Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Review and adoption of 2021 State Legislative Program
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Submitted By: Ella Gilbert, Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a high-performing city government organization.
Executive Summary (General Business): Review and adoption of 2021 State Legislative Program
Presentation Information: Deputy City Attorney Ella Gilbert will present information on the 2021 Legislative Session and the Draft 2021 State Legislative Program
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council adopt the 2021 State Legislative Program.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and adopt the 2021 State Legislative Program.
2. Move that the Council provide staff direction.
Background: The St. Lucie Legislative Delegation is planning to meet in January 2021 to receive input from various entities, including the City of Port St. Lucie, on its legislative priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session, which convenes on March 2, 2021. The City must submit its priorities and projects prior to the Legislative Delegation Meeting in order to present to the Delegation.
Issues/Analysis: The draft program includes the top three items from last year's legislative priorities (C-23/St. Lucie River Water Quality Restoration Project, Southern Grove Jobs Corridor - Hegener Drive Extension and a Septic to Sewer Conversion Project for homes within 50 feet of the St. Lucie River). The remaining support items include appropriations funding for Department of Environmental Protection (Alternative Water Supply; Water Quality and Restoration; and Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Projects), Florida Department of Transportation Work Program, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Funding, Florida Division of Historical Resources, and Historic Preservation Trust Requests.
The Florida League of Cities will finalize its 2021 legislative program during its legislative conference in November 2020. Additionally, the Legislative Program includes support of the Draft 2021 St. Lucie County Legislative Program common priorities in the areas of Economic Development, Budget & Taxation Policy, Environmental/Natural Resources, Transportation & Infrastructure, Public Safety, Health & Human Services, Education and Agriculture.
The Organization Session will meet on November 17, 2020 for the exclusive purpose of organization and selection of officers. Florida Senate and House Organization Session documents, Leadership recommendations and 2021 State Legislative Session Dates (including Interim Committee Weeks) are attached.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments:
1. Proposed 2021 State Legislative Program
2. 2021 Proposed State Legislative Program PowerPoint Presentation
3. November 4, 2020 Organization Session Memo from Senate President Designate Wilton Simpson
4. November 5, 2020 House Structure and Leadership Memo from House Speaker Designate Chris Sprowls
5. House of Representatives Guide to Organization Session 2020
6. 2021 State Legislative Session Dates
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by James D. Stokes, City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.