Hurricane Preparedness Expo
Slated for Saturday, May 20

In preparation for the 2006 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through November 30, Broward County will present a Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), 201 N.W. 84 Avenue, Plantation. The event is free and open to the public. There will be exhibits, displays and demonstrations by Broward County agencies and its emergency response partners. Giveaways and prizes will be included in the expo, which precedes national Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 21-27), designated by the National Weather Service to focus attention on early preparation for hurricane season.

The May 20 expo will open at 10 a.m. with a short ceremony, featuring a Color Guard and remarks by public officials. The event will officially launch Broward County’s Ready. Set. Safe. campaign, designed to raise public awareness of hurricane preparedness and safety before and after a storm. As part of this year’s educational and outreach efforts, Broward County will be mailing 760,000 households in the County an official Broward County Hurricane Preparedness Guide, a 12-page, color tabloid with important tips, information, maps and resources. Watch your mailbox for this useful and fact-filled guide. For additional information on the expo and events related to the 2006 hurricane season, visit www.broward.org/hurricane.

County Encourages Residents
To Review Online Records

Broward County’s Records Division encourages all residents to ensure that personal information is blocked from documents the County is required to post as a matter of public record. To view public records and receive instruction on how to request blockage of personal information, visit www.broward.org/records.

A special e-mail box has been established to receive requests for removal of sensitive information. Anyone interested in submitting a request must complete a Removal Request Form or send all required information via fax, mail or e-mail to: Broward County Records Division, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 199, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. FAX: 954-357-5945; E-MAIL: removepersonalinfo@broward.org. E-mail requests are typically handled the day they are received. Residents can call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000 for additional information.

Documents required by Florida statute to be posted as a public record, at the County Records office and online, include documents related to the purchase and sale of real property. While the majority of these documents do not contain sensitive information, some may include personal data that can be blocked, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit, debit or charge card numbers.

“I encourage residents to visit www.broward.org/records and review their records. If information which is qualified for removal or blockage from the public record is contained in any document, the Records Division will promptly ‘redact,’ or remove it, upon request,” said Sue Baldwin, director of the County’s Records Division. Current Florida statutes do not give counties the authority to automatically remove such information. Baldwin advises people who own or previously owned real estate in other Florida counties to review that county’s website for sensitive public records data.

Florida Statute 28.2221(2) establishes official records requirements and requires counties to provide electronic access to public documents by January 1, 2006. Certain documents recorded after June 5, 2002, such as military discharges, family, juvenile and probate law documents, and death certificates, are required to be automatically blocked from public records. Until January 1, 2007, however, documents recorded prior to June 5, 2002, and all property records regardless of date recorded, require a specific request to remove information.

Commission Approves $90 Million
Affordable Housing Bonds

Broward County Commissioners approved issuing $90 million in Multi-family Housing Revenue bonds at their meeting on April 25. The low-interest bonds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate 960 affordable rental units in Miramar and Pembroke Pines. Creating affordable housing opportunities is one of the Commission’s highest priorities.

Pembroke Village Apartments, 160 N.W. 78th Terrace, Pembroke Pines, and Pier Club Apartments, 8440 Sherman Circle North, Miramar, each contain 480 rental units. The bonds—essentially low interest loans—will be used by the developer, Fairfield Residential Apartments, a Delaware limited liability company. Fairfield has agreed to provide affordable rental housing for persons and families of low and moderate income for a minimum of 15 years. Twenty percent of the units in each project will be set aside for households earning 50 percent of the median household income in Broward County, which translates to approximately $30,000. Both Miramar and Pembroke Pines have expressed support for the concept of improving the rental units and keeping the rents affordable.

“Approval of these bonds preserves a large segment of rental stock in the affected communities,” said Joseph Kocy, Broward County’s Assistant to the County Administrator for housing, “and generates additional income to underwrite other affordable housing programs.”

Environmental Awards Presented
to Businesses, Groups, Residents

Broward County Commissioners recognized local businesses, organizations and residents with special environmental awards at a County Commission meeting in April.

Emerald Awards were presented to large and small businesses in recognition of their waste reduction, recycling, improved operating practices and other “green” strategies to reduce pollution and waste. This year’s winning businesses include: Pollution Prevention/Hazardous Waste Reduction: OXXO Care Cleaners (small business) and Hollywood Woodwork, Inc. (large business); Recycling: City of Deerfield Beach, Public Works (large business); Innovative Procedures/Process Improvement: PurigeN 98 (small business);  Imperial Point Medical Center (large business); and, Green Products/Practices or Programs: Hoodridge (small business) and JM Family Enterprises (large business).

The Emerald Awards program also includes a component to recognize those who have incorporated NatureScape Broward techniques into their landscaping. NatureScape techniques include the use of native plants, water conservation, recycling yard waste and reducing the use of pesticides. This year’s winners were: Homeowners: Alex Schore and Melissa McGauhey ; Municipality/Government: City of Plantation Development Services Building-Butterfly Garden; Special Achievement: Kid’s Ecology Corps and the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club-Lighthouse for the Blind Garden; and, Business: Garden Gate at Sears, Pompano CitiCenter.

Broward Beautiful Grants
Deadline—May 24

The deadline for submitting 2006 Broward Beautiful Grants is May 24. The grants, from $1,500 to $10,000, provide financial assistance to qualified entities for landscaping projects. Homeowner, condo and civic groups are eligible for the grants, in addition to schools, governments and non-profit agencies. The Grant program provides reimbursable grants for landscape improvement projects on public property and other common areas visible to the public. Applications are available online at www.broward.org/bio. For information, call 954-519-0326 or e-mail BrowardBeautiful@broward.org.

Turkish Arts Exhibition
At Governmental Center

Beginning May 15, a classical Turkish Arts Exhibition by internationally-known artist and art historian Muhsine Duygu will be on display in the lobby of the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The exhibition, which includes more than 100 pieces of calligraphy, marbling, miniature paintings and illumination, is being sponsored by the Anatolia Cultural Center of Fort Lauderdale, a non-profit group promoting Turkish-American cultural exchanges. The free exhibition will run through May and is open to the public. The Governmental Center is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12-day Sales Tax Break
For Hurricane Supplies

Following action by the Florida Legislature and approval by Gov. Jeb Bush, Floridians will be given a 12-day period to purchases hurricane supplies before the beginning of the 2006 hurricane season. The tax-free period begins on May 21 and end on June 1. Among the items exempted from sales tax:

• Items $20 or less: any portable self-powered light source, battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, gas-powered lanterns and candles.
• Items $25 or less: gas or diesel fuel containers.
• Items $30 or less: batteries (AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt (excludes automobile and boat batteries; coolers and ice chests.
• Items $50 or less: cell phone batteries and chargers; standard radios, two-way radios and weather band radios (self powered); tarpaulins, flexible waterproof sheeting, ground anchor systems and tie-down kits.
• Items $200 or less: storm shutter devices.
• Items $1,000 or less: portable generators for light, communications or food preservation.

Low Cost Rabies Vaccination
Clinic Slated for May 20

Broward County’s Animal Care and Regulation Division will hold a Low-Cost License and Rabies Vaccination clinic on Saturday, May 20, Joseph C. Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The $15 cash only fee includes the rabies vaccination and county animal license. For a map to the clinic, visit www.broward.org/animal. To qualify, pet owners must be Broward residents, meet certain income guidelines and provide proof of residency. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.

Public Surplus Sale
Scheduled for May 12

Broward County will conduct a Public Surplus Sale on Friday, May 12, 7:30 a.m.-noon, Broward County Surplus Warehouse, 1600 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach. Items scheduled to be sold include computers and related equipment, including laptops, printers and servers. Other items include “lost and found” items such as electronics, toys and collectables. All items are sold “as is.” Cash only. Items will be sold on a first come, first served basis.