Resolutions at a glance…

Problem 1: The City consistently fails to communicate construction & negatively affects small businesses.

Resolution 1: The city will tell your business when construction is being planned, coordinate with the neighborhood, and compensate qualifying businesses for construction-related income loss.

Problem 2: Our residents feel there is a lacking sense of community & support from our police.

Resolution 2: Urges the Tampa Police Department to continue improving community relations & outreach, inspired by similar efforts by Louisville Metropolitan Police Department following 2020 protests.

Problem 3: The 2045 Comprehensive Plan risks putting the needs of future residents before the needs of current residents.

Resolution 3: Addresses how our city should approach the upcoming Comprehensive Plan and influence the development Recreational Activity Centers. Newcomers should be moving where we want them to live in the city, not displacing our longtime residents.

Problem 4: The East Tampa CRA is outdated in geography and generally lacking in efficiency for those that need it most.

Resolution 4A: The East Tampa CRA will undergo review and will provide a newly recommended boundary map.

Resolution 4B: Ensures efficacy & transparency for 4A.

Resolution 1: Urging the City of Tampa to implement proactive communication, timeline coordination, and financial mitigation strategies for brick-and-mortar retail businesses impacted by major construction projects; establishing expectations for notice, consultation, and compensation; and providing for an effective date.

Section 1 – Policy Directive

The City Council urges the Administration, Department of Transportation and Stormwater Services, and all relevant city agencies to adopt the following protocols for major infrastructure and construction projects affecting commercial corridors:

(a) Provide no less than 6 months written notice to all affected brick-and-mortar businesses for any public construction project expected to impact access for a period longer than 30 consecutive calendar days.

(b) Conduct direct outreach and consultation with said businesses during the planning phase to allow for coordination of construction timelines, phasing strategies, and mitigation options.

(c) Develop a policy, subject to budget and legal review, to compensate qualifying businesses up to 50% of documented revenue loss (as verified by two years of previous tax returns) when construction-related access issues demonstrably reduce income over a sustained period.

(d) Establish a point-of-contact or business liaison within the Department of Economic Opportunity or another appropriate department to serve as a direct line of communication with affected business owners during the planning and construction phases.

Section 2 – Implementation & Reporting

City staff shall report to Council within 90 days on the feasibility, logistics, and financial framework required to operationalize the directives set forth in this Resolution.

Section 3 – Effective Date

This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

Resolution 2: Urging the Tampa Police Department to increase community-oriented policing strategies by enhancing officer visibility in neighborhoods, fostering proactive engagement with residents and businesses, and creating measurable community trust benchmarks; and providing for an effective date.

Section 1 – Policy Directive

The City Council urges the Administration and the Tampa Police Department (TPD) to adopt the following measures:

(a) Assign neighborhood-based “beat” officers to specific geographic areas, ensuring they are consistently present and visible in those same neighborhoods over time.

(b) Establish minimum hours per week for on-foot or bicycle patrols in residential and business districts, with priority given to neighborhoods that have requested more visibility or experienced elevated crime rates.

(c) Require quarterly community listening sessions in each police district, led by the assigned officers, to hear concerns, share updates, and co-develop safety solutions.

(d) Develop and publish annual community trust and satisfaction benchmarks, using surveys and feedback from neighborhood associations, small business owners, and civic groups.

(e) Encourage informal engagement opportunities, such as “Convos & Cuts” a la Louisville Metro Police Department, neighborhood walks, and school visits, as a standard part of the officer’s weekly schedule.

Section 2 – Reporting & Accountability

TPD shall report to the City Council within 120 days on the resources, staffing adjustments, and timeline required to implement these recommendations, and shall provide an annual progress report thereafter.

Section 3 – Effective Date

This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

RESOLUTION 3: ESTABLISHING DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY ZONES WITHIN REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTERS, LIMITING INCENTIVES FOR DENSE DEVELOPMENT ON TRANSIT-READY CORRIDORS UNTIL TRANSIT CAPACITY IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED; PROVIDING FOR POLICY DIRECTION TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Section 1 - Policy

Development Priority Zones: The City of Tampa shall identify and formally designate Regional Activity Center Development Priority Zones in the Comprehensive Plan, with the Fowler Avenue / University Area as an initial focus area for major incentives.

(a) Transit-Ready Corridor Caution — No new or increased density incentives shall be applied to “Transit-Ready” corridors unless the transit capacity meets or exceeds performance metrics set by the MPO and Planning Department (including frequency, speed, and coverage benchmarks).

(b) Incentive Alignment — The City shall align economic and development incentives (including tax abatements, infrastructure partnerships, and permitting fast-tracks) to prioritize activity center development over corridor density until transportation improvements are implemented.

(c) Public Engagement Requirement — All designated Development Priority Zones and transit corridor plans must undergo at least two public workshops before formal adoption or amendment.

(d) Implementation Timeline — The Planning Department shall prepare a draft zoning and incentive framework within 9 months of adoption of this resolution, for review by the City Council.

RESOLUTION 4A: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE EAST TAMPA CRA BOARD AND CITY STAFF TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EAST TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA TO BETTER TARGET ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS; PROVIDING CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the East Tampa CRA was established to address conditions of slum and blight and to promote economic revitalization in historically underserved neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, after 21 years of implementation, significant portions of the CRA have not experienced measurable improvement in economic vitality, infrastructure quality, or resident outcomes; and

WHEREAS, stakeholders in the East Tampa community have expressed concerns that the current CRA boundaries may be overly broad, encompassing areas with limited redevelopment potential while omitting strategic corridors and sites better suited for targeted investment; and

WHEREAS, Florida law permits the amendment of CRA boundaries through a statutorily defined process when supported by updated findings of necessity; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA:

1. The City Council directs the East Tampa CRA Board, in coordination with City staff, to prepare an evaluation of the current CRA boundaries, including:
   a. Analysis of redevelopment performance by subarea within the CRA.
   b. Identification of underperforming or ineligible parcels for potential removal.
   c. Identification of adjacent or nearby areas demonstrating redevelopment need and potential for inclusion.
   d. Consideration of economic, cultural, and infrastructure factors to ensure equitable revitalization.

2. The evaluation shall result in formal recommendations for CRA boundary adjustments, if warranted, and shall be presented to City Council and the Hillsborough County Commission within 12 months of the adoption of this resolution.

3. The City Council affirms its commitment to ensuring that CRA resources are allocated in a manner that maximizes positive impact for East Tampa residents and businesses, with transparent reporting and measurable outcomes.

DRAFT RESOLUTION 4B: ESTABLISHING PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EAST TAMPA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA; DIRECTING QUARTERLY PUBLIC REPORTING; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) was established in 2003 to eliminate conditions of slum and blight, improve infrastructure, stimulate private investment, and enhance the quality of life for residents; and

WHEREAS, after 21 years of implementation, public records and stakeholder feedback indicate that substantial portions of the East Tampa CRA have not experienced the intended revitalization outcomes; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has a fiduciary and statutory duty under Florida Statutes Chapter 163, Part III to ensure that CRA trust funds are used efficiently, transparently, and in direct furtherance of the adopted Community Redevelopment Plan; and

WHEREAS, greater transparency and performance tracking are necessary to restore public confidence and ensure that taxpayer funds are producing measurable benefits for East Tampa residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA:

1. Quarterly Reporting Requirement
   The East Tampa CRA Board and City staff shall prepare a Quarterly CRA Performance Report to be presented at a public meeting of the City Council. This report shall include:
   a. Financial statement of CRA trust fund revenues, expenditures, and uncommitted balances.
   b. Status updates on all active CRA-funded projects, including budget, percentage completion, and projected completion date.
   c. New private investment dollars leveraged as a result of CRA activities.
   d. Number of jobs created or retained, with breakdowns for local hires.
   e. Infrastructure improvements completed (linear feet of sidewalks, number of streetlights installed, stormwater upgrades, etc.).
   f. Housing outcomes (units rehabilitated, constructed, or preserved as affordable).

2. Performance Metrics & Targets
   Within 120 days of this resolution’s adoption, the East Tampa CRA Board shall, in coordination with City staff, develop annual performance targets for key metrics such as private investment leveraged, jobs created, infrastructure improvements, and housing units delivered. These targets shall be adopted by the City Council.

3. Annual Public Forum
   The CRA Board shall conduct an Annual East Tampa CRA Town Hall, open to all residents and businesses, to present the year’s results, receive public feedback, and discuss project priorities for the upcoming year.

4. Accountability Statement
   The City Council affirms that continued public investment in the East Tampa CRA is contingent upon the delivery of tangible, measurable outcomes that directly benefit the residents and businesses of East Tampa.

Both resolutions in tandem forces a two-pronged approach:

• Resolution 4A starts the process of changing the CRA boundaries to focus on high-impact areas.

• Resolution 4B forces transparent quarterly reporting and creates political accountability for the CRA’s performance, making it harder to waste money or stall.