HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEOPW-CRA-M-98-0044Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version
Florida House of Representatives - 1998
By Representative Lacasa
A bill to be entitled
1 An act relating to the Community Redevelopment Act of 1969;
2 amending s. 163.340, F.S.; defining "sales tax increment
3 revenues, " and amending the definitions of "governing body" and
4 "increment revenues "; amending s. 163.345, F.S.; expanding
5 provisions which direct counties and municipalities to involve
6 private enterprise in redevelopment; creating s. 163.3555, F.S. ;
7 providing special requirements applicable to a community
8 redevelopment area which utilizes sales tax increment funding;
9 amending s. 163.360, F.S.; revising a determination relating to
10 housing that must be made before certain land in a community
11 redevelopment area is acquired; amending s. 163.362, F.S.;
12 revising requirements for community redevelopment plans relating
13 to publicly funded capital projects and relocation of displaced
14 persons; providing requirements for plans which include a private
15 capital investment project; requiring certain agreements and
16 performance guarantees; amending s. 163.370, F.S.; revising
17 restrictions imposed on financing certain public buildings with
18 increment revenues; amending s. 163.387, F.S.; removing a
19 provision that allows certain counties to adopt a special formula for
20 funding their redevelopment trust funds; authorizing funding of a
21 redevelopment trust fund by the increment in sales and use taxes
22 collected within certain community redevelopment areas; providing
23 for determination of such increment; providing administrative
24 duties of local governing bodies and the Department of Revenue;
25 amending s. 212.20, F.S., to conform; amending s. 213.053, F.S.;
26 authorizing the Department of Revenue to share certain
27 information with local governing bodies; providing for rules;
28 providing an effective date.
29
30
31 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
32
33 Section 1. Subsections (3) and (22) is amended and Subsections (23) is added to section
34 163.340, Florida Statutes, to read:
35 163.340 Definitions. - -The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this part,
36 have the following meanings:
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version HB 3411
(3) "Governing body" means the council or other legislative body charged with governing
the county or municipality, which made the finding described in s. 163.355.
4 (22) "Increment revenue" means the . .. . .. .. . revenues
5 calculated and deposited in the redevelopment trust fund as provided in s.163.387(1).
6
7 (23) "Sales tax increment revenues" means the revenues calculated and deposited in the
8 redevelopment trust fund as provided in s. 163.387(1)(c)
9
10 Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 163.345, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
11 163.345 Encouragement of private enterprise.- -
12 (1) Any county or municipality, to the greatest extent it determines to be feasible in
13 carrying out the provisions of this part, shall afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the
14 sound needs of the county or municipality as a whole, to the rehabilitation or redevelopment of
15 the community redevelopment area by private enterprise. Any county or municipality shall give
16 consideration to this objective in exercising its powers under this part, including the formulation
17 of a workable program; the approval of community redevelopment plans, communitywide plans
18 or programs for community redevelopment, and general neighborhood redevelopment plans
19 (consistent with the general plan of the county or municipality); the exercise of its zoning
20 powers; the enforcement of other laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use of land and the
21 use and occupancy of buildings and improvements; the development of affordable housing; the
22 disposition of any property acquired;the development of private capital investment projects; the
23 encouragement of private enterprise to invest in the redevelopment or rehabilitation process
24 through financial incentives; and the provision of necessary public improvements.
25
26 Section 3. Section 163.355, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
27 163.355 Additional requirements for community redevelopment areas utilizing sales tax
28 increment revenues.--
29 (1) No community redevelopment agency shall utilize sales tax increment revenues
30 pursuant to s. 163.387(1)(c) until the governing body has adopted a resolution finding that the
31 community redevelopment area has the conditions described in subsection (2). The finding shall
32 be based on data from the most current decennial census, and from information published by the
33 Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data shall be comparable in point
34 or period of time and methodology employed.
35 (2) To be eligible to receive sales tax increment revenues pursuant to s. 163.387(1)(c),
36 the community redevelopment area shall have the following conditions:
37 (a) In each census tract within an area, the poverty rate is not less than 50 percent.
38 (b) In each of the census tract within the area, the poverty rate is not less than 35
39 percent.
40 (c) The average rate of unemployment in the area as a whole is not less than 15 percent
41 based on the most recent decennial census information published by the Bureau of the Census
42 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version HB 3411
1 (d) Contiguous census tracts with no population shall be treated as having a poverty rate
2 which meets the standards of paragraphs (a) and (b), and an unemployment rate which meets the
3 standard of paragraph (c).
4 (e) For purposes of this subsection (2), "poverty rate" describes the number of persons
5 residing within the area who meet the definition of persons living below the poverty level as
6 defined by the U.S. Government.
7 (f) In making the calculations required by this section, all fractional percentages of one -
8 half percent or more shall be rounded up to the next highest whole percentage figure.
9
10 Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (7) of section 163.360, Florida Statutes, is
11 amended to read:
12 163.360 Community redevelopment plans.- -
13 (7) If the community redevelopment area consists of an area of open land to be acquired
14 by the county or the municipality, such area may not be so acquired unless:
15 (a) In the event the area is to be developed in whole or in part for residential uses, the
16 governing body determines:
17 1. That a shortage of housing of sound standards and design which is decent, safe,
18 affordable to residents of low or moderate income, including the elderly, and sanitary exists in
19 the county or municipality;
20 2- or that the need for housing accommodations has increased in the area;
21 2.37 That the conditions of blight in the area or the shortage of decent, safe, affordable,
22 and sanitary housing cause or contribute to an increase in and spread of disease and crime or
23 constitute a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare; and
24 3.4. That the acquisition of the area for residential uses is an integral part of and is
25 essential to the program of the county or municipality.
26
27 Section 5. Subsections (4) and (7) of section 163.362, Florida Statutes, are amended,
28 and subsection (12) is added to said section, to read:
29 163.362 Contents of community redevelopment plan.- -
30 Every community redevelopment plan shall:
31 (4) Identify specifically any publicly funded capital projects to be undertaken within the
32 community redevelopment area. Subject to the provisions of s. 163.370(2), such publicly funded
33 capital improvements may include police stations or substations, fire - rescue stations, roads and
34 walkways, public transit facilities, street lighting, off - street parking, parks, open space, green
35 space, cultural facilities, and entertainment and recreational facilities.
36 (7) Provide assistance assurances that there will be replacement housing for the
37 relocation of persons temporarily or permanently displaced from housing facilities within the
38 community redevelopment area, including relocation to a location outside of the area. This
39 subsection does not require replacement housing be provided as a condition of implementing the
40 community redevelopment plan.
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version
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1 Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 163.370, Florida Statutes, is
2 amended to read:
3 163.370 Powers; counties and municipalities; community redevelopment agencies.- -
4 (2) The following projects may not be paid for or financed by increment revenues:
5 (a) Construction or expansion of administrative buildings for public bodies or police and
6 fire buildings, unless the each taxing authority which would have jurisdiction of the building
7 agrees to such method of financing for the construction or expansion.
8
9 Section 7. Subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection (2), and subsection (7) of section
10 163.387, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
11 163.387 Redevelopment trust fund.- -
12 (1)(a) There shall be established for each community redevelopment agency created
13 under s. 163.356 a redevelopment trust fund. Funds allocated to and deposited into this fund
14 shall be used by the agency to finance or refinance any community redevelopment it undertakes
15 pursuant to the approved community redevelopment plan. No community redevelopment agency
16 may receive or spend any increment revenues pursuant to this section unless and until the
17 governing body has, by ordinance, provided for the funding of the redevelopment trust fund
18 for the duration of a community redevelopment plan. Such ordinance may be adopted only after
19 the governing body has approved a community redevelopment plan.
20 (b) The annual funding of the redevelopment trust fund shall be in an amount not less
21 than that increment in the income, proceeds, revenues, and funds of each taxing authority
22 derived from or held in connection with the undertaking and carrying out of community
23 redevelopment under this part. Such increment shall be determined annually and shall be that
24 amount equal to 95 percent of the difference between:
25 1.{-a} The amount of ad valorem taxes levied each year by each taxing authority,
26 exclusive of any amount from any debt service millage, on taxable real property contained within
27 the geographic boundaries of a community redevelopment area; and
28 The The amount of ad valorem taxes which would have been produced by the rate upon
29 which the tax is levied each year by or for each taxing authority, exclusive of any debt service
30 millage, upon the total of the assessed value of the taxable real property in the community
31 redevelopment area as shown upon the most recent assessment roll used in connection with the
32 taxation of such property by each taxing authority prior to the effective date of the ordinance
33 providing for the funding of the trust fund. _
34 defined in s. 125.011(1) may, in the ordinance providing for the funding or— a—tru�
35 - -. - -- • -
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(c)1. In addition to the funding of the redevelopment trust fund provided for under
paragraph (b), an ordinance by the governing body which created the fund may provide for
annual deposit of the sales tax increment revenues in the fund if the area meets the requirements
of s. 163.3555. An ordinance which created the redevelopment trust fund did not provide for
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version HB 3411
1 the deposit of sales tax increment revenues may be amended to provide for such sales tax
2 increment revenues without affecting the calculation or deposit of the increment revenues
3 described in subsection (1). Notwithstanding a subsequent decennial census being completed
4 after the enactment of the ordinance described in this subsection, the most recent census prior
5 to the enactment of the ordinance shall be the basis for the determination of eligibility for sales
6 tax increment revenues and the calculation of such increment. The sales tax increment revenues
7 shall be determined annually, and shall be the difference between:
8 a. The aggregate amount of state sales and use taxes remitted by dealers under chapter
9 212 at places of business located within the geographic boundaries of the community
10 redevelopment area during the state fiscal year for which the increment is being determined; and
11 b.the amount of sales and use taxes so remitted in the state fiscal year immediately
12 preceding the adoption of the ordinance;
13 2. The governing body shall notify the Department of Revenue within 10 calendar days
14 after the adoption or amendment of an ordinance that provides for sales tax increment revenues,
15 and shall include a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to s. 163.3555.
16 3. For the purposes of determining the amount of sales tax increment revenues to be
17 transferred to each community redevelopment trust fund funded pursuant to this paragraph, the
18 Department of Revenue and each governing body that adopts or amends such an ordinance shall
19 exchange tax administration information on an annual basis, in the format prescribed by the
20 Department of Revenue. Each governing body with such an ordinance, and the Department of
21 Revenue, are responsible for transmitting this shared data no later than September 1 of each
22 year. Such information shall include the taxpayer's sales tax registration number and business
23 location and such other tax registration information as the Department of Revenue prescribes.
24 To the fullest extent practicable, the information shall be shared in a computer - processable
25 medium. For the initial calculation, each governing body and the Department of Revenue shall
26 exchange all information enumerated in this subparagraph no later than the first day of the fourth
27 month after the adoption of the ordinance providing for sales tax increment revenues.
28 4. Based upon the information provided by the governing body pursuant to
29 subparagraphs 2. and 3., the Department of Revenue shall calculate the sales tax increment
30 revenues for that community redevelopment area each state fiscal year and transfer that amount
31 to a separate account within the redevelopment trust fund.
32 (2)(a) Except for the purpose of funding the trust fund pursuant to subsection (3), upon
33 the adoption of an ordinance providing for funding of the redevelopment trust fund as provided
34 in this section, each taxing authority shall, by January 1 of each year, appropriate to the trust
35 fund for so long as any indebtedness pledging increment revenues to the payment thereof is
36 outstanding (but not to exceed 30 years) a sum that is no less than the increment as defined and
37 determined in paragraph (1)(b) s ubsection (1) accruing to such taxing authority. If the
38 community redevelopment plan is amended or modified pursuant to s. 163.361(1), each such
39 taxing authority shall make the annual appropriation for a period not to exceed 30 years after
40 the date the governing body amends the plan. (7) On the last day of the fiscal year of the
41 community redevelopment agency, any money which remains in the trust fund after the payment
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version HB 3411
1 of expenses pursuant to subsection (6) for such year, except for money remaining in the sales
2 tax increment account, shall be:
3 (a) Returned to each taxing authority which paid the increment described in paragraph
4 (1)(b) in the proportion that the amount of the payment of such taxing authority bears to the total
5 amount paid into the trust fund by all taxing authorities within the redevelopment area for that
6 year;
7 (b) Used to reduce the amount of any indebtedness to which increment revenues are
8 pledged; (c) Deposited into an escrow account for the purpose of later reducing any
9 indebtedness to which increment revenues are pledged; or
10 (d) Appropriated to a specific redevelopment project pursuant to an approved community
11 redevelopment plan which project will be completed within 3 years from the date of such
12 appropriation. Any money remaining in the sales tax increment account as of the end of each
13 fiscal year of the agency and not obligated or committed shall be returned to the Department of
14 Revenue for deposit in the General Revenue Fund.
15
16 Section 8. Paragraph (f) of subsection (6) of section 212.20, Florida Statutes, is
17 redesignated as paragraph (g), and a new paragraph (f) is added to said subsection to read:
18
19 212.20 Funds collected, disposition; additional powers of department; operational
20 expense; refund of taxes adjudicated unconstitutionally collected.- -
21 (6) Distribution of all proceeds under this chapter shall be as follows:
22 (f) That portion of the proceeds of sales and use taxes collected within a community
23 redevelopment area and designated as the sales tax increment revenues by ordinance adopted
24 pursuant to s. 163.387(1)(c) shall be reallocated to the sales tax increment account within the
25 community redevelopment trust fund for that area.
26
27 Section 9. Paragraph (o) is added to subsection (7) of section 213.053, Florida Statutes,
28 to read:
29 213.053 Confidentiality and information sharing.- -
30 (7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department may provide:
31 (o) Information authorized pursuant to s. 163.387(1)(c) to a local governing body which
32 have adopted an ordinance providing for sales tax increment revenues. Disclosure of
33 information under this subsection shall be pursuant to a written agreement between the executive
34 director and the agency. Such agencies, governmental or nongovernmental, shall be bound by
35 the same requirements of confidentiality as the Department of Revenue. Breach of
36 confidentiality is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided by s. 775.082 or s.
37 775.083.
38
39 Section 10. The Department of Revenue is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to
40 effectuate the provisions of s. 163.387(1)(c) pertaining to the calculation and reallocation of sales
41 tax increment revenues.
42
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Holland & Knight April 6, 1998 Version HB 3411
1 Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1 of the year in which enacted.
ORL1- 222122.5 \707 \27387 -98
April 6, 1998
7
98 44
ssOrw /cam►
ARTHUR E. TEELE JR.
The Honorable Vice Chairman and
Members of the City Commission
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, Florida 33131
C #� nf JFIuriba
Dear Mr. Vice Chairman and Memb; of the City Commission:
Warm personal regards.
Faithfully,
Arthur E. Teele, Jr.
Commissioner, District 5
Enclosure
■
F.C 60N. .2•
MIAM FLORID.
FAX L _—
October 26, 1998
Re: : enda Item 15B - Interlocal Agreement
City of Miami and Miami CRA
Pursuant to the City Commission's consideration of the above reference item, enclosed is an
outline of the proposed Interlocal Agreement (the Agreement) between the City of Miami, and
the Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). I am hopeful that it will assist in your
review of this important agreement.
The interlocal agreement memorializes the relationship of the CRA with the City of Miami, and
provides for the adoption of a five year plan to fully fund the CRA commencing in FY 2000
(October 1999). The Agreement proposes that the City of Miami provide Community
Development Block Grant funds, and other eligible sources to fully fund the development
activities undertaken by the CRA in the Southeast Overtown Park West and Omni
Redevelopment Areas. In a separate Resolution, the CRA proffers a five year "sunset" review of
the CRA by an independent policy and program commission.
The Interlocal Agreement was negotiated with the City Administration over several weeks, and
thorough and thoughtful discussions on all issues were exchanged. The CRA Board approved the
precursor to this Agreement at its September 22 Board meeting and ceded to the City
Commission the authority to amend and approve without further CRA Board action: the interim
Executive Director was authorized to revise the budget and documents in accordance with
Commission action. We look forward to the City Commission's consideration of this agreement
and the companion legislation which will be introduced under my sponsorship at the October 27,
City Commission meeting.
sEoPw /cR
cc: The Honorable Joe Carollo
Alex Vilarello, City Attorney
Walter Foeman, City Clerk
Donald Warshaw, City Manager
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98- 44
SEOPW /CRA 9 8 - 4 4
1
5.2 Selection of Executive Director of
CRA
ARTICLE /SECTION
• Responsible for the planning, development, program management, technical assistance, coordination,
project administration, monitoring and other services necessary for the completion of the designated
Projects.
• Designates the Executive Director of CRA as the party to manage all work and activities related to the
Projects
• For financing of projects in future years, the CRA shall prepare and submit to the City, prior to the
City's appropriation, allocation and approval of its budget. a proposal which identifies the projects
and activities to be undertaken by the CRAs.
• Provides by amendments, alterations on projects by Executive Director on behalf of the CRA and
written concurrence of the City.
CRA to provide bi- annual status reports to the City, no later than April 30 and October 30 of each year, on
the projects.
CRA to select and employ a person or consultant as Executive Director and to determine qualifications,
duties and compensation for the position.
SEOPW /CRA 9 8 - 4 4
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SIRADu77 /rn . 1
AGENDA ITEM 15B
We Can Do Better
FRONT PORCH FLORIDA
A Comprehensive Policy for Improving the Quality of Life in
Florida's Urban Cores "One Neighborhood at a Time"
By Jeb Bush & Frank Brogan
Goal of Front Porch Florida:
To advance an urban policy that will release the power of local communities in Florida's urban
cores to rebuild their neighborhoods through a redevelopment process that is neighborhood
asset - based, community- focused, and relationship- driven. As Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
we will use our office and position to personally generate public and private resources to assist
selected neighborhoods in the development and implementation of a Neighborhood Action Plan.
Front Porch Florida will employ a comprehensive approach empowering urban core residents to
define and craft solutions to their problems, while bringing to the table those who influence
education, economic and environmental circumstances.
Within our urban cores, Front Porch Florida will improve schools, reduce crime, increase economic
opportunities, provide adequate infrastructure and affordable housing opportunities, and create an
environment that fosters strong families and vital communities.
However, it will not do these things without a sense of perspective. Over the last year, we have had
the opportunity to reach out to people, programs and neighborhoods within our urban cores. From
the lessons learned and friendships made, a set of principles has emerged to form the framework for
Front Porch Florida. First, urban revitalization begins in the neighborhood and not in Tallahassee.
Citizens should drive the process. Second, access to capital is critical to sustaining any urban
renewal efforts. Third, government cannot fall into the trap of raising expectations beyond its
capacity to deliver. We can do better in our urban cores, but government is not the panacea. Fourth,
affirmative action programs can broaden opportunity. Though we oppose guaranteeing results
through quotas and set asides, we believe it must be an important state goal to hire people who
reflect the diversity of Florida and to provide opportunities that might not otherwise exist. Fifth, an
effective state urban policy must support existing efforts and work with the on -going activities of
local communities, mayors and municipalities.
With these principles at the forefront, our Front Porch Florida program will:
• Establish 20 Front Porch Communities across Florida. By the year 2002, the Office of the
Governor will have identified and brought together 20 specifically designated Front Porch
Communities. These communities will each develop a specialized Neighborhood Action Plan
that the governor's office, in partnership with the community, will work to implement
utilizing resources from inside and outside the neighborhood. Urban core residents will be
empowered to define the problems specific to their community and develop the solutions that
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will result in change. No longer will urban renewal be dictated from above.
• Create an Office of Urban Opportunity within the Governor's Office. For the first time,
responsibility and accountability for urban affairs will reside directly in the governor's office.
The Office of Urban Opportunity will serve as a "civic switchboard," connecting the Front
Porch Communities with federal and state funding, other agencies and departments, and
private and not for profit resources necessary to implement their Neighborhood Action Plans.
It will also eliminate and consolidate bureaucracy, create strategic alliances and networks of
community collaboration, and develop and forge better relationships between Front Porch
communities and other community, corporate, and faith -based organizations.
• Reduce the Barriers to Opportunity. As Front Porch Florida residents work to define the
specific problems and solutions for their communities, there will be common issues that
resonate through all urban core communities. We will make available to these 20 Front Porch
communities, and in most cases other urban core communities, a specialized package of
incentives and opportunities that might not otherwise be available to other communities.
These include a Smart Growth program giving Front Porch Communities and other urban
core communities a priority in state funding for infrastructure and development, a Talented
Tenth program providing college scholarships for the top 10% at every urban high school, an
urban homesteading program to give residents a reasonable chance at home ownership, a
statewide microcredit loan program providing increased access to capital through small loans
to entrepreneurs who might not otherwise qualify, improved health services through the
creation of Preventive Health Partnerships, increased state tax credits and incentives for low
income housing, new partnerships between franchisers and minority or urban-based
franchisees, and an aggressive mentors program matching 2000 mentors with at -need
children in the Front Porch communities.
Prosperity for All?
In this season of economic growth, many Floridians are enjoying an improved quality of life. Yet
for families living in Miami's Liberty City or East Little Havana or Broward County's Sistrunk
Corridor; for the people of Southside St. Pete, Orlando's Parramore Neighborhood, Jacksonville's
Northwest Quadrant, Gainesville's Eastside, Tampa's College Hill or Tallahassee's Frenchtown, the
quality of life over the last seven years has not improved. They have not shared in our good
economic times. They have not experienced the blessings of prosperity ... yet.
• In these neighborhoods, there has been a loss of jobs and unemployment rates are among the
highest in the state.
• In these neighborhoods, there has been a total and complete breakdown of the education
system. According to Education Week, nearly 80% of the fourth graders in Florida's urban
cores are reading below a basic fourth grade reading level and 74% of Florida's urban core
eighth graders are below basic levels in math.
• In these neighborhoods, concerns for public safety have not diminished. The rate of violent
crimes in our nation's cities is 279% higher than it is in our suburbs.
• In these neighborhoods, record numbers of our children live in poverty and a majority are
born without fathers in the home. In Dade County, for example, nearly 40% of the children
live in poverty. Similarly, out of wedlock birth rates exceed 60% in many of our urban core
communities
In these neighborhoods, vacant and abandoned buildings remain undeveloped while
infrastructure needs are often bypassed in order to accommodate growth and expansion in
Florida's outlying suburbs. According to a recent national survey, Florida ranked second
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worst in the nation behind Iowa in maintaining urban roads and highways.
• In these neighborhoods, eroding tax bases in the urban core and cheaper development costs
outside the community continue to serve as a disincentive for business growth and economic
development.
• In these neighborhoods, the lack of affordable housing is still a barrier to quality family and
community life.
In the past, and even now, there have been well- intentioned efforts to address these problems. Over
the last 30 years, the state has advanced more than 25 urban policy initiatives and laws, including
the Urban Redevelopment Act of 1994, the Urban High -Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program, the
State Housing Initiative Partnership, the Brownfields Redevelopment Act, and the Community
Development Corporation Support and Assistance Program. In Florida, we have enterprise zones,
community redevelopment areas, empowerment zones, safe neighborhood improvement districts,
brownfield areas, community development corporations and historic preservation districts.
Still, something is sorely missing.
Past efforts at urban reform have lacked two critical elements for success: (1) a truly
comprehensive, integrated approach to solving urban problems, including crime, education,
economic opportunity, access to capital and insurance, infrastructure, environment and housing, and
(2) the restoration of power and authority to urban residents so that problems and solutions are
defined from the bottom -up, not top -down.
A Comprehensive Approach to Improving the Quality of Life in our Urban Cores
Florida has a myriad of laws, initiatives and programs to address our state's urban issues. Yet these
reforms are fragmented with little relation to one another and oftentimes implemented by competing
state agencies. In addition, while many of these so- called urban reforms address business
development and growth management, few, if any, speak to the lack of quality education and
protection from crime for those in our urban cores.
For example, Community Development block grants may be successful in funding certain
infrastructure needs, but without addressing public safety, the positive effects of the investment are
diminished. And while enterprise zones may have some limited success in attracting businesses to
economically depressed areas, without well- educated students able to take advantage of the new
opportunities, enterprise zones will not have the dramatic effect they should.
In sum, Florida state government has proposed reforms in the past that treat various urban problems
in a vacuum. Furthermore, local, county, state and federal programs all have different rules and
requirements creating conflicts, duplication, and confusion with the end result being residents
failing to see the benefits of the millions of dollars supposedly being spent on their behalf Without
a more comprehensive approach, our urban reforms have and will continue to fail to generate the
social and economic benefits they can potentially achieve.
Empowering Urban Core Residents to Define the Cause of Problems and Craft Solutions
There is no greater power than the right to define the cause of a problem. If urban core residents can
effectively assert the right to define the causes of their community's problems, then neighborhoods
will have the power to determine the solutions and effectively "buy in to the course of action that is
needed.
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In the past, however, government at all levels has captured the right to define urban issues. As a
result, there has been no "buy in" process by the urban core community itself. Old -style politicians
and government bureaucrats have come into Florida's urban cores to define the perceived problems,
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treat the perceived problems and then evaluate the effectiveness of the self - styled treatment. The
urban residents being served are often left out and marginalized through the reform process.
The message from the old -style politicians to our urban residents is clear: We know what problem
you have. We are the solution to your problem. You can't understand the problem or the solution.
Only we can decide whether the solution has dealt with your problem.
At times, these same politicians and government bureaucrats say they want urban residents to
participate in reforms but only offer resident a token role. They stop short of giving urban core
residents actual control -- the power to decide and to act.
Honest, decent and hard working people in our cities want to act rather than be acted upon. They
want to be citizens in a community rather than clients of a bureaucracy. Giving urban core residents
the power to define their problems and the ability to take the lead in efforts to craft a solution is the
only way we can expect to improve the quality of life in Florida's inner cities. Only then will urban
core residents actually "own" their urban renewal plan.
Establish 20 Front Porch Communities across Florida
The Front Porch Florida initiative seeks to create citizens, not clients -- communities, not
bureaucracies. It does so because ultimately the long -term solution resides in the initiative of the
people.
Florida's urban cores were once active business centers for metropolitan areas. Their true strength,
however, was in their community life - strong, closely -knit families, vital churches, neighborhood
associations, and other value - shaping institutions. The busy front porch was oftentimes the strongest
symbol of these institutions and neighborhood self - governance. It was a place where problems were
discussed, decisions made and crises solved. To restore the authority of these value - shaping
institutions, to revitalize the front porch style of problem solving, is the surest way to bring hope
and opportunity back to our urban communities.
Therefore, by the year 2002, we will have identified and brought together in forums 20
specifically- designated Front Porch Communities in Florida.
The Front Porch Communities will represent geographical areas in Florida's urban cores,
characterized by high rates of unemployment and crime and low rates of business activity and
student achievement. The Governor's office will serve as the catalyst for bringing together residents
and community leaders from within the Front Porch Communities for a series of meetings attended
by Jeb Bush and Frank Brogan that will ultimately result in the development of 20 different
Neighborhood Action Plans.
Through this process, every urban core community may emerge with a unique set of issues. That is
why government must listen to and energize the Front Porch Communities. These forums and
Neighborhood Action Plans will give residents in the Front Porch Communities the authority to
define and explore specific solutions to the community's specific problems.
Then, we will use the Office of the Governor, and the networking capabilities afforded that office,
in partnership with the Front Porch Community to bring the resources together necessary to
implement the Neighborhood Action Plans. For example, if lack of access to capital is identified as
a primary problem, we will commit to using our leadership position and contacts to bring together
presidents and top leadership from the major banks into the community for a meeting with residents
to fashion a favorable solution.
In Indianapolis, where a similar program is in place, Mayor Stephen Goldsmith's office has assisted
churches in urban communities with zoning and permit issues to help develop faith -based drug
treatment facilities, and has recruited businesses to work on community policing and crime
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prevention initiatives. Stratzgic partnerships like the one between the Mayor's office in Indianapolis
and that city's urban communities will be replicated throughout the state. And it is hoped that the
synergy created by this partnership and unprecedented access to the Governor's office will spread to
other neighborhoods and communities, one at a time.
At the same time, Front Porch Florida recognizes that communities will often lack the resources
necessary to renew their neighborhoods, and will need more than the good offices of the Governor.
Therefore, Florida's 20 Front Porch Communities will also be eligible for certain public and private
resources and incentives, as introduced later in this initiative that will increase economic and
educational opportunities.
This collaborative effort will eventually show that neighborhoods can become incubators of
opportunity and centers for production. It also recognizes that in thriving communities, quick
responses are possible, creativity can be multiplied, and active citizenship is often the surest way to
solving problems.
Creation of an Office of Urban Opportunity in the Office of the Governor
Government alone cannot create successful urban communities, but government can play an
important role as a provider of quality services such as infrastructure and police protection, and as a
catalyst for connecting Front Porch Communities with the resources for neighborhood renewal.
Front Porch Communities must be able to look to government as a partner.
That is why as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, we will create within our office a special Office
of Urban Opportunity. The Urban Opportunity office will be a key link between Front Porch
Communities and the governor's office as well as other agencies and departments. It will be created
as a "civic switchboard" to connect Florida's Front Porch communities and other urban core
neighborhoods to resources necessary for developing and sustaining healthy communities.
Together, the Governor and the Urban Opportunity office will be primarily responsible for creating
partnerships with private and public resources and connecting residents and businesses with
opportunities that will transfer real production power to the Front Porch Communities.
But the first rule of government should be to do no harm. The Office of Urban Opportunity's first
responsibility will be to identify and modify or eliminate government laws, rules and regulations
that hinder value- shaping institutions that provide effective social welfare. The Office of Urban
Opportunity will also be charged with maximizing federal funding for reforms that will benefit the
Front Porch Communities.
Reducing the Barriers to Opportunity
While the Front Porch Florida initiative recognizes that problems within specific urban
neighborhoods may take on different shapes and sizes, it also acknowledges that certain common
issues and barriers to opportunity will exist throughout each of the 20 Front Porch Communities.
These issues may include low performing schools or the lack of job opportunities.
As part of its promise to empower urban residents and to provide a comprehensive approach to
urban issues, Front Porch Florida will include a legislative initiative package that will make
available to the 20 Front Porch Communities, and in some cases other urban core communities, a
menu of incentives and opportunities that otherwise might not be available to other Florida
communities. In this manner, the Front Porch Communities can serve as a vehicle for piloting and
implementing a comprehensive approach to urban issues.
This comprehensive legislative package will include efforts to improve business opportunities,
education, health, infrastructure, crime prevention, housing and environment:
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Expanding Business Opportunities and Access to Capital
Urban renewal begins with a strong economic base and access to capital. The next civil rights
frontier must be providing access to economic opportunity. With that in mind, one of the highest
goals of Front Porch Florida will be to infuse capital and investment into our Front Porch
Communities. These communities represent untapped markets of consumers, investors and
entrepreneurs. Recognizing this, we believe government can create a powerful monetary incentive
for investment in these communities and close the "access to capital" gap for minority business
enterprises. In Michigan, for example, tax -free areas in seven designated urban cores have attracted
approximately 3,500 jobs and $267 million in investment in only one year. To further the goal of
expanding business opportunities, we will:
• Create partnerships between franchisers and minority or urban-based franchisees. When
elected, we will convene a meeting of corporations interested in expanding markets through
franchises to minority entrepreneurs. Using the Black Business Investment Board and other
available assets, we will act as a catalyst to provide opportunity for urban core residents to
become franchisees.
• Increase access to capital through a Front Porch Microcredit fund in the amount of $5 million
in seed money in order to stimulate minority small business entrepreneurship. Through this
fund, small amounts would be loaned to people who might not otherwise qualify. This money
would be used for start-ups of small cottage industries and microenterprises. Borrowers
would be organized into small groups that would be collectively responsible for each
participant's timely repayment. Working Capital Florida, a similar program in Miami, serves
approximately 350 businesses in Miami -Dade County. Loans are generally paid back in less
than a year, and many of the borrowers are single mothers. Borrowers are also matched with
a business advisor who provides guidance and education about business start-ups. Through
this process, successful microenterprises would eventually graduate to conventional lending.
Enterprise Florida would oversee administration of the Front Porch Microcredit Fund and
recruit a professional manager.
• Provide greater access to capital for predominantly African American businesses by
increasing state funding for Florida's Black Business Investment Corporations to $7 million,
up from the current $2 million appropriated by the state this year. The additional funding
would be used to encourage an infusion of venture capital, direct lending, loan guarantees,
bonding, and trade and technical assistance. In order to improve accountability, we would
work with the Black Business Investment Board to develop strategic plan to determine how
to expand credit and access to capital for the greatest number of African American
businesses.
• Create incentives for urban infill development by passing Smart Growth legislation. Smart
Growth would designate our Front Porch Communities and other urban core and rural
communities as "Priority Funding Areas." These areas would receive a priority allocation of
state funding for infrastructure, roads, housing, and economic development assistance.
• Establish urban core infill and redevelopment as one of Enterprise Florida's top priorities.
Working with local economic development organizations, Enterprise Florida will not only be
charged with greater urban infill activities in our Front Porch neighborhoods, but for
expanding job training, job retention and technical assistance for those seeking employment.
• Work with municipal governments to allow small businesses within Front Porch
Communities to compete to provide certain traditionally local public services such as trash
collection, jitney services, parks and recreation management, after school programs, and
street cleaning.
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• Encourage and incentiv`ize municipal governments to create impact -fee waivers and
reduced -fee building permits for urban core business openings and expansions.
• Create "Opportunity Clubs" in each Front Porch community. Based on a 28- year -old program
in San Diego and started by an African American minister, regular informal breakfasts will
bring together prominent business, political and community leaders from the city at large
with citizens and businesses from the Front Porch community. The relationships established
between the community power structure and local minority business enterprises would be
vital to the latter's economic prosperity. The Office of Urban Opportunity would help
organize these gatherings in informal setting to encourage real discussions and real
relationships without the trappings of bureaucracy.
• Develop universal /standardized certification for minority vendors doing business with
governmental entities in the State of Florida.
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Closing the Gap in Education
Improving educational opportunities for students in our urban cores will be the focus of our
education reform efforts. The gap between schools serving minority students and economically
disadvantaged students is far too wide. In 1997, while nearly 80% of white students passed the math
and communications sections of the High School Competency Test on the first try, only 44% of the
African American students and 60% of the Hispanic students passed both sections. Dropout rates
for African American students still far exceed those of white students and are even higher for
Hispanic kids. We believe that not a single child should be denied a world class education in
Florida. Children in our Front Porch communities will benefit from our efforts to:
• Create a "Talented Tenth" program that would provide college scholarships to a Florida
college or university to students who graduate in the top 10% of their class. While many of
these students will already receive a scholarship through the Bright Futures program, the
"Talented Tenth" program would expand higher education opportunities by rewarding
academic achievement based solely on grades and class standing with no connection to the
SAT. It would provide a safety net for those high- achieving students who work hard and get
good grades but don't necessarily test well. In addition, should Florida be faced with a similar
situation as exists in California and Texas where affirmative action programs have been
struck down, the "Talented Tenth" program would be expanded to guarantee not only a
scholarship, but admissions, to a Florida university.
• Establish a special recognition and financial reward program for the teacher, assistant
principal, principal and school district demonstrating the greatest success in improving the
quality of education for urban core students.
• Give priority consideration in state grant awards to school and district initiatives aimed at
closing the student achievement gap for urban core students.
• Ensure fairer funding to urban core schools. We will create a statewide Equity In Funding
Task Force to ensure that within Florida's school districts, urban schools are receiving
funding that is commensurate with their need.
• Focus on School Readiness for disadvantaged children. Florida currently invests over half a
billion dollars in early education programs for young children who come from economically
disadvantaged families, yet oftentimes, these same children end up failing in our schools. The
current readiness system is fragmented and lacks coordination. We would require the creation
of a school readiness coalition in each county to provide oversight of the administration of
early education programs, eliminating the turf battles between school districts, not for profit
child care agencies, private child care providers and early education advocates. We would
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also establish uniform and definitive standards for school readings and measure readiness
and program performance through an assessment tool.
Revitalization of Faith -based and Community -based Involvement
Front Porch Florida will not dilute the leadership of local groups by injecting more government, but
will work to leverage faith -based and community -based groups into the equation in a way that has
never been tried before. Churches, ministers, pastors, rabbis and other community leaders are often
the greatest agents of improvement in our urban cores. They must be empowered to be involved in
Front Porch Florida to the greatest extent possible. In an effort to increase trust and understanding
between church and state efforts to improve our urban cores, we will:
• Create a Faith and Families program that will encourage churches in Front Porch
Communities to adopt and mentor at least one welfare family. Churches would provide
emotional support and technical assistance to help these individuals transition to the working
world.
• Create a Faith Alliance Task Force to determine ways to engage and renew the opportunity
for churches and ministries to become fully involved as equal and proactive partners in
community problem solving. The task force would not only look at ways to bring together the
faith community but also examine the government- imposed obstacles, such as rules,
regulations, licensing, and certification requirements that keep the faith community from
participating in community problem solving.
• Establish a Florida Mentor Initiative to match 2000 mentors with at -need children in Front
Porch Communities. Building on the work begun by such programs as Big Brothers /Big
Sisters and 100 Black Men, we will invest $3 million to create a statewide mentor program to
provide effective prevention against academic failure, alcohol and drug abuse, teen pregnancy
and gang participation. Funds would be used to recruit and train mentors, would be channeled
to existing mentor programs and used for advertising. Recent studies of the Big Brothers/Big
Sisters program shows that even a year's worth of caring by an adult mentor cut an "at- risk"
child's first time drug use by 46 %, reduced violent behavior by a third and lowered school
absenteeism by 52 %.
• The Florida Mentors Initiative will also call on state government to do its part. State agencies
under the control of the governor will be directed to create a mentor program with a goal of
recruiting 10% of each agency's staff to become mentors. We will grant state employees
administrative time off to mentor a child.
Accessing Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is the linchpin to urban renewal. Quality housing attracts residents and
improves their quality of life. Those residents, in turn, provide markets for business growth and
development in our urban cores. In an effort to promote quality housing in our Front Porch
communities, we will:
• Develop a state housing tax credit program to provide a corporate income tax credit for
private developers who build or rehabilitate low income rental housing. Each year, the state
would issue housing credits in the amount of $5 million for 10 years (or a $50 million tax
credit spread out over 10 years). This will dovetail to a large extent with the Federal Low
Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, a program that allocates $18 million in tax
credits annually to Florida and results in $225 million in new construction each year. Based
on the success of the LIHTC program, a state tax credit program could yield as much as $625
million in new low - income housing construction over 10 years of the program. Allocation of
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the tax credit across the state would be based on per capita need similar to the distribution
formula of the LIHTC, and prioritization would be given to urban core renovation projects.
• Introduce an Urban Homesteading program in Florida's Front Porch communities. Based on
similar efforts in Michigan, this program would involve the state or municipalities taking
their inventory of foreclosed or abandoned properties with single family homes on them, and
turning them over to qualified families (drug -free, crime -free, children in school, and at least
one parent employed) for a five -year homestead period. During the homestead period, the
family would pay a fair market rent and invest its time and resources to improve the home
and make it livable. Money for repairs and improvements could be borrowed at below market
rates from a fund established through incoming rents. If at the end of the five -year homestead
period, the family has met all its obligations, paid rent, made necessary improvements, title
would transfer free and clear to the homestead family.
• Promote renovation of existing communities. We will encourage the Florida Housing Finance
Corporation to eliminate the criteria that makes it difficult to use government funding sources
for urban renovation projects. In the past, rules have favored new construction, and as a
result, there are many older apartment communities in urban core areas that are unable to
obtain low interest loans or benefit from a tax credit allocation. For example, the scoring
criterion for the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit currently favors new construction
by giving a preference to applicants who actually own the property. However, most tax credit
applicants will not acquire ownership of an existing building until they know they have
successfully received and allocation of credits.
• Dedicate a minimum percentage of Homeownership Assistance Program funds be spent for
home ownership inside the urban cores. The Florida Homeownership Assistance Program
(HAP) was created to help low- income persons purchase their own homes by providing
modest down payment assistance. Funding is currently $2.5 million a year. We will require
that at least 25% of the HAP funds be utilized to promote home ownership within our urban
core communities.
• Encourage and provide incentives for ensuring that 20% of the Florida Housing Finance
Corporation's annual state bond issue for single family homes be used to finance the purchase
of new or renovated homes in Florida's urban core communities.
• Provide greater housing /long term care choices for elderly residents in urban core neighborhoods
so that they may remain within the community and close to their families. We will give a priority
for state and federal low income housing monies to projects providing quality housing and care for
the elderly.
Strengthening Public Safety
Most of the residents within our urban core communities are attempting to live in peace and
promote a healthy community life. Increasing crime in public housing, however, has made it
difficult for families to raise their children or for communities to attract business opportunities. Our
Front Porch Communities deserve an expectation of safety and security.
• Match probation officers with police officers on patrol to increase arrests for parole
violations. This has been effective in reducing crime rates in urban neighborhoods in Boston.
• Implement effective juvenile justice reforms to expand educational and vocational
opportunities for juvenile crime offenders.
• Reduce presence of drugs in urban core communities through comprehensive drug strategy
focusing on awareness, enforcement, prevention and treatment. This will include the
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expansion of local community -based drug initiatives geared toward schools, families and
neighborhoods such as MADDADS in Ocala.
• Increase partnerships between police and urban communities, such as the St. Petersburg
anti -drug rallies designed to push drug dealers out of neighborhoods.
• Strengthen penalties and enforcement for violent crimes committed with guns.
Quality Health and Environment
For too long, the health and environment of our urban core neighborhoods have been overlooked to
the detriment of families and loved ones. As the Miami Herald recently documented, no group
suffers a wider health gap than African- Americans. Our urban core residents are more likel) to have
difficult births, more likely to develop certain forms of cancer, including prostate cancer, more
likely to die from breast cancer, more likely to die from diabetes, more likely to have higher rates of
blood pressure and less likely to have overall quality medical care. Greater prevention efforts and
efforts to manage chronic illnesses in our urban cores need to be implemented so that we may
identify and effectively treat health problems.
• Implement a Healthy Families program in each Front Porch community. Parents of newborns
will be offered free weekly home visits by a paraprofessional. The home visitor generally will
be a seasoned parent from within the urban core community who helps strengthen parenting
skills, links parents with health resources and works to reduce stress in the home. Among
families participating in other Healthy Families program around the nation, immunization
rates approach 95% and maltreatment rates have dropped to less than 2 percent, compared
with 20 percent among families in similar at -risk communities.
• Create Preventive Health Partnerships to vigorously expand prevention and early detection
practices among Floridians in the Front Porch communities. Community -based organizations,
such as the American Cancer Society, would assume a greater role in outreach, health
screening and healthy lifestyle education among urban core residents. Funding for the
community -based organization would be tied directly to success in providing services to
urban core residents (e.g. the number of urban core women provided mammograms).
Increase development of urban greenspaces and parks. Through our Florida Forever
initiative, we will double the current P2000 land purchasing monies of local communities for
the development of parks and urban greenspaces.
• Reduce urban core environmental hazards by expanding Florida's urban brownfields program
to encourage clean-up and development of partially- contaminated properties while
monitoring and addressing health status of nearby residents.
Fiscal Impact
It is estimated that the total direct fiscal impact for this initiative in FY1999 -00 will be at least
$20,150,000, with perhaps another $5 million for Talented Tenth scholarships. In addition, the
positive fiscal impact through the proposed priority funding and incentives for urban core
communities can be expected to generate millions more in direct public and private investment.
An amount of $8,150,000 to provide for the tax credits, the mentors initiative and Office of Urban
Opportunity will require an appropriation from a recurring source of revenue, while the remaining
$12,000,000 for the Front Porch Microcredit program and the Black Business Investment
Corporations can be funded from a non - recurring source. We also anticipate a recurring cost for
extending Talented Tenth scholarships to the top 10% of each graduating class who are not already
covered by a Bright Futures Scholarship program. While data is unavailable to provide a specific
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estimate at this time, we do not anticipate these costs of the scholar,hips to exceed $5 million
annually. The estimated growth in the General Revenue Fund of $793 million in FY1999 -2000 over
the current year's appropriations base will be sufficient to finance the recurring costs of this
initiative. With the Budget Stabilization Fund at the required level of $786.9 million and the
working capital fund balance at $302.4 million, it is reasonable to assume that $12 million in
non - recurring General Revenue can be earmarked to fund the non - recurring portion of this
initiative.
Conclusion
Mark Twain once said, "If your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like nails." For too long,
old -style politicians and government bureaucrats have taken the hammer into Florida's urban
communities and applied a "one- size - fits -all" solution.
This has left us with programs that are problem- focused, not people- focused; programs that do not
take a comprehensive approach to urban policy; and programs that fail to encourage the effective
participation of urban communities. While these programs have had some limited success, the
problem of urban decay is still a major failing of our society. Little has been done over the last
seven years to address the problem. More of the same will not do.
A new and hopeful dawn is approaching for Florida's urban cores. Front Porch Florida recognizes
that government and communities must both do their fair share, and that there is no off -the -shelf
quick fix. It will require a long -term commitment by state and local leaders and the involvement of
organizations, such as Florida A &M's Institute for Urban Policy, to help shape the on -going process
of urban revitalization.
Above all, we must give back to our urban communities the power, authority and legitimacy that
has been stolen by our government institutions and agencies. Front Porch Florida recognizes that
relationships are key to improving the quality of life in our cities -- not interagency relationships, as
has often been the case, but interpersonal relationships - neighbor to neighbor, teacher to student,
pastor to worshipper, businesses to churches. These are the people and institutions that have the
greatest stake in the neighborhood. The solutions that come out of the Front Porch communities and
their Neighborhood Action Plans will be long lasting because they will have been created by the
people and for the people.
We believe Florida's Front Porch communities are ready for an urban policy that recognizes the
right to real authority, the right to care rather than to be served, the right to tools that allow residents
to produce, the right to vibrant neighborhoods, and the right to be free from institutional racism.
In short, Florida's urban core communities are ready for the right to an improved quality of life and
a right to be part of the American Dream.
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