Title
Request to Schedule a Special Meeting for City Commission Discussion of Key City/County Issues (NB)
This is a request for the City Commission to schedule a special meeting in May to discuss key City/County issues including the Annexation Transition Agreement, Voter Referendum on Extension of Wild Spaces Public Places, Shared Fire Station Alerting System to Improve Fire Rescue Response Times, and Local Option Gas Tax.
Explanation
The City/County relationship/partnership is of great importance. The City and County have many common interests and existing partnerships that work to the benefit of both the City and County. In reviewing key outstanding issues between the City and County, staff believes the City Commission would be well served by scheduling a special meeting to provide dedicated time to discuss some of these key issues in preparation for future City Commission discussion/engagement with the County Commission on the topics. The key issues are the Annexation Transition Agreement, Voter Referendum on Extension of Wild Spaces Public Places, a Shared Fire Station Alerting System to Improve Fire Rescue Response Times, and Local Option Gas Tax.
Brief summaries of these items are provided below; however, staff will prepare full agenda items with updates on these issues for the special meeting.
The Annexation Transition Agreement expired at the end of September 2014. Commissioner Carter and City staff as well as Commissioner Pinkoson and County staff have met on a number of occasions to negotiate revisions to the previous Annexation Transition Agreement that can be brought to the City and County Commissions for approval. The City Commission will be updated on the status of these negotiations.
The Voter Referendum on Extension of Wild Spaces Public Places has proceeded with the County and municipalities providing project lists. One key outstanding issue is the need for an agreement with the County for distribution of funds raised through the sales surtax. City and County staff have met on a number of occasions to discuss the distribution of funds. The City Commission will be updated on the status of these negotiations.
The Shared Fire Station Alerting System to Improve Fire Rescue Response Times has been under discussion between Fire Chief Lane and his counterpart with the County Chief Northcutt. The City Commission recently approved the City’s purchase of the new system. The City Commission will be provided with an update on negotiations for a City/County partnership in implementing this new system.
The Local Option Gas Tax is currently covered by three Interlocal Agreements with one expiring at the end of this year and the other two in 2018. The agreements cover a total of 11 cents per gallon sold in the County. City staff recently met with Alachua County staff and based on that meeting, staff expects to have an item on the May 5, 2016 City Commission agenda. If that occurs, it will not be necessary to include the Local Option Gas Tax as an agenda item for this requested special meeting. Otherwise, staff will be prepared to provide an update on negotiations for the Local Option Gas Tax during the special meeting.
Fiscal Note
Fiscal impact will be addressed in the agenda items for the special meetings.
Recommendation
The City Commission direct the Clerk of the Commission to schedule a special meeting in May for City Commission discussion of key City/County issues.