This CRA Board Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Dan West, Presiding Officer

Scott Whitaker, CRA Chair

Harold Smith, CRA Vice-Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sunshine Joiner

Brian Williams

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Candace Muckefuse, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

 

1.               Mayor West called the meeting to order at 8:20

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Ms. Joiner moved, Dr. Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried

5-0 to approve the February 10, 2025 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Betty Sailes Rhodes thanked the CRA for putting up the Lincoln Park sign.

 

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

February 10, 2025

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4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. CRA Legal Invoices

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Ms. Joiner moved, Mr. Whitaker seconded, and the motion

carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

 

5.               CRA QUARTERLY UPDATES FROM PDMS & CHIEF TYLER (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)

 

Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet (PDMS)

 

Karon Dixon, Executive Director of PDMS, provided an update, which was included in the Agenda. A Four Point Approach for The Main Street program was highlighted. This is detailed in the presentation. They are now accredited with the National Main Street organization. They were selected as the American Express Small Business Brand Ambassador.

 

  Mayor West said he was at the Holiday Funland one of the nights, and it was a great event.

 

 Ms. Dixon did note that they need better lighting at Sutton Park. It is very dark out there when they do events. PDMS is also looking into applying for grants. 

 

 

   Chief Tyler-CPIP

 

Chief Tyler provided an update for the quarter 9/1/24 to 12/31/24. This report includes the crimes that happen at Walmart, as opposed to past reports. They had a really good year. Overall, part 1 crimes were down 15% for 2024. Crimes were up slightly in the 4^th quarter. He is not sure of the cause, but it did increase towards the end of the year. The report was included in the Agenda. He noted that he has assigned an officer exclusively to the traffic unit to monitor areas where the most crashes/injuries occur. He is planning to add an additional officer once they hire someone. He also noted that another complaint is about the homeless population in Estuary Park. They have increased their police presence in that area, and they have utilized their drone surveillance in that area after dark.

 

 Mr. Smith asked for clarification of the CRA and non-CRA areas. East of 10^th Avenue is CRA. Non-CRA is West of 10^th Avenue. He asked if the Chief will include all of the quarters on his next report. 

 

 Mr. Whitaker clarified that the theft category does include Walmart.

 

 

6.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Ms. Young-Gopie shared that she put a copy of the first CRA newsletter at each Commissioners’ station. If individuals live in the CRA, they should’ve received one in the mail. This was put together by Veronica Jolley, CRA Intern.

 

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February 10, 2025

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The rest of the newsletters will exclusively be online. The first edition was physically mailed out to every resident of the CRA.

 

 Mr. Smith questioned who was working with Ward 1 for home improvements. They don’t have one person working on that. The office is working with Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, RTTB. Mr. Smith started to question a particular employee. Mr. Barnebey said they cannot talk about personnel issues in this meeting. Mr. Smith then asked who was working with elderly people. Their entire staff is working with residents. They are working with RTTB to put all their projects in their new Neighborly app. Mr. Smith hopes she can get an employee to work with these people.

 

7.                  CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

No additional comments.

 

 

8.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

No additional comments.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 8:47 pm.