THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 3 FEBRUARY 3, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
‘WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS’ Commissioners Fed Up With Slow Progress of Wilton Drive Landscaping
By John McDonald Projects that have long been waiting in the $5.3 million in ARPA funding and Henderson wings may soon spring into action in Wilton said dipping into those funds is possible. Commissioner Gary Resnick inquired as Manors. Commissioners discussed, at length, to the possibility of including broadband in several projects during the Jan. 25 regular the conduit piping. Newton said sometimes meeting. Leading the way was the Wilton Drive contractors cannot put electrical and broadband wiring in the same landscaping and irrigation conduit. project. Mayor Scott Newton “We missed a real opportunity said residents are frustrated to do that when Wilton Drive the project has yet to be was narrowed,” Resnick said. completed. Echoing Newton, “We’ve been talking about Commissioner Mike Bracchi this for years and years and I’m called for action. done,” Newton said. “We’re “We’re all tired of talking gonna get it done this year. about this and the residents are Find the money and let’s move tired of seeing a treeless street,” on.” said Bracchi. “Whatever it takes City Manager Leigh Ann to get it done — I’d like to know Henderson reported a what the total cost would be and $243,000 funding shortage let’s find the funds and prioritize in the project’s budget. A it.” qualified bid of $707,000 was Other projects discussed submitted for the project. Vice were Kiwanis Club, Site 92, Mayor Paul Rolli asked that - Scott Newton Mayor of Wilton Manors Colohatchee Park and the electrical wiring be included former Center for Spiritual in the bid. Living church property. “The bid that we have includes trees, repairs and maintenance, OTHER NOTES FROM THE irrigation and conduit pipe for the electrical,” JAN. 25 MEETING INCLUDE: Rolli said. “I know in that bid we did not include the actual electrical wires used to light A proposal passed unanimously on first the trees from the power outlets. I would like to see if we can move forward with the whole reading to bring a ballot referendum on package this time and not leave the electrical term limits. Voters will get to decide if 12 years is enough for elected city officials. for some later date.” County surtax funds will provide $280,000 Commissioners would be allowed a maximum for the project. Commissioner Chris Caputo of three four-year terms and the mayor allowed asked if funds from the American Rescue Plan to serve a maximum of six two-year terms. Commissioners appointed Scott McCoy to Act could be used. Wilton Manors received
“We’re gonna get it done this year. Find the money and let’s move on.”
Wilton Manors City Hall. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
the Civil Service Board. McCoy, a civil rights attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, is married to Mark Barr, Equality Florida’s Broward County Development officer. McCoy was Utah’s first gay state senator, serving from 2004 to 2009. He also chaired Salt Lake City’s police civilian review board. Commissioners re-appointed Constance Ruppender and appointed Stephen Mumby to the Budget Review Advisory Committee (BRAC). Ruppender is a past president of the Central Area Neighborhood Association.
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Commissioners also approved repealing the BRAC and replacing it with a newly created Financial Advisory Board. The city’s 2021 annual video report was released. Entitled “A Vision For Growth,” the video, narrated by Newton, touts the city’s continuing efforts to grow smart and highlights improvements to infrastructure, development regulations, community programming and safety measures. The next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8.
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