Webapps.hillsboroughcounty.org
CAPTIONING
JULY 16, 2014
BOCC REGULAR MEETING
MORNING SESSION
***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the ***following meeting. It should be used for informational ***purposes only. This document has not been edited; ***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words ***that did not translate.
>>MARK SHARPE: GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO EVERYONE.
TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 16th, AND THIS IS A MEETING OF YOUR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN INCREDIBLY SPECIAL BEGINNING, AND COMMISSIONER MILLER IS GOING TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION.
WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE RISE.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: GOOD MORNING.
I WILL GIVE THE PLEDGE, AND THE INVOCATION WILL BE GIVEN BY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S POET LAUREATE, MR. E. JAMES TOKLEY FOLLOWING THE PLEDGE.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
MR. TOKLEY.
>> "THE COVENANT."
ANOINTED PEOPLE'S CHOICE, YOU RISE INTENT TO EARN YOUR ROOM AND BOARD, THIS MORNING WITH UPLIFTED EYES AND THE PEOPLE'S VOICE ON THEIR ACCORD, COMMISSIONED THUS, WHEREIN WE STAND AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE IN GOOD HEALTH, OUR SHELTERED HEARTS BY OUR RIGHT HANDS, WE CHAMPION THIS COMMONWEALTH.
AND BY SUCH LOYALTY, WE PRAY BE SAVED FROM CHANCE OR DISARRAY BUT BE DELIVERED FROM THE STARK, IMPENDING SHADOWS OF THE DARK!
INVOKE, THEREFORE, UPON THIS MORN AND FUTURE DAYS, A DAY NEW-BORN WHERE DREAMS UNTRIED, THE LIGHT MAY SEE IN THE NAME OF A FREE SOCIETY/A COMMUNITY BATHED IN THE RAYS OF THE SUN WHO DOES NOT FEAR WHAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE BUT TREATS ITS CONSTITUENTS, HEART AND SOUL AS IF THEY TOO WERE MADE OF GOLD!
IN THE NAMES OF ALL WHO WE HOLD DEAR BY THE PUBLIC WILL THAT WELCOMES US HERE AND HOLDS US HUMBLY TO THIS DEBT, WE RENEW OUR PLEDGE, LEST WE FORGET!
>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MR. TOKLEY.
>>MARK SHARPE: YOU MAY BE SEATED.
WE BEGIN THIS MORNING WITH A PRESENTATION BY COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
THIS MORNING AND EVERY YEAR WE GET THE REALLY DISTINCT PLEASURE OF RECOGNIZING DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY, AND SANDRA SROKA IS HERE REPRESENTING, SHE IS OUR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ADA LIAISON; BEN RITTER, WHO IS HERE, HE IS THE COCHAIR OF THE MAYOR'S ALLIANCE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; CARRIE SHELTON WITH THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION; GLORIE SINGLETON, AND SHE IS HERE FROM THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE AND RECOGNIZE THIS 24th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND TO INVITE RESIDENTS TO ATTEND THE 2014 DISABILITY EXPO AWARDS CEREMONY AND PUBLIC FORUM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 23rd, HERE AT THE COUNTY CENTER FROM 9:00 TO 2:00, FOR THE LISTENING PUBLIC.
THE EXPO THEME IS BUILDING ACCESS -- AND WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS -- AND BREAKING BARRIERS.
EMPHASIZES PHYSICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL GAINS FOR THOSE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CAREGIVERS CAN CHALLENGE AN OBSTACLE COURSE AS WELL AS PERUSE A VARIETY OF VENDOR EXHIBITS FEATURING ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES, SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
THE ADVOCACY AWARDS AND FORUM WILL TAKE PLACE THAT DAY FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 11:15 ON THE 26th FLOOR OF THE COUNTY CENTER, AND, OF COURSE, THEY WOULD LIKE EVERYBODY TO COME AND JOIN THEM IN THE CEREMONY.
BUT I DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY THAT I'D LIKE TO PRESENT TO SANDRA AND BEN AND THE GROUP.
WHEREAS, ON JULY 26th, 1990, PRESIDENT GEORGE H. W. BUSH SIGNED INTO LAW THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT TO ENSURE THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; WHEREAS, THIS HISTORIC LEGISLATION ESTABLISHED A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL MANDATE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; WHEREAS, THE ADA HAS EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES BY REDUCING BARRIERS, SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS, AND INCREASING FULL PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIFE; AND WHEREAS, THE FULL PROMISE OF THE ADA WILL ONLY BE REALIZED IF ALL SECTORS OF EVERY COMMUNITY NOT ONLY COMPLY WITH ADA REGULATIONS BUT ALSO EMBRACE THE CULTURAL CHANGE OF INCLUSION AND ACCEPTANCE BROUGHT ON AND ABOUT BY THE ADA; WHEREAS, THROUGH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STRIVES TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROMOTING EQUAL ACCESS TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES, AND BY SHOWCASING -- SHOWCASING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALL HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S CITIZENS.
SO, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY SET ASIDE JULY 23rd, 2014, AS DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY, AND URGES RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE THIS 24th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BY INCREASING THEIR AWARENESS OF DISABILITY-RELATED ISSUES AND MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUALITY, TO CELEBRATE THE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ADVOCATED FOR INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND, OF COURSE, IT'S SIGNED BY ALL SEVEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
SANDRA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS?
AND I'LL PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
>>SANDRA SROKA: THANK YOU.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: HE'S GOT THE MICROPHONE TOO.
WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THAT?
>>SANDRA SROKA: THANK YOU.
WE HAVE AN ACCESSIBLE PODIUM TOO.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: YES, WE DO.
[APPLAUSE]
>>SANDRA SROKA: AND WE SHOULD COMMEND OUR COMMISSIONERS FOR DOING THAT MANY YEARS AGO.
THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND REALLY ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALLIANCE AND THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO EVERY DAY TO PROMOTE ACCESS FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE, WHETHER IT'S WORK, PLAY, EDUCATION, OR WHATEVER.
THANK YOU AGAIN, AND I HOPE ALL OF YOU COME NEXT WEEK.
IT'S A FUN EXPERIENCE.
I JUST MET SOMEONE HERE THIS MORNING WHO HAD ATTENDED LAST YEAR AND WAS SAYING HOW GREAT IT WAS, SO I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE.
PLEASE TRY TO STOP BY.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>SANDRA MURMAN: [INAUDIBLE]
COME UP HERE AND TAKE A PICTURE.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
>>RUSLANA PANOV: OKAY.
STAND BY.
ONE MORE TIME.
ONE MORE TIME.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: I HAVE THE HONOR OF MAKING A PRESENTATION.
WOULD THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TAMPA BAY WAVED PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MS. OLSON, I SEE YOU BACK THERE, AND OTHERS WITH THE VERY EXCITING WAVE, AND ANYBODY WHO'S AFFILIATED OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THIS EVENT.
MR. GOLDBERG, WELCOME, SIR.
ALFRED.
COME ON UP TO THE PODIUM.
I'M GOING TO LET YOU STAND AT THE PODIUM.
I'VE GOT YOUR WEB PAGE UP.
I LOVE THE TAMPA BAY WAVE.
IT'S A -- BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS, TAMPA BAY'S COOLEST RESOURCE CENTER FOR BUILDING, LAUNCHING, AND GROWING TECH VENTURES.
THE MAYOR OF OUR GREAT CITY IS IN CALIFORNIA, AND HE'S TALKING ABOUT HOW THE DNA OF TAMPA BAY IS CHANGING AND HOW WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE REALLY EXCITING COMPANIES SPRINGING UP HERE IN TAMPA BAY THAT YOU REALLY USED TO READ ABOUT, WELL, IN OTHER NEWSPAPERS, OR SOMEONE WITH A REALLY COOL IDEA FOR A COMPANY, LIKE WIKIPEDIA, WOULD TAKE THAT IDEA AND GO ELSEWHERE TO GROW IT, AND I REALLY GIVE GREAT CREDIT TO LINDSEY KIMBALL, STEPHANIE ASHLEY.
I SEE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA WHO WORKED VERY CLOSELY -- MS. PLANT AND OTHERS, WHO WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH THE WAVE TO PUT IT IN A WONDERFUL PLACE RIGHT NOW WHERE IT SITS AT THE SYKES BUILDING.
IT'S ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, BUT THEY -- BUT THEY TOOK A REALLY GREAT IDEA AND THEY'VE GROWN IT AND -- AND IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL, AND WE'VE GOT -- YOU GO THERE -- IT'S LIKE WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT MOSI AND I SEE LOTS AND LOTS OF KIDS.
WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE SYKES BUILDING, YOU SEE ENTREPRENEURS EVERYWHERE, A BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT, AND NOW WE KNOW THAT THE COMPANIES AND -- THAT WE WANT ARE GOING TO BE HERE AND THE KIDS WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM SCHOOL ARE GOING TO BE HERE AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AND WORK FOR THESE GREAT COMPANIES.
SO LET ME READ THIS PROCLAMATION, AND THEN I'LL GIVE MS. OLSON, WHO I KNOW -- YOU MOVED MOUNTAINS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION AWARDED TO TAMPA BAY WAVE.
THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COMMENDS THE TAMPA BAY WAVE FOR EXCEEDING $5 MILLION OF OUTSIDE CAPITAL RAISED BY CLIENT COMPANIES.
A TRUE "BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS" ORGANIZATION, THEY SUPPORT APPROXIMATELY 150 DIFFERENT LOCAL TECH VENTURES FUNDED BY THE AREA'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS INVESTORS.
BUSINESS INCUBATION AND ACCELERATION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE QUEST TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY BY EVOLVING OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM.
THE TAMPA BAY WAVE'S BUILD-LAUNCH-GROW FRAMEWORK SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THE NEEDS THAT EARLY-STAGE COMPANIES HAVE IN EACH PHASE OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THANKS THE TAMPA BAY WAVE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE NURTURING, DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH, AND SUCCESS OF STARTUP COMPANIES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
IT WAS AWARDED THIS 16th DAY OF JULY, SIGNED BY ALL SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
I'M GOING TO BRING IT DOWN TO YOU, AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. GOLDBERG, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE, WENDY, STEPHANIE, WHO IS TAKING ON AN EXCITING NEW VENTURE, AND OUR GREAT TEAM HERE AT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WHO ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE TECH SOMETHING THAT'S A PART OF OUR OWN DNA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
I PUT MY THOUGHTS ON PAPER BECAUSE SPEAKING OFF-THE-CUFF IS NOT ONE OF MY STRENGTHS.
ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE AT TAMPA BAY WAVE, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE ENTIRE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER SHARPE, AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FOR THIS SPECIAL MOMENT.
IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE WORK WE DO.
AS YOU SAID, TO MOVE MOUNTAINS REQUIRES A TEAM EFFORT, AND I'M SO FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH A TALENTED AND DEDICATED TEAM OF STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, MENTORS, AND JUST COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
WHEN WE STARTED WAVE SIX YEARS AGO, WE WERE JUST A SMALL GROUP OF TECH ENTREPRENEURS WHO NEEDED A PEER NETWORK FOR OUR RATHER ANEMIC ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE I FOUND THAT I HAD PEERS IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO NO LONGER WANTED TO ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO AND WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE THIS WHOLE REGION A BETTER PLACE FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND TECH STARTUPS.
I'M SO PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE BUILT SO FAR, AND I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR FUTURE.
AS COMMISSIONER SHARPE SAID, WE TRULY HAVE SOME BREAKOUT COMPANIES IN THE MAKING FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, JUST YOU WAIT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AS WELL FOR THE AMAZING SUPPORT THEY HAVE PROVIDED ALL ALONG AND CONTINUE TO DO SO.
WITHOUT USF AND DR. SANDBERG'S AMAZING TEAM AT THE USF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION GROUP AND USF CONNECT, WE WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE TODAY.
AND MOST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE TALENTED AND AMBITIOUS TECH ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUPS THAT ARE HERE IN TAMPA BAY.
WITHOUT THEIR HARD WORK, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TALKING ABOUT THESE METRICS THAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
COMMISSIONER SHARPE, I'M SO PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT THE NUMBER IS NOT $5 MILLION ANYMORE.
I THINK THERE WAS A STORY IN THE BUSINESS JOURNAL YESTERDAY THAT HAS MADE OUR NUMBER THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSIDE CAPITAL RAISED BY OUR TECH STARTUPS TO $8.4 MILLION.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: WOW, THAT'S GREAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> TO DATE, THE COMPANIES IN OUR PROGRAM HAVE CREATED MORE THAN 200 JOBS FOR THE REGION, AND THIS IS WITH THE FIRST WAVE PROGRAM THAT WE LAUNCHED IN MARCH OF 2013.
SO ANYWAYS, I THINK WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD JUST ECHO EVERYTHING LINDA SAID.
I STARTED MY BUSINESS HERE IN TAMPA -- I'M A THIRD-GENERATION TAMPANIAN -- 15 YEARS AGO, AND IF THERE WAS THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT WE SAW TODAY 15 YEARS AGO, WIKIPEDIA WOULD STILL BE HERE AND A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPANIES, SO I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE ENTIRE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR GETTING BEHIND AND SUPPORTING TECH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE BAY AREA.
THANK YOU ALL.
[APPLAUSE]
>>RUSLANA PANOV: STAND BY.
ONE MORE TIME.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: AND I ALSO HAVE THE HONOR, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONERS, OF RECOGNIZING OUR ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
CHIP, DO YOU WANT TO GO TO THE PODIUM, OR DO YOU -- WOULD YOU LIKE TO -- WHY DON'T YOU GO TO THE PODIUM AND BRING YOUR ESTEEMED GROUP FORWARD.
THEY RECEIVED THE 2014 FLORIDA BAR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PROMOTION OF BOARD CERTIFICATION, WHICH RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE AND CREATIVITY IN ADVANCING THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE OF AND APPRECIATION FOR LEGAL BOARD CERTIFICATION.
WOW, WHAT A TEAM.
I JUST WANT TO SAY -- I'VE GOT MY TALKING POINTS, BUT MOST PEOPLE -- I HATE TALKING TO THE TALKING POINTS.
I JUST WANT TO -- I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS FABULOUS GROUP OF ATTORNEYS WHO, AT TIMES, ARE THE BUTT OF JOKES.
[LAUGHTER]
BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE, IN THIS WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN, COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR WORK, AND WHEN YOU CAN SPEAK WITH ALL YOUR LEGAL KNOWLEDGE IN A CLEAR MANNER SO THAT WE, THE BOARD AND STAFF, CAN UNDERSTAND, THE CITIZENS CAN UNDERSTAND, AND WE CAN CONVEY THE VALUE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW, DESPITE ALL OF OUR DIFFERENCES, DESPITE ALL OF OUR HEAT AND ANGER AND ANIMOSITY AT TIMES, UNDER THE LAW ALL EQUAL, UNDER THE LAW, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KIND OF ARE ON THAT SAME PLAYING FIELD, AND I TELL YOU, YOU DO YOUR JOBS SO WELL.
YOU DO YOUR JOBS SO WELL, AND WHEN -- AND THERE -- AND WE'VE HAD THOSE INSTANCES, AND I'VE EXPERIENCED THEM AT TIMES, WHERE IT HASN'T BEEN SO CLEAR, AND SO I WILL STATE THAT WHEN YOU WALK INTO MY OFFICE, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT YOU THINK I MIGHT WANT TO HEAR OR WE MIGHT WANT TO BELIEVE, WHEN YOU SIT DOWN AND YOU JUST CLEARLY ARTICULATE WHAT THE LAW STATES, HERE'S WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO, YOU KEEP US OUT OF TROUBLE, YOU PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF THIS COUNTY, AND -- AND YOU DO IT IN SUCH A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, AND I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HONORED I AM PERSONALLY TO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOU, AND I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE SERVICE YOU PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS AND THE -- OF THE CITIZENS AND OUR -- AND OUR MONEY, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
MR. FLETCHER.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
FIRST, ONE THING I'D LIKE TO DO IS RECOGNIZE THAT THE AWARD WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE FLORIDA BAR IS REALLY THE RESULT OF A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT IN THE OFFICE TO BOARD CERTIFICATION.
BOARD CERTIFICATION IS A PROCESS A LAWYER GOES THROUGH WHERE THEY DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE, TAKE A TEST TYPICALLY, AND GO THROUGH A VETTING PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE THE TOP IN THEIR -- THEIR FIELD.
WE'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT AREAS IN WHICH LAWYERS IN OUR OFFICE ARE BOARD CERTIFIED, AND THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THIS FOR -- FOR DECADES, REALLY, AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK THIS BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US IN THE LAST COUPLE BUDGET CYCLES TO BE ABLE TO REEMPHASIZE THAT AND HOPEFULLY ADD A FEW MORE ATTORNEYS IN OUR OFFICE TO THE RANKS OF THE BOARD CERTIFIED.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT TIME AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND WE ARE REINVIGORATED TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION WITHIN THE OFFICE.
I'D LIKE TO JUST LIST THE LAWYERS IN OUR OFFICE THAT ARE BOARD CERTIFIED -- ABOUT HALF OF OUR LAWYERS ARE BOARD CERTIFIED AT THIS POINT -- AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HILLSBOROUGH BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE FLORIDA BAR THAT ARE HERE AS WELL.
TO START WITH, IN OUR OFFICE WE HAVE CHRISTINE BECK, ROB BRAZEL, DEBORA CROMARTIE-MINCEY, HANK ENNIS, MARY HELEN FARRIS, SUSAN FERNANDEZ, DANIELLE GREEN, RUDY HAIDERMOTA, CINDY OSTER, ORLANDO PEREZ, ROSEMARY PERFIT, JENNIE TARR, MYSELF, AND DEBBIE BLEWS AS WELL ARE ALL BOARD CERTIFIED IN VARIOUS AREAS.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE DEBBIE FOR BEING THE FORCE BEHIND APPLYING FOR THIS AWARD.
IT'S NOT PROVIDED EVERY YEAR, AND SHE WAS THE ENERGY IN OUR OFFICE TO GET THIS PROCESS DONE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE BILL SCHIFINO FROM THE FLORIDA BAR, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, JOHN KYNES WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, AND KEVIN McLAUGHLIN WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, WHO ARE HERE TODAY.
AND IF I'VE MISSED ANYBODY, I APOLOGIZE.
THOSE ARE THE ONES IN THE AUDIENCE THAT I DID -- THAT I DID RECOGNIZE HERE TODAY.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS TIME, THIS RECOGNITION.
I APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU TO THE FLORIDA BAR FOR RECOGNIZING OUR COMMITMENT TO BOARD CERTIFICATION.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO HAVE THAT RECOGNITION.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. FLETCHER.
WE HAVE THREE SPEAKERS, AND THEN I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
AND MR. CHAIR, I THINK YOU PUT A LOT OF THOSE COMMENTS CORRECTLY IN PERSPECTIVE FROM HOW OUR ATTORNEYS REPRESENT THIS ORGANIZATION, BUT I ALSO WANT TO REFLECT BACK AS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I'VE SPENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ESPECIALLY OF RECENT, AND HAVE SAT DOWN WITH ATTORNEYS IN OTHER LAW FIRMS.
I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO RECOGNIZE AND HEAR THE RESPECT THAT YOU HAVE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR --
>>CHIP FLETCHER: YES.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: -- AND ESPECIALLY SPEAKING WITH SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVER THE YEARS AND NOW ARE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR IN OTHER PLACES SPEAK SO HIGHLY OF THE CALIBER OF TALENT THAT IS WITHINSIDE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
MANY HAVE RECOGNIZED THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS GONE THROUGH AND THE OTHER CHANGES THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS GONE THROUGH, BUT ALL OF THEM HAVE ALWAYS SPOKE IN HIGH REGARD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT THEY'VE SERVED WITH OVER THE YEARS.
SO DO RECOGNIZE THAT YOU'RE NOT ONLY RECOGNIZED HERE FOR YOUR TALENT AND YOUR LEADERSHIP, BUT YOU'RE ALSO RECOGNIZED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
AND CHIP, YOU'VE ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL AS -- FROM THEIR VIEWPOINT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN YOUR SHORT TENURE HERE, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL AND CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER CRIST.
>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
DITTO ON THAT.
THE RESPECT THAT YOU HAVE EARNED FROM OUR LEGAL COMMUNITY IS SECOND TO NONE.
IN THE 35 YEARS OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE, I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A LOT OF ATTORNEYS, EITHER SUING, BEING SUED --
[LAUGHTER]
-- GETTING OUT OF TROUBLE, MAKING TROUBLE --
[LAUGHTER]
-- WRITING LAWS, INTERPRETING LAWS, IMPLEMENTING LAWS, AND I MUST SAY I'VE NEVER WORKED WITH A BETTER GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE.
I'VE KNOWN ONE OF YOU FOR OVER 42 YEARS, AND SHE HAS BEEN A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE SINCE THE DAY I MET HER IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU.
BUT CHIP, YOU KNOW, AS THE LEADER OF THE GROUP, WE MADE A VERY WISE DECISION IN YOU, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE REALLY DONE A GOOD JOB IN CROSS-TRAINING AND WORKING WITH ALL OF THE LEGAL TALENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE TO ENSURE THAT WE OPTIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE BEFORE US.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR US, AND THANK YOU.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER MILLER.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING MORE THAN WHAT'S BEEN SAID HERE.
I'VE WORKED WITH ATTORNEYS, YOU KNOW, 14 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, UP THERE WHEN YOU'RE WRITING LAWS AND DEALING WITH ATTORNEYS AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE PROFESSIONALS, BUT WHEN I CAME HERE TO THE COUNTY AND STARTED WORKING WITH YOU -- SOME OF YOU, I REALIZED THAT YOU ARE TOP-NOTCH.
SOME OF YOU I WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH, TO THE POINT THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BROUGHT FORTH AND THEY WENT DOWN IN FLAMES, THE TEARS WAS IN YOUR EYES JUST LIKE IT WAS IN MINE, AND SHE KNOWS WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT, BUT I'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH SOME OF YOU.
I'VE CALLED, ASKED QUESTIONS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE I DID THE RIGHT THING TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
DID THAT LAST WEEK, RIGHT, HANK?
BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE CAME HERE, THERE WAS SOME -- SOME JOKES ABOUT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND I CAME HERE AND FOUND THAT TO BE ABSOLUTELY WRONG.
WE COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, AND CHIP, WHEN YOU CAME ONBOARD HERE -- I TELL YOU THIS STORY ALL THE TIME.
WHEN CHIP WAS -- WE WERE LOOKING FOR A COUNTY ATTORNEY, I WENT HOME AND MY WIFE AND I WERE HAVING DINNER AT THE TABLE, WHICH WE VERY SELDOM DO AT TIMES BECAUSE OF OUR SCHEDULES, AND SHE HAD WORKED WITH CHIP NOT ONLY AS THE CITY ATTORNEY BUT SERVED WITH HIM ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AND SHE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE TOMORROW; RIGHT?
AND I WENT, ABOUT WHAT?
SHE SAID, YOU'RE GOING TO HIRE CHIP FLETCHER; RIGHT?
[LAUGHTER]
AND I SAID, YES, MA'AM.
[LAUGHTER]
SO -- BUT THAT WAS NOT THE REASON WHY.
CHIP, YOU BROUGHT YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND YOUR DEMEANOR HERE THAT JUST CAME IN AND MADE THIS -- THIS -- YOUR OFFICE A JEWEL, AND YOU'RE DESERVING OF THIS AWARD, AND I KNOW THERE'S MANY, MANY MORE TO COME, AND JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS -- NOT ONLY FOR US AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUT FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY.
JOB WELL DONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MILLER.
COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.
THANK YOU.
THIS IS PART 2 OF THE RECOGNITION TODAY.
COMMISSIONER SHARPE ASKED ME TO PRESENT THIS.
IT'S A COMMENDATION FOR YOU RECEIVING THE AWARD.
I'LL GET THIS FRAMED FOR YOU TOO.
ANYWAY, IT DOES SAY, CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION AWARDED TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COMMENDS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR ITS DILIGENCE IN EMBRACING THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EVALUATED FOR PROFESSIONALISM AND TESTED FOR EXPERTISE.
GOOD WORDS.
AS SUCH, WE CONGRATULATE THE OFFICE FOR ITS RECEIPT OF THE 2014 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PROMOTION OF BOARD CERTIFICATION FROM THE FLORIDA BAR BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION AND EDUCATION.
BOARD CERTIFICATION IS A CAPSTONE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF A LEGAL CAREER.
A LAWYER WHO IS A MEMBER OF GOOD STANDING OF THE FLORIDA BAR, WHO MEETS THE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED BY THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT, IS ELIGIBLE TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN ONE OR MORE OF THE 24 CERTIFICATION FIELDS.
ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA BAR, 7% OF ELIGIBLE FLORIDA BAR MEMBERS, APPROXIMATELY 4600 LAWYERS, ARE BOARD CERTIFIED.
IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEARLY 50% OF THE ATTORNEYS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE BOARD CERTIFIED.
THAT IS A TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT.
AND TO BECOME CERTIFIED, AN ATTORNEY MUST COMPLETE A PEER REVIEW PROCESS, HAVE EXTENSIVE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, PASS A TEST TO DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE IN A SPECIALIZED AREA OF LAW.
MEMBERS OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE CERTIFIED IN CITY, COUNTY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW; LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW; AND STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE.
THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR MANY YEARS HAS BEEN A LEADER, PROPONENT OF BOARD CERTIFICATION AMONG GOVERNMENT LAW OFFICES.
TRUE TO ITS ACTIVISM, THE COUNTY OFFICE COVERS ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM, PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR ATTORNEYS WHO ACHIEVE BOARD CERTIFICATION.
WE COMMEND THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR ITS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BOARD CERTIFICATION AS A WAY TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN THE QUALITY AND CREDIBILITY OF PUBLIC LEGAL SERVICES THAT WE OFFER.
AND I JUST CONGRATULATE YOU.
SO MANY GREAT WORDS HAVE BEEN SPOKEN, BUT I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND DEBBIE BLEWS.
SHE HAS REALLY, YOU KNOW, IN HER SHORT 13-YEAR CAREER IN THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -- SHE JUST WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE HILLSBOROUGH ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS, VERY ACTIVE IN HISPANIC, I GUESS, LAWYERS GROUP, AND YOU HAVE -- I MEAN, THERE'S SO MANY ACCOLADES HERE.
YOU WERE -- HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE TOP GOVERNMENT NONPROFIT ATTORNEY IN FLORIDA TRENDS, FLORIDA LEGAL ELITE IN EVERY YEAR, 2011, '12, '13, AND '14.
I LOOK AT THE OTHER FEMALE ATTORNEYS HERE, AND I COMMEND ALL OF YOU.
NOTHING AGAINST YOU GUYS, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB TOO.
[LAUGHTER]
BUT -- BUT IT REALLY SPEAKS TO, AGAIN, THE DIVERSITY THAT YOU'VE BUILT IN THE ORGANIZATION, CHIP, AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.
AND DEBBIE, CONGRATULATIONS ON EVERYTHING YOU'VE ACHIEVED.
SO I'LL BRING THIS DOWN.
I'M SURE -- YOU WANT THEM TO COME UP FOR A PICTURE?
>>MARK SHARPE: YEAH, LET'S DO A PHOTO, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE CHANGES.
>> THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: COME ON FORWARD.
>>RUSLANA PANOV: CAN EVERYONE GET CLOSER TOGETHER, MAYBE MAKE TWO ROWS, PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
STAND BY.
ONE MORE TIME.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. MERRILL, WOULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA.
>>MIKE MERRILL: YES, COMMISSIONERS.
WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANGE.
THAT'S ITEM A-18.
THAT WAS REMOVED FROM CONSENT FOR DISCUSSION BY COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
THAT'S TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH THE FLORIDA NETWORK OF YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR WORKING WITH OUR RESIDENT YOUTH AT LAKE MAG.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR TIME CERTAIN.
BEGINNING AT 10:15, ITEM F-1, DISCUSS AMENDING THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES AND LAWS TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE COUNTY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTIFICATION IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, AND COUNTY CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT.
THAT'S COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S ITEM.
AT 10:45, ITEM F-2 IS TO RECEIVE AN ANNUAL UPDATE ON THE CHILDREN'S BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FROM KELLEY PARRIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
IT'S ALSO -- EXCUSE ME -- COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S ITEM.
11:00 A.M., G-3 IS A REPORT REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION MATERIALS ON PREVENTION OF DROWNING DEATHS.
11:15, E-2, SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY ED PEACHEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CAREERSOURCE TAMPA BAY, TO PRESENT THEIR QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT.
11:30, G-2 IS TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM CODE ENFORCEMENT REGARDING HOOKAH LOUNGES.
11:45, RECESS FOR LUNCH, RETURNING AT 1:30 WITH ITEM E-1, WHICH IS A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY ADRIENNE HORN OF MUSEUM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, INC., TO PRESENT HER FIRM'S ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
1:45, ITEM F-4 IS A PRESENTATION BY DON PORTER, HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL FEDERATION, VIVIAN SALAGA, AND JOHN TENNISON FROM ATELIER ARCHITECTURE, SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM PROJECT IN PLANT CITY.
THAT'S COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM'S ITEM.
2:00 P.M., WE HAVE TWO ITEMS.
B-7 IS A QUARTERLY UPDATE ON THE INTERNAL AUDITOR'S ACTIVITY FROM MICHELLE LEONHARDT, THE INTERNAL AUDITOR, AND COMPANION ITEM TO THAT IS B-6, WHICH IS THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL PROCESS FOR MICHELLE LEONHARDT.
LAST ITEM -- SCHEDULED ITEM IS 2:15, ITEM F-5, WHICH IS A REQUEST OF STAFF TO REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF FEATHER SIGNS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, INCLUDING THE IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION.
THAT'S COMMISSIONER MURMAN'S ITEM.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOVE THE CHANGES.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MURMAN TO MOVE THE CHANGES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO ENTER INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
WE'VE SET ASIDE 45 MINUTES.
WE'RE GOING TO ADHERE TO IT.
WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN AT 10:15.
WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK, BECAUSE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS IN EXCESS OF WHAT WE CAN GET IN THE THREE MINUTES, THAT IF WE COULD GO TO TWO MINUTES FROM PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I'LL ALSO ASK THAT YOU WOULD BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER, OF THE BOARD, AND IF YOU CAN, KEEP YOUR COMMENTS SHORT SO WE CAN GET EVERYONE IN.
OUR GOAL IS TO GET EVERYONE IN.
THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS IS IF WE CAN'T GET ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS IN IN THE MORNING, THEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY AT THE END OF THE DAY, SO I WOULD JUST ASK THAT IF YOU COULD -- THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE BOARD, SO WE RESPECT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND WANT TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS, BUT WE JUST WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN'T GET EVERYONE IN IN THE MORNING SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK IN THE AFTERNOON.
LET'S BEGIN WITH -- I'M GOING TO READ OUT THE THREE NAMES, AND THEN IF YOU'D JUST KIND OF QUEUE UP SO YOU'RE READY TO GO, JOHN DESMOND, TERRY KEMPLE, DARREN NESBERG, AND THEN MARK CULLIGAN.
SO LET'S START WITH MR. DESMOND, THEN MR. KEMPLE, DARREN NESBERG, AND MARK CULLIGAN.
WELCOME, MR. DESMOND.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS JOHN DESMOND.
I LIVE AT 3015 FOREST HAMMOCK DRIVE IN PLANT CITY, FLORIDA, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD, BUT TODAY I'M SPEAKING AS PRESIDENT OF THE TAMPA CHAPTER OF PFLAG, PARENTS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF OUR PFLAG SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND MOMS AND DADS AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, ALL OF WHICH SHARE ONE IMMUTABLE CHARACTERISTIC NOT OF THEIR CHOOSING AND BEYOND THEIR ABILITY TO CHANGE, AND THAT IS THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
NOW, MOST PEOPLE, GAY OR STRAIGHT, WHEN I TELL THEM THAT AN LGBT PERSON CAN LOSE THEIR EMPLOYMENT OR THEIR SHELTER IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY JUST FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE, THEY'RE -- THEY'RE AMAZED AND THEY'RE OUTRAGED, AND WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH THE FACT THAT 80% OF OUR POPULATION HAS A CLOSE FRIEND OR A FAMILY MEMBER OR A COLLEAGUE AT WORK WHO'S LGBT, IT BECOMES QUITE CLEAR WHY ATTITUDES ON THIS HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH SO QUICKLY.
NONE OF US WANT OUR LOVED ONES TO BE HARMED.
THERE'S NO BASIS TO DENY LGBT PEOPLE EMPLOYMENT OR HOUSING OR ACCESS TO THE MANY FACILITIES AND VENUES THAT THE REST OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED.
THE TIME HAS COME TO PUT ALL OF THIS BEHIND US, AND I'M ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY TO GIVE US AN AMENDMENT TO THE HRO THAT PROTECTS OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. DESMOND.
MR. KEMPLE, MR. NESBERG, MARK CULLIGAN, AND THEN RON PAUL WALDMILLER.
>> COMMISSIONERS, THE WAY F-1 IS BEING PRESENTED CREATES A FALSE IMPRESSION OF WHAT IT'S REALLY ABOUT.
IF YOU PASS THIS MEASURE, IT WILL RESULT IN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHRISTIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF FAITH AND DEEPLY HELD MORAL CONVICTION WHO BELIEVE THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS NOT NORMAL AND VIOLATES GOD'S MORAL PLAN.
YOU'LL BE DECIDING WHETHER YOU WANT TO USE THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO FORCE THEM TO CHOOSE BETWEEN OBEYING A BAD POLICY AND VIOLATING THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR CLOSING THEIR BUSINESSES, LIKE ELAINE'S PHOTOGRAPHY IN NEW MEXICO. THE CHRISTIAN COUPLE WHO OWNED ELAINE'S TOLD A SAME-SEX COUPLE WHO CAME IN TO HAVE THEIR COMMITMENT CEREMONY VIDEOED THAT THEIR BELIEFS WOULDN'T ALLOW THEM TO SHOOT THE VIDEO BUT SUGGESTED OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WOULD.
THE SAME-SEX COUPLE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NEW MEXICO HUMAN RIGHTS BOARD, AND ELAINE'S WAS FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING THE COUPLE'S RIGHTS BASED UPON A STATE HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO TAMPA'S.
ELAINE'S APPEALED ALL THE WAY TO THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT, WHERE THEY WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION.
THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT SAID TO ELAINE'S, IN EFFECT, THE SAME-SEX COUPLE'S SEXUAL PREFERENCES WERE MORE IMPORTANT IN NEW MEXICO THAN THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS AMERICA'S FOUNDERS FOUGHT AND DIED FOR AND PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION SO THEY WOULD NEVER BE LOST AGAIN.
THE FOUNDERS MUST BE ROLLING OVER IN THEIR GRAVES.
THE OWNERS OF ELAINE'S HAD A CHOICE OF KNUCKLING UNDER TO STATE DEMANDS THAT THEY VIOLATE THEIR BELIEFS OR CLOSING THEIR BUSINESS.
THEY CHOSE TO CLOSE THEIR BUSINESS.
ELAINE'S -- SO WHICH IS THE GREATER INJUSTICE, ELAINE'S OWNERS SAYING THEY COULDN'T SHOOT THE VIDEO AND SUGGESTING OTHER COMPANIES THAT WOULD OR THE STATE FORCING ELAINE'S TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS OR VIOLATE THEIR CONSCIENCE.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE DECISION YOU'RE MAKING HERE IS WHETHER AMERICA WAS FOUNDED --
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. KEMPLE.
>> -- BY PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY --
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
>> -- OR WANTED TO PROTECT SEXUAL PREFERENCE.
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. KEMPLE, SIR, I APOLOGIZE.
WE HAVE TO HOLD TO TWO MINUTES.
IT'S A LITTLE -- IT'S A LITTLE BEEPER.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR IT.
SORRY.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, SIR.
OKAY.
DARREN NESBERG, MARK CULLIGAN, RON PAUL WALDMILLER -- OKAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LITTLE WEIRD BIRD TWEET AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ANOTHER SOUND, SO WE HAVE TO JUST LISTEN CAREFULLY.
AND MR. KEMPLE, THANK YOU.
I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING YOU, SIR.
MR. NESBERGER, MR. CULLIGAN -- MR. CULLIGAN, AND THEN
MR. WALDMILLER.
WELCOME, SIR.
>> THANK YOU.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I SERVED IN THE MILITARY.
I THINK SERVICE IS A GREAT THING.
I'D LIKE TO START BY MAKING THE POINT THAT THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT DOES NOT LEGALLY REPRESENT SEXUAL PERSUASION, AND THAT'S NOT THE PURPOSE THAT IT WAS WRITTEN.
I THINK IT'S AN OFFENSE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SUFFERED BEFORE 1964 THAT THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT CAME INTO EXISTENCE TO PROTECT, AND I KNOW THIS IS TRUE.
MY CHURCH IS 90% BLACK.
MY PASTOR -- YOU KNOW PASTOR SMART -- FEELS THIS WAY.
MY SECOND POINT IS THAT I HOPE TO PERSUADE YOU TO CONSIDER YOUR OATH OF OFFICE WHEN YOU PASS THIS VOTE.
I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH.
I KNOW THAT OVER 80% OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS SELF-PROCLAIMED JUDEO-CHRISTIAN.
NOW, A JUDEO -- A CHRISTIAN CANNOT -- WELL, LET'S JUST SAY BEING A CHRISTIAN IS POLAR OPPOSITE TO THIS ORDINANCE.
AND I'M CERTAIN THAT IF YOU PASS THIS ORDINANCE, PEOPLE OF FAITH WILL BE REQUIRED BY THIS ORDINANCE TO GO AGAINST THEIR FAITH, TO ACT AGAINST WHAT THEY BELIEVE RELIGIOUSLY.
FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE EVERYBODY HERE TO CONSIDER CHARITY.
AS A CHRISTIAN, I CARE ABOUT EVERY PERSON HERE.
I PRAY FOR YOU.
I DO NOT HATE ANYBODY, AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HATE SOMEBODY WHILE YOU'RE PRAYING FOR THEM.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR OATH OF OFFICE AND 80% OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. NESBERG.
MARK CULLIGAN, RON PAUL WALDMILLER, GINA DUNCAN, AND TERENCE WOLFE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS MARK CULLIGAN, AND I RESIDE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
I WAS INVOLVED IN THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
30 YEARS AGO I CHOSE TO LEAVE THE LIFESTYLE.
IT WAS MY CHOICE TO ENGAGE IN THE BEHAVIOR AND IT WAS MY CHOICE TO STOP THE BEHAVIOR.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF US WHO HAVE MADE THE SAME DECISION.
SOME OF US HAVE CHOSEN TO ENTER INTO NORMAL HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND SOME OF US HAVE SIMPLY CHOSEN TO REMAIN ABSTINENT.
AS A FORMER HOMOSEXUAL, I CAN SAY WITH CONVICTION THAT MY ACTIONS WERE AND ARE TOTALLY UNDER MY OWN CONTROL.
I'M NOT STUCK.
I WASN'T BORN THAT WAY.
THIS IS AMERICA.
WE STILL HAVE A RIGHT OF CHOICE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT THIS MORNING.
AND AS I WAS LISTENING TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, I HEARD THESE WORDS, "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."
SO AS WE REFLECT ON THE WORD "DISCRIMINATION," I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU THAT DISCRIMINATION WORKS BOTH WAYS.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. CULLIGAN.
RON PAUL WALDMILLER, GINA DUNCAN, TERENCE WOLFE, AND ROSS SCUDDER.
>> GOOD MORNING.
ACTUALLY, IT'S REVEREND PAUL WALDMILLER.
I'M NOT RELATED TO RON PAUL.
>>MARK SHARPE: I'M SORRY.
THEY'VE GOT RON PAUL WRITTEN HERE.
I MEAN, I --
>> IT'S NO PROBLEM.
THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, ONCE AGAIN.
AGAIN, PAUL WALDMILLER.
I BROUGHT MY BIBLE TODAY.
I'M NOT GOING TO HIT ANYBODY OVER THE HEAD WITH IT AND I'M NOT GOING TO QUOTE SCRIPTURE TO YOU BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY, MOST OF YOU, KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE ALREADY SAYS.
I CONSIDER FLORIDA PART OF THE BIBLE BELT.
MAYBE SOME OF YOU DON'T.
THAT'S OKAY.
BUT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES, AND SOME OF THOSE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES THAT OUR FOUNDING
FATHERS -- THE MAJORITY OF THEM, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THEM SAID THAT, HEY, WE KNOW THAT IN THIS COUNTRY WITH GOD THINGS WILL GO BETTER FOR US.
IF WE REJECT GOD OR THE BIBLE, THINGS WILL GET WORSE FOR US.
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES.
I HAVE A MINISTRY, A VERY SMALL INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY RESCUING CHILDREN FROM SEX TRAFFICKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, WE FEED POOR CHILDREN, BUT YOU KNOW SOMETHING ELSE, SOMETHING ELSE THAT I DID FOR -- BEFORE THAT WAS I WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY -- INTERNATIONALLY CREDENTIALED ALCOHOLS AND DRUG COUNSELOR, AND WHAT I DID IS I HELPED ESTABLISH DRUG COURTS ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION PROGRAMS.
I TRAINED JUDGES, I TRAINED LAWYERS, I TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE DISEASE MODEL OF ADDICTION, AND I WILL TELL YOU, WITH MY LIMITED -- YES, LIMITED MEDICAL
BACKGROUND, I WILL TELL YOU THERE IS NO HOMOSEXUALITY GENE, SO I COME OPPOSED TO WHAT SOME OF YOU WANT TO DO TODAY.
I SAY BRING BACK AMERICA AND PUT THINGS RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, REVEREND WALDMILLER.
GINA DUNCAN, TERENCE WOLFE, ROSS SCUDDER, AND PETE JOHNSON.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS GINA DUNCAN AND I AM THE TRANSGENDER INCLUSION DIRECTOR FOR EQUALITY FLORIDA, WHICH IS THE STATE'S LARGEST LGBT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION.
WE REPRESENT OVER 200,000 LGBT CITIZENS IN THIS STATE AND OUR ALLIES.
LET ME FIRST SAY THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT RELIGION, THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT TREATING ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS FAIRLY AND WITH RESPECT AND EQUALLY UNDER THE LAWS OF OUR CITIES AND OUR COUNTIES, AND, THUS, I STAND IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S MEASURE.
I HAVE THE GREAT JOB OF WORKING WITH MAJOR CORPORATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE FACT THAT I WORK WITH THEM TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THEIR INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY PLATFORMS.
FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES ARE STEPPING UP AND UNDERSTANDING THAT HAVING THIS POLICY AND HAVING FULL AND INCLUSIVE POLICIES TO EMBRACE ALL PEOPLE AND HAVE ALL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO BRING THEIR BEST AND THEIR BRIGHTEST TO WORK IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR THEM.
NOT HAVING THESE PROTECTIONS IN OUR VARIOUS COUNTIES AND THIS PATCHWORK OF CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE WAS WELL SUMMED UP BY THE CEO OF EA SPORTS, CRAIG HAGAN, WHEN HE SAID THAT HE HAD A REAL CHALLENGE IN PUTTING AN EMPLOYEE ON A PLANE IN SAN FRANCISCO AND THEY GOT OFF THE PLANE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, WITH LESS RIGHTS THAN WHEN THEY GOT ON.
THAT'S WHAT WE LOOK TO CORRECT AND THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD URGE FOR YOU TO PASS.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
TERENCE WOLFE, ROSS SCUDDER, PETE JOHNSON, CARRIE WEST.
WELCOME, MR. WOLFE.
>> THANK YOU, AND GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I AM TERENCE WOLFE, AND I LIVE AT 406 SOUTH BRYAN CIRCLE IN BRANDON.
I SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM F-1.
I'VE ADVISED THE COMMISSION THIS WEEK OF MY BELIEF THAT IT WAS, IN FACT, UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR YOU TO HAVE TAKEN AWAY 19 YEARS AGO THE EXISTING RIGHT OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CITIZENS TO NOT BE SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
I WANT TO ADD THAT THE OPPONENTS OF TODAY'S PROPOSED RESTORATION AND ENLARGEMENT OF COUNTY PROTECTIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN AREAS OF COMMERCE SUGGEST THAT THERE IS SOMEHOW A RIGHT GROUNDED IN RELIGION AND PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO DEMAND A SPECIAL EXEMPTION FROM NEUTRAL LAWS OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY IN ORDER TO ENGAGE IN INVIDIOUS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DISLIKED GROUPS.
THEY, THEREFORE, PROTEST MEASURES SUCH AS THE ONE BEFORE YOU AS SOMEHOW AN ATTACK ON THEIR FREEDOM.
THIS ARGUMENT HAS BEEN MADE BEFORE IN OUR HISTORY.
TAKEN TO ITS LOGICAL EXTREME, HOWEVER, THIS ARGUMENT WOULD ALLOW THE EVISCERATION OF ALL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW ON THE GROUNDS THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE IN BUSINESS SO LONG AS DOING SO IS COUCHED IN TERMS OF PRESUMABLY UNREVIEWABLE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
NO COURT HAS EVER EMBRACED THIS NOVEL AND RADICAL POSITION.
NEVER HAS THE FIRST AMENDMENT BEEN CONSTRUED TO REACH SO FAR.
IT IS NOT RELIGIOUS EXERCISE TO DENY SOMEONE A JOB, A HOUSE, OR A SEAT IN A RESTAURANT MERELY BECAUSE OF SOME PRIVATE JUDGMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S IDENTITY.
THE GOVERNMENT, TO THE CONTRARY, HAS A COMPELLING INTEREST IN ENSURING CITIZENS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKFORCE AND TO ENGAGE IN OTHER COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO NUMEROUS IMMUTABLE CHARACTERISTICS SIMILAR TO SEXUAL ORIENTATION SUCH AS RACE, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN, AND SUCH MATTERS OF CHOICE AS RELIGION AND MARITAL STATUS.
PROHIBITIONS OF INVIDIOUS DISCRIMINATION ON SUCH GROUNDS ARE PRECISELY TAILORED TO ACHIEVE THAT CRITICAL GOAL AND DO NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INTERFERE WITH ANYONE ELSE'S LEGITIMATE RIGHTS.
PROHIBITING SUCH DISCRIMINATION SURELY DOES NO SIGNIFICANT HARM TO ANY LEGITIMATE LIBERTY INTEREST, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PREVENTING SUBSTANTIAL LIFE-CHANGING HARM TO THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE VICTIMIZED BY IT AND, THUS, TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
I URGE YOU TO [INAUDIBLE] TODAY'S MEASURE.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, SIR.
ROSS SCUDDER, PETE JOHNSON, CARRIE WEST, CATHY JAMES.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS ROSS SCUDDER.
I LIVE AT 6704 NORTH NAVIN IN SEMINOLE HEIGHTS.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE CONGREGATION OF THE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH.
OUR CONGREGATION IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE ALL OVER HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND ALL OVER THE BAY AREA, ACTUALLY.
WE SEE THE BENEFIT OF AN INCLUSIVE, STRONG, DIVERSE COMMUNITY, AND THIS AMENDMENT WILL ONLY WORK TOWARDS THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, SIR.
PETE JOHNSON, CARRIE WEST, CATHY JAMES, GERALD WHITE.
>> EXCUSE ME.
I'M PETE JOHNSON, 510 HARRISON STREET.
I APOLOGIZE.
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
THAT'S FINE.
>> I USUALLY SPEAK AT CITY COUNCIL ON THE PROBLEM WITH CODE VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE CITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT AFFECT THE POOR PEOPLE, AND I'VE COME TO REALIZE THAT DISCRIMINATION HAS GOT TO BE BANNED FROM THE -- FROM THE DICTIONARY.
I SEE IT IN CODE ENFORCEMENT, I SEE IT EVERYWHERE.
I'M 63 YEARS OLD.
I'VE BEEN GAY FOR 63.
I'VE BEEN HIV POSITIVE FOR OVER 30 YEARS FROM A BLOOD TRANSFUSION BEFORE THEY EVEN KNEW WHAT HIV WAS.
I HAVE LOST JOBS, I HAVE LOST FRIENDS, I HAVE LOST ASSOCIATES.
DISCRIMINATION HAS TO BE BANNED REGARDLESS WHERE WE LIVE.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.
CARRIE WEST, CATHY JAMES, GERALD WHITE, AND STEPHANIE NICHOLS.
CARRIE WEST.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR LETTING US REALLY TELL THE STORY ABOUT WHAT YBOR CITY, WHAT TAMPA, WHAT ALL OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND ALL FLORIDA'S REALLY ABOUT.
LAST YEAR IN GAYBOR DAYS, YOU SAID -- YOU MADE THE CHANGE AND RECOGNIZED IN A COMMENDATION TO THE DIVERSITY OF THE 267 BUSINESS MEMBERS AND NONPROFITS IN YBOR CITY AND WORKING IN TAMPA.
FURTHERMORE, WHAT THEY ARE ARE JUST MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
NO ONE IS ASKING FOR A RED CARPET, ANY SPECIAL NEED, OR ANY DEED.
YES, I HAVE A MILITARY BACKGROUND, SO I TOO SERVED.
FROM A VERY CHRISTIAN FAMILY, GRANDFATHERS, FOUR UNCLES, AND ALSO MY PARENTS ARE MINISTERS AND ALSO THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE CAPABILITY OF BEING MISSIONARIES AROUND THE WORLD, BUT THIS IS BRINGING IT BACK TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS A GROWING AND DIVERSE -- AND YOU KNOW, I'M WEARING THIS SHIRT FOR ONE REASON.
WE HAD NOTICED JUST RECENTLY THAT WE JUST HAD A PRIDE OVER IN ST. PETERSBURG WHICH BROUGHT AROUND 225,000 GLBT, STRAIGHT PEOPLE, AND ALSO THE MEMBERS OF ALL KINDS OF RACES TO THIS EVENT, AND THEY ALL WENT IN HARMONY.
IT BROUGHT IN $22.4 MILLION, SO, YES, IT'S AN ECONOMIC FACTOR, AND ALSO, WE ALWAYS KNOW THAT PINELLAS COUNTY'S ALWAYS BEEN A CONSERVATIVE COUNTY, MORE SO THAN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THEY DO HAVE THE DIVERSITY RIGHT NOW, AND THEY HAVE OPEN FOR SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS ON THEIR AMENDMENTS.
THEY ACCEPT IT, THEY GROW, AND THEY WORK TOGETHER.
I ONLY ASK THAT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AS YOUR MEMBERS, GO AND DO THROUGH THE HEARINGS.
THIS IS A PROMINENT AND A GREAT AVENUE FOR YOU TO SHOW WHAT WE'VE DONE AND OUR GROWTH AND PROMISE OF WHAT TOMORROW WILL BE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PLEASE, LOOK AT THIS SUPPORT AS A GREAT WAY OF SAYING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY ARE THE BEST FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. WEST.
CATHY JAMES, GERALD WHITE, STEPHANIE NICHOLS, TRAVIS SMITH.
WELCOME, CATHY JAMES.
>> HI.
CATHY JAMES, 11803 ROSSMAYNE DRIVE, RIVERVIEW, FLORIDA.
I'M -- I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER BECKNER BRINGING FORTH F-1 AND ASK YOU-ALL TO PLEASE MOVE THIS ITEM FORWARD.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THOSE RESIDENTS THAT, LIKE ME, TOOK PTO OR VACATION TIME TO BE HERE TODAY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF F-1 AND WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT FORWARD.
WE REPRESENT THOUSANDS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND OUR ALLIES AND FRIENDS THAT ARE EITHER OUT OF TOWN ON SUMMER VACATION OR COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY OR TOOK THE TIME OFF TO BE HERE.
I'VE LIVED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SINCE 1985, AND I'VE BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER SINCE 1988, BUT MANY LGBT RESIDENTS AREN'T HOMEOWNERS.
THEY RELY ON RENTAL PROPERTIES.
THEY ARE OFTEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY LOVE.
LGBT BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE HELPED TRANSFORM YBOR CITY FROM A DESERTED, DANGEROUS AREA TO A VIBRANT, FUN DESTINATION FOR RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ALIKE.
ONE OF THE BUSINESSES, HAMBURGER MARY'S, THAT EMPLOYS MANY LGBT RESIDENTS, WORKS WITH OVER 100 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FROM LITTLE LEAGUES TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO RAISE MUCH-NEEDED FUNDS TO SUPPORT THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.
WE'RE NOT ONLY BUSINESS LEADERS AND EMPLOYERS, WE'RE LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, TEACHERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PROBABLY EVERY POSITION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
WE WANT TO BE JUDGED BY OUR SKILL SETS AND THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER, NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF WHO WE LOVE.
PLEASE MOVE F-1 FORWARD.
THANKS.
>>MARK SHARPE: GERALD WHITE, STEPHANIE NICHOLS, TRAVIS SMITH, ED TILLOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
GERALD WHITE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.
COMMISSIONER BECKNER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ISSUE FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENCE AND YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR ABILITY THROUGH BEING METHODICAL IN PRESENTING THIS PROPERLY TO THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
NONE OF US ARE AGAINST -- ARE FOR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GAYS, AGAINST LESBIANS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
I HAVE GROWN AS A CITIZEN IN UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE ALL AS PEOPLE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.
WE -- WE HAVE TO EXPRESS SOME DECENCY FOR OUR FELLOW MAN, FOR THE FELLOW CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
I SEE NO HARM IN MOVING THIS ISSUE FORWARD.
I CAN ONLY SEE GOOD, HONOR, DECENCY, CARING, LOVING FOR OUR FELLOW MAN.
MY FATHER, MY GRANDFATHER WAS A BISHOP, AND I THINK OF HIM AND I THINK OF MY RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS AND TRAVELING WITH MY GRANDFATHER OVER THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS A CHILD, AND WHAT WOULD WE HAVE ME TO DO TODAY?
HE WOULD HAVE ME TO DO EXACTLY WHAT I'M DOING, ADVOCATE GOOD, ADVOCATE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BENEFIT ALL THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND JUST SAY BE HONEST, BE CARING, AND BE LOVING TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZEN, SO I SUPPORT IT.
MOVE IT FORWARD.
AND IT'S ABOUT DISCRIMINATION, IT'S ABOUT TREATING OUR FELLOW MAN WITH RESPECT, AND SO, MR. CHAIRMAN, MOVE THE ISSUE FORWARD.
I THINK WE AS A PEOPLE HAVE GROWN, WE'VE MATURED, AND SO I SUPPORT THE ISSUE.
THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE -- I'M HERE FOR IS COMMISSIONER HAGAN'S ISSUE IN DIVING AND SWIMMING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POOR FOLKS HAVE ADEQUATE SWIMMING LESSONS.
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
THANK YOU, MR. WHITE.
STEPHANIE NICHOLS, TRAVIS SMITH, ED TILLOU, ED LALLY.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS STEPHANIE NICHOLS.
I LIVE AT 16114 GARDENDALE DRIVE.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF CHANGING THE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
IT'S NOT EVERY DAY I WEAR THIS SHIRT -- THIS RED SHIRT, BUT EVERY DAY I SEEM TO WEAR A TARGET ON MY BACK.
REGGIE, A DEAR FRIEND OF COLOR, WHO ONE TIME ASKED ME WHY WOULD ANYONE HAVE DONE WHAT I HAVE DONE AND PUT A TARGET ON MY BACK, YOU SEE, I'M A MINORITY NOW TOO.
SOME TRANSGENDER PEOPLE SAY THAT THEY ARE ONLY A WHOLE PERSON IF THEY CAN LIVE AS THEIR MIND DEMANDS.
WE CAN CHANGE OUR BODIES BUT ARE NOT OUR BRAINS, BUT THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES.
MOST TRANSGENDERS GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND PEOPLE DON'T EVEN LOOK TWICE.
WE CALL IT GOING STEALTH.
THOSE THAT ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF TRANSITIONING ARE FOREVER LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDERS IN FEAR OF BEING CAUGHT OR OUTED.
LEARNING HOW TO PRESENT OURSELVES TAKES TIME AND IT'S JUST STANDING -- IT'S NOT JUST STANDING IN FRONT OF A MIRROR.
EARLY STAGES, IN OTHER WORDS, ARE AWKWARD.
I'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO APPEAR AS I DO.
I ATTEND TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUPS.
I KNOW OF EIGHT DIFFERENT GROUPS PERSONALLY.
THEY VARY BASED ON AGE GENERALLY.
THERE ARE GROUPS FOR PARENTS OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN; FOR COLLEGE KIDS, WHICH IS VERY LIVELY; AND THROUGH THE SENIORS, WHO TALK ABOUT THE WAY IT WAS BACK IN THE 1960s.
THE TALK IS ABOUT HOW PEOPLE HAVE PREJUDICES BECAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND OUR TRANSITIONING.
I ONE TIME ASKED MY TRANSGENDER THERAPIST HOW MANY TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WERE AROUND THIS AREA.
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT 25,000 IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU.
TRAVIS SMITH, ED TILLOU, ED LALLY, CAROLINE WETTERLUND.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
IT'S A GREAT JOY TO BE A PATRIOT AND BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND TO HAVE A FORUM IN WHICH WE ALL CAN SHARE OUR OPINIONS.
I'VE BEEN BEFORE YOU BEFORE ON MUCH OF THIS SAME SUBJECT.
I'M TRAVIS SMITH.
I'M PASTOR OF HILLSDALE BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE CITRUS PARK AREA OF NORTH TAMPA, AND I'VE COME TODAY TO OPPOSE ANY CHANGE OR MODIFICATION TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT WOULD INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S BEING PROMOTED AS A CIVIL RIGHT, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT WILL SPAWN LITIGATION AGAINST PRIVATE CORPORATIONS THAT OPERATE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BECAUSE THERE ARE CITIZENS WHO DO STILL SHARE TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES, THEY STILL BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE BEING FOR ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.
IT GOES AGAINST THE POLITICAL WINDS OF THE TIMES THAT WE LIVE IN, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT EVEN THOUGH MAYBE THERE IS A POLITICAL MOVEMENT TO MAKE CHANGE, GOD HAS NOT CHANGED, AND I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU, LAST TIME AS I SPOKE BEFORE YOU I -- I SPOKE AND I SAT DOWN, AND THEN THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMMENTS THAT WERE BEING MADE THAT I COULD NOT RESPOND TO, AND I WANT TO RESPOND TO THEM IN THIS SETTING BECAUSE IT IS STILL THE SAME TOPIC, AND THAT IS LEVITICUS 18:22 STILL SAYS, HOMOSEXUALITY IS ABOMINATION.
THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.
ROMANS 1:26 STATES, HOMOSEXUALITY IS AGAINST NATURE; THAT IS, IT'S AGAINST GOD'S PLAN AND GOD'S PURPOSE.
AND SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, SHOULD THIS BODY EXTEND TO HOMOSEXUALS A PROTECTION SUPERIOR TO ANY ENJOYED BY COMMON CITIZENS, YOU VALIDATE THE VERY SIN GOD HAS CONDEMNED.
INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY, AND YOU'LL INVITE LAWSUITS AGAINST SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO EMBRACE THE RIGHT AND LIBERTY TO PRACTICE THEIR FAITH AND CONVICTIONS AND HIRE WHOM THEY CHOOSE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. SMITH.
THANK YOU.
ED TILLOU, ED LALLY, CAROLINE WETTERLUND, PATRICIA KEMP.
MR. TILLOU.
>> OKAY.
I'M ED -- ED TILLOU, AND THIS MIGHT SEEM A LITTLE PROSAIC COMPARED TO THIS OTHER ISSUE THAT'S COME UP.
BUT LIKE A RECRUDESCENCE OF THE ICE AGE BEING A POSSIBILITY IN THREE DECADES AND A PROBABILITY OF SIX, I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
AND FROM WHAT I SEE HERE, PROBABLY THINGS WON'T CHANGE FROM THAT.
THIS IS BASED ON JOURNAL ARTICLES, AND THE THING IS THAT WHAT CAN BE DONE IS THE VOLT AND HYBRIDS.
ONE DEPARTMENT HERE HAS GONE WITH HYBRIDS.
NOW, I CIRCULATED THIS TO YOURSELVES SHOWING THAT HYBRIDS ARE ACTUALLY -- SOME ARE CHEAPER.
THEY DON'T REMOVE AS -- THEY DON'T SAVE AS MUCH GASOLINE.
NOW, THE KEY THING IS NOT SAVING GASOLINE.
YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE OTHER END AND REALIZE TO REDUCE THE CARBON DIOXIDE BECAUSE THAT, ADDED TO -- YOU HAVE THE WATER VAPOR AND THEN THE METHANE THAT WILL START COMING OUT IN SIBERIA, WHICH IS WHY I'LL BE WRITING PUTIN ABOUT THIS, IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO START HAVING NOT A HALF A DEGREE A DECADE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE STARTING TO HAVE A DEGREE INCREASING, ACCELERATING EACH -- EACH DECADE, AND -- AND THE WAY PEOPLE LOVE CARS AS IF IT'S A PART OF THEIR BODY, THEY CAN'T EVEN MAKE THE MOVE TO HYBRIDS AND VOLTS, AND YOU DON'T SET THE EXAMPLE.
YOU DON'T PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP.
NOW, I'VE GONE INTO A LOT ABOUT HYDROGEN, AND HYDROGEN WORKS FOR AIRCRAFT BECAUSE AN AIRCRAFT CAN ABSORB $5.5 MILLION A WING FOR FUEL CELLS.
A CAR CANNOT ABSORB $57,000 FOR FUEL CELLS.
SO HYDROGEN HAS A FUTURE IN AVIATION, IT DOESN'T HAVE A FUTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES, AND ALL THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THAT.
SO -- WELL, ANYWAY, TWO MINUTES.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. TILLOU.
ED LALLY, CAROLINE WETTERLUND, PATRICIA KEMP, MONA POSINOFF.
AND WE'RE -- THANK YOU FOR MOVING ALONG.
WE'RE TRYING TO ADHERE TO OUR CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME'S ED LALLY, AND I LIVE AT 2621 SOUTH BRYANT CIRCLE, TAMPA.
MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED TO TAMPA 35 YEARS AGO TO START OUR CAREERS AND BUILD OUR LIFE TOGETHER.
WE LOVE LIVING HERE.
WE HAVE SUCCESSFUL CAREERS, WE'RE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY BY SERVING ON SEVERAL NONPROFIT BOARDS, WE SUPPORT THE ARTS WITH OUR ATTENDANCE AND OUR DONATIONS, AND WE PAY OUR TAXES.
WE HAVE MADE OUR LIVES IN TAMPA BECAUSE TAMPA HAS WELCOMED US WITH ITS APPRECIATION OF DIVERSITY AND BY PASSING LAWS THAT PROTECT US.
WE DON'T HAVE TO FEAR FOR LOSING OUR JOBS DUE TO PREJUDICES.
WE DON'T HAVE TO FEAR OUR SAFETIES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
HAD THIS NOT BEEN THE CASE, WE WOULD HAVE MOVED A LONG TIME AGO.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT HAVE NONE OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT WE HAVE VALUED SO MUCH IN TAMPA.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU COULD LITERALLY CROSS A ROAD AND LOSE SO MANY RIGHTS THAT ARE SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
THESE ARE NOT SPECIAL RIGHTS BUT ARE THE RIGHTS THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERY CITIZEN REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU CHOOSE TO LOVE OR WHERE YOU LIVE.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS ANXIOUS TO SCORE MORE HOME RUNS WITH THE QUALITY COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON TO LOCATE HERE.
IT IS WELL DOC -- IT IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED FACT THAT BUSINESSES ARE MORE LIKELY TO COME TO PLACES THAT WELCOME DIVERSITY AND VALUE AND PROTECT ALL OF ITS CITIZENS.
CITIZENS WILL WORK HARD TO BUILD THEIR CAREERS, INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, PAY THEIR TAXES, AND BECOME A PART OF A DIVERSE FABRIC THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY SO INTERESTING.
PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING TODAY.
PLEASE MOVE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FORWARD BY VOTING TO EXPAND THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. LALLY.
CAROLINE WETTERLUND, PATRICIA KEMP, MONA POSINOFF, AND TROY KLUFT.
WELCOME.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS CAROLINE WETTERLUND, AND I'M AN EDUCATOR AND I'M ALSO A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN IN THE BAY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
I STAND HERE TODAY TO SAY THAT I AM OPPOSED TO ANY CHANGE IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT EXTENDS PROTECTION AND PREFERRED STATUS TO OTHERS BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY.
I FEEL THAT THIS NEW PROTECTION IS A VIOLATION OF MY LIBERTY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND I ALSO FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE NO CONTROL OVER REGULATING WHO I SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT HIRE.
I ASK, FOR THE SAKE OF ALL FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES WITH RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS, THAT YOU WOULD NOT -- THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE NOT CHANGE OUR HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
PATRICIA KEMP, MONA POSINOFF, TROY KLUFT, SUSAN LOUG -- LOUG.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
PATRICIA KEMP, 5408 SEMINOLE AVENUE, TAMPA.
I WANT TO THANK THIS MORNING COMMISSIONER BECKNER FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AT THIS TIME, THIS HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
I'D ENCOURAGE EVERY COMMISSIONER THIS MORNING TO SUPPORT THE DRAFT AND THE PASSAGE OF A HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT PROVIDES FOR PROTECTING US FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTIFICATION.
I WANT TO SAY ESPECIALLY THAT THIS WAS A WONDERFUL MEETING TO ATTEND.
I WAS SO INSPIRED BY THE TAMPA BAY WAVE TODAY AND WHAT THEY'RE BRINGING TO THE COMMUNITY, AND I SEE HERE IT SAYS THAT THE COMMISSION IS THANKING THEM FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO NURTURING DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH, AND SUCCESS OF STARTUP COMPANIES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
I THINK IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT A NEW GENERATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HERE, WE HAVE TO REMOVE BARRIERS LIKE THIS AND OPEN UP AND MAKE FORWARD AND WELCOMING OUR COMMUNITY BOTH TO THE TAMPA BAY WAVE BUT ALSO TO ALL THE OTHER CORPORATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY MUSTER HERE BY REMOVING BARRIERS LIKE THIS.
I'D LIKE TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD IN A NEW POSITION OF POSITIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
MONA POSINOFF, TROY KLUFT, SUSAN LONG, AND PAULA CALVO.
>> HI.
MONA POSINOFF --
>>MARK SHARPE: WELCOME.
>> -- RIVERVIEW, FLORIDA.
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TO GIVE MY ADDRESS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH HOMOPHOBIA, AND I DON'T WANT SOMEBODY COMING AFTER ME.
>>MARK SHARPE: THAT'S FINE, MA'AM.
THAT'S FINE.
>> OKAY.
AS A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENT, I PAY TAXES, I OWN A HOME, AND I OWN A PIECE OF PROPERTY.
I LIVE, WORK, ATTEND LOTS OF COUNTY ACTIVITIES, AND I RESPECT WHAT GOES ON HERE IN THE COUNTY.
ALL I ASK IS TO BE GRANTED THE SAME FOR ME, MY LIFE PARTNER OF 14 YEARS, AND ALL OTHER LGBT FOLKS.
THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME SHOULD BE A MOOT POINT.
AS A HUMAN BEING FIRST, MOST PEOPLE LIKE ME -- MOST PEOPLE LIKE ME FOR WHO I AM.
BEING A LESBIAN IS A PART OF THE CARING, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, SMART, AND REAL PERSON THAT I AM.
I TOLD MY 93-YEAR-OLD FATHER YESTERDAY THAT I WAS COMING HERE.
HE HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED AND LOVED ME.
HE HAD A STROKE TWO WEEKS AGO, AND HE CAN BARELY SPEAK.
HE'S INSIDE HIS HEAD.
HIS BODY IS NOT WORKING.
I TOLD HIM THAT I KNEW THAT IF HE COULD, HE WOULD BE HERE WITH ME TODAY BECAUSE, LIKE I'VE ALWAYS SAID TO HIM, HE WOULD WALK WITH ME IN GAY PRIDE AND HE WOULD WEAR A SHIRT THAT WOULD SAY, I'M NOT GAY BUT MY DAUGHTER IS.
WHEN THE WOMAN FROM THE TAMPA DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH ORGANIZATION SPOKE EARLIER, SHE CHOKED UP BECAUSE OF HER HAPPINESS AT BEING RECOGNIZED FOR WHAT SHE'S DONE IN THE COUNTY, AND I SAT HERE AND I THOUGHT, HOW WONDERFUL WOULD IT BE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, THE GLBT COMMUNITY, TO FINALLY BE ACCEPTED, RECOGNIZED, AND RESPECTED FOR WHO WE ARE.
MARK SHARPE READ EARLIER, UNDER THE LAW, ALL ARE EQUAL, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING TO THE LAWYERS' GROUP.
UNDER THE LAW, WE SHOULD ALL BE EQUAL.
I'M 58 YEARS OLD.
I'VE BEEN A LESBIAN MY WHOLE LIFE.
I DABBLED IN HETEROSEXUALITY, AND I FINALLY ADMITTED TO MYSELF THAT IT WAS OKAY TO BE A LESBIAN, AND I'D LIKE TO FINALLY NOT HAVE TO CAMPAIGN FOR IT ANYMORE.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
TROY KLUFT, SUSAN LONG, PAULA CALVO FLOVID, I BELIEVE, AND THEN SEYMOUR -- OR, EXCUSE ME, ROBERT WIRENGARD AND SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS TROY KLUFT, AND I'M GOING TO WITHHOLD MY ADDRESS AS WELL.
THERE'S BEEN SO MANY GOOD POINTS MADE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT NOBODY'S CONDONING HATRED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF -- PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT LAWS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT OUR LAWS ARE BASED ON GOD'S LAW, AND I KNOW NOT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH THAT, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY MY OPINION, IT'S NOT REALLY UP TO YOUR OPINION WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THAT, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S -- THAT'S JUST HOW THE WORLD WORKS.
SOME PEOPLE SEE IT, SOME PEOPLE DON'T.
SO I JUST WANT TO READ THIS.
IT'S A MESSAGE THAT WAS GIVEN IN 1985, AND I THINK YOU CAN SEE THE ACCELERATION OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY, BUT IT SAYS THAT, "AND THE GREAT ISSUE NOW OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN YOUR COUNTRY, THAT SHALL BE ON THE BALANCE THAT MICHAEL HOLDS, AND THAT'S THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL.
UNLESS THIS BALANCE IS EVENED BY REMOVING THE EVIL FROM YOUR COUNTRY AND BRINGING IN JUST LAWS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HOMOSEXUALITY, YOU CANNOT BE SAVED; YOUR COUNTRY CANNOT BE SAVED.
"BECAUSE I REPEAT AGAIN, AS I REPEATED IN THE PAST, WHEN A COUNTRY HAS GIVEN ITSELF OVER TO IMMORALITY AND ALL PLEASURES OF THE FLESH AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE FLESH, THEN THAT COUNTRY WILL FALL.
IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME, MY CHILDREN, I SAY, YOU WILL READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS AND YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
"AND WHAT DID WE DO TO THAT ABOMINABLE CITY, SODOM?
"WE DESTROYED IT.
"AND WHAT DID WE DO TO GOMORRAH?
"WE DESTROYED IT.
"AND WE DESTROYED ALL WHO DID NOT FOLLOW THE PLAN FOR THE REDEMPTION."
SO YOU HAVE A CHOICE HERE.
IT'S A VERY STARK CHOICE, AND WE'LL ALL PAY THE PRICE IF YOU DON'T -- IF YOU DON'T MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. KLUFT.
SUSAN LONG, PAULA CALVO FLOVID, ROBERT WIRENGARD, AND SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
>> SUSAN LONG, 921 EAST BROAD STREET, TAMPA.
I WAS BORN AND REMAIN A STRAIGHT FEMALE.
I'VE NEVER DABBLED IN LESBIANISM, NEVER CONSIDERED TRANSGENDER, I'M JUST A LITTLE OLD LADY WHO'S BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I WAS BORN; HOWEVER, BACK IN THE '60s AND THE '70s PEOPLE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ME.
WHY?
BECAUSE I WAS BORN WITH THIS BODY.
I WAS BORN AS A FEMALE, AND WOMEN WEREN'T ALLOWED TO DO THIS AND THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
I HAD A PH.D. IN FINANCE, AND NOBODY WOULD HIRE ME BECAUSE NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO A WOMAN TALK ABOUT MONEY.
IT'S WRONG.
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN, THE WEIGHT YOU CARE AROUND, THE SEX YOU HAVE, THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION YOU HAVE, IT'S JUST WRONG TO DISCRIMINATE.
I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS.
I DON'T SEE IT DOES ME ANY HARM TO LET JOE AND BILL MARRY.
I DON'T SEE IT DOES ME ANY HARM TO HIRE AN EXTREMELY TALENTED PERSON WHO HAPPENS TO BE GAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY ANYBODY CARES.
THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO ME, THEY'RE GETTING A JOB, RENTING AN APARTMENT, DOING JUST THE SAME THING THE REST OF US DO, AND THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, JUST LIKE I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
PAULA CALVO FLOVID, ROBERT WIRENGARD, SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS PAULA CALVO FLORIDO.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> IT'S OKAY.
I'M THE REGIONAL ORGANIZER FOR THE ACLU OF FLORIDA, AND I'M ALSO A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENT.
WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE JUDGED AT WORK BY THEIR PERFORMANCE, NOT BY THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS AGREE.
IN FACT, IT'S WELL ABOVE 70% OF AMERICANS THAT WOULD AGREE.
MORE AND MORE STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RECOGNIZING AND OPPOSING THE HARM THAT DISCRIMINATION BRINGS TO THEIR STATE.
AS MORE EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS BECOME AWARE AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF PROTECTION IN FLORIDA, EMPLOYERS WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT RELOCATING HERE, STAYING HERE, OR EVENTUALLY LEAVE.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT FLORIDA IN THE RIGHT PATH WHILE MAKING IT MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE.
AS IT STANDS NOW, MARRIED OR PARTNER LGBT INDIVIDUALS RAISING CHILDREN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME NEAR THE POVERTY LINE.
FARTHER, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE NEARLY FOUR TIMES AS LIKELY TO HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME UNDER $10,000 PER YEAR.
THESE CHALLENGES INCREASE FOR LGBT WORKERS OF COLOR WHO HAVE HIGHER RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE REACHED AS HIGH AS FOUR TIMES THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
HILLSBOROUGH IS POWERED BY A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, WHICH IS MADE UP OF QUALIFIED, HARDWORKING INDIVIDUALS FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS.
OUR COUNTRY IS THE STRONGEST WHEN IT IS WELCOMING TO ALL PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
ROBERT WIRENGARD AND WE CLOSE WITH SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
MR. WIRENGARD, WELCOME, SIR.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE AND INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. WIRENGARD, IF --
>> [OFF MICROPHONE AND INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. WIRENGARD, IF YOU COULD COME TO THE PODIUM, SIR.
>> [OFF MICROPHONE AND INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. WIRENGARD, IF YOU COULD JUST COME TO THE PODIUM, SIR.
YOU CAN TURN TO THE CAMERAS.
YOU CAN STILL TURN TO THE CAMERAS, SIR.
I JUST WANT TO -- IF YOU'D JUST COME TO THE PODIUM, SIR.
WE HAVE TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS SPEAK TO THE PODIUM, BUT YOU MAY TURN, SIR.
WELCOME, MR. WIRENGARD.
>> BUT I SEE WE ALSO HAVE THESE UNDEREDUCATED, IGNORANT BIGOTS THAT APPARENTLY HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED -- READ CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT MUCH LESS UNDERSTOOD IT, AS WELL AS THEY HAVE NOT --
>>VICTOR CRIST: MR. CHAIRMAN, I OBJECT.
I OBJECT TO ANY NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS TO ANYONE IN THIS ROOM.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, SIR.
THANK YOU.
MR. WIRENGARD, IF YOU WOULD JUST PLEASE CONTINUE BUT JUST BE RESPECTFUL OF ALL --
>> WOULD YOU SEE TO IT THAT I AM NOT INTERRUPTED IN MY TIME.
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
>> CAN YOU PEOPLE NOT HAVE THE COURTESY OF DOING THAT?
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
IF YOU'D JUST FINISH, SIR.
>> AND STOP YOUR RACKETS AND YOUR ...
WE ALSO HAVE IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE'S FIRST PARAGRAPH WHERE THEY SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NATURE'S LAWS AND NATURE'S GOD.
THIS IS A DIRECT SLAM ON THE -- ON THE BIBLE.
IT'S A DIRECT SLAM PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHICH CHRIST WAS A REVOLUTIONARY AGAINST, INCLUDING LEVITICUS AND THE OTHER READINGS I'VE HEARD TODAY.
NOW, MARK, YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL IN YOUR INBOX THAT THIS PETITION FOR YOU NO LONGER -- THAT YOU WILL SAY THAT I WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT THE BAD ELEMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE BIBLE, OR THE HAMMURABI CODE.
NOW, IT'S NOT A MATTER FOR YOUR ATTORNEY TO SETTLE OR FORGIVE ANYTHING OR FOR YOU TO FORGIVE THE QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN CLAIMS AGAINST ME FOR COUNTY CODE VIOLATIONS, IT IS A MATTER OF YOU DISSOLVING ILLEGAL DEBTS THAT YOU HAVE LEVIED AND LIENED AGAINST ME AND DITTO AGAINST ALL INHABITANTS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WHO HAVE SUFFERED YOUR CODE-ASSOCIATED FINES, INCLUDING FROM THE RED LIGHT ISSUE THAT ORIGINATED BY YOU IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
NOBODY IS INJURED WHEN SOMEBODY HAS A RED LIGHT RUN.
I PETITIONED IN OCTOBER, WHAT, TWO YEARS AGO.
IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF CUTTING BUDGETS.
WELL, MARK, YOU HAVE MY TELEPHONE NUMBER.
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
>> AND --
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
THANK YOU, MR. WIRENGARD.
YES, SIR.
YES, SIR.
I SURE WILL.
OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
MR. ELDRIDGE.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WAY THAT YOU'VE PRESENTED YOURSELVES THIS MORNING.
MR. ELDRIDGE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS SEYMOUR ELDRIDGE.
I LIVE AT 1210 MITCHELL STREET, BRANDON, FLORIDA, AND MY SUBJECT MATTER IS NOT IN REGARDS TO WHAT WAS JUST MENTIONED, IT'S IN REGARDS TO WHAT YOU SEE ON THE PICTURES NOW.
THIS IS MY NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AT 1208 MITCHELL STREET IN BRANDON, FLORIDA, AND IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
COUNTY CODE HAS FINED HIM $190,000, $1,000 A DAY.
THIS HOUSE HAS NO MORTGAGE, IT HAS NO HOMESTEAD BECAUSE NO ONE'S LIVED IN IT IN 15 YEARS, EVEN THOUGH HE FILED HOMESTEAD.
COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS SENT HIM LETTERS, THEY'VE GONE OUT AND TALKED TO THE GENTLEMAN, AND NOTHING'S HAPPENING.
NEXT PICTURE, PLEASE.
THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY DAY.
NEXT PICTURE, PLEASE.
AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
CODE ENFORCEMENT HAS DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN.
IT HAS NOT THE TOOLS IT NEEDS TO ENFORCE THE VIOLATIONS THAT IT NEEDS.
I -- I REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SEEK THE ABILITY FOR OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO FORCE THE ENCODES THAT WE HAVE.
NEXT PICTURE, PLEASE.
THIS IS WHAT -- I KNOW -- I CAN'T IMAGINE THIS HOUSE BEING NEXT TO ANY OF YOUR -- YOU BEING THEIR NEIGHBOR AND THIS BEING LIKE THIS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, AND IF ANYONE THAT SAYS THAT THEY CAN ON THIS BOARD, I'D LIKE THEM TO MENTION IT TO ME.
MR. HIGGINBOTHAM, YOU'RE A REPRESENTATIVE OF BRANDON, FLORIDA.
I -- I'M SORRY, BUT I'M STILL WAITING FOR HELP, OKAY.
I ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
I'VE TALKED TO KEN POPE, AND HE'S DONE SOME RESEARCH, BUT ACCORDING TO CONSENT AGENDA ON ITEMS A-19, 20, AND 21, IT SHOWS THAT YOU CAN FORECLOSE ON PROPERTY, YOU CAN TEAR IT DOWN AND THEN FINE THE OWNER OF IT, AND I SUGGEST THAT THIS TAKES PLACE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. ELDRIDGE.
WE HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS I THINK WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS.
COMMISSIONER HAGAN.
>>KEN HAGAN: WELL, I JUST WANT TO, NUMBER ONE, REFER THIS OVER TO OUR STAFF BUT REMIND THE BOARD THAT WE DO HAVE THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE ORDINANCE THAT WE APPROVED.
WE ALSO STRENGTHENED THAT, GIVING OUR STAFF OR CODE ENFORCEMENT THE ABILITY TO GO IN AND TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION WHEN NECESSARY, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REFER IT OVER TO LEGAL AND -- AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND TAKE ALL CORRECTIVE MEASURES THAT WE CAN.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER CRIST.
>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I KNOW MY OFFICE -- I'VE BEEN AWAY FOR A WEEK AT A CONFERENCE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, BUT I KNOW THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THAT CURRENTLY THEY'RE WORKING ON LOOKING AT HOW WE COULD ADVANCE THE TOOLS THAT WE -- THAT WE WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THESE KIND OF SITUATIONS BY POSSIBLY DOING AN ORDINANCE OR A CHANGE TO THE ORDINANCES THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO BRING THIS BEFORE A JUDGE.
IN THE MEANTIME, IF IT WAS MY NEIGHBOR, I'D GET A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND I THINK I'D HELP THAT PERSON RELOCATE EVERYTHING TO THE BACK OF THEIR HOME.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CRIST.
THAT'S GOING TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE CITIZENS WHO CAME FORWARD AND SPOKE AND THE WAY THAT YOU SPOKE AND RESPECTED EACH OTHER SO WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH THIS QUICKLY.
MR. MERRILL, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN.
>>MIKE MERRILL: NEED TO VOTE ON --
>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE THE CHANGES.
>>MARK SHARPE: OH, WE -- ABSOLUTELY.
WE NEED TO MOVE CONSENT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: [INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>>LES MILLER, JR.: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER -- WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE BY COMMISSIONER MURMAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.
THIS IS CONSENT.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
>>MIKE MERRILL: COMMISSIONERS, YOUR FIRST ITEM IS YOUR 10:15 TIME CERTAIN, ITEM F-1, COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S ITEM.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>MIKE MERRILL: I'D ASK HIM IF HE WANTS TO INTRODUCE IT.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND THANK YOU BOARD MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
I TRUST THAT EACH OF YOU HAD A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE 4th OF JULY HOLIDAY, SO WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK.
YOU KNOW, EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE BOY, THE 4th OF JULY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS.
I HAD SO MANY FOND MEMORIES AS A CHILD STANDING IN THE FRONT ROWS OF THE PARADES WAVING MY LITTLE AMERICAN FLAG, SWELTERING WITH THE OTHERS IN THE HOT SUN, SINGING PATRIOTIC SCORES OF SONGS THAT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL, OF COURSE, FOLLOWED BY THE FAMILY BARBECUES, YOU KNOW, THE HOT DOGS, THE HAMBURGERS.
OF COURSE, WHO COULD FORGET GRANDMA'S APPLE PIE?
AND, OF COURSE, LIKE MOST CHILDREN, COULDN'T WAIT TO LIGHT OFF THOSE EVENING FIREWORKS.
AND AS I MATURED, MY LOVE FOR THE 4th OF JULY ALSO GREW, FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT I'VE HAD AS A CHILD BUT ALSO FOR THE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND FOR THE APPRECIATION I HAD FOR THE MEANING AND WHY WE HOLD IN SUCH REVERENCE THIS SPECIAL DAY.
TO CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE, OUR FREEDOM, AND REFLECT ON THE TRUE PRINCIPLES, VALUES, AND MEANINGS OF OUR COUNTRY'S FOUNDERS WHEN THEY WROTE: WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS; TO CONSTANTLY REMEMBER THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE AND FOR SOME NOT EQUAL.
FOR OUR HISTORY BOOKS REMIND US IN THE PRESENT THAT THE LAWS OF OUR NATION, OF OUR STATES, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT ALWAYS GRANTED OR ADMINISTERED THE SAME FREEDOM EQUALLY TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS.
AND WHILE WE SHOULD TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE TO EXPAND EQUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS, THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE.
FOR IN 29 STATES, INCLUDING THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL TO FIRE AN INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND 34 STATES, INCLUDING FLORIDA, FOR THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, WE HAVE EVEN A MORE COMPLEX PROBLEM BECAUSE IN THE CITY OF TAMPA AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE FIRED BECAUSE OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, BUT SOMEBODY LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF TAMPA CAN.
THE WILLIAMS INSTITUTE AT UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW RECENTLY REPORTED THAT 15% TO 43% OF LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE OR 2.25 MILLION AND 6.5 MILLION AMERICANS SURVEYED SINCE THE MID-1990s REPORTED EXPERIENCING UNFAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES BASED ON THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER -- AND FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE 20% TO 57% OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED HAVING EXPERIENCED UNFAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES BASED ON THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOARD MEMBERS, I WOULD SUBMIT TO YOU TODAY THAT IN 2014 NO HARDWORKING AMERICAN TRYING TO EARN A LIVING TO PROVIDE FOR HIS OR HER FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF BEING FIRED FOR THEIR JOB FOR REASONS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR JOB PERFORMANCE.
THIS INCLUDES OUR LGBT AMERICAN CITIZENS.
AND WHILE WE DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS, WE CAN DO WHAT 25 OTHER COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES HAVE DONE ACROSS FLORIDA AND CHANGE OUR LOCAL LAWS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY HARDWORKING CITIZEN IN OUR COUNTY IS TREATED EQUALLY, FAIRLY, AND PROTECTED FROM UNJUST DISCRIMINATION.
AND WHILE ON THE SURFACE IT IS VERY CLEAR AND SIMPLE THAT THIS IS ABOUT EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS, I WOULD ALSO TELL YOU, BOARD MEMBERS, THAT ADDRESSING THIS GOES DEEPER TO THE CORE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON IN THE ARENA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST FEW YEARS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO LURE PRIVATE COMPANIES, LURE BUSINESSES INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE FOUND, THOUGH, AFTER SPEAKING WITH PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND KNOW THAT BUSINESSES WANT TO COME TO A COMMUNITY NOT JUST FOR FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND FOR FINANCIAL MOTIVATIONS, THEY WANT TO MOVE TO A COUNTY AND A PLACE WHERE THEIR EMPLOYEES FEEL WELCOMED, AS THEY HAVE WELCOMED THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES.
IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE TO YOU THAT OVER 90% OF OUR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HAVE PASSED COMPREHENSIVE NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
WHY?
BECAUSE BUSINESS GETS IT.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST EMPLOYEES.
THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND THEY ALSO KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO SERVE, AND THEY SERVE A DIVERSE AUDIENCE AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND THEY HAVE DIVERSE CONSUMERS.
SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO TODAY -- WE'VE HEARD FROM THE CITIZENS ABOUT EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YET TODAY IS THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
SO I'M -- I'VE INVITED A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS TO SPEAK, ONE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE OTHER FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF WHY THEY FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS COUNTY ADOPTS COMPREHENSIVE NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES THAT PROTECTS ALL OF ITS CITIZENS AND CAN HELP OUR BUSINESSES CURRENTLY HERE THRIVE AND HELP US ATTRACT AND ATTAIN THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST EMPLOYEES AND COMPANIES THAT WANT TO MOVE TO OUR COUNTY.
AND SO FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MR. GARY SASSO.
MR. SASSO, AS YOU KNOW, IS THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICE OF CARLTON FIELDS.
MR. SASSO.
>>MARK SHARPE: WELCOME, MR. SASSO.
WELCOME, GARY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND CHAIRMAN SHARPE.
AGAIN, I'M GARY SASSO.
I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CARLTON FIELDS.
CARLTON FIELDS, AS YOU MAY KNOW, IS TAMPA'S LARGEST LAW FIRM, AND WE HAVE ROOTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DATING BACK TO 1901, AND WE ARE DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE ECONOMIC HEALTH AND PROSPERITY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I'VE ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THE TAMPA BAY PARTNERSHIP AND OTHER BUSINESS GROUPS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND I'M ATTUNED TO ISSUES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE TOO.
I CAN SAY THAT AT OUR LAW FIRM WE LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO THAT A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WAS ESSENTIAL TO OUR BUSINESS SUCCESS.
THE ISSUES HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME, AS WE'VE HEARD TODAY.
OVER 50 YEARS AGO, OUR LAW FIRM WAS CALLED UPON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO HIRE OUR FIRST WOMAN ATTORNEY.
SHE WAS THE SECOND MEMBER OF THE BAR IN TAMPA AT THAT TIME AND THE FIRST WOMAN ATTORNEY AT A SIGNIFICANT LAW FIRM IN TAMPA BAY, AND IT SHOULD NOT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS CONTROVERSIAL.
WE HAD CONSTITUENTS, WE HAD CLIENTS WHO WOULD BE TROUBLED ABOUT THIS ON MANY LEVELS, BUT WE MADE THE DECISION TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT HIRE, AND WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT EVER SINCE.
NOT LONG AFTER, WE WERE CALLED UPON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO HIRE OUR FIRST JEWISH PARTNER.
SAME ISSUES; SAME OUTCOME, AND WE'VE BENEFITED FROM THAT EVER SINCE.
AND THEN WE WERE CALLED UPON TO DECIDE -- DECIDE WHETHER TO HIRE OUR FIRST BLACK PARTNER, NOT ONLY THE FIRST BLACK PARTNER IN A TAMPA LAW FIRM BUT THE FIRST BLACK PARTNER IN ANY SIGNIFICANT SOUTHERN LAW FIRM, AND IT SHOULD NOT SURPRISE YOU THAT THAT WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL AT THAT TIME, BUT WE MADE THE DECISION TO DO THAT, AND WE'VE BENEFITED FROM IT EVER SINCE.
FAST FORWARD TO ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.
WE WERE CALLED UPON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO EXTEND OUR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICIES TO THE PRINCIPLES REFLECTED IN THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TODAY, EXTENDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTIFICATION, AND WE DID THAT, AND WE'VE BENEFITED FROM IT EVER SINCE.
I CAN SAY THAT TODAY SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT PARTNERS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF ARE GAY AND LESBIANS, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE NOT HAVING THEM WITH US.
THEY ARE INVALUABLE TO OUR ORGANIZATION.
I CAN'T IMAGINE WANTING TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM BASED ON MATTERS PERSONAL TO THEM THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR COMPETENCE AS ATTORNEYS OR PROFESSIONALS.
THEY'RE CHERISHED COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS.
WE ARE NOW A NATIONAL LAW FIRM WITH OFFICES AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH OUR ROOTS STILL IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
WE MUST COMPETE FOR TALENT FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO BRING THE MOST TALENTED, HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, BUT WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH COMMUNITIES AND LAW FIRMS THAT ARE INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE.
WERE WE TO EXCLUDE TALENTED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY, WE WOULD NOT ONLY EXCLUDE AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF CAPABLE CANDIDATES, BUT WE WOULD ALIENATE THE MANY, MANY OTHERS WHOSE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE IN ACCORD WITH THE PRINCIPLES REFLECTED IN THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
WE WOULD SHOOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT AS A BUSINESS.
AND WHAT ABOUT OUR CLIENTS?
WE SERVE CLIENTS, WE SERVE BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, WE SERVE CLIENTS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE SERVE CLIENTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD, AND AS COMMISSIONER BECKNER POINTED OUT TODAY, MORE THAN 90% OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HAVE POLICIES IN ACCORD WITH THE PRINCIPLES REFLECTED IN THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
OUR CLIENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR TO US THAT THEY ARE INCLUSIVE AND THEY EMBRACE DIVERSITY ON A COMPREHENSIVE SCALE, AND THEY EXPECT ALL OF THEIR OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO DO SO AS WELL AND ALL OF THEIR BUSINESS PARTNERS, EVERYBODY IN THEIR SUPPLY CHAIN.
YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND I KNOW WE'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH ON THIS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, BUT WHAT WAS PREVALENT 20 YEARS AGO, WHAT WAS MAINSTREAM IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THEN IS NOT MAINSTREAM OR PREVALENT TODAY.
AND WE MAY BE FORGIVEN WHAT WE DECIDED IN THE PAST, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE JUDGED BY WHAT WE DO TODAY, AND WE ARE POISED TO LAUNCH IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
WE ARE DEEPLY ENGAGED IN SERIOUS EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY, TO BRING INTO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, TO RETAIN AND TO GROW IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GREAT BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE JOBS AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC HEALTH.
AND I'VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE PRIVATE SECTOR ABOUT THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE, AND THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN THAT WHATEVER THIS COMMISSION HAS DONE IN THE PAST, WHAT WE DO TODAY WILL SEND SIGNALS TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TODAY ABOUT WHO WE ARE TODAY, AND WE CAN EITHER BOOST OUR PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, PROSPERITY, AND HEALTH, OR WE CAN IMPAIR THEM.
IN THIS SPIRIT, A NUMBER OF US HAVE COMPILED A LETTER AND SIGNED A LETTER THAT I WOULD LIKE TO READ INTO THE RECORD TODAY WITH THE COMMISSION'S CONSENT.
DEAR COMMISSIONERS, WE NEED YOUR HELP IN AN URGENT MATTER COMING BEFORE THE COUNTY COMMISSION.
WE ARE AREA BUSINESSES WHO BELIEVE THAT UPDATING OUR COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION -- EXCUSE ME -- AND GENDER IDENTITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR FUTURE.
THERE ARE SPECIFIC REASONS THIS EFFORT HAS ATTRACTED OUR SUPPORT.
FIRST, IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD FOR OUR BUSINESSES.
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES SIMPLY CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AND AT THE SAME TIME MAXIMIZE PROFITS AND OUTPERFORM THE COMPETITION.
WE KNOW THAT DISCRIMINATION IS HURTFUL, DIVISIVE, AND ARTIFICIALLY EXCLUDES HIGHLY TALENTED EMPLOYEES FROM OUR BUSINESSES, AND THIS ORDINANCE WILL HELP ELIMINATE IT.
SECOND, ENACTING THIS ORDINANCE IS CRITICAL TO OUR COUNTY'S OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO GROW, PROSPER, AND PROVIDE THE KINDS OF JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES OUR CITIZENS RIGHTLY EXPECT.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MUST ATTRACT THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST.
CURRENTLY 91% OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HAVE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PROTECTIONS AND 61% HAVE NOW ADDED GENDER IDENTITY.
THOSE ARE VALUES SHARED BY US AND MANY LOCAL COMPANIES IN ADDITION TO OURS, RAYMOND JAMES, TECH DATA, WELLS FARGO, HOME SHOPPING NETWORK, CSX, FLORIDA BLUE, C1 BANK TO NAME A FEW.
TAKING THIS IMPORTANT STEP WILL NOT ONLY HELP ALL PERSONS WHO WANT TO LIVE AND WORK IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FEEL WELCOME REGARDLESS OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, BUT IT WILL ATTRACT EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE AND WORK IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE.
THESE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS TURN AWAY FROM AREAS AND FAIL -- THAT FAIL TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS.
25 OTHER FLORIDA CITIES AND COUNTIES KNOW THIS AND HAVE ALREADY PASSED SIMILAR ORDINANCES.
THIRD, FLORIDIANS BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
A RECENT SURVEY BY THE BOB GRAHAM CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE SHOWS THAT 73% OF RESPONDENTS IN FLORIDA SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF ORDINANCE, AND A RECENT NATIONAL POLL SHOWS THAT 70% OF AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESSES ALREADY PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
AS LOCAL BUSINESS PEOPLE, WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.
WE'D LIKE VERY MUCH TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
THE PASSAGE OF THIS IMPORTANT EQUAL RIGHTS ORDINANCE WILL HELP US GROW AND PROSPER, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
AND IT IS SIGNED BY MANY LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS, AND I WILL SUBMIT THIS TO THE CLERK FOR THE RECORD.
I HAVE WITH ME TODAY SEVERAL OTHER LETTERS.
IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I WILL READ ONLY THREE FROM OUR MAJOR SPORTS TEAMS, BUT IN ADDITION TO THESE, I HAVE LETTERS FROM THE WESTSHORE ALLIANCE, FROM THE TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THE TAMPA DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP, ALL IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
FIRST A LETTER FROM THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: DEAR HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS ARE PROUDLY COMMITTED TO PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND TO ACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS.
OUR ORGANIZATION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE PROPOSED HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING TOMORROW.
THE TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY HAS A HISTORY AND TRADITION OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.
AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE CONTINUES IN THAT TRADITION.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, MANY SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAVE ENACTED SIMILAR LAWS AND ORDINANCES.
WE BELIEVE THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO JOIN THESE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL.
THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS ARE PLEASED THAT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL DISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF THE ORDINANCE, SIGNED BY BRIAN FORD, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
A LETTER FROM THE LIGHTNING, FROM TOD LEIWEKE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: I SUPPORT A YES VOTE ON THE COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
ENACTING THIS ORDINANCE SUPPORTS OUR COUNTY'S OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND ALLOWS US TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS AND THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN WORKFORCE.
MOST FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HAVE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PROTECTIONS.
TAKING THIS STEP WILL HELP CURRENT EFFORTS TO RECRUIT EMPLOYERS WHO SEEK COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE.
IT IS A FACT THAT COMPANIES TURN AWAY FROM AREAS THAT FAIL TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS.
THE PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE HELPS US PROSPECT FOR NEW BUSINESS AND GROW OUR TAX BASE.
RESPECTFULLY, TOD LEIWEKE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE LIGHTNING.
AND FINALLY, FROM THE RAYS: DEAR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE TAMPA BAY RAYS STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PROPOSED EQUAL RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
QUITE SIMPLY, WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I PROUDLY SERVE AS THE CHAIR OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S DIVERSITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND THE VALUES OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
THE RAYS' ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO THESE VALUES, AND TODAY WE PROUDLY STAND BESIDE THESE LOCAL COMPANIES IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE.
WE URGE YOU AND YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE MOVING FORWARD.
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME, SINCERELY, STUART STERNBERG, PRINCIPAL OWNER, TAMPA BAY RAYS.
IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT OUR LAW FIRM STANDS READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT ON A PRO BONO BASIS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SHOULD THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SEE FIT TO CALL UPON US, IN IMPLEMENTING AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE BY THIS COMMISSION, AND WITH ALL RESPECT, WE URGE YOU ON BEHALF OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO VOTE AFFIRMATIVELY IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. SASSO.
[APPLAUSE]
THANK YOU, MR. SASSO.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. SASSO.
YOU CAN GIVE THOSE TO THE CLERK AND SHE'LL DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THE BOARD.
AND FINALLY, BOARD MEMBERS, I'D LIKE YOU TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND ACTUALLY SOME OF YOUR ELECTED COLLEAGUES AS WELL ON THEIR VIEW ON THIS ISSUE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, SO I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MS. JULIANNE HOLT, OF COURSE, YOUR PUBLIC DEFENDER.
MS. HOLT.
>>JULIANNE HOLT: GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS.
JULIANNE HOLT, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE 13th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
I THINK WE ALL KNOW, AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, THAT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES ALWAYS SHARE THE SAME TYPES OF COMMON TRAITS, AND THAT IS THE SHARED PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY.
YOU'VE OBVIOUSLY ALREADY HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AT THIS POINT, OBVIOUSLY HAS POLICIES IN PLACE THAT DO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND THAT IS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON RACE, COLOR, NATIONALITY, AGE, SEX, RELIGION, MARITAL STATUS, OR DISABILITY, AND THESE PROTECTIONS EXIST BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO PUT THOSE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.
WE ALSO ALL RECOGNIZE THAT ANY DISCRIMINATION THAT EXISTS IN A COMMUNITY AGAINST ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE FOR ANY REASON IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND HARMFUL TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S REPUTATION, FINANCIAL HEALTH, AND WELFARE OF ALL THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TODAY HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO AFFIRM ITS GOAL OF CREATING AND FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT DISCRIMINATION IN ANY FASHION OR FORM WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE UNLIKE THE COMPANIES, THE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES THAT YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT, AND UNLIKE THE CITY OF TAMPA AND UNLIKE THE FEDERAL EEOC AND UNLIKE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENT TO AVOID THE DISCRIMINATION ON SEXUAL IDENTITY OR GENDER IDENTITY, WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT PROTECTION HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
AND THE PROTECTIONS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE WITH THE CITY FOR FIVE YEARS.
THEY'VE BEEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF YEARS, SEXUAL IDENTITY FOR NUMEROUS YEARS AND GENDER IDENTITY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY FEARFUL OF LOSING JOBS OR HOUSING BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION THAT EXISTS, THAT JUST SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
WHAT I'VE PASSED OUT FOR YOU HERE TODAY ARE THE POLICIES THAT EXIST IN ALL OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THESE POLICIES HAVE BEEN IN PLACE, AND THEY WERE PUT IN PLACE BY LEADERS WHO I BELIEVE THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR AND HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH.
THEY INCLUDE EACH OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.
I STAND HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO CREATE AND TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF INCLUSIVENESS, TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE STRONG NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES BECAUSE THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COUNTRY AND OF THIS COMMUNITY.
WE, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, MUST ENSURE THAT WE DO, IN FACT, DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION SO THAT WE CAN RECRUIT, RETAIN THE BEST OF THE BEST IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT AN AMENDMENT TO THE POLICIES THAT EXIST, WE URGE YOU TO READ THE POLICIES THAT WE OURSELVES HAVE PUT IN PLACE, AND WE STAND WITH YOU IN WHAT WE KNOW MAY APPEAR TO BE A DIFFICULT DECISION, BUT WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE, WE ALL KNOW THAT WE DO STAND FOR FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY, AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MS. HOLT.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MS. HOLT.
AND I ALSO -- I WANT TO EXTEND A THANKS TO YOU AND TO EACH OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS FOR TREATING THIS WHAT IT IS AND COMING TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN BASIS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS ISN'T ABOUT PARTISAN POLITICS, THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE, THIS IS ABOUT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.
SO OFTEN I THINK THAT ISSUES LIKE THIS GET STIGMATIZED BY PARTISAN POLITICS AND IT GETS CATEGORIZED AS A LIBERAL ISSUE OR A PARTISAN ISSUE, BUT WE NOW KNOW AND RECOGNIZE BY ALL OF OUR CONSTITUTIONALS HERE WHO ARE WELL RESPECTED IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT IT'S, INDEED, NOT THAT, IT IS SIMPLY ABOUT EQUALITY, ABOUT FAIRNESS, ABOUT PEOPLE, AND GOOD PUBLIC POLICY, AND MOST OF ALL, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND BOARD MEMBERS, TODAY WHAT I'M ASKING YOU IS THAT WE SET DOWN -- SET ASIDE OUR PARTISAN POLITICS, THAT WE COME TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION AND THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT ALL OF OUR MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE VALUED AND TREATED EQUALLY AND FAIRLY, AND SO THE MOTION THAT I PUT FORWARD TO YOU TODAY IS THAT I WOULD MOVE THAT WE'D AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PREPARE THE
DRAFT -- APPROPRIATE DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION WITHIN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, AND COUNTY CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SHOULD RESEMBLE THE CITY OF TAMPA AND SHOULD ALSO INCORPORATE BEST POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES.
AND THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: MR. CHAIRMAN, AS A DEACON AT A BAPTIST CHURCH WHO PRAYS TO A GOD THAT MADE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US THAT IF WE CUT OURSELVES, WE BLEED THE SAME COLOR BLOOD, SECOND THE MOTION.
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[APPLAUSE]
COMMISSIONER -- THANK YOU -- THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER MILLER.
COMMISSIONER HAGAN.
>>KEN HAGAN: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BECKNER FOR HIS PRESENTATION AND FOR EVERYONE COMING DOWN HERE THIS MORNING TO GIVE YOUR OPINION.
IF THE BOARD WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ISSUE, AND IT'S CLEAR THAT WE DO, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW OUR TYPICAL PROCESS AND PROCEDURE.
IN CASE ANYONE HERE IS NOT AWARE, WE DO HAVE A HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD WHICH REVIEWS COMPLAINTS FILED UNDER THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE ISSUE, THIS BOARD HAS HISTORICALLY ASKED OUR ADVISORY BOARDS TO OPINE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUES THAT COME UNDER THE ADVISORY BOARD'S PURVIEW.
PARKS AND REC, ANIMAL SERVICES, TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, LIBRARY SERVICES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE BOARDS AND THE ISSUES THAT FOLLOWS THIS PROCESS.
PARKS AND REC, A FEW MEETINGS AGO WE HAD A REQUEST TO CHANGE OR TO NAME A PARK AFTER SOMEONE.
WE SENT IT TO THE PARKS BOARD.
ANIMAL SERVICES, WHEN WE CHANGED OUR ORDINANCE, BE THE WAY HOME PLAN, ALL THE CHANGES THERE, WE ASKED THE ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD TO WEIGH IN.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR THE RNC, SUPER BOWL, AGAIN, WE ASKED THE TDC TO WEIGH IN FIRST.
SAME WITH THE LIBRARY SERVICES.
WE JUST DON'T FUND THE LIBRARY BECAUSE WE WANT TO, WE ASK THEIR BOARD TO WEIGH IN AND MAKE PRIORITIES.
WE'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO, BUT TYPICALLY THIS BOARD HAS RESPECTED OUR ADVISORY BOARDS AND ASKED THEM TO WEIGH IN.
AND ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD WANTS TO WEIGH IN BECAUSE IN 2013 THEY SENT US A LETTER REQUESTING TO STUDY THE ISSUE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON IT.
IN FACT, A MEMBER OF THEIR BOARD WHO SPOKE HERE THIS MORNING DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SENT HIS OWN PERSONAL LETTER ASKING THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD TO STUDY THE ISSUE AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF THE HRB WILL SUPPORT THE REVISION, BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT THEY WILL, BUT ACCORDING TO CHIP, THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS AND VARIATIONS OF LANGUAGE IN THE ORDINANCE THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED.
I KNOW WE WANT CONSISTENCY WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA AND THAT THAT MAKES SENSE, BUT, AGAIN, APPARENTLY WHEN THE CITY OF TAMPA AND CITY COUNCIL MADE THEIR CHANGES, THEY ASKED THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS BOARD TO WEIGH IN AND MAKE RECOMMENDED CHANGES AS WELL.
SO AFTER 19 YEARS, THERE'S AN INTEREST IN REVISING THE ORDINANCE.
ALL I'M SUGGESTING, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SO, THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW OUR PROCESS, OUR PROCEDURES, AND ASK FOR THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD TO WEIGH IN AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND -- SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO LAST YEAR.
SO THAT'S THE ONLY SUGGESTION THAT I HAVE.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WOULD THE MAKER OF THE MOTION LIKE TO RESPOND?
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: AND I WOULD BE IN ABSOLUTE AGREEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THEM TO WEIGH IN ON THE AMENDMENTS THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD SEND THEM FOR REVIEW.
I'M ASSUMING THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING, THAT WE WOULD, NUMBER ONE, SEND A SIGNAL TO THE BOARD THAT WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD AND THAT WE WOULD DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PUT TOGETHER THE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS AND THEN, OF COURSE, HAVE THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD WEIGH IN ON WHAT'S IN FRONT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I'M ASSUMING -- IS THAT YOUR SUGGESTION?
>>KEN HAGAN: WELL, I INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT IT MADE SENSE FOR THE HRB TO WEIGH IN FIRST; HOWEVER, I WOULD DEFER TO CHIP FOR HIS LEGAL OPINION OR HIS THOUGHTS ON WHAT -- PROCEDURALLY WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE, IS IT FOR YOU TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND THEN SEND IT TO THEM OR FOR THEM TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND SEND IT TO YOU?
I MEAN, I'M OPEN TO EITHER WAY.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: TWO POINTS.
ONE IS IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS BOARD TO BE PART OF THE DELIBERATIVE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING THE ORDINANCE, I THINK YOU NEED TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY WOULD NEED THAT AUTHORITY.
I DON'T HAVE A STRONG OPINION AS TO THE TIMING; HOWEVER, I WOULD RESERVE THE RIGHT FOR OUR OFFICE TO ACTUALLY DO THE DRAFTING OF THE ORDINANCE, SO IF THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD IS FOR US TO DO THAT WORK FIRST AND THEN GO TO THE BOARD -- THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD, THAT'S FINE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO GET WITH THEM AND GET THEIR THOUGHTS AND LOOK AT VARIOUS OPTIONS, WE CAN DO THAT.
IN THIS INSTANCE, SINCE WE ARE WORKING OFF -- THE MOTION IS TO WORK OFF OF CITY OF TAMPA'S ORDINANCE, WE DO HAVE A JUMPING-OFF POINT THAT KEEPS US SOMEWHAT FOCUSED, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME CHOICES WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICES AND UPDATING CODE REQUIREMENTS SINCE -- SINCE THE CITY OF TAMPA MADE THEIR CHANGES.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: YEAH.
AND THAT'S THE SUGGESTION I WOULD MAKE IS THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE AMENDMENTS TO BE DRAFTED AND THEN THAT THEY -- WE AUTHORIZE, THEN, THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD TO GO AHEAD AND WEIGH IN ON THE SUBJECT ON WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS DRAFTED, AND THEN, OF COURSE, THEN BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD, KEEPING -- KEEPING IN MIND THAT WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY REVIEW THIS QUITE QUICKLY, AND CERTAINLY, WE WOULD NOT BE OPERATING OFF THE TIMELINE THAT WE WOULD EXPECT THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TO REVIEW THIS.
I WOULD EXPECT THAT ONCE THE AMENDMENTS ARE IN THEIR HANDS, THEY COULD LOOK AT THE ISSUES AND BRING THAT BACK IN AN EXPEDIENT MANNER.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER HAGAN.
>>KEN HAGAN: YEAH.
THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO SAY, THAT BOARD MEETS MONTHLY, SO IT'S NOT A MATTER OF DEFERRING -- IT'S NOT LIKE A QUARTERLY BOARD OR --
>>KEVIN BECKNER: RIGHT.
>>KEN HAGAN: -- WE'RE GOING TO WAIT THREE MONTHS OR ANYTHING, SO WE'RE TALKING MINIMAL DELAY, I MEAN, IF ANY.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: YEP.
>>KEN HAGAN: I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON IT.
AGAIN, THEY REQUESTED IT TO DO IT A YEAR AGO.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER HAGAN, AND -- YOU KNOW, TO HAVE THEM REVIEW WHAT THE
COUNTY -- WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING AND TO HAVE THEM WEIGH IN I THINK WOULD CERTAINLY BE APPROPRIATE, SO I'D BE HAPPY TO INCORPORATE THAT AS PART OF THE MOTION THAT THEY COMMENT AND OPINE ON WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS DRAFTED AND OFFER TO THIS BOARD ANY SUGGESTIONS.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
SO WE -- SO WE'VE -- IS IT A MODIFICATION OF THE MOTION?
ARE YOU GOING TO MODIFY IT JUST FOR THOSE -- FOR THAT PURPOSE SO THAT IT CAN GO TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD?
>>KEVIN BECKNER: YES.
I WILL INCORPORATE THAT WITHIN THE MOTION THAT, AGAIN, WE AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AS I MENTIONED, AND THEN ALSO AUTHORIZE THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD TO ENGAGE IN THIS ISSUE AND TO BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONCERT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
THANK YOU.
COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BECKNER, FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
I GUESS I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, BECAUSE COMMISSIONER HAGAN DIDN'T SAY THIS, THAT THE -- IF THE HUMAN -- IF THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPINE ON WHAT'S GIVEN THEM OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO OFFER NEW SUGGESTIONS?
>>KEVIN BECKNER: NO, THEY CAN OFFER SUGGESTIONS IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT THEY FEEL WE SHOULD CONSIDER.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: YOU MEAN ON WHAT IS GIVEN THEM?
IS THERE GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO POSSIBLY HAVE A BLACK -- A BLANK SLATE OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM IN ADDITION WHAT IS GIVEN TO THEM FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY?
>>KEVIN BECKNER: WELL, OF COURSE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S GOING TO PROVIDE THEM THE STRUCTURE, AND I'LL LET CHIP, IF HE WANTS TO WEIGH IN ON THIS -- I MEAN, THEY ARE OUR LEGAL COUNSEL, AND SO, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME LEGAL CONSTRAINTS IN WHICH THEY WILL BE SERVING IN, BUT, CHIP, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND RESPOND.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: AS I'M HEARING THE DIALOGUE, WHAT I'M -- WHAT I'M HEARING IS THE BOARD WOULD LIKE US TO INITIATE THE ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WE WOULD LIKE THE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD TO BE PART OF THAT AND REVIEW THE DRAFT THAT WE PREPARE.
I THINK, BASED ON YOUR QUESTIONS, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE LATITUDE TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL CONCERNS THAT THEY MAY HAVE, AND WE CAN -- WE CAN PULL ALL THE RELEVANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE, OTHER DRAFT ORDINANCES FROM AROUND FLORIDA --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: EXACTLY.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: -- ANY RELEVANT STATE LAWS AND GET ALL THAT INFORMATION TO THEM SO THAT THEY CAN WEIGH IN ON THAT IN AN INFORMED WAY, AND WE CAN DO THAT, AND -- AND I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM.
MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO THE FINAL DRAFTING OF THE DOCUMENT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: OH, EXACTLY.
OKAY.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: AND I THINK BY DOING A DRAFT BEFORE THEY MEET, THAT'LL ALSO GIVE THEM THE FOUNDATION FROM WHICH TO WORK AND EXPEDITE THE REVIEW PROCESS.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.
BECAUSE YOU -- YOU DID CLARIFY THAT.
I JUST DON'T WANT IT TO BE THAT THEY ARE GIVEN A DOCUMENT AND THEY SAY YES OR NO --
>>KEVIN BECKNER: NO.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: -- THAT THEY HAVE -- THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW OTHER ORDINANCES OTHER PLACES, THAT THEY HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT INTO THE SITUATION.
I MEAN, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT WE APPOINT TO THE BOARD, SO WE HAVE TO HAVE -- I MEAN, WE'VE APPOINTED THEM FOR A REASON, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRUST THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US, YOU KNOW, THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR --
>>KEVIN BECKNER: ABSOLUTELY.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: -- AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
SO -- OKAY.
GREAT.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WE HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK, AGAIN, THE CITIZENS WHO CAME FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE, YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, I THINK PERHAPS THE FERVENT WAY WHICH WE FEEL HASN'T SO MUCH CHANGED, BUT IT'S THE WAY WE DEAL WITH EACH OTHER AND EVEN IN THIS ROOM TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN FEELING DIFFERENTLY BUT ALSO RECOGNIZE WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.
MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE WHEN YOU PICK UP THE NEWSPAPER OR YOU LOOK AROUND THE WORLD AND YOU SEE OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW, IT'S HELL ON EARTH, AND SO I WANT TO SAY THAT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT AT LEAST HERE IN THIS ROOM AND WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS AND CITIZENS THAT EVERYONE RECOGNIZES THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT, WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS, EVEN WITHIN THE CHURCH THERE'S GREAT DEBATE, BUT WITH REGARD -- AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND HAVING SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND SEEING IT AS WELL, WITH REGARD TO THE LAW, THE LAW ITSELF -- AND I THINK JEFFERSON WRESTLED WITH THIS -- WHEN YOU READ THE WORDS THAT JEFFERSON WROTE, HE WRESTLED WITH THIS -- MAYBE NOT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT IN GENERAL, THE FACT THAT WHILE WE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT AND HOLD DIFFERENT BELIEFS FIRMLY, UNDER THE LAW WE'RE EQUAL, AND SO I WANT TO THANK, AGAIN, THE AUDIENCE AND THE BOARD AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, IT WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER FOR F-1.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
AND NOW --
[APPLAUSE]
-- COMMISSIONER -- OR EXCUSE ME -- COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, IF YOU'D TAKE US FORWARD.
>>MIKE MERRILL: YES, COMMISSIONERS.
YOUR NEXT ITEM IS YOUR 10:45 TIME CERTAIN, F-2.
IT'S AN UPDATE FROM KELLEY PARIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S BOARD.
>>MARK SHARPE: AND THANK YOU AS WELL.
YOU'RE LEAVING QUIETLY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.
THANK YOU ALL.
>> COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME SPEAK WITH YOU THIS MORNING ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD, AND WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER HERE ALSO, COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
IT WAS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO THAT I CAME TO THE CHILDREN'S BOARD AS DIRECTOR FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW TODAY THAT IT WAS A WONDERFUL DECISION, AND I HAVE APPRECIATED THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSION THROUGHOUT THIS ABOUT 14 MONTHS.
THE CHILDREN'S BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE MID-'80s, AS YOU KNOW, TO KEEP CHILDREN IN HILLSBOROUGH HEALTHY, DEVELOPMENTALLY ON TRACK, AND IN SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES, AND I FELT OBLIGATED TO COME AND GIVE YOU A REPORT ON WHAT THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN AND DONE FOR THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
SO WE ARE -- WE ARE A BOARD THAT'S -- FIVE MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE REST ARE LOCALLY REPRESENTED FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT, OF COURSE A COMMISSIONER, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF DCF, A JUDGE, AND A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK WE'RE VERY LUCKY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT CHILDREN'S BOARDS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND ONLY 32 IN THE NATION, AND EACH BOARD IS DIFFERENT, AND EACH BOARD THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE DIFFERENT.
WHAT WE DID IN 2013, YOU CAN SEE HOW OUR MONEY IS DIVIDED BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED INITIATIVES, AGENCIES THAT SUPPORT SERVICES COUNTYWIDE, AND LETTERS OF AGREEMENT WITH SUCH AGENCIES AS USF WITH THE COMMUNITY OUTLETS.
WE SERVED ALMOST 99,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LAST YEAR, AND THESE ARE SERVICES THAT ARE LONG-TERM AND OF CONSIDERABLE DURATION.
WE TOUCHED WITH THE CHILDREN'S BOARD DOLLARS ALMOST A HALF MILLION CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TOUCHING THOSE CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE 8.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THESE CHILDREN, IF THEY HAVE ANY DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THAT THEY'RE CAUGHT EARLY AND THAT THEY'RE READY TO START SCHOOL AND IN SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES, AS I SAID EARLIER.
SO YOU CAN SEE -- I DON'T HAVE TO READ -- READ TO YOU THE DEMOGRAPHICS -- IN YOUR PACKET OF WHAT WE SERVED.
THIS IS A MAP OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THE AREAS IN WHICH THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AND THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ARE -- RECEIVE SERVICES, SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO SAY THAT THEY'RE SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTY AND HAVE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO RECEIVE THESE SERVICES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT HOUSEHOLD DEMOGRAPHICS.
WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL AREAS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING SERVICES.
WE LOOK AT THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE IN SULPHUR SPRINGS, AND 65% OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS ARE FEMALE-LED HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN, SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING ON A WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT IN SULPHUR SPRINGS TO ADDRESS THOSE HOUSEHOLD FAMILIES, SO WE'RE PROUD OF THAT ALSO.
WE LEVERAGE AND MATCH DOLLARS, SO THE -- THE $30 MILLION APPROXIMATELY THAT WE PUT IN THE COUNTY IN SERVICES EACH YEAR DOES NOT INCLUDE THOSE THAT ARE MATCHED AND LEVERAGED TO BRING FEDERAL DOLLARS DOWN, AND THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE.
WE FUND EARLY LEARNING COALITION TO THE TUNE OF $2 MILLION.
WHEN THAT COMES BACK FROM WASHINGTON, IT COMES BACK AS APPROXIMATELY $18 MILLION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF OUR FUNDING HISTORY, AND WE WILL BE ROLLING BACK OUR MILLAGE RATE THIS YEAR, WHICH WILL KEEP OUR SERVICES AND FUNDING LEVELS PRETTY STATIC.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE TAXPAYER OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY?
MEDIAN HOME VALUES OF ABOUT $199,000, IT'S ABOUT $72 PER HOMEOWNER THAT GOES INTO SERVICES, AND I THINK THAT'S QUITE A BARGAIN FOR WHAT IS PROVIDED, AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE'VE REALLY SPENT A YEAR LOOKING AT THE DATA SURROUNDING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND REALLY FUNDED SOME PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT HAVE EMERGED FROM LOOKING AT THAT DATA.
WE FUND 46 LOCAL LEAD AGENCIES ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS.
YOU CAN SEE -- I'VE INDICATED ON HERE HOW MUCH OF THEIR BUDGET'S CHILDREN'S BOARD DOLLARS AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THOSE AGENCIES IF THE CHILDREN'S BOARD DOLLARS WENT AWAY.
SO YOU CAN SAY 16 OF THOSE AGENCIES ARE BETWEEN 80% AND 100% FUNDED BY CHILDREN'S BOARD DOLLARS.
THOSE SERVICES WOULD GO AWAY IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE CHILDREN'S BOARD.
461 TO 80%, THOSE SERVICES WOULD PROBABLY GO AWAY.
WHEN YOU GET AROUND TO THE FIVE AGENCIES AND THE OTHER 12 AGENCIES, THEY WOULD BE AROUND BUT AT A LIMITED CAPACITY.
THE TOTAL AGENCY EXPENDITURES, 83% OF EVERY DOLLAR GOES INTO SERVICES.
WE ARE OPERATING AT A LEVEL AT CAPACITY WITH STAFF AND SERVICES THAT I THINK SERVES THE BOARD WELL, SERVES THE CITIZENS OF TAMPA WELL.
WE HAVE -- WE'VE GOT TWO EMERGING ISSUES THAT CAME TO LIGHT, ONE BEING LOOKING AT THE CHILD DEATH NUMBERS IN THE BIRTH TO REALLY FIVE AGE RANGE, AND THE CHILDREN IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT ARE DYING IN THAT AGE RANGE ARE BASICALLY FROM THREE THINGS, UNSAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENTS, DROWNING, AND ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA, SO WE HAVE SET OUT ON A CAMPAIGN TO END CHILD DEATHS FROM THOSE THREE EVENTS, AND WE HAVE PARTICULARLY HIT HARD ON THE DROWNING ISSUE, SO WE'RE IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE OF A VIDEO.
WE'LL SHOW YOU A BRIEF TWO MINUTES OF IT.
IT WILL BE A VIDEO THAT WE HAVE A SEVEN-MINUTE VIDEO AND A 15-MINUTE VIDEO.
WE WOULD HOPE TO PUT THAT WITH EVERY POOL PERMIT THAT'S ISSUED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, EVERY APARTMENT COMPLEX TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO PARENTS, AND IN TOOLKITS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REALTORS TO PUT IN EVERY HOME THAT'S PURCHASED IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND ALSO, WE LOOKED AT NUMBERS OF CHILD THAT WERE ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD HEALTH EVENTS AND LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS BY CHILDREN WITH ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT COST TAXPAYERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR, SO WE ARE ALSO RELEASING SOME MONEY FOR A HEALTH RFP, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD CANDIDATES FOR PROGRAMS WITH THAT, SO I'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU A BRIEF VIDEO ON BOTH OF THOSE.
[VIDEO SHOWN]
>> THE CHILDREN'S BOARD HAS OPENED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR QUALIFYING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSING ON IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN.
A UNITING GRANT SHOULD SERVE ALL CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE THROUGHOUT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, INCLUDING UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD SETTINGS.
IT SHOULD BE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO FAMILY-FRIENDLY SERVICE THAT ADDRESSES EMERGING HEALTH NEEDS.
THIS CAN INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES AND DECREASE VULNERABILITY TO CONTRACTING DISEASES THAT CAN BE PREVENTED BY VACCINES.
THE CHILDREN'S BOARD IS SEEKING TO INVEST AND FUND THE HIGHEST-QUALITY PROJECT IN PREVENTION SERVICES AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES THAT WILL KEEP ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES HEALTHY AND SAFE.
CHILDREN'S BOARD FUNDING IS ELIGIBLE FOR CORPORATIONS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE IN FLORIDA.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD: SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT IMPROVE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE WITH A COUNTYWIDE APPROACH, MAKE A STRONG CASE FOR NEED RELATED TO THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED, DEMONSTRATE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SOLVING HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES, AND DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES.
THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL IS AVAILABLE NOW.
THE DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN QUESTIONS IS 4:00 P.M. ON
JUNE 20th, 2014.
THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS 4:00 P.M. ON JULY 25th, 2014.
YOU CAN ACCESS REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS BY GOING TO WWW..
FOR MORE INFORMATION, E-MAIL GBROWN@.
[END OF VIDEO]
[VIDEO SHOWN]
>>911 OPERATOR: 911, WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY?
>>CALLER: I CAN'T FIND MY SON, HE'S MISSING.
I THINK SOMEONE TOOK HIM.
>>911 OPERATOR: WHERE DID YOU SEE HIM LAST?
>>CALLER: HE WAS WITH ME OUTSIDE OF OUR APARTMENT.
I -- I WAS TALKING ON THE PHONE, AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND, HE WAS GONE.
>>911 OPERATOR: HOW OLD IS HE?
>>CALLER: HE'S THREE YEARS OLD.
OH, GOD, PLEASE HELP ME.
>>911 OPERATOR: I'M SENDING HELP RIGHT NOW.
HAVE YOU SEARCHED THE COMPLEX COMPLETELY?
>>CALLER: I'M DOING THAT NOW.
JUSTIN!
JUSTIN!
OH, MY GOD, HE'S IN THE POOL.
I CAN SEE HIM IN THE POOL.
HE'S FACE DOWN.
SOMEBODY HELP ME!
HELP ME!
>>NARRATOR: YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM ...
YOU CAN'T SEE THEM ...
THEY CAN'T SCREAM FOR HELP ...
>>KELLEY PARRIS: I'M KELLEY PARRIS WITH THE CHILDREN'S
BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THE REASONS WE ENJOY LIVING IN TAMPA BAY IS EXACTLY WHY WE
HAVE TO BE WATER SMART FROM THE START.
WATER SAFETY'S EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY, WHETHER AT THE
BEACH OR AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD POOL.
CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF ONE AND FIVE HAVE THE HIGHEST
RATES OF DROWNING.
IN FACT, FLORIDA'S 300% HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE
NATION.
FORTUNATELY, DROWNING IS 100% PREVENTABLE, WITH SWIMMING
SUPERVISION, BARRIERS TO WATER ENTRY, AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS.
THE WATER SAFETY DVD IS FULL OF VALUABLE INFORMATION FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOU MAY EVEN RECOGNIZE SOME FACES ALONG THE WAY.
REMEMBER, WATER SAFETY'S KEY, AND IT'S UP TO YOU AND ME.
[END OF VIDEO]
>> THAT SOUTHERN ACCENT'S HARD TO TAKE, SO FORGIVE IT.
WE'RE ABOUT TO RELEASE A LETTER OF QUALIFICATIONS TO PUT INTO PLACE SOME MOBILE SWIM LESSONS ALSO.
WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT REGARDLESS OF ONE'S INCOME THAT EVERYBODY DESERVES SWIMMING LESSONS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS DRASTICALLY IN THE YEARS TO COME, SO I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING HARD ON THIS ISSUE, AND WE'VE EVEN PARTNERED WITH OUR AGENCY ACROSS THE BAY, JWB, AND WE'RE PLANNING ON REALLY BATHING THE BAY IN WATER SAFETY INFORMATION.
SO I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH THAT VIDEO OF MY SOUTHERN ACCENT.
WE HAVE DEVELOPED AND ADOPTED AN OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN, AND I TELL YOU THIS JUST BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE -- HAVE PUT SOME QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES IN PLACE AT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD.
YOU SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THIS TO REVIEW, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, JUST LET ME KNOW, BUT I LOOKED AT EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE AGENCY, AND WE PUT SOME INDICATORS INTO PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING RESPONSIBLE, EFFICIENT, AND EFFECTIVE.
NOT ONLY DO WE MONITOR OUR PARTNERS, BUT NOW WE MONITOR OURSELF AND REPORT OUT QUARTERLY ON WHAT THOSE INDICATORS ARE, AND SO IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE OPERATION OR QUALITY OF SERVICES OR EFFECTIVE OR EFFICIENT MANNER IF WHICH WE OPERATE, I WILL BE GLAD TO SHARE THOSE INDICATORS WITH YOU.
AND IN CLOSING, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF THE CHILDREN'S BOARD AFTER A ROCKY YEAR OR SO, AND WE ARE SERVING THE CITIZENS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WELL.
AND JUST ON A CLOSING NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOU THAT THERE WAS NEVER ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SERVICES THAT THE CITIZENS AND CHILDREN WERE RECEIVING, IT WAS OPERATIONAL ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF AND WE'VE CORRECTED, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
AND KELLEY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR -- FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
TO SAY WHAT YOU HAVE JUST SAID PROBABLY IS QUITE LIGHT, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE WE WERE GOING THROUGH SOME VERY TURBULENT TIMES AT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD DEALING WITH SOME VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND WE WERE ALWAYS WONDERING, YOU KNOW, HOW -- HOW CAN WE TRANSITION LEADERSHIP AND THEN ALSO AT THE SAME POINT IN TIME MAKE OUR SERVICES AND WHAT WE DO AS A CHILDREN'S BOARD MORE -- HAVE -- INCREASE AWARENESS ON THOSE ISSUES IN THE PUBLIC, AND JUST A REALLY INTERESTING SHORT STORY THAT I'VE SHARED WITH MANY IS THAT WHEN WE WERE REVIEWING APPLICANTS FOR THE -- AND GOING THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS TO INTERVIEW OUR NEXT DIRECTOR, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THAT YOU STOOD OUT AMONG ALL THE OTHER -- ALL THE OTHER APPLICANTS, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS JUST YOUR SOUTHERN ACCENT THAT GAVE YOU PART OF AN EDGE, BUT IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN IN A BOARD WHERE THERE WAS SO MUCH CONSENSUS AND SO QUICKLY ABOUT WHO WE WANTED TO LEAD THE AGENCY NEXT, AND I CAN CERTAINLY SAY AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD THAT TO THIS POINT, YOU HAVE NOT DISAPPOINTED ME AND I DON'T THINK YOU'VE DISAPPOINTED THE BOARD, AND I'VE CONTINUED TO HEAR AS I'M OUT IN THE PUBLIC A GREATER AWARENESS OF WHAT WE DO AS THE CHILDREN'S BOARD AND, OF COURSE, PRAISE FOR YOUR STAFF AS WELL AS YOU AS OUR LEADER, SO I THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU.
AND I HAVE 14 MONTHS UNDER MY BELT, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, SO -- AND DONE MANY FOCUS GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTY TO COME TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RFPs AND OUR PROGRAMS AND THE COUNTY'S NEEDS, AND THANK YOU FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND THE SUPPORT.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER CRIST.
>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
I TOO WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE FINE JOB THAT YOU'VE DONE SO FAR AT OUR CHILDREN'S BOARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>>VICTOR CRIST: YOU WALKED INTO A SITUATION WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE COMING THROUGH SOME SIGNIFICANT TURMOIL, AND YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THAT VERY EFFECTIVELY.
I HAVE HEARD THIS THROUGH THOSE WHO YOU WORK WITH, AND -- AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL.
I CAN'T HELP MYSELF BUT TO OFFER YOU A WORD OF -- OF ADVICE ON YOUR ADVERTISEMENT SPOT.
>> YES.
>>VICTOR CRIST: I'VE WORKED IN AND AROUND THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY FOR 35 YEARS.
IT WAS VERY CREATIVELY DONE, IT WAS VERY WELL DONE, BUT STUDIES HAVE CLEARLY SHOWN THAT SHOCK SPOTS ARE LESS EFFECTIVE THAN IF YOU WERE TO GET A CELEBRITY AND GIVE THE DATA AND THE NUMBERS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A TENDENCY TO TUNE OUT WHAT THEY FIND OFFENSIVE, AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE YOU GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR TIME AND BUCK IF YOU DECIDE TO RUN THIS.
>> THANKS.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS CELEBRITIES, I THINK TWO MAYBE ON THE ENTIRE VIDEO, AND LOTS OF INFORMATION, AND IT WAS REALLY EXPANDED JUST FROM POOL TO OPEN WATER AS A SUGGESTION OF AN OFFICIAL FROM TECO, SO IT COVERS ALL DIFFERENT AREAS OF WATER SAFETY, SO I'LL -- I WILL LET THE COMPANY KNOW THAT AND TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND I'LL JUST ADD A FEW COMMENTS.
KELLEY, I'M PROBABLY ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS OUT THERE.
AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN CHILDREN'S ISSUES IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY TAKE HOLD OF THE CHILDREN'S BOARD LIKE YOU HAVE AND REALLY BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY QUITE A BIT, AND I THINK FOR THE LISTENING PUBLIC, I MEAN, YOU NEED TO GET TO KNOW THE CHILDREN'S BOARD.
WE DO -- BECAUSE OF WHAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID, WE HAVE TO REAUTHORIZE YOU TO STAY IN EXISTENCE STARTING IN 2016, AND I WANT TO TELL YOU I KNOW I PERSONALLY WILL STAND BEHIND YOU, I HOPE THIS WHOLE BOARD WILL GET BEHIND YOU AND HELP YOU ANY WAY WE CAN BECAUSE YOU ARE PROVIDING VITAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR THAT AND KNOW THAT ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM US, WE'LL BE THERE TO HELP YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I -- I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I WAS ON A RADIO SHOW A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ECKERD FAMILY SERVICES, AND SHE SAID THAT IF THE CHILDREN'S BOARD WERE TO DISSOLVE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PUT 60 MILLION MORE DOLLARS IN SERVICES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: THAT'S CORRECT.
SO -- AND MIKE MERRILL WOULD PROBABLY BE SHAKING IN HIS BOOTS, YOU KNOW, IF HE KNEW HE HAD TO COME UP WITH 60 MILLION MORE DOLLARS, SO I THINK IT -- BUT YOUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS AMAZING --
>> THANK YOU.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: -- SO IT'S VERY WORTH THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
>> THANK YOU, AND THANK THE COMMISSION.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.
OKAY.
MR. MERRILL.
>>MIKE MERRILL: COMMISSIONERS, I SUGGEST MAYBE WE TAKE F-3, WHICH IS COMMISSIONER HAGAN'S ITEM, BECAUSE IT ALSO RELATES TO THE ISSUE OF SWIMMER SAFETY INITIATIVE.
HE'D ASKED IF WE COULD DO THAT AT THIS POINT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND ALSO MY ITEM, WHICH WAS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE REPORT FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ON THE PERMITS, G-3.
>>KEN HAGAN: IF YOU WANT TO DO -- I MEAN, YOU CAN DO G-3 FIRST AND THEN DO --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: YEAH, THEY ALL TIE TOGETHER.
>>MIKE MERRILL: RIGHT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: SO DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>>KEN HAGAN: YEAH.
THIS IS JUST GOING TO TAKE A MINUTE.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: YEAH.
>>KEN HAGAN: JUST FOR CONSISTENCY SO WE'RE ALL --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.
>>KEN HAGAN: -- TOGETHER --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER HAGAN.
>>KEN HAGAN: -- I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT PRIOR TO -- TO 2008, THE BUDGET CUTS THERE, WE HAD AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA AND THE SCHOOL BOARD TO RUN A SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM WHERE THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE WAS WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTION TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN.
CITY OPERATED THE PROGRAM, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED THE BUSES AND DRIVERS.
MOTHER'S DAY ALONE THERE WERE THREE DROWNING DEATHS.
I DON'T THINK I COULD WATCH THAT VIDEO WITHOUT TEARS COMING TO YOUR EYES ABOUT THE CHILDREN DROWNING, AND PARTIALLY AS A RESULT OF MEETING WITH KELLEY ON THEIR INITIATIVES AS WELL AS MEETING WITH CARRIE HENRIQUEZ, WHO IS JUST AS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WELL, I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS, MY OFFICE HAS, WITH OUR STAFF, INCLUDING CITY OF TAMPA, THE YMCA, WHICH WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THEM, WE HAVE FUNDING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET FOR BRANDON SPORTS AND AQUATIC CENTER, AND -- AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CHILDREN'S BOARD WERE INVOLVED IN THE MEETINGS AS WELL, AND I THINK THEY AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A UNIFORM MARKETING MESSAGE, BUT THE BEST WAY FOR US TO -- TO ASSIST WOULD BE TO COME UP WITH
A -- A PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH -- TO ESSENTIALLY DO WHAT WE DID IN THE PAST, AND SO THE PURPOSES OF TODAY IS JUST TO DIRECT STAFF TO GET WITH THE SCHOOL DIS -- WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA, WITH THE "Y," AND THE OTHER CHILDREN'S BOARD AND THE OTHER FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN -- IN THIS INITIATIVE AND COME UP WITH A PILOT PROGRAM.
THEIR INITIAL THOUGHTS WERE TO TARGET OR -- AREAS SUCH AS POSSIBLY HEAD START OR APARTMENT COMPLEXES OR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AS TO WHERE TO -- BEST TO BEGIN.
ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT WOULD PRIMARILY BE IN TRANSPORTATION AND WITH THE INSTRUCTORS; HOWEVER, THERE IS BELIEF AMONG STAFF THAT THIS WOULD QUALIFY FOR CSBG FUNDING, SO THEY'RE LOOKING INTO THAT, BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST HAVE STAFF PUT TOGETHER THIS PILOT INITIATIVE, COME BACK WITH US.
I WANT US TO -- BEING COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT OUR BUDGET RECONCILIATION IS IN TWO WEEKS -- IT'LL LIKELY TAKE THEM LONGER TO COME UP WITH THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THE PROGRAM, BUT I WOULD LIKE US TO DESIGNATE UP TO OR NOT TO EXCEED 150,000, IF IT'S NECESSARY.
IN THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO, WE'D QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDINGS AND IT WON'T COST ANYTHING, BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE LAST YEAR THAT WE DID THIS IN 2008, WE SET ASIDE OR WE SPENT 153,000 ON THE PROGRAM.
SO I KNOW WE'RE IN THE BALLPARK.
HOPEFULLY IT WON'T REQUIRE THAT MUCH MONEY, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'LL KNOW UNTIL DEFINITELY AFTER THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION, POSSIBLY AFTER OUR LAST BUDGET HEARING, SO WHATEVER PLANS INTERNALLY STAFF HAS TO MAKE JUST TO -- IN CASE WE NEED IT, JUST TO HAVE IT THERE.
SO --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN: -- THAT'S IT.
>>MARK SHARPE: SO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR F-3, WHICH IS A PILOT PROJECT ON THE COUNTYWIDE SWIMMING SAFETY INITIATIVE.
IT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER HAGAN, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MURMAN.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MIKE MERRILL: YOUR NEXT ITEM WOULD BE G-3, YOUR
11:00 A.M. TIME CERTAIN, WHICH IS A REPORT FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: YES, ON THE DROWNING POOL PERMITS.
I THINK --
>>MARK SHARPE: GO AHEAD.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: I ASKED STAFF TO COME BACK TO US WITH A REPORT ON WHAT WE COULD DO WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO, I GUESS, REQUIRE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT -- OR THE BUILDERS OF HOMES OR THE PEOPLE THAT PUT IN THE POOLS, THE POOL CONTRACTORS, AND SEE WHAT WE COULD DO TO ENCOURAGE THEM, YOU KNOW, TO -- YOU KNOW, TO TALK TO FAMILIES MORE ABOUT POOL SAFETY, SO ADAM.
>>ADAM GORMLY: GOOD AFTERNOON -- SORRY -- GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
ADAM GORMLY WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
YES, IN RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD AND THE ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER MURMAN BROUGHT UP, WE'VE IDENTIFIED AN INITIAL WAY TO ENSURE THAT DROWNING PREVENTION INFORMATION IS GETTING TO HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE PUTTING IN NEW POOLS OR TO PERSONS WHO ARE GOING TO BE BUYING HOMES WITH POOLS INSTALLED.
CURRENTLY, THE -- THE FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT REQUIRES THAT NEW SWIMMING POOLS INCORPORATE ONE OF FOUR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED OR UNSUPERVISED ENTRY INTO POOLS, AND THOSE FOUR OPTIONS WOULD BE AN ENCLOSURE AROUND A POOL, A POOL SAFETY COVER, A EXIT ALARM ON WINDOWS AND DOORS, OR SELF-CLOSING, SELF-LATCHING DOORS AND WINDOWS.
IN ADDITION, THE POOL SAFETY ACT REQUIRES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEVELOP A DROWNING PREVENTION EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATION THAT -- THAT POOL CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE TO PROSPECTIVE HOMEOWNERS, PROSPECTIVE POOL BUYERS.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DO IS -- CURRENTLY THE -- ONE OF THE FORM -- WE HAVE A FORM THAT CONTRACTORS AND HOMEOWNERS HAVE TO SIGN TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHICH SAFETY MEASURE THEY'RE GOING TO INCORPORATE.
WE'RE PROPOSING TO AMEND THIS FORM TO ALSO INCORPORATE INTO THAT AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE CONTRACTOR AND THE HOMEOWNER THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE DROWNING PREVENTION MATERIALS THAT ARE PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
WE WOULD ALSO MAKE THOSE MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN THE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES HERE ON THE 19th FLOOR AND ALSO AT THE RUSKIN SOUTHSHORE -- SOUTHSHORE SERVICE CENTER.
IN TERMS OF REACHING OUT TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND HOMEOWNERS -- HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER PLACES WITH COMMON POOLS, WE'RE PROPOSING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS DEPARTMENT TO FINALIZE A COMMUNICATION PLAN ON DROWNING PREVENTION AND THE BEST WAY TO INCORPORATE ANY MATERIALS THAT COME OUT OF THAT, EITHER NEW OR EXISTING MATERIALS, INTO THE INFORMATION THAT WE DISTRIBUTE AT THE CENTER, AT OUR PERMITTING LOCATIONS, AND ALSO POTENTIALLY TO REFERENCE SOURCES OF INFORMATION, FOR INSTANCE, A VIDEO THAT MIGHT BE POSTED ON THE WEB SITE OR SOME OTHER PLACE, PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION AT THOSE POINTS OF CONTACT FOR OUR PERMITTING -- PERMITTING SERVICES.
SO WE DO HAVE ONE IMMEDIATE STEP THAT WE CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW THAT WILL BLEND INTO A PROCESS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE, AND THAT IS REQUIRING THE HOMEOWNER AND POOL CONTRACTOR ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR PREVENTION MATERIALS.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: CAN YOU INCLUDE THE VIDEO FROM THE CHILDREN'S BOARD TO ALSO GIVE TO THESE PEOPLE, BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE -- I KNOW WE'D HAVE TO
DUPLICATE -- YOU KNOW, PAY FOR THE DUPLICATION OF THOSE VIDEOS, BUT I DO THINK IT WOULD BE VERY IMPACTFUL, AND ALSO TO LET THESE CONTRACTORS KNOW THAT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD COULD BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE, YOU KNOW, FOR EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT POOL SAFETY.
>>ADAM GORMLY: CERTAINLY.
WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT -- WHETHER THE BEST WAY IS TO HAND OUT A COPY OF THE CD OR PERHAPS HAVE A SECTION ON OUR WEB PAGE THAT WE COULD REFERENCE ON OUR POOL PERMIT MATERIALS THAT WOULD ALLOW FOLKS TO GO ACCESS THAT AND WHATEVER OTHER MATERIALS WE DEVELOP AS A DROWNING PREVENTION PROGRAM.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND ALSO, CAN YOU -- CAN WE REQUIRE SPECIFIC SIGNAGE IN CONDOS AND APARTMENTS AT THE POOL AREA THAT ARE REQUIRED -- YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD HAVE CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT POOL SAFETY?
>>ADAM GORMLY: WE -- WE COULD EXPLORE OUR ABILITY TO REQUIRE THAT.
THERE CURRENTLY IS A REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS FOR SIGNAGE AROUND WHAT -- WHAT'S CALLED COMMERCIAL SWIMMING POOLS, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE NON-SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL POOLS.
THAT SIGNAGE DOESN'T REALLY ADDRESS THE DROWNING PREVENTION ELEMENT, THEY'RE MORE SAFETY AND --
>>SANDRA MURMAN: I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU.
I HAVEN'T BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUTS OUT ON POOL SAFETY.
>>ADAM GORMLY: ALL RIGHT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: I MEAN, I'M MUCH MORE IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THE CHILDREN'S BOARD IS DOING.
IT'S A LOT MORE PROACTIVE.
I THINK IT REALLY GETS TO THE MEAT AND TALKS TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT THEY SHOULD DO FOR POOL SAFETY.
I -- I THINK DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS JUST -- IT'S PRETTY ROTE AND IT'S NOT -- IT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH IMPACT TO IT.
>>ADAM GORMLY: I UNDERSTAND.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: I'M SURE IT'S WELL-MEANING, NOT -- YOU KNOW, NOT TO SAY THAT -- I THINK -- IT'S NOT BAD, IT JUST -- IT DOESN'T GET THE POINT ACROSS.
AND I'M GOING TO MOVE TO RECEIVE THE REPORT TODAY, BUT I DO THINK -- I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME BACK TO US AND TALK -- AND SEE IF WE CAN REQUIRE MORE SPECIFIC AND BETTER SIGNAGE AT POOL AREAS AND CONDOS AND WORKING AND APARTMENTS AND WORKING WITH THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION GROUP -- JEFF ROGO I KNOW IS VERY ACTIVE IN THAT GROUP -- AND WORK WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT MIGHT -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, CONDOS AND ESPECIALLY APARTMENT POOLS, LIKE THAT ONE SPECIFIC INSTANCE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO MAYBE GO A LITTLE STEP FURTHER IN DOING THAT.
>>ADAM GORMLY: WE'LL DO THAT.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.
SO I'LL MOVE TO RECEIVE THE REPORT --
>>KEN HAGAN: SECOND.
>>SANDRA MURMAN: -- AND SECOND BY HAGAN.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM G-3 TO RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU.
>>ADAM GORMLY: THANK YOU.
>>MIKE MERRILL: THANKS, ADAM.
NEXT ITEM IS YOUR 11:15 TIME CERTAIN, E-2, ED PEACHEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CAREERSOURCE, GIVING HIS QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT.
>>MARK SHARPE: WELCOME, MR. PEACHEY.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
I'LL START OFF TODAY'S PRESENTATION WITH THE BUDGET AS WE'RE GOING INTO THIS NEW YEAR.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE ABOUT SIX MILLION DOWN FROM WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR.
WE KNOW WE WILL BE RECEIVING SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS, AND WE HAVEN'T CLOSED OUT OUR BOOKS YET FOR LAST YEAR, SO I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THAT WILL INCREASE SOME, BUT PROBABLY NOT BACK UP TO THE $27-MILLION LEVEL WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR.
OVERVIEW OF THE STATS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAD ALMOST 57,000 JOB SEEKERS COME IN AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS THROUGH OUR WAGNER-PEYSER PROGRAM, OVER 3,000 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CURRENTLY IN TAMPA BAY IS AT 6%.
THAT'S 1% LESS THAN WHERE WE WERE A YEAR AGO.
THE AVERAGE DURATION ON UC IS STILL REALLY HIGH IN COMPARISON TO WHERE IT WOULD NORMALLY BE, AT 35.9 WEEKS, ALTHOUGH IT IS TRENDING DOWN.
OUR EMPLOYED WORKER TRAINING AND OJT, VERY POPULAR PROGRAMS WITH THE LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
WE HAD 35 COMPANIES IN THE EWT PROGRAM, 172 NOW PARTICIPATING IN OJT.
THAT PROGRAM JUST CONTINUES TO GROW AND GROW FOR US, AND YOU CAN SEE WE TRAINED ALMOST 1,000 IN EWT AND OVER 600 IN THE OJT PROGRAMS.
BOTTOM LINE ON THIS -- THIS IS THE SIGN-IN KIOSK AT OUR CENTERS.
IT SHOWS YOU A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT INDIVIDUALS ARE COMING TO THE CENTERS FOR SERVICES, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAD ALMOST 206,000 PEOPLE COME IN FOR SERVICES.
NOW, SOME OF THOSE ARE DUPLICATE, BUT -- 206,000 VISITS I GUESS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
SOME OF OUR SPECIAL INITIATIVES THAT WE KICKED OFF THIS PAST YEAR, , THAT'S A WEB SITE THAT WE SET UP THIS SPRING TO TRY TO ASSIST AND FACILITATE WITH THE -- BETWEEN THE EDUCATION PARTNERS AND OUR EMPLOYERS SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE, I GUESS, A LESS BUMPY ROAD TO BEING ABLE TO GET INTERNS.
DURING SOME OF OUR SKILLS GAP SURVEYS, IT WAS BROUGHT OUT REPEATEDLY BY EMPLOYERS THAT THEY STRUGGLED TO GET INTERNS.
SO WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DOES NOTHING BUT WORK WITH THIS SITE.
SO FAR WE HAVE ABOUT 270 INTERNS REGISTERED, 89 EMPLOYERS THAT HAVE LISTED ABOUT 60 OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH SOME MAJOR COMPANIES HERE.
WE HAVE COCA-COLA, MOSAIC, SOME OF THOSE LARGER EMPLOYERS THAT ARE UTILIZING THIS SITE.
SO FAR WE'VE REFERRED 40 INTERNS TO EMPLOYERS, AND TEN OF THEM HAVE BEEN HIRED.
OUR MILITARY TRANSITIONING EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, IT'S ANOTHER NEW INITIATIVE THAT WE STARTED THIS SPRING.
THIS WAS REALLY TO ADDRESS VETERANS WHO ARE ON THE GI BILL, USING THE GI BILL, OR WHO WOULD LIKE TO USE THE GI BILL, AND WHAT WE WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS TO HELP THEM GET INTO INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, PART- OR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT TO HELP TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR MONTHLY STIPEND.
A LOT OF VETERANS WHO HAVE FAMILIES REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO SCHOOL ON THE GI BILL BECAUSE THEIR STIPEND'S NOT ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THEIR MONTHLY BILLS, SO THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE STARTED TO HELP ADDRESS THAT.
WE'VE HAD OVER 150 VETERANS THAT WE'VE MET WITH, OVER 80 EMPLOYERS, AND SO FAR WE HAVE 43 VETERANS THAT HAVE REGISTERED FOR THIS PROGRAM.
ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THOSE PROGRAMS OR INITIATIVES?
IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE ON, THEN, TO THE FINANCIAL AND SHARED SERVICES SURVEY.
WHEN WE STARTED THE SURVEY, WE PICKED OUT 40 EMPLOYERS, LARGE EMPLOYERS THAT FIT INTO THE FINANCIAL AND SHARED SERVICES, AND WE HAD OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, TAMPA BAY PARTNERSHIP, WORKFORCE BOARDS REACH OUT TO THOSE COMPANIES.
SO FAR WE'VE HAD 24 OF THE 40 RESPOND.
WE THINK WE'LL PROBABLY GET FIVE OR SIX MORE BY THE END OF THE WEEK, SO I THINK ONCE WE GET TO 30, WE'LL PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND -- AND COMPLETE THAT SURVEY WITH THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE.
PENDING LEGISLATION, THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, SO IT'S JUST UP TO THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN RIGHT NOW.
NOT A WHOLE LOT OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT.
IT DOES CALL FOR SMALLER WORKFORCE BOARDS.
I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT MAYBE 17 OR 18 PEOPLE TOTAL.
AND IT'S GOING TO CHANGE OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS TO WHERE WE'LL BE SERVING MORE OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AND LESS -- LESS IN-SCHOOL.
THAT COULD IMPACT OUR SUMMER PROGRAM.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE OF THE STEM TECH PROGRAM THAT WE RUN HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT WE'VE BEEN SERVING OVER 400 YOUTH A YEAR, A CONTRACT WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT TO RUN THAT PROGRAM, AND IT'S BEEN VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL.
THE STUDENTS EARN CERTIFICATIONS IN MICROSOFT, AND I WENT TO GRADUATION LAST YEAR.
SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS HAD EARNED FIVE, SIX CERTIFICATIONS IN A FIVE-WEEK PERIOD, AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM EARNED AT LEAST ONE.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY GO OUT ON FIELD TRIPS TO DIFFERENT EMPLOYERS AND KIND OF GET SOME OF THAT CAREER EXPLORATION ACTIVITY.
>>MARK SHARPE: ED, COULD YOU JUST -- JUST GET THAT INFORMATION REGARDING THAT PROGRAM TO MY OFFICE.
>> YEAH.
>>MARK SHARPE: I'D LIKE TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE IT.
>> OKAY
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU.
>> GREAT.
SO OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE ANY -- THIS LEGISLATION'S NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON US.
THE I.T. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, WE FINALLY DID GET STATE -- STATE APPROVAL ON IT, SO WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE FIRST I.T. CURRICULUM FOR APPRENTICESHIPS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE THREE COMPANIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY SERVING ON THAT COMMITTEE.
WE'RE LOOKING TO TRY TO GET AT LEAST SIX OR SEVEN MORE THIS YEAR AND START UP THE PROGRAMS AT OUR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, BOTH IN HILLSBOROUGH AND PINELLAS COUNTY TO GET THOSE PROGRAMS UP AND RUNNING, SO WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THAT AREA HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
THE MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP, THIS IS THE GRANT THAT -- THAT YOU GUYS GAVE US TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE MANUFACTURERS.
I HIRED AN INDIVIDUAL BY THE NAME OF MARK VAN DAME.
MARK HAS A LONG HISTORY IN MANUFACTURING.
HE WAS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF CAPITAL FIVE INVESTMENTS, WHICH WAS A PAPER AND PAPER PACKAGING CORPORATION WITH ANNUAL SALES OF OVER $200 MILLION.
HE STARTED.
HE'S A VETERAN.
HE SERVED IN THE ARMY FROM 1987 TO 1991.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE ARMY, HE WORKED AS AN HOURLY EMPLOYEE, GOT HIS MBA, AND WORKED HIS WAY ALL THE WAY UP TO BE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF A COMPANY, SO WE'RE VERY -- A MANUFACTURING COMPANY, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE HIM ONBOARD TO BE DIRECTING THESE INITIATIVES.
HE UNDERSTANDS FROM THE MANUFACTURERS' POINT OF VIEW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
HE'S BEEN OUT MEETING WITH MANUFACTURERS.
HE'S STARTING UP A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION.
HE HAS TEN EMPLOYERS THAT ARE ONBOARD WITH THAT.
THEY WILL SERVE KIND OF AS OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR BOTH THE ENGINEERING MANUFACTURING SCIENCE ACADEMY AS WELL AS THE'S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD TO GET KICKED OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT, YOU KNOW, IF HISTORY TELLS ME ANYTHING, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE AT LEAST A YEAR TO A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE WE CAN GET AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STARTED OFF.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>>MARK SHARPE: NO, SIR.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU, MR. PEACHEY.
>>MIKE MERRILL: COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER MURMAN ASKED FOR US TO DEFER UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON G-2, WHICH WAS YOUR 11:30 ITEM, BECAUSE SHE HAD TO LEAVE FOR A MEETING IN RUSKIN, SO WE CAN -- IT'S YOUR PLEASURE.
WE CAN TAKE A COUPLE OF OTHER REGULAR ITEMS.
>>MARK SHARPE: SURE.
>>MIKE MERRILL: ALL RIGHT.
PAULA HARVEY'S HERE.
ITEM B-1.
>>MARK SHARPE: WELCOME, MS. HARVEY.
>>PAULA HARVEY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BOARD MEMBERS.
ITEM B-1 IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET PERTAINING TO THE SHIP PROGRAM FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE.
WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THIS YEAR, THROUGH ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE, TO RECEIVE FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY $4,254,208 IN NEW SHIP FUNDS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN PROGRAM INCOME THAT WE'VE GOTTEN BACK FROM SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE IN PRIOR YEARS WITH SHIP.
IN THAT REGARD, WE ARE SETTING UP THE BUDGET FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SHIP FUNDS, AND SO YOU'LL KNOW WHAT OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM INITIATIVES ARE FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH OUR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM WHERE WE PROVIDE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THAT FUNDING ASSISTANCE.
WE ALSO FUND OUR CONTRACT PROVIDERS FOR REHABILITATION OF HOMES.
THAT INCLUDES HOMES THAT NEED ASSISTANCE IN BARRIER REMOVAL TO MEET ADA REQUIREMENTS AND TO ALLOW THEM TO SUSTAIN THEIR LIFE IN THEIR CURRENT AND EXISTING HOMES.
IN ADDITION, THIS YEAR WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF THE EXPANDED AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO ACTUALLY BE LOOKING TOWARD FUNDING MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS.
YOU WILL BE SEEING THOSE FUNDING AGREEMENTS COMING TO YOU WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR TWO NEW MAJOR PROJECTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY UTILIZING THE SHIP FUNDING SOURCES.
AND THEN LASTLY, I CANNOT LEAVE OUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH HR TO PROVIDE FOR TWO ADDITIONAL CONTRACT MANAGER POSITIONS IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
THESE ARE MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS TO MANAGE THE CONTRACTS FOR THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
WE WILL BE LIMITING THOSE POSITIONS TO BE TIED TO THE FUNDING.
SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER THEM, BUT THAT'S WHAT OUR REQUEST IS.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE APPROVAL FOR ITEM B-1.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
THAT'S B-1 WE'RE VOTING ON AND APPROVAL?
>>MIKE MERRILL: YES.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER CRIST.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: COMMISSIONER CRIST.
>>MARK SHARPE: WE'RE VOTING ON ITEM B-1.
THANK YOU, SIR.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>PAULA HARVEY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, PAULA.
TOM FESLER'S HERE TO DO B-2, B-3, AND B-4.
>>MARK SHARPE: TOM, WELCOME, SIR.
>>TOM FESLER: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
TOM FESLER, BUSINESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
ON ITEM B-2 TODAY, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO AWARD AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR THE WILLIAMS ROAD MAIN -- TRANSMISSION MAIN EXTENSION TO HARRIS-McBURNEY COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,187,042 FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT, AND THIS PROCUREMENT ALSO DOES ACHIEVE A 10% MINORITY PARTICIPATION RATE.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: MOVE APPROVAL.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: MOTION OF APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER FOR ITEM B-2.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>TOM FESLER: ITEM B-3 IS ASKING YOU TO AWARD AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES TO JANI-KING OF TAMPA BAY IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $7,833,980, AND TO UGL COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,210,378.40, AND WE ARE ALSO ASKING YOU TO REJECT THE BIDS FROM ABM JANITORIAL SERVICES AND TRIANGLE SERVICES FOR STATED DEVIATIONS WITHIN THEIR BIDS, AND FINALLY TO DELEGATE TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS UP TO $75,000 ON THE CONTRACTS.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE APPROVAL.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: MOTION OF APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER FOR ITEM B-3.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>TOM FESLER: AND THEN FINALLY, ITEM B-4, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO APPROVE A FISCAL YEAR '14 BUDGET AMENDMENT REALIGNING $5,070,000 IN ORDER TO INCREASE RESERVES FOR SEVERAL BOND ISSUES TO PROVIDE FOR SINKING FUND -- DEBT SINKING FUND REQUIREMENTS.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE -- SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
MOTION OF APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER MILLER FOR ITEM B-4, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, TOM.
>>MARK SHARPE: THANK YOU.
>>MIKE MERRILL: ITEM B-5, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, STEPHEN TODD IS HERE, I BELIEVE.
THERE HE IS.
>>MARK SHARPE: WELCOME.
>>STEPHEN TODD: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
>>MARK SHARPE: THE AWARD-WINNING COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>>MIKE MERRILL: RIGHT.
>>STEPHEN TODD: THANK YOU.
STEPHEN TODD, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
COMMISSIONERS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE THIS ISSUE WITH A SHORT HISTORY.
I'LL TRY TO BE AS BRIEF AS AN ATTORNEY CAN BE.
STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE STATE AND THE COUNTIES HAVE A "JOINT OBLIGATION" -- THAT TERM IS IN QUOTES BECAUSE IT'S IN THE STATUTE -- TO PAY THE COST OF SECURE JUVENILE DETENTION. UNTIL A COURT DECISION LAST YEAR, THERE WAS NO REAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE TERM "JOINT OBLIGATION" MEANS TO US, HOW MUCH ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PAY.
THAT MUCH WAS UNRESOLVED.
BECAUSE OF THIS, WE'VE BEEN AT ODDS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE ABOUT HOW MUCH WE'RE SUPPOSED TO PAY SINCE ABOUT 2004 WHEN THE STATUTE WAS ENACTED, SO EVERY YEAR WE HAVE A PROCESS WHERE WE MAKE A CHALLENGE, WE PRESENT THAT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS ALMOST EVERY YEAR DETERMINES THAT THE COUNTY HAS OVERPAID, THERE'S AN ADJUSTMENT, THAT ADJUSTMENT'S KICKED FORWARD TO THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR, AND THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR WE GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.
LAST YEAR, THOUGH, THERE WAS A POINT OF RESOLUTION WHERE AN APPELLATE COURT HAD TWO SIGNIFICANT VICTORIES FOR THE COUNTIES IN WHICH IT WAS DETERMINED THAT DJJ'S PROCESS CHARGED THE COUNTIES MORE THAN WHAT THE STATUTE ALLOWED, AND BECAUSE OF THE APPELLATE COURT RULINGS, THE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN FORCED TO ADMIT AS TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY HAS OVERPAID THE DEPARTMENT BY OVER $9.6 MILLION.
THE TRICK IS COLLECTING THE MONEY, THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
DEPARTMENT TOLD US TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR THAT IF WE WANT TO GET THAT MONEY, THEN THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO APPROVE AN APPROPRIATION.
LEGISLATURE BALKED DURING THE SESSION, SO HERE WE ARE, WE'RE TRYING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO COLLECT THAT MONEY.
SO OUR PROPOSAL IS TO SUGGEST THAT THE BOARD APPROVE BROADLY LEGAL ACTION TO TAKE AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT, AND SPECIFICALLY THE ACTION WOULD BE FILED AGAINST THE INTERIM DEPARTMENT SECRETARY AND AGAINST THE CFO OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT WE DO IN ORDER TO ASK A JUDGE TO ORDER THE DEPARTMENT TO PAY BACK THAT $9.6 MILLION.
A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTIES ARE ALSO GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN SIMILAR OR THE SAME LEGAL ACTIONS, BUT AS WE WORK OUT THE PROCESS AND THE STRATEGY FOR DOING THAT, WE'RE REQUESTING BROAD AUTHORITY TO GO TAKE WHATEVER LEGAL ACTION'S NECESSARY.
THERE'S A SECOND ITEM I WANTED TO PRESENT TO YOU.
THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR CONSIDERATION THAT'S BEING HANDLED AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL BUT CONCERNS DJJ.
THE COUNTY BUDGETED $191,000-PLUS PER MONTH FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR FOR JUVENILE DETENTION COSTS.
THE DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THEIR RULE BECAUSE OF THOSE APPELLATE DECISIONS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE NOT CHANGING IT IN A WAY THAT WE FIND BENEFICIAL TO THE COUNTY, SO WE SEEM TO BE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHALLENGING -- CHALLENGING THAT RULE PROPOSED CHANGE, BUT THE DEPARTMENT, IN A PROCESS OF MAKING THE RULE CHANGE, THEY WANT THE COUNTY, HILLSBOROUGH, TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $88,000 PER MONTH ON TOP OF THE $191,000 PER MONTH THAT WE'RE ALREADY PAYING, AND THAT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF THE BUDGET THAT THE BOARD HAS ALREADY APPROVED FOR JUVENILE DETENTION.
SO AS I INDICATED, THE SUBJECT OF AGENDA ITEM A-27 EARLIER TODAY, THIS BOARD APPROVED THE CHALLENGE OF THE PROPOSED RULE, WHICH IS ALREADY IN WORKS.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING THAT WE PAY THE LESSER AMOUNT, THAT WE DO NOT PAY THE 88,000, THAT INSTEAD WE PAY THE AMOUNT THAT THIS BOARD BUDGETED DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
LEGAL ANALYSIS IS THAT THERE IS NO LEGAL PROHIBITION AGAINST PAYING THE LOWER AMOUNT UNTIL THERE IS A FINAL RULING ON OUR LEGAL CHALLENGE; HOWEVER, THERE, OF COURSE, MAY BE SOME ATTENTION FOCUSED UPON US BY DECIDING TO MAKE A REDUCED PAYMENT.
SO WE'RE PRESENTING TWO ISSUES FOR THE BOARD'S RESOLUTION.
FIRST IS WHETHER TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGAL ACTION TO COLLECT 9.6 MILLION-PLUS, AND SECOND, WHETHER THIS BOARD HAS ANY ADDITIONAL CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING REDUCED MONTHLY PAYMENTS.
THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND THANK YOU,
MR. TODD AND TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS COUNTY ATTORNEY AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR STAFF, ESPECIALLY IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AREA.
I KNOW THAT JAN AND ROB HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTRUMENTAL ON THESE ISSUES.
THIS IS -- BOARD MEMBERS, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD AND BEEN INVOLVED WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE ISSUES, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT'S QUITE A MESS.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT -- WELL, MAYBE IT'S NOT SO UNBELIEVABLE THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA CAN'T BILL US APPROPRIATELY, BUT IS IT ALSO APPROPRIATE, MR. TODD, THAT SOME OF THOSE -- THE BILLING QUAGMIRE THAT WE'RE IN IS BECAUSE WE PAY FOR OTHER COUNTIES THAT ARE CONSIDERED FISCALLY CONSTRAINED?
>> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER, AND THAT'S -- THE STATUTE DOES REQUIRE THAT THE LARGER COUNTIES PAY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT, BUT THE STATE DOES KICK IN QUITE A BIT OF MONEY FOR THE FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTIES AS WELL.
NONETHELESS, THE COUNTIES -- LARGER COUNTIES DO PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT TOWARDS THAT AS WELL, SO BECAUSE IT'S AN [INAUDIBLE] OBLIGATION, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DISCERN EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR, AND THAT'S REALLY AT THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: YEAH.
AND I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION FOR ANOTHER DAY BECAUSE I HAVE SOME VERY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THAT.
BUT ANYWAYS, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK, AND I STRONGLY FEEL THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD TO GET OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS BACK HERE AND WHAT'S OWED TO THIS COUNTY, AND PERHAPS WE'LL SEND A MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO GET THIS MESS STRAIGHTENED OUT AND ALL THE BURDEN SHOULDN'T BE PUT
ON -- ON COUNTIES LIKE US AND OUR TAXPAYERS, SO I'LL CERTAINLY MOVE APPROVAL.
ARE THERE TWO ITEMS, MR. TODD, OR JUST THIS ONE?
THAT'S WHAT I WASN'T 100% CLEAR.
>>STEPHEN TODD: ONE'S MOVE --
>>KEVIN BECKNER: WELL, WE ALREADY DID ONE IN CONSENT; CORRECT?
>>STEPHEN TODD: YES, SIR.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: OKAY.
>>STEPHEN TODD: THE SECOND ISSUE I PRESENTED WAS SIMPLY TO BRIEF YOU ON THE SUBJECT OF MAKING REDUCED PAYMENTS SO THAT THE BOARD IS AWARE OF IT.
THIS IS NOT OFFICIALLY PART OF THE AGENDA ITEM, BUT I DID WANT TO BRIEF YOU SO THAT YOU'RE AWARE ADMINISTRATIVELY THEY'RE GOING TO BE MAKING REDUCED PAYMENTS IN CASE YOU HAD ANY CONCERNS.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: WELL, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT AS WELL AND WOULD -- DO WE -- DOES THAT NEED TO BE PART OF THAT MOTION OR YOU'RE JUST BRIEFING US NOW?
>>STEPHEN TODD: I'M JUST BRIEFING THE COMMISSION ON THAT.
I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE MOTION.
>>KEVIN BECKNER: OKAY.
I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>>MARK SHARPE: MR. FLETCHER.
>>CHIP FLETCHER: I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE -- ONE POINT
ON -- TO FOLLOW ON IS THAT NOTHING HERE IS CONTESTING THE ACTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN IMPLEMENTING THE REQUIREMENTS.
WE'RE SIMPLY SEEKING TO ENFORCE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS PUT IN PLACE AND REALLY FOCUS ON THE ACCOUNTING OF HOW THOSE CHARGES ARE -- ARE BILLED, SO WE'RE NOT CONTESTING ANY ACTION OF THE LEGISLATURE OR OUR CURRENT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION OF APPROVAL FOR ITEM B-5 FROM COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>>LES MILLER, JR.: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>STEPHEN TODD: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, STEPHEN.
LET'S SEE.
DO YOU WANT TO KEEP GOING OR DO YOU WANT TO BREAK?
>>MARK SHARPE: WE'RE ROLLING.
>>MIKE MERRILL: OKAY.
WE CAN DO G-1.
I'M LOOKING FOR STAFF HERE.
THERE WE GO.
G-1, OUR MONTHLY REPORT FROM HEAD START.
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WELCOME.
>>RAY DAVIS: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M RAY DAVIS, FISCAL MANAGER FOR HEAD START DIVISION.
ITEM G-1 IS THE GOVERNING BODY'S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2014 FOR THE HEAD START PROGRAM.
AS THE GOVERNING BODY, YOU EXERCISE THE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN REGARD TO HEAD START.
THE PRIMARY COMPONENT OF THE OVERSIGHT INVOLVES THE PROGRAM PROVIDING YOU REGULAR ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROGRAM.
WITHIN THE REPORT, WE PROVIDE DATA REGARDING PROGRAM ENROLLMENT, FAMILY SERVICES ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, OUR POLICY COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, AND OUR PARENT ACTIVITIES.
WE ALSO PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION REGARDING OUR ONGOING PROGRAMS AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.
WE'RE CURRENTLY WINDING DOWN THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR IN THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST.
THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR WILL START ON AUGUST 19th.
DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD, WE'LL BE CONDUCTING OUR ANNUAL FREE SERVICE TRAINING WHERE WE BRING IN ALL OF OUR COUNTY STAFF AND CONDUCT REFRESHER TRAINING AND UPDATE THEM ON OTHER ACTIVITIES.
WITH THAT, THAT COMPLETES OUR REPORT.
REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: WE HAVE A MOTION OF APPROVAL TO RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM COMMISSIONER MILLER.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: SECOND COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
NO QUESTIONS, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS.
THANK YOU, SIR.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MIKE MERRILL: I DON'T HAVE STAFF HERE FOR THE REMAINING ITEMS.
WE CAN TAKE THE ITEMS IF YOU LIKE.
B-8 IS A PUBLIC UTILITIES ITEM.
WE'RE SIMPLY REALIGNING DOLLARS WITHIN THEIR BUDGET IN ORDER TO FUND PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION PHASES OF PROJECTS, SO IT'S JUST MOVING MONEY WITHIN FUNDS, UNLESS YOU HAVE --
>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM: [INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION OF APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
THAT'S FOR ITEM B-8.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MIKE MERRILL: AND B-9 IS A BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT MONEY FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA -- THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING -- $6.1 MILLION, PART OF THE JOINT PROJECT AGREEMENT FOR THE BRUCE B. DOWNS WIDENING PROJECT.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]
>>MARK SHARPE: WE'VE GOT TO TAKE IT NOW.
LET'S GO.
OKAY.
COMMISSIONER MILLER SAYS MOVE APPROVAL.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE: COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE FOR ITEM B-9.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>MIKE MERRILL: THE OTHER ITEMS ARE COMMISSIONER MURMAN'S ITEMS, AND SO I THINK WE --
>>MARK SHARPE: LET'S JUST ADJOURN, AND WE'LL COME BACK --
>>LES MILLER, JR.: MR. CHAIRMAN, WHAT TIME?
>>MARK SHARPE: YES, SIR.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: GO AHEAD.
I'M ASKING WHAT TIME?
>>MIKE MERRILL: 1:30.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: BEFORE WE ADJOURN, CAN MR. BANKS COME FORWARD A MINUTE, PLEASE.
>>MARK SHARPE: ABSOLUTELY.
BART BANKS, WELCOME, SIR.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: AS YOU ALL KNOW, MR. BANKS IS ALSO A -- A BAPTIST MINISTER AT ONE OF THE LARGEST GREAT CHURCHES HERE IN TAMPA, BUT I BELIEVE HE JUST GOT ELECTED TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT POSITION WITHIN THE -- THE BAPTIST CHURCH, AM I CORRECT, SIR?
>>BART BANKS: YES, SIR.
>>>LES MILLER, JR.: CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THAT IS.
>>BART BANKS: IT'S VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION OF AMERICA.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION OF AMERICA, WHICH IS THE LARGEST BAPTIST CONVENTION --
>>BART BANKS: SECOND LARGEST.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: -- SECOND LARGEST IN THE WORLD, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
>>BART BANKS: YES.
>>LES MILLER, JR.: SO MR. BANKS IS -- REVEREND BANKS,
DR. BANKS IS MOVING UP IN THE BAPTIST CONVENTION MOVEMENT, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S AN HONOR FOR HIM TO BE ONE OF OUR OWN, NOT ONLY FROM TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT AN EMPLOYEE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND HE IS ON THE MOVE, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
I JUST HAD TO BRING YOU UP TO DO THAT.
>>BART BANKS: THANK YOU.
>>MARK SHARPE: CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO END FOR LUNCH.
ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL SEE YOU AT 1:30.
................
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