[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6212453,"mediaKeyId","3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33","parentId",3684859,"title","Council appoints Rick Coogler to planning commission after multiple applicants speak","audioSeconds",1116,"startMs",8893000,"endMs",10009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33&start=8893&end=10009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33/thumbnail_8893000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212453/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/Council-appoints-Rick-Coogler-to-planning-commission-after-multiple-applicants-speak","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212453-54867c4558692132a0a43d0fc0b9486f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984013&Signature=eZN0VjqqjhBwGiDpwvhXiaTzYRFE36h3AMfsriKxjp5d6zSQ8nH72gU69AVegtZDtqv1RetVqfJR6qXB1M1qZ0a8wDoEeehWnuo~6xNOlRRNfNvhUDuoC6KsUMbyk1KYIlhOhZJq~bM6KffEJbpfbmmpLM69B3dDww0EV2XNF~uE~BkFkflKibrTuhDugdAEPgzNhBnRRmMiD6D50OWrfjZCoDzA0V7yNde2Jqev0vlIByUijtJrDZF5B4V2Oz00YyhemJ8F9drHR8kdlN4BV1OUU-7LPd8yam53j~y9R8SD9kXGuiHIm-819Db3p-sdnEebj8qcd9vmvobI7hM7fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Tampa, FL","date","2025-06-06T04:11:16Z","article","The Tampa City Council on Monday appointed Rick Coogler to the city‑county planning commission after hearing short statements from six applicants.

Rick Coogler received a plurality on the first ballot and was confirmed by council vote; the council instructed the clerk and legal staff to prepare the formal appointment documentation.

Coogler introduced himself as a New East Tampa Neighborhood Association leader and said he sought the seat to help the neighborhood “blossom” through balanced economic and ecological policies. He told councilors he had been following commission business and wanted to improve conditions for East Tampa.

Other applicants described backgrounds in development, planning and public service. Braden Curry said he had experience working on land‑use and entitlement policy and pitched a nonbinding early‑feedback process for housing projects; Melanie Williams pointed to logistics and long‑range planning experience from a military career; Matthew Sink and Will Freeman described private‑sector development and entrepreneurship perspectives; Nicholas Colon (speaking remotely) emphasized his long Tampa residency.

Clerk Shirley Fox Knowles announced that Rick Coogler received the most votes on the council ballot and the council directed legal staff to prepare a resolution confirming the appointment. No councilor raised objections in the public appointment segment.

The planning commission appointment is administrative and requires the commission member to represent council policy priorities in planning‑level deliberations. Council members asked applicants to confirm they understood the representative role of the position; multiple applicants explicitly affirmed they did.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tampa City Council - 06/05/25","oneSentenceSummary","After hearing from six applicants, the council appointed Rick Coogler to the city‑county planning commission; applicants discussed planning priorities including housing affordability, long‑range infrastructure and community engagement.","taxTitle","Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida","taxId",2914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212458,"East Tampa volunteers say CRA process and materials arrive too late for meaningful review",262,6800000,7062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33&start=6800&end=7062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33/thumbnail_6800000.jpg","/articles/6212458/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/East-Tampa-volunteers-say-CRA-process-and-materials-arrive-too-late-for-meaningful-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212458-aef67bd5deecb6de7095a195b7b44513/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984013&Signature=dZh-CxEiV2L0CjUqkgzTGI1N4chfCAH7GvFjWiRQ6jQ6WZw2n8tMaDiWNkBd6VdwOCwc6YVdigHFExi5zwe-0b3~81grHSG~nbi1PMFf7KC8KazOAGYFm3O3GytMzmvzBVVvVtDgdDzb~rx~udw7pWQUIf7BYgQD7t~4RMenMR6Rek55qOiQ7Y6uNrf75sHUENL-YpNfFB-Xe338HM~RxttikT3k1T7vKOzUbLGD0XS-mP9Mi~YD0SF8XQuLjQLRCbowzK75kzGaD3gRcemcdCpOo~0q~WV4CoeOYqhf730PIA18XzxN~l7TQp3Y~UZsFFg9FyEvkazqBM1t8-ovZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers on the East Tampa CRA advisory board told the council they routinely receive large agenda packets on Friday nights and are expected to make decisions on complex, multi‑million‑dollar proposals the following Tuesday.

Speakers said the timing deprives neighborhood representatives of time to consult constituents and requested an independent manager for CRA operations or improved timelines and packet transparency.

Allison Hewitt, an East Tampa resident and business owner, told councilors the CAC had received an agenda item with 131 pages after 5:30 p.m. on a Friday and was then expected to render a decision on a $9.7 million request at the Tuesday meeting. “That is not even enough time to take it back to the community to make sure that when they sit at the CAC, they can bring the opinions of the neighborhood associations they represent,” she said.

Fran Tate, a longtime CAC member and former chair, described the same meeting as a “nightmare,” noting volunteers are unpaid, often have daytime jobs, and lack training in economic development and budgeting. She and other speakers asked the council to require staff to deliver materials earlier and to offer technical assistance so community members can meaningfully participate.

Speakers also criticised the operating agreement that currently oversees CRA staff, describing it as permissive and urging the council to consider an independent administrator to reduce perceived conflicts and improve responsiveness to neighborhoods.

Council members heard the concerns but did not take immediate action during the public‑comment segment. CAC members repeatedly asked for more time and clearer staff processes; the council agreed to consider changes to notices and packet delivery but did not announce a timeline during the meeting.","Members and volunteers active in the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area told council they receive large agenda packets late in the week and cannot properly vet million‑dollar proposals, and they asked for independent management of CRA operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212463,"Public commenters urge council to keep ShotSpotter, press for humane outreach amid safety concerns",3778,4502000,8280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33&start=4502&end=8280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33/thumbnail_4502000.jpg","/articles/6212463/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/Public-commenters-urge-council-to-keep-ShotSpotter-press-for-humane-outreach-amid-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212463-2dffe9b1bd0e3067053370c9eeb3f711/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984013&Signature=d4s~mD2e7msO9pGhG3m-iRRzL6pzUnMjVQgjbtjuuMXEvhLbGSrSX3PaDBqdQPTRHHb-RIGxDLpwgZmuflbTE1wlrl3gGFYknjhi~A8jDsw~b02A7h3VXyPZok1D2CXZpNYJ0skz1OYxyO3-pMBxRJCo0mGuc1Rmw4Y~loWOXRSgmU9elg~Eni1SO3Vn0Vzt4YTGJ90VC~6AvyNsPzLn~VKBf7o-JiBMk5PNoREHilEg40tV6sb-rFZ4h43aBjp7VlNxZMJPpaA~WXCQntxo8A7PsKUwxcQj7TKehp9Go7qeIW0tsDyeTCN9au~h-zkkJMtL21AslOuFB-AnLzdxpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A mix of clergy, residents and public‑safety advocates asked Tampa City Council on Monday to maintain the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system and to pair it with humane outreach to people experiencing homelessness.

Bishop Michelle B. Patty, speaking for community groups, told councilors the system “has served as a deterrent” and urged that it remain in place so victims can call and officers can reach scenes more quickly. “This council should never ever put a price tag on a life,” she said, urging the council not to remove the detection system.

Several public commenters tied public‑safety improvements to outreach. Valerie Bullock said police interactions with people living on 20th Street appeared to focus on removing people rather than offering resources; she asked that any police‑Salvation Army partnership include stronger training in community engagement.

Separately, historic Ybor City residents said the city’s ShotSpotter investment was being compromised by modified car exhausts that replicate gunshot sounds. David Bailey, a Ybor resident, asked Chief Burkhaw to consider a targeted crackdown on vehicles with gunshot‑like exhaust because the noises “have been proven to interfere with the ShotSpotter technology.”

No formal action or vote on ShotSpotter or policing programs took place during the meeting. Several speakers urged the council to consider both continued investment in detection tools and parallel investments in community services and outreach, including staff training so police encounters with vulnerable people emphasize connection to services rather than only displacement.

Council members and staff did not announce an immediate policy change. Bishop Patty and other speakers said the combination of detection technology and outreach saved lives in neighborhoods where a “no‑snitch” culture had previously limited reporting.","At public comment, speakers urged the council to retain the ShotSpotter system and to invest in community‑oriented responses to crime and homelessness; others asked for enforcement against modified car exhausts that mimic gunshots and that can degrade detection technology.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212468,"Speakers tell council city tree‑trust spending and canopy loss need clearer oversight",541,4859000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33&start=4859&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33/thumbnail_4859000.jpg","/articles/6212468/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/Speakers-tell-council-city-treetrust-spending-and-canopy-loss-need-clearer-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212468-8a7e9e385336591d55c7ad860d016673/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984013&Signature=VSARhmqBWWuz6F9pdN8jiYTIgdlthtmypgDnBDKczK5vuz0tRsI58tGlYU~tzM4suFPrVDams60BG~q3v3VHTdhpINswtSbrThBlvRIKiqDVojQ8wan2SYS2H~jjSeL8jietxPg0o994uG1AOBYPUjBIvEnn3dsL5mfD4KsNgknae29BhllkTGAzNsmWfabu5g21qHJjP2hZIWdbzHfrl1NSdPcJQecTFD9hGGyvHXNtqht4aKAj2o1XkmH4oF5tHpDk5l7fTJgRpJiGGqlRyPLAO863C9qpWSH7GZ~f7HKQFp9c9awhL1TSVKhzMKWySU8QWdNWZL-b1JQAEOxzUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the Tampa City Council meeting pressed for greater transparency in the city’s tree trust fund and said current expenditures are not restoring canopy where shade trees were removed.

Public commenters pointed to recent invoice line items and departmental reports they said show money going to ornamental plantings rather than replacement shade trees, and urged the council to tighten rules to favor live oaks and other canopy species.

Steve McElhinney, representing builders and homeowner associations, said a working group created a fair tree fund plan after the city could not account for roughly $3.3 million in earlier receipts; he urged the council to prevent the fund from being used as a “piggy bank” for other projects. McElhinney said the fund’s purpose “was intended to replace trees. You have reports that say the tree canopy has been reduced. Let's get the money out there for trees and make it easier for people.”

Carol Ann Bennett reviewed recent spending she said was inconsistent with canopy goals, citing $5,000 listed for six crape myrtles at the Veterans Memorial and a $35,000 entry for Jim Walters Park. “How many live oaks could have been planted at fire stations in honor of Joe Cholera with that $5,000 instead of 6 crepe myrtles?” she asked.

Speakers referenced the 2019 tree code change requiring annual reporting on fund expenditures; several asked whether those reports had been provided to council. Carol Ann Bennett said the city’s “tremendous program” showed only 15% of purchases were shade trees, arguing that replacement trees should be planted as close as possible to where original trees were removed.

No formal council action was taken during public comment. Speakers urged follow‑up steps including stricter specification of replacement tree species, better vendor reporting, and annual accounting of fund receipts and expenditures. Council members asked staff to provide clearer breakdowns of funds by district, and residents said they would continue to press for audits and more public reporting.","Multiple speakers questioned how the city spent the tree trust fund, citing invoices they said show small, non‑shade plantings and asserting the program has favored ornamental trees over canopy‑building species.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6212473,"South Tampa residents push council for faster stormwater repairs after repeated flooding",781,4125000,4906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33&start=4125&end=4906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3684859-8f24e80a758021cd8ecb14e6f215de33/thumbnail_4125000.jpg","/articles/6212473/Tampa/Hillsborough-County/Florida/South-Tampa-residents-push-council-for-faster-stormwater-repairs-after-repeated-flooding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212473-91af945c24842fd9ab184f98f71e738d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984013&Signature=UvGx0Iej4661QbPhdMsD-yuDfFf7DCB8jO6gB7lkrofpg-5E7I8J~jdo3toXPAlhb7IWrjsB~ivdqMEdL~OPTcyGmIyDD530GMJx0IYb4XPSClLPnIWKNumirYSQNq7SJU7gkRBLnx1bEhq-SIPRBJaI86rGaTuIlv0uc9SOzzfhlJqIqmIizIubj5afZ3faU2paUdq93~vl3ecIIxmeCh9GbrqQHK288ovPGfgN3jiBNenTN9PmlVntmuzMxWAjBHOhZyMj~iwv8VMpbZWVHGBhTk0WVBuBIaQFMEVsP4fMEbzlX5HerisEltfTXuBi-Z6t5TcmEm59KeSXL70zvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Tampa residents urged the Tampa City Council on Monday to speed basic stormwater maintenance and pursue infrastructure upgrades they say are necessary after repeated flooding.

Residents said long‑standing drainage blockages and a shortage of equipment left neighborhoods vulnerable during the latest heavy rains. They pressed councilors for clearer timelines and more visible maintenance work to reduce recurring damage.

Michelle Mastro Tataro, a South Tampa resident who has been raising the issue since 2020, told councilors: “We pay 2 taxes for South Tampa for stormwater, and I've not seen 1 truck in my area.” She said ditches and pond structures are cracked and that a “spider truck” used for debris and drainage work was out of service for months after the last storms.

James Adair, a Realtor and long‑time South of Gandy resident, described an undersized outflow where neighborhood drains meet a canal system. He said a 24‑inch pipe on the neighborhood side constrains flow into a larger 60‑inch line at the West Shore Yacht Club and argued that hydraulic constraints must be addressed: “We need to start thinking about hydraulic pressure. We need to start thinking about forcing this water out.”

Resident Tara Bluma said she had been told South Tampa was at the top of an emergency work list but had not seen crews remove shopping carts, concrete debris or other obstructions from drainage ditches. She said basic maintenance — clearing trash and broken concrete that blocks pipes — must be done before blaming intense rainfall.

Victor De Maio asked when a separate South Howard stormwater meeting would be held; staff answered that a public meeting was scheduled for that evening at the garden club. Several public commenters referenced recent hurricanes and said their recoveries were incomplete.

Council members did not take formal action during public comment. City officials have said emergency funds were requested after the storms; residents asked for clearer reporting on what work has been done and what remains. Several callers urged the city to publish district‑level spending and maintenance schedules, and to confirm the number and operational status of specialized vehicles used for storm and debris removal.

Council staff did not present a written response during the public‑comment period. Residents said they will continue to press the council for visible repairs and for district‑specific information on stormwater maintenance.","Residents told Tampa City Council that clogged pipes, limited equipment and undersized drainage are worsening post‑storm flooding in South Tampa and urged immediate maintenance and longer‑term infrastructure fixes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council appoints Rick Coogler to planning commission after multiple applicants speak

East Tampa volunteers say CRA process and materials arrive too late for meaningful review

Public commenters urge council to keep ShotSpotter, press for humane outreach amid safety concerns

Speakers tell council city tree‑trust spending and canopy loss need clearer oversight

South Tampa residents push council for faster stormwater repairs after repeated flooding