Res. No. 028-05-1200728-05-12007
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,URGING MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING GROWTH
MANAGEMENT ISSUES DURING THE 2005 LEGISLATIVE SESSION;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,Florida's GrowthManagementActwascreatedin1985inanefforttocreate
a blueprint for growth in Florida's cities and counties;and
WHEREAS,citiesand counties planforfuture growth through local comprehensive
plans,butthereisnodefinedstateplanthatprovidesanoverallgrowth management strategy;
and
WHEREAS,as Florida's population continues to increase,cities are challenged to meet
theinfrastructureneedstoaccountfornewgrowthanddevelopment,butthereisno
infrastructurerevenuesourcededicatedtomunicipalities;and
WHEREAS,counties,school districts,orthe state of Florida control every funding
sourcethathasbeenauthorizedforimplementinggrowthmanagementcapitalimprovementsand
complying with concurrency requirements;and
WHEREAS,Governor Jeb Bush and Florida's House and Senate leaders have made
growth management reform atop priority forthe2005 legislative session
NOW THEREFORE,BEIT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA:
Section 1:ThattheMayorandtheCity Commission urge Governor JebBushand
members of theFloridaLegislaturetosupportlegislationaspart of acomprehensivegrowth
management package that:
•Establishes aprocessforthecounty commission andthemunicipalgoverning authorities
withinacountyto jointly levylocalgovernmentinfrastructuresurtaxwithintheir
jurisdictionstofundinfrastructure improvements.
•Authorizesmunicipalitiestolevyarealestatetransferfeeforinfrastructure
improvements.
•Repealsthefueladjustmentchargeexemptionfromthemunicipalpublicservicetax.
•Revisesconcurrencyrequirementsoradequatelyfundsneededinfrastructure.
Additionsshownby underlining and deletions shownby overstrilcing.
Res.No.28-05-12007
•Tiesstatefundingandbudgetallocationstoarticulatedstategrowthmanagement
policies.Inotherwords,nomorepublicexpendituresthatareinconsistentwith
articulated growth management policies.
•Revises the Sustainable Communities Certification Program to encourage,not
discourage,cities from participating.
•Createsastate comprehensive planthatarticulatesstateplanninggoalsandpolicieswith
measurable benchmarks.
•Grants cities greater flexibility andless state oversight in pursuing growth management
strategies.
Section 2.:That acopy of this resolution shallbe provided to Governor JebBush,Senate
President Tom Lee,House Speaker AllanBenseand members of the Florida Legislature.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15^day of February.2005.
ATTEST:APPROVED
SU.
TY CLERK
READ AND_AP-PRQV.ED AS TO EORM
Commission Vote:4-1
Mayor Russell:Yea
Vice Mayor Palmer:Yea
Commissioner Wiscombe:Yea
Commissioner Birts-Cooper:Yea
Commissioner Sherar:Nay
3
J:\My Documents\resolutions\resolution supporting Legislative Priorities.doc
Page 2 of2
Celebrating its 32nd year of Home Rule
Authority,the Florida League of Cities
supports legislation that strengthens
municipal self-governing powers.The
League believes that key governmental
services,such as those provided by
municipalities,are best delivered under
a system that allows municipalities to
exercise responsibilities ina manner best
suited to meet the needs of their citizens.
•
£_
LEAGUE'S PRIORITIES FOR 2005
Growth Management/Infrastructure Funding
•Municipal infrastructure-funding options
•Streamlining growth management process
•Funding forimplementationofgrowth management requirements
•Defining theroleof state government
•Establishing regional oversight
Other Priorities
Article V Reform
Community Redevelopment Agencies
Disability Presumption/Smoking
Social Security Numbers/Privacy
Water Quality and Water Quantity
Workers'Compensation
mfm $3 a is IS arHLa
TheFlorida League of Cities will support legislation that implements
a comprehensive planning framework with oversight taking placeat
the regionallevel.Thisnew framework must recognize the unique
characteristics of each municipality,respect municipal Home Rule
authority and defer tolocal decision making as a better approach to
growth management
Defining the Role of State Government
The League wiil support legislation,aspartofa comprehensive growth
management package,which addressesoneormoreofthe following:
•Useful State Growth Management Plan -The state comprehensive
plan should be eliminated andreplacedwitha state planthat
articulates state comprehensive planning goalsand policies,with
measurable benchmarksforevaluatingprogress.State budgeting
decisions shouldbetiedtotherevised state plan.
•Identification of State Interests -The state shouldidentify areas of
compelling state interest and limit itsreviewtosuch areas.
The Legislature should identify anappropriateleadagencyor
agenciesforeach compelling stateinterestand should require each
leadagencytoprepare supporting materials,which may include
mapswhereappropriate,asnecessarytoidentifyanddelineatethe
compelling state interests withinits jurisdiction.
•Sustainable Communities Certification Program •The Sustainable
CommunitiesCertificationProgramshouldberevisedso that local
governmentsareencouraged,notdiscouraged,fromenteringthe
program.
•Reduce Duplication ofLocal Government Services -The Legislature
shoulddiscouragecountygovernmentsfromassuming municipal
governmentfunctionsand responsibilities,and reaffirm theroleof
municipalitiesastheprimaryprovidersofmunicipalservices.
Regional Oversight
TheLeaguebelievesthe Legislature should reexaminetheroleofregional
entities,suchasregionalplanningcouncilsand water management districts,
in growth management policiesand programs.
•RegionalPlanningCouncils (RPCs)-The RPCs should replacethe
roleofthe state in determining ifa local planisconsistentwith state
and regional policies.In that event,the composition of RPC governing
boards needs toberevisedto ensure that municipal interests are
adequately represented.
•EnhanceRegionalPlanning -Regional policy plans should be revised,
updatedand strengthened.Among other things,such plans should
defineappropriateareasforurbandevelopment.
•Water Management Districts -Water management districtgoverning
boards shouldhave municipal representation.
Infrastructure Funding
The League believes thegreatest failure in developing Florida's growth
management policy isthe inconsistency between the planning objectives
andthe fiscal policies adoptedtosupportthese planning efforts.A planning
process alone,nomatter how comprehensive,will not produce the desired
resultswithoutthepropertoolsand adequate funding.
Therefore,theLeague will support legislation,aspartofacomprehensive
infrastructure-funding package,which addressesoneormoreofthe following:
•Local Government Infrastructure Surtax -Establish a process
forthecounty commission andthe municipal governingauthorities
within acountyto jointly levy local governmentinfrastructuresurtax
withintheirjurisdictionstofund infrastructure improvements.
•Real Estate Transfer Surtax -Authorize municipalities tolevyareal
estate transfer fee for infrastructure improvements.
•Fuel Adjustment Exemption/Public Service Tax -Repealthefuel
adjustmentcharge exemption fromthe municipal public servicetax.
•Concurrency Infrastructure -TheLegislatureshouldrevise
concurrencyrequirementsoradequatelyfundneededinfrastructure.
•Prioritization of State Resources -State fundingand budget
allocations shouldsupport articulated state growth management
policies.In other words,nomore public expenditures that
are inconsistent with articulated growth management policies.
Streamlining Growth Management
TheLeaguebelieves that growth management has become overly
burdened with process requirements and reporting mandates.Theresultisa
process that hasbecomecompliancedriven rather than performance driven.
Therefore,theLeague will support legislation,aspartofacomprehensive
growth management package,which addressesoneormoreofthe following
recommendations:
•LocalFlexibility -TheLegislatureshouldgrant qualified local
governments greater flexibility andless state oversightin pursuing
growth management strategies.
•Advisory Rolefor the State -The Department ofCommunityAffairs
shouldbelimitedtoanadvisoryrolewith respect to certain local
governmentgrowth management decisions.
•Development of Regional Impact (DRI)-Exempt certain projects
that are located within urban service boundaries from DRI review.
Funding for Implementation of Growth Management Requirements
The state has never funded the costs tolocal government of implementing
the 1985 Growth Management Act.Technical assistance moneyhasbeen
meagertononexistent.Ratherthanaddressingthese funding deficiencies
since its enactment,the state has increased,not decreased,local government
responsibilitiesundertheAct.Chapter 163 growslengthierwith each passing
legislativesession.
TheLeague will support legislation,as part ofa comprehensive growth
management package,which addresses oneormoreofthe following:
•Technical Assistance -State agencies shouldprovide greater
technical assistance tolocal governments incomplyingwith state
growth management lawsandinpursuinginnovativeplanning
strategies,including providing modellanddevelopmentregulationsand
providingtrainingforlocaldecision makers andcitizens.
•Municipal Incorporations -Provideanew recurring state funding
source tohelpnewly incorporated municipalities prepare theirfirst
comprehensive plans.
•Funding for Comprehensive Plans and Evaluation and Appraisal
Reports (EARs)-Provide recurring state fundingto support
municipalities'processing of state-mandated comprehensive plans
and EARs..
Other Priorities
Article V Reform :TheFloridaLeagueofCities will support legislation
thaf providesmunicipalities-accesstothe state courtsystemtopursue
enforcement of local ordinances with minimal state interference,such as
therequiredpaymentof filing feesorcharges.TheLeague will alsosupport
legislation toincrease fine distributions to municipalities,increase fine
amounts for ordinance violations,and establish adivisionof circuit/county
court dedicated to local ordinance violations.
Community Redevelopment Agencies -TheFlorida League ofCities will
support legislation thatpreservestheHome Rule authorityof municipalities
tocreateand effectively use community redevelopment agencies (CRAs)to
redevelopandrevitalizetheirurbanareas,including the authority tousetax
increment financing.Furthermore,theFloridaLeagueofCities supports local
controlandresolutionofanydisputes between local governments over CRAs
andtheirfinancing.\?!/
Disability Presumption/Smoking-TheFloridaLeague of/Cales wiFsupport
legislation that limitsdisabilitypresumptionsto persons :whp.areJnb.accp-free
fromthe date oftheir certification asafirefighter,law enforcement,officer or
correctional officer,under either chs.633 or 943,F.S.
Social SecurityNumbers/Privacy -The Florida League of Cities will support
legislation that repeals the provisions ofs.119.0721,F.S.,that currently
authorize the release ofsocial security numbers to business enterprises under
Florida's Public Records Law.
Water Quality -TheFlorida League of Cities will support legislation that
facilitates the abilityof impaired waters to meet or exceed state water
quality standards,through implementation ofaTotalMaximumDailyLoad
(TMDL)Program that:
Is implementedinconjunctionwithareview of andreclassificationof
the designated uses of waters inthe State ofFlorida;
'Allows stakeholdersthatparticipate in goodfaithinabasin
management actionplantobeheldharmlessfrom third-party lawsuits
seeking to enforce TMDL requirements;
Requires TMDL allocations and reductions tobe based on
professionally accepted scientific methodologies and accurate data;
and
•Requires a local government's responsibilities underthe TMDL
Programtobe economically and technologically feasible.
Water Quantity-The Florida LeagueofCities will supportcomprehensive
legislation toaddressthe development ofnewwatersourcesand alternative
water supplies.Suchlegislationshall:
•Establishmechanismsfordevelopingadditional water suppliesand
alternative water sources,including dedicated sources offundingatall
levelsof government;
'•Equitably apportionthecosts associated withdevelopingadditional
watersuppliesoralternativewatersourcesamong all wateruser
groups;
Establish incentives for regional cooperation in thedevelopmentof V
new and alternative water sources;and
'"•'Establish a process for reserving water for environmental .restoration
that is scientifically soundandwhichensuresthatexistingandfuture
water availabilityforpublicuseisnotimpaired.
Workers'Compensation -TheFlorida League ofCities will support legislation
that providesa comprehensive anduniformworkers'compensation system
for all municipal employees,regardlessofemployee classification,ata
reasonable cost to employers.
"~~~egislative Dates
•S.EE2i^3 limb lass <s«sTa *m$
January
10-14
House/Senate Interim Committee Meetings
24-28
House/Senate Interim Committee Meetings
26
"HowtoTakeYour Hometown Message to Tallahassee"Workshop
Marriott Orlando,LakeMary
28
"HowtoTake Your Hometown Message to Tallahassee"Workshop
HiltonSt.Petersburg
February
7-11.-
House/Senate Interim Committee Meetings
14-18
House/Senate Interim Committee Meetings
15-17
Federal Fly-In toWashington,D.C.
18
"How to Take Your Hometown Message to Tallahassee"Workshop
Westin Fort Lauderdale
21-25
House/Senate Interim Committee Meetings
23
"Howto Take Your Hometown Message to Tallahassee"Workshop
Sittig Hall,Tallahassee FLC Office
Key Legislative Dates
March
8
RegularSession Convenes
11-15
NLC Congressional City Conference
Washington,D.C.
30
FLCLegislativeActionDay
Tallahassee -LeonCountyCivic Center
May
6
LastDayofRegular Session
August
18-20
FLC Annual Conference
Orlando World Center Marriott
November
17-18
FLC Legislative Conference
HyattRegencyOrlandoAirport
Dates are subject to change.
10
isn ifSS2 gp^.
S<fiP
2005 Florida League of Cities Lobbying Team
I JohnCharles Thomas
Director
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
(850)224-6779,ext.139
E-mail:jthomas@flcities.com
John Wayne Smith
Assistant Director
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
Municipal Finance and Taxation
(850)224-6779.ext.136
E-mail:ismith@flcities.com
Sharon Berrian
Associate Director for Public Affairs
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
(850)224-6779,ext.143
E-mail:sberrian@flcities.com
11
2005 Florida League of Cities Lobbying Team
i •
Dee Carper
Senior Legislative Advocate
Legislative £PublicAffairs Department
Intergovernmental Relations
(850)224-6779,ext.114
E-mail:dcarper@flcities.com
Kraig Conn
Deputy General Counsel &Legislative Counsel
Legal Department
Retirement,Personnel £Collective Bargaining
(850)224-6779,ext.126
E-mail:kconn@flcities.com
Scott Dudley
Senior Legislative Advocate
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
Transportation £Urban Administration
(850)224-6779,ext.138
E-mail:sdudley@flcities.com
12
2005 Florida League of Cities Lobbying Team
Rebecca O'Hara
Assistant General Counsel
Legal Department
Environmental Quality
(850)224-6779,ext.128
E-mail:rohara@flcities.com
J.Allison Payne
Senior Legislative Advocate
Legislative £PublicAffairs Department
Criminal Justice and Federal Issues
(850)224-6779,ext.116
E-mail:apayne@flcities.com
Jenny Anderson
Legislative Assistant
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
Legislative Coordination
(850)224-6779,ext.119
E-mail:janderson@flcities.com
13
2005 Florida League of Cities Lobbying Team
Rose Hall
Administrative Assistant
Legislative£PublicAffairs Department
(850)224-6779,ext.292
E-mail:rhall@flcities.com
Taylore Maxey
Administrative Assistant
Legislative £PublicAffairs Department
(850)224-6779,ext.144
E-mail:tmaxey2@flcities.com
The main numbers for
the Florida League of Cities
are {850}222-9684 (phone)
and (850)222-3806 (fax).
14
This brochure reflects the priorities of Florida's 408 municipalities,
aspreparedbythesixstanding policy committees andadoptedby
the full membership atthe Florida League ofCities'44th Annual
Legislative Conferenceon November 19,2004,inOrlando.
2004-05 Officers
President
MayorPro Tern C.V.""Clay"Ford,City of Gulf Breeze'
1 s?Vice President'
Council President Julio Robaina,City of Hialea
2nd Vice President
Rene Flowers,Councilwoman,St.Petersburg
The Florida League of Cities,Inc.,formed in 1922,represents the
municipalities ofFlorida.Its mission istoconcentratetheinfluenceof
all city,town andvillage officials uponother policymaking bodies
forthepurposeofshaping legislation and public policy,sharing
the advantages ofcooperativeaction,andexchangingideasand
experiences.
For more information onthe League's legislative initiatives,please
contact:
Florida League of Cities
P.O.Box 1757
Tallahassee,FL 32302-1757
Phone:(850)222-9684
Fax:(850)222-3806
E-maiI:legislative@flcities.com
Visit the League's Websiteat www.flcities.com.