A MONTHLY BULLETIN FROM APA FLORIDA

WATERFRONTS FLORIDA PARTNERSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN
The Department of Community Affairs has announced the Waterfronts Florida Partnership Program application cycle is open and available for coastal communities to apply for Waterfronts Florida Partnership designation. The statewide program provides technical assistance, training and small planning grants to working waterfront communities to assist in revitalization efforts. The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, May 19.  For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at (850) 921-4801 or go to http://www.dca.state.fl.us/News/2009/020509.cfm.
 
DEP LAUNCHES SIMPLIFIED STATE LANDS WEB SITE
In order to better assist land owners, sellers, buyers and interested members of the public, the Department's Division of State Lands recently launched a redesigned Web site that streamlines access to state lands resources. The improved Web site offers clear and navigable information in a 'one stop shop.' The redesigned Web site is broken down by 'highlights'--quick links to all resources necessary for buying, selling and using state-owned land, in addition to information on the Florida Forever Program, land stewardship, surveying and mapping resources. To view the redesigned Web site, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS THE DAYS OF SPRAWL ARE OVER
During a speech in Fort Myers on February 10, 2009, a city councilwoman asked him about transportation and infrastructure in the stimulus. He responded by saying, in  part, "The days where we're just building sprawl forever, those days are over. I think that Republicans, Democrats, everybody... recognizes that's not a smart way to design communities. So we should be using this money to help spur this sort of innovative thinking when it comes to transportation."  To read more about his remarks, go to http://t4america.org/blog/archives/661.

DELAWARE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION LAUNCHES EFFICIENT SUBURBAN GROWTH PROGRAM
To advance smart growth in Buck, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and help them become more livable and sustainable in the long term, the Delaware Valley Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced its Efficient Growth for Growing Suburbs (EGGS) program, with $320,000 in FY 2009 grants to eligible communities for better design, development and coordination of land use with transportation.  Eligible activities include plans, ordinance writing and studies that support efforts that link land use and transportation to create better communities. The program is funded by PennDOT and administered by DVRPC.  To learn more about this program and download the guidebook, go to http://www.dvrpc.org/planning/community/EGGS.htm.

FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST KICKS OFF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PROGRAM 2009 GRANT APPLICATION CYCLE
Florida Communities Trust has opened the 2009 Florida Forever grant funding cycle for the Parks and Open Space Program.  In conjunction with the 75-day application cycle, FCT will hold a free application workshop to help community officials navigate the application process. Florida Communities Trust receives a minimum of $63 million in Florida Forever funds each year for the Parks and Open Space Program. The funds help local communities acquire land for green space, conservation and recreation purposes.  Cities, counties and non-profit environmental organizations may apply for grants through May 13, and projects selected for funding are determined during FCT's Governing Board selection meeting in September. An FCT application workshop is being held on Friday, March 13 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.  The workshop will be conducted via live video conference from Tallahassee with the Broward and Hillsborough County Government Centers serving as remote locations for potential applicants in the central and south Florida areas.  For details, go to http://www.floridacommunitiestrust.org/Announcements.cfm.

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Some publications may require free registration.

Key to safer roads is identified in California study
Philip Langdon, New Urban News, January/February 2009
http://www.newurbannews.com/index.html

Use less water or suffer, regional report warns
Northeast Florida may become a "caution area"
Steve Patterson, Florida Times Union, February 10, 2009
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-02-09/story/use_less_water_or_suffer_state_report_warns

In Florida, Despair and Foreclosures
Damien Cave, New York Times, February 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08lehigh.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&sq=LEHIGH%20ACRES&st=cse&scp=1

Small, Green and Good
The role of neglected cities in a sustainable future
Catherine Tumber, Boston Review, March/April 2009
http://bostonreview.net/BR34.2/tumber.php

Building Green Houses for the Poor
Bryan Walsh, Time Magazine, February 17, 2009
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1879595,00.html?xid=rss-health

Tracking The Future
On the eve of Barack Obama's New New Deal, a series of compelling photographs illustrates the divide between repair and renewal, despair, and hope.
Andrew Blum, Metropolis Magazine, February 18, 2009
http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20090218/tracking-the-future

Climate Fears Are Driving "Ecomigration" Across Globe
Shankar Vedantam, Staff Writer, Washington Post, February 23, 2009
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/22/AR2009022202378.html?sid=ST2009022301515

Boris' Brain: Sir Simon Milton interview
As the London mayor's chief of staff and planning guru, Sir Simon Milton has a lot on his plate: skirmishes over Crossrail, affordable homes targets, improving design quality, the recession ... Still, at least his boss is a laugh
Joey Gardiner, Building, February 20, 2009
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=659&storycode=3134237&c=1

A Zero-Emissions City in the Desert
Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is building a green metropolis. Should the rest of the world care?
Kevin Bullis, Technology Review, March/April 2009
http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22121/?a=f

The property rights problem
Bailing-out banks won't fix the US economy. We need to stabilize home prices and standardize the way we value property
Elena Panaritis, guardian.co.uk, February 24, 2009
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/feb/23/us-economy-housing-market

Obama names urban affairs director
The Associated Press, The Sacramento Bee, February 19, 2009
http://www.sacbee.com/838/story/1637111.html

Transit zoning bill gets remake
Sponsors revise plan to allow 50 units per acre at stations
Debera Carlton Harrell, Seattle Post Intelligencer, February 17, 2009
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/400511_tod18.html

Can America's West stay wild?
Policy on vast public lands has favored ranchers. Demographics and economics may alter that equation now.
Moises Valasquez-Manoff, Staff Writer, Christian Science Monitor, February 17, 2009
http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/02/17/can-america%E2%80%99s-west-stay-wild/

I Dream of Denver
David Brooks, Op-Ed Columnist, New York Times, February 16, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/opinion/17brooks.html

Paul Farmer's Letter of Response to Article above
(scroll down - it is the third letter)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/opinion/l20brooks.html?adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1235681906-ESf9J1XlWYEmruMh5okN1Q

Smart Roads. Smart Bridges. Smart Grids.
If we are going to spend billions of dollars to fix our ailing infrastructure, let's make sure we do it right. Here are the technologies to make that happen.
Michael Totty, Wall Street Journal, February 17, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123447510631779255.html
 

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WE WANT YOUR GREAT IDEAS!!!!!
Do you have any suggestions or recommendations to improve the APA newsletter, web site, or e-mail blasts?  Looks, content, method of transmittal?  Do you have ideas for new or better ways for us to communicate?   If so, APA Florida invites you to bring your ideas to the table and serve on an Ad-Hoc Communications Technology committee.  Participants will review ongoing communications and recommend specific technological and design enhancements.  Volunteers will participate in a few conference calls in March and April, and maybe beyond. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to Mindy.heath@hdrinc.com.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AT THE 2009 APA FLORIDA CONFERENCE
The APA Florida 2009 Conference Committee is accepting proposals for session presentations at the 2009 conference in Jacksonville.  The themes this year are Design and Preservation, Economic and Community Development, Environment and Water, Transportation and Infrastructure, Regional and Intergovernmental Issues, and Professional Development. The submittal deadline is March 20th so don't procrastinate!  Go to http://www.floridaplanning.org/conference/2009/Call%20for%20Presentations3.pdf for details.

APA FLORIDA 2009 PROJECT AWARDS NOMINATIONS CYCLE NOW OPEN
It is time to submit your nominations for the APA Florida Project Awards, to be presented at the annual conference in Jacksonville.  The deadline for submitting nominations is May 1, 2009.  For details, go to http://www.floridaplanning.org/conference/2009/Revised%202009%20Project%20Awards%20Announcement.pdf.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR APA NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE
Go to http://www.planning.org/nationalconference/index.htm to register for the National Planning Conference to be held in Minneapolis in April.

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BROWARD COUNTY LAUNCHES INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT WEBSITE
The Broward County Natural Resources Planning and Management Division has created a website focusing on integrated stormwater management techniques that can be incorporated into urban and suburban designs. The site was developed to provide property owners, managers, and design professionals with ideas for incorporating green technologies into water management systems and creating compatible urban landscapes.  Specifically, you'll find information on: How low-impact designs and green technologies can be used to meet multiple water resource objectives; Design criteria for successful integration of landscape and stormwater management plans; Integrative stormwater designs that treat stormwater as a valuable resource; Descriptions and benefits of a variety of design features, such as bioretention areas, rain gardens, green roofs and stormwater wetlands; A variety of site photos from various Florida stormwater projects; and Video examples highlighting innovative stormwater designs throughout Broward County.  Visit http://www.broward.org/stormwater .

CIVICS EDUCATION: SMALL EFFORT, BIG REWARD
The Florida League of Cities is reaching out to other organizations to help promote their Building Citizenship in the Community: Back to Basics campaign.  They officially kicked off this initiative to promote civic education throughout the State of Florida with a Cabinet Proclamation passed on September 30, 2008.   Cities are invited to adopt a resolution in support of the initiative, available at http://www.flcities.com, and  participate in efforts to increase civic awareness, as well as civility and ethics in government.  There are many no-cost and low-cost civic education programs and partnerships - and many are very easy to implement. For a comprehensive list of ideas, resources and information, visit the League website at http://www.flcities.com.  For more information, visit http://www.flcities.com or call Casey Cook at 850-701-3609, or e-mail to: ccook@flcities.com.

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 RFQs/RFPs are listed in this newsletter and posted to APA Florida's website at no charge.  APA Florida does this as a service to its members. Please take advantage of it.  Email a one paragraph summary to the Chapter Office at fapa@floridaplanning.org for posting. Include deadline and web link.

RFQs/RFPs: 
CITY OF TREASURE ISLAND: The City of Treasure Island is accepting written proposals from qualified and interested professional consulting parties to undertake Special Area Plans (SAP's) and related development regulations to implement such plan(s) for designated areas of the City of Treasure Island as may be approved by the City Commission.  Services may be awarded through a Continuing Service Contract basis.  Submittals must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009.  For details, go to http://www.mytreasureisland.org.   For further information contact: Lynn Rosetti, AICP, City Planner; 120 108th Avenue, Treasure Island, FL 33706,  727-547-4575, ext 233.

CITY OF NEW PORT RICHEY:The City of New Port Richey, Florida, in compliance with the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), Florida Statute 287.055, is requesting qualifications/proposals for professional consultant services for the purposes of preparing a Downtown Master Plan.   Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m., March 6, 2009.  For details, go to: http://www.cityofnewportrichey.org/.

CITY OF STATESBORO, GEORGIA: The City of Statesboro, Georgia is requesting proposals from qualified consulting firms to rewrite the City's various land development regulations and consolidate them into a single unified land development code.  A new unified land development code is an essential component for implementing the city's new comprehensive plan (pending June, 2009) and is intended to update, modernize and streamline the city's various development regulations and associated processes.  A detailed description of this RFP may be accessed by visiting the city's website at: http://www.sboro.net/index/bidnotices/udc_rfp.htm. The deadline is 3:00 PM. March 13, 2009 
 
GRANTS/AWARDS:
NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 AG ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SOUGHT
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today that the deadline for submitting nominations for the Commissioner's 2009 Agriculture Environmental Leadership Awards is April 1. Now in its 16th year, the awards recognize environmentally innovative farming practices of the state's growers and ranchers. The program honors agricultural producers who demonstrate a dedication to preserving the environment and conserving natural resources while helping ensure a continuing supply of food and fiber.  To obtain a nomination form or to receive more information about the program visit http://www.florida-agriculture.com/agenvironmental/index.htm or contact Ms. Stacey Dallis Reese at (850) 488-3731.
                                                              

Newest JOB MART advertisements now posted:

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PLANNER (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services); ANIMAL HEALTH PLANNER(Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services); PLANNER (City of Daytona Beach); NATURAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST (Ecology and Environment, Inc.); and SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER (City of Palm Coast)

We encourage you to visit APA Florida's JobMart website at http://www.floridaplanning.org/jobs2.asp for salaries, descriptions, minimum requirements and application deadlines.  Also, don't forget about APA Florida's resume posting feature at http://www.floridaplanning.org/membership/resume_select.asp.

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March 20, 2009:  Orange County will be hosting the 2009 Orange County Redevelopment Workshop in Orlando. For more information, contact Manan Pathak at Manan.Pathak@oclf.net .

March 20, 2009: The Florida City and County Management Association will be holding its Emerging Professionals Spring Symposium in Tallahassee.  The symposium topic  is"Managing and Succeeding in a Politically Challenging Environment."  For details go to http://www.fccma.org.

March 25-27, 2009:  The Alabama Chapter of APA will be holding its APA AL Spring Conference at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Park, Alabama.  For details, to http://www.alaapa.org/New_Website/Resources/Upcoming_Events/index.html .

April 3, 2009:  APA will be hosting a webcast on Agricultural Preservation from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM.  Go to http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts.htm for details.

April 10, 2009:  APA will be hosting a webcast on Social Networking:Applications for Planners, from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM.  Go to http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts.htm for details.

April 25-29, 2009:  APA will be hosting the 2009 National Planning Conference in Minneapolis.  Go to http://www.planning.org to register.

April 27-May 1, 2009:  The American Public Works Association Florida Chapter will hold its annual meeting and trade show, Public Works: Overcoming Today's Challenges for a Better Tomorrow, in West Palm Beach.  Go to http://florida.apwa.net for details.

May 11, 2009:  A one day seminar, Team-Building, Mentoring and Coaching Skills for Managers & Supervisors, will be presented by Fred Pryor Seminars in Tallahassee.  Go to http://www.pryor.com for details.

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