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Commissioner’s Message

Dear Neighbors,
I
hope all is going well. Since returning to the City Commission, I have focused
on several key priorities: ensuring accountability and progress in our parks bond
program, investing in our infrastructure, exploring new methods to improve
waterway quality, developing long-term affordable housing solutions to address
homelessness, advocating for the tunnel as the New River Crossing for the future
of Broward’s Commuter Rail, and increasing city responsiveness to neighbors. I
am collaborating with neighbors, city staff, local lawmakers, and other community
stakeholders to create action plans that effectively address our city’s key issues.
Additionally, I serve on the Board of the Lauderdale Isles Water Management
District (LIWMD) and was selected by my colleagues to represent the city on
the board of the Broward Metropolitan Organization (MPO), the County’s
transportation agency. I am happy to report that we are making much progress in
partnering with the Broward County Commission towards a New River Crossing. I
believe a tunnel is a far better solution than a bridge going through downtown.

Last month, the City Commission unanimously selected Rickelle Williams as our
new City Manager. She currently is the Assistant City Manager in the City of
Miami Beach and was previously the Executive Director of the Dania Beach
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Rickelle will join team FTL beginning
Monday, March 31st. We are thrilled for her to take the helm of leading our city
to progress! I would also like to thank Susan Grant for her service and excellent
leadership as our Acting City Manager.

In addition to these updates, construction at our new Police Department HQ
is slated to be finished in September of this year. I look forward to our first
responders moving out of the temporary headquarters on Cypress Creek Road into
their permanent home on Broward Boulevard.
Lastly, I am thrilled to share that Fleet Week is returning to Broward from Miami
Dade this year! Please mark your calendars for April 22nd - 30th as the United
States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will be at Port Everglades for Fleet
Week Fort Lauderdale. Go Navy!!

Please reach out to me or my office anytime. I hope to see you out in the community
or at a City Commission meeting! My email is bsorensen@fortlauderdale.gov and
my mobile is 954.802.3311.

Ben Sorensen
Fort Lauderdale District 4 City Commissioner

30 rio vista civic associartion • www.riovistaonline.com

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