CC Minutes 02/24/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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for such public purposes as roads, public buildings and facilities, downtown and community redevelopment, and for the preservation of natural resources. However, local governments' reasonable exercise of this power is often complicated by unnecessary costs associated with the eminent domain process. The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that: 304. I Minimizes costs associated with condemnations and places reasonable restrictions on the legal expenses. 304.2 Reduces the costs associated with claims filed against municipalities alleging inverse condemna- tion or challenging land use management decisions. 304.3 Establishes reasonable limits on the amount of business damages awarded in an eminent domain action. 304.4 Implements a process of right-of-way acquisition ' that includes prelitigation exchanges of informa- tion and promotes settlements. ~04.5 Eliminates the payment of a~orney fees and costs on appeal when there is no additional award to the landowner. 304.6 Establishes an appraisal process using an impar- tial, court-appointed panel of property appraisers, engineers, accountants and economists. Community and Economic Development 305 Substantial outgrowth of commercial, state and fed- eral governmental facilities has occurred in recent years from urban downtown areas. This urban sprawl has, in some instances, created undesirable situations in central city areas, contributing to the subsequent decline in the tax base. The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that: 305.1 Preserves the Home Rule powers of municipalities to create and effectively use community redevelopment agencies to redevelop and revitalize their urban areas, including the use of tax increment financing. We further support local control and disposition of any disputes between local governments over the use of such agencies and financing. 305.2 Provides technical and financial assistance to municipalities in using enterprise zones, and in redeveloping and revitalizing downtowns and existing urb. an areas. Community-based solutions should receive priority eligibility for such programs. 305.3 Increases the annual limitation on the total amount of community contribution tax credits that may be granted against the corporate income tax and insurance premium taxes. 305.4 Compensates municipalities for the loss of tax base resulting from acquisitions originating from other governmental entities. 305.5 Provides fair, safe, sanitary and decent housing consistent with local building, land use, and zoning requirements. Transportation 306 Municipalities provide a wide array of transportation services to citizens, visitors and commercial entities.These transportation services include roads and highways, public transit, rail, airport~, seaports, waterways and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Municipalities are impacted when other governmental entities locate transportation facifities within municipal jurisdictions. Appropriate planning and funding are essential to maintaining a viable transportation system within the state. The Florida League of Cities will support legislation that: 306. I Enhances the role of municipalities in the piacement, design and funding of transportation facilities that directly affect the municipality. 306.2 Requires the state to adequately fund the ongoing costs of all transportation responsibilities transferred to municipalities and to timely reimburse municipalities for the cost of constructing and maintaining authorized state transportation projects.