MINUTES OF THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION, NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION, VENICE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY COMMISSION OF JULY 1, 2015 PRESENT: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION - Mayor Willie Charles Shaw, Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Commissioners Liz Alpert, Susan Chapman, and Shelli Freeland Eddie, City Manager Thomas Barwin, City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini, and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION - Mayor Rhonda DiFranco, Vice Mayor Jacqueline Moore, Commissioners Cheryl Cook, Tom Jones, and Linda Yates, City Manager Jonathan Lewis, City Attorney Mark Moriarty, and City Clerk Helen Raimbeau VENICE CITY COUNCIL - Mayor John Holic, Council Members Deborah Anderson, Jim Bennett, Emilio Carlesimo, and Kit McKeon, City Manager Edward Lavallee; and Assistant City Clerk Heather Taylor TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY COMMISSION - Mayor Jack Duncan, Commissioners Irwin Pastor (left at 3:34 p.m.) and Phill Younger, City Manager Dave Bullock, and Deputy Town Clerk Jo Ann Mixon ABSENT: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION - None NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION - None VENICE CITY COUNCIL - Vice Mayor Jeanette Gates and Council Member Bob Daniels TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY COMMISSION - Vice Mayor Terry Gans, Commissioners Lynn Larson, Jack Daly, and Pat Zunz INVOCATION: City Auditor and Clerk Nadalini PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Shaw Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. 1. PRESENTATION RE: WELCOME (AGENDA ITEM 1) Mayor Shaw welcomed the attendees and requested the Mayors of each of the municipalities introduce themselves and the Commission and Council Members and each attendee provide al brief background. Mayor Shaw recognized Commissioner Charles Hines, Sarasota Board of County Commissioners, Danny Bilyeu, Field Representative for Sarasota, Desoto, and Charlotte Counties for Congressman Vern Buchanan, Florida District 13, and Mark Huey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation. 2. INTRODUCTION RE: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION. NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION, VENICE CITY COUNCIL, AND TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY COMMISSION (AGENDA ITEM 2) The Mayors of each of the municipalities introduced themselves and the Commissioners and Council Members and each attendee gave a brief summary of their backgrounds. 3. DISCUSSION RE: TRANSPORTATION ISSUES - TRANSIT: MOBILITY: LONG-TERM ROAD PLANS THAT WILL AFFECT EACH CITY (AGENDA ITEMS 1.1 (a)(b)(c)) Book 63 Page 35257 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. Book 63 Page 35258 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. Discussion ensued concerning declining Gas Tax revenues, multi-modal transportation, Mobility Fees, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT), use of alternative means of transportation, bus headways, a Seasonal Master Transportation Plan, reliance on vehicles, convenience of public transportation, frequency of bus routes, commuting to work, mobility studies, expansion of bus routes, subsidies for public transit, analysis of traffic routes, "pinch points" in traffic, the Traffic Summit in the City of Sarasota, the format of transportation meetings, urbanization of cities, complexities of traffic and mobility processes, "low-hanging fruit" traffic solutions, opportunities for support from partners, transportation from the airport, process for creating results, implementation strategies, short- and mid-term solutions, action-oriented plans, communicating with the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), evacuation routes, tasks of Emergency Management Offices, addressing evacuation safety, immediacy of transportation solutions, congestion management, the County 2040 Plan, Federal funding, transportation to and from the barrier islands, traffic signalization, successes in communities, development of roundabouts, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), State regulation of TNCS, and the automobile-centric culture. A motion was made by Sarasota Commissioner Chapman and seconded by North Port Commissioner Cook to direct Staff to develop a list of issues the municipalities could address and consider Mobility Fees in a more comprehensive manner and to ask the jurisdictions which do not have a quorum to take back to their governing bodies the same direction. Sarasota: Motion carried unanimously North Port: Motion carried unanimously Venice: Motion carried unanimously 4. DISCUSSION RE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: UPDATE ON WHAT EACH CITY IS DOING, AREAS WHERE WE CAN COORDINATE AND COOPERATE (AGENDA ITEM 1.2) Discussion ensued concerning restructuring of economic development, business advocacy, one point of contact, standards of economic development, urban expansion, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), approaches to increase economic development, collaboration, best practices, collaboration between Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the excitement of a regional approach, the Economic Development Advisory Board, funding of marketing, Tax Rebate funds, large events, hotel development, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), development of residential uses, affordable housing, encouragement and zoning for affordable housing, attracting companies to the region, ready-built space for business purposes, vacancy rates for office space, local information for regional development, the importance of tourism, density to promote rental units, targeting younger residents, business improvement districts, the economic opportunity crisis, providing jobs for the minority community, land use codes as a catalyst for economic development, length of the permitting process, time as money, economic drivers, workforce development, Suncoast Technical College, a collaboration with partners, marketing, large events compared to community events, workforce housing, the EDC retreat, companies bringing workforce with relocation, regionalization of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, density experiments, definitions of workforce and affordable housing, legislation of workforce or affordable housing, the necessity for workforce housing to be affordable, low-income housing, smaller units in mixed use areas, walk-to-work housing, and the necessity for convenient and frequent transportation. Sarasota Mayor Shaw stated that the following topics have been discussed: Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Affordable housing Ready-built space Density experiment of the Rosemary District in Sarasota Economic opportunity Workforce development Marketing Tourism A motion was made by Venice Council Member McKeon and seconded by Sarasota Commissioner Alpert to direct staff to bring back information to the Commissions and Council concerning the eight points identified by Sarasota Mayor Shaw. Sarasota: Motion carried unanimously North Port: Motion carried unanimously Venice: Motion carried unanimously 5. DISCUSSION RE: COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS: OPPORTUNITY TO COORDINATE PROJECTS AND POSSIBLY SAVE MONEY (AGENDA ITEM 1.3) Discussion ensued concerning dredging, the increasing cost of dredging, opportunities to plan in a coordinated manner, spreading costs over communities, early planning, the legislative mandate of the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND), WCIND as a coordinating entity, mobilization for beach renourishment, the cost of mobilization, opportunities for synergy, spreading costs over numerous municipalities, realization of significant potential savings, pilot programs, State and Federal lobbyists, regionalization of contracts, support of all the municipalities, evaluation of new processes to mitigate the loss of sand, sand as a commodity, sand sources, economies of scale, global warming, sea-level rise, strategic thinking regarding sea-level rise, planning infrastructure, dredging equipment, early-stage planning, interlocal agreements, coordination of types of dredging, pressure on inlets, Federal and State action, action by elected officials, working with the counties, the importance of beaches, projective long- term visioning, studies by beach engineering companies, the movement of sand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) model for sea-level rise, danger on the bays regarding sea-level rise, management of sea-level rise, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), public improvement projects, and the involvement of regional planning agencies. A motion was made by Venice Council Member Carlesimo and seconded by Venice Council Member Bennett to direct Staff to investigate methods to maximize the dredging process, a form for mobilization, scheduling dredging to spread cost, a greater coordination between the municipalities, to initiate a discussion of global warming and sea-level rise, and to consider the possibility of a presentation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Sarasota: Motion carried unanimously North Port: Motion carried unanimously Venice: Motion carried unanimously 6. DISCUSSION RE: PARKS AND FUNDING FOR PARKS (AGENDAI ITEM 1.4) Discussion ensued concerning the impact of parks on economic development, park districts, the County Parks and Recreation Master Plan, interlocal agreements regarding parks, programming in parks, support of parks and recreational programs, sustainable programs, preservation of trees, collaboration with planning, connectivity of parks, interfacing with developers, expansion of the types of trees protected, Strategic Plans, preservation of natural spaces, tree canopy, investment of funds for parks, greenways, linear parks, expanding arterials and collectors, bicycle lanes, multi-modal transportation, utilization of linear parkways for walking, jogging, etc., Federal grants, drainage and flooding prevention grants, the Carlton Preserve, bridges on regional trails, availability of Federal funding, the Legacy Trail, and lot trades. Sarasota Mayor Shaw noted the consensus of the Commissions and Council to extend the meeting beyond 4:30 p.m. The following person spoke: Shawn Pierson indicating economic development includes sports, historic and cultural tourism, lot trades as an excellent concept, empowering of Advisory Boards, sea-level rise, the Bayfront 2020 Plan, an Book 63 Page 35259 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. Book 63 Page 35260 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. emphasis on sea-level rise, advice concerning undergrounding of utilities, and the importance of diverse perspectives. Sarasota Mayor Shaw stated that the concepts for further consideration are parks, a coordinated effort among the municipalities in support of parks, tree preservation, mixed uses, best practices of North Port, blueways, sharing of the North Port Strategic Plan, North Water Tower Park, tree canopies, quality of life, the innovation of North Port regarding proactive purchase and trade, the exchange of language of tree ordinances. A motion was made by Sarasota Commissioner Freeland Eddie and seconded by Sarasota Vice Mayor Atwell to direct Staff to address the concepts enumerated by Sarasota Mayor Shaw. Sarasota: Motion carried unanimously North Port: Motion carried unanimously Venice: Motion carried unanimously 7. DISCUSSION RE: ADDITIONAL ISSUES FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION (AGENDA ITEM 1.5) VENICE COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEON: A. stated that water was not discussed but should be; that Florida does not have enough water; that the long-term needs for water in the region and the state should be considered. SARASOTA COMMISSIONER FREELAND EDDIE: A. stated that a regional response to the homeless crisis should be discussed; that a regional conversation should be held. SARASOTA VICE MAYOR ATWELL: A. stated that the County should be invited to participate in future meetings of the municipalities. NORTH PORT VICE MAYOR MOORE: A. stated that three concepts are important: 1) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) jobs 2) the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Report and 3) early childhood development. SARASOTA MAYOR SHAW: A. stated that the current meeting of the municipalities is a right given under Section 166.0213, Florida Statutes; that the meeting was a right given to the participating municipalities and is not intended as a disregard to Sarasota County. NORTH PORT COMMISSIONER COOK: A. stated that relocation of utilities is another important issue; that the utilities companies are attempting to mandate municipalities pay to relocate utility lines which could devastate some communities. VENICE COUNCIL MEMBER CARLESIMO: A. stated that the question was raised about what the County has done concerning a particular issue; that all the County Commissioners should be included to obtain the County Commissioners' perspective. Sarasota Mayor Shaw stated that the questions raised would not have surfaced without the current meeting of the municipalities; that an interlocal meeting with the County can be arranged; that the current meeting afforded the opportunity to gain comradery and participate together in discussions. NORTH PORT COMMISSIONER YATES: A. stated that the conversations are appreciated; that the value of the County's participation is also appreciated; that inviting the County is supported. NORTH PORT MAYOR DIFRANCO: A. stated that the City of Sarasota is thanked for hosting the meeting; that a meeting of the municipalities has been discussed for many years; that the conversation with the other municipalities was desired. Sarasota Mayor Shaw stated that a future meeting should include discussions regarding the availability of water, deep water injection wells, the regional nature of the homeless issue, and regional facilities. A motion was made by North Port Mayor DiFranco and seconded by Venice Council Member McKeon to include on the Agenda of a future meeting the availability of water, deep water injection wells, the regional nature of the homeless issue, and regional facilities. Sarasota: Motion carried unanimously North Port: Motion carried unanimously Venice: Motion carried unanimously Mayor Shaw stated that collaboration requires courage; that courage builds character; that courage is what makes Sarasota a great county with the great cities, municipalities, and townships in which everyone lives. 8. CITIZENS' INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS (AGENDA ITEM II) The following people spoke: Tara Poulton, Government Affairs Manager of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), indicating SWFWMD is entering its annual cooperative funding initiative, the municipalities are encouraged to apply for grants for funding of up to 50 percent for water projects, the deadline is October 2015, nformation concerning the grants and an August 2015 webinar will be distributed to the municipalities. Millie Small indicating regional facilities are important, the City of Sarasota doubles the population during the day which must be supported by infrastructure such as roadways, the City hosts many workers daily, many different departments in the City are involved in large events in the City, more people come into the City for the cultural amenities than live in the City. Book 63 Page 35261 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. Book 63 Page 35262 07/01/15 2:30 P.M. 9. ADJOURN (AGENDA ITEM IV) Mayor Shaw adjourned the Joint Special Meeting of the Municipalities in Sarasota County of July 1, 2015, at 4:49 p.m. 4 kuw a - : 3 MAYOR WILLIE CHARLES SHAW ATTEST: PoNayo Wodsb PAMELA M. NADALINI, MBA, CMC CITY AUDITOR AND CLERK