BOCC Internet Department Applications



CAPTIONING

DECEMBER 17, 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.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

IT IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17th.

I WELCOME YOU ALL TO A VERY EXCITING DAY HERE AT OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND OUR INVOCATION FROM OUR CHAPLAIN, COMMISSIONER MILLER.

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

>>LES MILLER, JR.: OUR GRACIOUS AND HEAVENLY FATHER, BEFORE WE ASK YOU FOR ANYTHING, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR A REASONABLE PORTION OF HEALTH AND STRENGTH, WHEN YOU TOUCHED US THIS MORNING, WE'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE IN OUR BODIES.

FATHER, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME OUT THIS MORNING, WHETHER WE'RE ON THIS DAIS OR THIS AUDIENCE, THAT WE MAY MAKE DECISIONS TO MAKE THIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH US AS WE MAKE THE DECISIONS, HUMBLE OUR HEARTS AND REGULATE OUR MINDS.

FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH THOSE THAT PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US EACH AND EVERY DAY, WHETHER THEY'RE ON THIS SOIL OR ON FOREIGN SOILS.

PROTECT THEM, GUIDE THEM, COMFORT THEM, AND KEEP THEM AND MAKE SURE, FATHER, WHEN THEY CAN COME HOME, THEY CAN SEE THEIR FAMILIES SAFE AND SOUND.

AND, FATHER, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE POSSIBLY IN THE SOUND OF MY VOICE HAVE A GREAT AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON.

WE KNOW THAT SOME OUT THERE ARE STRUGGLING, BUT, FATHER, LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU'LL DO YOUR VERY BEST TO PROVIDE FOR THEM.

AND WHEN WE LEAVE THIS PLACE, WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE US BACK TO OUR HOMES TO FIND EVERYTHING SAFE AND SOUND.

THESE AND ALL BLESSINGS WE ASK IN YOUR NAME.

AMEN.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MILLER, FOR THAT INSPIRING PRAYER.

AND WE HAVE TWO GREAT COMMENDATIONS THIS MORNING.

ONE I'M GOING TO COME DOWN TO THE DAIS TO PRESENT TO A SPECIAL AND EXTRAORDINARY COUPLE, SO I WILL START WITH THE FIRST COMMENDATION.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HERE TODAY.

OF COURSE, THE INDIVIDUALS WE'RE RECOGNIZING, LES AND PAM MUMA, PRESIDENT JUDY GENSHAFT IS HERE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, MR. MOEZ LIMAYEM -- DID I DO OKAY? -- DEAN OF THE MUMA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AT THE UNIVERSITY MUCH SOUTH FLORIDA, MARK WALSH, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS AND THE ASSISTANT VP FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AT USF, AND JIM BURKHART, DR. JIM BURKHART, HE'S THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL.

AND I COULDN'T BE PROUDER TO PRESENT THIS COMMENDATION TODAY.

PAM AND LES MUMA ARE VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE, AND THEY HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO I WANTED TO GIVE THEM A SPECIAL RECOGNITION TODAY.

AND THIS COMMENDATION IS AWARDED -- I'M GOING TO ASK PAM AND LES TO COME FORWARD.

IT READS, COMMENDATION AWARDED TO LES AND PAM MUMA FOR THEIR CONTINUED GENEROSITY, OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS, WHICH HAVE HELPED TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL AND HAVE ENRICHED THE LIVES OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENTS.

FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, LES AND PAM MUMA HAVE SELFLESSLY DEDICATED THEIR TIME AND MONEY TO A VARIETY OF WORTHY CAUSES.

THE MUMA'S ALTRUISM IS MATCHED ONLY BY THE KINDNESS OF THEIR SPIRIT.

THEY GIVE HANDSOMELY TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, RESEARCH EFFORTS, UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS, HEALTH CAUSES, AND A PLETHORA OF CHILDREN'S ISSUES.

THE PUMAS HAVE DONATED MORE THAN $41 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF THE USF MUMA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS.

THEY ALSO GAVE $6 MILLION IN MEMORY OF THEIR DAUGHTER TO FUND THE JENNIFER LEIGH MUMA NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, HEREBY COMMENDS LES AND PAM MUMA FOR THEIR EXTRAORDINARY CHARITABLE ACTS.

THE BOARD FURTHER APPLAUDS THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS GIFTS TO EDUCATION, HEALTH, BUSINESS, AND CHILDREN'S CAUSES, AND, OF COURSE, IT'S SIGNED BY ALL SEVEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

AND I HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THEM PERSONALLY.

THE JA BIZ TOWN, THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BIZ TOWN, UP NEAR THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, THAT BUILDING IS ALSO NAMED AFTER THEM, SO THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED GENEROUSLY TO HELP CHILDREN AND MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I WANT TO GIVE THIS TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SANDY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND BEFORE I ASK THEM TO SPEAK, I'M GOING TO ASK A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS IF THEY'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT PAM AND LES.

I'LL ASK DR. JUDY GENSHAFT TO COME FORWARD, AND THEN JIM BURKHART, IF YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD.

>> AS COMMISSIONER MURMAN HAS SAID, THE MUMAS HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS AND SO CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, THE TAMPA BAY REGION.

THEY HAVE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE, AND I ALWAYS SAY THAT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND MANY PLACES THROUGHOUT THE TAMPA BAY REGION, INDIVIDUALS MAKE A TRUE, TRUE DIFFERENCE THROUGH THEIR HELP AND GENEROSITY AND GREAT ADVICE.

THE MUMAS COULD NOT BE ANY MORE CARING THAN THEY ARE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TAMPA BAY REGION, AND WE'RE JUST BLESSED TO HAVE THEM WITH US.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THAT THEY DO FOR, IN PARTICULAR, THE UNIVERSITY, BUT LARGER BECAUSE AS THE UNIVERSITY GROWS, SO DOES THE COMMUNITY, AND AS THE COMMUNITY GROWS, SO DOES THE UNIVERSITY.

WE WORK TOGETHER AS A PARTNER, AND WITH INDIVIDUALS LIKE THE MUMAS, WE'RE ROCKING.

WE'RE JUST ON THE MOVE.

SO THANK YOU BOTH VERY, VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

JIM, YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD, SINCE TAMPA GENERAL IS THE UNIQUE BENEFICIARY OF A LOT OF THEIR ACTIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST OF ALL, I CONSIDER THESE TWO VERY CLOSE FRIENDS.

I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT 21 MONTHS, AND I'VE ALREADY BEEN INVITED TO THEIR HOME, MY WIFE'S BEEN OUT WITH PAM SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY'VE HAD A GREAT TIME.

THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY, I'VE NEVER MET ANYONE WHO -- PARTICULARLY WITH LES AND PAM, WHO ALWAYS ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT GIVE IS.

THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO TRULY DO BELIEVE THAT IT'S NOT WHAT YOU MAKE OR WHAT YOU DO BUT WHAT YOU GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH YOUR GENEROSITY AND YOUR TIME.

PAM SERVES ON OUR FOUNDATION BOARD AS THE CHAIR.

SHE'S ALSO ON THE BOARD OF THE HOSPITAL.

LES HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN THE HOSPITAL AS WELL AS THE UNIVERSITY.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM.

I HOPE TO HAVE THEM AS FRIENDS FOR A VERY LONG TIME, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

[APPLAUSE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ENCOURAGING WORDS.

THAT MEANS TAMPA GENERAL AND USF ARE GOING TO STAY IN STRONG PARTNERSHIP; RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: PAM AND LES, YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE.

>> I'LL MAKE ONE COMMENT.

I THINK ALL OF US SHOULD REMEMBER THE SUCCESSES WE HAVE IN LIFE.

WE DON'T ACCOMPLISH THEM IN A VACUUM, WE ACCOMPLISH THEM BY WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN THE PAST AND BY THE PEOPLE AROUND US AS WE BECOME SUCCESSFUL.

AND PAM AND I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT WHEN YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL, NO MATTER HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE, YOU HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO SHARE THAT, AND IT'S OUR PRIVILEGE TO DO WHAT WE DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

>> I'LL JUST SAY WE'RE VERY PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL.

THEY GIVE ME AS MUCH PLEASURE WORKING WITH THEM AS ANYTHING THAT I'VE EVER DONE, AND I'M JUST VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.

>> AND THIS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS IS GOING TO GO OVER THE MOON.

YOU WATCH IT.

IT'S ON THE MOVE.

[APPLAUSE]

>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM: AND COMMISSIONER MILLER WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MR. VICE CHAIR.

LET ME THANK THE MUMAS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY.

I HAVE A CONNECTION WITH BOTH OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS.

I'M A GRADUATE OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, I WORKED IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE FOR A WHILE, THE DEAN OF STUDENTS THERE FOR A WHILE, AND WORKED AT TAMPA GENERAL FOR A WHILE, AND YOUR GENEROSITY HAS TAKEN BOTH THOSE INSTITUTIONS A LONG WAY.

YOU'VE GOT A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO IN THIS COMMUNITY, SO BE BLESSED, CONTINUE WHAT YOU DO, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND TAMPA GENERAL AND ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR GENEROSITY.

THANKS A LOT.

>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM: AND COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

TO AGREE WITH THAT, THANK THE MUMAS FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND EVERYTHING YOU DO IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA AND OUR WONDERFUL HOSPITAL, TAMPA GENERAL, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, AND THE GREATEST UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT IN ALL THE UNITED STATES.

[LAUGHTER]

AS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST, AND I AM SO PROUD AND SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT ALL OF YOU DO.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GREAT.

[APPLAUSE]

[INAUDIBLE]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

OUR NEXT COMMENDATION WILL BE BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE RECOGNIZING GREAT INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FOUNDATION AND BEDROCK OF OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY WERE LAID BY INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARED A COMMON VISION, A VISION NOT ONLY TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES BUT A BETTER AMERICA AND COMMUNITY FOR TODAY AND GENERATIONS TO COME.

SUCH RARE INDIVIDUALS AS THESE COULD SEE BEYOND THEIR HUMBLING BEGINNINGS AND REALIZE THE AMERICAN DREAM BECAUSE OF THEIR DRIVE AND DEDICATION.

FROM TIME TO TIME, THE COUNTY COMMISSION RECOGNIZES SUCH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PAVED THE FOUNDATION FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO BE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

AND TODAY IT IS MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO RECOGNIZE THE LATE NICK CAPITANO AND HIS FAMILY FOR THEIR ECONOMIC PHILANTHROPIC AND SELFLESS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE NICK AND ROSELEE TO JOIN ME UP HERE.

NICK CAPITANO EXEMPLIFIED THE AMERICAN DREAM BY STARTING OUT WITH NEXT TO NOTHING, THEN GROWING AND EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL PETROLEUM AND OIL BUSINESS.

HE PROVED HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS FAMILY EARLY ON WHEN HE MADE THE BRAVE DECISION TO DROP OUT OF THE 9th GRADE TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN HIS FATHER LOST HIS JOB AND HIS UNCLE PASSED AWAY.

THE YOUNG NICK CAPITANO STARTED OUT DOING THE DIFFICULT WORK OF PREPARING KEROSENE DELIVERY TRUCKS FOR THEIR ROUTES AND BECAME INDISPENSABLE.

EVEN BEFORE HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD, HIS EXTRAORDINARY DRIVE AND STRONG WORK ETHIC SO IMPRESSED HIS EMPLOYER THAT IN 1931 THE OWNER SOLD HIM THE BUSINESS.

THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE THRIVING RADIANT OIL COMPANY, NOW KNOWN AS THE RADIANT GROUP.

HIS RADIANT OIL COMPANY MIGHT HAVE STARTED AS A FLICKER BUT HAS BEEN A BRIGHT SHINING LIGHT, NOT ONLY IN THE LIVES OF HIS FAMILY BUT FOR THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

AS A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN WITH STRONG VALUES, MR. CAPITANO SPENT HIS TIME GIVING TO OTHERS AND INSTILLED HIS ALTRUISTIC SPIRIT IN HIS WIFE ANGELINE AND HIS TWO CHILDREN, ROSELEE AND JOSEPH.

HE PERSONIFIED THE IDEA THAT PHILANTHROPY IS MORE THAN JUST GIVING BUT GIVING TIME AND STRIVING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN.

HE SHOWED THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF TAMPA AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF TAMPA BAY, ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS CLOSEST TO HIS HEART.

FOR HIS UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, HE RECEIVED MANY HONORS, INCLUDING A BUILDING THAT BEARS HIS NAME.

AND SO, JOE AND ROSELEE, AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE KEY OF THE COUNTY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN HONOR OF YOUR LATE FATHER AND YOUR FAMILY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COUNTY.

AND BEFORE I INVITE YOU ALL TO SAY A FEW WORDS, THERE'S A VERY SHORT VIDEO THAT OUR COMMUNICATIONS STAFF HAS PUT OUT AND PUT TOGETHER THAT REALLY SUMS UP THE LIFE OF NICK CAPITANO.

[VIDEO SHOWN - NO AUDIO]

[APPLAUSE]

>> ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER AND MY FAMILY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY DAD WORKED VERY HARD WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, AND, I MEAN, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, WHENEVER ANYONE NEEDED FUEL, HE WAS THERE FOR THEM.

AND MY MOTHER WAS RIGHT ALONGSIDE TOO.

AND LIKE I TELL MY CHILDREN, I STILL REMEMBER THE TELEPHONE TABLE, THE PHONE, THE PAD, AND THE PENCIL, AND HE RAN TO THAT PHONE AND TOOK THOSE ORDERS, AND HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO GO DELIVER.

SO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THEM BOTH.

THEY DID A LOT OF SACRIFICING FOR US, AND MY DAD LOVED THE BOYS CLUB, HE LOVED TAMPA, AND LOVED FAMILY.

THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONERS, CHAIRMAN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE.

MY DAD WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY PROUD TO GET THIS AWARD TODAY.

HE WAS VERY, VERY INVOLVED IN TAMPA, SEEING IT GO FROM A SMALL LITTLE TOWN TO WHAT IT IS TODAY.

MY DAD PASSED IN MAY 22nd, AND HE WAS GOING TO BE 99 IN AUGUST, BUT HE LOVED TAMPA, HE LOVED THE BOYS CLUB, HE LOVED THE CITY, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- HE WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT, YOU KNOW, HOW TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

I'LL NEVER FORGET WHEN I WAS, LIKE, 14 -- I THINK I WAS, LIKE, 12 YEARS OLD, I WAS AT THE BOYS CLUB, AND I HAD TO WALK HOME, AND I HAD WALKED HOME WITHOUT ANY SHOES.

I'LL NEVER FORGET, MY DAD TOLD ME, WELL, WHOEVER TOOK -- AND I WAS REALLY UPSET, I MEAN, I WAS FUMING.

I WALKED FROM THE BOYS CLUB BAREFOOTED ALL THE WAY HOME, AND MY DAD SAID, WHOEVER TOOK THEM PROBABLY NEEDED THEM WORSE THAN YOU DID.

AND I SAID, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO WALK HOME.

THAT WAS HIS ATTITUDE.

SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH TO EVERY ONE OF YOU.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT YOU DID FOR MY DAD.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

>>KEVIN BECKNER: AND JOE AND ROSELEE, EVEN THOUGH YOUR DAD IS NO LONGER HERE, WE KNOW HIS SPIRIT CONTINUES ON IN BOTH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND THE WORK THAT YOU-ALL DO, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY, TO LAY A FOUNDATION FOR BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR KIDS, WE JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.

SO WITH THAT, YOU CAN GO AHEAD HERE, AND IT IS MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE KEY TO THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU.

AND IF ALL THE CAPITANO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE HERE, WE'RE GOING TO COME UP HERE AND TAKE A PICTURE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: WE HAVE A FEW COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

I DID NOT KNOW MR. NICK CAPITANO.

I THINK I MET HIM ONCE, BUT I KNOW HIS SON VERY, VERY WELL, JOE CAPITANO, SR.

MY FIRST LEGISLATIVE OFFICE WAS IN THE BUILDING THAT JOE OWNED THAT -- IT WAS A DUMP.

HE MADE IT -- HE MADE IT A PLUSH OFFICE FOR US.

BUT JOE, THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE, AND HIS WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND ST. PETER CLAVER SCHOOL AND ALL THE OTHER INVOLVEMENTS THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN TO HELP THE KIDS AND IS CONSTANTLY POUNDING SOME OF US, I KNOW MYSELF, IN TRYING TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY IS TO BE COMMENDED.

AGAIN, JUST LIKE MR. MUMA, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND THANK YOUR SISTER.

I DON'T KNOW HER THAT WELL, BUT IF SHE'S ANYTHING LIKE YOU AND YOUR FATHER, SHE'S GOT A SPECIAL PLACE THERE ALSO.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAMILY AND GIVING BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND ANYTHING THAT, AGAIN -- THAT I CAN EVER DO FOR YOU, PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE DICTIONARY AND YOU LOOK UP THE WORDS "UNSUNG HEROES" AND CAPITANO FAMILY POPS UP UNDER THAT DESIGNATION, BUT YOUR FAMILY AND THE LEGACY THAT YOUR FATHER, YOUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, YOUR CHILDREN, AND I'M SURE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN WILL MAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY IS INCREDIBLE.

MOST PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF THE WARS THAT YOU'VE LED TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, THE WORK THAT YOUR FAMILY'S DONE TO SPEARHEAD THE REDEVELOPMENT OF YBOR CITY, THE WORK THAT YOUR FAMILY'S DONE TO SAVE OUR OLD AND HISTORIC CLUBS AND BUILDINGS, THE WORK THAT YOUR FAMILY'S DONE TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ALL THE HISTORIC CEMETERIES THAT MANY, MANY, MANY FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM.

I MEAN, THE LIST GOES ON, AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE A VERY PRIVATE FAMILY AND THAT YOU DON'T WANT ANY CREDIT, BUT A WELL-DESERVING FAMILY OF THIS RECOGNITION, AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, HAVE DONE, AND I'M SURE WILL DO TO KEEP OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS HERE IN TAMPA BAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

AND I'LL ECHO THOSE COMMENTS.

YOUR FAMILY CERTAINLY HAS, I THINK, BUILT YBOR CITY TO WHERE IT IS TODAY, AND YOUR LEGACY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE, ALWAYS.

THE TREASURE THAT YOU HAVE BUILT.

AND IT'S KIND OF FITTING THAT YOU'RE HERE TODAY BEFORE MR. VINIK COMES AND DOES HIS VISION BECAUSE IT ALL TIES TOGETHER.

WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY UNITED, AND I THINK THAT IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO EVEN BE HERE TODAY AND SEE THIS VISION AS WE GO FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: AND I CAN'T GO WITHOUT SAYING THIS.

THE NEW BASEBALL STADIUM THAT YOU SPEARHEADED AT JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL IS AWESOME.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU ALL.

WONDERFUL RECOGNITIONS TODAY.

AND MR. MERRILL.

WE -- I KNOW WE HAVE A PRESENTATION SCHEDULED FOR 9:15.

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: I BELIEVE WE NEED TO WAIVE THE RULES TO DO THAT PRESENTATION BEFORE WE DO PUBLIC COMMENT?

>>MIKE MERRILL: IF YOU LIKE.

I --

>>LES MILLER, JR.: I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE WAIVE THE RULES TO ALLOW --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT JUST SO WE DO IT PROPERLY.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: I MOVE WE WAIVE THE RULES AND ALLOW MR. VINIK TO COME FORWARD AND MAKE HIS PRESENTATION AT THIS POINT.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER CRIST AND COMMISSIONER WHITE.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTION?

>>MIKE MERRILL: SURE, BE HAPPY TO.

AS WE ALL KNOW, THERE IS A VERY EXCITING FUTURE FOR OUR DOWNTOWN AREA, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT LATER TODAY, BUT IN RESPECT OF THE BOARD BEING IN SESSION TODAY AND THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE, MR. VINIK AND TOD LEIWEKE ASKED IF THEY COULD BE PRESENT THIS MORNING AND UNVEIL AT LEAST A PIECE OF THE PROPOSED VISION, AND SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE THEM HERE AND WOULD ASK EITHER OF YOU TO COME UP AND GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, MIKE.

THANK YOU, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE A FEW MINUTES ON THE SCHEDULE TODAY.

AND LET ME FIRST SAY THAT I'M HONORED TO BE UP HERE.

I'M HONORED TO BE UP HERE FOLLOWING LES AND PAM MUMA, THE CAPITANO FAMILY, TWO GREAT EXAMPLES IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW LES AND PAM JUST A LITTLE BIT.

I DON'T KNOW THE CAPITANO FAMILY, BUT THEY'RE GREAT EXAMPLES, THEY'RE GREAT -- GREAT LEADERSHIP THAT THEY OBVIOUSLY INSERT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO TRY ALSO, AND MANY OF US TRY ALSO TO BE COMMUNITY-MINDED, IT'S INSPIRATIONAL TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AND SEE THEM GET THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE, SO I'M HONORED TO BE FOLLOWING THEM.

SO 11:00 THIS MORNING WE'RE GOING TO -- WE'RE GOING TO MAKE OUR ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT -- IT'S GOING TO ABOUT A ONE-HOUR -- 45 MINUTES TO ONE-HOUR PRESENTATION TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW AND SOME DETAIL ON THE PLANS WE HAVE FOR OUR 18/7, 18 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK LIVE, WORK, STAY, PLAY ENVIRONMENT IN THE SOUTH CORE OF TAMPA.

WE'RE PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY JUST TO HAVE A FEW MINUTES, AND I WON'T TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME, BUT WE'RE PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY TO GIVE YOU THE READER'S DIGEST VERSION AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I AND A BUNCH OF US WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS MORNING -- LATER THIS MORNING.

I'M GOING TO USE THE TERM "GAME CHANGER" A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, WE DO SEE AS A GAME CHANGER FOR DOWNTOWN TAMPA AND HOPEFULLY FOR THE ENTIRE TAMPA BAY REGION.

WE CURRENTLY OWN OR CONTROL ABOUT 40 ACRES THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH CORE OF DOWNTOWN.

WE OWN APPROXIMATELY 30 ACRES RIGHT NOW.

WE MANAGE APPROXIMATELY 10 ACRES.

AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE THIS MORNING -- WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SHOW THIS MORNING IS GOING TO BE A VISION PLAN.

I WOULDN'T CALL IT A MASTER PLAN, AND THE REASON WE CALL IT A VISION PLAN IS THIS IS OUR VISION OF WHERE WE'RE GOING -- OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN PLACE, FIVE, SEVEN, TEN YEARS FROM NOW.

AND WE ARE LISTENING AND LEARNING EVERY DAY, WE'RE GETTING SMARTER EVERY DAY, AND IT WOULD BE PRESUMPTUOUS AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO SAY THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE EVERY OFFICE BUILDING WILL GO AND WHERE EVERY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WILL GO, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA.

WE'RE GOING TO DISPLAY WHERE WE THINK IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME.

WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH PEOPLE, WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH EXPERTS, WE'RE GOING TO LEARN, AND HAVE A BETTER PLAN EVEN A YEAR FROM NOW, MAYBE BE ABLE TO CALL IT A MASTER PLAN A YEAR FROM NOW.

RIGHT NOW WE CALL IT A MISSION PLAN.

IMPORTANTLY, WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY, TO THE LIGHTNING.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP GOING WITH RESPECT TO THE LIGHTNING AND TO -- WITH RESPECT TO OTHER THINGS WE'RE INVOLVED WITH.

IT'S THE SAME THING WITH OUR REAL ESTATE COMPANY.

NAME OF THE REAL ESTATE COMPANY, SPP IS THE INITIALS FOR STRATEGIC PROPERTY PARTNERS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY FOR US -- HOPEFULLY ALL OF US TO ACHIEVE WHAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE.

IT WILL TAKE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN THIS ROOM, IT WILL TAKE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, MAYOR BUCKHORN, THE PORT AUTHORITY, ET CETERA.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE COMMUNITY-ORIENTED GROUPS, NONPROFIT GROUPS, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE CITIZENS, AND ONE THING WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS MORNING IN A DECENT AMOUNT OF DETAIL -- TOD LEIWEKE IS GOING TO FOCUS ON THIS -- IS HOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T HAVE SOME PROPRIETARY -- WE DON'T HAVE PROPRIETARY KNOWLEDGE HERE OF WHAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT TO GO ON OUR PROPERTY AND HOW OUR PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE BRANDED OR UNIFIED OR HAVE A SOUL.

WE WANT TO HEAR EVERYBODY'S IDEAS AND LEARN FROM THAT AND DISCUSS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THEN EVEN MAKE OUR VISION PLAN INTO A MASTER PLAN THAT IS EVEN MORE PERFECT AND ALIGNED WITH THE VIEWS AND HOW THIS -- HOW IT SHOULD BE STRUCTURED.

AS I TALKED ABOUT AN 18/7, LIVE, WORK, STAY, PLAY ENVIRONMENT, I HAD ACTUALLY HAD LIVE, WORK, PLAY ENVIRONMENT.

TOD YESTERDAY AT THE PORT HEARING INCLUDED "STAY," SO WE HAD A NICE DEBATE THIS MORNING WHETHER WE SHOULD USE "STAY" IN THERE ALSO.

I WAS SAYING WE SHOULD GO LIVE, WORK, STAY, PLAY, WELCOME, COME ON DOWN, WHATEVER IT TAKES, BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT.

NOT QUITE AS CATCHY FOR THE NEWSPAPERS.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME OLD ANCHORS IN PLACE AND SOME NEW ANCHORS, AND -- YOU KNOW, ON OUR 40 ACRES, CLEARLY THE AMALIE ARENA, WE CALL THAT THE HEART OF THE DISTRICT, THE WATERFRONT DISTRICT THAT WE WILL BE CREATING.

WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE 120 EVENTS A YEAR, ABOUT 1.3 MILLION PATRONS A YEAR COME THROUGH OUR DOORS, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE ARENA STAYS COMPETITIVE FOR YEARS TO COME AS THE HEART.

DISTRICT.

THE CONVENTION CENTER, MARRIOTT WATERSIDE HOTEL TO THE WEST, ALSO MAJOR ANCHORS WE HAVE.

WE HOPE TO PUT UP A NEW HOTEL, AS WE'LL TALK ABOUT, ON THE WEST LOT, AND WE THINK THAT WILL GROW THE CONVENTION BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA BY 30% OR MORE AND PROVIDE A LOT OF ECONOMIC VITALITY, JOBS, TAXES, ET CETERA, FOR OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY.

ON THE EAST SIDE, WE HAVE THE PORT WITH THE CRUISE SHIPS, ABOUT 800,000 EMBARKATIONS AND DEEMBARKATIONS A YEAR, THE AQUARIUM, $700,000 A YEAR -- 700,000 VISITORS A YEAR.

CLEARLY BEFORE WE EVEN GET STARTED, WE HAVE GREAT ANCHORS THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT.

NEW ANCHORS THAT WE'RE ADDING TO THE DISTRICT, I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY, OF COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE -- TRUDY NOT -- OH, OKAY.

I'M STILL VERY PROUD TO SAY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEART INSTITUTE, AND JUDY WILL BE JOINING US AT 11:00.

SHE'LL BE ONE OF THE PRESENTERS WOULD HE HAVE.

VERY PROUD, AND THE TRUSTEES OF USF VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON IT.

IT STILL HAS TO MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND THE LEGISLATURE, BUT WE AND JUDY AND USF WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO HELP THIS PROJECT COME TO FRUITION, AND WE FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT IT.

THE OTHER MAJOR ANCHOR THAT WE WILL PURSUE AGGRESSIVELY FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, NOW THAT WE'RE MORE PUBLIC, IS TO BRING A CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS/HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS TO DOWNTOWN TAMPA.

THIS WILL BE A MAJOR FOCUS OF US IN 2015.

GRAY SWOOPE FROM ENTERPRISE FLORIDA HAS MADE CHANGES IN HIS SCHEDULE TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AND WILL BE SPEAKING THIS MORNING.

THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR OUR GOVERNOR.

GRAY KNOWS WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS IS, WHAT WE HAVE DEVELOPING IN TAMPA, AND HE -- AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALSO, AND WE'RE VERY GRATIFIED THAT HE WILL BE SUPPORTING US AND HELP US HOPEFULLY HAVE A NATIONAL MESSAGE.

WE'RE HOPING FOR NATIONAL EXPOSURE TODAY TO REALLY SHOWCASE WHAT A GREAT AREA THIS IS.

AND I'M ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH I'VE ENJOYED LIVING HERE, MY FAMILY HAS ENJOYED LIVING HERE.

BOUGHT THE TEAM FIVE YEARS AGO, MOVED HERE TWO YEARS AGO.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS OUTSTANDING, WHETHER IT'S BEACHES OR SUPPORTING EVENTS OR RESTAURANTS THAT ARE UP-AND-COMING, MANY, MANY THINGS TO DO HERE, MUSEUMS.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

"QUALITY OF LIFE," I'LL MENTION THAT WORD.

I'M ALSO GOING TO TALK TO PEOPLE -- I TALK TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME FROM BACK AT MY PREVIOUS HOME IN BOSTON AS WELL AS OTHER PLACES IN THE NORTHEAST.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GREAT IT IS TO LIVE IN TAMPA AND TAMPA BAY REGION, AND SOMETHING I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO PERSONALLY ADDRESS.

THERE'LL BE FIVE MAJOR COMPONENTS.

TWO ARE DEVELOPMENT, MEDICAL, EDUCATION/STEM, CLEARLY SPEARHEADED BY THE USF BUILDING, AND COMPANION MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AND PARKING GARAGE, WHICH WILL ALL BE BUILT AT THE SAME TIME OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS.

OFFICE, AS I DISCUSSED, WILL BE A MAJOR COMPONENT; RESIDENTIAL WILL BE A MAJOR COMPONENT, BOTH IN TERMS OF HIGH-RISE TOWER AS WELL AS LOW-DENSITY, FIVE-, SIX-STORY RESIDENTIAL, HOSPITALITY THE WEST LOT WITH THE MARRIOTT WATERSIDE, WHICH WE NOW OWN, AS WELL AS THE NEW HOTEL.

WE ARE LIKELY TO BUILD ON THE WEST LOT.

AND RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT, TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT AREAS WITH DIFFERENT ENERGY LEVELS, DIFFERENT SUBDISTRICTS THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT WILL BE A GREAT GATHERING SPOT IN TAMPA FOR PEOPLE FROM THROUGHOUT THIS REGION.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT ABOUT THREE MILLION SQUARE FEET OF TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1 BILLION.

THAT IS NEW DEVELOPMENT, DOESN'T INCLUDE PURCHASE OF THE MARRIOTT, DOESN'T INCLUDE PURCHASE OF ANY OF THE LAND.

THAT'S THREE MILLION SQUARE FEET OF NEW DEVELOPMENT, A BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW COST FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUT UP AROUND THE AREA.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU A MAP IN A SECOND.

THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERYTHING, ACTUALLY, ON THE MAP, IT PROBABLY INCLUDES ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF IT, SO OUR PROJECT, IF THINGS GO WELL, COULD BE QUITE A BIT BIGGER.

AND IN TERMS OF PARKING SPACES, WHICH IS CRITICAL TO MEETING THE NEEDS DURING THE DAY OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, STAY, AND PLAY, AS WELL AS THE EVENTS AT THE AMALIE ARENA, WE WILL BE ADDING ABOUT 5,000 PARKING SPACES TO THE AREA, MORE IN GARAGES RATHER THAN ABOVEGROUND ON THE BLANK CANVAS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, BUT WE'LL BE ADDING ABOUT 5,000 PARKING SPACES, TAKING US TO 10,000.

BEFORE I QUICKLY SHOW OUR FOUR SLIDES, I SHOULD BE THANKFUL ALSO TO CASCADE INVESTORS -- EXCUSE ME -- CASCADE INVESTMENTS, OUR INVESTOR IN THIS PROJECT.

WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER NOW FOR A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF ON DOING THIS, AND OUR VISION IS ALIGNED.

THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE TO HAVE INVESTORS.

CLEARLY, HAVING THEM INVOLVED FEELS GOOD TO ME BECAUSE THEY'RE PROVIDING A STAMP OF APPROVAL THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AND IS GOING TO CREATE GREAT VALUE AND CREATE GREAT THINGS FOR THIS COMMUNITY, SO I'M THANKFUL WE HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL PARTNER IN CASCADE INVESTMENTS.

CAN WE PUT UP THE -- OR CAN I PUT UP FOUR SLIDES VERY QUICKLY, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG AGENDA TODAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST SLIDE -- WHOOPS.

MOVING THROUGH.

ACTUALLY, I THINK THERE'S TWO BEFORE THAT, AREN'T THERE?

>> THAT ONE?

>> NO, THERE'S TWO BEFORE IT?

>> THIS ONE?

>> YEAH.

WE'LL JUST SHOW -- WE'LL SHOW JUST TWO QUICK SLIDES.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

I KNOW IT'S HARD TO READ.

MAYBE YOU CAN READ IT ON YOUR SCREENS, COMMISSIONERS, BUT THIS IS A DETAIL OF THE WHOLE AREA, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU CAN SEE THE 40 ACRES SURROUNDED BY WATER ON THREE SIDES, AND IF YOU GO ON THE BOTTOM ALONG THE GARRISON CHANNEL, FROM -- THIS IS A WATERFRONT DISTRICT, AND IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE OPEN IT UP TO THE WATERFRONT AND MAKE THE WATER WELCOMING TO THE SOUTH CORE OF DOWNTOWN TAMPA.

SO FROM THE MARRIOTT WATERSIDE ALL THE WAY ACROSS COTANCHOBEE PARK TO THE HISTORY CENTER AND THEN ACROSS THE BENEFICIAL BRIDGE, YOU CAN SEE WE'VE PUT IN NEW GREENSPACE THAT WILL CONNECT ALL THE WAY INTO CHANNELSIDE BAY PLAZA, AND CRITICALLY, AGAIN, HAVING THAT HALF- TO THREE-QUARTER-MILE STRETCH OF GREENSPACE, OF PARKLAND, IS A -- OUR MASTER PLANNER, URBAN DESIGN OUT OF PITTSBURGH, IS THE -- REALLY, THE ARCHITECT OF THAT VISION AND REALLY A CRITICAL PART OF OUR PLAN THAT THIS ENTIRE PARK WILL WELCOME VISITORS TO TAMPA BAY.

ABOVE THE MARRIOTT WATERSIDE ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE WILL BE -- THE CONVENTION CENTER'S ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT.

ABOVE THAT IS THE NEW HOTEL AND MEETING ROOM SPACE.

AS I SAID, THE MEETING ROOM SPACE WILL GROW THE CONVENTION MARKET.

AS YOU GO ACROSS -- THE ROADWAYS ARE REALIGNED IN THIS PLAN.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ABOUT FIVE FAILED INTERSECTIONS.

IF YOU LOOK RIGHT NOW UP ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE AMALIE ARENA, YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE NICE BIG CITY GRID ON THIS REALIGNED ROADWAY.

ALONG CHANNELSIDE DRIVE, NORTH OF AMALIE, WE SEE THAT AS MAINLY OFFICE BUILDINGS, A GREAT CORPORATE HEADQUARTER SITE ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF CHANNELSIDE AND FRANKLIN STREETS.

ON THE EASTERN SIDE, WHICH WILL BE CHANNELSIDE AND MERIDIAN, A GREAT HARD FOUR-CORNER AREA, THAT'S WHERE WE SEE USF HEALTH AND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

THAT'S WHERE THAT'S GOING TO GO.

TO THE LEFT OF THAT IS -- AND THAT BUILDING WILL BE ABOUT 350,000 FEET.

TO THE LEFT OF THAT A COMPANION MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING, 250- TO 300,000 FEET, AND ABOVE THAT A PARKING GARAGE, OTHER OFFICES IN THAT AREA.

AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE WATER STREET.

IT'S A NEW ROAD EXTENDING UP INTO THE MIDDLE.

IT PARALLELS MERIDIAN, BUT TO THE LEFT OF IT, TO THE WEST OF IT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT AREA FOR LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL AND RETAIL AND RESTAURANT, A GREAT AREA TO GO AND GET A COCKTAIL AT NIGHT AND TO GATHER IN THIS AREA.

SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND THE NEW MEDICAL BUILDING ON OUR -- WHAT'S CURRENTLY ON OUR EAST LOT, WE SEE A GREAT PAD FOR A RESIDENTIAL TOWER.

AS WE GO EAST OF THAT INTO THE CHANNELSIDE MALL AREA, WHAT'S CURRENTLY THE BYRD LOT, AS I DISCUSSED, GREEN AREA ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THAT FOR OUR CITIZENS TO ENJOY, AND ABOVE THAT, PARKING FOR RIGHT NOW.

THIS COULD BE DEVELOPED OVER TIME, BUT AS LONG AS THE CRUISE SHIPS, WHICH ARE A GEM IN THIS AREA FOR THE PORT -- AS LONG AS THE CRUISE SHIPS ARE STILL HERE, THEY NEED TO BE SERVICED, AND WE'RE GOING TO EMBRACE THAT AND, FRANKLY, WORK WITH THE PORT TO GROW THE BUSINESS FOR THE CRUISE SHIPS.

AND THEN AS YOU GO INTO OUR AREA SOME MORE, EAST OF THE NEW PARKING LOT AND THE GREENSPACE, A RENOVATED CHANNELSIDE BAY PLAZA, YOU CAN SEE THERE A BRIDGE CONNECTING IT TO PARKING.

IT'S CRITICAL THAT PARKING AND THE MALL BE INTERTWINED SO WE CAN SERVICE OUR GUESTS AND SHOPPER BESTS.

YOU CAN SEE ON THIS DIAGRAM AND THIS RENOVATION, THE SOUTHWEST WING HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN, AND WE'RE TALKING EIGHT-FIGURE RENOVATION HERE LIKELY TO OCCUR, AND THE WHOLE CHANNELSIDE, THEREFORE, IS OPENED UP TO THE WATER AND OPENED UP TO ITS BEAUTIFUL SOUTHWEST VIEWS.

IN THE SHORT-TERM, HEADED BY ANDREW WRIGHT, HE HAS MANY PROGRAMS UNDERWAY TO ACTIVATE CHANNELSIDE BAY PLAZA AS WELL AS A NEW RESTAURANT GOING IN.

SO I KNOW I WENT QUICK, BUT, OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE VERY EXCITED WITH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT AT 4:00 TODAY.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO GIVE OUR VISION HERE AHEAD OF THAT AND TO SHARE WITH YOU.

ALWAYS HAPPY TO COME BACK AND TALK IN MORE DETAIL IF YOU LIKE OR, YOU KNOW, I MEAN IT WHEN I SAY IT, THAT WE WANT TO BE COMMUNITY-MINDED.

SO THIS IS A BIG DAY, AND WE'RE EXCITED, AND I DID WAKE UP EARLY TODAY AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF NERVES, BUT MORE EXCITEMENT BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO BE -- WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD, A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PEOPLE WORKING VERY HARD, AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH HOPEFULLY THE NATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TIME TODAY.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

HOLD ON.

[APPLAUSE]

YOU'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS.

THAT WAS AWESOME.

PHENOMENAL PRESENTATION.

COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND JEFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

ONE QUICK QUESTION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS YOU'RE LOOKING TO PLACE DOWN THERE AT THIS TIME?

>> YEAH, WE DO.

RESIDENTIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM -- AT THIS TIME, YOU KNOW, THIS IS OUR DECEMBER 17th, 2014, VISION -- COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 300 TO 500 UNITS.

IT COULD BE MORE THAN THAT, FRANKLY.

WE'RE TALKING UP TO $200- TO $300 MILLION SPENT ON RESIDENTIAL.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO OPTIMIZE THE CORRECT RATIO OF OFFICE, INSTITUTIONAL, WHICH IS USF, HOSPITALITY, RESIDENTIAL, ET CETERA, SO IT IS A BIT OF A RANGE RIGHT NOW.

AS I TALKED ABOUT, THE EAST PARKING LOT IS A GREAT LOCATION FOR A TOWER.

WE FEEL VERY GOOD THAT THAT'S LIKELY TO END UP THERE.

GOING UP WATER STREET -- AND WE DID HAVE -- WE DID HAVE ONE VISUAL BECAUSE -- YES, THE PREVIOUS ONE.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> NO, THAT'S GREAT.

THIS IS HOW WE SEE LOOKING UP WATER STREET, WHICH IS A NEW ROAD WE'RE CREATING WITH THE ROADWAY REALIGNMENT.

AS YOU CAN SEE, RESIDENTIAL FOUR AND FIVE STORIES, BUT A RETAIL RESTAURANT ENVIRONMENT, GREAT PLACE TO WALK AROUND, A LOT OF SHADE BECAUSE WE KNOW IT GETS HOT HERE, ROADWAY NOT TOO WIDE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT GATHERING SPOT FOR -- MY WIFE HAS SAID TO ME, WHERE DO PEOPLE GO IN TAMPA, WHERE DO THEY SPEND THEIR TIME, WE'VE GOT INTERNATIONAL PLAZA, ET CETERA, AND ST. PETE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB, BUT WE THINK TAMPA DESPERATELY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND THIS IS OUR VISION.

ONE OTHER THING I DIDN'T MENTION IS TRANSPORTATION IS GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE USE THE STREETCAR, WHICH IS A GREAT COMMUNITY ASSET, TO CONNECT DOWNTOWN TAMPA WHERE OFFICES ARE AND WHERE THE ARTS DISTRICT IS WITH OUR WATERFRONT DISTRICT AND CHANNELSIDE AND WITH YBOR CITY.

PEOPLE NEED TO TRAVEL FROM ONE OF THOSE TO THE OTHER TO BE ABLE TO GET THERE IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME AT A QUICK PACE SO THEY CAN SET THEIR WATCH BY IT TO KNOW WHEN THE STREETCAR IS RUNNING, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WHOLE DOWNTOWN ENVIRONMENT.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: WELL, JEFF, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND THANK YOUR FAMILY, YOU KNOW, PENNY, AND YOUR WHOLE ENTIRE TEAM BECAUSE YOU REALLY HAVE PUT FORWARD A VISION FOR OUR COUNTY AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND I SHARE THIS STORY OFTEN WHEN I'M OUT AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PARTNERSHIP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING A COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME THAT I SAT DOWN WITH TOD AND -- WHEN YOU ALL WERE FIRST GETTING SETTLED AND DOING THE RENOVATIONS, AND IT WAS AT A DOWN ECONOMIC TIME IN OUR ECONOMY HERE, AND USUALLY WHEN WE GET INVITED TO PLACES, YOU KNOW, MANY TIMES IT'S A MEET-AND-GREET, BUT WE ALSO EXPECT TO GET ASKED FOR SOMETHING, AND WHEN WE GOT DONE AND HE GOT DONE LAYING OUT THE VISION AND IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY, TOD EXPRESSLY SAID HE HAD THE INTENT TO ASK FOR MONEY BUT HE KNEW THAT NOW WAS NOT A GOOD TIME, THAT THERE WERE OTHER INVESTMENTS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE WERE GOING TO TAKE ON THESE RENOVATIONS OURSELVES AND WE'RE GOING TO PLAN ON INVESTING IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.

I'VE BEEN SO, SO IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS DONE.

YOU HAVE A TOP-NOTCH TEAM WORKING HERE, AND I WILL MAKE THE PITCH AND SAY THAT I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH TOD THAT IT SHOULD BE A PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY, AND STAY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PART OF OUR VISION AS WE'RE BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY SINCE WE'RE HAVING USF THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THAT, WE WANT OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE TO COME DOWN HERE, NOT ONLY EXPERIENCE OUR CITY, BUT WHEN THEY GET DONE WITH SCHOOL, WE WANT THEM TO STAY HERE.

AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT VISIT DOWN HERE, WE WANT THEM TO STAY AS WELL.

SO I'M GOING TO VOTE YES ON KEEPING "STAY" IN HERE, AND, AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, KEVIN.

APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THIS IS VERY EXCITING.

MY CREATIVE JUICES ARE FLOWING, AND SOMETHING THAT CAME TO MIND LOOKING AT THIS, THIS IS DESTINATION TAMPA, OUR NEXT GENERATION.

I MEAN, YOU ARE BASICALLY TAKING US TO THE NEXT LEVEL, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR FUTURE RIGHT HERE.

HAS THERE BEEN A TIMELINE ASSESSED TO THIS YET?

DO WE -- FROM START TO FINISH?

>> YEAH.

AND I'D LIKE JUST TO -- WE ARE, NOT JUST I AM -- WE ARE, MY TEAM, YOU GUYS HERE, WE'RE ALL DOING THIS TOGETHER.

TIMELINE, WE HOPE THAT WE'RE -- DIRT IS MOVING BY NEXT SUMMER, ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO REALIGNING THE ROADWAYS, AND A YEAR FROM NOW WE HAVE CRANES WORKING, PROBABLY WITH RESPECT TO USF, SO WE'RE STARTING WITHIN A YEAR.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AS FAST AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE.

THE VISION THAT WE SHOWED, I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT'S A FIVE- TO SEVEN-YEAR VISION.

MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE LESS.

I THINK THINGS -- TRYING TO FACTOR IN COMMON SENSE, THINGS TAKE LONGER THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT, AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LAND NORTH OF US AND IN OTHER AREAS, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE PORT, SO HOPEFULLY FOR ALL OF US WE HIT A HOME RUN -- OR A HAT TRICK HERE AND  --

[LAUGHTER]

-- AND WE CAN GROW THIS.

>>VICTOR CRIST: YOU MAY HAVE HAD A DOUBLE HITTER TODAY BECAUSE YOU SAY YOU HAVEN'T MET THE CAPITANO FAMILY YET, BUT THEY OWN ALL THAT LAND THAT YOU'RE COMING UP AGAINST IN THE YBOR CITY DISTRICT, SO I SEE THE CAPITANO FAMILY OUT THERE SMILING BIG BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THEIR WAREHOUSES.

>> CAN YOU MAKE THEM AWARE, PLEASE, THAT LAND PRICES ARE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE RIGHT NOW?

>>VICTOR CRIST: OH, YOU HAVEN'T DEALT WITH BIG DADDY CAPITANO YET.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THAT'S HOW YOU GET THE MONEY TO BE SO PHILANTHROPIC; RIGHT?

>>VICTOR CRIST: MY LAST QUESTION IS I'M SURE YOU'VE DONE AN IMPACT STATEMENT ON THIS.

>> YEAH.

>>VICTOR CRIST: YOU KNOW, YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THE MONEY THAT'S BEING SPENT TO DEVELOP THIS, BUT LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, THE OVERALL IMPACT, LET'S SAY FOR THE NEXT 10 TO 20 TO 30 YEARS, WHAT DO THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE?

>> YEAH.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING ALSO.

I DIDN'T WANT TO STEAL ALL HER THUNDER BUT A GOOD AMOUNT.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR CLOSE TO AN ANNUAL IMPACT AT BUILD-OUT OF WHAT WE JUST DISCUSSED, WHICH IS ABOUT A BILLION-DOLLAR, BILLION-ONE PROJECT -- WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN ANNUAL IMPACT OF $900 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT AND ADDITIONAL TAXES FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES OF -- NO, NOT STATE, LOCAL -- I GUESS COUNTY AND CITY TAXES OF AN ADDITIONAL $35 MILLION ANNUALLY.

>>VICTOR CRIST: VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU.

WOW.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MUSIC TO OUR EARS.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT USING THE HOME RUN STATEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER HAGAN, AND HE'S NEXT.

[LAUGHTER]

>>KEN HAGAN: I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL, BUT GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT, I WILL SAY THAT.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

YEAH, IT WAS, VASILEVSKIY.

>>KEN HAGAN: I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE ROOKIE GOALKEEPER.

>> AND IT GOT STAMKOS OUT WITH DROUIN LAST NIGHT, WHICH IS GOOD SEEING THEM TOGETHER.

THANK YOU, KEN.

>>KEN HAGAN: THE DROUIN KID'S -- HE'S QUICK.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>>KEN HAGAN: BUT AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M PUMPED ABOUT THIS.

YOUR VISION WILL TRANSFORM DOWNTOWN, TAMPA, AND OUR ENTIRE REGION, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO DETERMINE NOT ONLY WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEVELOP YOUR PROPERTY BUT ALSO TO FIND OUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF TAMPA, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU'VE SURROUNDED YOURSELF WITH AN OUTSTANDING TEAM, STARTING WITH THESE TWO GENTLEMEN HERE IN THE FRONT ROW, MR. SHIMBERG AND MR. LEIWEKE.

>> YEP.

>>KEN HAGAN: THEIR ENTHUSIASM IS CONTAGIOUS.

I MEAN, THEY'RE EXTREMELY BRIGHT FOLKS, YOUR ENTIRE TEAM, BUT THE ENTHUSIASM.

I'D ECHO ONE THING COMMISSIONER BECKNER COMMENTED ON.

I CAN RECALL I GUESS A COUPLE YEARS AGO SITTING DOWN WITH TOD AT LUNCH, AND HE'S LITERALLY DRAWING ON A NAPKIN WHAT HIS VISION IS AND WHAT HE'D LIKE TO SEE.

I THINK HE SAID I'M GETTING READY TO PRESENT THIS TO JEFF RIGHT AFTER THIS LUNCH.

BUT THE ENTHUSIASM REALLY IS CONTAGIOUS.

YOU DEFINE THE TERM "ALL IN," AND JUST -- LAST THING, AS EXCITED AS WE ALL ARE ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT, LET'S BRING THE CUP BACK HERE TO TAMPA.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU, KEN.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MR. VINIK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

IT'S EXCITING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA, THROUGHOUT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

BEING A NATIVE TAMPANIAN OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ALL MY LIFE, WHICH IS WELL OVER 60 YEARS, IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THIS PLACE GROW, AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS HAPPEN ONE OF THE THINGS MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN -- AND SHE SITS ON THE MULTICULTURAL BOARD OF VISIT TAMPA BAY, IS BRINGING MASSIVE CONVENTIONS TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

AS THEY SAY, PUT THE HEADS IN THE BEDS, IT BRINGS MONEY TO THIS AREA.

THIS YEAR WE HAD ONE OF LARGEST CONVENTIONS TO COME HERE, AND THAT'S THE PRINCE HALL SHRINERS.

WE BROUGHT ALMOST 20,000 PEOPLE HERE.

THE HOTEL YOU'RE BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE [INCOMPREHENSIBLE] THE WATERSIDE MARRIOTT.

MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT'S THE TIMELINE OF THE NEW HOTEL BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING BACK IN 2016.

WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE MORE THAN 20,000.

THERE ARE OTHER CONVENTIONS THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH AND KNOW THAT ONE WILL COME HERE THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SIZE.

WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON THE HOTEL?

>> WE ARE -- NEXT TUESDAY I HAVE A CALL WHERE WE ARE -- WE HAVE A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS UNDERWAY.

WE HAVE A CALL NEXT TUESDAY TO DISCUSS THAT IN GREAT DETAIL.

WE HAVE ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH FOUR FLAGS, WHO COULD REPRESENT THE PROPERTY ON THE WEST LOT.

IT IS HIGH ON THE AGENDA AS WE GO INTO 2015.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT ALL MAKES SENSE.

WE BELIEVE IT DOES.

I'VE READ THE 2004 STUDY OF THE EXPANSION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND ADDITIONAL MEETING SPACE AND THE STIMULATIVE EFFECT IT WOULD HAVE ON THAT WHOLE BUSINESS, AND WE BELIEVE IT WILL, SO THIS IS CERTAINLY A HIGH PRIORITY AS WE GO INTO 2015.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: GOOD.

GOOD.

BEFORE I CLOSE, ONE OF YOUR SLIDES REMINDS ME OF A LOT OF A PLACE I JUST VISITED, SANTIAGO, CHILE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, SANTIAGO, CHILE JUST STARTED DEVELOPING WITHIN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

IT WAS VERY THIRD-WORLDISH.

IT IS NOW A MODERN CITY.

ONE OF THE SLIDES REMINDED ME OF THE RESIDENTIAL AREA OF SANTIAGO, CHILE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD YOU SAY IS YOU'RE WORKING WITH THE PORTS, AND WE'RE TRYING OUR VERY BEST TO LET SANTIAGO, CHILE'S FRUIT INDUSTRY -- I UNDERSTAND -- IF THEY WANT TO BRING FRUIT TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY SHOULD COME TO THE TAMPA PORT.

WE ASKED THEM WHY DO YOU COME TO MIAMI, AND THEY SAID, OH, IT'S TRADITION.

WELL, WE'RE CLOSER TO THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE, AND IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO COME TO US, AND THEIR EYES LIT UP.

SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

AND BELIEVE ME, THEY HAVE MUCH FRUIT DOWN THERE.

THEY THINK OUR ORANGES ARE BETTER THAN THEIRS, WHICH IS TRUE, BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM, AND BEING NEAR THE PORT AND YOUR DEVELOPMENT WILL GO A LONG WAY IN NOT ONLY HELPING US DO BUSINESS WITH CHILE, BUT OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT WILL BRING MONEY INTO THIS COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU.

AND WE'RE VEIL TO HELP, ANYTHING WE CAN -- WE'RE AVAILABLE TO HELP, ANYTHING WE CAN DO.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.

>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM: THANK YOU.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME WE MET YOU AND TOD, I WAS AT A LITTLE RESTAURANT CALLED ZELDA'S, WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHERE I FIRST MET JOE CAPITANO, AND I THINK WE HAD A DISCUSSION AT THAT TIME, AND I'VE SAID IT MANY TIMES, THAT OUR COMMUNITY FOR YEARS WAS OUR OWN WORST ENEMY, THAT WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE ASSETS AND BELIEVE AND DREAM, AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DONE THAT.

I THINK MORE THAN WHAT YOU SAY OR WE SAY OR WHAT YOU DO, IT'S HOW YOU MAKE PEOPLE FEEL, AND YOU'VE SHOWN THAT LIGHT, AND SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT WHAT'S RIGHT HERE.

AND YOU'VE MADE THIS COMMUNITY BELIEVE IN ITSELF AGAIN, AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL ASSET.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

AND I WAS HAPPY YESTERDAY SITTING ON THE PORT BOARD AND TURNING OUR PARKING MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OVER TO YOU.

IT'S AN AREA OF BUSINESS I THINK THAT REALLY DIDN'T BELONG TO US ANYWAY, AND IT BELONGED TO SOMEBODY THAT HAD A UNIQUE VISION FOR THE PORT AREA PLUS THE WHOLE CHANNELSIDE COMMUNITY, SO I'M JUST -- I WAS THRILLED TO DO THIS -- I THINK YOU'VE JUST -- IT'S SO APROPOS WHEN YOU MOVED TO THIS DOWN, YOU BROUGHT YOUR FAMILY, BROUGHT YOUR BUSINESS, AND YOU HAVE A TEAM CALLED THE LIGHTNING, AND YOU HAVE ATTACKED US WITH A LIGHTNING SPEED AND BOLT OF LIGHTNING.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE -- I KNOW SO MANY GREAT COMMENTS FROM OUR COMMISSIONERS HERE ABOUT BRINGING THIS TEAM TOGETHER, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THEY'RE UNITED AND SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE, AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO GET EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE AND EXECUTE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PLAN.

AND JUST A PHENOMENAL JOB.

WE ALL KNOW -- WE WANT TAMPA NOT TO BE IN THE SECOND TIER ANYMORE OF PLACES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO.

WE WANT TO BE THE NUMBER ONE CITY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, I BELIEVE, WITH YOUR VISION AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO REDEFINE OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY, AND I'M JUST -- I'M VERY PROUD TO KNOW YOU AS A PERSON, AS A FRIEND, BUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY, HOMELESS, WHAT TOD HAS DONE TO HELP US ON THE HOMELESS INITIATIVE HAS -- SPEAKS VOLUMES, AGAIN, FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION, AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS DONE, AND THAT'S WHAT -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT JUST A COMMUNITY HERE, BUT WE LEAD THE STATE IN JOB CREATION, WE LEAD THE STATE IN THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE, SO LET'S GET IT DONE, AND I'M EXCITED TO -- ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU, WE'LL BE THERE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

AND WE DO HAVE GREAT PEOPLE I'M VERY PROUD OF, HAVE TOD, JIM, ET CETERA, AND I WOULD ALSO BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK MIKE MERRILL, WHO HAS BEEN -- IN ADDITION TO ALL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BUT MIKE'S BEEN GREAT IN TERMS OF GIVING US COUNSEL AND ADVICE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO I WANT TO THANK MIKE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: HE'S DONE GREAT.

YOU'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR BEST ASSET, OUR WATER.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANYONE DO THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO REALLY MAKE IT STICK OUT AND GET IT DONE HERE.

GREAT.

CONGRATULATIONS.

GO GET THEM, 11:00.

>> WE WILL.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

OKAY.

MR. MERRILL.

>>MIKE MERRILL: CHANGES TO THE AGENDA.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: WANT TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES, COMMISSIONERS.

WE HAVE TWO OFF-THE-AGENDA ITEMS, E-2, WHICH IS THE ITEM YOU JUST HEARD FROM MR. VINIK, AND F-2, WHICH IS COMMISSIONER MURMAN'S ITEM, REQUESTING THE BOARD APPROVE THE CREATION OF A LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE TEAM.

THIS IS THE ITEM YOU DISCUSSED AT YOUR RETREAT LAST FRIDAY.

WE HAVE ONE DELETION.

A-1, WHICH WAS A MODIFICATION TO A CDBG FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHILDREN'S HOME.

APPARENTLY THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, SO WE DELETED THAT ITEM.

TWO REVISIONS, WHICH ARE JUST SETTING THE TIME CERTAIN AT -- FOR B-9 -- ITEM B-9 AT 10:30, WHICH IS THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PARK.

AND F-1, WHICH HAS BEEN SET FOR 10:45 TIME CERTAIN, WHICH IS THE FINAL QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR READY4WORK HILLSBOROUGH.

WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF TIME CERTAINS, BEGINNING WITH E-2, WHICH IS THE ITEM YOU JUST HEARD.

10:30, B-9, THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PARK.

10:45, F-1 IS THE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR READY4WORK HILLSBOROUGH, COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S ITEM.

RECESSING FOR LUNCH AT 11:45.

I BELIEVE THE BOARD IS RETURNING AT 1:25 FOR THE GROUP PICTURE THAT'S REQUIRED.

AND THEN WE'LL RESUME AT 1:45 WITH ITEM B-7, WHICH IS THE COUNTY INTERNAL AUDITOR'S 2015 ANNUAL AUDIT PLAN.

WE HAVE THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS, D-1 TO CONSIDER REPEAL OF CHAPTER 28 ARTICLE VII SECTIONS 211 TO 223 OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COLORS, WHICH IS A CHILD-CARE FACILITIES ORDINANCE, D-2, PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REPEAL OF CHAPTER 28, ARTICLE VI, SECTIONS 196-197 OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, WHICH IS THE FAMILY CHILD-CARE HOME'S LICENSING ORDINANCE.

FINAL PUBLIC HEARING, D-3, IS TO COMPLETE THE 15-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR OUR REQUIRED SUBMISSION TO HUD OF THE PROGRAM YEAR CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT.

YOUR LAST ITEM OF THE DAY IS AT 2:15, E-1, SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY RICK HOMANS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THOSE ARE THE CHANGES.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE THE CHANGES.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

WE ARE NOW GOING INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PHASE.

THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS ABOUT ANY ISSUE OR CONCERN.

YOUR OPINIONS ARE VALUED IN TERMS OF PROVIDING INPUT TO THE BOARD MEMBERS; HOWEVER, IT IS REQUESTED AT THE SAME TIME WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE BOARD THAT COMMENTS ARE NOT DIRECTED PERSONALLY AGAINST A COMMISSIONER OR STAFF MEMBER BUT RATHER ARE DIRECTED AT THE ISSUES.

THIS PROVIDES A MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC.

THE BOARD HAS SET ASIDE A 45-MINUTE PERIOD IN THE MORNING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE AGENDA FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR, THE BOARD MAY AGAIN HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

PEOPLE WISHING TO SPEAK BEFORE THE BOARD DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS PORTION OF THE MEETING SHOULD COMPLETE THE REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FORM LOCATED AT THE SIGN-UP TABLE INSIDE THE BOARDROOM.

CITIZENS SPEAKING ON SCHEDULED AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE HEARD BEFORE CITIZENS SPEAKING ON NONSCHEDULED AGENDA ITEMS, AND WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE, AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES FOR EACH SPEAKER.

AND WE WILL START WITH TOM FLEMING, THEN DAVID FREEMAN, AND MIKE DELMAN.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME'S TOM FLEMING, 1858 SELVA GRANDE, ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA.

I'M WITH REGENCY CENTERS.

I'M WITH PARTNERSHIP WITH DAVID FREEMAN AND HARRISON BENNETT.

YOU'LL BE HEARING OUR PROJECT, WHICH IS THE P3 DEVELOPMENT IN NEW TAMPA SHORTLY.

THE -- IF YOU CAN PUT THAT FIRST OVERHEAD UP.

THERE YOU GO.

AND I WOULD JUST MENTION THE PACKAGE THAT VIN IS SHARING WITH EACH OF YOU CONTAINS THE SAME INFORMATION.

THESE ARE JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR FORMAL PROPOSAL THAT WAS SUBMITTED SOME MONTHS AGO, AND THE GRAPHICS YOU HAVE ARE A PART OF THAT PROPOSAL, AS PER THE RFP.

AS YOU SEE, THIS IS THE ENTRANCE THAT WE PROPOSED TO OUR HUNTER'S LAKE DEVELOPMENT.

WE WORKED WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS TO CREATE A THEME THAT IS AESTHETICALLY PLEASE AND COMPLEMENTS THE ITEMS THAT EXIST ALREADY SURROUNDING OUR PROJECT.

THE RFP THAT WE RECEIVED ENCOURAGED US TO UTILIZE AS MUCH OF THE COUNTY 80, PLUS OR MINUS, ACRES AS WE COULD DO EFFICIENTLY.

I THINK IF -- VIN, YOU CAN PUT THAT SITE PLAN UP.

WE THINK THIS PLAN ACCOMPLISHES THAT.

WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF ENERGY.

WE PUT TOGETHER A TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS TO COME UP WITH IT.

ONE OF THE -- AS ONE OF THE LEADING NATIONAL GROCER ANCHOR DEVELOPERS AT REGENCY, WE'VE SEEN A TREND, AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS THAT WE SEE NOW COMING OUT OF THE GROUND CREATE UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING PLACES, WHICH INCLUDE MULTIPLE USES.

THAT'S A CHANGE FROM WHAT WE SAW OVER THE PAST YEARS.

AND YOU CAN SEE ON OUR PLAN WE INCLUDE A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT TO ADD ENERGY TO THE PROJECT, WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE PUBLIC USES, I KNOW IMPORTANT TO ALL OF YOU, IN THE CULTURAL CENTER AND THE DOG PARK, AND WE HAVE A THOUGHTFULLY MERCHANDISED RETAIL COMPONENT, WHICH WE THINK WILL BE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS.

AND ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROJECT.

VIN, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND PUT UP THAT THIRD VISUAL, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

THE RFP ALSO ASKED US TO SUBMIT SOME LEVEL OF DETAIL OF OUR ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR THE PROJECT.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS OUR RESTAURANT CORRIDOR.

YOU CAN SEE ON THIS PLAN WE'RE ENVISIONING -- BETWEEN THE TWO BUILDINGS -- SOME OUTDOOR SEATING.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> I'M SORRY.

AND AMENITIES AS WELL AS THE FRESH-LOOK ARCHITECTURE.

WE ALSO FEEL THAT THE -- IT'S ESSENTIAL THERE BE A RETAIL COMPONENT THAT INCLUDES A GROCER-ANCHORED GREEN GROCER IN THIS PROJECT, AND WE HAVE COMMITTED TO THAT HERE SO THAT WILL BE A PART OF OUR PROJECT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVID FREEMAN, THEN MIKE DELMAN AND MICHAEL DEEDS.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD MORNING.

>> I'M DAVID FREEMAN, 14502 NORTH DALE MABRY, TAMPA, WITH HARRISON BENNETT PROPERTIES.

WE'RE PARTNERS WITH REGENCY CENTERS, AND IF THAT PACKAGE WE'VE GIVEN YOU, THERE'S A LAST PAGE WITH A LITTLE CHART ON IT, AND YOU'VE GOT FOLKS DECIDING TODAY BETWEEN THE TWO PROPOSERS.

WE THINK IT SHOWS SOME CLEAR ADVANTAGES TO OUR PROPOSAL, WHICH IS, AGAIN, AS MR. FLEMING SAID, A MIXED-USE TOWN CENTER PROJECT.

JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS.

OUR PROPOSAL OFFERS BASICALLY ABOUT 25% MORE FINANCIAL VALUE TO THE COUNTY THAN THE OTHER PROPOSAL, APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES MORE MONEY AVAILABLE TO BUILD A CULTURAL CENTER THAN THE OTHER PROPOSER, TWO TIMES MORE MONEY TO BUILD THE DOG PARK, WHICH THE CULTURAL CENTER AND DOG PARK WE FEEL ARE CRITICAL ELEMENTS TO THIS.

WE WANT TO DO THEM THE RIGHT WAY AND HAVE THE PROPER AMENITIES.

ALSO A FRACTION OF THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE IS ALLOCATED TOWARDS COMMON IMPROVEMENTS LIKE THE ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY, THE TURN LANES, AS WELL AS THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND WE DIDN'T THINK THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE BEARING THE BULK OF THOSE COSTS, AND SO WE'RE BEARING THE BULK OF THOSE COSTS, AND WE'VE TAKEN THAT MONEY AND PUT IT TOWARDS ACTUALLY BUILDING THE CULTURAL CENTER AND THE DOG PARK.

I GUESS WE SEE THIS AS KIND OF TWO VERY DISTINCT CHOICES OF PROPOSALS.

OUR PROPOSAL IS FOR A VERY LIVABLE, WALKABLE TOWN CENTER THAT HAS A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT, HAS THE RETAIL COMPONENT, THE CULTURAL CENTER, THE DOG PARK, AND WE -- OUR PLAN DOES RESTRICT A COUPLE OF USES, WHICH WE FEEL IS VERY CRITICAL.

WE'RE RESTRICTING -- NO GAS OR CONVENIENCE STORE, NO FAST-FOOD, WHICH WE JUST DON'T THINK BELONGS ON THIS SITE.

IT'S A VERY CRITICAL SITE RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF HUNTER'S GREEN, VERY UPSCALE, AND WE'VE LEFT THOSE COMPONENTS OUT AND ARE AGREEING TO RESTRICT THAT.

OUR PLAN DOES INCLUDE A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT, WHICH WE THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AS YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY AT SUCCESSFUL TOWN CENTERS, THE RESIDENTIAL IS VERY CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE OVERALL PROJECT.

JUST A NOTE AND KIND OF CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, ALL OF OUR RESIDENTIAL COMBINED, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED UNITS, HAS LESS TRAFFIC GENERATED THAN A SINGLE FAST-FOOD USER, SO OUR OVERALL TRAFFIC GENERATION IS ACTUALLY COMPARABLE OR LESS THAN THE COMPETING PROPOSAL, AND HAVING THE RESIDENTIAL THERE ACTUALLY REDUCES THE TRIPS OUT ON BRUCE B. DOWNS.

IT BECOMES A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN WALK TO THE GROCERY STORE, WALK TO THE CULTURAL CENTER, MAY NEVER HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, LEAVE THE PROJECT OR LEAVE CERTAINLY FEWER TIMES THAN YOU WOULD NORMALLY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

NEXT IS MICHAEL DELMAN -- MIKE DELMAN, MICHAEL DEEDS, AND THEN VIN MARCHETTI.

>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MIKE DELMAN.

I LIVE AT 17714 GRAY EAGLE ROAD IN THE HUNTER'S GREEN COMMUNITY.

I AM CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HUNTER'S GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND IT IS IN THAT POSITION THAT I'M HERE TODAY.

WE'RE HERE TO -- I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL THAT YOU'VE JUST BEEN PRESENTED.

OUR 2500 HOMES DO WANT AN UPSCALE APPROACH FOR THE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS FROM OUR MAIN ENTRANCE.

AND DAVID FREEMAN'S PRESENTATION TO OUR BOARD, WHICH WE RECEIVED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE UPSCALE APPROACH, THE COMMITMENT FOR UPSCALE TENANTS, AND AN ENTRANCE THAT WOULD COMPLEMENT OUR ENTRANCE.

WE REALLY DO NOT NEED ANOTHER CLUSTER OF GAS STATIONS, FAST-FOOD RESTAURANTS, AND DRY CLEANERS DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF THOSE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT OF BRUCE B. DOWNS AS YOU GO OUT THE MAIN ENTRANCE.

SO ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO VOTE FOR THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

MICHAEL DEEDS, VIN MARCHETTI, AND DENNIS DUGGAN.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MICHAEL LEEDS.

I'M WITH SHAGBARK PROPERTIES, 611 WEST BAY STREET, TAMPA.

MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE THIS MORNING.

I AM THE OTHER PROPOSAL TO HARRISON BENNETT THAT THE COUNTY IS EVALUATING FOR THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PROJECT, AND I'D LIKE TO COMMUNICATE JUST A COUPLE OF ASPECTS OF MY PROPOSAL THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER PROPOSAL.

SOME OF THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN POINTED OUT, BUT I'LL JUST REPEAT THEM.

NUMBER ONE, MY PROPOSAL ONLY INCLUDES NET COMMERCIAL ACREAGE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 3.75 ACRES, WHICH IS ABOUT 30% LESS THAN THE OTHER PROPOSAL.

NUMBER TWO, MY USERS THAT I'M CONTEMPLATING INCLUDE COMMERCIAL AND OTHER FREESTANDING RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS.

I HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE COUNTY SHORTLY AFTER THE COMMUNITY MEETING THAT I WOULD NOT INCLUDE GAS STATION OR CONVENIENCE STORES IN MY PLAN.

MY PLAN DOES NOT REMOVE HIGHLY SENSITIVE WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN AREAS OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH THE OTHER PROPOSAL, I BELIEVE, INCLUDES ABOUT TEN ACRES OF WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN MITIGATION.

ATTENDEES AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING IN NORTH TAMPA AT THE LIBRARY, BY SHOW OF HANDS, LED BY THE COUNTY PREFERRED MY PLAN TO THE HARRISON BENNETT PLAN.

TRAFFIC GENERATION USING I.T.E. TRIP COUNTS SUGGEST THAT MY PROJECT WOULD LEAD TO FAR LESS TRIPS THAN THE HARRISON BENNETT PROJECT.

I MET WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA, WHICH IS THE GOVERNING AGENCY THAT WILL REVIEW THE ZONING APPLICATION FOR THIS PROJECT, AT THE VERY ONSET OF THE PROJECT TO CONFIRM THAT THE PLAN I WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE, AT LEAST TO STAFF AND THAT IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE LAND USE PLANS, AND IT WAS.

THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT'S WORKING ON THIS PROJECT RANKED MY PROPOSAL HIGHER OF THE TWO.

I AM THE SOLE DECISION-MAKER AND FINANCIAL BACKER FOR THE SHAGBARK PROPERTIES, SO ALL OF THE COMMUNICATION, THE RELIANCE FOR MY PROPOSAL RESTS WITH ME.

AND LASTLY, I'M A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENT, ACTIVE IN DEVELOPMENT IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, PRESENTLY DEVELOPING TWO PROJECTS RIGHT NOW, TWO COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, WITH HAVING COMPLETED ABOUT FOUR PROJECTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS IN ADDITION TO THE TWO THAT I HAVE NOW.

AND I GUESS LASTLY, THIS WAS ONE OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES, I THINK, IN OUR PROPOSALS.

I REACHED OUT TO A COMMUNITY MEMBER, THE NEW TAMPA PLAYERS, AT THE VERY ONSET WITH THE GOAL OF TRYING TO HELP PROVIDE THEM NOT JUST A PARK WITH A DOG PARK AND A PARKING LOT BUT ALSO A BUILDING, AND I COMMITTED IN WRITING AS PART OF MY PROPOSAL THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO BUILD A STARTER BUILDING FOR THE NEW TAMPA PLAYERS, AN APPROXIMATE 5,000-SQUARE-FOOT BLACK-BOX THEATER, WITH THE USE OF THE EXTRA PROCEEDS THAT I WOULD HAVE OVER AND ABOVE THE COST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT WHICHEVER PROPOSAL THE COUNTY ACCEPTS, I HOPE THAT THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY IS REWARDED WITH A CIVIC BUILDING THAT IT CAN BE PROUD OF AND IT CAN USE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

>> AND I HOPE THAT MY EFFORTS RALLYING AROUND THE NEW TAMPA PLAYERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS OUTCOME.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKAY.

VIN MARCHETTI, DENNIS DUGGAN, AND DOUG WALL.

GOOD MORNING, VIN.

>> GOOD MORNING.

VIN MARCHETTI, REPRESENTING -- 625 EAST TWIGGS STREET, TAMPA 33602, REPRESENTING THE HARRISON BENNETT AND REGENCY CENTER PROJECT FOR THE P3 IN NEW TAMPA.

LET ME JUST -- A COUPLE POINTS THAT MICHAEL JUST RAISED I WANTED TO JUST FOCUS ON AS WELL.

MICHAEL'S PROPOSAL IS TO ESCROW ALL OF THE DOLLARS, ALL $3 MILLION WILL BE HELD IN ESCROW.

THE COUNTY WOULD NOT SEE ANY OF THOSE FUNDS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR UP FRONT.

THE BACKUP THAT'S 400-SOME-ODD PAGES GOES THROUGH IT IN TERMS OF THE PROPOSALS, BUT THAT'S A REALLY FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE OF WHAT I THINK THE RFP WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO DO, WHICH WAS TAKE THE COUNTY ACREAGE THAT YOU OWN, TRY TO DO THE BEST EFFORT YOU CAN TO UTILIZE ALL OF THE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE TO A DEVELOPER AND PROPOSER, AND GIVE THE COUNTY SOME EXTRA FUNDS REMAINING -- AFTER THE DOG PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND THE OTHER IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SITE ARE MADE, GIVE THE COUNTY THE EXTRA FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DO A CULTURAL CENTER AT YOUR DISCRETION IN THE FUTURE.

UNDER MICHAEL'S PLAN, ALL OF THE MONEY GETS ESCROWED.

TOM AND DAVID HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN.

I WILL NOT REPEAT WHAT THEY'VE SAID, BUT SINCE THE STAFF REPORT AND BACKUP REFERENCES FINANCIAL VALUE TO THE COUNTY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT THE RFP, WHICH THIS BOARD APPROVED, WITHIN SECTION 6.3.1 STATES, AND I QUOTE, AT MINIMUM, FINANCIAL VALUE OF IMPROVEMENTS -- OF THE IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE LAND, END QUOTE.

TWO APPRAISALS WERE SECURED BY THE COUNTY.

THE FIRST ONE CAME OUT OF 3.1 MILLION, THE SECOND ONE WAS 3.48 MILLION.

THE PROPOSAL THAT MY CLIENT HAS BEFORE YOU IS TOTALING $3.775 MILLION, OBVIOUSLY WELL IN EXCESS OF APPRAISED VALUE.

IN LEEDS' PROPOSAL IS $3 MILLION.

IT IS BELOW THE LOWEST APPRAISED VALUE FOR THE PROPERTY.

I BELIEVE THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL ERROR IN TERMS OF THE RFP PROCESS.

I THINK THAT ON THAT ALONE, THE PROPOSER SHOULD HAVE BEEN, IF YOU WILL, THROWN OUT.

IT DOES NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIRED VALUE THAT THE COUNTY'S PLACED ON THE PROPERTY.

IN ADDITION, THE RESIDENTIAL MATTER.

THE COUNTY HIRED AN EXPERT LAND PLANNER, ETHEL HAMMER, AS PART OF THE APPRAISAL ANALYSIS.

SHE OPINED THAT THE SMU-6 LAND USE CATEGORY DOES REQUIRE A MINIMUM 50% USE OF THE SITE WITHIN THE MIXED-USE CATEGORY.

THIS INTERPRETATION WAS SUBSTANTIATED BY TONY GARCIA OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHO I MET WITH DURING THE PROPOSAL PROCESS.

HE SUBSTANTIATED 50% OF THE PROPERTY HAS TO BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL.

THE CITY STAFF HAS A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION.

OUR PROPOSAL COMPLIES WITH THE SMU-6 LAND USE CATEGORY.

THE LAST ITEM IS THAT THE CLIENT IS BUILDING -- PROPOSING TO BUILD 70,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL AND ABOUT 200 TO 250 RESIDENTIAL UNITS.

THIS WILL CREATE SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY TAX VALUE FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY YOU COULD THEN UTILIZE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF YOUR BUILDING.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, VIN.

DENNIS DUGGAN AND DOUG WALL.

GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DENNIS DUGGAN.

I'M 909 HOLLYSHORE DRIVE IN LUTZ.

I'M A RETIRED TAMPA POLICE OFFICER, HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUTH FOOTBALL COACH, AND A LOCAL ACTOR.

I CAME FORWARD BECAUSE OF AN E-MAIL THAT CAME OUT FROM THE NEW TAMPA PLAYERS TO SUPPORT A LOCATION OF A CULTURAL CENTER, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT IN ANY COMMUNITY.

COACHING FOOTBALL AND STUFF, I BROUGHT KIDS THROUGH ATHLETICS AND WATCHED THEM GROW, ALSO WORKING WITH KIDS IN THE THEATER I'VE WATCHED THEM GROW, BECAUSE ALL KIDS AREN'T ATHLETES, ALL KIDS AREN'T ACTORS, BUT IT GIVES DIFFERENT VENUES.

WHICHEVER DECISION YOU MAKE TO GO WITH WHICHEVER PLAN, I THINK THAT A THEATER OR COMMUNITY THEATER IN THIS AREA WOULD REALLY BE IMPORTANT.

I WORK WITH KIDS -- CAST UP TO 80 KIDS, 80 PEOPLE IN A SHOW, AND I'VE WATCHED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COME INTO A COMMUNITY FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND THEY GO TO THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND, YOU KNOW, THEY ADD TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S JUST AN IMPORTANT PART, AND I WATCHED THEM GROW.

I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE KIDS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH GO ON TO BROADWAY.

IN FACT, ONE LOCAL JUST CAME BACK AND WAS IN "JERSEY BOYS."

TO SEE THESE KIDS GROW, THAT'S A BENEFIT, THAT'S AN INVESTMENT YOU MAKE, SO WHICHEVER PLAN YOU GO WITH, I ASK YOU TO THINK OF A COMMUNITY THEATER IN THIS AREA AND SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

DOUG WALL, AND THEN ED LOU TILLOU WILL BE OUR LAST SPEAKER.

>> GOOD MORNING.

DOUG WALL, 18016 LANAI ISLE DRIVE.

I'M A 20-YEAR NEW TAMPA RESIDENT.

I AM THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE NEW TAMPA PLAYERS.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CRIST AND COMMISSIONER HAGAN FOR THEIR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF A HOME FOR OUR THEATER GROUP.

WE'VE BEEN A GYPSY THEATER COMPANY FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, PERFORMED AT COUNTRY CLUBS, SCHOOLS, THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, CARROLLWOOD CULTURAL CENTER, A NUMBER OF OTHER VENUES AS WELL, AND ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO A HOME OF OUR OWN.

IN LOOKING AT THE TWO DIFFERENT PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED, WE BELIEVE BOTH ENTITIES WOULD DO A WONDERFUL JOB.

WE DO SEE THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS BEING PRESENTED.

OUR VISION IS TO GET A BUILDING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE'D LIKE IT BUILT AS INEXPENSIVELY AS POSSIBLE.

WE BELIEVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR MAY HAVE A BETTER WAY OF ACCOMPLISHING THAT.

WE KNOW THAT MR. LEEDS HAS COMMITTED TO BE THE GC OF THIS PROJECT.

IF -- IF THE OTHER GROUP WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROJECT AND TAKE THAT $2 MILLION TO START, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT THING.

WE WOULD SUPPORT THAT IN MOVING FORWARD.

WE -- WE'RE JUST VERY HOPEFUL THAT THE COMMISSION WILL SEE THE NEED FOR THE ARTS, ESPECIALLY IN NEW TAMPA, AND WILL HELP US GET GOING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GREAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ED, YOU'RE UP.

GOOD MORNING.

>> OKAY.

I'M ED, ED TILLOU OF SULPHUR SPRING.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MICROPHONE.

>> OKAY.

I'M ED, ED TILLOU FROM SULPHUR SPRING.

OKAY.

I DISTRIBUTED SOME MATERIALS ON MANUMISSIONS TO THE PAST, BUT SINCE MR. McCALLISTER DIDN'T COME TODAY, I'LL ADDRESS THAT IN THE FUTURE.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I FORGOT TO MENTION IN TRACING THE AUTOMOBILE AS IT EXISTS NOW TO INDIANA IS THAT A VERY GOOD MOVIE WAS MADE THAT WAS CENTERED IN INDIANA CALLED "THE JUDGE."

IT'S LEFT THE THEATERS, BUT IT HAS A DVD.

OKAY.

IN ANY EVENT, TO TALK ABOUT ADMIRAL COLLINS A LITTLE BIT, ADMIRAL COLLINS WAS NOT A COLD WAR WARRIOR, HE WAS A VERY RELAXED, LAID-BACK GUY.

HE USED TO PLAY THE PIANO A LOT, ENTERTAIN PEOPLE, AND HE WAS WELL LIKED.

BUT THE BASIC THING IS THAT HE WAS A RETIREE, AND AS A RETIREE, HE COULD SPEAK OUT IN WAYS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ACTIVE SERVICE CAN'T, AND HE RAISED A LOT OF DISTURBING THINGS, AND THIS WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.

AND NOW WITH THIS THAT I'VE DISTRIBUTED ABOUT PUTIN REESTABLISHING BOMBER FLIGHTS ALONG THE COAST THAT WERE DISCONTINUED IN 1992, YOU HAVE A VERY CREDIBLE THREAT BECAUSE HE EXTENDED THEM TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, WHICH THINS OUT RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS THE ADIZ OR AIR DEFENSE INTERCEPT ZONE, WHICH IS LIKE VERY IMPORTANT TO PILOTS.

LIKE I WAS A PILOT, SO I LEARNED ABOUT THESE THINGS, BUT THIS GETS VERY THIN OFF FLORIDA HERE, OFF MacDILL, AND WHAT YOU HAVE HAPPENING IS YOU -- I MEAN, THESE AIRCRAFT CAN FLY WITHIN 12 MILES OF ST. PETERSBURG, AND YOU ADD ANOTHER 40 MILES, OKAY, THEY'RE PROPELLER PLANES, BUT THEY'RE VERY ELEGANT PROPELLER PLANES.

THEY WILL STILL BUILDING THEM 20 YEARS AGO.

THEY HAVE FOUR ENGINES WITH EIGHT PROPELLERS, SO THE THING IS THEY GO ABOUT 500 MILES AN HOUR.

AND, OKAY, YOU SEE THESE FAN JETS AND EVERYBODY, OH, IT'S A JET.

IT'S NOTHING BUT A BIG PROPELLER IN THE FORM OF A FAN THAT'S DUCTED.

IT'S THE SAME THING.

SO YOU CANNOT DISMISS THESE.

BUT IN ANY CASE, THEY HAVE FANTASTIC JETS, AND THEY HAVE CRUISE MISSILES THAT PROVED THEMSELVES VERY WELL IN IRAQ.

THE RUSSIANS MADE NOTE OF THAT.

NOW, THESE FLY EIGHT MILES A MINUTE, AND IF MacDILL WERE TO BE LOST -- HERE'S FILLING AIRCRAFT WITH OTHER MISSILES.

BUT THE THING IS, THEY HAVE JETS, THEY HAVE FANTASTIC JETS.

THEY HAVE ABOUT 30 OR 40 OF THEM, AND IF THEY SENT TWO OR THREE AT A TIME, THEY WOULD OVERWHELM WHAT'S SENT UP AGAINST THEM, WHICH IS -- WHICH USED TO BE --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, ED.

>> TWO -- OH, OKAY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE THE 30 MINUTE -- 30-SECOND WARNING ANYMORE?

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THE YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> OKAY.

THAT WAS KIND OF COVERED UP.

ANYWAY, ONE INTERCEPTION IS NOT ENOUGH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, ED.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

WELL, IT'S FOR SOMEBODY TO THINK ABOUT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ABSOLUTELY.

WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING -- COMING HERE EVERY MEETING.

MR. MERRILL.

>>MIKE MERRILL: CONSENT AGENDA, MOVE AND APPROVE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: WE WILL --

>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE CONSENT.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE YOUR 10:30 TIME CERTAIN, SO LET'S TAKE B-1, CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.

DR. JENKINS IS HERE FOR THIS ITEM.

>>JACQUELYN JENKINS: GOOD MORNING.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD MORNING.

>>JACQUELYN JENKINS: I'M DR. JENKINS, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, DIVISION OF HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START.

AND THIS -- I'M HERE TO SEEK ACCEPTANCE OF OUR INITIAL NOTICE OF AWARD.

THIS IS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START GRANT PROGRAM.

THIS NOTICE OF ACTION IS FOR THE INITIAL INCREMENT OF ABOUT $14 MILLION WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS THAT ARE REQUIRED.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: MOVE APPROVAL.

>>VICTOR CRIST: SECOND.

[INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST ON B-1 APPROVAL.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

>>JACQUELYN JENKINS: THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: B-2.

>>MIKE MERRILL: B-2, AS I HAD DESCRIBED IN A MEMORANDUM I SENT TO YOU LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE, AFTER A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR A NEW CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER TO HEAD UP OUR COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AREA, I HAVE SELECTED RAMIN KOUZEHKANANI, WHO IS THE CURRENT CIO FOR PAT FRANK'S OFFICE, AS OUR CHIEF INFORMATION AND INNOVATION OFFICER, AND IT'S DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA ITEM.

IT REQUIRES YOUR CONFIRMATION, THE BOARD'S CONFIRMATION OF HIM.

HE WAS AT YOUR RETREAT ON FRIDAY, SO YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HIM, SO WITH THAT, I'D WOULD RECOMMEND YOUR CONFIRMATION.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: MOVE APPROVAL.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, TO APPROVE B-2.

IT WAS A GREAT HIRE.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: I THINK THE OTHER ITEMS MAY TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

WE COULD WAIVE THE RULES AND PROCEED WITH OUR 10:30 ITEM.

I THINK ALL THE PARTIES ARE HERE, SO --

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM TO WAIVE THE RULES FOR THE 10:30.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THIS IS ITEM B-9, AND I THINK WE'LL START WITH TOM FESLER.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

WE'LL HAVE STAFF PRESENT FIRST AND THEN COMMISSIONER HAGAN, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU.

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES.

>>TOM FESLER: YES.

COMMISSIONERS, TOM FESLER, MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DEPARTMENT.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION, AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO TOM FASS TO GO THROUGH A SHORT PRESENTATION.

WITH ITEM B-9, WHAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO TODAY IS WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND TO DESIGNATE A TOP-RANKED PROPOSER AND TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TOP-RANKED FIRM FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP RFP RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PARK.

JUST BRIEFLY, BACK IN MAY YOU DIRECTED COUNTY STAFF TO DEVELOP AN RFP FOR THIS PROJECT, AND THEN IN JUNE YOU OFFICIALLY APPROVED THE RFP, AND WE ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO HAVE A DISCUSSION OF THE TWO FIRMS THAT PROPOSED AND TO COME UP WITH A TOP-RANKED PROPOSER.

AT THIS TIME, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO TOM FASS, AGAIN, FOR A SHORT PRESENTATION.

>>TOM FASS: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

TOM FASS, ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: YES.

GO AHEAD.

>>TOM FASS: REAL QUICKLY, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST WALK THROUGH THE TWO PROPOSALS THAT WE RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE RFP.

AS DISCUSSED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, THEY ARE MARKEDLY DIFFERENT, BUT BOTH OF THOSE PROPOSALS ARE VIABLE.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS SCREEN, THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PARK IS ACROSS FROM HUNTER GREENS DRIVE, LOCATE ALONG BRUCE B. DOWNS BOULEVARD.

THIS SLIDE DEPICTS THE SHAGBARK PROPOSAL WITH COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE ROADWAY, AND IN THE REAR IS THE DOG PARK AND A PROPOSED 5,000-SQUARE-FOOT THEATER, WHICH IS EXPANDABLE.

FOR THE USE OF THE 4.8 ACRES ALONG BRUCE B. DOWNS, THEY PROPOSED $3 MILLION IN DEVELOPER-PROVIDED IMPROVEMENTS.

SHOULD WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROPOSER, STAFF WOULD NEED TO VALIDATE THE COST SHARING OF THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS.

THE WILLINGNESS TO WITHHOLD THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY PENDING COMPLETION OF THE COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS IS A BENEFIT, BUT THEY ALSO STIPULATED A PENALTY SHOULD THE COUNTY NOT PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT.

HARRISON BENNETT ON THE OTHER HAND, PROPOSED 7.7 ACRES OF COMMERCIAL ALONG THE ROADWAY AND ANOTHER 5.4 ACRES OF RESIDENTIAL.

PARK IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE THE DOG PARK AND A PAD FOR A FUTURE CULTURAL CENTER ALONG WITH $2,020,000 IN CASH.

FOR THE USE OF THE 13.1 ACRES PLUS ADDITIONAL LAND FOR MITIGATION AND STORMWATER TREATMENT, THEY PROPOSE $1,755,000 IN DEVELOPER-PROVIDED IMPROVEMENTS, PLUS $2,020,000 IN CASH.

SHOULD WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROPOSER, STAFF WOULD NEED TO VALIDATE THE COST SHARING OF THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS, SIMILAR TO SHAGBARK, PLUS WE'LL NEED TO EVALUATE THE LAND GIVEN IN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS A LISTING OF THE RANKING CRITERIA AS SPECIFIED IN THE RFP.

I'LL OUTLINE THE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE AND THEN TURN OVER THE REMAINING RANKING PROCESS TO THE BOARD.

THE COMMITTEE SCORED SHAGBARK HIGHER BASED ON THE THREE THINGS SPECIFIED.

FOREST TURBIVILLE, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, IS HERE AND CAN SPEAK TO THE SCORING, IF DESIRED.

PUBLIC COMMENT WAS NOT DECIDEDLY FOR OR AGAINST DEVELOPMENT OR FOR ONE OF THE PROPOSALS.

IN ESSENCE, IT WAS MIXED RESULTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

FINALLY, IF THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THE TOP-RANKED PROPOSAL THAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE ADDRESSED, STAFF CAN DO SO DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS.

I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS SLIDE FOR REFERENCE DURING YOUR FINAL RANKING.

WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

ARE WE DONE WITH STAFF PRESENTATIONS?

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER HAGAN.

>>KEN HAGAN: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

BOARD MEMBERS, SINCE THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, WE'VE SPOKEN AT LENGTH ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF UTILIZING MORE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WHERE IT MAKES SENSE.

WITH THIS PROJECT, WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY REDEFINE HOW WE UTILIZE P3s TO BUILD AND OPERATE FACILITIES.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHEN I LIVED IN NEW TAMPA, I SAW THE VALUE OF THE ST. JOSEPH'S PROPERTY ON BRUCE B. DOWNS AND REALLY FELT THAT WE COULD CREATE A CENTERPIECE AND WONDERFUL FOCAL POINT FOR THE ENTIRE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.

AS A RESULT, WHEN STAFF WAS GOING TO SURPLUS THIS PROPERTY, I PUSHED FOR THE COUNTY TO RETAIN THE PROPERTY AND HAVE OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ASSUME CONTROL WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING A PASSIVE PARK.

AFTER RUNNING INTO THE RECESSION AND SEVERAL ROADBLOCKS ALONG THE WAY, I AM VERY PROUD OF THIS P3 CONCEPT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON WITH THIS PROJECT.

WE REALLY ARE BREAKING NEW GROUND BY HAVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAY FOR ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PUBLIC USES AND ALSO PROVIDE FOR NEEDED DEVELOPMENT IN NEW TAMPA.

WITH RESPECT TO THE TWO PROPOSALS, I WANT TO SAY I AM IMPRESSED WITH BOTH.

ON BALANCE, BOTH ARE EXCELLENT, AND NEW TAMPA WOULD BE WELL-SERVED WITH EITHER PROPOSAL.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, AS THE ONE WHO FOR YEARS HAS TRIED TO CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL HERE, I FALL BACK ON WHAT THE ORIGINAL GOAL WAS, AND THAT WAS A CENTERPIECE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY, AND THIS WOULD INCLUDE A DOG PARK, TRAILS, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, A CULTURAL CENTER OR A COMMUNITY THEATER TYPE FACILITY.

THAT WAS ALWAYS MY VISION, AND WHAT I BELIEVE NEW TAMPA WANTS AND NEEDS.

SO THAT BEING SAID, WHICH IS THE BEST PROPOSAL THAT ALLOWS US TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL.

WHILE THE SHAGBARK ONE INCLUDES A 5,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY, THIS, IN MY OPINION, IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH FOR A THEATER OR A PERFORMING ARTS TYPE FACILITY.

IF WE WANTED JUST SIMPLY A COMMUNITY BUILDING, ALLOWING FOR MEETINGS, THEN I THINK MY FEELINGS WOULD POSSIBLY BE DIFFERENT.

WITH THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL, WE WILL GET $2 MILLION THAT IS NOT ESCROWED, THAT CAN BE USED TOWARD A FIRST-CLASS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.

SO THAT'S MY MAIN REASON.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT.

THERE IS MORE SPECIFICITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS PROPOSED.

I LIKE THE GREEN GROCER CONCEPT.

IT IS BADLY NEEDED IN NEW TAMPA, AND I THINK THAT WILL BE UNIVERSALLY WELL RECEIVED.

IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHATEVER DEVELOPMENT GOES THERE IT'S COMPATIBLE WITH THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WITH THE OTHER PROPOSAL, IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT BE AS COMPATIBLE.

I LOVE THE FACT THAT THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES A LIVABLE/WALKABLE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE VISIONS OF WEST PARK VILLAGE IN WESTCHASE.

I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A LOCAL DEVELOPER WHO HAS DEVELOPED IN NEW TAMPA ABOUT LESS THAN A MILE SOUTH OF THERE IN HIGH WOODS PRESERVE.

ONE ISSUE THAT I DO HAVE WITH THIS PROPOSAL, HOWEVER, AND I WOULD WANT THIS, IF WE GO IN THIS DIRECTION, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE MOTION, IS I DO NOT LIKE THE LOCATION OF THE DOG PARK.

I DO NOT LIKE IT IN THE BACK.

I THINK IT'S TOO FAR REMOVED AND PRESENTS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES, SO I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RELOCATED.

I ALSO WOULD WANT TO INCORPORATE MORE TRAILS OR MORE TRAIL TYPE AMENITIES IN AND AROUND THE PARK.

SO THOSE ARE MY MAIN COMMENTS.

I AM INTERESTED, AS WHEN I INTRODUCED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, IN COMMISSIONER CRIST'S THOUGHTS.

NOT ONLY IS HE A DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, HE LIVES IN NEW TAMPA, SO I THINK HE'S GOT A REAL GOOD PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IS NEEDED, BUT ON BALANCE, THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

THANKS.

COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

TO EXPAND ON WHAT COMMISSIONER HAGAN SAID, BUT FIRST, TO THANK COMMISSIONER HAGAN FOR HIS LONGTIME COMMITMENT TO THE NEW TAMPA AREA, TO THIS SITE, AND HIS VISION FOR THE MULTIUSE AND THE PARTNERSHIP THAT COULD BE CULTIVATED HERE.

VERY CREATIVE THINKING ON YOUR PART AND VERY GENUINE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, THIS AREA IS IMPORTANT TO ME FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

YOU KNOW, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'M THE SINGLE-MEMBER COMMISSIONER REPRESENTING THIS DISTRICT.

I TOOK THAT OVER AFTER COMMISSIONER HAGAN MOVED ON TO COUNTYWIDE.

SECONDLY, BECAUSE I LIVE ALMOST WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THIS SITE IN NEW TAMPA, I'M IN TAMPA PALMS, AND I KNOW WHAT WE DON'T HAVE IN THAT AREA ARE A LOT OF SPECIALTY SHOPS.

WE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY OVER TO SOUTH TAMPA OR CARROLLWOOD TO GO TO WHOLE FOODS AND TRADER RICK'S OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE MAY NEED TO GET SOMETHING SPECIALTY AT, AND THERE'S A HUGE NEED IN THAT AREA.

WHEN THE TWO GROUPS CAME FORWARD WITH THESE PROPOSALS, I GOT EXCITED.

I SAW TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW TAMPA FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

ONE IS AS A RESIDENT, I KNOW THAT THE DEVELOPERS AND THE HOME BUILDERS IN THAT AREA USE ALL OF THE PUBLIC LANDS AS A PROMOTIONAL TOOL BY SHOWING HOMEOWNERS WHAT COULD AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THIS HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME TO COME TO FRUITION.

A CULTURAL CENTER, A THEATER, A FACILITY TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM NEED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

RECOGNIZING THAT 20 YEARS AGO, I WORKED WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO BUILD THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT FORTUNATELY, IT HAS BECOME A VERY ACTIVE, OVER 100% PROGRAMMED FACILITY SOLELY FOCUSED ON THE NEEDY COMMUNITY OF THE WEST SIDE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND HAS HAD LITTLE TO NO SPACE OR TIME OR ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT NEW TAMPA NEEDS.

SO IT BECAME APPARENT VERY EARLY ON THAT ANOTHER FACILITY IN NEW TAMPA WOULD BE NEEDED.

TO THAT END, LOOKING AT THESE TWO PROPOSALS, I'M IMPRESSED WITH BOTH.

I THINK BOTH DID A GOOD JOB OF COMING IN AND RECOGNIZING THE VISION OF THAT COMMUNITY IN A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT WAY.

HAVING HOSTED MEETINGS WITH RESIDENTS, HAVING GONE TO MEETINGS WITH RESIDENTS, HAVING LISTENED ATTENTIVELY TO RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA, I BEGAN TO FORMULATE AN OPINION AND NOW SUPPORT FOR, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE PROPOSALS THAT I FEEL WILL ACCOMPLISH THE VISION AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THAT AREA IN A BETTER WAY.

SO, MADAM CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION, IF THE TIME IS RIGHT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ABSOLUTELY.

>>VICTOR CRIST: ALL RIGHT.

I PROPOSE THIS MOTION OR I MAKE THIS MOTION: PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.3 OF THE RFP FOR THE P3 DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY PARK, I MOVE THAT WE RANK THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSER, "B" PROPOSAL, AS THE TOP-RANKED PROPOSAL.

I ALSO MOVE THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH HARRISON BENNETT.

THIS IS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ANY AGREEMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON HARRISON BENNETT OBTAINING THE NECESSARY ZONING, LAND USE APPROVALS FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA AND ANY PERMITS REQUIRED BY REGULATORY AGENCIES.

IN ADDITION, THAT THEY WORK WITH COMMISSIONER HAGAN AND I AND COUNTY STAFF WITH THE POSSIBILITIES OF RELOCATING THE DOG PARK.

I JUST PENCILED THAT IN.

[LAUGHTER]

I BELIEVE THAT THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL BEST SERVES THIS COMMUNITY'S PUBLIC PURPOSE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND BEST MEETS THE NEW TAMPA COMMUNITY'S DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

I AM ALSO SWAYED BY THE FACT THAT HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT FUTURE AD VALOREM REVENUE BENEFITS.

IN ADDITION, THE 2.2 -- APPROXIMATELY 2.2 MILLION IN CASH BEST SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT THIS TIME BECAUSE IT CAN BE LEVERAGED WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND USED TOWARDS THE TYPE OF SPECIALTY COMMUNITY FACILITY THAT THE -- THAT THEY WANT TO SEE DEVELOPED ON THIS PROPERTY.

THAT'S THE MOTION, MADAM CHAIR.

TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE MOTION, MERELY PUTTING UP FOUR WALLS NOW IS A LITTLE PREMATURE, UNTIL WE'VE ACTUALLY DONE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND AN ENGINEERING PLAN AND WE KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN THAT SPECIALTY BUILDING.

SO THE CASH UP FRONT ALLOWS US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THAT FACILITY SO THAT WE HAVE A REAL PICTURE OF WHAT EXACTLY WE NEED AND WHAT WE NEED IN IT, AND IT WILL ALLOW US TO GO TO THE CITY, THE STATE, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR MATCHING FUNDS TO CULTIVATE AND DEVELOP THIS KIND OF FACILITY.

THIS IS THE SIMILAR MODEL THAT WE BASICALLY USED FOR THE UNIVERSITY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WORKED VERY SUCCESSFULLY.

>>KEN HAGAN: SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER -- MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CRIST, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAGAN.

WE DO HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER WHITE.

>>STACY WHITE: THANK YOU.

I'M INCLINED TO SUPPORT THE MOTION TO RANK THE HARRISON BENNETT PROPOSAL AS THE HIGHEST-RANKED PROPOSAL, AND VICTOR CRIST -- COMMISSIONER CRIST, CERTAINLY RESPECT YOUR INPUT ON THIS SINCE YOU ARE THE COMMISSIONER THAT REPRESENTS THAT AREA, AND THAT'S WHY I WILL, BY ALL MEANS, SUPPORT YOUR MOTION.

I JUST WANT TO ECHO BOTH COMMISSIONER HAGAN AND COMMISSIONER CRIST'S SENTIMENTS AND JUST GO ON RECORD THAT I SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE DOG PARK IN THE PROPOSED PLAN.

AS IT STANDS WITH THE CURRENT PROPOSAL, ONE-THIRD OF THE DOG PARK WOULD BE PROPOSED TO BE IN A FLOODPLAIN, SO I WOULD JUST WANT IT TO BE CLEAR TO COUNTY STAFF, IF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMISSION AGREE, THAT THE ENTIRE THREE ACRES DEDICATED TO THE DOG PARK SHOULD BE OUTSIDE OF THE FLOODPLAIN, AND THE REASON I HAVE THE CONCERNS WITH THE EXISTING PROPOSAL IS, ONE, BECAUSE OF THE FUNCTIONALITY ISSUES WITH THE DOG PARK WITH A THIRD TESTIFY BEING IN THE FLOODPLAIN, AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I WOULD BE CONCERNED THAT IF YOU HAVE A DOG PARK OR AN ACRE OF IT IS IN THE FLOODPLAIN THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO HARBOR DISEASE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I SUPPORT THE MOTION.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S STIPULATED IN THE MOTION THAT COUNTY STAFF WOULD NEGOTIATE THAT THE DOG PARK BE RELOCATED, SO ...

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GREAT.

THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER HAGAN.

>>KEN HAGAN: THANK YOU.

JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK COMMENTS.

NUMBER ONE, I JUST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CRIST FOR ALL OF HIS WORK ON THIS PROJECT.

I KNOW HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, AND I'M CONFIDENT ULTIMATELY WE'RE GOING TO CREATE SOMETHING VERY, VERY SPECIAL HERE IN NEW TAMPA.

I APPRECIATE YOU INCLUDING THE PART ABOUT NEGOTIATING TO INCLUDE RELOCATING THE DOG PARK AND THE TRAILS AROUND IT.

WHILE I THINK IDEALLY IT'S NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR ANY OF IT TO BE IN THE FLOODPLAIN, I WILL POINT OUT THAT I HAD SPOKEN WITH EPC ABOUT THIS -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO CHARACTERIZE THEIR COMMENTS, BUT TESTIFIES ESSENTIALLY -- IT WAS ESSENTIALLY IT'S NOT A DEAL BREAKER.

THERE'S A DOG PARK, NOT IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT IN CLEARWATER SOMEWHERE, THAT IS LOCATED IN THE FLOODPLAIN, SO I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD GO THERE, AND IF IT HAPPENED, I DON'T THINK IT'S A DEAL BREAKER, BUT IN ANY EVENT, THE DOG PARK NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER UP FRONT.

SO I THINK THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT ISSUE.

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, AND IT'S PROBABLY ASSUMED OR INHERENT, BUT JUST THAT WE WOULD ALSO, AS PART OF THE MOTION, OFFICIALLY CREATE A CIP PROJECT, AND ONCE THE AGREEMENT'S FINALIZED, THAT WE EARMARK THAT 2 MILLION TOWARDS THAT PROJECT JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS IT'S NOT GOING INTO GENERAL REVENUE THAT COULD BE UTILIZED ANYWHERE BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PARK.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: CRA FUNDS?

>>KEN HAGAN: NOT CRA.

>>VICTOR CRIST: I SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CRIST, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HAGAN, WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT HE JUST STATED.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT?

OKAY.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE ON B-9.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THAT IS A GREAT PROJECT, AND I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CRIST AND COMMISSIONER HAGAN FOR DOING THAT, AND I'M WORKING ON SOMETHING SIMILAR IN SOUTH COUNTY, SO I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW IT TO YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE CORNERS OF THE COUNTY COVERED.

[LAUGHTER]

OKAY.

MR. MERRILL.

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES.

YOUR NEXT ITEM IS YOUR 10:45 TIME CERTAIN, ITEM F-1, WHICH IS A QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR READY4WORK.

THIS IS COMMISSIONER BECKNER'S ITEM.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. MERRILL.

BOARD MEMBERS, BACK IN JANUARY OF THIS -- OF THIS PAST YEAR, THE BOARD APPROVED THE FINAL FUNDING FOR OUR READY4WORK PROGRAM.

AS YOU'LL RECALL, THAT WAS PART OF OUR JOBS INITIATIVE STRATEGY TO HELP EX-OFFENDERS THAT ARE GETTING OUT OF PRISON TO START GETTING BACK INTO SOCIETY AND ON THE ROAD TO SUSTENANCE, AND HERE TO PRESENT THE REPORT IS ROB PARKINSON, AND THEN HE'LL BE FOLLOWED BY MR. BLOUNT, WHO WILL ALSO GIVE HIS COMMENTS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT HIS PROGRAM.

THANKS, ROB.

>>ROB PARKINSON: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, MR. MERRILL.

I'M ROB PARKINSON WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GRANTS MANAGEMENT.

I'LL BE DELIVERING THE FINAL QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT FOR READY4WORK.

ON JANUARY 23rd, THE BOARD APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH ABE BROWN MINISTRIES TO REPLICATE THE READY4WORK PROGRAM FOR EX-OFFENDERS WHO WERE ENTERING THE COMMUNITY FROM PRISON AND JAIL.

THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY BY REDUCING CRIMINAL RECIDIVISM AND ASSISTING EX-OFFENDERS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY THROUGH SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE.

SINCE IMPLEMENTATION, ABE BROWN HAS CONDUCTED 171 ASSESSMENTS FOR POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS AND HAS ACTUALLY ENROLLED 40 PERSONS IN READY TO WORK.

THEY ACTUALLY COMMENCED READY TO WORK TRAINING CLASSES ON SEPTEMBER 8th.

AS OF NOVEMBER 4th, THE PROGRAM HAD OBTAINED MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT FOR SEVEN EX-OFFENDERS.

THE BOARD AGREEMENT WITH ABM -- ABE BROWN MINISTRIES -- TO REPLICATE READY4WORK ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 30th, 2014.

AT THAT TIME, ABE BROWN HAD COMPLETED ALL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED BY THE AGREEMENT AND NECESSARY TO REPLICATE THE READY4WORK MODEL IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.

ON JULY 17th, ABE BROWN SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,750,000 WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND THE READY4WORK PROGRAM.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS COMMITTED $750,000 ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT THAT PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.

IN AUGUST, THE ALLEGANY FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES AWARDED READY4WORK ANOTHER $100,000 TO ENHANCE THE READY4WORK PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY IN THE FORM OF DATA AND REPORTING CAPACITY.

NOW TO DISCUSS IN A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL HOW FAR THEY'VE COME SINCE THE BOARD ASSISTED THEM WITH STARTUP FUNDING TO REPLICATE THE FUNDING IS ROBERT BLOUNT, THE PRESIDENT OF ABE BROWN MINISTRIES.

>> THANK YOU, ROB.

I, FIRST OF ALL, WANT TO PERSONALLY AND PUBLICLY THANK THIS BOARD.

JUST UNDER A YEAR AGO, YOU UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AND PROVIDED STARTUP DOLLARS TO GET US OUT THE GATE, AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THIS POINT IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION HERE, SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ROB REPORTED A FEW NUMBERS THAT I JUST WANT TO UPDATE.

AS OF YESTERDAY, WE HAVE ACTUALLY ENROLLED 56 CLIENTS, AND WE HAVE MADE 21 PLACEMENTS.

I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY SHARE SOME OF THE ENTITIES WHERE WE HAVE PLACED READY4WORK GRADUATES, INCLUDING ALUMA SYSTEMS, AMAZON, PRECISION INSTALLERS, TAMPA BAY STEEL, HEALTH PLAN SERVICES, AMALIE OIL, SALVATION ARMY, COSTCO, AND INVISIBLE WASTE.

WE HAVE TWO EMPLOYERS, ADDITIONAL EMPLOYERS WITH US TODAY THAT I'M GOING TO INVITE TO THE PODIUM HERE JUST TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO HEAR FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THIS POPULATION, WORKED WITH THE READY4WORK PROGRAM, AND HAVE BOUGHT IN AND BELIEVE IN THE PROGRAM.

WE CAN START WITH MS. RACHAEL CRAFT FROM PRECISION COMPANY.

RACHAEL AND HER COMPANY HAVE ACTUALLY HIRED TWO OF OUR READY4WORK CLIENTS, DAVID BROWN AND NAJI BRYANT, AND SHE WILL JUST SHARE WITH YOU WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN LIKE.

>> HELLO.

FIRST, WE HIRED DAVID BRYANT -- DAVID BROWN, I'M SORRY, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, AND HE HAS HAD A FABULOUS WORK ETHIC, WONDERFUL ATTITUDE.

A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WE HIRED AN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE, NAJI BRYANT, SAME -- SAME THING, COMES TO WORK EVERY DAY, RELIABLE, WONDERFUL ATTITUDE, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HIRE MORE FROM READY4WORK.

>> THANK YOU, RACHAEL.

ANOTHER EMPLOYER THAT WE HAVE WITH US IS MR. CRAIG ADAMS.

CRAIG RUNS A CORPORATION CALLED HEALTH CARE FAST.

HE HIRED TAMMY FEBREZE, WHICH WAS AT OUR INAUGURAL CLASS, WHICH STARTED SEPTEMBER 8th, BY THE WAY, AND CRAIG IS GOING TO COME, ACTUALLY ALONG WITH TAMMY, WHO IS HERE TODAY, SO YOU'LL ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM A CLIENT AS WELL.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME'S CRAIG ADAMS.

I WORK WITH A COMPANY CALLED HEALTH COVERAGE FAST.

I'M THE SALES DIRECTOR THERE.

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS APPROACHED THROUGH MY CHURCH, VAN DYKE CHURCH, WHICH WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM WITH ABE BROWN MINISTRIES, AND SINCE I WAS THE HIRING MANAGER, THEY ASKED ME IF THEY HAD ANY OPENINGS, AND I SAID, ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE EXPANDED FROM THREE PEOPLE TO 15 PEOPLE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND INTEND TO GO TO 30 PEOPLE IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

WE BELIEVE IN GIVING PEOPLE SECOND CHANCES.

THERE'S A GREAT BENEFIT.

THEY HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE'S SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EX-OFFENDERS THROUGH DRUG TESTING OR ANY OTHER THINGS.

WE ACTUALLY FIND OUR EX-OFFENDERS ARE ACTUALLY MORE LIKELY TO REPORT TO WORK AND NOT HAVE PERSONAL ISSUES BECAUSE THEY NEED THE JOB, THEY WANT TO BE THERE, THEY WORK REAL HARD.

IN OUR PARTICULAR CASE WITH MS. FEBREZE, SHE'S BEEN GIVEN TWO PROMOTIONS OR TWO RAISES IN THE 2.5 MONTHS SHE'S BEEN THERE AND HAS WILLINGLY ACCEPTED MORE AND MORE DUTIES AS WE GO ALONG, SO IT'S BEEN A SPECTACULAR VENTURE WITH ABE BROWN MINISTRIES.

I WANT TO THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

>> I'M TAMMY FEBREZE, AND I WAS PART OF THE READY4WORK PROGRAM.

IT WAS KIND OF SKEPTICAL AT FIRST.

THE PROBATION OFFICER THOUGHT IT WASN'T GOING TO GO ANYWHERE OR DO ANYTHING, AND I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASSES, AND MR. BLOUNT WAS A BLESSING TO ME, AND SO WAS CRAIG ADAMS.

I GOT A JOB.

I'M DOING BETTER.

I'M ABOUT TO MOVE OUT ON MY OWN, AND IT'S -- READY4WORK DOES WORK.

WE JUST NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THAT JUST BECAUSE WE MADE MISTAKES IN THE PAST DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE NOT GOOD PEOPLE.

AND EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.

AND I APPRECIATE THE COUNTY GIVING US THAT CHANCE.

SO THANK YOU, AND HAVE A NICE DAY.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OH, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CRIST, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT NOW OR WAIT?

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

>> JUST IN CLOSING, I WANT TO SAY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE INITIAL $350,000 FROM THE COUNTY WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS IN THE APPROPRIATION LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE WITH THE STATE.

WE'RE LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED WITHIN A YEAR, AND/OR ARE ON PROBATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF THAT PIECE OF THIS POPULATION, PERHAPS, WHO ARE NOT ON COMMUNITY SUPERVISION OR WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED BEYOND A YEAR.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 5,000 OFFENDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE SERVING MISDEMEANOR PROBATION THROUGH THE SALVATION ARMY, WHICH WOULD NOT FALL IN THIS CATCHMENT AS WELL.

SO THE NEED IS GREAT.

WE WILL GO INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH THE HOPES OF EXPANDING THE PROVISO LANGUAGE, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO BROADEN THE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT WE CAN SERVE.

I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

WHEN LES MILLER AND I SERVED 18 YEARS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE FEW ISSUES WE ACTUALLY AGREED ON, AND EACH YEAR LES WOULD COME TO ME AND ASK ME FOR MONEY FOR THE ABE BROWN MINISTRIES, AND EACH YEAR I'D STROKE HIM A CHECK.

BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, WHEN I DID CHAIR JUSTICE, I SAW THE NUMBERS, AND I SAW THE OUTCOMES AND I SAW THE SHORT-TERM AND I SAW THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS TO THE WORK THAT YOU DO, AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING THERE AT ABE BROWN MINISTRIES IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING POPULATIONS IN OUR PRISONS BY REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

90% -- YOU KNOW -- OR EXCUSE ME -- 10% OF THE INMATE POPULATION ARE GENERALLY FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS, THE REST ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS, AND IT -- A LOT OF THAT IS CONTINGENT UPON WHETHER THEY GET A GOOD START OR NOT AND THEY'RE IN A GOOD ENVIRONMENT THAT KEEPS THEM MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE IS LIMITED ON MONEY AND THEY HAD TO SET THE NUMBERS BASED ON A YEAR AND THOSE WHO WERE IN WORK RELEASE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY COULD AFFORD, OR THEY WOULD DO MORE.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES SHOULD INVEST IN EXPANDING THAT.

IT MAKES GOOD SENSE BECAUSE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IS HELPING PEOPLE WHEN -- WHO HAVE A NEED TO STAY FOCUSED IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, AND EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM THAT.

COMMISSIONER BECKNER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND BRINGING IT TO LIGHT.

I SEE BRANDON WAGNER IN THE AUDIENCE, AND HONESTLY, I THINK THAT YOUR ASK SHOULD BE PART OF OUR AGENDA AND SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE BENEFIT YOU WILL PROVIDE WILL HELP LOWER OUR COSTS TO OUR TAXPAYERS.

>> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND ROBERT, JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR MINISTRY'S COMMITMENT TO HELPING GET PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR FEET AND GETTING THEM GOING AGAIN.

IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WHAT YOU AND MR. BROWN HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BE ABLE TO AFFORD SECOND CHANCES TO INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CRIST POINTED OUT A LOT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROGRAM, AS WE RECOGNIZE AND REALIZE THAT INDIVIDUALS DO MAKE MISTAKES AND THEY'RE -- BUT WE NEED TO, AS A SOCIETY, BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A SECOND OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THE NUMBERS SHOW THAT THOSE THAT GET INCARCERATED COME BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY, A LARGE MAJORITY COME BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND IF WE DON'T HELP THEM BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING, THEN MOST LIKELY THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING RIGHT BACK TO PRISON, AND THEY'LL BE CAUGHT IN THAT REVOLVING DOOR, WHICH MEANS MORE CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH MEANS MORE COST TO OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, SO INVESTING IN THE FRONT END IS MY BELIEF, AND I THINK YOU'LL HEAR ALSO A SENTIMENT FROM THIS BOARD, IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

SO AS YOU MOVE FORWARD AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT EXPANDING THIS PROGRAM, LOOK AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE MORE OF THE POPULATION, I EXPECT THAT WE WILL BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT, AND TO THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE OUT THERE, THANK YOU FOR EMBRACING THIS PROGRAM.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT BY UTILIZING THE INDIVIDUALS IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU CAN ALSO HELP YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND THAT EVERYBODY WILL CREATE A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY, SO THANKS AGAIN, ROBERT.

REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ROBERT, ECHO THE COMMENTS SAID HERE.

I'M THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR OPERATION.

I CAME OUT THERE, AND I KNOW WE'RE MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH CAREERSOURCE TO GET THEM TO BE MORE, YOU KNOW, PROACTIVE IN HELPING SOME OF YOUR CLIENTS, BUT I LOVE WHAT YOUR CLIENT SAID ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I THINK A ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IS IS TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE, HELP PEOPLE THAT NEED THAT SECOND CHANCE, AND YOU'RE CERTAINLY DOING THAT, AND YOU'RE GETTING RESULTS.

SO I COMMEND YOU.

COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: I'LL BE BRIEF.

MR. BLOUNT, YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU.

>> YES, SIR.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER FOR YEARS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ON THE FAIR ISSUE ALSO.

HE'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE ISSUE OF BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO SEE HOW WE CAN RESOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS.

WE HAD THE FAIR LAST YEAR, AND HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT, SO HE'S SPREADING HIS WINGS ALL OVER THE PLACE, SO -- BUT YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: YEAH, YOUR LEADERSHIP IS EXEMPLARY.

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECEIVE THE REPORT?

>>KEVIN BECKNER: MAKE A MOTION TO RECEIVE THE REPORT.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: ALSO TO ADD -- I THINK IT WAS ON THERE, BUT IF IT'S NOT, TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THIS ON OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS SOMETHING TO WATCH AND ALSO TO ENCOURAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM AND OTHERS LIKE IT.

>> VERY HELPFUL.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE MOTION IS TO RECEIVE THE REPORT ON F-1 AND TO ADD THAT IT GO TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: YES.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, ROBERT.

KEEP DOING GOOD WORK.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MR. MERRILL.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THAT WAS THE LAST TIME CERTAIN OF THE MORNING.

GO BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.

ITEM B-3 IS TO APPROVE MY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE ACTION YOU TOOK LAST MEETING, I GUESS, TO EXTEND THE TERM OF MY CONTRACT SO THAT THIS IS THE ACTUAL APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT ITSELF WITH THAT EXTENSION.

THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE; CORRECT?

YES.

>>MIKE MERRILL: OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

DURING THAT MEETING, I THINK COMMISSIONER CRIST ASKED FOR A LISTING OF COMPARABLE SALARIES OF OTHER COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS THE STATE, AND MR. FLETCHER, I THINK, DID THE RESEARCH ON THAT.

HE PRESENTED IT TO US IN THE BACKUP ON B-3, AND IN LOOKING AT THIS, THE COUNTIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, WE CAN'T COMPARE MIAMI-DADE BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ELECTED COUNTY MAYOR, BUT YOU LOOK AT BROWARD COUNTY, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKES $298,699.96.

IN BROWARD COUNTY THERE'S A TOTAL POPULATION OF 1.7 MILLION, BUT THE UNINCORPORATED AREA IS 14,000, WHICH SHOWS THEY HAVE MANY, MANY -- AND WE ALL KNOW -- MANY, MANY CITIES IN BROWARD COUNTY.

PALM BEACH COUNTY'S COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKES $266,916, AND PALM BEACH TOTAL POPULATION 1.3-PLUS MILLION AND THEIR UNINCORPORATED AREA IS 595,000-PLUS PEOPLE.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, WE'RE ABOUT 1.3 MILLION, AND OUR UNINCORPORATED AREA IS 868,960 PEOPLE.

LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT STATES ARE COMPARABLE TO OUR SIZE OF OUR UNINCORPORATED AREA.

MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, MONTANA, DELAWARE SOUTH DAKOTA, ALASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, AND WYOMING.

WE'RE COMPARABLE AND EVEN LARGER THAN SOME OF THOSE STATES.

IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE MAJOR CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT WE'RE COMPARABLE -- OR THAT OUR UNINCORPORATED AREA IS COMPARABLE IN THEIR SIZE, IT'S A LONG LIST, BUT I'M GOING TO NAME SOME OF THE MAJOR ONES.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA; JACKSONVILLE; INDIANAPOLIS; AUSTIN; SAN FRANCISCO; COLUMBUS, OHIO; FORT WORTH; CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA; DETROIT; EL PASO; MEMPHIS; BOSTON; SEATTLE; DENVER; BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.

SO THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO OUR UNINCORPORATED COUNTY ARE COMPARABLE AND PROBABLY EVEN MUCH MORE -- MUCH MORE THAN WHAT SOME OF THESE CITIES AND UNINCORPORATED COUNTIES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PRESENTS.

MR. MERRILL'S SALARY IS WAY LOW, DWARFED TO MIAMI-DADE AND PALM -- AND BROWARD COUNTY.

I'M SORRY, BROWARD COUNTY AND PALM BEACH.

MR. MERRILL SALARY IS $217,360.

YOU LOOK AT THAT AND SAY WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE WHEN WE PROVIDE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO OUR UNINCORPORATED COUNTY -- AND IF YOU WANT TO COUNTY THE ENTIRE COUNTY, 1.3 MILLION.

HIS SALARY'S JUST NOT UP TO PAR TO WHERE THE REST OF THEM ARE.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE THINKING IS OF THE BOARD.

MY THINKING IS THAT WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

WHEN HE CAME ONBOARD IN, I THINK IT WAS 2010, HE CAME DURING SOME VERY DIFFICULT TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES.

HE RODE THE STORM AND PUT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WHERE WE ARE STILL BOND RATED AT AAA, AAA BONDING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW COUNTIES NOT ONLY IN THIS STATE BUT IN THE COUNTRY BEING AAA.

WE HAD TO LAY OFF SOME PEOPLE, AND IT WAS PAINFUL, BUT WE WEATHERED THAT STORM.

I THINK WE BROUGHT SOME OF THEM BACK.

WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE OUR STAFF PAY RAISES, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDED TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY IS -- IS SECOND TO NONE, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT EVEN THOUGH WE WENT THROUGH SOME VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TIMES.

AND HE'S BROUGHT ON A TEAM THAT IS WELL-RESPECTED, HE'S WELL-RESPECTED.

YOU HEARD THAT FROM MR. VINIK THIS MORNING ABOUT WORKING WITH MR. MERRILL, AND OTHERS THROUGHOUT THIS AREA.

I THINK WE HAVE -- I DON'T THINK, I KNOW, WE HAVE A JEWEL HERE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS LOSE HIM.

NOW, HE HAS NOT COME AND ASKED FOR ANY PAY RAISES.

IN FACT, WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT, HE GETS KIND OF SQUEAMISH AND STARTS WIGGLING IN THE CHAIR, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO FAIR TO HIM AND THE RESPONSIBILITY HE HAS COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTIES OUR SIZE, I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I SEE LIGHTS FLASHING.

I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER CRIST BROUGHT THIS UP EARLIER ON, SO I WANT TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY BEFORE I MAKE A MOTION.

WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

BECAUSE YOUR MOTION MAY ELICIT THE QUESTIONS.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: MY MOTION IS -- MR. MERRILL IS AT $217,360 NOW -- THAT WE GIVE A 15% RAISE, WHICH GIVES HIM A RAISE OF $32,604, WHICH BRINGS HIS SALARY TO $249,964, STILL BELOW PALM BEACH, STILL BELOW BROWARD, BUT GIVES HIM IN THE RANGE OF WHAT THE OTHER COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS HAVE IN THOSE TWO COUNTIES, AND WE ARE WAY -- WE HAVE MORE AND MORE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY WE HAVE TO GIVE SERVICE TO THAN THEY HAVE.

THAT'S MY MOTION.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>VICTOR CRIST: SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST.

COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO GET AN IDEA WHAT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY, AND, YOU KNOW, THEY BROUGHT BACK AN EXCELLENT REPORT.

THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT PAGES HERE.

YOU KNOW, THE FIRST ONE SHOWS THE OTHER COUNTIES AND WHAT THEY'RE PAYING THEIR COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, BUT THAT REALLY DOESN'T GIVE US A CLEAR PICTURE BECAUSE IT'S NOT APPLES AND APPLES.

PINELLAS AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE VERY DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT IN SIZE, DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES, DIFFERENT IN STAFF MANAGED, AND FRANKLY, DIFFERENT IN -- EXCUSE ME, MY VOICE IS FADING IN AND OUT -- EXPOSURE FOR LIABILITY.

I MEAN, YOU'RE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

THE BUCK STOPS WITH MR. MERRILL.

IF ANY ONE OF YOUR 4,000 EMPLOYEES SCREWS UP, YOU'RE THE GUY WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE.

IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG IN THE COUNTY, YOU'RE THE GUY WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE.

THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU.

SO THERE ISN'T ONE SHOT AT SOMETHING GOING WRONG AND YOU TAKING THE BLAME.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE, 5,000?

>>MIKE MERRILL: APPROXIMATELY, YEAH.

>>VICTOR CRIST: OKAY.

THERE'S 5,000 OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOMETHING TO GO WRONG AND YOU TO TAKE THE BLAME.

KNOWING THAT AND LOOKING AT THIS CHART, YOU KNOW, SIMPLY BASED ON NUMBERS, YOU ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN MOST OF THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO US, BUT LOOKING AT IT DEEPER ON THIS SECOND PAGE WHERE THEY ACTUALLY SHOW THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY THAT IS UNINCORPORATED, HOW MANY PEOPLE RESIDE IN THAT PORTION OF THE COUNTY THAT'S UNINCORPORATED, IT BEGINS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE'RE MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH PALM BEACH OR BROWARD OR MIAMI-DADE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF UNINCORPORATED AREA THAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND A LOT OF STAFF YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER THAN PINELLAS COUNTY, MANATEE COUNTY, SARASOTA COUNTY, AND OUR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS, WHICH IS WHAT WE ORIGINALLY USED IN SETTING YOUR SALARY.

SO THIS ISN'T ABOUT RETENTION, THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS.

THIS IS ABOUT BEING FAIR AND RECOGNIZING WHAT IS FAIR, AND, FRANKLY, I WAS WILLING TO GO A LITTLE BETTER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: GO AHEAD.

>>VICTOR CRIST: YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT MIAMI-DADE AND YOU FIGURE, OKAY, THERE'S A 10% COST OF LIVING DIFFERENTIAL, SO IF WE REDUCED THE MIAMI-DADE COMPENSATION BY THAT 10% DIFFERENTIAL, WE COME OUT IN THE 260s RANGE.

IF WE LOOK AT BROWARD AND PALM BEACH AND WE DO THE SAME, WE COME OUT IN THE 260s RANGE.

SO I THINK 260 IS A MORE APPROPRIATE NUMBER WHERE WE SHOULD BE.

THAT'S FAIR.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, MR. MERRILL HAS FAR MORE EMPLOYEES, A MUCH LARGER BUDGET, A HIGHER LEVEL OF EXPOSURE, THAN OUR DIRECTOR OF OUR PORT WHO'S MAKING 350, THAN OUR DIRECTOR OF OUR AIRPORT, WHO'S MAKING 349, AND, FRANKLY, I -- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT MORE LAND SPACE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN THE PRESIDENT OF OUR -- OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, WHO'S MAKING DOUBLE WHAT EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE MAKING, AND, FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE AND HIGH MAN WITH EXPOSURE FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD GO WRONG, AND WE NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND WE NEED TO BE FAIR, AND I KNOW YOU AND I DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.

I'M PROBABLY THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE SEVEN FOR YOU TO DEAL WITH, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I DON'T RESPECT YOU AND DON'T VALUE YOU AND RESPECT AND VALUE THE POSITION.

>>MIKE MERRILL: NOT DIFFICULT.

[LAUGHTER]

>>VICTOR CRIST: HIGH MAINTENANCE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

THIS IS -- IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE DIFFERENT SALARY RANGES, YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL THERE'S A WIDE VARIATION, AND AS I TOLD MR. MERRILL, JUST THANK GODDESS'S NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL, BUT THE EXTRAORDINARY JOB THAT HE HAS DONE, HIS GUIDANCE THAT HE HAS HELPED TO LEAD THIS ORGANIZATION THROUGH THE VERY DIFFICULT TIMES AND THE TEAM THAT HE HAS ASSEMBLED I THINK IS CERTAINLY WORTHY OF DEFINITELY MORE.

MY APPROACH THAT I CAME ABOUT -- AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S AN EXACT SCIENCE -- IS THAT I LOOKED AT THE THREE COUNTIES THAT MAY BE MOST COMPARABLE, AND I THINK, COMMISSIONER CRIST, I THINK YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH RIGHT ON.

I HAD ACTUALLY USED, THOUGH, PALM BEACH, HILLSBOROUGH, AND ORANGE, AND THROUGHOUT PINELLAS THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE LOWER END, AND SO ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT I CAME UP WITH WAS A LITTLE BIT LOWER, I'M CERTAINLY AT COMMISSIONER MILLER -- WE'RE DEFINITELY IN THE BALLPARK, SO I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM SUPPORTING THE CURRENT MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

IF IT GETS AMENDED, I WOULD ALSO PROBABLY BE IN SUPPORT OF THAT AS WELL.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

DID YOU MAKE A FORMAL AMENDMENT?

>>VICTOR CRIST: I'D LIKE TO AMEND IT TO 260.

I THINK IN ALL FAIRNESS THAT IS A SECURE NUMBER THAT'S IN LINE WITH THE COUNTIES THAT ARE CLOSER TO THE LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND WORKLOAD THAT WE HAVE HERE.

IN FACT, IT'S ON THE LOWER END STILL BECAUSE 267-5 IS ACTUALLY THE REAL NUMBER, BUT 260'S A GOOD, ROUND, EASY NUMBER.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

IS THE MAKER OF THE MOTION OKAY WITH THAT?

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

HE ACCEPTS THAT.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT?

WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO RAISE THE SALARY OF MR. MERRILL TO -- DO YOU WANT TO RESTATE YOUR MOTION?

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND RESTATE IT.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: WELL, MY MOTION WAS 15%, TO TAKE HIM TO $249,964.

THE AMENDMENT WAS TO TAKE IT TO $260,000.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

>>VICTOR CRIST: WHICH IS MORE IN LINE WITH THE NUMBERS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE COUNTIES OF OUR SIZE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

AND IT WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST.

AND I'LL JUST MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS.

I THINK WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT -- I MEAN, THIS MAN WORKS 24/7, WON'T EVEN TAKE A VACATION.

TAKING -- YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE YOU KIND OF HAVE TO FORCE HIM, ARE YOU TAKING SOME TIME OFF OVER THE HOLIDAYS, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

HE'S STAYING HOME.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S -- WE NEED TO PAY PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE WORTH, WHAT VALUE THEY BRING TO OUR COUNTY.

HE BRINGS TREMENDOUS VALUE.

HE'S KEEPING US -- I MEAN, THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE -- AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERY MAJOR ISSUE AND DISCUSSION THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY.

THAT MEANS A LOT.

AND THIS COUNTY IS DEFINITELY MOVING FORWARD.

I THINK THE CHART SHOWS WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AND I COMPLETELY SUPPORT THIS MOTION, AND COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: YEAH.

THERE'S ONE MORE THING I WAS GOING TO ASK MR. MERRILL.

I KNOW -- I REMEMBER IN OUR CONVERSATIONS, I THINK WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN YOUR CONTRACT BEFORE, ARE YOU LOOKING TO RECEIVE THE ADDITIONAL SALARY MORE IN CURRENT SALARY OR AS A DEFERRAL IN SALARY, PAYMENTS?

I KNOW THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT PLANNING FOR -- YOU HAD MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT, THAT'S WHY YOU WERE DEFERRING SOME MORE OF YOUR SALARY, SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT ON THAT.

>>MIKE MERRILL: NOT REALLY SURE AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THE WAY THE CONTRACT'S WORDED, I HAVE THE ABILITY TO, YOU KNOW, JUST MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AND JUST -- AND LET THE CLERK KNOW.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: ALL RIGHT.

SO THAT'S ALREADY IN THE FLEXIBILITY IN THE CONTRACT, SO THEN YOU ADJUST ACCORDINGLY, SO WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE?

>>MIKE MERRILL: I DON'T THINK SO.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THAT'S CORRECT.

>>MIKE MERRILL: AND I AM HUMBLED AND REALLY APPRECIATIVE.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: YOU'RE WELCOME.

MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST ON B-3, TO RAISE THE SALARY OF MR. MERRILL TO $260,000.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: MADAM CHAIR, I DON'T KNOW IF ANOTHER MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME, BUT I'M GOING TO TRY IT ANYWAY.

WHEN WE GAVE I THINK IT WAS A 4% ADJUSTMENT TO STAFF BACK WHEN, MR. MERRILL AND MR. FLETCHER DID NOT TAKE THAT 4%; AM I CORRECT?

>>MIKE MERRILL: THAT'S CORRECT.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THAT'S CORRECT.

NEITHER ONE OF THEM DID, MR. MERRILL OR CHIP FLETCHER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY, AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO BRING IT UP NOW AND DO SOMETHING WITH IT BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE A LITTLE ISSUE HERE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, MAKE A MOTION THAT WE BRING BACK TO OUR NEXT MEETING ON THE AGENDA THE DISCUSSION OF MR. FLETCHER AND GETTING THAT 4% INCREASE IN HIS SALARY, WHICH HE DID NOT GET -- HE DID NOT TAKE THE LAST TIME WE DID THIS, SO THAT'S MY MOTION.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND I'LL JUST SAY, I THINK BECAUSE ALL THE EMPLOYEES GOT IT, I'M NOT SURE WE NEED TO BRING IT BACK FOR DISCUSSION.

IT COULD PROBABLY BE ON CONSENT, AND IT WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IT, AND THEN IF A COMMISSIONER FEELS THEY NEED TO PULL IT, LET'S -- THEY CAN DO THAT ALSO.

IS THAT OKAY WITH EVERYBODY?

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER CRIST.

>>VICTOR CRIST: THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

COMMISSIONER MILLER COVERED THE POINT THAT I WAS ALSO INTERESTED IN.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

OKAY.

SO THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST TO PUT THE 4% SALARY ADJUSTMENT TO CHIP FLETCHER'S SALARY ON THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

OKAY.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, AGAIN, VERY MUCH.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: MERRY CHRISTMAS.

>>MIKE MERRILL: CERTAINLY, THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>>MIKE MERRILL: YOU KNOW I CERTAINLY DON'T DO THIS FOR THE MONEY, OTHERWISE I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT I HAVE A GREAT TEAM AND WONDERFUL BOARD, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: WELL, WE HAVE A BIG AGENDA NEXT YEAR, SO --

>>MIKE MERRILL: YES, WE DO.

>>SANDRA MURMAN:  -- WE'RE GOING TO NEED EVERY OUNCE OF YOU.

>>MIKE MERRILL: GREAT.

I'LL TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

NEXT ITEM.

>>MIKE MERRILL: SO WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS LEFT THAT WE CAN GET OFF THE AGENDA THIS MORNING, STARTING WITH B-4, WHICH IS THE AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE PLURIS EASTLAKE AND PLURIS PEBBLE CREEK.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD MORNING, HANK.

>>HANK ENNIS: HANK ENNIS, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

COMMISSIONERS, THIS ITEM IS THE FINAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE PLURIS EASTLAKE AND PEBBLE CREEK WATER AND WASTEWATER FRANCHISES.

IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, YOU AUTHORIZED COUNTY STAFF TO PURSUE ACQUISITION OF BOTH PLURIS EASTLAKE AND PEBBLE CREEK.

BASED ON THE BOARD'S DIRECTION, OFFERS WERE PRESENTED TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH EASTLAKE AND PEBBLE CREEK, FOLLOWING WHICH THE PARTIES MET AND AGREED TO A NEGOTIATED PURCHASE PRICE OF 14.1 MILLION.

THE BOARD HELD THE STATUTORY PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 13th AND DETERMINED THAT THE PURCHASE WAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

NOW THE BOARD MUST APPROVE THE FINAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT.

UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COUNTY'S PURCHASING THE SYSTEM ON AN AS-IS/WHERE-IS BASIS, AND AS I SAID EARLIER, THE NEGOTIATED PRICE IS $14.1 MILLION.

AND THE CLOSING WILL OCCUR WITHIN THE NEXT 90 DAYS.

ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU DIRECT THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT TO CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS OF BOTH SYSTEMS ONCE THEY BECOME COUNTY CUSTOMERS FOR THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RATES CHARGED BY PLURIS PEBBLE CREEK AND EASTLAKE AND THE RATES CHARGED BY THE COUNTY FROM THE DATE THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO PURSUE ACQUISITION TO THE DATE OF CLOSING.

AND WE HAVE WITH US TODAY OUR OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE.

IT SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS TAKEN FOREVER, BUT SOMETIMES GREAT THINGS ACTUALLY DO.

AND I REMEMBER WHEN WE ENGAGED ON THIS NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO, STARTED GOING DOWN THIS ROAD, YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FINANCIALLY, SOMETIMES PEOPLE WOULD QUESTION WHY WOULD WE DO THIS, AND AS I ALWAYS SAID, THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE A FINANCIAL VALUE, SOME THINGS ARE JUST THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN, AFFORDABLE, POTABLE DRINKING WATER IS PART OF OUR ROLE AS GOVERNMENT, AND WE KNOW THAT TODAY THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE, BUT WE ARE ON OUR WAY AND GETTING THERE, AND WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK TO DO.

AND SO THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THIS IS THE FUNCTION AND ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, AND, AGAIN, JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

TO ALL OF OUR CITIZENS OUT THERE, I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING TO YOU, AND SO WE JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT CHANGE IS ON THE WAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING YOUR SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING AND TAKING CARE OF YOUR WATER SERVICES.

WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO MOVE THE APPROVAL OF THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER.

COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MR. ENNIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, BUT YOU ALL HAVE PUT YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE AND WORKED EVERYTHING OUT.

I KNOW IT HASN'T BEEN EASY, BUT IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR CITIZENS THAT WE DO THIS SO THEY CAN GET THE FINEST DRINKING WATER THAT THEY CAN GET.

I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT I'VE BEEN HEARING THIS BEFORE I GOT ELECTED, THAT -- AND WHEN I CAME ONBOARD AFTER GETTING SWORN IN, IT WAS ABOUT WATER, WATER, WATER, AND THIS IS GOING TO EASE A LOT OF PAIN FOR SOME CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY, SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, AND TO THOSE PEOPLE IN PALM RIVER, WE'RE COMING.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GREAT.

THANK YOU.

AND I'LL ECHO ALL THE COMMENTS.

I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, AND LIKE I'VE SAID BEFORE, WATER IS THE BASIC NECESSITY OF LIFE, AND IF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE GOOD WATER, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THEM VERY MUCH.

AND WE'RE -- THIS COUNTY HAS GONE A LONG WAY TO HELP IMPROVE THAT AND MOVE IT FORWARD.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK STAFF.

STAFF, WE COULDN'T HAVE -- YOU-ALL -- IT'S HOW IT HAPPENED, AND, YOU-ALL REALLY REACHED OUT THERE AND MADE IT WORK.

SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MILLER ON B-4.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: GREAT JOB, GEORGE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

GREAT JOB.

>>MIKE MERRILL: NEXT ITEM, THEN, IS TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS, STARTING WITH B-5.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: I THINK HE GOT HERE JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME.

GOOD MORNING.

>>RON BARTON: CATCH MY BREATH.

GOOD MORNING.

BEAR WITH ME ONE SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: B-5.

>>MIKE MERRILL: SURE.

IT'S OKAY.

>>RON BARTON: OKAY.

B -- DID WE --

>>MIKE MERRILL: B-5, THE CHALLENGE GRANT FOR CHISELERS.

>>RON BARTON: B-5 IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM.

THIS IS FOR THE CHISELERS.

IT'S A GROUP THAT'S INVOLVED IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF TAMPA -- THE OLD TAMPA HOTEL OR PLANT HALL AT UT.

IT'S A GRANT FOR $250,000.

IT'S A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM.

IT'S SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING THE RESTORATION OF THE WINDOWS.

IF YOU KNOW THAT FACILITY, LOTS OF WINDOWS, BEAUTIFUL, BUT THE CHISELERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS IN YEARS, AND THIS IS A TWO-YEAR GRANT PROGRAM, MAXIMUM OF $250,000, 50/50 MATCH.

WE ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THAT RESOLUTION.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: SO MOVE.

>>VICTOR CRIST: SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANKS, RON.

A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST, ON B-5.

PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: AND B-6, THE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS OF THE TDC RESERVE DOLLARS.

>>RON BARTON: YES, SIR.

THIS ITEM BASICALLY IS A BUDGET CLEANUP FOR THE END OF YEAR, FY 14.

I KNOW IT'S AN INVOLVED AGENDA ITEM.

I'LL WALK THROUGH THOSE FOR YOU, BUT THERE ARE FOUR SPECIFIC SEGMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

THE FIRST IS IT'S A MODIFICATION TO VISIT TAMPA BAY'S AGREEMENT WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL MARKETING INITIATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM THAT WE'LL DO AS PART OF PART 2 IN HERE, BUT IT'S A MODIFICATION TO VISIT TAMPA BAY'S PROGRAM FOR ENHANCED MARKETING.

THE SECOND PART OF THIS ITEM, SECTION "B," IS BUDGET CLEANUP ASSOCIATED WITH TDC ITEMS.

WE MOVED TDC DOLLARS EITHER INTO OPERATIONAL ACCOUNTS, CONSISTENT WITH THE BUDGET AWARDS, OR WE HAVE RESERVE ACCOUNTS.

WHAT THIS DOES IS IT MOVES $2.2 MILLION, APPROXIMATELY, INTO -- OUT OF RESERVE AND INTO OPERATIONAL ACCOUNTS FOR AWARDS.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE DO THIS, JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE TDC PROCESS, IS THAT WE HAVE A CONCEPT CALLED OVERAGES, SO WE BUDGET TDC DOLLARS AND WE ALLOCATE TO APPLICANTS, BUT ON GOOD YEARS, AS YOU'VE READ, OVER THE LAST YEAR, ON GOOD YEARS WE ACTUALLY COLLECT MORE REVENUE THAN WE BUDGET OUT, AND SO WE HAVE THE CONCEPT OF OVERAGES, AND WHAT -- THE POLICY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TDC IS THAT THOSE OVERAGES FOR THESE NEXT TWO YEARS ARE 50% OF OUR OVERAGES WOULD GO TO VISIT TAMPA BAY FOR ENHANCED MARKETING INITIATIVES AND 50% WOULD GO TO THE TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER FOR CAPITAL NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER, AND IT'D CERTAINLY SUSTAIN OUR CONVENTION CENTER AND OUR ROOM-NIGHT DEMAND, AND SO THAT'S PART OF WHAT'S TRANSPIRING HERE IS OUR FINISH OF FY 14 AND OUR ALLOCATION OF OVERAGE DOLLARS TO OPERATIONAL ACCOUNTS FOR VISIT TAMPA BAY, THE CONVENTION CENTER, FOR GASPARILLA FILM FESTIVAL, GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND THE RIVERWALK FESTIVAL.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM DOES.

IN "C" OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE'RE ACTUALLY MOVING SOME RESERVE ACCOUNTS AND CONSOLIDATING THEM.

WE HAD A LOT OF CLUTTER FROM AN ACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVE, AND WE'RE CONSOLIDATING SOME OF OUR RESERVE ACCOUNTS INTO ONE BIG RESERVE.

THAT'S THE $882,747 THAT YOU SEE IN THE AGENDA ITEM.

AND THEN NUMBER 4 IS A BUDGET CARRY-FORWARD.

WE HAD TWO AWARDS THAT WERE NOT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.

IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT, 30,640, BUT WE CARRIED THAT FORWARD FROM FY 14 INTO FY 15.

SO AN INVOLVED AGENDA ITEM, BUT IT'S BASICALLY A CLEANUP ON A NUMBER OF ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TDC.

I CERTAINLY CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THAT'S WHAT THAT AGENDA ITEM IS DOING.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, RON.

I KNOW I HAD QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS.

YOU ANSWERED THEM ALL, AND THE PICTURE IS MUCH MORE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE FUNDS OVER THERE, SO I FELT VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE ITEM AFTER --

>>RON BARTON: IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO AT THE END OF EACH BUDGET CYCLE AND -- WITH THE OVERAGES.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: RIGHT.

OKAY.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>STACY WHITE: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CRIST, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WHITE ON B-6.

WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>RON BARTON: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THANKS, RON.

GOOD JOB.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

>>MIKE MERRILL: NOW WE HAVE A PROCUREMENT ITEM, B-8.

TOM FESLER IS HERE FOR THIS ITEM.

>>TOM FESLER: COMMISSIONERS, ITEM B-8 IS ASKING YOU TO AWARD AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR FACILITY REPAIR, REHABILITATION, AND RENOVATION TO COMMERCIAL INTERIORS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3 MILLION.

THIS IS A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT, AND IT WILL ACHIEVE A 12.5% MINORITY PARTICIPATION RATE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: OKAY.

MOTION?

>>LES MILLER, JR.: SO MOVE.

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST ON B-8.

THANK YOU VERY -- WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: AND PUBLIC WORKS, B-10, JOHN.

>>JOHN LYONS: GOOD MORNING.

JOHN LYONS, PUBLIC WORKS.

COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINE FACILITIES PROGRAM MANUAL, WHICH OUTLINES HOW THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT THE COUNTY'S UNDERGROUND UTILITIES MSBU, MUNICIPAL SERVICES BENEFIT UNIT, AND ASSESSMENT ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED BACK IN OCTOBER.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH UNDER -- THE INITIAL PROJECT APPEARS TO BE A PROJECT OUT IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE COUNTY.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: SO MOVE.

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST.

WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION ON B-10, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, JOHN.

AND NOW F-2, WHICH IS THE ITEM YOU DISCUSSED AT YOUR RETREAT, CONSIDERING THE CREATION OF A LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY COMMISSIONER MURMAN'S ITEM, BUT YOU ALREADY DID DISCUSS IT, SO I DON'T --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: RIGHT.

ALL WE REALLY NEED IS -- WELL, WE NEED TO DISCUSS WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE.

>>MIKE MERRILL: YEAH, RIGHT.

SO COMMISSIONER MILLER, WHO WANTS TO BE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE?

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: COMMISSIONER CRIST, I KNOW I'LL SERVE, COMMISSIONER MILLER, THE THREE LEGISLATIVE -- LEGISLATIVELY EXPERIENCED PEOPLE.

ANYBODY ELSE?

NO TAKERS.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MAY -- COMMISSIONER MILLER, WILL YOU MAKE A MOTION TO --

>>LES MILLER, JR.: SO MOVE.

>>SANDRA MURMAN:  -- APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OF COMMISSIONER CRIST, COMMISSIONER MURMAN, AND COMMISSIONER MILLER.

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST.

WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE ON F-2.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>MIKE MERRILL: AND TWO STAFF REPORTS, G-1, CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, A MONTHLY REPORT FROM HEAD START.

>>JACQUELYN JENKINS: GOOD MORNING, AGAIN.

THIS -- I AM HERE SEEKING APPROVAL FOR OUR MONTHLY REPORT.

IT CONTINUES TO BE FAVORABLE NEWS, PARTNERING WITH OUR POLICY COUNCIL.

OUR CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING, STAFF PROGRESSING TOWARDS THE OFFICE OF HEAD START GOALS AS WELL AS THE COUNTY GOALS, AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: MOVE APPROVAL.

>>VICTOR CRIST: [INAUDIBLE]

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU, DR. JENKINS.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MILLER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CRIST.

WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE ON G-1.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 6-0.

>>JACQUELYN JENKINS: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU.

>>MIKE MERRILL: AND G-2 IS THE REPORT THAT WAS REQUESTED CONCERNING EXPEDITING PERMITTING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

>>ADAM GORMLY: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

ADAM GORMLY WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

I HAVE A REPORT FOR THE BOARD TODAY IN RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THE EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING THAT WE DO LOOK AT ALL OUR PERMIT APPLICATIONS AS NEEDING APPROPRIATE ATTENTION AND BEING PROCESSED TIMELY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE INDUSTRY IN IDENTIFYING THE STANDARDS THAT THEY EXPECT TO BE MET, AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MEETING THOSE STANDARDS.

WE ARE PROCESSING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS WITHIN A TIME THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE INDUSTRY, AND, IN PARTICULAR, WE HAVE A PLANS-ON-FILE PROCESS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS A VERY RAPID TURNAROUND OF LESS THAN FIVE DAYS FOR THOSE RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES.

WE ARE HANDLING A LARGE VOLUME OF PERMITS, AND IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY INTERACTIONS AND KEEPING TIES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY, THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION, WE'RE CONSTANTLY ELICITING FEEDBACK ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS, AND WE ARE STRIVING TO DO THAT, SO FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND EXPEDITING THEM IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR US, BUT WE TREAT ALL PERMITS AS NEEDING EXPEDITED REVIEW TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STRIVING FOR IN OUR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.

WE DID DO A SURVEY OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS AT THE BOARD'S REQUEST TO IDENTIFY IF THEY WERE ALSO DOING EXPEDITED PERMITTING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

THE RESULTS ARE IN YOUR -- IN THE BACKUP HERE.

OF THE JURISDICTIONS SURVEYED, THE MAJORITY OF THEM DO HAVE AN EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, SO WE ARE NOT UNIQUE IN THAT RESPECT.

THE EXPEDITED PERMITTING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHEN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS IDENTIFIED, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TEAM UP TO IDENTIFY ISSUES THAT WILL BE IMPEDIMENTS, POTENTIALLY, TO PERMITTING THE PROCESS, AND WE WALK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THAT IS NOT DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF ANY OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE IN FOR PERMITTING.

I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE STANDARDS FROM THE INDUSTRY AND HAVE NOT BEEN GETTING ANY FEEDBACK TO THE CONTRARY.

IN FACT, WE'RE GETTING SOME POSITIVE FEEDBACK QUITE A BIT ON THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE TO OUR PROCESSES, BOTH IN THE BUILDING PERMITTING AND THE SITE AND SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT.

I HAVE RON BARTON HERE TODAY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT THE TARGETED INDUSTRIES AND WHAT WE FOCUS ON FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO RON IF --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: AND ADAM, CAN I JUST ASK YOU ONE QUESTION?

IS THE SITE DEVELOPMENT AND THE BUILDING PERMITS, ARE THEY -- ARE YOU STILL WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THEM TO MOVE TOGETHER THROUGH THE -- SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH THE PROCESS?

>>ADAM GORMLY: YES.

WE HAVE COMPLETED THAT, AND WE HAVE THAT PROCESS IN PLACE.

THAT -- THE BOARD APPROVED A -- AN AMENDMENT TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THAT LETS THAT -- THOSE TWO PROCESSES OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.

THERE IS SOME WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE UP FRONT TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE BUILD SOMETHING GOING TO GO AND WHERE THE ELEVATION OF THE GROUND FLOOR WOULD BE, BUT THE CHANGE DOES ALLOW THEM TO GET INTO THE PROCESS CONSIDERABLY SOONER THAN PREVIOUSLY --

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD.

SO IT IS WORKING?

>>ADAM GORMLY: IT IS WORKING, YES.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: GOOD.

PERFECT.

>>RON BARTON: GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

RON BARTON.

AGAIN, JUST TO FOLLOW-UP ON WHAT ADAM HAS MENTIONED, BUT BASICALLY OUR EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE MARKET THAT EXTENSIVELY.

WE COMMUNICATE A GREAT DEAL WITH EDC BUT ALSO ENTERPRISE FLORIDA, SO THE PROSPECTS THAT WE DEAL WITH THAT ARE LARGE-SCALE, IMPACTFUL, AND ASSOCIATED WITH OUR TARGETED INDUSTRIES' STRATEGY ARE ALL MADE AWARE OF THAT.

I WOULD SAY THIS, FRANKLY -- LOTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS MOVE THROUGH OUR PERMITTING PROCESS AND NEVER NEED EXPEDITED PERMITTING.

MOST ARE SOPHISTICATED, NOT ALL, BUT MOST ARE SOPHISTICATED.

THEY'VE GOT REALLY GOOD ADVISORS ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR RELATED TO SITE DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL VERTICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND WE CERTAINLY HANDHOLD ALMOST ALL THOSE PROJECTS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO THEIR NEEDS, BUT IN MANY, MANY CASES, PROJECTS MOVE THROUGH THAT PROCESS, DON'T EVEN INVOKE THE EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

NONETHELESS, AS ADAM'S ALREADY SAID, WE MOVE THEM VERY PROMPTLY THROUGH THE PROCESS JUST AS WE DO WITH ANYBODY IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

BUT WE DO HAVE THAT ELEMENT OF HANDHOLDING.

WE WANT TO BE CONVERSANT ON A PROJECT THAT HAS 400,000 SQUARE FOOT OF IMPACT OR 500 OR 1,000-JOB IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE JUST WANT TO BE SENSITIVE TO WHAT THE TIME FRAMES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT.

AMAZON WILL BE A GREAT EXAMPLE.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS TIME, IT'S JUST COMPLEXITY.

IT WAS A VERY COMPLEX BUILDING.

THE DELIVERY OF THAT PRODUCT TO OUR MARKETPLACE.

AND SO IT'S JUST THE CONSTANT HANDHOLDING ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE PROJECT AND THE TIMELINES, AND SO WE DO THAT ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE COMFORTABLE, AND WE DO PROMOTE THAT, WORK HAND IN HAND.

I WILL ALSO SAY IT'S NOT ALWAYS SIZE.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS THAT WERE VERY SMALL, 40,000 SQUARE FEET, SO IF ONE OF OUR CLIENTS, ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY NEEDS HELP, IRRESPECTIVE, THEN WE LEND THAT SUPPORT, EITHER THROUGH MY DEPARTMENT OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR THROUGH ADAM'S VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS AS WELL.

ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THAT'S GREAT.

GOOD REPORT.

WELL, I JUST -- YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT THE ITEM UP AS A COMMISSIONER ITEM BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR SHINGLE'S STILL OUT THERE THAT SAYS WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND WE -- THAT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST WHEN PEOPLE CALL HERE TO THE COUNTY AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT GETTING SOME PERMITS BECAUSE WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT OUR MESSAGE, OUR POLICIES ALL SUPPORT HIGH-GROWTH, HIGH-QUALITY PERMITTING PROCESSES, AND PREDICTABILITY, YOU KNOW, FOR ANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WALK IN THE DOOR.

THEY'VE GOTTA KNOW HOW MUCH TIME IT'S GOING TO TAKE AND WHEN THEY CAN EXPECT TO GET IT.

AND AS LONG AS WE'RE COMMUNICATING THAT EFFECTIVELY, I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ON THE RIGHT ROAD.

ADAM, YOU'RE TAKING OFF AND DOING A GOOD JOB, SO WITH THAT, I'LL JUST ASK SOMEBODY IF THEY COULD MAKE A MOTION TO RECEIVE THE REPORT.

>>VICTOR CRIST: SO MOVE.

>>KEVIN BECKNER: SECOND.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CRIST, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.

WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.

>>RECORDING SECRETARY: MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THANK YOU.

>>MIKE MERRILL: THANK YOU, GUYS.

GREAT WORK.

THAT'S THE LAST AGENDA ITEM OTHER THAN THE TIME CERTAINS THIS AFTERNOON.

WE DID KEEP FUTURE DISCUSSION ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, BUT NOT ALL OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE HERE, SO I GUESS WE'LL WAIT UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: THAT WOULD BE -- YEAH, LET'S DO THAT.

OKAY.

SO WE'LL BREAK FOR LUNCH.

WE'LL BE BACK HERE -- DON'T FORGET, PHOTO HERE, 1:30.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: 1:30.

>>MIKE MERRILL: 1:30, RIGHT.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: 1:25.

>>SANDRA MURMAN: SORRY.

YES, THAT'S RIGHT, 1:25 TO PREPARE.

>>LES MILLER, JR.: WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITHOUT ME?

>>SANDRA MURMAN: I KNOW.

THANK YOU.

SEE YOU-ALL AT 1:25.

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