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Weekly Update, March 5, 2010 from the Director Public Affairs
Realtors® and business leaders meet with local legislative delegation
Last week a number of Realtors® Association members enjoyed a half day with a majority of the local legislative delegation. They heard in depth information on issues that the legislature will discuss with the start of this week’s session including the implementation of FL Senate Bill 360 concerning growth management as well as Florida's budget and tax picture. A major presentation on the need to oppose Amendment 4 was well presented by former legislator Carole Green. Questions concerning upcoming legislation affecting our industry were answered, including keeping trust fund monies in their place.
A luncheon session included a moderated forum with Senator Michael S. Bennett, Representative Matt Hudson, Representative Kenneth Roberson, Representative Nicholas Thompson, and Representative Trudi K. Williams all currently serving the Southwest Florida area in the Florida Legislature. Keith Arnold, former Florida House member moderated both sessions. Of special interest was the upcoming issue on septic tank inspections and the proposed changes to the Environmental Protection Agency's water quality standards for the State of Florida. The ever- changing regulatory environment for water quality in Florida and the region is of utmost concern to our industry. At the luncheon, Rep. Williams voiced her opposition to EPA’s efforts to impose stringent new water quality regulation on Florida. The impact of this new regulation is anticipated to cost business, counties cities, utilities and families literally billions of dollars each year. We will closely follow this issue.
Proposed Bill would speed up solar plant development and create jobs
Continuing with the legislature, State Senator Mike Bennett hopes one of his bills will speed up construction of a proposed Florida Power & Light solar thermal plant near Parrish, Florida. Bennett has filed a bill that would, among other things, require that the Florida Public Service Commission provide for full cost recovery for certain renewable energy projects like it does for other types of power plants. The PSC decides how much money a utility may recoup from its customers for its expense in constructing a new facility. Right now, the PSC requires a utility to build the lowest cost option for new plants, which is usually not solar, for instance, and then those costs are recoverable.
If FPL decided to build the project at the Parrish site, at State Road 62 and U.S. 301, it would be Manatee County’s first large-scale solar generating facility, officials have said. Bennett said his staff is still reviewing how the bill might affect the Parrish site specifically, but he said the point of Senate Bill 1186 is “to try to find ways to speed up alternative energy.” He has had a positive response to this effort.
FPL presently operates an existing power plant that burns natural gas to generate electricity and is proposing to add an adjacent solar thermal facility that would collect energy from the sun. The hybrid system calls for concave reflectors similar to mirrors to gather heat from the sun’s rays, which would be converted to steam that would produce electricity in existing turbines, FPL officials have said. With free energy from the sun, the plant would consume less fossil fuel and be able to provide power more inexpensively.
Estero voters in November may have a say in incorporation
Mike Maloney, president of Vote Estero, told Estero and Bonita Springs officials last week that he intends to petition for a straw vote on Estero’s incorporation to be placed on the Nov. 2 2010 ballot. He would have to lobby the Lee County Commission to place the item on the ballot.
Estero’s incorporation seems to hinge on a two-mile perimeter around Bonita Springs. Florida law requires at least a two-mile buffer zone between cities, which could be waived at the state level. If Estero wanted to become a city, it would either have to give up the two miles near Bonita Springs, which includes such wealthy areas as the Brooks and Coconut Point, or it would have to convince Bonita Springs to let go of the buffer. That’s something Mayor Ben Nelson has said is likely to happen in the future, but said there was no time-line. Maloney’s proposed city lines would be the current Estero fire district boundaries, which includes the two-mile buffer. Maloney said incorporating would give Estero more local control and would save residents money.
According to the media, Don Eslick, who heads the Estero Council of Community Leaders, was opposed to including all of the fire district lands because it would include very rural residents who have told him they aren’t interested in city hood. If residents support the issue, Vote Estero would present a bill to its legislative delegation to submit to the state Legislature for inclusion in the 2011 session.
Cape Coral Council Update
City councilman Eric Grill was suspended last week by Governor Crist, once he was formally charged with a felony crime by the State’s Attorney’s office State prosecutors have charged Grill with lying to a construction client about where he had spent the down payment of two clients who said Grill took more than $65,000 for work he never did.
Grill was arraigned this week. His attorney, Lee Hollander, said Grill will plead not guilty. Because he had already filed a written plea of not guilty, Grill was not required to be in court. His next hearing is scheduled for May 5th. As a result of this vacancy on the City Council, the group voted to not hold a special election for his replacement but to accept applications and the Council will vote on a replacement at their March 15 meeting. Applicants who want the $16,000-per-year position can submit an application to the city clerk before March 10.
A few candidates have jumped to the front: Chris Berardi and Erik Kuehn. Berardi, who this month moves into a house in Grill's district, said he is interested. The council appointed Berardi, a real estate agent, in 2007 to fill Mickey Rosado's seat when Gov. Charlie Crist suspended Rosado after a felony charge. Erik Kuehn, a council regular and longtime activist, said he is contemplating the post. "This is kind of fun being a self-appointed public servant," Kuehn said. "I taught high school for five years. I was a public servant then. I was in the insurance business for 30 year. That was a public service. This would be another public service job."
Lee BOCC to ask Gov. Crist for assistance for residents affected by Chinese drywall.
Lee County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to ask Gov. Charlie Crist for assistance for residents affected by Chinese drywall this week. They agreed with residents that the issue is one of urgency and that the state should offer help.
Alva resident Brenda Brincku spoke at the meeting with her husband and son in support of the resolution. Her family is facing foreclosure on their home with defective drywall. Brincku said she has gone through seven air conditioning coils in four years because of the drywall. The electric company told her to turn off the power in her home because the home was a fire hazard.
"This problem is destroying our lives, our business and our homes," she said.
Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) new Director
Tamara Pigott has been hired as the new executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB). Her appointment is immediate. Pigott joined the VCB in 2000 as Beach & Shoreline Program manager to oversee funds for improvement projects along the more than 50 miles of beaches and 1,000 miles of inland shorelines. She has served as interim director since December, taking over Suya Davenport who had resigned. A 1988 graduate of Florida State University, Pigott holds a bachelor’s of science degree in economics and political science and a master’s of science degree in political science.
Rep. Matt Hudson promises to push for fire district consolidation bills
A bill that could pave the way for area fire districts to consolidate is still smoldering despite Collier County commissioners deciding to hold off on supporting the bill. Advocates of the bill said Friday they have not given up entirely, and one area legislator said he plans to continue his work to advance the issue.
The local shell bills — House Bill 807 and House Bill 809 — were filed on Jan. 7 by state Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples. The bills, if passed, would establish a legal basis for Collier County’s five independent fire districts to consolidate. While the two bills would give districts the ability to create two separate districts, Laura Donaldson, the attorney who drafted the legislation, said earlier this week she was prepared to amend the bill to create one unified district, if commissioners supported the efforts.
Collier County commissioners on Tuesday, however, said they would not support the current bills, and opted to hold off on voting one way or the other. They also decided to draft a letter to send to state legislators expressing their concerns.
“I was extraordinarily disappointed the Collier County commissioners voted the way they did,” Hudson said Friday. “I personally don’t understand why Collier County has a say in this. These are independent districts.” The county’s five fire and rescue districts are independent governmental agencies with no ties to Collier County government. The bills, Donaldson said, would “set the framework, so when districts want to merge,” they can do so without having to go back to the state Legislature for support.
Upcoming Meetings of Importance
REIS LUNCHEON on March 9th Gary Jackson, director of the Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI), will provide an inside look at forecasting regional economic trends at the Real Estate Investment Society’s (www.reis-swfl.org) luncheon meeting. The meeting will be at 11:45 a.m. March 9 inside the Osprey Room at Pelican Reserve’s Clubhouse. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for guests, which includes lunch. Reservations are required by March 3 and may be made at the REIS Web site.
RPAC Party in Paradise!
March 11th 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
The Resort at Tarpon Pointe Marina
5951 Silver King Blvd
Cape Coral, FL 33914
Door Prizes, Live Auction to benefit RPAC – YOUR industry’s insurance
Tropical attire a must! Best Party of the Year…don’t miss it! It Takes Two – RPAC and YOU!
Regional Water Quality Event March 19, 2010
An upcoming half day Regional Water Quality Event on March 19, 2010 will feature FL DEP Secretary Michael Sole. Water Quality Regulations and the Economy is the focus of a half day seminar on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport and Town Center. The Chamber of Southwest Florida will be holding the event at the area’s newest Holiday Inn (Fort Myers Airport and Town Center), 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive, Fort Myers, Florida.
Registration for the seminar begins at 7:30 am with a continental breakfast; event program runs from 8:30 to 1:30 pm. Lunch will be served. Cost for the event is $70 per person for those not affiliated with the Chamber and $60 per person for chamber members. A limited number of scholarships are available. The event is open to the public. Advanced reservations are required and may be made by calling The Chamber at 239-278-4001 or online at www.chamber-swflorida.com. Seating for the event is limited and will be confirmed on a first come basis.
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