📝 City Council Meeting Transcript

CRA SPECIAL CALL AND TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026, 11:30 A.M.

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11:29:55AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I CALL THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
PLEASE, EVERYBODY, IF YOU WOULD, SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES,
AND CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE TAMPA CITY COUNCIL
ROLL.
11:30:03AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
11:30:05AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
11:30:06AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
11:30:07AM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE.
11:30:08AM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
11:30:09AM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
11:30:10AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
11:30:11AM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A QUORUM.
11:30:12AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
FIRST, I'LL READ THE FIRST 16 PAGES --
WE'LL DO PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST WHEN WE START PUBLIC COMMENT,
BUT I'LL READ THE FIRST 16 NAMES TO ENSURE THAT THEY COME TO
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
IF YOU ARE DOWNSTAIRS AND YOU HEAR YOUR NAME READ, PLEASE
COME TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR SO THAT

YOU'LL BE PRESENT WHEN YOUR NAME CALLED.
MICHAEL MAURINO.
KURT THORESON.
RAY WONG.
VINCENT DOLAN.
CHRISTINE TURNER.
PAMELA CANNELLA.
RON WEAVER.
JAMES VANHAERENTS.
MICHELLE MASTROTOTARO.
DAVID PHILLIPSON.
STEPHANIE POYNOR.
JAMES ADAIR.
ALEJANDRO NORIEGA.
JOE ROBINSON.
JOE GRECO, AND MICHELLE DYSON.
IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU COME TO THE
THIRD FLOOR AND BE READY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO HAND THE GAVEL OVER TO OUR CRA
CHAIR, COUNCILWOMAN NAYA YOUNG.
11:31:33AM >>NAYA YOUNG:
THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING.
AS CHAIR OF TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, I CALL

THIS SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF MAY 21, 2026 TO ORDER.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
11:31:54AM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
11:31:55AM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
11:31:56AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
11:31:57AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
11:31:58AM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
11:31:59AM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
11:32:00AM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE.
11:32:01AM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
11:32:04AM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE ARE NOW IN SESSION AS BOTH THE TAMPA CITY
COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF HEARING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE TAMPA BAY RAYS ON THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA THAT IS ITEM 58.
ON THE CRA AGENDA, THAT IS ITEM 2.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL PASS THE GAVEL TO CHAIR CLENDENIN TO
TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR BOTH TAMPA CITY COUNCIL AND THE CRA.
PUBLIC COMMENT BEING TAKEN WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE MINUTES
OF BOTH MEETINGS.
AT THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT, CHAIR CLENDENIN WILL CLOSE
PUBLIC COMMENT AND PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO ME AT WHICH TIME
THE CRA WILL GO INTO RECESS.
I WILL THEN PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL CHAIR

AND THE TAMPA CITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE UP ITEM 58 ON ITS
AGENDA.
AFTER ACTION IS TAKEN ON THAT ITEM, CITY COUNCIL WILL GO
INTO RECESS AND THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WILL
RECONVENE.
WE WILL TAKE UP ITEMS 1 AND 2 AND COMPLETE OUR AGENDA.
THE CRA WILL THEN ADJOURN THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING.
I WILL PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO THE CHAIR OF CITY COUNCIL
WHICH WILL THEN RECONVENE TO COMPLETE ITS DAY'S AGENDA.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE RAYS' MOU, I
NOW PASS THE GAVEL TO OUR CITY COUNCIL CHAIR ALAN CLENDENIN.
11:33:24AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, CHAIR YOUNG.
VERY GOOD.
AS STATED, WE ARE NOW GOING TO BEGIN PUBLIC COMMENT ON TAMPA
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 58 THAT IS THE NONBINDING MOU
BETWEEN THE RAYS' ORGANIZATION, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, THE
CITY OF TAMPA, AND THE TAMPA CRA.
I'M GOING TO CALL FOLKS IN THE ORDER THAT THEY SIGNED IN.
MICHAEL MAURINO IS FIRST FOLLOWED BY KURT THORESON.
WE HAVE 50 SOMETHING SPEAKERS.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE AN APPETITE FOR LIMITING PUBLIC COMMENT TO
TWO MINUTES?
11:34:04AM >>LYNN HURTAK:
NO.
11:34:05AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I WAS
ASKED ABOUT THAT.

MICHAEL, START WITH YOUR NAME AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
11:34:17AM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL.
MICHAEL MAURINO, WESTSHORE ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
I'M JOINED HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY BY OUR BOARD
PRESIDENT, ED ELLSASSER.
OUR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE WE LAST CAME AND SPOKE TO
YOU ON MAY 5.
WHAT HAS CHANGED THAT WE HEARD FROM DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS,
LOCAL AND NATIONAL ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT AND THEIR INTEREST IN
WESTSHORE AND THE SITE BECAUSE OF WHAT THE RAYS HAVE
PROPOSED.
THINKING ABOUT THAT, THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT GOES WHERE
THERE IS PUBLIC INVESTMENT, WHERE THERE ARE PUBLIC PLANS AND
WHERE THOSE PLANS START.
WHAT WE SAY IN THE LETTER AND CONTINUE TO SAY WHAT THE RAYS
PROPOSE AS GOOD AS AN IDEAL SCENARIO YOU CAN GET.
WESTSHORE IS NOT CRA.
THE REVENUE GENERATED IN WESTSHORE IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE
WHOLE COUNTY AND THE WHOLE CITY.
DREW PARK IS UNDERUTILIZED CRA WHERE THERE IS A MAJOR NEED
FOR INVESTMENT.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOAL OF A RETURN, THIS MAKES A
GOOD SCENARIO FOR IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CITY IS PUTTING IN
AND WHAT THEY HOPE TO GET OUT IN TERMS OF PRIVATE
INVESTMENT.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR LETTER AND
CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IS THE POTENTIAL OF THE RAYS' SITE
BEING A CATALYST FOR REGIONAL TRANSIT.
ABOUT NOW MAYBE TWO HOURS AGO, TWO AND A HALF HOURS AGO, YOU
GOT A PRESENTATION FROM AIRPORT CEO MICHAEL STEPHENS.
IN THAT PRESENTATION, HE SHOWED YOU SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY
HAS NOT BEEN SEEN IN PUBLIC BUT A PROPOSAL FOR THE SKY LINK
CONCEPT, WHICH IS REDEVELOPMENT OF THE WESTSHORE INTERMODAL
CENTER AT THE DOUBLETREE SITE, A HOTEL DEMOLISHED FOR THE
PURPOSE OF BEING A TRANSIT HUB.
IF YOU WATCHED THAT VIDEO, THAT TRANSIT HUB HAD LINES
EXTENDING OUT OF IT.
ONE GOES TO ST. PETE, ONE TO DOWNTOWN TAMPA, ONE GOES TO
THIS SITE, THE RAYS' SITE.
SO, AGAIN, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE REAL INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT,
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A REAL MAXIMIZATION OF THIS PROJECT,
MAKING SURE YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO ESTABLISH THOSE
NODES, NOW NOT JUST A STADIUM SITE, THIS IS A REGIONAL
ECONOMIC CATALYST.
THIS IS A REGIONAL INVESTMENT GOING FORWARD.
ESPECIALLY AS A NODE FOR THAT REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT
WE NEED IN THE REGION.
WE HOPE YOU END UP SUPPORTING THE MOU TODAY.
KEEP WORKING TO SOLIDIFY THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT.
YOUR SUPPORT, THE COUNTY SUPPORT YESTERDAY HAS ALREADY LED

TO A POTENTIAL OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT LIKE WE'VE HEARD FROM
DEVELOPERS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
GET THIS PROJECT DONE.
AND I'LL GIVE YOU BACK 44 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME.
11:36:34AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, MICHAEL.
WE APPRECIATE IT.
AGAIN, WHEN FINISHED SPEAKING, PLEASE LEAVE CHAMBERS TO MAKE
ROOM FOR OTHER FOLKS.
KURT, FOLLOWED BY RAY WONG.
11:36:44AM >> GOOD MORNING.
KURT THORESON.
AS I SAID ON MAY 5, I LOVE TAMPA.
THIS IS MY HOME.
I BELIEVE IN TAMPA AND WHAT SEPARATES US FROM OTHER CENTRAL
FLORIDA CITIES LIKE SARASOTA OR OCALA IS WE HAVE BOLD
LEADERS WILLING TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE AND REALIZE OUR
POTENTIAL AS A BIG LEAGUE CITY.
THERE WERE SKEPTICS AND QUITE A FEW IN THE 1990s, THE
CONSTRUCTION OF WHAT WAS THEN THE ICE PALACE AND RAYMOND
JAMES STADIUM.
THEY HOST NOT ONLY RESPECTIVE HOME TEAMS AND MULTIPLE TIME
WORLD CHAMPIONS BUT HOST COUNTLESS CONCERTS, ICE SHOWS, WWE
EVENTS, MONSTER TRUCK RALLIES, SUPER BOWLS, COLLEGE NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OTHER EXPERIENCES THAT DRAW PEOPLE FROM

ACROSS THE PLANET TO INVEST IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
THESE EVENTS PUT US ON SAM PAR WITH LOS ANGELES,
NEW ORLEANS, PHOENIX, LAS VEGAS, BECAUSE OF THESE REGIONAL
ASSETS.
RECENTLY FORD MAGAZINE RELEASED A LIST OF TEN CITIES DYING
TO GET A NEW STADIUM OR A NEW TEAM WHEN MLB EXPANDS.
TWO CITIES LOST THE TEAM WITHIN THIS GENERATION AND THEY ARE
REALIZING THAT WAS A MISTAKE BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC INPUT IS
NOW LACKING FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THESE CITIES ARE ALSO HOPING RATHER TO AVOID PAYING THE
$2.5 BILLION EXPANSION FEE THAT THEY MAY TRY TO POACH WHAT
WE ALREADY HAVE.
IN FACT, PEOPLE JUST UP THE ROAD STARTING TO FLIRT WITH THEM
AND WANTING TO COAX THEM OVER THERE.
IF YOU WANT A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A WISE INVESTMENT BY TAMPA
AND HILLSBOROUGH, LOOK A FEW BLOCKS BEHIND ME AT THE WATER
STREET.
THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
WHERE THERE'S WORK, LEARN, LIVE, PLAY AND HAS EXPANDED THE
TAX BASE.
I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS JUST DIRT LOTS AND ABANDONED
BUILDINGS.
NOW IT'S $23 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX A YEAR PLUS $7 MILLION
IN TOURIST TAX ON JUST 53 ACRES.
IMAGINE WHAT 130-ACRE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WOULD ACTUALLY

PRODUCE.
THIS WILL ALSO INVEST WITH JOBS, 20,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS,
10,000 PERMANENT JOBS, INCLUDING POLICE AND FIRE AS WELL AS
APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS.
ALL THESE PLANNED PROJECTS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THAT THE
COUNTY AND THE CITY HAVE PLANNED WILL NOT BE UNDERCUT.
THIS INCLUDES ROAD RESTORATION, FIREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION, THEY
ARE NOT GOING TO BE JEOPARDIZE.
THIS IS A NONBINDING MOU VOTE TODAY.
THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO DOWN SIDE TO ALLOW CITY STAFF, COUNTY
STAFF AND TAMPA BAY RAYS TO CONTINUE TO WORK OUT THE
REMAINING ISSUES.
THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.
I ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE PROCESS TO CONTINUE.
TAMPA POLICE, TAMPA BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ASSOCIATED
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS, HILLSBOROUGH
COLLEGE, THE WESTSHORE ALLIANCE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HOTEL
AND LODGING ASSOCIATION, THE NEW YORK YANKEES AND
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAVE ALL LOBBIED
THEIR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUING THE NONBINDING MOU TO THIS
POINT AS WELL AS THE LARGE BLOCK OF THE CITY AND REGION IS
ALL LOOKING AT THIS MOMENT THAT CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE AND
PUT TAMPA ON THE NEXT LEVEL OF NORTH AMERICAN CITIES.
THANK YOU.
11:39:47AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, SIR.

RAY.
DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS YOU.
SORRY.
11:39:56AM >> RAY WONG, RESIDENT OF TAMPA, FLORIDA.
PROJECTS OF THIS SCALE AND SIGNIFICANCE DESERVE CAREFUL
SCRUTINY, THOUGHTFUL DEBATE AND PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY, AND I
APPRECIATE THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH THE COUNCIL HAS
APPROACHED THIS PROCESS.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
MANY CONCERNS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE REAL,
UNDERSTANDABLE, AND, FRANKLY, THEY ARE VALID.
THERE ARE RESIDENTS WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT TRAFFIC,
AFFORDABILITY, NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE, AND WHETHER PROMISES
MADE TODAY WILL TRULY BE FULFILLED TOMORROW.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS
PROPOSED FOR AND WALKED AWAY DISAPPOINTED BY OUTCOMES THAT
DID NOT FULLY MATERIALIZE.
I CAN ABSOLUTELY RELATE TO THAT HESITATION.
I BELIEVE THOSE CONCERNS DESERVE TO BE HEARD AND THEY
DESERVE RESPECT.
BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER RISK WE HAVE TO
CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY.
AND THAT IS THE RISK OF DOING NOTHING.
CITIES AND REGIONS EITHER MOVE FORWARD INTENTIONALLY OR THEY
SLOWLY LOSE MOMENTUM, OPPORTUNITY, TALENT, INVESTMENT, AND

RELEVANCE.
TAMPA IS NO LONGER A SMALL EMERGING CITY.
WE ARE BECOMING THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ECONOMIC CENTER.
AND MOMENTS LIKE THIS WILL HELP DEFINE WHAT KIND OF FUTURE
WE ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.
WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT SIMPLY A
NEW BASEBALL STADIUM.
IT IS THE SCALE OF A LONG-TERM ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
SURROUNDING IT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ACHIEVING LOCAL HIRING GOALS, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS,
NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT INITIATIVES, AND THE REVITALIZATION
OF ONE OF TAMPA'S LOWEST PERFORMING CRA DISTRICTS INTO A
THRIVING ECONOMIC ENGINE.
THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT WILL NOT BE MEASURED IN BASEBALL
GAMES WON BUT IN JOBS CREATED, CAREERS LAUNCHED, SMALL
BUSINESSES SUPPORTED, PROPERTY VALUES STRENGTHENED, SAFER
AND MORE ACTIVATED NEIGHBORHOODS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT I
FRANKLY FEEL WILL OTHERWISE NOT MATERIALIZE.
TO ME, THIS FEELS LIKE ONE OF THOSE RARE MOMENTS WHERE
COMMUNITY STANDS AT A CROSS ROAD BETWEEN CAUTION AND
POSSIBILITY, AND WHILE NO PROJECT IS WITHOUT RISK,
TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRESS NEVER HAPPENS WITHOUT COURAGE
WHICH IS WHY I RESPECTFULLY ASK THIS COUNCIL TO VOTE IN
SUPPORT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.

THANK YOU.
11:42:36AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, RAY.
NEXT SPEAKER IS VINCENT DOLAN FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINE TURNER.
11:42:42AM >> THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS VINNY DOLAN.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE YBOR CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE
TAMPA BASEBALL MUSEUM.
LIKE MOST PEOPLE, I'M SKEPTICAL OF PUBLIC DOLLARS BEING USED
TO SUPPORT PRIVATE PROJECTS AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, BUT
THIS IS BIGGER THAN A STADIUM.
BRIEFLY, TAMPA ITSELF GREW BECAUSE LOCAL LEADERS WERE
WILLING TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCENTIVES ON A
40-ACRE PARCEL THAT BROUGHT VICENTE MARTINEZ YBOR TO TAMPA.
BEFORE YBOR CITY, TAMPA'S POPULATION WAS 720 PEOPLE.
20 YEARS LATER IT HAD GROWN TO MORE THAN 15,000, DRIVEN BY
THE EMERGENCE OF YBOR CITY AND PERHAPS MR. PLANT.
BUT TRANSPORTATION IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION.
WITHOUT THAT PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, TAMPA LIKELY
REMAINS A SMALL COASTAL TIME AND MOST OF US PROBABLY ARE NOT
STANDING HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
11:43:40AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CHRISTINE FOLLOWED BY PAM CANNELLA.
11:43:47AM >> CHRISTINE TURNER.
GOOD MORNING.

I'M CHRISTINE TURNER.
I GREW UP IN TAMPA BAY.
I STILL REMEMBER WORKING AT THE SPORTS AUTHORITY IN THE LATE
1990s WHEN THE RAYS CAME TO TOWN, AND WE WERE TRYING TO
STOCK THE SHELVES WITH THE BASEBALL CAPS QUICKER THAN THE
PEOPLE COULD PULL THEM OFF AND PURCHASE THEM.
THIS WAS A TOWN ENERGIZED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
THIS WAS A TOWN EXCITED ABOUT IT.
I REMEMBER THAT VIVIDLY.
SINCE THAT TIME, I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
FLORIDA AND I NOW OWN A BUSINESS HERE IN TAMPA THAT IS A
PROUD PARTNER OF THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.
I ALSO SERVE AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE ON MANY
COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE IS NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THOSE THAT
ISN'T SUPPORTED BY THE TAMPA BAY RAYS, WHETHER THAT'S
THROUGH FINANCING, RESOURCES, VOLUNTEERISM AND MORE.
ALL THIS TO SAY THAT THE TAMPA BAY RAYS ARE MORE THAN JUST A
VOTE HERE TODAY FOR MANY OF US.
THEY ARE A FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE A PART OF WHO WE ARE, AND THEY HAVE SUPPORTED US
LIKE NOBODY ELSE.
SO TODAY'S VOTE IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN BASEBALL.
IT'S ABOUT WHETHER WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AN INSTITUTION
THAT HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO SO MANY OF US.

A NO VOTE TODAY IS MORE THAN ABOUT A STADIUM.
IT CREATES A RIPPLE EFFECT ACROSS BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS,
AND COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON TAMPA BAY RAYS AND BUSINESSES
LIKE MINE.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THIS
AGREEMENT AND LET THE -- AND SUPPORT THE RAYS.
THANK YOU.
11:45:19AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, CHRISTINE.
PAMELA CANNELLA FOLLOWED BY RON WEAVER.
GOOD MORNING, PAM.
11:45:28AM >> OKAY.
MY NAME IS PAM CANNELLA.
I AM NOT AGAINST THE RAYS.
I AM OPPOSED TO THE USE OF CRA, CIT, AND ANY OTHER TAX MONEY
TO FUND THE RAYS' STADIUM.
THESE FUNDS ARE TO BE USED FOR THEIR LEGALLY AUTHORIZED
PURPOSE.
IT'S ABOUT ETHICS.
IN CASE YOU ALL FORGOT, YOU SIGNED THAT.
AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU ARE BOUND BY ETHICS AND
APPROPRIATIONS LAWS THAT PROHIBIT THE USE OF PUBLIC TAXPAYER
MONEY FOR UNAUTHORIZED PURPOSES.
THIS STADIUM IS NOT AN APPROVED PROJECT.
ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SERVANTS.
ELECTED BY PEOPLE TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS, BUT I

HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF THAT LATELY.
WE ALL KNOW THIS IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.
SO WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO ARE YOU, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS,
GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING?
WILL YOUR DECISION BE BASED ON YOUR OATH AS AN ELECTED
PUBLIC OFFICIAL?
THANK YOU.
11:46:51AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, PAM.
RON WEAVER FOLLOWED BY JAMES VANHAERENTS.
11:46:58AM >> THANK YOU.
RON WEAVER.
I'M ONLY HERE AS A CITIZEN.
I COULDN'T HELP NOTICE THE LEGAL QUESTION WAS DECIDED IN
1974 REGARDING PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE MONEY.
THE MIAMI CONVENTION CENTER CASE, THE PUBLIC BENEFITS WERE
SO OBVIOUS THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA SAID THAT THAT
DERIVATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MONEY COULD INDEED GO TO
PUBLIC FACILITIES LIKE THIS.
THE COUNTY GOT AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL OPINION CIT INCLUDED NOT
ONLY AUTHORIZATION FOR THIS BASEBALL STADIUM BUT $547
MILLION THAT HAD TO GO TO SUCH PUBLIC FACILITIES AS THESE.
THEREFORE, I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THESE ARE THREE
BRILLIANT INCOME STREAMS, NO NEW TAXES.
THE TOURISTS PAY THE BED TAX.
THESE ARE SALES TAX INSTEAD OF PROPERTY TAX THAT YOU WERE

CONCERNED ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO.
SALES TAX, HALF CENT CIT SALES TAX VOTED FOR FOR ANOTHER 15
YEARS BY THE VOTERS, PROVIDING FOR THIS $547 MILLION THAT
HAS TO GO TO SUCH PUBLIC FACILITIES AS THESE.
THE OTHER PROJECTS ARE NOT GOING TO BE DELAYED.
IN 5, 10, 12 YEARS, THOSE OTHER PROJECTS ARE GOING TO GET
TWO OR THREE OR FOUR TIMES MORE MONEY INSTEAD OF LESS IF WE
INVEST IN THIS.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS PUTTING $150 MILLION TO WORK FOR
THIS COMMUNITY AS WE UNIFY THAT OUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT,
BASEBALL IS THE PASTIME, BUT COMMUNITY IS THE LIFELINE OF
THIS COMMUNITY AND THE LEGISLATURE IS PUTTING $250 MILLION
TO WORK.
150 MILLION FOR HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE, SO DON'T HAVE TO PAY
$65 MILLION TO REDO THE OLD BUILDINGS.
ELEVATORS DON'T WORK.
HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE LITHIA-PINECREST ROAD SO WE
DON'T HAVE TO USE CIT FOR THAT.
WE WILL NOT LOSE THESE OTHER PROJECTS.
WE WILL MULTIPLY THESE OTHER PROJECTS BY TWO OR THREE OR
FOUR TIMES OVER THE NEXT FIVE, TEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS.
PLEASE GIVE US A CHANCE.
11,900 OF US MIGHT BE ABLE GET JOBS THAT A.I. WILL KILL 15%
OF.
$55 BILLION WORTH OF ECONOMY WHICH WILL PAY BILLIONS OF

DOLLARS WORTH OF TAXES.
LURE PEOPLE, NOT LITTLE V VISITORS, 10 MILLION A YEAR.
BIG V VISITORS.
ROBUST, MOVE THEIR COMPANIES, THOUSANDS MORE JOBS.
THEY ARE GOING TO TEACH, VOLUNTEER AT THE SCHOOL, MAYBE
DONATE HOSPITALS AND MAYBE DONATE ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS.
THIS IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT.
OUR MAGIC MOMENT WHEN THE DREAMING AND THE SCHEMING AND THE
STREAMING BECOMES ONE FROM -- NO SHAKESPEARE TODAY, AND
DON'T FORGET JOURNEY, DON'T STOP BELIEVING IN TAMPA AND WHAT
IT CAN BE AND WHAT IT MUST BE.
PLEASE, DON'T STOP BELIEVING.
11:49:29AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, RON.
JAMES VANHAERENTS FOLLOWED BY MICHELLE MASTROTOTARO.
11:49:39AM >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.
I'M JAMES VANHAERENTS.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
BUT I ALSO WANT YOU TO BE AWARE THERE ARE TWO OTHER ROOMS
FULL OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO ARE ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THIS
PROJECT.
THERE'S MORE THAN YOU SEE RIGHT HERE.
I ALSO WANTED TO COME OUT AND SAY THAT I COME FROM PINELLAS
COUNTY.
I LOVE THE RAYS, TO BE HONEST, WHAT CHARLIE SAID BEFORE,

TAMPA BAY DOESN'T SUPPORT THE RAYS IS NOT TRUE.
IT'S JUST IN A HORRIBLE LOCATION.
ST. PETE, IT'S A LOT OF FIXED INCOME.
LOT OF OLD RETIREES AND TOURISTS.
TAMPA IS THE HEART BEAT OF TAMPA BAY.
TAMPA IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THIS WHOLE REGION.
OBVIOUSLY, EVERYBODY'S POINTS ABOUT WE NEED TO FIX OUR
POTHOLES, WE NEED TO FIX A LOT OF ISSUES.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
ALSO HEARD THAT WE AREN'T PAYING FIREFIGHTERS ENOUGH.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO HEAR THAT YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH REVENUE.
SO WE NEED ANOTHER REVENUE SOURCE.
THIS IS THAT SOURCE.
I DON'T LIVE IN TAMPA.
I LIVE IN PINELLAS COUNTY, BUT I WILL BE COMING TO THIS.
I WILL BE COMING TO THESE RESTAURANTS, TO THESE BARS, TO THE
GAMES.
I WILL BE SPENDING MY MONEY, MY TAX MONEY WILL BE GOING TO
YOUR CITY, TO THE REGION TO HELP YOU.
I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT BECAUSE IT HELPS EVERYBODY.
AT THE SAME TIME, I TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST MEETING THAT
I'M A PERSON WITH A VISION DISABILITY.
THAT BASEBALL IS A BIG MENTAL HEALTH HELP TO ME BECAUSE IT

HELPS ME ESCAPE.
IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL BECAUSE KIDS GROW UP HAVING A HARD
TIME UNDERSTANDING MATH, BUT BASEBALL CAN TEACH THAT.
THEY LEARN STATISTICS.
THEY LEARN DISTANCE, MILES PER HOUR, DIRECTION OF BALL
ANGLES, HUGE EDUCATIONAL HELP BUT AS FAR AS IT ALSO BUILDS
COMMUNITY.
MEMORIES WITH MY DAD GOING TO BASEBALL GAMES.
STILL SOME OF THE STRONGEST MEMORIES I HAVE.
I TALK TO MY DAD AFTER IT AFTER THE MEETING.
I LOVE IT, APPRECIATE IT.
DAD, IF YOU ARE WATCHING, I LOVE YOU.
I THANK THE RAYS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THAT
WITH MY DAD.
THINK OF ALL THE GENERATIONS BEHIND ME THAT ARE GOING TO
HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILY TO HAVE THOSE
MEMORIES AND SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROJECT.
AS FAR AS DEALING WITH TRANSPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION IS A
HUGE PROBLEM NOT JUST IN TAMPA BUT IN TAMPA BAY IN GENERAL.
THIS PROJECT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING LIGHT RAIL, NOT
JUST TO TAMPA BUT TO CONNECT THE HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE
WHICH WAS BUILT WITH LIGHT RAIL IN MIND TO CONNECT THE
AIRPORT TO PINELLAS COUNTY, TO SARASOTA, TO PASCO, THAT NOW
WE ALSO HAVE THE FAST WAY TO GET HERE.
I URGE YOU TO PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.

THANK YOU.
11:52:09AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MICHELLE FOLLOWED BY DAVID PHILLIPSON AND STEPHANIE POYNOR.
MICHELLE, START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
11:52:19AM >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS MICHELLE MASTROTOTARO.
I'M HERE TODAY AS A TAXPAYER, A RESIDENT, AND SOMEONE WHO IS
TIRED OF PEOPLE LIKE POLITICAL THAT ARE TAKING OUR CIT
MONEY, OUR CRA MONEY FOR PRIVATE STADIUMS IS WRONG, MORALLY,
FINANCIALLY, LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE.
THE MONEY SHOULD BE GOING TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO.
I LIVE RIGHT THERE.
YOU SEE WHERE THAT ARROW IS?
I DON'T GOT A CHANCE.
I ALREADY LOST EVERYTHING.
I'VE BEEN FIGHTING SINCE 2020 AFTER THOSE APARTMENTS WERE
PUT UP ILLEGALLY ON MANGROVES.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR CIT MONEY, OUR
CRA MONEY, WHICH VOTERS VOTED ON THAT MONEY, AND THAT MONEY
GOES TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO, NOT TO A BILLIONAIRE WHO
BABBY TELLS ME HE CAN ACTUALLY PAY FOR IT ALL ON HIS OWN.
SO WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE OUR MONEY?
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE OUR CRA MONEY?
WHY DOESN'T THE LOTTERY HELP PAY?
HCC SCHOOLS.

I MEAN, OUR AREAS HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
OUR AREAS ARE SUFFERING.
I JUST CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS TO YOU WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH
HERE.
WE REALLY NEED THE MONEY TO GO BACK INTO THE TOWN, NOT INTO
PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT ARE NOT EVEN -- THAT IS WHO I FIGHT
FOR.
THAT LITTLE BOY RIGHT THERE, COULD YOU IMAGINE EIGHT FEET
COME BACK INTO MY HOME?
THAT LITTLE BOY, THAT JUST BEAT CANCER.
THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU SAY YES OR NO TODAY, THINK ABOUT THE
PEOPLE AND HOW THE PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER YOU VOTED YES OR NO
BECAUSE THEY DON'T FORGET.
THEY DON'T FORGET.
LOOK AT US.
EVERYTHING ON THE FRONT.
WE LOST EVERYTHING.
NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY
TO HELP US TO GO INTO A BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION THAT'S
NOT GOING TO BENEFIT NOBODY.
WHO IS IT GOING TO BENEFIT?
NOBODY.
THE POINT OF WESTSHORE APARTMENTS BENEFIT IN MY AREA?
WE DIDN'T GET NO HELP IN OUR AREA.
THAT WAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY.

LOOK, THAT WAS MY HOME.
MY HOME HAD SEVEN FEET OF WASTEWATER WHICH, IN FACT, IS
STILL NOT FUNDED.
THEY HAVE NOT DONE THE PUMP STATION ON WEST PRESCOTT.
THEY ARE STILL WAITING.
THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF WHEN YOU GO INTO IT ALL, PEOPLE ARE
SUFFERING, NOT JUST MY AREA, A LOT OF AREAS.
BUT PORT TAMPA HAS BEEN NEGLECTED.
AND I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO VOTE CORRECTLY.
11:55:24AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
11:55:26AM >> AND PLEASE SAVE THE COLON CEMETERY.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
11:55:29AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
DAVID PHILLIPSON FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE POYNOR.
DAVID PHILLIPSON, GOING ONCE, TWICE.
STEPHANIE POYNOR.
11:55:46AM >> I TOLD MR. BABBY I WOULDN'T TALK SMACK ABOUT HIM.
THAT'S AS NICE AS I COULD BE.
BOTTOM LINE IS THAT -- SORRY.
STEPHANIE POYNOR.
$976 MILLION DIVIDED BY 1.4 MILLION CITIZENS IN THIS
BEAUTIFUL COUNTY WE LIVE IN IS $697.14 PER PERSON, NOT PER
HOUSEHOLD, BUT PER PERSON.
EVERY LIVING PERSON.

THAT MEANS FOR A FAMILY OF 4 LIKE MINE, $2,788.57.
I HAVE A REAL ISSUE.
MY MAMA ALWAYS SAID, HUSBAND SAYS YOU CAN'T SPEND OTHER
PEOPLE'S MONEY.
IF WE ARE VOTING ON THIS, AND I UNDERSTAND THE MOU AND I
UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS
SHOULD NOT BE MAKING THIS DECISION.
THERE ARE 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY, AND
THE DECISION SHOULD BE MADE BY THEM.
AND AS I SAID EARLIER TODAY AND SAY IT AGAIN UNTIL I'M BLUE
IN THE FACE, ANYBODY WHO MAKES A VOTE ON THIS PARTICULAR
PROJECT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM WILL LOSE VOTES.
YOU MAY LOSE YOUR POLITICAL CAREER OVER THIS BECAUSE
EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTY IS WATCHING WHAT YOU DO.
THEY WATCHED WHAT THEY DID AT THE BOCC YESTERDAY.
THOSE SEVEN PEOPLE, I GUARANTEE YOU, THOSE SEVEN PEOPLE LOST
VOTES.
SOME BECAUSE THEY VOTED FOR IT AND SOME BECAUSE THEY VOTED
AGAINST IT.
BUT WHY IS IT -- I'M SORRY, MR. BABBY, BUT HONESTLY, YOU
CANNOT PUT THIS ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
IT'S NOT YOUR PLACE TO VOTE ON IT.
IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
IT'S NOT GOOD FOR OUR COUNTY.
YOU KNOW WHAT?

IF THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WANT IT, THEN BY GOD
THEY'LL VOTE FOR IT.
WE CAN PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
WE'VE GOT UNTIL AUGUST TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND LET EVERYBODY VOTE WHERE THEIR MONEY
GOES.
IT'S NOT DIVIDING IT UP BY SEVEN PEOPLE OR EIGHT PEOPLE OR
14 PEOPLE IF YOU ADD BOTH COUNCILS.
THIS NEEDS TO COME BEFORE THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY AND THE
CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.
NOT EVERYBODY PICK AND CHOOSE WHO IS GOING TO MAKE THE
DECISION.
THERE'S NO RUSH.
THEY ALREADY HAVE A FIELD TO PLAY IN.
NOBODY IS GOING TO GET LOST IN BETWEEN.
NOBODY IS GOING TO BE HOMELESS WITHOUT DOING IT TODAY,
TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK.
I HAVE A LIST OF THINGS, ISSUES THAT I HAVE WITH THE MOU.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS
AGREEMENT COMES UP, WHAT KIND OF CRAP WE GOT FROM THE
RELATED GROUP FROM ROME YARD.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING A BETTER JOB.
WE NEEDED TO HAVE LEARNED FROM THAT CRAP.
WE NEED TO HAVE IT IN WRITING WHEN THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR ALL THESE THINGS?

I'M NOT SEEING IT IN THE MOU.
MAYBE I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET.
$30 MILLION FROM OUR CDBG FUNDS ON TOP OF THAT FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE?
I'M LIKE, UM, I THOUGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR PEOPLE'S
HOUSING.
I'M NOT SEEING WHERE WE'RE GETTING ALL THAT.
PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION AND DON'T VOTE
YOURSELVES OUT OF OFFICE.
11:58:54AM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, MS. POYNOR.
LAST CALL, JAMES ADAIR.
HEARING NONE.
ALEJANDRO NORIEGA FOLLOWED BY JOEL ROBINSON.
11:59:08AM >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL.
ALEJANDRO NORIEGA.
I'M ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF RAYS' FANS HERE TO SUPPORT THE
PROJECT TODAY.
I WILL SAY I DO AGREE WITH EVERYBODY'S POINT OF VIEW, I
REALLY DO.
NOT SAYING WE ARE WRONG, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW STADIUM IN
DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY.
THE CITY COMMISSION ALREADY REWARDED THEM $6 MILLION OF
COUNTY MONEY AND TAX MONEY FROM THEIR TAXPAYERS TO KEEP
THEIR TEAM.

WHY?
BECAUSE THEY KNOW IF THEY LOSE THAT TEAM THEIR MONEY GOES
DOWN AND THEIR ECONOMIC REVENUE GOES DOWN AS WELL SUCH AS
FOR PRIME EXAMPLE OAKLAND.
OAKLAND IS A CITY THAT LOST ALL THREE MAJOR FRANCHISES.
LOST GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS THAT WENT TO SAN FRANCISCO
FINALLY AS IMPLIED IN THEIR NAME.
LOST THE RAIDERS TO VEGAS.
AND THEY ALSO LOST THE ATHLETICS TO VEGAS.
THIS IS A CITY THAT LOST THEIR TEAMS AND ARE ECONOMICALLY
IMPACTED NEGATIVELY BECAUSE OF THIS.
AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.
WE SHOULD WORK ON A DEAL, BUT THIS IS A NONBINDING MOU.
THIS IS TO FIX THAT DEAL AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE WINS AT
THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE WE WANT THE RAYS HERE.
THEY BELONG HERE.
LIKE I SAID THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THEY WERE NEVER
SUPPOSED TO BE IN ST. PETE.
THAT WAS A PLOY TO BRING OTHER TEAMS HERE SUCH AS THE WHITE
SOX AND GIANTS AND IT TURNED OUT THAT IT WAS A BAD LOCATION.
BUT WE REALLY DO NEED TO LOOK AT THE PROJECTIONS AND WE NEED
TO LOOK AT THIS DEAL AS CHANGING MOU AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE
IT HELPS THE CITY.
ATLANTA BRAVES ARE THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS DEAL.
THEY HAVE BEEN POSITIVE.

THEY HAVE MADE MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT DEAL AND
THEY MADE OVER $40 MILLION EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF THE STADIUM
SINCE IT OPENED IN 2021, WHICH IF YOU ALSO LOOK AT THE
CORRELATION, THE RAYS AND THE ATLANTA BRAVES ARE BOTH THE
FIRST PLACE TEAMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LEAGUES OF MAJOR
LEAGUE BASEBALL.
BRAVES HAVE THE MONEY TO SUPPORT THEIR TEAM.
WE NEED TO HELP SUPPORT THE RAYS WITH THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND
THEIR MONEY BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEAM.
THEY LITERALLY SWEPT THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES, LITERALLY GOOD
ON THE FIELD.
WE NEED TO HELP THEM OFF THE FIELD.
HELP THEM WITH THE FACT THAT YES THE CIT TAX, PEOPLE DOESN'T
WANT TO USE IT.
CIT TAX BUILT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO COMPLAIN OR ARGUE IT BUILT
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM AND WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM RAYMOND
JAMES STADIUM EVER SINCE THEN AND WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE
EVENTS.
WE'VE HAD SUPER BOWLS.
HAD CONCERTS AND THAT HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF REVENUE AND MONEY
TO THIS CITY.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE HALF OF THE EVENTS IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CIT
GOING TO RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

I REALLY AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS LIKE THE MILLIONS OF FANS
DOWN STAIRS.
WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A GENERATIONAL PROJECT JUST
LIKE WATER STREET AS EVERYONE BROUGHT UP.
DIDN'T WANT TO BRING IT UP AGAIN, ALREADY TALKED ABOUT.
IT IS TRUE, WE GAVE JEFF VINIK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD
WATER STREET AND WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT PROJECT AS
WELL.
OVERALL, I THINK THIS DEAL NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND UP TO YOU
GUYS TO GET THE PROJECT DONE FOR GENERATION AS MYSELF TO
ENJOY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU.
12:02:12PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
IF YOU ALL WOULD KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN.
THE ACOUSTICS IN THIS ROOM ARE CLEAR.
WHEN YOU ARE WHISPERING BACK THERE, IT BOUNCES UP HERE AND
DIFFICULT TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS.
IF YOU ARE DOWN STAIRS, PLEASE COME TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
KAREN HARTY.
SANDY SANCHEZ.
NICK STOCCO.
JP PETERSON.
JOEY SCHULTZ.
ROB LEDFORD.
ERGIN TEK.

JOEL ROBINSON, ARE YOU IN THE ROOM.
JOEL J-O-E-L.
AFTER THAT, JOE GRECO.
12:02:58PM >> I THOUGHT THAT EARLIER.
DO THEY WANT ME IN THE ROOM?
12:03:02PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
START WITH YOUR NAME PLEASE.
12:03:03PM >> JOEL ROBINSON.
I ALWAYS SAY I'M JOE, BUT TOOK THE L.
I'M HERE TODAY NOT NECESSARILY SO MUCH AS A FAN.
I'M HERE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE JOBS THAT COULD BE LOST IF
WE LOSE THIS BASEBALL TEAM.
TOLD 2500 TO MAYBE 1500 EMPLOYEES AT RAYS GAME EVERY GIVEN
DAY.
ARE WE AS A COMMUNITY REALLY GOING TO LET THESE JOBS GO TO
ORLANDO OR EVEN WORSE, NASHVILLE?
WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE THINGS.
THIS IS A FIGHT FOR THE FAMILIES.
A FIGHT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE.
PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND JOBS LEFT AND RIGHT.
AND THIS NEW STADIUM IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY CREATE
ALL THESE NEW JOBS BUT AS WELL THE JOBS WE ALREADY HAVE.
1500 TO 2500 JOBS, WE COULD GIVE THESE TO THOSE PEOPLE.
SOME ARE HERE IN THIS ROOM.
I'VE TALKED TO THEM ALREADY TODAY.
THEY WERE TELLING ME SOME OF THE STORIES, SOME OF THE

EXPERIENCES THEY'VE HAD WORKING FOR THE RAYS AND TO TAKE
THAT AWAY FROM THEM WOULD BE WRONG.
IT'S NOT EVEN THE JOBS WE COULD CREATE, IT'S THE JOBS WE
ALREADY HAVE.
A SHAME TO LOSE THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEY ARE MOTHERS, FATHERS, BROTHERS, SISTERS.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A RAYS GAME OR BEEN AROUND TOWN, YOU'VE
SEEN THEIR SMILES AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE YOURSELF.
IT'S OUR TURN NOW.
WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO WELCOME THESE HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES TO
GIVE THEM THAT FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE NEW JOB AT THE
NEW STADIUM.
THIS IS WHERE IT BELONGS.
RIGHT HERE.
OUR TURN TO DO THESE THINGS, FOR THESE PEOPLE.
WE CAN NOW RETURN THE FAVOR THEY RETURNED TO US.
BEING SO ENCOURAGING TO US AS BASEBALL FANS.
WE CAN DO THE SAME IN TAMPA BAY WHERE THE STADIUM BELONGS.
THANK YOU.
12:04:45PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, JOEL.
JOE GRECO FOLLOWED BY MICHELLE DYSON.
12:04:58PM >> JOE GRECO, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
COUNCIL, WE HAD A MEETING OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD AND
FINANCE COMMITTEE ON MAY THE 8th BECAUSE SOME OF THE STUFF
I'LL BE READING YOU I BELIEVE ADDRESSED IN THE MOU.

I WON'T ALLUDE TO WHICH THOSE ARE.
I DON'T HAVE IT AND DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEEN -- READ INTO THE
RECORD SOME OF THE STUFF CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD CAME UP.
HOPEFULLY IF YOU ARE IN THE POSITION OF MOVING THIS MOU
FORWARD TOWARDS A CONTRACT, SOME OF THESE THINGS WE WOULD
HOPE WOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THAT MOU PRIOR TO GOING TO
CONTRACT.
CIT FUNDING COMPONENT.
COST REIMBURSEMENT OVER 15 YEAR CIT REVENUE PERIOD.
REMOVE INTEREST BURDEN -- REMOVE THE INTEREST BURDEN
ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEBT OBLIGATION.
DOESN'T UTILIZE CITY BONDING CAPACITY.
ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REMAIN TRUE TO PREVIOUS COMMITMENT MADE
TO THE VOTERS, CONFIRM VOTER INTENT BY PUTTING THE DECISION
ON THE 2026 BALLOT.
THE CRA FUNDING COMPONENT, COST REIMBURSEMENT IS A PREFERRED
STRUCTURE.
IF COST REIMBURSEMENT IS NOT AGREEABLE TO THE PARTIES,
LISTEN, SOME OF THESE HAVE MULTIPLE THINGS IN IT, AND THIS
COMMITTEE IS NOT SUGGESTING THAT ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE
MET.
THEY ARE EXPLORED, GIVEN AN AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE
DIGESTED.
IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THERE, WE WOULD LIKE
TO SEE THAT.

SPECIFIC COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE UNIT COUNT, 20% OF IT RECOMMENDED AND THEN THE AVERAGE
MEDIAN INCOME, 80% OF IT FOR THE HOUSING.
THE SIX CENT WE'RE ASKING THAT ONLY 50% OF IT GO TOWARDS THE
RAYS' STADIUM.
50% OF THE ONE CENT TAX OF THE SIX CENT, DID I SAY THAT
CORRECTLY?
TIME FRAME AVAILABLE TO USE WOULD SUNSET AT A SPECIFIC DATE
ALSO.
REVENUE SHARE REQUIREMENT TO THE CITY, OF COURSE, THAT IS
QUITE A LIST OF THOSE.
IF WE COULD JUST GET A PIECE OF IT SOMEWHERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS OR WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
I'M SURE THERE ARE SMARTER PEOPLE THAT CAN FIGURE IF THERE'S
ANYTHING WE CAN GET OUT OF THAT, NICE TO GET SOME REVENUE
SHARE.
TICKET SURCHARGE, EVEN WHEN YOU GO TO CONCERTS, THERE'S
MULTIPLE SURCHARGES ON THERE.
STAND-ALONE CITY SURCHARGE, RAYS SHARE TICKETED SURCHARGE
WITH THE CITY NOT APPLY TO LOWER PRICE TICKETS.
WOULDN'T WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE TICKETS THAT THEY LIKE
TO GIVE AWAY CHEAP.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT, BIG ONE FOR ME, AS YOU KNOW, FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, I KNOW THAT THE FIRE UNION
HAS TALKED TO AND POLICE UNION HAS TALKED TO AND AGREED TO.

AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO BEING GOOD
STEWARDS OF OUR FIRE SERVICE AND POLICE SERVICE AND DO WHAT
THEY CAN --
12:07:59PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, SIR.
12:08:00PM >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I BELIEVE EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS.
12:08:05PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
MICHELLE DYSON FOLLOWED BY KAREN HARDY, FOLLOWED BY SANDY
SANCHEZ.
12:08:12PM >> MY NAME IS MICHELLE DYSON.
I AM A BARTENDER AT TROPICANA FIELD, RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
AND STEINBRENNER FIELD.
I'M HERE TODAY WEARING A SHIRT SIGNED BY MANY OF MY
COWORKERS MAKING SURE WE HAVE A VOICE IN THIS CONVERSATION.
TODAY HEAR PASSIONATE PLEAS FROM PEOPLE WHO AGREE AND
DISAGREE WITH DEVELOPMENT AND ITS FINANCING.
WE ALL THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN RESPECTING
OUR VIEWS.
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS THE HEARTBEAT OF TAMPA BAY, WHEN
CRITICS ASK WHY SHOULD WE INVEST PUBLIC DOLLARS INTO MAJOR
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE.
WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, OUR PEOPLE, AND THE
FUTURE.
THE STADIUM DISTRICT IS PROJECTED TO GENERATE BILLIONS IN
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND SUPPORT THOUSANDS OF HOSPITALITY JOBS.

LET'S BE CLEAR.
A STADIUM AND ITS SURROUNDING BUILDINGS ARE STEEL AND
CONCRETE UNTIL THE PEOPLE STEP INSIDE.
THE SOUL OF THIS NEW DISTRICT OF THE HOSPITALITY WORKERS,
THE ONES WHO WILL TURN THIS MASSIVE INVESTMENT INTO AN
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE, WELCOMING MILLIONS AND GETTING
THEM TO COME BACK.
IT STARTS AT THE TOP.
A KEN BABBY GAME IS PURE ELECTRIC ENERGY.
HE DELIVERS UNFORGETTABLE, AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN.
UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT WILL BE MORE
THAN MONETARY.
AS YOU PREPARE TO VOTE TODAY, PLEASE REMEMBER THIS, TO THE
YES VOTES WE SAY THANK YOU.
YOUR VOTE SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ALL, ESPECIALLY IN HOSPITALITY.
TO THE UNDECIDED, YOUR CAUTION IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
REMEMBERING VOTING YES IS NOT A FINAL CONTRACT.
IT JUST KEEPS US AT THE TABLE.
TO THE NO VOTES, WHILE I RESPECT YOUR FIGHT FOR FISCAL
RESPONSIBILITY, A NO VOTE DOES NOT SAVE US MONEY.
IT COMPLETELY FORFEITS OUR LEVERAGE.
TO THE HARDEST NO, I HAVE JUST AS MUCH FIGHT AND PASSION FOR
THIS CITY AS YOU, MR. MIRANDA, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE A HARD
TIME UNDERSTANDING YOUR HESITATION.
YOU CONTINUE TO VOTE NO YET YOUR DISTRICT BENEFITS FROM

SPORTS AND TOURISM MORE THAN ANYTHING OTHER DISTRICT UP
HERE.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
12:10:06PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
PLEASE DON'T DIRECT YOUR COMMENTS TO CITY
COUNCIL PERSON.
12:10:09PM >> -- AND TPA DRIVE YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
THIS NONBINDING MOU ISN'T A HANDOUT.
IT IS A LEVERAGE WE NEED TO SECURE THOUSANDS OF HOSPITALITY
JOBS IN YOUR BACKYARD.
BRING THE FAMOUS FIGHT OF YOURS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE,
PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS BUT PLEASE DON'T LOCK US OUT.
WORKERS DESERVE A YES.
WE HAVE A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY, PROTECT US, SECURE OUR JOBS
AND GIVE US THE TAMPA BAY RAYS A PERMANENT HOME.
THANK YOU.
12:10:34PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
JUST A REMINDER TO FOLKS, PLEASE DO NOT DIRECT YOUR COMMENTS
TO ANY SINGLE CITY COUNCIL.
TALKING TO CITY COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, DON'T DIRECT TO
INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE.
HARDY, SANDY SANCHEZ, NICK STOCCO.
GOOD MORNING.
12:10:57PM >> GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING OUR COMMENTS.
MY NAME IS KAREN HARDY.

I AM A RESIDENT OF THE TAMPA BAY AREA, AND I RESIDE IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
I MADE THIS AREA MY HOME IN 1985 WHEN I WAS A YOUNG WOMAN AT
THE AGE OF 21.
MY HUSBAND ROBERT AND I MARRIED AND MET -- SORRY, MET AND
LATER MARRIED IN 1999.
WE HAVE SUPPORTED THIS AREA FOR ALL THESE YEARS, AND WE WERE
EXCITED WHEN WE LEARNED THAT TAMPA BAY WAS FINALLY GRANTED
ITS OWN EXPANSION TEAM IN 1995.
WE GOT OUR TEAM, THE DEVIL RAYS.
SINCE THAT TIME, THE TAMPA RAYS GENERATED 4.6 BILLION TO 5
BILLION IN TOTAL ESTIMATED GROSS REVENUES SINCE BEGINNING
PLAY IN 1998, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OPERATING EXPENSES AND
REVENUE SHARING.
THE SUN DOME, THE TROP, AND ALL THE ENSUING GAMES SINCE THAT
TIME HAVE BEEN BENEFICIAL TO THIS AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
THEY HAVE CREATED JOBS, BROUGHT SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE TO AREA
BUSINESSES, NOT TO MENTION COMMUNITY PRIDE AND CAMARADERIE
OF ALL CONCERNED.
THE TEAM HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN CONTRIBUTING AS THEY HAVE
BEEN INVOLVED IN VARIOUS TYPES OF PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES
BENEFITING UNTOLD NUMBERS IN THIS REGION.
AND BEYOND.
SOME OF THESE ARE THE RAYS BASEBALL FOUNDATION, BENEFITING
YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION AND WELLNESS, ALSO PROVIDING

FREE JERSEYS TO LOCAL T-BALL LEAGUES, SUMMER READING
PROGRAMS, AND ORGANIZING DENTAL CLINICS FOR UNDERSERVED
CHILDREN.
MY HUSBAND ROBERT WAS IMMENSELY INFLUENCED IN SO MANY
POSITIVE WAYS WHEN HE WAS YOUNG BEING INVOLVED IN JUNIOR
LEAGUES, BABE RUTH AND PLAYING IN HIGH SCHOOL.
I KNOW WHAT IT MEANT TO HIM ALL THOSE YEARS AND WHEN HE
BECAME AN ADULT INVOLVED IN FIVE YEARS OF SEMI-PRO FAST
PITCH SOFTBALL.
I'VE SEEN YOUTH LEAGUES AND KNOW WHAT THE SPORTS MEAN TO THE
KIDS AND -- I'M SORRY, AND THEIR PARENTS.
IT BENEFITS THEM IN UNTOLD WAYS FROM PHYSICAL FITNESS,
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND CAMARADERIE.
IT TEACHES THEM TO FUNCTION AS TEAM -- AS A TEAM TOWARD A
UNIFIED GOAL.
IT CREATES LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS.
IT ALLOWS THEM TO DREAM AND STRIVE FOR GOALS INSTEAD OF
TAKING PART IN LESS BENEFICIAL OR EVEN HARMFUL ACTIVITIES
THAT BECAUSE THEY FEEL BORED OR ALONE.
BOTTOM LINE, THE RAYS ARE HERE TO STAY.
THEY ARE A TEAM AND WE LOVE THE GAME.
WE ARE ALSO TAXPAYERS.
WE HAVE EMBRACED THEM SINCE THEIR INCEPTION, AND THERE WILL
BE A GREAT LOSS IN COUNTLESS WAYS IF WE LOSE THEM BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE BEING PENNY-WISE AND POUND-FOOLISH.

SPORTS LOVERS ARE PASSIONATE AND OUR MEMORIES ARE LONG.
SINCE I HAVE LIVED HERE, WE BUILT OUR LIVES HERE, WE HAVE
OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HERE AND TAXPAYERS ALL ALONG.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
12:14:06PM >> IN CONCLUSION, I'D LIKE TO SAY GO RAYS!
12:14:09PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
SANDY SANCHEZ, NICK STOCCO, JP PETERSON.
GOOD MORNING, SANDY.
12:14:17PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS SANDY SANCHEZ.
AS THIS MOVES FORWARD, I ASK THAT THE COUNTY WITH THE
ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE TAMPA CITY COUNCIL ALLOW THE TAMPA
TAXPAYERS TO WEIGH IN ON THIS DECISION, TO PUT THIS DECISION
ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.
AT YESTERDAY'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' MEETING, ALL
COMMISSIONERS ADMITTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MANY PHONE CALLS
AND E-MAILS FOR BOTH SIDES.
WITH THAT ADMISSION ALONE, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE
COMMISSION WOULD AGREE TO PUT THIS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN AVENUE WHERE THE TAXPAYERS OF TAMPA GET
TO ASK QUESTIONS AND/OR SUBMIT QUESTIONS TO GET THE ANSWERS
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER CHEERLEADER PROGRAM PUT ON BY THE RAYS
STAGE PRODUCTION COMPANY BUT A HEART-TO-HEART DISCUSSION
WITH OUR ELECTED LEADERS.
THERE HAS TO BE AN AVENUE TO HELP THE TAXPAYERS UNDERSTAND,

NOT JUST THE FUNDING ISSUES BUT ALSO THE CONSTRUCTION
CHOREOGRAPHY.
RAYS MANAGEMENT IS WELCOME TO ATTEND AND LISTEN.
THE ARCHITECT FOR THIS FOR-PROFIT PROJECTS NEEDS TO KNOW
WHAT ANSWERS THE TAXPAYERS ARE LOOKING FOR.
NOT JUST THE INFORMATION THEY CHOOSE TO SHARE.
YOU CAN EVEN SET UP NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS TO HAVE THE
QUESTIONS SENT IN AHEAD OF TIME.
PLEASE HELP US TO UNDERSTAND, YOU MIGHT EVEN CHANGE SOME OF
OUR OPINIONS.
I ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC, WHETHER YOU ARE FOR OR AGAINST THIS
PROJECT, TO WRITE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PUT THIS ON
THE BALLOT.
HOPEFULLY WHEN IT COMES TIME TO VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION,
FOLKS WILL REMEMBER THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT
DISRESPECTED THE TAXPAYERS OF TAMPA BUT NOT GIVING US AN
OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND AND TO WEIGH IN ON THIS HUGE
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
THE MNU IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT
UNDERSTAND OR KNOW ABOUT.
IT IS NOT PUBLISHED.
WE HAD TO GO THROUGH A LOT OF TROUBLE TO GET A COPY FOR US
TO REVIEW, ALL 35 PAGES OF IT.
SO WE ENCOURAGE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO HAVE MEETINGS
WITH THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND ALL PARTS OF THE

DECISION.
THANK YOU.
12:16:30PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, SANDY.
NICK STOCCO FOLLOWED BY JP PETERSON AND THEN JOEY SCHULTZ.
12:16:37PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
NICK STOCCO, PRESIDENT OF THE TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS UNION.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL FOR GIVING US THE
TIME TODAY.
AS A LABOR UNION, WE UNDERSTAND NEGOTIATIONS AND LEGISLATIVE
APPROVAL PROCESSES.
WHEN THE CITY IN ARGUING TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS, BOTH SIDES
WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT ISSUES NEGOTIATING DETAILS AND
ULTIMATELY BRINGING FORWARD A FRAMEWORK THAT BOTH PARTIES
BELIEVE IS APPROPRIATE TO MOVE FORWARD FOR LEGISLATIVE
CONSIDERATION.
BUT THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE DISCUSSIONS ARE OFTEN THE
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS ON THE OPERATIONAL REALITIES AND
IMPACTS INVOLVED.
FROM THE FIREFIGHTER'S PERSPECTIVE, VIEW THE PROCESS THE
SAME WAY.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS HAVE MET
DIRECTLY WITH THE CEO OF THE RAYS, THEIR LEADERSHIP,
REVIEWED DOCUMENTS, ASKED DIFFICULT QUESTIONS, AND PUSHED TO
ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY WAS A PART OF DISCUSSIONS FROM THE VERY
BEGINNING.

AS FIREFIGHTERS, PUBLIC SAFETY COMES FIRST.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ONE OF THE LOUDEST VOICES DISCUSSING
RESPONSE TIMES, STAFFING CHALLENGES, STATION PLACEMENTS, AND
LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ACROSS TAMPA.
THOSE CONCERNS ARE REAL, AND THOSE CONCERNS EXIST.
BUT THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE STAYED ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS.
TAMPA IS GROWING REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THIS PROJECT MOVES
FORWARD OR NOT.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE GOES
WITH IT OR WHETHER FIREFIGHTERS ARE LEFT REACTING AFTERWARDS
AFTER THE STRAIN ALREADY EXISTS.
UP TO THIS POINT, THE RAYS ORGANIZATION HAS ANSWERED OUR
CALLS, PROVIDED REQUESTED INFORMATION, AND DEMONSTRATED
WILLINGNESS TO INCLUDE DEDICATED FIRE AND E.M.S.
INFRASTRUCTURE AS PART OF THE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS AS THIS
BECOMES A DEVELOPMENT.
FRANKLY, IT'S RARE FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO EVEN BE A THOUGHT IN
ANY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED VARIOUS PROJECTS WHERE THE
FIREFIGHTERS WEREN'T EVEN A THOUGHT.
THIS IS UNIQUE AND RARE, MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WHERE A
DEVELOPMENT HAS ENGAGED THE FIREFIGHTERS AND WANTED OUR
INPUT AND EXPRESSED OUR INPUT ON PAPER AS WRITTEN IN THE
MOU.
FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY ADVOCATING FOR THOSE NEEDS

YEARS BEFORE THE PROJECT WAS EVER A CONSIDERATION.
TODAY, WE'RE ASKING COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
THIS MOU AS THE DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
WHILE ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY REMAINS A PART OF THE
CONVERSATION IN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
THE UNITY AND AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME AND SPOKEN
THEIR ADVOCACY, THE SMILES AND EACH ONE STRIVING THEIR OWN
OPINIONS AND WHOM THEY REPRESENT, WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO UNITE, ORGANIZE, AND
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
12:19:10PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
JP PETERSON FOLLOWED BY JOEY SCHULTZ, FOLLOWED BY ROB
LEDFORD.
12:19:17PM >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU ONCE AGAIN.
I HAD TO POSTPONE MY VERY POPULAR SHOW TODAY TO BE HERE TO
TALK TO YOU.
ABOUT ANYONE WHO WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT SAYING NO TO A
NONBINDING MOU AND ENDING THIS CONVERSATION AND SENDING OUR
BELOVED RAYS DOWN THE ROAD TO ORLANDO.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE NO VOTES.
THOSE NAMES WILL COME UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WHATEVER
YOU'RE GOING TO RUN FOR, WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT IT.
THIS AFFECTS GENERATIONS TO COME.

YOUR GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE SITTING ON YOUR LAP SAYING, WAIT
A MINUTE, YOU ACTUALLY SAID NO TO A NONBINDING MOU AND ENDED
THE RAYS -- YEAH, THEY'LL KNOW THAT LANGUAGE.
THEY'LL NEVER FORGET IT.
I WAS AT TROPICANA FIELD THE OTHER DAY.
ELECTRIC.
ALL RACES, CREEDS, COLORS, EVEN TEENAGERS WERE THERE, NOT
DOING TEEN TAKE-OVERS.
TARP UP, BABY.
EVERYBODY DOING.
WHAT AN ELECTRICITY THIS TEAM IS BRINGING.
BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL.
SHOUT-OUT ERIK NEANDER, THE GM RIGHT BEHIND ME.
MARTINEZ, THAT WAS AWESOME THAT GET.
UNBELIEVABLE TEAM.
THE PUBLICITY THIS CITY IS GETTING FOR THE RAYS, THEY LEAD
SPORTS CENTER.
YOU WOULD PAY BILLIONS FOR THAT.
POLICE AND FIRE, IF YOU ARE SUPPORTING POLICE AND FIRE, THEY
ARE SUPPORTING THIS, YOU GOT TO SAY YES OR YOU'RE NOT
SUPPORTING POLICE AND FIRE.
ALL THE JOBS.
I TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT SAID I'M NOT EVEN A BASEBALL
FAN.
JP, I WORK, YOU JUST HEARD THE BARTENDER HERE.

THESE ARE IMPORTANT JOBS, 12,000 JOBS.
40,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HERE, AND
THAT'S JUST TO START IT.
IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, SAY NO BECAUSE OF BILLIONAIRES,
GUESS WHAT, STILL WILL BE BILLIONAIRES.
GO DOWN TO TEN OTHER CITIES THAT WANT THIS THAT KNOW IT WILL
BRING JOBS AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT.
$55 BILLION IN ECONOMIC BENEFIT.
WHAT DO THEY KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE THINKING
ABOUT SAYING NO TO A NONBINDING MOU AND ENDING THE
CONVERSATION?
HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT?
LISTEN, GENERATIONS -- BASES ARE LOADED.
IT'S THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH, GENERATIONS OF TAMPANIANS ARE
ON BASE WAITING FOR YOU TO TAKE A -- GET IN THE BATTER'S
BOX, DIG IN, SEE THE BIG FAT WHITE BASEBALL COMING DOWN AND
TO HIT IT AND KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK.
ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO SIT THERE WITH THE BAT ON YOUR
SHOULDER, LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS AND JUST WALK WITH YOUR
HEAD TO THE DUGOUT BY SAYING NO TO A NONBINDING MOU?
UNTHINKABLE.
THIS VOTE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER.
IF THIS TEAM LEAVES AND YOU SAY NO, YOUR NAME WILL BE ON IT.
THANK YOU.
12:21:50PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, JP.

JOEY SCHULTZ FOLLOWED BY ROB LEDFORD AND THEN ERGIN TEK.
JOEY SCHULTZ?
GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, GONE.
ROB LEDFORD.
12:22:16PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
ROB LEDFORD.
I HAVE THE HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF THE
TAMPA BAY CHAMBER ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MORE
THAN 1400 MEMBER BUSINESSES THAT REPRESENT 15,000 EMPLOYEES
IN THE TAMPA BAY REGION, I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE
RAYS' STADIUM MIXED USE PROJECT.
THE FRAMEWORK OUTLINED IN THE NONBINDING MOU REFLECTS A BOLD
VISION FOR A MODERN, WALKABLE DISTRICT THAT INTEGRATES MAJOR
LEAGUE BASEBALL ALONG WITH HOUSING, RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, AND
EXCELLENT EDUCATION PARTNER IN HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND SORELY NEEDED
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
CHAMBER IS ENCOURAGED BY THE SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE SECTOR
COMMITMENT INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSAL.
THE RAYS ORGANIZATION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE
PROJECT COSTS GOING BEYOND THE CAPPED PUBLIC OBLIGATION.
THAT INCLUDES ALL THE OVERRUNS.
THAT INCLUDES ALL THE COSTS.
THAT INCLUDES LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS AND LONG-TERM
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS.

WHILE THE CHAMBER SUPPORT IS RESOUNDING, IT IS NOT
UNCONDITIONAL.
ANY ALLOCATION OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX DOLLARS MUST BE
STRUCTURED TO PROTECT THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL CAPABILITY OF
OUR REGION.
OUR NEEDS BEYOND THIS PROJECT MUST BE PROTECTED AS WELL.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY CANNOT IMPACT OUR EXISTING ASSETS IN
ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS FOR THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, THE
LIGHTNING, AND GEORGE STEINBRENNER FIELD.
IF STRUCTURED WITH DISCIPLINE AND EXECUTED WITH EXCELLENCE,
WHICH I BELIEVE IT WILL BE, THIS PROJECT WILL BECOME A
DEFINING REGIONAL CATALYST FOR GENERATIONS.
ONE THAT ACCELERATES ECONOMIC GROWTH, STRENGTHENS
COMPETITIVENESS AND ELEVATES TAMPA BAY STATURE ON THE GLOBAL
SCALE.
CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR NEGOTIATING WELL
ON A NONBINDING RESOLUTION THAT COVERS THIS MOU.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
12:24:13PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, ROB.
ERGIN.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
12:24:26PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
12:24:36PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

12:24:38PM >> ERGIN TEK.
I'M HERE ABOUT TAMPA BAY AND THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE WHO LIVE
HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT RAYS TO STAY HERE.
WE SUPPORT THE GROWTH, THE JOBS AND THE DEVELOPMENTS.
BUT THE TAXPAYERS ALSO DESERVE THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL.
WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, IS THIS AN INVESTMENT OR IS IT A
GIVEAWAY?
WHEN WE IDENTIFY THIS, WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER ALREADY.
SINCE OUR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY WITH INSURANCES,
HOUSES, INFLATION, AND RISING COSTS FOR THEM EVERY SINGLE
DAY.
SO THIS TAMPA HAS A VALUE -- GIVE A VALUE, PEOPLE MOST
VALUE.
WE ARE NOT NEGOTIATING FROM WEAKNESSES, SO YOU KNOW.
IF PUBLIC MONEY IS INVOLVED, THE PUBLIC SHOULD RECEIVE A
LONG-TERM VALUE IN RETURN.
THROUGH PROTECTIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, COMMUNITY
BENEFITS AND LONG-TERM PUBLIC RETURN ON INVESTMENT, I
RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU GUYS, ASK ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OUR
LEADERS TO STAY STRONG, NEGOTIATE CAREFULLY, MAKE SURE THIS
DEAL GO THROUGH, BUT PROTECT PEOPLE OF TAMPA BAY AT THE SAME
TIME.
BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE HARDWORKING PEOPLE
PAYING THIS BILL.

IT'S OUR TAX DOLLARS.
IN RETURN FOR OUR TAX DOLLARS, WE COULD OFFER SOME RETURNS
ON OUR MONEY.
I PUT THIS HERE TO SEE IF WE CAN READ IT.
CAN IT BE READ?
I WAS PERSONALLY THINKING WE SHOULD PROPOSE PERMANENT --
PROPORTIONAL TO TAXPAYER INVESTMENT.
REVENUE SHARING BACK TO THE COUNTY, OVERSIGHT AND
TRANSPARENCY IN REVENUES.
PUBLIC RETURN ON INVESTMENT, OVERTIME, THE STRUCTURAL
FINANCING.
IT'S ALL UP TO YOU GUYS.
I THINK WE SHOULD LET RAYS STAY HERE, BUT ALSO WE SHOULD
THINK ABOUT OUR CITIZENS AND COVER FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHO
CAN'T TALK HERE.
THANK YOU.
12:27:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PER COUNCIL MOTION, WE ARE BREAKING AT 12:30.
WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW LEFT.
WE'LL BE ON BREAK FOR LUNCH FOR ONE HOUR.
WE'LL COME BACK AT 1:30.
IF I COULD GET COUNCIL IN THEIR SEATS AT 1:30 SO THAT WE CAN
START RIGHT BACK UP WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.
CITY COUNCIL AND THE CRA, WE'RE AT LUNCH FOR ONE HOUR.
[LUNCH RECESS]

1:33:55PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
CALL CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER.
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
1:33:58PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
1:33:58PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
1:33:59PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
1:34:00PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE.
1:34:02PM >> VIERA?
CARLSON?
1:34:03PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
1:34:04PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
1:34:05PM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A QUORUM.
1:34:06PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
MADAM CHAIR.
1:34:13PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ORDER.
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
1:34:17PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
1:34:18PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
1:34:19PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
1:34:20PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
1:34:21PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
1:34:22PM >> VIERA?
YOUNG?

1:34:23PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE.
1:34:25PM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
1:34:26PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I'LL TAKE THE GAVEL BACK.
THANK YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO RESUME PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON.
AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH ARMINDA.
ARMINDA, IF YOU ARE DOWNSTAIRS, PLEASE COME TO COUNCIL
CHAMBERS AND LET YOUR PRESENCE BE KNOWN.
SUSAN MINNICH FOLLOWED BY GERRI.
GERRI, IF YOU WANT TO STAND TO BE READY AFTER THAT.
FOLLOWED BY JONATHAN BUTLER.
THOSE DOWNSTAIRS, MENTESNOT, JARED WILLIS, JOE ROBINSON,
ELVIS PIGGOT, CONNIE BURTON, PASTOR WILLIAMS, PLEASE COME TO
COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
1:35:20PM >> [INAUDIBLE] AND LISTENED TO THIS MORNING'S MEETING.
I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING THERE WERE A LOT OF STATISTICS
THAT WERE GIVEN BOTH YESTERDAY AND IN TODAY'S MEETING.
BUT THE FUNNY THING ABOUT STATISTICS ARE, THEY CAN CHANGE
BASED ON WHAT YOUR OPINION IS.
SO IF YOU ARE FOR THIS, YOU CAN FIND STATISTICS THAT SUPPORT
YOUR VIEW.
IF YOU ARE AGAINST THIS, YOU CAN FIND STATISTICS THAT ALSO

SUPPORT YOUR VIEW.
I HAPPEN TO BE FOR THIS, AND I DON'T THINK THAT MOVING
FORWARD ON A NONBINDING, NONCONTRACTUAL MOU IS GOING TO HURT
THE TAXPAYERS, THE CITY, THE COUNTY.
ALL IT'S DOING IS GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE
WITH THE RAYS IN GOOD FAITH AND SEE IF IT IS A GOOD FIT
FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE TO BRING THE RAYS TO TAMPA.
THERE WAS TALK YESTERDAY ABOUT THE ATLANTA BALLPARK.
AGAIN, I'LL GO BACK TO STATISTICS.
THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THAT ALL SAY, OH, WELL, IT'S GENERATED
LOTS OF REVENUE.
THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE IT SAY IT DOESN'T.
SO WHERE DOES THAT LAND US?
IT LANDS US THAT WE KNOW THAT THE RAYS ARE BIG CONTRIBUTORS,
NOT ONLY TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF TAXES, BUT THE RAYS AND THE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AND THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AND ALL THE
OTHER SPORT VENUES THAT WE HAVE, HAVE PUT THIS CITY ON THE
MAP.
NOBODY KNEW WHAT TAMPA WAS.
NOBODY KNEW WHAT TAMPA BAY WAS UNTIL WE BROUGHT SPORTS HERE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS TEAM ARE
PASSIONATE BECAUSE WE LOVE THE RAYS.
WE LOVE THE NEW RAYS' OWNERSHIP.
WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THEM STAY IN THIS AREA.

THEY ARE A GOOD COMMUNITY PARTNER.
THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE, THEY HAVE DONE SCHOLARSHIPS.
THEY ARE INVOLVED.
THEY DO FEEDING TAMPA BAY.
THEY DO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN JUST BEING A
SPORTS TEAM THAT THIS ORGANIZATION BRINGS TO US.
AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, AND WE'RE ALL PASSIONATE,
THAT WE DON'T LOSE THAT.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MOVE AHEAD, BRING THIS TEAM
TO TAMPA WHICH IS WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO BEGIN WITH,
AND LET'S JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY
TO AT LEAST KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS AND MOVE THIS FORWARD.
SO NAME TOTAL FAVOR, AND I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU CAN VOTE YES
JUST TO MOVE THIS PROCESS AHEAD ONE MORE STEP.
THANK YOU.
1:38:06PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, SUSAN.
GERRI, FOLLOWED BY JONATHAN BUTLER.
1:38:12PM >> HI.
I'M THE OTHER HALF OF THE MINNICH FAMILY.
1:38:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
1:38:19PM >> GERRI MINNICH.
I'M SORRY.
WE'RE LONGTIME FANS OF THE RAYS, OBVIOUSLY.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN SEASON TICKET HOLDERS SINCE '08.

WE ATTENDED GAMES IN BOTH THE WORLD SERIES APPEARANCES AND
WE ALSO PAINFULLY DRIVE TO ST. PETE TO SEE THESE GAMES TO
SEE SMALL CROWDS NORMALLY WHERE WE KNOW IF WE HAVE A CLOSER
TEAM TO THE TAMPA AREA, WE WOULD DRAW LARGER CROWDS AND
PERHAPS FILL THE STADIUM HOPEFULLY EVERY DAY.
IT WOULD ALSO MAKE US ACCESSIBLE TO NORTH, SOUTH, AND EAST,
ALL THE WAY TO ORLANDO, DO UNTO SARASOTA, THE WHOLE AREA.
IT'S A REAL PAIN IN THE BUTT TO BE HONEST TO GET TO
ST. PETE.
TAMPA HAS A LONG HISTORY IN BASEBALL.
TAMPA HAS PRODUCED OVER 90 M.L. PLAYERS, INCLUDING THE
CURRENT MANAGER, KEVIN CASH.
48 PLAYERS IN THE TAMPA AREA HAVE PLAYED FOR THE RAYS ALONE.
TODAY IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.
WE CANNOT LET IT GO.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS NOW, AT LEAST TEN OTHER CITIES ARE
WILLING TO PAY MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION JUST TO HAVE THE
CHANCE TO GET A TEAM THAT WE HAVE NOW.
THAT'S FAR LESS, AND WE CAN GET THIS TEAM FOR FAR LESS THAN
THAT.
THE INVESTMENT NOW WILL PRODUCE HUGE DIVIDENDS DOWN THE
ROAD.
LOOK AT THE BUCS AND THE LIGHTNING AND THE MONEY THEY
GENERATE FOR TAMPA, ALSO IMAGINE WHAT CAN BE DONE BY
COMBINING THE AREA OF BUCS STADIUM WITH THIS PROPOSED RAYS

STADIUM.
THE DIVIDENDS WILL BE EXPONENTIAL.
WE CAN SHARE PARKING LOTS, LOOK AT THE TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERTS
ALL THE WAY TO SUPER BOWLS THAT HAVE BEEN HAD THERE.
PLUS, WE WOULD BE RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRPORT.
THAT IS A WOW FACTOR.
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS WOULD BE MINIMIZED.
ADD FUTURE HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, AND MANY JOBS THAT
WILL BE INCLUDED.
WE SAW YOUR ENTHUSIASM THIS MORNING FOR THE AIRPORT
EXPANSION.
LET'S DO THE SAME FOR THE RAYS' MOVE TO TAMPA.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FOR WEEKS ABOUT HOW
PEOPLE IN TAMPA, MAJORITY, DO NOT WANT THE RAYS TO MAKE THIS
MOVE AND DO NOT SUPPORT IT.
WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE.
BASED ON WHAT I SEE ON THE SECOND FLOOR TODAY AND THE THIRD
FLOOR TODAY, THAT IS NOT TRUE.
THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND LET'S ALL VOTE FOR
THE RAYS.
1:40:49PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, JERRY.
JONATHAN BUTLER FOLLOWED BY MENTESNOT.
JONATHAN BUTLER GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, GONE.
MENTESNOT NOT PRESENT.
TABITHA H.

IF YOU CAN HEAR ME DOWNSTAIRS, IF I CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE
COME TO THE THIRD FLOOR.
JARED WILLIS.
1:41:18PM >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL.
I'M JARED WILLIS, AN ATTORNEY HERE IN TOWN, AND RELATIVELY
NEW TRANSPLANT TO TAMPA.
I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS PROJECT, AND TO
ME, AS A NEW TAMPANIAN, I KIND OF SEE IT AS BEING A LITTLE
BIT BIGGER THAN BASEBALL.
YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS TALK ABOUT BASEBALL.
I LOVE A GOOD RAYS GAME.
TO ME, ONE OF THE SPEAKERS THAT SPOKE EARLIER FRAMED IT IN A
WAY I LIKE.
THEY TALK ABOUT CAUTION VERSUS POSSIBILITY.
I MOVED HERE FROM TALLAHASSEE WHERE I LIVED FOR 30 YEARS,
AND I WATCHED A COMMUNITY KIND OF SUCCUMB TO THE VOICES, AH,
WE DON'T REALLY LIKE THAT IDEA.
IT'S TOO BIG.
TOO LARGE FOR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO DO SOME WORK DOWN HERE
AND TRAVEL DOWN HERE AND I HAD SOME BUDDIES THAT LIVE DOWN
HERE AS WELL.
I SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON WATERS STREET AND THE PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENTS FOR YBOR.
TAMPA REALLY STRUCK ME AS A PLACE FOR BIG IDEAS AND

POSSIBILITIES AND A PLACE WHERE THE ENERGY JUST -- THERE ARE
THINGS HAPPENING.
SO TWO YEARS AGO, I MOVED TO TAMPA AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
BUT I SEE THIS VOTE IN FRONT OF YOU ALL.
I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS.
I THINK IT'S MORE THAN A STADIUM, RIGHT?
THERE IS A WHOLE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT PLANNED AROUND IT,
BUT I SEE THIS VOTE AS A SIGNAL.
IS TAMPA GOING TO CONTINUE TO EMBRACE BIG IDEAS AND
POSSIBILITIES OR IS THIS GOING TO GO IN FAVOR OF CAUTION?
I KNOW THERE'S SOME OF YOU ALL ON THE DAIS THAT HAVE HIGHER
AMBITIONS.
SO I THINK THE QUESTION IS, DOES TAMPA WANT A MAYOR THAT
EMBRACES BIG IDEAS AND POSSIBILITY AND SENDS THE SIGNAL THAT
TAMPA IS A POLICE WHERE WE CAN HAVE COOL THINGS FOR PEOPLE
TO DO.
AND SO ALL THAT BEING SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO BELABOR THE
POINT, BUT I REALLY URGE YOU ALL TO SUPPORT A TAMPA THAT
EMBRACES BIG IDEAS AND EMBRACES POSSIBILITY.
THERE'S ONLY 12 CITIES IN AMERICA THAT HAVE AN MLB AND NHL
AND NFL TEAM.
BIG NAMES, BIG CITIES.
IT WOULD BE REALLY COOL IF TAMPA WAS ONE OF THOSE.
1:43:47PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, JARED.

CHRISTOPHER PALERMO FOLLOWED BY JULIE MAGILL.
JULIE MAGILL.
1:43:55PM >> HELLO.
YOU ALL KNOW ME FROM THE LAST MEETING.
MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER PALERMO.
I AM A FIFTH GENERATION TAMPANIAN, PRACTICED LAW IN THE CITY
FOR 30 YEARS.
THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL COMMENT.
I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT, THIS IS A LITMUS TEST FOR THOSE OF
YOU WHO WANT TO KEEP YOUR JOB OR MAYBE GET A HIGHER JOB.
IF THIS IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS FOR YOU, IF YOU ARE JUST A
LITTLE BIT TOO WEAK IN THE KNEES, MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T RUN
FOR OFFICE IN TAMPA.
MAYBE WE DON'T NEED YOU.
OKAY?
IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, CATALYSM DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS
STATE OF THE ART IN BUSINESS CRAFTSHIP, IN CITY BUILDING, IF
YOU DON'T KNOW THAT AND YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AND YOU
ARE PANDERING TO THE "DON'T SPEND THE MONEY," YOU'RE NOT
QUALIFIED TO BE MAYOR.
YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED TO HOLD THESE JOBS ANYMORE.
YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS CITY.
I PROMISE YOU THIS, I WILL SPEND MY DOLLARS ON ADS.
I WILL SPEND MY TIME ON ORGANIZATION, AND I WILL MAKE SURE
IF YOU VOTE NO ON THIS, YOU NEVER HOLD THIS POSITION OR ANY

OTHER POSITION IN THIS CITY AGAIN.
I GUARANTEE YOU THAT.
SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT CATACLYSMIC DEVELOPMENT.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
TAKE THE RAYS OFF THIS PICTURE.
JUST TAKE THE RAYS OUT OF IT.
LET'S JUST SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO INVEST $180 MILLION AND
YOU'RE GOING TO UNLEASH $6.5 BILLION, YOU'RE GOING TO GET
MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE STATE, MORE FROM THE COUNTY, ALL TO
BE SPENT IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, AND YOU SAY NO.
YOU'RE INCOMPETENT.
YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO BE MAYOR.
YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO HOLD YOUR POSITION ANYMORE AND YOU
MUST GO, AND YOU MUST GO.
IF YOU CANNOT CONCEPTUALLY UNDERSTAND THIS, AND YOU'RE GOING
TO PANDER TO THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE STUDIO REPRESENT, THIS
IS NOT GREEK DEMOCRACY.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO PUT EVERY VOTE TO EVERYBODY?
YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE.
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO
NAVIGATE THESE INTERESTS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.
IF THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH FOR YOU, QUIT.
QUIT.
YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR TAMPA.
YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED FOR TAMPA.

YOU SHOULDN'T HOLD THIS JOB AGAIN IN TAMPA.
THIS IS 10,000 JOBS IN THE ERA OF A.I. DISPLACEMENT.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT?
10,000 BRICK AND MORTAR JOBS.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT?
ARE YOU INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING THAT?
STEP DOWN.
YOU VOTE NO ON THIS, YOU NEED TO STEP DOWN.
YOU VOTE NO ON THIS, YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE THIS JOB NO MORE
AND I WILL FIGHT WITH EVERY BIT OF MY BODY, EVERY BIT OF MY
PASSION TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE IT.
1:46:57PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
THANK YOU.
CAME BACK FROM LUNCH, MAKE SURE PEOPLE -- ARMINDA AMATA.
JONATHAN BUTLER.
MENTESNOT, TABITHA H.
ANY OF THOSE FOLKS PRESENT?
THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
JULIE.
START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
1:47:20PM >> JULIE MAGILL.
HARD TO FOLLOW THAT, BUT SECOND TIME I'VE DONE THIS.
I'M GOING TO APPROACH THIS FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE PASSIONATE ABOUT POTHOLES, ABOUT

THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS FLOODING.
THAT'S ON ONE SIDE.
THE OTHER SIDE, YES, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE RAYS.
THEY BELONG IN TAMPA BAY.
I AGREE.
IF WE COULD MEET IN THE MIDDLE SOMEWHERE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW
WHAT I'M SEEING IS LET'S SAY I TELL YOU, I'M GOING TO BUILD
YOU A MILLION-DOLLAR BUILDING, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU
THE BLUEPRINTS, SITE PLANS OR ANYTHING ELSE AND GIVE ME ALL
MY MONEY UP FRONT, THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THIS ONE SIDE IS
SEEING IT.
WE'RE BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT A STADIUM OF THAT MAGNITUDE ON
THE HIGH END SHOULD BE ONE BILLION.
I FIND IT KIND OF CURIOUS THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE
ASKING US TO CONTRIBUTE.
WHY CAN'T WE FLIP THAT?
IF HE HAS THAT MONEY, LET HIM BUILD A STADIUM, WE'LL WORRY
ABOUT GETTING THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY IN AND PRIVATE
INFRASTRUCTURE IN.
WE'LL MARKET THAT FOR HIM.
BUT I THINK WE'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE, AND I
THINK IT IS PUTTING A WHOLE LOT ON ALL OF YOU, SO MAYBE THE
THING WOULD BE TO PUT IT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.
THE OTHER THING IS, IF YOU DO PASS THE MOU WHICH I ASSUME IS
GOING TO PASS, ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

WHERE ARE THE BLUEPRINTS?
WHERE ARE THE SITE PLANS?
WHERE ARE THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS?
ADD IT UP.
SEE IF IT COMES TO THAT MUCH MONEY.
I'M A CONTRACTOR.
I DON'T SEE IT.
ALSO, I'M A REAL ESTATE BROKER, SO I'M ALSO WONDERING ON A
DEAL LIKE THIS, WHY DON'T WE ASK FOR PROOF OF FUNDS?
CAN WE SEE THE FINANCIALS ON THIS?
IT'S NOT A GUARANTEED THING IF WE'RE BUILDING THE STADIUM
AND RELYING ON SOMEONE THAT'S MAYBE GETTING LOANS TO PUT THE
REST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN.
THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS.
HOPEFULLY IT WILL GO TO THE BALLOT AND WE CAN ALL VOTE ON
IT.
THANK YOU.
1:49:11PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JOE ROBINSON IS IN THE BATTING BOX.
JOE ROBINSON IS NEXT FOLLOWED BY KEN BABBY, ELVIS PIGGOT --
JOE ROBINSON.
THE REAL JOE ROBINSON.
1:49:35PM >> CAN YOU BRING THAT UP ON THE ELMO?
1:49:38PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
1:49:40PM >> JOE ROBINSON.

LET ME JUST SAY THIS, AS BEING A TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY
BOARD MEMBER AND ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, I MUST ASK THIS
QUESTION FOR TEAM TAMPA.
I DON'T EXPECT TO GET AN ANSWER RIGHT NOW.
WHAT FUNDS ARE LEFT FOR RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM IF THIS MOU
PASSES CITY COUNCIL TODAY?
THAT'S A QUESTION.
AND IT CANNOT BE ANSWERED.
YOU KNOW WHY?
WE DON'T HAVE FOUR VOTES TO GO FOR AN MOU THAT'S NONBINDING.
ONCE YOU PASS THE NONBINDING MOU, YOU CAN ALL THESE
QUESTIONS ASKED.
YOU WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION.
YOU ONLY DETERMINE CAN WE GET TO THIRD BASE, CHARLIE.
WE'RE ON SECOND BASE.
WE HAVE TO GET THIRD BASE.
AFTER THAT, ONCE WE HAVE FOUR VOTES, THEN GET IT TO HOME
PLATE.
THIS IS TO GET A CONVERSATION CONTINUING.
IT'S NONBINDING.
LET'S GET BACK TO BUSINESS.
I SHOWED YOU AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE ON THIS OVERLAY.
THOSE ARE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS USED IN ATLANTA BATTERY.
THEY DID THE SAME THING.
GOVERNOR GOING TO APPROVE THIS LIST.

HE'S GOING TO GIVE THAT CRA TO DREW PARK AND ALL THE
SURROUNDING AREAS INCLUDES THE TAMPA BAY STADIUM.
EVEN THE BUCS MIGHT WANT TO USE, RICH FOLKS THAT HAVE TO PAY
CAPITAL GAINS TAX.
DON'T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER TODAY BY VOTING
NO.
OPPORTUNITY ZONE IS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET ADDITIONAL
MONEY.
AND FOR THESE PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT MINORITY BUSINESS, THOSE
PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED WITH JOBS
AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, WE HAVE ROME YARD, COMMUNITY
BENEFIT AGREEMENT TO SHOW THAT IT CAN BE DONE.
WE HAVE GAS WORKS THAT SHOWS WE CAN GET COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
THAT IS WHERE YOU PUT IN WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR
MINORITY BUSINESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS IN THAT COMMUNITY
BENEFIT AGREEMENT THAT THEY MUST HAVE BY THE CITY DEALING
WITH CRAs, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENT.
I CAN SAY THAT BECAUSE I SIT ON THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT
ADVISORY COUNCIL.
I'M TRYING TO GET REAPPOINTED AGAIN.
I'M ASKING FOR THAT.
I'LL CONCLUDE THAT IT WILL BE REAL NICE IF THE RAYS,
CHARLIE, CAN GET US A REAL -- A REAL, REAL, REAL, REAL, REAL
BASEBALL MUSEUM ON THIS SITE.

AND WE NEED ONE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WE GOT AROUND HERE.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
I HOPE GOD BE WITH YOU.
BUT REMEMBER, THIS IS NONBINDING.
IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO THIRD BASE.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET HOME UNTIL YOU HAVE THE COMMUNITY
BENEFIT AGREEMENT, FINANCIAL AGREEMENT AND ALL OF THOSE
QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE ASKING THAT CAN ONLY COME AFTER FOUR
VOTES TODAY.
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT APPROVING ANYTHING BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO
HAVE A CONTINUING DISCUSSION.
WITH THAT, I'LL SIT DOWN BECAUSE I MISSED MY MEETING THE
LAST TIME.
1:52:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, MR. ROBINSON.
KEN BABBY FOLLOWED BY ELVIS PIGGOT, CONNIE BURTON, PASTOR
WILLIAMS, ANDY SCAGLIONE.
1:52:53PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
KEN BABBY, CEO TAMPA BAY RAYS, RESIDENT TAMPA, FLORIDA.
THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH ENERGY IN THIS ROOM AND THROUGHOUT OUR
COMMUNITY OVER THESE RECENT MONTHS.
WHAT WE SAW JUST YESTERDAY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, IS THAT OUR
SISTERING GOVERNING BODY WEIGHED A TOUGH DECISION, DEBATE
AND MADE A DECISION TO STRONGLY MOVE FORWARD WITH A
NONBINDING MOU TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
MAKING A DECISION TO CONTINUE A CONVERSATION IN A

GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE SAW BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM ALL SIDES OF THE ISSUE, ALL
WALKS OF LIFE SAYING, YES TO THIS GENERATIONAL MOMENT TO
MOVE A CONVERSATION FORWARD.
JUST THREE HOURS LATER, WE SAW A UNANIMOUS VOTE BY THE
HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY
DECIDING TO MOVE AN OPPORTUNITY FORWARD, NOT POSSIBLE
WITHOUT AN INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE, ALL CAUSED BY THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
TAMPA IS A GREAT AMERICAN CITY.
IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BECOME A GREAT AMERICAN CITY.
WE ALREADY ARE ONE.
GREAT CITIES TAKE BOLD ACTIONS AND CAN INVEST IN PRIORITIES
AND NEEDS AT THE SAME TIME AS TAKING ON BOLD OPPORTUNITIES
LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
OUR OWNERSHIP GROUP HAS SAID IT, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE
SAID AGAIN, WE WANT TO USE BASEBALL AS A PLATFORM TO MAKE
OUR COMMUNITY BETTER, A WORK, LIVE, LEARN, PLAY DEVELOPMENT.
IN THIS ROOM, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS AN $80
MILLION PORTION OF AN OVERALL INVESTMENT.
AN $80 MILLION CONVERSATION WITH CITY COUNCIL.
AN $80 MILLION CONVERSATION TO DRIVE $55 BILLION OF ECONOMIC
IMPACT AND 11,900 JOBS.
WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF MAKING THE LARGEST COMMUNITY BENEFITS
AGREEMENT IN THE CITY OF TAMPA'S HISTORY, FUNDS TO INVEST IN

PROJECTS THAT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED THROUGHOUT OUR
COMMUNITY THAT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THIS
INVESTMENT.
MANY PEOPLE OVER RECENT DAYS HAVE ASKED ME, WHAT IF CITY
COUNCIL VOTES NO TO A NONBINDING MOU.
AND I THINK THERE ARE MANY FOLKS IN THE ROOM THAT HAVE THE
SAME CURIOSITY TO THAT QUESTION.
I PHONED COMMISSIONER MANFRED LAST NIGHT, AND I WANT TO READ
TO YOU WHAT HE SAID.
THIS IS FROM MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COMMISSIONER ROBERT D.
MANFRED: WE ARE IN THE LATE INNINGS OF A VERY LONG GAME
WITH THE FUTURE OF BASEBALL IN TAMPA BAY, HANGING IN THE
BALANCE.
WE HAVE FAITH IN TAMPA BAY AS A MAJOR LEAGUE CITY, AND I
HOPE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RESPONDS WITH A POSITIVE VOTE TO
THIS NONBINDING MOU.
I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS: I URGE YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR FANS,
ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY AND OUR
OWNERSHIP GROUP TO MOVE THE NONBINDING MOU FORWARD SO WE CAN
SIMPLY CONTINUE A CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU.
1:55:56PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU AGAIN.
I DON'T BELIEVE I SEE -- NO, WE DON'T APPLAUD IN CITY
COUNCIL.
WE HAVE ELVIS, CONNIE AND PASTOR WILLIAMS.

I DID NOT SEE THEM.
I UNDERSTAND THAT TARAH HAS GONE HOME.
ANDY SCAGLIONE, YOU ARE NEXT.
FOLLOWED BY BOB MORRISON, ALISON HEWITT AND BISHOP MICHELLE
B. PATTY.
1:56:22PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
ANDY JOE SCAGLIONE.
THIS CURRENT DEAL THAT WE HAVE NOW IS THE LARGEST, RICHEST
SUBSIDY IN THE HISTORY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LAND, OVER HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND AT $10
PER MONTH, 99 YEARS WITH FOUR FIVE -- FOUR TEN-YEAR TERMS,
IT MAKES IT ONE OF THE RICHEST DEALS IN THE NFL -- EXCUSE
ME, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
FOR THE RECORD, CONTRARY TO THE RAYS' PR AND LOBBYIST
MACHINE, I WOULD BE AGAINST THIS, THIS CURRENT DEAL, THE
FINANCIAL TERMS OF IT THAT WAS IN YBOR CITY, CHANNELSIDE,
ANY PLACE, AND ACTUALLY WITH THE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS I HAVE
IN THE WESTSHORE AND DREW PARK AREA, YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD
BE FOR THIS, BUT I WILL NEVER COMPROMISE MY VALUES.
THEY NEVER THREATEN TO FILE A PERSONAL LAWSUIT.
WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF ONE IS FILED BECAUSE OF THE
MISREPRESENTATIONS OF THE CIT AND WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
SPENT FOR.
BUT PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER THREATENED THAT.
PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.

I'LL HIT THE THREE FUNDING SOURCES.
CRA, EXTENDING IT TO 2000, FROM 2037 WITH HUNDRED-YEAR BOND,
THE CITY OF TAMPA GENERAL REVENUE WILL NOT RECEIVE ANYTHING
FOR 30 YEARS.
THAT WILL NOT HELP TO PAY OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR
POLICEMEN.
FOR 30 YEARS BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BOND THE HUNDRED
MILLION DOLLARS.
ON NUMBER 2, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I SEE NOTHING HERE ON MARCH 10, 2026, MR. BABBY SAID THAT
THERE WOULD BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I HAVE NOT SEEN NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
RAYS WERE COMMITTING 1200 UNITS ACROSS THE BAY, I DON'T SEE
ONE UNIT BEING HERE.
WE NEED 30 TO 80 PERCENT AMI FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE.
WE NEED THE EQUIVALENT.
THEY WERE GOING TO GET AN AFRICAN MUSEUM FOR $50 MILLION.
I'VE SEEN NOTHING TO THAT STANDARDS.
THAT HITS THE CRA.
THE TOURIST TAX, 303 MILLION OF THAT WE HAVE TO ALSO ADD
ANOTHER $300 MILLION IN INTEREST.
NOW, WHAT'S THAT GOING TO DO?
THAT'S GOING TO HURT THAT CONVENTION CENTER.
REAL QUICK, HIT CIT.
CIT THIS IS GOING TO HURT THE BUCS, CURRENT PARTNERS,

YANKEES, LIGHTNING, WHICH ARE GREAT PARTNERS,
TRANSPORTATION, ROADS, HURRICANE, PROPERTY TAX REFORM COMING
AND IF WE DIDN'T GIVE AWAY THIS $80 MILLION, WE COULD BUILD
THE NICEST POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS IN THE CITY.
THIS IS NOT A FAIR DEAL AND THIS SHOULD HAVE GONE ON THE
BALLOT.
WE STILL HAVE TIME BECAUSE AUGUST 10 IS THE DEADLINE.
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.
1:59:30PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
BOB MORRISON FOLLOWED BY ALISON HEWITT.
GOOD MORNING, BOB.
START WITH YOUR NAME.
1:59:41PM >> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS BOB MORRISON.
I AM A RESIDENT OF TAMPA, AND I'M BEFORE YOU TODAY IN TWO
CAPACITIES.
NUMBER ONE, AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY'S HOTEL AND MOTEL ASSOCIATION, WE REPRESENT OUR
MEMBERS, COLLECT OVER 90% OF ALL ROOM REVENUE IN
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
I HAVE TELL YOU THAT OUR BOARD CLEARLY AND WITHOUT
RESERVATION ENDORSED YOU MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS NONBINDING
MOU.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU MIGHT IMAGINE WE HAD SOME VESTED INTERESTS
BECAUSE THE TOURIST TAX IS ONLY PAID BY YOUR HOTEL
COMMUNITY.

BY HOSTING THEIR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS.
NO OTHER TAXPAYERS INVOLVED IN THAT CONVERSATION, BUT YET WE
HAVE BEEN VIGILANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE DOLLARS WERE SPENT
WHERE IT COULD DELIVER A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
I'M HAPPY TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT WE'VE
DONE A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.
THERE IS A GAP IN THIS COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN
MAXIMIZE OUR CAPACITY TO TELL OUR STORY.
THIS STADIUM DESIGNED PROPERLY CAN DELIVER ON THAT STORY.
WE BELIEVE THAT IF DONE PROPERLY AND AGAIN, WITH YOU HAVING
A CAPACITY TO TALK AND LISTEN AND NEGOTIATE, THERE CAN BE A
WIN-WIN FOR THIS COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND AS REPRESENTING
THOSE HOTELIERS WHO HAVE FORGIVEN OR WALKED AWAY FROM PROFIT
TO PARTNER WITH YOU ON UPGRADES AT RAYMOND JAMES, TO PARTNER
WITH YOU ON UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE AT AMALIE, NOW
BENCHMARK ARENA.
WE'RE HERE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SAY THAT WE ARE
PREPARED TO STAND WITH YOU AND WE'RE PREPARED TO SEE A CHECK
WRITTEN FROM FUNDS THAT 40 YEARS AGO THE BOARD OF THIS
ASSOCIATION CAME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, A MAYOR SITTING NEXT
DOOR AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO SAY WE'RE WILLING TO PUT
OUR CHECKBOOK, OUR PROFITS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THIS
COMMUNITY THAT MUCH.
FINALLY, I WAS ACROSS THE STREET IN 1983 OR NEXT DOOR WHEN
THE FIRST CRA WAS CREATED.

I'LL SAY TO YOU TODAY IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY IS THAT THIS
THE KIND OF PROJECT THAT WAS ENVISIONED IN 1983.
THIS WAS THE KIND OF NEGOTIATING OPPORTUNITY WE WANTED TO
PUT THE CITY IN A POSITION TO UNDERTAKE.
TAKE THE MOMENT.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE MOMENT.
THANK YOU.
2:02:47PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, BOB.
ALISON HEWITT FOLLOWED BY BISHOP MICHELLE B. PATTY.
THANK YOU.
START WITH YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
2:03:02PM >> ALISON HEWITT.
THIRD GENERATION RESIDENT OF EAST TAMPA AND BUSINESS OWNER.
I WILL HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY MEMO HERE FOR YOU BECAUSE
EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE YOU TALKING ABOUT
DEVELOPMENT AND MAKE SURE IT IS EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED.
MY LAST MEMO AT THE WORKSHOP SAYS I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS
PUBLIC INVESTMENT BE STRUCTURED AS EQUITY AND NOT A SUBSIDY.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXAMPLES, I'LL ASK THEM TO MAKE
SURE THEY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE GREEN BAY PACKERS STADIUM AS
WELL AS THE DENVER UNION STATION SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIF
DOLLARS WAS USED IN THE DENVER UNION STATION BUILD.
ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A STRONG ANTI-DISPLACEMENT
PROTECTIONS BECAUSE THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT MOST OF THIS
IS HAPPENING AT HCC PROPERTY, AND THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN

DREW PARK, THEY WILL POTENTIALLY BE TAXED OUT OF BEING
THERE.
THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE.
THERE IS A CAR REPAIR SHOP THAT'S BEEN THERE OVER 38 YEARS
THAT I KNOW SEVERAL SENIORS IN MY COMMUNITY GO THERE BECAUSE
THEY WORK WITH THEM TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEIR CARS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE, TOO, THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS GO I DON'T KNOW THE STADIUM.
MAKE SURE THOSE BUSINESSES FINALLY GET SOME SIDEWALKS AS
WELL.
SO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT GOES OUT TO THE
OTHER FOLKS.
INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT STRUCTURE RECOMMENDED AS WE HAVE
HEARD, COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT.
SOMETIMES ARE SLOW IN MOVING AND ACTUALLY GETTING TO THE
COMMUNITY.
NUMBER FIVE, EQUITY MUST BE CONSIDERED ACROSS THE TAMPA
COMMUNITIES.
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE ASKED FOR AN
EXTENSION FOR THE EAST TAMPA CRA AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN
TOLD THERE'S NO APPETITE FOR THAT.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
BUT AS I SEE IN THE MOU, THERE IS A REQUEST FOR EXTENSION.
IF YOU EXTEND DREW PARK CRA, YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING
IN EAST TAMPA IS MOVING TO IMPROVE THEN EAST TAMPA SHOULD BE

EXTENDED AS WELL.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE HAVE AS MUCH PASSION FOR THE
RAYS AND I SUPPORT THE RAYS, THAT WE HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF
PASSION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
WHAT'S COME BEFORE YOU AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARED ABOUT
THEIR POTHOLES AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE COMMUNITY
IS BECAUSE WE SEE THIS TSUNAMI OF ENERGY TO GET THINGS DONE
AND GET THINGS PASSED AND GET THINGS MOVING WITH PEOPLE WHO
HAVE MONEY.
THE PEOPLE WHO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO YOU WEEK AFTER WEEK,
WE STILL ARE COMING WEEK AFTER WEEK.
BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY BEHIND US, WE
CAN'T GET A LOT OF FOLKS TO COME AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT WE ACTUALLY ARE DOING 30%, 50% AMI.
SO AS YOU ARE DOING THIS, IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU
REMEMBER THAT DREW PARK AND THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE
NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
2:05:56PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, ALLISON.
BISHOP MICHELLE B. PATTY FOLLOWED BY CT HARRIS AND THEN
ASHLEY MORROW.
2:06:04PM >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS BISHOP MICHELLE B. PATTY.
BUT I AM STANDING IN THE GAP FOR MY DECEASED SON BYRON PATTY
SENIOR WHO WAS AN OUTSTANDING BASEBALL PLAYER AT ROBINSON

HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WENT ON TO BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL.
WHEN HE LEFT BRANDON, HE HAD A SCHOLARSHIP.
HE WENT TO NORTH FLORIDA ONE YEAR AND HE PLAYED BASEBALL.
THEY GAVE HIM A SCHOLARSHIP BECAUSE HE WAS GREAT OUTFIELDER
AND HE WAS STEALING BASES.
ALSO PLAYED FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION.
WHEN HE CAME BACK TO TAMPA, PAID FOR HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY
COLLEGE.
HE WAS WAITING, HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER TO HAVE A TRY-OUT
WITH THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES.
BUT THAT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE BECAUSE HE WAS MURDERED IN 1993
AT THE AGE OF 21 BY A YOUNG MAN, HIS OWN AGE, WHO LOOKED
LIKE HIM, WHO TRIED TO ROB HIM FOR A RING AND $800 THAT I
ENDED UP WITH BECAUSE BYRON HAD HID THE MONEY.
BYRON'S SON WAS 8 MONTHS OLD WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE.
NEVER GOT TO MEET OR KNOW HIS FATHER.
AND WHEN BYRON JUNIOR TURNED 17, HE WAS MURDERED IN EAST
TAMPA AT THE AGE OF 17.
SO IF BYRON SENIOR WAS STANDING HERE, HE WOULD TELL YOU TO
BRING THE RAYS ON.
HE WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A
CHILD'S LIFE.
HE COULD -- HE WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT GOES BEYOND BEING A
BASEBALL PLAYER.

YOU BECOME A COACH.
YOU COULD BECOME A STAFF MEMBER.
BUT MOST OF ALL, YOU COULD BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN UNLIKE
THE TWO YOUNG MEN THAT MURDERED THEM.
MY HEART WENT OUT NOT JUST FOR US BUT THOSE FAMILIES
TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT BECAUSE THOSE TWO YOUNG MEN ARE DOING
PRISON, LIFE IN PRISON RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS A LOT MORE TO ME AND MY FAMILY THAT WE HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
LAST FRIDAY, I WAS AT THE YET CENTER FILLING IN, TRYING TO
TALK TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE TEENAGER TAKE-OVER.
I DON'T JUST TALK THE TALK.
I WALK THE WALK.
I WAS THERE TRYING TO CONVINCE MANY OF THEM THAT THIS IS NOT
THE WAY TO DO THINGS.
WE HAVE TO DO THINGS DECENT AND IN ORDER.
I HEAR A LOT ABOUT JOBS.
I HEAR A LOT ABOUT OPPORTUNITY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
IF THE RAYS COME HERE, THAT EVERY DIME GO DOWN TO THOSE THAT
CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, THOSE THAT ARE NOT SITTING AT
THE TABLE.
NO ORGANIZATION SHOULD GET ONE DIME WITHOUT INTEGRITY,
TRANSPARENCY, AND AN AUDIT.
SO IF WE GONNA GIVE MONEY, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GIVEN
TO THOSE THAT LOOK LIKE THE CHILDREN THAT KILLED MY SON AND

GRANDSON.
THANK YOU.
2:09:08PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, BISHOP.
CT HARRIS FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY MORROW.
CT.
BRIAN NATHAN WILL BE AFTER THAT.
START WITH YOUR NAME.
2:09:24PM >> LET ME TURN MY LIGHT UP REALLY QUICK.
DON'T TAKE MY TIME NOW.
ALL RIGHT.
OKAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON, TAMPA CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS CT HARRIS.
I BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER UP HERE WITH ME TODAY SO SHE
UNDERSTANDS THIS AND UNDERSTANDS OUR CIVIC DUTY.
TODAY, I WANT TO SPEAK NOT JUST ABOUT BASEBALL BUT ABOUT
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH, ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF TAMPA.
THE DATA SHOWS US SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
BASEBALL CAN ABSOLUTELY WORK IN THE SOUTH BUT ONLY WHEN IT'S
CONNECTED TO INTENTIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
ACCESSIBILITY, ENTERTAINMENT, AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT.
WE'VE SEEN THAT IN ATLANTA WHEN THE BRAVES MOVED FROM TURNER
FIELD, ATTENDANCE INCREASED BECAUSE THEY BUILT MORE THAN A
STADIUM.
BUILT AN ECOSYSTEM, DESTINATION, A PLACE WHERE BUSINESSES

GREW, PEOPLE GATHERED AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EXPANDED BEYOND
GAME DAY.
BUT WE HAVE ALSO SEEN THE OPPOSITE.
THE TAMPA BAY RAYS HAVE HISTORICALLY STRUGGLED WITH
ATTENDANCE EVEN WHILE BEING ONE OF THE BETTER TEAMS IN MAJOR
LEAGUE BASEBALL.
THIS COUNCIL HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS
BEFORE COMMITTING NEARLY $180 MILLION IN PUBLIC SUPPORT BUT
WHAT MAKES THIS WORK FOR TAMPA AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHO
DOES IT WORK FOR.
BECAUSE, WHILE THIS CITY DISCUSSES INVESTING HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS INTO A STADIUM, BUDGET SEASON IS APPROACHING AND
THE PEOPLE OF TAMPA DO NOT WANT TO HEAR NEXT YEAR THERE'S
NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR FIRE STATIONS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
INFRASTRUCTURE, YOUTH PROGRAMMING, FLOOD MITIGATION, MENTAL
HEALTH RESOURCES AND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS WE
DESPERATELY NEED.
WE CANNOT OVERCOMPENSATE FOR ONE PROJECT WHILE NEGLECTING
THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE CITY RUNNING.
NOW, WE ALSO CANNOT IGNORE TRANSPORTATION.
IF THIS PROJECT MOVES FORWARD BEYOND THIS MOU AND I
UNDERSTAND IT IS NONBINDING, BUT TAMPA WILL NOW HAVE TWO
MAJOR STADIUM DESTINATIONS WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY IN OUR
CITY.
WHAT IS THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN?

BECAUSE WHAT GOOD IS A BASEBALL, BEAUTIFUL NEW STADIUM IF
TAMPANIANS ARE STUCK SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR HOURS TRYING TO
GET THERE?
I UNDERSTAND THE STATE MAY CONTRIBUTE 150 MILLION IF THIS
DEAL IS APPROVED LOCALLY AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BUT
TRANSPORTATION REMAINS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING
OUR CITY TODAY.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE BUILDING FOR GROWTH WITHOUT BUILDING
MOBILITY, ACCESS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE ALONGSIDE IT.
I'VE ATTENDED THE RAYS' GAMES, THE ENERGY IS TRULY ELECTRIC.
THE COMMUNITY PRIDE IS REAL.
THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE MAKE THE COMMUNITY ITSELF
STRONGER THROUGH THIS INVESTMENT?
THE PEOPLE OF TAMPA ELECTED EACH OF YOU FAIR AND SQUARE TO
REPRESENT OUR BEST INTERESTS NOT TO MAKE DECISIONS OUT OF
FEAR, PRESSURE OR DESPERATION BUT WITH COURAGE, STRATEGY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS MEANS IF THE NONBINDING MOU GOES THROUGH, WE NEED TO
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS
AGREEMENT AND THAT MEANS REAL SET-ASIDES FOR BLACK
CONTRACTORS, MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES, LGBTQ BUSINESSES AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE
HISTORICALLY BEEN SHUT OUT OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE MOU MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE I
UNDERSTAND IT IS NONBINDING BUT I KNOW THAT WE THE PEOPLE DO

HAVE A SAY-SO, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ALL WILL MAKE THE BEST
DECISION FOR THE PEOPLE.
I'M CONFIDENT WE ELECTED YOU.
YOU REPRESENT US.
SO DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS BEST FOR THE ENTIRE CITY AND FOR
TAMPANIANS.
2:12:42PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, CT.
ASHLEY MORROW, ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE?
THERE YOU ARE.
I WAS LOOKING OUT THERE FOR YOU.
2:12:49PM >> I'LL BE VERY BRIEF.
HELLO.
MY NAME IS ASHLEY MORROW.
I WILL BE JUST SHARING MY STANCE ON THE MOU.
I'M GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING REALLY QUICK.
THIS IS A STATEMENT BY ELDER WASHINGTON THOMAS.
IN 1881.
BEFORE I CAME HERE, THE IMPRESSION MADE ABOUT THIS PLACE IS
QUITE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I FIND.
THE IMPRESSION WAS THAT THIS PLACE WAS SO BAD, RESPECTABLE
COLORED PERSON COULD NOT LIVE HERE, FORTUNATELY TO MY
GRATIFICATION I FIND QUITE THE REVERSE.
I FIND THE WHITES AND COLOREDS TO BE QUITE HOSPITABLE
PEOPLE.
IMMIGRATION OF NORTHERN PEOPLE CONVINCED ME THAT TAMPA IS

DESTINED TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES IN FLORIDA.
I INTERPRETED THAT AS THEY WERE LOOKING AT THIS CITY AS A
PLACE -- A GREAT DESTINATION.
A SPACE OF GROWTH.
THIS MOU IS NONBINDING, AND I CAN SEE THAT THERE WOULD BE OR
THERE IS SPACE FOR A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL
BUSINESSES, BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES CAN HAVE FUNDS FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BUT WE DO NEED SOMETHING IN WRITING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT
ACTUALLY HAPPENS.
I WANT YOU ALL TO CONTINUE ASKING THE GOOD QUESTIONS BECAUSE
A LOT OF QUESTIONS STILL NEED TO BE ASKED AND ANSWERED.
BUT WE CAN'T HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED IF WE DON'T MOVE
FORWARD.
I'M NOT REALLY A SPORTS -- I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A GAME,
HONESTLY.
BUT I AM ALL ABOUT TAMPA AND I'M ALL ABOUT BLACK HISTORY,
AND I AM ALL ABOUT PRESERVATION.
IF MONEY CAN GO TOWARDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THAT WOULD BE
AMAZING.
I THINK AILEEN HENDERSON SENT YOU GUYS AN E-MAIL ABOUT THAT
AS WELL.
SO, YEAH, THAT'S MY PIECE.
I YIELD MY TIME.
THANK YOU.

2:14:42PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, ASHLEY.
IT SAYS BRIAN NATHAN BUT SOMETHING MISSING ON THE NAME.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS BRIAN NATHAN IS.
OH, YOU MISWROTE YOUR NAME?
COULD YOU PLEASE SAY YOUR FULL NAME, PLEASE.
2:14:59PM >> MY FULL NAME?
BRIAN NATHAN.
2:15:01PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WITH YOUR TITLE.
2:15:03PM >> PRESIDENT OF IBW 915.
2:15:06PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
AND?
2:15:07PM >> I'M STATE SENATOR FOR DISTRICT 14.
I ACTUALLY AM HERE TODAY AS THE PRESIDENT OF IBW 915 AND A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GULF COAST BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES.
MY MEMBERS AND I, WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOU, BUT WE ALSO
DID SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN ST. PETERSBURG.
WE WERE DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH THAT PROCESS.
TO ECHO WHAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID HERE TODAY, ONE, THIS IS
NONBINDING.
I WON'T BELABOR THAT PROCESS ANYMORE.
BUT THE STRUCTURE OF IT IS SUCH THAT THE COUNCIL HAS
OFFERINGS.
AFTER THIS MOU GETS SIGNED HOPEFULLY, IF YOU FIND SOMETHING
YOU DON'T LIKE THAT DOESN'T SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE FUNDING
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ASK FOR MORE

OR EVENTUALLY MAYBE EVEN WALK AWAY IF IT COMES TO THAT.
I PERSONALLY HOPE IT DOESN'T.
BUT BEYOND TODAY, YOU DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE, TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, BUT AFTER TODAY, IF YOU
VOTE NO, THAT DECISION IS DONE.
I KNOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE RAYS SPOKE, BUT WITHOUT A YES
VOTE, I DON'T SEE AND EVERYBODY ELSE I'VE TALKED TO DOESN'T
SEE HOW THIS MOVES FORWARD.
AGAIN, I WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE THE YES VOTE.
ASK THOSE HARD QUESTIONS.
ASK FOR THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT.
AS A WISER MAN THAN ME SAID NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE COOK IS IN
THE KITCHEN AND THE CAKE IS BEING BAKED, NOW IS THE TIME TO
GET YOUR INGREDIENTS IN THE CAKE.
I KNOW EVERYBODY HERE WILL HAVE ASKS FOR YOU.
IBW AND GULF COAST BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL WILL AS WELL.
YOU DON'T GET TO MAKE THOSE ASKS IF YOU VOTE NO TODAY.
I WILL LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
2:16:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, SENATOR, SLASH, UNION BROTHER.
HOYT PRINDLE, ARE YOU BACK?
I THINK HE LEFT.
HAD TO GO MAKE A LIVING.
SUSAN BROWN FOLLOWED BY LAURA LAWSON.
SUSAN BROWN OR BRAWN.

SHE LEFT, OKAY.
LAURA LAWSON.
LAURA?
LAURA, IF YOU ARE DOWNSTAIRS, COME UP AND MAKE YOURSELF
KNOWN.
MARITZA ASTORQUIZA.
2:17:33PM >> LAURA LAWSON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU ALL ARE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE FOR A NONBINDING
AGREEMENT.
YOU NOTICE THAT?
THAT'S WHAT I'M NOTICING.
IT'S NOT NONBINDING IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR
VOTE.
I WANTED TO TALK JUST FOR A MINUTE ABOUT EQUITY.
SALES TAX IS THE MOST REGRESSIVE TAX YOU HAVE.
IT HITS PEOPLE WHO WORK PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK HARDER THAN
ANYBODY ELSE.
IT HITS PEOPLE WHO WORK MINIMUM WAGE HARDER THAN ANYBODY
ELSE.
WE'RE DOING 440 MILLION OF THAT FOR THIS DEAL.
PEOPLE WONDER WHY I'M SKEPTICAL ABOUT DESANTIS -- SORRY, I
JUST RAN UP THE STAIRS.
HERE IS A LIST.
NICE LIST.

ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ, MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE, NEW COLLEGE,
SECRETIVE STATE PARKS GOLF COURSE DEAL.
THE PAINTED OVER-STREET ART IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO IF WE MUST BUILD A STADIUM, LEADERS MUST TAKE STEPS TO
PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND OUR ASSETS.
FORGET THE RAYS' TIMELINE.
THEY HAVE A STADIUM IN ST. PETERSBURG TO PLAY BALL.
WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A
COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUS WHERE MY DAUGHTER CAN ATTEND
SCHOOL.
NO DISRUPTION.
WE NEED TO PROTECT THE COLLEGE.
WE NEED TO PROTECT THE TAX COLLECTOR'S ASSETS AND
OPERATIONS.
NO DISRUPTION OF ACTIVITIES.
NO LOSS OF CLASSROOM OR LAB SPACE.
NO USE OF PORTABLES.
REBUILD THE COLLEGE FIRST.
NO LOSS OF COLLEGE PROGRAMMING.
NOBODY GETS A BRAND-NEW STADIUM UNTIL ALL AFFECTED HAVE
BETTER FACILITIES THAT TRULY SERVE THEM BETTER AS WELL.
NO STUDENTS SHOULD BE LEARNING IN PORTABLE TRAILERS WHILE
BIGWIGS ARE PARTYING IN SKYBOXES.
I KNOW IT'S GOING TO PASS TODAY.
THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.

I REALLY HOPE SOME OF YOU ALL WILL VOTE NO, BECAUSE I KNOW
THEY WANT IT TO BE UNANIMOUS IN THE END, AND THAT WILL GIVE
YOU THE BARGAINING POWER TO DEMAND SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT.
I WANTED THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT TO COME FIRST.
IT SHOULD HAVE COME FIRST.
WHERE IS IT?
I HAVEN'T SEEN A DRAFT?
HAVE ANY OF YOU SEEN A DRAFT?
THANK YOU.
2:20:07PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, LAURA.
MARITZA.
FOLLOWED BY CARROLL ANN BENNETT.
2:20:15PM >> I'M MARITZA ASTORQUIZA, CHAIR OF THE CAC FOR DREW PARK.
ONE POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE, SOME OF THESE MEETINGS ARE VERY
LAST MINUTE AND DURING THE DAY WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DREW
PARK ARE RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES AND CAN'T MAKE IT HERE.
I DO WANT TO SAY, NOR TALLAHASSEE, NOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
NOR THE CITY OF TAMPA HAVE COME TO MEET WITH US.
FOR THAT MATTER, NEITHER HAVE THE RAYS.
WE ARE IMPORTANT.
WE SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE.
BUT WHAT I HEAR TODAY AND I HEAR IN OTHER MEETINGS AND I
HEAR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND WHAT HAVE YOU SAYING, YOU
KNOW, OUR MONEY IS GIVEN AWAY WITH NO CONVERSATIONS WITH US.

OUR TIF MONEY, BEFORE THE CRA, IT WAS 40 YEARS BEFORE WE HAD
ANY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN DREW PARK.
WE ARE SPENT OUT WITH ALL THE PROJECTS WE'RE DOING AND WE
NEED MORE MONEY FOR THE CONTINUING PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING
ON.
BUT I FIND IT SO CONDESCENDING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE
WILLING TO GIVE OUR MONEY AWAY.
IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THERE WAS A TIME IN OUR COUNTRY WHEN
PEOPLE'S SWEAT AND SERVICES AND WHATEVER THEY PRODUCED WAS
JUST TAKEN AWAY WITHOUT THEIR CONSIDERATION.
AND THAT'S WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE TO ME.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMMUNITY MEETING.
MAYBE THE COMMUNITY IS FOR OR AGAINST IT.
RIGHT NOW TODAY, I CAN'T SAY FOR OR AGAINST IT AS THE CHAIR
OF THE CAC.
I HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS HOW EASILY AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT
DREW PARK AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON IN DREW
PARK, BUT THEY EASILY GIVE AWAY OUR MONEY WITHOUT TALKING TO
US.
PROPERTY TAXES MAY GO UP.
IS THE COUNTY GOING TO PUT A STOP SO THAT ANYTHING BEYOND WE
DON'T PAY, THE MORATORIUM ON OUR TAXES?
I DON'T KNOW.
WHAT ABOUT EMINENT DOMAIN?
WHAT IS THE PROTECTION FOR US NOT BEING DISPLACED?

I'M HEARING COMMUNITIES WILL GET THIS AND GET THAT AND THE
HOTELS AND THE MUSEUMS, WHATEVER IT IS, I HAVEN'T HEARD
ANYTHING FOR DREW PARK.
BUT I FAULT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I FAULT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS BECAUSE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
ARE GIVING AWAY OUR MONEY WITH NO PROTECTION FOR US.
I CAN'T SAY IF FOR OR AGAINST IT BECAUSE I REALLY CAN'T.
BUT I DO EXPECT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROTECT US.
SOUNDS GOOD, RAYS, RAYS, I'M GLAD, YOU KNOW.
SOMEONE WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING.
GOOD FOR THEM.
WE'RE CAPITALISTS.
2:23:16PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
2:23:17PM >> THANK YOU.
2:23:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
CARROLL ANN BENNETT FOLLOWED BY PAIGE
NIEHAUS AND THAT IS THE LAST PERSON I HAVE ON THE SIGN-IN
SHEET.
PAIGE WILL BE THE LAST PUBLIC SPEAKER.
2:23:29PM >> CARROLL ANN BENNETT, LIFELONG TAMPA RESIDENT.
IF YOU KNOW WHAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO, LOOK AT WHAT THEY
HAVE DONE AFTER JUST HEARING THE SPEAKER BEFORE ME.
I THINK IT'S JUST SHAMEFUL THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED.
I THINK IT TELLS ALL OF US A LOT.
WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THE DECISION ON HOW TO SPEND THE CRA
MONEY, I THINK CHANNELSIDE IS THE PERFECT CAUTIONARY TALE.

YES, SOME OF THE CHANNELSIDE MONEY WAS USED TO BENEFIT
EVERYONE.
ONCE THE SLUM AND BLIGHT WERE ELIMINATED, THE CRA WAS USED
TO PUMP MONEY INTO THE POCKETS OF THE WEALTHY BY SUBSIDIZING
DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS.
WHEN THE INCREASED POPULATION OF CHANNELSIDE MADE A NEW
FIREHOUSE NECESSARY, IT WASN'T THE PEOPLE WHO MOVED TO
CHANNELSIDE WHO WERE ASKED TO PAY FOR IT.
IT WASN'T THE DEVELOPERS OR CORPORATIONS THAT PROFITED WHO
WERE ASKED TO PAY FOR IT.
NO, THEY WANTED TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES SO ALL OF THE PEOPLE
WHO DO NOT LIVE IN A CRA WOULD PAY FOR IT.
THEY EXPECTED THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN WELLSWOOD AND SEMINOLE
HEIGHTS AND UNIVERSITY SQUARE AND SOUTH TAMPA TO PAY FOR IT.
I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE INCREASED MONEY GOING INTO THE
DREW PARK CRA WILL ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF DREW
PARK BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE CHANNELSIDE CRA MONEY USED TO
SUBSIDIZE THE WEALTHY AND I JUST HEARD HOW THEY ARE BEING
TREATED ALREADY.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE HUGE SPORTS FANS.
WE USED TO TAKE OUR KIDS TO RAYS' GAMES EVERY SEASON, BUT WE
HAD TO STOP BECAUSE WE GOT PRICED OUT.
FOR HIS 35th BIRTHDAY WE WANTED TO TREAT OUR SON TO A
RAYS' GAME.
BUT WHEN WE WENT TO BUY TICKETS, WE REALIZED WE COULDN'T

JUSTIFY SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY.
WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT BECAUSE WE ARE A PART OF THE 98% AND
WE, THE 98% NEED TO MAKE THIS DECISION, NOT THE SEVEN OF
YOU.
NOT THE SEVEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THE 98%.
THE BUCS STADIUM WAS ON THE BALLOT, AND THE RAYS' STADIUM
SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE BALLOT.
WE GOT SHAFTED ON THE BUCS STADIUM DEAL BUT IT IS A LOT
EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SWALLOW THE BITTER PILL BECAUSE THE
CITIZENS -- I REPEAT -- THE CITIZENS MADE THE DECISION.
WE ACCEPTED THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY.
THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE.
THE PEOPLE ARE HESITANT TO BELIEVE PROMISES MADE TO THEM.
VOTERS AGREED TO EXTEND THE CIT TAX PARTLY BASED ON PROMISES
THAT ARE NOW BEING BROKEN.
WE WERE TOLD THE CIT MONEY WOULDN'T BE USED FOR A STADIUM
AND YET HERE WE ARE.
YOU CAN MINCE WORDS AND ARGUE SEMANTICS ALL YOU WANT, BUT NO
MATTER HOW THIN YOU SLICE IT, IT'S STILL BALONEY.
SO THE VOTERS MUST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AGAIN THIS
TIME KNOWING HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT.
THANK YOU.
2:26:14PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
PAIGE NIEHAUS.

OKAY.
I BELIEVE THAT IS OUR LAST PUBLIC SPEAKER.
HERE HE COMES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NEXT.
2:26:35PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, IS THERE SOMEBODY IN
THE AUDIENCE THAT EXPECTED TO BE CALLED BECAUSE THERE NAME
WAS ON THE LIST AND MAYBE DIDN'T.
HEARING NONE THAT CONCLUDES CITY COUNCIL AND CRA COMMENTS.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL NOW PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO CHAIR NAYA
YOUNG.
2:26:57PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME, THE TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WILL
NOW GO INTO RECESS.
2:27:06PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
VERY GOOD.
WE'RE NOW GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM 58 ON THE AGENDA.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE CHIEF OF STAFF JOHN BENNETT.
JOHN, DO YOU WANT TO PAUSE FOR ONE MOMENT WHILE WE LET THE
LAWYERS DO WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING.
SO IT'S NOT A DISTRACTION.
2:27:31PM >>JOHN BENNETT:
I'M ACTUALLY WAITING ON THE CITY ATTORNEY
AND CFO TO COME BACK UPSTAIRS AS WELL.
2:27:38PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
OKAY.
WE'LL TELL BY THEIR BREATH WHETHER THEY TOOK THE STAIRS.
JOHN, ARE YOU ABLE TO START WITH YOUR PRESENTATION?
2:28:16PM >>JOHN BENNETT:
I AM.

2:28:16PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
READY, SET, GO.
2:28:18PM >>JOHN BENNETT:
GOOD AFTERNOON.
JOHN BENNETT, CHIEF OF STAFF TO ACTUALLY BOTH CHAIRS,
CHAIRMAN CLENDENIN, CHAIRWOMAN YOUNG FOR THE CRA AND, OF
COURSE, OUR PUBLIC THAT HAVE BEEN GATHERED HERE THROUGHOUT
THE MORNING.
A LITTLE PREAMBLE BEFORE I GET INTO WHAT I WOULD CALL A
SHORT OPENING SO WE CAN GET TO THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FROM OUR COUNCIL, YOU KNOW, IN SEVEN YEARS WITHIN THE
ADMINISTRATION, I'VE BEEN AT THIS TABLE THREE TIMES WITH A
COMMITMENT TO WORK HARD WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO TRY AND
KEEP THE RAYS IN THE REGION, IN THE TAMPA BAY REGION.
I'VE ONLY HAD ONE THING THAT I STARTED EVERY CONVERSATION
OUT WITH IS, DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY?
I SAID THE SAME EXACT THING WHEN I MET THE NEW OWNERS.
I FRAMED THAT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IN OUR WORKSHOP AND I
WANT TO THANK COUNCIL FOR HOSTING A WORKSHOP.
OF COURSE, I ALSO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO OUR COLLEAGUES IN
THE COLLEAGUE AND, OF COURSE, THE TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY FOR
BEING AT THE TABLE WITH US, WITH THE RAYS.
AND THOSE TWO GUARDRAILS THAT I BROUGHT UP STILL HOLD TRUE.
THE FIRST ONE INSIDE THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY IS TO ENSURE
THAT WE DO NO HARM TO OUR LEVEL OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS
OF TAMPA.
AND THE SECOND GUARDRAIL IS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO ALL OF

OUR OTHER KEY PARTNERS THAT ESPECIALLY USE OUR PUBLIC
FACILITIES.
AS A STADIUM COMMANDER FOR MANY YEARS AT RAYMOND JAMES
STADIUM, I UNDERSTAND THE OPERATIONS AND ALL THE CAPITAL AND
MAINTENANCE THAT GOES INTO THAT.
BUT THIS AFTERNOON, IT REALLY IS ABOUT THE NONBINDING
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, AND AT SOME POINT, I'M GOING TO
ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY TO READ A SPECIFIC SECTION OF THAT,
THAT ACTUALLY GOES BEYOND THE NONBINDING ELEMENT AND MAKES
IT ACTUALLY A STRONGER PORTION THAN JUST A NONBINDING MOU.
I'LL ASK HIM TO DO THAT SHORTLY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ROOM KNOWS THAT CITY ATTORNEY
SCOTT STEADY IS HERE ALONGSIDE WITH ME TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
AND OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DENNIS ROGERO IS HERE TO
HELP DISCUSS SOME OF THE FINANCIAL PARAMETERS IN THE
PROPOSED FUNDING MIX INSIDE THE NONBINDING MOU.
BEYOND THE FRAMEWORK OF DO NO HARM AND BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, I
ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TWO FUNDING STREAMS THAT
HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX AND THE DREW
PARK CRA HAD BEEN ELEMENTS THAT WERE BROUGHT TO US FOR
DISCUSSION.
THESE WERE NOT PROPOSALS THAT STARTED FROM THE CITY SIDE.
THEY WERE BROUGHT IN AND VETTED FOR US FOR DISCUSSION.
I ALSO MENTIONED TWO WEEKS AGO, I GAVE THE ANALOGY NOT ONLY
THE GUARDRAILS, BUT THAT WE WERE IN REALLY THREE LANES OF

TRAFFIC.
THE FIRST ONE WAS DISCUSSED.
THE SECOND ONE WAS FEASIBILITY.
I WOULD ARGUE WE ARE STILL IN THE TWO LANES THAT WE HAVE YET
TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT AT THIS POINT, ALTHOUGH THIS IS A
STEP IN THAT RIGHT DIRECTION.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CAPITAL -- SORRY, THE CITY'S
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX
FOR A LITTLE BIT BROADER CONTEXT, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT
AS WE'VE SEEN IN EACH BUDGET YEAR, THE FIVE-YEAR CIP IS A
NONLINEAR EVENT, MEANING THAT IT'S WEIGHTED DIFFERENTLY AND
USUALLY THESE PROJECT LIFE CYCLES ARE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FOUR
AND SEVEN YEARS.
SO THAT GIVES US SOME ELASTICITY IN THE PROCESS AS WE'RE
VETTING OUT THE CIT AS IT RELATES TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS FOR THE CITY.
WE HAVE TALKED EXTENSIVELY ABOUT SAFEGUARDING THAT LEVEL OF
SERVICE, PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION
AND WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE BROUGHT SOMETHING FORWARD,
AT LEAST IN THIS FRAMEABLE WAY AT THIS POINT, AT THIS
JUNCTURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ALL OF OUR
STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WOULD BE A WIN-WIN,
EQUITABLE OUTCOME FOR EVERYBODY IF IT'S MEANT TO BE THAT
WAY.
SO THE FINAL PART, AND I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE RAYS FOR

AGREEING TO, ONE, THE NONBINDING ASPECT OF THE MOU SO WE
COULD KEEP WORKING.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET INTO A
NONBONDING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, AT LEAST INSIDE
THE MOU.
SO I THOUGHT THOSE TWO THINGS WERE CRITICAL.
I WANT TO CLOSE THIS SHORT OPENING WITH THE FACT ABOUT THE
CRA.
THE CRA CAME TO US AS A PROPOSAL FINANCIALLY AND WHAT WE DID
AND I WANT TO CREDIT OUR CITY ATTORNEY SCOTT STEADY FOR
BRINGING IN THE CRA ATTORNEY AT THE RIGHT JUNCTURE TO
DISCUSS JUST THE FEASIBILITY ASPECTS.
AND I ENJOY SITTING IN THIS ROOM EVERY COUNCIL MEETING, NOT
JUST THIS ONE, TO HEAR EVERYBODY'S VOICE BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S
VOICE IN THIS ROOM, WHETHER YOU ARE PRO, CON, ASKING FOR
ACCOUNTABILITY, MAKES IT TO THE TABLE WITH ME THROUGH MY
COPIOUS NOTE-TAKING.
THAT SAID, I HEAR ABOUT THE CRA.
I HEAR ABOUT THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE IN THERE.
I ALSO KNOW THAT THAT ADVOCACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY HAS TO
COME FROM A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
THE CRA ATTORNEY AND THEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THE CRA TO
NEGOTIATE THAT ELEMENT.
AND CEDRIC McCRAY IS HERE AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THOSE
QUESTIONS COULD BE ANSWERED.

WITH THAT, AGAIN, TO COUNCIL AND TO THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE OUR
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY HERE, AND WE
WANT TO BE BRIEF SO WE CAN OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS.
2:33:27PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
PAUSE FOR ONE SECOND.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
2:33:29PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I HAVE A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.
THIS IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THE 80 MILLION FOR THE CIT,
CORRECT?
WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS THE CRA HUNDRED MILLION UNDER THAT.
THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING.
2:33:44PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I THINK THIS IS ABOUT THE RAYS' MOU.
EVERYTHING IS THE MOU.
EVERYTHING IN THE MOU CAN BE DISCUSSED DURING THE SESSION.
THE ACTION TAKEN WILL BE TAKEN SOLELY AS CITY COUNCIL AND
THEN AFTER CITY COUNCIL DISPENSES OF THIS, IF IT IS PASSED
BY COUNCIL, WE WILL THEN RECONVENE CRA FOR IT TO BE
DISPENSED THROUGH CRA.
THE WAY IT WAS ISSUED IS ITEM 58, ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE IS
THE WHOLE MOU IS ON THE TABLE.
AGAIN, THIS IS NONBINDING, PENDING.
NOTHING FINALIZED.
2:34:21PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I ASKED COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG'S OFFICE YESTERDAY
AND SHE SAID WE WOULD DO THE EXACT SAME FIVE MINUTE, THREE
MINUTE IN THE CRA.
PORTION OF THIS MEETING AS WELL.

2:34:30PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO COUNCILWOMAN
YOUNG.
AGAIN, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ONLY -- CRA IS RECESSED.
THE ONLY MEETING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS TAMPA CITY COUNCIL.
TAMPA CITY COUNCIL, WE WILL GO THROUGH OUR PROCEDURES OF THE
FIVE MINUTES ONE ROUND, THREE MINUTES THE NEXT ROUND.
ONCE THAT IS DONE, ONCE EVERYBODY IS FINISHED AND SATISFIED,
HAVE THE ANSWERS, CITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE A VOTE.
IF IT PREVAILS, IF IT RECEIVES FOUR VOTES AND PREVAILS, THEN
WE WILL RECONVENE CRA TO ALSO GO THROUGH THE SAME TYPE OF
PROCESS.
WE'LL HAVE TWO SEPARATE MEETINGS.
2:35:09PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
IT DIDN'T SOUND THAT WAY AND I WANTED TO BE SURE.
THANK YOU.
2:35:14PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:35:16PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING IS WRONG BUT I
REMEMBER SPEAKING TO THE ADMINISTRATION WAY BACK WHEN THEY
WERE GOING TO BUILD ON CHANNELSIDE, AM I CORRECT?
BUILD ON CHANNELSIDE OR WANTED TO LOOK AT ON CHANNELSIDE.
ALL WE TALKED ABOUT WAS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR $50 MILLION.
I SAID I'M FINE WITH THAT.
ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW IT IS A BILLION DOLLARS.
2:35:39PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:35:40PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE THE PUBLIC.

2:35:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE'RE NOT THERE YET.
2:35:45PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
WELL, I AM.
2:35:50PM >>JOHN BENNETT:
AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION AND ANSWER
PERIOD.
2:35:52PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE'RE NOT THERE YET EITHER.
2:35:56PM >>JOHN BENNETT:
I WANTED THE CITY ATTORNEY TO MENTION THE
PART ABOUT THE NONBINDING AND THE SPECIFICITY ON THAT.
2:36:00PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
IF WE WITHHOLD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UNTIL
THEY FINISH THEIR PRESENTATION.
2:36:06PM >>BILL CARLSON:
PROCESS QUESTION.
WE HAVE AN MOU HERE IN FRONT OF US AND SUPPOSED TO REACT TO
THE DOCUMENT.
MY QUESTION IS, WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF CITY COUNCIL?
I'M NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES OUTSIDE OF THIS
MEETING.
BUT AT THE COUNTY, I HAD EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH
SEVERAL OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ALSO THE COUNTY
ATTORNEY.
AT THE COUNTY, EACH OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAD A
MEETING, SOME OF THEM MONTHS AGO.
THEY WERE CONSULTED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY PROVIDED INPUT
INTO THE MOU.
2:36:37PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON, CAN YOU HOLD OFF ON
THAT UNTIL WE FINISH THIS PORTION.
2:36:41PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I THINK IT'S MATERIAL TO THE WHOLE THING.

I WAS NOT CONTACTED UNTIL THE MOU WAS PRESENTED ON FRIDAY.
AND I WAS OUT OF TOWN.
I PRESUME I WAS GOING TO BE SOLD ON THE IDEA.
THE QUESTION I HAVE, WAS CITY COUNCIL INVOLVED AT ALL?
AND THEN I'LL ASK THE SAME QUESTION OF THE CRA BECAUSE THE
CRA IS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY.
THE STAFF OF THE CRA WAS NOT INVOLVED AT ALL.
AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE CRA BOARD WAS NOT INVOLVED AT ALL
IN THE MOU.
MY QUESTION IS, IS THIS ONLY A PRODUCT OF THE ADMINISTRATION
OR WAS CITY COUNCIL OR THE CRA BOARD AT ALL INVOLVED IN IT?
2:37:18PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ANSWER THAT?
I THINK IT REFLECTS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE NATURE OF THE
COUNTY COMMISSION AND HOW THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS RUN AND
THE CITY.
THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN
NEGOTIATING IT.
THE ATTORNEY FOR THE CRA WAS BROUGHT IN, BUT NEITHER THE
CITY COUNCIL NOR THE CRA BOARD WAS INVOLVED IN THE
NEGOTIATIONS.
2:37:45PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YOU AGREE THAT THE CRA IS A SEPARATE
ORGANIZATION.
2:37:49PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
YES.
2:37:50PM >>BILL CARLSON:
SIMILAR TO THE COUNTY, THE CRA BOARD, WHICH
HAS ITS OWN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WE HAPPEN TO OUTSOURCE STAFF

TO THE CITY, BUT THE CRA AS ONE OF THE THREE SIGNERS OF THIS
SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE CRA BOARD, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE
BOARD.
THE MAYOR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CRA AT ALL.
THE CRA IS PROVIDING MORE MONEY IN THE MOU THAN THE CITY IS
BUT THE CRA BOARD WAS NOT CONSULTED.
2:38:12PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT.
WHAT'S HAPPENING, THE WAY THE PROCEDURE IS SUPPOSED TO WORK
OUT, WE WOULD GO INTO COUNCIL QUESTION AND ANSWERS.
EACH ONE FIVE MINUTES.
2:38:22PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I'M TRYING TO DETERMINE IF CITY COUNCIL WAS
INVOLVED AND I WASN'T INVITED.
BUT IF NOBODY ELSE WAS INVOLVED EITHER.
EVEN THOUGH THE CITY IS NOT LIKE THE COUNTY, COLLABORATIVE
ADMINISTRATION WOULD HAVE CALLED ALL OF US AND GOT US TO BUY
INTO IT IN ADVANCE.
INSTEAD WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON FRIDAY.
THANK YOU.
2:38:40PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE?
2:38:42PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
IF I MAY.
JOHN ASKED ME TO READ THIS.
THIS IS AT THE END OF THE PREAMBLE.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS MOU IS NONBINDING AND SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT AGREEMENTS BY THE PARTIES AND
THEIR SOLE AND ABSOLUTELY DISCRETION.

IT'S NOT JUST NONBINDING.
WE HAVE YOUR SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION TO APPROVE, IF YOU
APPROVE THE FINAL DOCUMENTS, IF YOU APPROVE THIS MOU.
JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.
2:39:08PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
DOES THAT COMPLETE THE PRESENTATION?
2:39:11PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
AT THIS POINT, YES.
2:39:12PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
PER OUR AGREEMENT ON THE PROCEDURES,
COUNCIL WILL GO INTO A Q & A PERIOD OF TIME.
EACH COUNCILPERSON ON THE FIRST ROUND IS AFFORDED FIVE
MINUTES.
THE TIMER WILL START WHEN YOU BEGIN TO TALK.
IT INCLUDES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR FIVE MINUTES.
IF WE GO INTO ROUND TWO, YOU'LL GET THREE MINUTES AND THEN
WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER DISCUSSION WHETHER WE'LL HAVE ROUND
THREE.
2:39:38PM >>LUIS VIERA:
STAFF IS PROBABLY SICK OF ME.
JUST THOUGHTS.
DOES THAT INCLUDE STATEMENTS AS WELL I WOULD ASSUME?
2:39:51PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YES.
YOU MAY USE YOUR FIVE MINUTES AS YOU SEE FIT.
USE IT AS STATEMENTS OR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO FIVE MINUTES AND FIVE MINUTES ONLY ON
THE FIRST ROUND.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS?
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.

2:40:05PM >>BILL CARLSON:
GOING BACK TO MY QUESTION, AGAIN, IF YOU'RE
TRYING TO GET THE COMMUNITY AND GOVERNING BODIES TO BUY IN,
THE COLLABORATIVE WAY TO DO IT LIKE THE COUNTY DID IS TO GET
THE BODY INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION.
I HAD VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE RAYS ALSO.
SOMEBODY, EITHER THE CITY OR COUNTY SHUT DOWN SOME OF THE
IDEAS.
DIDN'T PRESENT ALL MY IDEAS TO THEM BUT THE IDEAS I PUT IN
THERE TO TRY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.
THE RAYS WERE OKAY WITH IT BUT SOMEBODY AT THE CITY OR
COUNTY SAID NO.
WHY WAS CITY COUNCIL AND ESPECIALLY THE CRA BOARD NOT
INVOLVED AT ALL?
WHY DID WE JUST FIND OUT ON FRIDAY?
IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A POLITICAL SETUP THAT WE FIND OUT AT
THE LAST MINUTE AND THEN YOU GUYS PUT US ON THE SPOT TO SAY
YES OR NO.
I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU, MR. STEADY, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION,
TENDS TO PUT CITY COUNCIL IN THIS SITUATION.
CRA IS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY ALTOGETHER.
CRA BOARD IS BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY THAN THE
CITY.
CRA BOARD SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEEPLY INVOLVED IN IT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PROTECTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD
BENEFIT THE RAYS AND THE PUBLIC THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN.

I GUESS THE ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN TO THEM.
2:41:11PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
I GUESS I'LL ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR COMMENT.
WE TRIED THE BEST WE COULD TO NEGOTIATE THE MOU.
I BROUGHT CRA COUNSEL IN AS MENTIONED, A COUPLE OF WEEKS
AGO.
I BASICALLY ACKNOWLEDGED HOW THE CRA IS STRUCTURED.
HOW THIS UNFOLDED, WE TRIED TO BEST PROTECT THE CITY AND THE
CRA AS WE COULD.
I WILL MENTION THAT THE CRA IS UNIQUE WITHIN THE PROJECT IN
THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONDITIONS BEFORE ANY HUNDRED
MILLION DOLLAR BOND COULD POSSIBLY BE ISSUED.
NOT ONLY IS IT NONBINDING AS TO THE CITY AND THE CRA,
WORKING WITH YOUR COUNCIL, THE CRA'S COUNCIL, THERE'S JUST
NUMEROUS CAVEATS AND CONDITIONS THAT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED.
IT SUGGESTS THAT THERE'S A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, BUT
THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THAT COULD EVER BE
REALIZED.
2:42:03PM >>BILL CARLSON:
BEFORE I RUN OUT OF TIME, YEAR OR TWO AGO,
WE AS CRA BOARD TRIED TO OPEN THE DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNTY
ON THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT SO WE COULD ADD AGAIN MORE
PROTECTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC ACROSS THE BOARD ON THE CRAs.
ADMINISTRATION SAID NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT, EVEN THOUGH CRA IS A
SEPARATE BOARD, THEY WOULD NOT LET US OPEN UP THE
CONVERSATION.
YET IN THIS AGREEMENT, IT OPENS UP THE CONVERSATION AGAIN

AND SAYS WE WANT TO RENEGOTIATE THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
WHY HAS THE ADMINISTRATION CHANGED ITS POINT OF VIEW ON
THAT?
2:42:32PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
ACTUALLY, I DON'T HAVE THE HISTORICAL
KNOWLEDGE ON THAT.
I JUST KNOW THAT'S PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS TO EFFECTUATE
THIS DEAL IF IT'S POSSIBLE.
I'LL COMMENT, JUST BEING INVOLVED IN THIS, WHO ALSO
TRANSPIRED THAT'S UNIQUE, IF MOVE FORWARD WITH CRA FUNDING,
COUNTY SAID THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE THEIR 20%.
THINGS EVOLVED AS WE DISCUSSED.
2:42:53PM >>BILL CARLSON:
IF WE OPEN UP THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WHICH
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AGAINST JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO,
ALL KINDS OF SAFEGUARDS WE COULD PUT IN FOR THE PUBLIC
ACROSS THE BOARD THAT DON'T EXIST RIGHT NOW.
BUT THEY SEEM TO BE ONLY FOCUSED ON THIS ONE INSTEAD OF
PROTECTING ALL THE OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY THAT ALSO HAVE
CRAs.
2:43:09PM >>SCOTT STEADY:
I WILL COMMENT THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION ABOUT
EAST TAMPA AS WELL IF WE LOOK INTO MOVING FORWARD WITH DREW
PARK CRA.
BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.
2:43:22PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG.
2:43:25PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
I DON'T REALLY HAVE QUESTIONS, MORE JUST
STATEMENT.

I PURPOSELY WANTED TO WRITE THIS DOWN BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE
SURE THAT I WAS VERY CLEAR AND CONCISE AND THOROUGH WITH MY
THOUGHTS.
SO I WANT TO ARTICULATE A FEW MATTERS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO
ME, TO DISTRICT 5 AND TO I BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL GENERALLY.
FIRST, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT THIS VOTE AND WHAT IT IS
NOT.
WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS A NONBINDING MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, FOR ME, THIS IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT
BASEBALL.
THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY IMPACT AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET
SOME OF THE REAL LONG-STANDING NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES IN
DISTRICT FIVE.
THIS IS NOT A VOTE FOR A STADIUM FOR ME.
THIS IS A VOTE TO ENGAGE IN AN INTENTIONAL TRANSPARENT
DISCUSSION ABOUT A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY.
NOW, WHILE THIS PROPOSAL MAY BE NONBINDING, I WANT TO BE
VERY CLEAR THAT MY EXPECTATIONS MOVING FORWARD ARE NOT.
FIRST, IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS THAT HAVE BEEN
DISCUSSED DURING THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS, THERE ARE SOME
OUTCOMES I'M LOOKING FOR TO BENEFIT THE DISTRICT BUT ALSO
CITY RESIDENTS.
TRULY AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING, CLEAR DEFINITIONS
OF THOSE AMI LEVELS AND HOUSING FOR STUDENTS AND

CONSTITUENTS 80% AND BELOW.
HOUSING THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GENUINELY LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY
IN THE COMMUNITY.
QUALITY JOBS, EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE FOR RESIDENTS AND
OUR YOUTH AND RETURNING CITIZENS.
EQUITABLE INVESTMENT, AS WE DISCUSSED, THE POSSIBILITY OF
CRA EXTENSIONS, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE EAST TAMPA
CRA IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR SMALL LOCAL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES.
EXPANSION OF OUR YOUTH SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS AND PROGRAMS, SOFTBALL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUNG WOMEN, MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES,
AND APPRENTICESHIPS OPPORTUNITIES.
ALSO, ACCESSIBILITY BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND A BASEBALL GAME.
SECONDLY, IN TERMS OF OUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND
COMMUNITIES HAVING VOICE IN THESE PROCESSES, I BELIEVE THAT
CONVERSATION MATTERS AND I'M WILLING TO EXPLORE WHETHER THIS
OPPORTUNITY CAN WORK, BUT ONLY WITH ABSOLUTE CLARITY,
TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
TO MY CONSTITUENTS, BOTH FOR AND AGAINST, PLEASE NOTE THAT I
HEAR YOU.
I HAVE HEARD DIRECTLY FROM THE COMMUNITY ON ALL SIDES.
I'M LISTENING CLOSELY TO ALL OF YOUR CONCERNS AND FEEDBACK,

AND I HAVE SHARED THEM WITH THE POTENTIAL PARTNERS.
TO ALL INVOLVED IN THIS, THESE VOICES MUST NOT BE LOST OR
IGNORED.
I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT SHUTTING DOWN DISCUSSION
WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT IS JUST AS HARMFUL AS MOVING FORWARD
WITHOUT ANY SAFEGUARDS.
NEXT, BEFORE ANYTHING MOVES FORWARD, I BELIEVE THERE ARE
SOME KEY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED FOR
THIS COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC.
WHAT IMPACT WILL THE EXEMPTION OF PROPERTY TAXES HAVE ON
THIS PROJECT?
THE MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS CANNOT BE OFFSET OR
SACRIFICED.
PROMISES TO UPGRADE PARKS, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
MUST BE BACKED BY ENFORCEABLE COMMITMENTS AND TIMELINES.
GENUINE ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRONG PROTECTIONS MUST BE BUILT
IN.
JUST SAYING WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
WE NEED CONCRETE COMMITMENTS, ANTI-DISPLACEMENT STRATEGIES
MUST BE A PART OF THIS DISCUSSION.
TO BE CLEAR, I AM NOT SAYING I AM VOTING IN FAVOR OF A
BASEBALL STADIUM.
WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT I AM WILLING TO CONTINUE THE
CONVERSATION AND FULLY UNPACK THE POSSIBILITIES.
I AM VOTING FOR WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY COULD MEAN FOR MY

DISTRICT, THE CITY, AND FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE PRESENT AND
FUTURE.
IN CLOSING, I BELIEVE THERE IS A MESSAGE FOR US AND FOR THE
CITY OF TAMPA IN ALL OF THIS.
LET THIS MOMENT SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT YEARS OF DEFERRED
MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT IS CITYWIDE FOR
ALL AND A HISTORY OF UNFULFILLED PROMISES TO COMMUNITIES
HAVE LEFT US WITH LIMITED OPTIONS, LOWERED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
AND OUR WILL TO DO GOOD AND INCREASE PRESSURE WHEN
OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS THIS ARRIVE.
WE CAN AND MUST DO BETTER.
THANK YOU.
2:48:37PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMAN VIERA.
2:48:38PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CHAIRMAN.
THANK YOU FOR THE REMARKS, COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG.
I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THEM.
I GOT A LOT OF THOUGHTS.
I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME THAN FIVE MINUTES, BUT THAT IS THE
NATURE OF THE GAME, RIGHT?
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE UP HERE.
SAY IT ALL THE TIME AT MEDIATIONS WHICH IS THERE ARE THINGS
IN LIFE THAT ARE BLACK AND WHITE, RIGHT AND WRONG, AND THEN
THERE IS GRAY WHERE YOU HAVE TO JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT THE
GOOD OUTWEIGHS THE BAD.

THIS TO ME IS ONE OF THE INSTANCES WHERE THERE IS GRAY.
THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ON THE PART OF PEOPLE WHO
OPPOSE THIS, WHETHER PHILOSOPHICALLY OR IN TERMS OF THE
SUBSTANTIVE PROPOSAL BEFORE US AND HOW IT WILL MOVE FORWARD
AND ALL THAT KIND OF GOOD STUFF.
I THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO SAYS FOLKS THAT OPPOSE THIS,
WHETHER STOPPING RIGHT NOW OR EVENTUALLY BASED ON
PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE NO REASONS WHATSOEVER TO
DO THAT ARE ENTIRELY WRONG.
THEY ARE AGAINST SOME LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.
THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT I OBVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGE,
BUT TO ME, THE GOOD FAR OUTWEIGHS THE BAD IN TERMS OF MOVING
FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
IT CLEARLY DOES TO ME.
YET THERE IS A LEVEL BY WHICH YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR
VOTE TODAY.
THE ANALYSIS, THE LEVEL OF SCRUTINY, ET CETERA.
ONE WORD IS REASONABLENESS.
IS IT REASONABLE TO STOP RIGHT NOW AND SAY, TO QUOTE WILLIE
NELSON, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, THE PARTY IS OVER.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE TALKING ANYMORE.
WE'RE WALKING AWAY.
WE'RE GONNA BURN THE BRIDGE.
WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE.
WHY WOULD WE DO THAT?

WHY WOULD WE DO THAT?
IS IT REASONABLE TO DO IT NOW?
TO ME THAT IS THE ISSUE.
IF YOU HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE AT HAND AND THAT IS A
DISPOSITIVE ISSUE WHICH ENDS IT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T.
FOR ME, REASONABLENESS MANDATES THAT WE CONTINUE TO GO
FORWARD.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS IS NOT PERMANENT.
MIND YOU, PEOPLE WHO GO, THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL.
THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.
VERY, VERY BIG STEP, RIGHT?
BUT IT'S NOT PERMANENT, LIKE I'VE SAID BEFORE, TEN
SUGGESTIONS, NOT TEN COMMANDMENTS.
WE'RE NOT GETTING MARRIED.
WE'RE DATING.
MAYBE WE'LL MOVE IN.
I GUESS WE'RE MOVING IN TO SEE HOW WE LIVE TOGETHER BUT
WE'RE NOT GETTING MARRIED.
THIS IS A VERY BIG STEP, SO TO SPEAK.
MY MESSAGE TO FOLKS IS TO HAVE COURAGE.
YOU CAN HAVE COURAGE AND VOTE YES.
YOU CAN HAVE COURAGE AND VOTE NO TODAY.
BUT WHATEVER YOU DO TODAY, MAKE IT COURAGEOUS.
MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE DOING BASED UPON WHAT IS
RIGHT.

I THINK IT IS MS. POYNOR SAID SOMETHING, WHICH IS THAT
PEOPLE WHO VOTE FOR THIS ARE GOING TO LOSE VOTES.
I BELIEVE THAT.
MAYBE I'M WRONG.
I BELIEVE THAT.
I'M WILLING TO TAKE THAT CHANCE BECAUSE I THINK IT IS THE
RIGHT THING TO DO.
YOU CAN HAVE COURAGE AND SAY I'M GOING TO VOTE NO AND STAND
UP TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT CAME HERE AND PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT
I'M COMING AFTER YOU OR WHATEVER SAID.
THAT TAKES COURAGE.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE IT FROM YOUR HEART.
I ALWAYS SAY THIS ABOUT BEING IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF VOTES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CATCH HELL ON.
YOU'LL GET INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH PEOPLE, TO MAKE IT FOR
WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART BECAUSE WHEN YOU START
GETTING THOSE E-MAILS, START GETTING THE TEXT MESSAGES AND
GETTING THE PHONE CALLS, YOU GET SOME OF THOSE TAGS ON
Facebook AND I SAW SOME VERY OBNOXIOUS ONES THAT TOOK
DEEPLY PERSONAL HITS AGAINST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS YESTERDAY
THAT WERE VERY PERSONAL, MAKE IT FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.
BECAUSE IF YOU VOTE FOR SOMETHING, BASED UPON PRESSURE, WHEN
YOU TAKE THE HITS, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL THIS BIG.
DO IT FOR WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER BIG STEPS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THINGS LIKE THE BUCS, LIGHTNING, AQUARIUM, CHANNELSIDE,
THINGS LIKE GENERATION AFTER GENERATION NOT GIVING UP ON
YBOR CITY.
THINGS LIKE COUNCILMAN MIRANDA WHO I HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL
DISAGREEMENT WITH AND RESPECT THE HECK OUT OF HIM.
SUCH A PLEASURE TO SERVE IN A TIME WITH HIM WHERE HE DRESSES
ALL IN BLACK BECAUSE OF THE LEGEND OF IT.
HE TALKED ABOUT THE STRAZ, THE TAMPA THEATRE, AGAIN, ALL BIG
VOTES, BUT WHERE PEOPLE DECIDED TO NOT WALK AWAY, AND IT
WOULD BE SO UNREASONABLE RIGHT NOW TO WALK AWAY.
THIS IS A VERY, VERY BIG VISION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
NOW.
THE ISSUE IS, IS IT REASONABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM ANY FURTHER
DISCUSSIONS ON THAT LARGE VISION?
WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHEN I BEGAN WITH THE RAYS, I TOLD THEM, EVERYDAY
FIREFIGHTERS AND EVERYDAY COPS OPPOSE THIS, YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING ME BECAUSE PUBLIC SAFETY IS ISSUE
NUMBER ONE.
NOT JUST ARE THEY NOT NEUTRAL, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY
SUPPORTING THIS.
THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING I THINK GOES A VERY LONG WAY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, PUBLIC
SAFETY, TURNING THAT FROM A PROMISE INTO SOMETHING BINDING.

HCC, MAKE SURE WE GET THERE.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG DID A GREAT JOB ON THAT.
GRECO, TICKET SURCHARGE, REVENUE SHARING, COST OF LIVING,
MIDDLE-CLASS PRICED OUT OF TAMPA AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS
AGREEMENT, TALKING ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS AND LOCAL HIRING,
WE GOT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT.
THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
2:53:40PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN VIERA.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
2:53:48PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOU KNOW, I'M A LITTLE DIFFERENT, IF I GOT TO SAY SOMETHING,
I SAY RIGHT UP FRONT.
I DON'T WASTE TIME.
I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MOU.
I DON'T CARE WHERE IT IS GOING.
I SAY IT UP FRONT, AND I TOLD THE RAYS UP FRONT WHERE I WAS
AT AND TOLD THEM WHY.
HOWEVER, LET ME LOOK AT PAGE 10 HERE ON NUMBER ONE, PUBLIC
FUNDING FOR NEW BALLPARK BUDGET, THE PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
AMOUNT SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PUBLIC CAP.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PARTIES OF THE PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
AMOUNT WILL NOT BE DECREASED, PERIOD.
THAT MEANS IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, YOU STILL HAVE TO

PAY FOR IT.
THAT'S US, THE CITY.
THAT'S YOU, THE TAXPAYERS.
THEN YOU LOOK AT IT, 360 MILLION IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
TAX, CIT, WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN USED FOR ANYTHING
BECAUSE IT WASN'T PASSED FOR THAT.
HOWEVER, THIS, AND THEN IT SAYS FOUR ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS IN
AMOUNT TO BE AGREED BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND OWNERS OF
DEVELOPING FUND, WHICH IS THEM AND THE CIT IS US.
MONEY IS US.
COUNTY AND THE REST.
SO THAT'S 90 MILLION A YEAR TIMES FOUR, 360 MILLION WHETHER
YOU HAVE IT OR NOT, BECAUSE IT SAYS HERE NO DECREASE.
WHEN YOU GO UNDER AND YOU SEE THE CITY $80 MILLION OR $20
MILLION A YEAR, SAME DAMN THING.
EITHER I HAVE THE MONEY OR DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
STILL GOT TO FIND IT.
THE PIPES PROGRAM IN THE CITY WENT DOWN.
YOU KNOW WHY?
BECAUSE WE'RE PAYING A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS FOR A MILE
TO PUT IT UP TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PIPES FOR THE NEXT
HUNDRED YEARS WOULD BE THERE.
GUESS WHAT, NOW IT'S FOUR AND A HALF MILLION A MILE AND WE
HAD TO STOP IT.
DISTRIBUTION OF SOMETHING AND GET TO SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE

I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.
THIS HERE IS A.I. ON WHAT WE HAVE HERE ON MY RIGHT.
A.I. IS THE THING THAT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT.
I DO NOT DO COMPUTERS.
I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE DO IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING I HAVE IN MY
MIND IS MEMORIZED.
YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE IT BUT THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.
GO TO THE OFFICE, HAVE A COMPUTER, GOT STICKIES ON IT SO I
DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT IT.
WHAT I'M SAYING THIS, THIS IS WHAT A.I., LARGE PUBLIC
SUBSIDIES, OPPORTUNITY, CITY CONTRIBUTE UP TO 80 MILLION IN
CIT REVENUE.
TOTAL CONTRIBUTION MAY REACH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS WITH
COUNTY CRA, TDT AND BOND COMPONENTS INCLUDED. THIS MONEY IS
THEN UNAVAILABLE FOR ROAD, DRAINAGE, HOUSING, PUBLIC PARKS,
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND CAPITAL NEEDS.
THAT'S WONDERFUL.
SECOND, TAXPAYERS REPAYMENT RISK.
THE AGREEMENT ANTICIPATES PUBLIC BONDING, INCLUDING TDT AND
CRA BONDS.
EVEN IF DESCRIBED AS NONRECOURSE, TAXPAYERS STILL FACE
PRACTICAL RISK IF PROJECTED REVENUES UNDERPERFORM, BONDS
BECOME UNMARKETABLE OR THE PROJECT NEEDS REPLACEMENT
FUNDING.
CRA AND TAX -- THIS IS A.I., NOT I.

INCREMENT DIVERSION.
CRA TAX INCREMENT REVENUE COULD OTHERWISE SUPPORT BROADER
DREW PARK REDEVELOPMENT MAY BE PLEDGED TO BALLPARK RELATED
IMPROVEMENTS NARROWING FUTURE FLEXIBILITY.
THAT'S WONDERFUL FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
LONG-TERM CONTROL AND USE CONSTRAINTS.
THE COUNTY WOULD OWN THE BALLPARK, BUT THE RAYS WOULD
RECEIVE A LONG-TERM AGREEMENT 35 YEARS PLUS FIVE-YEAR
EXTENSIONS.
THAT LIMITS PUBLIC CONTROL OVER A PUBLICLY FUNDED ASSET.
WONDERFUL FOR THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS A.I., NOT I.
COST OVERRUN AND ENFORCEMENT RISK.
THE AGREEMENT SAYS RAYS STADIUM ENTITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
COST OVERRUNS BUT PUBLIC ENTITIES STILL FACE SCHEDULE,
LITIGATION, FINANCING AND TOO BIG TO FAIL PRESSURE IF THE
PROJECTS STALLS.
THE AGREEMENT COMPLICATES TAX EXEMPT AND TAXABLE BOND
INCREMENT FINANCING, TDT TOURIST TAX REVENUE, CIT SALES TAX
REVENUE, POSSIBLY PROPERTY TAX TREATMENT AND ISSUES, AND
POTENTIAL RELOCATION OF LEASEHOLD RIGHTS TO PRESERVE TAX
INCREMENT.
-- USE AREAS ARE EXPRESSLY SUBJECT TO AD VALOREM TAXATION
BUT PUBLIC USE/PRIVATE USE CLASSIFICATIONS CAN CREATE
DISPUTES.

WHOLE WORLD TALKING ABOUT HOW A.I. IS GREAT.
PUT THE UNIT IN.
THIS CAME OUT.
I DIDN'T DO IT.
SOMEBODY DID IT FOR ME.
I KEEP LOOKING AT IT, AND I KEEP LOOKING AT WHAT THE RESULTS
ARE AND I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ON IT, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ON
REVENUE, EITHER HAVE A LOT OF MONEY STASHED AWAY OR NO MONEY
AT ALL.
I HAVE NO DISAGREEMENT OTHER THAN THAT.
THAT'S WHY I TOLD MR. BABBY WAY AHEAD, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT
THIS.
BY THE WAY, I HAVE NEVER SUPPORTED ANY OTHER TAX AT RAY-JAY
OR AT AMALIE ARENA.
2:58:36PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
FLIP A COIN, WHO WANTS TO GO?
2:58:39PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO I APPRECIATE THE RAYS AND EVERYTHING.
THEY ARE A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION.
THE BEST PART OF THE RAYS ARE THE FANS.
WE'LL JUST AGREE ON THAT.
THIS MOU IS HISTORICAL.
I'VE BEEN HERE -- I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE.
I'VE SEEN TAMPA CHANGE.
I REMEMBER THE OLD TAMPA STADIUM AS A KID OR A TEENAGER

READING THE DISCUSSION ON THE ORIGINAL CIT GOING FOR RAYMOND
JAMES AND THE WHOLE DISCUSSION OF THE BUCS LEAVING OR THE
BUCS STAYING AND ALL THAT DEBACLE.
30 YEARS LATER, HERE WE ARE AGAIN.
IN 2024, THE CIT CAME UP FOR RENEWAL, AND THERE WAS A
DISCUSSION AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION ABOUT HOW THAT MONEY
WOULD BE USED.
AND I WAS ONE OF THE SUPPORTERS OF IT, TELLING PEOPLE JUST
RENEW IT.
IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.
YOUR TAXES AREN'T GOING TO GO UP.
THE PERCENTAGE IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME AND THAT'S WHERE WE
ARE.
LOOKING AT THIS MOU, THE ONE PIECE OF HEARTBURN THAT I GET
FROM IT IS, IS THE $80 MILLION IN CIT FINANCING OR CIT
CONTRIBUTION BY THE CITY OF TAMPA SHALL NOT EXCEED $80
MILLION OF CIT.
ALTHOUGH THIS IS A NONBINDING MOU AND EVERYBODY SAYS
NONBINDING, WE CAN WALK AWAY AT ANY TIME.
IF WE APPROVE THIS, IT'S LIKE GIVING SOMEBODY AN ENGAGEMENT
RING.
YOU GIVE SOMEBODY AN ENGAGEMENT RING, YOU PLAN ON MARRYING
THAT PERSON.
YOU MADE SOME REFERENCE.
WE'RE DATING NOW.

WHEN YOU GIVE AN ENGAGEMENT RING, YOU'RE COMMITTED.
WHEN I PROPOSED TO MY WIFE, I WAS COMMITTED AND I'M MARRIED
NOW.
SO MY BIGGEST THING IS, WHY DO WE NEED TO CONTRIBUTE THE
$80 MILLION IN CIT?
YES, IT GOES TO -- NOT TO THE STADIUM, NOT A BALLPARK -- THE
INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT IT IS A COUNTY FACILITY.
YES, WE ARE THE COUNTY SEAT.
TAMPA IS CENTRAL.
THAT IS WHAT BOTHERS ME IS THE $80 MILLION BECAUSE WHEN IT
WAS PROPOSED TO THE PEOPLE FOR RENEWAL, WE WERE VERY
SPECIFIC IN SAYING IT'S NOT GOING TO GO TO A STADIUM.
NO, NO.
THEN THEY CHANGED IT TO PUBLIC FACILITY.
THEN THEY HAD TO GET A LEGAL OPINION OF WHAT PUBLIC FACILITY
COULD BE.
TO ME, PUBLIC FACILITY IS THE RIVERWALK OR ONE OF OUR
COMMUNITY CENTERS.
BUT THIS IS A STADIUM THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GET INTO.
WE CAN'T WALK INTO RAYMOND JAMES AND HAVE A PICNIC ON THE
FIELD OR SIT IN THE SANDS AND TAKE PHOTOS.
THE CIT, WHAT CONCERNS ME IS, AND WHY IT'S JUST $80 MILLION
IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF $2.3 BILLION, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
PROPERTY TAX REFORM.
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SALES TAX NOT BEING COLLECTED ON

COMMERCIAL LEASES.
WE'VE TAKEN A HIT ON THAT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF HIT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ON THE
PROPERTY TAX REFORM.
GOING TO BE ANOTHER HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, AN EXEMPTION FOR
SENIORS THAT ARE HOMESTEADED, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT WHATEVER IT IS, SHOULD IT PASS AND SHOULD IT COME DOWN
TO US, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE MONEY.
AND WHEN WE HAVE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS UP HERE AND WE TALK
ABOUT, WELL, WE NEED TO MOVE MONEY AROUND AND WE NEED A
HUNDRED THOUSAND HERE, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE MONEY
FROM?
ON SMALL AMOUNTS AND SMALL INCREMENTS, THAT'S WHY I GO BACK
TO WHY THE CIT IS SO PRECIOUS AND WHY I TOLD PEOPLE, IT'S
BUSINESS AS USUAL SHOULD YOU GO TO RENEW THIS BECAUSE IT'S A
LIFELINE.
THE CIT IS SO BROAD, THAT IT GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
YOU CAN BUILD A FIRE STATION.
YOU CAN BUY POLICE CARS.
YOU CAN PAVE ROADS.
SO IN MY TIME ON CITY COUNCIL, THE COMPLAINTS OR THE
REQUESTS THAT I GET OF CONSTITUENTS ARE, WHEN ARE WE GOING
TO GET OUR ROADS PAVED?
WHEN AM I GOING TO GET A SIDEWALK?
HEY, WE NEED MORE OF A POLICE -- NEW POLICE CARS OR MORE OF

A FIRE PRESENCE.
WHATEVER IT IS, THOSE ARE THE COMPLAINTS I GET.
OR EVEN AS SIMPLE AS CAN I GET A SPEED BUMP ON MY STREET?
AND MY RESPONSE FOR YEARS WAS, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR
IT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A SPEED BUMP BUT IT'S 80 MILLION
VERY PRECIOUS AND VERY IMPORTANT DOLLARS.
THAT'S THE SPEED BUMP IN THE ROAD FOR ME.
IT SAYS SHALL NOT EXCEED, WHY CAN'T THIS AGREEMENT BE
AMENDED OR A COMMITMENT SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'LL LEAVE
THE CIT.
WE'LL GO TO THE STATE FOR MORE MONEY, WE'LL PUT IT IN MORE
PRIVATE DOLLARS.
WHEN WE HAD THE WORKSHOP, MR. BABBY, WHO IS WONDERFUL, SAID
THE BALLPARK IS GOING TO BE 2.2, $2.3 BILLION.
THE RAYS WILL COVER THE OVERAGE, IF IT IS 2.6 BILLION I
BELIEVE WAS THE NUMBER, THE RAYS WILL COVER THE OVERAGE.
WHAT IS $80 MILLION?
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I NEED TO FACE MY CONSTITUENTS AND
THE TAXPAYERS, WHEN THEY GO, GUIDO, I'VE BEEN WAITING YEARS
TO GET MY ROAD PAVED OR I'VE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR THIS,
WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT LONGER.
BUT THEN THEY'LL ASK ME, BUT YOU WEREN'T HESITANT IN GIVING
$80 MILLION PAID OVER FOUR YEARS AT $20 MILLION TO A PRIVATE
ORGANIZATION.

YES.
WILL IT BRING BENEFITS TO THE CITY?
FINE.
I'LL WRAP UP WITH THIS.
WHY CAN'T IT BE REIMBURSABLE?
REIMBURSABLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
3:03:51PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
3:03:56PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
OKAY, THIS IS THE MOU OR THE MEMORANDUM THAT
WAS SENT OUT ON JUNE 4, 2024, INVESTMENT TAX RENEWAL.
AT THE BOTTOM, IT CLEARLY SAYS THE FUNDS PROJECTED PROPOSED
FOR RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM AND AMALIE ARENA AT THE TIME MAY
ONLY BE SPENT ON CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR AND NOT ON
NEW STRUCTURES OR FACILITIES.
VERY CLEAR.
NEXT.
SO, NO, I DON'T WANT THAT ONE.
I DID THE WORK FOR YOU ALL.
I GOT THE LIST OF THE PROJECTED PROJECTS.
IT'S RIGHT HERE.
GUESS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS YEAR.
YELLOW JACKETS IMPROVEMENTS.
BORRELL PARK RENOVATION, GADSDEN PARK IMPROVEMENTS, A NEW
MacDILL AIR FORCE ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS ON INTERBAY.
THESE ARE THE BRAND-NEW THINGS.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE USUAL STUFF, POLICE AND FIRE BOATS, AND
THEN SO YOU GO DOWN AT THE VERY BOTTOM, YESTERDAY FROM THE
CFO, I GOT THE PROJECTED CIT REVENUE.
I HAVE COPIES FOR ALL YOU ALL.
35 MILLION NEXT YEAR.
20 MILLION FOR THE RAYS GIVES US 15 MILLION.
AND SINCE THERE'S $28,800,000 WORTH OF PROJECTS WE'LL HAVE
TO DEFER ALL THAT.
ALL THAT STUFF WE PROMISED.
MS. SCHARF, IF YOU COULD PUT THE PICTURE ON.
WE HAVE FOUGHT TO GET THE YELLOW JACKETS WHAT WE DIDN'T GET
THEM IN THE WEST TAMPA PROJECT.
WE FOUGHT FOR THIS.
SO WHAT YOU'RE TELLING THEM IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN POLICE AND FIRE AND THEM.
THANK YOU.
NEXT.
SO I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH.
THERE IS AN ECONOMIST, AN ECONOMICS PROFESSOR AT KENNESAW
STATE UNIVERSITY, JC BRADBURY.
HE IS WRITING A BOOK THAT COMES OUT THIS SUMMER CALLED "THIS
ONE WILL BE DIFFERENT: FALSE PROMISES AND FISCAL REALITIES
OF PUBLICLY FUNDED STADIUMS."
HE IS A HUGE BASEBALL FAN UP IN ATLANTA.
DeKALB COUNTY GAVE 300 MILLION TO BUILD TRUIST PARK IN

GEORGIA.
FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF PROPERTY, HOTEL AND RENTAL CAR
TAXES.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT HASN'T BEEN A BOON FOR TAXPAYERS.
THE GAINS HAVE BEEN FAR TOO SMALL TO COVER THE COUNTY'S DEBT
SERVICE AND OTHER FUNDING OBLIGATIONS GENERATING AN ANNUAL
LOSS OF AROUND $15 MILLION.
AND WHAT SPENDING MAY BE IMPORTED INTO DeKALB HAPPENS ONLY
DURING THE BASEBALL SEASON.
THEY HAVE NOT SEEN A YEAR-ROUND ATTRACTION.
PURCHASES WITHIN THE SURROUNDING DISTRICT LARGELY COME AT
THE EXPENSE OF OTHER OFF-CAMPUS AREA BUSINESSES.
AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HEARD WHEN GOING TO THE MEETINGS.
OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES SAID WE DON'T WANT OUR BUSINESS TO BE
TAKEN AWAY BY THE RAYS.
WE WANT IT TO AUGMENT, AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE'RE SEEING.
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT GUIDES MY VOTE HERE TODAY IS
BEING STRAIGHT WITH THE CITIZENS OF TAMPA.
WHEN THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY VOTED TO APPROVE THE CIT,
THEY WERE TOLD WHY THE TAX WAS NEEDED, WHAT THEIR TAX
DOLLARS WOULD BE USED FOR AND TO GAIN THEIR VOTE THEY WERE
TOLD THAT THE MONEY WOULD NOT BE USED ON A NEW STADIUM.
IF CIT FUNDS ARE TO BE USED ON A NEW STADIUM, THAT SHOULD BE
PUT TO A VOTE BY THE CITIZENS OF TAMPA.
AND IF AND WHEN THAT REFERENDUM IS ON THE BALLOT, WE OWE IT

TO THE CITIZENS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEAL THEY ARE VOTING
ON IS THE BEST DEAL THAT CAN BE MADE FOR OUR CITY, NOT A
RUSHED DEAL.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS BIG BUSINESS WITH A LOT OF
BARGAINING POWER, BUT THE CITY HAS A LOT OF BARGAINING
POWER, TOO, AND THE CITY SHOULD USE THAT POWER AND SHOULD
NOT BE AFRAID TO SLOW THINGS DOWN TO NEGOTIATE AND BRING THE
BEST DEAL POSSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE.
I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO COUNCILMAN CARLSON'S POINT, COUNCIL
HAD NO SAY IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS AT ALL.
WE'VE HAD NO SAY ABOUT THIS $80 MILLION.
WE'VE HAD NO SAY ABOUT THE CITY'S USE OF A HUNDRED MILLION
OR THE CRA'S USE.
THERE IS NO EBO OFFICE ANYMORE, Y'ALL.
WE TOOK THAT OUT TWO WEEKS AGO.
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MANDATE WOMEN-OWNED, MINORITY
BUSINESS BE USED AT ALL.
WE CAN'T REQUIRE UNIONS TO BE USED AT ALL.
THE STATE HAS PREEMPTED US FROM ALL OF THESE THINGS.
WE HAVE NO OPTIONS.
TO REQUEST THOSE ITEMS THAT THEY SAY ARE GOING TO BE A PART
OF THIS.
I'LL SAVE MORE FOR LATER.
3:08:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MY TURN.
ONE, I DID NOT HAVE CHARLIE MIRANDA USING A.I. ON MY BINGO

CARD TODAY.
[ LAUGHTER ]
THAT WAS A SURPRISE.
A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, I'VE BEEN QUOTED AS SAYING THIS IS NOT ABOUT STADIUM
CONSTRUCTION, IT'S ABOUT CITY BUILDING.
YOU HAVE AN AREA OF THE CITY OF TAMPA THAT HAS LONG BEEN
NEGLECTED.
ANYBODY EVEN FROM THE HIGHEST PROFILE AREA OF DRIVING UP A
MAJOR ROADWAY, DALE MABRY HIGHWAY, WHEN YOU LOOK, YOU SEE A
SEA OF GRASS-RIDDEN PARKING LOTS AND FURTHER NORTH, YOU SEE
ABANDONED BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES THAT ONCE THRIVED THAT
ARE NO LONGER THRIVING.
ANY OF YOU THAT ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO VENTURE INTO DREW PARK,
YOU SEE SOME VERY INTERESTING TYPES OF BUSINESSES MIXED INTO
THAT GROUP OF ADULT-TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENTS, NOT FAMILY
ORIENTED, WHATNOT.
WHAT ABOUT THE CIT.
WHY DOESN'T DREW PARK DESERVE INFRASTRUCTURE?
WHY DOESN'T DREW PARK DESERVE AN INVESTMENT FROM THE CITY OF
TAMPA THAT OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY OF TAMPA HAS?
DREW PARK DESERVES IT JUST LIKE DOWNTOWN, CHANNELSIDE, YBOR
CITY, EAST TAMPA, ANY OF OUR OTHER CRAs.
SO I'M KIND OF -- I KNOW IT'S NOT HEAVILY POPULATED BUT
THERE ARE CITIZENS AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.

BUSINESS OWNERS THAT LIVE UP THERE THAT DESERVE BETTER THAN
WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY GETTING FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA.
AND AS WE HEARD FROM MEMBER IN PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY, THIS IS
PRECISELY THE TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT THAT BRINGS THAT
TO THIS AREA THAT HAS LONG BEEN NEGLECTED.
I THINK IF WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DROPPING THIS SOMEWHERE IN
EAST TAMPA, PEOPLE WOULD BE CHEERING THIS, BECAUSE HOW MANY
TIMES HAS VALERIE COME UP AND CONNIE AND TALK ABOUT, LET'S
BRING JOBS TO OUR YOUTH.
LET'S CREATE JOB GENERATION.
LET'S GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS DOING.
IT IS JOB CREATION.
IT'S PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE.
IF WE ARE NOT A CATALYST FOR THIS TYPE OF INDUSTRY, WE JUST
FLAT LINE.
WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET ANY BETTER THAN WE ARE TODAY.
AND THAT'S JUST A FACT.
DENSITY EQUALS OPPORTUNITY.
ONE THING I'LL TELL YOU THAT I DON'T CARE FOR URBAN SPRAWL.
WE HAVE THE EXPANSION OF URBAN SERVICE AREA INTO THE COUNTY
TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
WE'RE LOSING AGRICULTURAL LAND, LOSING ENVIRONMENTAL
SENSITIVE LAND.
WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CREATE DENSITY TO BE ABLE TO SALVAGE

LANDS, CRITICAL WATER SUPPLY, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF CAR
TIME, PEOPLE ARE IN CARS, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO FIND PLACES
IN THE CITY.
WELL, SOUTH TAMPA IS FULL.
WE'RE NOT BUILDING DENSITY THERE, RIGHT?
SO WE HAVE TO FIND PLACES IN THE CITY WHERE WE CAN BUILD
DENSITY.
IF NOT HERE, WHERE?
THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR DENSITY, TO BE ABLE TO BUILD
THINGS OUT.
AGAIN, THE STADIUM IS GOING TO BE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF
120 ACRES.
IT'S NOT JUST THE 120 ACRES.
THIS TYPE OF PROJECT IS GOING TO PERCOLATE INTO THAT DREW
PARK CRA.
IT'S RIGHT FOR THIS HAPPENING.
WE COULD HAVE A THRIVING COMMUNITY IN DREW PARK WHICH
DOESN'T NOW EXIST.
THIS IS CITY BUILDING.
CITY BUILDING AT ITS FINEST EXAMPLE, AND IT IS THE RIGHT
PROJECT IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
WE KNOW HOW TO MOVE PEOPLE IN AND OUT.
YOU HEARD FROM THE AIRPORT DIRECTOR.
HIS GOAL, WHICH I SHARE, AND I KNOW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL UP
HERE SHARE, ABOUT FACILITATING TRANSPORTATION.

WE BUILD THIS DENSITY, WE CREATE A SPORTS STADIUM DISTRICT,
WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE HANDFUL OF GAMES THAT
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM OPERATES, EVEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
STADIUM IN THE WORLD, IT SITS MOSTLY AS A BIG EMPTY CONCRETE
STRUCTURE MOST OF THE YEAR.
YOU TIE THAT WITH SPRING TRAINING AND THE STEINBRENNER
FIELD, YOU TIE IT WITH THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVATION OF WHAT THE
PROPOSAL, HOW MANY BASEBALL GAMES THERE ARE A YEAR,
CONCERTS, INSIDE VENUE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A YEARLONG
ACTIVATION IN ONE AREA, THAT'S GOING TO SUPPORT
TRANSPORTATION.
IT'S GOING TO SUPPORT YEAR-ROUND JOBS.
IT'S GOING TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY AND IT IS GOING TO BE A
FOCAL POINT THAT PEOPLE WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY, DAMN, WHAT
DID WE DO?
THIS IS A FANTASTIC PROJECT.
IT IS GOING TO BE A WORLD-CLASS FACILITY.
IT'S GOING TO BE A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION.
WE ARE GOING TO USE SOME CIT MONEY, BY THE WAY, TO IMPROVE
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM.
AND THAT IS WHAT'S INTENDED RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING.
SAYING CIT WAS NOT FOR STADIUMS, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY
INCORRECT.
IT WAS INTENDED FROM DAY ONE AND IN THERE THAT WE USE IT FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE ON THOSE

FACILITIES.
THERE WE GO.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE CITY'S INTENTION TO USE THE CIT
FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE BUT WE'LL USE IT FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY DESERVE DREW PARK, SIDEWALKS, BIKE LANES, ALL THE
THINGS THAT COME WITH THIS.
GOOD WATER SUPPLY, GOOD SEWAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL IN DREW
PARK.
THANK YOU.
ROUND THREE.
WHO WANTS TO -- SORRY, ROUND TWO.
3:13:52PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I'LL TALK ABOUT DREW PARK ALSO.
DREW PARK IS VERY INVOLVED IN WHAT THE CITY OF TAMPA NEEDS.
WE'VE LOST ALL OUR INDUSTRIAL AREA WHERE PEOPLE CAN WORK,
PLAY, AND LIVE.
DREW PARK IS JUST THAT.
IT GIVES THE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO HAVE A BUSINESS.
IT IS THE ONLY INDUSTRIAL AREA LEFT IN THE CITY.
YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, GO SEE THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
ASK THEM.
CREATE MORE JOBS THERE, SQUARE MILE ANY PLACE IN THE CITY OF
TAMPA.
IT'S INDUSTRY THAT PEOPLE NEED, MANUFACTURING, CAN
COMPANIES.

PEOPLE THAT MAKE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLAVOR FOR YOUR FOOD.
THEY HAVE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS.
THEY HAVE A JUNKYARD THERE EVEN WHERE PEOPLE TAKE THEIR
CARS.
PEOPLE THAT MAKE A LIVING THAT WE HAVE LOST IN THE CITY OF
TAMPA.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE A LAWYER.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE A DOCTOR.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE A BALLPLAYER, ELECTED POLITICIAN,
WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL US.
DREW PARK IS SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE FOR THE CITY.
USED TO BE AN AIR BASE WAY BACK IN THE '40s, DURING THE
SECOND WORLD WAR, AND IT IS A PLACE WHERE NEEDS TO MAINTAIN
ITSELF WHAT IT IS AS LONG AS IT CAN BECAUSE CREATING MORE
JOBS PER SQUARE MILE IN ANY PLACE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA WITH
THAT TYPE OF BUSINESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
3:15:14PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOING BACK TO THE CIT, YES, THIS IS A NONBINDING MOU, BUT IT
SAYS THE CITY AGREES TO CONTRIBUTE AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$80 MILLION OF CIT.
MY CONCERN IS THAT WE APPROVE THIS TODAY, AND THEN IT COMES
BACK FOR A VOTE, BECAUSE THIS CAME VERY QUICKLY.
THIS CAME ON A THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT LUNCHTIME THAT
SOMETHING WAS COMING.

I SPENT EVERY DAY SINCE LOOKING AT THIS.
WHAT CONCERNS ME IS WE APPROVE THIS TODAY AND THEN THERE'S
SOME AGREEMENT -- FIRST, I HEARD IT WAS GOING TO BE 60, 90
DAYS AWAY.
I SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR THIS UNTIL JULY OR AUGUST.
AND THEN HERE IT IS, BUT THAT WE GET SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT
THAT SAYS, WELL, WE NEED TO APPROVE THE $80 MILLION IN CIT,
NOT TO THE NOT TO EXCEED.
WE'LL WORK ON THAT, NEGOTIATE.
YOU SHOWED YOUR CARDS AND CITY SAID 80 MILLION, WE'LL GO FOR
THE 80 MILLION.
THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME.
IF IT IS A YES VOTE TODAY, HOW DO YOU THEN CHANGE YOUR VOTE
LATER AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I DISAGREE WITH THIS PART AND
THAT PART.
THIS WAS NEGOTIATED WITHIN THE PARTIES WITHOUT CITY COUNCIL.
I WASN'T APPROACHED AND ASKED, WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WHAT'S GOING TO GET YOU TO YES?
I SAW ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION WITH LITHIA-PINECREST,
HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE.
WHICH IS WONDERFUL, GREAT.
BUT ON THIS END, IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED OR CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS WOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS, WHAT'S GOING TO GET
YOU TO YES, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
HOW DO I FACE THE TAXPAYERS AND THE VOTERS AND I TELL THEM,

WELL, WE'LL HAVE TO DEFER, CUT, DELAY, BECAUSE WE PROMISED
THIS $20 MILLION A YEAR OVER FOUR YEARS.
AND WE HAVE TO PUT THESE OTHER PROJECTS THAT YOU'VE BEEN
WAITING FOR ON THE BACK BURNER.
3:17:02PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
3:17:08PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I'M GOING TO FEED OFF OF WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER
MANISCALCO SAID AGAIN.
IF THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE RAYS HAD COME TO US AND ASKED
US ABOUT THE HUNDRED MILLION FOR THE CRA OR THE 80 MILLION
FROM THE CIT, THEY WOULD HAVE HEARD OUR CONCERNS AND BROUGHT
US A DEAL WE COULD APPROVE.
WHEN I FIRST SAT DOWN WITH THE RAYS, I EXPRESSED IMMEDIATELY
-- IN FACT, PRETTY SURE IT WAS THE FIRST THING I SAID, I
WOULD RATHER SEE IT AS TIF DISTRICT OR CDD INSTEAD OF USING
CRA FUNDS.
I THINK THAT IS HUNDRED PERCENT THE WAY TO GO.
CARVE OUT THIS ENTIRE 130 ACRES.
THEY COULD GET MORE THAN A HUNDRED MILLION.
WHATEVER THEY NEEDED TO BOND TO DO THAT THEMSELVES.
AND THEN THAT COULD BE DONE BY THE COUNTY.
BECAUSE THE CRA -- AND I HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
WITH THE CRA -- AND THE RAYS NOW KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO
TAKE A REALLY LONG TIME TO GET THE MONEY BECAUSE IT TAKES
THE CRP REWRITE WHICH TAKES TWO TO THREE YEARS.

IT TAKES OUR CREDIT RATING.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY, WE DON'T BOND.
ALL SORTS OF ISSUES WITH THE CRA.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT THIS MOU IS LIKE WALKING INTO THE
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER.
OUR FEET GO INTO THE WATER WITH THE MOU, KIND OF LIKE WHAT
YOU SAID, BUT BY THE TIME IT COMES BACK TO US FOR A VOTE,
OBVIOUSLY WE WON'T BE ASKED ABOUT IT IN THE FUTURE, CLEARLY,
THE WATER WILL BE UP TO OUR NOSES AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET
OUT OF THE CURRENT.
LIKE THE BEST ANALOGY I COULD COME UP WITH.
3:18:37PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG.
COUNCILWOMAN VIERA?
3:18:50PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU.
I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.
I WANTED TO SAY THIS, WITH REGARDS TO SPEAKING ON THE MOU, I
ACTUALLY DID SPEAK TO THE PARTIES ON IT BECAUSE I INSISTED
ON SOME PROVISIONS WITH REGARDS TO PUBLIC SAFETY DOLLARS.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I INSERTED MYSELF INTO FOR THAT
BECAUSE THAT, AGAIN, FOR ME, THAT'S ONE OF MANY
NON-NEGOTIABLES.
IF THIS PASSES, THERE WILL BE MORE NON-NEGOTIABLES THERE.
I DID INSERT MYSELF IN THIS.
AGAIN, FOLKS, A COUPLE OF THINGS, WHICH IS PEOPLE ARE GOING
TO VOTE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE.

BUT TO WALK AWAY FROM IT AT THIS TIME I THINK, I SUGGEST FOR
ME IN MY HOUSE, SO TO SPEAK, IS VERY, VERY UNREASONABLE
RIGHT NOW.
AGAIN, UNLESS IF THERE'S SOME LARGE DISPOSITIVE,
PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENT I CAN OBVIOUSLY SYMPATHIZE WITH
THAT.
THERE ARE OTHER PERSPECTIVES, TOO, SUCH AS WE'RE GETTING
$750 MILLION OF COUNTY MONEY PUT INTO THE CITY OF TAMPA IN
EXCHANGE FOR TWO HUNDRED SOMETHING MILLION DOLLARS FROM US.
ANYBODY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?
IF TAXPAYERS COME TO US AND SAY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT $20
MILLION, TO THE EXTENT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, CAN'T WE
RESPOND, WELL, FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE PUT IN, WE GOT $3 FROM
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUT RIGHT IN OUR CITY OF TAMPA.
FOLKS, WHERE I COME FROM, NEW TAMPA, THAT'S A PRETTY DAMN
GOOD DEAL.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAXPAYER MONEY.
AGAIN, REASONABLENESS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE WALKING AWAY FROM THIS.
SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN CITED ON THINGS LIKE
POLICE AND FIRE, THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT POLICE AND
FIRE SUPPORT THIS.
SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT, AGAIN, REASONABLENESS.
DO WE WALK AWAY?
BY THE WAY, I HOPE I'M WRONG.

I DO.
THIS ISN'T SOMETHING, AGAIN, THERE'S GRAY, THE GOOD TO ME
OUTWEIGHS THE BAD.
SOME PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BAD.
I RESPECT THAT.
EVERYBODY THAT'S UP HERE HAS SPOKEN FROM THE HEART WITH
GREAT SINCERITY.
I'M NOT TALKING DOWN ON ANYBODY OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.
I'M SAYING WHAT I THINK.
THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU.
3:20:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
3:20:56PM >>BILL CARLSON:
FEW RANDOM NOTES LISTENING TO YOU ALL, AND
FOR THE PUBLIC WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER
OUTSIDE THE MEETINGS SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS
BACK AND FORTH WITH EACH OTHER HERE BECAUSE OF SUNSHINE LAW,
WHICH I THINK IS A GOOD THING.
IN REGARD TO DREW PARK, WE SAW REPRESENTATIVE OF DREW PARK
PRESENT THAT THEY HADN'T BEEN APPROACHED.
IF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAD HAD A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH LIKE
THE COUNTY, DREW PARK WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROACHED.
THEY WOULD HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS.
WE TALKED TO SEVERAL, WE HEARD FROM SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN
WEST TAMPA, EVEN FARTHER AWAY, THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
THIS.

SOME OF THEM I THINK THE RAYS REACHED OUT TO, BUT I'M NOT
AWARE THAT THE CITY REACHED OUT TO ANY OF THEM.
WE STILL HEAR CONCERNS.
ALL OF THAT, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND THERE
SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NEGOTIATIONS BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE
COMMUNITY AS WELL AS CITY COUNCIL AND THE CRA BOARD.
IT'S SHOCKING THAT I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WASN'T
APPROACHED.
TURNS OUT NONE OF US WERE APPROACHED IT SOUNDS LIKE.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SHOULD HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH US NOT
IN JUST THE LAST FEW DAYS AND SELL THIS TO US BUT TO GET US,
TO HELP US BUY INTO IT.
SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH.
THE CAC, WHEN WE GET TO THE CRA, CAC SHOULD HAVE WEIGHED IN.
TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF IT, I STUDIED ECONOMICS AT
THREE DIFFERENT RESPECTED UNIVERSITIES, AND I DON'T BELIEVE
IN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES AT ALL.
I STUDIED UNDER SOME OF THE BEST ECONOMISTS IN THE WORLD SO
THAT I COULD SHOOT HOLES IN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES AND
WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING I LIKE OR SOMETHING I DON'T LIKE, I
DON'T BELIEVE THAT ALL THE NUMBERS ARE BS.
THERE ARE DIRECT IMPACTS.
BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IS THE OPPORTUNITY COST,
SUBSTITUTION COST OF WHAT YOU COULD SPEND THE MONEY ON.
IF THE COUNTY AND CITY CAME TOGETHER AND SPENT A BILLION

DOLLARS ON SOMETHING ELSE, WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT OF THAT BE
VERSUS WHAT THIS IS?
SO, ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT THE RAYS DO HAVE A BENEFIT IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND ONE OF THEM IS THE PR VALUE, ASSUMING THEY
CONTINUE WINNING, THEN THERE ARE KIND OF INTANGIBLE VALUES
TO IT THAT WE NEED TO PUT ON THE TABLE AND LOOK AT.
I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CIT BEING USED PARTLY BECAUSE OF
THE LEGAL CONCERNS, AND ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID
OKAY, THERE WILL BE LIKELY LAWSUITS AND THAT WILL GUM UP
THIS THING FOR A LONG TIME.
I WISH THERE WAS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE BESIDES THAT.
ANOTHER THING THAT'S SAD IN THIS PROCESS IS THAT -- WELL,
LET ME GO BACK, THE MONEY, THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS FOR THE
MONEY ALSO, THINK ABOUT JUST DOWN THE STREET, THERE IS A
DEVELOPMENT CALLED MIDTOWN WHICH IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR
INVESTMENT.
THERE'S ONE DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN THAT GOT A HUNDRED
MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE LAST ADMINISTRATION.
THIS ONE WOULD GET SUBSIDIES.
MIDTOWN GOT ZERO.
AND THERE ARE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT GET ZERO.
IS IT FAIR TO EVERYBODY?
LAST THING I'LL SAY, THE RAYS I THINK HAVE BEEN WORKING IN
GOOD FAITH.
THEY PUT IN A LOT OF CONCESSIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

UNFORTUNATELY CITY COUNCIL WAS NOT INVOLVED.
THE PUBLIC WAS NOT INVOLVED FROM THE CITY'S POINT OF VIEW,
AND SO THEY ARE NOT GETTING CREDIT FOR ALL THE THINGS THEY
HAVE GIVEN UP SO FAR.
I JUST WANT TO PUT ON THE END, BESIDES THE COUNTY MONEY,
ALSO LOOKING FOR STATE MONEY THAT IS A FACTOR.
LASTLY, THE RAYS' FANS, I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS.
MY MOM AND KIDS ARE WATCHING AND THEY ARE HUGE RAYS' FANS AS
WELL.
HOWEVER I VOTE IT WILL BE DIFFICULT.
3:24:03PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG.
3:24:05PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
JUST IN ADDITION TO THE COMMENTS I MADE
EARLIER, TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBER MANISCALCO AND OTHERS,
IN REGARDS TO CIT, I DID, ALTHOUGH IT WAS -- WASN'T DURING
THE PROCESS, BUT WHEN I DID SPEAK WITH THE MAYOR, OUR CFO
AND OUR ATTORNEY, AND EXPRESSED TO THEM, ONE OF THE THINGS,
I'M ALWAYS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME.
SO I SEE A LOT OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND THINGS THAT NEED TO
BE MADE.
AND ALSO EXPRESSED THIS WHEN I MET WITH THE RAYS THAT AS A
REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS DISTRICT, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO
EXPLAIN TO MY CONSTITUENTS WHY OR WHY NOT SOMETHING IS NOT
HAPPENING.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE, ON MY END, IT HAS BEEN
EXPRESSED TO BOTH PARTIES THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT

PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED FUNDS TO CANNOT BE
SACRIFICED.
I DID SAY EARLIER.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT TO THE CONVERSATION.
3:25:15PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I'LL ADD ON TO THAT.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DO NO HARM, THAT ON THE CIT
REVENUE, THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN BUDGETED WILL BE ABLE
TO ACCOMPLISH ON SCHEDULE.
IF THAT IS NOT TRUE, DENNIS OR JOHN, PLEASE JUMP UP AND
CORRECT ME.
I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK THIS TIME BUT I'LL SAY, COUNCILMAN
MANISCALCO, MY FRIEND, YOU SAY IF WE DON'T APPROVE THIS --
SORRY, IF WE APPROVE IT, IF WE APPROVE THIS, WHAT HAPPENS?
MY QUESTION IS, IF WE DON'T APPROVE IT.
IF WE DON'T APPROVE IT.
AGAIN, THIS IS A NONBINDING MOU.
IF WE DON'T APPROVE IT, THIS STOPS THE CONVERSATION.
IT AIN'T HAPPENING.
IT'S DEAD.
YOU KILL IT TODAY.
IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A NONBINDING MOU, ALL THESE CONCERNS
THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TONIGHT -- OR TODAY WE CAN
CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
ON ECONOMIC IMPACT, $80 MILLION OF CIT, LET'S SAY THE CIT
DOESN'T HAPPEN, WHATEVER WE COME UP WITH ANOTHER SOURCE OF

THE $80 MILLION REVENUE, IT'S $80 MILLION THAT IS GOING TO
BE GOING TOWARDS A $2.3 BILLION CASH DUMP INTO THE CITY OF
TAMPA JUST FOR THE STADIUM.
$80 MILLION TO GET $2.3 BILLION SPENT INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS
OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, THAT'S JUST THE STADIUM.
YOU EXPAND THAT TO THE 120 ACRES AND HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE
AND ALL OF THE OTHER RECONSTRUCTION AND THE HOTELS AND ALL
THE OTHER THINGS TO BE CONSTRUCTED, 6 TO $8 BILLION OF
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR $80 MILLION.
AGAIN, I KNOW I'VE OVERUSED THIS, SHOW ME THE TABLE IN VEGAS
AND I'M FLYING OUT TOMORROW.
IF I CAN THROW DOWN 80 TO GET 2.3 BILLION OR 6 TO $8 BILLION
IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
ANY CITY IN THE WORLD WOULD TAKE THAT BET TODAY.
ABSOLUTELY TAKE THAT BET TODAY.
AND I'LL JUST LEAVE THIS WITH, IT'S A NONBINDING MOU.
IT'S THE RIGHT FOR US TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
WE EITHER HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION OR
GIVE IT THE MIDDLE FINGER AND SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE
BASEBALL AND NOT HAVE 6 TO 8 BILLION DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY, 10,000 NEW JOBS, AND COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR
OUR YOUTH.
DENNIS.
3:27:53PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
DENNIS ROGERO, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME NOW, MR. CHAIR, BASED ON
YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BE DONE AND
POTENTIAL DEFERRAL OF PROJECTS.
YOU HAD ASKED YESTERDAY THAT WE PREPARE A SAMPLE SLIDE
SHOWING THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR THE FIRST FOUR PLUS
THE LAST YEAR, IF I MAY PUT IT UP NOW.
3:28:13PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
IS THAT OKAY WITH COUNCIL?
YES, GO AHEAD.
3:28:18PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
THANK YOU.
LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU CAN SEE IT, COUNCIL.
IS IT LARGE ENOUGH?
3:28:24PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ZOOM IN.
3:28:27PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
AGAIN, I STRESS THIS IS AN EXAMPLE, BUT TO
GET ACROSS THE POINT OF THE CASH FLOW, WHEN WE ANTICIPATE
AND HOW MUCH WE ANTICIPATE RECEIVING EVERY YEAR.
YOU SEE ALONG THE TOP THERE, PRESUMING NO FUND BALANCE
EITHER CONTINUING FROM THIS REVENUE SOURCE OR FROM THE
EXISTING CIT.
AGAIN, HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW THIS YEAR WILL END UP.
IN THE FIRST YEAR, LITTLE UNDER $35 MILLION.
AND THEN YOU SEE PORTION A, WHAT WE'RE CALLING IT, ARE THOSE
IDENTIFIED CATEGORIES WITHIN THE CAMPAIGN, WHEN THE CIT WENT
FOR RENEWAL.
WE ANTICIPATE, AGAIN, ON PORTION B WITH A 20 MILLION EACH

YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS, 80 MILLION THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING
IN THAT FIRST YEAR, THERE WILL BE 14.7 MILLION FOR ANY OR
ALL OF THOSE PARTICULAR PRIORITIES BASED ON THE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL'S PRIORITIZATION.
YOU SEE IT CONTINUE AS WE ANTICIPATE RECEIVING MORE REVENUE,
ESPECIALLY IN 2028, WHEN THAT WILL BE THE FIRST FULL YEAR'S
COLLECTION.
AGAIN, REMIND YOU, FISCAL YEAR 27 IS FOR TEN MONTHS.
ONCE YOU REACH THE END OF THAT FOUR-YEAR PERIOD, WHAT YOU
ARRIVE AT IS AN APPROXIMATE 50-50 SPLIT BETWEEN WHAT'S
AVAILABLE FOR PORTION A AND WHAT AVAILABLE FOR PORTION B,
THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.
BEFORE FALLING OFF, THE RAYS FALL OFF IN THE FINAL YEAR AND
THEN ALL OF THE REVENUE BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
CATEGORIES.
SO THE TAKEAWAY I THINK FURTHER TO THE POINT YOU WERE
MAKING, MR. CHAIR, IS THAT OVER THOSE FOUR YEARS, YOU HAVE
ABOUT A 50-50 SPLIT BETWEEN WHAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CAN DO AND WHAT THIS MOU REPRESENTS GIVING TO THE RAYS.
3:30:19PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS?
3:30:23PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I JUST HAD A QUESTION, IF I MAY.
MR. ROGERO, I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE FACTS OR RESPONSIBILITY
THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE NUMBERS, BUT YOU NOR I NOR ANYONE
ELSE CAN CONTROL INFLATION.

WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING WHAT I JUST MENTIONED THE PIPES
PROGRAM WENT FROM ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A MILE TO
FOUR AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A MILE.
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TO US TOMORROW AND WE STILL WOULD BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE CREATED.
AND IF WE CREATE THIS, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT?
AIN'T GOING TO BE THEM?
3:30:59PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS IT BROADLY FIRST BY
REFERRING TO THE EXISTING CIT.
OF COURSE, AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, I WANT COUNCIL'S EYES WIDE
OPEN ON EVERYTHING I ASK OR WE ASK YOU TO MAKE A DECISION
ON.
BUT I WILL SAY, THE EXISTING CIT, OF COURSE, SUNSETS THIS
YEAR, AND IT'S BEEN 30 YEARS.
AND IN THOSE 30 YEARS, THE U.S. HAS SEEN THREE RECESSIONS,
NATIONWIDE RECESSIONS SPANNING FIVE FISCAL YEARS.
THERE HAS BEEN A SOFTENING ECONOMY AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT
RECOVERY.
IF I'M A BETTING MAN, THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER SOFTENING
OF THE ECONOMY OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
IT'S NOT IF IN MY OPINION, IT'S WHEN.
BUT BASED ON THE PAST EXPERIENCE OF THIS CIT WE STILL, AS
YOU KNOW, AVERAGED AN ANNUAL INCREASE IN REVENUE OF ALMOST
4.5 PERCENT.
WILL THERE BE HEADWINDS?

THERE ABSOLUTELY WILL BE.
WILL WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THOSE?
YES, WE WILL.
I CAN GIVE YOU NO ASSURANCES, BUT GOT REALLY GOOD MINDS
LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO AHEAD AND HOW TO PARSE THE FUNDING
IN THE CAMPAIGN.
3:32:11PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
3:32:17PM >>BILL CARLSON:
AGAIN, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT SPENDING MONEY
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITY COST OF WHAT YOU COULD
HAVE SPENT IT ON INSTEAD.
COULD YOU TELL US AND THE PUBLIC WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF
THINGS THAT THAT $80 MILLION COULD BE SPENT ON IF IT WAS NOT
SPENT ON THIS?
3:32:29PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
WELL, TO BEGIN WITH, PORTION A, OF COURSE,
WHICH WAS THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN, CAPITAL -- IT IS DESIGNED
TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT TAX.
AN IMPROVEMENT TAXATION FOR BIG PROJECTS.
AND WHEN THE CAMPAIGN -- AND YOU SEE THOSE THERE, THE
CAMPAIGN WENT INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON MOBILITY, FOR
EXAMPLE, BUT THOSE MAJOR CATEGORIES THIS FUNDING COULD
CONTINUE TO BE SPENT ON THOSE MAJOR CATEGORIES.
DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
3:33:02PM >>BILL CARLSON:
IT COULD BE USED ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
3:33:04PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
YES.

3:33:05PM >>BILL CARLSON:
VEHICLES, PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES, PUBLIC
FACILITY -- AND MOBILITY.
THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE FACING IN THE CITY AND COUNCIL MEMBER
VIERA TALKED ABOUT THE BILLION DOLLARS THE CITY AND THE
COUNTY IS THAT WE HAVE, TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC IMPACT, WE HAD A
LOT OF HIGH NET-WORTH PEOPLE WITH BUSINESSES MOVE HERE
DURING COVID.
AND ANECDOTALLY SOME OF THEM ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THE PARKS
ARE FALLING APART.
THERE AREN'T SAFE PLAYGROUNDS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T MAINTAINED
THEM AND IF WE NEED TO REPLACE SOMETHING, THE ROADS ARE
FALLING APART, THE STREETS ARE FLOODING.
WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS.
I MEAN, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS WRONG THAT ARE HAPPENING
IN THE CITY THAT WE NEED TO FIX.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT ALSO.
AND THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
BUT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE SURE WE
COVER THE BASICS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO BE HONEST AS MUCH AS WE LIKE ONE
OPTION, THERE ARE LOTS OF GREAT OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.
IF WE DON'T SPEND THE $80 MILLION ON BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE,
THEN WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT SOME OTHER WAY TO DO IT.
WE ALSO KNOW THERE'S NO APPETITE IN THE PUBLIC TO RAISE
TAXES AGAIN.

THERE WAS BARELY ENOUGH, I THINK THE NEW CIT ONLY PASSED BY
52%.
BARELY PASSED.
51.
AND ALL FOR TRANSPORTATION FAILED FIVE TIMES.
OR ITS PREDECESSORS TOTAL FAILED.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE USE WHATEVER LIMITED MONEY IN THE
BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
3:34:31PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
3:34:33PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, I REALLY BELIEVE
THAT IF THE VOTERS OF TAMPA AREN'T ALLOWED TO HAVE A SAY ON
THIS DEAL, WHICH WE ALLOCATE CIT FUNDS, I REALLY BELIEVE
THAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THEM LOUD AND CLEAR DURING THE
MARCH ELECTIONS AND THE NEXT TIME WE NEED TO ASK VOTERS TO
RENEW THE CIT TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PARKS AND ROADS.
I DON'T THINK WE'LL GET IT AGAIN.
3:34:58PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN VIERA.
3:34:59PM >>LUIS VIERA:
YOU CAN TIME ME AT ONE MINUTE.
NO PROBLEM.
QUICK POINTS I WANT TO MAKE.
FUNDS WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY, NOTHING GOES TO THE STADIUM.
LIKE COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO SAID, IT'S ALL STADIUM
SURROUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE.
NUMBER TWO, I SAID WE GET 750 MILLION FOR OUR 250 MILLION.
900 MILLION.

$150 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA CONTINGENT ON THIS.
SO I WAS WRONG.
I WOULD DARE TO SAY THAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSION KIND
OF DID THE HEAVY LIFTING YESTERDAY AND WE HAVE AN EASIER
VOTE BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY LIFTING.
WE DO.
THE NUMBERS THEY PUT FORWARD, I WON'T COMMENT ON IT, BUT
THEY DO.
AND LASTLY, IF I MAY, WHICH IS BY TURNING THIS AWAY AT THIS
POINT, SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO IMPROVE, NOT NEGOTIATE,
WE'RE SAYING WHAT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US, THE VERY IDEA IS
SO ROTTEN TO THE CORE THAT WE'VE GOT TO SEND IT AWAY.
3:35:49PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
3:35:51PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
IF THIS DOES NOT PASS TODAY, IT DOESN'T
MEAN IT IS THE END.
LET'S GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.
SHAKING YOUR HEAD, THEN LEAVE.
IF THIS IS YOUR FINAL OFFER, I'M LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU, IF
THIS IS YOUR FINAL OFFER, IT'S A BAD ONE.
A TERRIBLE ONE FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
NOT BECAUSE I'M SAYING IT.
I HEAR NOW, IT'S NOT LOOKING SO GOOD.
YOU CAN'T DO ANY BETTER, CAN'T SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL ANY
BETTER, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
THANK YOU.

3:36:23PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING ALSO NEGLECTS TO
CONSIDER THE FACT -- THIS HUGE INVESTMENT OF MONEY, STARTING
AT 2.3 BILLION FOR A STADIUM IS MONEY THAT IS NOT JUST
DISAPPEARING BEHIND A DOOR.
THAT IS MONEY THAT IS GENERATING MONEY BECAUSE IT'S
EMPLOYING PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING MONEY ON THE
ECONOMY.
GENERATING SALES TAXES.
IT'S MONEY THAT IS GOING TO BE PAYING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES
BY OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
YOU HEARD FROM OUR UNION WORKERS, OUR IRONWORKERS HERE, THEY
WANT THIS PROJECT BECAUSE GUESS WHAT, IT'S GOING TO BE
PAYING FOR UNION JOBS AND UNION SALARIES, FEEDING UNION
FAMILIES.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHY?
BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, GOOD FOR OUR
POLICE, GOOD FOR OUR FIRE.
YOU HEARD FROM OUR COUNTY YESTERDAY.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY UP HERE DOESN'T LOVE SOME OF OUR
MEMBERS ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION.
THEY PUT THEIR NECKS OUT YESTERDAY.
THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS GOOD FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND I
KNOW THIS IS GOOD FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA.
IF OUR COUNTY COMMISSION IS WILLING TO PUT THEIR NECKS OUT
FOR THIS, VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO SAY, LET'S MOVE THIS FORWARD

FROM TODAY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, THIS IS NOT THE DAY TO
KILL THIS, DON'T -- I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GO UP TO
COMMISSIONER COHEN OR COMMISSIONER GWEN MYERS OR ANYBODY AND
SAY, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THOUGHT AND WHAT A
RISK YOU TOOK YESTERDAY, BUT CITY OF TAMPA IS GOING TO GIVE
YOU THE MIDDLE FINGER.
THAT IS A TOUGH ONE.
THERE WE GO.
ANYBODY ELSE?
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE END OF THE DISCUSSION.
3:38:10PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO REGARDING
THE CIT?
3:38:21PM >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO YOUR
QUESTION.
KEN BABBY, TAMPA BAY RAYS.
THROUGHOUT THESE DISCUSSIONS, I THINK IT'S WORTHY OF NOTING
THAT THE RAYS ACTUALLY AGREED TO A FEW THINGS RELATED TO THE
CIT WHICH SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO THE ROOM.
I ACTUALLY APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE COUNCIL
INVOLVEMENT.
I THINK IT IS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE'RE EVEN MORE ENGAGED.
I TALKED WITH THE HEAD OF THE DREW PARK CRA AT THE LAST
INTERMISSION.
WE NEED TO BE MORE ENGAGED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO KEEP THIS

DISCUSSION MOVING FORWARD.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BEFORE I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
COUNCILMAN, ONE THING THE RAYS AGREED TO DO WITH $80 MILLION
IS, OF COURSE, TO COMMIT FOR IT TO GO HUNDRED PERCENT INTO
INFRASTRUCTURE AS REPRESENTED IN THE MOU.
TWO, MUCH AGAINST OUR DESIRES, WHERE WE INITIALLY INTENDED
TO BOND AGAINST THE CIT, BOTH AT THE CITY LEVEL AND THE
COUNTY LEVEL, RELUCTANTLY WE AGREED TO MOVE TO A PAY-GO
MODEL WHERE IT IS PAID OVER SEVERAL YEARS.
I THINK THAT'S WORTHY OF NOTING.
THAT WAS AN ENORMOUS CONCESSION.
AND THEN FINALLY, AFTER THAT, IT WAS REQUESTED THAT
SPECIFICALLY ONLY TO THE CITY, NOT TO THE COUNTY, THAT A
BACKSTOP BE PROVIDED FOR THAT CIT, AND WE AGREED TO DO THAT,
TOO.
AS REPRESENTED IN THE MOU.
SO TIME AND TIME AGAIN, QUESTIONS, GOOD QUESTIONS LIKE
YOU'RE ASKING HAVE COME UP AND HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THE
CIT, AND WE HAVE GIVEN AND WE HAVE GIVEN AND WE HAVE GIVEN.
WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO TO REACH DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS
WHICH WILL INVOLVE ADDITIONAL COMPROMISE ON BOTH SIDES.
I URGE YOU TO LET US CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS.
DON'T SEND THE RAYS OUT OF TAMPA.
THANK YOU.
3:40:04PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
YES, SIR.

ONE QUESTION.
THE CITIZENS BUDGET ADVISORY BOARD OR SOMEBODY FROM THERE
GAVE A SHEET OF PAPER.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS VOTED BY FROM THE BOARD ITSELF, BUT
THIS WAS VOTED?
OKAY.
SO THE COST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CIT MONEY, IS THAT
SOMETHING THAT THE RAYS WOULD BE OPEN TO?
YOU GET THE $80 MILLION, BUT THEN WE GET IT PAID BACK TO THE
CITY.
AND THE REASON I ASK, YOU HEARD ALL ABOUT THE CIT, BUT THE
CIT IS SO IMPORTANT AND THE RENEWAL BARELY PASSED AT 51%.
PASSED AT 53% IN 1996 WITH THE STADIUM IN THERE, COMMUNITY
STADIUM, HOWEVER IT WAS WORDED.
I FEAR THAT SHOULD THIS COME UP AGAIN IN WHAT IS IT 13 YEARS
FOR RENEWAL, THE CIT, THAT THE VOTERS WILL NEVER HAVE FAITH
IN REAPPROVING IT TO EXTEND IT BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO
SAY, YOU DID RESPECTFULLY A BAIT AND SWITCH, OH, YEAH, AND I
UNDERSTAND THIS OPPORTUNITY, BUT WE WILL LOSE THAT IN THE
FUTURE.
THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO GO, YOU TRICKED US LAST TIME.
US MEANING THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO A REIMBURSEMENT MODEL?
IT'S ONLY $80 MILLION.
BUT THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR SOMETHING VERY SPECIFIC.

3:41:26PM >> PERMISSION TO ANSWER.
3:41:28PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I'M NOT TALKING OVER FOUR YEARS, TEN
YEARS, OVER FIVE YEARS, VERY FLEXIBLE TERMS BUT YOU KNOW,
YOU TELL ME.
3:41:37PM >> COUNCILMAN, WHAT I WOULD URGE YOU TO DO IS MOVE THE MOU
FORWARD WITH THE STRONG MESSAGE THAT YOU JUST GAVE.
WE HEARD IT, I THINK THE STAFF HEARD IT.
I THINK THE COUNTY IS ALL WATCHING.
THEY HEARD IT.
I'M SURE THE WHOLE CITY HAS HEARD IT.
IF THERE ARE ELEMENTS OF THE MOU THAT YOU DON'T FIND
ACCEPTABLE, I THINK ON MESSAGE, PUT US ALL ON NOTICE THAT
YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND MOVE FORWARD AND ALLOW
US TO CONTINUE IN DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTS, WE'LL BE BACK FOR
ANOTHER VOTE, AND IF IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU AT THAT
TIME FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT YOU GIVE TODAY YOU'LL
CERTAINLY, AND YOUR COLLEAGUES, OF COURSE, DESERVE ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE IT.
I WOULD URGE YOU NOT ON THIS POINT TO GIVE US THE THUMBS
DOWN AND REJECT IT.
I THINK YOUR POINT IS CLEAR AND HEARD AND UNDERSTANDABLE.
I WOULD URGE YOU TO MOVE THIS FORWARD TO GIVE US A CHANCE IN
DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTS TO CONTINUE TO APPEASE CONCERNS THAT
YOU HAVE.
3:42:30PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY CONCERN THERE IS EVERY VOTE THAT WOULD COME BEFORE US
SHOULD WE DISAGREE OR I DISAGREE, YOU'RE GOING TO KILL IT IF
THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.
YOU'LL KILL IT IF THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.
I WOULD LIKE A GUARANTEE TODAY, AN AMENDMENT.
IT'S VERY SIMPLE.
IT'S A LOT OF MONEY BUT IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT IT'S OUT OF RESPECT TO THE TAXPAYERS.
THAT'S IT.
3:42:59PM >> PERMISSION TO RESPOND THROUGH THE CHAIR?
WHAT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU IS WE'LL BE BACK IN THIS ROOM WITH
A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT THAT YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
REVIEW AND THAT WE WILL SPEND HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS
WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEEDS -- NOT JUST OF THE
COUNTY, NOT JUST OF THE CITY, BUT THIS COUNCIL AND
ULTIMATELY THE CRA ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT.
TODAY'S DECISION IS ABOUT SAYING, CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD
NEGOTIATING.
AND I THINK WHAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM HAS HEARD IS YOUR
CONCERN ON THE CIT, WHICH IS UNDERSTOOD AND FAIR, I THINK
HEARD.
WE HAVE WORK TO DO.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE WORK TO DO, BUT ALLOW US TO
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND DO THAT WORK.
ON BEHALF OF THE RAYS I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE KINDLY

ASKING FOR.
I HEAR YOU.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.
IT'S REASONABLE.
WE TALKED ABOUT REASONABLE TODAY.
LET US GO BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE AND FIND A DEAL THAT
WORKS BY MOVING THIS MOU FORWARD THAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
3:43:55PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN CARLSON AND THEN COUNCILMAN
MIRANDA.
3:43:58PM >>BILL CARLSON:
MR. BABBY, COULD I ASK YOU A COUPLE OF QUICK
QUESTIONS?
3:44:04PM >> I'M NOT GETTING ANY TALLER, THAT'S FOR SURE.
3:44:06PM >>BILL CARLSON:
TWO QUICK QUESTIONS, CHAIR CLENDENIN TALKED
ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BUILDING.
THERE IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT GOT A HUGE SUBSIDY FROM THE
LAST ADMINISTRATION AND THEN THEY HIRED A CONTRACTING
COMPANY OUT OF PALM BEACH.
FIRST QUESTION, IS IT LIKELY THAT YOU'LL HIRE LOCAL
CONTRACTORS TO TRY TO KEEP THE MONEY LOCAL?
NUMBER TWO, I MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO, YOU ALL HAVE
NEGOTIATED WITH THE CITY, BUT BECAUSE WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN
IT, WE IN THE PUBLIC DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CONCEDED.
IF I RECALL, THE NUMBER YOU ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR WAS MUCH
HIGHER.

3:44:43PM >> CORRECT.
3:44:45PM >>BILL CARLSON:
CAN YOU TELL US THE DIFFERENCE IN THE
NUMBER?
HOW MUCH DID YOU GIVE UP IN THE NEGOTIATION THAT WE DON'T
KNOW ABOUT?
3:44:52PM >> KEN BABBY:
COUNCILMAN, THANK YOU.
COUNCILMAN CARLSON, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I GUESS THE WAY
I WOULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IS TO SAY WHAT OCCURRED TIME
AND TIME AGAIN IS THE RAYS INCREASED OUR INVESTMENT IN THE
PROJECT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN TAMPA.
WHAT STARTED INITIALLY AS A PROJECT WHERE WE SAID WE'D
INVEST 50% OF THE COST TO THE BALLPARK IS NOW MUCH HIGHER AT
55%.
AND AS THAT NUMBER CONTINUED TO GROW, WHAT WE HAD TO
CONSTERNATE WITH OURSELVES, DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GIVE
AND GIVE?
AS CITY AND COUNTY NUMBERS ADJUSTED, OURSELVES WE HAD TO SAY
DOES THIS MONEY MAKE SENSE?
THE STAFF THAT WORKED WITH US, CITY COUNCIL AND COUNTY
COMMISSION, THAT WE'RE NOT ALL IN THE ROOM, CERTAINLY WOULD
BE ATYPICAL FOR ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE
COMMISSIONERS TO BE IN THAT ROOM, THE ROLE, OF COURSE, IS TO
BRING AN AGREEMENT, FRAMEWORK, IF YOU WILL, THAT WE CAN
ULTIMATELY ALL MOVE FORWARD ON.
THE RAYS CONTINUE TO INVEST TO YOUR POINT.

WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR NUMBER.
THE RAYS WILL INVEST MORE THAN $1.2 BILLION PRIVATELY INTO
THE COST OF THE BALLPARK.
$1.2 BILLION.
THE RAYS WILL TAKE ON 100% OF THE COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE STATE IS COMMITTED AND WATCHING WHAT WE'RE DOING AS IT
RELATES TO HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE, AND YOU HEARD WONDERFUL
COMMENTS ON THAT TODAY AND TRAFFIC PROJECTS.
3:46:17PM >>BILL CARLSON:
BUT THE AMOUNT, THE 80 MILLION JUST TO TALK
--
3:46:21PM >>KEN BABBY:
DECREASED AND DECREASED AND DECREASED.
I SAW DRAFTS OF THIS MOU THAT HAD THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION,
SPECIFICALLY THE CIT, CLOSER TO $200 MILLION.
THAT NUMBER IS 80.
AND IT'S NOT BEING BONDED.
3:46:36PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YOU ALREADY -- YOU STARTED AT 200 AND NOW
DOWN TO 80.
3:46:42PM >>KEN BABBY:
AND CONVERTED TO PAY GO AND CONVERTED TO BACK
STOP.
3:46:45PM >>BILL CARLSON:
OTHER QUESTION, HOW LIKELY YOU'LL HIRE LOCAL
CONTRACTORS?
IN THE OTHER CASE, THE CITY SUBSIDIZE, ALL THE MONEY WENT TO
PALM BEACH?
3:46:54PM >>KEN BABBY:
ONE, WE WILL, OF COURSE, GO THROUGH PROPER
PROCUREMENT CHANNELS.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID AND SHOULD BE SAID FAIRLY ON
THE RECORD.
IT IS TRUE AND WE WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LAW AND THAT'S
REPRESENTED IN THE DOCUMENT.
EVERYTHING THIS ORGANIZATION HAS DONE FROM THE MOMENT THAT
WE TOOK OWNERSHIP WAS TO PROMOTE LOCAL FIRST.
YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AT TROPICANA
FIELD AND THE RENOVATIONS THAT WERE DONE THERE THIS YEAR,
AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE USE BASEBALL AS A PLATFORM TO LIFT UP TAMPA BAY.
AND WE WILL DO EXACTLY THAT IN BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY
BALLPARK TOGETHER.
3:47:28PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA FOLLOWED BY
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
3:47:30PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
ALL I'M GOING TO SAY, IF THIS DOES NOT
PASS TODAY, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO BRING ANOTHER ONE OVER WITH
ALL THE CHANGES.
THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE IN TIME, WASTE OF MONEY OR ANYTHING
ELSE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AS FAR AS I WANT IT
NOW OR NEVER.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TELLING US.
INDIRECTLY FROM WHAT I HEARD.
MAYBE I'M WRONG, BUT IF I'M WRONG, TELL ME I'M WRONG.
YOU CAN HAVE ANOTHER ONE DONE WITH ALL THE CHANGES IN IT,

BUT IT'S NOT HERE.
IF THIS PASSES TODAY, THEN IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER AND
HARDER FOR ANYONE, ELECTED OFFICIAL TO SAY, OH, TOO LATE
NOW.
OH, WHOA, YOU PASSED IT THREE TIMES.
I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE.
THANK YOU.
3:48:05PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
3:48:07PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
SO THEN MY QUESTION GOES TO MR. BABBY.
WHY AREN'T YOU USING A TIF OR CDD WHICH WOULD BE SO MUCH
SIMPLER?
WE COULD PUT THE 180 INTO THAT AND THEN, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU
KNOW, OUR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.
OUR PROBLEMS, OUR CONCERNED ARE ANSWERED.
YES, YOU CAN RESPOND.
3:48:27PM >>KEN BABBY:
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
THROUGH THE CHAIR TO COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK, I WOULD JUST
RESPOND TO YOUR GOOD QUESTION BY REFERRING TO THE MOU, WHICH
GIVES US EXACTLY THE OPTION TO CREATE A CDD OR A TIF, BOTH
OF WHICH WILL BE EXPLORED.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SITTING DOWN AND EXPLORING THAT FURTHER.
BUT IF YOU REFER TO THE MOU, IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS -- AND
I'LL LET THE CITY ATTORNEY COMMENT ON THIS AS WELL -- THAT
WE HAVE THE OPTION, OF COURSE, MUTUALLY TO BE ABLE TO DO
THAT.

IT'S A GOOD QUESTION, A GOOD THOUGHT.
OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ASKED IT AS WELL.
AND WE WILL EXPLORE THAT FURTHER, COUNCILWOMAN.
3:49:04PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
IN MY READING OF IT, MY QUESTION, WAS IN
ADDITION.
I'M TALKING ABOUT BEING ABLE TO FUND THE CITY'S PORTION OF
IT $180 MILLION THROUGH A TIF OR A CDD.
3:49:16PM >>KEN BABBY:
SO THE RAYS' PORTION OF THE PROJECT, AS I'VE
STATED IS OVER $1.2 BILLION.
IF YOU'RE ASKING THE RAYS TO TAKE ON EVEN MORE THAN THAT AS
WE'VE INVESTED AND TAKEN ON MORE AND MORE AND MORE TO
REIMBURSE BEYOND THAT THROUGH THOSE OTHER METHODS, YOU CAN'T
BUILD A BALLPARK BASED ON IOUs.
IT DOESN'T WORK.
IT'S NOT WORKING IN LAS VEGAS.
IT WON'T WORK IN KANSAS CITY, MENTIONED EARLIER.
CITY COUNCIL IN KANSAS CITY COMMITTED $600 MILLION TOWARDS A
BALLPARK.
600 MILLION IN A CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUST LIKE THIS.
WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT 80 MILLION, WHICH WE'VE
AGREED TO PAY-GO AND A PORTION OF WHICH TO BACKSTOP.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
3:49:57PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
3:50:00PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I THINK WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT NOW
THAT WE'VE EXHAUSTED THE QUESTION.

I WOULD ENTERTAIN -- EVERYBODY BY CONSENSUS READY TO VOTE?
3:50:12PM >>BILL CARLSON:
ARE WE GOING TO MAKE FINAL COMMENTS AS WE
VOTE?
3:50:16PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
IF THAT IS COUNCIL'S WILL, WE CAN DO
THAT --
3:50:21PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IF THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND IT'S
SECONDED, YOU CAN'T HAVE DISCUSSION PRIOR TO THE VOTE.
3:50:28PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE WENT THAT DIRECTION.
DOES ANYBODY -- DOES ANYBODY OBJECT GOING DIRECTLY TO A
VOTE?
IT IS ALMOST 4:00 AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF CITY COUNCIL
BUSINESS AS WELL AS CRA BUSINESS.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THEY WANT TO SAY?
I'M GOING TO CALL THE QUESTION.
3:50:49PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
SIR, IF YOU CALL THE QUESTION --
3:50:51PM >>LUIS VIERA:
IF I MAY, MR. CHAIR.
I MOVE THE RESOLUTION, BUT, OBVIOUSLY, THIS WOULDN'T
PRECLUDE COUNCILMAN CARLSON FROM SPEAKING.
I MOVE IT WITH THAT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY --
3:51:03PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE ITEM NUMBER 58.
A SECOND FROM -- I'LL SECOND IT.
3:51:14PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
CAN CHAIR SECOND?
3:51:15PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YES.
ALL THOSE -- ACTUALLY -- WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A
SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
ROLL CALL --
3:51:27PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YEAH.
I WANT TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, I HAD SIMILAR IDEAS TO WHAT
COUNCIL MEMBER HURTAK MENTIONED.
THEY DID PUT THE CDD IN.
MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT IT'S INCLUDED, NOT THAT IT'S
OPTIONAL.
MAYBE I NEED TO READ IT AGAIN.
ONE OF MY IDEAS WAS SIMILAR, I TALKED ABOUT A TIF.
I TALKED ABOUT SHRINKING THE CRA BECAUSE THE IMPACT ON THE
REST OF DREW PARK.
WE COULD TAKE THIS AREA OUT OF IT AND FORM A TIF.
WE COULD JUST SHRINK IT DOWN SO IT ONLY INCLUDES THAT, THAT
WAY DREW PARK COULD HAVE A SEPARATE KIND OF VIRTUAL CRA.
ALL KIND OF OPTIONS THAT COULD BE DISCUSSED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT INCLUDE US.
I DID TALK TO THE RAYS ABOUT THOSE IDEAS, BUT SOMEBODY TOLD
THEM NO.
MY BOTTOM LINE ON THIS IS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IN PRIVATE
SECTOR SUBSIDIES.
I DON'T THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO
SUBSIDIZE ONE VERSUS THE OTHER.
I MENTIONED IN REAL ESTATE, WHY IS IT FAIR THAT ONE OR TWO
DEVELOPMENTS GETS SUBSIDIES AND ALL THE REST OF THE

DEVELOPMENTS DON'T GET SUBSIDIES?
AND, YES, THEY MOSTLY GO TO INFRASTRUCTURE.
BUT WHEN PEOPLE IN MIDTOWN ARE PAYING HUNDRED PERCENT OF
EVERYTHING, IT'S NOT FAIR TO EVERYBODY ELSE.
AND THERE ARE LOTS OF DEVELOPMENTS THAT GET NOTHING.
THERE ARE LOTS OF PROJECTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT ARE
GOING TO GET NOTHING.
SO MY POINT IS THAT WHEN THIS COMES BACK TO US, I'M LIKE
99.9% SURE THAT I'M GOING TO VOTE NO.
LIKE CHARLIE, I WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT IN ADVANCE.
I'M VERY AGAINST ANY KIND OF SUBSIDY LIKE THAT.
IN THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH THE RAYS, ONE OF THE
THINGS THEY SAID IS THEY REALLY WANT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HCC
TO BE ABLE TO GET IN THIS ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM THE STATE,
AND I'M SYMPATHETIC TO TRYING TO GET STATE MONEY.
LOCALLY WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND SPEND COUNTY MONEY
IN DIFFERENT WAYS THAT COULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL AND FOLKS
SUFFERING IN MANY WAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO LOOK
AT THOSE OTHER WAYS.
THAT'S WHY ULTIMATELY I'M GOING TO VOTE NO.
TODAY, BECAUSE THE RAYS ASKED ONLY IN REGARD TO THEIR
ABILITY TO GET STATE FUNDING, I'M GOING TO RELUCTANTLY VOTE
YES, ONLY FOR THAT POSSIBILITY, BUT JUST AS A WARNING, I AM
GOING TO BE VOTING NO WHEN IT COMES BACK.
OUT OF RESPECT OF THEM AND THEIR ABILITY TO GET STATE

FUNDING, I WOULD VOTE YES TODAY.
3:53:48PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
3:53:51PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
NO.
3:53:53PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
NO.
3:53:54PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
NO.
3:53:56PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
YES.
3:53:57PM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES.
3:53:58PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YES.
3:53:59PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YES.
3:54:01PM >>THE CLERK:
MOTION CARRIES WITH MIRANDA, MANISCALCO, HURTAK
VOTING NO.
3:54:08PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.
LET'S MAKE IT TEN --
3:54:14PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU DO THAT.
MARTIN SHELBY, CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY.
3:54:21PM >> CARLSON, YOU ARE A SELLOUT.
3:54:24PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
SHHH.
3:54:26PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
AFTER THE ACTION HAVING BEEN TAKEN, I ASK
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL GO INTO RECESS AT THIS POINT AND
RECONVENE AT THE --
3:54:34PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE'LL DO THAT AFTER BREAK.
WE'LL BE BACK AT 4:05, PLEASE.
4:05.
WE ARE ON BREAK.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]

[RECESS]
4:11:07PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
BACK TO ORDER.
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
4:11:11PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
4:11:12PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
4:11:13PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
4:11:15PM >> YOUNG?
VIERA?
4:11:16PM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
4:11:17PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
4:11:19PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I HAVE A REQUEST FOR TAMPA CITY COUNCIL TO
CONTINUE ITEM 54, VAC 26-08 TO JULY 30th.
WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MIRANDA AND A SECOND FROM
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
THE AYES HAVE IT.
CLERK, WOULD YOU READ THAT DATE, TIME AND PLACE -- WOULD YOU
READ THAT DATE, TIME AND PLACE?
4:11:52PM >>THE CLERK:
JULY --
4:11:58PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I'M SORRY.
IT WAS JULY 30th.
4:12:01PM >>THE CLERK:
JULY 30, 2026 --
THAT WOULD BE AT 1:30.
4:12:26PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YES.

4:12:27PM >>THE CLERK:
1:30 P.M.
IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 315 EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, THIRD
FLOOR, TAMPA, FLORIDA, 33602.
4:12:37PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MR. SHELBY.
4:12:38PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IT WAS SET FOR 10:30 A.M.
4:12:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
OKAY.
4:12:45PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
IT IS A PETITION TO VACATE.
4:12:47PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YOU'RE RIGHT.
10:30.
RESTATE IT PLEASE FROM THE TOP.
4:12:50PM >>THE CLERK:
YES, SIR.
JULY 30th AT 10:30 A.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 315
EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, THIRD FLOOR, TAMPA, FLORIDA, 33602.
4:13:00PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Q.
APPRECIATE THAT.
IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT ON THE AGENDA THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OR
JUST GO THROUGH AND DO THE BUSINESS?
4:13:12PM >>LUIS VIERA:
FOR THE TAMPA FIRE ITEM, WE HAVE CHIEF TRIPP
HERE.
I DON'T LIKE TO MAKE HER WAIT TOO LONG.
THAT ONE SHOULD BE SHORTER COMPARED TO LATER.
4:13:25PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NOW IS I AM GOING TO
CALL TAMPA CITY COUNCIL IN RECESS.
I WILL HAND THE GAVEL TO CHAIR YOUNG TO CONDUCT THE CRA
MEETING.

COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG, TAMPA CITY COUNCIL IS IN RECESS.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
4:13:49PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
ALL RIGHTY.
TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING IS CALLED TO
ORDER.
ROLL CALL, PLEASE?
4:13:58PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
HERE.
4:13:58PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
4:14:00PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
4:14:00PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.
4:14:02PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
4:14:03PM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
4:14:04PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE.
4:14:05PM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A PHYSICAL QUORUM.
4:14:09PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO CRA ITEM NUMBER 1 AND TWO.
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
4:14:20PM >>BILL CARLSON:
SINCE THE VOTE WAS CLOSE LAST TIME, I WANT
TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT IF WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS AS THE
CRA TODAY, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO.
I THINK WE SHOULD DELAY THE CRA VOTE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS
OR UNTIL THE NEXT CRA MEETING, WHICH I THINK IS THREE WEEKS
AWAY WITH THE REASON IS THAT THE CRA BOARD AND THE CRA STAFF
WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATION AND I THINK THERE ARE A
LOT OF THINGS THAT WE COULD PUT IN IF WE WERE INVOLVED IN
THE NEGOTIATION.

WE'RE OUT ON THE FRONT LINE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND
CAN DO THAT.
IF THERE ARE THE VOTES WITHOUT ME, THAT'S FINE.
BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT WE DELAY THIS ONE FOR A COUPLE OF
WEEKS SO THAT WE CAN GET INVOLVED.
ALSO IT SAYS HERE IN NUMBER TWO, STAFF REPORTS, BUT IT'S MY
UNDERSTANDING THAT STAFF WAS NOT INVOLVED AT ALL IN THE MOU.
IT REALLY SHOULD SAY CITY ADMINISTRATION REPORT MAYBE FOR
THE NEXT TIME.
4:15:16PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MADAM CHAIR, WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED
CONTINUING THIS TO THE 29th.
I MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM --
4:15:23PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER VIERA HAD HIS LIGHT AND --
4:15:27PM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES, MA'AM.
WHOEVER MOTIONS IT, I'LL SECOND IT, IF NEED BE.
I WOULD SUPPORT THIS FOR MANY, MANY REASONS, THIS INCLUDES
NOT ONLY THE ISSUES THAT COUNCILMAN CARLSON TALKED ABOUT,
BUT ALSO TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS CAN BE DONE.
SOME OF THE ISSUES I WANTED TO GIVE A GESTURE TO MY FRIEND
AND COLLEAGUE COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO FOR BRINGING UP SOME
ISSUES TODAY AND THOSE COULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED IN THAT TIME
POTENTIALLY.
SO, YEAH, FOR THESE REASONS AND OTHERS I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
4:15:55PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
4:16:03PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I WOULD MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS CRA

MEETING, BECAUSE WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED HAVING A SPECIAL
CALL MEETING ON JULY 29 AT 9 A.M.
I WOULD MOTION TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO JULY 29 CRA SPECIAL
CALL MEETING, 2026.
4:16:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS, BECAUSE IF THE CRA DOESN'T APPROVE
THIS, IT ISN'T APPROVED.
WE'RE ACTING AS A WHOLLY SEPARATE BODY.
MR. SHEPARD.
4:16:40PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
FIRST OF ALL, YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT
TO BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID, WHICH IS YOU ARE A
SEPARATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
YOU ARE A DEPENDENT SPECIAL DISTRICT, BUT YOU ARE SEPARATE
IN THE FACT YOU HAVE YOUR OWN MINUTES, OWN MEETINGS, OWN
PROCEDURES, AND OWN LAWS THAT HAVE TO APPLY TO YOU.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO.
I CANNOT SPEAK TO AND PERHAPS YOU SHOULD RECOGNIZE SOMEONE
FROM THE RAYS OR SOMEONE ELSE WHO CAN SPEAK TO HOW IT WOULD
IMPACT THE DEAL.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS ABOUT THE DATE.
I HAVE AN ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE A WEBINAR THAT I'M CONDUCTING
AT NOON ON THAT DAY AND I'LL BE ON THE ROAD THAT ENTIRE DAY
EXCEPT FOR THE TIME I'M OFF THE ROAD --
4:17:25PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
DID I STATE THAT RIGHT?
I'M SORRY.

MAY 29.
ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DAWNED ON ME I SAID THE WRONG THING.
4:17:34PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
MAY 29 IS A FRIDAY.
4:17:36PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
REMEMBER WE TALKED ABOUT A SPECIAL CALL
MEETING.
4:17:39PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I WON'T BE IN TOWN I DON'T BELIEVE.
4:17:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MAYBE THAT'S WHY WE TOOK IT UP TODAY.
4:17:46PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HOLD ON A SECOND.
ATTORNEY STEADY, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE?
4:17:56PM >> [INAUDIBLE] -- THE CRA IS BASICALLY NOT AGREEING TO BE
PARTY AT THIS POINT.
THE CITY IS AND THE OTHER PARTIES, THE COUNTY.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT CREATES A PROBLEM FOR THE RAYS OR THE
CITY OF TAMPA THAT'S PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IT.
YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE MOU TILL WHENEVER
YOU FEEL IS APPROPRIATE.
4:18:23PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
ARE YOU DOING AN AMENDED MOTION?
4:18:26PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MY MOTION WOULD BE TO CONTINUE THIS TO A
SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON MAY 29, 2026 AT 9 A.M.
IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO HAVE A TOUGH DAY, WE PROBABLY COULD
ADD IT BETWEEN THE WORKSHOP ON THE 28th BETWEEN THE
WORKSHOP AND THE COUNCIL'S NIGHT SESSION.
4:18:46PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
NIGHT SESSION IS SO HARD.
4:18:52PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
YOU GUYS, HOLD ON.
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.

GO AHEAD.
4:18:58PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WELCOME TO BEING CHAIR.
HOW COME WE CAN'T DO IT ON JUNE 11?
THAT IS A CRA.
4:19:09PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
IT'S FINE.
JUNE 11 IS FINE WITH ME.
SCRATCH WHAT I SAID.
DIDN'T GET A SECOND.
I MAKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO JUNE 11, 2026,
REGULARLY SCHEDULED CRA MEETING.
4:19:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I HAVE NO PROBLEM MOVING THIS, BUT GIVEN WHAT
JUST HAPPENED WHERE WE GOT SOME OF OUR ISSUES OUT, SO THEY
WERE KNOWN, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT WE AT LEAST HAVE FIVE
MINUTES EACH TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF OUR ISSUES SO THAT WHEN
WE HAVE THAT MEETING, IT'S MORE PRODUCTIVE.
4:19:42PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
RIGHT NOW?
4:19:43PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YEAH.
I THINK WE AT LEAST GIVE EVERYONE FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE I
HAVE, OF COURSE, A WHOLE LONG SPIEL AND SOME RECEIPTS THAT I
WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO SEE SO THAT WE CAN -- I HAVE NO PROBLEM
GOING FORWARD AND MAKING ANOTHER TIME TO DO THIS, BUT I
THINK WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT IT FIRST SO THAT THE PARTIES WHO
ARE INVOLVED KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.
4:20:05PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
OKAY.
CLERK.

4:20:07PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
MS. SCHARF, IF YOU COULD BRING MY PERSONAL
AND CITY CELL PHONES SO THAT I CAN LOOK AT MY CALENDAR.
4:20:16PM >> [INAUDIBLE]
4:20:20PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
THE 28th.
4:20:22PM >> [INAUDIBLE]
4:20:28PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WHAT ABOUT JUNE 11?
4:20:30PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I THINK THE 28th MIGHT BE TOO QUICK.
YOU MEAN, NEXT WEEK?
4:20:37PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
RESCIND MY MOTION.
JUNE 11, ADDING IT TO THE REGULAR SCHEDULED CRA AGENDA ITEM
AT 9 A.M., I SEE SOMETHING TO PULL OFF THE SCHEDULE, TOO.
4:20:49PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
I'LL INTERJECT HERE.
TO BOARD MEMBER HURTAK, I THINK SINCE WE'RE ALL HERE RIGHT
NOW, THE OPPORTUNITY JUST TO HAVE AT LEAST THE FIVE MINUTES,
THREE MINUTES, IF YOU WANT TO TALK NOW, IT'S FINE.
AS YOU ALL GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND WORK ON THIS
MOU.
SO IF WE GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY AT LEAST ONE ROUND OR
IF WE NEED TWO ROUNDS, AND THEN GOING BACK TO THE MOTION OF
CONTINUING THIS TO JUNE 11 FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.
ANY THOUGHTS FROM THE COUNCIL ON THAT?
4:21:27PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I AGREE WITH TAKING FIVE MINUTES EACH.
SHOULD WE VOTE ON THE MOTION FIRST?
4:21:32PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I'LL TAKE IT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT,
STIPULATION TO CONTINUING THIS THAT WE HAVE THE FIVE-MINUTE

DISCUSSION.
THERE WE GO.
4:21:37PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE HAVE THE MOTION FROM BOARD MEMBER
CLENDENIN.
THE SECOND FROM BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
ALL IN FAVOR?
AYE.
ANY OPPOSED?
OKAY.
WONDERFUL.
GOOD JOB.
GOOD JOB.
4:21:51PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
NOW WHO IS THE SCHOOLTEACHER?
4:21:53PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH BOARD MEMBER
MIRANDA.
OKAY.
BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
4:21:59PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
JUST REAL QUICK.
I DON'T NEED THE FIVE MINUTES.
IN REGARDS TO THE CIT, IT WAS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THAT
--
4:22:05PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
POINT OF ORDER.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE GAVEL BACK IN AS CITY COUNCIL TO
TAKE THIS AS A COMBINED MEETING.
THEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO BIFURCATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

CRA AND CITY COUNCIL.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE ONLY IN THE CRA MEETING.
4:22:22PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THE BONDING OF THE CRA, ONE HUNDRED
MILLION DOLLARS --
LOOKING AT THIS MOU, THE CRA BONDED $100 MILLION.
WHO TAKES -- WHO PAYS THE INTEREST ON THAT AND HOW LONG IS
THE BONDING FOR?
30 YEARS.
4:22:47PM >> WELL, THAT'S UNKNOWN.
IN TERMS OF WHO PAYS THE INTEREST AT LEAST INITIALLY, IT HAS
TO BE THE RAYS ONLY BECAUSE, AND I THINK THEY ENVISIONED
THEMSELVES, BUT YOU CAN TALK TO THEM AS THE PRIMARY OBLIGER.
IN ORDER TO PAY BACK BONDS WITH TIF, YOU HAVE TO HAVE TIF.
WE DON'T.
THEIR PROPOSAL IS UNDERSTOOD FROM THE MOU.
EVERYTHING IN THE MOU HAS BEEN SAID REPEATEDLY.
PARTICULARLY FOR THE CRA BECAUSE I INSISTED ON IT.
THEY ARE ALL SEPARATE ISSUES.
EXTENDING THE CRA SEPARATE ISSUE.
AMENDING THE PLAN, SEPARATE ISSUE.
AGREEING TO THE AMOUNT OF THE BONDING, SEPARATE ISSUE.
AGREEMENT TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOND, SEPARATE ISSUE AND
ON AND ON.
I'LL SAY PERHAPS SOME SKEPTICISM AT THE BEGINNING, AS I
PROMISED I WOULD, ASKED TO TELL YOU THEY AGREED TO

EVERYTHING I ASKED FOR WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE I WOULDN'T HAVE
AGREED IF THEY DIDN'T.
THEY DID AGREE TO EVERYTHING I ASKED FOR.
THAT'S WHY IT'S ALL FUTURE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY YOU ALL.
4:23:45PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
LAST QUESTION REGARDING THAT, I SAW
WITHIN THE CRA, THE RAYS WILL PAY RENT.
WHAT WAS THAT SPECIFIC?
IF THE MONEY ISN'T GENERATED --
4:23:55PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
AS I UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT IS THE MECHANISM
BY WHICH ONCE WE ARE GENERATING MONEY, WE WOULD USE IT AS A
RENT PAYMENT SO IT'S LEGAL TOWARDS STRUCTURES THAT WE'RE
ALLOWED TO PAY RENT FOR.
BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE OVERARCHING PROBLEM, OR ONE OF THE
OVERARCHING PROBLEMS, CRA WORLD, WE CAN ONLY SPEND TIF UNDER
CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE LEGAL UNDER THE STATUTE, BOTH 163387
AND 163370.
IF IT DOESN'T FALL INTO ONE OF THOSE CATEGORIES AND A LOT OF
THE STADIUM STUFF DOESN'T, THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.
THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU GET THE MONEY AND USE IT TO HELP
DEFRAY SOME OF THE COSTS BUT IN A LEGAL MANNER.
AND THEIR STRUCTURE, AT LEAST THE ONE ON THE TABLE, IS AS A
RENT PAYMENT BASED ON TIF THAT'S GENERATED THAT THEN THEY
WOULD USE TO PAY BACK BONDS BUT UNKNOWN IS HOW WE ACCOUNT
FOR IT IN A WAY THAT WILL ALWAYS BE AUDITABLE BACK TO
EXPENSES WE CAN'T PAY FOR.

THAT'S AN UNKNOWN THAT HAS TO BE COOKED INTO FUTURE PARTS OF
THE DEAL.
4:25:04PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
OKAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
4:25:05PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
4:25:07PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU.
THE PLAN TO USE THE DREW PARK CRA BONDS IS A BIGGER ISSUE
THAN THE USE OF CIT MONEY FOR THREE REASONS: FINANCIAL,
LEGAL, AND POLITICAL.
FINANCIALLY, THE CRA HAS NEVER BONDED.
WE DO NOT HAVE A CREDIT RATING.
THE BONDS WILL BE TAXABLE AND PRIVATELY PLACED WITH AN
INVESTOR.
WITHOUT BIDDING ON THE OPEN MARKET, SUGGESTING THE BONDS
WILL BE BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE AND WILL HAVE TO BE PAID OUT
AT HIGHER INTEREST RATE THAN OUR STANDARD TAX-EXEMPT
MUNICIPAL BONDS.
BASICALLY, IT MEANS THAT IF YOU RIGHT NOW, IF YOU HAVE NO
CREDIT, YOU CAN'T GET A CREDIT CARD OR YOU CAN'T GET -- YOU
CAN'T BUY A HOUSE.
YOU DON'T HAVE CREDIT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
SO WE HAVE NO CREDIT.
SO WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR SOLID WASTE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS WE
FLOATED A SMALL LINE OF CREDIT TO SOLID WASTE TO BUILD UP
ITS ABILITY TO GO OUT AND GET A LOAN TO PAY FOR ALL THE

SOLID WASTE THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO REDO.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION AS THE CRA.
SECONDLY, AND FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY, REWRITING THE DREW PARK
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN TO INCLUDE A BASEBALL STADIUM
WILL TAKE BETWEEN TWO AND THREE YEARS TO PROCESS, MANDATED
CHAPTER 163 PART 3 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTE, WHICH MS. SCHARF
IS PUTTING UP ON THE THING RIGHT NOW.
THIS PROCESS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO PLANNING
COMMISSION APPROVAL, PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND ADAPTATION -- OR
OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WHAT'S ON THE BOARD NOW IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK TO DO
THE LAST THREE CRP UPDATES.
CENTRAL PARK TWO YEARS, TEN MONTHS.
TAMPA HEIGHTS, TWO YEARS, TEN MONTHS.
DOWNTOWN, THREE YEARS, THREE MONTHS.
AND THE DREW PARK CRP HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED SINCE 2004.
IT'S DUE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE QUICK.
BUT, I MEAN, IDEALLY IT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE IT
ILLUSTRATES HOW ROBUST OUR CRA SYSTEM IS HERE.
IT PREVENTS OR IS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF RUNAWAY
PROJECT.
SO, YEAH, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
4:27:23PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
4:27:27PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
YOU KNOW, ONE, I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF,
THE COUNTY STAFF, ALL THE FOLKS OVER THERE PART OF THE

NEGOTIATION PROCESS, ERIC HART, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT
THE TSA, AND OUR CITY STAFF, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, JOHN
BENNETT, DENNIS ROGERO AND EVERYBODY AT THE CITY.
I'VE SAID FROM DAY ONE, I ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE CONCEPT OF
HAVING A RAYS STADIUM IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, BUT ONLY IF WE
COULD AFFORD IT.
SO I ALWAYS SAID, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I WANT IN THE
CITY OF TAMPA THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD.
ALWAYS SAID FROM DAY ONE IF WE CAN AFFORD IT.
I WAS SO PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN I SAW THIS NONBINDING MOU
BECAUSE IT OCCURRED TO ME INSTANTLY, HEY, THIS IS THE
FRAMEWORK OF AFFORDABILITY AND IT REALLY WAS A GOOD DEAL FOR
THE CITY OF TAMPA.
HONESTLY, IT'S A STEAL FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA.
WE REALLY GOT MORE THAN OUR FAIR SHARE AND I WILL APPLAUD
OUR CITY STAFF FOR NEGOTIATING WHAT THEY DID, AND CLIFF
SHEPARD FROM THE CRA PORTION, TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE CITY
AND PROTECT THE CRA.
WHAT THEY DID WITH THE CARVE-OUTS OF THE STADIUM
CONSTRUCTION AREA, THE 120 ACRES, BACKSTOPPING.
FROM THE BEGINNING, I WAS SO HONESTLY SO PLEASANTLY
SURPRISED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A MUCH HEAVIER
LIFT FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA.
THAT BEING SAID HONESTLY, I MEAN, EVERYBODY KNOWS ON BOTH
SIDES THAT THIS AGREEMENT NEEDED TO BE TWEAKED.

IF IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE TWEAKED, IT WOULD HAVE CAME TO US AS
A BINDING MOU AND NOT A NONBINDING MOU.
WE ALL KNEW WALKING INTO THIS ROOM TODAY THAT THERE WOULD BE
WORK TO BE DONE.
MY INTENTION WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL SESSION IS I'LL
ASK THE SAME QUESTION, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WHAT WAS SAID
BEFORE, WHAT DOES COUNCIL NEED TO GET TO GET TO YES?
I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SAY TODAY.
WHAT DO YOU NEED THAT IS REALISTIC, AGAIN, TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT THIS IS A GOOD DEAL.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE SKY AND THE MOON.
SETTLE FOR HALF OF THE SKY AND TAKE IT AS A WIN, BUT WHAT DO
WE NEED TO GET TO GET TO YES.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR CITY STAFF DESERVES TO HEAR FROM
THIS COUNCIL OR THIS BOARD AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE RAYS
DESERVE TO HEAR FROM THIS BOARD AS WELL.
4:29:58PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
4:29:59PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
NUMBER ONE, I TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE TO POLICE AND FIRE, AND WE WANT TO
SEE HOW THOSE PROMISES BECOMING BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE.
PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THESE FOLKS SO WE ALL KNOW ARE
THE BEST PEOPLE AROUND.
THEY'VE HAD THEIR HEARTS BROKEN BEFORE OVER 10, 20, 30
YEARS, AND ON DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BREAK AGAIN THERE.
SO TREAT THEM RIGHT, RIGHT.
NUMBER TWO, HCC, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ON THE
$150 MILLION IS THAT SUFFICIENT, WHAT IF THERE ARE COST
OVERRUNS, WHILE IT'S NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO OUR VOTE HERE,
MORE ASSURANCE IF YOU WILL ON THAT BECAUSE THAT IS SUCH A
SPECIAL COMMUNITY ASSET WITH WONDERFUL PEOPLE, INCLUDING A
YOUNG MAN NAMED LUIS VIERA JUNIOR, BY THE WAY, OBVIOUSLY A
LOT GOING ON THERE.
HOUSING, A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE TALKED ABOUT AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, THE COST OF LIVING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES IN
FLORIDA, THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND SOMETHING LIKE
THIS COULD HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THAT AND WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THERE ARE REAL ROBUST EFFORTS MADE FOR AFFORDABLE AND
WORKFORCE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOWER INCOME FOLKS
AND THEN WORKFORCE HOUSING FOR WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE THERE.
VERY IMPORTANT.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT, APPRENTICESHIP, SKILL TRADE
APPRENTICESHIPS, THAT'S HUGE.
MAKING SURE THEY ARE STATE CERTIFIED, REAL APPRENTICESHIPS,
LOCAL WORKERS, COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG BROUGHT UP RETURNING
CITIZENS.
I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL.
TAKING A LOOK, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE OTHER ASSETS, RAYMOND
JAMES STADIUM, AND THEN, OBVIOUSLY, DIALOGUE WITH OUR GOOD

FRIENDS AT DREW PARK.
THOSE ARE JUST SOME THINGS REALLY FAST, NOT TO TAKE UP MY
FULL THREE OR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU.
4:31:48PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
4:31:50PM >>BILL CARLSON:
PHILOSOPHICALLY, I'M AGAINST TAX ABATEMENTS
FOR THE REASON I MENTIONED BEFORE.
SOMETIMES FOLKS COME TO US AND SAY, WELL, OUR PROJECT IS
GOING TO BE GENERATING $10 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE, SO WE'LL
TAKE THAT BACK, BUT THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS
OUT THERE DON'T GET THAT.
AND IT'S NOT FAIR TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT SOME GET IT AND SOME
DON'T.
IN THE CASE OF A SPECIAL AMENITY LIKE THIS, MAYBE THERE IS A
WAY TO WORK IT OUT.
I'M GENERALLY AGAINST GIVING SUBSIDIES TO ONE PRIVATE
INVESTOR VERSUS ANOTHER BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL COMPETING
WITH EACH OTHER.
THEY STILL HAVE TO GO FOR THE SAME TENANTS OR FOLKS TO SELL
THE PROPERTY TO.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT THAT GOES AROUND
THIS.
IN TERMS OF THE CRA, I PROPOSED, WE MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT
THERE BE A SPECIAL TIF OR SHRINK THE CRA LIMITS.
THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT IS IT FAIR TO THE REST OF DREW

PARK THAT THEIR TAX MONEY IS GOING TO BE TRAPPED IN THIS
DEAL?
THEY ARE NOT GENERATING THAT MUCH RIGHT NOW ANYWAY.
SHRINK THE SIZE OF THE CRA TO MAKE IT JUST AROUND THIS
PROJECT.
AND THEN WE COULD SET UP A VIRTUAL CRA AROUND THE REST OF
DREW PARK AND PUT SOME INFRASTRUCTURE IN THERE.
OR WE COULD DO THE OPPOSITE AND MOVE THIS OUT OF IT AND SET
UP A SEPARATE TIF.
THE IDEA I HAD IN THE BEGINNING IS THE COUNTY HAS ENTRUSTED
US TO MANAGE NINE CRA DISTRICTS FOR 30 YEARS OR MORE.
WHY NOT GIVE THIS ONE BACK TO THEM AND LET THE COUNTY MANAGE
THIS ONE?
LET THEM BE IN CHARGE OF IT.
SOMEBODY ALONG THE WAY SAID NO TO THAT RIGHT AWAY.
WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT DEAL DONE ALREADY WHERE WE HAND IT
BACK TO THEM.
THE CRA AS IT IS IS NOT THAT ACTIVE.
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE COULD PUT IN AN INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT.
ONE IS, WE TRIED AT ONE POINT TO SLIGHTLY EXPAND THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE YBOR CRA.
WE HAD TRIED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE I THINK OF THE EAST
TAMPA CRA.
WE HAD TRIED TO CUT -- I ANYWAY HAD TRIED TO CUT THE

DOWNTOWN CRA BY HALF OR CAP IT WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW.
FOLKS WHO HAVE BROKEN ROADS AND BROKEN SIDEWALKS OR LACK OF
SIDEWALKS AND BROKEN PARKS AROUND THE CITY DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHY DOWNTOWN GETS ALL THESE GREAT AMENITIES AND NONE OF IT
GOES TO THE REST OF THE CITY.
ALSO, ALL OF OUR PROPERTY TAX MONEY, EXCEPT FOR THE CRA,
GOES TO POLICE AND FIRE.
WE KNOW WE NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS.
WE NEED FIRE STATIONS.
WHY IS IT THAT THAT MONEY IS TRAPPED IN DOWNTOWN?
WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF DEVELOPMENT.
DOWNTOWN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL BEING DEVELOPED, WHY WOULDN'T
WE PUT A CAP ON IT?
I THINK IF WE OPEN UP THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, WHICH THE
ADMINISTRATION WAS AGAINST, BUT NOW APPARENTLY IS FOR, THEN
WE SHOULD OPEN THE BOX TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.
I HAVE A LOT MORE TO DISCUSS, BUT IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN
FIVE MINUTES.
TO COUNCIL MEMBER HURTAK'S POINT, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION
WANTS SOMETHING, THEY DO IT QUICKLY.
WHEN THEY DON'T WANT SOMETHING, IT GOES SLOW OR WHEN THEY
DON'T CARE.
I IMAGINE CHANGING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, THEY'LL
PROBABLY FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO THAT REALLY QUICKLY.
4:35:05PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
THAT CONCLUDES OUR FIRST ROUND.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO SECOND ROUND WITH THREE MINUTES.
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
4:35:11PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SHEPARD.
I THOUGHT WE WERE CARVING THIS PORTION OUT OF THE DREW PARK
CRA.
4:35:24PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
IF YOU MEAN BY THAT THE ACTUAL LAND.
4:35:27PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YES.
4:35:28PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
THE PLAN AS PROPOSED BY THE RAYS AND I
DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS INITIALLY PLANNED BECAUSE I WASN'T
BROUGHT IN UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE WE DELIVER THE
PRODUCT, IT WAS TO HAVE -- CALL IT REBATE FOR LACK OF A
BETTER TERM BECAUSE I THINK ULTIMATELY THAT'S WHAT IT
AMOUNTS TO.
YOU CALLED IT AN ABATEMENT.
IT IS SORT OF A REBATE.
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST GOVERNING THE LAND THAT THEY OWN
OR CONTROL.
4:35:56PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
SO THE REST OF THE DREW PARK CRA WILL
CONTINUE NORMALLY I GUESS.
THAT'S THE WAY I UNDERSTOOD IT.
I LOVE AND SECOND BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE,
BRINGING, EXPANDING THE YBOR CRA AND EXTENDING THE EAST
TAMPA CRA TO THE TABLE.
I THINK THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.
AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CONTINUING -- WITH

CONSIDERING AT LEAST LOWERING THE DOWNTOWN CRA.
SO, YEAH.
I STILL REALLY WANT TO SEE A TIF OR CDD PLAN INSTEAD OF
USING CRA FUNDS.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I ACTUALLY WANT, THAT'S WHAT I
WANT.
AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET ME TO YES WITHOUT THAT.
4:36:55PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK, IF THE PLAN
IS TO CARVE OUT THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA FROM THE REST OF THE
CRA AND THE CRA STILL CONTINUES TO OPERATE AND OBVIOUSLY GET
PERCOLATED EFFECTS BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION, HOW WOULD
THAT DIFFER?
4:37:13PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
WELL, BECAUSE THE MONEY THAT IS USED -- THAT
IS COLLECTED IN THE RAYS' PORTION.
THIS IS THE WAY I LIKE TO EXPLAIN IT.
THIS IS THE LITTLE SQUARE OF DREW PARK.
THIS IS THE STADIUM.
AND THE STADIUM, THE MONEY THAT IS COLLECTED HERE WILL STAY
HERE.
THE MONEY THAT'S COLLECTED HERE WILL STAY HERE.
THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE.
4:37:35PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I BELIEVE AS FAR AS MY UNDERSTANDING, MR.
SHEPARD, WASN'T THAT SORT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE AGREEMENT?
4:37:42PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YES, THAT IS --
4:37:44PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM WHAT YOU'RE

ASKING FOR?
OTHER THAN JUST NAMES AND FINANCIAL MECHANISMS.
4:37:52PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
FOR ME, IT IS A FINANCIAL MECHANISM BECAUSE
THE ISSUE IS, AND IF MR. ROGERO IS HERE, THIS IS MY
QUESTION, THIS IS WHAT IT AMOUNTS TO.
HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN BONDS, IF THE CITY OF TAMPA WERE
TO PULL OUT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN BONDS, WHAT WOULD
OUR RATING BE?
WHAT WOULD OUR INTEREST RATE BE?
RIGHT NOW.
4:38:14PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
THE INTEREST RATE PUBLIC AS OPPOSED TO A
PRIVATE.
4:38:18PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YEAH, WHAT WE NORMALLY DO.
4:38:19PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
PROBABLY FOUR AND A HALF, FIVE PERCENT.
4:38:22PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
FOUR AND A HALF, FIVE PERCENT.
IF WE HAVE PRIVATE BONDS, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANY CREDIT
RATING WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE WE LOOKING AT FOR THOSE?
4:38:30PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
NOW, THAT I DON'T KNOW BUT IT WOULD BE
HIGHER.
IT IS A RISKIER ISSUANCE.
4:38:35PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
AND IF THE ULTIMATE COST, SO WE ALWAYS PUT
50%.
SO IF IT IS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, WE JUST ADD 50
BECAUSE THAT'S GENERALLY WHERE WE ARE.
WE ARE ABOUT HALF.

SO THAT WOULD BE 150 MILLION THAT THE CRA WOULD OWE.
BUT WITH THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE UPWARDS OF 180 MILLION
BECAUSE THAT PERCENTAGE INCREASE REALLY MATTERS.
4:38:59PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
DENNIS ROGERO, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
WANT TO ADD ANOTHER X FACTOR, IF YOU WILL.
THIS DEBT ISSUANCE IS NOT ANTICIPATED TO TAKE PLACE UNTIL
2030.
IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS WHAT THE MARKET EITHER PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE WILL BE THEN.
4:39:14PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
OKAY.
SO THAT ANSWERS THAT.
HOW CAN WE NOT HAVE -- HOW CAN WE NOT ISSUE IT FOR FOUR MORE
YEARS?
WHO IS FLOATING THAT HUNDRED MILLION IN THE MEANTIME?
4:39:27PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
THAT PARTICULAR COMPONENT OF THE FUNDING
PLAN ISN'T NEEDED UNTIL THEN.
4:39:33PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
OKAY.
4:39:35PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
FOLLOW UP ON THAT ISSUE.
4:39:38PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN.
4:39:39PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MR. SHEPARD, WASN'T THE DEAL, THE
NONBINDING MOU PORTION OF THE DEAL THAT THE MONEY, THE
REVENUE THAT WAS GENERATED FOR THAT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS,
IF IT DID NOT MATERIALIZE, SO REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER THE
INTEREST RATE IS, IT WAS BACKSTOPPED BY --
4:39:54PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
IT'S ACTUALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS

SORT OF WORDED AND SORT OF TALKED ABOUT AS A BACKSTOP, BUT
IT'S ACTUALLY A FRONT-STOP.
BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE THE MONEY UNTIL THEY BUILD THE STUFF
THAT GENERATES THE TIF FOR US TO CONTRIBUTE OUR PORTION.
4:40:10PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
LET'S SAY THE INTEREST RATE IS 2% HIGHER
THAN NORMAL CITY BOND, WASN'T THERE SOME ASSURANCES THAT IF
THE REVENUE WASN'T GENERATED WITHIN THAT CONFINED AREA, THAT
THAT'S WHERE THAT BACKSTOP --
4:40:24PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
IT WOULD HAVE TO BE FOR THE VERY SIMPLE
REASON THAT IT WOULD BE UNSALABLE BONDS EVEN ON THE PRIVATE
MARKET.
BONDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE.
THEY CAN'T BE SAFE IN AN INVESTMENT LIKE CRAs WHERE THE
LEGISLATURE IN A YEAR COULD SAY, YEAH, WE'RE NOT DOING THIS
ANYMORE.
THEY CAN'T BE SAFE WHEN YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF UNKNOWNS.
THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I FEEL COMFORTABLE.
I'M NOT TRYING TO SPEAK FOR THE RAYS, BUT THEY REALIZED WE
GOT TO BE IN THE FRONT SEAT AT LEAST INITIALLY BECAUSE THERE
ARE NO GUARANTEES.
4:40:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE COST OR EXPOSURE
TO THE CITY IS BALANCED OUT.
THERE'S NO --
4:41:01PM >>CLIFF SHEPARD:
I'M NOT GOING TO JUDGE IT, BUT I WILL SAY
THAT YOU CANNOT -- THE OLD EXPRESSION, MR. MIRANDA, YOU

CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP, IF WE DON'T HAVE IT, WE
CAN'T PAY IT.
NOT ONLY WOULD THE RAYS KNOW THAT, BUT THE BOND MARKET WOULD
KNOW THAT.
4:41:17PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
VERY GOOD.
4:41:21PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
ANYBODY ELSE COMMENTS?
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
4:41:25PM >>BILL CARLSON:
MR. ROGERO, THE BONDS THAT WE APPROVED FOR
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA AND OTHER PLACES, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT
USING THAT KIND OF BOND HERE?
IF NOT IS THAT A POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD DO IT THAT WAY?
4:41:40PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
WE HAVE EXPLORED THAT.
AGAIN, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A CONDUIT ISSUANCE.
WE'VE EXPLORED THAT.
WE JUST DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC PURPOSE TEST WILL BE MET AS
OPPOSED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA, THINGS LIKE THAT.
4:41:53PM >>BILL CARLSON:
AND THEN MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE RAYS IS
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO A CDD, MAYBE KEN WOULD LIKE TO
ANSWER THIS.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE CDD, RIGHT?
SO THE IDEA IS TO -- TO ME, THE ADVANTAGE OF A CDD IS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, IS THAT THE MONEY WOULD GO
INTO A PRIVATE, INSTEAD OF GOING DIRECTLY TO THE RAYS OR ONE
OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES, IT WOULD GO TO AN ENTITY THAT IS

PUBLIC THAT IS OVERSEEN BY A PUBLIC BOARD, ALTHOUGH IT MAY
BE CONTROLLED BY THE DEVELOPER.
AND THEN IT HAS TO OPERATE IN THE SUNSHINE AND PUBLIC
RECORDS.
SO IT PROVIDES AN EXTRA LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR THE PUBLIC.
AND THE RAYS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO THAT.
BUT YOU'RE PLANNING ON FUNDING THAT OUT OF THESE BONDS OR
SOME OTHER STRUCTURE, RIGHT?
4:42:50PM >>KEN BABBY:
CHAIRWOMAN YOUNG, ARE WE IN CRA OR COUNCIL?
4:42:54PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE ARE IN CRA.
4:42:56PM >>KEN BABBY:
PERMISSION TO RESPOND TO COUNCILMAN'S QUESTION.
4:42:59PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
YES.
4:43:00PM >>KEN BABBY:
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
THANK YOU.
AS IT RELATES TO THE CRA, I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE LEARNED A
LOT TODAY IN THIS ROOM.
AND I THINK WE LEARNED WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO,
PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY WITH DREW PARK.
I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR IT CONTINUED BECAUSE I THINK WE
LEARNED IN THIS ROOM THAT THERE'S MUCH MORE DISCUSSION THAT
NEEDS TO HAPPEN AROUND CERTAINLY THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS WHICH
I'LL RESPOND TO, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY IMPACT AND
DISCUSSION.
SO WE WELCOME THAT.
AND I THINK THAT WORK WILL BEGIN TODAY, AND I WANT TO GIVE

THE CRA BOARD THAT ASSURANCE AND COUNCIL AS WELL.
AS IT RELATES TO THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF THE CRA, AS
CONTEMPLATED, THE RAYS ARE TAKING 100% OF THE RISK.
WE CALL IT A BACKSTOP, I'LL LET THE ATTORNEYS AND FINANCIAL
EXPERTS GIVE IT BETTER LANGUAGE AND VOCABULARY, BUT THE
NOTION IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PAY WHAT WE'RE CALLING RENT TO
BACKSTOP THE CRA, IF THE FUNDS ARE NOT THERE.
HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE NOTION OF THIS IS ENTIRELY ON THE
RAYS.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S EXTREMELY CLEAR.
AS IT RELATES TO THE CDD, COUNCILMAN, WE DESIRE TO CREATE
THAT.
WE'D LIKE TO CREATE IT.
WE PUT IN THE LANGUAGE THE ABILITY AND OPTION TO CREATE IT
BUT WANT TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY ON EXPLORING THAT.
4:44:15PM >>BILL CARLSON:
EVENTUALLY THE CDD COULD CHARGE A FEE OR
SOMETHING.
4:44:18PM >>KEN BABBY:
RIGHT, EXACTLY.
4:44:21PM >>BILL CARLSON:
BUT YOU'RE LOOKING TO MAYBE --
4:44:23PM >>KEN BABBY:
THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S SOMETHING YOU ASKED US ABOUT EARLY ON AND LIKE TO
CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THAT.
4:44:29PM >>BILL CARLSON:
I LIKE CDDs, I JUST GOT OFF A PLANE LATE
LAST NIGHT FROM ASIA.
IF I MESSED UP WHAT A CDD.

I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT CREATES AN EXTRA LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY
FOR THE PUBLIC.
THE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE BOUNDARY OF THE CRA IS IT YOUR
UNDERSTANDING FROM THE EXISTING AGREEMENT THAT THE AREA
OUTSIDE OF YOUR FOOTPRINT, THAT MONEY WOULD STAY USED FOR
OTHER PURPOSES OR DO YOU NEED ALL THE MONEY FROM THE ENTIRE
BOUNDARY OF THE CRA DISTRICT?
4:45:00PM >>KEN BABBY:
I THINK WE NEED TO GET BACK IN THE ROOM
DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS TO GIVE YOU A PROPER AND CLEAR ANSWER
TO THE QUESTION.
I'LL DEFER TO THE MOU RIGHT NOW BUT ADMIT WE HAVE MORE WORK
TO DEFINE THE BOUNDARIES AND THE FUNDING MECHANISMS AS WE
MOVE TOWARDS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GIVE YOU A CLEAR ANSWER TO THAT AND I
THINK THAT HAS TO COME OUT OF ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONS WITH
THE CITY AND THE CRA BOARD AND ULTIMATELY DISCUSSIONS WE'RE
HAVING WITH DREW PARK.
4:45:25PM >>BILL CARLSON:
THAT'S SOMETHING WE STILL NEED TO WORK OUT.
4:45:28PM >>KEN BABBY:
IT IS AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE.
4:45:31PM >>BILL CARLSON:
REITERATE YOUR LAST POINT, ANYBODY WATCHING,
WE HAVEN'T KILLED THE DEAL BY DELAYING THE CRA VOTE.
YOU GUYS ARE OKAY WITH US DELAYING THE CRA VOTE.
4:45:40PM >>KEN BABBY:
YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
AND ACTUALLY APPRECIATE THE DELAY OF THE CRA VOTE BECAUSE I
THINK IT ALLOWS US ALL COLLECTIVELY TO WORK THROUGH THE

ASPECTS OF THIS THAT I KNOW ARE IMPORTANT TO COUNCILWOMAN
HURTAK AND OTHERS, THE CRA BOARD CHAIR.
WE WANT A DEAL AND ULTIMATELY AN AGREEMENT THAT EVERYBODY
FEELS IS GOOD AND FAIR AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT
WORK.
THANK YOU.
4:46:04PM >>BILL CARLSON:
ONE MORE THING FOR THE PUBLIC.
WHEN WE SIT AS THE CRA, WE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE, WE SIT WITH
DIFFERENT HATS ON.
IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE STILL HAVE THE SAME
CONSTITUENCY OF ALL THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE CITY, WE
PARTICULARLY HAVE TO PLAN OUT HOW THE MONEY IS USED IN EACH
OF THESE DISTRICTS.
AND THERE ARE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLANS, THERE ARE
SEPARATE LAWS THAT REGARD HOW THE MONEY CAN BE USED.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A SEPARATE ATTORNEY.
SO WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT WITH DIFFERENT FILTERS.
ALSO, THE MAYOR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE CRA.
IT'S GOVERNED IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY.
WE MIGHT MAKE DECISIONS ONE WAY WITH ONE HAT -- ALL THE LAWS
AND RULES AND THE CONSTITUENTS AROUND IT.
4:46:47PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
I WANT TO REMIND THE BOARD THAT WE HAVE
ALREADY VOTED TO CONTINUE 1 AND 2 TO JUNE 11.
WE HAVE DONE OUR FIRST ROUND OF FIVE MINUTES, OUR SECOND
ROUND OF THREE MINUTES.

WE WILL DO OUR FINAL COMMENTS.
I'LL GIVE YOU FOUR MINUTES FOR THE FINAL COMMENTS AND THEN
WE'LL ADJOURN THE MEETING.
WE'LL START WITH BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
4:47:05PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. ROGERO.
WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CRA EXTENSION FOR 30 YEARS, WE'RE
BASICALLY SAYING THAT ALL PROPERTY TAXES IN THAT DISTRICT
THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED CAN ONLY BE USED IN THAT DISTRICT.
4:47:28PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
YES.
4:47:30PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
SO ANY GAINS THAT COME FROM THAT DISTRICT
CANNOT BE USED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY.
4:47:35PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
YES.
ONCE YOU ESTABLISH THAT BASELINE, EVERYTHING OVER AND ABOVE
THAT IS RESTRICTED AS YOU --
4:47:41PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THAT IS GOING TO BE ONE OF MY CONCERNS, AND
WHY I WOULD REALLY LOVE THE RAYS TO CREATE A SEPARATE CRA
FOR THEIR PROJECT.
BECAUSE I BELIEVE DREW PARK, THE REST OF DREW PARK WILL SEE
IF THEY SEE BENEFITS, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WANT TO CONTAIN
THAT FOR 30 YEARS, AND THIS IS WHY.
WE LOOK AT CHANNEL DISTRICT RIGHT NOW.
WE JUST SPENT $50 MILLION -- SORRY, 35, ON THE YBOR HARBOR
PROJECT BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY THERE THAT WE CAN.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH -- WE SPENT THREE AND A HALF MILLION
DOLLARS TO BUY AN 8th OF AN ACRE FOR A PARK THEY REALLY

WANT.
AND THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO.
SO MY POINT BEING, I DON'T WANT TO TRAP THE MONEY FOR LONG
PERIODS OF TIME.
SO I REALLY WANT TO CONTINUE THAT DISCUSSION.
THAT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND SEE HOW -- MAYBE IT
CONTINUES FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER, BUT, AGAIN, IF WE HAVE
DREW PARK CRA ONE AND DREW PARK CRA TWO, THAT'S WHAT WE DID
WITH YBOR.
SO I DON'T KNOW -- I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT MORE
AND SEE IF THE REST OF THE DREW PARK CRA, WHAT THE
COMMUNITY'S INTEREST IS.
I'M NOT COMFORTABLE CONTINUING IT FOR 30 MORE YEARS.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS FAR AS THE REST OF THE TAXPAYERS
GO BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE NEEDS FOR ALL OF THE
THINGS IN THAT AREA, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FUND
THEM BECAUSE NONE OF THAT -- NONE OF THOSE PROPERTY TAX
DOLLARS WILL GO BACK TO ANY OF OUR REGULAR SERVICE.
4:49:16PM >>DENNIS ROGERO:
COPY.
4:49:19PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
LAST COMMENTS?
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
4:49:22PM >>BILL CARLSON:
YEAH, JUST TO REITERATE THAT IF FOLKS ARE
ALWAYS FRUSTRATED AND SAY, WHY IS IT THAT IF PROPERTY TAXES
ARE GOING UP, THE CITY CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE MORE POLICE
OFFICERS OR PAY FOR FIRE STATIONS OR PAY TO HAVE OUR ROADS

REPAIRED AND OTHER THINGS, WELL, IF THE MONEY IS IN A CRA
DISTRICT, THEN IT'S IN ESSENCE TRAPPED THERE.
IF THERE'S SLUM AND BLIGHT AND TRYING TO ELIMINATE POVERTY
AND FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THEN IT'S JUSTIFIED.
IN A PLACE LIKE DOWNTOWN THERE IS NO SLUM AND BLIGHT,
ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE MAKE AN ARGUMENT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT,
THERE REALLY IS.
THE REST OF THE CITY IS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY SUBSIDIZE
THAT.
SOUTH TAMPA SUBSIDIZING DOWNTOWN TO HAVE REALLY NICE
SIDEWALKS, WHEN WE DON'T HAVE SIDEWALKS AND BROKEN STREETS
THROUGHOUT SOUTH TAMPA AND THE REST OF THE CITY IS
SUBSIDIZING IT AS WELL.
EXTENDING THESE FOR ANOTHER 30 YEARS WHEN THERE MIGHT BE A
LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IS A PROBLEM IN THE LONG RUN.
IF YOU DRAW A LINE AROUND A PARTICULAR PROJECT AND FUNDING
THAT PROJECT, THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT WE NEED TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW WE WOULD DO THIS.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT THE REST OF DREW PARK NOT BE INVOLVED
IN THIS, AND WE COULD SET UP WHAT I CALL A VIRTUAL CRA WHERE
WE SAY FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A
FORMULA WHERE WE COUNT THE MONEY COMING IN FROM THE REST OF
DREW PARK AND COMMIT TO SPENDING THE MONEY THERE, JUST LIKE
WE SHOULD WITH SULPHUR SPRINGS.
THAT WAY WE ARE NOT COMMITTED AND IN 30 YEARS, NOT COMMITTED

TO THE LEGAL BUREAUCRACY OF A CRA, BUT WE CAN COMMIT TO
SPENDING MONEY THAT IS DEVELOPED IN A CERTAIN AREA, AND WE
CAN COMMIT TO SUPPORTING A CERTAIN AREA.
RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH COMING FROM THE REST OF
DREW PARK AND IT'S REALLY NOT FAIR THAT THEY WOULD -- IF
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE WHAT LITTLE THEY DEVELOP THAT WE NEED TO
REINVEST IN THAT COMMUNITY, THAT WE TAKE THAT AND PUT IT IN
THIS.
THE NEW MONEY THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT MONEY
IS GOING TO COME FROM THIS PROJECT, SO IF WE'RE GOING TO
LIMIT IT, WE SHOULD LIMIT IT IN THAT WAY BY EITHER CREATING
AN ADDITIONAL CRA OR CREATING A SEPARATIVE OR SOMETHING.
MY SUGGESTION ALSO, THOUGH, GOING BACK TO THE VERY FIRST
CONVERSATION I HAD ON THIS, IS THAT IF WE DO THAT, I THINK
WE OUGHT TO LET THE COUNTY RUN IT.
IN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WE CAN SPECIFY THAT THE COUNTY
COMMISSION WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF IT INSTEAD OF CITY COUNCIL
AND THEN LET THE COUNTY DECIDE HOW THAT WOULD BE RUN WITHIN
THAT PROJECT.
CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T NEED TO BE INVOLVED.
4:51:41PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
ALL RIGHT.
OKAY.
BOARD MEMBER MIRANDA, LAST COMMENT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO
ADJOURN.
4:51:49PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
SO THE CRA NOW IN DREW PARK, ABOUT 3

MILLION A YEAR?
4:51:57PM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
TAMPA CRA DIRECTOR.
I BELIEVE THE TIF ALLOCATION FOR FY '26 WAS 3.8 MILLION.
4:52:06PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
3.8.
LOOKING AT A SMALL AMOUNT COMPARED TO OTHERS.
4:52:12PM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
THAT'S CORRECT.
4:52:12PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
IS THAT THE ONE WE'RE BONDING NOW ALSO?
4:52:16PM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
NO.
4:52:17PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
WE'RE NOT.
4:52:19PM >> NOT YET.
4:52:19PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
NOT YET.
BUT THAT'S ON THE BOOKS, RIGHT.
LET ME UNDERSTAND THIS.
WE'RE PUTTING THAT BURDEN ON THE LITTLE CRA, $3 MILLION A
YEAR AT TEN YEARS IS 30 MILLION, BUT THE RAYS, IF I REMEMBER
AND TRYING TO DIG OLD GRAVE, FRONT LOAD IT AND WANT US TO
PAY THE INTEREST ON THE BOND WE -- IS THAT CORRECT?
4:52:42PM >> NO.
4:52:43PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
YOU'RE PAYING THE INTEREST.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT CLEARS THAT PART.
SO NOW, THAT CRA HAS AN INTEREST TO GROW BUT NOW YOU WANT TO
CARVE OUT THE INTEREST THAT'S GROWING AND THEY HAVE BEEN
MAINTAINING THEMSELVES SO WHAT BENEFIT DO THEY HAVE?
NONE.

THAT'S ALL.
THANK YOU.
4:53:11PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
ALL RIGHT.
I WOULD JUST END WITH IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF
CONVERSATION THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE HAD REGARDING THE CRA.
I THINK ALLOWING THE BOARD MEMBERS TO SPEAK SO YOU ALL HAVE
A LITTLE BIT MORE WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE TABLE AND TO THE
DRAWING BOARD TO FIGURE OUT HOW AND IF THIS IS POSSIBLE.
JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, WE ALREADY MADE THE MOTION TO CONTINUE
THIS ITEM TO JUNE 11 CRA MEETING.
DO WE HAVE ANY NEW BUSINESS?
FOR OUR CRA?
YOU DID APPOINT ME AS CHAIR.
LET ME DO MY JOB.
[ LAUGHTER ]
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
4:54:01PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YES.
I'M GOING TO REQUEST NOW THAT EVERYONE LOOK AT THE JUNE 11
AGENDA AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU CAN MOVE OFF OF IT.
BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE FOR US TO DO THAT SITTING AS
THE CRA.
4:54:15PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I HAVE ONE ITEM WHICH I HAD CONTINUED.
I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION FROM THE
STAFF.
I'LL REMOVE THAT ITEM FROM THE AGENDA.

4:54:24PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
CAN YOU READ IT?
4:54:26PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THE ITEM IS CONTINUED CRA STAFF TO DISCUSS
NOT HAVING FUNDING LIMITS ON SPECIAL REQUESTS, SPECIAL
PROJECTS AND FUNDING REQUESTS FURTHER DISCUSS HOW TO PRESENT
THE BOARD FOR EVALUATION ON A CYCLE.
IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BUT I'LL HAVE SIDEBAR
CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF OFF-LINE AND BRING IT BACK AT A
FUTURE DATE.
4:54:50PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
4:54:52PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HE MADE A MOTION AND I SECONDED IT.
4:54:55PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER CLENDENIN, SECOND BY
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
BOARD MEMBER VIERA.
4:55:01PM >>LUIS VIERA:
I HAVE A MOTION ON CRA STAFF WITH CURTIS HIXON
PARK.
GLAD TO MOVE THAT TO JULY.
4:55:08PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
WE HAVE A MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER VIERA TO MOVE
HIS ITEM, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER MANISCALCO.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ANY OPPOSED?
OKAY.
BOARD MEMBER HURTAK.
4:55:21PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MOVING THE HOUSING

DISCUSSION BECAUSE THAT WAS A MONEY DISCUSSION SO WE COULD
TALK ABOUT IT IN JULY FOR THE BUDGET.
I'M GOING TO LEAVE MINE ON.
4:55:34PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
4:55:36PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WE HAVE A MONTHLY UPDATE ON TAMPA UNION
STATION, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO REMOVE IT FROM THE JUNE
MEETING.
4:55:45PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER CARLSON.
ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED?
ANY OTHER NEW BUSINESS?
4:55:57PM >> [INAUDIBLE]
4:56:03PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HAVE A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE BY BOARD
MEMBER MANISCALCO.
A SECOND FROM VICE-CHAIR VIERA.
ALL IN FAVOR?
4:56:13PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WERE WE SUPPOSED TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON
CRA MEETING?
4:56:17PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
NO, WE DID THAT EARLIER, WHEN WE DID THE
COMBINED PUBLIC COMMENT.
DIRECTOR McCRAY.
4:56:26PM >>CEDRIC McCRAY:
GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN.
I DID HEAR THE HOUSING ITEM THAT CAME UP.
WE ALSO, IF YOU RECALL, WE HAD THE WORKSHOP IN MARCH.
WE ARE ALSO SCHEDULED TO COME BACK ON THE 11th TO DISCUSS
THE COMMERCIAL GRANTS UPDATES IN THE FUNDING CYCLE.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IS ALSO ON THE AGENDA FOR
JUNE 11.
4:56:49PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
SHOULD BE FUN.
4:56:54PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE BY BOARD MEMBER
MANISCALCO.
A SECOND FROM VICE-CHAIR VIERA.
ALL IN FAVOR?
ALL RIGHTY.
AND THIS COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING IS
ADJOURNED.
I WILL PASS THE GAVEL BACK TO OUR CHAIR CLENDENIN.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
4:57:14PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
CALL THIS TAMPA CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO
ORDER.
ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
4:57:20PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
HERE.
4:57:21PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HERE.
4:57:23PM >>NAYA YOUNG:
HERE --
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
4:57:25PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COME TO ORDER, PLEASE.
TAKE YOUR CONVERSATIONS OUTSIDE.
4:57:30PM >>LUIS VIERA:
HERE.
4:57:31PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HERE.
4:57:32PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HERE.

4:57:32PM >>THE CLERK:
WE HAVE A QUORUM.
4:57:34PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
REMEMBER, WE ARE STILL MEETING AS TAMPA
CITY COUNCIL.
4:57:37PM >>LUIS VIERA:
ON A PROCEDURAL ISSUE, IT'S MY BROTHER'S
BIRTHDAY WAS YESTERDAY.
WE'RE CELEBRATING IT THIS EVENING.
I ALREADY TOLD MY MOM I WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT LATE BUT I
PROBABLY WANT TO LEAVE AROUND 6:00 JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.
4:57:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I WOULD SUGGEST MINIMIZING YOUR COMMENTS.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO OPEN THE 10:30 PUBLIC HEARINGS?
MOTION TO OPEN 10:30 PUBLIC HEARINGS FROM COUNCILMAN
MANISCALCO.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN VIERA.
ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
ITEM 53.
4:58:28PM >>ERIC COTTON:
ERIC COTTON, DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION.
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE SECOND PORTION OF THE JULY
2025 --
4:58:41PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HOLD ON ERIC.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]
KEN, EVERYBODY ELSE THAT'S TALKING IN THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE
REMOVE YOURSELF FROM COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD.
4:58:53PM >>ERIC COTTON:
IF YOU RECALL FROM THE USUAL, WE HAVE TWO
CYCLES A YEAR.
THIS IS THE JULY 2025 CYCLE.
LARGE CHUNK OF THIS CYCLE WAS INTERRUPTED BY SENATE BILL
180.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE STUFF, THIS IS THE SECOND HALF OF
STILL EXISTING.
MAY 21st.
IN TWO WEEKS ON JUNE 4, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BRING, WHAT WE
PRESENTED LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, AND WHAT WE'RE PRESENTING
TONIGHT BACK TOGETHER FOR THE ADOPTION HEARING OF THE
CHANGES IN THE CODE.
THIS IS FOR ARTICLE 2, DIVISION 8.
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS.
THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE OF WHAT'S IN THE CODE NOW.
THIS IS PRECIPITATED BY TWO LAWS PASSED BY THE FLORIDA
STATUTE THAT PREEMPTED SOME OF OUR REGULATIONS.
ONE WAS DONE IN 2024.
THE OTHER ONE WAS DONE IN 2025.
NOW 2026 AND WE'RE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU ALL.
PLATS AS YOU KNOW ARE NOW APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY.
THEY DON'T GO TO CITY COUNCIL.
THAT'S ONE OF THE CHANGES AT THIS POINT.
ADMINISTRATOR FOR ECONOMIC -- DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC

OPPORTUNITY SIGNS OFF ON THE PLATS ONCE THEY GO THROUGH THE
PROCESS.
COUNCIL STILL APPROVES THE SUBDIVIDER AGREEMENT.
ESTABLISHED TIME FRAMES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS.
PLAT REVIEWS ARE ACTIVE FOR 12 MONTHS.
WE HAVE A ZONING COVENANT THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE
1980s.
CODIFYING THAT.
BEEN DOING IT BY PRACTICE AND ALSO UPDATING THE SUBDIVISION
HANDBOOK WHICH IS THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS OF THE CODE.
JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHANGES, FLORIDA STATUTE NOW
GIVES THE CITY SEVEN DAYS TO EITHER, WHEN SOMEBODY SUBMITS
AN APPLICATION TO EITHER APPROVE OR DENY FOR COMPLETENESS.
WHAT WE'RE DOING INTERNALLY IS WE'RE STARTING THE SEVEN
DAYS.
I APPLY FOR A SUBDIVISION, I GET MY SEVEN DAYS, I SAY, THE
CITY SAYS BACK TO ME, YOUR APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE, BY
STATUTE WE COULD JUST REJECT THE APPLICATION.
WE WOULD THEN SAY TO THE APPLICANT, PLEASE CORRECT IT AND
WE'LL START YOUR SEVEN DAYS AGAIN SO WE DON'T KEEP PUTTING
PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THE PROCESS BECAUSE THAT'S SORT OF
BURDENSOME ON THE APPLICANT THEMSELVES.
FOR A PRELIMINARY PLAT, PPT, FROM THE APPROVAL OF THAT TO
THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS, THE
INFRASTRUCTURE DRAWINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE PLAT, WE'RE

ASKING FOR SIX MONTH TIME FRAME.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE, CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS ARE GOOD FOR TWO
YEARS ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED.
FROM THE FINAL DATE OF FPT, WHICH IS THE FINAL PLAT, WE'RE
REQUESTING ONE-YEAR TO GET IT DONE.
THERE IS AN EXTENSION AVAILABLE, IF NEED BE.
THAT IS THE ERIC COTTON VERSION OF THE CHANGES AS QUICKLY AS
I POSSIBLY COULD GIVE GIVEN THE LATE HOUR.
DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
5:01:58PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
BREVITY IS APPRECIATED.
COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE.
ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM?
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO, DID YOU SAY YOU ARE READY TO --
5:02:12PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THE SUBSTITUTE.
I SAW THAT AND I WOULD HAVE STILL DONE IT.
MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
5:02:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION TO CLOSE FROM COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN VIERA.
ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
AYES HAVE IT.
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
5:02:25PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I HAVE A SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE BEING
PRESENTED FOR FIRST READING CONSIDERATION, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA, RELATING TO PUBLICLY INITIATED

TEXT AMENDMENTS TO CONSIDER COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE
CITY OF TAMPA CODE OF ORDINANCES, AMENDING SECTION 27-6,
ESTABLISHMENT OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, AMENDING CHAPTER 27,
ZONING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT, ARTICLE 2, ADMINISTRATIVE AND
GENERAL PROCEDURES, DIVISION 8, SUBDIVISION PROCEDURES,
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH, PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
5:02:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN VIERA.
I WANT TO THANK DANA CROSBY COLLIER FOR THE SUBSTITUTE
AMENDMENT OR TITLE, PLEASE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN 1:30 PUBLIC HEARING FROM COUNCILMAN
MANISCALCO.
SECOND FROM MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
IF YOU ARE HERE TO SPEAK TO THE 1:30 PUBLIC HEARING, IT IS A
QUASI-JUDICIAL PROCEDURE, PLEASE STAND, RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND AND BE SWORN IN BY OUR CLERK.

[OATH ADMINISTERED]
OKAY.
WE'RE GOING TO READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION FROM THE CLERK.
5:03:52PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
WHAT NUMBER AND WHAT CASE?
5:03:56PM >>THE CLERK:
ITEM 53, FILE E 2026-8 CHAPTER 27, SECOND
READING AND ADOPTION HELD ON JUNE 18, 2026, AT 10 A.M., OLD
CITY HALL, THIRD FLOOR, 315 EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, TAMPA,
FLORIDA, 33602.
5:04:10PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU, Q.
GOOD CATCH.
NOW WE'RE READY.
ITEM NUMBER 55.
5:04:20PM >> CAMARIA PETTIS-MACKLE FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
ITEM 55 IS REVIEW HEARING FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 704
NORTH GLEN AVENUE.
SU 1 SPECIAL USE APPLICATION.
SU 1-2518.
THE PETITIONER IS JEFFREY SARDISCO.
HE REQUESTED CITY STAFF TO REVIEW THE PROJECT FOR A DWELLING
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DEVELOPMENT.
STAFF DENIED THE APPLICATION.
THE REQUEST ON FEBRUARY 25 OF 2026 ON THE BASIS THAT IT DOES
NOT MEET THE CRITERIA THAT'S OUTLINED IN CODE SECTION
27-132.

CITY STAFF WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DENIAL OF
THE APPLICATION.
CITY COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR PACKETS CODE SECTION 27-61
WHICH GOVERNS THE REVIEW HEARING PROCESS REGARDING THIS
MATTER.
ALSO, I PROVIDED SAMPLE MOTIONS AND THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
FOR CITY COUNCIL TO USE IN ORDER TO CONDUCT THIS REVIEW
HEARING.
AS STATED IN CODE SECTION 27-61, SUBSECTION J-3, STANDARD OF
REVIEW FOR THIS MATTER IS DE NOVO REVIEW, WHICH MEANS THAT
CITY COUNCIL CAN ACCEPT NEW INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE
REGARDING THIS MATTER.
AFTER YOU HEAR ALL THE EVIDENCE AND HEAR FROM THE WITNESSES
REGARDING THIS MATTER, CITY COUNCIL CAN TAKE TWO ACTIONS.
CITY COUNCIL CAN AFFIRM THE DECISION -- CITY COUNCIL CAN
AFFIRM THE DECISION OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND DENY THE
APPLICATION FOR THE SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING ATTACHED UNIT OR
CITY COUNCIL CAN OVERTURN THE DECISION OF THE ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR WHICH WOULD THEN APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE --
THE APPLICATION REQUEST BY THE PETITIONER.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT YOU HAVE THE
PACKETS.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO CITY STAFF TO PROVIDE YOU FURTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROJECT.
5:06:20PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS ON PROCEDURE?

HEARING NONE, GO AHEAD.
5:06:29PM >> CAN WE PUT THE PROJECTOR SCREEN ON, PLEASE?
LAURA MARLEY, DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT.
FILE SU 1-26-18.
PETITIONER 704 GLEN LLC, JEFFREY SARDISCO.
THE ADDRESS IS 704 NORTH GLEN AVENUE.
THE ZONING IS RO 1.
FUTURE LAND USE IS R-20.
SPECIAL USE REQUEST TO SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING
UNITS.
HERE IS THE AERIAL OF THE PROPERTY.
THE AREA IS IN RED.
THE CODE REQUIREMENTS, SHALL HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO AN
ARTERIAL COLLECTOR STREET.
BOTH NORTH GLEN AND LEMON ARE LOCAL ROADS AND THE SITE
COMPLIES WITH THE CRITERIA OF RM 24.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED NOT LESS THAN THREE OR MORE THAN 8
DWELLINGS.
THE ROAD CLASSIFICATION, NORTH GLEN IS LOCAL.
WEST LEMON IS LOCAL.
HERE IS THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
IT IS NEXT TO HAMILTON ENGINEERING, BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS,
LISTO 365 ADVERTISING AND TWO SONS OF ITALY LODGE.
HERE IS THE SITE PLAN.
HERE IS TWO UNITS.

AND THIS ONE HAS THREE UNITS.
IT IS ACCESSING GLEN AND LEMON STREET.
ANY QUESTIONS?
5:07:55PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
5:07:57PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
CAN YOU PLEASE PUT THE MAP UP -- HOW FAR
IS IT FROM THE SONS OF ITALY AND BRIGHT HOUSE AND
EVERYTHING?
5:08:07PM >> HERE IS THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.
THIS IS GLEN.
DOWN HERE IS LEMON.
SO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET OF GLEN, SONS OF ITALY.
5:08:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
VERY GOOD.
APPLICANT?
5:08:25PM >> HELLO.
I'M JEFF SARDISCO.
THERE IS THE PROPOSED SITE PLAN.
AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU HAVE TWO UNITS ON GLEN.
YOU HAVE CYPRESS DIRECTLY TO THE NORTH.
THREE UNITS FACING LEMON WITH HIMES DIRECTLY TO THE WEST.
JUST FIVE UNITS, PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
ANY QUESTIONS?
5:08:51PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
IS IT AN EMPTY LOT RIGHT NOW?
5:08:53PM >> YEAH, WELL, THERE IS A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME ON IT.
5:08:56PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
BUT VACANT.

5:08:57PM >> YES.
AND I'M SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL.
RESIDENTIAL OFFICE, RM 24, LOCAL ROAD.
5:09:05PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
5:09:06PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
IS THAT THE ONE ON LINCOLN ABOUT A BLOCK
AND A HALF IN FROM CYPRESS?
5:09:13PM >> YEAH, WELL, ABOUT A BLOCK SOUTH OF CYPRESS.
IT'S DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET.
DIRECTLY TO THE WEST OF THE SONS OF ITALY.
5:09:23PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, VACANT FOR SOME
PERIOD OF TIME.
I WENT IN IT ONCE TO LOOK AT IT WHEN BUILDING, WHAT IN THE
WORLD IS THIS?
5:09:33PM >> IT WAS A TINY LITTLE 500-SQUARE-FOOT HOUSE.
IT'S BEEN VACANT FOR 40 YEARS.
I HAVE THE SPECTRUM BUILDING TO THE NORTH.
I HAVE THE ENGINEERING.
SO I'M JUST SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL.
5:09:47PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC THAT WISHES TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM?
MOTION TO CLOSE FROM COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.

COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
5:10:01PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I MOVE TO OVERTURN THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S
DENIAL OF SU 1-26-18 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 704 NORTH
GLEN AVENUE BECAUSE THE PETITIONER PROVIDED COMPETENT AND
SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TO WAIVE THE SPECIFIC CRITERIA TO HAVE
DIRECT ACCESS TO AN ARTERIAL OR COLLECTOR STREET FOR
DWELLING SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED AS SET FORTH IN CITY OF
TAMPA CODE SECTION 27-132 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
BECAUSE IT'S SURROUNDED BY COMMERCIAL AND IT'S PROVIDING
FIVE MORE HOUSES.
5:10:34PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE.
OPPOSED?
THE AYES HAVE IT.
5:10:42PM >> THANK YOU.
5:10:43PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
NOW PER COUNCIL DECISION, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM
NUMBER 65.
5:10:57PM >> COULD YOU MOVE ITEM 57, WHICH IS THE STREET NAMING FOR
ALESSI.
IT HAD TO BE AMENDED.
5:11:09PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THAT'S ALL THAT IS KEEPING YOU HERE.
5:11:11PM >>STEVE MICHELINI:
ONLY THING I'M HERE FOR NOW.

5:11:14PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ANY --
5:11:16PM >>LUIS VIERA:
I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF FIRE CHIEF TIME.
5:11:20PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE'LL HEAR ITEM 57, STAFF.
30 SECONDS.
5:11:30PM >> MALLORY LAGASSE, REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT.
HERE FOR FIRST READING TO CHANGE LOCATION OF HONORARY STREET
SIGN FOR PHIL ALESSI SENIOR FROM THE INTERSECTION OF WEST
CYPRESS STREET AND NORTH PADDOCK STREET TO THE INTERSECTION
OF WEST CYPRESS STREET AND NORTH GOMEZ AVENUE IN TAMPA.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
5:11:49PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
STAFF HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
5:11:51PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
IS THIS BECAUSE THEY MOVED?
5:11:54PM >> CORRECT.
5:11:54PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THAT'S WHAT WE FIGURED.
GREAT.
5:11:56PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO, YOU WANT TO READ
THIS?
ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM?
MOTION TO CLOSE FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.

5:12:09PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I HAVE AN ORDINANCE BEING PRESENTED FOR
FIRST READING, ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA,
AMENDING ORDINANCE 2023-156 TO CHANGE THE LOCATION OF THE
HONORARY STREET SIGN FOR PHIL ALESSI SENIOR FROM THE
INTERSECTION OF WEST CYPRESS STREET AND NORTH PADDOCK STREET
TO THE INTERSECTION OF WEST CYPRESS STREET AND NORTH GOMEZ
AVENUE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
5:12:29PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION FROM MANISCALCO, SECOND FROM
MIRANDA.
ALL IN FAVOR, AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
5:12:34PM >>THE CLERK:
SECONDING READING AND ADOPTION JUNE 18, 2026 AT
1:30 P.M. OLD CITY HALL, 315 EAST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, TAMPA,
FLORIDA, 33602.
5:12:45PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 65, PLEASE.
5:12:51PM >>LUIS VIERA:
FOR THIS, WE'RE GOING TO -- WHAT I SUGGEST IS
WE DO FIVE, FIVE, FIVE, WHICH IS, I KNOW WE HAVE LOCAL 754
HERE.
WE HAVE CHIEF TRIPP HERE.
CHIEF TRIPP, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO, MA'AM, PRESENT, SPEAK.
HOW ABOUT SINCE YOU ARE THERE, YOU GO.
PURPOSES OF TIME, OBVIOUSLY, MA'AM, IF YOU NEED MORE, PLEASE
LET US KNOW.

5:13:20PM >>CHIEF TRIPP:
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.
BARBARA TRIPP, FIRE CHIEF FOR TAMPA FIRE RESCUE.
I'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION BASED ON A MEMO I RECEIVED AS FAR AS
RELOCATING ONE OF THE APPARATUS FROM UP IN NEW TAMPA.
JUST FOR THE INDIVIDUALS NOT HERE, APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS
AGO, GIVE YOU A LITTLE UPDATE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RESPONSE
TIME.
DIFFERENT AREAS OF RESPONSE TIME THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION.
YOU HAVE DISPATCH TIME, TURN-OUT TIME, TRAVEL TIME, AND
THEN, OF COURSE, THAT WOULD EQUAL UP TO THE RESPONSE TIME.
SO TRY TO MAKE IT QUICK.
RECENTLY, DUE TO REVIEWING SOME OF THE DATA AND, OF COURSE,
ALL OF THE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON, DOWNTOWN TAMPA,
SOUTH TAMPA, NORTH TAMPA, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON,
ME AND MY ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF LOOKED AT SOME OF THE
DATA TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BECAUSE, OF COURSE, WE COME HERE
TO CITY COUNCIL TO CONSTANTLY HEARING ABOUT HELPING DOWNTOWN
TAMPA, DOWNTOWN TAMPA.
I HAVE ADDED SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO STATION ONE TO
HELP WITH THE ADDITIONAL CALLS TAKING PLACE BY STATION ONE.
WE ADDED ANOTHER ENGINE TO THAT STATION.
OF COURSE, MANPOWER PERMITS, WE PUT THAT UNIT INTO SERVICE
AS WELL AS TRANSPORT UNIT RESCUE CAR WHICH DECREASED -- FOR
THE STAFF.

AS I LOOK FOR, WE TALK ABOUT THE HIGH-RISE THAT'S HERE IN
THE AREA, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT'S ON ORDER.
WHEN I SAY AREA TRUCK, THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THE PRE-CON PHASE
TO BE GIVEN TO TAMPA FIRE RESCUE IN LIKE 36 TO 48 MONTHS.
THAT'S HOW LONG IT TAKES.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE REASON THE VEHICLE WAS RELOCATED,
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS SHEET HERE, YOU TALK ABOUT HOW MANY
UNITS AND THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW SOME OF THE REASONS SOME OF
THE DECISIONS WERE MADE.
I JUST PUT DOWNTOWN TAMPA AND I JUST DID ENGINE ONE.
LIKE I SAY, ENGINE 26 IS ANOTHER UNIT THAT WE JUST STARTED
RUNNING CALLS TO TRY TO HELP DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF CALLS.
SAME THING WITH RESCUE ONE.
RESCUE ONE AND ENGINE ONE, THE ONLY TWO UNITS DOWNTOWN.
I'VE ADDED RESCUE 6.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE VOLUME IS LEVELIZING OUT.
I GO TO TRUCK ONE, LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF CALLS THEY HAVE.
I ALSO PUT THE TOTAL RUNS FOR ALL OF MY TRUCKS THROUGHOUT
THE CITY OF TAMPA CURRENTLY.
I HAVE SIX TRUCKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF TAMPA.
AND YOU LOOK AT THE CALL VOLUME.
LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF CALLS AND, OF COURSE, 23 SHOWS --
THAT'S DEFINITELY BEEN UNDERUTILIZED.
THE BEST PLACE TO BRING IT IS TO BRING IT DOWN HERE TO

ASSIST WITH THE HIGH-RISE THAT'S DOWN HERE.
AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND LOOK AT THE DATA AND STUFF, YOU
KNOW, THAT UNIT WILL BE PUT WHERE IT'S NEEDED.
TALK ABOUT NEW TAMPA AND RESPONSE TIME, PROBABLY ABOUT THREE
YEARS AGO -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO ZOOM THIS OUT -- PROBABLY
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT
THE RESPONSE TIME IN NEW TAMPA, A COUPLE OF THE AREAS THAT I
DID BRING UP WAS GETTING INTO K-BAR.
K-BAR ACTUALLY HAS THREE BOX NUMBERS THAT WE LOOK AT 262,
63, 264.
AND THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS FOR K-BAR.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE STATION 22 WHICH IS THE FIRST LINE UNIT
THAT RESPONDS TO K-BAR.
I EVEN BROUGHT UP ABOUT TRYING TO HAVE A CUT-THRU OR ACCESS
ROAD OFF OF MORRIS BRIDGE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GET INTO
THAT SUBDIVISION QUICKER.
DUE TO THE TRAVEL TIME AND, OF COURSE, A LOT OF THAT DEALS
WITH DEVELOPMENT OF HOW THEY DO THE STREETS AND DEVELOP THE
ROADS AND STUFF.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE DEVELOPERS ARE THINKING ABOUT AS FAR
AS EMERGENCY RESPONSE OR PUBLIC SAFETY COMING IN.
SO I THINK THE MOST QUICKEST WAY TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH
THE RESPONSE TIME FOR K-BAR RANCH WOULD BE TO HAVE -- I'M
SORRY, A CUT THROUGH.
THE BOTTOM PART OF THE CHART, TALKS ABOUT THE TRAVEL TIME.

BASICALLY THIS IS THE TRAVEL TIME.
THE FIRST SHEET THAT I SHOWED YOU, IT TALKED ABOUT DISPATCH
TIME, TURN OUT TIME, TRAVEL TIME.
THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A RESPONSE TIME.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRAVEL TIME.
THIS IS THE TRAVEL TIME FOR THOSE UNITS THAT'S UP IN
DISTRICT FIVE.
I HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND I'LL MAKE IT REAL QUICK.
THIS IS PRETTY MUCH SOME ADDITIONAL DATA THAT I WANTED TO
SHOW.
THIS IS FOR FISCAL YEAR 23.
AS YOU CAN SEE, AS FAR AS THE CALL VOLUME FOR THAT
APPARATUS, THIS IS FOR FISCAL YEAR '24.
OF COURSE, I HIGHLIGHT IT AS WELL.
AND THIS IS FOR FISCAL YEAR '25.
ACTUALLY, CALENDAR YEAR.
MY APOLOGIES.
ALL OF THEM ARE CALENDAR YEARS, NOT FISCAL YEARS.
JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU AS FAR AS THAT VEHICLE BEING
UNDERUTILIZED.
THE VEHICLE WAS RELOCATED ON MAY -- SORRY, YES, MAY 17.
AND FROM MAY 17, THE PREVIOUS CALL PRIOR TO THAT, JUST TO
GIVE YOU AN IDEA, PUT IN THE ADDRESSES OR ANYTHING IN THERE,
IT SHOWS IT'S BEEN TEN DAYS SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED.
SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE PURPOSES.

SO WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS UTILIZED
OR RELOCATED, IT'S DEFINITELY UTILIZED WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE
UTILIZED.
ONCE THE NEW VEHICLE COME IN, WE WILL REVIEW THE DATA AGAIN
AND PLACE IT WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.
ANOTHER PLACE LIKE TO PUT A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY OF THIS TYPE
IS DOWN IN SOUTH TAMPA.
SOUTH TAMPA HAS GROWN UP AND THE CLOSEST TRUCK OR AERIAL
TRUCK THAT RESPOND TO ANYTHING SOUTH OF GANDY IS OFF OF
CHURCH AND NEPTUNE.
I DO HAVE ADDITIONAL DATA, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD SINCE I KNOW
WE'RE PUSHING FOR TIME, ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE?
I HAVE MORE INFORMATION IF YOU NEED IT.
5:19:32PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN VIERA.
5:19:35PM >>LUIS VIERA:
WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO, IF I MAY, FOR THE
PURPOSES OF TIME, IF CHIEF TRIPP IS DONE, THEN TO RECOGNIZE
THE UNION FOR NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES.
THEN I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY AND I WAS GOING TO MAKE A
MOTION ON A WORKSHOP ON THIS FOR THE PURPOSES OF TIME.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE AS I'LL TALK ABOUT.
IS THAT OKAY, MR. CHAIRMAN?
5:19:54PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE CHIEF?
HEARING NONE, GO AHEAD.
5:19:57PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU, MA'AM.

APPRECIATE IT.
5:20:00PM >>CHIEF TRIPP:
AS FAR AS OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY FOR THAT
AREA, IT HAS NOT BEEN IMPACTED AT ALL WITH THIS MOVE.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT K-BAR, THAT VEHICLE DO NOT RUN INTO
K-BAR.
THAT IS NOT THE FIRST LINE.
I HAVE MORE DATA THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT IN 2024 THAT THAT
VEHICLE WENT TO K-BAR AREA ONCE.
IF YOU LOOK, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN 2024, AND, OF COURSE,
IT WENT ONE TIME IN THAT AREA.
BY RELOCATING THAT VEHICLE, DON'T HAVE ANY OPERATIONAL
CHANGES.
5:20:38PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU, CHIEF.
IF I MAY RECOGNIZE LOCAL 754.
5:20:57PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
IFF GOING TO SPEAK AS WELL.
5:20:59PM >>LUIS VIERA:
YES, THAT WAS PART OF THE MOTION.
5:21:16PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
UPSIDE DOWN.
5:21:19PM >> ALL RIGHT.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.
WALTER HILL.
I AM THE LEGISLATIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF TAMPA FIREFIGHTERS
LOCAL 754.
I WANT TO START OFF TODAY WITH THIS QR CODE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY.
CHIEF TRIPP, THANK YOU FOR THE DATA THAT WAS PRESENTED

TODAY.
I THINK THAT MAYBE SOME OF THE WORKSHOP TALK POINTS COULD BE
ANALYZING THAT DATA.
IF YOU SCAN THIS, THIS IS WHAT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY OUR
INTERNATIONAL.
THIS IS WHAT WE CALL OUR GIS STUDY.
INSIDE OF THIS, ALL THE DATA WAS DERIVED FROM CITY-PROVIDED
INFORMATION, CAD DATA, AND IT WAS PUT THROUGH BY PEOPLE MUCH
SMARTER THAN ME THAT DECIDED WHERE ALL THE RESOURCES ARE
NEEDED.
OUR POSITION TODAY IS ESSENTIALLY DERIVED FROM THIS DATA.
THE STUDY EVALUATES EMERGENCY RESPONSE, TRAVEL TIMES,
STATION COVERAGE, SERVICE DEMAND ACROSS THE CITY.
OUR CONCERN IS NOT BASED ON POLITICS OR SPECULATION.
IT'S BASED ON WHAT WAS PROVIDED HERE IN THIS, AND THIS IS
KIND OF LED TO TODAY.
BASED ON THE DATA PROVIDED FROM THE CITY, THESE ARE TRAVEL
TIMES ACROSS THE LAST FOUR, FIVE YEARS.
THIS HERE BREAKS IT DOWN IN TIMES THAT ARE UNDER FOUR
MINUTES, UNABLE TO BE CALCULATED AND OVER FOUR MINUTES.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE SHOOTING OF TIMELINE FOR FOUR MINUTES, AND
AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE QUITE A FEW THAT ARE HIGH PERCENTAGE
THAT ARE NOT MEETING THAT STANDARD.
CHIEF TRIPP DID KIND OF GO INTO THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF
TRAVEL TIME FROM DISPATCH TO TIME THAT YOU ARE ON THE ROAD.

FOUR MINUTES IS THE STANDARD AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT GOES
FROM 8:23 UP TO 8:50 ON DATA.
CONSISTENTLY GONE UP IN TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
AND THE CITY IS GROWING, MORE CALLS, MORE TRAFFIC, MORE
POTHOLES.
SO THAT AFFECTS OUR DEPARTMENT'S ARRIVING ON TIME.
IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL WHEN IT -- WE'RE HERE TO EXPRESS
THESE CONCERNS.
LET ME BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT ABOUT SAYING THAT NEW TAMPA
NEEDS MORE COVERAGE OR YBOR CITY NEEDS MORE COVERAGE.
PULLING BUN FROM THE OTHER.
THE ENTIRE CITY DESERVES THE APPROPRIATE COVERAGE.
THE ENTIRE CITY DESERVES TO BE RESPONDED TO IN APPROPRIATE
AMOUNT OF TIME.
EVERY INCIDENT INSIDE OF THE CITY DESERVES RELIABLE, TIMELY
AND PROPERLY STAFFED EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
SIMPLY TRANSFERRING A UNIT FROM ONE AREA THAT HAS A NEED TO
ANOTHER AREA THAT HAS A NEED IS NOT WHAT WE THINK IS
APPROPRIATE.
AGAIN, IT'S ALL DERIVED BY THIS.
IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS WEBSITE, IT LAYS OUT EVERYTHING FROM
RESPONSE TIMES TO POPULATION, TO LEARNING ABOUT 1710, TO
LEARNING ABOUT HOW MANY FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD BE STAFFED.
WE PRESENTED THIS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE AND KIND OF SCRAPED
THE SURFACE.

I IMPLORE ANYBODY IN THE CITY TO DIVE INTO THIS TO SEE WHAT
OUR DATA HAS PUT TOGETHER FOR THE CITY RESIDENTS TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT DETRIMENTS THERE ARE IN THE CITY AND
RESOURCES FOR FIRE.
THIS IS RESPONSE TIMES BASED ON THE STATIONS PER OUR DATA.
THAT WAS DERIVED FROM THE CITY.
1710 EXISTS BECAUSE RESPONSE TIMES DIRECTLY AFFECT SURVIVAL
AND FIRE OUTCOMES.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR HELP TO EVENTUALLY ARRIVE.
WHAT MATTERS IS WHETHER THE RIGHT UNITS ARRIVE QUICKLY.
WITH THE STAFFING NECESSARY TO OPERATE SAFELY AND
EFFECTIVELY.
THIS IS CRITICAL WHEN IT COMES TO A TRUCK COMPANY.
TRUCK COMPANIES PROVIDE FORCIBLE ENTRY, SEARCH AND RESCUE,
VENTILATION, LADDER OPERATIONS AND ACCESS TO TRAPPED
VICTIMS.
THESE ARE ESSENTIAL FIRE GROUND FUNCTIONS NOT OPTIONAL ONES.
WHEN YOU REMOVE OR RELOCATE THAT CAPABILITY FROM AN AREA
ALREADY EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE LONGEST RESPONSE TIMES, YOU
INCREASE TRAVEL DISTANCE, DELAY THE ARRIVAL OF PROPER
RESPONSE FORCE AND INCREASE THE RISK TO RESIDENTS AND
FIREFIGHTERS.
THE BETTER SOLUTION IN OUR OPINION IS TO ADD CAPACITY WHERE
THE NEED EXISTS.
TAMPA HAS SUCCESSFULLY USED -- UNITS IN THE PAST TO MEET

INCREASED DEMANDS DURING HIGH CALL VOLUMES.
THAT TYPE OF APPROACH ADDRESSES DEMAND WITHOUT WEAKENING
COVERAGE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY.
IF YBOR CITY NEEDS ADDITIONAL COVERAGE, THE CITY SHOULD ADD
THOSE RESOURCES.
RELOCATING FROM NEW TAMPA IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC SAFETY
OPTION.
WE'RE LOOKING TO EVALUATE SUPPLEMENTAL STAFFING STRATEGIES,
INCLUDING PEAK UNIT MODEL INSTEAD OF SHIFTING THOSE
RESOURCES.
TAMPA IS GROWING AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT MUST GROW WITH IT.
WE SHOULD STRENGTHEN THAT SYSTEM, NOT STRETCH IT THINNER.
RESIDENTS OF NEW TAMPA DESERVE DEPENDABLE COVERAGE.
RESIDENTS OF YBOR DESERVE DEPENDABLE COVERAGE AND
FIREFIGHTERS OF THIS CITY DESERVE STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT
NEEDS TO DO THEIR JOB SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
JUST TO END, I IMPLORE EVERYBODY TO GO THROUGH THIS.
IT REALLY SHOWS YOU THAT FOUR OF THE FIVE TOP TRAVEL TIMES
ARE UP IN NEW TAMPA.
MOVING UNITS FROM THAT AREA, IT'S LIKE WE KEEP SAYING, YOU
CAN'T EXPECT TO US GET BETTER IN AN AREA BY REMOVING A UNIT
FROM THE AREA.
THERE HAS TO BE SOMEBODY AVAILABLE TO RUN THE CALLS.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE TRUCK COMPANY ONLY RUNNING A CERTAIN
NUMBER OF CALLS.

IT'S ABOUT THE TRUCK COMPANIES BEING AVAILABLE TO RUN THE
CALLS WHEN NECESSARY AND THAT'S KIND OF THE FIRE SERVICE
THROUGHOUT.
5:27:02PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
5:27:04PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AS A COURTESY, IF I MAY, MR. CHAIRMAN, DID YOU WANT TO TAKE
ONE MINUTE FOR ANY RESPONSE?
AND HOW LONG WOULD YOU NEED?
AS A COURTESY, MA'AM.
5:27:15PM >>CHIEF TRIPP:
FIRST OF ALL, BARBARA TRIPP, FIRE CHIEF.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND EVEN WITH THIS DATA THAT THEY HAVE,
THERE'S NO AGENCY THAT DO FOUR MINUTES.
WE ARE ACCREDITED.
WE'VE BEEN ACCREDITED FOR OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.
THE WHOLE CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT MOVING THAT VEHICLE.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT RESPONSE TIME, WE KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM
THEIR RESPONSE TIME.
I CAME TO COUNCIL AND PRESENTED STUFF TO COUNCIL.
IT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE LIKE THE UNION RUNS THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT'S NEEDED
AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT INTO
SERVICE.
WE TALKED ABOUT 13.
IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT VEHICLE DON'T RUN IN THAT AREA.
NO OPERATIONAL IMPACT ON THE COVERAGE THAT WE'RE GIVING THAT

COMMUNITY.
TRUST ME.
THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT PUT NO CITIZEN IN HARM.
THAT IS OUR GOAL, TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND
SERVICE AS WELL AS PROPERTY.
SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT MOVING A VEHICLE, WE KNOW IT'S A
RESPONSE TIME.
IF YOU ALL WANT TO DONATE -- DON'T WANT TO USE DONATE --
APPROVE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO PUT A VEHICLE IN K-BAR
BECAUSE K-BAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM, YOU KNOW, AND I TRIED TO
PUT ANOTHER RESCUE CAR THERE.
HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I'M FINE.
5:28:36PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, CHIEF TRIPP.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, WALTER.
IT'S FUNNY, CHIEF TRIPP, THAT YOU MENTION THAT ABOUT
ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
THAT'S GOING TO BE MY LARGER POINT WHICH IS ENOUGH FUNDING
TO EMPOWER YOU BECAUSE THE ISSUE SHOULDN'T BE CHANNELSIDE
VERSUS NEW TAMPA.
THE ISSUE SHOULD BE A LARGER DISCUSSION OF WHY ARE YOU
HAVING TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS?
THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY I SEE IT.
I BROUGHT THIS UP, GUYS, BECAUSE I WAS ALERTED ABOUT THIS

FROM MY CONSTITUENTS.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOTHING AGAINST CHANNELSIDE WHATSOEVER.
THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE, WHICH IS GIVING THE TAMPA FIRE
DEPARTMENT THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED SO WE CAN GO THROUGH
ALL OF THE CITY AND PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE, SOMETHING THAT
BOTH SIDES OBVIOUSLY WANT 110%.
THERE ARE CERTAIN OBJECTIVE FACTS THAT DRIVE ME HERE, WHICH
IS NUMBER ONE, THAT A MAJORITY OF THE STATIONS WITHIN THE
TOP FIVE, LONGEST RESPONSE TIMES ARE FROM NEW TAMPA.
THAT IS A BIG CHALLENGE.
THAT'S CLEAR, THAT'S DISPOSITIVE, ET CETERA.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S NEW.
I DON'T WANT US TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE ACCEPT THAT AS
SAYING, WELL, THEY ARE GOING TO BE LONGER BUT FEWER CALLS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE FEWER CALLS, BUT MY CONSTITUENTS
IN 33647 WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESPONSE TIMES ARE THINGS
THAT ARE DEALT WITH.
I'LL TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO FOR THAT IN A
WORKSHOP.
THERE IS THE ISSUE OF THE CUT-THRU.
I HAVE HERE A MEMO FROM AUGUST OF 2025 FROM TAMPA FIRE
RESCUE, INDICATING THAT THE COMPLETION COULD TAKE ABOUT TWO
YEARS FROM AUGUST OF 2025.
AND SO I'LL MOTION SOMETHING ON THAT, IF I MAY.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HELP OUT A LOT.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE AT ON THE CUT-THRU.
WE LAST GOT UPDATED ABOUT NINE MONTHS ON IT.
THAT IS SOMETHING.
I DON'T CARE IF IT IS A CUT-THRU, NEW STATION, 12 HAIL
MARYS, I WANT SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ISSUE,
OBVIOUSLY.
THE BIGGER ISSUE IS US AS A CITY OF TAMPA, WE JUST HAD A
HEARING ON HAVING OUR THIRD PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM AND
WE'RE HAVING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAVING TO MOVE AN
APPARATUS, OR A VEHICLE FROM A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE KNOWN
RESPONSE TIME CHALLENGES AND PUTTING IT SOMEWHERE WHERE THIS
COUNCIL HAS SAID A LONG TIME, PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE A
SEPARATE FIRE STATION THERE A LONG TIME.
WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE DEDICATE.
WHEN YOU SAY, CHIEF TRIPP, YOU WANT TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ON
MONEY GIVEN TO TAMPA FIRE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO HAVE THAT,
TOO.
I THINK THAT IS A WONDERFUL THING TO DO.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
YOU KNOW, AND I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO SAY ON THIS.
YOU MENTIONED -- I TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM DISTRICT 7
PERSPECTIVE.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF THE FIRE CHALLENGES HERE OVER THE LAST
FEW YEARS.
STATION 13, YOU GET IN THERE CHIEF TRIPP, HOME RUN.

LOU GEHRIG GRAND SLAM.
STATION 25, GREAT WIN.
STATION 24 IS FORTHCOMING.
STATION 13, ONE OF 23 STATIONS TOOK UP ONE OUT OF SEVEN
CALLS.
STATION 24, OBVIOUSLY, A WHILE COMING, IT'S GOING TO BE
COMING AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING.
K-BAR RANCH, YEARS AGO SET TO HAVE ITS OWN STATION THERE,
DECISIONS WERE MADE TO MAKE 24 NORTH TAMPA AS OPPOSED TO NEW
TAMPA STATION, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE RESPONSE TIMES YOU ASK
THERE WAS A NEED THERE.
SO WHAT HAPPENED?
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IF I MAY -- OH, AND THEN THERE WAS AN
E-MAIL THAT I GOT FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE CONSTITUENT
HAD, INDICATING THAT THERE WERE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CRISIS
CENTER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MEDICAL COVERAGE IN THE AREA,
NEGOTIATIONS.
AND I THINK THIS WAS RECENTLY SENT.
IT INDICATED THAT THIS TRUCK WAS LARGELY USED FOR HIGH-RISE
FIRES.
OF COURSE, USED FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS.
SO WHAT I WANT TO DO TO KEEP THIS DISCUSSION MOVING, IF I
MAY, COUNCIL, IS ON JUNE 25th, I HAD A WORKSHOP THAT DAY
ON DISABILITY HOUSING.
I WILL REMOVE THAT, RIGHT, AND PUT IT AT A DIFFERENT TIME TO

HAVE A WORKSHOP, SPECIFICALLY CHIEF TRIPP ON WHAT YOU'RE
TALKING ABOUT, WHICH IS MORE FUNDING FOR TAMPA FIRE RESCUE
SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS,
RIGHT, TO LOOK AT ONE AREA.
BECAUSE, BY THE WAY, I'M A LAWYER.
I'M AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
I'M NOT A FIRE PROFESSIONAL, RIGHT?
SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE ONE TO SAY THIS AREA NEEDS IT.
I THINK ALL AREAS NEED IT.
SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT.
MY MOTION, IF I MAY, IS A WORKSHOP ON 33647 RESPONSE TIMES
IN LIGHT OF THE MOVING OF THE APPARATUS INCLUDING ON A PLAN
OF ACTION WITH RESPONSE TIMES INCLUDING AN UPDATE ON THE
STATUS WITH THE DEVELOPER ON THAT CUT-THRU FOR JANUARY 25.
STRIKE THAT, JUNE 25.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT REQUESTING, RIGHT, TAKING AWAY THAT
VEHICLE FROM CHANNELSIDE OR YBOR CITY.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S A DISCRETIONARY
CHOICE YOU'RE MAKING.
I THINK THE LARGER POINT IS THE LARGER POINT IS WHY ARE WE
HAVING TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS?
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
THAT'S MY MOTION.
5:33:36PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN VIERA.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
5:33:43PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HOW MANY APPARATUS CAN YOU BUY FOR $20
MILLION?
5:33:51PM >>CHIEF TRIPP:
MY AREA TRUCKS ARE 2.6.
AND MY ENGINES ARE 1.2 ROUGHLY.
YOU FIGURE IF I GET 10, I WOULD HAVE TO MIX THEM UP.
PROBABLY ONLY CAN GET FIVE TRUCKS AND A COUPLE OF ENGINES.
5:34:08PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
FIVE TRUCKS AND A COUPLE OF ENGINES FOR $20
MILLION.
JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAD A LONG CONVERSATION TODAY ABOUT
SPENDING $20 MILLION NOT ON FIRE TRUCKS.
THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY.
5:34:21PM >>CHIEF TRIPP:
I TRY TO MAKE THE USE OF TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS.
AND WHEN WE COME TO TALKING ABOUT THIS IT'S NOT SO MUCH FIRE
STATIONS, IT'S WHERE THE HEAT IS.
WHEREVER THE HEAT IS, IS WHERE WE NEED TO PUT THE VEHICLES.
WE CAN PUT FIRE STATIONS ON EVERY CORNER, IF IT'S NOT
NEEDED, NOT UTILIZED, WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
5:34:41PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
5:34:49PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

5:34:50PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE ARE MOVING ON TO OUR LAST ORDER OF
BUSINESS, IF I HAVE THAT CORRECT, IF THE CLERK WOULD CHECK
TO MAKE SURE I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING WITH EVERYTHING
BEING MOVED AROUND.
ITEM 56.
STAFF AND THE FIRST SPEAKER IS GOING TO BE -- I RECOGNIZE
MORRIS LOPEZ.
AFTER THE STAFF PRESENTS.
AND I'M GOING TO HAND -- MY STAFF WANTS TO SPEAK TO ME ABOUT
SOMETHING.
I'LL HAND THIS TO YOU.
5:35:15PM >> MALLORY LAGASSE, REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE FOR THE FIRST READING FOR THE HONORARY STREET
NAMING IN HONOR OF THE LATE OFFICER MORRIS LOPEZ.
IT IS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF AN HONORARY STREET NAMING SIGN AT
THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF EAST 9th AVENUE AT NORTH 18th
STREET IN TAMPA.
I MADE A PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL ON MARCH 26.
WE POSTED THIS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT MARCH 27 THROUGH
APRIL 13 AND WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMENTS.
I'M AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
5:35:44PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
COUNCILMAN VIERA, DID YOU WANT TO START THIS
OUT?
5:35:47PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM CHAIR.
THIS IS SOMETHING, I STARTED WORKING ON THIS WITH ASSISTANT

CHIEF LOPEZ WHO WAS HERE PROBABLY, I DON'T KNOW, WHEN PAUL
GUZZO ARTICLE CAME OUT LIKE TWO YEARS AGO, AND WE WENT
THROUGH DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT DOING
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THIS GREAT TAMPA HERO.
WE ULTIMATELY RESOLVED IT TO BE AN HONORARY STREET RENAMING.
IT IS AN AMAZING STORY 7th AND 16th IN YBOR CITY.
SOME ASSASSINS, REALLY, MURDERED MORRIS LOPEZ, A TAMPA
POLICE OFFICER.
AND IN HIS LAST HEROIC ACT, HE GOT OUT OF THE WAY A PAPER
BOY AND SAVED HIS LIFE.
I KNOW MORRIS, YOUR GRANDFATHER, WANTED TO EVENTUALLY BECOME
AN ATTORNEY AND BECOME A JUDGE I REMEMBER READING.
AND THEN THE PAPER BOY'S SON WOULD SERVE WITH YOU ON
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE.
YOU WOULD BE HIS GRANDSON AND SERVE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
FIRE RESCUE AS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF.
I RECENTLY MET YOUR SON NICHOLAS A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN VERY
COGNIZANT OF THAT LEGACY.
IF I MAY, MADAM CHAIR, LET CHIEF LOPEZ SPEAK.
5:36:58PM >> GOOD EVENING, ACTUALLY, CHAIR, WHICH ISN'T HERE AND
COUNCIL, MY NAME IS MORRIS LOPEZ ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY, I
WANT TO SIMPLY SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AND THINKING ABOUT IT, MY GRANDFATHER SERVED NOT ONLY AS
CITY OF TAMPA POLICE OFFICER BUT ALSO A NAVY VETERAN.
SO WITH MEMORIAL DAY APPROACHING, THIS RECOGNITION IS

SPECIAL.
IT'S A REMINDER OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THE CITY
CONTINUES TO HONOR IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY
CONTINUES TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED AND SACRIFICED AND
HELPED BUILD THE CULTURE OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN TAMPA.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
AND I WOULD LOVE TO THANK MAYOR JANE CASTOR.
SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN A PROPONENT OF REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN
FOLKS AND ALSO LUIS VIERA FOR HIS CHAMPIONSHIP AND EVERYONE
FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION.
THIS MEANS A LOT TO MY FAMILY, I JUST WANT YOU TO PERSONALLY
KNOW THAT.
THANK YOU.
5:37:54PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCIL MEMBER MANISCALCO.
5:37:55PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I THINK THIS IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO FOR
YOUR GRANDFATHER'S SACRIFICE.
LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER WHEN THIS WAS FIRST PRESENTED,
PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN YOUR GRANDFATHER'S NAME WILL
SEE IT ON A STREET SIGN.
LIKE I WOULD DO.
WHO IS THIS?
I GOOGLE THE PERSON.
LOOK THEM UP.
IF YOU LOOK UP YOUR GRANDFATHER, THERE IS A PAGE FOR FALLEN

OFFICERS.
AND THEN AT THE POLICE MEMORIAL MOST RECENTLY, EVERY YEAR,
YOUR GRANDFATHER'S NAME IS SPOKEN.
YOUR GRANDFATHER IS ALIVE IN MANY WAYS.
AND THIS IS THE SMALLEST TOKEN OF APPRECIATION WE CAN DO FOR
HIM.
IF HE MAKES THE MOTION, I'M HAPPY TO SECOND IT.
5:38:43PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
I DID WANT TO STATE THAT IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT YOU AND I MET
MORRIS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT JESSE MADSEN'S FUNERAL IDLEWILD
BAPTIST.
CAME UP TO ME.
I DIDN'T KNOW THE STORY ABOUT YOUR GRANDFATHER.
EVERY TIME YOU TALK ABOUT HIM, LIKE A PROPER LATIN YOU TEAR
UP.
YOU TEAR UP, MY FRIEND.
5:39:04PM >> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE
THAT DAY.
5:39:10PM >>LUIS VIERA:
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, MORRIS.
IF ANYBODY ELSE --
5:39:15PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
GO RIGHT AHEAD.
5:39:17PM >>LUIS VIERA:
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO READ AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE PLACEMENT OF AN
HONORARY STREET NAMING SIGN AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF EAST

9th AVENUE AT NORTH 18th STREET IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, TO
HONOR OFFICER MORRIS LOPEZ, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
5:39:39PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
[ APPLAUSE ]
5:39:48PM >>THE CLERK:
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION WILL BE HELD ON
JUNE 18, 2026, SO A.M., OLD CITY HALL, THIRD FLOOR, 315 EAST
KENNEDY BOULEVARD, TAMPA, FLORIDA, 33602.
5:39:57PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THAT WAS THE END OF OUR REGULARLY
SCHEDULED PROGRAM.
NEW BUSINESS, COUNCILMAN CARLSON.
COUNCILMAN VIERA?
5:40:04PM >>LUIS VIERA:
I'M OUT.
5:40:04PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
THANK YOU.
COUNCILWOMAN YOUNG.
COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
5:40:10PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
YES.
WE MOVED SOMETHING TO NEXT WEEK'S WORKSHOP, THE LARGE FORMAT
SIGN, SO I'M MOVING SOMETHING FROM THAT WORKSHOP TO MAKE
ROOM FOR IT.
I MOVE TO CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING STAFF REPORT SCHEDULED FOR
MAY 28, 2026 TO OUR NEXT AVAILABLE WORKSHOP, WHICH IS NOT

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24, 2026.
COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE CREATION OF A BIKE PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND MULTIMODAL AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON
ROADS, PARKS, AND TRAILS.
5:40:40PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN HURTAK.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
5:40:46PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
TODAY IS MY -- I USED TO SAY STEP DAUGHTER, BUT I'LL SAY MY
DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY.
SHE'S 14 YEARS OLD.
I'M GLAD WE'RE OUT AT A REASONABLE TIME SO I CAN GET SOME
CAKE AND BRING IT HOME.
WHITNEY, WHO IS THE PERFECT CHILD BECAUSE HER MOTHER IS ALSO
PERFECT.
SO, YOU KNOW.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER.
AND ALSO TO LISA EDWARDS, MY LEGISLATIVE AIDE.
SHE HAS A BIRTHDAY TOMORROW AND SHE HAS THE DAY OFF SO SHE
CAN ENJOY IT AND DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS.
SHE IS THE BEST AIDE.
SHE'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

I SAY 90% OF THE SUCCESS IN MY OFFICE IS LISA AND 10%
HOPEFULLY ME.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LISA.
5:41:25PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
AS OPPOSED TO THE CRITTERS THAT LIVE UNDER
YOUR DESK.
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
OKAY.
ANY THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING DISCUSSION AT THE WORKSHOP FROM THE
CITY COUNCIL SIDE AT OUR NEXT MEETING NEXT WEEK ABOUT THE
RAYS STUFF, LIKE FIVE MINUTE STUFF THIS TIME, CONCERNING THE
CITY'S PART OF IT?
THE ONLY REASON I SAID THAT BECAUSE OF COUNCILMAN CARLSON'S
COMMENTS ABOUT NOT WANTING TO VOTE FOR IT NEXT TIME.
BASICALLY WHAT I WOULD ASK FOR, HAVE A QUESTION, AGENDA
ITEM, HOW COULD YOU GET TO YES ON THAT?
COUNCILMAN MIRANDA, HOW WOULD YOU GET TO YES?
5:42:05PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
MY THING IS THE CIT AND I'LL EXPLAIN
WHY.
5:42:09PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
CAN WE SAVE THIS FOR NEXT WEEK?
I'LL MAKE A MOTION --
5:42:15PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
CHAIR, I RECOGNIZE THE CHAIR TO MAKE A
MOTION.
5:42:18PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MAKE A MOTION THAT ON NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA
THAT WE SET ASIDE A DISCUSSION FOR HOW DO WE GET TO YES FROM
THE CITY COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE ON THE RAYS' MOU?

5:42:31PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
I KNOW I'M THE CHAIR, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE
MOTION.
I THINK GETTING TO YES IS KIND OF A LITTLE MUCH, BUT WAYS TO
MOVE FORWARD BE WHAT I WOULD PREFER TO CALL IT.
5:42:48PM >>BILL CARLSON:
HOW ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS OR
SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
5:42:52PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
WELL, THE PROCESS IS KIND OF TRICKY BECAUSE
I'VE TALKED TO BOTH CITY ATTORNEY AND MR. SHEPARD, SO THE
OTHER THING I WANTED TO CONSIDER AND WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT
THEN, IS THE FACT THAT WE AS A CRA MAY NEED TO HIRE SOMEONE
TO ACT AS OUR COUNSEL OR TO ACT AS OUR INTERMEDIATE AND
GO-BETWEEN BECAUSE ALL SEVEN OF US CAN'T BE THERE.
CLIFF IS GREAT, MR. SHEPARD IS GREAT BUT HE'S ONLY THE LEGAL
ASPECT.
WE NEED A FINANCIAL EXPERT.
I DON'T KNOW IF MS. KOPESKY HAS THE TIME FOR THAT.
THAT'S A LOT.
BELIEVE ME, I'VE ALREADY HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH HER.
I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT.
BUT I WANT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, TOO.
5:43:39PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
PUSH BACK A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE AT FIRST
-- THAT'S FINE.
THEN I KEPT THINKING BECAUSE I KEPT HEARING THAT FROM
COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY DURING DISCUSSION.

THEY COULD HAVE COME TO US TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO YES.
WHY DIDN'T THEY COME TO US TO GET TO YES.
THAT SEEMS TO BE EVERYBODY'S, LACK OF INAPPROPRIATENESS,
BUTT HURT HOW TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE OF COME TO US AND TALK
TO US INDIVIDUALLY, WELL, WE CAN COME TO THEM WITH OUR --
5:44:06PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
THAT IS FOR WHAT DAY?
5:44:09PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
NEXT WEEK.
5:44:09PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A ONE-WEEK MOTION,
WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT.
NUMBER TWO, I WANT TO --
5:44:15PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
JUST SETTING ASIDE TIME FOR DISCUSSION.
5:44:18PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
COULD BE UNDER OLD BUSINESS.
5:44:20PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING THIS, WHAT HAPPENS,
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED PARTIES WHO
WON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS THING IS BEING SET.
5:44:31PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
WE COULD HAVE THAT DISCUSSION NOW UNDER
NEW BUSINESS.
IF I WANT TO SAY LET'S TALK ABOUT IT NOW.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ORDINANCE.
IT'S JUST DISCUSSION.
JUST WHAT WE HAD AT THE CRA TODAY.
5:44:45PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY
ACTION.
5:44:48PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
NO.
IT'S JUST US GIVING INPUT.

JUST US GIVING THEM INPUT.
WHAT DID WE HEAR ALL DAY?
5:44:54PM >>MARTIN SHELBY:
WILL THEY BE HERE OR WATCH ON TV?
5:44:58PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
I DON'T CARE OR WATCH IT ON TV.
DON'T MATTER TO ME.
5:45:01PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
MOTION FROM CHAIR CLENDENIN AND A SECOND FROM
COUNCILMAN MANISCALCO.
5:45:06PM >>BILL CARLSON:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SUBSTITUTE.
5:45:09PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
HE DENIED MY SUBSTITUTE TO CHANGE THE
WORDING.
5:45:19PM >>BILL CARLSON:
MY CONCERN IS, I AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER
HURTAK IT SHOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT TITLE.
BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE A DISCUSSION AMONG US WITH
THE PUBLIC WATCHING OF US TALKING ABOUT WHAT OUR CONCERNS
ARE AND HOW TO ALLEVIATE THEM.
BUT WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS 200 PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO TALK
ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THE RAYS AGAIN.
SO IF YOU SAY HOW TO GET TO YES, 200 PEOPLE ARE GOING TO
SHOW UP.
5:45:46PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
HOW ABOUT COUNCIL INPUT ON NEGOTIATIONS
BETWEEN THE TRILATERAL AGREEMENT.
5:45:53PM >>GUIDO MANISCALCO:
I'LL SECOND THAT.
5:45:59PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
ACTUALLY QUAD LATERAL.
5:46:05PM >>CHARLIE MIRANDA:
I REALLY BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAID.
FACTUAL THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT DO THIS.

THEY KNOW NUMBERS MUCH BETTER THAN WE DO.
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, WHAT IT IS.
AND THEY ONLY LOOK AT NOT ONLY WHAT'S THERE NOW, IF IT
WEREN'T THERE, WHAT WOULD REPLACE.
THEY GOT EVERYTHING FOR FREE UP TO NOW.
EVERYTHING WAS GIVEN TO THEM, INCLUDING THE LAND.
THERE HAD TO BE A PLAN WAY BACK BEFORE WE EVEN KNEW THIS.
BEFORE THIS EVEN WAS PRESENTED TO US, THEY HAD TO HAVE IT.
IF NOT, THEY COULDN'T BE THIS FAR IN ADVANCE.
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
THAT'S POLITICAL.
A 1 A 2.
5:46:42PM >>LYNN HURTAK:
I HAVE A MOTION FROM CHAIR CLENDENIN.
A SECOND FROM -- A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FROM CHAIR CLENDENIN,
SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER MANISCALCO.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
AYE.
ANY OPPOSED?
DID YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING?
5:46:58PM >> MOVE TO RECEIVE AND FILE.
5:46:59PM >>ALAN CLENDENIN:
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE FROM COUNCILMAN
MANISCALCO.
SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN MIRANDA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED?
AYES HAVE IT.
5:48 P.M., WE'RE ADJOURNED.
[ SOUNDING GAVEL ]

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