Education and Networking

City leaders plan for the future at annual meeting

by Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

After more than a year of virtual events and meetings, municipal officials came together in Orlando for the Florida League of Cities 95th Annual Conference to learn, network and share ideas.

“This conference presents an opportunity to inform yourselves about the challenges we face as cities,” said Tony Ortiz, outgoing FLC President. “Our goal is to provide you with a wealth of information and to create opportunities for each of us to share best practices so that we can be the best possible leaders for our cities.”

Outgoing League President Tony Ortiz with his family and President Phillip Walker (left) and First Vice President Jolien Caraballo (right).

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Ortiz presided over the three-day conference, which included educational workshops, general sessions, legislative policy committee meetings, local and regional league breakfast meetings and opportunities for attendees to network with their peers from across the state. In addition, the main exhibit hall provided access to information about municipal products and services.

Florida League of Cities staff members greeted attendees in the exhibit hall.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Conference workshops focused on timely topics such as understanding cybersecurity risk and mitigation, reaching your residents through social media, understanding and fostering racial equity, enabling renewable energy and breaking down the American Rescue Plan Act. (Some of the presentations are available for free at flcities.com/annualconference. Video recordings for select presentations also can be purchased at the site.)

(From left) FLC Executive Director/CEO Jeannie Garner with 2021-2022 FLC Officers President Phillip Walker, First Vice President Jolien Caraballo and Second Vice President Greg Ross.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

At the business session, the membership approved the League’s 2022 Legislative Action Agenda, which will guide the League’s legislative efforts for the upcoming session. (See Agenda inserted in this issue.) League members also elected Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker to serve as President, Port St. Lucie Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo to serve as First Vice President and Cooper City Mayor Greg Ross to serve as Second Vice President. (See the profile of Ross on p. 43.) At the past presidents’ luncheon, incoming President Walker shared his focus areas for the year ahead. (For more on Walker’s vision, see p. 46.)

President Phillip Walker speaks at Florida League of Cities annual conference.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

OUTSTANDING WORK RECOGNIZED

During the conference, city officials were recognized for their dedication and hard work. The League’s highest honor, the E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Lake Hamilton Vice Mayor Marlene Wagner. (See article, p. 44.) The League also presented 33 city officials with the John Land Years of Service Award for their tenure of municipal service ranging from 20 years to 45 years. (Their names and years of service are listed, below.)

Lake Hamilton Vice Mayor Marlene Wagner received the E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

The Florida Municipal Achievement Awards went to Boca Raton, which received the City Spirit Award; Clearwater, which received the Florida Citizenship Award; and Jacksonville Beach, which received the Environmental Stewardship Award. (See pages 14, 16 and 18 for stories about each of the award winners.) A video announcing the winners and highlighting their innovative programs and services was shown to attendees.

Defender of Home Rule Award winner Mark Ryan (second from left).

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Mark Ryan, City Manager for the City of Indian Harbour Beach, received the League’s Defender of Home Rule Award for his tireless efforts to defend and protect the principles of local self-government. Traditionally given to state legislators who consistently voted and advocated on behalf of the League and its member cities during legislative session, this year marked the first time the award went to a local official. In his acceptance speech, Ryan focused not on himself or the efforts for which he was recognized but instead on local self-government and the efforts of all local voices advocating for local choices.

The conference also celebrated the contributions of more than 100 Home Rule Heroes. Recipients of the Home Rule Hero Award are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the Legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue. (See the recipients of the 2021 Home Rule Hero Award in the third quarter issue of Quality Cities magazine at bit.ly/3Eexfbb.)

SPEAKERS EDUCATED AND INSPIRED

The general sessions featured dynamic addresses from several presenters. Guest speaker Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, discussed local actions and how the state can assist. “Local actions drive state actions.

State actions drive federal actions,” said Guthrie, who presented virtually due to the expected impact of an approaching tropical storm.

Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver, gave an inspiring opening keynote presentation about his life journey from the football field to outer space. Melvin shared how his hometown and its people instilled in him the values – community, perseverance and grace – and framework that provided the opportunities for his success. “I think of the Florida League of Cities as the Justice League,” said Melvin. “You guys are superheroes. You help people, and you help change lives.”

National League of Cities Executive Director Clarence Anthony.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Guest speaker Clarence Anthony, Executive Director of the National League of Cities, acknowledged the difficulties of the past year and a half, particularly for city leaders. “The Florida League of Cities is our safe space, where we can talk about how we dealt with issues. We can talk about the initiatives that we implemented in our community,” said Anthony. “So, take a breath because not acknowledging this difficult time would be a major mistake.”

Keynote presenter Kenneth W. Gronbach.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Gaupp

Kenneth W. Gronbach, an internationally respected demographer who recently became a Florida resident, addressed the state’s demographics in his keynote presentation. Forecasting the societal, commercial, economic, cultural and political future for the state, Gronbach emphasized that this information is crucial when writing a post-pandemic strategic plan.

In his closing speech, Ortiz spoke about creating a better world for future generations, one community at a time. “It is the responsibility of everyone in this room to break the walls that separate us as a nation and to return to the true meaning of what our founding fathers envisioned when they called it the United States of America,” said Ortiz. “At the end of our days, our legacy will have nothing to do with party labels but everything to do with what we did for the common good of the world.”

Kelli Gemmer is the Assistant Editor for the Florida League of Cities.

2021 JOHN LAND YEARS OF SERVICE AWARD HONOREES

The Florida League of Cities years of service award program is named in honor of the late John Land, who served as Mayor of Apopka for more than 60 years. The League recognizes the following individuals for their many years of dedicated service as elected municipal officials.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mayor Beatrice Roberts, Town of Bronson

Mayor Rebecca A. Tooley, City of Coconut Creek

Commissioner Louis Sarbone, City of Coconut Creek

Councilwoman Susan Starkey, Town of Davie

Mayor Glenn Singer, Town of Golden Beach

Councilmember Bernard Einstein, Town of Golden Beach

Vice Mayor Horace West, City of Haines City

Councilor Jim Kuretski, Town of Jupiter

Mayor John M. Holbrook, Town of Lake Placid

Mayor Joseph Aufmuth, Town of Micanopy

Vice Mayor Collins L. Smith, City of Mulberry

Councilmember Gary Price, City of Naples

Councilman Scott Galvin, City of North Miami

Mayor Pro Tem James Hallett, Town of St. Leo

Commissioner Luciano L. Suarez, City of West Miami

Commissioner Juan M. Blanes, City of West Miami

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mayor Patricia J. Bates, City of Altamonte Springs

Commissioner Leo E. Longworth, City of Bartow

Mayor Robert E. Schmidt Jr., Town of Belleair Shore

Vice Mayor Theo Washington, Town of Eatonville

Mayor David J. Mealor, City of Lake Mary

Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers, City of Lauderdale Lakes

Mayor Pro Tem Judy Townsend, City of Madison

Commissioner Tamara Cornwell, City of Palmetto

Mayor Frank C. Ortis, City of Pembroke Pines

Mayor James R. Stroup, Town of Reddick

Mayor John Rees, City of Winter Garden

30 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mayor Alice McLane, Town of Glen Ridge

Councilmember James Ussery, Town of Glen Ridge

35 YEARS OF SERVICE

Commissioner Eugene Berry, City of Florida City

Mayor Rusty Johnson, City of Ocoee

Council President Steven K. Rogers, Town of Reddick

45 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mayor Otis T. Wallace, City of Florida City

Mayor Ed Wolf, City of Wildwood