City Council — March 26, 2026 FINAL

Alan Clendenin

9:22:42AM I call this meeting to order. I would like to first recognize councilwoman Naya Young for our invocation.

Charlie Miranda

9:22:58AM Here.

Guido Maniscalco

9:22:59AM Here.

Naya Young

9:23:00AM Here.

Luis Viera

9:23:02AM Here.

Bill Carlson

9:23:02AM Here.

Alan Clendenin

9:23:05AM Here.

The Clerk

9:23:05AM We have a physical quorum.

Alan Clendenin

9:23:12AM Councilwoman young.

Naya Young

9:23:12AM Thank You so much. Today for our invocation, we have Ronald Wilson, junior. He is 18 years old and third generation East Tampa resident and a member of First Baptist Church Of Highland Pines. He is a senior at lennard high school, and he will graduate with a 4.6 Gpa. He is a student athlete earning three years of varsity levels in both football and track. His athletic accomplishments include first team all conference honors, western conference, all-star recognition, team most valuable offensive player and team captain. Most recently, he was named National Football Foundation and College Hall Of Fame scholar athlete for his excellence on the field and in the classroom. He has been actively involved with Tampa Parks And Rec since the age of 5 participating in after-school programs, summer camps, badges for baseball and teens leading change at both Highland Pines activity center and jackson heights. He has also had the honor of representing the city of Parks and rec at Cal Ripken Senior Foundation summer camp in baltimore, Maryland. He works as a summer seasonal recreation leader in Parks and rec in the athletics division and at julian b. Lane riverfront park. In addition to his academic, athletic, and recreational commitments, Ronald is deeply devoted to giving back to his community. He regularly volunteers by assisting with holiday food and toy drives, backpack giveaways, and other outreach initiatives. He also hosts his annual ronnie football skills and drills camp at the jackson heights nfl center where he and his peers teach football fundamentals to approximately 75 youth in East Tampa, helping to mentor and inspire the next generation. Ronald will continue his academic and athletic journey at Culver-Stockton College in canton, Missouri, where he will pursue a degree in sports management while furthering his football career. Ronald, will You please lead us in the invocation? [ applause bow our heads. Almighty God, we come together today with humble hearts, grateful for the privilege of serving this community. Thank You for the gift of life, for the beauty of the city and for the people who call it home. As we gather to discuss the matters that shape the future of our community, grant us wisdom that rises above personal interest and understanding that bridges every difference. Bless the members of this council with clarity of thought, patience and deliberation and courage in decision making. May every word spoken and every action taken reflect integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve the common good. Help us to listen with open minds, to speak with sincerity and to act with justice. We ask for your guidance upon those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, our City Staff, first responders, educators, and volunteers, whose dedication helps keep this community strong and vibrant. Surround them with protection, encouragement and renewed strength for the tasks they face each day. Lord, bless the residents of Tampa. May they find hope in times of challenge, unity in times of division and joy in the share of blessings of community triumph. Let the city be a place where kindness prevails, where opportunity is open to all and peace and prosperity take root. As this meeting begins, fill this room with the spirit of cooperation and purpose, remind us that leadership is a sacred trust that every decision carries the weight and responsibility to all who are served. May the efforts today honor You and bring lasting benefits to all. In your holy name we pray. Amen. [Pledge of allegiance]

9:27:09AM I have to mention that this is jeffersons son.

Alan Clendenin

9:27:15AM Youll notice that our chair pro tem is absent. She is not feeling well, under the weather. Well miss her today. This is the full City Council. We have SIX here today. We need to start with adoption of the minutes from the regular session held on March 5, 2026 and evening session, March 12, 2026. Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Viera. Ayes have it. Thank you very much. Approval of the agenda and the addendum. We have the addendum submitted by Councilman Viera. Well take that up. Any other changes to the agenda? Councilman Viera, did you have something?

Luis Viera

9:27:52AM Oh, no, I was going to speak on this.

Alan Clendenin

9:27:55AM Councilman Carlson, you have something?

Bill Carlson

9:27:58AM I think Miranda.

Charlie Miranda

9:28:01AM I was going to say, I noticed a lot of folks here for the 10:00 meeting. I hope we can get to the 10:00 at 10:00 or very shortly there after.

Alan Clendenin

9:28:11AM Okeydoke. That will be a goal. Councilman Carlson.

Bill Carlson

9:28:18AM 86 is the Culbreath Bayou request, and before we receive and file it, what the staff said is that Culbreath Bayou is asking for an exception from item number 63 and what the Legal Department is saying is that we cant add that in the second reading. So we have to take it back to first reading. Im happy to make that motion at some point. For everybody in the room in favor of 63, I am as well. Weve been pushing for this for years. City Council has been trying to get this done. If there is something we can do to make it better, im okay delaying it by a couple of weeks. If my colleagues dont agree, then well go forward. With that in mind, I motion to receive and file 86, 87, 88.

Alan Clendenin

9:29:04AM Motion to receive and file 86 through 88 from Councilman Carlson. Second from Maniscalco. All in favor, aye? Opposed, ayes have it. Thank you. Lets go to staff reports. 69 well need a vote. Require a majority vote of 5 to be able to pass that. 70.

Martin Shelby

9:29:33AM Mr. Chairman, if you could also determine whether you need staff present for these items as well.

Alan Clendenin

9:29:40AM Do we need Staff for 69? No. Do we need Staff for 70? No. 71? Hearing none, do we need Staff for 72? No. 73 and 74 are together. Do we need Staff for 73 and 74?

Bill Carlson

9:30:01AM Well talk about this more when we get to it. I object to the fact that they changed name from West Riverwalk Project to some Tampa multimodal thing as if it is citywide. This looks like political gamesmanship to convince people this is a good idea instead of waste of money. Im voting no on both of those. I object to the large amount of money the Mayor is wasting on this. Good idea in concept, but shouldnt be wasting money when roads are falling apart throughout the city.

Alan Clendenin

9:30:28AM 75 and 76, do we require staff? No. 77? No. 78 we have a request to continue that to April 16. Councilman Viera.

Luis Viera

9:30:43AM Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So this is an idea on taking a look at annual -- or originally it was an annual public safety master plan for both police and fire to be codified through ordinance. At first in my private conversations with City Legal, they were objecting to some of the language used. I met with the Fire Chief, Police Chief, City Attorney, Mr. Steady, chief of staff, John Bennett. Im hopeful that we have a compromise on an ordinance that would achieve what I want that is between a charter amendment and mere resolution, something thats enforceable. Im glad to give this a little bit until April 16. I know, I would think theres strong support on council for this. I know our First Responder Union support this. I make a motion to move to April 16 of this year, if I May.

Alan Clendenin

9:31:30AM Motion from Councilman Viera. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. To move 78 to April 16, 2026. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. 79, yes, a powerpoint presentation. Well with have staff for that. 80, memo from Abbye Feeley. Require staff for that? Big blue conversation. Do we want that conversation or is memo sufficient? So no staff. 81?

Guido Maniscalco

9:31:56AM If we could have them present, They work really hard on this and it is a great presentation. It shows how much the city has saved and what They do with Solar. I had a briefing yesterday. It will be brief and it will be worth it. Thank you.

Alan Clendenin

9:32:08AM Yes on 81. Yes on 82. Natural Resources. 83. We have a memorandum from Jerry Lopez and Brian Knox.

Martin Shelby

9:32:23AM Martin Shelby, City Council attorney. In speaking with councilwoman Hurtak, she is requesting that this item be continued because of her absence today and particularly because of the subject matter of the April 23rd workshop. If she can have this moved to the workshop on the 23rd, that goes along with all the other natural resource items.

Alan Clendenin

9:32:41AM Can I get a motion --

Guido Maniscalco

9:32:43AM Move to continue 83 to the workshop.

Alan Clendenin

9:32:47AM Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilwoman Young. All in favor, aye? Ayes have it.

Bill Carlson

9:32:53AM I want to add when We discuss this, because I cant talk to you outside this room, when We discuss this, We need to add seven members. I said this before, but every Committee We should have seven members where We each appoint one. Otherwise, the nominees get mixed up and lost in the shuffle. But We should make sure that We change the structure of this Committee because were adding additional responsibility to it as well.

Alan Clendenin

9:33:15AM Very good. Item 84, Councilman Viera. You should have a copy of the resolution in front of you.

Martin Shelby

9:33:23AM I did provide that resolution. You have it in front of You this morning. Could we receive and file that now as accepting it?

Alan Clendenin

9:33:31AM Motion to receive and file the resolution on item 84.

Martin Shelby

9:33:37AM You could do that after.

Alan Clendenin

9:33:39AM This was not in the documentation. Motion from Councilman Viera. And second from Councilman Maniscalco to receive and file the resolution for item number 84, not to actually pass the resolution yet. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Very good.

Guido Maniscalco

9:33:54AM Move to continue 85 per the request of the assistant city attorney Mr. Brody to June 18, 2026.

Alan Clendenin

9:34:00AM Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Guido Maniscalco

9:34:06AM Move to approve the agenda and addendum.

Luis Viera

9:34:09AM Quick comment. For 88, I will be making a motion on this. I saw Chief Bercaw's report on this as to substation presence. My request was with more so for the cost of what I was looking for as opposed to Tampa Police Department's position on it. I will be making -- with vigor.

Alan Clendenin

9:34:30AM Motion from Councilman Maniscalco to approve the agenda. A second from Councilman Miranda.

Guido Maniscalco

9:34:41AM Move to receive and file item 80.

Alan Clendenin

9:34:44AM Motion to receive and file item number 80 from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. There are actually several other documents that were to receive and file. Can I get a motion to receive and file all the attached documents? Motion from maniscalco. Second from Viera. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Mr. Shelby. >>Martin Shelby: yes, thank you, mr. Chairman. Just a reminder with all of the large number of staff reports that are large-ticket items, if that could be taken during your consent document, as the last item in the consent document, we can make a list of those numbers and have you move them at the time. >>Alan Clendenin: 69 through 77. >>Guido Maniscalco: so moved. >>Martin Shelby: but well do it when we get to it. >>Alan Clendenin: we have to get public comment. Very good. That went well. We have a motion to approve the agenda from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Commendations and presentations.

Guido Maniscalco

9:35:44AM Chairman Clendenin, you will be presenting to USF. We Have Dr. Johnny wong in the audience. Hes graced us with his presence. Thank you, sir.

Alan Clendenin

9:36:12AM Everybody from USF, come up. We have to Face This Way. Were talking to all of them. The microphone is in the podium. For those of you here for public comment, when you speak, always Face This Way. Im happy to be here today. Its no coincidence that my legislative aide is a planner. So he is a big advocate for urban planning. The City Council is today recognizing USF and the University of South Florida master urban and regional planning program. Tampa City Council proudly recognizes the faculty and Students of the USF master of urban and regional planning program for earning recognition as exemplary program by the Planning Accreditation Board. The program is the only graduate level urban planning degree serving both the Tampa Bay region and the City Of Tampa, while also being one of the youngest and most successful programs of its kind in the state. Congratulations, everybody. Ive got Evangeline, Lauren, and Brice her. Somebody else and a couple of others. Do you want to introduce everybody and talk about it? Hi. Im Evangeline Lucas. Program director for the urban and regional planning at USF. I also have the pleasure of serving the city as planning commissioner. I really appreciate that you all are taking a moment to recognize this program. The program started in 2009. In the scheme of things, its relatively young of urban planning programs in the State of Florida. We graduated nearly 200 Students at this point, and they are just so engaged in the community, both as Alumni, as current Students. So I really appreciate that youre taking a moment to recognize the work that we do. Were really oriented toward community engagement, community involvement. I think thats expressed in so many ways. We have a graduate degree. We have an urban studies minor. And we have three certificates in smart cities technology, coastal planning and community development. We just earned our seven-year accreditation, which is the highest accreditation you can get with Planning Accreditation Board. That fast tracks Alum into their careers because they get streamlined to get certification as professional planners. It is a signal of the quality of our graduates, faculty and Students and our facilities at USF. Im just going to highlight a few aspects of the program. We do have a 100% job placement rate, and thats part of the story of how Tampa is thriving and growing and so much opportunity to plan and be part of that here. We also have a 100% pass rate for the American Institute Of Certified Planners exams, so our Students are graduating job ready and know how to help shape their communities. Were in our third year offering a studio program. Last semester we partnered with the Planning Commission and the City Of Tampa and our Students got involved in updating the environmentally sensitive land use category. So we stay involved in the community through these kinds of projects. Every semester we operate in different places in the community and contribute real planning studies. We also have a fellowship program. Ive got two fellows working with the City Of Tampa. Fellowship program provides opportunity for professional development and work in the community to our Students. Ive also got two of our most prestigious alums who are city staffers here to talk about our program as well. I think ive just about hit all the points. But I just -- oh, we also had the student planner of the year at the State of Florida level for the second time. We had one in 2023 as well. So our Students are achieving, representing this area in planning. I thank you so much for taking the time to learn about our program. Thank you. [ applause I work for City Planning Department at the city. I was really happy to hear from the doctor to say a few words about the program. I wanted to talk a little bit about when I was about to graduate with my social work degree from USF, I was struggling a little bit of how to connect the work that I was doing with the work that I wanted to do. I really wanted to work at a community level. Like many urban planners, I kind of just found out what urban planning was by happenstance. Im really glad I did. I Met With Dr. Mark haven, director of the USF program at the time to kind of talk to him about what my goals were. Im doing all this great work. I really want to connect people to housing and services, and get them a dignified existence, a high quality of life and do this at a community level. Does it sound like urban planning is The Right Place for me to do that? He said it absolutely is. I got connected with USF which connected me to the community. I cant overstate the strength of the connections that USF Murp has to the workforce in Tampa. So strong that in 2020, during covid, I quit my job as a social worker as an essential worker because I had such faith in my ability and programs ability to connect me to urban planning internships, multiple planning internships each semester for me to make ends meet. Get the hands-on work experience, to get assistance with my tuition and make the connections that I still really value to this day. It is because of the USF Murp program that im literally here in front of you today before council because we keep up with each other and communicate with me to come and ask me to speak here, But Also Dr. Strom who I know is in the audience today. Even though four years, graduated from the program, I had no hesitancy to reach out to her and ask her to be a reference for me for this job. I made so many great connections with other USF Murp alums that worked at the city that gave me the opportunity to come here and do great work for our Tampa community. I can without a doubt say that USF Murp absolutely deserves the reaccreditation. The City Council commendation, and I know that theyll continue to do really great work impacting Students, which in turn really has a great impact on our Tampa community. Bryce Fehringer with your CRA Staff. One of the things that came up with the planning reaccreditation process was the strong relationship that the city and a lot of other public agencies have with the USF planning program. And when youre investing in these graduate Students and allowing them the opportunity to get experience while they are still in school, the pay-out with experienced staff that wants to continue to live and work in your community is tenfold. Ill make it brief. I just wanted to come up and say thank you for the commendation. Its really appreciated. As an Alumni, im hoping that the city and CRA can continue that professional relationship going forward. So thank you very much. My name is Nelson. Im in my second year of the Murp program. The program has been great. Its afforded me a lot of opportunities. I am currently a fellow with the city working with a lot of the GIS work and ADA compliant work. The program has been great, affording me the connections and networking opportunities to use the technical skills in actual planning practice. My name is maria Soto, also a student in my second semester. Thus far, the experience of the program has been very enriching, very satisfactory. Academically, weve learned a wealth of knowledge. Im also a fellow like they mentioned. Im with the Water Department for the City Of Tampa and also an enriching experience, professional experience, learning more about how the water system works, deepening skills in GIS. In my case, all of the interactions with my coworkers and my supervisor. He makes sure everything is a learning experience and gather more comprehensive knowledge of the water system. I wanted to mention because City Of Tampa also offers learning opportunities for the employees, and I was able to take a tour of the brownfields in the city and learn more about it, a topic that is very directly related to urban planning. So the masters program with the internship at USF has been complementary and very enriching to my education.

9:45:00AM Thank you. Im sort of -- see, I violate the same thing. I didnt speak directly up here and turn around. Im sad that our chair pro tem Lynn Hurtak is not here because she is really big on urban planning as most of the members of City Council. One of the biggest things we say all the time, we do not want to turn Tampa into orlando and miami. Keep us from becoming orlando or miami. On behalf of a grateful City Council, thank you for your program. I look forward to more of your students cycling through the City Of Tampa and turning this into americas next great city. Thank you so much. [ applause I would like to recognize councilman Charlie Miranda for one of his passion projects: water.

Charlie Miranda

9:46:17AM Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, honorable members of Tampa City Council. When you look at water, you say whats water? Five letters and youve got the word. But its more than water. Not only these two gentlemen to my left, but something you cannot live without. This Water Department is one of the best in the whole country. In fact, just on revenues and finance and bonding capabilities, theres over 30,000 water suppliers in the United States of America that do the same thing we do. Produce drinking water. There are only five in the whole country that has a triple-a bond rating. Guess what, Tampa is one of them. Only one that is ahead of us in the whole United States of America as far as bond rating. Actually number 2 in the number 5. Thats minneapolis, Minnesota. Next to me are the ladies and gentlemen that work and produce some of the water. Department heads, Rory Jones, Brad Baird and the heads that do the real difficult work. Dont tell them I said that. Present the commendation on behalf of the citizens of the City Of Tampa for what they do. Before I do that, I want mr. Rory Jones to come up and speak a few minutes and tell you what it is about. Produce 82 billion gallons of steady drinking water. Permit from SWFWMD. Hell tell you the rest of the story. Wonderful story to have individuals so dedicated to this department and the city that sometimes water, like Myself, take it for granted. Drink it, take a bath with it. However nature. Maybe they will talk about.

Rory Jones

9:47:57AM Rory Jones, Water Department. I guess I want to start first and foremost for thanking you guys. The one day per week watering restriction has been meaningful and impactful. Without your support, as you know, our water resource situation is not great. Had you not supported that effort before, it would be much worse than it is today. Thank you so much. Before I hand it over to Julia Peloshic, I want to say a little bit about our lean and mean conservation team. I think the money We invest in this team is probably some of the smartest money the Water Department spends. We spend approximately 16 cents per thousand gallons saved with this conservation team. That offsets a cost that We would incur to the tune of 4 to 12 dollars for that same thousand gallons. The success that theyve had here helps us continue to deliver high-quality water at the lowest possible cost. They are bringing solutions to the table that arent the easy stuff. Low-flow fixture swap-outs. They are bringing out-of-the-box ideas that have been successful in changing behaviors. With that, I would like to hand it over to Julia, where she will expand on some of the programs and maybe give you insight as to where this is heading. Good morning, council members. We appreciate your time today recognizing water conservation month. I want to point out that water conservation is a team effort. Im here with Ryan Smith and Justin Win. We are Florida water star accredited, and Florida friendly landscaping certified. We take our role in promoting water conservation in the City Of Tampa very seriously and We enjoy it daily. But it does rely, again, water conservation, on collaboration regionally, within our City departments, community participation is where it really happens. And, of course, with the legal framework. As Rory pointed out, We have watering Restrictions In Place since 1992. And in 2024, approving those changes really helped us at a critical time for tampas water resources. But were facing an even bigger challenge in 2026, arent We? 72 percent of Florida is in an extreme drought and more than half of our city is in a severe drought. Now, We saw lots of puddles this morning. Yay for rain. This is a good sign and it gives us faith that rain will return and well come out of this. But in the meantime, the Southwest Florida Water Management District this week did issue a modified phase three water shortage order. Again, with the legal framework and with our professionals who monitor water resources 24/7, 365 days a year, We will get through this. But the remaining critical piece of this story is our ability as a community to share the responsibility for using water wisely and at this time very frugally. Right now and even when rain returns, tampas water supply can only be truly safeguarded by individual action. Our team works very diligently to connect Customers with water savings. Homeowners, Property Managers, Business Owners, We want to give everyone the opportunity to save water. We maintain a supply of water-saving devices available to all of our Customers for the asking. And Tampa Connect is a great tool to help our Customers ask for those devices and services. Our greatest opportunity for water savings is outdoors. To say that paying attention to irrigation is important is an understatement at this time. Along with water restrictions and enforcement of those restrictions, our irrigation evaluation program generates long-lasting water savings year after year. Weve walked a lot of lawns and yards side by side with our Customers, and it is time-consuming, but just by devoting an hour of their time with us, those Customers who participate in irrigation evaluation save about 5,600 gallons a month. And that goes on and on. During those evaluations, well go to the controller with them. Well help them understand how to use it, point out the mistakes that they are making in those settings that generate too much water usage and check their rain sensor, look for leaks. Help them have a different confidence in managing water use through proper management of that irrigation system. Well also look at their water needs for their particular project or yard. So they get a water budget. So that when they get their bill, they can actually understand if their target usage is there. Last year, We conducted about 107 of these irrigation evaluations, and thats about 20,000 gallons of water saved a day. This year, our goal is 200, and were well On Our Way to that. Again, Tampa Connect makes that very easy for our Customers to ask for that service. We have monthly compost giveaways because We love our Florida yards. And that is a great opportunity as We move from neighborhood to neighborhood with that big pile of locally sourced compost, We meet so many Customers and help them, again, understand how to save water, and that compost that they take home to their yards holds on to moisture and saves their plants and reduces the amount of irrigation that they have to apply. Speaking of gardens, last weekend was our first flip workshop in collaboration with Hillsborough County utilities and our uf ifas friends out in seffner. Florida landscaping incentive program. The goal with the program with a series of three workshops is help our Customers irrigating lawn, convert a portion of the lawn to a Florida friendly landscape. Were very excited to go on that journey with them and help them plan for that garden. Of course, were not installing those gardens until the rains return. Timing is everything. And these are the kinds of information that We want all of our residents to keep in mind as We move through this delicate time for our water resources. In addition to collaborating locally, We have a rebate program. Tampa Bay Water wise. We do a very good job of connecting especially our multifamily properties with rebates. Those indoor retrofits that are conducted with a rebate program lead to 15,000 gallons a day savings at those facilities. And it really adds up when We do SIX or more of those each year. Thats significant savings. Looking ahead, We want to get more of our Customers in that star area connected to the purple pipe so were using more reclaim for outdoor irrigation and important for us moving forward to support that. Finally, We want to thank all of those neighborhoods, all of those households that We have already using water wisely. The majority of our families are there at less than a hundred gallons a day for a household and without them, We would not sustain the Tampa that We have today, welcoming guests from all over the world. With that, I thank you very much. [ applause

Charlie Miranda

9:56:25AM This commendation is an honor for Tampa City Council and really all the citizens of the City Of Tampa for what Brad Baird has done, being the former head of the Water Department, over three, four departments. Rory Jones and all the individuals who work so diligently to make sure that we have the water to drink, bathe, and have fun with once and a while. However, we are in a drought period. We cannot continue to use the amount of water were using. Great job in reducing, continue getting to the point where we can stretch it out another month or two. Thank you all for being here. Your commendation presented to you as director on behalf of all the Tampa City Council members, signed by all seven members. Thank you so much. We appreciate what you do. God bless you.

Alan Clendenin

9:57:09AM Thank you. [ applause now were moving on to public comment. We have one online speaker. Michael Randolph. Michael, are you online?

9:57:30AM Good morning, Mr. Randolph. Let me begin with one image. The little engine that could. Because that story reflects exactly where West Tampa stands today. Earlier this week, I presented updates on the technology, wealth building and job creation center at the West Tampa CAC. Senior leadership from the related group was also present. To understand our national position, we asked ai. To compare our model to workforce community development and programs from around the country. We expected to be competitive, but instead ai. Confirmed our model is a national protocol. No one has what we have. Why is that so? Well, first, we fully integrate in the ecosystem. Ai., Tech, entrepreneurship, web 3 and wealth building into one strategy. We focus on ownership. Rare infusion of community development and emerging tech. Anchored by community benefit agreement. 85% of our operation will be powered by ai. Cutting the cost by 70% and opening our doors to residents that have 8th grade education, Returning Citizens, seniors. This is not a theory. This is an operational, resulting in up to 40 resident owned home-based and e-commerce businesses and up to 60 ai. Jobs focused on lower income. Doesnt stop there. Our program is gaining strong national traction. Engagement is coming from major hubs like Washington, New York, chicago, san francisco, dallas and other programs, confirming that the center work is resonating beyond Tampa. And that brings us back to the little engine that could. We build this model with planned partnership.

10:00:00AM Thank you, Mr. Randolph. Mr. Shelby.

Martin Shelby

10:00:04AM Thank you, mr. Chairman. Good morning, City Council, members of the public. Martin Shelby, City Council attorney. Im here to briefly talk about the rules of decorum for comment at todays meeting. If you wish to speak to general public comment, I hope you have filled out a speaker card and placed it in the box outside. One card per speaker. Each person submitting a card will be recognized by name to approach and speak. Preference is given to those speaking on agenda items first. If you are here to speak on agenda item and you put that number down, youll have that opportunity and those people who want general public comment will have that opportunity to speak after that. Three-minute time limit applies. If you need assistance, please see the City Staff. If you are here to speak on any of the items that are set for public hearing, and those are items 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67, youll have the opportunity to speak. There is a sign-up sheet outside. That time is when the items will be called up and youll have the opportunity. Speakers and members of the public are also reminded to please refrain from disruptive behavior, including making vulgar or threatening remarks or making or causing disruptive noises or sounds or displaying signs or graphics. Direct your comments please to the entire City Council rather than individual members. 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 the 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 todays meeting. Finally, please, City Council members should refrain from engaging a speaker during public comment. The public should be aware that the council does not take your questions or have a dialogue with you during general public comment. This is your opportunity to express your position to the City Council. Thank you. Also, just a reminder that if you are here to speak on anything listed under staff reports or the consent agenda, this is the time to speak. Thank you.

Alan Clendenin

10:02:15AM Very good. Just to reconfirm what Mr. Shelby said, quite a few people here to speak to sidewalks. Thats a public hearing. That will be during the public hearing, not during this time. Ive got your cards. That will be during the public hearing. First to on agenda items. Gerald Dykas on item 81. Start with your name. I like to talk on the TECO rate increases and how The City can fight back. They manage to the last time raise their base profit from 9% to 10% or so. For zero reason. Just pure greed and corruption in the psc. And The City Council really needs to state something about that because they just stole 10% more money from every person in this town. Next, you need to get TECO start producing cheaper power, clean power, solar costs with batteries costs five cents a kilowatt hour. Natural gas generation. These are wholesale numbers. 12 cents a kilowatt hour. Coal is like 15 cents a kilowatt hour. Actually costs less to build new solar than it does to run fossil fuel plants. You need to make them where they will take people -- a lot of people would like to make more power, solar power and other renewable energy and sell it on demand. But TECO does not let that happen. We could have -- eventually well have probably half the properties in this town will have solar and a battery and an EV that not only stores energy, but generates it on demand. TECO is not taking any of these into consideration for the future. Because of that, our bills now are easily 25% higher than what they should be. We really need The City Council to take these people and also find out whats going on in psc that are screwing us badly. I mean, its pure corruption. I mean, theres just zero reason for the profit percent to increase. Theres just nothing about that that should ever happen. I appreciate it if you do more things like that. Also, The City, I mean, electric cars right now are inexpensive, and I just got a bid for $22,000 for brand-new electric equinox. The City really needs to start moving to electric cars hard. Because they save serious, serious money. Things changed completely in last two years. Battery prices dropped. Prices of solar panels dropped. Prices of batteries for storage dropped. Inverters have dropped. Everything has dropped except TECO.

10:05:42AM Everybody, this is the time for public comment. Please refrain from any response. Todd, you are speaking to TECO as well. I am here to make a comment on agenda 81. I have a kit for solar. I encourage the city to do anything to secure our future energy needs. I think that is the best -- maybe The Only Place you can put money that might be somewhat safe nowadays. Im participating with the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition and ask the Tampa City Council to pass a resolution urging our State Legislature to pass affordable energy legislation. Assume asking municipal leaders to make a statement to state leaders is somewhat unorthodox, however we are in unorthodox conditions. Recently the new figure of how many americans are living paycheck to paycheck is stated at 70%. That keeps increasing. What is also out of the ordinary is how State Legislature has failed to take up any of the issues of affordability, particularly energy, which has been the most egregious cost-of-living increase in recent years. This was noted basically in every major publication in the state, in the Tampa Bay times, also in la gaceta here. And ID love to point this out. Nothing was done to rein in utilities companies huge price increases. Two typos in one sentence. I think people can enjoy that. This ask is not unparalleled. Collier County Commission passed a resolution urging the Psc to oppose massive fpl rate hike. Collier Commission is made up of republicans. Tampa Bay times article also references how Don Gauge, Prominent Republican, LED an effort for affordable energy measures this past legislation. Congressional bills are present, but they do not address the problems that are unique to Florida, particularly the transparency and oversight of Psc and fuel cost sharing. TECO, owned by Emera currently is raking in massive profits as their stock is up 24%. Thats after Iran, giving out four point, you know, two percent dividends. They have a lot of money. They are giving to their ceos and to political contributions. A report released a month ago by the Kaleel Institute has a comprehensive and sourced analysis of the issues which culminated into the equitable operation of utilities in this state. The timing is right. Framing is appropriate, and the President has been -- precedent has been set for this body to pass a resolution urging the State Legislature to pass affordable energy legislation. Thanks.

10:08:44AM Thank you, Todd. Isabel Muller also on 81, followed by Ben on item 81. Good morning. Coalition and also the Tampa Bay organizer for the nonprofit water watch and student at the University of South Florida. I first want to say thank you for having us all here, especially my Coalition members. Today ill be speaking on item 81 regarding how much the city has spent on electricity bills in 2024 and 2025. I looked at the numbers, I know that the city has saved money because of the investments they have made in solar and energy efficiency measures which applaud the city and sustainability officer Kayla for doing that. However, that is not the case for many residents in Tampa. Our Coalition has spoken with several council members already. Council Member Young, Maniscalco, Hurtak, Miranda as well, and were all in agreement that energy bills are too high and these rate increases that were seeing from Tampa electric are further adding to the financial burden that many of us are already facing. So that is why our Coalition has been advocating for affordable energy reform at the state level that would help to lower electricity bills by reining in utility profiteering, insulating customers from high fuel cost fluctuations and overall increasing transparency and accountability from the Florida Public Service Commission in tallahassee. However, despite there being three pieces of affordable energy legislation filed earlier this year, both by Democrats and Republicans showing that this is a bipartisan issue, neither of them passed. So this just shows the unproductive nature of the past legislative session while our energy bills continue to increase and our utility regulators are just going to keep approving rate increase after rate increase while we continue to struggle with skyrocketing bills. And at this point, there has been a lack of action from our lawmakers in tallahassee, especially our local leaders here in Tampa Bay. House minority leader Fentrice Driskell, who has been a champion for the people, has yet to take a stand to lower electricity bills and supporting affordable energy reform. Although TECO customers are paying some of the highest energy bills in the country. Its clear that they not only need to be hearing from their constituents, but also our local officials, urging them to protect our Tampa residents from further astronomical rate hikes. Thats why were here today, to urge the City Council to pass a resolution calling on the state legislator to act on affordable energy and our Coalition just held a community event a few weeks ago, sharing to folks about this issue and about the idea around passing resolution. And I have those public comment cards here from some folks urging you with the ask. I know we havent spoken with all of you, but would be open to speaking to more council members about this.

10:12:04AM Thank you, Isabela. If you want those submitted hand them to the attorney, please. Ben, followed by Alyssa White. Im Ben Braver. I was a science teacher -- speaking on topic 81. Science teacher in the area. So, energy is something I care a lot about, right? Its incredible over the past few decades the advances we have made in these fields, that we dont have to rely on this dirty energy anymore and we can expand the modes of energy we get and how we get the energy. When we rely on very few ways to get energy, energy costs rise. When we rely on TECO, monopolies for energy and thats it. Our energy costs rise. They have a 24 percent profit. Thats ridiculous. Thats taking money directly out of the hands of hardworking families here, making it harder to boost our economy, for them to afford to live. 55% of people in Florida have had to decide whether or not to stay in Florida or not because of rising bills. We can free up our energy. We can take the energy thats constantly falling on our heads and convert it into useful working energy so we dont have to pay so much to these monopolies. People making huge amounts of money. The people of Tampa Bay should be working for themselves. The City Council can ensure that their money is going back to them, by investing more in our solar, by not giving all of our tax dollars to these huge Corporations. Parents working three jobs for their kids, sleeping in their cars arent working for the Executives who could have three homes. We need affordable energy resolutions. We need laws pushing for this in our state. Weve been building them on libraries and worked out amazing. Received $300,000 over the past year because of the solar energy and all the infrastructure they have been building. It is efficient for the people. This is what they want. We all know that the one word of our time right now is affordability, because we have allowed Corporations to walk all over the people. Yall have the chance to stop that. To improve affordability in this city, and to keep money in our hands. Thank you all so much.

10:14:26AM Thank You, ben. [ applause sounding gavel no. No clapping. Alyssa White followed by Connie Burton. My name is Alyssa White. I serve as Climate Justice Organize we are Florida Student Power and proud member of the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition. Today I will be speaking in regard to item 81. Im here today because far too many people in our community are struggling under the weight of rising electric bills, and its not getting any better. Tampa Electric Company continues to raise rates and the impact is very real for our community members. Families are being forced to make impossible choices between keeping the lights on, buying groceries, paying rent or preparing for storms and now even paying crazy gas prices. In a state where extreme heat and severe weather are a constant reality, we know electricity is not a luxury. It is essential for safety and the health and survival of our people. What is especially concerning is that these increases are happening while many community members feel left out of the conversation. People do not feel heard, and they do not feel like they have a say in decisions that directly affect their cost of living and lives of their families. Earlier this month, we held a community event focused on energy affordability and accountability. Over 50 Tampa residents showed up, including students, working families, community members, all with the same message, that energy costs are far too high and something needs to change. People shared stories of skyrocketing bills, confusion over more charges that keep getting added on and honestly fear about what that next rate increase will mean for them. I want to acknowledge that I do understand that this Council does not directly vote on utility rate decisions at the state level, but that does not mean that You do not have the power in this moment. As elected leaders of this city, You have a platform. You have influence. And You have a duty and responsibility to represent your constituents. So what can You do? You can apply pressure. You can publicly advocate for your residents and your families and communities. You can call for greater transparency and accountability, and You can stand with us as our community at a time when people are asking to be heard. We need leadership at the local level that is willing to stand with residents and advocate for clean and affordable energy. I urge this Council to recognize the urgency of this issue and to explore ways to increase community input, push for greater accountability and use your voice to support policies that protect Tampa residents from these excessive energy burdens. Please consider the creation of the resolution and show up for the community that You all call home. Thank You.

10:17:12AM Thank you very much. Connie Burton, the birthday girl. Happy belated birthday. Thank you. Connie Burton. Just want to put energy in the room this morning. Item number 3, I just want to call attention to when -- you know, our communities were described as slums, hoods, ghettos, and now hear this urban. I question that because now we see urbanism can move toward gentrification because both of the words are very connected. I enjoy hearing the City Staff reports because it gives me a better understanding as to what is going to be left behind once you guys are gone. Item number 88 and 81, until the Chief Of Police can come and tell the Community at-large as to why a 29-year veteran has been terminated, we should not have any discussion with them about moving, building, or doing anything. The Community deserve to know why. And as to the main reason I came this morning is because of what the United Nations did this week. They said that the greatest crime against humanity occurred as it relates to the transatlantic slave trade. We cant move away from that. As much as we say that we want to move forward, we have to look at historical wrongs. This Community had and this council had the ability to do that with resolution 568. The city chicken because of a dictator in Washington, dc. And abdicated its responsibility on that. As it relates to TECO bills, it will change when this Community can see its shared interest. When we can see how we as a Community can vote in the interest of the people and not based on Political Parties, then we will bring Corporations to its knees. Right now, people are moving blindly as to what is not in their best interest. I would hope from the energy of this room we can reconcile that. Thank you.

10:19:33AM Adrian Santiago followed by Valerie Bullock. Good morning. Start with your name please. You have three minutes. Adrienne Santiago. I am a community planner in the region, born and raised in Tampa. Proud to say that. Im really proud of what the city has been doing for energy. Im here to speak on agenda item 81. Also recognizing that the city has already invested a lot in what the future of our city could look like as it pertains to our economy and our great portfolio. As whats been mentioned already, it would be life changing for a lot of the taxpayers and ratepayers in our region. So were a critical region for resiliency, The Way We have a relationship with climate and thats connected to everything We do from transportation, housing, energy efficiency measures and increasing access to clean energy. Because clean energy is affordable energy. We want to encourage the city to continue down this path of cost savings for the constituents and advocating at the state level where there is support for solar energy because We are the sunshine state. We have access to this power. We would like to see legislation on translating the benefits of efficiencies made in production, those benefits to be received at the household level. Theres legislation in play right now at the state. And We just want to encourage the city to continue its work with the Sustainability Division and my good friend Kayla Costelli and showing support for what future cost savings would look like for our region. We applaud the city for what they are doing and hope they consider a resolution for affordable energy in Tampa Bay. Thank you for your time.

10:21:55AM Thank you, Adrian. Valerie Bullock followed by James Adair. Valerie Bullock, Ponce De Leon, College Hill Projects. Im here to talk about a lot of stuff on the agenda. Ill start with number 81. The pollution and the price of electricity is rising faster than global warming. This would be the perfect time to open up a solar plant battery manufacturing plant in East Tampa. That will help solve the problem. Like the big corporations do, but we do have City Council. Ive been coming down here a long time, and my main thing that I want, manufacturing plant, distribution centers, and warehouses in East Tampa. How this fit with number 81? If you all can get a distribution center, solar plant over there, that will create economic development and we all be able to get jobs over there. And also take some of the burden off of our light bills for giving TECO all the money. This seems like a david and goliath fight, but we have to start somewhere. You might say, well, we dont have the money for that. We dont with have this. Yes, you do. Over a million dollars to fence the City Of Tampa. Were they a sole source? Were they the lowest bid? Looks like a lot of frivolous spending. Item 34, if they want a million dollars for another study. Consultation for wastewater. When do we get to the point that we dont need to pay a million dollars for the study and we just get the work done? This remind me of toilet to tap 2.0. Gave them over $1 million for a study. And they left. We dont need another study. We need work to get done. And we need to act like the City Of Tampa money is our money. You know how some of us can sit on a dime for ten dollars, we need to do that with this money. It seems like the big corporations, they come in, they ask, or the Mayor say she wants this and it get done. But its not right. We need to be more careful with the money that we are spending. Number 30, covering dumpsters for $270,000. Look like to me thats cosmetic. What about the flooding? What about the sidewalks we need? What about the roads we need to get paved? We do not have money to be spending for cosmetic stuff. We need to spend a dollar to help the infrastructure, make $12 back into the community. Thank you.

10:24:47AM Thank you, Valerie. James -- applause sounding gavel no applaud -- hey, guys, no applause. This is the time for people to speak to the City Council to get their opinions, not for public engagement to the speakers. James Adair followed by Carroll Ann Bennett. First, before the handout, update you on the dashboard that Stormwater has for open tickets and closed work orders. This is a screen shot. Pay particular attention to that. 180 days. Frankly, I was a big fan of the dashboard but with 180 days, kind of means nothing at this point. We need to get a way to sort by date, 7/14, 30. Some are going back to December of last year. Weve had two wars since these things were done. A lot is moving. Only Way to stay accountable to this is by having this toggle. When the dashboard was originally started when the community was outraged, there was a debate as to what the timeline should be. Frankly, I saw the dashboard before it was 180. I sort of agreed at the time, everybody would come with pitchforks if they saw the little amount of work that would be on here. I said roll it out, be cool and then lets change it later. This is later. We need to get this done. That is my latest hobby horse. What I handed to you is the public records request accountability. Its been moved, but already prepared and we have time. Im waiting on some of my own requests, 30 or more days that shouldnt be that hard. I know the documents exist. I know already prepared for Staff otherwise. By The Way, Staff, thank you guys for watching. I know you are. Appreciate you. If you have an e-mail from me, check it. We should establish a 30-day threshold where there is a trigger that goes up to a boss or somebody, hey, Ticktock, lets go. You should not have to pay for this. You are our representatives. I dont understand why that is even a scenario. Require quarterly reporting possibly in person. If there was a dashboard that showed how many records were coming in, which departments are getting a+ on getting their data back, I think that would be helpful because then they dont have to show up. A real meaningful dashboard would be helpful. I had a conversation with the Mayor's Office about the reporting and how it taxes Staff. I said to her frankly that it is really important for your constituents to feel connected to the work that you guys do and this system is really important. I admonished her and said this is a really important good thing. Dont look at it as taking away from Staff time. The more that Staff can interact with your constituents, makes them more connected and more informed. The level of this public comment is so elevated compared to what you would normally see. Its because we get educated through public records and also Staff interaction. Finally, independent tracking. I know they already charge for some of this stuff. We should have an Internal Accounting Way to say, hey, listen, I spent two hours on this, just like Stormwater says, spent two hours on parades. Internal accounting that could happen so when you take time away, you guys as Council would know, hey, we spent this much time on it.

10:28:13AM Thank you, james. Carroll Ann Bennett, followed by Stephanie Poynor. My name is Carroll Ann Bennett. I want to comment on item 83, the Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Im glad it is Proceeding The Way it has. I hope you all have been reaching out to people that you think would be good on the committee and asking them to apply. I want to comment specifically on the staggering of the terms. This proposal to me does not really accomplish that. Its basically got two mayoral appointments, two out of SIX, and all five of the City Council appointments as being initially appointed for two years, and then the other four mayoral appointments being appointed for three years, that doesnt really add up to me. I dont think that is an adequate -- I dont think thats really adequate staggering. I think it should be tweaked. Ill leave it to you all to figure out The Best Way to do it, but this just doesnt seem to be it. Thank you very much.

10:29:22AM Thank you. Stephanie Poynor. Stephanie Poynor. I agree with Carroll Ann. The TECO resolution, these folks are asking you for something very realistic. But what I would like to see is that you all -- all of you commit to not taking money from TECO. I looked and dug into peoples, last election, mayor $35,000 donation from TECO. When you take people from them, you are taking money from the folks who are standing here saying that they should not be donating. Like I said, I havent checked in a long time. On the Parks issue this week, the west Parks, oh, my gosh, so excited to have a list of what is in the west district. I would like for Mr. Fowler to supply the rest of those districts to us so we know which areas are being serviced. $27 Million for Open Gov software. It should be a heck of a lot easier to understand and should be some support for regular people in the city to figure out how to use it because it is not very user friendly. Number 49, why are we not renegotiating a contract from 2001. Att, Cingular, they got plenty of fricking money. Why are they still paying the same price for our little pieces of easement 25 years later? Thats ridiculous. We have not renegotiated that, but they are getting a deal every stinking time. Close the loopholes in sidewalks. I could go into that. CRA items, im glad to see there May be something moving forward. Im trying to figure out the 300k for one lot in East Tampa. That is a hell a bunch of money. When I went to sell a lot last year in South Tampa, I wasnt going to get that much money. Why is the city overpaying for a lot? I dont know. Riverwalk, can you explain to me, first of all, you know I have an issue with it. Can you please explain to me why we spend all this money on a Riverwalk and one developer that will hold two parcels of the Riverwalk hostage as long as they feel like it because look at rome yard. Rome yard was approved the same Time Hanna Street was. Hanna Street has been done for years, yet rome yard is like the little engine that could. Water saving in the city. Why does the City Of Tampa buy grass? Please explain that to me. It is the most expensive to maintain. Yes, its cheap to buy it. Yet every time we see grass come on the agenda, there is half a million dollars being spent on it. That is a waste of our citys funds. I think that hits it all this week.

10:32:01AM Brevity. Thats a shock. The next nine speakers are off topic, off agenda. Raymond Johnson followed by David Cornell. Good morning, start with your name. Three minutes. Im here to speak as like a leader for the homeless. Weve been targeted a lot. Like, I know there are many resources that helps us like the shelters and stuff, but they are not really helping us with work with. Like, we need jobs, decent paying jobs so we can keep up with what we have to. The cost of living is rising a lot. Now, there is a difference between homeless and a bum. See, a bum is set In The Way of the streets. Homeless, were in a situation. When you raise the price of food, you raise the price of pretty much everything and food becomes more synthetic, not as nutrient. Were trying to make it. Were losing help. Were losing the fight against pretty much the Police. They are targeting us a lot. Giving us records and were not able to get decent jobs anymore. So thats making it a lot harder to keep like progressing more. Its making it a lot harder to maintain, and we need help. With these shelter and stuff, they are not really helping us. Yes, there is a lot of other benefits like the feedings and stuff, but the thing is, some of us cant get to them. We need better transportation for it. Im sorry. Im a bit nervous. This is my first time here.

10:33:48AM Youre doing fine. Cant meet. I think I basically said what I wanted to. I really want to lead a committee for Highland Pines itself because I feel like a lot of those individuals are getting targeted and a lot of those individuals do work as I do. Were all regular people. We all try to maintain. But a lot of them -- I know there is a homeless committee for the whole city, but we need one specifically for Highland Pines, and I would like to be the leader of that, if I May. Thats pretty much all I got to say.

10:34:39AM Janelle will speak to you after. Very good. David Cornell followed by Michelle. Could you guys step out in the lobby? I am the secretary of the Informal Committee On Homelessness In Highland Pines. May I ask -- we have a petition over here. May I ask the clerk Of The Court to make copies of this petition.

10:35:17AM We wont make copies. You can hand it to Mr. Shelby. For each council member. Already these copies are for each council member and the lawyer. Okay. The first thing I would like to do is show a letter I got from president Joe Biden. And youll note that I highlighted that May you continue to be the keeper of that flame. I just want to highlight. So we heard my colleague, president in training of the Highland Pines Association, I am the secretary of that. I remember when I was first introduced to this council by a gentleman of the name Al Lucas, his stepfather was Bill Epserry, who founded the Junior Chamber Of Commerce. Al Lucas, prolific author carried the flame forward and introduced myself to this council. I as a business owner and veteran and Tampa Bay chamber of commerce member of Highland Pines residents as well, was entrusted by former President Biden to be a keeper of the flame. Now im glad that the council had the pleasure of meeting whom I hope as well will be the president of the Highland Pines homeless situation -- excuse me, homeless committee. Im a bit nervous myself. And thats basically all I have. I want to thank this council for listening and thank the public at large for listening. Everybody have a great day.

10:37:25AM Thank you for coming. Michelle, followed by Pamela Cannella. Good morning, Michelle. I want to know answers to why this is still not done yet. Its actually paid for. They paid 3 million and something. They say the start date, but there has been no studies, nothing they have done in that area to show that they are going to start. I put a request for the retention ponds, to clean out the ditches. I have to go into those because there are a lot of them. This is in 2024. Still open. Did another one February 18. Still nothing. This is what were dealing with. All this. Were dealing with all these blocked passages. Everything you can imagine has been neglected for years and years and years. And the system doesnt even work On My Road. So there is a big system, and then there is a small one. This is the big pond. It doesnt even get to us that pond. I want some answers because this is what Tappan Park used to look like. Its not like that no more. Its actually desert almost looking. If they try to say there is nothing wrong, there is a lot wrong, because now its -- this is what it looks like now. How can you destroy something? They used to have children playing on there and now look. You think people can play on that? They Rerouted The Road, and thats why that looks like that in 2020 because of these apartments. So going back to the apartments -- oh, and I spoke to Brandon. He told me that when they did the pipes, they did all the gas lines, they were going to fix that. He didnt know that there are so many people that go On That Road. For years, Tappan Park Reserves functions as a natural stormwater basin.

10:40:41AM Thank you, Michelle.

10:40:44AM Thank you so much. Pam Cannella followed by Surgret Doss. Good morning, Pam. Im concerned as we approach 2026 rain and hurricane season. It was all hands on deck to clean existing stormwater drainage system in 2024 through 2025. Well, once the fear of hurricane season passed, In-House Crew went back to events and barricades. No citywide catch-up cleaning of existing stormwater system, and no funding for contracted help to catch up. In-House Crew is doing the best they can, but it is impossible task. They are still working on catch-up, as you can see in the picture posted by the city on next door. How long has this drain been covered with dirt and not functioning? This is why cleaning and maintenance is important. My palmira ditch was cleaned and graded, excavated May 2025, but without maintenance, bank erosion, and cleaning of trash and debris, the ditch will not function efficiently to prevent flooding. Maintenance was needed eight months after the cleaning. Work orders for cleaning of drainage system, cave-ins can take one year or longer. Residents expect their work order to be addressed in a reasonable time. Again, In-House Crew cannot keep up. Sweepers, 32 routes. Each have their areas sweeped SIX to seven times a year. Theres only SIX sweepers. Mobility solutions are -- too many vacuum trucks Or Additional Street sweeper or additional personnel. Over development has put a strain on our infrastructure, a domino effect that has caused flooding in neighborhoods because of lack of maintenance of our stormwater system due to no funding and no manpower. And too many repairs. There is stormwater work to be done all over South Tampa. We see them every day. Barricades and paint marking ditches, drains, and cave-ins. My question is, what is being done by the city? Lets go down to Palma Ceia pines. Should this property, this area of Palma Ceia pines should have been addressed for proper drainage instead of focusing on howard project that will not address flooding in that area. Our infrastructure needs to be the City Of Tampa's first priority. Stop wasteful spending.

10:44:21AM Thank you. Surgret Doss followed by Stephen Michelini. My name is Surgret Doss. I want to wish a happy return to Sister Connie. Raise my hand as og because my generation is responsible for not passing down or maintaining the standards set by those who came through the Civil Rights Movement who Paved The Way for so many of us. They gave their real blood, sweat, and sweat equity to see a better country, and we havent gotten that country yet. Were fooling ourselves if we think well get it, especially given whats going on on the world stage today. And even the world knows Sister Connie that something should be given for the stolen africans and the benefits that we did not get to receive in this country. But anyway, some people asked me, doss you jump on them all the time, they want me to talk about child support. Pretty decent about. Child support is not fraud. Not unconstitutional. People out there watching, get that out Of The Way. But what I do want to say is to you all and the rest of the world listening that there are too many procedural errors, other violations that May lead one to find that there is a constitutional violation thats Taking Place. Of course, im not giving any legal advice. Im talking about why we dont have hearing officers and judges that do their damn job. Sometimes the law is not that complicated. You can read, you can understand it. And we do know ive had several instances where even the Bar Association hates the fact that I teach people who cant read how to read. You need to find coalitions of people who think like you, willing to stand up and not be some of the gatekeepers who many have no racial integrity as well, but who charge people to do things that they are not willing to do. Until you stand up to the people who im looking at right now, you all not really a part of the chain of problems that I have, but until you stand up to the people that you elect, youre not going to get any results. No war, no freedom has ever been won waving paper, jaw jacking, or barbershop bitching all the time. Until you make your presence known and stand up for yourself, these people will always take advantage of you and theyll turn a blind eye to others who are not doing their job and taking advantage. I would be remiss if I didnt say something about the fact that I want people -- those bullets are real. We are about to walk into a situation that we just cannot win, weve never won anything on foreign soil on our own. You can say what you want to about World War II. That wasnt us, more russia. You cannot defeat in ideology. It will never happen. That being said, shout-out to the Greatest Institution Of Higher Learning in the City Of Tampa, university of Thomas Jefferson High School.

10:47:29AM Thank you. Mr. Michelini, followed by Lucy. Steve Michelini. Heard a lot about stormwater and how to treat stormwater. I have several suggestions for the Council to consider. One is to increase the fines to the maximum allowed by law for dumping trash, debris or yard waste in ditches, canals, waterways, drainage pipes, or culverts. Go ahead and take that, make it a maximum fine. It happens all the time. Require pervious concrete or similar products for sidewalks and driveways. Stop putting down hard concrete that doesnt breathe and doesnt percolate. Revise transportation standards to allow pervious options like gravel instead of paved parking spaces and driveways. Every time you do that, you increase the amount of stormwater required. Require surveys and confirmations regarding city Projects For Street construction to ensure that drainage flows in the correct direction for the streets that they are paving and the improvements that are being made. Consider using pervious materials for all roadways instead of continuing to pave things. Brick streets breathe, and they used to percolate. And that system was designed to hold water and prevent it from going into houses. Now when you start eliminating the brick streets and you eliminate pervious concrete, you have only increased the problem. You dont rely on gravity for water delivery systems, so why rely on gravity to evacuate stormwater? There is an objection to using pumps. They should be part of the normal process and not an exception. Streets and roadways are designed to handle stormwater previously and keep it from going into properties. Reinstitute that. Information that you received a video and some -- and a slide show. All of the information contained in there was from applications that the City Of Tampa applied for from either the state or SWFWMD., Nothing in there was made up. Its factual. It was fact based and double checked. Stormwater pipes with pumps, they work. If you use pumps, you increase the capacity. Dont come up here and keep telling everybody that the stormwater system wont work unless you put in a massive system. A massive system will work with pumps. The original jmt report called for it. The city skipped right over it and said, oh, we dont want to do that. It requires maintenance. You either pay for the maintenance or you pay for the damage. Thank you.

10:50:23AM Thank you, Mr. Michelini. Lucy James followed by Robert James.

10:50:30AM Sure can. Robert James followed by Lucy James. Start with your name, please. You have three minutes. Im Robert James. Thank you. I want to give you a follow-up and let you know where we are at. Making great progress, partnership, if you remember urgence. Urgence is urgent. I really thank Brandon Campbell and the Mobility department. Done a diligent job of looking at the technology. I believe we addressed all his major concerns. Were moving forward with him. I really look forward to having you guys sign on with us and whoever wants to give me a call, we can help coordinate and be a champion with that. Weve gotten great support in Hillsborough County. Commissioner Cepeda has been great at giving us contacts in the different organizations. Meetings with public works for Hillsborough County. HART, we had a great meeting with HART. Ill talk about TECO, great how were talking about TECO right now. We actually presented a proposal to TECO. They are going to save 10 to 15 million a year by implementing this technology. So we have a joint partnership, I think well be able to join together in the publicprivate partnership together with the city. To give you some more information on the HART meeting we had, we showed them additional savings that we hadnt identified before and cost savings for their operations and being able to implement. I have a transit background. I know exactly what they are going through and how they are dealing with that. So I was able to identify all these areas to benefit them. A new item that we hadnt talked about before is I did a detailed analysis, and that is the other report that you have, showing the detailed analysis of the benefits of Tampa Fire And Rescue. Huge, additional life-savings in what we projected for, extra 50 to 100 per year of what we projected before. We also have faster response times as really the cause. I think Lucy will talk to that. Also identified additional 5 to 11 million in savings on top of 12 to 18 we identified previously for the city to save, using the type of operations. It really comes from a lot of different areas. Really, response times, being able to know where the hydrants are, where the shutoff valves are. I talked to Firemen. They say this will be pivotal in being able to locate the devices in the field and get them to the same clicker, every second saves lives. Like I said, urgent is urgent. We need to start getting this through to save lives and saving money. Thank you.

10:53:19AM Thank you. Lucy. Followed by Robin Lockett. My name is Lucy James. Im here just to enforce that im an Emt back in my young age. When this innovation came, im really supportive because in the case of emergency, it is crucial to have one second we can save a life. Minutes can save a life. Sometimes we dont have time to get it To The Place because the roads, because the obstructions and stuff like that. With this technology, we could be able to avoid that and get there quickly and save a life. In this emergency, like cardiac arrest, oh, im going to pump a little bit and then wait and then wait for the Emt come and stuff like that. Sometimes we dont have time to get there and execute our job. Accidents. Stops in the roads that we cannot get over there. With this device, we can find another route to get over there, because sometimes GPS. Strokes, fires. I have episode of fire where all the episodes is very familiar in my case back, what I said and worked. Yeah, its very, very, I dont know if you guys are familiar, see the fire in the house, it go very quickly with. Everything turn big mess if you are not there in very, very, that time. Like one second makes a big difference, you know, to the emergency. Thank you for listening.

Charlie Miranda

10:56:08AM I want to make sure that im listening to the right things. Looked to me like you have something that May be wonderful. But thats got to go through the process of bidding it out and so forth and so on. Im not debating. Just making a statement.

Alan Clendenin

10:56:22AM Administration function just so you know. Robin Lockett followed by Ashley Morrow and that will be our last speaker. Robin Lockett. First, I want to say that it is such a joy to see the community come out and advocate for themselves. You have a homeless person thats coming out. If I misunderstood, I apologize. But thats the assumption. But hes advocating for himself, right? How do we have all of these coalitions and community boards and we dont have people thats really impacted on the board to tell people thats making decisions on how things will be better for them. I applaud the young man for being brave enough to come out and advocate for himself and kudos to Councilwoman Young. Hes in your district. I spoke with Darlene, and she indicated, hey, weve been working with him. To get him to come out and do that, thats fantastic. Applause to you. Item number 81. So I stand with the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition. Were a part of that. I think that this is an opportunity for The City Of Tampa to stand with the community because everybody knows that the TECO bill is high. Unless you are in a different zip code and giving you all different privileges. Right? There is lack of affordable housing still. Wages are not increasing. There is still a housing crisis here in Tampa. Things are still not able to make a decision -- they are robbing peter to pay paul and their rent is still going up. I have Madison Highland, my old favorite apartment complex, their landlord is raising their rent twice a year and this is on a fixed income. A fixed income. And this is a project that The City was a part of, giving them -- they received something from The City. But again, their rates are still being raised. I stand with the Coalition in regards to creating a resolution, having to ask, right, that TECO does something with the rates or that the state rights of law, do something, because something needs to be done. What a Wonderful Way that we do understand that The City has limited ability, but, again, standing with the community to do that part would be fantastic. Thank you.

10:59:08AM Thank you, robin. Ashley. My name is Ashley Morrow. I will be sharing tampas Black history. Thank you for your patience. Sorry for my tardiness. I want to start with the Black Militia again. Ill keep bringing this back up. Because we are still in the 1870s. Sugar this time, group of 92, 94 Black men were here in Tampa defending and protecting the Black community. And these are their names here. During the 1870s, we had this thing going on called homesteading where people of any color, if they did not bear arms against the US., Were able to claim land in this area. Here is where we are. We are in this little red box. This was the Fort Brooke Military Reservation. Black owned. The bottom half of this was with Black owned by Fortune Taylor, Cyrus Charles, Thomas Jackson. This was a White man, but this is where the scrub, encore 6. Then we had people that squatted in the area. When they squat, they live there, kind of took claim of it. Tampa came in and said, no, you all need to move. Two Black men homesteaded. Andrew Stillings and Julia Cesar. Ill show you their documents in a second. That little red square is this. What you see here, thats oaklawn up at the top. Obviously, there were not sky rises. Little homes. Little village. But you had Black people homesteading land on the outskirts like John Matthews who homesteaded the area near where Armature Works is. Richard Hamilton, which homesteaded the area, north of where Armature Works is. Thomas Jackson, which owned the land just above oaklawn cemetery. Fortune Taylor. She owned the land where the barry more hotel is currently. Here are just some business transactions Fortune Taylor had where she sold to the Mayor Clark for $200, and then you have her selling to jackson, selling to E.a. Clark again. Selling to john PD. I dont know what that says. Then you have her selling to someone else as well. Julius Caesar, he owned land in the channelside area. He homesteaded an area over in the garrison, Fort Brooke Military Reservation. Finally, this is a White man, but this is where the scrub was located. Thank you so much.

11:02:25AM Remember back then, that wasnt a Very Pleasant Place to live. There were a lot of mosquitoes. Waterfront is very valuable now.

11:02:36AM It is, it is, it is. That concludes our public comment. Thank you for your patience. We are now moving on to item number 3, a resolution approving, consenting to, and confirming the appointment by the mayor of Ansley Blackwell to the Historic Preservationist. Ansley, are you in the audience? Hearing none, motion to move item 3. Motion from Maniscalco, second from Viera. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. She is appointed. Anybody in the public here for reconsideration of legislative matters? Hearing none, on to our consent agenda. Councilman Viera, move items 4 through 8.

Charlie Miranda

11:03:23AM I was going to ask The Council, we have a 10:00. 62, 63, 64, if we can take them.

Alan Clendenin

11:03:31AM Lets move through the consent agenda and well be there.

Luis Viera

11:03:34AM Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move items 4 through 8.

Alan Clendenin

11:03:37AM Motion from Councilman Viera. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilwoman Young, would you move 9 through 23.

Naya Young

11:03:47AM I move items 9 through 23.

Alan Clendenin

11:03:50AM Motion from Councilwoman Young, second by Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Ayes have it.

Guido Maniscalco

11:03:56AM I move items 24 through 36.

Alan Clendenin

11:03:59AM Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Miranda, would you move items 37 through 41.

Charlie Miranda

11:04:07AM 37 through 41.

Alan Clendenin

11:04:08AM Motion from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Carlson, 42 through 54.

Bill Carlson

11:04:16AM Im going to vote against 54. I move 42 through 53.

Alan Clendenin

11:04:21AM We have a motion from Councilman Carlson to move 42 through 53. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All in favor, aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Councilwoman Young, would you move item number 54?

Naya Young

11:04:43AM I move item 54.

Alan Clendenin

11:04:45AM Motion from Councilwoman Young, second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed?

Bill Carlson

11:04:52AM Nay.

The Clerk

11:04:53AM Motion carried Carlson voting no and Hurtak absent.

Guido Maniscalco

11:04:56AM I move items 55 through 61.

Alan Clendenin

11:04:59AM Motion from Councilman Maniscalco moving items 55 through 61. Second from Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Motion to move 69 through 77. Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All in favor, aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. That was through 77. Can I get a motion to open the 10:00 public hearings?

Bill Carlson

11:05:35AM [Inaudible] motion for reconsideration.

Alan Clendenin

11:05:43AM 73 and 74 you said?

Bill Carlson

11:05:46AM Yeah.

Alan Clendenin

11:05:47AM We have a motion to reconsider 73 and 74 from Councilman Viera. He voted in the affirmative. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Guido Maniscalco

11:06:02AM You want to --

Alan Clendenin

11:06:03AM I need to move 73 and 74.

Charlie Miranda

11:06:06AM Move 73 and 74 with the caveat That Started Way back, Mayor Poe's Administration in '74 through '79.

Alan Clendenin

11:06:14AM Motion from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed?

Bill Carlson

11:06:19AM Nay.

Clerk

11:06:19AM Motion carried with Carlson voting no and Hurtak being absent.

Alan Clendenin

11:06:24AM Thank you, Clerk. Motion to open the 10:00 public hearings. Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All those in favor say aye. Ayes have it. 1000 public hearings are open. Non-quasi-judicial. Item 62, I was absent at the first vote, but I have reviewed the hearing and I am ready to vote. Item number 62.

Morris Massey

11:06:46AM Morris Massey, Legal Department. This is an amendment to an existing ordinance regarding the legal defense of city or public officials. Its clarifying that it includes you all acting in your capacity as CRA Board members. Im happy to answer any questions. This is a public hearing, so you should take any public comment as well.

Alan Clendenin

11:07:04AM Council have any questions?

Charlie Miranda

11:07:06AM None at all.

Alan Clendenin

11:07:07AM Very good. Anybody in the public who wishes to speak to item 62? I just want to point out that poster children for this are Councilman Dingfelder and Councilman Gudes. Yes, the CRA should be covered as part of the request for services so we dont have to shut down CRA meetings because people are acting silly. But I want to make sure that -- I think its extremely important that all of you should feel covered up there. It should never, ever cost you your retirement money in order to do your job on council. And thats exactly what has happened in the past. Councilman Dingfelder was accused of speaking to me -- to me on ex parte communication. It never happened. Im going to tell you that. You know why? Because nobody ever asked me. Jean Strohmeyer. Jean said it didnt happen to her either. I dont know who the hell it happened to. Councilman Dingfelder had to spend about $75,000 of his own personal money to defend himself from the nonsense. The City Of Tampa should have taken care of that. Thank you very much.

11:08:26AM Anybody from the public wishing to speak? Motion to close from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Miranda. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Carlson, would you read item 62.

Bill Carlson

11:08:36AM Move item 62, file e2026-8, chapter 2, an ordinance being presented for second reading and adoption, an ordinance of the City Of Tampa, Florida, amending section 2-234 of the City Of Tampa code entitled "representation and reimbursement in the defense of elected officials" to include City Council members acting in their capacity as Community Redevelopment Agency board members in the definition of elected officials, providing for possible reimbursement to the city by the Community Redevelopment Agency for legal fees and costs incurred by the city in representing Community Redevelopment Agency board members, repealing all ordinances in conflict therewith, providing for severability, providing an effective date.

Alan Clendenin

11:09:18AM Before I get a second on that, attorney brought to my attention, Mr. Michelini, did you want to speak to this item? 62, CRA for Public Officials. Just want to make sure were clean on that. Motion from Councilman Carlson. Second from Councilman Viera. Roll call, please.

The Clerk

11:09:53AM Motion carried unanimously with Hurtak being absent.

Alan Clendenin

11:09:56AM Thank you. Item number 63. This is a presentation of a second reading on an ordinance that was requested by City Council motion to remove section 22-103-c-1 from the code. This is a section that allows Applicants who are redeveloping or constructing a new structure to apply to pay the sidewalk in lieu fee instead of constructing a sidewalk when it is unlikely in the future that that sidewalk would connect to another piece of sidewalk.

11:11:01AM Thank you. Very good. Council have any questions? Councilman Maniscalco.

Guido Maniscalco

11:11:05AM So we received a lot of e-mails about this, specifically culbreath bayou in the neighborhood and why its distinct and unique as it was designed originally to not have the sidewalks because thats how it was meant to be. I support this but removing or exempting that neighborhood. I know we received a memo, from first to second reading, we cant change that, but if we were to take this back to first reading, make the modifications, basically, as Councilman Carlson mentioned at the beginning of the meeting, delay it a few weeks to take out that section, and putting it back to first reading for clarity because of legal reasons, can we do that today? Reading. Only thing I would say, if there is a renewed motion about the feasibility of excluding culbreath bayou in general, not just between first and second reading, the City needs a rational basis to regulate. I think based on what has previously been submitted, if you look at the plats, 50 feet of right-of-way dedicated with nothing in the plat descriptions that I reviewed saying its only for these specific uses, but certainly something that we can discuss more.

11:12:33AM Thank you very much.

Alan Clendenin

11:12:34AM Councilman Viera.

Luis Viera

11:12:35AM Yes, sir, since Councilman Carlson spoke about this, I didnt want to speak before you, if you wanted to go first. Did you want to speak on it first? I was going to say I agree with Councilman Maniscalco and I agree with what Councilman Carlson in his district has said. If we can exclude this community from it, strongly support that, especially talking to the folks there, this is a community devastated in the storms of 2024. And they have their own well formulated opinions from their experiences, unique nature and character of their neighborhood. I do support putting the brakes on this just for a little bit to see if we can carve that out. Finding a rational basis for that, im sure we can maybe some of the things I just talked about. But I do support that. Again, I support like Councilman Maniscalco said, this ordinance, I think it is a great thing for Tampa, going to move us forward, but we should make that commitment for that community given what they have been through, given their stated history and very well formulated, well formed, well supported preference for that. So I do support that.

Alan Clendenin

11:13:38AM Councilman Carlson, do you want me to go to Miranda and then close it out?

Charlie Miranda

11:13:42AM Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have different reasons. When we did the pipes program, big program that has nothing to do with sidewalks. But it is a City program and takes 22 years to do that one. We have no plan -- and its not your fault. You are the Attorney doing the legal stuff. What program do we have that well guarantee that the sidewalks, a, will be built and how they are going to build, half here, one over there, one person has a sidewalk, go two blocks to find another one? When is the connectivity going to happen by the City? When you look at these things, these are City properties. They are not individual properties. A right-of-way belongs to the City, am I correct?

Emma Gregory

11:14:21AM Um-hum.

Charlie Miranda

11:14:22AM Can I build a right-of-way my garage? The answer is no. Yet you tell us, not you, the Legal Department is telling us that we have to build a sidewalk, and if you dont want the sidewalk, you have to pay in lieu fee to somebody else to build the sidewalk, doesnt make sense, in my mind. Sidewalks, one on Armenia between columbus and Azeele I mean Aileen, right next to a brand-new home individual bought, I dont know why he built right there, but he did. His right. Beautiful home and has a sidewalk. No sidewalk before it and after it, from There To St. Joseph hospital. You know what, there is an oak tree at the end. So the sidewalk goes to the tree, makes a left-hand turn and drops the citizen into the middle Of Macdill Avenue. You did not write that. I didnt write that, but thats what the law says. Am I going to drop a person in the middle Of The Street off a sidewalk? It turns left, not angle --

Alan Clendenin

11:15:24AM Councilman Miranda, remember, this is a public hearing. Were in a public hearing. It hasnt been closed yet for pontification. This is q a time.

Charlie Miranda

11:15:31AM Im talking like a public hearing. The public is right there. Thats why they are hearing me. Ill stop there, but so many reasons that theres no plan for the city to tell the citizens, why dont we have a tax on it and then everybody can have a sidewalk, see what happens. Doesnt Do That Way. Now youre going to charge the citizen, Affordable Housing does not exist. When you look at 60-foot lot, Affordable Housing, paying additional $12,000 to have a sidewalk. My whole house cost $12,000. 12600. Somebody Affordable Housing, $12,000 fee for having Affordable Housing built.

Alan Clendenin

11:16:19AM Thank you.

Charlie Miranda

11:16:19AM Thank you for letting me do that.

Alan Clendenin

11:16:21AM Councilman Carlson, you have a motion?

Bill Carlson

11:16:24AM Can I make a comment too?

Alan Clendenin

11:16:26AM Make it brief.

Bill Carlson

11:16:30AM We got a lot of e-mails explaining to us why we should be in favor of sidewalks. I think most or all of us know that. Thats why this is on the agenda. Weve been trying to get this passed for several years. And weve been working closely with Walk Bike Tampa, sidewalk stompers and others, and weve hit a lot of obstacles over the years. The remaining obstacle that was unexpected was that this one neighborhood came back and said, hey, this is going to be a huge burden on us. Ive been working with them, I think maybe others have as well, with the Legal Department, trying to figure this out. The ultimate thing is the Legal Department said we cant put any kind of exclusion in at second reading, we have to take it back to first reading. Similar to what Council Member Viera said, this neighborhood was one of the worst hit. I drove through there in the days after the storms, and they were hit by SIX or eight feet of storm surge. It wiped out more than half the neighborhood, I think, and in the days after, there was furniture, chairs, all kinds of things on the streets. It was a terribly ravaged neighborhood. They are just starting to recover. This would be a particular burden to them now. We also have separately the issue of grandfathering people in who were hit by the storms. We have to come back to that at some point as well on the fee. Anyway, I dont know what the motion is, but I would make a motion to bring this back to first reading and ask Legal to work with that neighborhood to figure out some language to add in. Culbreath bayou neighborhood.

Alan Clendenin

11:18:07AM Emma, can you help us with that? What do you need from Council to bring this back --

Bill Carlson

11:18:13AM She spent a lot of time on this already. Ill give Her credit for that. As the City Attorney, I think that the neighborhood has some proposals that could go through but we need more time to work on it and cant add anything until first reading.

Alan Clendenin

11:18:29AM Do You need a specific date or say to first reading and then You schedule it?

Emma Gregory

11:18:34AM Its really up to you all. Im -- I dont have a clear idea of how much time.

Alan Clendenin

11:18:41AM In other words, the Council, it appears as though at least four people on Council that would like to see this particular neighborhood excluded. I understand your concerns. How long would you need to work on the legal language to bring this back to first reading and come back before Council with that exclusion?

Emma Gregory

11:19:06AM I would ask at least May. One of the meetings in May.

Alan Clendenin

11:19:11AM Can somebody look at the agenda in May and see what we have? Mr. Shelby, you had something. May 7 or the 21st. May 7 looks good.

Martin Shelby

11:19:23AM Basically, Council, its just You have to allow the Legal Department to determine whether there is, in fact, a factual predicate upon which You can act. You May want to do something, but legally, im hearing from the Legal Department that You are prevented absent certain findings that need to be within findings of fact made by You and placed into the ordinance which have to first be researched and created.

Alan Clendenin

11:19:49AM Well enjoy that presentation on May 7, if that motion is moved. Councilman Carlson, youre requesting this item -- we have to take public comment before we take a vote. Make sure that we have this business so people understood what were talking about today. Its my understanding that youre going to request to move file 2026-8, chapter 22 to May 7 for first reading.

Bill Carlson

11:20:15AM Yes. And ask the Legal Department to work with us and Culbreath Bayou to try to find some language to allow them to be exempted.

Alan Clendenin

11:20:28AM I have a motion and a second. Were not going to vote right now because We have a public hearing.

Luis Viera

11:20:34AM This community has a lot of attorneys. I know Mr. Diaz was here. We have a former Hillsborough County bar association president who lives here who im sure can work on the issues and has colleagues.

Bill Carlson

11:20:48AM To martys point and I dont want to litigate the language right here if we dont have to.

Martin Shelby

11:20:54AM You shouldnt.

Bill Carlson

11:20:57AM There were options that weve been discussing with the Legal Department. And the thing we dont want to do is make it so broad that its easy for everybody else to be excluded. So weve got to work on that and get this. If we had the pictures and maybe somebody brought them, if you see the pictures of the neighborhood after the storms, you would understand why we are pushing this.

Charlie Miranda

11:21:20AM If I May, along with Mr. Carlson's request, I think you have to make it narrow as to what it is, so others, if they have the same, which I dont think you are going to find any the same, about the location, the structures Of The Street, the grid. Its a hundred percent homes. No residential, no commercial building, no hospitals, nothing there other than residential homes, then you narrow that scope to that individual so others have it can also qualify which I dont think they will.

Alan Clendenin

11:21:50AM Also walled and limited access.

Martin Shelby

11:21:52AM Martin Shelby, City Council attorney. Just a reminder, council, that there are other provisions affecting other people throughout the city with regard to this ordinance. And this is your -- their opportunity to talk during public hearing with regard to those items as well. In addition, so those people from culbreath isles, knowing what -- excuse me. Culbreath bayou --

Alan Clendenin

11:22:17AM The easy right turn.

Martin Shelby

11:22:19AM Forgive me. Culbreath Bayou, excluding that, at least those who are here to speak to that now know the motion that is on the floor, and they can wish to address that. With regard to other people throughout other parts of the city who May want to also address this item, this is their opportunity as well.

Alan Clendenin

11:22:37AM Correct. Thank you. Well move on to public comment on this. Again, as Mr. Shelby just stated, what is on the floor right now, we have the original resolution or the ordinance that had been published on 63. Councilman Carlson has made a motion to continue that item to May 7 for having our Legal Department look at the exclusion of this particular neighborhood. If you are here to speak to the original motion, item number 63 or the continuation, this is your opportunity to speak to City Council. If you would like to line up all against the wall, if youre going to speak to this item, well address each person individually. Youll have three minutes. Mr. Michelini, you want to start first. Start with your name, please. I have no objection to a continuance on this issue. I just want to bring to the councils attention, you talked about providing some relief for storm-damaged homes, this would be an ideal opportunity since you are amending the code to insert that issue as well. The second part of that is that we also talked about the fact that the in lieu fee was extraordinarily high and you were going to revisit that as well. That was adopted by resolution and not by ordinance. So it would seem to me that might be something that should be considered as well as part of your discussion. But I would strongly encourage council to discuss and perhaps consider inserting storm-damaged homes and providing some kind of relief for them, whether its an exemption or reduction in fees. Thank you.

11:24:09AM Thank you, sir. Next public speaker. Start with your name, please. Im Emily Hinsdale. I would like to urge you to move ahead with the second reading and vote yes on agenda item 63 which affects the entire city. I am the cofounder of a local safe routes to school nonprofit called Sidewalk Stompers. Our goal is to find safe and healthy pathways to school for all Tampa children regardless of parent income and flexibility. One of the chief concerns I hear when I meet with schools and families looking for safe routes to school is that there are no sidewalks to safely guide children to school. Many neighborhoods in Tampa were built without sidewalks, whether hundred years ago, 50 years ago or 30 years ago. At that time, apparently our city leaders could not conceive of a future where our streets were so overburdened with speeding cars that it was dangerous to walk In The Street. In 2026, however, we know the results of this kind of planning. 19297 crashes on Tampa roads in 2025. 266 of those crashes resulted in serious injuries. 45 of those crashes resulted in death. 20 of those deaths were people walking or biking. And thats just one year. According to the National Coalition For Safe Routes To School, streets with paved sidewalks are 88.2% Less likely to have fatal crashes. Residents in Tampa get the problem. Some neighborhoods have asked the city to install speed bumps to slow traffic in their area. Some neighborhoods have asked for more stop signs and stoplights and many have asked for sidewalks. Sometimes the results are sporadic. Over time we can accomplish real change with this code. I can point to full city blocks of sidewalk near schools created solely through redevelopment. This ordinance makes a real and measurable difference and with the elimination of this loophole has the Potential To Drive dynamic improvements. My reminder to Tampa City Council today is this. Please remember who this vote is for. For children walking to school in Sulphur Springs k-8, next year, will shift to elementary only school, resulting in younger children walking to school alone. It is for children at broward elementary in Seminole Heights, which will grow by several hundred students next year as neighboring school closes, all of them needing a safe route to school. It is for children at monroe middle school in South Tampa, suddenly shifting to a reopened school next year, again, August 10, and needing to find safe pathways. This is not an ordinance for one neighborhood or one resident. This is an ordinance for all Tampa children, all Tampa residents. And your vote today will have wide-reaching effects in every neighborhood, especially when school starts again, August 10. Please vote yes to amend the sidewalk ordinance today.

11:27:09AM Thank you, Emily. Next public speaker. A few bad apples have made this necessary. The fee was ridiculously low and created a financial incentive to exploit and abuse this loophole. They applied for exceptions they did not qualify for and The City approved them by mistake over and over again. Since The City is incapable of administering this exception, the only solution is to take it away. I only have time to show you a few of the mistakes they made. It is important to note that The City told you they dont approve exceptions within a half mile of the school, but each of these is near a school. Here is a sidewalk. They applied for the exception because they said there was no sidewalk nearby and The City approved it. As you can see, there is a sidewalk next door. The City approved this exception through the loophole. You can see here there is a sidewalk. This area right here, The City approved using the loophole because they said there was no sidewalk nearby. I turned around on the exact same sidewalk and im walking Toward Lois Avenue, which is the main route to Adum Elementary. Two streets from Adum Elementary. And that sidewalk would have connected to that, but The City approved it through the loophole because there was no sidewalk nearby. The City approved a loophole here because they said theres no sidewalk to connect to, and yet if you look, you will see that, yes, in fact, there is a sidewalk to connect to and not only that, but its at a bus stop. This is one block from Adum Elementary. I also want to point out this is a very oddly shaped lot. Their right-of-way where they didnt put the sidewalk is 25 feet wide. Adum is right there. They have a 25-foot wide right-of-way and could have easily put a sidewalk but The City said, no, theres no sidewalk to connect to. Okay to pay $29 into the fund instead of. This is my favorite. No sidewalk to connect to, even though this house next door has a sidewalk and, wait for it, the house on the other side has a sidewalk. It has a sidewalk on both sides and The City approved the loophole, said they could pay $29 a foot because theres no sidewalk to connect to. And this is the one I want to show you, you guys have accomplished by raising the fee. Look at this obstacle that suddenly could be overcome because the fee was increased. All of a sudden now we can use flexi-pave and we can have a sidewalk with hundred percent permeable surface. Next to the curb, so it doesnt block the driveway. Kudos to Domain Homes. Kudos to you for raising the fee which suddenly now insurmountable obstacles are surmountable. Virginia Park in the pipes program, part of the program was to fill all these gaps in the neighborhood that had been created. If all the sidewalks had been built that should have been built, those gaps would have been much fewer. And the money spent on that could have then been spent on neighborhoods. The money goes farther if those gaps are fewer. Thank you.

11:30:29AM Next public speaker. Good morning. Is it still morning? It is. Good morning. Paula Flores. Im a board member of Walk Bike Tampa. Ive been here before on this issue and many. And I support wholeheartedly the comments that Emily Hinsdale mentioned a minute ago. Im also a resident who walks three miles every single day in South Tampa. What I see in our neighborhood is deeply concerning. A lack of sidewalks, inadequate crossings, especially. Moms pushing strollers In The Street, joggers forced into traffic and children and grandchildren, including mine, without safe routes to schools and to Parks. It is incomprehensible to hear opposition and the hesitation to building sidewalks. Sidewalks are a fundamental part of our transportation network. They serve everyone. People walking, rolling, and even those driving by making streets safer for everybody. They are not optional amenities that should never be, and they shouldnt disappear just because of someones preference. They are essential infrastructure for the safety of our residents and also our visitors to our beautiful city. Tampa has over 1200 miles of roads without sidewalks, and one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. Yes, in the country. This means we are knowingly putting lives at risk instead of building safer streets for all. Sidewalks are one of the most effective tools we have to protect pedestrians, especially children. So we must eliminate the loophole that allows new homes to be built without the sidewalks. Right now, builders and homeowners can avoid installing the sidewalks, and if theres no nearby connection. This has LED to entire blocks, even near schools as mentioned, being built without safe walking paths. That is unacceptable. This is a small change that will make a big difference for safety, walkability, and connectivity. City Council, please vote yes on the agenda item 63 now. Thank you.

11:32:54AM Thank you, Paula. Next speaker, please. Start with your name. My name is Ansley Boss. I am the president of Culbreath Bayou. Thank you for hearing me this morning. I would like to have a standing quickly of representation from our neighborhood. If the neighbors of Culbreath Bayou, if you would please stand. Thank you for the motion that has already been approved. I would like for public record to continue with our agenda to clarify our reasoning for exemption. Culbreath Bayou was intentionally designed and developed without sidewalks in favor of wide travel ways, preserved tree canopy, and a distinct garden-style residential character. That design has remained unchanged. There are no sidewalks anywhere within the subdivision. Neighborhood streets are substantially wider as originally designed. Than the typical City Of Tampa Residential Street width. The neighborhood previously voted overwhelmingly in 2012 against building sidewalks when given the option and The City Of Tampa council supported that decision. Culbreath Bayou contains no thru streets. The neighborhood is enclosed on all four sides and is accessible through only three entrances with limited thru traffic. The developers original intent is documented. The daughter of Joe Buyer who I had the pleasure of speaking with on the phone confirms the neighborhood was intentionally designed without sidewalks. The original recorded plats, which I brought several pages, but ill show that one for example, and dedication documents reflect the design dedicating right-of-ways for specific purposes that do not include sidewalks. Established land use principles support respecting original subdivision design, particularly where infrastructure was intentionally omitted and retroactive changes would materially alter the neighborhood character. I would like to also clarify that we strongly support The City's commitment to sidewalks and pedestrian safety. However, we ask for a more contact sensitive approach in our community of Culbreath Bayou. Thank you for your time, and we are also happy to continue to collaborate with whomever we need to be prepared for the next meeting in May.

11:35:51AM Thank you. I just want to note its very effective of asking everybody to stand. Not everybody has to take the full three minutes and thats just as effective as messaging. Those of you watching for this hearing and future hearings, just remember that lesson. It is a really good lesson for City Council. Thank you. We thank you for that probably suggestion. My name is Jose Miranda. Im a resident of culbreath bayou since 2018. I serve as the long-term planning chair for our neighborhood association. My wife and I are raising our six-year-old twins on these streets. I love this neighborhood and thats why im standing here today. Ive handed each of you a printed copy of our neighborhood petition. When you hold it, ID ask you to look at the names, neighbors of every age, families who have lived here for decades alongside families like mine who are just getting started. It wasnt driven by a campaign or a mailer. It Spread The Way things spread in a tight knit neighborhood one front porch at a time. The message was the same everywhere. Please dont change what Makes This Place special. We humbly ask that you consider what that means. We are not opposed to sidewalks. We are not opposed to pedestrian safety. In fact, were passionate about it. And thats why We are asking you to consider the culbreath bayou is simply different by design and by history. Our neighborhood was platted in 1959, intentionally without sidewalks. Our streets average 50 feet wide. Nearly 50% wider than the citys Standard Residential Street. Pedestrians, joggers, pets, and children have always safely shared that space. Culbreath bayou streets are safe. Weve had no accidents or injuries even as We navigate many of our neighbors rebuilding after significant loss following the storms. This large shared space was the original design intent, confirmed even by the developers own family. Culbreath bayou is home to one of the densest concentration of mature grand live oaks in all of South Tampa, along with the high density of mature foliage. These degrees are not decorative. They are irreplaceable. Sidewalk construction would destroy root systems that took decades to grow. Once that canopy is gone, it would take generations to recover, if it recovers at all. Utilities and drainage infrastructure were installed without any reservation for sidewalk corridors. Retrofitting would mean relocating underground infrastructure at enormous cost for sidewalks that would dead end because our neighborhood is a self-contained loop with three entrances that do not connect to any other thru sidewalks. I understand the City Attorney has advised that a carve-out cannot be added between first and second reading. I respect that process, but We are respectfully asking for your help, whether that means voting no on item 63 or is he think this back to first reading with an amendment that exempts neighborhoods like ours. We believe thoughtful policy accounts for unique circumstances. We believe this Council has both the wisdom and the compassion to find a practical path forward. We are grateful for your time, your consideration, and your service to the city. We humbly ask for your support. Thank you.

11:39:13AM For Staff, anybody thats listening, were going to go through item number 66, last 10:30 public hearing, starting with 67, it will be heard after lunch.

Charlie Miranda

11:39:30AM Although He carries the same name I do, we are not related.

Alan Clendenin

11:39:34AM I can tell. He looks much better.

Charlie Miranda

11:39:37AM I want to make sure. Im on the ugly side.

Alan Clendenin

11:39:39AM Thats self-evident. Next speaker, please.

Martin Shelby

11:39:53AM How do you pronounce your last name?

11:39:56AM Craft. Is Sarah Craft? Are you Wyatt Craft. Mr. Craft is donating a minute to Sarah Craft. You have four minutes. My name is Sarah Craft. My Family is building a home in culbreath bayou. The intention of the ordinance amendment is good. We are pro sidewalks. I think we can all agree that safe passage of pedestrians is important. My Family does not want to get hit by a car On The Road. City Of Tampa residents walking to destinations need a protected pathway to do so. For several key reasons, the sidewalk ordinance does not make sense for the culbreath bayou neighborhood. We are grateful that the City Council understands our communitys rationale for why this ordinance needs to go back to first hearing to address our specific needs. One size does not fit all in this case. Culbreath bayou was introduced in the 1960s as master plan community with distinct differences compared to other neighborhoods in the City Of Tampa. As Jose mentioned, 50% wider streets than typical residential paved roadways in Tampa that allow for safe pedestrian travel. Sidewalks were never contemplated in the design of this neighborhood. With only three points of entry to the community, which is exclusively residential with no destination like church, restaurant, school or other use, culbreath bayou does not experience the type of vehicular or pedestrian traffic that results in unsafe situations like other parts of our City. If you havent walked through culbreath bayou, I encourage you to do so. People seek out culbreath bayou for their morning walks because it feels safe from vehicle traffic. I grew up in the next neighborhood over, Beach Park. My Family would ride our bikes on Saturday morning to the bayou because of its safe streets. The original design intent of this neighborhood featured oak trees that filled the citys easement where a sidewalk would go. As shown in the City Of Tampa tree canopy and urban forest analysis from 2016, culbreath bayou has the highest percentage of tree canopy of any neighborhood in the City Of Tampa at 65% coverage. Other neighborhoods you might be familiar with for the beautiful tree canopies have even less, historic Hyde Park, 41%, Seminole Heights at 45%. We know the City Of Tampa cares about saving these trees, so does our neighborhood of culbreath bayou. My Family walked through culbreath bayou last weekend and counted every oak tree in the path of a potential sidewalk. Our two-year-old particularly enjoyed this activity. Of the 158 homes in culbreath bayou, 47 of the homes or 30 percent have oak trees in the path of where a sidewalk would be placed. You can see here pictures of the trees just everywhere, is where a sidewalk would be placed. You can see large grand oaks as well. And anything here highlighted green is a house where a tree would be in the easement. Further, I should note that the trees counted were only oaks Near The Road where a sidewalk would be placed. Understand potential future lots would be much larger given the grand oaks have a 20-foot radius, critical root protection zone, so no sidewalks would be able to be built within 20 feet of any grand of which there are many in the front side yards of the neighborhood, further restricting any connecting sidewalks. This is especially relevant for My Family since we have a beautiful oak tree on our land in the path of where a sidewalk would be placed. While it doesnt yet fit the definition of grand oak, think of the impact removing trees today would have on the fabric of our community and future, all in the name of safety, which is already felt wholeheartedly throughout the neighborhood. For these reasons, my neighborhood and I feel grateful that ordinance 22-103 is being moved back to a first hearing to address an exemption for the culbreath bayou neighborhood. As the governing body for the City, I trust that you recognize the unique characteristics of individual communities should be respected and considered when approving ordinances. I thank you for your attention to our concerns and rationale with the ordinance amendment.

Alan Clendenin

11:44:18AM Thank you very much. Remember, if you are speaking, you can say you agree with somebody and dont have to go the whole three minutes. First of all, I would like to thank everybody for the opportunity of letting our neighborhood meet with a lot of you individually and express our concerns. I am going to not repeat other items that have been. My neighbors did a great job I think laying out the issue. I want to talk about a couple of things and Council Member Carlson, you made a great point regarding the impacts of the flood. Our neighborhood was devastated. What is happening, kind of ironic, one of the other speakers was talking about flooding in South Tampa. The implementation of this ordinance will increase impervious surface in our neighborhood, creating more problems should We have an event like We did. So given the fact that We would be losing impervious surface is problematic. Secondly, the City Of Tampa for years thankfully has done so much work to preserve the tree canopy. We applaud that. We love that in our neighborhood. As Sarah just pointed out this ordinance, the implementation of this ordinance would be devastating to at least a third of the homes in our neighborhood. So to preserve the tree canopy, the implementation of this ordinance, the forcing of the sidewalks in every neighborhood, does not work. Weve got a beautiful, safe, pedestrian neighborhood. It is what brought people to the neighborhood. My wife and I are, second home was about half a mile from culbreath bayou. We would walk nights and specifically go to culbreath bayou to walk. Why? Because it is safe. Its family friendly. It is a walkable neighborhood. It is probably the most pedestrian friendly neighborhood in the City Of Tampa. And to force sidewalks into this area is trying to solve a problem that May be in other places. It is in other places. Its not in culbreath bayou. I submit to you, this ordinance is trying to solve a problem that does not exist for us. Just as important to that, no one in our neighborhood wants it. I submit to you under those circumstances that the -- an exception for neighborhoods, not just the bayou, but for other neighborhoods that share characteristics that We have that We work with the Council to find a way that this does not apply because it is a solution looking for a problem that no one lives there wants. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with the Council and with the legal staff, Attorney Carter Anderson and I and other members of our neighborhood have met. And were here to work with you. We want to solve the solution for the benefit of everyone and to keep the bayou the bayou. The last thing I want to mention, the design and planning element of retrofitting a neighborhood that wasnt designed for that, doesnt make any sense. It will have a negative impact on the aesthetics, potentially flooding and everything that makes culbreath bayou special. We, again, thank you for your consideration. And I think it was wise to lets go back to first reading and see if We can come up with something that works. Thank you.

11:47:59AM Thank you so much. Next speaker, please. Start with your name, you have three minutes. Stephanie Poynor. You know, this whole entire subject kind of makes me struggle. There are a couple of things. Number one, nobody is going to make anybody take out trees to put in a sidewalk, no matter what neighborhood it is. The problem is, is where they say, oh, I cant put in a sidewalk and there are sidewalks coming or whatnot. Heres my ultimate struggle. Just as many people lost homes in Port Tampa, all up and down, in the middle of the peninsula, in Sog as were talking about here. But they are still going to be held to the same standard. I dont think there should be an exception for a neighborhood. I think there should be an exception for homes that were damaged beyond the 50% after a hurricane. That should be the exception, not for one particular neighborhood. Im sorry, but I have to think about how this impacts our entire city. Maybe one of the things that somebody said was that their streets are 50-foot wide. Maybe you include that and make that part of the exception. But to say one neighborhood is better than everybody else in the city and doesnt have to do the same thing, its not equitable. I know im throwing out a whole bunch of stuff here, but the bottom line is, ive got to stand back and watch it from all points of view. We had New Tampa folks, North Tampa folks got flooded out. Do they get the same exemption because they dont have any sidewalks there. We have to be equitable. And the problem before really and truly, here we go back to the thing I always say, you guys never make a decision without two attorneys watching you do it. Yet weve got folks in the Construction Services Department willy-nilly letting people not do what they should be doing. Trying to figure that out. But im not saying that culbreath bayou should have an exception or they shouldnt. But we cant go around -- nobody made an exception for Sog. Nobody made an exception for Ballast Point or for Port Tampa. You know why? Because those people didnt come down here and scream about it. They are sucking it up, buttercup. Weve got to think about the big picture, not just one community. Im not calling these folks and saying they are wrong for asking for it. Im just saying that when you put a Statute In Place, you have to think of all the ramifications for it. I have tenants who lived in my property who had more than 50% damages but they were required to put in sidewalks. Its the same for everybody. Cant not be.

11:50:44AM Thank you. Next speaker, please. Start with your name. You have three minutes. Ive lived in the bayou since 1998. It was an aspiration as a young man because that neighborhood was so special. It was difficult for my family to be able to afford to move there, but we did because of the aesthetics. I wanted to address the fact that we dont think were special. Were not seeking an exemption because we think were better. The exemption is because of an ancient law, a law of unintended consequences. Sometimes the best government is restrained. And were asking this council to use its judgment to not have a one size fits all. I did want to mention one thing before I sit down because it hasnt been mentioned. The City Of Tampa has done an amazing job with a program called the tree-mendous program. It replaces oak trees and other trees when they are lost. I lost two trees in the storm as well as my house. I had both those trees replaced by the City Of Tampa, placed into their easement, and now what youre talking about, im not the only one, now youre talking about pulling those trees out to be able to put more hard-scape in the neighborhood. Again, I think that sometimes there is a need for an exception, not because anybody is above anybody else but because common sense demands it. Im confident that the City Council will exercise that common sense. Willing to work with you. Hope find exception, as Councilman Miranda pointed out, I think there are very few neighborhoods that would ever qualify for another exemption. Thank you.

11:52:15AM Thank you. That concludes public comment. We have Carter Anderson, you are online. Thank you for reminding me. Carter? Anything youd like to add? Carter, unmute yourself. I just want to say thank you to the City Council members. I know our neighborhood -- I live in culbreath bayou. I am the former president of the Hillsborough County bar association that council member Viera referred to earlier. If I could share my screen, I could show the council an exception thats not unique to culbreath bayou. It could be applied on a rational basis for any neighborhood that met these characteristics. Im not sure if the language in red is appearing.

11:53:10AM Yes, we have it. Cttv, can you put it up on the public monitors as well, please? There we go. Were good. Streets, no businesses or commercial uses and no potential for commercial uses in the future. There are no schools within the neighborhood, no churches within the neighborhood. And building sidewalks in a neighborhood where no sidewalks currently exist would risk negatively impacting the character and quality of the community. Can I stop screen sharing now?

11:53:42AM Sure. So were certainly in favor of the motion to send this back to first reading to let us work with the City Attorney's Office and any City Staff to address these issues. And if that motion were not to pass, then wed ask that the Council vote no on the current proposed amendment which would eliminate an exception that has applied in the bayou since the inception of the ordinance. Either sending it back to first reading to work on this or just voting no on second reading would be wonderful. Again, we thank you all for your time and consideration. I know weve contacted lots of you and members of the Council individually to try to express our concerns. We appreciate you listening and considering this. Thank you.

11:54:31AM Thank you, Mr. Anderson. That concludes our public comment. Can I get a motion to close? We have a motion to close from Councilman Maniscalco, second from Councilman Carlson. On the floor I have a motion from Councilman Carlson and second from Councilman Miranda to continue this item -- sorry, not to continue -- to bring this back for first reading and consideration on May 7. May 7. Roll call, please? Go ahead. Emma.

Naya Young

11:55:11AM Just some clarifying questions for me. For the sidewalk, can -- do you have to cut down the trees to build a sidewalk?

Emma Gregory

11:55:25AM There is an exception in the code currently for grand trees. This is more of a staff-level question.

Naya Young

11:55:35AM I was going to ask -- oh, there you are. Brandon Campbell, Mobility Director. Yes, as Emma stated, in the in lieu fee ordinance, there is an exemption. Among those that you are considering eliminating with the sidewalk to nowhere clause, there is an exemption that would continue to apply for cases where there is a grand tree involved. A developer or Home Builder could opt to pay into the in lieu fee, in lieu of building a sidewalk in that circumstance.

Alan Clendenin

11:56:14AM Just a reminder, the motion thats on the floor is not the substance of this right now. Were just talking about bringing this back to first reading consideration for the exclusion of the culbreath bayou. For the staff to look at that. Thats what the motion is on the floor. If that fails, we go back to the substance of the motion itself. Right now, its just about bringing this back on May 7 as first reading consideration with language that would exclude culbreath bayou. If you have questions pertaining to that. No.

Naya Young

11:56:49AM [Inaudible]

Alan Clendenin

11:56:50AM We have a motion and We have a second -- We did close it. So sorry. We are still closed. Missed that part. We have electronic voting. Can You please record your vote. Youre taking it back to first reading.

11:57:09AM I saw that pop up. Thats interesting. Have us do it That Way. I was going to have you call the roll. Clerk, would you call the roll? Again, just a reminder, this is just to bring this back for May 7 for first reading consideration with the clarity language of excluding, if it is possible, to exclude Culbreath Bayou. Young?

Naya Young

11:57:37AM Yes.

Luis Viera

11:57:38AM Yes.

Bill Carlson

11:57:40AM Yes.

Charlie Miranda

11:57:42AM Yes.

Guido Maniscalco

11:57:42AM Yes.

Alan Clendenin

11:57:44AM Yes.

The Clerk

11:57:45AM Motion carried unanimously with Hurtak being absent.

Alan Clendenin

11:57:49AM Thank you so much. That concludes that. Were moving on to item 64, file tacpa 25-16. Emily Phelan, Planning Commission staff. Item 64 is tacpa 25-16. A map amendment located at 1301 East Columbus Avenue. The request is to change the future land use designation from residential 20 to residential 35. This amendment was approved at the February 26, 2026 hearing and it is in front of you today for second reading. Im available if you have any questions.

11:58:26AM Does Council have any questions? Hearing none, is there anybody in the public that wishes to speak to item 64? We have a motion to close from Councilman Maniscalco. A second from Councilman Miranda. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Viera, would you read item 64, please?

Luis Viera

11:58:50AM I move an ordinance amending the Tampa Comprehensive Plan, future land use element, future land use map, for the property located at 1301 East Columbus Avenue from residential 20, r-20 to residential 35, r-35, providing for repeal of all ons in conflict, providing for severability, providing an effective date.

Alan Clendenin

11:59:09AM We have a motion from Councilman Viera. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. Please record your vote.

The Clerk

11:59:19AM Motion carried unanimously with Hurtak being absent.

Alan Clendenin

11:59:22AM Thank you. Can we get a motion to open the 10:30 public hearings? Motion from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Viera. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. If you are here to speak to 65 or 66, please stand, raise your right hand and be sworn in by our clerk, please. About to provide is the truth and nothing but the truth?

11:59:51AM Item number 65. I see Lachone on.

LaChone Dock

11:59:54AM Thank you so much, Chairman and council. LaChone Dock, Development Coordination. Item 65 is ab 2-26-02. It is for the property at 4205 and 4230 South Macdill Avenue. This is a request for a small venue classification for the sale of beer and wine consumption on premises and package sales consumption off premise. This item was before you on February 19. At that time, it was before you for second reading. It was discovered that changes were required to be made to the ordinance. Those changes were made. That hearing became the first reading. So todays hearing is for second reading and adoption. Im available if you have any questions.

Alan Clendenin

12:00:36PM Council have any questions? Applicant? I have nothing further to add but happy to answer any questions.

12:00:47PM Anybody from the public wishing to speak to the item? Motion to close from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilman Viera. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilwoman Young, would you like to read item 65, please?

Naya Young

12:01:01PM File ab 2-26-02, ordinance being presented for second reading and adoption, an ordinance approving a special use permit su-2 for alcoholic beverage sales, small venue consumption on premises and package salesoff premises consumption and making lawful the sale of beer and wine at or from the certain lot, plot or tract of land located at 4205 and 4230 South Macdill Avenue, Tampa, Florida as more particularly described in section 2, providing that all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict are repealed, providing an effective date.

Alan Clendenin

12:01:35PM Motion from Councilwoman Young, second by Councilman Maniscalco. Please record your vote.

The Clerk

12:01:43PM Motion carried unanimously with Hurtak being absent.

Alan Clendenin

12:01:47PM Our last before lunch is item 66.

Ross Samons

12:01:54PM Development Coordination. I would like to ask the Clerk to share my screen, please.

Alan Clendenin

12:02:08PM Hold on one second. Go ahead, Ross.

Ross Samons

12:02:11PM Ross Samons, Development Coordination presenting file VAC 26-05. Applicant is 2111 North Boulevard LLC, representative name is Adam Harden. Property address is 2111 North Boulevard. This is a proposed vacating request to vacate a portion Of Ross Avenue right-of-way located North Of Palm Avenue, South Of Park Avenue, East Of North Boulevard and West Of Massachusetts Avenue. This application was filed on December 12, 2025. The right-of-way is partially improved. Right-of-way was created by subdivision plat. The existing right-of-way is approximately 1509 square feet. The reason for the request was for the vacation and dedication of right-of-way To Reconcile Road grid within the master plan. Aerial view of the proposed vacating request in yellow. Applicants property in red. North Boulevard on the west and part Of Ross Avenue on the north. Atlas view of proposed vacating request Of Ross Avenue and the general location of that. These are the two plats in which The Ross Avenue was dedicated. Here is an image Of Ross Avenue looking East From North Boulevard. And Again Ross Avenue looking southeast. Proposed vacating area. Staff have no objection to the vacating request. Special conditions, natural resources, complied with chapter 27, regard to tree preservation and site design for any improvements placed adjacent to trees in a vacated area. That concludes my presentation. Im available if you have any questions.

Alan Clendenin

12:04:04PM Council have any questions? Hearing none, Applicant. Adam. Here on behalf of the Applicant, 2111 North Boulevard LLC, subsidiary of Riverside Heights. Ill keep it brief and be available for questions. The proposal is to vacate 1500 square feet of ross and to dedicate approximately 1600 square feet Of North Boulevard. After some time, we were able to with the passing of the senior matriarch, we were able to purchase the remainder of the brownfield site, the old gas station, and we demod that and now trying to align the plat with the master plan. We werent able to do that at the time because we didnt own the property yet. If you have any questions, im here.

12:05:02PM Council have any questions? Hearing none, anybody in the public who wishes to speak to this item? Motion to close from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Maniscalco, would you read this please.

Guido Maniscalco

12:05:14PM Thank you very much. Ordinance presented for first reading consideration, ordinance of City Of Tampa, Florida, vacating, closing, discontinuing and abandoning a portion Of Ross Avenue right-of-way located North Of Palm Avenue, South Of Park Avenue, East Of North Boulevard and West Of Massachusetts Avenue as dedicated by the plats of Craig And Jamieson's riverview subdivision and dills subdivision in the City Of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, more fully described in section 2 hereof subject to certain covenants, conditions and restrictions as more particularly set forth herein, providing for enforcement and penalties for violations, providing for definitions, interpretations and repealing conflicts, providing for severability, providing an effective date.

Alan Clendenin

12:05:54PM All in favor, Aye.

The Clerk

12:05:55PM Motion carried unanimously with Hurtak absent. Second reading and adoption will be held on April 16, 2026 at 10 am. Am. In City Council chambers, 315 East Kennedy Boulevard, third floor, Tampa, Florida, 33602.

Alan Clendenin

12:06:10PM It is 12:06. We are going to break for lunch, back in our seats ready to start business at 1:30 pm. And we will hear about the renaming for Tony Garcia Junior. [ sounding gavel [lunch recess]

01:35:34PM Welcome back from lunch. Roll call, please.

Charlie Miranda

01:35:37PM Here.

Guido Maniscalco

01:35:38PM Here.

Naya Young

01:35:40PM Here.

Luis Viera

01:35:41PM Here.

Alan Clendenin

01:35:44PM Here.

Clerk

01:35:44PM We have a physical quorum.

Alan Clendenin

01:35:46PM Councilwoman Lynn is under the weather and Council member Carlson is not returning. He has personal business he had to take care of. He had an issue. We left off with number 67. Staff here to report on 67? Good afternoon. Honor of tony garcia, jr. For the placement of a Honorary Street naming sign on North Howard Avenue and West Cherry Street in Tampa. I made a presentation to Council on January 22, 2026. We posted this on our web site from January 23 through February 9. We did not receive any comments. I am available if you have any questions.

01:36:37PM Council have any questions? Council member Viera.

Luis Viera

01:36:41PM Thank you, mr. Chair. Thank you for your work. We know Tony from his days at the Planning Commission. He is a wonderful, wonderful guy, and glad to see this go through -- I was talking to a friend. Tony Gross, who some of us know here -- a gold star mother, the mother of Frank Gross, who was killed in Afghanistan, she wants to be part of whenever we Have The Street dedication and that stuff. This is great. They wear a lot of different hats that include West Tampa and veterans and just so many different things. Just saying every time I talk to Tony about his dad for years, he -- you could just tell that parents are special to all of us In One Way or the other. But that he was a really good guy and all that stuff. It is funny, because he was friends with Jimmy Stewart. Council member Maniscalco visited Jimmy Stewart's grave, which is pretty cool. There you go.

Alan Clendenin

01:37:42PM Council member Miranda, would you like to read it.

Charlie Miranda

01:37:45PM Item 67, correct?

Alan Clendenin

01:37:49PM Yes.

Charlie Miranda

01:37:49PM Ordinance for first reading consideration. Ordinance in the City of Tampa, Florida, approving placement of An Honorary Street naming sign at the northwest corner of North Howard Avenue and West Cherry Street in Tampa, Florida to honor tony garcia jr. Providing an effective date. I couldnt do any better than what Mr. Viera said.

Alan Clendenin

01:38:10PM A motion from Council Member Miranda. Seconded from Council Member Maniscalco. All in favor, say aye. Opposed.

Clerk

01:38:17PM Motion carried unanimously with Carlson and Hurtak being absent. Second reading at City Council chambers, 315 east Kennedy, boulevard, third floor, Tampa, Florida 33602.

Alan Clendenin

01:38:31PM On a roll. Item 79. Another Honorary Street naming. Is staff here to present that? Thank you.

Mallory lagasse

01:38:42PM Mallory Lagasse, Real Estate Department. If you can pull up the presentation.

Alan Clendenin

01:38:52PM CCTV, if We can get -- there We go, coming up now on the public monitors. There We go.

Mallory lagasse

01:39:09PM Im here for a presentation on a motion for An Honorary Street naming in honor of the late officer Morris Lopez. Officer Lopez was just 25 years old when he gave his life in the line of duty. A dedicated member of Tampa Police Department, he proudly walked his daily patrol through the historic streets of Ybor City, a neighborhood he knew well and faithfully served. July 9, 1949, Officer Lopez had contact with headquarters with the local box, part of his routine patrol. On north 16th street, his watch was violently interrupted. A blue ford approached, a gunshot, and a vehicle sped away. Officer Lopez fell to the ground and was mortally wounded. Four witnesses were there as Officer Lopez was gunned down. In his final moments, he acted with instinctive bravery by pushing a paper boy out of harms way. That selfless act is the essence of who he was, a protector until his last breath. The case of Officer Lopez's murder remains unsolved, courage, duty, and sacrifice endures within the community. Per our due diligence, the Mobility department honorary sign at southeast 9th avenue at east north 18th street above the existing stop sign. This location is adjacent to centennial park in Ybor City and highly visible to many pedestrians and community at large. If council chooses to move forward with This Honorary Street name, first reading will be May 21 or after, and I am available if you have any questions.

Alan Clendenin

01:40:57PM Council have any questions? Council member Maniscalco.

Guido Maniscalco

01:40:59PM Just a couple of comments, but I cant remember where I was the other day. I met a gentleman who told me he remembered when this happened. He was a little Boy. It wasnt you, but it was -- I forgot who it was. But they said I remember when it happened, and he mentioned a paper Boy and everything. And I am going through my calendar -- we go to so many things. But they distinctly remember. He said this is Morris Lopez, and we are going to honor this individual coming up on City Council. But, you know, you have given the information, and the grandson is here. And this is -- this is the least we can do for somebody that gave their life for this community. Even though it was 1949, it goes to show when we say "they will never be forgotten," they will never be forgotten. So many people go to Centennial Park. I was there the other day, and there are always events going on. They see the immigrant statue, the nick nuccio statue. When they see officer Morris Lopez, they have somebody who wasnt there in 1949 and somebody visiting. Who is that, and you google it. Google Morris Lopez, Tampa, officer Morris Lopez. It will tell you who that person was. They are not forgotten, and his name will continue to live on because he was a hero and protected a paper Boy, kept a young man who was the paper Boy, Jessie, Safe.

Charlie Miranda

01:42:26PM Jessie Rogers, I believe that was his name.

Guido Maniscalco

01:42:30PM Same one. I know, he was the Dean at my high school that I got to meet over 25 years ago. This is a great. Glad that council member Viera has brought this up. The heart of ybor, the Ferlita Bakery. A Visible Place for people to congregate to see that name prominently displayed. Good job.

Alan Clendenin

01:42:58PM Mr. Viera, have staff returned with the resolution?

Luis Viera

01:43:03PM If I May, Mr. Chairman. And I know -- can we hear from Chief Lopez on this as well. He wanted to say a few words.

Alan Clendenin

01:43:11PM Wouldnt be appropriate now, but on the 21st when He returns for the resolution.

Luis Viera

01:43:17PM That is fine.

Alan Clendenin

01:43:18PM This is a staff report.

Luis Viera

01:43:20PM Okay if I say some words, if I May?

Alan Clendenin

01:43:23PM Yes.

Luis Viera

01:43:24PM Thank you, sir. Assistant chief Morris Lopez is here. Good to see you. Always a pleasure. We really, really appreciate you. This is like -- as council member maniscalco said -- a very, very amazing story of heroism and courage that on July 9 of 1949, not long ago, we passed the 75-year mark. And officer Morris Lopez gave his life. Assistant fire chief Morris Lopez's father was three years old when his father was murdered. And like was indicated in his last heroic act as he was dying, as he was shot in the chest, he went to save the life of a newspaper boy, Jessie Rogers is -- he is still with us. His son, mr. Rogers' son, will become a fire chief -- strike that, a fire captain with Hillsborough County fire rescue, and officer Morris Lopez's grandson will be assistant fire chief for Hillsborough County. I first met assistant chief lopez appropriately enough today at Jessie Madsen's funeral. Very, very touching. Every time I talk to morris about his grandfather and what this means to him. His grandmother was a widow raising two children. And he was raised by his father, who lost his dad when he was three years old. Very, very touching. So thank you for that, mr. Chairman. If I May -- unless if somebody else wishes. I will make the motion, if I May to have this come back for what date?

Alan Clendenin

01:45:01PM May 23 with the resolution or the rename?

Clerk

01:45:03PM Resolution or ordinance?

Alan Clendenin

01:45:08PM Ordinance, I am sorry.

Luis Viera

01:45:11PM That is my motion.

Alan Clendenin

01:45:12PM Motion from Council Member Viera to have staff return May 23 for the ordinance Renaming The Street in honor of late officer Morris Lopez. A second from Council Member Miranda. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. The ayes have it.

Luis Viera

01:45:33PM May I ask a question, if I May, of staff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maam, wanted to make sure. Where is that For The Street naming?

Mallory lagasse

01:45:48PM I have to check.

Luis Viera

01:45:49PM Thank you, maam.

Alan Clendenin

01:45:52PM If my calculations are correct, we are on 81.

Kayla Caselli

01:45:57PM Good afternoon, council, Kayla Caselli, sustainability resilience for the City Of Tampa. Thank you for giving us a little window into the work that we are doing today, and I will just wait for slides to come up here shortly.

Alan Clendenin

01:46:13PM There you go. Like magic.

Kayla Caselli

01:46:19PM Very good. Next slide, please.

Alan Clendenin

01:46:21PM You should have a little --

Kayla Caselli

01:46:24PM Thank you, perfect. Little outline for the presentation today. We will go over the motion of the energy use and cost specifically for fiscal year '24 and fiscal year '25. Some of the driving factors for what is using the most energy in The City. The roi for our solar systems that we installed over the last three years, and then some recommendations for key improvement to keep seeing these trends and making sure that we are heading in the right direction. So here is the motion. All right. We will get right into it. So I will kick us off here. So basically, you know, some of the big takeaways from the slide is we used 9.3% Less energy than we did in fiscal year '25 than we did in fiscal year '24 and saved almost $300,000. So I think, you know, one of the things we would like to say, it would be almost a miracle to remain steady with the -- with the increases that we have seen. But to see a decrease by $300,000 is a testament to the work and then investments that staff is doing. The City has made. Council has supported. And so we are just very supportive of that continued support and partnership with, you know, departments like the Logistic And Asset Management Department, who Carl, in particular on our team, works closely with on a Day-To-Day basis. With that, I will just say, energy efficiency and renewables are two things that work well together, and energy efficiency is maybe even more important because the cheapest energy is the energy you dont use. Seeing that decrease is super important and a good thing and a good sign for us. The next best thing is the energy we can produce ourselves, right. That is an opportunity to be resilient both to cost and also to investing in renewable energy that is a good thing and the right thing to do. With that, I would like to invite Carl Rosado to the podium to get details and more of technical information for you guys to be able to hear.

Carl Rosado

01:48:38PM Good afternoon, Council Members. Carl Camis Rosado, the energy efficiency manager for the city. I came on board in 2023 at the start of fiscal year '24, in October 2023. Since then, we have been working really hard to try to find ways to lower costs and mainly lower our energy use. As you can see, we managed to do that a little bit. We are going to go here. And there are two types of rates, and this graph will show a different type than this one. And I want to make sure that we understand what this is. Everything will be up for public scrutiny. What we can see from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025, a significant increase of 6.6% In our utility rate. This is considered by our Utility Provider as the base rate of our accounts. So what that is, is we sum up all rates, and I did strike it by the amount of accounts that we have, and these are the rates that reflect per year. You can see every two years. We see kind of like a bump. It goes up and goes down a little bit an then goes up again and goes down and significantly up. This is trending since 2014. And it has always been the case, and that is for many reasons. Right now, the reason we experience thats increase was for storm surcharges that were added to our TECO bills, and everyone has seen that. And our Utility Provider was approved for four rate increases in 2025, which, to me, was very excessive. Now here, obviously, the cost does not reflect our overall efficiency. We have significantly lowered our energy use. Here we see a 9.3 Decrease in energy use, and this includes departments like Solid Waste, Water Department, wastewater, everything. Every single department, Parks And Rec Facility, Fleet, and and everywhere and all across the board. We were able to almost decrease our overall energy consumption by 9.3%. However, our cost only went down 1.2%. So in reality, we saved $1.8 Million, but we only see $300,000. Now what is that difference? Where do these $1.5 Million go? That is where the rate increases and the fees come in. All those fees and storm surcharges and fuel costs and everything added on including the equity rate, which the Utility Provider advocates for at the psc. They reduce those savings for us. Nevertheless, we still saw a decrease of almost $300,000, which is a big win. Usually, you dont see any decrease especially in government operations. Another key part of the work that we are doing, we have 1900 meters in the city. A lot of meters to account for to try to analyze. But we are able to create tools to analyze these, and this is one of the key examples I can quickly show you. And summer of 2025, while doing some rate analysis, we saw that the new building at hanna, the Fleet Maintenance building, which has solar on it By The Way, showed a potential reduction in rates. We were able to do a rate change with our Utility Provider. Rate change was requested in August of 2025. As you can see in August of 2025, a significant decrease, only with $31 or so instead of $2,000. Now, as you can also see in the right hand -- in the column of use, when we ask our Utility Provider for energy, 43,000, 27,000 or 9,000 at the bottom the column, energy that we ask. Everything else is blank because the solar is providing the energy for that entire Fleet Maintenance building at hanna. That is something significant. Every month that the Fleet management building has its own solar, we see a $30 bill on that building and thousands and thousands of dollars. For my estimation of $26,000 on just one meter, and we have 1900. A lot of work to do, okay. A quick presentation. Solar is the key part there. We have saved a little bit over $300,000 as well in energy cost to our solar systems that we have installed, and we have five of those around 1.4 Megawatts of power that we have installed since 2023 until todays date, and we are working to try to get more installed here soon. Obviously, solar is enough for every building, and I would like to talk about our building here with a tall building with a very small footprint. Not a good candidate. Skyscrapers around. Tiny footprint. Not a very good building for solar. We have candidate sites that are able to sustain solar, and we look at them when we have some infrastructure improvements like some community centers like Port Tampa. Now, what are the driving factors of our energy use? So we are about $25 million of utility costs around the area. It is aging infrastructure at the moment, and obviously, there is a cost to replacing those infrastructure. We have added new buildings like we talked of, hanna city center, the fire training tower. And I want to point out that HVAC, which is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can account to 30% to 40% of a buildings energy consumption. That is one of the key driving factors we are focused on this year, and we have worked closely with our partner in land to try to create that partnership with the HVAC team, which is an awesome team. They are very knowledgeable and experts on their trade. And we have been able to lower our energy cost due to their hard work and programming of our existing infrastructure. Now what we need to -- to look at the other infrastructure that we have for HVAC and we have plenty. A list ongoing with the land development about key areas and sites that are up for replacement for HVAC Equipment. Every investment in infrastructure like this will have a return on investment especially HVAC. 30% to 40% of our energy consumption come from HVAC Equipment. We have sites with 25, 30, 35-year-old equipment. It is really -- we had to look to at that. And you know, if that was a car in our Fleet, we would seriously consider replacing that car for brand-new equipment. HVAC Equipment is high rated in energy efficiency. One of the key partnerships, as I mentioned with our departments, is with our land counter parts. Director Adriana Colina has been great, exceptional. Very open. I met with her countless times to make sure we are going -- have what we need to work with our HVAC Equipment. Also John Mayer, the new facilities manager, is a great guy. A key player in everything that we are doing. We want to continue our trend of lowering our cost. And we have a lot things in the back of our pocket to save millions this year, and hopefully next year, we will come back and be in the lower $23 million and will save you more money. If you have any questions.

Alan Clendenin

01:56:54PM Council Member Maniscalco.

Guido Maniscalco

01:56:55PM No questions. Just comments. The reason I asked that You be present because You are so important, and I wanted the public to see that You are saving money because of the measure We are taking. Importance of Solar and the benefits. And with -- We heard from the public this morning on rate increases. We have been feeling that too. Everybody has. We have been combatting that, and it is -- $296,000 is not a small amount. So We are saving money. We are not just breaking even. We are saving money. And You had mentioned it would be a million something, but because of the rate increase, still We have been able to fight that, combat that because of the investments that We made. That is $296,000 now. That is going to continue adding up as We update -- You know You talk of HVAC. That is a huge -- We have systems that are aging. We have -- they use 30% to 40% of that energy, and the power that We pay goes to that. But I want to make sure that the public saw the great work that You are doing, and thank You so much. This is a very -- very informative. So good job, thanks.

Alan Clendenin

01:58:03PM Council Member Miranda, how much was your electricity bill last month?

Charlie Miranda

01:58:07PM My electric bill was the highest in a year, it was $30.

Alan Clendenin

01:58:12PM The same as our gigantic building. So You are overpaying?

Charlie Miranda

01:58:25PM Well, used to be $15 and $16 once a month. Turned my water bill in. If I go over one unit, I dont come home. I punish myself and got to sleep outside. These are the things that I do. I havent used -- there is none in my house. Took it out 25 years ago. I am very much what I call what is coming next, and I see that the heat has been much higher this year than last year. And if that is the case and the cold up north has been much colder than last year. We are in for big trouble this year. Thank you for what you do. Public doesnt understand our electric bill on a daily basis is $70,000 a day or close to it.

01:59:12PM I am saying that is an enormous amount of money, and You guys are doing -- both of You and along with your leaders and people that You work with are trying to do the right thing and make sure our cost do not continue to rise because our cost is higher. Your job is to stabilize it as it goes down. This Council would like to do some maybe -- I dont know how much land we have outside the city limits, but maybe put a solar farm or something that we can connect to really make it useful that we can use the energy in our system that is not used before. We have the water plant. I am sure You have something planned there that You already have started. You have the treatment plant and the refuse energy plant. They use energy. Maybe You have some there. I dont know. You are right on the building downtown. It doesnt get much heat. Heats when the sun is high in the sky. Throws shadow in and other building You cant use. I think it still maybe a possibility, and so having that $3,000 Federal Government rebate, I am not sure it is gone yet. I put my solar on SIX or seven years ago, $13,300 but got a $3,000 rebate from the government. And that was a house of 1500 square feet. When I asked for a bid the other day, 810 square feet, $24,500. So a big difference now from when I got it then. Everything continues to climb. If I had it My Way, I would put solar in any house that my family owns. Because it is a real good thing for the purchaser and even better for economy All The Way around. Because it helps -- it helps nature, and we are messing around with the wrong person. Nature has no middle name because it carries everybodys last name. It wasnt Meant That Way, but it means that what one does, it effects everybody else. Whether You do it One Way or if You dont do it the -- in The Negative Way. And I want to see more and more of these things go in city Parks all over the city. I think that is the next thing we ought to do.

02:01:27PM If I do something -- if I ever ask -- or this Council ever asks for a request, I want -- a few miracle number of the years paid out including in your response. So I just want to mention from fiscal year '23-'24, we saved $1.1 Million. 2024-2025, $300,000. Down 1.4 Million in the last two years. I want to commend Council for approving our positions to look into this because a lot of information in the city to save even more. Hopefully, by -- in the next five years, we can break that $20 million and be under that. Direct money that can go to infrastructure and some other services.

02:02:11PM I know we were looking at the Convention Center right now. It can not be used because it needs upgrading in the roofing area.

02:02:22PM Talking of the convention center, if We dont do expansion, We will use a lot business.

Alan Clendenin

02:02:30PM Councilwoman young.

Naya Young

02:02:32PM I want to thank you for this presentation. It is important for us to know and for the public. I know this is specifically for the city, but are there any ways -- are we exploring or is it possible to explore ways that we can make solar accessible to the public? Charlie, I wish I was living where you are living, and I am definitely not paying $36. I would love to know how to make solar a little bit more accessible so everyone can experience lower rates on their bill.

Kayla Caselli

02:03:17PM Kayla Caselli. One of things we have done and will hope to continue, a solar program. It is a Nonprofit. Council member Miranda took part in one of the first ones, a Group Buying Program. So the city versus going to Costco than public. Buy with 100 of your neighbors and in the city, you get a cheaper rate in the solar installation. And something we participated in the last four years if not more. Say that again?

Naya Young

02:03:53PM Are we still participating in it? As soon as he the information, I will be glad to share that with Council.

02:04:01PM Thank you.

Alan Clendenin

02:04:02PM Fyi, the federal rebate expired in December of 2025. Commercial -- so the city still eligible for the 30%, but there is a new requirement called the domestic content requirement. And so a lot of people in our industry are kind of figuring out exactly how to meet that requirement. Right. So -- certain amount -- a percentage of the panels andor the inverter or batteries will need to be made domestically and some of that market is up and coming but not exactly where it needs to be for the demand we are seeing.

02:04:42PM Do We have a real estate assessment for buildings owned by the City Of Tampa that will be solar eligible or compatible? We have a feasibility list in the climate action plan. A few years old. Convention Center was one of them. We did the study, and We found that the roof and others are not compatible with solar. But sometime in the future when We replace the roof, a huge opportunity for the city to pursue. We certainly have others with Port Tampa that was upgraded and updated. That is one where you want to do energy efficiency first, right, reduce the seize of solar system you put on the building if you have an already significant efficient building. We end up spending less on system and spending less on the energy of the building. We might be coming before you hopefully this year.

02:05:38PM I would be remiss if I didnt talk to you about Fire Station 24. Did you incorporate that in the design as well? And there was an opportunity to put solar and could still be one. But I dont think it has been finalized yet is my understanding.

02:05:58PM Council Member vieras passion project. New construction,

Hagar Kopesky

02:06:03PM Hagar Kopesky, City Of Tampa budget analyst. That building is ready, so in the future, if it wants to be installed on, it will be able to support that, but at implementation it can not include that.

Alan Clendenin

02:06:20PM Too late to do that.

Hagar Kopesky

02:06:21PM I cannot answer that based on where They are with the design. Dont feel like I can answer that. I can pursue -- They are coming back to report.

Alan Clendenin

02:06:30PM If I dont remember, remind me to ask that question when it comes back.

Hagar Kopesky

02:06:34PM I will do that.

Alan Clendenin

02:06:35PM If not, why isnt it. In reference to the T-Mob. Technology to wrap that entire ugly building in panels. Want to point out to your point of the solar credit going away. City did receive almost half a million dollars of that credit. And we have it in a fund that will hopefully use it for another solar system to return it with more investment. What we have seen a lot these Solar Companies are getting very competitive. Since that credit has gone away. They have been very aggressive in their proposals that I have seen in other cities, and other cities have been able to publicly announce. Hopefully, the price of solar system will go down even more now that those credits are going away. We havent put out any bids and cant attest that for ourselves. What we see from market is the lowering of price because of the credit score.

02:07:33PM I mention Fire Station 24, and he miraculously appears about it being solar ready. Thank you for presentation. Good presentation. That concludes item 81 moving to our budget priorities with Miss Kopesky.

Hagar Kopesky

02:07:54PM Surplus priorities.

Alan Clendenin

02:07:55PM Surplus priorities.

Hagar Kopesky

02:07:59PM I will needs to use the wolf. Are you able to see that?

Alan Clendenin

02:08:11PM Yes, great. Start with your name.

Hagar Kopesky

02:08:13PM Hagar Kopesky, City Of Tampa budget analyst. Sorry about that. The group came together and did an initial stab of where everyone felt the interest was to utilize the $5.3 Million. This slide is showing in total when Revenue and Finance shared with us what was available, it was a total of $5.3 Million. Last month, we took care of the social action and arts where we actually went through and agreed to an additional $500,000 in total. That has been dealt with via a resolution, and it has been motioned and moving forward. I want to reference that at the top that it is incorporated into the overall total of 5.3. Today, I was to come back after meeting with the group again and having additional discussions with the park staff to kind of fine tune and really challenge ourselves. One thing I will say when we looked at this initially, this is about $500,000 higher when the roll-up was done by the districts. And so we challenged ourselves. We went back with ted in Parks and really just said based on the highest needs and the prices that we believe are out there for much of the equipment. And we were able to make some choices to bring that back in line where the surplus actually was. So that is great. This is, again, just to conclude that based on where the next slide is going to reflect. We are meeting the expectations of what we have available in that prior year of surplus. Now this is the detail -- my apologies. Do you need for me to blow it up? I think you guys have a copy as well. Let me just see here. Okay, so -- really just a few call-outs here. So I have organized it by district. This was done, I would say, you know, in different methods, but I think there was quite a bit of input from the public in many cases. There was a lot of research done by each of you actually with the Parks Department to think about what the big and immediate wins could be. There was some consistency here where you see several of the areas are focused on trying to address pool before summer. System work on pools. One item that continues to be very important to all of you has been the future of the yellowjacket location. So, remember, this is just using fiscal year '25 surplus. What I want to make clear here, after discussing with park staff, this is securing a small amount. This will be a capital project primarily and will roll into next year. They have committed to the fact that it the design and completion of that will be done in fiscal '27. We have been talking of design, where the fiscal '27 that is where the additional dollars come into play. Again, a hot topic so I wanted to focus on that. Additionally, if you see the very last item, it is not slotted into one particular district. That is the river tower park boardwalk in the Sulphur Springs area. This group has significantly trying to focus on Sulphur Springs, and you have been supportive of this and provided by Parks as a high need. So it simply is included here as a collective ask as opposed to assigned to any one particular district. And then outside of Parks, Council Member Viera teed up four for us, and he had quite a bit of communication with his district 7 community of a particular area in Tampa palms that was priced by the Mobility Group and that remains as a need. That is the $50,000. Last few under "other." We heard a lot of summer youth programs and had slots for that. Council Member Young was championing the fact she heard the public wants to see that lifted for 7 for the summer. That is the largest opponent of what we call it the noninfrastructure-related asks. And I think in May, we have a group coming to provide us an update on the Sulphur Springs action plan next steps. This is truly kind of a placeholder. Once they provide all of you with a more clear idea what they discovered during that process, it will be easier to isolate the most immediate area of focus. Certainly a lot of mobility needs around the Nebraska area. So we are confident something we can use that for. In total the 4-8. It simply combines with the previous social action and gets us to a whooping $15,000 over and insignificant. Any questions or comments about any of that.

Alan Clendenin

02:13:26PM One, I want to thank Ted Fowler. We asked him to provide a list of the priorities for the Parks and rec from the administration and incorporated it into the ask. Thank you for rolling all this information together and capturing councils conversations. And this document, I think you did is a great job of doing that. It definitely -- based on my observations, our briefing, seems to have -- you know, of course, we cant do everything. This is a relatively small amount of money considering the City Of Tampa's budget, but you take small bites at a time. I think it is worthy of our discussion and worthy of your work and ted -- ted, as well. Thank you for bringing this forward, and hopefully this will help. Councilman Carlson is not here, but District 4 had not had this in their public Parks for years and years. This is good for that as well. As we all have been with Yellowjackets making sure they are ready for this coming year so they are ready to roll in FY' 27. And make sure that comes off the board and implemented and we see something done and finished. I am real happy with the product. So good job.

Hagar Kopesky

02:14:42PM One comment. Because the initial motion of Councilman Carlson was for me to actually bring a resolution after working with -- because of these a lot of moving parts and to make sure this group collectively with the final product, need someone to motion and actually approve this list.

Alan Clendenin

02:15:00PM We will do that at the close of the discussion.

Hagar Kopesky

02:15:06PM At the close of this discussion. And Mr. Perry to come for the first meeting of May. Does not preclude Ted and the group for continuing to plan and move forward quickly to get the resolution back to you.

Alan Clendenin

02:15:18PM First meeting of May.

Hagar Kopesky

02:15:20PM The 7th.

Alan Clendenin

02:15:21PM May 7, okay. Great job and again, also for Sulphur Springs. Definitely captured the intent of this Council. Boardwalk will be important. It is definitely important at least three different Council districts as they overlap in that kind of joint area. And, of course, not to mention the community to show that types of improvement and investment. Mr. Shelby, do you have anything to add?

Martin Shelby

02:15:49PM Nothing.

Alan Clendenin

02:15:49PM Council member Viera.

Luis Viera

02:15:52PM I think He was first.

Alan Clendenin

02:15:54PM Council Member Miranda? Council Member Viera.

Luis Viera

02:15:58PM Thank you, Hagar, for your hard work. We have been talking before on this, and you have done a great job. Yellowjackets, Sulphur Springs. That is great. $2 million for South Tampa park. And a lot people in south are there, and Parks how they need additional assistance. Glad to see a couple of additional things for New Tampa, $175,000 in playground equipment for children with disabilities at the New Tampa park. How do I say this not trying to stretch a single into a triple -- go ahead, maam.

Hagar Kopesky

02:16:36PM I want people to know that the Copeland Park Trail Improvements will allow accessibility improvements. I wanted to call that out.

Luis Viera

02:16:44PM Great for our friends in copeland park on fowler as well. Was it yesterday? Yesterday evening for the K-Bar Ranch. And something that New Tampa is excited about. K -Bar Ranch and all the communities. That is a good thing. This is great. And only thing I would mention for the $15,000 is that I am going to motion to have that for additional commendation plaques. [Laughter]

Alan Clendenin

02:17:14PM Lets be realistic, you need more than that. Council Member Young.

Naya Young

02:17:17PM Thats funny.

Alan Clendenin

02:17:19PM Funny because it is true. [Laughter] the ink.

Naya Young

02:17:27PM No, I just wanted to say thank you. Because we have met about this. I think this is going to be really awesome. And I -- I am proud to be able to go back to the communities and say this is where our Council champions and really excited of the action plan. And to your point Council member Clendenin, we cant do anything at one time and little bites at a time. I am very excited to see this come to fruition. So thank you for working hard with this.

Alan Clendenin

02:18:00PM These things dont just happen. They require -- requires a lot behind the scenes -- I go back to Ted Fowler and giving us this information and diving in and really extracting the needs of the Parks Department. So to be able to parse that down and do this and do the work. And Miss Kopesky, thank you, again, this stuff doesnt happen. It seems -- it seems easy when you just bring it before council for one small vote, but lots and lots of hours behind the scenes. Who wants to make a motion for staff to return with the resolution on May 7, is that right? We have a motion from Council Member Maniscalco. A second from Council Member Viera. All in favor, say aye. Make that on the consent agenda. Motion from Council Member Maniscalco. Second from -- the info, was that good. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Thank you. 100% it is good. Seems easy when we come here but a lot of work behind this. I will defer for Council Member Viera for 84.

Luis Viera

02:19:20PM I brought this up a couple of weeks ago, United Global Security Forum, a forum of the University of South Florida. And the County Commission voted 7-0 on this to support this forum and their agenda. It deals with local domestic security issues. Again, I indicated nothing to do with ice. Or anything of that nature. These days you have to make sure of that. If I May, I move the resolution.

Alan Clendenin

02:19:47PM Motion from Council Member Viera. Seconded from council member Maniscalco. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. If I have my calculations, that concludes our regularly scheduled program, and our business is concluded. We will go to new business. Council Member Viera, excuse me.

Luis Viera

02:20:04PM Yes, sir, mr. Chairman. Very quick. Three quick ones. I was asked for Project Focus, which is the advocacy group for Focus Academy that marches developmental disability awareness month, and they wanted a commendation plaque for an event they will be having, Project Focus -- for Focus Academy. Clayton Clemens.

Alan Clendenin

02:20:27PM Motion from Council Member Viera. Seconded from Council Member Maniscalco. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

02:20:35PM Second regarding Fire Station 24. Moved items around. Move periodic in-person reports of status of Fire Station 24 project to occur at the last regularly scheduled City Council meeting of each quarter for the remainder of '26. I move that the project team appear before council on April 2 in light of their prior preparation for the previously scheduled March presence.

Alan Clendenin

02:21:03PM April 2. How are we doing on April 2? Is it good? We have a motion from Council Member Viera. Seconded from Council Member Maniscalco. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

02:21:15PM Thank you, council. My last one, we have a written report on the -- on the substations presence, as I call it. I want to be clear by what I mean by substation presence is it is not to build a whole new substation out here in New Tampa, but at least taking a look for Tampa Police Department. Taking a look at some of these strip malls that we have out there and seeing if we can rent a space with a person at a reception desk waiting to talk to people, and police officers can come and instead of going to the 7-eleven at Tampa palms or whatever it is, they can have a place to sit down, meet with the community and people in New Tampa have to go out to district 2, which for people -- he was at k-bar ranch yesterday, a 45-Minute Drive for people.

Alan Clendenin

02:22:02PM District 7 time.

Luis Viera

02:22:04PM I know, right, that it is. My motion -- I saw a memo from Chief Bercaw stating that he opposes the idea of a new police substation out there. Again, that is not what I am looking at. I am looking for something much more narrowly tailored for my replacement, because I leave in October or November of this year, and I want to make sure my person who comes afterwards is able to run with this. My motion for Logistics and Asset Management to provide a written report of the cost of a substation presence in New Tampa for Tampa Police Department, specifically this entails not the position of the administration on this but the costs associated with rental -- I will get everything for you, suling. But the cost of rental of a building in a strip mall, personnel to staff said building and other costs associated with this. We have support from everyday police officers for this. I spoken to Police Benevolent Association and etc. My goal. Not talking of a big taj mahal. I am talking about 100,000 in allotment, and I need to get a statement for that, I apologize. What are we in? Lets do the second -- the third week in April for a -- for a -- for a written staff report on that, if I May. Thats it.

Alan Clendenin

02:23:32PM Written staff report. Do we have a motion?

Luis Viera

02:23:36PM If they need more time, let me know. Its fine.

Alan Clendenin

02:23:40PM A motion from Council Member Viera. Seconded from Council Member Maniscalco for a written staff report. All in favor, say aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

Luis Viera

02:23:47PM Thank you, thats it.

Naya Young

02:23:50PM I have two motions and have then an update. A motion for a off-site commendation for the Junior League for recommending centennial of community dedicated to womens leadership through volunteer, action, collaboration, and training.

Alan Clendenin

02:24:06PM A motion from Councilwoman Young. Seconded from council member Viera. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it.

Naya Young

02:24:13PM Second motion, move ed Ward Nuran as District 5 budget finance appointee. I am requesting a resolution to be prepared.

Luis Viera

02:24:25PM A classy appointment.

Alan Clendenin

02:24:28PM Motion by Councilwoman Young. Seconded from Council Member Maniscalco. All in favor, say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it.

Naya Young

02:24:34PM Thank you very much.

Alan Clendenin

02:24:35PM Who was on that before?

Naya Young

02:24:40PM Meredith. We spoke with her. In district 3, I did a ride-along in East Tampa. I attended the Ybor City -- the this CRA for the historic brookin project. That anticipated start week is April 13. 25 Days And Street closure for about 30 days held at grotto to talk with the business owner. It was very nice, and I was happy to be there. So that is happening. The Alessi Bakery preopening event with Darlene -- my legislative aide, Darlene, attended. It was very nice. Did a tour of the union station. I saw -- I didnt even know that whole area in the back was even there. Did you know they used to have markets on the -- what is it called -- yeah, right in front. I had no idea. It was very nice. I attended the Tampa Bay Black heritage eternal bloom met gala. Beta Sorority. We saw the beautiful ce line there. It was very awesome. The CDC ribbon cutting and town house tour were very awesome, and the springs market in sulfur springs and block party that focused on youth and reading and very nice. And then the upcoming town hall meeting in ice Tampa, we had the date for April 20, and I will have more details for that.

Alan Clendenin

02:26:09PM Council Member Maniscalco.

Guido Maniscalco

02:26:13PM A quick shout out to Mrs. Martha Vila. I am wearing my american flag tie that she gave several of the Council Members. Thanking her for that. Thank you. Thats all.

Alan Clendenin

02:26:27PM Council Member Miranda.

Charlie Miranda

02:26:28PM Set a budget workshop of the Revenue Finance Committee of the City Of Tampa suggested August 3, August 10, and August 17. All mondays. Up to the council.

Alan Clendenin

02:26:43PM Day or night? Can We decide days or nighttimes? It is for our -- for the three budget workshops We do --

Martin Shelby

02:26:54PM Bring it back next week with a Full Council.

Alan Clendenin

02:26:57PM So --

Martin Shelby

02:27:01PM Distribute the dates if you can.

Alan Clendenin

02:27:03PM So Bill and Lynn will be here. We need to make a determination of day or night meetings, or a mixture of both. Council member Maniscalco, can I pass you the gavel? I would like to make a motion for an off-site commendation for Pride Of Tampa to March Pride In Tampa. The pride celebration Will Take Place at historic city -- Ybor City this Saturday. And Mayor Castor will be there to do a -- a proclamation from the city as well.

Luis Viera

02:27:34PM What time?

Alan Clendenin

02:27:37PM To be determined but around midday.

Guido Maniscalco

02:27:40PM We have a motion from Chairman Clendenin and seconded from Council Member Miranda. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed.

Alan Clendenin

02:27:50PM A motion to provide an off-site commendation -- I sound like council member Viera now. April 21 to recognize Michael Tomar in his excellent leadership as the chairman of art.

Guido Maniscalco

02:28:03PM All in favor, say aye. Opposed?

Alan Clendenin

02:28:08PM April 7, special called meeting. So here is the secret sauce. Part of that -- part of me wanting that and why I so dug deep on that the potential of having baseball on agenda for the first and second meeting in April. I wanted to preserve the spot I was afraid that our schedule will be overloaded. Doesnt look to come up in first meeting of April and wont be relevant anymore. All we have on agenda is staff reports. Clerk's Office would prefer that we move those staff reports and cancel that meeting to shorten their workload. I am willing -- I have done a little bit of work. Let me voice this out. Councilwoman Young, you have two items. Appears as those both of those items can be combined, Code Enforcement and Tampa Police basically talking. And one item we can combine and continue that to April 16. Is that okay with you?

Naya Young

02:29:04PM Thats fine.

Guido Maniscalco

02:29:05PM Motion to condense from the April Code Enforcement and Tampa Police Department for in-person to address the violence regarding the parking lots, rodents, and expired food items. Move those, condense them to one, and move to April 16 under in-person staff report. We have a motion from Chairman Clendenin. Do we have a second?

Naya Young

02:29:26PM Second.

Guido Maniscalco

02:29:27PM Second from Councilwoman Young. All in favor, say aye. All right.

Alan Clendenin

02:29:33PM Next thing for the Edc report, a presentation for Small Minority And Women-Owned Businesses. Only Way I see really that is wide open to move that will be June 18 for a presentation. Would you mind doing that?

Naya Young

02:29:49PM June 18.

Guido Maniscalco

02:29:50PM Time sensitive.

Alan Clendenin

02:29:52PM A motion to move -- sorry, council member Maniscalco, move the third item edc to June 18.

Guido Maniscalco

02:29:59PM Move the Edc from the special called April 7 under "presentations" at the beginning, presentations. It says five minutes, but lets say ten minutes total. Thats what it said here under "presentation."

Alan Clendenin

02:30:14PM Will You notified the Edc People.

Naya Young

02:30:18PM June 18.

Alan Clendenin

02:30:20PM If You notify them, that will be great.

Guido Maniscalco

02:30:22PM All in favor, say aye. Who was the second on that?

Charlie Miranda

02:30:26PM I will second.

Guido Maniscalco

02:30:27PM All in favor, say aye. The next is --

Alan Clendenin

02:30:31PM Next one -- that seems to be a workshop item, and I know Councilman Carlson is not here. More appropriate to move to the April 23 workshop.

Guido Maniscalco

02:30:39PM Thats fine. Move the 5 pm. On base council rules. We can move it to the April workshop, which is April 23. Is that fine, Madam Clerk? A motion from Chairman Clendenin. Seconded from council member Miranda. All in favor, say aye. All right, next.

Alan Clendenin

02:30:59PM For the signage for the next two. It appears as though they should probably go to --

Guido Maniscalco

02:31:07PM Condensed but put together.

Alan Clendenin

02:31:10PM Condensed and put together. Why dont I have a date on that one?

Guido Maniscalco

02:31:18PM May 21. A regular meeting that looks pretty light.

Alan Clendenin

02:31:21PM Lets do that. May 21.

Guido Maniscalco

02:31:25PM Condense the two digital items. Motion by Chairman Clendenin for May 21 under staff reports. Do we have a second? Second from council member Miranda. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed.

Alan Clendenin

02:31:38PM I would like a motion to cancel the April 7 special-called meeting.

Guido Maniscalco

02:31:43PM A motion from Chairman Clendenin, seconded from Council Member Miranda. All in favor, say aye. Anything else?

Alan Clendenin

02:31:55PM A commendation?

Luis Viera

02:31:58PM A woman who is a friend to all of us, Karen Clay, her son, Mike, died SIX years ago today and wanted to send this out. She is a wonderful person. And thats all.

Alan Clendenin

02:32:11PM We love you, Karen.

Guido Maniscalco

02:32:13PM We do. Motion to receive and file.

Alan Clendenin

02:32:15PM We do. We are adjourned. Disclaimer: this file represents an unedited version of realtime captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete accuracy nor used as a verbatim transcript. Any person who needs a verbatim transcript of the proceedings May need to hire a court reporter. © - City Of Tampa (813) 274-8211