Tampa City Council
Thursday, February 25, 2016
9:00 a.m. Session and Workshop
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.
09:05:50 >>FRANK REDDICK: Good morning.
09:05:51 I'm going to call this council meeting to order.
09:05:55 I am going to yield to Mr. Suarez.
09:05:56 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
09:05:58 It's my pleasure to introduce Mr. Allison Al Leroy Lewis,
09:06:04 Sr., a native of Tampa, and he's a very active member of
09:06:07 this neighborhood association of Port Tampa city
09:06:10 neighborhood and Civic Association.
09:06:12 Also retired Army paratrooper and former Gulf Oil
09:06:15 Corporation gas and diesel driver for over 20 years.
09:06:20 Al is a very faithful of Saint Marks Missionary Baptist
09:06:25 Church.
09:06:26 He has his kitchen cooking meals, assist with the food
09:06:30 pantry, to shut-ins and needy families and helps with the
09:06:36 upkeep of the church grounds, is a member of the youth
09:06:39 program and a member of the couples ministry.
09:06:42 Even takes time Tom ride bikes for exercise and walks the
09:06:45 community daily chatting with neighbors to Tampa back issues
09:06:48 and concerns do his neighborhood association.
09:06:49 >> Good morning.
09:07:38 I want to thank City Council.
09:07:43 Please bow your heads.
09:07:45 Thank you.
09:07:50 Our father, our heavenly father, we thank you for allowing
09:07:55 us to wake up this morning, and we thank you for being the
09:08:00 father that you are.
09:08:02 We thank you, heavenly father,.
09:08:10 We don't know what's in store for us.
09:08:12 Father, only you nor that.
09:08:14 And only you can lead us in the right direction.
09:08:21 This is February, now, father, known as black history month.
09:08:32 Please help us tore unite as one regardless of raws, creed,
09:08:36 or color, father.
09:08:38 You made us all in your image also, father, guide our mayor,
09:08:43 our City Council, and all of our officials and the entire
09:08:53 City of Tampa.
09:08:54 Thank you, God, for the things that you have done for us.
09:09:00 Help us make the right decision and help all of these people
09:09:04 that run the city.
09:09:08 Help them to do the right thing and make the right decision
09:09:13 for the City of Tampa and the community, so our kids can
09:09:17 have a good, safe city to live in.
09:09:21 Thank you, father.
09:09:24 This we ask in your name.
09:09:26 Amen.
09:09:26 Amen.
09:09:27 [ Pledge of Allegiance ]
09:09:29 >> Roll call.
09:09:50 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
09:09:50 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
09:09:52 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Present.
09:09:52 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
09:09:54 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
09:09:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
09:09:55 >>FRANK REDDICK: Here.
09:09:57 Before we go into ceremonial activities, I am going to ask
09:10:02 Mr. Miranda to make an announcement.
09:10:04 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
09:10:08 Some of us know of the passing of our aide's Mary Bryan's
09:10:12 husband, Jack Bryan, a couple of days ago.
09:10:18 We are saddened by this.
09:10:21 He was an individual that inspired a lot of us on the tennis
09:10:23 courts.
09:10:24 He was a wonderful individual, a lot of talent.
09:10:29 In fact he played the French open, played against Rod Laver,
09:10:34 many other professionals.
09:10:35 They were married for, I guess, over 50 years.
09:10:39 And those things happen in life and we are sad about the
09:10:44 passing away of Jack Byran, very nice individual, family
09:10:49 man, honorable man, and we miss him, and our prayers go with
09:10:55 Mary.
09:10:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: And you speak for the council, and all of
09:10:59 us on council extend our condolences to Mary, the family,
09:11:03 and hope all is well,
09:11:09 Thank you.
09:11:13 We have the commendation of Police Officer of the Month.
09:11:16 Mr. Miranda.
09:11:17 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: It's my pleasure to be here this morning
09:11:41 to make the presentation to the Police Officer of the Month.
09:11:41 I'm really inspired by his haircut, first of all --
09:11:52 (Laughter)
09:11:54 All right.
09:11:56 I'm liable to screw up your name here. Officer Harry.
I want you to stand here. Look at this. And I will have
the chief read the reason why he's the Officer of the Month.
But from all of our hearts to you, it's an honor to have an
individual like yourself, Police Officer of the Month.
What you ladies and gentlemen do in your department, you are
a father, grandfather, a police officer, everything that
everybody needs.
That's a very difficult thing to do.
On a daily basis, 365 days a year, and it's my pleasure to,
in a little bit after the chief speaks about why you are
here, to make the commendation on behalf of Tampa City
Council.
Believe me when I tell you, I can't tell you enough of the
things that you have to see and you have to do, from the
smallest of crime to the largest of crime.
And be able to handle that in a hundredth of a second and be
praised or be criticized for that for you a long time.
And number one, what you have done for the people of the
city and what you will continue today not today, not
tomorrow, but forever for the betterment of all of us in
society.
Chief.
>> Chief: Good morning, council.
This is officer Harry Augello, an eleven year member of the
Tampa Police Department.
He is here today for what we all would consider not typical
Officer of the Month but stories of heroism and bravery, and
Harry -- well, wait, let me finish.
Let me finish.
(Laughter)
He's a hero.
He's a hero in his own regard, and you are going to
understand why.
(Laughter)
Harry is a very skilled -- that may have come off wrong.
(Laughter)
09:14:10 He is a very, very skilled latent investigator, and he has a
09:14:15 talent that many of our Tampa police officers kind of --
09:14:18 kind of shy away from, and that's being an expert in very
09:14:23 complicated economic crimes.
09:14:25 He was assigned last year to criminal intelligence bureau,
09:14:29 the fraud unit, and he made some outstanding cases that
09:14:33 would make all of us very, very proud.
09:14:35 You want to highlight a couple of those cases for you.
09:14:39 He investigated a fraudulent credit card transaction from a
09:14:42 jewelry store in the amount of $27,000.
09:14:45 He obtained video footage from the parking department
09:14:49 license plate read theory captured the suspect vehicle as it
09:14:53 was leaving.
09:14:54 The suspects luckily for us pawned the jewelry in Orange
09:14:57 County but it didn't end with that fraudulent transaction.
09:15:00 Harry identified the suspect's bank account had $225,000
09:15:06 worth of recent fraudulent banking transactions in it so he
09:15:10 traced the scheme, and two suspects that were involved all
09:15:13 the way up to North Carolina all the way through Florida,
09:15:15 and he obtained federal indictments on both of those
09:15:18 suspects.
09:15:19 So that's a task in itself.
09:15:21 But it continues.
09:15:25 The forfeiture unit had a folder with names, dates of birth
09:15:28 and Social Security numbers written in it that we seized
09:15:31 during a traffic stop.
09:15:34 The driver, believe it or not, worked in admissions at a
09:15:38 local university and had stolen the identities of 551 of the
09:15:43 students and their families of the university where he
09:15:46 worked.
09:15:47 Very disturbing.
09:15:48 Some of them, not all of them, fortunately only some of them
09:15:51 had been victims of tax fraud.
09:15:55 So Harry was able to contact the appropriate federal
09:15:59 authorities, the Department of Education, and obviously that
09:16:02 individual doesn't work there anymore, and he is currently
09:16:05 up for federal indictment.
09:16:10 Another case of a fraudulent use afternoon credit card at a
09:16:13 local liquor store, the clerk got the tag number, officer
09:16:19 put a correct me if I am wrong alert out were the suspect's
09:16:22 picture and he was involved in yet another tremendous scheme
09:16:26 that went all the way down to Miami and up to Tampa.
09:16:28 That was also the result -- resulted in a federal
09:16:32 indictment.
09:16:33 The last case I wanted to highlight here is an embezzlement
09:16:37 case involving a local engineering company, bookkeeper.
09:16:40 They actually stole $250,000 over a three-year period.
09:16:46 Harry worked diligently with the forensic accountant and
09:16:49 state attorney to solidify the case and ended up putting
09:16:52 significant felony charges on that local bookkeeper as well.
09:16:56 So what I am trying to say in the beginning is that these
09:17:01 cases on the street level and the detective level are also
09:17:03 very -- kind of not real popular to investigate because they
09:17:07 don't involve, you know, the take-down of a drug suspect or
09:17:12 something to that regard.
09:17:13 But these federal indictments, these embezzlement suspects
09:17:19 and these white collar suspects, they are very detrimental
09:17:22 to our society especially when you entrust the admissions
09:17:25 office of your local college to protect our information.
09:17:28 So with that regard, we are very fortunate to have Harry
09:17:31 here at the Tampa Police Department, put some significant
09:17:35 people away, and even though he has left criminal
09:17:38 intelligence, he is now the FRO at Adams middle school, and
09:17:42 those kids are very lucky to have him there protecting them.
09:17:46 So -- Wilson middle school, sorry.
09:17:51 I'm batting 1,000 today.
09:17:52 With that being said we are very proud to have Harry as
09:17:55 Officer of the Month for February 2016.
09:17:58 [ Applause ]
09:18:15 >> Joseph Capitano, president of the Tampa Police Benevolent
09:18:18 Association.
09:18:21 Joining me is secretary-treasurer of the PBA.
09:18:26 Harry looks familiar to you.
09:18:27 But Harry was previously on the executive board of the PBA
09:18:30 and served as secretary and treasurer.
09:18:32 And Harry, I'm honored to have served with you and alongside
09:18:37 you.
09:18:38 Harry did a phenomenal job when he served at the PBA and
09:18:43 he's continuing to do a phenomenal job back out on patrol.
09:18:57 We would like to present you with a token of appreciation
09:19:00 for being a graduate member and a great cop.
09:19:03 >> Good morning.
09:19:12 Joe Dirkle on behalf of Wright house.
09:19:19 Thank you for the job you are doing.
09:19:21 From all your friends at Bright House networks, we
09:19:26 appreciate your service, and make your life a little easier.
09:19:29 >> Can I call you Harry?
09:19:42 I have a couple friends back in North Carolina but I don't
09:19:44 think they had anything to do with your case.
09:19:46 I don't know if you made a phone call, but
09:19:55 I'm director of operations for the Straz center.
09:19:59 Our association with the police department is great and such
09:20:03 has such a rich history and working together to where it is
09:20:08 so humbling, to get the opportunity to come speak before you
09:20:12 and also recognize people who have done great things.
09:20:18 A lot of people lived by the three Rs.
09:20:21 He lived by the three Cs, caring, commitment, consistency.
09:20:25 And I think this exemplifies that and the fact that the
09:20:31 thing is that at the end of the day, you are gauged by
09:20:37 what's in your heart to do.
09:20:38 It's very evident that you are very committed and very
09:20:41 passionate about what you do.
09:20:43 On behalf of Judy Lisi and the Straz Center, I would like to
09:20:47 offer you four sixth tickets to our upcoming opera as well
09:20:51 as dinner for four at our cafe.
09:20:54 Also a night out where you don't have to worry about
09:20:56 anything, and but our opera is world renowned and I hope you
09:21:07 have a good time.
09:21:08 From the bottom of my heart, thank you for what you do.
09:21:10 >> I appreciate it.
09:21:13 Thank you very much.
09:21:14 >> Tampa Theatre.
09:21:17 I would like to present you with a dual membership for two
09:21:20 people, $200, and all the benefits.
09:21:29 Thank you for what you do.
09:21:30 >> Thank you.
09:21:32 >> Gonzmart family restaurants.
09:21:38 I want to thank you for your bravery and your courage and
09:21:41 your expertise.
09:21:42 On behalf of the family we would like to give you a $100
09:21:46 gift card to any of the Columbia restaurants in the state,
09:21:49 take your family out.
09:21:50 Have a great time.
09:21:51 Thank you for what you do.
09:21:52 >> Thank you very much.
09:21:54 >> Jim, Bill Currie Ford.
09:22:01 You rose to the to this month.
09:22:03 On behalf of the Currie family, myself, we would like to
09:22:06 present you a customized brand new 2016 Mustang.
09:22:12 (Laughter).
09:22:13 >> Thank you.
09:22:20 >> Steve from Crockett towing was unable to make it today.
09:22:29 So he wanted to let now that he has something for you.
09:22:31 >> Stepp's towing service.
09:22:39 On behalf of the Stepps family, we would like to
09:22:41 congratulate you for a job well done.
09:22:47 I really appreciate what you do.
09:22:49 So we would like to present you with a card to fish grill
09:22:56 and to get you there a night out in our limousine, for your
09:23:01 family and friends, and let us know when you are ready and
09:23:04 we appreciate everything you do.
09:23:05 >> Thank you.
09:23:08 I appreciate it.
09:23:08 >> Doubletree Westshore.
09:23:14 And we want to thank you for everything and all of your hard
09:23:17 work.
09:23:20 Cookies in here.
09:23:21 And also a stay at our Tampa Westshore.
09:23:24 Maybe use it when you go out to the opera or something.
09:23:27 But my card is in there with the certificate.
09:23:30 >> Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, Adventure Island.
09:23:44 Head of security, the.
09:23:49 We are so honored of the work that our men and women in
09:23:52 uniform do on our behalf.
09:23:54 We host many of the guests from around the world and we are
09:23:57 able to do that faithfully and joyously because of the good
09:24:00 work that you men and women do on our behalf.
09:24:03 We are honored to present to you four tickets to our park.
09:24:06 And let us know.
09:24:12 Maybe you will come out and enjoy it.
09:24:17 Thank you so much.
09:24:18 >> Good morning.
09:24:22 How are you?
09:24:23 I don't have a script.
09:24:24 >> Me neither.
09:24:26 (Laughter).
09:24:27 >>STEVE MICHELINI: You know the motor for this car, it
09:24:34 costs a lot more.
09:24:39 On behalf of Prestige Portraits we are going to provide you
09:24:42 with a gift packet so you can have your portraits taken.
09:24:49 You can have your choice of restaurants.
09:24:51 Go enjoy yourself for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
09:24:55 On behalf of Bybloss cafe, enjoy yourself for lunch or
09:25:00 dinner.
09:25:00 Your option.
09:25:06 Congratulations.
09:25:06 >> Thank you very much.
09:25:08 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: The chief and I were just discussing we
09:25:13 are going to offer you two tickets to the Super Bowl, two
09:25:16 tickets to the World Series and all you have to do is buy
09:25:20 them.
09:25:20 (Laughter)
09:25:24 On behalf of Tampa City Council, we present this
09:25:27 commendation to you presented by the Tampa City Council, for
09:25:32 the great job you do.
09:25:35 We really appreciate it very much.
09:25:36 Now you are on.
09:25:38 [ Applause ]
09:25:47 >> Good morning, council.
09:25:52 This is my 23rd year in law enforcement.
09:25:57 I spent eleven years with the City of Tampa.
09:26:00 I can tell you this is by far the best department I ever
09:26:03 worked for.
09:26:03 The leadership in the agency, the camaraderie is second to
09:26:08 none.
09:26:08 We wouldn't have that without the leadership of City Council
09:26:10 as well.
09:26:11 And I appreciate everything that you have done for us.
09:26:16 I guess I am somewhat at a loss for words right now.
09:26:18 I'm not the type of person, I don't like being in the
09:26:21 limelight very much, although some people would have
09:26:23 disagree.
09:26:24 But I just want to thank my chief, my sunset chief, my
09:26:29 supervisors, sergeant, my friends, my co-workers, and the
09:26:33 community for standing by us and supporting us day and
09:26:38 night, through RNC, through hurricanes, through bad
09:26:42 rainstorms, you name it.
09:26:44 It was a privilege to come and work in the criminal
09:26:47 intelligence bureau in economic crimes.
09:26:52 It's something I did for a long time.
09:26:53 Recently, I was assigned to school resource and I have to
09:26:57 tell you, it's not something that I ever really saw myself
09:27:01 or my career going in that direction before.
09:27:07 Kind of gearing toward retirement, and the next ten years or
09:27:11 nine years or so.
09:27:12 But I have got to tell you the impact that I get to have on
09:27:15 the children, our future leaders, it leaves me speechless.
09:27:20 It's one of the best jobs I ever had here.
09:27:23 I really enjoy it.
09:27:24 I really love working for the city and love working for the
09:27:27 Tampa Police Department.
09:27:28 So thank you all.
09:27:32 [ Applause ]
09:27:34 >>FRANK REDDICK: We have item number 2.
09:28:00 And -- Mr. Cohen?
09:28:06 We go to public comments.
09:28:13 Pleas come forward and state your name and address.
09:28:17 You have three minutes.
09:28:18 >> Okay, I'm ed, Ed Tillou, Sulphur Springs.
09:28:40 There were eight people shot about three weeks ago, and
09:28:45 there isn't even a sketch in the newspapers.
09:28:48 So that's a little bit of -- we have negative on the
09:28:53 community.
09:28:56 But I mostly work off the graphic today.
09:28:59 It's very important it work right.
09:29:01 Okay.
09:29:02 Somebody turn the graphic on?
09:29:04 Even though there's nothing there yet.
09:29:09 Okay.
09:29:10 Yeah.
09:29:12 Here is a little bit of school of engineering education.
09:29:14 I guess I have to Don that for you.
09:29:16 Let's see if this isn't upside down.
09:29:20 Okay.
09:29:22 This is something some of the professors put on the board.
09:29:30 And when you assume -- you make an ASS of you and me.
09:29:38 Basically what happens is City Council is oftentimes
09:29:43 assuming that there is a detour in place when you get a
09:29:46 special event thing.
09:29:51 It's a total disaster and a lot of it is Hart but Hart gets
09:29:56 the word at the last minute.
09:29:57 Now these special events have got to have a plan in place
09:30:01 that will be posted in the newspaper when they apply for
09:30:05 this.
09:30:05 None of this stuff waiting till the last minute and then
09:30:09 Hart doesn't know what to do when you get dropped off about
09:30:11 a mile from where you want to be.
09:30:14 No special event until the detour plan is in place.
09:30:19 Okay.
09:30:20 The next thing is a lawsuit.
09:30:24 You have an attorney here start a lawsuit against Florida
09:30:28 Department of Transportation.
09:30:29 A bad faith negligence lawsuit.
09:30:32 Because here is what they are doing.
09:30:33 If you get out of here, you get out of your car, get up to
09:30:37 the corner of Nebraska and Fowler -- and here is what you
09:30:41 will see.
09:30:45 Whereas the turning radius of the corner was about 5 to 10
09:30:51 feet in years past, now it's about 50 or 60, 70 feet.
09:30:57 Now, that means cars can go around that corner at 35 and 40
09:31:02 mimes.
09:31:03 Meanwhile, pedestrians are crossing here.
09:31:10 Now that is definite negligence on the part of FDOT.
09:31:13 Now, I have a full plate.
09:31:15 I can't bring a lawsuit.
09:31:16 But you can.
09:31:17 You have an attorney.
09:31:18 Bring a lawsuit.
09:31:21 This is bad faith negligence encouraging cars to go around
09:31:24 corners at 35 and 40 miles per hour and pedestrians are in
09:31:29 their path.
09:31:30 So anyway, those are two things I managed to touch on.
09:31:34 Another thing, Chip Thomas' thing, should be outlawed and
09:31:40 replaced by vacuum things that suck up all the dirt and dust
09:31:44 instead of it being in the neighborhood.
09:31:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you, sir.
09:31:54 >> Good morning. Elise Batsel, Phelps Dunbar.
09:31:59 I'm here on your parking workshop today.
09:32:01 When we left the last hearing there were some comments made
09:32:06 that I wanted to follow up on.
09:32:09 You had proposed perhaps having a geographical limitation --
09:32:14 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let me stop you there.
09:32:15 >> Yes.
09:32:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: We haven't opened the workshop.
09:32:19 >> Oh, can we speak at the workshop?
09:32:22 Thank you.
09:32:24 >>FRANK REDDICK: Yes.
09:32:30 All right, none else wish to speak under public comment not
09:32:34 pertaining to the workshop?
09:32:36 All right.
09:32:36 Thank you.
09:32:38 We go to item number 3.
09:32:42 Mr. Hart.
09:32:46 >>GREGORY HART: Good morning, Gregory Hart, manager, small
09:32:49 business and minority business development.
09:32:52 Before you today at your request to respond to the
09:32:56 solicitation process for the infrastructure that's occurring
09:33:01 down in the Channelside district.
09:33:03 I have provided you a transmittal memo and attachment that
09:33:10 addresses the question that was proposed to you, I guess,
09:33:14 about a week ago.
09:33:15 If you have any questions, I will stand by.
09:33:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
09:33:18 Any questions from council?
09:33:20 Let me just raise one question, sir.
09:33:26 I think what Mr. Robinson was referring to when he was here
09:33:30 and brought these concerns up last week is that those five
09:33:37 kids, companies that were selected as part of the bid
09:33:41 process, I think his concern was that they wanted to make
09:33:46 sure that it's going to meet the city MBE requirements, and
09:33:53 that SPP was doing what they were supposed to do, in
09:33:58 collaboration with the city, and make sure that the city --
09:34:02 that MBE requirements were met.
09:34:05 And I think that was the tenor of his conversation, and do
09:34:13 you want to respond to that?
09:34:15 I think that's what he was referring to.
09:34:16 >> Yes, sir.
09:34:18 I can assure you that we have been working with SPP on the
09:34:22 solicitation process and we are holding all proposers to
09:34:26 task in terms of complying to the process.
09:34:31 I believe that what we are really addressing is perhaps a
09:34:37 misinterpretation of information that was in the RFP
09:34:41 document that proposals perhaps needed clarification on.
09:34:48 And part of the e-mail was to ensure a complete
09:34:51 understanding on the part of the proposers.
09:34:54 As was the case with a lot of solicitation.
09:34:58 Contractors and proposers oftentimes don't need the
09:35:03 solicitation -- don't read the solicitation documents,
09:35:06 fanned they did so, I think we would have more consistency
09:35:11 and complete responses.
09:35:13 And that's the case here.
09:35:14 So as stated in your package there, responses to all the
09:35:20 questions, and even added additional clarification to ensure
09:35:24 that bidders understood what they had to do.
09:35:26 Not only comply with MBE but solicitation document in
09:35:33 general.
09:35:33 So that's the essence of the issue here.
09:35:36 And Mr. Robinson was simply, in my opinion, trying to ensure
09:35:41 that that occurred.
09:35:45 >>FRANK REDDICK: And what is the percentage requirement of
09:35:49 the city?
09:35:49 Is it 10% that each one of the contractors must meet in
09:35:56 receiving that contract?
09:35:59 >> Well, the city's program has what is referred to as an
09:36:02 overall annual aspirational goal, and generally speaking
09:36:09 somewhere around 15%.
09:36:10 What that simply means is throughout the course of the year,
09:36:14 every project that comes before the administration, we
09:36:18 evaluate what the opportunities are within that particular
09:36:21 procurement.
09:36:22 Based upon those opportunities, we will then overlay
09:36:26 subcontract goals and other provisions to try and at the end
09:36:31 of the year meat that aspirational goal.
09:36:34 So the answer to your question, sir, is there is not a
09:36:41 particularly hard fast goal that applies the same on every
09:36:46 procurement.
09:36:47 It depends on the procurement, the scope, and what the
09:36:49 opportunities are within that.
09:36:51 And throughout the course of a year, as I said, every
09:36:54 procurement is scrutinized, and a project specific goal is
09:36:59 incorporated in that procurement.
09:37:01 And at the end of the year, to hopefully obtain that
09:37:04 aspirational goal.
09:37:05 I hope that helps.
09:37:06 We can't just arbitrarily say every procurement has to have
09:37:09 a 10% or 15 to 20% goal.
09:37:12 We examine each procurement depending on what the
09:37:15 opportunities are and the availability of our small minority
09:37:17 businesses.
09:37:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: A final question from me.
09:37:21 The government agreement with the city and SPP, my
09:37:27 understanding it's based on performance contract?
09:37:34 >>GREGORY HART: I'll defer.
09:37:36 >>SAL TERRITO: Legal department.
09:37:38 I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question.
09:37:40 >>FRANK REDDICK: The government agreement, the establishment
09:37:42 of SPP and the city, is it based on pay per performance?
09:37:48 >>SAL TERRITO: Right, and I explained because that question
09:37:51 came up hour, do we enforce the provisions? They have to
09:37:55 meet the city's standards.
09:37:56 They have to follow our standards.
09:37:58 They don't have to follow every paperwork form and so forth.
09:38:01 But the contract that they are doing is not with us but they
09:38:04 have got to meet our standards.
09:38:05 What ends up happening when they submit for reimbursement,
09:38:09 we review all of that, and if we think they didn't meet the
09:38:12 standards, they don't get paid until they fix that if it's a
09:38:16 problem.
09:38:16 So they have it at the end rather than the beginning, before
09:38:21 they get paid they have to show they met all the city's
09:38:24 standards.
09:38:24 They did fill the forms out.
09:38:26 They did go back and do a lot of that.
09:38:27 The way the contract is written they don't have to follow
09:38:30 every single form because those contracts are not with us
09:38:32 but they are meeting our standards.
09:38:33 And if they don't meet them, they don't get paid.
09:38:37 >>FRANK REDDICK: So if they don't meet the percentage or
09:38:44 reaching out to minorities as part of that contract, then
09:38:50 how can we correct that when they are paid at the end?
09:38:53 >>SAL TERRITO: The city can't require anybody to actually
09:38:57 meet -- it's not a quota.
09:38:58 It's an aspirational goal.
09:39:00 And they have to demonstrate to the city that they are
09:39:02 trying -- not just trying but trying very hard to meet that
09:39:06 standard.
09:39:06 The fact that they may or may not meet that standard is not
09:39:09 grounds for us to say we are not going to pay you.
09:39:11 We have to show a good faith effort on their part that they
09:39:15 are trying to meet those standard which is the same we do
09:39:17 for any of our contractors.
09:39:19 They don't meet any different standard than anybody else.
09:39:23 Theft to meet those goals, have to try very hard to do that,
09:39:26 that they have gone out and reached out to the communities.
09:39:28 If they haven't reached out, then the city can decide
09:39:31 whether they want to reimburse them for that.
09:39:33 But with city contracts we cannot set quotas.
09:39:38 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
09:39:38 Well, I am not talking about quotas but if you have a 100%
09:39:43 rate, criteria, I always thought that was part of the rating
09:39:48 criteria that they met a percentage of MBE and other
09:39:55 minority firms.
09:39:59 >>GREGORY HART: Yes, that is correct.
09:40:00 In an RFQ process, the proposer is required to conduct
09:40:06 outreach.
09:40:08 And in doing so, they are not only supposed to tell us,
09:40:11 required to tell us who they contacted to express their
09:40:14 willingness to entertain a response from that subconsultant
09:40:22 or subcontract, but once they do engage in conversation they
09:40:26 report if they utilized that company, and this is data they
09:40:30 send to us.
09:40:31 The form is simply a tool for them to communicate their
09:40:33 outreach and the results of their outreach.
09:40:35 Depending on the extent to which they do that in a genuine
09:40:39 fashion, and there's general rules of best practice in terms
09:40:44 of how we evaluate that effort.
09:40:46 They may receive anywhere from one to ten points out of a
09:40:51 100 point evaluation criteria, based on their effort to
09:40:54 outreach and then retain, commit to you.
09:40:58 So it's very important to them -- and they realize it --
09:41:02 because ten points based on their outreach for small or
09:41:06 minority businesses out of 100 points may in fact determine
09:41:10 of whether they are short listed, and they gain sufficient
09:41:13 evaluation points to rank hey in the process.
09:41:18 So it is very important.
09:41:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
09:41:21 Ms. Montelione.
09:41:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, sir.
09:41:26 Yeah, I think that's a misconception that a lot of people
09:41:29 have with the SLB.
09:41:35 Long before I was elected, my boyfriend's company, who is an
09:41:38 SLB contractor, and we would get requests to bid on projects
09:41:42 all the time, and they don't have to select you.
09:41:47 All they have to do to get the points is show that they have
09:41:50 done the outreach, which I always thought was a failing of
09:41:55 the program.
09:41:55 Not of yours, Mr. Hart, but we have had lots and lots of
09:41:59 conversations about this over the years.
09:42:02 But all they have to do is, you know, send out back in those
09:42:07 days it was a fax.
09:42:08 We had a fax machine.
09:42:09 And they would sen us a fax.
09:42:11 We bid on the project.
09:42:12 We send them the response back and never hear from anybody
09:42:15 ever again.
09:42:16 Quite often.
09:42:17 So I felt that the way the program worked was burdensome on
09:42:25 a lot of small businesses because it would take a long time
09:42:28 to put a bid together, and then find out that the companies
09:42:34 were only using that to get the points.
09:42:36 There's in a requirement, to my understanding, there's in a
09:42:39 requirement to hire anybody that they reached out to.
09:42:45 So it is an aspirational goal.
09:42:48 There's no guarantee that any small business, MBE, WMBE or
09:42:54 whatever the designation is, is ever going to get business
09:42:57 from the way our program operates.
09:42:59 And I think we discussed variations on a theme of how to
09:43:04 change that, but we haven't so far.
09:43:08 >> GREGORY HART: Well, the city's program is much more
09:43:11 aggressive in terms of our application of prevailing laws
09:43:18 and judicial guidance.
09:43:21 So our initiative and our business process, I must
09:43:26 emphasize, is not one where we accept a casual, nonchalant
09:43:32 effort on the part of bidders or proposers.
09:43:35 We refer to that as a pro forma initiative.
09:43:39 And there are proven and best practices that we utilize to
09:43:44 evaluate and test whether that outreach was genuine and not
09:43:50 simply pro forma.
09:43:51 >>LISA MONTELIONE: But there's in a requirement.
09:43:54 They don't have to hire anybody.
09:43:56 >> Gregory Hart: There is a requirement to address the goal
09:44:03 or objective that's been placed on a procurement.
09:44:07 That objective or goal is not arbitrary.
09:44:11 It's based on small or minority firms in the community and
09:44:14 projects of similar type whether there's been success on
09:44:17 utilization of minority and small businesses.
09:44:20 Based on that information, the requirement is then that
09:44:25 there is just a viable evidence and reason for the city to
09:44:30 expect that you will have a certain degree of participation.
09:44:33 So you don't get a pass.
09:44:35 I just want to emphasize that to council.
09:44:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, is there any sanction for
09:44:42 companies that solicit small businesses or minority
09:44:44 businesses and then not use them?
09:44:47 >> Yes, there are.
09:44:48 And, as a matter of fact, in the past year, we have probably
09:44:54 approximately denied four or five bidders or proposers the
09:44:59 award of contract for failure to meet the outreach
09:45:03 requirement and utilization.
09:45:05 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And I'm sorry to interrupt you, but
09:45:08 that's the outreach.
09:45:09 I'm speaking of companies actually employing the services of
09:45:14 a WMBE or MBE contractor.
09:45:20 >> It goes hand in hand.
09:45:21 The outreach and the end result of one and evaluated
09:45:26 collectively.
09:45:27 And so the benefit, if pull, is that noncompliant is
09:45:33 therefore ineligible for award of the proposal and bid.
09:45:36 And again, as stated, we had approximately four or five
09:45:41 instances in the past eight months where we have denied
09:45:44 award of a contract based on failure to meet these small or
09:45:48 minority outreach.
09:45:49 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And my final question.
09:45:53 Is this the first time, or one of the first times that we
09:45:58 have worked with a private developing company to adhere to
09:46:05 the goals that we have set for minority and small business
09:46:11 organizations?
09:46:18 >>GREGORY HART: No, I don't believe it's the first time.
09:46:20 >> Is it rare?
09:46:22 Because I don't remember in five years having too many
09:46:24 private development companies go to this extent.
09:46:30 >> I don't think it's occurred very often but I don't
09:46:33 believe this is the first nor will it be the last time.
09:46:39 The CM delivery process that is in play here, the management
09:46:45 delivery process.
09:46:45 And even without a public-private development initiative,
09:46:49 that process is used quite often, whereby we enter into
09:46:55 construction management agreement with a company, do an RQ,
09:46:59 and that company comes back to the council, with minimum and
09:47:07 maximum price, and once that's committed we go back and set
09:47:11 subcontract construction goals based on the GMP.
09:47:15 I mention that only to say that of this application of
09:47:19 procurement is currently being used under this development
09:47:23 agreement is consistent with what we do on a day-to-day
09:47:28 basis, as Sal kind of referred to as well.
09:47:33 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I seem to remember that in East Tampa --
09:47:36 Mr. Reddick will probably remember a little better than I
09:47:39 do -- that there was even a pilot program to have a
09:47:48 requirement for contracts, I think under the CRA, right?
09:47:55 The East Tampa business partnership?
09:47:59 And I don't think that program ever really came to fruition.
09:48:07 Am I remembering that right?
09:48:11 >> Yes.
09:48:11 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So I'm hoping that this goes well.
09:48:16 And then we can use this as an example of how it does work.
09:48:29 And apply it to other developments that are ongoing.
09:48:31 >>FRANK REDDICK: Other council members?
09:48:33 Mr. Suarez.
09:48:34 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Quick question, Mr. Hart.
09:48:36 Two questions, actually.
09:48:38 First is what kind of constraints do we have with federal
09:48:41 law, federal regulation concerning what we can do in terms
09:48:45 of not only outreach but in terms of results?
09:48:48 Because I think that that's kind of where we are skirting
09:48:51 around, which is we put together a process -- correct me if
09:48:55 I am wrong -- that makes it in somewhat different avenues
09:49:03 for people to get small and minority business enterprises
09:49:05 involved in the construction of a particular project or any
09:49:09 other project that we may have.
09:49:12 That's kind of where we are constrained as opposed to the
09:49:15 outcomes, is that correct?
09:49:16 >> More or less.
09:49:17 And the constraints, if I might address that, are in place
09:49:20 solely based on a community's disparity study and analysis.
09:49:26 Federal law as well as federal guidelines require that you
09:49:32 have a disparity study conducted, which we did, and from
09:49:36 that we have an analysis of what businesses railroad in our
09:49:40 marketplace that can perform on the type of procurement that
09:49:45 the city has.
09:49:45 And based upon that, those constraints are then overlaid on
09:49:51 the extent to which we can identify opportunities, we can
09:49:57 set goals based on the availability of minority and small
09:50:02 firms, and have a very founded vacation of utilization of
09:50:09 those, and in doing so we have the availability to deny
09:50:13 contracted -- award of contract, and that's what the federal
09:50:20 guide lanes and judicial law requires us to do.
09:50:25 And that's why our program has very firm standing on how we
09:50:29 apply our initiatives for inclusion.
09:50:31 >>MIKE SUAREZ: The second question in terms of the number
09:50:33 of qualified or registered MBE firms that are presented and
09:50:43 used as part of our process or outreach to, you know, the
09:50:46 project managers, say hey, you know, because I know that our
09:50:52 list, we may have 100 contractors that do drywall, and we
09:50:58 might only have two that are, you know, engineering firms or
09:51:01 three that are law firms or something like that.
09:51:03 And I know that happens a lot, which is we may have lots of
09:51:08 lists of things but they don't qualify necessarily for the
09:51:10 project that we talked about.
09:51:11 Do you have a number as to-oh based on this particular
09:51:16 contract, how many the contract manager had to choose from?
09:51:20 Do you have that number?
09:51:21 Do you know the number on your list currently?
09:51:25 >>GREGORY HART: I don't have that at my fingertips but I can
09:51:27 certainly provide that to you.
09:51:28 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I think all of us would be interested to
09:51:33 know because the way the process works is kind of a tricky
09:51:36 process because I am building X and I need bricklayers, how
09:51:40 many bricklayers to I need that are part of the program that
09:51:43 are already qualified and certified to be in the program.
09:51:47 So if I only have one or might have two or I have none,
09:51:51 then, you know, we realize that, well, we can't force you to
09:51:56 outreach to something, someone, or this does not exist or
09:52:00 isn't qualified to do the kind of work that we need.
09:52:02 I want to make sure that people understand that.
09:52:04 Because there is this misconception, which is just hire
09:52:08 anybody.
09:52:09 Well, they still have been to be certified by us in terms of
09:52:11 our list.
09:52:12 They still have to be on it and ready to do the work and the
09:52:14 qualifications process sometimes can keep people off the
09:52:18 list by virtue of some financial issues or maybe some other
09:52:23 criteria that they don't meet.
09:52:25 So it's a much more complicated than just saying, why aren't
09:52:29 you outreaching?
09:52:30 There may be an outreach but they don't qualify.
09:52:35 >>GREGORY HART: What you describe is part of that whole
09:52:37 availability equation.
09:52:38 It's a very he involved process, to do what type of service
09:52:44 and trade in the community.
09:52:46 And while ware on the on that subject, I would like to just
09:52:55 alert the community and council that all of the development
09:52:58 that is on the table in the Tampa Bay area, the airport, the
09:53:04 Channelside district, the port, the schools, there is a
09:53:10 demand on the availability or lack thereof of trade in this
09:53:13 community, not to mention the small minority business trade.
09:53:17 And we are really going to have to work hard to have those
09:53:22 folks who want to do business with the city, when there's so
09:53:25 many other opportunities to get onboard as a small or
09:53:28 minority firm with all the projects that are coming out of
09:53:31 the ground or will in the Tampa Bay area.
09:53:33 We have got our work cut out.
09:53:35 But it's exciting.
09:53:36 And I think it's going to be great for the community.
09:53:38 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, chair.
09:53:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: Let me just say this.
09:53:44 I think small businesses would be willing to do work with
09:53:46 the city if they are shown where they generated some jobs,
09:53:50 some contracts, and one of the problems we have is that you
09:53:54 look at, for example, you have got school boards where they
09:54:02 spend millions and millions of dollars, and small businesses
09:54:05 were not even given one percent of it.
09:54:08 You look at Hillsborough County.
09:54:09 Look at the City of Tampa.
09:54:10 Look at the percentage of what these small businesses or the
09:54:13 WBE businesses were receiving.
09:54:17 Here is the thing.
09:54:18 I think we should eliminate all of all discussions that term
09:54:23 "good faith."
09:54:25 That is the most asinine requirement they've ever seen in my
09:54:32 life.
09:54:32 Good faith.
09:54:33 If somebody tells me go buy a chicken and they don't
09:54:38 describe what type of chicken and I just go get a duck, I
09:54:42 made a good faith effort to buy a chicken.
09:54:46 And so when you put this good faith effort in here, this is
09:54:54 not a proper description for anybody to make an attempt to
09:54:59 good faith.
09:54:59 But people can't pay their bills.
09:55:01 People can't employ other people on good faith.
09:55:06 We are talking about give these people actual jobs and
09:55:10 opportunities to get jobs.
09:55:12 And that's what need to be described in these agreements
09:55:15 that we have with the city.
09:55:16 Any government entity.
09:55:19 That's what it should be.
09:55:21 Good faith.
09:55:27 We need to get away from that good faith efforts.
09:55:31 It's not worth it.
09:55:33 >>GREGORY HART: I understand your point.
09:55:35 Perhaps the term needs to be redefined.
09:55:38 But good faith is a legal concept and term that must be
09:55:41 applied.
09:55:42 So perhaps we could look at redefining it.
09:55:47 But apply the fundamental intent and process that that's
09:55:54 supposed to represent.
09:55:54 I understand completely what you are asking.
09:55:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Well, the difference between good faith and
09:56:02 give them a job.
09:56:03 Give them a contract instead of this good faith.
09:56:05 That's what we need to do.
09:56:07 Because this ain't working.
09:56:08 Secondly -- and my last comment is this.
09:56:11 The agreement that we have with SPP -- and I know
09:56:20 reimbursement.
09:56:21 Do we have to demonstrate the actual dollars that were spent
09:56:25 prior to us reimbursing them?
09:56:29 >>GREGORY HART: Yes, sir.
09:56:29 Our process again, it's the standard process.
09:56:32 It's applicable to the SPP agreement.
09:56:36 They will report the utilization of minority funds the same
09:56:43 way that we require our departments and those contractors
09:56:45 that we hire to execute various projects and provide goods
09:56:50 and services to the city.
09:56:51 So, yes, they will be reported.
09:56:56 >>FRANK REDDICK: And if no other council member has a
09:56:58 question, we'll move on.
09:56:59 But I want to suggest to you that at your future
09:57:06 presentations that you will come to us -- and are you doing
09:57:11 the presentation on the minority business program a
09:57:14 quarterly basis or biannually?
09:57:16 >> I'm sorry, I didn't understand.
09:57:19 >>FRANK REDDICK: Do you come to council with biannual or
09:57:21 quarterly, minority business reports?
09:57:24 >> At a minimum of once a year.
09:57:26 At your request we would be happy to report.
09:57:29 As a matter of fact, if I may, sir, I would like to ask that
09:57:37 council be mindful that once the city procures -- you
09:57:44 mentioned the school district, hospital, airport and other
09:57:47 governing bodies within our community.
09:57:48 We have to be mindful that what the city procures and the
09:57:54 frequency of procurement varies substantially from what
09:57:58 Hillsborough County, the airport, Moffitt, school system.
09:58:02 We do a lot of utility work, a lot of horizontal type of
09:58:10 construction.
09:58:11 And so that compares to what some of our other governing
09:58:15 agencies procure differs widely, and therefore the
09:58:19 opportunity as well is going to differ.
09:58:23 We are not able to say retain a T drywall contractors or
09:58:29 vertical construction trade groups where we do a lot of
09:58:33 underground utility-type of work.
09:58:35 I just want to state to Mike Suarez' point there's a lot of
09:58:45 complexity that comes into play when we set goals and have
09:58:47 expectations on the business community for minority and
09:58:50 small business participation.
09:58:52 And last to your question, this past fiscal year, the city
09:58:58 did approximately 34, $35 million with both minority and
09:59:06 small business with minority and women businesses alone we
09:59:09 did approximately 15 million of that 34, 35.
09:59:14 The balance of 20 million we did with small local business
09:59:18 enterprise.
09:59:20 As a matter of fact, over 50% of small businesses are also
09:59:25 certified as minority or women owned.
09:59:27 So given the type of procurement that the City of Tampa is
09:59:31 engaged in, I think you can be very proud of our efforts to
09:59:34 ensure that our local and minority women owned businesses
09:59:38 are participating in that expenditure.
09:59:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you for giving that information.
09:59:44 And I had in a anticipation of going there.
09:59:47 When you say minority, I can come back and counter with you
09:59:53 and break it down.
09:59:55 Minority women, Hispanic, African-American, whatever.
10:00:02 And I'm pretty sure it won't look good.
10:00:04 So I don't want to go there today.
10:00:06 But you opened yourself up by doing it so I am going to
10:00:10 leave it alone.
10:00:10 But I am going to do this.
10:00:12 I am going to make a motion that in 60 days that you report
10:00:17 back to us with a description of good faith and whatever
10:00:20 terminology of good faith.
10:00:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Second.
10:00:33 And I am going to offer an amendment as well.
10:00:36 If you can include, Mr. Hart, the overview of the program
10:00:44 that your office requires, or performs.
10:00:52 >>HARRY COHEN: We have a motion and a second.
10:01:00 You didn't give an exact date.
10:01:02 April 21st?
10:01:04 >>FRANK REDDICK: That would be fine.
10:01:05 >>HARRY COHEN: Which will be at 9:00 in the morning.
10:01:14 Well, a time to be determined at a later date.
10:01:17 With that unless there is further discussion, all in favor
10:01:20 please indicate by saying aye. Opposed? All right.
10:01:26 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:01:26 Thank you.
10:01:27 We will now go to the workshop portion of the agenda.
10:01:30 And we go to item number 4.
10:02:14 Are you representing legal department?
10:02:18 >>THOM SNELLING: Yes, I am.
10:02:19 I'm not an attorney but -- (Laughter).
10:02:23 >>FRANK REDDICK: Okay.
10:02:26 >>THOM SNELLING: Thom Snelling, planning and development.
10:02:29 I apologize to the chair.
10:02:30 We spoke with Jan McLean.
10:02:32 This really was construction and permitting and so that's
10:02:41 why I am up here.
10:02:44 We were asked to take a look at the Hillsborough County
10:02:46 ordinance that required anytime somebody would do an
10:02:52 investigation or ground site, how appropriate it would be to
10:02:59 craft something similar for the city.
10:03:01 We had self meetings about what was going on there.
10:03:05 And one advantage was the copy of the Hillsborough County
10:03:08 ordinance that they did.
10:03:09 In essence, what it does, it starts on section 117.
10:03:14 This ordinance required that a ground settlement
10:03:18 investigation permit was given, which basically meant that
10:03:22 anytime that somebody was called that they would have to get
10:03:32 a permit if they were going out to see if there was any kind
10:03:35 of ground disturbance at all.
10:03:38 Then if there was, the report gets failed and it gets turned
10:03:43 in, and that concludes that portion of the permit.
10:03:46 And then a remediation permit also gets filed.
10:03:53 What the city has -- and that's in essence is very short
10:03:59 description.
10:03:59 I have highlighted some of the items in the yellow part.
10:04:06 Basically, it's just to identify that somebody has requested
10:04:11 an investigation for ground site on their property.
10:04:15 There's in a follow-up inspections or anything.
10:04:18 So Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and there is another
10:04:22 one that did that, and we were requested to look by
10:04:26 Councilman Maniscalco to look at the appropriateness of
10:04:29 something in the city.
10:04:33 At this point we are not sure that there's a net gain out of
10:04:38 adding this type of a permit to our current activity.
10:04:42 Our current activity basically, if somebody would have work
10:04:50 done on their house or their property or whatever is
10:04:53 addressing the ground siting issue, they currently are
10:04:57 required to pull a permit.
10:04:58 As part of that permit they turn in their engineering
10:05:00 report.
10:05:00 Engineering analysis that says this is what we found and
10:05:04 this going to be our -- this is how we are going to address
10:05:07 that.
10:05:08 And it has to be done by that engineering analysis is turned
10:05:11 in, has to be done by ash licensed general contractor, they
10:05:15 turn that permit in, we review it, review the type of work
10:05:18 that's going to happen to address the -- to mitigate or the
10:05:23 remediation portion of it.
10:05:25 Then after the work is done we have a building inspector to
10:05:28 go Ute and see that the work was done, a very standard
10:05:32 permitting review and inspection process that goes full
10:05:37 circle.
10:05:39 We don't necessarily feel that there's a huge net gain out
10:05:43 of this.
10:05:47 With John I wept back and lad at how many of our actual
10:05:51 ground site permits were pulled.
10:05:55 If those permits get pulled under a foundation work, there
10:05:58 could be a plethora of other things. So what John and I
10:06:02 decided to do is to go ahead and to identify specifically
10:06:07 that when somebody comes in and they are going through that
10:06:10 kind of work to identify it as a ground siting permit -- I
10:06:14 forget what John is actually going to call it -- but flagged
10:06:18 immediately so when those permit get transferred to the
10:06:21 property appraiser office they could be the identifier that
10:06:24 they have to basically achieve what we feel achieve the same
10:06:30 goal.
10:06:31 >>HARRY COHEN: Councilwoman Montelione.
10:06:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you for doing that, Mr. Snelling,
10:06:45 because I think that's what we asked for a year ago.
10:06:50 Or previously.
10:07:02 When I had inquired with staff, there wasn't a way for
10:07:05 anyone to identify the land alteration permit, the term, is
10:07:17 pulled, why it's being pulled.
10:07:18 You don't know if it's just to raise the elevation to a
10:07:23 finished floor level.
10:07:24 You don't know -- you don't know.
10:07:29 It's just a land alteration permit.
10:07:35 When I started looking into this quite some time ago, there
10:07:41 was another sinkhole in my old neighborhood and there was a
10:07:44 lot of activity that was being shown on TV, not here within
10:07:50 the city limits, but in Seffner and Dover and Orlando, and
10:07:55 for a period of time it seemed like every time you turned on
10:07:57 the television set there was a huge sinkhole happening
10:08:01 somewhere.
10:08:02 And so I appreciate your adding this.
10:08:09 What concerns me is that we are not capturing all of the
10:08:13 property because we are just doing it now.
10:08:17 So all of the previous activity is not going to be reported.
10:08:24 And that was the question I was -- I don't know if you are
10:08:27 prepared to answer it.
10:08:30 With the property appraiser, because it seems to create
10:08:34 an -- create an unfair playing field when someone is going
10:08:38 to buy a house and doing their due diligence, they are
10:08:46 seeing one house on one street that has the red flag on it
10:08:49 that there was a sinkhole, but the house next door, which
10:08:58 would also be affected in most cases, there's no flag,
10:09:03 because or those individuals chose not to report it, or
10:09:17 because we didn't have a way of identifying or the
10:09:25 Hillsborough County appraiser didn't have a way of
10:09:27 identifying it because I don't know when this program went
10:09:30 into effect.
10:09:32 >>THOM SNELLING: At the county?
10:09:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Of the county.
10:09:36 >>THOM SNELLING: I think it's 2013 or 14.
10:09:38 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I know they launched a website from the
10:09:41 notes I have here in August 2015 but that's when they
10:09:46 launched the website it don't know when they first started
10:09:49 tracking the sinkholes.
10:09:50 So I have mixed feelings about this.
10:09:53 I mean, I think that the public should be aware.
10:09:56 But it is covered in real estate law that when a house is
10:10:02 sold, it is required that the -- a disclosure, and maybe a
10:10:12 couple may be going to jail.
10:10:14 I saw that report on the news because they did not disclose.
10:10:19 >>THOM SNELLING: They took the insurance money and --
10:10:22 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Right, and they did not fix the problem
10:10:25 under the house.
10:10:26 They sold the house without telling anybody.
10:10:28 And now they are facing felony charges and jail time.
10:10:33 >>THOM SNELLING: Yes.
10:10:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So there are penalties for not
10:10:36 complaining with that disclosure when you sell the house.
10:10:40 So like I said, I have mixed feelings about this because I
10:10:44 do think it creates an unfair playing field for individuals
10:10:48 who are just looking at the record and not relying on due
10:10:55 diligence and the disclosure from if real estate
10:10:58 professionals when they are buying and selling a house.
10:11:04 >>THOM SNELLING: We have talked about that.
10:11:06 Unfortunately, there are people that are not forthcoming,
10:11:13 dishonest, and no ordinance or law is going to deliberately
10:11:18 not disclose or a realtor knowingly is not going to disclose
10:11:23 some encumbrance or --
10:11:27 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Sure, absolutely, but by having
10:11:28 something that looks official when you go to a website.
10:11:32 You know, I'm afraid it gives the wrong impression that this
10:11:35 information is going to be complete in the record.
10:11:49 Do you know what I am saying?
10:11:51 >>THOM SNELLING: Yes, I do.
10:11:52 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: [Off microphone.]
10:12:07 >> Bill ward, Hillsborough County property appraiser's
10:12:10 office.
10:12:10 >> Hillsborough County property appraiser's office.
10:12:13 >> Glad to answer any questions you might have about how we
10:12:19 track.
10:12:19 We have been tracking for about 15 years what people report.
10:12:26 And as you said, we are dependent on people self-reporting.
10:12:33 If someone decided not to report a sinkhole on the property,
10:12:37 we can't force people.
10:12:38 We have been tracking it for about 15 years within
10:12:42 Hillsborough County.
10:12:42 And we have about 1800 records.
10:12:47 And people self report because they want a reduction.
10:13:04 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It seems to me that 1800 over 15 years
10:13:10 is not a whole lot.
10:13:11 So it doesn't seem like a lot of people are self-reporting.
10:13:14 >> There probably are more.
10:13:20 But it's people who are seeking a reduction of their
10:13:24 property value.
10:13:25 And we go out there.
10:13:28 We would go out there and physically inspect the property to
10:13:32 see what level of the damage was.
10:13:36 And then we would base reduction based oft costs to cure.
10:13:42 Our records show about 250 in the City of Tampa.
10:13:46 City limits.
10:13:50 Some of those have been remediated, some have not.
10:13:52 >> And the engineering report -- we are not engineers,.
10:14:12 I'm not sure about Hillsborough County.
10:14:24 Obviously, I'm sure some are not reported.
10:14:27 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Another question.
10:14:32 I have numbers here coming from last summer.
10:14:35 Total sinkholes in the City of Tampa 241.
10:14:38 Unremediated 109 and remediated 132.
10:14:42 >> Right now we have 256 reported.
10:14:47 Remediated 163 and unremediated 93.
10:14:52 City of Tampa.
10:14:53 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Thank you very much.
10:14:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Suarez?
10:14:57 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you.
10:14:58 Gentlemen, in terms of this particular ordinance, that
10:15:15 Hillsborough County Hillsborough County passed in 2013, did
10:15:17 you the investigation in the city, too, for these types of
10:15:20 issues or no?
10:15:21 >> Yes, we do.
10:15:22 >> So these are reported through the county commission or
10:15:25 through the property appraiser directly?
10:15:28 >> Well, directly if it's in the City of Tampa.
10:15:33 The ones in the county now are reported through the
10:15:36 permitting process.
10:15:37 Hillsborough County.
10:15:37 >>MIKE SUAREZ: So the process typically is let's say
10:15:41 somebody is going to build on a lot, and they may have some
10:15:46 soft ground, or you know the terminology better than I do.
10:15:50 Then you would go out and investigate what that is, and then
10:15:52 make a determination on it or no?
10:15:55 >> No, sir.
10:15:58 We may go out to a wetland.
10:16:03 You know, we are not engineers or geologists.
10:16:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Do you ever bring in any geologists or
10:16:12 engineers, meaning before?
10:16:15 Because you are talking about permitting primarily.
10:16:18 And whenever you are building, when it comes to permitting
10:16:23 or some piece of property and you have got to make a good
10:16:26 faith effort -- excuse me to use that term -- good faith
10:16:30 effort in terms of what you are selling, people who nobody
10:16:32 that there might be soft ground there, that's where the
10:16:35 issue comes into it in terms of realtor, everyone else to
10:16:42 deal with that.
10:16:43 So you all just say, we are going to investigate this, make
10:16:47 a determination and go from there?
10:16:50 >> Correct.
10:16:51 And we have to have a report.
10:16:57 But if a house has severe cracking or other subtle willing,
10:17:01 we are going to do -- settling, we are going to do a visual.
10:17:08 But we don't know what causes it.
10:17:14 The cost can be astronomical.
10:17:18 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And it comes to you all after you made your
10:17:24 investigation, and then people might want to reduce their
10:17:27 appraised value?
10:17:30 >> Once a sinkhole is identified, we have a report, we make
10:17:34 an adjustment, what's it's been remediated, we actually put
10:17:41 10% of the building value, 10% of the land value.
10:17:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I know you are not a geologist or engineer,
10:17:48 but have you talked to folks as to why Hillsborough County
10:17:50 has less of these type of sinkholes than they have -- in
10:17:58 Pasco County we have read a lot about it, there have been
10:18:02 tragedies regarding sinkholes.
10:18:04 Do you know the reason why?
10:18:05 Is it because of the aquifer and our drawing down of water?
10:18:08 I assume that's part of it but I am not a geologist either.
10:18:13 >> Yeah, I'm not sure.
10:18:16 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I have a guess.
10:18:17 >> I have no way of knowing that.
10:18:18 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Appreciate it.
10:18:21 Thank you.
10:18:21 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I don't have anything to address, but
10:18:27 after leading expert in sync holes of Florida has actually
10:18:31 written a book.
10:18:32 He was in town.
10:18:33 He has a house in Temple Terrace.
10:18:35 He used to teach at USF.
10:18:37 Now he teaches at Hofstra.
10:18:39 But he does come back and forth.
10:18:41 I'll see if I can get a copy of his back for you.
10:18:44 And it lays out all of the reasons.
10:18:53 Because I like to have your research rather than have it
10:19:01 tainted with my personal viewpoint.
10:19:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:19:06 Anything else? Anything else?
10:19:11 >>THOM SNELLING: I have nothing else unless you have
10:19:12 questions.
10:19:16 I went through the property appraiser's office and
10:19:20 identified it.
10:19:21 If you take a quick la it's like the Tampa peninsula.
10:19:25 It's a little blurry.
10:19:27 The peninsula is yellow and it says sinkholes are few, and
10:19:32 if you look at the rest of Hillsborough County it's in blue,
10:19:35 and then where it says the most numerous.
10:19:38 So that does make sense to have that.
10:19:44 One other thing I wanted to add.
10:19:46 Well, no, that's it.
10:19:48 That's all I wanted to add.
10:19:53 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:19:53 Any further comments?
10:19:54 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have been nominated to join the
10:20:00 national cave research institute.
10:20:05 (Laughter)
10:20:05 So if that nomination proves successful and I join the
10:20:11 group, I will be are in touch from time to time.
10:20:17 >> Does that mean you get to be a SPELUNKER/?
10:20:27 >> I don't know if it includes cave diving or just research.
10:20:42 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:20:43 Any final questions or comments ever? Okay.
10:20:47 Anyone in the public wish to speak on item number 4?
10:20:51 Anyone in the public wish to speak on item number 4?
10:20:53 >> I'm Ed, Ed Tillou, Sulphur Springs.
10:21:00 I hoped to speak to item 5 but I can't stay that long but
10:21:03 item 4 lends itself to this, too.
10:21:08 About caves and spelunking.
10:21:11 Most engineers taking take a foundation course and you worry
10:21:15 about little bits of settlement, an inch or two.
10:21:18 They can actually have very serious structural implications.
10:21:22 I also took geology.
10:21:24 And there's a culprit in this.
10:21:28 Now, back in the days, I was in denial about global warming
10:21:33 and climatic change because there was a period of time in
10:21:37 the early part of this century, and I changed very
10:21:41 gradually.
10:21:42 But one of the things that was raised was certification of
10:21:50 rain.
10:21:50 That was a big usual you in the north because we could blame
10:21:53 it on on tear yeah was killing all the trees in the
10:21:56 Adirondacks.
10:22:03 And the oceans are being decertified and of course it was
10:22:08 blamed on carbon dioxide which at the time I didn't buy into
10:22:12 because I thought it was the burning of coal, because sulfur
10:22:16 dioxide produces sulphuric acid which is much stronger than
10:22:22 carbon acid which is very weak.
10:22:24 But the difference is that there is so much carbonic acid
10:22:29 and very little sulfur dioxide relative to that so it's
10:22:33 actually, I came to the conclusion it's about 50-50.
10:22:36 The burning of coal, and wherever CO2 is coming from.
10:22:41 Now, the scientists who brought this up, recently what this
10:22:49 was about was a Supreme Court decided 5-4 that carbon
10:22:55 dioxide is not a pollutant.
10:22:57 It is producing acid rain and acid rain is to a large extent
10:23:01 producing these sinkholes.
10:23:02 The number of sinkholes is increasing.
10:23:06 And that is due to a large extent from the carbon dioxide
10:23:11 and the culprit is the automobiles and power plants that are
10:23:14 generating the carbon dioxide.
10:23:16 Now how you are going to make them pay, I don't know, but
10:23:21 the thing is we need a change in the Supreme Court if they
10:23:26 vote 5-46789 behold we have a little bit of a change.
10:23:29 (Bell sounds)
10:23:30 Now, the thing is that this knit with goes out, and he says
10:23:37 on the Obama court thing.
10:23:38 Obama has alternative called the state of emergency.
10:23:43 That carbon dioxide is producing -- the increased levels of
10:23:48 carbon dioxide are reaching a point of state of emergency.
10:23:52 And one of the manifestations is sinkholes that open under a
10:23:57 house.
10:23:57 Ask the people when their house goes down and they may be in
10:24:01 it, they don't feel that's a state of emergency, so this is
10:24:04 just another little state of emergency.
10:24:06 (Bell sounds)
10:24:08 And carbon dioxide.
10:24:12 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:24:17 >> Well, that's a tough one to follow.
10:24:20 I'm Jennifer Doerfel with the Tampa Bay Builders
10:24:22 Association.
10:24:23 I think the staff did a great job of looking at the issue,
10:24:28 and we certainly support the efforts of the staff in this
10:24:31 case.
10:24:31 We think it's a good way to go.
10:24:33 And we this is one of its uses.
10:24:38 That's really all I have to say about that.
10:24:40 So thank you for your time.
10:24:41 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:24:42 All right.
10:24:43 Item number 5.
10:24:44 >>HARRY COHEN: Mr. Chairman, before Ms. Coyle starts, I
10:24:58 think even though we normally have public comment at the end
10:25:00 of the workshop it might be helpful in this one -- I know a
10:25:04 lot of people want to speak about it -- before the council
10:25:07 gets into its deliberations, we might hear from the public
10:25:10 and that way we can incorporate a lot of the comments into
10:25:13 our questions and comments.
10:25:17 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
10:25:19 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Planning and development.
10:25:20 We are here for the workshop, and it really boils down to
10:25:24 the two remaining issues from the last time we spoke.
10:25:28 The same one that I have given the last two times.
10:25:33 The two remaining issues that we have that were brought were
10:25:36 about valet parking.
10:25:43 There is a third one now that is fine and I will let the
10:25:46 public talk about that if you want to do anything about it.
10:25:49 The first issue was that there is no maximum distance set
10:25:53 for valet parking.
10:25:54 If you are going to use it as part of your required spaces.
10:25:57 So the thought in the last discussion we had was to keep it
10:26:01 really maybe at the quarter mile, keep it the same as the
10:26:07 off-site parking only because operationally you are not
10:26:09 going to park two miles away and have the guy run to get a
10:26:13 car.
10:26:14 So -- spacing having people go that far.
10:26:28 That was the one usual you.
10:26:30 And the thought was at least start with that quarter mail
10:26:32 and go from there.
10:26:33 And the second usual you was that there was no cap set,
10:26:37 percentage set for the valet parking as it relates to the
10:26:40 required.
10:26:44 The theory the way it's written now is 100% of your required
10:26:47 parking.
10:26:49 It's kind of silent on it.
10:26:50 So what I left you with was you might want to park somewhere
10:26:53 around 50%, but listen to some of the discussion and see
10:26:59 where it goes.
10:27:00 That's really the two remaining issues unless you have any
10:27:03 questions.
10:27:06 Oh, the third issue.
10:27:12 Whether or not valet should be part of the required parking
10:27:14 at all.
10:27:16 Because it's compete interests, essentially.
10:27:22 It does make sense from that standpoint.
10:27:28 And the enforcement of valet parking is a little bit of a
10:27:31 concern.
10:27:32 It's more of a self policing on the property, and a large
10:27:37 business or building, that if there is a multi-tenant
10:27:42 building and one tenant now comes in, and he's using this
10:27:45 rule, and half the spaces are off-site, there has to be
10:27:49 additional policing and enforcement on that property,
10:27:53 self-policing themselves to try to figure out that the car
10:27:57 or this business that has 100% of those spaces on-site that
10:28:01 that person is supposed to valet off doesn't take one of the
10:28:04 spaces.
10:28:06 It's kind of an internal property owner usual you.
10:28:09 Tenant issue.
10:28:10 But I think it's a valid one to think about.
10:28:16 Our rules don't get into the weeds too much between tenants
10:28:22 but I think it's a valid one for you to hear.
10:28:26 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anyone from the public wish to speak on
10:28:28 item number 5?
10:28:29 >> Elise Batsel, Phelps Dunbar, 100 South Ashley Drive.
10:28:40 Thank you for considering these two points. You won't even
10:28:43 cover those.
10:28:44 But I would say that at the end of the last hearing, I think
10:28:48 Councilman Cohen mentioned that he was surprised that the
10:28:51 percentages are not going to come back before council.
10:28:54 I want to remind you that what you are adapting today, not
10:28:59 necessarily adopting but the workshop today, if the
10:29:01 ordinance is going to become what is permitted by right so
10:29:07 anybody can go directly to permitting.
10:29:08 You already had an administrative determination that are can
10:29:11 provide some flexibility for property owners parking, and
10:29:15 then we do have a variance review process in place that
10:29:18 allows people that do have hardships on their property can
10:29:21 come and show you their particular circumstances why maybe
10:29:25 you should make an exception to the rules.
10:29:26 I just ask that you be mindful as you hear the discussion
10:29:29 and you make that discussion today.
10:29:32 Thank you.
10:29:34 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:29:34 Next speaker.
10:29:44 >> McGee, 18735 Geraci Road, Lutz, Florida. And again I
10:29:51 represent Jackson's.
10:29:53 >> I'm sorry, can you move the map a little bit? If you
10:29:56 look at the monitor, over your head, you can see what we
10:30:01 see.
10:30:02 >> Oh, okay.
10:30:06 So this is a quarter mile.
10:30:08 You can see it goes beyond Channelside drive.
10:30:10 You would be driving through a traffic light to valet that
10:30:14 car.
10:30:14 This is the current thousand feet from Jackson's which is
10:30:19 pretty much right in the middle there.
10:30:28 So I want you guys to get a visual perspective of distance
10:30:31 and what we are talking about.
10:30:32 But the reason why we are here is because I feel like this
10:30:37 would just really have a detrimental impact on our business.
10:30:40 You know, parking is like water was to the manufacturers
10:30:44 that located against the river.
10:30:45 If I don't have parking --
10:30:56 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Jackson is further down.
10:30:57 So a thousand feet starts at Jackson's, correct?
10:31:00 >> Here to here is 999.45 feet.
10:31:03 >> Yeah, well, how far from there to Jackson's?
10:31:07 From the beginning of your line to Jackson's.
10:31:08 >> The proposed ordinance says building where the use is.
10:31:12 So this is basically -- Jackson's is the first building over
10:31:17 the Harbor Island bridge, waterfront.
10:31:21 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I just want to make sure because on the map
10:31:24 it shows Jackson's further down.
10:31:26 I just wanted to make sure.
10:31:27 >> Oh, that's just Google putting it.
10:31:30 But we are --
10:31:33 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Well, Google should get that straight.
10:31:35 >> Thanks for clarifying that.
10:31:39 I researched why there is a parking requirement to begin
10:31:44 with so, if you generate traffic, you have somewhere to put
10:31:48 them.
10:31:48 If you don't have somewhere to put them it creates undue
10:31:51 hardship on the surrounding community and your neighbors.
10:31:54 As it's written, a neighbor could come in, have 100%
10:31:58 off-site valet.
10:32:00 And I know we already talked about bringing that back down.
10:32:04 Buff the reality is that although that works on paper,
10:32:07 people wait 30 seconds just to get that spot closest to the
10:32:11 grocery store.
10:32:12 They are going to take up the neighbor's parking.
10:32:15 If there's no enforcement mechanism, then my request to you
10:32:19 guys is to narrowly tailor this ordinance to really address
10:32:25 the true problem.
10:32:26 And I have some assumptions, and I imagine that has a lot to
10:32:30 do with Howard Avenue but they are missing the requirement,
10:32:33 so he so you have an exception, but an exception that is too
10:32:36 broad and too liberal at a certain point it eviscerates the
10:32:40 requirement, completely undermines the whole process of
10:32:42 having the requirement when the exceptions are so easy to
10:32:46 meet.
10:32:46 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have a question for you.
10:32:48 When we talk about enforcement, and you brought this up,
10:32:54 too, so we have parking lots that have signs.
10:33:05 Towing signs in parking lots.
10:33:07 So wouldn't the enforcement be that if you took -- if you
10:33:10 have a certain amount of space in your parking lot for your
10:33:13 business, and the other business located in that building
10:33:16 has a certain number of spaces for that building -- for that
10:33:21 business, wouldn't there be the enforcement option of you
10:33:28 park here, and you are subject to towing.
10:33:32 This parking -- I mean, you see in the retail shopping
10:33:35 centers all the time.
10:33:36 >> Sure.
10:33:37 >>LISA MONTELIONE: This space is only for take-out or this
10:33:39 space is only for this dry cleaner and if you park here, you
10:33:42 are subject to be towed.
10:33:44 >> You would have to pay a person to actually watch where
10:33:46 people park and where they walk.
10:33:48 You have to follow them as they go up out of the garage,
10:33:50 what business did they go into?
10:33:52 And I have seen that in Gainesville when I lived in
10:33:54 Gainesville for nine years there.
10:33:56 Were parking lots and they paid somebody to literally follow
10:33:59 you so you could disappear into one business, go back up to
10:34:03 class.
10:34:04 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It don't know that we have that severe
10:34:06 of a problem.
10:34:07 But correct me if I am wrong.
10:34:12 It's not that huge of an issue where you are going to need
10:34:16 somebody to watch over.
10:34:19 Because my hope is that -- and you see this in the Hyde Park
10:34:23 area or in SoHo.
10:34:25 You park in one place.
10:34:28 And you might go to one business.
10:34:32 And spend an hour or two there.
10:34:34 But then you leave your car where it is and you go to
10:34:36 another business down the street, because you walk there.
10:34:39 And then you leave that one and you go to another business
10:34:42 down the street, and you walk there.
10:34:45 So that car in your parking lot has now served three or four
10:34:50 different businesses because that person chose not to move
10:34:53 their car a block and a half because they are going to a
10:34:56 business that they can walk to.
10:34:58 >> Well, that works assuming you can park in the first
10:35:01 place.
10:35:02 Like International Mall you park and you can go visit a few
10:35:05 businesses.
10:35:05 But it don't want my customers to show up and drive around
10:35:08 in circles and say why isn't there a parking spot here?
10:35:11 And --
10:35:14 >> They should walk.
10:35:15 >> Trust me, I am a very green energy type of guy, and I
10:35:19 lived in Gainesville.
10:35:20 I enjoy that environment and I completely did it.
10:35:23 But the reality is that my economic club and if someone
10:35:28 comes to a wedding reception, they are not going to walk a
10:35:33 quarter mile and get sweaty.
10:35:35 If there's not a parking lot, then both businesses suffer.
10:35:38 They are going to turn around and leave.
10:35:40 >> There's not away for you to reserve spaces in your
10:35:42 parking garage for an event?
10:35:44 I mean, they do that at the alumnae --
10:35:47 >> Not current currently.
10:35:49 I have no enforcement mechanism in my leashes.
10:35:52 And this was unforeseen at this time.
10:35:54 So, no, I wouldn't very that.
10:35:56 >>HARRY COHEN: May I?
10:36:03 I wonder if for all of our benefit, you have very unique
10:36:08 circumstances on Harbor Island because of where you are
10:36:10 located.
10:36:11 Tell us exactly what it is about what is being proposed here
10:36:17 that concerns you.
10:36:19 And just explain a little more about the line that you have
10:36:23 drawn and what you are concerned about happening.
10:36:26 >> My concern of happening is that really the ordinance just
10:36:30 creates a way for a business to just contained of fulfill a
10:36:34 requirement on paper, that on paper they say, okay, we are
10:36:38 going to have 100% of our users park over here but the
10:36:41 reality is they are going to park in our spot.
10:36:45 And my customers are going to have nowhere to park and it's
10:36:47 going to really -- just a material detrimental impact on our
10:36:52 business.
10:36:53 >>HARRY COHEN: So you are concerned that a business, say
10:36:59 they are going to valet park by the Embassy Suites hotel, or
10:37:03 the other side of the bridge, and then in fact not do that
10:37:06 and just use your space?
10:37:07 >> Absolutely.
10:37:08 Absolutely.
10:37:09 And this is where my ignorance of the law comes in to play.
10:37:15 Do I have a rate to force them to put in a procedure to hire
10:37:18 valet companies, 100% of the time, to force their cars
10:37:24 off-site?
10:37:25 I don't think so.
10:37:26 And, yes, that is the impetus of why we are here.
10:37:31 Now, to be a part of the solution, as I said in our last
10:37:35 meeting, my goal could be completely tainted but if the city
10:37:40 cannot give us some type of enforcement mechanism where we
10:37:44 say, okay, we are going to hold you accountable and bring
10:37:47 suit against you, if I can't do that, then my request to you
10:37:50 guys is to narrowly tail they are ordinance to address
10:37:54 the -- tailor the ordinance to address the specific problem.
10:37:58 I pulled up some language from New York and some other
10:38:00 locations and one of the things that they do is they have
10:38:03 different parking requirements per district.
10:38:05 So this is something for the Howard district.
10:38:10 I'm not sure what you guys call that.
10:38:12 But maybe this could apply just to that district.
10:38:15 That makes sense.
10:38:16 Because if it has a big surrounding residential, that might
10:38:22 make sense for them.
10:38:24 But that wouldn't necessarily make sense for downtown.
10:38:27 Also, there is a safety usual you.
10:38:29 You have valet guys running across the bridge.
10:38:32 The people on Harbor Island are already trapped when there's
10:38:35 a lightning game.
10:38:35 And we put a lot of effort into working with the valet
10:38:40 companies to clear the cars off quickly on a Saturday night.
10:38:44 I stand on the corner myself when the bridge is closed, I
10:38:46 was directing traffic myself.
10:38:48 Because I don't want my neighbors to complain.
10:38:50 This is something that is unique.
10:38:53 We are primarily located on an island.
10:38:55 >>HARRY COHEN: It may be that that is the uniqueness that
10:39:01 we can talk about when we get into our discussion.
10:39:03 >> Sure.
10:39:05 >>HARRY COHEN: Because you are at the foot of a bridge that
10:39:07 is --
10:39:10 >> Yes.
10:39:11 And I won't continue much further, but we are kind of on the
10:39:17 same point.
10:39:17 But I will make maybe a few suggestions that have already
10:39:21 been highlighted.
10:39:22 One of which is to limit the geography of valet loss and
10:39:26 off-site parking, to have a discussion on that.
10:39:31 Limit this whole proposal to the district that -- that would
10:39:38 definitely allay my concerns right off the bat to be
10:39:42 district specific.
10:39:43 Also --
10:39:47 (Bell sounds)
10:39:49 Permission to have -- thank you very much.
10:39:57 >>FRANK REDDICK: Next speaker.
10:39:57 >> Jamie Praka, 2902 Hanson manor lane.
10:40:10 I'm here on behalf of Jackson as well.
10:40:13 I'm proud to be one of the managing members and also one of
10:40:16 the owners.
10:40:17 Watch I asked for -- and I will explain -- is that City
10:40:20 Council consider excluding Harbor Island from the revisions
10:40:26 to this ordinance.
10:40:26 And here is the reason, to answer Mr. Cohen's question.
10:40:29 We all know that Harbor Island is -- Jackson's.
10:40:37 Over 11,000 residents on Harbor Island.
10:40:40 Our restaurant is 19,000 square feet.
10:40:43 Eve seating for 720 people.
10:40:46 There's currently a proposal to bring a new restaurant in
10:40:48 called American social which is 12 that you square feet and
10:40:54 437 seats.
10:40:58 Right now the Harbor Island residents as we all know have
10:41:02 difficult getting to their house banned back and forth on a
10:41:04 normal day.
10:41:05 The traffic congestion on Channelside, if there's any kind
10:41:08 of game or any kind of event, it's a long wait for people to
10:41:13 even get to their homes.
10:41:15 With our restaurant in particular, before American social is
10:41:18 there, I spent one night at the restaurant.
10:41:20 We had valet only going into the restaurant.
10:41:23 Not leaving the island.
10:41:25 And I was called by one of my employees to go to what's
10:41:28 called the waterfront room because I can see the fact that
10:41:31 our inefficient valet that night was backing up traffic in
10:41:34 the entire west side of downtown Tampa.
10:41:38 The Channelside drive actually backed up to our restaurant
10:41:42 because the valet did not work effectively.
10:41:45 And that's just us before another restaurant comes.
10:41:48 If you allow the valet rule to be Harbor Island then instead
10:41:52 of coming once, parking on our lot, and leaving, that's two
10:41:57 trips back and forth on the bridge.
10:41:59 Now if you allow valet and off-site parking to the
10:42:02 restaurant, now it's four trips.
10:42:04 Someone comes in, valet leaves, drives to a different lot,
10:42:08 comes back again, the person leaves.
10:42:09 So our concern is also for the residents of Harbor Island.
10:42:14 We want them to be able to get to their home.
10:42:17 They service our restaurant, our customers, but we want to
10:42:22 make sure they are satisfied.
10:42:24 I don't represent them but we have seen the traffic and we
10:42:26 also want to prevent congestion for the game.
10:42:29 Where valets leave and they have to cross the road with
10:42:32 people going to the game or the arena.
10:42:37 Again my request is to consider -- because Harbor Island is
10:42:41 an island, is special, is different.
10:42:45 To not allow the valet come and go from there, then we have
10:42:49 to use our own on-site parking just for Harbor Island.
10:42:54 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:42:54 Anyone else wish to speak on item number 5?
10:42:56 Item number 5.
10:42:57 >> Derek Chamblee, Google D-E-R-E-K-C-H-A-M-B-L-E-E.
10:43:15 Infill E-N-T-E-L-I-N-T-E-R.
10:43:25 Google Derek Chamblee, intelligent enterprises.
10:43:29 Google Pete's towing, parking management.
10:43:37 Wanted to speak to the parking issue here, which spills
10:43:43 into -- it affects downtown, affects Channelside, affects
10:43:51 out Kennedy Boulevard, down Howard, for instance.
10:43:57 Before I forget a particular problem, at the intersection of
10:44:00 Kennedy and Howard, which is a one-way going north, down to
10:44:05 275, for instance, and when I have been out there observing
10:44:10 the intersection, at least three or four cars are coming
10:44:14 down the wrong way on Howard.
10:44:16 No tickets are being issued there, once again.
10:44:20 Due to events downtown such as the lightning game.
10:44:25 People are parking over the Kennedy bridge, west of the
10:44:29 require, and walking over the bridge, over the river into
10:44:32 downtown.
10:44:35 There are critical parking problems.
10:44:37 And really, the bigger picture -- and I can understand why
10:44:44 they are complaining about this particular ordinance the way
10:44:49 that it is written.
10:44:50 The bigger picture is enforcement.
10:44:53 And for eleven years my partner and I had parking lots in
10:44:57 Ybor City, and we went through a time of tremendous
10:45:00 expansion and security problems as well in Ybor City.
10:45:06 As a matter of fact, we had a booting company as well and we
10:45:10 would put boots on people's cars that parked illegally,
10:45:13 didn't pay the pay box.
10:45:16 We booted our mayor, Dick Greco one night, and he came, went
10:45:21 eleven pages to be City Council against booting companies
10:45:24 and we were the only active booting company for the City of
10:45:27 Tampa.
10:45:29 So it's going to be an enforcement.
10:45:31 And the primary enforcement was towing.
10:45:34 The primary enforcement single-family the county's public
10:45:40 transportation commission.
10:45:42 And Google former commissioner Kevin White that came against
10:45:48 our company and -- we were cooperating with the FBI and fell
10:45:54 into an FBI sting, and the feds came and got former
10:45:59 commissioner Kevin White.
10:46:00 So I caution you and I ask you to work with the PTC on
10:46:07 enforcement.
10:46:07 That's going to be the problem.
10:46:10 You are going to make an ordinance you can't even enforce.
10:46:12 (Bell sounds)
10:46:13 Thank you very much.
10:46:13 >>MARGARET VIZZI: 213 South Sherill representing T.H.A.N.
10:46:23 We know it's been going on for a long time.
10:46:25 We had a long talk out there with Cathy, and ironically, we
10:46:32 were talking about how would this be enforced? Because this
10:46:38 is not only taking downtown, SoHo, the major entertainment
10:46:44 areas.
10:46:45 Much of this is going to be -- I asked her how is this going
10:46:57 to be enforced? And -- sorry.
10:47:09 So we said, well, then, good.
10:47:11 I mean, these are things, many have been on the books for a
10:47:17 long time.
10:47:21 Maybe Mayor Greco was in here.
10:47:23 I don't know how long.
10:47:24 But these are things we discussed with Kathy, how are you
10:47:33 going to ensure these regulations are taken care of?
10:47:38 It's city-wide that we are talking about.
10:47:40 So thank you.
10:47:41 >>FRANK REDDICK: Thank you.
10:47:42 None else wish to speak on item number 5?
10:47:44 >> Vick DiMaio, independent Parkway, suite 195.
10:47:53 This is a great step to be solving some of the very serious
10:47:58 issues regarding parking that are very critical in parts of
10:48:01 the city.
10:48:01 But many of these issues that we are discussing they could
10:48:03 be applied city-wide as opposed to just certain sections.
10:48:07 The parking issues tandem parking for valets that control
10:48:16 all the lots, but I researched what other cities do along
10:48:19 these lines.
10:48:22 We were faced with serious parking crunches in our own
10:48:26 properties particularly in South Tampa, and for example in
10:48:29 St. Petersburg, the city of St. Petersburg, has a very
10:48:32 commonsense approach where parking on properties by allowing
10:48:37 employees to double park.
10:48:38 And this is especially helpful for restaurants.
10:48:43 And that can be applied in St. Petersburg ordinances.
10:48:46 They apply that city-wide as well, not just ton restaurants.
10:48:49 So if you have a commercial building and you know who the
10:48:52 employees are, they can double park in a certain parking
10:48:55 lot, and you have properties that in general are very
10:49:00 expensive, he special reply South Tampa.
10:49:02 >>LISA MONTELIONE: You say double park.
10:49:04 Our terminology is tandem -- in New York double parking is
10:49:11 the right-hand lane of the roadway.
10:49:13 >> And that's exactly what I want to discuss because we are
10:49:16 talking about valet parking which is the issue today.
10:49:18 But I think the parking issue in general citywide, the
10:49:22 ordinance could really help a lot of businesses, especially
10:49:25 restaurants, but other commercial business as well, because
10:49:28 parking becomes more and more of a premium costwise, by
10:49:33 value, in the city of St. Pete, for example, it doesn't
10:49:36 exceed 50% of the parking so employees like in a restaurant,
10:49:40 waitress, waitresses can double park, and they would help
10:49:46 tremendously.
10:49:46 When we worked at SideBern's, we were held up for a couple
10:49:53 of months remodeling because of this exact situation not
10:49:56 having enough parking.
10:49:57 So as you know at Bern's, SideBern's and haven and
10:50:01 Epicurean, valet controls all the parking.
10:50:08 This is really a good step in the right direction.
10:50:10 We support the ordinance in general.
10:50:12 But again, I think if you look at maybe what some other
10:50:15 cities do, and not just applies to valet, but I think the
10:50:19 tandem parking.
10:50:20 I think the other thing I would like to throw out there is,
10:50:25 in valet situations you may be able, if you allow the zoning
10:50:30 department to maybe perpendicular park, because in some
10:50:34 properties, as you know, land is where it is, perpendicular
10:50:38 parking may be an option as well, and if that's allowed,
10:50:41 that could be helpful to some businesses that want to be
10:50:44 able to park cars, not just in tandem but also
10:50:47 perpendicular.
10:50:49 I would just suggest that this is an opportunity to change
10:50:52 some of these things that I have been fighting for years,
10:50:55 let's try to take a breath and maybe get some of these
10:50:58 things right and applicable to talking later on about this.
10:51:02 Thank you very much.
10:51:03 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right, anyone else?
10:51:04 >>STEVE MICHELINI: First of all, I think that you have
10:51:10 already heard from Harbor Island.
10:51:12 It has its own development regulations.
10:51:14 It has its own development order.
10:51:16 And obviously it is unique and should be separated out of
10:51:19 this equation.
10:51:21 It is a more recently developed property.
10:51:24 The rest of the city, especially in the older areas, when
10:51:27 you trite to meet the code regarding parking requirements
10:51:30 that a brand new parking requirements that are really
10:51:33 designed for blank sites, if you are redeveloping a site, it
10:51:38 is extremely difficult if not impossible to meet the code.
10:51:41 We have talked about this many times, that the codes are
10:51:45 written in a way for certain standards.
10:51:50 If you are retrofitting and renovating anywhere in the city,
10:51:54 you are either forced to seek a variance or forced into a
10:51:57 rezoning, remodeling or whatever you have to do.
10:52:00 So relaxing this code actually helps to protect not just the
10:52:05 businesses, but it helps to protect the neighborhoods.
10:52:10 It stops the commercial property from having to buy the
10:52:12 adjacent house and tear it down and turn it into a parking
10:52:16 lot.
10:52:16 Nobody in the neighborhood really wants that to happen.
10:52:19 The owners don't want that to happen either.
10:52:26 It takes it off the residential side and takes it off the
10:52:31 commercial side.
10:52:32 Once you take a unique development like Harbor Island out of
10:52:35 the equation and deal with the rest of the city, this is an
10:52:38 extremely valuable tool in assisting in redevelopment, and
10:52:43 in stabilizing those commercial interests as well as
10:52:45 protecting the neighborhoods.
10:52:47 So I would urge you to continue moving forward with this and
10:52:50 adopt this with the deletion of Harbor Island.
10:52:55 Thank you.
10:52:55 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I'm sorry, Mr. Grandoff, go ahead.
10:53:05 >>JOHN GRANDOFF: Address 3700 Bank of America Plaza.
10:53:09 At the outset, the gentleman here from Jackson, I believe
10:53:14 that they have an easement that gives them a rate to several
10:53:18 parking spaces in the 2 harbor place office building, which
10:53:25 is the subject of litigation recently.
10:53:28 So talking to Ms. Coyle, they may want to put that on the
10:53:33 table, that they also have that available to them as well,
10:53:36 which is much closer than the 1,000 feet or the quarter
10:53:39 mail.
10:53:41 Second, I have not read the ordinance at length.
10:53:46 But I reviewed the summary in paragraph 5.
10:53:49 Item 5 of your agenda.
10:53:51 We talk about increasing the distance.
10:53:56 There's significant regulation of valet operations.
10:53:59 There is an annual business operating permit.
10:54:02 There is annual reverification, recertification.
10:54:07 There are maximum and minimum charges that I don't quite
10:54:12 understand what those are.
10:54:13 What I am getting to is the ever-present law of unintended
10:54:19 consequences.
10:54:20 When you get a regulation that has all great intention and
10:54:23 great anticipation, and hopefully will cure the social ill
10:54:29 that you are dealing with, you have to pay attention to the
10:54:31 enforcement side.
10:54:34 And what happens is those that comply with the law have to
10:54:38 spend that capital and regulation compliance, and then there
10:54:42 are many that do not comply with the law because enforcement
10:54:46 is lax.
10:54:47 That's what code enforcement departments are for.
10:54:50 For example, they do a fabulous job but have a lot of
10:54:52 challenges.
10:54:54 So as you are reviewing this ordinance, please pay attention
10:54:58 to the enforcement, and ask your staff, how will it be
10:55:01 enforced? How will it be staffed?
10:55:03 How will it be fair to those that comply without requiring a
10:55:09 stick?
10:55:09 You are going to have the carrot and make sure that you have
10:55:11 the stick to be fair to everyone and to be compliant.
10:55:15 So I will come back with other comments.
10:55:18 But let's keep an eye on the enforcement part, too.
10:55:21 Thank you.
10:55:24 >> Anyone else wish to speak on item number 5?
10:55:32 Ms. Coyle?
10:55:35 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Ultimately looking for direction on what
10:55:36 if any issues you would like to move forward to the Planning
10:55:39 Commission nor cycle, clear direction on those two issues we
10:55:42 spoke about in the last meeting, for this meeting.
10:55:46 I do recommend that we set a cap on the distance separation
10:55:49 for valet.
10:55:50 And I definitely recommend that we put a cap on the
10:55:53 percentage of the required parking that you can provide to
10:55:56 valet.
10:55:57 As far as the enforcement that was issued, it was raised.
10:56:00 This is enforced adjusts like everything else for zoning
10:56:03 purposes.
10:56:04 These are not brand new regulations.
10:56:07 They are tweaks to current regulations we have.
10:56:11 The new regulation is the valet business operating permit,
10:56:14 which we talked about for a lot of other businesses, and it
10:56:19 is much better mechanism to deal with true business
10:56:22 operation, because the permit of that we can immediately
10:56:27 suspend or revoke without having to go through a lot of
10:56:30 public hearings and other things.
10:56:33 And we also have the arm of TPD to help with us that as
10:56:37 well, as opposed to just code enforcement.
10:56:40 So we do believe we reviewed it with the legal department
10:56:43 for several years now that are we think it's a better
10:56:46 option, dealing with business operating permit.
10:56:49 But that's really the new regulation.
10:56:50 The rest of it is tweaked to the current parking regulations
10:56:54 that we have, really to provide that flexibility that you
10:56:58 have seen in Seminole Heights and other areas in central
10:57:01 Tampa where it has worked.
10:57:05 The entire Tampa planning district.
10:57:16 It is the oldest part of the city and the development
10:57:19 patterns are very tight.
10:57:22 A lot of those corridors, the proposed language really helps
10:57:29 with those corridors.
10:57:30 It will help a lot of these in East Tampa, West Tampa.
10:57:36 To have these old buildings that are boarded up that we are
10:57:42 seeing in Seminole Heights.
10:57:45 >>LISA MONTELIONE: You are the planning professional here
10:57:47 in the city.
10:57:47 What do you think about the exclusion of Harbor Island and
10:57:53 the comments that were made here this morning?
10:57:55 I'm interested in your take on the situation.
10:57:59 >>CATHERINE COYLE: We typically do not recommend along with
10:58:01 the legal department to exclude a specific area, a named
10:58:06 area, unless it's abundantly clear in the record and
10:58:09 specifically in the regulation as to why that area is
10:58:11 excluded.
10:58:12 >> Harbor Island is not a named area?
10:58:15 >>CATHERINE COYLE: No, it is.
10:58:16 I'm sorry.
10:58:17 It's rare that are we would -- it's rare that we actually
10:58:20 call it out and exclude it that way.
10:58:22 Because if you look at the development pattern -- because we
10:58:24 are writing recalls for really based on how things should be
10:58:27 developed -- if you look at Harbor Island's proximity to
10:58:33 downtown, yes, regulatorywise it has its own plan and has
10:58:36 its own regulatory scheme under DRI and planned
10:58:40 developments.
10:58:41 But it is a compact-built urban environment immediately
10:58:45 within the downtown sphere.
10:58:49 To exclude it for these purposes seems a little odd, just
10:58:55 calling it out and taking it out, because we have shared
10:58:57 parking everywhere downtown with the garages.
10:59:00 What I would say, to keep it more in line with how we have
10:59:03 done exclusions in the past, to call out what it is we are
10:59:07 really trying to do, the physical connection is the problem.
10:59:11 We are looking at valet safety and we are looking at those
10:59:14 people --
10:59:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, what about --
10:59:17 >>CATHERINE COYLE: No connection --
10:59:18 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Having a bridge at your location.
10:59:24 We would have the same thing, say, with the bridge -- the
10:59:35 change or Mise en Place, that 1300 feet would put you on the
10:59:42 other side of the bridge.
10:59:43 I think a bridge would be an appropriate separation point to
10:59:48 say that's why we are excluding it.
10:59:51 >>CATHERINE COYLE: And there's language already in the code
10:59:53 about it.
10:59:53 It has to be at least lighted pedestrian connection for
10:59:57 those parking lots.
10:59:58 We also measured that distance on the actual where you drive
11:00:02 or walk.
11:00:03 So you would simply put in that distance is not to include
11:00:10 the measurement over a bridge, or over a navigable waterway.
11:00:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So I would direct you to do exactly what
11:00:17 you just said.
11:00:21 And I have an agreement with limiting the 13, to 1320 feet.
11:00:25 And I'm also in agreement with -- how I would frame into a
11:00:38 section of town being 100% valet.
11:00:41 Because in some places it would make sense.
11:00:43 But in other places it would not.
11:00:45 And tell us that we discourage -- if we discourage surface
11:00:55 parking we might actually get people walking in their own
11:00:58 neighborhood to a neighborhood restaurant instead of driving
11:01:01 three blocks.
11:01:04 >> So are you saying it should be 100% or setting the tab at
11:01:09 the lower rate?
11:01:11 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It depends where it is.
11:01:13 100% valet doesn't make sense in every part of town.
11:01:17 >> Correct.
11:01:17 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It wouldn't make sense on Fowler Avenue.
11:01:19 It wouldn't make sense on Busch Boulevard.
11:01:21 But it would make sense in some parts of Seminole Heights.
11:01:26 So, you know, it all depends on where it is.
11:01:30 It depends on the age of the building.
11:01:32 You know, as someone said, if it's an existing building, you
11:01:37 can't integrate parking, if you are building new, then you
11:01:40 can have integrated parking.
11:01:44 You can build a parking garage underneath the building or
11:01:46 above or whatever.
11:01:47 So really for me it's all about location.
11:01:52 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Well, part of the provision for the
11:01:53 central Tampa planning district, an existing building that
11:01:56 is one of the provisions that if you are using an existing
11:01:59 building, and you are not putting in a bar or large place of
11:02:03 assembly or vehicle repair, you actually can move into the
11:02:07 building with the parking table in central Tampa without
11:02:11 providing additional parking.
11:02:13 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The bars are one of the places where we
11:02:16 have parking issues.
11:02:17 Bar and restaurant.
11:02:19 >>CATHY COYLE: But a bar will come to you anyway.
11:02:21 So they can deal with that in front of you.
11:02:26 So that's why -- huddled together for a reason.
11:02:34 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It's better for them to have the rules
11:02:37 before they get here, because by the time they get here, you
11:02:41 are hoping that they have their entire plan already done and
11:02:47 aren't subject to our discussion here.
11:02:50 I mean, it's always better for a business, tell me what the
11:02:53 rules are and I'll either comply with them or I'll find a
11:02:57 way to negotiate a variance or some other condition.
11:03:03 But they need to know what the rules are before they get
11:03:08 here.
11:03:10 >>CATHERINE COYLE: They will.
11:03:10 Traditionally, historically, and just through recently, bars
11:03:16 are not specifically something that council wanted to write
11:03:18 into any part of the code for any special provision or
11:03:22 allowances.
11:03:23 That's why they still come to you for special use.
11:03:30 >>FRANK REDDICK: Mr. Cohen.
11:03:31 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you.
11:03:33 I think that's a really -- on the Harbor Island issue, I
11:03:38 think issue, the bridge, is an excellent way of pursuing it,
11:03:43 because there is definitely a public interest in not
11:03:46 everything the bridges get tied up by valet parking
11:03:49 operation.
11:03:49 You just can't have that.
11:03:54 You can imagine how bad that could be.
11:03:58 We talked about a couple issues here, about the maximum
11:04:01 distance for the valet.
11:04:03 You mentioned 1320 feet which is a quarter mail, which is
11:04:07 the same distance that we allow for remote parking lot,
11:04:12 correct, so the two would be the same.
11:04:14 I think that's a reasonable number.
11:04:21 In terms of Councilwoman Montelione's question about the
11:04:24 cap.
11:04:24 I think of that is really a difficult issue, because she's
11:04:30 right.
11:04:31 There are just different circumstances that exist.
11:04:32 And really, I don't even know how you categorize it by park,
11:04:37 because there are different circumstances that exist on
11:04:39 individual properties.
11:04:41 So there must be some way that we can allow a certain amount
11:04:48 as of right, a certain percentage that -- and then to have
11:04:52 an ability to ask for more based on the site constraints,
11:04:56 and take it on a case-by-case basis.
11:05:01 >>CATHY COYLE: There's always an ability beyond that.
11:05:03 >>HARRY COHEN: I think we have to stick to that.
11:05:05 I don't know what the percentage could be as a right, but --
11:05:11 I don't know just what the number is that council would
11:05:14 agree on.
11:05:15 >>CATHY COYLE: I recommend starting at half, 50% and working
11:05:18 your way down probably there from there based on the
11:05:21 discussions.
11:05:21 >>HARRY COHEN: Welshing certainly not up.
11:05:25 >> Unless you want to gone to 100%.
11:05:29 >>HARRY COHEN: The other thing I want to mention of Tampa's
11:05:32 parking issue.
11:05:33 One of the concerns that's been raised about the Tampa
11:05:36 parking is that it could create a situation where all of a
11:05:40 sudden twice as many people could go to a venue as are
11:05:45 permitted to go now.
11:05:47 So, you know, I understand the reason to do it in the valet
11:05:51 lot.
11:05:52 I think that the valet having control of the keys, they can
11:05:57 make more efficient use of the space that they have.
11:06:01 I'm very wary, though, of the idea of allowing, you know,
11:06:07 nontraditional parking in tandem, in self-parking lots.
11:06:19 While it's something I think maybe we can have some more
11:06:21 discussion about in terms of employee parking, why to have
11:06:27 me it opens a can of worms that -- it opens up a can of
11:06:34 worms, because I can just see the disputes that would take
11:06:36 place when people can't move their car out of regular
11:06:39 parking lots because somebody is now parked behind them.
11:06:44 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Ultimately if I were to write a rule for
11:06:46 it, I would have to write a rule that employee parking be
11:06:50 designated and marked and be marked appropriately.
11:06:55 They would have to be actually signed and marked that way.
11:06:58 A lot of these lots on Howard, Florida, Nebraska, a lot of
11:07:01 the -- MacDill, it's hard enough to fit head to head
11:07:05 parking or just a double aisle of parking let alone having
11:07:09 one tandem.
11:07:12 I could write the rule, and I would never write it to the
11:07:15 where they just kind of haphazardly do it.
11:07:18 We want to the function properly.
11:07:19 I don't know how often it physically could be used.
11:07:23 That's the only thing.
11:07:24 >>HARRY COHEN: We are leaving that off for today.
11:07:32 That's not going to go forward today, though.
11:07:37 I would like to hear what everyone has to say about the
11:07:41 percentage valet versus self-parking, and whatever feels the
11:07:47 appropriate ratios are.
11:07:49 >>FRANK REDDICK: Anyone else from council wish to speak on
11:07:51 this particular item?
11:07:52 All right.
11:08:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I already said that, you know, for me it
11:08:03 depends on the location.
11:08:04 And you are right.
11:08:07 Even setting a particular area of town is tough, because one
11:08:11 block might be appropriate, but around the corner it might
11:08:15 not.
11:08:16 So I think when they come in for permitting, that's when it
11:08:20 could be decided how it's going to be applied, whether it's
11:08:26 50%, 75%, or 100%.
11:08:30 In some locations, I would say to acclimate the space in
11:08:40 some historic buildings, 100% valet might be necessary.
11:08:44 I mean, there is no parking for some of these buildings at
11:08:48 all.
11:08:48 Or if there is parking, it's, you know, four spaces.
11:08:54 >>CATHERINE COYLE: If there's not a clear number in the code
11:08:56 and it's discretionary it will wind up 100% every time.
11:09:01 I recommend putting in a number.
11:09:04 I recommend putting in a number, because then six months, a
11:09:07 year from now we can actually come back.
11:09:09 And you will hear whether or not it's working from the
11:09:11 public and we will know whether or not it's working
11:09:14 developmentwise, and then it's just a number you can change.
11:09:17 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So we can't put 50% with the ability to
11:09:22 apply through some process for additional?
11:09:29 I mean, if it's warranted?
11:09:36 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Yeah.
11:09:36 I mean, yeah. We can -- we can set it up, and if you want
11:09:40 to -- it's already through an administrative process.
11:09:43 So ultimately, I guess they would have to come to you.
11:09:50 It's a design exception, which is a zoning permit.
11:09:55 So if they want 75% and we only grant 50, they could come to
11:10:01 you.
11:10:02 It's a de novo hearing so it would be all new.
11:10:05 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That would work for me, if we do 507% in
11:10:09 the code, and then the option to apply, to come to council
11:10:14 for more.
11:10:17 >>CATHERINE COYLE: That option is always open for any
11:10:19 exception we do.
11:10:20 That would be a normal path.
11:10:21 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Does that work for you?
11:10:23 >>HARRY COHEN: That would allow, in cases where there are
11:10:26 issues, to have a public hearing.
11:10:28 And everyone could come in and have their say.
11:10:31 >> Right.
11:10:33 >>HARRY COHEN: We would make an informed decision.
11:10:35 >> And at the same time make sure you are not granting more
11:10:38 than we are allowed to.
11:10:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It works for me.
11:10:43 >>CATHERINE COYLE: Okay.
11:10:45 Then I am going to go to the Planning Commission for the
11:10:47 next hearing they have with the valet distance not over
11:10:51 bridges, set a quarter mile max, valet lots, setting it at
11:10:57 50%, and then follow the normal process for review.
11:11:02 >>FRANK REDDICK: All right.
11:11:03 Thank you.
11:11:05 All right.
11:11:08 Ms. Capin?
11:11:11 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes, I would like to present a motion to
11:11:13 City Council that we look into an ordinance that all City
11:11:18 Council members may park in any city lot or metered space in
11:11:28 the City of Tampa.
11:11:31 And I am not going to put an hour, because when I was
11:11:35 visiting Bollywood, I was out till two or three in the
11:11:38 morning just trying to follow it.
11:11:40 So it was a 24/7 for City Council members to be able to park
11:11:47 in any city-owned lot or metered space with this on the
11:11:53 window.
11:11:54 And you just show it at the parking garage and that's it.
11:11:59 That's it.
11:12:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: I have a motion from Mrs. Capin.
11:12:08 Seconded by Mr. Maniscalco.
11:12:10 All in favor of the motion say aye.
11:12:13 Opposed? Okay. Now --
11:12:19 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I had conversation with former City
11:12:21 Councilman Rudy Fernandez.
11:12:27 This may actually solve one of the problems he was talking
11:12:31 about.
11:12:31 But I think for us, I try -- I understand it because I deal
11:12:36 with the same issues all the time, too, which is where do we
11:12:39 park when we are doing official duty?
11:12:41 And it's a pain.
11:12:42 There is no doubt about it.
11:12:44 But I don't think at this point I am ready.
11:12:48 >>YVONNE CAPIN: May I comment?
11:12:49 You can say no but you can have the privilege as soon as we
11:12:51 have it.
11:12:52 (Laughter)
11:12:57 >>MIKE SUAREZ: William Buckley said that, you know -- he
11:13:11 said you live in a society where democracy rules.
11:13:14 So he didn't give back his Social Security.
11:13:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: I am going to make a motion that we deny
11:13:24 him.
11:13:25 (Laughter)
11:13:27 All right.
11:13:34 Information reports.
11:13:56 >>FRANK REDDICK: You are going to say the motion passed with
11:13:59 Mr. Suarez voting.
11:14:00 No.
11:14:01 >> We were messing around of the.
11:14:08 >> Suarez voting no and Miranda being absent at vote.
11:14:13 >>FRANK REDDICK: Information reports.
11:14:14 Mr. Suarez.
11:14:14 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you very much.
11:14:17 I appreciate it.
11:14:18 Three things.
11:14:18 One, this week, there is going to be an event over at Ragan
11:14:23 Park, the walk concerning Moffitt.
11:14:30 365 days against cancer.
11:14:32 It's a walk on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.
11:14:38 And hopefully people who have had family members or friends
11:14:42 that have suffered from cancer to show up and walk in favor
11:14:47 of trying to end this disease.
11:14:50 Secondly, G-3 light applications ink, a 501(c)3 mentoring
11:14:58 company focuses on training, motivating, by cultural the
11:15:02 spiritual, mental attributes of participants.
11:15:07 They are having an event this Saturday also.
11:15:09 And just wanted to make sure if none has a chance to go out
11:15:14 and see it.
11:15:14 And I think they are going to be doing etiquette skills this
11:15:19 time.
11:15:20 So anyone that's interested please call our office at
11:15:22 813-274-7072 if they have any questions about where it's at
11:15:26 and how to get involved with G-3.
11:15:29 I think it's a wonderful group.
11:15:31 They do a great job.
11:15:32 Thank you.
11:15:35 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I have a very important announcement.
11:15:37 Don, can you put the photo on?
11:15:40 Do you hear me?
11:15:41 There it is.
11:15:43 You couldn't enlarge it?
11:15:46 Okay.
11:15:46 Here it goes.
11:15:48 I made a promise when he was coming that I would be his
11:15:52 grandmother and I am going to live up to it.
11:15:55 My baby grandson.
11:15:58 As you recall, this is his first birthday, and it is also
11:16:08 his fourth birthday.
11:16:11 Leap year birthday.
11:16:12 I'm 4 years old and I will never be three again.
11:16:16 Happy birthday, Myles.
11:16:20 >>FRANK REDDICK: How did you get this under staff report
11:16:21 under unfinished business?
11:16:23 (Laughter)
11:16:24 All right, happy birthday.
11:16:31 Mr. Cohen.
11:16:31 >>HARRY COHEN: No, thank you.
11:16:32 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Mr. Chairman, I do have one item.
11:16:36 Recently reported in the newspaper and the Tribune about
11:16:38 some illicit activity in the area of Nebraska and
11:16:43 Hillsborough Avenue in regard to prostitution.
11:16:48 Or as they have called it clandestine ran day view.
11:16:53 This is bringing negative impacts to the neighborhood and
11:16:56 the citizens that live and work there.
11:16:58 And if I could ask Tampa Police Department to come up with a
11:17:01 report about a planned attack on how to assist these areas
11:17:05 in cracking down on this illegal activity in the alleys,
11:17:09 whatnot, out in the open, whether it be more police
11:17:12 presence, or any other ideas that they might have.
11:17:14 And if they can come back March 17th were a staff
11:17:17 report.
11:17:18 >>FRANK REDDICK: I have a motion from Mr. Maniscalco.
11:17:20 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
11:17:22 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Quick question in terms of discussion.
11:17:26 Are you talking about a specific area so the police can give
11:17:29 us some very specific information?
11:17:32 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: What the newspaper highlighted was the
11:17:34 area of Hillsborough and Nebraska, rate there.
11:17:39 But along the areas or in the neighborhoods in that
11:17:42 vicinity, in the alleyways.
11:17:46 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seminole Heights.
11:17:46 >> Yes, because along Nebraska, we all know there's a lot of
11:17:53 areas.
11:17:54 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: And in the Seminole Heights area.
11:17:58 In the in the alleyways hundred dollar people's homes.
11:18:01 There's stuff going on.
11:18:02 There's debris, trash left behind.
11:18:04 There's children that go tell you about there, walk their
11:18:06 dogs through there and they are exposed to this.
11:18:09 I would like to see what ideas TPD has and come back March
11:18:12 17th with a staff report.
11:18:14 >>FRANK REDDICK: We got a motion by Mr. Maniscalco.
11:18:17 Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
11:18:18 Any further discussions? All in favor of the motion say
11:18:20 aye.
11:18:21 Opposed?
11:18:21 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have two items.
11:18:39 I was asked for a commendation to Moffitt Cancer Center.
11:18:44 Another Moffitt effort.
11:18:45 The men's health forum being held on March 19th.
11:18:49 And for them, a date for them to come here.
11:18:57 >>HARRY COHEN: How about the 24th?
11:18:59 Oh, you want to do it before?
11:19:01 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The 19th so we have to do it -- how
11:19:04 before the 10th?
11:19:08 It's a CRA meeting.
11:19:10 >>HARRY COHEN: Fine.
11:19:12 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We can't vote to put something on the
11:19:14 CRA agenda.
11:19:19 So I'll see if they can come at an evening session.
11:19:36 That is my motion.
11:19:45 >>FRANK REDDICK: Got a motion from Mrs. Montelione.
11:19:47 Seconded by Mr. Suarez.
11:19:48 Any further discussion on the motion?
11:19:50 All in favor of the motion say aye.
11:19:52 Opposed?
11:19:53 All right.
11:19:55 Need a motion to receive and file.
11:19:56 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Wait, wait of the I have another item.
11:20:01 Well, hang on.
11:20:03 He just handed me -- March 3rd is a regular session and
11:20:09 we are not doing commendation during regular session.
11:20:12 That's what we agreed on at our -- what do you call it,
11:20:19 strategic planning meeting, that we would only do
11:20:22 commendations on days that we are not having regular
11:20:25 sessions.
11:20:26 So, anyway, that's where the confusion lies.
11:20:29 And they requested the 3rd and we can't do the 3rd.
11:20:33 >>MARTIN SHELBY: This of course is in draft form.
11:20:45 And --
11:20:48 >>FRANK REDDICK: It's my understanding we are just going to
11:20:50 limit the number.
11:20:51 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That wasn't my understanding, but okay.
11:20:57 Well, then let me see how many we are having on March
11:21:00 3rd ever? So then I rescind that previous motion and
11:21:05 change the date to March 3rd at 9:00 a.m.
11:21:08 >>FRANK REDDICK: The motion is rescinded by Mrs. Montelione
11:21:10 and accepted by Mr. Suarez.
11:21:12 All in favor say aye.
11:21:14 Opposed?
11:21:14 Okay.
11:21:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So same motion, only, madam clerk, make
11:21:19 that March 3rd at 9:00 a.m. for Moffitt Cancer Center.
11:21:24 >>FRANK REDDICK: We have a motion by Mrs. Montelione,
11:21:27 seconded by Mr. Suarez.
11:21:28 All in favor say yay.
11:21:30 Opposed?
11:21:30 Okay.
11:21:33 March 3rd. 9:00 a.m.
11:21:35 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The second commendation I'm requesting
11:21:37 is to a nonprofit -- and I know I am not going to say this
11:21:46 right -- Swarajya, Society of Tampa on their event March
11:21:56 5th to be given at their event.
11:21:56 They are a nonprofit that promotes friendship and equality
11:21:59 and cultural aspects of Hinduism and the Indian society.
11:22:06 >>FRANK REDDICK: Seconded by Mr. Cohen.
11:22:08 Discussion on the motion?
11:22:09 All in favor say aye.
11:22:11 Opposed? Anything else?
11:22:12 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That's it.
11:22:13 >>FRANK REDDICK: Need a motion to receive and file.
11:22:15 Motion by Mr. Cohen. Seconded by Mr. Suarez.
11:22:17 All in favor? Opposed?
11:22:19 We stand adjourned until 5:30 p.m.
11:22:22 (Meeting adjourned.)
11:22:25
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.