CRA
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025, 9:00 A.M.

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[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
9:02:55AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
9:03:06AM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
9:03:06AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
9:03:08AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
9:03:09AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
9:03:10AM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
9:03:11AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
9:03:12AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
PRESENT.
9:03:15AM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
9:03:17AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
OKAY.
GOOD MORNING.
HELLO, EVERYONE.
MR. McCRAY, LET ME CALL YOU UP -- CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO
ADOPT THE MINUTES FROM LAST MONTH?
9:03:28AM >> SO MOVED.
9:03:30AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MOTION BY VIERA, SECONDED BY MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

ANY OPPOSED?
OKAY.
MR. McCRAY, GOOD MORNING, OUR NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR NO
LONGER.
DIRECTOR.
GOOD MORNING.
9:03:46AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
GOOD MORNING.
CEDRIC McCRAY, TAMPA CRA DIRECTOR.
WE DO HAVE A REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE FOR ITEM 4, WHICH WAS A
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
9:03:58AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE?
9:04:00AM >> SO MOVED.
9:04:01AM >> SECOND.
9:04:01AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
9:04:02AM >> AYE.
9:04:05AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
WE WILL FOLLOW THE AGENDA AS IT APPEARS.
9:04:09AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
FOR BOARD MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY REQUIRED
APPROVALS THAT WANT DISCUSSION?
PULL FOR DISCUSSION?
NONE.
9:04:17AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I THINK WE SHOULD AT LEAST BRIEFLY TOUCH ON
THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS.
9:04:27AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ALL OF THEM?
9:04:29AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
LIKE AT ONCE.
AFTER LAST MONTH, I THINK WE SHOULD JUST, YOU KNOW --

9:04:36AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
OKAY.
NO PROBLEM.
CAN WE ADOPT THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING?
SECOND, PLEASE?
THANK YOU.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
AYE.
9:04:44AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU, MR. McCRAY.
WE'LL START WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE TWO CALLS ONLINE, MR. RANDOLPH, YOU CAN GO FIRST.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
9:05:07AM >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL RANDOLPH.
I'M WITH THE WEST TAMPA CDC.
TODAY I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE GREAT HISTORY OF THE WEST
TAMPA CDC.
IN RECENT MONTHS, WE THANK IN PART TO OUR CONSTITUENCY
PARTICIPATION.
BECAUSE OF OUR CONSTITUENCY PARTICIPATION -- MY ASSISTANT IS
NOT WORKING WITH ME.
LET ME START OVER.
IN RECENT MONTHS, WE WANT TO THANK IN PART TO THE CITY
COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE CRA TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A
LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE WEST TAMPA CDC.
THE WEST TAMPA CDC, WHICH ESTABLISHED DIVERSE BOARD,

CONSISTING OF RESIDENTS, EDUCATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, THAT
ADAPTED A COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS OF
WEST TAMPA.
TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, THE WEST TAMPA CDC DEVELOPED A
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN.
THE PLAN FOCUSES ON ENHANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT.
THIS APPROACH IN PART TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE WHEN IT CAME
TO WEST TAMPA.
THE WEST TAMPA CDC WORKS WITH RESIDENTS TO LAY THE
FOUNDATION TO WHAT WE CALL THE PARTNERSHIP TO FILL IN THE
PIECES.
EACH PARTNER WAS GIVEN A PARTICULAR ROLE TO SERVE IN THE
WEST CDC TAMPA ROLE.
WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT IT IS THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS TO
MOBILIZE THE COMMUNITY, CREATE THE PLAN AND THEN BRING
TOGETHER THE DIFFERENT THINGS, GOVERNMENT SOURCES, EDUCATORS
--
WHEN WE PLAN TO INTRODUCE -- WHEN WE DID INTRODUCE THIS PLAN
TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE GOT -- TO SAY WE SET THE PACE FOR
THE COMMUNITY.
SOME OF OUR KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS WAS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR ROLE IN TERMS OF

SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
WE DID THIS BY PROVIDING MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE
NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITYWIDE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALSO E-MAILING FOLKS.
SOME OF THE MULTIPLE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE OVERLAY DISTRICT.
FIRST GROUP TO CREATE AN OVERLAY DISTRICT.
THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE YOU.
I MESSED UP THIS MORNING, BUT ANYWAYS, THANK YOU.
9:08:18AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU, MR. RANDOLPH.
WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPEAKER, MR. WALTER SCOTTON.
NOT ONLINE.
OKAY.
WE CAN MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM INSIDE THE CHAMBERS.
ANYONE WANTING TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME BEFORE US, STAND TO
YOUR LEFT.
9:08:44AM >> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS SANDRA DEDIEGO SANCHEZ.
I AM PRESENTLY A MEMBER OF THE WEST TAMPA CAC.
THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAVE BEEN VERY EVENTFUL.
LAST YEAR I WAS NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR FROM THE WEST TAMPA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
YOU HONORED ME BY HAVING THE DOG PARK AT THE VILA BROTHERS
PARK, WHICH IS IN WEST TAMPA, NAMED AFTER ME FOR MY
DEDICATION TO THE PARK AND MY COMMUNITY SERVICE.

I RECEIVED THE PRESIDENT'S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR MY
COMMUNITY SERVICE.
I HAVE BEEN BEFORE YOU AT REZONING HEARINGS DEFENDING THE
WEST TAMPA OVERLAY.
MY FAMILY HAS LIVED IN WEST TAMPA FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS
AND 60 OF THOSE YEARS ARE WITHIN THE CRA.
I AM THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF ROSA VALDES, FOUNDER OF THE ONE
FIRST METHODIST SETTLEMENT IN TAMPA AND THAT IS IN WEST
TAMPA, KNOWN TODAY AS CORNERSTONE MINISTRIES.
I WAS RECENTLY ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ORAL HISTORY
INITIATIVE THROUGH USF AND THE WEST TAMPA HERITAGE GROUP
ABOUT WEST TAMPA.
YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM THIS GROUP SOON.
I HAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE WEST TAMPA CAC BOARD FOR FOUR
YEARS.
AND BEFORE BEING A BOARD MEMBER, I ATTENDED MEETINGS FOR TWO
YEARS.
I THINK MY INTEREST TO SEE WEST TAMPA BECOME A THRIVING
COMMUNITY AGAIN IS EVIDENT.
THIS YEAR, WHEN I APPLIED AGAIN FOR A THIRD TERM WITH WEST
TAMPA CAC, I WAS DENIED BECAUSE I LIVED TWO BLOCKS OUT OF
THE CRA.
I BELIEVE THE THOUGHT OF THIS IS IF YOU DO NOT LIVE WITHIN
THE CRA, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I AM NOT ASKING FOR REINSTATEMENT.

A RULE IS A RULE.
BUT THE IRONY OF THIS RULE IS THAT ONLY ONE OF YOU MAYBE
LIVE WITHIN A CRA.
THE REST OF YOU DON'T, AND YOU ARE MAKING DECISIONS FOR
THOSE COMMUNITIES.
THE MEMBERS OF THE WEST TAMPA CAC, THREE MEMBERS OF THE WEST
TAMPA CAC DO NOT LIVE WITHIN THE CRA, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE
CONNECTED WITH ORGANIZATION THAT THE WEST TAMPA CAC
ACKNOWLEDGES, THAT IS OKAY.
AGAIN, I'M NOT ASKING FOR REINSTATEMENT.
A RULE IS A RULE.
BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU REVIEW THIS RULE AND SEE IF IT
MAKES SENSE.
IS THIS THEORY CORRECT?
IF SO, THEN NO ONE THAT DOES NOT LIVE WITHIN THE CRA SHOULD
BE PART OF THESE COMMITTEES.
PLEASE RETHINK THE RULES AND MAKE SURE IT IS APPLICABLE TO
ALL MEMBERSHIP SITUATIONS.
THIS RULE WILL DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
BUT PERSONALLY, I THINK THE REASONING IS UNJUSTIFIED AND IT
NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.
THANK YOU.
9:11:18AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
GOOD MORNING.

9:11:49AM >> GOOD MORNING.
ALISON HEWITT, EAST TAMPA RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER.
WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A COPY OF MY PUBLIC COMMENTS AND
A PROPOSAL.
AS WE ARE WATCHING THE LEGISLATURE AND THE SENATE BILL AND
THE HOUSE BILL REGARDING CRAs MOVE FORWARD, RIGHT NOW THE
HOUSE BILL IS IN THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND SENATE BILL IS
IN RULES.
THEREFORE IT CAN GO TO THE FLOOR AT ANY TIME.
SINCE THE HOUSE BILL HAS PASSED TWO COMMITTEES, THEY CAN
PULL THAT UP TO BE ABLE TO PASS IT.
SO WE NEED TO BE PREPARED JUST IN CASE IT MOVES FORWARD.
SO WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU IS A PROPOSAL TO BE
ABLE TO ENCUMBER MONEY FOR THE SPECIAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS
THE PREDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU HEARD OUR CONVERSATION AND
APPROVED THE PREDEVELOPMENT IN 2022 TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
DOING THE LETTER OF THE CRP AND HELPING PROPERTY OWNERS
DEVELOP THEIR PROPERTY.
NOW WE NEED TO POTENTIALLY MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THAT FOR THE
NEXT NINE YEARS THAT WE HAVE THE CRA.
I'M ASKING THAT WE RECONSIDER AND WORK WITH THE STAFF TO DO
AN RFP TO CREATE A SPECIAL PROJECTS AND GRANT ADMINISTRATOR
TO BE AN ORGANIZATION OR PERSON TO BE ABLE TO -- PROBABLY
NEEDS TO BE AN ORGANIZATION -- TO ACTUALLY ENCUMBER THE

FUNDS TO CONTINUE WITH THE SPECIAL PROJECTS AND THE GRANTS.
AS WE'RE WATCHING THE COMMITTEE, THEY HAVE ASKED THE SPONSOR
OF THE BILL, SO WE HAVE A PHASE TWO.
SO DOES THIS MEAN WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO A PHASE TWO AFTER
OCTOBER 1?
THE ANSWER FROM THE COMMITTEE IS NO, UNLESS THE MONEY IS
BUDGETED AND ENCUMBERED NO NEW PROJECTS.
EVEN IF THEY HAVE A PHASE 2 ON THE PLAN, UNLESS THAT MONEY
IS ENCUMBERED, THAT MONEY CANNOT BE SPENT.
I'M ALSO ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER LIKE YOU DID IN THE
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH GASWORX THAT WE ALSO PROJECT TIF
DOLLARS OUT FOR THE REMAINING OF THE EAST TAMPA CRA TO ALSO
ENCUMBER THE FUNDS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CONTINUING TO HELP THE
BUSINESSES AND HELP GROWTH AND HELP DEVELOPMENT.
SO THAT'S JUST AN IDEA I WANTED TO SHARE WITH MY EXPERIENCE
WITH THE SHOWER AND WITH STATUTE IN WATCHING THE BILL MOVE
FORWARD TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER.
THE OTHER PART -- GOING TO JUMP ON WHAT MS. SANCHEZ SAYS, WE
NEED SOME CONSISTENCY FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS.
WE HAD AN UPROAR IN EAST TAMPA BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE TOLD THAT
THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS,
EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS BEFORE THEY WERE APPOINTED, BUT
OTHER CACs SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH EXTENSIVE
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
IF WE COULD HAVE CONSISTENT MESSAGES FOR THE POLICY AND HOW

IT'S APPLIED TO PEOPLE WHO APPLY AND DO THEIR VOLUNTEER
WORK, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER THAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
9:14:27AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING.
9:14:42AM >> GOOD MORNING, STEPHANIE POYNOR.
I CARRY AROUND ALL THESE BINDERS.
THIS IS OLD COMP PLAN, NEW COMP PLAN.
BEEN CARRYING THESE AROUND.
I THINK WE'RE ON LIKE THE 10th VERSION OF THE NEW COMP
PLAN.
THE COMP PLAN IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR OUR CITY.
IT BEFUDDLES ME HOW THE FOLKS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION
BOARD ARE SO DISRESPECTFUL TO OUR CITIZENS OF OUR CITY AND
TO YOU ALL.
I SENT YOU GUYS THE VIDEO ON MONDAY WHERE WE HAD SOMEBODY ON
THE PLANNING COMMISSION BOARD SAID I DON'T CARE WHAT CITY
COUNCIL WANTS.
HE DOESN'T LIVE HERE.
AND TO MAKE FUN OF CARROLL ANN AND I BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE
CHHA AND WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY ELSE TO LIVE IN THE CHHA WHEN
WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION THEY ALREADY DOUBLED OUR DWELLING
UNITS.

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE HERE MAKING
JUDGMENTS, SHOWING UP AT COUNCIL, BEING OVER THERE, MAKING
DECISIONS FOR US THAT ARE NOT IN OUR BEST INTEREST.
I'M SORRY.
IF YOU DIDN'T THINK THAT THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD WAS
IMPORTANT, YOU NEED TO MAKE A LITTLE TRIP DOWN TO PORT TAMPA
AFTER HELENE HIT.
THAT'S THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE NEED TO RESPECT THE FOLKS
WHO PUT US ON THESE COUNCILS.
WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT PLANNING
COMMISSION STAFF WORKS FOR THAT BOARD.
SO WE HAVE PUT PEOPLE ON THAT BOARD WHO ARE DELIBERATELY
GOING AGAINST THE VALUES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE SHOWN.
YOU SHOW US VALUES.
I HAVE TRUST IN YOU.
I KNOW EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE A SET OF VALUES ABOUT WHAT YOU
WANT TO SEE AND WHERE YOU WANT TO GO WITH THE CITY.
THE QUESTION IS, ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING ON THAT
BOARD REPRESENTING YOUR VALUES FOR OUR CITY?
THE CITY OF TAMPA SPENT $500,000 ON THIS DOCUMENT RIGHT HERE
TO STUDY THE COASTAL AREA.
THE COASTAL AREA ACTION PLAN.
$500,000.
THOSE GUYS DON'T THINK THAT THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD IS

IMPORTANT AT ALL.
THEY DON'T THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WHOSE HOUSES GOT FLOODED
LAST YEAR WERE IMPORTANT.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US.
IT'S DISRESPECTFUL AND IT'S RUDE AND THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN TO
TASK FOR IT.
THERE ARE NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS ABOUT IT.
SENT THE VIDEO TO YOU.
7:13 P.M. AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON MONDAY
NIGHT.
IF YOU NEED THE LINK, ANYBODY CAN E-MAIL ME.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO SEND IT TO YOU.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO DISRESPECTFUL AND RUDE IN A
PUBLIC MEETING BY PEOPLE WHO WERE GIVEN GRACE TO MAKE GOOD
DECISIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL FOLLOW UP ON IT.
9:17:48AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
GOOD MORNING.
9:17:51AM >> GOOD MORNING.
HI.
MY NAME IS CARROLL ANN BENNETT.
CAVEAT EMPTOR.
THE DICTIONARY, THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE BUYER ALONE IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING THE QUALITY AND SUITABILITY OF
GOODS BEFORE A PURCHASE IS MADE.
BUYER BEWARE.

DUE DILIGENCE, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
I CAN THINK OF NO CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE THOSE THINGS ARE MORE
IMPORTANT THAN WHEN SOMEBODY IS SPECULATING ON A LAND DEAL.
AFTER SEVEN YEARS, I AM STILL AMAZED BY THE WHINING OF GROWN
MEN AND WOMEN.
I CAN'T MAKE ANY MONEY UNLESS THE CITY GIVES ME MORE THAN
WHAT I KNEW I WAS ENTITLED TO WHEN I BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY.
EVERY PERSON WHO BUYS PROPERTY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THEY CAN
AND CANNOT BUILD.
IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE PROS AND CONS OF THE
PROPERTY AND NEGOTIATE THE RIGHT PRICE.
IF SOMEONE DOES NOT DO THAT, IT IS NOT THE CITY'S JOB TO
BAIL THEM OUT OF THEIR STUPIDITY.
THAT TREE, THAT DITCH, THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DID NOT SPRING UP
THE DAY AFTER THEY BOUGHT LAND.
IF A PROPERTY HAS LIMITATIONS OR OBSTACLES, NEGOTIATE A
LOWER PRICE.
DUH.
THE CITY IS NOT THEIR MOMMA.
WHY SHOULD WE BAIL SOMEBODY OUT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO
THEIR DUE DILIGENCE?
THE REALITY IS MOST ARE NOT STUPID.
THEY ARE ENTERPRISING.
THEY NEGOTIATE A LOWER PRICE BECAUSE THERE IS A DITCH OR A
GRAND TREE, BECAUSE THEY MUST SPEND MORE TO BUILD WHAT THEY

WANT.
THEN THEY DOUBLE DOWN ON THE PROFIT BY ASKING THE CITY TO
RELIEVE THEM OF THE HORRIBLE BURDEN OF OUR BUILDING CODE AND
GIVE THEM A REZONING, A WAIVER, A DESIGN EXCEPTION, A
VARIANCE, A SPECIAL USE OR THEY BEG THE CITY NOT TO MAKE
THEM PAY INTO THE BIG, BAD UNFAIR SIDEWALK FUND.
THEY PAY LESS BECAUSE IT WILL COST MORE TO BUILD WHAT THEY
WANT.
THEN THEY GET OUT OF PAYING MORE BY CRYING THE BLUES TO THE
CITY AND THEN THEY LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.
THE COST OF BUILDING WHAT THEY WANT, THE PROFIT MARGIN.
ALL OF THAT IS PART OF THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING THE PRICE
OF A PROPERTY.
IF THEY CAN'T MAKE A PROFIT BECAUSE THE CITY WON'T GIVE THEM
EXTRA ENTITLEMENTS, THEN THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS SPECULATING
ON A LAND DEAL.
THEY ARE BAD AT THEIR JOB AND THEY NEED TO FIND A DIFFERENT
ONE.
THE CITY OF TAMPA IS NOT THEIR MOMMA.
THANK YOU.
9:20:17AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
9:20:23AM >> GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS DARYL HYCH.
ON MY BOOKSHELF AT HOME I HAVE A BOOK CALLED THE MILLIONAIRE

NEXT DOOR WHICH IS A PHENOMENAL BOOK.
THE BOOK TALKS ABOUT THE MINDSET OF THE MILLIONAIRE.
IT TALKS ABOUT HOW THE MILLIONAIRE POSSIBLY GOT TO HIS
STATUS OF A MILLIONAIRE.
IT TALKS ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF A MILLIONAIRE, TIME
MANAGEMENT.
IT IS A PHENOMENAL BOOK.
BUT WHAT WAS NOT IN THAT BOOK WAS THE MANIPULATION AND THE
BACKDOOR CONVERSATIONS AND THE FAVOR OF OPPORTUNITY AND
VARIOUS THINGS THAT MILLIONAIRES RECEIVE.
MILLIONAIRES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GARNER CONVERSATIONS
THAT US THOUSAND-DOLLAR-NAIRES DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO.
WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS FLORIDA STATUTE 163 340
WHICH IS REFERENCING SECTION 7 AND 8, SLUM AND BLIGHT OF THE
CRA.
I SAT BACK AND WATCHED FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR HOW THE CRA
FUNDS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED IN THE CITY OF TAMPA.
AND NOT JUST IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, I'VE COME TO REALIZE THAT
IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.
AND THIS NATIONAL PROBLEM IS HURTING THE VERY PEOPLE THAT IT
IS SET ASIDE FOR.
I AM UTTERLY UPSET, AND I'M ALSO KIND OF HAPPY WHEN I READ
-- I DON'T KNOW.
I CAN'T QUITE PRONOUNCE HIS NAME BUT CALL HIM MIKE G.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE G. WHO HAS NOW PASSED HIS HOUSE
BILL TO TRY TO END THE CRA FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA BECAUSE
OF ALL THE DIFFERENT PET PROJECTS AND VARIOUS THINGS TAKING
PLACE.
WHEN I WATCHED A STREET GET TORE UP IN YBOR CITY THAT WAS
ALREADY A PERFECTLY BUILT STREET, TO THEN ULTIMATELY GET
REPLACED BY COBBLESTONE BRICKS AND THEN HIDDEN UP UNDER THE
UMBRELLA THEREOF AND I HAD TO ASK MYSELF, HOLD ON, THIS IS
DISTURBING.
WE'RE USING FUNDS THAT ARE SET ASIDE FOR SLUM AND BLIGHT.
I NEED NOT CHALLENGE YOUR INTEGRITY AND ASK YOU WHAT IS THE
DEFINITION OF SLUM AND BLIGHT?
SLUM AND BLIGHT IS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUFFERING SO
FAR AND THEN WE COME FULL CIRCLE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE MANY THINGS HAPPENING IN SOCIETY
TODAY.
YOU'VE GOT THE ADMINISTRATION FROM THE FEDERAL END THAT IS
ENDANGERING PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME AND MINORITY
INDIVIDUALS.
THEN YOU COME FULL CIRCLE AND YOU HAVE A FUND THAT'S SET
ASIDE TO HELP AND BEING UTILIZED NOT BY THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT
DOOR THAT I READ THE BOOK ON.
IT'S SET ASIDE BY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN CLEARLY
GO INTO ANY BANK AND PUT THEIR SIGNATURE ON AND GET A LOAN.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I'M EXCITED THAT THIS THING IS

COMING TO AN END BECAUSE IT IS NOT HELPING THE PEOPLE THAT
IT WAS SET ASIDE FOR.
THANK YOU.
9:23:28AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
9:23:34AM >> GOOD MORNING, CONNIE BURTON.
AGAIN, ONE OF MY FAVORITE POETS, GWENDOLYN BROOKS, HATING
YOU SHALL BE A GAME PLAYED WITH COOL HANDS.
AND I WOULD SAY SHE COULD HAVE SAID WITH CALM, POLITICAL
VOICES.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO BE REPORTED
ON IN ITEM NUMBER 1 FOR EAST TAMPA CRA.
REPEATEDLY, WE HAVE TOLD YOU OVER AND OVER -- I KNOW I'VE
BEEN COMING FOR OVER TEN YEARS TO LAY OUT THE CHALLENGES AND
THE ISSUES OF EAST TAMPA AND YET WE SEE ONLY PET PROJECTS
MOVING FORWARD AND TO BE TOLD TO OUR VERY FACES IS BECAUSE
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WANT.
SOME PET PROJECTS THAT THE CRA BOARD REJECTED, YOU FOUND A
WAY TO COME THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE BASED ON LOVE, BUT THESE
PEOPLE PART OF YOUR SORORITY OR WHAT, BUT SOLITA HOUSE WAS A
CLEAR EXAMPLE.
SOMEBODY TEACHING POOR PEOPLE HOW TO BUDGET TO GO INTO HOME
OWNERSHIP, BUT YET THEY NEEDED CRA DOLLARS TO FINISH OUT
THEIR BUILDING UP TO ALMOST $400,000.
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM.

NEVER DID I HEAR ANY OTHER CRA MEMBERS, LEADERSHIP COME AND
SAY TO THIS BODY, WE WANT TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK FOR
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I HEAR NOW IT IS BEING
UNDER THE CAREER CHOICE PROGRAM.
BUT YET WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CHILDREN ARE BEING CAPTURED.
ALL CHILDREN, 72 CHILDREN THAT WE ADVOCATED FOR OUT OF EAST
TAMPA BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR A CAREER CHOICE?
WE DON'T KNOW THAT.
AND THEN JUST LAST MONTH'S CRA, WHEN THE BOARD, THE CAC
BOARD SAID THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS GIVE JC NEWMAN
PROPOSAL UP TO A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, YOU FOUND A WAY NOT
TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AMONGST YOURSELVES SO THE PUBLIC CAN
SEE HOW YOUR VOTE AND YOUR VIEWS WAS, YOU GAVE THEM THE FULL
$5 MILLION.
THAT'S WHAT YOU DID.
AGAIN, TELLING THE BOARD OF YOUR LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE
PRINCIPAL AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOARD.
AS MS. SANCHEZ JUST CAME UP, YOU KNOW, IN EAST TAMPA CRA, WE
HAD A WAY IN WHICH WE WANTED TO IDENTIFY OUR LEADERSHIP.
WE SAID LET'S GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF A DEMOCRATIC
ELECTION.
BUT AGAIN, THE COUNCILPERSON THERE SAID NO, NO, NO, PICK AND
CHOOSE.
NOW WE HAVE MEMBERS OF EAST TAMPA CAC THAT HAVE ABSOLUTE
DISDAIN FOR POOR PEOPLE THAT YOU APPOINTED.

WHEN GWENDOLYN BROOKS SAYS WITH CALM HANDS, WE WILL
UNDERSTAND YOUR HATE, WE SEE IT BY YOUR ACTION.
9:26:37AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.
9:26:40AM >> VALERIE BULLOCK FROM PONCE De LEON COLLEGE HILL.
MONEY IN EAST TAMPA CRA IS NOT BEING USED FOR THE
HOMEOWNERS.
THAT'S WHY THEY SAY WHEN IT SUNSETS, ARE THEY GOING TO CLOSE
IT DOWN, I SAY SHUT IT DOWN.
BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT GOING TO GO TO THE HOMEOWNERS WHO HAVE
EQUITY IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHO HAVE LIVED THERE 15, 20, 30,
50 YEARS, IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE A GENERAL FUND USED FOR
BUSINESSES AND NEW HOMEOWNERS SHUT IT DOWN BECAUSE IT
DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
WHEN JC NEWMAN CAME TO ASK FOR HIS $5 MILLION, EVERYTHING
THE COUNCIL DID, IT WREAKED OF COLLUSION.
THE COUNCILWOMAN, KEPT ASKING THE PEOPLE HOW MUCH LONGER,
HOW MUCH LONGER.
AS SOON AS THEY GOT THROUGH, LET'S GO TO A VOTE.
I KNOW THAT WAS NOT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
IT APPEARED YOU ALL HAD GOTTEN TOGETHER IN YOUR OFFICE AND
HAD A THREE-WAY PHONE CALL AND DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO GIVE
THEM 5 MILLION NO MATTER WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY.
AND THEN YOU WONDER WHY WE HAVE A LACK OF TRUST FOR YOU ALL
AND VERY LITTLE RESPECT FOR SOME OF YOU ALL.

IT'S BECAUSE OF ACTIONS LIKE THAT.
THE DISRESPECT YOU SHOW TOWARDS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN
EAST TAMPA, THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE GENERATIONS, IT SHOWS.
JUST LIKE THE LADY SAID, IN WEST TAMPA, HER FAMILY GOES BACK
A HUNDRED YEARS.
SOME FAMILIES IN EAST TAMPA GOES BACK A HUNDRED YEARS.
WHEN IT COMES TIME TO DO SOMETHING FOR EAST TAMPA OR DO THE
TREE-TRIMMING PROGRAM, WE'LL FIX THE HOUSES, BUT IT COME
WITH TOO MANY ASTERISKS.
YOU HAVE TO SIGN THE PAPERWORK.
YOU GOT TO GET A LIEN PLACED ON YOUR HOUSE IF YOU WANT THIS
MONEY.
OKAY, WE JUST HAD HURRICANE FUND OPEN UP.
IT OPENED UP ON THE 24th TO PREREGISTER.
BY THE TIME MY REGISTER CLOSED DOWN.
WE ARE NO LONGER TAKING ANY MORE APPLICATIONS.
YOU PUT ASIDE $20,000 FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO GOT IN THAT
PROGRAM.
IF YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT BY EAST TAMPA,
WHY CAN'T THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN EAST TAMPA 5, 10, 15,
20 YEARS WHO HAVE EQUITY IN THE COMMUNITY, WHY CAN'T THEY
GET 20,000 TO FIX THEIR HOUSE AS LONG AS THEY CAN SHOW FOR
THE REPAIRS.
IT'S NO CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD WHATSOEVER WHEN IT
COMES, EVERY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD IS FLOURISHING.

THEY HAVE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WHO ALL
HAVE CRAs.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO EAST TAMPA, THE PEOPLE STILL NEED THEIR
ROOF REPAIRED, STILL NEED THEIR CABINET REPAIRED.
IT'S JUST THE BUSINESSES THAT COME AND GET MONEY.
TALK ABOUT THE BLIGHTED SLUM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IF YOU
EVER GET THE HEART AND COURAGE TO GO ON 30th TO OSBORNE,
LOOK NEXT DOOR TO PALM GASOLINE COMPANY.
THEY HAVE STACKED UP TWO STORIES.
AND CODE ENFORCEMENT DON'T GO THERE.
IN MY BACKYARD, THEY WANT TO FIND ME.
9:29:55AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR TODAY?
THANK YOU.
WE'LL MOVE ON.
MR. McCRAY.
WE HAVE ONE MORE.
9:30:12AM >> UHURU.
UHURU MEANS FREEDOM IN SWAHILI.
WE AS AFRICAN PEOPLE SHOULD ALWAYS BE THINKING ABOUT OUR
FREEDOM EVERY SINGLE DAY, EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THE DAY.
WE SHOULD ALWAYS UNDERSTAND WHITE PEOPLE AIN'T GOING TO DO
NOTHING FOR US.
SHOULD ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THAT.
NO IFS, ANDS, BUTS.

WHITE PEOPLE SEE US AS A PET OR AS A THREAT.
THAT'S HOW WHITE PEOPLE SEE US.
THEY SEE YOU AS A PET OR AS A THREAT.
A PET CAN MEAN A PUPPET, DO-BOY, DO-GIRL.
A THREAT COULD MEAN LIKE, HEY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO
DO SOMETHING TO ME.
I'LL KILL YOU, ASSAULT YOU, TELL YOU TO GET OUT OF HERE.
I'LL TREAT YOU INHUMANELY.
I'LL DO ALL THESE THINGS.
THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS.
I'M THE FIRST TO SAY WHITE PEOPLE HAVE OWNED US FOR THE LAST
825 YEARS.
I'M BLACK AND STUPID ABOUT IT.
NOT ASHAMED TO SAY IT.
BLACK AND STUPID ABOUT IT.
THEY TREAT US BAD.
I WENT DOWN TO YBOR CITY AND 7th AVENUE THE OTHER DAY,
TELLING MY FRIEND, THIS STREET, THIS SEEMS DIFFERENT.
YEAH, MAN, THOSE CLOWNS TOOK UP A GOOD ROAD AND PUT UP SOME
BRICKS DOWN HERE AND WE'RE SUFFERING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT CHILD SUPPORT.
THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT.
I WANT TO SAY CHILD SUPPORT IS ILLEGAL, IT'S
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND IT'S A EUGENICS PROGRAM.
AND THAT IS A SERIOUS ALLEGATION.

IT'S A EUGENICS PROGRAM.
IT'S A FOURTH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
IT'S A COLONIAL GOVERNORSHIP TYPE PROGRAM.
IT'S AN INDIAN BUREAU OF AFFAIRS TYPE PROGRAM.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
CHILD SUPPORT IS RUINING THE LIVES OF MANY AFRICAN PEOPLE.
CHILD SUPPORT IS RUINING THE LIVES OF MANY AFRICAN FAMILIES.
CHILD SUPPORT IS DISENFRANCHISING THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND
THE AFRICAN FAMILY.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
THEY RUNNING A FOURTH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THEY SAY THROUGH
AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY THAT'S MAKING A BUNCH OF MONEY AND
OUTSIDE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
ONE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IS FIX BAYSHORE
BOULEVARD BETWEEN GANDY AND MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE.
FIX IT.
AND THIS CITY NEEDS TO WRITE A LETTER BECAUSE THE CITY TOOK
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT GOT KILLED ON BAYSHORE
BOULEVARD, BUT A YOUNG MAN TAKEN 21-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE.
SOMETHING IS WRONG ABOUT THAT.
BAYSHORE BOULEVARD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MESS FOR DECADES, AND
THAT YOUNG MAN SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE A 21-YEAR PRISON
SENTENCE ABOUT IT.
SOMEBODY ON CITY COUNCIL NEED TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE
GOVERNOR OR SOMEBODY, SAY, HEY, RELEASE THAT MAN OR CUT HIS

SENTENCE BACK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
9:33:07AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT SPEAKER.
GOOD MORNING.
9:33:13AM >> GOOD MORNING.
9:33:36AM >> THANK GOD FOR ANOTHER DAY.
GOOD MORNING.
I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL.
YOU KNOW, I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE NOBODY SEEM TO WANT TO
HELP PEOPLE OF COLOR.
COME OUT EVERY THURSDAY AND GET NO RESULTS.
9:34:01AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I'M SORRY.
CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD.
9:34:06AM >> FRANK PASTOR WILLIAMS.
9:34:07AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU, MR. WILLIAMS.
APPRECIATE IT.
9:34:09AM >> LOCATED AT 1112 EAST SCOTT STREET.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A SHAME THAT WE COME DOWN HERE WEEK AFTER
WEEK AND NOBODY SEEMS TO GET NOTHING DONE.
I'VE GIVEN YOU ALL FLYERS.
NOBODY RESPONDS.
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO, THEY SEND PEOPLE TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD
ASKING THEM ABOUT ME.
DON'T GO TO MY NEIGHBOR.

COME TO ME.
I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF.
BUT THE THING ABOUT US, WE WANT TO HEAR THINGS, WHAT OTHER
PEOPLE GOT TO SAY.
THEY SAY A WHOLE LOT OF EVIL THINGS ABOUT ME, BUT DON'T PAY
NO ATTENTION.
COME TO ME, PASTOR WILLIAMS.
ANYTIME YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO ME, I'M AT 3006 EAST -- I LIVE
AT 3006, TAMPA, FLORIDA, 33610.
BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE THING I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT, YOU
STILL GOT THAT JACKSON HOUSE SITTING ON STICKS.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
AT MY CHURCH THEY HAD ONE GLASS BROKE OUT AND CODE OFFICIALS
SENT ME A LETTER LETTING ME KNOW I HAD TO GET IT DONE IN SO
MANY DAYS.
PLACED RIGHT HERE, JACKSON HOUSE, SITTING RIGHT HERE FOR SO
LONG AND NOBODY DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.
YOU ALL GOT POSITIONS WHERE YOU ALL CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT
IT.
GO TO CODE ENFORCEMENT AND TELL THEM, HEY, YOU NEED TO CITE
WHOEVER OWNS THAT PLACE AND TEAR IT DOWN.
WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE DON'T CARE ABOUT EAST TAMPA.
ONLY THING WE CARE ABOUT IS DIGGING THEM A TRENCH HOLE AND
DON'T WANT ANYBODY USE IT NO MORE.

THAT'S BLACK FOLKS LAND.
WE TRY TO BE GOOD PEOPLE.
TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT NOBODY WANT -- WANT TO GO AND
JUMP ON PEOPLE TRYING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
AND THAT'S THE SAD THING ABOUT IT.
WE GOT TO UNDERSTAND, HELP PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HELP ONE
ANOTHER.
I WANT TO PETITION THEM TO HELP PASTOR WILLIAMS.
9:36:46AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU, PASTOR WILLIAMS.
YOUR TIME IS UP.
APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
WE HEARD YOU.
I APPRECIATE YOU.
9:36:53AM >> GOD BLESS YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU.
9:36:55AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
YOU TOO.
MR. McCRAY.
I APOLOGIZE.
ONE MORE.
GOOD MORNING.
9:37:08AM >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JOSE VASQUEZ, RESIDENT OF 2222 NORTH 64 STREET.
BUSINESS LOCATED AT 1924 NORTH 59th STREET.
I'M HERE TO CONTINUE WITH THE FOLLOW-UP ABOUT THE SITUATION
I HAVE WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 1999

NORTH 59th STREET.
THAT PROPERTY THE CITY OF TAMPA BUY IN 1973 TO GUARANTEE
THAT PROPERTY EASEMENT TO BE LEGAL INTEREST TO MY BUSINESS.
FOR YEARS, MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN USING THAT RIGHT-OF-WAY
EASEMENT.
NOW THE CITY OF TAMPA SAYS IT IS AN IMPROVED ROAD.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ABOUT THE SITUATION BECAUSE THE
LAST TIME I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO CODE ENFORCEMENT DOING HIS
JOB TO TRY TO OPEN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
BUT WE GOT PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SPECIFIC
WITH TRANSPORTATION, MOBILITY, ON THE PERSON WHO HAD TO MAKE
SURE MEASURES TO MARK WHAT IS THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY
OF TAMPA?
TO MY NEIGHBOR, 5819 EAST 10th AVENUE TO CLEAN THE AREA,
ET CETERA, ET CETERA, BECAUSE THAT IS THE -- RESPONSIBILITY.
NOW, BECAUSE I'M DOING IT, HE MET BECAUSE I TRIED TO OPEN MY
LEGAL INTEREST.
YOU BUY SINCE 1973 FOR HAVING THAT RIGHT.
I HAD TO REPORT TO YOU TODAY, I HAD TO CALL THE INSPECTOR
BECAUSE THIS GENTLEMAN, YOU'VE SEEN YOUR PROPERTY HE PLANTED
SOME PALM TREES NOW, TWO OF THEM BLOCKING MY ENTRANCE.
TWO OF THEM BLOCKING MY RIGHT-OF-WAY.
DO I THE RIGHT THING.
I CALL THE INSPECTOR.
I SEND PICTURES.

HE OPEN A CASE.
SOMEBODY REMOVE THE TREES.
WHEN I FOUND THE GARBAGE IN FRONT OF MY BUSINESS, I REMOVE
THE GARBAGE AND I OPEN A TICKET FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA PICK
UP THE GARBAGE.
NOW, I'M FACING CRIMINAL MISCHIEF BECAUSE THAT GENTLEMAN
SAYING THAT COST $4,000.
WHO GO TO PLANT TREES WITH NO PERMISSION IN THE PROPERTY
THAT BELONGS TO THE CITY OF TAMPA.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE CRIMINAL CASE.
IT'S NOT RIGHT.
THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE MOBILITY, TRANSPORTATION NOT DO HIS
JOB.
I'M HERE TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW, I'M HERE TO HELP YOU.
BE MORE EFFECTIVE.
QUESTION, WHAT COLOR IS MY HAIR, PLEASE?
9:40:14AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
YOUR TIME IS UP, SIR.
9:40:16AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP.
THIS IS SOMETHING GOING ON FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME, AM I
CORRECT?
9:40:25AM >> SINCE JUNE OF LAST YEAR.
9:40:27AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
WHAT I REMEMBER BECAUSE MY AIDE WAS
WORKING ON IT.
SHE'S NOT HERE.
OUT SICK YESTERDAY AND TODAY, CODE ENFORCEMENT WENT OUT, I

DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPORT CAME BACK WITH.
I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.
SHE SENT CODE ENFORCEMENT.
YOU HAVE NO INGRESS AND EGRESS TO YOUR PROPERTY BECAUSE
SOMEBODY VIOLATED SOMETHING, AM I CORRECT THERE?
IN AND OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY, YOU HAVE NO WAY IN AND OUT OF
YOUR PROPERTY.
9:40:53AM >> THAT'S CORRECT.
THAT IS THE PROBLEM I'VE GOT.
9:40:55AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MR. MIRANDA, WE'LL MOVE ON WITH THE
MEETING.
DARLENE, GET HIS INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO MR. MIRANDA'S
AIDE.
DIRECTOR McCRAY.
9:41:11AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU, DARLENE.
9:41:13AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
YOU'RE WELCOME.
I NEED MY FAN.
IT IS HOT.
9:41:21AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
GOOD MORNING.
CEDRIC McCRAY, TAMPA CRA DIRECTOR.
I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING THIS MONTH'S
REPORT OR REPORT-OUT.
REVEREND DR. JEFFREY JOHNSON, WHO WAS SELECTED AS EAST TAMPA
CAC CHAIR DURING THEIR MARCH MEETING.
HE WILL BE PROVIDING THE UPDATE FOR THE EAST TAMPA CAC.

DR. JOHNSON.
9:41:46AM >>JEFFREY JOHNSON:
GOOD MORNING TO EACH OF YOU.
HOPE ALL IS WELL.
THANK YOU, MR. McCRAY, FOR THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY BEFORE I BEGIN MY REPORT THAT I'M VERY
APPRECIATIVE OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE COME FORTH TODAY AS
WELL AS THOSE THAT COME FORTH EACH AND EVERY MONTH AT THE
EAST TAMPA CRA.
IT SHOWS A LEVEL OF DIVERSITY.
NOT TALKING ABOUT ETHNIC, BUT SHOWS THE DIVERSITY OF MINDSET
THAT'S IN THE EAST TAMPA COMMUNITY THAT HAS THE HEART TO
MOVE THE COMMUNITY FORWARD.
THERE ARE FOUR PARTICULAR AREAS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE AN
UPDATE TO BECAUSE I AM THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE.
ANYTHING FURTHER BEYOND THIS I WILL REFER TO STAFF FOR MORE
INFORMATION.
THE FIRST UPDATE WILL BE ABOUT THE CRP, THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE.
THERE WERE LISTENING SESSIONS HELD AT THE ANDREWS LIBRARY ON
JANUARY THE 22nd.
THE PLAN IS DEFINITELY UNDERWAY, AND THE CONSULTANT WOULD
GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE EAST TAMPA CAC AT OUR NEXT MEETING ON
MAY THE 6.
I BELIEVE THEY ARE 60% COMPLETE WITH THEIR REPORT, SO WOULD
BE INTERESTED TO HEAR WHAT THEIR REPORT IS GOING TO SHAPE UP

TO BE.
THE SECOND THING IS THE GATOR BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF LAKE
AVENUE.
THE EAST TAMPA CRA IS ASSEMBLING OR TRYING TO ASSEMBLE AS
MUCH PROPERTY AROUND THAT PARTICULAR AREA FOR THAT GATOR
BUILDING TO BE WHAT IS DESIGNED TO BE AN RFP AND SCOPE OF
WORK, CURRENTLY DRAFTED BY THE CRA AND THE CONTRACT
ADMINISTRATION STAFF.
THERE WAS A VISION SESSION HELD ON MARCH 4 TO SOLICIT
FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT MORE ENGAGEMENT.
WE APPRECIATE THAT THE COMMITTEE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH
THOSE PLANS.
I WILL SAY THAT IT IS VERY MUCH DELAYED TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO
BE.
IT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER ALONG WITH THAT.
I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMITTEE SINCE 2020 AND THE GATOR BUILDING
WAS PURCHASED BEFORE THEN.
WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE AGGRESSION AND SPEED TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH THE PLANS OF THE GATOR BUILDING.
I DO UNDERSTAND THE ACQUISITION OF THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT,
BUT THERE STILL SHOULD BE SOME MOVEMENT.
I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE TO SEE SOMETHING
HAPPEN WITH THE BUILDING, NOT ONLY JUST THE PROPERTIES
AROUND IT BUT TO SEE MORE ACTIVE PLANS.
BUT I'M ENCOURAGED THAT IS HAPPENING.

THE LAND ACQUISITION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN EAST TAMPA,
EAST TAMPA CRA HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE REAL ESTATE
DEPARTMENT TO ACTIVELY ACQUIRE PARCELS OF LAND WITHIN THE
EAST TAMPA CRA BOUNDARIES.
THE PALIFOX PROPERTIES AND GATOR BUILDING AND DESTINATION
CHURCH ON 12th STREET AND OSBORNE AVENUE HAS BEEN A PART
OF THOSE RECENT ACQUISITIONS.
THE VISION IS TO ACQUIRE AS MUCH AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE
HOUSING AND POSSIBLE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PARCELS TO
CONTINUE TO BE ASSEMBLED IN THE EAST TAMPA COMMUNITY.
NEXT WILL BE OUR EAST TAMPA CRA GRANTS.
MONTHLY, WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING A REPORT OUT OF HOW OUR GRANTS
ARE COMING.
I BELIEVE THAT THE RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF
THOSE.
SO I THINK THEY ARE WORKING TO DO THAT AS WELL.
IN MY CLOSING COMMENTS, THERE IS A WORKSHOP BEING HELD ON
APRIL THE 21st BECAUSE OF SOME COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS, WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROPERLY ALLOCATING THE
DOLLARS TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THE SENATE BILL 1228 IN TALLAHASSEE
AND WE ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ABOUT
CRAs.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN DO WHILE
WE CAN IS DONE.

AND THAT'S GOING TO START WITH US LOOKING AT OUR BUDGET AND
LOOK AT THOSE LINE ITEMS OF THOSE ITEMS NOT BEING USED, HOW
DO WE REPURPOSE DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE OTHER
LINE ITEMS THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED BASED ON THE MONIES THAT WE
DO HAVE.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME OTHER
BUDGET LINE ITEMS RELATED TO WAY FINDING SIGNAGE, THE
ROUNDABOUTS AROUND LAKE AVENUE AND 34th STREET AND NORTH
22nd STREET, ALONG WITH THE STORMWATER POND IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVEMENT AROUND OUR HOUSING REHAB
AND RENOVATION PROGRAM.
90 RESIDENTS THUS FAR HAVE RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE
EAST TAMPA EMERGENCY ROOFING PROGRAM IN RECENT YEARS, AND
WE'RE LOOKING TO DO MORE AS WELL.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WITNESS EAST TAMPA EVOLVE AND BE
THE COMMUNITY THAT IT CAN BE.
I BELIEVE THAT EAST TAMPA SHOULD BE A DESTINATION COMMUNITY
AS WELL WHERE PERSONS CAN LIVE THERE AND EAT THERE AND PLAY
THERE, AND WE DON'T WANT OTHER COMMUNITIES TO OUTDO JUST
EAST TAMPA, BUT EAST TAMPA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THAT
DESTINATION PLACE AS WELL.
SO WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY WORKING WITH THAT AS WELL AS WITH
STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY IS
BROUGHT TO LIGHT THAT EAST TAMPA CAN BE THAT COMMUNITY.
SO THAT IS MY BRIEF UPDATE ON MY FIRST MONTH ON THE JOB.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE WILLING TO ANSWER THEM.
IF I DON'T KNOW, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO STAFF.
9:46:45AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
9:46:46AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THE UPDATE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CRP UPDATE AS WELL.
SOMETHING JUST LANDED IN OUR IN-BOXES SO WE CAN TALK TO THE
CONSULTANTS AS WELL.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
I AGREE WITH YOU, LOOKING REALLY FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE
CAN DO WITH THE GATOR BUILDING NOW THAT WE HAVE MORE LAND.
IT'S ALL POSITIVE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WAY THAT EAST TAMPA, SPECIFICALLY,
JUST BECAUSE WE HEARD FROM THIS MORNING, THINKING ABOUT WHAT
WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS BILL PASSES.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR FORETHOUGHT AND YOUR ABILITY TO
THINK.
WE REALLY DO NEED TO PLAN.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
9:47:25AM >> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU.
9:47:26AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
DR. JOHNSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS A FEW THINGS IN LIGHT OF EVEN THE
COMMENTS THIS MORNING AND YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THE
PROGRESS OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS HAPPENING IN

EAST TAMPA.
SOMETIMES I HEAR A LOT OF THINGS SAYING THERE'S NOTHING
HAPPENING IN EAST TAMPA.
CLEARLY YOU'VE OUTLINED TODAY THAT IS NOT TRUE.
ONE IN PARTICULAR FOR ME IS THE GATOR BUILDING.
YOU SAID YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF AN AGGRESSIVE APPROACH.
WOULD YOU NOT AGREE THAT LAST MONTH WITH THE PURCHASE OF
ADDITIONAL REAL ESTATE THAT THAT WOULD BE WHAT YOU CONSIDER
PROGRESS?
9:48:04AM >> THAT IS A PART OF PROGRESS, YES.
9:48:06AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
HOW MUCH FASTER DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD
OCCUR?
9:48:09AM >>JEFFREY JOHNSON:
WELL, THE BUILDING WAS PURCHASED SIX
YEARS AGO, AND IT STAYED VACANT, NO MOVEMENT UP UNTIL
RECENTLY WHEN THOSE PLANS STARTED COMING.
I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE CITY
ABOUT PLACING PROJECTS IN TOP PRIORITY.
I THINK EVEN WITH THE LAND ASSEMBLAGE AROUND THE BUILDING,
THERE CAN BE OTHER THINGS DONE AS WELL, MAKING SURE THE
COMMUNITY IS UPDATED IN REAL-TIME.
NOT ONLY JUST LAND ASSEMBLAGE, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING
TO GO AND PUT A TIMELINE ON IT.
I THINK WE HOLD OUR DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE IF THERE IS A
TIMELINE, NOT THAT THERE IS A GRAY AREA, WELL, WE'LL LIKE
THIS TO BE DONE IN 72 MONTHS.

NO, WE WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE DONE IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND
THIS IS HOW FAST WE NEED TO MOVE WITH IT CONSIDERING THE
FACT WHEN THE BUILDING WAS PURCHASED AND WHERE WE ARE NOW.
I APPRECIATE THE LAND ASSEMBLAGE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO SEE
SOMETHING.
IT WAS PURCHASED.
NOW THEY CAN ACTUALLY SEE SOMETHING VISUALLY THAT'S
HAPPENING TO THE BUILDING.
9:49:11AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I'LL LET MR. McCRAY SPEAK ON THAT
BECAUSE THERE IS MORE LAND ASSEMBLAGE THAT IS NEEDED.
AT LEAST WHAT I'M HEARING FROM YOU, DO YOU BELIEVE WE SHOULD
START A PROJECT BEFORE WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED?
9:49:23AM >>JEFFREY JOHNSON:
NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING.
9:49:25AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I'M JUST ASKING.
THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT.
IT IS NOT A NATURE OF ME TO CHALLENGE YOU.
I WANT EVEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A
PROCESS.
9:49:33AM >>JEFFREY JOHNSON:
I APPRECIATE THAT.
YES, MA'AM.
9:49:37AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
9:49:39AM >>BILL CARLSON:
TO ADD TO THAT FOR A SECOND, I KNOW YOU HAVE
BEEN MEETING WITH INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
BECAUSE I SAT IN SOME OF THAT TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
YOU HAVE LIKE THREE JOBS AND ALSO DOING THIS, SO THANK YOU.
THE POINT THAT MS. BULLOCK BROUGHT UP THIS MORNING, IN PART,
THERE MAY BE INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE
GRANTS WE HAVE OR DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION.
SO AS YOU'RE LISTENING TO FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU
FIND BETTER WAYS FOR US TO COMMUNICATE THE GRANTS THAT ARE
AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY THE MICROGRANTS FOR HOMEOWNERS, PLEASE
LET US KNOW AND LET CEDRIC KNOW.
WE'LL TRY TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS BUSINESS OWNERS OR BUILDING
OWNERS THAT MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO APPLY.
OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE MADE THE GRANT PROCESS MUCH EASIER,
MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT, BUT THERE IS SOME TRUTH THAT THE
PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT GRANTS AND HAVE THE
RESOURCES TO DO IT CAN MOVE FASTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.
AS YOU'RE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU CAN FIND WAYS
THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF HELPING FOLKS WHO NEED THE
GRANTS, WHO NEED ACCESS AND FILL OUT THE FORMS, PLEASE LET
US KNOW, LET CEDRIC KNOW AND WE'LL TRY TO DO A BETTER JOB OF
THAT.
9:51:04AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
9:51:05AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I DON'T THINK -- [INAUDIBLE] I WANTED TO SAY MY POSITION.

I KNOW MR. McCRAY HEARD ME POUND THIS DRUM A THOUSAND
TIMES AND HEARD A LOT IN PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY INTENT AS LONG AS I SERVE ON CRA BOARD TO CONTINUE MY
QUEST IN ENSURING CRA MONEY, SPECIFICALLY IN EAST TAMPA, IS
INTENDED FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE CRA AND
BENEFIT THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE CRA AND NOT
NECESSARILY BUILDING OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE THERE.
I'VE BEEN -- OBJECTED TO THE WAY WE'VE USED SOME OF THE
FUNDS FOR SUBSIDIES FOR HOME BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS AS
OPPOSED TO I REALLY WANT TO -- AGAIN, I'M ONE VOICE OUT OF
SEVEN.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS WE MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD THAT THE
MONIES COLLECTED IN THIS AREA ARE DONE FOR THE OWNER REHAB,
TO DO THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
SHARE MY PERSONAL OPINION.
HOW IMPORTANT I FEEL THAT WE ALLOCATE FUNDS, THAT IT IS
INTENDED FOR THE FOLKS, JUST LIKE I FEEL CITYWIDE, AS FAR AS
WE SHOULD BE BUILDING CITY OF TAMPA FOR FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE
AND HAVE SWEAT EQUITY INTO THE CITY.
I THINK THE SAME THING WITH THE CRAs.
IT SHOULD BE SWEAT EQUITY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
WE SHOULD BE DOING THE OWNER REHAB, THE ROOFS, YARD WORK,
THOSE TYPE OF THINGS SO THEY DON'T HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT
ISSUES AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS CAN MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSES SO
WE CAN KEEP THEM IN PLACE.

SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND NEIGHBORHOOD
PLACE-MAKING AND NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDING.
SHARED MY OPINION ON IT SO AS YOU MOVE FORWARD IN THIS NEW
ROLE OF YOURS, AT LEAST YOU HEAR ONE-SEVENTH OF MINE WHEN IT
COMES TO DECISION MAKING.
9:52:55AM >>LUIS VIERA:
ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR.
WHAT COUNCILMAN CARLSON SAID IS RIGHT.
I THINK YOU HAVE THREE JOBS.
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO ALSO POINTED TO YOU THE RECONCILIATION
COMMITTEE AND NOW ON THE EAST TAMPA CAC.
YOU DO A LOT OF WORK.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND THANK YOU FOR THE MANY
DIFFERENT HATS YOU WEAR.
HATS OF FAITH, MILITARY SERVICE, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
YOU TALKED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TALLAHASSEE AND
KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THAT.
I OBVIOUSLY HOPE THAT WE GET TO PRESERVE OUR CRAs.
CRAs DONE CORRECTLY.
THE EAST TAMPA CRA IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT A CRA COULD
DO IN AN AREA THAT NEEDS IT.
CRAs ARE AMONG -- COMMUNITIES THAT ARE BLIGHTED.
YOU CONCENTRATE THE REVENUE GROWTH IN A PARTICULAR
DESIGNATED AREA THAT NEEDS IT IN ORDER TO INVEST SOLELY IN
THAT COMMUNITY.
TO ME, THAT IS A VERY COMPASSIONATE, THAT IS A VERY PRO

SOCIAL JUSTICE, VERY EQUITABLE TYPE OF AN ISSUE THAT LOCAL
COMMUNITIES CAN DO IF DONE RIGHT.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE OUR DEBATES ON CERTAIN CRAs,
CHANNELSIDE, DOWNTOWN, WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.
EAST TAMPA NEEDS A CRA.
THAT'S A FACT, WHICH IS THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONCENTRATED
EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPMENT IN THE EAST TAMPA AREA, AN AREA THAT
HAS BEEN SO LEFT BEHIND FOR GENERATIONS THAT SUFFERED FROM
GENERATIONAL NEGLECT AND INJUSTICE.
WITH THE CRA, WE CAN HAVE A CHANCE AT HAVING THAT
CONCENTRATED INVESTMENT.
SO I HOPE THEY PRESERVE THAT.
IT'S NOT JUST EAST TAMPA.
YOU TAKE A LOOK AT PARTS OF YBOR CITY.
YOU TAKE A LOOK AT -- I SUGGEST SULPHUR SPRINGS.
I KNOW SULPHUR SPRINGS DOESN'T HAVE A CRA, BUT I SUGGEST IT
NEEDS ONE.
THAT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE IF DONE RIGHT, AND THAT IS THE BIG
QUALIFIER, IF DONE RIGHT, IT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN AN
AREA.
I REPRESENT A PART OF THE CITY OF TAMPA THAT HAS NO CRAs.
I LIVE IN NEW TAMPA.
I TELL PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT I STRONGLY SUPPORT OUR CRAs
IN OUR BLIGHTED AREAS, EVEN IF IT MEANS THOSE AREAS GET TO
KEEP THE REVENUE ENHANCEMENT SINCE POST CRA DESIGNATION.

WHY IS THAT?
BECAUSE AS I SAID HERE BEFORE, WE ALL DO BETTER WHEN WE ALL
DO BETTER.
WHEN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND GET
THAT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT, IT'S A GOOD THING.
FOR ME, CRAs, IF DONE RIGHT, ARE RIGHT OUT OF THE LBJ
GREAT SOCIETY.
I MEAN THAT AS A GOOD THING, BY THE WAY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
YOU ARE A REALLY GOOD GUY.
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
9:55:27AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
CLOSING OUT WITH BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
9:55:29AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, YOUR REPORT
AND ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
ALREADY MENTIONED THAT YOU WEAR MANY HATS.
MOST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
YOU ARE A WONDERFUL INDIVIDUAL AND I'M GLAD YOU ARE HERE
REPRESENTING, AND THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
9:55:45AM >> APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
9:55:47AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
DIRECTOR McCRAY.
CHARLIE, I APOLOGIZE.
[TALKING OVER ONE ANOTHER]
9:56:01AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE.

I DON'T SAY THAT TO EVERYBODY, BUT I CAN TELL YOU VERY DEAR,
VERY WELL-RESPECTED INDIVIDUAL IN THE MILITARY BECAUSE YOU
ACT LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT
YOU'RE DOING.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.
LOOKING AT CRAs, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AGAINST IT, A LOT OF
PEOPLE FOR IT.
IF YOU DO IT RIGHT AND WE ARE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OR NINE
YEARS FROM TWO CRAs SHUTTING DOWN, THERE WAS NO ONE LIVING
DOWNTOWN BACK IN THE '70s, NONE.
THERE WERE A FEW.
MAKE A LEFT, RIGHT, ONE-WAY STREET, YOU WOULDN'T HIT A CAR.
TRUE STORY.
NOW, LOOK AT IT.
DID IT CAUSE SOME HARM?
YEAH.
DID IT CAUSE SOME HEADACHES?
YEAH.
BUT AT THE END OF THE 30 YEARS, WHAT IS THE CITY GOING TO
GET IN RETURN?
ALMOST ALL NEW, THE EAST SIDE, CHANNELSIDE, WHATEVER THEY
WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
SOMETHING UNIQUE.
WHEN THE CITY GRABS THAT PARK THAT'S COMING IN, THEY DON'T
HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT.

IT'S ALREADY MAINTAINED.
DON'T HAVE TO PUT NEW ROADS.
THEY ALREADY HAVE NEW ROADS BECAUSE OF THE CRA AND THINGS OF
THAT NATURE.
ALREADY HAVE NEW BUILDINGS.
ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PARTS OF THE CITY DON'T
HAVE BECAUSE THEY WERE SO FAR BEHIND, THE CATCH-UP WAS
THERE.
WHEN THE CITY GRABS THAT BACK, CLEAN, FULL OF PEOPLE, THAT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN IN EVERY ONE, I HOPE.
AND DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING BUT COLLECT ALL THE
MONEY BELONGS TO THE CITY THEN.
WHOEVER IS HERE, SEVEN HERE, AT THAT TIME, THEY ARE GOING TO
REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE INDIVIDUAL LIKE YOURSELF, THE
INDIVIDUALS ON THIS COUNCIL, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE QUALITY
OF LIFE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA IS ABOVE ALL.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STRIVING FOR.
DO WE MAKE MISTAKES?
I DON'T KNOW OF NO ONE THAT DOESN'T MAKE ONE MISTAKE.
I CAN TELL YOU I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS AND THE WAY YOU ADDRESS THE POSITION YOU
HAVE WITHIN YOUR OWN CRA AND WHAT YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS
FOR THE MILITARY.
MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS.
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

9:58:14AM >>JEFFREY JOHNSON:
BEFORE I WALK AWAY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE
NOBODY HAS ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.
I HAVE TO GET BACK TO MacDILL.
9:58:25AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MR. McCRAY, DIRECTOR OF CRA.
9:58:27AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
NOW FOR THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT, YOU ALL HAVE
RECEIVED THE CUSTOMARY PROJECT TRACKERS AS RELATED TO OUR
SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANTS AND COMMERCIAL GRANTS AND WHAT HAVE
YOU.
I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
ALSO AT YOUR SEAT, YOU SHOULD HAVE FOUND TWO DOCUMENTS.
ONE WE HAD TO RESCHEDULE THE EVENT AT SALCINES PARK.
THAT HAS BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 3:30.
PUT IT ON THE ELMO FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
THERE.
THE OTHER DOCUMENT THAT YOU ALL HAVE RECEIVED AT YOUR SEAT
IS A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS THAT
PARTICIPATED IN BUILDING THIS OUT.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS REQUIRED PER STATE STATUTE.
IT HAS BEEN UPLOADED AND NEEDS TO BE FORWARD FACING.
THE DEADLINE FOR THAT IS MARCH 31st.
WE DID MEET THAT DEADLINE AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF
PRINTING MORE HARD COPIES FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
WITH THAT, I WILL PAUSE FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT

YOU MAY HAVE.
9:59:35AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
9:59:36AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WANT TO SAY THIS IS REALLY LOVELY.
I LOOKED AT IT.
YOU SENT A PDF COPY BEFOREHAND.
I KNOW IT IS A REQUIREMENT BUT STILL A REALLY NICE THING TO
DO TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO JUST IN ONE
YEAR'S TIME.
BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK AND YOUR TEAM'S WORK, EVERY SINGLE
PERSON, AND I SEE A TOUCH OF EACH OF US UP HERE.
I'M ON THE PAGE WITH THE ADA PARK ENHANCEMENTS.
I KNOW THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
AND JUST THE SALCINES PARK IMPROVEMENT.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
WHEN YOU'RE IN IT EVERY SINGLE DAY, SOMETIMES YOU FORGET ALL
THAT YOU DO.
SO IT'S REALLY NICE ONCE A YEAR TO JUST REALLY LOOK
TOGETHER.
I HOPE THAT YOU AND EVERYONE WHO WORKS WITH YOU AND YOUR
TEAM IS AS PROUD OF THIS AS AT LEAST I AM.
I BELIEVE I CAN SPEAK FOR THE BOARD.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT NEXT YEAR BRINGS.
10:00:42AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MR. McCRAY THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE ANNUAL REPORT IS OUT.

I'M SO PROUD OF IT.
IT JUST KIND OF OUTLINES AN OVERVIEW OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED.
FOR ME IN PARTICULAR, AS I CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THIS JOB,
THIS BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING CREDIT FOR THE THINGS
WE MADE DECISIONS ON IS VERY IMPORTANT.
I ENSURED MYSELF THAT I HIGHLIGHTED THAT YESTERDAY OR THIS
WEEK AT THE STRAZ WITH THAT GROUND BREAKING, WHILE THE CITY,
OF COURSE, IS OUR PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS, COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT DOES FALL ON OUR SHOULDERS.
SINCE THE CAC EAST TAMPA REPORT WAS PRESENTED TODAY, I THINK
THAT THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY, EVEN WITH THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC
COMMENT IS EVEN TO GET THE PERSPECTIVE -- WE'VE HEARD FROM
THE PUBLIC, BUT WE SHOULD ALSO HEAR FROM YOU AS THE FORMER
MANAGER OF THE EAST TAMPA CRA AND NOW OUR DIRECTOR AS WELL
AS MYSELF AS THE BOARD CHAIR.
THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO EAST TAMPA
THAT I FEEL IS NOT FAIR BECAUSE IT'S NOT HIGHLIGHTED AT
LEAST FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE COMMUNITY BEING REMINDED OF
SO MANY THINGS THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED.
EAST TAMPA CRA THAT DOESN'T TAKE PLACE IN OTHER CRAs, LIKE
THE $1.5 MILLION AND $1.3 MILLION FOR ROOFING AND TREE
CUTTING.
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN OTHER CRAs.
EVEN THE PURCHASING OF THE PROPERTIES.

WE HAD PUSH-BACK, EVEN FROM OUR CAC, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
THIS BOARD OPERATES SEPARATELY WHEN IT COMES TO A VOTE.
AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SAY TO THE PUBLIC
RIGHT NOW.
THERE IS NO INFLUENCE ON MY BEHALF.
I'M SURE THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS CAN SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN
LIGHT OF THAT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT.
SLUM AND BLIGHT IS SLUM AND BLIGHT.
THE PERSONAL FEELINGS OF INDIVIDUAL, ABOUT WHAT THEY
CONSIDER SLUM AND BLIGHT OR WHAT DESERVES TO BE MADE OVER
AND HOW MUCH MONEY IS CONTRIBUTED TO THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY
ARE ENTITLED TO THAT OPINION.
I RESPECT THAT AS WELL.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT THINGS
HAPPENING IN EAST TAMPA.
AND ONE THAT I'LL OUTLINE SPECIFICALLY IS THAT THERE WAS A
LOT OF PUSH-BACK ABOUT THE PALIFOX PROJECT THAT WE SUPPORTED
UNANIMOUSLY BUT THE CAC BOARD DID NOT SUPPORT IT.
EVEN DR. JOHNSON WHO SPOKE TODAY.
HE DID NOT SUPPORT THAT.
BUT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO THAT.
ULTIMATELY THAT WAS A UNANIMOUS DECISION, AND NOW WE ARE ON
TRACK WITH THAT PROJECT, WHEN YOU LOOK ON THE PLAN, WE'RE
CREATING THE VISUAL RENDERINGS.
IT IS GOING TO BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO SOMETIMES WE JUST DISAGREE.
THAT'S NOT A LECTURE.
THAT'S JUST IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ME TO SHARE WITH THE
PUBLIC.
I KNOW SOMETIMES THEY FEEL A CERTAIN WAY ABOUT A PARTICULAR
PIECE OF A PROJECT THAT COMES BEFORE US.
I THINK IN MOST CASES, THAT A LOT OF THEM, ESPECIALLY IN
EAST TAMPA, ARE UNANIMOUS, BECAUSE WE SEE, WHEN SOMETHING IS
UNANIMOUS, IT SPEAKS TO THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER SUPPORTING
SOMETHING, AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE UNANIMOUS, BUT THAT
MEANS THERE'S STRONG SUPPORT FOR THAT PROJECT AND THAT'S
EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS.
WHETHER THERE ARE PUBLIC INDIVIDUALS SEPARATELY OR EVEN
COMMITTEES THAT MAY DISAGREE WITH THOSE, WE ARE ELECTED TO
DO THAT AND I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AT THE END OF THE
DAY.
I JUST WANT YOU AS THE DIRECTOR AND LEAVING BEHIND THE
MANAGER ROLE IN SUPPORTING EAST TAMPA IS PROVIDE SOME
CONTEXT TO EVEN SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS OR WHATEVER IT
IS THAT YOU WANT TO SAY REGARDING EAST TAMPA SOLELY.
10:04:33AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
THANK YOU, CHAIR HENDERSON.
YOU HAVE HIGHLIGHTED QUITE A BIT OF WHAT I PROBABLY WOULD
HAVE SHARED.
COMING INTO THE ROLE THREE YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A BIG PUSH
FOR RESIDENTIAL REHAB.

AND IT DID TAKE A WHILE FOR US TO BUILD THE PROGRAM OUT.
IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY DR. JOHNSON DURING HIS COMMENTS ABOUT
THE 90 PLUS HOMES THAT HAVE RECEIVED ROOFING ASSISTANCE.
THERE ARE CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND THINGS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED
AS WE NOW START OUR HOUSING REHAB AND RENOVATION PROGRAM
THAT'S BEING OVERSEEN BY MRS. PARKS.
ULTIMATELY, OF COURSE, WE WOULD LIKE TO JUST DO AS MUCH AS
WE CAN FOR WHATEVER THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS, BUT RESIDENTS
ULTIMATELY HAVE TO HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME IF WE'RE GOING
TO CURB ANY TYPE OF REGENTRIFICATION THAT'S BEEN MENTIONED
THIS MORNING AND PREVIOUSLY DURING VARIOUS SESSIONS OR
MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THAT IN A
CERTAIN FORM OR FASHION AND PLACING A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY
IS ONE WAY OF DOING THAT.
10:05:34AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
JUST WITH THAT POINT RIGHT THERE, THAT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT.
EVEN IN IDENTIFYING, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE APPLICANTS FOR
OWNER OCCUPIED REHAB IN EAST TAMPA THAN ANY OTHER PLACE, AM
I CORRECT ABOUT THAT?
10:05:46AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
YES, RESOUNDINGLY.
I ACTUALLY ATTENDED THE WEST TAMPA MEETING AND CAC MEETING
IN MARCH, AND THEY FELT LIKE WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE.
BUT A PREPONDERANCE OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVED
BACK AND THAT MS. PARKS AND HER TEAM ARE DOING, DEVELOPING
SCOPE OF WORKS WITH THE VENDORS THAT WE'RE USING THROUGH THE

JOB PROGRAM ARE IN EAST TAMPA.
10:06:05AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
EXACTLY.
THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS THE DEFERRED LOAN.
I REALLY DON'T EVEN LIKE MAKING THIS PERSONAL, BUT THROUGH
THE TAMPA CHALLENGE FUND, I SIGNED OFF ON A DEFERRED LOAN
FOR MY HOME, WHICH ACTUALLY HELPS YOU BUILD EQUITY.
IT SAYS YOU ARE GOING TO STAY IN YOUR HOME A CERTAIN NUMBER
OF YEARS.
ALLOWS YOU TO BUILD EQUITY.
32 YEARS LATER I'M IN MY HOME AND THAT LIEN NO LONGER
EXISTS.
NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT PERSONAL BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO
UNDERSTAND THAT IS NOT A BAD THING.
CAN YOU SPEAK ON THAT?
10:06:35AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
ULTIMATELY, IF WE DO THE WORK, THEN IF
SOMEONE GOD FORBID PASSES AWAY OR SOMEONE DECIDES TO
TRANSITION FROM THE PROPERTY, THE CRA HAS ULTIMATELY
INVESTED UP TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS INTO THEIR
SPECIFIC PROPERTY, AND WE HAVE NO RECOURSE AT THAT POINT IN
TIME.
WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS.
WE WANT TO REDO THE STRUCTURE AROUND THEM SO THEY CAN STAY
IN PLACE IN THEIR HOME AND NOT HAVE TO FEEL THAT MY ROOF IS
COLLAPSING OR MY PLUMBING IS IN BAD SHAPE, AND I'M FEELING
COMPELLED TO TAKE MONEY FOR LITTLE OR NOTHING FOR THE

PROPERTY THAT I'VE BEEN IN FOR 30, 40 PLUS YEARS.
10:07:10AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
WOULD YOU AGREE IT ALSO REDUCES
GENTRIFICATION BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU'RE STAYING IN YOUR HOME?
10:07:16AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
I WOULD AGREE.
ALSO WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
I SHARED THIS WITH THE CAC AND MS. PARKS ALSO REPORTED OUT
AT OUR LAST MEETING THAT WE HAVE PROBABLY SPENT CLOSE TO
ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS IN DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IN EAST
TAMPA THIS YEAR.
10:07:31AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
COMPARED TO OTHER CRAs, THE 30%
SET-ASIDE THAT THIS BOARD DID EVEN PRIOR TO ME COMING UP
BEFORE WE JOINED, I BELIEVE 30% SET-ASIDE THAT WE COMMITTED
TO FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
10:07:42AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
THAT IS CORRECT.
10:07:43AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
IS THAT TYPICAL OF CRAs ACROSS THE STATE
OF FLORIDA?
10:07:47AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
NO.
NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.
10:07:50AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO
HEAR OUT LOUD WITHOUT IT BEING OVER-POLITICIZED.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?
10:08:00AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
AS WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD THE FY '26 BUDGET,
DR. JOHNSON MENTIONED DURING HIS COMMENTS THE WORKSHOP WITH
EAST TAMPA.

I'M HOPING WE WILL HAVE SOME CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE
AND DO MORE FOR RESIDENTS IN EAST TAMPA SPECIFICALLY.
10:08:15AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD, THANK YOU -- THANK YOU, DR.
McCRAY.
BOARD MEMBER, MIRANDA.
10:08:21AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT YOU SAID.
YOU SAID IT LIKE A TRUE LEADER.
THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS AND THE RESULTS ARE THE RESULTS OF
THE FACTS.
10:08:28AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I APPRECIATE THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
10:08:32AM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
I DID WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT.
SOME OF THE PUBLIC, WE'VE HAD FOLKS REACH OUT TO US ON THE
NEWMAN VOTE.
I WANTED TO EXPLAIN MY RATIONALE FOR IT IN TERMS OF
SUPPORTING SOME LEVEL OF ROBUST COMMITMENT.
FOR ME, GOES TO THE IDEA OF HISTORICAL PRESERVATION.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
TO CALL IT A ROBUST REVENUE GENERATOR IS A BIG
UNDERSTATEMENT.
I THINK LONG TERM IT WILL BE A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE CRA.
IT'S AN ENTITY THAT PAYS INTO THE CRA.
PAY THEIR TAXES AND SO FORTH.

LIKE MOST PEOPLE, THIS DOESN'T MAKE ME SPECIAL, THERE ARE
PROJECTS IN THE CRA I VOTED NO ON AND PROJECTS THAT I VOTED
YES ON LIKE THE RIVERWALK THAT OTHER PEOPLE VOTED ON.
DOESN'T MAKE ME SPECIAL, RIGHT?
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS YOU VOTE NO ON.
THINGS THAT YOU LOOK AT THE GREATER GOOD.
THAT ONE OVERALL, AGAIN, EXPLAINING MY VOTE, I LOOKED AT THE
GREATER GOOD ON THAT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR PURPOSES OF HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND
ESPECIALLY LONG-TERM GROWTH AND REVENUE GENERATION FOR THAT
AREA, I THINK THAT'S BIG.
I JUST WANTED TO EXPLAIN.
10:09:34AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I APPRECIATE THAT.
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
OKAY.
NO PROBLEM.
ANYTHING ELSE, MR. McCRAY?
10:09:41AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
I MENTIONED DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE BUT I
WOULD BE REMISS IN SAYING THANK YOU.
WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSING COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT OR HCD FOR SHORT.
THEY ASSISTED US FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND THEY ARE
REALLY WORKING HARD WITH US.
I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. McKITTRICK AND HIS TEAM.
10:10:03AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.

10:10:05AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL OLD BUSINESS BUT SINCE BOARD
MEMBER VIERA BROUGHT IT UP.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE TIME TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR
NOT PULLING THAT ITEM AND EXPLAINING MY VOTE.
IT'S NOT AN EXCUSE, BUT IT IS AN EXCUSE BECAUSE I'M HUMAN.
APPARENTLY I WAS GETTING SICK THAT DAY BECAUSE I SPENT THE
ENTIRE SPRING BREAK INSIDE MY HOUSE IN BED.
I WASN'T FEELING MYSELF.
NORMALLY I WOULD HAVE PULLED THAT.
I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE
BEEN PULLED.
I WILL ECHO BOARD MEMBER VIERA'S, MY VOTE WAS BECAUSE IT IS
SLUM AND BLIGHT.
IT IS A HISTORICAL BUILDING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO
REPURPOSE.
I DO THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE, NONE OF US -- WELL, I DON'T THINK MOST OF
US WERE HERE WHEN THE CRA BOUNDARIES WERE DRAWN.
IF I HAD BEEN HERE, I WOULD NOT HAVE PUT THAT INTO THE EAST
TAMPA BOUNDARY.
BUT WE CAN'T CHANGE THAT NOW BECAUSE OF HOW TENUOUS WE HAVE
THE HOLD ON OUR CRAs PERIOD.
I DID WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BRINGING IT FORWARD.
I DID WANT TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE TODAY.

AND I DID WANT TO DO ONE MORE THING.
I TALKED TO DIRECTOR McCRAY ABOUT THIS, THAT FROM GOING
FORWARD REQUIRED APPROVALS THAT ARE A MILLION DOLLARS OR
MORE, OR APPROVALS A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE SHOULD NO
LONGER BE UNDER REQUIRED APPROVALS AND SHOULD BE UNDER STAFF
REPORTS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION NOW WHILE WE'RE DISCUSSING
IT.
10:11:37AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT?
10:11:42AM >> AYE.
10:11:42AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY OPPOSED.
10:11:43AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIX
THAT.
WE DO THAT ON CITY COUNCIL, AND WE JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT ON
THE CRA.
I WANT TO TELL YOU I HEARD YOU, I AGREE WITH YOU.
I APOLOGIZE AGAIN.
I THINK GOING FORWARD WE'LL HAVE A BETTER WAY OF DOING THIS.
10:12:01AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
10:12:04AM >>BILL CARLSON:
I AGREE WITH THAT.
THE NEWMAN PROJECT WAS HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE AND BE
ABLE TO TELL THE STORIES.

THE FACILITY THAT WAS FUNDED IS GOING TO BE AN IMPORTANT
GATHERING SPACE AND THERE IS A RICH HISTORY.
MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT AND TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY.
IN THE AWKWARD POSITION THAT THE NEWMANS WERE IN, DREW
NEWMAN IN PARTICULAR WENT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND
PERSONALLY MET WITH MANY, MANY PEOPLE.
THE COMMITMENT HE MADE JUST ON HIS OWN, NOT IN ANY KIND OF
FORMAL AGREEMENT WAS THAT THEY WANT TO DEEPLY ENGAGE THE
COMMUNITY IN EAST TAMPA, THEIR NEIGHBORS SLIGHTLY TO THE
NORTH.
THEY HAVE ALREADY OFFERED TO HOST EVENTS FOR FREE FOR MANY
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN EAST TAMPA.
WITHOUT US EVEN ASKING THAT, THEY PROACTIVELY DID THAT.
I THINK THE BENEFIT, THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THAT IS HERE
IS A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY THAT IS AN IMPORTANT ASSET FOR OUR
COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY CIGAR FACTORY LIKE THAT IN
THE COUNTRY.
THEY ARE PRESERVING HISTORIC BUILDINGS BUT NOW ALSO ENGAGING
EAST TAMPA.
BACK TO THE POINTS MADE EARLIER IN PUBLIC COMMENT, I THINK
CEDRIC AND YOUR TEAM, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB REACHING OUT
TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE POINTS MADE EARLIER, ONE PERSON SITTING IN A HOUSE AND
THE ROOF IS FALLING APART OR PIPES AREN'T WORKING AND THEY
DON'T KNOW ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO

ACCESS IT OR THEY THINK THEY WILL BE REJECTED AND DON'T WANT
TO TURN IT DOWN, IT'S A GOOD POINT THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE
TO IMPROVE, TO FIND THE FOLKS, REACH OUT TO THEM, HELP THEM,
MAKE SURE THEY CAN APPLY.
I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON THAT.
I'M COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU DO THAT.
INTERMEDIARIES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANT TO WORK WITH US TO
MAKE SURE WE REACH THE FOLKS, WE WANT TO REACH THEM.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN NEED ARE ABLE TO APPLY AND
SUCCESSFULLY GET THE GRANTS.
THANK YOU.
10:13:58AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
SINCE I AM THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 5 AND
THE NEWMAN PROJECT DOES SIT INSIDE OF DISTRICT 5 AND ALSO
THE EAST TAMPA CRA WHERE THE NEWMAN CIGAR FACTORY ALSO
CONTRIBUTES TO THE TAX BASE WITHIN THE EAST TAMPA CRA.
I THINK IT TOTALED ABOUT $1.78 MILLION THAT THEY ACTUALLY
CONTRIBUTE, COULD YOU VERIFY THAT GIVE OR TAKE?
AND I AGREE, WE SHOULD HAVE PULLED IT AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE MEETING.
I ASKED JUST LIKE I DID THIS MEETING, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU
WANT TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION?
AND IT GOES TO BOARD MEMBER HURTAK'S COMMENTS REGARDING THE
DOLLAR FIGURE.
FOR THAT REASON WE SHOULD PULL IT FOR DISCUSSION SO THE

PUBLIC CAN HEAR THE COMMENTS OF THE BOARD MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
JUST KNOW THAT WE DO LISTEN TO YOU ALL AND APPRECIATE YOUR
COMMENTS, WHETHER WE'RE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, WE HEAR
YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
NOW WE ARE AT REQUIRED APPROVALS.
AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO DISCUSS -- 3.
OH, 3.
YES, 3.
LOOK, I DREW ALL OVER 3.
THANK YOU.
THE FEASIBILITY OF UTILIZING CRA FUNDS.
BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
10:15:24AM >>LUIS VIERA:
IT'S NOT FEASIBLE, SO I WAS GOING TO COME BACK
TO CITY COUNCIL WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOES THIS.
THANK YOU AND OUR COUNCIL FOR LOOKING INTO THAT.
I APPRECIATE THAT.
HAD TO EXHAUST THAT OPTION BEFORE GOING TO THE OTHER ONE.
10:15:39AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
REQUIRED APPROVALS -- YES, BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
10:15:52AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WANTED TO MOVE ITEMS 5 THROUGH 8.
10:15:55AM >>BILL CARLSON:
I WANTED TO ASK ON 3 BECAUSE THE COMMENT

CAME UP THIS MORNING ABOUT TRAINING PROGRAMS.
COULD WE GET CLIFF TO TELL US REAL FAST THE LIMITATIONS --
10:16:12AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
WHO IS CLIFF?
10:16:15AM >> OUR LAWYER.
10:16:17AM >>BILL CARLSON:
THE LAW PROHIBITS US FROM DOING CERTAIN
THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.
WE WOULD LIKE TO DO SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMS.
WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
IS HE ONLINE?
10:16:28AM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
YES.
10:16:29AM >>BILL CARLSON:
COULD YOU TELL US QUICKLY WHAT THE LIMITS
ARE SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS?
BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT WE'RE NOT
ALLOWED TO USE THE FUNDING FOR.
10:16:37AM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
IT'S NOT AS EASY AS SOMETHING SAID IN A
FEW-MINUTE RESPONSE.
BOTTOM LINE IS YOU'RE LOOKING AT BRICKS-AND-MORTAR TYPE
PROJECTS AS OPPOSED TO SORT OF FEEL-GOOD PROGRAMS LIKE JOB
TRAINING OR TRAINING ON HOW TO BE ECONOMICAL AND MANAGE YOUR
FINANCES AND THAT SORT OF STUFF.
THIS IS PART OF THE REASON WHY WE ARE FACING WHAT WE'RE
FACING AT THE LEGISLATURE NOW, IS THAT THOSE THINGS ARE EASY
TO GET BEHIND FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT AND A PERSONAL
STANDPOINT AND SEE THE VALUE IN, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT CRA
FUNDS ARE DESIGNED FOR.

THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DO THINGS LIKE PUT IN STREET LIGHTING,
PROVIDE COMMUNITY POLICING, PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
WIDEN SIDEWALKS.
DEAL WITH STORMWATER AND DRAINAGE ISSUES AND SUCH AS THAT.
THERE IS A LONG LIST OF OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH THEM,
BUT JOB TRAINING IS NOT ON THAT LIST, TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO
MANAGE FINANCES NOT ON THAT LIST, TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO
EVEN APPLY FOR LOANS AND SO FORTH IS NOT ON THAT LIST.
SO THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN DO THOSE THINGS.
CITY FUNDS CAN BE USED TO DO THOSE THINGS BUT CRA FUNDS
CANNOT BE.
10:17:45AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
OKAY.
REQUIRED APPROVALS.
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK HAS THE MOTION.
10:17:49AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I MADE A SECOND.
10:17:51AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
5 THROUGH 8.
10:17:56AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
AYE.
ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
NOW, ITEM NUMBER 9.
YES, BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
10:18:07AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I KNOW I SAID ALL OF THEM BUT WE JUST TALKED
ABOUT 9 AND 10.

THEY DID WANT TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON 11, A QUICK UPDATE I
BELIEVE.
I MOVE 9 AND 10.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH, WE
GOT AN UPDATE LAST MONTH, WE KNOW WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE AND
THE MOVING OF THESE IS NOT WITHOUT DISCUSSION WE HAD LAST
MONTH.
10:18:32AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
CENTRAL PARK AND TAMPA HEIGHTS.
SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS NUMBER 11, WHICH IS THE DOWNTOWN
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT.
WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST.
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
10:18:48AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WAS TURNING MY MIKE OFF BECAUSE THEY ARE
DOING A PRESENTATION.
10:18:52AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
WELL, UNDER APPROVALS, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT
WE HAD PRESENTATIONS.
AS THE BOARD CHAIR, I CAN MAKE AN EXCEPTION.
GO AHEAD, MS. COURTNEY ORR.
10:19:03AM >>COURTNEY ORR:
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH KITTELSON, OUR
CONSULTANT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
RIVA IS HERE TO PROVIDE A PRESENTATION IF IT'S OKAY.
10:19:13AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
IT IS ACCEPTABLE.

HELLO.
I REMEMBER YOU.
10:19:17AM >> GOOD MORNING TO EACH OF YOU.
RIVA HEINRICH.
I WORK FOR KITTELSON AND ASSOCIATES.
SO I'VE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SPEAK QUICKLY, SO I WILL DO SO.
10:19:33AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
CAN YOU SET THE TIMER, PLEASE?
10:19:35AM >> I'M HERE TO OVERVIEW THE DOWNTOWN CRA, CRP.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING, LIKE COURTNEY MENTIONED SINCE 2023 ON
THIS PROJECT.
THE LAST TIME I PRESENTED TO YOU WAS ACTUALLY MARCH OF LAST
YEAR.
SINCE THAT TIME, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH YOUR CRA BOARD
ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS UP TO SNUFF IN
TERMS OF LEGAL VERBIAGE, GETTING BOOED FEEDBACK FROM THE
CAC.
WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO COME BACK AND PRESENT IN THE
FALL.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WERE A FEW HURRICANES THAT GOT IN THE
WAY.
I'M GLAD I FINALLY GOT BACK IN FRONT OF YOU.
VERY QUICKLY, SINCE IT'S BEEN A LITTLE WHILE, I KNOW YOU
HAVE GOTTEN A COPY OF THE CRP BUT GIVING YOU AN IDEA OF HOW
THE EXISTING CONDITIONS PROCESS WENT, WE ANALYZED THE
CONDITIONS THROUGH AVAILABLE DATA.

WE ALSO INTERVIEWED CLOSE TO ACTUALLY 50 STAKEHOLDERS IN
ADDITION TO FOCUS GROUPS AS WELL AS THOSE THAT CAME TO THE
PUBLIC DROP-IN.
AND WE OUTLINED AN APPROACH THAT SEPARATED THE CRP INTO THE
SEVEN BUCKETS OR CATEGORIES THAT I'LL GET INTO IN JUST A
SECOND.
THEY ARE AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY
AND QUALITY OF LIFE, TRANSPORTATION, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, URBAN DESIGN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
I KNOW ALL OF THAT IS A MOUTHFUL, BUT THEY WERE ALL OF SORT
THE ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE SAW THROUGH THE
EXISTING CONDITIONS PROCESS.
VERY QUICKLY HERE, THE WAY WE EVALUATED EACH BUCKET IS WE
COMPARED HOW THESE METRICS PERFORMED AGAINST THE SAME
METRICS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND SOMETIMES THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTY AS WELL TO SEE IF IT'S WORSE, IF IT'S BETTER, IF IT'S
ABOUT THE SAME.
AND THEN WE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED SOME ISSUES THAT WERE MENTIONED
AT CAC MEETINGS, AT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AS WELL AS
FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM OUR PUBLIC DROP-IN.
FOR AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT
BUBBLED UP TO THE TOP MANY TIMES.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK AS WELL AS THE GENERAL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING STOCK IS NOT UP TO SNUFF WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN CRA

THERE ARE A FEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, BUT EVERYTHING IN
THE DOWNTOWN IS SORT OF ABOVE AND BEYOND SORT OF THE TYPICAL
FAMILY OR TYPICAL SINGLE PERSON THAT'S ABLE TO AFFORD.
MENTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
THERE IS A VIBRANT NIGHT LIFE AND SORT OF GENERAL
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN CRA THAT WE WANT
TO PRESERVE, ENSURE THAT'S STILL CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL
ECONOMY.
ALSO ADDRESSING ISSUES RELATED TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE DOWNTOWN CRA AS FAR AS TRANSPORTATION DOES FACE SOME
CHALLENGES RELATED TO PARTICULARLY PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AS WELL
AS BICYCLE SAFETY AS WELL.
WE PULLED A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION FROM THE VISION ZERO
PLAN AND THE MOBILITY MASTER PLAN, TOO.
THE LAST FOUR, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE LAST
TIME THE DOWNTOWN CRP WAS UPDATED WAS IN 1988 WHEN WE
COMBINED THE TWO BOUNDARIES.
THERE'S STILL A LOT OF INFILL WORK TO BE DONE, ESPECIALLY
RELATED TO SOME OF THE SURFACE PARKING LOTS THAT WE'RE
SEEING, SOME OF THE MORE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS IN THE NORTH
AND CENTRAL PORTIONS OF DOWNTOWN.
SOME OF THAT IS RELATED TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, WANTING TO
PRESERVE THAT HISTORIC LEGACY AND PROVIDING SOME ELEMENTS IN
WHICH TO DO SO.

AND THEN ROUNDING THINGS OUT WITH URBAN DESIGN RELATED TO
THE OVERALL URBAN FABRIC, URBAN AESTHETIC WORKING WITH THE
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO PRESERVE THE CHARACTER THAT'S
DESIRED IN THE DOWNTOWN AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE,
NOT INTENDED TO BE LAST -- LOOKING AT ESPECIALLY THE RECENT
STORMS, HOW THAT'S IMPACTED DOWNTOWN AND OVERALL RECOVERY
AFTERWARDS.
I'LL SKIP THROUGH THESE JUST TO GET TO THE LAST ONE.
WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF INTAKE.
WE ORGANIZED THE THEMES BASED OFF OF THOSE THAT WERE
PROVIDED BY, I THINK THESE WERE NEWLY MINTED AT THE TIME.
THE TAMPA CRA KIND OF OVERALL GOALS.
WE IDENTIFIED THE SEVEN EMERGING NEEDS.
WITHIN THAT, WE STRATIFIED THAT INTO GOALS, POLICIES, AND
STRATEGIC ACTIONS.
GOALS BEING THOSE KIND OF LARGE OBJECTIONABLE -- EXCUSE ME,
OBJECTIVE HIGH-LEVEL THINGS.
THAT YOU CAN MEASURE OVER TIME.
POLICIES BEING THE BROADER GUIDELINES IN WHICH YOU CAN
ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND STRATEGIC ACTIONS ARE THE VERY
SPECIFIC GOALS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT WILL GET YOU TO
ACHIEVING THOSE SPECIFIC GOALS.
WHEN WE MET LAST TIME, AGAIN, I KNOW THAT WAS OVER A YEAR
AGO, WE PRESENTED SORT OF THE SCORING MATRIX.
WHAT WE HEARD WAS IT WAS A LITTLE TOO RIGID, AND YOU WANTED

THE ABILITY AS A BOARD AS WELL AS STAFF TO PRIORITIZE YOUR
OWN PROJECTS AS THEY CAME THROUGH.
SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE CLARIFIED THE GOALS, POLICIES
AND STRATEGIC ACTIONS AND WE ALSO, SKIPPING AHEAD, REMOVED
THE PROJECT PRIORITIZATION.
THERE'S NO SCORING ASSOCIATED WITH THIS YEAR TO HAVE THE
FLEXIBILITY TO BUBBLE THINGS UP TO THE TOP AS YOU SEE FIT AS
CONSTITUENTS COME TO YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT THEIR
PRIORITIES ARE AND THEN THE GOALS AND STRATEGIC ACTIONS ARE
ALSO MADE A LITTLE BIT BROADER, SO SOME OF THE PROJECT
REQUESTS THAT YOU'RE GETTING CAN EASILY SORT OF FIT INTO
THAT.
THIS IS A WALL OF TEXT, BUT THIS IS SORT OF HOW EVERYTHING
BOILED DOWN AT THE END OF THE PLAN SO YOU HAVE AGAIN THE BIG
BROAD GOAL.
THE THING YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AS YOU GET CLOSER TO THAT
SUNSET DATE.
THE POLICY, THOSE ARE THE BROADER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO IN
ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL AND THE STRATEGIC ACTIONS ARE
MORE OF THE SHORT-TERM AND AGAIN STRATEGIC ITEMS THAT YOU
CAN LOOK TO ACHIEVE.
AS YOU'RE REVIEWING PROJECTS, REQUESTS FOR FUNDING, THINGS
LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE A LOT OF LANGUAGE IN HERE AND WHICH TO
ALIGN WITH.
HOPEFULLY THAT WASN'T TOO FAST.

THIS IS SORT OF THE PRESENTATION THAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING
FOR.
I'M HAPPY TO FIELD ANY QUESTIONS.
10:26:04AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY QUESTIONS?
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
10:26:06AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED URBAN DESIGN
BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GNAWING AT ME SINCE
SERVING ON COUNCIL AND CRA BOARD MEMBER.
THE CITY OF TAMPA, IT'S BEYOND -- MAYBE COUNCILMAN CARLSON
HAS BETTER EXPERTISE THAN I HAVE ON THESE TYPE OF ISSUES.
WHAT I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE IS HAVING THIS EXPLOSIVE
GROWTH.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A REMARKABLE CITY AS OPPOSED
TO ANYWHERE USA.
I SEE A LOT OF THE ARCHITECTURE AS BEING BUILT IN THE CITY
AS BASIC BOXES.
WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SIGNATURE TYPES OF BUILDINGS OR
CONSTRUCTION.
ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME AT THE STRAZ OPENING, THE
ARCHITECTURE OF THIS VEIL THAT THEY ARE PUTTING ON THE
RIVER, HOW IT INTEGRATES WITH THE BUILDING AND THE RIVER.
IT WILL BE REMARKABLE, SIGNATURE PIECE.
PEOPLE WILL IDENTIFY IT, CITY OF TAMPA, SIGNATURE.
WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THAT.
WE'VE LOST -- I KNOW A LOT OF CITIES LIKE CHICAGO HAVE RULES

ON CONSTRUCTION, QUALITY CONSTRUCTION, AND YET THINGS THAT
HAPPEN.
WE DON'T REALLY, AT LEAST BASED -- AGAIN, WAY BEYOND MY PAY
GRADE AND UNDERSTANDING, BUT I THINK THAT WE AS A CITY -- I
DON'T KNOW IF WHAT YOU'RE DOING, DOWNTOWN IS SUCH A CRITICAL
ELEMENT OF OUR CITY OF TAMPA.
IT IS THE CORE AND WHAT PEOPLE SEE.
HOW DO WE PUSH THAT FORWARD?
HOW DO WE BECOME A BETTER CITY?
HOW DO WE DEMAND BETTER QUALITY OF THESE FOLKS THAT ARE
COMING IN HERE?
THE HIT AND RUNS COMING IN TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK, BUILDING
LESS THAN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION, LESS THAN REMARKABLE
BUILDINGS, HOW DO WE DEMAND BETTER?
10:27:55AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
10:27:56AM >>BILL CARLSON:
BACK IN THE '90s WHEN I WAS WORKING WITH
THE CITY OF ST. PETE, WE PUT SOME DESIGN GUIDELINES IN.
THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SEVERAL OF THE BUILDINGS ALONG BEACH
DRIVE HAVE ELEMENTS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL STYLE THAT
WAS PART OF WHAT THEY WERE BUILDING.
AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE STATE PREEMPTED SOME OF THAT.
BUT I'VE TALKED TO A BUNCH OF ARCHITECTS AND ALSO OWNERS.
YOU THINK ABOUT OXFORD EXCHANGE, IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
EXPENSIVE BUILDINGS, HIGH-QUALITY BUILDINGS THAT WENT IN AND
SET A STANDARD, SO SOME OTHER FOLKS STARTED TO COPY THAT.

IN TALKING TO OWNERS AND ARCHITECTS, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO
DO, INSTEAD OF REGULATING IT, WE OUGHT TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE.
TAKE THE RIVER TOUR IN CHICAGO, THEY TELL YOU ABOUT EACH
ARCHITECT.
EACH ONE WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.
SOME BUILDINGS, I WON'T NAME THEM, THEY USED THE EXACT SAME
COOKIE CUTTER AS IN ATLANTA AND OTHER CITIES.
BUILDINGS EXACTLY THE SAME.
WE HAVE TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO DESIGN BUILDINGS THAT ARE
REALLY DIFFERENT.
REGIONS BANK BUILDING, IT IS A DISTINCTIVE BUILDING.
THE ROUND BUILDING, IT'S A VERY DISTINCTIVE DESIGN.
10:29:09AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THE BANK OF AMERICA.
10:29:12AM >>BILL CARLSON:
WHETHER YOU LIKE THOSE OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW
IF THE CITY CAN DO IT.
WE MAYBE COULD PUT ON A FORUM, MAYBE THE CRA COULD PUT ON A
FORUM WITH THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP, BUT WE COULD CHALLENGE
PEOPLE TO DESIGN.
IDEALLY, WE WOULD SAY WHAT IS THE TAMPA STYLE?
WHAT IS IT THAT IS UNIQUE TO TAMPA?
EVERY CITY, EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE STYLE.
WE SHOULD TRY TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO LIVE UP TO THAT.
10:29:37AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANYONE ELSE BESIDES MR. CLENDENIN?
10:29:44AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I WOULD LOVE FOR SOME OF US OR SOMEBODY TO
TAKE A HOLD OF THAT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY.

WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE YMCA PROJECT, I CHALLENGED THE
ARCHITECT TO BRING SOMETHING BECAUSE IT IS A SIGNATURE PIECE
OF PROPERTY AND SUCH A HIGH PROFILE PIECE OF PROPERTY TO
BRING BACK SOMETHING REALLY REMARKABLE.
SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A GOOD LEGACY FOR US TO LEAVE BEHIND
TO FIGURE OUT A WAY FORWARD.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY BECAUSE
SOMETHING YOU LOVE SO MUCH.
WAY BEYOND MY PAY GRADE BUT I THINK WELL WITHIN YOURS.
10:30:19AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
10:30:21AM >>BILL CARLSON:
CARLOS ALFONSO, HIS BROTHER, THEY HAVE
DESIGNED SEVERAL ICONIC BUILDINGS LIKE HOTEL HAYA.
YOU HAVE A COMBINATION OF HISTORIC BUILDING AND VERY MODERN.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT BECAUSE IT IS TOO MODERN BUT IT IS
A BIT OF A BRIDGE.
ARMATURE WORKS, THEY DESIGNED THE OFFICE BUILDINGS ON THE
EASTERN SIDE.
THEY DON'T MATCH THE BRICK ON THE OTHER SIDE.
INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING STEREOTYPICAL, THEY BUILT VERY
MODERN, DISTINCTIVE BUILDINGS.
AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE SHOULD CHALLENGE PEOPLE.
IF I COULD REAL FAST, THE OTHER THING I WOULD SUGGEST ADDING
IN HERE IF THERE'S SOME WAY, THE BUSTING INVESTMENTS WE'VE
MADE IN DOWNTOWN HAVE BEEN IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE.
YOU TALKED ABOUT THE THRIVING DOWNTOWN.

YOU MENTIONED THE NIGHT LIFE.
WHAT REALLY PUSHED DOWNTOWN, IN THE '80s, PERFORMING ARTS
CENTER AND TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART.
15 SO YEARS AGO, NEW TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART, CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
AND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
THERE ARE THESE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS OF THINGS THAT THE
CORNERSTONE FOR BUILDING UP THE CHANNEL DISTRICT.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN A
DOWNTOWN THERE AREN'T JUST BUILDINGS.
YOU CAN'T JUST INVITE PEOPLE TO LIVE IN A PLACE AND SUDDENLY
A GREAT PLACE.
YOU NEED TO ACTIVATE IT WITH PROGRAMMING TO BRING IT TO
LIFE.
AND THAT'S SLOWLY BEEN HAPPENING THE LAST FEW YEARS.
WITH THE BIG INVESTMENTS WE MADE IN THE ARTS, ONCE THE NEW
STRAZ CENTER IS ACTIVATED, NEW TAMPA MUSEUM OF ARTS
ACTIVATED, NEW TAMPA THEATER IS ACTIVATED AND HOPEFULLY THE
NEW TAMPA UNION STATION, THEY WILL REALLY ADD TO THE
VIBRANCY OF THE DOWNTOWN.
AND THERE WILL BE DESTINATIONS FOR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER, NOT
JUST IN DOWNTOWN.
PEOPLE INTERACT THERE AND BE A GATHERING PLACE.
10:32:09AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE ITEM 11.
10:32:12AM >> MOVE 11.
10:32:14AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU.

SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
ON TO NEW BUSINESS, BOARD MEMBER MIRANDA.
10:32:20AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
JUST THINKING ABOUT DIFFERENT PARTS OF
THE CITY OF TAMPA.
SOME ARE IN THE CRA AREAS.
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THE CRA BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY,
LIKE PEOPLE MAKE IT IN PRO FOOTBALL OR PRO BASEBALL OR PRO
TENNIS, PRO BASKETBALL.
TAMPA IS BECOMING VERY WELL KNOWN FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE
EXCELLED IN MOST OF THESE SPORTS.
IF WE COULD PUT A PLAQUE, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SOMETHING BIG,
BUT GIVE THE KIDS AN INSPIRATION, IF THEY CAN DO IT, SO CAN
I.
GIVE THE KIDS A CHANCE TO EMULATE SOMEBODY WHO PLAYED BALL,
FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, WHATEVER SPORT IT IS AND THE
PARK IN WHICH THEY PLAYED IN.
10:33:04AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I LIKE WHAT YOU JUST SAID, THE PARK THEY
PLAYED IN BECAUSE I THINK IT BRINGS IT HOME.
10:33:08AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD DO
SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO INSPIRE THE KIDS TO CONTINUE.
WHEN YOU PLAY SPORTS, YOU BECOME BETTER STUDENT ALSO OF
MATH.
10:33:19AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ARE YOU COMMENTING ON THAT?

10:33:22AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WOULD JUST SAY IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO
START WITH COUNCIL AND THEN TO FIND OUT THE PARKS.
AND THEN ONCE WE KNOW WHERE THEY ALL ARE, THE ONES WITHIN
THE CRA COULD BE FUNDED BY THE CRA.
BECAUSE I THINK THERE WILL BE A FEW OUTSIDE.
BUT I THINK IT IS A FABULOUS IDEA.
10:33:45AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY COMMENTS ON BOARD MEMBER MIRANDA'S
COMMENTS?
IT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA AS I WEAR MY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RING
FROM JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS ONE IS THE FOOTBALL.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT BRIEFLY WHEN WE DISCUSSED FAIR OAKS.
THE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SO MANY.
THERE ARE JUST OPPORTUNITIES THERE.
I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU FOR BRINGING IT
UP.
BOARD MEMBER VIERA, NEW BUSINESS.
10:34:12AM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES, MA'AM.
IT'S NOT A MOTION OR ANYTHING.
I WAS GOING TO SAY WE HAD SANDY SANCHEZ TALK ABOUT
QUALIFYING FOR THE CAC, THAT APPARENTLY SHE'S TWO BLOCKS OR
SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THE WEST TAMPA CAC.
AS THE GUY THAT PUT JOE GRECO ON THE CITY OF TAMPA BUDGET
ADVISORY BOARD, I WOULD BE A HYPOCRITE IF I DIDN'T BRING
THAT UP.

I HOPE WE CAN FIND SOME WAY TO REMEDY THAT AND HAVE, I DON'T
WANT USE THE WORD SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE, BUT COMMON SENSE.
I DON'T KNOW IF COUNCIL OR THE CRA BOARD IS INTERESTED IN
LOOKING AT THAT, BUT FOR SOME COMMON SENSE FOR THAT.
10:34:45AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I APPRECIATE.
GUY WHO HAD THE ANNEXATION OF NEW TAMPA, I AGREE WITH YOU.
10:34:51AM >>LUIS VIERA:
AGAIN, I DON'T THINK A MOTION IS MAYBE IN
ORDER AT THIS TIME, BUT LOOKING AT THAT AND MAYBE, BECAUSE,
AGAIN, SANDY, OBVIOUSLY, IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WEST
TAMPA.
SHE IS WEST TAMPA.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION.
WHAT DOES THE CRA BOARD THINK ABOUT A MOTION TO HAVE --
THAT'S WHY I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT.
10:35:18AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
YOU CAN THINK ABOUT IT AND DO IT NEXT
MONTH.
10:35:20AM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES, MA'AM.
I'LL DO A MOTION NEXT MONTH AND REFINE EVERYTHING.
THANK YOU.
10:35:24AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
10:35:26AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
NO, MA'AM.
10:35:27AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER -- NOW IT IS YOUR TURN.
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
10:35:32AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
JUST BE CAREFUL ON IT.
I KNOW RULES ARE RULES AND SOMETIMES IT'S FRUSTRATING

BECAUSE OF COMMON SENSE.
I LOVE SANDY, YOU'RE RIGHT.
WEST TAMPA, WEST TAMPA.
BUT OUR STAFF WORKED ON THIS REALLY DILIGENTLY A YEAR, YEAR
AND A HALF AGO, ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS.
I HATE TO KEEP REINVENTING THE WHEEL.
STAFF REALLY WORKED HARD ON THIS.
AND EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY ON
THE LOSING SIDE.
I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR, BUT I DIDN'T GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE IT HAPPENS.
YOU HAVE THOSE EXCEPTIONS.
BUT I KNOW STAFF WORKED REALLY DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES YOU
HAVE TO DRAW A LINE AND THEN WE CAN DEBATE WHERE THAT LINE
IS.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO DRAW A LINE.
10:36:23AM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU FOR THAT, SIR.
THAT'S WHY THE WISDOM LIES IN WAITING ANOTHER MONTH.
THANK YOU, WELL TAKEN.
10:36:31AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
10:36:33AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I'LL ADD TO THAT BEFORE MY MOTION OF, YES, I
THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT TO REFRESH OURSELVES
BECAUSE IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA TO GO BACK AND LOOK, SEE HOW
THINGS HAVE PERFORMED.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING EACH OF US CAN DO INDIVIDUALLY WITH

DIRECTOR McCRAY WHO LOOKS LIKE HE HAS SOMETHING HE WANTS
TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
10:36:51AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
I'M HEARING THE CONVERSATION FROM THE
BOARD.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL WE'LL BE HAVING MEETINGS TO
DISCUSS SOME POLICY UPDATES COMING PROBABLY JUNE/JULY TIME
FRAME AND THEN WE CAN MEET AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS THEN
--
10:37:07AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
LOOK AT THE DIRECTOR DOING HIS JOB.
10:37:14AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
BOARD MEMBER VIERA, I THINK THAT'S GREAT.
I'M DOING THE MOTION I SAID I WOULD DO LAST WEEK.
I DID TALK TO DIRECTOR McCRAY ABOUT THE SCHEDULING AND
FUNDING OF THE ASHLEY DRIVE UNITE PROJECT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER
UNTIL THE JUNE 12th MEETING INSTEAD OF MAY.
MY MOTION IS TO MOVE TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO DISCUSS THE
FUNDING OF THE ASHLEY DRIVE UNITE PROJECT AT THE JUNE 12,
2025 CRA BOARD MEETING.
10:37:43AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I THINK MR. MIRANDA SECONDED.
BUT THAT'S FINE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
10:37:50AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE
THE CONVERSATION AT COUNCIL ON JUNE 5th.
I WILL BE MOTIONING TONIGHT OR DEPENDING ON HOW LATE IT

GOES, LATER TO MAKE IT ACTUALLY THE END OF JUNE.
THAT'S OUR LITTLE THAT WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THERE.
10:38:06AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU.
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
10:38:10AM >>BILL CARLSON:
A COUPLE OF QUICK COMMENTS AND THEN A
MOTION.
BACK TO THE DOWNTOWN THING, DESPITE WHAT SOME PEOPLE SAY,
THERE WERE CONDOS AND THERE WAS HOUSING IN DOWNTOWN BEFORE
THE BOOM OF THE LAST FIVE TO TEN YEARS.
SOME OF THOSE BUILDINGS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE FOR
DECADES AND SOME OF THEM ALSO ARE SENIOR CENTERS.
IN THE OUTREACH, I HOPE WE CAN GO TALK TO SOME OF THOSE
FOLKS.
ON THE NORTHERN END OF DOWNTOWN, THERE WAS AN HISTORIC, IN
THE VERY DISTANT PAST, HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
THERE.
AND THERE ARE SOME FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE TRYING TO
MAKE SURE WE TELL THE STORIES OF THAT COMMUNITY AND PAY
RESPECT TO THAT COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE INCLUDE THAT AS WELL.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAVE THESE POSITIONS THAT WE'VE
BEEN TRYING TO FILL.
WE PUT THEM ON HOLD SO WE COULD EDIT THEM.
ONE OF THEM WAS THE COMMUNICATION POSITION WHICH I THINK WE
BADLY NEEDED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT NOW I THINK WE'VE GOT THE ADS READY.
WE CAN RUN THEM.
THE PROBLEM IS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING
TO DO.
I WAS TALKING TO CEDRIC YESTERDAY, AND INSTEAD OF PUSHING
THAT FORWARD IMMEDIATELY, MAYBE WE COULD WAIT 60 DAYS, SEE
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO AND THEN ADVERTISE IT.
THERE ARE OTHER PROVISIONS WE CAN REPURPOSE BUT THE
COMMUNICATION ONE I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT I RECOMMEND IS WE HAVE A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.
THE ONE FIRM THAT PR MARKETING FIRM THAT THE CRA HAS BEEN
WORKING WITH FOR YEARS, IT'S REALLY THE YBOR CRA, BUT THE
CRA HAS BEEN WORKING WITH WAY BEFORE I GOT ON COUNCIL IS
HCP.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ASK STAFF TO RETURN ON
MAY 8th WITH AN AMENDMENT TO THE HCP CONTRACT TO ENABLE
THEM TO DO CRA PR MARKETING UNTIL WE FILL THE COMMUNICATION
POSITION.
IF WE START TO ADVERTISE THE COMMUNICATION POSITION IN 60
DAYS, LET'S SAY, IT MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER 60, 90 DAYS BEFORE
THE PERSON ON BOARDS.
MINOR MODIFICATIONS, 10 OR 20 GRAND TO THE BUDGET, WE CAN
MODIFY THEIR PROJECT AND THEY CAN HANDLE EVERYTHING TURNKEY
FOR US AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE CRA IS REPRESENTED, NOT
JUST IN MAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS, BUT IN

TRYING TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION WHERE WE CAN REACH
HOMEOWNERS AND OTHERS WHO NEED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.
10:40:37AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
WE HAVE A MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
ANY DISCUSSION?
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
10:40:44AM >> AYE.
10:40:44AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES.
10:40:47AM >> MOVE TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
10:40:48AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
NOT YET.
I HAVE ONE.
AS I PROMISED LAST WEEK TO BRING IT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS AT
COUNCIL MEETING AND THIS ONE IS RELATED TO CRA.
IN CONTINUED SUPPORT -- I HAD TO WRITE IT DOWN SO I COULD
HAVE A PLAN.
IN CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE SHARED VISION FOR MORE
CONNECTED, WELCOMING AND ACCESSIBLE DOWNTOWN, I MOVE THAT
THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVE A CONTRIBUTION
NOT TO EXCEED $30,000 TOWARD THE CREATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE
DESIGN GUIDELINE TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE DIGITAL SIGNAGE AND
IDENTIFY GATEWAY ELEMENTS WITHOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I CAN GIVE MORE CONTEXT BY SAYING THIS INITIATIVE DEVELOPED
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP
REPRESENTS A KEY STEP IN ADVANCING THE COMMUNITY'S

WAY-FINDING AND GATEWAY STRATEGIES AS AN OUTLINE IN THE
ADOPTED COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.
10:41:45AM >>LUIS VIERA:
I WAS GOING TO SAY, WE HAVE A MOTION.
10:41:48AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH CONVINCING I WOULD
HAVE TO DO.
10:41:54AM >>LUIS VIERA:
I WASN'T GOING TO SUBSTANTIVELY RESPOND.
CONTINUE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY CHAIRWOMAN HENDERSON, SECONDED BY BOARD
MEMBER HURTAK.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
10:42:09AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE --
10:42:11AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
YOU TOLD ME, CHARLIE.
10:42:15AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
[INAUDIBLE]
10:42:20AM >>BILL CARLSON:
WE JUST VOTED, SO IT WAS 6-1.
I THINK I WAS OUT ON THE DAY -- ONE OF THE DAYS YOU ALL
DISCUSSED THIS.
AS I UNDERSTAND THIS, IT'S NOT DIGITAL BILLBOARDS.
THERE IS A MISNOMER OUT THERE.
DIGITAL SIGNS.
ALMOST EVERY CITY IN THE WORLD I GO TO EXCEPT FOR HISTORIC
DISTRICTS, THEY HAVE SOME VERSION OF THIS.
YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO CREATE SOMETHING GAUDY LIKE TIMES
SQUARE.
THERE ARE SMALLER AREAS WHERE YOU ARE DOING PLACE-MAKING.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE ON FRANKLIN STREET JUST BEFORE THE
VAULT, SOMEWHERE IN THERE, JUST BEFORE TAMPA THEATRE, YOU
COULD PUT -- AGAIN, NOT DIGITAL BILLBOARDS, NOT LIKE SHOWING
MARLBORO ADS.
IT'S PLACE MAKING, CREATE A TOWN SQUARE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO
AND MEET.
THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, THERE'S BEEN A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT
PRECEDENT SETTING.
THE PRECEDENT WAS SET BY WHOEVER NEGOTIATED THE DEAL WITH
THE LIGHTNING AND WITH WATER STREET.
I GET COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM
THE LIGHTNING WHO SAY THAT BIG SIGN IS SHINING IN THEIR
FACES.
WATER STREET SIGN HAS NOT GONE UP YET.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO ASK WHO BROKE THE RULES AND ALLOWED
SIGNS DOWNTOWN, IT'S WHOEVER ALLOWED THOSE TOO.
THE PROBLEM WE HAVE NOW IS IF YOU ONLY ALLOW THOSE TOO,
EVERYBODY ELSE WILL SAY HOW CAN YOU LET THEM AND NOT US?
WHAT THIS DOES, IT'S A GREAT IDEA, IF YOU WORK WITH THE
DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP, THEY ARE SETTING THE VISION AND
TEXTURE AND DESIGN FOR DOWNTOWN.
THEY ARE WORKING ON THE FRANKLIN STREET CORRIDOR.
THEY CAN LOOK AT THIS TASTEFULLY.
IT'S NOT AN ADVERTISING BUSINESS DEAL.
IT'S ABOUT PLACE-MAKING.

WHAT I THINK THEY'LL COME BACK WITH IS SOME RECOMMENDATION
ON HOW TO BUILD PLACE.
LIKE WHEN THE RAYS WIN, THEY ARE IN ST. PETE RIGHT NOW --
SORRY, THEY ARE IN TAMPA TEMPORARILY, BUT LET'S SAY
EVERYBODY COULD GO TO STEINBRENNER FIELD, LET'S SAY THE
BUCS, GO TO RAYMOND JAMES, ALSO IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT KIND
OF SIGNS DOWNTOWN, YOU COULD HAVE A BIG GATHERING DOWNTOWN.
JUST AN IDEA TO DISCUSS.
THE POINT IS IT'S NOT LIKE THE BILLBOARDS ON 275 AND DALE
MABRY.
IT'S GOING TO BE PLACE-MAKING IN A TASTEFUL WAY.
THE OTHER THING, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO COPY LONDON, TOKYO OR
NEW YORK.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING DISTINCTIVE TO TAMPA.
10:44:43AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING THAT.
THIS IS ME WORKING IN ALL AREAS OF BEING A COUNCIL MEMBER
AND ON THIS BOARD.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND EVEN HAVING A VERY SERIOUS
DISCUSSION WITH OUR CRA ATTORNEY.
ATTORNEY SHEPHARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
EVEN THE CITY STAFF I'M SAYING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THEY
LISTEN TO US, IS BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENED OVER AT AMALIE,
THE LEGAL AVENUE FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO DO IT IS SOMETHING THAT
THEY NEED TO BE CONSIDERING BECAUSE OF THE DECISION THAT
THEY MADE TO GIVE THE DESIGN EXCEPTION AND IT WASN'T

PRESENTED TO US.
IT DOES OPEN THE DOOR.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT.
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
OH, MY GOSH.
OH MY GOSH.
BOARD MEMBER VIERA AND BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
10:45:31AM >>LUIS VIERA:
I WAS GOING TO SAY, AGAIN, I SEE MY VOTE ON
THIS, I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT A CONCURRING OPINION, VOTE OR
WHATEVER, IS TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS IN COLLABORATIVE WAYS,
WORK IN A COLLABORATIVE METHOD WHERE POLITICS IS ABOUT
ADDITION, NOT SUBTRACTION.
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ABOUT MORE AND MORE FOLKS BEING INVOLVED,
NOT JUST THE BUSINESSES, THE RESIDENTIAL FOLKS DOWNTOWN AND
SO FORTH, THINGS LIKE THAT.
I DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
WHAT GAVE ME PAUSE BEFORE WAS ELBOWS ON THIS ISSUE.
10:46:05AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THAT'S WHY I VOTED DOWN.
MOVED TO SEPTEMBER BECAUSE IT WAS BECOMING -- I DON'T WANT
TO BE COMBATIVE.
AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I REALLY DO.
10:46:15AM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES, MA'AM.
10:46:16AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
SLOWING IT DOWN BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET IT
RIGHT.

10:46:20AM >>LUIS VIERA:
IF I MAY, WITH THAT ISSUE, AGAIN, THIS IS ONE
WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS.
I THINK IF FOLKS WORK TOGETHER WE CAN GET TO A CONCLUSION
WHERE I THINK EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE PLEASED HOPEFULLY IF
IT IS DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY.
AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ON ELBOWS.
THIS ISN'T THE KIND OF ISSUE THAT REQUIRES THAT I SUGGEST.
SO THAT'S HOW I INTERPRET MY VOTE.
10:46:46AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
APPRECIATE IT.
HOPE I'VE GIVEN THE IMPRESSION VOTED DOWN FOR THAT REASON
ALONE.
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN AND THEN THAT MOTION TO RECEIVE AND
FILE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF HURTAK'S MOUTH.
10:46:59AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ON THIS ISSUE, I WANT TO STATE MY
POSITION.
ONE, I DON'T THINK THAT THE AMALIE ARENA -- IT'S KIND OF A
DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
BY THE WAY, I LIKE IT.
IT'S REALLY KIND OF COOL.
TALK ABOUT PLACE-MAKING, IT REALLY IS VERY DISTINCTIVE.
IT'S VERY UNIQUE.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT ASSET TO THE CITY OF TAMPA.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S RIGHT UP
FRONT AS WE KIND OF PIVOT THIS DISCUSSION, WHEN WE APPROVE
THIS IS TO ENSURE IT'S NOT LIKE THOSE BILLBOARDS ON THE

INTERSTATE.
GIVE PEOPLE ASSURANCES AND FOLKS CRAFT THIS AS THE DOWNTOWN
PARTNERSHIP, WANT THEM TO HEAR THIS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME ON
THE DIGITAL DISPLAYS HAS TO LOOK MORE LIKE PLACE-MAKING AND
SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN -- I UNDERSTAND THAT ADVERTISING
WILL BE A COMPONENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PAYS FOR THE RENT
FOR THESE THINGS, BUT IT CAN'T JUST BE ADVERTISING.
IT'S GOT TO BE WHEN YOU WEIGH THESE THINGS OUT, THERE HAS TO
BE BETTER COMMUNITY BENEFIT THAN JUST SELLING.
MY OTHER REQUIREMENT IS THAT WE WRAP THIS UGLY ASS BUILDING
COMPLETELY --
10:48:13AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
NO CURSING IN BOARD MEETINGS.
10:48:16AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
UGLY BUTT BUILDINGS ON ALL FOUR SIDES.
I WANT ALL FOUR SIDES COMPLETELY WRAPPED IN DIGITAL TO HIDE
THAT THING FROM PUBLIC VIEW BECAUSE SUCH AN OFFENSIVE
BUILDING TO LOOK AT.
10:48:29AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
DIRECTOR McCRAY.
10:48:30AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ON THE STAFF
SIDE AS YOU SHARED THE REQUEST FOR $30,000 RELATED TO THE
DESIGN GUIDELINES.
IS THERE A LEVEL OF EXPECTATION ON WHAT TIME FRAME YOU WOULD
LIKE US TO REPORT?
10:48:43AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
THE WORKSHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER.
AND OUR AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED $30,000.
PICK UP THE TAB.

ESTIMATED TO COST BETWEEN 75, 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS.
TO GET IT DONE.
HAVE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION?
10:49:03AM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
YES.
10:49:04AM >>GWEN HENDERSON:
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE?
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]

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