July 15, 2007 - * In January of 2007, newly elected Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl released a newsletter entitled “Our Shared Vision for Broward County”. It reviewed his first five weeks in office, expressed gratitude to his constituents (whether or not supportive of his candidacy) and issued a series of promises. What distinguishes Mr. Keechl from most grateful rookie officeholders is that he made good. His then proclaimed policy program entailed “lowering taxes, protecting our green spaces from development, lessening density on our beaches, and ensuring fiscal accountability”. A few months later, he added “enhancing Broward’s attraction to business, both old and new.”

By salting into the County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan an amendment to discourage the conversion of Broward County’s remaining golf courses into hypnotically redundant rows of mediocre McMansions, he helped “protect our green spaces from development.” To enhance the County’s business climate and broaden its tax base, he fought to bring two of the County’s critical transportation hubs, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, into the 21^st century - without any environmental sacrifices. His support for a convention center hotel will ultimately preserve Broward’s competitive edge in the struggle for lucrative convention business. To match his promises against his achievements, read on... - *[editor]

COMMISSIONER KEN KEECHL

When you elected me to the Broward County Commission in November 2006, you, the residents of District 4, sent a powerful message to the Broward County Commission. You supported a new vision for Broward County.

Your votes signaled a desire for lower property taxes. You wanted less politics and more leadership by the County Commission. You demanded fiscal accountability and the elimination of wasteful spending. You were not opposed to additional development, but you wanted “smart growth” focused on protecting surrounding neighborhoods and preserving Broward’s dwindling green and open spaces.

Quite simply, you wanted an environmentally sensitive, business-friendly Broward County Commissioner representing you and your families. I am pleased to report that in the last year and a half, our shared vision is now becoming a reality. In furtherance of our shared vision,

• I voted with the majority to lower property taxes two years in a row while simultaneously protecting the social safety net for our less fortunate residents;

• I successfully co-sponsored a historic amendment to Broward County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan to “strongly discourage” the conversion of Broward County’s remaining golf courses to residential developments;

• I voted with the majority to expand the southern runway at Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport before daily airport gridlock became the rule rather than the exception;

• I spearheaded the effort to authorize the expansion of Port Everglades while successfully opposing the unnecessary destruction of its precious mangroves in the process;

• I demanded an outside investigation of Broward County’s Animal Control and Regulation Division when I learned of animal abuse by Broward County employees and

• I voted to authorize the construction of a long overdue convention center hotel. Without this hotel, Broward was in jeopardy of losing our competitive edge over other popular convention destinations.

During the remaining 2 ½ years of my term, I will continue to advocate for our shared vision. You, your families, and all of Broward County deserve nothing less. Together, we can make a difference.

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COUNTY COMMISSION PREPARES FOR FY '09 BUDGET

June 2, 2008 - * In our County Commissioner’s Spring Newsletter, Ken Keechl reminds us that beneath his mild-mannered public persona is a two fisted budget hawk. Understandably proud of having delivered on virtually every campaign promise he made prior to his surprise upset of District 4 commission predecessor Jim Scott, Commissioner Keechl illustrates last year’s forward progress and exhorts that we prepare for the likely service trade-offs of a lower tax bill. The Broward Board of County Commissioners sifted through their appropriations laundry list last year, weeding out questionable programs, unnecessary projects that were seemingly funded annually by force of habit and expenses that can only be accurately described as embarrassingly overt political pork. With Round Two of Keechl’s crusade against irresponsible County spending around the corner, ascertaining which of the remaining county appropriations targets can stand a haircut will be much more difficult. Trimming the second $100 million from the budget will entail an intimidating stroll through a political mine field by Keechl and his peers on the County Commission.

THE LEASED GALT MILE READING ROOM THREATENED WITH CLOSURE

Downward pressure on available county revenues is anticipated from two sources. As a consequence of the Legislature’s imbalanced tax reform package and softening taxable real estate values, Broward County Commissioners will have to fund required services with substantially diminished budget resources. Services and programs that aren’t perceived as critical could suffer cutbacks or disappear. While investigating what appeared to be county mishandling of renovations to the Galt Mile Reading Room, Commissioner Keechl learned that County Library facilities housed in leased spaces may not survive the 2009 budget exigencies. Keechl admonishes that cutbacks in the hours of operation for parks and libraries are being classified as “acceptable losses” in what is shaping up as a survival struggle for county services. Community bus routes victimized by low ridership are also on the block. Last year, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Christine Teel reported that unless the local Sun Trolley experienced a substantial increase in passenger traffic, its days were numbered. Undiscouraged by this year’s heightened challenge, Commissioner Keechl identified an alternative or incremental source of savings.

CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS - GENERAL FUND COMPARISONS

To protect certain governmental agencies from direct exposure to unhealthy political influence, Constitutional officers are afforded virtual independence from Commission fiscal control. The Supervisor of Elections, the Property Appraisor, the Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk of the Courts, etc. are Constitutionally immunized to the County Commission’s fiscal machinations. Given the reasonable assumption that the Sheriff is more preoccupied with operational effectiveness than budgetary efficiency, Commissioner Keechl is exploring previously taboo territory. Half of the County’s collected tax revenues feed the Sheriff’s coffers. When Al Lamberti filled Ken Jenne’s size twelves, Commissioner Keechl proclaimed at a GMCA Advisory Board meeting that he was impressed with Lamberti’s commitment to Broward County. If Keechl can help Lamberti identify areas (such as overtime and public relations) wherein strategic adjustments could deflate the Sheriff’s resource requirements, the fiscal runoff from Lamberti’s $500 million war chest could go a long way to achieving the additional $100 million in savings that Commissioner Keechl set as a target benchmark. With the supply of “easy fixes” already exhausted in last year’s $100 million savings drive, every dollar spared by the Sheriff will rescue jobs and enable continuation of threatened important programs. - [editor]*

COMMISSIONER KEN KEECHL

As I promised each of you during my campaign to be your Broward County Commissioner, I will never vote to raise your property taxes. My philosophy is simple. I recognize that this is your money, not mine. So when faced with a proposed expenditure, I ask myself the following question: Is this item truly necessary? If not, I have voted against the expenditure and I will continue to do so.

Since taking office in November 2006, and in furtherance of my campaign promise, I have led the charge on the County Commission to lower your property taxes. Last year, we were successful in reducing the County’s FY ‘08 budget by almost $100,000,000.00. It wasn’t easy, but we instituted a hiring freeze; agreed to eliminate unnecessary expenditures; and re-evaluated the need for each and every program offered by the County.

This year I again intend to keep my promise to each of you.

The Broward County Commission has recently begun the FY ’09 budget process. The tax rolls have not yet been certified by our Property Appraiser, Lori Parrish, but based on a significant decrease in property values, and after reviewing some preliminary data; I believe that the Broward County Commission will need to eliminate at least another $100,000,000.00 from our FY ’09 budget.

Make no mistake. This year will be harder than last year. Instead of last year’s hiring freeze, this year some County employees will have to be laid off; others will have to work harder and more efficiently. Already we have approved County Administration’s plans to consolidate certain departments, divisions and sections within the Broward County government’s vast bureaucracy. We will undoubtedly see a slight decrease in the number of hours that our parks and libraries will remain open. Unproductive bus routes will be consolidated or eliminated.

I am again asking Broward County Administration to review all previously approved capital expenditures. I am convinced that many of the projects currently within Broward’s Capital budget are unnecessary and should be postponed, if not eliminated.

KEECHL SEEKS COOPERATION OF SHERIFF AL LAMBERTI

Lastly, in furtherance of our goal to lower property taxes in FY’09, the County Commission has also requested that BSO reduce its budget by approximately 10 percent or $50,000,000.00. Since BSO spends approximately 50 cents of every $1.00 that Broward County collects in property taxes, this request is proportionate and reasonable. Yet, because I am not unmindful that the economy is in a possible recession, I recognize that crime may increase in the near term. As a result, I will not advocate, nor vote for, any reduction of police officers or fire fighters from BSO’s FY ’09 budget.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of expenditures in BSO’s FY ’09 budget that should be reduced. BSO’s overtime and public relations expenditures are just two simple examples of areas that I have asked BSO to review. I am confident that Sheriff Lamberti will work with the Commission over the summer to reduce his budget, while simultaneously insuring that Broward’s residents continue to be safe and protected.

In closing, I would like to once again thank you for the honor of being your County Commissioner. It is a job that I do not take lightly. Together we can, and will, make Broward County a better place for our families and loved ones. As usual, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at kkeechl@broward.org or 954 357-7004. Remember, I work for you.

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COUNTY COMMISSION VOTES TO SAVE GREEN SPACE

March 5, 2008 - * In his July/August, 2007 Newsletter entitled “Making Campaign Promises A Reality,” District 4 Broward Commissioner Ken Keechl listed several examples of actualized campaign promises. His fourth entry exclaimed, “By a 9-0 vote, the County Commission has directed staff to amend Broward’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan to strongly discourage golf course conversions and to require environmental contamination inspections.” A month earlier, on June 12^th, the Planning Services Division of Broward County Urban Planning And Redevelopment Department released a report to the Broward Board of County Commissioners entitled “Broward County Golf Course Conversion Study”. The report embodied an authoritative recommendation for safeguarding the county’s dwindling green space. It recognized that officials charged with protecting Broward’s natural resources have often bartered them as an accommodation to unscrupulous developers.

PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION STAFF

The report’s suggestions are a recipe for disrupting the unrequited sacrifice of Broward’s remaining green space. The language resonated with Commissioner Keechl, whose legal experience with similar land use abuses was honed battling developers as a Plantation city attorney. While pleased with the Commission’s support for the Planning Services Division report and their subsequent vote to toughen relevant land use regulations, Keechl knew that the issue was a political mine field. Addressing some of the subsequent developer-driven opposition to the amendment during a September 11, 2007 Commission meeting, Keechl warned his commission peers, “So I would like to say to each of you that I am well aware that you are now being lobbied -- and if you haven’t been, you will be -- by those who have a different vision than the people of Broward County who elected me and who elected some, if not all, of you.”

In his February Newsletter, County Commissioner Ken Keechl describes some of the obstacles facing the amendment’s supporters. Lobbyists have misrepresented coordinated attacks on the Commission’s attempt to protect Broward’s few undeveloped golf courses as a struggle for “home rule”. Registering righteous indignation, developers have challenged the county’s “interference” with a municipality’s right to quietly sell off Park property within its borders. Accused of advocating “takings”, Keechl is being denigrated for contending that homesteads illegally built on a golf course have the same vulnerabilities as any structure out of compliance with County building or zoning codes. By recasting the surreptitious selloff of county resources as a “right” with which the Commission is interfering, developers hope to rally opposition to the Amendment, effectively clearing the way to fill Broward’s few remaining green spaces with rows of mediocre “McMansions”. - [editor]*

COMMISSIONER KEN KEECHL

As you know, the protection of our dwindling green spaces was a campaign promise I made to each of you. And, as a result, I have led the charge on the Broward County Commission to protect our few remaining golf courses from residential conversions. As I also advised in my July 2007 article, “Making Campaign Promises A Reality,” my colleagues and I unanimously voted last year to begin the process of amending Broward’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan by forwarding appropriate amendatory language to all of Broward’s municipalities for their review and comments.

The proposed language, if approved by the County Commission at two public hearings, would make it Broward County’s official policy to “strongly discourage” the conversion of these few remaining open spaces to residential development. Moreover, any applicant who nevertheless decided to seek such a land use change would be required a) to specifically mitigate the loss of open space in the surrounding residential neighborhood and b) to provide a Phase I and Phase II environmental report documenting the absence of environmental contamination, a difficult endeavor due to the traditional use and build up of pesticides and arsenic-laden herbicides on Broward’s golf courses.

A number of cities, including Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, and Oakland Park, responded favorably to my proposal. However, a number of cities (backed by land speculators and powerful lobbyists) responded negatively and are actively campaigning against the land use amendment. These individuals are making untruthful and disingenuous arguments directly to my colleagues on the County Commission in private meetings. For example, rumor has it they are arguing that the proposal is a “takings” of their property. Obviously it’s not an unconstitutional “takings” because the owners never had the legal right to build any homes on their golf courses. By analogy, can you demolish your home and build a commercial warehouse in its place? Of course not. I could go on with the ludicrous arguments, but you get the idea.

Florida’s Sunshine Law prohibits me from personally talking to my colleagues about the importance of protecting Broward’s golf courses and refuting these arguments. Unlike the lobbyists, I have to wait until the public hearing and hope it’s not too late. Fortunately, Florida’s Sunshine law doesn’t prohibit you from personally lobbying my colleagues right now.

The first important Broward County Commission public hearing on this matter is currently scheduled for March 25, 2008. I encourage each of you to show up and show your support. But if you can’t take off from work or you have to watch the kids, you can still help us protect Broward. You can email or call my colleagues right now and tell them that you are a voter and you support protecting our remaining golf courses from residential conversions. You can obtain contact information from Broward County’s website at www.broward.org or by calling 954-357-7000. You can also call our office if you need contact information.

I will report back after March 25^th, 2008.

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When traveling on Florida's Turnpike we each understand the cost of the toll before we make a decision to use the highway. The FL Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) has a different tolling scheme for I-95.

Plans are well on the way to create Express Toll Lanes, also know as "managed lanes" on I-95 south of I-595. The toll will vary depending on the amount of traffic on the road on the day and time you are traveling.

CLICK FOR 95 EXPRESS HEARING DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS

Drivers will not know the fee being charged to use the Express Lane until they receive their monthly statement. Tolls will be calculated through the use of infrared scanning devices installed along the lanes.

CLICK FOR LARGER MAP TO SHERATON FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT

High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes may be new to Florida, but they have been in place in a number of states across the nation. FDOT promotes the new HOT lanes as a way to deal with traffic congestion. However, many drivers in California, Colorado and Texas report their experience with HOT lanes (also know as Lexus Lanes) transfers even more congestion on to the normal toll-free lanes, as HOT lanes account for only part of the road's total capacity.

HOT lanes are also being proposed for I-595 and possibly I-95 through north Broward. FDOT and the Florida Legislature make the final decisions on design changes to the state road system. However, it is important to me, as your County Commissioner, that you clearly understand how the installation of HOT lanes will impact your commute and your pocketbook.

I urge you to review the material I have pasted below. Please attend the public hearing scheduled for March 4, in Dania Beach, if you can. You may also contact the FDOT Project Manager John J. Olson at 954-777-4452, or by email at john.olson@dot.state.fl.us.

Your ideas and opinions are an important to me when advocating for you with FDOT and other state officials. Please take a minute to share your comments with me too.

The items Commissioner Jacobs referred to as “the material I have pasted below” are:

• A letter to Kristin Jacobs from FDOT announcing the need for Public Hearings about Variable Rate Tolls Rulemaking predicate to the implementation of congestion-based toll pricing anticipated for the HOT managed lanes on I-95.
• A notice for Variable Rate Tolls Rulemaking Hearings

Other links to documentation and graphics about the 95 Express Project and Commissioner Jacob’s email are:

5 ACRES TO HOUSE NEW RESORT

January 11, 2008 - On December 20^th, the Galt Mile Community Association Advisory Board convened its final meeting for 2007. As part of the GMCA’s mandate, the Advisory Board aspires to keep abreast of projects that either benefit or detract from every resident’s “quality of life”. Based upon the Advisory Board’s ongoing evaluation, the neighborhood association votes to support or oppose the project. Ireland’s Inn founder Jack Ireland and proprietor Andy Mitchell of the Fairwinds Group updated the board about their establishment’s development progress.

ANDY MITCHELL PLANS IRELAND’S INN FUTURE WITH FORTUNE INTERNATIONAL’S EDGARDO DEFORTUNA

They’ve pieced together five acres and with Fortune International Realty’s golden boy developer Edgardo Defortuna, Westin Diplomat and Fountainebleau architect John R. Nichols, high end landscape architecture firm EDSA and superbrand Mandarin Oriental, Mitchell and wife Kathy Ireland plan to morph the post-Wilma remnants of the 40-year Fort Lauderdale institution into a five-star resort & spa. The Ireland family is facing an unusual zoning dilemma. Since Municipal intent is to deter the erection of massive structures “out of character” with the surrounding neighborhood, City approval requires provision for open space proportional in scope to a proposed structure or structures. To ascertain compliance, the total length of the structure serves as the basis for calculating the amount of open space that must be accommodated.

IRELAND’S INN BEFORE DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE WILMA

The planned redevelopment of Ireland’s Inn resort is predominated by two main buildings. The architectural riser clearly shows the two structures separated by a sizable open space that reveals the ocean backdrop. Ordinarily, this layout would pass code requirements with flying colors. However, the plans provide for underground parking facilities beneath the buildings. Despite the fact that the below grade garage is invisible and covered with landscaping, since it is located below both structures, City planners are interpreting the two buildings and the connecting underground garage as one continuous structure.

By classifying invisible underground building elements as if they were visual impediments capable of obscuring the view or blocking the sun, building officials have deemed the plan in violation of maximum length regulations. The proprietors have continuously modified their vision to satisfy neighborhood concerns, altering height, placement and shadowing in response to suggestions forwarded by local residents. Moving features that can’t be seen is a barren source of aesthetic benefit.

Another obstacle arises from the property’s residential zoning status. For years, Fort Lauderdale residents have congregated at the Ireland’s Inn restaurant, patronized their beauty shop and enjoyed the beachfront bar. By definition, residentially zoned areas rightfully preclude businesses from providing direct entry from the street. Given the resort’s creation of a self-contained enclave that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, forcing customers to funnel through the hotel lobby to access the ancillary services is another foolish, counterproductive compliance objective.

Andy Mitchell was considering his options in formulating a response to some of these technically applicable yet highly questionable “incompatibilities” with current code. Instead of preparing volumes of variance applications, he is predisposed to request a unique Planned Unit Development (PUD) status. If granted, the city will judge these issues based upon their actual community impact instead of their alignment with questionably applicable code requirements.

COMMISSIONER KEN KEECHL

Following the Ireland’s Inn project update, Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl addressed the Advisory Board, initially reviewing the progress of the County’s Beach Renourishment project. Following the completion of the southern part of the project, an 18-month monitoring period was mandated to evaluate the Segment III component ranging from the Broward-Dade county line to Port Everglades. Scientists and engineers were charged with auditing the environmental aftermath of the renourishment in Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood Beach and John U. Lloyd State Park Beach north to the Port. The monitoring period ended in September. Academicians from Nova Oceanographic Institute commiserated with Broward County scientists and some outside engineering firms to develop a report useful as a resource for the upcoming Segment II renourishment in Fort Lauderdale.

NEXT STOP - NEW FLORIDA CABINET

Fulfilling their obligation, the scientists identified problematic impacts, made relevant recommendations and compiled the data into a report prepared for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Governor Crist and the Cabinet will review their work product and establish a start date for the Segment II rehabilitation. Keenly aware of the rapidly diminishing shoreline along the Galt Mile, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of establishing adequate beachfront to buffer the barrier island and inland communities from the devastating hurricanes that are expected to continue hammering the County. The renourishment project promises the only effective protection for lives and property. Compared to the huge storm repair costs ultimately underwritten by taxpayers and ratepayers during the past few years, the cost of the project is a small price to pay to save $billions in future damages and prospective loss of life.

Commissioner Keechl exclaimed that the beach is also a critical part of State and County fiscal health, fueling Broward’s two largest economic engines – the Tourism and Marine industries. Keechl said that “most Broward residents view the beach as an integral part of their lives,” whether they live on the barrier island or near Sawgrass Mills. As such, the County is working feverishly to keep the project “on track”. He learned from Stephen Higgins, Broward’s beach administrator, that the County was recently reimbursed $1.2 million in project expenses by the Federal government. Networking with our federal representatives, he said, “Congressman Ron Klein is working to keep the project’s Federal – State – County partnership intact and viable.” The Commissioner also made reference to a penny bed tax dedicated to preserving the beach.

BEACH MANAGER STEPHEN HIGGINS

In his FY 2007/2008 Local Government Funding Request (see page 9) to FDEP’s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program, Higgins determined the project is 90.25% (78.14% of Segment II and 99.45% of Segment III) eligible for state cost sharing. As such, of the anticipated $7 million in 2008 Segment II Broward beach renourishment costs, $3,931,200 is expected from the federal government, $1,198,980 from the State and $1,869,820 from the County. The Commissioner also made reference to a penny bed tax dedicated to preserving the beach.

BROWARD BEACH TESTED WITH GLASS SAND

Keechl confirmed that Higgins has expanded his search for sand. Several borrow areas that were originally designated as adequate sand sources were reevaluated in late 2007. The net borrowing to date has diminished the ratio of sand to rock to unacceptable levels, prompting an effort to identify and locate alternative sand sources. In addition to re-examining offshore deposits, Keechl said, “Higgins is looking to the Gulf and the Bahamas as potential donors.” Higgins also investigated the efficacy of “glass-sand”, sand-like smooth glass grains that can be sized and colored to match intended target areas along the Broward coast. Since sand and glass share silicon dioxide as their main ingredient, both products are chemically compatible with the beach environment. The State and County have already spent about $600,000 in engineering costs and for vesting test areas with glass-sand to ascertain its on-site viability.

At the September 20^th Advisory Board meeting, the Commissioner expressed concern about the deployment of erosion control devices at what are known as “erosion hot spots.” Certain areas along the beach are prone to heightened erosion rates. Ordinarily, as beach sand naturally washes south along the shoreline, it is in turn replaced by sand migrating from beaches to the north. Theoretically, the only deficit should occur at the northernmost beaches where nothing is available to replace the southerly migrating sand. Breaks in the shoreline – such as inlets – disrupt the natural flow, diverting sand out of the loop. These interruptions in the flow are characterized as “erosion hot spots.”

EROSION CONTROL DEVICES AT PORT EVERGLADES BEFORE COVERED WITH SAND

Coastal engineers have developed marine construction elements that catch the lost sand, slowing the rate of erosion. The boulder mound spur and two T-head rock groins installed next to the Port Everglades inlet fulfilled that purpose. By slowing coastal erosion, the devices delay the need for subsequent expensive renourishments, justifying the minor aesthetic drawback. Expressing his opposition to any coastal plumbing that mars the natural appearance of the beach, he said he would ask Higgins if the machinery could somehow be hidden from view. However, until technology can effectively blend the devices into the beach environment, Keechl agreed to support the installation of a limited number of erosion control elements. Winding up his beach update, Keechl said, “Delays attributed to the search for sand prompted Steve Higgins to project a fall 2009 start date for the Segment II renourishment.”

NEW BROWARD SHERIFF AL LAMBERTI

Our District 4 Commissioner broached the impending January 29^th vote on a proposal to amend the constitution with controversial property tax reform. A longtime advocate of a more equitable property tax system, Keechl expressed his disappointment with the Legislature’s tax package. Digressing, he remarked that he was very pleased with the installation of Al Lamberti as County Sheriff. Clarifying his surprise segue, he asked if we were aware that 50% of the County’s property tax assessment went to the Sheriff, half of which went to fund the jails. The Broward Commission is vested with marginal control over how constitutional officers (the Broward County Sheriff, the Broward County Property Appraiser, the Broward Supervisor of Elections, etc,) budget their departments. The Commission was often frustrated by the previous sheriff’s lack of cooperation in exercising budgetary self-restraint. Keechl complimented the new sheriff’s predisposition to work with the Commission to control spending.

CLICK TO BROWARD COUNTY CHARTER

Changing the meeting focus to some potential revisions in the Broward County Charter, Commissioner Keechl said the Charter Review Commission is considering major changes to the structure of county government. As expected, the Commission reviewed the current musical chairs format that underlies the mayoral rotation and discussed whether the County would be best served by a strong or weak mayor. In the current format, the commissioners take turns serving rotating one-year terms as Mayor. Since their primary allegiance remains to their respective districts, the seat is largely symbolic and its occupant’s objectivity is hardly credible. Alternatively, Keechl described several formulas considered by the Commission that would create an independent mayor.

The Charter Review Commission is composed of 19 members, two appointed by each of the nine County Commissioners and the 19^th was appointed by Kristin Jacobs with “At-Large” status. The Commission is serviced by subcommittees charged with a variety of responsibilities. In addition to a Charter Budget Subcommittee and a Charter Legal Subcommittee attending primarily to Commission housekeeping, the five other jurisdictions addressed by 7-member subcommittees are Administrative Issues/Governance, Health/Social Services, Land Use, Public Safety and Transportation. The Charter Review Commission’s final recommendations will likely appear on the November 2008 ballot for public approval.

So far, the Administrative Issues/Governance Subcommittee recommendations include a “Non-Interference in County Administration” amendment that precludes the County Commission from interfering with County Administration, a “County Commission Meetings Rules and Voting” amendment that describes how conflicted County Commissioners should ethically recuse themselves from inappropriate participation in matters related to a conflict of interests and a “Broward County Regionalism Policy Statement” that provides for the inclusion of a statement detailing the County government’s “duty to develop programs and policy with a county-wide focus.” Keechl described the subcommittee’s most important work product as their “Redistricting & Directly Elected Mayor” amendment.

After considering 5 possible formulas for reconfiguring Broward’s governing board, Commissioner Keechl said the final proposal provided for 9 Commissioners, a Mayor and a Vice Mayor (or At-Large Commissioner). The two additional positions would be committed to the County’s interests as opposed to any particular district. The election of an independent Mayor and Vice Mayor (or At-Large Commissioner) would bring to a halt the peculiar practice of attiring an elected district Commissioner “in Mayor’s clothing” for a year. The subcommittee is still wrestling with the Mayor’s actual powers. Although most jurisdictions are led by a strong Mayor who shares power with an elected commission, exceptions to that model include the City of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Broward County; wherein elected commissioners work with a strong Manager or Administrator. The largely ceremonial Mayors are equipped with powers comparable to those of their commission peers. Keechl mentioned that the Broward Workshop, a panel of 18 civically active business leaders and professionals committed to the County’s betterment, supports a weak Mayor for Broward County.

The Health/Social Services Subcommittee will recommend the formation of a “Broward County Housing Council” to address workforce housing, affordable housing and homelessness and recommend that the County Commission continue to support Children’s Services as a County priority. The Land Use Subcommittee will recommend an amendment that will raise the bar for changing the status of County Park land, making it more difficult to capriciously barter away our dwindling green space. They’ve also composed a Policy Statement that details the County government’s duty to enact policies that protect “citizen’s rights to a sustainable environment while encouraging the stewardship of natural resources.” The Public Safety Subcommittee will recommend reorganizing the “Broward County Fire Rescue Council” as the “Broward County Public Safety Council”, imbuing the new entity with expanded jurisdiction and requiring that County ordinance prevail over municipal ordinance in matters relating to minimum standards for fire protection and emergency medical services. The Transportation Subcommittee will recommend the creation of a “Metropolitan Transit Authority” serviced by a Board of Trustees and a Citizens Advisory Council that will replace the existing Broward County Office/Department of Transportation.

CLICK ABOVE TO ENLARGE VIEW OF CALYPSO DEEPWATER PORT (DWP)

Following the Commissioner’s address, GMCA President Pio Ieraci asked about the County’s take on the Calypso Deepwater Port and the adjoining Calypso Pipeline. Commissioner Keechl surprised the Advisory Board by admitting no familiarity with the projected construction of a liquid natural gas (LNG) transfer station off the Galt Mile beach. If City Commissioner Christine Teel hadn’t apprised the GMCA Presidents Council at their December meeting of the project’s anticipated implementation, much less its serious implications for the adjacent area, it would have mysteriously appeared one day on the horizon without the community’s knowledge or assent. An investigation into some of the project’s liabilities revealed a horrifying potential for massively incinerating the surrounding area and killing thousands of local residents.

30 MILE VAPOR CLOUD FROM OXNARD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

When creating a licensing format for liquid natural gas offshore facilities, the Administration resisted attempts by Congress to include local input as a major requirement for receiving approval. In fact, only State Governors are empowered to veto LNG projects within their jurisdictions – everyone else enjoys spectator status. Although the project will be located in waters under federal jurisdiction, the pipeline carrying the revaporized end product at some point enters County and City jurisdiction en route to achieving landfall in Port Everglades.

131 KILLED, 680 LEFT HOMELESS, 225 INJURED

Studies suggest that the dangers inherent in the project, not the least of which is the cargo’s potential for ignition, will threaten the entire area within 30 miles of the LNG Deepwater Port. Since the facility is expected to be located about 7 miles offshore opposite the Galt Mile beach, tens of thousands of barrier island residents and thousands more inland city dwellers would become victims if subjected to an accidental ignition similar to catastrophes in Cleveland and Algeria. In Cleveland, a city block was incinerated in 1944 at the site of the first onshore LNG facility built in the United States. A similar holocaust occurred in 2004 at a LNG facility in the Algerian port city of Skikda. The Administration’s strategy of shielding LNG licensing from local input while fast tracking regulatory approval flies in the face of a report by former White House chief of security Richard Clarke that characterizes LNG facilities as ideal terrorist targets.

While the County and City have been deliberately marginalized by federal licensing procedures, the project must still pass local review as part of developing a required Final Environmental Impact Statement. Commissioner Teel promised to arrange a public meeting to address inquiries about project safety and potential vulnerability to terrorist attack, severe weather events and human error. The total amount of energy contained in a full tanker of LNG is comparable to 55 Hiroshima-style atomic bombs or roughly 7/10 of a megaton of TNT. Despite the County’s lack of input, Commissioner Keechl said he would look into the issue and, if appropriate, solicit federal assistance to help contend with any adjudicated threat. As exclaimed by Ieraci after thanking the Commissioner for his offer to help, “Its beginning to appear as if we may need it!”

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