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Mayor Sortal's Plantation Update - March 14, 2023

Police roll out new technology; a restaurant commits to Market on University and you can give your thoughts on road proposals.

Plate Readers Installed The Plantation Police Department’s latest crime-fighting tool is something you’d rarely notice: We are in the process of installing 39 automated license plate readers throughout the Gateway District. This technology detects stolen vehicles and wanted criminals and sends real time alerts to police officers in the area. (Surprisingly, once a car is stolen, the thieves often use it to commit more crimes.) It can also help find missing or kidnapped persons. The police have methodology for placing the plate readers. This first step is to cover the State Road 7/U.S. 441 area. Plans for the Midtown District and the rest of the city are already under way. This project is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year due to engineering and permitting requirements with Broward County Traffic Engineering and Florida Department of Transportation.

Police Achieves the Highest Level of Accreditation

The Plantation Police Department recently achieved their ninth reaccreditation and their third Excelsior Status Award with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).

This means that our PD meets the highest standards for law enforcement agencies statewide. Only a handful of Florida law enforcement agencies hold longstanding Excelsior status.

Click the link to see what this entails.

From the Left: CFA Vice Chair, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods; Plantation PD. Chief W.H. Harrison; Accreditation Manager Jan Coffindaffer; Deputy Chief Jim Dourvetakis and CFA Executive Director Stacy Lehman

Women's History Month

The Broward County Commission on the Status of Women has named Councilmember Jennifer Andreu as one of 12 women who will be honored as a "life-changing leader" as part of National Women's History month. Mrs. Andreu will be featured throughout March in an exhibit in the lobby of the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, and can also be viewed on the 2023 Women's History Month website.

Strategic Planning

City Council members and department heads will be on a retreat this Friday, March 17, as we formulate Plantation’s Strategic Plan. That’s the overarching expression of what we want our city to be about. The Mayor’s office is tasked with defining the City’s strategic direction, but I am going to listen to vital points of view before completing the plan.

The Strategic Plan is the foundation for multiple projects, including a Comprehensive Plan, which will shape future development, pro-active asset management and implementation of police body cameras.

Council - March 29

Note that March is a week with five Wednesdays, giving us flexibility in scheduling our meetings. Because March 20-24 is spring break, we decided our second March meeting would be on March 29.

Market on University Tenant

Burton’s Grill and Bar is the new future occupant at Market on University. The restaurant will have 188 seats for indoor dining and 60 for outdoor. There are 18 Burton’s in eight states listed on the company’s web page. The closest one to us is in Boca Raton.

As most of you know, an explosion in 2019 destroyed much of the property at the plaza, including the Carrabba’s Italian Grill on the easternmost end, 1003 S. University Dr. where Burton’s will be located. I did a quick scan at BurtonsGrill.com and don’t have a quick description, other than it seems like a good place. Lobster Shrimp Pasta, bowls, Crème Brulee and Mediterranean Chicken Risotto stick out.

Broward Days I’ll be heading up to Tallahassee March 21-22 for Broward Days, an event where leaders in our county band together to request state legislators for action that’s in the best interest of the county.

Sign Code Update

Suggested changes to our sign code were briefly discussed at the Planning and Zoning Board on March 8.  Full public hearing on the proposed Ordinance is scheduled for the Board meeting on April 11, followed by two public hearings at the Council meetings in May.

Comment on Road Plans

Significant changes that would make Cleary Boulevard and Nob Hill Road friendlier and safer to bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers have been proposed by the Broward MPO and Plantation city officials. The public can get a look at the plan at 6:00 p.m. March 14 at Plantation Central Park.

The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, as part of an 18-month study, has suggested implementation of a suite of projects that would reduce traffic to only one lane each way so cyclists and pedestrians can traverse more comfortably. Roundabouts would replace the two intersections with stoplights near Central Park.  These changes would serve to make Cleary safer for all users, officials say.

The proposal, a part of the Multimodal Transportation Plan, also includes a pedestrian bridge at the west end of Cleary, allowing passage between Hiatus Road and old Hiatus Road. MPO staffers will have maps and be available for questions. City staff will also be present. Resident input is vital because there are some features people will like, but others that they won’t.

City's 70th Anniversay

Saturday, March 11, we kicked off the City’s anniversary with the opening reception at Plantation Historical Museum. Make sure to stop in and visit the exhibit dedicated to recreating some of the original places, celebrating people and remembering events over the past 70 years. While there, test your history knowledge at one of the interactive stations.

Important Dates:

April 15: A day full of activities is set for the 70th Anniversary Celebration, starting with a party at the pool at the Aquatic Complex from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Afterwards join us at Plantation Central Park from 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm for an evening of fun and entertainment, including music, a children’s zone and various vendors. 

April 22: The Chamber of Commerce’s “Cheers to 70 Years: Mayor’s Gala” is at the Renaissance Hotel from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Visit PlantationChamber.org for more information.

April 27: A Panel Discussion; Memories of Our City at the Plantation Historical Museum at 7:00 pm.

April 29: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is from 3:00 pm -10:00 pm at Plantation Central Park. Please note that this year the event will be held on a Saturday.