title
Update on the School Board's non-payment of the City's Stormwater Utility Fee. (B)
recommendation
The City Commission receive an update in this matter and agree to schedule a mediation with the School Board on this issue as soon as practicably possible.
explanation
On December 17, 2009, the City initiated the conflict resolution process established in Chapter 164, Florida Statutes, after the School Board of Alachua County voted to stop paying the City's Stormwater Utility fee.
As part of the conflict resolution process the City Commission and the School Board met in public session on February 8, 2010 to discuss resolution of the conflict. The governing bodies did not come to a resolution at that meeting, but agreed to discuss the matter further at their respective public meetings. The School Board discussed the matter on February 8th, 2010 at an informal workshop and voted on February 16, 2010 to not meet further with the City Commission to discuss the issue, but to proceed directly to mediation.
At the direction of the City Commission, in a letter dated February 22, 2010, the City Attorney asked that the School Board reconsider its decision to not meet further with the City Commission and instead proceed directly to mediation. The letter requested that the School Board reconsider its decision at its next meeting scheduled for March 2, 2010. (Letter attached)
The School Board discussed the issue at its March 2, 2010 meeting and decided to stay with its decision not to meet with the City Commission further, but to proceed directly to mediation. It is the recommendation of this office that the City Commission agree to with schedule a mediation in accord with the procedures in the conflict resolution act.