Twin Lakes South Neighborhood Org.

April 2006

May 17, 2006

TWIN LAKES SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006
FIRE STATION 87
2100 NW 39TH STREET
OAKLAND PARK, FLORIDA
By Barbara Chovan


INTRODUCTION

The first ever meeting was opened to all residents of Twin Lakes South to meet their Oakland Park officials and our own neighbors. Signs announcing the meeting were posted on telephone poles and in resident doors and, by word of mouth. As a result more than 60 of our homeowners attended the meeting.

The meeting was organized by our own neighbor Tricia Surinak of 4240 N.W. 10th Terrace. She has lived here for about seven (7) years.
She cared enough about our neighborhood to take on the task of organizing this meeting so we could meet our neighbors and get accurate information about decisions and concerns effecting our neighborhood.

It is important to note that a Neighborhood Organization is NOT a Homeowner?’s Association, which can restrict residents?’ private property via a deed restriction upon purchase of ones?’ property. A Neighborhood Organization does not have legal ground to restrict residents?’ private property. It is composed of residents who volunteer their time to seek improvements to the neighborhood by way of voicing our needs to the City of Oakland Park and Broward County concerning neighborhood issues, such as street lights, sewers, side walks, beautification of common areas, crime, solid waste, and waterway maintenance. As a Neighborhood Organization we are eligible to apply for grants that can win us ?“Welcome to Twin Lakes South?” entrance way signs and landscaping for our common areas, which Ms. Surinak is actively pursuing with a group of interested residents.

DISCUSSIONS

Ms. Surinak introduced Oakland Park District 12 Chief, David Rahinsky. Chief Rahinsky informed us that we have 24-hour patrol and now since the annexation, a second car is patrolling. He answered questions about the speed humps, traffic and crime issues and provided us with referrals on other issues that were not law related. He encouraged us to call him at anytime for any problems at 954 561-6125. He advised that it is important to lock not only our home doors, but also our car doors and not to leave valuables in sight in the vehicles. He suggested we start our own crime watch neighborhood as well as a Citizen on Patrol (COP) volunteer program. Since the meeting, we already have one COP volunteer who will be provided a uniform, a radio and marked car and the gas. An extra set of eyes and ears for our residents.

Next, we met Greg Gomez, the Assistant Director of Public Works who was speaking on behalf of the Director, Dave Womacks. He also invited us to call him anytime re public works issues at 954-561-6284. Public Works has 8 divisions (no water or sewer). Their divisions include waste (garbage), streets, storm water drainage, etc. He informed us that the sewer project slated for our neighborhood is in the ?“early?” planning stages with Broward County. So, it could be some time before we have sewers. If we do agree to sidewalks, we?’d have to wait until after the sewers were installed, so that project too looks to be sometime in the future. Many residents complained to him about the drainage (runoff) canal, which is south of our homes stating that there is a lot of debris/trash in it and it is breeding mosquitoes and presents a danger to our children and us. Though that is Broward County property, Womack, from Oakland Park, has recently contacted Broward County about the issue and Ms. Surinak has provided Sean Marker and Anne Ogren, residents who live on the canal, with the County contact information. Also, lack of maintenance of the South Lake, which is the City of Oakland Park?’s domain, was brought to his attention. The Assistant Director promised to get his people in a boat in there and try to cut away the high grass and clean up some trash. That?’s a start.



Re the Street Lights. We have three (3) options at a minimum.
1. Since our power is in poles which are mostly located in our back yards, they would have to tap into that or 2. Let them erect dual easements which would take 3?’ off each side of the street or, 3. Put the wires underground. We are looking for volunteers to serve on the ?“lights?” committee so that our options can be thoroughly researched and residents can make an informed decision.
Re the Signs that are missing from our streets. We are on a long list of many neighborhoods that lost signs during the storm. Our request will be put into Broward County traffic engineering, but you may contact them directly as well to complain. The name given us was Linda Laskin at 954 484-9600. Lastly, we met Fire Chief Don Widing who advised us that we can contact him at 954 630-4547 as well as introducing us to Asst Chief Bob Dening and Battalion Chief Steve Hicks. Oakland Park has 3 fire stations to serve the City. We have two very close to us. One is on Powerline Rd. just north of Prospect ?– Station #20 and, on NW 21 Ave. and 39 St. They passed out community volunteer applications for the City programs and informed us that Hurricane Preparedness Information is posted on their city website at http://oaklandparkfl.org or on their AM radio station 1680. He asked that we try to have at least 4?” house numbers posted on our homes so that emergency responders have better visibility to find our house. He stated their response time has been about 4.5 minutes per call. They have just completed their Insurance Inspection and expect to go from a 5 down to a 3 rating (with 1 being the best); however a 3 is also excellent. This new rating could give us an advantage to have our own homeowner insurance rates reduced. The fire department is also trying to obtain a reverse 911-phone line (119) where they can contact our residents in an emergency and provide us with some direction (such as evacuation, refuge centers, during a storm with flooding problems or before/after a hurricane). Finally, nearly half of those in attendance at the meeting volunteered to help our Neighborhood. For example, every block will have a ?“Street Captain?” who will pass out information to all houses on that street and can also help in emergencies or other issues. Also, looking for interested residents to serve on various committees, listed below, and asking those residents who have skills or services like printing, signs or landscaping to donate their time/supplies to help our Organization?’s effort. Not mentioned at the meeting, but of interest to Twin Lakes South, is the pedestrian walkway, connecting our neighborhood to Royal Palm Park which will start the planning phase on August 1, 2006, look for bids/ contractors beginning September 30, 2006, and is set for construction starting November 29, 2006 and finishing March 29, 2007. The next meeting will be held again at Fire Station 87 at the above address at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 16th. You may want to bring a portable chair and a bottle of water. Eventually, we hope to erect a plan to have some food and beverages at the meetings. We are looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees: Hurricane Preparedness Street Captains Neighborhood Crime Watch/ Citizen Observer Patrol (COP) Grants (currently for landscaping and entrance way signs) Lights Waterway Maintenance Communication (newsletter, meeting minutes, neighborhood directory of services) Social If you have any questions or want to volunteer, please call Tricia Surinak @ 954-258-5245 or e-mail her at Tsurinak@hotmail.com .