Evening Session — May 28, 2026 FINAL

Alan Clendenin

5:07:34PM Good evening, everybody. Thank you for your patience as we waited for a Full Council, which Councilman Viera should be showing momentarily. Call the meeting to order. Clerk, call the roll.

Charlie Miranda

5:07:45PM Here.

Guido Maniscalco

5:07:46PM Here.

Lynn Hurtak

5:07:47PM Here.

Naya Young

5:07:47PM Here.

Bill Carlson

5:07:49PM Here.

Alan Clendenin

5:07:50PM Here.

The Clerk

5:07:51PM We have a physical quorum. Welcome to Tampa City Council.

Lynn Hurtak

5:07:56PM Motion to open the public hearing.

Alan Clendenin

5:07:57PM We have a motion to open the public hearings. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? The Ayes have it. We have to have public comment.

Lynn Hurtak

5:08:06PM We have to approve the Agenda. Second.

Alan Clendenin

5:08:10PM I'll also add a presentation on brownfields, give Ms. Mclane an opportunity to talk about brownfields. Motion to approve the Agenda from Councilman Maniscalco. Second from Councilwoman Hurtak. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Thank you very much. Anybody in the public wishing to speak --

5:08:32PM Just general public comment.

Lynn Hurtak

5:08:35PM Do we take general public comment?

Alan Clendenin

5:08:38PM It was Published That Way.

5:08:45PM Never mind. Disregard all the above. See, everything is discombobulated because Councilman Viera was not here. Let the record show that Councilman Viera has arrived on North Tampa time. New Tampa time. Very good. Public hearings have been opened. But we're going to start with a presentation. Go ahead. McLane Evans, assistant city attorney. I thought it might be beneficial since tonight's agenda is completely brownfields hearings. At least item 1 has generated significant public interest. Oftentimes there is some confusion about what a brownfield is, why we participate in the program. I thought it might be beneficial to put on record some answers to those questions. I'll definitely keep it five minutes or less. The Brownfields Redevelopment Act was originally passed by the Florida Legislature in 1997 for the purposes of eliminating blight and incentivizing investment in previously developed or utilized primarily industrial and commercial areas that either are contaminated or suspected to be contaminated because prior to that economic incentives didn't exist to interested potential redevelopers to take on a property like that and deal with the expense of contamination cleanup. So the legislative intent stated in the act for the purposes of adopting it was primarily to address blight, incentivize community redevelopment over further expansion out into existing agricultural and less dense areas. It incentivized increasing density and utilizing underutilized or often completely abandoned properties. Some of the incentives that exist in the Statute range from a broad range of financial incentives and also legal liability protection. The reason the city request as both items on the agenda tonight are city-owned properties, generally is the particular financial incentive that benefits the city is tax credits for the amount expended to clean up as an entity that doesn't pay taxes, the city still benefits because they can resell those on the open market and recoup some of the money that they expend for those cleanups when they buy these properties. And then there's also liability protection. For any future cleanup or allegations by adjacent property owners and things like that, as soon as the property has been designated and in our case the city has entered into an agreement called a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement which in Hillsborough County is administered by the Environmental Protection Commission, the liability protection attaches. So that is frequently why we bring these city-owned brownfield designations to City Council. Private entities benefit and have a lot of other financial incentives built into the Statute and actually other Statutes reference. Some range from things like if they are also building affordable housing on the brownfield site in addition to the tax credits for cleanup, they can get tax exemption on purchasing some or all of their construction materials. All that to say sometimes I think the public finds it very scary and thinks that is a designation is meaning that there is something you have to be afraid of and avoid the site. Rather, it is actually a very beneficial program. I think if you ask anyone on any side of the political spectrum, this is one of the few Statutes that everybody agrees is in the public benefit. The Developers like it because it provides them financial incentives. The people who want to make the world a Better Place and combat environmental justice and contribute to urban infill over urban sprawl also find it to be a very beneficial act. And that is it. Just wanted to get that on record.

5:13:07PM Thank you so much. Now on to item number 1.

Mclane Evans

5:13:09PM Thank you. McLane Evans, Assistant City Attorney. Item number 1 is the first public hearing on the brownfield designation for Royal Street. This is the first of two scheduled public hearings before City Council for a proposed Brownfield Area designation of a city-owned property consisting of four adjoining parcels that are generally located in the vicinity of 1411 North Ashley Street, 103 East Laurel Street, 1200 North Tampa Street, and 1312 Tampa Street. This is also commonly referred to as the army navy store site. The City Of Tampa is requesting designation of these properties as a Brownfield Area to assist in the assessment and remediation of the environmental impacts that May exist on the property. Details of the designation have been outlined in a document entitled Staff report on Royal Street Brownfield Area designation, which is available for public review in the city clerk's office. At the conclusion of the second public hearing which is scheduled for June 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Or as soon thereafter as possible, council will have an opportunity to pass a resolution Designating Royal Street a Brownfield Area. Staff and I are available if you have any questions. And we have our entire environmental program management team here for you.

Alan Clendenin

5:14:17PM Does council have any questions? Hearing none --

Lynn Hurtak

5:14:23PM Do we have to close the public hearing?

Alan Clendenin

5:14:25PM Do we have to do a Motion to Close on this one? Motion to Close from Councilman Miranda. Second from --

Mclane Evans

5:14:33PM Were you counting public comment from when you asked earlier --

Alan Clendenin

5:14:39PM Anybody from the public wishing to speak on this item? Hearing none. Motion to close. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Since they acknowledged Everybody in the Public is staff.

Martin Shelby

5:14:53PM You would be amazed of the havoc if that weren't in the record.

Alan Clendenin

5:14:57PM That's true. Very good. We pass a Resolution on the second one.

Mclane Evans

5:15:03PM That's correct. We can move on to item number 2. Good evening, council. McLane Evans, Assistant City Attorney. This is the first of two scheduled public hearings for a proposed Brownfield Area designation of city-owned property consisting of two adjoining properties that are generally located in the vicinity of 1125 and 1127 East Twiggs Street. The City Of Tampa is requesting designation of these properties as a Brownfield Area to assist in the assessment and remediation of environmental impacts that May exist on the property. Details of the designation have been outlined in a document entitled Staff report on Madison Street park expansion proposed Brownfield Area designation, which is available for public review in the City Clerk's Office. At the conclusion of the second public hearing which is scheduled for June 18 at 10:30 a.m. Or as soon thereafter as possible, council will have the opportunity to pass a resolution Declaring Madison Street park expansion a Brownfield Area. Staff and I are available if you have questions.

Alan Clendenin

5:15:54PM Any questions? Anybody in the public wishing to speak to the item? Hearing none. Move to close from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Lynn Hurtak

5:16:05PM Can she have a moment to introduce her team?

Mclane Evans

5:16:10PM I would love that.

Alan Clendenin

5:16:12PM Come on up, guys. Get on camera. I'll turn it over to him and let him tell you a little bit about --

5:16:27PM Josh, come to the center of the podium. That's where the microphone is. Tampa Solid Waste Department. Happy to introduce my staff.

5:16:39PM Step to the podium. Alexis Black, environmental specialist 3 in the Solid Waste Department. Nice to see you. My name is Victor Gresseau. I'm an environmental specialist 3 with the Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management Department. Usually i'm just a talking head. I'm Melanie Fenton. I am the newest addition to the team. I am an environmental specialist one.

5:17:05PM Welcome. She is the Legal Department's Legal Intern for summer 2026, just started this week. She will be with us on tuesdays, thursdays until August 7.

5:17:19PM You all look like you could be related. Thank you very much for allowing us to introduce everyone.

5:17:27PM Welcome to Tampa City Council.

Mclane Evans

5:17:29PM Thank you, council.

Alan Clendenin

5:17:31PM It's always this easy. [ laughter ] that concludes our regularly scheduled program. We are on New Business. Councilman Carlson, New Business?

Bill Carlson

5:17:54PM Just something I mentioned to Mr. Perry this morning. I would like to ask -- hagar was going to help me work on the wording but I forgot to get it from her. Motion to ask the CFO's Office to come back to us with a presentation on the total deferred maintenance in the city.

Alan Clendenin

5:18:19PM Do you have a date for that to return?

Bill Carlson

5:18:23PM How about July 30.

Lynn Hurtak

5:18:25PM That's a lot of stuff.

Alan Clendenin

5:18:30PM Motion from Councilman Carlson for the Financial Analyst to work with the Chief Financial Officer to bring a report on July 30 for deferred maintenance for the City Of Tampa.

Bill Carlson

5:18:41PM If They say They need more time -- i'll talk to them later -- They can come back --

Alan Clendenin

5:18:47PM Motion from Councilman Carlson. A second from Councilman Viera. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Councilman Viera.

Luis Viera

5:18:55PM Yes, sir. A couple, if I May. I have to do cleanup. Brenda McKenzie was going to be coming on June 4th it appears for an update on the Special Needs Internship. And she is unable to come on that day. Move it to June 18, if I May.

Lynn Hurtak

5:19:18PM That is a Written Staff Report, right? June 4th, it's a Written Report.

Luis Viera

5:19:24PM Okay. Then you know what, maybe she wants the written. That's strange. Okay. That's fine. Let's do June 18 Written Report. She requested a continuance. I'm fine with that.

Alan Clendenin

5:19:37PM Motion from Viera. Second from maniscalco who move the Written Report to June 18. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

5:19:44PM Also, I requested a discussion for workshop on June 25 for 33647 Tampa fire response times and indicated I was going to move discussion People With Disabilities and Housing to another time. Let me go ahead and motion to remove that because I neglected to do that.

Alan Clendenin

5:20:04PM Motion from Councilman Viera. Second from Councilman Miranda to remove the staff report to provide housing for People With Disabilities. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

5:20:19PM I don't know if I need a motion for that, that date, June 25, I want to make sure that we have both a Representative from Tampa Fire Rescue and Local 754 here to have that discussion. If I May, just in an abundance of caution, that's my motion.

Alan Clendenin

5:20:34PM Motion from Councilman Viera. Second from Councilman Maniscalco to have representatives from 754 and the TFR on the June 25th meeting. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

5:20:47PM Thank you, council. My next one, I mentioned this briefly, I can have a written report on June 18th on this which is -- you know what. Strike that. I was going to do it on special needs internship and funding. I'll move that to next week because I want to make sure I have the language down. Maybe some of you had this discussion on the kiosks and the code and the apparent conflict that exists between the city code and some Contracts that we've entered into for sign activation. This is my motion. Motion to direct City Staff to prepare and return to Tampa City Council -- strike that -- on June 18, with a proposed text amendment to Section 27-2894 of the City Of Tampa Code of Ordinances relating to electronic messaging signs to allow limited activation movement, innovation or similar dynamic display features on electronic message signs within the prescribed dwell time -- and i'll go on on this -- of 15 seconds under defined circumstances in addition to considering where such activation could be allowed to occur within the city, the proposed text amendment should focus on sign technology and not focus or seek to regulate the viewpoint or message displayed. Again, city, if you all remember, for example, in 2020 I believe it was we had debated some kiosk program here. It appears that as well as other potential sign activations have conflicts with our code. I'm trying to bring the code into consistency with the Contracts that we have. That's the motion.

Alan Clendenin

5:22:28PM Motion from Councilman Viera. A second from Councilman Maniscalco.

Martin Shelby

5:22:36PM Councilman Viera, first of all, a couple of things. Number one, the deadline for June 18 to go through Onbase is today. That's number one.

Luis Viera

5:22:46PM Can we waive that?

Martin Shelby

5:22:48PM You are asking for a text amendment to come back.

Luis Viera

5:22:51PM Strike that. Well taken. Let's do July 16.

Martin Shelby

5:23:01PM That will be fine. If there is a concern by the Legal Department, they'll bring it to your attention.

Luis Viera

5:23:09PM We cannot do June 18 presently today.

Martin Shelby

5:23:14PM To do a text amendment?

Lynn Hurtak

5:23:16PM I agree that coming in with a text amendment.

Martin Shelby

5:23:19PM Text amendment that has to go to the Planning Commission if it's in Chapter 27.

Lynn Hurtak

5:23:24PM I want you to know today is May 28. It is the June 4 session that closes on Friday. Either Way, it is kind of tight for a text amendment.

Luis Viera

5:23:37PM How about I do this, council. I'll talk to legal about it. My motion is for June 18. If there is one iota of objection or challenge with the time, I can move it to July 16. I say that because it's another month and dealing with activation of the signs. June 18th is my proposed date. If there is any challenge whatsoever with that, you have my word as an attorney -- [ laughter ] -- as a professional, right, that I will gladly send a memo on that.

Alan Clendenin

5:24:10PM We have a motion from Councilman Viera --

Lynn Hurtak

5:24:13PM We have a lot of people that --

Alan Clendenin

5:24:16PM I have a motion from Councilman Viera. July 18 -- sorry, June 18 and discussion. Councilman Carlson, I saw your microphone first.

Bill Carlson

5:24:29PM I think we ought to wait until the conversation we had this morning are completed. I told you that i've heard that representatives of the Lightning had been stirring up trouble behind the scenes. I don't know if this is related to that. The Lightning need to get control of their consultants and let them play a level playing field with the rest of the people in the community. If we're going to discuss allowing moving signs, which I think you said, we need to do it in a Comprehensive Way for everybody and it should be part of the conversation that the Downtown Partnership is having. It shouldn't be separate because consultant for the Lightning is upset that they lost.

Alan Clendenin

5:25:12PM I don't know. I think it is an unfair accusation. This is about the Kiosk which the lightning has nothing to do with.

Bill Carlson

5:25:20PM It sounds like they are saying and I haven't talked to them, but I hear whispers in the community which is really frustrating. Like I said, if they have concerns, the lightning should come here. Don't send your consultants out whispering in the community and trash talking people. Sounds like what they are doing, well, now that you made us shut down ours because it was being run Illegally and maybe allowed Illegally based on what I heard from former staff, then now we're mad because some other people get it. There is going to be this tit for tat. When you stop the childish behavior, stop the high school game out there, these are serious --

Alan Clendenin

5:25:59PM I don't know if that's appropriate for this motion.

Bill Carlson

5:26:03PM What we're doing is jumping ahead with something that is not part of the regular process. No offense to My Colleague, but we went through a whole discussion this morning about what the policy should be overall in downtown and why are we jumping ahead of that. Now we're looking at a comprehensive solution, and then let's just add the motion part of it in it. I showed the example with the cat, so obviously i'm in favor of the motion in Some Way, but let's handle it systemically instead of a one-off thing.

Alan Clendenin

5:26:35PM Councilwoman Hurtak.

Lynn Hurtak

5:26:36PM My question is, we've been told that there is a sign -- that we have an Agreement with the Sign Companies. That's what I don't understand. They got up this morning. Councilman Miranda talked about it. So this to me impacts that as well. I do not understand how this can come forward without us solving that. So that's my concern. I'm also uncomfortable not just doing it all, but my bigger concern is I need to hear from the Lawyers that's not opening up the can of worms. That is hundred percent what I am most concerned about. Because if we allow it for these folks, we'll have to allow it for anyone who comes through. We aren't going to have a leg to stand on.

Luis Viera

5:27:27PM Whenever I can respond.

Alan Clendenin

5:27:30PM So my piece on that is that, again, we're talking about existing, something walk Across The Street and you see it today.

Lynn Hurtak

5:27:39PM But it was approved in 2020 and it shouldn't have been.

Alan Clendenin

5:27:42PM Again, what can we do as a council now -- what is the terminology when you try to right a wrong, Legal Terminology.

Lynn Hurtak

5:27:54PM Literally what we were doing this morning is trying to solve it.

Alan Clendenin

5:27:57PM We can do this little bite of the apple without having to -- the bigger comprehensive.

Lynn Hurtak

5:28:05PM Cannot do that?

Alan Clendenin

5:28:07PM Why not? Mr. Shelby.

Lynn Hurtak

5:28:10PM You can't just make a law when you want to make a law and then not let other people be a part of that law. We're going to have people coming to us, saying well they got to do it. I think we're opening up pandora's box. I don't have a problem with having the conversation but I would like to hear from the Lawyers. I would prefer them come to us first and talk about it and reassure us that this doesn't open the legal can of worms. If that happens, I don't have a problem with it, but I want to hear from the Lawyers first.

Alan Clendenin

5:28:43PM Mr. Shelby.

Martin Shelby

5:28:45PM Martin Shelby, City Council attorney. In the time that i've been sitting here, it is very, very, very unusual, but it's happened recently with this council that during new business, a motion would be made to do a text amendment to the City Code of Ordinances. Particularly with what happened this morning, I was concerned about where the discussion was going. I'm sorry I had to interrupt, but I did. But you do have a rule that I have every good reason to believe that this matter is likely to be in litigation at some point unless the attorneys tell us otherwise. And council has a rule to that effect. We had the Legal Department represented here and they didn't shut down your discussion. You had a very productive discussion. But I would say with that attorney coming on board who will be talking with them tomorrow, it would be my strong recommendation that council not rush this and give the attorneys and the Legal Department an opportunity to best advise this City Council because with all due respect, there are unintended consequences in everything that this City Council does unless you are apprised of them.

Alan Clendenin

5:30:00PM I understand your concern, but it's my understanding, if I heard Councilman Viera correctly, this is apples and oranges. This is not about the large scale digital signage. It's two different things.

Martin Shelby

5:30:18PM Sir, with all due respect, it's all interrelated. And I would caution council -- I went upstairs, by the way, to talk to Mr. Steady and he wasn't there. I wish that council, especially at the end of a meeting where this wasn't on the agenda to shoot from the proverbial hip.

Luis Viera

5:30:41PM Mr. Shelby, very briefly, could you recite what that rule is? Is it for Ongoing Litigation that we May not speak on it?

Martin Shelby

5:30:48PM I'll give you the rule precisely. Council should avoid any discussion of matters at a public meeting where the city is or is likely to be a party in Litigation without concurrence of council.

Luis Viera

5:31:15PM The issue is likely to be. Then any discussion, we just dedicated an hour this morning to discussion on matters where it can be argued could be likely to be in litigation, therefore I would suggest, offering in that same territory, I appreciate you bringing this up, there were a few issues that I think are very relevant which is, number one, we're not passing this law or this code change. We would be asking for potential consideration of it. I could even have feasibility nut there, number one. I think number two, something that Chairman Clendenin said and I said, this is dealing with existing city contracts that people have entered into, relied upon our work, relied upon the decisions of the City Council have made and try to remedy that. Very narrowly tailored issue. What I can do is this, since folks have challenges with it, how about I change my motion to this so we can move this thing Forward One Way or another. I could motion for staff to report on feasibility of this on June 18, feasibility of this and then bring it back the next meeting if it passes feasibility. I can inquire with City Staff, with legal. We've been advised by Counsel and want to be respectful of that, in the meanwhile to see if those challenges are a sticking point. What I can do to get this thing moving is to change it to feasibility and then I can look at it again next week once i've talked to Counsel.

Bill Carlson

5:32:54PM Council Member Hurtak mentioned the Settlement Agreement. I talked to two or three of the companies that are related to that and they described to me how they thought those kiosks should have been included in the Settlement Agreement. I don't know. I'm not a lawyer and I don't know if a judge will ultimately have to figure that out. If somebody decides -- our Legal Department will give us advice and we'll either get sued or not get sued I guess. And there are multiple parties involved in this. If it's not -- if somebody decides that it's not included in the Settlement Agreement, then there's nothing wrong with it. By the way, the lawyers to my knowledge vetted that whole thing when we passed it a few years ago. What I would recommend, i'm okay with discussing it. What I would recommend is put it next to adjacent to the discussion of whenever the Downtown Partnership is coming back. Why not have it all part of the same discussion? I think it is important to have moving images as long as they are not distracting drivers.

Alan Clendenin

5:33:59PM Councilwoman Hurtak.

Lynn Hurtak

5:34:01PM You said you wanted a Text Amendment. You know that text amendments can come twice a year. There is a January Cycle and a July Cycle. You're probably going to have to put that in the July Cycle. Land Development Code People have been very clear that they don't want any changes -- any more changes than truly necessary because we're going through the land development code. You May really want to talk to abbye about that because I have gotten push-back anytime I tried to bring a Text Amendment because of that. I'm warning you on that one. I thought it was an ordinance, and that's why I wanted to ask again. I'm good with you having them come forward and tell us what we can and can't do. I think that is a Good Place to start.

Alan Clendenin

5:34:50PM Can you restate your proposed --

Luis Viera

5:34:53PM Yes, sir. Let me put this properly, which is my aforementioned motion is I would take the motion, i'll restate in entirety, but this is going to have City Staff, City Legal come to us on June 18 to report on the feasibility with the concerns that our attorney, Mr. Shelby has raised which I respect and want to be respectful of, on City Staff preparing a proposed text amendment to Section 27-2894 of the City Of Tampa Code of Ordinances relating to electronic messaging signs to allow limited activation, movement animation or similar dynamic display features on electronic message signs. I'm not going to restate the whole motion. Just the same thing, which is feasibility of that. It would be my intent if it does pass muster to bring this back in July, which is then the next meeting, if we can. I know Councilwoman Hurtak just made some comments on that, well taken, but to have the next report come back in July if it passes muster. That is the big issue.

Alan Clendenin

5:35:56PM I have a motion from Councilman Viera. A second from Councilman Maniscalco. Councilman Miranda, you wanted to speak?

Charlie Miranda

5:36:02PM Today when I saw the three gentlemen sitting in the back not saying one word for a long period of time, I told myself we have a problem or I have a problem. Then I started winding my head back to 15 or 20 years ago, what happened? I know it took almost two years to get that deal done. I know there was a lot of give and take. 1,000 or 10,000 signs, I forget what They said, but They gave it up. Then I remember Them mentioning gave up a lot of revenue to change to what we have now. What is he telling us without telling us? How much revenue did They lose is how much revenue we're going to get sued for. That's what I took out of it when I got home and I realized, okay, what happened, what happened is this. I'm not saying They are or not. That's up to Them, but anything can happen. You go in, you can lose or the court says I don't want to hear it, I guess. So those are the three things that happen in lawsuit. I sat here very calmly and listened to Them. The voice They spoke in very calmly, not raise their voice, spoke calmly. That means They know what They are doing. You what raise your voice, yell or make people nervous. No, They very calmly laid it down. That tells me beware of your wallet. It May be going away.

Alan Clendenin

5:37:32PM I found the Clear Channel Guy to be a little bit of -- he did not come across well for me. He left a sour taste in my mouth.

Bill Carlson

5:37:43PM What they are saying is that we gave up ten billboards for one of these. And I don't think he said what the revenues were on the other nine, but he did say on the one. I can understand if you have a hundred billboards and now you have ten that you might be frustrated. Other people get to come in and build what they want. I know one of the -- I don't know all the details of it, but I know one of the restrictions that would have applied to the Lightning is they can't promote anything that's outside that facility, like as I understand, again, we have to get the Lawyers. If you have a mcdonald's and you have a sign and you promote Coca-Cola and fries and a hamburger, that's fine. If you start promoting a snickers bar and you don't sell a snickers bar inside, you can't talk about it. Then there is a gray area, if you do sell Coca-Cola, can you show images of Coca-Cola in California and europe and other places or can you just show it inside? There are some nuances of the Settlement Agreement we need to think through. The Settlement Agreement, charlie was here then, not us. I think the Settlement Agreement was to stop lawsuits. So we don't want to have lawsuits again. We want to be mindful. My understanding, there's no official request that I got. Maybe you heard them. What they are saying is if you take away anything that we have, you need to make sure that you give us something else in return. You can't suddenly give everybody else the same right now that we sacrificed by taking down the billboards.

Alan Clendenin

5:39:18PM I don't think it was one for one. I think it was square footage. Replace ten billboards -- square footage -- like ten small billboards and put up one big one or something to that effect. I have a motion and a second. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Luis Viera

5:39:37PM That's it. Thank you, council.

Alan Clendenin

5:39:39PM Councilwoman young.

Naya Young

5:39:40PM I have two motions and then just some updates. My first motion is I move to make a motion to present a commendation on July 30, 2026, to celebrate the high school afro academic cultural technology and scientific olympics, also known as Aactso, national competition winners. I think there were 18 that went. That's my motion.

Alan Clendenin

5:40:08PM I have a motion from Councilwoman Young, second from Councilman Maniscalco. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Naya Young

5:40:14PM My second motion, I think this date works, if not I have a second date. Make a motion to present commendation on July 16, 2026 to the Toba Leadership Institute celebrating seven graduating cohort classes since 2020.

Alan Clendenin

5:40:30PM We have a motion from Councilwoman Young. A second from Councilman Miranda. We can do three, right?

Lynn Hurtak

5:40:40PM I thought that was the day we were supposed to get the budget.

Alan Clendenin

5:40:50PM I have a motion and second. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Naya Young

5:40:55PM Thank you very much. Just some updates because we've had very long meetings so I haven't been able to do my little spiel. My favorite part. G 3 Christmas under the sun awards banquet, which was very nice. Skilled Center. 7th united biker motorcycle event. I did not ride a motorcycle but I did get nice pictures. I went to the Blake High School graduation which was very nice. They have a wonderful chorus. That was my first time going to a graduation and it wasn't me graduating. Very cool to see all the students. At the end when they were able to turn the tassels and you can see how excited all of the students were. I almost got emotional, because I was thinking I would never be in that space. It was very nice. I'm going to middleton tomorrow. Went to the Memorial Day service at memorial park cemetery. I'm pretty sure we all saw the housing press conference in East Tampa. Saw the before-and-after pictures of the renovated house. It's really nice. I had a North Hyde Park Civic Association meeting last night, very nice. Also, Myself and Darlene have been talking to youth in district five. Some of the things that students have been telling us, what they would like to have for the summer, what they would like to see as pool parties. They would love to be able to have access to water because it is hot. Being at a pool party, either like a youth -- a Teen Club, Youth Party as well, and then also one of the needs identified was transportation because sometimes you have children that are either in two-parent homes and both parents are working or single-parent home and that parent is working. So they cannot get to the park if it's not walking distance. That's all. See, that wasn't bad. Thank you. It's my idea. Nobody else can do it.

Alan Clendenin

5:42:56PM Yes, ma'am.

Lynn Hurtak

5:42:56PM We currently have two upcoming staff reports about Station 24. One is scheduled for June 4, 2026, which is a Written Update to include the date for a groundbreaking. The other is an In-Person Report scheduled for July 16, 2026, to present the GMP for Station 24. Ms. Kopesky has confirmed that Chief Tripp is ready to present all of that information. I move to change the written staff report for June 4 to In-Person Report, and this has already been cleared and to combine this staff report with the one scheduled for July 16, 2026, to present the GMP for Fire Station 24.

Alan Clendenin

5:43:36PM Moving it to July is that what I heard?

Lynn Hurtak

5:43:40PM No. We are moving to the GMP presentation which is July 16th to June 4, they want to do early. Right now, I have a written staff report on status of Station 24 from Councilman Viera. I want to move that to a staff report which will include the GMP.

Alan Clendenin

5:44:07PM We're going to move from the June 4 item under Written Staff Reports, Item Number 2, we're going to move that to --

Lynn Hurtak

5:44:14PM To in-person on June 4.

Alan Clendenin

5:44:17PM In-person on June 4.

Lynn Hurtak

5:44:18PM Then to include the GMP conversation. After this motion is passed, then I will take the 16th one off. I've got two motions here. I have to do one first.

Alan Clendenin

5:44:31PM We have a motion. Is there a second from Councilman Miranda? All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Clerk, you got that one?

Lynn Hurtak

5:44:39PM It's all written. She will get it. I move to remove the GMP presentation scheduled for July 16 from the calendar.

Charlie Miranda

5:44:49PM Second.

Alan Clendenin

5:44:49PM Motion from Councilwoman Hurtak, a second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Lynn Hurtak

5:44:56PM My office received this e-mail from Kelly Austin, the director of human resources which read, the ATU Trustees have advised us that they will not be moving forward with ATU employee of the month until further notice. They are internally going to evaluate their process and will advise us. Please ensure it is not scheduled on upcoming council meetings. I'm disappointed to hear this. This is not what I like to hear, but this came from the director of human resources. So I figure we should respect that. This kind of breaks my heart because I really feel like the ATU employees are the ones that really, I think it's really exciting for them to get the commendation. For the heavy heart, I move to remove all future ATU employees of the month award from the calendar until the ATU Trustees notify us otherwise.

Luis Viera

5:45:49PM Question on the motion.

Alan Clendenin

5:45:51PM I have a motion from Councilwoman Hurtak. Is there a second? Second from Councilman Miranda. Councilman Viera.

Luis Viera

5:45:55PM I started this when I was chair in 2019. Is There Any Way we can ask, think of something to have? Councilwoman Hurtak, how long are they talking about?

Lynn Hurtak

5:46:10PM I have no idea. After we make this motion, if you want to go ahead and try.

Luis Viera

5:46:17PM Yeah, it's a shame.

Lynn Hurtak

5:46:19PM I'm heartbroken by it. Nobody really to talk to. Right now the ATU Trustees are in chicago, I believe. So they don't really know how the city runs and they have a ton of other unions. Like, I get it. I'm disappointed by I get it.

Alan Clendenin

5:46:37PM No single point that covers that swath of employees.

Luis Viera

5:46:41PM I'll make my fifth motion for tonight at the end if I May on that. We should continue that.

Lynn Hurtak

5:46:46PM I agree. If you have a way to do that, i'm more than happy to support you on that.

Alan Clendenin

5:46:51PM Motion from Councilwoman Hurtak. A second from councilman miranda. All those in favor aye. Regretfully, aye.

Lynn Hurtak

5:46:59PM I think all of us are regretfully ayes there.

Alan Clendenin

5:47:02PM Is that it?

Lynn Hurtak

5:47:03PM Yep.

Guido Maniscalco

5:47:04PM I have nothing. But anybody have any birthdays coming up? You know of anyone? No. I'm good, thank you very much.

Alan Clendenin

5:47:19PM Councilman miranda.

Charlie Miranda

5:47:19PM Thank you, sir. I would like to make a motion for Mayor Jane Castor to present the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget on July 23, 2026, special call session prior to the CRA regular session that begins at 9:01 a.m.

Lynn Hurtak

5:47:39PM She wants to do it before the CRA.

Charlie Miranda

5:47:43PM Yeah, I guess tight for time.

Lynn Hurtak

5:47:46PM I'D rather have it on the 30th. I think combining the budget conversation with the CRA with the evening session, which is the rezoning night is crazy.

Alan Clendenin

5:48:00PM What's on CRA right now. If we lock the CRA down.

Lynn Hurtak

5:48:03PM We can't. That's where we will be talking about the budget. That's the budget conversation. July is budget. That's going to be a more in-depth conversation this year.

Alan Clendenin

5:48:15PM It's not scheduled there yet.

Lynn Hurtak

5:48:17PM It's not scheduled yet but that is the time we do it every year.

Charlie Miranda

5:48:28PM This is a presentation of budget. You have two more and you have the first reading of the budget.

Alan Clendenin

5:48:34PM That is the presentation. It's quick.

Lynn Hurtak

5:48:36PM It's not quick. We have questions. It is a long thing.

Alan Clendenin

5:48:40PM It's not like it is an all day thing. Probably an hour.

Lynn Hurtak

5:48:44PM Usually, last year, we limited the number of items on the agenda to three because of it. It is a long period. It takes a long time. I would rather have a special session than to have it on a CRA day. I think CRA, we have a lot to discuss in the CRA, and I think it gets us started late, and then we're going to be going. Evening session is going to be crazy. I think that is a really bad idea for us as a council because we're going to end up working more than 12 hours. I hate being at the end of an evening session and not being clear headed. That's not fair.

Martin Shelby

5:49:31PM Martin Shelby, City Council attorney. My suggestion, Mr. Miranda, with regard to the two public hearings, that has probably no doubt already been vetted with the other jurisdictions. So I would recommend that you go forward with those. If you could hold it a week, but I should say if you do a special call meeting, it would have to be noticed as a special call meeting. You'd also have to take a break between it in order to change the clerks and the like.

Alan Clendenin

5:50:01PM We know how to do that now, don't we? [ laughter ]

Lynn Hurtak

5:50:05PM My question is, why can't we do it on the 30th? Nothing on the 30th?

Martin Shelby

5:50:09PM That hasn't been cleared with the administration who will be doing the presentation.

Lynn Hurtak

5:50:17PM If it can't be the 16th.

Charlie Miranda

5:50:19PM I'll take July 30 and see what happens.

Luis Viera

5:50:25PM For the 23rd, in case of council acting as CRA thinks there's too much, I have an item I can move to the following month to make room. If it is on the 30th and the mayor has a conflict, again, i'm glad to move something on the 23rd to cut a little bit of that time.

Charlie Miranda

5:50:44PM Whatever you decide is fine with me.

Guido Maniscalco

5:50:46PM Do you want to hold it until next Thursday? Still plenty of time to schedule it. Check with the administration.

Alan Clendenin

5:50:56PM How about we go with Councilman Miranda's suggestion? We schedule it for the 30th. If there is a problem, we can come back.

Lynn Hurtak

5:51:05PM I think that's better. The problem is, is that our first budget workshop is the 3rd of August, but that's kind of what we did last year. We only had a weekend to look at it.

Alan Clendenin

5:51:21PM I have a motion from Councilman Miranda, second from Councilman Maniscalco to schedule the mayor to present the FY '27 Budget on July 30th at 9 a.m., After commendations. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Charlie Miranda

5:51:40PM Next one, make a motion to set the first public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

Guido Maniscalco

5:51:51PM Second.

Alan Clendenin

5:51:52PM I have a motion from Councilman Miranda. A second from Councilman Maniscalco. We already have that blocked. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Charlie Miranda

5:52:03PM Thank you. Third one, make a motion to set the second public hearing in the fiscal year budget 2027 budget for Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

Alan Clendenin

5:52:13PM Motion from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Charlie Miranda

5:52:18PM Two separate motions. I would like to make a motion to present a commendation to the Florida aquarium in celebration of being named one of USA Today's 2026, ten best aquariums in the country. I would like to make the presentation on July 16, regular session.

Alan Clendenin

5:52:33PM I have a motion from Councilman Miranda. Second from Councilman Viera. All those in favor say aye. Actually, that was July 16. We just filled it up. Motion to waive the rules if we do that.

Lynn Hurtak

5:52:51PM We could do the 30th.

Charlie Miranda

5:52:59PM If They show up, They show up. [ laughter ]

Alan Clendenin

5:53:06PM I can be that person that comes up and accepts in their honor. Hey, roger.

Martin Shelby

5:53:12PM 30th is the Budget Presentation. You just set that, right?

Alan Clendenin

5:53:17PM And presentation. Ten minutes max. We have a motion from Councilman Miranda to provide a commendation for the aquarium on July 30th. Second from Councilman Viera. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Charlie Miranda

5:53:31PM Last one, I would like to make a motion to present a commendation on July 30th regular session to Mr. Doug Trent, City Of Tampa resident, former employee of the City Of Tampa and u.s. Navy veteran who just recently celebrated his 99th birthday at Forest Hills.

Lynn Hurtak

5:53:49PM We got to meet him.

Alan Clendenin

5:53:50PM That would be --

Lynn Hurtak

5:53:52PM He's like driving himself.

Alan Clendenin

5:53:55PM That's three -- that is one presentation and two commendations. I have a motion from Councilman Miranda. A second from Councilman Maniscalco. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it.

Charlie Miranda

5:54:09PM And that's it.

Luis Viera

5:54:11PM Mr. Chairman, May I?

Alan Clendenin

5:54:14PM I have a question, Mr. Shelby, about that Rule you quoted about Litigation. Am I just being out there when I said every dang thing we discuss on council is subject to Litigation?

Martin Shelby

5:54:27PM I prefer to have this discussion with you off line. I could have sworn I heard several people talk about Litigation relative to signage today.

Alan Clendenin

5:54:36PM We get threatened with Litigation on everything we do.

Lynn Hurtak

5:54:39PM The rule is you need to have legal present --

Martin Shelby

5:54:47PM It's both Counsel frankly.

Alan Clendenin

5:54:50PM I'll talk about it off-line.

Lynn Hurtak

5:54:52PM Isn't that the rule, Mr. Shelby, it should be legal City Staff legal.

Martin Shelby

5:54:59PM It says you should not without the concurrence of Counsel. If you don't have the concurrence of Counsel, and we've heard this before, that if you act against the advice of your attorneys, you might find yourself in a situation that you might not want to be in.

Alan Clendenin

5:55:16PM Can you tell me what the background on that was, how that rule is implemented?

Martin Shelby

5:55:22PM Yes, but it is approaching an hour into the meeting. What I would do, rather than have the conversation, we'll do it off-line.

Alan Clendenin

5:55:29PM I was going to do it for the benefit of everybody. But they don't have to know. Councilman Viera.

Luis Viera

5:55:34PM Next week, there's going to be an Administration Update, correct?

Alan Clendenin

5:55:40PM It's always on the schedule.

Luis Viera

5:55:41PM My motion is this, is to have Chief Bennett or whoever comes to discuss with us how we can until things work themselves out at ATU, a mechanism for an employee I guess it is of the quarter, whether -- I mean, my idea would be to have a -- talk about it, maybe we go department by department. One month this department, the other month -- but just to keep it going.

Alan Clendenin

5:56:13PM Unfortunately, because they are still a recognized bargaining unit, that would have to go through the -- the bargaining unit would have to bless it. It could not be an ATU and can't even include any of the bargaining members without it being negotiated. I'm assuming that was, as was read by you, kelly said that was transmitted from the representatives from the bargaining unit. And that kind of shuts everything down.

Luis Viera

5:56:42PM This wouldn't be under ATU --

Alan Clendenin

5:56:45PM But it can't even be there. So Labor Law, because ATU is the official representative that represents all of those Employees, you have to -- you can't do things unilaterally, management can't do anything unilaterally like that without going through ATU.

Luis Viera

5:57:04PM What i'll just do is I would ask that the administration -- i'll call up Chief Bennett on it. To talk about to the extent this can be done to address it next week. If it can't, turn out the lights, the party is over.

Alan Clendenin

5:57:20PM I know a little bit about Labor Law.

Luis Viera

5:57:23PM A lot more than I do. Thank you. Thank you, Sir.

Alan Clendenin

5:57:27PM Go ahead.

Bill Carlson

5:57:27PM Because of stories that have appeared in the afternoon, I want to give you all a heads-up since I can't talk to you outside of this. This morning I made a motion to take the rays' item off the agenda. Then reporters called me and asked me more about what I said. I want to tell you my perspective without the reports' filter. I think there are three different levels of engagement by City Council. There is the briefing passive, One Way Directional. And I think the administration offered that to all of us. I was out of the country when they offered it. That's where they tell us what was happening. The point i'm making is that as City Council, this is advocacy 101, as City Council, if you know you have to get four votes, somebody from the administration SIX months ago should have asked each of us what it would take for us to vote yes for a deal. You all can tell me now whether you were offered that or not. I was not. But when we get -- when the presentation is given to us, we knew what the deal was, especially SIX days before we were supposed to vote on it. But the point is that if we had concerns about it, somebody should have a conversation. I had a lot of discussions with the county and had a lot of discussions with the rays. The rays were very good about going back and forth. But somebody kept saying no to everything I proposed. The administration never reached out to me to ask me what would you like to see in the deal or what concerns would you have. Maybe in a second if you all want, you can say whether that happened or not. The second is the one that concerns me the most, the hundred million dollars which is the majority of what they wanted us to approve was from the CRA. The CRA is a separate entity. We are the board of the CRA. I think we should have LED the negotiation of it. And I knew that the administration was negotiating, but I never expected that they would negotiate that without getting consent from the board to talk about it. We can talk about this more next week, to my recollection, we never voted to say we designate the Chief of Staff as our person to negotiate and never gave him feedback. Nobody asked us what the CRA Board members would want in a deal. Anyway, think about that or you guys can respond to it. I want to separate a briefing from active engagement. When you talk about the CRA, we're in charge, the buck stops with us. If somebody doesn't like the deal, it is hundred percent our fault and not the mayor, even though the mayor's people negotiated and we weren't involved, as far as I know. Were you all involved in negotiations? Not a briefing, a negotiation. You were involved, there was a public safety aspect that came through. Everything I suggested to the rays was rejected.

Alan Clendenin

6:00:11PM Councilwoman Hurtak.

Lynn Hurtak

6:00:13PM What you said is what happened with me, too. We weren't part of the negotiation. And I do think when we sit down as a CRA, it has to be part of our discussion because I would never have agreed to a hundred million dollars, especially in light of what just happened yesterday. But, no, I was called by media today, too, regarding something similar. Yeah, I really think that it does not make sense, and it's really unfortunate that the administration thought that they could bargain basically or negotiate for the CRA and that's just simply not the case. We are responsible for that money. We are responsible for any decision that comes out of a CRA. And it doesn't sound like they are willing to negotiate any more, but if they are, we should be at that table for it.

Alan Clendenin

6:01:09PM One, I would caution taking one clip from the news media as official position of an organization, especially on such a consequential deal. I think that one quote from ken has been greatly exaggerated or taken out of context. But on -- no, I was not part. I kept myself apprised of everything that was happening because I was making those phone calls. I called the County Representatives. I called City Staff. Obviously, I took my position on the TSA seriously as well and, of course, being chair, I felt there was --

Bill Carlson

6:01:46PM But the Administration never asked you what would you want to be in a deal or not in a deal.

Charlie Miranda

6:01:51PM We don't negotiate that.

Alan Clendenin

6:01:56PM I think you have to bifurcate the thing. One is the council's position. We're part of City Government and then the CRA thing. I think your point is very well taken. I would guess that everybody is kind of like, oh, maybe a little bit of regret on that stance.

Bill Carlson

6:02:14PM Because what happened, you all May -- charlie probably doesn't watch social media. People were making fun of City Council, how are you so stupid you don't know what the deal was. We can read about it in the Paper but we weren't part of the negotiation.

Alan Clendenin

6:02:28PM I think two different things. One, I want to remind people the nonbinding MOU that was reached did say reference the CRA portion of it. It was only the portion that was being developed that was going to be used to pay back the hundred million dollars. Not the general Drew Park CRA. So there was do no harm -- in fact, only benefit because the development would have bled into the CRA which would have increased the TIF. But nobody outside of that 120 acres was going to be paying for the $100 million. That was only being paid back by the portion that was being developed and that money would not have materialized if it wasn't developed. And they had a backstop on that of paying rent in lieu of that payment. So if they say they didn't build on schedule, they were backstopping that amount of money. Again, this is all discussion that doesn't need to happen tonight. I promised everybody we would be out in 15 minutes. Point taken on the CRA, that is not a part of the administration and there probably should have been discussion. My only question is, I guess we could have had a meeting and anointed somebody to negotiate on our behalf. You can't negotiate with seven people.

Lynn Hurtak

6:03:41PM Yes, you can. That's the only option.

Bill Carlson

6:03:44PM I talked to Bonnie Wise and talked to five of the county commissioners. What they do is she talks to each one of them and then when she thinks she has four votes, she brings something before them. What this administration does, they don't care. They'll put things in front of us to dare us to vote no. Like the mayor said the other day, I can't believe anybody would be stupid enough to vote against this. It shouldn't be a political thing. It should be a discussion or a negotiation. But the CRA is more like the county. We're not sitting as City Council. The charter allows the mayor to negotiate contracts for the city but not the CRA.

Alan Clendenin

6:04:21PM How would you see that happening -- again, for tomorrow -- let's take the rays out of it. We have another thing that has to be negotiated with the CRA. How does that work mechanically? Educate me.

Bill Carlson

6:04:36PM Cedric was not involved either.

Alan Clendenin

6:04:38PM Is he authorized to negotiate on behalf --

Bill Carlson

6:04:41PM He is the Executive Director of the CRA. He should have been involved. What ideally would happen, whoever is in cedric's position should be going to each of us. They can't compare notes and share information but they should go to each of us and talk about what we would want and not want in a deal and they take it back and separately we can talk to the rays. If the administration wants to appoint the Chief of Staff to be the negotiator, then they need to come to us and ask our permission to do it.

Lynn Hurtak

6:05:08PM Cedric does not have the time to negotiate. I don't think that is a good idea.

Alan Clendenin

6:05:13PM That's not on -- we don't need to talk about that tonight. This is the final word.

Charlie Miranda

6:05:19PM I'm not going to say the final word. Somebody else -- last words. What i'm saying is this, They understand what They were doing. We understand what we were doing. The problem is They didn't factually say it exactly how we thought They would say it. They leave out 122 acres that's worth over half a billion dollars, 500 million. Like it's not -- 55%, They are not, because that land that They are getting and didn't count the 50 million They received from the State Government. From Tallahassee. They got that 50 million, that's what the Paper said. When you -- all those things, who is right and who is wrong? I don't know. You're right, said 7-0, should have passed 7-0. I told her a week before I was not going to vote. It should have been 6-0.

Alan Clendenin

6:06:14PM Unless they were racing horses.

Charlie Miranda

6:06:16PM Then 7-0.

Alan Clendenin

6:06:18PM Motion to receive and file by Councilman Maniscalco. Second by Councilman Viera. All in favor, aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Thank you very much. [ sounding gavel ] 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. ▶ meeting video the information contained in these pages represents an unedited version of realtime captioning which should neither be relied upon for complete accuracy nor used as a Verbatim Transcript. Persons requiring a Verbatim Transcript May need to hire a Court Reporter. © - City Of Tampa (813) 274-8211