SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Adopt Ordinance 8587-14 on second reading, adopting an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement with Pinellas County.
Body
SUMMARY:
On December 6, 2011, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners initiated the negotiation process pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 171 to establish an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) which would allow for the voluntary annexation of non-contiguous properties in Type A enclaves in Pinellas County (those surrounded by a City on all sides). On February 2, 2012, the Clearwater City Council adopted Resolution 12-03 agreeing to participate in the negotiation process with the County and responding municipalities and special districts. On December 10, 2013 the Board of County Commissioners approved the final draft of the ISBA. A total of nine municipalities are participating in the agreement including Clearwater, Dunedin, Kenneth City, Largo, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and Tarpon Springs.
While the agreement allows for the voluntary annexation of non-contiguous properties in Type A enclaves, it does not allow the City to invoke existing agreements to annex for non-contiguous properties unless the current owner consents nor does it provide the basis for annexing an adjacent property that is subject to an agreement to annex without the consent of the current owner of the property. This is consistent with the provisions of Pinellas County Ordinance 00-63 which governed annexation in Pinellas County from 2000 to 2007. The ISBA imposes a new public notice requirement that requires participating municipalities to provide notice to the property owner seeking voluntary annexation by certified mail prior to each reading of the ordinance.
The ISBA establishes an effective date of November 1, 2014 and would be in effect for 20 years. It requires the City to provide data related to each property annexed through this process every six years. Any renegotiation of the Agreement must begin at least 18 months prior to the termination date. Each of the participating local governments that are signatories to the ISBA must adopt the agreement by ordinance as required by Florida Statutes 171.203(14). The Planning and Development Department recommends approval of ISBA.