HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdd on: Lobbyist Agreement~DO on ~~= ~t,.
City of~fictmi C~'arcfens
1515-200 NW 167t" Street
Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
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Mayor Shirley Gibson
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon II
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton
Councilman Aaron Campbell Jr.
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett
Councilwoman Barbara Watson
Councilman Andre Williams
AEenda Cover Pa~e
Date:
Fiscal Impact: No ^ Yes x
(If yes, explain in Staff Summary)
Resolution ^
Funding Source:
Contract/P.O. Requirement: Yes x o^
Sponsor Name/Department: D. w
E
Public hearing ^ Quasi-Judicial ^
Ordinance ^
1 st Reading ^ 2nd Reading ^
Advertising requirement: Yes ^ No x
RFP/RFQ/Bid # n/a
Title
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS,
FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE A LOBBYIST UNDERTAKING AGREEMENT WITH RONALD BOOK,
ESQUIRE, FOR LOBBYING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE
FLORIDA HOUSE AND SENATE IN THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE
AMOUNT OF $17,500.00; WAIVING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; PROVIDING
FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Staff Summarv
The City is currently facing an issue that will determine Miami Gardens' survival as a
municipality. This issue is the property tax legislation now passed by each chamber of
the legislature and currently in conference. As a new city, we must ensure that whatever
plan passes, the City is exempted from its roll-back provisions. Unlike mature cities that
have reserves and long established service levels, we are still growing and trying to
stabilize. Even with such an exemption, our resident would still enjoy a reduction of
their taxes as the exemption would not apply to County and possibility other special
district taxes.
As you know, the City currently has a paid lobbyist in Tallahassee. Our lobbyist is
working hard on this issue as we speak and to date has done a fantastic job of ensuring
that our voice is heard in Tallahassee; however, because of the critical nature of this issue
to the survival of the City, I have come to the conclusion that we need additional help in
ensuring that the exemption makes it into the final bill. Every lobbyist has their
strengths, however, no lobbyists has equal access to every legislator. This is why
jurisdictions like Miami-Dade County have 17 different lobbyists on their payroll.
Broward County has 23 and even small cities like Lauderdale Lakes have two firms.
Every lobbyist has a unique group of legislators with whom they work well.
When we initially hired our lobbyist in 2004, City Council interviewed a number of
firms, finally selecting our current lobbyists. At the time, Council discussed hiring more
than one firm, however, at that time, we could only afford one firm. I still believe that
one firm can handle our needs during a typical session. However, the current situation is
not typical, and its critical nature demands that we do whatever is necessary to ensure our
position prevails.
I am recommending that the City Council authorize me to hire the original runner-up firm
of Ron Book & Associates for this one-time issue. I have spoken to Mr. Book and he has
agreed to assist us on this issue for a fee of $17,500.
Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to secure the services of Ron Book & Associates for
assistance in the issue of securing an exemption for the property tax roll-back provisions
of the proposed tax legislation.
Resolution No.
RESOLUTION No. 2007-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A LOBBYIST UNDERTAKING
AGREEMENT WITH RONALD BOOK, ESQUIRE, FOR LOBBYING
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX
AMENDMENT TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FLORIDA HOUSE AND
SENATE IN THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE AMOUNT OF
$17,500.00; WAIVING CONFLiCTS OF INTEREST; PROVIDING FOR
THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
~ WHEREAS, during this 2007 legislative session, both the Florida House and
2 Senate are considering proposals to cut property taxes, and
3 WHEREAS, the proposed Property Tax Initiatives are expected to have a
4 significant negative effect on the City's financial situation, and
5 WHEREAS, in light of the potential negative impact on the City's finances, the
6 City Manager is recommending that the City undertake the services of Ronald Book,
7 Esquire, to assist the City with lobbying efforts in connection with the proposed tax
8 initiatives,
9 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
10 OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
11 Section 1. ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas
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paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
made a specific part of this Resolution.
Section 2. AUTHORIZATION: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens
hereby authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Lobbyist Undertaking
Agreement with Ronald Book, Esquire, for the specified purpose of assisting the City
with lobbying efforts in connection with the 2007 legislative session and specifically
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Resolution No.
18 relating to the proposed House and Senate Property Tax Initiatives in the amount of
19 $17,500.00 with a proviso that any such Agreement be reviewed and approved by the
20 City Attorney.
21 Section 3. WAIVER OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: To the extent Ronald
22 Book, Esquire, has any conflicts of interest with respect to representing the City's
23 interests, the City Council hereby waves all such conflicts.
24 Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately
25 upon its final passage.
26 PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
27 GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON APRIL 25, 2007.
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ATTEST:
KulVt I I H I AYLUR, CMC, CITY CLERK
SHIRLEY GIBSON, MAYOR
Prepared by SONJA KNIGHTON DICKENS, ESQ.
City Attorney
SPONSORED BY: DANNY CREW, CITY MANAGER
MOVED BY:
SECONDED BY:
VOTE:
Mayor Shirley Gibson (Yes) (No)
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon, II (Yes) (No)
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton (Yes) (No)
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Resolution No.
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Councilman Aaron Campbell (Yes) (No)
Councilman Andre Williams (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Barbara Watson (Yes) (No)
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