My name is Phil Jeter. I'm the supervisor with City of Temple Terrace Parks and Recreation. >> My name is Tiffany Beltran. I am the recreation supervisor over aquatics at the family recreation complex. >> I am Coach Kenny. Um I'm the recreational leader for for gymnastics.
>> I am Alicia Baker. Um I work here at the city of Temple Terrace Parks and Wreck. I am the summer and after school coordinator here. What does parks and recreation mean to the Temple Terrace community? In one word, I would say connections. Um, you
know, our community comes to the family complex, comes to our green spaces, our parks, our trails, our our fields to connect with one another. >> Oh my god, we have so much to offer here at the rec center. We have our very own pools here. We don't have to take the
kids off site to go swimming. We offer field trips. We offer games. We offer arts and crafts here. So, we offer a lot here at the rec center. We prioritize safety first rules, expectations with the kids, not also the kids, but um the
staff as well. I have so many new field trips this year. They are going to Zoo Tampa. They're going to Urban Air. I have a magician coming. We have a petting zoo. Um we have a lot of field trips. >> Gymnastics camps are special for kids. number one because it's a safe environment for them to learn new
skills. These kids are doing excellent. They they're learning the fundamental gymnastics. They're actually becoming very strong in the competitive route. We have two good Excel programs. We have Excel Gold and Excel Silvers. Our Excel silver program just won first um place
as a team program um last last two weekends ago at Punto Gorda, which was an was one of the best things that we could have done as a coach. Our junior lifeguard program is a revamped program where it builds confidence for 12 to 15
year olds in and around the water. Participants will gain rescue techniques and hands-on leadership skills through the activities that they learn. Lifeguarding has made a dramatic impact in my life and it's allowed me to make people around me and the water feel safe. It's also allowed me to develop my
teamwork skills and my leadership skills under immense pressure. >> Yeah. So, we're very excited about this upcoming summer. Um, in addition to our traditional tennis camps that we've always offered, we're adding new sports, soccer, basketball, and flag football.
I'm excited about the future of athletics here in Temple Terrace uh because of uh our new basketball league specifically. We just recently were able to relaunch our youth basketball league. And I I see these summer camps as a way to keep that momentum going and continue
to grow the the basketball league here in Temple Terrace. The summer camps begin June 1st. Celebrate what's next. Gentlemen, >> good evening. Hello. Good evening.
>> I know we're having a neighbor meet up and a city council meeting is breaking out, right? So, welcome to everybody. Uh, welcome to our May 5th meeting of the Temple Terrace City Council. It's so nice to see everybody here and most of you are smiling. That's a great sign. So, thank you for being here. Um, I'd
like to remind you to please silence your cell phones if you would please. And we have a running poll on who's going to be that guy. So, you don't want to be that person. So, if you would please stand and join me for the invocation and the pledge. Lord, please open our hearts and minds
as we begin our meeting tonight. Give us wisdom and compassion to act wisely. We ask for your continued comfort of the family involved in the traffic in the tragic traffic crash recently. May they feel your love and the support of our community. We thank you for our amazing
city and the residents who live here and make it so special. Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you. So, for those of you who don't visit us often, uh we do have a a fairly new tradition in the scheme of things uh here in Temple Terrace whereby we start each council meeting with a fun or
interesting fact about our city or the region or the state or we keep expanding out because it's getting harder and harder to find new fun facts. But, uh tonight that duty falls on Council Member Kravitz. >> Good night everyone. Good evening
rather. Nice to see you all. So, I have a fun historical fact. Uh, how do people in temple terrace get informed about their own city? So, the answer goes back around 100 years and the story starts in
about 1920 uh when developers launched Temple Terrace. They needed to convince Flityians and Northerners to come buy lots. So, to do this, what did they do? They took out full page ads in the Tampa
Tribune and the slogan was Florida's masterpiece. Not bad. They placed glossy spreads in a regional real estate magazine called Sunnyland and printed 12-page brochures showing the river, the golf course, and the Mediterranean Revival Homes just
then rising along River Hills Drive. The first media of Temple Terrace was from real estate agents. What a classic Florida story. By 1931, a real local newspaper emerged that was called the Temple Terrace
Beacon. It was weekly, locally produced, covered local news. And it wasn't the only one. There was also the Sentinel, which was edited by a man named John L. Perry. His mast head carried the tagline, "We print only the truth." Not
bad. The beacon outlasted them all, and it still exists. Residents also found and built other ways of keeping the record. The garden club, the women's club, a public library. An arsonist destroyed nearly 12,000
books in 1982. That was a little bit of a surprising find for me. But apparently people in Temple Terrace love books and love reading, which I also share with them. And they reopened the library in temporary quarters in just six weeks. Amazing. I wonder how
many books there were in that temporary quarter. Probably a few less, but it was still worth it. Cleo Bernie then published a book called Temple Terrace, the first 50 years. I've seen this book in a lot of hands. I've
seen it at Barnes & Noble. It's still being sold from what I can tell. And it came out for the 50th anniversary of the city. So if anyone is looking to do a little bit of extra work and maybe enter into publishing,
uh there is another window opening now because we've just had our centennial. So every 50 years, maybe it's time for a city chronicle. Last one was 50 years ago. You could make the 100redyear centennial now and bring out volume two. The big Metropolitan Papers were always
around, but they never quite gave us a Temple Terrace bureau from what I've been able to find. Anyway, the Tampa Tribune ran a Northside edition that covered us, but it was part of a larger zone. And the St. Petersburg Times, now the
Tampa Bay Times had a Tampa edition in the late 80s that reported on us regularly, but the contraction hit them hard. The Tampa Bay Times has gone through round after round of layoffs and now unfortunately only prints two times
a week. So the era when a Temple Terrace household could subscribe to a daily paper that meaningfully covered our local affairs is for the most part gone. The city itself stepped up to fill some of the gap. In the late 1990s, the city
launched launched an official website and the city council meetings were televised. The city started its own television production a year later, what is now Temple Terrace TV, which is on channel 641 on Spectrum and channel 39 on
Frontier. And the city recently began publishing a community newsletter not long after, which today is the monthly Temple Terrace Insider. As wonderful as all of that is, government talking about itself is no substitute for free press. I say that
fondly. I am both a journalist and an elected official. Today we have the beacon, the city's own communications, Facebook groups, civic clubs, and some of them are being honored tonight. And I'd also like to draw attention to
temple terrace.org, which I launched yesterday as a place where residents can find other civic information, meeting summaries, voting records, issues facing the city. So, wherever you get your information, I wish you all very happy reading and uh stay informed and stay
engaged. And thank you all very much. here. Next, we have a couple of very significant recognitions. The first one is recognition of the 2025 firefighter of the year. And I'd like to call firefighter Xandel Jackson to the
podium. Come on up. You're in the hot seat. It seems like I just went to your pinning ceremony the other day. So, this is a very high honor, particularly for somebody who Well, I'll get ahead of myself. somebody who's not
been with us for very long. This is incredible. So, firefighter Xandel Jackson has been selected as the Temple Terrace Fire Department's 2025 firefighter of the year in recognition of his outstanding performance, professionalism, and dedication to the department and the community.
Firefighter Jackson began his career with the fire department in January of 2022 and has been a city employee since 2014. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects
of his duties. Zandel is actively involved in training, participates on the rapid intervention team, contributes to departmental initiatives, and embraces leadership opportunities. Firefighter Jackson is also recognized for fostering teamwork and mentoring fellow firefighters while maintaining a
high standard of professionalism on every shift. His contributions have made a meaningful impact on the department and citizens we serve. His compassion, professionalism, and respect for our citizens and visitors is evident both on duty and off duty. We are very proud to
honor him as the Temple Terrace Fire Department's 2025 Fire Department firefighter of the year. So now we expect about a 15minute speech. >> Would you like to say a few words? >> You don't have to, but you you're
welcome to. >> Sure. I will I will say I'm very privileged and honored to be a city of Tuple Terrace firefighter. Um, I'm surrounded with a great team from the administration to the chiefs to my captains to my fellow firefighters. So, I'm just thankful for the community
that's right there with me. Thank you. >> Very good. Don't go anywhere. I'm hide behind. Congratulations. Well done. >> Thank you. And just to preempt any Facebook rumors here, we are not so cheap that we don't
that we just give him a paper certificate. There is a a trophy that goes with this. He's just too modest that he didn't want it to be in here tonight. if they didn't want us to. So, I just don't want the look at this firefighter of the year. He gave him a
piece of paper like no, we do have a I've learned to hit these things off. So, next we have the equivalent on the police department side. I'd like to call officer Alyssa Casease to this.
Good evening. Nice to see you. this evening. >> So, police officer of the year award recognizes exceptional service either through multiple instances of outstanding performance over the course of a year or through a single act of exemplary service in the face of
significant difficulty or personal danger. Since joining the Temple Terrace Police Department on November 28, 2019, Officer Casease has consistently embodied our organization's core values of courage, honor, and commitment.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated outstanding performance in all areas of law enforcement, continually working to improve both the department and the community she serves. Officer Casease earned her C- certification as a field training officer on May 19th, 2023
and has since made significant contributions to the department's development of its p of its future personnel. In 2025 alone, she trained four of the eight officers hired that year, all of whom have spoken highly of her mentorship and maintained excellent
professional standing within the agency. I can as a previous FTO I know four in a year is a lot that you're glad to be in your car by yourself after a while, aren't you? >> That's nice and quiet. >> Throughout 2025, Officer Case responded to 445 calls for service, conducted 177
traffic stops, oversaw 650 directed patrols, and participated in 112 parked walk-and talk initiatives. She accomplished these tasks tasks while simultaneously training officers, leading the traffic fatality unit, and
attending ongoing educational classes. Her exceptional work ethic, professionalism, and leadership have distinguished her as an invaluable member of the department and a notable contributor to the city of Temple Terrace, demonstrating a commitment beyond standard expectations.
Officer Caseas's con significant contributions to the Temple Terrace Police Department, the city of Temple Terrace, and the law enforcement community are undeniable. For these reasons, Officer Case has been awarded the Thomas L. Lewis Law
Enforcement Officer of the Year for her outstanding actions in 2025. Well done. So in this case we actually have the award Thank you. >> Oops.
>> Thanks. Sorry. >> Well, we're not done. And we have the public safety telecommunicator of the year award and that goes to Mark Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez. There we go. Come on up.
Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> You don't get out of the uh communication center much, do you? >> Do not. >> You've never seen the rest of the building. I'm honored to announce that Mark Ramirez is the public safety telecommunicator of the year for 2025.
Mark's dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition. Throughout the past year, Mark has consistently gone above and beyond his role within the Temple Terrace Emergency Communications Unit.
He's demonstrated remarkable initiative by stepping up to assist in training new hires, ensuring they are wellprepared to meet the demands of this critical profession. His willingness to share knowledge and mentor others reflects both his leadership and his commitment to the continued success of the team. In
addition to his training efforts, Mark has selflessly covered additional shifts to support operational needs, often during high demand periods. His reliability and strong work work ethic have helped maintain continuity of service and ensured that the community
continues to receive prompt and effective emergency response support. What truly sets Mark apart is his consistently positive attitude and professional demeanor. He approaches each shift with optimism and focus, contributing to a supportive and
collaborative work environment. He also demonstrates a high level of self-awareness. He readily acknowledges areas for growth and takes full accountability for his performance, continuously striving to improve. Mark Ramirez is an invaluable asset to the Temple Terrace Emergency Communications
Unit and to the residents we serve. His dedication to public safety, his team, and his own professional development exemplify the highest standards of this profession. And so, congratulations, Mr. Romero. Would
you like to say a few words? >> Uh yeah, I'll just keep it quick and brief. Um one, uh I'd like to thank God. Without him, I wouldn't be here today. He gives me the strength for a very tough job and to keep going every day and the opportunity to do this job. Um
two, I would like to thank our chief. he has um done his best to hear us out on what we can what we need to do our job better and easier and has been willing to do what he can to help us out there. Um and I'll also love to give a shout out to my supervisor Venus and my
commander Amy. Um they've both man they help us out so much. Uh they cover the floor with us. Uh they hear us out whenever we need anything whether supplies, technology, support. Uh, I'm friends with both of them personally. Uh, you need people in this in this job.
You need friends. It's hard. It's long hours. We're short staffed right now. We're working a lot of hours and so you need people you can go to that you can trust and that know you care about them and they care about you um to get through these times. And without them, I don't know if I'm still doing this job.
So, it's a tough job. It's a very rewarding job. You are helping people on their lowest days and they are not always the most thankful to you when they're going through those lowest moments, but it is very rewarding to know how blessed I am to go through what I'm going through. So, thank you guys.
>> Thank you, Mr. >> Are you Are you on day shift or night shift? >> Um, right now dayshift. >> Right now day shift, but you work midnight shift, too. >> Uh, I've been here for six years and in those six years I've been on night shift and day shift three years each. Okay, that's tough. That's a tough life. Thank
you for what you do. >> Our mom's right there. >> We'll get them too. We're going to pick >> You're the supervisor. >> Thought you were behind me. See how quick she ditched them. >> I try to look.
>> Yeah, for sure. >> Is that your family? >> Y. >> Let's get a picture with your >> This is yours. There you go. >> So, they're all gone now. But I have to tell you that the these three awards um
are really really significant in the career. I mean this is very difficult. I haven't been in the fire service but I can I can tell you in law enforcement to get officer of the year in any department is a huge accomplishment and particularly in a department as ours where we have like really really high
performing officers and they get selected as officer of the year and same is I'm sure is true in the fire department. So, you know, we have a lot of really, really good employees. So, that's a significant um and I will tell you that jumps out on a resume when you're looking to become a detective or
get promoted or become a lieuten whatever the ranks are, lieutenant at the fire department. That jumps out because that's a really rare and difficult thing. So, okay, where are we going next? Temple Terrace Garden Club. I don't want to invite all of you guys
up, right? So, who's coming up? Here we go. Um, Gail Moore, >> that's me. >> That's you. And and Gail is the president of the Temple Terrace Garden Club. And so the proclamation reads as this. Miss Moore says, "The Temple
Terrace Garden Club was organized in 1846 to provide an opportunity for members to learn 1946." >> 200. >> Just go with it. We could have claimed that, right? 1946. pardon me to provide an
opportunity for members to learn improved horiculture practices, promote civic beauty, and conserve natural resources. Whereas members of the Temple Terrace Garden Club have dedicated countless volunteer hours u to to nurturing the beauty of our
community through the planting of native plants, trees, and gardens in public spaces. The club promotes sustainable gardening practices, environmental awareness and education, passing on knowledge of horiculture, floral design, and ecology to all ages.
The Temple Terrace Garden Club enhances the quality of life, improves the environment, and fosters a sense of community pro pride through their dedication to making our city more sustainable and beautiful. Now therefore, I, Andrew Ross, by virtue of
the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida, do hereby proclaim May 5th through 11th, 2026 as Temple Terrace Garden Club's 80th anniversary week. Not 180, 80. >> So, thank you, Miss Moore. Would you like to say a few words?
>> Just I want to um thank you for this recognition. The club is very proud to be one of the oldest clubs in Temple Terrace and we are very proud of all the parks and gardens that we maintain for the last 80 years and I want to thank
you for this and this is our members just a small showing of them and I want to thank them. >> Very good. Well, thank you for being here. Thank all of you. We'll get one of you and I get the proclamation and then we'll get
everybody up. >> Thank you. >> Okay, come on up. Well, you're going to have to help the cats here when they get here. >> We know the routine. >> How are you? >> How you doing? >> Thanks for being here.
>> You going to be able to get everybody? And one more. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, Bob's still good, right? >> You're good. >> A lot going on. This And there
>> there may be some overlap with the next proclamation. It concerns a historic preservation month. So I think we have Sher Donahghue and other members of the historic preservation board. You didn't bring other members. Yeah. Come on up. No, no, no, no.
We didn't call everybody up for that one because there's so many of them. But so thank you for being here. Whereas the National Trust for Historic Preservation established May as Historic Preservation Month in 1973
as a way to promote historic places for the purpose of installing community pride and encouraging heritage tourism. Whereas historic preservation is an effective tool for promoting sustainable development, revitalizing neighborhoods,
fostering local pride, promoting tourism, and maintaining community character. And it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the benefit of history, architecture, and archaeology in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to
preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped our city. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year's National Preservation Month theme is all people are created equal.
Celebrating the places that bring the Declaration's most powerful promises to life and the preservationists making sure those places endure. Now therefore, I, Andrew Ross, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Templearius, Florida, do hereby
proclaim May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month. And thank you ladies for being here. Would you like to say a few words? Yeah, please. >> Thank you for reminding everyone about one of our most amazing aspects, and
that's our history. And the only way to keep uh remembering it is to keep talking about it. And that's one of our goals. So, thank you very much for this recommen recognition. >> Thank you. And thank you for the work that you do on the historic preservation. Pleasure. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thanks for everything you do. >> The next one is kind of a fun one. This one is I when I first heard of this, I'm like, you're going to make me read this? Really? But but uh this is kind of interesting and fun. So I'd like to
invite Shashilla Maharaj uh president of the Temple Terrace Women's Club and uh women's club members Sher Donahue and Carol Dell uh to the podium. So, this recognition is really in in is
for Mary Rose Owens, who has recently passed um and for Eleanor Wells. And so, this is kind of an interesting twist, but this is for both of them in honor of them. And like I said, when I first heard of this, I we're going to do what? But, uh but it's really kind of cool. So
whereas the city of Temple Terrace celebrates the traditions, generosity, and community spirit that brings residents together to create lasting memories. And whereas for many years, the beloved homemade banana pudding prepared by Mary Rose Owens has been a
cherished highlight at numerous community events hosted by the city of Temple Terrace, the Temple Terrace Women's Club, and other organizations. And whereas Eleanor Wells has shared her banana pudding with the city's first responders as a way of showing her
appreciation for their service and her generosity and kindness have fostered connection and a spirit of fellowship. Whereas Mary Rose Owens and Eleanor Wells have selflessly dedicated their time, talents, and warm hospitality
to serving the community, sharing their famous banana pudding with countless employees and residents who fondly associate it with camaraderie, celebration, and community pride. Whereas the enduring popularity of banana pudding has made it a symbol of
the kindness, dedication, and community rel tra traditions that define the spirit of Temple Terrace. Now therefore, I, Andrew Ross, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida, do hereby proclaim banana pudding as the
official dessert of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida. I'm serious. in honor of Mary Rose Owens and Eleanor Wells and in recognition for their many years of steadfast volunteerism and the joy their famous banana pudding has brought to the community. Now, before I move on and
forget, I do want to point out that I give the proclamations, but as mayor, I don't really have the unilateral authority to declare this. However, the council asented to this one. So, it is officially the banana pudding of the city of Temple Terrace is the official
dessert, right? And so, thank you ladies for being here. And please, would you like to share with us a few words? >> Yes. Um, Mary Rose Owens has been an icon in the women's club as well as in the city of Temple Terrace. And in
passing conversations, her main concern is, would we forget her after she's gone? And this is such an honor and I thank you all so much for this. Now we know that she will forever be remembered
for her banana pudding. Thank you. Elellanar Wells. When I first met Elanar Wells, I was petrified because she basically told me to be still and wait a couple of years before I could put together a couple of thoughts that might work. So, the challenge was on from that
point forward because she was a backbone of every PTA her children belong to. And then when she retired and she was home and was looking for something to do and her children lived away, she took on as her children our first responders. And
so you know it was it was not unusual to see uh you know maybe a a truck parked at the house because she had summoned them to come and pick up the banana pudding. I knew Ellaner Wells. I obviously knew Mary Rose Owens from
the women's club, but uh I knew Ellanar Wells from PTA, but also from the King High School booster club. >> And the best part of an evening meeting at King High School of the Booster Club was an Elellaner would say, "It this has
to be over pretty soon because I need to be home by 9:00 to make my husband his snack." And so the meeting would move right along. But the thing about the banana pudding, it is just an outward sign of how much love they had for the city and how much better all of us are
because of Ellanar Wells and Mary Rose Owens. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much for doing this. >> And so, two two things come to mind. One is I love my wife dearly, but I doubt she has ever told anybody I have to get home to make my my husband's snack.
>> That's why we both remember it. >> Yeah. And and two is uh and this is up completely up to you, but it seems to me like you could keep this alive by making banana pudding and pick a date of the year to either serve that here or at a city event or something and make a big
deal about the Right. >> Looks like we have another festival coming. >> So, I'm good at coming up with ideas for other people to do. Right. >> We should have brought some tonight. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. We should have. >> Who's Who's in charge of the recipe now? Who's who's in charge of the recipe
going forward? >> Y'all wants to know who's in charge of the recipe. >> Huh? >> Who's going to be making it? I mean, there's never been a function without it there. I know. I know. Exactly the >> same. Two more. Next one is uh for water
safety month and our own Tiffany Beltran who is the aquatic supervisor at the family rec complex is here to accept. Good evening. >> Long time no see. >> I know it's hard to follow up behind banana pudding. >> Yeah,
>> it is. I know. So whereas the city of Temple Terrace is committed to providing water safety education to all residents and visitors. According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida is ranked the highest in the US for drowning deaths among
children ages 1 through four. In 2025, the state of Florida recorded 73 fatal drownings, 49 of which involved children under the age of four. Whereas as a community, we understand the essential role that protecting our
children from accidental drowning is everyone's responsibility and understand the vital importance of providing access to water safety education programs to families and individuals of all ages. Whereas we recognize that it takes a collaborative effort among all groups
within the community to be advocates for water safety education. Water Safety Month is an opportunity to promote water safety and provide education on the prevention of recreational water related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Now, therefore,
I, Andrew Ross, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of May as water safety month. And Miss uh Beltran, I think you have a few comments to make and maybe a video to share with us. Uh
this year our family recreation team has worked alongside other departments to provide tips and tricks for water safety month. We've worked with code department to provide uh backyard safety for national pool opening day and our marine unit for boater safety week. However, I
know it's an unusual request to have a video on a proclamation, but Kevin Templan has put together a short video that highlights water safety within our community and we'd like to share that to you guys tonight. >> Very good. So, I don't know who's going to cue that up. Is Brian got that?
>> Here we go. >> In Florida, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4. Drowning is fast, silent, and can happen to anyone. Water is a part of life here in Temple
Terrace, but safety has to come first. Swim lessons are one of the most effective ways to reduce risk. It builds confidence and teach life-saving skills like floating, treading water, and safely reaching the edge. For those out
on the water, boater safety matters. Wearing a life jacket, staying alert, and being prepared can prevent emergencies before they happen. And at a home or in a community pool, active supervision is key. Always keep eyes on
the water, designate a water watcher, and minimize distractions. This month, our aquatics team will be sharing important water safety messages with our community. Be sure to follow along and keep an eye out every Monday for new
water safety videos. Together, we can help keep Temple Terrace safe around the water. >> Very nice job. So, Tiffany, I appreciate what you do. I know the whole council does. I I see you all the time out there teaching little
babies to swim and float in the pool. It's kind of cool to watch, but >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you so much for what you do. >> Good job on the video. Thank you. Okay, the last one is for National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial
Day. Chief Staley. Good evening. >> Whereas the Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15th falls as
National Police Week and 111 law enforcement officers in the United States lost their lives in the line of duty last year. Preliminary reports as of April 14, 2026 indicate that an additional 30 law
enforcement officers throughout the United States have already lost their lives in the line of duty this year. Whereas the Temple Terrace police officers Whereas Temple Terrace police officers play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Temple Terrace. Temple
Terrace police officers unwaveringly serve all people, safeguarding lives and property, protecting our community against violence and disorder, the innocent against deception, and the weak against oppression and intimidation. Whereas, since the first recorded death
of a law enforcement officer in 1786, more than 25,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice. Now therefore, I, Andrew Ross, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida,
do hereby proclaim the week of May 10th through 16th, 2026 as National Police Week and May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in the city of Temple Terrace in memory and honor of those law enforcement officers
who through their courageous deeds have made the ultimate sacrifice or become permanently ly disabled during the performance of their duties. And so, Chief, would you like to say a few words, please? >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of council. Um, as you know that law enforcement is an inherently dangerous
profession sometimes. Um, I regret to inform you that since the drafting of that proclamation, there have been an additional six officers killed in the line of duty, bringing the total up to 36 officers for this year alone. Uh so I humbly uh accept this proclamation on behalf of those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice and the brave men and women of the sump police department. >> Good. Thank you chief. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. If the council will extend to me a little um privilege as a chair, I'd like to move item 13A up
since our um this is regarding the geo bond referendum. Is that correct? That's what we're doing, right? Okay. Um, it's a geob bond referendum. We have Mr. Christopher Row from Bryant Miller Olive, PA here to
present. Good evening, sir. >> Good evening. >> Is it okay if we move you up? >> Absolutely. I appreciate >> Okay. All right. Very very much, sir. My name is Chris Row. I'm with the law firm Bryant Miller Olive, which serves as bond to the city. I was here for enactment of the ordinance which called
the referendum for the bonds uh to be held uh this summer. I understand there may be questions of me regarding the conduct of the referendum. Um, here to answer any questions that you might have. >> Council,
>> Council Member Fernandez. I think the primary concern is just to make sure that whatever we either as council people or the city staff are pro are using to advertise or in educate that
we're not doing anything that would cause the referendum item to become tainted or null and void or or something that we shouldn't be saying. >> Yes, ma'am. Very good. So the um relevant statute was adopted in 2009 and
it basically um allowed a city to uh transmit information concerning a forthcoming referendum to the electorate. Provided the information that was transmitted was limited to factual matters and did not involve
express advocacy for the defeat or passage of a referendum matter. So the upshot of the statute was at the time a city could for instance include a stuffer in the monthly utility bill describing the forthcoming bond referendum and factual information about
it. Um it could buy TV ads, it could buy radio ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, etc. The statute was amended fairly recently in 2022 to basically say now that a city may not spend any public
funds on uh communications sent to electors even if it's limited to factual information. So as right now you cannot spend any public funds on things like radio buys, television ads, even stuffers that would be included in
theformational section of a utility bill. even if it's limited to factual information. You can however as board members share your opinion on a forthcoming matter at any time from the dis out in the public so long as you don't violate that
prohibition against spending public monies to broadcast that message. How would that occur? If the city paid for an ad buy or paid for um a television interview, you could not spread your opinion that way. If you're out in the public talking
to constituents and you want to advocate for it because you believe that it should be passed, you're allowed to do that. Same with staff. Staff acting as an agent of the city can express its opinions provided no public funds are spent to broadcast those opinions.
>> What about the presentation materials? For example, creating a PowerPoint slideshow or a video even though it's factual information. um that obviously was spent with city resources,
but it's not transmitted, but it's taken to a location to present. >> That that same statute includes a number of um items that are not procluded by the statute. One of which is reporting on the actions of the governing board so
long as the reporting is done in a fair and accurate manner. For instance, you could say staff could inform the public that city council has adopted a ordinance as of such and such a date calling the referendum. Um, you are not procluded from posting factual information to the city website about
the forthcoming referendum. You're not procluded from providing information in response to a request by the public. If someone asks you for information, you can provide factual information. And lastly, you are not prohibited from hosting or providing factual information
at a public forum. So, for instance, if you held a workshop or if members of staff went out into the community and held a forum that the public was able to attend, you could provide uh information through a PowerPoint. Um, generally, you would not want to have a situation where
you're printing up 300 flyers and actively passing them out. But if that information was made available in a passive fashion at the entryway to the meeting room, people could help themselves to it as they came in. It's really a prohibition against the spending of public funds with certain
exceptions that I've just laid out. So, >> thank you, >> Vice Mayor. Council member Council, we're good. >> Council member K. >> Sure. >> Thank you very much for the memo. I read it very well done and it answered a lot
of questions. Very, very much appreciate you taking the time to commit your thoughts to the writing and to share them with us. So before I say anything else, I really appreciate that and I'm very grateful for it. Thank you. Um I have a question regarding some of the terminology when you use the phrase
public forum. Um the two things that you mentioned were a workshop or a town hall. Um that kind of thing is very intuitive to me. That makes sense. Um if we have for example a membership only club like the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, is a staff presentation
there considered a public forum? Uh if it is open to the uh members of the public generally then it would be a public forum. If the audience is itself a um contained subset of the public you
said a golf club like membership of a country club. >> Yes sir. >> Yeah I think that would be allowed as well. Um the the members of the country club comprise the public for purposes of the forum.
>> Okay. So, when it comes to um political organizations that are also membership based, for example, a Democratic club or Republican club, there's no issue if a city official were to go to one of those and give a presentation as well. >> Uh open to the public.
>> I I would presume it's not broadly advertised. I don't know whether the individual clubs >> whether or not there are limitations on presentations to a political action committee that I don't know offhand. Um the statute is couched in terms of
public forum. So that would include a city meeting a a workshop of a smaller nature. Uh political action committee might be a little different. I'd have to research that. I don't know off hand. Um, am I also correct in reading your memo
such that the five of us as elected officials have an unabridged right to speak about the general obligation bond at any time in any way? >> You do. So long as you are not funding from public funds, broadcasting of your opinion basically.
>> Okay. And when it comes to the expenditure of public funds, um, how is staff time treated? uh if it's something that is occurring through their course of their normal um duties then there is no prohibition. If
it's something that someone was paid uh extra like overtime in order to conduct paid for staff time where they were otherwise off and they weren't engaged in performing their duties on behalf of the city that could fall within the prohibition.
In other words, if staff are seconded away from their usual tasks during the course of a day in order to take time to give a presentation, even if it is not overtime, it would not be considered expenditure of public funds.
>> Yeah. If the if the sharing of information is something that is typically undertaken by that staff member um speaking to the public to address matters regarding not only referendum but other city affairs then I don't think that would constitute a prohibition a prohibited expenditure.
>> Okay. And I may have one more question but I it's lapsed my mind at the moment. So I was in the process of writing things down when an opportunity to speak came up. So I I may circle back in a moment if no one else >> if anyone else would like to have the floor. So I yield for now. In the meantime, I I will make a note to look
into the question you asked about the political action committee. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate that. >> I don't think we have anything else unless you can think of it, Mr. Gravitz. >> Um it probably come to me in about two minutes, but >> Well, you want to look through your
notes? We give give you a second if you want to look through your notes. Uh >> I'm just browsing through the memo. Maybe it'll jog my memory. I appreciate >> um >> I'll take a pass. I'm sorry. >> I'll ask a question here. Make a clarification. So, I don't want to put words in anybody's mouth or anything,
but political action committee wasn't exactly the question. And it was the local Republican club or the Democrat club, which is really a club of local Democrats or a club of local Republicans or a club of local whatevers.
Um, it's not really they're not a pack. They're not organized as a pack or anything like that. So, I think that was more the group. And as to the question whether they're open to the public or not, they're probably not routinely. I mean, the Democrat club generally
invites their Democrat members and the Republican club. I mean, they I don't know what they would do if you just walked in, but it's not something that's normally like advertise that, hey, we're going to have, you know, come on over kind of thing. But that's also been the
case with the Rotary Club. You know, they have their meetings, their lunching, you know, every um STOA. I mean, there's a number of service clubs and boy scouts. I mean, we pretty much, not we, I haven't been doing it, but I mean, pretty much talking to any group that we can get in front of that's local
residents. So, some of them, I don't know when you say public meeting, I don't know that they're like closed, but they're not exactly like a town hall meeting. >> Yes, sir. I understand better. The statute is written to basically focus on
the expenditure of public funds and it says here are instances where you're allowed to do it and it does not constitute a prohibited expenditure of funds. If uh staff member met with a particular group that wasn't necessarily open to the public but did not spend
public funds to transmit a message, it's not prohibited by the statute. >> Okay. Did you think of it? Okay. Council member Kitz, >> thank you very much for buying me a minute. I appreciate the consideration. Um, so the question goes to uh some of the phrasing
in terms of electioneering language. U some of the words that might be put out are uh normative like modern or that the new building is more suitable or that it meets our needs. Uh, and I was looking
through your memo and I wondered whether uh any of those phrasings might be going too far. >> So the um uh allowance is factual matters and what is a factual matter may
be difficult to discern in a given example um may be open to interpretation. If, for instance, a message was sent that having a new fire station in an area of town that does not otherwise have one
will improve response times. Is that a factual statement? I think you could probably assume that if a station is installed in an area that doesn't have one, the people in that area when they make the call, they'll receive a faster response than
had the station not been there. Is it 100% factual for I don't know verification purposes might be open to interpretation. My reading of that particular example in this case however is that yeah I think it's factually safe
to say you will we'll improve response times in your neighborhood by building a fire station in your neighborhood. >> Okay. So there is some leeway given there. So there is the new the new station will be more modern then one could argue that because it's being
built now that that's factually a true statement. >> I I agree. Yes. Because it's being built now as opposed to relying on facilities that are 30 years old and by definition not modern then I think that would be allowable as a factual statement.
>> Great. Thank you. probably a a safe course though in these matters is if there is any question if it's a close call probably better to avoid it but none of the examples that we've discussed to so so far um I I think are out of the range of acceptable within
the definition of factual information >> okay I'm great greatly relieved to hear that thank you very much I enjoyed this conversation thank you very much for that too and uh it's also good to know that all of us who are elected officials can speak freely on this topic going forward thank
I yield. Anything else? >> Mr. Ro, thank you so much for making the long drive from Tallahassee to be with us tonight. We appreciate it. >> Mayor, council members, thank you and thank you for allowing me to come out of turn. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. Next, we have a presentation from our um
bicycle pedestrian advisory committee. Uh here u Mr. Buffington, who is the chair, he's here to present a modernizing bicycle parking and end of trip facilities in the city of Temple Terrace. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Brent Buffington and I serve
as the chair of the city's bicycle pedestrian advisory committee. Uh tonight, BPAC is bringing forward a recommendation to modernize how our development code supports people who bike uh by asking city uh the city to explore standards for bicycle parking and end of trip facilities. As a brief
reminder for the public, uh the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee uh was formed in 2022 to advise the mayor, city council, and city administration on matters involving bicycle and pedestrian safety uh infrastructure and the convenience of cycling and walking on city streets and facilities. Uh as
Temple Terrace continues to grow, we have an opportunity to ensure that new developments support safe, convenient, and practical transportation options for all residents, whether they drive, walk, or bike. People are already biking in Temple Terrace,
but our development code does not consistently support them once they arrive at their destination. Without up-to-date standards, the results vary. Some developments uh may provide convenient bicycle parking or storage, while others may provide little or none. That leaves
residents, visitors, and employees and customers to figure it out on their own. We can improve this going forward with simple, flexible standards that apply to new development. The goal is not making biking the only option. The goal is making biking a practical option. That means supporting everyday trips to work,
shops, parks, schools, and other destinations, not just recreational rides. Bicycle parking and end oftrip facilities help make that possible. This includes short-term parking near entrances, secure long-term uh storage for employees and residents, and where
appropriate, basic end oftrip facilities such as lockers, changing areas, or showers. These are the kinds of small but important details that make everyday biking viable. Uh I briefly want to define what we mean by bicycle parking and end of trip facilities. Uh bicycle parking generally
falls into two categories. The first is short-term bicycle parking. These are racks located near entrances for customers, visitors or anyone making a shorter trip. The second is longerterm bicycle parking. This is more secure storage intended for people who uh may
be leaving a bike for several hours or overnight such as employees or residents. Both types matter because they serve different needs. A customer shopping at a business needs something visible and convenient. An employee or resident needs something more secure and protected.
End of trip facilities are the additional supports that make biking more practical for longer or more routine trips. These can include lockers, changing areas, and in some cases, showers. Not every development would need these same facilities. The point is to create standards that are
flexible and appropriate to the type and scale of the development. Together, uh, bicycle parking and end of trip uh, facilities help answer a basic question. If someone chooses to bike here, is there a safe, secure, and practical place for them when they arrive? This is
what helps move biking from something people only do recreationally to something they can use for everyday transportation. Uh updating our development code aligns with the work the city is already doing. Uh it supports our safe streets goals, aligns with recent multimmodal uh
planning efforts, enhances access to parks, schools, and businesses, improves health and safety outcomes, and strengthens local economic activity. This also connects directly uh to what residents have told us during the recent multimmoal trail network study. Survey respondents ranked parks, shopping, and
neighborhoods among the top places where they want better walking and biking connections. But those connections do not end at the sidewalk, the trail, or the street. They end at the destination. So, if we're asking how to make it easier for people to bike to parks, uh shops, schools, and neighborhoods, we
also need to ask what is waiting for them when they arrive. These are not experimental policies. Modern bicycle parking standards are already being used uh by cities of different sizes in different regions and with different development patterns. For this review, our committee looked at
examples from both Florida communities and nationalized uh national uh recognized bike friendly cities. Uh that includes Florida examples like St. Petersburg, Penrook Pines, and Gainesville, as well as medium-sized cities such as Fort Collins and Madison, which have incorporated bicycle parking
into their development or zoning standards. The point is not that Temple terror should copy any one city exactly. The point is that these standards are common, scalable, and adaptable. Staff can review what other cities have done, identify what is appropriate for our local context, and bring back
recommendations tailored to Temple Terrace. Uh and this is the important re uh this is important. This recommend uh recommendation uh does not create any new operating expenses for the city. These types of improvements we are discussing would be incorporated into new development or substantial
redevelopment similar to other site requirements that are already reviewed during the permitting process. Developers already designed around requirements for automobile parking, ADA accessible spaces, landscaping, storm water, sidewalks, and other site features. Bicycle parking and where
appropriate end of trip facilities would function in a similar way. They would be considered as part of the site design, reviewed during permitting and scaled based on the type and size of the development. So the cost is not borne by the city's operating budget. It is integrated into the development process.
We also expect that administrative impact to be limited because this would be reviewed through existing planning, zoning, and permitting procedures. Uh the BPAC is not suggesting that the city create these standards from scratch. Staff would be directed to use established national guidance including
the uh the association for pedestrian and bicycle professionals bicycle parking guidelines to ensure any proposed code updates reflect best practices. That guidance addresses practical details such as rack placement, spacing, accessibility, visibility, security, and the difference
between short-term and long-term parking. The purpose of using established guidance is to make sure that whatever comes back to council is technically sound, realistic, and appropriate for the city. Uh, and to be very clear, uh, we are not asking council to adopt an ordinance tonight. We are asking for the
direction, uh, for staff to evaluate this issue and bring back recommendations. Uh, from where we sit, uh, we see the proposed process starting off with staff reviewing BPAC's draft concepts and benchmarking against peer cities. From there, staff could evaluate the planning, zoning, legal, and
administrative considerations. Uh, BPAC, our committee would remain available as a resource throughout the process, providing feedback and helping review options as they are developed. If staff determines that code updates are appropriate, the next step would be draft ordinance development and return
to city council for consideration. So, tonight's request is simply to begin the review process. The reason to act now is that development is already happening and development patterns can be difficult um and expensive to change later. When bicycle parking and end of trip
facilities are considered early in the site design process, they can often be incorporated in a practical and cost-effective way. But when those needs are not considered until after a site is built, the result is often less convenient, less secure, and more expensive to retrofit. This is a
lowcost, high impact opportunity to make sure that as Temple Terrace grows, it grows in a way that supports uh safe, practical transportation choices. Small changes to the code today can help prevent larger gaps to in the built environment later.
Uh so tonight, BPAC respectfully requests that city council uh provide direction for staff to evaluate bicycle parking and end of trip facility standards for new development and substantial redevelopment. Uh specifically, we're asking council to direct staff to review uh the committee's draft materials, evaluate
peer city examples, coordinate with BPAC during the process, uh and return with recommendations for council consideration. Uh thank you for your time. >> But thank you, Mr. Buffington. Council members, other questions for Mr. Buffington? >> Council member Kravitz.
Well, he got you. Council member Kravitz. >> Yeah. Um thank you very much. So, great presentation and uh I just wondered if you could maybe share um what some of these changes mean to you personally and to other bicyclists uh in the community.
>> Uh anecdotally, just personally, um as someone who does cycle throughout the city at multiple places, you know, I'll share a positive of what these look like and and then also a negative. Um someone who frequents the rec center often, it's great having racks right there at the front. It's easy accessible. You pull up, you're able to park. Um, and with
all things, there's improvements that can be made to those. Um, but then you go to other places, other plazas, businesses, places that we'd like to shop. Um, I won't name plazas by name, but I'll go to a plaza and, uh, it's really inconvenient. There's no place to lock to. You kind of have to kind of make do with what you have. Sometimes
you just have to lock the bike to the wheel itself, and you can't really lock it to anything because there's nothing accessible around. Um, and those are just the short-term examples as you get into the longer term. you know, if you were going to your your job and you were leaving it there for eight hours or for any of our residential apartment complexes where people choose to lock up
their bikes and hope that no one, you know, tampers with them and so on and so forth, safe from the elements, weather. Um but you know in in talking with other people not just from our committee but through other community activities as we're out in the public you know we know that people are out there and they're
they're using their bikes as as we mentioned you know obviously the recreational side but then uh there are limitations in those endpoint destinations that often prevent people from um kind of making that decision to say yeah I am going to go take take the bicycle to go there. So >> excellent. Yeah, great. And um just for
my own memory, uh the uh the request at the end was it three parts. Namely, uh evaluate the landscape and make a recommendation, review the committee's draft materials and have that flow into the recommendation. And then the third one
was I think consult with the committee or what was what was the specific thing? Loosely the the request is to review just because we did some research you know rather than having to start from scratch some of the draft materials that the committee pulled together uh evaluating the peer cities uh coordinating with the committee through
the process so that there's a you know a open year you know someone to help kind of look at it um and then returning back should should there be a decision to to make adjustments to the code for council. So >> thanks I yield member Fernandez. Um, so my questions really are for staff and
that is what do we already do? I know that when we we build or renovate a playground that we do include bicycle parking, but in terms of commercial development, what do we do as part of
our development process? >> If I could ask Mr. Paulie to come up, he may be able to speak to this a little bit more specifically. I can I know we do not require um what Mr. Buffington is is seeking sort of the the end of trip facilities in terms of changing rooms,
lockers, uh showers. We do not have that requirement. And I understand fully what he's saying because I' I've been around long enough that I've seen this in communities where it depends on scale. If you have a large facility, for example, like an Amazon facility, that would be one where you could see it has a certain threshold that it would meet.
It wouldn't be typically a burden on small facilities. Now, as to simpler things or simpler things like bike rags, I don't know if Mr. probably could speak to what our current requirements are if any. >> Sure. Thank you, sir. Um the current standard for commercial properties
uh once the parking deck is calculated, we ask for 10% of the parking deck. So 100 parking spaces at any given commercial site, we would want to see bicycle racks to support 10% of that 10 bikes. >> Okay. And do we have any requirements
right now where we might specify where the bicycle parking would need to be or is that totally left up to the developer? >> It's actually all part of the development uh review committee site plan review. Um, I know that, uh, you
may recall many site plans come before this council and it's hard to see sometimes, but there's always on those commercial sites, there's always location for bicycle racks. So, um, for me to be able to to recite a hard standard, that would be difficult right
now. Um, but I can tell you that those are all reviewed by the development review committee. >> Okay. So, I I know that this is a not just bicycle, but the pedestrian uh walkability, golf cart access,
bicycle use in the community, especially from interior to the perimeter streets is something that is very interesting to people. So, I mean, I I would agree that I don't know that I would say
that we have to write in u like an endus facility including showers and and all of that. Like I don't I don't I don't know that I want to be like super rigid, but I definitely think that this is something that needs to be considered as part of all all development.
>> Members questions. Thank you. >> No questions. >> No questions. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Buffington. So, I I don't know if this will come up under new business or not. It might I hate to tell you that and have you wait through the whole meeting and it not, but um I do expect
that there will be further conversation on the presentation. So, Council Member Kravitz, >> just curious, are we not going to move into a discussion after the question session? >> No. We can do it under new business though if you'd care to bring it up under new business.
>> Since I have the form, perhaps I could make a motion now. >> I would call it out of order at this point in the meeting, but you may make a motion. >> Not if you're going to call it out of order. >> Well, I'd be happy. This is where we would go into new business or council business. Either one. I'd be happy to
hear from you, but not this is not where we do this now. >> But um we can do it in the meeting. It's just not right to Okay. Okay, we have uh one board appointment to the municipal code enforcement board.
There's one regular member vacancy on the MCEB. The city received one application for reappoint from Gina Dangelo. I do not see Mr. Angelo here. Um so if acceptable, council, is there a motion
to approve her appointment uh for a term extending until March 21st, 2029? >> Yes. uh move to approve appoint uh Gina sorry uh it's my board uh Gina D'Angelo
uh on a municipal code enforcement board as a regular member from a period ending on March 2129 >> second discussion of the appointment >> if not all those in favor say I
>> I opposed no nays uh Mr. and Angelo is reappointed. Thank you. Next is uh discussion of the minutes from April 21st if everybody's had an opportunity to review the minutes. Is there a motion? >> I have a >> Council Member Kravitz.
>> Thank you. Um I'm not going to make a motion because I I'm getting really tired of how that typically goes. So I'm just going to read briefly here so that this goes into this session's minutes. Uh this was regarding the substance of the policy question that I raised at the previous meeting and I'd like for the
following to be put into the minutes today. Uh the previous minutes simply said I wanted to look into how these issues could be addressed. Uh that is not what I said. I raised a specific and structural issue. The city's rental housing permit program currently applies
to small rental properties. It does not encompass large multi-unit complexes. That is the asymmetry I asked about. That is the policy question that I wanted to address. So, I would ask the clerk to please note in the record that my inquiry concerned the scope of the
rental housing permit program and whether it would be extended or could be extended to large multi-unit residential complexes. So, that can be in this meeting's minutes and then we won't have to worry about the previous meeting's minutes. And just as an aside, I did read what was said about the um the
residents who came to public comment at the previous meeting and the minutes only captured that they came to talk about water shut offs and various other issues. They addressed so many additional things going beyond that mold, vermin,
sewage backups. It was an extensive discussion and I'm a little disappointed that none of that made it into the minutes. So that's my second comment for these minutes. And with that, I'll yield my time. >> Council
move to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Further discussion of the minutes. Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. >> Nay. >> One. Nay. Okay. Persons wishing to be heard on items not listed on the agenda
or items on the consent agenda. We have a 30-minut time limit for public comments at this portion of the meeting. If necessary, we extend the public comment portion on at the end of the meeting to accommodate all speakers so everybody would be heard. We rarely have
to do that, but I like to say that once in a while in case we ever have to do it, they don't think I'm just making that up. Uh there's a threeminut time limit imposed on all speakers. We do ask that the speakers come to the podium and state your name and city of residence uh during public comment on items not on
the agenda or items on the consent agenda. I do want to assure everybody that your comments are taken seriously and if you raise an issue um for followup that we do follow up on those and so the first request I have to speak is from Normandy Normandy. I don't know
is it Piccolo or Piccolo? >> Piccolo. I thought so but I wasn't sure. Good evening ma'am. Hi. >> I'm just going to be reading. So, okay. Um, the residents of Victoria Terrace, >> your name and city. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, Normandy Piccolo and
Temple Terrace, actually right across the street. Okay. Um, the residents of Victoria Terrace have been getting subjected to loud music played outside daily and nightly from a business located in Terrace Oaks Plaza at 11401 North 56th Street, sweet number 22. No
other establishment in the plaza plays music outside. Why is this business permitted to do so when backing a residential neighborhood? Sound carries no matter the volume. Why should the residents of Victoria Terrace have their piece disrupted throughout the day and night until after 10 p.m. And even then,
the music continues. Many residents are dealing with health issues, work at home, have jobs, and have small children who need sleep. Many residents want peace and quiet day and night. The next issue, continuous toxic odors coming from suite number 24 in the Terrace Oaks Plaza. It is causing health problems,
burning lungs and eyes, coughing, nausea, and migraines. This is not a food odor. I reached out to the Temple Terrace Code Enforcement via phone months ago about my concerns only to be repeatedly blown off. So, I contacted the Environmental Protection Commission and they discovered that Sweet 24 was
not only disposing of used coals by illegally dumping them into the nature reservoir behind the plaza, but also soaking the used coals in toxic chemicals. I want to know how the city of Temple Terrace permitted this business to open without making sure they had the required cold dispensary unit and proper filtration for any odors
coming from the business. No other food establishments in Terrace Oaks Plaza are smelled in Victoria Terrace, only Sweet 24. Between the loud music at Sweet 22 and the toxic chemical odors from Suite 24, the residents of Victoria Terrace have been denied their right to peace and quiet and the ability to breathe
clean air. We can enjoy the outdoors without toxic odors and continual music. A proper filtration system needs to be added to sweet 24 to deter any and all aromas from seeping over into Victoria Terrace and the music at Sweet 22 needs to be moved indoors. The music impacts adversely on residential peace and quiet
to which we are entitled in our homes. Terasuk's Plaza along with other plazas up and down 56th Street were not designed for the level of activity currently taking place. How is the city permitting obvious hazards like overcapacity and fire safety during festivals at Terrace Oaks Plaza? Victoria Terrace has been subjected to
vandalism, large amounts of garbage strewn on our property which residents are forced to pick up because it's so unsightly. We've endured rat and roach infestations due to the large amounts of garbage being generated and improperly disposed of by the businesses at Terasex Plaza. I have lived in Temple Terrace since 2003, the city of trees. It was
once a quaint small town, family oriented, diverse cultures. Now it feels as if the city only cares about revenue and not the residents. Temple Terrace has morphed into an eore city via these plazas that again were not built for all of this activity. I'd like to set up a meeting to discuss fixing these issues
along with traffic and garbage too that are affecting Victoria Terrace residents. I've started a petition regarding these matters and 35 residents of Victoria Terrace have signed to date. We have rights too. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Could I ask you to please >> Yes, ma'am. >> go stop over at the clerk and we need a
way to to follow up with you. We don't have any contact information. Absolutely. Can you leave an email or phone number? >> Yeah, absolutely. Of course. >> City manager, you're going to have staff follow up and circle back to the council and let us know the outcome. Okay. Thank you,
>> Mr. Loe. Good evening, sir. >> Good evening, >> Charles Love Terrace Park. And first of all, I want to wish uh everybody who's Hispanic happy Cinco de Mayo. Also is a Jewish holiday today. Uh Lag Romeir, so
I want to wish everybody that's happy about that. And of course, finally, happy Mother's Day coming up this Sunday. Uh having that being said, I did want to talk about Cinco de Mayo. Thinking about some very pleasant memories I had last
year about what I did over the hard board meeting on Cinco de Mayo, which I've already discussed with the board chairman. Uh I would if I had to do over, I would do it again. Uh to try to let them remind them uh remind them and
the state that it is our money, not their money, to do with as they please. Uh, so I did want to bring that up and as I was telling him to go after the money and get more of it for the changes that are coming up. One of the changes
that are coming up of course is over besides the stadium is over at the museum of science and industry. Uh, I went to the zoning meeting on April 23rd and of course this is going to affect your lives as well as uh the
lives over there. They did approve it, but I did express certain concerns and I also got certain answers. And frankly, I'm willing to take any comments or anything like that. I have questions or anything like that and bring it up before the Terrace Park Neighborhood
Association board or even go downtown again uh to answer some of the questions that would have about the project that's going to that's going to be coming up. I have heard concerns about uh about the daycare about when it's going to be
moved. I also they also said where it's going to be moved, but they didn't or how far it's going to be moved, but not exactly where. Uh I um I've heard concerns about not having enough housing. I've heard concerns about sort of petition about closing the elementary
school over at the USF campus. Uh I also couple my own other concerns obviously about the public transportation. I uh uh that the their report was based on the Fowler Avenue vision study and that uh the reality is
kind of a long distance away from that. Also of course about the fire trucks when the fire station opens over there. But like I say if anybody has any questions uh I may know the answer to it or I'd like to find out if anybody is interested. Now when I say in anybody, I
mean not only you all on the council, I mean the city staff or any or any of the residents or anything like that because this affects your lives too what's going to be happening over there. Uh from what I was told all the programs except for the daycare program will be continued
that Moshi has um uh I guess while the work is going on and all that. This is what I was told downtown last week. They're going to have another meeting uh on the on the on the 21st. And >> thank you, Mr. L.
Diane Stripic. Strec Temple Terrace. Um, thank you. Um, I just want to take a moment to discuss traffic safety. Uh, this issue is currently in the forefront
of many towns people's minds and hearts, uh, for obvious reasons. and I offer sincere prayers and thoughts for all recently involved and personally impacted at any level. As I strive to be aware of my driving
and pay attention to others, I see how the defensive and offensive driving techniques have an appropriate deploy. Sadly and alarmingly though, I frequently witness the following bad driving decisions. More cars and cyclists are sailing
through solid red lights, not using appropriate turn signals at important junctures, willful, dangerous and disrespectful actions, not pulling over for emergency vehicles, nor yielding to pedestrians, etc.
Hillsboro County, as we know, is home to a sizable percentage of those born in other states states like me and countries who obtained a driver's license elsewhere. Even though the basics of traffic lights and signs are
mostly standardized, there are differences among even states and um on other important road regulations. Now, if we had a show of hands from those who are here about who had an update or
refresher after obtaining their initial driver's license, undoubtedly it would be very far from the majority. Almost 40 years ago for me, and things have certainly changed, not just in terms of some road rules, but technology,
attitudes, due diligence, awareness, and hazards. I am very grateful for the ongoing commitment that our dedicated officers exhibit on this front. When I was pulled over on uh 56th Street
last year, I was surprised as I normally don't speed unless I'm heading to the airport, but I was truly grateful and I took it as a reminder. Now, if upon seeing your shocking insurance bill, you've called the
company as I did to tell them that there is surely a mix up given your good driving record. You learn then that our zip codes, which are akin to a piss poor report card, they tell of these costly consequences.
The bottom line is I am willing to volunteer in any citizens initiative to proactively encourage and educate concerned residents. It would be based on relevant data for safer driving and productive engagement to reduce
accidents, lower insurance costs, and most importantly by far protect lives and well-being. I believe together we could develop something in Temple Terrace which other parts of our county could benefit from. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Rubic. Last Mr. Bellan. >> Good evening. >> My name is uh Don Balaban. I've lived in Temple Terrace over 41 years. I live on uh 914 North River Hill Drive. I moved there from Allen Brook Street on the
other side of the river three about three years ago. I'm here to talk about several things. Uh first off, uh on the bonds uh for the police and fire station, he know and uh your mayor knows I'm pro law enforcement. I worked for
the sheriff's office 35 years and I helped get grants. I did everything for him. But anyway, and I helped this community a lot over the years. But um you got to get your information out more correctly also. Not just get it out, but
you got to sell it. Okay? And to be honest with you, I'll get about a D on that. What that gentleman said earlier, go back and see what the school board did to brainwash all your lowincome people and renters and pass one of the biggest taxes in the history of Hillsboro County, your school tax. A
private amendment separate from your regular school tax. increased my taxes $600 a year. Okay? They used the unions to help put signs up at every school for every parent. They went to all the low-income areas put signs up because
they vote too, but they don't pay property taxes. The landlords do and owners like us, homeowners. Well, that's how you're going to have to try to get the word out. Use a chamber of commerce to other people. The Beacon put out an article and it and I had to call
Temple Terrace to get additional information, but it was something at least. And then I got with Ellen and got some more information. It had in there that your average tax was going to be about $188 on an average house at $200,000.
That might be a duplex over here right near the city limits. The average house in Temple Terrace, I'm assuming 350 to 500, maybe 600. When I called, the lady said, "Well, it's assessed value." And I said, "I understand assessed value, but
if you bought a house recently here, you don't have a whole lot to save your home that came with it, and your assessed value is a lot more than $180,000. My taxes are going to go up $450,000." 4, I'm sorry, $450 a year. Now, with
that, that's about a 20th of my retirement from the sheriff's office. I have other income. I'm a very successful person, but I'm just giving you how you look at it. Also, on that tax, it should be capped at the first 200,000 of every resident here because most people that
pay taxes don't call the police department. I think I've called them three times in 41 years. Handled most things myself. I called them and I can tell you the three calls probably in 41 years. That's most people here. We've got a lot of law abiding citizens. It's the apartment complexes and the low
income where your crime is and all of that. Okay? So, this don't affect them like it does us. Limited at 200,000. I don't know if you factored in, but in 10 years, I'm going to be paying 30% more in taxes because my taxes go up. It's capped at 3% a year. So, in 30 years
that I have other things I can tell you how to help bring in income for Temple Terrace. So, if you all want to Andy uh the mayor knows how to get a hold of me. I'll be glad to share it with you. >> Thank you. Are there other members of the public who wish to address the
council at this time? >> Okay. Seeing none, councel, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Some moved. >> Second. >> And all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. No. Nays. Consent agenda is adopted. Next item is the first reading
of an ordinance amending section 1-104 enforcement procedures and 1-105 schedule of violations and penalties and our code enforcement director Jack Shanks is here to explain. Good evening Mr. Shanks. >> Good evening.
>> All right. Good evening, mayor and council members. Jack Shanks, code compliance. The item before you tonight is a proposed amendment to chapter one of the city code that would update verbiage, add applicable code sections to the table of class 2 violations and establish a new
class 4 violation category within our existing citation uh civil citation framework. I want to begin by emphasizing one key point that this amendment is not intended to generate revenue. The purpose of this update is to improve citywide adherence to codes that already
exist and are already enforceable today. What this amendment does is allow certain repeatable violations to be addressed more effectively and more immediately through civil citation rather than relying solely on longer notice-driven enforcement processes.
In section 1-104 subsection D, verbiage has been added to include the terms itinerant and transient. This allows for the inclusion of violations that could be complied with and then recur quickly. It includes violations such as yard parking or commercial vehicles in residential areas as well as certain
violations relating to the short-term rental program where the renters change frequently. Our code enforcement officers are authorized to issue citations only for those violations specifically listed in the schedule of violations and penalties.
The violations proposed for inclusion under class 2 and the new class 4, as you see here, are all existing code provisions. Nothing new is being prohibited. The challenge we encounter with these types of violations is that most are easily repeatable and under our current code enforcement structure, there is
little immediate incentive for sustained compliance. This becomes an irritant for neighbors and businesses who abide by the city's code yet witness a drawn out compliance process for violators which in the case of the code sections proposed this evening should have achieved compliance immediately. You'll note the inclusion
of code section 12-900 for swimming pool safety barriers and class 2 violations. While this is typically not a violation that is repeated or recurring, it is a life safety issue that warrants immediate action by the property owner. In a situation like this, a citation would be issued immediately.
In practice and apart from section 12-900, which I just mentioned, we often see the same violation types recur after type uh after temporary correction, which creates ongoing neighborhood impacts, increased staff time without achieving a long-term resolution.
This ordinance update is intended to change that dynamic. By allowing civil citations for these specific uh violations, the city can encourage quicker and more consistent compliance, reduce repeat violations, and ultimately reduce the need for prolonged enforcement cases. The goal is
behavioral correction and not punishment. And the intent is not to issue citations indiscriminately, but to provide our officers with an additional tool when voluntary compliance has proven ineffective or when immediate correction is necessary. With respect to the proposed fine
amounts for class 4 violations, the ordinance establishes a graduated structure of a $250 fine for the first offense and $500 for any second or subsequent offense of the same violation. I apologize this slide did not change.
I updated it recently. I'll explain. The struct uh the structure is intentional in keeping with our already established enforcement process. Any courtesy notice or citation will be directed to the property owner against that property. An initial violation with few exceptions
will result in a courtesy notice with a reasonable correction period as well as an attempt at direct contact from the code compliance team to determine if assistance is needed. If non-compliance is exhibited or if the violation uh results in initial compliance followed
by a pattern of non-compliance, escalation to the citation will commence. The first defense fine following the previous issue of issuance of a courtesy notice is designed to serve as a meaningful prompt for compliance while still allowing the responsible party an opportunity to
correct the issue. The higher fine for repeat offenses reflects the fact that continued non-compliance occurs after notice and enforcement has already taken place. This approach aligns with the city's graduated enforcement philosophy by distinguishing between initial violations and repeated disregard of the
code and by encouraging long-term compliance rather than repeated corrective cycles. If compliance is achieved, no further fines are imposed. In summary, this ordinance strengthens our ability to enforce the codes already on the books, improves compliance outcomes, and supports neighborhood
stability without expanding regulation or creating new prohibitions. and uh we recommend approval and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Are there members of the public who wish to comment on this item? >> Seeing none, council members questions.
Council Council member Sher. >> Yes. Thank you, sir. Good presentation. I have I have some concerns as to how this is going to be monitored, if you will. Um, I know with code enforcement
issu actions we go through, we your staff goes through, okay, they go out, they leave a courtesy notice, then they come back, if it's not cleared up, they take pictures, and there's the um uh issuance of a certified letter to the owner and postings and so forth. And
I've watched on on on the code meetings that you present this evidence as part of the thing. How are we going to make sure this keeps that type of stuff that type of I don't know the I don't know the proper term chain of evidence out how how is that going to be managed by
your people to u make sure that there's no abuse or that we don't have a potential issue. >> So section 1-104 of our code already lays out the the the the basis for everything as far as civil citations go.
>> Understood. Um it it talks about uh who is responsible for those and what happens if for example somebody doesn't doesn't pay their citation. Um when it comes to internally how we're going to monitor that it's going to be like we we do it now. Nothing's really going to change. We'll go out there. We'll
identify something. One of the things I'm going to ask my my officers to do, we're going to put a policy in place is they contact the office prior to writing the civil citation. Uh they're going to take pictures uh date timestamped. So we we have that documented, but generally they're going to get the courtesy notice
first. The courtesy notice is going to be just like the courtesy courtesy notices we have now, except it's going to specify that should the violation continue, the next thing is going to be the civil citation, first offense, second offense. And that's not just for the class 4 violations, it's for the
class two violations as well. >> Okay? If I if I get stopped by by by a police officer because I'm speeding and I get a ticket, there's a certain level of confidence of the training that goes into the officer, you know, I did it all right and that type of thing unless I
can go back and there's a way for me to actually fight it. What's going to be the mechanism to um fight it if there's if they feel it's unjustified? Now, don't misunderstand me for the repeat offenders. Absolutely. You know, there's that that goes on time
and time again. and I have a rental property VRBO two houses down from me that constant grass is too high, parking is obscene. Um, and we brought this up with the I brought this up with the um
short-term rental um things we tried to institute regarding parking. You know, they they don't park there. They parked there now, but they they're gone when anybody goes by there. And so we have repeat offenders. How is that going to be handled by your staff? So, so just
like a regular uh ticket, people do have the right to to contest that uh the very first uh so 10 114 subsection A uh the county court shall have jurisdiction over all violations governed by this division. So once we write the ticket is going to go to the county court. Um now
there's going to be a conversation that we're going to have with the county court or the clerk to to determine how that process is going to look like like upfront because they have 30 days to pay, right? um in that first 30 days are is are we going to hold that or is it going to go directly to the court? We're
going to establish that um shortly with with uh that meeting. Um but as far as the routine like going out and identifying somebody's grass is too high, we're the intention is not to go out and just start throwing tickets out there. Really the the intention is go
out there, hey your your grass is is too high. Um please cut it. Right now if we do that they're going to get the window. So 15 16 days uh per the the courtesy notice then they get a notice of violation. So then there's another 15 20
30 days they go to the code board after the notice of hearing another 15 days. The code board is going to give them 30 days. So that's a long time the grass will be up to my you know my waist um in that in that instance. This way we'll be able to go directly to this property
take the pictures. This this is a violation. Here's your courtesy notice. Please cut your grass. do you need assistance? We do that now, but this is going to be u a little bit more direct. Uh I I think the the response that we're going to get from people is like we don't want to pay a fine. Um let's go
and get this cut and if we need assistance, we have resources for that. >> Okay. Because we had a we had an episode situation several weeks ago where a lady on on Royal Green, I believe it was, was having a a problem with with with
code. And I just, you know, we just make sure we it doesn't get out of hand and we don't have, you know, problem with the cut with with the the public on that. That's all that's my concern. >> This is just a tool. >> I understand. I understand. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Vice Mayor.
>> Thank you. Um, if this passes tonight on first reading and then the next meeting, second reading, when does this go into effect? >> So, the next thing we have to do, um, well, there's a few things. I have to have those printed. I have to have the citations printed. I have citations now. We already have the ability to write
citations. We just haven't because the citations that we write for like golf carts and snipe signs and they're not really effective for what we do. Um, so we're going to order the the uh the booklets. The next thing we have to do is is work with the the clerk of court,
county court uh to ensure that that process is in place. I'm also going to write an internal policy for our department on exactly the steps that they have to take if they are going to write a citation. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh so we don't really know yet.
>> Well, no, we we do have a plan of attack for that, but we still we do have to set up the the the meeting with the clerk of court. Like I said, we we already have the ability to do this. This is just adding to our capabilities of what we can do. So, there's already a process in place. We're just going to tighten
things up a little bit. >> Okay. Thank you. Um couple more. Um on some of the things uh that we do here in the city, would the these cit citations issued go to the code board for just information? Would there be report to
the code board how many were issued or not? >> That is something we we could do. We are going to be monitoring that closely. If we write a citation, we're going to be just like we're doing with the the water violations right now. We're monitoring how many of those we're we're we're doing. Uh so when they get to the code
board, the these violations shouldn't get to the code board. Um that the whole point is to identify them, get them fixed, and then move on. The code board is going to be uh for the the bigger things, stop work orders, uh tree violations, and and things like that.
>> But but I was thinking just like lean reports and stuff that's handled by the city now, it goes to the code board periodically. Maybe this was something I don't know. You might want to check with >> We could absolutely do that. the code board or the however that's done. And with leans, uh would leans on the
citations uh happen just like if there are code violations that are go before the code board and don't get paid? >> So, we're going we're no we're going to be working directly with the uh the county court. So, there's going to be a judge involved. The judge will then
determine uh what's going to happen with that. >> Okay. Thank you. And the last one, uh, mayor, uh, last question. Other jurisdictions, uh, do they do this also? >> Yes. >> Yes. Um, one of the ones I researched closely was Tampa. They have, uh, something very similar to ours. They're
the codes they're using are a little bit different. Some of them are similar to ours that they're using the violations for, but yes, they're they're doing this. Okay. Thank you, >> Councilman Fernandez. >> Okay. So, um, I I I want to go a little bit further about what's going on in other jurisdictions. So, two things. One
is that with regard to the short-term rentals, and I know that we have very specific limits on what we can do as a city regarding management or oversight of short-term rentals, but
for the items that we're looking to do the citations, are there other jurisdictions that are applying this methodology to short-term rentals? Also, >> I haven't researched short-term rentals. Um,
primarily what what we're seeing in in other jurisdictions are the regular codes. The the the two that I've attached here are primarily for the yard parking and assembly uses. Um, I have seen those in other jurisdictions while I was doing the research for this, but they're not directly tied to the
short-term rental ordinance. >> Okay. But we would not have any difficulty and because I I know that that my concern is that uh short-term rentals while have they have a wonderful benefit when you're
traveling but sometimes can be a negative on the community that what we're doing is applicable to to all properties not just a owner occupied or a short-term rental. >> Correct. They're they're they're
applicable across the city. The only two that are specifically to the um short-term rentals are the the one for the parking and the one for the um the assembly uses. The the other ones apply
across the board. The reason that those two are specific are because they affect the certificate of use and they they read differently because the person being cited is not the property owner. um excuse me, the person that violated is not the property or they're the people that are renting for the day or
two and then they're gone. Uh the violation of certificate of use is very specific for that ordinance is that's why they're called out separately. >> Okay. So, as far as uh issuing a citation, I'm I'm concerned
about uh the strength of enforcement, let's say, because I know that I' I've had complaints about things in the past where someone has their boat in their driveway um and they get a notice that
they're not allowed, you know, they haven't even had it there 24 hours. they were they were just parking it there before they go drive it somewhere else and they're like how am I getting this citation I haven't violated anything. Um so I'm I'm
one I'm a little bit concerned. How are we going to make sure that we're not excessively issuing citations? We're balancing you know people living in their house and
>> Sure. So, it's just the process hasn't changed. It's exactly what we're doing right now. The only thing different is right now we we're using the MCEB. So, we still have the courtesy notice. They're still going to have that that time. When when our officers drive by a house and they identify a violation, let
let's say it's a boat in a driveway. They're going to give them the courtesy notice, say, "Hey, just so you know, this is a violation." But it's it's not a citation. It's it's not a notice of violation. It's just a friendly notice that this is a violation of the city and then we're going to monitor for the appropriate timeline because they're
allowed to have the boat there for a few days. Same thing with campers, um, RVs, uh, after that time frame goes on. At that point, we would move to the notice of violation. But when we have these conversations, I would say 95% of the people that we interact with comply
immediately. It's the smaller percentage of people that are really becoming an irritant to the neighbors and they make up a good bit of the phone calls and emails that we get. In researching the the ordin or the the codes that we inserted
here, these are the ones that we've received the most complaints about. um the the 12900 for the swing pool barriers. We added that one specifically because it doesn't happen frequently, but it's an important safety item uh here in the city because we are in
Florida. There's a lot of pools around here and uh we want to make sure that children are safe. So all that combined, nothing is really changing uh except for instead of going to the the enforcement board, they'll get a citation. >> Okay. So my my last question is
what happens if we have people come to us saying that they have been excessively targeted. They get a citation. That citation is through the court. right now if something changes, if if they were to
come in front of code enforcement and for whatever reason code enforcement agrees or or disagrees or whatever the outcome is, u they're able to suggest lowering the fines or or doing something
like that. in this case. Um, what are you seeing response-wise in other jurisdictions regarding community concerns? >> So, I can give a very uh specific example. My neighbor uh had was actually
uh parked the wrong way in front of his house uh this just a a few months ago um and received a citation for that. Um he violated something. He he paid it and moved on. It didn't ruin his day. It didn't ruin his life. Um it was just a
learning experience. And I'll tell you right now, I will never park backwards in front of my house. Uh based on that, um really what what we really want to happen is these courtesy notices that go out. It specifically shows what the citation amount is going to be. And that
should be enough of a deterrent to say, "Let's just abide by the rules. we we will have people that that test uh and go to that first citation. And when that happens, just as I mentioned in in the presentation, the hope is that fine,
having that fine is enough to say, I I'm not going to do it for the second one. I I don't want that to happen. Um and the fine had to be enough to be an actual deterrent. If it's $25 or even $75 for some people, I actually had somebody
told me, "Go ahead and find me $75." um it's it's worth it to me. Uh while their neighbors draw a complaint to us that we're not doing anything to curb the situation, uh this should be a deterrent. This is just a tool. I don't believe that we're going to end up having to write a lot of citations and I
actually see that in other jurisdictions as well when it comes to code compliance, not the criminal side, code compliance. >> Thank you, >> Council Member Kitz. Anything any questions? I I have a couple. Um, so help me make sure I understand this
correctly, Mr. Shank. So, we have the schedule 2 and the schedule 4 violations. Will the citation program completely take over and become the new mechanism of enforcement for these violations? or
will we simultaneously use our current code board procedure that we've used for years and concurrently at the same time we're using the citation program for other Is that how this would work? >> The intention for these specific codes that we've introduced tonight is to use
them for uh specifically for the citations and pull them away from the board. It's still an option. We we can do that. Um, and there may be a time that we would revert to that, but for consistency and making sure that we're not uh treating somebody differently
than we would somebody else, we're going to be consistent about that. So, we would move to uh for grass or or commercial vehicles is a big one. Um, somebody parks a semi-truck in front of their house and we're getting all the phone calls, that's going to be a courtesy notice, please move your vehicle. Um, followed by the citation.
that wouldn't make it in front of the code board because it just takes so long to get in front of the code board. These violations are um the ones that you can fix and then put it right back again. >> Okay. So that answered part of my
question because I wondered about okay one resident in the city gets cited and goes the track of going to the code enforcement board and the other site same violation the other person on another street gets a citation and goes a completely different track >> we won't do that
>> okay well then that being said though the first two I think table two I think is what you call it weeds and grass weeds grass and underbrush and then another one 10-34 duty to keep premises clean. Those are the breadand butter violations
of the code board. That's what they do. I mean, probably 80% of the cases that go to the code board are those two or one some combination of one of those two >> throughout the year. Yes, sir. >> So, I I I have a little
hesitation about these. Um I don't know how it would play out and I'm trying to do this on the day because truthfully I read this yesterday and I thought well this is okay but after the discussion I'm like I don't know if this is okay or not. Two a couple things I'm concerned about.
One is um weeds and duty to keep premises clean. those types of cases, as you you and your staff well know, they often involve I mean, sometimes they're just scoff laws are too lazy to mow the grass, but but often times they're
people who have whatever. I mean, they have illness in the family, they have, you know, money problems, they have, you know, there's a there's a reason for these in many cases. The original intent of forming a code
board for the city was to have a panel of your neighbors, your peers, the people that live in the city to hear your plight as it as it were and and to say, "Well, you know, these are your neighbors.
Maybe not next door, but I mean, these are these are your peers." listening to your plight and taking that into account and saying, "Okay, we're going to give you whatever or we're gonna make set the fine really low or we're gonna, you know, give you 60 or 90
days to comply instead of 30 because we recognize that there's some some circumstances here that um come into play. One is we're going to lose that." And I think these two, the weeds and grass and the duty to keep premises clean are two of the most common where
that neighbor discretion is important. Two is I don't know if we've talked to the chief judge about this, but I don't know how thrilled the courts are going to be to inherit. I mean, this is a pretty heavy load that
we're going to transfer to the courts because these are the breadandbut cases. Now, a few years ago, we did start something a little different um with the city attorney in that some of the more egregious ones that are not responsive
to the code violations. They don't pay the, you know, the lean's just running up, they don't fix the thing, and the fines just keep escalating. This legal staff started taking some of those cases to court >> in lie of the code board because there's a judge that says you got 30 days to
pay. If you don't, I'm going to hold you in contempt and all that. But that's done on a very surgical and deliberate basis. It's not done like everybody whose grass is too high, right, doesn't get a citation.
I I don't know. I I I I'm reluctant. I mean, some of these Yeah, I'm fine. you know, short-term rental, we have a new ordinance that's taking effect in July that um enacts some restrictions on STRs that we don't currently have. Those are
new violations because it's a new ordinance. Like, you know, the short-term rental parking, it makes perfect sense. Short-term rental assembly, those kinds of things. Um, I to me it comes down to the selection of which violations are going to receive
a citation and which ones are going to go the routine route. But I see codeboard meetings being like 8 minutes long in the future because there's nothing there's nothing for them to hear. Everything's going down to court. Um, so help help me if
you can be more comfortable with this. >> Got it. I got it. So, please keep in mind that every just like we do now. We're not trying to go after people that are we don't know what people are going through. We when we drive by somebody's
house and their grass is this tall or there's a uh I have a great great example for you. We have a um a resident who was consistently parking their car in the yard. our officer approached the house and said, "Hey, what is going on on this property because we've given you the the notice of violation um and you
haven't responded to us. What what's going on here?" And it turns out this resident was going through cancer treatment and she was also caring for her elderly father at the same time. She parked the car up there to get him into the house and just was too tired to move
the car back. So, we we came up with a workaround for that to make sure that she was good. she was still in compliance. But it all comes down to communication. So what we're going to do is we're going to give the courtesy. It's not we're just not going out there and just writing a citation. We're going out there. We're identifying the the
resident. We're going to speak to the resident. See if there's resources that that are needed. We have resources. We've made relationships with different partner uh organizations. For example, cutting their grass. If they need a grass cut, they need their house pressure washed. Do they need a roof?
there there's options out there that we're going to assist people with. Um and we're we're tapping into those as we speak. The people that you're you're speaking of, they generally don't make it to the code board uh because we've already fixed that. Um now, if somebody comes to
us and they're they're they're fine and there's nearly nothing going on and they just don't feel like cutting their grass, that's a different story. If they don't make it through that 15 or so days for the courtesy notice, we will then move forward with a citation because at that
point it's a conscious decision not to abide by the city's code. And meanwhile, we're getting all these phone calls. The issue with taking something like that to the code board is it just lasts forever. Um we had one last year. Um it was actually one of my very first cases. Uh
it was a grass case and it just kept going on and on and on and we the day before the hearing cut his grass and then two weeks later grass is growing again. We we just repeated the cycle. Um so the citation really it's it's we're
not going out there going after people. We're giving the courtesy notice and giving plenty of time. We're giving resources and assistance. We're trying to make that contact just like we're doing now. Um, so please don't think that this is going to have us going out there and just I got you.
>> Okay. So I hear what you're saying, but that's not what I'm fundamentally talking about. You and your staff exercise very good judgment. Now in ter you've described that in several scenarios and I don't doubt it because I
I know you guys, right? And I think all of us do. I understand that you use that discretion very wisely and judiciously now. When you go out there, you don't just whip out a notice of violation and send them to the code board now, right? >> So, your use of discretion is going on
now. It's going to continue to go on under a citation program. It's just what ultimately happens when you're at the end of the discussion. You got to do something. I I I am concerned. I'll I'll read this
between first and second reading if it passes tonight, but and I I can't speak for the whole council. I am concerned about the selection of what gets a citation and what doesn't. I would feel much more comfortable, this
is just me speaking for me. I'm not speaking for anybody else. I would feel much more comfortable with this if we triaged and set the schedule of citation violations up differently. So perhaps an example would be weeds and grass and underbrush and duty to keep premises
clean. That's a garden variety code violation. Just about every code violation includes one of those two. I would feel a lot more comfortable if the first time these people went through the system, they got a notice of violation came before the code board. But in the case of the grass that you're
describing, right, right before the hearing, they mow the grass. Three weeks later, it's back. Okay. And now they're getting a citation because it's a repeat within a certain period of time. Okay, I'm good with that. But just to jump right to a
citation, first of all, I'm concerned that we're decimating our code board's responsibility that they're not going to have any role meaningful role to play. And sec, we're going to overload the courts, which of course is their problem, not mine. But um I don't think we're going to make any friends at the
courthouse. The other thing is though is a first time violation for having grass. I'm not sure that we really need our residents having to take a day off of work and drive down to the courthouse and find a place to park and go through security and find their courtroom.
I you know now we have code enforcement meetings at night so most people can come at 6:00 or 6:30 and they don't have to I mean we intentionally don't have it during the day so people don't have to take off of work to get there. I I think the selection of violations and I'm
talking too much but the selection of violations in my mind needs a little tweaking. Um I can't give you that direction. It depends on what the council, but I I would it's unlikely that I'll
vote for this on second reading if we get to that. If it's comes back like this and I'm one vote, so >> I'm ready to make a motion because I have discussion, but I can't. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I >> It's all right. >> Yep. Okay, Vice Mayor. Oh,
>> wait. Still questions. >> Question. I think council member Schisler, >> did you counsel a question? >> I did have two questions. >> Okay. >> Do we have any idea statistically what's coming through to code board on a regular basis? She's shaking her head. No, we're talking we're hearing all
different things, you know. >> We we do um I don't have that with me, but we we >> throughout the year we will get grass cases. Um most of what we're getting recently has been uh parking, a lot of
uh stop work orders, trees, um not so much trees recently, but those have been a there have been a lot of those. Um a lot of parking violations. Um commercial vehicles recently, those have been the big ticket items. >> Stop work orders.
>> Yes, stop work orders. Yes. >> Okay. Um I I would like to know what the breakdown of that is you know if we could but you know it's it would be helpful in in before a second reading. Um I I just would one the other thing the other question just came to mind is
we are our our our officers will go from one zone to another zone. Um, and I've I've anecdotally I've heard where well that's where I suddenly a new officer came to my zone and now I got a
now I got a cit a notice that I'm in violation and they don't they they don't know my they don't know the area. So I mean I I just want to make sure that we have the proper training for the officers going forward with this so that it you know my boat's been there for two
days. They may know it. They may not know it but a new a new officer comes in doesn't see it. Well, okay. That's we have we have a a say a warning a notice, but just be careful with that. That that'd be my concern. >> Council member, did you have questions?
>> I did. Just a quick one. Um, thank you very much for this. It's a it's a good step forward, I think. And, uh, my my question is just to sort of ease everyone into it. Um, could you please walk me through the A to Z from the
initial friendly outreach, could you please address your code violation all the way through to now it's in court? How many how many uh firewalls would the code violator need to blow through
before ending up in court? How many days are there from the first outreach, for example, to the courtesy notice, from the courtesy notice to the violation, from the violation to the further escalation that leads to the courtroom eventually? What would that look like in
a practical setting so that there's no concern here that, you know, these routine things will just all end up in court all of a sudden? >> Okay. So, a a we'll use grass because we talked about grass. So, somebody has a a a yard with very high grass over over a
foot. Um, or an officer goes out, identifies this property as in violation, uh, leaves a courtesy notice. That would be followed up by an attempt at contact. We'll knock on the door. Uh, we'll try to make a phone call. Um, if we have email access, we have their email documented somewhere. We will try
to email them and find out what the situation is. From that courtesy notice, they will generally have anywhere generally have anywhere from 15 to 30 days depending on the situation. um and exactly what's going on um at that time
a second contact would be made um if if nothing happens and that that's exactly how we do things right now with the regular notice violations at that time the decision will be made to write the citation uh that would I would be notified we would then I would give the approval to write the citation the
citation is written a copy will be uh mailed to the property owner a copy will go to the court a copy will go to our clerk uh at that time we would uh they would have 30 days to pay the citation. Um if they don't pay the citation uh at
that time they will be asked to go to court. Uh the judge then would determine what's going to happen with citation. That does that answer your question sir? >> Yeah. Thank you. I
>> Okay council is there a motion? Yes. Chief, Vice Mayor, you are prepared to make a motion. >> Excuse me. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I got ahead of myself. Yes. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, we'll ask the clerk to read the title of the ordinance. >> Thank you. An ordinance of the city council of Temple Terrace, Florida,
amending the City of Temple Terrace Code of Ordinances. Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article Two, Code Enforcement, Division 3, Supplemental Enforcement Procedures, by amending section 1-104
subsection D by amending section 1-105 subsection B. and by creating section 1-105 subsection D providing for the severability providing for conflicts providing for inclusion in the temple
terrace code of ordinances providing an effective date >> thank you madam clerk vice mayor >> yes thank you uh move to approve on first reading an ordinance amending section 1-104 enforcement procedures and 1-105
schedule of violations and penalties Second >> motion is second. Discussion of the motion. >> Yes, >> council members. Oh, vice. >> Yeah. Thank you. Okay. Um, Mr. Mayor, I heard what you're saying about some of the violations. To me,
there's a big difference between the grass ordinance and premises clean. Grass ordinance is very cut and dried. If you cut your grass, you wouldn't have it. But anyway, those we get a lot of. And again, it's could be up to 60 days.
and it makes your neighbors mad. And that's really an easy one. Premises clean's a little keeping them clean. That's a little vague. I I I get it on that. But there's other ones. The biggest one I want to talk about and it happened in my neighborhood and I talked
to code was a pool security violation. House was vacated. It had a pool. The fence was down. Both sides of the fence was down. Very accessible. The only recourse is what we had and it was two months.
That's a safety violation. City can't go on and put a fence up. They can't put barriers up on private property. So, it took two months to get action. This would prevent that. And uh I'm all for all of it. I I don't mind tweaking some
of that, but these are items that happen anyway, and it stretches out two months. And for the other comments I've heard about my boat in the yard 2 days and I get a citation. You don't. You get a notice. Hey, by the way, you can't keep your boat here for three more than three
days. They won't get a follow-up for 15 days. The people have plenty of time to move it. I also hear about they're picking on me. They're not picking on my neighbor. Possibly because their neighbors taken two months to fix the violation and they don't know anything that's happening. So, I'm in support of
the idea of this and if some of my colleagues here have some issues with some of the items, let's take that up. But I support this initiative and I am the liaison to the code board and I hear all the items. >> Council member Scher, >> I'm in basic support of the of the uh
the process. I am glad to hear a couple things that that the the Mr. Shank said was that citations would have to be approved before they're issued. that wasn't said before. You know, you you they'll let you know and you you know, you'll have first right of refusal and that type of thing. I agree
wholeheartedly with the pool. I don't think it's I don't think I think that's not fast enough in my opinion, but it is what it is. Pool safety is absolutely critical. And uh I I've seen some pools. It's like dang this that's that's a dangerous situation and the quicker we
can move on that the better off we are. And the only other thing that I'd like to see for the next reading just general statistics. how the how how many of them the code board what violations the code board is actually having to spend time on and we don't want the code board to
be neutered but by the same token you know we want to make sure they're they're they're dealing with the the issues um um and then last of last of all I just want to make sure that we have the proper training of our officers for the citation portion of it otherwise I'm I'm I'm in favor of it
>> further discussion will I think for one, I the pool isn't a no-brainer. I'm not against the program. Maybe I said it wrong. >> I'm against citations for some of I think what the only thing in this in my
mind that needs to be tweaked is what we're going to do citations for and what we're not. >> The pool would be fine. The improper parking would be fine because that's so transient. It's difficult to get that before. But some of them give me a little
heartburn. we the weeds, the grass, the duties, keep premises clean. These are breadandbut code board cases and I am concerned about taking those off the the table and go sending those people right to court. Um
I we'll see I mean how nothing's perfect sometimes on the first round. We'll see how it goes. And but I I I do think we should better define what's going to get a citation. Um I think this is a little
too broad. >> We're still we're still discussion, right? >> Yes. Um, yes. >> So, it it's my understanding that the process would be that there that the homeowner would get a courtesy notice,
be given time to correct. Then, if it's not corrected, the citation would be issued. They can pay the citation. They wouldn't go to court unless the citation remains unpaid >> or they contest it >> or they can test it. that and that's my
only concern is the ability to contest something when I do know that there are people that have had whether it's true or not
the perception of the experience where they felt singled out by code enforcement or something else but these are not um items that I am concerned about with regard to a citation For one thing, the the weeds and the grass now, I mean,
I I don't pay my lawn service. They I I feed them and they don't do an awesome job sometimes. um they they but you know they're there and they do keep the grass or weeds a little shorter but I
mean that's that's an area that if if they are allowed to go through this process through the the normal code process you can go a long time and that that's where the raccoons the rats and the and the rodents and etc start
causing problems for neighbors so you know I I think our goal is to get this some the the things that need to be addressed in a faster methodology than we can do through the normal code process. So I I don't have an issue with
that. >> Council member Kravitz, >> I just have a comment. Um, I I don't think immediately when you contest it, and I could be wrong, so please, Director Shanks, correct me if I'm uh speaking incorrectly here, but when you
contest it, you would be in an administrative process with the city at first. I don't think it would automatically go to court unless the city actually initiated a court proceeding. So, we still have that, as far as I know, under our control.
>> No. Or you can test it. It's like set a court. Does it automatically? So by contesting it, it automatically is escalated to court. >> Yes. >> Okay. So maybe what we need to do is have an internal contestation process here where people can go to uh Director Shanks or something like that and work
it out in that way for 10 days, 20 days, 30 days, whatever it may be. This is something I know from my home jurisdiction where you have a 30-day period after you get an administrative act to resolve it with the issuing authority and then afterwards you have
the right to go to court. >> Yes, please. >> The the only problem with that is is the way our code reads um it says the county court shall jurisdiction over all violations governed in the division. That kind of takes, unless I'm
incorrect, that takes away our ability to move on that after we write citation. I believe >> I think I can speak to some of this. Director Shanks handle it. When I was in Tampa, we set up the civil citation
program. So, I do have firsthand knowledge of how this will work. Um, and and the 30-day hold period was actually happened to us because the clerk of the court asked us to hold them for 30 days. So, if this goes through
and we have that process and we're if a citation gets written, I anticipate we would be holding them for 30 days. You know, that's what the clerk's clerk of court would want. And perhaps during that 30 days before it gets sent, you know, they can either pay it and perhaps
we can set up some sort of a process for director shanks or someone to review if someone wants to challenge it internally. But if he decides no, this is a violation and they don't pay it, it would get sent to the court. The court usually has I think it's set up one day
a month which is handles all civil citations from Hillsboro County uh code enforcement civil citations from Hillsboro County City of Tampa and then what would now be city of Temple Terrace Plant Cities obviously goes to the Eastern Division they have their own
courthouse over there. So, I think we could probably create and we'd have to look at it between first and second reading if this passes to see whether we can have a uh process uh a review process if someone asks for it that
would fit into the system and not become cumbersome and not also undercut the entire civil citation process. >> Makes a lot of sense to me. It's kind of like in Doctor Strange Love where it doesn't make sense to have a doomsday machine if you don't tell anyone about it. So, when they know they're about to
go to court, they might be much more inclined to comply. Giving them a 30-day window where they can do that makes a lot of sense to me. And sounds like it can be implemented administratively rather than in the statute.
>> So, I'll yield. Whatever. >> Okay. So we would their appeal would be to director shanks who approved the issuance of the citation in the first place. >> That's why I'm saying I'd have you know we'd have to kind of look at it between
first and second. >> That's like appealing to the police chief for a citation as somebody got for speeding. >> I concur. I mean that's that would be the only time that I think we could have an administrative review unless we count the one prior, you know, prior to the civil citation being issued.
>> Okay. trying to >> Yeah, I was going to say since it at least my take on us is that we don't disapprove of the program. They're just some items may not go. Can we um if approved tonight, can we as individuals
send our comments into city manager which items we think may not be appropriate for these site citations? Like I know you you probably don't want uh uh keep premises clean in there and some of the other ones and then have
that tweaked for second reading. >> Well, each of us are always free to interact with staff prior to second reading and say you can't speak for council obviously no more than I can. But I mean um you know each of us can interact with staff and
say I'm not going to support this on second reading unless X or unless Y or I I would suggest maybe a conversation is better than just laying down >> sure >> I want ABC because you know these are very smart people. So
maybe you think you want A B and C but when you learn the rest of the story you really want you know CD and F. You don't want ABC. So, um, but yeah, I mean, I I tend to continue to say I think we should better
tweak and define it, but ultimately it's the council's decision and if that if my ideas don't gain traction with the council, then that's so be it. I mean, that's the way it is. So, I respect the decisions of the council. It doesn't have to always be my way. But I do think
we ought to take a look at refining the list. But yes, >> one final comment. This won't come back until you settled all your issues with the clerk of the court. Correct. >> I don't I don't know who to ask on that. >> Come back for second reading. You mean
>> have second reading? Right. >> No, we I think the plan would be if this passes and gets adopted then we would be approaching this the court. >> The motion needs to be revised to include the second reading is going to be June 2nd. >> Okay. >> And we really need to call the question
at this point. I will make that revision to my motion >> that the second reading >> be >> June >> second. >> Second >> and we have another second. Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> No nays. Uh this ordinance will appear
for a second reading and public hearing on Tuesday, June the 2nd, 2026. Next is a second public hearing and second reading of ordinance 1595 reszoning property on the north side of Harney Road east of Davis Road,
otherwise known as RZP25-01. I will ask the city attorney to poll the council for expporte communication, please. Right. Thank you, mayor. This being an uh a quasi judicial proceeding, I'm going to ask if any member of the council city council has had
communications with anyone regarding the matter coming before the city council this evening. And that would be item 12B. Um if you've had verbal communications, if you would disclose when, where, and with whom those communications occurred, as well as the sum and substance of those
communications. And if you received written communications, if you would please disclose the form of the written communications, who sent you the communications and the sum and substance of those communications. Council member Fernandez. >> I have none. >> I've had none. >> Chambers, Mayor Ross,
>> I have none. >> I have had none. >> And council member Kravitz, >> none. >> Very good. In that case, I'll open the public hearing and our esteemed city planner, Joe Moretta, is here to explain. >> Good evening, mayor and council members. It's my pleasure or my privilege to be
able to present this resoning uh modification for RZP 25501. It's the second reading as the mayor indicated and I think I have there we go. Uh just to recap where we were at the first hearing, this is a request to modify an
existing plan development that's located on Harney Road about 20 245 east of Davis Road. Uh this is an existing plan development known as Point Plaza. It includes four lots as you can see on the graphic. Allows up for 110,000 square
feet. Uh most of which is in 109,000T shopping center that's located on lot four. Uh the subject we're talking about is lot three which is further down uh to the south um abuing lot four and it's outlined in red on your graphic. The
applicant's proposing to revise that lot to add an additional 30,000 square ft of limited light industrial uh commercial use and the applicant has agreed to not have any outdoor storage in this area. In in terms of the uh existing plan
development entitlements, the northern portion of the of the um um plan development includes lots one, two, and four. Um only lot four is developed. Lots one and two are vacant out parcels. Um, lot four contains approximately
100,000 109,000 square ft of the 110 that's allocated for the plan development. Lot three is a vacant redevelopment pad. It's about 3.9 acres and a portion of it serves as a master retention area for the overall plan development.
Uh, getting on to the conceptual plan on lot three. Uh the project uh is proposed in accordance with lighten industrial development standards. Uh the property is located in the community mixeduse 12 land use category in the comprehensive plan which allows consideration for
these types of uses and the conceptual plan proposes two buildings 15,000 square ft each for a total of 30,000 square ft. Moving on to the access, the lot three will have access via Davis Road and Harney Road. Both of them are county
roadways. Uh Hillsburg County will uh is reviewing the access management and you'll have another look at this as part of the final site plan review uh for lot three. In terms of the planning commission review, your planning commission found this to be consistent uh with a
comprehensive plan for Temple Terrace. And in terms of uh city staff, uh we believe the proposal is compatible with existing planned industrial and commercial uses in the area. Uh the proposal as I mentioned is also consistent with the comprehensive plan and city council will have another look
at this when it comes uh before them in terms of the final site plan review and staff is recommending approval with conditions. Uh the conditions were provided in the agenda material. I'm available for questions and also the engineer of record is also here uh if uh
there are questions you want to ask of him or me. I'm here. >> Thank you Mr. Mura. Are there members of the public who wish to comment on this item? Seeing none, council member questions. Are there questions? If there are no questions, I will close
the public hearing and ask the clerk to read the title of the ordinance. An ordinance of the city of Temple Terrace, Florida, reszoning a partial a parcel totaling 3.9 acres plus or minus Folio 38210.76
06 from PD to PD that is generally located on the north side of Harney Road approximately 245 ft east of the intersection of Harney Road and Davis Road providing for amendment of the
official zoning atlas map of the city. Providing for severability, providing for correction of typographical errors, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with providing for an effective date. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Council, is
there a motion >> to approve ordinance 1595 on second reading reszoning property on the north side of Harney Road east of Davis Road RCP25-01 with conditions? >> Second.
>> Motion second. Discussion motion. If not, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed? No. The ordinance is adopted on second reading. Thank you, Mr. Moretta. >> Thank you. Thank you. Good night. >> Uh, I know we have some new business. Is there any carryover council business?
Council member Fernandez. >> Yes. Okay. So, um my first question is and this probably will come up somewhere somewhere else as well. Anyway, um with regard to the larger rental units like
meaning apartments or multif family units, um who does they all have to maintain a a certain standard of living, a certain standard of occupancy?
um who maint who would actually go back and see or inspect to see that they're maintaining the appropriate level of um habitation. Okay, you see that? Um, overall for
habitability sanitation inspections as I provided in that memorandum, it would be the department of prof business and professional regulation, the division of hotels and restaurants. They are in char uh they would be that has
been preempted to them to regulate all of that. the city can still regulate as to the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the FI Florida Building Code. Um that said, um I know that our uh Mr. Shanks
has been working with uh the lo the regional person with uh Department of uh business or division and hotels or is it just DBPR? >> DBPR. >> DBPR and if they ask for assistance, we can provide assistance to them. But
overall, you know, statutoily, uh, it would be the division of hotels and restaurants. But I know that our people are working with at least the particular incident that was brought up at >> So I guess what I'm So the reason I'm asking is based on the last meeting
where we've had comments from residents of in this case a particular establishment, particular residential um that sound fairly egregious in terms of
meeting the living conditions required. ired to be up to you know your minimum housing code. So the question I have is that how does something within our city, how does an a
multif family residence like that get to that standard when if we were driving around looking at ordinary houses, we would be issuing citations. is should we be issuing citations
at a multif family unit like that or have we been relying on the other jur or the other entities to do the inspections? >> We won't be able to regulate through citation or code board or anything like
that as I said and and perhaps you know Mr. Shanks can speak a little bit to what's factually been happening, but um outside of the Florida Building Code, outside of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, we would be then contact I'm sure we'd be getting the calls. I believe
that our department always goes out and investigates and if it requires uh regulation, they would be contacting DBPR. >> Okay. So it and so I don't I don't necessarily expect that we have a concrete resolution for the residents
that are concerned like right now. But I my concern as in in city leadership is that it matters what type of housing stock makes up the city. And I think that our city we have a great diversity
of housing stock. meaning we have something for almost every age group or every life stage that that you are in. You know, you've got your large house, large family, small house, small family, multif family. Um, and I it concerns me
to have multifamily or any house, any residence, but multif family in this case that's exhibiting such a diminished level of meeting the minimum housing
standard. And I mean, personally, if I were in that situation, I wouldn't rent there. Um, that should pro that maybe should be driving some of this. But I guess I'm just concerned that we the city don't necessarily have a mechanism to help
maintain our expectation. We just finished a full discussion about code enforcement and we don't seem to have a mechanism to maintain that level of expectation in a multif family residence. >> City manager.
>> So I appreciate the question. And I understand the preeemption piece, but I just want to make it clear, you know, one of the benefits of living in a community our size that we've always prided ourselves on is the fact that we can offer services more directly to people than the county, for example, or
the state. So, uh, within 24 hours of the of the last council meeting, Director Shanks and his team, um, members of his team were out on this property, talked to the property owner, understood the property owner making significant improvements to the plumbing of all the buildings. This this is the
the largest property in the city. Um uh second largest taxpayer in the city, a lot of buildings and they were uh they're making they're changing out the the copper piping for their for their facilities, putting in valves and things like that. So that explains some of the water disruptions that have been happening because there was only
basically one valve per building historically here. So if there was a unit and you had to replace a water heater, our understandings, they shut off the water to the entire building. And that was probably likely historically why people would experience, you know, some of these shut offs. Now they're the shut offs are being programmed to replace the copper
piping and put in the valves and just bring it up to a higher standard. So that was was clarified. Mr. Shanks also went into the one or two units of the people that were here at the meeting uh looked at the issues that they they raised. if he found anything there that he felt would would fall under the
purview of DPBR in terms of a violation, I'm sure, as he's expressed here today, he'll make the the link and he'll try to advocate for our residents even if we don't have the authority to issue citations. Our our code office, and we've expressed this to council, you know, under Mr. Shank's leadership, we've been thinking about changing the
name of code compliance to neighborhood services because again, this is a service. Even though we don't have the regulatory authority, if we can help, we'll help. And that's what he's trying to do. Okay. Um, and then I want to ask you about the noise issue that was
brought up in public comment and I I am aware of it. It's it's um a question I asked you at the previous meeting and I did not know I mean I so just for full disclosure I've been there to that shopping center. I have heard the noise
and it it is not a pleasant sound. It's loud. It's it was I don't know what we what we can do about a red you know if there's a a volume during the daytime as
well but I can see like I I would personally not have chosen to eat at that restaurant given the sound given the volume and I wouldn't have wanted to be next door to it ju just so just because it was just so loud um so I
could I can understand so I that's I don't know what we can with that in the daytime if >> I may. So I believe Mr. Shanks already has attempted to make contact with the Mr. Shanks, do you want to just come up to the plate? >> So uh we we did we made contact
initially. It was the wrong restaurant. So um we had a conversation. They said it wasn't us. Um but I believe I know she gave me the sweet number this evening. Um we actually did speak with that um restaurant. Initially, we were,
it was explained to us that it was their grand opening and they they had this big party, this big blowout, um, speakers going. Um, and I have not seen since there tonight, as soon as we leave here, I'm going to take a ride over and see if
I hear anything. Um, the only complaint I've gotten so far is is from that resident. Uh, which is fine. It only takes one. However, I haven't been able to duplicate the actual event. Um, I did email her, I
believe it was this morning or yesterday evening, um, asking for, uh, times. If it's at 10:00 at night, I'll be over there 10 o'clock at night. If it's on Saturday night, I'll be over there Saturday night. Um, every time I've gone over there, I haven't heard anything similar to the noxious smells in the
back. Um, we'll have more follow up for that, but the um the sound we're trying to uh identify when it is. >> Okay, that's it. That's all I have. >> Mr. Shanks, while you're there, can she she made reference to the EPA coming out
and finding something? Do you have any knowledge of that? >> Yes. Uh, back in February, I I want to see it was I looked it up. I think it was February 16th, we got an email. Actually, I'm sorry, public works got a phone call. No, I'm mistaken. I got the phone call.
I emailed public works about it um about illegal dumping of coals back there and that this the lady, it was Miss Normandy, had emailed or called at the EPC. When I went over there, the inspector was actually there. So, I I spoke to him and he said, "Yeah, they
were they were dumping coals. They were putting some kind of liquid on it." Um they did what they had to do. I saw the evidence of the coals there. um to our knowledge and I I've been back there multiple times since then. I haven't seen it repeated. I'm not saying it's not happening. I'm saying I haven't seen
evidence that it's repeated since that day. Um we'll contact the uh the EPC again and see if they've had any followup to that case. Um I believe the DPPR was called as well. I I don't want to see that officially, but um I'm going
to go back in my records and look tomorrow and see if the DPPR uh did follow up on that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's it. >> That's it. >> Any other council business before carryover council business? I'm going to call on you for new business. Is that >> same thing or?
>> Uh yeah, it's carryover in that case. Um >> yeah. Um regarding the topic we just had with Valenza. Um the DBPR that is the department of business and professional regulation. >> Yes. and the uh division of hotels and
restaurants. That's the one that you were referring to as being operative here. >> The one that's identified in the statute. Yes. >> Got it. Okay. So, just so that we're clear, we're referring to the exact same thing here on their FAQ. This is what it says.
I need to report a safety concern or sanitation issue at an apartment, building, or complex. Who should I contact? Issues should first be reported to property management. If the issue is not subsequently resolved in a reasonable manner, please let the Division of
Hotels and Restaurants know so it can review the circumstances. Complaints arising from violations of the Florida Building Code or Florida Fire Protection Code may be addressed by contacting the appropriate local government office.
So, I find it a little bit strange to hear that. >> What he just said? >> He said that. >> Yeah, he said that. >> The local government office is us. >> He just said that. said he used to hear dogs >> and I'm hearing now that we are preempted from having any regulations on this. And I went and I looked and Tampa
regulates apartment complexes. So, I don't understand why we're always in the situation that Tampa can do things that we can't do. And I remember this exact same discussion coming up about short-term rentals that we can't regulate it when other cities do.
>> Regulate short-term rentals. >> Yeah. We discovered that together. And it was a difficult process. And if I may just finish what I'm saying. So again, we're running into a situation here where we're being given advice that we cannot do things that many other cities in Florida do demonstrabably and which
the DBPR itself says that we should be able to do that people should refer their complaints to us as the local government office. So all that I find to be incredibly confusing and uh if if your reading is correct then we have a
situation where we are supposed to send things to DBPR DBPR says that they have to send things to us. So there's a regulatory void here. It's a catch 22 where nobody is responsible even though
in our largest neighboring jurisdiction these kinds of regulations and inspections already exist. So >> Mr. city attorney >> again as in the email that I sent out
and I believe I clearly said tonight >> you did >> we can regulate the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. It's the sanitation and habitation issues that have been preempted to the
state. Habitability and sanitation are in the Florida Building Code. Habitability is a core element of the Florida building code and our current um building director uh who I think is Dallas FS has the right to intervene on that basis under
Florida statute right now. I'm not exactly sure how to handle that. I mean respond to that. I mean by sanitation and habitation. I mean I remember questions or comments being about the condition of the carpet um mold issues along those
lines would fall under the habitation and sanitation that we would not be able to regulate. But there are, I suppose, aspects of the Florida Building Code that deal with uh sewer water going into the uh buildings and the units that
would become part of the building code and we could address. >> Yeah. So, what I'm going to want to know is why Orlando, PMano Beach, Tampa, Lake Fort Worth, Boon Beach, any number of other cities in Florida, including the jurisdiction that we literally abut. So,
like if I walk a couple miles, I'm in a jurisdiction that does the things that we would like to do here and we're being told are preempted. I want to know why those jurisdictions can do that and we cannot and why they are not preempted
and we are. If it's the desire of the council to have me check, I know that when I worked at the city of Tampa, we were unable to regulate the sanitation, habitation, and inspection of apartment complexes more
than four units. >> How do you explain that Tampa does inspections then? They don't they don't necessarily inspect for the contractual issues that you're squirreing this into, but they do inspections. They have an inspection program for apartment complexes and we don't.
>> The f the fire department does. They check for sprinklers and other fire safety issues, uh, fire extinguishers. But I can I'll be more than happy if the city council so wants for me to inquire to the extent that their code
enforcement department is regulating apartment complexes of more than four. And and while I have the foreigner we're on the topic, I would also like to know where in the Florida statute you cited it differentiates between big and little apartments. Where is it that it says if
you have three or more then you can't do these things, but if you have three or fewer you can. So that is the other one that I find a little strange because I did not find that in the statute that large landlords are treated more leniently than small landlords. I'm
pretty sure I cited that in the email itself with the >> Well, I guess I'll have to read it again, but it didn't appear to me. >> Well, go ahead and look it up, Mr. Mueller. Let's >> Well, actually, let me do it off of here because I need to I'm having trouble with the duo. >> Let me see if I can find the email
that'll help you speed up your inquiry. That's all my old business, by the way. So, I yield my time. >> Okay. Well, let's get to the bottom of it. >> My battery died. And whatever we dig up right now, I'm
sure I'll look into it in greater detail. So I look forward to ongoing discussion on this. 5090134 A2. All right. Um, as I said in my email, the um
I got it right here. Um, section 509.032A7 032A7 states that the regulation of a public lodging establishment including but not limited to sanitation standards inspections is preempted to the state.
Um and then there there is an exemption an exception to that preeemption which is any place renting four rental units or less unless the rental units are advertised or held out to be public to the public to be places that are
regularly rented to transients. So under 509 0 032 they accept out of the preeemption any place renting four rental units or less. So we can regulate four rental units or
less but anything over four is preempted to the state. >> Why don't you read the first section one more time? >> What I read read earlier >> just now you read the first section. The regulation of public lodging establishments, including but not limited to sanitation standards,
inspections, blah blah blah, is preempted to the state. >> Yeah. Building code. Did I hear building code? >> This paragraph does not preempt the authority of a local government or local enforcement district to conduct inspections of public lodging establishments for compliance with the
Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. >> Right. So the discussion that we're having is whether the building code applies equally and whether we can inspect people for compliance with the building code and it seems that we can.
And the second question after that is if we can do that, what exactly is it that the building code allows us to inspect for? Because I'm not saying that we do the maximalist program, but other cities
like Tampa inspect large apartments and by doing that they achieve a higher standard for the tenants who live there. So there is a leeway based on the exemption that you just read to this council that we can use to regulate
these large apartment buildings and that much has been established. So, >> I I'm not sure how to respond. I've said several times we can regulate using the Florida building code. Right >> now, as to what extent our building
official is going to be able to go in and regulate and what falls under the building code and what does not, I would leave that to the our building official. >> Yeah, I agree and I think that we should explore it. So, I'd like to do that at some point. I'm not going to make a motion on this
tonight, but I think it's clear that there is a scope that we can use to regulate. Other cities do so as well. I'm not advocating for a maximalist program, but completely exempting them as we also do right now is maximalist in the opposite direction.
So, I've said my piece on this. Let's I will yield my time. Council member Kravitz, new business. You're recognized. >> Thank you. And I wish to apologize for BPAC uh specifically on this one. I
wanted to bring up this motion before I went into the other item, but since it was hold over business, I was obliged to bring it up previously. I apologize for that. This is the most important motion that I'm going to make tonight. So, um I just want to put that out there. And I do have two other items of new business as well after this, but I'll save it for
later. So, um, BPAC is an incredibly engaged and dedicated committee. They have, um, contributed strategic overviews to the city, for example, with the pedestrian and bicycle master plan. They do a lot
of work. They've just recently upped their commitment to visit uh, to come together um, from once every two months to once every month. uh they've been putting in a ton of work and uh so I want to I hope that we can all uh honor that tonight. And so I'd just like to
make the motion now that we uh move forward uh Mr. Buffington's proposal here and we ask staff to evaluate the regulatory landscape that's available and make a recommendation to uh improve bicycle facilities at end of transit
and that the um staff can coordinate with the committee during the process of doing that review and that they will also consult with the committee's draft materials while doing that. So, this is just exploratory. I
just want to see whether there's anything we can do to make um bicycle transit a little easier here in Temple Terrace and whether we are at the state of the art especially as it relates to any other jurisdictions that are around us when it comes to what we require of developers.
And uh so that would be my proposal. >> Second >> discussion. Council members, >> I have no problem with the the basic premise of what we're trying to do provided it's for new construction, uh,
new projects and so forth. I'd hate to go back and tell people that they have to do a lot of retrofitting, particularly with the what they call the end of, uh, the end of the route type thing, showers and lockers and that whole thing. Um, that that I think would become quite oppressive if we started
requiring that. But, um, you know, for the I think Mr. Paulie already indicated that the the the the uh the committee the review committee always already says okay we need some bicycle parking and so forth. Um so you know I'm in support of
the the the premise of doing it just so long as we don't get too draconian with it and and in and the process but I think it's you know it's it's a good step forward >> discussion. No more >> I I have a couple thoughts on it. I I
will support looking into this as well. I think it's worth to take a look at their materials that they've compiled. They're um very productive committee. They've done a great job with the the pedestrian master
plan that they helped us develop a couple years ago. They did a fantastic job. The very very dedicated group. I I would put a little caveat on this at least from me though and one thing is is
we are in the throws of budget a bond referendum PAS and god knows what else we got going on right now. So I I would expect this would take perhaps a little longer than
you know the normal turnaround. Plus, we already have some land use revision, ordinance revisions in the pipeline now that are yet to be resolved that have been in the pipe for some of them over a year. So, um I I would not want to create a
situation like we've done in the past where we throw a new project at their lap and then in 30 days we're scolding them because they they're not getting what we want done done because we keep throwing other stuff. So this has got to take
a place behind some of the other stuff. So I think this is going to take a little bit of time. Um, the other thing is is in my mind the way this should probably be best unfolded so that they have an opportunity to actively participate
is once we've gathered some information and have some idea of what the possibilities are because I I mean there's some things that aren't going to work here that maybe Gainesville might do that we're not going to do because we don't have UF but what kind of scenarios we're looking at.
I I think this is the kind of thing that's best done in a workshop as opposed to a council meeting where we can have a little more back and forth and a little more input from the committee members and it's a little different environment. It's difficult to
do that in a council meeting because of the Robert's rules and everything's got to be boom boom boom. Um, so if this comes back and there's some things of interest, which I believe there probably would be, then maybe we look at a workshop
setting to kind of discuss that. But those are my two cents. But other than that, I think it's a terrific idea that we look at it. >> Should we add a workshop to the motion? Do that. >> No, I I if you add too much in the motion, you're going to lose support because we're telling them everything we
want them to do down to the dots and T's. Um, I think we need to see what's out there in my mind and see what they come back with and go from there. I mean, um, we start telling them that we're going to have it at 3:30 on a Thursday
and we, you know, I mean, you're not going to get support for that, but but I think as it is, I think it's good idea. >> Yeah, I do too. Thank you. I think um, Mr. Buffington and his gang have a
pretty good uh survey right now. So, I think in terms of staff impact, uh they will they will be able to do a lot of the heavy lifting. They've been incredibly uh they've been incredibly helpful with that and also very uh informed. So, I
think uh if staff would like to get any drafts or work with them on uh putting together a legislative proposal, I'm pretty certain that they'd be able to do that and then that would mitigate any uh time spent on it by uh staff on
other tasks. >> All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. No nays. Any other new business to come before the council? Vice Mayor? >> Mr. Kravitz said he had a couple more items. >> Council member Kravitz, I'm sorry. Uh just two really short ones. First of
all, Sunnyside Road. Second of all, Tiko um and the Peninsula. Um I just wanted to know where we're at on the Sunnyside Road uh complete streets topic. Uh I know there was a workshop that was coming up or a town hall or community meeting or something along those lines at some
point. And the other one is uh just on Sunday a a line fell down behind uh one of my neighbors houses on Brentwood and a thousand homes lost power. So this is this is the same thing that I've mentioned multiple times previous which is that the entire peninsula is
dependent on a single power uh source and when that power source fails a thousand homes have no power and uh after the hurricane previously they had no power a thousand homes for over a week. Uh in November, I was going back and forth a little bit with uh Joel
Brown at TCO, uh which was a contact that uh the city manager kindly gave me. And uh I know that he promised a hardening study and I I just want to I I want to really uh you know, this is a basically an appeal for support to all four of you. Please please take that
issue seriously. A thousand homes lose power every time there's a tiny problem down there. It's consistent. It's happened several times already this year and we're not even in the storm season. Um and and whatever pressure we can
exercise on Tiko informally, we need to do that because uh it's it's literally a single critical point of failure. A thousand homes lose power every time there's any issue with it. >> So
that's all I got. Uh I do have a question about that. Council >> member Fernandez. >> So I my understanding is that Tampa Electric is supposed to be undertaking moving all of these lines that are in people's backyards out to the street
side to make it easier to do repairs. Is is that happening now or is this on hold or >> So they've got a resiliency plan that they had funded funding from from the state a couple years ago.
>> Um and I think what I would imagine they're going to do, I can't swear to this, but I would think is not just take the lines from the from the back of the property is like I'm one of the thousand homes that the council member was talking about. The lines run through the back of my property. >> I don't think they're planning just to take them from the from the back and move them to the front necessarily. I
think their their long-term plan is to bury these lines. They're just trying to do as much as they can within the limitations. Again, I'm not familiar with the limitations on in every year at work program. So, they're making incremental improvements that way. Um, I will follow up with Mr. Brown. I know
that council member Krabbit says as well, and I'll follow up with Mr. Brown as well about the specific issue uh and make sure that we can get an update as to the latest u regarding the peninsula. >> Okay, that was it. Could well that point may mice or council
members sh um would it be possible to just have Mr. Brown come in and address the council on what the issue and what they're doing it and that way you know I mean rather than him getting five individual phone calls we can express our our our uh concerns and and uh and a
public and on the record. I can certainly ask him. >> Voice, >> thank you. Um, I didn't know if I was going to make this speech tonight or not, but along with the public comment about traffic and on my way in, I passed
a golf cart with an adult driving with a infant on their lap. Um, so it's time for the golf cart speech. It's in Temple Terrace, the right of uh summer always starts with teenagers driving golf carts. And the golf cart I saw today
coming in here tonight did not have a visible city sticker. I don't know if it did or not. So, it's just again to remind everybody, golf carts have to be registered with the city if you're going to be on the city streets. And uh we need to look at that. And we also I'm
asking council to see with time permitting if we could have a you know put on our website or something to highlight that with golf carts because also state law correct chief uh people have to have a valid driver's license. Correct. So 14y olds cannot drive a golf
cart. So you don't have to come up. Are you looking? >> No, I'm writing everything down. >> Okay. All right. I didn't want you to come up. That's it for me. That last one again. >> 14-year-olds got to have a truck. Can't can't drive the golf cart.
>> They cannot as far as I know. State law prevents it. >> Not our law. State law. >> Okay. >> Other new business or board reports? City manager report. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. I just wanted to just remind
you that you have the Q2 the second quarter reports in your backup this evening. Um, also May 19th, your agenda is is remarkably light uh and also kind of heavy at the same time because we basically have one item which is the the presentation from CHA. Um that'll be
that evening and um we are starting budget we have our first departmental budget meeting starting tomorrow. So we are getting into the thick of it right now as well. So I appreciate the consideration of staff resources are going to be tied up pretty heavy for the next uh few months now. Thank you for that.
>> Questions for Mr. Beu? >> I have one question. >> Council member Fernandez. >> As we're going into the budget season, I know we've talked about uh we're changing out water meters from older water meters to newer. Um and we often
see things with people when they find out they have a leak because of their water bill. And I wondered if there's any way with the newer water meters to help identify when there are large
outflows of water that seem unusual so that we might be able to tell people sooner instead of them going a whole month and then getting a $2,000 water bill. What I can do is I can have our utility
billing staff prepare a um an updated memo for the council regarding that issue and I can distribute it to the council. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions for Mr. B? Uh city attorney's report. >> I have no report. Any questions for the
city attorney? Council member Kravitz. >> We have a lot of outstanding litigation. Has nothing happened on any of those? >> Has nothing happened on what? any of the outstanding litigation that we have. Is there are there no updates on any of the on any of the litigation cases that we
have right now with outside counsel? Think the sewer line repair for example >> finalizing a uh litigation report to and I'm just trying to figure out once I once I got the final bits of information in it the best way to provide that to
you. Uh so you can look at that. Um, with litigation, certain things being confidential, I got to figure out the best way to provide that to you without breaking any confidentiality. >> Thank you. Look forward to it. >> Other questions for Mr. Mueller?
Mr. Mueller, I just want to tell you that we appreciate the work you do. I know you get kicked around a lot, but um we do appreciate the work you do and the way that you protect the city and look out for the city's interests and um
thank you for what you do. Um keep the faith know that we appreciate um everything that you do. I know the employees are very um content. They they like dealing with you and your staff. You run a great shop.
You're approachable. uh they feel like you give them timely advice and turn around their items much quicker than maybe which which was once the case and so um you're doing a terrific job. Keep it up. Staff loves you. Right. So keep up the good work.
>> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Okay. If there's nothing else to come before the council, we are adjourned. Heat. Heat.