At the time of this writing, the City is planning its “50th Anniversary Celebration” on June 20th, 2009. We will be opening the Time Capsule after having it  buried for 25 years and will be reviewing its contents from that era of City history. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening Celebration
of our New City Hall at the corner of Oakland Park Blvd and Inverrary Blvd. (5581 West Oakland Park Blvd). This beautiful 40,000 sq ft building will become our new home in November.

Orion’s Kids is a non –profit children’s social service organization now operating a program at the Windermere Community center (1818 NW 54th Terrace, Lauderhill). Children aged Kindergarten thru fifth grade are receiving enrichment in mentoring, social activities, social development, and life skills. OKI’s objective is to become one of the most preferred in-school service providers to disadvantaged youth and their families in Broward County. The organization seeks your support to help this and future programs become a success. For additional information, visit their website at www.orionskidsinc.org or call Lisa Timmons at (954) 562-5488.

We are one month into the 2009 hurricane season. By now, most of us should be prepared for any emergencies. Condominium Associations need to have set plans that involve selecting people to take charge in an emergency and make advance financial decisions. Having a hurricane preparedness plan helps associations take the needed action. Condo associations should do a number of things including:

• Obtain an engineer’s report on the structural components
  of the building, such as roof and windows, certifying the integrity
  of each. This is important because insurance companies
  often look for pre-existing conditions that may have
  caused structural failure to deny a past storm claim.

• Pre-negotiate contacts with repair contractors so that work
  can start immediately after the hurricane. Contractors can be
  difficult to find after a storm.

• Review the association’s insurance policy with the agent
  and make sure the board understands the coverage and its
  exclusions.

• Establish an emergency reserve account or line of credit to
  provided cash for emergency repairs. This will keep financing
  from becoming an issue. The key is to start with a small account
  and build it over the years.

• The board should appoint one or two board members to
  have the power to protect the integrity of association property
  and to answer questions from officials and repair contactors.

Until the next Spotlight have a safe and happy summer. I can be reached at hberger@lauderhill-fl.gov.