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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 Resolution Approval CM'OF gBAsinikiv HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND AGENDA TRANSMITTAL Subject: Agenda No. 0a. 0 53 Waterfronts Florida Department Origin: G Ap• o • for Submittal by: City ���;/�, fAttorney: i City A i�' -r, City Manager Clerk: \ '� Date Submitted: April 3, 2009 Exhibits: Waterfronts Committee Resolution R-09-17 EXPENDITURE AMOUNT BUDGETED: APPROPRIATION REQUIRED: REQUIRED: N/A Summary Attached is a resolution to create the Waterfronts Committee that would assist the City in a variety of tasks. Primarily, this committee would fulfill a requirement for the Waterfronts Florida Designation from DCA, as well as provide direction to the City for execution of the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Grant. The application for the Waterfronts Florida designation requires that the City have a committee in place at the time of application (due date is May 19, 2009). If approved tonight, the City Clerk will advertise and hold the application period open for two weeks, with applications submitted to the City Council for approval at the May 13, 2009, meeting. If the council approves the attached resolution formulating a 7 member committee that would be constituted for three years, and then will be sunset; or the committee may be renewed or made permanent through an Ordinance. At the last meeting, a request was made to provide a "cheat sheet" synopsis of the Waterfronts Florida designation. Three communities are selected in each cycle, which opens in odd numbered years (i.e. 2007, 2009) for a competitive process. If the City is selected, the City may apply for funding from the State in the amount of up to $25,000 for up to two years (the funding is not automatic). ti While the Waterfronts Florida program was created to assist communities, the four goals are already being achieved through other programs that the City has initiated or participates in: • Retention of viable traditional waterfront economies — the City is achieving this through the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Grant. The City has gone through a multi-year process with the Community Redevelopment Area Committee (CRAG) to write the Riverfront overlay portions of the Land Development Code and integrate those goals into Comprehensive Plan. It was during that process that the City also partnered with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for the development of the Riverfront charette and design guidelines. • Hazard mitigation — the City has already lowered its ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating for flood hazards and participates throughout the year in the FEMA program including assisting citizens with flood insurance program information and assisting with requests to remove properties from the Flood Insurance maps. Both of these have a direct impact in reducing the amount of insurance premiums that property owners must pay. • Environmental and cultural resource protection - the City's waterfront is a part of the National Estuary and also is designated an aquatic preserve. As such, the City and Riverfront have a much higher standard for development and environmental protection than other communities. • Public access to working waterfronts and coastal resources — the City is achieving this through the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Grant Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce and the City are working together on an Economic Development Element of the comprehensive plan. Financially, the return on grant funds and commitment to a program director has negative budget consequences. While it is possible that this position could be funded either through the General Fund or CRA fund, the staff cost of a full time position would lessen the City's ability to fund infrastructure improvements. Because the City is already working on many of the goals outlined above, without the additional positions and other programmatic costs, Staff recommends that the City not pursue the Waterfronts Florida program designation at this time. RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending the Council approve Resolution R-09-17 but not pursue the Waterfronts Florida designation.