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Tampa City Council
Thursday, January 31, 2013
9:00 a.m. session
This file represents an unedited version of realtime
captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete
accuracy nor used as a verbatim transcript.
The original of this file was produced in all capital
letters and any variation thereto may be a result of third
party edits and software compatibility issues.
Any person who needs a verbatim transcript of the
proceedings may need to hire a court reporter.
08:41:20 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: City Council is called do order.
09:07:43 The chair yields to Mr. Frank Reddick.
09:07:46 >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
09:07:47 It's a pleasure having Mr. Crum here for the invocation and
09:07:53 lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
09:07:54 Please stand.
09:07:55 >> Frank Crum: To God, the father who has made us all in
09:08:03 all the world.
09:08:04 Thank you for blessing the people of Tampa.
09:08:09 As all city employees carry out the tasks that are allotted
09:08:13 to them, may you use these men and women as instruments of
09:08:17 your good will so that the public welfare will be served.
09:08:21 Father, as we begin this Tampa City Council meeting, please
09:08:25 fortify each City Council member with discernment, patience
09:08:32 to listen, sympathy to comfort, and wisdom to guide.
09:08:36 May your grace make this council and the mayor worthy
09:08:40 stewards of Thy good and perfect gift.
09:08:43 May your righteousness continue to move our city closer to
09:08:48 the model of a beloved community where all people are
09:08:51 embraced, and, in all things, let us take pleasure in the
09:08:56 service of our Lord, for it is in his name that we abound in
09:09:02 work, love and praise.
09:09:03 Amen.
09:09:04 [ Pledge of Allegiance ]
09:09:36 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: First item on the agenda is the
09:09:39 commendation -- roll call.
09:09:42 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
09:09:46 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Present.
09:09:46 >>FRANK REDDICK: Here.
09:09:47 >>MARY MULHERN: Here.
09:09:50 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
09:09:51 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
09:09:52 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
09:09:53 First is a presentation for commendation for police Officer
09:09:56 of the Month, and Mr. Reddick will handle that along with
09:10:04 Chief Castor.
09:10:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: Good morning, council.
09:10:13 It's a pleasure to present our officer for January 2013,
09:10:20 detective Raymon Estevez.
09:10:27 I turn it over to the chief.
09:10:28 >> CHIEF JANE CASTOR: It's my honor to bring forward the
09:10:30 best and brightest.
09:10:31 We have Ray Estevez, who I am surprised has not deleted my
09:10:38 number from his cell phone because I call him on a regular
09:10:40 basis.
09:10:41 He is assigned to our criminal justice bureau.
09:10:44 He has been here just a little over 20 years.
09:10:46 And he is our electronics unit.
09:10:50 And I hope he covers his ears but most other jurisdictions
09:10:54 have entire squads that do this.
09:10:56 And Ray is a team of two.
09:10:58 But they hold their own with everybody else.
09:11:01 And I would say do a better job.
09:11:03 Some of his duties include the monitoring of
09:11:08 court-authorized wiretaps, which obviously is quite a task.
09:11:13 He also does the retrieval of video systems for all
09:11:19 investigations which sound pretty simple except when you
09:11:21 consider the fact that he have single video system is
09:11:23 different.
09:11:24 And so they are different and that's a very, very different
09:11:31 process.
09:11:32 He handles all of the phone systems, all of the cell phones
09:11:34 for the city -- well, not for the City of Tampa but for the
09:11:38 Tampa Police Department, and we are all about communication.
09:11:42 So the majority of our supervisors and a lot of our officers
09:11:48 have cell phones.
09:11:49 So he manages that entire system.
09:11:51 And then he also handles all of the cameras, the filming,
09:11:56 and the audio taping of undercover investigations and does a
09:12:00 great job with that.
09:12:02 And that's used on a lot of the quality of life,
09:12:05 prostitution investigations and obviously narcotics
09:12:08 investigations as well.
09:12:09 And then, if that's not enough, we gave know that some of
09:12:15 you don't necessarily agree with the camera system that we
09:12:17 had implemented for the RNC, but you will have to agree that
09:12:22 Ray did an outstanding job overseeing that project.
09:12:25 It was well over a year he was instrumental in writing up
09:12:29 the RFP for bids for that camera is system, and then when
09:12:35 the vendor was decided, he worked hand in hand with those
09:12:38 individuals.
09:12:39 And I would like to say that the project went smoothly.
09:12:44 But it was well over a year getting that system implemented
09:12:47 and working appropriately.
09:12:49 And the only reason that it is is because of Ray's ability
09:12:54 to stay on task, his technical knowledge and his supervisor
09:13:01 expertise.
09:13:02 Now, I know that council wouldn't see themselves as
09:13:05 intimidating, but that's the delusion that I operate under
09:13:08 sometimes as well, that I am not intimidating in my
09:13:11 position, but for Ray to come in as a detective and present
09:13:14 to council and do so as professionally as he did on a number
09:13:18 of occasions is a tribute to him as well and speaks volumes
09:13:22 about his ability as a supervisor.
09:13:26 So it is certainly my honor to name Ray Estevez as our
09:13:33 Officer of the Month, starting out a great year, January
09:13:36 2013.
09:13:37 Congratulations, Ray.
09:13:38 [ Applause ]
09:13:39 >> On behalf of Tampa City Council, we would like to present
09:13:50 you this commendation for being chosen as Tampa Police
09:13:52 Department officer for January 2013.
09:13:56 I congratulate detective Estevez.
09:14:00 Thank you very much.
09:14:00 We have some gifts.
09:14:07 >> Chip Deblock of the Tampa PBA, and Dave Strass insurance.
09:14:16 Congratulations.
09:14:16 On behalf of the Tampa PBA, I would like to present you with
09:14:20 a gift card for $100.
09:14:22 Thank you for a job very well done.
09:14:24 >> I'm Michael Kilroy with the Straz center.
09:14:30 Thank you for all you do for us.
09:14:38 Have a great time.
09:14:39 >> I'm Jill la techy with the theater and we he would like
09:14:46 to present you and your wife with an annual membership to
09:14:49 the theater.
09:14:50 >> Joe Durkin, Bright House networks.
09:14:58 Ray, congratulations.
09:15:00 On behalf of Bright House, we would like to present you one
09:15:05 month free service of all of our BrightHouse Network.
09:15:09 Congratulations.
09:15:09 >> Frank DeSoto with Bill Currie Ford representing Bill
09:15:17 Currie family.
09:15:19 Congratulations to you.
09:15:20 We appreciate everything you do.
09:15:22 Please accept this watch as a token of our appreciation.
09:15:25 >> Steve Stickley representing Stepp's towing service on
09:15:33 behalf of Tim and Judy and Todd Stepp I would like to
09:15:37 congratulate you on a job well done, a small token of our
09:15:40 appreciation, and gift certain to Lee Roy Selmon
09:15:56 >> I'm going to say this in Spanish.
09:16:00 (Speaking Spanish)
09:16:02 Thank you.
09:16:16 >>STEVE MICHELINI: If she smiles, do you smile?
09:16:18 I am going to make her smile then, okay?
09:16:20 All right.
09:16:21 You get to take him to Bern's, is that all right?
09:16:27 Got a babysitter?
09:16:29 >> Yes.
09:16:30 >>STEVE MICHELINI: Okay.
09:16:31 But now you all get to go.
09:16:35 You can take your parents to go get a picture taken.
09:16:42 On behalf of Bern's steakhouse and prestige photos we are
09:16:46 providing you with a gift certificate for those respective
09:16:50 goodies that Councilman Reddick spoke about, and we are
09:16:53 proud that you are here working for us in the City of Tampa.
09:16:57 Thank you.
09:16:57 >> Thank you, council, for taking the time to recognize the
09:17:08 work I did during the RNC, chief, staff.
09:17:13 While I have the mike, I would like to recognize a few
09:17:16 people that were instrumental in that project, our guys that
09:17:19 work just as hard as I do and every day.
09:17:23 Michael Kosis, Andy Vincent, Mike Scanlan from traffic, my
09:17:27 partner Randy Camp, Mike Merritt.
09:17:30 Without the team it couldn't have been done.
09:17:32 We have support from everyone including council, the mayor,
09:17:35 FDOT, TECO, they are partners with us every day, Bright
09:17:39 House, they make everything smooth so we can get our job
09:17:43 done.
09:17:43 Thank you.
09:17:45 [ Applause ]
09:17:47 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, officer.
09:17:58 We appreciate the work you do for the community and we are
09:18:00 very proud of you and the police department.
09:18:02 In fact Chief Castor might get embarrassed on this.
09:18:06 Gasparilla parade, I borrowed a car and parked it here, and
09:18:09 when I came back, they had towed my car.
09:18:14 That's not the first time I used that car.
09:18:18 I have used that car and many other cars many times.
09:18:21 But that day, they chose to el haulo away the car.
09:18:27 So it disappeared for a while.
09:18:30 But Chief Castor and the fine police department, the
09:18:34 sergeant in charge of the area, came by, and we retrieved
09:18:37 the car.
09:18:38 In fact, it still has the marking with no key and all that.
09:18:45 >> We are just glad you had permission to use it this time,
09:18:48 sir.
09:18:49 [ Laughter ]
09:18:50 >> Well, see if you will be here next month.
09:18:54 [ Laughter ]
09:18:54 Mr. Wars?
09:18:57 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
09:19:01 Ray, you know, the only time he smiled is when they were
09:19:08 talking about your car being towed.
09:19:11 Ray, did you a great job at the time of RNC when we were
09:19:14 discussing the cameras then afterwards.
09:19:16 We really appreciate that because you were very open minded,
09:19:19 very helpful in explaining the way the process worked, and
09:19:22 that was, I think, a testament both to you and to your chain
09:19:26 of command in terms of letting us know exactly what these
09:19:29 cameras do, and how we use it.
09:19:31 And I'm glad to see that the cameras were working and they
09:19:35 filmed whoever parked here and got it towed away.
09:19:38 We really appreciate that.
09:19:40 We are going to have a lot of fun with that for a long time.
09:19:43 >>MARY MULHERN: I want to congratulate you and thank you
09:19:48 for the incredibly forthright discussion and representation
09:19:55 you made when I was the one that was questioning the
09:20:00 efficacy and usefulness of these cameras, and you were
09:20:03 absolutely not just an advocate for them, you really wanted
09:20:08 to make sure we were doing the right thing, and have
09:20:11 absolute trust in you and not only your technical ability
09:20:15 and the way you explained it all to us, but also in your
09:20:18 open mindedness and understanding and support for everyone.
09:20:28 -- everyone's Constitutional rights to privacy.
09:20:30 I really appreciate it.
09:20:32 Congratulations.
09:20:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I appreciate it.
09:20:38 The second item on the presentation is a combination of
09:20:48 firefighter of the quarter.
09:20:49 Mr. Reddick.
09:20:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
09:20:55 It's a pleasure to recognize our firefighter for the quarter
09:21:00 for January 2013.
09:21:03 Driver engineer Anthony Perez.
09:21:06 Chief?
09:21:07 >> Good morning, council.
09:21:12 Tom Forward, Tampa fire chief.
09:21:14 Again, it is our pleasure and honor -- and happy new year to
09:21:18 you all as well.
09:21:19 It's our pleasure and honor to present to you Tampa
09:21:22 firefighter of the quarter for the first period of 2013.
09:21:27 Our member Tony Perez has been a member of Tampa fire for
09:21:31 over 15 years, and he is a dedicated fire rescue
09:21:35 professional and is truly one of the best of the best.
09:21:38 He's currently stationed at station number 3, which is here
09:21:41 in Hyde Park, right here at Kennedy Boulevard and New Port
09:21:47 Avenue.
09:21:48 And the significance of that station also houses critical
09:21:51 care transport unit which runs and handles a number of major
09:21:57 emergencies and advanced life support issues that other
09:21:59 rescue units don't typically handle as well as maintain the
09:22:06 interfacility transport from our number of emergency
09:22:08 facilities here in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County
09:22:11 as well.
09:22:13 Their unit is one of our many manned units.
09:22:18 We run over 80,000 alarms that we dispatch and drivers ran
09:22:25 almost 2500 of those alarms last year.
09:22:28 Tony has an exceptional talent here at Tampa Fire Rescue,
09:22:32 and a very enterprising career.
09:22:35 He's involved in multiple specialty areas of Tampa Fire
09:22:38 Rescue, not only is he a firefighter, not only is he a par a
09:22:44 medic, he's also a hazardous material specialist, critical
09:22:48 care transport person as well, he's also an extrication
09:22:53 specialist, certified state instructor.
09:22:56 He also mentors a number of our brand new recruits when they
09:23:00 come on.
09:23:01 In addition to those duties, he's also a valued member of
09:23:07 our region's urban search and rescue team which is Florida
09:23:10 task force 3, state urban search and rescue team.
09:23:14 Really, Florida task force 3 is the preeminent urban search
09:23:18 and rescue team that anytime there is a man made or natural
09:23:22 disaster in the State of Florida, governor Scott generally
09:23:29 commissions a task force team to respond on those with the
09:23:31 approval of our mayor, Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
09:23:34 In addition to those certifications, he is also certified
09:23:39 crash rescue firefighter, hazardous material, state
09:23:43 instructor, and he also is a lead instructor for our joint
09:23:47 collaboration with Irvin technical center and helps us
09:23:55 continually keep those brave men and women coming through
09:23:59 that to make sure we have the best of the best here at Tampa
09:24:02 Fire Rescue.
09:24:05 In addition to those other specialties, Tony is a major
09:24:08 instructor for our extrication area, whether it's confined
09:24:12 space, auto extrication, entanglement specialties that Tampa
09:24:18 fire responds to on a regular basis, a tactical response
09:24:22 member.
09:24:22 In addition to that, he is also a member of our honor guard.
09:24:27 He's been a member of that organization since 1999 and in
09:24:31 the past 13 or so years has responded to numerous and
09:24:35 provided many services to our fallen firefighters, and to
09:24:38 those members of our department who have either retired or
09:24:43 are deceased, and he's provided those services as well.
09:24:47 And he's also a member of big brothers big sisters of Tampa
09:24:53 Bay and mentors our youth in our community to ensure they
09:24:58 maintain health, fitness, and mentorship in those leadership
09:25:03 initiatives as well.
09:25:04 Tony was also, in addition to the 15 years here, he was also
09:25:08 a member of the San Francisco giants minor league baseball
09:25:13 team as an awesome baseball player, and he wanted me to
09:25:17 apologize to Chairman Miranda for beating one of his
09:25:25 players, but that's because Chairman Miranda was beating him
09:25:30 so bad.
09:25:32 And many, many more attributes.
09:25:34 This is why we recognize driver engineer Tony Perez,
09:25:41 firefighter of the quarter for the year 2013, driver
09:25:46 engineer Tony Perez.
09:25:48 [ Applause ]
09:25:52 >>FRANK REDDICK: Do you have time to do anything else?
09:26:08 Man, all those things he listed.
09:26:10 On behalf of Tampa City Council, we would like to present
09:26:12 you this commendation for being selected as firefighter of
09:26:16 the quarter for January 2013.
09:26:19 Congratulations.
09:26:19 >> On behalf of Bill Currie Ford and Bill Currie family --
09:26:37 and I'm particularly proud of this because this is the first
09:26:41 of the new version of the firefighter watch -- we would like
09:26:44 to congratulate you for your good work.
09:26:46 >> On behalf of Bright House, thank you very much.
09:27:00 >> Michael Kilroy, Straz center.
09:27:12 I hope you have time.
09:27:16 Thank you very much.
09:27:16 >> This is a one year membership for a presentation of your
09:27:29 choice.
09:27:34 >> Tampa firefighters local 734.
09:27:37 On behalf of local 734, congratulations, firefighters of the
09:27:45 city and also your passion for your profession of the.
09:27:47 >> Steve Stickley representing Stepp's towing service on
09:27:55 behalf of Jim, Judy and Todd Stepp, congratulations for a
09:28:02 job well done and a $50 gift certificate to Lee Roy Selmons.
09:28:05 >> Thank you very much.
09:28:06 >> We are going to do this in English.
09:28:12 I usually do it in English for the policemen.
09:28:15 This is not really for you.
09:28:17 It's for your significant other who helps you do your job.
09:28:39 >>STEVE MICHELINI: Just when you thought it was over.
09:28:40 I don't know if everybody is going to fit in this picture
09:28:43 but you can go to prestige photos and have your portrait
09:28:48 taken.
09:28:48 And with Bern's certificate it gives you about $6.50 a piece
09:28:54 for each of you.
09:28:55 The rest of them will have to pick up the rest of the tab.
09:28:58 Is that right?
09:28:59 Okay.
09:29:00 Congratulations.
09:29:00 And we do appreciate what you do and for being such a
09:29:03 shrinking violet.
09:29:04 >> Thank you very much.
09:29:11 Thank you.
09:29:11 >> I want to thank City Council for taking time out of their
09:29:18 busy schedule today to acknowledge the firefighter of the
09:29:20 quarter as well as the police Officer of the Month.
09:29:22 I thank you very, very much on behalf of myself and all the
09:29:25 members of Tampa Fire Rescue.
09:29:27 Also I want to thank all the sponsors who with their
09:29:29 continued support have allowed this to happen he have year.
09:29:32 And we hope we can continue that support.
09:29:34 Thank you for everything that you do for us.
09:29:37 I really do appreciate it.
09:29:38 I want to thank Chief Forward and his executive staff for
09:29:42 continuing to acknowledge his employees as well.
09:29:46 It is an honor.
09:29:47 And I accept this on behalf of my members, Tampa Fire
09:29:50 Rescue, and all of my mentors before me, that have helped me
09:29:56 grow to where I am at today, in this career.
09:30:00 I also want to acknowledge all of my other members, my
09:30:02 station, and captains who showed up today in support.
09:30:08 They are a big, big part of what I do today, and they do
09:30:11 RAZZ me from time to time about, gee-whiz, man, when do you
09:30:14 have time to sit down and relax?
09:30:16 But I have just been very fortunate that when I came on this
09:30:19 job I was surrounded by some people that laid the groundwork
09:30:22 for me to do the job the right way, to leave it better than
09:30:27 how I received it.
09:30:28 So that's what I tried to do. All I am trying to do is
09:30:31 develop a foundation to leave it better for the guys around
09:30:34 me and the guys that are coming up after them.
09:30:36 And if we can create that foundation that we can make it
09:30:39 better for those guys, it's a Domino effect.
09:30:42 We continue to get better day in and day out.
09:30:44 So I want to thank City Council sponsors, fire chief,
09:30:47 executive staff and all of my friend, put up with a lot of
09:30:55 stuff.
09:30:56 Still in the books, leave it alone. I thank her as well and
09:30:59 I thank everyone for acknowledging this award and I will
09:31:03 accept this award and represent Tampa Fire Rescue to the
09:31:06 utmost respect as I have always done.
09:31:08 Thank you.
09:31:11 [ Applause ]
09:31:13 >> Firefighter Perez, let me say, I guess on my confession
09:31:18 day, first the car and now you.
09:31:20 It's like a daily double.
09:31:23 But, you know, I remember that game vividly when one of my
09:31:27 guys, about 104, went down, because you guys threw at him,
09:31:32 and when it was your guys turn to bat the first guy up was
09:31:37 you.
09:31:37 What happened to you?
09:31:38 >> Brushback.
09:31:43 But I got right back in there.
09:31:44 And you gave me that look, that little wink.
09:31:47 >> I said, baby, we're even.
09:31:50 [ Laughter ]
09:31:51 And I just appreciate all of you individuals, ladies who
09:31:56 work for the fire department.
09:31:58 And you guys have outstanding character and morale, not to
09:32:03 mention a very good softball and baseball team.
09:32:06 But we'll get you ready for the big one that's coming up in
09:32:09 the next few months.
09:32:10 >> Well, I have coaches back here, Jason, talk to him and he
09:32:14 will get it all set up.
09:32:15 >> And you talk to him.
09:32:18 He will listen to you.
09:32:20 Well, thank you, guys.
09:32:21 >> Thank you.
09:32:23 Thank you very much.
09:32:26 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Ms. Mulhern.
09:32:27 >>MARY MULHERN: Thank you for everything you do and
09:32:29 congratulations for this award.
09:32:30 And I thank all of Tampa Fire Rescue who seem to be assigned
09:32:35 to follow me in the MLK parade and make sure that I didn't
09:32:40 get run over, or remind me that I didn't have to talk to
09:32:45 every person and helped me pick up my beads and get me to
09:32:53 keep up with the parade because I was a little slow.
09:32:55 But I thank you for not running me over because I know that
09:32:58 almost happened, too.
09:33:01 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Okay, thank you all very much.
09:33:02 Appreciate it.
09:33:04 Ms. Capin wants the floor?
09:33:08 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes, thank you.
09:33:08 First of all, I want to thank Frank Crum for his
09:33:12 inspirational invocation and leading us in the pledge of
09:33:15 allegiance.
09:33:17 Frank works for the city in the cable communication, and
09:33:21 he's a producer-director with the City of Tampa television.
09:33:25 Therefore, he's off doing his job and making sure we are on
09:33:31 TV now.
09:33:32 But I would like to read a little bit about him, because he
09:33:34 was so gracious to do this for us this morning, as busy as
09:33:38 he is.
09:33:39 Frank Crum is a native of Hillsborough County and grew up in
09:33:42 Seffner, Florida.
09:33:43 Frank earned a bachelor of science degree in
09:33:46 telecommunication from the University of Florida college of
09:33:49 journalism and communication.
09:33:50 His career path led him to the City of Tampa where for the
09:33:54 past 14 years he has worked for the office of cable
09:33:57 communication as a producer-director.
09:34:00 Frank has won numerous awards for his broadcast excellence
09:34:04 and strives to create cable programming.
09:34:07 He likes to call public interest television.
09:34:12 Frank is married to his best friend, Cherelle Crum, serves
09:34:20 as pretty of the Tampa Black History Committee,
09:34:22 Incorporated.
09:34:23 He is a proud member of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church.
09:34:26 And I want to personally thank him for coming this morning
09:34:29 on his very busy schedule to do the invocation and lead us
09:34:34 in the pledge.
09:34:35 Thank you for that.
09:34:35 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you, Councilwoman Capin.
09:34:40 I think you are up again because there are a few
09:34:42 commendations that are going to be presented this morning.
09:34:45 So Councilwoman Capin.
09:35:05 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Good morning again.
09:35:06 It is a pleasure to be here.
09:35:07 We have four commendations this morning.
09:35:16 The assets of Tampa are the people and the organization that
09:35:18 we have here.
09:35:20 And these four organizations represent the best that we
09:35:28 have.
09:35:29 And these are the people that make our lives better.
09:35:34 And I am going to start with our very own and soon-to-be
09:35:44 working at another city, but Roger Strout.
09:35:47 He's an example.
09:35:54 Roger Strout is retiring to assume a similar position in the
09:36:02 city of West Palm Beach.
09:36:03 Mr. Strout served our city as director of internal audit
09:36:07 since 2006.
09:36:09 During his tenure, he refocused staff on auditing practices,
09:36:14 cost saving opportunities and auditing fundamentals
09:36:18 resulting in a hard dollar benefit of over $3 million.
09:36:23 Mr. Strout also identified numerous opportunities to improve
09:36:27 city-wide operating efficiencies.
09:36:30 City of Tampa wishes to -- before I read that, I want to
09:36:35 just -- a personal experience that I had with Mr. Strout and
09:36:42 his staff and their fine auditing performance.
09:36:44 I serve on the board of the Tampa historic streetcar for
09:36:48 almost three years now.
09:36:49 Roger completed an audit on the streetcar in February 2012.
09:36:54 His audit revealed that the streetcar had been losing money
09:36:57 because it was not being appropriately reimbursed from the
09:37:02 Hart one-day pass since August 2002.
09:37:07 Talking with -- I'm sorry -- tracking was not available from
09:37:15 2002.
09:37:16 However, by using this audit, the streetcar was able to
09:37:19 capture reimbursement for 2011 and 2012 which totaled almost
09:37:24 $40,000 coming back to the streetcar.
09:37:30 That's just an example of what he and his staff were capable
09:37:36 of bringing to our city.
09:37:37 Tampa City Council wishes Roger continued success in his new
09:37:42 position and recognizes his fine work on behalf of the city.
09:37:45 And I'm sorry I haven't called you up yet but if you will
09:37:48 come up.
09:37:49 Thank you, Roger.
09:37:50 Thank you so much.
09:37:52 [ Applause ]
09:37:52 And his lovely wife.
09:38:00 >> I have to do this one last time, because when I have been
09:38:02 before you, I often forget to say I'm Roger Strout your city
09:38:07 auditor for Tampa.
09:38:08 I would like to introduce my very consummate professional
09:38:13 staff members, if they would come forward.
09:38:15 Gary Chapman, Tom Sanchez and Vivian walker.
09:38:19 These are the folks that find the money.
09:38:21 They are the ones that do the work.
09:38:23 And I just want to recognize them.
09:38:24 They found that over $3 million.
09:38:26 I did not.
09:38:27 They are the ones that made us successful.
09:38:29 So I just want to recognize them and thank them for their
09:38:32 tremendous support over the last six years.
09:38:36 [ Applause ]
09:38:37 And one last thing.
09:38:41 You as council members don't realize probably the
09:38:44 motivational support that you supply to us, when we present
09:38:48 our audits to you, the kind words of recognition, your
09:38:52 encouragement, makes us work even harder.
09:38:55 And I just want to thank you for that acknowledgement, the
09:38:59 value that audit brings and being a tremendous supporter --
09:39:02 supporter of this organization.
09:39:04 Thank you to each and every one of you.
09:39:06 [ Applause ]
09:39:09 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you so much for what you just said, to
09:39:11 you and to your staff.
09:39:12 I want to tell you, your audits are clear, they are concise,
09:39:17 they get to the point, they are clearly unbiased, and they
09:39:21 are an enormous tool for us, and we appreciate it, and we
09:39:26 look forward to reading a lot more great work in the years
09:39:28 to come, because it's very, very helpful to us.
09:39:31 So thank you.
09:39:32 >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
09:39:37 Roger, you know, I haven't discussed audits with each of
09:39:40 you, but I look forward to speaking with all of you, because
09:39:46 echoing Mr. Cohen, the work is very, very helpful to us.
09:39:50 And when I first took office, the first time that I met with
09:39:56 Mr. Strout, I think we spent about three hours together
09:40:00 because I am so interested in every report that is delivered
09:40:04 to us.
09:40:10 I almost look forward to reading the reports, and a lot of
09:40:14 people don't look at audit as an interesting, exciting area,
09:40:22 but the work that you do is so important to us.
09:40:24 And I certainly appreciate it.
09:40:27 And thank you for listening to my suggestions and answering
09:40:31 all my questions and spending the time with me that you have
09:40:34 over this past year.
09:40:35 And I know that the position that you are taking is going to
09:40:42 be so challenging for you, and it's going to really be a
09:40:46 highlight for your career, starting an audit department
09:40:51 almost from scratch, and I know that may not sound exciting
09:40:54 for a lot of people, but it is just a fabulous opportunity,
09:40:57 and I wish you luck.
09:40:59 And I know you will do a tremendous job.
09:41:01 >> Thank you, Councilwoman Montelione.
09:41:06 Let me introduce one person that's really the person that
09:41:08 has driven me and helped me be successful, and that's my
09:41:11 wife, Joanna Strout.
09:41:15 [ Applause ]
09:41:16 She has supported me when I have been working, not very
09:41:21 often you begun on occasion.
09:41:23 I won't mention the audit that we did that required getting
09:41:26 the report out on a Sunday and having it to the mayor on
09:41:28 morning at 7 a.m. but she supported me no matter what the
09:41:33 job required.
09:41:33 >> Can I say something?
09:41:34 I want to give my appreciation to each and every one of the
09:41:37 council people, because each time he would meet with you, it
09:41:40 was like that was the little bright spot in his work day.
09:41:43 Even though -- meeting with you was that little bright spot
09:41:48 so I want to say a personal thank you.
09:41:50 So thank you.
09:41:54 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Joanne, for putting that on the
09:41:57 record.
09:41:58 [ Applause ]
09:41:59 >>MARY MULHERN: Can we drag this out a little longer?
09:42:01 This one commendation we have never gotten but thanks.
09:42:05 I think it's an indication of what a great leader you are.
09:42:08 And West Palm Beach is really lucky to have you.
09:42:12 You come up here and you give credit to your staff.
09:42:15 We know how hard you work and we know we wouldn't be able to
09:42:19 do that difficult job of auditing their own employer.
09:42:24 And making sure that, you know, we are doing our job right.
09:42:28 It's a really tough job and we appreciate that, because I
09:42:31 think we partner with you, because we are looking at that
09:42:33 budget, and we are looking at what the administration is
09:42:37 doing, and we are asking those questions.
09:42:39 So I am very sad for us to see you go.
09:42:43 I'm very happy for you and thank you for everything we have
09:42:50 done over these years.
09:42:51 We kind of started over time and it's been really wonderful
09:42:55 working with you.
09:42:55 >> Thank you very much, Councilwoman Mulhern.
09:43:03 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for all your years of service and
09:43:06 making our job that much better, and our city.
09:43:09 Thank you.
09:43:10 [ Applause ]
09:43:11 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Okay.
09:43:14 An auditor's job is one that's like correcting the phone
09:43:18 numbers that are wrong.
09:43:19 Your name is there but the numbers aren't there, you call
09:43:21 you get a wrong number.
09:43:23 And fixing those numbers and making sure all the books
09:43:25 balance and all the things that are supposed to be done are
09:43:28 done accordingly.
09:43:30 Thank you very much for your efforts.
09:43:32 Item number 4.
09:43:33 Ms. Capin.
09:43:36 >>YVONNE CAPIN: The next commendation is to the Girl Scouts
09:43:38 of west central Florida.
09:43:41 And I believe Kim Jowell, chief executive officer, and
09:43:48 Rebecca Pruitt is chief development officer.
09:43:52 Are they both here?
09:44:01 This commendation, again, organization, people, make our
09:44:05 city, our area, why people move here and want to stay here.
09:44:09 The Girl Scouts of west central Florida, the City of Tampa,
09:44:13 the City Council, recognizes the outstanding work done by
09:44:17 the Girl Scouts of America and congratulates them on their
09:44:22 100th anniversary.
09:44:23 Nowhere in this commencement to community more evident than
09:44:27 in the works being done by staff at the Girl Scouts of west
09:44:33 central Florida organization.
09:44:34 Encouraging young girls to become involved in community
09:44:38 activities and learning the basics of friendship and
09:44:42 leadership.
09:44:44 Science, exploration and career literacy.
09:44:47 Young people are being prepared for the future in a positive
09:44:50 and productive manner.
09:44:52 Tampa City Council applauds the efforts and results of this
09:44:56 outstanding organization and wishes them continued success.
09:45:05 [ Applause ]
09:45:07 >> Thank you for the opportunity that we have to serve the
09:45:12 community.
09:45:12 Girl Scouts of west central Florida serves approximately
09:45:15 22,000 girls, and to be an organization that's been around
09:45:20 for 100 years and thriving and continues to be at the center
09:45:23 of community is certainly an honor to lead that organization
09:45:27 and thankful for the recognition.
09:45:31 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you very much for what you do, and
09:45:36 what the future is to these young ladies who are bright and
09:45:41 want to go forward in leadership that your organization
09:45:45 gives to them.
09:45:46 >> With me, I have a whole team behind me, as you can see in
09:45:52 our official Girl Scout uniform, a little different than
09:45:56 what the girls wear, but our incoming chair, first
09:46:01 vice-president, and April Montez, board committee member and
09:46:05 very important to us.
09:46:05 She chairs our women of distinction events where we
09:46:08 recognize our local leaders.
09:46:11 And we have a woman of promise this year.
09:46:14 Is that the correct title?
09:46:16 Woman of promise this year that we have added to that,
09:46:18 recognizing in our own community from the adult world, the
09:46:21 mentors that we have.
09:46:22 And then I have a whole team back there.
09:46:26 Approximately 84 staff that make it happen.
09:46:28 From Pinellas to Marion and over to Polk.
09:46:35 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Excellent.
09:46:36 Thank you.
09:46:36 [ Applause ]
09:46:39 It is april Montez, vice-president of Chase that I was
09:46:44 sharing lunch with about a month or so ago who brought it to
09:46:47 my attention that it was the 100th anniversary, and I
09:46:51 thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to
09:46:52 recognize the Girl Scouts of west central Florida.
09:46:57 Thank you.
09:47:00 The next commendation, we are honored this morning, two
09:47:07 football coaches from Robinson high school.
09:47:09 Head coach Mike DePue and offensive coordinator Rob Burns.
09:47:19 These two gentlemen are major factors in enabling the
09:47:22 knights to advance to class 5-A state semifinal championship
09:47:26 game this past season.
09:47:28 In addition, coach DePue is concluding his distinguished
09:47:33 30-year career as both a teacher and coach of Robinson.
09:47:37 Gentlemen, I'm pleased to present you both with a
09:47:40 commendation from City Council.
09:47:50 I graduated from Robinson high school.
09:47:52 My goodness.
09:47:54 Thank you so much.
09:47:56 [ Applause ]
09:47:56 >> This is the second time I have been privileged to be in
09:48:00 front of the council, and it's obviously an honor.
09:48:06 This is concluding my 35th year in education here in
09:48:08 Hillsborough County, and 31 years at Robinson coaching
09:48:13 football, and it's been a joy.
09:48:14 South Tampa is a very special, special place.
09:48:16 And Tampa is a great sports community.
09:48:20 We get after it in baseball, football, and all kinds of
09:48:22 things, and done amazing things with the things that you all
09:48:25 have done to facilitate not just from the high school level,
09:48:29 from the youth level, and of course the professional level,
09:48:31 which you all have done to help this community grow and
09:48:35 prosper in the 35 years I have been around here has been
09:48:38 truly an amazing event to watch.
09:48:42 The City of Tampa developed as a sports mecca, and we are.
09:48:46 What we have done at Robinson high school over the years is
09:48:48 developed young men and young women not only in the sports
09:48:53 venue but also in the academic venue, and kids who have gone
09:48:57 from HCC to Harvard and all been very, very successful over
09:49:02 the years.
09:49:02 It's been a great pleasure to have a staff. Rob Burns has
09:49:08 played for me and been a coach with me for over 20 years.
09:49:11 It's not about me, it's about the kids and the staff.
09:49:13 And seven of the guys on my football staff played and were
09:49:18 graduates from Robinson.
09:49:21 The young lady who was the wife of the Officer of the Month,
09:49:24 Robinson graduate.
09:49:25 So you see Robinson graduates everywhere.
09:49:28 And it's really important that we continue to be a vital
09:49:30 part of this community.
09:49:31 And I thank you very much.
09:49:37 Thank you very much.
09:49:38 >>YVONNE CAPIN: It's my honor.
09:49:39 >> Thank you to the council.
09:49:41 And thank you for giving us this award.
09:49:44 Thank you very much.
09:49:46 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I recall growing up I remember some of
09:49:48 your players, Larry Smith, I believe Randy Smith.
09:49:54 Wonderful guys.
09:49:55 >> There have been some great ones.
09:49:57 We had some great athletes at Robinson and we will continue
09:50:00 to put those out.
09:50:01 We have anywhere from 5 to 15 going to college this year.
09:50:05 National signing day is Wednesday.
09:50:06 And you will see our kids there.
09:50:08 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Larry was a runningback.
09:50:10 >> Ring of honor, our Hall of Fame a couple years ago at our
09:50:14 banquet.
09:50:15 He's one of the great guys.
09:50:16 He has been a great supporter of Robinson high school.
09:50:19 Thank you very much.
09:50:21 [ Applause ]
09:50:26 >>YVONNE CAPIN: That concludes our commendations for this
09:50:28 morning.
09:50:29 Thank you.
09:50:29 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you.
09:50:31 We now go to the workshops.
09:50:32 I need a motion to open 6, 7, 8 and 9.
09:50:40 Motion by Mrs. Montelione, second by Mr. Suarez.
09:50:42 All in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye.
09:50:44 Opposed nay.
09:50:45 The ayes have it unanimously.
09:50:47 I'm going to yield to Mr. Cohen.
09:50:49 I have to go to a meeting right next door and he will do
09:50:53 number 6.
09:50:53 I should be back.
09:50:55 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
09:51:03 I'm not sure if I see the staff from the legal department
09:51:06 here.
09:51:06 Oh, there they are.
09:51:10 I will go ahead and introduce this item.
09:51:13 Item number 6 was a discussion actually that I motioned for
09:51:17 a number of months ago, and it's really with the idea of
09:51:21 getting some direction from council on the following issue.
09:51:29 We have electronic signs throughout the city.
09:51:31 And let me just be clear.
09:51:33 We are not talking here about billboards.
09:51:35 We are talking about commercial signage throughout the city,
09:51:39 some of which under our new sign ordinance is electronic.
09:51:43 And as these rules have developed, we have gotten a lot of
09:51:49 feedback from neighborhoods and from different citizens
09:51:52 complaining about different aspects of the code and making
09:51:56 some requests of us that we tweak some of it.
09:52:02 So Ms. Mandell is here today, and Ms. Coyle, and Mr. Slater,
09:52:07 and they are going to just give us a brief background on the
09:52:09 issue, and then talk to us a little bit about what the state
09:52:13 of our code is, and how we can address this.
09:52:16 Thank you.
09:52:16 >>JULIA MANDELL: Legal department.
09:52:18 I thought it would be a good idea to give a very brief
09:52:22 synopsis of the background of how our code came to be as
09:52:27 related to on-site electronic signs, not billboard signs, as
09:52:32 Mr. Cohen has stated.
09:52:37 AP round 2005-2006 time frame the city went through a
09:52:40 significant pro stows revisit our sign code, the amount of
09:52:43 signage each property is allowed to have, the types of
09:52:46 signage that was allowed.
09:52:49 It was about a year and a half process.
09:52:51 There was a committee formed by City Council to review this
09:52:53 issue.
09:52:55 There was a tremendous number of issues reviewed, as I said,
09:53:00 size, location, those kind of issues, and there was a lot of
09:53:03 consensus through that sign committee process.
09:53:06 The one issue that there was not consensus on was the issue
09:53:09 of electronic signage.
09:53:10 The way the code had been previously drafted is there was no
09:53:14 specific allowability for electronic signage.
09:53:17 In fact, it had in a prohibited sign but there had been an
09:53:24 old standing interpretation of our code that if you had a
09:53:26 sign that changed once every 24 hours, whether it was
09:53:29 electronically changed or like the gas stations had, the
09:53:32 movable signage, that that was not considered an electronic
09:53:36 sign, that was considered a changeable sign.
09:53:38 And that could be allowed to be changed once every 24 hours.
09:53:44 I made the recommendation at that time that if that was
09:53:46 going to be the interpretation of the code, then we should
09:53:49 really codify that.
09:53:50 So what came before City Council during that process was a
09:53:54 codification of the once every 24 hour electronic sign
09:53:58 question, so that everybody knew what they had and what they
09:54:01 didn't have.
09:54:02 During the process of ordinance adoption, there was a lot of
09:54:06 discussion of the electronic sign issue and a compromise by
09:54:12 City Council at that time which was to allow electronic
09:54:14 signs, on-site signs to be electronic, under a couple sets
09:54:19 of circumstances.
09:54:20 One, that the signs could only change once every five
09:54:22 minutes.
09:54:23 There was a five-minute duration versus a 24 hour duration,
09:54:27 or other durations that you could have.
09:54:29 And the second provision that was put into the code was that
09:54:32 you could not put electronic signs on nonconforming signs.
09:54:37 The signs either needed to come into conformance, torn down
09:54:41 and rebuilt, or you could get a variance to have a
09:54:44 conforming sign.
09:54:46 I think it's important to understand that at the time that
09:54:49 we revisited this issue with electronic signs, it was not
09:54:52 something that was studied, it was not something that was a
09:54:55 lot of time was put into in terms of the sign committee, or
09:55:00 in terms of any other group.
09:55:02 It really ended up being a compromise that was made as part
09:55:06 of the legislative process.
09:55:07 There's nothing wrong with that.
09:55:08 It's just that I don't think it's inappropriate to revisit
09:55:12 the issue now that we have several years under our belt on
09:55:14 this issue because it wasn't something that we had consensus
09:55:17 on at the time.
09:55:17 >>HARRY COHEN: And before -- Ms. Mulhern has a question.
09:55:23 But the salient points from this, from my point of view are
09:55:27 this.
09:55:28 First of all, the five minute rule is not being enforced.
09:55:31 Well, it's being sporadically enforced and it's being
09:55:36 flouted in some cases, followed in others.
09:55:39 There's a real lack of uniformity and understanding of what
09:55:42 the rules are from my observation.
09:55:44 The second thing -- and I want to make it very clear that
09:55:47 this discussion, anything we do is prospective.
09:55:50 We can't deal with the signs that have legally been approved
09:55:56 in the last five years or so.
09:55:57 But it is my observation that if we don't take some steps to
09:56:02 tighten this up, we are going to look like Las Vegas in a
09:56:05 very short period of time.
09:56:06 So with that, Ms. Mulhern and then Ms. Capin.
09:56:09 >>MARY MULHERN: I have one question.
09:56:12 (off microphone) I wanted to add a little bit.
09:56:21 Is it a right to only change an existing sign to electronic,
09:56:26 an on-site sign?
09:56:28 That's what we have in our code now?
09:56:29 >>JULIA MANDELL: What we have in our code is you have a
09:56:31 conforming sign, meaning the size, locational criteria, or
09:56:40 the variance to our code, then you can change your sign out
09:56:43 to an electronic sign so long as it's no larger than 50
09:56:47 square feet.
09:56:47 And that's actually another one of the changes we made.
09:56:49 There were a few subsequent changes that were made and that
09:56:52 was one of them.
09:56:53 It cannot be larger than 50 square feet per sign space.
09:56:56 You can change that out to an electronic sign.
09:56:59 And then once you have your electronic sign, that sign can
09:57:03 only change once every five minutes.
09:57:05 >>MARY MULHERN: I guess my Q -- and I don't remember how we
09:57:08 voted on this and what happened -- but can someone put in a
09:57:14 new sign that is conforming, and it can be electronic?
09:57:19 >>JULIA MANDELL: That's correct.
09:57:21 >>MARY MULHERN: I don't think we understood that when we
09:57:23 voted for this.
09:57:24 And I just want to let council know, when I first started in
09:57:28 2007 on council, it was actually the end -- there had been a
09:57:35 committee to discuss the sign code.
09:57:38 And Ms. Cole asked me to be on that board, because my
09:57:46 predecessor had served on it.
09:57:48 So I believe at that point -- that was 2007 --
09:57:52 >>JULIA MANDELL: Actually, the change that included the
09:57:55 five-minute change actually occurred prior to you being on
09:57:58 council.
09:57:58 There was another issue that came up subsequent that we
09:58:02 brought back to the sign committee together, and because you
09:58:05 had taken over from your predecessor who had been on that --
09:58:11 >>MARY MULHERN: So all the rules we are discussing today
09:58:13 had already been adopted even before Councilman Miranda and
09:58:18 I started our term?
09:58:19 >> That's correct.
09:58:20 There were some other issues that came up and we
09:58:23 reinvigorated the sign code and because your predecessor was
09:58:27 on there I made the --
09:58:30 >> Right.
09:58:30 I am going to try to be really careful about how I say this.
09:58:33 So when those new issues came up, we had a few meetings, and
09:58:40 I felt that there was a lot of representation from the sign
09:58:48 industry there.
09:58:52 I was new so I wasn't even really that well versed at all on
09:58:56 what the issues were.
09:58:57 But I feel like if we are going to go forward with
09:59:01 revisiting anything, or adding some new regulations to the
09:59:05 code, we have got to make sure that we have better
09:59:10 neighborhood representation on any kind of committee that's
09:59:14 going to be talking about it.
09:59:15 >>JULIA MANDELL: I can go into more detail as to the
09:59:18 committee, and what happened with this issue, because that
09:59:21 was exactly -- the committee in and of itself was actually
09:59:25 relatively well-balanced.
09:59:27 There was just not a lot of -- on this particular issue
09:59:33 there was no consensus.
09:59:34 It was one of the few issues we had in a consensus on.
09:59:37 So the recommendation that came forward to City Council at
09:59:39 that time was to not do anything other than cod I if I the
09:59:42 current practice.
09:59:43 But the legislative process does allow the opportunity for
09:59:47 folks to talk to members of City Council, and for City
09:59:50 Council to do something different.
09:59:53 So the recommendation of the committee was, as a whole, was
10:00:00 there was no consensus on this issue.
10:00:02 So it was really the legislative process that ultimately
10:00:05 determined that five-minute question versus it being from
10:00:10 some other place.
10:00:11 All that being said when it was reinvigorated we didn't have
10:00:15 that same number of folks that got involved.
10:00:17 So I think you are right.
10:00:18 And I think that was something that never got consensus from
10:00:22 the members of the community and the sign industry.
10:00:26 So that's why I think that's important to understand, this
10:00:28 is not something that came out of the committee that have
10:00:31 been agreed to.
10:00:31 It was in fact not agreed to.
10:00:33 >>MARY MULHERN: So I think what we were doing had to do
10:00:38 with the agreement in relation to -- well, I am not going to
10:00:44 get into it.
10:00:46 But what I do want to say is that my understanding at the
10:00:50 time, or my misunderstanding, was that of what we voted on
10:00:59 on the last council, there was not a lot of consensus about
10:01:03 wanting more electronic signs, period.
10:01:07 Even though they were on premises.
10:01:09 But I had the sense that what we were talking about was only
10:01:12 if you had a sign, which was on premises, you could change
10:01:18 that to an electronic sign.
10:01:20 But now what I think we are seeing is that any conforming
10:01:24 on-site sign could be able to be electronic if it's under
10:01:28 that 50 square feet?
10:01:30 Is that what it is?
10:01:33 >> That's true.
10:01:34 >>MARY MULHERN: What's the height limit?
10:01:35 >>JULIA MANDELL: It depends on the setback.
10:01:37 It goes from 10 to 20 feet depending on the setbacks for
10:01:41 right-of-way.
10:01:41 The closer you are to right-of-way, the shorter your sign
10:01:44 needs to be.
10:01:45 The farther away, the taller your sign can be.
10:01:48 And Councilwoman Mulhern is right, there is another issue
10:01:53 that did come up which was as a result of the determination
10:01:56 made by council at the time for the five-minute changeable
10:02:01 sign message, plus the idea that you had to have a
10:02:04 conforming sign, you were seeing a lot of request of
10:02:09 variances, council had seen a lot of requests for variances
10:02:12 for signs, because it's been raise add few times in front of
10:02:16 previous councils, and the idea that you can have electronic
10:02:19 signs or nonconforming signs.
10:02:21 >> I am going to say one more thing.
10:02:23 I don't want to take over this discussion.
10:02:24 But I'm pretty sure that we did vote on that five-minute
10:02:29 thing.
10:02:29 That was the discussion that we had on that last council,
10:02:32 was about the timing.
10:02:33 >>JULIA MANDELL: My recollection of who was involved in
10:02:40 that discussion may be clouding the time frame.
10:02:44 It was around that same time frame.
10:02:46 >>MARY MULHERN: It happened not in five minutes but it
10:02:52 happened very quickly. What happened?
10:02:55 >> The whole process of making the decision to put in the
10:02:57 five minute time frame versus not taking any action on that
10:03:00 issue. Happened at --
10:03:02 >>MARY MULHERN: Oh, at council it happened quickly.
10:03:04 But we were discussing it.
10:03:06 I was discussing it with you and other people on staff for
10:03:11 quite a bit before we voted on it.
10:03:13 >>JULIA MANDELL: I thought that was before you were on
10:03:17 council.
10:03:17 >>MARY MULHERN: No.
10:03:18 What happened, we were in that discussion when the 2007
10:03:23 discussion happened.
10:03:24 That's what happened.
10:03:25 Yeah.
10:03:25 >>JULIA MANDELL: I relate things to when my children were
10:03:31 born anyway.
10:03:31 >>MARY MULHERN: I guess what I am trying to get across to
10:03:34 council is as one of the council people who was here, what
10:03:39 we did vote for and probably I didn't vote yes on it was
10:03:44 about this timing, the five-minute timing, and my
10:03:49 understanding of what we were -- what we were going to be
10:03:53 voting on was different than the way things have turned out.
10:03:56 So whatever we can do to make it a little better and less
10:04:02 disturbing to people in the city, I would like to see us do
10:04:05 it.
10:04:07 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Ms. Mulhern.
10:04:08 Ms. Capin.
10:04:10 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:04:11 I agree, the five minutes is not being enforced.
10:04:15 But at the same time, I will tell you as a small business
10:04:19 owner that had a business for nearly 25 years on Dale Mabry,
10:04:28 I see there are signs, and they are digital signs, and I do
10:04:32 see them, and they don't change.
10:04:36 They don't change within the five minutes.
10:04:41 They are pretty much complying, is way want to say.
10:04:45 And then there are those that don't, and that's an issue
10:04:49 that we always had and maybe we have to readdress.
10:04:53 But the fact that you can change your sign digitally as
10:04:59 opposed to putting letters up on those signs makes a huge
10:05:05 difference to the owners of those small businesses.
10:05:09 So I tend to think that the digital helps the small owner --
10:05:14 the small business owner when they advertise their special.
10:05:19 Again, those flashing signs are not keeping it within five
10:05:22 minutes.
10:05:23 But I have been driving through a lot of the neighborhoods,
10:05:25 and I noticed the digital signs, and I noticed they were not
10:05:29 changing.
10:05:30 And I checked again the next day beings and it's the same
10:05:34 lettering on there.
10:05:35 So there are people that are following the rules.
10:05:37 And, again, you know, as a former small business person, I
10:05:42 can see the advantage of being able to, from inside your
10:05:46 business digitally change your advertising.
10:05:50 So that part of it, you know, there's two sides to every
10:05:53 story.
10:05:53 Thank you.
10:05:54 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Ms. Capin.
10:05:56 Ms. Montelione, then Mr. Cohen.
10:05:58 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Ms. Cole?
10:06:02 Ms. Mandell, sorry.
10:06:03 A few questions.
10:06:04 You had mentioned that we have a few years under our belt
10:06:08 now, and maybe better educated to make some changes or
10:06:13 evaluate how this is affecting our city.
10:06:18 Do we also have examples from other cities of similar size,
10:06:24 and maybe this is a question for Ms. Coyle.
10:06:26 >>JULIA MANDELL: I can tell you that the sign committee
10:06:30 process, we pulled up codes from --
10:06:35 >>LISA MONTELIONE: During the process you said it was still
10:06:38 new.
10:06:38 >>JULIA MANDELL: I don't have that information that I have
10:06:41 already pulled together at a more recent time but it's not a
10:06:45 complicated question.
10:06:46 I can tell you in reviewing this issue as I have on and off
10:06:50 for many years, jurisdictions don't handle these questions
10:06:53 much differently, and it's still evolving as well.
10:06:57 I think as the technology he involved and a lot more
10:07:00 businesses are making efforts to go to the electronic signs,
10:07:03 they have done this.
10:07:06 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I guess after the end of this we will be
10:07:08 looking for some staff report, and that is something I would
10:07:11 like to see in whatever motion is made or carried forward is
10:07:13 that we look at cities of similar size, and this way we may
10:07:21 not have to reinvent the wheel.
10:07:23 We can take the best in what's happened in other places.
10:07:26 And also I see Ms. Coyle coming up here.
10:07:29 I'm sure there's lots of academic literature from ULI, or,
10:07:35 you know, other planning magazines and sources that
10:07:39 recommend types of legislation on electronic signage.
10:07:45 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Yes, I believe there are.
10:07:46 And I think if there is a staff report back or even another
10:07:49 workshop in the future, certainly hear from the public, but
10:07:52 you may actually want to hear from some of the industry
10:07:56 side, too.
10:07:57 And Ms. Cole -- Ms. Mandell is right.
10:08:00 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you for doing that.
10:08:03 >> I actually prefer Mandell so our names don't get
10:08:06 confused.
10:08:09 Over the years, too, we have looked into it to look at the
10:08:12 change in technology.
10:08:13 And it has changed very, very rapidly.
10:08:15 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Certainly.
10:08:18 >>CATHERINE COYLE: And they have gotten these LED signs down
10:08:20 to a science, and gotten more and more science and more
10:08:24 crystal clear, more than the range of the blue or green.
10:08:31 More like a TV screen.
10:08:32 But what I do understand from some of the industry folks and
10:08:35 looking at the technical manuals, there are controls on
10:08:38 these.
10:08:39 There are dimmer switches.
10:08:40 And sometimes when they are very bright, and maybe they --
10:08:44 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I was going to ask about the lumens.
10:08:46 >>CATHERINE COYLE: They are also prefabricated boxes that
10:08:50 you insert and take out.
10:08:52 Then there's custom made boxes that you have to actually
10:08:54 alter sign to actually put in.
10:08:57 So we have seen the ones that are just pre-fab that pop in
10:09:00 and out which are actually pretty straightforward and they
10:09:02 come in two sizes.
10:09:03 They are mass produced and very inexpensive.
10:09:06 They are programmed from the inside.
10:09:07 You can tell you like from the gas station perspective -- I
10:09:11 used to work at a gas station, would go out and change the
10:09:14 things.
10:09:14 If you are not instant with that, those prices change very
10:09:17 quickly.
10:09:18 And program them from the inside is a lot easier and much
10:09:22 more straightforward but they don't change that often.
10:09:24 Versus the ones that are full of TV programs on these signs.
10:09:29 But what we do understand is that there are controls that
10:09:32 can be put in place to control the illumination, brightness.
10:09:37 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And to look at the colors?
10:09:44 They have to get very specific in whatever ordinance or
10:09:46 something we come up with down the road.
10:09:48 Another is that locational criteria.
10:09:51 So whether or not these are on arterial collector or local
10:09:55 roads, and also looking at the intersection.
10:09:58 So if you have a collector and an arterial at a corner, I
10:10:03 don't want to be so restrictive as to say you can have it on
10:10:06 the northwest side but you can't have it on the southeast
10:10:09 side, because when someone is developing a site, placing a
10:10:13 building, looking at where the sign is going to say, you
10:10:19 know, there are a lot of entry Cass to look at.
10:10:23 So I want to make sure that locational criteria is addressed
10:10:26 within that report that comes back, and I know on certain
10:10:34 road we have had this happen where the sign is mounted on
10:10:38 the building versus a free standing pole versus a monument
10:10:44 sign.
10:10:45 So all of the different types of signs have the ability to
10:10:50 have a panel inserted in it.
10:10:53 So I think we need to look at the type of signs and where
10:10:57 those signs are, whether it's building mounted, free
10:10:59 standing pole or monument.
10:11:05 And I might invite one or both of you to come to our livable
10:11:10 roadways committee, livable roadways, because there are many
10:11:15 people who sit on that committee who might have an interest
10:11:19 or be able to offer some information from their perspective.
10:11:28 Because that way we can look at it from a total Hillsborough
10:11:30 County point of view.
10:11:31 >> And Hillsborough County does it differently too.
10:11:34 They have a different time window for changing.
10:11:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So maybe I will schedule you to come and
10:11:40 speak at livable roadways MPO committee and work with
10:11:45 Hillsborough County and come up with some uniform type of
10:11:47 ordinances.
10:11:47 Because what also happens is people get frustrated, in the
10:11:54 county it's this regulation and in the city it's this
10:11:56 regulation.
10:11:56 I understand us being a city and more urbanized area have a
10:11:59 different perspective on a lot of things, but there are
10:12:03 locations in the county that also mirror our urban areas.
10:12:07 So I want to make sure that especially up in the district I
10:12:10 represent, you can be in the city on one side of the street
10:12:13 and the county on the other.
10:12:16 I think we need to be consistent.
10:12:17 And those are the things that I would like to be see if a
10:12:20 report is coming back, to be included in that.
10:12:23 Thank you.
10:12:25 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Ms. Montelione.
10:12:27 Mr. Cohen.
10:12:27 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much Ms. Montelione and thank
10:12:30 you Ms. Capin and Mulhern for your comments.
10:12:33 I think after listening to that discussion, it is clear that
10:12:39 we can make some progress in that area.
10:12:41 And let me be forthright.
10:12:43 I am not advocating banning these signs wholesale.
10:12:46 I'm advocating taking a look at our code and having it
10:12:51 conform better to the way that we want to see things look.
10:12:57 Councilwoman Montelione mentioned the locational criteria.
10:13:02 I think that is a key element of any report that comes back.
10:13:07 They are absolutely at the place for small businesses.
10:13:10 And on commercial thoroughfares for this type of
10:13:14 advertising.
10:13:14 At the same time, we want to make sure to protect the
10:13:17 integrity of some of the more residential areas of the city.
10:13:23 I would like to make a motion that we have a staff report
10:13:27 that incorporates the elements of this discussion, elements
10:13:32 including locational criteria, color and brightness
10:13:39 regulation, size regulation, and that we hear back on March
10:13:47 21st at 10 a.m.
10:13:50 That's a little less than two months away.
10:13:53 But it could give us some time to look at it.
10:13:55 >> Second.
10:13:56 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: We have a motion by Mr. Cohen, second by
10:13:58 Mrs. Montelione on a close vote with Ms. Capin.
10:14:01 All in favor of that motion please signify by saying aye.
10:14:05 Opposed nay.
10:14:05 The ayes have it unanimously.
10:14:07 Any other council member that would like to speak?
10:14:10 If not we'll go to the public on this.
10:14:12 You have three minutes, each individual who would care to
10:14:14 speak on this item, item number 6.
10:14:16 >>STEVE MICHELINI: One of the key components here is
10:14:21 existing buildings where you cannot comply with the
10:14:24 setbacks.
10:14:26 And as a consequence, it is extremely expensive for small
10:14:29 businesses.
10:14:32 A large corporation entered into an agreement with a city
10:14:36 which did not include any on-site signs for small
10:14:38 businesses, and that's where the problem is currently.
10:14:41 Those are the ones that are coming before the VRB asking for
10:14:44 relief.
10:14:45 And I think with the locational criteria that you spoke of
10:14:49 and brightness and those kind of elements, it's a great step
10:14:53 forward.
10:14:53 But if also add in there the positioning of the signs in
10:14:56 terms of setbacks for existing signs, not to build a new
10:15:01 sign, but when these buildings were built, and the signs
10:15:05 were placed, they were placed in accordance with the code.
10:15:08 And so now the sign code is coming in and telling you you
10:15:11 have got to move it, and it becomes very expensive for a
10:15:14 small business to do that.
10:15:16 So if you could look at that portion of the code as well,
10:15:20 that would be also extremely important in terms of how you
10:15:24 address this.
10:15:27 Again, these are for on-site small businesses that cannot
10:15:31 afford to be moving them into the parking spaces where as we
10:15:37 know parking is a critical element for the most of the
10:15:42 developments so we have a choice.
10:15:44 Either move the pole into the parking space or drive aisle
10:15:47 and making it nonfunctional to meet the current code, or you
10:15:50 seek a variance and those are extremely difficult.
10:15:53 And I know council is looking at that carefully.
10:15:57 We would appreciate you looking at that.
10:16:01 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Mrs. Montelione?
10:16:04 >>CATHERINE COYLE: I'm glad Mr. Michelini raised that issue
10:16:07 because Mrs. Mandell raised the nonconforming sign issue and
10:16:10 that is something we talked about internally, because you do
10:16:12 see variances and sometimes they are granted, sometimes
10:16:16 aren't reviewed at City Council to overturn the VRB where
10:16:19 someone is asking for variances to height and setback.
10:16:24 Once those variances are granted the sign becomes
10:16:26 conforming.
10:16:27 And then they can just do what they want to with whatever is
10:16:30 allowed to happen with the conforming sign.
10:16:33 The rub with that is that the sign may be three or four
10:16:38 hundred square feet in size.
10:16:39 It may be 35 feet in height because it met the old sign
10:16:42 code.
10:16:45 So the rub we have internally thinking about that is, in
10:16:49 theory, the whole purpose of the is to get rid of
10:16:53 nonconforming signs, not prolong their life.
10:16:56 But when those variance are granted, they are there forever
10:16:59 more and they can change out the sign anyway.
10:17:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: As part of the list of things that I
10:17:07 asked on the staff report, if we can look at the variance
10:17:11 cases that have been brought before the VRB, and if there is
10:17:17 a consistent pattern, because you know how I feel if we are
10:17:21 granting variances on a regular basis, then it's really no
10:17:25 longer a variance an it should become part of the code,
10:17:28 because it's granted so often, it actually is becoming not a
10:17:32 variance.
10:17:33 It's becoming the norm.
10:17:34 So if we could include as part of that report what types of
10:17:38 variances are granted on a regular basis, and maybe why,
10:17:44 that would help to guide us in how to create an ordinance
10:17:48 that would do what you are saying, not continue the life of
10:17:53 a nonconformance, achieving the balance between our older
10:17:59 urban, you know, developed areas where there are a lot of
10:18:02 existing buildings, there are a lot of existing signs, and
10:18:06 they are not sites that are going to be redeveloped or areas
10:18:09 that are not likely to be redeveloped.
10:18:11 So we can address that at that time.
10:18:15 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Mrs. Montelione.
10:18:17 This is on number 6 on signs only.
10:18:20 Anyone who wants to speak on item number 6 on signs, please
10:18:23 come forward.
10:18:23 >> Ed -- Ed Tillou.
10:18:29 I live in Sulphur Springs.
10:18:31 And I wanted to speak about this for a long time, that I
10:18:38 actually worked with signage when I was a student.
10:18:43 I worked on a planning exercise in my hometown, and allowed
10:18:49 50 square feet whereas my hometown only allowed 32.
10:18:53 The City of Tampa, I know of at least one electronic sign.
10:19:00 I think the police department, one of the problems was that
10:19:03 this was put in Sulphur Springs, and said lock your car up,
10:19:08 put everything out of sight, you know.
10:19:10 That really helps our neighborhood.
10:19:14 It's not a bad neighborhood but it's not the worst either.
10:19:17 And it would have been better applied, although this is more
10:19:20 a county problem, is at the bus stops, where the buses pull
10:19:23 off and they are supposed to be able to pull back on.
10:19:26 Now, you miss your connection because the bus is sitting
10:19:29 there pulled off and can't get back on.
10:19:31 The law is that a bus has the right-of-way over a car.
10:19:35 So it might be good to put that message on the electronic
10:19:38 sign so that people know that instead of lock up your doors
10:19:42 and your car and everything because you are in Sulphur
10:19:44 Springs.
10:19:46 Okay.
10:19:47 I don't know if this is working.
10:19:50 Oh, okay.
10:19:51 I know how you are, because -- okay, I don't know how to
10:19:57 zoom it in.
10:19:59 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: It's working fine.
10:20:00 >> Okay, get focused.
10:20:04 Okay.
10:20:04 The thing of it is, the electronics, the key word is
10:20:07 electronics.
10:20:08 Electronics is a big part of a prosperous way of life.
10:20:12 You have to realize what's going to happen if electronics
10:20:15 isn't there?
10:20:16 All of a sudden electronics isn't there?
10:20:18 Because vehicles are to a large extent electronic these
10:20:25 days.
10:20:26 And this thing, you see electronic ignition.
10:20:33 So if electronics is gone, downtown have any police cars.
10:20:37 Maybe this is something that it could be applied to. They
10:20:43 used to use crown Victorias, and now they use something
10:20:47 else.
10:20:47 It's not a case of sending that out to New Mexico to be
10:20:51 tested, because you have a situation wherein --
10:21:00 (Bell sounds).
10:21:02 Okay.
10:21:05 The Achilles heel of America.
10:21:08 No cars, in a water supply, no wastewater treatment plant.
10:21:11 This is in your realm.
10:21:13 You can't just turn around and say, oh, this is office of
10:21:19 emergency management concern.
10:21:21 It's your concern.
10:21:23 And the thing is you have got to start looking at that.
10:21:26 And the thing is, it's starting to be loot at on a state and
10:21:32 federal level but it's just starting.
10:21:33 (Bell sounds).
10:21:36 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you very much.
10:21:36 I'm talk to the Koreans.
10:21:39 Next, please.
10:21:40 >> My name is Jerry Miller, 2815 Price Avenue.
10:21:52 I'm here for Ballast Point neighborhood association.
10:21:54 On behalf of the association first of all I want to thank
10:21:56 you for taking a look at this and being proactive, because
10:22:00 frankly the cost of this technology is coming down, and
10:22:03 proliferation is inevitable unless we do something very
10:22:05 strongly.
10:22:06 I happen to be an architect.
10:22:08 And I want to tell you that every commercial plant we have,
10:22:10 I think without exception, is talking to us about electronic
10:22:13 signs, either on the building or streets, and limitation is
10:22:19 a good thing for business, because this becomes an arm's
10:22:23 race.
10:22:23 If I'm a business and my neighbor puts a large sign, I have
10:22:27 to do the same thing to some extent.
10:22:31 So I wish we would look at it as a business-friendly
10:22:35 approach, because it is.
10:22:36 And I would even hope maybe the Chamber of Commerce could
10:22:39 out take a position on this because we are going to find
10:22:42 businesses in Tampa spending a lot of money on signage
10:22:44 simply because they have to.
10:22:46 A second point I would like to make is that street side is
10:22:50 not the place for advertising, a place for information.
10:22:54 If I am driving a 2,000-pound at 40 or 50 miles per hour I
10:22:57 don't need to know the price of coke on every street corner.
10:23:00 So I would hope that we he would approach those kind of
10:23:03 things in mind.
10:23:04 Also, a lot of people are looking to move to this community
10:23:08 want to know what kind of community we are, and how we
10:23:11 approach our citizens, how we approach our neighborhoods
10:23:15 I want to -- the sign at the 3300 block of Gandy.
10:23:20 Not to pick on it, because that sign is so intrusive, and in
10:23:28 kind of a neighborhood area.
10:23:29 If a sign of that size, that brightness, that movement is
10:23:32 now permitted, then we have got a big problem, because if
10:23:36 you will see that sign and imagine that sign in every
10:23:39 business along Gandy Boulevard, that's not a good thing to
10:23:43 imagine.
10:23:44 If a sign is permissible they need to change the code F.the
10:23:47 sign is not in compliance, they need to take a stronger
10:23:51 commitment to enforcement.
10:23:54 The final thing I would like to say, I have heard you talk a
10:23:57 little bit about what other cities are doing and I
10:23:59 appreciate that needs to be done.
10:24:01 But I don't know on this issue if maybe Tampa could set the
10:24:05 standard.
10:24:06 I know if you are willing to step out on this or have
10:24:08 support of many neighborhoods, including our neighborhood,
10:24:10 Ballast Point, I appreciate it.
10:24:12 Up that.
10:24:13 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you very much.
10:24:13 For the public's information I believe the 3300 block is
10:24:16 about five blocks east of Dale Mabry.
10:24:17 Am I correct?
10:24:18 >> That sound right.
10:24:21 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: So we can see the sign.
10:24:23 All you good people that want to see what we look at, go by.
10:24:26 >> I promise you won't miss it.
10:24:29 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you very much.
10:24:29 Next, please.
10:24:38 >> Pete Johnson, 510 Harrison street.
10:24:43 This sign program, or what we have been working on, I
10:24:46 understand it's been taking quite a long time.
10:24:52 A number of people, Susan Long and other neighborhood
10:24:56 people, were working on this for a very long time.
10:24:59 The whole point of the sign ordinance was to improve the
10:25:04 look of Tampa.
10:25:08 Yes, there are variances.
10:25:10 Yes, it does create maybe a cost to a property owner or a
10:25:15 business.
10:25:15 But the whole idea was to improve the look of the City of
10:25:19 Tampa, not just stay the way it was.
10:25:26 Mr. Cohen, you mentioned enforcement.
10:25:28 Enforcement is the problem.
10:25:31 I talked about this he have time I come down here.
10:25:33 The department is understaffed, they are underfunded, they
10:25:39 do not have the equipment to do the enforcement that they
10:25:44 need.
10:25:47 You guys he have year approve the budget, but you cut the
10:25:52 department, code enforcement, and never say anything about
10:25:55 it, yet all year long, complain about code enforcement, that
10:26:01 they can't seem to get it going.
10:26:03 Code enforcement has got a lot of problems.
10:26:05 An awful lot of problems which I have listed there.
10:26:11 But the problem is that the department needs the income to
10:26:18 properly train their people in investigative work and supply
10:26:25 them with the equipment that they need to do the job.
10:26:28 I mean, this has been going on now -- I have been working on
10:26:32 this for four administrations, and we never seem to correct
10:26:36 the problem.
10:26:38 And it's fine to tear down houses in Sulphur Springs, but if
10:26:43 you enforce the code, you don't have that problem.
10:26:48 So people, please, the process that has been working for the
10:26:52 last 30 years does not work.
10:26:57 We need to change the process.
10:26:59 I would love to see a workshop on code enforcement and other
10:27:05 processes that other cities use in the State of Florida.
10:27:10 So that we can get a better idea of what's going on.
10:27:13 We spend all this time, all this money, with the legal
10:27:16 department, making these rules and regulations.
10:27:22 What for?
10:27:23 Why do we have these workshops?
10:27:26 Thank you.
10:27:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Anyone else on number 6, electronic
10:27:36 signs, that has not spoken?
10:27:38 >>HARRY COHEN: I think in the interest of being perfectly
10:27:41 clear, I would like to make a motion to amend the staff
10:27:45 report to include the issue of the positioning of signs that
10:27:48 Mr. Michelini addressed during his public comments.
10:27:56 And I think that was the only one that wasn't actually
10:27:59 included in that.
10:28:01 So that was it.
10:28:02 Thanks.
10:28:03 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I have a motion to amend the original
10:28:04 motion by Mr. Cohen.
10:28:05 Seconded by Ms. Mulhern.
10:28:10 Discussion?
10:28:12 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I wanted to make sure that the
10:28:14 examination of the variance applications and the VRB was
10:28:18 included in that, because looking at my list to see what was
10:28:22 left off, and I think in addition to the positioning of
10:28:25 signs, it was the VRB.
10:28:28 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Mr. Cohen, you accept that?
10:28:29 That's accepted by the maker and that is included in the
10:28:32 motion and a second by Mrs. Mulhern.
10:28:34 Motion made by Mr. Cohen.
10:28:35 All in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye.
10:28:38 Opposed nay.
10:28:39 The ayes have it unanimously.
10:28:41 Thank you for item number 6.
10:28:42 I am going -- 7 is going to be a little lengthier than what
10:28:47 I originally expected.
10:28:48 We are going to take 8.
10:28:50 So I can have Mr. Jake Slater go back to work.
10:28:54 We are going to do item number 8 regarding the vendor
10:29:02 ordinance.
10:29:02 Would you gentlemen care to come up?
10:29:12 >>JAKE SLATER: Neighborhood services, City of Tampa.
10:29:15 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Now, the reason for this, my office, we
10:29:22 have had conversations with these gentlemen.
10:29:24 We had a lengthy discussion on vendor ordinance and things
10:29:28 that started out one way and in essence have gone a
10:29:30 different way.
10:29:31 And I think Mr. Slater is just going to speak on it very
10:29:34 briefly.
10:29:34 >>JAKE SLATER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
10:29:38 The department of code enforcement has the responsibility
10:29:40 for the enforcement of the vendor ordinances here in Tampa.
10:29:44 Currently, we have five classifications for vendors.
10:29:51 They are annual vendors, special event vendors, sports and
10:29:54 entertainment vendors, temporary vendors, and Ybor Historic
10:29:57 District vendors.
10:30:00 Right now, in the City of Tampa, we did a survey about a
10:30:03 month ago, where we have over probably about 150 what we
10:30:07 call permitted vendors.
10:30:09 I don't have that list currently with me.
10:30:11 But I would be happy to make it available to you.
10:30:17 For the vendor enforcement, what I think needs to be overall
10:30:20 further discussion is some type of more immediate
10:30:25 enforcement.
10:30:27 If code enforcement goes out and sees a violation, I would
10:30:30 like to have more of an immediate impact, once we determine
10:30:38 they are not actually meeting all of the requirements.
10:30:40 Right now, we don't have that.
10:30:42 We use the civil citation warning, with the exception of the
10:30:46 special events around the stadium, and that's about the only
10:30:50 thing that we can do in about an hour's time.
10:30:54 But for the permitted vendor, if they violate the rules of
10:30:57 the vendor ordinance, we have to issue a warning, and a time
10:31:01 factor.
10:31:02 That's what I would like to see, Mr. Chairman.
10:31:04 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you.
10:31:04 And I riles what you are saying, the ones that you talk
10:31:07 about you can do something about especially around the
10:31:10 stadium and so forth.
10:31:11 Those are usually on the right-of-way, the property of the
10:31:13 city.
10:31:14 >>JAKE SLATER: That's correct.
10:31:16 Or we go into the private property issue, we have to
10:31:19 determine what the conditions are, are we going to site the
10:31:26 property owner, which we do, and then -- I give notice to
10:31:32 the vendors also.
10:31:32 >> I appreciate it very much.
10:31:34 And this is a collaborative effort between the land
10:31:36 development that soon will be involved, code enforcement and
10:31:40 the legal department, so you can have all three agencies
10:31:42 working together as one.
10:31:46 One does the citing, the other does the application, and in
10:31:49 the end legal decides what is happening, working together, I
10:31:53 think in, due time and they will make mention of another
10:31:55 meeting that we should have to discuss these things, should
10:31:58 work out to the betterment of the blighted areas that we see
10:32:02 throughout parts of this city, great numbers.
10:32:05 And I have some photographs in a second when Mr. Mueller is
10:32:08 finished.
10:32:09 >>ERNEST MUELLER: Just following up with what you were
10:32:12 saying, Mr. Chair, yes, we would like to work together to
10:32:18 tray to have uniform treatment of the vendors as well as
10:32:22 treatment of businesses that are not vendors but do similar
10:32:27 type of stuff.
10:32:28 I think recognize unintended consequences, and I think
10:32:31 working with land development, I think we can create -- try
10:32:37 and develop a uniform, reasonable, effective enforcement
10:32:41 method that's also quick.
10:32:44 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I want to thank you for spending all that
10:32:46 time.
10:32:46 I think we met for about an hour and a half that day, and we
10:32:49 are coming to a conclusion that we need a lot more work to
10:32:52 determine to get these things moving on immediate citation.
10:32:57 We are going to show you now, this is what I envision as a
10:33:00 vendor B, 10 by 10, back to the corner in the West Tampa
10:33:05 area, nice location.
10:33:08 Gentleman was there.
10:33:09 Flip the page to the next one.
10:33:11 Here is what you get.
10:33:12 And another example location.
10:33:14 You start getting refrigerated trucks, banners, you keep
10:33:18 turning them, Mr. Slater, and we'll go from there.
10:33:21 And this is on the corner of Braddock and Armenia. They are
10:33:25 no longer there.
10:33:26 The code enforcement did such a good job they finally left.
10:33:29 And as it turns out, it looks like the circus is coming,
10:33:32 because they had everything there, almost sloping quarters
10:33:38 just about.
10:33:38 And this is the site.
10:33:41 It becomes larger and larger.
10:33:42 And here is a problem.
10:33:43 We have many good people.
10:33:45 And I'm not against vendors per se but when you start this
10:33:49 type of operation, somebody is paying sales tax, somebody is
10:33:52 paying electricity, somebody is paying water, somebody is
10:33:55 paying maintenance, somebody is paying rent, somebody is
10:33:59 paying a lot more, and all of a sudden the neighborhood ends
10:34:02 up with what you are looking at now, with tow trucks, semi
10:34:06 coolers, and running the neighborhood down to some degree,
10:34:12 to my looks anyway is unacceptable.
10:34:15 This is North Armenia up around the northern part of Sligh,
10:34:18 a little north of Sligh.
10:34:20 And this is what you get.
10:34:22 It looks like, you know, the Clampetts are coming in or
10:34:29 leaving, own or the two.
10:34:31 I don't am not trying to be funny but I don't know what
10:34:35 other words to use because it's certainly not what the
10:34:37 neighborhood fiber is.
10:34:39 And we are working, and do you have any suggested dates that
10:34:43 we can come back in due time, 60 days or so, maybe have some
10:34:48 more uniformity and some more ideas and have something in
10:34:51 writing possibly?
10:34:58 >>ERNEST MUELLER: Talking with city input from Ms. Coyle,
10:35:01 maybe you want to continue it to the end of March?
10:35:05 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: And at that time, we will have a much
10:35:07 more understanding in a workshop setting where we'll get
10:35:11 that date in a second here for you.
10:35:13 But where land development, code enforcement and legal get
10:35:16 together and try to draw up the right things to protect the
10:35:20 vendors but also protect the property owners, and the site
10:35:26 that you see that is not acceptable in my opinion in
10:35:29 neighborhoods.
10:35:29 >>ERNEST MUELLER: And, Mr. Chairman, we want planning to be
10:35:33 involved, too.
10:35:36 I think last year, I think -- I live in last year --
10:35:44 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I always live in last year.
10:35:45 That way I don't get any older.
10:35:47 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I think that would be March 28th at
10:35:50 10 a.m.
10:35:51 Would you like me to make a motion?
10:35:54 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Yes, ma'am.
10:35:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So I will motion that on March 28th,
10:35:59 10 a.m., we schedule a workshop to further discuss the
10:36:02 vendor ordinance of temporary vendors and planning and code
10:36:06 enforcement to be available, to provide the report and
10:36:15 answer questions.
10:36:16 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Second I by Ms. Capin.
10:36:19 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I would like to add something.
10:36:20 The photos that were shown, that is not legal, and that is a
10:36:23 matter of enforcement.
10:36:25 Correct?
10:36:26 That is not allowed.
10:36:27 >> That's correct.
10:36:30 >>YVONNE CAPIN: So that is separate from what we are going
10:36:31 to be talking about.
10:36:32 I understand that they grow into supermarkets, but that is
10:36:37 illegal, what they are doing.
10:36:39 No matter what the code is today.
10:36:41 I mean, no matter where we move, the code today says that's
10:36:44 illegal.
10:36:46 So I second it.
10:36:47 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I want to make sure that annual vendors
10:36:54 are included in that discussion of what our code is.
10:36:56 And I think it would be appreciated by all council members,
10:37:00 Ms. Coyle, if you can provide to all the council members the
10:37:06 copies of the ordinances that are currently in effect, or I
10:37:09 see Mr. Mueller making notes.
10:37:11 If you could provide us not just a temporary vendor
10:37:16 ordinance but the annual vendor ordinance as well.
10:37:21 It's all in the same.
10:37:24 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Special use criteria so they are all
10:37:26 together.
10:37:27 Vendors at the very end of 27 --
10:37:30 >>LISA MONTELIONE: If we could see that in advance it would
10:37:32 be very helpful.
10:37:34 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
10:37:39 Before you stated that you requested us to give you the
10:37:43 tools to do your job.
10:37:46 >> Yes, sir.
10:37:47 >> This being an enforcement issue, and I just read where
10:37:53 you have three code enforcement officers assigned to Sulphur
10:37:58 Springs area.
10:37:59 >> Yes, sir.
10:38:01 >>FRANK REDDICK: Would that take away from your regular
10:38:04 staff, those new officers that you are hiring?
10:38:10 Or is this part of your regular routine?
10:38:13 >> Those code enforcement officers, which you are going to
10:38:15 have actually dedicated to in the springs, current officers.
10:38:19 We are not hiring any new officers.
10:38:21 >> Okay.
10:38:21 Saying that, are you saying that would this limit your
10:38:26 ability to enforce this because you will be short three,
10:38:36 manpower?
10:38:36 >> I don't think that's the case, sir.
10:38:38 I would just like to have some more immediate tools to deal
10:38:43 with the vendors on a more immediate basis instead of having
10:38:49 to go issue warnings and wait 21 days and come back.
10:38:53 I would like something more of an immediate overall type of
10:38:57 solution.
10:38:57 But I feel very strongly that we can do it with what our
10:39:01 current manpower, if we have some additional tools.
10:39:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:39:07 And the reason I asked that question is because when we do
10:39:11 have the workshop, and we discussed this, one of the things
10:39:18 I am going to suggest to this council, we write a letter to
10:39:26 the mayor to increase your budget as well as increase your
10:39:29 manpower, and we want to do it without being accused of
10:39:37 micromanaging his department, the administration.
10:39:42 So I want to make sure, putting council on notice now, that
10:39:48 when we have this workshop, that we have the workshop
10:39:55 discussion, because one of the bigger issues, all across we
10:39:58 see the majority of them is about code enforcement.
10:40:01 And I think if anybody's budget needs to be increased,
10:40:04 anybody's staff needs to be increased, it's your staff and
10:40:07 your department.
10:40:07 So I am going to suggest that in this workshop, and I just
10:40:13 want to make sure it doesn't take away from your manpower,
10:40:17 but hope the administration will take heed to the fact that
10:40:20 you need additional staff, and additional resourcing in the
10:40:24 department.
10:40:25 So I just want to put that in the motion.
10:40:30 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you.
10:40:30 Ms. Capin and Mrs. Montelione.
10:40:32 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Very quickly, I agree with Councilman
10:40:36 Reddick's sentiment.
10:40:39 It is an issue.
10:40:40 We have everything from alcoholic beverage to vendors that
10:40:44 are under your purview.
10:40:47 The one thing that when you said the tools that you need, I
10:40:51 would imagine it would be similar to the fire marshal
10:40:54 where -- I mean, that is public safety.
10:40:58 But when they are in violation, they are taken down
10:41:01 immediately.
10:41:02 Since the establishment is closed, there is no -- it is
10:41:10 done.
10:41:11 We need to look at that, have your enforcement have some
10:41:18 teeth.
10:41:19 Thank you.
10:41:20 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you.
10:41:21 Ms. Montelione.
10:41:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: (off microphone)
10:41:26 And the motion on the floor, I want to add the legal
10:41:32 department because I didn't specify legal, so planning,
10:41:35 enforcement and legal to address the temporary and annual
10:41:38 vendor ordinances as one workshop.
10:41:42 And I would like to take a vote on that.
10:41:44 But I also want to say that I want to schedule an additional
10:41:47 workshop so the points that Mr. Reddick brought up -- and I
10:41:51 will follow that up with a second motion.
10:41:53 If we can vote on that.
10:41:54 >> That includes land development also.
10:41:56 >> Planning, land development and legal.
10:42:00 So if we could vote on that motion.
10:42:04 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Motion by Mrs. Montelione, second by Mrs.
10:42:06 Capin.
10:42:07 All in favor?
10:42:08 Opposed?
10:42:09 The ayes have it unanimously.
10:42:10 Yes, ma'am.
10:42:10 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And now I would like to make a second
10:42:13 motion, because I believe that the issues that Councilman
10:42:16 Reddick brought up and the other things that we touched upon
10:42:20 are really outside of that vendor ordinance.
10:42:22 So I would like to schedule, make a motion for a second
10:42:26 workshop to occur the same day, to make it easy on staff.
10:42:30 The 28th at 10 a.m., March 28th at 10 a.m.
10:42:35 And that workshop would be to discuss the code enforcement
10:42:41 division, additional staff coverage, and where the problems
10:42:47 are, and what is currently underway.
10:42:52 Because probably I would say very few of us know the extent
10:42:59 of the work that's going to be done in Sulphur Springs.
10:43:01 So I would like to have a report, a staff report during that
10:43:06 workshop on what the scheduled work is currently in Sulphur
10:43:12 Springs.
10:43:15 And I would also like to discuss the ongoing efforts in
10:43:20 different areas.
10:43:24 So the concern that Mr. Reddick has is something that I also
10:43:27 echo, and I'm sure many of our citizens do, if we are
10:43:32 spending additional manpower and resources in Sulphur
10:43:35 Springs, not saying that they don't need it, they certainly
10:43:39 do, and it's good to see those things happening in
10:43:42 conjunction with the new recreation center, and other
10:43:47 programs in Sulphur Springs.
10:43:50 But I'm sure Drew Park has needs.
10:43:53 I'm sure, you know, university -- it's not part of the
10:43:58 motion, I'm just explaining what the workshop, you know,
10:44:03 what you should be prepared to discuss, the information I'm
10:44:06 looking for.
10:44:07 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I have a motion by Mrs. Montelione,
10:44:08 second by Mr. Reddick.
10:44:10 Further discussion by council members?
10:44:11 All in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye.
10:44:14 Opposed nay.
10:44:14 The ayes have it unanimously.
10:44:16 Thank you very much.
10:44:23 Anyone in the audience care to speak on item number 8 before
10:44:26 I make a move to go to item number 7?
10:44:30 I see no one.
10:44:31 We go to item number 7.
10:44:43 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
10:44:45 This workshop is to discuss the economic development of West
10:44:50 Tampa neighborhood Main Street and old West Tampa.
10:44:54 And the west bank of the river which is the east side of
10:44:59 West Tampa.
10:45:00 So we have here several neighborhood associations
10:45:08 representatives.
10:45:09 We have representatives from the Tampa Housing Authority,
10:45:12 West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, on the economic and
10:45:15 community development plan, along with, I do believe, Dr.
10:45:23 Marvis is here and Dr. Beverly Ward.
10:45:27 She is here.
10:45:28 Thank you.
10:45:31 A former professor and now consultant on planning.
10:45:38 So I am going to go in order of what is on here.
10:45:51 Beverly Ward, if she would start us off.
10:45:53 This is a dialogue and a conversation.
10:45:56 West Tampa, one of the things that you will look at is that
10:46:00 they have drawn -- or it has been drawn a line on Howard
10:46:05 Avenue, and West Tampa goes way beyond Howard Avenue.
10:46:09 It is an entire neighborhood that goes.
10:46:12 So that's one of the things we will be discussing today.
10:46:15 Thank you for being here.
10:46:16 And of course Dr. Greenbaum, thank you for being here.
10:46:19 >> He was unable to be here this morning.
10:46:24 I am in his stead.
10:46:28 I am his dissertation adviser and I know him well and I am
10:46:32 familiar with all the work including the general topic that
10:46:34 we want to address.
10:46:36 I'm not sure the best person to go first.
10:46:40 It might be easier to get it out of the way.
10:46:45 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Excuse me.
10:46:46 I just want to let everyone know, other than there's a
10:46:49 couple of presentations.
10:46:51 It is five-minute presentation.
10:46:54 Yes, ma'am.
10:46:54 >> I will be brief.
10:46:56 I am a professor, but --
10:47:00 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I know.
10:47:00 We are politicians.
10:47:01 We understand.
10:47:02 >> Our purpose in addressing you is to call attention to
10:47:07 what we think will be -- oh, Susan Greenbaum, I am a retired
10:47:15 professor at USF, former director of the office of community
10:47:19 engagement.
10:47:23 I also have considerable experience with the housing
10:47:26 relocation, previously the housing authority, and that's
10:47:32 really the basis of our suggestion.
10:47:34 We have a two-page handout that I believe you have.
10:47:40 We are concerned from our past experience that the residents
10:47:44 of North Boulevard homes will experience a number of
10:47:48 difficulties in the relocation process that could be
10:47:51 anticipated and could be prevented, and that's really why we
10:47:56 are here, to offer suggestions on that.
10:48:16 We had a natural science grant to study relocation into
10:48:20 Sulphur Springs and the Nuccio neighborhood, and we have
10:48:24 done a lot of work with Heights estates, we did a project
10:48:28 over there.
10:48:29 We have been very closely associated with these issues
10:48:33 through the years.
10:48:36 In 2007, we collaborated with Tampa Housing Authority on the
10:48:41 relocation planning for Central Park Village.
10:48:45 We had a grant from the university at that time, and we went
10:48:51 to the relocation meetings, we developed a number of
10:48:53 materials, and we learned a great deal from that about how
10:49:00 extremely difficult it is to real estate large numbers to
10:49:06 very low-income families in a short period of time.
10:49:09 And what we are proposing, based on our hearings with the
10:49:15 Housing Authority collaboration in 2007, is to replicate
10:49:18 that for North Boulevard homes, with some new things that we
10:49:23 have learned about how to do it even better.
10:49:29 We are not challenging the Housing Authority in any sense.
10:49:31 They do a good job.
10:49:32 They know what they are doing.
10:49:33 We want to help.
10:49:35 Because we know that once people get dislocated they have a
10:49:45 number of problems, and the relocation process itself is
10:49:49 fraught with a lot of difficulties.
10:49:50 There needs to be rather exclusive coordination with a
10:49:54 number of agencies.
10:49:57 The health department, the school board, parks and
10:50:01 recreation, all need to have a role in making sure that kid
10:50:08 and families that move into other areas don't suffer gaps in
10:50:13 services, don't have problems with engagement.
10:50:20 Another issue that has come out in literature and is also
10:50:23 very concerning is declining health status of people who are
10:50:27 relocated, particularly elderly people.
10:50:29 So we want to work with the college of public health, the
10:50:33 college of education, USF, and agencies that we have worked
10:50:37 with in the past to develop the kind of coordination plans
10:50:42 and the kind of follow-up that will ensure that this whole
10:50:45 process moves smoothly, it does not occur as a detriment to
10:50:50 low-income people who live in North Boulevard homes or
10:50:56 people who move into the neighborhood which is a than
10:50:59 additional concern.
10:51:00 I am going to turn this over now to Dr. Ward who was very
10:51:05 much involved with the Central Park planning, did a lot of
10:51:09 materials for the Housing Authority and who knows a lot
10:51:13 about problems.
10:51:14 >> My name is Beverly Ward.
10:51:18 And it in interest of full disclosure I am already
10:51:21 collaborating with the Tampa Housing Authority on this
10:51:23 process.
10:51:26 And Dr. Greenbaum stated, we wish to extend our concern
10:51:33 around the social or human impact of relocation.
10:51:35 And while we are focusing on the North Boulevard homes,
10:51:39 there are self other communities surrounding North Boulevard
10:51:43 homes that will be impacted by this, and we want to think
10:51:46 about what are the direct impacts on communities, and
10:51:50 further the indirect impacts that will affect all of
10:51:54 Hillsborough County, but particularly in the past what we
10:51:58 have learned is that a number of relocations have occurred
10:52:02 in the past, do have a serious impact on the City of Tampa
10:52:05 and other institutions, some of which Dr. Greenbaum
10:52:09 mentioned.
10:52:09 I know that in some of the meetings that have been going on,
10:52:12 for example, in West Tampa, Hartline, or Hart now, is very
10:52:18 concerned in terms of providing access, and continuing to
10:52:20 provide access to low-income communities and others.
10:52:24 So as we think about this, as we think about economic
10:52:29 development, let's not lose sight of the people, and to have
10:52:33 an idea of insuring that all communities in Tampa benefit
10:52:38 from this development initiative.
10:52:40 I am going to stop there.
10:52:41 I would like to reserve some time as we go through this
10:52:47 workshop, if you have additional questions for me.
10:52:49 But as Dr. Greenbaum mentioned, I do the technical stuff.
10:52:54 I do the demographics, GIS, that I want to bring to this
10:53:00 process that we have learned from in the past.
10:53:02 So thank you again.
10:53:03 >> Dr. Ward, you don't need to reserve your time.
10:53:08 Questions are not timed.
10:53:09 So thank you so much for the presentation.
10:53:14 This came about in August.
10:53:15 I brought this forth because of my July visit to West Tampa
10:53:22 with law enforcement.
10:53:24 But since then -- and I himself met with the mayor back in
10:53:27 June of '12 -- I'm sorry.
10:53:31 Yes, June of '11.
10:53:34 And we talked about West Tampa because I have always had a
10:53:37 very keen interest in West Tampa.
10:53:39 It is where my grandmother was born in 1908 and my great
10:53:45 grandfather, her father, had a business across the river on
10:53:48 fortune street in downtown.
10:53:50 So because of that, things have evolved, and it's become now
10:53:58 we are here for a conversation and a dialogue, and I think
10:54:01 it's very important that everyone come to the table.
10:54:05 Our next guest, I see Jerome Ryan is here from the Tampa
10:54:12 Housing Authority.
10:54:14 Along with -- is Leroy here?
10:54:20 I see you there.
10:54:21 If you both want to come up, or whoever you decide that will
10:54:25 be doing the presentation.
10:54:30 >> Good morning.
10:54:39 On behalf of Jerome Ryan, I'm Leroy Moore, chief operation
10:54:44 officer of Tampa Housing Authority.
10:54:48 And I would like to sort of talk briefly about the planning
10:54:51 process, and also introduce you to a partner for the
10:54:55 redevelopment of the North Boulevard community.
10:55:00 The Housing Authority has collaborated with the City of
10:55:03 Tampa, and going out and seeking what we consider the best
10:55:07 partner available in the U.S. for us to create a partnership
10:55:13 with and redevelopment this community in an exceptional
10:55:17 manner.
10:55:18 And we selected McCormick Salizar in St. Louis.
10:55:25 We have with us the leader for Salizar, and he may have 30
10:55:37 seconds of comments for you.
10:55:39 The Housing Authority, City of Tampa, school district and
10:55:44 Hillsborough County all came together to form a selection
10:55:47 committee.
10:55:49 Went out for national advertisement, selected this firm
10:55:51 through a competitive process.
10:55:53 This firm is incredibly well-known and respected throughout
10:55:57 the country.
10:56:08 The Housing Authority redevelopment efforts.
10:56:10 And we see the North Boulevard redevelopment as being as
10:56:13 innovative and as exciting, and as challenging of a project
10:56:19 as our Encore redevelopment has been.
10:56:22 So we wanted to ask them to come up at this point and
10:56:26 introduce his company.
10:56:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:56:29 >> Good morning.
10:56:33 After that introduction, I'm a little underwhelming, I know.
10:56:36 But I'll do my best.
10:56:38 And next time I will remember a tie.
10:56:40 My name is Stan, with Salizar.
10:56:47 Just briefly our firm is one of the leading mixed income
10:56:51 house developers in the United States.
10:56:52 We are very, very excited to be in Tampa, working with the
10:56:56 Tampa Housing Authority.
10:56:58 But I also wanted to emphasize a couple of things that I
10:57:01 have already heard this morning.
10:57:02 Number one, we are extremely respectful of the adjoining
10:57:09 neighborhoods, as well as residents that we are trying to
10:57:14 address in West Tampa in the North Boulevard homes.
10:57:17 It is very, very important that we get that aspect of our
10:57:20 redevelopment correct.
10:57:24 The second part is we are also going to need to involve much
10:57:27 larger conversation within Tampa, both with the school
10:57:30 district, with many other agencies, as you have mentioned,
10:57:34 Councilwoman, that are preeminent in terms of human capital
10:57:40 development of watching the developments of families, and
10:57:43 how that works.
10:57:45 We don't want to just simply move folks around and end up
10:57:49 with something, and we are going to have to ramp up very,
10:57:52 very carefully.
10:57:52 So without going on any longer, I'm here to listen today.
10:57:56 And delighted that we are here.
10:58:01 Thank you.
10:58:01 >> To continue with my last two, the planning process is --
10:58:08 we don't at this moment have a signed contract.
10:58:11 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I don't mean to interrupt you, but I do
10:58:13 believe that the Tampa Housing Authority is a very important
10:58:18 component of what is going to happen, and is happening as we
10:58:23 speak.
10:58:23 So if you need more time, or you need to bring others up,
10:58:28 please do so.
10:58:28 I want as much information disseminated as possible.
10:58:32 >> I appreciate that.
10:58:34 Thank you so much.
10:58:35 The planning process is just beginning.
10:58:38 We hopefully this week will be signing the planning
10:58:41 contract, which is the first of many contracts that we will
10:58:43 be instituting with Salizar and that will kick off the
10:58:49 planning process, to identify the right master plan for this
10:58:52 area, formerly known as the ULI study, the West Tampa study
10:58:58 area.
10:58:58 And this planning process evolved out of the year long
10:59:07 program that the mayor selected three members from this
10:59:10 community, two members from his staff and myself, to work
10:59:13 with him as well as the technological, knowledge, and truly
10:59:22 world spanning experience that ULI brings to the table when
10:59:25 you are planning major redevelopment efforts like this.
10:59:28 We went through a year-Longfellowship program with ULI to
10:59:31 identify what some of the major opportunities are in
10:59:35 redeveloping this part of West Tampa.
10:59:39 And as part of that, one of our first implementation efforts
10:59:42 is to, for the Housing Authority at least, for the acres
10:59:46 that we own, is to bring in our prospective partner and
10:59:49 start our specific master plan for the 44-acre area. In
10:59:54 terms of just looking at that 44-acre area, the ULI study
10:59:58 process showed us that we really should not only plan for
11:00:00 that 44 acres that we own but those immediate contiguous
11:00:05 parcels totaling some 140 acres is the study area that we
11:00:12 need to cover in terms of scoping the master plan.
11:00:15 (Bell sounds)
11:00:16 So this master plan will cover land that we don't own and
11:00:19 cannot develop, but we hope to inspire some best practice
11:00:24 redevelopment opportunities and ideas for the adjoining
11:00:28 property owners.
11:00:34 That planning process will likely take four to six months.
11:00:37 It will be an incredible amount of community engagement
11:00:42 opportunity for both residences, business owners, adjacent
11:00:46 property owners, of course residents of our property to
11:00:51 participate in, and lend their opinions about what the needs
11:00:55 of the community are.
11:00:56 We go through this type of planning process before any major
11:00:59 redevelopment.
11:01:00 We plan on over the next six months bringing in all of that
11:01:04 knowledge and support.
11:01:05 We have, as Dr. Ward mentioned, already reached out to her,
11:01:10 to tap into her expertise, GIS mapping and identifying some
11:01:15 of what we believe on this particular redevelopment will be,
11:01:21 a unique component that we will be dealing with, which is a
11:01:26 very struggling at this point but a very clear business
11:01:30 corridor that runs right through the middle.
11:01:32 So we have asked her to start gathering data for us that
11:01:36 will be utilized in the planning process to try to advise,
11:01:42 bring participation from the business community, and
11:01:44 hopefully sustain those businesses during this relocation
11:01:48 and redevelopment process, to sustain them throughout the
11:01:53 redevelopment process, and keep them in the community and
11:01:56 hopefully have them along with this redevelopment area that
11:02:00 we actually own.
11:02:03 And control.
11:02:03 The first opportunity for us to seek funding, and right now
11:02:06 the only funding we have for this redevelopment is for
11:02:11 planning.
11:02:11 We don't have any funding for relocation.
11:02:17 We will possibly be going of a funding this year, depending
11:02:20 on the relocation, master planning as well as the funding
11:02:29 opportunities.
11:02:29 Most likely the first opportunity for seeking funding would
11:02:32 be next year.
11:02:34 So you can see we are at least a year and a half,
11:02:37 potentially two and a half years away from starting
11:02:41 relocation activity in the North Boulevard.
11:02:45 That's one of the things we have been impressing upon our
11:02:46 residents the last year and a half.
11:02:48 We have been having weekly meetings with the families for
11:02:53 over 18 months now building by building, advising them of
11:02:57 the planning process at the start, and what to expect, and
11:03:02 approximately when they may be impacted in terms of being
11:03:07 relocated.
11:03:08 To ensure that there's ample opportunity for them to start
11:03:11 preparing, you know, for choices that they will have to make
11:03:15 in terms of where they would like to be relocated to.
11:03:19 Our relocation plan is what we call a Trungation plan.
11:03:26 We have a obligation to relocate families, not just displace
11:03:31 them, into either housing that we own which is public
11:03:34 housing, or give a section 8 voucher to them so they can
11:03:38 actually rent on the section 8 market.
11:03:41 Our experience shows about 6% of our families actually
11:03:44 choose to go to the section 8 program, and they actually
11:03:48 become renters on the private market, with the Housing
11:03:50 Authority still subsidizing their rent.
11:03:53 No relocated member can have an increase in rent that they
11:04:00 are paying as a result of this relocation.
11:04:03 There may be increases, but it's due to increases in incomes
11:04:06 that they will actually report or generate.
11:04:10 The only way a public housing section 8 resident income
11:04:14 would increase as a result of relocation is because of more
11:04:17 income that they are earning.
11:04:21 They are made whole on all relocation expenses.
11:04:24 They are counseled on the relocation process extensively and
11:04:31 full array of services from job training, family life
11:04:34 skills, tuition assistance, you name it, we try to customize
11:04:42 case plans to each individual family so as we are
11:04:45 redeveloping the community, the physical community, they
11:04:47 have the opportunity to participate in programs that allow
11:04:51 them to rebuild their family life during that same process.
11:04:57 So it's a very involved process.
11:04:59 And we have got a lot of data and a lot of partnerships that
11:05:02 we have already built that we hope to continue to strengthen
11:05:06 those partnerships.
11:05:07 I appreciate Dr. Greenbalm's comments about us starting on
11:05:11 the 2007 model that we were able to go into partnership with
11:05:17 USF and their expertise on Central Park relocation, and
11:05:22 improving it for the North Boulevard.
11:05:23 That's what we have always been about from the location of
11:05:28 our 1700 units in East Tampa, back in 1999 and 2000.
11:05:31 We have always learned from each relocation and made the
11:05:35 next relocation and the next redevelopment a lot less
11:05:40 impacting to the families in terms of personal life.
11:05:48 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
11:05:48 If there's any questions.
11:05:51 Oh, hold them until we hear from -- I would like to ask the
11:05:55 president CEO Jerome Ryan if he would come up.
11:05:59 He so graciously is here today.
11:06:03 And talk to us about how the Tampa Housing Authority works,
11:06:09 and the part HUD plays, the federal government, the city, so
11:06:12 that people understand that this has many moving parts, if
11:06:18 you will.
11:06:18 >> Thank you.
11:06:20 Jerome Ryan, president, Tampa Housing Authority.
11:06:24 That's a lot.
11:06:26 In this short period of time.
11:06:28 The Housing Authority is structured and developed in public
11:06:31 law 422, State of Florida.
11:06:35 And within that law itself, it allows the city, the mayor to
11:06:40 appoint the board members.
11:06:41 And we operate under HUD's rules and regulations governing
11:06:45 the Housing Authority itself.
11:06:46 All of our funding generally comes from HUD.
11:06:48 And this is where the foundation grants or other public
11:06:53 grants that might be available to us.
11:06:54 So all of our funding comes from that location.
11:07:00 We have got a $40 million operation.
11:07:03 We have 250 employees.
11:07:07 We have relocated to new office space because we found they
11:07:10 are overcrowded and people not having privacy, and started
11:07:14 getting a lot of complaints from residents that they didn't
11:07:16 have privacy to meet with counselors, social workers,
11:07:20 whatever the case may be, and that's been a good thing for
11:07:22 us, a tremendous, positive impact, and that's always
11:07:25 important.
11:07:28 We have a group of board members that set policy for the
11:07:31 Housing Authority.
11:07:33 Our funding comes from HUD primarily, and of course right
11:07:37 now we are going through neighbor sequestration, it's kind
11:07:42 of hard to pronounce that, whatever that really means, but
11:07:45 we are not sure what our funding is going to look like next
11:07:48 year. We planned for that kind of thing. We made decisions
11:07:50 years ago that HUD funding, we are going to end up being
11:07:55 short on the funding anyway, and we started planning a
11:07:58 number of years ago.
11:07:58 So we don't anticipate, now, some of the issues that are
11:08:01 going on in Washington, have a negative impact on us.
11:08:04 However, you know, even though saying that, it don't does
11:08:07 not necessarily mean it may or may not happen.
11:08:10 But I will say this to you, and Leroy did a heck of a job in
11:08:13 giving you an overview of where we are.
11:08:15 We are very sensitive to the needs of our Rebs residents.
11:08:19 It's important to us that relocation is handle correctly.
11:08:22 And as you said earlier, I think it's the most important
11:08:25 part is that we learned from the T relocation process.
11:08:28 We got into this business of relocating.
11:08:30 And we relocated probably 4 or 5,000 families over the last
11:08:34 several years.
11:08:34 And I think that as we got more and more into this, we found
11:08:38 out that there was more and more that we needed to learn.
11:08:41 And we started doing that.
11:08:44 We have become developers.
11:08:46 We are not just a housing authority.
11:08:48 As a matter of fact, I wish we could change our name.
11:08:51 Because I really think we are more of a redevelopment
11:08:53 authority than anything else to be quite honest with you,
11:08:56 and housing is just part of that.
11:08:58 We are doing other things.
11:08:59 Right now, we also have a statewide contract for section 8.
11:09:04 The it's close to other 100 developments over the State of
11:09:09 Florida.
11:09:09 So we are doing a lot in the community.
11:09:11 We have a tremendous economic impact on the city.
11:09:14 I also think it's important, too, just to say to you that
11:09:18 while we go through relocation, it's extremely important to
11:09:21 us that residents have an opportunity to come back.
11:09:27 And those rules are outlined early in the process.
11:09:29 We found out nationally that less than 15 to 20% of
11:09:33 residents want to come back.
11:09:34 And some of the reasons happen to be that I have moved, I
11:09:37 don't want to move again.
11:09:38 My kids are in the right school.
11:09:39 I like my neighborhood.
11:09:41 So I don't really need your help in any area.
11:09:44 But one of the good things about our process, we continue to
11:09:48 provide supportive services to our residents who moved out.
11:09:52 It been a five-year process now.
11:09:54 Some housing authorities around the country chose a short
11:10:01 term basis.
11:10:01 We chose a long-term basis.
11:10:03 We feel it's very important for our residents to have an
11:10:06 opportunity to move back or every opportunity to move out
11:10:08 and purchase their own home, and I think it's important that
11:10:13 whatever we do, and however we do it that we maintain
11:10:16 sensitivity to the people that we serve, and it happens to
11:10:19 be our residents.
11:10:20 Our board has made it very clear to us that that's priority
11:10:24 for them, too.
11:10:25 And we have a representative on our board.
11:10:28 And I think that's important.
11:10:29 I think at the end of the day, over the last -- it's
11:10:33 interesting, we talked about this the other day.
11:10:35 I have been around almost 15 years.
11:10:37 Gosh, time goes by fast.
11:10:40 Seems like I just got here.
11:10:42 But as you can see I have got gray hair.
11:10:44 I didn't have any gray hair.
11:10:46 And I hadn't lost it before I moved here.
11:10:48 But I will say this to you.
11:10:50 That we have a great group of people that work for us, and
11:10:55 it's very sensitive, and has taken us 14, 15 years to
11:11:00 assemble the right team in this community, to do the kind of
11:11:02 things that we want to do. And we are very pleased with.
11:11:05 That we are moving in the right direction.
11:11:07 HUD has announced us a high performing agency.
11:11:11 There's not a lot in the country.
11:11:13 There's 4,000 in the country and we are one of the 3 or 400
11:11:18 high performance that scored 90 and above in evaluations and
11:11:21 all of that.
11:11:21 I'm very pleased with that.
11:11:22 (Bell sounds)
11:11:23 So I'll say to you that, you know, in my opinion, and not
11:11:28 just in my opinion, but I guess in my opinion the way I see
11:11:31 this is, we are probably the best Housing Authority in the
11:11:34 country.
11:11:34 I make no bones about this.
11:11:36 I think we have the best group of people in the country to
11:11:39 do what needs to be done.
11:11:40 So, you know, to that end, we are going to make sure that
11:11:44 residents are served properly, going to make sure the
11:11:47 community is served properly, and do everything by the book.
11:11:49 So I just thank you for allowing me to be here.
11:11:52 I hadn't planned on speaking.
11:11:55 I was leaving that up to Leroy.
11:11:57 This is his thing.
11:11:58 But I it's important that you know we do operate as a team.
11:12:01 And Leroy is like my right hand person.
11:12:04 And I'm comfortable leaving town and leaving him in charge.
11:12:09 I'm just comfortable with it.
11:12:11 We have been together for a long time. We go all the way
11:12:13 back -- as a matter of fact I gave him his first job in
11:12:16 Memphis.
11:12:16 We have been together ever since, you know.
11:12:18 By the way, I hear a lot in the community that I am not from
11:12:24 Tampa but I pay my taxes here.
11:12:26 I want everybody to know that.
11:12:27 I pay my taxes here, I always have, and I am a member of
11:12:30 this community, and a guy said yesterday, he's not from
11:12:41 Tampa.
11:12:41 I am from Tampa.
11:12:43 Spent as many money in this community.
11:12:46 And I want to let you know that we are here to do what needs
11:12:48 to be done.
11:12:49 We'll work with anybody we need to work with to make at
11:12:52 smooth transition.
11:12:53 Again, thank you.
11:12:53 >> Thank you.
11:12:55 Councilman Reddick has a question.
11:12:56 >>FRANK REDDICK: That's the reason I wanted to call you up
11:13:03 here.
11:13:03 I was not going to a let you to sit there and not be heard.
11:13:07 It's not often that I have a fraternity brother stand before
11:13:10 council.
11:13:11 So I wasn't going to let that go by.
11:13:14 Mr. Ryan, you praised a lot of people.
11:13:18 I want to give some praise to your board.
11:13:22 Done an outstanding job working with you.
11:13:24 >> Absolutely.
11:13:24 We couldn't do the things that we do without our board.
11:13:27 We have -- one of the things, in this business, you know,
11:13:31 boards can be a hindrance.
11:13:33 I will be very honest with you about that.
11:13:35 But we have the most supportive board in this community.
11:13:38 And I talk to housing authorities around the country and
11:13:43 they always talk about boards being a hindrance.
11:13:46 We have a great board and providing the guidance and
11:13:49 protection we need and give us the flexibility to do what we
11:13:52 do.
11:13:52 That doesn't necessarily mean they are always happy about
11:13:54 the things that we do.
11:13:55 But I will tell you this, the group that we have now is a
11:13:59 tremendous group, and they give us the support that we need
11:14:02 and allow us the flexibility to do what needs to be done in
11:14:04 the community and that's important to us.
11:14:10 It's just one of those siss.
11:14:12 I'm fortunate to have the board that I have.
11:14:15 >>YVONNE CAPIN: It is obvious that the board -- you arrived
11:14:19 in 1999, was it?
11:14:22 >> Yes.
11:14:23 Close to '99.
11:14:26 I guess '99.
11:14:28 >> There may be some people even on this board, with the
11:14:34 exception -- well, the Housing Authority and the -- prior to
11:14:39 your arrival was in incredible disarray, incredible
11:14:48 disarray, and I have to say I had the pleasure of touring
11:14:51 all of the housing authority projects, rentals, and was so
11:15:01 impressed with the look of making these places look like all
11:15:10 the other places you would rent.
11:15:12 It does not screen out low-income or -- and it's very
11:15:19 important to the residents there, that they are just like --
11:15:22 and they are just like everyone else.
11:15:25 They are just in a situation where they have less money at
11:15:29 this time in their life.
11:15:31 So I want -- I do have to commend you on that, because I
11:15:38 particularly was aware of the Housing Authority prior to
11:15:40 your arrival.
11:15:42 My husband worked there for a short time, and it was, as
11:15:52 many people know, the prior president went to prison, and
11:15:59 rightfully so.
11:16:00 So what you inherited and what we have today is a -- I
11:16:05 cannot tell you.
11:16:05 And I don't know that many people can appreciate or realize
11:16:11 where we were and where we have come to today.
11:16:14 So I want to just commend you on that.
11:16:16 >> Thank you.
11:16:20 We have been very fortunate.
11:16:20 We have a good group of people, a great board, and I'm not
11:16:24 going to say a great group of people but a great group of
11:16:28 honest people.
11:16:29 And there is a difference.
11:16:30 You can have a great group of people.
11:16:31 But they are not honest.
11:16:34 You will end up in the same boat that you have ended up
11:16:36 before.
11:16:36 And I will simply say this to you, that when whether I'm
11:16:40 here or whether Leroy is here or not, we are trying to set a
11:16:43 standard in this community.
11:16:44 And you are right.
11:16:44 We have got some beautiful properties out there.
11:16:47 We still have two more properties, North Boulevard and
11:16:49 Robles Park.
11:16:50 Once we take care of those, we'll feel pretty good about
11:16:53 that.
11:16:53 But I think the real deal, we want people to come to this
11:16:56 community and not recognize public housing in this
11:16:59 community.
11:16:59 And that's always been our goal.
11:17:02 You drive through this community.
11:17:04 We don't want you to be able to point to something and say
11:17:08 that's public housing.
11:17:09 We have property all over the community.
11:17:13 But that's always been our goal and will continue to be our
11:17:16 goal.
11:17:16 That's the goal of our board.
11:17:17 And that's always been our goal.
11:17:19 We will continue to do that.
11:17:20 We will continue to make a difference in this community.
11:17:22 And we will always, always, as long as I'm sitting there,
11:17:26 you know, continue to do things the right way.
11:17:29 And that doesn't mean we won't make mistakes because it
11:17:35 will.
11:17:35 But if you do things the right way you can be successful.
11:17:39 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for that.
11:17:40 Thank you for being here in Tampa.
11:17:41 >> Jerome Ryan: Thank you.
11:17:46 >>YVONNE CAPIN: With that, we will go on.
11:17:49 And we have the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
11:18:01 Mr. Ed Turanchik, and the president of the chamber.
11:18:06 Is he -- no, he's not.
11:18:08 Bob Garcia.
11:18:09 Thank you.
11:18:10 >> City Council members, thank you very much for this
11:18:14 opportunity to talk about West Tampa.
11:18:16 We do have a PowerPoint presentation to go through quickly.
11:18:22 If you will give me some instructions about how to queue
11:18:26 that up.
11:18:26 Oh, very good.
11:18:27 My name is Ed Turanchik, a board member of the West Tampa
11:18:31 Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the economic and
11:18:33 development committee.
11:18:37 We are appreciative.
11:18:41 Frank Reddick sits as an ex-officio member on the board of
11:18:43 directors. Mr. Suarez is a member of the Chamber. With me
11:18:47 here today is also Executive Director Mr. Bob Garcia. And I
11:18:51 will introduce one other person as we go through this
11:18:54 presentation.
11:18:55 The mission of the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is to
11:18:59 promote West Tampa chamber -- excuse me, West Tampa, as a
11:19:03 great place to live and work and do business.
11:19:07 About a year ago, our board came to the conclusion that we
11:19:11 are tired of being -- where people have driven to West Tampa
11:19:16 for decades and said, why such great potential?
11:19:22 Why is it still this way?
11:19:24 And he have one of you, I know personally, and everyone
11:19:27 around here, everyone that lives in West Tampa, what's going
11:19:33 on here?
11:19:34 Why can't this be better?
11:19:36 So we started an internal process to gather up the different
11:19:40 efforts and different ideas that have been accumulated over
11:19:42 the last ten years and put them together in what is a draft
11:19:46 economic development community plan.
11:19:48 It's really a strategy.
11:19:50 And we presented this to our membership in October.
11:19:56 I think Councilman Reddick and Councilman Capin were both at
11:20:00 that meeting.
11:20:01 We had a town hall meeting in September where there's a lot
11:20:03 of people in this audience that participated and listened to
11:20:07 us, that I think people were excited and encouraged about
11:20:10 the direction there.
11:20:12 And we are standing here today kind of in advance whereof we
11:20:16 really want to be.
11:20:17 But it's a really good idea to kind of present to council at
11:20:21 least what we have shown, talking about is a way for a
11:20:26 strategy forward that has this as its goal.
11:20:30 Five to seven years from now, West Tampa is the most
11:20:36 thriving, economically exciting and robust and most diverse
11:20:40 urban neighborhood on the west coast of Florida.
11:20:44 It should be.
11:20:46 It can be.
11:20:48 You know, we are trying to put in place the tools and
11:20:51 strategies to allow it to get there, in part by doing the
11:20:56 things that encourage people to want to live there, want to
11:20:59 be there, wanted to do business there, want to visit there,
11:21:01 and want to invest there.
11:21:02 So I think we will go through this presentation very
11:21:06 quickly.
11:21:08 this is a draft plan.
11:21:13 We are going to talk about our outreach.
11:21:16 It has three elements, marking, economic development,
11:21:20 transit activity.
11:21:21 Our notion is to talk about and come back and working with
11:21:29 council and the city and everyone else, say here what we
11:21:31 have found.
11:21:33 And it's just our particular view.
11:21:35 We start off, though, where is West Tampa?
11:21:37 When I was doing Intown home and selling homes in West
11:21:42 Tampa, we are in West Tampa, people think it's town and
11:21:45 country.
11:21:46 People in Pinellas County think it's Oldsmar.
11:21:48 Well, you know, where is West Tampa?
11:21:51 We generally define it as the area of Kennedy, up Dale
11:21:54 Mabry, south of Hillsborough, and east of the river.
11:21:58 And there's been some confusion.
11:22:01 We are stepping into stuff that the Housing Authority is
11:22:04 doing.
11:22:04 We are not.
11:22:05 That's very important to us as we'll get to.
11:22:08 We are talking about the broader West Tampa community.
11:22:10 Whatever parts of the branding approaches, the signage
11:22:13 program and entryway program, you are in West Tampa.
11:22:16 This is not to take away from neighborhoods.
11:22:18 South Tampa has a lot of neighborhood.
11:22:20 East Tampa has a lot of neighborhood.
11:22:21 But there are places called East Tampa and West Tampa.
11:22:24 So we would like to figure out a signage program.
11:22:27 By the way, Alvarez will lead up that working committee.
11:22:31 We would like to create a historic building and illumination
11:22:35 program.
11:22:35 There's five or six really astounding, magnificent historic
11:22:40 structures.
11:22:40 Let's figure out a way to highlight them.
11:22:42 One of them is, as you will see, is the Alvarez cigar
11:22:49 company, a bell tower with a clock on it.
11:22:52 We would like to figure out a way to get that illuminated,
11:22:55 working and chiming.
11:22:57 The bells go off.
11:22:58 It's part of creating place.
11:23:00 You can see it from everywhere.
11:23:02 We have also want to do a eating guide to West Tampa.
11:23:10 There are more independently owned small business, ethnic
11:23:13 restaurants in West Tampa than anyplace in the west coast of
11:23:16 Florida.
11:23:17 But no one knows it.
11:23:18 (Bell sounds)
11:23:19 When businesses come in to town they should say, I can go to
11:23:23 ARCOs, I can go to West Tampa sandwich shop.
11:23:27 It should be part of the grid talent of opportunities and
11:23:31 things that you can do in Tampa.
11:23:32 >>HARRY COHEN: Let me just say, Mr. Turanchik, all of these
11:23:38 are going over the five minutes and I am trying to allow
11:23:40 leeway.
11:23:40 I want to point out to everyone that it is 11:20.
11:23:44 >> We have two University of South Florida students, Jacob,
11:23:53 pat Anderson Jordan corrales who is going to be working on
11:24:00 this.
11:24:00 There's an economic development strategy that has to do with
11:24:03 creating value.
11:24:04 The West Tampa riverfront redevelopment project, Mr. Moore,
11:24:10 Mr. Ryan talked about, we think it's very exciting, very
11:24:14 port pore for the future of West Tampa.
11:24:16 We do have some specific objectives that we think should be
11:24:19 created.
11:24:20 You need to understand in the 352 acres boarded by the
11:24:24 Hillsborough River, Columbus, Armenia, and the interstate,
11:24:29 the total tax-assessed value is $57 million this year.
11:24:35 There are two apartment complexes being built a half mile
11:24:38 and a mile south of that property which have a construction
11:24:41 value of $100 million.
11:24:44 This whole area between downtown, airport on the river, is
11:24:51 everyone is talking about increased tax base, increased tax
11:24:54 base.
11:24:54 This is a great opportunity where you can do some
11:24:57 spectacular stuff.
11:24:58 We do have some standards we are recommending, the Housing
11:25:02 Authority, the city and everyone else, Riverwalk, open the
11:25:07 river to the neighborhood to the west.
11:25:08 It should be mixed use, mixed income.
11:25:12 Don't think about -- and this may be a difference of opinion
11:25:14 between the different constituencies -- just because there
11:25:17 are 821 low-income units, household there now, doesn't mean
11:25:23 all 821 need to be rebuilt on 40 acres.
11:25:26 West Tampa has a lot of low-income in it before you even
11:25:29 talk about the Housing Authority.
11:25:32 West Tampa is very interested in having an economically more
11:25:35 diverse community where we also totally have the Housing
11:25:40 Authority's goals, 100% replacement in doing it in a sound,
11:25:44 efficient way.
11:25:44 We think the community redevelopment district has to be
11:25:50 grated, figure out how to handle parking in West Tampa.
11:25:53 What's circled there is the Sicilian club, the sister of the
11:25:56 Italian club in Ybor City.
11:25:58 Now how much land it has for parking?
11:26:01 Nine inches.
11:26:02 How can you ever economically get that going unless there is
11:26:06 a parking strategy?
11:26:08 And we think there needs to be a parking utility created.
11:26:11 There's a lot of different components to this program.
11:26:13 We won't go into those here.
11:26:15 But we are going to come back with a full program.
11:26:17 Housing.
11:26:19 The housing problem in West Tampa and East Tampa and have
11:26:22 been else is people are underwater.
11:26:24 And the housing values have gone down.
11:26:31 You can't build new.
11:26:32 So you have many bank owned properties that are driving
11:26:35 values down.
11:26:35 We think a strong program with a home ownership program with
11:26:40 a lot of people to buy, these bank owned industrial
11:26:44 properties, home owners to buy them, rehabilitate them and
11:26:47 move them and pay less than they have to pay in rent.
11:26:49 So we are going to pursue that option.
11:26:51 We also want to look at relaxation of government fees, at
11:26:56 least temporarily, the housing prices come down.
11:27:00 Last piece is transit and community connectivity.
11:27:03 And I would like to also acknowledge that Ahib Amib is here
11:27:04 and Jacob Lee from the University of South Florida Community
11:27:11 Development Plant will be working on this effort.
11:27:16 USF has two sets of students that are going to be helping
11:27:19 the West Tampa effort.
11:27:20 This last piece goes to really creating transit village that
11:27:23 connects all the great assets between the airport and
11:27:27 downtown.
11:27:28 Shown here on the red a major redevelopment area, large or
11:27:34 larger parcels where there's a lot of economic interest of
11:27:39 doing things.
11:27:41 Our goal -- and we talked about this in 2006 -- and started
11:27:46 to push it but it all got caught up in the back wash of the
11:27:51 big county tax program.
11:27:52 It's the thing called midtown shuttle to provide exemplary
11:27:57 transit service from the airport to Channelside.
11:28:02 Wi-Fi, that could you actually build transit oriented signs
11:28:10 around.
11:28:11 Let me go through this very fast.
11:28:12 This is just a concept we are working with Hart on.
11:28:16 We are going to work with property appraiser on funding
11:28:18 aspects.
11:28:19 But shuttles.
11:28:21 You can see the yellow line goes from Channelside.
11:28:24 Next a line shown here, it's the last point connects the
11:28:30 hospital complex at Tampa General, to the HCC complex.
11:28:35 The end result of this is that anyone who lives, works or
11:28:39 visits in this area would have within five blocks of
11:28:43 wherever they are a transit service that is running all the
11:28:47 time, and the other good part is it provides great internal
11:28:52 service for Westshore and dewpoint where buses would be
11:28:54 going by every five to six minutes.
11:28:56 Talk about making connections between the Westshore
11:28:59 restaurants and the convention center, tying all these
11:29:02 assets together is one of the consents.
11:29:05 The funding issues related to it, how do you pay for it?
11:29:09 Possible county sales tax, municipal sales tax referendum, a
11:29:14 special assessment district with the notion that it will
11:29:17 also be supported with a transit TIF, which the city of
11:29:20 Gainesville used effectively.
11:29:21 I can provide details as we go you go through this.
11:29:27 We are just giving you an overview.
11:29:32 Another component is bus rapid transit, the notion of this
11:29:35 blue line, between 2016, 2018, the median of the interstate
11:29:41 is going to be available.
11:29:42 They have some roadways there.
11:29:43 What a great opportunity to provide high frequency bus
11:29:46 service between downtown, Westshore and the airport.
11:29:50 The last thing is start doing transit oriented sites around
11:29:57 it.
11:30:00 That end up, ladies and gentlemen, if we can do this, this
11:30:05 is where people want to be, this is where the market will
11:30:08 be, unparalleled in Florida, that you can grow on, you can
11:30:12 live on, and meets some of the goals, getting residents to
11:30:17 go live and work.
11:30:18 And we are going to try to work a very detailed business
11:30:21 plan with the help of our USF students.
11:30:27 By the way, he's a Ph.D. student at University of South
11:30:30 Florida.
11:30:31 Finally we are going to try to do as much neighborhood
11:30:33 outreach as we can.
11:30:34 We have a volunteer working.
11:30:38 Natashi is here on the committee.
11:30:42 Tray to reach out as much as we can.
11:30:44 And come back in the sum we are some detailed
11:30:46 recommendations.
11:30:46 Thank you very much.
11:30:48 Sorry I took so much time.
11:30:50 I think a lot of people have seen this.
11:31:10 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Tampa is right in the center continue.
11:31:13 Do we need to ask for an extension?
11:31:15 >>HARRY COHEN: No.
11:31:16 But we are at 11:30 and we have one more workshop after this
11:31:19 one.
11:31:20 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Okay.
11:31:21 We have from the neighborhood association, we have Steven
11:31:30 Vanetta from old West Tampa neighborhood association.
11:31:36 If he would like to come up and say a few word.
11:31:38 >> Mike Vanetta, old West Tampa neighborhood association.
11:31:42 >> All right.
11:31:47 >> Steven Michael.
11:31:48 >> Steven Michael.
11:31:49 Thank you.
11:31:50 >> Kind of changing the subject a little bit.
11:31:53 I thought this workshop -- I knew it was going to be on
11:31:57 redevelopment, but we also have a noise problem in the
11:31:59 neighborhood which you are aware of.
11:32:03 I think you mentioned that you came to our neighborhood with
11:32:06 the police department to do a little survey, and they had to
11:32:09 rush you back to the car because of gunshots at the time.
11:32:20 I have been talking to Tampa PD on a regular basis and what
11:32:23 we have noticed is this year the noise on the weekends is
11:32:26 actually slowed down.
11:32:27 It's become fairly quiet.
11:32:42 Normally because I'm the president of the association people
11:32:44 call me at 2:00, 3:00 in the morning.
11:32:46 And normally what's happening when people leave the bars on
11:32:49 Main Street, they get into their cars, or they go through
11:32:52 the parking lot and they continue to drink and they open
11:32:57 their car doors and they play the music so the music is
11:33:00 actually not coming from the bars, it's coming from the cars
11:33:03 that are in the parking lots.
11:33:06 I know Tampa PD has changed the way that they are patrolling
11:33:11 the area.
11:33:12 It seems to have slowed down.
11:33:14 I did get a phone call this week, that said Sunday at 3:00
11:33:20 in the morning that there was one car that was on union,
11:33:24 which would be just north of Main Street that was playing
11:33:29 really loud music there up until about 4:00 in the morning.
11:33:36 The trash is another problem that we have.
11:33:40 It seems like the bars -- we find a lot of red cups where I
11:33:49 think the patrons there are taking their drinks beings and
11:33:52 they are leaving the bars and they are going out and
11:33:57 necessity just throw the cups on the ground when they are
11:33:59 done.
11:34:02 It seems like about 10:00 in the morning, though, the bars
11:34:06 have cleaned up the streets at that point.
11:34:08 It was really bad.
11:34:10 And I have sent pictures to City Council a couple of years
11:34:14 ago, I think it was, with the station lounge.
11:34:19 And then it was shut down for a short amount of time.
11:34:22 And now it's opened back up.
11:34:24 It seems to be better over there.
11:34:28 The other thing that we seem to have -- and I'm not sure
11:34:31 what they are doing out there -- but we have a bunch of
11:34:34 loitering on Main Street, where they just sit out, or in
11:34:40 most cases instead of people staying inside the bar and
11:34:47 drinking, they are on the sidewalk.
11:34:49 And I don't really see too many people out there drinking,
11:34:53 with drinks in their hand, but they are just outside kind of
11:34:58 meandering around.
11:35:00 A lot of times walk across the street in front of you.
11:35:03 And it gets a little dangerous there because they are not --
11:35:06 they won't stop for you.
11:35:08 You have to stop for them.
11:35:12 And so I kind of thought that's what this part of what this
11:35:17 discussion was.
11:35:18 >> Councilman Reddick.
11:35:19 >> Absolutely.
11:35:22 It is about the neighborhood.
11:35:23 You're right.
11:35:23 >>FRANK REDDICK: What hours of the day are you speaking of
11:35:27 when you speak -- what hours of the day?
11:35:33 >> Well, pretty much all day.
11:35:42 4:30, 5:00 it seems like it gets, you know, a little bit
11:35:46 more, until, you know, until they close.
11:35:52 >> During the time you are speaking, the bar is open during
11:35:57 those hours?
11:35:58 >> Yes.
11:35:59 It seems like the bar gets busier around 4:00.
11:36:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: That's Monday through the weekdays?
11:36:06 >> Most days, yes.
11:36:07 >> Thank you.
11:36:12 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for your time.
11:36:16 Next we have -- I have to get this in order here.
11:36:21 Oh, I missed.
11:36:24 I'm sorry.
11:36:25 Ruth McNair from the West Tampa riverfront neighborhood.
11:36:29 You know, I'm in denial, and I sometimes refuse to put my
11:36:32 reading glasses on, so I apologize.
11:36:34 >>MARY MULHERN: I what was going to say I don't know how
11:36:39 you missed her with her beautiful purple colors.
11:36:41 >> Good morning.
11:36:46 I'm happy to be here.
11:36:48 I'm Ruth McNair, and a resident of West Tampa since 1947.
11:36:54 And it has been 54 years, will be 55 years this coming May.
11:37:05 And I definitely love West Tampa.
11:37:07 And I am excited about the new things, but I'm hoping it's
11:37:15 going to be new things for our neighborhood.
11:37:19 I'm not going anywhere. I want you to know I will be
11:37:23 watching everything that goes on and I will be a part of it.
11:37:26 But I want to see all the good things down to where I live.
11:37:30 Thank you very much for having us here today.
11:37:33 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for being here.
11:37:37 And next we have Jerry Scaglione representing MacFarlane
11:37:43 park neighborhood association.
11:38:01 >> Good more than, afternoon.
11:38:03 Jerry Scaglione with MacFarlane park.
11:38:06 First I would like to thank have been for helping us fund
11:38:09 our gazebo roof.
11:38:10 Really appreciate.
11:38:11 That we are really concerned about getting that done.
11:38:13 Thanks to you guys we got it done.
11:38:15 Thank you.
11:38:18 I want to echo vanetta's thing about noise.
11:38:23 Is there any way we can look -- I know when TPD tells me
11:38:27 that the noise ordinance was struck down by the Supreme
11:38:29 Court.
11:38:31 Is there any way we can look at addressing the loud music at
11:38:35 night?
11:38:37 Maybe up to 10 or 11 you can live with.
11:38:41 >> Councilman Suarez wanted to break in for a second.
11:38:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thanks for bringing that up.
11:38:46 We are going to be discussing that coming up.
11:38:49 The attorneys are looking at how we can craft some type of
11:38:53 ordinance in relation to what the Supreme Court has already
11:38:57 said, and how we can enforce some type of noise ordinance.
11:39:01 So we are trying to fit it into what state laws now said by
11:39:05 virtue of the Supreme Court decision.
11:39:07 And we are going to be discussing that.
11:39:10 I think in the March 28th workshop.
11:39:15 So that will be coming up.
11:39:16 So we are already starting to look at that.
11:39:18 But we appreciate you mentioning that, and Mr. Vanetta
11:39:24 bringing that up, too, because now that they made a
11:39:26 decision, now we can move forward and try to figure out how
11:39:30 our ordinance can fit into state law so it don't get thrown
11:39:33 out of court.
11:39:34 >> Maybe a time span would work better.
11:39:38 I don't know.
11:39:39 But whatever you can do on that we certainly would
11:39:41 appreciate.
11:39:41 Because like him, I hear music from miles away.
11:39:45 The other thing I wanted to talk about beings and I have
11:39:48 seen all these plans about the west bank and everything.
11:39:51 I live in this area.
11:39:52 And even now traffic is a huge problem.
11:39:55 Our neighborhood getting in and out, going north and south
11:40:00 on Columbus.
11:40:05 Main and Howard.
11:40:06 I would like to get out to where we can handle this traffic
11:40:09 or at least be addressed, before we start redevelopment.
11:40:14 You are talking about possibly doubling the number or
11:40:18 tripling the number of people in that whole area.
11:40:20 And right now, it's getting out of there between four and
11:40:24 six on Columbus drive.
11:40:26 It's crazy.
11:40:27 We used to have a traffic light on Fremont and Columbus that
11:40:31 was activated when somebody had to get across.
11:40:34 I think that's critical.
11:40:38 And I would like to thank you for having us over.
11:40:42 I appreciate everything you all do.
11:40:43 Thank you.
11:40:47 >>YVONNE CAPIN: That's the three neighborhood associations
11:40:48 that were invited.
11:40:50 And not only, I would suggest, that you come back for the
11:40:54 noise ordinance March 28th, but February 28th we are
11:40:57 having a workshop on alcoholic permitting.
11:41:00 And I think that's a very important component to what you
11:41:02 all are referring to here.
11:41:05 So I would suggest -- as a matter of fact, I will invite a
11:41:10 few of you back.
11:41:15 Now, we are -- Ernest coney of CDC of Tampa along with Joe
11:41:27 Robinson and Michael Randolph and Dwight bolden is here of
11:41:30 the West Tampa CDC.
11:41:33 So I understand that you all are collaborating.
11:41:36 So I would like for you all to come up together, please.
11:41:55 >> Enest Coney, president and CEO of City of Tampa.
11:42:00 >> And Michael Randolph, West Tampa CDC economic development
11:42:04 director.
11:42:04 >> Mr. Bowman had to leave. My name is Zachary Johns.
11:42:09 I'm actually standing in for him for his group.
11:42:11 >> I wanted to quickly kind of bring some of the components.
11:42:18 The neighborhood associations kind of outlined the problems
11:42:21 that are plaguing the neighborhood currently.
11:42:23 And the chamber kind of showed a vision of what it could be.
11:42:27 The theme that's in between that is the CDC and why that's
11:42:31 important to really gain that focus and traction to get to
11:42:35 that vision where you want to go to.
11:42:37 So I want to quickly show you a couple PowerPoint slides.
11:42:41 Number one, CDC helped transform and stabilize community.
11:42:46 Some of the characteristics, number one, it's community
11:42:48 driven.
11:42:48 Actually have board members who are residents on the
11:42:50 community so we are invested in the communities both
11:42:53 long-term.
11:42:54 There is a study of 23 cities, and showed that you have a
11:42:57 CDC that focused on the neighborhood, the property values in
11:43:00 that neighborhood went up.
11:43:02 And also some of the economic development programs that are
11:43:04 contained within.
11:43:07 This shows some of the assets of community development
11:43:09 organization.
11:43:10 One thing you really want to have is an anchor for building
11:43:14 community wealth so that programs can continue, home
11:43:17 ownership can continue, everything job training and
11:43:20 placement programs continue in our neighborhood.
11:43:22 Sometimes when you give all the money to the private sector,
11:43:25 downtown have an opportunity to have an anchor in the
11:43:27 community.
11:43:31 This shows some of the programs that we have outlined.
11:43:34 You talk about job training, we brought over $240 million in
11:43:39 job salaries to the City of Tampa.
11:43:43 Talk about disposable income, that's over $100 million of
11:43:46 disposable income.
11:43:47 Technical assistance, home ownership, having over 600 people
11:43:51 have mortgages which represent property taxes, over 1.3
11:43:57 million in property taxes between home ownership center and
11:44:00 foreclosure preferential service.
11:44:05 Some community building and organizing.
11:44:08 Of course, Councilman Reddick was really industrial in
11:44:11 helping us with our gun buyback program.
11:44:14 These are initials tiffs that the community talked about and
11:44:17 we can galvanize community support around.
11:44:20 These are some pictures of the single-family homes
11:44:23 development.
11:44:23 If you make $8.40 an hour, you have two people in that
11:44:27 household, you can afford new home ownership.
11:44:31 And that's really central and really making sure the
11:44:33 neighborhoods are stabilized.
11:44:37 Commercial development.
11:44:39 36,000 square feet.
11:44:42 It's really important to make sure you have retail.
11:44:44 The CDC helped other nonprofits, DACO, leased to banks,
11:44:52 leased to other staffing companies to really help stabilize
11:44:57 communities.
11:45:00 This shows a tale of two cities.
11:45:02 On the left-hand side is before and on the right is the
11:45:05 after.
11:45:05 You can imagine the impact the CDC has in the neighborhood.
11:45:10 These are some of the other commercial developments.
11:45:12 We talked about having vendor issues with people outside
11:45:15 just selling stuff.
11:45:16 At the top right is our open air market.
11:45:18 You bring all those vendors under one location to sell their
11:45:21 goods.
11:45:24 This is just an example of how you do projects.
11:45:30 Once you get going, other investments start happening.
11:45:33 We helped bring in Fifth Third Bank, partnership with the
11:45:37 City of Tampa and Ed Johnson in our CRA TIF district.
11:45:42 We are getting ready to do a grocery store as well.
11:45:47 Multifamily development.
11:45:50 One of the first housing projects that really anchored East
11:45:52 Tampa.
11:45:53 After that Hope VI AIM came to the Housing Authority and
11:45:57 then HUD units were brought into the private sector but
11:45:59 before that was built in a one wanted to build new in East
11:46:01 Tampa.
11:46:04 This is just a picture of some of the housing, affordable
11:46:07 housing.
11:46:09 Decent and affordable but it's beautiful.
11:46:11 You can't tell it's low income, or it sits in a very rich
11:46:15 neighborhood.
11:46:18 This is just another picture of some of the other housing
11:46:21 development projects.
11:46:22 And we just encapsulate all of this in sort of a Nehemiah
11:46:26 approach, that East Tampa, West Tampa, Sulphur Springs can
11:46:30 be rebuilt, and that we be know more reproach in the city.
11:46:42 >> So the presence of West Tampa, I'm trying to show the
11:46:50 West Tampa Community Development Corporation, Columbus, down
11:46:57 to Kennedy, over to the Hillsborough arrive, over to Himes.
11:47:09 West Tampa is very unique in that there are self types of --
11:47:16 I think I sent you a presentation.
11:47:18 You probably can see this better.
11:47:21 Em fa citing economic development to expand in West Tampa.
11:47:24 One is the unified accident. The unified zone in West Tampa
11:47:28 is limited.
11:47:29 If we could explain it more, we can increase the
11:47:31 redevelopment in West Tampa.
11:47:33 Also in West Tampa, there is what's known as a tax free
11:47:39 impact zone that we need to expand to bring businesses into
11:47:43 West Tampa.
11:47:49 I realize folks have been around all day.
11:47:53 This is a initiative called the Main Street initiative that
11:47:56 the CDC wants, and the whole commercial district.
11:48:04 Related to critical issues in West Tampa, we have
11:48:09 unemployment, underemployment, we have limited things to do
11:48:17 in West Tampa.
11:48:20 Last year, there was a meeting that the mayor gave.
11:48:27 (Bell sounds)
11:48:30 Some of the conversations going on there was what is needed
11:48:34 to make the deal work, and emphasize importance of the CDC
11:48:38 as partner strategy.
11:48:40 As a matter of fact, the federal government has a special
11:48:45 definition for CDCs because they see them as a separate
11:48:48 entity.
11:48:49 And this is the definition that the federal government has
11:48:52 as relates to CDC.
11:48:54 We believe the community development you need to talk about
11:49:01 economic development, social development, and fiscal
11:49:06 development.
11:49:06 All these strategies at the same time to have economic
11:49:09 development in a particular community.
11:49:14 Economic development has a three part strategy.
11:49:23 Related to economic development, we are looking at
11:49:24 commercial revitalization, core development,
11:49:27 entrepreneurship.
11:49:36 This particular slide talks about the highlights of West
11:49:40 Tampa, economic development.
11:49:46 I realize that I don't have much time left for me.
11:49:51 So I am going as fast as I can.
11:49:55 How do we really do economic development in West Tampa?
11:50:01 Asset mapping.
11:50:02 Asset mapping includes economic development, community
11:50:06 organizing, combined together to increase -- and combined to
11:50:14 a strategy through economic development.
11:50:23 One of those strategies is to do neighborhood inventory.
11:50:26 For example, is it people who that have electricity?
11:50:39 We want to have all these people named so when jobs come to
11:50:44 West Tampa we can connect the jobs.
11:50:46 Yesterday, we had a meeting for West Tampa.
11:50:59 Put together to say, these are the jobs we have, or if a
11:51:06 business comes to West Tampa, whatever the case might be, we
11:51:15 want to have jobs in West Tampa to identify skill sets when
11:51:21 a business comes to West Tampa, we can refer those people to
11:51:24 the jobs.
11:51:26 The other thing we want to do is properties in West Tampa
11:51:33 and type of things.
11:51:35 What we have been able to do so far with the help of the
11:51:37 city is to identify, commercial as well as residential.
11:51:50 Okay, I'm going to speed it on up.
11:52:01 The City of Tampa has the social compact, to look at what is
11:52:06 the true value of a neighborhood?
11:52:13 Moving right along.
11:52:16 These are some of the tax incentives for folks to come into
11:52:25 West Tampa.
11:52:26 >>HARRY COHEN: Sir, now what?
11:52:28 We have the full handout here from your presentation.
11:52:32 And I can see that in each of these different areas it goes
11:52:36 into a great deal of detail.
11:52:38 I think it would be best for us to actually read this
11:52:41 offline rather than go through all the slides.
11:52:44 >> The only thing I want to conclude --
11:52:48 >>HARRY COHEN: Sure.
11:52:51 Let me finish.
11:52:52 Councilwoman Montelione, a question.
11:52:54 >> The thing I wanted to talk about real quickly.
11:52:59 Whenever you are doing a project, it always comes down to
11:53:03 the money.
11:53:09 The community grant.
11:53:12 From the federal government it comes out -- the Community
11:53:18 Development Corporation for any type of development in a
11:53:21 distressed neighborhood.
11:53:22 One of the things to do that is come up with things in West
11:53:27 Tampa, especially for small businesses that come to my
11:53:31 office, they say, Mike, I need $1,000, $2,000 in order to
11:53:35 get a refrigerator.
11:53:39 With this here, we can actually provide them with dollars to
11:53:43 do that particular project.
11:53:45 >>HARRY COHEN: Let me ask Councilwoman Montelione ask her
11:53:48 question, if you don't mind.
11:53:49 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
11:53:55 I had the pleasure to speak with Mr. Randolph the other day.
11:54:00 And I have spoken with Ernest, Coney many times about.
11:54:05 This actually, this is the combination question for both of
11:54:09 you.
11:54:09 Enest, how many CDFIs exhibit within the Tampa area?
11:54:13 >> I don't know exactly how many but I think there's at
11:54:17 least two that I know of, neighborhood lending is one,
11:54:21 Florida community loan fund, of course, is another important
11:54:24 one.
11:54:24 But we are a CDE so we can apply for knew market tax credits
11:54:29 in the CDE.
11:54:30 >> Okay.
11:54:31 And the community loan fund from what I know that is a
11:54:34 residential-based lending.
11:54:37 So really in the business market, small business market, we
11:54:40 only have one CDFI, neighborhood funding partners, and your
11:54:49 CDE -- this is alphabet soup -- and is there any way --
11:54:57 because there's a workshop and I'm always looking to see
11:54:59 what action we can take.
11:55:01 Is there any way that we can help bring attention to how to
11:55:11 achieve loans from the CDFI, and how to work with the CDE?
11:55:19 Because a lot of people don't know these opportunities are
11:55:21 there for them or how to get in touch with them.
11:55:24 So is there anything that we can do that would help
11:55:30 businesses who need the help, in touch with those who
11:55:34 provide it?
11:55:34 >> I think that we can probably look at creating a
11:55:37 collaborative -- one of our organizations, we actually do a
11:55:43 lot of lending to small businesses.
11:55:45 So it's both the CDFI, new market fund, as well as Small
11:55:50 Business Administration as well.
11:55:51 >>HARRY COHEN: Councilwoman Capin just asked if she could
11:55:55 make a comment.
11:55:57 >>YVONNE CAPIN: (off microphone) if I can ask your
11:56:01 indulgence there is one more speaker and I want to make sure
11:56:04 we get that speaker in.
11:56:05 I want to make sure you answered your question, Councilwoman
11:56:08 Montelione.
11:56:09 But we do have a speaker.
11:56:10 And there are questions.
11:56:11 And I do believe the gentleman who was representing the
11:56:16 company that is helping with the planning at the Tampa
11:56:21 Housing Authority is no longer here.
11:56:23 And I hope that he stayed because it's really important for
11:56:28 them to -- the conclusions that we are going to come to, a
11:56:32 few of the -- to move on.
11:56:34 But --
11:56:37 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let me move this thing to 12:30.
11:56:40 >> Second.
11:56:42 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion to extend till 12:30.
11:56:45 All in favor?
11:56:47 Opposed?
11:56:49 Councilwoman Montelione was -- let me just make a comment
11:56:54 before we continue on.
11:56:57 There is another workshop still scheduled on the Internet
11:57:01 sweepstakes cafe.
11:57:02 Councilwoman Mulhern indicated she has to leave.
11:57:05 At the pleasure of council I'm wondering if anyone is
11:57:07 interested in postponing that workshop until another day so
11:57:10 that this is the only thing that we finish the day with.
11:57:15 But I'll leave that to all of you.
11:57:17 >> I can make a comment on.
11:57:23 That being that the Internet cafe basically is a business
11:57:26 that is on the wean that we can postpone this.
11:57:37 >>HARRY COHEN: Is that a motion?
11:57:42 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I'm sorry?
11:57:43 Do we have time next week?
11:57:48 It has to be a workshop.
11:57:49 So February 28th we decided not to put anything else.
11:57:52 That is the alcoholic beverage.
11:57:54 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Council, I'm sorry.
11:58:00 I know that there is a moratorium in place.
11:58:06 If this is time sensitive --
11:58:09 >>HARRY COHEN: We are going to have to get to that.
11:58:11 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
11:58:12 I was going to point that out.
11:58:15 I actually was thinking about this.
11:58:18 The best way to move forward.
11:58:20 I was going to be asking City Council for some direction
11:58:22 today to prepare an ordinance.
11:58:23 I will tell you, I don't believe the Florida legislature is
11:58:25 going to take any action this year.
11:58:26 So as a result of that, if we are planning to take action we
11:58:30 should go ahead and take action.
11:58:32 If you would like, you can direct me to bring back an
11:58:34 ordinance within 30 days, put that under staff reports.
11:58:38 to get that ordinance to you all well ahead of time so that
11:58:42 you can take a look at that ordinance, and we can discuss it
11:58:45 at that time.
11:58:45 >>HARRY COHEN: I would like to go ahead and finish this
11:58:48 workshop and then we'll address that.
11:58:50 Councilwoman Montelione did have the floor.
11:58:52 So let's return to her.
11:58:53 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
11:58:55 Ernest.
11:59:00 Mr. Randolph.
11:59:05 Again, because I am looking for how we can help and what
11:59:09 action we can take, and I'm very interested in economic
11:59:12 development aspect of this, and the ability for people and
11:59:16 small businesses to locate throughout our city.
11:59:22 So CED is what is embedded within the Community Development
11:59:29 Corporation of Tampa.
11:59:30 >> Correct.
11:59:32 We are a community development entity.
11:59:35 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So can you tell me a little bit about
11:59:42 what you do so that people who are watching can know whether
11:59:45 or not they can access your services?
11:59:48 >> Basically what the new market tax credits, you can create
11:59:52 a loan pool and actually do lending to small businesses and
11:59:57 himself use to the build facilities as well.
11:59:59 So you have a couple of options.
12:00:00 You can partner with SBA.
12:00:02 You can partner through the new market tax credit initiative
12:00:05 as well as some of the federal grants as Michael outlined.
12:00:09 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
12:00:11 And now because I was interrupted, I don't remember my other
12:00:13 question.
12:00:15 Because there was a reason I asked that, and with the
12:00:20 interruption I lost my train of thought.
12:00:22 So maybe I'll think about it.
12:00:23 That's to do --
12:00:28 >>YVONNE CAPIN: That's to do with West Tampa?
12:00:32 >> Can I emphasize one point that's critically related to
12:00:35 the CDC, related to the economic development plan?
12:00:40 Between now and June, we have the opportunity to bring in
12:00:44 over a million dollars in terms of economic development.
12:00:48 It is so key, the West Tampa CDC, to be part of the overall
12:00:57 plan.
12:00:58 It's time sensitive.
12:01:04 It deals with workforce development.
12:01:06 And then you have the state plan, the economic development
12:01:08 plan with $600,000 comes out.
12:01:12 So it critical as we begin to move forward that the
12:01:16 strategies that we have, because it's on job creation, is
12:01:19 part of the overall plan.
12:01:20 So we are talking about dollars that come in -- we don't
12:01:28 want to close it.
12:01:30 >> Thank you, Mr. Randolph.
12:01:31 Thank you very much.
12:01:33 It's a complete report.
12:01:36 I am going to ask for your indulgence, because there's
12:01:41 someone here that was on the list, which is Mr. Joe
12:01:48 Robinson.
12:01:49 And I would like to hear from him as a representative of
12:01:55 West Tampa.
12:01:56 >>HARRY COHEN: I don't see him.
12:01:59 Oh, there we go.
12:02:02 >>YVONNE CAPIN: He was hiding.
12:02:04 Thank you, Mr. Robinson.
12:02:05 >> Thank you.
12:02:08 My name is Joe Robinson.
12:02:10 I have been in West Tampa since 1962.
12:02:13 I own property there.
12:02:14 I have been involved with it.
12:02:17 Since 1980 with the original West Tampa revitalization plan.
12:02:23 And the reason I want to bring that up -- and it's not that
12:02:28 I just got in West Tampa yesterday.
12:02:30 I have been in West Tampa since 1962 when it was segregated,
12:02:34 before the civil rights act.
12:02:35 So that's another issue.
12:02:37 And I just want to show you -- and it's almost the most
12:02:44 impoverished area.
12:02:47 I happen to a consultant engineer.
12:02:51 I'm located in the heart of it.
12:02:52 Since 1980, if you look at the overhead, you will see I have
12:02:56 a lot of gray hair.
12:02:58 That's standing by the west central Espanol, the most
12:03:02 significant building that we saved after it caught fire and
12:03:04 now we have in there the Hillsborough education foundation.
12:03:08 I am coming out of retirement because I have been working
12:03:10 over at the school board.
12:03:11 I have pretty much got them straightened out.
12:03:14 I had to take a break from them.
12:03:16 But I will be coming back to City Council.
12:03:17 And I just wanted to say that everybody is asking about what
12:03:20 can we do?
12:03:22 Ms. Mulhern asked that.
12:03:23 What we can do as we need to start the City of Tampa looking
12:03:28 into the property sees of establishing the CRA TIF district.
12:03:33 And I'll tell you why.
12:03:34 There is no way West Tampa is going to be without any money.
12:03:40 There was no way West Tampa could be without CRA and not
12:03:45 having a money stream.
12:03:46 It's not going to happen.
12:03:47 That's why we have all these plans sitting on the shelf and
12:03:53 all the people with historic preservation back in the day
12:03:55 and age 30 years ago.
12:03:57 So I'm saying the West Tampa CDC, and we mention it, that we
12:04:02 teamed up with East Tampa because they have been expertise,
12:04:06 they have money, they have been doing it for a long time.
12:04:08 We have been around actually from 1999.
12:04:11 I was one of the incorporators of it and right now we're
12:04:14 redoing our board. Just to give some name, Dr. Margaret
12:04:17 Fisher, the chair; I'm the vice chair. Leroy Moore sits on
12:04:21 our board. Walter Smith, III. An environmental scientist.
12:04:25 We have got Quincy Robinson.
12:04:31 He was in here.
12:04:33 We have got Henry ballot, Jr.
12:04:35 We have got Ken Paley.
12:04:38 We have Rodriguez.
12:04:39 We have Jackson. Those are the people bringing in, and as
12:04:43 advisors we have Manny Rivero from USF, we have Janet Wild,
12:04:49 and I just want to say that's where we are, and where we
12:04:55 want to go is to the future.
12:04:57 Now, one thing that's happening in West Tampa is even back
12:05:02 in the 80s, we could never define the boundaries of West
12:05:05 Tampa.
12:05:06 It's very confusing.
12:05:07 You have the racial divide.
12:05:12 You have the Hispanic.
12:05:13 You have the African-American community.
12:05:16 It's a dividing line.
12:05:17 It's called Armenia Avenue.
12:05:18 That is what is causing some of the redevelopment not to
12:05:21 occur.
12:05:22 But we have been able to get some buildings restored, some
12:05:28 housing put in there, we have been able to get companies to
12:05:32 locate there, okay?
12:05:34 And we haven't had a CRA.
12:05:35 So if we can get the process moving, multi, long-term
12:05:40 process, to get the county and all of that.
12:05:43 So if you ask me what can you do, you can -- two, start
12:05:53 supporting the grant application was your planning
12:05:55 department and your other areas.
12:05:57 Three, support the economic incentives that are already
12:06:00 there and expand.
12:06:03 I have created every one of those maps.
12:06:05 I have been the most outspoken and vocal critic in west and
12:06:10 will do so until I am dead and in the grave.
12:06:12 So I am not going away.
12:06:13 My job is to do the complete oversight oaf the Housing
12:06:18 Authority is doing, what we are doing, what the old West
12:06:21 Tampa neighborhood is doing, what anybody is doing in West
12:06:25 Tampa.
12:06:26 I'm going to be overseeing.
12:06:28 So you can expect me to start coming down.
12:06:31 I'm through beating up on the school board.
12:06:33 And I'm ready to come down here, and I hope I don't have to
12:06:37 run for office down here, okay?
12:06:42 I want to thank Ms. Capin and definitely Frank Reddick, and
12:06:46 you are my city-wide representative, along with the other
12:06:49 guys up there.
12:06:50 You guys know me.
12:06:51 I'm not scared.
12:06:51 I'm not going anywhere.
12:06:53 And I want to say this, Mr. Reddick.
12:06:55 You asked the question about the steward foundation.
12:06:59 I was involved with the negotiations of the stored
12:07:04 foundation agreement at Riverfront Park.
12:07:09 The development came to me to figure out, we want to take
12:07:14 some property from that park.
12:07:15 That pool is underutilized.
12:07:18 Back in that time, Ruth McNair and myself, I met with him.
12:07:22 And the deal was this -- this was the deal.
12:07:24 One, we would have play time schools on the river, being
12:07:28 able to having club.
12:07:34 They had plant.
12:07:36 They had Hillsborough.
12:07:37 They had the other club.
12:07:38 I said we need a club for Blake that's on the river.
12:07:42 Don't know if Blake ever took advantage of.
12:07:44 That the building was supposed to be built.
12:07:46 It was costing 12 to 15,000 to have a rowing club.
12:07:52 So providing opportunity for fundraising.
12:07:56 The other component that we negotiated was that Mrs. McNair,
12:08:00 the old West Tampa group, would have a community location to
12:08:02 meet and have their meeting.
12:08:04 And also, they would be able to have fundraising events.
12:08:09 So that was the deal.
12:08:10 That's what the lawyers are asking.
12:08:13 We went back and forth with that agreement.
12:08:14 And that's how that agreement got done.
12:08:16 What they failed to do, what you guys found out, they never
12:08:19 built the building, okay?
12:08:21 And that was a default.
12:08:22 However, based upon that, default has not been enforced.
12:08:29 But that's how that got started and that's how they got
12:08:31 involved.
12:08:32 So with that I just want to say, I want to thank you for
12:08:34 doing this, and this was not -- and everybody, black, white,
12:08:44 Hispanic, Latino, all come together because this community
12:08:47 has been divided for years and years and years.
12:08:49 Even the line through district 5.
12:08:52 It used to be district 6 was all around this drugstore
12:08:57 because he never wanted an African-American to represent him
12:09:03 on City Council.
12:09:04 That's why that went behind Eagle drugs.
12:09:08 And because he's dead now, and because we moved that line,
12:09:14 so it didn't break up the community by race.
12:09:16 And we sort of got that straightened out.
12:09:19 So I am here to help.
12:09:21 I don't get paid.
12:09:22 Never got paid for anything I have done in West Tampa.
12:09:24 But I own property there.
12:09:25 I pay taxes there when I can.
12:09:27 And I'm not going away.
12:09:28 I want to move forward.
12:09:32 So thank you, Mr. Reddick, Mrs. Capin, and City Council
12:09:35 people for allowing to us get to this point.
12:09:37 Let's get this going, okay?
12:09:41 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Okay.
12:09:43 I'll finish up after him.
12:09:46 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you, Mr. Robinson.
12:09:50 The way we speak on the CRA, and I was part of that process
12:09:55 in East Tampa, when this got started, and I'm looking at
12:10:03 three different entities in West Tampa.
12:10:06 And somehow, got an agreement with those three entities,
12:10:12 because someone is going to have to -- the head like East
12:10:20 Tampa partnership beings where the CRA is functioning.
12:10:24 So are you suggesting that the CRA function through the CDC?
12:10:33 >> That was my question.
12:10:34 >>FRANK REDDICK: Now you are making me lose my turn.
12:10:45 CDC of West Tampa, and you got West Tampa chamber, and West
12:10:50 Tampa merchants group.
12:10:53 So we got three different entities.
12:10:55 And I think if CRA is going to work over there, work in West
12:10:59 Tampa, has to be a collaborative effort where they come
12:11:03 together and CRAs.
12:11:06 >> Having dealt with CRA in Tampa myself, Channelside, Drew
12:11:15 Park, East Tampa, downtown, even when Greco -- the way it
12:11:19 should be, and you guys have developed that.
12:11:23 Some of the City Council people that are on there.
12:11:25 One of the problems is, what some of you guys did is you
12:11:32 finally got a committee that you guys appoint.
12:11:34 So this CRA will be no different than any other, than the
12:11:39 other seven.
12:11:40 It will be set up where you have people that City Council
12:11:42 will put on it and they will oversee the funding and all of
12:11:45 that, bring it to you for recommendation, at your CRA board
12:11:49 meeting, and you guys approve it up and down.
12:11:51 It will operate much like he have other CRA in Tampa.
12:11:54 It would have to be structured just like that.
12:11:56 Because that's the law.
12:11:57 So I would suggest that you can then, maybe from those
12:12:01 entities, have someone of those particular entities sit on.
12:12:05 That but it must be governance the same way the governance
12:12:09 is for all the other CRAs because that's successful
12:12:12 because the early on CRA, they had issues, they had the
12:12:17 things going on, and there was a lot of things that I don't
12:12:20 want to talk about here because everybody knows, I have been
12:12:25 here since 1990 and I am one of the guys that helped if get
12:12:28 the Housing Authority guy in trouble, and also here in the
12:12:32 city.
12:12:34 >>YVONNE CAPIN: He got himself in trouble.
12:12:35 >> Yes.
12:12:36 So Mr. Reddick, it would have to operate just like every
12:12:39 other CRA in the city.
12:12:40 >>FRANK REDDICK: Well, I will be talking with our CRA
12:12:46 economic development coordinator, and I will see how we can
12:12:51 initiate this process.
12:12:52 >>HARRY COHEN: Mr. Reddick, thank you.
12:12:56 Councilwoman Montelione and then --
12:13:00 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, I'm sorry.
12:13:02 I thought were leaving, Mr. Reddick.
12:13:03 I would like to motion that we bring the staff, economic
12:13:09 development, to our CRA board meeting, because that is a
12:13:13 subject that is complicated.
12:13:16 It requires the coordination and approval of Hillsborough
12:13:19 County.
12:13:19 And it's a process that I have been looking into myself.
12:13:24 So I believe it's probably February 14th will be too
12:13:32 soon.
12:13:32 So if we could look at March 14th CRA meeting to have
12:13:43 Mr. Robinson, Ed Turanchik, it looks like he's already left,
12:13:48 and economic staff come to our CRA meeting on the 14th
12:13:52 of March to discuss that.
12:13:59 I'm suggesting because we couldn't -- I couldn't do this out
12:14:02 in the hallway beings as Mr. Reddick did.
12:14:06 So I have to do it in public because of the sunshine law.
12:14:09 So I would just ask that we do that on the 14th of
12:14:12 March.
12:14:12 >> (off microphone) their time is very valuable.
12:14:31 I want to thank Annette Fenton and Randy Goers for being
12:14:35 here in case any questions arose.
12:14:39 That needed their expertise.
12:14:41 And, you know, this is the first in a conversation, in a
12:14:46 dialogue.
12:14:47 And for everyone to be here today is truly appreciated.
12:14:51 I want to make a couple of comments.
12:14:53 One of the things that, you know, West Tampa's center is
12:14:57 Howard and Main Street.
12:14:59 But Tampa defines the boundary ending at Howard, and it
12:15:04 split the neighborhood in half, which was brought up.
12:15:06 So you have two representatives in there.
12:15:14 District 5 and district 6.
12:15:19 I think also we want to look at the present plan is an
12:15:23 extension of downtown into West Tampa.
12:15:28 When the mayor speaks, and he said, the river is going to be
12:15:32 the center of downtown, then that means that the other side
12:15:37 of the river is going to be downtown.
12:15:40 So that needs to be clarified.
12:15:42 That's a neighborhood.
12:15:46 And maybe it would be a downtown neighborhood, but the
12:15:50 development that is going to happen there, who need to be
12:15:55 looked at very closely, it is a whole neighborhood issue,
12:15:58 defined and delineated.
12:16:00 It needs to be defined and delineated.
12:16:05 MacFarlane park is in there, and I think that when one was
12:16:12 brought up, the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of
12:16:13 Commerce, the CDC, their maps showed a much wholer
12:16:21 neighborhood there.
12:16:22 We had a number of, you know, addressed the needs of West
12:16:24 Tampa, is very important.
12:16:26 There's a need for comprehensive plan that encompasses the
12:16:30 entire neighborhood.
12:16:31 It was mentioned that the plan will take -- that's being
12:16:36 paid for -- and is the gentleman still here?
12:16:38 I'm sorry, I don't -- I'm sorry -- that is working with the
12:16:42 Tampa Housing Authority.
12:16:45 Do you know when that plan will be -- what that time is?
12:16:49 If it's four to six months, did it start already?
12:16:52 And obviously, because this will affect the neighborhoods
12:16:56 around it.
12:16:57 And in some ways, this project again is an extension of
12:17:01 downtown into a neighborhood, and that has to be watched
12:17:04 very carefully.
12:17:05 A comprehensive plan that addresses this.
12:17:08 An extension of downtown on the west side of the river.
12:17:11 Again, I keep emphasizing that because that is what the
12:17:14 mayor says it is.
12:17:19 And the key to redevelopment is to inform and make aware the
12:17:23 direction that this will take us to make us a better city,
12:17:27 and a better neighborhood.
12:17:28 So I would like to hear what the time line is for that plan,
12:17:32 and what components -- who is involved in that plan from the
12:17:38 neighborhoods, from the businesses.
12:17:41 >> Tampa Housing Authority again.
12:17:45 The plan that I am speaking of is the master plan of what we
12:17:47 are defining as the West Tampa area which is 140 acres south
12:17:53 of Columbus, for the most part north of the free way, east
12:17:58 of Rome, to the river.
12:18:03 44 acres in the middle of that represents the Tampa Housing
12:18:06 Authority site, North Boulevard homes.
12:18:09 That contract is being executed hopefully this week, is in
12:18:14 final draft form now.
12:18:15 We have been negotiating for the last few weeks.
12:18:17 And that will start our four to six-month planning process.
12:18:23 In the next few days, we are going to be sitting down and
12:18:26 actually coming up with dates for public engagement
12:18:29 opportunities, identifying the neighborhood association, the
12:18:33 business representation, the other citizen groups, and civic
12:18:36 groups that we want to invite to a number of public meetings
12:18:41 that we will be having as we start the planning process.
12:18:47 >>YVONNE CAPIN: So that time line, do we have -- is it fall
12:18:49 of '13?
12:18:51 Is it --
12:18:52 >> I would say four to six months.
12:18:55 We are doing a master plan of the entire area.
12:18:58 And within the next three to four months we want to have
12:19:00 enough of that plan completed that should we decide to
12:19:04 pursue federal grant funding from HUD this year, we will
12:19:08 have enough of that plan contact already identified.
12:19:13 Sufficient enough to allow competitive application.
12:19:16 But it will take, I think, a full six months before we have
12:19:22 a full master plan of the West Tampa area.
12:19:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: So the fall.
12:19:30 Okay.
12:19:32 Maybe this is for the city.
12:19:34 Has there been a survey of the citizens and review the
12:19:38 results of the citizens of the neighborhood?
12:19:43 >> Randy Goers, planning division.
12:19:45 There hasn't been a survey of citizens.
12:19:48 We embarked on the plan for the center city area last year,
12:19:55 with an outreach that involved four large community
12:19:58 meetings, eight neighborhood walking audits and neighborhood
12:20:05 charrettes.
12:20:06 We have a very active online dialogue with the community.
12:20:09 So we engaged the community directly.
12:20:11 And during the exercises, they participated in exercises.
12:20:16 We got written comments back.
12:20:18 So a survey, were you able to tabulate?
12:20:21 On our online forum, we received 326 people, I think, that
12:20:27 participated online.
12:20:27 We received over a thousand comments, that we do have all
12:20:31 that information in a database.
12:20:33 So it wasn't a traditional survey, but we did go out and
12:20:36 talk with people and asked them to participate in exercise
12:20:39 and do have written comments back from the residents.
12:20:44 If I can respond to a couple comments you raised earlier.
12:20:46 The Hillsborough River is the center of our community, and
12:20:49 in a longer the edge of our downtown.
12:20:50 That's what the planar tick ultimates.
12:20:52 It's a center of our community and not the downtown.
12:20:55 The plan itself is a plan for the central business district
12:20:59 and the neighborhood that A joins the central business
12:21:03 district so it isn't making downtown bigger.
12:21:05 It is making the -- looking at the area from integrated
12:21:08 urban core where you have a central business district, and
12:21:11 neighborhoods surrounding that central business district,
12:21:13 and the plan stresses that we want to respect the character
12:21:17 and the diversity and the direction of each neighborhood.
12:21:20 And connect those neighborhoods together.
12:21:24 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I appreciate you bringing that forth because
12:21:26 that is the perception.
12:21:27 And I wanted to Clare it.
12:21:29 Because what I envisioned was neighborhoods just lake Hyde
12:21:35 Park and Davis Island, and the Heights are a part of the
12:21:40 core around -- the core of downtown.
12:21:45 So will West Tampa be.
12:21:46 And that's what I brought forth when people asked me.
12:21:51 But I wanted it to be clear.
12:21:53 So I appreciate you telling us that, and also telling us
12:21:56 about the interview, because many people don't know that
12:21:58 that took place.
12:22:00 So that is very important.
12:22:01 And I did have you here on my list, Kansas City set up a CRA
12:22:06 and that has been discussed.
12:22:07 >>HARRY COHEN: Councilwoman Mulhern wanted to say
12:22:12 something.
12:22:12 And remember we do have to take public comment on this.
12:22:14 >> Thank you.
12:22:18 >>MARY MULHERN: Then I will be quick.
12:22:19 Because I believe I know before we have public comment, but
12:22:22 I wanted to add, I really appreciate you bringing that issue
12:22:25 up.
12:22:26 It's great to see so many West Tampa community act visits
12:22:30 here.
12:22:31 It's great.
12:22:32 But as far as the definition and the idea of extending
12:22:36 downtown, and Mr. Goers just said you talked about
12:22:41 respecting the history -- no, you didn't say history.
12:22:45 You said character and diversity.
12:22:47 And I think history should be part of that, because too many
12:22:49 times, what we want to redevelop and rebrand and change a
12:22:55 neighborhood, the history is what makes it and what brand.
12:22:59 And West Tampa, of all the places in the city, is a place
12:23:04 that doesn't need a new grant.
12:23:06 West Tampa has a great wonderful rich brand.
12:23:11 And I would hate to see it not totally respected.
12:23:14 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much, Councilman Mulhern.
12:23:18 That was very well said.
12:23:20 And I agree.
12:23:22 We do want to take public comment now on this workshop.
12:23:25 Three minutes for anyone from the public who has not spoken
12:23:30 who wishes to address the council regarding the West Tampa
12:23:34 redevelopment.
12:23:35 Please give us your name and address for the record.
12:23:37 Thank you.
12:23:37 >> Good afternoon.
12:23:40 City Council.
12:23:40 My name is pat and I come to you as a community organizer.
12:23:45 My address is 3201 east north Bay Street.
12:23:48 And unlike Joe Robinson I haven't been in West Tampa all my
12:23:54 life.
12:23:55 However
12:24:00 Today I would like to discuss with you something that
12:24:02 councilwoman Mary Mulhern said.
12:24:04 As a redevelopment of West Tampa begins to occur, in one of
12:24:08 the oldest communities in the city, we want to make sure
12:24:11 that the history is maintained.
12:24:14 So I come before you today having the support of business
12:24:17 owners and residents.
12:24:20 We are not into the community and discuss with them, and
12:24:22 this is in reference to main street.
12:24:25 I spoke to Councilwoman Yolie Capin last month and told her
12:24:30 I would be coming at this time.
12:24:31 She advised me to come during the workshop.
12:24:33 The reason why I mention this is important to me as I stayed
12:24:35 before is because it's an area that I was raised in, and
12:24:38 also where I was in public housing on North Boulevard homes.
12:24:43 I would like to maintain that I would like -- the community
12:24:46 would like to maintain Main Street's history by asking for
12:24:49 the historic designation, if it does exist for Main Street,
12:24:53 and as Mr. Joe Robinson said.
12:25:01 If there is historic designation that exists for Main Street
12:25:05 I would like to the be extended or the community is asking
12:25:07 for it to be extended and the proclamation be offered, or be
12:25:11 given by the Tampa City Council.
12:25:13 So that is what I am here for today.
12:25:16 And I believe that extending destination to MacDill is
12:25:23 in the best interest of the Hispanic and African-American
12:25:27 community.
12:25:28 So please consider that in the whole process for
12:25:30 redevelopment.
12:25:31 And as investors come in we want to make sure we maintain
12:25:35 that history by extending any historic designation that
12:25:38 currently exists.
12:25:39 >>HARRY COHEN: Councilwoman Montelione.
12:25:41 >>LISA MONTELIONE: This is a question for staff.
12:25:50 The boundaries of the historic district, Mr. Goers, does it
12:25:54 currently include all or part of the area?
12:26:00 >>RANDY GOERS: I'm not that familiar with the actual
12:26:03 boundaries of the historic district.
12:26:04 I can find out and provide council with that information.
12:26:07 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That would be helpful.
12:26:11 Because the historic district isn't just a proclamation from
12:26:13 City Council.
12:26:14 It has to go through the federal government.
12:26:15 And --
12:26:18 >> I am it's for the historic Main Street, not a district.
12:26:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Can we as council --
12:26:31 >> I can get with Councilwoman Capin for clarification on
12:26:34 that.
12:26:34 >>MARTIN SHELBY: If council is interested in inquiring, you
12:26:37 can make -- if Mr. Goers is able to do that.
12:26:43 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Randy, could you get with Mr. Fernandez
12:26:48 and find out about the process of doing this?
12:26:50 Because I am not familiar with such a process.
12:26:52 Thank you.
12:26:52 >> I wanted to also say coming from asking for a
12:27:03 proclamation, because as was explained to me, the City
12:27:06 Council or the mayor can offer a proclamation.
12:27:08 >>LISA MONTELIONE: A proclamation comes from the mayor's
12:27:13 office.
12:27:14 Commendations come from council.
12:27:17 But what I thought I heard you say was to ask for a
12:27:21 historic --
12:27:25 >> Designation.
12:27:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Designation, and historic designation
12:27:30 actually is -- actually, I think Ms. Mulhern is more
12:27:36 familiar with the process than I am.
12:27:38 But the designation, the word designation actually has a
12:27:41 definition.
12:27:41 >>MARY MULHERN: I just want to hear from the public, and
12:27:49 you all can talk about that of a public comment on this
12:27:53 issue.
12:27:53 >>HARRY COHEN: Let me just call on Councilwoman Capin
12:27:58 because she's leaving.
12:28:00 >>YVONNE CAPIN: You did come to me, and I said bring it
12:28:03 here, and we will look into it.
12:28:05 And that is exactly what we are going to do.
12:28:07 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you.
12:28:15 Is there any other public comment?
12:28:18 You have already had yours.
12:28:21 I just need to hear from the public that hasn't spoken.
12:28:25 Please, three minutes each.
12:28:26 Thank you.
12:28:26 >> It's been a long day so thanks for holding this.
12:28:29 And feel free to enforce the three-minute comment.
12:28:32 I know you want to.
12:28:33 My name is James chitten, west chestnut street, about two
12:28:38 blocks away from the intersection of Howard and main.
12:28:41 I have lived there since 2007 but like Mr. Ryan I grew up in
12:28:45 Memphis, Tennessee, also so I feel right at home with a red
12:28:49 shack just a few blocks away.
12:28:51 It's one of the nice things about West Tampa.
12:28:53 But we are here to talk about bad things about West Tampa
12:28:56 and what need to be changed.
12:28:57 And what I am going to say is probably not going to be very
12:28:59 popular but let's talk about the North Boulevard projects.
12:29:02 Not only do I live in West Tampa but I also have rental
12:29:05 property in Tampa Heights.
12:29:06 And so I really have a vested interest in this whole area.
12:29:10 The North Boulevard project is a concentration of a lot of
12:29:13 our communities' worst socioeconomic problems.
12:29:18 We talk about lack of social services, lack of
12:29:22 transportation, talk about the difficulties of relocating
12:29:24 these people.
12:29:24 But in a one talks about the contagion of crime that happens
12:29:29 there, how one person might fall into a bad crowd and
12:29:32 another bad crowd and it spread across blocks and it spreads
12:29:35 across generations, and it also spreads into adjoining zip
12:29:40 codes.
12:29:42 I know that downtown Tampa has problems with, Tampa hates
12:29:48 has problems, North Hyde Park has problems, with people who
12:29:53 leave the projects and then go and commit crimes and thefts
12:29:57 in other areas.
12:29:58 And this is an area let's not forget is practically within
12:30:01 walking distance of where we are now.
12:30:03 It's a big redevelopment priority.
12:30:05 So I would like to, you know, as far as tearing down the
12:30:08 North Boulevard projects, I hope it happens sooner rather
12:30:11 than later.
12:30:12 I would like for that to be sped up.
12:30:14 If that happens, I think that would result in a renaissance
12:30:18 in that whole area.
12:30:19 And it's going to happen as soon as the whole plan gets
12:30:21 implemented.
12:30:22 I would just like to see it sped up.
12:30:24 Now I would like to talk about the three Ls which refer to
12:30:27 the quality of life problems that we have.
12:30:29 The first L is loitering.
12:30:32 On Main Street, in front of all the, you know, the Sansabar,
12:30:40 people standing around asking for change of anybody coming
12:30:43 into the stores, everybody coming out of the stores.
12:30:45 They usually stand right in front of the big old Tampa
12:30:49 Police Department anti-loitering sticker.
12:30:52 And then they collect enough money to go inside and buy some
12:30:55 alcoholic beverage and then, you know, back out to collect
12:30:58 more money.
12:30:59 The second L is littering.
12:31:02 Anyone who lives in West Tampa knows what it's like to have
12:31:05 to walk out and pick up wrappers that say Trojan,
12:31:10 McDonald's, you know, Frito Lay, whatever.
12:31:13 And the third one is loud music.
12:31:17 I can't wait until there is a loud music ordinance, because
12:31:22 I might like classic rock and jazz but that doesn't mean
12:31:24 that all my neighbors want to hear it at three in the
12:31:27 morning.
12:31:27 It's exactly, as they said on Main Street, the party breaks
12:31:31 up, the music -- people drive off with the loud music.
12:31:35 And so I know that my three minutes are up.
12:31:37 (Bell sounds)
12:31:38 But you.
12:31:40 >> You did volunteer to be the first person to be --
12:31:46 >> I did.
12:31:46 So even if it's Rudy Giuliani style, broken window law
12:31:51 enforcement, and would definitely improve the quality of
12:31:54 life for all of us.
12:31:55 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you.
12:31:57 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I think we need to move to increase the
12:32:03 time.
12:32:07 We have a motion.
12:32:08 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion from Mr. Suarez.
12:32:11 Second by Mr. Reddick to extend the time to 12:50.
12:32:14 All those in favor please indicate by saying aye.
12:32:16 Opposed?
12:32:17 Okay.
12:32:17 Thank you.
12:32:17 >>> Good afternoon, council.
12:32:22 Men and women.
12:32:23 I appreciate being before you today.
12:32:25 First, I want to commend you on your efforts, and the one in
12:32:30 regards to criminal records.
12:32:31 I think that is a positive move for the City of Tampa
12:32:35 because of the residents that returned to our community from
12:32:38 incarceration.
12:32:39 I don't have any complaints.
12:32:43 I just want to speak about my upbringing in West Tampa and
12:32:46 the history that I have.
12:32:47 So I would like to see a designation or proclamation given
12:32:54 to Main Street itself.
12:32:57 You know, so the term is actually used throughout America as
12:33:01 Main Street USA, and I don't want to see Main Street lose
12:33:07 its vitality, when redevelopment takes place in West Tampa.
12:33:12 So the expansion actually a designation or reaction exists,
12:33:17 and exists under the name of Moses White.
12:33:19 So Main Street actually has two names.
12:33:21 So an expansion from North Boulevard down to MacDill is
12:33:26 actually something that can be implemented because it's
12:33:28 something we have done before.
12:33:29 So we just want to encompass the diversity that West Tampa
12:33:33 has had over the decade.
12:33:37 There's been studies done on Afro Cuban, residents of West
12:33:41 Tampa, as well as African-Americans being residents of West
12:33:45 Tampa.
12:33:46 I don't believe that we should lose the history like we lost
12:33:50 some of the history of Centro Avenue which was our black
12:33:53 community here in Tampa at one point.
12:33:55 But they are bringing those things back through the Encore
12:33:58 project and renaming some of the buildings after the history
12:34:01 that had taken place there.
12:34:03 So I would like to see some of those things take place when
12:34:07 redevelopment moves forward.
12:34:09 I think it's vital that he have community be engaged in
12:34:14 diversity.
12:34:15 And I would hope that that is the mayor's concern as well
12:34:18 when these things to arrive in our community.
12:34:20 >>HARRY COHEN: May we have your name in.
12:34:22 >> Quintin Robinson and I'm here as a concerned citizen.
12:34:26 But self things that I sit on but I am not going to mention
12:34:29 that today because my heart today is for West Tampa.
12:34:31 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much.
12:34:33 Is there anyone else from the public on this particular
12:34:35 item?
12:34:35 >> Delfine Jones, crime watch group.
12:34:46 I just want to emphasize during this process, currently, we
12:34:51 were the last people to learn about a whole lot of things
12:34:54 going on in our community.
12:34:55 And as now we are west riverfront and impacted by the river.
12:35:00 As a matter of fact they gave it another name that I never
12:35:02 heard of.
12:35:03 About W that being said just like Joe Robinson said, we have
12:35:06 to put tax dollars back in in order for this to work.
12:35:09 And also the CDC of West Tampa, with Mr. Randolph, that's a
12:35:14 very important component.
12:35:17 Just like the gentleman was saying about loitering and all
12:35:20 that, CDC is going to provide hopefully moneys to retrain
12:35:24 people for jobs, and also new construction come in, so
12:35:29 people can be utilizing, that will change the whole picture.
12:35:34 So I just want to emphasize that.
12:35:35 Thank you.
12:35:36 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much.
12:35:40 Well, that appears to be the close of this workshop.
12:35:43 Councilwoman Capin, you are the next workshop as well on
12:35:46 Internet cafe.
12:35:49 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I want to again thank you everyone for being
12:35:51 here, their patience, and at the end of this meeting I am
12:35:54 going to propose a motion for the fall for it to come back
12:36:01 to us, because it's a very big project and a very big part
12:36:06 of our city.
12:36:07 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you.
12:36:09 I apologize.
12:36:11 I misread it.
12:36:12 It was a joint motion.
12:36:13 I see there were two motions.
12:36:16 One by you and one by Mr. Suarez on this topic.
12:36:19 So I know Ms. Mandell is here.
12:36:21 >>JULIA MANDELL: Legal department.
12:36:28 I believe -- I can going to ask if I can grab one from Mr.
12:36:37 Shelby.
12:36:38 What I am hoping we can do very quickly today, just go
12:36:40 through those bullet points, and figure out the best option
12:36:44 going forward, and suggest that you just direct me to bring
12:36:48 back an ordinance in approximately 30 days on these
12:36:52 particular issues.
12:36:55 We could either go through these today, and you can give me
12:36:58 direction on these, or I can just come back with some
12:37:01 suggestions.
12:37:03 I was hoping we would have a little more time but it's been
12:37:06 a long day.
12:37:06 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Mandell, in terms of some of the
12:37:10 questions you have here, you have questions as to the number
12:37:12 of business permits we mate want to have?
12:37:16 >>JULIA MANDELL: Yes.
12:37:17 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And I guess we are not the best purveyors of
12:37:23 wondering how many permits to allow per year, per month.
12:37:27 >>JULIA MANDELL: When we discussed this previously, the
12:37:30 city of Jacksonville has a total number of 20 permits.
12:37:34 A limitation throughout the city.
12:37:37 There was some discussion based on our population, some
12:37:41 discussion of basing it on other factors.
12:37:44 So that was really the intent of that question.
12:37:47 There is no requirement that you just limit the number of
12:37:49 permits, that that is something that we had discussed.
12:37:53 So I wanted to have a further discussion if we wanted to
12:37:56 limit the number of permits I.adopt believe that there is
12:37:58 that many of these Internet cafes that are housing aren't
12:38:06 Swope stakes.
12:38:06 I think there's maybe 10 to 12 right now in the city.
12:38:10 There may be more at some point in the future.
12:38:12 There may not be that.
12:38:13 We don't know the answer to.
12:38:14 But all that being said, that is one of the points.
12:38:18 And the city of Jacksonville does limit to the 20.
12:38:20 >> If we use the total number that are out there, is that
12:38:27 defensible legally?
12:38:29 >> City of Jacksonville has been upheld.
12:38:31 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If you could put the number that's already
12:38:34 listed as Internet cafes as a total number, I think it's the
12:38:38 best way of going.
12:38:39 It would be my suggestion.
12:38:40 >>JULIA MANDELL: The intent from our discussion last time
12:38:43 was create a business operation permit.
12:38:45 This wouldn't be in our code.
12:38:47 This would be a business operation permit.
12:38:49 We limit the number of permits per year that we would grant.
12:38:52 We have tographer in the ones that are already there, and I
12:38:55 think it's really a question of moving forward and how many
12:39:00 additional permits to allow, and all the permits from there
12:39:03 will be on an annual basis.
12:39:05 So if it's council's will --
12:39:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: My point is that if we have ten currently
12:39:14 that are licensed, and one goes out of business, we are only
12:39:18 going to allow one more to continue to come back in beings
12:39:21 correct?
12:39:21 >> Well, I was thinking the ones that exist, exist, they
12:39:25 become grandfathered, nonconforming.
12:39:27 If they go out of business, they lose that right to be there
12:39:29 but we wouldn't incorporate those into this number.
12:39:32 The number would be a number starting today.
12:39:33 So any new permits starting today, if you limited to 20, it
12:39:38 would be 20 per year.
12:39:39 Those that exist aren't going to be obligated to come in for
12:39:42 a business operating permit.
12:39:43 They are going to exist in their location.
12:39:46 We do know where they are per our business tax division.
12:39:52 I have had this conversation with Jake solitary.
12:39:55 So those wouldn't be part of that number.
12:39:59 But those are -- I think I do need to make this clear
12:40:02 because I have gotten some questions on this.
12:40:05 That's per the premise they are at at the location they are
12:40:08 at today.
12:40:09 If they move locations, that's a new establishment.
12:40:12 >> okay.
12:40:14 Okay.
12:40:15 I would suggest that we would limit to what the total is
12:40:18 now, so that we are not -- we are not adding any more
12:40:25 significantly larger number.
12:40:27 I mentioner I would go with five, let's say, or something
12:40:30 like that, or total limitation.
12:40:34 Obviously, we are looking at trying to regulate but also
12:40:37 limit.
12:40:38 So that's the T way I would go.
12:40:40 Some of the other questions that you had on here, I think
12:40:42 that -- and if you don't mind, colleagues, I will go through
12:40:47 these really quick, and maybe we can all --
12:40:51 >>HARRY COHEN: Both Councilman Reddick and Councilman Capin
12:40:57 wanted to say something.
12:40:58 Why don't we do that and then come back?
12:41:01 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Sure.
12:41:03 >>FRANK REDDICK: I think this is a critical issue that we
12:41:05 are discussing.
12:41:06 And I would feel more comfortable if we had a full council
12:41:11 to make changes so they could have the input.
12:41:14 We have two missing.
12:41:15 And I think there's a lot of questions.
12:41:17 And in a previous council, when we have something major like
12:41:25 this we always make sure the full council has input.
12:41:28 And that's all I'm suggesting.
12:41:29 And I previous that.
12:41:30 >>HARRY COHEN: Councilwoman Capin, did you want to comment?
12:41:37 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes, I did bring the original motion in
12:41:39 September.
12:41:39 A lot has taken place.
12:41:42 Time is of the -- essence.
12:41:45 >> In March.
12:41:50 So it just takes two readings.
12:41:53 To do an ordinance, two to three weeks depending on
12:41:57 council's schedule.
12:41:58 We don't need to take it to Planning Commission.
12:42:01 That doesn't have to go in a particular cycle.
12:42:03 Now that we have couched this as a business operating permit
12:42:06 I am comfortable we can move that forward.
12:42:08 I am simply looking at some direction on these particular
12:42:10 items and then can bring back and ordinance.
12:42:14 If it's council -- you are short on time.
12:42:16 Now that you have the list in front of you maybe Kuhl this
12:42:20 out in two weeks for a staff report and go through this list
12:42:22 because everybody will have a better idea, and if anybody
12:42:25 has any questions they can certainly contact me and I would
12:42:27 be happy to go through it.
12:42:30 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I think that would satisfy Mr. Reddick's
12:42:34 concern.
12:42:35 This is an issue.
12:42:37 We have been looking at.
12:42:37 This we have been waiting for a court decision and all of
12:42:42 this.
12:42:42 So, yes, I would make that motion to revisit in two weeks
12:42:51 for staff report.
12:42:53 >>HARRY COHEN: February 7th is pretty busy.
12:42:55 >>JULIA MANDELL: If we do the 21st, you give me
12:43:03 direction, we can schedule first reading.
12:43:06 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion from Councilman Capin
12:43:08 beings seconded by Councilman Reddick, to bring this up
12:43:11 under staff reports on February 21st at 10 a.m.
12:43:14 All those in favor please indicate by saying aye.
12:43:17 Opposed?
12:43:18 Okay.
12:43:19 Thank you very much.
12:43:22 We are going to go ahead now and move on to new business and
12:43:25 reports.
12:43:26 Mr. Suarez.
12:43:26 >>MIKE SUAREZ: None for me, sir.
12:43:30 >>HARRY COHEN: Ms. Capin?
12:43:36 >>YVONNE CAPIN: (off microphone) ... on the workshop on West
12:43:39 Tampa.
12:43:40 I would venture to say that report is going to be done in
12:43:42 the fall.
12:43:44 The study.
12:43:46 In the fall.
12:43:47 So I would like to bring back this workshop in a much
12:43:53 smaller scale because today we heard from -- because it new,
12:43:57 and we don't need to repeat what was said.
12:44:00 But I think that from October we can schedule -- I would
12:44:06 like to schedule, along with -- I have a list here -- law
12:44:11 enforcement.
12:44:12 And if you would like -- oh, great.
12:44:15 Here it is.
12:44:17 To come back to City Council -- sorry again.
12:44:26 This is a lot today.
12:44:28 Here it is.
12:44:28 Okay.
12:44:31 Along with -- I'd like to have the Tampa Housing Authority
12:44:37 and that study to come back to us, law enforcement, code
12:44:40 enforcement, parks was not addressed today, economic
12:44:44 development, community -- I mean, transportation, housing
12:44:48 and real estate.
12:44:50 >>HARRY COHEN: Okay.
12:44:52 >>YVONNE CAPIN: And have a written report and then we can
12:44:54 discuss it.
12:44:55 >>HARRY COHEN: If I could suggest, perhaps before the
12:44:58 workshop, you will delineate for us exactly who will be
12:45:01 speaking at the workshop?
12:45:03 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes.
12:45:04 I will do that.
12:45:04 That would be October workshop.
12:45:07 >>HARRY COHEN: October 24th at 9 a.m.
12:45:11 >>YVONNE CAPIN: At 9 a.m.
12:45:12 >> Second.
12:45:14 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion on the floor for a workshop
12:45:16 discussing West Tampa October 24th at 9 a.m.
12:45:20 Motion from Councilwoman Capin, seconded by Councilman
12:45:23 Reddick.
12:45:24 All those in favor indicate by saying aye.
12:45:26 Opposed?
12:45:28 Okay.
12:45:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
12:45:31 That's it.
12:45:32 >>FRANK REDDICK: One item, Mr. Chair.
12:45:34 And that is I believe February 21st, we have legal
12:45:42 department going to respond to draft ordinance pertaining to
12:45:53 drugs.
12:45:54 The legal department has put the draft ordinance together
12:45:56 where they are going to go February 6th to implement
12:46:01 this draft ordinance.
12:46:02 So I am just going to ask that Julia Mandell come on the
12:46:10 21st and be prepared to discuss this draft ordinance
12:46:16 pertaining to first reading.
12:46:18 >>HARRY COHEN: As part of the staff report that's already
12:46:20 scheduled.
12:46:22 I don't think we need a motion for that, do we, Mr. Shelby?
12:46:26 Or would you feel better if we did?
12:46:27 It's already on the calendar.
12:46:28 >>MARTIN SHELBY: It's on the calendar.
12:46:31 I guess that will be communicated with Mrs. Mandell so she
12:46:35 will be prepared to do that.
12:46:36 >>HARRY COHEN: I would like to hand the gavel to
12:46:40 Councilwoman Montelione for a moment.
12:46:42 I would like to make a motion to schedule a workshop on May
12:46:47 the 23rd at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the city's code of
12:46:52 ethics and ethics policy.
12:46:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have a motion on the floor.
12:46:57 Do I have a second?
12:46:58 Second by Mr. Suarez.
12:46:59 All those in favor of the motion?
12:47:02 All those opposed?
12:47:04 Thank you very much.
12:47:04 Motion passes.
12:47:05 >> That has nothing to do with any of us.
12:47:15 Councilwoman Montelione.
12:47:16 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have actually two pieces of new
12:47:20 business.
12:47:20 I would like to ask for some time on our February 7th
12:47:26 calendar, immediate five-minute presentation, to immediately
12:47:31 follow the Westshore Alliance presentation, Ed Johnson from
12:47:38 economic development division, Yanina Rosario from SPDC, and
12:47:41 Janine Salmon, regional risk manager for Chase Bank to come
12:47:46 and discuss the conference that I am hosting which was on
12:47:51 February 15th, on the project that we are working on to
12:47:57 assist small businesses and their access to credit.
12:47:59 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion from Councilwoman
12:48:06 Montelione, seconded by Councilman Reddick.
12:48:09 All those in favor?
12:48:11 Opposed?
12:48:11 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The second one is for the remembrance of
12:48:19 connect Tampa Bay, which includes Brian Seel, Kevin Thurman,
12:48:23 Brian Willis and Brandie Miklus to come and advise council
12:48:28 on their work on transportation initiatives.
12:48:31 There's a new group headed by some very dynamic young
12:48:35 people, and I think they are deserving of some type to tell
12:48:38 us about their new endeavor.
12:48:41 And I would like to that to take place at the February
12:48:45 21st council meeting at 10 a.m.
12:48:47 >> Second.
12:48:51 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion from Councilwoman
12:48:53 Montelione, seconded -- by Councilman Suarez.
12:48:57 All those in favor please indicate by saying aye.
12:49:00 Opposed?
12:49:01 Okay.
12:49:02 And we need a motion to receive and file.
12:49:05 We have a motion from Councilman Reddick, seconded by
12:49:08 Councilwoman Montelione.
12:49:10 All those in favor?
12:49:12 And we are adjourned.
12:49:15 (City Council meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.)
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