Be Counted for Sunrise! Census Questionnaires to Arrive in March
The U.S. Census Bureau is preparing to update its count of the country's population - including citizens and non-citizens of every race and ethnic group. In March 2010, every household in Sunrise will receive a census form. Completing this form is easy, important and safe.
With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire takes just 10 minutes to complete. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's questionnaire responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.
Full participation ensures an accurate snapshot of our City - and the receipt of our fair share of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year. That's money our schools, senior centers, health care facilities and other essential-service providers depend on.
Services Consolidated and Relocated to "City Hall Annex"
As part of restructuring efforts for the new budget year - which began on October 1, 2009 - the City consolidated two of its largest operating departments. The Planning & Development Department and the Building Department have been merged to form the Community Development Department.
Effective Thursday, November 19, they also share a location in Sunrise's "City Hall Annex." The Building Services office remains in its current home, 1607 NW 136th Avenue, Building B. Planning Services - as well as key Central Services divisions - moved just across the hall to 1601 NW 136th Avenue, Building A:
Planning and Engineering - moved from City Hall, 10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard;
Capital Projects, Redevelopment and Grants Administration, Purchasing, and Risk Management - moved from 3495 North Hiatus Road.
A map highlighting these locations is available for download.
As of December 10, the City's Personnel office - previously at 1300 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway - is located on the first floor of City Hall.
Also noteworthy is a reorganization that moved the Code Enforcement Division under the authority of the Police Department. The City's code enforcement staff will continue to operate out of the Building Services office at 1607 NW 136th Avenue, Building B.
The City's consolidations and relocations are being undertaken in an effort to increase efficiency and better serve the needs of residents and corporate citizens. No phone or fax numbers will change as a result of these moves.
Consumer Alert: Millions of Drop-Side Cribs Recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., recently announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs - including approximately 147,000 cribs with the Fisher-Price logo.
Problems with the cribs' drop-side plastic hardware can cause the drop side to detach in one or more corners - which can create a space where an infant or toddler can become entrapped, which may lead to suffocation.
Stork Craft drop-side cribs (and Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo) manufactured and distributed between January 1993 and October 2009 are included in this recall. The recall involves only those cribs with a plastic trigger and one-hand-system drop-side hardware. It does not involve any cribs with metal drop-side hardware.
Parents and caregivers are urged to immediately stop using the recalled cribs; find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their child; and contact Stork Craft (toll-free 877-274-0277 or www.storkcraft.com) to receive a free repair kit.
Sunrise Named One of Florida's "Best Places to Raise Your Kids"
In November 2009, BusinessWeek magazine unveiled its annual list of "Best Places to Raise Your Kids." For the second consecutive year, Sunrise was selected one of Florida's top three cities for families.
BusinessWeek went state by state, focusing on towns with at least 45,000 residents and a median family income of $40,000 to $125,000. The magazine then narrowed the field, using the following criteria: school performance; number of schools; household expenditures; crime rates; air quality; job growth; family income; museums, parks, theatres and other amenities; and diversity. Affordability, safety and school test scores were given the greatest weight.
Important Information about Defective Chinese Drywall
The City's Community Development Department has received inquiries regarding the potential presence of defective Chinese drywall within Sunrise. To date, no confirmed cases of defective Chinese drywall have been found. However, residents should be aware of the most current information regarding this issue.
What are some signs of defective Chinese drywall?
A wet matchbox or rotten egg smell (not found in all affected homes)
Corrosion on air-handler coils, requiring an unusual rate of replacement
Failure of low-voltage electronics
Soot and corrosion on copper, silver and chrome
Drywall marked with "China" label (not found in all cases)
If you suspect the presence of defective Chinese drywall, these steps are recommended:
Do not attempt to remediate yet - turn to reputable attorneys and inspection companies for assistance
Be aware...
Scam artists may claim they can provide cheap air-quality or chemical tests - which don't exist
Class action lawsuits could result in years of litigation, and might not cover remediation
If you're affected by defective Chinese drywall, there is no quick fix. The best remediation appears to be the removal of tainted drywall by a licensed contractor. However, a protocol is needed to identify tainted drywall, and consensus must be reached on an accepted method of remediation.
Pool, Golf Course and Library Closures
This season, several facilities in Sunrise are closing for enhancement or replacement. Details are listed below:
Sunrise Civic Center 50-Meter Pool On Friday, October 30, the 50-meter pool at the Sunrise Civic Center - located at 10610 West Oakland Park Boulevard - closed for the re-application of Diamond Brite. Due to unforeseen complications, the pool will be closed indefinitely. Select programs have been relocated to the Civic Center's family pool, or to Welleby Pool at Sunrise Tennis Club (9605 West Oakland Park Boulevard).
Springtree Golf Course On Wednesday, September 30, Springtree Golf Club closed for renovations to its 67-acre course. Initial work includes a complete restoration of the greens, performed by McCumber Golf, Inc. - led by former PGA pro Mark McCumber.
In addition to improvements to the greens, infrastructure upgrades - including a new irrigation system and drainage repairs - will also be addressed. When complete in 2010, the renovations will provide enhanced play for golfers of all levels.
The City debuted the first phase of improvements to Springtree Golf Club in 2004, when it unveiled a new $4 million, 7,000-square-foot clubhouse. The clubhouse - which features spacious locker rooms and a modern pro shop - will also close during course renovations.
Sunset Strip Branch Library On Wednesday, September 30, the Sunset Strip Branch Library - located at 6600 Sunset Strip - temporarily closed its doors. The 4,000-square-foot facility will be replaced by a 10,000-square-foot library to be constructed on the adjacent lot. The new branch library, expected to be completed in 2011, is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification requirements established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Council is a national not-for-profit organization that encourages environmental responsibility.
The after school program formerly housed in the Sunset Strip Branch Library has been moved to the Village Multipurpose Center - a new recreation and learning center operated by the City in partnership with the School Board of Broward County.
Sunrise residents may obtain books and other library resources at these nearby facilities:
Dan Pearl Branch Library. 10500 West Oakland Park Boulevard, (954) 749-2521.
West Regional Library. 8601 West Broward Boulevard, (954) 382-5860.
Lauderhill Towne Centre Library. 6399 West Oakland Park Boulevard, (954) 497-1630.
For information regarding any of these closures, call (954) 747-4600.
Landscape Recovery Program for Homes and Businesses
The City of Sunrise has experienced a significant loss of tree canopy in recent years, largely as a result of hurricane damage and drought conditions. In an effort to help property owners restore landscaping while minimizing their costs, the City has implemented a two-tier Landscape Recovery Program:
Category I provides for a 50% reduction in fees for landscaping and irrigation permits through September 30, 2009. This category applies only to single-family and multi-family residences.
Category II - for owners of non-residential property and homeowner association common areas - also provides for a 50% reduction in fees for landscaping and irrigation permits. In addition, the City will make staff available to help develop a detailed landscape and irrigation installation schedule designed to bring a property into compliance within 18 months.
The City has introduced two new, convenient payment options for its Utilities customers. Utilizing Western Union's Speedpay system, customers may now make credit card, debit card or check payments online or by phone. Speedpay may be accessed via our Payment Options, page or by calling 1-866-537-9041. A $3.75 convenience fee applies to all Speedpay transactions.
Western Union's Speedpay joins a trio of existing payment options. Sunrise Utilities customers can also choose monthly automatic bank drafting (which carries no transaction fee), mail-in payments, or in-person payments at one of three locations featuring walk-up windows and drop boxes: City Hall (10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard), Village Civic Center (6800 Sunset Strip), and New River Civic Center (60 Weston Road).
In addition to expanded payment options, Sunrise now provides its utilities customers with a means of accessing their account information online. Customers can visit our View Utility Account page for account status, prior bills and consumption patterns.
For additional information, visit our Public Service/Billing page or call (954) 746-3232.
10770 WEST OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD