LTC 344-2013 State Legislative Issues MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # LETTER TO COMMISSION
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TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Me bers of t City Commission ,�
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager .t co
DATE: September 18, 2013
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SUBJECT: State Legislative Issues,
The purpose of this LTC is to provide the Mayor and City Commission with an update on
the 2014 Session of the Florida Legislature.
Interim Committee meetings will begin in late September for the House and Senate, with
one week of meetings each month through December, followed by a higher frequency of
meetings in January and February leading up to the start of Session on March 4, 2014.
Therefore in order to prepare as early as possible, please find below a proposed
preliminary State Legislative Agenda. This agenda is based on the 2013 Legislative
Agenda adopted �by the Mayor and City Commission, and ,includes items that were not
addressed in 2013 or that the Administration and the City's Lobbyists anticipate will be
considered again in 2014.
Additional items may be added to the agenda between now and the start of the
legislative session, and the Administration anticipates approval of the final State
Legislative Agenda at the December City Commission meeting, following briefings with
the Mayor and each Commissioner in late November and early December. Additionally,
the Administration will meet with the Quality in Education Committee to discuss the State
Legislative Agenda and the upcoming session prior finalizing the Agenda.
CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Beach Renourishment
The City urges the Legislature to fully fund the State's share of beach renourishment
funding at $30 million. Additionally, the City strongly urges the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers to finally
address the critical issue of identifying long -term sand sources for the renourishment of
Florida's beaches.
Sea Level Rise
The City of Miami Beach urges the state to prioritize funding and programs to address
sea level rise.
Parking Revenue
The City opposes efforts to transfer parking meter revenue on state roads from cities to
the state.
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Destination Resorts / Gaming Bills
The City opposes'efforts that would lead to the expansion of gambling, and to require
Letter to Commission
September 18, 2013
State Legislative Issues
any legislation to permit gambling to include a referendum requirement and limit the
amount of convention center space that may be included.
Stadium Funding
The City of Miami Beach opposes the use of any public funding for renovations to
Dolphin Stadium, including but not limited to authorization for local bed taxes as well as
a rebate of state sales taxes.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Online Hotel Tax and Sales Tax Collections
The City supports amendments to Florida law to ensure a level playing field for Florida's
retailers and hotels by expressly providing that internet firms be required to pay sales
taxes on their goods and services, as is required of brick - and -mortar businesses. This
will also strengthen Florida's economy by helping retain tourist dollars in Florida rather
than being removed from the State by the online companies.
Pension Reform
The City supports legislation that reforms local government pensions in order to ensure
the long -term viability of retirement benefits.
Business Tax Receipts
The City of Miami Beach opposes the elimination of the Business Tax Receipt.
Living Wage and Equal Benefits
The City opposes legislation that pre -empts or eliminates the City's Living Wage and
Equal Benefits ordinances.
Firearms
The City supports legislation that requires a background check on all firearm
transactions.
Windstorm Insurance
The City supports legislation that reforms Citizens Insurance, to help ensure not only
that rate increases are minimal, to ensure policyholders receive credits they are entitled
to, and that policies that are taken out of Citizens are securely underwritten. Additionally,
the City urges the Legislature to take action to ensure that homeowner credits are not
discounted.
Red Light Cameras
The City opposes legislation that repeals the authority of local governments to
implement traffic control devices (red light cameras).
AGENCY ISSUES
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Beach Renourishment - the City strongly urges the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers to finally
address the critical issue of identifying long -term sand sources for the
renourishment of Florida's beaches.
Florida Department of Transportation
• Provide funding to the Florida Department of Transportation for the Interstate -395
expansion project in order to ensure the efficient movement of people and goods
Letter to Commission
September 18, 2013
State Legislative Issues
to and from South Beach and the Port of Miami.
• Explore funding opportunities for an East -West transit connector between Miami
Beach and the mainland.
• Work with FDOT for final resolution of the lack of a mid -point access to the 1 -95
Express Lanes.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
• Windstorm Insurance — the City urges the DEO to advocate for the creation of a
Federal Windstorm program.
Miami Beach Convention Center — Increase awareness of the project as a
statewide economic generator, and identify opportunities to create funding
options (e.g. legislation, grants, budget authorizations, etc.) to provide for future
state support of significant convention center projects.
Florida Building Commission
• Double Permit Fee - the City urges the Florida Building Commission to adopt an
amendment to the Florida Building Code giving municipalities authority to waive
the mandated double permit fee for work performed without a permit, subject to
the Building Official's discretion where equitable circumstances are presented.
EDUCATION ISSUES
The City urges the Legislature to provide additional resources to enhance health care
and wellness in schools, and to improve school safety.
The City supports the legislative priorities adopted by Miami Dade County Public
Schools.
BUDGET ISSUES
The City urges the Legislature to fully fund the State Film Incentive.
The City will advocate for full funding for Miami Beach -based organizations during the
budget process.
Identify and evaluate any potential sources of funding for water - related projects,
including stormwater, wastewater, sea -level rise and water delivery, including
desalinization activities.
The City supports full funding of workforce development, recreation, cultural arts, historic
preservation programs and housing programs.
The City encourages the state to issue bids for hybrid vehicles when procuring vehicles,
thereby leveraging buying power and creating a mechanism for local governments to
also purchase vehicles from the state contract.
LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENTS
LGBT Issues
The City supports pro -LGBT legislation and opposes legislation that is bad for the LGBT
community, including, but not limited to, issues such as gay marriage, adoption, bullying
and discrimination.
Letter to Commission
September 18, 2013
State Legislative Issues
Local Authority and Unfunded Mandates
The City opposes legislation that usurps the home rule powers of municipal residents to
self- determine their form of government and the services provided. The City will monitor
legislative efforts to erode local control and authority, as well as efforts to pass additional
costs from the State down to local governments, and work with the League of Cities to
identify and reduce the number of unfunded mandates imposed on local government by
the State.
CONCLUSION
The Administration will work with the City's lobbyists and continue to monitor state
legislative issues and advise the Mayor and City Commission as necessary. In the
meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
JLM /JJ /kc
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