<![CDATA[Poinciana's Future all News Posts]]> http://www.poincianafuture.org en Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:42:30 GMTPoinciana's Future all News Postshttp://www.poincianafuture.org<![CDATA[What Now?]]> Dear Poinciana Residents and Stakeholders,

The final feasibility report produced by the UCF Institute of Government is now available on this website. You can download it from the link to the left entitled: "Downloads: Stay Informed!" It is a lengthy document. You are welcome to print the entire report, or you can read only the summary findings found within the first few pages.

Members from the Polk and Osceola County legislative delegations met on October 27 to hear citizen feedback and to express their perspectives on incorporation. Participating members were Senator Dockery, Representative Precourt, Representative Wood, and Representative Horner. The auditorium at Liberty High School was filled to capacity, with another 300 to 400 people apparently outside waiting for a chance to get in. Members heard residents speak in favor of incorporation, against incorporation, in favor of letting voters decide, and against letting voters decide.

Ultimately, the four members expressed concerns about incorporation at this time, with Senator Dockery noting the lack of consensus in the community on the issue. No final vote was taken among members; each delegation may formally vote on the issue at their separate county delegation meetings coming up in December. Residents of Poinciana are still able to contact their members to express their perspective, pro, con, or undecided.

The UCF team remains in place to respond to any questions regarding the feasibility study. If you have such questions, please email tbryer@mail.ucf.edu, or call 407-823-0410. This website will remain active at least until a final decision is made on incorporation at this point in time and possibly beyond that point. The space can continue to be used as a forum for community dialogue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas Bryer

]]>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:48:10 GMT<![CDATA[Final Report Published and Town Hall Meetings]]>Dear Poinciana Residents and Others,

The final feasibility report produced by the UCF Institute of Government is now available on this website. You can download it from the link to the left entitled: "Downloads: Stay Informed!" It is a lengthy document. You are welcome to print the entire report, or you can read only the summary findings found within the first few pages.

There are multiple ways through which you can ask questions about the contents of the report. First, click the link to the left entitled: "Ask Questions about the Feasibility Report." This will take you to the website's discussion forums. You need to be a registered member of the website to post a question or other comment. You do not need to be a registered member of the website to read the questions and responses.

Secondly, we are conducting three town hall meetings to present the findings from the report. The first is Saturday, September 12, 11am to 1pm at Palmetto Elementary School. The second is Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the APV Community Center. The third is a Spanish-language only meeting on Tuesday, September 29 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, also at the APV Community Center. All are open to the public; no RSVP is required. These meetings will be informational and pertaining to the contents of the feasibility report.

The legislative delegations from Polk and Osceola County will be convening a joint meeting in late October to hear citizen feedback on the incorporation proposal. I will inform you about the date of this meeting as soon as I know it to be confirmed.

Finally, I am unfortunately not able to print hard copies of the report for distribution to residents in Poinciana. Over the next several days, however, I will leave a single hard copy at various community locations. If you have a suggested location for a hard copy of the report, please let me know by email me at tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.

Thank you,

Thomas A. Bryer, Ph.D.

]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:17:13 GMT<![CDATA[Final Report and Public Meetings]]>UPDATES

We are finalizing the feasibility report. Dr. Wang is working with me and Marilyn Crotty to double check his numbers, and Marilyn Crotty is finalizing the draft charter based on consultation with the Counties' Supervisor of Elections office. The final report will be released no later than August 28.

We have three town hall meetings scheduled to discuss the findings and answer any question. The first is Saturday, September 12, 11am to 1pm at Palmetto Elementary School. The second is Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the APV Community Center. The third is a Spanish-language only meeting on Tuesday, September 29 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, also at the APV Community Center.

Please mark your calendars and tell your friends and neighbors. Flyers are available for download and distribution under the link for "Downloads: Stay Informed!"

]]>Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:30:50 GMT<![CDATA[Charter Meeting This Thursday]]>Greetings! Thursday (7/23/09) is the next Poinciana Charter meeting. This is the last Charter meeting scheduled. The updated charter and agenda can be found in the Downloads section.
Additionally, a page highlighting frequently asked questions (FAQ's) and answers regarding how the boundary lined were formed, how they will be used, and changes to the boundary can be found in the Downloads section.
See you on Thursday!
]]>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:24:48 GMT<![CDATA[Town Hall Meetings Coming in September]]>Dear Poinciana Residents,

As you know, we are near completion of the feasibility study. We have been waiting for final revenue estimates for 2009 from the two counties and expect to have all final data in hand shortly. Also, the draft charter is nearly completed. We are preparing to have three town hall meetings in late September: one will be on a weeknight, one will be on a Saturday morning, and we will convene one additional Spanish language meeting. At the meeting, we will present the report's findings and address any questions you have. I will notify you soon once we know the dates of the meetings. Once identified, I will ask for your assistance in getting the word out.

Best,

Thomas Bryer

]]>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:07:43 GMT<![CDATA[Citizen Charter Meeting This Thursday]]> 

Greetings! Thursday (7/09/09) is the next Poinciana Charter meeting. The updated charter and agenda can be found in the Downloads section. Additionally, clearer map of the proposed city boundaries can also be found in the same section. See you on Thursday!
]]>Wed, 8 Jul 2009 14:49:48 GMT<![CDATA[Citizen Charter Meeting This Thursday]]> 

Greetings! Thursday (6/25/09) is the next Poinciana Charter meeting. The updated charter and agenda can be found in the Downloads section. Additionally, clearer map of the proposed city boundaries can also be found in the same section. See you on Thursday!
]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:38:49 GMT<![CDATA[Citizen Charter Meeting This Thursday]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:37:31 GMT<![CDATA[Citizen Charter Meeting This Thursday]]>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:12:10 GMT<![CDATA[Citizen Charter Meeting This Thursday]]>The next Citizen Charter Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm at the APV Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda is posted in the Downloads section as well as Marilyn Crotty's presentation from the previous Charter meeting. Thank you for your continued input and participation. See you on Thursday!

]]>Tue, 26 May 2009 19:52:54 GMT<![CDATA[Charter Forum This Thursday]]>Greetings! Remember this Thursday's City Charter Meeting will be devoted to public input on the Charter and its contents thus far. We encourage everyone to read the proposed City Charter (found in the Downloads section) and then come to express their opinions, both positive and negative. The entire two hours will be devoted to public input, however, if time remains, Charter business will be attended to. See you on Thursday!

]]>Tue, 12 May 2009 18:37:35 GMT<![CDATA[Community Meetings Next Week!]]>Take a look at the calendar, below on the left. There are three community meetings coming up next week, and a fourth the following week. I encourage all citizens to attend as many as they are able, particularly those that are happening outside your neighborhood or village of residence. With so many meetings in a short period of time, this is a good opportunity to learn about the concerns, questions, and interests of citizens throughout the Poinciana area. Contact me with questions at tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.
 
]]>Tue, 5 May 2009 22:35:11 GMT<![CDATA[Video and Documents Added]]>Video from the 4/14 Solivita Community is now posted. Click the link on the right for "Click Here for Poinciana's Future Videos," located in the 3rd box down. New documents have also been added under "Downloads: Stay Informed." This link is on the left navigation bar and can only be seen if you are registered and signed into the website. Also take a look at the updated calendar of community meetings for May 2009. ]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:39:53 GMT<![CDATA[New Documents Posted]]>New documents are posted under the link for "Downloathds: Stay Informed." You need to be registered on the website to see and access this link. The documents include: (1) the agenda for the 4-16 charter committee meeting, (2) an information sheet about term limits, which will be discussed at the meeting, (3) a one-pager information sheet about the financial analysis by Dr. Wang, and (4) a question and answer guide about the motivation for conducting this study by the APV.  Also see the calendar below the navigation bar for upcoming meeting dates.]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:54:02 GMT<![CDATA[Upcoming Meetings and New Video]]>New video has been posted from recent meetings. Additional video will be posted soon. To see what is available, including the April 2 charter meeting, click on the link to the right on the third box down, "Click Here for Poinciana's Future Videos."

Two upcoming community meetings will provide opportunities for you to provide input, have questions answered, and to offer your visions for the future of Poinciana. The first meeting is Tuesday, April 7 at 7pm at the Lake Marion Golf Resort Clubhouse. The second meeting is Tuesday, April 14 at 9am at the Ballroom in Solivita.  If you have questions, email me at tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.
]]>Fri, 3 Apr 2009 16:45:17 GMT<![CDATA[Next Steps]]>We had a "public input" meeting of the charter committee on March 19. Citizens who participated expressed their views on components of the draft charter that is being written for the possible future city. We are bound by Florida statute to prepare a draft charter as part of the feasibility study, and we want your input. The next meeting of the charter committee is April 2 at 6:30pm at the APV community center. The agenda will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Let me take this time to re-introduce myself and my commitment. As a professor of public administration, my research and teaching focuses on civic engagement and public participation with government. My role in this study is to facilitate your engagement, so that you can have an informed voice in decisions that are being made. The final decision, of course, on whether Poinciana should become a city is in your hands. 

Public participation, though, is a partnership. My team and I cannot do this work alone; we need your help to spread the word about our meetings and this website. I am also available to attend meetings of your village or neighborhood club, your organization, or even a family gathering to discuss the incorporation study process.  As several of you have already done, please email me, and let me know that you are able and willing to help us ensure that citizens and stakeholders in Poinciana are given and take the opportunity to define the future of Poinciana.  I can be reached at tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.
]]>Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:31:06 GMT<![CDATA[Charter Meeting: Your Turn]]>rst, the members agreed that the name of the potential future municipality be "City of Poinciana." Second, by general consensus (with some opposition), committee members agreed that the form of government should be the council-manager form of government.  Now it is your turn. Go to the discussion forum; I have posted questions for you to give your input.  You need to register on the website to access the discussion forum.

The next charter committee meeting is Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:30pm. This meeting will be devoted to public input.  Please plan to show up at the APV Community Center. 
]]>Fri, 6 Mar 2009 01:19:01 GMT<![CDATA[Charter Committee Meeting]]>The next Citizen Charter Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 6:30pm at the APV Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. At the last meeting, the committee decided to adopt Florida Sunshine Laws as a norm for their operations. You can view these transparency and openness laws under the Downloads link to the left (you must be a registered user of this website to access the downloads). The committee also established a rule to allow for public comment at the beginning and end of every meeting for up to 10 minutes. Thus, all meetings are open to the public.  Additionally, members of the committee received a copy of a National Civic League publication that educates on different forms or structures of local government. You can order your own copy for $15 from http://ncl.org/publications/ (it is the second item listed on the page).
 
The March 5 meeting is posted under the Downloads link. Additionally, the minutes and video from the last meeting will be posted soon. I apologize for the delay in posting the video. My computer with the video editing software was taken to the "computer hospital" with UCF's information technology staff last week. I expect to have it back today and will work quickly to get the video up on this site.
]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:43:02 GMT<![CDATA[Two County Cities]]>We have been asked about other examples of cities that span two counties in Florida. Mike Sittig, Diretor of the Florida League of Cities, was helpful and provided the following information:

"Flagler Beach (90%in Flagler County; 10% in Volusia County) Fanning Springs (50% in Levy County; 50% in Gilchrist County) Longboat Key (50% in Manatee County; 50% in Sarasota County) Marineland (70% in St. Johns County; 30% in Flagler County). Also, we have two proposed incorporations that will be filed for the 2010 session of the Legislature: Lakewood Ranches (80% Manatee County; 20% Sarasota County) Poinciana (45% Osceola County; 55% Polk County)."
 
Note that Mr. Sittig's language suggesting that two poposed incorporations will be filed is speculative.  It is not certain at this point that either study will get so far.  We need to see what the data reveal and what citizens discuss.
]]>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:10:33 GMT<![CDATA[Stay Tuned]]>Stay tuned to this website for updates.  Within the next few days I will be posting the minutes and video from the Citizen Charter Committee on the page to the left called "Citizen Charter Committee." Also see the YouTube videos from the Town Hall meeting below. Keep an eye on the calendar as well for important meeting announcements.  If you want to access the download documents, discussion forum, and a couple of other features, you have to register on the website.          ]]>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:26:33 GMT