Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-26083 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2005-26083 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, APPROVING THE CITY'S STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2006 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 2006 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 2006 Session of the Florida Legislature be approved, as more specifically set forth in the attached Exhibit A. PASSED and ADOPTED this 7th day of December , 2005. ATTEST: Mayor David Dermer City Clerk Robert Parcher T:~AGENDA~003\DEC1003\REGULAR\STATE PRIORITIES RESO,DOC ~OVED ASTO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY Condensed Title: IA Resolution approving the City's 2006 State Legislative Agenda Key Intended Outcome Supported: ISupports Multiple KIOs. Issue: Shall the City Commission approve the recommended list of State Legislative Priorities? Item Summary/Recommendation' Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Tallahassee during the regular session of the Florida Legislature. The attached list of priorities was developed by the Administration in consultation with the City's lobbyists, and by meetings held on November 14, 2005 between the Mayor and each Commissioner and the City's lobbyists. The recommended 2006 agenda includes legislative, funding, and administrative issues. Some of the key issues are: Beach Renourishment Funding, retaining authority to implement the wi-fi system, opposing changes to the Bert J. Harris Act that negatively impact the City, Condominium Issues, and hurricane related issues such as underground utilities and insurance. Advisory Board Recommendation: n/a Financial Information: Source of ~ · · Amount ' AccoUnt ~ ApprOved Funds: i ::. 1: n/a i' !: 2:: ..... . · : OB~l ~ 'tOtal . Financial Impact Summary: City Clerk'SKevin CrowderOffice Legislative Tracking: n-Offs: MiAMi BEACH AGENDA ITEM MIAMI BEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members o~f the City Commission FROM: City Manager Jorge M. Gonzalez DATE: December 7, 2005 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 2006 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Adopt the Resolution. ANALYSIS Each year, the Mayor and City Commission adopt the City's legislative priorities that will be pursued by the City's representatives in Tallahassee during the regular session of the Florida Legislature. The attached list of priorities (Exhibit A) was developed by the Administration in consultation with the City's lobbyists, and by meetings held on November 14, 2005 between the Mayor and each Commissioner and the City's lobbyists. Additionally, please find a report on current state legislative issues prepared by the City's lobbyists. This year's recommended State Legislative Agenda includes issues that have appeared on prior agendas and remain priorities of the City. These issues are: · Bert J. Harris Act · Convention Center Sales Tax Refund · District Cost Differential · Resort Tax Issues · Unification of Education Accountability Systems · Condominium Issues / Condo Conversion Disclosure · Insurance Issues · Underground Utilities · Municipal Inspection / Enforcement of the condition of utility poles/facilities Additionally, new issues have been identified for addition to the 2006 agenda: · Emergency Management Plans (Generator Requirements) · Anchoring and Mooring Distance Setbacks · Citywide Wireless Network · Fire Safety Services in the RDA · Economic Development Agency Sunset Review · Florida Accessibility and Building Codes · Municipal Employee Public Records · Homestead / Property Tax Issues Funding priorities that have been identified are: · Full funding of Miami-Dade County's request for Beach Renourishment funding · Funding of the Cultural Facilities Grant Program at a level that ensures full funding of the Colony Theater Phase III grant application · Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements · After School Program · Full funding of the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program · Research funding sources for creation of a mooring field and potential incentive programs for the Cirque du Soleil project. In addition to the list of legislative and funding priorities, the Administration and the City's lobbyists continue to work with various state agencies on issues such as FDOT approval of the City's wayfinding signage program, retaining funding from FDOT for the Collins Avenue project, and working with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding electrical power issues. A summary of each of these priorities is included in Exhibit A, which is included for Commission review, comment and approval. The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission review the proposed legislative package, establish the priorities and adopt the attached Resolution. JMG.'~'kc Attachment T:~GENDA~005\Dec0705\Regular~State Legislative Agenda memo.doc Exhibit 'A' City of Miami Beach Preliminary 2006 State Legislative Agenda - DRAFT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Cilywide Wireless Nelwork Request: The City of Miami Beach is in the process of implementing a Citywide wireless intemet network and opposes legislation that will limit or prohibit the City's ability to move forward with this project. BertJ. Harris Act Request: Condominium Issues Request: The City opposes legislation that weakens or removes the sovereign immunity provision in the Bert Harris Act, and further will work to support legislation that not only maintains, but strengthens the sovereign immunity provision. Increase the disclosure requirements and the level of detail that must be included in engineering report results for condominium conversions. Create a conduit financing mechanism for major condominium repairs. Insurance Issues Request: Create a Hurricane Recovery Trust Fund/Sales Tax Surplus to create a rate stabilization pool for Citizens. Emergency Management Plans Request: Should the City seek legislative and rule changes to expand the business types/industries that must maintain and implement updated Emergency Management Plans, specifically addressing emergency power (generators). Anchoring / Mooring Request: Establish a 100 foot setback from single family homes for anchored vessels. Fire Safely Services in Community Redevelopmenl Areas Request: The City supports an amendment to F.S.S. Chapter 163 that will allow for the use of Redevlopment Trust Fund monies for enhances fire safety services. Summary: Chapter 163, Part III, authorizes cities to create Community Redevelopment Areas, and currently authorizes the use of Redevelopment Trust Fund monies for community policing innovations. In addition to police services, fire rescue services are an integral component of the City's public safety services, and enhance public safety contributes to the successful revitalization and redevelopment of blighted areas. Therefore, the City supports legislation that will allow the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency to expend Trust Fund monies for fire services within the City's Convention Center Sales Tax Refund Request: The City supports the introduction and passage of legislation in the Florida Legislature that will retum 50% of the sales taxes remitted by eligible convention centers to the municipality that owns the center for economic development purposes. Summary: This proposal 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 of high-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. Economic Development Agency Sunset Review Request: The City of Miami Beach supports re-enactment of the public records exemption relating to economic development agencies contained in s. 288. 075, F.S. Summary: Pursuant to s. 288.075, F.S., upon written request of a business, the records of an economic development agency that contain information about the plans of the business to locate, relocate, or expand its activities in Florida, are confidential and exempt from public records law for a specified period of time. This public records exemption is subject to review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, and is set to expire October 2, 2006, unless re-enacted by the Legislature. Florida Accessibilily and Building Codes Request: The City supports legislation that expands the exemptions for existing structures from the Florida Accessibility Code, providing alternative means of access in existing buildings. The City further supports amendments to the Florida Building Code that increase the amount of openings allowed on side elevations and that clarify the Code°s historic waiver provisions. Education Issues Request: Summary: Monitor proposed legislation. The City will monitor additional education issues as they develop, such as issues related to the School Year, FCAT, etc. Growth Management Glitch Bill Request: Monitor proposed legislation. Summary: Since the passage of SB 360 in 2005, DCA, DOT, and DEP have provided information on the implementation of the bill. Some questions and issues will be addressed during implementation, while others may require a legislative sollution. Stakeholders have identified glitches in the bill and suggested changes. The Florida Senate's Committee on Community Affairs staff has categorized the comments and, at the committee's direction, will prepare a glitch bill to address the committee's issues for the 2006 Legislative Session. Municipal Employee Public Records Request: The City of Miami Beach supports legislation that provides a waiver from public records requirements for personal information of municipal employees who have been victims of domestic and/or other types of violence. Resort Tax Issues Request: The City supports legislation that ensures that the Resort Tax and Convention Development Tax are collected on hotel room sales that occur over the intemet, and that the tax is distributed to the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITIES Wayfinding Signage System Request: The City seeks continued support and guidance from the Florida Department of Transportation on expedited implementation of the City's wayfinding system. Summary: The City is in the process of developing and implementing a citywide wayfinding signage system and has been working with FDOT on this project. A hearing on proposed signage rules is scheduled for December 8, 2005. Colllins Avenue Project Summary: Work with FDOT for 2007 reimbursement rather than 2011. Utility Issues Summary: Work with the Public Service Commission to identify what upgrades are needed within FPL's Capital Improvement Plan and monitor the development of the Statewide Comprehensive Energy Plan, as directed by Executive Order 05-241. Additionally, continue to work to address Right-of-Way issues for undergrounding the utilities. FUNDING PRIORITIES Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Request: Summary: After School Program Request: Summary: Colony Theater Cultural Request: Summary: The City will submit a CBIR to seek funding assistance for stormwater infrastructure improvements. The City has received $400,000 for stormwater infrastructure improvement funding in each of the past two years, and seeks additional funding assistance for the City's ongoing Capital Improvement Program. The City will submit a CBIR to seek funding assistance to support the City's After School Program. In 2005, the City received a legislative appropriation of $100,000 from Juvenile Justice for the After School Program, but unfortunately this item was vetoed. The City has received a $50,000 earmark in the Federal Justice Appropriations Bill for F¥2006, and seeks funding assistance from the State of Florida in the 2006/07 Budget. Facilily Grant Application Support full funding of the Cultural Facilities Grant Program to ensure that the Colony Theater Phase III grant application is fully funded. The Colony Theater Restoration Project will not only restore the theater's original Lincoln Road Beach Renourishment Request: fa(;ades, but will transform the theater into a fully functional performance facility. Fully fund beach renoudshment at $30 million and support Miami-Dade County's request for beach renourishment funding. Hazard and Pre-disaster Request: Summary: Mitigation Grant Programs Support full funding of City project in the FY 06 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and FY 05 Pre- disaster Mitigation Grant Program. The City seeks funding through HMGP for storm shutters and protective glass for City buildings. A grant application has been submitted to the FY05 PDM program in the amount of $1,220,000 and the City intends to submit another application for the FY 2006 programs for hazard mitigation. The City also seeks funding through the HMGP planning program for a Geographic Information System ($322,464) and funds to develop and Emergency Management Plan ($96,750). The State of Florida manages the program on behalf of the Federal government through the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Domestic Securily Program Request: Support full funding for City projects submitted through Miami-Dade County to the State of Florida's FY 05/06 Domestic Security Program. Summary: The City has submitted, through Miami-Dade County, twelve (12) different projects for State Domestic Security funding, totaling $5,360,266. All projects support Florida's Domestic Security Strategy. Funding is provided to the States from the US Department of Homeland Security. District Cost Differential Request: Anchoring and Mooring Request: The City supports the reinstatement of the District Cost Differential funding formula to 2003 levels in order to compensate for a higher district cost of living and will oppose any legislation to further reduce or eliminate the formula. Research potential funding sources for the study and establishment of a mooring field / anchorage area. Entertainment Industry Incentives Request: The City supports full funding of the Entertainment Industry Incentive Fund. Cirque de Soleil Request: Summary: The City is researching potential incentive programs that this project may qualify for. The City of Miami Beach wishes to explore potential assistance from the State of Florida for the conversion of the Jackie Gleason Theater into a performance venue for Cirque de Soleil. Other Miami Beach Funding Summary: The City will monitor funding levels for Miami Beach based organizations during the budget process. In the past, organizations and projects that provide services to the Miami Beach community have received earmarks, such as the Miami Beach Senior Center and the meals program. ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO MONITOR State Housing Initiatives Partnership Funding Levels Outdoor Advertising Red Light Photo Enforcement Municipal Issues Identified by the Florida League of Cities Transportation Funding Communily Redevelopment Agencies Public Notices Digital Imaging / Public Records Homestead / Properly Tax Issues STEPHEN A. ECENIA RICHARD M. ELLIS KENNETH A. HOFFMAN LORENA A. HOLLEY MICHAEL G. MAIDA MARTIN P. McDONNELL J. STEPHEN MENTON RUTLEDGE, ECENIA, PURNELL & HOFFMAN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW POST OFFICE BOX 551,32302-0551 215 SOUTH MONROE STREET, SUITE 420 TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32301-1841 TELEPHONE (850) 681-6788 TELECOPIER (850) 681-6515 MEMORANDUM HAROLD F. X. PURNELL MARSHA E. RULE GARY R. RUTLEDGE MAGGIE M. SCHULTZ GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTANTS MARGARET A. MENDUNI M. LANE STEPHENS TO: Mayor David Dermer City Commissioners and City Manager Gonzalez City of Miami Beach VIA: E-mail to Kevin Crowder (hard copy to follow) FROM: Gary Rutledge Fausto Gomez Bob Levy Margie Menduni Manny Reyes Mary Snow DATE: November 22, 2005 SUBJECT: Monthly Report, November 2005 POLITICAL ISSUES Govemor Jeb Bush has called a Special Session of the Legislature to cover a Medicaid waiver and the implementation of slot machines in Broward County. The Special Session is to run from noon on Monday, December 5, to midnight on Friday, December 9, 2005. It is possible that Speaker Bense and President Lee will add topics to the call at which time we will notify City staff. The week of November 14, the Governor traveled on a trade mission to Germany and Switzerland. In Germany, he visited Munich and Diisseldorf and in Switzerland, the City of Basel. The Governor is promoting trade, investment and business opportunities in information technology, biotechnology, health care and pharmaceuticals among others. Among the sponsors for the trip include the University of Miami School of Engineering and Express Travel of Miami. On November 11, 2005, Governor Bush issued Executive Order 05-241, regarding the development of a Statewide Comprehensive Energy Plan. In the Executive Order, the Governor directs state agencies to continue their energy conservation efforts to reduce the demand for energy in Florida and to develop further innovative conservation initiatives. In addition, he RUTLEDGE, ECENIA, PURNE~.~. & HOFF~N City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 2 encourages the local governments to develop and implement long-term conservation initiatives. The Executive Order directs the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive energy plan for the State of Florida. To assist the Secretary in this energy plan, a 2005 Florida Energy Forum will be held on December 31, 2005, in Tallahassee. Forum participants are directed to address "the diversification of Florida's energy supplies, energy generation, transmission, distribution, conservation and energy security, as well as to discuss the barriers presented by government and potential incentives that may be offered to help Florida's future energy needs." On November 15, 2005, the State's Revenue Estimating Conference forecast an extra $3.2 billion of tax receipts for the remainder of 2005 and 2006. $!.7 billion was added to the revenues expected for 2005 and an additional $1.5 billion is to be expected during 2006. The additional revenue is the result of hurricane rebuilding and the state's housing boom. However, the estimating conference predicted that Florida's economy will start slowing in 2006 due to higher interest rates, higher energy bills and higher inflation. Florida's Secretary of State Glenda Hood announced on November 2 that she plans to resign from her position, effective November 21, 2005. The former Orlando Mayor did not reveal her future plans. The Governor is expected to announce her replacement after his European trip. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES The Florida Legislature met for Interim Committee Meetings from November 7-10. The following reflects areas of interest during that week for the City of Miami Beach. House Select Committee to Protect Private Property Rights This committee met on November 8 and heard testimony from the Community Redevelopment Association, the Property Rights Coalition, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities and the Mayor of Hallandale Beach. Under separate cover, we have forwarded to staff, the League of Cities' presentation. Among their suggestions was the addition of additional protection under the Community Redevelopment statutes for private property owners facing exercise of eminent domain that would result in a private-to-private transfer of property. The League recommended that if a local government has to exercise the power of eminent domain for an eventual private-to-private transfer of property, then that government should follow a procedural process and provide heightened substantive protections. Committee Chairman Marco Rubio began to draw some consensus among committee members on a number of issues that are outlined in a matrix that we have forwarded to staff. The Committee was able to discuss three of the issues and will continue on the rest during the meeting that will be held during Special Session in December. Transportation I~U~LEDGE, ECENIA, PUR~EI.T. & HOFFMAN City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 3 The Senate Committee on Transportation met on November 8, and heard a presentation by ITS Florida, i.e., Intelligent Transportation Systems. This group is an official adviser to Florida's Department of Transportation. It is made up of public, private and academic transportation organizations for the purpose of sharing ideas and information. In the presentation, ITS explained to the Committee that over the next ten years, Florida will need an additional $23 billion just to keep traffic the way it is today. The goal of ITS is to use technology and partnerships to increase the efficiency and safety of Florida's transportation system. Examples of some of the technological innovations are traffic signal controls, freeway management systems, traffic management centers, traveler information centers, transit management, incident management of electronic toll collection, electronic fare payment, electronic emergency management and commercial vehicle management. ITS is part of a national association. The Committee also heard a presentation from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding status of funding of growth management transportation funds. The presentation stressed funding for the Strategic Intermodel System (SIS) for fiscal years 05/06 through fiscal year 10/11. The plans for funding SIS over that time period include $3.1 billion to increase transportation mobility on a regional basis and promote additional transportation choices. The SIS work program will account for $10 billion and the SIS growth management program will account for an additional $3.1 billion for the total of $13.1 billion. The breakdown of the $13.1 billion includes the following: $1.3 billion for highway mainline $9 million intermodel $302 million rail $5 million intelligent transportation systems $73 million seaport $151 million aviation/spaceport $324 million highway seaport connector $43 million highway aviation connector $14 million highway rail connector. Government Efficiency Appropriations The Senate Committee heard staff reports on interim projects including an interim project entitled "Sales Tax Distribution." Committee staff is recommending a rewrite of Florida's section 212.20(6)(d). This section of the statute governs the distribution by the Department of Revenue for most of the sales tax revenue collected. The distribution schedule outlined in that statute is complicated, mainly because certain sections depend upon distribution of other sections. For example, the statute reads "after the distribution under subparagraph (1) and (2)," "after the distribution under subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3)" "after the distribution under subparagraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4)", etc. The staffhas recommended that none of the distribution totals remain the same but that each of the subsections stand-alone. The Committee directed staff to come back to the committee with a proposed committee bill. I~U~LEDGE, EOENIA, P~LT~ & HOFFlW~N City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 4 The Committee also heard a presentation on the assessment of homestead property damaged or destroyed by a misfortune or calamity. The presentation of this interim project brought to the Committee's attention that the two different state property appraisers groups do not agree on how to appraise homesteads beset by calamity. Chairman Atwater directed the two groups to meet in the interim and to come back in January with an agreed upon proposal for such an assessment. House Committee on Claims This Committee met on November 9 and heard staff presentations regarding proposed committee bills (1) entitled Joint Legislative Claims Committee and (2) adoption of Joint Rule 8 regarding the Joint Legislative Claims Committee. They are basically proposing a joint committee with joint rules rather than separate committees in each chamber. Hurricane Preparedness The House Health Care General Committee and the House Domestic Security Committee met jointly on November 10 to evaluate the state's hurricane preparedness. In the first of a number of joint meetings to come, Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings addressed the Committee and shared her experiences during the '04 and '05 hurricane season. She asked the Committee to very carefully consider not going in the direction of the state providing generators for businesses and residences. The Lieutenant Governor stressed the various functions of local government being the first responders in storm's way, the state government moving in from staging areas and the federal government moving in as directed by the state. The Committee then heard two-panel discussions addressing sheltering and evacuation during hurricanes. The first panel consisted of state agency representatives from the Department of Health, Community Affairs, Elder Affairs, FDLE, Military Affairs and a federal representative from HHS. Craig Fugate, Director of Emergency Management with DCA, stressed the areas needing improvement to include the following three: getting the product into areas more quickly, focusing on those residents who are not able to prepare and educating citizens in personal responsibility. Members of the Committee from South Florida had lots of complaints about the slow restoration of electrical power. However, there was no one on the panel who could directly address that issue. The second panel was composed of Directors of Emergency Management from local governments, including Martin, Orange,' Charlotte and Escambia Counties. Miami-Dade County was scheduled but was not present. Among the issues stressed by the local governments, included clear regional plans for evacuation, increased funding for special needs shelters, voter registration procedures for special needs citizens and clear identification of distribution centers. Legislative Bills The following is a list of bills for the Regular 2006 Session we have added to the Miami Beach list since our last report. I~U~LEDGE, ECENIA, PURNELI. & HOFFMAN City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 5 · HB 279, by · HB 285, by · HB 301, by · HB 305, by · HB 319, by · HB 339, by · HB 343, by · HB 353, by · HB 259, by · HB 369, by · HB 383, by · SB 506, by · SB 524, by · SB 528, by · SB 530, by · SB 546, by · SB 568, by · SB 574, by · SB 588, by · SB 590, by · SB 594, by · SB 596, by · SB 598, by · SB 604, by · SB 606, by · SB 612, by · SB 624, by · SB 626, by · SB 638, by · SB 644, by · SB 680, by · SB 692, by · SB 702, by · SB 780, by Berfield, Relating to Hurricane Loss Mitigation Programs Needelman, Relating to Emergency Management Powers/Governor Quinones, Relating to Local Option Surcharge/Motor Vehicle Detert, Relating to Economic Development/Tax Credit Smith, Relating to Gasoline Stations/Power Outage Backup Brandenburg, Relating to "Sexual Predators/Residency Sobel, Relating to Services for Seniors Lopez-Cantera, Relating to Homestead Exemption Increase Reagan, Relating to Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act Carroll, Relating to Eminent Domain/Limitation on Power Barreiro, Relating to Relief/Tuncs/Miami Beach Baker, Relating to Eminent Domain/Limitations on Power King, Jr., Relating to Eminent Domain/Limitation on Power Geller, Relating to Gasoline Stations/Backup Power Atwater, Relating to Consumer Emergency Gasoline Fasano, Relating to Homeowner's Associations Baker, Relating to Emergency Management Powers/Governor Lynn, Relating to Eminent Domain/Limitation of Power Constantine, Relating to Construction Lien Law Posey, Relating to Emergency Management Powers/Governor Geller, Relating to Property Rights/Ineligible Aliens Geller, Relating to Tax Rate/Decrease Geller, Relating to Ad Val Tax/Just Value/Eminent Domain Geller, Relating to Sales & Use Tax Exemption Committee Geller, Relating to Tax Exemption Review Committee Siplin, Relating to Tourist Development Tax Saunders, Relating to Economic Development/Tax Credit Saunders, Relating to Eminent Domain Clary, Relating to Sheltering of Sex Offender/Predator Campbell, Relating to Sovereign Immunity Wilson, Relating to Electric Utility Transmission/Study Webster, Relating to Sales Tax/School Supplies & Clothing Alexander, Relating to FRS/County & Municipal Code Officers Klein, Relating to Property & Casualty Insurance SB 784, by Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations, Relating to Community Contribution Tax Credits SB 792, by Government Efficiency Appropriations, Relating to DORfRetums & Accounts Info./OGSR SB 7024, by Government Efficiency Appropriations, Relating to Sales & Communications Services Tax RU~LEDGE, EOENIA, PU~~J. & HOFFMAN City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 6 SB 7026, by Government Efficiency Appropriations, Relating to Homestead Property SB 7028, by Government Efficiency Appropriations, Relating to Homestead Property. OTHER ISSUES OF INTEREST Insurance There has been considerable discussion on both the state and national level regarding insurance coverage for catastrophic events. On a state level, Citizens Insurance, the state-mn insurer of last resort, faces a $950 million deficit after Hurricane Wilma. Citizens which must by law have rates higher than any other insurer in the state, has announced a 15.4% increase with an increase of 16.25% for homeowners in high risk areas in premiums. Governor Bush told the press recently that Citizens needs to be charged or perhaps, even abolished and that the Florida Legislature needs to look carefully at all aspects of Citizens, including using general tax dollars to back up Citizens instead of assessments on other companies and homeowners. In Washington, Florida Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and Congressman Clay Shaw have filed legislation to create a National Catastrophic Fund. In their proposal, state catastrophic funds would be backed by a federal fund sharing the cost between state and federal governments. On a national level, insurance regulators from California, Florida, Illinois and New York recently asked participants at the National Catastrophic Insurance Summit to revamp the national catastrophic coverage to cover homeowners and renters from all perils except war and terrorism. Growth Management The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, which was established by the growth management bill in the 2005 session, met for the first time on November 14, 2005, in Largo, Florida. This Commission which is directed by the legislation to examine the impact of population growth in Florida over the next 25-50 years conducted an organizational meeting to discuss the scotvz of the Commission responsibility and the legislative intent. ~Xhey also heard two presentations, the first entitled "From New South to Sunbelt: The Emergence of Florida as Mega-State" by Dr. Gary Mormino, Professor of Florida Studies at the University of South Florida, and a presentation by Dr. David Denslo, Professor of Economics at the University of Florida, entitled "Economic Trends." The Commission will meet again in January 2006. The location has not been decided. On November 3, 2005, Governor Bush and Transportation Secretary Denver Stutler announced $3.1 billion in growth management transportation grants to be awarded over the next five years. The following is a list of Miami-Dade projects which were included in the announcement. Palmetto Expressway Central Blvd. To MIA Rail Bridge over Miami Canal $17 million 2008 $48.5 million 2010 $625,000 2006 RU~LEDGE, EOENIA, PURNELL & HOFFMAN City of Miami Beach Monthly Report -November 2005 Page 7 Railroad Track in Medley $770,000 1-75 from Broward line to SR 826 $4 million 2006 2007 Under separate cover, we have forwarded to staff a copy of a model ordinance for "proportionate fair share" developed by the Senate for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida under a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. The 2005 growth management legislation directed local governments to enact concurrency management ordinances by December 1, 2006, that allowed for proportionate share contribution from developers and directed the FDOT to develop a model ordinance by December 1, 2005. The proportionate fair share payment is intended as a 'means to address specific transportation concurrency issues such as a road segment or segments that are operating the adopted level of service standard. This allows the developer to go forward with his project under certain circumstances, even if there is a failure of transportation concurrency by contributing their proportionate fair share of the cost of improving the impact to transportation facility. Rules We have forwarded to staff proposed changes to Rule 1T-I.O01 which makes changes to programs within the Division of Cultural Affairs. We also forwarded to staff proposed rule changes by the Department of Community Affairs for Rule 9G-19, Base Funding for County Emergency Management and Other Emergency Grants. Waste Management Under separate cover, we have forwarded to staff a draft legislative bill from the staff of the Senate Environmental Protection Committee. The bill makes major changes to the Solid Waste Management Act in Florida Statute Chapter 403. LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR December 5 - 9, 2005 January 9- 13, 2006 January 23 - 27, 2006 February 6- 10, 2006 February 13 - 17, 2006 February 20- 24, 2006 March 7, 2006 May 5, 2006 Special Session Interim Committee Meetings Interim Committee Meetings Interim Committee Meetings Interim Committee Meetings Interim Committee Meetings Opening Day of Regular Session Last Day of Regular Session - (Sine Die)