10-28-24 Speaker Forms & HandoutsWELCOME 0
To the Atlantic Beach City Commission Meeting
We will conduct meetings of the City Commission with a level of civility and respect that the democratic process
deserves. This allows for better public input and supports making the best decisions for the citizens who we are here
to serve. We ask that everyone in the meeting practice the following principles of Respect for each other.
RESPECT
Refrain from putdowns, criticism and personal attacks.
Encourage others to state their views.
Support each other, even if you don't agree.
Practice active listening.
Express yourself assertively, not aggressively, not submissively.
Collaborate, do not compete or collude.
Trust each other, unless and until such trust is violated.
***************************************************************************************************************************
SPEAKER REQUEST FORM
Date: 1 "� � - If Name: rr- ; K C, , J4�P,
Please Note: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written and recorded
communications to or from State and Local Officials and agencies regarding State or Local business
are public records available to the public and media upon request.
PROVIDING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW IS OPTIONAL:
t �
Address: �- i J� . C� City: �'� , A. e a
Otv (s:,5116Phone No.: ctc73 E-mail: 1 Ce_ l • C
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY: (OPTIONAL)
❑ Atlantic Beach Resident ❑ Atlantic Beach Property Owner
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE COMPLETE AND CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
❑ Atlantic Beach Business Owner
------------------------------------------------
d,l-Gvish to address the Commission during Courtesy of the Floor on:
❑ Agenda Item No.
and/or
ria- Topic not on the agenda:
I
❑ I wish to address the Commission during the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No.
Li I am in support of the above agenda item.
ri I am opposed to the above agenda item.
do not wish to address the Commission, but I am in support of agenda item
❑ I do not wish to address the Commission, but I am opposed to agenda item
WELCOME Co F
0'2 -
To the Atlantic Beach City Commission Meeting
We will conduct meetings of the City Commission with a level of civility and respect that the democratic process
deserves. This allows for better public input and supports making the best decisions for the citizens who we are here
to serve. We ask that everyone in the meeting practice the following principles of Respect for each other.
RESPECT
Refrain from putdowns, criticism and personal attacks.
Encourage others to state their views.
Support each other, even if you don't agree.
Practice active listening.
Express yourself assertively, not aggressively, not submissively.
Collaborate, do not compete or collude.
Trust each other, unless and until such trust is violated.
***************************************************************************************************************************
SPEAKER REQUEST FORM
Date: �`� �"� Name:
Please Note: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written and recorded
communications to or from State and Local Officials and agencies regarding State or Local business
are public records available to the public and media upon request.
PROVIDING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW IS OPTIONAL:
Address: �0\% C-� City:
Phone No.: -1 t�A S(; 3^ROEmail:
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY: (OPTIONAL)
G2'Atlantic Beach Resident Atlantic Beach Property Owner ❑ Atlantic Beach Business Owner
PLEASE COMPLETE AND CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
BJ wish to address the Commission during Courtesy of the Floor on:
❑ Agenda Item No.
and/or
20/ Topic not on the agenda: �G.11
❑ I wish to address the Commission during the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No.
❑ I am in support of the above agenda item.
❑ I am opposed to the above agenda item.
❑ I do not wish to address the Commission, but I am in support of agenda item
❑ I do not wish to address the Commission, but I am opposed to agenda item
WELCOME aor U
To the Atlantic Beach City Commission Meeting
We will conduct meetings of the City Commission with a level of civility and respect that the democratic process
deserves. This allows for better public input and supports making the best decisions for the citizens who we are here
to serve. We ask that everyone in the meeting practice the following principles of Respect for each other.
RESPECT
Refrain from putdowns, criticism and personal attacks.
Encourage others to state their views.
Support each other, even if you don't agree.
Practice active listening.
Express yourself assertively, not aggressively, not submissively.
Collaborate, do not compete or collude. /
Trust each other, unless and until such trust is violated.
SPEAKER REQUEST FORM
Date: Name:
Please Note: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Most written and recorded
communications to or from State and Local Officials and agencies regarding State or Local business
are public records available to the public and media upon request.
PROVIDING/YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW IS OPTIONAL: /
Address: ��� J�A-IL40'),-3e, C Ciy: 4) 6g, ake,/ir cy
Phone No.:� G1/`13V E-mail: ��- , 0.113 �,6 � r�g
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY: (OPTIONAL)
0PLAtlantic Beach Resident ❑ Atlantic Beach Property Owner ❑ Atlantic Beach Business Owner
PLEASE COMPLETE AND CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
Al wish to address the Commission during Courtesy of the Floor on:
❑ Agenda Item No.
and/or �
X Topic not on the agenda: Poo 101
�s e (4,
-� IleSi/1/�
❑ I wish to address the Commission during the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No.
❑ I am in support of the above agenda item.
❑ I am opposed to the above agenda item.
❑ I do not wish to address the Commission, but I am in support of agenda item
❑ I do not wish to address the Commission, but I am opposed to agenda item
0j
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
STATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OVERVIEW
October 28, 2024
Submitted By.-
The
y:
The Fiorentino Group
1301 Riverplace Boulevard, Suite 1300
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
904.358.2757
225 South Adams Street, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
850.222.1959
THE
FIORENTINO
GROUP
OUR REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
EXPERIENCE - CONTACTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS - PERFORMANCE.
For nearly six years, The Fiorentino Group (TFG) has successfully represented the
City of Atlantic Beach (City) before Florida's state leaders in Tallahassee.
Throughout our representation, which began in early 2019, our team has worked
successfully on state legislation of importance to the City, as well as securing
numerous state appropriations for the City. We have also worked to assist the
City's elected and appointed leaders with developing relationships with key state
executive and legislative officials.
Our efforts have included assisting with numerous substantive legislative matters,
including amending bills to ensure the passage of language favorable to the City
and working to defeat measures that would have been detrimental to City interests.
On the appropriations side, our efforts have resulted in more than $1.8 million in
state funding for Atlantic Beach projects. In addition, our team has assisted the
City with several state agency matters, including successfully facilitating important
meetings, discussions and outcomes on issues of concern being addressed at the
executive level. We have also assisted City officials with local efforts relating to
property sales and acquisitions, as well as federal matters being addressed by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Our efforts throughout our years of representation have included providing the City
with the following key services:
Providing expert input to legislative and executive staff on complex policy
and appropriations issues to ensure trends are consistent with the City's
interests.
Reviewing and reporting on proposed legislation and analyzing the potential
impact of the language through the rulemaking and regulatory processes.
❖ Lobbying for, or against, bills or amendments jointly identified by TFG and
City leadership.
Assisting with securing approvals that might be required from state
agencies.
Shepherding City appropriations items through all phases of the budget
process.
Drafting proposed legislation and amendments as requested by City
leaders.
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❖ Preparing background documents and talking points on substantive issues
and City priorities.
❖ Testifying before state governmental entities, public hearings and legislative
committees on behalf of the City.
Our team continues working to develop and execute successful strategies to
enhance the City's presence before the legislative and executive branches of
government in Florida, as well as with other key decisionmakers and organizations.
These efforts include the following organizations, among others:
❖ Florida Senate and its relevant committees.
❖ Florida House of Representatives and its relevant committees.
❖ Executive Office of the Governor.
❖ Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
❖ Florida Department of Transportation.
❖ Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
❖ Florida Department of Commerce.
❖ Florida League of Cities.
We understand the different types of decisions that can evolve in these forums —
how they take shape, when they take shape, and how they can affect the
operations of the City, and we build our strategies around positioning the City in
this complex decision-making process.
Going forward, we will continue working to take the City to the next level with its
government relations activities.
OUR EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
A STRONG RECORD OF SUCCESS.
Throughout the past several years, our team has made it a top priority to advocate
for policy measures that support home rule, in addition to other City legislative
priorities. In addition, our efforts to secure state funds for City projects have been
largely successful, with a total of more than $1.8 million secured for the City.
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FLORIDA APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS
When it comes to the state budget process, our efforts each year include the
following action items on behalf of the City:
❖ Facilitating meetings with local delegation members to secure support.
❖ Assisting with the completion of the state's required budget forms by the
established deadlines.
❖ Facilitating meetings with key legislators and staff relative to our budget
requests, both prior to and throughout the legislative session period.
❖ After securing inclusion in the final legislative budget, working to identify
"pressure points" with the Governor and his staff to try to avoid a potential
veto.
Our efforts over the years have included assisting City leaders with identifying the
best projects for consideration by the legislature, and working those projects
through every step of the budget process. These have included securing sponsors
in both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, ensuring successful
outcomes through the budget conference process, and working with executive
branch officials once the budget is placed on the Governor's desk. Provided below
and in the following pages is an outline of our appropriations efforts on behalf of
the City.
• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 •
PRS: Aquatic Gardens / Hopkins Creek Flood Mitigation
SPONSORS: Senator Aaron Bean / Representative Cord Byrd
AMOUNT: $300,000
RESULT: Approved by the Governor
• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 •
PROLECT: Aquatic Gardens / Hopkins Creek Flood Mitigation Phase Two
SPONSORS: Senator Aaron Bean / Representative Cord Byrd
AMOUNT: $500,000
RESULT: Vetoed by Governor
*Note: This was the year Governor DeSantis vetoed a record $1 billion from the budget
passed by lawmakers in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The record veto
number was in effort to shore up state funding and reserves due to the economic uncertainty
at the time.
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• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 •
PROJECT: Aquatic Gardens / Hopkins Creek Flood Mitigation Phase Two
SPONSORS: Senator Aaron Bean / Representative Cord Byrd
AMOUNT: $500,000
RESULT: Approved by Governor
• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 •
PROJECT: Aquatic Gardens / Hopkins Creek Flood Mitigation Phase
Three
SPONSORS: Senator Aaron Bean / Representative Cord Byrd
AMOUNT: $500,000
RESULT: Approved by Governor
PROJECT: Secured funding for the Florida Recreation Development
Assistance Program (FRDAP). The City was then able to secure
a portion of these funds for improvements to Donner Park.
SPONSORS: There were no sponsors necessary for these funds as they were
provided in the DEP budget.
AMOUNT: The City ultimately secured $185,500 in FRDAP funding.
E LT: Approved by Governor
• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 •
PROJECT: Aquatic Gardens / Hopkins Creek Flood Mitigation Phase Four
SPONSORS: Senator Clay Yarborough / Representative Kiyan Michael
AMOUNT: $500,000
RESULT: Approved by Governor
• STATE OF FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 •
PROJECT: Dune Protection and Beach Access Improvements
SPONSORS: Senator Clay Yarborough / Representative Kiyan Michael
AMOUNT: $250,000
RE LT: Vetoed by Governor (see following section on Page 6).
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PROJECT: Marshside Septic Tank Elimination
SPONSORS: Senator Clay Yarborough / Representative Kiyan Michael
AMOUNT: $312,500
RESULT: Vetoed by Governor (see section below).
• WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM •
When Governor DeSantis took action on the budget passed by lawmakers during
this year's session, he vetoed a large list of local water projects, including many
stormwater and septic -to -sewer budget items. The two City projects outlined
above — both of which our team worked closely with lawmakers to have funded in
the legislative budget — were unfortunately included in the Governor's veto list.
Upon his veto action, the Governor cited the state's Water Quality Improvement
Grant Program managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's
(DEP) Division of Water Restoration assistance (WRA) as the funding method that
should be utilized for such projects.
Throughout the months since the 2024 session adjourned, our team has worked
to assist the City with submitting the required application and other information for
potential funding through the Program. Applications were due in July, and
submissions are currently under review by the DEP. Our team continues working
closely with state leaders to secure the requested grant funds. Our efforts have
recently included working with the office of House Speaker Paul Renner to secure
a letter of support from the Speaker for the two City projects.
RECENT LEGISLATIVE MATTERS AND POLICY EFFORTS
Our team assists and advises the City on relevant proposed legislation,
amendments and changes to state laws and the rulemaking process. In addition,
we regularly meet with House and Senate lawmakers on behalf of the City to
express support for or opposition to proposed legislation, as well as offer
amendments to bills to make proposed language more beneficial to the interests
of the City.
• VACATION RENTALS •
The issue of Vacation Rentals is a divisive one and has been debated by
lawmakers and challenged by local government advocacy organizations for many
years. While the debate is still ongoing, with a comprehensive bill passed by
lawmakers during the recent session but then vetoed by Governor DeSantis, our
team has worked each year since the beginning of our representation to ensure
the City's interests are protected.
During the 2019 legislative session, a bill relating to public lodging establishments
included language that would strip cities of the right to regulate short term rentals.
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The City was opposed to this provision, and our team worked to have the
detrimental language stripped from the bill. This legislation ultimately died without
receiving approval through the session process.
This was addressed again during the 2020 session, when standalone legislation
saw significant movement throughout the committee process but ultimately died
without passage after Governor DeSantis expressed concerns about the
language. In the years following, numerous proposals relating to Vacation Rentals
have been considered by lawmakers, with our team working each session to
ensure language exempting the City from any changes was maintained.
Our efforts have included meeting each session with numerous lawmakers on
behalf of the City to express opposition to any changes to what is known as the
"grandfather clause" and working to amend any concerning provisions proposed
by lawmakers. Prior to this year, all bills relating to Vacation Rentals have died
without passage during each annual session. As noted above, during the 2024
session, lawmakers crafted and approved a comprehensive measure which would
have preempted much of the regulation of the issue to the state. Our team worked
to ensure the grandfather clause remained intact in this measure as well.
However, while the bill was approved by lawmakers, it was ultimately vetoed by
Governor DeSantis.
We will continue working on this issue on behalf of the City during the 2025 session
and beyond.
• TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX •
Our team worked with lawmakers throughout the 2024 legislative session on the
proposed legislative tax packages being considered in both chambers. Our efforts
included working closely with House lawmakers on the proposed House language,
and helping to ensure the successful removal of detrimental language providing a
date for the Tourist Development Tax ("TDT") Program to sunset in Florida.
• SUITS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT •
Our team worked during this year's session to oppose a bill to increase the current
capped amounts state and local governments are required to pay when deemed
liable in lawsuits. This legislation would have been detrimental to local
governments throughout the state and ultimately died without passage this
session.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
Our team has closely monitored and worked on numerous legislative proposals for
the City throughout the years. Our legislative efforts have included, but have not
been limited to, the following policy matters:
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❖ The regulation of smoking on public beaches and in public parks. Our team
worked on the City's behalf with lawmakers on numerous proposals over
the years relating to the regulation of smoking on public beaches and in
public parks. These proposals were largely supported by the City. While
this was a multi-year effort, the legislation was ultimately approved and
signed into law during the 2022 legislative session.
❖ Our team has closely monitored legislative actions relating to Florida's
Housing Trust Funds.
❖ Our team closely monitored legislation to combat public disorder, which was
backed by Governor DeSantis.
❖ Our team has closely monitored issues relating to Discharges to Surface
Waters and other key water issues on behalf of the City.
❖ Our team continues monitoring Affordable Housing legislation and
proposals on behalf of the City.
❖ Our team continues monitoring Broadband legislation and proposals on
behalf of the City.
❖ Our team previously worked on behalf of the City to support legislation
providing alternatives for placing legal advertisement in local newspapers.
This legislation passed successfully through session and was signed into
law by Governor DeSantis.
❖ Our team continues monitoring and working on Resiliency proposals and
legislation on behalf of the City.
❖ Our team previously assisted the City with supporting legislation to close
loopholes in state law regarding municipal tree ordinances.
❖ Our team worked with lawmakers on behalf of the City on legislation during
the 2022 session relating to business damages caused by local
governments in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation
as filed was heavily opposed by local governments throughout the state.
Our team facilitated several meetings with lawmakers to discuss this
proposal and address concerns with the language. The bill was eventually
amended with more favorable language to make it more acceptable for local
governments before being passed and signed into law by Governor
DeSantis.
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OTHER KEY ISSUES
• LOCAL, STATE AGENCY AND FEDERAL MATTERS*
Our team previously assisted the City with an issue relating to a Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement, which was ultimately
resolved through Governor DeSantis's reversal of an existing state policy.
In June of 2021, former City leaders reached out to our team regarding an urgent
issue surrounding a barge off the coast of Atlantic Beach that had hit the jetties
and was immobile. The barge was carrying coal ash, which had dumped into the
ocean during a storm. City leaders were seeking assistance working with the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") and the Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA"). Our team reached out to our agency contacts and
worked to ensure City leaders were able to communicate with officials effectively
and in a timely manner. This open line of communication was essential for the City
to communicate effectively with the State so all relevant information could be
shared with the public.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Florida lawmakers and other state officials have focused in recent weeks on issues
relating to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which resulted in significant and
extensive damage to numerous areas of the state, many of which are still grappling
with recovery and restoration efforts.
Throughout recent months, state government relations activities have been largely
focused on Florida's political process and the upcoming general election, which
will see many of Florida's legislative seats open or up for reelection. This year's
election, which will take place on November 5th, will include all 120 Florida House
of Representatives seats, as well as 20 of the 40 seats in the Florida Senate. In
addition, all members of Florida's Congressional Delegation will face reelection
this year, with the exception of Congressman Bill Posey (R -Melbourne), who is
retiring from the position.
Once the general election has taken place and all election results are final, the
Florida Legislature will hold an Organization Session. During that time, all newly
elected and returning House and Senate members will convene in Tallahassee at
the Capitol to begin preparations for the upcoming regular session. Following
Organization Session, interim legislative committee meetings will kick off, with the
House scheduled to meet the first week of December and the Senate set to meet
the following week.
Numerous lawmakers have begun discussions about their priority issues for the
coming session. Provided below is a brief overview of some of the topics that have
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been mentioned as potential issues to be addressed during the session, which
begins in March. Following that information, a timeline of key legislative dates is
provided for your reference.
POTENTIAL ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED DURING THE 2025 SESSION
While much of the focus of the 2025 legislative session will be determined once
Organization Session has taken place and committee meetings begin, state
lawmakers have made public comments over recent weeks and months regarding
issues they are interested in addressing during the upcoming session. These
issues include the following, among others:
❖ Outgoing Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R -Naples) stated recently
that hurricane -related issues are likely to "dominate" the legislative agenda
in 2025, highlighting infrastructure and housing, as well as resiliency
generally, as topics of focus.
❖ Governor DeSantis continues his focus on election reform, with his election
security office recently calling on state lawmakers to change rules relating
to requirements for constitutional amendments to receive a place on the
ballot. The office highlighted allegations of fraud with the current petition
signature process.
❖ In response to recent controversies surrounding plans for development of
Florida's state park lands, Senator Gayle Harrell (R -Stuart) has stated her
plans to file legislation defining how state park lands can be used.
❖ Senator Joe Gruters (R -Sarasota) recently expressed that he plans to
introduce legislation to ban public smoking—including cannabis—if
Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida,
is approved by voters in November.
❖ Several state lawmakers, including local Representative Kiyan Michael (R -
Jacksonville), have discussed potentially addressing issues relating to a
loophole that allows undocumented migrants to register their name with a
vehicle, despite not having a driver's license.
In addition, there has been much discussion surrounding issues Florida's public K-
12 schools are experiencing relating to the implementation of a new state law
requiring that exterior and interior doors be locked for much of the school day. This
will likely be a topic up for consideration this session. With regard to Vacation
Rentals, Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R -Indian Rocks Beach), who has sponsored
measures in the Senate in recent years, has stated that he currently has no plans
to re -file legislation during the coming session.
Page 110
LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE
NOVEMBER 2024
November 5, 2024 General Election.
November 19, 2024 Organization Session.
DECEMBER 2024
December 2-6, 2024 Interim Legislative Committee Week 1 (House
only).
December 9-13, 2024 Interim Legislative Committee Week 1 (Senate
only).
JANUARY 2025
January 13-17, 2025 Interim Legislative Committee Week 2.
January 21-24, 2025 Interim Legislative Committee Week 3.
TBD Deadline for Submission of Required 2025-2026
Appropriations Project Request Forms.
FEBRUARY 2025
February 2, 2025 Deadline for Governor DeSantis to release his
2025-2026 Budget Recommendations to the
Legislature.
*The Governor is required to provide legislators with a
copy of his recommended budget at least 30 days
prior to the scheduled annual regular session.
February 3-7, 2025
February 10-14, 2025
February 17-21, 2025
MARCH 2025
March 4, 2025
Interim Legislative Committee Week 4.
Interim Legislative Committee Week 5.
Interim Legislative Committee Week 6.
2025 Legislative Session Begins.
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March 4, 2025 General Bill Filing Deadline.
*All bills filed for introduction during the 2025
legislative session must be filed by noon on this date.
March 2025 Budget Discussions.
*House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees
will meet throughout the month of March to craft their
individual sections of the 2025-2026 state budget
proposal.
Later in the month, the full House and Senate
Appropriations Committees will discuss and debate
the full spending proposals for their respective
chambers, each of which will be based on the
subcommittee budgets.
APRIL 2025
Early April 2025 Budget Proposals Finalized.
*Budget efforts will continue, with the full House and
Senate Appropriations Committees finalizing their
respective proposed spending plans, which will be
negotiated during budget conference.
Mid -April 2025 Budget Conference.
*Once final budget proposals have been crafted in
each chamber, the House and Senate will begin the
budget conference process during the final weeks of
session. During this time, differences between the
spending plans are negotiated between legislative
leaders.
April 22, 2025 "50th Day Rule" — Last Day for Regularly Scheduled
Committee Meetings.
Late April Budget Finalized for Vote.
*During the final weeks of April, lawmakers will finalize
the negotiated budget proposal. The final plan must
be compiled into a conference report/budget bill and
then "laid on the table" for a 72 -hour "cooling off'
period. This must be done leaving enough time for the
above -referenced procedures followed by a final vote
in both chambers prior to the adjournment of session.
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MAY 2025
May 2, 2025 2025 Legislative Session Adjourns.
*Session must adjourn before midnight on this date.
Lawmakers will spend the final days of session voting
on remaining legislative proposals before passing
the budget and adjourning by the required time.
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