Title
RESOLUTION NO. 19R-09-210: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY TO JOIN IN THE FILING OF A BRIEF AT THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT SUPPORTING THE PLACEMENT ON THE BALLOT OF THE INITIATIVE PETITION ENTITLED “PROHIBITS POSSESSION OF DEFINED ASSAULT WEAPONS”; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY MAYOR KEN THURSTON).
Body
Request Action:
Pass a Resolution authorizing the City of Lauderhill to join the filing of a brief at the Florida Supreme Court supporting the placement on the ballot of the initiative petition entitled "prohibits possession of defined assault weapons." Authorizing the expenditure in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00.
Need:
To authorize the filing of a bried in support of the ballot question.
Summary Explanation/ Background:
The Attorney General requested the opportunity to present argument in opposition to placement of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment on a ballot. The Attorney General argues that the title and summary of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment should not be submitted to Florida voters because the title and summary fail to inform voters of the chief purpose of the proposed amendment and are affirmatively misleading. Tthe City Commission and its members respectfully disagree with the Attorney General and believe that the title and summary do inform the voters of the chief purpose of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment and are not misleading. The City Commission and its members support the placement of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment on a ballot so that the citizens of Florida have the opportunity to vote for or against the Proposed Constitutional Amendment, but do not take any position as to whether the Proposed Constitutional Amendment should be adopted. On July 29, 2019, the Florida Supreme Court opened Case No. SC19-1266 in response to the Attorney General’s request for advisory opinion. The City of Weston directed its City Attorney, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman (the “Firm”), to file in Case No. SC19-1266 a brief supporting the placement of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment on a ballot. The City of Lauderhill would authorize the Firm to also represent Lauderhill so long as enough governmental entities join the suit such that the cost per entity would not exceed $3,000.00 to have the constitutional amendment prohibitibg the possession of deined assault weapons placed on the ballot.
Attachments:
Backup
Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
$3,000.00 maximum cost to join the lawsuit.
Estimated Time for Presentation:
Master Plan:
Goal 1: Clean, Green Sustainable Environment
[ ] Increase mass transit ridership [ ] Reduce City energy consumption
[ ] Reduce water consumption
Goal 2: Safe and Secure City of Lauderhill
[ ] Crime in lower 50% in Broward [ ] Residents feel safe in neighborhood
[ ] Reduce emergency fatalities
Goal 3: Open Spaces and Active Lifestyle for all ages
[ ] Increase participation in youth sports [ ] Add new park land and amenities
[ ] Increase attendance at cultural programs and classes
Goal 4: Growing Local Economy, Employment and Quality of Commercial Areas
[ ] Increase commercial tax base [ ] Increase employment in Lauderhill businesses
[ ] Decrease noxious and blighted uses in commercial areas
Goal 5: Quality Housing at all Price Ranges and Attractive Communities
[ ] Neighborhood signs and active HOAs [ ] Housing & streets improved, litter reduced
[ ] Increase proportion of single family homes and owner occupied housing
Goal 6: Efficient and Effective City Government, Customer Focused & Values Diversity
[ ] Improves City efficiency [ ] Increase use of Information Technology
[ ] Increases residents perception of Lauderhill as an excellent place to live