18-1454 Urging Members of the Florida Legislature to oppose Senate Bill (SB) 574 and House Bill (HB) 521RESOLUTION NO. 18-1454
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, URGING MEMBERS OF
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE SENATE
BILL (SB) 574 AND HOUSE BILL (HB) 521, WHICH
ATTACK HOME RULE POWER BY PREEMPTING TO THE _
STATE REGULATIONS THAT RESTRICT THE REMOVAL"
AND TRIMMING OF CERTAIN TYPES OF TREES THAT
ARE INTEGRAL TO THE CHARACTER OF OUR CITY;
AUTHORIZING TRANSMISSION OF THE RESOLUTION
TO PERTINENT PARTIES; AND, PROVIDING FOR_ -AN =
EFFECTIVE DATE. `
WHEREAS, in 1968 Florida voters amended the State Constitution conferring
broad Home Rule powers to counties and municipalities, authorizing local officials to
pass local ordinances and exercise all powers not specifically prohibited by law; and
WHEREAS, SB 574 and HB 521 effectively rescinds all current county and local
government regulations regarding the trimming, removal or harvesting of trees on
private property by preempting to the State the regulation of these activities; and
WHEREAS, the City's residents through their duly elected City Commission
believe that it is proper for the City to determine the appropriate regulations governing
the removal, trimming, and mitigation of certain types of trees such as live oaks that are
integral to the special character of our City; and
WHEREAS, SB 574 and HB 521 thwart the ability of the City to act on a matter of
local importance as expressed by local citizens and shifts the power to determine the
regulations regarding trees to the Florida Legislature, a 160 member body that: is
constitutionally focused on matters of State-wide importance, meets only once a year
for 60 days; and that is located approximately 270 miles driving distance from the City of
Longwood; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of Longwood believes opposing SB 574 and
HB 521 is in the best interest of City residents.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, to request the members of the Florida Legislature to
oppose SB 574 and HB 521.
FURTHERMORE, the City Commission of the City of Longwood directs the
transmission of this Resolution to the Seminole County delegation of the Florida
Legislature, to the Florida League of Cities and other interested parties.
Resolution No. 18-1454
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PASSED AND RESOLVED this 5th day of February, 2018, by the City
Commission of the City of Longwood, Florida.
APPROVED:
F Ben P , ayor
ichelle Lori'6o, CMC, FCRM, City Clerk
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood,
Florida only.
Daniel W. L gle , C A orney
Resolution No. 18-1454
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