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Home My WebLink About_2009 11 17 City Commission Workshop With State Representatives Chris Dorworth and Scott Plakon Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS DORWORTH AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PLAKON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The Workshop of Tuesday, November 17, 2009 of the City Commission with State Representative Chris Dorworth and State Representative Scott Plakon was called to Order by Mayor John F. Bush at 3:03 p.m. in the West Conference Room of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Mayor John F. Bush, present Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs, present Commissioner Jean Hovey, present Commissioner Rick Brown, present Commissioner Gary Bonner, present Commissioner Sally McGinnis, present City Manager Kevin L. Smith, present City Attorney Anthony A. Garganese, absent With introductions, the following individuals were in attendance: State Representative Chris Dorworth, and State Representative Scott Plakon. Ms. Carolyn Johnson, District Administrator for State Representative Dorworth; Ms. Valerie Clarke, District Assistant for Representative Plakon; and Mr. Brandon Delanois, Legislative Assistant for State Representative Plakon were also in attendance. PUBLIC INPUT No one spoke. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS DORWORTH AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PLAKON NOVEMBER 17, 2009 PAGE 2 OF 5 REGULAR AGENDA REGULAR 600. Office Of The Mayor And City Commission Requesting A Discussion On General Items Of Interest. Commissioner Gary Bonner began the discussion explaining that he became interested in having such a Meeting from hearing something similar from a Florida League of Cities discussion. Deputy Mayor Joanne M. Krebs thanked Commissioner Bonner for bringing the idea to the City Commission; and thanked State Representative Dorworth and State Representative Plakon for attending. State Representative Dorworth noted that State Representative Plakon was just Elected as the Chair of the Seminole County Delegation and is actually responsible for going to all of the cities. State Representative Plakon mentioned that State Representative Dorworth was just elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Seminole County Delegation. State Representative Dorworth spoke of the Legislature and remarked, "I have gotten to know Kevin (Smith) really well and that's been a real blessing; so, my hope is that the group of us together can - chart some long term future for Winter Springs; whatever we can do at the legislative level to support it, but we can be your partners." With further discussion, State Representative Plakon mentioned he was working on R and D Tax Credits. Discussion followed on Growth Management, and Economic Development. Regarding Senate Bill 360, State Representative Dorworth suggested, "What I would tell you is to read the language there, read the entire Bill. There are some great things in it for cities that want to aggressively pursue Economic Development projects." With an additional reference to Senate Bill 360, State Representative Dorworth added, "We can get you a draft copy." State Representative Dorworth then advised the City Commission, "If you are having some issue - if there is some company that wants to come here and you have a hindrance; if there is some budgetary shortfall, if you need money from OTTED (Office Of Tourism, Trade, And Economic Development), we enjoy that kind of thing." Furthermore, State Representative Dorworth remarked, "From our standpoint, what we want to do is we want to streamline some of those Growth Management regulations and - we want to be supportive partners." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS DORWORTH AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PLAKON NOVEMBER 17, 2009 PAGE 3 OF 5 In discussing issues and regulations related to restaurants and other small businesses, State Representative Dorworth stated, "If you hear about those things, don't assume that we know. Most of them are not written by the Legislature. Most rules that face restaurants or barber shops, or whatever else, come from the Administrative Rule making process; and do not assume that we know about it, especially if it is relatively new. If it something you are facing, let us know." State Representative Dorworth added, "One of the things that both of our offices are very keen on is making sure that if you have businesses in particular that are having problems, please send them to us right away. We really do enjoy that - we have very talented people and we're glad to help." Next, State Representative Plakon mentioned he worked on DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) issues last year and added, "This year, I am looking to see if we can do another Bill - I have got a bunch of other ideas on how to get small businesses." Furthermore, State Representative Plakon commented regarding Rules, "I am on the Joint Administrative Procedures House and Senate Committee that's in charge of reviewing the rulemaking for all the Agencies." State Representative Plakon added, "If you see some rule that some Agency is not following that is critical to business, please let me know that directly." Discussion followed on education; funding; enrollment; Medicaid; unfunded mandates; mass transit; offshore drilling and natural resources. Mayor Bush brought up the issue of Lobbyists and asked for their suggestions regarding hiring a Lobbyist. State Representative Dorworth noted, "Do not have a Lobbyist for the status quo." Continuing, State Representative Dorworth explained, "If you have things on your Agenda - items you're specifically looking to push - Budget items, restrictions you want to undo - a Lobbyist is a good use of money." State Representative Dorworth added, "Make sure there is something - some issue of great importance; and make sure it is outside of the [Florida] League of Cities and other groups." Additionally, State Representative Dorworth commented on the City's plans for the future, and suggested that if we had State coordination, that a five (5) year Plan would be a great idea. The next topic addressed was Red Light Cameras. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS DORWORTH AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PLAKON NOVEMBER 17, 2009 PAGE 4 OF 5 Tape 1 /Side B Discussion followed on concerns with public safety and Red Light Cameras. State Representative Dorworth suggested, "You want to have something in place that says you're not doing this as a revenue generator; you're doing this because you want public safety." Schools and class sizes was addressed next. Discussion followed on legislation related to the Hometown Democracy initiative and Amendment 4. Continuing, discussion followed on Stimulus Funds; to which State Representative Dorworth noted that most Stimulus Funds would be available from the Federal Government. State Representative Plakon then suggested the City communicate with him if he could be of any assistance. State Representative Plakon departed the Workshop at 3:59 p.m. Discussion. State Representative Dorworth advised those in attendance, "I have told you this before, if you are up there, please call a few days in advance." In terms of meeting with Legislators in Tallahassee, State Representative Dorworth suggested the three (3) best times to visit Tallahassee to meet with Legislators and explained that it is generally a quiet time from early January to February; that when Session starts is a good time, although a lot of events are going on; and then mentioned towards the end of Session as being an option, although it is a very busy time. State Representative Dorworth added, "Whatever happens tends to happen in those periods of time; and if you can make three (3) trips, those are three (3) good ones to make." Further discussion. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS DORWORTH AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PLAKON NOVEMBER 17, 2009 PAGE 5 OF 5 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bush adjourned the Workshop at 4:14 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ' LORENZO - LUACES, MMC CIT , CLERK APPROVED: erAYOR JOHN F.= BUSH NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the December 14, 2009 Regular City Commission Meeting.