Mayor And Council Develop Draft Of Strategic Plan

Mayor Grover Robinson and the Pensacola City Council have developed a draft of the City's strategic plan as a result of a six-hour workshop last week.

A draft PFD version of the strategic plan is now available on our website to view.

John Streitmatter, MBA, Director at the Leadership Research Institute, helped facilitate the discussion on Thursday. Prior to the meeting, Streitmatter met with the Mayor and each member of the council to gather their input to create framework for a strategic plan. Streitmatter's template was presented to the Mayor and the Council at Thursday's workshop and was used to create the draft strategic plan.

The draft of the strategic plan consists of a mission statement, set of values, criteria for prioritizing issues, a prioritized list of the Mayoral Transition Report's categories and four strategic items surfaced by the council.

"I'm very pleased with the outcome from Thursday and what we accomplished," Mayor Robinson said. "This draft begins to set in motion the first initiative of a strategic plan the City has seen in a longtime. Hopefully, it will serve as a road map for citizens and elected officials for many years to come."

The draft is displayed publicly online for citizen and employee input and is expected to go back to the City Council for approval at their meeting on June 13.

Mayor Robinson Named A 2019 Home Rule Hero By Florida League of Cities

Mayor Grover Robinson has been named a 2019 Home Rule Hero by the Florida League of Cities (FLC).

Robinson was one of roughly 100 municipal officials in Florida presented with Home Rule Hero Awards for their work during the 2019 legislative session. These local leaders earned this award for their tireless efforts to protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be named a Home Rule Hero by the Florida League of Cities,” Mayor Robinson said. "Home Rule is vital for Florida. It allows us to distinguish ourselves in each community and gives us the ability to enact ordinances and services the citizens want at a local level."

Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective to an issue.

Robinson will accept the Home Rule Hero Award from FLC Legislative Advocate Jeff Branch at the Northwest Florida League of Cities Summer Dinner on May 17.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES:
Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities. Florida’s cities are formed by their citizens and governed by their citizens. The League is founded on the belief that local self-government is the keystone of American democracy. For more information, visit floridaleagueofcities.com.

Pensacola Firefighters To Begin Their 'Fill the Boot' Campaign Tomorrow

The Pensacola Professional Fire Fighters Local 707 and the Pensacola Fire Department is showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.

Continuing a more than 60 year tradition, over 90 dedicated firefighters will hit the streets with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on May 17, 18, and 19 between the hours of 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., at the following intersections: Martin Luther King Drive and Cervantes Street, Davis Highway and Fairfield Drive, Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail, Pace Boulevard and Garden Street, 9th Avenue and Creighton Road, and Bayfront Parkway and Chase Street.

To kick off their Fill their Boot, Pensacola Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 707 and Pensacola Fire Department will be at the Gallery Night on May 17 collecting donations.

Lights, Camera, Action! Movies In The Park Begins May 24

The Hill-Kelly Movies in the Park Series will return to the Community Maritime Park this summer with free movies once each month!

Bring your blankets and chairs then spread out on the lawn to watch a family-friendly movie underneath the stars. Movies begin at sunset and free event parking is available at Community Maritime Park and City Hall.

An amphitheater with people watching a movie

Come hungry because concessions are available from local food trucks! Picnic baskets are welcome too, but no pets or glass containers please.

Movies are shown at the Hunter Amphitheater with grass seating only.

May 24 - Field of Dreams rated PG -We are partnering with the Blue Wahoo's for the 30th Anniversary of Field of Dreams. Come visit with Kazoo, and the inflatable Kazoo bounce house. We will also welcome their military mascots!

June 7 - A Dog's Way Home rated PG- We are partnering with the Pensacola Humane Society for a pet adoption event! Please do not bring your current pets to this event. Thank you!

June 21 - Ralph Breaks the Internet rated PG

July 19 - Avengers: Infinity War rated PG-13

August 9 - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World rated PG

Cannon Ball! Pools Open Memorial Day Weekend

Pools open Memorial Day Weekend and will remain open through Labor Day. The City of Pensacola operates two pools seasonally. Roger Scott Pool is located at 2030 Summit Boulevard and Cecil T. Hunter Pool is located at 200 East Blount Street.

How To Do Business With Local Governments Workshop

You are cordially invited to join the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce (GCMCC), the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) for a free workshop designed for businesses to establish a working relationship with our local government.

We will review the steps for registering your business, procedures for bidding and procurement, presentation of your product/service, and future business opportunities with local governments. The presentations will be followed by a Question & Answer session and networking.

WHEN
- Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 6:00 PM
WHERE
- Hagler-Mason Conference Room City Hall, 2^nd Floor 222 W. Main St. Pensacola, FL 32502
PRESENTATIONS BY:
- Escambia County (Paul Nobles)
- ECUA (Amy Williamson & Jim Roberts)
- City of Pensacola (Hosea Goodwyn)

To register or for more information, please visit www.gcmcc.info.

Sponsored by: Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce (GCMCC),
City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and ECUA.

Congratulations To FloridaWest's Scott Luth!

A photo of Scott Luth standing by people at a table

Luth was named one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers of 2019. Each winner was nominated by someone in the economic development or site consultant communities for their outstanding leadership and innovation in the profession.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola so we see your pic!

Chalk art in front of Pensacola City Hall

Photo Credit: @pensacolachildrensbizfair