TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
April 28, 2016
Workshop 9:00 a.m.
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09:04:17 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Like to call Tampa City Council in
09:04:19 session.
09:04:20 The chair -- hello.
09:04:24 The chair yields to Councilwoman Montelione.
09:04:31 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Good morning, everyone.
09:04:32 Good morning, everyone.
09:04:35 Today is my distinct pleasure to introduce Deirdre
09:04:38 Johnson Griffith, an alumni of Oakwood University.
09:04:46 She received her bachelor's degree in religion, along
09:04:47 with an associate degree in nursing.
09:04:48 After earning a bachelor's degree from nursing for the
09:04:51 University of South Florida -- go Bulls -- she worked as
09:04:54 a registered nurse for over 20 years.
09:04:56 After years of seeing to the physical well-being of those
09:04:59 in her community did, Deirdre answered the call to see to
09:05:02 their spiritual well-being.
09:05:05 She completed her masters in divinity as well as a
09:05:08 masters in sacred music.
09:05:09 Is she going to sing for us?
09:05:12 [ Laughter ]
09:05:13 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And now serves as the manager of
09:05:15 pastoral care at Florida Hospital in Tampa.
09:05:17 In addition to being an accomplished preacher, Deirdre
09:05:21 has recorded two hymnal CDs and is currently a member of
09:05:26 the master chorale of Tampa Bay and is part of the chorus
09:05:29 of the Florida orchestra.
09:05:32 Chaplain Griffith, thank you for joining us today.
09:05:34 All rise for the invocation, remain standing for the
09:05:37 pledge.
09:05:38 >> Almighty and everlasting God, we pause to reverence
09:05:41 your holiness.
09:05:44 Send us your wisdom as this body pursues justice for all
09:05:47 your people.
09:05:49 Bless each family represented here and bind our community
09:05:52 together in love.
09:05:53 We will give your name all glory, honor and praise, Amen.
09:05:59 [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
09:06:14 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
09:06:15 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Roll call, please.
09:06:17 [Roll Call]
09:06:19 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Here.
09:06:21 >>HARRY COHEN: Here.
09:06:22 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Here.
09:06:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Here.
09:06:25 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Here.
09:06:25 >>MIKE SUAREZ: First item of business is our presentation
09:06:28 of the commendation to police officer of the month.
09:06:30 To do the honors is Councilman Charlie Miranda.
09:06:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Honorable chairman, member of City
09:06:51 Council, my pleasure to be here this morning to make
09:06:53 presentation both to police officer of the month and the
09:06:55 firefighter of the month.
09:06:56 As I look around people in blue and white and ladies all
09:06:59 dressed up, is this a Council prom?
09:07:02 [ Laughter ]
09:07:03 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I mean -- anything can happen.
09:07:07 My pleasure, Officer Cedric McFarlane.
09:07:12 First time I've met you.
09:07:16 Thank you.
09:07:17 You know, Officer McFarlane, your duties as your badge
09:07:24 865 and that was about my ER average when I was a
09:07:28 pitcher.
09:07:28 [ Laughter ]
09:07:30 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I'm honored to be here with you, sir.
09:07:33 I like the mustache.
09:07:35 Because what you do and simplified -- you have to satisfy
09:07:40 360 some thousand people.
09:07:42 You have to police them.
09:07:44 You have to understand them.
09:07:45 You have to realize what they say and sometimes they say
09:07:49 it out of frustration and you have to take all that.
09:07:51 Sometimes they say thank you and sometimes they thank
09:07:54 you, thank you not.
09:07:56 And your duties as a police officer are not just hard
09:08:02 duties we come here and manage the city one way or the
09:08:04 other for the better of all we hope.
09:08:06 But you're on the streets and you learn more about being
09:08:08 in the streets and talking to people than anything I can
09:08:11 do, because I see people, but see them in sessions like
09:08:16 this.
09:08:16 You see them in their need and their time of despair and
09:08:20 their time of need.
09:08:21 And you really do a great job, all of you, not only you
09:08:24 but the thousands of sworn officers of the police
09:08:27 department under chief ward and the assistant chiefs and
09:08:30 everyone else.
09:08:31 We are here to congratulate you and I presume you chief
09:08:34 ward or chief O'Connor is going to come and read your
09:08:37 commendation.
09:08:38 After that, we'll make the presentation, commendation.
09:08:40 Thank you for what you've done.
09:08:46 >> Good morning, Council.
09:08:48 Assistant Chief Mary O'Conner here for Officer Sherrick
09:08:51 McFarlane.
09:08:54 He is the son of detective Rudy McFarlane, who is here in
09:08:58 the audience.
09:08:59 He is following right along in Dad's footsteps and he is
09:09:02 becoming a superstar in his very young career.
09:09:05 You know, he pays very much attention to detail of what
09:09:10 he's doing on his shift every day.
09:09:12 Took a special attention recently in what we have seen as
09:09:16 a little bit of a spike in auto theft.
09:09:19 A lot of the auto theft kids are coming between
09:09:23 St. Petersburg and Tampa and it's becoming a little bit
09:09:26 of an issue.
09:09:27 Officer McFarlane took it upon himself to take this issue
09:09:31 seriously, received a bolo of be on the lookout for a
09:09:35 black Infiniti that was stolen.
09:09:37 And he set up at Westshore and Kennedy and waited for it
09:09:40 to come by.
09:09:42 He knew exactly where it would come.
09:09:43 Sure enough it came by.
09:09:45 He very safely pursued it and was able to apprehend the
09:09:49 suspect.
09:09:49 On the same exact shift, he found another stolen vehicle,
09:09:56 initiated pursuit, safely stopped it and was able to
09:09:59 apprehend that suspect.
09:10:00 So two grand theft auto suspects in one shift is quite
09:10:04 remarkable.
09:10:04 He works in district one on the midnight shift and again
09:10:08 like I said, we hear his name constantly and he's going
09:10:11 to be definitely a future leader of this fine agency.
09:10:14 So we are happy to recognize officer Sherrick McFarlane
09:10:19 for officer of the month for April 2016.
09:10:22 [ Applause ]
09:10:22 >> Officer McFarlane, on behalf of Tampa City Council
09:10:34 we're pleased and whole city of Tampa, the Mayor, City
09:10:37 Council, all of us in the city, of your expanding work
09:10:40 and hopefully your career would be stepped forward.
09:10:44 And if you need a promotion, don't ask me because I can't
09:10:47 promote.
09:10:47 [ Laughter ]
09:10:49 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I thought I'd let you know about it.
09:10:51 My pleasure, sir, my pleasure, chief, thank you Chief
09:10:54 Ward, recognize you also as outstanding individual in the
09:10:59 police department.
09:11:00 Doing a great job for us.
09:11:01 Thank you very much.
09:11:02 >> Thank you.
09:11:03 >> Good morning, Chairman.
09:11:09 Good morning, Council.
09:11:11 I'm Vinny Gericitano, president of the Tampa Police
09:11:13 Benevolent Association.
09:11:15 Joining me is Gene Haines, secretary and treasure of the
09:11:19 Tampa PBA.
09:11:21 I'm extremely proud to stand here today next to Sherrick.
09:11:24 Sherrick is a member of the PBA.
09:11:26 He is certainly following the footsteps of his dad, who
09:11:30 is also a member of the PBA.
09:11:33 Sherrick, we want to present to you a watch, PBA logo,
09:11:37 for the fine job that you do for the citizens of Tampa.
09:11:40 And for representing the PBA.
09:11:43 >> Appreciate that, thank you.
09:11:45 [ Applause ]
09:11:46 >> Good morning, Council, Jim Carson, Bill Currie Ford.
09:11:52 We see many of you officers come into our dealership day
09:11:56 after day.
09:11:57 This month you just rose to the top.
09:11:59 On behalf of the Bill Currie family and myself, like to
09:12:02 give you a 2015 customized Mustang.
09:12:06 [ Laughter ]
09:12:08 [ Applause ]
09:12:08 >> Good morning, council.
09:12:17 Joe Durkin on behalf of Bright House Networks.
09:12:20 Congratulations being officer of the month.
09:12:22 I had the pleasure of working with your dad many years
09:12:25 ago.
09:12:25 You're a great representative of an outstanding agency.
09:12:29 Congratulations.
09:12:31 From your friends of Bright House network, one month free
09:12:34 of all services, video, high speed and phone.
09:12:37 >> Appreciate that.
09:12:39 >> Congratulations.
09:12:40 >> Thank you very much.
09:12:40 [ Applause ]
09:12:41 >> Good morning, Council, Kelly Nixon, from the
09:12:47 Doubletree by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore.
09:12:49 On behalf of the Doubletree, like to thank you for your
09:12:52 service.
09:12:52 Here are some of our world famous Doubletree cookies and
09:12:54 a complimentary weekend stay.
09:12:58 [ Applause ]
09:13:00 >> City Council, I'm with the Straz Center.
09:13:04 We have a long history of partnership with, not only the
09:13:08 city but also the Tampa Police Department as well.
09:13:11 Got to apologize, I'm from South Carolina, haven't been
09:13:14 here that long.
09:13:16 But hopefully on behalf of Judy Lisi and the Straz
09:13:20 Center, we want to thank you for you what do.
09:13:23 Not just for what you do when you're in the uniform but
09:13:23 what you do with the community because it takes -- anyone
09:13:26 can be a police officer.
09:13:27 I use that term loosely, but it takes a lot to be a
09:13:30 representative of the city with respect and with desire
09:13:33 and passion.
09:13:34 So, I got some tickets to "If and Then."
09:13:37 And it should get you out of there in time to still work
09:13:41 on your shift.
09:13:41 [ Applause ]
09:13:43 >> Good morning, Council, Jill Witecki, Tampa Theatre.
09:13:49 Thank you for all you do.
09:13:50 And on behalf of the theater, we'd like to give you an
09:13:52 annual membership.
09:13:53 >> Thank you very much.
09:13:54 [ Applause ]
09:13:55 >> Good morning, Council, Mike McArthur of Stepp's Towing
09:14:00 Service, and unlike Jim's car from Bill Currie, you can
09:14:01 actually ride in mine.
09:14:03 Here's a night out in our company limousine for you and
09:14:07 your family or friends.
09:14:08 On behalf of the Stepp family and Stepp's Towing, we
09:14:11 appreciate everything you do.
09:14:12 Also pull up in style at Bass Pro Shops, maybe do some
09:14:16 fishing or something like that.
09:14:19 Appreciate everything you do.
09:14:20 [ Applause ]
09:14:22 >> Good morning, Council.
09:14:24 Pete Brady with Busch Gardens.
09:14:26 It's actually a pleasure of mine to present this award.
09:14:29 Was excited when I saw the announcement.
09:14:32 Like a couple other people have indicated, I've had the
09:14:34 opportunity to work with Sherrick's dad.
09:14:37 Actually I was Sherrick's dad's FTO when he first became
09:14:41 a police officer.
09:14:42 It is phenomenal to see he's wearing his dad's badge.
09:14:46 Like Chief O'Conner said, I'm sure this will not be the
09:14:49 last time anybody in the City of Tampa or leadership will
09:14:52 hear from Sherrick.
09:14:53 And on behalf of Busch Gardens -- and actually he works
09:14:56 at our park throughout the year.
09:14:57 So what I'm giving him today is four passes for him and
09:15:00 his family to come to the park which he really doesn't
09:15:03 need because he can come any time.
09:15:05 [ Laughter ]
09:15:05 >> But on behalf of that, Sherrick, appreciate you and
09:15:07 you exemplify what a police officer is and I appreciate
09:15:11 everything you do for us.
09:15:12 >> Thank you.
09:15:13 [ Applause ]
09:15:14 >> Congratulations.
09:15:16 Steve Stickler representing Crockett's Towing and
09:15:19 Transport.
09:15:20 Officer, we'd like to congratulate you and thank you very
09:15:22 much for a job well done.
09:15:24 We appreciate you keeping it straight for the citizens
09:15:26 safety out there.
09:15:27 We have a small token of our appreciation and gift card,
09:15:30 you can add to that other one you got to Bass Pro Shops.
09:15:34 On another note, I'd like to wish Councilwoman Montelione
09:15:40 a belated happy birthday.
09:15:41 >> LISA MONTELIONE: Oh, thank you!
09:15:42 >> Now everyone knows.
09:15:45 >> Good morning, Council, I'm Michael Kilgore, the chief
09:15:46 marketing officer for all the Columbia restaurant groups.
09:15:49 On behalf of Richard Gonzmart and the Gonzmart family,
09:15:53 the 111-year-old Columbia restaurant the year and a half
09:15:53 Ulele restaurant, the almost ready to open Goody Goody --
09:15:58 Junish -- have $100 gift card to Ulele.
09:16:01 Thanks for all you do to keep us safe.
09:16:04 Look forward to seeing you at the restaurant.
09:16:05 >> Thank you.
09:16:05 [ Applause ]
09:16:06 >> Steve Michelini here on behalf of variety of different
09:16:13 corporate entities and would like to honor you.
09:16:18 After Bright House takes over the world, there are some
09:16:21 things over here that you can use.
09:16:23 Joe Durkin told me I had ten minutes or less to make this
09:16:28 presentation.
09:16:28 I'm going to drag it out.
09:16:30 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Really, ten minutes or less?
09:16:32 Mr. Durkin is the one that said it to you?
09:16:36 >> I'd have to ask the chair for a little more time.
09:16:40 On behalf of prestige portraits, we're providing you and
09:16:44 your family with photographic package so you can have
09:16:47 your portraits done.
09:16:48 On behalf of Byblos cafe and I hope you like middle
09:16:52 eastern food, it's a great place to go they're going to
09:16:55 provide with you a gift certificate of $100.
09:16:57 You can enjoy yourself there at lunch or dinner.
09:17:01 On behalf of the kitchen yes, sir restaurant group.
09:17:06 A variety of different than locations you can go to.
09:17:09 $50 gift certificate.
09:17:12 We are happy you're here and out there on the street and
09:17:15 following up, as the chief said, you're doing extra
09:17:17 things to help keep us safe.
09:17:19 So thank you very much.
09:17:20 >> Thank you.
09:17:21 >> Less than ten minutes.
09:17:23 [ Laughter ]
09:17:24 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you.
09:17:26 [ Applause ]
09:17:26 >> Good morning, want to thank everybody for their great
09:17:31 gifts.
09:17:31 I'm very grateful, very grateful.
09:17:33 Want to thank chief O'Connor, Chief Ward, PBA, of course
09:17:37 my parents, Rudy McFarlane, Chase McFarlane, love you.
09:17:41 Very appreciative.
09:17:42 I thank you for that.
09:17:43 Thank you.
09:17:44 [ Applause ]
09:17:45 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Now officer, I have a quick question.
09:17:53 You have your dad's badge number?
09:17:55 >> I do.
09:17:55 >>MIKE SUAREZ: What badge number does he have now?
09:18:00 >> 1,001.
09:18:01 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Congratulations.
09:18:03 We really appreciate everything do you for the City of
09:18:04 Tampa.
09:18:05 >> Thank you very much.
09:18:08 [ Applause ]
09:18:17 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Well, Mr. Chairman, City Council, I've
09:18:18 just been informed that I'm in the middle of choice
09:18:22 between Stepp Towing and Bill Currie Ford.
09:18:25 The challenges that happen in these halls are
09:18:27 unbelievable.
09:18:28 Had a comedian up here before you.
09:18:30 Wasn't me, was the other guy, the guy with hair.
09:18:32 But my pleasure again, in fact, your name McFarlane Park,
09:18:37 do you own that too?
09:18:38 [ Laughter ]
09:18:40 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: You don't?
09:18:42 Great park.
09:18:43 A lot of ball players come out of there but not me.
09:18:46 Anyway, thanks again all of you, all the police officers
09:18:49 on behalf of Tampa City Council for what you do on a
09:18:51 daily basis.
09:18:52 We really appreciate it very much.
09:18:56 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda, I think there's a bigger
09:18:58 controversy when we have Chief Ward right next to every
09:19:02 single one of the firefighters over here.
09:19:04 He's on the wrong side of the room I think.
09:19:06 I'm not sure.
09:19:07 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: There's a reason for that.
09:19:09 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Partnership.
09:19:09 Good answer, Chief.
09:19:12 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: He just answered it.
09:19:13 Better answer than what I had.
09:19:14 Now we have the firefighter of the quarter.
09:19:20 Chief?
09:19:21 And remember, with Chief Forward, you can never go
09:19:25 backwards.
09:19:25 I've said that for many years.
09:19:29 Our honoree for the quarter of the month is Captain
09:19:35 Justin Baxter.
09:19:36 Outstanding individual.
09:19:38 Let me say this, same thing I said really for the fire
09:19:40 department.
09:19:41 The police department and fire department work in tandem.
09:19:44 They go hand in hand and individuals that give so much to
09:19:48 this community to reduce any kind of fires, any kind of
09:19:52 emergencies and they do outstanding job and 911 calls,
09:19:57 you want them to show up first because they do fantastic
09:19:59 work.
09:20:00 And they saved many lives and as the chief will tell you
09:20:04 about this great individual, captain Baxter and his
09:20:08 lovely family that's here, it's incumbent upon all of us
09:20:12 to remember that we cannot have a city without having the
09:20:15 presence and the workforce of a police and fire
09:20:19 department that makes the city go forward.
09:20:23 [ Laughter ]
09:20:26 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: You owe me big time for that.
09:20:29 [ Laughter ]
09:20:30 >> Good morning, Council and thank you Councilman
09:20:34 Miranda.
09:20:34 It gives us and definitely me an honor to come before
09:20:39 you.
09:20:39 I am Tom Forward, Tampa fire chief, City of Tampa.
09:20:43 To present to you our second quarter firefighter of the
09:20:48 quarter for 2016.
09:20:49 And the individual that I'll present to you this morning,
09:20:53 Council, is none other than captain Justin Baxter.
09:20:57 He is accompanied this morning by his lovely family, his
09:21:01 wife Cheryl, his daughter Kaitlyn, his daughter Alison,
09:21:04 his son Justin, his brother that's a firefighter at
09:21:08 station number 13, Luke and his sister Megan Barron.
09:21:12 Captain Baxter has distinguished himself in such a broad
09:21:17 perspective this morning.
09:21:18 He is a 12 year veteran of Tampa Fire Rescue.
09:21:21 Also a veteran of the United States armed forces and a
09:21:25 retired company officer, battery commander from just
09:21:29 recently retired in March of this year.
09:21:32 But one of the things that really, really stands out, I
09:21:35 say one -- there are multiple things, not only is morale,
09:21:39 not only is it esprit de corps, not only is passion, but
09:21:43 is servants type of leadership posture.
09:21:45 Before coming to Tampa Fire Rescue, as I said, he was a
09:21:48 member of the Army, transitioned to the Army National
09:21:50 Guard.
09:21:51 And after a number of years, just recently retired.
09:21:55 But captain Baxter has done a number of major, major
09:21:59 services to Tampa Fire Rescue.
09:22:01 He is a certified hazardous materials specialist, a
09:22:05 Marine firefighter, a paramedic, a paramedic of record.
09:22:09 He is a critical care transport paramedic and he also has
09:22:14 been a member of Tampa Fire Rescue's honor guard for more
09:22:17 than eight years where he has performed numerous socials
09:22:22 and outings to funerals and things of that name.
09:22:27 Captain Baxter also has been very busy throughout his
09:22:32 career.
09:22:32 He's literally worked in every area of this department
09:22:36 since coming on the job in 2003.
09:22:39 Starting out as a firefighter at, down at Gandy, south of
09:22:44 Gandy more or less.
09:22:45 That's station 15.
09:22:46 Then he matriculated to Ybor City, where he was a
09:22:49 paramedic on rescue 48 for a number of years there.
09:22:53 He moved over to Hyde Park at station number 3, where he
09:22:57 was a lieutenant there.
09:22:58 He moved on to West Tampa at station number 9 as a
09:23:03 paramedic there for two years.
09:23:04 And then was promoted, moved all the way up to New Tampa
09:23:08 area where he was a lieutenant there for two years and
09:23:11 has been promoted to the rank of captain and now is
09:23:14 serving at Robles Park at station number five.
09:23:19 Captain Baxter goes above and beyond in many ways.
09:23:22 He was, as soon as he got to station number 5, he was
09:23:28 rolling out on a major alarm where an individual who had
09:23:31 just been evicted from her apartment along with her
09:23:34 family, had a major fire at her new residence.
09:23:39 After they rolled up on the fire, extinguished the fire,
09:23:44 made contact with the individual and found out the
09:23:46 direness of her situation.
09:23:48 Captain Baxter working with station number 10 organized a
09:23:51 group to not only restore her kitchen and her apartment,
09:23:56 they got cabinets donated by the Home Depot, they got
09:24:02 other things for the kitchen, a stove and refrigerator as
09:24:06 well, but they ran short on money, so Captain Baxter and
09:24:11 his crew took monies from their own pockets to repaint
09:24:14 and recondition her entire kitchen so that she would have
09:24:18 a nice place to live.
09:24:19 Those are just some of the things that Captain Baxter has
09:24:22 done out there.
09:24:23 He's a field training officer for our paramedics.
09:24:26 And he monitors those on a regular basis to make certain
09:24:31 that we have the most proficient paramedics throughout
09:24:33 working in the field along with the accompanied
09:24:35 challenges that he does running out of Robles Park area.
09:24:40 He also had a number of other things he's done and
09:24:43 whether on duty or off duty he still works closely with
09:24:47 his lovely family, taking care of them, doing the things
09:24:50 he does, participating in their events and their sporting
09:24:53 events.
09:24:53 Coaching them and doing all of those things.
09:24:56 And for that and so many other reasons, that's why
09:24:58 Captain Baxter is Tampa Fire Rescue's firefighter of the
09:25:02 quarter for the second quarter of 2016.
09:25:04 [ Applause ]
09:25:05 >> Good morning, Steve Suarez, president Tampa
09:25:27 firefighters local 754.
09:25:29 On behalf of the brothers and sisters of local 754, we'd
09:25:33 like to present you with this plaque and also like to
09:25:36 give you a gift card to Bass Pro Shops.
09:25:39 Congratulations.
09:25:39 [ Applause ]
09:25:40 >> I'm from the Straz Center once again, been referred to
09:25:49 a lot of things, but never a long-haired comedian.
09:25:53 I will tell you when you're from South Carolina, when you
09:25:55 speak, people laugh automatically, so that's okay.
09:25:58 What I want to tell you, Captain Baxter is, you know, I
09:26:04 personally have a special relationship with the fire
09:26:07 department.
09:26:07 I've been in this business about 30 years.
09:26:09 I was in Charleston, North Carolina 12 years, had
09:26:12 numerous incidents where we have had the fire department
09:26:15 come down.
09:26:16 We used the fire department for a lot of our events.
09:26:19 One thing I'll tell you, day I arrived in Tampa Bay, went
09:26:23 to just start to work, my feet hit the ground running.
09:26:27 Come back to the center, there was a three alarm at the
09:26:31 Barrymore.
09:26:32 So I said you didn't need all that you for me, I was just
09:26:35 glad to be here.
09:26:37 [ Laughter ]
09:26:37 >> But I want to tell you we appreciate what you do, not
09:26:39 only what you do with Tampa but also being a veteran.
09:26:42 People take for granted what it takes to represent our
09:26:48 country, and everything that you do.
09:26:50 So, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you,
09:26:57 Straz Center for performing arts.
09:26:59 Two tickets to if and then.
09:27:00 Come see the show and enjoy it.
09:27:02 If I can do anything for you, let me know.
09:27:04 [ Applause ]
09:27:06 >> Joe Durkin on behalf of Bright House Networks again.
09:27:13 Captain, congratulations.
09:27:14 Proud of you.
09:27:15 From all your friends at Bright House, three months
09:27:18 complimentary service of high speed phone and internet.
09:27:23 You're a great representative, an outstanding fire
09:27:25 department.
09:27:25 Thank you for all you do.
09:27:28 [ Applause ]
09:27:28 >> Captain, I can't say it any better than my colleague
09:27:38 from the Straz did.
09:27:39 So I will just say that on behalf of Tampa Theatre, we'd
09:27:41 like to give you and your wife an annual membership to
09:27:44 come see us down at our historic movie palace.
09:27:47 And the rest of this is for you guys.
09:27:50 [ Applause ]
09:27:51 >> Good morning, Council.
09:27:56 I'm Frank Cassotto representing Bill Currie Ford and the
09:27:59 Currie family.
09:28:01 We're honored to be part of Council honoring this officer
09:28:05 and the City of Tampa and its entirety.
09:28:08 Thank you very much for what you do for the City of Tampa
09:28:11 and we have a nice Mustang, with your name on it.
09:28:18 Thanks again for what you do.
09:28:21 Appreciate it.
09:28:21 [ Applause ]
09:28:22 >> Kelly Nixon from the Doubletree by Hilton Tampa
09:28:33 Airport Westshore.
09:28:34 On behalf of your service, we're so thankful for
09:28:37 everything you do.
09:28:37 More world famous cookies and a complimentary two night
09:28:41 stay.
09:28:42 [ Applause ]
09:28:43 >> Good morning, Council.
09:28:47 Mike McArthur, Stepp's Towing Service, congratulations on
09:28:52 a great job.
09:28:52 On behalf of Stepp's Towing and the Stepp family, get to
09:28:55 the Straz Center in style in our company limousine for a
09:28:57 night out.
09:28:58 Looks like you can fill it up nicely.
09:29:00 Enjoy that, also Bass Pro Shop gift card and hope you
09:29:04 enjoy that.
09:29:05 Thanks for everything you do.
09:29:06 We really appreciate it.
09:29:08 Thank you.
09:29:09 [ Applause ]
09:29:09 >> For the second time, Captain Baxter, congratulations,
09:29:17 obviously very indicative of what Chief Forward said.
09:29:22 What you display is phenomenal.
09:29:24 It's one of those things, it's a calling, and obviously
09:29:27 you have it.
09:29:27 Like Chief Ward said earlier, the partnership, we have
09:29:30 about 5,000 employees at Busch Gardens and Adventure
09:29:34 Island and five million visitors a year.
09:29:36 We employ Tampa fire paramedics, EMTs every day as well
09:29:40 as police officers.
09:29:41 It's obviously a partnership.
09:29:42 I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart as a
09:29:45 person, as a business representative and as a former
09:29:47 police officer for what you do in the community.
09:29:50 Couldn't, you couldn't exemplify it any better.
09:29:54 Thank you.
09:29:55 [ Applause ]
09:29:56 >> I guess I should've given him his gift, right?
09:30:00 As a token of our appreciation, there's four tickets, and
09:30:04 apparently you've got a big family, so I enclose my
09:30:04 business card.
09:30:05 Just contact me whenever you want to come and I'll give
09:30:08 you additional tickets for the bus load of people you
09:30:11 want to bring.
09:30:13 >> Thank you, sir.
09:30:13 >> Good morning, Council.
09:30:14 Captain Glen Warner of Tampa fire.
09:30:18 I also serve as chairman of the awards committee.
09:30:20 As someone who worked alongside Captain Baxter, I can
09:30:25 attest to everything said by Chief Forward.
09:30:29 Congratulations for that, Justin.
09:30:31 As you know, we host our annual banquet at the Marriott
09:30:34 Waterside.
09:30:35 And they have partnered with the awards committee and
09:30:37 Tampa Fire Rescue and they would like to extend to you a
09:30:40 free night stay at the Marriott for the night of the
09:30:43 banquet.
09:30:44 And we have also partnered with Texas de Brazil and they
09:30:49 would like to present to you a dinner for two.
09:30:53 [ Applause ]
09:30:53 >> Good morning again, Council.
09:30:53 Michael Kilgore on behalf of the Columbia restaurant
09:31:04 group.
09:31:05 We'd love to present you with a $100 gift card to Ulele.
09:31:09 Personally want to thank you for working in Hyde Park and
09:31:14 Ybor where I work and near Gandy where I live.
09:31:16 Thanks for all you do.
09:31:17 [ Applause ]
09:31:18 >> You're going to have a busy month.
09:31:25 >> That's why he's standing close.
09:31:28 He wants some of this.
09:31:30 >> Steve Michelini on behalf of Prestigious Portraits.
09:31:38 We'll provide you and your family with a gift certificate
09:31:41 to have your portrait taken.
09:31:44 On behalf of Byblos cafe, you can go and enjoy lunch or
09:31:47 dinner, your choice, and on behalf of the Ciccio's
09:31:51 restaurant group, this is the one the kids can go and
09:31:53 have breakfast at Daily Eats and then you can go have
09:31:53 dinner, how's that?
09:31:54 Congratulations.
09:31:55 We appreciate what you do for us.
09:31:58 [ Applause ]
09:31:58 >> City Council, fire chief, police chief, distinguished
09:32:11 guests, visitors, friends, family and all of our business
09:32:15 representatives here in the City of Tampa.
09:32:17 This has all been an experience.
09:32:21 I'm somewhat overwhelmed.
09:32:22 One of the accolades you didn't hear about me today is
09:32:25 public speaking.
09:32:26 So...
09:32:27 [ Laughter ]
09:32:27 >> I'll be the first one to say I've been blessed in a
09:32:30 lot of ways but definitely not in that form.
09:32:33 I first joined the ranks of Tampa Fire Rescue 13 years
09:32:37 ago with the intent of finding the camaraderie that I
09:32:41 once experienced in the United States Army.
09:32:42 Not only did I find that here with Tampa, with fraternal
09:32:47 brotherhood, sisterhood we do share, but I also found the
09:32:51 operational structure that I didn't know that I was
09:32:54 lacking, and the mentoring and development that I didn't
09:32:58 know that I needed.
09:32:59 I've been blessed in a lot of ways to work for this
09:33:02 department and the city.
09:33:04 And I thank you for that opportunity.
09:33:05 I recognize this is not direct reflection of myself, but
09:33:08 of my coworkers, my supervisors and people I've had
09:33:12 opportunity to serve with here in the City of Tampa.
09:33:14 So thank you all.
09:33:14 [ Applause ]
09:33:22 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Captain, thank you very much for tour
09:33:24 service to the City of Tampa.
09:33:26 Thank you for your service to our country, having been in
09:33:29 the Army and the Army reserve.
09:33:30 We really appreciate that.
09:33:32 And keep up the good work because you know the kind of
09:33:35 love you see from your fellow firefighters and from us is
09:33:39 well deserved.
09:33:40 >> Thank you.
09:33:41 >>MIKE SUAREZ: You're welcome.
09:33:43 [ Applause ]
09:33:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We're going to wait a few minutes while
09:33:55 everyone clears out.
09:33:56 We're going to have a presentation next.
09:34:46 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Maniscalco?
09:34:48 Mr. Maniscalco?
09:34:56 Please.
09:35:01 We have a meeting to go to.
09:35:03 >> Good morning, Council.
09:35:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Good morning, Mr. Maniscalco.
09:35:13 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: I've been here about a year.
09:35:15 A few days after I got elected and right before I was
09:35:17 sworn in, I was welcome here to go through an
09:35:21 orientation.
09:35:22 Basically what it was was to go through all the city
09:35:25 departments and meet everybody.
09:35:26 In that meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting Chief
09:35:29 Ward, I had Chief Jane Castor, who is with us today, and
09:35:34 of course our assistant Chief Mary O'Conner.
09:35:38 Unfortunately, as I've come in to serve on Council, a lot
09:35:43 of these great folks have gone out.
09:35:46 But I had the supreme pleasure of being here at least
09:35:49 temporarily with you guys and I do appreciate that.
09:35:51 So, you have been with the City of Tampa -- come on up.
09:35:56 City of Tampa in the police department for 22 years.
09:35:59 And I'd like to read off this plaque for you.
09:36:02 The Tampa City Council recognizes your tremendous
09:36:06 contributions and bestows this commendation to Assistant
09:36:09 Chief Mary O'Conner for outstanding service to the
09:36:12 citizens of Tampa.
09:36:13 Assistant Chief O'Conner is the highest ranking woman at
09:36:17 the Tampa Police Department, serving on the force for
09:36:20 over 22 years and how selflessly served with honor in a
09:36:24 myriad of positions within the department.
09:36:27 Mary has served in criminal intelligence, major crimes,
09:36:30 narcotics, forensics, communications and currently serves
09:36:34 as director of operations.
09:36:36 Assistant Chief O'Conner worked tirelessly in conjunction
09:36:37 with the U.S. Secret Service to stop tax fraud and help
09:36:41 the Tampa Police Department become a national leader in
09:36:43 fighting tax fraud and she helped create the department's
09:36:46 violent crime bureau.
09:36:47 Assistant Chief O'Conner, we are proud of all you have
09:36:52 accomplished.
09:36:53 You have been and continue to be a valuable leader in our
09:36:55 community and an asset to the City of Tampa.
09:36:57 Therefore it is the Tampa City Council's honor to present
09:36:59 you with this commendation on the 28th day of April 2016.
09:37:03 [ Applause ]
09:37:04 >> I don't know what to say.
09:37:11 You know, I'm up here and presenting officers of the
09:37:15 month to you monthly, and all I can say is that if it
09:37:20 wasn't for the hard work of all these officers in this
09:37:23 department and all their supervisors and everything that
09:37:26 they do to keep this community safe every day, this
09:37:29 department wouldn't be the great department that it is.
09:37:31 With that being said, I am very honored and very proud to
09:37:37 have served this city all these years.
09:37:40 I can't thank Chief Castor, Chief Ward, all my honored
09:37:47 co-workers and I have to mention the special support that
09:37:51 I've had from my family.
09:37:52 These are my kids.
09:37:54 This is Ryan and Natalie.
09:37:55 My husband unfortunately is out of town.
09:37:57 But without their support and the support of everybody
09:37:59 here today, I would not have been able to do this.
09:38:01 With that being said, I greatly appreciate the honor and
09:38:05 I look forward to the next chapter in life and thank you
09:38:08 for everything.
09:38:09 [ Applause ]
09:38:09 >> You don't get away that easily.
09:38:18 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I couldn't help notice Ryan's huge grin
09:38:21 and smile.
09:38:22 They're so proud of you.
09:38:23 >> They're very excited for me to come home with them.
09:38:26 They don't know what's in for.
09:38:29 [ Laughter ]
09:38:32 >>YVONNE CAPIN: So that's what the basis of the grin,
09:38:35 huh?
09:38:35 >> I guess so.
09:38:36 That and they didn't have to go to school today.
09:38:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
09:38:42 Chief O'Conner, I've had the pleasure of working with
09:38:45 both you and your husband, when the other Chief O'Conner
09:38:50 was in district two, I had him on speed dial, so I'm sure
09:38:56 there were many a nights where his evening was
09:39:00 interrupted with telephone calls from me.
09:39:04 So not only are you a family here at City Council, a
09:39:10 family with the police department, but you know, I know
09:39:15 how much sacrifice both you and your husband have made in
09:39:19 your family life for us and for the citizens of Tampa.
09:39:23 I just -- working with you has been a pleasure.
09:39:27 Every time I've called you, over time I've called you,
09:39:35 you've been there and put your heart and soul into the 22
09:39:38 year service here and I know your heart and soul into
09:39:40 your family.
09:39:41 So, I'm very happy for you that you will be able to spend
09:39:46 time with your children and your family and enjoy the
09:39:50 rest of your retirement at a very young age.
09:39:52 So you'll have a lot of years ahead to enjoy retirement.
09:39:56 But thank you so much for your service to our city.
09:39:59 >> Thank you.
09:40:00 I appreciate that.
09:40:01 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda?
09:40:02 You have something to add?
09:40:04 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I've known her for sometime and I
09:40:08 listened to her when she makes presentation of police
09:40:10 officer of the month and she's a very sincere individual.
09:40:13 And you can tell she's very family oriented and she even
09:40:17 laughs at some of my jokes.
09:40:18 Thank you, congratulations.
09:40:21 Enjoy yourself and see you around.
09:40:24 >> Thank you.
09:40:25 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Chief, we really appreciate everything
09:40:27 you've done for the city.
09:40:28 The one thing that always stands out with me in terms of
09:40:31 your performance of your duties, you always have that
09:40:34 smiling face, a welcome expression.
09:40:36 That's something that we need to make sure that all of
09:40:39 our officers practice because it isn't only about
09:40:41 enforcing the laws, it's about being a representative of
09:40:45 the city.
09:40:45 You have been an exemplary representative of our city.
09:40:48 We really appreciate everything you've done for us.
09:40:51 We wish you nothing but good luck in your retirement.
09:40:53 You've mentioned before that you're going to be able to
09:40:55 sit and watch City Council in your pajamas now.
09:40:58 We're more than happy to entertain you at any time.
09:41:03 >> I appreciate that.
09:41:04 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Congratulations on your retirement.
09:41:05 >> Thank you.
09:41:06 Much appreciated.
09:41:07 [ Applause ]
09:41:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
09:41:14 Next up, Ms. Montelione, I think you have a first
09:41:17 commendation for the Hillsborough River board.
09:41:48 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Good morning again, Council.
09:41:50 This morning I would like to present this commendation
09:41:54 and honor the members of a board that I serve on, the
09:41:59 Hillsborough River board.
09:42:01 And the technical advisory committee.
09:42:03 They're a very special bunch.
09:42:11 You know, I've served on the river board for as long as
09:42:15 I've been elected.
09:42:16 And while the board itself is a very small group, I've
09:42:22 had the pleasure to serve with two different county
09:42:24 commissioners and two different representatives of the
09:42:28 City Council, the city of Temple Terrace.
09:42:30 Unfortunately none of them were able to be here this
09:42:32 morning.
09:42:33 But we have the folks that really count because we could
09:42:36 not do what we do to protect the river and the corridor
09:42:43 surrounding the river without the technical advisory
09:42:45 board.
09:42:45 We have the chair Rich Brown here.
09:42:47 He does a tireless job.
09:42:50 He served almost as long as I've been on the board,
09:42:53 you've been chair.
09:42:54 So that's an outstanding record because the technical
09:42:58 advisory committee is made up of a very large group of
09:43:04 people who have a lot of skill and a lot of depth of
09:43:08 knowledge.
09:43:09 Some you can talk about them, including the Army Corps of
09:43:12 Engineers.
09:43:13 Some folks from SWFWMD and EPC.
09:43:18 This morning, I would like to commend the Hillsborough
09:43:22 River board and Technical Advisory Council on behalf of
09:43:25 Tampa City Council for the 30 years of dedicated public
09:43:28 service, for three decades this body has brought together
09:43:31 diverse groups of local leaders, technical experts to
09:43:35 monitor the activities and actions in the Hillsborough
09:43:37 River corridor.
09:43:38 Over its long history, the river board has overseen the
09:43:43 implementation of many meaning finance initiatives.
09:43:46 Measures such as the adoption of the Hillsborough River
09:43:49 master plan and the recognition of the river corridor as
09:43:53 part of the state Greenways program, which has positively
09:43:57 impacted the health and sustainability of the river.
09:44:00 As the Hillsborough River is one of the region's most
09:44:03 treasured natural resources, these years of steadfast
09:44:07 supervision and care have proven immeasurable.
09:44:10 Therefore Tampa City Council is happily celebrates the
09:44:13 Hillsborough River board and technical advisory Council's
09:44:16 30th anniversary and proudly supports its future efforts
09:44:19 in preserving the Hillsborough River.
09:44:21 And as we have seen, here in downtown, the activity that
09:44:27 has centered around the river and how important it has
09:44:29 been to the economic growth of this area.
09:44:34 It's an asset that long had been ignored and neglected.
09:44:38 But with the work of these two gentleman here, Shawn
09:44:42 college from the Planning Commission and Rich Brown of
09:44:45 the technical advisory committee, it's brought back to
09:44:48 health and it's cherished as the asset that it is.
09:44:52 So gentlemen.
09:44:54 >> Thank you.
09:44:55 [ Applause ]
09:44:56 >> What's interesting, if there was not a river, there
09:45:07 wouldn't be the freshwater that began the native
09:45:11 Americans and then us, there wouldn't be the scouring
09:45:15 that became the port, there wouldn't be a City of Tampa.
09:45:18 We'd just be another anomaly along the shoreline like
09:45:22 McKay Bay or Ballast Point.
09:45:25 So the river began it all.
09:45:27 And it has been tremendously deeply satisfying.
09:45:31 And as a citizen and environmental activist, to see what
09:45:36 the City Council, county commission, EPC, DEP, Planning
09:45:40 Commission has done, Temple Terrace as well, has done to
09:45:45 revitalize both the economic value of the river and the
09:45:49 environmental health value of the river.
09:45:51 There will be a tour in the fall.
09:45:54 You all are welcome to come.
09:45:55 But we now have a river that people can actually jump
09:45:59 into and come out without skin problems.
09:46:01 [ Laughter ]
09:46:03 >> It is a delight.
09:46:04 Thank you for the contribution, all of the fine folks
09:46:08 that have served on the river board from the Council.
09:46:12 I'm proud to be part of 30 years of committed elected
09:46:16 officials, civil servants and citizens that have really
09:46:21 been part of making things better.
09:46:22 So thank you all.
09:46:23 Thank you for leading us.
09:46:26 Thank you for making it work.
09:46:27 >> Just want to say we couldn't make the river the
09:46:30 success that it is and the river board a successful
09:46:34 agency without the support of the City Council.
09:46:35 And their participation, which we have had.
09:46:38 It's been great.
09:46:39 Also the Technical Advisory Council.
09:46:41 We even had a staff member from the City of Tampa that
09:46:43 attends and participates, Heather Maggio from the public
09:46:47 works department.
09:46:49 Without all the support and help we couldn't have done
09:46:51 it.
09:46:51 So thank you very much.
09:46:54 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yes, congratulations on 30 years.
09:46:56 I did serve on the river board for my short stint of
09:47:00 eight months.
09:47:01 It was, it was presented to me and I thought the river
09:47:07 board, okay, so what does the river board do?
09:47:10 Well, I found out what the river board does.
09:47:13 And it is -- you're in good hands with Lisa Montelione.
09:47:18 She is a dedicated environmentalist.
09:47:24 I was very happy to see her come on board when she did.
09:47:27 It was really an eye opener.
09:47:29 The river is the cultural asset.
09:47:33 The river is very important to who we are and where we're
09:47:35 going.
09:47:36 So, thank four all your hard work.
09:47:38 Really appreciate it and I am so happy I did serve that
09:47:42 little bit of time.
09:47:45 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you very much for your service and
09:47:47 after 30 years, growing up in west Tampa, we had a guy
09:47:51 named crazy mark that would go into the river.
09:47:53 There's a reason why we called him crazy.
09:47:56 And typically he would go down the hill, into the river
09:47:59 with his bicycle.
09:48:00 He would jump -- he was a great bicyclist.
09:48:03 But now that to know that you can go in the river without
09:48:06 the problems that you will have later on, is tremendous.
09:48:10 It was a warning to us growing up, do not swim in the
09:48:14 river.
09:48:14 We all knew it when we were younger.
09:48:16 If you did, you were going to regret it for sure.
09:48:19 So, thank you very much for your help and your, to clean
09:48:23 up the river and to make it a focal point of our city.
09:48:26 >> The only thing worse than swimming in the river was
09:48:28 swimming in the bay.
09:48:29 [ Laughter ]
09:48:31 >> The bay you smelled.
09:48:34 >>YVONNE CAPIN: One thing that I always tell people.
09:48:37 I started V.M. Ybor, I'm an Ybor girl.
09:48:40 I started V.M. Ybor elementary and when I was 10 years
09:48:45 old we moved to West Tampa, so I lived on both sides of
09:48:49 the river, so I always tell people I'm bi-coastal.
09:48:50 [ Laughter ]
09:48:50 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It's great that all of you have those
09:48:54 experiences from the past that have been able to see the
09:48:58 marked change in the river and in the bay.
09:49:02 It was a couple of years ago, maybe four years ago that
09:49:06 we passed the fertilizer ordinance that further protects
09:49:09 the river.
09:49:10 So thank you all for being a voice for the protection of
09:49:15 this asset.
09:49:16 I'm glad everybody can swim in it.
09:49:18 You can fish in it.
09:49:21 And it's a very pure source, so, thank you very much.
09:49:27 [ Applause ]
09:49:27 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If you want to stay up there.
09:49:37 That's okay.
09:49:39 >>LISA MONTELIONE: I have another commendation.
09:49:40 So, come on up, doctor.
09:49:45 So this morning, we are recognizing the department of
09:49:52 psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at the University
09:49:55 of South Florida.
09:49:56 Go bulls.
09:49:57 City Council commends the faculty, staff and students
09:50:06 with the department of psychiatry and behavioral
09:50:09 neurosciences at the University of South Florida's
09:50:12 Morsani college of medicine for engage the community
09:50:15 about the realities of living with mental illness.
09:50:17 As mental illness is largely misunderstood in our
09:50:21 society, the need for trained mental and behavioral
09:50:25 health experts to educate the community is great.
09:50:29 Tampa City Council applauds the University of South
09:50:31 Florida, one of the area's largest and most prestigious
09:50:35 institutions for committing their academic resources
09:50:38 towards addressing this issue.
09:50:40 Tampa City Council proudly recognizes the department's
09:50:43 efforts to reduce the stigma associated with mental
09:50:47 health through conducting informal lectures conducting
09:50:58 informal lectures, expert discussion panels and film
09:51:02 screenings.
09:51:02 This will serve to enlighten many in the university
09:51:04 system and our community to the seldom seen realities of
09:51:08 living with a mental illness.
09:51:10 Your inaugural community engagement initiative will serve
09:51:15 as a launching pad to changing how we think and how we
09:51:18 care for the mentally ill.
09:51:19 So thank you very much for the work that you do.
09:51:21 And we had the police department and the fire department
09:51:23 here earlier.
09:51:24 I can tell you, I've done ride-alongs with both.
09:51:28 And many of the problems that we see in the community
09:51:34 stem from mental health issues.
09:51:36 The calls that I went on with the police department and
09:51:40 all of you know because you've all done this, majority of
09:51:43 the calls that we tended to that night started with
09:51:47 people who had some mental health issues.
09:51:50 So, I know in the country we have a shortage of
09:51:55 psychiatrists.
09:51:56 So if anyone out there is listening, psychiatry is an
09:52:00 open field.
09:52:00 You can write your own ticket.
09:52:02 Go into medicine, go into psychiatry.
09:52:04 It's a very important field and so many of our social
09:52:08 ills begin and end with mental illness.
09:52:11 So thank you for being here and educating us.
09:52:14 >> I just want to take a moment to make you aware of the
09:52:17 activities of our department.
09:52:18 But mostly to make an offer to you that as you do your
09:52:22 important work to ensure the health and the be mental
09:52:24 health of the citizens of this city and region, we're
09:52:27 here to partner with you.
09:52:29 We're the oldest department clinical department at
09:52:32 Morsani school of medicine.
09:52:34 We tried to count the number of visits or units of
09:52:38 service as they say in medicine, we have done and stopped
09:52:41 when we reached one million.
09:52:43 We treat 20,000 citizens a year across the age spectrum,
09:52:48 kids, general adults, a lot of attention to the elderly
09:52:51 because we are the only regional recipient of memory
09:52:56 disorders grant from the state of Florida.
09:52:59 So we see people across the whole age spectrum.
09:53:03 We believe mental illness should be on par with physical
09:53:06 illness.
09:53:06 There should be no stigma to receiving care.
09:53:09 We believe that our care is as effective as anything else
09:53:13 in medicine.
09:53:15 And getting better all the time.
09:53:16 We're an engine of economic growth through research.
09:53:20 I'm happy to say in the first six months of this year, my
09:53:23 department alone has received a million and a half
09:53:25 dollars of NIH grants, which translates into jobs.
09:53:30 So it's worth continuing this effort.
09:53:32 We are very keenly interested in the use and abuse of
09:53:37 both the Baker Act and the Marchman act.
09:53:39 We're working with our colleagues at Florida mental
09:53:42 health institute to provide technical advice to folks in
09:53:45 Tallahassee and would very much welcome an opportunity to
09:53:49 be useful at the local level as well.
09:53:51 So I wanted to meet you, put a face to the name and make
09:53:55 that open offer.
09:53:55 Thank you.
09:53:58 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Dr. Currier.
09:54:00 How would individuals such as ourselves or the public get
09:54:03 in touch with your program?
09:54:05 And with members of your staff.
09:54:08 >> I think the best, just go to the web site for Morsani
09:54:13 college of medicine.
09:54:14 All the departments are there and all our contact
09:54:16 information is there as well.
09:54:18 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Okay.
09:54:18 Thank you very much for being here this morning and for
09:54:19 the work that you do.
09:54:21 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Any other questions of Council?
09:54:22 Thank you, Doctor, really appreciate your help and make
09:54:26 sure that every time you come here you reiterate some of
09:54:29 the issues we're having to deal with as a city and as a
09:54:33 county.
09:54:34 >> I wanted to thank that nice segue to the crazy bike
09:54:38 guy to the psychiatrist.
09:54:41 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We didn't have a diagnosis of him being
09:54:43 crazy.
09:54:43 We just assumed he was crazy on the river.
09:54:46 Thank you, Doctor.
09:54:48 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Engaging in risky activities.
09:54:51 >>MIKE SUAREZ: At this time, we have public comments.
09:54:53 Before we go forward on public comment, Mr. Tillou, can
09:54:58 you come up to the podium.
09:54:59 We have a memo from Mr. Reddick.
09:55:02 He is not able to attend today's meeting.
09:55:04 He's also asked we remove item number 6 to our next
09:55:08 workshop because he is not here.
09:55:10 Item number 6 is issues from the strategic planning
09:55:14 meeting that we had and our charter review issues.
09:55:18 If I could entertain a motion to have that moved to May
09:55:22 26th at 9:00 a.m.
09:55:23 I have a motion from Ms. Montelione, have a second from
09:55:26 Mr. Cohen.
09:55:27 All in favor of that motion -- yes, sir?
09:55:33 [Inaudible]
09:55:34 >>MIKE SUAREZ: It does not.
09:55:34 Eight is time sensitive, so we have to get with that.
09:55:37 So we have our motion from Ms. Montelione, second from
09:55:39 Mr. Cohen.
09:55:40 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
09:55:42 aye.
09:55:43 May 26th at 9:00 a.m.
09:55:46 Thank you, clerk.
09:55:47 Public comment?
09:55:48 Mr. Tillou.
09:55:49 >> Okay, I'm Ed Tillou, Sulphur Spring.
09:55:54 I'd like to talk about four and five, but of course they
09:55:58 all left.
09:56:00 Five, what the real need is not for psychiatrist but for
09:56:03 psychiatric social workers.
09:56:05 So with that department should be doing is working with
09:56:08 college of public health department of community medicine
09:56:12 I think it is.
09:56:13 I was in a different department.
09:56:14 Okay, with respect to item four, this jives a little bit
09:56:19 with what I prepared to speak about, which is largely
09:56:22 history.
09:56:23 And the thing is that hey, where are all the signs and
09:56:29 everything about the battle of Ballast Point that was on
09:56:33 the Hillsborough River and would attract people to
09:56:36 Hillsborough River to Lowry Park.
09:56:38 Given that battle of Tampa was actually a little bit down
09:56:43 river of there.
09:56:44 Maybe at this Ooleo restaurant you can put something
09:56:50 there.
09:56:51 So anyway, the things I more came to speak about are
09:56:55 this.
09:56:56 This is a good commentary on the TBX, because this is
09:57:09 Florida Department of Transportation.
09:57:10 I mean, hey, we're going to bring more cars into the city
09:57:14 and somehow that's going to help congestion.
09:57:16 So anyway, take your grand children to see it because
09:57:20 it's probably pretty good.
09:57:22 Lewis Carroll was actually a magician.
09:57:25 So there's a lot of logic and illogic in it.
09:57:28 I guess you could say that the Florida Department of
09:57:31 Transportation was the illogic dimension.
09:57:34 Anyway, maybe a little bit of a handout on that.
09:57:39 Okay.
09:57:39 With respect to, there's another handout that's prior
09:57:43 reading for maybe next week I can go into more about
09:57:46 climatic change and extreme weather events.
09:57:50 Because people don't realize the impact of that.
09:57:53 This denial is rife.
09:57:57 Returning to history, I gave you this last week about
09:58:03 Hillsborough County being helped on by this county next
09:58:06 to Fredricksburg in Virginia and this was a battle that
09:58:13 my great grandfather was at.
09:58:14 He was wounded at Harris farm.
09:58:17 They tore down the house, they're building houses on the
09:58:20 268 acres.
09:58:22 So I've got to get back there.
09:58:24 Here's a sign.
09:58:26 The historic sign which was out.
09:58:28 It's not like here, where the historic signs gone.
09:58:32 Anyway, that was second regiment, New York heavy
09:58:36 artillery.
09:58:37 And first regiment Massachusetts artillery were there.
09:58:42 What set it out was the battle, it was heavy artillery
09:58:46 units acting as infantry and they did a very good job of
09:58:51 it.
09:58:51 I found that was my great grandfather by these
09:58:56 enlistments records that require Oscar the jeweler almost
09:58:59 to be able to look at them.
09:59:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, Mr. Tillou.
09:59:04 >> Because I had to take some time off the agenda things.
09:59:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, sir.
09:59:08 Okay, next up on the agenda, since we have cleared item
09:59:15 number 6 from our workshops, item number 7:00, I don't
09:59:19 see Cathy Coyle unless she's in the back.
09:59:23 Since she is not here, why don't we go with item number
09:59:25 8.
09:59:26 Mr. Shelby, I believe you have to give us a report
09:59:30 yourself and if there's someone from the city attorney's
09:59:33 office that was also going to be here for us.
09:59:38 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
09:59:39 Members of City Council, basically this item is really a
09:59:43 continued discussion in the sense that what I am looking
09:59:49 far and what legal department would be looking for is
09:59:52 specific direction with what you are requesting.
09:59:55 We have discussed what the timeline is.
09:59:57 We have discussed what the cost is.
09:59:59 It now comes down to the question specifically of what is
10:00:04 Council's intention of what it wishes to accomplish by
10:00:08 the creation of a charter amendment.
10:00:11 I will point out that with regard to the discussion of an
10:00:18 internal auditor being able to, I believe it was the
10:00:26 discussion at the strategic planning meeting was that
10:00:30 Council should direct staff to develop charter amendment
10:00:33 language addressing audits and whistle-blower provisions
10:00:36 in time for the November 2016 ballots.
10:00:39 This language should give City Council the authority to
10:00:43 order audits and have them brought directly to Council.
10:00:47 These provisions should be placed on the ballot directly
10:00:49 by the Council rather than as a result of the charter
10:00:53 review commission, which you will be discussing next
10:00:55 month.
10:00:57 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Shelby, I think Mr. Cohen has a
10:00:59 question.
10:00:59 >>HARRY COHEN: I have a clarification.
10:01:00 Because I made the motion for this and it was a little
10:01:03 bit different than what we discussed at the strategic
10:01:07 planning session because it was a little more narrowly
10:01:11 tailored that what you just said.
10:01:13 And so, I want to be clear on it -- I also think it's
10:01:19 important to be clear because there with are some
10:01:21 comments made by the Mayor related to this.
10:01:23 And I just think we should be clear about what it is
10:01:27 we're asking for.
10:01:28 And the way the process works.
10:01:29 In a normal situation, the auditor would go to the Mayor
10:01:35 or whoever is the head administrative head and come up
10:01:40 with an audit plan for the year.
10:01:42 And the Mayor would have the ability to discuss with the
10:01:46 auditor what would be audited in any given year and they
10:01:50 would sort of come to an agreement about what the scope
10:01:55 of that year's ad its would be and the auditor has a
10:01:58 certain amount of staff by which they can do a certain
10:02:01 number of audits at any given time.
10:02:03 So, when I made the motion, I made a motion that City
10:02:08 Council should have the ability in any given calendar
10:02:12 year to ask for up to three audits.
10:02:15 And the reason I put a number on it was because if you
10:02:18 gave us an unlimited ability to ask for audits, it would
10:02:23 wreak havoc with the budget and staff of the audit
10:02:26 department.
10:02:26 It's not fair to leave it totally open ended.
10:02:31 There was never a suggestion that the audits would be
10:02:35 brought back to City Council for the purpose of us
10:02:39 implementing the changes that were requested.
10:02:43 Obviously, that's an administrative function.
10:02:47 However, the concern that had been raised here was that
10:02:50 we wanted to receive the information back related to the
10:02:54 ad its in the same timely manner that the Mayor receives
10:03:00 the information from the auditor.
10:03:02 So, I'm not sure if that helps to clarify the scope of
10:03:08 what I believe it was Council's intent to ask for in that
10:03:13 motion.
10:03:17 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I understand what you're saying and I do
10:03:20 have that recollection as well.
10:03:22 Just to point out to you that the section in question
10:03:28 under the charter is 5.01 under departments, the internal
10:03:36 audit department.
10:03:37 It may be as simple and of course I have not discussed
10:03:40 this with the legal department, but the last sentence
10:03:44 states the internal auditor shall perform such other
10:03:48 audits as may be required by the Mayor.
10:03:50 That's the charter as it states now.
10:03:53 It may be perhaps as simple as amending the ordinance to
10:03:58 add "or as set forth by ordinance"
10:04:01 Which would then be something that you would discuss,
10:04:04 would become forth at two public hearings, would then set
10:04:08 forth the parameters that you state rather than set into
10:04:11 stone in a charter the specific number of audits.
10:04:15 That could also be done through the amendment of your
10:04:19 code of ordinances.
10:04:20 If it's your desire to have that limitation in the
10:04:23 charter, obviously if that's Council's intention,
10:04:26 language could be drafted that way.
10:04:28 Obviously again to remind Council and the public of the
10:04:30 process, whatever do you place on the ballot has to be
10:04:34 done by ordinance, which then does require either the
10:04:38 Mayor's signature or, in his absence, it becomes, in the
10:04:43 absence of a signature, becomes long less send it back
10:04:47 with a veto and you know the process from there.
10:04:50 >>HARRY COHEN: I mean I do think that brings up the
10:04:52 subject for discussion among us.
10:04:54 I mean, there's different options of how to proceed.
10:04:57 We could attempt to place language on the ballot.
10:05:02 We could attempt to simply do what you said and create a
10:05:06 mechanism by which we can pass an ordinance to deal with
10:05:11 the audit function.
10:05:12 The other thing that we could do is we could, in the
10:05:16 direction that we give to a charter review board, say
10:05:19 these are some of the specific subjects that we are
10:05:22 interested in seeing the board address.
10:05:24 And let them make recommendations to us about how they
10:05:28 want to do it.
10:05:29 I don't really favor -- I want to hear what everyone else
10:05:32 has to say about it but I just think it's importance to
10:05:35 lay out the scope what it is that are our choices and the
10:05:38 degree to which they require the Mayor's concurrence.
10:05:43 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Capin?
10:05:47 >>YVONNE CAPIN: My major issue and has been since I was
10:05:49 appointed and elected and six years later is that an
10:05:53 auditor that is hired and fired by the Mayor every single
10:06:00 conference I've been to where we're discussing
10:06:02 municipalities, they're surprised at it.
10:06:05 And not that this Mayor, but other mayors, they can be
10:06:09 pushed out.
10:06:10 They can be fired.
10:06:11 They can be -- that is a huge issue for me.
10:06:14 That we don't have an outside auditor that's independent
10:06:18 of the administration.
10:06:19 Not that there's anything, you know, I'm not casting
10:06:24 dispersions, but the issue of an auditor that can be
10:06:28 hired and fired by the administrator to me is an issue.
10:06:33 It needs to be an outside auditor.
10:06:35 So I suggest we put that on the charter.
10:06:41 >>HARRY COHEN: May I make a comment?
10:06:42 Just for clarification's sake, the financial audits are
10:06:46 done by an outside auditor.
10:06:49 It's the -- it's departmental performance audits that
10:06:52 we're talking about.
10:06:54 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Exactly.
10:06:55 >>HARRY COHEN: I think it's important just for the record
10:06:57 to be clear about what it is we're talking about.
10:06:59 >>YVONNE CAPIN: That is very clear, yes, talking about
10:07:01 performance audit.
10:07:03 Any audits, audits again, you look at the plan, that is
10:07:11 put out as to the administration and there's the auditor
10:07:15 answering directly to the Mayor, not to the chief of
10:07:18 staff.
10:07:19 And to me, that is, that in itself is an issue.
10:07:23 And auditor is an auditor.
10:07:25 It's outside, outside the grasp of anyone in the
10:07:32 administration.
10:07:32 And that has not been the case.
10:07:34 Not that there's any -- but the perception and every
10:07:39 conference I've been to that I brought it up about
10:07:42 municipalities, they're talking and they have their
10:07:45 auditors are outside auditors.
10:07:47 They're not under the jurisdiction or the purview of the
10:07:52 Mayor, the administration.
10:07:54 And that to me is very important issue.
10:07:57 Whether we ask for three or ask for none or if they go
10:08:00 over it with the administration, but it's an outside
10:08:03 audit that comes in.
10:08:05 That I would like to see on the charter.
10:08:08 That auditor for the performance is an outside entity.
10:08:14 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Montelione?
10:08:16 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
10:08:17 So when we first discussed the audit change in the
10:08:24 charter, there were two things that I was looking to see.
10:08:30 And Miss Capin just added a third one, because it does
10:08:37 present maybe some challenges as it stands because I'm
10:08:42 looking at the paragraph on page 8 of our charter,
10:08:49 internal audit department shall have cognizance of all
10:08:53 internal auditing for the city, shall be the head of the
10:08:55 department -- I'm summarizing -- and duty of the auditor
10:08:58 for each fiscal year, books, records, accounts for the
10:09:01 city and all accounts the city has an interest in
10:09:04 internal auditors shall perform such other audit as may
10:09:08 be required by the Mayor.
10:09:09 So, I think it's that, the end of that sentence, the end
10:09:15 of that sub-paragraph C that the sentence, internal
10:09:21 auditor shall perform such other audits as may be
10:09:24 required by the Mayor where we could add in what
10:09:27 Mr. Cohen suggests, and also by, at the request of City
10:09:32 Council.
10:09:32 So I'm going to address what Mr. Cohen had said first and
10:09:37 then about the internal, external nature of the auditor.
10:09:40 I'm worried that if we place the number three, that just
10:09:51 say something, you know, came to light and we requested
10:09:56 that audit.
10:09:57 Not we.
10:09:58 The City Council.
10:09:59 And there were, the three audits that we requested we had
10:10:04 requested already for that year.
10:10:06 And then in December something really egregious happens,
10:10:13 or some other time of the year something happens and we
10:10:17 really want to get to the bottom of it and whoever is
10:10:20 Mayor at that time may not have the same interest as the
10:10:26 sitting City Council at that time.
10:10:27 So putting the number three on it, if it was maybe a
10:10:35 number that was started with three.
10:10:39 And you know, and the City Council had the opportunity to
10:10:44 add under certain circumstances, I don't know how that
10:10:48 could be couched or how the language could be crafted.
10:10:52 To say that the Tampa City Council would have the ability
10:10:56 to request an audit under these circumstances.
10:10:59 So that would take legal experts in language crafting for
10:11:07 that.
10:11:07 And then I also think, you know, that Ms. Capin has a
10:11:14 good point about whether the auditor is internal or
10:11:17 external or falls under a department if there is a way to
10:11:22 separate them out as an independent organization, I'm not
10:11:26 sure how we could do that.
10:11:28 I don't want to have to have somebody on retainer or work
10:11:36 completely separate, because we have external auditors as
10:11:40 well for certain circumstances.
10:11:41 But that's a concern.
10:11:45 The two things that I had written down was the timeline
10:11:49 of the audit once initiated and the resolution to the
10:11:53 situation as implemented.
10:11:54 Because we have had struggles with when those audits were
10:12:00 finished or in draft form.
10:12:04 And it's been written about in the paper, several
10:12:06 circumstances where it sits on the Mayor's desk until all
10:12:10 of the issues have been addressed and then it is released
10:12:13 to the public and to us.
10:12:15 So, you know, finding resolution to the timeline and,
10:12:22 finding solutions to how the timeline of the audit being
10:12:27 released to the public and released to City Council and
10:12:30 the implementation of the, of whatever the suggestions
10:12:33 were in that audit.
10:12:35 So those are the things that as far as the audits go, I
10:12:38 was looking for.
10:12:40 And then I also as everyone knows looking for just the
10:12:44 whistle-blower protection to be added into the charter,
10:12:47 which I don't think would be nearly as complicated as the
10:12:50 audit language we're talking about.
10:12:53 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda, you have anything to say?
10:12:57 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I'm sorry, I missed part of the
10:12:59 discussion.
10:13:00 Was unavoidable.
10:13:01 I understand what I've heard.
10:13:04 And I have some concern, not total disagreement.
10:13:09 I'm certainly in favor of the discussion regarding things
10:13:14 on the ballot, people vote and that's the way democracy
10:13:18 should be.
10:13:18 However, we do have a yearly audit by an outside firm and
10:13:24 that's on the overall view of the city.
10:13:26 Not specifically for each department and it's an overall
10:13:29 of have we met the qualifications by statute?
10:13:33 I'm in favor of keeping the auditors are in-house for
10:13:38 monies and for every time you pick up a phone and call
10:13:42 someone, that's in legal and auditing, you're going to
10:13:46 get a bill.
10:13:47 I'm not too sure, not disagreeing with everything that
10:13:49 was said, but everything comes to whoever sits in the big
10:13:53 chair.
10:13:53 And if that individual wants to hold it for 30 or 60
10:13:56 days, maybe, maybe 30 days and then that person will be
10:14:02 required by law to submit them within 30 days of his or
10:14:05 her receiving them.
10:14:06 We do have a strong Mayor form of government and that's
10:14:10 the way I like to keep it.
10:14:12 Because it pits responsibility to the points whoever is
10:14:16 there has the job of running this city.
10:14:18 We are the legislative side and I'm not opposed to
10:14:21 putting on the ballot that it has to be turned into the
10:14:24 Council in 30 days after the Mayor receives it.
10:14:27 That's just my point of that one issue.
10:14:31 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Any other comments or questions?
10:14:33 >>HARRY COHEN: May I make one comment just to address
10:14:35 what Councilwoman Capin said about the issue of who the
10:14:40 auditor reports to, because that is a, it's a complicated
10:14:44 and difficult issue.
10:14:45 In the county, the auditor works for the clerk.
10:14:50 We have an elected clerk and so they employ the auditor.
10:14:55 The auditor audits the county departments but doesn't
10:14:57 actually serve at the pleasure of the board of county
10:15:00 commissioners.
10:15:01 The problem is under the city's form of government, I'm
10:15:08 not sure that there's any type of parallel structure I
10:15:14 can think of that would match that.
10:15:17 I don't -- I don't know how it would work.
10:15:20 It's not that it's not, that your point is not totally
10:15:24 valid, I just don't have really an idea of how to carve
10:15:30 out the auditor so that they're independent.
10:15:34 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Capin?
10:15:36 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:15:37 You know, we can look at other municipalities and see how
10:15:40 that's done.
10:15:41 I'm not saying -- what I'm looking at is that the Mayor
10:15:45 has the discretion to order audits to, you know, sit down
10:15:52 and discuss and prioritize audits.
10:15:54 That's not what I'm looking at.
10:15:56 What I'm looking at is that it -- we have attorneys on
10:16:00 retainer.
10:16:01 We have lobbyists on retainer.
10:16:04 So that part of it is not -- but maybe there's a workable
10:16:09 solution and I suggest that we look at and look at other
10:16:12 municipalities as to how they do their independent audit.
10:16:16 Now, I want to suggest maybe to Ms. Montelione,
10:16:23 Councilwoman Montelione's point of maybe a fourth or
10:16:27 fifth request of an audit.
10:16:28 Maybe it could be done with the approval of the chair.
10:16:33 In other words, the chair says okay, we're going to go
10:16:36 ahead with the four.
10:16:37 You know how we have, I think that brings it to, it could
10:16:44 be discussed and then the chair of the City Council can
10:16:49 call it.
10:16:52 But that's for fourth or fifth, that for more than the
10:16:56 three.
10:16:56 And it gives us the option of having more also.
10:16:58 That's just a suggestion.
10:17:00 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda?
10:17:02 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: I agree with that concept.
10:17:03 However, if you're going to go into something like that I
10:17:06 believe you should have a super majority vote.
10:17:08 Not the chair but super majority so you have a cushion
10:17:12 that it cannot be turned over by whoever is sitting in
10:17:13 that chair as Mayor.
10:17:14 That's my advice because that way it's a moot question.
10:17:17 It ends right there.
10:17:18 Don't have another debate and another debate and another
10:17:22 debate.
10:17:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I agree with that I think that's a very
10:17:25 good suggestion, Ms. Montelione, brought it up.
10:17:29 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If I could, Mr. Cohen, quick question on
10:17:32 the clerk.
10:17:33 The budget is controlled by the county or through
10:17:36 combination of state dollars?
10:17:39 >>HARRY COHEN: Well, the county funds it.
10:17:40 But the clerk actually with the auditor determines what
10:17:44 the audit schedule is.
10:17:46 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Talking about their entire budget.
10:17:48 >>HARRY COHEN: Well, it's paid by the clerk but it's
10:17:51 county -- the county --
10:17:53 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Talking about the entire office of the
10:17:54 clerk's office, is it, does it get county dollars?
10:17:58 Do they have to go there for their budget?
10:18:01 >>HARRY COHEN: Yes.
10:18:01 >>MIKE SUAREZ: The reason I was --
10:18:03 >>HARRY COHEN: Some of the dollars.
10:18:04 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Some from the state.
10:18:05 The reason why I was pointing that out is to, you know,
10:18:08 there are also levers in which there is control and there
10:18:11 is a mix of both administrative and legislative
10:18:16 processes, both from the county side.
10:18:18 From our side we also have some very little
10:18:22 administrative.
10:18:23 But a lot of other things that we can do when an audit is
10:18:27 not being performed right or has not been asked for.
10:18:31 I believe that Mr. Miranda's suggestion about if it's
10:18:34 been asked for, let's say a third time and we have not
10:18:37 received it or that when the audit is completed that they
10:18:39 have 30 days or 60 days.
10:18:41 I would suggest 60, give them some time to look at the
10:18:45 administrative problems that they may have as a result of
10:18:47 the audit.
10:18:48 Come to Council, meaning that they have to release it to
10:18:51 us after that 60 day.
10:18:53 I think that's a cleaner way of doing it because we have
10:18:56 other aspects of our power, our investigative powers, our
10:19:00 powers in order to make sure that a, let's say a rogue
10:19:05 Mayor is not getting along with a Council, that we can go
10:19:08 in and get that information from them.
10:19:11 Now, there are always political calls for anything that
10:19:15 do.
10:19:15 And I think that's part of the beauty of all this.
10:19:17 Which is if in the case of the auditor that works for the
10:19:20 clerk's office, you know, there is always that
10:19:24 opportunity, I don't mean this particular clerk because I
10:19:26 think we know the answer to that, that if an independent
10:19:29 auditor that works through the clerk's office, be if for
10:19:34 some reason that particular clerk wanted to say hey, wait
10:19:37 a minute, you know, we better not have a pitched battle
10:19:40 here because we have to go before them for our budget.
10:19:43 There are some issues there that help balance out a
10:19:48 constitutional officer then taking on the entire county
10:19:50 commission.
10:19:51 We have those balances here to some degree.
10:19:54 We don't exercise them as much because there are
10:19:57 political costs for the things that we do.
10:19:59 Back to the audit question.
10:20:01 I believe Mr. Miranda has come up with that specifically
10:20:04 and Ms. Montelione I believe in the sentence that you
10:20:07 were reading to us concerning the audit, I believe it was
10:20:11 either the last sentence or the next to last sentence on
10:20:14 it, I think has the key to it, which is, is it an "and"
10:20:19 or an "or" that we can insert for City Council.
10:20:22 So if you look at the last sentence, you can read it
10:20:24 again so everyone else understands.
10:20:26 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Sure.
10:20:27 Just so everyone knows, this is under article V,
10:20:31 departments and it's letter C, the end of the paragraph
10:20:36 states the internal auditor shall perform such other
10:20:40 audits as may be required by the Mayor.
10:20:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: And?
10:20:46 >>LISA MONTELIONE: And add, with a charter amendment and
10:20:50 City Council.
10:20:50 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Or.
10:20:52 We can do either one, depending on what the essence of it
10:20:55 is.
10:20:56 Meaning that if we want to do -- that's the independence
10:20:59 part of it, if you follow my reasoning.
10:21:01 Which is if you want to have something that's an
10:21:03 independent audit, separate from the Mayor's office or
10:21:06 the administration, if you insert an "or," that means
10:21:10 that we have the power to ask for the audit as opposed to
10:21:13 waiting until after an audit has been done internally and
10:21:16 then having an outside audit.
10:21:19 Now again, there are, you have to weigh that out
10:21:23 politically as to what that means in terms of the City
10:21:25 Council and I would agree that based on what Mr. Miranda
10:21:28 had said making super majority in order to go to that
10:21:31 level, you can probably solve some of those problems.
10:21:34 Again, it depends on what we want to do as Council.
10:21:37 Do we want to make it that we are able to order
10:21:39 independent audits or that they have to provide the audit
10:21:42 to us in a timely fashion?
10:21:44 Those are two separate things.
10:21:46 So, but we have the power of changing it just with that
10:21:49 word, or the way that we use the word.
10:21:52 I just wanted to present that because all the suggestions
10:21:55 here are really good suggestions in terms of how we might
10:21:57 be able to handle it.
10:21:59 Ms. Montelione?
10:21:59 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, we have a couple of lawyers here
10:22:01 and they know the difference, you know, there's a
10:22:04 tremendous difference between "and" and "or" so we if put
10:22:09 Richard by the Mayor and City Council, then both have to
10:22:12 request the same exact audit to be performed.
10:22:15 So "and" would be I think a more restrictive condition of
10:22:22 this.
10:22:23 So I would tend to favor the, by the Mayor or by City
10:22:28 Council, so that we can order, ask for an audit that the
10:22:33 Mayor hasn't asked for.
10:22:35 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Cohen?
10:22:37 >>HARRY COHEN: So this is I think going in a very
10:22:39 productive direction.
10:22:40 It's not really addressing Councilwoman's Capin's issue,
10:22:44 but -- what about wording it this way?
10:22:48 Or City Council by super majority vote?
10:22:52 That way rather than mutt a number limit on how many can
10:22:56 be asked for, it means that City Council is going to be
10:23:00 very judicious in exercising this prerogative.
10:23:03 And it also makes the language very simple and short and
10:23:07 concise and -- but it's super majority vote.
10:23:12 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda, do you have anything else to
10:23:14 add on that?
10:23:16 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: No, not on their but I'll bring
10:23:18 something that hasn't been brought up later.
10:23:20 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Shelby, you have a question?
10:23:22 >>MARTIN SHELBY: I understand and, where Council wants to
10:23:25 go on this.
10:23:26 My concern just sitting here listening to it for the
10:23:29 first time is, you know, the charter is a strong Mayor
10:23:34 form of government.
10:23:35 We all recognize that.
10:23:36 There's a whole bunch of different moving parts within
10:23:39 the charter and I just want to be concerned that any
10:23:41 amendment to that particular section, being how it's
10:23:44 under departments, that it doesn't run afoul of section
10:23:47 4.01 the Mayor's duties, number 3 states the exercise of
10:23:51 direct control and supervision over all departments and
10:23:55 divisions of municipal government.
10:23:57 So, that is something that we'd have to reconcile.
10:24:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I believe -- go ahead, Mr. Cohen.
10:24:04 >>HARRY COHEN: You could say except for where otherwise
10:24:07 provided in this document.
10:24:14 >>MARTIN SHELBY: The thing, section 5.03 that says each
10:24:18 of the foregoing officers shall perform such other duties
10:24:21 as shall be directed by the Mayor by executive order
10:24:24 or-by the Council by ordinance and furtherance of their
10:24:28 respective administrative and legislative functions,
10:24:31 which is why one of the things I had thought of initially
10:24:33 when I had mentioned it to you previously was just to say
10:24:35 or as set forth by ordinance.
10:24:37 Which would require ultimately either the Mayor's
10:24:40 approval or super majority vote to override the Mayor's
10:24:43 veto.
10:24:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If I could, Mr. Shelby, that's kind of,
10:24:46 you know, half a dozen on one hand or six on the other
10:24:49 because you're doing the exact same thing except it's in
10:24:52 a different part of the code.
10:24:53 I mean, excuse me, the charter, meaning that if you are
10:24:56 going to -- I'm not saying to supersede that particular
10:25:00 aspect of what the Mayor's administrative duties are, but
10:25:03 by shifting some of the power in terms of where it's at,
10:25:07 you still have the same argument, which is if we go ahead
10:25:10 an do it by ordinance, we have to wait to see what
10:25:13 happens with the Mayor.
10:25:15 Mayor might veto it and we still have to go back to a
10:25:18 super majority.
10:25:19 So we are back to square one based on what we had
10:25:22 suggested as part of the charter review.
10:25:24 I just want to make sure everyone understands that what
10:25:27 you said is snowing different.
10:25:28 It's just a different entryway as opposed to doing it
10:25:31 through charter.
10:25:32 Ms. Capin, did you have something else?
10:25:35 >>YVONNE CAPIN: No.
10:25:35 [Inaudible]
10:25:40 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Are we done with that particular issue?
10:25:42 Did you want to make a motion Ms. Montelione concerning
10:25:45 that particular aspect of it?
10:25:47 We can go to the other points.
10:25:48 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Sure.
10:25:49 So I will, and correct me if I misstate the motion.
10:25:53 I will move that we go forward with the charter amendment
10:26:07 by ballot in November, to add the language to article V
10:26:15 letter C, last sentence, the internal auditor shall
10:26:20 perform such other audits as may be required by the Mayor
10:26:24 or by City Council super majority vote.
10:26:28 By super majority vote.
10:26:32 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
10:26:33 Any discussions of that motion?
10:26:35 Do avenue second?
10:26:36 >> Second.
10:26:37 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I have a second from Mr. Miranda.
10:26:40 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We got a second and a third.
10:26:53 We'll go with Mrs. Capin.
10:26:56 Mr. Miranda very gently about that we have a motion
10:26:58 Ms. Montelione, second from Miss Capin.
10:27:01 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
10:27:02 aye.
10:27:03 Any opposed?
10:27:04 Thank you.
10:27:06 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
10:27:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Now the next issue I think Ms. Capin,
10:27:10 let's go directly back to what you were mentioning, and
10:27:14 reset the table for us in terms of your particular issue
10:27:17 so we can dive in a little bit deeper.
10:27:21 >>YVONNE CAPIN: What I would like to see is for us to ask
10:27:29 the attorney, the administration, whoever would be to
10:27:35 look into other municipalities and how they deal with the
10:27:39 independent auditors for performance, particularly for
10:27:44 performance.
10:27:45 And I don't have any cities in particular, but I would
10:27:48 imagine here in Florida there are those and we can do
10:27:54 cities that are comparable up to our size.
10:27:57 I'm trying to -- I don't have the cities.
10:28:02 Do you have a suggestion?
10:28:03 >>HARRY COHEN: I have a suggestion.
10:28:04 And it's this I think that's exactly what they should do.
10:28:07 But it seems to me that whatever information comes out of
10:28:10 that is really perfect for the charter review board that
10:28:13 we have been talking about setting up because they are
10:28:16 the ones I think that would really have to do a deep
10:28:19 dive, to use your words, Chairman Suarez, in terms of
10:28:25 figuring out what might work to change it from the way it
10:28:30 is now to something different.
10:28:31 That is going to take some time and effort to figure out.
10:28:37 And it may be that it's not possible.
10:28:40 I don't know.
10:28:41 >>YVONNE CAPIN: It may be that it just doesn't work for
10:28:43 us.
10:28:43 But I'd like to at least look into it and see if that is
10:28:48 something that is plausible for this city and if --
10:28:53 that's my motion.
10:28:54 And I agree with Councilman Cohen on that, after we have
10:29:00 that information, once we have the committee on board,
10:29:04 for them to study it.
10:29:06 >>HARRY COHEN: So maybe if I could ask for friendly
10:29:08 amendment, you could ask that information to come back,
10:29:11 concurrent with when we have the discussion in our next
10:29:14 workshop about setting up a charter review board.
10:29:18 >>YVONNE CAPIN: That would be perfect.
10:29:19 >>HARRY COHEN: Because then that would be one of the
10:29:21 things we would charge them with.
10:29:23 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Exactly.
10:29:24 When it comes back.
10:29:26 >>HARRY COHEN: I think it's scheduled to come back at
10:29:28 some point.
10:29:29 >> May 26th.
10:29:31 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Right around the corner.
10:29:33 Is that the timeline?
10:29:39 >>SAL TERRITO: The nature of usual motion in the past is
10:29:41 asking someone to do something or just bring it to the
10:29:43 charter review committee?
10:29:44 Are you asking the city attorney's office to prepare an
10:29:47 ordinance to put this on the ballot or are you asking to
10:29:49 be discussed?
10:29:50 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If you're talking about this particular
10:29:51 issue.
10:29:52 >> The one Mrs. Montelione made.
10:29:55 >>MIKE SUAREZ: The one Ms. Montelione made, that would be
10:29:57 to I believe come back with the ordinance.
10:29:58 I mean with the language for the charter review.
10:30:05 >>LISA MONTELIONE: What was intended was that directing,
10:30:09 and I should've put directing the legal department to
10:30:11 come back with the language for this charter amendment to
10:30:15 be placed on the ballot in November.
10:30:18 >>SAL TERRITO: That's why I needed clarification because
10:30:20 you have the charter review commission, I'm not sure what
10:30:23 was going where.
10:30:24 >>LISA MONTELIONE: We had discussed this several times,
10:30:26 including at our strategic planning session and then here
10:30:28 at Council, that there are some issues that we want to do
10:30:33 now and put those directly on the ballot and there are
10:30:35 some larger issues that might require more in-depth
10:30:39 discussion such as the one Ms. Capin just brought up that
10:30:43 we would hand to the charter commission should one be
10:30:46 seated, that would be something they could work on.
10:30:50 >>SAL TERRITO: Did you want to address costs or anything
10:30:52 like that because obviously.
10:30:55 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It's part of the motion already.
10:30:57 >>SAL TERRITO: Two issues I had.
10:30:58 This is your decision -- I'm not trying to get involved.
10:31:00 There were two issues we had.
10:31:01 First of all, the audit department is independent, even
10:31:03 though the Mayor hires and they're an independent body.
10:31:05 Same with the legal department.
10:31:07 We have our own code of ethics we have to abide by.
10:31:11 The second thing is that the audit department does
10:31:11 internal and external audits.
10:31:14 Remember when we had the zoo issue, they did an external
10:31:16 audit.
10:31:16 We had something to do with Office Depot at one time.
10:31:18 I don't know if you want to narrow this down or you'll
10:31:21 make that discussion when you have that discussion among
10:31:23 yourselves what it is because there's a cost involved and
10:31:25 you're basically taking away from something else to do
10:31:28 what you want to do.
10:31:29 And I didn't know if you wanted to address that -- those
10:31:32 are not charter issues but those are things you may want
10:31:35 to consider, not necessarily on the ordinance but
10:31:35 something you may want to consider on how you implement
10:31:37 that if the ordinance does bring it to charter.
10:31:41 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, two things.
10:31:42 The audit, the section I read from, article V, section 3,
10:31:47 falls under departments.
10:31:50 >>SAL TERRITO: Correct.
10:31:51 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So it's a department which is again
10:31:53 another purview of the Mayor because it is a department.
10:31:58 So, I understand we have internal and external.
10:32:01 External auditors are hired for specific reasons.
10:32:05 That's why they're external auditors, correct?
10:32:09 >>SAL TERRITO: Internal auditors do external audits is
10:32:11 what I'm trying to say.
10:32:12 They do both.
10:32:13 When we have had an issue with somebody when we had a
10:32:16 contract, they have the authority --
10:32:18 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Right, that's considered an external
10:32:20 audit.
10:32:21 So...
10:32:22 >>SAL TERRITO: It's an external audit performed by the
10:32:25 internal auditors.
10:32:25 That's all I'm trying to say.
10:32:27 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Right, but I think in semantics here,
10:32:27 when we're talking about external auditors, we're talking
10:32:29 about people who are not employed by the City of Tampa,
10:32:31 who are on contract with the City of Tampa, who are an
10:32:36 independent accounting firm who, or an independent audit
10:32:40 firm who is hired by the city by contract.
10:32:43 So we are not talking about the external audit performed
10:32:47 by the internal audit department.
10:32:48 So that's just clarifying that and to the cost, part of
10:32:54 this motion and on our agenda today, cost was addressed
10:32:59 as a question.
10:33:00 So we haven't gotten to that part of it yet but we'll
10:33:03 address cost.
10:33:04 I had, when we were going through the budget review for
10:33:08 the current fiscal year, I had asked for additional funds
10:33:13 to be placed in the budget for just this purpose.
10:33:17 And the funds were allocated and the funds are in the
10:33:21 budget.
10:33:21 So we're partway there.
10:33:25 >>SAL TERRITO: Funds are put in the budget so you could
10:33:27 have your charter review.
10:33:29 The $15,000 or are we talking about something different?
10:33:33 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Territo, if I could interrupt.
10:33:35 We did our motion.
10:33:36 It's set.
10:33:37 You're coming back now after we have already done our
10:33:40 motion.
10:33:40 I think your points are well made.
10:33:42 Let us continue our meeting so that we can go forward.
10:33:45 I think that it's fairly clear based on what was made,
10:33:48 the motion that was seconded and passed, you will get
10:33:50 that information.
10:33:51 I don't think that this is the time for you to come here
10:33:54 now to kind of ask us what does it mean.
10:33:56 I think that will be administrative duty you can do later
10:33:59 on, if you don't mind.
10:34:01 >>SAL TERRITO: That's fine.
10:34:02 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you.
10:34:03 We're back to our original motion from application Capin.
10:34:06 We already have our second with some suggestion from
10:34:08 Mr. Cohen.
10:34:09 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Did we vote?
10:34:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We voted on that already.
10:34:12 I just want to make sure we get back to what we were
10:34:15 doing.
10:34:16 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Here's the thing.
10:34:16 Thank you.
10:34:18 To our chair, that one of the things to look into is
10:34:23 municipalities that have a strong form of Mayor, okay,
10:34:28 and check with the League of Cities.
10:34:30 I think that would be a direction as to how that's done.
10:34:35 And we can take it from there.
10:34:37 But that's to be brought back may 26th.
10:34:41 >>HARRY COHEN: As the seconder, if I could offer some
10:34:44 clarification what I think we're looking for.
10:34:47 I would like a memo that describes the practices in other
10:34:52 cities, preferably in Florida, that shows how -- we're
10:34:59 not the first municipality to confront this problem.
10:35:02 This issue.
10:35:04 Show us the way other governments have tackled it.
10:35:08 I would prefer a memo in advance of the meeting so that
10:35:11 we can read it and actually be educated by the time we
10:35:15 come in here rather than flying by the seat of our pants
10:35:18 when the discussion comes up.
10:35:20 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you for that amendment.
10:35:22 I have such smart colleagues.
10:35:24 I'm so grateful.
10:35:25 >>MIKE SUAREZ: All right.
10:35:25 Before we go further, Mr. Miranda has a question.
10:35:28 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Thank you.
10:35:29 I appreciate everything that was said, especially about
10:35:32 strong Mayor form of government.
10:35:33 However, I firmly believe that you're going to have to go
10:35:38 outside the Florida League of Cities, you're not going to
10:35:40 find too many cities to make a comparison with in the
10:35:43 state of Florida.
10:35:44 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I that I is well taken.
10:35:46 Ms. Capin might want to put the national League of
10:35:48 Cities, which would probably co of that.
10:35:51 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Thank you.
10:35:52 The national league of cities.
10:35:53 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Clerk, are you clear on the motion?
10:35:57 Okay.
10:35:57 Who wants to restate it?
10:35:59 If the maker of the motion could restate with all the
10:36:01 things that were put in there.
10:36:02 I'm sure you'll get help with your seconder.
10:36:05 >>YVONNE CAPIN: The motion is for our legal department to
10:36:08 look into other municipalities that have a strong form of
10:36:14 Mayor and on their process of the auditor.
10:36:20 And to look into the national League of Cities and also
10:36:25 to bring back before may 26th, a memo to Councilmembers
10:36:31 of their findings and, so that we can review it before we
10:36:35 get to May 26th.
10:36:37 Is that pretty complete?
10:36:40 >>MIKE SUAREZ: All right.
10:36:41 Before we go on, we have a motion from Ms. Capin, a
10:36:44 second from Mr. Cohen.
10:36:47 Mr. Shelby, you have a comment?
10:36:49 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Just for the sake of clarity.
10:36:51 What you wanted specifically was to look at independent
10:36:54 auditors?
10:36:56 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Yeah.
10:36:57 Independent auditors.
10:36:58 Thank you.
10:36:59 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Clerk, you got that?
10:37:02 >>YVONNE CAPIN: At the very beginning.
10:37:03 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Ms. Capin, second from
10:37:05 Mr. Cohen.
10:37:06 All in favor of that motion please indicate by saying
10:37:07 aye.
10:37:08 Any opposed?
10:37:09 Thank you very much.
10:37:10 Thank you very much, Councilmembers.
10:37:13 All right.
10:37:13 Are we done with number eight?
10:37:15 Yes, sir?
10:37:16 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: There are some things I want to
10:37:18 discuss, correct me if I'm wrong, talking about certain
10:37:21 things that you want to do in referendum and so forth.
10:37:24 As you well know, the tax yesterday on whatever you want
10:37:30 to call it failed.
10:37:31 Go backwards, Hillsborough.
10:37:33 That failed.
10:37:36 And I can understand that on both sides, believe me.
10:37:39 However, I was thinking how can you do something to help
10:37:42 the City of Tampa in transportation?
10:37:44 And many years ago when I trained racehorses, I used to
10:37:49 travel the country.
10:37:50 Every time I went to a different city, guess what?
10:37:52 If I didn't live there, I paid a tax, an extra tax for
10:37:55 using their roads, their water, their sewer when I was
10:37:59 there.
10:37:59 And if I lived in Kentucky and I was racing in
10:38:02 Cincinnati, I paid a tax because I wasn't living in
10:38:06 there, creating nothing of revenue for that city.
10:38:08 So I haven't done any due diligence, but I remember what
10:38:14 I paid and I don't remember the amount, I remember I had
10:38:16 to go to the police station, got tags, put it on my tags
10:38:20 so they knew that I was taxpayer, that I was paying
10:38:23 something.
10:38:24 Since that failed and there's no revenue really going
10:38:26 into transportation, and now that, you know, may or may
10:38:31 not be on the ballot, really wasn't a transportation
10:38:33 issue.
10:38:34 They were talking about continuation in my opinion was
10:38:37 CIT tax.
10:38:38 That's why it failed.
10:38:39 So, just to think of the -- and I'm not asking to put it
10:38:42 on the ballot.
10:38:43 I'm requesting all of you in the Council to think of ways
10:38:46 to create revenue from the city from anybody who works in
10:38:49 the city and lives outside the city and pays nada, zero
10:38:53 while they're in the city.
10:38:54 Do they pay gas tax?
10:38:56 That goes to everybody.
10:38:57 Do they pay ad valorem tax in the city?
10:38:59 Absolutely not.
10:39:00 Do you and I pay tax?
10:39:02 Yes.
10:39:02 Do we pay ad valorem tax?
10:39:04 Absolute yes for the city and the county and the school
10:39:07 system, I understand all that.
10:39:07 But if you live in the county and you work in the city,
10:39:10 you pay el zero.
10:39:12 Now, that's got to change, because this city will --
10:39:14 success will drown you if you're not prepared for that
10:39:18 success.
10:39:18 You won't have the roads.
10:39:20 You won't have the transportation and you won't have what
10:39:22 you need in goods and services to continue to go forward.
10:39:26 So I'm just asking you guys to give me an idea, give us
10:39:30 an idea, do your own modeling or maybe ask the national
10:39:34 league of cities again, what cities have this kind of
10:39:38 program so they create revenue.
10:39:39 And specifically earmarked for something like
10:39:45 transportation.
10:39:45 That's all I'm asking.
10:39:46 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I mentioned Salt Lake City, I was there a
10:39:48 couple weeks ago.
10:39:49 And I marveled at their transportation, their light rail.
10:39:55 Well, not only was it the whole, the state committed
10:40:03 $2 billion to the city of Salt Lake City to do the
10:40:07 transportation, everything that is happening there, it's
10:40:11 not just -- it wasn't just the transportation.
10:40:14 It's the revitalizing of the entire city.
10:40:18 So, yes, that was $2 billion that was committed and very
10:40:22 well spent.
10:40:24 Again, I agree with my Councilmember Miranda and we
10:40:30 should be part of the solution and look for ways to be
10:40:33 able to pay for this.
10:40:37 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Montelione -- I was just going to go
10:40:39 to you.
10:40:40 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you.
10:40:42 Being on the end here, it's hard to tell.
10:40:44 >> I know the feeling.
10:40:45 Go ahead, ma'am.
10:40:46 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Yes, you do.
10:40:47 From the opposite end.
10:40:49 The funding options, whether, you know, go Hillsborough
10:40:57 passed or whether it failed have been looked at, studied
10:41:03 and surveyed by the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
10:41:07 They've also been looked at at the TMA management group
10:41:12 that Mr. Cohen sits on with me with the three counties,
10:41:14 Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas.
10:41:16 So, it's not just Hillsborough MPO that has looked at
10:41:19 these questions and tried to propose alternative sources
10:41:24 of revenue. Whether it be public-private partnership
10:41:29 funding, whether it be some form of set-asides in our own
10:41:37 city county governments respectively of all three.
10:41:41 It may be something that we want to have, Beth Alden from
10:41:45 the MPO come and talk to us about because they have the
10:41:49 knowledge and they had anticipated scenarios if Go
10:41:55 Hillsborough should have failed.
10:41:57 Whether it failed on the ballot after it went out to the
10:41:59 citizens, which I wish it would have because I think the
10:42:03 citizens have the right to vote and speak their mind
10:42:07 because only a certain number of citizens, I think it was
10:42:09 200 was speculated yesterday that were able to go and
10:42:13 speak at the public hearing.
10:42:16 Certain involved citizens or have the time to speak at
10:42:19 public meetings, whether that one or any of the other
10:42:22 county commission meetings that have been held.
10:42:23 But the voters who show up at the ballot box, there are
10:42:26 many, many more of those.
10:42:28 So I wish it would've gone out to the public to hear the
10:42:31 citizens.
10:42:31 But we could have one of the MPO or transportation
10:42:37 professionals come and let us know what those anticipated
10:42:41 scenarios.
10:42:42 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If may, Ms. Montelione, before we get into
10:42:45 generalized discussion about transportation, let's go
10:42:47 ahead and finish number eight which of course the
10:42:50 whistle-blower.
10:42:52 >>LISA MONTELIONE: That was my preference.
10:42:53 >>MIKE SUAREZ: If you don't mind taking that up.
10:42:55 >>LISA MONTELIONE: It had come to my attention sometime
10:42:57 ago that although whistle-blower protection is built into
10:43:02 every union contract, those employees who belong to a
10:43:06 union are covered under that whistle-blower protection.
10:43:10 It is in I believe the human resources handbook as a
10:43:16 procedure, but, or a policy, but I would prefer and I
10:43:23 think that in talking about this before with Council, in
10:43:27 past Council sessions, that we should afford all
10:43:31 employees of the city, unionized or not, and make it a
10:43:37 pillar of one of the tenets of our charter, so all
10:43:44 employees by charter are protected under the
10:43:47 whistle-blower are statutes, whether they exist
10:43:49 statewide, nationally, in a union contract, I think it
10:43:53 should be called out and very clear in our charter that
10:43:56 everyone has whistle-blower protections.
10:44:00 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
10:44:00 That is a motion?
10:44:03 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Well, it's a motion but I need
10:44:05 guidance from the legal department as to where this might
10:44:08 be placed.
10:44:09 There are a couple places in the charter.
10:44:11 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Before you go on, if I could make a
10:44:13 suggestion.
10:44:13 I would think that the motion might have some language to
10:44:18 say to go and look at state law concerning whistle-blower
10:44:21 protection and also what is in our, what is in our
10:44:27 charter and in our ordinances.
10:44:29 That may cover all that we need.
10:44:31 I'm not sure.
10:44:33 >>LISA MONTELIONE: So, I'll motioning to ask the legal
10:44:35 department to come back with a review of current policy
10:44:40 in human resources department of whistle-blower
10:44:44 protection for employees.
10:44:46 And also to propose language for a charter amendment to
10:44:50 be placed on the November ballot for adding
10:44:54 whistle-blower protection as a tenet of our charter.
10:44:59 >>YVONNE CAPIN: I second that.
10:45:00 It's very important.
10:45:01 There's a huge difference between policy and ordinance or
10:45:04 charter.
10:45:05 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay, we have a motion from
10:45:08 Mrs. Montelione, a second --
10:45:10 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Yes, of course, the same day we were
10:45:12 going to have all the other discussions.
10:45:13 >>MIKE SUAREZ: May 26th at 9:00 a.m.
10:45:15 All right.
10:45:16 Motion from Ms. Montelione, second from Mrs. Capin.
10:45:20 Any other discussion?
10:45:21 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
10:45:23 aye.
10:45:23 Any opposed?
10:45:24 Thank you very much.
10:45:26 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: If I may.
10:45:27 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda?
10:45:28 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: One things I mentioned I would not be
10:45:30 here May 10th.
10:45:31 Those plans are changed, not to me, but I got to be out
10:45:35 of the city from may 20th to may 30th.
10:45:37 But I will send a letter whatever it is that we're going
10:45:41 to discuss and my feelings.
10:45:43 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Miranda, is it okay we handled it on
10:45:45 the 26th?
10:45:47 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: No, you can handle it on the 26th.
10:45:48 Fine with he moo.
10:45:50 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, sir.
10:45:50 All right.
10:45:51 Next up --
10:45:53 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Did we vote?
10:45:55 >>MIKE SUAREZ: I think we did vote.
10:45:56 We did.
10:45:59 These votes are starting to run together.
10:46:01 I know.
10:46:07 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We need more caffeine up here.
10:46:10 Number 7, sir.
10:46:11 >> Good morning, Council.
10:46:50 Thom Snelling, planning and development.
10:46:54 I am not Cathy Coyle.
10:46:56 But I am doing this report.
10:46:59 One very quick housekeeping order.
10:47:04 Cathy actually is the manager for planning and
10:47:06 development.
10:47:07 Or planning and urban design.
10:47:10 I'm sorry.
10:47:10 A lot of times we get confused sometimes, will say Land
10:47:14 Development Coordination, which is Gloria Moreda and
10:47:17 planning and urban design which is Cathy Coyle.
10:47:20 So just FYI going forward as you make motions, if you
10:47:24 want to talk to Gloria in LDC, it's Gloria, in planning
10:47:27 and development, it's Cathy.
10:47:29 >>YVONNE CAPIN: But seems like Cathy takes charge.
10:47:32 [ Laughter ]
10:47:32 >>MIKE SUAREZ: It's your turn to take charge.
10:47:39 >> I'm trying to dissipate the work amongst the
10:47:43 departments.
10:47:43 So it's a little more balanced.
10:47:45 The motion is to specifically talk about some changes
10:47:49 that took place from the recommendations for the
10:47:52 economic, Mayor's economic competitiveness committee.
10:47:56 And it also identified right towards the end which
10:47:59 changes will not be made.
10:48:00 While I'm here to say that none of the 32 recommendations
10:48:03 and six for future discussion items are not going to take
10:48:07 place.
10:48:07 It's just they'll unfold in an appropriate timeline and
10:48:10 appropriate fashion.
10:48:11 The recommendations that you have before you, they're
10:48:16 organized by items one through 12 are revisions to code
10:48:21 and ordinances.
10:48:22 Items 12 through 30 are reorganizations and classes of
10:48:27 technology, 31, 33 is staff and reorganization.
10:48:30 Then six items in the future discussion.
10:48:32 Now, we have actually we have made significant progress
10:48:38 in almost every single item there.
10:48:42 Process and technology and staff and reorganization, we
10:48:44 have a great deal of control on those kinds of things
10:48:48 because those are policy decisions frequently in how you
10:48:50 reorganize your staff, how you regroup your staff, where
10:48:53 you house them and who reports to who and those kinds of
10:48:56 things.
10:48:57 And process and technology, with the web page, citizen
10:49:02 access, interest, dashboard, those kinds of things.
10:49:06 We have made a lot of progress there.
10:49:09 Staff and reorganization, virtually all those items are
10:49:12 complete in process and technology, they have status of
10:49:15 complete and ongoing.
10:49:16 Best example of that could be citizens access permitting.
10:49:23 It's complete.
10:49:24 Been in place a year now.
10:49:25 We have staff that is constantly re-scripting and
10:49:29 tweaking and making slight improvements as we get
10:49:31 additional input from development community and citizens
10:49:34 that process will as be ongoing.
10:49:37 It will never be totally complete because technology
10:49:39 changes every day as you know.
10:49:41 Same thing with the web page.
10:49:42 Web page has been updated, dashboards have been on there.
10:49:46 But they're constantly ongoing and we're adding
10:49:49 information, adding the data so people can get it.
10:49:53 And take a look at it.
10:49:54 The most recent one, the contractors made press release
10:49:57 about that a little bit ago.
10:49:59 Contractors app, very well received.
10:50:01 Basically that allows them do a lot of business right off
10:50:05 smartphone.
10:50:05 Got a lot of positive feedback.
10:50:07 As technologies come, like I say, those types of things
10:50:10 will always be ongoing.
10:50:12 Now codes are a little tougher.
10:50:17 We have, if I can say it this way, we have kind of less
10:50:20 control.
10:50:22 Several items that we have taken care of, we consolidated
10:50:27 the land development code into a single code.
10:50:29 That's ongoing.
10:50:30 A lot of that work has already been done.
10:50:32 We're still pulling the rest of them in.
10:50:35 Creating flexible codes, several, several codes have been
10:50:38 changed already and are complete but there's more coming.
10:50:40 Some of the examples of that include converting certain
10:50:45 site plan districts back to Euclidian districts because
10:50:49 that makes things go a little bit quicker.
10:50:52 Reducing side yard setbacks, buffer waivers, reduction of
10:50:54 drive aisles, made some progress with signage, digital
10:50:57 signs as well as long banners.
10:50:59 So a lot of those things have been done and are complete.
10:51:02 The downtown border and discussion of further refinements
10:51:07 to the downtown central business district code is getting
10:51:09 ready to come forward to public hearings in May.
10:51:12 Two public hearings on that in May.
10:51:13 Seminole Heights and form-based codes have been complete.
10:51:17 So many, many of those codes are done and complete.
10:51:21 When I say that we don't have some control on that,
10:51:24 basically what I really mean by that is that, it's a
10:51:29 codified process.
10:51:32 We are allowed to make amendments two times, we made
10:51:36 amendments in July and January.
10:51:37 That he get into that cycle.
10:51:39 That's how you receive them, a July batch, a January
10:51:42 batch.
10:51:43 So as codes are coming through they must go through that
10:51:46 process as defined by existing code.
10:51:50 One of the problems that was identified in the ECC was
10:51:53 that there were sometimes contradictions among our own
10:51:57 codes.
10:51:57 Because they have grown like everything else over the
10:52:02 years and we had different people writing them.
10:52:05 And they didn't bother to look at certain codes so if
10:52:08 they made a change to chapter 17 or 13, with tree and
10:52:11 landscapes, they didn't bother to look at what was said
10:52:14 in Chapter 27 that had to do with landscape and buffers.
10:52:17 So you have to make that analysis.
10:52:18 And that takes time.
10:52:20 There's simply no way around that, it has to take time
10:52:23 and be looked at.
10:52:24 Plus, we also value public input.
10:52:29 Our staff, we know anecdotally as well as from war wounds
10:52:33 if we don't take what we're drafting and bring it out to
10:52:37 the development community and bring it out to T.H.A.N.
10:52:42 and bring it out to citizens that are out there.
10:52:43 The very first thing somebody says when they walk in
10:52:46 front of you, well, I've never seen this.
10:52:48 And the first thing that Council says back to us,
10:52:50 Mr. Snelling, take them back out there and let them see
10:52:53 that.
10:52:53 So we've learned that.
10:52:54 And we've known that, we've operated that way for quite a
10:52:58 long time.
10:52:59 So that adds more time to the process.
10:53:02 And as we're drafting that, we have to make sure we have
10:53:10 internal code consistency and code construction so we're
10:53:12 not contradicting each other.
10:53:13 So the book that you have in front of you, I'm not going
10:53:17 to go through each and every single one.
10:53:19 But you're going to come across statuses of complete,
10:53:23 complete and ongoing, some of those I mentioned already.
10:53:26 Other ones that will say currently under way, and there's
10:53:32 others identified as for future discussion.
10:53:34 There are brief discussions on each of that.
10:53:38 The way the book is put together four, talks about what
10:53:41 the original challenge was, what their recommendation
10:53:44 was.
10:53:45 And then what the status was.
10:53:47 Quick example, item 6 was modified chapter 21, the
10:53:51 stormwater code.
10:53:52 The status of that is, they're currently under way and
10:53:55 they've already looks at the technical standards and the
10:53:58 red line to try to adjust some of the recording flooding
10:54:02 challenges because that's happening more and more,
10:54:04 looking at that code as you know about the flooding
10:54:06 issues, all of you do.
10:54:08 Trying to figure out if there's anything we can do just
10:54:11 from a purely code perspective that will help mitigate
10:54:15 some of that activity from taking place.
10:54:16 In terms of the code, and I said this before, the
10:54:23 500-pound gorilla in the room nobody wants to talk about
10:54:26 is chapter 13, tree and landscape code.
10:54:28 I'm sure --
10:54:30 >> I do.
10:54:31 [ Laughter ]
10:54:36 >>THOM SNELLING: What happened with the process that we
10:54:37 have gone through that we received a grant, $25,000 and
10:54:42 you know Jared Simpson is now city attorney.
10:54:46 He went through and did a complete audit.
10:54:48 Did literally maybe hundreds of interviews with citizens,
10:54:53 city staff, developments, developers and he put all the
10:54:57 things that they had said into this audit.
10:54:59 He did that report, presented it to you self months back.
10:55:02 From there we then started to craft the code.
10:55:05 And with Cathy, she's pulling that together.
10:55:08 We then sent it out for, to a legal consultant, an
10:55:11 independent legal party to look at the code to make sure
10:55:14 we weren't putting things in there that could not stand
10:55:16 legal muster.
10:55:17 They've just completed that.
10:55:19 The final touches are being put on that code.
10:55:22 So phase one of that thing is done.
10:55:23 Now the phase two, the second part is going to be the fun
10:55:26 part.
10:55:26 That's when we're all, everybody will have what our
10:55:30 document is going to say.
10:55:31 That will be available in a very few days.
10:55:33 What that document says, what our recommendations are,
10:55:35 what we have gleaned from the audit and what we have
10:55:40 gleaned from internal input and professional input from
10:55:43 the University of South Florida, University of Florida,
10:55:45 you know, foresters, urban ecologists, et cetera.
10:55:49 And we'll have that draft document.
10:55:51 We have two public community meetings that we have to do
10:55:54 as part of the grant.
10:55:55 Then we also will start the City Council workshop process
10:56:00 on that.
10:56:00 And that's where the rubber meets the road.
10:56:04 That's where the discussion will take place on what
10:56:07 direction we're going to go and how the code is going to
10:56:10 be finalized.
10:56:11 So that's the status of that.
10:56:14 Those kinds of conversations, those public hearings will
10:56:17 start to take place within the next month.
10:56:19 Staff reorganization very quickly -- other code items.
10:56:27 Talked about the web page, the one stop shop.
10:56:34 That's complete.
10:56:34 Recently we have, you may have known, we actually moved
10:56:39 transportation right away permitting into planning and
10:56:43 urban design.
10:56:44 Now internal transportation right-of-way permitting will
10:56:46 be done over at the construction service centers because
10:56:49 there was a bit of disconnect there.
10:56:52 We moved about 7 staff members over there, incorporated
10:56:55 them into our department.
10:56:56 So again the one stop shop is complete.
10:56:58 But as we're going forward, we're finding more ways to
10:57:01 continue to improve on that water and wastewater are
10:57:03 co-located there.
10:57:05 To complete the whole thing.
10:57:06 So everything you need to do in terms to get a permit now
10:57:09 with the addition of right-of-way permitting is there.
10:57:12 The other -- excuse me.
10:57:19 Establishing expedited review service.
10:57:23 We have that but can always do better.
10:57:25 If you look on the dash board, you see how many permits
10:57:28 are coming in, review time.
10:57:30 All those things are taking place.
10:57:32 Complete dashboard is kind of our report card if you will
10:57:35 on how much work we're doing and how quickly we're
10:57:37 turning that work around.
10:57:38 But again, as Excel fine-tunes how we operate we'll do
10:57:45 additional things we don't know right now.
10:57:47 You don't know what you don't know kind of thing.
10:57:49 But we are always paying attention to that.
10:57:51 Our standard operating procedures, they're changing.
10:57:54 Changing because of Excel.
10:57:56 Changing because of civic insight.
10:57:59 Because of the contractor apps.
10:58:00 So we're trying to rewrite and craft those.
10:58:02 Those are about 70% complete right now.
10:58:04 We have reorganized the department.
10:58:08 We have assigned ombudsmen.
10:58:11 And we are constantly improving city training.
10:58:14 All of the inspectors and plans reviewers, they all have
10:58:19 regular certifications they have to maintain in order to
10:58:21 be part of their job.
10:58:22 They have to have those certifications, requirement of
10:58:25 the job.
10:58:25 The planners and engineers that are there, they have
10:58:27 professional hours through AIZP and planning that they
10:58:30 have to maintain as well.
10:58:32 So they're constantly going through additional training.
10:58:37 Some have actually taken advantage of it, we offered live
10:58:40 one on one, more like 20 on one, training in the Excel
10:58:44 and how to navigate that system.
10:58:45 We have done that when we first started and we are
10:58:48 providing that in a quasi-regular basis to anybody who
10:58:50 asks.
10:58:51 As soon as we get enough requests, we set up a one-on-one
10:58:55 class.
10:58:56 Plus we have the tutorial on that kind of education.
10:58:58 And again, that's ongoing.
10:59:00 As the educational needs, new people come in to the field
10:59:05 to construct and to build, they need that training.
10:59:08 We provide that for them.
10:59:09 For future discussion, developing economic vision for the
10:59:16 City of Tampa.
10:59:20 We have taken huge steps there.
10:59:29 I'm not going to read the whole thing.
10:59:31 A lot of well-thought-out economic opportunities.
10:59:34 It starts with comprehensive plan, the West Tampa plans,
10:59:38 or the new CRA in West Tampa, all of the CRAs.
10:59:41 All of the work that we have done with our partners,
10:59:44 Hillsborough County, Hillsborough economic development
10:59:47 corporation, and the state of Florida.
10:59:49 Some of the big companies we brought in has been Johnson
10:59:52 & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, depository trust.
10:59:56 White and questions, Quest Diagnostics and several other
10:59:58 smaller ones.
11:00:01 Part of the overall economic development we are doing in
11:00:04 terms of job creation.
11:00:05 Creating the Riverwalk overlay district.
11:00:08 That is complete.
11:00:09 River fest this weekend.
11:00:11 And it goes all the way down to Ulele.
11:00:14 The actual complete total is middle of may when that will
11:00:18 be completely done.
11:00:19 So that has taken place.
11:00:20 And there is actual river district.
11:00:23 Digital signs, we do allow the digital signs.
11:00:26 That has been changed and taken care of.
11:00:28 Using volunteers.
11:00:30 I use volunteers on a regular basis.
11:00:32 We have used Sustany in the past to do our green business
11:00:37 program.
11:00:37 We're contemplating using additional volunteers for
11:00:40 community things.
11:00:41 We are having partnerships, use interns and things like
11:00:44 that.
11:00:45 Central business district boundaries, the revisions are
11:00:49 coming and having hearing set in May for that to take
11:00:52 place.
11:00:53 Site plan waivers, that is something for future use.
11:00:56 As each code goes under, comes under way, the basic
11:01:02 challenge of that, certain waivers are approved on
11:01:06 routine basis by Council, is to take that information,
11:01:09 analyze it and see what kinds of things that city staff
11:01:13 could administratively waive as well as what Council
11:01:16 would be comfortable for.
11:01:17 Because ultimately best example is when you have an
11:01:20 approved PD, and they trip one of those eight or ten
11:01:26 categories that talks about why you have to come back for
11:01:28 the public hearing.
11:01:29 Some of those things are tripped without delay, hundred
11:01:32 percent of the time they get approved.
11:01:35 Small setback changes or the height of a building changes
11:01:38 or things like that.
11:01:39 And that, I will answer questions that you have.
11:01:50 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Councilwoman Montelione.
11:01:52 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
11:01:53 So thanks for all the work on this I know with the staff
11:01:58 that you have in the department, division, sometimes it's
11:02:03 been a little bit of a hurdle to get to the hard work of
11:02:09 changing our codes.
11:02:11 And examining your own department and trying to
11:02:14 reorganize it, not an easy task.
11:02:17 Plus we have all this development going on.
11:02:20 >> And Council once in a while asks us to make another
11:02:24 code change.
11:02:25 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you for that.
11:02:26 There were a lot of things that you touchdown upon that
11:02:30 were in the original recommendations and some that were
11:02:34 not.
11:02:34 One of these is, you mentioned allow more flexibility for
11:02:40 change of use and re-use.
11:02:42 But it seems all related to parking.
11:02:46 And there was something that were applicable to a re-use
11:02:51 of a structure that is not parking related.
11:02:55 So, maybe some of those things can be explored.
11:02:59 I think one of the specifics was in the recommendation
11:03:03 was on page 10, explore options for a public-private
11:03:08 partnership creating a commercial stimulus funding
11:03:10 program to promote quick and easy re-occupancy of vacant
11:03:14 storefronts from the central business district for
11:03:19 temporary uses like pop-up art or pop-up restaurants or
11:03:23 other temporary businesses that could bring those spaces
11:03:31 to life.
11:03:31 I know a lot of our developers, especially in the high
11:03:35 rise sections where they're required to have a certain
11:03:37 amount of fenestration on the first floor or required to
11:03:40 have a certain amount of retail, it's very difficult
11:03:43 sometimes to have a retail or boutique shop or something
11:03:48 like that sustain themselves permanently in a space.
11:03:51 So, I think if we could activate some more of the spaces
11:03:57 it would bring more of a vibrancy to some of the
11:04:01 development that we have, not only central business
11:04:03 district but Channelside and Ybor as well, because those
11:04:08 areas are where we want to promos the walkability, the
11:04:12 lifestyle and interaction of the public on those, in
11:04:16 those spaces.
11:04:17 And in the expand administrative approvals and waivers,
11:04:26 again, it was talked about parking, parking, parking,
11:04:30 parking, but there are other things besides parking that
11:04:33 maybe we could look at.
11:04:34 And that one of the things was in the recommendations was
11:04:41 examine -- talk about parking again.
11:04:44 Examine allowance of local street access from
11:04:46 non-residential parking lots, set parameters for local
11:04:49 street access based on history of waivers granted.
11:04:52 I know in five years of sitting here, we have granted a
11:04:54 lot of waivers for local street access.
11:04:56 And it's something that comes up all the time, especially
11:04:59 when you're on a state road where FDOT want allow the use
11:05:03 of ingress egress from say Hillsborough Avenue or Dale
11:05:07 Mabry or something like that.
11:05:08 So we're constantly granting these waivers to allow local
11:05:14 street access.
11:05:15 Granted, you know, it's controversial when it's further
11:05:19 into the neighborhood, but when you're in with a certain
11:05:22 number of feet from that intersection or from that major
11:05:26 arterial roadway, I think that we can get rid of some of
11:05:30 those waivers that we grant constantly.
11:05:32 And know that my colleagues here and we talk about it
11:05:35 every time we have a lot split case come before us, that
11:05:40 there's got to be a better way.
11:05:42 So, maybe having some attention paid -- huh?
11:05:49 >>HARRY COHEN: Never heard you say that.
11:05:51 [ Laughter ]
11:05:52 >>LISA MONTELIONE: The red-blue maps are great but seems
11:05:54 very are rudimentary way to approach this issue.
11:05:59 And it comes up a lot and it's going to come up, no pun
11:06:03 intendeds, it's going to come up more as development in
11:06:05 the urban core and neighborhoods surrounding the urban
11:06:10 core develop and we get this density that we want to see,
11:06:13 to promote walking and biking and multimodal and transit
11:06:17 if we ever get any.
11:06:20 >> Just take Seminole Heights, for example, a lot of
11:06:26 those places, restaurants, little shops, virtually all
11:06:30 have a side street, because off Nebraska and Florida, DOT
11:06:33 is like no more curb cuts.
11:06:36 >>LISA MONTELIONE: But every time they come here, they
11:06:38 have to come to Council, most likely with a PD or a
11:06:41 special use application, we have to grant the waivers.
11:06:44 So maybe if we can make it easier for people to take that
11:06:48 into consideration.
11:06:49 And it's just trying to make the level playing field
11:06:53 between the big developers doing the big projects and the
11:06:56 smaller folks because I hear all the time from people who
11:06:59 are trying to revitalize neighborhoods like Seminole
11:07:01 Heights or Tampa Heights or you know, any of the other
11:07:05 Riverside Heights where you live, Mr. Suarez, it's very
11:07:09 difficult and very expensive for small business owners to
11:07:12 take on such a project.
11:07:14 And if they're going to be re-use of historic buildings
11:07:19 or even not so historic building, but a vacant gas
11:07:23 station or you know, a vacant dry cleaner or something
11:07:27 where we want to see a change in that use, we have to
11:07:30 make it less expensive for them.
11:07:31 We have to make it easier for them and maybe some
11:07:35 incentive would be in order if you're going to put a
11:07:41 vacant structure that, back into service.
11:07:45 And you're changing the use of that structure, so maybe
11:07:48 we can build in some incentives to make the burden a
11:07:51 little less heavy on ourself as business owners.
11:07:54 The big business owners, big developers know how to plan
11:07:57 a project and usually have the funding and the deep
11:08:00 pockets to work within our codes, but I think the, we
11:08:03 need to do more to help these neighborhoods surrounding
11:08:07 the downtown core to continue to develop as they have
11:08:13 seen economically just recently.
11:08:15 We are all happy about that.
11:08:17 Want to see more of it.
11:08:19 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Any other questions or comments for
11:08:21 Mr. Snelling?
11:08:21 Okay.
11:08:23 Thank you, Mr. Snelling.
11:08:26 >>THOM SNELLING: Thank you.
11:08:27 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Next up is information reports and new
11:08:30 business.
11:08:30 Mr. Miranda?
11:08:32 Do you have any new business?
11:08:34 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: At this time, chairman, I have not
11:08:35 one, not two not three, but four.
11:08:37 Number one, I need a commendation for Irene Draper
11:08:41 Hamilton, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout to be
11:08:44 presented at his eagle court of honor ceremony on 5-14 of
11:08:50 2016.
11:08:51 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Miranda, seconded by
11:08:53 Mr. Maniscalco.
11:08:54 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:08:55 aye.
11:08:55 Any opposed?
11:08:56 Thank you.
11:08:58 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Number two, I need commendation for
11:08:59 inductees to the Hillsborough County commission on status
11:09:03 of women, Betty Reed, and Lee Bird Leavengood, to be held
11:09:08 May 6, 2016.
11:09:10 >> Second.
11:09:10 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Miranda, second by Mr.
11:09:12 Cohen.
11:09:13 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:09:15 aye.
11:09:16 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: Number three, commendation to Tracie
11:09:18 McFarlane, who is retiring after 26 years of service as a
11:09:22 city member, a member of the City of Tampa, member of the
11:09:25 planning and development department, to be presented May
11:09:27 19th, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
11:09:30 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Miranda, second by
11:09:33 Mr. Maniscalco.
11:09:34 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:09:35 aye.
11:09:36 >>CHARLIE MIRANDA: And number four, Mr. Chairman, is a
11:09:38 motion to correct a motion that I made of 4-21-16.
11:09:43 The statement should be that Chairman Suarez meet with
11:09:45 state representative Janet Cruz to determine if
11:09:48 legislation can be drafted to make businesses, including
11:09:50 apartment complexes, place a sign visible at all parkers,
11:09:55 that cars will be towed if the license tag is expired and
11:10:00 further, that wrecking companies who do the towing or
11:10:01 towing companies shall have the necessary equipment to
11:10:04 ensure the tag is actually expired and not a tag that has
11:10:07 been altered or removal of the updated registration
11:10:10 decal.
11:10:11 >> Second.
11:10:12 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Miranda, second from
11:10:14 Ms. Montelione.
11:10:14 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:10:16 aye.
11:10:16 Anything else, sir?
11:10:18 Thank you.
11:10:19 Ms. Capin?
11:10:21 >>YVONNE CAPIN: None at this time.
11:10:21 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Mr. Cohen?
11:10:23 >>HARRY COHEN: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
11:10:24 I have had a few discussions with Sonya Little regarding
11:10:28 the calendar for this year's budget workshops and the
11:10:33 Mayor's budget presentation.
11:10:35 So I have three motions to make.
11:10:38 The first is that we schedule the mid year budget review
11:10:43 under staff reports on Thursday, May 19th.
11:10:46 And I'd like to specifically ask that Ms. Little not be
11:10:50 restricted to the five minute time constraints to the
11:10:55 budget presentation.
11:10:56 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Cohen, second from
11:10:58 Ms. Montelione.
11:10:59 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:11:00 aye.
11:11:02 >>HARRY COHEN: Second, Ms. Little would like to use our
11:11:06 June 16th workshop session for our fiscal year 2017
11:11:12 budget workshop, so I'm moving that that be scheduled on
11:11:15 that date.
11:11:16 >> Second.
11:11:16 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Cohen, second by
11:11:20 Ms. Montelione.
11:11:21 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:11:22 aye.
11:11:23 >>HARRY COHEN: And finally, we would like to schedule the
11:11:27 Mayor's budget presentation for a special call City
11:11:32 Council meeting to occur immediately prior to the CRA
11:11:37 meeting on Thursday, July 21st, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.
11:11:42 >> Second.
11:11:43 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion by Mr. Cohen, second from
11:11:44 Mr. Maniscalco.
11:11:46 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:11:47 aye.
11:11:48 >>HARRY COHEN: That's it.
11:11:51 Thank you.
11:11:51 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Thank you, Mr. Cohen.
11:11:52 Mr. Maniscalco?
11:11:55 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Thank you very much.
11:11:55 Did we wish you a belated happy birthday?
11:12:00 Belated happy birthday to our beloved Ms. Montelione.
11:12:03 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you very much.
11:12:05 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Just a few items.
11:12:06 First is a commendation to be presented to Florida Cane
11:12:09 Vodka Distillery on May 13th, I'd like to propose a
11:12:15 commendation honoring Lee Nelson on new headquarters
11:12:19 located in historic Ybor City on 15th street.
11:12:22 Ribbon cutting will be held Friday, May 13th, between
11:12:25 3:00 and 5:00.
11:12:27 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Motion from Mr. Maniscalco, second from
11:12:29 Mr. Cohen.
11:12:30 Yes, Ms. Capin?
11:12:33 >>YVONNE CAPIN: Vodka is an excellent use of potatoes.
11:12:36 [ Laughter ]
11:12:39 >> This is sugar cane.
11:12:45 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay.
11:12:46 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:12:47 aye.
11:12:50 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Also another item, I'd like for staff
11:12:53 to appear at the next regular Council meeting on May 19th
11:12:57 -- I know it's a busy day -- if possible, to present a
11:12:59 revised proposal for a stormwater capital improvement
11:13:02 plan, for Council to determine whether to direct staff on
11:13:05 that date to prepare the necessary resolutions and
11:13:07 schedule the required actions, including notices to the
11:13:09 public, if needed, for Council to consider adopting a
11:13:13 multi-phase storm water capital improvement plan
11:13:16 beginning this August.
11:13:17 Like staff to also be prepared to discuss all SWFWMD
11:13:20 grants and DOT grants and the multi-phase rollout of the
11:13:23 proposed stormwater capital improvement plan.
11:13:26 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Are you asking for Mr. Brad Baird to
11:13:30 appear?
11:13:31 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: If we could have, I know they're
11:13:33 already on the schedule, if we could have Brad Baird, if
11:13:36 need be, Sonya Little will also be here.
11:13:40 And Jean Duncan is also on the schedule.
11:13:44 So Jean Duncan, Brad Baird and Sonya Little.
11:13:48 >>HARRY COHEN: You said the next regularly scheduled
11:13:50 meeting, which is on the 5th.
11:13:53 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: I'm sorry.
11:13:54 19th regular Council meeting.
11:13:56 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Do we have a time on that already?
11:13:58 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: And Jan McLean as well.
11:14:00 >>MIKE SUAREZ: What time, sir?
11:14:04 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Under staff reports at 9:00 a.m.
11:14:06 >>MIKE SUAREZ: We have a motion from Mr. Maniscalco,
11:14:08 second from Mr. Cohen.
11:14:10 Mr. Shelby, is that an order in terms of the issue
11:14:13 itself?
11:14:16 >>MARTIN SHELBY: Under staff reports.
11:14:18 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Terrific.
11:14:18 We have that motion.
11:14:19 All in favor, please indicate by saying aye.
11:14:21 Any opposed?
11:14:23 Anything else, Mr. Maniscalco?
11:14:25 >>GUIDO MANISCALCO: Nope.
11:14:26 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Ms. Montelione?
11:14:28 >>LISA MONTELIONE: Thank you very much.
11:14:28 I would like to ask Chief Eric Ward to be present on the
11:14:35 May 5th regular session of Council under staff reports to
11:14:40 give a briefing on the recommendations that were
11:14:44 contained in the department of justice cost report that
11:14:48 was released this week.
11:14:49 I attended with Mr. Maniscalco the press conference.
11:14:53 We all received the report from the DOJ that morning just
11:14:58 moments before the press conference was held and I'd like
11:15:04 to have Chief Ward come and discuss the results of that
11:15:07 with us.
11:15:08 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Okay, we have a motion from
11:15:10 Ms. Montelione, second from Ms. Capin.
11:15:13 All in favor of the motion, please indicate by saying
11:15:14 aye.
11:15:14 Anything else, Mr. Montelione? >>LISA MONTELIONE: That is
11:15:17 all.
11:15:17 >>MIKE SUAREZ: Before we go on to adjournment, I'd like
11:15:19 to just say condolences to the family of L. David Shear,
11:15:22 he was a great attorney, a great community person, was
11:15:27 very instrumental in being on the board of Bay Area Legal
11:15:30 Services, which provides legal services to those that are
11:15:32 unable to pay.
11:15:34 He has passed just recently and he's going to have a
11:15:37 funeral today.
11:15:38 And just remember that those folks, that generation is
11:15:41 passing on and hopefully we can do them proud by
11:15:44 continuing their work and making this a better city and a
11:15:47 better county.
11:15:48 Do I have a motion to receive and file?
11:15:50 I have a motion from Mr. Miranda, second from Mr. Cohen.
11:15:53 All in favor of that motion, please indicate by saying
11:15:54 aye.
11:15:54 Any opposed?
11:15:56 We are adjourned until 5:01 p.m.
11:15:58
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