TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, December 17, 2015
9:00 a.m. Session
DISCLAIMER:
This file represents an unedited version of realtime
captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete
accuracy nor used as a verbatim transcript.
The original of this file was produced in all capital
letters and any variation thereto may be a result of third
party edits and software compatibility issues.
Any person who needs a verbatim transcript of the
proceedings may need to hire a court reporter.
08:50:12
09:05:36 >>FRANK REDDICK: Good morning.
09:05:37 We are going to call this Tampa City Council meeting to
09:05:37 order and I yield to Councilwoman Capin.
>> YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For our invocation this morning, Jim Crew, who has been an
employee of the City of Tampa for 21 years, member of the
U.S. Air Force retired, reserve, hold a masters of divinity
from Liberty University Baptist Theology Seminary and is a
member of the Emergency Response Chaplain Corp and volunteer
chaplain of the Tampa Bay Region of critical team.
Jim Crew.
Please stand for the invocation and remain standing for the
pledge of allegiance.
>> JIM CREW: Good morning, council.
I want to wish everyone a happy holiday season.
Happy and safe holiday season.
And let's pray.
Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful Florida winter morning
with the wind chill of 71º the week before Christmas.
And for all the Yankees who haven't discovered Tampa yet.
Please do not open their blinded eyes.
Thank you for the season in which we remember all of your
good gifts and your rich blessings to us.
We are truly blessed.
I pray your blessing on each one here today and particularly
those who serve and protect us every day -- law enforcement,
firefighters, and our military members.
Give them all a safe and uneventful holiday season.
And we pray for these your servants on City Council, for our
mayor and all of our city staff and all who serve in
positions of authority, your wisdom, your peace in all
matters before them, and in every decision they must make.
Thank you for their service and bless them for it, for it is
you who rule over the kingdom of men and appoint over us
whom you will.
All these things we ask giving you all the glory and honor
due to your name.
Amen.
(Pledge of Allegiance)
>>FRANK REDDICK: Roll call.
>>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
>>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
>>YVONNE CAPIN: Present.
>>HARRY COHEN: Here.
>>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
>>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
>>FRANK REDDICK: Here.
All right, before we go to ceremonial activities, let me do
a little housecleaning, and with staff.
We are going to move item number 4 to number 3.
We are going to take public comments just on that item only.
And if we are not finished with the agenda by 11:30 we will
take a pause because several of us have to go to an event
and we will reassemble back at 1:30.
All right, any questions?
Mr. Miranda.
>>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Good morning, honorable chairman, Tampa
City Council, honorable mayor, citizens of the city,
honorable City Council members.
It is my pleasure this morning to be here to make the
presentation on behalf of the council to Corporal Benjamin
E. Brown, Officer of the Month for the month of December
2015.
Corporal?
I'm not a commander so you really didn't have to come.
It's my pleasure to speak to you for everything you have
done, for what the department has done, for how you
represent the City of Tampa, the organization, your union,
the people that you serve, the 350,000 of us.
We are really proud of you, and your department and what you
do and the way that you handle yourselves and others.
And I'm sure that the chief will make some comments on that.
Chief O'Connor.
And it's my pleasure to present to you this plaque that I
will give to you in a minute after the chief talks about
what you have done and what you will continue to do for your
years of service in the TPD, and also what you plan to do in
the future.
Thank you very much for what you have done.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Good morning, council.
I'm proud to introduce corporal Ben Brown to you.
He's a proud 13-year veteran of the Tampa Police Department,
has extensive experience in all aspects of the department,
but most importantly he's an expert in narcotics
investigation.
And as you can imagine the narcotics, the traffickers and
the people that are dealing drugs in our community are
involved in a lot of other crimes as well.
So targeting narcotics dealers is a real practice and
something that really benefits the community.
So what Corporal Brown did is he brought his narcotics
experience when he was reassigned to a rapid offender
control squad in district 1, and what he does with what he
expect our supervisors to do is to not only guide, direct
our troops, but also teach them.
So what he did is he took his extensive expertise and
brought it to his troops and taught them how to do these
complicated investigations.
We are going to tell you about a couple of them.
In West Tampa, there was a drug trafficker that was dealing
narcotics out of his home.
Corporal Brown did a search warrant for the home and taught
the troops how to help as well, and they arrested the
suspect.
They located 32 grams of cocaine, two pounds of marijuana,
numerous items of paraphernalia and a .45 handgun.
So that was a really good search warrant.
There was another one where he did a joint narcotics deal on
west Hillsborough Avenue, utilized a confidential informant,
purchased $500 worth of heroin from the subject, ended up
making an arrest, charged that dealer with trafficking,
possession of cocaine and numerous drug charges.
Corporal Brown also -- he did one additional deal, and he
was able to identify a dealer that had 465 grams of crystal
meth on him.
So he had single-handedly taken a great role in identifying
narcotics dealers, teaching his squad to do the same.
He leads by example.
We are very proud to have him as a member of the Tampa
Police Department.
And he is being given the Officer of the Month award.
Thank you.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Good morning, council.
I'm Vinny Gericitano, president of the Tampa Police
Benevolent Association. Joining me is Abe Carmack, Vice
President of the Tampa PBA.
I'm very proud to say that Ben here is a member of the Tampa
PBA.
We are very proud of the stuff he's done for both our
agencies, and for the citizens of the City of Tampa.
On a personal note, actually Ben was, when I first came to
TPD, Ben was one of my trainers.
So he kind of influenced me and got me to where I am today.
So I appreciate that, Ben.
On behalf of the Tampa PBA we want to give you a token of
our appreciation for being a good member.
>> Thank you very much.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Good morning, council.
I'm Jeff Houck here representing the Columbia restaurant
group.
On behalf of the Gonzmart family we would like to present a
$110 gift card to Corporal Brown marking 110 years of
continuous family ownership of the Columbia.
It's good at one of the seven Columbia restaurants in
Florida.
On this date, 112 years ago, the same day the Wright
brothers flew in their first flight, the Columbia opened in
Ybor City and two years later that begat the Columbia
restaurant.
We hope you enjoy your meal at the Columbia.
Thank you for all you do for the community.
>> Thank you.
I appreciate it.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Good morning, council.
Happy holiday.
Dan Mathis, chief security for the Straz Center.
Thank you, Corporal Brown, for what you do.
Narcotics is a dangerous area, a lot of things going on in
the underworld, as well as citizens, participants in law
enforcement.
Thank you for all that you do.
Now, I want to say these are special tickets.
I want to say congratulations, and Merry Christmas.
This is The Sound Of Music for Christmas night.
So Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Join us at the Straz Center Christmas for a special show.
>> Thank you very much, sir.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Stepps Towing Service.
Congratulations on behalf of Stepps Towing for everything
you do for our community.
We would like to present with you a $50 gift card.
And to get you there, we want to take your best crew out in
the company limousine for a night out.
Give us a call whenever you're ready to go out and we'll get
you there.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> Jim Carson, Bill Currie Ford.
We see many officers come into our dealership.
And, of course, this month you rose to the top.
We have a 2015 custom Mustang patrol car for you.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, congratulations.
>> Joe Durkin on behalf of Bright House Networks.
09:15:46 Congratulations.
09:15:48 Thanks for the service that you do out there.
09:15:50 From all your friends at bright house, we present you one
09:15:53 month of services complimentary.
09:15:57 Congratulations.
09:15:58 >> Thank you, appreciate it.
09:16:03 >> Good morning.
09:16:03 My name is Kelly Dixon.
09:16:05 I'm representing the Doubletree by Tampa Airport Westshore.
09:16:10 After you go to the Straz Center and see "The Sound of
09:16:12 Music," we'd love you to come over and have a night's stay
09:16:16 on us.
09:16:22 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:16:22 >> Congratulations, Corporal Brown.
09:16:24 On behalf of Crockett's Towing and Transport and Scotty
09:16:29 Crockett and Kirby Crockett, we'd like to congratulate you
09:16:32 for a job well done.
09:16:33 A small token of our appreciation, you can add this $50 Bass
09:16:38 Pro Shop card to the one you got.
09:16:44 >> Good morning, Council.
09:16:46 My name is Linda on behalf of the Diversity Initiative.
09:16:50 We want to thank you for your service and we would like to
09:16:53 present you three tickets to the Tampa Bay lightning game.
09:16:55 Thank you for your service.
09:16:57 Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
09:16:59 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:17:07 >> Corporal Brown, the Chief and I and Tampa City Council
09:17:10 and all the citizens in Tampa wish to present you with this
09:17:14 commendation to you, sir, for being officer of the month in
09:17:17 December, 2015.
09:17:18 Thank you for all you've done and for all you continue to
09:17:20 do.
09:17:22 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:17:29 >> Thank you very much.
09:17:30 This means a lot to me.
09:17:32 Like the Chief said, I've been doing this 13 years.
09:17:35 This is my first honor being able to come in front of City
09:17:38 Council and receive this award.
09:17:40 Thank you very much for that.
09:17:40 Even though this is an individual award, I couldn't have
09:17:43 done what I did to get this award without the help and the
09:17:46 team that's around me, from the guys at my squad, my
09:17:49 sergeant, my chain of command, chief's office, they allow me
09:17:54 to be able to do what I do.
09:17:56 It's with a great appreciation that I work with them and for
09:17:59 them.
09:17:59 With that in mind, I would like to thank and recognize the
09:18:03 members of my squad, my chain of command for this award and
09:18:10 obviously City Council for recognizing it.
09:18:14 I would also like to thank the businesses for coming here
09:18:17 and backing the officers and presenting what you guys do for
09:18:20 everybody.
09:18:20 It's greatly appreciated and it means a lot to all officers
09:18:24 who receive it.
09:18:25 Obviously, I would like to thank my family for their
09:18:28 understanding, the hours I work and what I do.
09:18:31 I'd like to close by saying that I think I speak for all
09:18:35 officers when I say we don't do this for recognition or
09:18:38 appreciation, but it is nice and it is wonderful to have
09:18:41 that when we do get it.
09:18:43 So thank you very much.
09:18:48 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:19:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: The second item will be a presentation by
09:19:17 Mr. Maniscalco.
09:19:32 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Today I'm proud to welcome and present
09:19:36 this commendation to Ms. Ashley Brundage with PNC bank.
09:19:40 Just a little background, PNC bank employs 55,000 people
09:19:46 nationwide.
09:19:46 Each year, they have the PNC performance award.
09:19:50 There were 700 nominations from those 55,000 people and only
09:19:56 one from Florida was the winner, which is our very own
09:20:00 Ashley Brundage, a Tampa native.
09:20:02 We are very proud to call you one of our own here in Tampa.
09:20:06 Thank you for putting us in the national spotlight.
09:20:09 Something very, very positive.
09:20:11 Proud to call you my friend.
09:20:12 On behalf of Tampa City Council, I'd like to present you
09:20:18 with this commendation.
09:20:23 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:20:26 >> Thank you so much, Council, for having me.
09:20:29 Congratulations to Corporal brown.
09:20:31 I think what he does is amazing for our community.
09:20:33 It is a great pleasure and gratitude that I accept this
09:20:36 commendation from you, for my work in the community and my
09:20:40 work at PNC bank.
09:20:42 Obviously, we're here today to help because of the
09:20:45 recognition and celebration that the City of Tampa has done
09:20:48 to advance their score on the municipality index for the
09:20:54 human rights ordinances.
09:20:56 What I do in the community wouldn't be possible without that
09:21:00 ordinance, so it's incredibly important to me.
09:21:03 Personally involved in the community.
09:21:09 I am the president of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber
09:21:12 of Commerce.
09:21:13 And as president, we've done a lot of things to advance our
09:21:18 community.
09:21:19 We created a mentorship program to help LGBTA youth.
09:21:25 We also have a scholarship that's brand-new this year that
09:21:28 is given to LGBTA youth and LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
09:21:34 transgender, and allies would be the A.
09:21:40 Very excited we have the opportunity to present that
09:21:43 first-ever scholarship award on Saturday, January 16th at
09:21:46 the Tampa Garden Club on Bayshore.
09:21:49 We're very excited to be back in Tampa for that event and
09:21:53 that Tampa is the host city.
09:21:56 My involvement in the community can't be possible without
09:22:01 all of the support that I get at home, so I wanted to
09:22:04 recognize my wonderful wife of 13 years, Whitney Brundage,
09:22:08 who's here.
09:22:10 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:22:10 And my wonderful sons, Brice and Blake.
09:22:18 Brice has joined today also.
09:22:22 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:22:22 And while I'm involved in so many LGBT organizations, I made
09:22:31 a point to try to get more involved in the community as a
09:22:37 whole.
09:22:38 If you have anything that you might want me to be involved
09:22:41 with, please let me know.
09:22:43 I'm more than happy to share my expertise.
09:22:46 I'm going to leave you with this.
09:22:48 One of my favorite people, the honorable Harvey milk who
09:22:51 said, "All young people regardless of sexual orientation or
09:22:55 identity deserve a safe and supportive environment in which
09:22:59 to achieve their full potential."
09:23:01 So thank you.
09:23:03 [ APPLAUSE ]
09:23:09 >>FRANK REDDICK: You made Mr. Maniscalco look tall.
09:23:18 [ LAUGHTER ]
09:23:18 At this time, Ms. Little.
09:23:32 Do you want to come forward?
09:23:38 >> Good morning, Council members, Mr. Chairman, Council,
09:23:42 happy holidays.
09:23:43 Sonya Little, revenue and finance.
09:23:45 Thank you for the opportunity to come before you to provide
09:23:48 this staff report as it relates to the proposed stadium
09:23:53 agreement that's presented on your agenda this morning.
09:23:57 I would like to start by giving you a bit of background.
09:24:00 Thank you for the opportunity to meet with each one of you
09:24:03 on an individual basis, but for the sake of public
09:24:07 information, I would like to provide you once again with the
09:24:10 following information.
09:24:11 As you're aware, the stadium renovation agreement has been a
09:24:15 collaborative effort between the stakeholders as it relates
09:24:19 to the stadium.
09:24:20 That includes, of course, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough
09:24:23 County, the Tampa Sports Authority and the Tampa Bay
09:24:27 Buccaneers.
09:24:29 Many have contributed to this effort, but joining us today
09:24:32 are representatives from each one of the stakeholders for
09:24:37 the interested parties who have directly worked on this
09:24:40 transaction for numerous months.
09:24:43 Joining us today, here in City Council chamber is Ms. Bonnie
09:24:47 Wise, and I believe Mr. Sam Hamilton couldn't make it today
09:24:51 with Hillsborough County.
09:24:52 Also joining us is Mr. Eric Hart and Steve Anderson with the
09:24:58 Tampa Sports Authority.
09:24:59 We also have Brian Ford and Tim Hunt from the Buccaneers,
09:25:05 Jorge Martin from the City Attorney's office, and I worked
09:25:11 very closely together during this process.
09:25:13 Again, there were many others that contributed to this
09:25:16 entire process.
09:25:18 In the audience with us today are Santiago Corrado with
09:25:23 Visit Tampa Bay.
09:25:24 Mr. Rob Higgins from the Tampa Sports Commission, and Chris
09:25:28 Rossbach with Feld Entertainment.
09:25:32 Your agenda package includes the proposed agreement as well
09:25:37 as letters of support from other stakeholders as it relates
09:25:40 to the agreement.
09:25:41 You have letters in your agenda package from USF, Outback
09:25:45 Bowl, Feld Entertainment, Visit Tampa Bay, and the Tampa
09:25:51 Sports Commission.
09:25:53 You may be aware, the proposed agreement has already been
09:25:58 approved by the Tampa Sports Authority board on Tuesday,
09:26:02 December 15th and yesterday by the board of county
09:26:04 commissioners on December 16th.
09:26:10 Additionally, just as a matter of formality, just to outline
09:26:15 the background, the stadium, as you well know, is owned by
09:26:19 the county and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority.
09:26:23 Under the terms of the original 1996 stadium agreement, the
09:26:29 city and the county has the contractual obligation to fund
09:26:33 any operating shortfalls and also to -- there is contractual
09:26:39 obligation to fund certain capital improvements to the
09:26:42 stadium.
09:26:42 We also have a contractual obligation to fund the operating
09:26:47 and capital requirements on a two-thirds and one-third basis
09:26:50 with one-third being the responsibility of the City of
09:26:53 Tampa.
09:26:54 Under the original 1996 agreement, the city and the county
09:26:59 have contractually -- a contractual obligation to fund
09:27:03 $25.8 million in capital projects.
09:27:08 We've spoken to you since January of this year as it relates
09:27:12 to our plan to fund that $25.8 million obligation.
09:27:17 So that obligation is there no matter what.
09:27:20 The proposed agreement in front of you reflects a total
09:27:24 project cost of $86.5 million.
09:27:27 That amount is comprised of the $25 million that we just
09:27:32 spoke about that we're contractually obligated to fund, plus
09:27:36 an additional 3 million that I'll get into a little bit
09:27:40 further as far as the explanation and an additional
09:27:44 $57.6 million coming from the buccaneers, which in this
09:27:49 agreement is referred to the buccaneers football stadium
09:27:52 limited partnership, or the BSLP.
09:27:56 Actually, that is a 2:1 ratio when it is compared to the
09:28:01 funding requirements of the city and the county.
09:28:03 The team has no current obligation under the original 1996
09:28:08 agreement to fund any improvements related to the stadium.
09:28:12 However, under the terms of the newly proposed agreement
09:28:16 before you, the team will provide at least the $57.6 million
09:28:21 to both enhance and/or expand the projects that the city and
09:28:26 the county are contractually obligated to fund.
09:28:31 Of the $28.8 million coming from the TSA, I mentioned that
09:28:35 the $25.8 million we're contractually obligated to fund
09:28:40 under the '96 stadium agreement.
09:28:46 The county has committed to using fourth cent tourist
09:28:51 development taxes to fund the additional 3 million.
09:28:55 So in total, the 28.8 million will come from cash flow
09:28:59 savings generated from two bond issues that we refunded
09:29:04 through the TSA earlier this year, from the future fourth
09:29:08 cent tourist development tax financing that's been committed
09:29:14 to by the county.
09:29:16 And just want to point out that no City of Tampa general
09:29:20 fund monies will be used to fund this project at all.
09:29:23 None of our obligation will be funded with our general fund
09:29:27 money.
09:29:28 For clarification purposes, the tourist development tax
09:29:32 dollars, and specifically the fourth cent is a restricted
09:29:36 revenue source paid by visitors to Hillsborough County and
09:29:39 the funds can be used to pay debt service and bonds issued
09:29:43 to finance the construction, reconstruction, or renovation
09:29:47 of a professional sports facility as the county has
09:29:51 committed to doing in this case.
09:29:53 The stadium project will be completed in two phases with
09:30:00 government dollars being provided on a reimbursement basis.
09:30:04 BSLP will only be reimbursed for project costs.
09:30:08 After BSLP has spent $43.5 million for the completion of the
09:30:14 projects listed in schedule 1 of the agreement, then they
09:30:19 will be reimbursed $14.5 million.
09:30:22 Additionally, after BSLP has spent a total of $43 million
09:30:29 for the completion of the projects listed in schedule 2 of
09:30:32 the agreement, the TSA will reimburse BSLP $14.3 million.
09:30:40 Other provisions of the agreement that are critically
09:30:44 important to the city are that the team will be responsible
09:30:48 for any incremental cost associated with the maintenance of
09:30:52 the upgraded projects.
09:30:54 They'll also be responsible for 100% of the maintenance cost
09:30:59 associated with all new projects under the plan.
09:31:02 The agreement also requires that BSLP be in compliance for
09:31:09 construction purposes with the county's minority program.
09:31:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: Ms. Little, just for the general public,
09:31:17 would you say what BSLP stands for?
09:31:19 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, sir, the formal name of BSLP buccaneers
09:31:34 football stadium limited partnership.
09:31:36 BSLP.
09:31:38 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
09:31:41 >>SONYA LITTLE: At the Wednesday TSA board meeting as part
09:31:45 of presentation and information provided to the board,
09:31:47 Mr. Todd Fultz, VP of Manhattan construction spoke to the
09:31:54 firm's commitment as it relates to minority participation
09:31:57 under the county's program.
09:31:58 Very important to the City of Tampa were discussions as it
09:32:04 relates to revenue sharing or split under the current
09:32:08 agreement, you'll recall, that the first $2 million in
09:32:13 profits for any events other than buccaneer NFL games, the
09:32:18 first $2 million of those profits go to the team.
09:32:22 And then 50/50 percent split after that.
09:32:26 Under the proposed agreement, that term, which, again, is
09:32:29 very important to us, because it impacts our general fund
09:32:33 subsidy to the stadium.
09:32:35 Under the new terms, that provision will be modified to
09:32:40 reflect that the split remains the same with the first
09:32:44 $2 million going to the team, but instead of 50/50
09:32:49 thereafter, up to $3.5 million will be split 67%, 33%, in
09:32:57 favor of the TSA.
09:32:59 Again, a benefit to the City of Tampa because it will
09:33:03 decrease the general fund subsidy.
09:33:05 Then it reverts back to 50/50 anything above $3.5 million.
09:33:10 And if we look at that and assume that the full $3.5 million
09:33:15 is realized, that would mean an additional $255,000 to the
09:33:21 TSA.
09:33:22 Again, benefiting the City of Tampa as it relates to the
09:33:26 general fund -- a decrease in the general fund subsidy.
09:33:30 That's just over a quarter of a million dollars.
09:33:32 Again, we've had many discussions as it relates to the
09:33:37 practice facility allowance.
09:33:40 And during these negotiations and under the terms of the
09:33:44 proposed agreement, that liability as for the practice
09:33:49 facility allowance where the City of Tampa and the county
09:33:52 and other cities in the county use the cash on hand and the
09:34:02 reserves for the practice facility totaling $11.6 million.
09:34:05 And it was a potential liability, contingent liability to
09:34:10 the cities and the county as it relates to that
09:34:14 $11.6 million.
09:34:18 $2.59 million of that was directly to the City of Tampa.
09:34:25 With that being said, under the proposed agreement, that
09:34:29 contingent liability has been released.
09:34:32 So we have completely satisfied the practice facility
09:34:37 allowance.
09:34:38 And that's really important to us because we no longer have
09:34:43 to report it as contingent liability to our creditors,
09:34:49 rating agency, and investors.
09:34:50 These are the main salient features as it relates to the
09:34:54 practice facility agreement.
09:34:58 The agreement identifies the scope of the project and
09:35:00 provides the project time lines, responsibilities, and
09:35:03 reimbursements.
09:35:04 It coordinates the schedules of events during construction.
09:35:09 It identifies the maintenance responsibilities completed --
09:35:13 after completion of the improvement.
09:35:15 It speaks to the guidelines and laws of minority business
09:35:21 participation.
09:35:21 It allows the buccaneers to move one preseason game out of
09:35:26 the area each year surrounding the construction.
09:35:32 And as it relates to post-construction with no negative
09:35:36 impact to the city and county, it permanently removes the
09:35:41 potential financial liability of the $11.6 million to the
09:35:44 county, the city, the TSA and other cities.
09:35:48 And very important to us again is that it modifies an
09:35:52 existing revenue sharing agreement that will make it more
09:35:55 favorable to both the city and the county.
09:35:59 With that, I'd be happy to entertain any questions.
09:36:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: Before we do that, I want to recognize and
09:36:06 have come forward Mr. Corrado.
09:36:18 >> Wow!
09:36:19 Déjà vu.
09:36:20 After two years, it's certainly great to be back here at the
09:36:25 podium.
09:36:26 Some things don't change in two years.
09:36:29 Mr. Miranda will probably say I've grown shorter by six
09:36:33 inches and my hair has grown longer by six inches.
09:36:36 I can tell you as a city administrator, when I always
09:36:39 presented before you, I stuck to the facts so that you could
09:36:42 make the best decision possible before you.
09:36:45 And so the facts are very clear, as Ms. Little has already
09:36:50 mentioned, and I have to underscore, because sometimes in
09:36:53 the press, things are mentioned and then folks have a
09:36:57 reaction to it.
09:36:58 No general tax dollars are involved in the renovations that
09:37:05 are before you.
09:37:06 The tourist development tax is a locally raised tax in our
09:37:11 hotels, by visitors that decide to stay in a rental
09:37:16 property.
09:37:16 And those are the dollars that have been authorized by the
09:37:20 state for counties to collect, and in this case, the fourth
09:37:25 percent, the fourth cent that is being talked about can only
09:37:28 be used for work at Raymond James Stadium and/or marketing
09:37:33 or promotion of the destination.
09:37:35 So that is a fact.
09:37:37 There are no general tax dollars as part of the tourist
09:37:41 development tax unless any of us tonight who live in City of
09:37:43 Tampa, Hillsborough County decide to stay at the Marriott
09:37:46 Waterside or any other hotel in Hillsborough County and we
09:37:49 pay the tax.
09:37:50 That is the only way that our locals are involved in
09:37:53 contributing to the tourist development tax.
09:37:55 Having said that, there is a good reason why the tourist
09:37:59 development tax can be allocated for sports facilities, and
09:38:03 that's because of the impact that they can have on
09:38:06 visitation.
09:38:07 Again, sticking to the facts on how a facility like Raymond
09:38:12 James affects the hotel industry, I'll just throw out some
09:38:16 facts for you.
09:38:16 We can go back to Super Bowl 2009, and we'll come a little
09:38:20 bit closer in time.
09:38:22 In 2009, the Super Bowl produced over 60,000 room nights and
09:38:26 over 140,000 visitors to the destination.
09:38:30 It resulted in 3.9 million dollars' worth of related media
09:38:37 expenditures or exposure.
09:38:38 When we come a little bit closer in time and we just
09:38:42 recently hosted the international Indian film academy
09:38:45 awards, and this is not Santiago's data, this is not visit
09:38:50 Tampa Bay's data, this is Smith travel research data.
09:38:55 For the night that we hosted April 26 at Raymond James
09:38:58 Stadium, the IIFA awards, we saw a 21.1% increase in hotel
09:39:05 occupancy in Hillsborough County.
09:39:07 These are hotels, mind you, that pay into ad valorem taxes
09:39:11 not only in the city, but the county as well.
09:39:14 That week, we saw double-digit increases amongst all indices
09:39:20 that showed the sustainability and health of our industry.
09:39:23 Rates, occupancy, and revenue per available room.
09:39:27 In fact, on the night of April 26, hotel revenues were over
09:39:31 $2 million or a 62% increase over the same date the year
09:39:37 before.
09:39:37 So we can attribute a lot of that to hosting that event at
09:39:42 Raymond James Stadium.
09:39:43 Taylor Swift, talk about Taylor.
09:39:46 We've talked about Taylor a lot.
09:39:48 October 31st, just a short month ago, on the night that
09:39:53 Taylor performed, we estimate that there were 9,000
09:39:56 incremental room nights in Hillsborough County that were
09:39:59 used.
09:40:01 Occupancy around the county was 89.1%.
09:40:05 Hotel revenues again broke the $2 million mark and were 62%
09:40:09 higher than the previous night when we didn't have Taylor.
09:40:15 You really have to look at the variables that affect the
09:40:18 numbers that I'm speaking about.
09:40:19 Those are facts, and they are not my facts.
09:40:22 They are somebody else's facts about the health that exists
09:40:27 in the hotel industry.
09:40:28 We're not going to get into the indirect spending and all
09:40:31 that, because economists love having that conversation.
09:40:34 I'm not here to have that conversation.
09:40:35 I'm here to have the effect on the hotel industry that
09:40:39 supports our local economy with jobs and ad valorem tax.
09:40:43 There is a reason why the bed tax can support investments in
09:40:50 convention centers, in sports arenas, and in stadiums.
09:40:54 And that's because they can affect visitation to a
09:40:57 destination.
09:40:58 Many, many years ago, this community wisely or unwisely,
09:41:03 depending on who you talked to, decided to invest in
09:41:06 building a stadium, an arena, and a convention center.
09:41:10 And, yes, facilities age.
09:41:12 And to replace my AC unit at home, I didn't like spending
09:41:16 $8,000 on it, but I had to replace my AC unit at home.
09:41:20 It aged.
09:41:21 Our facility has aged, and it makes it harder and harder to
09:41:25 compete when most other NFL communities have invested in
09:41:29 their facilities.
09:41:29 Rob Higgins will tell you about the day to day of really,
09:41:34 really selling our community to bring big-scale events like
09:41:38 a college football national championship game, which we have
09:41:41 here in 2017, and the super bowls that we're bidding on for
09:41:44 '19 and '20 and the struggles that sometimes we face when
09:41:49 we're facing facilities that have invested in themselves
09:41:53 with all of the things that we're talking about investing in
09:41:56 ours here today.
09:41:56 Again, to underscore, I think I can speak for bob Morrison,
09:42:02 who is the head of the Hillsborough County hotel/motel
09:42:05 association, they are in support because they understand the
09:42:09 value.
09:42:09 And we've seen hotels in this county invest like never
09:42:13 before.
09:42:13 That's private investment in our community.
09:42:16 New hotels, new restaurants, new attractions at Busch
09:42:19 Gardens, all focused on driving visitation and making us one
09:42:23 of the best destinations in the world.
09:42:25 I think I've already used up my time allotment.
09:42:28 It's great to see all of you from here and not out in the
09:42:32 community, which is also very, very nice, but it feels like
09:42:35 home being here at the podium and being able to address you
09:42:38 this morning.
09:42:39 Thank you.
09:42:40 Thank you for the opportunity.
09:42:40 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
09:42:41 Mr. Higgins.
09:42:42 Some of the great potential we have with major renovation
09:42:52 taking place at the stadium.
09:42:54 >> Good morning, everybody.
09:42:55 My name is Rob Higgins.
09:42:57 I'm executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
09:42:58 Fortunate to be surprised and get a chance to sit next to
09:43:02 really the father of sports tourism in our community,
09:43:06 Leonard Levy.
09:43:09 Leonard was responsible for bringing the first Super Bowl to
09:43:12 our community.
09:43:12 We've been fortunate to learn a lot from him.
09:43:16 Probably the most valuable lesson that he's taught us is you
09:43:20 don't only focus on bringing in an event here one time, you
09:43:23 focus on bringing it back.
09:43:25 I think that's what our community has done really well.
09:43:28 Capitalized on the opportunity Leonard had with the first
09:43:31 Super Bowl, and we know it's been successful because it
09:43:34 comes back three more times.
09:43:36 We know the women's final four has been successful because
09:43:39 they not only came here in 2008 for the first time in the
09:43:42 history of the State of Florida, it's come back a second
09:43:45 time and we've been awarded a third.
09:43:47 Frozen four which came to the southeast for the first time
09:43:50 in the 64-year history in 2012 is coming back the fastest
09:43:53 it's come back to a community in 20 years.
09:43:56 Now we embark upon a monumental opportunity in 2017 with the
09:44:01 college football playoff national championship.
09:44:03 We're not focused on having it just one time.
09:44:06 We're focused, like Leonard taught us, on bringing it back.
09:44:10 That's an event last year in Dallas that brought 85,000
09:44:14 people to the game.
09:44:16 It's an event that we anticipate doing over 60,000 hotel
09:44:21 visitor room nights.
09:44:23 It puts us on a major national stage.
09:44:26 Santiago mentioned the Super Bowl bid.
09:44:29 We're currently a finalist for 2019 and 2020.
09:44:32 We're one of four finalists for that event.
09:44:36 The other three finalists, New Orleans, who was in the last
09:44:39 five years, has done a $300 million renovation.
09:44:42 Miami, who is in the middle of a $400 million plus
09:44:47 renovation, and Atlanta, who's got a billion-dollar
09:44:52 brand-new stadium on the way as part of their bid package.
09:44:55 The competition is fierce.
09:44:58 Living in the trenches every single day in terms of going
09:45:02 after these events, it's certainly a competitive landscape,
09:45:05 but it's not just about these major events in terms of
09:45:08 recruiting these, they lead to smaller events that you
09:45:12 never, quite frankly, hear about, but drive weekend business
09:45:16 each and every weekend here.
09:45:18 Last year, we attracted nearly 120 of those youth and
09:45:24 amateur events.
09:45:25 That reputation, that stage of being able to host the Super
09:45:27 Bowl helps deliver those events as well, because that's who
09:45:31 we are.
09:45:32 That's the DNA of team Tampa Bay.
09:45:34 We not only get these events, we do a great job with them
09:45:38 and we end up getting them back.
09:45:40 And so we ask that you support this agreement today so that
09:45:46 not only will we get these events, but we're able to help
09:45:50 bring them back.
09:45:50 And these are events that help fund 46,000 hotel employees'
09:45:57 salaries, tips, their families.
09:46:00 So while Santiago and I are just -- on a good day, we come
09:46:09 representing all those employees in what these events mean
09:46:12 to them as well.
09:46:16 We appreciate the time.
09:46:17 Certainly, we ask that you -- we come hat in hand asking
09:46:20 that you support this agreement this morning.
09:46:22 >>FRANK REDDICK: Before I entertain questions from the
09:46:26 Council, Mr. Levy, would you wish to say a word or two?
09:46:38 >> Very quickly.
09:46:41 Santiago --
09:46:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: State your name for the record.
09:46:46 >> Leonard levy.
09:46:47 I'm retired.
09:46:49 I'm an old man.
09:46:50 I was disappointed because I first walked in here, Charlie
09:46:55 didn't have his black on.
09:46:57 I thought maybe he changed.
09:47:03 Rob touched on it.
09:47:04 The national football league is going to new facilities.
09:47:07 They like going to new stadiums.
09:47:09 We obviously are not going to build a new stadium, but we
09:47:12 can make these upgrades so we can compete with the new
09:47:16 stadium.
09:47:17 Other than the one going into Atlanta now, St. Louis
09:47:22 probably -- they just approved a billion dollars to build a
09:47:25 new stadium to keep the rams.
09:47:27 I can guarantee you LA will have a new stadium, and that
09:47:32 will be our competition.
09:47:33 We have a small window here.
09:47:35 And we can't guarantee that this is approved we'll have
09:47:41 another Super Bowl.
09:47:42 But we can guarantee you that if we don't do it, we won't
09:47:46 have another Super Bowl.
09:47:47 It's as simple as that.
09:47:48 Thank you.
09:47:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
09:47:52 Ms. Little, let me ask you one question, and then I'll open
09:48:01 it up to questions from the Council.
09:48:02 If we did not approve this agreement, this Council, what is
09:48:12 the risk to the city?
09:48:15 >>SONYA LITTLE: Several things, number one, our contractual
09:48:19 obligation to fund the $25.8 million remains the same.
09:48:26 A couple of things will happen is that we will not have the
09:48:30 benefit of the revisions to the revenue sharing provision
09:48:34 under the agreement where we stand to gain the -- the TSA
09:48:40 stands to gain at least over a quarter of a million dollars
09:48:43 in additional revenues.
09:48:46 Beyond that, we fully anticipate with the added space that
09:48:51 the buccaneers are providing the improvements and the
09:48:56 ability to generate additional revenues, we would also
09:49:00 likely lose that ability as well.
09:49:02 >>FRANK REDDICK: Final question, in your professional
09:49:08 opinion as part of negotiation and discussion with all of
09:49:11 the different partners that was involved in this process,
09:49:18 even though this is not a perfect agreement, but do you feel
09:49:24 that this is the best agreement we have and do you support
09:49:29 us signing off on this agreement?
09:49:31 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, sir.
09:49:32 Having been part of all of the discussions since the
09:49:35 beginning, fully understanding the original 1996 stadium
09:49:41 agreement and the discussions as it relates to our options,
09:49:44 when the City of Tampa representatives went in to these
09:49:48 discussions, we decided that we wanted to be certainly as a
09:49:52 stakeholder in this a partner, a community partner with the
09:49:56 county, the TSA, and the team.
09:50:00 However, our ultimate goal was to protect the interest of
09:50:03 the City of Tampa.
09:50:03 That meant to us doing all that we could to decrease the
09:50:07 annual operating and capital subsidy to the stadium, because
09:50:12 that impacts our general fund.
09:50:14 And because we've ended up with an agreement that funding
09:50:18 for these projects do not come from any of the city's
09:50:21 general fund revenues, but we are receiving a benefit to our
09:50:26 general fund by decreasing our annual operating and capital
09:50:30 subsidy, I feel comfortable in recommending this agreement,
09:50:33 Mr. Chairman.
09:50:34 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
09:50:35 Any questions from Council?
09:50:36 Ms. Montelione.
09:50:40 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
09:50:40 Thank you, Ms. Little.
09:50:41 As we discussed when we had our briefing, I've been wanting
09:50:47 to crack open this agreement for a long time.
09:50:53 And the initial agreement did not favor the city in a lot of
09:50:56 ways.
09:50:57 Can you tell me or estimate what the 67/33 split would mean
09:51:05 in revenues to the city?
09:51:06 >>SONYA LITTLE: To the city, it will decrease, we believe
09:51:10 initially, not assuming that any of the other, that we
09:51:14 exceed the $3.5 million threshold, we believe that of the
09:51:20 255,000, roughly 50,000 would be a direct benefit to the
09:51:25 city.
09:51:26 And, again, that's not including the potential to exceed
09:51:29 that $3.5 million in net profits to the TSA.
09:51:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And where does that money end up?
09:51:38 >>SONYA LITTLE: That money is really a savings that we will
09:51:41 not have to pay out from our general fund money.
09:51:46 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So, how much are we spending roughly
09:51:49 estimated now not with the current agreement, which is the
09:51:55 50/50 split?
09:51:57 >>SONYA LITTLE: Right now, we've been fortunate, the
09:51:59 project, the $25.8 million in projects that we've been
09:52:05 talking about, that is our contractual obligation, we've not
09:52:08 spent anything on that, because we have delayed projects.
09:52:12 We are at a point right now that we can no longer be in
09:52:15 compliance with the 1996 agreement by delaying those
09:52:18 projects any further.
09:52:20 It was only agreed that we could delay those projects
09:52:24 proceeding with funding for those projects, because we were
09:52:27 in negotiations with the buccaneers to both expand and add
09:52:31 to the project.
09:52:33 To date, we have not budgeted nor have we paid out anything
09:52:39 for those capital improvements.
09:52:41 Moving forward, we will have to.
09:52:44 On the operating side we have over the past 9, 10 years our
09:53:00 subsidy has totaled -- we're in 2015, the City of Tampa paid
09:53:13 a total of $735,000 to the TSA for purposes of operating the
09:53:21 stadium.
09:53:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So you're saying that the 1996 agreement
09:53:29 would require us to spend additional funds.
09:53:33 >>SONYA LITTLE: Correct.
09:53:35 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And if we didn't renegotiate this -- that
09:53:38 '96 agreement, we would only be receiving or a savings of
09:53:46 whatever was reflected by the 50/50 split of revenue.
09:53:50 So now our split is 67/33, so we'll have less of an
09:53:58 obligation -- expenditures, because of that increase in our
09:54:01 percentage.
09:54:02 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, ma'am.
09:54:03 It's important in that respect, and it's important in the
09:54:06 respect that because of the improvements to the facility
09:54:11 potential to generate even greater amounts of revenues will
09:54:15 benefit us over and beyond up to that $3.5 million in
09:54:18 profits.
09:54:19 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I only have one other question.
09:54:21 It's on page 2.
09:54:23 It says, BSLP's intention to contribute additional funding
09:54:27 for additional stadium improvements that would increase the
09:54:31 value of all stadium improvements to an amount in excess of
09:54:37 100 million.
09:54:38 Would that increase in value, that's not a dollar-for-dollar
09:54:46 expenditure.
09:54:47 >>SONYA LITTLE: Right.
09:54:48 Under the agreement, Councilwoman, the BSLP is contractually
09:54:54 obligated to fund 57.6 million minimally in conjunction with
09:55:01 the city and the county's contribution of $28.8 million for
09:55:05 a total of 86.5.
09:55:09 So in the agreement, it does speak to the value, but that is
09:55:14 a minimum contribution under the contract.
09:55:18 BSLP has indicated that they are considering contributing
09:55:21 even a greater amount, even though they are not
09:55:24 contractually obligated.
09:55:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I just wanted to point out the difference
09:55:29 between actual dollars and value because that is an awful
09:55:32 big number.
09:55:33 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, ma'am.
09:55:33 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
09:55:34 If there are no questions, we'll go to public comment.
09:55:37 Mr. Suarez.
09:55:38 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you.
09:55:38 I apologize.
09:55:39 Ms. Little, a quick question, you said something a few
09:55:44 minutes ago that perked me up a little bit.
09:55:47 It's something I didn't think about when we met privately.
09:55:50 And I apologize for asking you this now because I didn't
09:55:53 think of it at the time.
09:55:54 We have an obligation in terms of our -- I should say, a
09:56:00 detriment to our own ability to -- not refinance, but for
09:56:05 our bond rating, because of an obligation.
09:56:08 The obligation comes from the CIT fourth cent, is that what
09:56:14 it is?
09:56:15 Were we the pass-through or the owner of the bond in order
09:56:19 for that to be an obligation to us?
09:56:24 >>SONYA LITTLE: We were a party to the contractual
09:56:26 obligation to fund the practice facility.
09:56:31 The $11.6 million that was held in reserve came from
09:56:35 countywide CIT funding of which the City of Tampa was a
09:56:40 stakeholder as far as generating CIT dollars.
09:56:46 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I guess my point is, is that is money that we
09:56:51 would have been able to spend or not spend, depending on the
09:56:54 situation, that particular amount was tied up into that
09:56:56 because of this contractual obligation.
09:56:59 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, sir, it was.
09:57:00 For many years tied up.
09:57:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: When you said no general revenue will be
09:57:05 going to using this, we actually would have had to use
09:57:08 general revenue because of the obligation that we have here,
09:57:11 correct, if we did not do some of the re-fi and some of the
09:57:15 other things that we have because it's still an obligation.
09:57:17 >>SONYA LITTLE: Correct.
09:57:18 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And the rating agencies look at it only as an
09:57:20 obligation and not as anything other than that.
09:57:23 They don't get that much into the weeds other than we know
09:57:25 you owe this amount of money.
09:57:27 We know that you're going to have to do something to pay it.
09:57:30 How are you going to do it, correct?
09:57:32 >>SONYA LITTLE: That's correct.
09:57:33 If I can just clarify two different things.
09:57:37 Practice facility allowance being separate from the cash
09:57:41 flow savings that we generated from the bond refinancings,
09:57:44 if we're talking about that cash flow savings that we
09:57:47 generated from the bond financing, yes, that is a separate
09:57:51 pot of money that we had planned to fund some of these
09:57:56 projects to relieve our burden on our general fund.
09:58:00 Over and beyond that to answer what I think is your question
09:58:03 regarding the rating agencies, when they review us for any
09:58:07 of our credits, they look at our contingent liability and
09:58:11 included, we have to report that the $2.6 million that we
09:58:15 received from the practice facility allowance is still a
09:58:20 contingent liability, although we have received the money
09:58:23 from the allowance, it had not been legally released, but it
09:58:29 will be legally released upon signing this agreement.
09:58:33 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Once this contract is executed, that would
09:58:37 then be released back.
09:58:38 >>SONYA LITTLE: Yes, sir.
09:58:39 That's correct.
09:58:40 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I have a question for Mr. Martin, sir, okay,
09:58:45 as I understand this -- correct me if I'm wrong -- we don't
09:58:49 own the stadium.
09:58:50 Hillsborough County owns the stadium now.
09:58:51 The Sports Authority was created by state law back in 1965
09:58:55 or '66.
09:58:56 I think it was '65.
09:58:58 They are a special district or an independent district.
09:59:04 Why are we a part of this contract originally from 1996 just
09:59:08 because of the obligations that Ms. Little just mentioned,
09:59:12 meaning that we were going to use some of our bonded CIT
09:59:16 dollars specifically to help build and operate this?
09:59:19 And why are we continually being one-third of this
09:59:23 particular triumvirate?
09:59:27 >> Under the 1996 agreement, the City of Tampa as well as
09:59:30 the county joined in the agreement because TSA, although
09:59:36 it's an independent agency, depends solely on revenue.
09:59:42 If revenue was insufficient, the municipality and the county
09:59:48 pitched in to make up any differences in both operation and
09:59:51 also in capital improvements.
09:59:54 So, therefore, our obligation for the operation subsidy,
09:59:58 which goes every year, it's contractual.
10:00:02 Has been the same since 1996 and will remain the same
10:00:04 because this does not aggregate or kill the '96 agreement.
10:00:13 It modifies certain portions of that.
10:00:16 And in the big picture, much to the benefit of both the
10:00:19 municipality and the county.
10:00:21 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Let me interrupt you just a second.
10:00:24 I'm getting back more to, is there ever a possibility after
10:00:27 this agreement expires in 2028 I believe is the new
10:00:31 expiration date for this one, am I correct?
10:00:34 Either 2025 or 2028.
10:00:36 >> It's 2028.
10:00:38 >>MIKE SUAREZ: 2028, that we would no longer have to be
10:00:40 one-third of the obligation to help maintain the facility?
10:00:44 Because part of the reason to do the renovation is that for
10:00:49 it to be more self-sustaining, now, again, the reason why in
10:00:54 '65 they partnered with the city, especially the city, is
10:00:57 because the city was able to put some dollars into it to
10:01:01 help build and get the original bond issue for the building
10:01:04 of the stadium.
10:01:04 I can't remember what it was.
10:01:06 I think it was $3 million or something like that, maybe 5
10:01:08 million.
10:01:09 My point is that, is there ever a time that you can see that
10:01:12 we might be able to get out of this obligation after the
10:01:15 expiration of this particular agreement?
10:01:18 >> I don't have a crystal ball.
10:01:22 In the big picture again, I doubt there would be a situation
10:01:26 when the 2028 agreement comes through that it would not be
10:01:30 renegotiated without the inclusion of the city.
10:01:32 Because the city will want to participate in the maintenance
10:01:37 of this asset, because it is a community asset, or because
10:01:40 the other parties will want the city to participate as well.
10:01:43 Again, it will be a matter of contracting.
10:01:47 It is an obligation that arises from contract.
10:01:51 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Well, the only problem I have is because
10:01:53 we're not the owners of the stadium, you know, I'm a big
10:01:56 believer in making sure that the things we own, we care for,
10:01:59 and we make sure that it's maintained and renovated and
10:02:03 upgraded whenever we need it, I'm not saying that the
10:02:05 stadium is not a community asset or the buccaneers are not a
10:02:08 community asset.
10:02:09 I believe that it is, and all the events that go on there,
10:02:12 but it does seem kind of strange to me that we're still a
10:02:15 signatory to giving money for operating and we're not an
10:02:19 owner.
10:02:19 We do get a benefit of it, but at the same time, we're not
10:02:22 an owner, and maybe at some point, maybe whoever your
10:02:27 successor is in this office may have some idea in terms of
10:02:31 what we might be able to do later on.
10:02:32 Again, it's just something that that piqued in my head.
10:02:38 We don't own this place.
10:02:39 We don't do anything other than give money to it.
10:02:42 We now have an obligation and a detriment to our bond rating
10:02:46 by virtue of this agreement.
10:02:50 Again, it's not your doing.
10:02:52 It's not my doing, but it's something we have to deal with.
10:02:55 >> Well, just to clarify, our obligation, for example, our
10:03:01 impact on our bond reporting and whatever goes away if we
10:03:06 execute this document.
10:03:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: That's my point about renegotiating that we
10:03:11 don't have the obligation anymore.
10:03:12 >> After a joinder party, we definitely want to be part of
10:03:16 this modification.
10:03:17 What happens in 1928, I don't know.
10:03:19 Hopefully I will not be here, but I will make sure my
10:03:24 successor hears what you have to say.
10:03:26 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I'm not going to be here in 2028 either.
10:03:30 >> 1928, I wasn't even born.
10:03:33 Again, 2028.
10:03:34 Jorge Martin, City of Tampa attorney's office.
10:03:38 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let us go through public comment, and then
10:03:41 we'll have time for deliberation from the Council before we
10:03:47 end up buying a stadium for the citizens.
10:03:51 Anyone wish to speak on this item, on this particular item
10:03:56 only?
10:03:56 You cannot speak on anything else but this particular item.
10:03:59 If you want to talk about something else, you got to wait
10:04:02 till later on.
10:04:02 All right.
10:04:03 Now, we're just taking public comment on this particular
10:04:07 item.
10:04:07 All right.
10:04:08 Then let's go.
10:04:09 Please state your name.
10:04:18 You have three minutes.
10:04:19 >> Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Council members.
10:04:21 I'm Fred Van Cleave.
10:04:23 2930 Hillside Ramble Drive, Brandon, Florida.
10:04:27 I'd like to talk about this agreement, absolutely.
10:04:30 I've been a resident of Hillsborough County for 49 years.
10:04:35 I grew up in Tampa, and I remember what it was like around
10:04:39 here before there was any such thing as the Tampa Bay
10:04:42 Buccaneers.
10:04:42 I remember when we almost lost the Bucs because of a stadium
10:04:47 issue.
10:04:47 I remember going off in my military career for 23 years to
10:04:53 14 other major cities, not a single one had an NFL team and
10:04:56 there wasn't a whole lot going on there.
10:04:58 I'll tell you that.
10:04:59 Now, being one of 32 NFL cities in the world brings a huge
10:05:06 spotlight on our area, on our city.
10:05:10 It brings amazing visibility for our community, what we do
10:05:13 as taxpayers, as a government with that visibility is up to
10:05:17 us.
10:05:18 So the Bucs are bringing the attention.
10:05:20 We need to shape that and make this a better place on TV.
10:05:24 It improves our quality of life, our economic prosperity.
10:05:27 I've had a great time this week doing a kind of whirlwind
10:05:32 tour of the city and county governments, offering some
10:05:35 comments, because I felt compelled to speak to the facts of
10:05:38 this whole issue as I've seen it all played out in the media
10:05:42 and in the political processes.
10:05:45 This isn't to me a political issue.
10:05:47 It's not a -- it's not an issue about new taxes, as we've
10:05:54 just proven that.
10:05:55 This is an issue of fax, of investment in our community and
10:05:58 so investment in our stadium.
10:06:00 We're talking about a $29 million investment of our money to
10:06:06 get us a more than $100 million capital improvement in our
10:06:13 asset.
10:06:13 That's pretty amazing.
10:06:14 The alternative as I heard it today, we have to pay
10:06:18 $26 million plus $12 million to get $26 million.
10:06:22 That doesn't make any sense to me.
10:06:24 Now, what really is kind of something to point out now, you
10:06:32 look at example of visibility just tonight, this is game
10:06:35 day.
10:06:36 You will hear tonight on national TV, piped into some
10:06:41 international places Tampa, Tampa Bay, probably several
10:06:44 hundred times.
10:06:45 If the Bucs weren't here, how many times would that be?
10:06:48 Zero.
10:06:49 Now, I'll mention this also, so with our stadium, I've been
10:06:55 to four other NFL stadiums, two in the last year.
10:06:57 One in Houston and one in Detroit.
10:06:59 Beautiful facilities.
10:07:00 The game-day experience doesn't even compare, though, to
10:07:03 what the Bucs put on.
10:07:04 Now, imagine what the Bucs put on game day experience with
10:07:07 the facility that even rivals or is close to what they have,
10:07:11 and we've got an amazing place for Super Bowl destination.
10:07:15 Please, Council, I urge you, approve this agreement in full.
10:07:18 Thank you.
10:07:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: Next.
10:07:30 >> My name is James Worley.
10:07:33 I've got something I would like to share here.
10:07:35 I'm not great with the research, but this story is taken
10:07:39 from the Miami Herald.
10:07:41 It's an archive story about back in 1988, Florida
10:07:46 legislature passed a law that would allow sports stadiums to
10:07:49 collect $2 million per year from the government to build
10:07:53 shiny new stadiums that would increase economic investment
10:07:57 and improve the quality of life.
10:07:58 Tucked into the statutes is an obscure homeless shelter
10:08:02 provision, which has mostly been ignored for 23 years and
10:08:07 could be a 300 million-dollar oops for stadiums, arenas, and
10:08:13 spring-training facilities across the state.
10:08:15 The state law that sports teams that accept taxpayers'
10:08:21 dollars to build facilities must house the homeless on off
10:08:26 nights and lawmakers have brought it back from the dead in a
10:08:30 pair of bills gaining steam in this legislative session.
10:08:34 Senate bill 816, which would make teams and stadium owners
10:08:39 return millions of taxpayer dollars if they cannot prove
10:08:43 that they've been operating as a haven for the homeless on
10:08:48 nonevent nights past its first committee Senate on Monday
10:08:53 with unanimous vote.
10:08:54 Now, from what I've seen here, this bill failed.
10:08:59 However, this brings my question about this obscure law.
10:09:03 Is it on the books?
10:09:05 And are they required to provide shelter for the homeless?
10:09:10 If not, I would request that the city, which the county
10:09:16 seems to want to ignore it, find out if they are going to
10:09:19 provide this funding and you're going to make this
10:09:21 agreement, we need to find out, are they following up on
10:09:23 this provision or this law.
10:09:26 Are they doing their assistance?
10:09:28 Yes, the community, you know, people benefit from watching
10:09:32 football.
10:09:32 It's a great plus, but also, those tourists that come in
10:09:35 that fill the hotels and stuff have to deal with the people
10:09:40 that are doing the panhandling and the people that are
10:09:42 sleeping on the streets and creating the homeless problem
10:09:46 that it seems that the county just wants to kind of brush
10:09:49 off.
10:09:50 Thank you.
10:09:55 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Mr. Worley and thank you again
10:09:58 for the work you do with the homeless, finding the family of
10:10:01 Jeanie, the one lady recently.
10:10:05 It was a phenomenal achievement.
10:10:06 There is a statute on the books.
10:10:08 It's 288.1166.
10:10:12 It passed in 1988.
10:10:15 Professional sports facility designation as a shelter site
10:10:18 for the homeless, establishment of local programs, any
10:10:21 professional sports facility constructed with financial
10:10:24 assistance from the State of Florida shall be designated as
10:10:27 a shelter site for the homeless in accordance with the
10:10:30 criteria of locally existing homeless shelter programs,
10:10:33 except when the facility otherwise contractually obligated
10:10:37 for a specific event or activity.
10:10:40 Should a local program not be in existence in the facility's
10:10:43 area, such program shall be established in accordance with
10:10:47 normally accepted criteria as defined by the county or its
10:10:50 designee.
10:10:51 I'll be looking into what that means.
10:10:55 And the bill that you were referring to was by senator
10:10:58 Bennett in 2012, and that was to provide reports to the
10:11:04 auditor general on the stadiums and whether or not they were
10:11:07 in compliance, and that bill did die.
10:11:10 What the current statute that was passed in 1988 means is
10:11:21 apparently up to interpretation.
10:11:23 So we'll be looking into that and I'll be asking the Legal
10:11:26 Department to do that at the end of this session so that we
10:11:31 can have a report back some time probably in January.
10:11:34 Thank you.
10:11:35 >>FRANK REDDICK: Next speaker.
10:11:37 >> I came to speak about other things, but this injected
10:11:42 something into it, and I can save about 20 or 30 seconds off
10:11:47 my three minutes.
10:11:48 There is a movie coming out called "Concussion."
10:11:51 In it, Will Smith plays a genuine hero.
10:11:54 The thing is you can't say he is a genuine American hero
10:11:58 because he came from somewhere else.
10:11:59 I think he came from where my doctor in Baltimore came from.
10:12:04 But it would be good if we had more doctors from the United
10:12:07 States that were alerting people to these public health
10:12:11 problems.
10:12:12 As they say, the name of the movie is "Concussion."
10:12:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: We know about the movie.
10:12:17 Do you have any comments about this particular issue?
10:12:20 >> This particular issue is largely about football and --
10:12:27 and concussion is about football.
10:12:29 >>FRANK REDDICK: It can be about baseball, too.
10:12:31 Next speaker.
10:12:34 >> Or elected officials.
10:12:35 >>FRANK REDDICK: Right.
10:12:36 I have one now.
10:12:39 >> Mr. Chairman, members of the Council, good morning.
10:12:41 My name is bob Morrison.
10:12:43 I'm here today in my capacity as Executive Director of
10:12:46 Hillsborough County's hotel and motel association.
10:12:50 I'm before you because I noted on a variety of media and
10:12:55 other accounts, the reference to taxpayer dollars, taxpayer
10:12:59 dollars, taxpayer dollars.
10:13:01 I wanted to come before you to signify that as an
10:13:04 organization whose hotels collect 92% of all hotel revenue
10:13:09 in our county, that you are now looking at the
10:13:13 representative of the only taxpayers who write the check
10:13:19 that make up that $30 million.
10:13:25 I stand here on their behalf to indicate our absolute
10:13:28 support for the agreement.
10:13:30 Our sense that this agreement is the kind of public/private
10:13:33 partnership you like to see happen in our community and our
10:13:36 hotels are happy to take from their bottom line to
10:13:41 contribute to the tourist development tax fund and indeed to
10:13:45 create an opportunity like this for our community as a
10:13:49 whole.
10:13:50 We thank you for considering this agreement.
10:13:53 We hope that you will embrace this opportunity as an
10:13:57 opportunity to, again, signal what a model public/private
10:14:04 partnership should look like.
10:14:05 Thank you so much.
10:14:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Ms. Capin.
10:14:14 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes.
10:14:16 It is always any dollars that come in is public money.
10:14:19 And as such, that's why we're sitting here talking about it.
10:14:23 It definitely is public money.
10:14:25 And when I hear it's not coming from the taxpayer, it may
10:14:28 not come from our taxpayer, but it belongs to our public,
10:14:33 and that is why we're here today.
10:14:35 So I want to be very clear on that and thank you for your
10:14:39 summation.
10:14:41 >> I did understand that our hotels are commercial taxpayers
10:14:44 in Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa.
10:14:45 So that's why I was certainly embracing the fact that these
10:14:50 are public dollars, and we are the taxpayers who are making
10:14:53 that contribution as commercial property owners.
10:14:57 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:14:58 >>FRANK REDDICK: Next speaker.
10:15:03 >> Good morning.
10:15:04 My name is Chris Rossbach.
10:15:07 I represent Feld Entertainment.
10:15:08 I wanted to share a quick perspective on a non-tenant yet
10:15:14 annual event partner of the Tampa Sports Authority and
10:15:17 Raymond James Stadium.
10:15:17 We're a content provider not only in this community, but
10:15:20 across the country and the world.
10:15:22 We have two lines of our business.
10:15:25 We call one the legacy business, which is Ringling Brothers
10:15:28 Barnum & Bailey Circus and our Disney on Ice properties, and
10:15:32 we have our motorsports properties, which are our Super
10:15:34 Cross and Arena Cross professional racing series as well as
10:15:37 our Monster Jam events.
10:15:39 Monster Jam has been a heritage event in the Tampa community
10:15:42 drawing well over a hundred thousand patrons into Raymond
10:15:44 James every year.
10:15:45 And because we tour that to just about every NFL venue in
10:15:50 the country, we've seen quite a few of the renovation
10:15:53 projects over the course of time.
10:15:56 And have a unique perspective, I think, on how the Tampa
10:15:59 Sports Authority and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone
10:16:02 about this process and a big reason why we support it.
10:16:06 They not only have kept us informed of their plans for the
10:16:11 renovation, they have asked us how the renovation can
10:16:14 benefit us in our business.
10:16:16 That's rare.
10:16:18 They have kept us informed all along the way, and they
10:16:23 shared concerns over not only not affecting the monster jam
10:16:26 heritage events that many Tampa Bay area families enjoy
10:16:30 annually, but how we can excel our business and deliver a
10:16:35 better form of entertainment through the production of our
10:16:39 events as well as the fan experience.
10:16:42 And we believe the renovations before you are extremely
10:16:45 smart and will help us not only elevate our events here in
10:16:50 the Tampa Bay community, but as a matter of our support,
10:16:54 we've also engaged in current negotiations with the Tampa
10:16:57 Sports Authority to potentially bring a third stadium event
10:17:00 once the renovations are done.
10:17:02 So from the perspective of Feld Entertainment, the
10:17:05 renovations are smart.
10:17:06 They will help our business.
10:17:08 They will help us elevate our business and better serve the
10:17:12 Tampa community with events that come here annually and can
10:17:14 potentially grow.
10:17:15 Thank you.
10:17:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:17:16 All right.
10:17:16 Anyone else wishing to speak at this time on item number 4,
10:17:20 the stadium renovation?
10:17:25 >> My name is pat Kelly.
10:17:26 I've been a season ticket holder a long time.
10:17:29 I'd like to talk about the stadium and some constructive
10:17:35 criticism.
10:17:36 I broke my leg this summer, so I'm temporarily handicap.
10:17:40 Normally I ride a motorcycle to the stadium.
10:17:43 And that's one of the items I would like to suggest, because
10:17:46 the old stadium, there used to be a spot for motorcycles.
10:17:49 Since I live across the bridge, I'm back home in St. Pete
10:17:53 while people are getting out of the parking lot.
10:17:55 It's great to have a place.
10:17:56 The old stadium, it was $10, $15 or stadium.
10:18:00 One suggestion, the second is since I have not been able to
10:18:06 walk, I've gone to some other stadiums, and they are very
10:18:11 much more handicap friendly, meaning you can't go up this
10:18:17 elevator, you have to find a cart.
10:18:19 I get to the stadium two hours before a game and people have
10:18:25 not been helpful.
10:18:26 I've noticed it because I've never been in the situation
10:18:31 before.
10:18:31 And I just think you can make it a little more handicap
10:18:35 friendly because the elevator over at C I think is only for
10:18:39 media.
10:18:41 Some of the carts are only for media and VIPs.
10:18:45 And I've had to walk and it's been painful.
10:18:48 I've been to every game, but I just wanted to share that.
10:18:51 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:19:03 >> Derek Chamblee.
10:19:04 Google D-E-R-E-K-C-H-A-M-B-L-E-E.
10:19:11 New city.
10:19:12 Google Derek Chamblee St. Paul.
10:19:19 I want to speak about -- actually, in opposition to this
10:19:26 renovation at this time.
10:19:31 Opposition to making a decision today.
10:19:35 This is something probably that should be put off.
10:19:41 When you've got a Councilwoman here saying something to the
10:19:46 effect that even though money is coming from the hotel
10:19:54 tourist industry, it's still taxpayer money.
10:19:59 It still affects the taxpayers.
10:20:03 And that's something that needs to be explored, and you need
10:20:06 more time for this.
10:20:08 As far as the general public out there that I've talked to
10:20:11 on the street and whatnot these years, they have a
10:20:15 resentment toward the glazer family in terms of building the
10:20:19 stadium in the first place.
10:20:22 And I wanted to put this also in your minds that there is a
10:20:28 coming new stadium to be built preferably near the
10:20:33 fairgrounds on higher elevation for baseball, for the rays,
10:20:39 a stadium that's going to be built in Tampa within
10:20:42 Hillsborough County that we're going to need to fund that,
10:20:47 and we're going to need to look at these millions coming
10:20:50 from the Tampa Sports Authority or their approval for that
10:20:56 new stadium, and when that stadium is built, and during that
10:21:00 time, the rays will still play in Tropicana and honor their
10:21:04 lease.
10:21:04 And when that stadium is built in Tampa, then we're going to
10:21:09 build a state-of-the-art stadium, which will also -- as a
10:21:14 homeless shelter, evacuation shelter for at least 75,000
10:21:17 people in Pinellas County.
10:21:19 The same is true for the new stadium in Hillsborough County.
10:21:22 It's got to be an evacuation center, much the same in
10:21:26 Katrina when the superdome was used as a shelter.
10:21:32 And I just want you to hold off your decision today.
10:21:36 Thank you very much.
10:21:36 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:21:37 Anyone.
10:21:37 Last call.
10:21:38 Anyone else wishing to speak on this particular item?
10:21:40 All right.
10:21:43 Seeing none, we'll go to final questions and comments from
10:21:47 Council members.
10:21:47 Ms. Montelione.
10:21:51 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have no further questions.
10:21:52 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Maniscalco.
10:21:53 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: No.
10:21:55 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Cohen?
10:21:58 >>HARRY COHEN: Yes.
10:21:59 I have a brief couple of comments to make after listening to
10:22:02 all of the discussion this morning.
10:22:03 First of all, I would like to compliment the staff and the
10:22:09 professionals that worked on this negotiation.
10:22:12 You know, you don't start negotiating, or at least they
10:22:16 didn't in this situation with a blank piece of paper.
10:22:19 They started in a situation where many of the terms of the
10:22:27 original agreement were already here.
10:22:28 So they were working to improve it rather than start from
10:22:33 scratch.
10:22:34 And after listening to what I thought were very
10:22:38 comprehensive presentations both privately and publicly
10:22:42 about the terms of this agreement, I really feel that the
10:22:45 city is better off with it than we would be without it.
10:22:48 And I think that the case was made not just about the lack
10:22:55 of general fund dollars as opposed to taxpayer dollars that
10:23:01 are at issue here, but also about some of the contingent
10:23:05 obligations from the original agreement that have dogged our
10:23:10 credit ratings and our bottom line for all these years.
10:23:15 I agree with what Mr. Suarez said that our first choice
10:23:20 always is to put our dollars into assets that we own
10:23:24 directly.
10:23:24 The city owns the Straz Center and the zoo and the aquarium
10:23:28 and a lot of wonderful facilities.
10:23:30 However, in this case, we are not putting general fund
10:23:34 dollars into a facility that we don't own.
10:23:36 We are simply allowing the community to take advantage of a
10:23:45 tax structure that's been fed up by the state that is
10:23:48 specifically earmarked for these types of expenditures.
10:23:51 Finally, I want to just return to what Mr. Levy said
10:23:58 earlier.
10:23:58 The world is not static, and we are not competing against
10:24:02 communities that are not making similar types of
10:24:05 investments.
10:24:05 And this Council, at least a good deal of it, was here for
10:24:09 the Republican National Convention in 2012.
10:24:12 And one of the large lessons of that, I think, was that
10:24:18 investing in the community, continuing to improve our
10:24:22 community access is what really keeps us in the game in
10:24:26 terms of competing for really world-class international
10:24:29 events.
10:24:30 And as fun and I think as successful as the convention was,
10:24:39 it happened in the middle of the summer when Tampa is not
10:24:41 necessarily at its best.
10:24:42 One of my observations about hosting super bowls in the past
10:24:45 is that the time of the year they occur really allows us to
10:24:48 showcase ourselves at the very height of what makes this
10:24:56 such a great community to live in.
10:24:59 Of course the great weather and the ability to be outside
10:25:01 during the coldest months of the winter.
10:25:04 So, for all those reasons, I think that this is a good
10:25:06 agreement.
10:25:06 I'm excited for the community that we're going to hopefully
10:25:10 move forward with it.
10:25:11 I hope that what we'll see is continued investment in hotels
10:25:14 and in hospitality and in tourist development because I
10:25:17 think this is a great market for that, and this only makes
10:25:21 us a better one.
10:25:22 So thank you very much.
10:25:22 >>FRANK REDDICK: Ms. Capin.
10:25:25 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes.
10:25:26 Thank you, Mr. Chair.
10:25:26 Thank you, all for your excellent questions and the
10:25:30 response.
10:25:31 First of all, I want to thank CFO Sonya Little and Jorge
10:25:36 Martin for their hard work in bringing us what I looked at
10:25:46 as the very best that we could get.
10:25:50 And considering the obligations that we had on the table,
10:25:55 and they did work as a community and did work as partners
10:26:02 with the franchise, with the Bucs, and with the county.
10:26:05 You know, when the stadium was first built, I was not a fan,
10:26:10 I'll tell you now.
10:26:11 I compare it -- not to the streetcar, but the streetcar back
10:26:18 when it was first started, somewhere here on City Council
10:26:22 called it a boondoggle.
10:26:24 And now, it is being looked at as transportation for
10:26:29 downtown, very serious transportation.
10:26:31 That stadium, the Bucs are in our community and neglecting
10:26:38 it is to our detriment.
10:26:41 And I think you all have done and your staff has done an
10:26:44 exceptional job, and I will be supporting this.
10:26:46 Thank you.
10:26:48 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Suarez.
10:26:49 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
10:26:50 And thanks to our staff, obviously Ms. Little and Mr. Martin
10:26:55 always do a great job.
10:26:56 This was kind of a strange type of obligation because it is
10:26:59 not something, as I had mentioned and Mr. Cohen had
10:27:03 reiterated, it's not something we own, but we do still have
10:27:07 obligations under the original contract in 1996.
10:27:09 You know, there are people that look at the stadium as
10:27:14 something that's positive for the city, as I do.
10:27:16 I grew up probably about a half mile from the stadium.
10:27:20 I think the only other person that lives closer to the
10:27:23 stadium or as close as Mr. Miranda.
10:27:27 I grew up in the neighborhood, game days were a big day
10:27:30 because, A, there was no one going to the game so we could
10:27:33 walk there and get free tickets.
10:27:34 And I think the gentleman earlier said about growing up
10:27:39 here.
10:27:39 Believe me, it was a lot easier when you were a 12-year-old
10:27:42 kid to go to the stadium because there were lots of tickets
10:27:44 to go around.
10:27:45 I could go to the game almost every single game all the way
10:27:49 up until probably the mid 90s.
10:27:51 But it is an asset to our city.
10:27:54 It is an asset to the county.
10:27:55 It is something that although we may not have liked that it
10:27:59 was used, that public dollars were used to build this
10:28:02 originally, we made the decision 20 years ago or almost 20
10:28:07 years ago on this particular agreement to continue to pay
10:28:10 into and operate or help TSA operate this facility, giving
10:28:15 one-third of the dollars that come in.
10:28:16 This will save us money in the long run.
10:28:20 A, because the amount of money that it's going to free up in
10:28:24 terms of our bond rating and our obligations and that side
10:28:26 of it, but also, as they continue to become a more
10:28:31 revenue-generating facility, we're going to reduce our
10:28:34 burden on a year-to-year basis.
10:28:37 Now, I did make a comment about the end of the agreement in
10:28:40 2028.
10:28:40 I don't think any of us on staff, any of us on Council will
10:28:44 be here.
10:28:47 Well, with notable exceptions, and I think that, you know,
10:28:50 when we look at this, we have to look very carefully as to
10:28:55 what that next agreement is going to look like.
10:28:58 I think that it has been a success so far.
10:29:01 I think it will be a success, especially with the national
10:29:03 championship game coming here.
10:29:04 Hopefully we will have more than one.
10:29:06 And I think we will have more than one, especially once the
10:29:10 renovations are done.
10:29:11 So thanks again to staff.
10:29:12 Thanks very much to all the other players in this and trying
10:29:16 to get this deal done, and let's go forward.
10:29:18 Thank you.
10:29:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Miranda.
10:29:19 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, everything
10:29:22 that's been said I understand and appreciate very much from
10:29:25 everyone who spoke, including Mr. Corrado, Mr. Higgins, Mr.
10:29:29 Leonard, and Mr. Morrison.
10:29:30 However, there's directly and indirectly some causes that
10:29:33 are not spoken clearly.
10:29:35 For instance, the NFL created this dilemma when they changed
10:29:38 the contract from 60/40, 60% went to the home team, 40% went
10:29:43 to the visiting team, and that made it 100% to the home.
10:29:46 The reason I want to speak on this, maybe 30% of the
10:29:51 population of Tampa wasn't even here, as we speak today.
10:29:54 And this passed 51 to 49 after they spent $480,000, again
10:30:02 zero for the public and that's why it passed.
10:30:05 This would not pass today.
10:30:06 Even the maker who started this, Mr. Joe Chillura, talked to
10:30:10 me in confidence that if the tax was brought in today it
10:30:13 would not pass.
10:30:14 Let me make another statement, if St. Pete was to build the
10:30:18 Rays team a stadium for the team to play in, the team would
10:30:21 turn it down.
10:30:22 That's my opinion.
10:30:23 Let me also say this, when you look at the original
10:30:26 contract, that 25 million is written into the different
10:30:30 contract.
10:30:31 That's why I voted against it 20 years ago, September of
10:30:34 1996.
10:30:35 And here I am 20 years later, fan experience, what does that
10:30:40 mean?
10:30:41 Let me make another statement, by the time this contract in
10:30:44 2028 is terminated, not going to look at renovation of the
10:30:48 stadium.
10:30:49 They are going to want what the fan experience is, another
10:30:52 new stadium.
10:30:52 It's happened in Atlanta.
10:30:53 That stadium was not that old in the baseball area, and it
10:30:56 happened before.
10:30:57 Miami has got a stadium that was built by the owner, Joe
10:31:02 Robbie.
10:31:02 I think there's only two of them.
10:31:04 Maybe there's more.
10:31:05 Miami and Dallas.
10:31:06 They did the right thing.
10:31:08 But when you start digging into public funds, $3 million, 25
10:31:14 in the contract, and I understand that.
10:31:16 The other three million is for an experience, fan experience
10:31:20 for a larger board.
10:31:21 Well, hell, stay home and watch it on TV then.
10:31:23 I don't understand all that.
10:31:25 But it's about money.
10:31:27 It's about the advertising on the board.
10:31:28 They say, yes, we're going to give south Florida whatever
10:31:31 they can bring in, their money.
10:31:33 That's only doing the south Florida games.
10:31:36 They are not going to put that year-round for everything.
10:31:38 South Florida is gone from there.
10:31:40 It's all for them after that.
10:31:42 So they talk about the 2 million.
10:31:44 Let's talk about the 2 million.
10:31:46 The 2 million in excess of what's brought in, the first 2
10:31:49 million belongs to them.
10:31:51 The buccaneers.
10:31:53 They have one hell of a team to do the negotiation.
10:31:57 Where in the world was Donald Trump when I needed him?
10:31:59 That's number one.
10:32:01 Number two, they are going to give you 67% between 2 million
10:32:06 and 3.5 million.
10:32:08 Sounds great when they say 67%.
10:32:11 In essence, it's 17% more than they are already giving you.
10:32:15 You have a split 50-50 on anything over 2 million.
10:32:18 It's not 67% that they give you.
10:32:20 It's 17%.
10:32:21 And then the next one, anything over 3.5 million and it's
10:32:27 not no more 67/33, it's 50/50.
10:32:31 So then when Feld came in and talking about the experience
10:32:34 at the stadium, and I'm glad they're there, where did his
10:32:39 money go to?
10:32:40 It reverts back, no longer to the 6, but back to the
10:32:43 original 50/50.
10:32:45 So the Sports Authority has got to scratch their head, do
10:32:49 what they can to bring the revenue in, but the first 2
10:32:53 million is not theirs.
10:32:55 It belongs to somebody else.
10:32:56 That is a wonderful contract.
10:32:57 Anyone who spoke here today, anyone, if a hedge fund doesn't
10:33:02 touch this thing, why should I?
10:33:04 Anyone who spoke here today who would like to build a
10:33:07 stadium for somebody else, they have all the signage, all
10:33:10 the parking, all the concessions and most of the renovation
10:33:13 long term and built me another stadium, because if not I'm
10:33:17 going to leave, where in the hell are you going to?
10:33:19 You mean to tell me wasn't St. Pete before the rays moved
10:33:23 in.
10:33:24 Tampa wasn't Tampa before the buccaneers moved in?
10:33:26 If we had a college team here alone at that same stadium,
10:33:30 you'd have the same revenue, but it would be yours.
10:33:34 You'd have the same parking, but it would be worked out with
10:33:36 university.
10:33:37 You'd have a lot more things -- look at the stadiums that
10:33:39 are created in the gators, in the Seminoles, they are full.
10:33:44 Look at the one in central Florida, they are full.
10:33:48 Why?
10:33:49 Because they are community assets.
10:33:50 I'm not against football.
10:33:51 I'm not against baseball.
10:33:52 I'm not against hockey, but it's time this country, not
10:33:55 Tampa, but this country understand that you're getting
10:34:00 robbed, not with a gun, but with a pen.
10:34:03 And that's even worse than with a gun, because it's a lot
10:34:07 longer.
10:34:07 And it will last almost forever.
10:34:11 And the stadiums always need upgrading.
10:34:13 And the stadiums always need -- you want a new stadium, if
10:34:16 not, I'm going to move.
10:34:18 Let me tell you this, we spent 250,000 -- Ms. Little is in
10:34:22 the room now, you can ask her -- every time there is a home
10:34:25 game, that's what it costs the City of Tampa to have that
10:34:28 game there.
10:34:28 Why is the stadium under county land, county owned?
10:34:33 I assume because if it wasn't they would have to pay ad
10:34:36 valorem tax, so they pay no tax.
10:34:39 You and I have to do that.
10:34:41 They've taken everything they can take away from you.
10:34:43 The only reason that I'm saying this and the only reason I
10:34:46 bring all this up, because it's a fact, just like the others
10:34:49 said it was a fact, but they never said the other side.
10:34:52 I'm presenting the other side, and 30, 40 percent of the
10:34:56 population wasn't even here then.
10:34:57 But there's a lot more that I can go to and I know there is
10:35:00 a five-minute rule that will be enforced, I hope, to
10:35:04 everyone.
10:35:04 It is what it is, and therefore I will not be supporting
10:35:07 this.
10:35:08 Thank you very much.
10:35:08 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Miranda, I was going to give you an
10:35:11 extra five minutes.
10:35:13 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Well, if I would have known that, I'd
10:35:16 prepare a long speech.
10:35:17 I think I said enough to understand what it is.
10:35:19 No one that has any substance of money, big money would ever
10:35:25 do a deal like this, never.
10:35:27 Not Donald Trump, not Anderson, not the brothers, not anyone
10:35:33 would do a deal like this because it's a bad deal.
10:35:37 I'm not against them being here.
10:35:40 It is not about the sports.
10:35:41 It is about the revenue that's created out of that stadium
10:35:44 that you pay for and they take the revenue.
10:35:46 That's what it's about.
10:35:47 You go back to the salaries, what they were back 20 years
10:35:52 ago and what they are today, you figure it out as the
10:35:55 taxpayers.
10:35:55 I don't want to do the math for you.
10:35:57 And I'm glad the payers are making the money.
10:35:59 They deserve it, but I shouldn't pay for it.
10:36:02 And that's what it's all about.
10:36:04 It ain't about going to football games.
10:36:06 It's about the majority of the people that are paying tax to
10:36:09 get there can never get there because they don't have the
10:36:13 money to go in the gate.
10:36:14 It's not about a park where everybody can walk in and go in
10:36:18 for free.
10:36:18 It's not about things that are nature.
10:36:20 It's not about anything else.
10:36:22 It's just that the taxpayers -- and I'm going to remember
10:36:26 what I'm saying 20 years from now, because I said 20 years
10:36:30 ago they could play a game somewhere else.
10:36:32 They'll go abroad.
10:36:33 They'll go to Europe, because sooner or later they are going
10:36:36 to saturate all they need in this country and that's already
10:36:39 happening.
10:36:40 I said everything that I said 20 years ago and that suit
10:36:46 wore out.
10:36:46 Had to buy me another one.
10:36:48 What I'm trying to take in is open the mind-set of all the
10:36:53 citizens so that they understand, $3 million would built me
10:36:57 30 homes for those people who really need a house.
10:37:00 And would be willing to pay for it.
10:37:04 Three, four hundred a month so they can have a house to
10:37:07 live.
10:37:07 When you talk about fixing things for kids, kids are acting
10:37:11 the way they are because of where they live at and the
10:37:14 parenting that they don't have.
10:37:15 And we will continue to have the same deal of crime unless
10:37:20 we address the issue that we have today.
10:37:22 And we want an experience.
10:37:27 Well, you're going to experience what you're going to get.
10:37:30 And I'm not against sports.
10:37:31 Again, I love sports.
10:37:32 I believe in fairness, but these deals, all of them in this
10:37:36 country, note other cities were mentioned.
10:37:40 New Orleans.
10:37:41 Listen, I don't deal with New Orleans.
10:37:43 I only deal with myself.
10:37:44 I wasn't elected to do anything but to serve the public.
10:37:47 And this is a bad deal for the public, not on the 25
10:37:50 million.
10:37:51 I already voted on that deal 20 years ago, and I said it was
10:37:54 a bad deal.
10:37:54 It's a deal now on the additional $3 million that doesn't
10:38:00 fit in to why I should spend that money.
10:38:03 If they want to do the other experience, they should spend
10:38:05 the 3 million themselves to do that.
10:38:07 Let me go back to the practice field, 20 years ago, that was
10:38:12 there.
10:38:13 And they haven't complained loudly enough and taking
10:38:17 taxpayers to court, that means that they knew they were
10:38:19 going to lose.
10:38:22 So they didn't do it.
10:38:24 You have to think how the other side thinks.
10:38:26 They are very smart.
10:38:27 By the way, I congratulate the two individuals that I met
10:38:29 with from the buccaneers.
10:38:31 They were very gentlemen-like and very nice people.
10:38:34 And I don't have a problem with any one of the glazers.
10:38:36 They did what they had to do to support their business.
10:38:39 And they did one hell of a job.
10:38:41 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
10:38:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:38:43 Let me just say this then, as we move forward to the vote,
10:38:50 and that is I just want to thank our city staff for all the
10:38:58 negotiations you was doing to make sure the interest of the
10:39:01 city was protected.
10:39:02 I think you're doing a wonderful job, and I believe in the
10:39:05 transparency with the Sports Authority as well as Mr. Ford
10:39:10 from the buccaneers.
10:39:12 I think you were very open and very transparent, and you
10:39:16 didn't hide anything from no one.
10:39:18 And we all had a chance to deliberate and discuss this.
10:39:23 The most important thing, if we don't think about nothing
10:39:27 else, the most important thing is, none of these dollars are
10:39:30 coming out of general revenue.
10:39:33 That's one of the most important things, and it's coming
10:39:36 from the tourism tax.
10:39:38 So just like -- I think Mr. Santiago stated that, you're
10:39:44 going to pay if you're going to stay in a hotel across the
10:39:47 street.
10:39:47 And if you don't, you stay in your home, you'll be okay.
10:39:51 But this is a great opportunity, and I think this is good
10:39:55 for the city.
10:39:56 It's best at this time, and it's not perfect, but I think
10:40:00 it's the best thing at this time.
10:40:02 Mr. Cohen, at this time I'll move the resolution.
10:40:08 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Second.
10:40:10 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion and a second.
10:40:11 Is there any further discussion by Council?
10:40:15 Seeing none, all those in favor please indicate by saying
10:40:17 aye.
10:40:17 Opposed?
10:40:18 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Aye.
10:40:21 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much.
10:40:23 >>THE CLERK: Miranda voted no.
10:40:25 >>FRANK REDDICK: We appreciate it.
10:40:26 Thank you.
10:40:26 Let's take about a three-minute break to let the crowd --
10:40:46 three-minute break.
10:48:44 [ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
10:48:51 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:48:51 We're going to call this meeting back to order.
10:48:54 [ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
10:48:54 We're going to call this meeting back to order.
10:48:57 Roll call.
10:48:57 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
10:48:59 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
10:49:01 >> Capin?
10:49:02 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
10:49:03 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
10:49:04 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
10:49:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: Here.
10:49:07 We have a ten-minute presentation by Ms. Eve Spengler from
10:49:20 Bay Mulch, Inc.
10:49:22 >> My name is Eve Spengler.
10:49:25 I represent Bay Mulch, Incorporated, organics recycling
10:49:29 division.
10:49:30 I want to thank Frank Reddick, in particular, for inviting
10:49:35 me to the City Council Meeting.
10:49:37 Having seen an officer awarded so many gifts earlier this
10:49:39 morning for his service in narcotics, I wish I would have
10:49:42 brought a gift for each and every Council person because
10:49:47 prior to this over the last two months, each one of you has
10:49:53 been willing to meet with me personally to talk about one of
10:49:55 the proposed additions to a Tampa ordinance.
10:49:58 I appreciate your time and your willingness to try to grasp
10:50:01 this issue.
10:50:02 On part of a very innovative, cutting-edge technology-based
10:50:07 company, which is the organics recycling division of bay
10:50:10 mulch incorporated.
10:50:11 And bay mulch started 19 years ago.
10:50:14 It was founded by Tom Kirkland as a land-clearing and
10:50:20 mulch-producing company.
10:50:21 And 18 months ago, Tom decided to venture into some new
10:50:26 territory.
10:50:26 So what we do now is we take vegetative food waste, and we
10:50:30 recycle it into USDA certified organic soil.
10:50:34 And all of the nutrients from the vegetative food waste,
10:50:38 such as the carbon, the nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium,
10:50:44 calcium, all of those nutrients are actually preserved.
10:50:48 They are in the food, but they are actually preserved and
10:50:51 they are retained in the organic soil that we produce.
10:50:56 So our end product is soil.
10:50:58 It's lab tested.
10:50:59 Certified by the USDA as organic again.
10:51:01 Our facility is 42 acres in Plant City.
10:51:05 We serve a four-county area.
10:51:09 Hillsborough, which includes Tampa city.
10:51:11 We serve Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas County.
10:51:15 And when I say "serve," I mean that nurseries, farmers,
10:51:20 blueberry farmers, strawberry farmers, growers, landscapers
10:51:23 and nursery growers are all thrilled to have our product
10:51:28 because it contains no toxins or pesticides or chemicals.
10:51:32 It's pure, natural, organic, and filled with nutrients that
10:51:35 plants need to strengthen their results.
10:51:38 So that is the concept of our company.
10:51:40 Now, the reason I'm here today, I want to toss in a quote, a
10:51:44 hockey quote because I am a huge lightning fan and so is my
10:51:48 12-year-old son.
10:51:49 And one of our partners that allows us to recycle their
10:51:51 vegetative food waste is Amalie arena.
10:51:55 I love the old Wayne Gretzky quote that says, "If you want
10:51:59 to win at the game or in life, don't aim where the puck is.
10:52:03 You've got to aim where the puck is going, and you've got to
10:52:06 look forward to what is the future."
10:52:08 And in our opinion, the future is recycling.
10:52:11 It's zero waste.
10:52:12 It's sustainability.
10:52:14 I have my master's degree in global sustainability from
10:52:17 University of South Florida.
10:52:19 I also have MBA in entrepreneurship and applied technology
10:52:24 from USF.
10:52:25 And our company founder has graduated from USF in sociology
10:52:29 and aeronautics.
10:52:30 And I think one of the reasons that he was bold enough to
10:52:33 take on this program is because he is -- he does believe in
10:52:37 green jobs.
10:52:38 He does believe in the triple bottom line, which is how you
10:52:41 treat your people, what you do impacts the planet, and
10:52:47 profit isn't the only thing that matters, but to be
10:52:50 sustainable, you have to make a profit.
10:52:52 So we follow the triple line at bay mulch.
10:52:54 What we have been faced with is looking more closely at the
10:52:58 city ordinance, and we realize that, you know, 20 years ago,
10:53:04 the technology didn't exist to compost on the scale that we
10:53:08 are doing this.
10:53:09 We use a technology developed in England, and it's widely
10:53:13 used in Europe and Asia, and it came to the United States
10:53:17 because the inventor of this catalyst technology, which is a
10:53:20 microbial probiotic that is mixed in with our vegetative
10:53:26 food waste, the inventor lives in Orlando.
10:53:31 That's how the technology spread to the United States.
10:53:33 It's very commonly used overseas.
10:53:35 It's certified by the EPA, and it's safe and effective at
10:53:41 kind of reviving the soil structure and allowing positive,
10:53:46 beneficial bacteria, microbes, fungi, to all be put back in
10:53:52 the soil that has been stripped of all of those qualities by
10:53:55 pesticides and fertilizers.
10:53:57 So what we do is take this microbial treatment which not
10:54:03 only adds the beneficial bacteria, but it kills the harmful
10:54:07 nematodes that farmers are so concerned about.
10:54:09 And all you're left with are the nutrients and what is
10:54:15 positive fungi, things that you might find in a forest,
10:54:18 smell so fresh and good, those things are back in the soil
10:54:20 because of this process.
10:54:22 We could never do it without the vegetative food waste.
10:54:25 Amalie arena allows us to collect their vegetative food
10:54:29 waste.
10:54:30 Just this week, we took 20 containers, collected that for
10:54:34 them after a very busy weekend of games and activities, the
10:54:39 lightning.
10:54:40 Amalie is able to grow a lot of the fresh greens that they
10:54:44 use for their fans.
10:54:48 So they grow that on-site on their balcony.
10:54:52 We take the pre-consumer prep kitchen waste away, and we
10:54:55 transform it into organic soil.
10:54:57 So if you look at the city ordinance, all we are asking for
10:55:01 is to add three simple words to page 3 of article VIII, and
10:55:11 we would like vegetative food waste to be considered a
10:55:16 recovered material.
10:55:16 And right now today, a recovered material includes paper,
10:55:21 glass, plastic, metal, and textiles.
10:55:26 So those are recovered materials, thinking about recycling
10:55:29 glass and recycling plastic bottles.
10:55:32 We just would like to have vegetative food waste added as a
10:55:36 recovered material because it is so very much a pure form of
10:55:42 recycling.
10:55:43 You take rotten old blueberries, you turn it into
10:55:46 nutrient-rich soil and you grow fresh blueberries.
10:55:49 You take, you know, green yard waste and you can grind it
10:55:57 and screen it, and that adds carbon, and you turn it into
10:56:03 soil that can grow new trees.
10:56:05 And we actually have a partnership with Amalie where we will
10:56:08 be donating soil, they'll plant five huge trees for shade in
10:56:15 their open area where fans gather before the games and we'll
10:56:18 donate the soil to that.
10:56:21 And they are also planting four other smaller trees for
10:56:25 around the area.
10:56:26 And it's such a positive business and such a great new
10:56:29 concept.
10:56:30 And like I said, I don't think that the City Council should
10:56:32 feel bad that this is missing from the ordinance today
10:56:35 because this kind of technology really didn't exist when the
10:56:38 ordinance was written.
10:56:39 Right now, because of this microbial element added to our
10:56:44 soil, when we make -- when we compost this, there are no
10:56:48 flies buzzing around, no birds swooping in.
10:56:50 There's actually no odor whatsoever, no smell.
10:56:53 I drive around with soil samples in my car and there's
10:56:57 absolutely no smell.
10:56:58 That's because of the technology that's available to us
10:57:00 today.
10:57:01 So I would like to -- I'm hoping that someone from City
10:57:04 Council would be willing to put forth this addition to the
10:57:10 city ordinance to add three little words "vegetative food
10:57:14 waste" and include that as a recovered material.
10:57:16 And one of my other slides that I want to point out before I
10:57:21 conclude is that I don't believe that food belongs -- I and
10:57:25 our 38 employees at bay mulch, we don't believe that food
10:57:30 belongs in a landfill or incinerator.
10:57:34 And I was able to uncover information that if you burn
10:57:36 fruits and vegetables, you actually generate zero
10:57:42 electricity.
10:57:42 And it works against the heat that's being generated inside
10:57:45 the incinerator because it takes 5,500 BTUs in order to
10:57:50 generate electricity.
10:57:53 And fruits and vegetables are 80 to 93 percent content of
10:57:57 water.
10:57:57 So when they are put in the incinerator, they only generate
10:58:01 2600 BTUs per pound.
10:58:04 And that's not enough.
10:58:05 It's got to get up to 5,500 BTUs before you get an ounce
10:58:10 of electricity out of them or an ounce of heat to convert
10:58:13 into electricity.
10:58:15 So I want to say that by incinerating vegetative food waste,
10:58:18 you're really not doing anything good for the community.
10:58:22 You're not actually creating any electricity.
10:58:25 There's no value in burning fruits and vegetables.
10:58:28 And our company has many food banks who would like us to
10:58:33 take their vegetative waste.
10:58:35 We have hospitals that are interested.
10:58:36 We have farmers markets who would like to see the waste
10:58:40 after the farmers market is over.
10:58:42 They want to see it recycled.
10:58:44 They don't want to see it go to the landfill or the
10:58:46 incinerator.
10:58:47 So we have partners throughout the community, including
10:58:50 grocery stores and Amalie and others, and so we want to
10:58:53 continue with those partnerships and make it known to
10:58:56 everyone that vegetative food waste is a recoverable
10:58:59 resource.
10:58:59 Thank you.
10:59:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: Well, let me just say to you that about a
10:59:05 month ago, I believe, I went out to your facility and
10:59:15 brought half a yard and I can tell you now, my garden at the
10:59:19 house, all my vegetables are doing real wonderful.
10:59:24 >> Glad to hear it.
10:59:25 We had a lady who couldn't grow any tomatoes, and we gave
10:59:28 her a bag -- 25-pound bag of soil and now she has nine dozen
10:59:33 tomatoes.
10:59:34 She's sharing them with all her neighbors.
10:59:36 I meant to say about the officer that was honored with all
10:59:38 those gifts, I wish I would have brought a bag of soil for
10:59:42 everyone here.
10:59:42 I really do.
10:59:43 Because we're a new business.
10:59:45 We're only 18 months into this, and we had a lot of expenses
10:59:48 and start-up costs because it takes specialized equipment in
10:59:52 order to make these wind rows and to do the mixing, and it
10:59:57 takes a lot of physical human labor, 38 jobs just to collect
11:00:02 the small amount that we do right now.
11:00:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Miranda.
11:00:06 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I'll hold her to that.
11:00:08 There's about 40 people here, I expect to you bring 40 bags
11:00:11 next time.
11:00:12 >> Okay.
11:00:12 I will bring you bags of soil.
11:00:14 No, Charlie, you get one, too.
11:00:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: The request that you made about the
11:00:21 consideration of changing the ordinance, we do have that
11:00:24 item on the agenda, item number 6 today.
11:00:28 We will be voting on this today.
11:00:30 >> Oh, great.
11:00:31 Glad to hear it.
11:00:32 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anything else?
11:00:33 We appreciate your presentation.
11:00:37 If you want to stay around for item number 6, when we get to
11:00:42 that point to vote.
11:00:43 >> Excellent.
11:00:43 Thank you, again, for taking the time each and every one of
11:00:46 you to meet with me personally.
11:00:48 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
11:00:49 Thank you.
11:00:49 Can we get approval of the agenda?
11:00:49 Looks like we've already done all this.
11:00:49 Got a motion from Ms. Suarez, second by Mr. Cohen.
11:00:58 All in favor, aye.
11:00:59 Motion carries.
11:01:00 Public comments.
11:01:02 We'll go to public comments at this time.
11:01:05 Please come forward and state your name.
11:01:07 You got three minutes.
11:01:12 Before we start public comments, hold up for a second before
11:01:28 we start.
11:01:29 Mr. Maniscalco, I'll recognize you to recognize your guest.
11:01:33 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Before we begin, I would just like to
11:01:36 introduce my intern for a day.
11:01:37 His name is Terrius Jemison.
11:01:41 He is in the foster care system beginning at the age of 13.
11:01:45 He is a senior at Sickles High School and very active in his
11:01:49 ROTC program.
11:01:50 Just a little bit of a background, he's a youth in Camelot
11:01:54 Community Cares Independent Living Services, ILS.
11:01:58 He recently participated in Parachuting Into Your Future, a
11:02:00 seven-week career exploration workshop, sponsored by the
11:02:04 Tampa office of PWC and a grant from the PWC Charitable
11:02:08 Foundation.
11:02:09 During the workshop, he has learned about his chosen career
11:02:14 path and a desire to give back to the community through
11:02:16 public service.
11:02:17 And he hopes to have a career in politics after finishing
11:02:21 his college education.
11:02:22 I just wanted to recognize my intern for the day.
11:02:24 [ APPLAUSE ]
11:02:25 >>FRANK REDDICK: Do you want to say something?
11:02:31 Come to this mike here?
11:02:33 Have a seat.
11:02:42 >> My name
11:02:48 >> I am honored to be here today.
11:02:49 I'm very excited to be here.
11:02:52 I didn't plan on making a speech, but that's okay.
11:02:56 All I want to do is give back to the community because since
11:03:04 the age of actually 15 I got into politics and since then I
11:03:11 just wanted to give back to the community.
11:03:15 That's it.
11:03:16 >>FRANK REDDICK: We thank you and we wish you well.
11:03:18 >> Thank you.
11:03:19 [ APPLAUSE ]
11:03:24 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
11:03:31 >> I'm Ed Tillou, Sulphur Springs.
11:03:34 I was able to talk about one of the movies I would be
11:03:40 recommending for people over the holiday season, but there's
11:03:43 another one that interfaces a little with this that I
11:03:50 presented you in the past, which more relates to county
11:03:53 commission.
11:03:54 That was operation drum beat.
11:03:56 And that became an issue at the county commission because
11:04:00 the poor guys from the merchant marine association and the
11:04:05 mystery ships and everything, they even brought a flag to go
11:04:08 with the military exhibit over at the county commission.
11:04:12 They didn't realize it was just a cover-up for the
11:04:14 suppression of history by Mr. Miller.
11:04:16 So anyway, if some of you want to run for term limits by
11:04:23 going with the county commission it would be an improvement
11:04:25 even though you seem to be mired in the late '60s and
11:04:30 early '70s.
11:04:31 The movie I want to call attention to is in the heart of the
11:04:39 sea.
11:04:40 The ship Essex.
11:04:43 It was like the prequel to Moby Dick.
11:04:45 It's considered the American epic.
11:04:47 I feel very close to that because some of our family were
11:04:53 ship masters in the days of wooden ships and iron men, so to
11:04:58 speak.
11:04:58 And one of the things that people don't realize is that the
11:05:06 harbor out at the end of eastern Long Island was the number
11:05:08 one whaling port, more so than New Bedford.
11:05:12 But New Bedford was written up in Moby Dick.
11:05:15 There was some mention of Sag Harbor, though.
11:05:17 In any case, back in the days of Gregory Peck playing
11:05:23 Captain Ahab, there wasn't as much environmental
11:05:29 consciousness whereas that's brought out in the heart of the
11:05:32 sea because the hero is the whale.
11:05:35 And he takes back, he repays the whalers.
11:05:40 So it's very good.
11:05:41 You really should see it.
11:05:44 I had some other handouts about -- I'm not sure that this is
11:05:49 accurate, but in any case, it's very important about the
11:05:52 California shooting to appreciate that one of Marco Rubio's
11:05:58 rare appearances in Washington, he is a senator, and he
11:06:03 comes there once in a while, and it was to be sure the
11:06:10 people on the terrorist watch list can buy assault weapons.
11:06:15 Anyway, you did do something good.
11:06:18 You actually got credit from the senior curmudgeon, Daniel
11:06:23 Ruth.
11:06:23 He said you really did something good with the purchasing of
11:06:28 the guns to the police.
11:06:31 And it's good that what's her name stirred you up,
11:06:36 Ms. Chapel.
11:06:38 >>FRANK REDDICK: Capin.
11:06:39 >> Who isn't here.
11:06:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
11:06:43 >> Capin, yeah, she really got you worked up to do some
11:06:46 good.
11:06:47 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
11:06:48 Next.
11:06:55 >> My name is James Worley.
11:06:58 www.homelesslivesmatter.org.
11:07:02 You can find what I've been doing there with the homeless.
11:07:05 I want to share this here, put it on the overhead.
11:07:12 This is a woman, a story about a woman.
11:07:16 Her name is Jennie Barela missing from Denver for over three
11:07:22 years with missing person's report filed.
11:07:25 She was living on the streets of Tampa.
11:07:27 I knew her for about a year, and I learned things about her
11:07:30 and found out about her son, contacted her son.
11:07:35 And she's at home now in the care of her son because of me.
11:07:39 Without the help of the Tampa Police Department who ignores
11:07:43 situations like this.
11:07:44 This woman needed help and people that saw her every day, if
11:07:50 you saw the news story or if you read about it, many people
11:07:55 commented on ABC action news post that they had seen her,
11:07:59 given her food, yet this woman, somebody's mother was left
11:08:03 on the streets.
11:08:03 Like I said, she is at home.
11:08:07 I want to share this.
11:08:11 This is an article here.
11:08:16 Recent article.
11:08:20 "Help for homeless, headache for others."
11:08:23 There are many people on the streets here with no place to
11:08:26 go.
11:08:26 And there is a 75-bed facility, and the $5.5 million that
11:08:30 was given to DACCO and the metropolitan ministries that
11:08:35 should have created a facility where the police departments
11:08:39 would have been able to take these people to.
11:08:40 Pinellas County has a 450 bed facility where they can be
11:08:44 taken to.
11:08:44 City of Tampa has no place.
11:08:50 That's where the money went to.
11:08:52 Now, the thing with the stadium, thank you very much for
11:08:55 listening to the story that I found because hopefully
11:08:59 something will come out of this and attention will be
11:09:02 brought up to the fact that the community housing solution
11:09:05 center is not a solution to triaging the homeless from the
11:09:09 street into housing, because every case is different.
11:09:12 Some people need that to be taken from the street and a
11:09:16 place to go to figure out where they need to go and how they
11:09:19 can be helped instead of just leaving them there to sleep on
11:09:22 the street and having to clean up from them like these
11:09:27 businesses complain.
11:09:27 I'm not good at this.
11:09:29 I just know what I know and what I've experienced.
11:09:34 And doing what I can to try to create some kind of help for
11:09:37 people out there in much worse situations than me.
11:09:41 That's all I have to say.
11:09:44 Please, next year, please bring homelessness back up on the
11:09:48 agenda.
11:09:48 The city and the county needs to bring it up.
11:09:51 Because what's happened with the funds now is not working.
11:09:54 It's not helping people.
11:09:55 And there are other mothers and family out there on the
11:09:57 streets who need help.
11:09:59 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
11:10:09 >> Derek Chamblee.
11:10:11 Google D-E-R-E-K-C-H-A-M-B-L-E-E.
11:10:17 New city.
11:10:20 Google, Derek Chamblee, St. Paul.
11:10:23 Google Derek Chamblee federal lawsuit.
11:10:30 I omitted one thing in my last speech about the new stadium
11:10:38 to be built here in Tampa, Hillsborough County, for
11:10:43 professional baseball among other things.
11:10:46 While that new stadium is being built, the rays will
11:10:53 continue to play according to their lease in Tropicana.
11:10:56 When that stadium is finished, we're going to tear down
11:11:01 Tropicana and we're going to build a state-of-the-art sports
11:11:06 facility there with also condominium, apartments, mixed
11:11:13 residential and businesses.
11:11:15 It's going to be state-of-the-art and also going to be able
11:11:18 to house temporarily in the event of a coming hurricane, to
11:11:23 make it through a hurricane, at least 75,000 people that
11:11:28 will not be able to evacuate from Pinellas County.
11:11:31 And continue to work on the evacuation plan for Tampa Bay.
11:11:39 Pinellas County is a particular problem because the
11:11:42 headwinds of a coming hurricane will shut down the Sunshine
11:11:45 Skyway bridge.
11:11:47 The Gandy, the Howard Frankland, and the Courtney Campbell.
11:11:51 And there are only two land routes out of Pinellas County.
11:11:54 And Hillsborough County has many transportation issues in
11:11:58 terms of and time issues in terms of getting people out.
11:12:02 And once again, I've been to the county administrator's
11:12:06 office over and over, and they say there are no meeting
11:12:09 minutes of the emergency responders when they meet
11:12:14 off-season.
11:12:14 So we've got to get ready for this coming hurricane, which
11:12:18 could devastate Tampa Bay.
11:12:22 When that stadium in Pinellas is completed, then the rays
11:12:29 will split their home games.
11:12:32 For instance, 60 home games in the Tampa stadium and 20 home
11:12:37 games in the Pinellas County, St. Pete stadium.
11:12:41 And I like to say if it's good enough for Green Bay, it's
11:12:45 good enough for Tampa Bay.
11:12:47 For years, the Green Bay Packers, and they had a community
11:12:50 built stadium, the Green Bay Packers played four of their
11:12:54 home games in Milwaukee county stadium and 80 miles away
11:12:57 they play four other home games at Lambeau field and Green
11:13:01 Bay.
11:13:01 If it's good enough for gren bay, it's good enough for Tampa
11:13:04 Bay.
11:13:05 And the Tampa Bay rays will truly be a Tampa Bay baseball
11:13:10 team.
11:13:10 Thank you very much.
11:13:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any additional comments from the public?
11:13:15 Anyone else wishing to speak at this time?
11:13:18 All right.
11:13:19 Any questions from the public, reconsideration of
11:13:26 legislative matter.
11:13:27 None.
11:13:28 Item 5, Chief of Staff here.
11:13:30 Mr. Rogero is not here.
11:13:37 We go to item number 6.
11:13:39 All right.
11:13:56 We'll go back to item number 5.
11:13:58 >> Good morning, Council, Cathy Ginster on behalf of the
11:14:02 Legal Department.
11:14:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: We want to go back to number 5.
11:14:09 >> Good morning, Council.
11:14:11 I apologize.
11:14:12 I thought you were doing that item before me.
11:14:14 Thank you for having me here today.
11:14:16 You asked me to come before you to justify our audit release
11:14:22 process.
11:14:22 As you know, our audit department conducts a series of
11:14:25 audits throughout the year based on a risk analysis in
11:14:30 conjunction with the departments being audited.
11:14:33 The audit department will identify findings.
11:14:37 In some instances, areas for improvement.
11:14:40 In some instances, noteworthy accomplishment.
11:14:42 And they work very closely with the department, and they'll
11:14:45 identify their findings.
11:14:46 The department will offer their draft responses.
11:14:50 And those findings and responses are combined in a report
11:14:53 that's sent to the Mayor as a draft audit package.
11:14:56 It's at that draft audit package, that's the Mayor's
11:15:03 opportunity to identify whether he's satisfied with the work
11:15:07 of the audit team and the department.
11:15:10 Have we answered the questions clearly enough?
11:15:12 Have we pointed out the items we said we would point out?
11:15:18 Have we offered substantive solutions in acceptable time
11:15:22 frames?
11:15:22 And in some instances, we haven't.
11:15:25 And he'll send it back, and the audit team and the
11:15:29 department will pursue his particular questions -- more
11:15:33 information, maybe an accelerated time frame for solutions
11:15:36 for a further explanation of what the problems are and what
11:15:39 the solutions are.
11:15:41 We feel when he gets that final draft audit and approves it,
11:15:47 after all, the questions are asked, that is the appropriate
11:15:51 time to release it to City Council, and that's what we do.
11:15:54 And it's in accordance with the charter and the law.
11:15:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Ms. Montelione.
11:15:59 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, that's what brought this
11:16:04 conversation up to begin with was, how is it, in your
11:16:06 interpretation, in accordance with the charter and the law?
11:16:11 Because that's not the interpretation that we have come to,
11:16:17 and with the help of our City Council attorney, we've talked
11:16:22 about this.
11:16:25 Mr. Shelby, do you have the paragraph reference?
11:16:31 I don't think it was in our packet.
11:16:37 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I have in front of me the charter.
11:16:40 I'm looking at section 5.01 the departments of the city,
11:16:44 talks about the internal audit department.
11:16:46 I have that in front of me.
11:16:49 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Is there a place where it states that the
11:16:56 audits were to come to us?
11:16:58 It was my understanding that there was a motion made by
11:17:02 Council, if it's not specifically spelled out in the
11:17:06 charter, asking that the audits be sent here.
11:17:10 >>MARTIN SHELBY: That might be a question for the clerk, and
11:17:14 I believe Council has a recollection of when that motion was
11:17:17 made, and I don't know what the administration's response to
11:17:20 the motion is, and, frankly, I don't have the record of that
11:17:22 motion in front of me, so I can't quite be more specific.
11:17:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, we need to get that reference.
11:17:27 And I apologize that I don't have it in front of me.
11:17:30 But it was my recollection that a motion was made that the
11:17:35 audit come to us at the same time that they are delivered to
11:17:39 the administration, and it was a result of a particular
11:17:44 audit that was not one of the ones that you mentioned, maybe
11:17:49 complementary, but it was one of the ones that pointed out
11:17:52 some issues.
11:17:54 And at that time we made that motion and passed by Council.
11:17:58 I guess a legal question or another charter question is if
11:18:06 we make a motion and a charter is silent to it, would that
11:18:10 motion stand?
11:18:11 >>MARTIN SHELBY: It depends as to whether it involves the
11:18:15 separation of powers.
11:18:16 If it is something that is solely within -- and talking
11:18:19 abstract now, not specific to this, but just in general --
11:18:21 with regard to whether it's the purview of the Mayor,
11:18:26 Council makes a request of the administration, and I don't
11:18:28 know what the wording of that motion was and even
11:18:33 specifically whether it was a motion for action of Council.
11:18:36 I don't know what the administration's response to that was.
11:18:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I guess the way I look at it if -- you
11:18:42 know, everything here is public record.
11:18:44 And Ms. Mandell is getting up.
11:18:47 And if we're asking for transmittal of a public record,
11:18:53 would that not be something that it is available to us just
11:18:58 as it would be to the general public?
11:19:02 >>MARTIN SHELBY: And I think Ms. Mandell is prepared to
11:19:04 answer that question specifically.
11:19:05 It looks that way to me.
11:19:06 >>JULIA MANDELL: Yes.
11:19:07 Julia Mandell, City Attorney.
11:19:09 Mr. Shelby and I have not had a chance to delve into this
11:19:13 issue in any specific detail, but I will say this.
11:19:16 Draft audits are not public record.
11:19:19 They do not become public records until they are finally
11:19:21 signed off on and transmitted to the local governing body.
11:19:26 It's at that point in time that they become public record.
11:19:28 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Signed off on meaning --
11:19:31 >>JULIA MANDELL: They are finalized.
11:19:32 They are no longer draft.
11:19:33 They are in final form, signed off by the Mayor, keeping in
11:19:36 mind the way under the charter --
11:19:37 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It's not final until it's signed by the
11:19:40 Mayor.
11:19:40 >>JULIA MANDELL: That's correct.
11:19:41 Because it remains a draft and because under your charter,
11:19:44 there are two ways to get an audit.
11:19:46 One way, there is a set of audits that are done as a matter
11:19:49 of course under the charter.
11:19:50 The other ones are audits which are called for by the Mayor.
11:19:53 So under the public records law, they remain in draft form
11:19:58 until such time as they are finalized by the Mayor as they
11:20:02 are audits coming through the Mayor, then transmitted to
11:20:06 City Council.
11:20:10 So that is the question relating to the public records law
11:20:13 as it relates to the draft audit.
11:20:16 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have another question.
11:20:18 If the audit becomes final once it's signed off by the
11:20:25 Mayor, then it's scheduled to appear on one of our agenda
11:20:29 and receive and file documents.
11:20:31 I have two audits in front of me, the two most recent ones
11:20:35 that came into my office, because they are usually delivered
11:20:39 to us.
11:20:39 We find them in our mailboxes.
11:20:41 The one on today's agenda today is the 17th of December,
11:20:45 is dated November 19th.
11:20:48 So we've had other meetings I think between November and
11:20:52 now, November 19th and now.
11:20:55 And the second audit that I have in my hand is not
11:21:01 scheduled, I don't believe, on -- well, it's not scheduled
11:21:04 on today's agenda, and I don't believe it was scheduled on a
11:21:07 previous agenda, but we did receive it recently.
11:21:09 It's dated December 3rd.
11:21:11 So I'm not sure where the rhyme or reason is between the
11:21:18 time an audit is signed and delivered to us and scheduled on
11:21:23 the agenda and how long it may sit in some kind of limbo.
11:21:31 >>JULIA MANDELL: Once it's finalized and how it -- the sire
11:21:34 system and whatever time frame that is.
11:21:36 We usually have like a two-week lag time to get anything on
11:21:39 the agenda.
11:21:42 >>LISA MONTELIONE: -- redevelopment one on today's agenda,
11:21:44 it's almost exactly a month.
11:21:46 And this one hasn't been scheduled yet, at least to my
11:21:51 knowledge.
11:21:51 But I do have it in my hand.
11:21:54 >>JULIA MANDELL: The process to get it on your agenda,
11:21:57 notwithstanding, bottom line, the point in time it is final,
11:22:00 it becomes a public record.
11:22:02 Therefore, it would be right for City Council to see it, any
11:22:06 member of the public, the press to see it.
11:22:08 Prior to that, it is not a public record unless transmitted
11:22:15 outside of the scope of being in that draft.
11:22:18 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Also on the schedule today is to talk
11:22:20 about a strategic planning session and possibly charter
11:22:22 discussions.
11:22:22 These questions may carry over to a future discussion we
11:22:28 have about the charter and the procedures.
11:22:30 But I'm not understanding of why the audit is not final and
11:22:39 becomes a public record until the Mayor signs it, because
11:22:44 that would indicate to me that the Mayor, and not just this
11:22:49 Mayor.
11:22:49 I'm talking any previous Mayor, any future Mayor, would have
11:22:53 the opportunity to have maybe an influence of getting things
11:23:02 fixed before it's released to the public so it doesn't look
11:23:05 as bad as maybe a situation may seem.
11:23:08 So the opportunity that the administration has over what the
11:23:16 final audit has is my concern, because the final audit, you
11:23:20 know, after every audit question, it says recommendations
11:23:24 have been addressed as of, and in this case, it's
11:23:28 July 24th, 2015, and this is the December 3rd audit.
11:23:34 This is the December 3rd audit of the aquatics division of
11:23:37 parks and rec.
11:23:39 And this, it says target implementation date,
11:23:42 recommendations have been addressed as of July 24th.
11:23:46 And the date of this audit is December 3rd.
11:23:49 And it's not even scheduled to be on our agenda yet.
11:23:52 So there's definitely some hang time that concerns me.
11:24:02 >> I can speak to that specific example.
11:24:04 The challenge identified in that component, that component
11:24:09 identified in the audit, the solution was implemented then.
11:24:12 But that was only part of some of the observations.
11:24:15 There were other portions that we were addressing and
11:24:18 confirming the information before the audit was final.
11:24:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Only two recommendations in the entire
11:24:24 audit.
11:24:25 >> But there are three reviews, if I recall.
11:24:27 There are background checks for those involving children.
11:24:29 There's notification associated with health and I believe
11:24:35 one other one.
11:24:36 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Security best practices and operation --
11:24:39 software system.
11:24:40 One, the swimming pools are compliant with ADA, however
11:24:44 minor observations communicated to management,
11:24:46 implementation action began immediately and three,
11:24:49 appropriate background checks are conducted for program
11:24:52 partner instructors before they begin working at swimming
11:24:54 pool facilities.
11:24:55 >> That would be the third.
11:24:56 And as we're reviewing these three issues between the
11:25:00 internal audit department and the parks and recreation
11:25:04 department in this instance, any difficulties or challenges
11:25:07 identified are not going to be solved at the same time.
11:25:11 We're going to solve them as soon as we find them or
11:25:13 identify a timely plan to solve them.
11:25:15 In the instance --
11:25:16 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I understand that.
11:25:17 But what I'm saying is that if -- I'm talking about the
11:25:20 dates here.
11:25:21 If the audit was -- I don't know when the audit was first
11:25:25 implemented or scheduled to be done, but if the report
11:25:29 itself says that implementation was done in July and other
11:25:35 says it was done immediately and a third one -- I have to
11:25:40 find what the recommendation was -- was also within that --
11:25:46 either immediately or in July, why is the audit dated
11:25:50 December?
11:25:50 And why are we still not having it scheduled on our agenda?
11:25:54 So that's August, September, October, November, December,
11:25:58 that's five months, maybe six before it shows up on our
11:26:02 agenda.
11:26:03 >> I must not be communicating.
11:26:04 I thought I answered that exact question.
11:26:06 The component you're talking about, the issue was addressed
11:26:09 in July.
11:26:10 The other components weren't finalized until right before
11:26:13 the Mayor approved that audit.
11:26:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: No.
11:26:15 Two of the three say July.
11:26:18 The same date, July 24th.
11:26:20 The other one says immediately.
11:26:21 >> The immediate one was right before the Mayor signed it.
11:26:24 Maybe we could get a little more exact --
11:26:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Immediately to me means when it was
11:26:29 brought up.
11:26:30 Not when it's dated.
11:26:31 If the issue was found and it was addressed immediately, I'm
11:26:36 assuming that means that as soon as the issue was found, it
11:26:38 was addressed.
11:26:39 >> Perhaps we can clarify the definition of "immediately"
11:26:43 for you, ma'am.
11:26:48 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That really frustrates me.
11:26:48 I mean, really it does, Dennis.
11:26:50 I mean, if you're looking at a problem and that problem is
11:26:54 in front of you and you write in your report that it was
11:26:57 addressed immediately, that means it was addressed as soon
11:26:59 as you found it.
11:27:01 So whenever this report was started, they immediately found
11:27:08 the problem.
11:27:08 They immediately addressed it.
11:27:10 And I know that's got to be sometime before July 24th,
11:27:15 because that is the last date that was mentioned.
11:27:17 >> And you would be incorrect in that assumption, because I
11:27:20 was directly involved in addressing that component, and it
11:27:23 did not occur before --
11:27:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Somebody has to pay attention to how
11:27:29 these are written.
11:27:29 If I can interpret "immediately" to be as soon as the
11:27:32 problem was found, not immediately as far as what the date
11:27:34 of the report is, then there is a lack of clarity within
11:27:39 these reports.
11:27:40 And for an audit report not to be clear, that's a problem as
11:27:43 well.
11:27:44 >> I appreciate your opinion, ma'am.
11:27:45 And I don't mean to frustrate you.
11:27:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: This is an issue that probably need to have
11:27:57 part of charter discussion.
11:28:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I believe so.
11:28:01 I fully would support that being one of the challenges we
11:28:04 discussed in our session.
11:28:05 Thank you.
11:28:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Cohen.
11:28:07 >>HARRY COHEN: Let me just say this in the interest of time.
11:28:11 We can get into this issue during charter discussion.
11:28:14 To me, I know that the City Attorney is absolutely correct
11:28:17 in what she's saying about the draft language of the audit
11:28:20 not being a public record until it is signed off on.
11:28:23 That is no question the case.
11:28:25 The problem is that if it takes nine months or a year for an
11:28:32 audit to get from a draft form to signed, by the time it
11:28:36 gets here, it's either stale or the issues have been
11:28:43 addressed in such a way that it's really -- there's no
11:28:47 purpose to us taking it up.
11:28:49 I think that the interest of Council is to have this
11:28:56 information in a timely way so that when we receive it, we
11:29:01 actually have the ability to talk to the departments about
11:29:04 what is going on.
11:29:07 You know, I'll reserve my comments on it till the charter
11:29:10 discussion, but to me, it's really a question of
11:29:12 reasonableness.
11:29:12 When is it reasonable for the audit to be released and
11:29:16 brought to us?
11:29:17 And a year or whatever was reported, when this all came up,
11:29:21 we were talking about audits that had sat, in some cases,
11:29:24 for almost a year.
11:29:25 And it just -- that doesn't do anybody any good in terms of
11:29:30 being transparent about what is going on in the city.
11:29:33 Because we deserve to know and the public deserves to know
11:29:37 how their taxpayer dollars are being spent.
11:29:40 And one of the ways that we get that information is through
11:29:42 the timely presentation of audits, not so long after the
11:29:46 fact that the information contained in them is either
11:29:50 irrelevant or outdated.
11:29:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: Well, you know, this goes back to the day
11:29:58 the problem we had with a city division.
11:30:00 And that's where when I made the original motion about why
11:30:05 we couldn't receive the order at the same time because the
11:30:08 clean city vision had a lot of problems within the ordinance
11:30:12 that was -- we were looking at the time line that this was
11:30:15 going on, and the date that we received it, and while this
11:30:20 was going on.
11:30:21 And we had no knowledge of it.
11:30:22 That's where the original motion came from.
11:30:24 But we'll address that, because we're under a time
11:30:30 constraint right now.
11:30:31 I don't want to prolong this with you at this point.
11:30:37 >> Just a quick question, chair, if I could.
11:30:39 Mr. Rogero, this is something that was brought up because of
11:30:43 what Mr. Reddick just mentioned, which is, you know, as we
11:30:46 go forward on our agenda, and we are signing contracts with
11:30:49 different entities because of their ability to provide
11:30:52 services to the city, that became kind of an issue with that
11:30:56 audit that Mr. Reddick is talking about.
11:30:58 We need the timeliness because we do not want to be in a
11:31:02 position in which we're doing our job, which is signing
11:31:06 contracts in order for the Mayor to go ahead and execute for
11:31:10 vendors that are not doing their job because we haven't
11:31:12 gotten an audit yet.
11:31:14 That's the biggest issue.
11:31:16 >> Understand.
11:31:17 >>MIKE SUAREZ: In terms of the aquatics audit, a big issue
11:31:20 is how we were screening people who would be near children.
11:31:24 That was an extremely -- and I agree with what you're trying
11:31:27 to say which is immediately it's not defined in there very
11:31:30 well.
11:31:31 I agree with my colleague.
11:31:32 "Immediately" means immediately, right now, happening.
11:31:35 But I understand where you're going.
11:31:38 I understand in terms of the draft form, we're trying to
11:31:41 alleviate -- excuse me, we're trying to fix the problem and
11:31:44 then we'll get the audit and show that, look, we had these
11:31:47 screwups.
11:31:48 Here's where we fixed them.
11:31:50 But I want to make sure that those agenda items that come
11:31:53 before us on a department that is being audited, that those
11:31:58 contracts are pulled prior to it and reported as to why they
11:32:01 are pulled.
11:32:02 I think that's where the problem is at.
11:32:04 We need to know because we don't want to have to unravel a
11:32:10 contract later on because someone is not performing their
11:32:12 job.
11:32:13 That's what happened with the example Mr. Reddick was
11:32:16 talking about.
11:32:16 That's where the audit helps us and that's where it helps
11:32:18 the city as a whole.
11:32:20 Best way of describing it, I think.
11:32:23 >> Understood, thank you.
11:32:23 I definitely appreciate that content.
11:32:26 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anything else you want to say?
11:32:28 >> No thank you, sir.
11:32:30 Thank you, Council.
11:32:31 >>FRANK REDDICK: How long you need?
11:32:34 Did you say two minutes?
11:32:39 If you'll go more than two minutes, tell us now and come
11:32:49 back this afternoon.
11:32:50 You still haven't answered the question.
11:32:54 You need more than two minutes or do it in two minutes or
11:32:57 less?
11:32:57 >> Try to do it in two minutes.
11:32:59 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
11:33:00 Because we've got to go.
11:33:02 >> There was a request to amend the recovered materials
11:33:07 definition in the commercial franchise solid waste ordinance
11:33:12 in article 8 to exempt out vegetative food waste from the
11:33:16 definition of recovered materials.
11:33:18 And I previously forwarded a memo to Council to explain the
11:33:24 copies of the statute that the city is not allowed to
11:33:27 deviate from the definitions that are set forth in the state
11:33:31 law.
11:33:32 Our definitions of recovered materials are identical to what
11:33:36 the state law definition is.
11:33:38 Although I understand how you're in favor of the concept of
11:33:46 the process of the vegetative food waste, diverting it from
11:33:49 the waste stream and want it to succeed, the fight is
11:33:52 actually on the state level with the state legislature,
11:33:55 because the state, there are six items recognized as a
11:34:04 recovered material, which Ms. Spengler had mentioned to you
11:34:08 and itemized.
11:34:09 That does not include vegetative food waste and we are not
11:34:12 allowed as a city to deviate from that definition.
11:34:15 If it's a recovered material -- recovered materials are not
11:34:21 solid waste, however, recyclable materials, which are
11:34:23 different in which this would be is solid waste and defined
11:34:28 as such.
11:34:29 As the ordinance is proposed to deviate from that
11:34:34 definition, we can't do it.
11:34:36 However, if you want to discuss some options on looking at
11:34:41 this process, then that's going to take -- there are ways
11:34:46 probably that we can amend several ordinances to accommodate
11:34:50 what this process would be, however, you're going to run
11:34:52 into trouble with your revenue bond obligations about
11:34:55 diverting waste from the stream because we have an
11:34:57 obligation under our revenue bonds which are paid -- that
11:35:01 built McKay Bay refuse-to-energy facility, you're prohibited
11:35:08 from diverting the waste from going to the facility to be
11:35:11 burned.
11:35:11 Garbage has been burned for the last 20 years.
11:35:14 And we produce renewable energy and have a contract with
11:35:18 Tampa Electric to do so.
11:35:20 As far as the state's recycling goals and state's statute on
11:35:22 recycling which the county has an obligation to meet, have
11:35:28 75% of the waste stream by 2020 to be recycled, and the
11:35:34 state law specifically recognizes that solid waste is burned
11:35:38 in an incinerator like a McKay Bay facility and turned into
11:35:42 renewable energy is part of meeting that recycling goal.
11:35:45 So what we do here at the city is part of the recycling
11:35:50 goal.
11:35:50 If that helps to clarify for you.
11:35:54 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from Council?
11:35:56 >>HARRY COHEN: It sounds to me like you're saying that we're
11:36:00 prohibited by law from passing the ordinance proposed today.
11:36:04 >> Yes, you are.
11:36:05 >>HARRY COHEN: So the real question then, and I'll make this
11:36:08 brief so that we can wrap it up, the real question then is
11:36:10 how we can find a creative way to include these types of
11:36:14 materials.
11:36:15 The one thing that I think might warrant some further
11:36:19 discussion is if the materials we're talking about don't
11:36:22 actually produce any energy, whether or not they are
11:36:25 actually covered in any one -- whether or not anyone with
11:36:29 the bond obligations would care.
11:36:31 In other words, if you're diverting something from the
11:36:33 stream that produces no energy, it might be exempt by virtue
11:36:38 of what it is rather than by how it finds its way there.
11:36:42 I guess what I was going to ask is if maybe we could have a
11:36:46 staff report on this in about a month and talk about whether
11:36:52 or not there is an opportunity to creatively deal with this
11:36:57 material without impacting either our bond covenants or
11:37:01 running afoul of the state law.
11:37:04 And I would ask that we make a motion that we schedule that
11:37:10 for a staff report on February 4th at 9 a.m.
11:37:16 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Wouldn't it be better if we did it in a
11:37:18 workshop so we could get a lot of the issues up front before
11:37:20 we put it as a staff report?
11:37:23 The only reason I'm saying that, I think it's going to be a
11:37:25 lot more detailed than what we're -- because it will take up
11:37:30 a lot of time.
11:37:30 I'm just asking.
11:37:31 >>HARRY COHEN: I'll tell you this.
11:37:32 We don't really have any workshop time available until
11:37:35 February 25th, so maybe we could schedule the staff report
11:37:38 with the idea that from what we hear that day, we could
11:37:42 always schedule the workshop then?
11:37:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
11:37:45 That's fine.
11:37:46 >>HARRY COHEN: That's a little sooner.
11:37:48 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I'll second that.
11:37:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
11:37:50 Seconded by Mr. Suarez.
11:37:51 Any further discussion of the motion?
11:37:53 All in favor of the motion, aye.
11:37:54 Those opposed.
11:37:55 We thank you.
11:37:55 >> Thank you.
11:37:56 >>FRANK REDDICK: We stand in recess until 1:30.
11:37:58
Tampa City Council
Thursday, December 17, 2015
1:30 p.M. Session
DISCLAIMER:
This file represents an unedited version of realtime
captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete
accuracy nor used as a verbatim transcript.
The original of this file was produced in all capital
letters and any variation thereto may be a result of third
party edits and software compatibility issues.
Any person who needs a verbatim transcript of the
proceedings may need to hire a court reporter.
01:39:38 [Sounding gavel]
01:39:41 >>FRANK REDDICK: I call this meeting back to order.
01:39:43 Roll call.
01:39:43 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
01:39:48 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
01:39:49 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
01:39:55 >>FRANK REDDICK: Here.
01:39:56 All right.
01:39:58 We go to committee reports.
01:40:00 Public safety.
01:40:00 Mr. Cohen?
01:40:02 >>HARRY COHEN: I move items 10 through 14.
01:40:05 >> Second.
01:40:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: I have a motion by Mr. Cohen.
01:40:07 >>HARRY COHEN: So we are just doing then 10, 12, 13, 14.
01:40:21 And remove 11.
01:40:23 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
01:40:24 Second by Mr. Suarez.
01:40:25 All in favor say aye.
01:40:28 Opposed?
01:40:29 All right.
01:40:29 Parks and recreation, Mr. Maniscalco.
01:40:31 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: I move items 15 through 20.
01:40:34 >> Second.
01:40:43 We'll move 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, as well as 16 with the
01:40:48 substitution.
01:40:49 >> Second.
01:40:51 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
01:40:51 Moved by Mr. Maniscalco.
01:40:53 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
01:40:54 All in favor? Opposed?
01:40:57 Public works, Mr. Suarez.
01:40:58 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I move items 21 through 28.
01:41:01 >> Second.
01:41:02 >> Got a motion by Mr. Suarez.
01:41:04 Second by Mr. Cohen.
01:41:05 All in favor say aye.
01:41:07 Opposed? Okay.
01:41:08 Finance Committee, Mr. Cohen.
01:41:09 >>HARRY COHEN: I move items 29 through 34.
01:41:14 >> Second.
01:41:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
01:41:17 Second by Mr. Suarez.
01:41:18 All in favor?
01:41:19 Opposed? Okay.
01:41:21 Building and zoning, Mrs. Montelione.
01:41:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I move items 35 through 39 and 41
01:41:34 through 54 with a substitute attachment to the sublease
01:41:41 agreement for item number 40.
01:41:43 >> Second.
01:41:45 >>FRANK REDDICK: Got a motion by Mrs. Montelione.
01:41:47 Second by Mr. Suarez.
01:41:48 All in favor say aye.
01:41:51 Opposed? Okay.
01:41:54 Transportation, Mr. Cohen.
01:41:55 >>HARRY COHEN: I move items 55 through 59.
01:41:58 >> Second.
01:42:02 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
01:42:16 All in favor of the motion say aye.
01:42:18 Opposed? Okay.
01:42:29 Item 60 through 52.
01:42:41 All right, item 60.
01:42:43 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I will move number 60.
01:42:47 >> Second.
01:42:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez.
01:42:50 Second by Mr. Cohen.
01:42:51 All in favor?
01:42:52 Opposed?
01:42:53 >> Move 61.
01:42:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez, second by Mr. Cohen.
01:42:58 All in favor?
01:42:59 Opposed?
01:42:59 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And also 62.
01:43:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
01:43:05 All in favor say aye.
01:43:06 Opposed?
01:43:07 Okay.
01:43:11 And 63.
01:43:12 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I will move to open all the public hearings
01:43:35 63 through 75, I believe.
01:43:37 >>HARRY COHEN: Second.
01:43:39 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez.
01:43:40 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
01:43:41 All in favor of the motion say aye.
01:43:43 All opposed?
01:43:45 All right.
01:43:46 We'll go back to item number 7.
01:43:55 Item number 63.
01:44:01 Item 63.
01:44:02 >> Cathy Ginster, City Attorney's Offie. This is second
01:44:06 public hearing for approval of brownfield designation for
01:44:13 the former Amazon property, and the application has been
01:44:18 submitted the request to be designated as a brownfield area,
01:44:26 environmental protection on the property.
01:44:27 The details outlined in the document entitled staff report
01:44:31 on the former Amazon host property designation, which is
01:44:36 available for public review in the city clerk's office.
01:44:39 And staff has determined public notice requirements have
01:44:44 been satisfied and recommends this designation be approved.
01:44:48 And at the conclusion of the second public hearing council
01:44:50 will have an opportunity to pass a resolution supporting the
01:44:55 designation for the former Amazon.
01:45:02 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anyone in the audience to speak on number
01:45:04 63?
01:45:06 >> Move to close.
01:45:07 >> Second.
01:45:09 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez.
01:45:10 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
01:45:13 All in favor?
01:45:14 Okay.
01:45:16 All in favor of that motion say aye.
01:45:18 Opposed?
01:45:20 Okay.
01:45:21 Item number 7.
01:45:22 Thank you.
01:45:22 >>JULIA MANDELL: City attorney.
01:45:27 I understand since this issue came up there have been
01:45:30 questions over the years as to whether or not you can take
01:45:34 restrictions on a zoning plan, conditions on a zoning plan
01:45:38 and make them part of the property restrictions by recording
01:45:42 them as deed restrictions.
01:45:44 Let me just start off by saying that when we put
01:45:47 restrictions on the use of property to our zoning process,
01:45:53 PD or even restrictions within our code, a property owner
01:45:57 when they purchase property is deemed to have constructive
01:46:00 notice, and therefore a property owner cannot say, I didn't
01:46:02 know what the restrictions were on the property.
01:46:05 That wouldn't be a valid legal argument for them to make,
01:46:08 and the law is relatively well set under constructive notice
01:46:14 law, local government row strictions on the use of your
01:46:16 property.
01:46:17 Now, the question of whether or not you can take those
01:46:19 restrictions and then put them as some kind of deed
01:46:22 restriction on the property is also somewhat of a
01:46:29 complicated question because the nature of that restriction
01:46:31 is different than a zoning restriction, using police power
01:46:34 to restrict the use of property.
01:46:36 That's in the nature of a contractual restriction.
01:46:39 That is something that runs with your deed and does have an
01:46:41 impact on when you go to sell your property, how that sale
01:46:45 needs to be notified from one property owner to the other
01:46:48 property owner.
01:46:49 The problem is we are not a party to that sale.
01:46:53 We are a third party placing a deed restriction.
01:46:55 Now, in a situation where you have a property owner that may
01:46:58 have come forward in a zoning process or some other process
01:47:02 and says they would agree to some kind of restrictions of
01:47:05 that nature, we would have to look at that on an individual
01:47:08 basis to see if whether or not that would be a legal
01:47:11 restriction that can be placed in the deed restrictions, but
01:47:14 if those parties being the City of Tampa and the property
01:47:16 owner agreed, then that might be something that we would
01:47:18 have the right to do.
01:47:19 But it is not something you can impose on a property owner.
01:47:23 You can't force somebody to enter into an agreement to have
01:47:27 a restriction on their property without their consent, like
01:47:31 any other contractual restriction.
01:47:34 If you were to do so, then that would end up in the nature
01:47:36 of -- which is why you have traditionally had attorneys
01:47:43 sitting in the audience during your zoning process to
01:47:46 indicate to you that that isn't proper for you to impose
01:47:48 that, and it's not typically something that you see that the
01:47:52 restrictions that you place on a rezoning are properly
01:47:58 restrictions in a deed restriction on the property.
01:48:03 I'm certainly available for questions.
01:48:05 And we can discuss this item further in the future if that's
01:48:10 something you would like to do.
01:48:11 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Ms. Mandell, one of the concerns that I
01:48:15 had about properties and owners not being aware of the
01:48:23 conditions is if there's a requirement for a stormwater
01:48:30 culvert, which I know having had to install one or two that
01:48:38 you can put it in, you can sell the house, but then the
01:48:42 person who buys that house, maybe the first or second or
01:48:46 third owner doesn't know that that little swale on the side
01:48:50 of the property is required to move stormwater off the site.
01:48:58 Commercial properties are a little different because, you
01:49:01 know, stormwater swales are more obvious and larger and
01:49:06 sometimes lead to a farm, but when it's a residential
01:49:08 property, I know that owners have filled those in, planted
01:49:15 gardens, obstructed them with fences, and then we have a
01:49:18 problem with stormwater on that, you know, property or in
01:49:23 that neighborhood, on that street because the water is not
01:49:25 moving the way it should.
01:49:26 So how do we let people know when they buy a home, a new
01:49:33 house, that's been constructed with a swale on the property,
01:49:37 that they can't disturb that swale are?
01:49:42 >>JULIA MANDELL: And that's what I was saying earlier.
01:49:45 Our regulations are in the public realm, and property owners
01:49:48 when they purchase property in a private transaction are
01:49:52 deemed to have constructive knowledge of our regulations.
01:49:54 That is why regardless of whether or not somebody says they
01:49:56 know or they don't know, wove a right to enforce against
01:50:01 them.
01:50:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: But somebody buying a house is not going
01:50:05 to know that that little ditch on the side of the property
01:50:09 is for a reason.
01:50:11 I mean, people don't know about -- regular, ordinary
01:50:15 homeowners don't know about, you know, movement of
01:50:18 stormwater or, you know, why that was put there in the first
01:50:21 place.
01:50:22 They just know that there's a little ditch on the side of
01:50:24 their property that for them serves no purpose.
01:50:28 >> And there's a difference between the legal knowledge that
01:50:33 I speak of and the reality.
01:50:35 Now, whether or not the reality would change because you put
01:50:38 it in the form of a deed restriction or not, I won't opine
01:50:42 on.
01:50:42 What I can tell you is that the nature of that restriction,
01:50:45 one that is from the contractual restriction through a
01:50:50 separate process, not your zoning process, that would have
01:50:52 to go through a deed restriction being placed upon the
01:50:55 property agreed to by those parties is a very different
01:50:59 legal instrument than a zoning restriction.
01:51:02 And unless you have a willing -- for example, that's why
01:51:09 what happens, you see there's all these restrictions but
01:51:12 that is something through the statutory process can be
01:51:15 placed on that property through the platting process as a
01:51:19 restriction, which is then put within the recorded public
01:51:23 document.
01:51:24 But once you get outside of that and you have gone through
01:51:27 that process, our legal authority is to place zoning
01:51:30 restrictions.
01:51:31 It is not to obligate deed restrictions.
01:51:34 So if you have got a willing property owner that says I'm
01:51:37 willing to do that, we could potentially enter into an
01:51:41 agreement under which that restriction is placed on that
01:51:44 property in perpetuity, and then it becomes a question of
01:51:47 whether or not we have the legal right to enforce that as a
01:51:49 contractual restriction, not as a zoning restriction.
01:51:53 But I understand what you are saying, which is more like how
01:51:56 do we make sure people know of this.
01:51:59 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Is there a way through our building
01:52:01 permitting process that -- because we are generally speaking
01:52:05 of new construction, and so when someone pulls a permit to
01:52:11 build a house, is there a way through -- because not every
01:52:15 property is going to come through zoning.
01:52:17 I mean, they are just going to build a house.
01:52:20 Is there a way to put in the permitting to say your
01:52:25 obligation, the property owner's obligation to notify the
01:52:30 buyer, or to have a sign posted, or --
01:52:37 >>JULIA MANDELL: The problem is that in the law is not
01:52:39 something -- that goes beyond your police power.
01:52:42 Your police power is to put the regulation out there, but
01:52:48 some of the people in the private property exchange to say,
01:52:51 I am going to notify you of this condition of the city of
01:52:55 something that they have already complied with, you aren't
01:52:58 really talking about what becomes a contractual restriction,
01:53:02 and that is where we get into a potential of an issue, which
01:53:05 is why you don't see jurisdictions do things like this.
01:53:09 This has come up over the eleven years I have been doing
01:53:13 zonings here and at the county.
01:53:14 It becomes one to make sure people know what regulations are
01:53:18 because you have property owner number 3 is like, I had no
01:53:22 idea, and then we feel as if we are imposing something on a
01:53:25 property owner who didn't know but should have known.
01:53:29 But unfortunately that's what the title insurance process is
01:53:32 for, that's what the due diligence process is for.
01:53:35 That is something that in our law, to private property
01:53:41 owners to figure out and work through.
01:53:43 That doesn't make it easy for us.
01:53:45 It just means if we were to take it a step further and we
01:53:48 were to impose something on a property owner that's in the
01:53:51 nature more of a contractual restriction.
01:53:54 We do run the risk --
01:54:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We'll have to talk some more offline
01:54:03 about this because there's got to be a way to figure this
01:54:05 out, because the requirement for a swale on a property, for
01:54:12 stormwater conveyance, isn't going to show up on a title
01:54:16 insurance search.
01:54:17 >>JULIA MANDELL: In a, but --
01:54:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Unless it's listed on the plat it's not
01:54:25 going to show up any -- in any other --
01:54:29 >>JULIA MANDELL: The nice thing we have now is we have an
01:54:32 ESTELLA online and back in the day when you had to actually
01:54:38 come down, and either here or development services, and
01:54:42 rifle through papers.
01:54:43 It was a little more complicated.
01:54:45 But I can talk to you more about that offline.
01:54:47 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Cohen.
01:54:48 >>HARRY COHEN: Related to this topic, you and I have talked
01:54:54 about this before because people have come in to see me
01:54:57 where they purchased a piece of property and are zoned to
01:55:00 build something, and they find out halfway through their
01:55:06 construction that there was some sort of deed restriction in
01:55:10 the neighborhood that may be changed to setbacks or somehow
01:55:21 changed the rules that the city is looking at when they go
01:55:27 to permit the construction.
01:55:32 Have we made any progress in informing people when they
01:55:36 are -- the city doesn't enforce those types of covenants.
01:55:41 They are enforced by the neighborhood association or they
01:55:44 are enforced privately.
01:55:45 Have we made any progress in terms of alerting people that,
01:55:51 hey, you have been approved to build this, but just so you
01:55:58 know, it conflicts with some sort of neighborhood covenant,
01:56:03 and even though it doesn't cost the city an issue with
01:56:07 denial, it can be the source of obligation later on.
01:56:10 Have we made any progress in terms of the city alerting
01:56:13 people to that?
01:56:15 >>JULIA MANDELL: We put people on notice, not that
01:56:19 it conflicts, because then that would obligate us to do the
01:56:22 research to determine if it conflicts.
01:56:24 It would be inappropriate for us to give that kind of
01:56:25 advice.
01:56:26 We have notices on our building permits especially for
01:56:30 residential single-family where this issue has come up which
01:56:33 remind people that they need to make sure that this building
01:56:38 permit, which was granted, is in line of any other deed
01:56:44 restrictions or restrictions on their plat, so that they are
01:56:47 at least made aware of that.
01:56:48 But again we have to be very cognizant that our rule isn't
01:56:52 one of utilizing our police power to have zoning
01:56:56 regulations, and that's why you can receive a zoning permit,
01:57:00 and we are going to let you go forward, but it may very well
01:57:04 be that there are other restrictions either through a
01:57:08 homeowners association or through your plat that you are
01:57:10 obligated to know of and be in compliance.
01:57:14 >>HARRY COHEN: And for the lay person who is, you know,
01:57:17 building a home, who professionally today rely on to do that
01:57:22 search and to give them that information, generally?
01:57:25 Is it the engineer, the architect? Who is really
01:57:28 responsible?
01:57:29 >>JULIA MANDELL: I mean, there's probably a variety of
01:57:32 professionals in that realm who have an ethical obligation
01:57:35 to whatever license that they have to act in a manner
01:57:39 consistent with the law.
01:57:41 The surveyor would have to put that information -- and this
01:57:44 is me just giving you my thoughts, because I haven't
01:57:44 thoroughly researched it -- a surveyor is obligated to make
01:57:49 sure that that is on your survey that you receive.
01:57:53 I would like to think the contractor.
01:57:55 The real estate agent who sold you the property should be
01:57:59 informing you of this information.
01:58:00 I am not saying that they all do.
01:58:02 I'm just saying that they have ethical obligations just as
01:58:07 an attorney has ethical obligations.
01:58:09 So there are people along the way who, from a professional
01:58:12 perspective, have those types of obligations, but certainly
01:58:17 we cannot be in the position of making sure that everybody
01:58:21 is acting in a manner, that their obligations are, whatever
01:58:27 state licenses they have.
01:58:28 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you.
01:58:30 >>FRANK REDDICK: Other questions from council?
01:58:31 All right.
01:58:31 Item number 9.
01:58:39 Is he here?
01:58:40 >> Stan Fahey.
01:58:53 Mark woolford, the director, had another obligation.
01:58:57 He apologizes for not being able to be here.
01:59:00 He asked me if I would step up and see if I can answer any
01:59:04 questions for you.
01:59:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions by council?
01:59:08 Got a motion from Mrs. Montelione.
01:59:11 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
01:59:12 All in favor say aye.
01:59:14 Opposed?
01:59:15 Thank you, sir.
01:59:17 Item number 8.
01:59:21 Madam clerk.
01:59:21 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: City clerk.
01:59:34 Number 8 is regarding the interviews of the applicants being
01:59:39 considered for the council for 4 positions on the citizens
01:59:46 review board.
01:59:47 The applicant selected for interviews today for the four
01:59:51 positions includes District 4, Irene Guy, Anneliese Meier;
01:59:57 district 5, Rasheed Ali Aquil, and Nestor Ortiz.
02:00:08 District 6, Donna Stark.
02:00:11 District 7, Mary Dahmer.
02:00:14 District 4, Irene Guy.
02:00:14 >> Thank you for the opportunity to address the council.
02:00:29 I am going to refer to my notes because if I don't I am
02:00:31 going to go over my time.
02:00:33 I am certain that you have reviewed my application and
02:00:35 recognize that I take this very seriously.
02:00:39 I have always been active in our community and this is an
02:00:44 opportunity to give back.
02:00:45 It's extremely important that this board has a very strong
02:00:50 foundation on all the expertise of the members, city staff,
02:00:55 council, mayor, in the collaborative process.
02:00:58 Once a process is in place, then make up of this board and
02:01:03 expertise of each member.
02:01:05 I have always he.
02:01:12 Being with a large corporation for 40 years there is no way
02:01:16 I could have been successful without being even handed and
02:01:18 thoughtful.
02:01:21 My nature is to listen, respect and take a measured approach
02:01:25 to any opportunities that present itself.
02:01:27 I am highly analytical with my ability to assess the
02:01:31 situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather information
02:01:35 and identify key issues that should be addressed.
02:01:38 This has always served me well.
02:01:42 As a very important woman in my life once said, facts are
02:01:44 friends.
02:01:48 If I am given the privilege of being selected I will take it
02:01:51 upon myself to learn everything I can about the diverse
02:01:52 neighborhoods that I am not entirely familiar with and also
02:01:58 learn more about the ones that I think I am.
02:02:02 I would also try to learn more about the police department.
02:02:05 I am also very lucky that I have a long career and
02:02:08 positioned myself in this next chapter of my life to be able
02:02:12 to provide pro bono help to nonprofits and spend my time as
02:02:17 I wish.
02:02:17 And I would like to lend my expertise to helping make my
02:02:22 city better in whatever way I can.
02:02:24 I absolutely see this board as a key to building trust
02:02:27 between the citizens and law enforcement.
02:02:30 Thank you again for the opportunity to address you.
02:02:33 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
02:02:34 >> Do you have any questions of me?
02:02:37 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from council?
02:02:39 No.
02:02:40 >> Thank you very much.
02:02:42 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: The other candidate for district 4
02:02:53 is Anneliese Meier.
02:02:57 >> Anneliese Meier, 2307 west Brooksville Avenue, Tampa,
02:03:03 Florida.
02:03:04 Thank you all for your consideration.
02:03:05 I have come before you many, many times, and I feel this is
02:03:09 probably the most important issue that I have come before
02:03:11 you on.
02:03:12 I am also going to refer to my notes because I will get too
02:03:15 passionate and go over my time, and.
02:03:23 When applicants were announced I thought long and hard and I
02:03:27 thought, what could I do to help this board reach
02:03:32 understanding between our citizens and our police force, and
02:03:34 just the whole community?
02:03:42 The creation of this board means we are being proactive with
02:03:44 our citizens and our police force and that shows to
02:03:47 outsiders, tourists, people wanting to move here and
02:03:50 businesses that we are willing to listen to our citizens,
02:03:52 and that we are no longer a small city.
02:03:54 We are a city on the move.
02:03:56 We are not as a man stated earlier today in the 1950s and
02:04:00 the 1960s.
02:04:01 We are here now.
02:04:02 And we have the growth to prove it and we have grown very
02:04:06 big.
02:04:07 And finally we realize that wave to listen to our citizens
02:04:13 and focus on our people.
02:04:15 We now recognize that we are a very diverse community, that
02:04:20 we are all important, no matter what race, ethnic
02:04:23 background, gender, cultural background, or family culture
02:04:28 we have.
02:04:33 You know me as a neighborhood worker.
02:04:35 You know me as someone who has come up to you many, many
02:04:38 times.
02:04:39 What you probably don't know about me is I wrote the
02:04:42 neighborhood grant that the county now uses, a grant that
02:04:45 all the municipalities can use, and the county as well.
02:04:50 For 16 years.
02:04:51 And I wrote it because neighborhoods need additional funds
02:04:56 for safety reasons, beautification, for education, and for
02:05:01 seminars and things like that.
02:05:04 I also work with the weed and seed grant of law enforcement.
02:05:10 In addition I volunteer for many nonprofits.
02:05:14 Arts, children's services.
02:05:17 I am your eyes and ears on the ground.
02:05:20 And I realize all of us that you have chosen are the very
02:05:25 same thing.
02:05:26 We are your eyes and ears on the ground, and I know that all
02:05:29 of us will do well for you.
02:05:31 If you choose me for this board, I promise to have an open
02:05:34 mind and no set agenda.
02:05:37 I also will use common sense and realize that every
02:05:41 situation is unique and different.
02:05:44 I will be fair and equitable.
02:05:47 There's in a road map for this and we are all going from
02:05:49 square one.
02:05:50 But I promise you that I will serve you well.
02:05:52 Thank you very much.
02:05:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions by council?
02:06:03 Thank you.
02:06:03 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: Thank you.
02:06:05 The first candidate for district 5 is Rasheed Ali Aquil.
02:06:17 >> Good afternoon.
02:06:22 And thank you for allowing me to express my concern, my
02:06:29 future commitment, and responsibility as well.
02:06:35 Let me begin bringing your attention that I was born in the
02:06:42 city right here at Tampa General Hospital.
02:06:46 I grew up in the hospital and over the years shown a great
02:06:53 passion, a great love for this city, and have participated
02:06:57 in the growth and development.
02:07:01 Through those years, I have inherited that same passion.
02:07:06 I watched the city grow and develop.
02:07:10 Obviously we aren't perfect.
02:07:14 I believe in structure.
02:07:15 I believe in things of that nature.
02:07:24 And moving in the right direction.
02:07:29 Also, I want to applaud that this is on the table and shows
02:07:32 the respect that we are moving in the right direction.
02:07:36 Positive growth is something that is always continuous.
02:07:41 So again I would like to thank you all for considering my
02:07:44 application to take me into consideration.
02:07:51 It's an honor to participate.
02:07:58 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions?
02:08:06 Thank you.
02:08:06 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: The candidate for district 5 is
02:08:12 Nestor Ortiz.
02:08:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: He was here earlier and handed a note to me
02:08:18 saying he had a commitment in the afternoon and couldn't be
02:08:21 here for the afternoon session.
02:08:22 But he was here this morning.
02:08:24 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: For district 6 there's Donna Stark.
02:08:30 >> Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to
02:08:42 address you this afternoon regarding the citizens review
02:08:47 board.
02:08:48 I believe I can serve well in this capacity because of the
02:08:51 combination of my professional talents I am a senior
02:08:55 functional business analyst for the specialization and
02:08:57 benefits, and what that means is it is my responsibility to
02:09:00 understand rules and regulations, to ensure our practices
02:09:03 are in compliance, to make suggestions for improvements and
02:09:07 to utilize our technological capabilities and resources to
02:09:10 their fullest extent.
02:09:11 I am familiar with creating a process and bringing a diverse
02:09:14 stakeholders to the table to successfully complete it.
02:09:19 I guided small and medium businesses in reviewing their
02:09:24 procedures and representing them in unemployment hearings.
02:09:26 I examined my witnesses and asked probing questions to
02:09:30 ascertain the truth about the separation of employment.
02:09:35 I have to remain objective and unbiased, use my knowledge to
02:09:39 give the best guidance and present opportunities for
02:09:43 improvement to my clients.
02:09:43 I always gave them my honest opinion about fought
02:09:47 proceedings and investigations.
02:09:49 I am currently the president of south Seminole Heights Civic
02:09:52 Association and am working hard to bring it to the next
02:09:55 level.
02:09:56 I firmly believe that all of my residents have a belief to
02:10:00 vocalize their thoughts and opinions and specify respectful
02:10:05 consideration and I conduct my meetings and online
02:10:08 activities accordingly.
02:10:09 Lastly and most importantly, I love this city.
02:10:13 I have chosen to make my life here and I want the best for
02:10:16 it always.
02:10:19 I was part of the inaugural mayor's neighborhood because of
02:10:21 my passion, and one of my favorite aspects of the City of
02:10:24 Tampa is that it is still a relatively young city.
02:10:28 Its character and machinations are not set in stone.
02:10:31 We still have a chance to grow, to build bridges and to
02:10:36 weave our differences into a stronger community.
02:10:38 I believe our ordinances are living, breathing documents and
02:10:41 they should involve our community needs.
02:10:43 I hope to have the chance to serve and to bring my skill set
02:10:46 and my passion to this process.
02:10:47 Thank you for your consideration.
02:10:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from council?
02:10:52 Thank you.
02:10:52 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: Thank you.
02:10:58 Council, for district 7, I want to note that Shirley
02:11:02 Peggaway Green withdrew her request to be considered for the
02:11:07 citizens review board.
02:11:08 So we have one last candidate, Mary Dahmer for district 7.
02:11:18 >> Good afternoon.
02:11:23 I'm Mary Lou Dahmer.
02:11:28 I just want to say I have to refer to my notes.
02:11:32 When I first heard about the citizens review board, I didn't
02:11:36 hesitate at all.
02:11:38 I knew that this was something that had to be a part of.
02:11:45 It's just really, really important to me seeing everything
02:11:48 that's happened in other cities around the country, and I
02:11:53 have been involved with our neighborhood watch program since
02:11:58 2004 when my husband and I bought our first house.
02:12:01 Then in 2012, I did go through the citizens academy with the
02:12:06 police department, and I have been tased. (Laughter)
02:12:14 It was part of the process, and it was an experience that I
02:12:23 will never, ever forget.
02:12:25 It gave me a much greater appreciation for what our officers
02:12:30 are asked to do every day.
02:12:33 But I also work for the Department of Children and Families,
02:12:36 and I see another side, and I see several everyday, in my
02:12:44 neighborhood, at work, and just to have bring the two
02:12:50 together that is so important.
02:12:55 I have a background working with a huge variety of
02:13:01 socioeconomic background, multicultural.
02:13:04 I work with people from all over the world.
02:13:08 In my office as well as clients.
02:13:12 And this is something I feel passionate about.
02:13:16 And I really thank you for your consideration.
02:13:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: Questions by council?
02:13:22 All right, thank you.
02:13:23 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: Thank you, council.
02:13:30 You have ballots.
02:13:30 If you would complete those, I would appreciate it.
02:13:32 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Chairman, can we vote by acclamation for
02:13:39 Mrs. Dahmer and Mrs. Sstark to accept the applications and
02:13:45 put them on board?
02:13:46 >> Motion by Mr. Suarez.
02:13:47 Second by Mrs. Montelione for district 6 and district 7.
02:13:52 All in favor of the motion?
02:13:54 Opposed?
02:13:55 Okay, congratulations.
02:13:56 Pass your ballots down.
02:14:25 Before you start the process, anyone going to speak on 64
02:14:28 through 72, please stand to be sworn in.
02:14:31 If you are going to speak on any item 64 through 72, please
02:14:34 stand to be sworn in.
02:14:35 (Oath administered by Clerk).
02:14:49 >> City of attorney's Tampa office.
02:14:56 Requesting a continuance.
02:14:58 I'm here for any questions.
02:14:59 >> Any questions by council?
02:15:02 All right.
02:15:03 Need a motion to continue.
02:15:10 Anyone in the public wishing to speak on item number 64?
02:15:13 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Move 64 to January 7th 2016 to have
02:15:22 10:30 a.m.
02:15:23 >>FRANK REDDICK: Second by Mrs. Montelione.
02:15:24 All in favor?
02:15:25 Opposed?
02:15:26 Motion carried.
02:15:27 Item number 65.
02:15:34 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Land development.
02:15:35 This is AB 2-15-21.
02:15:39 The property is zoned Seminole Heights CI zoning.
02:15:42 It is 6428 and 6430 North Florida Avenue.
02:15:48 The request is for a small venue, beer, wine, liquor
02:15:53 on-premises consumption and retail sales package sales for
02:15:59 off-premises consumption.
02:16:01 The request is for inside area -- 1,859 square feet inside
02:16:14 area, 370 outside area for a total of 2,229 square feet in
02:16:24 total.
02:16:25 There are 30 spaces, parking spaces, 23 for automobiles, two
02:16:34 for motorcycle and five for bicycles.
02:16:38 Proposed hours of operation are from Sunday through
02:16:40 Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 12a.m., and on Thursday through
02:16:47 Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
02:16:49 They are asking for a reduction of distance separation from
02:16:53 250 feet for other AB establishments to 199 feet, and for
02:17:00 residential use from 250 to 63 feet.
02:17:04 They are also asking for reduction of parking from 28 spaces
02:17:10 to 23 spaces.
02:17:13 This property was approved for alcohol beverage sales and in
02:17:22 2015 and may look familiar to you.
02:17:24 They are doing some changes to the site plan that call for a
02:17:27 new petition to come before you.
02:17:32 Two buildings on-site.
02:17:33 One of them will be forum distillery.
02:17:36 This alcohol beverage sales is actually going to be for the
02:17:40 building next door.
02:17:41 That's going to include both retail and storefront and a
02:17:45 wine bar.
02:17:46 Again, the square footages inside area, 1,859 square feet
02:17:51 inside and 370 feet outside.
02:17:56 They are in the Seminole Heights area so they do have some
02:17:59 tweaking of the parking area to compensate for the use of
02:18:05 motorcycle parking spaces and bicycle spaces, but they are
02:18:09 still needing a slight reduction in parking.
02:18:14 Staff did find this inconsistent with code.
02:18:17 It is a distance separation, and the parking reduction is
02:18:21 approximately 18% reduction.
02:18:25 There are, as council -- if council is inclined to approve
02:18:29 the number of site plan revisions we are asking really
02:18:32 corrected in nature as well as legal description that's
02:18:36 referenced on the site plan needs to be corrected.
02:18:39 Transportation also found inconsistent due to the reduction
02:18:43 of parking, existing building on the property now.
02:18:50 Started demolition of it.
02:18:52 This is the view of Florida Avenue.
02:18:56 Looking both direction, this is north.
02:19:00 South.
02:19:01 And the side street.
02:19:06 In terms of the broader picture.
02:19:07 Lambright is right on the north.
02:19:09 Florida Avenue.
02:19:11 The property is directly on Florida Avenue.
02:19:20 Florida Avenue is a transit corridor and that is the reason
02:19:23 for the reduction in distance separation for the 250-foot
02:19:26 requirement.
02:19:28 They are -- their nearest alcoholic establishment is San
02:19:35 Carlos tarvern and liquor store located at 6416 North
02:19:39 Florida Avenue.
02:19:40 They have residential right behind them at 102 west
02:19:47 Lambright.
02:19:50 That's really all the staff comments that I have.
02:19:52 If you have any questions.
02:19:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from council?
02:19:55 All right, petitioner?
02:20:04 >> Greg Barnhill, owner and representative for the project
02:20:08 at 6430 Florida Avenue.
02:20:11 It must also be noted recalculation of the occupancy rates
02:20:15 for the proposed new construction will allow for three
02:20:20 additional parking allocations, the motorcycle and bicycle,
02:20:25 so the actual request for reduction and parking waiver would
02:20:29 be two spaces versus the five.
02:20:33 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from council?
02:20:43 Of no questions for you right now.
02:20:44 >> Don Miller, City of Tampa police department.
02:20:47 We have no objections to this special use.
02:20:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anyone in the public like to speak on item
02:20:51 number 65?
02:20:53 Item number 65.
02:20:58 >> Susan Long, 921 East Broad Street. This place was a
02:21:04 ratty, ugly, I don't know how else to describe it, auto
02:21:08 repair shop, and he's converting it into apartments upstairs
02:21:11 and beautiful things downstairs, wine and tea shop, other
02:21:15 things.
02:21:15 I totally support it and I hope you will, too.
02:21:18 Thank you.
02:21:19 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anyone else wish to speak on item number
02:21:21 65?
02:21:24 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move to close.
02:21:26 >>HARRY COHEN: Second.
02:21:28 >>FRANK REDDICK: Discussion on the motion?
02:21:28 All in favor of the motion say aye.
02:21:31 Opposed?
02:21:31 All right.
02:21:32 Mr. Miranda, would you read --
02:21:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move an ordinance for first reading
02:21:36 consideration, file AB 2-15-21, ordinance number 15-21 for
02:21:46 alcoholic sales, small venue on premises consumption and
02:21:49 retail package sales offpremises consumption and making
02:21:53 lawful the sale of beverages regarding alcohol content, beer
02:21:55 wine and liquor on certain plots, lot or tract of land
02:21:59 located at 6428 and 6430 North Florida Avenue, Tampa,
02:22:03 Florida as more particularly described in section 3, that
02:22:06 all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict are
02:22:09 repealed, providing an effective date.
02:22:10 >> Second.
02:22:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Miranda.
02:22:13 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
02:22:15 Any discussion on the motion?
02:22:16 All in favor say aye.
02:22:18 All opposed?
02:22:20 >>THE CLERK: Second reading and adoption will be held on
02:22:22 January 7th, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
02:22:27 >>FRANK REDDICK: Before we go to the next one, the results
02:22:31 for the vote?
02:22:32 >>SHIRLEY FOXX-KNOWLES: City clerk.
02:22:40 Council, the individuals selected for the citizens review
02:22:45 board from district 4 is Irene guy.
02:22:51 The individual selected for district 5 is Rasheed Ali Aquil.
02:23:05 >>FRANK REDDICK: Congratulations to both applicants and look
02:23:07 forward to you taking part in the process beginning next
02:23:10 year.
02:23:11 Mr. Miranda.
02:23:11 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
02:23:13 I would say that all applicants who came here are qualified
02:23:15 not only for this but maybe have a seat on the City Council
02:23:20 next election.
02:23:35 I didn't say "special" election.
02:23:37 (Laughter)
02:23:38 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I would ask that council do it by motion.
02:23:48 >> So moved.
02:23:50 >> Second.
02:23:51 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez.
02:23:52 Second by Mrs. Montelione.
02:23:53 Discussion on the motion?
02:23:54 All those in favor of the motion say aye.
02:23:56 Opposed?
02:23:57 All right.
02:23:57 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Also, Mr. Chairman, to let you know,
02:24:00 working with the mayor's appointees, I will be coordinating
02:24:03 with the city attorney to bring back a resolution with
02:24:08 staggered terms that need to be addressed and council will
02:24:11 have a formal resolution, and that will be forthcoming.
02:24:15 >>FRANK REDDICK: Duly noted.
02:24:16 Item number 66.
02:24:26 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Land development.
02:24:27 Before I get started there was a discussion about the notice
02:24:29 that was done for this application.
02:24:32 The notice that was done was for a small venue, beer wine
02:24:37 liquor, consumption onpremises.
02:24:40 The application that I reviewed and prepared the staff
02:24:45 report was for small venue, beer-wine, on and off premises
02:24:50 consumption.
02:24:51 The applicant indicated that he has in a intention of doing
02:24:53 liquor.
02:24:54 I think there was a miscommunication between the notice
02:24:57 requirements and our office to him as it relates to the
02:25:04 offpremises consumption.
02:25:05 He's indicated that he is not needing this at this moment.
02:25:09 If he decides to do the offpremises consumption he will do
02:25:12 it at a later date.
02:25:14 So at this point the request before you for small venue beer
02:25:19 and wine with consumption offpremises only.
02:25:24 The application involves property at 2106 west Main Street,
02:25:29 which is CI zoning.
02:25:32 The request is for 3,770 square foot inside area, 900 square
02:25:40 feet outside area, inform a total of 4,670 square feet total
02:25:46 area.
02:25:47 There are no off-street parking spaces available.
02:25:51 The application is indicating that chapter 14, hours of
02:25:56 operations, would be followed.
02:25:58 They are asking for a reduction in the distance separation
02:26:01 from alcohol beverage sales area establishments from 250
02:26:06 feet to 112 feet, and also a reduction in the number of
02:26:11 off-street parking spaces from 62 spaces to zero.
02:26:17 This property is on Main Street, and the proposed site plan
02:26:21 shows that the use of the property will be for place of
02:26:25 assembly, theater, and retail sales.
02:26:29 The proposed AB sales area again, approximately 4670 square
02:26:38 feet.
02:26:38 The site plan again does not show any parking available
02:26:42 on-site.
02:26:44 The occupancy load count related to this establishment is
02:26:47 248 individuals.
02:26:51 The site plan states there will be no outdoor amplified
02:26:56 signed after 11 p.m.
02:26:57 Again the hours of operation are chapter 14.
02:27:02 Staff finds it inconsistent as it relates to the distance
02:27:05 separation requirements, and the reduction of the total 62
02:27:11 off-street parking spaces.
02:27:12 If council is inclined to approve this request the legal
02:27:16 description has been corrected already.
02:27:18 So that is all right.
02:27:20 In terms of the site plan, there are a number of site plans
02:27:23 that need to be made as well as an indication there's going
02:27:30 to be retail sales available on-site.
02:27:33 Transportation is has findings of inconsistent.
02:27:40 This is part of the West Tampa urban village.
02:27:43 There is transit available on Howard Avenue and Armenia
02:27:48 within approximately 500 to 1,000 feet to the west.
02:27:55 Route number 7 runs on Howard Avenue and Armenia.
02:27:59 The nearest establishment is Main Street grocery at 2117
02:28:06 west Main Street from this establishment.
02:28:19 We have photographs to show the location.
02:28:25 Albany here, off the corner, on Main Street.
02:28:35 This is a photograph of the existing building, they'll be
02:28:41 renovating it.
02:28:43 A few of Main Street looking west.
02:28:46 Main Street looking east.
02:28:50 It's right across the street from the Redner park.
02:28:59 Do you have any questions?
02:29:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions by council?
02:29:02 All right.
02:29:02 >> Officer Miller, City of Tampa police department.
02:29:11 We have no objection to the proposed request.
02:29:16 >>FRANK REDDICK: Petitioner?
02:29:16 >> Rob Morris.
02:29:17 I do own the building 2106 west Main Street.
02:29:23 I'm asking you to consider the beer and wine license to
02:29:27 create an arts district in old West Tampa, and revitalizing
02:29:31 the neighborhood in old West Tampa.
02:29:34 I would like to thank the Tampa Police Department.
02:29:36 They have been working with me the last year now, taking
02:29:43 care of any issue that helps tremendously.
02:29:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: What kind of district?
02:29:51 You said district.
02:29:52 >> Art district.
02:29:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Art district.
02:29:57 >> We work with the arts council and some of the artists in
02:30:01 the area to -- to create an arts district with artists, and
02:30:07 so I'm the first taking a chance there.
02:30:09 I am going to do a theater.
02:30:11 So my neighborhood has been really kind to me.
02:30:14 And we have been working together with all the associations,
02:30:17 add everybody has been pretty supportive of what we have
02:30:20 been trying to accomplish.
02:30:21 We did have a small event there with success.
02:30:24 We brought people from everywhere. And we were able to use
02:30:27 parking next door.
02:30:28 Some of the owners, they have 30, 40 parking spaces so we
02:30:31 were able to use that parking.
02:30:33 So I personally don't own a piece of land to allow for
02:30:36 parking.
02:30:39 But there's a lot of empty lots and land there.
02:30:41 So hopefully in the future I can buy a piece of land there
02:30:44 and create parking.
02:30:47 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Miranda?
02:30:48 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I agree with the gentleman before us
02:30:52 that there needs to be revitalization in the area with Mr.
02:30:55 Mars.
02:30:56 I dough not agree, however, they should have alcohol sales
02:30:58 in that location.
02:31:02 Just a transit location close to the revitalization of all
02:31:06 of the housing projects that are there.
02:31:11 There's going to be an air conditioning plant, and I don't
02:31:14 think it's a time to put alcohol in the location that
02:31:17 quote-unquote is for art.
02:31:19 >> Well, let me answer that question for you.
02:31:23 >> Certainly.
02:31:24 >> This is a theater so you would need to purchase a ticket
02:31:27 such as going to the Straz, and we had a play.
02:31:31 And you would purchase beer or wine.
02:31:35 If you are wanting liquor, in order to come into the venue,
02:31:38 you must purchase a ticket and watch a show.
02:31:40 It is not a bar.
02:31:41 It's not a club.
02:31:42 It's not a place where a party after hours.
02:31:46 It's not open all the time.
02:31:48 It's open when there's an event.
02:31:53 Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
02:31:54 >> So you are going to have a theater.
02:31:56 No parking to speak of.
02:31:57 >> Well, we are using the neighbor's parking.
02:32:00 What happens when that neighbor parking goes away?
02:32:04 >> Well, it's in the city so there's plenty of city parking
02:32:07 on the streets.
02:32:09 From Howard all the way down to public parking.
02:32:13 They can park all the way to North Boulevard.
02:32:15 It's a main corridor all the way down.
02:32:17 Behind there's an alleyway.
02:32:19 Behind there's a street.
02:32:24 So there is parking to anybody in the city.
02:32:29 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I wish it success, but without alcohol.
02:32:32 >> That would not be possible.
02:32:33 >>HARRY COHEN: Let me ask Ms. Moreda a question.
02:32:42 The alcohol can't be tied to its use as a theater, correct?
02:32:47 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Well, the approval of this, it's a small
02:32:49 venue.
02:32:50 And what they are showing on their site plan is that the
02:32:52 intended use is going to be a place which is a theater or a
02:32:58 place where you go for performances and that's what he is
02:33:02 proposing for you.
02:33:04 If this were to change to another use, it would be
02:33:07 considered a major change.
02:33:09 >>HARRY COHEN: What are some of the other uses that would
02:33:11 be permitted inside this type of approval besides a theater?
02:33:17 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Concerts.
02:33:19 Musical performances, things such as that.
02:33:24 Dances.
02:33:25 Revitals.
02:33:27 >> For the community to use for the association.
02:33:33 There's nab other place around for them to use.
02:33:35 The churches.
02:33:36 Anybody who wants -- it can also be used for that.
02:33:45 >>GLORIA MOREDA: A church is not a place of assembly.
02:33:47 >>HARRY COHEN: But there are parking requirements that come
02:33:51 along with these uses.
02:33:55 >>GLORIA MOREDA: The intensity on his site layout is 240
02:33:59 individual -- 248, I believe.
02:34:01 >> I have a second staff meeting tomorrow.
02:34:06 We are reducing the attendance because of that parking
02:34:11 requirement.
02:34:12 So because of that issue, some of the spaces in the theater
02:34:15 are not going to be wide open spaces, beverages and chairs.
02:34:18 There's tables and also a space, and because of that also we
02:34:24 need to reduce the -- to 99, I have been installing a
02:34:32 sprinkler system, and really reduce it to 99.
02:34:37 So they will not approve the change of use if I have more
02:34:41 than 99 people.
02:34:43 It will be under 99 people allowed in that space.
02:34:45 >> Do wove a revised parking calculation based on that
02:34:52 change?
02:34:53 See, you are asking us to approve it before you are making
02:34:55 that change.
02:34:56 >> Well, unfortunately, I'm just doing it on my own.
02:35:04 Based on the parking waiver, they couldn't do a parking
02:35:06 waiver.
02:35:08 Then they could proceed forward and give me the change of
02:35:11 use with parking for 99 people.
02:35:16 If I don't get my change of use I can't do special events.
02:35:20 And the only way I can get that is if I reduce the access to
02:35:24 99.
02:35:25 And that's what my plan is.
02:35:27 Even if you do approve, from way understand, I still really
02:35:30 can't proceed for place of assembly because if I haven't
02:35:34 changed the use, it has not been changed yet.
02:35:38 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mrs. Montelione.
02:35:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
02:35:43 It's kind of a chicken and egg situation, Ms. Moreda, it
02:35:47 seems?
02:35:48 And before you answer that, I just want to put on the record
02:35:52 how I feel about this. This is an urban location.
02:35:55 And there is plenty of on-street parking.
02:35:57 And, you know, we are hoping to develop an area where of
02:36:05 this might be the spark that changes the current status or
02:36:11 atmosphere on that street in, that neighborhood.
02:36:14 >> Correct.
02:36:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And the people who are coming, if you
02:36:19 are looking for 99 people, it would be probably half that,
02:36:23 because generally speaking, when people go to the theater,
02:36:26 they don't go alone.
02:36:28 They go with other people.
02:36:29 So it's not one car per person.
02:36:31 It's one car for every two or every four, because I'm going
02:36:35 to take another couple of friends with me.
02:36:37 So I guess growing up in a city where there were no
02:36:47 on-street parking lots, you know, surface parking to speak
02:36:50 of, and what parking garages there were were insanely
02:36:55 expensive, you found other ways to get to your destination,
02:37:00 and you carpooled or spent a lot of time looking for an
02:37:05 on-street place to park.
02:37:06 But I don't see, for this particular application, and
02:37:12 because it's tied to the use as a theater or place of
02:37:18 assembly, it's not like, you know, somehow a tenant can come
02:37:23 in and have a bar or liquor store.
02:37:25 It has to be tied to that use as a place of assembly, in
02:37:30 this case a theater.
02:37:32 So I'm okay with it.
02:37:34 And the idea that you can't get the change of use unless,
02:37:41 you know, we approve it today, even though what we are
02:37:45 looking at today looks like the 99 is --
02:37:52 >> Well, what we did was we evaluated the site plan, or the
02:37:56 floor plan that the applicant submitted, and the calculation
02:37:59 of 248.
02:38:01 If he is going to be revising that site plan, and the floor
02:38:07 plan to illustrate how now the maximum density is 99, that
02:38:12 could also be placed as a limitation on the special use site
02:38:15 plan.
02:38:17 Right now, the site plan would allow up to 248 occupancy.
02:38:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And this is first reading so those
02:38:26 changes could be made between first and second and when it
02:38:29 came back everything would match?
02:38:31 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Yes.
02:38:32 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Another thing regarding parking,
02:38:34 on-street parking and what you have so far allocated.
02:38:38 Looking at mass transit, the Hart number 7 bus stops right
02:38:42 in front of that location.
02:38:43 I know because I take that bus.
02:38:45 That bus connects West Tampa.
02:38:47 That bus stops at the Marion Transit Center right here
02:38:51 downtown.
02:38:51 So that right there being that some of us are trying to look
02:38:56 towards a day for a walkable, more transit-friendly city, I
02:39:01 would use it.
02:39:02 That bus benefits me, benefits a lot of people in my
02:39:05 neighborhood, people can take it right there.
02:39:07 So that could reduce some of the automobile congestion and
02:39:10 parking issues.
02:39:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: One of the things that concerns me, and
02:39:16 when I got the -- I don't think no one has thought about the
02:39:21 development that will take place in West Tampa on Main
02:39:24 Street.
02:39:25 You can have a whole house torn down.
02:39:30 A lot of those streets are going to be closed while they
02:39:34 redevelop that land.
02:39:35 Where are you going to park?
02:39:36 You cannot move these cars into the residential community.
02:39:42 You stated earlier, people will go all the way down to
02:39:45 Howard.
02:39:48 What you are failing to realize, a lot of people are not
02:39:51 going to be able to get to Howard because all the
02:39:55 development that's going to take place over there.
02:39:58 A lot of people are going to have to move on these other
02:40:02 streets, walnut, because they are going to move to
02:40:08 residential area, so I see amazing problems with the traffic
02:40:17 and with all the development that takes place next year.
02:40:20 >> Well, the development is to tear down the building.
02:40:25 It's really not that close.
02:40:27 You are talking about at least a mile down the road.
02:40:29 Maybe more than a mile.
02:40:31 Maybe two miles.
02:40:32 Away from my area.
02:40:34 We are talking between Howard and Albany.
02:40:36 I don't know if you have ever been on that street.
02:40:38 >> I grew up there.
02:40:39 >> So you understand, this is an opportunity for that
02:40:43 community.
02:40:44 To take that away, if I can't get -- there's in a money,
02:40:50 profit in the theater.
02:40:52 Artists dough not make money.
02:40:53 There's no profit there.
02:40:54 The profits I would make -- there is not a mortgage.
02:41:01 So I got that out of the way.
02:41:03 So the opportunity to -- I'm not only investing on that
02:41:07 street.
02:41:07 I have also invested three streets over, developed some
02:41:10 houses over there.
02:41:11 I encouraged other builders to come in, to take advantage of
02:41:16 some of the West Tampa lots.
02:41:17 And throws another company, JCL, building 30 new homes over
02:41:23 there because what I have been able to do, and I encouraged
02:41:26 them to please come into this neighborhood, it's an
02:41:28 opportunity close to downtown, there's so much going on, you
02:41:31 know.
02:41:31 I don't want to wait until North Boulevard homes are
02:41:35 developing, five, six years down the road before anything
02:41:37 major happens.
02:41:38 We have a really good opportunity, I believe, for Main
02:41:40 Street to finally get to another level, and I felt like this
02:41:44 would be the best use for that building, in that location,
02:41:47 and inviting the neighborhood in, and they have all been
02:41:50 supportive for about a year now, in and out of that
02:41:52 building, and I have never had one problem with anybody
02:41:55 there.
02:41:56 Have been has been supportive, come over and see the space.
02:42:01 Anybody that wants to come and take a look or even just
02:42:03 helping them out financially doing some lifting or moving
02:42:05 into the space, you know, everybody has been really
02:42:08 supportive.
02:42:08 And the businesses that are there now, the liquor stores and
02:42:12 things like that, I don't know if that was the best use for
02:42:16 that neighborhood but I can guarantee you this theater is
02:42:18 the best use for that space in that area.
02:42:21 To take that away or that opportunity I think would be
02:42:23 wrong.
02:42:23 I am using parking from the neighbors.
02:42:25 They have allowed me to.
02:42:26 I don't own the lot.
02:42:27 But that's why I asked for a waiver because they are not
02:42:30 mine and I understand that.
02:42:31 In the future that could be developed.
02:42:36 And asking them where their parking is going to be if they
02:42:38 are going to put stuff there.
02:42:40 It's going to be up to you what we are doing in the future
02:42:42 but there are some public parking spaces across the street
02:42:46 around which don't own it.
02:42:57 But if I can't get my liquor sales then unfortunately I
02:42:59 can't move forward.
02:43:00 And that would be really sad because no way I can move
02:43:03 forward with that building.
02:43:06 You can buy a lot and get your parking but I can't afford to
02:43:08 be do that.
02:43:11 And having an arts district in Tampa I think would be a
02:43:14 really big opportunity.
02:43:25 Also there is plenty of parking.
02:43:37 It's not going to be a club by any means.
02:43:40 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions by council?
02:43:41 Anyone in the public wish to speak on item number 56?
02:43:44 Item number 56.
02:43:45 >> Mr. Chairman, here for another item, but crutcher of the
02:43:53 West Tampa chamber, west community redevelopment.
02:43:56 Ed Turanchik.
02:44:01 The problems we are talking about, it's also a good thing.
02:44:06 If there's a way to keep this going for maybe discussion
02:44:10 with the other lots, the maybe it's a way of working this
02:44:19 out in the interim.
02:44:22 It could be a good project.
02:44:24 But the issues are totally legitimate.
02:44:27 And that's all I have to say for whatever it's worth.
02:44:29 Thank you.
02:44:32 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Mr. Chairman, if I may, I would ask to
02:44:42 give everybody a chance to speak and then maybe the
02:44:45 petitioner would consider a delay to address council's
02:44:52 concerns.
02:44:55 >>FRANK REDDICK: I never heard an attorney asking a
02:44:57 petitioner to ask us for a continuance.
02:45:00 Unless the attorney is part of the continuance.
02:45:02 I don't think he is.
02:45:03 >>LISA MONTELIONE: May I?
02:45:05 If Mr. Shelby didn't, I was going to.
02:45:08 So consider the advice coming from me.
02:45:13 Mr. Turanchik and me.
02:45:16 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: And let me say another thing.
02:45:20 And no disrespect to no one, please.
02:45:22 I can't be a babysitter to anybody who buys a building,
02:45:25 including me, of what that building is going to be.
02:45:28 If that's what the intent, then you should have done that at
02:45:31 the time you bought the building, not after.
02:45:37 Go on.
02:45:37 >> anyone else to speak to item number 66?
02:45:41 >> Suarez, 3505 west Main Street.
02:45:45 My family and I own the marathon gas station around the
02:45:49 corner from this gentleman's property.
02:45:50 I have two concerns.
02:45:52 One is the obvious, lack of parking.
02:45:54 The other -- and it's just interesting because I am not a
02:45:58 conspiracy theorist by any stretch of the imagination.
02:46:01 But from what I pulled up today, if you look here at the
02:46:05 building was just purchased according to this in October of
02:46:08 this year.
02:46:09 Sole that was only two months ago for a thousand dollar.
02:46:14 The gentleman claims he's been there for over a year, and if
02:46:17 that's the case, then not even three or four months ago, my
02:46:20 father and I were here, because somebody else wags trying to
02:46:23 do the same thing at the same property.
02:46:25 They wanted to do the same thing, which is bring in beer and
02:46:28 alcohol and package sales.
02:46:30 To be honest with you, I practically grew up in the
02:46:33 neighborhood as well, down the street.
02:46:36 And that's always been an issue with alcohol there.
02:46:39 Because I have a business around the corner, I see it first
02:46:41 and foremost.
02:46:42 I have people coming over that are intoxicated trying to use
02:46:45 my restroom.
02:46:46 There is no parking on Main Street as he claims.
02:46:50 If you don't mind I will pull this up on my phone as well.
02:46:53 Because of what they just did with the interstate
02:46:55 construction, starting in my business, they resurfaced all
02:47:00 of green street. This is on Google map. This is green
02:47:03 street here headed east down his property.
02:47:06 And there's no parking on green street anymore.
02:47:09 There used to be.
02:47:10 But they got rid of all of that because they widened the
02:47:13 highway.
02:47:14 In other words the highway went further north.
02:47:16 They shaved off the slope of the side of the highway and
02:47:19 there is in a parking anymore on green street.
02:47:23 So unless he buys a lot -- and I would be willing to sell
02:47:27 him the lot that we have pretty close by -- I don't see how
02:47:30 anybody -- I know for our business when we had to buy
02:47:32 adjacent lots when we built our gas station that was a
02:47:35 requirement to be able to do that, alcohol, at least a beer
02:47:42 and wine license, and that was necessary, which he doesn't
02:47:46 meet that criteria.
02:47:47 Thank you.
02:47:48 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anymore else wish to speak on item number
02:47:49 66?
02:47:54 You will have an opportunity.
02:47:55 >> Good afternoon.
02:48:01 My name isgy Erma Suarez, and I own that property on Howard
02:48:10 and Green.
02:48:12 I own the property at Howard, two corners right there.
02:48:17 And I'm in the neighborhood for 35 years.
02:48:22 And I don't know if you remember in '85, 90, used to be a
02:48:29 bunch of things in the back on Main Street, and every
02:48:32 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, there used to be a fight over
02:48:35 there.
02:48:38 The police station right there.
02:48:40 And came down and I don't see what the reason you are going
02:48:50 to put in a theater, and going to have a wine for that
02:48:59 particular business.
02:49:02 I'm in opposition to that request.
02:49:07 So if the gentleman decides what it's going to be.
02:49:12 Thank you.
02:49:13 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
02:49:15 Petitioner?
02:49:15 >> To clarify, we are not going to be selling --
02:49:21 >> You have to talk into the microphone.
02:49:23 >> We are not going to be selling beer or wine.
02:49:28 The parking is green street and Albany.
02:49:33 The owner next door to the 21, he owns the corner lot that's
02:49:39 on green street and Albany.
02:49:42 And he allowed me to use his space for parking.
02:49:44 And directly across the street I use his land for parking
02:49:48 and it's directly next door, the club there.
02:49:55 But he allowed me to use his parking.
02:49:58 As far as ownership of the building I had a lease purchase
02:50:01 as well as renting the space, and that's how I was able to
02:50:06 purchase property at the time I did.
02:50:08 But I was leasing the property.
02:50:11 I didn't think that would be an issue but was leasing and
02:50:14 representing property until I had the property to purchase
02:50:16 the building.
02:50:18 I hope that clarifies.
02:50:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let me ask you a question.
02:50:22 What would you do if the people allowed you to use their
02:50:25 property for parking, that they come to you one day and say
02:50:31 they are withdrawing that request?
02:50:33 What would you do?
02:50:37 >> I guess my main goal is, I want to buy an empty lot.
02:50:41 There is a lot of empty land there.
02:50:43 My goal is toe purchase a lot.
02:50:44 Just right at this moment I doesn't have the fund to do it.
02:50:47 I was hoping this business would generate the funds to be do
02:50:50 that, and then there are some land opportunities that I have
02:50:54 been talking to some owners that are willing to sell to me,
02:50:57 you know, and even owner financing.
02:50:59 I might just do that.
02:51:01 Just right at the moment I don't have those funds.
02:51:04 And I can work with the neighborhood.
02:51:06 There's nothing going on on that road.
02:51:08 It's pretty abandoned.
02:51:10 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Suarez.
02:51:11 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
02:51:13 Sir, of what we want to try to do -- and I know for me, I
02:51:19 have been to spaces very similar to yours in other cities,
02:51:22 other urban areas where there are small theater spaces and
02:51:26 they are all urban and all without parking, okay?
02:51:29 The difference is that in those major cities, there are
02:51:32 areas which you can park and some other ability to do.
02:51:37 I can go to American stage.
02:51:38 There's no other parking than the parking garage next door.
02:51:42 The same thing with Stageworks here in the Channelside
02:51:45 district.
02:51:46 The problem we have with giving you a waiver, such a large
02:51:48 waiver, even with the repurposed space, instead of being 248
02:51:53 occupants down to 99, it's still a fairly large number.
02:51:57 That's the difficult legal issue we have.
02:52:00 You heard from your neighbors.
02:52:02 Sounds like the Suarez family ---no relation to me, by the
02:52:06 way -- like us Suarezes are very good-looking guys -- they
02:52:12 have something thereby you might want to talk to your
02:52:15 neighbors about how you come up with contractual obligations
02:52:18 to yourself and to them so that you can get some kind of
02:52:21 parking, and maybe even you might want to ask for a
02:52:24 continuance to us so that you can arrange that.
02:52:27 We don't want to see development go away, and we don't want
02:52:31 to see development go crazy either.
02:52:33 We want to make sure that it's a good space.
02:52:35 I think it's great that you want to open up a space to do
02:52:37 that.
02:52:38 But I do think there are some issues that you need to work
02:52:40 out prior.
02:52:41 And it may be something for you to think about.
02:52:43 That's all.
02:52:44 >>HARRY COHEN: I just want to briefly add to what
02:52:48 Councilman Suarez just said, that one of the things about
02:52:51 our process here is that it's forever.
02:52:54 It's permanent.
02:52:56 And the problem that I -- I am not going to say we because I
02:53:04 don't know if the others have this problem, but the problem
02:53:06 I have is a year from now when there's no parking and
02:53:09 everybody is parking all over the streets willy-nilly and
02:53:12 you are open till three, within the code, you can serve
02:53:16 until 3 a.m., and there's people walking all throughout the
02:53:21 neighborhood stumbling around looking for their cars, people
02:53:23 will come back and say why did you allow this with
02:53:26 absolutely no parking?
02:53:28 And with no plan of whereof people were going to go.
02:53:34 And to Councilman Maniscalco's point about the bus, I don't
02:53:39 think it runs that way.
02:53:41 So at night, it's not going to help.
02:53:45 There isn't a way to get people in and out.
02:53:52 I have sympathetic and understand the comments that
02:53:57 Councilwoman Montelione and Maniscalco and you make about we
02:54:04 can imagine for the neighborhood and what we would hope
02:54:08 would happen to help revitalize the neighborhood.
02:54:11 I don't feel like we are there yet with this application.
02:54:13 I feel like we might be able to get there at some point, but
02:54:18 in the state that it's in right now, I think there's too
02:54:20 much uncertainty.
02:54:22 And once we pass it, we lose any ability to affect anything
02:54:28 about it.
02:54:28 It completely comes out of our hands.
02:54:31 So this is the only chance that we have to make sure that we
02:54:33 get it right.
02:54:34 And that's my qualm at this point.
02:54:37 >> I think the decision -- I am probably going to ask for a
02:54:41 continuance, obviously.
02:54:42 And I would just secure the parking contracts if that helps.
02:54:46 I was told that maybe I don't need that.
02:54:48 So I don't have an agreement with them for future parking.
02:54:50 So if I have an agreement, some sort of contract, I don't
02:54:55 know what you would look at, what I would need to do to
02:54:59 bring that back, but I will tell you that what is there now
02:55:03 with prostitution, drugs, gambling, things like that that's
02:55:07 going on now, I can't imagine it's better than what I am
02:55:11 bringing.
02:55:12 If you think that is better and more crime --
02:55:16 >> You think alcohol is going to be a sure fire way of
02:55:20 improving it are?
02:55:21 >> I understand, it's not liquor, this is beer and wine, and
02:55:29 these are people who are upstanding citizens or
02:55:31 professionals, a show, they are there for two or three
02:55:37 hours, have a drink and come back, just like any other
02:55:39 theater.
02:55:40 I don't know how many problems there are at Straz and other
02:55:43 venues -- Straz.
02:55:48 I am here to revitalize the neighborhood, take away the
02:55:51 drugs, the prostitution.
02:55:52 The police have been there many times to support me when we
02:55:54 were having the venue, invited them in.
02:56:00 They are very supportive of that.
02:56:01 What's there now is worse than way think I'm proposing.
02:56:05 So I'm just trying to do something I think -- I own a home
02:56:08 in that neighborhood.
02:56:10 And in the neighborhood and have the support of our
02:56:13 neighbors.
02:56:14 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right, we got your point.
02:56:15 Mrs. Montelione.
02:56:15 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
02:56:17 So back to the actual facts here.
02:56:23 TV proposed use, place of assembly, retail sales, has the
02:56:28 occupant load, Mrs. Moreda, at 248.
02:56:30 Now, if we are just talking about how in order for us to
02:56:35 proceed, because I know about the problem.
02:56:43 Believe me, I understand.
02:56:44 That so you are looking to lower to 99.
02:56:47 Parking calculation is 62 spaces based on 248.
02:56:52 What is the parking requirement for 99?
02:56:57 >> 25.
02:57:03 >>LISA MONTELIONE: 25.
02:57:05 And like I said people are going to be coming in pairs or in
02:57:08 fours.
02:57:12 25 is not a lot of parking spaces, especially when you
02:57:16 consider a 99 occupancy load, and then people are coming in
02:57:21 pairs or with their friends.
02:57:27 So I really don't see where the difficulty is coming from in
02:57:37 order to allow theater to open in an area where there is
02:57:43 more than enough street parking for 25 cars or less.
02:57:48 We talk about all the time here how we want to redevelop our
02:57:54 neighborhoods and everybody here has heard for five years --
02:57:57 and I wish Ms. Capin was here to talk about cultural arts
02:58:01 and the economic impact of the cultural arts in our
02:58:04 community.
02:58:04 Because anybody who was around Ybor City, all of you know,
02:58:09 back in the 70s and 80s, it was starting on doing in
02:58:17 places where they probably shouldn't have been because I
02:58:19 don't know if they were approved by fire code, some of these
02:58:22 places, nobody wanted to go down there.
02:58:26 I used to go down there.
02:58:27 It was kind of fun.
02:58:29 It was artsy.
02:58:30 And now look what it is.
02:58:31 It starts with the artists.
02:58:33 It starts with people like him who are willing to take a
02:58:35 chance.
02:58:36 But I don't want this to go down in flames.
02:58:42 >> One last comment.
02:58:46 I don't need to be babysat about my building.
02:58:50 That building was not originally going to be a theater.
02:58:52 It was going to be an office.
02:58:53 I was encouraged by the neighborhood and the people around
02:58:55 me to do something better for the neighborhood rather
02:58:57 than -- so I apologize.
02:59:04 I'm so passionate about what I am trying to do.
02:59:07 The people around me, encouraging me and pushing me to do
02:59:11 this with them.
02:59:12 And I felt it was a really good opportunity now, months now,
02:59:15 and this is the way to do things.
02:59:21 >>FRANK REDDICK: You are telling me and this council that
02:59:23 the neighborhood came to see you and this is what they want?
02:59:25 >> Yes.
02:59:27 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Who are they?
02:59:28 >> The arts association.
02:59:30 I talked to them.
02:59:31 Our own association, Tampa association.
02:59:33 And Yvonne Capin, when I met with her, were talking about an
02:59:38 opportunity there for an arts district, arts council.
02:59:41 There's no arts district.
02:59:42 I went to the arts council meeting and they encouraged me
02:59:44 because of Ybor City is kind of different now, not what it
02:59:47 was years ago, and so there's an old theater on Howard, an
02:59:55 actual theater, I want to say 11 or 12,000 -- 20,000 square
03:00:00 feet, sitting there.
03:00:02 Just sitting there.
03:00:03 A beautiful building.
03:00:04 It's falling in.
03:00:05 Right at the corner of Spruce.
03:00:07 If you look in the 20s how beautiful that theater used to
03:00:10 be.
03:00:10 There's also artist lofts on Armenia. This is a really good
03:00:16 area for an arts district.
03:00:18 And have you seen that? Nobody is taking care of it.
03:00:25 It's forgotten over there.
03:00:26 I am just trying to bring life back there.
03:00:30 All the windows are boarded up.
03:00:32 That's a beautiful building.
03:00:34 The windows should be open.
03:00:35 We should be encouraging growth there.
03:00:37 I'm not asking for a lot.
03:00:38 It's just 25 parking spaces literally.
03:00:41 I am not going to have 300 or 400 people.
03:00:44 It's not even possible to handle that.
03:00:46 I want the minimal space.
03:00:49 99 people is all I am asking for.
03:00:51 So I really don't think I am asking for too much.
03:00:53 And the building is beautiful.
03:00:54 That building, you know, on that street --
03:01:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: Are you requesting a continuance to when?
03:01:10 Asking staff on this.
03:01:13 >>GLORIA MOREDA: I would like to work with the applicant to
03:01:15 understand the floor plan.
03:01:17 I would say the earliest at the end of January.
03:01:24 February 4th.
03:01:25 >> Don't have much that day.
03:01:28 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Motion to continue to February 4th
03:01:32 at 9:30 a.m.
03:01:34 >> Second.
03:01:35 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right, got a motion.
03:01:37 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Forgive me.
03:01:38 Before you make the motion, Mrs. Moreda did provide a
03:01:40 corrected ordinance.
03:01:42 So I would ask that you accept the substitute as part of
03:01:45 that motion.
03:01:48 At least this is the purpose of what happened, what was
03:01:52 discussed in this hearing.
03:01:53 >> Thank you very much so much.
03:01:59 >>FRANK REDDICK: We have a motion on the floor from Mrs.
03:02:01 Montelione.
03:02:02 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:02:03 Any further discussion on the motion?
03:02:09 All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:02:10 Opposed?
03:02:11 Okay.
03:02:14 Item number 67.
03:02:17 >>GLORIA MOREDA: Land development.
03:02:18 This is AB 2-15-23.
03:02:22 It involves Busch Gardens.
03:02:25 The property is located at 3605 east Bougainvillea Avenue
03:02:31 and 3500 east Bougainvillea Avenue.
03:02:33 It includes the property for Busch Gardens and Adventure
03:02:38 Island.
03:02:39 The request is for a large venue beer wine liquor on
03:02:43 premises consumption and retail package sales for Jove
03:02:47 premises consumption.
03:02:49 The AB sales area involves an entire park area.
03:02:54 It does not include the parking, or the front area here, but
03:03:04 the park itself it will cover the entire area.
03:03:07 And that area is 288.44 acres.
03:03:12 The park itself has over 5,000 parking spaces, 5,650, and
03:03:18 they are proposing compliance with chapter 14 hours of
03:03:23 operation.
03:03:26 They are asking for a waiver reduction of sales from
03:03:29 alcoholic beverage sales establishments from 250 feet to
03:03:33 148, as well as separation from residential, 250 to 30 feet.
03:03:42 As I stated earlier, this involves all the land area and the
03:03:46 site plan also indicates the six multi-story buildings where
03:03:51 alcohol sales would also occur.
03:03:55 This is a large venue which requires a minimum of 300
03:03:58 persons which they far exceed that amount.
03:04:02 In terms of their site plan, they are indicating that there
03:04:05 would be no outdoor amplified music after 11 p.m.
03:04:11 I was advised by the applicant that they are going to be
03:04:14 withdrawing that commitment from their site plan.
03:04:17 The applicant will be able to discuss that further.
03:04:20 But staff found this inconsistent as a result of the
03:04:23 distance separation requirement as well as if council is
03:04:29 inclined to approve it, if you would note the staff comments
03:04:35 to the site plan. The nearest alcohol beverage
03:04:39 establishment is Food and Deli at 10002 north 30th
03:04:48 street which has 2(APS), 148 feet away.
03:04:52 The nearest residential is both RM-24 and RS-60.
03:05:00 You can see the RS-60 wraps around Adventure Island and the
03:05:05 RM-24 is across the street on 30th street.
03:05:09 I don't know that I need to show pictures, but I have
03:05:12 pictures of 30th street and Busch.
03:05:18 Picture of the front end of Adventure Island.
03:05:21 I think this is 30th and Busch.
03:05:25 The original one was McKinley.
03:05:28 This is a photograph of the residential across the street on
03:05:31 Linebaugh.
03:05:35 If council has any questions.
03:05:37 >>FRANK REDDICK: Questions by council?
03:05:40 All right.
03:05:40 >> Officer Don Miller, City of Tampa police doesn't.
03:05:44 We have no objections.
03:05:46 >>FRANK REDDICK: Petitioner?
03:05:58 >> Grace Yang, with the Gray Robinson law firm, 401 East
03:06:08 Jackson Street, swat 2700 Tampa, Florida 33602, and I have
03:06:14 been sworn.
03:06:15 It's my pleasure today to be here to represent the
03:06:20 petitioner.
03:06:21 Sea World parks and entertainment owns and operates Busch
03:06:24 Gardens and Adventure Islands here in Tampa, as well as also
03:06:29 operating Sea World San Diego, Sea World Orlando, and
03:06:33 discovery cove, aquaticca, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg,
03:06:40 Virginia.
03:06:40 With me in the audience is president Jim Beam as well.
03:06:45 Council members, we are here today to request your support
03:06:49 and approval of a pending petition which would allow Busch
03:06:54 Gardens and Adventure Islands greater flexibility in the
03:06:58 alcohol uses within the park, and that greater flexibility
03:07:01 would allow for beer wine and consumption on the premises in
03:07:06 the park as well as package sales off the park.
03:07:12 Both of the parks, Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, they
03:07:17 compete for tourism dollars, from local residents, state
03:07:21 resident and International visitors.
03:07:23 And your approval of this request would allow Busch Gardens
03:07:27 and Adventure Islands greater flexibility with their
03:07:30 programming for events and to compete in the hospitality and
03:07:36 tourism industry which is very competitive, and we try to do
03:07:40 our best to support our local tourism partners here in
03:07:43 Tampa.
03:07:45 As an example, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, one of their
03:07:49 sister parks in Williamsburg, Virginia, they have enjoyed
03:07:52 some nice success with hosting beer festivals and food and
03:07:56 wine festivals there, where park visitors are allowed to
03:08:00 sample different varieties of beer, and areas of samples of
03:08:05 varieties of wine, and they taste something and they like
03:08:08 the beer that they are sampling or they like the wine that
03:08:11 they are sampling, they can buy a bottle of wine toe take
03:08:14 home with them, and they can buy some of the beer that they
03:08:17 tasted and take home with them.
03:08:18 Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island, they would like a
03:08:23 similar ability to be able to host some of these beer
03:08:25 festivals, wine festivals, and have that ability to offer
03:08:29 that experience to the parks here as well.
03:08:34 With the continued popularity of festivals here, with some
03:08:40 alcohol component to the, again this would allow for their
03:08:43 ability to enjoy some greater programming options and to be
03:08:46 able to offer -- it's an experience for some of the park
03:08:51 visitors who come annually, and there are over 4 million
03:08:55 visitors who visit the local parks here.
03:08:59 Starting in Adventure Island, they take the responsible sale
03:09:03 of alcohol very seriously.
03:09:05 In the packet that I submitted to you last week, I gave you
03:09:08 a summary of information about how they train their
03:09:12 employers, their alcohol service policies, how the employees
03:09:16 are trained to identify and to try to do their best to
03:09:20 prevent other consumption and underage drinking at the park.
03:09:29 Both of the parks continue to pledge to be responsible,
03:09:31 committed and be good about careful alcohol sales at the
03:09:36 parks.
03:09:37 There is park security at all times in the park during
03:09:40 operating hours.
03:09:42 There is also a Tampa fire station and a Tampa police
03:09:46 station nearby within a thousand feet that provides
03:09:50 additional supplemental support to those security and safety
03:09:53 efforts.
03:09:53 To ensure the safety of the park's guests and the park
03:09:57 employees and the community surrounding the two parks.
03:10:02 And you heard about the police report from detective Miller.
03:10:06 We have over 4 million visitors to the parks annually with
03:10:10 minimal incidents at the park.
03:10:14 In addition to the letters of support that came in their
03:10:16 packets last week, I just wanted to submit into the record
03:10:21 an additional letter from the Florida Attractions
03:10:26 Association that I passed around to you all, and I would ask
03:10:27 that that be introduced into the record as well today.
03:10:30 As Ms. Moreda mentioned, we did want to raise this with
03:10:34 council and ask for your approval to remove the condition
03:10:38 that's been carried over from a prior site plan, and that
03:10:42 condition is the amplified music condition.
03:10:47 We would like to request your approval to have remove the
03:10:51 restriction of no amplified music or noise past 11 p.m.
03:10:56 Both of the parks, they have a sound system throughout the
03:10:58 park that they use to pipe in music, ambient music,
03:11:04 atmosphere, so if you are there during howl-o-scream, it
03:11:09 might be a little spookier music.
03:11:11 Now during Christmastime you have festive holiday-type
03:11:15 music.
03:11:15 But it's important that they be able to use the speaker
03:11:17 system, not only to provide a more pleasant guest experience
03:11:22 with some atmospheric music, but also the sound system and
03:11:27 the speaker system is critical for guest safety as well so
03:11:30 they can use the speaker system to announce for example that
03:11:34 the park is closing, so if the park is closing past 11 p.m.,
03:11:40 which sometimes happens during special events, they would
03:11:43 like -- they need that ability to be able to use the
03:11:46 amplified sound system to let park visitors know that the
03:11:49 park is preparing to close, please prepare and start
03:11:52 existing, heading towards their exits.
03:11:57 In the event of inclement weather they need to use those
03:12:00 systems, if there's lightning, if there's inclement weather
03:12:03 in the area they want to be able to use the sound system to
03:12:06 announce any emergency and safety messages that they might
03:12:10 need as well.
03:12:12 And so we would like the ability to have that option to
03:12:16 continue to use the amplified sound system.
03:12:20 I'm happy to answer any further questions you may have.
03:12:21 >>HARRY COHEN: Are there questions and comments from
03:12:25 council members at this time?
03:12:32 If not, is there anyone here from the public that would like
03:12:35 to speak on this application?
03:12:37 I don't see anyone.
03:12:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I don't have one question.
03:12:41 >>HARRY COHEN: Mrs. Montelione.
03:12:43 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
03:12:46 I don't see it here, but it was my understanding that the
03:12:51 restriction on the number of events held, so that's why we
03:12:56 only have four a year?
03:13:00 >> Yes.
03:13:00 There is currently, on the current site plan, that has been
03:13:03 controlling since 2007, there is a restriction for 100 day
03:13:08 as year in the park for special events.
03:13:11 And with this revised site plan that is before you now, we
03:13:15 are requesting to lift that 100-day cap.
03:13:18 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I may have missed it and I wanted to
03:13:22 make sure that was part of it.
03:13:23 >> Yes.
03:13:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And I'm sorry, Jim, I have been to the
03:13:28 Disney, the EPCOT wine and food festival.
03:13:31 I was there, and we went for our anniversary, 14th
03:13:36 anniversary.
03:13:37 I'm sorry.
03:13:38 But, you know, you can sample the wine, and you can buy the
03:13:43 wine, and you can take the wine home.
03:13:46 So I think it's a very good benefit to have.
03:13:53 And I don't see how you can be competitive without having
03:13:57 that ability.
03:13:59 And I have been a neighbor for, I don't know, I have lived
03:14:02 in the neighborhood, in the area for 36 or 7-some-odd years,
03:14:10 and I nary hear a complaint about people leaving and having
03:14:16 to have the police or anyone else be removed from the park
03:14:20 or something happening alcohol related.
03:14:24 So I appreciate that.
03:14:26 Especially with that many visitors a year.
03:14:28 That's quite a record.
03:14:30 Thank you.
03:14:30 >>HARRY COHEN: It's not really appropriate of me to have
03:14:39 ask a question of another council member so I will ask it of
03:14:42 you.
03:14:43 Has there ever been a problem in the past with the amplified
03:14:46 sound causing disruption for neighbors under the current
03:14:54 restrictions?
03:14:56 I think it's from 2007.
03:14:57 >> It's my understanding, Mr. Cohen, that we have not
03:15:01 received any complaints from the park due to amplified music
03:15:05 coming from the park.
03:15:07 I am aware that there are some surrounding residents who are
03:15:11 not happy about the noise from the roller coaster.
03:15:14 >>HARRY COHEN: That I have heard about.
03:15:16 >> But I am not aware of significant neighbors -- I am not
03:15:23 aware of neighbors being upset.
03:15:25 I'm not aware of homeowner associations complaining about
03:15:28 music from some of the concerts that happen.
03:15:31 And the park, they do independently measure for the decibel
03:15:37 levels as well and will continue to comply with all local
03:15:41 noise ordinances.
03:15:41 >>HARRY COHEN: Anything else from council members?
03:15:48 Mr. Miranda?
03:15:48 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: No.
03:15:49 >>HARRY COHEN: Well, there was in a one in the public that
03:15:52 wishes to speak.
03:15:54 We have a motion to close and a second.
03:15:56 All those in favor please indicate by saying aye.
03:15:58 Opposed?
03:15:59 All right.
03:16:00 Mr. Suarez, would you please take item number 67?
03:16:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I present an ordinance for first reading
03:16:05 consideration, an ordinance repealing ordinance number
03:16:10 2007-220, approving a special use permit S-2 for alcoholic
03:16:15 beverage sales, large venue on premises consumption and
03:16:18 retail package sales offpremises consumption and making
03:16:22 lawful the sale of beverages regardless of alcoholic
03:16:24 content, beer wine and liquor, on that certain lot, plot or
03:16:27 tract of land located at 3605 and 4500 east Bougainvillea
03:16:33 Avenue, Tampa, Florida as more particularly described in
03:16:35 section 3, that all ordinances or parts of ordinances in
03:16:39 conflict are repealed, providing an effective date.
03:16:40 >> Second.
03:16:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: I have a motion by Mr. Suarez, seconded by
03:16:46 Mr. Miranda.
03:16:47 All those in favor of the motion say aye.
03:16:50 Opposed?
03:16:50 Okay.
03:16:50 >>THE CLERK: Second reading and adoption will be held on
03:16:54 January 7th, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.
03:17:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: Item 68 it is recommended that it be
03:17:03 continued to January 7th.
03:17:05 >> Item 68?
03:17:11 >> [Off microphone.] The publication was not perfected.
03:17:16 It cannot be heard today.
03:17:18 But what has been presented, I believe, is a resolution
03:17:22 setting a new public hearing on January 7th.
03:17:24 That's what we would ask that you move.
03:17:31 To move the resolution resetting the public hearing.
03:17:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move the resolution to set the public
03:17:37 hearing on January 7th, 2016, 10:30.
03:17:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:17:44 All in favor?
03:17:45 Opposed?
03:17:46 Item number 69.
03:17:54 >>SHAUN AMARNANI: City attorney's office.
03:17:56 This is the second reading of a development agreement for
03:17:58 Hyde Park Village.
03:18:00 I'm here for any questions.
03:18:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: Questions by council? Anyone in the
03:18:05 audience wishing to speak on item number 69?
03:18:08 >> Tim Alexander, representing the owner of Hyde Park
03:18:14 village development here with my counsel Ed Turanchik, also
03:18:19 here to answer any questions, and thank you for your
03:18:22 consideration.
03:18:24 >>FRANK REDDICK: Questions by council?
03:18:25 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move the resolution.
03:18:26 >> Motion to close by Mrs. Montelione.
03:18:33 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
03:18:34 All in favor?
03:18:35 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move the resolution.
03:18:39 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Miranda.
03:18:40 Second by Mr. Cohen to move the resolution.
03:18:41 Number 69. All in favor?
03:18:43 Opposed?
03:18:44 Okay.
03:18:48 Well worth the wait.
03:18:51 Item number 70.
03:18:54 A request to continue to April 7th, 2016.
03:19:00 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I believe the petitioner is not present?
03:19:06 >> No, they left.
03:19:07 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Mr. Chairman, there is an issue with
03:19:10 regard to this, two fold.
03:19:12 Number one, petitioner is not here.
03:19:14 But more importantly than that, although under your code,
03:19:18 that's grounds for deeming it withdrawn.
03:19:19 You can see by the agenda, this was originally continued
03:19:24 from June 4th of 2015, then came back on September
03:19:28 3rd.
03:19:29 Here we are December 17th and now they are requesting a
03:19:31 continuance to April 7th which is almost a year without
03:19:35 additional notice.
03:19:36 So it would be my recommendation that if council should
03:19:41 entertain granting this continuance, that part of that be
03:19:47 contingent upon the applicant renoticing this for the
03:19:51 continued date.
03:19:53 Your other option again is under 27-150, failure to be here,
03:19:59 is good cause for deeming it withdrawn.
03:20:01 >> In this case they currently changed attorneys on this and
03:20:08 it does have to go to the BLC, and they continued as well.
03:20:13 So we can't do a report on this issue until it goes to BLC.
03:20:17 So it's your choice to whether you continue it or withdraw
03:20:20 it.
03:20:21 Bull if you do continue I would recommend renoticing this.
03:20:24 >>HARRY COHEN: I movie to continue it with the renotice
03:20:30 provision.
03:20:30 >> Second.
03:20:31 >>HARRY COHEN: To April 7th.
03:20:35 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
03:20:36 Second by Mr. Miranda.
03:20:36 >>MARTIN SHELBY: The time would be 10:30.
03:20:40 >>HARRY COHEN: April 7th at 10:30 a.m.
03:20:44 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion from Mr. Cohen.
03:20:45 Seconded by Mr. Miranda.
03:20:47 All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:20:49 Opposed?
03:20:49 All right.
03:20:50 Item number 71.
03:20:51 >>BARBARA LYNCH: Land Development Coordination.
03:20:55 VAC 16-03 is a city-initiated application to vacate an alley
03:21:00 in Sulphur Springs.
03:21:01 I have a map showing the location.
03:21:04 The city owns the property shown in red, and the alley is in
03:21:07 yellow.
03:21:11 North of Bird Street and Juneau Street.
03:21:18 I have some photos.
03:21:19 The alleyway is unimproved and blocked at both ends by
03:21:24 fences currently.
03:21:25 Here is a picture of the alleyway looking north at Bird
03:21:31 street.
03:21:31 And looking south on Juneau Street.
03:21:36 The property is vacant.
03:21:38 This is a shot of the city owned property.
03:21:40 And that's another angle.
03:21:44 There are three lots there.
03:21:45 This is part of the project that Mr. Snelling is here to
03:21:51 talk about it.
03:21:51 The alley is approved and blocked at both ends and there are
03:21:55 no utilities and staff has no objection to this request.
03:22:03 >>THOM SNELLING: Planning and development.
03:22:04 These three lots here will allow us to put three more lots
03:22:08 into the pal for affordable housing in the Sulphur Springs
03:22:13 area.
03:22:13 And we acquired these but they were five feet short of 100
03:22:20 feet, which made them 50 by 95, making it 250 square feet
03:22:24 short for buildable lot.
03:22:28 By doing this, this allows us to put a more attractive
03:22:32 package, more attractive RFP out for people to bid on.
03:22:37 I'm asking for your consideration to approve the vacating.
03:22:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: Any questions from council?
03:22:44 All right.
03:22:55 Anyone in the audience top speak on item 71?
03:22:58 All right.
03:22:58 >> Motion to close.
03:23:01 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Miranda.
03:23:02 Seconded by Mrs. Montelione.
03:23:04 All in favor?
03:23:05 Opposed?
03:23:06 Mrs. Montelione.
03:23:12 71.
03:23:12 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Number 71.
03:23:17 I move an ordinance being permitted for first reading
03:23:19 consideration, an ordinance vacating, closing,
03:23:20 discontinuing, and abandoning an alleyway laying south of
03:23:26 JUNEAU street, north of Bird Street, east of 14th street
03:23:30 and west of Mulberry street in Sulphur Springs addition to
03:23:34 Tampa, Florida a subdivision in the City of Tampa,
03:23:37 Hillsborough County Florida the same being more fully
03:23:39 described in section 1 hereof providing an effective date.
03:23:42 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Second.
03:23:45 >>FRANK REDDICK: All in favor?
03:23:45 Opposed?
03:23:48 >>THE CLERK: Second reading and adoption will be on January
03:23:51 7, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
03:23:54 >> okay.
03:23:56 Now we move into the workshops.
03:23:57 >>THE CLERK: 72.
03:24:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: That's right.
03:24:04 That cannot be heard.
03:24:05 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Move to have reschedule to February
03:24:10 4th, 2016, 10:30 a.m.
03:24:13 >> Soaked.
03:24:16 >>FRANK REDDICK: Are you the petitioner?
03:24:17 >> Yes, sir.
03:24:19 We had asked for an earlier date but the clerk's offers has
03:24:21 indicated that they have a very heavy schedule on the
03:24:23 21st.
03:24:25 So we would defer to them.
03:24:30 >>FRANK REDDICK: Got a motion from Mrs. Montelione.
03:24:34 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:24:36 Discussion on the motion?
03:24:36 All those in favor are? Opposed?
03:24:38 Okay.
03:24:38 >>STEVE MICHELINI: Thank you, council.
03:24:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: Workshop.
03:24:44 Item number 73.
03:24:45 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I have provided you background materials
03:24:50 that was forwarded to me by Brendan Wagner of the county
03:24:56 administrator's office of the, as well as Florida statutes
03:25:00 that are relevant to this discussion.
03:25:02 And I believe that answers your questions.
03:25:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let me ask you a question.
03:25:08 Could we move this to the January strategic meeting?
03:25:12 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Certainly.
03:25:13 It's relevant to that.
03:25:15 Absolutely, sir.
03:25:15 >> Second.
03:25:23 >> Second.
03:25:24 (Laughter).
03:25:25 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
03:25:26 Second by Mrs. Montelione.
03:25:30 January 28th at 9 a.m.?
03:25:34 All right.
03:25:35 Any further discussion on the motion?
03:25:36 All those in favor of the motion say aye.
03:25:38 Those opposed?
03:25:39 All right.
03:25:47 Number 74.
03:25:48 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I had stated that the county attorney is
03:25:50 in the process of drafting their ordinance which is relevant
03:25:52 to your discussion.
03:25:53 Therefore I am requesting this workshop be reset as a staff
03:25:56 report and rescheduled to January 21st.
03:25:59 I will be able to report back by then of.
03:26:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So moved.
03:26:02 >>HARRY COHEN: So moved at 9 a.m.
03:26:05 >> Staff report, yes.
03:26:07 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mrs. Montelione.
03:26:08 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
03:26:14 Okay.
03:26:15 Item 75.
03:26:16 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I had by per your discussion reached out
03:26:20 to have four facilitators.
03:26:22 Each of them known and recommended to several people on
03:26:25 council and in the community.
03:26:26 Three did respond.
03:26:27 One was unavailable on January 28th.
03:26:29 I did forward you that material for your consideration.
03:26:36 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
03:26:47 Information reports.
03:26:47 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I'm sorry.
03:26:48 We probably need to select someone so they can be ready for
03:26:52 our discussion in January, because we are pushing the
03:26:55 calendar close here.
03:26:56 >>MARTIN SHELBY: [Off microphone.] the fact that they are
03:27:14 going to be reaching out to you to prepare an agenda so your
03:27:17 goals and objectives were met on the 28th so they have
03:27:19 some direction as to what you want to accomplish to
03:27:23 facilitate the discussion.
03:27:25 If you can give me direction to notify who it is that you
03:27:27 wish to select, then I can notify the others, and that
03:27:34 person selected can start moving forward with the process of
03:27:36 preparing for the 28th of January.
03:27:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Right.
03:27:40 And that's why I was thinking we should make a decision
03:27:42 today, because there is preparation time for them.
03:27:46 And then I have done this before, as someone who had to be
03:27:54 contacted to be interviewed amongst many people
03:27:57 participating in the process, and it usually takes them a
03:28:00 whale to narrow everybody down to interview and to respond
03:28:05 to the questions.
03:28:05 So I think the more lead time we have the better.
03:28:08 And may I say that I read all of the proposals that Mr.
03:28:12 Shelby had forwarded to us, and for me, it comes down to two
03:28:21 of that prepared the most thought-out applications to us, or
03:28:25 submission to us, and that would be either Mel Girardeau or
03:28:32 Rafael, and -- Rafael Montalvo.
03:28:38 >> Who is the cheapest?
03:28:40 >> Out of the two? It's just by a hair. Rafael Montalvo.
03:28:40 >> CHARLIE MIRANDA: What's the cost on this?
03:28:48 >> Rafael was strategic planning workshop proposal, FCR
03:28:57 Consensus Center estimates 3,675.
03:29:02 And Mel Girardeau with the process initiative developed by
03:29:11 the Profitable Group -- I have it highlighted here -- I
03:29:19 think it was 4500.
03:29:24 And I can remind council when we were having the budget
03:29:28 discussions and approving the budget, I had requested a line
03:29:32 item for the ability to have this discussion, and also a
03:29:39 part-time person allocation of salary.
03:29:42 So we have funds available to council through the budget
03:29:47 action we took to that effect.
03:29:50 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Just for purposes of being complete on
03:29:56 that, those two that you heard the price on was not the
03:30:03 cheapest of the proposed price.
03:30:05 The third person was lower than that.
03:30:07 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I'm sorry, the third person was lower,
03:30:09 like 1,000 dollars.
03:30:11 But in comparison, I mean, I was speaking between the two
03:30:14 that I thought had prepared the most well thought-out
03:30:18 proposal, Mr. Montalvo was less expensive than the
03:30:24 Profitable Group.
03:30:26 The other proposal at $1,000, I think, wouldn't go to the
03:30:32 depth and have the discussion that we need to have with so
03:30:39 many as we heard this morning with the audit discussion
03:30:47 subjects that we need to have.
03:30:48 >>MARTIN SHELBY: If I can, my understanding was this was a
03:30:52 preliminary discussion, and it wasn't set for the entire
03:30:54 day.
03:30:54 It was only set till lunch time, my understanding.
03:30:58 That's what I communicated to them.
03:31:00 So I just wanted that clear, that each of them who I spoke
03:31:03 with also understood or expressed to me that these are very
03:31:09 severe time constraints, and they view this as a preliminary
03:31:13 process to be able to start your process going, that you
03:31:21 cannot have expectations to accomplish what normally each of
03:31:25 them had told me can take one or two days.
03:31:29 But just so that council doesn't have --
03:31:31 >>LISA MONTELIONE: When I read the summation, the
03:31:36 profitable group, over discussions that they had in Plant
03:31:40 City, they asked for the comments from the participants,
03:31:45 both the good and the bad were in the report.
03:31:48 And some of the comments on what they did not like about the
03:31:53 workshop that they held was that they were too short, it
03:31:57 felt rushed, and they wished they had a second day, or a
03:32:00 third day, because I think their process was two days.
03:32:05 So that's why both of them had their proposals a lot of
03:32:10 upfront work where interviews and questionnaires would be
03:32:14 completed before that half day session, so that we can
03:32:21 maximize that half day.
03:32:24 >>FRANK REDDICK: This is on the 28th.
03:32:25 Where will it be at, here?
03:32:29 >>MARTIN SHELBY: That has not been determined.
03:32:30 You can have it here as a workshop.
03:32:32 You can have it downstairs next to the Mascotte room.
03:32:36 We could see if we could arrange to have it off-site.
03:32:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I think the room next to the Mascotte --
03:32:45 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Where were we going to have the other one?
03:32:50 >> Media construction services.
03:32:51 So that would be an option.
03:32:52 >> I would go ahead and be supportive of the less expensive
03:32:58 of the two options that Ms. Montelione was referencing.
03:33:05 And depending on how everyone else feels, I will be happy to
03:33:08 make a motion to suggest using that.
03:33:16 Mr. Montalvo.
03:33:19 >> second.
03:33:22 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Cohen.
03:33:23 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:33:26 Further discussion on that motion?
03:33:28 All in favor of the motion say yay.
03:33:29 Opposed?
03:33:31 All right.
03:33:32 >> CLERK: [Off microphone.]
03:33:39 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: The "no" guy.
03:33:43 Don't give no money away unless we have to.
03:33:52 >>FRANK REDDICK: And this is on the 28th.
03:33:54 And this starts at what time?
03:33:57 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Well, council, if you look at your
03:33:59 calendar, you begin at 9:00.
03:34:01 But on that date is the commendation for the Officer of the
03:34:04 Month.
03:34:07 So you can take care of that, and you can recess and
03:34:12 reconvene downstairs at the room next -- what is that room
03:34:16 referred to?
03:34:16 >> [Off microphone.]
03:34:22 >>MARTIN SHELBY: The Sister City's room?
03:34:23 The one located next to the Mascotte room.
03:34:25 So whatever time, if you can be done by 9:20.
03:34:35 If you want to set it for three hours from 9:30 to 12:30 you
03:34:38 have a full three hours for that purpose.
03:34:40 If that's your intention.
03:34:41 That could be in the form of a motion.
03:34:43 Because right now, the location is assumed to be in these
03:34:49 chambers unless you do it downstairs.
03:34:52 >>FRANK REDDICK: Before you do that, is this open to the
03:34:55 public?
03:34:57 >>MARTIN SHELBY: It is.
03:34:58 It is a publicly noticed meeting.
03:35:00 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
03:35:01 What will happen if we get 10 or 15 people that wish to come
03:35:04 in and observe that?
03:35:06 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I believe they can be accommodated.
03:35:09 I believe they can.
03:35:14 >>FRANK REDDICK: That's what I am saying.
03:35:15 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Actually, I think for a facilitated
03:35:19 discussion, it wouldn't work.
03:35:22 The flow would not be the same with us being here behind the
03:35:31 dais with a facilitator sitting at tables in a more informal
03:35:35 setting.
03:35:36 In a, I mean seriously.
03:35:37 There is a difference in the setting, in the atmosphere.
03:35:42 And I would say I have an event with the Russian delegation
03:35:48 of business women in that room.
03:35:50 And I probably had 25 people in that room very comfortably.
03:35:57 And thank you, Ms. KNOLLS for making that happen.
03:36:07 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
03:36:07 We have got the date.
03:36:08 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Set the workshop at 9:30 a.m. in the
03:36:15 city's room January 28th.
03:36:17 9:30 to 12:30 discussion.
03:36:22 >>FRANK REDDICK: We have a motion from Mrs. Montelione.
03:36:25 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
03:36:26 Any further discussion on the motion?
03:36:28 All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:36:30 Opposed?
03:36:31 All right.
03:36:33 And then when 12:30 we break from lunch and then come back
03:36:39 for council session in that room.
03:36:40 >> We have an evening session.
03:36:45 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right, an evening meeting.
03:36:46 Anything else to discuss?
03:36:48 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Not are from me sir.
03:36:51 >>FRANK REDDICK: Information reports.
03:36:51 Mrs. Montelione.
03:36:52 Anything?
03:36:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I do.
03:36:54 I would like to ask council for a commendation on January
03:37:03 7th at 9 a.m., N'Jhari Jackson, a young man who has gone
03:37:13 above and beyond to raise money to prepare for children who
03:37:17 are suffering with illnesses or other troubling situations.
03:37:25 So it would be nice to have him receive the commendation
03:37:28 here.
03:37:29 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:37:31 All in favor say aye.
03:37:33 Opposed?
03:37:34 Okay.
03:37:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I would also like to ask council to have
03:37:39 Mr. Brad Baird appear to discuss the issue of Morris bridge
03:37:48 sink.
03:37:54 There is a bit of controversy about pumping water from the
03:37:57 Morris bridge sink.
03:37:59 The city of Temple Terrace, the Hillsborough River board,
03:38:03 and I'm not sure who else, has already voted to send letters
03:38:09 to the SWFWMD, who is about to issue that permit in
03:38:14 conjunction with DEP.
03:38:18 I would like to have Mr. Sid Flannery come, who is a retired
03:38:22 SWFWMD employee, to speak of the alternatives and whether or
03:38:27 not this permit was being required.
03:38:31 The EPC has asked SWFWMD and DEP for an extension because
03:38:36 there was supposed to be a vote to issue the permit, but
03:38:38 they are asking for an extension.
03:38:40 So hopefully we can get them in very, very soon on the
03:38:43 calendar so that the vote is not taken until we had a chance
03:38:50 to weigh in as the city.
03:38:52 >> Mr. Baird will already be here on January 7th just so
03:38:55 you know.
03:38:56 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So January 7th, Brad Baird from the
03:39:00 city, and then we'll reach out to Mr. Flannery.
03:39:03 >>FRANK REDDICK: I have a motion from Mrs. Montelione.
03:39:06 Seconded by Mr. Suarez.
03:39:08 All those in favor of the motion say aye.
03:39:10 Opposed?
03:39:10 >>LISA MONTELIONE: One last thing.
03:39:13 The discussion this morning about Florida statute 288.1166
03:39:19 regarding homeless shelters at sporting arenas, I would like
03:39:24 to ask the legal department to examine that statute and
03:39:30 offer us guidance on whether or not that applies to the
03:39:35 sporting arenas that are located within the city limits of
03:39:38 the City of Tampa, and the next steps that we can take if it
03:39:45 does.
03:39:47 February 4th at 9 a.m. under staff reports.
03:39:49 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I may be wrong but I think it's only those
03:39:55 sports facilities that have received state dollars -- I'm
03:39:57 not positive of that.
03:39:58 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It appears that way but I would like to
03:40:02 have that question asked and answered by the legal
03:40:06 department.
03:40:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mrs. Montelione.
03:40:08 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
03:40:19 All those in favor of the motion?
03:40:22 Opposed?
03:40:22 Okay.
03:40:23 Anything else?
03:40:23 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Finally, this is our last meeting before
03:40:26 the holidays, and the dawn of the new year.
03:40:30 So I would like to wish everyone here on council, Ms. Capin
03:40:35 who is not here today, or this afternoon, a very happy and
03:40:38 healthy Christmas and new year, and looking forward to it
03:40:44 being a quiet and safe one.
03:40:47 So thank you all.
03:40:49 And I look forward to seeing you in January.
03:40:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
03:40:55 Mr. Maniscalco.
03:40:56 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: I just want to wish everybody a Merry
03:41:00 Christmas and happy holiday.
03:41:01 And as we close this year with our last meeting today, which
03:41:05 includes me being here for about eight months, I just want
03:41:09 to wish everybody a happy holiday, Merry Christmas, and say
03:41:12 that it has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside
03:41:15 you.
03:41:16 And I wish all of you a very healthy and very happy new year
03:41:19 and I look forward to continuing to serve with you in 2016.
03:41:29 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Cohen.
03:41:30 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
03:41:33 Oh, he has one other item.
03:41:36 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: I want to present a commendation to
03:41:46 State Vacuum on Kennedy Boulevard as they celebrate their
03:41:49 75th anniversary in business.
03:41:52 They are a great long-time Tampa business.
03:41:54 To present that commendation, I believe we have third week
03:41:57 in January.
03:42:01 If we could do it on January 21st, 9 a.m.
03:42:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Maniscalco.
03:42:08 Seconded by Mrs. Montelione.
03:42:09 All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:42:12 Opposed?
03:42:14 Have them give us some samples when they come.
03:42:19 (Laughter)
03:42:22 >> Vacuum?
03:42:23 >> Make sure it's not over $100.
03:42:26 I have just one item of new business.
03:42:27 And this is from Councilwoman Capin who had asked that we
03:42:30 make a motion to present a commendation to Michel Delano in
03:42:35 his achieving Eagle Scout and that this commendation be
03:42:38 presented on February 11th at his Court of Honor
03:42:42 ceremony.
03:42:43 >> Second.
03:42:44 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seconded by Mr. Suarez.
03:42:45 All those in favor of the motion say aye.
03:42:47 Opposed?
03:42:48 >>HARRY COHEN: Also, I just want to echo the sentiments of
03:42:51 the others and wish everyone a very happy and healthy
03:42:54 holiday and let you all know that I also look forward to
03:42:58 seeing you again in January.
03:43:01 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
03:43:02 Mr. Suarez.
03:43:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I have one motion.
03:43:05 I would like to a motion, set an adoption public hearing for
03:43:10 comprehensive plan amendment TA/CPA-15-12 for January 14,
03:43:16 2016, commencing at 5:30 p.m.
03:43:26 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Suarez.
03:43:27 Seconded by Mr. Miranda.
03:43:28 All in favor of the motion?
03:43:29 Opposed?
03:43:30 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And I just want to point out that Mr.
03:43:33 Maniscalco wished everyone a happy holiday season, a good
03:43:38 Christmas.
03:43:38 You do get to come back.
03:43:39 This is unfortunately the last December meeting that we are
03:43:42 having with our colleague Ms. Montelione.
03:43:45 So she'll be here for most of the year but not the whole
03:43:48 thing.
03:43:49 And just the last time you will be able to be say Merry
03:43:51 Christmas to everyone on CTTV.
03:43:54 And you never know, you might be saying it from the back
03:43:59 benches of the legislature.
03:44:03 They may take the microphone away from you immediately.
03:44:07 >>HARRY COHEN: If they will allow it, you will do it.
03:44:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
03:44:13 Merry Christmas all.
03:44:21 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Miranda.
03:44:21 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I make a motion for the American Legion
03:44:27 oratorical contest, evening session, February 11, 2016.
03:44:33 >>FRANK REDDICK: Motion by Mr. Miranda.
03:44:35 Second by Mr. Suarez.
03:44:36 All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:44:38 Opposed?
03:44:38 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Move to receive and file all the
03:44:41 documents.
03:44:41 >>HARRY COHEN: Second.
03:44:43 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
03:44:43 And one item, just --
03:44:47 >>THE CLERK: You need to vote on the motion to receive it
03:44:51 now?
03:44:52 >>FRANK REDDICK: All in favor of the motion say aye.
03:44:55 Opposed?
03:44:55 Okay.
03:44:56 Now let me just make an announcement that Pat Spencer, who
03:45:04 served as the secretary of the NAACP for many, many years,
03:45:08 and was an icon in the civil rights movement, passed away a
03:45:13 couple of days ago, and she was a mainstay at the NAACP and
03:45:14 many know her, and we were very disappointed to hear, and I
03:45:30 just wanted to mention that during this holiday time that
03:45:36 just a few days before Christmas.
03:45:38 This has been a long day, and I just want to just compliment
03:45:43 each member of this council today for this long agenda that
03:45:47 we have.
03:45:48 We got through it, and we got through it without challenging
03:45:53 each other.
03:45:54 And I just want to say, I thank you for your dedication and
03:45:58 patience this morning, so we can get through this.
03:46:02 And I just want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and
03:46:05 happy holiday and end of the year.
03:46:12 All right. We stand adjourned.
04:16:42 (Meeting adjourned.)
04:16:44
DISCLAIMER:
This file represents an unedited version of realtime
captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete
accuracy nor used as a verbatim transcript.
The original of this file was produced in all capital
letters and any variation thereto may be a result of third
party edits and software compatibility issues.
Any person who needs a verbatim transcript of the
proceedings may need to hire a court reporter.