2008-17
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA FLORIDA SUPPORTING THE
CURRENT FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM, AND ITS
SUCCESSOR PROGRAM, THAT SUPPORTS FLORIDA
COMMUNITIES TRUST; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Florida Forever program and its predecessor Preservation 2000
program have immeasurably contributed to environmental health, quality of life,
recreation and sustainability in Florida for this and future generations; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has acquired over one million acres throughout
Florida since 2000 and allocates $300 million annually to purchase environmentally
sensitive and other lands, and has done so through numerous successful partnerships
with cities, counties, state agencies, water management districts, nonprofit
organizations, private landowners, and others in achieving its conservation purposes;
and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through its partnerships with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Water Management Districts, and others,
produces benefits that include clean air and water; healthy fisheries and wildlife habitat;
improved water supply protection; and protected open spaces including greenway
corridors, park lands, forests, and water bodies; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities Trust, has
assisted Florida's cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources,
meeting the challenges of growth management, directing development away from
coastal high hazard areas and floodplains; fostering a healthier lifestyle for Floridians;
and providing recreational outdoor experiences in both urban and rural settings; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has helped to save many of Florida's beaches,
rivers, bays, forests, coral reefs and estuaries that provide the foundation for our $3
billion tourism industry that attracts more than 70 million visitors each year; and
WHEREAS, 50 Florida local governments have enacted land acquisition
financing programs in the past decades, and these conservation finance programs
serve to leverage Florida Forever funding and increase the impact of state land
conservation funding; and
WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing rapid population growth, with approximately
1,100 new residents every day; and Floridians demand a high quality of life that
includes green space, access to water, pastoral settings and recreational opportunities;
and
Resolution No. 2008-17
Page 2
WHEREAS, Florida Forever and other land conservation programs must
compete in Florida's market of surging land and housing prices; and
WHEREAS, the effectiveness of Florida Forever has diminished because of
escalating land prices and the impacts of inflation; and
WHEREAS, the funding for the Florida Forever program will sunset in 2010; and
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that over $20
billion is currently needed to purchase parks and recreational facilities, wildlife and
wilderness areas, and open space for our state's increasing population; and
WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the Florida
Forever Coalition found that 78% of Florida's voters approve of the Florida Forever
program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of Aventura declares its support to
the State of Florida Legislature for the creation and funding of a successor program to
the Florida Forever program and requests its legislative delegation to advocate for the
creation and funding of a successor program to Florida Forever.
Section 2. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption
hereof.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Joel, who moved its
adoption. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Auerbach, and upon being put
to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Zev Auerbach yes
Commissioner Teri Holzberg yes
Commissioner Billy Joel yes
Commissioner Michael Stern yes
Commissioner Luz Urbaez Weinberg yes
Vice Mayor Bob Diamond yes
Mayor Susan Gottlieb yes
Resolution No. 2008-17
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of March, 2008.
~
SUSAN GOTTLIEB, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO LEGA. ~Cy
~/ f)
CITY ATTORNEY