Community Projects are Making a Huge Difference
HALLANDALE BEACH - Over the past few months I have been updating our residents on the many construction projects that have been taking place around our community. These infrastructure projects are very complex and do not always go as planned once construction begins. The 12th Avenue project which is been going on now since the fall is on the verge of completion. It should be noted the construction that took place late summer early fall were emergency repairs that prompted the replacement of the entire line. There has one been one additional setback that has once again delayed the project. There is an FPL pole that still has to be adjusted before all the pressure testing is completed. As of Monday staff was working with FPL to make sure the work is done. Once the poll is secured final pressure testing can be completed. Once all the pipes pass inspection the area will be filled in and micro resurfaced.
The Holiday Drive/ Layne Blvd section of the sewer main was connected on Monday evening at 11 PM. This portion of the project had to be done at this hour due to the fact it is the time there is the least amount of waste water volume. This section of the pipe will also be pressure tested. The entire line did not have to be totally replaced as it was found the pipe itself was not exposed at all locations to sea water levels. Patchwork on the asphalt throughout this project has been completed. Once all the final tests and inspections are complete the entire streets will be micro resurfaced. All impacted swales will be restored with sod. Staff had anticipated doing some of the areas but due to the cold spell throughout South Florida turf farms lost their crops. At the time this article was written there was no anticipated delivery date.
Many residents that depend on the bus system and enjoy the availability of benches and shelters have been calling the city and me to find out why the shelters were removed. During our budget the city commission approved a new contract for bus benches and shelters. After working out all the legal aspects of the old contract and instituting the new contract, work to remove shelters has begun.
The new company has done an aggressive inventory of areas where they would like to place new and additional benches and shelters. The old shelters had to be removed since they were not the property of the city. Places where existing shelters were removed will be made ADA compliant. This will be the same for any additional bus bench areas. An exciting component to this project is that where there is available space the bus stop areas will be equipped with recycling bins. The bus bench shelter company will be fully responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the areas.
There will regretfully be some inconvenience for at least 2 to 3 months until the new shelters are installed. Again there has to be work done to make sure areas are ADA compliant and there is access to power sources. The bus bench areas will also take some time. Staff is looking to prioritize high volume and areas that can accommodate the benches without major construction. .
This many residents have already received notification about the FEC railroad crossings being closed of Hallandale beach Boulevard over the next days. With seasonal traffic on Hallandale Beach Boulevard at its peak the timing could not be worse. There is one up; Gulfstream Park does not conduct races on Monday and Tuesday which should remove some of the congestion. FDOT has also been sending out notifications and has established a traffic mitigation plan that will direct traffic heading westbound North on First Avenue to Northeast Third Street. Traffic heading eastbound will be diverted To Dixie Hwy., South to Southeast 3rd Street.
The Florida Department of Transportation has commissioned Marlin Engineering, Inc. to coordinate and design a traffic control plan for the railroad crossing referenced above. This detour will be maintained from Sunday February 6, 2011 at 6:00 am to Wednesday February 9, 2011 at 5:00 am at which time the roadway will be opened to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
Our city conducted a daylong visioning session this past Friday. While it was a long meeting it was very productive. The city commission set forth a redefined vision for our community. The key focus for the commission remains to be dedicated to enhancing the quality life of our residents, providing services in a fiscally sound manner and remaining open and transparent.
Our facilitator Mark Levinson former City Manager of Coral Springs did an excellent job of guiding the city commission effectively through the process. It is not surprising he was effective since he worked for 15 years with Coral Springs and led them to the receipt of the Malcolm Baldridge Award for Corporate Excellence. Of course there are always bumps in the road during this process and it is inevitable that the commission may not see I to I on all topics. There is obviously different ways to approach our strategic goals.
I will not cover the entire meeting in this article I will save it for later date. I will share with our readers how I had started out the meeting and when things got out of hand reminded my colleagues that we need to work together and civilly. I cannot take credit for the following affirmation but I have signed on to this pledge will continue to follow the United States Conference of Mayors Civility Accord. The accord was penned by the conference staff with input from the Tucson Mayor after the tragedy that killed six individuals and wounded 14 individuals including Congressman Gabriel Gifford’s.
Through the US Conference of Mayors, we, the mayors of America’s cities, in order to restore civility to our communities and through them to our nation, pledge our commitment to the following principles for civility: Respect the right of all Americans to hold different opinions; Avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate, delegitimize or question the patriotism of those opinions that are different than ours; Strive to understand different perspectives; Choose words carefully; Speak truthful without accusation and avoid distortion; Speak out against violence, prejudice and incivility and all of their forms whenever and wherever they occur.
This is a small section of the USCM Civility Accord. You can find it in its entirety on my website at www.MayorjoyCooper.com.
On Tuesday, February 15th Treats for Soldiers will be holding another Luncheon at Hallandale Beach Cultural Center, 410 S.E. 3rd St., to support sending packages to our troops. Tickets are only $13 pp in advance or $15.00 pp at the door. Checks are to be made out to Treats For Soldiers, Inc, and sent to Claire Poole, President P.O. Box 4511, Hallandale Beach, FL 33008-4511. Hope you can attend. Donations are always welcome. For more information contact Claire at 954-292-8261.
GREEN TIP
Do not be fooled! Even with the resent rain and cold weather. There still is a water shortage please conserve.
City of Hallandale Green Leadership Organization (GLO) and the Rotary Club invite you all to participate on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in our Eco Fair. Highlights include free light bulb and tree giveaway, old cell phone collection, recycle product information, children’s games and refreshments, conservation and energy pointers. Open and free to the public. To see how you can participate and for further info: 954-454-0541.
As always please contact or call me anytime with your questions and concerns at 954-457-1318, cell/text 954-632-5700 or at www.mayorjoycooper.com.
