Charter Review Commission
Seeks Input from Residents

Broward County’s Charter Review Commission (CRC) will hold two public hearings on recommended changes to the Broward County Charter: Wednesday, March 12, 5 p.m., and Wednesday, April 9, 1 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Both public hearings will be televised on participating cable stations and webcast on www.broward.org. The Charter Review Commission will accept questions via email at charterrview@broward.org. The proposed changes include:

• Creation of a Metropolitan Transit Authority
• Non-Interference by County Commissioners
• County Commission Meeting Rules & Voting
• Broward County Housing Council
• Broward County Regionalism Policy Statement
• Broward County Park Preservation
• Broward County Environmental Policy Statement
• Broward County Ethics Commission
• Revised Meeting Schedule of the Charter Review Commission and the Management & Efficiency Study Committee
• Broward County Public Safety Council
• Online Access to Public Records
• Redistricting
• Continued Support for Children’s Services

To review the proposed charter amendments, visit www.broward.org/charter or call 954-357-8890 to request copies.

Library to Conduct Essay Contest
To Mark Black History Month

The The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, and local radio station Love-94 FM are sponsoring an essay contest in honor of Black History Month, which is traditionally celebrated in February. The contest, which is open to Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade students from kindergarten through high school, will award four grand prizes — complete home computer systems, valued at $1,500 — to the winning students. Entry forms and information for the contest, which runs from February 1-29, will be available at AARLCC’s Youth Services Desk, or at www.love94.com. Entries will be determined by a panel of judges from AARLCC, with one winner from each of the following grade categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winners will be judged on merit, originality, grammar and spelling. All entries must be received by 5 p.m., February 29. Contestants can only enter one essay. Employees and family of Clear Channel, Brandsmart USA, or any other Florida radio or TV station are not eligible.

County Offers Free Seminars
On Drought Landscaping

Is your landscape suffering under the new water restrictions? Broward County’s Water Resource Division’s NatureScape Broward Program is offering free seminars for residents to learn how to design and create drought-tolerant and attractive landscapes.

Residents will learn how to create environmentally-friendly landscapes that will save time, money and protect local natural resources. NatureScape Broward encourages the use of native plants uniquely adapted to grow in South Florida that conserve water and reduce pollution. The following seminars will be held in February and March:

February 13, 7-8:30 p.m., Wilton Manors Library, 500 N.E. 26th St., Wilton Manors. Topic: The Good, the Bad, and the Exotic Plants and Animals of Broward

February 16, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston. Topic: Designing a NatureScape for Wildlife

February 21, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Anne Kolb Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood. Topic: NatureScape Broward seminar.

March 15, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Water Matters Day event), Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie ($1.50 park entrance per adult, children 5 and under free). The event features a native tree and plant giveaway and exhibits.

March 27, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek. Topic: NatureScape Broward seminar

For additional information or to register, call 954-519-0317 or visit www.broward.org/naturescape.

The South Florida Water Management District has imposed Phase III once-a-week water restrictions, which directly affects more than five million South Florida residents and thousands of farms and businesses. For more detailed information on Modified Phase III water restrictions, contact the South Florida Water Management District’s toll-free Water Conservation Hotline at 1-800-662-8876 or visit www.sfwmd.gov. For water conservation tips, visit www.browrd.org/watermatters.

Pineland Preserve Opens
In Coconut Creek

On February 1, Broward County’s newest natural area—the 13-acre Helene Klein Pineland Preserve opened in Coconut Creek. The site, dedicated and named for the late environmentalist, Helene Klein, who spearheaded a drive to save the site, is located at the northwest corner of Hillsboro Boulevard and Lyons Road (south of N.W. 71st Place).

The preserve is one of the smallest sites in the Parks and Recreation Division’s natural areas system, but also one of the most diverse. Up to 55 species of wildlife have been observed in the preserve. Site amenities include seating areas, a covered information kiosk, a covered picnic table, interpretive signage, a covered overlook, and 1,250 feet of nature trails, including a boardwalk. The property was acquired in 2002 through the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond program and a Florida Communities Trust grant, at a total cost of $3.4 million.

Subscribe to Free Hurricane
Update eMail System

To subscribe to Broward County’s free Hurricane Update eMail System, visit www.broward.org/hurricane. The system provides residents with important information from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center before, during and after a hurricane. eMail notifications will be sent to subscribers with news about hurricane watches and warnings, evacuation orders, recommended protective actions and related public safety information.

Deadline for Filing for Senior
Exemption: March 1

Qualified residents 65 years of age or older (as of January 1, 2008) are reminded that they should file for an additional Senior Homestead Exemption. Eligible seniors must have a total household adjusted gross income not to exceed $24,916. Documents required to file for the Senior Exemption include a 2007 income tax return or, if one does not file income taxes, a copy of the 2007 Social Security 1099 Form. The deadline for applying for the senior homestead exemption is March 1, 2008.

The second $25,000 homestead exemption applies only to the County’s portion of the taxes and city taxes for residents of municipalities that have also adopted the additional exemption. The senior exemption saves the average Broward property owner nearly $300 each year. For further information, visit the Broward County Property Appraiser’s online www.bcpa.net or contact Kelly Brown at 954-357-6035 or by email at kbrown@bcpa.net.

County Initiates New Procedure
On Recording Quit Claim Deeds

Because of an increase in fraud involving quit claim deeds, Broward County’s Records Division has implemented a new procedure to inform property owners that a quit claim deed, transferring ownership of his or her property to someone else, has been recorded.

The notification, sent by postcard, provides a web link for the owner to view the deed in question. If the owner is aware of the transaction and signed the quit claim deed, no action is required. If the owner did not sign the deed and the transfer is fraudulent, the owner should contact an attorney to have the transfer set aside.

For general information about County Records or recording documents, call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000 or email records@broward.org. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals should call 954-831-3940 TTY.

Parks & Recreation Division
To Host Public Forum

Broward County’s Parks & Recreation Division will host a public forum on Wednesday, February 6, 6 p.m., at Roosevelt Gardens Park, 2841 N.W. 11th St., Fort Lauderdale. The forum will provide residents with an opportunity to provide suggestions, voice concerns and ask questions about recreational needs. For directions to the form and additional information, call 954-357-8107.

West Regional Library
To Conduct “College Night”

West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, will conduct its annual Florida College Night on Monday, February 18, 7-8:30 p.m. The program, which features representatives from a host of colleges, universities and technical schools in Florida, is designed to familiarize students and their parents on the admission requirements, course offerings and financial assistance offered by the institutions. Catalogues and financial aid forms will be available. For additional information, call Ric Johnson at 954-382-5860, ext. 226.

In addition to the event at the West Regional Library, a number of workshops have been scheduled at other libraries, including the North Lauderdale Saraniero Library and the Main Library in Fort Lauderdale. For more detailed information, visit www.broward.org/library and click on to Bookings, the library’s monthly informational magazine.

Hazardous Waste Drop-off Events
In Coral Springs, Wilton Manors

Broward County residents are encouraged to take advantage of two free hazardous waste and electronics drop-off events:

• Sunday, February 10, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., City Hall South, 9530 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs.

• Sunday, February 24, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors.

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.

To Receive Community Update
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..