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Public comment continues to be well attended. This week there were strong words directed at Council member Clendenin. TB Times covers this Tampa City Council member criticized for racial comment

Item 1 was to be an update about the Jackson House, but it was continued, again. Coverage on the story in TB Times– Why Jackson House is still not being restored. The details are murky but the foundation seems hesitant to sign a “mystery” agreement with the parking company.

item 2 was a request of the Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee to help with the decision that is up to Council. Their compensation. At the end of the meeting before new business the topic was picked back up and it sounds like Council might have a majority to approve increasing Council salary. This is as much for Council members now as it is about opening up the opportunity for more people to be able to to commit full time to the position in the future and not need to rely on personal wealth to be a Council member.

Item 47 Was a review hearing of a Variance Review Board decision to grant a waiver for 2 grand tree removals. As I mentioned in the preview, I expected Council to overturn the waiver. On a 6-0 vote with Carlson absent Council overturned the VRB decision determining there was no hardship. I’m not going to get into great detail, but Council should afford all registered agents the same respect and should not allow anyone to comment on where they live in relation to a project. There are plenty of registered agents that represent on both sides of issues that do not live near a project nor are they lawyers. As long as city legal has determined the applicant is qualified and that the proper paperwork has been submitted for the registered agent, that should be the end of it.

item 48 was continued again as it was a tie vote last time and Council member Carlson was unavailable to vote.

item 49 was the original development agreement for University Park. That has been withdrawn and item 50 is its replacement. However, the changes are substantial enough that the item needs to go back to first reading and was continued. I asked in the preview if concerns of USF were addressed and it seems those was the substantial changes.

Item 52 was the companion item from a FDOT grant Council approved two weeks prior. The folks in South Tampa are very worried about the project disruption coming to their part of town. Staff made clear that the design of the project has not started, and that they will communicate with Council and the public at milestones of 30, 60 and 90 percent and would present a final design. It also sounded like parts of the neighborhood that would be most affected by construction but see the least flooding relief will be getting some attention to mitigate the inconvenience.

item 55 Council approved the $14 million dollar wrongful conviction settlement. TB Times with coverage. I double checked and we keep a certain amount of reserve funds for “claims and judgments” so this should not affect any currently budgeted projects.

items 57 & 58 Related to response times in various parts of the city and what we are doing about it. Chief Tripp has briefed Council numerous times on these subjects and one of the major points is that while the City has budgeted and already paid for new vehicles, there was a long lead time on delivery. Friday the City announced 8 of those vehicles have been delivered.

item 59 I have written and talked about this topic at length. A reimbursement resolution for the approved bonding of Capital Improvement Projects for Tampa Fire Rescue. Specifically 4 new fire stations and a relocation of fleet maintenance & supply. $116 million was approved in the 5 year CIP plan with $20 million of that in FY24. Council has decided to not go forward with bonding stations 6, 9 and 10 at this time. And while money is technically still budgeted this fiscal year for 2 of those stations, there will be no funding source and they will not be moving forward unless the Admin or Council finds the money. The biggest unfunded piece would be $5.75 million for land acquisition for station 6. $650,000 for temporary improvements to station 9 I suspect can be found in a cushion somewhere. They found $425,000 for a traffic light a couple of weeks ago. Mark my words however—this vote will come back to haunt Council. This was all on them. The Admin has never stated publicly they were on board with changing the plan and if that wasn’t evident, then be sure that CFO Rogero choses his words very carefully and when this item came up, he made sure to state “as requested by Council.”

Item 61 was finally heard before Council. One thing that was made clear by staff—this ongoing work has been solely focused on parking lots that are designated as parking as primary use. Paid parking. Council approved the recommendations and a draft ordinance will be coming back before Council in a couple of weeks for first reading. Expect the next phase of this to focus on enforcing businesses who try and use their parking lots after they close. Technically your lot closes with your business and should be closed off from access.

Item 62 was in relation to credit card fees the City currently eats the cost of to the tune of $4 million a year across all departments. Council approved moving forward with charging a 2% transaction fee that should recoup those costs. Note, this includes enterprise funds like water and garbage so it won’t mean there’s $4 million to put towards a pet project. I believe the breakdown was 50/50 general fund vs enterprise. Still, $2 million is a lot when you start looking at unencumbered general revenue funds. That could be four parks that get the repairs and upgrades they need.

Items 63 and 64 relate to development agreements and accountability. An ordinance will be coming back to Council that will require developers to self report on compliance with safeguards to protect the city from failure to report or comply.

Item 65 has been continued multiple times and didn’t require formal action but it finally made it before Council. In two weeks Council will be having another workshop focused on housing so this will be discussed further then.