The Florida Bar

Environmental and Land Use Law Section

Executive Council Meeting

Thursday, March 11 1999

Airport Hilton, Ft. Lauderdale

Members in Attendance

Ralph DeMeo, Chair

Larry Sellers, Chair-Elect

Richard Hamann, Secretary

Melissa Anderson

Tim Smith

Michelle Williams

Joe Richards

Suzi Ruhl

Cathy Sellers

Robert Manning

Maribel Nicholson-Choice

Members Absent

Sid Ansbacher, Treasurer

Ralf Brookes

J.A. Jurgens

Bob Fingar

John Fumero

Doug Rillstone

George Gramling

J.J. Brown

Robert Riggio

Others in Attendance

Stephanie Mairs

Jackie Werndli, Staff Administrator

I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 2:15 P.M. by the Chair, Ralph DeMeo. A signup sheet was distributed.

II. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the November 13, 1998 meeting were approved.

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. CLE Ad Hoc Committee

Larry Sellers distributed the notes from a conference call and reported on a meeting held before the Executive Council meeting. The Section is on track with its programs, but needs to be more aggressive with marketing, using websites, listserves etc. A marketing committee may be formed. The incorporation of affiliates into the CLE program was discussed, including a potential breakout session at the Annual Update. Potential topics for fall, 1999 were discussed.

B. Bylaws Ad hoc Committee.

The bylaws are being reviewed and amendments will be considered at the May 22 meeting.

C. Retreat

Larry Sellers discussed plans for the long range planning retreat, to be held the weekend of May 21-23 at Pier 66 after our workshop on Recreational Boating and the Environment. The general purpose is to discuss issues that we never have time to explore in depth at Executive Council meetings. These will include a review of the committee structure, goals and objectives; the ylaws; how to modernize communications; and the treatise.

IV. New Business

A. All Bar Conference Report

Robert Manning reported on the February 19, 1999 All Bar Conference in Tampa. The major focus was on the chaning law practice resulting from the advent of Global Multidisciplinary Practices and the development of ancillary businesses (e.g. environmental consulting) by law firms. Mr.Manning has a geat deal of information available on the issues. The suggestion was made that this would be a good topic for the ethical section of the Annual Update. The ethical issues were briefly discussed, but no guidance on the postion of the section was developed.

B. CLE

John Fumero had an execused absence. Robert Riggio reported on a letter he is developing to send to program chairs. The letter will highlight the expectations of the Section and point out potential problems that the chairman should be aware of. Maribel Nicholson-Choice reported that they are talking with the chairmen and emphasizing the need for diversity. CLE requires regular monitoring and followup of what the chairmen are doing. The program tomorrow will exemplify the results.

C. CLE Committee Liason

The Chairman has asked the sections to reconsider certification.

D. Treatise

Tim Smith reported that the editors and authors are making progress but at a much slower rate than planned. Many of the authors, special editors and managing editors have not met deadlines, but we have to be patient and persistent. We are now looking at May 1 deadline.

E. Maloney Wrting Contest

Sid Ansbacher had an excused absence. Letters have been sent to the law schools. The deadline is July 1.

F. Law School Liason

Letters have been sent to the law schools.

G. Bar Journal Column

Melissa Anderson reported on the status of columns and requested the submission of articles.

H. Affiliate Membership

Joel Balmat had an excused absence. Terry Zinn reported. Affiliates are contributing to the treatise. The affiliates are intersted in a concurrent session at the annual update on issues in consulting business and have a continuing interest in developing a committee web page.

I. Membership

George Gramling had an excused absence.

J. Section Reporter Robert Manning reported. The next issue is in galley and will go to the printer at the end of next week. The deadline for the next issue is May 15. It will be two issues. A legislative summary issue will go out first, followed by a regular issue.

K. Legislative Review

Kent Wetherell was absent. Robert Manning reported. A legislative preview is in the upcoming issue of the Section Reporter. Kent woould like to know whether the Executive Council would like copies of the relevant bills. There was discussion of sending summaries to the listserve.

L. Committee on Access to Justice

Suzi Ruhl reported on the steps the committee has made this year leading up to the event tonight. She will submit a written report on the dialog and get feedback. The committee is seeking to find ways to encourage pro bono work. There is a need tto address our relationship to legal services. A potential next step is a training session for legal services lawyers, but we will need to support travel to a central location.

Suzi Ruhl made a motion to transfer $2,500 from the committee budget to a travel category to support travel. Motion carried unanimously.

M. Internet

Joe Richard reported that the upcoming section reporter is already online.

VI. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held in conjunction with the retreat at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 22, 1999 at the Hyatt Pier 66.

Prepared by Richard Hamann, Secretary