2007-26672 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2007-26672
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING
THE CITY'S PRELIMINARY STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
FOR THE 2008 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 must present its legislative agenda to the Miami-Dade County
Legislative Delegation in December, 2008; 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 preliminary State
Legislative Agenda for the 2008 Session of the Florida Legislature be approved, as more
specifically set forth in the attached Exhibit A.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 17th
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Robert Parcher
T:VIGENDA~2007WCT770TREGULARISTATE LEGISLATNE PRIORITIES RESO.DOC
~~„~
APPROVED AS TO
FORM 8~ LANGUAGE
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
n _._r.........J T:N..•
V VIIVCII~CU ~ ~~~c.
A RESOLUTION PRELIMINARILY APPROVING THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2008
SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
(ey Intended Outcome
Supports Multiple KIOs
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.):
The quality of the beaches appears as one of the most important areas affecting quality of life; 75% of
residents rated overall quality of beaches as excellent or good; and the overall quality of beaches is a
key driver of residents overall quality of life and City services for tax dollars paid. More recreational
opportunities is ranked by residents as one of the changes that will make Miami Beach a better place
to live; Storm drainage catch basins (6,000) cleaning city wide. Improving infrastructure was listed
number 5 in important safety areas for the City to address; City Services for tax dollars paid appeared
as a key area for improvement for resident's perception of the City of Miami Beach as a place to live
and their overall ualit of life.
Issue:
Shall the City Commission preliminarily approve the City's State Legislative Agenda?
Item Summary/Kecommenaation:
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the preliminary list of
priorities for the 2008 session of the Florida Legislature, which will begin next March. Due to certain time
constraints, this list will be presented for approval as the City's preliminary 2008 legislative agenda at the
October 17, 2007 City Commission meeting. The final legislative agenda will be presented at the January
City Commission meeting. The preliminary list is not all-inclusive; some items require further discussion by
the City Commission, such as additional legislative initiatives regarding property tax reform.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
Financial Infnrmatinn'
Source of Amount Account
Funds: ~
N/A 2
3
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
Cit Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Kevin Crowder, Economic Development, extension 6186
Si n-Offs:
t Director As t f City Manager City Manager
U ~ v
~~ ~~ AGENDA ITEIUI G7G-
aA~l= !O / 7 0 7
m MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beath, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor David Dermer and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: October 17, 2007
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, PRELIMINARILY APPROVING THE CITY'S
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 2008 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
On September 25, 2007,LTC No. 214-2007 was transmitted to the Mayor and City
Commission, providing an update on the City's State Legislative Issues, and a preliminary
2008 legislative agenda. Attached is the preliminary list of priorities for the 2008 session of
the Florida Legislature that will begin on March 4, 2008.
This year, there are a number of time constraints that impact the City's process of
development and approval of the legislative agenda. Each year, the City must present an
agenda at a public meeting of the Miami-Dade Delegation in December. This year, the City's
lobbyists will not be able to meet with each Commissioner until sometime in December,
following the November election. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that a final legislative agenda
will be ready for Commission action at the December 12, 2007 City Commission meeting.
For this reason, the attached list is presented for approval as the City's preliminary 2008
legislative agenda at the October 17, 2007 City Commission meeting. The final legislative
agenda will be presented at the January City Commission meeting. The preliminary list is not
all-inclusive; some items require further discussion by the City Commission, such as
additional legislative initiatives regarding property tax reform. Below, please find the
anticipated schedule:
October 17, 2007 Preliminary approval of the Legislative Agenda
November 6 & 20, 2007 Election Day and Run-Off Election
Late Nov -Early Dec Commission meetings with the City's lobbyists
December Presentation of Agenda to the Dade Delegation
December Commission Committee discussion of specific issues
January 2008 Final City Commission approval of the Legislative Agenda
January 29, 2008 Election: Primary and Super-Homestead Exemption
March 4, 2008 Opening Day of the 2008 Regular Session
Commission Memorandum
October 17, 2007
State Legislative Priorities
The Administration will also meet with the Quality in Education Committee in November and
December and will present their education-related legislative recommendations as part of
the City's final legislative agenda at the January 2008 City Commission meeting.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution
approvi the City's preliminary legislative agenda for the 2008 session of the Florida
Legisl ur .
JMG /kc
Attachment
Attachment A
m MIAi1~,,iBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Economic Development Department, 305.673.7193
PRELIMINARY 2008 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Citywide Wireless Network
Oppose legislation that will limit or prohibit the City's ability to move forward with
this project.
Condominium Reform
1. Create a conduit financing mechanism for major condominium repairs;
2. Reduce initial recertification requirement for condominium buildings from forty to
twenty years, with renewal every ten years thereafter;
3. Authorize local government to require that condominium associations provide
confirmation that all unit owners have been noticed of all common area code
violations, prior to occupational license renewal.
Bert J. Harris Act
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.
Convention Center Sales Tax Refund
The City supports the introduction and passage of legislation in the Florida
Legislature that will return 50% of the sales taxes remitted by eligible convention
centers to the municipality that owns the center for economic development
purposes.
Hurricane and Windstorm Mitigation
Expand the eligibility criteria for the My Safe Florida Homes Program to include
hurricane mitigation measures for multi-family buildings. (Resolution No. 2006-
26302)
Create a grant program that assists multi-family buildings in complying with the
alternative power source requirement of Section 553.509, Florida Statutes.
(Resolution No. 2006-26302)
Protection of Ocean Lifeguards
Amend Chapter 784.07, F.S., to include `Ocean Lifeguards' for purposes of
certain enhanced penalties imposed for assault or battery. In the past, there have
been incidents where ocean lifeguards were assaulted on the beach while in the
course of doing their jobs. 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, by increasing the classification of the offense from a
misdemeanor of the second degree to a misdemeanor of the first degree in the
case of assault and from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the
third degree in the case of battery.
2008 Florida Legislative Priorities
Page 2 of 3
Cellular Telephones
Pursuant to Resolution 2006-26241, the City of Miami Beach urges the Florida
Legislature to change Florida law to preclude cellular telephone usage by motor
vehicle operators while located in a school zone.
Equal Rights Amendment
Pursuant to Resolution No. 2006-26130, the Legislature should ratify the
proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Water Safety
Pursuant to Resolution No. 2006-26413, the City supports strengthening of
vessel safety regulations with regard to personal flotation device requirements to
conform to federal regulations that are stricter with regard to child age
requirements and vessel length.
Adoption
Pursuant to Resolution, the City urges the Florida Legislature to abolish the
restriction against homosexual adoption contained in Florida Statutes.
Renewable Energy
Research innovative programs and funding opportunities for potential renewable
energy initiatives in Miami Beach. Follow the recommendations of the House
Energy Committee.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
COMMUNITY BUDGET ISSUE REQUESTS (CBIR):
Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements
The City will submit a CBIR to seek funding assistance for stormwater
infrastructure improvements.
Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
The City will submit a CBIR to seek funding assistance for wastewater
infrastructure improvements.
Drinking Water System Infrastructure Improvements
The City will submit a CBIR to seek funding assistance for drinking water
infrastructure improvements.
Historic Preservation
The City seek funding assistance for the continued preservation and
enhancement of the City's archives.
Other Miami Beach Funding
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.
2008 Florida Legislative Priorities
Page 3 of 3
GRANT PROGRAMS:
Support full funding of City projects in the FY 08 Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program and Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant Program, and for City projects
submitted through Miami-Dade County to the State of Florida's FY 07/08
Domestic Security Program.
Create a grant program that assists in compliance with Section 558.509, F.S.
(Alternative Power Source for certain multi-family buildings).
The City supports full funding of recreation, cultural arts and historic preservation
programs.
STATE BUDGET ISSUES:
Affordable Housing
The City supports removal of the cap on the Sadowski Act Trust Funds and an
increase of the funding available.
Beach Renourishment
Fully fund beach renourishment at $30 million.
Hurricane Mitigation /Property Insurance
Adequately fund free inspections and matching grants for hurricane mitigation
improvements to multi-family buildings (apartments and condos).
Create a grant program that assists multi-family buildings in complying with the
alternative power source requirement of Section 553.509, Florida Statutes.
Entertainment Industry Incentives
The City supports full funding of the Entertainment Industry Incentive Fund.
PENDING ISSUES
Property Tax Reform
The Administration will continue to provide the City Commission with information
related to property tax reform, for additional Commission discussion as this issue
evolves through an October 2007 special session and as the 2008 regular
session approaches.
Quality of Education Committee ~ School Board Issues
The Administration will continue discussion with the Quality of Education
Committee and will present recommendations for education priorities as part of
the City's final legislative agenda in January 2008.
Other Issues
The Administration will continue to monitor other issues that may require
evaluation by the City Commission prior to Commission consideration of the final
legislative agenda in January 2008..