Minutes of the Florida League of Cities
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Minutes Florida League of Cities, Inc. Annual Conference August 18-20, 2016 Diplomat Resort, Orlando, Florida The Florida League of Cities’ 90th Annual Conference was held at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Fla., on August 18-20, 2016. There was an attendance of approximately 900 delegates and guests, representing approximately 200 city governments. Principal speakers included Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics; Melodee Colbert-Kean, president of the National League of Cities; and Anna Navarro, a Republican strategist for CNN. On Thursday, August 18, 2016, delegates began arriving for various workshops and events of the annual conference. In the morning, a workshop was held titled “Continuing Education in Ethics: Are Your Hours Done?” That afternoon, the League’s legislative policy committees conducted meetings, a “Cities 101” workshop was held, and an orientation session was available for first-time conference attendees. Meetings of the International Relations Committee, Resolutions Committee and Federal Action Strike Team (FAST) were held. Two pre-conference workshops, “The Village Square: Reviving Civil Discourse in Your Hometown” and “Facebook for Politics and Government,” were also held. That evening, the President’s Welcome Reception was held in the Great Hall for all conference delegates to attend. Friday morning began with the first round of concurrent sessions featuring “NASA Tech Transfer Program” and “Preventing Sunburn: Effectively Communicating the Need for Public Records Reform,” followed by the Opening General Session. During the session, Mark Halperin was the keynote speaker and Mayor Patricia Bates of Altamonte Springs was announced as the winner of the “E. Harris Drew Lifetime Achievement Award.” That afternoon, three additional rounds of concurrent session were held. Round two topics were: “Ending the Criminalization of Mental Illness,” “Messaging the Media: The Most Effective Ways to Work with the Media to Keep Citizens Better Informed,” “Local Governments and the Revolution of the Sharing Economy” and “How PACE Helps: The Economy, the Environment, and Your City.” Round three topics were: “Help Wanted: What Can Elected Officials Do to Attract Young People to Public Service?,” “Amending the Constitution: Looking Ahead to the 2017 Constitutional Revision Commission,” “How Autonomous Vehicles Could Transform Cities (Driverless Cars: Look, No Hands!).” Round four topics were: “Resilient Redesign: Solutions for Cities,” “Advocacy Workshop: How to Meet with Your Legislators,” “Rough Waters or Smooth Sailing: What’s Ahead for Municipalities (2016 Water Bill)” and “What Your City Attorney Can Do for You.” Also that day, the Nominating Committee met, the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials held a breakfast meeting and the Women Elected to Municipal Government held a luncheon. The Board of Directors met Friday afternoon, and in the evening a Florida League of Cities Membership Networking Event was held. On Saturday, several local/regional leagues held breakfast meetings and a session for Youth Councils was held. At 9:00 a.m. that morning, President Matthew Surrency, mayor of Hawthorne, called the Business Session to order and announced that a quorum of delegates was present. Voting delegates were requested to be seated in the designated area. President Surrency advised delegates that if it were necessary for a Division of the House to be called, an explanation of the system of casting weighted votes would be provided in advance. The meeting was conducted in accordance with the League’s By-Laws and Robert’s Rule of Order. Each voting delegate was properly registered and received voting credentials and ballots identifying the delegate’s weighted vote. Members were also advised they could split their vote; however, a single voting delegate must cast the total of each city’s vote. Harry Morrison, the League’s general counsel, served as parliamentarian. The first order of business was motion duly made and seconded to approve the 2015 conference minutes as posted on the League’s website. The motion was adopted. President Surrency then recognized the chairs of the League’s five policy committees and thanked them and committee members for their service. He also recognized the chairs of the Federal Action Strike Team (FAST), Advocacy Committee, and the International Relations Committee, thanking them for their service. He then announced there was no unfinished business to come before the membership of the Florida League of Cities. President Surrency called for a report of the Resolutions Committee. Chairwoman Susan Haynie, League first vice president and mayor of Boca Raton, introduced each resolution and moved its adoption. Each motion was duly seconded and each resolution was adopted. A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO HAWTHORNE, FLORIDA, FOR ITS SUPPORT OF MATTHEW SURRENCY AS PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES. WHEREAS, Matthew Surrency, mayor of Hawthorne, Florida, served as president of the Florida League of Cities from 2015 through 2016; and WHEREAS, the citizens, commissioners and staff of Hawthorne were most understanding of the demands placed upon Mayor Surrency in his role as president of the League; and WHEREAS, during his presidency, Mayor Surrency focused on creating the “Florida Regional Compact Initiative” to encourage cities to join forces regionally to address shared challenges; and WHEREAS, the membership and staff of the League recognize the commitment of the City of Hawthorne to Mayor Surrency’s presidency ensured his active participation in League activities and unselfish service to the League, and permitted him to successfully promote the programs, projects and philosophy of the League during the past year; and WHEREAS, the membership and staff of the League also wish to recognize and personally thank City Manager Ellen Vause and City Clerk LaKesha H. McGruder and all of the dedicated Hawthorne city staff for their efforts in providing outstanding assistance to President Surrency and the FLC staff in coordinating his duties with the city and with the Florida League of Cities. Ms. Vause, Ms. McGruder and all city staff went above and beyond the call of duty, and their outstanding contributions to this effort are applauded and greatly appreciated. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: Section 1. That the Florida League of Cities’ membership and staff do officially and personally appreciate the commitment Hawthorne’s citizens, commissioners and staff made to Mayor Surrency’s presidency. Section 2. That a copy of this resolution be presented to the City of Hawthorne. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Florida League of Cities, Inc., in conference assembled at the League’s 90th Annual Conference, at the Diplomat Resort, Hollywood, Florida, this 20th Day of August 2016. A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 16-22, 2016, AS “FLORIDA CITY GOVERNMENT WEEK,” AND ENCOURAGING ALL FLORIDA CITY OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THIS CELEBRATION BY PARTICIPATING IN THE “MY CITY: I’M PART OF IT, I’M PROUD OF IT!” ACTIVITIES. WHEREAS, city government is the government closest to the people, and the one with the most direct daily impact upon its citizens; and WHEREAS, city government is administered for and by its citizens, and is dependent upon public commitment to and understanding of its many responsibilities; and WHEREAS, city government officials and employees share the responsibility to pass along their understanding of public services and their benefits; and WHEREAS, Florida City Government Week is a very important time to recognize the significant role played by city government in our lives; and WHEREAS, Florida City Government Week offers a great opportunity to spread the word to all Floridians that they can shape and influence this branch of government, which is closest to the people; and WHEREAS, the Florida League of Cities and its member cities have joined together to teach students and other citizens about municipal government through a variety of different projects and information. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: Section 1. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc., encourages all city officials, city employees, school officials and citizens to participate in events that recognize Florida City Government Week and to celebrate it throughout Florida. Section 2. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc., supports and encourages all city governments to promote, sponsor and participate in “My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It!” Section 3. That a copy of this resolution be provided to Florida Governor Rick Scott, the Florida Cabinet, Florida School Boards Association and the membership of the Florida League of Cities, Inc. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Florida League of Cities, Inc., in conference assembled at the League’s 90th Annual Conference, at the Diplomat Resort, Hollywood, Florida, this 20th Day of August 2016. A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., RECOGNIZING THE NEW CITY OF WESTLAKE AND CONGRATULATING THE NEWEST MUNICIPALITY IN FLORIDA UPON ITS SUCCESSFUL INCORPORATION IN 2016. WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Westlake by referendum voted to convert from a special district to a municipality in June 2016 under the provisions of Florida law; and WHEREAS, the City of Westlake will henceforth have all municipal powers allowed by the Florida Constitution and Laws of Florida to promptly respond to the needs and