Committee Members

Member Biographies

Technical Advisory
Sub-committee

Executive Order

Org Chart (pdf)

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Florida to protect and manage its natural resources for the health, safety, and enjoyment of all citizens; and,

WHEREAS , managing Florida’s growth is critically important, and local governments should be encouraged to work together to adopt a regional approach to planning and growth management; and,

WHEREAS, the counties of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River are located in Southeast Florida within the jurisdiction of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and form a coherent, three-county planning area that will benefit from joint long-range planning for a sustainable future and improved intergovernmental coordination; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Florida has acquired over 32,330 acres of public conservation lands in the planning area, at a cost in excess of   $216 million. Local governments have also passed dedicated taxes to fund land preservation; and

WHEREAS, according to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida, this three-county area experienced tremendous growth of approximately 100,000 residents between 1990 and 2000 and anticipates growth of an additional 250,000 residents between 2000 and 2030, causing growing demands on economic, social, educational, health care and environmental resources; and,

WHEREAS, many wage earners in the three-county area are in low-wage/low-skill jobs in primarily the wholesale/retail trade and services sectors, and broadening the industry base will attract new workers from outside the area and increase job opportunities and career mobility; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida, the demand for housing in the three-county area is expected to increase approximately 60% by 2030 and access to affordable, workforce housing will become increasingly more difficult; and,

WHEREAS, demand for access to higher education at the community college and university levels is rapidly increasing within the three-county area; and,

WHEREAS, the population of the three-county area has a higher median age of 35, with the over-65 age group accounting for one in every four residents, thus emphasizing the importance of available and high-quality health care; and,

WHEREAS, growing population requires continuing improvements in public safety; and,

WHEREAS, existing transportation infrastructure is suffering increasing congestion due to local traffic and inter-county commuting, causing significant impacts to the state’s Intrastate Highway System and other regionally significant roadways in the three-county area; and,

WHEREAS, the three-county area is part of two regional water management districts that are engaged in long-range water supply planning, and it is crucial that the affected communities coordinate their local water supply plans to ensure continued capacity to serve existing and future populations and industries; and,

WHEREAS, the three-county area is the location for premier research facilities focused on agricultural, marine, and ocean resources and is strategically located in proximity to the planned Scripps Florida biomedical research facility; and

WHEREAS, the three-county area is rich in agricultural resources, especially in citrus crops that provide a source of exports and employment and provide a use of the land compatible with the environment; and,

WHEREAS, state and local governments have expended significant financial resources for acquisition of public conservation lands in the three-county area; and,

WHEREAS, the natural environment in the three-county area includes the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Lucie and the Lower St. Johns River systems, and the Lake Okeechobee watershed, requiring a systematic approach to conserving and preserving the natural systems in the three-county area;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, Governor of the State of Florida, by the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, effective immediately:

1. There is hereby created the “Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast,” hereinafter referred to as the “Committee.”
2. The following individuals are appointed to Committee:
   Melissa Meeker, Tetra Tech, FW, Inc.; Chair
   Frank T. Brogan, President, Florida Atlantic University; Co-Vice Chair
   Dr. Edwin R. Massey, President, Indian River Community College; Co-Vice Chair
   Thaddeus Cohen, Secretary, Department of Community Affairs; Co-Vice C hair/Technical Advisory Subcommittee Chair
   Doug Smith, Martin County Commission
   Doug Coward, St. Lucie County Commission
   Caroline D. Ginn, Indian River County Commission
   Michael Mortell, Stuart Vice Mayor
   R. Duke Nelson, Ft. Pierce City Commission
   Bob Minsky, Port St. Lucie Mayor
   Sandra L. Bowden, Vero Beach Council member
   Joseph Barczyk, Sebastian Vice Mayor
   Elizabeth A. Whittles; Children’s Services Council of Martin County
   Tom Gonzalez, Sunflower Educare Center
   Jean L. Kline, B.S.N., M.P.H., Indian River County Health Department
   Dr. Sara Wilcox, Superintendent, Martin County School District
   Michael J. Lannon, Superintendent; St. Lucie County School District
   Thomas B. Maher, Superintendent; Indian River County School District
   Mary Dawson, Director, Friends of Martin County, Inc.
   L. Kevin Stinnette, President, Indian RiverKeepers
   Richard Baker, President, Pelican Island Audubon Society
   Dennis S. Hudson, III, Chairman/CEO, First National Bank & Trust Company
   Larry Lee, Jr., Agent – State Farm Insurance
   Daniel R. Richey, CEO, Riverfront Packing Company, LLC
   Patricia Austin, Community Health Planning Initiative
   Robert L. Crowder, Sheriff, Martin County
   Thomas E. Weber, Jr., Publisher, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
   Steph Mathes, Culpepper & Terpening Engineering
   Robert Lowe, Broker, Lowes International Realty Plus, Inc.
   Darrell J. Drummond, President/CEO, Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc.
   Bud Adams, Jr., Chairman, Adams Ranch, Inc.
   Michael D. Minton, Esq., Dean, Mead, Minton & Klein
   Ted S. Astolfi, Executive Director, Business Development Board of Martin County
   Stacey W. Ranieri, President, Firefly Communications, Inc.
   Gwenda Thompson, President/CEO, Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast
   Don Santos, President, Don Santos Construction
   Michael J. Busha, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
    
3. The Committee shall have a Technical Advisory Subcommittee (“TAS”) to provide information and guidance to the Committee to ensure consistency and coordination with state programs and policies.   The TAS shall include the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the Executive Director of the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, and the Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.   Agency Secretaries or Executive Directors may designate a senior staff person from their respective agencies to attend meetings of the Committee ’s TAS.   The Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, or his/her representative, shall Chair the TAS and designate the times and places of the TAS meetings.
    
4. James F. Murley, Director of the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, shall serve as Facilitator to the Committee and the TAS.   The Department of Community Affairs shall, as requested by the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, provide staff and other support services to the Committee and the TAS.
   
5. The Committee shall consider, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning issues of importance related to long-range planning to assure sustainable growth and development in the three-county area (Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie), including, but not limited to, the following:
    
   • The Committee shall study and recommend strategies to improve intergovernmental cooperation and conflict resolution among local governments in the three-county area.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend actions that will assist the three-county area in diversifying the economy, ensuring access to affordable workforce housing, and promoting the continued viability of agriculture in the region.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend actions that will ensure that future residents of the three-county area will have access to educational and health care facilities.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend actions to ensure that the Three-county area is served by an intermodal transportation system.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend procedures and protocols that can be used to determine the full cost accounting of development in the three-county area.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend ecologically sound actions to conserve the environmental resources in the three-county area.
   • The Committee shall study and recommend enhanced land use planning strategies and development standards that coordinate land use and water supply availability, that are consistent with property rights and which improve and assure protection of water resources.
   • The Committee shall consider, evaluate and develop methods for implementation of the recommendations.
      
6. All agencies under the control of the Governor are directed, and all other agencies are requested, to render assistance to, and cooperate with, the Committee.
    
7. Members of the Committee shall not receive compensation or reimbursement for travel expenses or other expenses incurred while fulfilling their duties as Committee members; provided, however, that those members of the Committee who are employees of the State may receive reimbursement from their respective agencies to the extent allowed by Section 112.061, Florida Statutes.  
    
8. The Committee shall meet at times and places designated by the Chairperson. Any vacancy occurring in the Committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.
    
9. The Committee shall present an Interim Report of its findings and recommendations no later than January 31, 2005, and a Final Report no later than September 30, 2005, to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
    
10. The Committee shall cease to exist on September 30, 2005, unless extended by amendment to this Executive Order.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, The Capitol, this 30th day of March 2004.

Jeb Bush
____________________________________
Governor

ATTEST:

Glenda E. Hood
_______________________
SECRETARY OF STATE