HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2008-08RESOLUTION NO. 2008-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL, BREVARD
COUNTY, FLORIDA; SUPPORTING FLORIDA FOREVER AND A
SUCCESSOR PROGRAM; 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 managements 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 Protections, Water Management Districts, and others,
profuces benefits that include clean air and water; healthy fisheries and wildlife
habitat; improved water supply protection; and protected open spaces icluding
g reenway 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, 50 Florida local governments have enacted land acquisition
financing programs in the past decades, and this 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
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
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
Resolution No. 2008-08
Page 2 of 2
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 populations; and
WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the
Florida Forever Coalition found that 78 percent of Florida's voters approve of the
Florida Forever program; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of Florida Forever have included
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City of Cape Canaveral City
Council 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.
Q.472./...Q.42)
Rocky Randels, Mayor
ATTEST:
• Name For Against
Susan Stills, City Clerk Robert Hoog X
Leo Nicholas X
Buzz Petsos Motion
Rocky Randels X
Shannon Roberts Second
Appr. vd as to Form:
I "
Anthony A. Garganese, City Attorney
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