MINUTES

The Florida Bar
Environmental and Land Use Law Section
Executive Council Meeting
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Orlando World Center Marriott
Prepared by Robert D. Fingar
 

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 3:40 pm by Chair-Elect George Gramling.

II. Consideration of Minutes

The January 16, 2003, minutes were approved by the Council with an amendment showing George Gramling in attendance.

III. Old Business

A. Legal Specialization and Education Certification/Subspecialties - Sidney F. Ansbacher

Sid introduced Bobby Downie, Chair-Elect of the Administrative Law Section. Bobby reported that the Administrative Law Executive Council rejected proposing a certification program in administrative law on a tie vote in December 2002. The Administrative Law Section planned to reconsider the issue in December 2003 or January 2004 and sought this Council’s opinion. Bobby requested a letter of support for the idea. The pros and cons of an administrative law certification were discussed. The Council decided to poll the Section’s membership and Bobby agreed to design a form that could be used for this purpose at the ELULS Annual Update.

B. Executive Council Retreat - George F. Gramling, III

Before discussion of this issue, George introduced other guests in attendance: Francine Ffolkes, Laurie Thompson, Mike Cooke, and Jared Tumor from the Florida Coastal School of Law.

The Council then discussed the Retreat scheduled for September 25-26, 2003, and Jackie clarified which costs would be borne by the Section.

IV. New Business

A. Nominations for Officer/Executive Council Members

Robert Manning was nominated to become Treasurer following a motion by Michelle Diffenderfer, seconded by Sid Ansbacher. Mike Cooke, Gary Oldehoff and Mary Hansen were nominated to complete Susan Trevarthen’s term expiring in 2004. Mary was elected by the Council. Further nominations were deferred and Enola Brown will post a notice on the Listserv soliciting Section members with an interest in working on Section projects.

B. Awards
1. Judy Florence Memorial Outstanding Service Award - Eric Olsen was recommended.
2. Stephens/Register Memorial Award - Council members were asked to send recommendations to Maribel Nicholson-Choice.
3. Bill Sadowski Memorial Outstanding Service Award - Council Members were asked to send recommendations to Maribel.

V. Committee Reports

A. Access to Justice - Suzi Ruhl was absent and no report was given.

B. Membership - Terry Zinn discussed the agenda for the Affiliates’ Workshop at Amelia Island on August 21, 2003.

C. CLE Committee - Robert Riggio provided the CLE Committee report and schedule and advised that 85 people attended the Water Law Workshop. November 7 was considered as a tentative date for the Ag Law Seminar in Gainesville. Paul Chipok provided the Annual Update course schedule.

D. CLE Treatise - Mary Smallwood was absent and no report was given. George reported that three articles had been posted on the website for peer review and that no comments were received.

E. Florida Bar Journal Column - Robert Manning reported that he had enough articles to last through the end of the year.

F. Internet - Joe Richards reported that our site generates approximately 600 hits per month and that the ListServe is being actively used.

G. Law Schools - Jared Turner from the Florida Coastal School of Law requested $1000 for their November 13-14 Environmental Summit and provided the course schedule. The Council approved the expenditure upon motion by Robert Riggio, seconded by Robert Manning. Jackie indicated that we had not received any follow up reports from other law schools regarding their expenditure of Section contributions.

H. Membership - Andrea Zelman reported on efforts to increase membership amongst law students and Local Government Section members.

I. Public Interest Representation - Marti Collins provided a written report and discussed the April PIC meeting at which ideas for the 10th Annual Conference were considered. Marti reported on efforts to secure a keynote speaker such as Carl Hiaasen and to try to raise funds or secure sponsorships.

J. Section Reporter - Enola Brown discussed the publication schedule for future Reporters and indicated the next publication would be late July or early August.

VI. Liaison Reports

A. ABA Regional Conference - Michelle reported that she was serving as Vice-Chair for Membership for the State Environmental Committees and served as Regional Chair for the Region IV Conference held in Atlanta. She also announced the Environment, Energy and Resources Annual Meeting October 8-12, 2003 in Washington, DC and encouraged government and public interest lawyers’ participation.

B. CLE Committee - Susan Trevarthen was absent and no report was given.

C. Council of Sections - Gary Hunter discussed the Bar’s proposal to change the fee structure for section seminars and workshops. Jackie stressed the need to have program chairs and speakers to meet deadlines because of financial exposure to Section.

VII. Informational
Next meeting – August 20, 2003, Amelia Island Plantation.

Upon Motion and second, Chair-Elect Gramling adjourned the meeting at 5:45 pm.