[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218831,"mediaKeyId","3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a","parentId",3624677,"title","Task force raises ADA ramp and sidewalk consistency concerns; Public Works explains limits tied to resurfacing and funding","audioSeconds",582,"startMs",1711000,"endMs",2293000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a&start=1711&end=2293","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218831/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Task-force-raises-ADA-ramp-and-sidewalk-consistency-concerns-Public-Works-explains-limits-tied-to-resurfacing-and-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218831-cab90e119a0eb35b2fe03fb272a764f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142669&Signature=jrb0b8Q618lSys-MA5JAw8grl2Km4mzDihpUkiJ1q0PU38HwUOi9O1vJurBa1gDGhxyVBWys60vfnXgMsmchi18oxOOgOfqcBbeAsp2GwPXLnQVIjlWkowSIkGcm72Wj43tK6WklO0k6Ucys6uphS8pe2ljucVkT4uXENWaNdtjPaFOwk~rGt1vdfulOVzzy9DOStRWe7kk03M~9gr5k8jOt6Jh1nePNPE3tbYGAzCZiciMiBf6B0St~KwwPt47aIal8Rh0pV2ILlak-YlEgauvrwYffoDg4r0cBofhwEwkVG~dRDNwpr8~pZ6j7b~Y0Mo7dGVGECe2qUmO0bvZIpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fort Lauderdale, FL","date","2025-06-03T10:37:57.1Z","article","Members of the Infrastructure Task Force used a lengthy June 2 discussion to raise recurring complaints about missing or inconsistent Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps and small sidewalk gaps that force pedestrians into the street.

The issue matters because missing ramps and sidewalk links affect mobility and safety for people using wheelchairs, canes or strollers and raise compliance questions under federal ADA obligations.

Several task force members, including Ralph (task force member), described stretches where ramps are inconsistent and asked what the city can do to make the pedestrian network continuous. Jim Presley of Public Works Engineering responded that when the city resurfaces a street as part of the annual program, crews typically upgrade ADA ramps and repair sidewalks on that block. “When we do resurface a street, part of the… annual resurfacing, we do upgrade the ADA ramps and also repair the sidewalks in that block,” Presley said, but he added that utility conflicts or storm drainage structures can require a separate design project and thus delay ramp installation.

Staff also explained how different departments handle sidewalk tasks: Transportation & Mobility (TAM) manages long-range sidewalk planning and requests for new sidewalk connections, while Public Works Engineering repairs existing sidewalks and installs ADA ramps tied to resurfacing or design projects. City staff said sidewalk repair or new construction requests are routed through customer service and the city’s “click fix” system and then prioritized against funding and available design work.

Members pressed on funding: task force members noted a previous ICA recommendation that the city dedicate roughly 10% of the general fund toward street-related capital improvements; staff said the city has not reached that target and funding limits constrain how many ramps or new sidewalks can be completed in a given year.

No formal policy was adopted at the meeting. The task force asked staff to follow up with Transportation & Mobility to schedule a sidewalk presentation at a future meeting so members can see the sidewalk master plan and better understand departmental roles, design constraints and the CIP prioritization process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Infrastructure Task Force Advisory Committee Meeting on June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members pressed city staff about inconsistent ADA curb ramps and missing sidewalk links. Public Works said resurfacing projects typically include ramp upgrades but utility conflicts and design requirements can delay installations; funding and CIP priorities constrain work.","taxTitle","Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida","taxId",4849,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218836,"Task force hears city enforcement approach after several sewer lateral blockages tied to grease",347,821000,1168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a&start=821&end=1168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a/thumbnail_821000.jpg","/articles/6218836/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Task-force-hears-city-enforcement-approach-after-several-sewer-lateral-blockages-tied-to-grease","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218836-a52a597143c40f60dba23336678be980/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142669&Signature=YydgFPK0us4IO2pvawcrXtJGPoig50OlwJKBPmwsEo6J3YHSNaejq8Qx-m81lM1VikWhop3amZ-d0ZSU6hM6vV~JNfGTvl4sLQFuQ2tKKZeT707Ap3ahTTCBS~OrWAz4ISfWTIiDz~jwqMnl7daAIuZk2d0spLh4FJYeRAw0GIaA4KfeIs8FWXpu7CryXKJoDcoY0p56SyCpdIi--HfuyiOI6xgepL0~EOtAEahVKF7stjtFf1ao577IQ3v52hbbnV6BLnMGEjmPNnYhEhlY6sy4qycrzTCM8-BvccZGw9fGc1By63azCZ9a49Jn8XrIcHUsv~Rx9p5Glc~3BlWR9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Infrastructure Task Force on June 2 that many sewer lateral blockages reported recently are consistent with grease or solids discharged from food-service businesses, and they described how the city enforces grease-trap requirements.

The topic matters because lateral blockages can cause sewer overflows, increase maintenance costs and disrupt service for neighborhoods and businesses.

Nancy K., from the city’s environmental and regulatory affairs team, summarized the local enforcement framework: the city’s ordinance requires food establishments to have a contract with a grease-trap hauler and retain manifests showing regular cleaning. “Every food establishment, they're supposed to have a contract signed with the regular cleaning grease traps,” Nancy said, adding that the city enforces requirements through inspections and can request records. She said the ordinance was amended about five years ago to allow the city to obtain documentation of regular cleanings.

Staff said enforcement approaches vary: historically the city accepted documentation showing scheduled cleanings and moved on, but inspectors are shifting tactics to include more frequent, unannounced physical inspections. “We are adjusting our inspection techniques to actually lift the lid… and we are more often popping lid of the grease trap to ensure that it looks like it's been regulated only,” a staff member said.

Task force members pressed for clarity on verification and penalties. Patrick Gasminal asked, “who is verifying the content of the report, whether or not it's been done?” Staff responded that the city can request documentation and is increasing on-site checks. When asked whether fines apply when a lateral blockage originates from a private connection, staff said there is not a routine fine in every instance; the city often cleans the sewer line and, depending on where the required repairs fall (upstream or downstream of the right-of-way), responsibility for repairs can differ. A specific fine policy for each incident was “not specified” in the discussion.

Members also asked whether non-restaurant businesses sometimes contribute to blockages; staff confirmed plastic or other solids from industrial operations have been found in some systems and noted the city’s pretreatment program targets those dischargers.

The task force did not adopt any new enforcement policy at the meeting but asked staff to confirm current documentation procedures, inspection scheduling and whether the city’s compliance manager will require quarterly manifests on a routine basis rather than records only on request.

Staff indicated they will follow up with more detail on whether the city requires establishments to proactively submit records or only produce them on inspection and whether specific fine thresholds apply in different circumstances.","Public Works and environmental staff described grease-trap contracting, documentation and inspection practices after members raised concerns that restaurants and other businesses were causing sewer lateral blockages.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218840,"City to run PFAS membrane pilot on well water; staff say results should be known months after August arrival",334,2580000,2914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a&start=2580&end=2914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a/thumbnail_2580000.jpg","/articles/6218840/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/City-to-run-PFAS-membrane-pilot-on-well-water-staff-say-results-should-be-known-months-after-August-arrival","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218840-6ef0d1ef2b84dea8bca2b8afdbad4cdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142669&Signature=LdPL17hsoM044TVYrKR6WvFv5lNJb-Wa5PLvAIWIpxzd-mKP6AD0EynJjXmAXexk6TYlZyJJXxDdycVsdXzY4otau~SOkW3bvLplwpkTAlsRz1doXJh17B9JC2VUUZ~x91JqDn1-iz4t0e60keqnNt9-brcfh5nVaIHfeGtpkf5SvEUhFNvemPXUgMLfrDUgZlVIE6HipdDGue-2-tLKcWqIid5zNWZWNzPzOJ1hARdzjHBAC8w0AoLnTqoVhYxin6pHm8iVRptwERBeUtwu1eLsb4N5-sBsx-uM8AJWVZF66V2SGRjUgr7sowvmHJoT7G8NAJRqYy4-b~yk2Mw3Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Infrastructure Task Force on June 2 that a mobile pilot system to test membranes for PFAS removal is scheduled to arrive in August 2025 and will run tests over the following months to help finalize membrane selection for the new water-treatment plant.

The issue matters for residents because the selected treatment approach determines how the plant will address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and whether additional equipment or process changes are required before full plant startup.

Staff said the pilot is a trailer containing several vessels, each fitted with a different membrane type. A utilities staff member explained: “They’re gonna bypass some of the well water to this trailer to do just do a pilot test. And they’re gonna try different kinds of membranes to see which 1 is more effective on the removal of PFAS.” The pilot will take samples at the outlet of each membrane vessel so staff can compare removal performance.

Staff said membranes make up roughly 70% of the new plant’s treatment train and ion exchange will comprise approximately 30%. The pilot aims to confirm whether the membranes planned for purchase will meet expected removal targets or whether a different membrane or adjusted operating pressure will be necessary. “You can change membranes. They’re all the same size. They go in the vessel and there just might be difference in the porosity of those membranes,” a staff member said.

A staff slide referenced by the task force indicated the trailer is expected on site by August 2025. Staff said the pilot will run for several months; earliest useful results could arrive in September or October 2025, though a fuller evaluation could continue beyond that.

Task force members raised timing concerns: if the pilot shows a need for different membranes or operating conditions late in the procurement process, that could affect the plant schedule. Staff said they are confident the membranes currently specified are likely to be sufficient, and the pilot is intended to reduce last-minute changes before mass membrane procurement and installation.

Panelists also noted recent federal action on PFAS. A staff member summarized that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency retained a 4 parts-per-trillion proposal as a benchline and extended compliance timelines for utilities; staff said the agency’s compliance window was broadly extended to 2031. City staff said that extension gives additional time for implementation planning but that Fort Lauderdale is proceeding with the pilot program now.

No formal decision was taken at the task force meeting; staff said they will report pilot results to the task force and commission when available.","Fort Lauderdale staff said a mobile pilot rig testing different membrane types to remove PFAS is scheduled to arrive in August 2025; the pilot will run for several months and inform membrane selection for the new water plant scheduled to begin operation in September 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218845,"Fort Lauderdale staff outline how water and sewer capacity letters are issued, what developers must pay",921,2541000,3462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a&start=2541&end=3462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624677-a98bc4b3dd71f0f698e1e1ad6e977a5a/thumbnail_2541000.jpg","/articles/6218845/Fort-Lauderdale/Broward-County/Florida/Fort-Lauderdale-staff-outline-how-water-and-sewer-capacity-letters-are-issued-what-developers-must-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218845-c1ea62b178196a8cfbb8921038df4e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142669&Signature=mRRUJXUuCYvsXXmNhvxI7gOwE8KYVvE380DMxTpfvQZVBFBpJadBWiUxiiETolFDDv-Yy4cOmHHIo5yIyRybRd3eX16hj~VLjULbneMTIlief6BnUkN1PR02tk~-rZd~Csr9WCMXPY8hSKFXTY7IQig~aZ4-ouqOST33LytHIl4IoWO556Qyx6~Yb1U8oz-UglaJYR8SaLyeeWVd3tHMOdHMsTnSwqq5tLVAVA2WdTYu3pQWPieNUU6wzZP85lKJogcQzEZAD31lkp1ISnaPZDcfuPpUWJboyHb72gWT9Oxl0Gsqhy5PohHEk8KOJQB070Ne33TXan~krMuYNehxkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fort Lauderdale staff and the Public Works capacity-modeling team explained on June 2 how the city evaluates requests for water and wastewater capacity and how those determinations affect developers and the public.

The update matters because the city’s capacity letters and underlying calculations determine whether new projects can connect to existing water and sewer infrastructure, whether developers must pay to expand systems or wait for capital projects, and how impact fees and reserved capacity are tracked.

At the meeting, Igor Masilyev, a capacity modeler funded by Public Works and based in the city’s Development Services Division, described the application and modeling process for a capacity-availability letter. “For that, they submit application to us, with all the numbers, the ERC calculations, ERC, Residential Connection, calculations and their flows and site plans. We look at it and we determine how well it fits or does not fit the current, water and, the water and waste water and, force means pump stations,” Masilyev said.

Masilyev and colleague Alejandra Simon explained that the team runs hydraulic and sewer models to evaluate three components: the gravity mains, affected pump stations (force mains), and the wastewater-treatment plant. Their written report, they said, typically runs eight to 10 pages and details whether the development can be supported by existing infrastructure or what upgrades are required.

The task force heard staff describe how capacity is reserved and when it becomes committed. Staff said an availability letter is issued after a developer pays for the analysis; the letter is valid for one year to secure a developer’s DRC (Development Review Committee) approval. “Once we get a final DRC sign off, that flow is considered committed,” Masilyev said. Committed flows move from a preliminary queue into the city’s calculations of reserved capacity.

On funding and responsibility, staff said several outcomes are possible when a project requires infrastructure upgrades. The report will list required improvements; developers may build needed upgrades themselves, possibly receiving reimbursement up to the capital-expansion amount, or they may wait for the city’s capital-improvement program (CIP) to address the area. Staff said impact fees — charged per ERC — are collected for system expansion. A staff member provided current impact-fee figures during the meeting: $1,977 per ERC for water and $1,888 per ERC for sanitary sewer.

The task force also heard how capacity planning interacts with neighboring jurisdictions and large contracted users. Staff said the city holds contractual allocations for large users and monitors monthly flows; if a partner city’s flows approach contractual limits, that can constrain new development in that partner city.

Members asked operational questions: how on-site stormwater review is handled (that is performed by DSD engineering, staff said), whether fire-flow requirements are included (they are), and what triggers upgrades at pump stations. Staff said they use a pump-run-time guideline: if a pump station runs more than about 10 hours per day, it is considered a candidate for capacity upgrades.

Discussion only; no formal policy change was adopted. Staff said letters and modeling follow existing city procedure and that the task force’s role is informational and advisory. The city staff invited follow-up questions and said developers are advised to coordinate early with DSD and Public Works to avoid delays.

Looking ahead, staff said the report and the city’s evolving CIP schedule determine whether a developer must fund an earlier upgrade or wait for a planned city project to increase capacity.","City engineers and a Public Works modeling team described how Fort Lauderdale evaluates water and wastewater capacity requests, how equivalent residential connections (ERCs) and impact fees are applied, and when capacity becomes committed or must be funded by developers or the city.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Task force raises ADA ramp and sidewalk consistency concerns; Public Works explains limits tied to resurfacing and funding

Task force hears city enforcement approach after several sewer lateral blockages tied to grease

City to run PFAS membrane pilot on well water; staff say results should be known months after August arrival

Fort Lauderdale staff outline how water and sewer capacity letters are issued, what developers must pay