01-08-08 Agenda Spec/WSDEERAY BEACH /(
CITY COMMISSION u~
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA ~ I I I I
SPECIAL/WORKSHOP -TUESDAY. JANUARY 8 2008
6:00 P.M. FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM i99s
zoos
The City will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual
with a disability an equal opportunity to pazticipate in and enjoy the benefits of a service, program,
or activity conducted by the City. Contact Doug Smith at 243-7010, 24 hours prior to the program
ox activity in order for the City to reasonably accommodate your request. Adaptive listening devices
aze available for meetings in the Commission Chambers.
SPECIAL MEETINGAGENDA
Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter of the City of Delray Beach, Mayor Rita Ellis has instructed
me to announce a Special Meeting of the City Commission to be held for the following purposes:
1. PROPOSALS/VIRTUALTQURS: Consider proposals from Sound Investments by J.W.,
Inc. d/b/a Pro DVD Makers and the City's Information Technology Department (IT) regazding
the Virtual Tours on the City's website.
WORSSHOPAGENDA
1. Video Presentation on Property Tax Reform -Florida League of Cities
2. Discussion xegazding 2008 Legislative Priorities
3. Discussion of questions for the Annual Citizen's Roundtable Meeting
4. Commission Comments
Please be advised that if a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission with
respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such person will need to ensure that a verbatim
record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. The City neither
provides nor prepazes such record.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: David T. Harden, City Manager
DATE: January 4, 2008
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM SP 1 - SPECIAL/WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 8 2008
PROPOSALS/VIRTUAL TOURS
ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION
Proposal from Sound Investments by J.W. Inc. d/b/a Pro DVD Makers and City's IT Department.
BACKGROUND
On November 6, 2007, the City Commission voted to terminate the contract with Pro DVD Makers, the
company that provided the City with virtual tours of all City parks and facilities and the municipal
beach and linked them to the City's website.
On December 3, 2007, Sound Investments by J.W. Inc., d/b/a Pro DVD Makers, submitted a proposal to
the City wherein the City could obtain the domain name (www.TheCityofDelrayBeach.com) and retain
all existing virtual tours in their current state for the City's use in perpetuity to be hosted on the City's
website. This proposal was offered at twenty four thousand dollars ($24,000.00).
The City's IT Depaztment was contacted to see if they were equipped to host the virtual tours on the
City's website and they suggested a second proposal. The City's IT Department proposed to create new
virtual tours of all City pazks and facilifies and host them on the City's website for a cost of five
thousand dollazs ($5,000.00) (cost of camera equipment). Also, the City's proposal included publishing
the tours on a Flash Player (a faster media player) instead of the Java applet used by Pro DVD Makers.
Also, it was suggested that the photograph resolution with the Canon 10.1 MP SLR to be purchased by
the IT Department would likely be higher than that of Pro DVD Makers's photograph resolution from
their camera equipment.
Therefore, there aze three (3) options:
1) Purchase the existing Virtual Tours and Domain Name (www.theCityo~ekayBeach.com) from
Pro DVD Makers/Sound Investments for $24,000.00 or
2) Let the existing virtual tours expire and have the City's IT Department photograph the City's parks
and facilities and beach a second time and create new virtual tours for the City's website for $5,000.00,
or
3) Let the existing virtual tours expire and do nothing.
If you decide to choose option 1, the funding would be through the Parks and Recreation Department.
If you opt for option 2, the funding would be from the IT Department. Neither department has this in
their current budget, so a transfer from contingency would probably be required.
RECOMMENDATION
City Commission discretion.
Resolution Proposal
Date of Proposal:12/03107
Name of Company: The City Of Defray Beach
Address: 50 NW 1'~ Ave., Delray Beach FL., 33444
Phone Number: (561}243-725]
Sound Investments By J.W. inc.
112 south federal hwy
Boynton Bch. Fl. 33435
Phone: 561-568-6238
Description
The Ctty of Delray Beach can retain ownership of the Virtual Tours with a
remote host Supplied By Sound Investments By J.w. Inc.. The City will be able to
host them on the Citles Server and will have complete control over the media
players look and feel. The City will also be provided The Domain Name
(www.Ti:eCitvOFDelravBeach.coml that will be ideal for a Virtual Visitors Guide
and will secure your online identity.
The Virtual Tours eahaace your commuaicatloas to carreat residents,
future residents, and visitors. They also are a great way to generate revenue through
banner advertisements and are a great way to showcase ail the ameaities of the city.
The City of Delray Beach is who your agency is and online, your identity should be
clear. Your website is the number one form of communications in the world and
should be www.Ti:eCitvOfDelravileach.rnm so it is clear to the user what website
they src visiting.
Ownership Details
1.) A Remote host of aB The Gilles Parlu aad Fadlities Virtual Tours
2.) The Domain Name (www.TheCitvOtDclravBeach.com)
If The City chooses to purchase the Virtual Tours and Domain Nsme they will be
able to do as they wish with them for ever.
Grand Total: S24,000.00
Please make check payable to: "Sound Investments By Jw loc.".
Page I of Z
Pyburn, Tarrtll
From: Furnrent, Charles
Sant: Wednesday, Oaoember 12, 2007 4:04 PM
To: Pybum, TerrAl
Cc: BuzzelU, Guy; Del Portilb, t?d
Subject: RE: VktuW burs far Cily websits
Terrill.
The City would provide the same oancapt u the ProDVD propwW. The tour would be published with a more
universally acceptable sad taster player (Flash) rather than that used by ProDVO (Java applet ). Resolution of
the shots would be higher than the original Prd)VD shots (under the 55,000 budget we wYl ba using a Canon
10.1 MP SLR) . In addition, the Ciry would have 10096 contrd of content and would be able to expand on U for
far less than ProOVD would be able b provide.
Thssln Terril,
Charles Fwmeat
Oflke Auromstion Awlyst
City of Delay Sex6
561-243.7189
F-oms Pybum, Tert1U
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:47 AM
To: Flirrrlent, Charles
Subject: FW: Virtual tours for City website
Charles,
Can you provido me with a list of what the Ciry can provide in leans of the Virtual tours on the City's
website so that we can put it before the City Commission along with the Pro DVD proposal at the
January 3rd Ciry Commission meeting?
TeMp Pybum,
Assistant Clty Attorney
200 NW 1slAvenue
Oolrey Beach, FL 33444
(561)243-7060
1?J12l2007
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: CITY MANAGER
DATE: January 2, 2008
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM WS 1 - SPECIAL/WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 8 2008
VIDEO PRESENTATION ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM -FLORIDA LEAGUE OF
IIC TIES
ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION
The item before the Commission is a video presentation from the Florida League of Cities on Property
Tax Reform.
The Florida League of Cities prepared a video in which Mike Sittig, the League's Executive Director,
explains the proposed property tax amendment that is on the January 29 ballot. The video will be
shown at the January 8 workshop meeting for the Commission's information.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: Douglas Smith, Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: David T. Harden, City Manager
DATE: December 28, 2007
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM WS. 2 - SPECIAL/WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 8.2008
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2008
ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION
The item before the City Commission is consideration of legislative priorities for 2008 for the City of
Delray Beach.
At the November 13, 2007 Workshop Meeting, a discussion was held regazding whether the
Commission had any items to be included in the City's legislative priorities for 2008. Commission
requested a list with a copy of the priorities for previous years.
The following information is attached for the Commission's review:
. A copy of the agenda backup for the 2005 legislative priorities which is the only yeaz for which
agenda backup was available for state legislative issues.
The following is a list of issues for the Commission to consider supporting.
Potential City Sponsored State Legislation
The City Attorney's Office has suggested several potential state legislative changes to pursue as follows:
1. Raising or eliminating the performance bond requirement -Florida statutes section 255.05(1)
(a) provides that a bond shall be provided for public construction contracts that aze $200,000 dollars or
less. This state mandated number has been in effect for many years. The figure should be raised to less
than one million or another number so that the Cities can avoid the extra expense.
2. Addressing caps on immunity in contracts - Florida Statutes Chapter 166, section 166.021
should be amended by enacting a new subsection 166.021(10) or F.S. Section 768.28 (19)(a) should be
amended to provide that Municipalities shall avoid contractual indemnifications which result in
an unauthorized pledge of its credit under Article VII, section 10 of the Florida constitution and are
required to limit indemnifications in contracts pertaining to torts to the sovereign immunity amount
contained in Florida Statutes 768.28. The purpose of this change is to overturn the case of American
Home Assurance Company v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation Supreme Court case wherein an
agency of the City of Kissimmee entered into a contract which included an indemnification provision
that required the agency to indemnify Amtrak. The Court did not accept the Agency's position that the
indemnification in the contract concerning negligence should be limited by Sovereign Immunity
amounts under F.S. 768.28.
Key Issues to Support/Monitor at the State Level
1. Property Tax Reform -Monitor the property tax amendment on the January 29 ballot and any
proposed property tax changes in the 2008 state legislative session
2. Hometown Democracy/Growth Management -monitor this issue
3. Unfunded Mandates from the State -Oppose additional unfunded mandates from the State
4. Rental Car Surcharge -Support the $2.00 rental caz surcharge to support the South Florida
Regional Transportation Authority
5. Eliminate Fireworks Exemptions -Support legislation eliminating existing wholesale fireworks
exemptions except for specified uses (agriculture and aquaculture) which must be verified through a law
enforcement agency at the point of sale and enhanced penalties for unauthorized individuals possessing
or using fireworks. Additionally, the legislature should promote and fully fund fireworks safety and
education programs and enhance the authority of local governments relating to the sales, use and
possession of fireworks.
6. Parks and Recreation Funding -Supporting continued funding for the Florida Recreation
Development Assistance Program.
7. EMS Grants -Support continued funding of the Florida Emergency Medical Services' (EMS)
matching grant programs provided by the FloridaDepartment of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical
Services. The programs aze authorized to improve and expand EMS statewide.
8. Public Safety- Support legislation which gives law enforcement additional tool for dealing with
gang issues and other criminal behavior.
9. Local Government Pension Plans -Support legislation that enhances municipal control over
municipal employee pension plan management and funding.
10. Municipal Indebtedness -Support legislation that broadens municipal Home Rule and other
authority, to the fullest extent of the Florida Constitution, to issue tax-increment financed bonds without
approval by referendum.
11. Reclaimed Water Credits -Support legislation requiring an appropriate percentage of water be
returned or "credited" to a water use permit holder when the permit holder enhances regional water
availability by establishing a reclaimed water system.
Staff requests Commission guidance regarding the City's legislative priorities for 2008.
Memo
Ta ~~is~
~~
t~
~r ,,,5,2004
Rae Legislative Issues of 2005
The flowing list is a oompiation of Issues lenlified by the Commission and City Staff as legislative
Issues for the upcoming session of the legislature Also included in your backup is Information on
issues idantded by the Florida league of CfUes and school distrlds. The Commission writ have the
opportunity to diswss this list with members of the delegation as you have occasion to meet them prpr
to the season starting in March.
1. Rewrite of the Community RedevebpmeM Act (Part III of Chapter 763, F.S.)
A~In, we expect a major effort by the Florida Assoaatlon of Counties 1A give counties more
control of CRA'8 and also to reduce Or eliminate county funds flowing to CRA's inside tides.
2. Btllb08rd Legislation
The state should aloes Cues the right to require removal of bllboards as a corlWon of a
devebpment order; or to amortize blboards not In cronfortnance wflh the Cilys inning code. Crties
should also be able to prohibit rebuldmg of nonconforming bliboards whxl are more than 5096
destroyed by natural events.
3. Crmhal JustioaWuvenile Justice
a) Support IegLzlatbn to slow ptwtogrephb enfarcemerk of red Ilght runNng h Palm Beach
Courtly.
b) Suppott flnarxial assistance h acqukirrg and remodefhg fadllies for the Youth EnridsrreM
Vocational Center. The model for our program, the Youtlr Automotive Training Center n
Hollywood, is well proven as aftecbve n fuming at nsk youth from a crrmnal career to being
contributing members of society
4. Parks and Recreatbn
Support condnued furling for the Florida Reaeabon Devebpment Assistance Program.
•Ppe1
ws, a.
S water Srppty
The South Central Regional wastawaffir Treatment and Disposal Board fadliry currently reclaims
Doty about 25% of iLs effluent to use for irtigation. An additional f2 MGD could be redalmed
instead of being discharged to the ocean, where it may contribute to algae on our reefs, but we
need help with the cost Using more treated sewage ettlueM for Ytigetion will reduce use of surface
waters and water from the surFcial acqulfer for such purposes. The South Florida Water
Management Distnd formerly gave grants for ttis purpose. but these funds have now been
diverted bo pay the Dietrld's share of the Everglades Restoration Additional treatment and
distrlbutbn fadlRles would cost E12-18 mdhon. State assistance ffi requested in the amount of
53.000.000.
6. Pubtlc Records Law
Commtssloner Levlnaon has Identifrod that fact that same citlzens may be reluctant to subscrbe to
our Est server for city iMomtatbn because their e-meE address would them be a pudic record.
Attached ffi a draft bill the City Attorney has prepared to deal with this issue.
7. Fur~ng Issues
The State budget ffi going to tre very dtlficutl again tl~Is year. and the legistetue wit be ffirnpted
again to balarroe their budget by trarrsfarting oertaur cosffi and services to the brat level. One
example is the knposilan of filing fees for munkipai ordmance violations. We need to urge our
legislature to ensure that mumrapal revenue sources are not diverted for state purposes and costs
are not shifted from the state to bcal government
8. Fonda Communities Trust
We have applied far FCT funds to help acquire Iand for the proposed park adJacent to Old Sdad
Square. Our application has been rated Fdidy high, but we have been tdd of some limitatbns on
FCT funding whbh are major problems to us First, we are tdd FCT funds cannot be used for any
property acquired by eminent domain or the threat of eminent domain. This um~tion, In my
opinion, >s v4tuatly a Iksnse to steel from the public and rs totally impractical rn an urban area
Second, FCT considers the City and the CRA as the same entity, so they witl not reimburse us for
any property we acquree from the ClZ4. We may need to seek lagislatan to muddy these
IimAatwns.
•PaW2
RECENEd
CITM OF DELRAM BEACH ~~= z~ Z~
C r Ci'fY Ma1VAG~t~
CITY ATTORNEY'S UF~ICE nNLr.PHq•F..VN C1? ~r~l~ F ~CSt~HLF~6IRI 8-qi~
DFLRAY t:,EACN
AlFbinrlaGM
' I I I I! DATE:
1993 TO:
zool
FROM
u i ~ '__ ~ u
October 29, 2004
City Commission
David Hansen, City Manager
Susan A. Ruby, City Attorney
YJnlx't Ovxt Luw. 681/2{3.7091
SUBJECT: Legislation Exempting Home Electronic Mail Addresses from the
Public Records Law Electronic Mail Addresses Upon Request of the
Ckizenry
I have researched the issue of whether citizens who submit their a-mail addresses
to the City in order to obtain City information by e-mail could protect the disclosure
of their a-mall addresses under the public records law.
The Federal Law known as the "Cam-Spam Act of 2003" prohibits the
transmission of commercial electronic mail after objection. In the 2004 legislature,
the State of Florida adopted the "Electronic Mail Communications Act" which
seeks to protect parsons from the receipt of unsolicited commercial electronic mail
(SB 2574). The law prohibits the initiation or transmission of an unsolicited
commercial electronic mail message from a computer located In this state or to an
electronic mail address that is held by a resident of this state that is not
transactional in nature.
The federal law supersedes any statute, regulation or rule that expressly
regulates the use of electronic mail to send commeroial messages, except to the
extent the statute, regulaiion, or rule prohibits falsity or deception in any portion of
a commercial message.
Our research indicates various states have prohibfted the disclosure of a-mall
addresses in some situations: (t) Upon request of the citizen, if there is a threat to
their safety (Oregon 192.445); for public health protection (North Carolina § 130A-
480), for purpose of contacting forest landowners (Maine § t3t311); e-mail
addresses provided by a person to an agency, institution, or political subdivision of
the state for the purposes of future electronic communications to the person from
the agency, institution, or political subdivision (Coorado § 24-72-204); requirement
to discard e-mail addresses upon request. (California § 11015.5(c).
Based on the foregoing, and in order to draft the narrowest protection under the
public records law as possible, our office has drefted the attached legislation
modeled after the Colorado ordinance on subject. The Regulation of Commercial
e-mail is governed by Federal and State law. Therefore, the legislation deals with
non-commercial e-mail addreases submitted by citizens to obtain
City/governmental information.
SAR:ci
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to public records, amending Chapter 119, F.S. to
3 provide a new subsection 119.07(3)(lck); providing an exemption
a from disclosure of public records for electronic mail addresses
5 provided to an agency for the purpose of future electronic
6 communications to the person from the agency; providing for
7 severability; providing an effective date.
8
9 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
to
11 action 1. Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, Section 119.07(3) is amended by enacting a
12 new subsection 119.07(3)(klr) to read:
13
14 119.07(3xklc). Electronic mail addresses provided ky a oerson to an a e~ncy for tIu
IS purpose of future electronic communications to the person from the aaencv are confidential and
t6 exempt from thpprovisions of subsection 119.07(1) and S. 24(a). Art. 1 of the State Constitution.
17
18 Section Z. 17ris law is necessary to encourage citizens to be actively informed about
19 and engaged in the governmental process through adding their o-mail addresses to list serves in
zo order to receive ongoing information from the govemmental agency as defined in Chapter 119.
z1 The exemption from public records does sot prohibit any other entity from disclosing a-mail
22 addresses not meeting the requirements set forth herein.
23
24 Section 3. If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or
25 circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not effect other provisions, or applications of
26 this Act, which can be given without the invalid provision or application, and to this and the
27 provisions of this Act are severable.
28
29 This Act shall take effort upon bocoming law.
1
COnnVG: Words stealira are delatwca; words yyQ~]iOCdaro additioat.
Harden, David
From: Ruby, Susan
SaM: Wednesday, Ocbber 2D, 2004 12:31 PM
To: 'JRL tieUsouth.neY
Cc: Shutt, Brian. Harden, Dawd
Subject: RE: Subject for Legislative agenda
We will do the research and let you know.
Susan A. Ruby
-----Original Message-----
From: JRL Hellsouth.net [mailto:jonlev8bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 12:09 PM
To: Ruby, Susan: Harden, David
Cc: "Mr. John Thomas"; "Mr. James S. Titcomb"
Subject: Subject for Legislative agenda
Something we have discussed and not resolved but could
be an issue for the Legislature..... exempting LiatSero (email lists)
from public records act. Can you research this a bit further and
talk to Trela? Hight be good for all cities! Clearly people who sign
up to be updated on emergency alerts, Commission meetings and
the like don't want to be SPAM'ed by gadfly groups or other commercial
businesses simply by having them do a public records request as
an easy way to obtain lots of email addresses.
I don't know if Pederal legislation covers this but even if it does
not allowing these email addresses to become public provides
a front and control.
I'm also copying John Thomas at the Florida League of Cities
for their thoughts and whether they have discussed this.
Thanks for the help'
SaSt,
Jon
jonlevinaon0compuaerve.com
561-243-2690 office
561-243-9242 fax
561-212-2799 cell
www.HUaineasCounaeling.com
www.JonLevinson.com
c~~
DELRAY BEACH
AI4Alorlgply
1 ~ ~ ~ I
1993
2001
OF DELRAM BEA[H
100 N.W. 1st AVENUE DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA 39444 561/243-7000
~ i.~_.\l~ ~1/
TO: David T. Harden, City Manager
FROM: Rex Taylor, Assistant City Manager
DATE: November 4, 2004
SUBJECT: Legislative Priorities for 2005
This following is back up information for the City Commission for their Workshop
agenda item on Legislative Priorities for 2005. This information is in addition to any
information that may be provided by Kathleen Daley.
• The Florida League of Ciiies will hold their Legislative Confe;ettce oa
November 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport to develop
their 2005 Legislative Priorities.
• The Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing for
legislative input on November 23, 2004 from 2-5 p.m. at Old School Square.
• The Palm Beach County League of Cities will be developing their legislative
priorities during the month of November.
• A special session of the Florida Legislature will begin oa or about December 13,
2004. It is anticipated that the following issues will be addressed:
Post hurricane disaster issues including the suthori~ation to rebuild
highway bIIlboards.
Consdtutioaal issues on Pre-K Educatioa.Ameadment.
u w6uw~.~e Pn«wa w«lWop aoo
®~~~~~ THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS
• Three issues that will be hot topics for the Florida League of Cities during the
regular Legislative Session will be:
Aaaezatioa to include elimination of enclaves and a more reasonable
annexation procedure See attached Legislative Issue Brief.
Community Redevelopment Ageneios to include resolution of conflict
issues between cities and counties. See attached Legislative Issue Brief.
Water RipJtb isne: for Florida. A briefing paper hes not been
prepared by the League of Cities on this issue.
In addition to the above please find attached a memorandum fiom Janet Meeks,
Education Coordinator on the School District of Palm Beach County Legislative
Priorities for 2005. Also, attached is the Tri-County Commission 2005 State
Legislative Priorities.
Attachmems
RT/dr
u v~r.n~ r.~u. w«tapy a«
a.osveywr
Annexation
History & Observations regarding Annezation provisions
'17te geographic emphasis and restrictive nature of Florida's current annexation policy has negatively impacted
Florida's municipalities by inhibiting their economic vitality, creating inefficient service delivery and
subsidizing urban sprawl.
The current law has actually made it more difficult for municipalities to provide municipal services in the
urbanizing area in comparison to counties and special districts. Florida's tremendous population g<nwth and
inflexible annexation policies have caused disruption in historical service delivery responsibilities and insults in
a wntinuous conflict in the financing and delivery of many local public services. As such, today, Florida is
described as more urban, yet less municipal.
Moreover, Florida's annexation law, Chapter 171, was created in 1973. At that time, tics state's population was
6.8 million and roughly 4.1 million or 60 percent of Ute population resided within a municipal boundary.
During the thirty years that have passed the state's population has increased by 9.2 million. Sixty percent or 5.4
million of this population increase has owumd in the unincorporated areas of Florida's 67 counties. In 2003,
less rhea half of Florida's 16 million residents live in one of Florida's 408 municipalities. The law crested in
1973 does not adequately address the changes that have occurred since ire adoption.
The Florida League of Cities priority statement
The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that stteagthene the ability of municipalities to eliminate
enclaves regardless of size or use, and provides reasonable procedures to expeditiously annex areas that are
contiguous to their boundaries.
Talking points on League's Positbn
• Recent demographic trends have drastically raluced the financial resources of municipalities to maintain
their ewnomic viability. The diversion of in&astructun funding in these newly developed areas has
reduced funding for muc h of ow urban core. This impact is further aggravated by the additional cost in
providing municipal services to outlying areas.
Ia addition fo the demographic meads, the restrictive nature of Florida's annexation policy has also
contributed to the struggle of municipalities to enhance their local tax base. Chapter 17l is intended to
regulate urban sprawl by prohibiting municipalities from venturing out into rural areas. In contrast,
despite the legislative infant, significant sprawl has occuaed and counties and special districts have been
given a variety of fiscal tools to provide services in areas where municipalities ]rave been prevented
from expanding.
Economic Vitality of the Urban Centers
Amtexation policy moat be designed to promote the sustainability of Florida's urban centers by
encouraging urbanizing areas to become part of existing municipalities. Alternative processes an
needed to provide a reasonable and flexrble process for municipalities to provide municipal services in
these newly developed and urbanizing areas.
• The result will lead to a stronger economic base to support municipal services, as well u avoiding a
shift in economic activity to areas outside municipal borders. In addition, such a process will provide
mare consistency of wmmunity standards.
E®cient Service Delivery
• Florida's annexation policy should focus less on geographic factors and mono amphaaie should be
attributed to service delivery efficiencies.
Annexation laws should be flexnble to incorporate the coat ofutilizing the capacity of e»otsting services
and iafrastnnetum versus expanding or creating new service delivery patterns. Such policy should
include the elimination of "high cost" enclaves-unincorporated areas that are costly to serve, yet reside
within municipal boundaries. These enclaves add significant costa to the delivery of public safety and
other services. Current annexation procedures allow small groups of individuals and buairreas W receive
subsidies for their local services.
• Chapter 171 does not specifically emphasize service delivery as criteria for annexation. It focuses on
procedures for approval and definitions of land configurations.
• Florida's cities need to be able to expand their borders to take is some of the urbanization around them,
and cities need to be more involved in the planning and development of such areas. Otherwise, residents
and businesses on city borders, that use city services and benefit finm the proximity to downtown
shopping, entertainment and commerce and do not wntribute to the city tax base, will increasingly
burden them.
• The urbaniution of areas outside municipal boundaries leads to urban sprawl and a dilution of financial
resources and duplication of local services.
Ststtaa: The Local Government & Veterans' Affairs Committee approved IIB 985 by Rep. Dennis
Ross this part Wednesday. It would require governmental entities dlapathtg mnnicipal
annezatloa to go through the conflict resolution process before 81iag a suit la circuit court
and would provide attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Rep. Frank Attklssoo offered as
amendment that included pa rte of the Joint FAC/FLC Anne:atlon agreement. The Senate
Comprehemive Planning Committee ran out of time on Friday, therefore, SB 2362 & SB
3072 will be rescheduled oa Tuesday morning. Please support annexation agreement.
Contact: John Wayne Smith
Revlaeds Apri119, 2004
'II LL~GISLf~ T~VIJ
,,,
'0i ..,~~~,. ~
.,
Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAB)
History and Observaflons
During the 2002 Legislative Session, changes were made to Part ]II of Chapter 163, F.S. relating m
Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAB). The Florida League of Cities was initially opposed to
amending the CRA statute but ultimately reached a compromise with the Florida Association of
Counties tF'AC) oa the following revisions to the law: inclusion of a grandfather provision which
exempted any existing CRAB, from changes in the law--excluding boundary expansions; more
stringent definitions of "alum area" and "blighted area' ; imposition of a forty-year maximum time
period for new CRAB to collect and use tax increment funds; authorizing all special districts to
participate in the waiver process; preservation of existing inter-local agreements; and a time flame for
charter counties to respond to requested amendments and plan modifications for CRAB located is a
charter county.
Oa February 1T, 2004, the FLC and the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented information
to the House Local Government & Veterans Affairs Committee (Committee) Community
Redevelopment Agencies. The FAC recommended various changes to the existing law, including:
• Granting non•chatter counties additional authority over the creation of CRAB by municipalities;
• Requiring that municipalities return a portion of the TIF contributions to the county is the later
yeses of the CRA ;
• Imposing limitations on county TIF contdbutioas m CRAB created by municipalities by Iimiting
the county contribution W the TIF to the amount contributed by the municipality.
The FLC restated our opposition to any furtha~ cbaages is the law. The FLC pointed to the
undisputed success of CRAB around the stars a~ reminded the Committee members that existing law
relating to interlocal agreements was sufficient for resolving conflicts between cities and counties
relative to CRAB or any other local government dispute.
The Chairman of the Committee, Representative Ken Sorensen, directed the FLC and the FAC to
meet together over the ensuing 150 days and report back to the Committee by April 17, 21104 on the
results of the discussions. Although the FAC and PLC have continued to meet end have been
developing a list of issues the two organizations agree on, these has not barn significant movement
from either getup away from our original positions.
Ia a related matter, the Joint Legislative Committee on Lrtetgovernmeafal Relations (I,CIR) held a
series of meetings to discuss urban infill and economic development issues and policies. As a moult
of those LCIR hearings, it was determined that the LCIR would conduct additional interim research
focusing on various aspects of urban infill and redevelopment efforts in Florida. LCIR staff hu
outlined the issue of the continuing controversy between cities and counties regarding CRAB and
suggested that revising the definitions of "slum" and "blight" oontainod in the CRA statute might
alleviate some of the fiiction between cities and counties. The FLC will work with the LCIR to
ensue that any revisions to the existing definitions do not inhibit or adversely impact the creation,
operation or maintenance of I:RAa.
The Florida Leagae of Cites priority statement
Tha Florida League of Cities will support legislation, which preserves the home rule powers of
municipalities to caste and effectively use Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAB) to
redevelop and revitalize their urban areas, including the use of tax increment financing. Furtheanore,
the League supports local control and disposition of any disputes between local governments over
CRAB attd their financing.
Talking Points on League's Positlon
• Urban sprawl and the mated demand for services outside of the con urban area of a municipality
is an ongoing phenomenon that has resulted in a decline in ow central urban areas' economic and
social vitality. CRAB are a vital and extremely successful tool used by local govammenis to
revitalize and redevelop the blighted urban areas.
• The proposed revisions wouM take away some of the incentives municipalities to undertake
redevelopment.
• Issues between municipalities and other local government entities should be resolved locany
through negotiations and inter-local agreements not through the legislative process. Seeking
legislative solutions will erode the important notion of "HOME RULE".
• CRAB utilize local dollars; address local issues, and is designed to meet local needs. 17terefore,
any disputes elating to these local wncems should be dealt with locally.
• Claims that then is sn unfair burden by the counties in the tedovelopment of municipalities
igrtona the significant "front end" commitment by a municipality to establish a CRA. This
usually includes staff and elected officials' time, offices and office equipment, government
strvices, planning assistance, legal assistance and the development of a long-lean redevelopment
and budget plan for the CRA.
• The long tam funding tbavnitment and planning required of a CRA gives business, residential
and other interests some reassurance to invest in an area in need of revitalization. It allows the
city or county to fomrally identify, plan fot, and coordinate their revitalization goals, and meavure
progress made. Unless there are increases in property values, there an no dollars in the tax
increment gust fund.
• Initially, CRAB typically invest in atteetscapee, lighting and other modest infrasavcture
improvements. When the tax increment builds up, bonds are issued to provide the aigaificattt
revenues needed for a broad range of projects. The later years of TIF collection an key for
paying offborxls or other forms of debt, and attracting and retaining businesses.
• Every CRA must be audited each year, suba»t an annual report to the taxing entities, submit an
aturua] special district report to the state, and report to savasl state agencies under the financial
reporting requirements throughout state law.
Status: The FLC ooatlnua to meet with the FAC V an egort to Snd wmmon Erouad and
establish a set of ~uidelluea or prindples for the creation, operation and maintaining
of CRAa wltiiln the state. We remain opposed to any effort to address CRAB during
the 2004 Sessbn.
Coatact: Scott Dadley
Revbed: 4/7ro4
I MEMORANDUM ~
TO: REX TAYLOR, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
THRU: LULA BUTLER, DIRECTOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
FROM: 7ANET MEEKS, EDUCATION COORDINATO
SUB7ECT: SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COU LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES FOR 2005
DATE: OCTOBER 26, 2004
Please find attached the following documents:
1) School Board August 30, 2004 preliminary priorities for 2005 regular
session;
2} Treasure Coast Consensus special session issues on hurricane recovery;
and
3) Trl-County consensus special session issues on hurricane recovery
(similar to treasure Coast).
I would Itke to draw your attention to Item III.b.lil under the Ton Prlorlty
TSS~ which requests full funding for "the cost of student
transportation......for hazardous transportation areas within two miles". This
Item Is of particular Importance as the City must address the hazardous
conditions within the two mile walk zone for the new Atlantic High School
students as agreed upon through the interlocal agreement.
'o°t.clbj~
'~,,.~~
School Board Meeting: August 30.2004
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
BOARD AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
CONSIDER PRELIMINARY 2005 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
I recommend that the School Board adopt preliminary Leglslatlve Proposals for the regular 2005
Flortda Legislative session and for presentation to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation,
other members of the Legislature, and to statewide education organizations for support.
T Proposed legislative priorities are being submitted at this time and reflect issues considered by
various statewide organizations such as the Florida School Boards Assodatbn FS and South
Florida School Boards Consortium SF( SBC).
T The preliminary list of recommended priority issues is based on a review of the 2004 Leglslathre
session and input from School Board members, distrfd staff, and various local and statewide
organizatons.
T There are flue proposed "Top Priority Issues' that are listed first. These are followed by'Posiflon
Statements on Other Issues' that express a position the district would have should the Issue arise
during the session. These priorities and positions may be modified or augmented at any future
time as desired by the School Board up to and during the 2004 Legislative Session.
T Proposals adopted at this School Board meeting will be submitted forrnally to the Florida School
Boards Association, South Fordo School Boards Consortium and Florida Assocation of District
School Superintendents for consideraation. They will also be submitted to all other School Boards
and appropriate state organizations for consideration of endorsement and support.
Further, they will serve as the basis for indial review as part of the Joint School Board-Palm Beach
County Legislative Delegation meeting and the Tri-County School Board meeting sdreduled on
September 27'" at Olympic Heghts Community High School.
T "Talking Ports' will be provided for each priority adopted by the School Board for use by
members and staff kxxlly and statewide.
Bond Ooals: Goals 1-8
Board Action: Approval
Corrtacts: Gerald A. WilBams and Vernon A. Pickup-Crawford
EA~IANCi~L 11viPACT -Financial impact will be determined after completion of the 2005
Legislature.
Preliminary 2005 State Legislative Proposals and Issues
School Board of Palm Beach County, Florida
Too Priority Issues
1. District Cost Differential -Revise Florida Price Level Index ratio to
reflect higher cost of living, particularly housing, insurance and
transportation costs in Palm Beach County and South Florida. Place
annual DCD approval under Administrative Procedures Act. Continue to
pursue both legal and legislative relief for equitable formula that
recognizes higher costs in South Florida.
JI. Performance Based Finding -
a. ff the projected 10% pertormancx3-based funding plan as defined in
H6915 (2003} is implemented, the 10% should be an incentive above
and beyond existing dollars, not a penalty affecting 10% of a districts
existing budget;
b. Second, provide a single set of performanoe criteria for all of K-12
education and eliminate separate, existing, conflicting requirements
related to A+ Plan, categorical funding, etc. Give districts flexibUity to
meet the single set of standards;
c. Third, funding should affect only state dollars, not local property taxes.
Ilt. Unfunded Mandates
a. New Mandates: Eliminate the unfunded B.E.S.T. teacher career
ladder; oppose any other unfunded mandates or mandates where
money would be taken from other existing programs;
b. Existino Mandates: Provide full funding for existing mandates such as:
I. the cost of building or modifying public schools as emergency
shelters when designated by the state;
il. The cost of implementing curriculum and monitoring student
progress In programs such as African and African-,American
studies and the Holocaust;
iii. the cost of student transportation, especially to meet legislative
intent for school choice and for hazardous transportation areas
within two miles;
iv, mandated summer camps for students not meeting FLAT
requirements; and
v, instances when state and federel funds do not cover mandated
services for exceptional student education (ESE) pupils and
local revenues must be used to make up the difference.
~~~amic~~lrn
a. Provide full school construction funding (e.g., state bonding, mortgage
transfer fes, etc.) for new dassrooms to meet CSR requirements;
b. Do not count portables as permanent capadty (Override 2004 FLDOE
position that negates 1997 special session and again counts portables
as permanent capadty);
c. Assure adequacy and equity among schod districts in distribution of
state capital outlay funds for new dassrooms to meet doss size
reduction needs:
d. Adjust the per student station expenditure cap for oonstrudton both to
allow for rising costs {e.g., steel) and to apply the state construction
index either by county or region to the cap.
V. Florida Education Finance Program (FEFPI -Fully fund third year of
Class Size Reduction (CSR) on top of new funds to meet student
enrollment growth, fixed and inflationary cost increases, and flexibility to
meet local needs inducting salary increases (specific amount to be
provided at later date); identify new recurring revenue streams to fund
such costs. Calculate district CSR progress based on third (October) and
fourth (February) FTE to give a better comparison of actual students and
to give districts adequate time to make any adjustments.
Position Statements on Other issues (If and when the issue may arlsel
Allow a pilot of one or more schod districts to use verifiable alternative
assessments measures as an alternative to FCAT in measuring and rating
student progress by individual student, teacher, school and district. Of particular
note is diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring student annual leaming gains
during the same school year. Such assessment shall have a concordance
equivalency of FCAT scoring levels.
II. Governance
A. Reinstate ability by the Governor or Education Commissioner to wahre
any statute, except for life safety, upon request of a bcal school board.
Such waivers may be valid for a period not to exceed three years;
B. Oppose any effort to subvert or by-pass the consttutional authority of
school boards or superintendents, inducting creation of subschool
districts without school board approval, d~anging selection of school
board members from elected to appointed, eliminating school board
member salaries as constitutional officers, or requiring term liruts for
school board members;
C. Oppose any dolma bill legislation that is not part of an agreed to
settlement by the Sdrod Board.
Ili. Funding - Fbrida Education Finance Progrem (PEEP)
A. Increase the cap from $50 to $75 per FTE on the yield of the equalized
.25 mill local option levy under discretionary millage:
2
B. Reinstate program cost factors or levels for 15 Exceptional Student
Education and 3 mainstream programs for accurate accountability and
funding of the Md(ay Scholarships ($97 million increase for PBSD};
C. Provide a financial incentive for successful indusion of exceptbna!
student education pupils into regular dosses which requires addtlional
staffing;
D. Adjust the adult education formula to 1996-97 levels to reflect accurate
expenditures and allow funding to meet needs of an increasing enrollment
population ($5.7 million increase for PBSD);
E. Increase per student funding for all categorical programs, espedalfy
Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) program, and remove
expenditure requirements that conflict with perfom~ance funding as
defined in Priority II., above;
F. Double state funding for safe sd-ods to meet security and prevention
mandates ($7 million increase for PBSD);
G. It Corporate Income Tax credits for education remain in place, expand to
allow deductions for donations to bcal education foundations that serve
public schools.
IV. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
A. Assure implementation of funding and curricular intent of HB769 (2004) to
establish state pathways for career education and to determine an
acceptable state funding level in grades 6-12 that, in particular, inductee
costs of equipment and supplies;
B. Require parents wishing to place their students in any state scholarship
(A+, McKay, Corporate Income Tax) to notify the district by June 1'r of the
preceding year,
C. Require accountabGity standards for all scholarship programs-,A+ Plan,
Corporate incane Tax, MdCay, etc.-so that the same level of student
and fiscal accountability "follows the dollar" as is currently required for
public schools. (Note: schools receiving McKay scholarships woukl be
held accountable if the student is seeking a regular high school diploma.);
D. Require the Commissioner of Education in writing to notify parents of
McKay Scholarship redpients that McKay Schoarship providers are not
obligated to adhere to federal IDEA due process and lEP (Individual
Educafwn Plan) protediom for students and parents and require the
Commissioner to inform such parents of the IDEA protections and
processes which they may be waiving;
E. Statewide, enhance FCAT assessment to indude online capability with
quicker return rate on results and to indude online benchmark
assessments starting at the beginning of the year to measure, diagnose
and remedy deticiendes during the year prior to FCAT assessment.
V. Universal or Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Programs
A. Using 2003 .Governor's Task Force recommendations as basis, make
program open equalty to public and private providers with a single set of
school readiness standards;
3
B. Fund a quality 180~1ay program with four (4} Dore hours of Instruction
over a six (6) hour day with quality instructors (e.g., certified supervising
teachers and child development assodales (CDA);
C. Count Pre-K programs as capacity when determining school fadlity needs
and utilization;
D. Allow local flexibUfty with local dollars by local agendas to supplement
any state-funded program wfttwut penalty:
E. Provide spedfic guidelines of articulation among involved state agendas
to assure a "team effort" in Tallahassee.
VI. Faciities
A. Provide contractor sales tax exemption on materials/sripplies used Lt
school construction projects as cost savings to sdwol districts. (Graham)
B. Authorize school districts to allow commercial advertising on the outside
of sdwol buses;
C. Clarify current law to assure that any charter schoct using public school
as their fadlity shall be required 13o enroll a number of students at least
90% of the facility's state-rated capadty;
D. Clarify curcent law to assure sdwo! districts have absolute control over
property and land that it owns;
E. Repeal provisions of SB3000 (2004) that allows unilateral appropriation of
impact fees by the local levying agency (usually county commission)
without constdrrtional school board approval for school construction;
F. Reconcile conflicts in requirements for growth management
(Concurcency, Chapters 163N013, F.S.), school choice, doss size
reduction (S630A) and educational fadlities (Classroom size, capadry,
use of re-locatable dassrooms, etc., Chapter 1013, F.S.) into a seamless,
non-conflicting policy for districts to follow,
G. Retum authority to school districts to use local two-mill funds for purchase
of maintenance vehides-tow trucks, mobile repair vehides~or support
of district construction and transportation fleets;
H. Retum full authority to school districts for demolition or removal from
campus of any fadites constructed with local dollars and institute a
reasonable request policy to the state for fadlities constructed with state
funds that can supersede the FLDOE "Castaldi" life cyce rule;
I. Allow use of local 2-mUl authority to cover cost of property insurance and
maintenance service vehides such as tow trucks for sdx~ol buses.
VII. Human Resources
A. Extend general knowledge exam requirement from one year to full term of
temporary certification;
B. Add "School District empbyees' to statutes that currently exempt state,
county and municipal employee assistance program records from state
public records laws;
4
C. Review ail existing Florida student assessment and accountability
requirements in light of national NCLB and IDFJ~ requirements tiD
eliminate "double jeopardy" for students, teachers and schools when
meeting student performance and teacher quaycation requirements;
D. Allow districts to require empbyees wishing to transfer to a charter school
to give notice prior to June 1" for the following year if they wish to receive
personal leave. Persons transferring after June 1" will not have an
automatic right to personal leave;
E. Eliminate the conflict between the statutes for personnel file and student
-records, i.e., the mandate that empbyees receiving student information
which is part of an investigation/discovery to which the employee has the
right to respond is maintained in confidence;
F. Modify Florida Retirement System (FRS) in one or more of the following
ways:
1. Reduce calculation of retirement benefd from 5 to 3 'best years'
average;
2. Over a reasonable period, increase retirement refs factor from 1.696
to 2% for each year of creditable service;
3. Extend re-employment of Instructional personnel within one year of
retirement to include school-based administrators;
4. Update the fiduciary study to consider full retirement after 25 years;
5. Eliminate the 5°klyear age penalty for those retiring with fewer than
30 years under the age of 62.
For further information, contact:
Gerald A. Williams, Esq.
Chief Officer of Administretion
(561)434-8734
~JlamsaQQoalmbeach.kl2.fi.us
Vemon A. P""~Icup-Crawford
Consultant, Schoolhouse Consulting Group, inc.
(561)644-2439 (office/cell)
vacrewford~tmsn.com
Patrida O'ConneN
Consultant, Capital City Consulting, LLP
(850)222-9075
ooconnellltiQcaocitvoonsult.com
(8/31/04)
5
Proposed Tri-County School Districts' Consensus Legislative
Priorities for 2004 Special Session (revised)
7o foster a strong and healthy recovery from thk devaatatirr~ hurricane season, the
Tri-County school districts urge the Florida Legislature to:
Establish state policy to provide state and federal funding in the 2005
Regular Session for the extra costs incurred when building and operating
sdwols that serve as emergency shelters:
Provide state funding for all ousts assodated with hurricane recovery that
are not reimbursed by federal FEMA dollars;
S Authorize waivers from relevant statutory requlremerNs and deadlines that
are requested by the individual districts and which require legislative
action;
S Ensure that the results of the 20042005 FLAT administretlon are used
for diagnostic purposes only,
S Pursue and support exemptions from sanctions relating to the federal No
Child Left Behind Act, Inducting sanctions relating to adequate yearly
progress, the provision of supplemental services, and eligibility to enroll in
other public schools;
S Provide funding to hold harmless the affected districts from loss of ad
valorem tax revenue due to decreased property values;
Hold disttk~s harmless from the loss of FTE students and adequately
compensate districts for FTE students increases due to hurricane related
student transfers including waiver of FTE caps for weighted groups II and
higher, and
Create and fund a common communiptions network among all local and
state emergency agendas, Including school districts and all designated
emergency shelters, that will withstand hurricane wind and water forces;
and placement of portable radio broadcast transmitters so that residents
in outlying areas can receive EOC information critical to their locales.
The Tri-Courny districts also support the Florida Sdrool 8oarda Assodation's efforts to
have the Legislature establish the high quality Universal Pre-Kindergarten program
envisioned by the Universal Pre-K Advisory Council that responsibly and equitably
involves all service providers, provides ample funding, and demands perfomrance
accountability.
Treasure Coast School Districts' Consensus Legislative
Priorities for 2004 Special Session
(Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie)
October 19, 2004
To foster a strong and healthy necoveryfiom this devastating hurricane season, the Treasure Coast
school districts urge the Florida Legislature to:
$ Establish state policy to provide state and federal funding in the 2005 Regular Session for
the extra costs incurred when building and operating schools that serve as emergency
shelters; '
$ Provide state funding for all costs associated with hurricane recovery that are not
reimbursed by federal FEMA dollars;
$ Authorize waivers from relevant statutory requirements and deadlines that are requested
by the individual districts and which require legislative action;
$ Ensure that the results of the 2004-2005 FCAT administration are used for diagnostic
purposes only;
$ Pursue and support exemptions from sanctions relating to thefederal No Chid Left Behind
Act, including sanctions relating to adequate yearly progress, the provision of supplemental
services, and eligibility to enroll in other public schools;
$ Provide fu nding to hold harmless the affected distrir~s from loss of ad valorem tax revenue
due to decreased properly values;
$ Hold districts harmless from the bss of FTE students and adequatelycompensate districts
for FTE students increases due to hurricane related student transfers including waiver of
FTE caps for weighted groups II and higher, and
$ Create and fund a common communications network among alt local and state emergency
agencies, including school districts and all designated emergency shelters, that will
withstand hurricane wind and water foroes; and placement of portable radio broadcast
transmitters so that residents in outlying areas can receive EOC information critical to their
locales.
The Treasure Coast districts also support the Florida Sctwol Boards Asaodation in efforts to have the
Legislature to establish the high quality Universal Pre-Kindergarten program envisioned by the
Universal Pre-K Advisory Council that responsibly and equitably irnolves all service providers, provides
ample funding, and demands performance accountability.
BRr~;WARD
t COUNTY
m
~ c~
M IAM I~DADE
'Pio>tai9~-
Tri-County Commission
2005 State Legislative Priorities
The Boards of County Commissioners for Broward and Palm Beach Counter, and the Mayor
and Commissioners of Miami-Dade Ccunty, acting as tlw Tri-County Commission, will
continue to use their ~llectlve vision to effectively serve the citizens of Broward, Miami-Dade
and Palm Beach Counties.
Thrr Tri-County Commission dirocts staff to communicate wtth appropriate Members of the
Fbrida Legislature, including the Tri-County Leg~lative Delegation, to convey its Intent to
promote regionalism, wherever wmmon goals erdst, and our mutual agreement on the following
issues:
ARTICLE V C08TS
,
The Trl-County Commission supports legislatlon that provides protection to consumers as tt
relates to predatory lending, motor vehkle shop supply charges, used auto warranties, auto title
loans, passengers riding on the exterior of vehicles, and pawnbrokers, by providing control to
1
CONSUMER SERVICES
local government.
The Trl-County Commission supports legislation to restore tull funding for statewide cultural
affairs and hlstorical resources programming grants, reactivate the annual review and the
legislative appropriations process for cultural and historical faalities grants, and to re-estabUsh
the Corporations Trust Fund as the dedicated cultural funding source.
ELECTION REFORM
The Trf-0ounty Commission supports expedited research and recommendations from the
Secretary of State with regards to the certification process for paper veriticatbn of voting
records for touch screen machines. The option to print should not only verify votes, but also
provide a means for counting undervotes and overvotes In the event of an election recount.
Portions of the federal HAVA funding should be earmarked for the purchase of this additional
technology.
EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN C
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
.~
The Tri-County Commission recognizes that the economic and environmental sustainability of
South Fbrida, especially its natural resources, quality of life and water supply, are critically
dependent upon the health of Florida's Everglades and that the balanced implementation of the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is the blueprint for the recovery of a
healthy Everglades ecosystem and a sustainable South Florida soao-economic environment.
Tha Trl-County Commission supports balanced CERP implementation (pursuant to state and
federal law), supports the "bond as you go' legislatlon passed in 2002, and opposes any
efforts to diminish or redirect these funds.
IIHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE8 ll
The Tri-County Commission impbres the legislature to provide basic human services to protect
and assist residents most in need. Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties have
demonstrated this commitment by providing funding for the delivery of health, mental health,
housing and human services.
The Trt-Couniy Commission advocates the following six health end human services priorities:
Tha TrI-County Commission supports local involvement in the forrnulatiorr and
implementatbn of poGdes that protect the health, mental health, safety and welfare of Forida's
residents,
Tha Trl-County Commission supports equity funding for human services from state
agendas' budgets and opposes any funding reductions in the areas of health, mental health
and human services in order to meet the increasing demand.
Tha Tri-County Commisslon opposes any Medicaid cost shifts from the elate to the counties
and supports continued funding of the Medically Needy Program, without the co-pay, to assist
residents with prescription needs.
The Trl-County Comnrisslon requests the Oovemor b petition OMB regarding equalization of
Medicare benefits for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, the country's 6" largest
statistical metropolitan area.
HOME RULE
Ths Tri-County Commission is dedicated to the fundamental concept that the government
dosest to the people is the appropriate authority to serve the needs and requirements of the
community. The Trl-County Commission supports maintaining ttre integrity of home rule
power, which albws counties to devebp and implement solutions to local problems. AS charter
counties, the Trl-County Commissbn opposes legislauve efforts that interfere with the
governance or administration of local government, and opposes Interference with constitutional
immunity from taxation of county property.
3
The Trl-County Commission opposes the shifting of costs from the state to the local level for
juvenile justice services.
FIOMEUWD SECURITY
Improvement of security measures has been given top priority et all levels of govemment.
South Florida's economy, including significant industries such as tourism, and shipping and
trade, are highly dependent upon safe mobility. The Tri~ounty Commission supports
maintaining and expanding a close working relationship with federal, state, and local
govemment agencies to improve homeland security. Recognizing that local govemment is
usualry the first responder in crisis situations, partnership support and funding from all higher
levels of govemment is essential. Security enhancements at South Fforda's seaports and
airports are of the highest importance. The Tr1~County Commissbn supports state funding
for equipment and technology to implement port and airport security programs.
TRANSPORTATION PI.ANNIN6 AND EQUITY
The Trl-County Commission wpports state legislation and funding that promotes safe,
effiaent regional Interconnectivity through the Regional Transportation Authority.
• The Trl-County Commisson opposes any legislation that could be detrimental to the
interest of the maritime, aviation, and surface transpoRation industries.
• The Trl-County Commission supports greater equity in the distribution of stela
appropriations for transportation improvements. .
• The Tri~ounty Commission supports greater fairness and equity in the distributbn of
state appropriations to counties for transportation improvements through formula-based
methoddogies.
• The Trl-County Commisson supports state legislation granting county governments
maximum flexibility in planning and funding viable transportation systems and
Infrastructure.
• The TrhCounty Commission supports the counties' option of implementing a plan by
enactment of en ordinance to install traffic safety photo enforcement cameras at
Intersections to help reduce the number of motorists who run red lights and to reduce
traffic accidents.
The Trl-County Commission opposes any efforts to merge the respective
Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and urges the state to redesignate iha e~dstlng
individual MPOs.
• The Trl-County Commission supports additlonal and enhanced regional planning and
coorciination among the three MPOs to ensure optimum compliance with federal law.
• The Trl-County Commission supports legislative changes to the criteria for tumpUce
noise walls so they may apply to large pieces of individually owned property In urban
4
areas as well as sdroas and hospitals.
The Tri-County Commission supports water conservation Initiatives such as reuse, public
outreach and improved Irrigation predioes as ways to conserve Florida=s valuable water
resources. However, the Trf-County Commission opposes mandatory programs which may
not be feasible or fiscally effident.
The Trl-County Commission supports Florida's existing water law that is based on the
prindples that water is a public resource and that water allocations may not be sold or
transferred. The Commission believes that wrrent law provides sufficient protection for water
and natural resources while also providing for reasonable and benefidal uses of water for the
public. The Legislature may consider modifications to State water law which ceuid lead to the
privatizatlon of Florida's water resources or modify fundamental precepts of the way Florida's
water resources are managed. The Tri-County Commission opposes modifications to
Fbrlda water law that would: a) change the guiding principles of the State's water laws, b) allow
the sale of water allocations, c) change the Intent of local sources first provisions especially as K
relates to the Central and Southern Flood Control Project and CERP implementation, ar d)
diminish the State's capadty to reserve water for the natural system.
5
Treasure COaSt (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie)
Tri-COUnty (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach) SChOOI DIStrICtS'
Consensus Legislative Priorities for 2004 Special Session
October 19-25, 2004
To foster a strong and healthy recovery hoar this devasfatlnp hurricane season, the Treasure Coast
school districts urge the Florida Legislature to:
$ Establish state policy to provide state and federel funding in the 2005 Regular Session for
the extra costs incurred when building and operating schools that serve as emergency
aheiters;
$ Provide state funding for a!I coats associated with hurricane recovery that are not
reimbursed by federal FEMA dollars;
$ Authorize waivers from relevant statutory requirements and deadlines that are requested
by the individual districts and which require legislative action;
$ Ensure that the results of the 200A-2005 FCAT administration are used for diagnostic
purposes only;
$ Pursue and support exemptions from sanctions relating to the federal No Child Left Behind
Act, including sanctions relating to adequate yearly progress, ability of school districts to
provide supplemental services, and eligibility to enroll in other public schools;
$ Provide funding to hold harmless the affected districts from lose of ad valorem taz revenue
due to decreased property values;
$ Hold districts harmless from the loss of FTE students and adequately compensate districts
for FTE students Increases due to hurricane related student transfers including waiver of
FTE caps for weighted groups 11 and higher, and
Create and fund a common communications network among all local and state emergency
agencies, including school districts and all designated emergency shelters, that wilt
withstand hurricane wind and water forces; and placement of portable radio broadcast
transmitters so that residents in outlying areas can receive EOC information critical to their
locales.
The Treasure Coast districts also support the Florida School Boards Association in efforts to have the
Legislature to establish the high quality t/nlversa/ Pra-Kindergarten program envisioned by the
Universal Pre-K Advisory Council that responsibly and equitably involves all service providers, provides
ample funding, and demands performance accountability.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: Douglas Smith, Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: David T. Harden, City Manager
DATE: January 4, 2008
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM WS. 3 - SPECIAL/WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 8.2008
DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONS FOR THE ANNUAL CITIZEN'S ROUNDTABLE
MEETING
ITEM BEFORE COMMISSION
The item before the City Commission is a discussion of the questions to use for the Annual Citizen's
Roundtable Meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Old School Squaze.
Last yeaz was the initial year of a new format for the Annual Town Hall Meeting. The name of the
meeting was changed to the Annual Citizen's Roundtable. Presentations were conducted in the Crest
Theatre and then a facilitated roundtable discussion was held in the Old School Squaze gym. This
format allows the public to interact with City staff and provide input on important issues. At the
November 20, 2007 meeting, the Commission consensus was to use the roundtable format again for the
2008 meeting. The list of questions from the 2007 Roundtable is attached for the Commission's review;
we can use some or all of these questions for this yeaz's meeting.
Also, staff is seeking further clarification from the Commission regarding the development of a Semi-
Annual Town Hall Meeting, which is an item included in the monthly goals progress report to the
Commission.
I suggest using questions 1, 2 and 4 from last yeaz. In light of current and potential revenue restrictions,
I suggest rewording question 5 to, "Provide suggestions for (a) improving City programs and services,
(b)how the City could provide services for less cost, and (c)what services could be cut back or
eliminated." Direction is requested regazding question 3. Should we use question 3 again, replace it
with something else, or only have four questions. Last year we did run quite a bit beyond the one hour
allocated.
ANNUAL CITIZEN'S ROUNDTABLE - January 30, 2007
Annual Citizen's Roundtable Livt of Questions
1. Identify and list major issues facing the City and select the top five most important issues (as
determined by each table). The top five issues will be reported to the main group. (Please note
that there are issues affecting the City that the City does not control, but feel free to include these
on the list) (10 minutes)
2. From the major issues identified in question 1 (from any of the tables), select one or two
issues and provide suggestions of ways to help address the issue(s) (10 minutes)
3. How can the City enhance our communication to you (15 minutes total -respond to all
three parts):
a). What type of communication from the City is most useful to you?
b). What programs, services, or topics would you like to see additional information
communicated about?
c). Do you have any other suggestions for improving communication?
4. Planning and Zoning infrastructure questions (15 minutes total -respond to both parts)
a). Are there any infrastructure deficiencies in your neighborhood or at your business
location within the City that you would like to have addressed? These would
include, but not be limited to, sidewalks, drainage issues, sewer or water main related
items, street lighting, street repairs, street resurfacing, public street signage etc.
b). Are there any infrastructure deficiencies or needs you are aware of elsewhere in the
City?
5. Provide suggestions for improving or expanding City programs and services (10 minutes)