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A Record of Performance for Local Governments Over the past 49 years, the Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have successfully handled all aspects of City Attorney and local government attorney work while holding the following positions: 1) City Attorney, City of Naples, Florida Specific Legal Services Performed for other Local Government ClientsAdministrative matters and proceedingsThe Vose Law Firm's extensive administrative experience includes not only dealing with administrative matters and proceedings within the municipalities we represent, but also dealing with administrative matters and proceedings in state, federal and county venues. Municipal Charter, Municipal Code of Ordinances, and Comprehensive Plan issuesThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm work every day on issues relating to city charters, city code of ordinances, and comprehensive plans. We regularly draft and amend ordinances, comprehensive plan provisions, and draft proposed charter amendments with the associated ballot questions. We also interpret ordinances, comprehensive plan provisions, and charter provisions as well as defend them in court. Code EnforcementThe attorneys of our firm handle all code enforcement matters for all the governmental agencies we represent. In addition, the Vose Law Firm has represented the Orange County code enforcement department continuously since 1993 and has recently been hired to provide legal services to the code enforcement department in Monroe County. Our firm also has extensive experience litigating code enforcement matters in court, including code enforcement lien foreclosures and defense of suits against our clients relating to code enforcement. Contract LawThe attorneys of Vose Law Firm have extensive experience drafting a plethora of contracts (routine and specialized) on virtually all subjects dealt with by local government agencies. We hold a license for unlimited access to AIA documents if those are desired to be used by the city in certain instances. In addition, the attorneys of our firm are extremely experienced in litigating issues relating to governmental contracts. Drafting and reviewing Ordinances and ResolutionsOur firm regularly drafts, reviews and interprets ordinances and resolutions for our local government clients, and we also advise clients as to when new ordinances or resolutions may be necessary. We will draft or review every ordinance or resolution before it goes onto the agenda to ensure quality and legal sufficiency. Federal, State and local ethics lawsAs a part of our firm’s representation of our municipal clients as city attorney we are intimately involved in all aspects of ethics laws that apply to such cities and its employees, officers, board members and vendors. As a regular part of the services we provide to the municipalities we represent, our attorneys give the required Four Hour Ethics Course if requested as well as instruct other board members as to ethics matters while also providing information as to Sunshine Law and public records law matters. Constitutional LawA thorough understanding of both the Florida Constitution and the United States Constitution are absolutely vital to providing legal services to our governmental clients and all of our attorneys are well educated on these subjects and keep abreast of evolving case law regarding constitutional matters. Other Federal, State and Municipal Laws & OrdinancesThere are a plethora of federal and state laws that significantly impact local government law and the attorneys of the Vose Law Firm are extremely familiar with such laws and keep up with the ever evolving changes in the laws. As soon as we are hired by a municipality to act as its municipal attorney, our attorneys become totally familiar with that municipality’s charter and ordinances. Land Use and ZoningThe Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have practiced in the field of land use law as part of their representation of all their municipal clients over the years. Our attorneys have extensive experience writing and interpreting zoning and land use ordinances and comprehensive plan provisions and dealing with Florida’s Comprehensive Growth Management Act, zoning, development agreements, platting issues, development orders, and enterprise zones. Nancy Stuparich has an MPA & MSP in Public Administration and Urban Planning from Florida State University and is a Redevelopment Professional (FRA-RP) certified by the Florida Redevelopment Association. Wade Vose has been instrumental in the development of the new comprehensive plan and land development regulations for Florida’s newest municipality, the Village of Indiantown. Becky Vose completed a re-write of the Town of Indian River Shores land development code. They have been involved in significant land use litigation on behalf of public clients. The reported case of City of Orlando vs. The School Board of Orange County was handled by Ms. Vose and helped establish the appellate law in Florida relating to the effect of municipal zoning on other public uses. Litigation in State and Federal CourtsThe Vose Law Firm has handled litigation in both state and federal courts for virtually all cities we have represented as city attorney. The firm currently is handling civil litigation for the City of Naples, Okeechobee County, the City of Brooksville, the City of South Daytona, the City of Anna Maria, the Town of Oakland and the City of Cocoa Beach. As outside counsel, our firm has successfully represented in litigation Orange County, the Orange County Property Appraiser, and Monroe County. Municipal Leases and AgreementsOur firm has extensive experience in drafting and reviewing leases involving our municipal clients, whether the client is the landlord or the tenant. We are also adept at litigating issues relating to leases and other landlord/tenant issues. Property EasementsThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm frequently draft and interpret property easements of all types for the local governments they represent. They also have extensive experience in the acquisition of easements for their clients. Purchase, Lease and Sale of City Real PropertyThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm regularly handle the purchase, lease and/or sale of city real property on behalf of the cities they represent as city attorney. Currently, Becky Vose is handling the sale of property for the City of Daytona Beach Shores and is also handling litigation to clear title to certain land owned by the City of Cocoa Beach in preparation for the sale of the property to a third party. Public Utility MattersThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm handle all public utility matters for the cities in which they serve as city attorney. In addition, our firm has extensive experience rendering legal advice and drafting documents relating to utility taxes and utility franchise agreements. The representation of each of the municipal clients of the firm has included the drafting and reviewing of numerous franchise agreements with various utility companies. The representation of the City of St. Cloud included handling the complex transaction between the Orlando Utilities Commission and St. Cloud as to the “take over” of the St. Cloud electrical system by the OUC. Public Records and Sunshine Law MattersRendering legal advice to our municipal clients as to both public records and Sunshine Law matters is an almost daily occurrence for our attorneys. As a regular part of the services we provide to the municipalities we represent, our attorneys teach the required Four Hour Ethics Course if requested, as well as giving regular training on ethics, Sunshine law, and public records matters to other board members. In addition, we have experience litigating matters implicating the public records law and/or the Sunshine Law. Attend and provide advice and counsel at City staff meetings as directed by the City Manager.One aspect of getting in front of issues involves having an open dialog with the City Manager about issues that will come before the Council in future meetings. We will attend staff meetings as requested to ensure proper preparation for City Council meetings. We also encourage Council members and staff to call, text, or email us about any concerns they may have about an agenda item. Some issues require research or preparation, and we strive to resolve all relevant issues prior to the meeting so that the agenda item does not need to be pulled due to a legal concern. Address legal issues affecting financial matters of the City, including user fees, impact fees, franchise fees, and special assessments.Virtually all of our municipal governmental clients over the last 45+ years have received extensive assistance from the attorneys of our firm on financial matters, including, but not limited to, user fees, impact fees, and special assessments. Review Requests for Proposals, bid invitation documents, development review applications, agenda items, and other pertinent matters as directed.The attorneys of the Vose Law Firm regularly review, then assist and advise their local government clients on purchasing and procurement matters, development review applications, all agenda items, and any other legal issues that arise in the course of the representation of the governmental entities we represent. Address and advise City in community development issues including, but not limited to, land use law, Florida’s Comprehensive Growth Management Act, zoning, code enforcement, development agreements, development orders, developments of regional impact, and condemnation.The Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have practiced in the field of land use law as part of their representation of virtually all their municipal clients over the years. Becky Vose has been representing local governments for over 45 years and has handled all manner of land use, zoning, CRAs, and other such matters. The attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have extensive experience writing and interpreting zoning and land use ordinances and dealing with Florida’s Comprehensive Growth Management Act, zoning, redevelopment districts, code enforcement, development agreements, development orders, developments of regional impact, and enterprise zones. Wade Vose has been instrumental in the development of the new comprehensive plan and land development regulations for Florida’s newest municipality, the Village of Indiantown. The Vose Law Firm completed a re-write of the Town of Indian River Shores land development code. They have been involved in significant land use litigation on behalf of public clients as well as private clients. The reported case of City of Orlando vs. The School Board of Orange County was handled by Ms. Vose and helped establish the appellate law in Florida relating to the effect of municipal zoning on other public uses. Address and advise City in utility taxes and utility franchise agreements as they relate to Florida municipalities.The Vose Law Firm has extensive experience rendering legal advice and drafting documents relating to utility taxes and utility franchise agreements. The representation of each of the municipal clients of the firm has included the drafting and reviewing of numerous franchise agreements with various utility companies. The representation of the City of St. Cloud included handling the complex transaction between the Orlando Utilities Commission and St. Cloud as to the “take over” of the St. Cloud electrical system by the OUC. The firm is currently negotiating a new franchise agreement with Duke Energy for electrical service to the Town of Oakland. Address and advise City on special assessments and special assessment collections and liens.The Vose Law Firm has provided general legal services in the areas of special assessments and special assessment collection and liens for each of the cities represented by the firm. In addition, the firm did extensive work for the City of Longwood in reviewing and collecting long over-due special assessments, and the firm has represented Orange County as to CEB lien foreclosures and settlements for the last 25 years. Address and advise City in the additional following areas: Sunshine Law and public records law; home rule; exercise of police power; practice and procedures before local government land use issues, legislative, and quasi-judicial bodies; and all other areas of municipal law.The Vose Law Firm regularly advises clients on the matters above as part of its day to day practice. These are among the most common questions facing local government officials, and as City Attorney, we encourage City staff and officials, including not just the City Council, but also board members for advisory boards, to contact us if they have any questions about any of these matters. Additionally, we remain in regular contact with city staff to advise staff on the law as well as providing opinions on best practices and procedures. Responding to requests from City Council or City staff within the time period required by the City.The attorneys at the Vose Law Firm are aware that advising local governments is not strictly an 8 to 5 affair. It is our practice to answer every phone call from a client immediately unless we are in another meeting or in court. When possible, we text the person calling if we are not immediately available to let the caller know when to expect a return call. If something cannot wait, typically it will be easy for a client to reach out to another attorney in the firm and get answers to questions. We are available after hours and on weekends as well, whether for meetings or for situations that are time sensitive. Representation of local governments in diverse litigation in state, federal and appellate courts, and Alternative Dispute Resolution experience.All of the attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have significant experience with alternative dispute resolution techniques. Becky Vose became certified as a certified circuit court mediator in the 1990s and has mediated hundreds of cases, most of which involved at least one governmental agency. Condemnation (Eminent Domain) under Florida lawThe Vose Law Firm's eminent domain experience includes the full range of eminent domain practice including initial pre-litigation advice and drafting of resolutions, preparation of all pleadings, numerous contested as well as uncontested Order of Taking hearings, settlement negotiations and drafting of settlement documents, mediations, jury trials, and appeals. In addition, they have extensive experience dealing with issues of public use, incidental private use, necessity, inverse condemnation, business damages, severance damages, damages to non-profit entities, historically significant properties, cost to cure, consolidation of parcels, and down-zoning issues. The firm has recently successfully completed eminent domain proceedings for the City of Deltona. As both an Assistant City Attorney for Orlando and as Special Counsel to the City of Orlando, Ms. Vose represented the City of Orlando for over 15 years in eminent domain litigation. During that time, she represented the City as to numerous acquisitions including rights-of-way, pedestrian walkways, park lands, land for parking areas, easements for sewage transmission lines, sites for public utility facilities, as well as many other public use projects. As Special Counsel to the City, she handled on a contract basis the acquisition of the property for the Gertrude Walk pedestrian walkway through downtown Orlando as well as the City of Orlando Arena property, (Phases II and III). Ms. Vose also has extensive experience as counsel to property owners of condemned land, and has acted as a certified circuit court mediator in over 100 eminent domain mediations. Counsel and legal services to local government pension boards, and work with employee pension plans including Florida Statutes, Chapter 175 and Chapter 185 Special Risk PlansThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have provided legal services to the Cities of Winter Garden, Longwood, Deltona, Edgewood, Eagle Lake, and St. Cloud relating to employee pension plans including Florida Statutes, Chapter 175 and Chapter 185 Special Risk Plans. All aspects of construction law and public works (water and wastewater) issuesThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have extensive experience representing both public and private clients as to virtually all aspects of public works matters, including water and waste water issues, construction law including, but not limited to regulatory compliance, bid solicitations, bid protests, construction contracts, construction litigation, warranty issues, delay damages, etc. The firm has provided extensive legal services as to Public Works (water and waste water) issues for each city represented by the firm. The creation and administration of Tax Increment Financing Districts (CRAs)The Vose Law Firm provided legal services to the cities of Naples, Cocoa Beach, Brooksville, Dade City, Winter Garden, Longwood, Edgewood, Deltona, Bunnell, and St. Cloud relating to Tax Increment Financing Districts (CRAs). In addition, as general counsel for the North Lake County Hospital Board of Trustees, the firm had significant experience challenging the authority of municipal tax increment financing districts from imposing charges on the special taxing district. Environmental law including representation before and negotiations with, various State and Federal regulatory agenciesThe attorneys of Vose Law Firm have represented public and private clients with regard to environmental matters in conjunction with governmental representation and private real estate practice. As counsel to the Green Swamp Land Authority, such representation included extensive dealings with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, and two water management districts. While an Assistant City Attorney for Orlando, Ms. Vose worked on the permitting for the Iron Bridge Road Sewage Treatment Plant and for various drainage and other public works projects. As the City Attorney for Longwood, the firm represented the City in matters relating to a RCRA site on City property and was responsible for negotiations with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, [now the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)], and for matters relating to negotiations with the environmental company hired to evaluate the clean-up of the property. The attorneys of Vose Law Firm have been extensively involved in the permitting of various environmental features have also represented numerous property owners in negotiations with the FDEP and in litigation over environmental contamination issues. Ms. Vose co-authored the book, Environmental Survival Kit for Realty Professionals, a book designed to protect realty professionals from losses due to environmental problems. The Florida Board of Realtors purchased the rights to such publication for purposes of including the publication among its educational materials. Collective bargaining / Labor LawThe Vose Law Firm has represented local governments it has represented as to numerous collective bargaining matters. The attorneys of the firm currently represent Okeechobee County in its ongoing negotiations with I.A.F.F. Local 2918 relating to city/county fire consolidation issues. In recent years, the attorneys of the firm recently handled the collective bargaining negotiations for the City of Deltona relating to the negotiations with I.A.F.F. Local 2913, and recently successfully concluded collective bargaining negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police on behalf the City of Bunnell. The attorneys of the firm are now beginning the bargaining process for the fire union at the City of Brooksville. The attorneys of the Vose Law Firm also have extensive experience representing their cities in labor arbitrations, unfair labor practices issues, and general issues relating to employment law. Municipal and County ChartersThe Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have extensive experience in representing cities and counties with regard to charter government, including but not limited to charter amendments, charter review, and the interaction of municipal and county ordinances under governing county charter provisions. Notably, Wade Vose and Vose Law Firm LLP have twice served as General Counsel to the Orange County Charter Review Commission, joining former Orange County Mayor and U.S. Senator Mel Martinez as the only other attorney to have served twice as General Counsel to the Orange County Charter Review Commission. Mr. Vose prepared the ballot title, ballot summary, and amended charter language for each of the 2012 and 2016 CRC-initiated charter amendments, with a specific focus on both clarity of the ballot language for the voter, and strict compliance with the exacting standards of Section 101.161, Fla. Stat. and the extensive specialized case law governing the wording of ballot referenda. In 2013-2014, Mr. Vose served as counsel to the City of Bunnell Charter Review Committee, which was engaged in a comprehensive review of its city charter. Mr. Vose provided substantial legal and procedural guidance to that committee throughout its deliberations, resulting in Mr. Vose preparing the ballot titles, ballot summaries, and charter amendment language for seven (7) charter referendum questions placed on the municipal ballot. In 2014, Mr. Vose also served as counsel and facilitator to the City of Deltona Charter Review Committee, which resulted in three (3) charter referendum questions prepared by Mr. Vose placed on the municipal ballot. Mr. Vose recently completed assisting the Town of Pierson with a comprehensive review and rewrite of its town charter, which had not been revised or modernized since 1929. Mr. Vose and the Vose Law Firm also served as General Counsel to the 2016 Pinellas County (home of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo) Charter Review Commission, notably the formative first time that CRC has chosen an attorney unaffiliated with the Pinellas County Attorney’s Office. Pinellas County is the most urbanized county in the State of Florida, and Mr. Vose and the Vose Law Firm represented that CRC as it reconsidered the balance of power between the County and its 24 municipalities, as well as between the County and its constitutional officers. In addition, Mr. Vose and the Vose Law Firm served as General Counsel to the 2016 Brevard County Charter Review Commission, 2018 Clay County Charter Review Commission, and the 2020 Alachua County Charter Review Commission. Municipal BondsThe Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have extensive experience representing municipalities in a variety of municipal bond matters as local bond counsel. The firm has the appropriate expertise to work hand in hand with professional bond counsel and financial consultants to accomplish bonding for a variety of municipal purposes. Representation of Cities relating to gambling issues and “Internet Cafes”The Vose Law Firm and its attorneys have represented local governments in matters relating to gambling and Internet Cafes. The cities of Cocoa Beach, South Daytona, Bunnell, and Deltona have faced numerous issues as to illicit gambling activities in the city limits and the Vose Law Firm has provided expert legal services which successfully addressed those issues. Medical Marijuana issuesThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have made numerous presentations on the subject of medical marijuana and the appropriate manner for local governments to deal with matters related to that subject. Wade Vose has made numerous public presentations to groups of local government officials on this subject, and has been on several television presentations on this issue. Both Wade Vose and Becky Vose have drafted medical marijuana ordinances for the respective cities they represent. Each municipality has dealt with the issue in a different way dependent upon the respective concerns of each of the local governments represented. Bert J. Harris Act mattersThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have been heavily involved in defending local governments in Bert J. Harris litigation. A few years ago, the City of Anna Maria received in the last year over 100 Bert J. Harris claims, and the local government lawyers of the Vose Law Firm were actively involved in handling those claims. Those claims have been settled with no financial payments by the City. Vacation Rental IssuesThe City of Anna Maria hired the Vose Law Firm as its City Attorney in the middle of its life and death struggle with Vacation Rentals that were about to “take over” the City. The Vose Law Firm drafted one of the State of Florida’s first Vacation Rental Ordinances and successfully defended that ordinance (which evolved over time) in five different legal challenges. The City of Anna Maria has one of the few Vacation Rental Ordinances that has withstood multiple legal challenges, and the City is now flourishing with well-regulated Vacation Rentals. The Vose Law Firm also recently wrote a Vacation Rental Ordinance for the City of Cocoa Beach, which has very different concerns regarding Vacation Rentals. ForfeitureThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm have handled extensive forfeiture matters for the cities it has represent over the years. However, due to recent changes in legislation, the firm’s local government clients are not as inclined to file forfeitures due to prohibitively high costs involved (unrelated to legal expenses). Pension mattersThe attorneys of the Vose Law Firm regularly interface with pension counsel representing various pension boards and give their cities legal advice regarding the effect pension matters will have on the municipal entity. The firm is now representing the City of Brooksville regarding the closing of a pension plan after the disbandment of that city’s police department. Representation of Government-Owned General Aviation AirportOur firm also has extensive experience representing a government-owned general aviation airport. Our firm is County Attorney for Okeechobee County, which operates an active general aviation airport (ICAO: KOBE) and its associated Fixed Base Operator (“FBO”), and our firm has represented the airport in a multitude of matters, including, but not limited to advice concerning compliance with FAA Grant Assurances, disposal of derelict and abandoned aircraft under Sec. 705.183, Fla. Stat., acquisition of a FBO, operation by the County as an FBO, adoption of airport regulations, fees, and service charges under Sec. 332.08, Fla. Stat., hangar leases and evictions, FDOT certifications, agreements with rental car providers, airport protection zoning, and specialized litigation involving an approved airport master plan. Other specific local government experience not listed aboveThe Vose Law Firm has also represented cities relating to the following matters:
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