This session, Florida’s community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) are being targeted for an “overhaul” to institute reforms related to their operation. However, proposed bills in the Florida Senate and House, CS/CS/Senate Bill 1054 and CS/House Bill 9, go too far to limit the creation of new agencies, and to limit their terms. This proposed overhaul of…
DetailsA string of recent tough decisions and moral dilemmas in the sale of city-owned properties have left some questioning if it’s time to reevaluate the process. Members of the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s advisory board asked city officials Thursday for suggestions on how to make the sale of city-owned land more transparent and consistent. The…
DetailsThe Florida Commission on Ethics today approved a joint settlement agreement with 2018 gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum for accepting a gift over $100 from a city lobbyist while he was mayor of Tallahassee. After about five minutes of discussion, the commission by voice vote accepted the joint stipulated agreement announced in April, that dropped four…
DetailsThe City of Leesburg is revamping its website to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. City commissioners last week voted to spend up to $100,000 to rework the site after settling a lawsuit alleging documents weren’t accessible to blind people. Specifically, the suit said, the documents weren’t compatible with text-to-voice assistive technology. Joel Price,…
DetailsOne of the positive consequences of a shared trauma like Hurricane Michael is an even more powerful collective commitment to a common goal. Indeed, the arrival of such a watershed opportunity ushers in a promise for the future and an important sense of closure for the past. To that end, we are proud to report…
DetailsPalm Coast residents now have a new interactive tool at their disposal that’s poised to put city services a couple clicks away. City officials this week announced the launch of a new mobile-friendly app called Palm Coast Connect, which is designed to streamline the process through which citizens access public services. Residents can use the…
DetailsPresident Trump on Thursday signed the $19.1 billion disaster relief package that passed the House on Monday. “Just signed Disaster Aid Bill to help Americans who have been hit by recent catastrophic storms. So important for our GREAT American farmers and ranchers. Help for GA, FL, IA, NE, NC, and CA. Puerto Rico should love…
DetailsFor three years, the city has been working on a plan that it says will provide residents with safe, comfortable and convenient ways to move to and from homes, shops, schools and businesses. That plan was unveiled Thursday by officials, who discussed it two days earlier as part of a public presentation in Council chambers.…
DetailsDelray’s Community Redevelopment Agency will move a 1937 historic home to its property and convert it into office space. The home, located at 215 NE 7th Ave., is poised to become the location of a new town house project. Instead of razing the two-story home, the agency will work with the developer to move it…
DetailsEscambia County is considering designating four Community Redevelopment Areas in north Pensacola and Cantonment as brownfield areas. The County Commission will vote Thursday to schedule two public hearings on designating the Community Redevelopment Areas in Atwood, Ensley, Oakfield and Cantonment as brownfield areas, which would allow properties in those areas to qualify for state and federal…
DetailsThe legislation which passed in the 2019 session, CS/HB 9, is now law effective October 1, 2019. Although there are several provisions that tighten up reporting, auditing and training provisions in Chapter 163, Part III, there is also a part of the bill that deals with new rules for website postings. Due to the fact…
DetailsIn an effort to make the Riviera Beach waterfront more accessible for everyone in our community, Riviera Beach CRA recently announced plans for new equipment designed to assist visitors who find it challenging to navigate the sand and water at Marina Village. First will be the installation of a 5-foot-wide ADA-compatible (Americans with Disabilities Act…
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