CITY COMMISSION RETREAT AGENDA
February 2, 2009 / 9:00am- 3:00pm
Tall Timbers Research Station

Tallahassee City Commission
Mayor John Marks, Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Gillum, Commissioner Allan Katz, Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, Commissioner Mark Mustian.

Appointed Officials
City Manager Anita Favors Thompson; City Attorney Jim English, City Auditor Sam McCall, City Treasurer-Clerk Gary Herndon

Agenda

8:30 a.m. / Coffee and Refreshments

9:00 a.m. / Welcome from Tall Timbers – Lane Green, Executive Director

9:05 a.m / Overview – City Manager, Anita Favors Thompson

9:10 a.m. / “Understanding the Crisis of 2008” – Dr. James Gwartney, FSU

9:40 a.m. / State of Local Business Economy

• Sue Dick, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
• Beth Kirkland, Economic Development Council
• Kimberly Moore, Workforce Plus

10:00 a.m. / Discussion: What is the Role of Local Government in Economically Depressed Times?

Expediting Projects That Keep Citizens Employed

What are our current policies and how should they be adapted, if at all, to meet the needs of the current economy?
Policy Issues:

• Procurement
• Permitting
• Legal Review
• Capacity

10:45 a.m. / Federal Economic Stimulus Update – Rick Spees, City Lobbyist

Review of Projects Lists

• City Funded Capital Projects Identified for Fast Tracking
• City of Tallahassee Federal Stimulus Projects
• Florida Capital Region Economic Stimulus Projects

11:45 a.m. / Working Lunch - City of Tallahassee Focus & Priorities for 2009 and Beyond

Discussion of 2009 Target Issue Committee Goals

How Do Our Current Priorities (Target Issues) Relate to the Existing Economy?

• Financial Viability
  
• Environmental and Energy Resources
  
• Economic Development
  
• Long Range Planning
  
• Health and Human Services
  

1:15 p.m. / City Indices Update & Ties to Performance Data – City Auditor, Sam McCall

1:45 p.m. / Welaunee Master Plan Presentation– Rick Fernandez / Will Butler

2:30 p.m. / Adjourn

3:00 p.m. / Walking Tour of Tall Timbers with Neil Fleckenstein, Red Hills Planner

Attached Material (PDF)

• Biography of Dr. James D. Gwartney
• The Role of Local Government in Economically Depressed Times / Questions to Stimulate Discussion
• Navigating the Fiscal Crisis: Tested Strategies for Local Leaders
• Letter from Ron Carlee, Arlington County Manager (Virginia) to U.S. Representative James P. Moran
• Local Government’s Vital Role in National Economic Recovery
• City Commission Retreat Agenda Item / Discussion of Local Economic Emergency Fast Tracking Program for Public Sector Projects
• FY09 Capital Project Fast Tracking Iniative
• City of Tallahassee Federal Stimulus Projects
• Florida Capital Region Economic Stimulus Projects
• Tallahassee City Commission Target Issues / Effective April, 2008
• Financial Viability of the Government Target Issue Committee Update
• Financial Viability of the Government Target Issue Committee Recommended Changes

COT Press Release (with directions to Tall Timbers Research Station)