LTC 056-2012 2012 Florida Legislative Session - Mid Session Update m MIAMI BEACH _
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NO. LTC# 056-201 2 LET TO COMMISSION
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TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
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FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
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DATE: February 24, 2012
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SUBJECT: 2012 Florida Legislative Session — Mid Session Update cn 3:m
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The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide the Mayor and City Comrmissffin :7
with an update on the 2012 Florida Legislative Session. The Session is noW in5is
seventh week, and will end on March 9, 2012.
Legislative activity has taken place on a number of the City's legislative priorities,
including critical issues such as casino gaming and anti-CRA legislation. Additionally,
during the fourth week of Session, Mayor Bower, myself and Kevin Crowder were in
Tallahassee for Miami-Dade County Days and for meetings to advocate for Miami Beach
initiatives and priorities. During the week we met with a number of state agencies, as
well as Senator Gwen Margolis and Representatives Richard Steinberg, Luis Garcia,
Cynthia Stafford, Erik Fresen, Jeanette Nunez, Ana Rivas Logan, Darryl Rouson, Ken
Roberson, and Geraldine Thompson. Below please find an update on the City's key
issues so far this session.
Casino Gaming: The City's lobbyists have been directly involved in efforts to oppose the
"destination resorts" legislation filed this year. Additionally, the Administration attended
the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee on February 3, 2012, where
the bill was laid on the table, effectively killing the legislation this year. Prior to the
committee meeting, the City met with several members of the committee discuss the
City's position. Although the legislation is dead in the House, the Senate President has
reiterated that he wants the legislation to get a vote on the Senate floor. The City's
lobbyists will continue to advocate on the City's behalf on this issue should it continue to
be heard in the Senate.
Community Redevelopment Agencies: Legislation was filed that would allow Miami-
Dade County to unilaterally terminate redevelopment agencies, and also impose
administrative requirements that essentially revised (to the County's benefit) terms of the
interlocal agreements between the County and the cities with CRAs. The Administration
testified on this issue at the House Community and Military Affairs Committee which
approved the legislation. Following the committee meeting, the City met with the sponsor
of the bill (Representative Fresen) and County Commissioner Lynda Bell to try and
soften the impact of the bill. The bill was heard in its second committee of reference on
February 7, 2012, where it was defeated on a 12-12 vote. Although the House version
died in committee, the Senate companion was placed on the February 13, 2012 agenda
of the Senate Community Affairs Committee. The Administration and the City's lobbyist
on this issue attended the committee meeting along with representatives of the
Homestead CRA, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Redevelopment
Association. The bill was temporarily postponed and not heard by the committee,
Letter To Commission
2012 Florida Legislative Session—Mid Session update
February 15, 2012
effectively killing the legislation this session. The City's lobby team will continue to
monitor this issue through the end of session.
Beach Renourishment: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on General Government
Appropriations recommended funding the beach program at $20 million, including both
reversions and non-recurring general revenue. The House only included reversions, for
a figure of approximately $12 million. This will be a budget conference item. The City
supports full funding of the program at $30 million. The $20 million Senate
recommendation is consistent with the Department of Environmental Protection's budget
request. The Governor recommended funding the program at $10 million. Additionally,
while in Tallahassee we met with Andy Grayson, Policy Coordinator in the Governor's
Office, Dept. of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary Jeff Littlejohn, and Debbi
Flack from the Florida Beaches and Shores Association to discuss ongoing efforts to
identify a long-term strategy and source of sand for renourishment of the City's beaches.
We also discussed issues related to the regulatory process regarding permitting of the
City's beachwalk and Baywalk projects.
Memorial Day Weekend: We met with Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Duarte, Deputy
Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, to discuss the City's request for additional mutual
aid support during Memorial Day Weekend. At this time, FHP has agreed to provide a
total of 35 personnel, including twenty troopers and fifteen reserve officers.
Transportation Issues: The City's lobbying team secured meetings for the City with
Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anannth Prasad and with DOT Chief of
Staff Francis Gibbs. The meeting with Chief of Staff Gibbs was to discuss the Alton
Road bicycle lane issue, and after this initial positive meeting, the Rutledge firm has
continued to have follow-up conversations with Chief of Staff Gibbs and hope to see
DOT in Tallahassee offer some assistance in resolving the Alton Road issue without the
need for legislation or litigation. The City's meeting with DOT Secretary Prasad included
discussion of the Alton Road issue, the 1-395 reconstruction project, and the lack of a
mid-point access to the 1-95 Hot Lanes. On February 9, 2012, the Administration
attended the Senate Transportation Committee meeting and testified on, and answered
questions regarding a proposed amendment to add "sidewalks" to the list of locations
that local governments may prohibit Segways. Some committee members continue to
have concerns with creating additional prohibitions and restrictions on this issue. The
City's lobby team continues to meet with members to advocate the City's position on this
issue.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding these or other issues
pending in Tallahassee.
JMG/HF/kc