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 JANUARY 19, 2011 PRESENT: Sarasota Board of County Commissioners: Chair Nora Patterson, Vice Chair Carolyn Mason, Commissioners Joseph A. Barbetta, Christine Robinson, and Jon Thaxton, Chief Financial Planning Officer Jeffrey Seward, and Deputy County Attorney Kathleen Schneider Longboat Key Town Commission: Mayor George Spoll and Vice Mayor Jim Brown North Port City Commission: Chair Jim Blucher, Vice Chair Tom Jones, Commissioners David Garofalo, Michael Treubert, and Linda Yates, Interim City Manager Terry Lewis, City Attorney Robert Robinson, and City Clerk Helen Raimbeau Sarasota City Commission: Mayor Kelly M. Kirschner, Commissioners Suzanne Atwell and Richard Clapp, City Manager Robert J. Bartolotta, Assistant City Attorney Michael Connolly, and Deputy City Auditor and Clerk Karen D. McGowan Venice City Council: Mayor John Holic, Vice Mayor Kit McKeon, Council Members Jim Bennett, Emilio Carlesimo, Bob Daniels, Jeanette Gates, and City Manager Isaac Turner ABSENT: Longboat Key Town Commission: Commissioners David Brenner, Gene Jaleski, Lynn Larson, Hal Lenobel, Robert Siekmann, Phil Younger, Town Manager Bruce St. Dennis, and Town Attorney David Persson North Port City Commission: None Sarasota City Commission: Vice Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins and Commissioner Terry Turner Venice City Council: John Moore The meeting was called to order by Sarasota Board of County Commissioner (BCC) Chair Nora Patterson at 9:00 a.m. at the Venice Community Center. Members of the Boards introduced themselves and their affiliation. BCC Chair Patterson recognized Senator Nancy Detert, Florida Senate, District 13 and Andres Malave, Legislative Assistant for Representative Doug Holder, Florida House of Representatives, District 70, present at the Joint Meeting. Ms. Detert gave a presentation concerning the methods which will be considered by Florida Governor Rick Scott to reduce the State's $3 billion deficit including unemployment compensation, the creation of new. jobs, and possible merger of entities to reduce administrative costs. 1. FINANCIAL PLANNING: OVERVIEW OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT II OBJECTIVES (AGENDA ITEM 1.A) AND FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE COUNTY (AGENDA ITEM1.B) AND Book 61 Page 32104 01/19/11 8:30 A.M. Book 61 Page 32105 01/19/11 8:30 A.M. FINANCIAL PLANNING: DISCUSSION ON COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS REGARDING THE JOB CREATION TAX EXEMPTION REFERENDUM (AGENDA ITEM 1.C) Chief Financial 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, the recently approved economic development ad valorem tax abatement incentive; the use of economic development incentive funds, and proposed initiatives for economic development. 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 concerning business and economic development goals including a small business assistance program and marketing and the incentives offered to recruit businesses to the City of North Port; and displayed examples of advertising on the monitor. 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 economic development victories over the past year, the current and planned economic development activities for the City of Venice, and the partnerships formed by the City of Venice; and stated that the City of Venice has expanded meetings with stakeholders. BCC Chair Patterson recognized Danny Bilyeu, Field Representative for Congressman Vern Buchanan, U.S. House of Representatives, 13th District of Florida, present at the Joint Meeting. 4. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CITY OF SARASOTA (AGENDA ITEM 4.A) Sarasota Mayor Kirschner stated that the Commission would like to schedule a Joint Workshop with the BCC to finalize a new 10-year Interlocal Agreement for Park and Recreational Services which is set to expire in March 2011; that the City will be placing an item concerning immigration initiatives being addressed by the Federal government on the Agenda of the February 7, 2011, Regular Commission meeting to take a similar stance to the stance taken by the State of Utah by the passing of the Utah Compact; that the County and municipalities are encouraged to discuss the issue at their upcoming meetings. Sarasota City Manager Bartolotta gave a computer-generated presentation included in the Agenda backup material 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, the progress reports for select objectives such as the Palm Avenue Parking Garage, baseball spring training, and ad valorem tax exemptions; economic development programs and projects such as the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Grant and the Newtown Storefront Grant Program; capital projects such as the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex and the Sarasota Police Department Headquarters; community partnerships with improvement districts in the City and the Suncoast Workforce Board, Inc., and Jobs etc.; youth programs, the Florida Brownfield Redevelopment Program, and the Bayfront Connectivity Planning. 5. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY (AGENDA ITEM 5.A) Longboat Key Mayor George Spoll gave an overview concerning the creation of a vision plan to replace hotel rooms lost as a result of the demise of the Holiday Inn and other Hotels on Longboat Key, an application for the addition of 85 hotel rooms to the Hilton, the expansion and renovation of the Longboat Key Club, the rehabilitation of the Avenue of the Flowers Shopping Center, development of the Whitney Beach Shopping Center by the new owner, the development of a new structure for The Colony Tennis Resort, the construction of a community center, and the controversy of the beach renourishment. 6. FINANCIAL PLANNING: UPDATE ON CURRENT AND PLANNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE SARASOTA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU (SCVB) AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC) (AGENDA ITEM 6.A) Mark Becker, Chair of the Board of Directors and Marketing and Sales Director Ann Zavorskas, Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB), came before the Board. Mr. Becker gave a computer-generated presentation included in the Agenda backup material concerning the role of the SCVB, a report of Quarter 1 of fiscal year (FY) 2010/11 compared to FY 2009/10, the BP oil spill, CoporateMesingsGioup: leisure trends, the Sarasota industry outlook for vacation and group bookings, tourism marketing, investment in marketing, campaigns and items proposed for 2011 such as the launch of new ecotourism campaign and the placement of a kiosk at Ed Smith Stadium, and positives for the future. In response to comment by North Port Commissioner Garofalo indicating an emphasis should be placed on other attractions in the County in addition to the beaches and islands, Ms. Zavorskas stated that the logo "Go beyond the beaches" is being taken to the next level which will include a television advertisement; that the SCVB is proceeding with a phased approach to change the logo. In response to a question by BCC Commissioner Thaxton asking the description for a luxury product, Mr. Becker stated that a luxury product is a resort-style product with full service amenities such as the Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt Hotels. BCC Commissioner Thaxton stated that the outdated photographs used in the brochures should be replaced with appropriate photographs which will attract a younger generation; that the SCVB should study the methods used by other jurisdictions to promote ecotourism. BCC Chair Patterson stated that a person involved in ecotourism should be sought to serve on the SCVB. Venice Commissioner Bennett stated that the logo concept should be further developed; that logos could be used for specific items. Sarasota Mayor Kirschner stated that the goal is to increase visitors who will spend the most money which will increase the tax proceeds from the Tourist Development Tax; that the people who are 99 percent satisfied with their visit to Sarasota should be attracted to relocate; that the hope is SCVB is using the social media in addition to the traditional marketing methods to attract visitors. In response to a question by Mayor Kirschner asking the status of the merger of Southwest Airlines with Air Tran, Mr. Becker stated that the merger is in process at this time. President Kathy Baylis, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) gave a presentation concerning the mission of the EDC, the goals for the strategic plan, fiscal year (FY) 2010 accomplishments and results, the jobs created by projects SO far in FY 2010/11, Film and Entertainment Office, total funding sources, FY 2011 Business Plan, and the goals for 2011. In response to a question by BCC Commissioner Robinson asking examples of collaboration with Charlotte County, Ms. Dent stated that regional collaboration is a key component to EDC; that the EDC has a partnership with the South West Florida Economic Development Partnership with Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Glade and Henry Counties; that the Memorandum of Understanding which indicates the method in which the jurisdictions will work together will be signed in the near future. Book 61 Page 32106 01/19/11 8:30 A.M. Book 61 Page 32107 01/19/11 8:30 A.M. In response to a comment by North Port Chair Blucher indicating the relocation of the EDC into a building across the street which is in Manatee County is a concern, BCC Chair Patterson stated that the initiative has not yet been discussed by the BCC. In response to a question by Venice Council Member Daniels asking if the County is partnering with utility companies to help business owners, BCC Commissioner Barbetta stated that the County's Sustainability Department partners with utility companies regarding incentives for homeowners; that whether the County can pursue a similar concept for businesses is not known at this time. Venice Council Member Daniels stated that the County is encouraged to consider a similar concept as businesses consider utility rates when considering relocation to a new area and to pursue partnerships with major stakeholders in communities throughout the County. In response to a comment by Venice Council Member Daniels concerning seeking a use for methane gas, BCC Commissioner Barbetta stated that the County is currently negotiating methane gas programs. In response to a request by Venice Council Member Daniels to avoid the passing of the $4,000 cost to the tenant to obtain a change of use permit, BCC Chair Patterson stated that the issue appears as an impact fee issue rather than a permitting issue; that the permitting process can be discussed to ensure the process is fair. 7. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (AGENDA ITEM 7) No one signed up to speak. 8. OTHER BUSINESS (AGENDAI ITEM 8) 1. BCC Commissioner Barbetta stated that the ongoing collaboration and collegiality between the County and municipalities is appreciated. 2. BCC Chair Patterson extended her appreciation for everyone who participated in the Joint Meeting and care for the County's future economic development. 9. ADJOURN - OTAS : BCO Chdit Pattérson adjourned the Special Convocation of Governments meeting of January 19, 2011, at,104 am, L si à - a KELLY M. KIRSCHNER, MAYOR ATTEST. KAREN D. MCGOWAN, DEPUTY CITY AUDITOR. AND CLERK