First Coast: May/June 2012

Planning

Design

Transportation

Environment

Professional Development

Issue 3, Volume 5 May/June 2012

2011-2013 Board of Directors Chair Tony Robbins, AICP Vice Chair Betty Sue Stepp, AICP Secretary Beth Payne, AICP Treasurer Don Smith, AICP Immediate Past Chair Stephen Tocknell, AICP Alyce Decker, AICP Fred Jones, AICP Steve Lindorff, AICP Ennis Davis Jennifer Hewett-Apperson, AICP Sungman Kim, AICP, Ph.D. Kristen Reed, AICP Duncan Ross, AICP

Field Trip!

By Alyce Decker, AICP Professional Development Officer

One of my favorite events all through school was always the chance to go on a ‘Field Trip’. I was always ready to go anywhere at any time to see anything that would take me out of the classroom. Early this spring I had the chance to visit the Academy of Environmental & Urban Planning and the Academy of Emerging Technology at Creekside High School, located in St. Johns County. The students were preparing for an Environmental Expo held at the University of North Florida.

Several projects were under construction the day I visited.

One group of girls (pictured at right) was working on the ‘Hotel Water Reclamation’ project. This project included a water turbine for a beachfront hotel to provide the electricity for the guests.

Another student group was working on an environmentally friendly grocery store for organic foods. Another one of the projects pictured was part of an environmentally friendly amusement park which would have a solar powered roller coaster.

The Career Academies is an exceptional opportunity for those students driven to succeed; and they begin learning about subjects they may be interested in pursuing when they get to college. College credit is available with a dual enrollment in high school with this additional tract. The Emerging Technology division gives students, working on the 25+ Apple computers in the lab, the opportunity to learn about ‘auditing structures, building Cat 5 cabling and designing programming’.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

First Coast Events First Coast APA Board Meeting Friday, August 3, 2012 8:30 am offices of England, Thims & Miller, Inc.

2012 APA Florida Conference September 12-15, 2012 Waldorf-Astoria, Naples In This Issue Around the Section Palm Coast………..2 Member Spotlights…….…....3 Passing of Dr. John DeGrove…………...5 Volunteer Opportunities………6 Announcements…...7

1ST COAST PLANNER The Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter of the First Coast APA, Florida Chapter, American Planning Association Issue 3, Volume 5 – Page 2

Around the Section – City of Palm Coast

By Ray Tyner Planning Manager

Every ten years, the Federal Government takes a census of the population of the United States. This census is then utilized by many federal agencies to determine the distribution of federal funds to the states and to local governments. The census data is also utilized to determine the expansion of existing MPO/TPO service areas as a tool for determine the TPOs “Planning Boundaries.” As a result of the census data, Palm Coast is officially part of the new urbanized area known as the “Palm Coast-Daytona Beach Port Orange” urbanized area. As required by law, the current TPO Board took action on May 22, 2012 to approve the Planning Area Planning boundary for our area which includes all of the Palm Coast urbanized area and all lands east of US-1. The determination of the new Planning Area is the first step towards reapportionment that has to be agreed upon by Palm Coast, the current TPO Board and the Governor.

CHIRP (Children Helping In Resource Protection) Eco Station Rotation program was conducted at Waterfront rd Park, for Belle Terre Elementary 3 grade students.

Over 220 students participated in this experience, which featured City staff stations on endangered species, scoping a gopher tortoise burrow, and guided nature tours, along with live sea animal exhibits from Whitney Lab, and manatee bones from the University of Florida Sea Grant Program, as pictured above. All students received a CHIRP bag and raffle ticket. Students with winning tickets competed for prizes by answering eco station trivia.

City Staff participated in a Steering Committee Meeting conducted at the St. Johns County Office. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM NERR) in coordination with a University of Florida (UF) research team is developing

May/June 2012

an improved planning process for sea level rise adaptation in the Matanzas River Basin. GTM NERR and UF were awarded a Science Collaborative Grant for this estimated 3-year project.

City Staff provided a brief presentation to Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Commissioners and staff, elected officials, and the general public at the Hilton Garden Inn. The presentation’s focus was to highlight City of Palm Coast projects supported by FIND through partnerships and financial grant contributions. Waterfront Park, the Intracoastal Trail, Annual Waterway Cleanup program, and Long Creek Nature Preserve have significantly benefited from the support of FIND and are precious assets for the citizens of Palm Coast.

As part of becoming a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community, the City is working on the required Consolidated Action Plan. As a new entitlement community, this document is the City of Palm Coast’s initial CAP. Previously, the City has participated in the Small Cities CDBG program administered by the State of Florida. Funding from this program has been used for infrastructure improvements that created jobs for lowmoderate income persons, and currently, a financial assistance program for home repair for low-moderate income households. In addition to the CDBG Small Cities Program, the City is the recipient of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds. These funds have been used to purchase 23 qualified foreclosed homes with an anticipated 31 additional homes over the coming year. The City of Palm Coast will be the lead agency for administering and implementing projects and programs using CDBG funds. The City of Palm Coast has an Interlocal Agreement with Flagler County for the administration and implementation of a Joint Housing Program. Thus far, the ILA has enabled the City and County to partner on the administration of projects using funds from the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), the NSP program, and CDBG Small Cities program.

SAVE THE DATE: August 30, 2012 Surf Town Safari Join First Coast APA as we travel the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway. Explore the re-development of the Vilano Beach Town Center in St. Johns County and then north to explore the re-development efforts in Jacksonville Beach. Complete details will soon be available.

1ST COAST PLANNER The Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter of the First Coast APA, Florida Chapter, American Planning Association Issue 3, Volume 5 – Page 3

Member Spotlights

May/June 2012

1ST COAST PLANNER The Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter of the First Coast APA, Florida Chapter, American Planning Association Issue 3, Volume 5 – Page 4

Field Trip

May/June 2012

Dr. John DeGrove (1924-2012)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Environmental tract is also working on a sustainable garden outside the building which has caught the interest of many students, as pictured at right.

The class was collecting plastic bottles for a project that will lead to the construction of a recycled greenhouse for the many plantings on the school property.

The Creekside Engineering Academy won 1st place in the University of North Florida “Concrete Canoe Competition” in 2010. This year, 2012, the Civil Engineering students came in 3rd place at the Concrete Canoe Competition at UNF. The Concrete Canoe Contest asks local high school students to design a small vessel weighing 10 to 20 pounds and prove that it can float, despite having substantial proportions of concrete in the design. This was part of the second Concrete Canoe Contest put on by UNF and the Society of American Military Engineers that tests design, stability and buoyancy of small 2-foot vessels made mostly of concrete and designed by the students. The point is to prove that concrete, through appropriate engineering, can be less dense than water.

One of the opportunities for these students is the chance to do real world internships.

Some of the Academy Partners for Creekside High are RS&H, DEP, PBS&J JEA, UNF, GTMNERR, SJRWMD, Taylor Engineering, the Army Corps of Engineers, Matthews Design, Golder Associates and SJRSC. Field trips are simply not what they used to be. However, I’ve seen the smiles and the faces at Creekside High and I promise you the lights are on behind their eyes and the future looks secure for these creative teens!

Dr. John DeGrove, known as Florida's "Father of Growth Management," died April 13, 2012, at the age of 87.

Upon graduating from Duncan U. Fletcher High School he enrolled in the Citadel, majoring in civil engineering. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he and his entire class left after one semester to enlist in the military. Dr. DeGrove served from 1942 to 1946 in the U.S. Army 102nd Infantry. He was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action and a Purple Heart for wounds received in action.

From 1983 to 1985 Dr. DeGrove served as Secretary of the newly formed Florida’s Department of Community with verve and distinction. He assembled superior staffs who were devoted to him and their mission. As Secretary under Governor Bob Graham he was instrumental in the conception and passage of Florida’s 1985 Growth Management Act and the State Comprehensive Plan, becoming known as the “Father of Growth Management” in Florida.

Recognizing the need for an independent “watchdog” over the state’s newly created system of managing growth, he was one of the founders of 1000 Friends of Florida, serving as its president and then president emeritus.

Dr. DeGrove went on to earn a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of North Carolina. After teaching with the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina he joined FAU’s Department of Political Science and later served as Dean of the College of Social Sciences. He served as founding director of the Florida Atlantic University /Florida International University Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems from 1971 to 1998. The John M. DeGrove Eminent Scholar Chair was established in his honor.

A memorial service was held on June 3, 2012, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

1ST COAST PLANNER The Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter of the First Coast APA, Florida Chapter, American Planning Association Issue 3, Volume 5 – Page 5

May/June 2012

A Volunteer Opportunity!

Governor’s Hurricane Conference 2012

The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) is updating the Strategic Regional Policy Plan for the Region. On Thursday evenings in September and October, 2012, volunteers will be needed to take in public input based on the draft of the updated regional plan.

A brief training session one half hour before the meeting starts will be sufficient to get you ready to help gather input. If you are able to volunteer at one or more of these meetings, please e-mail Margo Moehring at mmoehring@nefrc.org.

County Baker County Public Meeting Clay County Public Meeting Duval County Public Meeting Flagler County Public Meeting Nassau County Public Meeting Putnam County Public Meeting St. Johns County Public Meeting

Date

Time

Venue

Thursday, September 20, 2012

6:30 PM

Thursday, October 18, 2012

6:30 PM

County Commission Chambers Macclenny Green Cove Springs City Hall

Thursday, October 25, 2012

6:00 PM

NEFRC

Thursday, September 27, 2012

6:30 PM

Thursday, October 11, 2012

6:30 PM

Emergency Operations Center Bunnell FSCJ Betty P. Cook Center Yulee

Thursday, October 4, 2012

6:30 PM

Commissioners Board Room Palatka

Thursday, September 6, 2012

6:30 PM

AG Center St. Augustine

By Beth Payne, AICP Secretary

This year marked the 26th year of the Governor’s Hurricane Conference.

This year’s theme was “20 Years since Hurricane Andrew…Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future”. The conference was originally established in 1987 to focus on the challenges caused by hurricanes unique to Florida. Now, 26 years later, the conference was then and is now recognized as the foremost forum for sharing lessons learned and the newest innovations in hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

The conference provided three days of training with over 50 classes offered, both in basic and advanced levels. There were over 60 workshops presented across 8 topic tracks. The conference recognizes the partnerships necessary for an effective emergency management program and the need for continuing education to improve skills and expand expertise. As such, it offers credits for AICP planners, Certified Floodplain Managers and Public Information Officers. For AICP planners there were up to 35 CMs based on the training courses and 15 CMs for conference sessions.

It was a successful conference, with more than 1,750 people including emergency managers, rescue workers, forecasters and industry representatives. Over 150 vendors set up in a massive Exhibit Hall to showcase the latest tools and innovations for disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. The highlights from the Conference’s general session included addresses from FDEM Director Bryan Koon, the current Governor, Rick Scott, and Bill Read, retiring Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC). A panel discussion was held with participants of the Hurricane Andrew response, including the former director of the NHC, Max Mayfield and Miamibased meteorologist Bryan Norcross.

1ST COAST PLANNER The Bi-monthly e-Newsletter of the First Coast APA, Florida Chapter, American Planning Association Issue 3, Volume 5 – Page 6

May/June 2012

CHARTING A NEW COURSE

Job Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 15, 2012 All are invited to a special event with fun, fellowship, and professional development sponsored by the American Planning Association (APA) of Florida.

Mark your calendars for the afternoon of Friday, June 15.

Transportation Planner/Engineer Charting a New Course – How Planners are Changing Our Communities’ Futures at the Waldorf Astoria, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL. The educational portion of the program is scheduled to start at 2 p.m., concluding at 4:30 p.m. This free event will be followed by a reception, food, and drinks at special pricing - courtesy of the Southwest Florida/Promised Lands Section of APA of Florida.

The confirmed speakers are: Bill Spikowski, FAICP, Principal of Spikowski Planning Associates, Robert J. Mulhere, FAICP, manager of Mulhere and Associates in Marco Island, Debrah Forester, AICP, Redevelopment Manager for Charlotte County, and Mary Gibbs, AICP, Community Development Director for Lee County.

The event will give everyone a sneak preview of the APA of Florida’s state conference - at the same venue – September 12-15.

Please RSVP with Alexis Crespo AlexisC@waldropengineering.com or 239-405-7777, ext. 207.

Professional work involving review of site and construction plans related to development; review and analysis of Land Use and Zoning Amendments, perform transportation planning and operation related tasks including but not limited to: review and assessment of roadway, intersection and safety operations, transportation modeling, concurrency management, signalization, grant and funding preparation, and project management. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Engineering or related field supplemented by 4 years of professional planning/engineering experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. MPO/TPO experience, AICP or PE preferred.

The application is available on the City’s web page Palmcoastgov.com.

Planner Professional work involving review of site, plat and master plans related to development; review and analysis of land use and zoning map amendments, perform planning related tasks including but not limited to: processing variance and special exception applications, zoning permit review, and grant administration.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Planning or related field supplemented by 2 years of professional planning experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Urban design/housing experience and AICP preferred.