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Tampa Monitor

@tampamonitor.com
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A blog dedicated to the inner workings of Tampa government, focused on the weekly activities of City Council. tampamonitor.com Operated by @michaelbishop.me

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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 25/08/2026
Appears there may be some different interpretations of Exhibit E and the split. That reads to me as a cliff, once you hit $351M Total Assed Value, it's all a 50/50 split, not 70/30 on first $350M, 50/50 on $1M. And once it hits $650M, it's 85% district, 15% gov on all assessed property.
The increment sharing percentages set forth above are applied based on the highest tier
reached, so for example, once Taxable Assessed Value enters the second tier, the 50%/50% split
set forth above applies from the first dollar of increment.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 22/08/2026
30 year numbers, a couple of different scenarios
Scenarios: 20 year ramp, flat growth, $118M total collected, city $35M, County $31M, District $53M. 20 ramp, 3% growth, $208M total, $29M city, $25M county, $155M district. A 10 year ramp increases total collected by about $30-$40 million.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 22/08/2026
If you consider Channeslide took 20 years to build to current level of density and for argument sake flat growth, this is what the annual collections would look like.
A table showing years 1, 5, 9, 10,14, 15, 20-30 with total tax collected and the splits. At full development total tax collected would be $5.77M with city receiving $1.53M annually, District $2.88M.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 22/08/2026
The district would be turned into a CDD and the incremental revenue split between city, county, and district (Exhibit E in agreement)
A table showing how the increment share is split based on taxable assessed value. As TAV increases, district gets bigger slice of pie up to 85%.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 03/08/2026
because it's there and I could I started tracking Tampa Police calls for service. City offers a rolling 7-day snapshot, I started collecting those to stitch together. Only 2 months in but TPD spend a lot of time on "building checks". All a work in progress. Chart is total for the 57 day window.
Dark mode horizontal bar chart in teal of the categories for calls with traffic at the top with 12,221. 
Other categories:
building check 6,744
information 6,335
misdemeanor 4,169
disturbance 4,168
nature unknown 2,954
traffic crash 2,593
resid/commerial alarm 2,005
juvenile curfew law 1,975
domestic dispute 1,451
mentally ill person 1,098
project 1,030
follow up investigation 761
assault/battery 605
hit and run 599
lost/found property 548
petty theft 527
disabled vehicle 516
reckless driving 432
suspicious person 397
suspicious vehicle 329
missing pers/runaway 314
street obstruction 274
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 13/06/2026
I put this together so hopefully council and residents can stop saying "we don't know how the tax cut will affect the city" for another month. tampamonitor.com/fyi/what-wou...
Graphic asking "What Would Tallahassee's Property Tax Cuts Cost Tampa? Roughly $46 million in year one and $83 million a year after that — more than the city's entire parks budget." A stacked bar chart next to the text shows the year one and two with the homestead cut in green and the 5% cap in yellow.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 09/06/2026
While working on the keyword notification feature I made some improvements to the land use details drawer. Cleaned up the formatting and added neighborhoods. tampamonitor.local/tampa-city-c...
Screenshot of item 2 of Thursday's agenda with the "Item details" expanded showing zoning, future land use, neighborhood, waivers and staff findings cleanly formatted.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 01/06/2026
working on a map to go with the homestead data.
A gray scale map with green dots scaled in color from lowest assessed value to highest, > $1 million. Darkest areas are predominantly Harbor Island, Bayshore and Hyde Park area and Palma Ceia/Culbreath Isles area.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/05/2026
Finalized the map for the proposed stadium & development project within the Drew Park CRA district. Wanted to put football stadium and Steinbrenner field in better context. maps.tampamonitor.com/maps/drew-pa...
Screenshot of map showing 3D buildings of CRA district shaded in yellow with project parcels in blue.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 07/05/2026
the two combined.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 07/05/2026
This is the Drew Park CRA district. The proposed stadium/development is the bottom right corner. Hesperides is the main road through the middle of the district and would be western boundary of project minus existing Steinbrenner Field. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd is northern boundary of the project.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 07/05/2026
The area in blue (plus the tennis complex, see green outline of parcel) is the state land and would be total project. Baseball stadium would be in bottom right across from football stadium across Dale Mabry.
A zoomed in view of the land use map for the area being proposed for the total Rays development.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 28/04/2026
A few folks have filled out the poll/survey and Rays Stadium is only at 20%. The two public safety buckets are both at less than 5% with public transportation at 25%. The question is, how would you spend the $64 million in Community Investment Tax funds? tampamonitor.com/budget/64-mi...
Current results for poll with 3 votes, 20% for stadium, the other 13 votes opting to split the funds in the other areas. Public Transportation is at 25%.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 24/04/2026
Have mostly avoided the Rays stadium discussion until it makes its way to the agenda. Yesterday the county told the Rays they won't be able to meet 6/1 deadline but there's still a special call city council workshop on for 5/5 related to the MOU. Then I read this today at lagacetanewspaper.com
The Rays want CRA money, which only starts to flow when tax value of property surrounding the new stadium is built. This money does not exist yet. The document reads, “These CRA revenues will take several years to materialize. Neither the County nor the City should take this development risk.”
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 03/04/2026
This photo from the city social media is going to come in handy at some point this next 12 months.
A blonde woman, Jane Castor, in a blue blazer with white shirt sitting at a table one hand resting on her chin as she's turned looking at a man, Bill Carlson, in a dark blazer wearing a white shirt speaks into a microphone. Both are sitting at a wooden table.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 21/03/2026
I wrote a little about it last week and have referenced it many times and now it's live. Searchable transcripts with timestamps synced to video and a fly-out of the agenda so everything you need to review and research past meetings on one screen. meetings.tampamonitor.com
Screenshot of a single meeting page showing video on left, transcript on right with search field.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 19/02/2026
Page 34 of the proposal, in the same paragraph they note "meets all of the County's camera technology requirements" they note the Flock ALPR integration." Did they confuse GA law here too?
Text from the proposal "RedSpeed meets all of the County's camera technology requirements and is the only vendor utilizing lane-specific, high resolution (3000x5000 pixels, 30 frames per second), video cameras in combi-nation with infra-red (IR) illuminators to maximize the number of violations successfully captured and prosecuted. RedSpeed is proud to offer Flock ALPR and is the only vendor that integrates Flock ALPR into its system so that Flock ALPR is processing RedSpeed camera images.This also means no extra poles, cameras, infrastructure and solar panels cluttering the roadway."
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 29/10/2025
My original "model" had the split 60/40 but I didn't think she'd win by more than 5% so scaled it back. Was I ever wrong. Scott only won 3 precincts and Young won by 21 points.
Precinct map showing all shades of brown (Young) with Scott winning a small precinct at northern tip of district, a cross cut precinct in middle in light purple and one precinct in southeast corner of district. Margin was 21%.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 27/10/2025
Playing around with election result data and used the Young/DeGeorge/Dudney percentages vs Scott with the remaining votes split 55/45 for Young. (DeGeorge and Dudney endorsed Young). It's not scientific but if Young wins, this is what the map might look like.
Precinct map showing Young with strong votes in downtown/Ybor/West Tampa precincts, and Scott winning East Tampa precincts. Final result is Young by 2.2%
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/10/2025
Working on an idea. Kinda want it for myself and maybe sell a couple?
Coffee cup mock-up with the text "Tampa Matters tampamonitor.com". Dark green text on white mug.Coffee cup mock-up with silhouette of Tampa City Hall used for the logo of tampamonitor.com. Dark green ink on white mug.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/09/2025
TPD suspends officer 30 days for violation of police code of conduct. Officer kicked a suspect who was down on his knees in compliance in the head. www.tampa.gov/news/2025-09...
still shot from helicopter video showing officer kicking a suspect in the head while pointing a gun at him. The suspect is on his knees hands open and to side.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/09/2025
Last night Tom DeGeorge, who garnered 10% of the vote, endorsed Young.
I want to thank our volunteers who spent timeless hours knocking and calling for this campaign. We reached so many people who told us that they had never felt seen in politics, and were ready to feel inspired. Win or not, we built a movement around fighting for a better Tampa. 
We’re not done - this is the beginning of something much bigger.
That's why I wholeheartedly endorse Naya Young for District 5 City Council.  We have to support candidates who inspire real change, and Naya will bring the energy and perspective our city deserves. She is the best person for the job, by far, and is truly a representation of the best this district has to offer. My team and I are ready to get to work for her, and we ask that you all join us.
Together, we are a force for change.
Thank you for your unwavering support. 
Let's get to work.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/09/2025
results are unofficial but day of voting is in and Thomas Scott and Naya Young are headed to a run-off. (see previous post for link)
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/09/2025
Early vote/vote by mail are in, Thomas Scott leads with 27.41%, Naya Young 2nd with 12.19% and Fran Tate close behind at 11.3%.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 09/09/2025
Voter turnout by precinct for D5 special election as of around 6:30pm www.votehillsborough.gov/UnofficialTu...
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 02/09/2025
Ash Dudney, candidate for Tampa City Council D5 special election endorses Naya Young prior to the election and urges his supporters to vote for her. "I believe the representative you want is Naya Young. In case I have yet to make it clear enough: Do not vote for me. Vote for Naya Young."
Since l announced my candidacy back on June 23ra, my intention was to use this platform as an opportunity to offer a unique perspective and bring forth an intense advocacy for my fellow Tampa natives. My odds of winning were slim (to put it kindly) from day one, and I have certainly held no delusions that would suggest otherwise. Regardless, I entered this race, showed up to as many functions as my already overstimulated brain could handle, educated myself on countless topics & issues, met a litany of incredible people, and also got a chance to learn about virtually every fellow candidate in the
running for the District 5 City Council seat. Out of the 14 running, only one do I know nothing about as they - to the best of my knowledge - have been to zero forums and I have seen zero interviews regarding. Part of me wants to fantasize that they are an Al-generated candidate, which would be hilarious if we didn't already have one of those in the form of a real person who uses ChatGPT to answer all their questions. So it's kinda more like a field of 12
candidates in my mind. What I will say is that you have a list of many serviceable candidates outside of those two. I can also say that I have genuinely enjoyed the presence of the other eleven candidates with whom I've had the pleasure of interacting. But there is only one particular stand out that has inspired me to make an
unorthodox endorsement. While many candidates have their mind in the right place, and many have their heart in the right place - itis of my personal opinion and assessment that only Naya Young exhibits both qualities of heart & mind driving her to represent this community. Her passion has been palpable, her energy is undeniable, and her quick-witted intelligence is clear. If you want somebody who will fight for those that need it most, is willing to seek counsel from those with more storied experience, and will offer a breath of new life on the City Council dais,
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 02/09/2025
New milestone for the blog. I don't pay much attention to analytics or stats, but does help remind me that the site is growing. A year ago that number was less than half what it is now.
All visitors -  601. Up 21.7% compared to the previous 28 days.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 11/08/2025
There is $45.3 million in the FY26 budget funded by .5¢ sales tax. $44 million in FY25. Some are talking like we'll have that PLUS the new CIT in FY27. I'll have what they're smoking. stories.opengov.com/tampa/f9ac8a...
Graph from link showing revenue from 1/2 cent CIT tax FY18-Fy26.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 07/08/2025
This is what I referring to. I may be conflating supply and storage storage. www.youtube.com/live/okncGdb...
Screenshot of a woman at desk on video call streamed over Youtube. Closed caption says "fire currently shares space with the police".
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 25/07/2025
The city shared this program this week, thought it would be good to pass along. Opportunities for homeowners, apartment and commercial buildings to upgrade everything from fixtures to irrigation w/rebates. tampabaywaterwise.org/en/
Screenshot of home page for Water Wise rebate program. A large faucet with a giant drop of water with the earth the bottom of the drop and a house with trees above. Below, a large bungalow, an apartment building and a retail building all with options for rebates.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 06/05/2025
Interesting quote from the new CEO of Related Group in response to a question about the proposed development at Rodeph Shalom. Sounds like they aren’t doing well with their appeal. www.tampabay.com/news/busines...
It’s not getting done anytime soon. But you never know, right? City councils change over time. It’s not the first time we’ve had to wait and maybe have the temperament change a little bit on the council.

That’s an area that has a lot of wealth, has a lot of history. So people are little more sensitive in that little zone. Even though it really makes no sense given what else has already been developed in the immediate area. It’s a lot of “not in my back yard”-ism and people not acting logically. But that happens a lot in our business.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 30/04/2025
Fell down a rabbit hole of old Tampa papers digitized by USF Digital Commons. "WHO DEVOURED THE CITY'S DUCKS?" (note this paper was very much a KKK/White Municipal party supporting rag) digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcont...
screenshot of the paper "Tampa Life" with the aforementioned headline.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 26/04/2025
Also, if you are wondering if the tariffs are affecting you locally, look no further than the City of Tampa budgeting an additional $2.5 million a year for parts and services in the fleet maintenance department specifically for that reason. Just setting your money on fire.
Given the volatility of the auto parts market and considering the City of Tampa's current projected annual expenditure of approximately $7.5 million on parts and services-an amount likely to increase— it is essential to assume a proactive, realistic approach to budgeting. Fleet Maintenance has forecasted an increased, estimated contract cost by 25%, raising the total contract value to $10 million annually. This increase accounts for potential price hikes and inflationary trends, including new tariffs of up to 25% announced in April 2025. Please be reminded that our actual costs will be based on our parts usage/need.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 20/02/2025
The representative of the parking bros said as much during public comment. They want to vacate an alley they are currently using for their personal gain. They won't provide an easement to the Jackson House unless they get the alley. "They" own the land on both sides minus the Jackson House.
Ariel view of the parking lot presented by representative showing the alley outlined in orange. At the western end of the lot you can clearly see cars parked in the alley.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 23/01/2025
I'm reading the state statue cited and the terms the magistrate considers, and as always, I am not a lawyer, (though these mediations by statute don't require lawyers) I could go item by item through this defending Council's decision. www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind...
(18) The circumstances to be examined in determining whether the development order or enforcement action, or the development order or enforcement action in conjunction with regulatory efforts of other governmental parties, is unreasonable or unfairly burdens use of the property may include, but are not limited to:
(a) The history of the real property, including when it was purchased, how much was purchased, where it is located, the nature of the title, the composition of the property, and how it was initially used.
(b) The history or development and use of the real property, including what was developed on the property and by whom, if it was subdivided and how and to whom it was sold, whether plats were filed or recorded, and whether infrastructure and other public services or improvements may have been dedicated to the public.
(c) The history of environmental protection and land use controls and other regulations, including how and when the land was classified, how use was proscribed, and what changes in classifications occurred.
(d) The present nature and extent of the real property, including its natural and altered characteristics.
(e) The reasonable expectations of the owner at the time of acquisition, or immediately prior to the implementation of the regulation at issue, whichever is later, under the regulations then in effect and under common law.
(f) The public purpose sought to be achieved by the development order or enforcement action, including the nature and magnitude of the problem addressed by the underlying regulations on which the development order or enforcement action is based; whether the development order or enforcement action is necessary to the achievement of the public purpose; and whether there are alternative development orders or enforcement action conditions that would achieve the public purpose and allow for reduced restrictions on the use of the property.
(g) Uses authorized for and restrictions placed on similar property.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 11/01/2025
Overlay district vs CRA district. Darkest area is the overlap between the two.
Map of Tampa generally west of river,  north of Kennedy Blvd, east of Habana, south of Columbus. Districts are gray scaled.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 11/01/2025
Historic district vs CRA district. Darkest area is overlap.
Similar map with only 2 designated districts.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 11/01/2025
How do you define "West Tampa"? The darkest section is the boundary for the National Historic District. The medium dark section is the "overlay district". The lightest section that includes the west river, is the CRA district. Darkest areas are where the districts overlap.
Map of Tampa generally west of river,  north of Kennedy Blvd, east of Habana, south of Columbus. Districts are gray scaled
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 10/01/2025
Yesterday during public comment a reference was made to the poem "Hatred" by Gwendolyn Bennett.
I shall hate you
Like a dart of singing steel
Shot through still air
At even-tide,
Or solemnly
As pines are sober
When they stand etched
Against the sky.
Hating you shall be a game
Played with cool hands
And slim fingers.
Your heart will yearn
For the lonely splendor
Of the pine tree
While rekindled fires
In my eyes
Shall wound you like swift arrows.
Memory will lay its hands
Upon your breast
And you will understand
My hatred.

From The Book of American Negro Poetry (Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922) edited by James Weldon Johnson. This poem is in the public domain.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 06/11/2024
Looking at the numbers for Congress member Kathy Castor, she won through mail in ballots. Led there by roughly 25,000. Presumably military. Otherwise it was 50/50. enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
Breakdown of votes for Representative in Congress District 14. 
Candidate, Election Day, early vote, vote by mail, total vote, percentage
Robert "Rocky" Rochford (REP) 26,737, 60,841,23,809,111,387,44.06%
Kathy Castor (DEM) 28,446, 59,684,49,741,137,871,54.54%
Nathaniel T. Snyder (LPF) 646,729,382,1,757,0.70%
Christopher Bradley (NPA) 681,704,386	1,771,0.70%
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 06/11/2024
All votes have been reported by the Hillsborough County SOE. CIT, School millage increase and City Charter Amendment all pass. County amendments don't have the same threshold as State amendments so it passes with 51.5%. School and charter over 60%. enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
Screenshot of the SOE site for the 3 measures.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 06/11/2024
Early/Vote by Mail are in for Hillsborough County. The CIT is up 52%. The 2nd referendum for increasing millage rate for schools is up 62%. Top of ticket basically 50/50. enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3684/Sum...
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 28/10/2024
TPD reporting a pedestrian fatality at the corner of Lois & Hillsborough. Ford F350 making a right onto Hillsborough but the pedestrian "was outside of a marked crosswalk" so "speed does not appear to be a factor in the crash, and no criminal charges are anticipated." www.tampa.gov/news/2024-10...
Satellite view of corner the death was reported.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 25/10/2024
Hillsborough TPO have a new TIP map for projects in the County. Tampa's $56 million dollar West River walk/multi-modal project might be on the chopping block after the storms and Council's recent comments. experience.arcgis.com/experience/9...
Screenshot of the map centered on Tampa. A dark map with red, orange, blue and green lines indicating different projects.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 16/10/2024
City of Tampa has set up a map outlining where storm debris pickup is happening and planned. Goal is 90 days to have entire city picked up. tampa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappv...
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 19/09/2024
Considering all of the debate during the budget process over reallocating $1.5M from parking surplus to the Route 1 free-fare pilot by Council, this quote from the mayor is interesting. I've questioned whether she will veto the the 4-3 vote by Council.
"We are so grateful to our federal partners who recognize the potential that lies within the Tampa region. We know if we don't address serious transportation improvements, literally, our growth will come to a halt - we won't let that happen. Expanding transit and affordable housing options remain two of my top issues, addressing them together ensures maximizing value and building towards a brighter future for all residents," said Mayor Jane Castor. The phrase "if we don't address serious transportation improvements, literally", "expanding transit" and "remain two of my top issues" are highlighted.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 25/07/2024
I recognize that graphic
Screenshot of CRA meeting during public comment this morning with the Development & Economic Opportunity org chart graphic showing all of the resignations from this week's newsletter post.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 30/06/2024
They are unrelated.
Org chart for City of Tampa under Development & Economic Opportunity. Administrator Travis, CRA Director Moody, Housing & Community Development Director Henderson, Deputy Admin Drumgo and City Planning Director all have arrows pointing to their boxes with the word "Resigned". Deputy Admin for development and growth management Feeley has their name circled.
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 24/06/2024
The West River Project has more than doubled in size since the original RFP. The original budget was $24 million. New contract is proposed at $57M. If I am reading Executive Order 2023-7 correctly, a new competive selection process should be triggered.
5.0 CARDINAL CHANGES
A new CCNA selection or other competitive selection process consistent with state law wil occur fi there are cardinal or material changes made in the scope of a Project after issuance of the Design Criteria Package or Request for Proposals or Qualifications for a Project by the City. These cardinal or material changes include:
51. Change(s) ot the Design Criteria Package, scope of a Project, or plans and specifications of a Project that would result ni a land use change, material site enlargement or relocation, facility use change, change of a primary utility being constructed, or more than doubling the time for completion of a Project; or
5.2 Change(s) to the Design Criteria Package, scope of a Project, or plans and specifications for a Project that cause the cost of a Project to increase by more than twice the budgeted amount or engineer's estimate advertised in the request for proposals or qualifications for the selection of a Design-Build Firm for a Project;
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Tampa Monitor @tampamonitor.com · 19/05/2024
There's also this "controlled by requisition from various funding sources for use by the Mobility Department." Various funding sources within the funds being available in the appropriate account.
Section .7 Award of a contract for Citywide Roadway Improvements and Street Resurfacing ni the amount of $8,489,180 for Ajax Paving Industries of Florida LC and $8,696,164 for C. W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.
for a total of $17,185,344, controlled by requisition from various funding sources for use by the Mobility Department.
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