Tampa City Council (1/8/26)

benny b

12 Jan 2026 — 8 min read

Tampa City Council approved extending a $10 million state flood relief grant for South Howard flooding project while also advancing funding for Gadsden Park improvements amid ongoing budget discussions and numerous commendations for city employees.

Key People

Lynn Hurtak (Chair Pro Tem) — Tampa City Council
- Led the meeting as acting chair in place of absent Chair Clendenin
Alan Clendenin (Chair) — Tampa City Council
- Participated virtually due to illness but provided key votes on major items
Charlie Miranda (Council Member) — Tampa City Council
- Long-serving member who caught mathematical errors in budget presentation and supported flood relief funding
Bill Carlson (Council Member) — Tampa City Council
- Strongly opposed South Howard flood project over concerns about Palma Ceia Pines not being included and questioned budget accuracy
Luis Viera (Council Member) — Tampa City Council
- Made motions on flood project and pushed for disabled internship program funding
Guido Maniscalco (Council Member) — Tampa City Council
- Expressed concerns about project costs and opposed using small neighborhood parks funds for Julian B. Lane dock repairs
Naya Young (Council Member) — Tampa City Council
- Supported summer youth program expansion and questioned flood project financing
Officer Caitlin Parrish (Police Officer of the Month) — Tampa Police Department
- Recognized for leadership of Police Explorer program that has more than doubled in size
Betty Coleman (Retired Fire Inspector) — Tampa Fire Rescue
- Honored as first African American female firefighter hired by Tampa Fire Rescue in 1981
Chief Barbara Tripp (Fire Chief) — Tampa Fire Rescue
- Praised Betty Coleman as trailblazer who paved the way for her own career
Shirley Foxx-Knowles (City Clerk) — City of Tampa
- Received Master Municipal Clerk designation after 22 years of service
Suling Lucas Harris (Deputy City Clerk) — City of Tampa
- Also received Master Municipal Clerk designation for professional excellence
Andrea Zelman (City Attorney) — City of Tampa
- Retiring city attorney who received commendation for years of service
Dennis Rogero (Chief Financial Officer) — City of Tampa
- Presented preliminary year-end budget report showing $10.7 million variance
Brandon Campbell (Mobility Director) — City of Tampa
- Defended South Howard flood project and clarified grant extension requirements

Public Comments

Tina Adams — supportive of project, critical of business opposition

Topic: South Howard Flood Project

Resident whose home in Parkland Estates flooded, supporting the South Howard flood project and criticizing businesses for not supporting affected neighborhoods

"My family and I have supported the businesses on Howard for many years. Now is their turn to support the families and neighborhoods that have supported them."
"What will be your legacy? Will it be standing up for families and homes? Doing the right things by neighborhoods? Improving infrastructure?"

Greg Campbell — strongly supportive

Topic: South Howard Flood Project

Parkland Estates resident supporting the flood project, noting the civic club voted 8-0 in favor after route changes

"The board has voted 8-0 in favor of the South Howard project"
"In the context of a good $10 billion [budget over several years], if we really do favor flood relief, we can find the necessary funds"

Daryl Hych — angry, demanding accountability

Topic: City contracting and racial equity

Criticized city for lying to minority business leaders about certification processes and removing racial reconciliation programs while keeping LGBTQ certifications

"This week, on two occasions, the city stood before Black and minority leaders and business owners and lied to them"
"What is the difference in that gender certification than it is with you removing the racial reconciliation committee?"

Dave DeLoach — concerned, technical opposition

Topic: South Howard Flood Project technical concerns

Speaking for South Howard businesses, questioned technical sufficiency of grant requirements and alternatives analysis

"The grant doesn't simply provide funding, it requires the city to demonstrate technical sufficiency"

Steve Michelini (SOHO Business Alliance) — strongly opposed

Topic: South Howard Flood Project opposition

Argued the project proposal is not ready, lacks required design criteria, and alternatives weren't properly examined

"This proposal as presented to you is not ready. It is based on information that is lacking, that's required"

Edward De La Parte (SOHO Business Alliance) — legally concerned

Topic: South Howard Flood Project legal concerns

Detailed legal problems with grant agreement including inaccurate information and timeline conflicts

"This is a complete rewrite of the grant that was signed by the city in 2024"
"How do you reconcile those two statements? This grant agreement says this project will be completed in June 2027. Get on your website, it says it won't be completed until 2029"

Elizabeth Dinwiddie — desperate, supportive

Topic: Support for South Howard Project

Flood victim whose house flooded in October 2024, emotionally pleading for council to approve the grant extension

"My house flooded in October of 2024. It's January of 2026. You should have used the grant before 2024, and then my house wouldn't have flooded"
"Over 300 properties flooded at over a million dollars per property. I want to meet with the businesses directly"

Connie Burton — angry about program changes

Topic: Summer youth program and racial equity

Criticized city for reducing East Tampa participation in summer jobs program from citywide expansion

"What did the city do? They snatched the program, made it citywide and only seven children from East Tampa last year had an opportunity to participate. Seven."

Mentesnot — angry, provocative

Topic: Racial issues and police violence

Made inflammatory statements about police killing Black people and criticized moment of silence for white victim

"The police murder 100 Africans per day, every day. That is just North America"
"This woman already got $400,000 last night alone off the internet because white lives matter"

Projects & Initiatives

South Howard Flood Relief Project

Comprehensive stormwater infrastructure project to address flooding in South Tampa neighborhoods including Parkland Estates and Palma Ceia Pines

Owner: City of Tampa Mobility Department
Status: Grant extension approved, guaranteed maximum price expected summer 2026
Timeline: Construction to begin late 2026, completion 2029-2030 for Phase 1
Budget: Estimated $65-100+ million total, $54 million city match required
Related Projects: Separate Palma Ceia Pines project needed, overall South Tampa flooding initiatives
Concerns: Technical sufficiency questions, impact on South Howard businesses, Palma Ceia Pines not included in Phase 1, funding gaps

Gadsden Park Improvements

ADA-accessible bathroom facility and sidewalk improvements at Gadsden Park for little league complex

Owner: Parks and Recreation Department
Status: Approved for funding revision, Julian B. Lane dock repairs removed
Timeline: To return January 22, 2026 for final approval
Budget: $600,000 from small neighborhood parks fund
Related Projects: Julian B. Lane dock repairs separated out
Concerns: None identified

Summer Youth Intern Program Enhancement

Expansion of existing summer internship program for young people with streamlined application process

Owner: Workforce Partnerships Department
Status: Currently at 48 slots, expansion to 70 slots being studied
Timeline: Applications open now, expansion study due February 19, 2026
Budget: Current budget maintains 48 positions, expansion cost to be determined
Related Projects: Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program for disabled youth
Concerns: Limited slots compared to demand, need for more department participation

Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program

Special internship program for people with disabilities, stalled for over 3 years

Owner: City Administration/Workforce Partnerships
Status: Framework complete but no dedicated funding source identified
Timeline: Bimonthly reports starting February 5, 2026
Budget: $100,000 annually budgeted but not allocated
Related Projects: General summer youth internship program
Concerns: Three and a half years without implementation despite council approval and budget allocations

Tree Trust Fund Policy Revision

Amendment to restrict tree trust fund usage to only Type 1 and Type 2 trees instead of including Type 3 ornamental trees

Owner: Development Services Department
Status: Ordinance requested for February 19, 2026
Timeline: Code amendment by February 19, reimbursement resolution January 22
Budget: Water Department reimbursement of $210,000 from tree fund, $125,000 from surplus funds
Related Projects: Water Department tree planting initiative
Concerns: Preventing future misuse of tree trust fund for non-shade trees

Money & Spending

$10 million — South Howard Flood Relief Project - state grant extension
- Project: South Howard Flood Relief Project
- Type: continuing grant funding
- Payer: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- Recipient: City of Tampa
- Debate: Significant opposition from business community and some council members over project design and costs
- One-year extension of existing grant, no new commitment today
$54 million — South Howard Flood Relief Project - city match requirement
- Project: South Howard Flood Relief Project
- Type: committed in 2024 grant agreement
- Payer: City of Tampa
- Recipient: Project contractors
- Debate: Council members questioned where additional funding above $54 million would come from
- Previously committed match, actual project costs may reach $100+ million
$600,000 — Gadsden Park bathroom and sidewalk improvements
- Project: Gadsden Park Improvements
- Type: reallocation from existing fund
- Payer: Small Neighborhood Parks fund
- Recipient: Parks and Recreation Department
- Debate: Julian B. Lane dock repairs ($280,000) removed from this allocation due to council opposition
- ADA-accessible prefab bathroom and sidewalk connections
$210,000 — Water Department tree planting reimbursement - tree fund portion
- Project: Tree Trust Fund Policy Revision
- Type: reimbursement for Type 1 and Type 2 trees only
- Payer: Tree Trust Fund
- Recipient: Water Department
- Debate: Council insisted tree fund only pay for shade trees, not ornamental plantings
- Rounded up amount for shade trees only, excludes ornamental trees
$125,000 — Water Department tree planting reimbursement - surplus portion
- Project: Tree Trust Fund Policy Revision
- Type: new expenditure from surplus funds
- Payer: FY 2025 budget surplus
- Recipient: Water Department
- Debate: Compromise solution to make Water Department whole while protecting tree fund integrity
- Covers remaining costs for ornamental trees and associated work
$320,000 — Lowry Park boat ramp boardwalk restoration
- Project: Shoreline improvement project
- Type: reallocation within parks budget
- Payer: Parks maintenance and repair fund
- Recipient: Parks and Recreation Department
- Debate: Approved as priority due to deteriorating shoreline conditions
- Restore half of boardwalk at boat ramp facility
$100,000 — Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program funding
- Project: Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program
- Type: annual program funding needed
- Payer: City budget (source to be determined)
- Recipient: Workforce Partnerships Department
- Debate: Council member frustrated that disability program lacks funding while regular internship program has dedicated source
- Program has been budgeted annually but funding source not dedicated

Decisions

Approved one-year extension of $10 million FDEP grant for South Howard Flood Relief Project (4-3 vote)
Approved removal of Julian B. Lane dock repairs from Gadsden Park funding resolution
Approved preliminary year-end budget report showing $10.7 million combined general fund variance
Approved revised Tree Trust Fund reimbursement plan splitting costs between tree fund and surplus
Approved Lowry Park boardwalk restoration funding of $320,000
Approved bimonthly reporting requirements for Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program
Approved renaming disability internship program to 'Mike Phillips All Abilities Internship Program'
Approved request for summer youth program expansion study to 70 total slots
Approved commendations for Police Officer Caitlin Parrish and retired firefighter Betty Coleman
Approved Master Municipal Clerk recognitions for Shirley Foxx-Knowles and Suling Lucas Harris
Approved retirement commendation for City Attorney Andrea Zelman

Action Items

[ ] Mobility Department: Present guaranteed maximum price for South Howard Flood Relief Project (due: Summer/Fall 2026)
[ ] Administration: Provide revised resolution for Gadsden Park improvements only (no dock repairs) (due: January 22, 2026)
[ ] Parks and Recreation Director: Research alternative locations for Julian B. Lane attenuator dock to prevent future damage (due: Before bringing dock repair funding request back to council)
[ ] Workforce Partnerships: Provide bimonthly reports on Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program status (due: Starting February 5, 2026 (in-person), then written monthly)
[ ] Workforce Partnerships: Study expansion of summer youth program to 70 slots and provide cost analysis (due: February 19, 2026)
[ ] Administration: Add disability internship program to city website internship page (due: Report back February 5, 2026)
[ ] Administration: Identify dedicated funding source for Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program (due: February 5, 2026)
[ ] Parks and Recreation: Provide list of caterers who have participated since policy changes in April 2025 (due: January 22, 2026)
[ ] Parks and Recreation: Quarterly written reports on caterer program statistics (due: April 2, 2026 and quarterly thereafter)
[ ] Development Services: Prepare ordinance restricting Tree Trust Fund to Type 1 and Type 2 trees only (due: February 19, 2026)
[ ] Stormwater Services: Present 30% design plans for South Howard project to public (due: End of February 2026)

Risks & Open Questions

South Howard Flood Relief Project costs may significantly exceed $65 million estimate, requiring additional city funding beyond the $54 million committed match
Palma Ceia Pines flooding will continue until Phase 2 implementation (potentially 2032-2033), creating ongoing liability for the city
School traffic camera revenue shortfall of approximately $4 million affecting current year budget
Police department sidearm replacement costs of $1.8 million with only partial CIT funding identified
Michael Phillips All Abilities Internship Program remains unfunded after 3.5 years despite annual budget allocations, creating disability community disappointment
Julian B. Lane attenuator dock remains a safety hazard and liability risk without repair funding
South Howard businesses face potential $35 million economic impact during construction with no mitigation funding identified
FEMA reimbursement for hurricane expenses still incomplete with approximately half of costs outstanding
Tree Trust Fund policy revisions needed to prevent future misuse for non-shade tree projects
Charter Review Commission workshop attendance critical for council input on priority issues for charter amendment recommendations