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St. Pete Pier Recognized For Urban Design

A pier in the City of St. Petersburg received recognition from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as a top urban design project in the nation. The St. Pete Pier was one of 10 winners – and the only design in the Southeastern United States – selected to receive one of ULI’s 2022 Americas Awards for Excellence.

The City was selected as one of six winners of the 2022 ULI Global Awards for Excellence, a top honor recognizing the best new urban designs in the world. “This is an incredible, meaningful accomplishment for our city and our iconic waterfront,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “The ULI Global Awards for Excellence win puts the St. Pete Pier on the map as a world-class destination for residents and visitors alike.”

St. Pete Pier.

Photo courtesy of City of St. Petersburg

Tallahassee Honored For Innovation in Health

The City of Tallahassee was awarded the Innovation in Health Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

The award recognizes the City’s Utilizing and Promoting Social Engagement for Loneliness, Isolation and Depression in the Elderly (UPSLIDE) program and its impact on fostering a culture of health in the community. UPSLIDE is a unique, comprehensive program that addresses loneliness and isolation by connecting people age 50 and older for meaningful social interaction.

Two Cities Recognized For Local Programs

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has awarded the City of Coral Springs the Strategic Leadership and Governance Award for its Behavioral Health Access Program and the City of Oakland Park its Community Health and Safety Award for the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Site for Vulnerable Seniors.

ICMA’s Local Government Excellence Awards Program highlights creative contributions to professional local government management that enhance the quality of life in communities.

Three Winners Announced For FMIT Partnership Award

The Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT), administrated by the Florida League of Cities (FLC), recognized its valued partners with a new award. The FMIT Partnership Award is designed to recognize members’ successful insurance processes, risk management efforts and other proactive measures that improve the quality of life in their community and working environment.

The winners of the 2022 Award are:

▸ Innovation Award: City of Coral Springs – Employee Wellness and Safety Committee Program

▸ Risk and Safety Award: City of Palm Coast – Human Resources and Risk & Safety Management Processes

▸ Insurance Leader Award Leadership: City of Sunrise – Leadership.

For more information on the award and this year’s winners, visit bit.ly/3Dm487L.

Gainesville City Services Fair Showcases Municipal Programs

The City of Gainesville hosted its inaugural City Services Fair to help residents learn more about city programs, events, services, job opportunities, charter officers, governing structure and more.

Nearly 30 offices and departments attended and taught about the community programs, bus routes, affordable housing programs, the City’s new website, job opportunities and more. Residents also had the opportunity to recycle unwanted tires and pick up a free tree from the City arborist and horticulturist.

Gainesville residents attend the City’s inaugural services fair.

Photo courtesy of City of Gainesville

Coral Gables Pump Station Earns Recognition

The City of Coral Gables earned an Envision Bronze award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure for its Cocoplum 1 Pump Station. This award recognizes stakeholder involvement and delivery of community benefits, climate resilience and protection of the surrounding lands.

“This is a great Utilities Division accomplishment,” said Public Works Director Hermes Diaz. “In addition to improving system reliability crucial to our environment and by working with the Homeowners Association, we were able to offer additional benefits to the community resulting in widening an existing bike path and installing a sidewalk.”

Coral Gables’ Cocoplum 1 Pump Station.

Photo courtesy of City of Goral Gables

MEETING CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 17-19, 2022 | National League of Cities City Summit | Kansas City, MO | Contact Allison Payne

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 2, 2022 | Florida League of Cities Legislative Conference | Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South | Contact Mary Edenfield

JANUARY 20-21, 2023 | Institute for Elected Municipal Officials | Renaissance World Golf Village Resort St. Augustine | Contact Angela Delune

JANUARY 24-26, 2023 | Florida Local Government Information Systems Association Winter Symposium | Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South | Contact Becky Brennan

FEBRUARY 9-10, 2023 | Florida City and County Management Association Winter Institute | Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach | Contact Carol Russell

MARCH 2-3, 2023 | FBC-LEO Spring Conference Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South | Contact Nykierama Cooper

APRIL 3-5, 2023 | Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Days Tallahassee | Contact Mary Edenfield

MAY 18-19, 2023 | Florida Municipal Communicators Association Annual Conference | Embassy Suites by Hilton, Kissimmee | Contact Selina Smith

MAY 31-JUNE 3, 2023 | Florida City and County Management Association Annual Conference | Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress | Contact Carol Russell

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

DID YOU KNOW … State Is Melting Pot Of Musicians

Florida’s natives and transplants have found worldwide success in many musical genres. Some have ties to Florida cities and other surprises in their history.

Brian Kelley, country music star in the duo Florida Georgia Line, grew up in Ormond Beach. His father, Ed Kelley, is a former Mayor and former Volusia County Council Chair. Brian shot part of the “Florida Boy Forever” video at the City’s Ormond Beach Sports Complex and included his dad, current members of his high school’s baseball team and his former coach. Brian, who played sports at the complex as a student, has described it as “a memory lane” that he visits every time he’s home. “It means the world to show off where I’m from,” he said.

The video includes scenes from Daytona Beach and Flagler Beach. The song is part of Brian’s “Sunshine State of Mind” album.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played a 2006 hometown show in Gainesville. The City issued a proclamation declaring it Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Day. The show was recorded for the “Live from Gatorville” video. Their song “I Won’t Back Down” is still played at University of Florida football games. A city park is named in his honor.

Several other musicians have Florida connections, including:

▸ Ray Charles, well-known for “Georgia on My Mind,” was raised in Greenville. Charles attended the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine. He also lived in Tampa and played in a country-western band. One early recording was “St. Pete Florida Blues.”

Brian Kelley (in shorts) of Florida Georgia Line filmed a video at the city sports complex in Ormond Beach.

Photo courtesy of Bem Christensen

▸ Brothers Duane and Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band were raised in Daytona Beach, and the band was organized in Jacksonville.

▸ Jimmy Buffett and “Margaritaville” are associated with Florida, and he’s lived in the state for years. However, Buffett was born in Mississippi.

Someone who doesn’t have ties to Florida? Stephen Foster, who wrote the state song “Old Folks at Home.” He saw the Suwannee River spelled “Swanee River” on a map and liked the sound of it. The misspelled name is still the more familiar title of the song.

Sources: City of Gainesville, jacksonville.com, onlyinyourstate.com, City of Ormond Beach and The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Suncoast Region Earns All-America City Award

The Suncoast, FL, region was one of the 10 recipients of the National Civic League’s 2022 All-America City Award. This year’s theme was “housing as a platform for equitable learning recovery.”

The region was recognized for promoting early school success and equitable learning recovery through the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR). That campaign uses a two-generation lens and works to ensure children retain gradelevel reading skills. SCGLR invests in education and certification for parents, caregivers and children and aligns mental health support with academic success.

Visit nationalcivicleague. org/2022-finalists to read more. Visit bit.ly/3iMirVi to apply for the 2023 All- America City Awards, with the theme “creating thriving communities through youth engagement.”

City of Ocoee Debuts New City Hall

The City of Ocoee introduced a new City Hall that is the centerpiece of the City’s historic downtown revitalization. It is a neoclassical three-story, structural steel and brick building with more than 46,000 square feet.

The new City Hall brings city services under one roof, and it provides an efficient, modern space for residents to engage in business with the City. The facility is energyefficient with a reliance on natural and LED lighting. With a health and wellness theme, City departments have ergonomic workstations, and each floor has water bottle fillers to encourage employees to use reusable drinking cups to reduce the use of plastics.

Ocoee City Hall.

Photo courtesy of City of Ocoee

Doral’s Commitment To City Data Recognized

The City of Doral is the first city in the United States and Canada to achieve World Council on City Data (WCCD) certification under all three standards within the WCCD administered ISO 37120 Series of Standards.

“This significant certification further confirms our status as an international model city that is focused on transparency and data-driven decision-making that yields results,” said Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez. “By investing in these initiatives, we cultivate a safer, more sustainable community for our residents and businesses.”

Doral’s Mayor, City Council, IT Department and the World Council on City Data team at the presentation.

Photo courtesy of City of Doral

Awards Recognize Local Water And Wastewater Programs

Seven of the 10 awards presented by the Florida Rural Water

Association at its 2022 Annual Conference went to cities or employees of cities:

▸ City of Alachua’s Sallie Arnette – Wastewater Operator of the Year

▸ City of Hampton – Small Public Water System of the Year

▸ City of Lawtey’s Lisa Harley – Manager/Administrator of the Year

▸ City of Orange City – Medium Public Water System of the Year

▸ Orange City’s Mariluz Diaz – System Office Employee of the Year

▸ Orange City’s Pat Thomas – Distribution/Collection Operator of the Year

▸ City of Waldo’s Bernard Carter – Drinking Water Operator of the Year.

Florida Nonprofit Raises Human Trafficking Awareness

The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking offers training and awareness programs to help end human trafficking. Municipal officials and staff can take the Alliance’s free one-hour online training on detecting human trafficking and reporting it. (For more on the training, see bit.ly/3Tu3WZy.)

Municipalities can join the 100 Percent Club, a human trafficking awareness campaign led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. The 100 Percent Club recognizes entities that take a stand against human trafficking by requiring all employees to complete the online training. (Learn more at bit.ly/3SmMNQt.)

Florida ranks third in the country for calls of suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In 2021, over 2,000 victims were identified within the state.

Sunny Isles Beach Hosts Ukrainian Refugee Event

The City of Sunny Isles Beach, which has become home to many Ukrainian refugees, hosted a Ukrainian Refugee Assistance event with the local nonprofit Florida for Ukraine.

Immigration lawyers, health care insurance agents, mortgage brokers and educational professionals spoke at the event. Topics included the Uniting for Ukraine program (U4U), temporary protected status, government benefits, medical insurance and Medicaid, the real estate market and educational opportunities, programs and accommodations.

Speakers share information on programs and assistance for Ukrainian refugees.

Photo courtesy of City of Sunny Isles Beach

Obituaries

Former Jacksonville City Council President and FLC past President Henry Cook

Former Jacksonville City Council President Henry Cook died September 17 at age 93. Cook had 40 years of leadership and service to the City of Jacksonville. He worked with the City from 1948 until 1968, when he retired as an Assistant Engineer. Cook then began his career in public service. He was elected to the City of Jacksonville Civil Service Board and then served two terms as City Councilman from 1979-1987. While on the City Council, Cook served as Council President in 1982- 1983 and 1986-1987.

Cook served as President of the Florida League of Cities from 1984-1985. He was President of the National League of Cities Board of Directors from 1986-1987. From 1988-2000, Cook served as Duval County Clerk of the Court. In 1996 and 1997, he became President of the Florida Court Clerks and Comptroller, a statewide association for Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. Cook was also a freelance artist and owner of Henry Cook & Associates Commercial Art and Screen Process Company. He often painted

Florida landscapes and beaches. He was married for 71 years to Dorothy Eaddy, a Jacksonville native whom he met on a blind date.

Henry Cook

Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian

Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian died June 22 at age 58. Samuelian was elected to the City Commission in November 2017 and reelected in 2021. As a former partner at the professional services firm Accenture, Samuelian brought three decades of business experience to the City Commission. He was a seasoned business executive with the experience of a proven community leader. A former national chess master, Samuelian enjoyed sponsoring scholastic chess in Miami Beach schools when he wasn’t working on city issues. “Mark Samuelian was a superb colleague and dedicated public servant,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “Mark always conducted himself with integrity and, in every action, reflected great devotion to our city and its residents.”

Mark Samuelian

Former Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan

Former Kissimmee Mayor Jim Swan died September 10 at age 74. Swan moved to Kissimmee in 1972 from Bloomington, IL, where he grew up. He served as Mayor of Kissimmee from 2006 until 2016, which makes him the longest-tenured mayor of the City. He also served on the Osceola County

Commission from 1982-1994. An avid fisherman, Swan had a special interest in protecting the environment and played a key role in promoting clean lakes. Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez said, “He is remembered for his love and passion to this community. He was key to many of the projects that came to fruition in our city, making it a better place to those who live, work and play here.” City Manager Mike Steigerwald said, “Jim was a no-nonsense man who prided himself on employing a commonsense approach to leadership and governance.”

Jim Swan

Callaway Commissioner Frank Mancinelli

Callaway Ward IV Commissioner Frank Mancinelli died on June 29 at age 79. Mancinelli joined the Commission in 2020 and was known for his work as the project manager for the Hurricane Michael Debris Removal Grant with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension in Bay County. He served in the U.S. Air Force overseas as an aircraft maintainer. After 22 years of service, Mancinelli retired as a Senior Master Sergeant at Tyndall Air Force Base. “Frank Mancinelli was a great asset to the Commission and to the citizens of Callaway,” said Mayor Pamn Henderson. “The two years that he served on the Commission were critical to the rebuilding of Callaway after Hurricane Michael, so the City was fortunate to have his outlook and experience at that time.”

Frank Mancinelli

Lauderdale Lakes City Manager Phil Alleyne

The City of Lauderdale Lakes City Manager Phil Alleyne died October 3 at age 70. A civil engineer by training and experience, Alleyne first joined Lauderdale Lakes in 2006 as the Public Works Director. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the City in 2016 and was appointed City Manager. He created the annual Taste of Lauderdale Lakes Event to promote the City and its businesses and recently established funding for a new community center and fire station. “His last notable act was to develop a $90.6 million budget for fiscal year 2023 that will allow his legacy to live on through infrastructure projects and continued development,” said Assistant City Manager Treasa Brown Stubbs. Public Works Assistant Director Robin Soodeen said, “Most importantly, he cared for this City and the employees. I was fortunate to have known him for more than 20 years. He will truly be missed.”

Phil Alleyne