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PVFA BBQ, Affordable Housing, Code Enforcement and more.
The 65th Plantation Volunteer Fire Department barbecue is from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. Admission is free and includes children’s activities, displays and a performance by the Shane Duncan Band.
There also will be a police canine demonstration, a helicopter landing and a vehicle extraction demonstration using the Jaws of Life.
Pulled pork, chicken and other items are on the menu. The event is the firefighters’ biggest of the year. Go to PlantationFire.com/BBQ for your meal tickets (price goes up at the event).
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The city council approved an adjustment to our comprehensive plan and the result is “flex” units can no longer be applied in single-family home neighborhoods.
Plantation Acres residents, fearing overdevelopment, had been asking the city to prohibit going beyond the specified number of dwellings defined in the Broward County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. I and others asked that we not differentiate between all of our single-family neighborhoods and prohibit flex in all of them.
So now the comprehensive plan allows excess residential units only in Priority Redevelopment Areas, which are already of a commercial or mixed-use nature. The City Council approved the measure at its Oct. 23 meeting.
I am a member of our city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and we have arranged for a Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at City Council chambers.
The meeting is open to all South Florida residents and serves as a platform to address the challenges many face in finding affordinable housing. Go to Plantation.org/HousingEvents.
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Curious about code enforcement? My office is leading a workshop for the City Council at 5 p.m. Nov. 20, preceding the regular City Council meeting.
I have been holding monthly meetings with various departments, trying to get a better handle on our code enforcement policies and how we communicate them with the public.
It is difficult because Police handles one portion (say, trash placed out too early or parties that are too loud), Building handles others (structures that are improperly built) and Planning and Zoning yet another (the legalities of what items can be in what part of the city).
We will try to better explain how we work and get the council’s input for improvements.
The American Heritage School Choir and the South Florida Jubilee vocal group will be singing patriotic songs at our annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event is at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale West Drive.
Parks staff will hand out carnations to veterans. Elected officials from several levels of government will offer brief remarks. The South Plantation JROTC also will be on hand.
As mayor, I want to add that participating in this event is an honor. It is a meaningful ceremony that has a long tradition.
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NBC’s WTVJ-Ch. 6 has been airing a series entitled “What’s in Your Water?” and Plantation Utilities Director Danny Pollio recently was featured, explaining the foresight the city had decades ago by installing state-of-the-art filtration systems.
Check out the story on nbcmiami.com.
We recently released very short videos explaining parts of a resident survey we conducted. You can see the videos by visiting plantation.org/FCGW or on our social media.
Meanwhile, we continue to produce a “Mayor’s Minute,” released each Monday to help residents plan their week. To subscribe, visit plantation.org/SignMeUp.
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Plantation Police, Broward County officials and I worked together to add some county properties to our Trespass program. We have been concerned about public sleeping – which now violates state law – outside West Broward Regional Library, the BCT bus terminal and West Regional Courthouse.
Plantation’s Trespass program gives entities a way for Plantation Police to act more quickly to address those loitering on their property. Commissioner Steve Geller arranged for documentation confirming the county’s enrollment in our program, so we can more actively monitor their properties. That means our police participation will increase, while still acknowledging that homelessness itself is not a crime.
City administration, other staff and the police have been regularly meeting since this spring to address code enforcement and homeless concerns.
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St. Gregory Church and School Day
This year, Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church and School proudly celebrates its 65th anniversary, honoring a rich history and steadfast commitment to faith, education, and community. Founded in 1959, the church has grown from its humble beginnings to become a vibrant parish with eight weekend Masses and over 50 ministries serving 3,201 families. Saint Gregory Catholic School, which began with 143 students in portable classrooms, has since graduated thousands of Plantation children.
We invite the community to join us in congratulating them on their 65th Anniversary, celebrating their Blue Safire milestone, and thank them on the contributions they have made to our city.
Florida Climate Week
The City of Plantation recognizes the urgent need to address climate change and the specific vulnerabilities faced by Florida, with its extensive coastline and low-lying areas susceptible to sea-level rise and extreme weather. The 2023 Climate Change Synthesis Report highlights a 1.1°C temperature rise, linking it to an increase in extreme weather events worldwide.
Organizations like the VoLo Foundation, alongside local, state, and federal partners, are dedicated to raising awareness and empowering Floridians to make impactful changes.
During Florida Climate Week, October 7 - 13, residents are encouraged to learn more and explore solutions by visiting FloridaClimateWeek.org.
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Island Space Museum
The City of Plantation celebrates Island SPACE (Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education), a non-profit that has been dedicated to preserving and sharing Caribbean culture in Broward County since 2019.
The Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, located in the Broward Mall, is the only Caribbean heritage museum in the U.S. and hosts unique exhibits like the Bob Marley collection and annual events such as the Reggae Genealogy music festival.
In honor of their fifth anniversary, Island SPACE hosted Milestones, an event recognizing outstanding Caribbean leaders and celebrating their achievements. The City recognized Ato Boldon, Alison Smith, Glendon Hall, and Cleopatra Bauduy, Caribbean trailblazers who embody a commitment to community, cultural preservation, and inspiration across South Florida. The City extends their appreciation for the contributions of Island SPACE and these honorees to the growth and inclusivity of our community.
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Monday, November 11, City offices will be closed in observance of Veteran's Day. Normal operating hours will resume Tuesday, November 12.
Our parks will be functioning on Holiday hours. To see specific times of operation, visit Plantation.org/ParkHours.
Events
November 1: Used Book Sale at the Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
November 1: Rock the Park concert featuring Allman Revival/The Beautiful Loser (Allman Brothers/Bob Seger Tribute) at Pine Island Park. Food Trucks open at 6 p.m. and music kicks off at 7 p.m.
November 2: Used Book Sale at the Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
November 3: 65th Annual Plantation Volunteer Firefighters BBQ from noon to 5 p.m. at Pine Island Park.
November 7: Affordable Housing Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
November 9-10: Not Your Mamas Craft Fair at Volunteer Park. Open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this indoor and outdoor craft fair will feature seasonal artisan products, handmade jewelry, clothing, kitchen craft, and plenty of other unique items.
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Meetings
November 6: CRA and City Council at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
November 7: Affordable Housing Advisory Board at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.
View all 2024 meetings and events by visiting Plantation.org/Calendar.
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