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1977-09 (Florida League of Cities)e �1� r RESOLUTION NO. 1 A RESOLUTION OF ,FLORID.,4 LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. (`1` TO EXPRESS ITS APPRECIATION TO THE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF KISSIMMEE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CIVIC ORGANI- ZATIONS, BUSINESS FIRMS AND MANY CITIZENS OF KISSIMMEE FOR A SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED CONVENTION HELD AT THE HYATT HOUSE HOTEL ON OCTOBER 27, 28 and 29,'1977,-' WHEREAS, the convention of the Florida League of Cities Inc., held at the City of Kissimmee, on October 27, 28 and 29, 1977, has been successfully conducted through the cooperation of the city officials, Chamber of Commerce, civic organizations private business firms, and the many citizens of Kissimmee; and WHEREAS, the convention desires to show its appreciation for the kind attention, courtesies shown and assistance it has received holding this convention; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the Mayor, City Council, all other personnel of the City, the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce, management of the Hyatt House Hotel and the press, radio and television stations, Xerox Corporation, William R. Hough & Company, Craven, Thompson & Associates, Southland Equipment Company, Tupperware, Jack Taylor, Mayor of Whoopup, and all citizens of Kissimmee who contributed to the success of this convention, are hereby extended the full thanks and appreciation of this body for the splendid assistance, cooperation, and the fine entertainment provided. RESOLUTION NO. 2 RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLOUNTSTOWN ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 75th ANNIVERSARY. WHEREAS, the City of Blountstown, Florida will soon be celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of their incorpora- tion; and WHEREAS, the City of Blountstown was Chartered as a municipal corporation on May 2nd, 1903 and will have been incorporated for 75 years on May 2nd, 1978; and WHEREAS, it is deemed proper and advisable to recognize the City of Blountstown and their Diamond Anniversary Committee on this auspicious occasion, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., that the City of 1. That the City of Blountstown be, and is hereby recognized for their 75th year of incorporation -ith sincere and unanimous congratulations and best wishes to the City of Blountstown and their Diamond Anniversary Committee for a successful 75th birthday. RESOLUTION NO. 3 & RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., ENDORSING, URGING, AND SUPPORTING THE NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF THE HONORABLE CARL T. LANGFORD, MAYOR OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA, TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES. WHEREAS, the Honorable Carl T. Langford, Mayor of the City of Orlando, Florida, since 1967, has rendered long and distinguished public service to his City, the State of Florida, and to the municipalities of this State, and WHEREAS, Mayor Langford served as President of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., for 1973-74, and also served the League as First Vice -President for 1972-73, as Second Vice -President for 1971-72, and on the Board of Directors continuously since 1969 to -date, and WHEREAS, in addition to serving as an officer and director of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., Mayor Langford gave unstintingly of his time in the service of the League by working on numerous League committees many of which he was Chairman, and WHEREAS, during these many years of Mayor Langford's active participation in League activities the Florida League of Cities, Inc., its officers, directors, staff, and member cities have greatly benefitted from the leadership and incisive expertise in municipal matters, and WHEREAS, such municipal leadership and expertise should benefit not only the municipalities in Florida, but through- out the entire United States by service on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, and WHEREAS, the Nominating Committee of the National League of Cities will meet at the NLC 1977 Congress of Cities Ex- position in San Francisco on Monday, December 5, 1977, and the election of NLC Directors will occur at that meeting on December 7, 1977, Page 1 of 2 S NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., In Convention Assembled at Kissimmee, Florida, on the 29th day of October, 1977, as follows: 1. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc., hereby strongly endorses, urges and supports the nomi- nation and election of the Honorable Carl T. Langford, Mayor of Orlando, Florida, to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities at the 1977 NLC Congress of Cities and Exposition in San Francisco in December, 1977. 2. That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to all members of the NLC Nominating Committee and be made available to the voting delegates to the 1977 NLC Congress of Cities and Exposition. Page 2 of 2 i 0 RESOLUTION NO. 4 A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., URGING THE FLORIDA CON- GRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STRONGLY SUPPORT H.R. 5995, H.R. 7019 AND/OR S. 1487, ETC. WHICH WOULD MAKE INTERSTATE SMUGGLING OF CIGARETTES TO AVOID STATE TAXATION A FED- ERAL CRIME. WHEREAS, the interstate smuggling of contraband cigar- ettes, to wit, the sale, interstate transportation and possession of cigarettes upon which the appropriate state tax has not been paid, has reached gigantic proportions, and WHEREAS, the revenue loss to the various state govern- ments annually exceeds $400,000,000, and WHEREAS, Florida's tax equals the highest cigarette tax of any other of the 50 States; i.e., 21 cents per pack, which provides a strong incentive for illicit trafficking in contraband cigarettes, and WHEREAS, the Florida Board of Business Regulation pro- jects conservatively that the State of Florida loses $36 million annually because of smuggling of contraband cigar- ettes into the State of Florida, and WHEREAS, almost two-thirds of all state cigarette taxes collected in Florida are distributed to municipalities, and the said losses of cigarette tax collections due to said smuggling of contraband cigarettes results in a substantial loss of revenues to the municipalities in Florida, and WHEREAS, proposed legislation has been introduced in the Federal Congress to make interstate smuggling of cigar- ettes to avoid state taxation a federal crime, to -wit: H.R. 5995, H.R. 7019 and/or S. 1487. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., In Convention Assembled at Kissimmee, Florida, on the 29th day of October, 1977, as follows: 1. That the Florida League of Cities Inc., does hereby strongly endorse the passage of H.R. 5995, H.R. 7019, and/or S. 1487, or any other consensus bill making the interstate smuggling Page 1 of 2 of cigarettes to avoid state taxation a federal crime, and the Florida League of Cities, Inc., urges the Florida Congressional Delegation to join as co-sponsors of such legislation, and/or to strongly support same. 2. That a copy of this Resolution be trans- mitted to each member of the Florida U.S. Congressional Delegation. RESOLUTION NO. _ 5 RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. INVITING THE 1979 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MUNICIPAL LAW OFFICERS TO BE HELD IN FLORIDA. WHEREAS, the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers is composed of municipal attorneys throughout our Nation; and WHEREAS, this Institute is strongly supported by the city attorneys of Florida; and WHEREAS, the late William Madison, former City Attorney of Jacksonville served as President of this National Institute; and WHEREAS, the Local Government Law Section of The Florida Bar has been meeting in conjunction with the Annual Conventinn of the Florida League of Cities; and WHEREAS, the Florida League of Cities, Inc., will hold its annual convention in late October, 1979; and WHEREAS, the annual NIMLO meeting is usually held at a similar time; and WHEREAS, much benefit could be obtained from a coordinated meeting between the Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar; the Florida League of Cities and NIMLO; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the membership of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., does hereby cordially invite the annual NIMLO Meeting to be held in Florida in 1979; and 2. That every effort be made to coordinate dates, times and places for each of the aforementioned meetings. 3. That a copy of this Resolution be personally delivered to the annual NIMLO meeting by a designa- ted emissary of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., to express our sincere interest and dedicated coopera- tion to achieve the goals of this resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 6 RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., OPPOSING CERTAIN ACTIONS OF THE U. S. CONGRESS CONCERNING MANDATORY SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE OF ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. WHEREAS, the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S . House of Representatives has voted to require mandatory social security coverage for all local government employees; and WHEREAS, under the provisions of House Resolution No. 9346, such coverage would take effect in 1982; and WHEREAS, most local government employees, other than police and fire personnel, are currently covered by the Federal social security program; and WHEREAS, most fire and police personnel are covered by excellent state and locally funded retirement programs; and WHEREAS, the addition of all non -covered employees to the social security program would entail substantial costs to local governments, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the membership of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., does hereby oppose federal legislation man- dating social security coverage for all local govern - meet personnel; and 2. That copies of this Resolution be sent to all members of the..Florida Congressional Delegation urging their opposition.to this proposal. a RESOLUTION N0. 7 RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. CALLING UPON THE STATE TO PERMIT PUBLIC INDENTI- FICATION OF MINORS WHO ARE SECOND OFFENDERS IN THE COMMISSION OF FELONIES. WHEREAS, crime is rapidly increasing in the State of Florida, as well as the Nation -at Large; and WHEREAS, the percentage of crimes committed by juveniles is increasing at an alarming rate; and WHEREAS, the present laws of the State of Florida prohibiting publication of the identity of youthful criminals tend to encourage rather than deter criminal conduct by juveniles; and WHEREAS, the publication of the identity of youthful offenders would deter criminal activity and would enable the public to protect themselves from such convicted criminals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the State of Florida permit the publica- tion of the identity of minors regardless of age who have been convicted of a second or successive felony. 2. That copies of this Resolution be sent to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, the Governor, and members of the Cabinet of the State of Florida. RESOLUTION No.� RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL STRATEGIES BEING DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of many cities in Florida that an urban regional strategy is being developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and WHEREAS, such strategy is seemingly desired to substan- tially alter the existing relationship between regional planning councils and local governments by requiring a "certification" process; and WHEREAS, currently recommended policy indicates that lack of "certification" could jeopardize local government's receipt of grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment and, perhaps other federal agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Regulation, Department of Justice, and the Department of Transportation; and WHEREAS, such "certification" should not be an essential condition to the receipt of funds for which local governments are otherwise eligible; NOW, THREEFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the Department of Housing and Urban Development is urged to defer indefinitely such administrative action; and 2. That any further adjustment of powers between levels of government be submitted to Congress for review and consideration; and 3. That copies of the Resolution be sent to the Florida Congressional Delegation, the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. RESOLUTION NO. 9 A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., RECOMMENDING TO THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA THAT CONSTITU- TIONAL REVISION RELATING TO COURTS BE IMPLEMENTED AND ENFORCED. WHEREAS, the State Attorney of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit does not permit cases involving violation of the Town of Surfside Code to be presented in the County Court, but insistes that such violations be presented before an arbitra- tion group which has no power other than that of recommendation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc. recommends to the Florida Supreme Court that the constitutional revision relating to Courts be implemented and en- forced so that violations of the codes of various municipalities of the State of Florida be enforced in the several County Courts by a County Judge sitting in the appropriate city. 2. That copies of this Resolution be sent to each member of the Florida Supreme Court. M RESOLUTION NO. _lp_ A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. URGING CONGRESS TO PRESERVE FLORIDA AS THE SPACE CENTER OF THE FREE WORLD. WHEREAS, during the National League of Cities Conference, in Washington. D.C., a Brevard Delegation, consisting of repre- sentatives from the Cities of Melbourne, Palm Bay, Indialantic and Satellite Beach, met with Senator Stone in his Washington, D. C. Office, March 7, 1977; and WHEREAS, the Senator informed the delegation that the state of Florid apparently does not recognize that actions underway in the Department of Defense could have an adverse effect on the present and future economy of the State of Florida and the cities therein; and WHEREAS, Florida has been the Center of the Free World Man Space Program; and WHEREAS, obvious actions have been taken to consolidate all test range activities in California; and WHEREAS, a Department of Defense study on dis-establishment of the Eastern Test Range in Brevard County has been directed; and WHEREAS, The Brevard League of Mun ipalities by Resolution and Affirmative Action through the Governor, State Legislative Delegations, Congressional Representatives and a Brevard Action Committee, has requested from the President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Air Force, and Secretary of the Navy, that an impartial feasibility study on the most logical location of a consolidated test range facility from an economical and operational standpoint be undertaken; and WHEREAS, reports and replies received to date indicate no change in the permanent establishment of the Consolidated Test Range Headquarters in California or the proposed dis-estab- lishment of the Eastern Test Range; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. Every effort be made to prevent the unnecessary transfer of Space Programs and their support activities from Florida. 2. All Cities be enjoined to assist in the preserva- tion of Florida as the Space Center of the Free World. 3. That copies of this Resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis- tration, the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and each member of the Florida Con- gressional Delegation. RESOLUTION NO. 11 A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. TO THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PROTESTING THE INVERTED RATE STRUCTURE ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION IN REGARD TO THE RATES OF FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY. WHEREAS, Florida Power and Light Company applied to the Florida Public Service Commission for rate relief October 8, 1976; and, WHEREAS, the Florida Public Service Commission by order dated June 6, 1977, awarded Florida Power and Light Company an overall rate increase of approximately 16%; and, WHEREAS, in implementing the approximate 16% average rate increase, the Florida Public Service Commission ordered Florida Power and Light Company to use an inverted rate structure rather than the traditional declining block method; and WHEREAS, the inverted rate structure established a uniform charge per kilowatt hour up to 750 kilowatt hours per month (the so called life -line rate) and a higher rate for kilowatt hours used in excess of 750 kilowatts per month; and WHEREAS, the effect of this inverted rate structure places a disportionate burden on some users to bear a greater percentage of the rate increase than others; and WHEREAS, the inverted rate structure has a substantial adverse impact on many of the citizens of the State of Florida, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., In Convention Assembled in Kissimmee, Florida on this 29th day of October, 1977: Section 1. That Florida Public Service Commission is hereby requested to re-evaluate and study the advisability of implementing an inverted rate structure after competent substantial evidence has been presented indicating the real economic and energy impacts of such a rate structure. Section 2. That while this matter is under study that the Florida Public Service Commission order Florida Power and Light Company to implement its recently granted rate increase by the traditional declining block rate structure. RESOLUTION NO. 12 RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. ENDORSING AND SUPPORTING THE REPORT OF THE CONSTI- TUTIONAL REVISION COMMITTEE OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC. WHEREAS, Past President Richardson appointed a Committee to review the local government issues of the Florida Consti- tution; and WHEREAS, this Committee, under the able Chairmanship of Honorable Joseph W. Little, City Commissioner, City of Gainesville, has diligently conducted their study, and recommended significant changes in the Constitutional language as it affects local government; and WHEREAS, this report was presented to the Florida Consti- tution Revision Commission at their meeting in Fort Lauderdale, and WHEREAS, this report has been unanimously approved and the Chairman and members have been commended for their diligent work by the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.: 1. That the entire membership of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., unanimously support the recommen- dations of the Constitutional Revision Committee of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., and 2. That Chairman Little and all members of the Committee be/and are hereby commended for their untiring efforts in developing and presenting this report; and 3. That copies of this Resolution be sent to each member of the Florida Constitution Commission urging their support for the recommendations presented by the Florida League of Cities, Inc. (Submitted by League Staff.) RESOLUTION NO. 13 A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., URGING THE FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO STRONG- LY SUPPORT S. 1587, ETC. WHICH WOULD EXEMPT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION PLANS FROM TAXATION AND CER- TAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service in News Release, IR -1798, dated April 21, 1977, stated that governmental units that have employee benefit plans must file annual returns with the Internal Revenue Service, and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service in its News Re- lease, IR -1869, dated August 10, 1977, is considering whether the trusts relating to such plans are subject to tax on their income, and in News Release IR -1875, dated August 18, 1977, the Internal Revenue Service is requiring the filing of cer- tain reduced report requirements by governmental units by December 31, 1977 for 1975 returns and any 1976 returns due before that date; and WHEREAS, Senator Richard Stone (D -Fla.) has introduced S. 1587 which would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to exempt certain state and local government pension plans from certain reporting and taxing requirements. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., In Convention Assembled at Kissimmee, Florida, on the 29th day of October, 1977, as follows: 1. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc., does here- by strongly endorse the passage of S. 1587 exempt- ing certain state and local government pension plans from taxation and certain reporting require- ments, and the Florida League of Cities, Inc., urges the Florida Congressional Delegation to join as co- sponsors of such legislation, and/or to strongly support same. 2. That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each member of the Florida U.S. Congressional Dele- gation. Page 1 of 1 (Submitted by League Staff.) and RESOLUTION NO._IW /Y A RESOLUTION OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC., SUPPORTING THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF MUNICIPAL COURTS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WHEREAS, the Municipal Courts of the State of Florida were abolished; WHEREAS, Ordinance violations and other matters previously under the jurisdiction of said Courts have been transferred to the County Courts; and WHEREAS, said County Court Systems have created undesirable results and problems, to wit: (a) excessive and unnecessary expense of court administra- tion, (b) Courts too far removed from the cities they serve resulting in unnecessary inconvenience and expense of travel and coordination of witnesses and attendance, (c) lack of enforcement power in City Ordinances and total lack of direction and coordination of prosecution as for the City Ordinances, (d) inequity of fair share of revenue principal in that cases are disposed of by County Courts by imposing court costs and little or no fines to preclude the City share of revenue, (e) creattion of a manpower shortage in the Police Departments due to increasing court affiliated duties involved with the transportation of prisoners, increased paper work, increased time spent with the State Attorney"s, Office and in Court, and increased cost to the Police Departments due to the necessary increase in mileage and maintenance costs on cars and payment for wages due to the length of time spent in court and in travel to court due to the distances traveled. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIE$ IN CONVENTION ASSEMBLED IN KISSIMMEE, Florida, this 29th Day of October, 1977: 1. The Florida League of Cities, Inc. supports an amendment to Article V of the Florida Constitution which will allow a municipality to, at its option, maintain a Munidipal Court System, which Court would have jurisdiction for cases of misdemenor, city ordinance violations and cases of a traffic nature made by police officers of said municipality. 2. That the Florida League of Cities, Inc. will send a copy to members of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, the House and Senate Leadership , as appropriate. a � • ADDENDUM TO RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT The Following Resolutions were submitted to the Resolutions Committee and were referred to the appropriate Standing Committee of the League for consideration and possible inclusion into the State Legislative Policy State- ment of the Florida League of Cities, Inc., in accordance with Resolution No. 6, adopted by the membership at the convention held in Miami Beach in October of 1976: A. A Resolution submitted by the Cities of Naples and Orange Park - relating to double taxation B. A resolution submitted by the Southwest Florida League of Cities and the City of Naples relating to the method of fixing millage rates. C. A Resolution submitted by the City of Fort Lauderdale relating to the "heart bill". D. A Resolution submitted relating to mandatory sentencing. E. A Resolution submitted by the ,Dade County League of Cities and the City of North Bay Village relating to the Public Records Law. Another Resolution was submitted by the City of Longboat Key relating to dual taxation addressed in the Constitution Revision Commission report and this Resolution was tabled.