Carlos Martinez, the property is under contract with a project to build a 40,000 sf home and a larger 50,000 sf accessory-use building to be used as a sports facility. This would require a variance from the Town. Members discussed the potential of increased traffic with such a large facility that could affect Hancock Road.
Mary Ann Allen provided a report on the ongoing issue related to illegal fill. She mentioned how one property owner, to the rear of her neighbor, brought in and dumped 58 truckloads over the weekend without a permit. She then explained how the property owner only applied for and received a Level II permit (which is good for just 8 truckloads) afterward bringing in 58 truckloads. Upon a stop work notice issued by the town for a fill violation, the property owner then applied for a Level III permit. The resident Mrs. Allen further mentioned that this property owner sits on 2 town advisory boards and is the chair of the drainage board. She shared how she moved here in 1989, and that the rules should apply to everyone. At a recent Town Council meeting, she explained in detail to the Council about the ongoing illegal fill issue and how an urgent change is needed to the town’s fill policy to address these concerns moving forward.
Long-time resident and member of SRHOA, Bob Parker, made a motion to donate $1,500 to the Southwest Ranches scholarship fund, seconded by DaNell D’Alfonso, and approved by the members.
Events coming: Hawks Bluff event, and on Saturday, December 10th, Chili Cook-off and Party at the Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park hosted by the SRHOA on December 11th from 1-3 pm.
Jason Halberg called to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 pm.