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2011 Legislative Agenda MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfI ov 201 1 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Expansion of Gambling The City opposes efforts that would lead to the expansion of gambling. Any consideration of legislation to permit gambling must include a local option referendum of the voters prior to authorization within a jurisdiction, and further provide for revenue sharing by of gaming revenues by the state and the jurisdiction in which gaming is authorized by the state and a local referendum. Miami Beach Convention Center & Conference Facility Expansion Identify opportunities to create funding options (e.g. legislation, grants, budget authorizations, etc.) to provide for future state support of significant convention center projects. Fully support Senate Bill 980 and efforts to authorize the increase of the Convention Development Tax to solely fund enhancements, expansion, and renovation of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Stadium Funding Pursuant to City Commission Resolution No. 2010 - 27314, the City of Miami Beach opposes the expenditure of public funds for renovations /improvements to Dolphin Stadium. Beach Renourishment Fully fund the State's share of beach renourishment funding at $30 million. FUNDING PRIORITIES Interstate -395 Expansion 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 to and from South Beach and the Port of Miami. Miami Beach Funding The City will advocate for full funding for Miami Beach -based organizations during the budget process, including funding from the Local Service Provider (LSP) Program. 2011 Florida Legislative Priorities Page 2 of 3 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES People's Transportation Plan — Half Cent Sales Tax Surtax for Transportation The City supports amendments to Sec. 212.055 to clarify that when a charter county revises interlocal agreements to include any new municipalities, that the new municipalities are to be funded their pro rata share from the portion of the surtax allocated for use in the unincorporated area of the county, or for countywide services, and further clarifying that funding newly incorporated municipalities from the portion of the surtax dedicated to existing municipalities is expressly prohibited. Community Redevelopment Oppose legislation that reduces or limits Community Redevelopment Agency powers and authority; oppose legislation that authorizes or allows counties to recapture or attempt to recapture Tax Increment funds or other redevelopment monies. Online Hotel Tax Collections The City supports amendments to Florida law to ensure a level playing field by expressly providing that online internet travel firms be required to pay sales and tourist - related taxes on the full price of rooms they reserve for customers. Pension and Insurance Reform The City supports the Florida League of Cities pension reform proposals to provide comprehensive pension reform. Pension mandates directly conflict with the Legislature's desire to limit government spending. Local Revenue Restrictions The City opposes legislation that usurps the home rule powers of municipal residents to self - determine their form of government and the services provided. Any effort to artificially cap municipal revenue and implement revenue restrictions should take into account the revenue spikes that can take place in a tourism economy, and should also consider inequities from Save Our Homes and local government pension obligations and state mandates. Anchoring and Mooring of Vessels The City continues to support efforts to address the issue of boats anchored behind single family homes with the creation of a minimum setback, and to strengthen local authority to regulate anchoring and mooring of vessels within its jurisdiction. The City will also continue efforts to participate in the Mooring Pilot Program by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Condominium Reform The City supports additional amendments to Chapter 718 to further protect condominium owners and condominium associations from the negative impacts of foreclosures. The City also seeks clarification that statutorily mandated vote thresholds be applied only to those owners that are eligible to vote, and does not include unit owners who are prohibited from voting due to delinquency on association dues. Protection of Ocean Rescue Lifeguards Amend Chapter 784.07, F.S., to include `Ocean Lifeguards' for purposes of certain enhanced penalties imposed for assault or battery. Florida Statute 784.07 gives added protection to public servants who are the victims of assault and battery while in the course of performing their duties. Bottle and Can Deposit, Plastic Bags, Styrofoam The City supports creation of a return deposit for bottles and cans, a statewide ban of Styrofoam on the beaches, and implementation of local authority to regulate the distribution and use of plastic bags by retail establishments. Equal Rights Amendment The City supports ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. 2011 Florida Legislative Priorities Page 3 of 3 Bert J. Harris Act The City opposes legislation to weaken or remove the sovereign immunity provision in the Bert Harris Act, and will work with members on compromise legislation in the best interest of the City. Restaurant Sanitation The City supports legislation that requires restaurants to conspicuously post their health Department reports /ratings. Parking Violations The City supports increasing or removing the $30 statutory cap that local governments may charge for certain parking violations (expired meter, restricted zone, prohibited zone). Local Authority and Unfunded Mandates 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. BUDGET ISSUES Continue to identify and evaluate any potential sources of funding for water - related projects, including stormwater, wastewater, and water delivery, including desalinization activities. The City supports full funding of the State Film Incentive, workforce development, recreation, cultural arts, historic preservation programs and affordable & workforce 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. AGENCY ISSUES 1 -95 Hot Lanes The City will also continue to work with FDOT to implement a mid -point access solution for the I- 95 Hot Lanes. Miami Beach Baywalk Work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to secure approval for the development of the over -water sections of the Miami Beach Baywalk. South Pointe Fountain Work with the Florida and Miami -Dade Health Departments to resolve the South Pointe Fountain issues. Comprehensive Planning The City will continue to work with the Department of Community Affairs on completion of the Comprehensive Plan and EAR -based amendments. EDUCATION ISSUES Provide level funding to hold school district operational and capital funding harmless from declines in property values and state budget shortfalls. Replace America Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Stabilization Funds embedded in the Florida Education Finance Program with state revenue. Eliminate penalties associated with non - compliance with the class size amendment until it is fully funded by the State.