CRA Legal Workshop: Legal Reporting Requirements

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Palma Ceia 3-4

This course is geared toward CRA attorneys and others who want to learn about new CRA reporting rules in CS/HB 9 passed by the Florida Legislature in 2019. We will share tips and best practices for compliance and discussion of the CRA reporting requirements under Chapters 163 Part III (community redevelopment agencies) and Chapter 189 (special districts). This course features CRA experts who have helped to develop reporting guidelines and counseled local governments on the same. The devil is in the details more than often with reporting – come hear the latest about how to avoid the heat.

Moderator: Brenna Durden, Shareholder, Lewis, Longman & Walker, PA and Past President, Florida Redevelopment Association

Speakers: Jeffrey Burton, MPA, FRA-RA, DFCP, Executive Director, Palmetto CRA and Board Member, Florida Redevelopment Association; Kevin Crowder, CEcD, Founder and CEO, Business Flare Economic Development Solutions and Jeffrey Oris, CEcD, Executive Director, City of Margate CRA and Past President, Florida Redevelopment Association

FL BAR 1906149N
CM I 1.5
CM I L 1.5

Brenna Durden Ms. Durden has substantial experience in land use, environmental and administrative law. She represents public and private clients in matters related to land development, community redevelopment, sustainability, transportation, zoning, comprehensive planning, port plans, water supply, campus master plans, developments of regional impact, real estate transactions, vested rights and concurrency, historic preservation, hazardous materials, brownfields, contamination and remedial actions, solid waste and air quality regulation. Ms. Durden also has significant experience in transactional due diligence, administrative and land use litigation and local and state government rulemaking and legislation. She is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law, and Real Estate Litigation.
Her background includes holding various positions as a City Planner in Florida and California, as well as Assistant General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville. She is a former President of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association (Northeast Chapter) and former Chair of the Jacksonville Bar Environmental and Land Use Law Section. Ms. Durden currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Redevelopment Association and on the Management Committee for the Urban Land Institute North Florida District Council. Economic Development Trust Fund Advisory Committee, appointed by former Mayor John Peyton. Ms. Durden is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law.
Jeffrey Burton Mr. Burton is the Director of the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency and President Elect of the Florida Redevelopment Association. He is a Florida native who has enjoyed life in a small community, fishing on the Manatee River, and graduating from local schools, colleges and universities. He holds an Associate Degree in Business, a Bachelor’s in Economics, a Master’s in Public Administration and is currently working on a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of South Florida.
Jeff has been awarded a Florida Redevelopment Association designation as a certified Redevelopment Administrator ()FRA-RA), and is a Florida licensed Building Code Administrator. His career includes roles as a building contractor, City of Bradenton Planning and Compliance Manager, Building Codes Manager for the Institute for Business & Home Safety, and Director of Codes and Standards for the Association of Millwork Distributors. He has also served as a City Councilman and Vice Mayor.

Jeffrey Oris Mr. Oris is the Executive Director of the City of Margate Community Redevelopment Agency. He has over 30 of experience working with governments both as an employee and as a private consultant. Jeff previously served as the Director of the Economic Development Division of the Tourism, Culture and Economic Development Department, City of Miami Beach. He was responsible for all aspects of business attraction and retention, diversifying the economic base of the city, and enhancing the overall livability of the city.
Mr. Oris has a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse years University along with experience gained while in his previous positions such as Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Margate, and Community Development Director for Martin County, Florida. He has spent a number of years as a consultant to various governmental agencies across the state and the country providing expertise in economic development, redevelopment, housing and market analysis. He also served as the President of the Florida Redevelopment Association.

Kevin Crowder Mr. Crowder is the Founder and CEO of Business Flare. He is an IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), whose primary areas of expertise are business and entrepreneurial assistance, private capital investment, market research, public private partnerships, redevelopment agency programs and government affairs. He has conducted detailed economic, fiscal and market analysis for business development, investment, and policy issues and created a broad municipal market research and business assistance program. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Council of Development Finance Agencies, the Urban Land Institute, the Craft Brewers Association, the American Legion, the Choctaw Nation, ASCAP, the International Chili Society and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Redevelopment Association and the Florida Council for Public Private Partnerships.
Some of the areas Mr. Crowder focuses on are niche revitalization drivers, especially live music and craft breweries. as a practicing musician, he understands the live music industry from every perspective, including performer, venue operator and owner, and local government.
He was the Director of Economic Development for Redevelopment Management Associates from 2013 to 2018, where his responsibilities included economic development, public private partnerships, market research, redevelopment planning, business improvement districts, fiscal impact estimates and real estate. His experience additionally includes 15 years with the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency as the Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs, leading the City’s economic development program and multi-jurisdictional lobbying efforts. Mr Crowder began his economic development career in 1994 with the South Beach Business Improvement Districts and the South Beach Marketing Council.