PARKS, RECREATION AND CONSERVATION
PO Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601-1110
(813) 744-5871














BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Donna Cameron Cepeda
Harry Cohen
Ken Hagan
Pat Kemp
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Myers
Michael Owen
Joshua Wostal
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Bonnie M. Wise
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Christine M. Beck
COUNTY INTERNAL AUDITOR
Peggy Caskey

ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Dexter L. Barge



Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday April 6, 2023, 12:00 PM
Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. All Peoples Life Center



PARK ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER ATTENDEES:
Anthony Sanchez
Jack Berlin
Scott Levinson

Rick Valdez, Parks, and Recreation Director
Forest Turbiville, CELM Director





CALL TO ORDER
Welcome - Anthony Sanchez called the meeting to order at 12:08 PM.
Thank you to Friends of the Parks for providing lunch today.





PUBLIC COMMENTS - Limited to three (3) minutes per constituent:



Public Comment #1. Porche Taylor - President and Athletics Director - Brandon Bears Youth Football &
Cheerleading. Presents today as a leader, volunteer, and parent and educator, has concerns of the
practice of the Parks and Recreation, listed below.


1. The intent of Parks and Recreation to charge football organizations for the use of fields in the
spring for organized and unorganized sports for our youth without any identification of where
those funds are going or any proper communication plan of how to pay those fees.
2. Parks and Recreation RFP process in which Providence West is currently is out for bid and
attempting to force two individual nonprofits to merge which will result in both Brandon Bears
and Riverview Rangers in dissolving their nonprofit and legacy programs. The completion of
upgrades to Providence West Sports Complex that only support one organization that will then
result either in one organization being licked off the field or force a merger based on a
conversation the County states they have had with Scott Levinson, the then President, that
made promises for which he didn’t have authority to do so.
3. The removal of Brandon Bears from Providence East to expand the skate Park and make the
field a dog Park which essentially kicks an average of 350 plus kids off the field.
4. The unwillingness to work with our organization to find other locations to serve our youth.


Ms. Porche indicates these actions have a negative impact on our programs. Brandon Bears have been
around since 1988 serving 350 to 380 in the community. Ms. Taylor is asking for help to serve the youth
and the community.






PUBLIC COMMENT #2 - Tony Watson - Riverview Raiders President

The organization feels they were not given any options. The only option available was to merge two
organizations. They are in two different leagues and are not structurally the same. Merging means 300
kids go away. We should be adding teams not taking them away. The capacity situation is the problem.
He wants both teams to exist and not be dismissed. A compromise should be made for a co-existing.









RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Jack Berlin - Stated this is only an advisory committee and we can’t vote on anything. This situation will
be settled in Rick’s office or at the BOCC.

Scott Levinson - Asks if the organizations agree to co-exist can the RFP process be delayed?

Rick Valdez - Reminded everyone the Brandon Bears didn’t feel the Providence East was inadequate and
wanted the opportunity to use Providence West. This conversation has now changed and questioned it.

Porche Taylor - Commented that they have not made changes but are willing to compromise not to
dissolve their legacy organizations.

Anthony Sanchez - Inquired if the new Youth Athletics advisory group could assist with this and what’s
the next step in the process and RFP deadline?

Rick Valdez - The information can be shared with them and get insight from the group. Once we receive
all the proposals in the RFP process, the review committee will make a determination of what will be
best for Hillsborough County.

Scott Levinson - Asks if anything can be delayed on the RFP process to freeze it?

Rick Valdez - Stated we should continue with the RFP and review the proposals.

Jack Berlin - Parks and Recreation is looking for one group to be accountable. They can compromise with
each other.

Rick Valdez - Subcontracting is not permitted in an RFP process. Both organizations have experience and
history and should be able to place good bids.

Jack Berlin - Indicated everyone wants all kids served and additional fields are needed for the growth in
the County.

Rick Valdez - Expressed how impressed he was with the Parks and Recreation’s growth and land
acquisition. The Northwest area has organizations growing and Hillsborough County has more
development occurring, and land acquisition is what the County needs.

Scott Levinson - Final question, if they submit by the deadline can they mov forward and continue if
they work out agreements between themselves?

Rick Valdez - Stated they should both submit by the deadline.

Adrienne Rouse - Parks and Recreation, Recreation Manager
Indicated Providence West and Providence East are limited with field use. The current athletics groups
are having a difficult time coming to a resolution and working together. At this time Parks and
Recreation is giving an opportunity to all groups, not only the two current organizations through an RFP
Bid Proposal process.

PRESENTATIONS



Youth Athletics Advisory Group Update - Rick Valdez - Deidra Anthony, Hillsborough County Parks and
Recreation staff and City of Tampa Parks and Recreation staff began discussions as the newly established
subcommittee. They have scheduled a future meeting however the date is not certain. Ideally this
subcommittee will work together and bring back the information and recommendations to Mr. Valdez.




Rick Valdez - Provided comment regarding the current RFP process as an approach for a fair and equitable
manner for the Youth Athletics league agreements and the use of the fields. This topic of conversation
began over ten years ago and when the County acquired synthetic turf funds. It was agreed to invest in the
synthetic turf fields at Providence West in efforts to increase capacity at the site and help both organizations
utilize the site not have them across from each other and compete with one another. Last year Porche
Taylor of the Brandon Bears expressed concerns that Providence East was inadequate for them and desired
to be across the street. Several meetings with both organizations and Commissioner Myers dating back to
June 2022, with Continued conversations of coming together in attempts to serve the kids of the County.
Those efforts didn’t work out and they were notified the County determined the best way to serve everyone
would be through the RFP- Bid proposal. That is where we are now. Organizations have until the 24th to
submit a proposal for operating out of the site and serving the kids.


Scott Levinson - Provided history of the growth of both organizations.


Scott Levinson - Asked Mr. Valdez if they can have another opportunity to work it out.


Jack Berlin - Questions why the two organizations can’t combine efforts.


Scott Levinson - Commented Providence West can be configured to serve as 2 fields.



Rick Valdez -The staff has configured that 2 game fields could be accommodated at Providence West,
though this would be at a cost. It still would require two organizations to share one property and it appears
the organizations are not opposed to it now.



Jack Berlin - Recommended providing a plan to Commissioner Myers with a solution and the need for
funding.




Big Cat Rescue Property - Forest Turbiville - CELM’s objectives for future property Development of this area
would be to propose a 30 Ft buffer between the trail and any development land use. Based on other recent
acquisitions in the surrounding area, the 65-acre property could cost in the $20-40 million dollar range.
There are no CELM needs that would warrant acquisition by the County at this time.



ELAPP Acquisition Update - Ross Dickerson - Presented a map of the two recent acquisitions along the Little
Manatee River; The Bickett Parcel is comprised of 488 acres that makes the wildlife corridor connection
between preserved lands along the Little Manatee River and other preserved lands in Manatee County.; the
Buzbee property is comprised of 79 acres and provides a valuable buffer and could possibly house a trail
head for the South County Trail. These are two valuable pieces of property along the Little Manatee River,
which is still undergoing the federal process to be considered a Wildlife and Scenic River. The only other
active contract is the Triple Creek Acquisition, which is 110 acres connecting the North and South Triple
Creek area. ELAPP has now acquired 65,000 acres of property and continues to be the top County for land
preservation in the State, without significant State funding in recent years. Mr. Berlin inquired about the
human impact on our Parks and Conservation areas. Mr. Dickerson stated that trash and debris are evident,
with wildfire being a concern as well. This does bring concerns to all. Mr. Berlin suggested a more creative
or proactive approach with possible additional signage to discourage this disturbance.



SR 56 Extension – Forest Turbiville -No further update. Public meeting remains on hold.




NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED - May 11, 2023



BOARD ACTION

Approve minutes from the February 23, 2023, meeting. - Anthony Sanchez – Chairman - Minutes were not
approved. Only 3 of the 7 Board members were present at today’s meeting. The February 23, 2023, meeting
minutes and today’s meeting minutes will be approved at the next meeting scheduled for May 11,2023.




BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS


Scott Levinson complimented CELM and the dedication of the staff. He made his opinion known by
recommending additional staff be added, due to the complexity of the current staff responsibilities.

Jack Berlin agreed and stated educating County Commissioners is important as they should also understand
the amount of funds coming into the County, not only the amount of funds used for land acquisition.


COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS




Rick Valdez reported the 2023 Parks and Recreation summer camp registration occurred April 1, 2023, and
several locations filled up within minutes.

Rick Valdez reported on the opening of the New Tampa Performing Arts Center with a beautiful venue. The
community and staff are very excited. Staff are doing a great job preparing for the first major event and
gave a thank you to Friends of the Parks.

Billy Graham presented staff member – Ashley Martin provided a preliminary report with reference to
Terrapins. The department completed a review of care and updated the Husbandry programs. Jack Berlin
noted the State of Florida disagrees with many other states when it pertains to Terrapins. Ms. Martin
agreed. Her report indicated a visit from a Florida Aquarium Biologist and provided suggestions on
equipment to use and the general habits with the Terrapins. The review also covers Florida Laws and permit
requirements. Ms. Martin indicated this is just the beginning with a more in-depth report to follow.

Jack Berlin complimented the CELM team on their efforts. He has hopes for the Nature Center at Upper
Tampa Bay Park and wants to see it educate people and wishes it to be utilized more often, as so many
others do not know it exists.

Billy Graham complimented Allison Hughes and Ashley Martin on their community outreach and their
dedication to moving forward with plans.





ADJOURNMENT- Meeting adjourned by Anthony Sanchez at 1:13 PM