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League and member news

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Bike Program Helps Wellington Build Community Bonds

The Village of Wellington, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and a local bike shop, created the Bicycle Assistance Program to help provide refurbished bicycles to residents without transportation. The program uses lost, stolen or never claimed bicycles from the Sheriff’s Office or donated bikes from the community and then takes them to Wheels of Wellington, where they are restored. (Read more on qualitycities.com at bit.ly/31R9M15.)

Two Florida City Leaders Named NLC Board Members

The National League of Cities (NLC) appointed Leo Longworth, Commissioner for the City of Bartow and Florida League of Cities past President, and Joshua Simmons, Vice Mayor for the City of Coral Springs, to the NLC Board of Directors for a two-year term.

NLC’s Board of Directors is an elite group of local leaders across the nation who guide the organization and help shape the future of cities.

Leo Longworth

Joshua Simmons

Members Earn Perfect Score

Three members of the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT) have received a score of 100% in the FMIT Safety Excellence Initiative’s safety improvement assessment. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District was the first to receive a perfect score, followed by the City of Rockledge Fire Department and the City of Belleair Beach.

The Safety Excellence Initiative is a voluntary safety accreditation program available to FMIT members that provides participants with the knowledge and tools needed to easily develop and implement an effective safety management program promoted system.

NLC Offers Resources For City Leaders

The National League of Cities (NLC) has released new resources to educate and assist city leaders. The “Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Playbook” will help local leaders access critical implementation resources from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and NLC to generate the biggest impact for their communities. The full report is available at bit.ly/3oA540H. (For more information on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund within the American Rescue Plan Act, see p. 35 and visit flcities.com/rescueplan.)

In light of increasing harassment that local officials have recently faced while in office, NLC released a report that sheds light on the impact felt by local officials and their communities while offering solutions to help keep city leaders safe and communities running. This resource recommends safety measures local leaders can take including securing physical safety, promoting mental health and well-being and improving civil discourse. The full report, “On the Frontlines of Today’s Cities: Trauma, Challenges and Solutions,” is available at bit.ly/3cjZKr7.

DID YOU KNOW...Our State Has Multiple Waterfalls?

Falling Creek Falls, Lake City

Photo credit: WILSILVER77/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/GETTY IMAGES

Many people consider Florida to be a flat state, but the state actually has multiple waterfalls. Here is a sampling:

Camp Branch Conservation Area, White Springs.

The Disappearing Creek produces rapids between cypress knees after heavy rain. The water flows downhill through a ravine. The water eventually disappears into a large sinkhole. The creek emerges in the Suwanee

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainesville.

At this geological state park, visitors notice a dramatic temperature change as they climb 132 steps down into a sinkhole. Waterfalls and creeks feed into the collapsed sinkhole that is 120 feet deep. The greenery and wildlife in the sinkhole give the appearance of a small rainforest, and the ecosystem is considered rare.

Visitors have been recorded at this National Natural Landmark since the 1880s. Researchers reportedly have found fossil shark teeth and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals in the sinkhole. The Park has interactive displays that explore the unique nature of the area.

Falling Creek Falls, Lake City.

Falling Creek Falls is a 10-foot waterfall over limestone. The water flowing out of the waterfall goes under Falling Creek Road and through the ravine before going underground. The area also has a boardwalk trail to the Falls and a historic building.

Falling Waters State Park, Chipley.

This state park is known for having the largest waterfall in the state, which measures 74 feet tall. Park staff recommend that you visit after heavy rain for the best experience. The waterfall drops into a cylindrical sinkhole that is 100-feet deep and 20-feet wide. The sinkhole disappears into a hidden cave system. The destination of the water is unknown.

Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon.

Humans created these falls. The waterfalls, as well as the phosphate pits, are left over from the mining industry. The area offers multiple water activities.

Steinhatchee Falls, Steinhatchee.

Although shallow, this waterfall is known as the widest waterfall in the state. Like many waterfalls in Florida, it’s best seen after heavy rains. The Steinhatchee Falls Loop, which is one-half mile long, provides a view of the Old Bellamy Road just above the falls. The road was a pioneer migrant route in the 1800s and still has wagon ruts. Hikers can also see the wagon path route on the other side of the river.

Sources: floridahikes.com, floridastateparks.org, mysuwanneeriver. com, onlyinyourstate.com and tcpalm.com

Meeting Calendar

MARCH 11-12 | FLC University Leadership Academy I | Location TBD | Contact Angela Delune

MARCH 17-18 | Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Annual Conference | Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South | Contact Nykierama Cooper

MARCH 25-26 | Institute for Elected Municipal Officials | Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel | Contact Angela Delune

APRIL 29-30 | Institute for Elected Municipal Officials II | Location TBD | Contact Angela Delune

JUNE 1-4 | Florida City and County Management Association Annual Conference | Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld | Contact Carol Russell

JUNE 10-11 | Institute for Elected Municipal Officials | Location TBD | Contact Angela Delune

JUNE 19-22 | Florida Association of City Clerks Summer Conference and Academy | Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld | Contact Rachel Embleton

JUNE 25-29 | Florida Government Finance Officers Association Annual Conference | Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando | Contact Jill Walker

JULY 25-28 | Florida Local Government Information Systems Association Annual Conference | Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood | Contact Becky Brennan

JULY 28-30 | Florida Municipal Attorneys Association Annual Seminar | Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs | Contact Lisa Dove

AUGUST 11-13 | Florida League of Cities Annual Conference | Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood | Contact Melanie Howe

Go to: flcities.com/education-andevents/calendar-of-events or call 850.222.9684 for more information.

Sanford RiverWalk Opens

An aerial photo of a portion of Sanford’s 5-mile RiverWalk.

Photo courtesy of the City of Sanford

The City of Sanford opened the Sanford RiverWalk, a 5-mile walkway that connects the City and other communities to the 250-mile Coast-to-Coast trail from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic. “The completion of the Sanford RiverWalk is the culmination of decades of work starting with a vision laid out by former Mayor Bettye Smith in the 1980s,” said Mayor Art Woodruff.

Sarasota Becomes Hidden Heroes City

The City of Sarasota recently joined the cities of Dunedin, Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg and Winter Springs to become the sixth Hidden Heroes City in Florida.

As part of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s network of communities, they have committed to increasing awareness and support for military caregivers and the essential role they play in caring for Sarasota’s veterans and military members. Learn more about how other Florida cities also support local heroes and their families in the 2021 second quarter issue of Quality Cities magazine at bit.ly/30gZmrj.

North Miami Launches Project To Keep Community Engaged

The City of North Miami launched a community education and engagement initiative led by City Clerk Vanessa Joseph aimed at helping children and their families learn about the City.

As part of the “In the Community with Madam Clerk” initiative, the City published “Around the City with Madam Clerk,” a book filled with coloring pages and activities for families to enjoy as they learn about the City and how they can get involved.

Illustration courtesy of the City of North Miami

Tallahassee Police Department Ranks in International Competition

The Tallahassee Police Department’s Tactical Apprehension and Control (TAC) Team placed fourth in the 2021 International SWAT Roundup competition in Orlando.

The team competed against more than 40 teams from around the world in the weeklong competition of events designed to mirror real life. Tallahassee’s TAC team is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Tallahassee Police Department’s Tactical Apprehension and Control Team.

Photo courtesy of City of Tallahassee

Obituaries

Former Miami Commissioner and FLC past President J.L. Plummer

J.L. Plummer

Former Miami Commissioner J.L. Plummer died December 16 at age 85. Plummer, a sixth-generation Floridian, was the City of Miami’s longest-serving Commissioner. His lifelong dedication to public service began in 1966 on the Planning and Zoning Board. Plummer was appointed to the City Commission in 1970 and elected Vice Mayor later that year. In 1971, he was elected to his first full four-year term on the City Commission and served until 1999. He proudly carried the title of “Commissioner Emeritus.”

Plummer served as President of the Florida League of Cities from 1978-1979. During his presidency, the League laid the groundwork for the Florida Municipal Liability Self-Insurers Program. Plummer served on the FLC Board of Directors until 1999, and he was also a past President of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities. In addition to his public service, Plummer was a mortician who, at 21 years old, became the youngest person in Florida to receive a funeral director’s license.

Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell said, “For over 30 years, City Commissioner J.L. Plummer was a faithful public servant. He maintained a fierce commitment and dedication to municipal government throughout his life, as evidenced by his attendance at a Miami City Commission meeting one month before his passing. The City of Miami honors his service.”

Former Boca Raton Council Member William (Bill) Hager

William (Bill) Hagar

Former Boca Raton Council Member William (Bill) Hager died October 13 at age 74. He served on the Boca Raton City Council from 2002-2009 and as Deputy Mayor from 2004-2005. Hager served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2018. Prior to his service, Hager worked as a teacher, an expert trial witness and a lawyer. “Bill Hager was a deep and brilliant thinker and longtime public servant in many roles,” said Mayor Scott Singer. “I was honored to work with him often when he was our State Representative, and personally, he shared a lot of great advice from his time on the City Council that often rings true for me today. He leaves a legacy of service, and our community will miss him.”

Leesburg City Attorney Fred Morrison

Fred Morrison

Leesburg City Attorney Fred Morrison died December 4 at age 67. He was a native of Leesburg and served as City Attorney for more than 30 years. Morrison was also a Senior Partner at McLin Burnsed, where he practiced law for 43 years after starting as a summer clerk. “Fred served the City of Leesburg with great distinction,” said City Manager Al Minner. “He was an enormous part of our organization and extremely well respected in the legal community, as well as throughout the Lake County region. In my time in municipal government, I have never worked with a more genuine, eloquent and dignified attorney. Fred’s passing is an enormous loss, and he will truly be missed.”

Former Windermere Mayor Robert James Pleus Jr.

Robert James Pleus Jr.

Former Windermere Mayor Robert James Pleus Jr. died December 14 at age 85. Pleus served on the Town Council from 1972-1974, as Mayor for six years and as Town Attorney for several years. He was also President of the Tri-County League of Cities in 1992. In 2000, Pleus was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, where he served as Chief Judge before his retirement and Senior Judge following his retirement. Pleus was also ordained a Deacon at Holy Family Catholic Church in 2000. Past Mayor Gary Bruhn said, “Mayor Pleus served not only Central Florida and the Town of Windermere, but he represented all of the community with honor and distinction from being not only an elected official but also an appellate judge.”

Former Lake Alfred City Commissioner Lowell K. Schmidt

Lowell K. Schmidt

Former Lake Alfred City Commissioner Lowell K. Schmidt died December 1 at age 80. Schmidt served as City Commissioner from 2001-2011, became Vice Mayor in 2008 and served as Mayor in 2009. Schmidt previously worked for the University of Florida Department of Agricultural Research and Education Center in the Department of Citrus lab researching citrus diseases. Always interested in the betterment of the City of Lake Alfred, he cared deeply about the citizens and the city staff. Mayor Nancy Daley said, “Lowell Schmidt was a true community advocate, and he will be sorely missed.”