A BI-WEEKLY BULLETIN FROM FAPA

March 4, 2004

SECRETARY CASTILLE SUPPORTS PLANNING AS SHE TRANSITIONS TO DEP
FAPA congratulates Secretary Colleen Castille on her appointment as Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  In making the appointment, the Governor stated, "As Secretary of DCA, Colleen has proven her ability to effectively lead and address some of our state's most daunting challenges.  Her dedication, experience and passion will be integral in continuing the progress we've made at the Department of Environmental Protection."  Ms. Castille was one of the keynote speakers at the FAPA Legislative Workshop held last month.  Among the issues she addressed was her transition from DCA to DEP, which took effect March 1.  She assured the audience that she will take the knowledge she has gained at DCA and her passion for communities with her to DEP.  She stated, "I believe that planning is the most important action you can take before you take any other action in a community because without a plan you have no direction."  Secretary Castille stressed that DEP's programs are instrumental to growth management, particularly in the areas of water quality and water quantity, and that she looks forward to continuing to address community needs and planning related issues at DEP. Heidi Hughes, DCA's General Counsel, will serve as interim secretary at the agency until the Governor makes a permanent appointment. 
 
NEW DATE FOR DCA'S GROWTH MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
The date of DCA's annual Growth Management Workshop has been changed from May 26-27 to May 18-19. It will be held in Tallahassee at the FSU Center for Professional Development, with a reception the evening of the 18th at the top of the Capitol. DCA staff are currently developing the agenda and expect to mail the workshop brochure by mid March.  FAPA is a cosponsor of this annual event.

2004 DIRECTORY OF PLANNING OFFICIALS SOON AVAILABLE
The 2004 edition of the Directory of Planning Officials is at the printers and should be distributed by the Department of Community Affairs within the next few weeks.  It will also be posted to DCA's website at http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/publications/index.htm.
 
LINK YOUR POSTED COMP PLAN TO DCA'S WEB SITE
The Department of Community Affairs established a web page that provides links to comprehensive plans posted on line.  The web site address is:  http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/compplanning/alphalist.htm. If your comprehensive plan is on line but is not identified on this page, please notify Vicki Morrison at Vicki.Morrison@dca.state.fl.us.

STRATEGIC INTERMODAL SYSTEM (SIS) UPDATE
For those FAPA members following this initiative, a summary of the February 16, 2004 Multimodal Team meeting is now posted to the Multimodal Team webpage on the SIS web site, and is also accessible through the main web site address at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/SIS.  According to FDOT staff, this particular summary provides insight into the purpose of the Department's Multimodal Team, and is a good summary of where SIS development is up to this point.  It reflects the thinking of the members, and not definitive statements of policy.  FDOT will continue to work with its partners to translate the ideas into consensus statements and concepts for the SIS.  In addition, all of the comments and suggestions that were received during the public workshops in January and February 2004 have been posted to: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/sis/PI/phase2/workshopcomments.htm. 

RESTORING THE EVERGLADES
The State of Florida began moving water through the world's largest constructed wetland on February 23, when the South Florida Water Management District began operating a 16,500-acre treatment marsh that uses plants to clean pollution from water flowing into the famed River of Grass.  The massive treatment marsh, known as Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 3/4, uses plants to naturally cleanse excess nutrients from the water. When necessary, STA 3/4 will also provide important water storage, capturing 250,000 acre-feet of water from Lake Okeechobee to reduce harmful discharges of lake water to coastal estuaries.  The South Florida Water Management District is accelerating cleanup using the latest "green" technology in STA 3/4. The first full scale use of this advanced technology uses algae and aquatic plants to further clean phosphorus from stormwater leaving agricultural and urban areas. Florida is now operating more than 41,000 acres of constructed wetlands, which in combination with improved farming practices, have prevented nearly 1400 tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades over the last decade.
Source:  DEPost

DEP & ST. JOE SIGN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
On February 25, The Department reached a highly protective, comprehensive agreement with The St. Joe Company to save wetlands and conserve 20,760 acres along the Florida Panhandle. The Ecosystem Management Agreement requires The St. Joe Company to go above and beyond standard environmental requirements to protect natural areas in a region known for its biological diversity. The agreement will benefit Bay and Walton counties.  As part of the agreement, St. Joe is setting aside thousands of acres of high quality habitat for preservation. The conservation areas create a two-pronged  "Bay to Bay"  wildlife corridor linking public land from Choctawhatchee Bay to St. Andrew Bay and preserving the ecological integrity of two of Northwest Florida's most rapidly developing watersheds. The public has 14 days to review the agreement before it becomes final. For more information, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest.

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COUNCIL CONTINUES WATER POLICY DIALOGUE
The Soil and Water Conservation Council held its first meeting on February 27, 2004 in Orlando.  Recently reconstituted by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, the council, whose membership was expanded by the Florida Legislature last spring, is designed to provide a continuing forum to engage diverse interests in the development of water policies affecting agriculture.  Its members now include representatives of the Legislature, the agriculture community, environmental interests, the five Water Management Districts, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Florida Association of Counties, and the Florida League of Cities.  The newly expanded council, an advisory body to the Commissioner of Agriculture, is expected to continue the public dialogue that led to the creation of Bronson's agricultural water policy last summer -- a blueprintfor future water use that provides for the development of conservation management technologies that will ensure the efficient use of water in agricultural operations, creates partnerships with governments and local communities to use recycled urban water for agricultural operations and stresses the need for industry groups to implement Best Management Practices to ensure that water remains available to both agriculture and the general public. Copies of the first meeting's agenda, information on council members and other background material can be found at www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com.

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URBAN INFILL AND REDEVELOPMENT AREAS
This report was prepared by the Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA).  According to the report, the 1999 Growth Policy Act authorized local governments to designate urban infill and redevelopment areas to help stimulate investment and development in distressed urban centers. Thirteen local governments have designated such areas, and the Legislature appropriated $2.5 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2000-01. While limited data is available on the impact of urban infill and redevelopment area designations on local conditions, representatives of local governments that received urban infill and redevelopment assistance grants believed they were useful. The report states that if the Legislature creates similar programs in the future, it should consider requiring local governments to compile and report information on program activities and outcomes. Go to http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/comm/r04-14s.html for information on obtaining a copy of the report.

CREATING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA
The Florida Housing Coalition, in conjunction with 1000 Friends of Florida, has produced this guidebook pursuant to the Department of Community Affairs Catalyst Program for Training and Technical Assistance funded under the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act.  It offers local officials and affordable housing advocates tools for overcoming NIMBYism, or the Not In My Back Yard syndrome. A portion of the funds for this guidebook was provided by a grant to 1000 Friends of Florida from Capital City Bank.  It is available online as a PDF document at  http://www.1000fof.org/Affordable_Housing/creatinginclusivecomm.asp.
 
THE ROLE OF TRANSIT IN SUSTAINING AN ECONOMICALLY COMPETITIVE REGION
Read the testimony of Robert Puentes, Senior Research Manager of Economic Studies, Brookings Institutions to the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Public Services, February 9, 2004, at http://www.brookings.edu/views/testimony/puentes/20040209.htm.

TOOLS FOR SMART GROWTH IN MONTANA
The State of Montana has a developed a new resource, Tools for Smart Growth in Montana.  It is an online collection of success stories on how communities and counties in Montana and the intermountain West are making six smart growth goals a reality. The links to the enabling regulations and plans are provided at http://www.mtsmartgrowth.org/CS&Rpub/tools_index.html.

DECODING TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND PRACTICE
This Surface Transportation Policy Project briefing paper addresses the state of the Nation's intercity rail and how federal investment will improve travel choice and relieve traffic congestion.  It is posted to
http://www.stpp.org/.

REDRAWING THE MAP OF IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT
As summarized by the Brookings Institution, unparalleled immigration in the 1980s and 1990s transformed many older immigrant gateways and created new ones. In this paper, Audrey Singer analyzes the new geography of American immigration and highlights how recent settlement patterns differ from earlier ones.  See http://www.brookings.edu/urban for more information.

ANIT-CONGESTION POLICIES
Also from Brookings, traffic congestion, essentially a regional phenomenon, requires regional approaches to mitigate its impacts.  A brief by Anthony Downs examines the governance options necessary to act regionally as well as the conditions required to implement such policies. See http://www.brookings.edu/urban for more information.

TOP 25 CASES IN PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
The editor of Planning & Environmental Law (PEL) selected these nationally significant cases based on suggestions and comments offered by Dan Tarlock, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and other PEL reporters. As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, APA has posted this list to their website at http://www.planning.org/25anniversary/cases.htm. Once there, you may click on any of the cases to read the court decision.

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR FAPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Do you have a great project or planning approach that you would like to share with your colleagues? Presentation proposals for the October 13-16, 2004 FAPA Conference at the Hilton University of Florida Hotel & Conference Center are due by April 5, 2004.  For more details, see "announcements" at http://www.floridaplanning.org.

TRIBUTE TO HANK SKOWSKI
As many of you know, Hank Skokowski died in a tragic accident while vacationing in Australia. The Palm Beach Planning Congress created a "Tribute to Hank" on its web site at http://www.pbcplanningcongress.org/tribute for those who may wish to share thoughts and memories about Hank.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2004 APA ANNUAL CONFERENCE--DEADLINE MARCH 26
Before you register, read all about the 2004 National Planning Conference April 24-28 in Washington, D.C., on the APA website. Plan to follow one of seven special tracks – Small Town and Rural Planning, Global Reach of Planning, Redesigning Suburbia, Comeback of Cities, Potomac Regional Community, Socially Informed Planning, or Student – or design your own. There are 240 sessions, 80 mobile workshops, professional training workshops, and special programs for planning directors and officials to choose from! For the lowest rate, register online by February 6. Click here to register or go to http://www.planning.org/2004conference/index.htm.

WANTED:  PLANNERS TO WORK WITH LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD AT APA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
It's not too late to register to participate in the Fourth Annual AICP community charrette.  The charrette is a hands-on, problem solving opportunity that will take place inside a D.C. neighborhood during the APA National Planning Conference in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  Where else can you do good work, hone your professional skills, and have fun all in one event!  The charrette team will spend the day in a neighborhood located east of Capitol Hill on Pennsylvania Avenue working with local residents and stakeholders developing recommendations and planning strategies to help the community achieve its vision for livability.  The residents of the community want to expand housing choices and retail opportunities and to create an interesting, safe public environment. Planners who participate in this event will be challenged to determine the key objectives and a framework strategy to achieve the community's planning goals.  

If you are attending the National Conference, don't miss this opportunity to participate in, and learn from this community planning activity.  The following outlines the ways that you can register for the charrette. When registering online, you can select to participate in the charrette under "Step C Registration Options". The charrette is the first option listed under the series of training workshops. If you are submitting a paper registration, you simply include the charrette title "AICP Community Planning Team Charrette" and code "TWA" when completed the Training Workshops section of the registration form. Don't worry; you can still sign up for the charrette even if you are already registered for the conference. For more details about the event or if you would like to add the charrette to your existing conference registration contact Megan Zadecky at 202.349.1013 or mzadecky@planning.org.

PLANNERS DAY ON CAPITOL HILL
Meet with your elected representatives in Congress during APA's 2004 National Planning Conference in Washington, DC!  Planner's Day on Capitol Hill is a special program that gives you an opportunity to talk to your member of Congress about many issues of importance to the planning community. Transportation, affordable housing, conservation, and environmental protection are some of the planning-related issues before Congress this year, so it is an opportune time to advocate for the policies that make great communities happen! Experts on grassroots advocacy will prepare you for Congressional meetings with a customized itinerary, special training on APA's legislative priorities, key messages and talking points. Making your voice heard on Capitol Hill couldn't be easier. It's easy, and it's important. What's more, participation in Planner's Day on Capitol Hill is FREE with your conference registration! Sign up now by filling out the conference registration form in the 2004 National Planning Conference brochure orcontact APA's government affairs office today at govtaffairs@planning.org or click here for more information http://www.planning.org/legislation/04plannersday.htm

FAPA'S CORPORATE SPONSOR'S PROGRAM
The FAPA Corporate Sponsors' Program was created for businesses, corporations, and other organizations that share FAPA's mission of advocating excellence in planning.  FAPA provides professional development opportunities to planners statewide and is working to ensure that all Floridians have sustainable communities in which to live, work, and play.  If you share this commitment, let others know through your patronage and the recognition that comes with this program by becoming a FAPA Corporate Sponsor today!  For more information, click here or go to www.floridaplanning.org.

APA OFFERS AUDIO CONFERENCE TRAINING SERIES
Find out what more than 13,000 planning officials know--the key to informed community decision making.  This year, APA has added the option of an all web format.  It is a complete audio and visual program.  Since 1995, these audio conference programs have reached thousands of officials, planners, researchers, students, and allied groups.  This convenient, easy-to-use program is delivered straight to your desktop or confernece room.  Two programs are left to be aired of the original seven in the 2003-2004 program series.  These are Suburban Place Making (May 26, 2004); and Land Use, Planning, and Envirnmental Law--a joint program (June 23, 2004).  For more information or to register for one or all of the remaining programs, go to http://www.planning.org/audioconference/.

STUDY FOR THE AICP EXAM -- MANUALS ARE IN!!
AICP has updated the list of recommended readings to prepare for the certification examination. All books on the list are available from Planners Book Service. View the list at http://www.planning.org/certification/selectedread.html.  Information on certification and exams is posted to http://www.planning/org/aicp.  In addition, the Chapter Presidents' Council AICP Study Manuals are in.  Contact the Chapter Office at (850) 201-3272 or adminbk@floridaplanning.org for ordering information.

SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP:  VISIT FAPA's INTERNET STORE
T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Golf Shirts; Baby Apparel; Mouse Pads; Coffee Mugs; and much more are now available.  Support the Florida APA and visit FAPA's on line store today at www.cafeshops.com/fapa. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and check cards, as long as they are connected with one of the major credit card companies listed above, are accepted.

APA'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Almost one-third of APA's original 13,000 members still belong 25 years later. This link, www.planning.org/25anniversary/, will take you to a list of 25-year members, arranged by chapter.  APA thanks all of its 25-year members for their loyalty, appreciates their contributions to APA's progress and vitality over the years, and hopes that they will continue to be active members for years to come.  As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, APA is inviting 25-year members to share memories and pictures of their experiences -- at national conferences and chapter events, with other members, in leadership positions, etc. -- since APA's inception, or in AIP or ASPO before the 1978 merger. When stories and photos come in, APA will post them on its website, each with a link from the contributor's name. As the anniversary year progresses, APA will feature some of these reminiscences on its home page and in future issues of "Interact."  For details on how to submit materials, go to www.planning.org/25anniversary/reminiscences.htm.

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TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE TAPPED BY MYREGION.ORG
The seven county Central Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Alliance has accepted the invitation placed before it by myregion.org to become the regional transportation organization to plan and advocate current and future regional transportation across all five modes of transportation, including road, rail, water, air and space for Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk and Volusia Counties. The Alliance also formed a committee of its members to work with the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the Central Florida Regional Planning Council to develop a mechanism for the integration of transportation and land use issues. Establishing such a regional transportation organization and integrating transportation and growth issues are two of the ten "regional resolves" of the myregion.org initiative. These key resolves will allow the region to prepare for growth in a smart and sustainable fashion, which is one of the six priorities of myregion.org for the seven-county area. With this framework of information in place, implementation of the recommended strategies to ensure the region s success in the world marketplace has begun. For more information on the Central Florida MPO Alliance, go to http://www.metroplanorlando.com/cfmpoa/ or click here for information on myregion.org.
SOURCE:  Central Florida MPO Press Release

COMMUNITY DESIGN, ACTIVE LIVING AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Prepared by Paul Zykofsky, AICP, with the Local Government Commission, this PowerPoint presentation walks the viewer through documents that explain how communities can be made safer for pedestrians and automobile traffic in order to increase physical activity. The presentation makes a compelling case for changes in regional and community design to reverse the growing trend toward obesity and its negative effects on health. The presentation may be viewed on line at http://www.lgc.org/freepub/land_use/presentations/zykofsky_denver03/index.htm.

TREASURE COAST RPC STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN SUMMARIES & IMAGES
Beginning January of this year, the Treasure Coast RPC is presenting a series of presentations on the Region's Strategic Regional Policy Plan to the Treasure Coast RPC Board. Summaries and the PowerPoint images are being posted to the website under "TCRPC Orientation." The first presentation is now available. The other presentations will be posted as they are presented to the Board.  Click here to access the first presentation or go to http://www.tcrpc.org/ and click on "TCRPC Orientation."

REGIONAL VISIONING PROJECTS
This website features information on regional visioning and development of alternative scenarios for future growth. It highlights regional visioning efforts emerging around California and across the nation. Case studies listed on this site serve as a foundation for integrating land uses, transportation systems, infrastructure needs, and public investment strategies for regions across the nation. It emphasizes that these efforts require a commitment from local elected officials working together with residents, community and business leaders, and other stakeholders. For more information, go to http://www.transact.org/report.asp?id=231.

FLORIDA GREEN JOBS WEBSITE
The Florida Water Coalition recently announced the launch of a new Website to be used as a resource for Florida's non-profit, environmental and social change oriented organizations.  This new Website - www.FloridaGreenJobs.com - serves as a clearinghouse for both employers and job seekers in the non-profit, progressive, environmental and social change community in Florida. Organizations can post job opening announcements, and internship opportunities.  Those seeking employment can post resumes and/or self-introductions and contact information. This Website is open and FREE to all organizations.

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The American Planning Association's website includes links to requests for proposals and requests for qualifications.  You may access this information at www.planning.org/rfp-rfq/. 

CITY OF PALMETTO, DEVELOPMENT OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE RFP
The City seeks a qualified consultant or consultant firm to develop an integrated Land Development Code that will update and harmonize current land use policy documents, development regulations, reflect changes in relevant law, and simplify implementation.  The current land use and development regulations, most of which are found in the City s Code of Ordinances, shall serve as a starting point for development of an LDC.  The LDC should implement Smart growth and Neo-traditional design methodologies to encourage mixed-use redevelopment, waterfront areas and green spaces connectivity, accommodate multi-modal transportation, and implementation of architectural standards and urban design guidelines.

The selected consultant will generate an updated zoning map and other graphics, as appropriate, work closely with City staff and public officials for the duration of the process, attend numerous public meetings and workshops, and consult with the City Attorney as appropriate.  Consulting firms should prepare a not-to-exceed price estimate and a draft Work Program outlining their general approach to the LDC development process, which could then be presented to City staff and the City Council for review and approval. The LDC must be developed and codified by December 2005.  The City has appropriated $25,000 in the 2003/2004 budget for this purpose.  Please go to http://www.palmettofl.org/Services/Purchasing/Purchasing.htm to view the entire RFP.  Any interested and qualified firm and/or party is requested to submit a proposal by Monday, March 8, 2004 to: City of Palmetto, City Hall, Nixa Haisley, 516 8th Avenue West, Palmetto, Florida 34221

CITY OF LAKE WORTH:  REQUEST FOR CONCEPTUAL PROPOSALS AND STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATION
The City of Lake Worth and the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) are seeking conceptual proposals and statements of qualifications for the formulation and adoption of a citizen-based and implementable Community Master Plan.  This master plan, once adopted, must serve as the basis for, and be implemented via amendments to the City Comprehensive Plan (through the upcoming EAR process), amendments to the City's 5-year Capital Improvements Plan, and adoption of Consolidated Land Development Regulations.  It is the desire of the City that the firm selected for this project will have the experience and skills necessary to complete all necessary tasks in-house, or as part of the consulting team.  It will be necessary for a single firm and an individual member of that firm to be the lead and principal point of contact throughout the entire process from formulation of the master plan through adoption of the comprehensive plan, and land development regulations.

At a minimum, the selected firm must possess qualifications, and those qualifications must be documented and verifiable in the response to this request as follows:  visioning, master planning, and community outreach; and technical and practical knowledge of capital programming and financing, the evaluation and appraisal process relating to comprehensive planning in Florida, zoning and land development regulations in Florida, environmental issues including "green" design and construction principals, and other related issues as appropriate. 

Interested parties are required to submit one unbound original (easily reproduced in black and white) and 15 copies of their statements of qualification and conceptual proposals on or before 3:00 p.m. on March 12, 2004 to:  Mr. Tom Anderson, Manager, City of Lake Worth Purchasing Department, 1900 2nd Avenue North, Lake Worth, FL  33460 (561) 586-1674.  Fax and electronic submissions are prohibited.  A complete copy of the solicitation may be obtained at www.lakeworth.org/departments/commdev/commdev.htm.  Questions should be directed to Sharon Jackson, Community Development Director or Corey O'Gorman, CRA Executive Director at (561) 586-1687.

CITY OF PALM BAY, FLORIDA SEEKING PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS TO UPDATE THE CITY'S IMPACT FEE STUDIES AND ORDINANCES
Notice is hereby given that qualification data and proposals are requested by the City of Palm Bay, Florida for planning and engineering services for the preparation of an update to the City's impact fee studies and ordinances. Current city impact fees include transportation, parks & recreation, police and fire. The update shall include a feasibility analysis of innovative impact fee concepts and the technical analysis required to update the City's impact fee structure based on the selected concepts.  The proposal due date is March 16, 2004.

Firms desiring to provide needed consulting services will have their qualifications and proposal data evaluated based upon the criteria stated in the Proposal Outline. Copies of the Proposal Instructions, which stipulate mandatory requirements as to the contents of  the proposal package and which include a draft scope of services, may be obtained from DemandStar.com by Onvia at 1-800-711-1712 or at www.demandstar.com.  RFP information is also available on the City's Homepage at http://www.palmbayflorida.org. For additional information contact Bobbye Marsala, Purchasing Agent, City of Palm Bay 120 Malabar Road SW, Palm Bay, Florida 32907, (321) 952-3424 or by email at marsab@palmbayflorida.org.

EPA NATIONAL BROWNFIELDS GRANT COMPETITION
EPA Reopens Competition for 2004 National Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants EPA is reopening the FY2004 brownfields grant competition to allow entities to submit (or resubmit) proposals for brownfields funding. To qualify for participation in the competition, applicants must have specific brownfields sites identified that are currently eligible for EPA FY 2004 funding.  Applicants who submitted proposals by the first deadline of December 4, 2003 may resubmit their original proposal for consideration. Under the guidelines, eligible applicants include those who satisfied eligibility requirements for brownfields grants or loans and other elements to qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser. In addition, the applicant must have received a determination from EPA that it was prohibited from using brownfield funds at the proposed site(s) because the applicant acquired the brownfield location prior to the January 11, 2002. An original proposal and/or a request for reconsideration of a proposal that was submitted by the December 4, 2003, deadline must be received by 6:00 p.m. EST on or before March 9, 2004, by Environmental Management Support, Inc., Attention: Don West, 8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-589-5318. Applicants must also provide a copy to the EPA Regional Brownfields Coordinator for their area. Applicants should refer to the Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants, published in the Federal Register, at 68FR 59611, on October 16, 2003, and subsequent corrections published in the Federal Register, at FR68 64623, on November 14, 2003. In addition, on page 5, the first bullet under Additional Uses/Restrictions of Grant Funds was revised to implement the language in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. The guidelines can be found at www.epa.gov/brownfields.

COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FUNDING AVAILABLE
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting proposals for the Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers grant. This program represents an effort to improve the use of monitoring data and geospatial information and technology in coastal management through collaborative work with members of the coastal management community that have expertise in community planning and resource management. Proposals are due by March 15, 2004. For more information, click on the following URL: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/~grants/index.html.

FCT 4TH FLORIDA FOREVER APPLICATION CYCLE NOW OPEN
The  Florida  Communities  Trust (FCT) opened the fourth Florida  Forever  application  cycle  on  February 25, 2004.  Approximately $66,000,000  (unless  otherwise  allocated by  the  Legislature)  will  be available  this funding cycle for grants to local governments and nonprofit environmental  organizations  to  acquire land for conservation, open space and outdoor recreational purposes. The deadline for submitting applications to FCT is 5:00 pm (EDT), May 5, 2004. For  a  copy  of  the grant application form (FCT/FF-2) or more information about    the   grant   program,   please   visit   the   FCT   website   at www.dca.state.fl.us/ffct.    You   may   also contact FCT directly  at 850-922-2207.

SMART GROWTH RECOGNITION PROGRAM
The goal of the Washington Smart Growth Alliance's Smart Growth Recognition Program is to help projects that are consistent with smart growth principles get approved by informing regulators, public officials, citizen groups, developers, and others of the merits these projects would bring to a community and the region. For those project proposals that meet the SGA's demanding smart growth criteria, a letter of recognition will be prepared and mailed to the applicant. Recognition by the SGA indicates that the project proposal, as submitted to the jury, achieves smart growth objectives. Applications are received and reviewed quarterly: March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. For full details on this program, visit http://www.washington.uli.org/sga/program.asp.

AWARDS FOR SMART GROWTH TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is conducting a second Transportation and Smart Growth Competition. This competition will showcase outstanding examples of the work being done throughout the country to integrate smart growth principles with the planning and delivery of transportation projects, programs, and services. Applications should be submitted by April 16, 2004. For more information, click on the following URL:  http://environment.transportation.org/environmental_issues/land_use_smart_growth/announcement_ltr.htm.

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JOB MART advertisements posted since February 2, 2004:

Planner (Town of Eatonville)
Planner III (City of Miami)
Planner (Asset Property Disposition)
Planner (Land Design South)
Senior Planner (City of Ocoee)
Planner (Village of Palmetto Bay)
Planner (City of Clearwater)
MPO Administrator, Engineering Dept. (Martin County)
CRA Director (City of Bartow)
Planner (City of Punta Gorda)
Transportation Planner (City of Lakeland)
Planner/Analyst (City of Indian Rocks Beach)
Assistant Planner/Long Range Planning (City of Delray Beach)
District Manager (Real Estate Dev. Consulting Firm, Tampa)
MPO Transportation Planner (Ocala-Marion County)
Planning Director (Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center)
Planner (City of Melbourne)
Assistant Director of Development Services (City of Bradenton)
Principal Planner (Hillsborough County)
Business Council Economic Development Project Manager (City of Hollywood)

Visit FAPA's Job Mart on-line for salaries, descriptions, minimum requirements, and application deadlines.

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March 26-27, 2004:  Save the date for the Orlando-Metro Section's AICP TRAINING COURSE.  Details to be announced, but for future reference, the contact is Mack Cope at mackcope.edc@earthlink.net.

April 3, 2004:  PADDLE MANATEE, join the Sun Coast Section as they hit the waters of Manatee County and the blueway trail system from 8:00 a.m. until noon.  Continue the day with lunch (at your expense) at a local restaurant following the kayak event. To RSVP or for more information, contact John Osborne (941) 749-3070.  The only cost is Kayak rental.

April 24-28, 2004: Plant to attend APA's NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE in Washington, D.C.--"Celebrate Community."  For registration, housing, and program information, visit APA's website at http://www.planning.org/2004conference/index.htm.  Note:  Register by Friday, February 6, 2004, for the least expensive conference rate.

May 14-15, 2004:  FAPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RETREAT, St. Augustine, Florida.  Details TBA.

July 9, 2004:  FAPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, Orlando, Florida.  Details TBA.

October 13, 2004:  FAPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, Gainesville, Florida, in conjunction with the FAPA Annual Conference.

October 13, 2004:  FAPA LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING, Gainesville, Florida, in conjunction with the FAPA Annual Conference (tentatively scheduled).

October 13-16, 2004:  Save the date for FAPA's 2004 ANNUAL CONFERENCE in Gainesville.

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March 9, 2004:  CREATING SUCCESSFUL URBAN COMMUNITIES, presented by the Tampa Bay Builders Association and ULI Tampa Bay District Council at the Marriott Westshore (1001 N. Westshore Blvd.) in Tampa.  The program begins with registration and cash bar at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:45 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35 for members of the sponsoring organizations and $45 for non-members.  RSVP to April Rich at (813) 873-1000, ext. 0, or april@tbba.net. The program consists of a panel of five experts that will discuss case studies in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, detailing the difference between design techniques for single-family Greenfield projects and those for urban infill; the importance of incentives and how municipalities use them to attract favorable development; and consumer profiles, defining the market, and building product appeal.  The panelists are Toxey Hall, James Moore, Reginald Owens, Tim Clemmons, and Judy Stark. 

March 22-23, 2004:  KNIGHT PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY BUILDING ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM--HOW CAN WE BUILD MORE LIVABLE COMMUNITIES AND IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE?  Place Making and Community Building: Sharing Experiences from Knight Communities gathers nationally renowned experts involved in community building, including the Knight Program fellows, a group of 37 mid-career professionals committed to improving how and where we live. The symposium is free and takes place at The Omni Colonnade in Coral Gables. Advance registration is required. For a continually updated schedule of the symposium, check the website http://www.arc.miami.edu/knight.

March 23-24 and April 27-28, 2004:  BUILDING CONSENSUS SOLUTIONS TO FLORIDA'S PUBLIC PROBLEMS, a 4-day skill building workshop presented by the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, in Tampa.  This interactive workshop is designed for public and private officials, staff, consultants and others coping with complex or controversial issues. Participants will learn practical techniques for reaching better resolutions more quickly.  For more information call 407-835-3443 or go to http://consensus.fsu.edu/ResourceCtr/training_gen.html

April 15, 2004:  PRESERVING FLORIDA'S HERITAGE, with speaker Glenda Hood, Secretary of State, is the last of a lecture series on historic preservation and sustainability.  Sponsored by the University of Florida, College of Design, Construction and Planning; Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Inc.; Consortium for Urban Conservation in North America, this event will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Keene Faculty Center in Dauer Hall on the UF campus.

July 14-18, 2004:  The 2004 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE will be held in Burlington Vermont.  The call for papers, registration, program, speakers, sponsors, location, exhibitors, etc. are posted to http://www.global-community.org/conference/.

September 18-22, 2004:  Hold the date for the next annual RAIL~VOLUTION conference, which will be held in Los Angeles California. 

September 22-24, 2004:  Hollywood, Florida, will be the center stage for the FLORIDA REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION'S 2004 ANNUAL CONFERENCE.  Anyone and everyone who is interested in redevelopment issues in Florida are invited to attend.  The educational sessions will address challenges faced by elected officials, managers, executive directors, and businesses in communities both large and small.  For conference information, contact Jan Roberts at jroberts@flcities.com or visit our website at www.redevelopment.net.

October 11-14, 2004:  Hold the date for the 2004 Greening University of Florida (UF) Conference, PEOPLE, PROFITS, AND PRESERVATION:  EMPOWERING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.  The mission of the 2004 Greening UF Conference is to create an environment of intesified networking among students, faculty, staff, decision makers and the public at large, and to empower the creative development and implementaiton of sustainable solutions.  See "Other Items of Interest" for information on the call for papers.  For more information on UF's sustainability initiatives, see http://www.sustainable.ufl.edu.

October 19-21,2004:  Hold the date for the FLORIDA MAIN STREET ANNUAL CONFERENCE.  Watch http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/bhp/main_st/conference/2003/ for more information.

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