Commissioners Present: T. O’Neal Douglas (Chairman), Mae Louise Baker, Sena Black, Tess Canja, Joe Greer, Maritza Gutierrez, Dan Lestage, Barbara Lindstrom, Clarence McKee, Richard (Dick) Nunis, John Ruffin and William (Bill) Schoen.

Others:            Secretary Terry White, Laura Branker (Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff), Secretary Steve Seibert (Department of Community Affairs), Christian Weiss, Chief Economist (Department of Revenue), Shawn Henning (DOEA Community Relations Coordinator), Tom Reimers, Eloise Williams, Horacio Ferrer and Tom Thomas, all of DOEA, Cynthia Barnett (Florida Trend), as well as several other unnamed visitors.

At 9:00 a.m., Chairman T. O’Neal Douglas welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He congratulated Secretary White on the great job he is doing.  The Chairman also thanked each commissioner for the written comments submitted in response to his request for additional items to be included within the areas of discovery.  He then asked the Secretary to introduce any special guests attending the meeting.

Secretary White welcomed Laura Branker, the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and Bill Schoen, Destination Florida Commissioner.  He thanked Chairman Douglas for his compliments and gave a brief overview of the four presentations that were made at last month’s meeting. He then introduced Secretary Seibert from Department of Community Affairs for the first presentation of the day.

9:15 a.m.            Presentation by Secretary Steve Seibert, Department of Community Affairs
                             (handout provided)

Secretary Seibert’s presentation addressed the following points:

• The need for more affordable housing for elders 
• The importance of state and local cooperation to assure a more comprehensive planning process for community growth and development 
• The need to share best practices with local government 

Chairman Douglas thanked Secretary Seibert for his excellent interactive presentation.

10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.            BREAK

10:15 a.m.            Presentation by Christian Weiss, Chief Economist, Department of Revenue
                               (handout provided)

 Mr. Weiss gave a brief overview of the Department of Revenue and discussed the following areas:

• National economic perspective

                Economic outlook 
                Consumer spending 

• Specific state taxes and how they affect seniors 

           Property tax 
           Sales tax 
           Sin tax 
           Intangible tax 
           Corporate income tax 
           Estate tax 

• Legislative forecast 

          General Revenue Estimating Conference (meets November 15, 2002 

Chairman Douglas thanked Mr. Weiss for an excellent presentation.

The Chairman then began discussion on additional items that the commissioners wish to be included within the areas of discovery.  He summarized each commissioner’s comments into the following areas:

• Natural amenities – To attract additional retirees, the State of Florida needs to ensure that it promotes its natural resources and beauty. 
• Tax incentives for elders-With respect to this area, Florida should strive to promote: 

          low income housing loans, preferential treatment for elders 
          infrastructure in new areas 
          housing rehabilitation 

• Nursing shortage-Florida should be concerned about the nursing shortage and how that affects health care for elders 

• Volunteerism/Mentoring-Florida should highlight all of the opportunities that seniors have to become involved in their communities through volunteerism and mentoring 
• Tort reform-Florida should move toward tort reform so as to address the issues of: 

          Negative impact on access to medical care of increasing cost and lack of availability of
          malpractice insurance coverage for providers 
          The rising costs of medical care 

• Prescription drugs-Efforts should be made by both Florida and the nation to deal with the rising costs of prescription drugs as this has been an issue raised by several persons addressing the commission. 

Chairman Douglas ended the morning session to adjourn for lunch.

12:00 Noon – 12:45 p.m.            LUNCH BREAK

Chairman Douglas called the meeting back to order at 1:00 p.m. and continued to review feedback from the commissioners:

• Older Workers-It should be recognized that seniors will work longer for several reasons.  However, two significant reasons include: 

          The need for continued health care insurance coverage 
          Their desire to remain employed 

• Continued education and activities- Part of attracting retirees are the various activities that they can pursue within the areas of education and the arts (i.e., Senior Fest including music, the arts, tie in to universities, community colleges, etc.) 
• Transportation needs of the elderly-Florida should address transportation for the elderly when they surrender their driver’s license, become immobile, or live in rural areas. 
• Affordable property insurance – While there is no easy answer to this, Florida should work with the private insurance sector to address the cost of property insurance (as well as other long-term care, liability, etc.). 
•  “Saturation”- The concern of “saturation” was expressed with regard to population density in environmental fragile areas 
• State and local governmental cooperation-Florida should stress the importance of state and local governmental cooperation to ensure a more comprehensive planning process for community growth and development 
• Retiree friendly state-In the commission’s recommendations, it should consider whether Florida is a model state for retirees 
• Property tax freeze-Florida should consider a property tax freeze for seniors - no income limits.  Put balance in suspension account (booked as asset) and municipality collects when house sold.  Would benefit seniors, could use additional money for expenses, e.g., prescription drugs 

Chairman Douglas thanked everyone for their input and for bringing new ideas to the table.  He stated that the Commission is now moving from the fact-finding to planning stage.

1:30 p.m.         Presentation by Sena Black, Vice President of Marketing and Research, Enterprise Florida (handout provided) 

Commissioner Black gave a brief overview of Enterprise Florida and its relationship to seniors and employment opportunities.  She emphasized that Florida must be promoted as a business and high tech state.  We need to diversify our economy and CREATE JOBS FOR FLORIDIANS.

2:00 p.m.            Presentation by Shawn Henning, DOEA - Communities for a Lifetime
                             (handout provided)

Message:  “Plan for a lifetime – educate people.” 
Goal:  Make Florida a senior friendly state, one community at a time.” 

2:20 p.m.            BREAK
2:30 p.m.           Public Comments

Mimi Reggentin, Orange County Commission on Aging (several handouts provided)
Gave brief background and mission of Commission on Aging 
Asked Commission to review their Interim Report and take into consideration when making recommendations 

Anthony Diliberto of St. James City (provided written statement)
Health care problems, lack of doctors and hospitals 
Regulate homeowners associations. 

Peggy Bailey of Citrus County (provided written statement)
Construction lien law (financial burden on elderly property owners due to misuse of money and unfair laws) 

Jane Vicari of Citrus County (provided written statement)
Construction lien law (victim) 

Randy Bryan of Alzheimer’s Association (provided written statement)

• Consideration of impact of incoming citizens requested
• More access to services for caregivers
• Staff training
• Offered assistance of Alzheimer’s Association to Commission

Nancy Dunwoodie of Citrus County (written statement provided)
Construction Lien Law 

Mary-Ellen Early of the Florida Association for Aging

• 150 members provide affordable housing for elders 
• Clarified that set aside reference by Secretary Seibert is only $400 a year (larger amount needed, could convert loan amount to grant) 

Robert Janauskas of Marion County (written statement provided)

• Thanked staff of Department of Elder Affairs for putting information about Commission on Department’s website 
• Regulation of homeowners association needed to avoid foreclosures 

Jan Bergemann (written statement provided)

• Homeowners associations have too much power 
• Seniors on fixed income – cannot fight in Court. 

Barbara Down of Sumter County (written statement provided)

• Mandatory full disclosure of problems by developer with housing before closing (i.e., flooding, sinkholes) 

Lars Jettman of Duval County (written statement provided)

• Need for regulation of homeowners associations (victim) 

Don Browning of “Save the Herons”, Gainesville

• Promote civility to help bring folks do 
• Promote natural amenities for seniors to enjoy 

 Public Discussions concluded at 3:30 p.m.

3:35 p.m.            Commission Group Discussion

Chairman Douglas summarized the highlights of the day’s meeting.  He also addressed concerns raised in the public comment session.  He then appointed a committee (Commissioners Clarence McKee and John Ruffin) to work with Tom Reimers to address the concerns with respect to the construction lien laws and the homeowners association issues.  He specifically requested that the committee (1) contact the Attorney General’s office, relate the circumstances and then ask them to assign someone to look into the construction lien law issues, and (2) create an organizational chart showing the agencies that relate to the Commission.  Peggy Bailey, a citizen, volunteered to assist the committee.  He asked Commissioner McKee to report on the findings at the December 2 meeting in Jacksonville.

4:00 p.m.            Closing Remarks

Chairman Douglas thanked the commission and citizens for their attendance and input.  He reiterated several issues:

• The interim report to the Governor is due November 15, 2002.  Chairman Douglas will work with DOEA to formulate the report. 
• Chairman Douglas and Secretary White will meet prior to December 2 meeting to review all the materials of today’s meeting. 
• An executive summary will be prepared, marketing strategies of other states will be reviewed, and a summary/outline for the December 2 (Jacksonville) will be prepared in preparation for the “working” meeting.
• Chairman Douglas and Secretary White will travel to Pensacola on November 25, 2002, to conduct a public comments meeting from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Other commissioners are not required to attend. 

4:15 p.m.            Meeting Adjourned

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