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






HCFL.GOV

BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Donna Cameron Cepeda
Harry Cohen
Ken Hagan
Pat Kemp
Christine Miller
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Myers
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 08-08-2024 12:00 PM
Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. All People’s Community Park and Life Center

I.
CALL TO ORDER – Chairman called the meeting to order at 12:05 PM
a. A welcome to everyone
b. A thank you to Friends of the County Parks and Recreation for providing lunch today.

II.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - N/A


III.
PRESENTATIONS

a. ELAPP Land Acquisition - Monthly update


Board Approved Contracts:

TC Ventures (Triple Creek) – (110 acres) - Awaiting Seller to complete CDD contraction. County approval of Seller’s
request is anticipated at the August 13, 2024 Land Use meeting. Once approved, the County will schedule a
closing date shortly thereafter.

Active Negotiations:
Fee Acquisitions
 Mattaniah (Alafia North Prong) – (623 acres) - Agenda Item is expected to go to the BOCC for approval on August
21, 2024. 50/50 Partnership with SWFWMD.

HSH Trust (Cypress Creek) – (10 acres) - Awaiting response from bankruptcy counsel on status of the property in
the bankruptcy proceeding.

Saffold Estates (Upper Little Manatee) - (50 acres) – Due diligence is nearly completed; anticipated closing in
August/September 2024.

Dubendorf (FishHawk Creek) – (14.65) – Working on appraisals.

Hackworth (FishHawk Creek) – (17.5 acres) – Working on appraisals.

Tilden (Cypress Creek) – (42.5 acres) – Offer sent, waiting on reply from owner.


Conservation Easements

Tew (Lower Green Swamp Addition) – (935 acres) - Agenda Item going to the BOCC for approval on August 21,
2024.

Parker/Baker/Varnum/Davis (Alafia South Prong) – (Acreage TBD) Discussions ongoing. Preliminary CEs are being
drafted for review. Acreage TBD.

Possible Donations

Giunta (Cypress Creek) – (324 acres) - Ongoing discussions with seller and Natural Resources for donation of up
to 324 acres.

Double Branch Bay – Project on hold until owner initiates discussions with county.

Other
Mosaic (N/A) – Finalizing the LOI with CAO and Mosaic (donation and fee acquisition totaling 4,300 acres)

b.
Field Use Agreement (FUA) - Status update- Rick Valdez, Parks and Recreation
Department Director reported the sports organizations Field Use Agreement holder
meetings are complete and a successful opportunity to receive league input. He
provided a written survey report to the Board for review. Mr. Valdez has been in
conversation with the County Real Estate Facilities Director, the County Internal
auditors and the Clerk’s office, in reference to updating the FUA document. Next step
is to have them give input and then meet with each Board member individually for
additional feedback. Conversation pursued among all relating to recreation sports play
vs. competitive sports play. Mr. Valdez suggested this is a topic for discussion for the
meetings and Scott Levinson, District 7 Board member recommended a Hillsborough
County Parks and Recreation league for recreational play; Mr. Valdez agreed. .Jack
Berlin, District 1 Board Member recommends a united front.


IV.
NEXT MEETING DATE 09-19-2024


V.
BOARD ACTION
a. Approve 05-16-2024 meeting minutes - Jack Berlin, District 1 Board Member, made the 1st
motion to approve the minutes and Scott Levinson, District 7 Board member, 2nd the motion.
Minutes approved with no objections.
b. Approve 06-27-2024 meeting minutes - Jack Berlin, District 1 Board member, made the 1st
motion to approve the minutes and Aaron Casteel, District 4 Board member, 2nd the motion.
Minutes approved with no objections.

VI.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Scott Levinson District 7 Board member thanked Rick Valdez, Parks and Recreation
Director, for the field naming dedication held most recently in honor of Jeff Key. He
was grateful to the Department for making this happen.
Aaron Casteel, District 4 Board member confirmed the timing of the one-to-one Board
member meetings with the Parks and Recreation Director Rick Valdez.


Rick Valdez, Parks and Recreation Department Director reported receiving various
emails from parents commending the department for a successful summer recreation
program and he commended his staff. Mr. Valdez announced the department has a
Paralympic champion competing in the Paralympic games in Paris.
Diedrea Anthony – Made an apology to the Board for her absence of previous
meetings due to a medical leave of absence.


VII.
COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
Praise given by many in attendance to the Conservation Environmental Land Management Department
for the undeveloped land in the County and how it benefits the County for water run off overall.

Scott Levinson, District 7 Board member , suggests having the 2 Departments and themselves have a
united front and provide their needs to the district Commissioner for possible action.

VIII.
ADJOURNMENT - Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:40 PM