Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Jumbo Shrimp
We will now take time at our next Committee of the Whole to set a time-line for applying our goals to each Strategy. Dr. Lee facilitated some discussion about our new strategies being applied to all agenda items in the future. If this suggestion were to be used, staff will be required to analyze all potential agenda items and much like their recommendations, give commentary as to how the item relates to our council strategies. ( A move in the right direction)
Interactive Government, this is where the Jumbo Shrimp comes in. I would like to see our strategy statements posted to the city website with an additional weblink for each that explains the details of that strategy, specific goals and a timeline for action. I also asked that the goals have an interactive component that staff would update accomplishments, actions taken and give dates for discussion of further action toward accomplishing each goal.
This concept would give citizens complete access to our council process and make our strategies and goals a living, breathing entity instead of a list that council refers back to at the end of our term to see if we hit our mark. We could also have a monthly Goals Check at the first meeting of every month. This would facilitate meaningful and purposed discussion between council members on a regular basis.
Too often we continue making decisions based on outdated information and we need to move toward a more accountable and transparent process. Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Goals
I have forwarded the following ideas for discussion at my Friday meeting. Each goal is multi-dimensional and creates opportunities in many areas to further our city's growth and development.
My personal goals
1.Establish an Education Funding Committee to evaluate scholarships through Pensacola Promise that will be used as an economic development tool. (10 minute Power Point Presentation on Pensacola Promise.)
2 .Improve Quality of Life through neighborhood partnerships and our existing parks system also focusing on pedestrian/bicycle connectivity throughout the city.
3. Create opportunities and locations for Mixed Income/Mixed-Use housing in our Urban Core.
4. Create a multi-use plan for the Port of Pensacola and transition to a Renewable Port Focused Business Plan
5. Create opportunities to internally consolidate, outsource and re-task City departments and staff for better efficiency and improved communication with our citizens while furthering our cost saving efforts.
I will also suggest that we have a goals check-up at the 1st meeting of every month where we talk about our efforts and accomplishments on goals and allow input from the public. This will allow for council to have meaningful discussion with each other on regular basis and keep our goals in the forefront.
Please forward me your thoughts on the 5 areas I have identified for discussion.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Proposed Interlocal kills Pensacola's Promise
In 2007, the CRA entered into an agreement with ECUA to provide $19.5 million over a number of years to fund the portion of the wastewater treatment plant within the CRA. In his memo to Council, then City Manager Tom Bonfield expressly stated that under the agreement the City had no obligation to pay any amounts toward this agreement. The 2007 agreement stated that if CRA TIF funds were insufficient to cover the annual ECUA obligation (AFTER PAYMENT OF THE MARITIME PARK BONDS) then the amount due in that year would merely roll over to a year that additional TIF funds were available. Due to Amendment 1 passing subsequent to the ECUA agreement, TIF revenues in the CRA were dramatically reduced and the potential exists that TIF revenues would not cover both the CMPA bonds and the ECUA agreement.
Staff is presenting in Monday's Finance committee meeting a new interlocal agreement with ECUA. The new agreement with ECUA expressly states:
- the effect of this agreement is intended to fully release the CRA and any
claim upon the Tax Increment Revenues Under Chapter 163, Florida Statutes from any
obligation to make payments to the ECUA - the intent of the parties is to effect a novation and full replacement of the
City in the place of the CRA on all obligations that CRA may have to ECUA under the 2007 Agreement
Staff proposes using the funds currently appropriated to repay a debt issue of the City that is paid off in 2013 to cover any TIF shortfalls in the CRA agreement with ECUA.
First, why should the City assume an obligation to ECUA for funds legally deferrable under the current CRA interlocal agreement?
Second, the debt relief that the staff proposes be used to pay the CRA's obligation are the same funds necessary and identified to fund Pensacola's Promise.
On Monday, I will be asking that the proposed ECUA interlocal agreements be tabled or returned to staff pending the Councils goal setting session later this month. The Pensacola Promise deserves a chance to be presented formally to Council before being buried with hasty decisions.
There is no rush on the ECUA agreements. Under the current agreement, they are secondary to the CMPA position for TIF revenues and no payments are due for over a year at best.
I hope that the potential of guaranteeing every child in Pensacola a chance to go to college can be given an opportunity before we commit to giving our citizen's money away to another governmental entity that is neither required under existing agreements nor really needed as news articles report the project is under budget.
During our CMP Bond workshop I already expressed my concerns based on historical data for CRA growth that the CRA revenue projections are too low and create a problem. Mr. Barker assumes a lower than normal growth rate for a conservative estimate thus creating a shortage in funding.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Here is the Council presentation for Pensacola's Promise
I have attached a summary of the proposed scope and finances of the College Tuition Program. A few notes:
- The Northwest Florida industry focus clusters are shared by the Chamber as well as State Economic Development organizations.
- The proposal as is only reflects 2 years of college for City high school graduate /residents
- It assumes that 100% of City of Pensacola graduates WANT to go to college.
- It assumes that the number of graduates grows at 2% per year in the City.
- It assumes "bright futures" use those state benefits.
- Student numbers come from the Florida Dept of Education
- Graduation rate comes from the Florida Dept of Education and ECSB
- Bright futures numbers also come from the Department of Education
- Tuition rates come from PJC per semester hour
- Tuition is estimated to grow at 7% per year
- State match is assumed at 50% which is conservative based on discussions with PJC staff
- City funds are limited to the $3.3 million from the airport sale and $2.1 million annually once the current debt obligation of the City is extinguished.
- It assumes no earnings of the City's surplus from investments.
As you will see providing at least a 2 year education to every child in the Pensacola City Limits that graduates from a public school is POSSIBLE and even generates a surplus to go toward additional education. Study the numbers. Think of the possibilities. Remember that implementing this plan calls for NO additional tax revenue on the citizens.
To view the presentation click the following link.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Found Money
Now with 2 babies and one income, we needed every penny of what we had in hands just to cover our current commitments yet we took ALL of the funds and invested in Florida Prepaid College. At that time we purchased the plans as 2 & 2 plan first in junior college then on to university.
For our little German souvenir ,also known as Lumpy, we once again took every penny of our savings, emergency funds, tax refunds, IOU's, coupons, garage sale proceeds and all the spare change in the junk drawer ( more than you imagine) and invested in his future. We have a house full of used furniture and generous hand me downs from friends, we make it work with what we have.
My point is this, we made the decision to take the hit now for a known investment we needed to make in our children's future. It was not comfortable and we could have used the money for expenses in our daily lives, yet we can now rest well and know our investment was a good one.
Pensacola has "found money" in the sale of the College Blvd property and yes we could just insert the funds right into the general fund and cover daily operations, yet years from now we will never know the difference and the $3.3 million will be long forgotten.
We can make an investment in the children of this community, an investment in our future for the future. The funds have a multiplier effect just by investing in education. The pride that families will feel to live in a community that is investing in their future. The solid workforce we will have to offer new businesses. The magnet our city will become to surrounding areas simply by having an educated workforce as one of our tools for economic development. The increase in population and property values has shown to be true the Kalamazoo plan and can reverse our exudus of citizens.
In a meeting this week, someone said to me if we as a city would just make an investment in our citizens it could cure so many problems we face today...just to invest in their lives in a positive and productive way. How better to give hope and peace of mind to our families here in Pensacola??
The portion our city would give to fund these scholarships can be matched by grants already available from the state. The plan is solid and merits our continued investigation. After 2 failed efforts with the city manager for space on the agenda, I published my presentation to the web, printed 12 copies and at the very end of the meeting,during council communication, gave my fellow council members my presentation. Most members were already packed to leave, most tired from the previous benefits and pension discussion, yet they listened and heard the possibilities this plan has to offer. I will make a formal presentation during our Goal Setting Session in June and continue to investigate the numbers and meet with educators throughout our community.
Please contact me if you have any ideas to further this effort.