R7D-Approve City�s State Legislative Agenda For 2012 Session Of Florida LegislatCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2012 SESSION OF THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Supports Multiple KIOs
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): The quality of the beaches appears as
pne of the most important areas affecting quality of life. More recreational opportunities are
anked as one of the changes that will make Miami Beach a better place to live. Storm
~rainage catch basins cleaning citywide; improving infrastructure was listed number 5 in
mportant safety areas for the City to address.
Issue: I Shall the City Commission approve the City's legislative agenda for the 2012 Session?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt a list of legislative priorities for the annual
session of the State Legislature. The legislative session in 2012 is scheduled to begin on
January9, 2012. The 2012 session is beginning earlier than normal in order for the Legislature to
complete the redistricting that takes place following each decennial census.
Critical Legislative Priorities include:
• Funding for the Miami Beach Convention Center & Conference Facility Expansion
• Opposition to the Destination Resorts I Gaming Bills
• Opposition to Enhanced County Authority over Community Redevelopment Agencies
• Beach Renourishment Funding
• lnterstate-395 Expansion Funding
• Miami Beach Funding
Once again, this year will present significant funding challenges during the legislative session,
and the session will likely be dominated by discussions related to the budget, redistricting, and
casino gambling. The education issues facing the state are significant, especially in light of the
state budget condition, and are included in the proposed Legislative Agenda.
It is recommended that the Mayor and Commission approve the 2012 State Legislative Agenda.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Financial Information· .
Source of Amount Account
Funds: 1
I N/A I 2
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary: N/A
Cit Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Kevin Crowder, Economic Development
Si n-Offs:
KC
ce MIAMI BEACH 427
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lC\ MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor Matti H. Bower and Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~
DATE: December 14,2011 U "--/
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE CITY'S STATE LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA FOR THE 2012 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
Administration Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution
Background
Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt a list of legislative priorities for the annual
session of the State Legislature. The legislative session is 2012 is scheduled to begin on
January 9, 2012. The 2012 session is beginning earlier than normal in order for the
Legislature to complete the redistricting that takes place following each decennial census.
Attached, please find the proposed 2012 State Legislative Agenda for consideration and
approval. Critical Legislative Priorities include:
• Funding for the Miami Beach Convention Center & Conference Facility Expansion
• Opposition to the Destination Resorts I Gaming Bill
• Opposition to Enhanced County Authority over Community Redevelopment Agencies
• Beach Renourishment Funding
• lnterstate-395 Expansion Funding
• Miami Beach Funding
Additional Legislative Priorities include among others:
• People's Transportation Plan Funding Allocation
• Authority to regulate Segways
• Alton Road Bike Lanes
• Online Hotel Tax Collections
• Smoking on Public Property
• Protection of Ocean Rescue Lifeguards
• Local Government Revenue Restrictions
• Dolphin Stadium Funding
• Bottle and Can Deposits
• Regulation of Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Containers
• Preservation of Local Authority
• Education Issues
428
December 14, 2011 Commission Memorandum
State Legislative Agenda
Page 2 of2
Once again, this year will present significant funding challenges during the legislative
session, and the session will likely be dominated by discussions related to the budget,
redistricting, and casino gambling.
The education issues facing the state are significant, especially in light of the state budget
condition. The Quality in Education Committee has discussed its recommendations for
legislative priorities, which are included in the proposed Legislative Agenda.
Conclusion
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution
approving the City's legislative agenda for the 2012 session of the Florida Legislature.
JMG/HF/k~
Attachment: 2012 State Legislative Agenda
T:\AGENDA\2011\12-14-11\State Legislative Priorities Memo.doc
429
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeochfl.gov
2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Destination Resorts I Gaming Bills
The City opposes efforts that would lead to the expansion of gambling in Miami Beach.
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 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 legislative changes and funding opportunities to fund
enhancements, expansion, and renovation of the Miami Beach Convention Center.
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.
Beach Renourishment
Fully fund the State's share of beach renourishment funding at $30 million.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
lnterstate-395 Expansion
Provide funding to the Florida Department of Transportation for the lnterstate-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.
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2012 Florida Legislative Priorities
Page 2 of3
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.
Segways
The City supports legislation that authorizes municipalities to regulate the use of Segways on the
public right-of-way.
Alton Road Bike Lanes
Support legislation to give municipalities more flexibility when exercising provisions of the State
Statute dealing with bike lanes.
Online Hotel Tax Collections
The City supports amendments to Florida law to ensure a level playing field for Florida's hotels 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. 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.
Local Authority to Regulate Smoking on Public Property and Beaches
The City supports legislation that authorizes municipalities to regulate and/or prohibit smoking on
public property and on public beaches.
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.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
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.
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.
Stadium Funding
The City opposes the expenditure of public funds for improvements to Dolphin Stadium.
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.
Restaurant Sanitation
The City supports legislation/rulemaking that requires restaurants to conspicuously post their
health Department reports/ratings.
Local Authority and Unfunded Mandates
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2012 Florida Legislative Priorities
Page 3 of3
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 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.
Support Miami-Dade County's request for funding for the replacement of the bridges on the
Venetian Causeway, provided that the project maintains the historic character of the bridges.
AGENCY ISSUES
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.
Alton Road Bike Lanes
Work with the Florida Department of Transportation to resolve the issues related to the inclusion
of bike lanes, including the potential relocation of the bike lane to West Avenue.
EDUCATION ISSUES
Continue to allow co-enrollment as a strategy for high school students who need academic credit
recovery or to improve their cumulative average for graduation purposes. In addition, provide
greater flexibility and opportunities for academic credit recovery during the school day (ie.
facilitators, programming).
Retain advanced academic (IB and AP) monetary incentives to reward teacher and school
achievements to align with the current merit pay formula for teachers and schools for FCAT and
end of course exam achievements.
Update the requirements for school improvement plans to mirror the data points of the school
grade such as graduation rate, advanced academics (lB and AP) and college readiness (SAT and
ACT}.
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RESOLUTION TO BE SUBMITTED
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