TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, August 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. Session
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09:06:24 >> We will call this meeting of the CRA to order.
09:06:27 First on the agenda is the invocation,
09:06:32 Mr. Miranda.
09:06:33 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Madam Chair.
09:06:35 However, the invocation this morning, I'll
09:06:39 introduce an individual from the community, used
09:06:42 to be a city employee when I was a teenager here.
09:06:46 He's been with the city, and he does outstanding
09:06:49 work representing his clients all around
09:06:52 government and different parts of the government.
09:06:55 He's been a friend of the community and he is an
09:06:58 advocate for doing things right.
09:06:59 That doesn't mean he does it right every time.
09:07:03 I'm getting to be like Donald Trump now.
09:07:05 Steve Michelini, please come and please stand for
09:07:09 the invocation by Mr. Michelini and remain
09:07:12 standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
09:07:14 >> Good morning.
09:07:14 Dear Lord, these are complicated and troubling
09:07:18 times.
09:07:19 We seek your light to guide us so that we may see
09:07:22 the right and just way.
09:07:24 We seek your shield to protect us from harm and
09:07:27 danger.
09:07:28 We seek your strength to sustain us when we feel
09:07:31 weak.
09:07:31 We seek your wisdom to assist us in finding good
09:07:35 solutions.
09:07:35 We seek your faith to maintain our correct and
09:07:38 honorable direction.
09:07:39 We ask that all of these gifts and your grace be
09:07:42 bestowed upon this Council, the Mayor, and all the
09:07:45 leaders of our country and community and to the
09:07:47 armed forces, the police, the firefighters and all
09:07:50 of the teachers.
09:07:52 We ask this in your holy name.
09:07:54 We pray, amen.
09:07:56 [pledge of Allegiance]
09:08:16 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Roll call.
09:08:18 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
09:08:19 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
09:08:19 >>THE CLERK: Reddick?
09:08:19 [ No response ]
09:08:22 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
09:08:25 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
09:08:27 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
09:08:28 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Present.
09:08:29 The first order of business is going to be a
09:08:33 commendation.
09:08:35 I will do that now.
09:08:36 we're going to present this commendation to
09:08:58 Michael Hatchett who is moving away from us.
09:09:02 You're moving home, right?
09:09:04 >> Yes, ma'am.
09:09:04 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Where is home?
09:09:06 >> South Carolina.
09:09:07 Anderson, South Carolina.
09:09:09 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Anderson, South Carolina.
09:09:10 Beautiful, beautiful area.
09:09:11 I'm going to read it, and then please say a few
09:09:15 words.
09:09:16 Tampa City Council is privileged to honor Michael
09:09:18 Hatchett, the community development agency heights
09:09:21 and Central Park development manager for 16 years
09:09:24 of dedicated service to the citizens of Tampa.
09:09:27 Michael has been responsible for managing the
09:09:30 CRA's participation and redevelopment of the
09:09:33 downtown Channel District, Tampa Heights,
09:09:35 riverfront and the Central Park community
09:09:37 redevelopment areas.
09:09:39 Previously employed as an urban planner with the
09:09:41 city's East Tampa development division, he
09:09:43 supervised the team that developed the finding of
09:09:46 necessity, the precursor to the approval of East
09:09:50 Tampa CRA.
09:09:51 Additionally, he was responsible for all the
09:09:53 annual budget preparation for East Tampa CRA from
09:09:57 2004 through 2006.
09:09:59 Michael has been an avid watchdog for the
09:10:02 taxpayer.
09:10:03 If there was a more economical solution to a
09:10:06 problem, Michael found it.
09:10:08 With budget reductions greatly reducing the number
09:10:10 of employees in his department, Michael made sure
09:10:13 that the CRA never missed a beat.
09:10:15 If anything, the quality of quarterly and annual
09:10:19 reports improved under his watch.
09:10:21 It was the department's jack-of-all-trades, and
09:10:24 his quiet, unassuming competence will be missed.
09:10:28 It is the City Council and the city CRA's honor to
09:10:34 acknowledge the outstanding work of Michael
09:10:36 Hatchett, Tampa's grateful for Michael's
09:10:40 commitment and exceptional service to the city
09:10:42 residents.
09:10:43 And your humor is also very enlightening.
09:10:46 [ LAUGHTER ]
09:10:47 That quiet humor.
09:10:49 >> Thank you.
09:10:50 Thank you very much.
09:10:50 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:10:50 Thank you.
09:11:06 Tampa CRA board members, thank you.
09:11:07 It's been an honor to have been here for the past
09:11:10 15 years, serving in various capacities.
09:11:14 And I would have to issue my first thank you to
09:11:18 Corine Linebrink-Wain, who is also part of our EUD
09:11:21 staff.
09:11:22 She was the one who first interviewed me and hired
09:11:25 me into the housing division back in 2000.
09:11:28 Then I would have to say a special thank you to
09:11:31 Mr. Ed Johnson, who is also on our staff for
09:11:33 giving me the chance to move into the East Tampa
09:11:36 development division where we created the East
09:11:38 Tampa CRA and for helping me learn the ropes of
09:11:42 financing developments and being a part of
09:11:45 construction.
09:11:45 Also, the many people, one being here today,
09:11:53 Ms. Lena Young Green.
09:11:55 It's people like Lena who make our neighborhoods
09:11:59 better that come alongside the city and encourage
09:12:01 us to take the high road and to spend our
09:12:04 resources and time in ways that make our
09:12:07 neighborhoods better and create a better quality
09:12:08 of life for everybody.
09:12:09 And then again, to you as City Council and the CRA
09:12:13 board for making the wise decisions that you do in
09:12:18 helping us use our resources and our time and our
09:12:21 staffing to make our neighborhoods a better place.
09:12:25 Thank you again.
09:12:26 It's been a pleasure.
09:12:27 I'll miss all of you and hope I have an
09:12:30 opportunity to come back and visit with you again.
09:12:32 Thank you.
09:12:32 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:12:35 >> Chair, if I may, Mr. Hatchett, a couple of
09:12:39 things, one, you have the unfortunate name of
09:12:41 being in government and having the last name that
09:12:43 you do.
09:12:44 It's never a good thing to introduce you as
09:12:46 "Mr. Hatchett."
09:12:48 Never a happy time usually if they don't know you
09:12:50 well.
09:12:50 I've really enjoyed working with you.
09:12:52 Ms. Capin had mentioned about your laughter.
09:12:56 Depending on what day it is, it could be maniacal
09:12:59 or it can be, you know, crowd-inducing.
09:13:02 I'm not sure which.
09:13:03 I hope that whatever you do in South Carolina --
09:13:06 what will you do in Anderson, South Carolina?
09:13:08 >> Real estate.
09:13:09 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Real estate up there.
09:13:10 Okay, a booming market I heard.
09:13:12 Hopefully you'll be as successful up there in
09:13:14 private business as you've been down here with our
09:13:16 CRA, and we really appreciate everything you've
09:13:19 done.
09:13:19 You know, let's face it, you worked for bob
09:13:23 McDonaugh.
09:13:25 That alone is worth at least a very long vacation.
09:13:34 On the back you'll see a nice thing about bob
09:13:37 McDonaugh.
09:13:38 You'll enjoy that.
09:13:39 Don't show it to everyone.
09:13:41 Congratulations and thanks for the service you
09:13:42 provided the city and the CRA.
09:13:45 >> Thank you.
09:13:53 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Who turns off my mike?
09:13:54 We have a commendation also for Vince Pardo who is
09:14:02 retiring, and it will be presented at his
09:14:06 retirement festivities.
09:14:08 Thank you.
09:14:10 And now we have the monthly report.
09:14:12 I have a note here.
09:14:15 It just came to me.
09:14:17 Essie Sims, due to other obligations, I will not
09:14:26 be able to join you all this morning.
09:14:28 Continue the awesome work that God has put before
09:14:32 you.
09:14:32 Thanks for many years of support and East Tampa
09:14:34 partnership.
09:14:34 He will not be here for the report.
09:14:39 Is there anyone else from East Tampa?
09:14:43 >> No, there is not.
09:14:44 We were just notified this morning that Mr. Sims
09:14:48 would be unable to appear.
09:14:49 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Okay.
09:14:50 That's number one.
09:14:51 Number two, monthly report, CRA.
09:14:54 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Good morning.
09:14:56 Bob McDonaugh, economic development.
09:14:58 A couple of highlights for people to be aware
09:15:00 because it impacts what they do and how they do
09:15:03 it.
09:15:03 Curtis Hixon Park will be closed for repairs.
09:15:06 We are going to be repairing the drainage, the sod
09:15:08 and the pavers.
09:15:10 It's a victim of its own success.
09:15:12 It has gotten a lot of wear and tear.
09:15:15 So we're making those repairs now to get ready for
09:15:18 the busy fall season.
09:15:20 The next couple of months, that will be under
09:15:22 construction.
09:15:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Can I ask you something real quick
09:15:25 on that?
09:15:26 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Yes, ma'am.
09:15:27 >>YVONNE CAPIN: There are many events there, and
09:15:29 we do collect deposits, do we not?
09:15:32 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Yes.
09:15:33 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Have any of those deposits been
09:15:36 used toward that?
09:15:37 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I do not know.
09:15:41 >>YVONNE CAPIN: We may want to put that into --
09:15:43 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Again, we do collect park fees as
09:15:46 well, and that would be going towards the
09:15:48 restoration work.
09:15:49 The fees -- the deposits generally are, if
09:15:52 somebody breaks something or they don't do a
09:15:55 cleanup after the event, and then that money is
09:15:57 deducted for replacing what was broken and the
09:16:02 cleanup.
09:16:02 We do charge park fees, and it would go towards
09:16:05 the restoration of the park.
09:16:06 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Well, thank you.
09:16:07 >>BOB McDONAUGH: All of those activities do pay
09:16:10 their way.
09:16:10 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Good.
09:16:12 >> Chair, if I could.
09:16:14 What is the estimated cost to refurbish Curtis
09:16:17 Hixon?
09:16:18 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I have not seen the number.
09:16:19 I'll get it for you.
09:16:24 >> Excuse me?
09:16:26 >> About $2 million, if I remember correctly.
09:16:30 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I believe that's in total.
09:16:33 That includes electrical work that will be done at
09:16:35 a later time.
09:16:36 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I'm talking more about the
09:16:38 resodding, some of the more --
09:16:40 >>BOB McDONAUGH: This one segment, I'll get the
09:16:42 number for you.
09:16:43 I thought it was closer to a million for this.
09:16:46 I'll find out.
09:16:47 Again, it made sense, if we're going to improve
09:16:49 the drainage and tear it up, well, it makes sense
09:16:52 to resod it.
09:16:53 While we have it out of service, a lot of you, if
09:16:55 you've been there, noticed that some of the pavers
09:16:58 have gotten shaky.
09:16:59 We're putting a crushed concrete base under some
09:17:02 of it, and toward the band stand, there will be
09:17:04 poured pavers for a good, solid area there.
09:17:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
09:17:08 Thank you.
09:17:10 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
09:17:12 >>BOB McDONAUGH: We are investigating
09:17:13 transportation options in the urban core with the
09:17:16 Downtown Partnership.
09:17:17 They're looking at the possibility of buying
09:17:21 rubber-wheeled electric vehicles to run short
09:17:25 stints in the downtown Channel District.
09:17:29 The downtown advisory board is positive the
09:17:33 Channel District, which we had a meeting last
09:17:35 night, is asking for more information.
09:17:37 So as that develops, I'll come back to board and
09:17:40 let you know what they are talking about.
09:17:43 This would be I think 14, 15 hours a day from 7:00
09:17:46 in the morning until late in the evening where you
09:17:48 could summon one of these electric carts and get a
09:17:52 ride back to your place of business or to your
09:17:55 home.
09:17:55 Again, filling in the gaps of our transportation,
09:17:59 so people don't necessarily get in a car.
09:18:01 Yesterday, a few of us were able to attend a
09:18:06 ground breaking for Florida crystal's project in
09:18:08 the Channel District.
09:18:09 That's between 11th and 12th and Kennedy
09:18:12 boulevard.
09:18:12 About 300 units.
09:18:15 Juan Porro is the developer for Florida crystal,
09:18:19 he actually did The Slade and actually the same
09:18:23 construction company and same engineer.
09:18:25 I can tell you from experience, they build a very
09:18:28 quality project.
09:18:29 It will be a nice addition.
09:18:30 It's got a little art deco flair.
09:18:35 They are naming some of the floor plans they have
09:18:37 after some of the hotels in Miami Beach.
09:18:39 There is the Delano and a couple of other ones.
09:18:43 It will really be a nice addition to the
09:18:45 neighborhood.
09:18:46 Ybor has solicited bids for special events, and I
09:18:52 believe they are either in the process or have
09:18:54 finished evaluating them, and they are making
09:18:57 grants for special events in Ybor, helping support
09:19:00 that nighttime economy that they so much enjoy.
09:19:04 We had a grand opening this week of the new tax
09:19:08 collector's office in Drew Park.
09:19:09 I don't know which is a better cause of
09:19:11 celebration -- the opening of the tax collector's
09:19:13 office or the fact that the Lois avenue
09:19:16 construction is almost done.
09:19:18 But that's drawing to a close as well.
09:19:21 There's a little bit of paving to do, some
09:19:23 crosswalks but the street furniture and sidewalks
09:19:26 and those type of things have been done.
09:19:28 That project, which is one of the more ambitious
09:19:31 ones, that any of our CRAs have done is drawing
09:19:34 to a close.
09:19:35 That concludes my presentation.
09:19:41 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mr. Reddick.
09:19:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. McDonaugh, I don't know if
09:19:45 you can answer this question, but in Ybor City I
09:19:50 notice that when they have special events, the
09:19:53 garage, the Fernandez Noriega garage, why is it a
09:19:58 $10 cost versus the other garage where it is a
09:20:02 $4 cost on a special event?
09:20:04 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Actually, we met with the YCDC
09:20:08 yesterday about that, and we said we would find
09:20:10 out.
09:20:11 Again, it's something that the surface lot
09:20:18 operators and everybody does when there is a
09:20:19 special event, they generally charge a special fee
09:20:22 to drive more revenue.
09:20:24 Again, that's a garage, if you recall.
09:20:28 For the last 20 years, it's been a dollar for
09:20:28 three hours.
09:20:30 We tend to be below market even at the $10.
09:20:34 I'll get an answer for you.
09:20:36 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
09:20:37 Thank you.
09:20:37 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
09:20:38 Anyone else.
09:20:39 Thank you, Mr. McDonaugh.
09:20:41 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Certainly.
09:20:44 >>YVONNE CAPIN: We go on to number 3, Mr. Spiro.
09:20:50 Dr. Spiro.
09:20:51 I'm sorry.
09:20:52 Apologize.
09:20:53 Presentation regarding technology of the Sunshine
09:21:00 Board.
09:21:06 >> Good morning.
09:21:06 I'll be giving a short 15-minute Powerpoint
09:21:13 presentation and then opening it up for questions.
09:21:16 >>YVONNE CAPIN: What I'm going to do here with the
09:21:18 indulgence of the board is I see we have other
09:21:24 business that pertains to the CRA and maybe we can
09:21:31 do this presentation after our other business.
09:21:39 >> That's perfectly fine with me.
09:21:45 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Staff can go back.
09:21:46 Dr. Spiro, I apologize.
09:21:49 Thank you for your indulgence.
09:22:11 Community redevelopment, quarterly TIF financial
09:22:16 report.
09:22:18 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Each of you should have received
09:22:20 your quarterly TIF report for each of our CRA
09:22:24 districts, and it gives you an update of exactly
09:22:26 where we are financially in each of the districts.
09:22:31 Be happy to answer any questions you might have on
09:22:34 that.
09:22:42 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Any questions?
09:22:43 Do you want to go through it?
09:22:52 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Again, as always, it seems like
09:22:56 from the beginning of the year to the end of the
09:22:58 year we're always in the budget cycle.
09:23:00 We have begun the work of approving budgets for
09:23:03 the various CRAs.
09:23:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Did I miss something or did we
09:23:27 just get this this morning?
09:23:28 >>BOB McDONAUGH: You just got this this morning.
09:23:30 >>LISA MONTELIONE: If I may make a request that in
09:23:33 the future we get this in advance so it can be
09:23:36 read and reviewed.
09:23:38 I mean, it's a lot of information to digest and
09:23:43 ask questions.
09:23:45 Just getting it just now, either I have to listen
09:23:48 to you present it or I read it and review it.
09:23:55 >> This is the draft, correct?
09:23:56 This is the advance.
09:23:59 >>BOB McDONAUGH: We're not asking for any approval
09:24:01 today.
09:24:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I would still like to see it --
09:24:05 >> I think you've got two months.
09:24:09 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I would still like to see it
09:24:11 before I show up and sit down at the dais, even if
09:24:14 it's a draft, so I can look at the draft and ask
09:24:17 questions of the draft.
09:24:21 >> Certainly.
09:24:24 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Again, a quick review.
09:24:32 I'm just tearing it up this morning.
09:24:34 Here are anticipated revenues agencywide.
09:24:46 If you notice, there is a decline this year.
09:24:48 Again, that is reflective of the fact that the
09:24:51 county is no longer participating in the downtown
09:24:52 CRA.
09:24:53 Here is our overall with the exception of the
09:25:05 downtown where the county is no longer
09:25:09 participating and Central Park.
09:25:10 All of them have actually had very hefty
09:25:13 increases, which is reflective of the increase in
09:25:16 the property values.
09:25:18 Proposed budgets, the allocation, again, what we
09:25:26 have attempted to do and I think we are successful
09:25:28 is that we keep our operations and administrative
09:25:32 costs a very small percentage of the gross
09:25:36 dollars.
09:25:36 Downtown CRA boundaries, here is the redevelopment
09:25:44 highlights.
09:25:45 Obviously, the riverwalk is one of the real
09:25:48 highlights.
09:25:48 The festivities in Curtis Hixon Park, and that is
09:25:51 aurora up in the top right-hand corner, which is
09:25:54 being done by the Richmond group which will open
09:25:57 in the spring of next year.
09:25:58 Highlights, strategic properties, SPP, if you
09:26:05 notice, we have a section of Channelside Drive
09:26:07 which is currently blocked off.
09:26:09 We are doing some improvements there.
09:26:11 That's being funded by the downtown CRA.
09:26:14 Approximately $260,000, and it is utility work in
09:26:17 anticipation of the coming road work.
09:26:20 Here is our TIF revenues.
09:26:22 Again, that $9 million is reflective of the fact
09:26:26 that the county is no longer participating.
09:26:30 I want to remind that you they have said that they
09:26:32 will participate with us in the funding of the SPP
09:26:36 roadway improvements.
09:26:37 So that's not shown on this balance sheet because
09:26:41 it does not come into our escrow account.
09:26:44 Another thing that's out there is because the
09:26:47 bonds have been retired or will retire this year,
09:26:50 there is a question as to whether or not the Port
09:26:52 Authority and the children's board will continue
09:26:54 to be required to contribute to the downtown CRA.
09:26:57 So that $9 million is a gross number.
09:27:00 If they do not participate it will be up to
09:27:03 $2 million less than that.
09:27:05 We'll have a meeting on that in the
09:27:08 not-too-distant future.
09:27:10 Here is the proposed budget.
09:27:16 Again, I want to remind the board that this comes
09:27:19 through the advisory Council, and they look at the
09:27:23 needs of the community, and then they bring a
09:27:26 proposed budget to the CRA board for approval
09:27:30 later on, but this is something that has been
09:27:32 worked out with people in the community in each of
09:27:34 these districts.
09:27:34 The Channel District, again, you see sky house,
09:27:41 which is now open up in the top right-hand corner
09:27:43 is the yet-to-be named project that we had the
09:27:46 ground breaking for yesterday.
09:27:49 Landscaping project in the bottom left around the
09:27:51 TECO power plant.
09:27:52 On the right, is the new park that will be
09:27:55 building on Madison street, which the land was
09:27:58 acquired using CRA funds.
09:28:00 The Parks Department will actually build it.
09:28:03 Some of the objectives that we have, the park
09:28:05 work.
09:28:05 We're doing wastewater pump, which is again to
09:28:09 support some of the new growth that's happening in
09:28:11 that marketplace.
09:28:12 We will work with SPP on the revitalization of
09:28:16 Channelside Bay Plaza.
09:28:17 They have not announced formal plans for that.
09:28:19 There's been a fair amount of time with the
09:28:21 community to find out what kind of retailers they
09:28:24 want.
09:28:24 I know they went out to Las Vegas and went to the
09:28:28 big retail show there to talk to people about what
09:28:32 could be there.
09:28:33 And we'll continue to finance and support cultural
09:28:35 and entertainment venues.
09:28:37 So as you can see, the Channel District has
09:28:41 recovered from the recession and continues to
09:28:43 grow.
09:28:43 We'll see that accelerate in the next few years as
09:28:46 these new projects come online and start
09:28:49 collecting taxes or paying taxes.
09:28:52 Here is our proposed budget.
09:28:55 Tampa Heights.
09:29:00 What's going on there, I think we'll see -- we
09:29:04 spent a lot of time at Council and CRA board has
09:29:07 spent a lot of time with Adam Harden and his
09:29:09 partner going through a series of projects to get
09:29:12 to where we are right now.
09:29:13 He had to reconsolidate the property.
09:29:19 Something that recently happened he bought out the
09:29:21 last landholder of a large block of land.
09:29:25 He has now accumulated virtually all of the land
09:29:28 or a couple of residential lots.
09:29:30 The rest is now under control of one ownership.
09:29:33 As you recall, we spent a lot of time with the
09:29:38 development agreement.
09:29:38 He spent a lot of time with the permitting folks
09:29:42 both the S.W.F.W.M.D. and our transportation
09:29:44 people to get approval for the road network.
09:29:48 He also, if you recall, went in front of us and
09:29:53 got board approval to go out and modify the bond
09:29:57 language, which would allow them to do private
09:29:59 placement bonds so they could begin the process.
09:30:02 Some of this -- a lot of this initial work is
09:30:05 going to be funded with private dollars, the
09:30:07 infrastructure work.
09:30:08 Because, obviously, the CRA does not generate any
09:30:11 property taxes or de minimis amount.
09:30:13 But I think that without letting the cat out of
09:30:16 the bag, I think before the end of the year, we'll
09:30:19 see shovels in the ground on a variety of
09:30:21 projects.
09:30:22 He has been very diligent.
09:30:23 The thing that's interesting is that there has not
09:30:27 been a rush to market in this.
09:30:29 He's wanted to make sure, he's been very
09:30:32 thoughtful and wants to make sure it's done
09:30:34 correctly.
09:30:35 I think in the end, I think that the community and
09:30:36 the city will be very happy with this project.
09:30:39 Again, a nominal amount of dollars are generated
09:30:56 in there.
09:30:56 Central Park CRA -- and I apologize to chairperson
09:31:01 Capin.
09:31:02 I have not solicited folks yet.
09:31:04 I've been spending some time actually looking at
09:31:10 the budget of the Central Park CRA.
09:31:13 One of the things did, was incur a fair amount of
09:31:19 costs and start-up costs.
09:31:21 The nominal amount of money generated on an annual
09:31:24 basis has been going to pay back the amount of
09:31:26 money that it cost to do the study and all of
09:31:28 that.
09:31:29 Last year, $67,000 went towards that.
09:31:31 Central Park still owes approximately $150,000 for
09:31:35 the work that was done to set up the CRA.
09:31:42 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mr. Reddick.
09:31:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. McDonaugh, on the Central
09:31:45 Park CRA, fiscal year 2014, I see $19,000 was used
09:31:54 for salary and operating.
09:31:55 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Yes, sir.
09:31:58 >>FRANK REDDICK: Was that part -- who are the ones
09:32:01 getting paid?
09:32:02 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Part of that went to Michael
09:32:03 Hatchett's salary.
09:32:07 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
09:32:10 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Again, because he's responsible
09:32:12 for four CRAs, his salary has been spread out
09:32:16 over the four districts.
09:32:19 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
09:32:20 So each of the four districts contribute towards
09:32:22 his salary?
09:32:23 >>BOB McDONAUGH: That's correct.
09:32:24 And administrative overhead.
09:32:26 That's correct.
09:32:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
09:32:30 Anyone else?
09:32:36 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Again -- and with what's going
09:32:38 on, again, having the mixed income, mixed-use
09:32:42 properties that the housing authority keeps
09:32:44 bringing online, we should see some acceleration.
09:32:47 I know there have been rumors in the marketplace
09:32:50 on some ongoing -- I know they have two sites
09:32:53 under contract for commercial development, hotel
09:32:57 and residential to an outside developer, but that
09:33:01 has not closed yet and it has not gone into
09:33:04 permitting, so we'll see what happens with that.
09:33:06 Ybor City CRAs, again, one and two.
09:33:17 talking about our objectives, again, right now,
09:33:24 what we spend most of our time with is supporting
09:33:27 the development efforts that are going on there.
09:33:30 I'll be coming to you in the not-too-distant
09:33:34 future with a plan for 7th and Nuccio, which is
09:33:37 a residential and retail project.
09:33:41 As you know, we approved the project up on 12th
09:33:44 street.
09:33:44 They will begin construction hopefully by the end
09:33:46 of the year, and then there are a variety of
09:33:48 projects along 7th avenue which are converting
09:33:51 older buildings into rehab units that will have
09:33:55 both residential and office opportunities.
09:33:57 So that's really the thrust right now, along with
09:34:00 working with the EDC to make sure that the tech
09:34:04 community from out of town understands the
09:34:06 opportunities in Ybor City, which seems to be a
09:34:08 very popular niche.
09:34:10 Again, the revenues are starting to come back up
09:34:15 again.
09:34:15 Here is the budget.
09:34:18 Fair amount of money in Ybor historically in the
09:34:22 last several years has been spent on marketing
09:34:25 efforts.
09:34:26 The advisory committee in Ybor felt that it's
09:34:29 particularly important to change the public
09:34:31 perception of what Ybor is and how Ybor is.
09:34:35 Unlike some of our other CRA districts, they have
09:34:38 concentrated a fair amount of money on marketing
09:34:40 to get that word out there that the new Ybor is
09:34:43 not necessarily the old Ybor.
09:34:45 So we have probably the biggest thing going on
09:34:53 there right now, aside from all of that
09:34:54 residential development is the redo of 21 and 22.
09:34:58 21st and 22nd streets by F.D.O.T.
09:35:01 When that's completed it does a couple of things.
09:35:04 No longer will you have heavy truck traffic.
09:35:07 It becomes a little more pedestrian friendly.
09:35:09 What that means, it will be okay to cross 21st
09:35:13 and 22nd.
09:35:14 I think that will spur more development.
09:35:16 Richard Gonzmart has bought the old building
09:35:19 across the street.
09:35:20 Talking about building an Italian restaurant in.
09:35:22 I think that's going to be one of many things that
09:35:26 we'll see happen once 22nd street is completed.
09:35:29 TIF revenues in 2.
09:35:33 Again, that is the smaller one.
09:35:34 Mostly residential.
09:35:36 It was hurt a little bit more by the recession
09:35:38 than the commercial properties.
09:35:39 The East Tampa CRA, which, again, is the largest
09:35:45 of our CRAs.
09:35:46 We have seen a small boon in retail going on
09:35:53 there.
09:35:53 And what's nice is that this private investment is
09:35:59 open now to serve clients in the district.
09:36:01 We have a new grocery in the Walmart.
09:36:03 But next year is when we'll see the kick to the
09:36:05 CRA bottom line where they'll contribute tax
09:36:08 dollars to expand the base to allow the CRA to do
09:36:10 more.
09:36:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: We invested in a horse?
09:36:14 [ LAUGHTER ]
09:36:14 Horse in the picture.
09:36:22 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Well, I believe that was from the
09:36:23 MLK parade.
09:36:24 East Tampa CRA, we can see we're a far cry from
09:36:34 '13-14, but a long way also from 2003-2004.
09:36:38 But again, we're starting to pick up momentum.
09:36:41 Again, next year, I think we'll see a nice pop.
09:36:44 We're also seeing interest in both single-family
09:36:46 and multifamily in East Tampa.
09:36:48 We're going to see a couple of projects there in
09:36:50 the not-too-distant future.
09:36:53 The thing that we're being cautious about is we
09:36:56 want to make sure what is done is quality, because
09:36:59 we've spent a fair amount of money in the
09:37:00 community to work on the infrastructure and
09:37:04 wouldn't make sure that what's built there
09:37:06 reflects that.
09:37:07 Drew Park CRA.
09:37:12 Redevelopment highlights, really two things have
09:37:15 gone on -- fix the drainage in the streets.
09:37:18 And that was a cooperative effort.
09:37:20 There were general fund dollars.
09:37:21 There were stormwater dollars.
09:37:23 There were S.W.F.W.M.D. dollars.
09:37:25 There were CRA dollars.
09:37:26 Again there was pain for people in the district
09:37:29 while it went on, but this is something they are
09:37:32 going to enjoy for years to come.
09:37:33 That localized flooding and impassable streets I
09:37:35 think will be a thing of the past with those main
09:37:40 streets.
09:37:40 Again, we'll see a nice increase there.
09:37:42 And a lot of the CRA dollars you've seen have been
09:37:45 going to the facade improvements.
09:37:47 Again, uplifting the appearance of the community,
09:37:49 and it has spurred more private investment, which
09:37:52 is the intent of that project.
09:37:53 So, objectives, we have some markers.
09:37:58 We want to work with the lineal park with the
09:38:03 Aviation Authority, again, adding more amenities
09:38:06 into the district.
09:38:06 Our proposed budget, as you can see, most of the
09:38:11 dollars are in construction dollars.
09:38:14 West Tampa, again, our new CRA, we are in the
09:38:20 process of -- we have just solicited a call for
09:38:25 board members, and we got a robust group.
09:38:30 I'm sure we'll be coming to you in the
09:38:32 not-too-distant future for selections for that.
09:38:35 We have an at-large group that have already been
09:38:39 identified, and then we'll have community folks be
09:38:41 picked as well.
09:38:42 Excuse me.
09:38:45 Everybody in there is community folk.
09:38:47 That is a misnomer.
09:38:48 But as opposed to just people representing
09:38:50 organizations, there will be individuals as well.
09:38:53 Again, the flavor of the buildings.
09:38:55 And we're working diligently, obviously, with the
09:38:58 housing authority and the School Board to
09:38:59 develop -- redevelop that area.
09:39:02 Julian B. Lane is starting to turn dirt and seeing
09:39:07 changes there.
09:39:07 That is a massive project that will be a great
09:39:11 amenity for the neighborhood.
09:39:12 So we'll be talking to the board between now and
09:39:19 September 10th.
09:39:21 Certainly ready to have conversations, questions
09:39:25 answered, anything I can do to answer questions
09:39:29 about the material that was just distributed
09:39:30 today.
09:39:31 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Any questions?
09:39:32 Ms. Montelione.
09:39:35 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Madam Chair.
09:39:36 There is a table that is on page 50, and again,
09:39:41 repeated within the redevelopment agency in the
09:39:48 City of Tampa agreement for services on page 55.
09:39:50 Each one of the CRAs, with the exception of
09:39:57 Central Park, shows a line item for salary and
09:40:01 operating expenses.
09:40:04 So, can you explain why Central Park, because I
09:40:10 thought with the previous question from
09:40:11 Mr. Reddick, that $19,000 of Mr. Hatchett's or his
09:40:18 successor's salary was allocated.
09:40:23 Why isn't that showing in the table?
09:40:26 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I'll have to check.
09:40:27 I might have misspoken.
09:40:29 We might not have allocated salary toward Central
09:40:31 Park.
09:40:33 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, it does appear in the
09:40:34 central -- on page 43, which is, I think, where
09:40:38 Mr. Reddick picked up the 19,000, on page 43,
09:40:42 salaries and operating expenses, Central Park CRA
09:40:45 budget allocation is 19,000 in fiscal year '14.
09:40:48 But none in -- budgeted for '15 and '16.
09:40:53 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Right.
09:40:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And none budgeted for '13.
09:40:56 '13 I can understand, but it appears in '14 and
09:41:00 not in '15 or '16 doesn't make sense to me and it
09:41:04 also doesn't make sense that it doesn't carry over
09:41:06 to the other tables within the contract.
09:41:08 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I'll check on the tables.
09:41:09 But I think one of the reasons might be is that if
09:41:13 you recall that we disbanded the association --
09:41:16 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Right, that doesn't make sense
09:41:19 in '13.
09:41:20 Makes sense in '14 and makes sense to carry to '15
09:41:23 and '16.
09:41:24 >>BOB McDONAUGH: If you recall we have not had
09:41:26 meetings in Central Park in the last few years.
09:41:29 The folks in the neighborhood --
09:41:30 >>LISA MONTELIONE: No, no.
09:41:31 I get that.
09:41:32 But in '15 and '16, we may budget it because we
09:41:38 may have a committee and we may have salary.
09:41:42 A staff member needs to monitor and participate in
09:41:46 the process of the Central Park CRA.
09:41:48 So '15 and '16 should have something budgeted for
09:41:51 it.
09:41:52 >>BOB McDONAUGH: '16, because it starts next month
09:41:54 or October 1st.
09:41:56 >>LISA MONTELIONE: October 1st is sneaking up on
09:41:59 us rather rapidly.
09:42:02 >>BOB McDONAUGH: It is, yes.
09:42:04 >>LISA MONTELIONE: On page 64, the Tampa Community
09:42:08 Redevelopment Agency, City of Tampa Departmental
09:42:11 Staff Allocated Cost Comparison, fiscal '16 and
09:42:16 '15, the portion percentage fund by the TIF is 85%
09:42:20 and all except for Drew Park and East Tampa and
09:42:28 Central Park where it's zero.
09:42:29 And there are footnotes for the explanations.
09:42:33 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Which page is this?
09:42:36 >>LISA MONTELIONE: 64.
09:42:37 Footnote 3, manager for Central Park also manages
09:42:44 downtown central district and Tampa Heights
09:42:46 riverfront.
09:42:47 Again, back to the same question of the allocation
09:42:51 for salary.
09:42:52 It would be applicable on that table as well.
09:42:57 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Okay.
09:42:58 I will make that change.
09:43:04 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mr. Reddick.
09:43:07 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. McDonaugh -- [microphone
09:43:10 not on]
09:43:17 >>BOB McDONAUGH: If you have any questions, yes,
09:43:19 uh-huh.
09:43:21 >>FRANK REDDICK: I want to meet with you and
09:43:25 without going into all the details today, but I
09:43:28 want to meet with you about the makeup of the West
09:43:31 Tampa CRA.
09:43:32 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Sure.
09:43:33 >>FRANK REDDICK: Because I was not here when that
09:43:35 took place, and I have some strong feelings about
09:43:38 how that took place.
09:43:44 In my opinion, it was not done properly, and it
09:43:49 was not done like we have done it with all other
09:43:52 CRAs.
09:43:55 And I will tell you in private why I feel this
09:43:58 way.
09:43:58 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Sure.
09:44:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: But I think we're going to lose
09:44:04 some valuable people in that community because of
09:44:08 how this came about.
09:44:10 The people that I have spoken with, the people
09:44:15 that have discussed this with me, they are very
09:44:19 disappointed how this was done.
09:44:22 So I just want to share with you about that.
09:44:28 I'm disappointed.
09:44:29 I'm sorry I was not able to be here that day when
09:44:32 it was discussed because I was part of the East
09:44:36 Tampa CRA when we first developed the CRA.
09:44:43 And I recall what we went through and the process
09:44:46 we went through to develop the CRA.
09:44:50 That didn't happen with West Tampa.
09:44:55 When you got community organization
09:44:57 representatives, you know, just like everybody who
09:45:02 belongs to an organization over there, that we're
09:45:06 going to make you a part of this process to please
09:45:08 everybody, but there are some underlying factors
09:45:14 involved with some of those organizations that do
09:45:16 not deserve to be a part of this process.
09:45:19 If they are going to be a part of this, should be
09:45:22 part at-large, apply for it like everybody else.
09:45:25 But to automatically be given that role, I've got
09:45:29 a problem with it, and I have met with every
09:45:32 organization in West Tampa, more than one time,
09:45:39 and they all got their own agenda.
09:45:42 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I would concur with that, which
09:45:44 is why I think we felt inclusion was the best
09:45:46 policy, to get as many people at the table as we
09:45:49 could.
09:45:50 >>FRANK REDDICK: The problem I'm concerned about,
09:45:54 whether it's going to be productive or not because
09:45:55 of the personalities.
09:45:56 So I just want to talk with you about that.
09:46:02 I won't belabor the point today.
09:46:04 But I just want to talk with you about it.
09:46:07 I think we can do better than what we have now.
09:46:09 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Be more than happy to talk about
09:46:11 it.
09:46:12 I think the comment about strong personalities
09:46:14 might be an understatement.
09:46:16 >>FRANK REDDICK: I agree.
09:46:19 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
09:46:20 Thank you, Mr. Reddick.
09:46:21 Ms. Montelione, follow-up.
09:46:24 And Mr. Suarez.
09:46:26 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. McDonaugh, one thing that I
09:46:29 noticed about what's going on is that, you know,
09:46:31 Mr. Pardo is retiring, Mr. Hatchett is leaving.
09:46:35 We've got ed Johnson, who I believe is going to be
09:46:40 retiring at some point.
09:46:41 >>BOB McDONAUGH: I have forbade that.
09:46:45 >>MIKE SUAREZ: You let Hatchett go.
09:46:47 Nothing you can do to stop it.
09:46:49 Do you foresee having more staff, of course,
09:46:53 Mr. Hatchett handled a lot of different districts.
09:46:57 You know, what are your thoughts on how you're
09:46:59 going to rearrange, retool or whatever?
09:47:03 >>BOB McDONAUGH: We will have a replacement for
09:47:05 Mr. Pardo and a replacement for Mr. Hatchett at
09:47:08 next month's meeting.
09:47:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: You're going to keep status quo in
09:47:13 terms of replacing them, you're not changing the
09:47:16 responsibilities for each one of those.
09:47:17 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Not at this point, no.
09:47:19 Again, everybody has demonstrated having a full
09:47:26 basket.
09:47:26 We feel it's important that the public is
09:47:29 responded to in a timely fashion.
09:47:32 Downsizing right now I don't think would be an
09:47:35 appropriate idea.
09:47:36 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Actually, I was talking about
09:47:38 upsizing.
09:47:39 That's okay.
09:47:39 You know, I think that the idea is that each one
09:47:42 of the districts will help pay for, if not the
09:47:45 total salary, at least a large portion of the
09:47:47 salary for that person dealing with that
09:47:49 particular district.
09:47:51 I just want to make sure because Tampa Heights, of
09:47:54 course, is not up and running yet, nor is Central
09:47:56 Park, but, you know, so you have that luxury of
09:48:01 waiting a little bit longer.
09:48:02 It's just that when you're losing so many folks
09:48:05 all at once, it makes it a little more difficult.
09:48:09 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Good people.
09:48:10 Wonderful people.
09:48:11 I agree.
09:48:13 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We already knew you thought they
09:48:14 were wonderful.
09:48:15 You didn't have to say it on camera but I'm sure
09:48:18 they appreciate it.
09:48:19 Thank you, Mr. McDonaugh.
09:48:22 Thank you, chair.
09:48:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Ms. Montelione, follow-up.
09:48:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It was a follow-up again to
09:48:26 Mr. Reddick's questions about the West Tampa CRA,
09:48:28 because I was here at that meeting and I'm still
09:48:31 confused.
09:48:31 Don't feel bad that you weren't here, Mr. Reddick.
09:48:35 So, generally speaking, the clerk's office
09:48:40 receives applications because it's published
09:48:42 notice on our website and in various publications
09:48:48 that we are seeking applicants for positions on
09:48:51 CRA.
09:48:52 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Correct.
09:48:53 >>LISA MONTELIONE: From those applications that go
09:48:55 to the clerk's office, they come to us and
09:48:59 presented to us at a CRA meeting.
09:49:01 >>BOB McDONAUGH: That's correct.
09:49:02 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We get the agenda in advance.
09:49:04 We review the applications along with whatever
09:49:07 supplemental documentation usually CV or a resumé,
09:49:11 and then we interview at the podium where you are
09:49:14 standing now all of the applicants.
09:49:17 >>BOB McDONAUGH: That is the usual process, yes.
09:49:20 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Is that not the process this
09:49:21 time?
09:49:21 >>BOB McDONAUGH: It is.
09:49:22 I think Mr. Reddick was referring to the fact that
09:49:24 we have a number of ex officio seats that already
09:49:30 comprise a chunk of the board.
09:49:33 >>LISA MONTELIONE: But this is a brand-new CRA, so
09:49:35 how do we have ex officio seats?
09:49:44 >> The slate that was brought to you had a number
09:49:46 of positions that were going to be filled by
09:49:48 organizations and a number that would be filled by
09:49:51 individuals.
09:49:52 I think getting at, organizations that were on
09:49:55 there maybe not ones he was in favor of since he
09:49:58 was not here to discuss that, he would like to
09:50:00 have an opportunity to discuss that.
09:50:01 Having ex officio members, the group decides who
09:50:04 they want to represent them on the board.
09:50:06 They bring that person forward to you.
09:50:08 As a matter of the mix, you have a lot of ex
09:50:11 officio and fewer citizens, individuals coming
09:50:15 before you.
09:50:16 I think that might be some of the concern.
09:50:17 It's the number on there -- ex officio, if it is a
09:50:22 Chamber of Commerce, they will have a seat there.
09:50:24 They will decide who they want to put forward.
09:50:26 You choose that person or not, but they are still
09:50:29 making the initial recommendation to you.
09:50:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I'll have to go back and review
09:50:36 the tape or the minutes of the CRA meeting because
09:50:42 I don't have a complete recollection of the
09:50:46 discussion and the vote that took place that day.
09:50:48 So I'm going to be looking at that process and how
09:50:55 that was decided upon.
09:50:58 >> If I'm not mistaken, there are more ex officio
09:51:03 members than individual members.
09:51:04 Again, this is your decision.
09:51:04 If you want to change the mix, that's your call.
09:51:07 [difficult to hear]
09:51:12 If you want to make the change, it's perfectly
09:51:12 within your power to do so.
09:51:13 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you for that
09:51:14 clarification, Mr. Territo.
09:51:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: Eight community organizations and
09:51:18 three at large, is that correct?
09:51:20 >> I don't remember the mix.
09:51:21 >> Yes, Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, Drew Park and
09:51:29 West Tampa CRA manager.
09:51:31 Yes, eight ex officio members, three at-large.
09:51:34 The eight ex officio are intended to be West Tampa
09:51:38 focused organizations.
09:51:39 >> In our regular process, would not the list of
09:51:47 organizations also come to us for approval for
09:51:54 review of their standing in the community, the
09:51:59 application being the same, in other words, they
09:52:02 would submit application to the clerk's office.
09:52:04 We would interview the organizations, and then
09:52:07 decide whether or not those are the organizations
09:52:10 that we would wish to fill those seats.
09:52:17 >> The list of organizations was presented to you
09:52:19 at the last meeting when the structure was
09:52:22 approved.
09:52:22 So you saw the actual name -- you saw the names of
09:52:26 the organizations and also the criteria that was
09:52:30 used to select those organizations.
09:52:33 That's one thing.
09:52:35 As far as the representation from the
09:52:37 organizations, we have what we call an ex officio
09:52:41 application.
09:52:41 It's very similar to the ones that the others fill
09:52:44 out, but a little more abbreviated and it also has
09:52:47 a certification page that, yes, indeed, this
09:52:50 person represents our organization.
09:52:52 When you say "interview or select the person," we
09:52:58 look to the organizations to be the entities that
09:53:01 decide who is going to represent them.
09:53:03 And then they fill out that application, and
09:53:06 you're essentially ratifying who the organization
09:53:09 is selecting to represent them.
09:53:16 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Anything else?
09:53:17 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Unh-unh.
09:53:18 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for that.
09:53:19 In that vein, I'm going to present something under
09:53:27 new business, and we'll take care of it then.
09:53:30 Thank you.
09:53:36 >>BOB McDONAUGH: That concludes my presentation.
09:53:40 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
09:53:41 Thank you for the presentation.
09:53:44 Now we're ready for Dr. Spiro.
09:53:50 Thank you.
09:54:22 >> I was told I need to announce that I'm ready to
09:54:25 give the presentation.
09:54:26 Thank you for taking the time to listen to this
09:54:36 presentation regarding the Sunshine Board.
09:54:34 DR. SPIRO: Thank you for taking the time to
09:54:36 listen to this presentation.
09:54:39 My name is Cyril Spiro, and I live at 10712 Cory
09:54:41 Lake Drive in New Tampa.
09:54:44 And what we are bringing forth to you today is the
09:54:47 presentation about the Sunshine Board technology
09:54:51 which is a public online workshop designed for
09:54:53 government.
09:54:56 And in particular, we are focusing on the CRAs,
09:54:59 and technology for the CRAs here in Tampa.
09:55:05 This is the mission of the Sunshine Board.
09:55:06 We are a nonprofit organization designed to
09:55:08 empower government to become effective, efficient,
09:55:10 and transparent through the use of information
09:55:13 technology.
09:55:14 All right.
09:55:15 First let's just talk about what problems we are
09:55:17 here to solve.
09:55:18 Basically, we all know the Sunshine Law is a very
09:55:22 important law designed and put in place to prevent
09:55:24 board members, legislators, council members,
09:55:27 et cetera, from a history that we had seen of
09:55:30 colluding, so it's a very important law that needs
09:55:37 to be in place, but we have also seen that the
09:55:40 sunshine law prevent board members and their peers
09:55:43 from communicating and collaborating on issues
09:55:45 outside of public board meetings, so what ends up
09:55:47 happening is that the CRA board members and
09:55:50 yourself are put in a position where you need to
09:55:53 learn and you need to discuss and you need to
09:55:55 analyze and you need to decide on very important
09:55:58 subject matters in a very condensed period of
09:56:01 time, and it makes it very challenging for you or
09:56:03 for board members of the CRA to be do these kinds
09:56:06 of things particularly with the CRA that only
09:56:07 meets once a month and it ends up making very long
09:56:10 meetings.
09:56:11 So the Sunshine Board -- I went too far forward.
09:56:17 So I am the chair of Cory Lakes Isles in New
09:56:24 Tampa, and I will give you a couple of quick
09:56:27 examples of how we have been using Sunshine Board
09:56:29 for over a year to facilitate collaboration with
09:56:32 our peers.
09:56:32 We had a situation not too long ago where we
09:56:35 needed to put fencing up for a new part of our
09:56:38 district, and the board approved a high quality
09:56:41 fence at a not-to-exceed amount.
09:56:44 Unfortunately all the bids that came back with in
09:56:47 excess of that amount.
09:56:48 So at a subsequent board meeting a month later we
09:56:51 had to decide to go for a less expensive fence.
09:56:59 Just after that board meeting, one of the vendors
09:57:01 came back with a lower bid which meant we now had
09:57:03 two different motions that had been approved that
09:57:06 we had to decide on, but we would have to wait
09:57:08 another month to do that.
09:57:13 As the chair, I was responsible for directing
09:57:15 staff and had to make a decision between two
09:57:17 different board decisions that were both approved.
09:57:19 Fortunately, we had a Sunshine Board technology
09:57:21 forum workshop, online workshop that was already
09:57:25 scheduled to happen, and in that workshop I was
09:57:27 able to inquire with my board member peers what
09:57:30 their concerns were about which fence they would
09:57:35 prefer.
09:57:35 I had to make a decision, but because I had the
09:57:38 opportunity to find out what their opinions were,
09:57:39 I was able to make a better decision for our
09:57:41 community.
09:57:42 That's one example of how Sunshine Board was very
09:57:45 helpful.
09:57:46 Another very quick example is that we implemented
09:57:49 speed boards that allowed residents to see the
09:57:51 speed of their cars as they were driving in order
09:57:53 to reduce speeding in our community.
09:57:56 In the Sunshine Board we brought that up as an
09:57:58 online workshop topic forum.
09:58:00 And we discussed it, we found out that all the
09:58:03 board members were very pleased at the way the
09:58:04 speed board was going.
09:58:05 So at that point we knew it really didn't need to
09:58:08 be something to be discussed excessively at the
09:58:12 following board meeting.
09:58:13 So again, these are the kinds of things that
09:58:15 allows us to have more efficient and effective
09:58:18 meetings when we met physically.
09:58:23 So what we are going to do is look at CRA and how
09:58:26 we can have collaboration with CRA members the
09:58:30 same way that I just described.
09:58:31 And here are the eight CRAs for the City of
09:58:34 Tampa, with their population on the right.
09:58:36 The reason is not only can the board members
09:58:41 communicate through this technology but the
09:58:43 citizens of the CRA can communicate with them as
09:58:45 well.
09:58:46 And so the Sunshine Board technology is going to
09:58:50 be provided to account for the 56,000 residents in
09:58:54 the eight CRAs.
09:58:59 Okay.
09:58:59 So who are we?
09:59:01 My name is Cyril Spiro, as you heard. I'm a
09:59:05 physician by training.
09:59:06 I stopped seeing patients many moons ago. Because
09:59:08 of my background in biophysics and engineering I
09:59:09 started developing software for physicians to help
09:59:13 treat patients more effectively, and after time I
09:59:16 developed a company with that software and
09:59:20 eventually sold it to the Patel family here in
09:59:23 Tampa.
09:59:23 So I have more than 15 years in management of
09:59:25 software, and by coincidence I ran into TrongAn
09:59:26 Hoang. Our children had a mutual interest in the
09:59:31 same middle school.
09:59:33 Say hello to everyone. And I just want to brag on
09:59:37 TrongAn Hoang for a minute.
09:59:38 His son represented Tampa in a national chess
09:59:41 competition in Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and
09:59:43 placed in the top ten out of 500 candidates.
09:59:54 So TrongAn Hoang founded a software company in New
09:59:58 Tampa as well, has over 20 years of experience in
10:00:00 software development and management and is a
10:00:01 graduate of the University of Florida.
10:00:11 So the next question is, is the Sunshine Board
10:00:15 legal?
10:00:15 The answer, yes, it is based on an attorney
10:00:17 general's opinion, 2008-65.
10:00:18 Our attorney has given us the green light to start
10:00:18 with the company and with the Sunshine Board
10:00:18 technology, and subsequent to that before the Cory
10:00:21 Lakes CDD, using the technology, it was approved
10:00:26 by the firm of Straley and Robin.
10:00:30 There were four requirements with the AG opinion.
10:00:33 The first requirement is like any workshop, notice
10:00:36 must be given.
10:00:36 The second is that the city must provide public
10:00:39 access to computers within the CRA districts so
10:00:42 that the meetings must be held at a time, for
10:00:44 example, that the public libraries are open.
10:00:48 Voting on discussion can only be done at
10:00:51 subsequent physical meeting because you have to
10:00:52 have physical quorum to vote on an issue so you
10:00:57 can do all the listening, learning, discussing,
10:00:59 analyzing using the Sunshine Board and meet
10:01:03 physically to do voting.
10:01:04 Of course, minutes must be taken and the Sunshine
10:01:07 Board technology is designed at the end of the
10:01:08 meeting that it's automatically generated from the
10:01:11 discussions.
10:01:14 Okay.
10:01:16 Next I am going to show you the actual Sunshine
10:01:18 Board technology online.
10:01:28 Of course, I need a connection.
10:01:44 I should have used the extra time to get
10:01:46 connected.
10:01:48 You think you are connected all the time.
10:02:13 Okay, here we go.
10:02:20 You are not seeing it?
10:02:27 When the Wi-Fi is turned on, it gets turned off on
10:02:42 the second screen.
10:02:43 So what you are looking at is the Cory Lakes CDD
10:02:49 and seeing a list of all the workshops that have
10:02:51 already taken place, and it's very simple to have
10:02:55 see and understand.
10:02:55 You can log in in order to post comments.
10:02:58 There are three kinds of users.
10:03:00 You have your board members.
10:03:01 You have your residents, the citizens, and you
10:03:03 have the general public.
10:03:04 And in order to actually comment, you have to
10:03:07 register, which is equivalent to writing your name
10:03:10 and address when you come here to speak publicly.
10:03:13 And you can set up the CRA at their discretion,
10:03:16 can set up rules regarding how many times or how
10:03:19 often anybody can comment other than the
10:03:21 legislators, which is exactly you have three
10:03:25 minutes to say what you have to say.
10:03:26 So just to show you very quickly, we'll go into
10:03:29 our June 3rd workshop.
10:03:35 And here you can see the different discussion
10:03:37 points that we had.
10:03:38 And here is the second option for Capris Isle
10:03:44 portion of the community.
10:03:45 And you will see that explain the situation that I
10:03:48 explained to you earlier.
10:03:50 Then one of our supervisors responded saying that
10:03:54 they still wanted the higher quality wrought iron
10:03:57 fence.
10:03:57 This supervisor asked for clarification, which I
10:04:00 then provided.
10:04:01 And then the other two supervisors responded as
10:04:04 well.
10:04:04 And what I wanted to point out was than if you
10:04:07 look at the times, our meetings are from nine to
10:04:09 five.
10:04:10 So at 10:30 I posted the initial comment, the
10:04:14 response was a half hour later by one of the
10:04:17 supervisors.
10:04:18 Half hour after that another one.
10:04:20 By the end of the day all the comments were made.
10:04:22 So we were doing this for the convenience of our
10:04:24 homes or offices, and we didn't all have to be on
10:04:28 at the exact same time.
10:04:29 By the end of the day I had all the opinions I
10:04:31 needed in order to make a decision.
10:04:33 In fact we went with the higher quality fence that
10:04:35 had already been approved.
10:04:40 Back to the meeting list one other quick example
10:04:43 on April 1st, the speeding board which I
10:04:45 discussed, and one point of interest with this
10:04:48 particular meeting is that the supervisors are
10:04:51 discussing the issue, and then one of our
10:04:54 residents jumped online and asked a question of
10:04:56 the supervisors.
10:05:00 So I have just two more slides.
10:05:06 And then open it up to any questions.
10:05:09 So I already spoke with Greg Spearman about this
10:05:12 technology and he told me because it's a web based
10:05:15 technology it requires no infrastructure or
10:05:16 hardware, that their department does not have to
10:05:19 be involved with that.
10:05:20 In addition, staff and administrators would be
10:05:23 thoroughly trained by us, so it's a very simple
10:05:26 and easy system to use to ensure that you foal
10:05:29 very comfortable with creating technology for the
10:05:34 CRAs.
10:05:35 I would like to thank all the CRA managers who are
10:05:37 here, attending as well in the presentation.
10:05:42 Okay.
10:05:43 Last but not least, what does it cost?
10:05:46 We aim to make this an affordable solution.
10:05:49 Actually on a sliding scale in order to represent
10:05:51 the size of the districts that are being
10:05:53 represented, and five cents.
10:06:04 >> I'll take care of that.
10:06:26 >> Dr. Spiro: The solution is offered at five
10:06:29 cents per resident per month at sliding fee scale
10:06:32 and allows for one bulletin board for every 5,000
10:06:36 residents.
10:06:37 For the CRA's 56,000 residents it's approximately
10:06:41 $2800 a month and allows for 11 bulletin boards,
10:06:46 so you have additional bulletin boards for
10:06:51 subcommittees or other groups required to
10:06:53 communicate within the Sunshine Laws within the
10:06:56 CRA districts
10:06:57 Okay.
10:06:59 Last slide summary.
10:07:00 This is a Tampa-based technology.
10:07:02 We would like to see this technology exported to
10:07:05 the rest of Florida cities to show that Tampa Bay
10:07:08 has produced something that is cutting edge
10:07:10 technology and that helps improve government
10:07:13 efficiency and effectiveness.
10:07:14 It's a Florida not for profit, because we both
10:07:20 believe it serve it is public good.
10:07:21 We are obviously an experienced team from the
10:07:23 history that I accounted to you.
10:07:25 It is permitted by the sunshine laws.
10:07:27 Very easy to use.
10:07:29 Fosters collaboration and efficiency.
10:07:31 Increases resident satisfaction.
10:07:33 And is an affordable solution.
10:07:37 So I thank you for taking the time to listen.
10:07:40 And I know the value to discuss and analyze and
10:07:44 ultimately make a decision about the Sunshine
10:07:46 Board and what we are asking the City Council to
10:07:49 do is both approving the Sunshine Board technology
10:07:52 for the Tampa CRAs for a one-year term not to
10:07:57 exceed $2800 a month.
10:07:59 Thank you.
10:07:59 And I will turn it over to any questions.
10:08:04 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Questions?
10:08:05 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you very much.
10:08:07 Dr. Spiro, it's been a long journey for us to get
10:08:10 to this point.
10:08:12 I had initially talked to Dr. Spiro because he had
10:08:16 offered to help my office reach out to residents
10:08:19 of New Tampa, not just Cory Isles but the other
10:08:26 citizens in New Tampa and was able to really help
10:08:31 foster robust discussion and sharing of
10:08:33 information and using technology.
10:08:37 And that's something that I think is really
10:08:41 important for us to go forward with, is to move
10:08:45 into the use of technology in order to have a more
10:08:50 open government and foster participation.
10:08:54 We recently, at our MPO meeting -- and I will be
10:08:57 bringing this up also during new business -- used
10:09:00 go-to meeting in order for individuals who could
10:09:03 not attend in person to really comment during our
10:09:09 public comment portion without physically being in
10:09:11 the room.
10:09:12 And I think those kind of things is where we need
10:09:14 to move forward.
10:09:15 And that's why I had encouraged Dr. Spiro to be
10:09:17 here today and to discuss with our legal
10:09:22 department, with Mr. Spearman in purchasing and
10:09:26 with the economic development staff for the
10:09:29 CRAs, how this could be valuable.
10:09:32 We know from experience that we have had CRAs
10:09:36 that had trouble getting members to meetings.
10:09:40 We had trouble with people spending as much time
10:09:44 as it takes to be at a volunteer meeting with no
10:09:50 compensation, and has been a hindrance to a lot of
10:09:54 people because they have lives, they have jobs,
10:09:56 and spending all of this time trying to
10:09:58 participate in the process is very difficult.
10:10:01 So I think that the use of technology is the way
10:10:05 to bridge that gap, and to get more people
10:10:07 involved in their government and in the decisions
10:10:09 that are being made about their lives and
10:10:12 especially in the CRAs with tax money because
10:10:18 their tax money is directly funding the project
10:10:25 and the advancement of their neighborhoods.
10:10:27 So I had asked Mr. Territo to meet with Mr. Spiro
10:10:34 and also for Marty Shelby who is not here but our
10:10:38 City Council attorney to also chime in to see what
10:10:41 they thought and to look over the opinions of
10:10:46 whether or not this is in line with the sunshine
10:10:50 law.
10:10:50 >>SAL TERRITO: We still have a problem with the
10:10:58 example that you just gave, a member not being
10:11:00 able to come to City Council.
10:11:02 There's also an Attorney General opinion that says
10:11:04 if you are going to have someone remotely, first
10:11:07 of all, you have to all agree. You have to have a
10:11:09 quorum at the meeting, and if you are at
10:11:09 individual houses, I don't know how you can have a
10:11:09 quorum.
10:11:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We are not talking about
10:11:15 members of the CRA to participate.
10:11:16 >>SAL TERRITO: I thought he indicated that the
10:11:22 members were in their own homes.
10:11:23 >>LISA MONTELIONE: These are citizens boards.
10:11:27 So the avenue that I am looking at for the
10:11:34 Sunshine Board is for the citizen advisory
10:11:36 committees to use the technology so they can
10:11:41 participate.
10:11:42 It would be the next step, you know, to use it
10:11:45 here, but as an entree to help citizens
10:11:53 participate in their government.
10:11:54 What I am looking at is for the government citizen
10:11:56 advisory committee, again, you still have to be
10:12:00 present to have a vote and a discussion.
10:12:05 I participated in meetings remotely, as has -- who
10:12:11 else participated remotely? -- when my mother
10:12:15 passed.
10:12:15 I called in and I participated remotely and I was
10:12:18 able to vote.
10:12:19 I was not able to vote during quasi-judicial
10:12:23 portion of the meeting, but I did participate, and
10:12:26 that was maybe a first step.
10:12:36 But there was --
10:12:43 It might come up again.
10:12:45 It might be sooner than we think.
10:12:47 >>SAL TERRITO: (off microphone) so if you can do
10:12:56 it -- let me go back and look at that.
10:12:59 My understanding is we had members participating
10:13:01 remotely, so you would not have everyone in a
10:13:05 room, in a quorum.
10:13:08 Now Mr. Estralia, very well-known attorney, but we
10:13:15 have a fundamental problem with trying to have you
10:13:17 as a group, having workshops or whatever you are
10:13:21 doing, not having a quorum present in the room at
10:13:24 the same time.
10:13:27 That's a fundamental issue that we are having
10:13:29 right now.
10:13:31 That I think may be flawed in that respect.
10:13:35 I will go back and look at the attorney general's
10:13:39 opinion, but we operate slightly differently in
10:13:42 our advisory boards.
10:13:45 To see how they operate.
10:13:48 >> And if I could make a clarification.
10:13:53 These are not meant to replace the physical board
10:13:56 meetings.
10:13:58 They are held between the physical board meetings
10:13:59 so that issues can be addressed but no actual
10:14:03 voting takes place during an online workshop.
10:14:05 >>SAL TERRITO: I understand.
10:14:07 Again I am going to look at this again.
10:14:08 But anytime two or more members are meeting either
10:14:11 telephonically, electronically or in person, they
10:14:14 are bound by the sunshine rule.
10:14:17 If they are discussing work that comes before this
10:14:19 board, they are bound by the same rules even if
10:14:21 they are not making a decision.
10:14:22 And again I am going to look at it more closely.
10:14:25 But we have even the people in our department that
10:14:28 deal with public records and sunshine have a bit
10:14:30 of a problem with contacting the attorney
10:14:32 general's office.
10:14:33 They have a bit of a problem, although I know
10:14:35 there's a Attorney General's opinion and I want to
10:14:40 read it again, but how we fit within the
10:14:42 guidelines of this particular item.
10:14:44 The other thing we have to do -- and if you decide
10:14:47 you want to do this, it's fine we do so, there may
10:14:53 be other organizations, and you can't say -- you
10:15:00 follow the same rules as they follow.
10:15:03 If you want to change it, you are certainly
10:15:05 allowed to change as long as you meet Florida
10:15:08 statutes.
10:15:08 You simply can't choose someone.
10:15:15 It may be the only technology out there which
10:15:17 makes it a lot easier.
10:15:19 But there may be others.
10:15:20 So long as we can do it properly under the
10:15:22 sunshine law.
10:15:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And that's understood and
10:15:25 that's why I encouraged consultation with Mr.
10:15:28 Spearman on the procurement process and how that
10:15:31 would help.
10:15:33 And I think with any new technology, there's
10:15:37 always a test and people are always a little bit
10:15:44 leery, and sometimes rightfully so.
10:15:47 The questions have to be asked and answered.
10:15:49 But I think it's definitely worth pursuing as an
10:15:54 option for having a more open government or
10:16:00 participation.
10:16:03 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:16:03 Mr. Suarez.
10:16:04 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
10:16:05 I'm glad that had you explained about where we are
10:16:07 going with this particular thing.
10:16:09 And is it Spiro or Spiro?
10:16:13 >> Spiro.
10:16:16 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I apologize.
10:16:19 >>YVONNE CAPIN: It's a Spanish I.
10:16:22 (Laughter)
10:16:23 >>MIKE SUAREZ: You have this Cory Lakes CDD.
10:16:26 Are there other CDDs or other governments that
10:16:29 have been using this technology?
10:16:31 >> Not yet.
10:16:32 We have focused on the City of Tampa for the
10:16:33 purpose of creating something.
10:16:35 We are from Tampa.
10:16:37 Once Tampa uses it, then we go out to the other
10:16:40 cities in Florida and look at what Tampa has done,
10:16:44 look at what we developed, and that brings the
10:16:46 name of Tampa as a technology city out to the rest
10:16:48 of Florida.
10:16:49 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And the reason I asked is because
10:16:51 I think that your technology is fine to a certain
10:16:56 degree.
10:16:56 I think it is really meant for smaller settings,
10:16:59 and specific -- and I don't feel like I am saying
10:17:04 anything different to specific issues or problems.
10:17:06 So, you know, when you look at what you have done
10:17:09 in Cory Lakes, it is usually about a specific
10:17:12 issue.
10:17:12 We are talking about a fence or we are talking
10:17:14 about the use of the expenditure of something for
10:17:17 a specific purpose.
10:17:19 What happens -- and I have seen this being at the
10:17:22 advisory boards for the CRAs, is that things get
10:17:28 to be in a lot more fluid manner, and I think -- I
10:17:32 don't think necessarily completely on the sunshine
10:17:36 issue, but I think in terms of the exchange ideas
10:17:39 and the way that democracy works in my maned is
10:17:42 that people are live and in person.
10:17:45 There's no reason why someone can't be a part of
10:17:48 that during a live discussion.
10:17:50 But it's a lot more difficult when you are talking
10:17:52 about the time frame.
10:17:53 And I assume that on your CDDs when you do these
10:17:57 workshops, I think you had told me -- and please
10:18:00 correct me if I am wrong -- that there's a time
10:18:01 frame for them to comment as part of the process.
10:18:04 Is that correct?
10:18:04 >> There's always a starting and stopping time for
10:18:07 a workshop just like a physical workshop.
10:18:10 >> How is that determined?
10:18:11 Who makes the decision?
10:18:12 >> The board.
10:18:14 >> So the board has to decide.
10:18:15 So here is my problem with this in relation to
10:18:18 both the CACs that we have and also a larger
10:18:22 board like a CRA, is that once we determine that,
10:18:25 people -- and we get hit with this all the time,
10:18:28 even without the technology, which is that we are
10:18:30 favoring one side versus another, or we are
10:18:34 favoring one group of people over another, we are
10:18:37 favoring, you know.
10:18:37 So, as an example, if we have a CAC that is in
10:18:41 East Tampa and we have them all on lines with
10:18:47 particular issues, people who do not have
10:18:48 availability to technology may say, you know what?
10:18:51 You are favoring a certain type of group.
10:18:53 And that type of problem I have with it.
10:18:55 I don't think that your technology is where it
10:18:57 needs to be so that it's all access for everyone.
10:19:00 I think that's an issue.
10:19:02 And then, secondly, I really believe that if you
10:19:05 are going to start this, you probably would -- and
10:19:08 this is just my own opinion -- start with a
10:19:11 smaller town or city that you can direct us to.
10:19:14 Because I think that right now, the way it's set
10:19:17 up, the way you have got your technology working,
10:19:19 it really does work better for smaller areas as
10:19:23 opposed to larger areas.
10:19:24 I mean, the CAC, for example, is a pretty large
10:19:27 area, and there's a lot of different folks that
10:19:30 are in there with different interests, different
10:19:32 ideas, and it becomes pretty tough to handle all
10:19:37 of it.
10:19:38 And I think that when you are talking about
10:19:40 something like this you need to have something
10:19:41 that's a lot more focused.
10:19:44 It may be good for one or two issues only, and
10:19:47 that's the only thing that can do it.
10:19:49 But I know that people tend to want to say about a
10:19:51 lot of different issues even though we are talking
10:19:53 about a focus thing.
10:19:55 We have gone out and done our CRA meetings outside
10:19:57 of this room and gone to different locations.
10:20:02 One in particular, and I think colleagues that
10:20:05 were there remember, we went to Encore, and we had
10:20:09 a lot more issues that high pressure nothing to do
10:20:11 with CRA.
10:20:12 I think Chair Reddick probably remembers this,
10:20:14 that we were discussing issues that had to do with
10:20:17 the management of Encore, had nothing to do with
10:20:20 our CRA.
10:20:20 And so it becomes a much more difficult thing to
10:20:26 control when, you know, you let it out there into
10:20:30 the air.
10:20:31 You know what I'm saying? It's not a Pandora's
10:20:34 box but it is a way that's harder to try to figure
10:20:38 out how do we focus to get something done as
10:20:40 opposed to just giving someone an opportunity to
10:20:42 go out there and do it?
10:20:44 I have a lot of Facebook friends, and even me
10:20:46 putting a comment on something, or piece of news,
10:20:50 I get a whole battle of different political
10:20:52 viewpoints as to Wan we should or should not do,
10:20:55 and all I am doing is putting a news article out
10:20:58 there.
10:20:58 My point is that today's person that goes online
10:21:02 whether it's social media or anything else has a
10:21:05 tendency to want to either attack or protect their
10:21:09 own particular viewpoint, and it doesn't lend
10:21:11 itself to actually get into the kind of discussion
10:21:14 you need.
10:21:15 You need someone, I think, that has a better
10:21:18 control of that so we can focus better and not
10:21:20 have this type of wild west out there.
10:21:24 I think it's easier when you have -- because Cory
10:21:26 Lakes has how many homes?
10:21:29 >> Almost a thousand.
10:21:30 >> And that's fairly big.
10:21:32 >> 2500 residents.
10:21:34 >>MIKE SUAREZ: That's a fairly big CDD.
10:21:36 I have seen smaller, 400, 500 homes, and yours is
10:21:40 a little bit larger.
10:21:41 It's a little bit easier even that large of a CDD
10:21:45 to handle versus, you know, when you are talking
10:21:47 about a community advisory, citizen advisory
10:21:51 committee for CRA, because you have got a lot more
10:21:54 people, you know.
10:21:55 Our CRA for East Tampa is huge.
10:21:58 And I can imagine that would be an incredible
10:22:02 exercise to have someone, you know, combing
10:22:05 through all the information in a timely fashion.
10:22:09 I think it's good to look at technology.
10:22:12 I'm not sure you are where we need to be yet.
10:22:16 And that's the only suggestion I would make.
10:22:18 And that's the only comment I wanted to make,
10:22:20 chair.
10:22:21 So thank you for the time and thank you, doctor.
10:22:23 >> If I could say, I presented all eight CRAs.
10:22:30 If the deciding factor, for example, whats hey, we
10:22:32 want to start with something smaller, there's no
10:22:34 reason to do all 8 CRAs.
10:22:36 Could you start with a smaller number and see how
10:22:38 they do.
10:22:39 >> I understand.
10:22:39 The only issue is we are going to be charged an
10:22:42 amount when we have, you know --
10:22:45 >> It's based on population.
10:22:46 >> I understand that.
10:22:47 Right now, we have -- we have opened it up to
10:22:50 people, and there's not a charge for it.
10:22:53 I don't see the value to pay for right now when we
10:22:56 have, you know, open meetings.
10:22:58 Those all I have to say.
10:23:00 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Mr. Suarez.
10:23:02 Mr. Reddick?
10:23:14 FRANK REDDICK: Thank you, Madam Chair.
10:23:17 Mr. Spiro, you know, this has a possibility of
10:23:22 being a great concept.
10:23:24 But I still have too many unanswered questions
10:23:30 that I don't think will be resolved today.
10:23:32 And I'm not prepared to move forward with this
10:23:36 today.
10:23:40 And here is the reason why.
10:23:42 When I look at a place like Central Park Village,
10:23:46 Encore project, a lot of those people over there
10:23:50 are senior citizens, and Mr. Suarez stated, we met
10:23:56 with those individuals, and we had discussion,
10:24:04 management issues instead of CRA issues.
10:24:06 I'm concerned about how many of those citizens
10:24:10 have access to a computer.
10:24:13 And these are older people in that particular
10:24:17 development.
10:24:21 When I look at East Tampa, you don't have that
10:24:23 young group that has access to a computer.
10:24:30 These are lot of retirees, people older, and we
10:24:34 noticed to have them.
10:24:38 So I think this is something that I actually
10:24:40 believe that needs to be vetted more.
10:24:45 I agree with our attorney that we need to give
10:24:47 them an opportunity to review this and have some
10:24:50 discussion about it.
10:24:53 And, too, I truly believe before we go -- before
10:24:56 we make a decision as a board, we need to have
10:25:01 discussions with these citizen advisory groups to
10:25:04 determine are if they even want to participate in
10:25:05 this.
10:25:08 I don't think we should be making a decision for
10:25:10 them.
10:25:11 You know, Encore might say no, we are not
10:25:14 interested in this.
10:25:15 East Tampa might say, no, we are not interested in
10:25:18 that.
10:25:18 I don't want us to get to the point where we would
10:25:21 be knit picking and say we are going to choose
10:25:26 this one group downtown, CRA, yes, we like this,
10:25:30 or Channelside likes it, and Drew Park might say
10:25:33 no.
10:25:34 So we are paying 2,000, 2800 a month.
10:25:41 >> It would be less for a smaller district.
10:25:43 >> A smaller district pay by population, but I
10:25:46 think before we move forward, I truly believe --
10:25:54 is having some type of dialogue with those
10:25:56 community groups to determine if they are
10:26:01 interested in this.
10:26:02 And I don't think it's incumbent upon this board
10:26:07 without having no input from the community group.
10:26:10 What we are doing is introducing something to them
10:26:13 that they my not be interested in participating
10:26:16 in.
10:26:16 So we have got a contract, and that contract says
10:26:22 we are going to start with these groups and these
10:26:27 people say, well, don't want to participate, we
10:26:31 are still stuck with their costs.
10:26:33 So I think you brought the concept to us.
10:26:34 You met with us individually.
10:26:36 We had a chance to see your presentation.
10:26:39 The presentation I thought was a great
10:26:41 presentation.
10:26:43 But I think it's going to take some time.
10:26:47 And I think before we move forward, today I will
10:26:53 not vote to move forward on it.
10:26:56 I just want to say that for the record.
10:26:58 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Mr. Reddick.
10:27:01 >> I would be happy to be present to give
10:27:03 additional discussions and presentations to
10:27:05 individual CRAs as you described.
10:27:07 It's actually the first question that TrongAn
10:27:12 asked me, do you know if CRAs want to do this?
10:27:16 And I said I was told I have to present to the
10:27:21 council first.
10:27:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: One of my colleagues mentioned
10:27:24 contracts, and we are very familiar with that.
10:27:30 Moving forward.
10:27:31 Mr. Territo, you mentioned you are looking at it.
10:27:34 And what time frame do you think you would need to
10:27:39 at least get to that point and let us know if we
10:27:42 should even be discussing it any further?
10:27:45 >>SAL TERRITO: I can have a report at the next
10:27:47 meeting. Is this all done through texts? There's
10:27:53 no one appearing on the screen?
10:27:54 It's all done through the texts?
10:27:56 >> Correct.
10:27:57 >>SAL TERRITO: How do you identify who is doing
10:27:59 the texting?
10:28:00 How do you define the member who is responding
10:28:02 rather than my son sitting next to me?
10:28:05 And how do I know the person asking the question,
10:28:09 in the public they are who they say they are
10:28:11 rather than someone trying to stack the books?
10:28:13 >> That's through a registration process. In our
10:28:16 district, when somebody registers, they validate
10:28:19 the postal mailing address and information to
10:28:23 ascertain that is in fact an individual resident
10:28:26 within our district, and when they register, they
10:28:28 have to use a password just like you have for your
10:28:31 bank account, which is a valid method for
10:28:32 establishing that you are who you are.
10:28:35 >>SAL TERRITO: So if someone has that
10:28:37 information, a spouse or whomever, you would not
10:28:39 know it's actually me making the comment, he or
10:28:42 she, whatever?
10:28:44 >> Dr. Spiro: In the real word, if someone took
10:28:48 the money out of your bank account they wouldn't
10:28:49 know.
10:28:50 >>SAL TERRITO: But in our meetings you can see
10:28:52 face to face. You can see that I'm asking the
10:28:53 question.
10:28:53 >> Right, which is why the Attorney General's
10:28:56 opinion says you cannot vote in a nonphysical
10:28:59 meeting.
10:28:59 >>SAL TERRITO: And I apologize.
10:29:03 How do we verify that I am who I am and the person
10:29:07 who is asking the questions is who they are?
10:29:09 You can have a group of people that are going to
10:29:11 be there, and may be in the community, maybe
10:29:16 someone else in the household.
10:29:17 And that may not be a problem.
10:29:18 And it seems to me having a face-to-face rather
10:29:20 than a text communication, like I got a problem
10:29:24 with my computer, I go into a chat, I don't know
10:29:26 who I am speaking to.
10:29:27 I don't know who it is.
10:29:29 And I assume they know what they are doing because
10:29:30 they are helping me.
10:29:31 Here, even though there's no vote being taken, it
10:29:33 is a public meeting, and if someone has a dialogue
10:29:39 you should be comfortable the person having the
10:29:41 conversation is who he or she says they are.
10:29:44 >> Right.
10:29:44 That was discussed very thoroughly in our
10:29:46 district, and like they say, on the Internet you
10:29:49 don't know who is a dog.
10:29:53 I don't know if you heard that expression.
10:29:55 That's why we established the registration process
10:29:57 that we established where staff identifies,
10:30:00 confirms that individual is in fact valid based on
10:30:03 the credentials that they provided.
10:30:07 >>YVONNE CAPIN: With that, we will look for --
10:30:10 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I do want to make a motion,
10:30:11 and I have another.
10:30:13 As I recall, we were discussing the ability of
10:30:15 board members to participate by phone, which I had
10:30:19 requested again two years ago for my own purposes.
10:30:24 The discussion of the council at the time was,
10:30:27 well, how do we know there's not somebody behind
10:30:30 you telling you what to say?
10:30:33 You know, we can take this to the inth degree.
10:30:36 If somebody wants to, you know, hold a gun to your
10:30:39 head, say type this or say this into the phone,
10:30:43 that would be an unusual situation.
10:30:45 And at some point when you register and you
10:30:49 validate, there is a legal responsibility, a
10:30:54 fiduciary responsibility, and if there were any
10:30:58 challenges to a discussion, then you would be just
10:31:04 as signing an affidavit, you would be legally
10:31:07 responsible for your participation.
10:31:08 >>SAL TERRITO: I can give two examples, if you
10:31:13 call and recognize your voice, the presumption is
10:31:15 no one holds a gun to your head.
10:31:17 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, the presumption is, but
10:31:19 I remember that discussion taking place on council
10:31:21 saying, well, we don't know if somebody is forcing
10:31:23 you to say something over the phone.
10:31:25 We can't see.
10:31:26 >>SAL TERRITO: I have conducted hearings on the
10:31:30 phone and someone on the other side notarizing
10:31:33 that person.
10:31:34 This is obviously beyond this.
10:31:36 But there are ways of verifying this.
10:31:38 This raises the question.
10:31:39 I got an answer.
10:31:40 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And we can overcome those
10:31:46 challenges.
10:31:49 And in thinking about the different demographics
10:31:52 of our CRA, I would encourage Dr. Spiro to go and
10:31:58 speak to the CRAs individually, because you are
10:32:02 right, we shouldn't be making decisions for them.
10:32:04 They should be making decisions for themselves
10:32:06 which is what we are here to do.
10:32:07 We ask on behalf of the citizens.
10:32:10 Those why we have citizens advisory committees.
10:32:12 We are charged with reflecting what they want in
10:32:15 their communities, not decisions that we make that
10:32:18 we decide what they want in their community.
10:32:21 And downtown and Channelside are two that come to
10:32:27 mind, because looking at the makeup of the boards
10:32:30 of those two districts, I think, would be two
10:32:36 groups that would probably be interested or
10:32:40 entertain the idea of having the use of technology
10:32:42 and having it be beneficial to them.
10:32:45 So I would motion for Mr. Territo to come back as
10:32:50 he said he would be able to at our next regular
10:32:53 CRA meeting on September 10 at 9:00 a.m. for a
10:32:58 follow-up discussion and his findings of the
10:33:03 legalities of the use of this technology.
10:33:06 I would also ask that by that time, if possible --
10:33:11 I'm not sure who schedules the CRA meetings for
10:33:17 Mr. Spiro to be at that meeting, and also for the
10:33:21 September 10th meeting, that schedule, you may
10:33:24 have to postpone it depending on the CA meeting,
10:33:28 to come back and maybe with a representative, or a
10:33:31 statement from them saying they are or are not
10:33:33 interested in this type of technology.
10:33:35 >> We have a motion by Mrs. Montelione, seconded
10:33:42 by Mr. Maniscalco.
10:33:44 Any discussion?
10:33:45 >> We already did that.
10:33:51 >>YVONNE CAPIN: All those in favor?
10:33:54 Opposed?
10:33:56 Okay.
10:33:57 Passes.
10:34:00 Will you tell us?
10:34:01 >> Motion carried with Miranda being absent at
10:34:03 vote and Suarez voting no.
10:34:04 >> Dr. Spiro: Thank you very much for your time.
10:34:11 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:34:12 Moving on.
10:34:13 We are now in public comment.
10:34:15 Three minutes per speaker.
10:34:17 And please come up if you wish to speak at this
10:34:21 time.
10:34:30 >> Good morning.
10:34:32 Thank you for another opportunity to come to speak
10:34:35 to you and bring our citizens perspective on some
10:34:40 of the issues that we are dealing with, and want
10:34:45 to specifically today encourage the CRA to
10:34:49 continue in its position of asking questions and
10:34:58 getting information regarding the massive -- the
10:35:03 massive 45-mile luxury road that's going to cost
10:35:13 based on the Department of Transportation's
10:35:16 information $9 billion to construct the
10:35:24 construction at the expense of paving over our
10:35:29 urban areas and using our urban areas to
10:35:36 accommodate residents from out of this county who
10:35:40 are going to fly through our communities, come
10:35:45 here, the Westshore area, work and take their
10:35:52 dollars back out of this county to the county
10:35:57 where they live.
10:35:59 That is just not a good proposal.
10:36:04 We just spent all this time talking about citizens
10:36:08 involvement.
10:36:08 And talking about what citizens want for their
10:36:13 community.
10:36:14 We would have hoped at the MPO meeting when we had
10:36:19 hundreds of citizens that came before that
10:36:22 meeting, had they just taken the time that you
10:36:27 have taken this morning to ask questions and find
10:36:29 out from us what was it that you needed rather
10:36:34 than making a vote and including in that vote the
10:36:43 election that D.O.T. is required to proceed with.
10:36:47 But my purpose is this morning is to ask you to
10:36:50 stand firmly behind this.
10:36:52 This is a massive project that's going to last 7
10:36:54 to 15 years of construction, and everyone knows
10:36:57 what D.O.T. does to businesses when they are
10:37:01 constructing, businesses that are in our
10:37:04 neighborhood.
10:37:04 Thank you so much.
10:37:05 And I want to acknowledge that I am going to miss
10:37:11 Mr. Hatchet so much.
10:37:12 I took 15 years trying to get him ruffled and
10:37:16 upset, and.
10:37:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Ms. Young, just to let you know,
10:37:24 we did send a letter from our CRA committee, that
10:37:32 vote on this unanimously, and I did get a response
10:37:36 and asked for it to be printed.
10:37:38 It's not here but it will be soon so that everyone
10:37:40 has a copy of the response that we got to our
10:37:43 letter on this subject.
10:37:45 >> And this was the letter to D.O.T.?
10:37:50 >> It went to federal -- and I apologize.
10:37:58 Let me put my glasses on.
10:37:59 This is from the U.S. Department of Transportation
10:38:01 Federal Highway Administration.
10:38:02 And it's addressed to me.
10:38:05 It was referred back in reference Tampa Bay
10:38:11 Express, and it was referred back to the FDOT,
10:38:15 reassuring us -- and I'm paraphrasing -- I'm
10:38:22 sorry -- that advise FDOT to have seriously
10:38:32 consider the issues.
10:38:32 So there's a copy.
10:38:37 I apologize to my colleagues.
10:38:41 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Ms. Green, it's heartwarming
10:38:49 to see the public participation and the outpouring
10:38:53 that has come from the community about this issue.
10:38:56 And the letters being referred to was the vote we
10:39:03 had taken a month ago, and those are the same
10:39:07 letters that I provided copies to you of, to the
10:39:10 legislative delegation, to federal highway, and I
10:39:14 also want to let you know -- and we talked about
10:39:16 this, that I have had conversations with Carrie
10:39:23 Shepherd from federal highway, justice division,
10:39:26 who will be keeping an eye out and has already --
10:39:31 I provided him the letter because when we send
10:39:34 something to Washington, who knows how long it
10:39:36 takes to get down to the Florida level.
10:39:38 So I provided him the letter as well, so he had
10:39:41 not -- I know it's hard to believe but he had not
10:39:45 yet seen the letter, but I provided it to him so
10:39:50 he has that letter as well.
10:39:52 So we may want to also provide this to Mr.
10:39:55 Shepherd.
10:39:57 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:39:58 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So that he's aware of the
10:40:00 response from Washington, because I see that he
10:40:05 has not been copied on this.
10:40:12 We continue to move this and I will be making a
10:40:15 motion during new business.
10:40:17 >> It's reassuring to know that our CRA members
10:40:21 continue to stand behind the citizens, and
10:40:27 examining this project in so much detail, because
10:40:30 we have so many parts that need to be totally
10:40:33 examined.
10:40:38 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mr. Cohen.
10:40:38 >>HARRY COHEN: Just a comment.
10:40:41 This is a nonquasi-judicial matter.
10:40:45 This is something we are allowed to meet with
10:40:47 members of the community on at any time that we
10:40:49 want.
10:40:50 And given that this is going to go on for some
10:40:52 time, I would like to just let you know that I am
10:40:55 available to meet with anyone that you would like
10:40:58 anytime you want to talk about this issue, and
10:41:03 like my colleagues that sit on the MPO, I spend a
10:41:07 lot of time with MPO and DOT staff.
10:41:12 I learned a lot about it.
10:41:13 And I would be happy to take some time out to give
10:41:16 you some perspective on where I see it going, and
10:41:20 what we can do to work together to try to avoid
10:41:24 some of the concerns that have been raised in
10:41:31 yours and other people's comments.
10:41:32 >> And in that same vein you will listen to what
10:41:38 we are saying?
10:41:39 >>HARRY COHEN: Absolutely.
10:41:41 That's why I am being very clear that I would be
10:41:44 more than happy to meet with you anytime,
10:41:47 anyplace, to talk about it.
10:41:49 It's going to be some time before another vote
10:41:51 comes up.
10:41:51 And there's plenty to talk about.
10:41:57 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Just a follow-up.
10:41:59 Copies went to Debby Harris at DOT, Ken Morefield
10:42:04 at DOT, and Beth Alden, Hillsborough MPO.
10:42:08 And it was signed by James Christians, division
10:42:11 administrator.
10:42:12 So I am happy to get this response back.
10:42:19 Thanks for all the help out there.
10:42:27 We have copies.
10:42:29 Thank you so much.
10:42:29 >> Ed Tillou, Sulphur Springs.
10:42:40 This is kind of late for a CRA meeting.
10:42:42 I came prepared to have speak about global
10:42:45 warming.
10:42:46 But that's okay.
10:42:50 I can come up with things.
10:42:52 With respect to the last speaker, the Lexus lanes,
10:42:58 the tourist development, Mr. Miller, who is the
10:43:05 grand pubah of that board, recently flipped over,
10:43:10 and what I have seen unfold over at the county
10:43:12 commission is he got the confederate battle flag
10:43:18 deep sixed.
10:43:22 I don't know how much impact those going to have
10:43:24 on the people who are going to lose their homes.
10:43:28 So maybe he should get effigy insurance or
10:43:32 something because this may be an organizing issue
10:43:35 for the Sierra Club.
10:43:36 It's very complex actually because in some ways it
10:43:39 a good thing, like, for instance, if they gave
10:43:43 froe passage to smart cars, and to hybrids and
10:43:50 such.
10:43:50 I haven't heard any discussion of that.
10:43:52 And the thing is that something that Nancy Pelosi
10:43:56 said years ago in Congress.
10:43:58 She said, you have got these truck on the
10:44:01 highways -- trucks on the highways that are about
10:44:04 a block long and you have these people in smart
10:44:06 vehicles, and these people are going to start
10:44:10 dying like flies.
10:44:11 Why can't separate lanes non-truck be put into
10:44:13 effect?
10:44:14 All the engineers, oh, it can't be done, it can't
10:44:17 be done.
10:44:18 I mean, there was a gender problem there because
10:44:20 she was the other gender.
10:44:23 Well, if you can't do it, get someone who can.
10:44:26 And we now see the money.
10:44:33 Okay. With respect to West Tampa -- I'm getting
10:44:38 the overhead.
10:44:39 Well, anyway, so this has gotten a little bit of
10:44:43 coverage lately, because of the flooding.
10:44:48 And this bears on West Tampa a little bit, CRA,
10:44:53 because I think that was to Kennedy to raise a
10:45:00 little money, and there's horrible, horrible
10:45:02 flooding in Albany and Kennedy.
10:45:04 And it's not just the north side but the south
10:45:07 side.
10:45:07 It's horrible.
10:45:09 Now, what's got to be done is they have got to
10:45:11 find if there's a cow down in that manhole or
10:45:15 something.
10:45:15 There's something causing that flooding.
10:45:17 That's pretty bad.
10:45:19 There was this interloping that was kind of gentle
10:45:22 to the new stormwater lady, but anyway, to do
10:45:28 something about that.
10:45:29 I wanted to talk a little bit about bicycles
10:45:31 because instead of bringing in the Department of
10:45:33 Justice there was a bicycle safety workshop over
10:45:36 at Westshore by St. Josephs.
10:45:39 So they want to arrange to come to St. Josephs
10:45:42 because they can pay.
10:45:43 They wouldn't have it at Sulphur Springs.
10:45:45 (Bell sounds).
10:45:47 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:45:47 >> And you have gotten this handout in advance if
10:45:54 someone wanted it.
10:45:56 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:45:56 >> Good morning.
10:46:09 So I'm here today to talk about the Tampa Bay
10:46:12 Express project, too.
10:46:13 My name is Mit Patel. And I did not buy Dr.
10:46:20 Spiro's company.
10:46:20 I was at the August 4th meeting.
10:46:22 I have been going around to a lot of you all
10:46:26 meetings and you all look familiar.
10:46:27 I think you are all overworked. I feel like I
10:46:30 have a tracking cookie following me around.
10:46:32 I see the same faces so I am learning about
10:46:35 government, and you all definitely wear way too
10:46:38 many hats.
10:46:39 But let's talk about August 4th.
10:46:41 Really disappointed in the lack of discussion and
10:46:43 investigation about the matter.
10:46:45 I know it was a long night but I think the
10:46:47 community expected a little more questioning from
10:46:49 FDOT and exploring some of the statements that
10:46:52 they have made.
10:46:55 I put in over 400 hours of academic level research
10:46:58 into this topic.
10:46:59 I am writing a research paper on it with some
10:47:02 graduates of USF, and the notion that this is an
10:47:06 economic development for any part of the country
10:47:09 whether it's the United States, whether the State
10:47:11 of Florida, whether it's the Tampa Bay region or
10:47:13 the local community, is just false.
10:47:15 And I would debate any economist that we have in
10:47:17 the city.
10:47:18 I would debate any economist in this country and
10:47:21 tell you that the Tampa Bay Express project is for
10:47:24 economic development.
10:47:24 I had about -- we had about 6 or 7 business
10:47:30 agencies.
10:47:31 I don't know exactly who they were all
10:47:33 representing, but the argument that this is an
10:47:38 economic development is just false.
10:47:42 I wish I could get into that but with three
10:47:44 minutes it's hard to do that.
10:47:45 But I will throw out a couple quick things about
10:47:49 people driving.
10:47:49 It's not a productive use of time.
10:47:52 The loss of productivity is a big economic loss.
10:47:57 Smart cities understand that.
10:47:58 You can get a lot of productivity by not driving
10:48:03 and to produce more traffic is actually going to
10:48:06 hurt the economy.
10:48:07 We can talk about the double taxation with the gas
10:48:10 tax and the tolling and the variable tolling.
10:48:12 We can talk about the capacity issue that this
10:48:15 highway is only designed to handle 14% of the
10:48:17 capacity, which is huge because communities are
10:48:22 paranoid about these 500,000 people that are come
10:48:24 in and it's only going to handle about 70,000 of
10:48:27 those people.
10:48:28 What are you going to do with the other 430,000
10:48:31 people, right?
10:48:32 So spending for just 14% of the problem makes no
10:48:35 sense at all.
10:48:36 When we look at opening new trade routes, this
10:48:38 plan does not open up any new trade routes,
10:48:41 actually closes up trade routes, access on this
10:48:44 toll highway.
10:48:45 It doesn't go anywhere else that it goes right
10:48:49 now.
10:48:49 So the argument that it's opening up -- and you
10:48:53 know how many regional whatever they say, is just
10:48:55 false.
10:48:56 I don't think any people that came out and spoke,
10:48:59 172 pages, the FDOT plan references.
10:49:05 They reference themselves three times as the
10:49:06 source of data.
10:49:07 So it's a draft plan.
10:49:09 We approved 3.5 billion dollars on a draft plan.
10:49:13 So hopefully people investigate that and we talk
10:49:15 about the economic part and you guys, the full
10:49:19 commission at the city level, it's going to hurt
10:49:20 the city tremendously.
10:49:22 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:49:23 Thank you.
10:49:23 Anyone else?
10:49:24 >> Good morning.
10:49:39 CRA board. John Bowden, property owner, Albany
10:49:42 Avenue. CEO and president of Bay Area corporation
10:49:48 economic development communities.
10:49:52 Just going over the agenda, I have a question.
10:49:55 You know, the only way you get an answer is to
10:49:55 come and ask it.
10:50:01 Basically, this is dealing with item number 5 on
10:50:04 the agenda, the presentation of the CRA for West
10:50:07 Tampa.
10:50:10 Fiscal year 15 through fiscal year 16.
10:50:17 2015-16.
10:50:18 My question -- let me read this.
10:50:22 Item number 5 is a Power Point presentation of the
10:50:24 CRA board plan for fiscal year 15-16.
10:50:28 Namely, October the 1st, 2015 through
10:50:31 September 30, 2015.
10:50:35 The West Tampa CRA is not mentioned in the plan.
10:50:40 Understanding that the budget is a project --
10:50:44 protection of capital usage, this is to be
10:50:47 ascertained that there would be -- there will not
10:50:50 be any funds available, obtainable or used for
10:50:55 West Tampa CRA until 2016.
10:51:08 You can ask if you want now.
10:51:12 I just wanted to bring that to your attention.
10:51:18 This is not mentioned as far as it being budgeted
10:51:20 in the presentation.
10:51:21 In addition, just for clarification, the two
10:51:24 things mentioned during the presentation, one that
10:51:29 it was not filed on Internet, if you want to be
10:51:37 objective on everything as described.
10:51:39 It's stated -- and my question of item number 4
10:51:50 says that you have a quarterly TIF report.
10:51:56 And there will be funds available in the West
10:52:01 Tampa CRA and it should show.
10:52:07 (Bell sounds)
10:52:10 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:52:11 Mr. McDonaugh, did you understand the question, if
10:52:13 you could, please?
10:52:14 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Sure.
10:52:16 Two clarifications.
10:52:18 Before he walks out the door, the question about
10:52:20 the Central Park CRA.
10:52:22 It was a misprint.
10:52:25 In 2014, it was $19,000 allocated for trash and
10:52:32 code enforcement because we had a lot of vacant
10:52:34 land.
10:52:34 And it turned out our code enforcement folks were
10:52:37 able to pick up the slack.
10:52:38 So the CRA was not billed, so that's why that went
10:52:42 to zero.
10:52:42 We have not charged any labor charges or overhead
10:52:46 to the CRA, and because the nominal amount of
10:52:49 income that it had.
10:52:50 What income we had was used to -- not saying that
10:52:53 we would not provide the service -- would be
10:52:57 absorbed by the general fund.
10:53:01 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mrs. Montelione.
10:53:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The 19,000 or whatever shows
10:53:05 in the Central Park CRA is not salaries, it was
10:53:07 actually for payment of trash collection?
10:53:12 >>BOB McDONAUGH: If you look at page 43, it shows
10:53:15 19 to 19.
10:53:15 If you look down to the bottom it says 19.
10:53:18 That 1900 on the top line which was salaries and
10:53:21 operating, it should be zero.
10:53:24 Not 19.
10:53:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: See, if I would have had a
10:53:30 copy in advance you could have fixed it before you
10:53:33 presented it.
10:53:34 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Thank you.
10:53:36 >>LISA MONTELIONE: You're welcome.
10:53:38 I like to be of service, Mr. McDonough.
10:53:42 >>BOB McDONAUGH: Thank you.
10:53:43 And the issue with the West Tampa has to do with
10:53:45 the date that it's founded establishing a base.
10:53:47 So we have to have a full year before we do
10:53:50 collect any funds.
10:53:51 So that's why be there wasn't anything in the
10:53:53 quarterly report.
10:53:54 That's why there's not anything anticipated in the
10:53:56 first year.
10:53:58 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Mr. McDonaugh.
10:53:59 >> One more time.
10:54:08 Thank you, Mr. Hatchet.
10:54:12 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Good morning, council.
10:54:13 My name is Roger Grunke. I'm an architect. I
10:54:16 reside at 502 east Ross Avenue in Tampa Heights.
10:54:21 I would like to bring you a perspective this
10:54:23 morning by asking your indulgence to come on a
10:54:27 quick trip with me.
10:54:28 Okay?
10:54:30 So when the plane lands in Hong Kong, it lands on
10:54:34 an artificial island outside of the city in order
10:54:38 to get to the city itself, you can take a private
10:54:43 automobile, taxi or buses, but most people take
10:54:46 the high-speed rail.
10:54:48 The rail takes you from the airport itself into
10:54:51 the very center of downtown to the airport annex.
10:54:57 It's there that you pick up your luggage. You
10:55:00 don't schlepp your luggage with you.
10:55:03 Once you are downtown, there are taxis,
10:55:06 limousines, buses, double decker street cars,
10:55:11 passenger ferries, and very extensive subway
10:55:17 system.
10:55:18 In addition to that, there are moving sidewalks,
10:55:22 there are public elevators and public escalators.
10:55:30 None of these, the moving sidewalk, escalators,
10:55:33 elevators, do you have to pay for.
10:55:35 It's just part of the city's infrastructure.
10:55:37 Now, Hong Kong is the densest city in the world.
10:55:43 And it works. It's competitive.
10:55:49 It is very prosperous.
10:55:51 Tampa, on the other hand, only has a population of
10:55:56 about 2050 people per square mile, and we are
10:56:03 having transportation problems because we only
10:56:05 have a single modal transportation system.
10:56:11 If we are going to be competitive -- and we have
10:56:14 to be, not just against Orlando but against every
10:56:17 city on the planet -- we have to branch out.
10:56:22 We have to take this very moment and say, no more
10:56:27 "just cars."
10:56:30 Let's look at other possibilities.
10:56:34 It's only through the multimodal transportation
10:56:38 system that we are going to reach the prosperity
10:56:40 that the city is capable of achieving, and all of
10:56:47 its citizens deserve.
10:56:49 Thank you.
10:56:50 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:56:50 Anyone else?
10:56:53 Thank you.
10:56:54 >> Hi.
10:56:56 Rochelle Gross, 1804 south Habana Avenue.
10:57:00 I also want to say thank you, that in today's age
10:57:05 I think it's completely outdated that our state
10:57:09 wants to spend so much money and space on another
10:57:12 highway and freeway system instead of some type of
10:57:16 high-speed rail or multimodal system.
10:57:19 I also want to say I worked with Michael Hatchet
10:57:21 on two CRAs, and he was a pleasure to work with
10:57:26 him and he was really nice meeting you, and I wish
10:57:30 you the best of luck.
10:57:31 Thank you.
10:57:34 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:57:34 Anyone else?
10:57:36 Not seeing anyone else, we will close the public
10:57:41 comment portion of our meeting.
10:57:47 We have any required approvals?
10:57:52 Motion by Mr. Reddick to receive all files and
10:57:55 second by Mrs. Montelione.
10:57:57 All in favor?
10:57:59 Passes unanimous.
10:58:02 Opposed?
10:58:02 Passes unanimously.
10:58:03 Thank you.
10:58:06 We are hereby adjourned.
10:58:07 Wait.
10:58:08 Yes, we are.
10:58:08 No.
10:58:09 We need new business.
10:58:10 You know what?
10:58:11 These glasses have got to come off.
10:58:19 We have a special called meeting after.
10:58:21 Any new business?
10:58:22 We are going to start from left of the CRA
10:58:25 members.
10:58:26 Mrs. Montelione.
10:58:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Madam Chair.
10:58:28 I have two motions for new business.
10:58:30 I had a discussion last night with Debby Hunt and
10:58:34 Lee Royal from the Florida Department of
10:58:37 Transportation district 7 office.
10:58:40 They called me to advise me of the community
10:58:44 outreach program that they are in the process of
10:58:47 developing.
10:58:48 And I asked them to appear here in order to update
10:58:53 all of us on what the community outreach program
10:58:56 is.
10:58:57 So we are working out a date for them to appear.
10:59:00 We don't have a date yet.
10:59:01 We have got to coordinate our CRA schedule with
10:59:04 their schedule.
10:59:04 And when they -- we'll have the information of the
10:59:07 program they are working on solidified.
10:59:11 So I would like to make a motion for Ms. Royal and
10:59:16 Ms. Hunt to appear before the CRA at either the
10:59:21 November or December CRA meeting.
10:59:27 I'll make it for November, which is November
10:59:32 12th, and if we need to reschedule to
10:59:35 December, we would do that at that time.
10:59:37 >> Second.
10:59:39 >>YVONNE CAPIN: We have a motion from Mrs.
10:59:41 Montelione, seconded by Mr. Cohen.
10:59:43 Any discussion?
10:59:46 Seeing none, all in favor? Opposed?
10:59:52 Passes unanimously.
10:59:53 Thank you.
10:59:54 Anything else?
10:59:57 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Yes.
10:59:58 I would like to ask of our staff to investigate
11:00:01 and consult with the Metropolitan Planning
11:00:03 Organization on the use of go-to meetings in order
11:00:08 for members of the public to utilize that
11:00:12 technology for participating during the public
11:00:16 comment section of our meetings.
11:00:20 It worked flawlessly on August 4, and I think it
11:00:24 is a way for the public to be able to comment on
11:00:28 issues that are important to them without having
11:00:31 to sit here and miss work and rearrange their
11:00:34 schedule to have a say in public comment.
11:00:40 >> I'll second it.
11:00:42 I would ask you to also make the motion at City
11:00:45 Council.
11:00:45 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I will.
11:00:47 Thank you,.
11:00:50 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Motion by Mrs. Montelione.
11:00:51 Second by Mr. Cohen.
11:00:52 Any discussion?
11:00:53 Okay, with the -- well, okay.
11:00:55 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We need a report back.
11:01:00 So I could see you thinking.
11:01:03 I would like to have staff report back to us at
11:01:05 our next scheduled meeting, which is September
11:01:08 10th at 9:00 a.m.
11:01:11 >>YVONNE CAPIN: We have a motion by Mrs.
11:01:12 Montelione.
11:01:12 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
11:01:14 Any discussion?
11:01:23 Discussion?
11:01:23 >>HARRY COHEN: It really would be appropriate for
11:01:26 a regular City Council meeting.
11:01:27 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, we have public comment
11:01:30 here, too.
11:01:31 It would be nice to have it both.
11:01:38 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
11:01:38 We are done with discussion?
11:01:39 Okay.
11:01:39 All in favor?
11:01:42 Opposed?
11:01:42 Passes unanimously.
11:01:43 Thank you.
11:01:44 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I would like to make one
11:01:46 announcement, to note on the calendars that on
11:01:49 October 1st, I had -- well, at previous CRA
11:01:54 meetings had made this motion but its upcoming on
11:01:58 October 1st, that Secretary Paul Simon will be
11:02:00 here to present to the CRA -- I'm sorry, City
11:02:07 Council, the major project.
11:02:09 So just informational.
11:02:11 October 1st, City Council meeting, Secretary
11:02:14 Simon will be here.
11:02:22 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
11:02:22 Mr. Maniscalco, new business?
11:02:25 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: No.
11:02:26 >>HARRY COHEN: No, thank you.
11:02:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Mr. Reddick?
11:02:30 No.
11:02:31 Mr. Suarez?
11:02:32 >>MIKE SUAREZ: No, ma'am.
11:02:36 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: None, Madam Chair.
11:02:40 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I will pass the gavel down.
11:02:42 I would like to make a motion.
11:02:43 I have been on council and CRA in July five years,
11:02:48 and I have never attended a CRA workshop.
11:02:51 And we had a lot of discussion today.
11:02:54 And I think, in my opinion, that we should look at
11:02:58 that.
11:02:59 We should look at the budget process.
11:03:03 One of the discussions with the community advisory
11:03:07 committee, the expenditures, the administration,
11:03:10 all the contracts.
11:03:14 So the motion is that -- I want to know from Sal,
11:03:21 it has to be at a CRA meeting?
11:03:23 What can we do?
11:03:24 >>SAL TERRITO: I was looking at the calendar.
11:03:27 October 29th, there is no council meeting.
11:03:30 I don't know if you want to have a fifth one held
11:03:33 at that time as well.
11:03:35 >>YVONNE CAPIN: No, I don't.
11:03:36 (Laughter)
11:03:39 >>HARRY COHEN: If you want to have a workshop
11:03:41 discussion in the CRA to discuss the budget, I
11:03:45 really think we should do it in September prior to
11:03:47 the budget being finalized, not wait until we are
11:03:49 at the next fiscal year.
11:03:51 So maybe September 10th when we have the CRA
11:03:54 meeting, that would be a day that you could
11:03:56 schedule this for.
11:03:57 >> (off microphone)
11:04:06 Oh, somebody turns off my mike every time.
11:04:11 All right.
11:04:11 So we would look at a workshop for September
11:04:14 10th, a CRA workshop to discuss.
11:04:19 And please look at items that you would like to
11:04:22 discuss at the CRA workshop so that we can have
11:04:25 another meeting September 10th.
11:04:27 And it would be right after our CRA meeting.
11:04:32 That's my motion.
11:04:33 >>HARRY COHEN: Second.
11:04:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have a motion from
11:04:40 councilwoman Capin.
11:04:41 Seconded by Councilman Cohen.
11:04:43 Is there any discussion on the motion?
11:04:46 All those in favor please indicate by saying aye.
11:04:50 Opposed?
11:04:51 Motion carried.
11:04:54 Thank you very much.
11:04:55 >>YVONNE CAPIN: All right.
11:04:57 With that, we are adjourned.
11:05:03 Five-minute recess.
11:05:04 We'll be back special called meeting.
11:05:07 (CRA meeting adjourned.)
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