Book 61 Page 31770 03/29/10 8:30 A.M. MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE SARASOTA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH PORT, THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SARASOTA, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VENICE, AND THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY OF MARCH 29, 2010 PRESENT: Sarasota Board of County Commissioners: Chair Joseph Barbetta, Vice Chair Nora Patterson, Commissioners Carolyn Mason, Shannon Staub, and Jon Thaxton, County Administrator Jim Ley, County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh, and Deputy Clerk Paula Clintsman Longboat Key Town Commission: None North Port City Commission: Chair David Garofalo (arrived at 10:00 a.m.), Vice Chair Jim Blucher, Commissioners Tom Jones, and Michael Treubert, City Manager Steven S. Crowell, Jr., Assistant City Attorney Sarah Blackwell, and City Clerk Helen Raimbeau Sarasota City Commission: Mayor Richard Clapp, Vice Mayor Kelly M. Kirschner, Commissioners Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, Suzanne Atwell, and Terry Turner, City Manager Robert J. Bartolotta, Assistant City Attorney Michael Connolly, and Deputy City Auditor and Clerk Karen D. McGowan Venice City Council: Mayor Ed Martin, Vice Mayor Ernie Zavodnyik, Council Members Emilio Carlesimo (arrived at 8:59 a.m.), Sue Lang, Kit McKeon, John Moore, City Manager Isaac Turner, and City Deputy Clerk Judy Gamel ABSENT: Longboat Key Town Commission: Mayor George Spoll, Vice Mayor Jim Brown, Commissioners David Brenner, Gene Jaleski, Lynn Larson, Hal Lenobel, Robert Siekmann, Town Manager Bruce St. Dennis, and Town Attorney David Persson North Port City Commission: Commissioner Vanessa Carusone Venice City Council: Council Member Jim Bennett and City Attorney Robert Anderson The meeting was called to order by Sarasota Board of County Commissioner (BCC) Chair Joe Barbetta at 8:30 a.m. at the Venice Community Center. Members of the Boards introduced themselves and their affiliation. Chair Barbetta stated that Venice Council Member Jim Bennett is not in attendance due to illness. 1. FINANCIAL PLANNING: OVERVIEW OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT OBJECTIVES (AGENDA ITEM 1.A) AND FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE COUNTY (AGENDA ITEM 1.B) AND FINANCIAL PLANNING: DISCUSSION ON COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS REGARDING THE JOB CREATION TAX EXEMPTION REFERENDUM (AGENDA ITEM 1.C) Chief Planning Officer Jeffrey Seward, Sarasota County, came before the Boards and gave a computer- generated presentation included in the Agenda backup material concerning an overview of the County's economic development initiatives which focus on the creation of jobs and also the events and key dates for a referendum for an economic development ad valorem tax abatement incentive; and stated that the ad valorem tax abatement program will extend to tangible personal property in the City of Sarasota's Community Redevelopment Area due to the bond covenants in the Community Redevelopment Area up to the year 2016. Sarasota Vice Mayor Kirschner stated that County Staff should address the City of Sarasota's Newtown Community Redevelopment (CRA) which extends for an additional 20 years. North Port Vice Chair Blucher stated that the County is requested to consider creation of a Community Redevelopment Area in the City of North Port. Venice Council Member Lang stated that language to address current businesses which have rehired laid-off employees in any proposed ad valorem tax abatement program. 2. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF NORTH PORT (AGENDA ITEM 2.A) Economic Development Manager Allan Lane, City of North Port, came before the Boards and gave a computer-generated presentation included in the Agenda backup material of the economic development activities in the City of North Port including the mission and vision of the City of North Port, the business and economic development goals, and the purpose and creation of the Business and Economic Development Advisory Board. North Port City Manager Crowell stated that copies of the Imagine North Port Citizen Master Plan, which is available of the City's website, will be distributed to the members of the Boards. BCC Vice Chair Patterson stated that Manatee County has substantially lowered impact fees; that local jurisdictions may wish to consider lowering impact fees; that the future plans of forecasted development of facilities should be discussed with the School Board of Sarasota County. BCC Commissioner Staub stated that flexible impact fees should be considered for certain types of development which target economic development. 3. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF VENICE (AGENDA ITEM 3.A) Venice City Manager Turner gave a computer-generated slide presentation included in the Agenda backup material concerning the current and planned economic development activities for the City of Venice and stated that partnerships have been formed with the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation, the School Board of Sarasota County, the Venice Chamber of Commerce, the Venice Main Street Program, and the Venice Economic Development Task Force. In response to a question from Sarasota Vice Mayor Kirschner concerning the activities of the Venice Economic Development Task Force (Task Force), Venice Mayor Martin stated that the Task Force has been helpful in addressing economic development in Venice, particularly the development of the Venice Municipal Airport area; Venice Council Member McKeon stated that the goal is to utilize the expertise of the Task Force members to foster economic development; and Venice Council Member Lang stated that the City of Venice has applied to participate in the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program which will help get the unemployed back to work. BCC Commissioner Staub stated that the City of Venice and the County of Sarasota County should collaborate to provide for the possible future expansion of the Jacaranda Industrial Center located at Jacaranda Boulevard, east of Interstate 75. BCC Commissioner Thaxton stated that the Commissioners and Council Members are requested to contact legislators in support of the pending PACE Bill to provide for financing and to encourage not Book 61 Page 31771 03/29/10 8:30 A.M. Book 61 Page 31772 03/29/10 8:30 A.M. including the provisions of the PACE Bill in other energy initiatives, which may not be successful due to the burdensome nature of other regulations. 4. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF SARASOTA (AGENDA ITEM 4.A) Sarasota City Manager Bartolotta distributed copies of slides and gave a computer-generated presentation concerning the Sarasota City Commission's priorities of Transportation and Mobility, Budget and Finance, Quality of Life, Environmental Sustainability, and Economic Development and Recovery and associated measurable goals for the priorities; and stated that the City of Sarasota in cooperation with Sarasota County is actively pursuing the establishment of Sarasota as a high speed network community with Google, Inc. In response to a question from Venice Vice Mayor Zavodnyik concerning the Institute of the Ages proposed by Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence (SCOPE), Mr. Bartolotta stated that SCOPE will be presenting the results of a study concerning the concept in the near future, followed by fundraising; that the concept which is a high-powered, think-tank institution is intriguing. BCC Commissioner Staub stated that parking in the Downtown area is at a premium; that the parking lot at the County Administration Building at 1660 Ringling Boulevard is available for the public after working hours and on the weekends. In response to a question from Sarasota Mayor Clapp concerning the availability of parking at the Selby Public Library, County Administrator Ley stated that parking is limited to hours but not to use. 5. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE SARASOTA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU (SCVB)A AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC) (AGENDA ITEM 6.A) Chair Richard Bradshaw, Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, and President Kathy Baylis, Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and Member C.J. Fishman, Governance Committee, and Executive Director Virginia Haley, Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB), came before the Board. Mr. Bradshaw gave a computer-generated presentation concerning the mission of the SCVB. Mr. Fishman continued the computer-generated presentation concerning the mission of the EDC. Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Fishman commented on the successes of the SCVC and the EDC and the cooperative work effort between the two organizations. Sarasota Vice Mayor Kirschner stated that the SCVB and the EDC is requested to share newspaper articles for posting on governmental websites. Sarasota Mayor Clapp stated that a superior educational program is necessary in the area to attract people and business to relocate to the area. In response to a comment from Sarasota Vice Mayor Kirschner concerning a marketing effort for the proposed property tax abatement program, Ms. Baylis stated that the EDC is working aggressively towards passage of the proposed property tax abatement program; that a marketing program regarding the incentives will be developed and actively pursued upon passage of the program by the State Legislature. BCC Vice Chair Patterson stated that the Arts Council plays a major role in making the community special and should be included in all discussions concerning economic development. North Port Vice Chair Blucher stated that a representative of the performing and decorative acts should be included in the County's tourism promotional efforts. Ms. Haley stated that Condor Airlines is considering providing direct service to Frankfurt, Germany, from the Sarasota/Manatee International Airport. Sarasota Vice Mayor Kirschner stated that the Suncoast Off-Coast Grand Prix shortfall is $80,000 to $90,000 for a non-for-profit event; that all the communities in the region benefit; that consideration should be given to utilizing some of the additional one half cent of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds to help offset the cost of the event. BCC Vice Chair Patterson stated that someone will review the proposal with the TDC to determine if promotional funds may available. North Port Commissioner Treubert stated that regional sports activities such as youth sports, collegiate sports are also economic drivers; that special events should spread out throughout the County SO all the local jurisdictions can benefit. 6. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (AGENDA ITEM7) The following people came before the Boards: Peter Straw, Sarasota/Manatee Counties Area Manufacturers Association, indicating the governments should think regionally and strategically, work with each other for the common good of all, transparency and partnerships are important to the success of the region, and an attractive business plan should be developed to create jobs. Steve Queior, President of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, indicating economic development should be a regional focus and requires funding for schools, quality education, and utilizing existing and future tools, the four areas of focus for the Chamber are: 1) the expansion of Panama Canal and free-trade zone and the resulting opportunities for Sarasota and Manatee Counties, 2) the leveraging sports access, i.e., baseball, rowing, swimming, golf, kayaking, bird-watching, and Frisbee, 3) intercity best practices, and 4) the website energzemyiz.com of the Florida Gulf Coast Regional Business Center, a virtual tool to help many small and larger businesses develop in the area. Kerry Kirschner, Executive Director of the Argus Foundation, congratulating the Boards on the initiative on the tax abatement program, which will give the greatest competitive advantage to the West Coast of Florida, and indicating the greatest need is for jobs and continued affordability, the Coalition of Business Associations is a unified group, encouraging the jurisdictions to cooperate to make government more affordable, conduct services collectively to save money, and consolidate government operations. Don O'Connell, resident of the City of Venice, indicating the cooperation of City and County of Sarasota on many projects is impressive, however, a lack of interest concerning North Port and Venice is noted, the Cities of North Port and Venice are encouraged to be as effective as the City of Sarasota in lobbying efforts. Peter Bartolotta, Interim Executive Director, Vision North Port, which coordinated preparation of the Imagine North Port - Citizen Master Plan, indicating cooperation of resources for the district is important, a web of resources should be developed throughout the County, and describing some of the initiatives of Vision North Port in facilitating economic development. Fred Tower, III, indicating regionalism is important, the effect of impact fees, the importance of retraining in new job areas, the extent of public participation in the Imagine North Port Citizen Master Plan, which included over 1,000 people, and the importance of development of a U.S. 41 corridor plan from River to Cortez Road. Book 61 Page 31773 03/29/10 8:30 A.M. Book 61 Page 31774 03/29/10 8:30 A.M. Bruce Dillon, representing Friends of the Legacy Trail, thanking the City of Venice for support of the recent Second Anniversary of the Tour de Parks in Venice and Sarasota which was headquartered at the Venice train station, and indicating partnering with the City of Venice and Sarasota County for signage to the Venice train station and the event is encouraged. Venice Mayor Martin stated that wayfinding is important in directing visitors; that a number of ways could be developed to direct visitors to the historic downtown and other venues. 7. OTHER BUSINESS (AGENDA ITEM 8) 1. North Port Chair Garofalo stated that the North Port City Commissioners are requested to authorize a letter to the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee of the Florida State Legislature encouraging passage of the reauthorization of the Florida Clean Estuaries Act. North Port Chair Garofalo noted consensus of the North Port City Commissioners to approve the letter to the T&I Committee of the Florida State Legislature. 2. County Administrator Ley stated that the BCC directed County Staff to prepare a U.S. 41 corridor study, which is in being developed and will be presented to the BCC in the near future. 3. BCC Commissioner Staub stated that the County is willing to help the cities in Sarasota County with economic development activities; that the municipalities should present the Council of Governments with any recommendations or proposed activities. 4. Sarasota Commissioner Atkins stated that other jurisdictions have indicated an enviousness of the investment in the greater Newtown area, which is excellent after many years of neglect; that the Sarasota City Commission decided north Sarasota is the City's first priority. 5. BCC Vice Chair Patterson stated that the meeting was productive and the Boards should come together again in six to nine months for a continuing discussion. 6. BCC Commissioner Thaxton encouraged everyone in Sarasota County to buy locally to help stimulate the economy. 8. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM 9) BCC Chair Barbetta adjourned the Special Convocation of Governments meeting of March 29, 2010, at 11:10 a.m. OTA ldadl RICHARD C CLAPP, MAYOR EST: CHE KARENDMEGOWAN, DEPUTY CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK