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2002-25091 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2002-2so9i A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, APPROVING THE CITY'S STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2003 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. WHEREAS, the City must avail itself of all potential sources of funds; and WHEREAS, State legislation may need to be enacted to protect and enhance the City's interests; and WHEREAS, it is imperative that the City's legislative consultant is aware of, and has a list of, City priorities; and WHEREAS, the City's State legislative team has met with the Mayor, City Commissioners, and the Administration relative to the City's needs and priorities with regard to the 2003 Session of the Florida Legislature; and WHEREAS, the City's numerous State-level needs have been assessed and prioritized to produce the most effective use of its legislative team. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the recommended State Legislative Agenda for the 2003 Session of the Florida Legislature be approved, as more specifically set forth in the attached Exhibit A. PASSED and ADOPTED this 11th day of December ,, 2©02. Jerry Libbin ATTEST: Vice-Mayor ~-~~~ City Jerk xobert Parcher APPROVED AS TO T:WGENDA\2003\DEC1003\REGULAR\STATE PRIORITIES RESO.DOC FORM ~ LANGUAGE __.__ & FOR E~~LUTION 1G 5 r~1 a CITY OF MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY Condensed Title: Approval of the 2003 State Legislative Priorities Issue: Approval by the Mayor and City Commission of the Legislative, Administrative and Funding items that the City will pursue in Tallahassee during the upcoming year. Item Summary/Recommendation: Approve the Resolution. N/A Board Recommendation: Financial Information: Finance Dept. ~ Total Cit Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin Kevin Crowder Sian-Offs: Depart ment Director Assistant City Manager ~ City Ma nager V ~ AGENDA ITEM ~7/ DATE /02 //- DoZ CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139 www.ci.miami-beach.fl.us COMMISSION MEMORANDUM To: Mayor David Dermer and Date: December 11, 2002 Members of the City Commission From: Jorge M. Gonzalez City Manager p~/~ ' J / r Subject: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH APPROVING THE CITY'S STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2003 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution. ANALYSIS The 2003 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature will convene from March 4, 2003 to May 2, 2003. The attached list of priorities has been identified by the Administration and the City's State Lobbyists for presentation to the Legislature. There will be opportunity for additional clarification and expansion of the City's agenda throughout the fall. During the week of September 3, the City's State Lobbyists (Gary Rutledge, Fausto Gomez and Bob Levy) met with the Mayor and City Commission and the Administration to discuss the priorities for the 2003 Legislative Session. Additionally, the Administration attended the legislative conference of the Florida League of Cities in early November. The list of priorities has been categorized into three areas: Legislative, Administrative and Funding. The list contains items that have appeared on previous legislative agendas as well as some new items. The City will continue to monitor items such as growth management, windstorm insurance, living wage, outdoor advertising and campaign finance reform. The City will also pursue the Convention Center Sales Tax Refund and the Entertainment Industry Incentives that did not pass the 2002 Legislature. Altos del Mar, Education and Beach Renourishment also remain on the City's list. New additions to the agenda include: amendments to the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act, opposition to Senate Bill 28 which is a claims bill against the City, a Florida license plate that celebrates Miami Beach's historic districts, and funding forthe City's Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Plan. The complete list of proposed legislative priorities and additional information on each one is attached for Commission review, comment and approval. The Administration recommends that the City Commission review the proposed legislative package, establish the priorities and adopt the attached Resolution. JMG: CMC: kc Attachments Proposed State Legislative Agenda November 2002 Report T:IAGENDA120021SEP25021REGULARIState Legislative Priorities.doc Exhibit `A' CITY OF MIAMI BEACH Economic Development Department Priorities for the State of Florida 2003 Legislative Session LEGISLATIVE ITEMS - Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act - Convention Center Sales Tax Refund (2002 did not pass) - Entertainment Indu - Claims Legislation - Level 2 RISE Access - Monitor (for further developn - Retain Local Authority: • Living Wage Legislation • Campaign Finance Reform • Outdoor Advertising ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS application to Level 1) - Altos Del Mar (Department of Environmental Protection) - Approval of Beachfront Rules and Regulations (Department of Environmental Protection) - Access to Sales Tax Information (Department of Revenue) - Historic District License Plate FUNDING ITEMS - Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Plan - Beach Renourishment and Erosion Control -Support Miami-Dade County's Request - Education • Support Miami-Dade County's Operational and Capital Funding Request (Resolution 2002-24951) • Workforce Development • State allocations of pass-through funding • School health professionals • District cost differential • Charter and public school capital issues Convention Development Tax Windstorm Insurance Growth Management Transportation Outreach Program Incentives (2002 did not pass) Bill 28) - Grants (Monitor and Legislative Agenda VVIIDUILQIIt .l l/Vlll{JC LI LIYC The selection criteria as ou 1\C4Vllq lIV 11 /'11i~ -/'1111CSI IlA JGV~IV 11 LNI.VJJ, 1 IV114Q ~7~gLW EGA tlined in Section 287.055(4)(b) states that "in determining whether a firm is qualified, the agency shall c onsider such factors as the ability of professional personnel; whether a firm is a certified minority busine ss enterprise; past performantce; willingness to meet time and budget requirements; location; rec ent, current and projected workloads of the firms, and the volume of work previously awarded to each firm by the agency, with the object of effecting an equitable distribution of contracts among qualified fi rms, provided such distribution does not violate the principle of selection of the most highly qualified firms." The required criteria results in confusion and/or feedback from both committee members and participating Architectural and Engineeri ng (A/E) firms as to the applicability or validity of the following factors: 1. Willingness to meet tim e and budget requirements. When A/Es find themselves in a competitive process, they all state on the record without any hesitation, that they are willing to meet time and budget requirements. It is recommended that this criterion be deleted. The true test should be the A/Es past performance in meeting time and budget requirements. 2. Recent, current and projected workloads of the firms. This very subjective criterion has resulted in confusion by the variou s evaluation committee members. If a firm has been successful, and as a result of said success h as a long list of recent, current, and projected projects, should that be used to penalize the firm? Shou ld committee members judge an A/E firm's ability to take on additional work? A firm's workload shou ld not have any impact on whether the firm is capable of performing on the project. The firm's capa bilities should be based on their experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities, and the knowl edge, skills and abilities of their project team 3. Location. Most evaluati on committees have agreed that this criterion should be allocated a low weight. On at least one occasio n, there existed a very contentious protest by a local A/E firm who was a close second to an out-of-stat e A/E. Whether a firm receives points on their location should be a local policy decision made by the C ity Commission. 4. Certified Minority Business Enterprise. This City is race-neutral and ethnicity-neutral in the award of contracts. Based on ad vice from the City Attorney's Office, Miami Beach has not utilized a firms' ethnicity or race in dete rmining any contract award. However, the statute as written requires the City to consider in its decisi on, whether a firm is certified as a minority business enterprise. The proposed change significantly reduces the City's exposure to lawsuits and/or protests. It provides local governments the authority to determine its best interest, and which factors should be considered in the selection of A/E firms. This program will return 50% of the revenues remitted to the State from taxes on sales and use at the Convention Center to the City for business recruitment and retention purposes. The prior proposal was for the recruitment ofhigh-tech, research and development, manufacturing and tourism industries. The City of Miami Beach desires that this program be eligible for the recruitment of all industries listed on the targeted industry list of the State's QTI Tax Refund Program. Approval of this program will generate between 250-800 thousand dollars annually for the business recruitment and retention efforts of the City. Create a program under which certain producers of filmed entertainment and digital media effects, distribution, production and post production may be reimbursed for expenditures made in Florida. Maximum reimbursements are $2 million for a motion picture, $150,000 for a made for TV movie, $50,000 for a single TV series pilot or series, and $25,000 for a music video or commercial. This proposed legislation will increase Florida's competitiveness in the global film industry, directlyenhancing Miami Beach's ability to attract additional motion picture, television, and music video production, contributing direct economic benefits to the local economy, with NO expenditure of local funds. Senator Villalobos has filed Senate Bill 28, which provides for the relief of Jeffrey Akers, directing the City to compensate Mr. Akers for personal injuries suffered at the Convention Center due to the negligence of the City in the amount of $3,217,029.40. This amount is in addition to the $100,000 statutory cap on the City's liability. This legislation will be heard by a Special Master who may increase, decrease, maintain or dismiss the claim amount. The bill will then be referred to the Claims Committee of each chamber. It is unclear at this time what will happen to claims bills in the 2003 Legislature. If approved by the Legislature, the final amount will be paid by SMG's insurance company. The payment of a claim of such significant size may have an impact on future premiums, and therefore may represent additional costs to the City in the future. The State of Florida does not allow Miami Beach to participate in the Registration and Information Sharing Exchange (RISE) Level II Program. The City is permitted to participate in the RISE Level I program that allows the City to share registration information on businesses in the City so that a comparison can be made to ensure that these businesses are registered for the City's resort taxes. The City is currently submitting an application to the Level I program. The RISE Level II program allows the sharing of the results of audits so that an assessment can be made about unreported revenues discovered in the audits. The City may benefit in recovering resort taxes not reported to the City based on audits performed by the State. Conversely, the State may benefit from collecting tax based upon the City's audits. The City's Audit schedule can be coordinated based upon audits performed by the State. This will also be a benefit to the City's businesses in that they would not be burdened by audits performed by both the City and the State at the same time. Every Legislative Session, issues arise that are of importance to the City. The Administration and its representatives monitor these issues as they develop in order to respond in the best interest of the City. For the 2003 Florida Legislative Session, the Administration has identified four (4) issues that will be monitored and responded to throughout the legislative year. These issues are Growth Management, Windstorm Insurance, Convention Development/Sales/Tourist Tax Issues, and the Transportation Outreach Program. Retain Local Authority Every Legislative Session, issues arise that involve the authority of local governments. The Administration and its representatives work with the Florida League of Cities to monitor these issues as they develop in order to respond in the best interest of the City. For the 2002 and 2003 Florida Legislative Sessions, the City Commission identified three (3) key local control issues of importance to the City, and the Administration will monitor and respond to developments throughout the legislative year. These issues are Campaign Finance Reform, Outdoor Advertising, and Living Wages. Administrative Agenda Altos Del Mar The Administration has work side parking lots, and the 22 transferred in 2000, but the delaying the transfer of the contiguous lots to be comple the inclusion of this item on pursue this issue to its concl -several years on the transfer of North Shore Open Space Park, the west Del Mar lots from the State to the City. The Park and the parking lots were :has only completed the sale of 1 of the 11 non-contiguous ADM lots, ~uous lots to the City. The Administration expects the sale of the non- the end of October 2003. However, unforeseen circumstances necessitate )03 agenda so that the Administration is authorized to continue efforts to This project will result in the sale of the 11 non-contiguous lots for the development ofsingle-family homes and the transfer to the City of the 11 contiguous lots for the development of a park. The City's Beachfront Management Plan expires on February 5, 2003. The City is in the process of submitting an updated plan, and is evaluating the State's comments on the City's Rules and Regulations for Beach Concessions. Meetings will need to be held between the City and various State agencies to reach agreement on outstanding issues. Approval by the State of the Management Plan including the updated rules and regulations is necessary to continue providing beach concession service to the City's residents and visitors, and to ensure that the City remains in compliance with all State laws, rules and guidelines. As part of the City's economic development efforts, Resort Sales are tracked every month in order to monitor the strength of the tourism economy and to provide market data to businesses and potential investors. The Administration desires access to the same type of data as it relates to retail sales that is collected by the Florida Department of Revenue. The City desires quarterly sales tax figures for South, Middle, and North Beach for various categories that will be determined through discussions with the Dept. of Revenue. This request will enhance the City's economic development efforts to attract quality, viable businesses to the City and to retain existing businesses and enhance the viability of the City's business districts. Historic District License Plate The Administration is exploring the process for the creation of a Florida license plate that celebrates the Art Deco District. This process will begin at the administrative level, and must have final approval by the Legislature. Based on a review of other specialty license plates, an Art Deco District plate has the potential to generate significant funds between newly issued plates and renewals. These funds could be programmed for historic preservation and cultural projects and activities in Miami Beach. Funding Agenda Natural hazards affect every jurisdiction in the United States. The key ingredients necessary to transform natural hazards into natural disasters are inappropriately placed or poorly constructed development, both of which are prevalent throughout the country. During the twentieth century, many tourist coastal communities like Miami Beach grew and developed in relative ignorance of the presence of natural hazards. Infrastructure and economic systems were built on land exposed to coastal flooding, beach erosion, and other hazards. As a result, natural disasters continue to injure and kill citizens, destroy the built environment, and disrupt the businesses of these areas. The purpose of the recovery and reconstruction plan is to help community leaders, planners, engineers and public safety officials educate their constituents on how informed decisions and choices can affect the rebuilding process and yield a safer, more sustainable community. These emotional debates pit the often- overwhelming desire to perpetuate historic (and unsafe) development patterns and construction techniques against the desire to use disasters as opportunities to rethink these patterns and practices and to break away from the uninformed decisions of the past. Yet, balancing competing interest intelligently has always been the core of sound planning and engineering. This plan will better equip those departments and agencies involved in Miami Beach's post-disaster reconstruction issues at all levels of government with the tools needed to create (or recreate) a community that will withstand the most that Mother Nature throws at it. In the aftermath of a natural d isaster or terrorist attack, property owners and local officials often make decisions to rebuild homes, bu sinesses and public facilities in the same style, place and design as the originals. These early decisions can foreclose many opportunities to reshape the patterns of development in a community to make it better and safer by reducing vulnerability to future disasters and threats. The development of a detailed pos t-disaster recovery and reconstruction plan is critical to an urban coastal community like Miami Beach, w hich drive much of the South Florida economy and tourist industry. Education Mayor and City Commission Resolution 2002-24951 fully supports the efforts of the Miami-Dade Public Schools to obtain adequate funding for both its operational and capital outlay requirements in order for it to succeed in its mission to prepare students for graduation. The economic well being of Miami Beach depends on an educated, well-trained workforce; full funding of the Miami-Dade Public Schools is essential to this goal. Additional education priorities include workforce development, allocation ofpass-through funding, health care, district cost differentials and capital issues for charter and public schools. u~. cave 1~611vu11J1111161R gna.1 a-I V.71V 11 VVIIU VI - a7u1J,./V~ L 11IIIQIIII~000G VVUIIIY .7 RGIiUC,I Beaches are the City's most important resource. Beach maintenance and renourishment is performed by Miami-Dade County, and the City fully supports the County's efforts to obtain additional funding and the implementation of projects that use this funding in Miami Beach. Grants The City's representatives in Tallahassee are available to assist the City in the identification, pursuit, and acquisition of grants that are submitted for State funds. Nov-22-2002 12:3Tpm From-RUTLEDGE ECENIA et al 850bB16516 T-546 P 002 RUTLED(~E, ECENIA, PURNELL ~ HOFFMAN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAw STEPHEN A. ECENIA POST OFFICE 60X 551, 32302.0551 RICHARD M. ELLIS 215 SdUTH MONROE STREET, SU17E 420 KENNETHA HOFFMAN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32307-18At THOMAS w KONRap MICHAEL 0. MAIDA TELEPHONE (850) 681-6788 MARTIN P. MtDONNELL TELECOPIER (850) 681-6515 J. STEPHEN MENTON MEMORANDUM To: Mayor David Demter City Commissioners and City Manager Gonzalez City of Miami Beach Via: Facsimile to lhevin Crowder (h;trd copy to follow) From; Gary Rutledge Fansto Gomc~ Bob Levy M-uuty Reyes Margie Menduni Date: November 22, 2002 RE: November 2002 Report Tn die nvo weeks since the ge begun to orgattirc.. The Cit<•' Go~•ernor Bvsh appointed a F prioritYes which he ont]ined a rcneuing the spirit of comtnc heads, a_c w~e11 as the senior rr his departure Lrom the adntin Seibert. F-B59 R. OAVIO PRE3COTT HAROLD F X. PURNEII MARSHA E RULE GARY R, RUTLEOGE GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTANTS MARCARETA MENDUNI M. LANE STEPNENS :neral election, State Government, bout administrative and legislative, has s lobbying learn has been monitoring and participatutg iu both. policy transition teen to assist him in planning the neat four yeazs to meet his s reading, diversifying Florida's economy and btulding Florida's families by ~rtity, The Governor also asked for the resignation of all his executive agency lembcrs of his executive oilice staff. The first agency head who announced istration is the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, Steve On the eve of the general cicction, Florida's attorney general Bob Duttcnvorth submitted hie resiptauon in order to trot for a Senxtc seat, which he subscqucndy lost. Governor Bush appoutted Deputy Attorney General Richard Donut t.o serve as acting Attorney General. Auomey General-Elect Charlie Crist has appointed a transition leant to work with Mr. Doran in planning his administration. The week following the general electioq state economists suet in a Revenue EstitrJaling Conference to project Florida's revenue for the next budget year which begins fitly 1, 2003. These projections were in preparation for ate Govemar's budget which must be released in Jazl1k-try. The estimating conference Forecasted that Florida willl<•tke in $232 million less Ihan previously esiitnated. The analysts also predicted a $7 million deficit 1'or the aurent fisca] year which officials say will be covered by current reserves. Nov-22-2002 12:37pm From-RUTLEDGE ECENIA et al RUTLEDGTL, ECFIVIA„ PURNELL 8z HOFFMAN' City of Miami Beach November 2002 Report Page 2 The $232 million deficit is j ttte ?002 Session, legslators dealt with during the 2003 S state courts (Article V1 with will increase spending by se will cost appro~~mately $3Ui asked for $400 ntillioll to de decreased class size. anti pre Tot<zl estimated budget. defic The Florida Legislature met Jacicsont~lle was sworn in a as Speaker of the House. Pr Pm Tempore and Senator T~ Gorda as Spc~tkcr Pro Temp has 81 Republicans and 391 During organizational sc~sic significant change in the Ho succeeding ealend<ir day. Sl well aware of the language t House. eliminating councils appointed in flee House yet. While President hittg has corLSideration of amendnt~ President Kutg will also c yet. 850fi816516 T-546 P 003 F-859 t the t.ip of the iceberg when it comes to the 2003 budget problems. Durutg pent $1.1 billion in nonrecurring funds on recurring items, which has to be ~sion. In addition, legislators will recd to address financing the costs of the price t~-tg estimated at 84(10 ntillio>L htcrcases in the Medicaid population :cal hundred million dollars, the ~oecTh in public school snrdenu by 65,000 million, and Florida's troubled Deparunent of Children and Families has t;ith its problems. Constitutional atnendutca-ts dealing with high-speed rail, ;for four-year-olds will add an undetermined antotutt to the 2003 budget s for the 2003-04 budget range from $2 billion to ~~ billion. organisational session November 19. As anticipated, Senator Jim King of mate President and Representative Johnnie Byrd of Plant City was sworn in dent Ding appointed Miami-D;tde Senator Alegi de la Portilla as President tee as Roles Chair. Speaker Byrd appointed Lindsay Hanringtott o1' Punta ;. Tttc Senate now hss 2b Republicans and 14 Democrats, while the Horse both the Senate and House passed Hiles for the upcoming session. The most is lltat no bill can be passed on the day it is amended or on the neat kcr B}Td ts'anted a cooling-off period so tlt;it. all)-Iouse members would be ,~ were votiu,g on. Spe<11cer Byrd also changed the committee structure in the d adding numerous subcommittees. No cotttmince chairs hat c been attired the same cooling-off period for bills, tltc new rules require that quire atwo-thirds vote of senators present. Although it is anticipated the committee structure in the Senate, no announcements have been t'nadc In addressing the Sen:~tc, President Kiug listed as his priorities, refortw of workers' compensation. medical ntalpracticc and personal injury protection inrnranrc, and changes to the nursing home industry. On the House ride, Speaker .Byrd did Hof. have a long list of ptiorities but expressed interest in fiutding for A1•iheimer's Disease which has drantaticallv af'f'ected his farnily. In addition to pani.cipatutg itt m:uty election activities and Orgartiv~tiottal Session, the lobbying ream contimied their work on the 20021egislativc priozities and began to work on new priorities in preparation for the ZUU3 legislative session: Inspector General/Miami-Dade School System Having worked on this issue during the 2002 Session, the team is pleased to report that the State will. open alt inspector general's office in the'_~]iami-Dade school district The Department of Education cattductcd intet~riews for this position, which t;~ill be the first inspector geneYal's office within a Florida school district ill the State. ~Gro~vrh Nlaaagement The ream continues to monitA model which passed tut the grc cttrrt.-ntly working with the me this group will be on Dccrmbi and Governor based on l}ue eft this issue durin; the 2UU? Scs: progress of the working group assigned to study the; fiscal intpacl analysis t21, n><•trtagernent legislation last session. Seven pilot communities are iel and met on November 12 to report their progress. The final tweeting of : 10. Staff from both DEP and DCA twill create a report for the Legislature ccivcucss of these sct•cn pilot corrummities. we anticipate legislation on on. Nov-22-2002 12:36pm From-RUTLEDGE ECENIA et al 6506816516 T-546 P 004 F-859 RUTI.ED(~E. LCENIA.. PURNELL BL HOP'P'MAN City of Hearne Beach November 2()02 Report Page 3 Students with bisabiliticA At the request of Commissioner Bower, the team has been fallowing the progress of the Governor's Bhie Rtbbon Task Force on Accommodations and Access for Studetus with Disabilities. The Task Force has completed its work and is cturcntly prep-u'ing its final report for the Go~vcrnor and Legislature. Security Funding In response to City staff's ale rting the lobbying team to fedrrrl Homeland Security funds being funneled to the state, we generated a repo rt: dated November 4, 202, which outlines our mcommendations and observations on the dispositio n of those federal funds through state deparanents. We reported on activity by the Regional Seauity Task Forces, the Florida Department of Agriculnsc, the Florida Dcparm~ent of TransTortation, and FDLE. Ili addition, we a]erted City st aff to new feder-tI grants fur local fine deparunents through FE1v1A and the United States Fire Administra teon. The team will continue to ntot titor funds for police, fire, ~tnd other security issues duuing the 2003 Legislative Session. :'-lto~ Del Mar The closing of the sale for tL scheduled yet. Staff at DFP before tltc end of il~e year. 7 transferring title of the 11 ca Cultural Affairs Facility The review panel met on Na Department oi' S4te has req~ points or a ranking of 39 on of $14. S million. The Byron wou]d require an appropriate that either of those grants wi ten rcmainingvon-contiguous lots to General Real Estate, Inc. has not been waiting for all Cabinet members to sign the deed. The closittg is c~~pected c team wili continue to follow this progress in anticipation of the State iguous lets to the City for development of the Altos Del. Mar Park. nbez 13-14 to consider cultural facility Stanu for the 2003-04 budget The .ed $12.5 million for this program. The Colony Theitter recei~~cd 81.5 recotnmcnded list, which to obtain funding would require an appropriation arlyle received 3~.h points, puffing it in 34°i position and to obtain funding of $13.~ million. l.n this ea-tremely tight budget yesr, it. is highly unlikely e funded; ltowe.~cr, the lobbying team will work diligerttly towards that end. The Department of Cultural AfiTairs has been undergoirtg a `visioning process" to set priorities and a new straugic plan for l.hat Depattntent. This in par[ ltas been itutiated because many sections of the Dep~trtmenl of State will be mo.~ing under cbc Governor's Office in January when the Secretary of State Cabinet position will cease to exist and becomes a position appointed by the Governor. The team will conrinue to monitor this process and its e~'ect on interests of the Ciry. Windstorm Insurance The team spoke to Comntissioncr Gallagher about his intent to persuade the Legislature to eliminate the ;ubitration panel which plays a critical role in deternuning irtsttrancc r,~tes. Commissioner Gallaggher intends to have a bill filed during the 2003 5essiott sponsored by Senator C<ltnpbcll of Tamarac. Tltis will be shard-fought battle with Lttc insurance companies which now doIrtinate the arbiu-ation panels. Nov-22-2002 12:36pm From-RUTLEDGE ECENIA et al 6506816516 T-546 P 005 F-859 RUTI.ED(}E, ECENLaL, PURNELL ~L HOF'F'MAN City of Mianu IIesch November 2002 Report Page 4 Post Disaster Recovery and Rrconstructaon Plan The team forRarded to Cin~ staff information regarding the Departmcttt of Commutuity- Affairs Emergency Ivfat>.agemcnt Pmparedness and Assistance Competitive Grant Pzogram. Altheuglt this grant yields only up to $50,(100. it could be a start toward the $175,000 needed for this program being requested in the City's 2003 legislative priorities. Wr cncounge dtc staff to pttrsuc this ~rattt application, which has a submission deadline of January 21, 2005. Druti >FYee Communities Ttte te<-utt forwarded information to City stair about grant programs conducted through tJte Governor's Office otDrug Control, which fututels federal Title IV funds to loci] communities, targeting alcohol, tobacco and drug use prevention. Thcrc is a segutent of this grant that is dedicated to local police prcvenuon programs. During rite last cycle, 3~ of die 123 grants applied for zeceivcd fundutg between $25,000 - S=t0,000 for s total of $4.~ million 13igh~t-ay Beautitication The team forwarded to City stag information relative to rule making regarding to the Department of Transportation's Highway Beautification and Landscaping grants. The amendments to P1rt 1Y of Rule Chapter 140 will apply to the next application cycle tivith a February 1, 2003 deadline. Specialty License Platen Since the Ciry is going through the preparatory stages for requesting :~ historic district license plate, we thought it important to con~•ey information from the last Cabinet meeting, when the Dcpartlnent of I-lighway Safety and Motor Vehicles unveiled a proposed plate featuring whales. The Governor ut~uircd of the Depanmem if the State of Florida was number one in the nation for specialty license plates, to which Department head Fred Dicldrtsou replied that Florida actually r'trtks fourth in the nation for license plate styles available, but he quiddy added that an additional 40 plates are already being contemplated. Claims Sill Regarding SB 2K filed by Senator Vllalobos, in the case of Jeffrey Akers vs. the Ciry of Miami Beach, seeking relief for injuries s-„ffered at the Miami Beach Convention Center, team members spoke to and coordinated efforts with the attorney for rite Convention Center in preparation for the 2003 Session. The bill has been referred to the Senate Special Master on claims bills, the Senate Comprehensive Planning, Local & Militatti- Affiirs Committee, and Senate Finance & T:~, The last tvt~o arc references to the old contmittcc srrurntte and not the ttew one announced during organizational session November 19. Mi<'imi-Dale County's School Dist,ict On N ovember 20, Governor Buslt and Lt Governor Brogan met with school superintendents from around Florida la discuss implrn~entation of the reduced class size amendw,cnt. Many issues arc cominb to the forefront in ibis regard, which ~~~ill eventually impact education finding for Miarni-Dade County. At this time it is not clear exactly how much money will be needed for the 2003-04 budget to begin implemcntztion of this amendment. The Governor has indicated he rr4,y seek come direction for intcrpret<ltion of the amendment from the Florida Supreme Couri. The Deparnncnt of Education ltati already begun snrvey~ng county school districts in tetras of number of classrooms and occupane}•. Nav-22-2002 12:38pm From-RUTLEDGE ECENIA et al B5C~S816516 T-546 P 006 F-859 RUTLFD(~E, ECEIVII~. HCTRNELI. 8z HOFF12~S7 Ciry of Miami Beach Novcznbcr 2002 Report Page 5 Those Florida counties already h3~ring t:~ken the initiative to reduce class sires instead of addressing oilier education priorities azc clamoring for equitable distribution of funds, They fear money will be siphoned From teachers' salaries, for instance, to pay for additional. classrooms and more teachers. !t is anticipated the stage has been set for a trtajor battle among counues for educational funding during the 2003 Session. During this Session, tite Legislature is directed by the amendment passed by voters to reduce the average number of studenu in each classroom by at least two students per year. Election Reform Governor Bush has appelnte review the performance and recommendations for the fitr will also look at the impact c the State of Florida. The coy "Tad" Foote, the former prc_< will be i'ilcd in the 2003 Ses< Leagtrc oC Cities Le„nislafivi d a select T:jsk Force on Election Procedures. Standards and Teclutology to reforms during the 2002 primacy and gencril elections and to issue they refincrnrnt and improvemcnr. of Florida electoral system. The Tash Force ~f recently passed federal lcgislationrelativc to additional changes required in nmittee is co-chaired by Acting 5ccretan' of State Jim Sntith and Edward ~ident of the University of Miami. The te<~m auticipatcs that some legislation ~iou on election reform. Mcetinb Team men,bezs attended the League of Cities Led slative Mecung this mouth in Orlando. They were pleased to uttroduce City staff member Kc~;n Crowder to League officals and participate in breakout sessions covering finance and tam intergovernrncntal, en`tironmental, and cruninal justice issues. Team utembcrs also spoke to League of Cities staff durirtg orgaid~tional session, and were told chat due to bud;et constraints: the Lcaw e of Cities will not be proactive on any issues and would consider a successful 2003 Session one in which they were able to hold onto costing funds. 11 has been our pleasure to participate in all of the above on beha] f oC the City of Miami Beach. We will continue to monitor tltc legislative reorganization, including appointrncnt of committee chairs and staff membe7s, as well as monitoring bills as they are filed. We look forward to mceiving linal direction when cite Comnussion votes on the legislauvc package during the December 11 conunission meeting. GRR/kg