The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by President Christina Brownlow, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Chris welcomed everyone with her usual cheerfulness. Next month’s meeting will be on Wednesday, February 23rd via Zoom.
Davie Police/Crime Report: Detective Hobales and Officer Larry Elliott provided an update. There was an aggravated assault on Hunter’s Point and a vehicle theft on Sunset Lane. All 3 cars on the Sunset Ln. property had the key fobs in the car—it was “car wash” day, and the one car was stolen. Elsewhere, there was 1 mailbox damaged. Detective Hobales ended by introducing the new member of the family, a puppy named Smoky, who will be joining Bandit in the community!
Town Council Member Comments: President Chris asked for discussion on TSDOR, the Charter and fireworks.
Mayor Steve Breitkreuz: Current TSDOR project is on 199/202 Avenues. Pavement is down, but putting the swales down has been an issue and a change for the residents, and many residents are not happy because the water is not going off the road. Council is trying to determine how to address, since there are engineering rules on how to put in a swale. Individuals who have planted trees or vegetation in the swale have become an issue as well. We are trying to replace and repave the roads so that they last another 25 years, so this is something we need to go through to improve the Town.
Chris asked for help in communicating to the townspeople in Sunshine Ranches regarding the project in our area, which will be next.
We had a lengthy discussion about people planting in the swales without permission. Mayor Steve advised that the ordinances are good, but on most items we as a town have been reactive vs. proactive, so we don’t always address things unless they get brought up. Several residents spoke regarding their issues with the swales, including the inability to ride horses on the swales. Also, some folks are hesitant about raising issues to neighbors who are not following neighborly laws. Mayor Steve further addressed the proactivity of bringing up issues. Mayor Steve also said that as we invest in road improvements, we also need to address drainage, the swales, and of course be sensitive to the horses. Please call the Town or the board if you have any concerns!
The mayor also advised that the Charter group will have a final meeting in February, do the final votes and then it can go before the Council, so he urges citizens to be on the alert and be informed. Chris will help get the word out.
Fireworks has been an important topic. We mirrored the bill that Wellington had, but unfortunately, so did another 20 municipalities. Mayor Steve said that when the Council members went to Tallahassee last week to push this support, we found out that the chair is not very supportive because there are so many municipalities involved. We will look to change the wording to better push it through next year.
Sally Brokken brought up the construction at the complex at Stirling and Holatee.
Vice Mayor Gary Jablonski discussed the Drainage and TSDOR paving projects and guardrails throughout the Town. We received a Florida Fire Fighters grant for equipment. And finally, the Founders Park art project is underway and looking great on Griffin.
Council member David Kuczenski spoke regarding the fireworks meeting at Tallahassee and expressed his commitment to make this happen in the future. He also talked about proactive and reactive code enforcement; the leadership in Tallahassee wants to do away with anonymous code enforcement.
Council member Jim Allbritton thanked his council members for the meeting in Tallahassee and advised that the first meeting of the Safety and Traffic Board will be Feb. 1st.
New Business: Chris brought up the potential new development on Griffin and Hancock and advised that the Council cannot weigh in or comment on the evening discussion. The developer will be on the February SRHA Zoom call. Chris showed an aerial view of the area. A town resident, Carlos Martinez, would like to purchase the land and develop several homes. There are several issues for discussion. Please attend next month’s Zoom call for further discussion and formulate questions for then. Input was provided by several town members.
Slate update was provided by Lori Parrish regarding the board and committees. Made a motion to amend the By-laws of the Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association on Article IV, section 1(a) to increase the number of people on the board. Strike 3 to 5 and 9 to 13. Also, strike the last line in the section. Sally Brokken seconded, and the motion was voted upon successfully. Saied Taie offered to step down from the board, however, the board members have already been published.
Mr. Bob Parker motioned to donate $1000 for the Scholarship Fund, seconded by David Kuczenski. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s report: Balance $28,777.02 as of December 31, 2021.
Chris advised that since we did not have to pay for the rental of the Equestrian Park for the December Party Event, would we be willing to put the balance of the budget toward a contribution or beautification project of the park. The amount will be discussed at the next meeting.
Membership report: We had an additional 11 members this month, total members are 319. To note, 19 members have paid double the fee and one member paid $450! Vilma acknowledged and thanked the council members, Mayor and board for their commitment to the Town.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:21 PM.
The month of March brings us much to enjoy: festive Mardi Gras parties on the 1st, the celebration of women on the 8th, corn beef & cabbage on the 17th, and the joy of the vernal equinox as it officially arrives on the 20th.
NEWS FOR THIS MONTH
Daylight Saving Time will occur Sunday, March 13th…remember to “spring ahead,” and begin to enjoy longer days once again.
The Board, along with membership, is in the process of some By-laws’ revisions. Once completed, all revisions will be posted in the Waggler for your review. Subsequent voting will take place at a monthly membership meeting…sufficient notice will be provided. Should you have any suggestions for changes, please review the By-laws (as posted on sunshineranches.org) and submit your proposals to the board.
The SRHOA is in search of help for our Communications Committee. This has been a vital link in keeping folks informed and updated. Thank you, Jason Halberg, for everything you have done. We are extremely appreciative.
Get ready…the flamingos are flocking again! Should the birds “fly” to your house, consider donating generously to the SWR Scholarship Fund, then “shoo” the flamingos to another home…lol!!!
We are still in the process of supporting a SRHOA project at Equestrian Park. Stay tuned for more details.
Please mark your calendars for the following events: 3/12 ROCA Barn Dance (Scholarship Fundraiser); 3/30 SRHOA Elections; 4/9 Sikh Diversity Run at ROCA; 4/10 Party in the Park at Equestrian Park-wear your SRHOA t-shirts!!!
REMINDERS
Support Southwest Ranches’ Certified Community Habitat status by certifying your own backyard through the National Wildlife Federation’s backyard habitat program…it’s easy, plus you may purchase and proudly display a certification sign. Go to nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat today to certify.
Mayor Breitkreuz’s next “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on March 9th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
Remember, the Council meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Occasionally, dates may change. Please check the Southwest Rancher and/or www.southwestranches.org for meeting dates, times, and agendas. YouTube viewing is also an option.
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
Hello dear friends. May February bring you a wonderful start as we enter The Year of the Tiger, share the 14th with the ones we love and treasure, and honor the leaders who have carried our country since Washington first took oath on April 30th, 1789.
NEWS FOR THIS MONTH
Neighbor highlights: Thank you again to Heidi Humphries for her gracious donation to SRHOA. Laura Warren has currently completed three panels at the wall behind CVS…check out her beautiful artwork! Bob and Judi Parker are new great-grandparents…congratulations to these Ranchers of Distinction.
Thank you to our nominating committee members (Lori Parrish, Michelle McBride, and Mary Coulson) for their work establishing this year’s slate of candidates (please refer to page 15 for the proposed slate, as well as election information). We appreciate your help.
For information regarding the proposed fireworks legislation and Charter Review, please join us on Wednesday, February 23rd, for our scheduled SRHOA Zoom meeting…the council will gladly bring us up-to-date and field any questions.
We would like to support our community in two ways: motion for a scholarship donation and consider supporting a project at Equestrian Park, our park. We hope to have your approval for these.
There is a proposal for development at Hancock & Griffin (the Church property). It is important you attend the February meeting to hear the developer’s plans and ask questions. Our input is critical to the decision-making process.
Please mark your calendars for the following events (details for all tba): 3/12 ROCA Barn Dance (Scholarship Fundraiser); 3/30 SRHOA Elections; 4/9 Sikh Diversity Run at ROCA; 4/10 Party in the Park at Equestrian Park.
REMINDERS
Support Southwest Ranches’ Certified Community Habitat status by certifying your own backyard through the National Wildlife Federation’s backyard habitat program…it’s easy, plus you may purchase and proudly display a certification sign. Go to nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat today to certify.
Mayor Breitkreuz’s next “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on February 9th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
Remember, the Council meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Occasionally, dates may change. Please check the Southwest Rancher and/or www.southwestranches.org for meeting dates, times, and agendas. YouTube viewing is also an option.
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris