Hey, hey hey. Heat. Heat. Let's be >> [music] >> you. Wow. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. I swear I >> [laughter] >> Good, morning, everybody., Welcome, to, Tampa City Council. I'd like to call this meeting to order. We have a invocation from Charlie Miranda. >> Thank, you,, Mr., Chairman., Chairman,, it's my pleasure this morning to introduce Elder Lar Horge Senior was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, where his deep commitment to faith, service, and community was neutered from an early age. His parents LB and Maggie Horge founded the Mount Vernon Primitive Baptist Church in West Tampa, instilling a him a lifelong dedication to ministry. A graduate Howard W. Blake High School he earned his music and business scholarship in the University Florida&M University and later obtained a bachelor's of science degree in accounting. He went to serve 27 years with the St. Pete Police Department retiring as a patrol sergeant. During his tenure, he played a key role in development, of the, community, policing initiative under a police chief Goliath Davis. Since his retirement, Elder Horge has continued his commitment to mentoring, working with students Tampa Stewart Middle School, Elder Stewart's uh Facebook podcast, St. They was gathered many allocates from listeners in around the Tampa Bay area. As a pastor of the Mount Vernon Primitive Baptist Church and chaplain of the Tampa Police Department, he remains dedicated to guiding and uplifting his community. He and his wife Patricia, his high school sweetheart, share a beautiful legacy with six children and nine grandchildren. Pastor >> mama,, mommy, >> thank, you, very, much, for, being, with, us and we appreciate everything you've done in the past for everyone in this area. Thank you, sir. Let's bow our heads in prayer. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we thank you for this day. We thank you for your loving kindness and your tender mercies. Father, I pray that you bless this council meeting. I pray that you bless us all, that we be part of the solution and not part of the problem. And now, Lord, we thank you for our government, our country, and all those who have you allowed to be in their current positions. We acknowledge that you know all, you see all, and you hear all. And I pray that your perfect will be done in this earth as your will is being done in heaven. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. >> Amen. >> In, Jesus, name, we, pray., And, in, Jesus, name we thank you. Let us all say amen. >> Amen. >> Council, Miranda,, please, pledge. >> Yes, sir. >> I, pledge, allegiance, to, the, flag, of, the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible. Liberty and justice for all. >> Thank, you., Clerk,, can, we, have a, roll call, please? >> Miranda, here. >> Manako, here., Herac >> here. >> Young, here. >> Vieiraa,, Carlson,, and, Clint, Dennon., Here we have a physical quum. >> Thank, you., I, need, a, motion, to, adopt, the minutes from the regular session held on November, 20th,, 2025., We, have a, motion from Councilman Scalco, a second from Councilman Randall. Those in favor say I. >> I., Opposed., The, eyes, have, it., Thank, you. Agenda review. Uh let's start off at at 2:30 today. I have a time certain. Uh we're going to have Kenneth Tinkler who is a potential attorney for our charter. Thank you. Review. We have a motion for Councilwoman Herzek, a second from Counciloman uh Manoscal. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Thank you. I had issued a memo yesterday on item 32 to pull for discussion. After getting subsequent information yesterday about the project, I no longer need to pull that for discussion. FYI. >> 32., Do, you, want, to, share, what, that, is? >> Yeah., Um,, well,, I, was, I, was, concerned mostly. I had several concerns. One of the concerns was that I had been initially told that the project was only one or two dwelling units. It it sub it ends up being six, which I think is more adequate density for that location. So I was more satisfied with that with six units >> cuz, I, just, at, that, location, I, thought two was not enough. So, okay. Okay. So let's go through the agenda. Uh 54 was misnoticed. Uh we need to motion to reschedule on January 22nd 2026. >> 54. >> We, have, a, motion, from, Councilman, Maskco. Second from Councilman Randolph is in favor say I. >> I, oppose., Eyes, have, it. >> Okay., Councilwoman, her. >> We, have, [clears throat], a, walk-on resolution. >> Um, where, would, you, like, to, put, that,, Mr. Shelby? Uh it could either go during uh after your appointments for the boards or it could be under unfinished business. >> Let's, put, it, after, the, appointments boards. >> Okay. >> After, Okay., [clears throat], We, have a motion from Councilwoman Herk, a second from Council Mascow. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. >> Mr., Chair, >> Councilman., Oh,, you, want, you, have something else? >> I, have, something, else., Um, there, we, got several emails yesterday about um allowing public comment after the staff presentation on item 64. and that is the um using storm water money for parades or special events. And I would like to make a motion to wave our rules and allow the public to speak after that because we've gotten tons of email. I really believe I'm sorry, but I think this is important and people want to talk about it. So that's my motion. >> Second,, it, is, we, have, a, motion, from Councilwoman Herk, a second from Counciloman Carlson. It is important but we do have an opportunity for public comment built into our system. >> Can, I, propose, a >> The, problem, is, that, there, was, no paperwork. There was no presentation in Onbase, so they don't know what's going to be said. >> Can, I, Can, I, offer, an, amendment, that, I was going to make a motion on that, too >> Councilman, Carlson? >> I, I, I, would, like, to, propose, an, amendment that we would put it after ceremonial. That way, the people who are here don't have to wait all day, but then they also don't have to speak twice. That way that anybody who wants to speak on that knows that right after ceremonial they can speak and we won't then they only have to speak once. >> I, I, think, that's, a, fair, compromise. So, okay. >> Okay., So,, we, have, a, motion, to, move, item number 64 to uh after ceremonial. >> Can, can, we >> and, allow >> and, allow, public, comment >> and, allow, public, comment >> and, allow, public, comment. >> Now,, is, that, is, that, in, addition, to normal public comment? >> Well,, I, I, think, what, we, should, say, to folks is that if you want to comment on that since we've moved it down, you don't have to wait all day. Please comment on that after. We should give them a choice of either or. >> Either, or., I, agree. >> Yeah., Yeah., I, mean,, either, comment, on, 64 during 64 and then you can comment again if you want to comment on the rest of the >> one, of the, [clears throat], apple. >> No,, but, but, this, is, only, on, 64. >> Yeah., But >> and, we, again,, if, we, had, had, a presentation already, I mean, all we have is a memo, but this is supposed to be a council and administration conversation and I think the public needs to be able to speak after the conversation. >> The, thing, what, what, I'm, suggesting, is that if if if someone has something else to talk about in public comment, do that before and then they can talk about 64 after. But if they need to leave early uh, they can speak about 64 in public comment and then not speak later. But but they wouldn't speak about 64 twice. >> I, got, Councilman, Miranda, first, and Council Ver. >> After, hearing, just, quite, the, couple, of comments, why don't we just include 64 and the public comment so it can be handled in the morning and and we can do that. >> That's, that's, I, would, agree, to, that., But but people who who feel strongly on 64. Sorry. C >> Councilman, Var. >> Um, just, as, a, compromise, so, we, can, move forward. Why don't we limit public comment that is tailored to item 64 to no longer than 15 minutes so that >> Yeah., Yeah. >> Yeah., No., So >> you, want, to, say, two, minutes, a, person?, H >> however, many, are, here., In, other, words, if people are here and they're going to comment during general public comment have at it. This land is your land. But if you want to do it specifically for that, that will be limited to 15 minutes as a group. So if there are eight people, do the math. If there are five people, then they can have 3 minutes each. That's it. That's okay. So we have a motion to amend the motion to limit the public comment for item 64. So we will hear 64 after ceremonial. We will limit public comment on 64 to 15 minutes. So it'll be >> total >> total., So,, we're, voting, on, the, amendment to limit to 15 first and then we'll vote. >> I'll, second, that, amendment. >> Okay., We, have a, motion, from, Councilman Vera, second from Councilwoman Herk. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. A motion to move 64 with that amendment to after the ceremonial. We have a motion from Councilman >> Motion, from, Councilman, Mascal,, a, second from Council Mand. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Eyes have it. Thank you. Okay. So, we move past that. Um now I'm totally lost where we are. Uh 57. Uh we don't have an administrative update, but uh John Bennett is going to uh give us a little update. Right. John do, you, want to, do, it, now?, Let's, just knock it out real quick. He's going to give us a little update on the social action, files., [clears throat] >> Good, morning,, John, Bennett,, chief, of staff. Good morning to council and the public council's pleasure on that. Um this is not an agenda item, but this week um took the liberty to send council a memo about the social action and arts funds. As you recall going into the fiscal year uh budget adoption, uh there was a a big discussion around this. I think council has a workshop on it as we turn the corner of the calendar year but we know a lot of people are emailing council. They're emailing our offices. We have worked down the 87 requests for $5.4 million through the strategic lens that council had asked for trying to get portfolio adoption through having all hands meetings around this. Uh we think we're on a good trajectory. We had some formal um drafted communication from the legal department to send out to the prospects that have asked for this fund. Uh we don't have dedicated staff as I said in the memo, but everybody's working hard on it. And uh just know that um the ones that are making the strategic adoption have all been ones that council has also recommended. So we're, in, [clears throat], a, good, spot. Um, I think we're going to move quickly now that we've got through this analysis phase and I think it'll help when we get to the workshop and make sure that uh all the folks that contribute to the city's benefit in this space of strategic support will get their funds. So, just a some feedback on that. Feel free to reach out to our office on anything specific as I said in the memo but again, we're working hard behind the scenes, to, get, this, [clears throat] moving. >> Thank, you., Appreciate, it., Okay,, staff reports. Um, 5859 is the second reading. They've been reported. I don't think do I don't think we need staff on that. Is that correct? Okay. So, no staff on 58 and 59. Uh let's see. Item number 60. We need to continue to December 18th. >> It's, 60, and, 61., Yes. >> And, I, just, want, to, say, because, I, know there are actually a couple of people I saw in the um lobby who want to speak on this today that that is fine. Um we're just moving it to December 18th because staff told us they needed to just finish tying it up. They were able to move the water and paving work to another contract. We're just kind of tying up the loose ends. I just wanted to make sure folks knew about that. >> Okay., Can, I, get, a, motion,, please,, for >> 61, to, December, 18,, 2025, under, staff report. >> I, have, a, motion, for, Councilman, Escal,, a second from Councilman Miranda. >> Yep. >> Can, I, Councilman, Carlson?, Yeah,, I, I, was trying to pull up the email real fast but I I thought that they had asked to take it off the agenda and then they would come back with a with maybe >> No,, it's, a, continuation. >> Yeah,, it's, [clears throat], it's, a continuation because what they're doing we asked them to take the water portion and the paving out of the South Howard project and tie it to another project and they have been able to do that. >> So,, the, Yeah., So,, the, the, Yeah., The, memo I got from Rory said that they had um that they had done that and it was under another contract. So, yes, I didn't know that. >> It's, just, not, it's, the, the, te's, and, eyes haven't been finished. You know, the te's haven't been crossed and eyes haven't been dotted. Oh, there's there's Mr. Bear. >> Brad,, I, think, we're, fine., We're, Brad, we're >> Yes., Uh,, good, morning,, city, council. >> Brad, deputy administrator of >> Brad, >> it's, okay., We're, good. >> So,, we, already, we, have, a, motion., We, have a motion, a second to continue this item. All those in favor say I. >> I, oppose., Eyes, have, it., Thank, you., Thank you, Brad. We'll probably be hearing from you later. >> Yeah,, they, they, but, the, May, I, the, memo, I got from Rory on the December 2nd asked to withdraw these two. This specifically said that. So maybe something else came in after that that I didn't see. >> Yes. >> No,, these, two, items, can, be, removed. >> Well, but are they being moved or removed? >> It's, e >> removed. >> We, can, remove, them. Mr. Chair >> Mr., Shelby >> Martin, Shelby, city, council, attorney., I guess this is a question for Mr. Baird. They are being replaced with something else that you're going >> but but, a, placeholder, on, we, I, thought, we were gonna continue this to have a placeholder on the agenda and we could >> if, you, have, a, placeholder. >> No,, but, can, can, you, just, give, Rory, 30 seconds to explain? >> Yeah,, go, ahead., Go, ahead,, Brad, or, Rory. Either one. >> Can, Rory, explain? >> Yeah,, I, I'll, go, ahead., So,, we, we, were asked by city council to uh try our best to move it or decouple this work from the South Howard uh project and uh put it under a uh a different contract. We happen to have a water contract that has the same team, same contractor, same design team um that we are able to move this work to and uh the legal department opine that it is it is a legally we can do that and so I only held it as a placeholder in case city council didn't agree with that. But if city council agrees that uh this is appropriate >> then, we, can, remove, these, two, items, from the agenda. >> May, Brad,, we, we, don't, need, So, by, moving it to the other contract, we it doesn't need city council approval anymore. Is that correct? It does. >> Yeah,, that, Okay,, let, me, let, me, let, me let me let me interject here. I'm comfortable with what we've just done already, the council action to continue this item to October 23rd because we haven't taken action on December I'm sorry. I'm sorry, December 18th. I'm sorry. But it's a different item. >> Okay,, stop, Mr., Chair., Stop, Mr. >> It, is, a, different, item., We, will, have, a new GM concern >> for, December., Brad, >> understanding, what, Mr., Barrett, said, it's my concern that what is going to be uploaded is not going to be related to what is listed on the agenda. It's going to cause confusion. So, if they can >> and, the, question, for, Mr., Bar, is,, Mr. Baird, December 18th means it's right around the corner. Will you have the information uploaded for the council and the public by the time of the release of the draft agenda for the 18th? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So,, we, we, remove, this, and, he, puts, a, new item on the 18th. >> Consistent, with, what, your, direction, is and the background will be consistent with what the item on the agenda is. >> If, if, if, everybody, but, again,, Brad,, do you understand council, we're not taking a vote on the what you're asking for until the 18th. So, you don't know what the outcome of that is until that actually occurs. >> Yeah,, that's, why, I, kept, it, as, a, backs stop. >> That's, why, that's, why, I'm, confused, about why we're we're talking about this now because I thought we wanted to continue this as a backup until we have that other item placed on the agenda. >> That, [clears throat], was, the, discussion that I had had. So >> the, other, choice, would, be, to, put, those two items on the agenda in addition in addition to these items and put all the new backup with those two items. Correct. With a with a with a memo saying that these items are superseded or should be removed. Is that >> I, think, we, need, to, make, sure, that, we have the word southard for flood relief somewhere in it. So I would I just think we should continue this. >> Yeah., I, I, I, I'm, still, satisfied, with what what we've done. Council >> Carlson., the, the, the, the, whole, purpose in trying to get it separated is so that it's not part of the South Hour project. >> I, I, understand >> if, it, carries, on, if, it, if, it, carries, on um and it has South Howard in it, we might get 200 protesters here and so why are we going to go through all that when it's already separated? >> Councilwoman, Herzek, the, point, being, this so that people know this is the replacement for the South Howard, but if they don't see that, they won't know that. >> But, if, we, take, these, off, the, agenda, then it's not part of the South Howard project anymore. that's digging up South Hour. Um, again I'm I unless somebody objects, I I'm I am comfortable with the plan of continuing these items to as as council has already voted on to continue these items and with the understanding that Brad will submit the information for the other items and if those items go, we will have these items removed from that agenda on that day. So, we'll do basically as it would inven substitute. So I I think I think for communication purpose I agree with Councilwoman Herk and I think the council's action on this is appropriate. I don't I don't have any problem with that. >> But, then, let's, vote, and, I'll, vote, no because >> So, did, it, did, did, we, vote, because, I voted I will vote no on that. >> Do, you, want, do, you, want, to, reconsider, a motion to reconsider then that? >> So, yeah, since, you, voted, in, affirmative you we can take a motion to reconsider. >> Uh, yes. >> Okay., We, have, a, motion, from, council., We have a motion from councilman Carlson, a second from council to reconsider the vote on item 60 and 61. All those in favor say I. >> I, oppose., The, eyes, have, it. >> Okay., Now, you're, back, to, where, you, were. >> Can, I, get, a, motion, to, continue, these items? >> Councilwoman, Hertch,, a, motion, from Councilwoman Herk, a second Councilman Vieira. Roll call vote, please. >> If, you, can, before, that,, with, the understanding that in addition to that there will be additional items placed on the agenda separately. >> Well, >> I, accept, your, amendment., Well,, well,, he can't make amendments, but yes >> we, have, a, motion., We, We, have, a, motion from Councilwoman Herk to amend the motion to include the understanding that the staff will include the substitute motions for the water project. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second, from, Councilman, Vier., All, those in favor say I. I. Oppose. Eyes have it unanimous. Oh, the eyes have it with Councilman voting. >> I'm, sorry., Councilman, Carlson, voting, in the negative. >> Okay., Roll, call, vote, on, the, continuation of 1661, please. >> Who, did, a, motion, for, the, the, amendment? Now we have the motion on the >> Mako. This is for the continuence. Yes. >> Herac, >> yes. >> Young, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Carlson, >> no. >> Miranda, >> yes. >> And, Clint, Dannon, >> yes. >> Motion, carried, with, Carlson, voting, no. >> Thank, you., Okay. 62. We have a memo in lie of staff appearance. Is everybody good with that? >> Okay., So,, no, staff, on, 62. >> 63., Staff, will, be, present, for, 63. >> Yes. >> Uh, 64., We, have, uh, two, memos, from, Chief Bennett. >> We're, going, to, have, staff, on, that., Yes, we need staff for that. 65. >> Motion, to, continue, to, December, 18th. >> Okay., We, have, a, motion,, Councilman Mancalco, a second counciloman Young. All those in favor say I. >> I., Oppose., The, eyes, have, it. Councilwoman Young. Yes. Uhhuh. >> Um, and, I, just, want, to, add, the, reason, why we're continuing it is because we want to have the listening session first and there was um placed on on base. So there's a reason why we're moving it. So I just wanted to make sure we know. >> Um, when, is, that? >> Uh, when, and, where? >> I, think, it, is, the, 16th. I think it's December 6th. Yes, there it is. Yes. So December 16th from 6:00 to 7 um at the Centro Atorianiano. So that's why we're moving it because we want to have the listing session first and then we'll come back. So I want to make sure everybody understood that. >> December, 16th, 6, to, 7., Can, you, put, that up for everyone to see? >> Thank, you. >> Okay., Is, that, it?, Everybody, else, is good. >> Mhm. >> Okay., We, did, the, walk, on,, so, I, think we're good. A motion to approve the agenda, please. >> We, have, a, motion, council,, second, for council. All those in favor say I. >> I., Oppose., Eyes, have, it. >> Okay., Clerk,, if, we, make, sure, we, get, the uh timers on for everything today because it's going to be a tough agenda. I'd appreciate that. And [clears throat] Okay. Well, good morning. Here we go. That was a rough uh agenda approval. So, we're going to start with our accommodations and presentation. First is for our police officer of the month. Oh, there you went. I was looking like where did Councilman Beer go? Council Councilman Vier, can you kick us off, please? Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Chief Kate, good to see you ma'am. Uh we're here today for the um officer of the month who is Corporal Jacob Gonzalez, and to speak on this honore and what makes him such an exceptional uh police officer. We're going to have uh Chief Kate come forward. Go ahead, ma'am. >> Good, morning,, Council, Ruth, Kate, assistant chief of operations here for Chief Burkeall, who sends his regrets he couldn't be here. Um it's indeed an honor today to introduce you to um Corporal Jacob Gonzalez. He is being recognized as our officer of the month for December 2025. Corporal Gonzalez exemplifies the highest standards of the Tampa Police Department through his outstanding dedication to traffic safety, impaired driving prevention, and community education. His efforts consistently extend beyond routine enforcement, reflecting a genuine commitment to safeguarding lives and enhancing the overall well-being of Tampa's residents and visitors. In addition to his regular duties [clears throat], Corporal, Gonzalez, has developed and delivers on a regular basis a comprehensive safe driving and impaired driving prevention program to every public high school in Tampa as well as several private schools. Through this initiative, he has instructed more than 1,000 driver education students every year, preparing young drivers to make responsible and informed decisions on the road. Corporal Gonzalez also voluntarily oversees the department's child passenger safety seat program. In this role, he provides a hands-on instruction to more than 600 parents on proper car seat installation and has personally installed over 100 child safety seats in 2024 alone, many of which were provided at no cost to families in need. His efforts ensure that Tampa's youngest passengers travel safely every day. Beyond the city, he has extends his influence statewide through active participation in the Florida Occupant Protection Coalition and the Florida Impaired Driver Coalition. His work with these two groups supports the development implementation of initiatives aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives throughout our state. Corporal Gonzalez's dedication, leadership, and commitment to public safety has made him truly deserving of this recognition, and that's why he is December's officer of the month. Congratulations. [applause] >> Thank, you., Thank, you,, madame., So,, um, before we hear from you, sir, we have members of the community who would like to come and express your appreciation. >> Good, morning,, Gonzalez., I, am, Grace Gonzalez. I'm here on behalf of the Gonzart family and the 1905 family of restaurants. Thank you so much for being here in Tampa and for everything you do as a hospitality state. We have a lot of people in town who don't always know where they're going. So, thank you for keeping our streets safe. Um, we want to thank you with this gift card. Please enjoy yourself at any of our restaurants across the state. Um, and thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank, you,, ma'am. [applause] >> Just, remind, everybody, Chief, Morning, Council Brian Ford with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Corporal Gonzalez. Uh thank you. Thank you for what you and your family sacrificed for the city. Your story is unbelievable especially helping all the kids. >> But, uh, we, have, a, tradition, out, at, one buck. Anybody that goes over and above gets a game ball. And I'm here to present to you on behalf of the Glazer family and our entire organization your own very own custom game ball with today's date and everything. >> Thanks,, sir. >> Thank, you, very, much., [applause] >> Hey,, Brian., Brian. >> Brian., Brian, I have to apologize to you and to the sports authorities somehow in the communication between the administration, my office and the dedication of Friday at 11:00 in the morning uh the legacy of George and Leonard Levy for the sign that we omitted. It was not done intentionally and apologize publicly. >> No,, absolutely, not., I, will, be, there. Thank you very much. I appreciate you doing that. Thank you. >> Thank, you,, sir., And, just, remind everybody to face forward at the podium when when you're speaking because the microphone's buried in the podium. >> Morning, council., Mike, MacArthur, steps towing service officer corporal. Congratulations on a job well done. Thank you for everything you do for our community. So on behalf of Todd Steps Tony would like to present you with a gift card. Go out and have some dinner on us and appreciate everything you do for our city. Thank you very much. [applause] >> Good, morning, council., Mary, Dylan, Stra Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you so much for your work in our community and on behalf of Strat Center I want to provide you uh some tickets to upcoming performance. Thank you. >> Thank, you, so, much., [applause] >> Good, morning,, council., Uh, Leo, Gary, with Bill Curry Ford. Congratulations. Um, >> it, is, truly, an, honor, for, me, to, stand, up here every single day. And I know I say this every single time, but >> the, guys, that, put, these, uniforms, on every single day >> make, sure, you, face, forward., Make, sure you face forward cuz nobody >> make, the, sacrifices, for, each, and, every one of us in this room and keeping us safe. I truly appreciate you guys. Um so again, congratulations. On behalf of Bill Curry Ford, I want to present to you a handwritten letter from Jennifer Curry herself with a gift card. >> Thank, you., I, also, want, to, give, you, a certificate for uh full maintenance on your personal vehicle. >> Thank, you. >> And, then, there's, some, other, uh, Ford apparel in there. >> Awesome., I, appreciate, you., [applause] >> I, I, I, know, it's, awkward,, but, just remember when you're facing forward, the cameras are looking at your face and they can look up and see you. So even when you're addressing the audience members, they can see you on the camera. So if you face forward. Thank you. >> Good, morning., My, name, is, Mary, Lou Bailey. I'm here on behalf of Zoo Tampa. I serve on the board of directors and um we all thank you for your service. What a great story. Um the mom of two teen drivers. So I particularly appreciate [laughter] um all the work that you've done. Um we bought you an annual membership to Zoo Tampa for you and your family and a goodie basket. And usually um Mark Haney is here and he would have some clever story as to why he picked the tiger for your story, but he had to go to another meeting. So um >> high, school, mascot. >> Yeah., Is, that, what, it, Okay., Yes., Sorry. We don't have his wit, but you have my thanks and the thanks for the board of uh Zoo Tampa and thanks to everybody who serves. You guys are all awesome. >> Thank, you, again, and, enjoy, the membership. [applause] >> Good, morning,, Council, Corporal, Gonzalez. Thank you so much for your service. My name is Mary Beth Williams. I'm with Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk. I'm here to present you with a personalized paper on the riverwalk with your name on it. We'll notify you when it is engraved. I would like to say that I have a certificate, but I actually have two for fire, so I'll have to reprint. [laughter] I also in addition have a gift certificate from Florida Avenue Brewing a, [clears throat], gift, certificate, from Joe Toro, and from Manthy Hospitality we have two pirate water taxi passes two Lost Pearl complimentary emissions and a yacht yacht starship dinner for two. So again, thank you for your service. >> Thank, you, so, much., [applause] Good morning, council. I'm Leah Vaname. I'm here on behalf of a Tampa Theater Corpal. Um, thank you so much for everything you do for our community. As a parent, thank you for keeping our kids safe. Uh, I'm here to present you with a membership uh for two uh to Tampa Theater. So, you can come and visit us on Franklin Street, enjoy some movies popcorn, and candy. So, thank you for everything you do. >> Thank, you., [applause] Morning, sir. Morning, sir. >> I, think, we, need, to, put, to, plant, some footprints on here so you know what you know, like to do at the airport. You know, you face this way. >> Uh, I, know, the, drill., So,, anyway, >> everybody, wants, to, see, your, pretty, face, Steve. [laughter] >> What, now? >> I'm, not, so, sure., We'll, we'll, see., We'll take a vote, right? Um Steve Molini, I'm here on behalf of a couple of different folks and uh they'd like to honor you for your dedication and service to the community. Uh the first one is Jackson's Beastro. They're going to provide you with a gift certificate to enjoy yourself for lunch or dinner. On behalf of Yummy House China Beastro, another gift certificate, enjoy yourself over there. Uh Chicho Restaurant Group there's a number of restaurants they have on South Howard. You can enjoy yourself over there. Lunch or dinner. If you go to Daily Eats, you can have breakfast. >> Okay. >> Uh, Meat, Market, in, Old, Hyde, Park,, they're providing you with a gift certificate and so you can enjoy yourself there. take the letters and take the certificate, >> sir., Thank, you. >> So,, congratulations., We, appreciate, your service. >> Thank, you,, sir. [applause] >> On, behalf, of, a, very, grateful, city, of Tampa and Tampa City Council and City of Tampa, we give you the city council commendation and thank you for your service. >> Thank, you,, sir., God, bless., Thank, you. Thank you. And if you [applause] want to speak, >> council,, I, appreciate, your, support., I appreciate the the community support. Uh as successful as the programs have been impaired driving and occupant protection. It wouldn't have been as successful without the support of my my chain of command which uh are are all here starting from Sergeant Belmont through uh Major Dele through the chief's office including uh uh Chief Kate and Chief Burkhaw, the mayor who who uh and council who approves the the grant that aids me in in uh doing the occupant protection and and fair driving programs. Um it's they're great programs. We definitely see a reduction in injuries with uh with children involved in in crashes and also high school students involved in impaired driving related incidents. So once again, I appreciate the community's recognition and support and hopefully we continue to uh to be a success. Thank you. Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you, Councilman Carlson. >> Yeah., I, just, want, to, say, thank, you, for all you do and for your colleagues. um uh you know when I was a kid that my parents there were there were no at least my parents didn't use car seats they would just put me on the front seat and leave me there without a seat belt and and we know what happened with a lot of people there um I had three kids and um it's been a long time so I can't remember whether I went to fire police but that service that you provide is really essential no matter how smart people think they are um most people don't know how to put those seats in and and it only takes a few seconds for you all to show them, but it it could mean that you save the life of your child. And so, it's really worth the time. And uh you know, for for for those of us who have kids, the the you know, kids are the most precious thing we have, so we definitely need to take care of them. Thank you for keeping them safe. >> Thank, you,, sir. >> Councilwoman, Herk, >> um, I, want, to, say, congratulations, because all your grants went through two weeks ago, so we're thrilled. Um uh and that's actually I was think I've had some questions about those because I I want to see like what we can do to piggyback off of that and do more because driver uh speeding and impaired driving is just increasing as much as you all do to help. Uh so I just want to say um thank you so much because you're making a huge difference and it's it's it's a huge problem. But I this one in particular uh speeding just really really impaired driving um is a huge scourge. So thank you for the work you do and the heart you put into it. Um it takes a special person. It's I always love to find the different niches that that our our employees find and I'm really glad that this is yours and thank you so much. >> Thank, you, ma'am., Once, again,, it's, it's your support that allows us to to be uh the most uh I I guess being a part of the impaired driving coalition, right? We're recognized, city of Tampa is recognized for our efforts, right? We we go above and beyond what most agencies do and uh it's because of like I said your support and and our chief through the chief's office support uh for our mission. So we definitely do the best we can. >> Council, Miranda, >> I, just, want, to, clarify, and, make, it simple. It might be our support, but your actions that do the work that makes a wheel go around and saves the lives of the community. Not only your department our department, the city of Tampa, but throughout this great country. We really appreciate everything that the police department does, not only here, but throughout the world, uh, protecting the citizens of the community in which they live. Thank you very much. >> Thanks,, sir. >> Thank, you., Well, >> I, hope, you, you, and, everybody, else, that wears the badge knows that you've got seven people up here that support what you do every day of the week, 365 days out of the year. We're very grateful for your work and what keeping Tampa safe. Thank you very much. >> Thank, you,, sir., [applause] >> Congratulations. >> We're, going, to, pause, for, just, one, moment to clear the room. So this is my >> and, they've, learned, they, have, to, show, it and say what it is because I'll interrupt them and ask. >> Okay., Councilman >> Vera invite uh Chief Trip to come forward to speak about her firefighter of the quarter if you don't mind. Madame Council Mar, there's a little boy that uh upstaged you when you were talking earlier. [laughter] >> Good, morning,, council., Barbara, Tripfire, chief of uh city of Tampa Tampa Fire Rescue. So today I am proud to introduce [laughter] um not only one of my employees but a good friend of mine uh Captain Barcumian Brian Barcumian um as the firefighter of the quarter. Captain Barcia is currently assigned to Engine 13 which is also known as the station for Nightmare on Annie Street. So it's a lot of history behind there. So he continued to serve the community that is up by the Busch Gardens area. So uh Captain Barcimian has served Tampa Fire Rescue since 2008. He's been a a city of Tampa firefighter for 17 years. Captain Barcimians is a selfless and effective leader consistently striving for excellent in every aspect of his work. He demonstrates an unw unwavering commitment to his crew, treating them like family and going above and beyond to ensure that they have the resources to support them necessary for success in their career as well. His high level of integrity and dedication to doing what is right are qualities that have earned him the respect of his peers and supervisors alike. Beyond his responsibility to temper fire rescue beyond his responsibility to temper fire rescue captain um Barcimian is deeply involved in his community. He volunteers at camp counsel as a camp counselor at camp Popitake for the last 10 years earning counselor of the year uh honors in 2000 um I'm sorry in 2023. Additionally, he has been instructor at the Liry Technical um Academy since 2020 and he is actively assisting with training new recruits at Temple Fire Rescue. Camp Barcians has further expanded his expertise through various certification. He is a fire officer one and two. He's also a rope tech and also have a certification for BMR which enhanced his ability to perform his current role. He also coaches youth football and little league baseball and speaks to recruits about critical issues such as DUI prevention, substance abuse PTSD and resilience in the face of adversity. But what truly set uh Captain Barumian apart, however, of his uh heroic action in the emergency situation, um his wife told us of a story while they was on vacation May of this year May 17, 2025. While they was on vacation in Virginia Beach, Captain Barumi and his wife encounter a motorcycle accident with two riders that was faced down in the roads without any helmets. They had sustained severe head injuries. So without hesitation, Captain Barumian, he pulled over with his wife and of course he took charge of the scene, managing the 911 call, calming bystanders and of course notifying the proper authority about the injuries that was on scene meaning calling to what we call trauma alerts. He immediate minister care and treatment to the patients. His quick assessment and prioritizing of the patients needs coupled with his calm attitude under pressure played a critical role in stabilizing the victims um until emergency service arrived. His quick thinking and decisive action that day played a critical role in saving multiple lives. So I want to congratulate Captain Barsumi for being nominated firefighter of the quarter. his unwavering dedication, exceptional exceptional commitment and consistent and bottom end of TFR mission continues to set the standards for excellent within our department. So congratulations. [applause] >> Thank, you,, Chief., Yes,, ma'am., And, I, know we have a lot of folks from the community who are coming here to honor you. I I did want to recognize I saw Chief David Dipman with Plant City who's here who's hiding back there. >> Councilman, Beer,, remember, you, have, to face forward towards the podium. >> Yes, >> forward, towards, the, podium. >> Captain, Barcian,, it's, nice, to, meet, you. I'm Grace Gonzalez. I'm here on behalf of the Gonzart family and the 1905 family of restaurants. Thank you so much for being here in Tampa and being so brave, a coach, a counselor, a role model. Thank you. And thank your family for all the sacrifices that you make. We want you to have this gift certificate to enjoy any of our restaurants. take the kids to see the fairyland figures at Ule. Just have a night off. Thank you so much and congratulations. >> Thank, you., I, really, appreciate, you. [applause] >> Good, morning,, [music], chairman,, uh, Tampa City Council, members of the public, and those in attendance. Nick Stoco, president, Tampa Firefighters Local 754. Uh, Cat Barumian, you are a true mentor, a leader. I know that you mentored me in my young stages in my career, as well as your mentors being here. Uh to the chief's point, his uh his wrap sheet is significant. Um he has done and gone above and and beyond. Uh the chief and I served some time together at station 13 and it was one of the truly busiest stations and Kevin Barumian, chose, [clears throat], to, go, to that station uh because he answers the bell each and every time. He's a an awesome family man as we see his wife and kids here and the rest of his family. So on behalf of the members of Tampa Firefighters, we want to congratulate you, brother, on a great job and love it. Thank you [applause] >> Council, Chief., Good, morning, >> Captain., Um,, unbelievable, resume,, your story, their family sacrifice, but to do that on vacation. Yes, sir. >> If, there's, anybody, worthy,, you, can, tell the support that you have from your peers. If anybody's worthy of uh getting a little special recognition, it's you. >> So, on, behalf, of, the, Glazer, family,, our entire organization, you got to look forward here. >> I'd, like, to, present, this, uh, game, ball for you for all that you do and sacrifice that you and your family give. >> Thank, you, very, much., Appreciate, it. [applause] >> Council, Captain, Mike, MacArthur, Steps Towing Service. Um congratulations on a job well done. I mean, just taking this experience uh to wherever you go is is a testament to your chief and your your staff here is is is just how awesome that this group of people are in this what you guys do for our community. And so on behalf of Todd Steps, Tony, I'd like to congratulate you. Thank you for a job well done. Have some dinner on us and appreciate everything you do. >> Thank, you. [applause] >> Good, morning., Mary, Dylan, from, Stra Center for the Performing Arts. On behalf of Stratus Center, want to thank you for your time and service to our community and please accept tickets to an upcoming performance. Take your family and enjoy your day. Thank you. >> Thank you, so, much., I, appreciate, it. [applause] >> Congratulations., My, name, is, Mary, Beth Williams. I'm executive director of Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk and I'd like to present you with a personalized Riverwalk paper for in honor of your service. In addition, um, we've got a little packet here. I've got a gift certificate to Florida Avenue Brewing. We've got a gift certificate to Splitzville for an adult night out. >> Oh,, goodness. >> And, then, from, [laughter] MY Hospitality, we have two Pirate Water taxi passes, two Lost Pearl complimentary admissions, and a dinner for two above yacht yacht starship. >> Thank, you, so, much. >> Thank, you, for, your, service. >> Thank, you., [applause] >> Again,, Leo, Gary,, Bill, Curry, Ford. Congratulations, Captain. Um, thank you so much for what you do for the city of Tampa. I mean, it shows with your peers here. Um, you know, supporting you. Um on behalf of Bill Curry Ford, I want to hand you a handwritten letter from Jennifer Curry herself. A gift card in there as well. And then also a certificate too for maintenance on your personal vehicle >> as, well., And, then, there's, apparel, in there. >> Awesome. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you,, sir., Appreciate, it. >> Thank, you, so, much., [applause] We have a name here from Tampa Theater Captain. Congratulations. I have here a here a membership um for Tampa Theater so you can enjoy a date night together. Candy maybe for the kids. >> Thank, you, for, everything, going, home, with mom. [laughter] >> Thank, you, so, much, for, everything, that you do for our community. We're so lucky to have you. Congratulations. Thank you. Here you go. [applause] Good morning. My name is Mary Lou Bailey and I'm here on behalf of Zoo Tampa. Um I volunteer on the board there and the board has purchased a family membership to the zoo for you. It's an annual membership >> and, uh, Christmas, in, the, wild, has, started the evening event. So I love that. Even my teenagers still like to go thankfully. But um I wanted to thank you for your service. I particularly liked the part of your story about all the mentoring and and how you serve as a role model to young people. That's just so inspiring and it's so great. And I want to thank the whole family and I want to thank everybody who served. You guys are all rock stars in my book. Enjoy it in good health. Thank you so much. [applause] >> What's, the, What's, the, animal? >> What's, the, animal? >> What's, the, animal? >> You, know, I, got, enough. >> I, know. >> It's, a, wolf., It's, a, little, wolf. [laughter] >> Wolf. >> I, don't, know, why. >> That's, my, spirit, animal,, so, it, works out. How >> you, doing,, sir? >> Steve, Molini., First,, I'm, going, to, give you a little history, but on that station, uh, back in the day, I represented Busch Gardens when the Bush family owned Busch Gardens, and I was the one who helped negotiate the deal to give you the land for that station to be built. >> That's, awesome. >> Anyway,, thank, you., Thank, you. [clears throat] >> Anyway,, it, was, like, 1890. >> Good., [laughter] That >> that, that, predates, Charlie,, so, it, can't be >> [laughter] >> Uh, anyway,, it's, just, a, matter, of,, you know, giving back to the community and that was land was donated uh for a strategic location because that area was underserviced and um obviously we've grown since then, but uh anyway, the intent was to provide North Tampa with better, service., [clears throat], On behalf of the Chicho Restaurant Group we're providing you with the gift certificate. You can enjoy yourself there breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Yummy house China Beastro. And and I I say this all the time. The chief wants you to invite her. >> No., [laughter] >> Um, [clears throat] but of course I think she might hold out for the meat market, but [laughter] but anyway, the meat market uh in El Pertificate there and Jackson's Beastro uh over on Harbor Island. Congratulations. As I said earlier, I'm facing front and uh take those certificates with you. >> Yes,, sir., Thank, you., I, appreciate, it. >> Congratulations. >> [applause] >> So, on, behalf, of, a, grateful, city, for, all that you do, not just for fire station 13, but just all your civic work. I see our friends, uh, Alex Nassie and others with Tampa Firefighters Charity Fund. They're here because of your big heart that you always show for people. We're proud to honor you, sir. Thank you, sir. Appreciate you. >> Thank, you,, buddy., God, bless, you., You want to say anything? [applause] >> Wow., This, is, uh, this, is, awesome., Thank you so much. Um, I've met uh, Council Member Vieira at Camp Oopaki several times and uh, Miss Herk, we just had you ride with us over at 13 and that was a that was a good time. Um, this is this is a very humbling moment. This is a big moment in my life. Um, nobody was shocked more than I for sure. Um [clears throat] it's also a little tough day uh, today. This is actually a first event that I have without my grandfather physically being here. Um but uh but as you can see I have all my family members here and um that's a big foundation of where everything has started and why a big reason of why who I am to this day. Um so I want to start off with council members fire chief trip local 754 and the awards committee. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible honor. This is a very humbling moment for myself and a gratifying moment for my family and for those who have continued to serve with me. I recently came across a quote from John uh Jim Ron that stuck deeply to me. It says "You're the average of the five people that you spend the most time with. As I accept this recognition, I can't help but reflect on the people throughout my life who have helped shape me, support me, and help me into the person that I am and the firefighter that I've become. As a person that's had a lot of adversity throughout my life, I want to first start off by thanking my dad for introducing me to Brandon High School's Russ Kart and the sport of wrestling. The lessons I learned um on that mat have come to play a significant role in my life. What I didn't know at that time and what I know what I know that uh what I know now is that wrestling taught me accountability. It taught me discipline. It taught me resilience and the importance of mental toughness. Those are the lessons that I've carried directly into this career. It taught me how to push past exhaustion when I feel tired. Taught me how to stay calm when I'm under pressure and how to get back up when life knocks you down. Those qualities shaped me into a person that I am today. To my mother, um, it's a big moment for me, too. Uh, she just had a procedure, a a major procedure last week and showed she's showed, uh, tremendous strength being here today. To my mother, thank you for being the first example of strength, compassion, and determination. Your tough love, your guidance, and the foundation I stand on every day. Uh, to my pat, my grandmother, your unwavering support throughout my entire life has played this an instrumental role to who I am today. You've been a steady encouraging voice throughout every stage of my journey. Always believing in me always cheering on me, and always reminding me of the values that truly matter. The lessons you taught me about hard work, humility, kindness, and doing what's right follow me into every shift. I carry your love and your influence with uh everything I do. Chief Ditman >> Chief, Ditman's, known, me, my, entire career. Um, he took a chance on me um when I put in Dakota 11 when I was a rookie. Chief, thank you for being a mentor in every sense of the word. Your leadership shaped my career, but your belief in me shaped my confidence. Your guidance, a whole lot of patience, [crying] and an example have pushed me to grow not just as a firefighter, but as a person. To my wife she's busy. [laughter] To my wife, um, thank you for always being my number one fan. Thank you for your continued support and always being the best for me and the boys. As you can see, she's a strong woman and I'm very fortunate for for everything I have thanks to her. And then to the rest of my family, your support and encouragement means more than I can express. Last last but not least, to everyone I've ever st been stationed with, current and former, I wouldn't be standing here without you. Throughout the thousands of calls we run, thank you for always making me look good. Thank you for the this recognition uh recognition as it's just as much yours as it is mine. Thank you all for again for this tremendous honor. I'm deeply humbled. I'm very humbled. I'm grateful. I'm proud. I'm proud of this department I serve. I'm proud of the community I serve. And um thank you so much. I can't I thank you. I greatly appreciate all of you. [applause] For the record, I had to write that down because my memory is starting to become more like my hair these days. [laughter] >> I, think, your, hair, is, just, fine. >> Thank, you, >> Councilwoman, Hertech. >> Uh,, thank, you, so, much., That, was, a wonderful speech and uh just I I the most recent ride I did with Fire Rescue was at 13 and 24 and that was a just an awesome adventure to see what you all do every day and the heart you all put into it and it's very clear why you won this award and congratulations and I I just I'm I'm so happy for you and for your wife and your family. I mean it's very clear that uh for the people that support you and just just so they get the rec recognition if you're the part of the family who came here today can you just stand up so we just so just >> Yeah., Yeah., [applause] >> Thank, you. >> Thank, you. >> Councilman, Carlman, followed, by, Council Mascot. you're, as someone else said, your resume is incredibly impressive and would love to learn more about that. Um yes, sir. >> Um,, and, thank, you, for, all, you, do., Thank you for stepping in. Um, you know, what you did, I guess, is an example of what you and you know, your colleagues do every day. You just jump right into the situation when you're needed. And um a great a small example of that of that is um when you when you first came up in front of us and your son was crying and your your wife had her hands full. You grabbed your son and as a father maybe parents in the room will understand this but as a father I gasped because you're wearing a white shirt [laughter] >> and, and, you, are, you, still, getting, it dirty. >> You, didn't, care., You, jump, right, in., And so anyway, thank you for bringing your family. >> Thank, you, sir., I, appreciate, it. >> Council, me, >> congratulations., a, hell, of, a, resume, and everything that you've done. Uh, thank you for that. And thank you to your family for the sacrifice that they make because you're you're out, you're doing you're protecting, you're saving. >> Um,, how, how, old, are, you,, if, you, don't mind me asking? >> I'm, newly, 42. >> So,, we're, so, we're, the, same, age., And, you mentioned that this was your first event without your grandfather, but you have your grandmother here, right? >> Yeah,, I, do., Yes., grandparents, are, so important, you know, and and you're lucky that at this age you still have you know >> No,, absolutely. >> So,, uh,, thank, you, to, them, because, the the values that they've instilled in you clearly, I mean, they helped make you who you are today and we're very proud of you. All the people behind you are proud of you. Uh, you're what makes Tampa Fire great. I mean, you're you're a shining example. So, congratulations. >> Thank, you,, sir., I, appreciate, you., Thank you. Thank you on behalf of grateful uh Tampa City Council. We appreciate and I definitely appreciate you bringing your boys today because that was that's kind of a, great, way, to, start, the, morning, to be able to to watch their energy and their existence. >> Absolutely. >> Thank, you, very, much. >> Normally, the, oldest, would, be, in, school, but I felt like this would be a great moment. >> Oh,, this, is, a, good, moment., Yeah, appreciate you bringing them here. Yeah thank you. Have a good have a good day. Thank you. Congratulations. [applause] >> We'll, pause, for, one, second, to, clear, the room. No, thank you. >> Please, give, me, that. That was at 10:30, but I have a good morning. >> Fine. No problem. >> Oh, yeah. I know. But I've learned so much and I love it. Y'all are >> just, Thank, you. Councilwoman Herza. >> Good, morning,, Council. >> Oh,, thank, you. >> Okay., Good, morning,, everyone., and, I'm here >> uh, to, uh, introduce, Steve, Simon, who's going to tell us about our ATU employee of the month. >> Thank, you,, Councilwoman. >> Good, morning,, Mr., President. >> Good, morning,, Mr., Chairman. >> Good, morning,, council., Special, shout, out to Councilwoman Young. [laughter] And good morning, city of Tampa. I'm Steve Simon. I'm the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1464 and we keep the city of Tampa running. and I'm happy to be here this morning to introduce you to the ATU employee of the month, Mr. Jose Hernandez. [applause] >> [applause] >> On, behalf, of, the, leadership, team, at, the Tampa Convention Center, I want to express our sincere appreciation to your outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication during the months of July to August of 2025. Your exceptional work ethic and commitment to improving Tampa Convention Center facilities have been truly commendable. By completing over 200 work orders and logging 400 manh hours, you you achieved the highest production rate among the operations personnel. A remarkable accomplishment. Your craftsmanship was especially evident during the renovation of the operations break room. Your skilled installation of laminate flooring countertops, cabinets, and a sink not only enhanced the workforce uh workspace, but also save the convention center a substantial amount of money. Additionally, your efforts in painting over 5,000 square feet, that's a lot, of convention space, including the front drive, landing, hallways, and office areas, resulted in further cost savings for the city of Tampa. And we always love to see cost savings. What stands out most is your ability to take on these major renovation projects while consistently managing your scheduled maintenance duties and responding promptly to both routine and emergency service requests. Your work exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and reflects the core values we uphold at the city of Tampa. Thank you once again for your hard work dedication, and for setting such a high standard of excellence. We are proud to have you on our team and we thank you and appreciate you for everything that you do to help keep the city of Tampa running. And on behalf of ATU Local 1464, I would like to present you with this award. [applause] >> Congratulations. >> And, if, I, may, >> I, would, like, to >> You, need, to, do, a, quick, photo, first., No, >> it, didn't, happen, if, you, don't, have a photo. Thank you. >> Thank, you., If, I, may,, I'd, like, to, read, a portion of the letter from the mayor. Sure. >> Okay., Congratulations, on, being, selected as the Amalgamated Transit Union's employee of the month for your professionalism, strong work ethic enthusiasm, and for going above and beyond in all aspects in your position as a maintenance repairer too for the Tampa Convention Center. You have earned the respect of your superiors, peers and the community. You are an asset and integral part of the Tampa Convention Center and the city of Tampa's mission of providing superior services and you are highly deserving of this recognition. Your dedication and service set an outstanding example for others to follow. It is employees like you, Jose that make me proud to serve as mayor. Thank you for your dedication and service. Sincerely, Mayor James. [applause] >> Okay., Um, we, have, some, folks, who, want, to you know show their uh appreciation for you. So get going with that all the boxes. I will start um the zoo [snorts] had to had to leave. So uh I am uh presenting you with the um zoo membership and the manatee. And again Mark's not here so I don't know why he chose the manatee but uh but the manatee is one of our favorites. So congratulations on this. >> Thank, you. [applause] >> Hi,, good, morning., Mary, Dylan, Stra, Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you so much for all the hard work you do. uh as a big performing arts center, we can really appreciate the level of work that has to go into keeping a big um building moving and all the parts working. So thank you so much. On behalf of Stra Center, please accept tickets to upcoming performance and enjoy the evening again. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate, it. [applause] >> Council, Brian, Ford, with, the, Tampa, Bay Buccaneers. Mr. Simon, thank you very much. Mr. Mr. Hernandez, from one behind thescenes guy to another, thank you for all that you do behind the scenes for our great city and thank you for the sacrifice that your family supports you with. And as I've mentioned before, we have a little tradition at one. Anybody that goes over and above gets a game ball and your story definitely represents that. So I have your own on behalf of the Glazer family, our entire organization. Thank you. >> Thank, you. >> Thank, you. >> [applause] >> I, also, like, to, wish, everyone, a, very happy and safe holiday season. Thanks for all that you guys do. Thank you very much, sir. >> Thank, you. >> Thank, you,, Mr., Ford. [clears throat] >> Council,, sir. >> Sir,, congratulations., Mike, MacArthur Steps Towing Service. Uh, and go what Mr. Ford just said. We don't we don't get to see what the behind the scenes does and and what it's like and it's people like you that keep the city running and we appreciate it. And and so on behalf of Todd Step and Steps Towing we'd like to congratulate you. Thank you for everything that you do for our city as a gift card. Have some dinner on us. Congratulations and happy holidays to everybody. And thank you [applause] >> Steve, Molini., uh, facing, forward. [laughter] Uh you know the maintenance people, you you'll sure know it if they're if it's not working because when you go into that facility and the air conditioning or the plumbing is not working, you're not you're not staying. So anyway, I'm happy to have Andre Davis join me. He's the president of the Long Shoreman's Union. Uh and he's going to present one of the first presentations here from Jackson's Beastro. Andre. >> All, right. Give him your name. >> Councilman, Andre, Davis,, president,, vice president of local 1402 international loan showman. I used to work at the Tampa Convention Center, but I couldn't fix nothing, so [laughter] I was a banquet, guy., [clears throat], But, anyway, on behalf of the Jackson's beastro, we would like to present you with a gift card for dinner for you and your family or your wife. >> Thank, you,, sir. >> You're, welcome., Very, welcome. >> [applause] >> On, behalf, of, Yummy, House, Beastro,, we're providing you with a gift certificate so you can enjoy yourself lunch or dinner. The Chicho Restaurant Group breakfast lunch or dinner >> and, the, meat, market, in, Old, Hide, Park lunch or dinner. And uh just uh in recognition, I'd like to bring these two union folks together and uh at some point perhaps bring them back. The Long Shoreman's Union is celebrating its 90th year and was instrumental in establishing a a work program for blacks in this community as well as cultural and social uh gathering place to forward the uh initiatives. Anyway, thank you very much. Um and uh congratulations. >> Thank, you., Thank, you. [applause] >> And, we, have, uh, the, our, commendation, from our grateful city council. Uh thank you so much for all of your work. Um and uh we'll after this quick photo, we'll let you say a few words. >> Uh, I'm, truly, moved, truly, moved, and humbled. Um as I'm I come from the private sector where the more you do the more they want. uh as of when I started working for the city of Tampa Tampa um I thought I was doing my job and I get well compensated for so to be recognized for doing my job I mean it's truly beyond what I believe um this can't be done by one person um it's a teamwork um and I am truly grateful that my superiors listen to our um requests to get materials and whatever it is that we need to make the the place beautiful and they listen and they comply and that's how we achieve certain things. So I'm truly humbled and I'm grateful and thank you guys very much. [applause] I just want to say thank you. You know that that uh convention center has a lot of history. It was built by mayors who wanted to see changes in the city of Tampa. However, when it was built, we didn't even have a convention hotel downtown. So we had some lean years in the government because we had to pay the subsidies that wasn't creating the revenue for it. However, then the Marriott came in, not the not the fivestar, the other Marriott, which it looks like a five-star and they started out by them being there, the presence the attendance started rising and other hotels came in and it made the convention center what it is. However it would have never been what it is if it wasn't for individuals like yourself the staff. Because you go into that convention center, it may be 35 or 40 years old, but it looks what? Brand new. You can see your face on the floor. That's how much it shines. The building is impeccably cleaned, and that's what makes the people comfortable coming to Tampa. That's because Tampa is now one of the most highest hotel occupancy in the country of the United States of America. Thank you and your staff for what you've done. Much gracias. >> Thank, you. Thank you, council. You want to say? >> So,, can, I, can, I, just, say, real, fast?, Um, thank you for everything you do. Um, the example that was given about the tiles and everything that's, you showing that you're taking initiative. You're making sure that the facility looks great, that that people are able to enjoy it and and as my colleague said, it puts a great face forward for Tampa, but also probably you're saving the city money. So, thanks for taking initiative. >> Thank, you. >> On, behalf, of, Tampa, City, Council,, thank you. Oh, I'm sorry, Council. Yeah. Yeah absolutely. look. >> Um,, no., I, was, just, telling, uh,, Chair Caden that we have, um, this is a a great way to start this meeting because we able to see that we have some really great people um that keep this city running from our union to firefighters to our police. Um, you all really, you know,, either, put, yourselves, on, the line or you are in the, you know, doing the work and, um, sometimes we don't see it and so I just want to say thank you and it's been amazing to watch the presentations and just be like, wow, you all really keep the city running. So thank you. >> Thank, you. >> Yeah., On, behalf, of, Tampa, City, Council, thank you for what you do with the st the convention center is a jewel for the city of Tampa. We appreciate you working there. Thank you. >> Thank, you., [applause] >> Trying, to, trying, to, get, in. >> Yeah. >> Wow., Okay., Okay., Thank, you,, council. >> Seriously., I, mean,, they're, downstairs. Wow. Okay. We'll see what they do. Okay. We >> Okay,, let's, Okay,, we're, going, to, do, our true >> 10-minute, break., We'll, come, back, at 10:20, >> I, guess., Yeah, >> we're, going, to, moon, just, for, public comment. Don't take any time. >> [music] >> It's, all, right. I want Okay. >> [music] >> Down to I don't know. specific Here [music] we are. >> [music] [music] >> That, was, great. Hey there. Oh my god. [music] Are you hearing? All right. Oh, >> [music] >> I, have, to, go, to, public., All, right. Hello. Hello. Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> What, do, you, think? [music] All right. [music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat., Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Get back. >> [music] [music] >> Manis, taco >> here., Young >> here, >> Vieira, Carlson, here, >> and, Clint, Dennon >> here. >> We, have, a, physical, forum. >> Thank, you, so, much. >> Okay., Uh, yeah,, why, don't, we, do, the, spiel first since we're going to do 64 for our agenda review. Councilwoman >> um, can, can, we, clarify, what's, going, on with 64 first because I I've gotten some uh folks were asking they aren't sure exactly what we're doing with item 64. >> May, I, attempt, to, do, so?, Yes. >> So, it, doesn't, have, to, become, a discussion. >> Thank, you., [laughter] My understanding members of the public with regard to number 64, if you are here on number 64 in particular, and that subject is a discussion about whether or not storm water monies or staff should be used on parades or special events. If you're here to speak on that, you have a choice. You can either speak before the item is heard or you can hear the city's presentation and then have the opportunity to speak. What >> we're, doing, that, item, right, now., So, we're going to be listening to it after. >> Oh,, I, see., You're, not, even, going, to, take public comment. >> After, 64 >> for, a, total, of, 15, minutes. >> Then, see,, I'm, glad, we, did, this., Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Whoa., What's, happening, is, the, city council during the approval of the agenda decided to take up item number 64 immediately after ceremonial and allow 15 minutes total in which to take public comment. >> After, the, public, comment, on, number, 64, then they will open it up to the rest of public comment. You will not, if you're here to speak on number 64, you will not have an opportunity to comment on it twice. You will either speak to it during the 15 minutes before or you can speak to uh um you could speak to it for the 15 minutes when the item is first taken up, but you can't speak to it again during public comment. >> Do, I, say, that, correctly? >> No,, because, we're, going, to, have, the discussion. >> Yes. >> And, then, it'll, be, done. >> It'll, be, done., 64, public. >> Yeah., But, so, he's, saying, you, can't, speak on 64 twice. Well, 64 will be solved. >> That, maybe, it'll, be, solved, to, your satisfaction, but maybe not to the public's. So what I'm suggesting then is just as we don't we don't cut down the >> Okay, >> let's, let's, let's, just, move, on., So >> I, hear, I, tried. >> You, tried., Uh, I, So, right, now, per, our discussion on the agenda review, we are going to hear item 64. After we hear staff present and we have discussion on 64, the public will be afforded an opportunity to discuss item 64 for a maximum of 15 minutes. What I'm going to ask is that if you're not here to speak on item 64 to either take a seat or move over to the other side of the room, we will line up people that are going to be want to speak to item 64 on this side. I'll make a determination of how many people are there and how so how many minutes each person will get based on the people that are on the against the wall at that point. >> Mr., Chair, >> Council, Carlson,, can, you, also, clarify the folks who are here for land use hearings? Yeah, I did I did say when we went on break is those of you that know we have a lot of people here for public comment. We're going to be this issue. I doubt we're going to get to much city business until after lunch. Just FYI. It's >> a, land, use. >> You're, going, to, be, speaking, at, the, item itself. >> On, the, item, itself,, correct?, Later, which is typical normal city business general public comment and issues [clears throat], that, are, judicial. you'll have an opportunity to speak to those individual individual issues after each one of those are presented. Okay. Does everybody clear? Any questions? >> No,, that, wasn't, clear. >> No. >> So,, so, if, you're, here, for, items 6 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 or 50 or 51 52 or 53. We are probably won't get to that >> until, after, lunch. >> Oh,, no., I'm, sorry., That's, not, what, I meant to say. If you're here to speak on those, those you speak on at the item not during public comment >> right?, Did, I, say, that, right? >> Yes., But, there's, one, more, thing, I'd, like to be clear on. >> Oh, my, lord. >> Do, not, suggest, that, you're, not, going, to get to them till after lunch. Because then what's going to happen is you're going to not be able to take it up till after lunch because of what you're saying. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> What, he, said. Are we all absolutely totally in a fog now? >> Okay., [laughter] >> So,, let's, simplify, it., Right, now,, Tampa City Council is going to hear item 64. Chief Bennett. >> Morning, again,, Council., John, Bennett, chief of staff, and good morning to our public. Um, we're looking forward to this discussion as it's outlined in the motion. uh the discussion with myself uh Miss Capesky of the city council budget analyst and of course we have other staff members here the budget departments here the legal department's here the police department's here as well as the storm water division of the mobility department um this is again an important discussion as council and the public probably remember it was so important that we collaborated together the administration and council to have a special call ahead of the budget adoption process for fiscal year 26. Um the surgicality of this discussion we opened up that night with the risk formula discussion about now we can bring those together. The risk of course in storm water um comes down to threat times vulnerability times consequence. And we know that we've had unique threats and unique consequences a year ago uh in 24. And we continue to work on a 10-year plan. Storm water is here to talk about any aspects of that. There's also unique risks in special events. The three primary groups that work those events are public works, public safety and parks and recreation. Um I think one of the biggest parts of this discussion was where storm water assessment funding specifically used for that service involve special event work, whether it's street sweeping after the event, etc. the case in some cases hardening. So we're willing to have that discussion. Now, everybody's here in case there's any interest in any specific subtopic on that. I will tell um council again supported by the subject matter leads that are here that it's been our research and at least as far back as budget can tell me that there's been specific funding put into the storm water budget unique to general fund use such as working these events whether it's street sweeping after or supporting a hardening of an event based on any other risks for those events. But again our focus is life and property in all areas. And um again, storm water can get into the details based on these levels of service. There's a level of service or storm water that's funded by the support of council approving the budget and implementation over the year. And there's a obviously funding to uh plan and submit and approve special events for the public. And so again we're just looking to further that discussion. we can go uh into any of the data points that we've looked at so far. I will make a recommendation that in the special event space, I have given probably a half a dozen requests to the special events office and the legal office to try and start making sure that we move things as efficiently and effectively as possible around events including looking at the code that has been in existence for some time for special events. Just as a reminder of the public, we typically have five different categories of events. We have city sponsored events that are in the charter. We have co-sponsored events that could have some sort of balancing between the promoter and the city. We have contracted events which typically come in under contract, very unique events like maybe the NCA events or the Super Bowl, things like that. Then we have dignitary events, especially with the big McDill base here and of course other dignitary visits. And then there's private events that may have a halo effect to the city and we have to send resources to support even though the private event is really not something the city is working directly on. So there's a myriad of things that we have to work throughout the year on. Um I have pulled and I continue to pull data from the events office, from the budget office, from the storm water and again they're all here to have that discussion. So looking forward to the public comment. I do think this would be a holistic workshop somewhere as we turn the corner of the calendar year, but again, what is council's pleasure at this point? >> Chief, Bennett,, I, just, like, I, would, like to just for you to clarify and maybe use Mr. Perry for that since he's here that because I think there's a lot of misinformation. the storm water department, the money that is spent from storm water that those the the the assets that we have, the personnel when they are pulled and used to like set up a parade or set up barricades, what money is being used when they're setting up barricades? Is it storm water money or is it general fund money? >> General, fund, money >> 100%. Whenever that event is planned, there is an estimate that comes from storm water to the events office and then that money would be supported by the general fund as one of the many funds that support storm water. >> Okay. >> And, again,, Mr., Perry, and, of, course Brandon Campbell are here to talk about that. >> Okay., I'll, let, other, council, I, saw Councilman Carlson and Councilwoman Hertech. >> Yeah., You, didn't, sound, very, confident, in that response. Um um my my philosophy is that um if you look at um what happened in South Tampa um other than storm surge um there was flooding all over the place that happened in part because of a lack of maintenance and the public was promised in 2016 that maintenance would be done every seven years and and most of the neighborhoods that I've been to I've been to all of them in South Tampa that flooded and they uh they had not had not had maintenance um in decades. Um you know, there was at least one one um retention pond in Palmyia Pines that didn't even have a an active permit, hadn't been um looked at in like 10 years. Um uh it's it's appalling the lack of maintenance that happened. And this is before the mayor sends another nasty Graham. It's not criticizing the staff people who work really hard on this. It's criticizing the priorities that were set by the administration for not prioritizing um cleaning the ditches, cleaning the retention ponds, and uh redirecting the water. Um, we live in an environment in Florida where there's rain all the time and it's not acceptable that that houses are are flooding and we know that maintenance is a part of it and and and when people look that to see that they're paying particularly for storm water u we should be finding solutions and we also should not be wasting money on big projects that won't work instead of doing the basic maintenance around the around the community. And still a year or more later, there's a lot of neighborhoods that don't have maintenance um that where the maintenance was never done and we've got to prioritize it. Um I think there [clears throat], we, should, have, a workshop on this and there needs to be a full accounting and probably hire a forensic accounting person to go back and see whether the money really did come out of the general fund or not. But even if it did, that money was allocated towards storm water. Um, and we need to make sure that we're putting every dollar we can into storm water and especially with this with the specific taxes that they're being spent efficiently. But the other thing is that just like with any other enterprise fund, um, and we talked about the convention center and now we've got these events, we need to we need to have separate kind of P&Ls on this to understand what the costs are. um the the events come before us for approval for allowing people to have an event but if the city is providing inkind services, that all needs to be disclosed and we need to know what we're getting out of it. And if the city doesn't have the money or resources in the general fund uh to offer that, then we need to say no to some of them. I don't want to say no to the parades and events, but if we can't afford it, we can't. I mean you we're also taking resource in kind resource away from police and fire and other departments that we desperately need and I think we need to re-evaluate the events and what cost the city is putting in them. Um you know a lot of these events have been added by different political people over time uh so they can shake hands and get publicity and um and get pictures taken. And what we need to do is focus on the basics. The public wants us to fix the storm water, you know, prevent flooding fix the roads, and fix our parks, among other things. Thank you >> Councilwoman, Herk. >> Um,, you, and, I, talked, about, this, uh briefly the other day, and I said that one of the things I wanted was the the money chain of like how it gets from place to place, and I didn't know if Mr. Perry had that. Good morning. Mike Perry, uh, revenue and finance. >> Can, I, have, the, wolf, on,, please? >> It's, there. >> And, then, let, me, pass, these, on, out., Okay. Every does all council member have a copy of the um >> we, can, see, it., Go, ahead., Okay. >> Oh,, and, we're, missing, one. >> That's, okay. >> Mike, Perry,, revenue, and, finance., Again, you I think you saw this early in the summer. What happened? And um you see the the funding trend for the stormwater service assessment revenue since 2017. At that time the city made a commitment to provide $2 million minimum annually to the stormwater service fund. And that that money physically gets transferred out of the general fund into the stormwater service assessment fund. So, what you're saying is that $2 million is what is spent on putting parades together. >> That, a, part, of, that, money, is, used, for the estimated cost of the special events and you know, Brandon Campbell will come up here and probably talk to you about the actual cost and then any excess money that's not used for special events is applied to the storm water service levels >> from, here. >> So,, Mr. What's the six million? Why 26? >> Uh, oh., Okay., I'm, sorry., Uh let's can I finish this train of thought and then we can go back to that. Okay. >> With, Mayor, York, Brian >> with, with, uh, Mr., Campbell. >> Yes., Uh, Brandon, Campbell, uh, interim director of the mobility department. In terms of the scale of effort on the part of the stormwater team, uh in a typical year we are working 12 to 13 events total. Um about half of those are gas barilla related in some way or another between the running event and the parades. Uh and for the last year for which I had complete data, the total spend was just under $250,000. >> Do, you, have, uh, an, accounting, of, each parade and the amount of storm water? Um it's generally labor that is that is accounted for for each parade. >> Uh, yes,, I, could, get, that, to, you., And, how far back do you have that? >> I'm, not, certain,, but, I'll, I, can, assemble something with with a little bit of history to it. >> Um,, because, I, think, what, what, we, all want to know is how long this has been going on. Um, so I'd be interested to know from 2017. Um, and I know that will take some time to put together, so I don't have a problem with that. But I'm interested in from 2017 the amount of money uh and the amount of labor, the hour, the labor hours and the amount of money. So I can form that into a motion later. But um and Miss Sharf, if you're if you're listening, you can kind of start writing that down for me. Um but yes, so that so that's my interest there because the concern is Yeah. I I want and I I want to be able to see how the money moves from one account to another. So, how does it move from this $2 million transfer from the general fund into um personnel costs? I want to make I want to see that uh the movement. So, that's what I'm interested in. >> Oh,, I, have, a, second, question,, too., Um and this I believe goes back to either Chief Bennett or Mr. Perry. Um how much are events paying? Um, I know we talked about the fact that that has increased somewhat, but if there are five different types of events, how has that increased? What are they paying for provisions that the city of Tampa I mean I'm not just talking about storm water here. I'm also talking about police fire, um, you know, maintenance, uh operations staff. >> Yeah., So,, great, question., As, events, have evolved in the city, to Councilman Carlton's point, some events are historical, some are new, some are charter. The charter events, of course are in the charter for that purpose. Um so the the co-sponsored events will vary uh depending on how long it's been historically in place. Um, we have asked over the last couple years because we see that it's kind of like the social action arts fund. We need these events to start picking up the hard costs, if not all the hard costs, and what I would call soft costs like permitting and things like that. Start weaning them off of that, trying to help them run their events u you know, more in the private space than the public space, but yet still keep the enjoyment of the events. So that those efficiencies and effectiveness moves have been going on. So, um, and that's why I asked to take a look at the code and see if we need to harden up any of that with council through legislative support. So, again these things are evolving. Right now, my baseline number is uh about 20% is um paid by the promoters in co-sponsored events. Um, 80% picked up in some cases by the city with that being worked more towards paying 100% of those hard costs. >> Okay., [snorts], So,, and, this, is, only, for co co-sponsor. What about um so what about private events? >> Well,, let's, start, with, contract, if, you don't mind because we get a contract event that comes to council, you know could be the Super Bowl, NCAA event what that's approved by council. Everything is in that contract. So, this that's almost like a charter event at that point. We're we're deciding where that line is between the event and what they're paying privately for those events. And then for a private event it's really that's typically awareness but there could be an event that's going on um and a dignitary event that comes in either spontaneous, but you also have to think about large-scale demonstrations. We're a big city and we have to go out and protect the public during demonstrations. So those things are kind of ad hoc and qu quick and they demand and they're not going typically through a permit process if the demonstration fits first amendment opportunities. So there's a lot of variables in all of this. um you know again the flexibility of staff to try and work through these in an efficient effective manner but not at the expense of the storm water level of service that gets defined by the city and the industry which is kind of where I try to look through the storm water process. >> Okay., And, I, have, one, final, question., Um what would be the cost if it's if it cost about $250,000 a year? Um what would it cost to hire out for this service? >> And, I, think, there's, two, elements, to that. So element one would be the actual transaction cost to hire it out. And I'd let Mr. Campbell talk about that because they've probably explored it. Um I will tell you as just a side note, TPD, we've been working with our uh regional partners to acquire more agile, more highly tech protection systems that don't require storm water. And those have already been implemented and they're growing. So we're trying to shrink all the public work side and increase the technology. Um but back to the point um the the numbers I've been given are been double but I think there's a another intangible aspect to that. It's the responsivity of the inind services to open the road under the pre-post postevent or during the event emergency work within around the event. We may have to open up something in an emergency to get public safety into a unique thing that has nothing to do with the event. So having that level of service in the event is kind of critical. So, it's partly the cost and partly the responsivity, but the numbers I've been given has been twice as much. >> Okay., So,, what, you're, saying, is, that, we have storm water personnel on scene for all of these events to move these things. >> I, would, defer, to, Mr., Campbell, on, that. >> Mr., Campbell. >> Uh,, yes,, that's, correct., We, do, have storm water personnel on scene to remove barriers in the case of an emergency. Um, I would have to work with the operations division to see exactly what the scale of that specific aspect of the effort is. Um, I I don't believe we have someone sitting at every piece of barrier. We'll just have uh one person with the equipment to move it that could maneuver to that barrier. >> Okay., Um,, thank, you, very, much., That's those are my questions. >> Council, Miranda, >> uh,, just, let, me, ask, you, another question, sir, if I may. And and this is going, to, up, a, whole, can kind, of, worms. This is going to get a little bit more difficult than what we think. And let me explain why. May I ask you a question sir? >> Yes. >> Isn't, it, true, that, storm, water, does, a lot of other things other than transfer money into the events of storm water when there is events in other big stadiums that you do all the same things you're doing now in other stadiums and you're paying for it yourself? Is that fact or not? >> So,, I'm, not, sure, exactly, what, um specific you're specifically you're referring to. The stormwater team does do >> Well,, there, let, me, narrow, it, down, then. >> I'm, sorry. >> Let, me, narrow, it, down., Sure., In, two areas of town, downtown and the West Tampa area >> there's, events, that, you, do, there, that you use storm water, you put up barricades day and night. Is that a fact or not? >> Yes., So,, anytime. >> Thank, you, >> Councilman, Young., Um, I, just, wanted, to know um the the reason the jump from 2024 to 2025 from 2 to six million for the the transfer from general fund. Um the the adopted budget in 25 increased from 2 million in 24 to 2.5 in 25 because again we do financial analysis and we knew that they were going into some financial concerns >> and, we, wanted, to, provide, that, extra, half million dollars in sustainability. During the year council made two motions or two requests as staff. The first one resulted in a in a $500,000 financial resolution to go from $2.5 to $3 million. And Brandon, you recall what that 500,000 was for? >> Uh, I, I, believe, that, specific, $500,000 was for ditch maintenance. >> Okay., And, then following the final presentation of the close out of 24, the fiscal year 24 budget, council requested the administration to provide additional supplemental funding. And I do believe that was about $3 million for Strongwater. And that was presented to council either the last meeting of July or the first meeting of August. And council approved that three million additional $3 million um for storm water in 25. Then when we when we did the 26 budget, knowing the sensitivity and the the need to to provide additional funding, the mayor approved additional funding of $1.5 million in the 26 budget based on additional budget increase from the department um in order to sustain that level of service. >> Thank, you. >> So Mr. Bennett, I think it would be helpful before we got before the public chimes in on this because I think a lot of this was um a lot of this was uh there's a lot of information out there that wasn't rooted in, in in, fact-based, evidence., Could, you please just basically start from the beginning of of our our strategic approach of how we staff storm water? How we you know I mean can you start from the beginning in an ABC you know elementary way of explaining the city's approach to budgeting for these events but using this the mobility water department to facilitate this and and what what the financial justification is. >> Sure., And, do, you, want, me, to, stick specifically to storm water mobility or across the entire spectrum? >> I, think, across, the, board, because, I, think generally I think you you hit you you kind of hit a little bit high level when you discussed all of the different type you know, the dignitary movements, you know, we have the sports events that we have in town. We have there's a lot of things that happen between, you know the Buccaneers and the Lightning and we're in playoffs and >> we, end, up, in, some,, you, know,, if, we, if, we win the Stanley Cup and, you know, all these things. So I think you just talking about what the financial uh decision making is of how we staff mobility water and how we and and how we use those resources and then how how that is paid for. Just get an ABC a one two three kind of level of overview of it. >> Okay., And, again,, everything, starts, with a defined level of service. And everything that comes forward to council in a recommended budget is based on sustaining or exceeding those level of services. And that's what we're trying to do over the years by adding all these metrics. You know, again, back to council's support. After the budget started, there was a lot of online information about performance thresholds in storm water and we have now a pin map online that shows the work orders. So again, trying to increase awareness, but back to the point of of deployments everything is deployed around a level of service. One of the analogies I like to use is fire or police because it's all about response time and making sure that we meet those industry standards. And then if the expectations and experiences are larger than that, then we would come forward from the public and increase those resources to change those levels of service. My understanding from storm water, they're working on a fiveyear storm level of service for the community. Um, you know, so whether we have a 10 year, 100redy year thousand-year storm, that's something that, you know, we have to look at with the climactic change that's going on with a special event, every special event gets a analysis from those user departments, support departments that comes forward on a monthly basis. And again, as I mentioned earlier, we've been asking all the hard costs to be paid on co-sponsored events and we started um reducing or increasing the city's gain on the soft cost, meaning the permits because these events that have historically just like the social act have depended on a certain level of service from the city. We have realized a couple years ago that that's not sustainable. And not only is it not sustainable financially for the very reason we're standing here, we need to make sure that our priorities are focused on things like again that's been discussed already in the room. So shifting those opportunities, making sure we have the legislative backs stop for it, making sure the approaches and the deployments are all the same. So when every department submits their ability to service that event, it has a dollar amount to it. And then whether it's paid by the promoter or it's co-sponsored by the city or it's fully sponsored by the city that's in this historical journey if you will which has been going on since I was running Gasparilla right after 911. And it's so we're talking decades of pattern here of using city resources in public safety public works, parks and wreck to manage events. And then to the more narrow point, you know, to Mr. Perry's credit and of course other leaders like Brad and Gan and everything else, the fact that they infused storm water with general fund dollars to not use assessment dollars was a critical move. And I'm hearing now from Brandon that you know, 250,000 is just a little over 10% of that fund that's used on events. If we do outsource it, again, it's another level of service standard that we'd have to take a look at, which is why I recommend to Councilman Carlson's point that we do need to look at this holistic. We've been working on segments of it, but of course when you get a spike in an issue like we just had with with flooding and things, we have to you know, recalculate. And I think that's why we're here now. >> So,, it, sounds, like, um it sounds like maybe at least have another discussion at a workshop about special events and what what we're supporting and the level of support we have, for, each, one, of these, special events., Maybe, just, at least, for, public disclosure and transparency. Um, from what I'm hearing, what you just said though, is that if the money we're taking out the general fund, if if we were if we segregated this out and put it to a different department other than storm water, that still that would be like $2 million. That would not go into storm water. It would go to a different place and it would cost us [snorts] twice as much to provide that service. Is that what I heard correctly? >> Oh,, but, we, have, two, we're, transferring $2 million of general fund into the storm water. >> Question,, right?, whatever, the, whatever the amount was >> staff's, analysis, preliminary, analysis back to me was it would because I started talking about this in August about you know when the when the risk from TPD was meeting the storm weller functionality I started saying we need to start looking at different equipment start getting this away from that level of service being as high as it is but not taking on the risk and that's when we started increasing changing out the product making sure that we tried to move events off the street to self-contain self-protect protected areas like parks for runs and so all this has been evolving now you know much longer than this discussion but that's why I think it's worthy to come back and look at it in each lane special events lane of course the storm water lane and to councilwoman her tax's point all the services that go towards special events um because again the city's growing we have more asks now than we've even had before on special events and we're just trying to manage the uh the future of Okay. Um, so this we did one round we're going to go to second round. So Councilwoman Herk and then Councilman Carlson. >> Um,, Brandt,, um,, a, question, for, Mr. Campbell. Um, so $25,000 how what's the number of worker hours? Uh so the total manh hours for that year uh for which the 20 $250,000 was calculated was about 3,300 and half of that was overtime and half of that was straight time. >> Okay., And, so, overtime, was, half, and, then um is storm water still working six days a week mandatory? >> We, have, dialed, back, from, the, sixth, sixth day of the week. >> Okay., And, when, when, did, that, occur?, uh was uh it was basically at the end of the storm season. >> So, last, week >> tapering, down, at, the, end, of, the, storm season basically uh and it was around uh the Labor Day time frame. I could get you the exact date if you want. >> Okay., So, it, ended, at, on, Labor, Day., Um but basically this then is is the overtime optional for parades or >> the, parades?, No,, it's, a, it's, assigned work. >> So, it's, mandatory, overtime. >> Yes., Okay., Thank, you. >> Okay., Councilman, Carlson, >> Mr., Campbell,, um,, [clears throat], thank you for coming prepared with all these answers and anticipating what we had asked. Um, the the 250,000 for staff what um, can you c compare to us the overall budget for staff just for storm water >> trying, to, figure, out, what, percentage that might be? >> I, don't, have, that, figure, available., And I will I would like to clarify that that $250,000 is not simply staff time. It does include labor and equipment. Uh materials generally are materials on hand. >> So, member, members, of, the, community, have said in their analysis and I think this discovery came from members of the community that that it's as much as 30% of of the staff time for storm water. Does that sound high or low to you? >> It, sounds, very, high, to, me. >> Very, high., Um, yeah., So, when, you, get that, it'd be great if you could uh send it to us. And then Mr. Bennett. Um, you talked about level of service. In 2016 again, different administration. You weren't, here,, at least, in, this, capacity. Um, the public was promised that maintenance would be done in every area every seven years. >> Um,, storm, water., And, then, Brandon, um testified to us a couple months ago that that that the that that the current plans are to provide maintenance every seven years. It appears that between um between the time between 2016 and uh 2024 or 2023 that that not a lot of maintenance was done. There were there are areas where we have trees growing out of culverts where there culverts are completely covered with dirt and other um uh foilage. We have um um retention ponds that haven't been permitted in 10 years. Um, is that is that acceptable in the level of service that that you're I know you you you you're trying to look forward instead of back, but the public is very concerned that that because maintenance was done, they can see there there are pictures and videos that are on a Facebook page that the public has put together that show that the maintenance was not done for years. So so how can the public be certain that the level of service going forward is to follow the plan to do it every seven years and to go make sure the maintenance is being done? >> U, yeah,, thank, you, for, the, question, and and just to kind of segue off Mr. Campbell just talked about to try and quantify uh personnel resources when he mentioned 3,300 hours just for the public sake. One full-time equivalent is 280 hours. So, we're talking about a FT and a half. um based on that 3,300 hours. So, it sounds like a lot of hours, but that's one employee and about another half an employee in the aggregate. Back to the question, um that's exactly why we put performance management enterprisewide into the city when this administration hit. That's why we have those uh unique levels of service public facing to show the bar graphs of whether we're hitting or exceeding or or below. So, we all have transparency on that. uh when I go back and look at the dashboard, they're both in the green um for the levels of service as defined by that division. Um so these are the barometrics we try and set and I do look backwards to go forward. A matter of fact, I ran all of the customer service complaints in storm water back for the entire time since 2016. The assessment is and we were averaging about 160 complaints or one every other day if you average it out over a year for the first eight years. And then the last two years or well since the storms in in obviously late 24 that has jumped up to about three a day. So people are becoming more keenly aware of the service needs and the responsibility from the storm water to do exactly what >> if, I, may, I'm, going to, cut, you, off, so that he doesn't cut me off. But that's fine. Um but I think that you know customer complaints is that's going to happen around the times that there's a heavy rain. But the the the measure the metric should be are they are the ditches being dug and redug to the to the industry standard? Are the do the retention ponds have permits? Are the culverts cleaned out? Are they one of them was full of water weeks after the storm? And and so we have to have a maintenance system like that. I know Brandon's working on that, but we need to be able to tell the public that that that's that's our measure going forward. Uh because it it's not acceptable that that that all this unexpected flooding is happening. Um, the other thing I want to say before he cuts me off is um, oh going backwards, you know, when the mayor said that Nancy Graham a few months ago, she implied that maintenance has been done from 2016 until 2024, but we can see that it wasn't. And so, if somehow she believes that the maintenance was done, I would love to see that because the public has thousands of pictures showing it wasn't done. And and I think from where you sit, you want to look forward and make sure that we do have a seven-year plan going forward. But I'd also I think the public would like to know why did wasn't it done during that that other period. Um but before he cuts me off I want to say um the uh I think we ought to look at each event um like a P&L and maybe that's not the right term but we need to know the total cost of each event. Um what is what are the inind services that we're providing for each event and we need to think of them like the like the social services fund. We we're probably in in kind giving a couple million dollars in services a year. I think that has to be included somehow in the budget process so we know what is the cost to police, what is the cost to fire, what's the cost to storm water and we may be able to use in-house stormwater people to save time. But what should be happening is that and the accounting is that is that there's a transfer if you look at if you look at storm water as an enterprise and you look at parades or events as an enterprise that one enterprise should be paying the other for service. Now, we're the the transfer from the general fund probably should go to the to the parade or event fund and then they would turn around and reimburse police and fire and stormwater. But we need to make sure that we're not taking that that money away. and and and the the amount that we move from the general fund over to the parades and events needs to be a robust discussion just like the money we're giving to nonprofits because if a if a small event is costing the public 500,000 in incind services, that's a serious uh question about whether we should do it. We all like events and having more events activates our city but we we could be spending millions of dollars and we don't know it because of the way it's presented. Thank you. >> Thank, you,, Council, Miranda., This, is, what happens when you leave a city that was cigar makers and American can, continental can and Reynolds aluminum that made cans and that was the majority of the people worked at. We become a different city. We're a tourist city now. We're one of the finest tour cities in the country. We ranked number one or two in hotel occupancy. Why? Because we have events for people to come to. That's why you have different factors now. You have people, that, are, AI,, I I, a, whatever, the hell you want to call that thing and all these uh companies that moved in to the east here part of town that uh you have buildings there that even I want to walk around I said man I'm in a different city here but that's what made the youth people come and stay in Tampa. People that lived here went to college somewhere and stayed there and people come to the University of Tampa and they stay here. So we have a city that's booming. I always say when I was a kid, we had nothing and everybody was, happy., Now, we, have, a, hell, of a, lot more and no one's happy. We have a problem. But when we talk about money we have to talk about all the money, not just storm water, not just this. When you look at the events that we're paying for other areas and the police and fires, it has nothing to do with storm water. It's about $250,000 an event in a certain place. You can challenge me anytime you want. All of you. That's number one. And that's for 30 years. When you look at parking from Kennedy down south on game day, it's all theirs [cough] for 30 years. I would imagine that in those two areas alone, you're looking upward of $150 million that you gave away. Ain't no one talking about that. They're afraid not to get reelected. I ain't afraid to get re-elected. I never have been. But I think different than most because I had nothing. And now that I have something, I still have nothing because I'm 85 years old. Where am I going with it? But I still have this brain here that memorizes every fact and figure that I look at at times if I wanted to. That 25 250,000 in the 2027 will change to 500 to 600,000 because the cost of operating the police and fire has gone up from 1996 to 2027 and you and I go pay for it and you're happy. I'm happy too. So you [snorts] have to have some of these events if you want to keep the young people here. If you want to keep the city moving forward, there was no hotel here. None. We lose no Yankees at the convention center until it started with one hotel the Marriott. Now it's been there 30 years. That hotel brought five or six. In fact, there's a five-star hotel. I never knew I don't even know a fivestar general. There's only a four-star general. We got a fivestar hotel in the city of Tampa. You got martinis that cost $20. My suit didn't cost $20 but people drink a martini for $20. That's wonderful. They're paying the sales tax on it also. So, what I'm looking at is if you want to look at something, don't just look at storm water versus this. Look at the whole city what you're giving away. I'm not afraid to say that you're giving away more than what you think. I guarantee you, you're giving away a lot more. Remember, two words I'm going to leave you with. And I'm going to ask you to define it to yourself, not to me. What is a public facility? And I don't want an answer. That's all I'm going to say. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I think that was two plugs for the Marriott Wateride Hotel today. So, this com this commercial endorsement by Tampa City Council paid for by Charlie Miranda >> Councilwoman, Hertch. >> Um,, so, I, just, listening., I, have, a, couple more questions. If we have double the requests, why haven't we hired more stormwater folks? >> Double, the, requests, for >> You, said, that, that, the, requests, have gone up almost basically doubled in the last two years. Why aren't we hiring more stormwater folks? I I think um I might be confused on what is double. The only thing I mentioned double was the cost to outsource the service. >> We, don't, have, double, the, events. >> No,, we, were, talking, about, hours, of, of actual storm water requests and complaints. Um you were saying that >> Okay., Yeah., What, I, did, is, I, looked, at two things. I looked at the annual rainfall back to 2016 for the city and broke that down. And of course, you know, in the recent two years that we looked at this, I mean, it's gone up. It's it's usually around 50 inches. Then when you go to 80 inches and you have a 55% increase, again, go back to the climate or just the anomaly of what we saw, that has to be folded back into a level of service. So, we have a different threat level against our vulnerability. We've got to start thinking differently. So if the complaints came in because they were more keenly aware based on what happened in the consequence level of that risk then that's the responsivity where storm water comes back in. I can't tell you that they're not meeting their level of service. Only Mr. Campbell can tell you that. But I think if the public, again it's the same thing in crime fighting. More people call in, we're more responsive, crime goes down. People call in about ditches and swailes and ponds and they're more responsive about what they see. and we have a better level of service and maintenance. But without those calls, whether it was the first eight years where somebody was calling in every other day about a storm water you know, pooling or puddling or maintenance issue or they've increased you know, to what they are where they're calling three times a day over a year. Again, all that can be mapped into data and we could figure out how we meet that. I I can't speak to storm water's need or or not need for more service but and of course we all know have the ability to contract out services as well. >> U, Mr., Campbell, >> so, that, I'm, I'm, basically, going, to, ask you the same question. I mean, it sounds like we are and people are being more responsive. I know my office is getting a lot more. I think all of our offices are getting a lot more uh citizen issues around it. Why aren't we hiring more people? Well, I I would address that by saying in part the the calls are an indicator of the level level of interest in the community and that's really the reactive side of what we do. Like we want most of our our uh measures are our commitments to levels of service are based on proactive work. Um so of course there's a higher level of interest. Um that's to be expected particularly given the historic storm season that we saw last year. Um, on top of that, we're we are anticipating uh in the renewal of our MS4 permit an expectation for different levels of service, more frequent service. I think that we will see a need to add to our staff based on that interaction and those requirements that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will put on the next round of permits for us. We're ready for that. Uh we're we're we're ready for that process with uh FDEM or FD, sorry. >> When, does, that, occur? >> Uh, it's, anytime., We, are, toward, the, end of what would normally be the life cycle of an MS4 permit. We we respond to them each year with uh information about what we have done. Uh and they could come to us at any time for an expected new new permit, new set of permit requirements. >> Okay., So,, so, I, mean, that's, part, of, what the the memo said from Chief Burkhaw. It said during the time frame the city has stayed in compliance with its obligations to the DP's um MS4 which is the municipal separate storm sewer system permit which is the S4S's uh there. Um, so I I my question was since we live in a peninsula and these and and because of the hurricanes last year, I mean, should our goal be to stay in compliance or to exceed the um obligations? And and it and it sounds like that the public is saying we need to exceed the obligations. And I guess what you're saying is that the Department of um Environmental Protection should be coming to us and telling us that soon. >> Yes,, I, I, anticipate, that, coming, soon. >> Okay., And, then, one, last, question. What are these new more agile barriers? What do they look like? Can we get a picture? Like, and how do you store them? Like all of that stuff? >> Yeah,, I, I, think, I, defer, to, the, police department. I mean certain things technologically, you know, obviously they're going to protect some of that science and that physics, but um they're more nimble more agile, they're self-deployed, they come on a trailer, we share these resources, but you know, again, um certain things we you know, we [clears throat] obviously embargo for the sake of that. >> We, see, a, man, with, a, badge, and, a, folder. >> Council,, thank, you., Jason, Delhi,, Major Special Operations at Tampa Police Department. I think your question about the barriers more specifically, one type of barrier we use is meridian barriers. Um, they are self- deployed. We do put them out, I mean self-deployed by us. We we put them out, we place them out and they they shore up some vulnerabilities that we have. Um, on top of that, we also try and use natural barriers everything we can to lessen the impact across the entire city when we're when we're trying to shore up any vulnerabilities for an event. >> So,, so, this, actually, leads, to, a question. Miss Sharf and I were heading down to Marriott uh Water Street yesterday for a meeting. >> Third, third, uh, um, third, mention, of, that today. >> Uh, and, we, we, were, walking, down, at, the corner of I think it's like Platt and Florida, [clears throat] >> and, you, have, all, those, selfosed barriers, all the silver barriers there. Why don't we just put a fence there? I mean, not a full-on fence, but just like one of those 4 foot fences. Why don't we just make it permanent and then you don't have to move all the barriers all the time? >> So,, we're, we're, continually, looking, at ways to be more efficient in in deploying barriers, whether it's ballards at at certain places throughout the city, um where our events are are occurring. Um we also get barriers from all over the region, if I'm being honest, from state, federal, and local partners. We we go and pick up barriers or they deliver them to us. We store our own barriers at um within the city. Most of them are actually deployed even when they're not at special events, they are deployed throughout the city to to shore up, other, vulnerabilities, [clears throat] that we've seen. So, we're trying to do everything that we can to lessen the impact on on on the city and other city resources while we are actually increasing the amount of barriers that we use in the amount of events that we use them into. >> Yeah,, thank, Yeah,, I, appreciate, that., And and obviously no one here is saying we don't need the barriers. I think that's been one thing that we are very clear we need them, but but how do we get them to you? And so I appreciate that you're looking at new ways that we could uh deploy them, make sure you know there's all sorts of new stuff going on. So I appreciate that y'all are on top of that. >> Yes., Councilman, Carlson, >> just, quick, question, not, for, the, officer. Thank you for coming up. Um uh this is for more for u Mr. Bennett. Um [clears throat] I I know as I kind of alluded to earlier, I know you you all are trying to do a big have tried to do a big reset in storm water the last year and we can see, the, [clears throat], responsiveness. We can see the people out in the field and the communication department is putting that out so the the public can see it. Um uh, the Brandon has been interim and I saw that he has an engineering degree. Um, you and I talked Mr. Ben had talked about either splitting mobility and storm water or or some people were saying you're still going to combine them., I, [clears throat], don't, know, what you're planning on doing in the future. Oh, but let me just say Brandon, Yuan uh Jeff, the whole team, they've been very responsive. They're going out meeting with the public. They're meeting the public doesn't always like the answers, but they're meeting with the public. They're engaging and and doing a great job. Um, but you're looking for either two people to to be had those two departments or one person to head both of them. My two questions. One is is is an in is this time is an engineering degree, and a, requirement, um, and, number two um what's the status? Thank you. >> And, specifically, so, I, understand, are, you talking about the mobility director or the storm water >> whoever's, going, to, be in, charge, of, storm water whether it's going to be a storm water person. You know what I've said before, I said to you privately, we have [clears throat] water, which is portable water. We have uh waste water, storm water. They all have a lot of synergies with mobility also. And it seems like maybe there should be an unbudsman that coordinates between the four of them instead of having one person in charge of mobility and storm water. Um, I I don't know where you stand on that now, but but the public would like I think the public would like to know that the person you're going to hire has an engineering degree and so is that a requirement um this time and what's the status of it? >> Yeah,, I, know, the, mayor, and, Miss, Duncan have been talking about that about making sure that storm water has its you know, if it's elevated to its full department within that portfolio. Um, I don't, know if, Mr., Baird,, if, he's, still here, has any insight on that. I'd rather defer to the the group that has all the engineers. >> Brad, Beard,, deputy, administrator, of infrastructure., Um, the, [clears throat], u uh storm water was part of the department of sanitary sewers um at uh back in the 90s and and early 2000s. And then uh when Mayor Aorio came in um in 2003, she actually made storm water a separate department. And then um later on um that department was combined back with storm water and transportation services department as it originally was before it was in the department of sanitary sewers which was in uh department of public works. So quick history lesson I think >> that's, relevant, but, I, think, to, the, point is >> but, but, maybe, you, or, Brad, could, answer is it important that the head of mo the head of storm water have a degree that enables them to to oversee storm water like a a civil engineering degree or something like that and then for Mr. Bennett what's the status on hiring someone? Yeah. So, you know, the engineering departments, it's it's ideal to have an engineer in charge and Brandon is a professional engineer um in charge of mobility, which includes storm water. Um but it doesn't have to be. Um the when storm water was a separate department, um the director actually was not an engineer. Um but uh ideally, yes. >> Thank, you. >> Okay., And, to, your, question, on, the, status of hiring either a mobility director or separating, those conversations are still happening with the mayor and Miss Duncan. So I can get back to you on on actual timing and whatever the job description changes may be for that portfolio and that space. just thank you and if there's some way to make it public because the the the the as I said the public likes working with Brandon and Yuan and and Jeff and others. Um but but because we're not we're all not sure if Brandon's still going to be in that position, we the public wants to know who they're going to be talking to in the next few months. So that they would like to instead. >> And, Mr., Chairman,, I, I, think, there's, two other points I'd like Mr. Campbell to make. one is, you know, we were talking on the side a second ago about how often this level of service is audited and also the the rating system for our flood, you know, that has gotten improved over time with the city. So, if you could just touch on those two points for the sake of the public. >> Yes., So,, uh, I, know, we, talked >> Start, with, your, name, again. >> Okay., Brandon, Campbell,, interim, director of the mobility department. Uh we talked a little bit about the MS4 uh permit and the the program that uh drives that uh that is led by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and they do actually audit us every third year. That's their current schedule. Um I did happen to bring uh the audit report uh from the most recent one that was done in July of 2024. uh and it was reviewing the the reporting period of April 1st, 2022 through March 31st of 2023. And there's a lot of detail in it. I don't think it's probably uh you know worth your time to to go through it here and now. I'm happy to provide the whole report uh should you wish uh to see it, we can upload it to OnBase. Um but I just did want to to make sure that you all are aware that we are in compliance uh in every part of that permit that they had checked. They do an on-site visit. In the intervening years between that thirdyear audit, they do a desktop review. We submit to them a whole lot of paperwork um demonstrating our compliance with the permit requirements. That does not necessarily answer the question, should we go beyond the the uh compliance with the permit uh requirements? That's of course an a conversation that we would welcome. But just to assure you all that we are in compliance with those requirements, uh I did want to bring that. Um the other thing uh that that uh Mr. Bennett had mentioned was our community rating system. Uh that is being driven by our uh storm water master uh plan. Uh the effort that that you all all are updated on quarterly. I believe uh two weeks ago was the most recent uh quarterly update. And as we develop that master plan for all of our different wersheds around the city, uh we anticipate seeing a reduction in uh insurance premiums for flood insurance because of the advancement of our program. >> Thank, you,, Mr., Campbell., Okay,, I, think that that's going to conclude staff's presentation and our discussion on this. We're going to move on to public comment. A reminder, we've cap public comment on item number 64 only to 15 minutes. If you are here to speak on item 64, if you would please line up against the wall to your right, to council's left. Anybody here for 64? >> Because, I'm, going, to, divide, you, guys. You have a maximum of three minutes. If we have not that many people, that's good. Okay. >> Did, you, say, we, have, three, minutes? >> Yes. >> For, for, item, number, 64, >> unless, we, have, it, unless, we, have, too many people, then I'll cut it. But if we only have a few. >> Okay., Yeah., Okay., Okay., It, looks, like, we only have four, so it'll be three minutes each. Mr. Adair, start with your name. [cough] [clears throat] >> All, right., James, Adair,, um,, resident South Tampa. Uh, I think that there's a lot more progress that's being made that we didn't hear today. I had a much better conversation that was more informative earlier. So, I think details matter. Um, I don't get to make motions but I think that having uh your community advocates, uh, the staff and the heads of the departments come up with your questions, uh, have that as its own meeting and then have a workshop. Uh, we just didn't get any new numbers today. Um, I think possibly there's a hope or a thought that the people don't care about the details, but this crowd likes details. So, uh, in prep, uh, for this, I was able to make a video to keep it short and concise. If you're wondering why your realtor is waist deep in a ditch, it's because I don't just sell houses. I look out for the ground they're sitting on. I'm James Adair, the South Tampa realtor who cares. I hope Tampa City Council will make a motion to move up on the agenda item number 64. >> Congratulations. >> We'll, make, a, motion, to, allow, public comment after staff presentation. >> Got, a, little, fog, here, after, the, weekend storm. I'm pulling the leaves off the gr so the water can move. The parade route runs right past this spot, so it needs to drain clear. How much money is transferred back to storm water and mobility from events budgets versus general funds restricted funds? Is there co-mingling of funds? General funds with restricted funds. >> What, is, a, reasonable, threshold, of, funds that come from the general account to be subtracted from the primary purpose of storm water? Believe in the presentation that lighter weight mobile units can replace the large jersey barriers. How can we clearly identify how many of those are going to be needed for our largest events and how many can be borrowed and how many can be purchased? If we are can we not hire private truckers or private heavy equipment loaders to move our own barriers? Has this option been meaningfully explored? >> My, question, everybody, is, waiting, to, know the answer for is about the apology from Mayor Caster. The answer is not yet, but uh I think we're getting closer. >> You're, wondering, why, your, realtor, is waist deep in a ditch. I think one of the key uh findings that I've had over all the public requests uh that I've done is that the data is there. We just need to know to look for the info. I'm still waiting on events to send back the basic info that should have been done like it's on a drive somewhere. It should be simple. So, we just need the uh emergency power to make that happen. Um and my time's done. But uh that contract grader that you guys approved in January 30th, it's finally working. It's nine months. So, thank you. >> Thank, you,, Miss, Pointer. [clears throat] >> Good, morning,, Stephanie, Pinter., I, want to point this out to you. This is from the department. Um, this is their data. There's 250 work days this year if you work for the city of Tampa. The pink is Saturday and Sunday. The little dots are federal holidays. Um, but the blacked out dates are the dates how much time we had one of our storm water crews working on nothing but parades and events. So they've lost eight weeks of work this year that they could have been working. And I just put it all together because it's there. I sent you the data. I'm very very I was Charlie. Oh my god. Charlie said, "Do we set up for the football games and the hockey games?" He didn't say it that way. No, he asked the question, but my question is, is Stormwater also doing those? Because that means we've lost additional time. Okay. I've never heard it before. I've heard about TFR be being at the stadium. I've heard and I've seen city council approve money for TPD to be down in these places moving people around. are it? And there were no work orders for that, but when Charlie brought it up, it makes a lot of sense. Are they also setting up for football games and hockey games and events at these at these facilities? If they're not, somebody can tell me. >> Um,, when, Okay,, that's, good., Who, does, it then? Whoever is doing that should be doing these two. >> Oh,, there, you, go. >> There, we, go., Okay., So,, when, was, the, last time? And we had 600 pages of fees for the city of Tampa, and none of them said anything about parade fees. None of them said anything about parade fees. So, how much are these fees? How long have they not been paid? And I'm It's not even really about the money. It's about the Oh my god, what the what in the hell is going on here? What department is in charge of special events? Who do they apply to? Who do they report to? Which which facility manager is in charge of that? Which administrator is in charge of that? I don't know. Um TPD doesn't have the bodies to fund and and make sure that we get people in the right places that we're all safe, but we want to spend $400 million on a freaking police department building. Um, and I find it hard to believe Caroline Bennett and I started in 2021 telling people south of Gandandy to report flooding. To report flooding, to report flooding. I cannot believe that there was never a jump. I want to know where those flood calls went to because we have social media evidence that people were calling and reporting it. Where did it go? If it didn't jump until after the hurricanes this year, where did it go? Where did that data go? >> Um,, and, let's, see., Uh,, uh,, I, think, I, hit it all. Thank you. >> Thank, you. Next speaker, Pamel. >> I, have, my >> your, Yes., My, assistant >> valet, by, by, the, way,, Charlie,, I, think you should capture that one video about what she said about Charlie Miranda being right. [laughter] Just play it on loop. >> Go, Charlie., [laughter] Okay. In in reference to number 64 discussion on whether storm water monies or staff should be used on parades or special events. No, there is only one interpretation of that. Mr. Bennett might be looking for another one, but there is not. The Florida statute 403.0893 0893 explicitly says what? >> Go, for, it. >> This, give, me, another, minute, because, he interrupted me. >> That, that, was, not, staff. [laughter] >> This, assessment, fund, must, be, used, for the purpose of planning, construction operations and maintenance of storm water management system. Not parades events, not even safety. We all agree that the safety of the community should be top governmental priority. But if city management truly felt that to be true, I would not be here defending this Florida statue and the rights of the neighborhoods to de to demand their safety against flooding. Most neighborhoods are not asking for a 100 plus million dollar project. They are asking for citywide storm water cleaning and maintenance of our existing system. If not for the use of neglect, residents would not be in fear of again of flooding. Neighborhoods need all hands on deck 12 months of the year. Not only May through September, that's hurricane time, but because storm water crew are pulled from October through April doing other things. The success of the city improvement projects is maintenance. The solution to our storm water drainage problem is cleaning. On Tuesday, I hope you have the right picture. December uh 2nd, we had rain for less than an hour. And I have pictures of flooding. That's right. Stay right there. Uh on Del Mabry shows flooding areas on Delm Mabry and Henderson, Delmeria, and Neptune. And these city improvements were done in 2019. Every new project has to be tied into the existing system. I'm going to talk about Pomacia Pines. There are two facts that will affect flooding in that area. The new storm water system project on Kennedy will allow more runoff from Kennedy with the addition of new pavement graded for drainage into that area. Number two, new inlets and drainage pipes will connect to system in Palomia Pines. As of November 18th, 2025, there are areas that need cleaning. You can show all that. There's asphalt in the drains uh and debris and there's still debris in the ponds. Pomaca pines needs to be addressed first. This piece of paper is a permit that says those pumps need to be done daily. Not yearly. >> Thank, you. >> Weekly., Daily. >> Thank, you. >> Here,, put, it, on, there, so, they, can, see it. >> That's, it. >> You, see, it, right, there? >> That's, it. >> Thank, you., Thank, you. >> I, love, you, all. >> We, care, for, you. [clears throat] >> Morning. >> Good, morning., I'm, Tara, Bluma., I, wanted to talk about some of the things that were said in your presentation a minute ago that were deeply concerning to me. Um interim director stated that the storm water season in Tampa starts to end around Labor Day which is of course inaccurate. We know that that's can be leading into the most busy time for our um hurricane season. And I that's deeply concerning to me. Um it's also concerning to me that I'm looking at the storm water quarterly report that was submitted on December the or excuse me, October the 6th for September um in the previous quarter. And I also just looked at the most recent monthly report. None of those mentioned that storm water had gone back down to five days a week. They're in front of you a lot now reporting on their activities and that's a pretty significant decrease in what just of what they've been telling you and I'm wondering why that information hasn't been shared with the public um on the parades if um oh sorry I lost my train of thought um of course we shouldn't be spending any storm water money on parades. And I'm concerned that the numbers that they gave you are inaccurate because how how do they know that? Where's the reimbursement resolution that shows that money coming from the general fund back into storm water? Um, that was a pretty clever web of words that they said that well, we gave you some extra general fund money, so then we're going to pull money out of that pot and it's all kind of going to work out the same. And then for the parades, who is deciding who gets to have a parade? Who gets to have some of the costs shared with the city of Tampa versus who has to pay full price for the parades? Is there a committee making this decision? Is this an administrator? And is there a budget? Do they run out of money at some point and say, "Okay, the rest of the parades for the year are full price." Um, I've never seen any data of that and I don't know if that exists, so I would be interested in asking that question, too. Thank you. >> Thank, you. >> Steve, McLean, be, the, last, person, to, speak on item 64 minutes. I I'll be short and sweet. Maintenance [clears throat], is, the, key, here., It always has been. And getting that information out uh and getting those those crews working and council asked the appropriate question was how many crews are out there and how are they working. If we don't get maintenance under control, there is no capital project that can make up for it. You can't bypass the existing system without doing the maintenance first. And uh the second part of that is the distribution of salaries and admin costs versus the uh amount of money going into actual crews that are working in the field. Those are two critical elements and [clears throat], council, as, well, as, the public. We will be examining that and looking at it and bringing it to your attention frequently. Um when these issues come before you for budget amendments, get on the maintenance side make that the first priority. the capital projects they they're not needed certainly not in the hundred million dollar, range, not, [clears throat], needed at in instead of repairs repairs and maintenance should be the first priority anyway I'll defer and allow my my friend over here >> we're, going to, go, over, so, I, need, a motion to wave the rules to exceed 15 minutes we have a motion from Councilwoman her second from Councilman Mana for one >> allow, the, final, two, speakers >> I, think, okay, we, have, a, motion, we, a second. All those in favor say I. I oppose. Eyes haven't. Liz [clears throat] >> I, appreciate, that, very, much., I'll, be very quick because I actually want to speak in public comment. That's I'm not here for this, but I just want to clarify to the people listening at home that I understand that it's okay for the uh people of Palmsia Pines and the storm water um fee is is not that is a part of our project is not going to be affected at all by item 64's money. So for for people listening at home, uh I personally am okay and and I can not speaking for my community uh because I I don't have that right, but I personally am okay with item 64. Um I trust the storm water department to know how to use the funds. So when the storm water department comes before council and says we need this money for the um to relieve the flooding in those neighborhoods, I expect you to listen to them because they are engineers. And if the stormwater department comes and says we would like to use this money for this then I also respect them. So I support 64 personally. Um and I I hope that this is not a distraction tactic um trying to take the argument away from what I will be speaking about next. Thank you so much. >> Thank, you., Anybody, else, wants, to, speak on item 64? >> Okay., Hearing, none,, that, will, conclude item 64. We will continue on with our agenda. Council woman >> and, I'll, just, say, I, do, have, some, motions that I'll do later surrounding some of the questions that we had today. >> Okay., Um, just, FYI,, it, is, 11:46., We, are going to break for lunch at noon, which means we're only going to have a few public speakers, then we're going to break for lunch because we've got time certain at 1:30. Then we got the public hearings. We've got a lot of stuff happening. So we'll have we'll allow a few public speakers, but then we're going to break for lunch. And we'll only have one hour for lunch today. So, from noon to 1. Council u Mr. Shelby, would you like to read your >> Can't, we, do, 12:30? >> Well,, then, that, pushes, into, the, I, mean, it pushes everything back. >> I, mean,, if, we, have, to, be, here, at, 1:30, then let's just listen until 12:30. >> It's, not, going to, be, there., We, have, an hour and a half of public comment. >> Yeah,, Mr., Shelby. >> Thank, you,, Mr., Chairman., Martin, Sh. Martin Shelby City Council attorney. Members of the public, uh the uh comments for decorum of today's meeting members of the public are allowed a reasonable opportunity to address any item on the agenda before city council takes official action on an item. If you're here to speak under general public comment, um then uh you will have had the opportunity to fill out the speaker comment cards um at the uh entrance to the chambers. uh one comment card per speaker. Um cards are accepted until the start of general public comment. Each person will be recognized by name to approach and speak. Per council's rules, preference are given to those speakers who speak on agenda items. A threeminut time limit applies. Please print legibly because names that cannot be read will not be called. And if you're here to speak on an item that is set for a public hearing on the agenda, it's noted as to being a public hearing, please use the sign-in sheet instead. And please remember that speakers and members of the public are reminded to refrain from disruptive behavior including making vulgar or threatening remarks or making or causing disruptive noises or sounds or displaying signs or displaying graphics. The chair will rule out of order any person who speaks without being recognized or attempts to address the council from outside the speaker area at the podium. Persons failing to comply with council rules may also be ruled out of order and at the discretion of the chair may be removed from the chambers for the remainder of today's meeting. Now, if uh if you're here to speak on uh consent items or staff reports, the time to speak is at general public comment. Um so uh this is your opportunity uh to let city council know your position. Uh finally, city council members are reminded to refrain from engaging the speaker during public comment. And the public should be aware that city council does not take questions or have a dialogue during general public comment. Thank you, Councilwoman Hertch. >> Um,, I, make, a, motion, that, we, go, till 12:30 and come back at 1:30. >> Okay,, we, have, a, motion, for, Councilwoman Herk. Is there a second? We have a second Councilman Carlson. All those in favor? >> I, opposed., Nay., Eyes, have, it. >> Motion, car, with, Clinton, and, voting, no. So, we're going to go to 12:30 and then we'll take a break from 12:30 to 1:30. Um, so just so you all know, we probably have about an hour and a half of public comment. So, if you're not here to speak on an agenda item, it probably won't be heard until after lunch. But people that I'm going to call the people that are on the agenda items first. Kalista Kalissa Snider, please. >> Kalista, Snider. And then followed by Carolina Gut. Um, >> start, with, your, name, and, you, have, three minutes. >> Yes., Uh,, my, name, is, Kissa, Snder., Good morning, um, counselors. Um, I'm here to speak on you today on behalf of agenda item number 52. Um, I graduated from USF with my degree in biology, and so I'm sure my disappointment with this voting item is no surprise. USF has consistently tried to develop the land in and around the USF Forest Preserve, a vital piece of green space in Temple Terrace, which is vanishing every day. The forest preserve offers students and neighbors. >> It, is, a, public, hear., I'm, sorry., I'm sorry to interrupt. Uh items item 52 is a public hearing. Um therefore, the >> I, waited, four, hours, for, this. >> Understood. >> They, can, be, one, or, the, other. >> Yeah,, it's, a, legislative, matter., It's what's council's pleasure. >> One, or, the, other. >> Not, always., No,, only, if, it's, a legislative matter, not a quasi judicial matter. All right. I'm I'm Go. Continue. Continue. >> Thank, you. >> Sorry,, the, website, said, 10:30., I, got here at 8:45. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah. >> Um,, the, Forest, Preserve, offers, students, neighbors, and community members a place to go and enjoy some of the beautiful natural spaces and species that Florida has to offer. USF, of course, wants to bulldoze this for yet another boring, same old shopping district that we just do not need. Hundreds of people rallied against their petitions to develop the forest preserve and they backed off. Then USF snuck in a meeting, I think, to the planning commission a couple of years ago to de to develop the parcel that we're talking about today. Luckily, the community was able to quickly rally and almost two dozen speakers, again on short notice, showed up to that meeting. And absolutely no one spoke in favor of this development. USF claims the land costs them hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to maintain. So, my ask is why not leave it green? Why not let nature fully reclaim it as we were already seeing? Why not let the land formerly known as the claw become a true buffer zone between the forest preserve and the city and not the shoddy halfbaked attempt at a buffer that they've included in this plan. City council, the members of your community have come out against these plans numerous times. I'm done trying to convince USF the right thing to do, but I'm sure you will see how your voters want this to go and not just the money that USF and developers want. People want natural land. Florida is beautiful. People come here for our natural land and we're eating it all up with chipotles and crumbles and all this other stuff that nobody needs. Nobody wants a hotel. Nobody wants, you know another hotel on USF land or another shopping district or another restaurant. We need green space. And people have come out time and time again to tell USF this and they just won't listen. So, I'm asking you today to please listen. Thank you. >> Just, because, I, know, there's, probably other people out here that are talking about 52. 52 is not about the claw today. It's about the stadium area on USF. FYI. So FYI just say information. Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay., Carolina, uh, Gutfrey., Gut., Carol. >> Hello., Thank, you, for, the, opportunity, to speak today. Um we're talking about agenda item 52. Um, in the amendment setting, it says that this property includes the USF Golf Course, the USF Forest Preserve, and that it extends to the north side of Fletcher Avenue with approximately the same depth as the golf course, and to include the USF Riverfront Park, which is bounded on the east side of the Hillsboro River property. >> [clears throat] >> This, directly, contradicts, the, um statements that USF has put out as they say that the Fletcher District project does not include the development of the US forest preserve. But the amendment setting document does include this. So I think that that's um contradictory and should be explained better either by the university or by the city council because if this is passed, it will be passed with the verbiage that's in the amendment setting which again contradicts what USF has been telling the public. We aim to oppose the construction of a mixeduse development in the USF claw golf course. The claw borders USF forest preserve and the construction will disrupt the habitats of the animals who live there. Migratory species like the herin egret and ibis call this land home. And with the increase in noise, light pollution and degradation of the borders of their habitat, we will be failing to protect these species which are protected under the migratory bird act. Although USF plans a buffer zone, it will not be enough to prevent invasive species, domestic predators like cats dogs, and chemical runoff from entering the forest preserve. The forest preserve also experiences prescribed burns, and this smoke will dissipate into the new development. Again, it is unclear whether or not this construction will take place in the USF Forest Preserve. And we also strongly oppose any construction in the USF Forest Preserve, the Riverfront Park and along the bank of the Hillsboro River. Besides environmental impacts the roads surrounding this development are run down and not equipped for the traffic increase that will come with building over 700 new beds. The nearest bus stop to the claw that are on campus have been decommissioned for over two years. So, it will increase strain on the roads and make it less accessible for students to access these spaces. As a USF student and a representative of the Cleo Institute, I know that we need more green spaces. The claw has been rewing since its shutdown in 2023, and its biodiversity has increased. By beginning construction now, we are destroying all the progress we've made in the last 2 to three years. Instead the land should be allowed to be natural and should act as a recreation space for students. We believe that the claw should not be developed and should be returned to nature. Thank you for your time. >> Thank, you., I, think, he, made, the, point made everybody made Mr. Shelby sound like he's right which I just absolutely hate because this is why if we heard the event if we heard the case before you made you would actually hear what the event what 52 was. So yeah, maybe you were right about the being heard it. Okay, go ahead. Lori Singleton followed by Randy Jackson. >> Mr., Mr., Sure. >> Yeah. >> To, your, point, though,, if, if, um, if, we're going to hear testimony on that, the the public should hear at least some brief on what it what it is that we're doing today because we're not approving right that project. >> Exactly., That's, why, that's, what, I, said. I hated >> the, city, has, no, jurisdiction, over approving that project. >> It's, a, it's, a, second, it's, it, is, on, for, a public hearing and you don't know the process. There's an advantage to taking things during a public hearing. I I know we're wasting time, but for every time that we waste we waste more time correcting the wasting time. So, please allow me to speak. >> It, is, appropriate,, council,, you, waved your rules and by council's actions created the process you are now in. >> So,, the, thing, we, can, do, is, we, can, work through that process and my recommendation is to stay by the rules from this point forward. Proven right, Mr. Shelby. Lori, start with your name. >> Lori, Singleton., I'm, a, a, Palomasia, Pines resident and I'm here to ask for your support of the Howard Avenue Flood Relief Project. Um, first of all, I have to thank each and every one of you, even if you don't agree with me, for your service on the Tampa City Council especially you, Mr. Miranda, because I know that you've supported Tampa Fire Department endlessly throughout your career. I'm a retired city of Tampa firefighter and um I can't fail to acknowledge that it's been your role the role of Tampa City Council that allowed me to purchase a home in the first place. So, thank you for that. Um I was born um I I was born in uh Tampa Florida. Um I grew up in in Loots and as an adult, I chose to live in South Tampa. I've lived there probably since about the late 80s and bought a home in 2002 in Palomia Pines, which by the way I just found out about a year ago. That's the name of my neighborhood. Um and I purchased a home in 2002. Unfortunately, as you all know, um, we experienced a significant flooding event last year. And um as a retired firefighter as well as a long-term resident of South Tampa, I understand the gist of what South Tampa is. We're near water. Um I've seen flooding throughout my my uh time there. I've seen jet skis being ridden down Beayshore Boulevard. So I understand those kind of risk of living in South Tampa. But this wasn't a flooding event. This was a drainage event. This was a lack of infrastructure that is servicing my home and I'm here simply to ask that you give us some relief from the flooding. I don't want to have to deal with flooding again. Um and I understand it's coupled with there's necessary maintenance, but there also needs to be improvement to the infrastructure in an area that has wildly developed over the last 10 years. So, I'm just asking for your support. Um, I don't want to flood again. And again, I thank each and every one of you for your time and for considering us. Thank you. >> Thank, you,, Lori., Randy, Jackson,, followed by Danielle Garcia. Randy Jackson, are you here? >> Assistant, city, attorney, Mike, Schmid. Randy Jackson was here for item number four. He's here for reappointment. He just had to step out because um he had other commitment issues. So, he said he's happy to come back um or if city council wants to hear from him. >> Okay,, very, good., Danielle, Garcia followed by Steven Mccini. >> Danielle, Garcia., No,, Stephen, Molini followed by Caroline Bennett. >> I'll, defer, to, somebody, else, to, speak, now and come after lunch. >> Okay,, I, will, throw, you, in, the, back, of the pile. Caroline Bennett followed by James Adair. Is James Adair still here? >> No,, he's, not. >> Okay., I, thought, I, saw, him, leave. Followed by Eric Gard. No. Gardo. >> Caroline., Start, with, your, name,, please. >> The, wolf. >> Everybody, see, that? >> Hang, on, a, second., I, thought, someone, else was coming before me. Caroline Bennett, lifelong Tampa resident. I am speaking on item 63. I agree we should change the code and eliminate condition one, the sidewalk exemption, but we don't have to. Exemption one is if there is no existing sidewalk, and it is unlikely that there will be additional development nearby. It is 100% the city's discretion what development nearby means. The city interprets this. There is no state law defining development nearby. The reality is there is nowhere in the city where it is unlikely to have development nearby. This is the city's map of current permits. Every request can be denied under the current code and it should be denied. We were told we closed this loophole. We were told the city would not require existing sidewalk. We were told it was only retained to allow for some flexibility, but it would no no longer be used routinely. It would be used rarely. But in reality, it is used more than the other three excuses combined. It is 100% subjective and the most easily denied excuse, but builders are exploiting it and the city is allowing it. This is from the city's own records. The city told me that they look at active building permits in the area and whether multiple building projects are occurring simultaneously. They do not quantify this vague criteria and that guarantees no consistency or predictability. What is the area? Is it next door, a mile away, two miles away? How many active building permits? One permit, 10 permits, and why do they need multiple building projects occurring simultaneously? That's not in the code. How many is multiple? Two projects, 10 projects. This code is supposed to provide a long range big picture plan to create sidewalks over time. Simultaneously is the most short-term small picture plan possible. The city is choosing to produce less sidewalk. Tampa either has a goal of more sidewalks or a goal of less sidewalks. They will achieve the goal they choose. Please make changes for more sidewalks and eliminate anything that means less sidewalks. And I just want to demonstrate how much confusion there is in how to implement this. This red, this red, and this red are being built right now today. All three of them are simultaneously being built. These two asked for an exemption because there's no existing sidewalk and there's no building nearby. It was approved. There's three of them being built at the same time. This one was built last year. And I just want to point out, talk about long-term consequences. No sidewalk, no fee. No sidewalk, no fee. No sidewalk no fee. No sidewalk, no fee. No sidewalk, no fee. No sidewalk, float, no fee. All the blue were built in the last 10 years. Most of them in the last five. >> Eric, Eric, Garduno,, followed, by, Dick Powers. >> Good, afternoon., Eric, Gardino, with, the Bay Area Apartment Association. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. Um I'm speaking regarding specifically the mobility fees being discussed in item number 56. Um on behalf of the Bay Area Apartment Association, we certainly support the conversations that have been had thus far uh about um bringing in the impact fees uh over the course of several years, sort of phasing them in. That said, we do have some concerns about the calculation of the maximum impact fees that were presented in the report. Um, I have some documents here. Uh, we sent you all a letter, uh earlier that sort of walks through some of the, uh, those documents with links to those documents. Uh, but let's just go through this real quick. So, in the Tampa mobility fee study, it specifically indicates the legislative framework, the requirements that the fee has to to abide by. One of those requirements is to ensure that the calculation uh, utilizes the most recent and localized data available within four years. So, that that's state law. requirement the data utilized in the report um you know to calculate the fee it's a complicated fee there's a lot of different elements that go into it but one of the elements uh that we identified person trip factor is set at 1.69 69. That number is used to calculate every mobility fee indicated in the new report. So that's that's where it's set out in the current report. Now, that report draws from a a Florida Department of Transportation report to identify what that 1 or to to come up with a 1.69. That 1.69 is listed here under 2018. Um, but as we noted a moment ago, the requirement is to have the most recent and localized data. So, in that same report, right next to it is a 1.4 number from a 2020 study that Hillsboro County used for their mobility fee. [clears throat] So, and this is the report itself, the mobil mobility mobility fee study from Hillsboro County where they use the person trip factor of 1.4 to calculate their fees. Now again, as noted, it's kind of hard to see, but every number in this Tampa fee study is using 1.69 to calculate the fee. We posit that the most recent and localized data is actually the Hillsboro County study that used 1.4. If you compare what you can get out of 1.69 versus 1.4, you're going to see a big difference on every one of those items. The first uh these these are three items straight out of the central business district section. You can see multif family that first line is the what's in the report. The second line is utilizing the 1.4 you got a $450 difference. You go to the other different line items I have listed here. Single family $1,000 over $1,000. Hotel over a $1,500 difference. So from our our standpoint we we believe that the fees as currently calculated overestimate the >> Thank, you., Thank, you, very, much. >> cost. >> Dick, Powers,, are, you, on, the, room? >> Okay,, just, making, sure., Let's, see., Uh Carlos de Dilardia and then we'll go to online. Carlos. >> So, this, is, also, about, uh, development, of the the claw at USF there was a lot of >> Yeah., I, I I, think, what, our >> Go, ahead. >> Okay., Well,, um, uh, I can basically reiterate what what they said previously in that the planned development of the claw, which has already been essentially dilapidated for several years now and being reclaimed by nature, uh, is dangerously close to the forest preserve. And any sort of development of this would begin to encroach on the buffer zone that this forest preserve needs between it and the city. And when this had come to hearing uh a couple years ago, it was uh it was talked down by members of the local community who because nobody supports this. Um what is it? The infrastructure around there is poorly, [clears throat], developed., It wouldn't be able to support more of this. The last thing Tampa needs is more traffic. And just within the university and temple terrace area, there's a lot of sort of sparsely developed like empty parking lots and strip malls and stuff that could be that could be you better utilized than a than a sorely needed green space in a city that's rapidly running out of it. Um I mean that's all I got. >> Very, good., Thank, you., Michael, Randolph. Good. Is it afternoon? It is a good afternoon. >> Hello. >> Good, afternoon,, Michael., Thank, you, for being patient. >> Good, afternoon., Um,, well,, it's, been, a long day. Thank you very much. So over the last three months, we've explained how artificial intelligence can empower residents to un and underserved communities, giving them tools to increase income and expand opportunities. This week, we shift from our our focus to web three, examining how decentralized technology can support community development. Low-income communities have traditionally been denied access to capital. The web three connects to a modernized version of quans unity self-determination collective work and responsibility cooperative economic purpose and faith blending traditional with digital intervention. But what is the web three? The web brings a new kind of internet technology that can change how money, power, and ownership works in our community. Instead of depending on banks government, and other charities which often leave our lowincome neighborhoods the web three let people join together and make decisions and share resource together. What are some of the benefits? access to money. Digital wallets and stable coins give people safe ways to save and spend money without banks. Web three lending platform let people borrow money without credit scores, opening doors to those that was once closed out. Building community wealth collab collaborative powers by web three allows residents to earn income together through shared online businesses. This means wealth stays in the community by opening access to money ownership and trans decisions making it we can keep relative. I messed up on that. I just want to say this is a game changer. It combines both artificial intelligence and web 3 to increase economic opportunities in poor communities. Thank you very much. Thank you, Michael. Appreciate it. Okay, now we're moving on to Ashley Marorrow followed by Daphne Towns. >> Hello,, my, name, is, Ashley, Marorrow, and I'll be sharing Tampa's black history. I've been here on Thursdays sharing documented history about Tampa particularly the stories that have been overlooked, misunderstood, or replaced with myths. Today's presentation walks through Tampa, walks through Tampa during the Civil War and answers one important question. Where were black people in Tampa during that time? The archival records show several key facts. Tampa sided with the Confederacy early and the decisions were made by local delegates um shaped how the decisions made sorry local the decisions made uh by local delegates shaped how the war unfolded here. Fort Brookke was bombarded multiple time multiple times by the Union forces. The black residents were uh primarily creating a church which was Mount Si uh Ame Zion Church. They escaped to Eggm he via the Union boats. Some swam and many were forced to continue laboring on the salt works. The Union soldiers had a plan. They were going to help the enslaved people and white refugees get to Eggmmont Key. They also destroyed many of the salt works where enslaved labor was still working and stop the cattle drive and destroy the railroads that were in the central areas of t of Florida. Here are two dots. One located at Cypress Point Park and there was a Leslie salt works over there by the Alifier River near the mouth of the Alfire River. And there were more in the Tampa Bay area as well. Uh next what you're seeing is and I and finally there are some widespread repeated stories such as the eight Union soldiers being marched into Tampa um as prisons by Robels Robis, however you want to pronounce it. Um there's a story out there basically that he took them hostage and marched them into Tampa. That is false. According to records uh documentation, the seaman Francis Lupkkey who was operating outside of his post, he was captured and taken to Brooksville. I told you guys about Brooksville. That is a that is still kind of a a sundown town. Um and today I want to and here if you want to look back at it later blow it up for those looking at home. You can pause it if you would like. But this is just a marker that's still there today, but it is incorrect. Moving right along. Next finally, I want to introduce uh Miss Daffhne Towns. She is one of the organizers of the Back to Angola Festival. Her people came out of uh the Bahamas. The people when they left Angola, I think 90 181 >> 1821, about, 90, something, uh >> 87, escaped, to, the, Bahamas, and, she's, a direct descendant of uh Angola. So she's going to share about her event. >> Thank, you, Miss Towns. >> Good, morning,, council, members, and audience. It's a privilege to be here. >> Start, with, your, name,, please. >> My, name, is, Daphne, Towns., I, was, born, in New Providence, Commonwealth of the Bahamas. And I am a proud descendant of the Angola Marone community. I'm going to read it so I can be out of your way fast. I live in Bradington, Florida and has been a resident in America for the past 33 years. I currently serve as the president of the Oak Tree Community Outreach, Inc., the organizers that are behind the Back to Angola Festival. It's an honor to share with you the purpose and significance of our upcoming event. Our festival is rooted in a powerful yet often overlooked chapter of Florida's history. The story of the Angola community. Between 1812 and 1821, Angola was a thriving maroon settlement located in what is now Bradington. It was a home of formerly enslaved Africans who escaped bondage and built independence lives in alliance with the Seino, people., Angola, [clears throat] represent a community of strength and self-determination. Although the settlement was destroyed its story did not end there. Some survivors made a courageous journey across the seas and ended up in Andrew's Island in the Bahamas. That's where my mother was born. That's how I got involved. They rebuilt their lives, preserved their culture, and passed their tradition down through generations. Today the descendants of that community which is known as Red Bay Andros continue to carry on the living legacy of Angola. The back to Angola festival. I created this festival so that we would honor the journey but it is more than a cultural event. It is a homecoming. You know when you go to family reunion it's homecoming. So we reconnect Florida and the Bahamas through shared history. celebrate a legacy of strength and brings deserve recognition to a chapter of history that has shaped our region. I, remember, I, was, born, in, ' 62, and, my daddy was working in the contract in Sarasota, Florida. Imagine that. I'm in the Bahamas and my daddy comes to Sarasota. Oh my god, when he came back we were the richest children on the block. Suitcasing suitcases of goods. So I remember those good days of the contract. The festival highlights art history, genealogology, cultural exchange, and community unity. It brings back economic activity, educational value, and cultural enrichment to the Tampa Bay region. Most importantly, it brings the story of Angola back to the land where it all began. >> Thank, you,, Dafany. >> And, I'm, happy, to, be, here, today. >> Thank, you., you., We're, happy, to, have, you. >> David, Corell, followed, by, Stephen, Ges. >> Good, morning., My, name, is, David, Cornell, Councilman Maniscalo. This is dedicated towards you. This is a two and a half minute presentation. Uh oh. 1877 just a year after the death of George Armstrong Kuster was a pivot. Henry Ashen Flipper became the first African-American male to graduate from West Point, but was also a year of loss for the Lakota. Fast Thunder, the patriarch of his clan, faced the fading of a vital part of their history. Grandfather, is it true? It is, came the solemn reply. Fast thunder struggled with the weight of grief, visions clouding his mind. His grandson Allan tugged at his regalia. rare plea please. The word stirred something deep within him. He convened the village elders. His crying for a vision shall be at Raven's River. They declared, "Watch over him fast thunder. There are no guarantees of what he will see. Hands raised the sky." Allan's uncle called on the great spirit. Protect my nephew's heart. Grant him vision, clarity, and the wisdom of seven generations. For months later Allan stood ready at Raven's River. The breathtaking view stretched before him a river winding through history. Birds flew above, the breeze touched his face and the magic of the moment began. He didn't know what to expect, but he felt that something historic, something transformative was about to unfold. >> Buffalo, Soldier, coming. Buffalo soldier coming. Can you feel it? Buffalo soldier coming. Buffalo soldier coming. One, two, three four. Heyya heyya heyya heyya. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Buffalo soldier coming. [singing] Buffalo soldier coming. Buffalo soldier coming. [singing] Buffalo soldier coming. One, two, three four. Hey >> thank, you. >> Thank, you,, sir. How is that about you? Steve Garnes, followed by Elizabeth Denw. Denwitty. >> Hi,, Steve, Garish., Good, to, see, all, your faces again. It's been a minute. Um, I wanted to also welcome Councilwoman Young. Thank you for stepping up under such uh difficult and tragic circumstances. Um, just to kind of brief you, bring you up to speed. About a year ago, um, there were a lot of very contentious uh council meetings about the South Howard uh, flood relief project. Um, the my neighborhood where I live, Parkland Estates, Palmia Pines, hundreds of businesses and homes were flooded because of Milton. Not really because of Milton, because of a city infrastructure problem. The drains are inadequate. It's been known about for over a decade. Nothing's been done. Every summer thunderstorms completely flood the streets. People can't get in and out of their homes. Emergency vehicles stall out. Can't get to people if they need it. Um, and so finally, it all came to a head with uh Milton and multiple homes and businesses uh flooded. So finally this plan that had been worked on for years uh was uh finally set in motion and voted uh to move forward last year. Uh I want to be here today just to you know reiterate how important this project is. Uh this summer was particularly dry. There were no hurricanes. Uh there was hardly any rain. Uh so it may seem like the problem is no longer existent, but let me assure you it very much is. Just two days ago we had rain for 15 minutes and my street was a river. Um, so the problem very much still exists. Swan Avenue was a river from Memorial Hospital all the way down to Wilson Middle School. So this problem still exists. And a lot of people are telling you it's only maintenance. We just need to maintain. That's not true. All summer in the beginning of the fall, there are these huge vacuum trucks all over my neighborhood sucking out debris from all the storm drains. two days ago, flooding again. So, it's not just a maintenance issue. The pipes are too small. They lack the capacity to handle the water that comes into our neighborhood. We need a permanent solution. So, please continue to support the uh South Howard Flood Relief Project. Thank you. >> Thank, you,, Steve., Elizabeth, Denwitty, followed by Eileen Henderson. Hi, Elizabeth Deni, also known as Lazarati, my married name. I agree with everything my neighbor just said, Steve Garish. I'm here in support of the South Howard Flood Relief Project. Um, and mostly I'm in support of the engineers who are working on the South Howard Flood Relief Project. I believe that um people have training and you know, if you need a surgery, you don't call your accountant. And so our city needs a surgery. We need we need the streets opened up. So we need uh engineers. And so if you're not an engineer, I really don't think that you should try to suggest how to solve the problem. Um a lake forms on like Mount South Tampa. This is the highest point of South Tampa below Kennedy and it's a mile in from storm water surge issues. It's the highest point. And so there shouldn't be a lake there. The reason there is a lake there is because of development in the area. There used to be small homes there and, now, there, are, tons, [clears throat] of town houses. I bought one. So, um, I would like to ask that you do not put South Howard Blood Relief Project in your vote on December 18th because I have spoken with the engineers and whether or not that happens it it does not stop this South Howard flood relief project. That's just some road paving and some uh pipe work that is kind of being nice to South Howard. Um but the pipes themselves for the relief of our neighborhoods is not going to be stopped by that project. So I'm fine with that wording of South Howard Flood Relief not being in that. And I would prefer that it's not in that so that we have full council support because I understand not everyone is supporting the project on the council which I hope changes. I would love to you know have a group hug at the end of all this. Um so uh my other points is uh that this is not strictly a maintenance problem and I the opposition to this project would like for public um understanding to be that this is a maintenance issue and that is only a small part of this project. Basically uh there is a tub of water and if you call it maintenance it's like scooping out like a cup of the water. We need the drain of the tub to get the water out. And the only way for that to happen is according to the engineers, is by putting in this major pipe system um that also will eventually in future years connect to other systems in our city. Um, so I really just beg you to please continue supporting um this project because it has devastated people and it will devastate people again if not >> Thank, you,, Elizabeth. >> Thank, you, >> Eileen, Henderson, followed, by, Pam, Canela. Is Pam still here? >> Oh,, that's, right., So,, Eileen, Henderson, Eileen Henderson's going to be the last speaker before our lunch break. Did you pass those to council? >> Yeah,, you, can, start, with, your, name. We'll grab one a second. >> Okay., Uh, Eileen, Henderson,, the, Cemetery Society. >> I, was, going, to, say, good, morning,, but, I are we still in I don't even know where we're at right now. >> We, are, afternoon. >> Are, we, in, afternoon?, I, I, don't, even know. >> Um, my, appearance, here, today, began, when, I attempted to appeal the parcel split approval at 3203 West St. John Street. It began when the city's clerk's office informed me in writing, "It appears you do not meet the criteria for an aggreved party, a legal conclusion issued with no criteria, no interpretation and no explanation, even after multiple attempts to obtain clarity." And it came with a rigid December 4th today, 2025 deadline that offered no realistic opportunity to appear to appear before this council within the required 14 days as last Thursday was Thanksgiving and today is the first meeting since the decision. Yet, the city was fully prepared to accept a non-refundable $2,000 fee so I could find out whether I was even allowed to file an appeal. This is not a clerical oversight. This is systemic failure. One that restricted the public while the applicant received guidance, direct communication, and extensions. More than 80 residents submitted written opposition, and there was only one in favor. Those 80 plus residents received no comparable consideration. And for the record, in 2021, the city denied a nearly identical request for this same parcel. that denial issued by the same review manager involved in 2025 cited Florida burial protection statutes, the historic cemetery context, and the requirement that all parties be in agreement before development. In 2024, prospective buyers conducted a ground penetrating radar scan of the parcel we're talking about as suggested by council, and 78 anomalies consistent with burials were found on the parcel. Those buyers withdrew immediately. USF archives document decades of mismanagement at Marty Cologne boundary violations, missing records, and relocations that moved headstones and not bodies. So, we have historic buried records, statutory protections, a prior denial, and evidence of potential burials, none of which were meaningfully addressed in the 2025 approval. These are not emotional opinions. These are documented facts. I understand the limitations surrounding private property, but you can act when procedure breaks down. And when a process fails, the legislative branch must intervene and restore public trust. I need two things. An administrative stay so nothing more can move forward until this is investigated and a formal procedure review. Why the 2021 denial uh and burial statutes were disregarded. Why the public received no meaningful communication. Why the not a grief statement was issued without please just three seconds without explanation and whether the approval aligns with the city's legal and ethical obligations. >> Thank, you. >> William, Gladstone, said, justice, delay, is justice denied in Tampa historic cemeteries. Justice denied becomes history erased. >> Thank, you., I, appreciate, it., Okay., So, it is, 12:30, as, agreed., We're, going to, do lunch. We're only going to do 1 hour. So at 1:30 council will reconvene. Please be here and ready to start business at 1:30. Everything. I love you. Hey. Hey. Hey.