January 2024

Vol. 5, Issue 1

Jumping into January

Happy New Year to my fellow Edgewood neighbors!

I am so honored to be taking over the helm as president of the Edgewood Civic Association (ECA) and joining the team of dedicated volunteers whose incredible service to our community benefitted us all for decades. Special thanks to Wendy Wills and Alan Scharf who are retiring from the board after years of dedicated service. We truly thank them for all their hard work and am confident our new board will rise to the challenge.

As a lifelong Fort Lauderdale resident with deep roots in Edgewood, 2023 was perhaps the most challenging one on record. The devastating flood that left many of us homeless for months has impacted every corner of our neighborhood. Its lingering effects are still being experienced by many including myself and husband who are still not back in our home. Despite the loss we’ve all endured, the past year has taught us and demonstrated beyond any doubt of the incredible power that comes with community focus…of neighbors helping neighbors….of people stepping up to do the right thing! No government agency could ever outmatch the power of the determined Edgewood residents!

In addition to those ongoing environmental and infrastructure challenges, our neighborhood is already in the process of being “reinvented” by development pressure that has the potential to forever change the dynamic mix of cultures in our community. Now is the time to bring together the power of unified voices working together to ensure that our unique needs are not only being considered but respected and addressed by our elected officials. There is nothing we can accomplish by working together.

I look forward to each of you getting involved and serving with you to support “OUR NEIGHBORHOOD”…our HOME. There are many opportunities to get involved with ECA. Let’s work together and showcase the power of Edgewood….EDGEWOOD STRONG! I will work relentlessly to serve that mission for us all.

Wishing everyone a year filled with good health, happiness and much love. Happy New Year 2024!

With warmest regards,

Kitty McGowan

_________________________________________________________________________

What's Inside

• Upcoming Meeting Highlights
• Floyd Hull Update
• Holiday Tree Disposal
• Back to School Sales Holiday
• Las Olas Art Fair Part 1
• AlertFTL
• LauderTrac - City Commission Priorities and News
• Club 55+ Update (FREE Outings throughout the Year)
• Update on Vacation Rentals & Code Compliance
• City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation
• Support the ECA
• Green Your Routine - Bulk Trash Collection and Fines

2024 ECA Meeting Schedule

January 3 - February 7 - March 6

(Doors open at 6:30pm and meeting starts at 6:45pm)

The next ECA meeting is Wednesday, January 3rd at 6:45 pm. Doors open at 6:30pm!

The meeting will be held at the Edgewood Clubhouse, 1790 SW 32nd Street. , Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Election of the 2024 Board will take place at the meeting.

Representatives from FLPD and Community Enhancement will be attending.

Floyd Hull Update

Carl Williams, the new director of Parks and Recreation, has acknowledged the recommendation submitted to him by the Edgewood Civic Association, insofar as future plans for facilities at Floyd Hull Park. He has shared this with AECOM (the Bond Program Manager) and they are working on a conceptual design that incorporates the information provided. Once that conceptual design has been created, they will share it with us for refinement and completion.

Holiday Tree Disposal

Looking to dispose of your tree? #FTL will collect holiday trees January 1-20. Neighbors may place their live Christmas trees curbside on their scheduled yard waste day with ALL lights, ornaments, and tinsel removed.

Trees will be collected and taken to a yard waste recycling facility.

More info: ftlcity.info/hs23



Back to School Sales Holiday

Las Olas Art Festival Part 1

AlertFTL

Stay informed in an emergency! Sign Up for Alert FTL 

The City uses Alert FTL to send mass notifications and keep citizens informed in the event of an emergency.

Alert FTL is free to neighbors, simply click here to sign up or call our 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000. 

This is especially important during all the rain we've been receiving, along with flooding!

Read all about the service HERE!

LauderTrac

Tracking Progress on Commission Priorities

City Commission's top priorities

Progress on these priorities is shared quarterly in a memo from the City Manager to the City Commission.

To sign up for City e-news click HERE.

Club 55+ Updated Calendar for October 2023 and Brochure!

Parks and Recreation launched Club 55+, a program that encourages active adults to enjoy endless opportunities at 12 City parks for a discounted annual membership rate of only $55 for residents and non-residents. Residents may also qualify for a fee reduction. Please contact any location for more information. Registration is ongoing. Activities include art, chair yoga, line dance, mahjongg, monthly events, outings, tennis instruction, Zumba, and much more!

For more information, please call (954) 828-7275 (PARK).

• Website: https://www.parks.fortlauderdale.gov/programs/recreation/club-55
• January 2024 Calendar
• Program Guide

Update on Vacation Rentals & Code Compliance

Please find below, contact information that can be use for the reporting of Vacation Rental violations.

Contact information is as follows:

• Police Non-Emergency: 954-764-4357
• Code Enforcement Vacation Rental Supervisor, Leonard Champagne : 954-828-6348 (M-Th)
• Code Enforcement Vacation Rental Inspector, Mr. Jolley: 954-828-4772
• Code Enforcement Main Number: 954-828-5207

Also, our Edgewood Code Compliance Officer for all issues is:

Malaika Murray: 954-828-5740

Information and regulations about vacation rentals within the City of Fort Lauderdale may be found at:

https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/government/departments-a-h/development-services/community-enhancement-and-compliance/administrative-services/vacation-rental-program

City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Update

The City of Fort Lauderdale has lots of great events and activities available to everyone! Check out the upcoming events in April and May.

September 2023 Events

Residential Bulk Waste Collection

The Bulk Trash Pickup Program features collection of large household items and tree trimmings, up to 10 cubic yards in size, for residential customers. Items accepted for bulk trash pickup include: appliances, furniture, carpet, mattresses, and toys. Please do not place tires in bulk piles.

Fines

Bulk trash should not be put out for collection more than 24 hours before your collection day. In Edgewood, collection day is the first Thursday of each month. If Code Enforcement officers see any bulk trash out too early, they will spray paint a warning somewhere visible on the pile of bulk trash. If that bulk trash is not removed before pickup, you will be cited with a $300 fine, that will appear on your City of Fort Lauderdale utility bill.

Schedules and Routes

Bulk trash is collected once per month. Edgewood's pick-up is the 1st Thursday of the month. If you cannot wait for your collection day, you may schedule an appointment for pick-up. There is a fee for this service.

Set Out Instructions

Please place all items at least four feet away from any waste carts, mailboxes, trees, and/or power lines. Avoid blocking storm drains; lay items in such a way as to minimize the likelihood of them blowing over.

Alternatives to Bulk Trash Pick-Up 

Often, the items you place in bulk trash can actually be useful to others. Before you throw something away, please investigate whether donating, scrapping, or otherwise disposing of your old items is a possibility. Find out more here.

Yard Waste 

Yard waste, such as tree branches and large quantities of leaves in boxes/bags, may also be set out on bulk collection days.

More Information

For all questions regarding Bulk Trash or other sanitation and Clean City services, please call the 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 or online.

Download the Bulk Trash Program Information Guide Download the Bulk Trash Pickup Schedule Map.