The Agenda for the February 1, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on February 1, 2006. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. INTERNAL CONTROLS/BEST PRACTICES CONSULTING SERVICES. The Town Council is interviewing firms/agencies with an interest in reviewing Davie's procurement/financial practices. (Agenda Items 4.1 - 4.4).
   
2. The Ryan Property "Farm Park". Resolution to direct Staff to complete the acquisition. (Agenda Item 5.12).
   
3. Sunrise Water System. A resolution to discontinue efforts to acquire the Sunrise Utility infrastructure within the Town of Davie. The cost would almost certainly be astronomical, even if legal procedures suceeded (not a sure thing). (Agenda Item 5.13).
   
4. Tax Increment Funding exemption for Children's Services Council.. A resolution, supported by the Davie CRA, which returns more more money to Davie's children than the tax monies exempted. (Agenda Item 7.1).
   
5. Vacation of Right of Way (26th Avenue). Proposal to surrender road right-of-way west of Flamingo Road. (Agenda Item 7.4).
   
6. Discussion of plans for a forensic audit of the Town's finances. (Agenda Item 10.3).
   
7. Turnpike Interchange at Stirling Road. Discussion of the Florida Department of Transportation proposal to add an interchange at Stirling Road. (Agenda Item 10.4).

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Clarification on News Article Regarding Town Attorney

The Miami Herald is an institution for which I have a lot of respect. Reporting local news is a difficult task. It's not a simple proposition to cover so many local, municipal and county stories--and to sort through and present all of the facts concisely, and on deadline. So I hardly ever publicly take issue with what gets reported.

However, I think some people who read a recent Herald article may have assumed that I plan to call for the removal of Davie's Town Attorney, Monroe Kiar. In fact, that is not the case. Referring only to conversations between the Town Attorneys' office and our former Town Administrator, I did express to Mr. Kiar my extreme displeasure with the way things unfolded.

Note: I do disagree with some of the conclusions in the recent Herald Editorial regarding former Town Administrator, Chris Kovanes. More about that later this week in Podcast #11.1.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 11 is online. Equal Opportunity.

Podcast Number 11: Mayor Tom Truex explains his views on equal opportunity in the Town of Davie. Why it's important for the Town Council to set a better example in the future.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Celebrity photo: Larry and Betty Davis

I had the honor of speaking to friends, Larry and Betty Davis, at the recent victory party and BBQ. Larry is a prominent local attorney and has served the Town of Davie on a number of official Town Boards, including the Open Space Advisory Board and Police Pension Board. Betty is an active parent volunteer at Silver Ridge Elementary School.

Larry and Betty Davis are great examples for others of the volunteer spirit and community commitment which make Davie such a great place to live and work.

Photo: Larry (center) and Betty Davis with Mayor Tom Truex [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Davie Celebrates the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most important Americans in our country's history. The Town's ceremony celebrating his life was this year--as every year--an especially important time.

The program is put on by the community, including the young people who participate in the Police Athletic League (PAL) program.

Photo: Ceremony celebrating the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the PAL Building in Potter Park. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Truex Campaigns for Good Government

I had an opportunity to speak to a group of residents from southwest Broward County recently. The thrust of my message was the need to restore integrity and trust to the financial systems in Davie, following the recent scandal with our former Town Administrator.

Frankly, my point of view is that the local press are making too little of the whole situation. One rogue employee (even the top employee) should not be able to steal large sums of money with an unsophisticated plan, over a long period of time.

Now that my campaign for re-election is over, I'm officially on a campaign to bring reasonable accountability, with sufficient checks and balances, to the financial practices in the Town of Davie.

Photo: Mayor Truex meeting with a civic group from SW Broward County [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 10.1 is online. Mayor Tom Truex diss'es "Piggyback Bids"

Podcast Number 10.1: Mayor Tom Truex diss'es (as is disrespects, NOT discusses) the practice of "piggyback" bidding. How and why it is a practice ripe for all sorts of abuses. See also a 2001 issue of the Underground Comix from the Radical News Netwurk to have the the so-called Piggyback Bid Process explained in layman's terms through the comical use of cartoon characters

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Tom Truex attends "Ride for Kids," for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

I attended the "Ride for Kids" at Vista View Park, in Davie, this past weekend. The motorcycle rally, benefitting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation raised $66,676 as of the time of the event. Proceeds help in research to find treatment for this disease.

Photo: Presentation of the mock check showing the amount raised at the Ride for Kids. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Truex attends one year anniversary of Horse Gate Equestrian Center.

I attended the one year "birthday party" of Horse Gate Equestrian Center this past Saturday, in Davie's Oak Hill Equestrian Park. Horse Gate is a good example of a Ministry which didn't let the impossibility of it's main goal prevent it's leaders from achieving what they set out to do. I attended one of their organizational meetings more than a year ago. Their plans seemed pretty ambitious--use an equestrian center to work with disadvantaged children. The only problem was that at the time they had no equestrian center, nor even a horse. Today they are serving children from their equestrian center on 82nd Avenue, in Davie.

Horse Gate Equestrian Center Mission Statement, as printed on the front of their brochure: "Creating an equestrian environment where the life changing message of Jesus Christ is comunicated through mind, spirit, heart and body."

*Click* the logo to link to the Horse Gate Equestrian Center web site.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 10 is online. Tom Truex Reviews the January 18, 2006 Town Council Meeting.

Podcast Number 10: Mayor Tom Truex reviews the last Davie Town Council meeting, including special discussion of a "Piggy Back Bid" which was rejected? ...A sign of things to come???

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Truex Re-Election Party, Continued

The bonfire at the campaign victory party was a pretty big fire. Of course, we paid for the permit (including the cost of paying a Davie Firefighter to stand by). I think this was the coldest night of the winter so far this year.

The Hoover Ranch is one of the few remaining farms in Davie. Spending an evening out in the open air is a pretty good reminder why it is so important for us to preserve open space for future generations.


Photo: Bonfire at the Victory Party for Mayor Truex, at the Hoover Ranch in West Davie. [*click* photo to enlarge]
More...

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Tom Truex unopposed in re-election : Victory Party at the Hoover Ranch

This past Saturday has been our scheduled "kick-off rally" for my re-election campaign. When no one filed to oppose me in my re-election, we did a last minute name change to "victory party!"

Thanks to everyone who helped with the campaign. My wife, Janet, and rest of my family were great in the wind up for the campaign. My campaign manager, Scott Spages, devoted countless hours in preparation for the campaign. A bit of the campaign made it out of the box while I was a candidate--a letter, phone calls, and few other events in particular--all of which were supported by some of Davie's very finest residents and business people.

Thanks Again!

Photo: Mayor Truex speaks to supporters at the re-election victory party. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting and Installation of Officers and Directors

This morning, I administered the Oath of Office to the incoming Officers and Board of Directors of the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber of Commerce is one of the friendliest groups in Town. In addition to a wide range of member benefits, they hold a monthly members' breakfast at Pine Island Ridge Country Club, and an afternoon "Business After Hours" reception, which rotates among members. I highly recommend membership in the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce to all Davie businesses.

Photo: Newly installed Chamber of Commerce President, Bob Menconi, addresses the monthly Chamber Breakfast meeting.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

DMIA Installation Dinner

I attended the annual Dinner and Installation Ceremony for the officers and directors of the Davie Merchant and Industrial Association (DMIA) tonight. The DMIA is a group of Davie business owners who advocate on behalf of its members. They hold a monthly members' dinner meeting at the Davie Women's Club building, next to Town Hall. The group consists, for the most part, of smaller businesses. Traditionally, most members were from east Davie.

Photo: Mayor Truex pictured with DMIA President, Doug Bell, after the installation ceremony.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Council Meeting this Wednesday

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2006. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. PLAT: Flamingo Village / 800 South Flamingo Road / Generally located south of Interstate 595 between Flamingo Road and Southwest 121th Avenue. The plat consists of 10.79 Acres and is restricted to 53 townhouse units. (Agenda Item 4.13)
   
2. REZONING: The subject site is located south of Interstate 595 between Flamingo Road and Southwest 121th Avenue. The Petitioner's application is to rezone the subject site FROM: AG, Agricultural District TO: RM-5, Low Medium Dwelling District. The petitioner is proposing to construct a 53 townhouse development on the 9.26 Acres (403,465 Square Feet) subject site. The subject site’s Land Use Plan Map designation is Residential 5 DU / Acre. (Agenda Item 6.1)
   
   
   
   *Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.
   Posted by: davietv@davie.tv on Jan 16, 06 | 1:19 pm | Profile
   
   [0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast # 9 is online. Mayor Truex dicusses local governments & the evironment

Podcast Number 9: Mayor Truex discusses how local Government can and should play a role in protecting our environment. Municipal government has some choices which will affect the long term health of where we live.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Council Workshop on Water Utilities, part 2

The Town of Davie provides a good value for residents who live within the Town's service area. According to Town Staff, here's what Davie residents now pay monthly for water, according to their water provider:

• Davie Utilities -- $50.59
  
• Sunrise Utilities -- $67.75
  
• Broward County Utilities -- $65.52
  
• Ft. Lauderdale Utilities -- $51.79
  

According to the staff report, if the Town purchased Sunrise Utility infrastructure located within Davie at fair market value (likely we would pay more than our estimate), in order to fully amortize the cost over 30 years, the rate for current Sunrise customers would jump to $91.00. In other words, the plan proposed by a previous Town Council appears economically unfeasible.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Workshop meeting on Sunrise Water Utilites in Davie

I remember before I was elected to the Davie Town Council, there was a huge dispute with the City of Sunrise regarding water being supplied to Davie residents by Sunrise Utilites. The controversy played out in courtrooms and in numerous Town Councl Meetings. I said at the time, that matter was largely a lot of political theater. The problem was real, but the resolution and handling of the issue involved a lot of play-acting, in my opinion. Eventually the lawsuit was settled, in much the same status as when it began. I could write a volume on the whole thing.

In any event, the Town Council at the time decided to hire a law firm to study the prospect of trying to take Sunrise Utility infrastructure in Davie through eminent domain. Needless, to say, the cost would be enormous, even if Sunrise was cooperative, and wanted to sell the profitable utility. Indications are they do not.

Photo: Map showing boundaries of different utility companies serving Davie. [*click* map for a larger PDF file map]
More...

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Truex re-elected unopposed

Thank you to the people who helped with my campaign in the past year! The qualifying period has now passed, and no one filed to oppose my re-election as Mayor of Davie. Pursuant to the Town Charter, I am automatically re-elected for another three year term.

We had planned a big campaign kickoff rally for this weekend. It's too late to cancel the party, so we're making it our campaign victory party instead. If you planned on attending the original party as one of my supporters in the election, then please join us this Saturday. Details at www.davie.org.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 8.1 is online: Mayor Truex explains "Qualifying" for an elected office.

Podcast Number 8.1: Mayor Truex explains what it means to "Qualify" for an elected office (hint: it doesn't prove you are qualified for anything). The second part of the podcast was recorded later, the day after no one else "qualified" to run against Mayor Truex by the deadline.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Truex speaks at Westlake Preparatory School

This morning, I spoke to the Middle School Civics class at Westlake Preparatory School in Davie. My topic was "Municipal Government," but I never pass up an opportunity to also work into the discussion my favorite topic in talking to students: "The Importance of Ethics, Integrity and Character."

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 8 is online: Mayor Truex reviews the Town Council Meeting of January 4, 2006

Podcast Number 8: Review of Town Council Meeting: Home Occupational Licences; Airport/Transportation Boar; Ordinance: Hobby Farm/fence variances; Vacation of Right of Way, in County Park; CRA Appointment; Firms to review bid and procurement process.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Review of Town Council Meeting This Week

The Davie Town Council met at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, December 21, 2005.

1. BOARD EXTENSION - A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, EXTENDING THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD FOR ONE YEAR. The Council, by a 3-2 vote decided to combine Transportation issues with the Airport Advisory Board. I opposed the measure because I thought it sent the wrong message. Airport issues are of extreme importance to the Town and should not be mixed with other issues.
   
2. Pine Island Estates, 5150 South Pine Island Road (R-3), Delegation Request deleting a drainage easement, etc. and Site Plan for 28 single-family dwelling units on 9.34 acres. Approved.
   
3. Delegation Request for Lakeside Village at Davie, 6990 Griffin Road/Generally located on Griffin Road, east of SW 70 Avenue (Viele Road), modifying the description of permitted residential and business uses. Approved.
   
4. CODE AMENDMENT, relating generally to fences and "hobby farms." Approved.
   
5. Purchasing Best Practices Review. This is what I foresee as being an important first step in a comprehensive review of policies and procedures (or lack thereof) in Town procurement and other finance related. Approved.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

January is declared "Davie & The Ranches Express Month" in Davie

The Davie Town Council approved a resolution this week proclaiming January as "Davie & The Ranches Express Month." In some form or another, the Davie & The Ranches Express has served the Town of Davie for over 13 years, beginning in 1993.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Design charrette this Saturday for the Master Plan of the area surrounding the Davie Town Hall

The Town Council of Davie and the Davie Community Redevelopment Agency are hosting a design charrette (link is a HUGE PDF Document)* for the Master Plan of the area surrounding the Davie Town Hall, as well as for proposals for updates and revisions to the 1990 Davie Settlement Plan.

The public workshop/will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2006, in the Community Room at Davie Town Hall, 6591 Orange Drive. Residents, business owners, and property owners are encouraged to participate in this public workshop. The initial part of the session will be comprised of two parts: an introduction of the design team to the community and an opportunity to learn about the planning process. Participants will learn about traditional urban design and town planning, as well as how the Town Hall site can be enhanced.

*See the old description of the charrette on the Town's web site--note the dates have changed.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Mayor Tom Truex Qualifies as Candidate for Re-Election

Just seconds past the noon opening of the qualifying period, Mayor Tom Truex filed papers with Davie's Town Clerk to be officially placed on the ballot for re-election in March 2006.

Actually the campaign is far from just beginning. This is the final, and most exciting part of the campaign. We've been putting together a campaign plan, raising money, and meeting with Davie residents and other supporters for months.

Photo: Mayor Truex filing qualifying papers with Town Clerk, Russell Muniz. [*click* photo to enlarge]

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Town Council Meeting this Wednesday

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. BOARD EXTENSION - A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, EXTENDING THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD FOR ONE YEAR. (tabled from December 21, 2005 after a discussion as to whether or not to expand the role and name of the board to include other transportation issues) (Agenda Item 4.6)
   
2. Pine Island Estates, 5150 South Pine Island Road (R-3), Delegation Request deleting a drainage easement, etc. (Agenda Item 4.7) and Site Plan for 28 single-family dwelling units on 9.34 acres. (Agenda Item 4.13)
   
3. Delegation Request for Lakeside Village at Davie, 6990 Griffin
   Road/Generally located on Griffin Road, east of SW 70 Avenue (Viele
   Road), modifying the description of permitted residential and business uses. (Agenda Item 4.8)
   
4. CODE AMENDMENT, second reading, relating generally to fences and "hobby farms." (Agenda Item 6.1)
   
5. Purchasing Best Practices Review. This is what I foresee as being an important first step in a comprehensive review of policies and procedures (or lack thereof) in Town procurement and other finance related practices. (Agenda Item 8.1)

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 7.1 is online: The Mayor's Predictions for 2006 (part 2)

Podcast Number 7.1: Mayor Tom Truex finishes up his predictions for 2006. Includes remarks on affordable housing and the elections. This podcast is the second of two parts.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks

Podcast Number 7 is online: The Mayor's Predictions for 2006 (part 1)

Podcast Number 7: Mayor Tom Truex makes a few predictions for 2006. Ok, well, some of them are just stating things that are known to be scheduled, and some are just stating the obvious. But here they are anyway. This podcast is part 1 of 2 parts.

[0] Trackbacks   [0] Pingbacks