TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
9:00 A.M.

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[GAVEL SOUNDING]
09:04:53AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING HELD TODAY, APRIL 27, 2023.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON, DO YOU HAVE INVOCATION?
09:05:03AM >>BILL CARLSON:
YES, SIR.
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME RABBI MICHAEL WEISS.
ASSISTANT RABBI.
HE WAS ORDAINED AS A RABBI FROM HEBREW UNION COLLEGE IN
CINCINNATI IN MAY 2020 AND SERVED AS A STUDENT RABBI IN
RICHMOND, INDIANA AND SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA AND RABBINIC
INTERN AT ROCKDALE TEMPLE IN CINCINNATI.
AFTER BEING ORDAINED DURING THE PANDEMIC, RABBI WEISS HAS
FOUND CREATIVE WAYS TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH LEARNING AND
PRAYER.
RABBI WEISS IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO ACCOMPANYING PEOPLE ON
THEIR JEWISH JOURNEYS.
AND LOVE, PRAYER AND KINDNESS AND ACTS OF JUSTICE.
RABBI, IF YOU CAN GIVE THE INVOCATION.
WE WILL ALL STAND AND GIVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AFTER.
09:05:57AM >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
AN HONOR TO BE HERE.
ONE OF JUDAISM HOLIEST PRAYERS IS THE SESAME, THE
DECLARATION OF FAITH.
HERE ISRAEL ONIAS IS TODAY, RECITATION IS STRICTLY MANDATED
BY JEWISH LAW TWICE A DAY IN THE MORNING AND EVENING AS
WITH MANY THINGS A STORY THAT DARES US TO QUESTION THIS
NORM.
WE ARE TOLD RABBI JUDAH WAS WALKING BEHIND HIS TEACHERS.
THE SUN BEGAN TO RISE AND THE TIME TO RECITE THE SHEMA HAS
ARRIVED AND RABBI JUDAH FOUND THAT NEITHER OF THE TEACHER
STOPPED THEIR CONVERSATION.
THEY CONTINUED WALKING AND TALKING EVEN AS THEIR RELIGIOUS
DUTIES WERE PRESSING.
HE SPED UP TO CATCH THEM AND SAID, MY TEACHER, IT IS TIME TO
RECITE THE SHEMA, SHOULD WE NOT PAUSE?
THE TWO RABBIS TURNED TO HIM AND TOLD THEM TO LEAVE THEM
ALONE BECAUSE THEY WERE BUSY DISCUSSING THE NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US?
THAT EVEN OUR MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATIONS, EVEN THOSE
OBLIGATIONS TO GOD TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ENSURING THAT WE
PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, TO TACKLING THE VERY
REAL PROBLEMS THAT OUR PEOPLE FACE.
WHAT YOU DO IN HERE IS HOLY WORK.
AND OUR PEOPLE HAVE PUT THEIR SACRED TRUST IN YOU.
AND SO I WILL OFFER A BLESSING FROM OUR TRADITION FOR THOSE
WHO NIGHT AND DAY PUT THE NEEDS OF YOUR NEIGHBORS FIRST.
BARUK ALANI.
[RECITING]
FULL OF BLESSING YOU ARE ETERNAL ONE OUR GOD, MAJESTY OF THE
UNIVERSE GIVEN US PATHWAYS TO HOLINESS AND COMMANDED US TO
OCCUPY OURSELVES WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND SUPPORT YOU ALL OF THE DAYS OF YOUR
SERVICE.
AND MAY YOU SEE THE DIVINE PRESENCE IN ALL OF THE PEOPLE
THAT YOU SERVE.
AND WE CAN SAY TOGETHER, AMEN.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
09:08:20AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
PLEASE BE SEATED.
ROLL CALL.
09:08:23AM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
09:08:30AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
09:08:31AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
09:08:32AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
HERE.
09:08:33AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
09:08:34AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
HERE.
09:08:36AM >>CLERK:
YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
09:08:38AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN CARLSON, WE HAVE SOME
SPECIAL GUESTS WITH US TODAY.
09:08:42AM >>BILL CARLSON:
YES.
I WANT TO -- THANK YOU, SIR.
I WANTED TO THANK JOSH BERGEN AND TRAVIS HORN FOR BRINGING A
DELEGATION FROM ROMANIA -- ROMANIAN GUESTS, WILL YOU PLEASE
STAND UP.
WE HAVE BUSINESS LEADERS AND A SITTING MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,
A SITTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND MINISTER OF TRADE,
SEVERAL OTHER KEY FOLKS FROM ROMANIA.
I HAVE BEEN TO ROMANIA BRIEFLY.
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
LOTS OF GREAT POTENTIAL ECONOMIC TIES WITH TAMPA.
SO I WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL HERE.
THEY WILL SIT IN FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN LEAVE.
I ASKED THEM TO STAY IN PARTICULAR FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, WHICH
IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO HEAR OUR VERSION OF DEMOCRACY.
THANK YOU ALL FOR VISITING.
[APPLAUSE]
09:09:30AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YES, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MORNING WITH US.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE
APPROACH THE PODIUM, STATE YOUR NAME, AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN
THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
09:09:54AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
BEFORE YOU SPEAK, LET ME LET EVERYBODY
KNOW THAT TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY, AND WE WISH YOU A VERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
[APPLAUSE]
09:10:15AM >> THANK YOU.
HELLO.
I AM SALLYISE LEE WITH THE VOLUNTEER MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
AND I WANT TO SHARE A FEW WORDS WITH YOU.
THE BLACK BUSINESS TOUR WAS TO CELEBRATE SPLENTABULOUS
CULTURAL FESTIVAL.
BLACK WOMEN UNITED.
WE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY AND WENT TO THE WEST SHORE -- THANK
YOU -- GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE.
AT THE END, I HAD MADE MY HOMELESS ROUNDS AFTER WE GOT
TO TAMPA PLAZA TO THE BOOK STORE.
AND I WAS OVER THERE TALKING TO THE HOMELESS, AND THEY WERE
TELLING ME ABOUT RESOURCES AND PLACES FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE TO
GO TO GET HELP.
SO ST. PETER AT CLAY STREET.
WE THANK GOD FOR ALL THE FOLLOWERS OF GOD WILLING TO LEND A
HAND FOR THE POOR FOR A HOT MEAL AND OTHER RESOURCES.
AND THE LAST DAY OF SERVICE, I TOOK A WALK ACROSS THE BRIDGE
AND RAN INTO THIS HOLINESS CHURCH LUTZ.
THEY WERE OUT HELPING AND THE POWER OF GOD FELL ON US, AND WE
HAD A GOOD TIME.
SO I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS BRIEF.
I WENT TO THE CDC LAST EVENING.
TO THE "WE MEANING BUSINESS" WORKSHOP LOOKING FOR HOUSING
INFORMATION.
AND THEY INVITED ME.
SO I -- CALVIN AND I HAD A FEW WORDS.
HE HUNG UP AND BY THEN IT WAS DARK.
THERE WERE FIVE GUYS COMING AT ME.
AND OUT OF NOWHERE, A SHERIFF DEPUTY ROLLED UP RIGHT WHERE I
WAS WALKING IN THE DARK.
AND I STARTED TO HAVE FEAR, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE $2 JUST FOR THE
BUS.
WHEN I WAS WALKING IN THE DARK, I NOTICED ALL THE WOMEN OUT
THERE THAT ARE TRYING TO GET HOME FROM WORK.
AND IT WAS NOT ONE -- NO KIND OF PUBLIC SAFETY PERSON IN
SIGHT.
AND IT WAS REALLY A BAD FEELING FOR WOMEN TRYING TO GET HOME
OUT OF THE DARK.
SLEEPING IN BUSHES MY AGE.
AND ON THE BACK PORCHES OF BUSINESSES.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WOMEN IN THE DARK -- AND WE NEED
PRAYER IN SCHOOL AND NOT GUNS.
AND I JUST THANK GOD FOR MY LIFE TODAY.
I DIDN'T GET TO FINISH, BUT THE BALL IS NOT IN THE HANDS.
I AM WAITING ON CHIEF BENNETT AND HIS ASSOCIATE GWEN MILLER.
AND I HOPE HE DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME BECAUSE THIS CENTER IS
MUCH NEEDED TO HELP WOMEN GET REFERRALS, FIND OUT ABOUT
RESOURCES.
AND I JUST THANK GOD FOR MY LIFE, AND I HOPE HE DON'T FORGET
ME.
THANK YOU.
09:13:36AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
09:13:37AM >> GOOD MORNING, KEELA McCASKILL.
I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LEAVING AND THOSE WHO ARE
REAPPOINTED TO YOUR ROLES.
I PONDERED FOR WEEKS.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO ONE OF THE LEAVING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FOR THE DEDICATION, HARD WORK, COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICES
THAT THEY MADE IN THEIR ROLE AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
YOU KNOW SOME OF YOU THAT RESTORED MY BELIEF IN COMING
THROUGH TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE SOME THINGS HAPPEN.
SOME OF YOU MAKE SACRIFICES, AND I KNOW THEY SAY NOT TO SAY
THEIR NAMES, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO SO MUCH.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON SPENDS HIS OWN MONEY TO GET THE
TEMPERATURE IN THE COMMUNITY.
TWO TIMES IN THE MONTH -- ACTUALLY FOUR TIMES IF YOU GO TO
ONE OF THE EVENTS AND THE OTHER ONE SEPARATE.
COUNCILMEMBER LYNN HURTAK.
ALL YOU DO.
COUNCILMAN VIERA.
YOU HAVE DONE A LOT.
ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH AND COUNCILMAN GUDES, YOU HAVE
SACRIFICED.
PEOPLE -- YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH AND BEEN SO MANY THINGS FOR
SO MANY PEOPLE.
I PONDER WHAT DO YOU SAY.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN THEY EXIT.
THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY GENUINELY IS TO SAY THANK YOU.
CONTINUOUSLY.
OVERWHELM YOU WITH THANKS AND ARTICULATE IT VERBALLY,
PUBLICLY, DO IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
BECAUSE YOU ALL DON'T HEAR IT ENOUGH.
FOR ALL OF YOU THANK YOU.
SPECIFICALLY TO YOU HEARTFELT THANK YOU.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU DO?
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE DO ENOUGH.
WE DON'T DO ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICE THEIR TIME, MONEY
AND RESOURCES AND DEDICATED TO THE ROLE THAT YOU SIGNED UP
FOR.
WE VOTED YOU IN.
YOU ALL HAVE DEFINITELY PERFORMED TO AT LEAST SATISFACTION.
NOW WHAT DO WE DO AFTER 5:00 TODAY.
WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU GIFTS.
MOST OF YOU WON'T EVEN ACCEPT A CUP OF COFFEE OR A BOTTLE OF
WATER BUT AFTER 5:00, WE GET TO SHOWER YOU WITH GIFTS.
I RECEIVED SOME.
CARDS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WANT TO TOAST YOU ON YOUR SUCCESS IN THE FOUR-YEAR
JOURNEY.
YOU LEFT SO MUCH SEED AND GROW AND DEVELOP AS YOU SEE FIT.
AND WE TRY TO DO A BETTER JOB TO BE A UNIFIED COMMUNITY TO
DO MORE FOR THE DISTRICT THAT YOU WORK SO HARD FOR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN GUDES FOR SAYING FAREWELL.
I THINK WE CAN GIVE YOU THOSE GIFTS AFTER 5:00 TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
09:16:13AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
COUNCIL, IF I MAY, FORGIVE ME FOR
INTERRUPTING.
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR FOR THE AUDIENCE TO BRING TO YOUR
ATTENTION SO YOU KNOW THAT 5:00 TODAY, YOU WILL STILL BE IN
OFFICE.
AFTER 5:00, YOU WILL STILL BE IN OFFICE AND YOUR TERM DOES
NOT END UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON APRIL 30.
I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
IN CASES THERE ANY MISUNDERSTANDING AND BRING TO THE PUBLIC'S
ATTENTION AND, AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING.
09:16:47AM >> GOOD MORNING, CONNIE BURTON.
IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WITH THE PRAYER THAT ALWAYS TIES INTO
WHAT I WANT TO SAY.
IF THIS IS HOLY WORK, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THAT ARE
WILLING TO SERVE.
AND TO KEEP ON SERVING WHETHER YOU ARE THERE OR NOT.
BUT I DO WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THE RESOLUTION THAT
YOU SIGNED IN 2020.
YOU, THE COUNCIL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MISS LYNN HURTAK
SAID THAT YOU UNDERSTOOD THE PAST HARMS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE
TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY BASED ON PAST AND PRESENT.
WE HAVE THE PROFOUND DISPARITIES THAT CONTINUE TO EXIST IN
OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IN THAT RESOLUTION, YOU TALKED ABOUT DECLARING THE
CREATION OF THE RECONCILIATION COMMISSION.
NOW THAT WAS IN 2020.
AND NOW WE ARE IN 2023.
AND THE ISSUES ARE STILL HERE.
THE ISSUES OF HOW DO WE SHOW OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY THAT A BETTER TAMPA IS MEANT FOR THEM.
ON SOME SIMPLE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR IN OUR CRA.
WITH THE CRA FUNDING THAT WE ALLOW OUR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE
TO SEE THE BENEFIT OF NOT JUST WORK.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
HAVING A BETTER RELATIONSHIP TO THE CITY OF TAMPA AND THE
RESISTANCE WE ARE GETTING CONSTANTLY IS THE ANSWER NO.
09A:18:28AM NOT THAT WE ARE ASKING THE CITY STAFF TO DO ANY OF IT.
THE CRA HAS MONEY THAT CAN HIRE A MINUTE FOR TO HELP
NAVIGATE SO CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE ALWAYS DEEMED
TO NOT HAVING HOPE.
HOPE CAN BE BREEDED INTO THEM.
I BELIEVE THAT SUCH A COMMISSION WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU
UNDERSTAND THAT IT JUST CAN'T BE MERE WORDS OF HOW WE DEAL
WITH DISPARITY AND ONGOING PAST NEGLECT.
BUT THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A FRAMEWORK OF MEASUREMENT.
NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THAT YOU ARE IMPROVING MINORITY
PARTICIPATION AND THEN WE HAVE SMALL SCALES AND MEASUREMENTS
OF MAYBE 4 TO 5% ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
DISPARITY IS REAL IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE ASKED CONTINUOUSLY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE
RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR
SENIORS.
EAST TAMPA CRA WAS THE FIRST, AND YET IT LAGS BEHIND AS THE
LAST.
WE WANT TO SEE A CHANGE IN ALL OF THIS.
IT IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.
THE REQUEST IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.
EITHER THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU SIGN IN 2020 WAS MEANINGFUL
OR IT WAS NOT.
THANK YOU.
09:19:45AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
09:19:48AM >> GOOD MORNING.
NATASHA GOODLEY.
THIS IS BITTERSWEET.
THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH SO BITTERSWEET.
FOR ONCE, I FELT THAT EAST TAMPA HAD A VOICE.
EVERYBODY TALKS OF EAST TAMPA AND USES EAST TAMPA TO GET
ELECTED BUT DOES NOTHING FOR US.
WE GAINED VOICE IN COUNCILMAN GUDES.
SOMEONE WHO CALLED OUT INEQUALITY IN THE CITY.
STOCKED THE BUDGET TO THAT EAST TAMPA WILL HAVE A SHARE IN
THE FUNDING.
SOMEONE TO GIVE US A RESCUE CARD, COMMUNITY CENTER,
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, THINGS THAT SEEMED JUST REGULAR.
A VOICE.
EAST TAMPA HAS BEEN NEGLECTED FOR DECADES AND REPEATEDLY
SAID ON COUNCIL.
IT WASN'T HAPPENSTANCE.
CALCULATED INSTITUTIONAL RACISM AS FAR AS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO AS LOW AS THE CITY HAD A HAND IN ALL OF THIS.
EAST TAMPA DIDN'T GET HERE OVERNIGHT AND WILL TAKE
CALCULATED EFFORT TO GET US OUT OF IT.
AND THAT IS WHAT COUNCILMAN GUDES TRIED TO DO.
I AM EMBARRASSED OF THE SHENANIGANS FROM COUNCILMAN DINGFELDER
TO COUNCILMAN GUDES TO COUNCILMAN CARLSON TO COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK.
IT IS EMBARRASSING TO WITNESS THIS.
ALTHOUGH THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS HAVEN'T SAID SO, DEEP DOWN
I KNOW YOU ARE AFRAID.
AFRAID THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN TO YOU.
SO INSTEAD OF FIGHTING AGAINST THE INJUSTICES, YOU HAVE GONE
ALONG WITH IT.
HOW WILL WE EVER MOVE THIS CITY IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR
EVERYONE IF THOSE WITH THE POWER TO EFFECT CHANGE ARE
SCARED.
I CHAIRED THE CRA FOR TWO YEARS AND ENDURED ALL TYPES OF
CONSTANT HARASSMENT AND ALL COUNCIL DID WAS APPLAUD MY
EFFORTS AND THANK ME FOR FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE IN SPITE OF
THE HARASSMENT.
YET YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ACTUALLY EFFECT CHANGE FOR THE
PEOPLE IN SPITE OF THE HARASSMENT BUT YOU HAVE CHOSEN NOT
TOO.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR CITY IF EVERYONE WHO CAN MAKES A
DIFFERENCE CHOOSES NOT TO.
COUNCILMAN GUDES, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
YOU FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, BROTHER.
THE JUDGE VINDICATED YOU TWICE.
AND ANYONE WHO PUBLICLY CONDEMNED YOU OWES YOU A PUBLIC
APOLOGY.
GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES.
WHAT IS FOR YOU IS FOR YOU AND NO MAN OR WOMAN CAN TAKE IT
FROM YOU.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
09:22:19AM >> GOOD MORNING.
I AM BISHOP MICHELLE B. PATTY, THE PASTOR OF TRINITY AND
FAITH MINISTRY.
I AM ALSO THE HOST OF "WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING" ALONG WITH
JAY JOHNSON AND KING COBRA AND THE OWNER OF MICHELLE B.
PATTY AUTOMOBILE SERVICE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL SITTING HERE.
I HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO BE ELECTED THAT IS AFRAID
TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU WILL STAND UP WHEN IT IS TIME TO
STAND UP.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR UNITY.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
TO STOP THE CLIQUISH ATTITUDES I HAVE SEEN BEFORE.
I AM VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL BE MOVING NOT ONLY DOWNTOWN
BUT EAST TAMPA IS GOING TO START GETTING ITS FAIR SHARE
BECAUSE I KNOW MANY OF YOUR HEARTS.
I SPOKEN TO YOU ALL.
SOME OF YOU KNOW BLACK HISTORY MORE THAN SOME OF THESE
PEOPLE THAT COME UP EVERY WEEK AND BADGER YOU.
I AM ASKING THAT YOU ALL BE DILIGENT.
THAT YOU SAY AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY WHILE YOU ARE ON THAT
CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
AND COUNCILMAN JOSEPH CITRO, WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE.
WE ALSO HAVE GIFTS NOR FOR YOU.
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LOYALTY.
WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS COMMUNITY.
WHETHER PEOPLE RECEIVED IT OR NOT.
YOU ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON YOUR FACE.
YOU SHOWED UP WHEN PEOPLE CALLED YOU, EVEN WHEN WE DIDN'T
CALL YOU, YOU WERE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
WHATEVER YOUR ENDEAVOR AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, I KNOW THAT GOD
HAS HIS ANOINTING ON IT.
AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
TO THE REST OF YOU ALL, LET'S GET TO WORK.
09:23:59AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
09:24:02AM >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL CHAIR, COUNCILMEN.
ALISON HELIX, 4904 32nd STREET EAST TAMPA.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN GUDES ESPECIALLY, THIS
BEING HIS LAST MEETING HERE.
GENTRIFICATION AND POTENTIAL GENTRIFICATION OF EAST TAMPA IS
ON THE TABLE.
AND THEN COUNCILMAN DINGFELDER AND COUNCILMAN GUDES ASKED
FOR OUT-OF-THE-BOX CHANGING OF HOW TO MITIGATE IT BECAUSE
CHANGE IS COMING.
WE NEED TO DO THINGS THAT WILL PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHOSE
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS FOR YEARS AN GENERATIONS INVESTED IN
EAST TAMPA.
THANK YOU COUNCILMAN GUDES FOR PROPOSING THE REDEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM AND EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF IT.
I AM EXCITED OF THE POTENTIAL PROJECTS YOU WILL SEE FOR
GENERATION OF LANDOWNERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN A WAY TO
PARTICIPATE IN THIS INCREDIBLE GROWTH IN TAMPA.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT COUNCILMAN
GUDES, EVERY DAY, WHETHER IT WAS THE CAR DEALERSHIP OR THE
CAR REPAIR SHOP OR THE CORNER STORE, THOSE PEOPLE DIDN'T
REALLY KNOW WHAT CITY COUNCIL WAS UNTIL HE CAME IN THEIR
SHOPS.
HE MADE SURE THAT HE TALKED TO THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS
HAPPENING WITH THEM.
MANY OF THEM DID NOT LAST THROUGH COVID.
SO HE HAS WORKED WITH THE LOCAL BANKS TO REALLY CREATE SOME
PROGRAMS, SOME -- HOW DO I SAY IT -- LINE OF CREDIT WITH THE
BANKS FOR BUSINESSES WHO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA.
BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THAT A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS, THEY PAY
THEIR PEOPLE BEFORE THEY PAY THEMSELVES.
THEY MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK EVERY DAY
HAVE FOOD ON THE TABLE, AND THEY ARE JUST HUSTLING AND
HAVING SIDE JOBS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LOOKING OUT FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS
OWNER AS WELL.
AND EAST TAMPA AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE EAST TAMPA CRA, WE
ARE GOING TO NEED THE FULL FORCE OF THE CRA AS WE ARE MOVING
FORWARD.
WE ARE ABOUT TO UPDATE OUR CRP.
AND I AM HOPING AT THIS TIME SINCE YOU WILL BE A PART OF
THAT, THAT YOU ARE REALLY LOOKING TO THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS OF IS IT.
WHEN YOU ASK A COMMUNITY WHO NEEDS STREETLIGHTS, WHO NEEDS
SECURITY, WHO NEEDS SIDEWALKS, WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE IN
THEIR COMMUNITY.
THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO TELL YOU.
BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK LIKE
THE CHANNELSIDE AND WE LOOK LIKE THE DOWNTOWN.
AND HAVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL
SPRING GENERATIONS OF WEALTH AND BUSINESS OWNERS.
I ASK YOU AS YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING HOW TO MOVE EAST TAMPA
FORWARD THAT WE DON'T GET BOGGED DOWN IN THE EMOTIONS AND
LOOKING AT THE REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN EAST TAMPA.
THANK YOU.
09:26:54AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
09:26:54AM >> MENTESNOT.
I WANT TO SAY UHURU.
MEANS FREEDOM IN SWAHILI.
PEOPLE TALKING OF EAST TAMPA.
AIN'T NO MORE EAST TAMPA OR WEST TAMPA OR CENTRAL PARK.
NO YBOR CITY.
AIN'T NONE OF THAT.
NO PROGRESS VILLAGE OR CARVER CITY AND LINCOLN GARDENS.
THEY ARE PUSHING ALL THE AFRICANS OUT THE CITY.
THEY ARE TRYING TO BUILD A STADIUM AND ALL THE AFRICAN
PEOPLE OUT OF IT.
THOSE AFRICAN PEOPLE BEGGING, AND BEGGING.
VOTING OUT OF THEIR MIND.
A CITY AND COUNTY WITH A MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS AND LIKE
19,000, 20,000 PEOPLE VOTED.
NOBODY PARTICIPATED IN THAT.
DEMOCRACY.
THAT WORD DEMOCRACY IS SUBJUGATION FOR AFRICAN PEOPLE.
623 OF THAT.
623 YEARS OF THAT AND THE -- A RANT -- STUFF I GET IN
MY MAILBOX EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SOME HIGH SCHOOL TRASH WITH PEOPLE WITH ELONGATED FACES AND
ALL THAT.
DON'T VOTE FOR THIS PERSON.
WHAT THEY DID.
WHAT THEY DID.
DEMOCRACY, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF IT.
ANY BLACK PERSON VOTING OUT OF THEIR MIND UNLESS WE ARE
VOTING FOR REPARATIONS OR AFRICAN PEOPLE ARE VOTING FOR
REPARATION.
WE DON'T HAVE TO COME DOWN HERE BEGGING EVERY WEEK.
BEGGING EVERY WEEK.
GIVE US A PARK.
GIVE US A SPEED BUMP.
GIVE US A ROUNDABOUT.
AFRICAN PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.
WE NEED TO BE REUNITED.
SISTER MICHELLE AND SISTER CONNIE.
TWO STRONG SISTERS RIGHT HERE.
IF THEY GOT UNITED WE CAN REALLY SEE SOME CHANGES IN THE
CITY.
NOT THE STUFF THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISING US.
PUT A LOTTERY TICKET IN A BUCKET AND GET PULLED TO SEE IF
YOU GET HOUSING AND WAITING ON H.U.D. AND ALL THIS NONSENSE.
WE WANT REAL CHANGES.
THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.
AFRICAN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ANYTHING.
I AM GOING TO SHOW THIS.
INFORMATION I HAVE FROM THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT THAT SAY A
CASE AND APPEAL TO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT SAID I COULDN'T
FILE IT.
I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE THREE WEEKS BECAUSE AN OUTSTANDING
WARRANT FOR MY ARREST.
WHY?
THE MAIN PROBLEM THAT BLACK PEOPLE HAVE, CHILD SUPPORT.
CHILD SUPPORT.
WHITE PEOPLE TRYING TO TELL US HOW TO RUN OUR LIVES.
HAVE NO LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND DOGGING YOU OUT.
MOST BLACK MEN, MOST BLACK FAMILIES, MOST AFRICAN FAMILIES
GETTING DOGGED OUT IN THE CHILD SUPPORT ADMINISTRATIVE
HEARING PROCESS.
JUDGE FIGUEROA RIGHT AT THIS PODIUM AT THE HEAD OF IT -- IS
AT THE HEAD OF IT.
THE HELP AFRICAN PEOPLE NEED, WE DON'T HAVE TO BEG FOR THAT
HELP.
WE NEED TO ORGANIZE FOR HELP THAT IS WHAT THE AFRICAN PEOPLE
NEED TO DO.
WE DON'T NEED TO COME HERE EVERY WEEK BEGGING WHITE FOLKS.
GIVE US THIS AND THAT.
WE ARE NOT FROM A BEGGAR'S RACE.
ALL THAT SKIN COLOR DISCRIMINATION THEY ARE DOING IS ALIVE
AND WELL.
WE DON'T HAVE BEG FOR ANYTHING, CEMETERY AND CLEAN THE
CEMETERY AND ALL THIS NONSENSE.
OVER WITH.
09:30:05AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
09:30:07AM >> MR. CHAIRMAN, COUNCILMEMBERS, LILIANA PHILIPS.
I AM REPRESENTING THE ROMANIAN GROUP HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND SPECIAL THANKS TO
COUNCILMAN BILL CARSON FOR HAVING US.
AND WE ARE HERE TO LEARN FROM YOU.
AND YOUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS AMAZING AND INSPIRE US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE HAVE MUCH TO LEARN FROM YOU.
THANK YOU.
09:30:34AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU .
[APPLAUSE]
GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS STEPHANIE POYNOR, CITIZEN OF TAMPA AND A BUDGET
COMMITTEE MEMBER.
I AM JUST CHEAP.
AND I AM WONDERING WHY TODAY WE WENT OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT USUALLY COMES AFTER COMMENDATIONS, AND WE
HAVE AT LEAST TEN FOLKS IN THEIR UNIFORMS WHO COULD BE
WORKING BY NOW HAD WE DONE IT IN THE NORMAL ORDER.
I AM JUST SAYING.
SO IF WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THINGS UP, SOMEBODY SHOULD LET
SOMEBODY KNOW.
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
COUNCILMAN CITRO, GOOD LUCK WITH ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU.
COUNCILMAN GUDES, I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE STOOD UP ON
EVERY SINGLE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY HERE THAT THESE FOLKS HAVE
COME HERE TODAY AND ASKED FOR DEVELOPMENT IN EAST TAMPA.
I AM GOING TO STAND UP HERE AND TELL YOU, WE DON'T NEED ANY
MORE DEVELOPMENT SOUTH OF GANDY.
SO WHEN FOLKS ARE COMING TO ME, I AM GOING TO ASK TO VISIT
MY FRIENDS IN EAST TAMPA BECAUSE IT IS TIME FOR US TO GET
DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE WANT IT.
WHERE THE CITIZENS NEED IT.
NOT WHERE IT IS PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY IN JEOPARDY.
AND HONESTLY, TWICE THIS WEEK, INTERBAY MANHATTAN AND DALE
MABRY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY BACKED UP.
THREE OAR FOUR LIGHTS AND WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF UNITS STILL
COMING.
WHEN SOMEBODY COMES TO YOU AND SAYS I WANT TO BUILD THIS IN
SOUTH TAMPA IN S.O.G. TIME TO REDIRECT THEM TO SOME PLACE
THAT IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT KIND OF DENSITY BECAUSE WE
ARE FULL AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN FINISHED WITH WHAT YOU
GUYS HAVE APPROVED IT OVER TIME.
THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS
IN SOUTH GANDY AND WE APPRECIATE THAT, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER
WHEN THEY COME BACK TO YOU, SOUTH TAMPA IS FULL.
THANK YOU.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.
09:32:43AM >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.
TONY HOUGHMAN WITH B&D TOWING.
09:32:53AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
SIR, IF I CAN STOP YOU FOR JUST A MINUTE.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR BEFORE WE DO THAT -- FORGIVE ME FOR DOING
THIS -- BUT I JUST WANT -- I AM PASSING AROUND TO CITY
COUNCIL -- I BELIEVE, SIR, ARE YOU INTENDING TO SPEAK ON
ITEM NUMBER 2?
09:33:09AM >> I AM, SIR.
09:33:10AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
LET ME THEN, IF I CAN, BRING TO COUNCIL'S
ATTENTION AND YOUR ATTENTION AS WELL WITH REGARD TO THAT
ITEM, A MEMO DATED APRIL 18 OF 2023.
THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FORWARDED A
MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL REMINDING THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT
THE RFP SOLICITATION PERIOD AND IT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED WITH
REGARD TO THE TOWING CONTRACT.
AND I JUST WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, SIR -- I HAVE A
COPY OF THE LETTER IF YOU WISH TO SEE THE MEMO -- THAT
COMMUNICATION DURING THE DEPENDENCY OF SOLICITATION JUST A
REMINDER TO CITY COUNCIL.
ANY SOLICITATION OF PROTEST AND APPEAL.
NO CONTACT WITH CITY OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN THE
INDIVIDUALS SPECIFIED -- SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED, THE
DIRECTOR OF SOLICITING DEPARTMENT OR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS
PREVENTED FROM ANY BIDDER OR PROPOSER.
SUCH COMMUNICATION WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC
DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE PENDING AND ANY SUBSEQUENT CITY
SOLICITATION FOR THE PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS NO MATTER THE
OUTCOME OF THE SOLICITATION AND PROTECTION AND APPEAL.
SIR, WHAT I AM SUGGESTING TO YOU, IF YOU DO WISH TO DISCUSS
THIS PURSUANT TO THE CITY CODE, IT COULD AFFECT YOUR ABILITY
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SOLICITATION PROCESS.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IT --
09:34:39AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. CHAIRMAN.
POINT OF ORDER.
09:34:41AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
09:34:43AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. MASSEY, I AM CONFUSED.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A WORKSHOP TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES
WITH THE TOWING COMPANY.
I DIDN'T KNOW A RFP WAS ALREADY DONE AGAIN.
I THINK THAT IS UNFAIR TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS AND THE
COMMUNITY TO NOT BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF THEIR
CONCERNS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT THIS WORKSHOP WAS
GOING TO BE ABOUT TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS TO DISCUSS A
RESOLUTION OF THE ARF.
09:35:14AM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
MR. SMITH WHO WROTE THE MEMO IS NOT HERE
TODAY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE CURRENT
IMPOUND LOT -- THE CITY IMPOUND LOT, IT IS REDEVELOPED AS WE
SPEAK.
TIMING-WISE, THE RFP HAD TO BE REISSUED.
A MEETING WITH THE TOW COMPANIES AND PURCHASING BEFORE THE
RFP TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE TOW COMPANY.
MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS SOLICITATION DID ADDRESS MOST
OF THOSE ISSUES.
09:35:43AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
I TOLD HIM THAT I FELT THAT AFTER LOOKING
AT ALL THE ASPECTS OF THE NEW IMPOUND LOT, THIS COUNCIL GOT
BAMBOOZLED.
THAT PLACE IS TOO SMALL.
WE WERE ASSURED THIS WOULD BE A SUFFICIENT PLACE FOR THE
IMPOUNDS FOR EVIDENCE AND EVERYTHING.
AND NOW I COME DOWN IN THE NINTH HOUR AND NOW SAYS IT NOT
SUFFICIENT ENOUGH NOW.
TO ME, WE WASTED TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
BECAUSE WE -- WE WERE ASSURED -- THAT IS -- WHEN I WALKED
OUT THERE AND TOOK A WALK THROUGH, I WAS ASSURED THIS IS THE
PERFECT PLACE.
INSIDE SHELTER AND AN OUTSIDE.
FOR ME TO SEE -- EVEN THOUGH I AM LEAVING TODAY, TO SEE THAT
THE COMMUNITY CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS, I THINK IT IS WRONG.
BUT I YIELD BACK, MR. CHAIR.
09:36:29AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
GO WITH COUNCILMAN MIRANDA AND COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK.
09:36:32AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
SOME MONTHS AGO, I HEARD A RUMOR THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING.
I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
I STARTED DIGGING AROUND, AND I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE
IMPOUND LOT, WE WERE GOING TO MOVE THE CARS OUT AND DO
SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE IMPOUND LOT.
HOWEVER, WE FORGET ONE THING AND YOU HEARD ME SAY MANY TIMES
AND I AM NOT SPEAKING TO YOU DIRECTLY, MR. COUNSEL, MR.
MASSEY.
I AM SPEAKING IN GENERAL TERMS.
WHEN WE FORGET -- I SAY SOMETHING "WHAT IF," AND THE WHAT IF
IN MY MIND.
WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AND WHAT HAPPENS HERE.
WE DIDN'T CALCULATE THERE WAS OVER -- I THINK 30 OR 32
INDIVIDUALS IN THE LINE OF ROTATION.
I AM NOT SURE HOW IT WORKS BUT I KNOW SOMEWHERE IN THAT
NUMBER.
AND NO ONE THOUGHT OF THEM BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUALS -- AND I
DID -- I DID DIAL UP ONE ANONYMOUSLY AND I TALKED TO THAT
INDIVIDUAL MONTHS BACK.
AND HE TOLD ME HE HAD JUST BOUGHT A WRECKER.
HE HAS A SMALL LOT.
BUT HIS PAYMENTS ON THE WRECKER -- IF HE LOSES THIS, HE
WON'T HAVE ANY INCOME COMING IN.
NOT ALL OF IT, ABOUT 45% OR 50% HE TOLD YOU THAT WOULD NOT
BE ENOUGH TO COVER HIS OVERHEAD ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT HE
BOUGHT.
THIS IS NOT A REFLECTION OF YOU, MR. MASSEY, AT ALL.
THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT DIDN'T LOOK AT THE "WHAT IF."
HERE AGAIN I WANT TO REPEAT THAT.
30 OR 32 SMALL BUSINESSES -- THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE.
THEY ARE NOT HUGE AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY OTHERS
HAVE.
THEY TRY TO DO BETTER.
TRY TO DO BETTER FOR THEIR FAMILY AND GET THEIR KIDS
EDUCATED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS.
NOT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
YOU HAVE TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.
YOU HAVE THIS IN MIND, HARD TO SWALLOW.
WE TALK OF HELPING THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
WHAT IF THE 30 SOME COMPANIES GET TOGETHER AND BUY A LOT
SOMEWHERE, AN ACRE OR TWO ACRES OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER OF THE
CITY BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT FIND THAT LAND REASONABLE IN THE
CITY AND THEY CAN CREATE THEIR OWN LOT.
BUT WE NEVER GAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE NEVER THOUGHT
OF THE "WHAT IF" THE WHAT IF IS, IF WE GO THIS WAY AND
WHAT IF -- 30-SOME COMPANIES THAT WE TALK OF SMALL
BUSINESSES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FACILITATE WHAT THEY HAVE
BEEN DOING ON A PRETTY CONSTANT BASIS AND I WOULD SAY IS ON A
PRETTY GOOD BASIS THAT THEY DELIVER WHAT THE GOODS ARE, NO
MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT YOUR ROTATION COMES UP, YOU
ARE THE ONE THAT HAS GOT TO SHOW IT.
AND I AM NOT HERE IS TO ARGUE ABOUT THE RFP.
NOT SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO THE RFP.
BUT IF I HAPPEN TO SEE SOMEONE, I WILL.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE I AM NOT TOO HAPPY
TODAY.
I SEE THIS.
HAD A MEETING WITH THEM.
I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING --
09:39:28AM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
HOLD ON JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.
HE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOU BUT THE SCOPE OF THE IN RFP HAS
CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.
YOU WILL HEAR FROM IN GENTLEMAN THEY ARE OKAY WITH THE RFP.
09:39:39AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
WE DON'T KNOW THAT.
09:39:41AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
MAY I.
I AM SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT WANT TO DIRECT COUNCIL'S
ATTENTION TO THE MOTION FOR ITEM 2 TODAY.
AND I WILL READ IT FOR THE PUBLIC AND YOU HAVE IT IN FRONT
OF YOU.
YOU WANT TO SPEAK FIRST, BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO
ADDRESS THAT.
09:39:57AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK IS RECOGNIZED.
09:40:00AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THERE SHOULD BE NO RFP ALREADY OUT.
THIS IS VERY CLEAR WHAT WE ASKED FOR.
WE ASKED -- COUNCILMAN GUDES AND MANISCALCO ASKED THAT THE
REPORT INCLUDE FINANCIAL BACKGROUND AS TO WHY THIS IS A GOOD
IDEA TO PRIVATIZE INSTEAD OF KEEP IN HOUSE WITH NUMBERS
ATTACHED TO THE REPORT.
FURTHER, THAT SAID REPORT BROUGHT BACK APRIL 27, 2023.
THERE SHOULD NOT BE A RFP RIGHT NOW.
I CERTAINLY WILL NOT APPROVE A RFP UNTIL WE HAVE THE
DISCUSSION.
THE DISCUSSION WAS WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS EVEN PRUDENT FOR
US TO BE SPENDING MONEY ON.
A RFP WAS PUT OUT BEFORE COUNCIL COULD EVEN THINK ABOUT
WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANTED TO DO IT.
THAT IS THE PART THAT I BELIEVE COUNCILMAN GUDES IS UPSET
ABOUT.
THAT IS THE ONE I AM REALLY ANGRY ABOUT.
BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE A GREAT CONVERSATION TODAY
ABOUT WHY IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PRIVATIZE.
I AM NOT EVEN TO THE RFP YET.
I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT IS A GOOD IDEA MONETARILY PRIVATIZE ON
COSTS THAT WILL INCREASE OVER TIME.
I AM NOT CONVINCED.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE IS CONVINCED.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM KEEPING OUR TOW COMPANIES IN THE ROTATION
BUT WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS?
THIS IS NOT DISCUSSED BY US AND I AM UPSET THAT THE RFP HAS
GONE ON AND WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS A GOOD
IDEA FOR THE CITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
09:41:26AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MR. SHELBY.
09:41:30AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
GETTING BACK TO THAT AND FOLLOWING UP ON
YOUR COMMENTS AND THE COMMENTS OF COUNCILMAN GUDES AND
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
IT DOES SAY SPECIFICALLY ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY, STAFF TO
BRING BACK INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE TOW COMPANY
SITUATION, COMMA, BEFORE THE RFP OR ANYTHING MOVES
FORWARD FOR THE TOW COMPANY.
AND GOES ON TO STATE.
GETTING BACK TO COUNCILMAN MIRANDA'S "WHAT IF."
THE REASON I BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IS BECAUSE IT
WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER COUNCIL WAS AWARE THAT A RFP WAS ISSUED
CONTRARY TO COUNCIL'S MOTION.
I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
WITH REGARD TO "WHAT IF" IF IT WAS ISSUED BECAUSE TIME IS OF
THE ISSUE, THE QUESTION IS WHAT IF COUNCIL REJECTS THE
CONTRACT WHEN IT COMES BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL.
WHAT IS PLAN B FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEAL WITH THAT.
BECAUSE, AGAIN, YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THIS ISSUE
IS WHETHER THE CONTRACT IS GOING TO BE ISSUED OR NOT.
WANT TO BRING THAT TO COUNCIL'S ATTENTION.
THE REASON I BROUGHT IT TO THE SPEAKER'S PROTECTION AND
PROTECTION OF THE PROCESS AND PROTECTION OF THE SPEAKER NOT
KNOWING NECESSARILY THAT -- AND FRANKLY, I WASN'T AWARE OF
THIS MEMO AND FOR WHATEVER REASON I DIDN'T HAVE IT IN MY
MAILBOX.
I WANTED TO PROTECT THE SPEAKER BEFORE THE SPEAKER SPOKE
BECAUSE I DID WANT AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE.
09:43:02AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN VIERA AND THEN MISS ZELMAN.
09:43:05AM >>LUIS VIERA:
WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY NOTHING TO THE
SUBSTANCE BUT MORE OF A POINT OF ORDER THAT MAYBE WE HAVE
LIKE -- WE ARE KIND OF DEALING WITH A WORKSHOP ISSUE.
I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE BUT MAYBE GET TO THE COMMENDATION.
CONTINUE THIS FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT
OF POLICE OFFICERS HERE AND I DON'T WANT TO -- MY BEEN FOR
WHAT IT IS WORTH.
THANK YOU.
09:43:27AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IF THAT IS COUNCIL'S PLEASURE, BUT I WILL
SAY THIS, COUNCIL, IF THE GENTLEMAN DOES WISH TO SPEAK, THEN
IT DOES HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR HIM PERSONALLY.
I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO HIS ATTENTION.
MAYBE COUNCIL CAN HOLD THE CONVERSATION AND THE GENTLEMAN
CAN SPEAK AFTERWARDS IF HE CHOOSES TO DO SO.
IS THAT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, SIR?
09:43:47AM >> I WOULD SAY THAT I WILL WITHDRAW.
I THINK.
IT IS KIND OF CRAZY I CANNOT ADDRESS MY ELECTED OFFICIALS ON
A MATTER BEFORE THEM BECAUSE IT HAS CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL WITHDRAW.
I UNDERSTAND HOW IT SHOULD GO FOR YOU TO MAKE IT EASY.
09:44:10AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
THE REASON COUNCIL IS IN THE POSITION
BECAUSE OF THE ISSUANCE OF THE RFP.
09:44:17AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
WE TALKED OF THE RFPs AND THE POINT I WAS
TRYING TO MAKE.
THE COUNCIL HAS THE AUTHORITY TODAY TO MAKE THE
ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAW THE RFP SO THE COMMUNITY CAN WEIGH
IN AS THE COUNCIL ASKED PREVIOUSLY.
09:44:31AM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IF COUNCIL WANTS TO FORMULATE A MOTION OR
RESOLUTION, I WILL WORK BE WITH COUNCIL TO DO THAT TODAY.
YOU CAN LEAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA, IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
09:44:42AM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
YOU ARE GETTING INTO A LOT OF LEGAL ISSUES.
I DON'T THINK WITHDRAWAL OF THE RFP IS WITHIN COUNCIL'S
PURVIEW.
I THINK COUNCIL, IF THE CONTRACT COMES BEFORE YOU, IF YOU
WANT TO REJECT THAT CONTRACT, YOU CAN.
IT IS WITHIN YOUR PURVIEW.
SALIENT FACTS OF WHY THE ADMINISTRATION MOVED FORWARD THE
WAY IT DID.
MISS NEWCOMB WANTED TO GIVE YOU A FEW OF THOSE FACTS IN CASE
YOU WERE AWARE.
09:45:07AM >>MEGAN NEWCOMB:
YES, I CAN ADDRESS THE RFP PROCESS BUT MEGAN
NEWCOMB REPRESENTS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I WANT -- IF SOME OF YOU COUNCILMEMBERS ARE NOT AWARE, THIS
IS BECAUSE THE FACILITY ON HOWARD HAS BEEN DELAYED.
SO THIS IS POTENTIALLY A TEMPORARY ISSUE.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS.
AND WITH CONSTRUCTION DELAYS AND THINGS, TIME IS CHANGING
AND DEADLINES ARE CHANGING.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE DEPENDENT ON AN OUTSIDE COMPANY WHEN WE
CAN AND CANNOT MOVE OUR IMPOUND LOT.
THIS IS A STOPGAP PROCESS.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS THE ORIGINAL RFP WAS BROUGHT TO COUNCIL
AND THAT WAS WITHDRAWN ONCE WE REALIZED QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS.
AFTER THAT REPORT MYSELF, MR. SCHMID, MR. SPEARMAN, THE
DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING HAD A LARGE MEETING WITH EVERYONE ON
THE TOW TRUCK LIST.
TOWING OR POLICE TOWING AND EVERYBODY WAS INVITED AND SAT
DOWN FOR TWO HOURS AND HASHED EVERYTHING OUT AND HAD THE
POSITION THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO MOVE THE IMPOUND LOT
AT A CERTAIN TIME AND NOT HAVING THE NEW BE READY.
BECAUSE OF THE TIMING ISSUE WHY WE HAD TO MOVE, WHY THIS
NEW RFP WAS SENT OUT.
IT CLOSES ON MAY 1.
THE SILENCE FOR THE POTENTIAL BIDDERS HAVE TO BE ENFORCED
UNTIL MAY 1.
CERTAIN PEOPLE MR. SPEARMAN AND MR. SCHMID ARE ALLOWED TO
ANSWER POTENTIAL BIDDERS AND ADDRESS THEIR QUESTIONS.
NOBODY IN THE CITY CAN ADDRESS THAT.
THE TIMING IS VERY WONKY, BUT IT IS JUST THE SITUATION WE
ARE IN.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE AWARE OF THE
BACKGROUND REASONING WHY THIS SEEMS SO DISJOINTED.
BUT WE CHANGED THE RFP AFTER THE CONCERNS AND ESSENTIALLY
WHAT IT DOES IF YOU HAVE IMPOUND TOWING NONCRIMINAL,
NONEVIDENTIARY AND POLICE FOUND ARE CRIME-RELATED CASES,
CASES LIKE THAT.
THE INITIAL ONE ADDRESSED BOTH OF THEM.
IN RFP OUT ADDRESSES THE POLICE TOWING.
THE LIST OF TOW TRUCK COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ALTERED OR
AFFECTED IN ANY WAY REGARDLESS OF THE SECONDARY ISSUE.
THE REASON THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
ISSUE WE HAVE TO RESOLVE IS, WE HAVE VEHICLES AND AT THE END
OF JULY, WE WILL NOT HAVE A LOCATION TO STORE THEM WHILE THE
HOWARD FACILITY IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE.
INITIAL ONE WAS WITHDRAWN BECAUSE IT ENCOMPASSED ALL OF THE
TOWING AND TOOK THAT OUT AND WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BIGGEST
CONCERN RAISED BY THE TOW COMPANIES.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS.
WE CAN DISCUSS IT AFTER MAY 1, BUT JUST THE WAY THAT THE
TIMING WORKS, THAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS IS OUTSTANDING AND
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE FACTUALLY WHOEVER IS LISTENING AND AS
WELL AS YOU ALL HAVE THAT INFORMATION.
09:48:15AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
09:48:17AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I APPRECIATE THAT DESCRIPTION, BUT YOU TALKED
ABOUT HAVING A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.
AND THEN HAVING THIS MOTION DIDN'T COME AND TALK TO US
INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT IT.
THAT IS THE CONCERN.
WE WANTED TO TAKE WHETHER TO DO THIS, PERIOD.
AND NOW WE DON'T -- NOW WE ARE JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS
WEEK.
THAT THIS WAS DONE BEFORE WE HAD THE DISCUSSION THAT WE
ASKED FOR.
09:48:43AM >> COUNCIL, I KNOW THAT THEY MET WITH THE COUNCIL.
AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH ALL OF YOU PRIOR TO SEEING THIS MEMO.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
09:48:59AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. CHAIRMAN.
HE DID CALL ME A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR TO TODAY.
AND I HAD MY CONCERNS THEN.
I TOLD HIM EVERYTHING THAT I JUST SAID.
THAT WE GOT BAMBOOZLED ON THE IMPOUND LOT.
HE SAID, WELL, COUNCILMAN, THAT WAS BEFORE MY TIME AND
TRYING TO FIX ALL OF IT.
I SAID I AM JUST SAYING.
COUNCIL ASKED FOR SPECIFIC THINGS.
THAT IS THE CONVERSATION I HAD.
HE SAID WE TRIED TO WORK THINGS OUT WITH THE TOW TRUCK
DRIVER.
I SAID WE WILL SEE THURSDAY HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT WHEN THEY
COME TO TALK TO US.
THEY DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO US BECAUSE OF
THE RFP UNTIL MAY 1.
WE ARE STILL BACK TO SQUARE ONE TO ME.
BECAUSE THE MOTION WAS CLEAR BY THIS COUNCIL WHAT WE WANTED
DONE.
AND ADMINISTRATION DID WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO VERSUS DOING
WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO.
WE ASKED THAT EVERYTHING COME BACK TO US FOR DISCUSSION AT A
WORKSHOP.
BUT ADMINISTRATION DID WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.
THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN THIS DILEMMA AND UNFAIR FOR THE TOW
TRUCK DRIVERS HERE WANTING TO SPEAK.
EVERYBODY MAY NOT BE IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT THE OTHER TOW
TRUCK DRIVERS AGREE.
AND FOR US THE COUNCIL TO DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO PROCEED WITH
OUR TOW COMPANY ROTATION LIST.
I AM SORRY, BUT I THINK ANOTHER VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED WITH
THIS COUNCIL.
THE ADMINISTRATION OVERSTEPPED THE BOUNDS.
THE MOTION WAS MADE AND NOT ADHERED TO.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
09:50:23AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
09:50:27AM >>BILL CARLSON:
LOOKING AT THIS SYSTEMATICALLY.
I WILL ASK THAT EVERYBODY IN ADMINISTRATION GET ALONG WITH
CITY COUNCIL GOING FORWARD.
ELECTION IS OVER.
FIGHTING SHOULD BE OVER.
WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ALONG.
I CALLED THE MAYOR AFTER MY ELECTION AND CONGRATULATED HER
AND WE WILL BE MEETING NEXT WEEK.
I HOPE SHE WILL BE MEETING WITH EVERYBODY.
WE KNOW MISS ZELMAN AND HER STAFF HAS BEEN TRYING TO WORK
CLOSELY WITH US.
SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE.
BUT FRAYED NERVES.
YOU KNOW SOME OF THE MAYOR STAFF HAVE INTENTIONALLY
SABOTAGED AND POLITICALLY ATTACKED US.
SOME OF THEM ARE UP FOR RENEWAL AND WE WILL SEE HOW THEIR
RENEWAL APPOINTMENTS GO IN THE NEXT 30 TO 60 DAYS.
SOME PEOPLE DO THINGS ACCIDENTALLY NOT REALIZING THEY HIT A
TRIP WIRE BECAUSE NERVES ARE SO FRAYED.
KEEP IN MIND WE ALL JUST BEEN THROUGH CAMPAIGNS.
MISS HURTAK, THE BIGGEST ONE THAT WAS THE RECIPIENT OF 15 TO
20 NEGATIVE MAILERS COST $300,000 TO $400,000.
IF YOU ADD IT ALL UP, THE NEGATIVE MAILERS AGAINST THE THREE
OF US ANYWAY WERE PROBABLY $2 MILLION OR A MILLION AND A
HALF DOLLARS.
AND WE KNOW THE PACS THAT THEY CAME FROM AND WE WILL SEE
MORE WHERE THEY CAME FROM IN THE PAST.
BUT JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW THE KIND OF PERSON I AM.
I MET WITH THE GUY THAT RAN AGAINST ME AND I SAID LET'S
START OVER.
LET'S HIT RESET.
HE SPENT $350,000 OF HIS OWN MONEY AGAINST ME.
I AM GOING TO DO THE SAME THING WITH THE MAYOR NEXT WEEK.
EVERYBODY AROUND THE MAYOR STOP LOOKING AT THIS AS A
POLITICAL ISSUE.
STOP LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN FIGHT EACH OTHER AND ALL GET
ALONG.
WE HAVE -- WE HAVE FOUR YEARS.
THIS MAYOR'S LEGACY WILL BE DEFINED BY THE NEXT FOUR YEARS
MORE THAN ANY OF US.
WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.
LET'S PLEASE IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATE.
SIX TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE APPROVED
ORDINANCES OR RESOLUTIONS THAT MISS ZELMAN AND MORRIS AND
HER TEAM HAVE HELPED PUT TOGETHER TO SHOW THAT WE ALL INTEND
TO WORK TOGETHER.
LET'S PLEASE SET ASIDE THE -- WHATEVER HAPPENED IN LAST FOUR
YEARS.
I THINK ALL OF US WILL LIKE TO GET PAST IT.
WE WOULD LIKE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TESTIFY MAILERS OR OTHER
THINGS COMING OUR WAY ANYMORE.
ATTACKS LIKE THE ONE AGAINST COUNCILMAN GUDES AND
DINGFELDER, WHERE STAFF PARTICIPATED.
WE NEED TO GET PAST THAT AND MOVE FORWARD.
EVERYBODY IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, SET UP A DIALOGUE.
WORK WITH US.
AND LET'S TRY TO MOVE THIS CITY FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
09:53:04AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
IF I MAY, COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
VICIOUS THINGS MAILED OUT.
NASTY, HORRIBLE THING.
LAST WEEK SOMEONE MAILED SOMETHING OUT OF COUNCILMAN
MIRANDA.
TOTAL VICIOUS LIES.
I PERSONALLY HAD A MAILER SENT OUT AGAINST ME OF FALSEHOODS
AND HALF-TRUTHS.
WE ALL WERE AFFECTED THIS CAMPAIGN BY NEGATIVE
ADVERTISEMENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT AFFECTED ALL OF US.
THIS ELECTION HAS BEEN UNLIKE ANY OTHER I HAVE TO SAY I AM
VERY DISAPPOINTED IN A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE.
MISS ZELMAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO FINISH THE CONVERSATION OUT
BEFORE WE GO TO THE COMMENDATION.
09:53:55AM >>ANDREA ZELMAN:
JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
AND TO EVERYTHING THAT COUNCILMAN CARLSON SAID, AS I HAVE
SAID BEFORE, WE ARE ALL OF YOU.
ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
EVERYBODY IN MY OFFICE, EVERYBODY ON STAFF IS HERE TO DO
WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA.
BUT IT GOES BOTH WAYS.
I AGREE WITH YOU.
WE ALL -- WE HAVE TO BE RESPECTFUL OF COUNCIL.
YOU ALL WERE ELECTED.
I WASN'T.
I RESPECT THAT.
I WILL DEFER TO YOU FOR THAT REASON, BUT I ASK THE SAME IN
RETURN.
WHEN I HEAR COMMENTS LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU SAW WHAT THIS
MOTION WAS AND I AM NOT GOING TO APPROVE THIS RFP BECAUSE
YOU DIDN'T COMPLY WITH THE LETTER OF THE MOTION WITHOUT
HEARING WHAT MEGAN WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN, WHICH IS TPD WAS
UNDER THE GUN.
TPD HAD A TIMING ISSUE.
THEY COULDN'T WAIT UNTIL AFTER TODAY TO ISSUE THIS RFP.
THEY HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO PUT THESE CARS.
I JUST ASK THAT YOU GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN.
MIKE SCHMID TRIED TO REACH EACH OF YOU.
IF HE FAILED, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO TALK TO EACH OF YOU IN ADVANCE TO EXPLAIN
THE TIMING BEHIND IT AND WHY THE RFP COULDN'T WAIT.
YES, WE KNEW THE MOTION SAID THAT, BUT TPD COULDN'T WAIT.
AS FAR AS THE DETAILS OF THE IMPOUND LOT AND WHAT WAS DONE,
I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU IN TERMS OF GETTING THE RFP OUT, IT
COULDN'T WAIT.
I ASK HIM TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU
BEFORE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS THERE IS SOME KIND OF
NEFARIOUS INTENT OR DISRESPECT SHOWN TO YOU BY THE
ADMINISTRATION OR IN THIS CASE BY TPD BECAUSE THAT JUST
ISN'T TRUE.
I JUST ASK THAT WE BOTH -- WE ALL TREAT EACH OTHER WITH
RESPECT AND GIVE EACH OTHER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND
TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE QUESTIONS AND EXPLAIN THESE
THINGS TO EACH OTHER RATHER THAN JUMPING TO CONCLUSION AS I
SAW A LITTLE BIT HERE TODAY, WHICH WAS UNNECESSARY.
SO, AGAIN --
09:56:18AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. CHAIRMAN.
09:56:20AM >>ANDREA ZELMAN:
YES, I AM SORRY.
09:56:22AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. CHAIRMAN.
09:56:23AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ARE YOU FINISHED, MISS ZELMAN?
09:56:27AM >>ANDREA ZELMAN:
THE ONLY THING I WANT TO SAY ,AND I WANT TO
SAY THANK YOU TO BOTH YOU AND MR. GUDES.
I ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU WHEN WE SERVED TOGETHER ON THE
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION UNTIL TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US RESPECT AND WORKING WITH US.
AND I WISH BOTH OF YOU THE BEST GOING FORWARD.
I KNOW THIS WON'T BE THE LAST TIME WE SEE YOU.
I HOPE WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE
WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SO THANK YOU.
09:57:00AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN GUDES.
09:57:01AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
I -- I HAVE NO PROBLEM IF THERE WAS A TIME
CRUNCH, MISS ZELMAN.
BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE.
MR. SCHMID OR CHIEF KNEW THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
IF YOU MET WITH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THAT COULD BE A CALL
MADE TO COUNCIL OR A SPECIAL AMENDMENT ON ONE OF THE AGENDAS
TO TALK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD.
TO GET A CALL AND EVERYBODY DIDN'T GET IF IN THE NINTH HOUR
BY MR. SCHMID.
YOU KNEW BEFOREHAND TODAY IN THE 9th HOUR.
THAT WAS THE CASE WITH THE CHIEF AND THE SITUATION WITH THE
DRIVERS, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE LOOP THEN.
NOT NOW.
THAT'S ALL I AM SAYING.
THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED TODAY.
HAD WE BEEN IN THE LOOP, WE WOULD SAY WE KNOW WHAT THEY DID
WHAT THEY DID.
WE KNEW BUT DIDN'T TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION AT THE
APPROPRIATE TIME BUT.
09:58:08AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
09:58:10AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
FOR MY GOOD FRIENDS FROM ROMANIA, THIS IS
DEMOCRACY.
WELCOME TO AMERICA.
I HAD TO BREAK THE NOSE A BIT.
NOT A MISTAKE, AN ERROR.
PLAY BALL, YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU GET BENCHED FOR 30 DAYS
AND YOU ARE STUPID.
THAT IS HOW THE GAME.
HERE WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO DROPPED THE BALL, LIKE IN BASEBALL,
THAT TRIED MAYBE TO COMMUNICATE WITH SEVEN COUNCILMEMBERS.
AND MAYBE HE OR SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS
AIDES THEY COULD CALL THAT THE "WHAT IF" I HAVE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME COMES INTO PLAY IN MOST INSTANCES.
IF YOU HAD NOT MADE A CONTACT WITH THE COUNCILMEMBER.
WHAT IF THEY HAVE AN AIDE?
WHAT IF YOU LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE PHONE?
WHAT IF YOU SEND THEM A TEXT?
GO TO THE COMPUTER AND SEND AND E-MAIL.
NONE OF THOSE THAT I KNOW WAS DONE.
I AM NOT SURE IF IT WAS DONE OR NOT.
WE ARE NOT AGAINST WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT AGAINST THE PROCESS
WHAT IS HAPPENING.
NOT REALLY AGAINST IT.
ROMANIAN, MAYBE CLOSE TO SPAIN, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT I
SAID.
WE ARE TRYING TO FIX THIS IN FRONT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND
THAT IS WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT.
YOU SEE, ONE LESSON WE ARE LEARNING TODAY SEVEN OF US CANNOT
TALK TO ANY OF US ABOUT ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA.
AND THAT WAY THE SEVEN OF US CAN'T GET IN TROUBLE.
WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID A SYSTEM.
AND YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE MAYOR AND THE MAYOR CAN
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY, BUT NOT TOGETHER.
ONE AT A TIME.
THIS IS A LESSON WE ARE LEARNING ON THAT SIDE AND THIS SIDE.
AND THAT IS CALLED DEMOCRACY.
WE WELCOME YOU HERE.
WELCOME WHAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO.
AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, HOW TO GET --
FACILITATE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO GET POLICE CARS.
EVIDENCE IN A LOT THAT IS SECURED.
CSI ON TV AND CSI NEW YORK AND MIAMI AND A SPECK OF DUST AND
THEY CAN TELL WHO STOLE THE CAR.
THEY ALWAYS CATCH THE FELLA.
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO WORK OUT SO NO ONE
GETS HURT.
NOT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKE THEIR CAR 15% OAR 20% OF
SOMETHING.
TAKING A GUESS AND THROWING IT OUT TO SEE HOW CLOSE I AM
COMING TO MOVE THOSE CARS AND THE OTHERS PICKED UP DUE TO AN
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT OR STUFF LIKE THAT GO TO ANOTHER LOT.
I BELIEVE THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
10:00:48AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN VIERA AND COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
10:00:52AM >>LUIS VIERA:
AGAIN, WHAT I SAID 20 MINUTES -- WE ARE AT AN
HOUR.
WE HAVE ABOUT 20 COPS WAITING FOR A COMMENDATION.
THIS IS NOT TO COMMENT WHATSOEVER ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES
THAT ARE ENTITLED TO VIGOROUS DISCUSSION.
CAN WE DO THE COMMENDATION, BECAUSE WE HAVE 20 OFFICERS NOT
ON THE STREETS RIGHT NOW.
IT IS 10:00.
NOT TO COMMENT SUBSTANTIVELY ON THE DISCUSSION.
I RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINIONS.
A LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES ARE HANG HERE.
I MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE THIS HEARD RIGHT NOW.
PLEASE.
10:01:29AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN VIERA.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
OPPOSED.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON, QUICKLY.
10:01:39AM >>BILL CARLSON:
WHERE IS MISS ZELMAN?
JUST FOR EVERYBODY -- EVERYBODY WATCHING, PLEASE EVERYBODY
UNDERSTAND THAT NERVES ARE FRAYED RIGHT NOW.
WHEN YOU GET A BARRAGE OF NEGATIVE STUFF COMING AT YOU.
MY KIDS CRIED A COUPLE OF NIGHTS LOOKING AT THAT STUFF AND
EFFECTS LOTS OF WAYS.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT NERVES ARE FRAYED AND COMMUNICATE AND
OVERCOMMUNICATE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE
FUTURE.
THE LAST THING I WILL SAY.
I CONTACTED NICOLE TRAVIS HEAD OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE CITY AND REARRANGED HER SCHEDULE AND MEETING WITH THE
ROMANIANS.
THEY JUST LEFT THE ROOM AND WE THANK THEM FOR COMING.
10:02:22AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
BACK FROM PUBLIC COMMENT.
CEREMONIALS.
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
10:02:26AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
GOOD MORNING, AGAIN, GENTLEMEN.
I HAVE THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF -- HE NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION.
HE PROTECTS US EVERY THURSDAY OR EVERY MEETING TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE SAFE IN THIS CHAMBER.
HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB MY FOUR YEARS, AND AGAIN, I DIDN'T
KNOW HIM A LOT WHEN I WAS A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE HE IS
BEHIND ME A LITTLE BIT.
BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT HE STAYS TRUE.
HE STAYS LOYAL.
AND HE HAS WORKED HARD FOR US, ESPECIALLY THIS -- THIS FOUR
YEARS BECAUSE SPENT SOME TIME IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
I WANT TO SAY PERSONALLY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, AND I FOUND
OUT YOU ARE RETIRING NEXT WEEK, TUESDAY.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOU YOUR ACCOLADES FOR
THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND FOR THE
COUNCILMEMBERS IN THIS CHAMBER.
10:03:35AM >> THANK YOU.
10:03:36AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
I WILL LET THE CHIEF COME UP AND I WILL
READ THE COMMENDATION FOR AMARI.
10:03:44AM >> GOOD MORNING, AN HONOR THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZING ONE OF
OUR FINEST AND ARMANI IS ONE OF OUR FINEST.
SAD TO SEE HIM GO.
I HAVE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER, CAPTAIN, SPEAK ON SPECIFICS.
10:03:58AM >> I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TOP WORK WITH AMARI FOR FOUR YEARS
NOW AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPERVISE OFFICERS IN ALL
DIFFERENT CAPACITIES.
ONE THING I WILL SAY ABOUT AMARI, I TALK WITH HIM EVERY
MORNING.
VERY PROFESSIONAL IN EVERYTHING.
WHETHER IT WILL CASUAL CONVERSATIONS OR WHAT HE IS DOING.
HE HAS REPRESENTED US.
HE HAS REPRESENTED THIS BUREAU.
HE IS KIND OF THE SAID IT AND FORGET IT.
HE ONLY CALLS ME WHEN HE NEEDS TO.
WHEN HE MOVES ON TO HIS NEXT ENDEAVOR, WE WILL SEE WHAT HE
IS DOING.
A LOT OF SKILLS.
OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE OFFICER BARBOSA.
HE WILL MOVE RIGHT IN.
WE HAVE A SELECTION PROCESS FOR THAT AS WELL.
AND I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A TRANSITION.
10:04:43AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
ALL RIGHT, MY FRIEND, IN RECOGNITION OF
AMARI ELMORE FOR YOUR DEDICATION, DEVOTION AND SERVICE TO
THE TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TAMPA CITY COUNCIL FOR 23
YEARS.
BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT IN
MAY 2000 AND FROM POLICE OFFICER HAD THAT PATROL,
DEPARTMENT, SWAT TEAM FOR 17 YEARS.
I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE PART OF THE SWAT TEAM.
WOW.
AMARI WAS IN THE DUTIES AS MPO.
AND EARN RESPECT OF YOUR PEERS.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
YOU EXCEEDED THE MARK FOR A JOB WELL-DONE.
IT IS OUR GRANT DUDE TO GIVE YOU THIS COMMENDATION TODAY,
APRIL 27.
APPRECIATE YOU, MY BROTHER.
[APPLAUSE]
10:05:47AM >> MY WIFE, JESSICA.
10:05:49AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YOU BETTER.
10:05:50AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
YOU WILL GET IN TROUBLE, MAN.
[LAUGHTER]
10:05:53AM >> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN GUDES AND
THE COUNCIL FOR THE COMMENDATION.
IT HAS BEEN ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OVER THE LAST FOUR
AND A HALF YEARS TO SAY THE LEAST.
[LAUGHTER]
I ENJOYED IT.
DEFINITELY A PART OF THE JOB I NEVER KNEW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
WHEN HE WERE AT THE TCC DURING THE COVID TIME.
SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENDATION ON THAT.
ALSO WANT TO THANK MARTY SHELBY, THE COUNCIL AIDES, CITY
CLERKS AND CCT GUYS ASSISTANCE THEY GAVE ME AND MADE THE JOB
-- LIKE I SAID KIND OF ENTERTAINING AND A PLEASURE TO COME
DO THAT PART OF IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY SQUARED FOR SHOWING UP.
KIND OF BAILED ME OUT WHEN I COULDN'T BE HERE.
I KNOW IT WASN'T THE BEST PART OF THEIR DAY, BUT I
APPRECIATE THEM COVERING FOR ME.
SO THAT'S ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU.
10:06:46AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
10:06:48AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
AMARI, YOU SAID A FEW WORDS BUT I AM --
YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS BEFORE AND YOU WORKED ON A
SQUAD BEFORE.
WHERE DID YOU GET MORE FLACK, ON THE STREET OR THE HALL?
10:07:01AM >> THE STREET.
THE STREET.
10:07:02AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS,
WHERE WAS IT AT?
10:07:07AM >> THE STREET.
10:07:08AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
BUT A PROCESS.
I KNOW WHEN YOU FIRST CAME HERE FOUR YEARS AGO AND THE
MANNERISM -- YOU WOULD STAND BY THE DOOR FOR A WHILE.
I THOUGHT I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO WAS STUFFED.
RELAX, YOU CAN SIT DOWN ONCE IN A WHILE IF YOU GET TIRED.
YOU WANTED TO DO YOUR JOB PERFECTLY.
I ADMIRE YOU WITH YOUR MANNERISM, LOOK AROUND.
ONE WORD MEANS A LOT TO YOU MORE THAN IT DOES TO US BECAUSE
KEYWORDS THAT YOU LEARN WHAT COMES NEXT.
APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND HOPE THAT
RETIREMENT IS FOR A LONG TIME.
AND GUARANTEE YOU WITHIN 60 DAYS.
LONGER YOU WORK.
AND 82.
THE LONGER YOU WORK, THE LONGER YOU LIVE.
SHORTER THE WORK, THE SHORTER YOU DO LIVE.
THANK YOU.
10:08:03AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK .
10:08:06AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE
DONE.
NOT ONLY HAVE YOU BEEN HERE, BUT I NOTICE THE LITTLE THINGS
YOU DO, HELPING PEOPLE GET OUT OR GET IN.
JUST LITTLE THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE MIGHT NOT HAVE DONE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE THOSE LITTLE GUESS --
GESTURES ALWAYS MEAN SO MUCH TO THE PERSON AND SHOW WHO YOU
ARE.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN
RETIREMENT, WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK OR NOT, AND CONGRATULATION
TOO YOUR WHOLE FAMILY.
10:08:37AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
10:08:38AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
WE HATE TO SEE YOU GO BECAUSE YOU ARE SO
YOUNG.
I HEARD "RETIREMENT."
IT IS AMAZING.
BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PROFESSIONAL, ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL,
AND IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IT IS TRUE.
FROM HERE TO THE CONVENTION CENTER WHEN WE HAD COVID-19 AND
SOCIAL DISTANCING.
COMPLICATED TIMES.
YOU WERE THERE.
ALWAYS PROFESSIONAL.
ALWAYS HELPFUL.
ALWAYS STANDING GUARD.
KEEPING AN EYE OUT.
WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS TAKING
CARE OF US AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT AND
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU.
10:09:16AM >> THANK YOU.
10:09:16AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN VIERA.
10:09:19AM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU COUNCILMAN GUDES FOR PUTTING THIS FORWARD.
AMARI, YOU ARE A GOOD GUY AND THOUGHTFUL AND TO SEE A
WONDERFUL WIFE.
AND YOU TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN SHE
IS.
YOU AND I ARE FRIENDS AND A LOT OF GOOD CONVERSATIONS ON CIVIC
AND SOCIAL THINGS AND YOU ARE A THOUGHTFUL PERSON.
YOU REALLY ARE.
WONDERFUL TEMPERAMENT AND VERY CALM.
AS YOU HAVE SAID BEFORE, WITH US WITH TOUGH TIMES.
YOU MENTIONED THE CONVENTION CENTER.
I REMEMBER A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE HAD A -- DURING THE POST
GEORGE FLOYD MONTHS, GOSH, 50, 100 PEOPLE, MAYBE EVEN MORE
THERE AND STUFF COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
AND YOU WERE OVER THERE AND ALWAYS OUR FRONT LINE OF DEFENSE
THERE JUST FOR ANYTHING.
BECAUSE Y'ALL KNOW.
ALL IT TAKES IT ONE PERSON, RIGHT, IN ANY KIND OF INCIDENT
RIGHT NOW ANY TIME.
AND YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE AND ALWAYS A FRONT LINE OF DEFENSE
AND YOU, AGAIN, HAVE GREAT TEMPERAMENT.
YOU ARE ALWAYS VERY CALM AND A GOOD PERSON.
I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU GET THIS.
I KNOW WE WILL KEEP IN TOUCH PAUSE YOU ARE A GOOD DUDE.
THANK YOU.
10:10:33AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
10:10:35AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE PUBLIC WHO MAY NOT KNOW WHO HE IS.
SORRY IF OVEREXAGGERATION, BUT KIND OF LIKE THE SECRET
SERVICE PERSON FOR CITY COUNCIL.
THE MAYOR HAS ONE PERSON FOR HER, WE HAVE ONE FOR SEVEN PLUS
ALL OF OUR AIDES AND STAFF.
YOU WERE THE PERSON STANDING IN THE LINE OF FIRE IF
SOMETHING HAPPENED.
AND APPRECIATE IT.
TO JESSICA, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HIM AND ALLOWING HIM TO
DO THAT.
AND HE WAS NOT JUST HERE PROTECTING US HERE.
BUT NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, WE HAD A CELL PHONE NUMBER AND AN
INCIDENT I WAS AT AN EVENT AND PROTESTERS THREATENED MY KID
AND I HAD TO CALL HIM AND HE RESPONDED RIGHT AWAY AND WAS
HELPFUL HELPING WITH THAT.
THINGS WE DO.
NOT THAT YOU ARE STANDING BY THE WALL, YOU ARE OUT THERE
PROTECTING US.
IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE A CRAZY WORLD OUT THERE
NOW.
THERE ARE MANY, MANY VERY GOOD EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS
THAT WILL BE LEAVING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO THANK ALL OF THEM
INDIVIDUALLY LIKE THIS.
BUT YOU ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND
WOMEN THAT ARE OUT THERE.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL ARE THE BEST AMBASSADORS TO
GET GOOD PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO REPLACE YOU BECAUSE WE NEED GOOD
OFFICERS.
THANK YOU AND ENJOY.
PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DO NEXT.
THANK YOU.
10:12:01AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
EVERYBODY WHO WALKS THROUGH THAT DOOR IS
WELCOME, WELCOME TO SEE HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS AND WATCH
US DO OUR JOBS.
BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE A
LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT.
LIKE THE GENTLEMAN WHO WAS EATING THE CLIPBOARD THE OTHER
NIGHT.
AND YOU AND I DEVELOPED THIS LANGUAGE WHERE WE COULD LOOK AT
ONE ANOTHER.
AND HE WOULD -- HE WOULD LOOK AT ME AND SAY, ARE WE COOL?
ARE WE ALL RIGHT?
IS THIS THING OKAY?
IT CAN EVEN BE, HEY, WHAT ARE WE HAVING FOR DINNER TOMORROW
NIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.
THANK YOU FOR DEVELOPING A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE WITH ME AND I
KNOW YOU ARE NOT LEAVING ANYWHERE.
I KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOING TOO FAR.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE IN THE LAST FOUR
YEARS.
10:12:49AM >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
10:12:55AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COME ON UP.
ALL RIGHT, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN
CHAMBERS WISHES TO SPEAK TO PUBLIC COMMENT?
ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF NOT -- MR. RANDOLPH.
10:14:13AM >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
IT WAS A NICE CEREMONY.
I WANT TO SAY GOOD MORNING, AND I AM SAGRET DAWES.
I WAS HERE LAST WEEK.
SHORTLY AFTER I FINISHED MAKING COMMENTS LAST WEEK I OBSERVED
THE CITY ATTORNEY MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT ME WHEN I WAS
LEAVING THE BUILDING.
AND ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE HER SPEAKING SO KINDLY ABOUT MY
PROWESS AS A LITIGANT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR ME TO GIVE CONTEXT TO HER
COMMENTS.
AND I WANT TO DO THIS WITHOUT APPEARING TO ATTEMPT TO
LITIGATE OR -- TO LITIGATE THE CASE THAT I HAVE ONGOING IN
THE FEDERAL COURT OR RELITIGATE THE CASE THAT I ALREADY WON,
WHICH BRINGS ME HERE.
I DIDN'T SAY IT LAST TIME, BUT I AM A VETERAN OF THE UNITED
STATES MILITARIES.
UNITED STATES ARMY.
LIKE THE PEOPLE UP HERE, I TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD CERTAIN
CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES.
AS A CITIZEN OF FLORIDA, I AM BEHOLDEN TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS
IN THE CONSTITUTION.
ALL OF THEM REALLY AND CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE DICTATES AS WELL
JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIAL.
FLORIDA STATUTE.
I AM SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH BECAUSE YOU HAD TO
SIGN IT WHEN YOU TOOK OFFICE AND EVERYBODY WHO GETS
EMPLOYED.
ARTICLE 1, EXCEPTION 24 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION GIVES ME
A RIGHT TO ACCESS THIS MEETING AND TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL AS MY
REPRESENTATIVES.
AND EVEN IF I WEREN'T LITIGATING AGAINST THE CITY OF TAMPA,
I HAVE A RIGHT TO COME IN HERE AND SPEAK TO YOU ALL OF ANY
ISSUE I HAVE WITH MY GOVERNMENTS GOVERNMENT WHICH BROUGHT ME
HERE.
FOR EVERYBODY'S EDIFICATION, I PAID THE TPD MONEY TO GET
SOME RECORDS, WHICH IS WHY I HAD TO DO THE PUBLIC RECORDS
REQUEST.
FOR SOME REASON SENT ME ON A WILD GOOSE CASE AND WENT TO THE
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF TO GET WHAT I NEEDED FOR
THE MOST PART FROM BOTH OF THOSE AGENCIES.
THE AGENCY THAT DIDN'T GIVE ME ANYTHING WAS THE AGENCY THAT
SENT ME A BILL FOR $10,000.
WHAT I AM ASKING THE COUNCIL TO DO TO INSTRUCT SOMEBODY,
SOMEWHERE TO GIVE ME AN ITEMIZED LIST OF WHAT WOULD TAKE 461
AND A HALF HOURS, JUST 12 WEEKS OF WORKING TIME TO GIVE ME.
AND WE CAN PROBABLY COME TO SOME SORT OF MUTUAL AND AMICABLE
RESOLUTION WHAT IT IS THAT EXACTLY I AM LOOKING FOR AND THEY
CAN GIVE IT TO ME.
WITH THAT BEING SAID AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO REITERATE IN CASE
SHE RUNS UP HERE LATER ON.
I AM NOT TRYING TO LITIGATE THE FEDERAL CASE.
22-CV 29 OR ANY OTHER ONGOING CASES.
I WANT WHAT I ASK FOR MY RIGHT AS A CITIZEN OF THE STATE OF
FLORIDA.
YOU PEOPLE TAKE CARE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT FOUR
YEARS.
Y'ALL TAKE CARE.
10:17:22AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
MR. RANDOLPH, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?
10:17:29AM >> YES.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL RANDOLPH, AND I AM WITH THE WEST TAMPA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
TODAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT JUST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEING
CLOSED.
IF YOU REMEMBER BACK IN THE 1990s, THERE WAS A MOVIE CALLED
LIVING IN COMPTON."
THE PHRASE IS HOMEY, DON'T PLAY THAT.
WEST TAMPA AND THE '90s AND EARLY 2000s, THEY TRY -- WE KEPT
TAMPA OPEN.
AND THE POST OFFICE, WE WERE THERE AND KEPT IT OPEN.
RELATED TO JUST ELEMENTARY.
BASED ON BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS CALLED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND THE
OTHER ONE IS CALLED THE SCHOOL ZONE IN NEW YORK.
BOTH OF THESE INITIATIVES WHEN THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER
HOW YOU CAN TURN A FAILING GRADE INTO A PASSING GRADE.
THIS IS DONE THROUGH A PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT
RELATIONSHIP.
ON MAY 8 OF THIS YEAR, WEST TAMPA COMMUNITY DID AN EMERGENCY
MEETING FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO PRESENT TO THE SCHOOL
BOARD ON MAY 9.
THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED, REACH US AT
WESTTAMPACAC@GMAIL.COM.
OUR CURRENT INITIATIVE INCLUDE THE TECHNOLOGY OF BUILDING
CENTER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND NOW THE
EDUCATION INITIATIVE.
FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS, OVER 100 NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS
THROUGHOUT TAMPA WILL BE RECEIVING AN E-MAIL ASKING YOU TO
JOIN US IN OUR ENDEAVOR TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
LIKE CHARLIE SAID EARLIER, THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS
LIKE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
10:19:34AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CARROLL ANN BENNETT.
DO WE HAVE HER ONLINE?
10:19:48AM >> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME.
10:19:49AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD.
10:19:51AM >> HI, MY NAME IS CARROLL ARNE BENNETT.
I WANT TO MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT ON THE RECENT ELECTIONS.
I LIVED IN TAMPA ALL MY LIFE, AND I NEVER SEEN LOCAL
ELECTIONS LIKE WHAT WE SAW THIS TIME.
I NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO DIRTY AND NASTY.
AND PAIR RECENTLY SANDY FREEMAN AND FORMER CHIEF DUGAN AGREE
WITH ME BECAUSE THEY SAID SO PUBLICLY.
I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE CALLED ME, E-MAILED
ME, TEXTED ME, DMED ME, PMED ME, SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE GROCERY
STORE AFTER THEIR MAILBOXES DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY WITH
ATTACK MAILERS AND THEY HATED IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAID TO ME, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
THEY SAID THAT MEANS I AM NOT VOTING FOR THAT PERSON.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THAT TRASH CLOGGING UP MY MAILBOX.
AND SOUTH TAMPA RESPONDED LOUD AND CLEAR.
THEY SOUNDLY DEFEATED ANYONE WHO IS IT THAT TYPE OF
CAMPAIGNING.
SO I AM HOPING THAT EVERYBODY TAKES NOTICE IF YOU ARE GOING
TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN DISTRICT 1-4, YOU BETTER RUN A CLEAN
CAMPAIGN OR SOUTH TAMPA WILL GIVE YOU THE BOOT.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN CITRO AND COUNCILMAN GUDES FOR
YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.
YOU COULDN'T -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE TO PAY ME TO
GET TO DO THAT JOB.
IN FACT, THE ONLY WAY TO GET ME TO DO THAT JOB IF YOU PAID
OFF MY NIECE'S AND NEPHEW'S STUDENT LOANS, AND THE CITY DOESN'T
REASON IS THAT KIND OF MONEY.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE HOT POKERS STUCK IN MY EYES TO DO THE
JOBS THAT YOU GUYS DID.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.
COUNCILMAN GUDES, I WANT TO SAY YOU SPECIFIC LOW.
I KNEW NOTHING BEFORE YOU BEFORE YOU GOT ELECTED.
I HAVE BEEN APPEARING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL FOR FIVE YEARS AS
A NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE.
WHEN YOU GOT ELECTED, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT.
I WANT TO SAY ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED ABOUT YOU THAT YOU
TREATED EVERYBODY THE SAME.
WHETHER THEY COULD VOTE FOR YOU OR NOT.
YOU TREATED EVERY CITIZEN WHO CAME BEFORE YOU THE SAME.
I CANNOT SAY THAT OF EVERY COUNCILMEMBER ON THIS COUNCIL AND
THE PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL.
SOMETIMES YOU COULD TELL JUST BY A COUNCILPERSON VOTED
WHETHER THEY WERE -- WHETHER THE NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE WHO
WERE THERE WERE IN THEIR DISTRICT OR NOT, BUT YOU CAN'T SAY
THAT ABOUT YOU.
YOU TREATED EVERYBODY THE SAME.
EVERYBODY IN THE CITY WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS
EVERYBODY ELSE.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND COMMEND YOU FOR THAT
AND I AM GOING TO MISS YOU.
AND I WISH YOU AND COUNCILMAN CITRO ALL THE LUCK IN THE
WORLD AND I HOPE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS IN BOTH OF YOUR
FUTURE.
THANK YOU.
10:22:32AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE ON THE LINE?
OKAY.
WITH COUNCIL'S PERMISSION, ITEM AGENDA NUMBER 6 AND 7 HAVE
BEEN ASKED TO MOVE TO THE BEGINNING OF OUR WORKSHOP.
10:22:53AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
A GOOD IDEA.
10:22:54AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MAY I HAVE A MOTION.
10:22:55AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
SO MOVED.
10:22:57AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
SECOND.
10:22:59AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
AGENDA ITEM 6 AND 7 BE MOVED TO THE
BEGINNING OF THE WORKSHOP.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
ANY OBJECTION?
MOTION PASSES.
MR. BENSON.
10:23:09AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
GOOD MORNING, STEPHEN BENSON.
10:23:13AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6, CM 23-LE 0244.
10:23:21AM >> YES, SIR.
THE UPDATE ON THE TREE TRUST FUND.
BOTH MOTIONS DEALT WITH THE UPDATE OF THE TREE TRUST FUND.
I AM JOINED BY DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECOGNIZE SHERISHA
HILL, WE WILL TALK ABOUT BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS.
BEFORE WE GET TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA RECENTLY COMPLETED THE TREE
CANOPY ANALYSIS THAT HAS BEEN LONG AWAITED FOR.
DR. SHAWN LANDRY AND DR. ANDREW KOESAR IS HERE TO PROVIDE A
BRIEF UPDATE AND THEN GO FORWARD AND RELEASE TO THE
COMMUNITY AND HAVE SOME MEETINGS AND DISCUSS AND DETERMINE
NEXT STEPS AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE RECENT
REDUCTION IN CANOPY.
BEFORE SHERISHA AND I, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A
PRESENTATION FROM DR. SHAWN LANDRY AND DR. ANDREW KOESAR.
10:24:16AM >> IF YOU CAN BRING UP THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE.
10:24:29AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE IT HERE JUST NOT UP HERE.
10:24:31AM >> HOW DO I ADVANCE?
10:24:33AM >> THIS RIGHT HERE.
10:24:34AM >> AWESOME.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
ANDREW KOESAR.
I'M HERE WITH SHAWN LANDRY, THE THIRD IN OUR TRIO, DR.
REBECCA ZARGER WILL BE VOICING OTHER HER PRESENTATION.
I WILL BE THE THIRD PART OF THE PRESENTATION, TECHNOLOGY
WILLING.
SO YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS THE 2021 REPORT.
IT IS 2023.
IT IS HEFTY AND TOOK A LONG TIME TO COMPILE THE DATA.
A LARGE EFFORT AND I COMMEND THE CITY FOR DOING IT.
WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR ASSESSMENT.
A FIVE-YEAR ASSESSMENT OF THE URBAN FOREST.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTION ASKED EVERY FIVE YEARS, HOW HAS
THE CANOPY OF THE CITY CHANGED.
THE CANOPY IS THE TREE COVER LOOKING TOP DOWN.
HOW MUCH OF THAT AREA IS COVERED BY TREE AND HOW MUCH IS
COVERED BY HARDSCAPE SUCH AS ROADS, BUILDINGS AND OTHER
THINGS OR JUST BARE GROUND.
IN THIS ASSESSMENT, WE LOOK AT WHAT THE CANOPY IS DOING OVER
TIME WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT FEW OTHER CITIES DO WHICH IS
COMMENDABLE.
WE SEE IF THE CHANGE ALIGNS WITH THE GOALS OF THE CITY.
THE GOALS EXPRESSED WITH THE CITY AS IT DOES NOW, NO NET
CHANGE IN CANOPY OVER TIME.
KEEPING CONSISTENT AS THINGS CHANGE AND GROW.
AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT TOP-DOWN VIEW, WHAT SHAWN DOES,
WE LOOK AT THE BASE LEVEL.
MY CREW GOES THROUGH FOR THE GROUND AND LOOKS AT THE
CONDITION OF THE TREES, THE SPECIES, DIVERSITY AND HOW
THINGS LOOK UP CLOSE WHICH YOU CAN'T GET FROM A SATELLITE OR
A PLANE.
AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE HAVE SEVERAL NEW ASPECTS THAT WE
ALWAYS ADD A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS TO OUR ASSESSMENT.
AND THERE WAS A HEAT MAP ASSESSMENT WHERE THE HOT ZONES IN
THE CITY, WHICH IS ON THE MINDS OF A LOT OF CITIES IN
FLORIDA.
WE LOOKED AT POTENTIAL TREE PLANTING AREAS.
AND ALSO THE SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSESSMENT OF WHAT PEOPLE VALUED
AND HOW MUCH THEY VALUE AND WILL SUPPORT EFFORTS TO GREEN
THE CITY.
AND THEN LASTLY, THERE WAS AN ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
EQUITY.
SO, YOU KNOW, DOES ANYONE IN THE CITY HAVE THE SAME ACCESS
WITH THE ACCESS THEY WANT TO TREES AND GREEN SPACES AND
RECREATIONAL AREAS.
AS I SAID BEFORE, IT IS KIND OF A MIX OF A TOP DOWN AND
BOTTOM-UP APPROACH.
KIND OF FROM -- YOU KNOW, AERIAL VIEWS WHICH IS WHAT SHAWN
WILL SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT TO THE BOTTOM VIEW.
WE HAVE 201 PERMANENT IN THE CITY.
MY CREW IS WADING THROUGH SWAMPS, DODGING ALLIGATORS OR
GETTING SPECIAL PERMISSION TO GO TO MacDILL TO GET THIS DATA
TO LOOK AT.
QUITE AND UNDER TAKING AND WE TAKE OUR CARE TO MAKE SURE YOU
HAVE THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO MAKE YOUR DECISIONS.
SEVERAL DIFFERENT APPROACHES FOR THE AIR YELL ASSESSMENT.
THE MOST LABOR INTENSIVE AND THE MOST ACCURATE, RANDOM
POINTS IN THE CITY AND HAVE A PERSON VISUALLY SAYS THERE A
TREE THERE OR NOT AND WILL ASSESS CANOPY CHANGES OVER TIME
WITH DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES FROM BETTER CAMERAS AS
THEY EVOLVE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, SHAWN AND HIS TEAM DO A LIDAR.
LASERS SCANNING THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH.
AND THEY CAN DO MAPS TO SEE EXACTLY WHERE THE TREES ARE AND
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS AND THAT'S HOW WE DO THE ASSESSMENT TO
SEE WHO HAS TREES AND HOP DOES NOT AND SHOW HOW THINGS
CHANGE OVER TIME AT A LOCAL SCALE.
NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL OR DISTRICT LEVEL.
THIS IS ALL PART OF AN EXISTING MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT THE
CITY HAS ENACTED IN THE PAST.
THE CITY HAS A 20-YEAR KIND OF TIME FRAME AND A FIVE-YEAR
CYCLE WHERE THEY LOOK AT WHAT THINGS AND IF WE ARE WORKING
TOWARDS -- IF YOU WERE WORKING TOWARD A LONG-TIME GOAL WITH
THE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS THAT THEY HAVE.
AND USE THE FIVE-YEAR ASSESSMENT PERIOD TO CHANGE THE COURSE
IF THINGS ARE GOING AWRY.
AT THE TOP, WE HAVE THE TREE CANOPY URBAN FOREST ANALYSIS
WHAT I AM SHOWING YOU AND SHAWN AND REBECCA IS SHOWING YOU.
AND PART OF A BIGGER SYSTEM OF THE INTERNAL WORKING GROUP
AND ALL THE EXPERTS IN THE CITY WORKING TO ENSURE COMMON
GOALS TO MAKE SURE TREES HAVE A PLACE IN THE CITY.
ADVISED EXTERNALLY FROM EXPERTS OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY AND AN
EXTERNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AND THEN -- THESE TWO GROUPS WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WHEN
THEY SEE THE DATA WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY IS ON THE RIGHT
COURSE.
WITH THAT SEARCH THE NEW CYCLE OF FIVE YEARS WHERE THINGS
ARE CONTINUOUSLY MONITORED TO SEE WHERE THE FUTURE WILL
BRING US.
A LITTLE BIT OF MY DATA AND I WILL PASS IT ON TO SHAWN.
SO YOU CAN SEE HERE, THAT OUR CITY IS DOMINATED BY THINGS
THAT ARE KINDS OF AN UNNATURAL REMNANTS OF THE PAST FOREST.
MANGROVES ALONG THE COASTLINE.
CYPRESSES ALONG THE SWAMP AREAS.
SHOWING THOSE UNTOUCHED AREAS THAT ARE STILL INTACT ARE
PROVIDING A LOT OF THE BENEFIT FOR THE CITY WITH REGARDS TO
WHAT TREES ARE AVAILABLE.
WE ALSO HAVE THINGS LIKE BRAZILIAN PEPPER WHICH ARE FROM
BRAZIL, NOT EXACTLY A NATIVE SPECIES AND SOMETHING WE DEAL
WITH THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND THEN THE TREES THAT YOU PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH, LAUREL
OAK, LIVE OAKS, CABBAGE PALMS.
EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T KNOW THEIR NAMES THEY SHOW UP AND IN
OUR MANAGED AREAS.
THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE DIAMETER OF THE
TREES.
TREES GROW EVERY YEAR THAT THEY LIVE.
THEY GROW OR THEY DIE.
WE CAN USE THE GIRTH, THE SIZE OF THE TRUNKS TO ESTIMATE
THEIR AGE AND HOW LONG THEY HAVE LEFT ON THIS EARTH, RIGHT.
YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TREES ARE
SMALL THAT TELL YOU TWO THINGS.
YOU HAVE A FUTURE.
YOU HAVE A FUTURE FOREST THAT IS COMING.
THE BIG TREE PROVIDE A LOT OF BENEFITS AND CAN NOT BE
UNDERSTATED.
A YOUNG POPULATION.
THINGS ARE POPPING UP IN THE REMNANT AREA.
SWAMPS HAVE A LOT OF NEW GROWTH.
AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THINGS REACH
A BETTER SIZE TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS.
AND I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS, SPEAKING OF BENEFITS.
WE RUN ALL THIS THROUGH A FOREST SERVICE MODEL DEVELOPED BY
DAVID NOVAK, ONE THE NOBEL LAUREATE TEAMS.
AND WE LOOKED AT QUANTIFYING THE BENEFITS THAT MAKES SENSE
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF FIRE TRUCKS AND POLICE CARS AND
STUFF LIKE THAT.
QUANTIFY THEM AND INTO THINGS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL
UNDERSTAND.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE MEASURED HOW MUCH CARBON TREES
SEQUESTER.
HOW MUCH THEY SOAK UP IN THEIR WOOD OVER TIME AND
COUNTERACTS THE CARBON WE BURN OFF IN COAL AND URBAN FUELS.
TAMPA SOAKS UP THE SAME AMOUNT OF CARBON IN THE CITY FOR 13
DAYS.
CANCELS OUT THE EMISSIONS FOR 15,000 CARS IN A YEAR AND ALSO
-- OR IT NULLS OUT ACTUALLY 20,000 HOMES, LIKE THEY WOULD
EMIT THROUGH OPERATING THE AC AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
A DOLLARS AND CENTS POINT OF VIEW, THE TREES IN THIS CITY
AND WE LOOK EXACTLY WHERE THE TREES ARE IN THE PLOT AND HOW
THEY RELATE TO BUILDING.
SAVE THE CITY $7.5 MILLION IN COOLING COST FROM AIR
CONDITIONING.
$9.5 MILLION IN ASSOCIATE HEALTH COSTS FROM ASTHMA --
PARTICULATE INFORMATION AND LUNGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT THIS
IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE SEEN IN OTHER STUDIES.
DEVASTATING INFESTATION AND SEE THE SPIKES OF HEALTH
CASES RISE IN THEIR LOCAL HOSPITALS FINALLY IN FT.
LAUDERDALE, A PROBLEM IN FLORIDA.
PROBABLY WON'T HELP THE RAINS THEY HAVE SEEN LAST WEEK BUT
THE URBAN FOREST SOAKS UP 560 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER
DURING STORM EVENTS WHICH IS ENOUGH TO FILL THAT MAIN
AQUARIUM OF THE TAMPA AQUARIUM OVER 1,000 TIMES.
10:33:31AM >> GREAT, THANKS, SHAWN LANDRY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
FLORIDA.
SO THERE IS A LOT IN THE REPORT WHICH I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE A
COPY.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE GIVING PRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC.
EXPLAINING SOME OF IT.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO DO THAT ANYWAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS WE MAPPED OUT THE TREE CANOPY EVERY SIX
INCHES.
CANOPY, GRASS, IMPERVIOUS BUILDING.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE TAKE FROM THAT AND A LOT MORE IN THE
REPORT, THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY OF TAMPA IS ON RESIDENTIAL
POLICIES.
WHEN YOU THINK OF POLICIES RELATED TO CANOPY, RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY THAT IS THE MAJORITY AND PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY,
TRANSPORTATION AND SOME PUBLIC AREAS.
OF COURSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOKED AT EVER SINCE
DOING THIS HOW THE CANOPY HAS BEEN CHANGING OVER TIME.
THIS YEAR WE WENT BACK TO OLDER AERIAL IMAGERY FROM 1948, 37
AND '95.
I COULDN'T FIND ANY IN 1980s UNFORTUNATELY, BUT WHAT WE
FOUND IS CANOPY INCREASED SINCE THE CANOPY STARTED
DEVELOPING AND OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IT INCREASED THE
BIT IN 2011, BUT THEN IT HAS GONE DOWN.
UNFORTUNATELY IN 2021 ALREADY WE HAVE THE LOWEST LEVEL OF
CANOPY THAT WE HAD SINCE WE STARTED MONITORING IN DETAIL IN
2006.
THE EQUIVALENT LOSS IN TERMS OF AREA OF CANOPY SINCE 2011 IS
ESSENTIALLY FOUR TIMES THE AREA OF DAVIS ISLAND TO PUT THAT
IN PERSPECTIVE.
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 30% TREE CANOPY CITYWIDE, WHICH IS A
WEIRD METRIC IN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY THAT WE BASE THAT
-- 30% IS A GOOD TARGET THRESHOLD FOR VARIOUS WELL BEING AND
VARIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS.
SO WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO DROP BELOW THAT.
SO JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A VISUAL OF SORT OF 1948 TO NOW.
WHEN YOU THINK OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, WHAT WAS HERE BEFORE US
WAS ESSENTIALLY REALLY SPARSELY TREED PINE FLATWOODS.
IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT KIND OF HABITAT.
AS PEOPLE MOVED.
PEOPLE ARE LANDSCAPE AND REALLY THE LANDSCAPED FOREST THAT
LEADS TO THE CANOPY WE HAVE TODAY AND THAT KIND OF REFLECTS
PEOPLE'S DESIRE FOR TREE THAT IS ALSO REFLECTED IN TH
SURVEY RESULTS.
PRETTY INTERESTING WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT AREAS OF THE CITY
AND YOU SEE NOTHING THERE IN TERMS OF TREES AND NOW THERE IS
A LARGE CANOPY.
SO WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN BY PLANNING DISTRICT, WHICH IS
SORT OF THE WAY THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN SETS THE
TONE FOR EVALUATING NO-NET LOSS FOR CANOPY.
IN PLANNING DISTRICTS, IN SOUTH TAMPA, IN CENTRAL TAMPA,
THERE WAS A DECREASE IN CANOPIES.
6% DOWN IN SOUTH TAMPA.
3.3% DOWN IN CENTRAL TAMPA.
AND BOTH OF THOSE SORT OF STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT, MEANING
OUR MEASUREMENTS HAVE ERROR.
ALL MEASUREMENT HAVE ERROR.
IF YOU ARE TO CONSIDER THAT WE ARE ROAR A SIGNIFICANTLY
SIGNIFICANT DECLINE.
OTHER AREAS A SLIGHT DECREASE AND NOT SIGNIFICANT IF YOU
WANT TO PUT IT IN THOSE TERMS.
CAN'T SAY WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY WHETHER THAT DECREASE WAS
REAL IN THOSE AREAS.
BUT WE CAN DO THAT IN CENTRAL TAMPA AND SOUTH TAMPA.
OF COURSE BECAUSE WE PRESENT TO YOU, WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BREAK
IT DOWN BY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT.
ONCE AGAIN SOUTH TAMPA IF DOWN.
THERE IS ALSO DECREASES AT LARGE.
AND THEN IN -- IN DISTRICT -- WHICH DISTRICT OVER IT IN
WESTSHORE.
6?
NO.
ANYWAY, DECREASES THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP.
MORE IN THE REPORT.
BUT I WON'T DWELL ON THAT.
ANOTHER THING WE DO IS WE MAPPED OUT URBAN HEAT THIS TIME.
AND YOU CAN KIND OF -- A PROXY FOR URBAN HEAT IS THE LAND
SURFACE TEMPERATURE FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY.
IT REFLECTS THE KIND OF DIFFERENCES IN TEMPERATURES PEOPLE
ARE GOING TO BE FEELING IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY ON
THE SAME DAY GIVEN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, SORT OF THE URBAN
HEAT ISLAND EFFECT THAT IS IN THAT VEIN.
OBVIOUSLY A STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANOPY.
AREAS THAT HAVE CANOPY AND MUCH LOWER TEMPERATURES.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANOPY AND URBAN
HEAT, WE SEE THAT THOSE AREAS WITH A LOT OF CANOPY HAVE
LOWER HEAT AND CONSEQUENTLY AREAS WITH MORE OR LESS CANOPY
HAVE HIGHER HEAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS TO STRATEGICALLY TARGET TREE PLANTING
EFFORTS AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE DID SORT OF A EQUITY ANALYSIS IF YOU WILL.
WE WANT TO SEE HOW THE SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHICS OF PEOPLE IN THE
CITY, IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY, RELATE TO SOME OF
THESE FACTORS, CANOPY AND URBAN HEAT.
ONE OF THE STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WE FOUND IS THAT
UNFORTUNATELY URBAN HEAT IS HIGHER IN LOWER INCOME
NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF TAMPA.
THIS ALSO HIGHER IN AREAS WITH A GREATER PROPORTION OF
HISPANIC RESIDENTS.
PEOPLE WHO SELF-REPORT AS BEING HISPANIC BACKGROUND.
THOSE ARE THE TWO RELATIONSHIPS.
WEREN'T MANY OTHER STRONG RELATIONSHIPS IN THAT EQUITY
ANALYSIS.
SO HOPEFULLY NOW WHEN I PRESS THIS BUTTON, DR. ZARGER WILL
GIVE A VOICEOVER ON HER SLIDES AND KEEP IT ON TRACK.
OTHERWISE I WILL MUDDLE THROUGH IT.
10:39:37AM >> HELLO, REBECCA ZARGER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
AT USF.
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE RESULT ON THE PUBLIC'S VALUE OF TREES.
WHAT ARE TREES MEANING FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING, WORKING AND
PLAYING IN OUR CITY.
WHAT BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES DO THEY SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF
THE URBAN FORESTS.
WHERE HE ASKED RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, DEVELOPERS AND
OTHERS TO SHARE THEIR VALUES AND OPINIONS WITH US.
WE ALSO ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE CITY'S MAINTENANCE OF TREES,
INFORMATION SEED AND WHAT PEOPLE KNOW OF REGULATIONS
AFFECTING TREE REMOVAL AND PRUNING.
WE HEARD THE PRIORITIES THAT RESIDENTS HAVE AND VARIES WITH
AGE, GENDER, ETHNICITY, RACE, INCOME AND LOCATION IN THE
CITY.
FOCUS GROUPS WITH CITY STAFF WHO WORK WITH TREES AND FORM
THE SURVEY QUESTIONS AND OVER 1,000 PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE
ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SURVEY.
MORE OF THAT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE FULL REPORT AND
WE WELCOME THE CHANCE TO SPEND MORE OF THE SCIENCE STUDY.
CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
TODAY I HIGHLIGHT A FEW KEY FINDINGS.
WHO TOOK THIS SURVEY?
WE HAVE PARTICIPATION FROM EVERY PART OF THE CITY
REPRESENTING DOZENS OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
THE MAP YOU SEE HERE SHOWS THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS BY ZIP
CODE WITH DARKER SHADED AREAS HAVING THE MOST PARTICIPANTS
IN THE SURVEY.
OVER 300 PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED THE SURVEY ALSO VOLUNTEER TO
TALK TO US ONE ON ONE WITH TREES.
THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY HIGH NUMBER AND SHOW THE LEVEL OF
INTEREST IN THE TOPIC.
AS THE STUDY PROGRESSED, INTERVIEWS WERE COMPLETED AND
TARGETED ZIP CODES WITH FEWER PARTICIPANTS.
THESE ARE THE LIGHTER GREEN AREAS.
TO ENSURE VIEWS FROM ALL AREAS OF TAMPA ARE REPRESENTED AND
EQUITY AND VARIABILITY WAS CAPTURED BY OUR METHODS.
OVERALL WE DID 35 INTERVIEWS TO SUPPLEMENT THE SURVEY.
THOSE TO COMPLETED THE SURVEY, THE LARGEST GROUP PEOPLE
BETWEEN 35 TO 44 YEARS OLD.
AND FAMILY HOMEOWNERS 10% WHO WERE RENTER ROUGHLY EVEN.
20% WHITE.
36% DECLINING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
WE HAD A DIVERSE GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE INTERVIEWS IN
THE PUBLIC MEETINGS BUT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DO CONTINUE TO
CONNECT WITH BLACK AND HISPANIC RESIDENTS ON THIS ISSUE.
WE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND VALUES AND BENEFITS OF TREES AS WELL
AS DRAWBACKS.
ONE THING IS CLEAR FROM OUR STUDY.
PEOPLE HAVE STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT TREES.
TREES ARE VERY CONNECTED TO A SENSE OF PLACE IN TAMPA AND
ONE RESIDENT TOLD US, THESE TREES HOLD A VERY INTENSE AND
VERY RICH NATURAL HISTORY MAP MANY REFLECTED ON THE CROSS
GENERATIONAL ASPECT OF TREES AND HOW THEY RELATE TO WELL
BEING.
MENT IN ONE BENEFIT LISTED IN THE SURVEY WAS SHADE.
THIS WORK CLOUD SO HE WHAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE SURVEY AND
THE OTHER TOP BENEFITS INCLUDING IMPROVING AIR QUALITY AND
PREVENTING SPACE FOR BIRDS AND WILDLIFE.
THIS MATCHES UP FAIRLY WELL WITH THE SCIENCE MEASURES OF
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FROM TREES MENTIONED EARLIER.
MANY MORE VARIED RESPONSES ON THE DRAWBACKS OF TREES, BUT
THE WORD "DAMAGE" WAS THE MOST OFTEN MENTIONED BOARD.
PEOPLE GAVE DRAWBACKS OF PRUNING, REMOVAL AND PERMITS AND
RISK TO PROPERTY OF FALLING LIMBS DUE TO STORMS, DISEASED OR
DYING TREES AND ROOT MAINTENANCE.
ALLERGIES, TREES CAUSING CONFLICT BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.
ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES AND TAKEAWAY FROM THE STUDY IS THAT
THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TREE MAINTENANCE IN MANY
NEIGHBORHOOD ACROSS THE CITY.
MANY FELT IT WAS SOMEWHAT OR VERY EXPENSIVE.
A GREAT INTEREST IN EXPANDING EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE
THIS BURDEN.
A WAY TO LOWER RISK FROM TREE DAMAGE FROM FALLING LIMBS,
ULTIMATELY PREVENTING TREE CANOPY LOSS AND GREATER URBAN
HEAT IN INCOME AREAS WHICH WE HEARD ABOUT EARLIER.
FINALLY, THERE IS INTEREST IN SUPPORT FOR EXPANDING TREE
PLANTING IN DESIRED AREA.
MANY RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATED EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THE
RECENT PACE OF TREE CANOPY LOSS AND THE IMPACTS OF
REGULATIONS SURROUND TREE REMOVAL.
THERE IS A CONCERN THAT CURRENT RATES OF TREE REPLACEMENT IS
NOT PROPORTION THAT THE TO TREES BEING REMOVED.
10:44:16AM >> OKAY.
THAT WAS HER PRESENTATION.
SO I AM GLAD SHE WAS ABLE TO GIVE IT, AND NOT ME.
LET'S -- IF WE CAN GO BACK TO THE SLIDES.
10:44:25AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THEY ARE UP.
10:44:26AM >> SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID BY MAPPING OUT THE CANOPY, AS
WELL AS GRASS AND SHRUB, IMPERVIOUS AREAS, SO WE CAN LOOK AT
THE AREA WE CAN CALL POTENTIAL TREE PLANTING AREA.
AND BASICALLY AREAS NOT SEEING IMPERVIOUS SERVICE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIP ANYTHING UP TO PLANT AND DEFINE IT BY
HAVING TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE, A SIZE SUFFICIENT TO PLANT A
TREE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT, WE CAN KIND OF MAP OUT WHERE YOU CAN
PLANT TREES, AND THE TAKE HOME FROM THIS, THERE ARE 'I A LOT
OF ROOM TO PLANT TREES IN THE CITY OF TAMPA.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN -- WHEN
THE CITY CAN USE THIS INFORMATION AS THEY ARE PRIORITIZING
WHERE TO PLANT.
POTENTIALLY THEY ARE LOOKING AT POSSIBLE AREAS.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ON-SITE CONDITIONS.
MAKE SURE NO CONFLICTS WITH OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE, THINGS
LIKE THAT.
BUT THE OTHER THING WE FOUND IN THE SURVEY ALSO IS THAT
BASICALLY MOST PEOPLE WANT MORE TREES.
SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PLANTING SPACES.
PEOPLE WANT TRIES.
THAT WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE.
YOU JUST HAVE TO PLANT THEM.
THE OTHER THING WE CAN DO WITH THIS IS TO IDENTIFY
PARTICULAR AREAS THAT YOU MIGHT PLANT TREES.
SOME OF THIS IS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
AND A MAP THAT SHOW THESE RED AREAS, AREAS OF RIGHT-OF-WAY
WHERE THERE IS TREE PLANTING POTENTIAL.
AND SO YOU CAN IMAGINE YOU OVERLAY THIS WITH OTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS OR PRIORITY AREAS.
AND YOU REALLY SORT OF REFINE THE POTENTIAL FOR WHERE YOU
WANT TO PLANT BEFORE YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY SENDING PEOPLE
OUT IN THE FIELD TO INSPECT, YOU KNOW, EVERY CITY.
AND USE DATA TO HELP PRIORITIZE THINGS.
SO THAT WAS -- THAT WAS REALLY IT.
THE NEXT STEPS OF IT IS WE PLAN TO HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING.
I AM NOT SURE WHEN.
THE SCHEDULING IS IN THE WORKS.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE DEVELOPING SOME MORE MATERIALS TO GET
THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY OUT IN A FORM THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO
THICK.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS -- WE ARE -- WE ARE VERY HAPPY
THIS WILL INFORM SORT OF UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS OF URBAN
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THAT WHOLE EFFORT SO IF YOU TAKE
THIS, THE SCIENCE, AND TURN IT INTO POLICY THAT SORT OF
MOVES EVERYBODY IN THE DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO.
SO WITH THAT, I GUESS I WILL -- WE CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
10:46:57AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
10:47:00AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND FIRST, LET ME
COMPLIMENT YOU ON AN AMAZING PRESENTATION.
MR. BENSON, I BELIEVE HAS MORE TO PRESENT -- WHO IS IN THE
AUDIENCE.
WE HAD A VERY LONG DISCUSSION A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS.
AND IT IS FASCINATING BECAUSE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
DON'T THINK ABOUT, TREES.
LOOK AT THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES.
AND LOOK AT THE BENEFITS OF TREES.
YOU BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF INTERESTING NUMBERS AND IN THIS
DATA.
THE TREE CANOPY REDUCTION.
YOU PUT MORE YEARS BUT LOOKING AT 2011.
THE LAST DECADE FROM 34% TO 30%.
DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A LOT.
HOWEVER, I HAVE THIS IMAGE OF HOW MANY HOMES RAZED IN SOUTH
TAMPA.
R-A-Z-E-D.
HOW MANY TREES HAVE WE LOST.
YOU BROKE IT UP INTO DISTRICTS.
DISTRICT 4 SOUTH TAMPA AND DISTRICT 6 WITH THE LOSS THEY
EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN TREES.
YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT A 10% INCREASE IN THE CANOPY COULD
REDUCE -- OWE REDUCE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS 3% TO 32 %.
THAT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
WE SEE THE IMPACT OF THE HEAT AND HOW IT IS WORSE IN THE
LOWER INCOME AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY; HOWEVER, WE TALKED
ABOUT THE COST OF MAINTENANCE OF TREES, THE DAMAGE THAT
TREES TO DO WITH SIDEWALKS AND WHAT NOT.
HOWEVER, WE HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THE EAST TAMPA TREE TRIMMING
PROGRAM BUT IS IT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH AND EXPAND THAT BECAUSE
IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO 911 PRUNE AND MAINTAIN AND KEEP THE
TREES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT
AND TO THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, WE ARE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST TREE CANOPIES IN
THE WORLD HERE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA.
HOW DO WE PROTECT THAT?
WE HAVE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT AND A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES THAT
YOU MENTIONED.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE SEEING KNEES DECLINING NUMBERS.
ALTHOUGH SMALL PERCENTAGES, THE IMPACT IS TREMENDOUS.
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE, YOU KNOW, REGARDING
ANNUAL REPORTS WITH THE TREE FUND.
ARE WE GETTING THOSE ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE ANNUAL BASIS?
I DON'T THINK WE ARE.
WE HAVE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT IS
SUPPOSED TO MEET TWICE A YEAR.
WHAT IS THE STATE AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT COMMITTEE.
AND ARE THEY MEETING TWICE A YEAR.
BECAUSE, AGAIN, IN THE LAPSE SEVERAL YEARS, WE ARE SEEING
REDUCTION, YOU KNOW.
WE ARE SEEING A REDUCTION IN THE TREE CANOPY AND A REDUCTION
IN SEAGRASS LEVELS IN OUR WATER AS A GREATER -- OVERLOOKING
EVERYTHING, OUR ENVIRONMENT.
THEY HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.
IF WE PLATEAU, THAT'S FINE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT DECREASING OUR
TREE CANOPY.
NOT DIRECTLY INCREASING OUR ENVIRONMENT.
BUT ARE WE PUTTING SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE AND KEEPING A
WATCHFUL HIGH.
THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS AND I KNOW I AM LOOKING AT MR.
BENSON, AND YOU HAVE GAVE WONDERFUL DATA AND IN-DEPTH
PRESENTATION AND EYE OPENING, BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE IMPORTANCE
OF THE TREE CANOPY AND PROTECTING THAT.
10:50:26AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
THANK YOU, SO -- I AM HAPPY TO SPEAK.
I THINK THOSE WERE THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE SENT IN.
IS THAT CORRECT?
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE RECEIVED.
WE CAN DEFINITELY ANSWER THOSE.
SOME OF THEM WILL BE ANSWERED IN OUR PRESENTATION.
IF WE CAN GO THROUGH THE SLIDE AND WRAP UP AND FILL IN THE
GAPS AT THE END IF THAT IS OKAY.
10:50:45AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
OKAY.
10:50:45AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS PERTINENT?
10:50:50AM >> MORE QUESTIONS FOR UF AND USF.
10:50:55AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I GET TO
SAY GO GATOR TO MY US.
EVERYBODY GETS THE BULLS.
RARELY DO I GET A GATOR MOMENT.
BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE IN-DEPTHNESS OF THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS HAPPY TO SEE ON THIS PRESENTATION
WAS THE DECLINE IN CAMPHORS THAT I KNOW IS A HUGE PROBLEM
TREE AND THE FACT IT WASN'T ON THE TOP TEN I THOUGHT WAS A
GOOD THING.
I WANT TO ECHO COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO'S DESIRE TO MAYBE
EXPAND THE TREE TRIMMING PROGRAM IN THERE AND THE FACT THAT
SOMETHING THAT IS CONCERNING THAT I THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO
PAY ATTENTION TO IS THE SIZE OF THE TREES THAT WE ARE
CURRENTLY.
THAT MAKE UP THE CANOPY, THAT -- THAT BAR GRAPH IS VERY,
VERY EYE OPENING.
IT IS SOBERING HOW YOUNG OUR TREES ARE.
AND THE CONCERN THAT I SEE, AND THIS A LOT OF
RESIDENTS ARE TALKING TO ME ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT A LOT OF
THESE YOUNGER TREES ARE MITIGATION TREES, AND THAT OUR --
THE PUBLIC DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
KEEP MITIGATION TREES DOWN.
ONCE THEY MOVE INTO A HOUSE, THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THIS TREE
IS SUPPOSED TO STAY THERE AND THEY CAN'T TAKE IT OUT.
SO I KNOW WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT WITH MR
BENSON'S PRESENTATION.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
AND THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION I HAVE.
WE CURRENTLY WE HAVE A TREE GIVEAWAY PROGRAM, BUT I NOTICE
THAT A LOT OF THOSE TREES THAT WE GIVE AWAY ARE NOT WHAT WE
WOULD CONSIDER SHADE TREES OR TREES THAT REALLY ADD TO THE
CANOPY.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT MAYBE SOME OF THE TREES WE SHOULD BE
PRIORITIZING ON THAT TREE GIVEAWAY THAT WOULD REALLY HELP TO
ENCOURAGE THE CANOPY?
10:53:00AM >> I THINK A RANGE OF TREES IS GOOD.
YOU WILL WANT YOUR BIG SHE HAD A TREES LIKE YOUR LIVE OAK,
WHICH CAN BE GROW TO BE 120 FEET WIDE, RIGHT.
BUT NOT EVERY YARD CAN HANDLE THAT, RIGHT.
SO HAVING A RANGE OF THE BIG TREE, PROVIDING THE CANOPY AND
THE SMALLER TREES THAT CAN PROVIDE SOME LEVEL OF BENEFIT BUT
NOT ALL THE DISSERVICES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LIKE RAZING
SIDEWALKS.
YOU WANT THE BIGGEST TREE ON YOUR PROPERTY WHICH DIFFERS
FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.
HAVING THE WHOLE RAIN SAN JOSE GOOD TO HAVE.
10:53:40AM >> OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER IS SUITABILITY OF DIFFERENT SHOW
SHEETS FOR STORMS AND CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
THE MAN PRACTICE OF RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE THAT YOU HEARD
BEFORE.
THERE IS A TREE FOR EVERY SITUATION OR NOT.
BUT YOU GOT TO CHOOSE IT CAREFULLY, YOU KNOW.
YOU DON'T PLANT A LIVE OAK UNDER A POWER LINE, BUT YOU CAN
PLANT SMALLER TREES UNDER A POWER LINE AS LONG AS NOTHING
UNDER THE GROUND TO EFFECT.
YOU NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND MAKE THE
RIGHT SELECTIONS.
10:54:12AM >> YOU CAN EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE BENEFITS OF BIG THREE
BECAUSE PEOPLE SEE THE FLOWER -- YOU LIKE THAT FLOWER.
10:54:19AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
10:54:21AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
10:54:26AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THANK YOU.
SEVERAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
YOU TALKED PRESIDENT POSSIBILITY OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OR
SPEAKING TO THE PUBLIC.
DID -- PARDON MY IGNORANCE, DID YOU ALL -- DID THE CITY PAY
YOU ALL TO DO THIS?
AND IS THERE ADDITIONAL BUDGET WE NEED?
OR IS THAT INCLUDED IN WHAT THE PROPOSAL WAS?
10:54:46AM >> WE -- YES, WE ARE -- WE DO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY.
USF HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICES CONTRACT WHERE THE CITY CAN ASK
ANYONE AT USF, NOT JUST ME TO DO THINGS AND OBVIOUSLY HAVE
BEEN WORKING WITH UF FOREVER.
WE ALWAYS WORK TOGETHER ON THIS PROJECT
I WOULDN'T SAY WE ARE MAKING MONEY PER SE, BUT, YOU KNOW,
THE PEOPLE, OUR STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLING TO THE WORK ARE
GETTING PAID.
10:55:14AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
AT THAT BUDGET FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON THIS?
10:55:19AM >> NO, UNFORTUNATELY.
I THINK THEY HAD MY CELL PHONE NUMBER.
SO UP -- I LIVE IN THE CITY.
10:55:24AM >> I HAVE AN EXTENSION APPOINTMENT.
I HAVE TO DO IT FOR MY JOB.
10:55:30AM >> WE ENJOY DOING IT.
WE DON'T PAY ATTENTION THAT ASPECT.
10:55:34AM >>BILL CARLSON:
CAN YOU ALL GO BACK -- WHOEVER IS RUNNING
THE SLIDES, GO BACK TO THE ONE THAT SHOWS THE TIMELINE,
PLEASE.
IF YOU PUT THE LINES ON.
MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN TAMPA, DURING
THE BICENTENNIAL, 1976, PEOPLE PLANTED A LOT OF TREES.
AND YOU CAN -- YOU DON'T HAVE THE '80s NUMBERS.
10:56:04AM >> THERE YOU GO.
10:56:05AM >>BILL CARLSON:
YOU CAN SEE A JUMP FROM 73 TO 95.
I WONDER, DO YOU NOW HOW MANY -- A LOT OF TREES PLANTED
THEN?
10:56:15AM >> TWO THINGS HAPPENED.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TREES WERE PLANTED BUT A COUPLE OF
THINGS THAT HAPPENED THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THIS.
WE CAN'T SAY CERTAINTY BY ANY STRETCH.
THE FIRST ORDINANCE TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE IN 1973, BUT
ALSO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TAMPA.
YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE OLD.
AERIAL.
SOME OF THE FOCUS WAS RANGE LAND OR SPARSELY TREED FOREST.
AS THOSE AREAS DEVELOPED, PEOPLE PLANTED TREE IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND LED TO LARGE CANOPY.
TWO FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH THAT.
10:56:50AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THE BIGGEST QUESTION IS THE WHY AND WHERE
YOU SAY IN SOUTH TAMPA PARTICULARLY GOT HIT.
AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS
TOPIC.
IF YOU LOOK THE PEAK IN THIS LIST ANYWAY WAS 2011.
HALFWAY THROUGH THE DECADE AND ANOTHER DROP AGAIN SO ON A
NUMBERS BASIS, IT IS NOD BIG, IT IS A WORRYING TREND.
YOU SHOWED THE HEAT MAP.
DO YOU -- DO YOU KNOW WHY DURING THAT SAME PERIOD.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A CORRELATION DURING THE SAME
PERIOD THERE WAS -- THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS CAME OUT AND
SAID UNCONTROLLED GROWTH.
UNCONTROLLED APPROVAL OF MASSIVE APARTMENT COMPLEXES,
ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF GANDY.
SOME OF THE PLACES WITH TREES GOT TORN DOWN.
PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF McMANSIONS GOING IN.
BUT ANY CORRELATION OF ANY SPECIFIC KIND OF DEVELOPMENT THAT
MAY HAVE CAUSED THAT?
10:57:52AM >> ONE OF THE PIECE OF INFORMATION THAT IS SORT OF MISSING
FROM THIS ANALYSIS AND HOPEFULLY THE CITY WILL WORK
ACQUIRING IT IS WE WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHERE
SPECIFIC PARCELS -- WHERE DEVELOPMENT HAS OCCURRED.
WHERE TREE PERMITS WERE ISSUED AND FIND OUT REDEVELOP
OBVIOUSLY IN SOUTH TAMPA.
A LOT OF REDEVELOPMENT WHICH IS NOT NORMAL.
SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES REMOVING A TREE AND ALSO REQUIRES
PLANTING A TREE.
THE REAL QUESTION TO ANSWER IS IN OVER TIME IS THE PLANTING
OF FREES GOING TO MAKE UP FOR THAT CANOPY LOSS.
THAT IS SOME DATA THAT WE DON'T HAVE THROUGH THE PERMIT
SYSTEM THROUGH QUITE A BIT OF WORK.
PROBABLY WILL ADDRESS THAT.
10:58:36AM >>BILL CARLSON:
STEPHEN, MAYBE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS OFF
LINE, BUT I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF DOING ANY DATA ANALYSIS, IF
WE COULD.
COULD YOU GO TO THE HEAT MAP, PLEASE.
I MEAN, THE BIGGEST DROP WAS IN SOUTH TAMPA.
BUT YOU ARE SHOWING KIND OF THE BEACH PARK, WEST SHORE AREA.
MAYBE MORE TO THE NORTH.
10:58:57AM >> THE CLOSED CAPTIONING IS GOING OVER THAT PART OF THE
SLIDE, SO -- YEAH.
I MEAN, THERE IS DIFFERENT AREAS.
THIS IS BY BLOCK ROUTE --
10:59:07AM >>BILL CARLSON:
SOUTH OF GANDY YOU CAN SEE THE AREA HIT
ALSO.
10:59:11AM >> YOU SEE ON THE -- ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THERE IS -- YOU
KNOW, LOWER CANOPY.
A REAL TIGHT CORRELATION BETWEEN LOW CANOPY AND HIGHER HEAT.
10:59:21AM >> THIS SLIDE IS THE COMP ON THE DECLINE.
I THINK THE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE REFERENCING IS
ADDRESSED IN THE ANALYSIS OF THE CHANGING CANOPY BY LAND USE
AND ZONING DISTRICT WHICH WE HAVE.
AND WHILE -- THE LARGE APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND THE
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS MIGHT SEEM LIKE A LOT BECAUSE THEY ARE
IN TERMS OF DENSITY AND DEVELOP SCALE.
IN TERMS OF LAND AREA, WHERE IS THE MOST DEVELOPMENT GOING
WITH LAND AREA IS THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND
REFLECTED IN THEIR ANALYSIS.
THE RS-50 OR 60 SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS.
10:59:58AM >>BILL CARLSON:
DIRECT CORRELATION OF THE TREES BEING TORN
DOWN.
11:00:02AM >> WHERE THEY SAW DECLINE IN POLICY.
11:00:06AM >>BILL CARLSON:
FROM A POLICY POINT OF VIEW, IF YOU LOOK AT
THOSE DATES, MOST HAPPENED IN THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION NOT
THE CITY COUNCIL AND THIS ADMINISTRATION AND AT LEASE
ANECDOTALLY, WE HAVE BEEN VERY PRO SMART GROWTH NOT
UNCONTROLLED GROWTH AND IN FAVOR OF PRESERVING TREES.
I UNDERSTAND THE MAYOR MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY OF
PLANTING MORE TREES AND THAT IS A GOOD IDEA.
ONE LAST QUESTION.
I USED TO LIVE IN SINGAPORE THAT EVERYBODY IS TIRED OF ME
SAYING, BUT SOME PHOENIX THAT ARE TREE ADVOCATES SAY AN
INTERNATIONAL RANKING THAT SHOWED US AHEAD OF SINGAPORE ON
TREE CANOPY.
IS THAT RIGHT?
WHETHER DO WE STAND INTERNATIONALLY?
11:00:49AM >> I CAN EXPLAIN THIS.
THE SHORT STORY IS OF THAT I AM FRIENDS WITH THE PERSON WHO
DID THE TREEPEDIA AND THAT ANALYSIS.
IT IS BASED ON GOOGLE STREET VIEW IMAGES LOOKING AT GREENNESS
FROM A GROUND LEVEL PERSPECTIVE.
AND SO THEY DIDN'T ANALYZE EVERY CITY IN THE WORLD.
THEY ONLY ANALYZED A HANDFUL.
AND THEY ONLY ANALYZED TAMPA BECAUSE I ASKED THEM TO DO
THAT.
I ALSO ASKED THEM TO ANALYZE OTHER CITIES.
SO IN THAT -- IN THAT LIST OF CITIES, TAMPA DEFINITELY IS
NUMBER ONE IN TERMS OF CANOPY.
UP DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE GOOD NEWS.
IF WE LOOK AT OTHER CITIES, I THINK TAMPA'S CANOPY IS RATHER
-- RATHER ON THE HIGH LEVEL.
11:01:38AM >> EUROPEAN CITIES WILL LOVE THE CANOPY IN THIS CITY.
11:01:44AM >>BILL CARLSON:
SOMETHING WE ARE PROUD ABOUT.
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
THE REASON I BOUGHT A HOUSE ON MY STREET AND STREETS WITH
TREES ARE THE ONES THAT PEOPLE LIKE MORE THAN THE
ARCHITECTURE.
RELATED TO THAT THOUGH, I THINK WE NEED A TREE VISION.
I TALKED TO THE TREE ADVOCATES ABOUT THIS TOO.
WE NEED TO PROTECT TREE CANOPY AND WE NEED A VISION FOR WHAT
THE CITY CAN LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.
THE FOUNDING PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE BACK IN THE '60s
PERSONALLY WENT THROUGH AND PICKED AND HELPED WORK WITH
FOLKS ON PLANNING IT.
THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER WHEN HE CAME TO TAMPA, GOING DOWN
275 DOWNTOWN TO THE AIRPORT.
IF YOU TAKE THE ROAD FROM SINGAPORE AIRPORT TO DOWNTOWN, IT
IS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH TREES.
AND IT IS A WIDER HIGHWAY THAN 275.
AND IT IS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH TREE CANOPY.
WE TOOK THE PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE DOWN 275, WE HAD TO
TALK TO HIM TO DISTRACT HIM SO HE WOULDN'T LOOK.
I WISH WE COULD HAVE VISION NOW.
BAYSHORE THE TREES ARE GETTING LARGE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SOME
CANOPY.
WE NEED TO THINK OF THIS AND PUSH IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL NOT
JUST NUMBERS AND REPLACEMENT BUT STRATEGICALLY HOW DO WE
BUILD THE TYPE OF CANOPY TO BRING THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
TOWN AND MAKE US RESILIENT AND THE VIABLE ENVIRONMENT THAT
WE WANT TO LIVE IN.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS NOT JUST RECRUITING COMPANIES BUT
LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE BEST PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE.
MORE WILL STAY AND OUR KIDS WON'T MOVE BACK UNLESS WE HAVE
GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS.
THANK YOU.
11:03:26AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
11:03:28AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU, I AM JUST LOOKING AT THE
POSSIBILITY OF THE HISTORY OF THE TREES.
WHEN I SEE YOUR -- 10% INCREASE IN CANOPY CAN REDUCE THE
HEAT BY 3% TO 32%.
YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT 10% IS.
YOU EXPLAIN IT THAT WAY, THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND.
10% OF A DOLLAR WE KNOW WHAT IT IS.
11:03:50AM >> THAT IS NOT OUR RESULT.
THAT IS A SCIENCE -- THE SCIENCE LITERATURE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE
DONE THIS IN GENERAL, 10% INCREASE IN TREE CANOPY CAN LEAD
TO THIS RANGE OF IMPROVED BENEFITS.
11:04:06AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
WE REALIZE IT AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU
HAVE DONE.
IT IS FANTASTIC.
EVEN THEN.
ANY ONE OF THE SEVEN WILL GIVE A SPEECH, 10% OF SOMETHING.
WHAT IS THE SOMETHING OF 10%.
TWO TREES, 10,000 TREES, 5,000 TREE, I DON'T KNOW.
IF YOU CAN MAYBE SOMEHOW GIVE US THAT INFORMATION SO WHEN WE
TALK TO SOMEONE WE CAN TELL THEM WHAT IT IS.
BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE
SAYING.
11:04:32AM >> YEAH, WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH THAT.
11:04:35AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY,
REALLY TO POINT.
YOU PLANT THEM -- YOU PLANT THEM UNDER THE --
11:04:42AM >> UTILITIES.
11:04:42AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
UTILITY LINES.
THAT IS WHY THE UTILITY LINES BACK 10, 15 YEARS AGO SOMEBODY
GOT THE IDEA SOMEWHERE AND GOT THE PERMIT OR WERE TOLD TO DO
THAT.
ANY TIME THERE IS A LINE, INSTEAD OF A TREE, YOU SAW A SLEEP
TREE LOOKED LIKE THE SLINGSHOT OLDER WHERE THE CENTER IS
MISSING MOST OF THE COVERAGE YOU HAD TO START WITH.
I DON'T BLAME ANYONE.
BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A HIGH WIND OR A HURRICANE
COMING BY REALLY CREATE WILLING HAVOC.
BUT -- CREATING HAVOC.
IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SO MANY TREES
AND WHERE THE CITY COME IN AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE TREES.
WERE THEY PLANTED.
HOMETOWN MANY PLANTED WERE STILL GOING STRONG.
HOW MANY YEARS TO REPLENISH.
I CAN SEE -- I LOOK AT THINGS REALISTICALLY.
I THINK I DO ANYWAY, YOU SEE ONE TREE THAT IS SO MANY YEARS
OLD AND TEN TREES COMING UP, HOW LONG ARE THE TEN TREES OR
20 TREES THAT ARE EQUAL TO THE -- WHAT THAT ONE IS DOING OR
CALCULATING INSTRUMENTS THAT YOU GAVE US.
AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I DON'T KNOW.
AND SOMEHOW, IF WE CAN GET A REPORT ON THAT -- I AM NOT
ASKING YOU -- ANYONE CAN DO IT.
I THINK IT WILL BE VERY INFORMATIONAL TO TELL THE PUBLIC.
AND WE HAVE TO SURE UP OUR OWN INFORMATION WHEN WE DO THINGS
BECAUSE WE PASSED THINGS IN THE PAST, I AM TALKING ABOUT 10,
15 YEARS AGO.
HAD SWALES.
SWALES TO HOLD WATER.
YOU KEPT IT AND YOUR WIFE KEPT IT BUT THOSE COME IN DON'T
KNOW ABOUT THE SWALES.
THEY SEE IT AS A NUISANCE AND WANT TO PLANT FLOWERS.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THEY DO, THEY COVER THE SWALE.
WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
WE HAVE FLOODING.
THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.
WHEN WE PUT SOMETHING IN THE BOOKS AND DO A STUDY AND RECORD
THE HOUSE IT IS REPORTED THAT THE SWALES ARE PART OF THE
SALE.
SOMEHOW.
WE HAVE THESE THINGS TO WORK TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE.
APPRECIATIVE.
I WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE GODFATHER OF PSYCHIATRIES
JOE CHILLURA.
THE OXYGEN IT GIVES UP.
BENEFITS ARE ENORMOUS.
HISPANICS AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE IN NEED.
A VERY GOOD SOLUTION.
AM I RIGHT MR. GUDES.
THE TREES ARE VERY INEXPENSIVE UNTIL YOU COME TO PRUNE IT.
YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PRUNE IT.
YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ROOF.
YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDEWALK.
AND THAT IS PROBLEM WHY THEY DON'T PLANT TREES.
AN ECONOMICAL THING THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD.
NOTICE I SAID "WE".
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE WILL WORK ON AND TREES IN SOME AREAS
AND NOT IN OTHERS.
THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORT AND A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
AND TWO TIMES SEVEN IS STILL 14 TO LISTEN TO YOU AND COME UP
WITH A SOLUTION.
NOT THE RANKING NUMBER ONE, BUT TO BE SUPERIOR IN NUMBER
ONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
11:07:59AM >> ONE THING TO ADD YOU MENTIONED TREE GROWTH AND HOW FAST
IS GROWS.
ONE THING I DID FOR THE REPORT.
THE 20 YEARS OF ON-GROUND MEASUREMENT.
11:08:13AM >> ANOTHER THING TO NOTE.
WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG TREE ON THE PROPERTY, HOW MANY MILLIONS
OF ACORNS NEVER GERMINATED.
HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF SEEDLINGS GOT MOWED OVER.
THESE THINGS MADE IT.
A NUMBERS GAME.
WHEN YOU LOSE THAT, YOU CAN PLANT A BUNCH OF TREES BUT
ATTRITION OVER THE 30, 40 YEARS IT TAKES TO GET BACK TO THAT
SIZE.
AND WE TRY TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT.
11:08:39AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
I JUST HAVE ONE.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA TOUCHED ON THAT.
BACK IN 1948 WHEN THIS ALL WAS STARTING WHY YOU ARE YOUR
SURVEYS, DIFFERENT AGES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREES.
75 YEARS SINCE HAVE A LOT OF THESE OAK TREES THAT WERE
PLANTED IN 1948 HAVE NOW OUTLIVED THEIR EXPECTANCY AND GOT
DISEASE, ROT OR BLOWN OVER BY STORMS.
ARE THESE THE TYPE OF TREES WE NEED TO REPLACE THAT HAVE NOW
GOTTEN UP THERE IN AGE?
11:09:11AM >> YEAH, EVERY TREE HAS A FUNCTIONAL LIFESPAN.
ONE TREE THAT PEOPLE WILL THINK ABOUT IS A LAUREL OAK,
RIGHT.
LIKE 100 YEARS IS A GOOD AGE FOR THAT.
A FAST-GROWING TREE THAT GROWS FAST, DIES YOUNG, RIGHT.
BUT EVERY TREE IS DIFFERENT.
AND THE BEST SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT -- THOSE KIND OF THINGS
HELP MANAGING LARGER POPULATIONS BUT THE BEST WAY TO ASSESS
THE FUTURE OF YOUR TREE IS TO LOOK AT THE ONE IN FRONT OF
YOU AND SEE HOW HEALTHY IT IS.
THAT TAKES A PROFESSIONAL AND NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE
RESOURCES FOR.
NO MAGICAL CUT-OFF AGE FOR A TREE.
IN GOOD CONDITION, WILL LIVE FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS.
TREES DON'T DO ANYTHING FAST.
THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN PIECE.
11:09:58AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WHAT IS THE LOSS OF THE TREE CANOPY TO DO
THE TREES 75 YEARS AGO PLANTED AND DYING OFF.
11:10:05AM >> A LOT OF FACTORS IN THERE.
THE AGE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF THEY INVESTED HEAVILY IN THE LAUREL OAK, WILL BE ONE OF
MANY EXPLANATIONS WHY THERE WOULD BE A DECREASE THERE.
I WOULD SAY THINGS LIKE HURRICANES, BUT WE SEE REGIONAL
WITHIN THE CITY.
NOT ACROSS THE CITY.
SO THAT INDICATES THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON IN THOSE AREAS
DIFFERENTLY WHICH CAN BE AGE -- THE TREES THAT ARE PLANTED
50 YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, OR DEVELOPMENT.
11:10:32AM >> THE GOOD NEWS IS I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE PLANTING LAUREL
OAKS ANY MORE.
LIVE OAKS LIVE LONG, NOT LAUREL OAKS.
11:10:43AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MY NEXT QUESTION.
THERE ARE NO BAD TREES.
INVASIVE SPECIES I WISH WERE NOT AROUND HERE BUT NO BAD
TREES.
HOOVER, A PALM TREE.
A CREPE MYRTLE WILL GIVE US THE CANOPY, AND THOSE ARE THE TWO
BIGGEST TREES PLANTED IN OUR RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
WILL BE MORE ADVISABLE TO ASK -- MANDATING MORE THE OAK
TREES BE PLANTED INSTEAD OF THOSE AND DO CONSTRUCTION?
11:11:10AM >> I THINK THE BIGGER THE TREE, THE MORE BENEFITS, RIGHT.
YOU JUST NEED THE SITE THAT CAN HOUSE THAT AGAIN.
IF YOU SHOEHORN A BIGGER TREE INTO MORE COMPACT DEVELOPMENT
IN FIVE, TEN, 15 YEARS SIDEWALKS LIFTING AND THINGS LIKE
THAT WHICH MAY BE PROBLEMATIC, RIGHT.
WE HAVE SEEN WHOLE DEVELOPMENTS REMOVE 1,000 TREES AT A TIME
LIKE PASCO COUNTY BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THAT.
SOMETIMES THE PALM AND THE CREPE MYRTLE LE IS THE ONLY SITE
TREE FOR THE SITE IT WAS AGAIN.
AND NOT MUCH OF A TREE.
IF THERE IS MUCH SPACE, YES, THE BIGGER TREE THE BETTER.
11:11:52AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY QUESTIONS?
11:11:59AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE HAVE MORE ON THIS ITEM.
11:12:01AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
GO AHEAD.
11:12:02AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT.
I WANT TO REITERATE THIS IS A CYCLICAL PROCESS.
THE STEP WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW IS TO RELEASE THE REPORT
FORMALLY TO THE PUBLIC.
WE WILL BE HOSTING A MEETING MOST LIKELY IN JUNE TO GO INTO
MORE DETAIL.
A LOT LONGER PRESENTATION.
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
AND THEN AS PART OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES PROCESS, WE TAKE
THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE BACK TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE LAST MET LAST YEAR TO -- IT WAS REALLY
REINVIGORATING THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT WAS DORMANT AT THAT
TIME.
APT THAT TIME THE COMMITTEE DECIDED THEY WOULD NOT WANT TO
MEET AGAIN UNTIL THERE WAS DATA TO REVIEW.
NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT DATA WE CAN RECONVENE AND DECIDE WHAT
NEXT STEPS WILL BE.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT COMMITTEE IS TO USE THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
TO LOOK AT THE DATA AND REPRIORTIZE WHAT TO DO NEXT BASED ON
THE MOST SUFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SOURCE OF RESOURCE.
WHAT CAN GET US BACK TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE WITH THE
RESOURCES WE HAVE AND WHAT WE NEED.
THAT GROUP IS STILL ACTIVE AND THE NEXT STEP IS TO RECONVENE
THEM HAVE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS GO THROUGH THE INTERNAL
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP AND BRING THAT BACK FORWARD AS A
RESOURCE OR A BUDGET -- A BUDGET REQUEST.
SO THE NEXT PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION IS THE RESPONSES TO
THE MOTION REGARDING THE TREE TRUST FUND.
SHERISHA AND I WILL TALK ABOUT THE MONEY GOING IN AND THE
MONEY COMING OUT AND ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WITH OF
DETAILS.
11:13:36AM >>BILL CARLSON:
STEPHEN, I WANT TO ASK A QUICK QUESTION OF
WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
11:13:42AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
YES, SIR.
11:13:43AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THE HALF THE DECLINE FROM 2011 AND 2016.
ANYTHING DONE IN 2016, LIKE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING OF DOING,
ANY PROACTIVE DONE TO CHANGE THE DRE' DIRECTION OF IT AND IF
THINGS WORKED OR DIDN'T WORK?
11:13:58AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE USED MANAGEMENT PLAN ADOPTED IN 2014,
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN IS ENORMOUS AND HAS ANYTHING YOU CAN
THINK OF IN IT.
THE DATA IS FOCUSED ON WHICH OF THE ACTION ITEMS NEED TO BE
PURSUED.
POLICY CHANGES IN 2019 IN PROCESS OF REMOVING TREES ON
SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS.
TREE-MENDOUS PROGRAM.
I CAN'T REALLY POINT TO ONE THING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN
TREASURED BY THE DATE.
11:14:31AM >>BILL CARLSON:
I AM CURIOUS IF THERE WAS A PLAN AT THAT
TIME AND IF THE PLAN DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE THE NUMBERS KEPT
GOING DOWN JUST SO WE CAN LEARN FROM WHATEVER THAT PROCESS
WAS.
THANK YOU.
11:14:42AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
11:14:45AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
SO CAN YOU BRING UP THE SECOND
PRESENTATION, PLEASE.
OKAY, SO THE TREE TRUST FUND -- THE PURPOSE OF THE TREE
TRUST FUND TO HOUSE THE MONIES BROUGHT IN THROUGH PERMITS.
THE METHODOLOGY FOR HOW FUNDS ARE COLLECTED.
IT IS NOT A ONE-TO-ONE RATIO.
NOT IF YOU TAKE DOWN ONE SMALL TREE, PUT UP ANOTHER SMALL
TREE.
TAKE DOWN A BIG TREE, YOU HAVE TO PUT BACK A BIG TREE.
THE TREES ARE ALL BASED ON THE SAME SIZED THREE,
TWO-AND-A-HALF-INCH CALIBER.
ONE SMALL TREE, AND SMALL TREE.
YOU TAKE DOWN A LARGE TREE, PUT MULTIPLE SMALL TREES.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND FOR PEOPLE CANNOT FIT ON THEIR
PROPERTY OR NOT ABLE TO DO SO FOR SOME OTHER REASON TO
ACTUALLY PAY IN LIEU, THE COST OF THE SMALL TREES THEY WOULD
HAVE TO PLANT BACK.
THAT IS WHAT WE REFER TO IT AS MITIGATION.
NOT A PENALTY OR FINE.
MITIGATION AND PROPORTIONATE TO THE COST OF THE TREE THEY
ARE REQUIRED TO PUT BACK, NOT THE TREE THEY ARE TAKING OUT.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER WHEN IT COMES
TO THE GUYS, WHY THEY ARE THERE, AND HOW THEY ARE DEVELOPED.
IT IS A SCIENTIFIC PROCESS.
BRIAN AND HIS TEAM OF ARBORISTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY ALL WORK
IT FACILITATE THIS PROCESS SES, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PLACE
BACK TREES BASED ON THE METHOD.
THAT IS THE DATE.
IF YOU CANNOT DO THAT GO THROUGH THE ZONING AND THE VARIANCE
TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TREE IS SCHEDULED TO PAY.
THERE ARE TWO SETS OF TREE FUNDS.
THERE IS THE -- WE CALL IT THE OLD TREE FUND OR THE BIG
BUCKET TREE FUND AND THE NEW TREE FUND.
THE OLD TREE FUND EXISTED PRIOR TO 2019 WHEN THE ORDINANCE
WAS CHANGED AND THE NEW TREE SUPERFUND WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN
PLACE.
WHAT THE CURRENT TREE TRUST FUND REQUIRES.
AS FUNDS COME IN, THEY ARE DEPOSITED INTO A SUBFUND WITHIN
THE NEW FUND BASED ON THE PLANNING DISTRICT OF WHICH THEY
WERE COLLECTED.
THE REPORTING TO REPORT FOR THE EXPENDITURES WAS TIED TO THE
CODE CHANGE IN 2019.
TIED TO THE NEW BUCKETS BASED ON PLANNING DISTRICT.
WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT SPENDING MONEY OUT OF THESE BUCKETS.
THE REASON WHY, WE STILL HAVE MONEY IN THE OLD FUND BASED ON
THE OLD CODE CHANGE -- BEFORE IT CHANGED AND THAT IS WHERE
THE FUNDING IS COMING OUT OF FOR THE PROGRAM THAT SHERISHA
IS COMING UP.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, TWO FUNDS, THE CURRENT FUND BEFORE 2019.
THE OLD FUN.
ONE CITY WIDE BUCKET AND THE RULES AND REPORTING IS
DIFFERENT.
ALL CHANGE IN THE 2019.
WHEN WE REPORT TO YOU, YOU WILL SEE A CITY WIDE FUND THAT THE
IN AM IS ONLY GOING TO KEEP GOING DOWN AND YOU SEE THE NEW
FUND WHICH IS FIVE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND THOSE NUMBERS WILL
CONTINUE TO GO UP UNTIL WE SPEND DOWN THE CITYWIDE FUND AND
START DRAWING DOWN CONTINUE TO THE NEW FIVE DISTRICT FUNDS.
SO -- THIS IS THE CODE SECTION THAT SET FORTH THOSE.
SO, AGAIN, ONE FUNDING SOURCE BEFORE.
NO NEW MONIES ARE BEING ADDED TO THAT BECAUSE THAT IS NOW
UNSETTLED.
ONCE THAT IS EXPEND PENDED.
WE WILL SWITCH OVER TO THE FIVE NEW DISTRICTS.
NOW SHERISHA WILL TALK TO WHAT THE BALANCES ARE IN THOSE
DISTRICTS, WHAT THE RECENT EXPENDITURES HAVE BEEN FROM THOSE
ACCOUNTS, AND THEN PELL SWITCH OVER TO THE INITIAL STEPS WE
ARE TAKING OF HOW WE WILL BE SPENDING DOWN SOME OF THOSE
MONIES.
I WILL PASS IT OVER SO SHERISHA.
HERE YOU GO.
11:18:23AM >>SHERISHA HILLS:
THANK YOU, SIR.
SHERISHA HILLS, DIRECTOR OF PARK AND RECREATION.
AS STEPHEN MENTIONED, THE CURRENT BALANCES FOR THE TREE TRUST
FUND FUND.
AS HE SAID BEFORE THE TREES COLLECTED MITIGATION FOR THE
TREE REMOVAL ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.
THIS MONEY IS LIMITED TO THE SELECTION, ACQUISITION AND
SELECTION OF MAINTENANCE.
AS OF THIS MONTH HERE ARE THE FUND.
THE OLD TRUST FUND, 2019 AND PRIOR, $778,000 AND EACH BUCKET
AND DISTRICT YOU WANT TO CALL IT IS LISTED THERE.
RECENT EXPENDITURES WE WILL GO THROUGH THERE.
IN BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL TREE PLANTS, THE TREE PROGRAM.
THE TREEMENDOUS TREE.
PARKS PROJECT, WORK WITH KEEP TAMPA BEAUTIFUL AND OTHER
PROJECTS IN THERE AS WELL THE ANALYSIS OF PLANNING SUPPORT
THAT IS HERE IS A CURRENT BREAKDOWN.
THESE ARE THE MOST RECENT -- NOT TOTAL BUT JUST RECENT.
THEN ONE COUNTY MOTIONS WAS TO BREAK DOWN THE TREE PLANTS
PER QUARTER AND PER YEAR.
WE WENT BACK TO FY '22 AND A BREAKDOWN WITH A QUARTER OF
3,000 TREES PLANTED IN FISCAL YEAR '22 TO THE RIGHT WITH THE
DOUBLE DIAGRAM.
TREMENDOUS TREES, PLANNING AND THROUGH THE PLANNING AND
DESIGN TEAM THAT PLANTS OUT IN OUR PARKS AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS
THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE AND THESE ARE THE FIRST TWO
QUARTERS.
THUS FAR IN '23, A BREAKDOWN OF 1200 TREES TO FAR.
SO THAT IS OUR CURRENT PLANS WHAT WE HAVE.
PLANTING WHERE WE ARE AT.
11:20:13AM >> WILL SAY A FEW WORDS OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT STAFF
HAS COME FORWARD WITH.
AFTER THAT, WE HAVE OUR PARTNERS AND SAVE TIME AT THE END TO
SPEAK TO YOU AS WELL ON THE INPUT.
11:20:27AM >> GOOD MORNING, WIT REMER, THE PARK OFFICER.
AND THE TEAM DID A GOOD JOB GETTING TREES OUT, BUT CLEARLY
WORK TO DO.
YESTERDAY, THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED A NEW STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
CALLS TREES FOR TAMPA WITH THE GOAL OF PLANTING 30,000 TREES
-- CAN I DO THAT?
ZOOM.
THAT -- THERE WE GO.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.
SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK PER -- PROFESSOR LANDRY.
11:21:06AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
EXCUSE ME, CAN WE HAVE IT ON OUR MONITORS UP
HERE ON THE DAIS?
THANK YOU.
11:21:13AM >> MENTIONED THRESHOLD OF BIODIVERSITY.
A FEDERAL INITIATIVE TO PRESERVE 30% OF CONSERVATION AREA BY
THE YEAR 2030 AND VERY GOOD GOAL.
WE WANT TO BE ABOVE THE 30% THRESHOLD OF URBAN TREE CANOPY
AND ALLITERATION OF 30,000 TREES BY 2030.
TREE.
MENDOUS DOES 100 TREE AS YEAR, BRAD'S TEAM AND PLANNING AND
DESIGN DO KIND OF PLAN BIG MOBILITY PROJECTS.
PARTNER PLANTS.
AND A LOT OF ROOM IN THE MIDDLE THERE THAT WE WERE KIND OF
MISSING.
THE MAJOR IS KIND OF SUGGESTED THIS SIX-PART STRATEGY THAT
DOVETAILS INTO THE URBAN MANAGEMENT PLAN AND KIND OF
REPRIORITIZES THINGS.
I WANTED TO LAY OUT A COUPLE OF THOSE FOR YOU.
I AM SO EAGER TO GO PLANT TREES BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU OUR
TREE EXPERTS IN THE HOUSE.
OUR ARBORISTS, THEY SAY YOU GO THE TO FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE.
PART OF THE LOSS FROM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
PART OF THE LOSS FROM AGE AND CANOPY.
A OF THE THIRD THING, A HANDS-OFF APPROACH TO MAINTENANCE
AND A PRESERVATIONIST KIND OF COMMUNITY WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE
THE FUNDS OR THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING OF MAINTENANCE AND
ARBORISTS ARE TRYING TO BRING IT FORWARD AND A TREE IS LIKE
ANY OTHER ASSET THAT THE CITY OWNS, A PUMP, A PIPE, A CAR
THAT HAS TO GO IN FOR A PERIODIC MAINTENANCE.
WE NEED TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF THE CANOPY.
MAY BE SPENDING DOWN THE TREE TRUST FUND, AND THE HISTORIC
FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO THE URBAN TREE CANOPY OF $1.5 BILLION
WHICH IS THE CITY WILL BE ACTIVELY APPLYING FOR.
MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT.
MAYOR'S GIVEAWAY.
SIX VARIETY OF TREES.
I FORGET TO ASK.
THIS IDEA, COUNCILWOMAN, WHAT TYPES OF TREES PEOPLE WANT.
FOUR TYPES OF TREES FOR THE 1,000 MYSTERY TREE GIVEAWAY, THE
FIRST 233 TREES THAT PEOPLE WANTED FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
WAS RED MAPLE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS BUT LIVE OAK WAS THE LAST THING.
THE MAINTENANCE PIECE.
THEY DON'T WANT TO RAKE.
RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE.
NO WRONG TREE UNLESS IT IS INVASIVE AND WE ARE TRYING TO
PROVIDE A VARIETY OF OPTIONS.
MAKE AN INTERNAL POLICY.
SHERRY MULLINS AND HER TEAM IN TREEMENDOUS.
SPENDS TIME WITH YOU ON THE PROPERTY AND LOOK FOR THE BEST
PLACE TO PLANT.
ELIMINATING THAT PROGRAM TO TWO TREES.
WITH SHERRY ON THE PROPERTY, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PLANT
FIVE, LET'S DO IT.
MORE ON THE GROUND HOW THAT TREEMENDOUS.
STORMWATER PONDS, REMAINING PARCELS.
AND WORKING WITH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS, CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS.
JUST YESTERDAY FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER A PROMISE
MADE TO THE DAVIS ISLAND SAVE ASSOCIATION.
TALKING ABOUT TREES ON THE TRAIL.
THE GREEN TEAM IS OUT ON DAVIS ISLAND PLANTING TREES AT THE
REQUEST OF THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION AND WANT TO DO MORE THAN
THAT.
IN ADDITION, THE NEIGHBORING PLANNING WORK WITH
ASSOCIATIONS THAT WANT TO GET TOGETHER ON A SATURDAY.
DROP TREES.
BRING IN HELP WITH THE GREEN TEAM AND NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS
AND HELP PLANT TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND ON --
RIGHT-OF-WAYS WHERE IT MADE SENSE.
VOUCHER -- WORKING WITH LOCAL NURSERIES SIMILAR TO E-BIKE
AND ANY POINT IN THE YEAR GET A TREE AND TAKE IT TO A LOCAL
NURSERY THAT WE WORK WITH AND GET A NATIVE TREE TO GO AND
PLANT IT YOURSELF.
FINALLY OUR FOLKS WILL BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS TO ENFORCE THE
LAWS AND MAXIMIZE FINES WHERE APPROPRIATE.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE TAKE DOWN TREES ACCIDENTALLY OR THAT THEY
DIDN'T KNOW THE RULES, BUT THE CASES THAT WE KNOW SOME
NEFARIOUS ACTIVITY GOING ON JUST LIKE THE SOUTH OF GANDY OR
THE GANDY BOULEVARD $250000 FINE.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAXIMIZING
THOSE FINES AND ENFORCING THEM AS APPROPRIATE.
ULTIMATELY UP TO THE MANUEL STRAIGHT BUT WANT TO -- THE
MANUEL STRAIGHT BUT WE WANTED A HANDS -- MAGISTRATE.
BUT WE WANTED TO DO THAT.
11:25:39AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK AND COUNCILMAN GUDES.
11:25:42AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU, ALL THREE OF YOU, OF THE FABULOUS
PRESENTATION TALKING ABOUT TREES GETS ME EXCITED.
I LOVE TREES.
I LOVE THAT WE ARE GOING TO START FOCUSING ON THEM.
I THINK THE MAYOR TALKED OF A NEW TREE CZAR.
I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THAT.
11:25:58AM >> WE ARE WORKING WHETHER THAT WILL BE A NEW POSITION OR
KIND OF REINVIGORATING STAFF THAT WE HAVE.
WE NEED -- WE NEED MORE CAPACITY INTERNALLY TO HELP TAKE
OWNERSHIP OF THIS.
AND WE ARE EXPLORING THAT THROUGH THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.
11:26:13AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
OKAY.
BECAUSE I CAN TELL THAT YOU IS WHAT I AM HEARING FROM THE
PUBLIC.
THEY REALLY WANT SOMEONE WHO IS JUST FOCUSED ON TREES.
I THINK WE WOULD GET A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR A ROLE LIKE THAT.
I THINK THE RED MAPLE THING WAS FUNNY ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE A
MAPLE NEXT TO MY HOUSE.
NOT IN MY YARD BUT IN MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD.
I END UP WITH THE LEAVES THAT ARE GIGANTIC.
I THINK THAT IS FUNNY THAT PEOPLE WOULD RATHER HAVE A MAPLE
THAN A OAK BECAUSE THOSE LEAVES ARE MUCH WORSE.
I LOVE THE IDEA OF WORKING WITH RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT -- IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE
ONE WONDERFUL PERSON WHO CAN DO THAT, BUT THAT IS JUST NOT
ENOUGH FOR A CITY OF 400,000 PEOPLE AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF
LAND WE HAVE.
SO I WOULD LOVE, AGAIN, TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS MORE ON DOING
THAT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I SEE A LOT OF.
THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON THE TREES.
I AM REALLY GLAD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT, ESPECIALLY IN
PUBLIC AREAS.
YOU WILL SEE THE TREES DYING, FALLING, AND MAYBE IF WE HAD
DEALT WITH THAT EARLIER.
I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.
SO HOPEFULLY WHEN WE LOOK AT PARKS, I THINK OF PARKS I GO TO
ALMOST DAILY OR PASS BY ON DRIVES AND SEEING TREES DECLINE.
AND NOW THAT IS GREAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH
THAT RIGHT AWAY.
MAYBE TAKE THAT TREE OUT.
PUT A NEW ONE IN.
WHATEVER IT TAKES.
ONE THING THAT WHEN I TALK TO THE PUBLIC, THEY MENTIONED IS
THAT -- AND STEPHEN, YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS.
IT WAS THE COST OF PUTTING -- OF PAYING FOR TREES THAT GO
INTO THE TREE FUND.
BUT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, IT IS A SET COST.
I THINK IT IS $300 PER TREE?
11:28:02AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
$300 PER MITIGATION TREE.
PER REPLACEMENT TREE, NOT PER TREE YOU ARE TAKING OUT.
REPLACEMENT TREES AND HAVE TO DO TEN OF THEM.
IT WOULD BE TEN.
11:28:14AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
EXACTLY.
WHAT I AM HEARING YOU CAN'T BUY A TREE FOR $300.
SO WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE THAT COST, NOT NECESSARILY TO MAKE
IT STATIC, BUT TO INCREASE IT WITH INFLATION OVER TIME AND
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BECAUSE WHAT I AM HEARING THAT $300 IS JUST NOT SIMPLY
ENOUGH TO COVER NOT ONLY THE COST OF BEING A NEW TREE BU
FOR MAINTENANCE OF IT.
NOT THAT I WANT TO INCREASE COST FOR FOLKS, BUT IF WE ARE
NOT GETTING THAT ONE FOR ONE THIS ENTIRE THING WAS PLANNED
TO DO, THEN IT IS -- THEN WE ARE LOSING IN THE GRAND SCHEME.
SO THAT WORRIES ME A LOT ACTUALLY.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN TO DO INCREASE THAT TO
WHAT IS APPROPRIATE.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE JUST EVERY YEAR LOOK AT PARTICULAR COSTS.
I MEAN PEOPLE -- THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO LOOK AT, AND SEE
IN THE BUDGET HOW WE CAN DO THAT.
THAT TREE COMMITTEE SHOULDN'T MEET TWICE A YEAR.
THEY SHOULD BE MEETING MONTHLY.
AND WE SHOULD BE HAVING PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO WANTING
TO MEET MONTHLY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY
THAT WILL BE THRILLED TO PARTAKE IN THAT IF THE CURRENT
MEMBERS CAN'T FIT THAT IN.
SO I WOULD ADVOCATE STRONGLY FOR A MONTHLY TREE MEETING.
ALSO, I WOULD LOVE -- I REALLY APPRECIATED KNOWING WHERE THE
TREES WERE GOING OR THAT WE WERE PLANTING THEM, BUT I WOULD
LOVE A MAP WHERE WE ARE PLANTING THEM EVEN IF JUST A HEAT
MAP.
PREFERABLY WOULD BE AN ACTUAL PLACE THEY ARE BEING PLANTED,
BUT A HEAT MAP OF WHERE THE TREES ARE GOING AND THE TYPES OF
TREES WE ARE PLANTING.
WEATHER -- ALSO IN RESIDENTIAL AND PUBLIC SPACES, BECAUSE
NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS -- THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO ZONE IN
THAT THE UF AND USF FOLKS BROUGHT US.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAG WHERE WE ARE PLANTING, WHAT WE ARE
PLANTING HAND THIS WILL BE VERY VALUABLE IN THE FUTURE GOING
FORWARD.
AND -- OH, MY BIGGEST, BIGGEST, BIGGEST ISSUE OVERALL -- IT
IS GREAT WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO DO THIS AND HAVING
PEOPLE PUT IN MITIGATION TREES, BUT IF YOU PUT A NEW HOUSE
ON A LOT AND TAKE OUT A BIG TREE AND PUTTING IN TWO TREES OR
THREE TREES TO REPLACE, WHEN YOU SELL THAT HOUSE, THOSE
PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THEY CAN NOT CUT THOSE TREES DOWN.
SO I SEE IT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I HEARD ABOUT IT IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THESE TREES
ARE BEING CUT DOWN BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT THEM NOT
REALIZING THAT THEY CAN NOT CUT THEM DOWN.
IT IS NOT THEIR -- NOT A CHOICE.
SO I AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AND WHAT KIND OF
PROGRAMS.
THIS GOES ALONG WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LATER ABOUT THE
DRAINAGE DISHES.
THE WHOLE IDEA.
HOW DO WE EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT
TO CHANGE WATER MITIGATION, TREE MITIGATION TYPE ISSUES IN A
POSITIVE WAY.
SO THAT, I THINK, THE MUCH, LARGER ISSUE GOING FORWARD.
I LOVE THESE TREE THINGS BUT HOW DO WE LET PEOPLE KNOW IF
THEY PURCHASE A PROPERTY A BRAND-NEW HOUSE OR WHEN IT IS
SOLD THAT THEY CAN'T JUST CUT DOWN A TREE, EVEN IT IS SLOW.
11:31:50AM >> REMOVAL OF A MITIGATION TREE IS A ZONING VIOLATION.
YOU CAN CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT.
DEFINITELY NOT PERMITTED.
11:32:00AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HOW DO WE EDUCATE PEOPLE.
I DON'T WANT THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE HEAR THAT TO BE A
PUNITIVE SPOT.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SOMETHING TO ADD WITH THE THOUSANDS OF
SIGNATURES YOU DO WHEN YOU BUY A HOUSE OR IF -- IF THERE ARE
SOME PARTICULAR TAGS WE CAN PUT ON A TREE.
LABELS HAND THIS CAN SAY MITIGATION TREE.
JUST A ONCE-A-YEAR REMINDER SOMEHOW.
HOW ARE OTHER PLACES DOING THIS?
BECAUSE THE MITIGATION -- WHAT IS GOING TO SAVE US FROM
GOING DOWN TOMORROW -- I GUESS 28% NEXT TIME WE HAVE THIS
REPORT.
WE WANT TO STAY AT LEAST 30 OR HIGHER.
11:32:45AM >> COUNCILWOMAN, IF I CAN RESPOND TO TWO OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
UP CAN'T GO THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION WITHOUT MENTIONS WE
HAVE ONE -- IN MY BEEN, ONE OF THE BEST URBAN FORESTERS,
ERIC MUKEY.
HE SENDS A REPORT SHOWING THE TREE EMERGENCY HE IS
RESPONDING TO.
STAFF IS RESPONDING TO CITY TREES OF RIGHT-OF-WAYS THAT
FALLEN OVER THE WEEKEND.
ERIC DOES A GREAT JOB COMPILING ALL DATA THAT HE WILL BE
HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL.
TREEMENDOUS HAS A MAP THAT EVERY TREE THAT THE TREEMENDOUS
PUT IN AND DO A GREAT JOB WITH DATA AND FOCUSED ON SURVEYING
THE TREES AND BRING THAT DATA AND THE T-TAG GROUP HAS
EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AS WELL.
11:33:38AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK.
THAT IS GOOD TO HEAR.
11:33:44AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
11:33:46AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
IT IS A GREAT REPORT IF YOU ARE A TREE
LOVER.
I AM AN UP-FRONT GUY.
I HAVE SOME TREES IN MY HOUSE I WANT TO CUT THEM DOWN.
I AM NOT A TREE GUY.
I HEAR WHAT MR. MIRANDA SAID EARLIER.
I DIDN'T SEE THE STUDY -- EAST TAMPA WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT
DOLLARS.
EVERYBODY ELSE.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT COMMUNITIES.
I SEE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES THAT LOVE TREES.
THAT IS THE BEAUTIFICATION.
THE AMBIENCE.
YOU GO OTHER COMMUNITIES, TREES AREN'T THEIR CONCERN.
I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN YOUR STUDY.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE TREES IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.
THEY CALL MY OFFICE ALL THE TIME.
THE TREES HAVE CRACKED THE SIDEWALKS IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.
THE TREE IS FALLING DOWN ON MY HOUSE BECAUSE IT IS ON THE --
IT IS ON THE CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY HALF OF MY HARD AND THE CITY
WON'T COME OUT AND WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ON IT AND THE TREE
FALLS ON MY HOUSE.
THEN THEY ARE CALLING ME ON THAT, MR. MIRANDA.
GO TO THE BULK -- IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO A PROJECT, LET'S BE
INCLUSIVE OF THE WHOLE PROJECT, NOT THREE-FOURTHS OF THAT
PROJECT.
YOU ARE MISSING -- THAT POOR PEOPLE CAN'T PAY TO CUT A TREE
DOWN.
HAVE A TREE GRANT IN EAST TAMPA BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD
IT.
YOU TALK OF COMMUNITIES AND THEY CALL SOMEBODY PAUSE THE
TREE IS ROTTING.
WHERE IS THE ARBORIST AT.
IF I CALL SOMEBODY LIKE MISS JONES OVER OFF OF 434rd STREET
AND CLIFF CALLED ME JUST BEFORE DAY OF THAT TREE IN HER YARD
OR WE TALL TECO.
I DON'T HEAR TECO IN THIS PRESENTATION.
UP GET CALLS ALL THE TIME OF TREES AND WIRES.
THEY CAN'T GET A TREE CUT DOWN PAUSE THE TREE IS GOING HOW
THAT THE TECO.
AND FORESTRY CAN'T TOUCH THAT TREE UNLESS TECO COMES OUT.
A LOT OF OTHER MECHANICS IN THIS THING THAT WE AIN'T MUCH
TALKED ABOUT.
AND WHEN STORMS COME, 90% OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE BECAUSE
TECO LINES OR VERIZON, WHATEVER, IS EMBEDDED IN THE TREES
AND FALL ON THE ROAD.
NOW I HAVE POWER LINES DOWN.
IF WE DO IS A STUDY, LET'S HAVE THE STUDY.
11:36:06AM >> PROFESSOR ZARGER IS ON THE LINE AND THEY DID AN
EXTRAORDINARY JOB OF TRYING TO REACH THOSE COMMUNITIES.
IF PROFESSOR ZARGER IS ON, SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO
THAT.
SOMETHING THAT WE PAY CLOSE, CLOSE TOO.
SUELING -- IF PROFESSOR ZARGER STILL ON.
11:36:26AM >> HELLO, REBECCA ZARGER, CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?
11:36:38AM >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE ME.
JUST AUDIO.
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING ALONG.
I AM IN NEW YORK CITY A,ND I WAS UNABLE TO BE THERE TODAY FOR
THE PRESENTATION IN PERSON, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN GREAT
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS.
COUNCILMAN GUDES, TO YOUR POINT, I THINK IN THE STUDY WE
HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT YOU WERE
JUST DESCRIBING AS TO INFORMATION THAT WAS SHARED WITH US
ABOUT THE RISK OF TREES, PARTICULARLY IN EAST COMPANY, WEST
COMPANY, AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY WHERE THE COST
OF TREE MAINTENANCE IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, THE INFORMATION WE HAVE FROM THE
SURVEY.
RESIDENTS IN HYPER INCOME BRACKETS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS
OF THE EXPENSIVE TREE MAINTENANCE AGREED IT WAS EXPENSIVE.
SOMETHING THAT IS A BIG ISSUE FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE STUDY.
WE DID PRESENT AT THE E.F. C.R.P. MEETINGS AND RESIDENTS
FROM CITY OF TAMPA AND WHERE ONGOING MAINTENANCE IS A BIG
CONCERN AND REPORTS IN THERE OF THE REPORT OF THE ISSUES
THAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF A BIG STORM COMES THROUGH, A TREE BRANCH
FALLS ON YOUR HOUSE.
YOU ARE RENTING AND THE LANDLORD DOESN'T COME TO REPAIR IT
AND LEFT WITH A TARP ON YOUR ROOF FOR MONTH AND MONTHS.
I THINK IT IS I THINK AN IMPORTANT FINDING OF THE STUDY THAT
TREE MAINTENANCE AND IN PARTICULAR SUPPORTING TREE
MAINTENANCE THROUGH THE GRANT PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE EAST
TAMPA PROGRAM THAT IS BEING PILOTED IS SOMETHING THAT
RESIDENTS ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN THE EXPANSION OF, AND.
FACT AMONG THE 300 PLUS PEOPLE WHO CONTACTED US TO TALK TO
US ABOUT TREES, MANY OF THOSE FOLKS WERE INTERESTED IN THAT
PROGRAM BUT LIVED OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF EAST TAMPA.
SO THEY WEREN'T ELIGIBLE.
SO I THINK THERE IS -- GREAT DEMAND FOR THAT, AND I THINK
THE -- YOU KNOW, MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT CANOPY IS SOMETHING
THAT IS AN ITEM THAT RESIDENTS ARE ASKING FOR.
SO HOPEFULLY THAT SHEDS SOME LIGHT ON YOUR QUESTION.
WIPE LIKE TO SAY, TOO, THAT WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE
PUBLIC OUTREACH PORTION OF THIS REPORT AND REALLY FINDING
WAYS TO WORK WITH THE CITY TO SHARE THE INFORMATION THAT IS
IN IT IN AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE.
AND ALSO IN WAYS THAT ARE ENGAGING FOR FOLKS.
SO THE INFORMATION IS ACCESSIBLE AND RELEVANT FOR THEM.
WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT.
11:39:37AM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
THANK YOU FOR THE STUDY.
I PRETTY MUCH NOT PROBLEM.
I JUST NEED SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.
YOU KNOW, THE EAST TAMPA TREE TRIMMING PROGRAM.
HE ASKED THAT THEY HAVE A PAID ARBORIST ON STAFF TO HELP OUT
WITH THAT PROBLEM.
WE HAVE YET TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, WHICH I DON'T KNOW WHY WE
HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.
I BELIEVE WE ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO ARBORIST IN OUR OWN
DEPARTMENT.
HOW MANY TREES IN EAST TAMPA AND SLOWING THE PROCESS OF
GETTING THOSE TREES CUT BECAUSE OF LACK OF A ARBORIST.
THINGS THAT WE RESOURCES TO DO, WE ARE NOT DOING.
I TALKED ABOUT MISS JONES.
TWO OF THE GUYS CUTTING THE TREES I CALLED SHERISHA AND SAID
A COUNCILMAN HAS NEVER CUT A TREE.
I SAID THIS LADY HAS BEEN RINGING MY PHONE FOR A MONTH.
STAFF IN OUR FORESTRY APARTMENT THAT WE CUT DOWN YEARS AGO.
I THINK THEY ONLY HAVE ONE TRUCK, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN.
YOU CAN'T DO A JOB -- MY BROTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME, HE SAID IF
YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS, YOU CAN'T DO THE JOB.
I HAD TO LEARN THAT THE HARD WAY.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS.
YOU CAN'T DO THE JOB.
BUT FOR THE LIKE OF ME SAY REPEATEDLY ALL THE TIME, IF WE
KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WE KNOW THE ANSWER, THERE IS A
SOLUTION.
BE IT REALLOCATE MONEY HERE AND THERE.
GET MORE EMPLOYEES HERE AND THERE.
BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION.
THE SOLUTION IS YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE STAFF AND HOW YOU
CAN HELP THE CITIZENS OR TAXPAYERS FOR THE MAJOR RESOURCES
THAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.
NOT THE PROJECT STUFF, BUT THE MAJOR RESOURCES.
I CAN TELL THAT YOU TREES ARE A BIG ISSUE.
YOU GO TO SULPHUR SPRINGS, THERE IS A GUY WHERE A HUGE TREE
FELL OVER TO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CONSERVATIVE --
CONSERVANCY MUSEUM.
HUMONGOUS.
I GUARANTEE YOU THE TREE IS IN THE BACK YARD BECAUSE HE
EXPECT AFFORD TO MOVE IT.
UP WISH WE COULD CUT THAT TREE OUT OF THAT MAN'S BACK YARD.
YOU MAY KNOW THE GUY I AM TALK BEING.
IT IS HUGE AND HUMONGOUS.
TO HAVE SOME HEART AND LOOK AT THE RESOURCES WE DON'T HAVE
AND LOOK AT FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE A FEDERAL PROGRAM FOR
THE WHOLE CITY THAT PEOPLE EXPECT CALL.
MAY BE A COUPLE OF DOLLARS BUT SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN
NOTHING TO GET THESE TREES COST.
IF YOU LOOK AT IT, NOBODY ON CEASE SIDE OF TOWN CARES ABOUT
THE CANOPY.
I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU.
THIS TREE IS GOING TO FALL ON MY HOUSE.
THIS TREE IS IN THE POWER LINES.
MY SIDEWALK IS BREAKING UP BECAUSE THE CITY WON'T COME
CAUGHT TO CUT THE TREE AND REMOVE THE TREE.
AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE STAFF.
WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE NEED TO HIGHLIGHT OF
THOSE ISSUE, THE OTHER TREE CANOPY.
THAT WILL WORK ITSELF OUT.
HAVE THE MONEY.
SHE IS WRITE ABOUT THE FUND.
IT MAY BE LOW.
YOU NEED TO RAISE THOSE DOLLARS BECAUSE IT IS LOW.
IT MAKES NO SENSE.
HOOKING AT REVAMPING THE WHEEL A LITTLE BIT.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE TIRE SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE
TIRE GETS WORN.
I HOPE YOU TAKE HEED SOME OF THOSE MR. BENSON, I WON'T BE
HERE BUT I WILL COME OUT EVERY NOW AND AGAIN AND RAISE
11:43:06AM >> ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE SMART.
11:43:09AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
NO MORE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF, WE HAVE
SPEAKERS.
11:43:12AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
I WILL LOOK TO MY RIGHT AND LEFT.
ANY MORE QUESTIONS?
I HAVE ONE.
THE TREE GETS CUT DOWN AND GETS MITIGATED.
SOMEONE PLANTS A TREE AND SAY I PLANTED THAT TREE UNDER THE
MITIGATION.
HOW ARE WE SURE THAT TREE WILL GROW TO MATURITY.
PEOPLE OUT TO CHECK TREES FOR MITIGATION.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT TREE THAT
THE PERSON IS -- HE PLANT IT IN MITIGATION.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT.
MAYBE I DIDN'T WATER IT ENOUGH.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THAT TREE GETS TO MATURITY.
11:43:48AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
RIGHT NOW THAT -- THAT DUTY IS SPONSORED
WITH DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND PART OF THE
PERMITTING PROCESS.
THERE IS A PROCESS IN THE, MITT WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO
FOLLOW UP AND LOOK AT THE TREES ONCE THEY ARE PLANTED TO SEE
HOW THEY ARE DOING AND SEE IF THEY MEET THE STANDARDS
BECAUSE.
STAFFING ISSUES AND VOLUME OF PERMITS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR NATURAL
RESOURCES GROUP MEETING AND SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING INTO.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY FOR THE CAPACITY TO
DO THAT.
11:44:25AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
SOME MORE STAFFING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
TREES GROW UP TO BE HEALTHY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
11:44:33AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
SOMETHING THAT HAVEN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP.
WHEN WE GET A TREE AND IT IS BROUGHT DOWN AND YOU HAVE THE
BRANCHES, TRUNK AND SO FORTH THERE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TREE
CUT DOWN, CUT UP IN CHUNKS?
11:44:49AM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
DEPEND UPON THE PROPERTY OWNER.
11:44:51AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THE REASON I AM ASKING, IF WE HAVE THE
ABILITY TO HAVE THE TOOLS THAT MR. GUDES WAS TALKING ABOUT,
THE SAME TREE ON THE SAME PROPERTY, CUT IT IN SHAVINGS AND
GET IT BACK FOR MULCH OF SOME SORT.
MAYBE YOU ARE DOING THAT.
I DON'T KNOW.
11:45:11AM >>SHERISHA HILLS:
WE ACTUALLY DO WITH THE FORESTRY TEAM THAT
REMOVES TREES AND YOU CAN PICK IT UP ON LOWRY PARK.
THE NORTH SIDE OF THE NURSERY, SHE SHAVE IT UP TO MULCH.
11:45:22AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THE COMMUNITY CAN PICK IT UP FOR FREE.
11:45:25AM >>SHERISHA HILLS:
YES, SIR.
11:45:26AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I DIDN'T THEY THAT.
I AM SURE THE OTHER SIX DIDN'T EITHER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND APPRECIATE YOU GIVING A LESSON ON IT
HILLARY CLINTON NO PROBLEM.
11:45:38AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
CAN WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
11:45:41AM >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING, LINDA SAUL-SENA.
CONGRATULATIONS.
WELCOME.
THANK YOU FOR BEING CONCERNED WITH TREES.
I JUST FOUND A RESOLUTION I HAD WRITTEN FOR THE YEAR 2006.
AND IT LISTED FIVE THINGS I WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH THAT YEAR.
ONE OF WHICH WAS A TREE ORDINANCE.
SO IT HAS BEEN ON THE MINDS OF COUNCILMEMBERS FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
IT IS REALLY ABOUT THE RESOURCES.
WE HEARD A VERY COMPLETE REPORT.
I APPLAUD THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DOING ITS FIVE-YEAR REPORT,
BUT ABOUT YOU ALL DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS AND ABOUT THE
ADMINISTRATION.
AND IF THEY DON'T DO IT, COUNCIL NEEDS TO DO IT TO MAKE SURE
THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE STAFF TO DO AND THE
EQUIPMENT TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
WE ARE ALL PROUD OF OUR TREE CANOPY.
WE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION WHAT IT MEANS TO US IN TERMS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE, IN TERMS OF THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS OF THE
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TAMPA IT IS SOMETHING THAT SERVES OUR
EXISTING RESIDENTS WELL.
WE ALL KNOW THIS STUFF.
PLEASE WORK HARD TO FIND THE RESOURCES.
PRIORITIZE OUR TREE CANOPY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
11:46:49AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
11:46:50AM >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.
LORRAINE PERRINO, THE PRESIDENT OF THE TREE ADVOCACY GROUP.
I'M HERE TO INTRODUCE OUR MEMBER WHO WILL MAKE A
THREE-MINUTE COMMENT ABOUT THE TREE CANOPY AND START OFF
WITH NANCY STEVENS, PAMELA JACKSON HANEY AND ALISON DATE.
CARROLL ANN BENNETT IS OUT OF THE STATE AND COULDN'T BE
HERE.
SO WE MET WITH SOME OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY, AND WE HOPE YOU ARE
INCLINED TO TAKE OUR SUGGESTIONS.
I WILL SPEAK LAST.
11:47:25AM >> THANK YOU, NANCY STEVENS.
YES, I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBER OF T-TAG.
I AM SPEAKING UNDER THAT TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE PRESENTATIONS AND
THE WORK DONE.
ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK
THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING TO KEEP THE TREES MAINTAINED, TO
HELP STOP ILLEGAL TREE REMOVALS, TO PLANT NEW TREES.
CITY STAFF EVERY DAY HARD TO DO ALL THAT.
BUT SADLY ALL THAT HARD WORK HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH AS YOU SAW
BY THE TREE REPORT.
OUR TREE CANOPIES CONTINUE TO GET REDUCED.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THE TOTAL TREE CANOPY IN TAMPA
-- THE TREE CANOPY HAS DECREASED BY 13% OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS.
THE AMOUNT OF TREE CANOPY IS 13% LOWER IN THE LAST TEN
YEARS.
IN SOUTH TAMPA, THAT NUMBER IS EVEN WORSE.
SOUTH TAMPA TREE CANOPY DOWN 18% IN JUST FIVE YEARS.
SO THAT IS A WARNING TO US SAYS WHAT WE ARE DOING IS NOT
ENOUGH.
WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE.
I AM GLAD THE MAYOR HAS GONE OUT AND MAKING A STATEMENT AND
TAKING LEADERSHIP IN THIS AREA.
SHE MADE A STATEMENT YESTERDAY THAT HAD A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS
AND I AGREE WITH HER STATEMENT SHE SAID.
WHAT DID SHE SAY, QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY REPLENISH OUR
INVALUABLE URBAN FOREST THAT DECREASE THE OVER THE LAST
DECADE.
I AGREE WITH HER WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND NOW TIME TO TURN THOSE
WORDS INTO ACTION.
A BOLD VISION OF WHAT WE WANT TO LOOK APPLICANT AT AND BOLD
DETAILED PLANS HOW THIS GET THERE.
AS MENTIONED SOMEONE IN CHARGE, A TREE CZAR OR WHATEVER IT
MIGHT BE CALLED TO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY TO MAKE THOSE PLANS HAPPEN.
IF THERE IS NO ONE PERSON IN CHARGE AND KIND OF RIGHT NOW A
LOT OF PEOPLE DOING A LOT OF THINGS AND.
NO ONE PERSON IS IN CHARGE.
AND WE NEED A PERSON IN CHARGE AND THE FUNDING TO DO IT.
THE TREE TRUST FUNDS -- THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE TREE
TRUST FUNDS FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE.
MORE MONEY NEEDS TO BE BUDGETED TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT
NEED TO BE DONE TOP KEEP OUR TREE CANOPY HEALTHY.
AS MENTIONED MAINTAINING THE TREES.
TREES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE
THE PIPES, ROADS AND MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED TO
KEEP THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN GOOD SHAPE.
ALSO PROTECTING THE TREES.
THAT COSTS MONEY.
AND UNLIKE A BUILDING, A TREE CAN'T BE TORN DOWN AND BIGGER
ONES PLANTED.
A TREE -- OLD TREES HAVE MUCH MORE VALUE THAN THE NEW LITTLE
TREES THAT HAVE -- THAT GET PLANTED.
IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE ONES WE HAVE.
TREE CUTTERS CONTINUE TO REMOVE TREES.
FINES ON THE TREE CUTTER IN ADDITION TOLL HOMEOWNER.
IF YOU FINE THE TREE CUTTER, THEY WON'T DO IT AGAIN.
DEVELOPERS BUY LAND WITH TREES ON THEM AND REQUEST VARIANCES
TO REMOVE THAT VALUABLE INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE SMART DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH BUILDINGS AND
THE TREES.
THEY BUY THE LAND.
THEY KNOW THOSE TREES ARE ON THERE.
FINALLY WE NEED TO PLANT MORE LARGE SHADE TREES.
11:50:46AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
30 SECONDS MORE.
11:50:47AM >> OKAY, THANK YOU.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED OUR TREES TO CLEAN THE AIR,
ABSORB WATER FROM THE FLOODING AREA AND COOL DOWN OUR CITY.
THEY NEED TO BE PLANTED IN THE URBAN -- SPECIFIC TARGET OUR
URBAN HEAT ISLANDS PLANTED IN PUBLIC PROPERTY AND NOT
BLOCKING THE SOLAR PANELS.
IF THERE IS NOT A SOLAR PANEL, THERE SHOULD BE A TREE.
AND I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT WORKING TOGETHER, THE CITY COUNCIL,
THE CITIZENS, THE MAYOR, THE STAFF, WE CAN DO THIS.
AND I HOPE THAT -- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STRONG TREE CANOPY
AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS OF THIS MAYOR AND THE CITY
COUNCIL.
THANK YOU.
11:51:32AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
11:51:36AM >> HI, MY NAME IS PAMELA JACKSON-HANEY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE TIME TO SPEAK
TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THE TREES.
THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, FOR FUNDING THIS TREE REPORT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS.
YOU HAVE SUCH A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT NEEDS TO DONE
GOING FORWARD.
AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
YOU KNOW THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS FOR YEARS WE
HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
THE STAFF IS WONDERFUL.
THEY REALLY PUT UP -- PUT UP WITH A LOT OF OUR QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS AND PATIENTLY ANSWER ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS.
SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM ALSO.
WITH REGARD TO COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK'S COMMENT, I TO SAY OF
THE $300 THAT GOES FOR THE MITIGATION.
A FRIEND OF MINE WANTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING NOT JUST
PAYING INTO THE TREE FUND FOR TWO TREES WHICH WOULD HAVE
BEEN $600.
BUT THEY DECIDED -- SHE AND HER HUSBAND TO PLANT TWO LIVE
OAKS ON THEIR PROPERTY IN WEST TAMPA AND IT COST THEM $1660
TO PLANT THOSE TWO LIVE OAKS.
HUGE DIFFERENCE FROM THE $600 THAT THEY COULD HAVE PAID INTO
THE TRUST FUND.
SO I APPLAUD PEOPLE FOR WANTING TO DO THIS, BUT THIS
SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO ATTEND CHURCH LAST SUNDAY AND MANY
OF YOU MIGHT HAVE.
IT WAS EARTH SUNDAY.
THE ENTIRE TIME, MUSIC, SCRIPTURES AND PRAYERS WERE ALL
ABOUT BEING GOOD CARETAKERS OF THE EARTH, GOOD STEWARDS OF
THE EARTH.
THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION HIT HOME.
SAY WE PURSUE PROFITS AND PLEASURES THAT HARM THE LAND AND
POLLUTE THE WATER LEAVING THE.
AND OF OUR CARE OF CREATION SO THAT WE AND ALL OF YOUR
CREATURES MAY KNOW THE JOY OF LIFE ABUNDANT.
AMEN.
THE LATEST TREE REPORT WAS BLEAK AND DEPRESSING.
NO WAY AROUND THAT.
ON SUNDAY WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO BE HOPEFUL DESPITE THINKING
ALL IS LOST.
LOOKING AT THIS REPORT AS A TIME TO TURN THINGS AROUND NOW,
AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THE POWER TO DO THAT.
APPLAUD THE MAYOR AND LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO FINING THE OWNER
AND TREE CUTTERS FOR DESTROYING 28 TREES IN GANDY AT THAT
MOBILE HOME.
HUGE WIN.
FINE WAS $244,000 FOR THE TREE CUTTERS ALONE AND UPHELD BY
THE APPEALS COURT.
SO BRAVO.
SHOULD BE AND MUST BE THE BLUEPRINT FOR ILLEGAL TREE
REMOVALS.
MANY ILLEGAL TREE REMOVALS ARE HAPPENING IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WHY?
WHY CAN'T WE GET IT UNDER CONTROL?
WE KNOW MANY ARBORISTS AND TREE CUTTING COMPANIES THAT KNOW
THE RULES AND FOLLOW THEM.
MANY THAT DON'T.
WHY ARE THEY STILL DOING BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF TAMPA?
CAN WE TAKE AWAY THEIR LICENSES.
THE MAYOR HAS TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO DO THIS.
LET'S EXPLORE IT.
MAY SEEM LIKE A REACH.
WHAT CAN WE DO NO YOU?
INCREASE THE FINES AND FINE THE ARBORISTS AND THE TREE
CUTTING COMPANIES THAT DO THIS ILLEGAL WORK AND THE DIRTY
DEEDS.
THE POW EVERY TO INCREASE THE FINE IS IN YOUR HAND.
I WAS AT THE MAGISTRATE HEARING NEXT WEEK WHERE A HOMEOWNER
WAS FINED $4,000 FOR TREE CUTTERS TO TOP AND EFFECTIVELY
KILL A GRAND TREE ON THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND ANOTHER TREE ON
HIS PROPERTY.
SOME MAY THINK THAT IS STEEP.
MANY DO.
THE TREE CUTTERS GOT OFF SCOT-FREE.
11:55:09AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
30 SECONDS MORE.
11:55:10AM >> A WEALTHY AND DEVELOPER TOOK OUT A GRAND TREE AND WAS
CHARGED $8,000, ON A LOT THAT SOLD FOR $1.5 MILLION.
THAT IS NOT EVEN A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR THE DEVELOPER.
NOT EVEN THE COST OF ONE HIGH-END APPLIANCE ON THAT PIECE OF
LAND.
A MEASLY FINE.
SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINED THE $1500.
TRY TO GET THOSE TREE CUTTERS.
THEY ALSO NEED TO BE FINED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
11:55:43AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
11:55:45AM >> GOOD MORNING.
STILL MORNING?
ALMOST.
I AM ALISON DATE.
AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, LET ME TELL YOU.
SO I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS A LOT LATELY, AND I JUST WANT
TO SAY BRAVO TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE FORESIGHT MORE THAN
TEN YEARS AGO TO DEVELOP THIS, BECAUSE THEY WERE CONCERNED
ABOUT LOSING THE CANOPY.
AND I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT LANGUAGE, YOU GUYS PROBABLY DO.
I THINK THEY STARTED THE SURVEY BEFORE THEY STARTED THIS.
SO I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT IT A LOT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT
IS GOING ON.
AND I TALKED TO ONE -- ONE OF THE ORIGINAL AUTHORS.
AND I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT IT.
IT IS A -- THE PLAN IS -- WAS DUE TO THEIR CONCERN OF THE
DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS CAUSING LOSS OF TAMPA'S TREE CANOPY AND
DATA DRIVEN AS WE SAW, EXECUTED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER TO
PROVIDE INFORMATION NEEDED TO PROTECT AND EXPAND TAMPA'S
CANOPY.
UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THIS PLAN HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVELY
IMPLEMENTED BECAUSE SEVERAL IMPORTANT ITEMS HAVE BEEN
DISMANTLED OR NEVER COMPLETED.
THE PROBLEMS SURROUNDING THE USE OF THE TREE TRUST FUND IS
ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF NOT COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTION, BUT LIKE --
LIKE NOW WE ARE FINALLY BEING TOLD WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH IT.
BUT THAT IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS
OF TAMPA'S TREE CANOPY.
THAT IS ONE OF ME -- THAT IS UP WITH OF THE THINGS THAT I AM
THINKING.
THE OVERARCHING PROBLEM OF IMPLEMENTING THIS -- TO
IMPLEMENTING THIS STRATEGIC PLAN HAS BEEN THE LACK OF
ONGOING MONITORING OF QUANTIFIED ACTION STEPS BASED ON CLEAR
LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT HAVEN'T BEEN HAPPENING.
AND THIS PLAN REQUIRES MORE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO BUILD A TREE
PROGRAM THAT SUSTAINS THE URBAN FOREST.
IT SHOULD NOT REALIZE SOLELY ON MITIGATION OR GRANT FUNDING
AS IT DOES NOW FOR, LIKE, ANYTHING EXTRA.
IT REQUIRES SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL AND INFORMED OVERSIGHT.
THERE WAS A SEPARATE POSITION TO MONITOR AND COLLECT THE
TREE INFORMATION ON A MONTHLY REPORT, BUT THAT WAS DISBANDED
ALONG WITH OTHER PERSONNEL AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
AND THOSE POSITIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN RETURNED.
THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS CREATED TO
ENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION, BUT THEY HAVEN'T MET ENOUGH.
AND A LOT OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE NOT ENACTED.
SO THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE.
THE URBAN FOREST PLAN STATES, FEW ACTIVITIES IN THE PLAN ARE
AS IMPORTANT AS THE SUCCESS OF THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
AS MONITORING, BUT THIS STEP IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, POORLY
DESIGNED AND UNDERFUNDED BY MOST CITIES.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD --
11:58:55AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
30 SECONDS MORE.
11:58:57AM >> -- I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE USE OF CAREFUL
MONITORING OF BOTH PLANTING AND REMOVAL, AS WELL AS A
PERMANENT TREE CZAR POSITION THAT WILL BE CREATED TO OVERSEE
THE COMPLICATED PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND I AM REALLY HAPPY THAT -- I AM REALLY GLAD THAT WE HAVE
THIS DATA, BECAUSE IF WE DIDN'T, I DON'T KNOW, WE PROBABLY
WOULDN'T HAVE ANY CANOPIES.
SO THANKS TO YOU.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

11:59:42AM >> SHOW THIS ON THE OVERHEAD?
11:59:45AM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YES, MA'AM.
PLACE IT THERE AND IT WILL COME UP.
NO, YOU HAD IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
YES, MA'AM.
THANK YOU.
11:59:51AM >> GOOD MORNING AGAIN.
MY NAME IS LORRAINE PERRINO, PRESIDENT OF THE TAMPA TREE
ADVOCATE GROUP.
THE GRAND OAK TREES WERE ILLEGALLY REMOVED FROM FORMER
TRAILER PARK IN SOUTH TAMPA.
IN NOVEMBER 2020, 200 TREES WERE REMOVED FROM THE FORMER
GEORGETOWN PROPERTY.
ALSO IN NOVEMBER 2020, REMOVED 30 MATURE TREES TO BUILD
LUXURY CONDOS.
IN MARCH 2021 THE CITY ALLOWED TO A R REMOVE WITH A CANOPY
SPREAD IN SOUTH TAMPA DESPITE THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD
OPPOSING IT. IN OCTOBER OF 2021, GRAND OAKS WERE REMOVED
FROM A SINGLE LOT IN BALLAST POINT. IN DECEMBER 2022 CITY
COUNCIL APPROVED REMOVING 32 PROTECTED TREES FROM THE CIRCLE
C PROPERTY TO BUILD YET MORE LUXURY CONDOS.
THESE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION
AFFECTING TAMPA'S TREE CANOPY IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THIS MAP DETAILS THE DESTRUCTION.
EACH RED PIN SIGNIFIES A HOUSE IN SOUTH TAMPA THAT HAS BEEN
RA ASKED IN THE PAST TWO DECADES.
THE TREES ON THESE PROPERTIES WERE ALSO DESTROYED.
THE RECENTLY RELEASED 2021 TREE CANOPY AND URBAN FOREST
ANALYSIS INFORMS US THAT TAMPA'S TREE CANOPY HAS DECLINED BY
4% IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS A.CLOSER READING SHOWS THAT TAMPA
HAS LOST 7% OF ITS TREE CANOPY SINCE 2016 AND 13% OF TREE
CANOPIES SINCE 1995.
SOUTH TAMPA HAS LOST 18% OF TREE CANOPY AND FLOOD PRONE
DAVIS ISLAND LOST 10% WHILE IT'S IMPERVIOUS AREA INCREASED
BY 5%.
IF THE CITY-WIDE PUSH FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES
AT BREAKNECK SPEED, BY 2026, TAMPA WILL LOSE ANOTHER 7% OF
TREE CANOPY WHICH WILL DECREASE THE 28%.
FOR A CITY WITH A QUALITY RATING D, THE WORST IN THE ENTIRE
STATE, AND IN AN AGE OF DRAMATIC CLIMATE OF SEA LEVEL RISE,
TAMPA IS-A SLIPPERY SLOPE.
CITY COUNCIL ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTROYING ALL OF THE
TREES CITED ABOVE BUT DID APPROVE REMOVING 122 TREES IN TWO
YEARS.
IT TOOK 50 YEARS TO REACH GRAND TREE STATUS.
A CHILD BORN TODAY WILL BE 50 YEARS OLD BEFORE ALL THE
BENEFITS OF THAT TREE BECOME AVAILABLE TO HER.
THESE ARE THE VERY TREES THAT TAMPA IS DESTROYING.

TAMPA'S TREE ORDINANCE IS 40 YEARS OLD.
THERE ARE TOOLS TO PREVENT SUCH A DRASTIC LOSS OF TREE
CANOPY.
THE TREE TRUST FUND IS FLUSH WITH NEARLY 3 MILLION YET IT IS
NOT BEING USED TO PLANT MORE TREES.
YOU STATE THAWED WERE IN FAVOR OF PROTECTING THE TREE
CANOPY.
TREE TAG PROTECTS TAMPA'S TREE.
THEY ONLY NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE 2021 TREE STUDY COMPARED THE
RECENT FIVE-YEAR LOSS OF TREES IN TAMPA TO THE CLEAR CUTTING
OF FOUR DAVIS ISLANDS A.CITY TREE CZAR WOULD BE A GOOD
SOLUTION.
THE MAYOR SAYS SHE'S IN FAVOR.
SHE AND CITY COUNCIL MUST WORK TOGETHER TO FUND IT.
12:03:07PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
30 SECONDS MORE.
12:03:08PM >> IN TAMPA TREES ALWAYS COME LAST.
IF THIS DISDAIN BY CITY COUNCIL GOVERNMENT TOLD THE
HEALTH -- HEALTH OF OUR CANOPY CONTINUES, ALL OF OUR
RESIDENTS WILL BE THE WORST FOR IT.
PLEASE ACT NOW.
THANK YOU.
12:03:23PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
12:03:24PM >> STEPHANIE POYNOR:
YOU SEE THE LINE ACROSS THE PICTURE?
IT'S CALLED THE BFE, THE BASE FLOOR ELEVATION WHICH NOBODY

MENTIONED TODAY, PARTLY OF SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE
INTO CONSIDERATION, IN THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA.
IF YOU NOTICE, THAT'S QUITE HOT.
PROBABLY ABOUT THIS HIGH, OKAY?
SO WHEN THESE FOLKS ARE KILLING THE TREES IN SOUTH TAMPA,
THEY HAVE TO BUILD UP THAT MUCH.
SO WE HAVE SEEN FOLKS COME IN HERE AND REQUEST -- NOT
REQUEST TO TAKE OUT TREES.
WELL, WHEN YOU BUILD UP SOMETHING THIS HIGH ON THE ROOFS OF
THE -- ROOTS OF THE TREE, IT'S GOING TO KILL IT.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
AND I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT VERY LITTLE OF RATTLESNAKE
POINT HAVE ANY TREES.
VERY LITTLE OF WESTSHORE MARINA DISTRICT HAVE ANY TREES.
SO THOSE AREAS DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF TREES TO START
WITH AND THAT'S WHERE A BIG CHUNK OF OUR BUILDING HAS BEEN
DONE IN SOUTH TAMPA.
SO YOU CAN IMAGINE WHERE ALL THESE TREES, EACH THOUGH WE
HAVE TAKEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITS.
SO I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT.
AND SAID PEOPLE DON'T GO OUT AND CHECK ON THE TREES.
I HAVE A LOT THREE TIMES THAT IS FULL OF DEAD TREES, DEAD
BUSHES, BECAUSE THEY PLANT THEM ALL, DIDN'T WATER THEM, AND
I CAN'T FIND A HUMAN BEING TO ADMIT THAT THEY WILL COME OUT
AND PULL UP THE DEAD STUFF.

IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS.
BUT WHEN WE RAZE HOMES, MANY OF THE PROPERTIES, HOUSES, THEY
DIDN'T HAVE TREES TO START WITH, BUT THERE WERE VERY FEW,
AND WE LOST SO MANY BIG LOTS.
OUR COMMERCIAL LOTS IS WHAT WE LOST DOWN THERE.
AND SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TREES THERE.
THE MITIGATION TREES POORLY PLACED.
I HAVE SHOWN SOME FOLKS ON COUNCIL THAT POOR PLACEMENT OF
MITIGATION TREES JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ALONE.
IT SEVERELY DAMAGED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IF THEY WERE PUT IN.
NOW I WANT TO SHOW YOU THIS LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER WORK.
I KNOW THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL DRAWING FOR YOU GUYS BUT THIS IS
THE GANDY CIVIC CENTER.
MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN THERE.
SO HERE IS THE CENTER.
THERE IS AN EASEMENT THAT BELONGS TO THE CITY OF TAMPA TO
THE RIGHT.
IT'S A PAVED ROAD.
THE CITY OF TAMPA ACTUALLY PAYS THE TAXES ON THAT PAVED
ROAD, OKAY.
SO WE JUST PUT IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN.
I KNOW YOU GUYS JUST TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK AND WE WERE
REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.
IF YOU GUYS KNEW WHAT KIND OF PAIN IN THE BUTT IT IS TO
START A COMMUNITY GARDEN, I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT WAS VERY

DIFFICULT.
AND I KNOW PEOPLE TO TALK TO.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT TO YOU THAT WE WERE REQUIRED
TO PUT IN A BUFFER BETWEEN THE CITY OF TAMPA ROAD THAT GOES
THROUGH A LIFT STATION THAT IS ONLY DRIVEN ON BY PEOPLE WHO
ARE DRIVING BIG TRUCKS FULL OF POOP.
OKAY?
BUT WE ARE REQUIRED TO PUT IN A BUFFER.
AND WHEN I ASKED THE FOLKS IN THE CITY OF TAMPA IF THEY
COULD DONATE SOME TREES TO US BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
PLACES TO PLANT ALL THE TREES, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE ARE THE
DEVELOPER ON THAT, SO WE COULDN'T HAVE ANY TREES FROM THE
CITY OF TAMPA.
WHY?
[BELL SOUNDS]
NOT ONLY DID I SAY, HEY, WE CAN PUT SOME IN THIS BUFFER.
BUT WE HAVE A HUGE LOT, AN ACRE AND A HALF.
YOU GUYS COULD PUT MOST UP HERE, TOO.
BUT WE DID NOTHING.
SO JUST TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU.
12:07:16PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON. KELLA MCCASKILL. TAMPA.
I SUPPORT MY T-TAG SISTERS, LIKE MENTIONED EARLIER, AND EAST
TAMPA DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF EDUCATION ON TREES, RIGHT?
SO RECENTLY I ENTERED AN INITIATIVE WHERE MY ORGANIZATION

GOES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE TRY AND HELP THEM LIKE TREE
TRIMMING.
AND T-TAG, I CHECKED FIRST, WHAT I DID.
BUT I WANTED TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO PROVIDE EDUCATION
OUTSIDE OF T-TAG BECAUSE I DID REQUEST TO SEE IF THERE'S A
WAY TO COME INTO THE COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE THEM AND I WOULD
ALSO LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY RESOURCES OR OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOU ALL TO EDUCATE AS SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATIONS AT THE EAST TAMPA CRA, AND AT THE PARTNERSHIP,
EITHER ONE, PICK ONE, BUT TO DO SOME EDUCATION, BECAUSE I
LEARNED SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE TREE.
FIRST, HE SAID WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT TREES.
BUT THERE IS SOME BENEFIT TO THE TREES.
AND I DON'T THINK WE KNOW THAT.
IN ADDITION TO T-TAG COMING TO THE CRA OR TO THE MEETINGS IN
EAST TAMPA, I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY RESOURCES
THAT COULD BE COUPLED WITH THAT SO THAT WE CAN BE VERY AWARE
OF WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW WITH THE TREES PARTICULARLY SINCE WE
DO HAVE A TREE TRIMMING GRANT PROGRAM, AND I AM NOT SURE HOW
MUCH EDUCATING THEY ARE DOING WHILE THEY ARE TRAINING, IF
THAT MAKES SENSE.
THANK YOU.
12:08:35PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE IN CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO GIVE P PUBLIC COMMENT?
MRS. CAROLINE BENNETT, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

12:08:42PM >> MY NAME IS CARROLL ANN BENNETT, ONE OF THE FOUNDING
MEMBERS OF T-TAG.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT AN EXPERIMENT THAT WAS DONE WITH
IF NATURAL RESOURCES.
THE THICK WAS, WE HAD A VERY CENTRALIZED NATURAL RESOURCES
THAT WAS VERY ROBUST AND KATHY BECK WAS THE HEAD OF THAT.
SHE WAS IN EFFECT THE TREE CZAR.
AND THE THINKING WAS IF THEY SPREAD THE NATURAL RESOURCES
PERSONNEL OUT TO THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS THAT IT WOULD BE
MORE EFFICIENT.
WELL, I THINK YOU CAN TELL BY THIS TREE STUDY THAT THAT HAS
NOT PROVEN TO BE THE CASE.
WE NEED TO GO BACK TO A CENTRALIZED NATURAL RESOURCES.
WHEN KATHY BECK RETIRED, HER JOB WAS NEVER FILLED.
THAT JOB NEEDS TO SHALL FILLED.
YOU CAN CALL IT TREE CZAR, CALL IT WHATEVER HER TITLE WAS.
BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT ALL THESE
SEPARATE ARMS THAT NONE OF THEM KNOW WHAT EACH OTHER IS
DIAGNOSE.
THERE'S NO CENTRALIZATION.
THERE'S NO CONTROL.
THERE'S NO OVERSIGHT.
THERE'S NO BIG PICTURE PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY SO WE
NEED TO GO BACK TO A ROBUST NATURAL RESOURCES.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS ENFORCEMENT.

WE CANNOT PLANT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.
WE HAVE TO ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE.
AND THE TRAILER PARK SHOULD BE THE BLUEPRINT FOR THAT.
THE BIG FINES WERE LEVELED ON THE TREE CUTTER, AND THAT IS
THE KEY.
THESE PEOPLE MAKE THEIR LIVING.
THEY KNOW RECENTLY WHAT PAMELA ALLUDED TO.
THEY TALKED OF TREES ON THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
THE HOMEOWNER DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
THEY KNOW, THOUGH.
THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE THEIR LIVING.
YOU FINE THEM AND THAT WILL STOP THE ILLEGAL CUTTING OF
TREES.
NOW THAT HOMEOWNER WHO DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER IS GOING TO
HAVE TO PAY A $4,000 FINE PLUS PAY SOMEONE TO REMOVE THAT
TREE.
THE TREE CUTTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINED ALSO AND THAT WILL
PUT AN END TO IT.
I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT COUNCILMAN GUDES TOUCHED ON.
HE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INCOME-BASED PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE
MAINTAIN, TRIM THE TREES AND KEEP THEM HEALTHY.
THE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS THAT ARE IN LOWER INCOME
NEIGHBORHOODS IS WELL, WELL DOCUMENTED.
AND THE BEST SOLUTION TO THAT, ONE OF THE BEST SOLUTIONS IS

TREES.
THEY NEED LOW-INCOME AREAS NEED TREES AS MUCH OR MORE THAN
HIGH-INCOME AREAS.
AND SO WE NEED TO HAVE THE INCOME-BASED MAINTENANCE FOR
PEOPLE LIKE THAT.
AND WE ALSO AT ONE POINT, THIS LOSS OF TREE CANOPY, IF YOU
DO THE MATH, THEY SAY THE TREE CANOPY IS $17 MILLION, THAT'S
$748,000 THAT WE ARE LOSING.
THAT IS LOST MONEY, EVEN IF YOU HATE TREES, YOU DON'T WANT
TO LOSE THAT MUCH MONEY.
AND T-TAG HAS THREE THINGS FOR YOU TO DO, FINE THE TREE
CUTTERS, REDO THE FORMULA FOR THE FINE, AND WE WOULD LOVE TO
SEE IT BECOME A MISDEMEANOR IF POSSIBLE.
[BELL SOUNDS]
AND T-TAG HAS BEEN BEGGING, ABSOLUTELY BEGGING SINCE 2020 TO
BE PUT ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND WE
CANNOT GET ON THAT COMMITTEE.
THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE CIVILIANS, THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER
REPRESENTATION, AND THERE NEEDS THEY NEED TO MEET MORE
OFTEN.
THANK YOU.
12:12:11PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
MR. BENSON, DOES THIS FINISH YOUR REPORT?
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK, ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR A
MOTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

12:12:26PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
NOT AT THIS TIME.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.
THIS IS A GREAT PRESENTATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS
BEING THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION.
12:12:36PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
12:12:38PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
REAL QUICK.
IN REGARDS TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, CAN
WE MEET MORE OFTEN?
AS WAS MENTIONED ONCE A MONTH -- ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS?
AND AS THE FINAL SUMMERS MENTIONED, IT'S SO HARD TO GET ON
THAT COMMITTEE.
HOW BIG IS THAT BOARD?
HOW DO THEY APPLY?
WHAT IS THE DIVERSIFICATION FROM THE COMMUNITY?
WHAT IS IT LIKE?
12:13:03PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE CAN LOOK AT MODIFICATIONS.
THE LAST GROUP THAT WAS APPOINTED HAS ONLY MET ONCE AND
THERE IS A TERM FOR THEM.
BUT IF THERE'S A NEED TO ADD MORE SEATS OR LOOK TO THE
FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS, WE CAN DO THAT.
12:13:15PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
RIGHT.
BECAUSE THERE'S A HUNGER AND DESIRE FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE
INVOLVED, AND AGAIN TO MEET MORE.
TWICE A YEAR, I GET IT, IT TAKES FIFTY YEARS FOR AN OAK TO
BECOME A GRAND OAK.

HOWEVER, AS WE DISCUSSED OVER THE LAST DECADE AND LESS THAN
THAT, THE DECLINE IN THE TREE CANOPY.
WE HAVE SO MUCH NEW CONSTRUCTION, SO MANY NEW HOMES.
WE HAVE TO BE STAY ON TOP OF THIS.
I MEAN, IT'S MANAGEABLE.
WE HAVE TO STOP, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T SEE A
FURTHER DECLINE.
DO YOU NEED AN OFFICIAL MOTION FOR YOU TO LOOK AT THIS
ADVISORY BOARD, OR COULD YOU COME BACK WITH A REPORT, OR
JUST A MEMO TO MAKE UP HOW WE CAN FURTHER EXPAND IT?
12:14:02PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE CAN COME BACK WITH A REPORT ON THE
HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE MAKEUP AND PARAMETERS THAT
NEED TO BE MODIFIED TO CHANGE IT BASED ON YOUR
RECOMMENDATIONS.
12:14:12PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
OKAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE AN OFFICIAL MOTION, PERHAPS IN JULY, JUST
ISSUE A MEMO AND GIVE US AN UPDATE?
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT JULY 13th UNDER STAFF
REPORTS THAT YOU, MR. BENSON AND YOUR TEAM, COME BACK WITH
AN UPDATE REGARDING THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, AND HOW WE CAN FURTHER INCREASE THE MEETING
AMOUNTS, YOU KNOW, AND THE MAKEUP OF THE BOARD AND HOW WE
CAN EXPAND THAT AND HOW WE CAN TWEAK IT AND MODIFY IT.
LET'S DO A WRITTEN REPORT.
IF WE NEED YOU HERE, WE WILL REQUEST IT.

JULY 13th UNDER STAFF REPORTS.
12:14:53PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN GUDES.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
12:14:57PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YEAH, I SAID THIS BEFORE, MY PHILOSOPHY
GOING FORWARD WOULD BE THAT BOARDS IDEALLY THESE ADVISORY
BOARDS WOULD HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE FOR EACH CITY COUNCIL
MEMBER SO WE GET GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY ON IT. IF THAT MEANS
THE MAYOR NEEDS TO HAVE MORE APPOINTEES, I DON'T CARE, BUT I
THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY,
ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES HAVE AT LEAST ONE REPRESENTATIVE
FROM EACH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
12:15:26PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE A MOTION RIGHT NOW.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.
BUT I DEFINITELY WANT TO EXPAND ON THE IDEA OF THE MAP OF
WHERE WE ARE PLANTING THESE, AND THE TYPES OF TREES WE ARE
PLANTING, MAYBE EVEN ADDING IT TO THE GIS SO PEOPLE KNOW
WHERE IT IS.
I'M SURE THAT DATA IS SORT OF AVAILABLE SO IT GETS OUT.
I'LL TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THAT.
WE CAN IF I CAN OUT THE RIGHT MOTION IS THERE, AND THE
TIMING.
AND THEN I WILL ALSO MAKE A MOTION ABOUT COMING BACK TO TALK
ABOUT THAT TREE CZAR, AND WHERE WE ARE ON THAT.
SO, AGAIN, I CAN MAKE THAT NOW BUT I WILL PROBABLY MAKE IT
LATER.
SO AGAIN I WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR THIS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
12:16:16PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YOU MADE A MOTION.
GUDES SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OBJECTIONS? MOTION PASSES.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE ARE IN RECESS UNTIL 1:30.
(RECESS)

1:37:59PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.
ROLL CALL.
1:38:10PM >> CARLSON?
VIERA?
1:38:12PM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
1:38:13PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
1:38:14PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
1:38:16PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
HERE.
1:38:16PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
1:38:17PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
HERE.
1:38:19PM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
1:38:20PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
WE'LL GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, FILE CM23-80250.
1:38:39PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
I DO HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT,
MR. MASSEY, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK FIRST?

1:38:46PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I THINK WE HAD A PRETTY ROBUST DISCUSSION
THIS MORNING DURING PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE ISSUE.
UNLESS -- THERE'S ONE CLARIFICATION I THINK MR. SHELBY WOULD
LIKE TO MAKE THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF.
OTHER THAN THAT, REALLY HAVE NO PRESENTATION.
1:39:01PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
COUNCIL, HI.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MARTIN SHELBY, CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY.
WE TALKED THIS MORNING, AND I HAD READ YOU SECTION 2-282
SUB-I FROM THE TAMPA CITY CODE REGARDING WHAT WE CALL
COLLOQUIALLY AS THE CONE OF SILENCE.
ONCE AN RFP OR RFQ IS BROADCAST AND IT'S SENT OUT AND
RELEASED, THEN THAT PROVISION APPLIES.
AND BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT CONTINUES, AND THERE WERE
REPRESENTATIONS MADE IF A CLARIFICATION, THAT CONE OF
SILENCE IN THIS INSTANCE HERE DOES NOT END ON MAY 1st.
IT IS DUE BACK ON MAY 1st.
ALL THE PEOPLE WHO -- ALL THE COMPANIES WHO WISH TO SUBMIT
SOMETHING, THE DUE DATE FOR THAT IS MAY 1st.
BUT THE CONE OF SILENCE CONTINUES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF
SEEING WHAT CAME IN, EVALUATING IT, RANKING IT, AND
ULTIMATELY WHAT HAPPENS IS THE DEPARTMENT MAKES A
RECOMMENDATION TO THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND WHEN THAT
RECOMMENDATION IS THEN PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE, WHATEVER
DATE AND HOWEVER LONG THAT TAKES, THAT'S WHEN THE CONE OF

SILENCE GOES AWAY.
SO IT DOES NOT END ON MAY 1st.
IT'S STILL IN EFFECT AND IT CONTINUES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT GOES TO THE PURCHASING
DEPARTMENT.
I JUST LEARNED THAT THIS MORNING CLEARLY FROM THE PURCHASING
DEPARTMENT, I SPOKE WITH GREG SPEARMAN.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU CLARIFIED -- WE CLARIFY THAT
PROCESS.
1:40:30PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
OKAY.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
1:40:34PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
DOES THAT MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO REAPPLY
NOW AGAIN?
1:40:37PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IT'S A NEW RFP.
THE OTHER RFP FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND BY WAY OF BACKGROUND IS
THAT THAT WAS RECALLED.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CORRECT TERM, MR. MASSEY.
IT WAS RESCINDED OR CANCELED?
1:40:50PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
CORRECT.
THE RFP THAT THE NEW -- ORIGINALLY MADE THE MOTION ABOUT THE
RFP SCOPE, THE ORIGINAL RFP THAT WAS ISSUED WAS REVOKED OR
RESCINDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
AND THERE WAS A MEETING WITH THE TOW TRUCK PROVIDERS AND A
NEW RFP WAS THEN ISSUED.

IT'S MUCH MORE NARROW IN SCOPE BUT IT APPLIES ONLY TO POLICE
VEHICLES THAT HAVE TO BE IMPOUNDED FOR POLICE CRIME TYPE OF
THINGS.
THE REST OF IT ROTATION REMAINS, WHICH IS LIKE 95%.
1:41:21PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THEY DON'T HAVE TO REAPPLY FOR THE
ROTATION?
1:41:24PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
NO, THEY DO NOT.
1:41:27PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU, MR. MASSEY.
1:41:31PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR DO YOU
WISH TO HAVE THIS RECEIVED AND FILED?
1:41:36PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES, THIS IS YOUR MOTION.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
1:41:41PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR COUNCIL TO
BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THAT DECISION BEING MADE SO
THAT WE CAN THEN SET THIS MEETING FOR THAT TIME WHEN WE CAN
START TALKING ABOUT THIS AGAIN.
1:42:03PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IF THAT'S COUNCIL'S PLEASURE.
1:42:04PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
ANY FINAL DISCUSSIONS?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
COUNCILMAN GUDES, DOES THIS SATISFY YOUR REQUEST?

1:42:20PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
[INAUDIBLE]
1:42:22PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
1:42:27PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I KIND OF SAID THIS THIS MORNING, BUT WITH
THE WAY, IF YOU -- IF WE LOOK BACK AT THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE A COUPLE OF YEARS
AGO, IT'S EASY TO THINK ABOUT THIS AS TRYING TO PREEMPT OR
USURP CITY COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY ON THIS.
AND YOU COULD SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THE TREE ANNOUNCEMENT
YESTERDAY IN ADVANCE OF OUR MEETING TODAY AND A LOT OF OTHER
THINGS.
BUT I HOPE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL WORK WITH US GOING
FORWARD AND INVITE COUNCIL TO PRESS CONFERENCES AND INCLUDE
-- MAKE IT MORE PARTICIPATORY GOING FORWARD.
AND SOMETHING LIKE THIS SUPPOSEDLY WE GOT CALLS, I DON'T
KNOW THAT I GOT A CALL, BUT A CALL OR A QUICK E-MAIL USUALLY
WE'RE PRETTY EASY TO GET AHOLD OF, A DISCUSSION IN ADVANCE
WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE LONG DISCUSSIONS WE HAD THIS
MORNING.
I HOPE WE CAN ALL FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK BETTER GOING
FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
1:43:35PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, FILE CM22-77485.
1:43:46PM >>VIK BHIDE:
GOOD AFTERNOON.
VIK BHIDE, DIRECTOR OF MOBILITY DEPARTMENT HERE TO ADDRESS

ITEM NUMBER 3.
A MOTION MADE BY CHAIR CITRO, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK, RELATIVE TO DRAINAGE DITCHES ACROSS THE CITY THAT
HAVE BEEN FILLED IN ILLEGALLY AND WITHOUT PERMITS AND WHAT
CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
SO A QUICK BACKGROUND, A MEMO WAS NOT ISSUED BECAUSE I
WANTED TO ADDRESS THIS TO COUNCIL DIRECTLY BECAUSE IT IS A
TRICKY SITUATION, AS I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR.
THIS IS A DECADES-OLD CHALLENGE, SPECIFICALLY OR PRIMARILY
IN OLDER PLATTED NEIGHBORHOODS AND A BIG PART OF THIS ISSUE
IS OVER TIME, AND IT'S TWOFOLD.
OVER TIME WHEN NEIGHBORHOODS WERE PLATTED IN SOUTH TAMPA OR
WEST TAMPA, TYPICALLY IN THE '60s OR BEFORE, THEY DID HAVE
SOME DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, TYPICALLY SWALES, DITCHES, THINGS
LIKE THAT.
OVER THE DECADES AS PEOPLE CHANGE HANDS AND PROPERTIES
CHANGE HANDS FROM ONE PROPERTY OWNER TO ANOTHER, SOME OF
THESE DITCHES OR SWALES WERE FILLED IN ILLEGALLY AS ALLUDED
IN THE MOTION ITSELF.
THIS WAS PARTLY DUE TO ENCROACHMENT.
THE BEST THAT I COULD SURMISE BASED ON THE INFORMATION WE
HAVE, THIS IS ALSO PARTLY DUE TO LESS REGULAR MAINTENANCE IN
TERMS OF RESOURCES THAT THE CITY MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO
STORMWATER MAINTENANCE IN THE PAST.
AND BECAUSE OF THESE TWO CHALLENGES, LINES BECAME BLURRED.

NEW PROPERTY OWNERS ENCROACHED ON DITCHES, AND THE ONLY WAY
FOR US TO TELL AT THIS TIME IS AGAIN TWOFOLD.
ONE IS WHEN OUR TEAMS GO OUT INTO THE FIELD TO RESPOND TO
CONCERNS OR DO MAINTENANCE OR WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER,
TYPICALLY A NEW PROPERTY OWNER CALLS WITH A CHALLENGE ON A
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
WE GO OUT THERE AND WE FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
NOW, I HAVE TO MENTION THAT SINCE 2016, WHEN THE SERVICE
ASSESSMENT, THE STORMWATER SERVICE ASSESSMENT WAS PASSED,
SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEDICATE ADEQUATE RESOURCES
TO MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING STORMWATER SYSTEM.
AND WHAT THIS MEANS IS ON A REGULAR BASIS WE HAVE
CONTRACTORS AND OUR TECHNICIANS GO OUT TO OUR FACILITIES,
MONITOR THESE FACILITIES, KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.
SO THIS IS MORE OF AN HISTORICAL CHALLENGE BUT IT HAS
ACCUMULATED OVER DECADES AND THERE ARE TWO WAYS WE FIND OUT
ABOUT IT, WHEN A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS OR WHEN A COMMUNITY
MEMBER COMPLAINS, TYPICALLY A NEW HOMEOWNER AS HAS WATER
COLLECTING IN AREAS WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE IT SHOULDN'T OR IF
WE HAVE A PROJECT, A CAPITAL PROJECT OR MAINTENANCE AND
SOMEONE FINDS A HEAD WALL OR THE REMNANTS OF A DITCH OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IN WHICH CASE STORMWATER ENGINEERING IS
INFORMED.
THEY ADD THAT INFORMATION TO OUR GIS LAYER AND THEY EITHER
WORK IF IT IS A COMPLAINT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER ON SMALL

PROJECTS.
WE CALL THEM A LIST OF HUNDRED PROJECTS, AND IT'S A ROLLING
LIST, AND THESE ARE THE TYPE OF PROJECTS THAT WE ADDRESS AS
PART OF IT OR OUR OPERATIONS FOLKS GO OUT THERE AND DO WHAT
THEY CAN WITH THE SITUATION.
GOING FORWARD AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS, THERE ARE
REALLY TWO THINGS.
AT A BROADER LEVEL, COUNCIL APPROVED LATE LAST YEAR TO
CONDUCT A GAP ANALYSIS FOR THE OVERALL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
PLAN EFFORTS FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.
AS PART OF THAT, WE WILL IDENTIFY GAPS WHERE MAJOR PROJECTS
ARE NEEDED, WHICH WILL MITIGATE MAJOR ISSUES RELATIVE TO
STORMWATER AND DRAINAGE, AND THAT WILL, OF COURSE, TRANSLATE
INTO CIPs FROM THERE ON.
BUT THE OTHER ALSO IS CONTINUING TO WORK ON A CASE-BY-CASE
BASIS AS CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY COME UP.
BUT BEYOND MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE AND
ADEQUATELY RESOURCING THAT AND CONTINUING TO WORK WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ANYTIME WE FIND THIS INFORMATION, WE LOG
IT AND WE CREATE A DATA POINT FOR ANOTHER SMALL PROJECT
GOING FORWARD.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK MENTIONED EDUCATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL LOOK AT AS WELL.
WE DO STORMWATER ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS DIVISION DO
EDUCATION ABOUT YARD WASTE, CLIPPINGS BEFORE STORMS AND SO

ON.
WE WILL ADD THIS TO OUR LIST AS WELL.
AND WE'RE OPEN TO CREATIVE IDEAS.
ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS MENTIONED MAYBE WE SHOULD REACH OUT
TO REAL ESTATE AGENTS SO THEY KNOW WHEN PROPERTIES CHANGE
HANDS AND ALL.
SO WE'RE OPEN TO IDEAS.
WE'LL TRY DIFFERENT THINGS AND WE WILL COMMIT TO DOING MORE
EDUCATION ON THIS.
AND THEN FINALLY, I WILL CLOSE BY KIND OF HIGHLIGHTING THE
NEED TO RESOURCE THESE THINGS.
SO WE HAVE A SERVICE ASSESSMENT.
I HOPE COUNCIL AND FUTURE COUNCILS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL STORMWATER
INFRASTRUCTURE, HARD INFRASTRUCTURE, AS WELL AS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN OUR RIVER -- JUST LIKE THE TREE
ISSUE REQUIRE RESOURCES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
COUNCIL ON THE SAME.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
1:50:10PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
1:50:13PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT AND FOR
MENTIONING THE 2016 STORMWATER, THE SERVICE ASSESSMENT THAT
WAS PUT IN PLACE TO COMBAT THE DRAINAGE DITCHES COME BACK,
TO HELP MAINTAIN AND CLEAR OUT THOSE DRAINAGE DITCHES AND

OTHER AVENUES ON A HIGHER FREQUENCY BECAUSE THEY WERE
NEGLECTED FOR YEARS, AND BECAUSE OF THAT SERVICE ASSESSMENT,
WE'VE SEEN MANY PARTS OF THE CITY THAT ARE NOT SO PRONE TO
FLOODING BECAUSE, AGAIN, THESE DITCHES AREN'T BEING
NEGLECTED.
HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE, ABOUT PEOPLE ILLEGALLY FILLING THEM
IN WITHOUT PERMITS, HERE WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING
AND WE HAVE TO FIGHT THIS OTHER BATTLE WITH FOLKS CLOSING
THEM UP.
REALLY NO QUESTIONS.
JUST A FEW COMMENTS, BUT YOU'VE ANSWERED EVERYTHING.
I APPRECIATE IT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND MOVING FORWARD.
SO THANK YOU.
1:51:10PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
1:51:11PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
I ECHO THAT THANKS.
THIS WAS A GREAT -- ACTUALLY, THE PERFECT DAY TO GO ALONG
WITH THE TREES TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE WAYS WE'RE TRYING TO
HELP MITIGATE THE WATER SITUATION IN THE CITY.
FOR MY UNDERSTANDING, YOU ALL DO NOT HAVE LIKE A MASTER LIST
OF WHERE THESE SWALES ARE ALREADY OR YOU DO?
1:51:37PM >>VIK BHIDE:
WE DON'T HAVE A MASTER LIST.
WHAT WE KNOW IS ALL DOCUMENTED IN OUR GIS AND UMAC.
BOTH INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS SWALES.

NOW, IF WE LOOK AT ALL THE PLATS AND HISTORICAL PLATS ON A
CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, SOMETIMES THEY DO SHOW THAT THERE WERE
SWALES OR DITCHES.
AND IF YOU GO OUT THERE, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, SOUTH OF GANDY,
AROUND THE OKLAHOMA AREA, THOSE WERE TWO PLATS AND THERE ARE
ONLY TWO STREETS THAT EVEN RESEMBLE THE ORIGINAL INTENT FOR
THE STORMWATER SYSTEM IN THE AREA.
SO WE'VE LOST IT OVER DECADES SINCE THE '50s AND LACK OF
MAINTENANCE REALLY ADDED TO THAT CHALLENGE.
1:52:20PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I UNDERSTAND.
SO GOING FORWARD, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO IS WHEN
FOLKS ARE OUT IN THE FIELD JUST FINDING THOSE, EDUCATING
HOMEOWNERS, CORRECT?
1:52:37PM >>VIK BHIDE:
YES.
YES, MA'AM.
1:52:38PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS ON THE
AGENDA AND KEEP US TALKING ABOUT IT, IF YOU HAVE ANY
SUGGESTIONS, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A REGULAR
MAINTENANCE THING.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU COULD ALSO WORK WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS BOTH TREES AND SWALES WHEN WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT MITIGATING WATER.
SO MAYBE A COMBINATION.
I'M BRINGING BACK A MOTION ABOUT THE TREE MAP SO MAYBE

DURING THAT I'LL COME UP WITH SOMETHING WITH A MOTION TO
MAYBE BRING THIS BACK AND DISCUSS IT A BIT MORE LATER ON.
1:53:37PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
1:53:38PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THIS SOUNDS EASY, BUT IT'S NOT.
TAKE AN AVERAGE OF 12 MONTHS.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE IN A YEAR.
LET'S SAY WE DO 12 HEARINGS A NIGHT ON THE AVERAGE TIMES --
12 TIMES 12 IS 144.
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THAT MANY BECAUSE ONE OR TWO THAT WE
MISSED SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE.
SAY 144.
THAT'S A LOT.
YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY TEN YEARS, NOW YOU'RE UP TO WHAT?
14,000.
SO THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN
ONE WAY IS TO HAVE SOMEBODY LOOK SOMEHOW, I DON'T KNOW IF
THEY ARE ALL ON COMPUTERS, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE.
AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO CASE BY CASE AND LOOK AT
THE THINGS THIS COUNCIL AND OTHER COUNCILS DID IN THE PAST
TO FIND OUT WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.
AND THAT WAY WHEN YOU IDENTIFY THEM, YOU CAN CLICK THEM ON.
ANYTIME YOU PUT THAT TYPE OF ZONING IN, IT SEPARATES THEM
FROM THE REST AND YOU CAN CERTAINLY FIND THAT GOING FORWARD.
TO DO IT, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT OVERNIGHT.
IT WILL TAKE MONTHS.
SOMEBODY AN HOUR, TWO HOURS A DAY TO FIND OUT WHERE WE ARE
AT.
AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THESE SPECIAL ONES, AT THE NIGHT OF
THE HEARING, HAVE TO BE IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY SO YOU CAN
PUT THEM IN, SO YOU CAN FIND THEM LATER ON.
YOU JUST CAN'T SAY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND NOT RED TAG
THEM IN ONE FASHION OR ANOTHER.
COMPUTERS ARE GREAT, BUT NOTHING IF THEM YOU CAN'T FIND
ANYTHING.
SO YOU HAVE TO DO IT MANUALLY.
HATE TO TELL YOU THAT.
I'M NOT A COMPUTER GENIUS, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU'LL
FIND THEM, SIR.
1:55:14PM >>VIK BHIDE:
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
IF I COULD RESPOND TO THAT.
THE MANUAL INVENTORY MAY NOT YIELD AS MUCH BENEFIT AS WE MAY
WANT.
OUR BEST EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FORWARD, PLANNING
FOR THE NEXT STORMWATER SYSTEM, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE
DEVELOPING THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHICH USUALLY
TAKES CARE OF A MAJORITY OF THE CONCERNS FROM THIS SORT OF
ACCUMULATION.
AND THEN CONTINUING TO WORK ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, AS I

MENTIONED, AS THESE CONCERNS COME UP.
BUT THAT'S OUR BEST MOST EFFICIENT COURSE GOING FORWARD.
1:55:58PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I'M ALSO SAYING THAT EVEN NOW PEOPLE THAT
WANT TO PUT PAVERS DOWN TO GET A PERMIT, I DON'T THINK THEY
ARE TOLD YOU CAN ONLY GO SO FAR WITH THAT.
IT'S GOT TO BE EXPLAINED TO THEM.
SOME I SEE RUNNING ALL OVER THE STREET, SO NO SIDEWALK, JUST
PAVERS.
AND THEN YOU GOT TO CUT IT.
SO I THINK A TIME OF THE PERSON COMING IN, GETTING, APPLYING
FOR A PERMIT IS THE TIME SOMEBODY HAS TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY
CAN AND CANNOT DO AND LET THEM SIGN OFF THAT THEY READ AND
OKAY WITH IT.
THAT IS MY SUGGESTION.
1:56:33PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
1:56:35PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
WELL, VIK, THANKS FOR BEING THOROUGH AGAIN.
YOU ALWAYS ARE HELPFUL.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ON THE WAY OUT THE DOOR.
EVERY TIME I NEEDED YOU, YOU WERE THERE.
YOU DIDN'T BS ME.
YOU TOLD ME WHAT IT WAS.
I REMEMBER A LADY ON COLUMBUS HOW WE WENT TO HER HOUSE
TOGETHER.
SHE WAS IMPRESSED.
THOUGHT SOMEBODY CARED AND HELPED ON THAT PROJECT A LITTLE

BIT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING UP FRONT AND HONEST.
YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO BUT YOU WERE ALWAYS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER
FOR ME, SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
1:57:06PM >>VIK BHIDE:
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
1:57:07PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
MR. BHIDE, THE REASON WHY I ASKED THIS, THERE WAS A WOMAN IN
WEST TAMPA WHO BACK WHEN WE HAD THE HEAVY RAINS A YEAR AGO,
HER PROPERTY WAS GETTING FLOODED BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ALONG
HER STREET FILLED IN THE DRAINAGE DITCH, WHETHER IT HAD BEEN
TWO OR THREE PRIOR OWNERS.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, THERE'S CAUSE AND EFFECT BY
EVERYTHING THAT GETS DONE.
SOMEONE FILLS IN A DITCH WITHOUT THE PERMITS, THEIR NEIGHBOR
GETS FLOODED.
THE LIABILITY IS GOING TO FALL SOMEWHERE.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE BY THE CITY.
WE CAN'T JUST GO IN WITH A BACKHOE AND DIG UP THE DITCHES
AGAIN.
BUT THERE'S STILL FLOODING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE
THOSE DITCHES ARE FILLED IN.
I'M HOPING THAT CITIZENS THAT ARE GETTING FLOODED OUT
WHENEVER WE GET HEAVY RAINS BECAUSE OF THESE ILLEGAL FILLING
IN OF THE DITCHES, THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING.

SO PLEASE, REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL AS QUICK AS YOU CAN.
AGAIN, THAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS ON WHY I WANTED TO BRING THIS
UP, THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF LEGAL, ILLEGAL -- DITCHES BEING
FILLED IN ILLEGALLY.
1:58:23PM >>VIK BHIDE:
UNDERSTOOD.
THANK YOU, CHAIR.
1:58:26PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YES, MA'AM.
1:58:27PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY McLANE EVANS.
OF COURSE, IT IS YOUR DISCRETION.
A COUPLE OF YOU MENTIONED YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE UPDATE
MOTIONS.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU MR. BHIDE DOES APPEAR
QUARTERLY WITH STORMWATER UPDATES, PERHAPS FOR THE SAKE OF
YOUR AGENDA EFFICIENCY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAG THE UPDATE ON
TO HIS NEXT SCHEDULED UPDATE.
1:58:51PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
1:58:52PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
THANK YOU.
CAN WE JUST ADD THAT TO THE STORMWATER UPDATES, THE
QUARTERLY --
1:59:01PM >>VIK BHIDE:
SURE.
1:59:03PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
NOT ANYTHING MAJOR.
JUST HOW WE'RE DOING, ANY ISSUES, PROBLEMS, MAYBE NEW
SUGGESTIONS YOUR STAFF HAS FOR DIFFERENT WAYS.

I THINK THAT IS THE PERFECT TIME WHERE WE'RE ALL TALKING
ABOUT STORMWATER.
SO THANK YOU.
1:59:19PM >>VIK BHIDE:
SURE.
THAT'S REASONABLE.
1:59:20PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MR. BHIDE, IF I MIGHT ADD, WHEN YOU DO THAT
REPORT, IF THERE ARE CONCERNS BY NEIGHBORS WHO THEIR
PROPERTY IS AFFECTED BY THESE DITCHES THAT HAVE BEEN FILLED
IN ILLEGALLY, SOME SORT OF REMEDY THAT MIGHT HELP STOP THE
FLOODING OR NOT MAKE IT AS BAD AS WHAT IT IS BECAUSE OF
THESE DITCHES BEING FILLED IN ILLEGALLY.
PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4, FILE NUMBER CM22-78127.
2:00:02PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
MORRIS MASSEY, LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
I BELIEVE IT IS ON YOUR AGENDA AS A DISCUSSION ABOUT
PROPERTY LIEN ISSUES.
I'M HERE.
HAPPY TO FACILITATE THE CONVERSATION OR ANSWER QUESTIONS.
2:00:15PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
I THINK THE GIST OF THIS MOTION AND
DISCUSSION WAS A LOT OF TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF OUR --
COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE A LOT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT LIENS ON
THEIR PROPERTIES AND THERE ARE LIENS.
A LOT OF TIMES THEY CAN'T APPLY FOR SOME OF THE CITY REHAB

FUNDING OR ANY TYPE OF PROGRAMMING BECAUSE OF THE LIENS.
SO I'M WONDERING HOW CAN WE OR WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET THOSE
PROPERTIES BACK INTO CIRCULATION TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE
LIENS OR MOVE THOSE LIENS OR GET THE HOMEOWNER OR IF THEY
DISAPPEAR, FIND A WAY TO GET THAT PROPERTY TO DO WHATEVER TO
PUT THOSE HOMES BACK INTO CIRCULATION AND GET RID OF SLUM
AND BLIGHT.
2:00:54PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM IS TO CORRECT THE CODE VIOLATIONS AND NOT REALLY
PUNISH THE PROPERTY OWNER.
THE LIENS DO HAVE A DAILY FINE THAT DOES ADD UP.
AND IT DOES BECOME A CLOUD ON THEIR TITLE.
BUT IF THEY ARE WILLING TO REMEDY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ISSUE, THEN THE CITY HAS FAIRLY BROAD AUTHORITY TO RELEASE
THE PENALTY PORTION.
SO THAT'S ONE WAY THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, SO
WE TRY TO RELEASE THE LIENS VIRTUALLY AT VERY LITTLE COST.
WE DON'T TRY TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT ON TOP OF ACTUALLY
TAKING ACTION TO REMEDY THE VIOLATION.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER, AS YOU'RE AWARE, THE CRA HAS A NUMBER
OF PROGRAMS WHERE WE REALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT LIENS, THE
ROOFING EMERGENCY GRANT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
TECHNICALLY, THAT WOULD BE A CODE VIOLATION, NOT HAVING A
PROPER ROOF ON YOUR HOUSE.
AND WE'RE PUTTING THE ROOFS ON PEOPLE'S HOUSES WITHOUT

ASKING FOR A RELEASE OF THAT LIEN OR DEAL WITH CODE
ENFORCEMENT ISSUES.
WE'RE JUST GOING IN AND DOING IT.
TREE TRIMMING IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHERE WE TRY TO GO IN AND
ADDRESS ISSUES WITHOUT SAYING, OH, YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE
LIEN OR REMEDY THE ISSUE FIRST.
2:02:09PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.
GLAD YOU'RE SAYING THAT IN PUBLIC.
MY UNDERSTANDING, IF THEY HAD A LIEN, WE COULDN'T HELP THEM.
2:02:15PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
SOME PROGRAMS ARE SET UP WHERE YOU CAN'T.
IT'S PROGRAM BY PROGRAM.
WE CAN CERTAINLY GO BACK AND LOOK AT OUR PROGRAMS AND LOOK
AT THAT ITEM.
BUT THE GIST OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM, AS I'M AWARE,
AND WE CAN LOOK AT HOW WE RELEASE LIENS, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR
HOMEOWNERS, IT'S NOT TO PENALIZE THEM.
IT IS TO INCENTIVIZE THEM TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AND THEN
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND RELEASE THE LIEN AT LITTLE OR VERY
REDUCED AMOUNT DOLLAR-WISE, PENALTY-WISE.
THAT'S REALLY, WE DON'T WANT TO --
2:02:52PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
HOPEFULLY YOU CAN GET THIS COUNCIL A COPY
OF WHAT THOSE REMEDIES ARE, WHAT THOSE CRITERIA ARE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WITH THE HOUSING CRISIS, A
LOT OF THESE HOUSES JUST SITTING DORMANT AND VACANT.
AND IF THERE ARE LIENS, WE SHOULD BE GOING IN THERE TRYING

TO SEE IF WE CAN GET WITH THE OWNERS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, HOW
WE CAN PUT THAT IN CIRCULATION OR DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO.
I'M ALWAYS HEARING ABOUT THE LIEN.
SO I THINK GOING FORWARD HOPEFULLY THIS COUNCIL, FUTURE
COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT THAT AND SEE HOW WE CAN FIX THAT
PROCESS BECAUSE IF THEY ARE OUR LIENS AND WE HAVE A HOUSING
CRISIS, HOW CAN WE MAKE THAT RIGHT TO WHERE WE CAN HELP --
2:03:33PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
UNDERSTOOD.
OBVIOUSLY, IF IT IS PART OF A CITY PROJECT, THE CITY IS
INVOLVED IN TRYING TO, I DON'T KNOW, PURCHASE PROPERTY, WE
CAN GO IN AND ADDRESS THE LIEN ISSUES OURSELVES.
WE DID THAT WITH THE GROCERY STORE THAT WE PURCHASED THERE
TO EXPAND THE EAST TAMPA REGIONAL PARK COMPLEX THAT'S GOING
IN, THAT HAD A SLEW OF LIENS ON IT.
AND WE WENT AHEAD AND TOOK TITLE, TOOK DOWN THE BUILDING.
THE LIEN ISSUES ARE RESOLVED.
IF IT'S INVOLVED IN A CITY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT SUCH AS
THAT, WE WILL GO IN AND JUST TAKE CARE OF IT OURSELVES AS
WELL.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER WAY OF DEALING WITH IT.
AGAIN, CAMARIA PETTIS-MACKLE IS THE ATTORNEY THAT SITS WITH
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD.
I THOUGHT I HAD THEIR MOST RECENT ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES
FOR RELEASING LIENS, BUT, AGAIN, IT'S TIED ON TIMELINESS.
IF YOU LET IT GO FOREVER AND EVER, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT

STAFF IS AUTHORIZED TO RELEASE GETS A LITTLE HIGHER.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY WANT THE CODE ISSUE REMEDY, THE
PENALTY PORTION IS REALLY NOT SOMETHING THE CITY IS REALLY
CONCERNED ABOUT.
WE JUST WANT THE CODE VIOLATION REMEDIED.
2:04:50PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
THE REASON I SAID, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE
CAN'T PAY THE LIEN BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THAT
PROPERTY FIXED EITHER.
SO IF WE HAVE PROGRAMS, THAT'S WHY I WAS LOOKING, WE CONTROL
THE LIEN, THEY CAN GET IN OUR PROGRAM AND ADD IT TO THEIR
MORTGAGE, WHATEVER WE CAN DO, AT LEAST PUT IT BACK IN
CIRCULATION.
2:05:08PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
WE CAN ALSO LOOK THROUGH OUR REDEVELOPMENT,
YOU ALL SITTING AS CRA, WE CAN POTENTIALLY LOOK AT REVAMPING
SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS AND CRITERIA SO THAT PART OF THE CRA
GRANT MONEY COULD BE USED FOR THAT EXPRESS PURPOSE.
I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN'T DO THAT.
WE CAN POTENTIALLY DO THAT.
2:05:24PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
THANK YOU, SIR.
2:05:25PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
2:05:29PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION, AND THANK YOU
FOR TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO.
I UNDERSTAND THE CITY'S GOAL IS TO BRING PEOPLE INTO
COMPLIANCE.
BUT WHAT I'M ALSO HEARING FROM COUNCIL MEMBER GUDES IS WHAT

HAPPENS WHEN THEY DON'T GET INTO COMPLIANCE AND WE HAVE
THESE EMPTY PROPERTIES?
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THESE
HOUSES.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE EMPTY, THAT ARE
CAUSING A BLIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY AS PLACES WHERE PEOPLE
CONGREGATE, WHERE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO.
2:05:59PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
WE CAN IDENTIFY THOSE.
WE HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIENS THAT ARE VALID, WE CAN
FORECLOSE THOSE, AND WE HAVE.
ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE EXPENDED HARD COST LIENS AND THEY ARE
NOT HOMESTEAD AND NOT OCCUPIED, THOSE ARE PROPERTIES THAT WE
WOULD LOOK TO POTENTIALLY FORECLOSE AND ACQUIRE FOR
POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS BY THE CITY OR BY THE CRA.
2:06:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I KNOW THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY YOUR AREA OF
EXPERTISE, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE PROPERTIES WE
CURRENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH?
2:06:32PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I KNOW AT ONE TIME WE DID LOOK AT
PROPERTIES PRIMARILY IN THE EAST TAMPA AND SULPHUR SPRINGS
AREA THAT WERE NON-HOMESTEAD THAT WE HAD -- THERE WERE CODE
VIOLATIONS OUTSTANDING OR POTENTIALLY OUTSTANDING STILL THAT
THE CITY HAD HARD COSTS ON.
WE DID KIND OF AN ANALYSIS OF THAT.
WE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE MUCH LARGER.
WE CAME DOWN TO PROBABLY LESS THAN 40 PROPERTIES THAT WERE

ELIGIBLE.
BUT WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT AGAIN, GO THROUGH THAT
EXERCISE AGAIN.
2:07:03PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT JUST BECAUSE HISTORY
SHOWS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A PROPERTY THAT'S BLIGHTED LIKE
THAT, THAT ALL THE NEIGHBORS, IT'S A PROBLEM PROPERTY.
IF WE COULD COME IN AND TAKE IT, IF IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH
THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS BECAUSE THE OWNER WILL NOT TAKE CARE
OF IT AND IT'S FIXED UP AND THEN ABLE TO BE SOLD, IT WILL
CHANGE A COMMUNITY.
2:07:27PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE AGREE WITH THAT.
WE DO WANT TO BE CAREFUL IF WE GO DOWN THAT PATH THAT WE DO
IT IN A TARGETED SORT OF WAY SO THAT WE'RE NOT TAKING
PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES AWAY FROM THEM.
2:07:40PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
ABSOLUTELY.
2:07:41PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
SO IT IS A BALANCE, SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY
CAREFUL HOW WE PROCEED THERE.
YES, I HEAR YOU.
2:07:48PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
WHEN THIS DISCUSSION IS OVER, I WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE A MOTION TO CREATE THAT LIST AGAIN AND THEN MAYBE FOCUS
ON FINDING REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS
AND TRYING TO REACH OUT SPECIFICALLY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO GO FORWARD.
SO THANK YOU.

2:08:10PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
2:08:14PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I WOULD SUPPORT THAT IDEA, TOO.
LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT QUESTION.
IF A PROPERTY HAS CODE ENFORCEMENT FINES, DOES THE STAFF --
I'M ASKING A TECHNICAL QUESTION -- DOES THE STAFF HAVE THE
RIGHT TO WAIVE THEM?
IF NOT, CAN THE MAYOR WAIVE THEM BY EXECUTIVE ORDER?
2:08:42PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
THE STAFF HAS THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE THEM
DOWN TO A CERTAIN DEGREE, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PROPERTY,
IF IT'S HOMESTEAD OR NOT.
IF IT'S HOMESTEAD, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO WAIVE THE PENALTY
DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING UNDER AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT THE
MAYOR ISSUED.
IF IT'S NOT HOMESTEAD, THEN THE ABILITY TO WAIVE THE FINE,
WE CAN WAIVE IT, BUT IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS WE WOULD FOR
SOMEONE'S HOMESTEAD PROPERTY.
2:09:12PM >>BILL CARLSON:
IS THERE A LIMIT THAT A MAYOR, NOT THIS, BUT
A MAYOR CAN WAIVE, A MAYOR CAN WAIVE --
2:09:19PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
NO, THERE'S NO LIMIT.
DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS HAVE COME UP WITH DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS.
SOME JURISDICTIONS HAVE LIEN WAIVER HOLIDAYS THAT IF YOU
BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE, ALL LIENS ARE FORGIVEN AND THEY'LL
DO IT FOR A ONE-MONTH PERIOD.
DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS HAVE COME UP WITH DIFFERENT

STRATEGIES.
ALL OF THEM ARE AIMED AT TRYING TO BRING PROPERTY IN
COMPLIANCE.
OUR EXECUTIVE ORDER ALSO ALLOWS IF IT'S PART OF A REHAB
EFFORT OF SOME KIND, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO WAIVE ALL FINES.
2:09:54PM >>BILL CARLSON:
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW OFTEN THAT HAPPENS
THAT THEY ARE WAIVED?
2:09:58PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I DON'T KNOW -- I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY.
2:10:01PM >>BILL CARLSON:
LIKE A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH, 20 TIMES A
MONTH?
2:10:04PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I DON'T KNOW, TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.
IT OFTEN COMES UP, OBVIOUSLY, WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SELL
THEIR PROPERTY OR REFINANCE THEIR PROPERTY BECAUSE THEN THE
LENDER COME IN AND SAY, I WON'T MAKE THE LOAN UNTIL YOU DEAL
WITH THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE.
THAT TYPICALLY COMES UP WHEN SOMEBODY COMES TO THE CITY AND
SAYS WE'RE READY TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE AND WHAT DO WE NEED
TO DO TO BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE?
2:10:29PM >>BILL CARLSON:
A COUPLE OF CONCERNS I HEARD IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND NOT SO MUCH THIS ADMINISTRATION BUT BEFORE,
THERE WAS A PROPERTY, AND I DON'T WANT TO SAY WHICH PROPERTY
OR ANYTHING, BUT THERE WAS A PROPERTY IN SOUTH TAMPA THAT
WAS HIGH PROFILE SIX OR SO YEARS AGO WHERE ALLEGEDLY THE
LAST MAYOR WAIVED LIKE ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS IN FEES.
BUT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE PROPERTY OWNER IN EAST TAMPA THAT

HAS A HIGH AMOUNT THAT WAS NOT WAIVED.
THE ALLEGATION, NOT HAD ANY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THIS
ADMINISTRATION FOR THIS, BUT THE ALLEGATION WAS THAT IT WAS
ARBITRARY OR POLITICAL.
IF YOU ARE A FRIEND, YOU GET IT WAIVED.
IF NOT --
2:11:11PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
I CAN PROVIDE YOU ALL, AT LEAST IN THIS
ADMINISTRATION, THERE IS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT SETS OUT AN
EVEN PLAYING FIELD FOR THESE PROPERTIES, WE'LL DO THIS.
THESE PROPERTIES, WE'LL DO THAT.
IT'S BASED ON OBJECTIVE CRITERIA AND NOT WHO YOU ARE.
2:11:25PM >>BILL CARLSON:
THAT WOULD BE GREAT SO WE CAN ANSWER
QUESTIONS.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE LINGERING MEMORIES FROM A LONG TIME
AGO.
I ASSUME BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS, I DON'T KNOW
IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT IT'S
BEEN DONE EQUITABLY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IN THE FUTURE THAT IT'S NOT DONE IN AN
ARBITRARY WAY BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO
STILL HAVE CONTROL OF THE HOUSES.
THEY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT WAIVED BUT CAN'T.
THANK YOU.
2:11:51PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.

2:11:53PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
IF THERE AREN'T, I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE MY
MOTION TO BRING THE LIST OF HOUSES THAT COULD POSSIBLY
BENEFIT FROM A SECOND LOOK THAT HAVE A LOT OF LIENS AND ARE
NOT HOMESTEADED.
ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU THINK?
2:12:10PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
IF YOU COULD MAKE THAT MAYBE IN EITHER YOUR
MEETING OR WORKSHOP IN JULY, JUST TO GIVE US TIME TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE -- BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE TO RESEARCH THE LIST AND
UPDATE THE LIST.
SOMETIMES WHAT WE FOUND WHEN WE ORIGINALLY DID THE LIST, WE
ORIGINALLY THOUGHT WE HAD A LOT.
A LOT OF PROPERTIES CONVEYED ACTUALLY TO NOT FOR PROFITS FOR
REHAB PURPOSES.
FOR SOME REASON THERE WAS NOT PROPER DOCUMENTATION SHOWING
THE LIENS HAD BEEN RELEASED.
2:12:35PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
OKAY.
HOW ABOUT JULY 27?
2:12:41PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
THAT'S FINE.
2:12:42PM >> SECOND.
2:12:42PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION PASSES.
2:12:58PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
AND, OF COURSE, IF THERE'S MORE TIME NEEDED,
PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW AND WE'LL MAKE AN EXTENSION.
2:13:05PM >>MORRIS MASSEY:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
2:13:06PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5, FILE CM22-78638.
2:13:14PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
THIS IS A CONTINUANCE REQUEST, HOWEVER I DO HAVE A MEMO WITH
A STATUS UPDATE THAT I WANTED TO PROVIDE WITH SOME BACKUP.
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO A MOTION ON NOVEMBER 17, CITY COUNCIL
ASKED STAFF TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, SPECIFICALLY SOUTH OF
KENNEDY IN THE SOUTH TAMPA AREAS.
WE HELD TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS.
ONE WAS ON FEBRUARY 7 ON DAVIS ISLANDS THAT WAS VIRTUAL.
THE SECOND WAS IN HYDE PARK, KATE JACKSON CENTER FEBRUARY
27.
THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN CARLSON FOR ATTENDING THE HYDE PARK
MEETING.
BOTH MEETINGS HAD ABOUT 40 PARTICIPANTS.
WE PRESENTED AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT CODE RELATED TO
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
THE CURRENT CODE RELATED TO EXTENDED FAMILY RESIDENCES AS
WELL AS THE CRITERIA FOR JUST GENERALLY ANY ACCESSORY
STRUCTURE IN THE CITY.
AND THEN WE DISCUSSED SOME POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR CRITERIA

THAT COULD BE USED MOVING FORWARD IF WE WERE TO CHANGE THE
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WITH THE MODIFICATION TO THE ORDINANCE.
THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED FROM THE HYDE PARK GROUP WERE
PROVIDED.
THESE WERE PREPARED BY MARY LOU BAILEY.
I WANT TO THANK HER IF SHE'S ONLINE OR WATCHING.
VERY THOROUGH AND VERY HELPFUL.
WHAT STAFF IS GOING TO BE DOING MOVING FORWARD -- AND I'VE
SUMMARIZED, CONDENSED IT EVEN FURTHER INTO A SET OF BULLETS
IN THE MEMO JUST TO EXPLAIN GENERALLY WHAT WE HEARD.
THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, A LOT OF CONCERNS, A LOT OF
THEM RELATE TO JUST WANTING TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT THE
CODE REQUIRES AND WHAT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE, WHAT THE
DEFINITIONS ARE AND JUST THE PROCESS.
SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING INFORMATION AND
OUTREACH MATERIALS AND THAT SORT OF THING THAT WE COULD THEN
GO OUT AND COMMUNICATE AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS
ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED.
WHAT IS AN ADU.
WHAT IS NOT AN ADU.
EVEN THAT DISCUSSION ALONE TOOK 30 MINUTES GOING INTO SOME
OF THE DETAILS.
SO WE'LL BE PREPARING THAT INFORMATION, AND THAT WILL BE
COMING BACK IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE RESULTS OF THE HOUSING
NEEDS EVALUATION, WHICH IS GOING TO GIVE US MORE SPECIFIC

NUMBERS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE NEED IS FOR A HOUSING TYPE THAT
IS SMALL AND THAT IS MORE AFFORDABLE, SOMETHING THAT AN ADU
COULD ACTUALLY ADDRESS.
AN ADU IS NOT THE SILVER BULLET SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING
CRISIS, BUT WE KNOW THERE IS A NEED FOR THAT SPECIFIC TYPE
OF HOUSING AND WHAT DOES THAT NEED LOOK LIKE NOW AND MOVING
INTO THE FUTURE?
ONCE WE HAVE THE DATA AND SOME OF THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL
DEVELOPED WE'LL COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN PROVIDE A
BROADER UPDATE WITH ACTUAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO WE'RE NOT BRINGING FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY.
WE'RE TAKING THE INPUT WE RECEIVED AND MODIFIED WHAT WE
SHOWED YOU LAST YEAR AND THEN COME BACK WITH A NEW
RECOMMENDATION.
2:16:09PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
2:16:11PM >>BILL CARLSON:
A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS.
ONE, YOU'RE ASKING FOR A CONTINUANCE TO SEPTEMBER.
WHAT DATE?
2:16:17PM >> I BELIEVE THE 22nd FOR THE WORKSHOP.
2:16:19PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I MOVE TO CONTINUE THIS TO WHATEVER DATE HE
JUST SAID.
2:16:26PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
2:16:34PM >> [INAUDIBLE]
2:16:37PM >> YES, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.
2:16:44PM >> YES, SEPTEMBER 28.
2:16:46PM >>BILL CARLSON:
SEPTEMBER 28.
2:16:48PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
2:16:56PM >>BILL CARLSON:
THANK YOU.
I'VE ATTENDED A LOT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.
I'VE ATTENDED A LOT OF REALLY DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
I WALKED IN ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH OR SOMETHING ON THIS ONE
AND IT WAS A REALLY DIFFICULT PUBLIC MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP THERE AND TALKING TO EVERYBODY.
SO WE WOULD NOT PROPOSE INCLUDING SOUTH TAMPA UNTIL AFTER
SEPTEMBER THEN, RIGHT?
2:17:24PM >> WE HAVE PAUSED EVERYTHING.
THIS MOTION WAS JUST FOR SOUTH TAMPA.
WE'VE ALSO, AND WE'VE ALSO GONE AND HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS AT
THE REQUEST OF COUNCILMAN GUDES WITH EAST TAMPA.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO BRING ALL OF THIS TOGETHER BECAUSE WHAT
WE DON'T WANT IS TO HAVE DIFFERENT RULES IN DIFFERENT AREAS.
THAT WAS SORT OF THE SUBTEXT OF WHAT YOU TOLD US LAST TIME.
WE DID PAUSE EVERYTHING.

WHEN WE COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER, WE'LL BE ABLE TO REVISIT
EVERYTHING HOLISTICALLY.
2:17:51PM >>BILL CARLSON:
A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE AS LONG AS WE NEED TO
GET THIS DONE.
IF IT TAKES ANOTHER YEAR, LET'S DO THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO
GET DEEP INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY.
PEOPLE ARE VERY, VERY, VERY WORRIED AND UPSET ABOUT THIS,
AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL.
BUT, ALSO, I WAS JUST IN -- WITH MY OTHER HAT ON, I WAS
IN -- I PARTICIPATE IN THE TAMPA CHAMBER BENCHMARKING TRIPS
AND ALSO THE ST. PETE CHAMBER BENCHMARKING TRIPS AND
SOMETIMES OTHERS, BUT I WAS IN AUSTIN THE LAST THREE DAYS
WITH ST. PETE CHAMBER AND WE HAD MAYOR WELCH AND THREE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE MET WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND POLICY ISSUES.
ONE WAS HOUSING AND WE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT PANELS ON IT.
NUMBER ONE, THE HOUSING PEOPLE SAID WE THOUGHT ADU WOULD BE
A BIG SOLUTION.
IT WASN'T.
IT WAS A BUST.
SO THIS IS NOT -- WE SPENT WAY, WAY, WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON
THIS FOR WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO, AT LEAST ON THEIR
EXPERIENCE.
THEY SAID PEOPLE DIDN'T BUILD THEM BECAUSE OF THE LAND AND

CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
SO IT WASN'T THE SOLUTION THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
PLUS ALL THE RESTRICTIONS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING ON.
YOU MAY HAVE OTHER EXAMPLES OF OTHER CITIES WHERE IT'S
WORKED.
BUT JUST BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE PUSHING
FOR IT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD SPEND A LOT OF OUR TIME ON IT.
SECOND, AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THEY ARE
HAVING ALL THE SAME DISCUSSIONS WE'RE HAVING, BUT THE ONE
THING THEY SAID WAS THAT THEY WISHED TEN YEARS AGO THAT THEY
HAD TAKEN THE NUMBER OF HOUSES THEY THOUGHT THEY NEEDED AND
MULTIPLY IT BY TEN.
THEIR BIGGEST THREAT RIGHT NOW, COMPANIES, THE BIG TECH
COMPANIES AREN'T MOVING TO AUSTIN BECAUSE AFFORDABILITY HAS
BECOME THEIR NUMBER ONE ISSUE.
AND WE ARE WHERE THEY WERE TEN YEARS AGO.
AND WE'RE DESPERATELY TRYING TO CATCH UP.
BUT THEY SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA, WE WERE HAVING THE RIGHT
DISCUSSIONS BUT WE HAD NO IDEA THE VOLUME THAT WE WERE GOING
TO NEED.
THEY SAID WE WERE ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING A BIG CITY AND
NOW WE WISH WE HAD GONE BACKWARDS.
THE NUMBER ONE THING WAS LAND, WHICH WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING
ABOUT.
HOW DO WE ASSEMBLE LAND, HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WE NEED TO PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WANT TO BE
PROTECTED BUT THE AREAS THAT WE CAN BUILD IN, I THINK WE'VE
GOT TO ACCELERATE.
WE'VE GOT TO SHOOT WAY HIGHER THAN WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING UNITS IN GENERAL.
AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH CONVERSATION, BUT IT WILL
DECIMATE OUR ECONOMY IF WE DON'T START PLANNING AHEAD RIGHT
NOW.
THESE ARE FROM PEOPLE INSIDE THE CITY CHAMBER AND OTHER
GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT THERE.
THANK YOU.
2:20:26PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
2:20:28PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
THANK YOU FOR THAT, STEPHEN.
THERE ARE SOME FOR AND SOME NOT.
WE'RE ALREADY A TRANSIT AREA IN SOME OF OUR AREAS.
THEY DON'T WANT MORE SLUM AND BLIGHT TO BRING THAT ON AND
PEOPLE NOT BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ADUs, WHICH I CAN'T
BLAME THEM.
THEN AGAIN WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS.
IT SADDENED ME, ONE OF THE YOUNG LADIES, ONE OF MY
BASKETBALL PLAYERS, SHE CAME IN AND SPOKE ON MY BEHALF
BEFORE.
SCHOOL OVER OFF OF MLK, SHE FOUND ANOTHER BUILDING TO EXPAND
HER SCHOOL.
AS SHE WENT TO THE NEW BUILDING, AND SHE PUT IT ON

FACEBOOK.
SHE SAW TWO YOUNG MEN, SMALL KIDS OUT PLAYING BASKETBALL IN
FRONT OF THE NEW BUILDING.
SHE THINK SHE MIGHT GET THE TWO KIDS TO BE A PART OF THE
SCHOOL.
COME TO FIND OUT THE KIDS WERE HOMELESS AND THEIR MOM HAD
BUILT A TENT BEHIND THE BUILDING, MR. MIRANDA.
AND SHE SAYS THAT SHE WENT BEHIND THE BUILDING WITH THE TWO
KIDS.
SHE SAID THEY WERE WELL MANNERED.
YES, MA'AM.
NO, MA'AM.
SHE SAYS THAT SHE WENT TO TALK TO THE MOTHER, THE MOTHER HAD
ALL THE KIDS' CLOTHES NEATLY IN THE TENT, FOOD SET UP FOR
THE KIDS.
SHE SAID SHE WAS AFRAID THAT THE MOTHER WAS GOING TO RUN
OFF.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
SHE STARTED CRYING BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT
SOMEBODY, A BUILDING SHE JUST BOUGHT THAT THESE TWO KIDS
WITH A MOM WHO GOT NO PLACE TO GO FOUND A WAY TO BUILD A
TENT BEHIND THE BUILDING SO THE KIDS COULD HAVE A PLACE TO
STAY.
KIND OF LIKE I TOLD YOU WHEN I USED TO GO TO THE PARKING
LOTS AND SEE THE MOTHERS IN THE PARKING LOTS AT NIGHT AND

THEY GO TO McDONALD'S TO BATHE THEM IN THE MORNING FOR
SCHOOL.
BUT YET WE HARP ABOUT AN ECONOMY.
THE ECONOMY IS GOOD.
SAY RECESSION ALL YOU WANT.
RECESSION, PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MONEY THAT GOT MONEY.
BUT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE COMPASSION BECAUSE WE'RE A CAPITALIST
SOCIETY AND IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOLLAR.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY
DON'T MAKE THE KIND OF DOLLARS THAT EVERYONE ELSE MAKES.
EVERYONE JUST DOESN'T.
WHEN YOU SEE SMALL KIDS, YOU WONDER HOW THEY BECOME
DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGED, YOU WONDER WHY THEY HAVE BEHAVIOR
PROBLEMS.
IF YOU NEVER LIVED IT, IF YOU NEVER LIVE IT AND SEEN IT, YOU
DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
BUT TO A MOTHER, I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S RICH OR NOT.
BUT TO A MOTHER TO SEE TWO SMALL KIDS SLEEPING IN A TENT,
THAT WOULD GET TO ANYBODY.
GET TO ANYBODY.
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE CITY SHOULDN'T GET INTO THE HOUSE
BUSINESS OR SHOULDN'T BE IN THE HOUSE MARKET, I HAVE TO
DISAGREE BECAUSE GOVERNMENT HAS TO PLAY A PART SOMETIME WHEN
PEOPLE ARE DOING BAD.
RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE ARE DOING REAL BAD.

I GOT TWO BUDDIES OF MINE, FOUND THEM A PLACE.
ANOTHER BUDDY HELP THEM OUT.
WHAT THEY MAKE IN YBOR CITY TRYING TO WORK, THEY DON'T MAKE
ENOUGH TO PAY THE RENT.
BOTH GET ANOTHER PERSON TO COME IN AND PAY THE RENT.
2400 BUCKS.
THAT'S NOT NORMAL.
I DON'T CARE WHAT NOBODY SAY.
THAT'S NOT NORMAL.
YET I'VE GOT CONDOMINIUMS, ALL THESE KIND OF PLACES IN
DOWNTOWN ALL OVER THE PLACE THAT THE RENT IS SO HIGH, BUT NO
ONE IS LIVING IN THEM THOUGH.
NO ONE IS LIVING IN THEM.
THAT'S A PROBLEM, MAN.
TO ME, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH SOCIETY.
I GET WE'RE ABOUT MAKING MONEY.
WANT TO MAKE MONEY.
LOVE TO BE RICH.
LOVE TO HAVE ALL KIND OF DREAMS.
WHEN I SIT BACK SOMETIMES AND LISTEN TO THE STORIES, MR.
CARLSON TALKS ABOUT WHEN WE GOES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND
ABLE TO TAKE HIS CHILDREN TO GET THEM TO GET THAT
EXPERIENCE, AND I DREAM ABOUT HOW I WISH I COULD TAKE MY
GRANDKIDS TO THE PLACE AND SHOW THEM THE STUFF -- THAT'S
VALUABLE INFORMATION BECAUSE, TAKE THEM TO OTHER POOR PLACES

TO SEE HOW THEY LIVE.
THAT'S WHY HE TALK THE WAY HE TALKS SOMETIMES BECAUSE HE'S
SEEN OTHER COUNTRIES, HOW PEOPLE LIVE, HOW THEY CHANGE THEIR
CULTURE.
INFORMATION HE BRINGS BACK TO ME IS VALUABLE.
I HOPE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, I HAD ASKED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
BUDGET NOW INCLUDES A PIECE OF THE PIE FOR HOUSING.
I ASKED FOR THAT.
HOPING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL DO THAT TO MAKE SURE
HOUSING IS INCLUDED INTO THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE YOU GOT TO
HAVE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE.
YOU GOT TO HAVE HOUSING.
SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU TOOK A STEP BACK AND HOPEFULLY
MS. TRAVIS AND A FEW OTHERS CAN START LOOKING AT
DEVELOPMENTS.
YOU SAW THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN LAST WEEK, TALK ABOUT THE
22nd, IF YOU PUT SOMETHING THERE AND DON'T DO NOTHING ELSE
AROUND IT, ALL YOU DID IS CREATE A DUMP AGAIN.
THAT'S ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO.
WE'VE GOT 40th STREET AND HILLSBOROUGH.
WHY DON'T WE TRY TO BUY THAT PROPERTY?
FIND A WAY TO BUY THAT PROPERTY, PUT A GROCERY STORE, PUT
SOMETHING VALUABLE IN THERE SO PEOPLE CAN GO THERE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY, MONEY IS JUST SITTING NOT
BEING SPENT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T SPEND THIS MONEY.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T SPEND THIS MONEY.
I'M HOPING THAT FUTURE CRA BOARDS WANT TO CONTINUE TO -- YOU
GOT TO SPEND THAT MONEY, MAN.
THERE'S MONEY.
THERE'S MONEY IN THE CITY BUDGET, TOO.
GOT TO FIND IT TO PUT IT TO THE RIGHT PLACES.
SO, AGAIN, I KNOW MR. CARLSON AND A FEW OTHERS, THEY'LL KEEP
FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE HUMANITY OF WHAT HAS TO
HAPPEN IN THE CITY.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
2:26:24PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
2:26:26PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I JUST WANT TO -- ONE THING I WANT TO ADD
FROM THE DISCUSSION IN AUSTIN, WE ALSO LISTENED TO PRIVATE
DEVELOPERS.
THEY ALL SAID IF THEY COULD GO BACK TEN YEARS, THE NUMBER
ONE THING THEY WOULD ALL DO, ALL THE HOUSING PEOPLE, ALL THE
DEVELOPERS IS THE SAME THING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE,
WHICH IS BUYING LAND.
I'M SURE MS. TRAVIS IS WATCHING AND HER PEOPLE.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THOSE COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS GOING AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE.
WE ARE LIKE AUSTIN TEN YEARS AGO.
WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT AN ENORMOUS WAVE BIGGER THAN WE HAVE

EVER SEEN.
THE ONLY WAY WE HAVE TO SURVIVE THAT IS BUY AS MUCH LAND AS
WE CAN AND PUT IN A LAND TRUST.
HERE SHE COMES.
2:27:10PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK AND THEN I'LL GO TO
MS. TRAVIS.
2:27:13PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO KIND OF THINK
ABOUT PAUSING, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION A
COMMUNITY THAT'S BEGGING FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY
AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S TAMPA HEIGHTS, WHO IS ASKING TO KEEP
THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY LOVE THE DIVERSITY OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY ARE
ABSOLUTELY LOSING THAT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE PLACES FOR
THEIR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO FOR EVERY TIME PEOPLE SAY, WELL, LET'S SLOW DOWN, I CAN
TELL YOU, TAMPA HEIGHTS FROM THE PEOPLE I SPEAK TO THERE
WOULD LOVE TO BE ANY TYPE OF TEST CASE.
IF WE HAVE TO CHOOSE SOMEPLACE, I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND, I
THINK IT'S JUST GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY HARD TO GET THE
ENTIRE CITY ON BOARD WITH ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF HOUSING.
WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE -- I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S DESIRE
FOR TIME, BUT IT TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME TO GET SOMETHING
LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.
SO IT'S NOT OVERNIGHT.

AND I DON'T WANT FOUR YEARS TO PASS AND TO US TO NOT HAVE
DONE ANYTHING AND TO JUST POSSIBLY ACQUIRE A LITTLE BIT MORE
LAND WITHOUT REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE DENSITY WE NEED AND
HOW DO WE KEEP THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE WHOLE AND
REIMAGINE THE TYPE OF HOUSING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN THE
CITY AS A WHOLE.
THIS IS A MUCH BROADER DISCUSSION, BUT I'M JUST CONCERNED
WHEN I HEAR PAUSE.
2:28:57PM >> I CAN SPEAK TO THE TAMPA HEIGHTS COMMENT.
THERE ARE STILL TWO PRIVATELY INITIATED TEXT AMENDMENTS FROM
MAYBE TWO YEARS AT THIS POINT AGO THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE
PROCESS, BOTH OF WHICH WE'RE SEEKING TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.
THOSE APPLICANTS WERE SEEKING TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO
INCLUDE EAST TAMPA OVERLAY AREA AS WELL AS TAMPA HEIGHTS.
BUT AGAIN, THOSE ARE PRIVATELY SPONSORED.
SO THEY WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU.
SO WE WILL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THE CRITERIA AND THE
SUGGESTIONS THAT COME OUT OF THAT PROCESS AND PERHAPS THAT
CAN OFFER SOME EXAMPLE FOR WHAT THE CITYWIDE CHANGES SHOULD
LOOK LIKE.
2:29:36PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MS. TRAVIS.
2:29:38PM >>NICOLE TRAVIS:
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
NICOLE TRAVIS, ADMINISTRATOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY.
BEEN LISTENING TO THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION, AND THE ONE THING

THAT IS FOR CERTAIN IS THAT THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET TO OUR
HOUSING CRISIS.
IT'S JUST NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH.
TO COUNCILMAN CARLSON'S POINT EARLIER FROM AN ECONOMIC
STANDPOINT, IF WE DON'T GET A HANDLE ON OUR HOUSING
SITUATION, WE'RE GOING TO BE TURNING COMPANIES AWAY AND
PRETTY MUCH STIFLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO THE TIME IS NOW FOR US TO DO THIS.
RELATED TO THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, THERE ARE SOME
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THIS FOR THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT DESPERATELY WANT
THIS.
WHAT I WOULD ASK IS THAT WHEN WE COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER, AT
THE SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP IS TO ALLOW US TO PRESENT TO YOU A
PATH FORWARD FOR THOSE AREAS THAT DO WANT IT.
AND IF THERE'S MORE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS FOR THE AREAS
THAT DO NOT, PERHAPS WE CAN CARVE THOSE AREAS OUT.
BUT TO COUNCILMAN CARLSON'S POINT, ANOTHER POINT THAT HE
MADE EARLIER IS THAT THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, WE DON'T
ANTICIPATE THAT IT'S GOING TO SOLVE OUR CHALLENGES JUST ONE
SMALL LITTLE NUGGET THAT WILL HELP IN THE OVERALL NEED FOR
ADDITIONAL DENSITY.
THERE IS A GREATER EVALUATION WE NEED TO DO.
WE'RE DOING THAT WITH OUR HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND SOME
OTHER INITIATIVES THAT WE'LL BE BRINGING BACK TO YOU RELATED

TO HOUSING AND NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT HOUSING IN
GENERAL.
WE HAVE A SUPPLY ISSUE AND WE'RE GROWING AT A PACE THAT IS
NOT SUSTAINABLE IF WE DON'T TRY TO INCREASE DENSITY AND USE
ALL THESE DIFFERENT TOOLS FOR THAT.
SO THERE'S NO SILVER BULLET, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU
CAREFULLY CONSIDER IN SEPTEMBER MOVING FORWARD WITH THE
AREAS THAT DO WANT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND CARVE OUT
THE AREAS THAT HAVE VOICED THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR
DISPLEASURE WITH MOVING FORWARD WITH SUCH A POLICY CHANGE.
SO THANKS.
2:31:55PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
THANK YOU BOTH.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:32:03PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
LET ME JUST SAY THIS.
WHAT MR. CARLSON SAID THAT THE DWELLING UNITS WOULD BE MORE
LIKELY A -- 600-SQUARE-FOOT, 800-SQUARE-FOOT, BEHIND ANOTHER
HOUSE.
I DON'T THINK THAT IS AN ANSWER TO ANYTHING.
I THINK THAT IS THE START OF SOMETHING BECAUSE WHAT I SEE IN
A CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD AND I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION IT.
I DON'T SEE IT HERE.
I GUESS YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY 13, HOW MANY LEGAL
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES SHOULD BE CONVERTED TO THIS USE,
AND THEN THERE'S 15, WHAT IS THE ACCESSORY DWELLINGS THAT

ARE BEING RENTED NOW WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, I COULD
TELL YOU THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF
THEM.
I CAN NAME YOU 121 BECAUSE I'VE GOT THE MAP FROM THE PRIOR
ADMINISTRATION.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT NONE OF THESE ARE PAYING TAXES TO WHAT
THEY SHOULD BE.
THEY ARE RENTAL UNITS, SOME WITH A RESIDENT BEING THERE AND
SOME WITH NO RESIDENT BEING THERE.
AND THEY HAVE GOT THEM LABELED APARTMENT A, B, C AND D IN
ONE HOUSE.
AND THEY GOT THEM EVERYWHERE IN THAT AREA.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
NOTHING.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
SOMETHING, BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THINKING HOW THEY
THINK.
THE FIRST THING THEY DO IS PUT A FENCE AROUND THE PROPERTY
AND THEN THEY PUT, WHAT, SOLAR.
SO THE ELECTRIC BILL IS DOWN.
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN TELL WHAT IT IS IS BY THE WATER METER,
HOW MUCH WATER THEY USE.
AND THESE ARE THINGS GOING ON.
WHEN YOU DRIVE BY, WHERE IT SAYS NO PARKING ON THE
RIGHT-OF-WAY, YOU SEE FIVE CARS PARKED DIAGONALLY ACROSS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE YARD, YOU CAN HARDLY SEE ANY GRASS OR
DIRT BECAUSE THEY HAVE FIVE OR SIX CARS IN FRONT OF THE
HOUSE.
I'M NOT BLAMING THEM.
WE NEVER CHECKED ON THIS FROM THE BEGINNING, WAY BACK.
NOT THIS ADMINISTRATION OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS, WAY BACK.
THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR LONG, LONG TIME.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL ALIVE.
I HAVE TWO OR THREE FRIENDS OF MINE THAT WERE ACQUAINTANCES
ANYWAY, AND THEY WERE PAYING, WHEN HE WENT TO PAY BY CHECK,
SAID, NO, NO, YOU HAVE TO PAY BY CASH SO THERE'S NO EVIDENCE
OF NOTHING.
SO THEY ARE NOT AS NAIVE AS WE THINK THEY ARE.
THEY ARE NOT AS OPEN-HEARTED AS WE THINK THEY ARE.
MAYBE SOME ARE BUT THE MAJORITY ARE NOT.
IT IS INCOME WITHOUT TAXATION.
WITHOUT PAYING HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES AND THEY DON'T REPORT
THE PROPERTY INCOME THEY GET TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SO THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE HURTING ESPECIALLY THE
SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OTHERS, INCLUDING OURSELVES.
AND WHEN YOU SEE, TALK ABOUT THE RENTAL PROPERTIES THAT ARE
AirBnBs, SEE A HOUSE, TWO OR THREE HOUSES CLOSE TO WHERE
I LIVE AND YOU SEE NO ONE THERE FOR WEEKS.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'LL SEE TWO CARS IN THE GARAGE AND
TWO CARS ON THE SIDEWALK BLOCKING THE SIDEWALK.

AND IN TWO DAYS ARE GONE OR THREE DAYS ARE GONE OR FIVE DAYS
ARE GONE.
WHEN COMES BACK, THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT CARS.
EITHER THEY OWN A CAR DEALERSHIP OR THEY ARE RENTING OUT THE
PROPERTY AS AirBnBs.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN GET A LIST OF ALL THE AirBnBs
IN TAMPA.
MORE THAN LIKELY YOU DO HAVE ONE.
YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.
I CAN TELL BY THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE.
2:35:24PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO THAT THROUGH THE
PROPERTY APPRAISER, BUT BASED UPON THE AGREEMENTS THAT ARE
IN PLACE BETWEEN OUR PROPERTY APPRAISER AND AirBnB, VRBO,
WHOEVER, THAT INFORMATION IS SCRUBBED.
THERE'S A NUMBER, AN IDENTIFIER, BUT WE DON'T GET A LIST OF
ADDRESSES, A LIST OF NAMES.
2:35:45PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY THING TO DO,
BUT WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.
WE HAVE TO SEND A LETTER OUT TO SOMEBODY, IS THIS A RENTAL
PROPERTY?
AT LEAST START WITH THAT.
I'M NOT A LAWYER.
THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO SEND OUT.
IF YOU DON'T RETURN IT, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG.
AND IF YOU DO RETURN IT, MAYBE YOU CAN SAY MY WHOLE FAMILY

IS LIVING HERE.
I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE VERIFYING THE THINGS.
IT'S NOT EASY.
AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE VERIFICATION THAT IT IS A
COUSIN UNLESS YOU DO ONE OF THEM SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET
AND YOU CAN FIND OUT THE FAMILY TREE, I GUESS.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY OF FINDING THAT OUT.
I'M NOT AGAINST PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE, BUT YOU CAN ONLY DO
FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE HURTING THE
WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT ONLY IN THE LOOKS OF IT BECAUSE THEY
DON'T KEEP MAINTENANCE ON IT TOO MUCH, BUT THE HOUSES I'M
TALKING ABOUT ARE BRAND-NEW OR SOME HOUSES SPENT TWO AND
THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND ON.
GUARANTEED THEY HAVE BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT COSTS TO DO
THINGS.
IT'S THERE AND THERE'S NOT ONE.
THERE'S MANY OF THEM.
ANYTIME YOU OR ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO TAKE A RIDE WITH ME,
ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, YOU'RE WELCOME AND I'LL SHOW YOU.
AND YOU CAN PICK THE STREET AND YOU CAN NAME THEM.
YOU CAN SEE THEM YOURSELF.
I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO POINT THEM OUT TO YOU.
YOU'LL NOTICE THEM RIGHT AWAY.
ANY COUNCIL MEMBER, I'LL TELL YOU WHERE TO GO.
YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU WANT.

THAT WAY I'M NOT VIOLATING THE LAW.
HAVING A HUMOROUS TIME A LITTLE BIT BUT THAT'S HOW YOU FIND
THINGS OUT.
YOU DON'T FIND THINGS OUT BY DRIVING HOME THE SAME WAY EVERY
DAY.
DRIVE HOME A DIFFERENT WAY EVERY DAY AND YOUR EYES OPEN UP A
LITTLE MORE BECAUSE YOU SEE THINGS HAPPENING.
I WISH YOU THE BEST.
BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER, YOU'LL BE WEIGHING 20 POUNDS LESS
CHASING ALL THESE THINGS AROUND.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
2:37:38PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
AGENDA ITEM 8, FILE NUMBER E2023-8 CHAPTER
27.
2:37:46PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
STEPHEN BENSON, CITY PLANNING.
THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL REQUEST.
SO WE BROUGHT FORWARD NINE AMENDMENTS FOR THE JANUARY 2023
CYCLE OF TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
THAT CAME BEFORE YOU IN MARCH.
AND YOU ASKED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
YOU ALSO ASKED US TO DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WE HAD DONE
IN THE PRIOR CYCLE IN TERMS OF PACKING ON SO MANY AMENDMENTS
TO JUST ONE MEETING.
WE SCHEDULED THREE HEARINGS OR THREE MEETINGS IN MARCH AND
BROKE THEM UP BY AMENDMENT.

THE FIRST MEETING WAS HELD ON MARCH 20th, AND THAT ONE WAS
JUST FOCUSED ON THE REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE DESIGN
EXCEPTION CRITERIA.
THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AT THE MARCH
MEETING ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE CHANGED.
SHOULD IT BE THE TYPES OF DESIGN EXCEPTIONS TO BE CHANGED OR
SHOULD IT BE THE PROCESS FOR NOTICE?
BASED UPON THE CONVERSATION THAT OCCURRED AT THIS MEETING,
THERE WAS NOT CONSENSUS ON WHAT ACTUALLY TO NOTICE, BUT
THERE WERE A LOT OF IDEAS ON CREATING NEW TYPES OF PUBLIC
NOTICE.
THERE WAS A PARALLEL AMENDMENT OR A PARALLEL MOTION, EXCUSE
ME, TO LOOK AT MODIFICATIONS TO THE GOOD NEIGHBOR NOTICE.
I BELIEVE ABBYE FEELEY IS WORKING ON THAT ONE AND HER TEAM.
SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IN SPEAKING WITH THE 22 INDIVIDUALS
THAT ATTENDED THIS MEETING, WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST COURSE
OF ACTION IS TO SORT OF PACKAGE THOSE TOGETHER TO RUN
CONCURRENTLY.
I WILL BE REQUESTING A MOTION TO TIE THAT TO THE GOOD
NEIGHBOR NOTICE MODIFICATION.
OUT OF THAT CONVERSATION MIGHT BE A RECOMMENDATION ABOUT
WHAT DESIGN EXCEPTIONS SHOULD BE NOTICED AND SHOULD NOT BE
NOTICED.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS ONE PROCESS FOR NOTICE AND THERE IS NOT
CONSENSUS THAT THAT SHOULD BE DONE FOR EVERY SINGLE TYPE OF

DE.
THAT IS THE FIRST SORT OF REQUESTED ACTION THAT WE HAVE FOR
THE SET.
THE REMAINING NINE AMENDMENTS ARE READY FOR TRANSMITTAL.
THE TEXT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKET.
WE HAVE ONE ADJUSTMENT TO THE LANGUAGE RELATED TO COURTYARDS
THAT I'M HAPPY TO GO OVER HERE WITH YOU.
THIS WAS ALSO A RESULT, I THINK, OF COUNCIL MEMBER HURTAK'S
COMMENTS ABOUT WANTING TO MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE IS REALLY
TIGHT AND IT CAN'T BE MISINTERPRETED AS TO WHAT A COURTYARD
SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T BE.
THIS IS THE ONE THAT I WILL GO OVER AND THEN I'LL BE ASKING
TO TRANSMIT THESE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD
FOR THE ADOPTION PROCESS.
BEFORE I GO OVER THIS, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S
LEFT TO DISCUSS?
2:40:28PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
ANY QUESTIONS?
2:40:34PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
ERIC COTTON IS ON THE LINE, I BELIEVE, TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THIS IS THE REVISED LANGUAGE FOR THE COURTYARD.
THE PROPOSED DEFINITION -- A REMINDER ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF
THE AMENDMENT.
SOME SECTIONS OF THE CODE, MAINLY THE DESIGN CRITERIA FOR
CERTAIN TYPES OF USES, THEY INVOKE THE TERM COURTYARD BUT
THE WORD IS NOT DEFINED ANYWHERE.

THIS IS OUR ATTEMPT AT DEFINING IT AND BRINGING IT IN LINE
WITH THE DEFINITION THAT'S IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR
COURTYARD.
SO THIS IS A COURTYARD WOULD BE AN UNOCCUPIED SPACE, OTHER
THAN A YARD, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE SKY, ON THE SAME ZONING
LOT WITH A BUILDING OR GROUP OF BUILDINGS, AND WHICH IS
BOUNDED ON AT LEAST TWO SIDES BY A BUILDING, BUILDINGS OR
WALLS.
IT'S GOT TO BE BOUNDED ON AT LEAST TWO SIDES.
HAS TO BE OPEN ABOVE, AND IT HAS TO BE ON THE SAME LOT AS
THE BUILDING THAT'S BEING REZONED.
IT CAN'T BE SHARED BY MULTIPLE LOTS.
THE PURPOSE OF THE COURTYARD, THE INTENT IS THAT IT SHOULD
BE DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR PEDESTRIAN USE, NOT FOR MOTOR
VEHICLE USE, AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE SHARED BETWEEN
OCCUPANTS.
SOMETIMES WHEN PROJECTS COME IN, IT'S PROPOSED THAT THE
COURTYARD IS FENCED OFF AS LONG AS IT STILL FUNCTIONS AS A
COURTYARD, STAFF DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
SOMETIMES THEY WANT IT TO BE OPEN AND SHARED.
THAT'S FINE, TOO.
AND CLARIFYING THAT A COURTYARD MAY ALSO BE REFERRED TO AS
AN INTERIOR COURT BECAUSE THAT LANGUAGE IS USED IN THE CODE
AS WELL.
BUT THE MAIN CHANGE THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE WAS DESIGNED

EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE BY PEDESTRIANS, NOT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
TO MAKE IT CLEAR YOU CAN'T BRING US A PROJECT WITH A BIG
DRIVEWAY AND CALL THAT A COURTYARD.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THAT.
THIS IS THE FINAL PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR THE COURTYARD.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE.
2:42:19PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
2:42:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
CAN I.T. BRING THAT UP AGAIN, PLEASE?
IT'S NOT YOU.
THERE WE GO.
I APPRECIATE THE EXCLUSIVE USE FOR PEDESTRIANS ADDED THERE.
THIS IS SILLY, BUT IT'S AN OXFORD COMMA THING, BUILDING,
BUILDINGS OR WALLS.
DO WE NOT ADD A SECOND COMMA?
2:42:48PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
WE CAN ADD THE COMMA.
2:42:56PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
AS AN EDITOR, I'M SO PRO-OXFORD COMMA TO BE
VERY SPECIFIC.
YOU SAID WHICH IS OPEN TO THE SKY AND ON THE SAME ZONING LOT
WITH A BUILDING OR GROUP OF BUILDINGS.
IT HAS A COMMA THERE INSTEAD OF AND.
DID YOU MEAN TO SAY AND OR WAS THAT ANOTHER?
ON THE FIRST LINE, WHEN YOU READ IT YOU SAID WHICH IS OPEN
TO THE SKY AND ON THE SAME ZONING LOT WITH A BUILDING OR
GROUP OF BUILDINGS.
IF -- DID YOU MEAN AND OR JUST TO HAVE A SEPARATE?

2:43:28PM >>STEPHEN BENSON:
I WAS JUST TRYING TO BE OVERLY VERBOSE.
2:43:33PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE TAKING OUT THE IDEA THAT A COURTYARD
IS FOR CARS.
2:43:43PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:43:46PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THIS IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE, IF WE DON'T PUT
SOMETHING IN THE BOOKS THAT YOU CAN CHECK THIS OUT, IT WON'T
BE A COURTYARD FOR LONG.
IT WILL BE SOMETHING ELSE, AS YOU WELL KNOW.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FIXING THINGS AND DOING THINGS, BUT IF
YOU HAVE A BUILDING WITHOUT A WALL, WITHOUT A ROOF, WALLS
TWO SIDES, GO TWO, THREE YEARS, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
IT WILL HAVE A ROOF, A DOOR AND A LOCK.
AND IT WILL HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN IT.
THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE CREATING
ANOTHER THING, WHICH IS FINE WITH ME, AS LONG AS IT'S
CHECKED OUT ON A BASIS OF EVERY TWO YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
IF THEY DO SOMETHING, IT'S GOT TO BE DOCUMENTED AT THE TIME
YOU DO IT SO WHEN THE PAPERS GO INTO THE COURTHOUSE IT'S ON
THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY WHAT ONLY THEY CAN DO.
THAT'S IT.
ONLY WAY YOU SOLVE IT.
THE REST IS FAIRYLAND LIKE DISNEYLAND BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO

IT.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE FUN OF IT, BECAUSE MAKING FUN OF THE
SYSTEM.
IT'S NOT YOU, THE CITY, MAYOR OR US.
IT IS THE SYSTEM THAT HAS TO BE CHANGED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN.
2:44:50PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
2:44:52PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
IF NO ONE ELSE, I MOVE TO ASK STAFF TO
TRANSMIT THE FINAL PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR NINE TEXT
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION.
2:45:07PM >> SECOND.
2:45:09PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MR. SHELBY.
2:45:09PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
DOES THAT INCLUDE THE COMMA THAT YOU HAD
SUGGESTED?
2:45:14PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I JUST LIKE TO POINT THAT OUT.
2:45:17PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT EVEN WHEN IT
COMES DOWN TO OUR INTERPRETATION OF THE CHARTER, A COMMA
DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
2:45:24PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
IT REALLY DOES.
IT DOES.
THAT'S WHY I ASKED.
2:45:28PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.

ANY FINAL DISCUSSIONS?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION PASSES.
2:45:37PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I MOVE TO CONTINUE -- I MOVE TO CONTINUE THE
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT RELATED TO PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE
DESIGN EXCEPTION TO THE JUNE 22, 2023, CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
TO BE HEARD ALONG WITH FILE NUMBER CM 23-80761 MODIFICATIONS
TO THE GOOD NEIGHBOR NOTICE.
2:46:00PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ANY FINAL DISCUSSIONS?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
2:46:19PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
-- MOTION TO TRANSMIT IT.
IT'S WITH REGARD TO THE CONTINUANCE IN A LOCAL STATE OF
EMERGENCY, QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS.
I HAD SOME CONCERNS WITH THEM IN TERMS OF PRACTICALITY AND
IMPLEMENTATION.
BUT I'LL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS AND WORK IT THROUGH AS IT
GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT I HAD A CONCERN ABOUT.
BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT.

THANK YOU.
2:46:45PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
2:46:47PM >>BILL CARLSON:
JUST QUICKLY, COUNCILMAN MIRANDA, ALTHOUGH I
WOULD LOVE TO GO ON THAT NIGHTTIME TOUR WITH YOU, WE CAN'T
BECAUSE OF SUNSHINE.
2:46:55PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HE'S GOING TO FOLLOW YOU IN THE CAR AND
GIVE DIRECTIONS.
2:46:59PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WE CAN'T DO THAT EITHER.
2:47:04PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I'LL GET YOU A DRIVER.
HOW IS THAT?
2:47:07PM >>BILL CARLSON:
THE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT SEEMS TO HAVE A
LOT OF STAFF RIGHT NOW.
MAYBE SOMEBODY COULD FOLLOW YOU WITH A VIDEO CAMERA AND EDIT
A VIDEO TO EDUCATE US ALL ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A WORTHWHILE ENDEAVOR.
2:47:24PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
IT'S THERE.
2:47:32PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
INFORMATION AND REPORTS.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:47:35PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I DON'T HAVE ANY REPORTS.
2:47:37PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
I APOLOGIZE.
EVERYBODY IS THROWING THEIR SHEETS OF PAPER AWAY.
I WAS JUST WONDERING.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9.
2:47:45PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
MOVE TO CONTINUE --
2:47:47PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
FILE NUMBER E 2022-8, CHAPTER 27.

2:47:50PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
MOVE TO CONTINUE TO JUNE 22, 2023.
2:47:53PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN
MANISCALCO, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IS THERE ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA, INFORMATION AND REPORTS?
2:48:03PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
NONE, SIR.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I ENJOYED WORKING WITH THOSE THAT ARE
GOING TO SOMEHOW NOT BE HERE AFTER THIS THURSDAY MEETING.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENTS AND YOUR WORK FOR THE LAST
FOUR YEARS AND MAKING THE CITY BETTER THAN WHEN YOU GOT
HERE.
LOOKING FORWARD, IT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CHANGE AND THERE IS
ONE THING ABOUT WINNING AND ONE THING ABOUT NOT WINNING,
YOU'RE STILL YOURSELF AND STILL CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO
DO AS LONG AS YOU DO IT WITHIN THE REALMS OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF THE FACTS BEFORE YOU.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT FOR A POLITICAL SPEECH, MR. GUDES?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE IT.
REALLY DO, GENTLEMEN.
TAKE CARE.
2:48:41PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN GUDES.
2:48:42PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
WELL, LET ME START WITH MR. SHELBY, THANK

YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE THESE FOUR YEARS FOR ME, GIVE ME
SOME KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE IN SOME AREAS OF YOUR EXPERTISE.
YOU'LL ALWAYS BE THE COACH, MARTY.
ALWAYS BE THE COACH.
YOU ARE THE LEADER OF THIS DAIS.
YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION TO THE CHAIRMAN
AND BE ABLE TO TELL COUNCIL MEMBERS WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S
WRONG REGARDLESS.
THAT'S YOUR JOB AS THE CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY.
IT'S TO GIVE US YOUR OPINION, YOUR LEGAL OPINION.
LEAVE YOU WITH THAT.
BILL, LET ME SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
I WANT TO SAY THAT IN THE BEGINNING, PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE YOU
OUT TO BE THE BAD GUY OF EAST TAMPA AND WANTED ME TO TURN A
DIFFERENT WAY TO YOU.
I CAN SAY YOU TURNED OUT TO BE A FRIEND.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT.
YOU TURNED OUT TO BE A FRIEND IN TIMES THAT A PERSON NEEDED
A FRIEND.
SOMETIMES I CAN SPEAK ON CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU COULDN'T.
CERTAIN THINGS YOU SPOKE ON THAT I COULDN'T.
I APPRECIATE YOU FOR SPEAKING OUT FOR TRUTH.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT WITH ANYTHING.
TRUTH WILL ALWAYS SET YOU FREE AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE
FAITH.

YOU BELIEVE IN A MAN ABOVE AND YOU DO THE RIGHT THINGS, THEY
ALWAYS HAPPEN.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING THAT FRIEND IN THE END
BECAUSE I NEEDED A FRIEND.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
MR. VIERA, LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO YOU.
WHEN I FIRST RAN A CAMPAIGN, I LEARNED A LOT FROM YOU.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
IN THE END, I WAS ANGRY WITH YOU FOR WHAT I FELT YOU DID.
AGAIN, MY HEART AND CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR, SIR.
I WANT YOU TO MAKE THIS WHAT I CALL A LESSON FOR YOU
POSSIBLY IN THE END, SIR, BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL LEARNED
SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WE CAN ALL LEARN
SOMETHING.
AGAIN, I LEAVE WITH NO HARD FEELINGS, NO ILL WILL.
I SAY GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS AS WELL,
SIR.
GUIDO, YOU ARE THE SOFT-SPOKEN ONE, THE ONE WHO WANTS TO
MAKE PEACE.
IT'S GOOD TO MAKE PEACE, MY FRIEND.
BUT SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO BE A LION TO THE DEN.
YOU'VE GOT THE ROAR.
IF YOU EVER WANT TO BE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY AND REACH
HIGHER, YOU HAVE TO SHOW PEOPLE SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE THAT
LION.

YOU WON'T GO ALONG TO GET ALONG.
YOU'RE STILL YOUNG.
YOU'RE MAKING YOUR ROUNDS.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND, TOO.
I APPRECIATE YOU FOR ALWAYS COMING BY, WE'RE OUT THERE, SO I
DO APPRECIATE YOU.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS AS WELL, MY
FRIEND.
2:51:13PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU.
2:51:14PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MR. CITRO, WE BECAME FRIENDS EARLY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT YOU KNOW I NEVER WILL LEAVE
A PLACE ANGRY OR LEAVE A PERSON TO FEEL I'M ANGRY WITH THEM.
I'M NOT ANGRY WITH YOU, SIR.
WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
WHATEVER YOU DO IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS, HOPE YOU ARE THE
BEST AS WELL.
I THINK WE ALL LEARNED SOMETHING BEING HERE.
NOTHING IS EVER PROMISED OR GIVEN.
YOU HAVE TO EARN EVERYTHING AT THE END OF THE DAY.
SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD
TIMES.
I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.
2:51:47PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
YOU AS WELL.
2:51:48PM >>ORLANDO GUDES:
MY FRIEND, THE OTHER HELL-RAISER OF THE
COUNCIL.

YOU FOUGHT A HELL OF A FIGHT, ENDURED A LOT, YOU CAME IN,
PEOPLE THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE ONE WAY BUT YOU TURNED OUT TO BE
THAT REAL LIONESS.
YOU GAVE THEM HELL.
YOU GAVE EVERYBODY HELL.
YOU SHOWED PEOPLE YOU ARE NOT AFRAID TO GET IN THE FIGHT.
AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT.
PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE WHO WILL GET INTO THE FIGHT WITH THEM, BE
IT WRONG, BAD, INDIFFERENT, BUT HAVE COURAGE.
NEVER BE A COWARD AND YOU SHOWED ME YOU WERE NOT A COWARD
WHEN YOU FIRST CAME TO THIS COUNCIL, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN A
FRIEND SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE YOU.
I KNOW ONE DAY YOU'LL PROBABLY RUN THIS COUNCIL AS A
CHAIRWOMAN, AS THE CHAIRMAN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON TV RUNNING THE COUNCIL.
GOD BLESS YOU IN THAT ENDEAVORS.
TO THE OLD MAN, THE GUY WHO KNOWS IT ALL, SEEN IT ALL,
QUIET, BUT HAS THAT EYE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, NOT -- GAVE
ME GOOD ADVICE WHILE I WAS HERE AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
AGAIN, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE WISDOM, MORE KNOWLEDGE TO
THOSE WHO COME.
YOU DID THAT FOR ME.
FIRST THING YOU SAID, I REMEMBER WHAT YOU TELL ME.

IT'S TRUE.
YOU NEVER BE MAD WITH SOMEBODY'S VOTE.
NEVER BE MAD WITH SOMEBODY'S VOTE.
AND ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, YOU DIDN'T LOSE.
YOU JUST DIDN'T GET ENOUGH VOTES.
IT'S TRUE.
BUT WHAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL, THE CLERKS,
MS. TANYA, WHEN I NEEDED A PERSON SHE WAS THERE.
THANK YOU ALL.
AMARE.
TO THE STAFF, I DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH SOME OF THE STAFF
MEMBERS, BUT I ALWAYS RESPECTED THEM.
I RESPECTED THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL.
I DIDN'T AGREE, BUT TO AGREE TO DISAGREE, WE CAN'T BE ANGRY
WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WE JUST HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT
THAT.
I'M ALWAYS GOING TO RESPECT EVERYBODY AND RESPECT THE PLACE
BUT I ALWAYS WILL HAVE MY OPINION.
AGAIN, I SAY THANK YOU TO ALL.
I'M GOING TO SIGN OFF TONIGHT AND START MY VACATION PLANS
FOR EACH MONTH.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
I'LL START MY REAL RETIREMENT NOW.
2:54:19PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.

2:54:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
WOW, IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW THAT.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN GUDES, FOR TAKING ME
UNDER YOUR WING WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE AND REALLY, I MEAN, WE
DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP ON THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION.
WE SAT NEXT TO EACH OTHER THEN, TOO.
DEVELOPED A FRIENDSHIP THERE AND JUST CONTINUED IT HERE.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR COUNCILMAN CITRO AND HIS ABILITY TO SIT ON
THAT SAME COMMISSION WITH ME, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN INTRODUCTION.
WE HAVE A NEW GENTLEMAN WHO IS GOING TO BE, NEW OFFICER WHO
WILL BE HELPING US OUT.
2:55:04PM >> MY PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU ALL.
MY NAME IS FERDINAND BARBOSA.
I'VE MET MOST OF YOU.
I GO BY JUNIOR.
BEEN WITH TPD FOR 23 YEARS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU ALL AND PROTECTING YOU AND
WORKING FOR YOU.
I KNOW I HAVE HUGE SHOES TO FILL FROM THIS GENTLEMAN.
THANK YOU.
2:55:27PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I SAID HELLO BEFORE EVERYTHING.
2:55:35PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
2:55:37PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
A COUPLE OF THINGS, COUNCIL MEMBER

GUDES, I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU, SERVING WITH YOU.
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, SAY IT AGAIN.
YOU ARE THE HARDEST WORKING CITY COUNCILMAN, WHO KNOWS,
MAYBE WE'VE EVER HAD.
YOU ARE OUT THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN THE DISTRICT,
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT, LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE.
WE MAY OR MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE, IT DOESN'T MATTER.
YOU DID THE JOB YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO AND I THINK YOU DID
IT BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.
YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THAT AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF
PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU.
WE'LL MISS YOU.
WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMAN CITRO, HOW LONG HAVE WE KNOWN EACH OTHER?
SINCE I WAS BORN?
2:56:18PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
I THINK I GAVE YOU ONE OF YOUR FIRST
HAIRCUTS.
2:56:21PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
MY GRANDMOTHER GAVE ME THE FIRST HAIR
CUT.
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN THE SECOND ONE BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER USED
TO CUT HAIR.
MY FAMILY AND YOU GO BACK -- MY MOTHER KNEW YOU IN COLLEGE.
THAT'S 1980, 1979, 1981.
I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR SERVICE AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE
SEEN THE END OF EITHER ONE OF YOU.

YOU'RE VERY, VERY INVOLVED.
YOU'RE FINGERPRINTS ARE ALL OVER THE CITY.
PEOPLE KNOW YOU.
PEOPLE KNOW THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU ARE.
THE HARD WORK AND THE DEDICATION AND THE SERVICE THAT YOU'VE
DONE.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
AND THAT'S THAT.
I DO HAVE I GUESS A QUASI-MOTION.
THIS IS TOTALLY SEPARATE.
IF WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION, IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THEY ARE
DOING WORK.
I MENTIONED IT BRIEFLY, BUT IN THE LOBBY AREA WHERE CARENCIA
WOULD SIT, THERE ARE THE STICK-ON PIECES OF CARPET, SQUARE.
THE ORIGINAL TILE FLOOR PROBABLY FROM 1915 IS THERE.
I MENTIONED TO SOME FOLKS IN FACILITIES THAT ARE WORKING
THERE THE OTHER DAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHO WE HAVE TO ASK.
AN INFORMAL REQUEST THAT THAT LOBBY AREA, THAT SQUARE THAT
THEY JUST LEAVE IT EXPOSED.
PULL THE CARPET OFF AND A QUICK POLISH BECAUSE THE TILE
UNDERNEATH IS IN GOOD SHAPE.
I THINK IT LOOKS NICE WITH THE CITY CREST, THE MOSAIC ONE ON
THE WALL.
THE HISTORIC ASPECT.

THIS BUILDING MODERNIZED INSIDE.
OUTSIDE IT LOOKS ORIGINAL.
DO WE NEED A MOTION OR REQUEST OF FACILITIES -- SO A MOTION
THAT WE ASK FACILITIES, THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING IN THE
CLERK'S OFFICE, TO EXPOSE, MEANING PULL OFF THE STICK-ON
CARPET THAT'S THERE IN THE LOBBY AREA ONLY, AND JUST POLISH
UP THOSE TILES UNDERNEATH.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL ONCE IT'S DONE.
2:58:16PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSITION?
MOTION PASSES.
2:58:23PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
2:58:25PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
COUNCILMAN VIERA.
2:58:26PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.
I APPRECIATE THE WORDS COUNCILMAN GUDES.
IT'S NOT EASY SPEAKING FROM THE HEART LIKE THAT.
I APPRECIATE IT.
YOU LIKE COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO SAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
YOU AND COUNCILMAN CITRO IS COUNCILMAN CITRO WAS CITYWIDE.
YOU REPRESENT A DISTRICT.
WHEN YOU REPRESENT A DISTRICT YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PAROCHIAL
DUTY TO HIT IT HARD FOR THE DISTRICT.

THE FIRST YEAR IN THE BUDGET WHEN YOU BROUGHT UP THE REC
CENTER, AND THAT WAS KIND OF UNHEARD OF AT THE TIME.
IT WAS, JUST TO STOP A BUDGET AND BE LIKE, HEY, LISTEN, MY
DISTRICT NEEDS THIS.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS A LOT.
I MEAN THAT.
I REALLY DO.
COUNCILMAN CITRO, TO ME, YOU'RE POTHOLE JOE WHICH IS YOU'RE
ALWAYS THE GUY THAT CITIZENS WOULD COME TO FOR EVERYDAY
ISSUES, ROADS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, AND YOU'VE DONE SUCH A
GOOD JOB WITH SUCH A REAL ZEAL FOR EVERYDAY SERVICES FOR OUR
PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA AND BOTH OF YOU ALL HAVE A DEEP,
DEEP, DEEP LOVE FOR THIS CITY AND WHATNOT.
IT'S REALLY APPRECIATED 110%.
I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A QUICK MOTION, IF I MAY.
ONE.
I MOTION -- THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT I GOT TO KNOW BY
THE NAME OF COPS WHICH IS DEALING WITH SURVIVORS OF POLICE
OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
I WANTED TO INVITE FOR POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK CINDY ROBERTS
WHO IS THE WIDOW OF MIKE ROBERTS WHO WAS TAKEN FROM US ABOUT
12 YEARS AGO TO SPEAK TO US ON MAY 18 JUST FOR FIVE MINUTES
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND STEPHANIE
BARNES, WHOSE BROTHER WAS ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
WAS TAKEN FROM US AS WELL.

3:00:10PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MOTION MADE BY COUNCILMAN VIERA.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSITION?
MOTION CARRIES.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
3:00:18PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I GUESS WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER IN A COUPLE OF
HOURS BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CHAIR CITRO AND COUNCIL
MEMBER GUDES.
IT'S BEEN GREAT WORKING WITH YOU GUYS.
COUNCIL MEMBER GUDES, THANK YOU FOR THE NICE WORDS.
JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, WE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER
OUTSIDE THIS ROOM.
WE WERE ON THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION AND THEN HERE.
WE ALL HAVE TO SENSE WHAT EACH OTHER IS THINKING BECAUSE WE
CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER AND COMPARE NOTES OUTSIDE.
COUNCIL MEMBER GUDES, I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVOCACY FOR YOUR
DISTRICT, EDUCATING ME AT LEAST ON THE THINGS THAT YOUR
DISTRICT NEEDED AND YOUR PERSISTENCE IN CHASING THOSE
THINGS, AND I THINK EVERYBODY CAN SEE YOUR HEART IS IN IT
AND YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR HONESTY IN ADDRESSING ISSUES.
I THINK IT'S BEEN REFRESHING.
WE'VE RESOLVED A LOT OF ISSUES.
THE CITY NEEDED TO GO THROUGH A TRANSFORMATION THE LAST FOUR
YEARS, AND I THINK WE TOGETHER HELPED MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

NOW HOPEFULLY WE CAN MOVE INTO A PHASE WHERE WE CAN ALL HEAL
AND WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
BUT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OVER THE LAST FOUR
YEARS.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A CIGAR
WITH YOU SOMETIME SOON.
AND SPEAKING OF CIGARS, CONGRATS TO MY OTHER COLLEAGUES WHO
WON ON TUESDAY, AND ESPECIALLY THE COUNCIL MEMBER HURTAK WHO
FACED UNBELIEVABLE ODDS IN GETTING HIT.
I CAN'T IMAGINE -- I WAS HIT WITH ABOUT HALF AS MUCH AS YOU
WERE HIT WITH.
I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO GO THROUGH THAT.
THANK YOU FOR PERSEVERING THROUGH THAT.
HOPEFULLY IT SENT A LOT OF SIGNALS THAT THE PUBLIC IS
SERIOUS ABOUT CHANGE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
WE'VE HAD SEVERAL WINS NOW THAT ARE PROOF THAT THE COMMUNITY
WANTS A BALANCE OF POWER AND THEY WANT GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND
THE ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING THEY WANT TO WORK WITH US NOW.
SO I HOPE THAT WILL ALL HAPPEN.
BUT THE PUBLIC CLEARLY IS AWARE OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.
THEY ARE EDUCATED ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, AND THEY
VOTED.
SO LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE THE POSITIVE CHANGES THAT WE
NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU ALL.

3:02:38PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THANK YOU.
I HAVE TO MAKE LA JEFA HAPPY.
NOT TALKING ABOUT PAULA.
TALKING ABOUT FRAN CONSTANTINO.
MAKE A MOTION, USING THE PROCESS TO BE FINALIZED IN NEXT
WEEK'S ORDINANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION TO RENAME EAST YBOR
PARK TO CONSTANTINO PARK BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY'S LONG-TERM
PRESENCE IN YBOR CITY AND THE HISTORY THE FAMILY HAS HAD
WITH THE IMPROVEMENT THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS IN
THIS EAST YBOR PARK.
3:03:19PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
I THINK THIS IS WONDERFUL.
I'VE KNOWN FRAN A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.
AGAIN, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HARDWORKING INDIVIDUAL,
ORLANDO GUDES IS A HARDWORKING INDIVIDUAL, FRAN IS RIGHT
THERE AND HOW SHE'S DEVOTED HERSELF FOR YEARS TO THE
COMMUNITY.
I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY BOARDS, ORGANIZATIONS,
NONPROFITS, VERY, VERY MUCH DESERVED.
WE HAVE A MOTION FROM CHAIRMAN CITRO, SECOND BY COUNCIL
MEMBER CARLSON.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
3:03:53PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
WE HAVE A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE.

MR. SHELBY.
3:03:59PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IF I CAN, MR. CHAIRMAN, WITH YOUR
INDULGENCE FOR JUST A MINUTE I JUST WANTED TO SAY FROM WHERE
I SIT, IT IS A TREMENDOUS HONOR AND A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO
SERVE THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND BOTH OF YOU GENTLEMEN I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU TO HELP YOU BETTER SERVE YOUR
CONSTITUENTS.
IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS HONOR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME AND I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, FOR YOUR TIME ON CITY
COUNCIL.
AND I THINK THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS GREATLY FROM THIS COUNCIL
AND WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THAT BEING SAID, GENTLEMEN, AND MADAM COUNCILWOMAN, THERE IS
AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 2 P.M. HERE ON MONDAY AT WHICH
TIME YOU SELECT THE CHAIR AND THE CHAIR PRO TEM OF CITY
COUNCIL, AND THE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE CRA.
I HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY HERE,
BRIAN SULLIVAN WILL BE HERE TO TAKE A PICTURE BEFORE THE
START OF THAT MEETING FOR THE PURPOSES OF UPDATING THE
WEBSITE.
JUST BE PREPARED FOR THAT.
AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO SAY A THANK-YOU.
3:05:06PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
MOVE TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
3:05:07PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE BY COUNCILMAN

MANISCALCO.
SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR --
3:05:13PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
MR. CHAIRMAN, ONE LAST THING.
I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE A 5:00 MEETING AND WE
HAVE A QUORUM.
IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO WISHES TO APPEAR VIRTUALLY, AS LONG
AS WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM, THAT COULD BE ARRANGED.
IT'S JUST ONE ITEM AND IT'S VERY SHORT.
THANK YOU.
3:05:29PM >>JOSEPH CITRO:
THIS WORKSHOP IS ADJOURNED.
CITY COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE AT 5:01.

[MEETING ADJOURNED]


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