New Water Restrictions Begin January 15

Effective January 15, residents and businesses in South Florida, including Broward County, will be subject to one-day-a-week water restrictions. The new restrictions mark the first time that the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has imposed blanket restrictions for the five million residents living in South Florida.
Highlights of the Modified Phase III water restrictions include:

The new, mandatory restrictions apply to all water from traditional sources, including water from public utilities, private wells, canals, ponds and lakes.  Users of 100-percent reclaimed water are exempt from the restrictions but are encouraged to conserve water voluntarily. For additional information on the water shortage, irrigation restrictions or water conservation, call the SFWMD’s toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 1-800-662-8876, visit www.sfwmd.gov or contact a regional SFWMD service center. Helpful water conservation tips also are available at www.savewaterfl.com.

Broward County Report Describes
Weakness in Housing Market

The latest edition of Broward-by-the-Numbers, an electronic monthly report published by Broward County’s Planning Service Division, an agency within the Urban Planning & Redevelopment Department, provides information on the economy and housing. The report, issued in late December, states that foreclosure rates continue to rise across the country. In the third quarter of 2007, the Fort Lauderdale Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was among the large metropolitan statistical areas with top 10 foreclosure rates—one foreclosure filing for every 48 households, according to RealtyTrac® data.

For more detailed information on the economic report and to view previous editions of Broward-by-the-Numbers, visit www.broward.org/planningservices, click on Publications, and then click on Broward-by-the-Numbers. For a free subscription to the monthly electronic report, email planstats@broward.org or call 954-357-6614.

Broward County Academy Accepting
Applications from Residents

Broward County Academy, an eight-week interactive program designed to inform residents about the services and programs of Broward County government, is now accepting applications. The first academy was launched in the winter of 2007, followed by a second session in the fall. The academy is open to all Broward County residents and is free. Class III will begin on February 7 and continue through March 27, meeting each Thursday evening, 6-9 p.m. Class size will be limited to 30 residents, to be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis through an application process. Additional information is available online at www.broward.org/academy.

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Scheduled for Fort Lauderdale

Broward County residents are encouraged to take advantage of a free hazardous waste and electronics drop-off event, scheduled for Sunday, January 27, 8 a.m.-3 p.m, in the area just west of Fort Lauderdale City Hall, 101 N. North Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Proof of Broward County residency is required. Residents can dispose of household hazardous waste, including paint, solvents, motor oil, pesticides, household chemicals, lawn and pool chemicals, mercury thermometers, propane tanks and fire extinguishers. Acceptable used electronics include televisions, computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, fax machines, cell phones and rechargeable batteries.

Early Voting Sites Open January 14
For January 29 Presidential Primary

Early voting locations will open on January 14 throughout Broward County for the January 29 Presidential Preference Primary. In addition to the presidential primary, voters will be casting ballots in a number of Broward municipalities and voters statewide will determine the outcome of a proposd amendment to the Florida Constitution relating to property taxes.

Supervisor of Elections Dr. Brenda Snipes announced the following locations for early voting: North Regional Library/BCC, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek; Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs; Davie/Cooper City Branch Library, 4600 S.W. 82nd Ave., Davie; North Regional Satellite Courthouse, 1600 West Hillsboro Blvd., Rm. 170, Deerfield Beach; African-American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale; Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; Hallandale Beach City Hall, 400 South Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach; Hollywood Branch Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Lauderhill Mall, 1241 N.W. 40th Ave., Lauderhill; Miramar City Hall, 2300 Civic Center Pl., Miramar; Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines; West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation; Pompano Beach Library, 1213 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach; Tamarac Branch Library, 8701 West Commercial Blvd., Tamarac; and, Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston.

For specific hours of operation and information on polling precincts, residents should contact the Supervisor of Elections office at 954-357-7050 or email at Elections@browardsoe.org. Additional information on voting is available online at www.browardsoe.org.

Broward County Agrees to Participate
In Wireless Internet Network Study

Last month, Broward County Commissioners agreed to contribute $10,000 toward a study to create a wireless network in the County.

The study is being funded by OneBroward Network, a consortium of educational, governmental, healthcare and non-profit institutions, to determine the feasibility of building
a fiber optic and wireless network through the County to provide broadband connectivity to Broward County government, municipalities, the school district, the Sheriff’s Office, the two hospital districts and academic institutions. The OneBroward Network initiative is modeled after the successful OneCleveland project in Ohio.

The study could include recommendations for public use of the proposed network.
In early 2006, Broward County launched a wireless broadband network—known as a WiFi zone—at several outdoor locations in the government/university campus area of downtown Fort Lauderdale. In 2005, free WiFi service became available at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Intermodal Center and People Mover
Workshop Scheduled January 10

With Port Everglades destined to become the largest cruise ship port in the world in 2008, a workshop will be held on January 10, at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 N.W. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, to discuss preliminary planning for a Intermodal Center and People Mover system to facilitate passenger and cargo traffic between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.

Public participation at the workshop is encouraged. At 6 p.m., exhibits will open and at 7 p.m. there will be a presentation, followed by a question and answer session. The workshop is sponsored by Broward County’s Aviation Department and Port Everglades.

Planners envision an Intermodal Center building above or near the Florida East Coast (FEC) railway tracks, which run east of the airport. Passengers and cargo could be moved between the airport and the port via the Intermodal Center. A variety of transportation options could be employed, including light rail, vans and buses. If passenger trains become operational along the FEC tracks, residents and visitors could access both the airport and port without driving an automobile to either location.

The goal of the plan is to alleviate road congestion on the limited access roads between the two facilities. It will also facilitate the efficient movement of freight, cargo and petroleum out of Port Everglades.

Free 2008 Environmental Calendars

Broward County’s Environmental Protection Department’s Air Quality Division is offering residents a free 2008 “Healthy Air…Healthy You” calendar. The calendar was developed in partnership with the School Board of Broward County to encourage students to creatively express how air quality affects our health. The calendar includes artwork of winning designs from an air quality poster contest, along with practical environmental facts.Calendars are available at the information desk in the lobby of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale and at Broward County regional libraries. While quantities last, you can also request a copy by e-mail by contacting airoutreach@broward.org.

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Please Send Email to Us

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information..