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 May 11, 2023, 12:00 PM
Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. All Peoples Life Center



CALL TO ORDER - Chairman called the Meeting to order at 12:02 PM

Welcome - Chairman acknowledged Bill Barrett the new Parks Board appointed member pending finalization.
Thank you to Friends of the County Parks and Recreation for providing lunch today.

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

Michelle Fowler - Brandon Bears Youth football and Cheerleading President - Disagrees with the County
selecting to pursue the RFP process for the Providence East Football field use agreement and the RFP process
currently in process. Does not want to pay for field use at Progress Village field. Feels targeted.
Erica Diaz - Brandon Bears Youth football and Cheerleading organization volunteer Disagrees with the
County selecting to pursue the RFP process for the Providence East football field use agreement and
potentially having the Brandon Bears lose the opportunity to provide youth sports to the community at this
location and having to move and pay at another field.
Rick Valdez - Parks and Recreation - Director - Thanked the public comments. Provided history of the
Providence East field use agreement between the County and The Brandon Bears and explained the purpose
of the County’s decision for pursuing the RFP Process. It is the fair and equitable manner open to all Youth
Football and Cheerleading organizations to bid. An alternate field at Progress Village Park was provided for use
at this time pending the conclusion of the bid.
Scott Levinson - Board Member - Provided a brief history of the Providence East field improvements from
over 10 years ago.
Bill Barrett - Pending Board Member Pending Board Member appointment – Wants to ensure the Youth of
the community are offered an opportunity to play youth sports no matter which organization.





Diedrea Anthony - Concluded if a solution is being offered to The Brandon Bears organization at an alternate
field vs the usual location, they should accept it so the youth in the community continue to be served no
matter what field.



PRESENTATIONS

Youth Athletics Advisory Group - Diedrea Anthony - The committee is meeting with progress.
ELAPP Acquisition Update - Ross Dickerson - CELM approved to acquire an additional 450 acres of property
in Balm. Highest priority acquisition in the area to date.
State Road 56 Extension - Project continues in a pending status.

Next Meeting June 29, 2023

BOARD ACTION
Approved minutes from the February 23, 2023, meeting.
Approved minutes from the April 06, 2023, meeting.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Scott Levinson inquiry - Parks Board member committee vacancy.
Scott Levinson inquiry - Athletics games security - Rick Valdez is collaborating with HCSO.



COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS

Ross Dickerson - CELM - Announced the Department was one of the partners that won an award at The
Sustainability Summit in the Future of the Regions National Resource and Environmental category, for the
proposal of the Wildlife and Scenic River designation of the Little Manatee River.



ADJOURNMENT - Chairman - Meeting adjourned at 12:42 PM