North Lake Dredging and Marina Expansion Report

The North Lake dredging study was reported in 2006 and came back as a very expensive proposition with no funding available from any governmental source. However, during the study, the City uncovered some other grant sources that would allow for certain projects aimed at expanding the Hollywood Marina. At the Commission meeting on April 18th, 2007 and then again on September 19th, the Commission voted to seek grant funding for the dredging of the area surrounding the Hollywood Marina and the possible addition of 21 new boat slips, mooring buoys and a bathroom near the boat ramp. These slips and buoys would be used for tourism boating. The HLSCA asked the Commission to present a plan for this proposed expansion as soon as possible. Expanding the Marina concerns the HLSCA greatly as it could increase the traffic, noise and congestion in the Lakes residential neighborhood. A the urging of the HLSCA, a special Marina Advisory Ad Hoc Committee was  formed and conducted two public meetings at the Hollywood Beach Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Drive on Nov. 14th and Nov. 26, 2007 at 7pm. About 100 residents attended both meetings including Comm. Anderson, Bober and Gunzburger. The overwhelming consensus from the residents and attendees was a firm NO to the added slips and the mooring field. Many valid reasons were stated for this sentiment:

 - The slips would be large and not designed for local residents but, instead, for anticipated large tourist vessels that would stay and visit the beach, etc.
 - The expected revenue from the added slips and mooring field is miniscule compared to the inconvenience to the neighborhood.
 - The mooring filed was rejected for a number of valid reasons such as noise, potential garbage and sewage discharges into the lake and the interference to the Sailors Point sailing program, among other reasons.
 - The added traffic and congestion that could result from the slips and the mooring field that would not benefit any local Lakes residents.

As a result, the Committee voted down the slips and the mooring field. The new bathrooms were approved, however, as long as they are placed on the far east end of the Marina area close to the Marina office across from the parking lot. The results of these meetings will be presented by the HLSCA to the City Commission during the schedule Commission meeting on Dec. 5th, 2007.

To view the North Lake Dredging report, click here: North Lake Dredging report

City says YES to Brush Pick-up for Hollywood Residents

The residents of Hollywood spoke and the City Commission listened!

In a rare victory for the residents and taxpayers of Hollywood, the City Commission reversed a questionable decision at the Commission meeting on Dec. 3rd and reverted back to the privatization of sanitation services. This concept was developed during the budget process earlier this year as a way of saving 3.5 million dollars lost due to the passing of Amendment 1 last January. The City went out to bid and selected a private sanitation company (Waste Pro) and was prepared to award the contact when the Sanitation Union jumped in and cried foul. They did not want to see 51 City employees transferred to the Waste Pro payroll thus reducing the union membership. The Commission postponed the awarding of the bid and gave the union an opportunity to come up with their own plan to save the 3.5 million dollars.

Unfortunately for the union, their plan was inferior to the bids received by the City for privatizing. The union’s plan eliminated the Commingled Waste Collection services so valuable to City residents, would have forced residents to pay $45.00 per cubic yard for brush pickup, would have raised the monthly fee to residents by $3.20 and still require that 23 City employees lose their jobs! Why would the residents of Hollywood accept a plan like this? So at the Dec. 3rd City Commission meeting, the Commission reverted back to the privatizing idea and voted to award the contract to the low bidder, Waste Pro. Why? Because the residents spoke. Thanks to all the emails and phone calls from Lakes and Hollywood residents, the Commission could not deny that the need for commingled (brush and hard junk) pick up was very important to residents. They acted to maintain the services even if it meant outsourcing sanitation.

While privatization may have its drawbacks, it was the only way to keep these valuable services. The HLSCA thanks the Commission for this decision.

Upcoming Traffic Calming Projects in the Lakes

Attendees at the September, 2008 HLSCA General Membership Meeting heard a presentation from the City's Director of Engineering Services, Bob Rawls, on the results of a recent traffic study on 13th, 14th, 15th, 16, and 17th, Avenues south of Hollywood Blvd and 17th Ave. between Polk and Johnson Streets as well as Arthur Street east of Federal Hwy. The study showed that not only is there enough traffic volume to warrant the installation of calming devices, the speeds recorded averaged well above the 25 MPH speed limit. Click here to download a copy of this report: Traffic Study for South of Hollywood Blvd. At the September, 2008 meeting, many questions were raised regarding alternatives to the proposed speed tables that the City installs at various traffic calming locations. Speed tables are the least expensive calming device the City can install. In the past, the City has installed small traffic circles (Johnson and Harrison Streets) and curb outs (Polk Street) but has settled on the speed table as the preferred and most economical device to use. However, the HLSCA Traffic and Safety Committee has done extensive research on the issue and has put together a report that was submitted to the City on alternative traffic calming methods.The HLSCA is very interested in your input and comments on these alternative methods. You can download a copy of the report here: Traffic Calming Lakes Report . Give us your feed back at info@hollywoodlakes.com