Business Forum Memo - 11/20/08

TO: Business Forum of Palm Beach County

At this week's meeting, Dennis Grady discussed the efforts of the Chamber of the Palm Beaches and others in the business community to stimulate the local economy by speeding up previously approved construction and capital projects. Kelly Smallridge noted the need for all local governments to expedite permitting by embracing a suggested model ordinance. (click here to view). There was also a discussion about the Broward County ordinance to mandate security cameras on private property and what preventive measures should be taken in PBC. Mary Kaye Willis of Walters Gottlieb appeared on behalf of BOMA. She agreed to secure a speaker more knowledgeable of the details to attend a future Business Forum meeting and continue these discussions.

The Housing Leadership Council reported on the recent regional workforce housing workshop held in Fort Lauderdale. The event was sponsored by the Regional Business Alliance, the EC, Broward Workshop and Miami Chamber of Commerce. By all accounts, it was well attended and successfully helped to build consensus around an agenda to address the region's most critical housing needs. Click here to view a copy of Dr. Ned Murray's overheads. Now that LISC has closed its South Florida offices, the HLC and its counterpart organizations in Broward and Miami offer the greatest hope for members of the private sector (employers, housing industry, financial institutions, etc.) to gain a voice in critical issues such as breaking down regulatory barriers, the use of new federal Neighborhood Stabilization Funding, relief from the credit crunch, etc. You are encouraged to contact Skip Miller or Suzanne Cabrera for more information and to financially support their efforts.

As the economy worsens and public funding shrinks, there is a notable trend for larger urban areas to band together to prioritize spending and show solidarity around other issues with significant impacts such as education and transportation. This also presents a unique opportunity for the private sector to forge partnerships with government leaders that would not have been possible previously.

Florida Hometown Democracy officially failed to qualify for the 2008 General Election Ballot on February 1^st, 2008. Although this marks the third time amendment supporters have fallen short, Florida Hometown Democracy founders have vowed to try again in two (2) years. The threat of this proposal has not been defeated - only deferred until 2010. The turnout for the presidential election was less than expected but the proponents will still need approximately 675,000 signatures to qualify. Their next report is due December 31, 2008. Floridians for Smarter Growth will continue its campaign against the so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment. In keeping with this commitment, FSG Palm Beach members recently met at the Economic Council to review key action items and will continue to keep interested stakeholders advised of further developments. 

The Business Forum will meet on the second Monday of each month beginning in 2009 (except in October when we will meet on the third Monday). Please note these dates on your calendar now. Also note that the annual South Florida Business Day in Tallahassee sponsored by the Regional Business Alliance will be held on February 4, 2009. Local business leaders are encouraged to use this opportunity to visit members of the Legislature and Executive branch prior to session. More details will follow as they become available but please let Mike Jones know if you or some of your volunteer leaders may be interested in participating.

Manny Almira, new Executive Director of the Port of Palm Beach and others from the marine industry, have been invited to attend the next Business Forum meeting (December 15, 2008) to discuss plans for deepening the Palm Beach shipping channel and adjacent waterway. Chris Mobley, Publisher of the Daily Business Review, is scheduled to be a guest speaker at our January 12, 2009 meeting.

Please submit the name and address for the current volunteer chair, past chair and chair-elect for each member organization so that the Business Forum roster can be updated. Each member organization is entitled to one vote and to bring as many as three guests to each meeting. We will invite other alternates to attend if you provide their contact information. Ideally, each member organization should be represented by paid staff and at least one volunteer at every meeting.