CAPTIONING
OCTOBER 21, 2009
BOCC REGULAR MEETING
MORNING SESSION


***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the 
***following meeting.  It should be used for informational 
***purposes only.  This document has not been edited; 
***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words 
***that did not translate.

>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO OUR OCTOBER 21st, 2009, REGULARLY SCHEDULED 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD 
MEETING.
WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE, 
GIVEN BY OUR CHAPLAIN, COMMISSIONER AL HIGGINBOTHAM.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES THAT 
YOU HAVE PROVIDED US HERE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND IN THIS 
GREAT COUNTY.
WE ASK THAT YOU ALLOW US TO COME IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH 
IT'S INTENDED TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND MOVE FORWARD IN A 
POSITIVE WAY.
HELP ME TO CONDUCT MYSELF IN A MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
YOUR TEACHINGS.
AMEN.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
THIS MORNING WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT FOUR 
PROCLAMATIONS, AND THE FIRST ONE --
>>JIM NORMAN:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- THE FIRST ONE WILL BE BY COMMISSIONER 
WHITE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  GOOD MORNING, COLLEAGUES.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE FIREFIGHTER -- HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
FIREFIGHTER JOSH SCHWADE TO THE PODIUM ALONG WITH HIS 
FAMILY AND HIS COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE COME HERE TO SUPPORT 
HIM TODAY.
WELCOME.
CHIEF, YOU-ALL COME ON UP AND GET IN THE PICTURE.
IT'S INDEED A PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR 
LOCAL HEROES HERE.
I'LL JUST READ BRIEFLY ONE OF THE ARTICLES THAT APPEARED IN 
ONE OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.
IT SAYS, TODDLER SLIPS OUT AND FALLS INTO POOL.
JOSH SCHWADE OPENED HIS FRONT DOOR TO THE URGENT KNOCKING.
A CHILD ALMOST DROWNED IN HIS NEIGHBOR'S POOL.
THE TWO MEN RAN ACROSS THE STREET AND FOUND A DRENCHED 
BLUE-LIPPED TODDLER LYING ON THE DECK.
17-MONTH-OLD OLIVER WHITE -- NO RELATION TO ME -- HAD NO 
PULSE.
SCHWADE, 27, A PARAMEDIC WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE 
RESCUE FOR JUST THREE MONTHS, DIDN'T HESITATE, JUMPED INTO 
ACTION, RESPONDED, ADMINISTERED CPR UNTIL THE -- UNTIL THE 
BOY WAS REVIVED.
AND I THINK THESE ARE JUST PART OF THE NOTABLE ACTIONS THAT 
OUR LOCAL HEROES DO EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT WE DON'T HEAR 
ABOUT, BUT HERE HE IS ON HIS OFF TIME, NEIGHBORS KNOW WHAT 
HE DOES FOR A LIVING, AND HE PUTS HIS TRAINING AND INSTINCT 
INTO ACTION, ONLY THREE MONTHS ON THE JOB, AND IS A 
REMARKABLE EXEMPLARY EMPLOYEE AND REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE 
STANDS FOR, AND I THINK ALL OF US AS WELL AS THIS COUNTY, 
CHIEF NESMITH, HIS WIFE, AND I'M SURE HIS FATHER-IN-LAW AND 
ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM FOR HIS 
ACTIONS, AND FOR THAT, I'D LIKE TO READ A COMMENDATION THAT 
SAYS, CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION PRESENTED TO JOSH 
SCHWADE.
IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR HEROIC ACTION IN ADMINISTERING 
EMERGENCY RESCUE SERVICES TO A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY YOUTH.
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO RENDER IMMEDIATE AND PROFESSIONAL AID 
WHILE OFF DUTY AND TO HELP SAVE THE LIFE OF A YOUNG 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOY IS HEREBY COMMENDED BY THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA.
AFTER BEING A PARAMEDIC WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESCUE FOR 
ONLY THREE MONTHS, YOUR SELFLESS DEDICATION TO HELP SOMEONE 
TRULY IN NEED MAKES -- MAKES -- TO MAKE OUR -- TRULY MAKES 
OUR AREA A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO SERVICE IN 
OUR COMMUNITY AS ONE OF THE MANY INVALUABLE HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PARAMEDICS, AND WE WISH YOU A LONG AND 
SUCCESSFUL CAREER.
AWARDED THIS 21st DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009.
>> THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.
IT'S A HUGE HONOR FOR ME TO GET THIS AWARD.
LIKE I SAID BEFORE MANY TIMES, I DON'T FEEL LIKE I DID 
ANYTHING SPECIAL, I JUST DID WHAT I WAS TRAINED TO DO, AND 
I DON'T THINK ANY OTHER PARAMEDIC OR ANYBODY ELSE WOULD 
HAVE ACTED ANY DIFFERENT IF THEY WERE IN MY SHOES, SO THANK 
YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  INTRODUCE YOUR WIFE.
>> HELLO.
THIS IS MY WIFE.
THIS IS MY WIFE, CHRISTIE SCHWADE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MY FATHER-IN-LAW CHRIS REYNOLDS.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  CHIEF.
>>BILL NESMITH:  WE ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED AND PROUD OF THE 
JOB THAT JOSH HAS DONE.
ONE THING THAT IS ALSO SPECIAL, JOSH AND CHRISTIE HAS A 
SEVERELY HANDICAPPED CHILD THAT THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH 
OVER THE YEARS, AND JUST TO BRING HOPE FOR ANOTHER FAMILY 
IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, A NEAR DROWNING TYPE SITUATION, 
JUST ADDS A SPECIAL PART TO THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, SO 
WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF JOSH, AND HE'S -- HE SAID IT 
RIGHT.
ANY OTHER FIREFIGHTER WOULD -- WOULD TRY TO DO THE SAME 
THING, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE PROUD OF JOSH FOR HIM BEING AT THAT 
PARTICULAR MOMENT AT THE RIGHT TIME.
THANK YOU.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THEY WANT TO GET A PICTURE.
LET'S GO THIS WAY.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> THANKS, EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT THE NEXT TWO PROCLAMATIONS.
THE FIRST ONE IS DECLARING NOVEMBER 1st THROUGH 8th AS "THE 
WEEK OF THE FAMILY."
IS THERE A JAMES GILLEN AND A MICHELLE KINSER-STUTTS HERE?
IF YOU COULD COME FORWARD, PLEASE.
I'M VERY PLEASED TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD.
IT SAYS, WHEREAS, AS A SOURCE OF HOPE, GUIDANCE, STABILITY, 
AND LOVE FOR EVERY GENERATION, FAMILIES TEACH AND EXEMPLIFY 
THE VALUES AND VIRTUES NEEDED IN TODAY'S CHANGING WORLD; 
AND WHEREAS, STRONG FAMILIES ARE THE CORE OF STRONG 
COMMUNITIES AND AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE CULTURAL AND 
SOCIAL FABRIC OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY; AND WHEREAS, EVERYONE 
HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING FAMILIES SUCCESSFUL, INCLUDING 
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT AGENCIES, 
POLICYMAKERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS THEMSELVES; AND WHEREAS, 
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF FAMILIES AND THE 
SPECIAL CONNECTIONS THAT SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES 
YEAR-ROUND; AND WHEREAS, MANY ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE 
STATE ARE WORKING TO HELP FAMILIES OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES 
CREATE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY CAN BECOME 
SUCCESSFUL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY 
DESIGNATE THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1st THROUGH 8th, 2009, AS 
"WEEK OF THE FAMILY" IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND 
ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT 
WILL STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILY BOND, NOT JUST DURING THIS 
WEEK BUT EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, WHICH WILL IN TURN MAKE OUR 
COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
EXECUTED THIS 21st DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009, SIGNED BY ALL 
SEVEN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND I'M PLEASED 
TO COME DOWN AND PRESENT YOU WITH THE PROCLAMATION.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE -- ON BEHALF OF THE 
WEEK OF THE FAMILY COMMITTEE THANK THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GOVERNMENT 
FOR LENDING YOUR SUPPORT TO THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE.
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THE GREATEST WORK WE'LL DO IN THIS LIFE 
WILL BE DONE WITHIN THE WALLS OF OUR OWN HOME, AND I TRULY 
BELIEVE THAT.
THE WEEK OF THE FAMILY HAS ONE SIMPLE AIM, AND THAT'S 
BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER.
WEEK OF THE FAMILY IS A WEEK-LONG EVENT THAT'S BEEN 
ORGANIZED BY CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FAITH-
BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO CELEBRATE 
SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL IN COMMON, AND THAT'S THE FAMILY.
REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, BELIEF, OR BACKGROUND, THAT HAS 
BEEN THE FOUNDATION OF EACH OF OUR -- OUR LIVES.
AND DURING THIS EVENT, THE FAMILIES ACROSS TAMPA BAY WILL 
ENJOY FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 
AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO 
CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT FAMILIES.
THE MISSION OF THE WEEK OF THE FAMILY IS TO STRENGTHEN 
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTHY ACTIVITIES, 
FITNESS, FAITH, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
IF WE WANT TO BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES, WE MUST BEGIN 
WITH BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES.
IT'S ALSO BEEN SAID THAT NO SUCCESS OR PROGRAMS THAT WE 
COME UP WITH IN OUR LIFE CAN COMPENSATE FOR FAILURE IN THE 
HOME, AND -- AND I THINK -- I TRULY AGREE WITH THAT AS 
WELL.
AND WE, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS 
INITIATIVE AND INVITE YOU TO JOIN US.
THANK YOU.
>> EXCUSE ME, CHAIRMAN.
I NEED HIS NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  SIR, COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE 
RECORD?
>> JAMES GILLEN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  WHY DON'T YOU ALSO GIVE US THE YOUNG MAN'S 
NAME STANDING WITH YOU THERE.
>> ETHAN GILLEN.
HE'S VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY.
HE'S SKIPPING SCHOOL TODAY FOR THIS.
>>JIM NORMAN:  ALL RIGHT.
[LAUGHTER]
>> HIS TEACHER WILL SEE HIM LATER ON TV LATER, SO I'VE 
WARNED HIM OF THAT.
>>JIM NORMAN:  THAT'S A FAMILY VALUE.
[LAUGHTER]
>>KEN HAGAN:  YOU'RE A GOOD-LOOKING YOUNG MAN, ETHAN.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>>JIM NORMAN:  WELL, FOR ME IT WAS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  NOW I'M PLEASED TO PRESENT THE NEXT 
PROCLAMATION DECLARING NOVEMBER 2009 AS "PANCREATIC CANCER 
AWARENESS MONTH."
IS CAROL FERGUSON HERE?
PLEASE COME DOWN, MS. FERGUSON.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  I'M PLEASED TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
IT SAYS, WHEREAS, PANCREATIC CANCER IS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST 
CANCER AND IS THE FOURTH LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH IN 
THE UNITED STATES FOR WHICH THERE HAS BEEN NO CURE OR 
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN EARLY DETECTION, TREATMENT 
METHODS, OR SURVIVAL RATES IN THE LAST 30 YEARS; AND 
WHEREAS, WHEN SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER PRESENT 
THEMSELVES, IT'S USUALLY TOO LATE FOR AN OPTIMISTIC 
PROGNOSIS, AND THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THOSE 
DIAGNOSED WITH THIS DISEASE IS ONLY THREE TO SIX MONTHS; 
AND WHEREAS, 76% OF PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS DIE WITHIN 
THE FIRST YEAR OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND 95% OF PANCREATIC 
CANCER PATIENTS DIE WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS; AND 
WHEREAS, MORE THAN 42,000 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH 
PANCREATIC CANCER THIS YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES, AND MORE 
THAN 35,000 WILL DIE FROM THIS DISEASE, WITH MORE THAN 
2,470 OF THESE DEATHS OCCURRING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA; 
AND WHEREAS, THE GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE 
RESIDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, ARE GREATLY 
ENHANCED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF INCREASED AWARENESS ABOUT 
PANCREATIC CANCER AND RESEARCH INTO EARLY DETECTION, 
CAUSES, AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS; AND WHEREAS, THE 
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK IS THE FIRST AND ONLY 
NATIONAL PATIENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES AND 
SUPPORTS THE PANCREATIC CANCER COMMUNITY IN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND NATIONWIDE, BY FOCUSING ITS EFFORTS ON 
PUBLIC POLICY, RESEARCH FUNDING, PATIENT SERVICES, AND 
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION RELATED TO DEVELOPING 
EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS AND A CURE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY 
DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2009 AS "PANCREATIC CANCER 
AWARENESS MONTH" IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND 
ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART BY GETTING ROUTINE 
CHECKUPS ANNUALLY, SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS 
ABOUT THIS DISEASE, AND TOGETHER FIGHTING FOR THE 
DEVELOPMENT OF TREATMENTS THAT EXTEND LIVES WHILE THE 
SEARCH FOR THE CURE CONTINUES.
EXECUTED THIS 21st DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009, SIGNED BY ALL 
SEVEN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, CAROL, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO 
IN THE ORGANIZATION TO HELP SPREAD AWARENESS AND EDUCATION 
AND -- TO FIGHT THIS DEADLY DISEASE.
CLEARLY IT TOUCHES AND AFFECTS EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY 
AND EVERYONE IN THE WORLD IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, AND AS 
SOMEONE THAT'S HAD, YOU KNOW, FAMILY MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, 
UNFORTUNATELY HAVE THIS DISEASE, I PERSONALLY VERY, VERY 
MUCH APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR 
THIS CAUSE, AND I'M PLEASED TO COME DOWN AND PRESENT THIS 
PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
I GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND PASSED FROM 
PANCREATIC CANCER TEN YEARS AGO, AND AT THAT TIME THERE 
WERE NO CURES, THERE WERE NO GOOD DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, AND 
UNFORTUNATELY, TEN YEARS LATER THE STORY IS STILL THE SAME, 
AND THE NUMBERS OF PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENTS, THOSE BEING 
NEWLY DIAGNOSED ARE GROWING, AND THEREFORE THE DEATH RATE 
IS GROWING.
YOU HAVE A VERY, VERY SMALL CHANCE OF SURVIVING THIS 
CANCER, AND THE MAIN REASON IS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH 
AWARENESS, EVEN THOUGH -- EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A LOT OF 
HIGH-PROFILE CASES LIKE PATRICK SWAYZE, OF COURSE SUPREME 
COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG, AND OTHERS.
I THINK PANCREATIC CANCER IS NOW COMING TO THE FOREFRONT, 
AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO GET FUNDING AND 
ATTENTION DRAWN TO THIS DISEASE, AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY 
WE'RE EVER GOING TO FIND A CURE, SO I APPRECIATE YOUR 
ATTENTION TO THIS -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH -- BECAUSE THIS IS 
THE ONLY WAY WE'LL DO IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU AGAIN, MS. FERGUSON, FOR YOUR 
LEADERSHIP ON THIS CAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
NOW COMMISSIONER NORMAN WILL PRESENT OUR LAST PROCLAMATION.
>>JIM NORMAN:  IS JUDGE BARTON WITH US?
JUDGE, COME ON UP HERE.
I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS TODAY.
THIS IS -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS REQUESTED BY THE 3th 
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT PRO BONO COMMITTEE, AND LET ME READ THIS 
INTO THE RECORD, AND I APPRECIATE YOU REALLY BEING HERE FOR 
US TODAY.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING THAT OUR COURT SYSTEM IS REALLY 
BACKING AND REALLY HAS PUSHED TO MAKE A REALLY BIG IMPACT 
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS A FUNDAMENTAL AND ESSENTIAL 
RIGHT IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY; AND WHEREAS, MANY PEOPLE 
CANNOT AFFORD THE HIGH COST OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND 
CANNOT PROCEED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY; AND 
WHEREAS, IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS DONATE 
THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF PRO BONO TIME EACH YEAR; AND WHEREAS, 
THE INNUMERABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ENABLE 
MANY PEOPLE TO OBTAIN THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THEY COULD NOT 
OTHERWISE OBTAIN; AND WHEREAS, SPONSORED BY THE 13th 
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT PRO BONO COMMITTEE, "PRO BONO WEEK" 
EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EXTENSIVE WORK LAWYERS ARE 
DOING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR 
COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGES MORE INDIVIDUALS IN THE LEGAL 
COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN PRO BONO WORK; WHEREAS THE 
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IS CELEBRATING ATTORNEYS' PRO BONO 
EFFORTS DURING THIS WEEK, AND FLORIDA'S PRO BONO COMMITTEE 
IS LAUNCHING THE ONE CAMPAIGN: ONE ATTORNEY, ONE CLIENT, 
ONE PROMISE TO RECRUIT SERVICES OF VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS TO 
PROVIDE VALUABLE LEGAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, DOES HEREBY 
PROCLAIM THE BOARD ON -- OCTOBER 21-31, '09, AS "PRO BONO 
WEEK," AND IT'S SIGNED BY ALL THE BOARD OF COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS, AND WE REALLY DO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS IN THE 
13th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  LET ME GIVE YOU THIS, AND TELL US A LITTLE 
BIT MORE ABOUT IT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> CHAIRMAN HAGAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MS. LEE, AND 
MS. BEAN, I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME BE HERE TODAY.
MY NAME IS JIM BARTON.
I'M A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE HERE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES IN THIS 
COUNTY AND ALSO AS CHAIR OF THE 13th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT PRO 
BONO.
WITH ME TODAY IS CONNIE PRUITT.
CONNIE, IF YOU'LL COME UP HERE.
CONNIE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
BAR ASSOCIATION, AND SUSAN SANDLER -- SUSAN.
SUSAN IS WITH BAY AREA LEGAL SERVICES I'M SURE ALL OF YOU 
KNOW ABOUT, AND SHE, AMONG HER MANY OTHER DUTIES, 
COORDINATES THE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS OF -- OF ATTORNEYS IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT PROVIDE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES 
WHO LAST YEAR ALONE PROVIDED OVER 5,000 HOURS OF FREE LEGAL 
SERVICES TO INDIGENT CLIENTS ALONG WITH ALSO LAW STUDENTS 
AND PARALEGALS THAT PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL ALMOST 2,000 
HOURS OF FREE SERVICES.
THAT INVOLVED OVER 500 LAWYERS, PARALEGALS, AND LAW 
STUDENTS LAST YEAR ALONE, SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, AND WE 
GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN RECOGNIZING THEIR 
EFFORTS, WHICH IS THE FIRST REASON WE'RE GLAD YOU ISSUED 
THIS PROCLAMATION, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE OUT THERE 
TRYING TO GET NEW ATTORNEYS TO -- WHO HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED 
IN THESE IMPORTANT EFFORTS TO DO SO, SO THIS PROCLAMATION 
IS GOING TO HELP IN THAT.
AND THIRDLY, IT ALSO HELPS TO MAKE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE 
OF WHAT'S GOING ON.
THE ELDERLY COUPLE THAT'S ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR HOUSE, THOSE 
FOLKS HAVE BEEN GETTING HELP FROM PRO BONO ATTORNEYS.
A YOUNG -- YOUNG MAN GOING THROUGH THE JUVENILE SYSTEM 
TRYING TO GET EDUCATED AND THEN GET A JOB, THOSE -- THOSE 
TYPE OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HELPED BY PRO BONO ATTORNEYS, SO 
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS RECRUIT NEW PEOPLE.
AND FINALLY, I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK EACH AND EVERY 
ONE OF YOU FOR WORKING WITH OUR CHIEF JUDGE, MANUEL 
MENENDEZ, STATE ATTORNEY MARK OBER, PUBLIC DEFENDER JULIE 
HOLT, AND OUR CLERK OF COURT PAT FRANK TOO IN THESE 
DIFFICULT TIMES TO MAKE OUR CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE 
SYSTEM AS EFFICIENT AS IT IS, SO WE -- WE THANK YOU VERY 
MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN HELPING US TO PROVIDE JUSTICE TO 
THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, JUDGE.
OKAY.
MS. LEE -- OR MS. BEAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REVIEW THE 
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA.
>>PAT BEAN:  YES, I WILL.
FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE TWO ITEMS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION 
PURSUANT TO RULE 13 OF THE RULES OF ORDER.
F-6, SCHEDULED AT 10:00, IS TO DISCUSS A TERMINATION OF 
LEASE AGREEMENT AS IT RELATES TO THE CLERK AND THE TAX 
COLLECTOR'S OFFICES LOCATED AT THE FLORILAND MALL FACILITY 
AND TO SUGGEST SOME ALTERNATIVE USES FOR THE SPACE NOT 
CURRENTLY BEING USED AT THIS SITE.
THAT'S BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY COMMISSIONER WHITE.
THE SECOND ITEM IS F-7, WHICH IS TO REQUEST STAFF RESEARCH 
THE VIABILITY OF USING THE FLORILAND MALL SITE, WHICH IS 
BEING VACATED, AS A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR A TEMPORARY 
HOMELESS SHELTER, AND THAT'S BROUGHT BY COMMISSIONER 
HIGGINBOTHAM.
SINCE THE TWO ITEMS BOTH RELATE TO THE SAME SPACE, I FELT 
LIKE I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO OPEN WITH COMMISSIONER WHITE, 
SINCE HIS ITEM ARRIVED FIRST, AND THEN TAKE COMMENTS ALL 
DURING THE SAME TIME CERTAIN FROM COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM 
ON HIS ITEM.
OFF-THE-AGENDA ITEMS, B-3, TO ADOPT A NEW BOARD POLICY, 
PROHIBITATION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.
NO FINANCIAL IMPACT ANTICIPATED.
THIS IS BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
ITEM F-5, DIRECT OUR ADMINISTRATOR TO ACQUIRE AN 
INDEPENDENT REVIEW FOR CONSOLIDATED WATER DELIVERY, WATER, 
SEWER, AND RECLAIMED SYSTEMS.
THAT'S BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
G-3, RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM THE REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT 
REGARDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CENTERMALL LEASES 
FOR THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, TRAFFIC COURT, AND TAX 
COLLECTOR.
CENTERMALL IS NOW THE NAME OF WHAT WE ALL REFER TO AS THE 
OLD FLORILAND MALL.
WE ALL CALL IT OLD FLORILAND, BUT IT'S NOW KNOWN AS 
CENTERMALL, SO THAT IS ALSO RELATED TO THE TWO TOPICS OF 
THE TIME CERTAIN AT 10:00.
AND THEN DEFERRALS AND DELETIONS, ITEM F-2, WHICH WAS 
SCHEDULED FOR 10:00, RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE ADVISORY 
PANEL CHAIRPERSON ON THE REVIEW OF THE BEST APPROACH THAT 
MIGHT BE UTILIZED TO PERMANENTLY PRESERVE AND RESTORE CONE 
RANCH.
THAT ITEM IS BEING DEFERRED TO NOVEMBER 4th.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA.
ON A-49, AN ADDITION THERE OF FURTHER DENY THE PROTEST FROM 
AQUA CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS.
WE ASK YOU TO DEAL WITH THAT WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM.
G-1, RECEIVE REPORT FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT 
REGARDING THE BOARD EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS AS REQUESTED BY 
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT FOR SEPARATE VOTE.
ITEM A-29, TO APPROVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY AND 30 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF 
SPECIALIZED SOCIAL SERVICES.
THAT ITEM IS BEING PULLED FROM THE CONSENT FOR SEPARATE 
VOTE.
COMMISSIONER BECKNER NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO ABSTAIN FROM THAT 
VOTE.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE ITEM A-12 REMOVED FROM 
CONSENT FOR DISCUSSION.
THAT IS A-12, THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S 
OFFICE TO ADVERTISE AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 
4th.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PROPERTY 
MAINTENANCE CODE.
AND ITEM A-13 IS -- THAT WAS PULLED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY 
FROM CONSENT.
A-13, ACCEPT AND AGREE TO THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE COUNTY 
ADMINISTRATOR, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND THE COUNTY INTERNAL 
PERFORMANCE AUDITOR REGARDING THE FURLOUGH DAYS.
THAT'S BEEN PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
ITEM A-21, ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION AMENDING AND 
RESTATING RESOLUTION NUMBER R09-083 IN SUPPORT OF THE 
COMMITTEE OF 100'S PROSPECT NUMBER 09-026.
THAT WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN FOR DISCUSSION.
WE HAVE ITEM A-82, RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 28, '09, 
AT 1:30 AS THE DATE AND TIME FOR AN IPA WORKSHOP.
COMMISSIONER SHARPE PULLED THAT ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE SCHEDULED FOR A TIME CERTAIN:  AT 
10:00 YOU WILL HEAR F-6, DISCUSS THE TERMINATION OF LEASE 
AGREEMENTS, THE ITEM BROUGHT BY COMMISSIONER WHITE, AND 
AGAIN, I WOULD ALSO ASK THE BOARD DURING THAT SAME 
DISCUSSION TO TAKE COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM'S DISCUSSION 
BECAUSE THEY ARE RELATED TO THE SAME ITEM.
AND THEN AT 10:15, F-1, APPROVE THE NAMING OF THE TAMPA BAY 
HISTORY CENTER BUILDING, THE J. THOMAS TOUCHTON TAMPA BAY 
HISTORY CENTER.
AT 10:30, ITEM F-3, RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE PLAN STUDY 
COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT FOR THE SHORT-TERM CHANGES TO THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTH CARE PROGRAM.
THAT'S BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
AT 11:00, ITEM G-2, RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM THE HUMAN 
SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONCERNING THE STUDY CONDUCTED BY 
GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES REGARDING EMPLOYEE GROUP HEALTH.
AND THAT -- THAT'S THE FINAL CHANGES TO THE AGENDA, MR. 
CHAIR.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MOVE THE CHANGES, MR. CHAIR.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  I'D LIKE TO ADD BACK IN A-21.
I'VE HAD MY ANSWERS GIVEN TO ME.
I HAD SOME QUESTIONS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTRACT 
LANGUAGE THAT WAS IN PLACE FOR THAT, AND -- AND GENE GRAY 
WAS ABLE TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS, SO YOU CAN ADD THAT 
BACK TO THE AGENDA.
>>PAT BEAN:  OKAY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGES COMMISSIONER 
FERLITA, SECOND COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
NOW THE BOARD WILL GO INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF 
THE AGENDA.
THE BOARD WELCOMES COMMENTS FROM ANY CITIZEN ABOUT ANY 
ISSUE OR CONCERN; HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S ASKED 
WHEN YOU ADDRESS THE BOARD THAT YOU NOT -- YOUR COMMENTS 
ARE NOT DIRECTED AT BOARD MEMBERS BUT RATHER THE ISSUES.
WE'VE SET ASIDE 45 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING.
WHEN YOU COME TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND 
ADDRESS, SPEAK CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.
EACH PERSON WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP THIS 
MORNING, SO PER THE BOARD'S POLICY, IF WE'RE UNABLE TO HEAR 
EVERYONE THIS MORNING, WE SET ASIDE TIME AT THE END OF THE 
AFTERNOON SESSION TO -- TO LISTEN TO ANYONE THAT WERE NOT 
ABLE TO SPEAK IN THE MORNING.
FIRST THREE SPEAKERS ARE TOM ATCHISON, JOANNE O'BRIEN, AND 
HAL HART.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> THANK YOU.
TOM ATCHISON, 1611 EAST BOUGAINVILLEA AVENUE.
I HAVE -- I'M PASTOR OF NEW LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 
AS WELL AS CEO OF NEW BEGINNINGS OF TAMPA.
WE HAVE EMERGENCY SHELTER AS WELL AS LONG-TERM DRUG AND 
ALCOHOL PROGRAMS AND AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS.
I COMMEND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS WITH 
THE HOMELESS SITUATION.
I THINK THE FLORILAND MALL THING IS A GREAT START, GREAT 
IDEA.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE IS THAT WHILE 
WE'RE DOING THIS, IF THAT DOESN'T WORK OUT THAT WE CONTINUE 
TO LOOK AT OTHER BUILDINGS AND OTHER THINGS.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO SEE US HAVE MORE CASE 
MANAGEMENT.
JUST HOUSING THE HOMELESS IS CLEARLY -- WE ALL KNOW IS NOT 
ENOUGH.
THEY NEED TO BE CASE MANAGED.
THOSE WITH ADDICTION PROBLEMS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH, THOSE 
WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEED TO BE DEALT WITH, AND SO 
THIS -- THIS LOCATION I THINK WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE FOR 
THAT TO HAPPEN.
I DO THINK THAT -- THAT THE COMMISSIONERS NEED TO KEEP IN 
MIND THAT THERE IS A SLEEPING GIANT OR I WOULD CALL A 
SILENT GIANT OUT THERE THAT HAS NOT BEEN TAPPED INTO.
THERE ARE SEVERAL VERY GOOD QUALIFIED FAITH-BASED 
ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE THAT REALLY HAVE NOT -- THEIR 
RESOURCES HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN CLOSED TO BEING TAPPED INTO.
THAT WOULD SAVE THE TAXPAYERS LOTS OF MONEY PLUS BRING A 
LOT OF EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT 
WHEN YOU -- WHEN THIS PROGRAM GOES FORWARD THAT YOU INVOLVE 
THOSE FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS, YOU ENCOURAGE THE FAITH-BASED 
ORGANIZATIONS TO COME FORWARD AND BE A PART OF THE CASE 
MANAGEMENT.
THERE'S -- THERE'S A VOLUNTEER FORCE OUT THERE THAT IS JUST 
WAITING TO BE ASKED, BUT THEY DO NEED TO BE ASKED.
THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE AND -- AND BE A PART 
OF THIS BECAUSE THE HOMELESS SITUATION IS NOT GOING TO GO -
- GO AWAY QUICKLY.
IT'S TOO BIG A PROBLEM FOR JUST A FEW OF THE BIG 
ORGANIZATIONS TO HANDLE.
IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY INVOLVE ALL 
THE CHURCHES AND ALL THE FAITH-BASED INVOLVED.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU ESPECIALLY GET THE FAITH-
BASED INVOLVED.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, PASTOR ATCHISON.
JOANNE O'BRIEN, HAL HART, AND REVEREND GREGORY LOCKETT.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M JOANNE O'BRIEN, 6916 THRASHER DRIVE, TAMPA, PRESIDENT 
OF THE EAST LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE BOARD FOR THIS NEW HOMELESS PROJECT 
AT FLORILAND.
IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
THEY HAVE RUNNING WATER, ELECTRICITY, HEAT, AIR 
CONDITIONING, SERVICES.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT THING, AND I HAVE A SUGGESTION.
IF OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE AGAINST IT, MAYBE PICK A 
REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH COMMUNITY, AND MAYBE WE COULD ALL 
SIT DOWN AND COME TO SOME SORT OF SOLUTION AND ALSO LOOK AT 
THE MIAMI-DADE PROJECT, WHICH HAS WORKED VERY WELL.
I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTION, MS. O'BRIEN.
HAL HART, REVEREND GREGORY LOCKETT, AND MARCELLA OSTEEN.
GOOD MORNING, MR. HART.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS HAL HART.
I LIVE AT 6525 WALTON WAY IN TAMPA.
I'M HERE TODAY ABOUT THE ITEM A-12 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, 
WHICH OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN PULLED FOR LATER DISCUSSION.
I DID WANT TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER -- SERIOUSLY CONSIDER 
REMOVING THE LANGUAGE FROM THAT PROPOSED ORDINANCE 
REGARDING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS AND TEMPORARY LODGING UNITS.
THERE'S CLEARLY NOBODY AT THE TABLE THAT'S PROPOSING THAT, 
NUMBER ONE, AND NUMBER TWO, I CAN ALMOST PROMISE YOU THAT 
IF THIS ORDINANCE GOES FORWARD AS IS, COME NOVEMBER 4th, 
THIS BOARDROOM WILL BE FULL ONCE AGAIN, AND I THINK THAT 
AS -- AS A COUNTY, WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF HOW WE USE OUR 
EXISTING RESOURCES, AND I THINK TO DO THIS AND THEN COME 
BACK NOVEMBER 4th AND PROBABLY START OVER AGAIN AT SQUARE 
ONE WITH NEW LANGUAGE AND PUBLISHING YET AGAIN WOULD BE A 
WASTE OF THIS BOARD'S RESOURCES.
THE SECOND THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS HOW MUCH I 
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE PROACTIVE AT 
THIS POINT REGARDING THE HOMELESS ISSUE, BUT I HOPE YOU-ALL 
UNDERSTAND -- AND I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST YOU'VE 
DEVELOPED SOME UNDERSTANDING -- THAT THIS PROJECT HAS TO BE 
APPROACHED WITH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
YOU CANNOT JUMP OUT THE GATE AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO IT 
AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT THIS WAY, AND I THINK IF YOU 
INVOLVE PEOPLE LIKE RAYME NUCKLES AND YOU INVOLVE COMMUNITY 
LEADERS, YOU WILL GET SOME VERY, VERY CONSTRUCTIVE 
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED.
I'M NOT ALL THAT CONVINCED THAT FLORILAND IS THE BEST 
LOCATION FOR AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, BUT CLEARLY IT HAS THE 
POTENTIAL TO BE A CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, MAYBE AT SOME 
POINT DOWN THE ROAD AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN 
OR OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO ESCAPE A BAD SITUATION.
AGAIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR MOVING FORWARD ON THIS ISSUE AND 
LOOKING AT POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. HART.
REVEREND GREGORY LOCKETT, MARCELLA OSTEEN, TERRY FLOTT. 
GOOD MORNING, REVEREND.
>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.
FIRST OF ALL, REVEREND GREGORY LOCKETT, 3105 ORIENT ROAD.
ORGANIZATION IS FAVOT, FALSELY ACCUSED VICTIM OF CRIME, 
FAMILY PROMISE, AND POOR PEOPLE ECONOMICS HUMAN RIGHT 
CAMPAIGN.
FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS I ASK THAT YOU ACCEPT MY 
APOLOGY FOR THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE BECAUSE I DID SAY SOME 
THINGS -- MY PASSION GOT OUT OF THE WAY, SO IT WAS NOT 
DIRECTED TO BE NEGATIVE TO ANYONE ON THE BOARD, BUT I ASK 
YOUR FORGIVENESS FOR THAT, OKAY.
SECOND OF ALL, COMMISSIONER WHITE, I COMMEND YOU ON 
CONTINUING ON BATTLING AND FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT THING, 
EVEN THOUGH THE OPPOSITION IS AGAINST YOU.
YOU HAVE SO MANY SUPPORTERS, SIR, AND YOU JUST DON'T KNOW, 
BUT WE'RE GOING TO STAND BEHIND YOU AND SUPPORT YOU 100%.
THE PROJECT THAT YOU-ALL CAME UP WITH WITH THE -- I MEAN, 
BEAUTIFUL LOCATION, YOU KNOW.
FORMERLY HOMELESS, THIS IS MY -- MY PRAYERS, MY DREAMS FOR 
YEARS BECAUSE THIS IS THE ANSWER, YOU KNOW.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME OPPOSITION WITH THIS PROJECT, BUT 
I PRAY AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE ON PRAYING AND ASKING MY 
COLLEAGUES AND EVERYONE ELSE TO PRAY THAT THIS GO FORWARD 
BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A POSITIVE THING FOR 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND IT'S GOING -- IT'S GOING TO LIFT 
YOU UP AS THE SO-CALLED HILLSBOROUGH -- HILLSBOROUGH CARE 
REALLY MEANS YOU REALLY DO CARE.
THE HOMELESS SITUATION IS A MEGAPROBLEM ALL OVER THE 
COUNTRY, ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I JUST LEFT THE G-20 PROTEST UP IN PITTSBURGH, AND, YOU 
KNOW, IT'S -- IT'S THERE TOO.
IT'S EVERYWHERE, BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IF WE USE 
THE BUILDINGS AND THESE STRUCTURES AND NOT WASTE THE MONEY.
AND ONE OTHER THING TOO THAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW, THAT YOU 
CAN RECRUIT SOME OF THESE SAME HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT'S GOT 
ELECTRICAL SKILLS, CARPENTER SKILLS, AND TO SAVE THE MONEY 
WITH THE COUNTY.
I'M LOOKING AT THE COUNTY PROPERTY -- I DON'T LIKE THE WORD 
"PROFIT" -- BUT BENEFITING FROM THIS MISSION.
THERE'S SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN DO, AND AGAIN, TOO, I'D LIKE 
TO APOLOGIZE.
I KNEW THAT YOU-ALL WAS WORKING VERY HARD ON THIS, YOU WERE 
STRESSED OUT WITH IT, AND, YOU KNOW, I WILL KEEP KNOCKING 
AT YOUR DOOR, AND I -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, REVEREND LOCKETT.
[APPLAUSE]
MARCELLA OSTEEN, TERRY FLOTT, AND BRIAN REINHARD.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MARCELLA OSTEEN, P.O. BOX 212, BALM, FLORIDA.
I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER SHARPE FOR PUTTING THE 
UNAUTHORIZED 1% PAY RAISES ON THE AGENDA FOR YOUR 
DISCUSSION TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR DISCUSSION WILL GO, BUT -- SO I'M 
JUST JUMPING IN NOW.
ON THE 17th OF SEPTEMBER WHEN THIS BROKE, I DID A PUBLIC 
RECORDS REQUEST WITH NINE ITEMS.
THREE OF THOSE ITEMS HAVE YET TO BE FULFILLED.
ONE WAS WHO NOMINATED PAT BEAN FOR THE 1% AWARD RAISE.
THE OTHER ONE WAS WHO NOMINATED RENEE LEE FOR THE 1% AWARD 
OR RAISE.
THE ANSWER I GOT FOR BOTH OF THOSE FROM THE COUNTY STAFF 
WAS PENDING RESPONSE DUE TO CONTINUING RESEARCH OF FILES.
WELL, TO DATE THEIR RESEARCH HAS YIELDED NO ANSWER TO THOSE 
QUESTIONS NOR TO THE QUESTION THAT I ASKED, WHO VOTED ON 
THE 2007 AWARD RAISES.
SAME RESPONSE, PENDING RESPONSE DUE TO RESEARCHING OF 
FILES.
NO RESEARCH HAS YIELDED ANY ANSWER TO THAT YET EITHER.
AND MY RESEARCH -- I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF INTERNAL E-MAILS 
AS A RESULT OF MY PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, AND READING ALL 
THOSE E-MAILS HAS REVEALED ONE THING THAT STANDS OUT.
THERE'S WIDESPREAD CONFUSION AND FUZZINESS ABOUT ALL THESE 
PROGRAMS INTERNALLY WITH YOUR HR STAFF AND ALL STAFF, JUST 
MASSIVE FUZZINESS.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE EITHER IT 
APPEARS.
AS AN EXAMPLE, IN ONE E-MAIL FROM A PERSON I WON'T NAME -- 
BUT IT'S PUBLIC RECORD -- THEY REFER TO IT AS THE EXTRA 
MILE AWARD, THE $17-MILLION WORTH OF SAVINGS, AND WE ALL 
KNOW BY NOW THE EXTRA MILE AWARD IS NOTHING MORE OR SHOULD 
BE NOTHING MORE THAN A CERTIFICATE, SO THAT IS A PRIME 
EXAMPLE OF MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE WHOLE THING.
ANOTHER ONE IS FROM HR DIRECTOR DATED 2004.
THIS IS ABOUT A 1% AWARD, MERIT AWARD, AND IT'S REFERRED TO 
AS THE EXTRA EXTRAORDINARY 1% MERIT INCREASE.
NOW, THAT STRIKES ME AS NOT FUNNY BUT CRAZY.
I MEAN, EXTRA EXTRAORDINARY.
AND ALL THIS DEMONSTRATES THAT ALL THIS FUZZINESS AND 
CONFUSION IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO DO AN UNAUTHORIZED 1% 
RAISE.
YOU CAN JUST SLIDE IT ON THROUGH, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED, 
AND I SEE NOTHING TO CONTRADICT THAT.
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO DO MORE RESEARCH AND GET TO 
THE BOTTOM OF THIS, AND YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD, DO NOT WAIT 
UNTIL PUBLIC -- ETHICS COMPLAINTS COME THROUGH.
IT COULD BE A YEAR, WHATEVER.
DO YOUR OWN THING, TAKE YOUR OWN AUTHORITY IN THIS, HAVE 
THE CLERK'S OFFICE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, AND SEE 
EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.
CONVINCE YOURSELF -- I'M CONVINCED, BUT YOU NEED TO 
CONVINCE YOURSELF, SO DO THAT WITH ALL DILIGENCE AND HASTE.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. OSTEEN.
[APPLAUSE]
TERRY FLOTT, BRIAN REINHARD, JARVIS EL-AMIN.
GOOD MORNING, MS. FLOTT.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
TERRY FLOTT.
MARCELLA COVERED A LOT OF THE ISSUES.
I'LL JUST MAKE SOME ADDITIONAL GENERAL COMMENTS RELATING TO 
F-4.
I WOULD ASK TODAY DURING YOUR DISCUSSION THAT YOU 
ABSOLUTELY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH FURTHER INVESTIGATION, 
INDEPENDENT AND PARALLEL WITH THE ETHICS COMMISSION'S 
COMPLAINTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN TALLAHASSEE.
IT'S YOUR DUTY, IT'S NOT THE STATE'S DUTY, ON A LOCAL LEVEL 
TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.
THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTY ARE DUE A FULL AND OPEN 
EXPLANATION, AND AS MARCELLA INDICATED THAT OUR RESEARCH 
HAS SHOWN THAT THERE'S -- THERE'S MASSIVE PROBLEMS BEYOND 
JUST THIS ISSUE.
I'M SHOCKED, ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AT -- AT THE LOOSENESS -- 
TO COIN A PHRASE LOOSEY-GOOSEY.
IT'S WAY BEYOND LOOSEY-GOOSEY.
WE HAVE TROUBLE IN RIVER CITY, AND WE NEED TO FIX IT AND WE 
NEED TO FIX IT QUICKLY.
DON'T BE AFRAID AND BE HELD HOSTAGE BY ATTEMPTS TO SAY, 
WELL, WE'VE GOT TO PAY OUT SEVERANCE PACKAGES OR WHATEVER 
IT MAY COME TO.
THERE'S A PROBLEM HERE.
BAD JUDGMENT I EXPECT FROM PERHAPS A TEN-YEAR-OLD, 14-YEAR-
OLD, AND MAYBE EVEN A 20-YEAR-OLD HAS BAD JUDGMENT, BUT 
PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING THE TWO HIGHEST-PAID POSITIONS IN 
THIS COUNTY, QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, I DO NOT EXPECT 
BAD JUDGMENT ON REPEATED OCCASIONS AS A TAXPAYER.
THAT'S NOT A GOOD ENOUGH ANSWER, AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED 
AND LOOKED INTO.
THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY, ALTHOUGH IT ADDS UP 
PRETTY QUICKLY WHEN YOU START COMPOUNDING IT, IT'S ABOUT 
THE PROCESS, FOLKS.
WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM, AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE OPERATING LIKE THIS.
IT'S RUNNING RAMPANT, AND I WOULD ASK YOU WHEN YOU HAVE 
THIS DISCUSSION THIS AFTERNOON THAT WE BEGIN TO RECTIFY 
THIS PROBLEM AND RECTIFY IT QUICKLY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. FLOTT.
[APPLAUSE]
BRIAN REINHARD, JARVIS EL-AMIN, AND FRED HAYES.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS BRIAN REINHARD.
I LIVE AT 1923 57th STREET, TAMPA.
I'M A HOMELESS NETWORK VOLUNTEER HERE ON THE STREETS.
MY WORK IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY WITH THE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS 
AND TRYING TO ASSESS THEIR NEEDS.
SHELTERS ARE A GOOD START, BUT THEY ARE NOT THE BE ALL, 
ABOVE ALL.
THEY ARE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO A LONG-RUNNING PROBLEM.
IT'S A BAND-AID.
WE NEED TO DO MORE TO PUT THESE PEOPLE IN PERMANENT HOMES.
THERE ARE A LOT OF VACANT PROPERTIES OUT HERE THAT CAN BE 
FILLED WITH ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE WILLING TO DO THE WORK, 
MAYBE ON THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MODEL.
TRANSPORTATION IS ALSO A BIG ISSUE.
WHEN I SPEAK TO THESE PEOPLE, THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
GO TO WORK, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY TRANSPORTATION.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD A BUS PASS.
MAYBE WE COULD RAISE MONIES THROUGH THE FAITH-BASED 
ORGANIZATIONS PRESENT, WHICH I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, TO 
HAVE A POOL I THINK WITH ACCOUNTABILITY WHERE THESE PERSONS 
CAN GO FIND WORK.
OR ANOTHER SITUATION IS THERE ARE MANY THAT ARE HERE WHO 
CAME HERE THINKING FLORIDA WAS THE PARADISE THAT -- WITH 
JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT IS NO LONGER DUE TO THE ECONOMIC 
SITUATION.
THEY'RE STUCK HERE.
THEY CAN GO BACK TO OKLAHOMA, NEBRASKA, WHEREVER, WHERE 
FAMILY MEMBERS CAN HELP THEM OUT, BUT THEY HAVE NO WAY TO 
GET THERE.
A GREYHOUND TICKET WOULD BE THE BIGGEST THINK FOR THEM.
IT WOULD GET THEM OFF OUR STREETS AND MOVE THEM ON.
THESE ARE JUST SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. REINHARD.
[APPLAUSE]
JARVIS EL-AMIN, FRED HAYES, AND MICHELLE PATTY.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT TO THANK 
COMMISSIONER WHITE IN SETTING HIM YOUR RESULT ORIENTED 
LEADER, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER 
WHITE, AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW AND THIS COUNTY COMMISSION 
TO KNOW THAT WE IN DISTRICT 3 ARE WELL PLEASED WITH 
COMMISSIONER WHITE'S WORK AND GETTING RESULTS.
HE'S DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
HE'S OUR COMMISSIONER, AND WE WANT THIS COUNTY COMMISSION 
TO STOP ALL THIS POLITICAL POSTURING AND GET DOWN TO THE 
BUSINESS OF HOMELESSNESS, SAVING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY, AND I 
WANT TO SEE SOME SAME ZEAL AND VIGOR IN PROTECTING THE 
TAXPAYERS' MONEY AS IT COMES TO THAT 1% RAISE INCREASE THAT 
THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -- UNAUTHORIZED RAISE, I MAY SAY.
WHERE'S THE ZEAL FOR THAT?
AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN 
PROTECTING THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.
LET'S TAKE ALL OF THEM TOGETHER AND HAVE THE SAME ZEAL AND 
PASSION IN PROTECTING THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY.
I THEY COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM CAME ONBOARD WITH THAT, I 
DON'T SEE HIM HERE, THAT IDEA OF BRINGING THE HOMELESSNESS 
INTO THE SHELTERS.
I THINK A BRILLIANT IDEA.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
WE NEED CREATIVITY, WE NEED LEADERSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO 
THIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION.
LET'S SHOW ALL THE GOVERNMENTS AROUND THIS COUNTRY, AROUND 
THIS STATE, THAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS A RESULT-ORIENTED 
GOVERNMENT THAT GETS THE JOB DONE AND WE DON'T DO A WHOLE 
LOT OF POLITICAL POSTURING AND JUST RUNNING FOR OFFICE ALL 
THE TIME AND NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. EL-AMIN.
[APPLAUSE]
FRED HAYES, MICHELLE PATTY, AND VIVIAN BACCA.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
IT'S AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.
AND I JUST WANT TO FIRST OF ALL THANK COMMISSIONER WHITE 
FOR THE WORK HE'S DONE -- DONE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND MY 
NAME IS FRED HAYES, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1, AND FOR YEARS 
I ALWAYS KNEW WHO WAS GOING TO GET MY VOTE IN DISTRICT 1.
THERE WAS NO DOUBT IT WAS GOING TO BE ONE OF YOU-ALL 
DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES HERE, BUT I CALL IT THE SUNSHINE 
SAGA.
SINCE WE STARTED THIS SUNSHINE SAGA -- WHICH I DON'T SEE 
ANY SUNSHINE IN IT, ALL I SEE IS RAIN AND CLOUDS, AND I 
THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SHOWBOATING GOING ON, AND I THINK 
THIS SHOWBOATING HAS BROUGHT ABOUT ANGER IN THE COMMUNITY 
TO THE FACT THAT THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE THERE WAS A YOUNG 
MAN THAT WAS HERE, I THINK YOU ALL REMEMBER, HE TOLD THE 
COMMISSIONER THAT WE'LL TAKE CARE OF DISTRICT 3.
THAT WAS ONLY ONE GENTLEMAN HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE MEANT BY WE'LL TAKE CARE OF DISTRICT 
3.
WHAT I'M SEEING HERE IS A LOT OF ANGER COMING OUT OF THIS 
SUNSHINE SITUATION.
AND CONCERNING OUR ADMINISTRATOR, PAT BEAN, THE 1% -- 
SOMEHOW SHE WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH A 1% RAISE INCREASE 
FOR HERSELF AND OUR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY HERE, 
WHICH I THINK EACH ONE MAKES 200,000 PLUS, WHICH CAME TO 
ABOUT $2,000 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT -- BUT I SAY TO YOU 
IT'S NOT THE BIG THINGS THAT HURT US, IT'S THE SMALL 
THINGS.
IT'S THE SMALL FOXES THAT KILLS THE VINE, AND I THINK WE'RE 
GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH THIS COMMISSIONER KEVIN WHITE 
SITUATION UNTIL WE MAY BE LOSING FOCUS ON THE SMALL ISSUES, 
WHICH ARE GOING TO COST US.
AND I COMMEND KEVIN BECKNER.
I THINK HE WAS THE ONE THAT INITIATED THE PROCESS THAT 
BROUGHT ABOUT THIS 1% RAISE INCREASE, AND WITH THAT, I 
JUST -- I WAS AT COMMISSIONER'S TRIAL, AND FIRST OF ALL, 
THOSE WAS -- WERE NOT JURORS OF HIS PEERS.
SECOND OF ALL, NOBODY WILL SAY THIS, BUT ONE OF THE KEY 
WITNESSES WAS HIS UNCLE.
THIS MAN COULD NOT REMEMBER 95% OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WAS 
ASKED HIM, BUT HE COULD REMEMBER 5%.
HE COULD EVEN REMEMBER TO GO AND HELP HIS FRIEND PACK SO 
THAT HE WASN'T LEAVING ANYTHING WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT 
ATLANTA, BUT HE COULDN'T REMEMBER ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.
AND THE JUDGE -- I'M NOT TRYING TO TRY THIS TRIAL AGAIN, 
BUT I THINK WE ALL SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT WE WOULD ALLOW 
OURSELVES TO LET JURORS COME TOGETHER THAT IS NOT REALLY 
OUR PEERS, SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING, AND 
GOD BLESS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. HAYES.
[APPLAUSE]
MICHELLE PATTY, VIVIAN BACCA, AND SID MORGAN.
GOOD MORNING, MS. PATTY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M ELDER MICHELLE B. PATTY, P.O. BOX 4624.
I, ALONG WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, MEMBERS OF 
THE CLERGY, REGISTERED VOTERS, BUT MOST OF ALL SUPPORTERS 
OF COMMISSIONER KEVIN WHITE, VERY PROUD TO BE A SUPPORTER.
WEEK AFTER WEEK WE HAVE SEEN A PERSONAL ATTACK OF 
COMMISSIONER KEVIN WHITE.
WE'VE SEEN HIM BEAT UP AND BADGERED WEEK AFTER WEEK 
PERSONALLY, SO WE'RE HERE TO ASK THAT THIS COMMISSION MOVE 
FORWARD.
I TOO SAT IN THAT COURTROOM.
I TOO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNTY AT ANY TIME COULD HAVE 
DECIDED TO SETTLE THE CASE, BUT THEY FELT LIKE COMMISSIONER 
WHITE, THAT THEY HAD A DARN GOOD CASE, WHICH THEY DID.
AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE JURORS DID NOT FOLLOW THEIR 
INSTRUCTION.
THEY CAME BACK SENDING A MESSAGE TO THIS COMMISSION THAT 
THEY DID NOT LIKE THE WAY YOU HIRE AND FIRE FOLKS.
IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION CASE.
WHAT YOU-ALL ARE SENDING TO PEOPLE THAT SIT IN MANAGEMENT 
IN THIS COUNTY, YOU'RE HANDCUFFING THEM, LETTING THEM KNOW 
THAT THEY REALLY CAN'T FIRE ANYONE.
YOU'RE LETTING EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T WANT TO WORK KNOW THAT 
ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS HOLLER SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND KEEP 
THEIR JOB.
THAT'S A BAD, BAD SIGNAL THAT YOU'RE SENDING TO THIS 
COUNTY.
WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
COMMISSIONER WHITE, WE COMMEND YOU FOR BEING A MAN OF 
INTEGRITY.
YOU STOOD THROUGH THE STORM, YOU STOOD VERY PROUDLY.
YOU'VE GONE OUT AND FOUND -- YES, IT MIGHT NOT BE THE 
PERFECT PLACE FOR EVERYONE FOR THE HOMELESS, BUT YOU'VE 
DONE IT ANYWAY, SO THAT'S WHAT WE ASK OF OUR COMMISSIONER, 
EVEN IN A TIME OF A STORM.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS NOT -- NOT WAVERED HIS DUTIES HERE TO 
THE CITIZENS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THAT WE ELECTED HIM TO 
DO, SO WE WANT TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THOSE OF YOU 
THAT ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE 
POSTURING, THAT WE WILL BE AT THE VOTING BOOTH, WE WILL BE 
CASTING OUR BALLOT, AND WE WILL REMEMBER THAT YOU'RE NOT 
FOR THE PEOPLE, YOU'RE ONLY FOR YOURSELVES AND WHAT YOU CAN 
GET OUT OF IT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR DEAR COMMISSIONER, SO 
WE THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US, WE THANK YOU ALL, AND 
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, COMMISSIONER WHITE.
GOD BLESS YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. PATTY.
VIVIAN BACCA, SID MORGAN, AND PASTOR TIMOTHY KEMP.
GOOD MORNING, MS. BACCA.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
VIVIAN BACCA, 413 EL GRECO DRIVE IN BRANDON.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM A-12 IS APPARENTLY A TOTAL REWRITE OF 
THE ORDINANCE.
THE AGENDA BACKUP DID NOT CONTAIN DETAILS OF THE TWO 
CURRENT ORDINANCES WHICH THIS ONE SEEKS TO REPLACE, SO IT'S 
DIFFICULT TO DO A COMPARISON.
THREE SECTIONS IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT MY EYE AS TROUBLESOME, 
2.4.40, THE TEMPORARY LODGING UNITS DEFINITION; 2.4.22, THE 
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT DEFINITION; AND 11.14, TEMPORARY 
LODGING UNITS EXEMPTION FROM STRUCTURAL STANDARDS FOR 
DWELLINGS.
AS THIS ORDINANCE IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IT WOULD APPEAR TO 
ALLOW ANY NONPROFIT TO SET UP A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.
IT WOULD APPEAR THERE ARE NO LIMITS FOR ANY EXISTING 
NONPROFIT LIKE A CHURCH ESTABLISHING A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT 
AND PUTTING UP TENTS AND/OR CASITAS.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, CHURCHES ARE OFTEN GIVEN WIDE LATITUDE OF 
ALLOWABLE LOCATIONS IN THE ZONING CODE BECAUSE OF THEIR 
PROTECTION UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT, FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
HOW CAN CITIZENS KNOW IF THIS CHANGE TO THE ORDINANCE IS 
ACCEPTABLE IF THE ORDINANCE APPEARS TO APPLY TO ANY 
NONPROFIT IN THE COUNTY REGARDLESS OF ZONING, FUTURE LAND 
USE CATEGORY IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, OR ANY DISCUSSION 
OF BUFFERING OR COMPATIBILITY?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EVEN HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IF 
ANY TIME SOMEONE HAS A WORTHWHILE PROJECT BUT OWNS PROPERTY 
THAT DOESN'T FIT THE PROJECT, THE PLAN IS AMENDED?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH REQUIRING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO 
WORTHWHILE PROJECTS TO BUY SUITABLE PROPERTY IN ZONING 
CATEGORIES WHERE THEY BELONG?
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A HOMELESS COALITION WITH AN 
ACTION PLAN IF DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE DIVERTED FOR 
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LIKE TENT CITIES?
WON'T SOME OF THESE NONPROFITS BE APPLYING FOR GRANTS FOR 
THE TENT CITIES?
HOW ELSE WILL THEY COMPETE WITH THE ACTION PLAN?
THESE ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THIS PROPOSED 
ORDINANCE AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN.
I'M NOT ATTEMPTING TO MINIMIZE THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS.
THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT CANNOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG 
BY HERDING HOMELESS PEOPLE INTO TENT CITIES REMINISCENT OF 
THE JAPANESE INTERMENT CAMPS OF WORLD WAR II.
[APPLAUSE]
I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM AND WHITE'S 
IDEAS, F-6 AND 7, OF A LOCATION AT THE FLORILAND MALL IS 
WORKABLE.
I THINK THERE COULD BE PROBLEMS WITH AN INAPPROPRIATE 
ZONING, AND I THINK THE FUNDS WHICH PAY THIS LEASE MAY NOT 
BE FROM A SOURCE THAT COULD BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
F-4, I AGREE WITH MARCELLA OSTEEN AND TERRY FLOTT'S 
COMMENTS, DO NOT DELAY ON THIS ISSUE.
FINALLY, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GREATER BRANDON CHAMBER OF 
COMMERCE FOR BEING AWARDED FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF 
THE YEAR.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. BACCA.
SID MORGAN, PASTOR TIMOTHY KEMP, AND TONI WALKER.
GOOD MORNING, MR. MORGAN.
>> GOOD MORNING.
GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, 
ADMINISTRATOR BEAN, ATTORNEY LEE, AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS SID MORGAN.
I'M THE MARKET PRESIDENT FOR HUMANA.
MY ADDRESS IS 5401 WEST KENNEDY BOULEVARD, TAMPA, FLORIDA 
33609.
TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO CONSIDER HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE 
HEALTH BENEFITS OPTION FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
HUMANA HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FROM THE BEGINNING, AND WE OFFER 
THE SAME GUIDANCE TODAY.
HUMANA RECOMMENDS THE COUNTY REMAIN SELF-FUNDED AND DRIVE 
SAVINGS BY OFFERING EMPLOYEES MORE CHOICES, NOT LESS.
THE GALLAGHER REPORT SAYS THE COUNTY SHOULD BECOME FULLY 
INSURED, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY REAL SAVINGS, BUT IN ORDER TO 
AVOID RISK.
THEN THE REPORT CALLS INTO QUESTION THE ASSUMPTION THE 
OTHER PROVIDER HAS MADE IN THEIR PROPOSAL.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GALLAGHER REPORT PROVIDES -- PROVIDES 
A THREE-YEAR RENEWAL ESTIMATE.
GALLAGHER CONSERVATIVELY ESTIMATES THE OTHER PROVIDER WILL 
INCREASE RATES AT LEAST 19% IN YEAR THREE.
AGAIN, THE REPORT AFFIRMS THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS, 
ONLY THE RISK OF HIGHER COSTS.
HUMANA RECOMMENDS THE COUNTY REMAIN SELF-FUNDED AND ACHIEVE 
SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS BY OFFERING EMPLOYEES CHOICES.
THIS IS A MUCH BETTER OPTION FOR THE EMPLOYEES.
THIS ALLOWS EACH EMPLOYEE TO EVALUATE THEIR OWN SITUATION 
AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT BEST FITS THEIR NEEDS.
IN APRIL 2008 YOUR STAFF RECOMMENDED THIS OPTION.
IT WAS REMOVED IN JULY 2008.
THIS OPTION CONTINUES TO BE OVERLOOKED, AND AS SUCH, THIS 
BOARD IS BEING OFFERED A FALSE CHOICE.
YOU CAN OBTAIN SAVINGS, YOU CAN STAY SELF-FUNDED, AND YOU 
CAN PROVIDE CHOICE TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY.
OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES IN THIS COUNTY, INCLUDING THE CITY OF 
TAMPA, THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THE 
SCHOOL BOARD HAVE FOUND THIS OPTION HAS DRIVEN EMPLOYEE 
MORALE AND DECREASED OVERALL COSTS.
SO TODAY YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH 
CHOICES IN THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE WHILE DECREASING 
COST.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU KEEP YOUR SELF-INSURED PLAN 
WHILE ALLOWING EMPLOYEE CHOICE AND REAPING THE BENEFITS OF 
DECREASED COSTS.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. MORGAN.
PASTOR TIMOTHY KEMP, TONI WALKER, AND PAM CLOUSTON.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M PASTOR TIMOTHY J. KEMP, AND I RESIDE AT 2409 EAST 99th 
AVENUE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF KEVIN WHITE, AND I WANT TO STATE ON 
THE RECORD, MR. WHITE, THAT WE LOVE YOU GREATLY, AND WE 
APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND 
I WANT TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO PLEASE RESOLVE THE PAYMENT 
OF THE JUDGMENT THAT WAS CAST AGAINST MR. WHITE BECAUSE 
HE'S A MAN OF DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, AND LOYALTY.
HE'S NOT JUST THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL THAT COMES AROUND INTO 
THE CHURCHES WHEN IT'S TIME TO LOBBY FOR A VOTE, BUT HE 
PERIODICALLY CHECKS IN TO SEE OF THE CONCERNS OF THE 
PEOPLE, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, 
COMMISSIONER WHITE, AND WE THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING, 
AND WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE RESOLVE THIS MATTER AND 
PUT IT BEHIND YOU SO WE COULD MOVE FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, PASTOR KEMP.
[APPLAUSE]
TONI WALKER, PAM CLOUSTON, DEREK CHAMBLEE.
GOOD MORNING.
>> HELLO.
GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS TONI WALKER, AND I LIVE AT 303 WEST FLORILAND 
AVENUE.
I LIVE AT 303 WEST FLORILAND AVENUE.
I'M HERE TO CORRECT A MISCONCEPTION.
THERE IS A NEIGHBORHOOD DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM FLORILAND 
MALL, DIRECTLY NEXT TO FLORILAND MALL THERE'S A MOBILE HOME 
COMMUNITY.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 60 YEARS.
WE LIVE THERE, WE GO TO SCHOOL THERE, WE VOTE IN THE 
CHURCHES IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
CHAMBERLAIN HIGH SCHOOL IS THREE BLOCKS AWAY.
THERE IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND A 
CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITHIN A THIRD OF A MILE.
ASIDE FROM THE PROPERTY VALUES, THE INSURANCE RATES WILL GO 
UP.
THESE AREN'T THE MAIN CONCERNS.
CAN WE BE ASSURED IF PEOPLE MOVE IN TO FLORILAND MALL THAT 
WE CAN GO TO A DATABASE AND PUT A NAME IN AND FIND OUT HOW 
MANY SEXUAL OFFENDERS ARE GOING TO BE LIVING THREE BLOCKS 
FROM MY HOME?
CHILDREN PLAY ON THE STREETS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHAT ARE THE ASSURANCES THAT EVERYBODY THERE HAS BEEN 
CHECKED, THAT THEY'RE OKAY TO BE THERE?
IS EVERY HOMELESS PERSON JUST AN UNFORTUNATE PERSON WHO 
LOST THEIR HOME?
I HAVE GREAT SYMPATHY, BUT MY PROPERTY VALUES HAVE ALREADY 
DECLINED BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY.
IF IT EVER REBOUNDS, WHAT WILL WE DO?
I CAN'T SELL A HOME IF PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING IN MY YARD 
DURING THE DAY.
I WORKED ON FLORIDA AVENUE ONE BLOCK FROM FLORILAND MALL 
FOR THREE -- NO, SEVEN YEARS.
EVERY MORNING I HAD TO COME IN AND CHASE PEOPLE OFF THE 
PROPERTY SO I COULD OPEN THE STORE.
THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE WE KNEW OVER THE YEARS.
MULTIPLY THAT.
PUT A THOUSAND PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.
IT'S THE SOUTHERNMOST PART OF FOREST HILLS.
IT'S A COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HOMES.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIVE THERE.
THAT'S -- THAT WAS -- I JUST WANTED TO POINT IT OUT BECAUSE 
WE ARE IN A DISTRICT, WE DO VOTE, WE DO PAY TAXES, AND WE 
WANT THE SAME SAFETY ASSURANCES ANYBODY ELSE HAS.
OUR CONCERNS ARE THE SAME AS THE EAST LAKE COMMUNITY, AND I 
JUST FEEL THAT OUR -- OUR CONCERNS -- WE NEED TO BE HEARD.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO VOICE OUR OPINION.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. WALKER.
PAM CLOUSTON, DEREK CHAMBLEE, AND MARIA HERNANDEZ.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS.
PAM CLOUSTON, 1621 THOMPSON ROAD.
I WANT TO ADDRESS A-29, THE NONPROFITS, AND I WANT TO THANK 
YOU ON BEHALF OF GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
YOUR KIND AND GENEROUS FUNDING.
THIS FUNDING WILL BE USED TO SERVE GIRLS IN OUR OUTREACH 
PROGRAM.
THESE GIRLS ARE IN NONTRADITIONAL TROOPS AND OTHERWISE 
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SERVED.
THEY'RE BEING SERVED AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS, DAY CARE 
CENTERS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERS, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND 
IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THIS GIVES EVERY GIRL AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A GIRL 
SCOUT,
AND YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO SOME OF THEM.
BEST OF ALL, IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE 
ENCAMPMENT OF DREAMS, WHICH IS A WEEKEND AT A GIRL SCOUT 
CAMP, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SOME KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN 
OUT OF THE INNER CITY, AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET EVERY 
CHILD OUT INTO THE WOODS.
THAT BEING SAID, OUR TRADITIONAL GIRL SCOUT TROOPS ARE 
RUNNING UP AGAINST A PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE I E-MAILED YOU-
ALL SEVERAL WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS.
PARKS AND RECREATION, ALTHOUGH THEY'VE GENEROUSLY OFFERED 
TO GIVE THEM A CUT RATE, THE TROOPS THAT ARE MEETING IN OUR 
REC CENTERS, SOME AFTER SCHOOL, SOME IN THE EVENING -- 
WELL, THEY CAN'T MEET THERE AFTER SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY'VE 
GOT DAY CARE THERE USUALLY, BUT THESE GIRLS -- GIRL SCOUT 
TROOPS THAT ARE MEETING THERE ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY A HALF 
RATE FOR AN HOUR MEETING.
THAT'S ABOUT $20, AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, THEY WOULD 
HAVE TO SELL 33 BOXES OF COOKIES JUST TO MEET ONE HOUR.
WHEN YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY TROOPS MEETING EVERY WEEK OR EVEN 
EVERY OTHER WEEK, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE JUST CAN'T DO.
I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
I KNOW THAT WE GOT A REPRIEVE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER; 
HOWEVER, WE'RE FAST APPROACHING THE END OF OCTOBER, AND 
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND HOMES FOR THESE TROOPS.
IF WE CAN'T FIND A SAFE PLACE FOR THESE GIRLS TO MEET, 
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE SERVING THE -- THE 
VOLUNTEERS AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE SERVING 
THEM, SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE PRETTY QUICKLY 
ON THAT, AND REMEMBER, PLEASE, THAT GIRL SCOUTS BUILDS 
GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE AND CHARACTER THAT MAKE THE 
WORLD A BETTER PLACE, AND THANK YOU.
F-2, CONE RANCH, I THOUGHT THAT WAS A LITTLE PREMATURE 
SINCE THE NEXT MEETING IS FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
AND REGARDING A-12, THE ORDINANCE, I'M A LITTLE WORRIED 
ABOUT THAT, THAT IT'S KIND OF USURPING OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT 
CODE A LITTLE BIT, SO I THINK YOU WOULD BE REAL WISE TO -- 
AND I KNOW YOU ALL ARE -- TO STUDY THAT VERY, VERY 
CAREFULLY.
AND WITH F-4, NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, AN INCENTIVE OR A 
REWARD FOR PRODUCTIVITY OR EFFICIENCY, THAT'S A ONE-TIME 
THING.
PLEASE DON'T LET THE ETHICS COMMISSION TAKE THIS OVER FOR 
YOU.
YOU'VE GOT A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS TO DO 
SOMETHING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. CLOUSTON.
>> THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  DEREK CHAMBLEE, MARIA HERNANDEZ, AND NAOMI 
HALL.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> DEREK CHAMBLEE, AT LARGE.
I'M THE ORGANIZER OF THE HOMELESS NETWORK, WHICH IS A 
NETWORK MADE UP OF STRICTLY VOLUNTEERS, MANY WHOM ARE 
HOMELESS AND CAN HELP THEMSELVES, MANY WHO HAVE BEEN 
DISPLACED BY THE ECONOMY, THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, AND 
THEY'RE AT THE LIBRARY LOOKING ON CRAIGSLIST, FOR INSTANCE, 
FOR JOBS.
THEY'RE USED TO PAYING THEIR OWN RENT, AND THAT'S THE 
SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESS PROBLEM IN AMERICA, PAY THE 
RENT.
THREE WORDS, PAY THE RENT.
WHETHER YOU GET A FIRST-OF-THE-MONTH CHECK OR YOU'RE USED 
TO WORKING A JOB AND PAYING YOUR RENT, WE'VE GOT TO WORK 
WITH THE MOTIVATED HOMELESS FIRST AND BEGIN TO CREATE SOME 
MOVEMENT OFF THE STREETS.
I'VE ORGANIZED THE HOMELESS IN AT LEAST SEVEN MAJOR 
METROPOLITAN AREAS SINCE 1984.
IT -- THERE USED TO BE A TIME WHEN WE WOULD RELOCATE 
HOMELESS WORKERS HERE TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, TO TAMPA 
BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES HERE.
I BELIEVE THAT IT'S TIME TO REVERSE THIS FLOW OF -- OF 
WORKERS COMING IN, LOW-LEVEL WORKERS COMING IN TO THE STATE 
OF FLORIDA.
WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
FOR EVERY ONE OF THE 10,000 ESTIMATED HOMELESS PEOPLE IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY THERE MUST BE 10,000 FAMILIES THAT ARE 
ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PAY THEIR 
RENT THIS MONTH.
WHAT WE NEED THIS COMMISSION TO DO IS TO PUT MORE MONEY IN 
RENT ASSISTANCE, AND THIS WILL PLACE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL 
ABLE-BODIED INTO APARTMENTS.
WE NEED TO TEAM UP WITH LANDLORDS THAT HAVE AVAILABLE 
APARTMENTS OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO DISPERSE THE 
HOMELESS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST LIKE 
WE ARE.
THEY -- THEY'RE GETTING A STIGMA RIGHT NOW.
AND I WILL SAY THIS, THAT WE WILL STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS 
OF THE PEOPLE HERE.
THEY'RE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY TRESPASSED OUT OF PLACES LIKE 
GASLIGHT PARK, MASSEY PARK ON FRANKLIN STREET.
THESE ARE PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES, THESE ARE PUBLIC STREETS, 
THESE ARE PUBLIC PARKS.
IN ANY STATE OF THE EMERGENCY -- IN ANY STATE OF EMERGENCY 
OUR PUBLIC STREETS AND OUR PUBLIC PARKS MUST BE FOR THE 
PEOPLE, AND WE WILL ASSEMBLE A TEAM OF LAWYERS FROM LEGAL 
FOUNDATIONS RANGING FROM THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION 
ON THE FAR LEFT FOR THE AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE 
ON THE FAR RIGHT TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN 
PEOPLE.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONCE SAID, THIS COUNTRY IS DEDICATED TO A 
PROPOSITION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
WE NEED TO REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THAT PROPOSITION.
WE'LL STAND FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE, NUMBER ONE, 
BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO BE FREE IN AMERICA, WE'RE GOING TO 
STAND FOR THAT.
FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO GET BACK INTO JOBS AND APARTMENTS 
AND CAN PAY THEIR OWN RENT, THAT'LL SAVE THE COUNTY 
TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY.
WE'RE AGAINST SHELTERS.
THEY'RE JUST MINIMUM, MINIMUM SECURITY PRISONS.
THEY'RE GOING TO LOCATE THIS NOT IN YOUR BACKYARD BUT SOME 
REMOTE PART OF THE COUNTY AND ROB THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF 
THEIR FREEDOM.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAMBLEE.
[APPLAUSE]
MARIA HERNANDEZ, NAOMI HALL.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M WITH THE HOMELESS NETWORK, VOLUNTEER, AND I'M ALSO AT 
LARGE, AND BASICALLY WHAT DEREK WAS SPEAKING ON IS 
BASICALLY WHAT I'M SPEAKING ON, BUT I'M MORE CONCERNED WITH 
THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY OUT THERE, FUNDING THAT 
IS GOING OUT TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AND WHEN MOST OF THE 
PEOPLE GO THERE FOR HELP, THERE'S LIKE NO FUNDS.
THEY'RE SAYING THERE'S NO FUNDS OR THEY -- THEY HELP YOU, 
BUT IT'S PARTIAL HELP, SO THEY'RE STILL, YOU KNOW, IN THE 
HOLE WITH EITHER RENT OR WHATEVER, AND LIKE DEREK HAS SAID, 
THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES OUT THERE WITH CHILDREN 
WHO ARE ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS.
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THESE 
ORGANIZATIONS OF WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING, HOW THEY'RE 
SPENDING IT, AND SOME -- SOME PROOF OR SOME DUE PROCESS.
I'M KIND OF -- I'M KIND OF NEW AT THIS THING HERE, BUT AS 
FAR AS THE OVERALL PICTURE IS FOR THE RIGHTS OF EVERY 
AMERICAN CITIZEN.
EVERY PERSON THAT'S ON THIS EARTH HAS A FUNDAMENTAL GOD-
GIVEN RIGHT TO BREATHE , SLEEP, USE THE BATHROOM, AND 
THEY -- THEY DON'T DESERVE TO BE HARASSED BY OFFICERS 
UNLESS THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, INTERRUPTING SOMEONE'S BUSINESS, 
YOU KNOW.
I UNDERSTAND ALL THAT, BUT IF THEY'RE IN A PUBLIC AREA, 
THEY'RE HOMELESS.
THERE'S NO HELP FOR THEM.
THEY CAN'T GO ANYWHERE, THEY'RE BROKE.
SOME VETERANS ARE ON THE STREET WHO ARE WAITING FOR 
DISABILITY CHECKS.
YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS ARE PASSING BY, AND 
THEY'RE STILL WAITING FOR DISABILITY CHECKS.
THESE ARE OUR VETERANS THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY, 
FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND, YOU KNOW, IT 
IT'S VERY APPALLING TO ME.
SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK -- I CAN'T FIND A BETTER WORD, SO I 
THINK I'LL KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO STOP 
PLAYING GAMES AND START GETTING -- STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT 
HOMELESS PEOPLE AND THEY'RE WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR BAGS, 
THEY'RE BEING KICKED OUT OF THE LIBRARIES BECAUSE THEIR 
BAG'S TOO BIG OR THEY'RE FALLING ASLEEP.
WELL, IF I WAS HOMELESS AND I'M ON THE STREET AND I CAN'T 
GET ANY SLEEP BECAUSE I'M BEING HARASSED ALL NIGHT, I'M 
GOING TO FALL ASLEEP ANYWHERE I CAN FALL ASLEEP, YOU 
UNDERSTAND?
SO, YOU KNOW, JUST TRY -- TRY YOUR BEST TO EMPATHIZE OR 
SYMPATHIZE OR WHATEVER YOU CAN WITH THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT REALLY DO WANT TO 
GET OFF THE STREET, OKAY.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME THAT, YOU KNOW, AREN'T TRYING.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ONES THAT ARE TRYING, OKAY.
WE NEED A LOT OF HELP OUT THERE, OKAY.
BUT DON'T FORGET THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE, OKAY, BECAUSE 
THERE ARE RIGHTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, 
MA'AM.
[APPLAUSE]
MA'AM, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> MARIA HERNANDEZ JOHNSON.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU.
NAOMI HALL.
OKAY.
MS. HALL WILL BE THE LAST SPEAKER THIS MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS NAOMI HALL.
I LIVE AT 10119 NORTH OLA AVENUE, TAMPA.
I AM WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF FLORILAND MALL.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A FACILITY FOR THESE 
KIND OF ISSUES, BUT I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE IN MY 
NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WORK VERY HARD.
I AM A SINGLE MOM, AND I HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT LIVES WITH 
ME, AND I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUES OF WHAT 
BRINGING ONE OF THESE FACILITIES INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD -- 
WHAT THE REPERCUSSIONS ARE GOING TO BE TO THE PEOPLE THAT 
LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALREADY.
I AM A VOLUNTEER ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, AND I HELP IN 
THE MORNINGS TO CROSS KIDS ACROSS THE STREET BECAUSE I DO 
LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WE 
JUST ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN OUR 
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. HALL.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION THIS MORNING.
AGAIN, THERE'S A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT DID NOT HAVE AN 
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.
YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR 
AFTERNOON AGENDA.
CAN WE HAVE A MOTION --
>>JIM NORMAN:  MOVE THE CONSENT. 
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- TO APPROVE THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSENT.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER BECKNER TO APPROVE THE REMAINDER OF THE 
CONSENT AGENDA.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>PAT BEAN:  WE SHOULD TAKE THE ONE ITEM THAT WAS PULLED 
FOR --
>>JIM NORMAN:  YEAH, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER 
BECKNER'S GOT TO ABSTAIN ON.
>>KEN HAGAN:  A-29?
>>MARK SHARPE:  SECOND.
>>PAT BEAN:  YES.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION TO APPROVE A-29 BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN, 
SECOND COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
COMMISSIONER BECKNER ABSTAINED.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A 10:00 TIME CERTAIN.
>>PAT BEAN:  YES, WE DO.
WE HAVE A 10:00 TIME CERTAIN, COMMISSIONERS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN'T HEAR YOU, PAT.
>>PAT BEAN:  I'M SORRY.
WE HAVE A 10:00 TIME CERTAIN.
THIS IS TO DISCUSS THE TERMINATION OF LEASE AGREEMENTS AS 
IT RELATES -- I'M HAVING YOUR PROBLEM, COMMISSIONER 
BECKNER -- RELATES TO THE CLERK AND THE TAX COLLECTOR'S 
OFFICE LOCATED AT FLORILAND MALL OR AS IT'S NOW CALLED 
CENTERMALL AND ALSO ALTERNATE USES FOR THE SPACE.
COMMISSIONER WHITE BROUGHT THAT ITEM, AND WE WILL ALSO 
INCLUDE IN THIS SAME TIME CERTAIN DISCUSSION BY 
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM BECAUSE HIS ITEM ALSO IS RELATED 
TO THE SAME SUBJECT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER WHITE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
GOOD MORNING.
THE -- THE ISSUE -- I DON'T KNOW.
IS THIS MICROPHONE ON?
THE LIGHT'S NOT ON.
I GUESS IT IS.
OKAY.
LAST -- OUR LAST BOARD MEETING BROUGHT AN ISSUE BEFORE US 
WHICH THIS BOARD FELT IT IMPERATIVE TO TABLE AND SEND BACK 
TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO TRY AND NEGOTIATE AND SAVE THE 
COUNTY AS WELL AS THE TAXPAYERS AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE, 
AND THAT WAS REGARDING THE BUYOUT LEASE OF THE CLERK'S 
OFFICE AT THE -- AT CENTERMALL, KNOWN AS FLORILAND MALL, 
AND THE AMOUNT OF THAT WAS IN EXCESS OF $592,000.
ONCE WE LEARNED OF THAT AND BASICALLY SENT ADMINISTRATION 
BACK TO THE TABLE, I MET WITH MR. DAN KLEIN, WHO IS THE 
BOARD'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CLERK'S OFFICE, TO BASICALLY 
DISCUSS WITH HIM THE -- THE SIZE OF THE FACILITY IN WHICH 
THE CLERK'S OFFICE OCCUPIED AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS IN 
EXCESS OF 20,000 SQUARE FEET.
MET WITH MR. KELLY IN OUR REAL ESTATE OFFICE AND HAD THE 
OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO MEET WITH OUR TAX COLLECTOR, MR. DOUG 
BELDEN, WHO ALSO SAID THAT THEY OCCUPIED SPACE IN EXCESS OF 
10,000 SQUARE FEET AT THE CENTERMALL AS WELL, AND THEY WERE 
LOOKING TO ALSO VACATE THAT PREMISE.
AND THEIR BUYOUT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $130,000.
SO BASICALLY WHAT THIS -- WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS HAVE THE 
COUNTY WRITING THE OWNER AND MANAGER OF CENTERMALL PROPERTY 
A CHECK FOR IN EXCESS OF $722,000 JUST FOR US TO WALK AWAY 
FROM THAT PROPERTY AND LEAVE THE SPACE VACANT AND 
UNOCCUPIED.
LOOKING AT THE SITE, THE LOCATION, AND THE REPEATED CRY 
FROM OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OUR COMMISSIONERS ON THIS 
BOARD TRYING TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND THE 
EVER-INCREASING HOMELESS POPULATION INFLUXING IN TO 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, I DROVE OUT TO THE SITE AND I LOOKED 
AT THE SURROUNDING AREA OF THE SITE.
ON THIS MALL PROPERTY YOU HAVE RIGHT IN THE SAME FACILITY 
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, WORKFORCE 
ALLIANCE ON THE OTHER END OF THE PROPERTY BUILDING, WHERE 
PEOPLE COME TO AND CONGREGATE TO BOTH OF THESE FACILITIES 
EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK LOOKING FOR HELP, APPLYING FOR JOBS, 
FAMILIES IN NEED OF CRISIS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
THERE ARE ALSO OTHER STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE ALSO OCCUPYING 
THIS FACILITY.
IT'S ON A MAJOR BUS THOROUGHFARE, WHICH IS FLORIDA AND 
BUSCH BOULEVARD, WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY GIVE GREAT ACCESS 
FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION, AND WE NEED 
TO -- I ALSO MET WITH RAYME NUCKLES WITH THE HOMELESS 
COALITION AND VALMARIE TURNER, WHO RUNS OUR AFFORDABLE 
HOUSING OFFICE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- I BELIEVE I 
SAW VALMARIE COME IN, BUT WE SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT USING -- 
POTENTIALLY USING CDBG DOLLARS TO HELP FACILITATE WHEN 
PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW -- HOW CAN WE PAY FOR THIS, 
BUT WHEN WE WERE TALKING IN OUR LAST PROPOSAL THAT WE SHOT 
DOWN -- I SEE VAL.
WOULD YOU COME ON UP, PLEASE.
BUT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OUR LAST PROPOSAL WITH 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES WANTING TO STEP UP TO THE TABLE AND 
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDE A LOCATION AND ALL OF THESE 
OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES THAT THEY WANTED TO PROVIDE AT THE 
HILLSBOROUGH AND HARNEY SITE, I THOUGHT WHAT A WONDERFUL 
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES INVOLVED 
TO COME TOGETHER AND BE ABLE TO BE UNDER ONE ROOF AND 
BASICALLY HAVE A ONE-STOP SHOP, IF YOU WILL, FOR OUR 
HOMELESS SITUATION BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING WORSE FOR A 
HOMELESS PERSON TO BE HOMELESS AND THEN TRY TO FIND A JOB, 
AND NOW YOU HAVE TO GO TEN MILES AWAY TO TRY AND FIND A 
JOB, WHERE AM I?
AND THE YOUNG LADY WHO JUST SPOKE ABOUT THE HOMELESS PEOPLE 
BEING KICKED OUT OF THE PARKS, OUR OWN PARKS DOWNTOWN -- WE 
KNOW THAT DOWNTOWN ISN'T A PLACE THAT'S CONDUCIVE TO 
CONGREGATES OF HOMELESS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THAT, BUT WE 
DON'T WANT OUR DOWNTOWN TO LOOK LIKE THAT.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I BELIEVE THAT THIS -- THIS 
SITE PROVIDES IS A PERMANENT SHELTER.
IT IS NOT A TENT.
IT GIVES PEOPLE A LITTLE MORE DIGNITY.
YOU HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FEEL SAFE AT NIGHT.
WE HAVE INCLEMENT WEATHER.
IT'S ABOUT TO BECOME THE WINTER SEASON.
WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, WE NEED TO KEEP 
PEOPLE SAFE, WE NEED TO HAVE A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE.
THIS WOULD ALSO ALLOW -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROJECT 
HOPE ALWAYS COMES BEFORE THIS COMMISSION AND ASKS FOR IS A 
TELEPHONE BANK AND AN ADDRESS, SOMEPLACE WHERE PEOPLE WHEN 
THEY'RE APPLYING FOR JOBS, THEY CAN HAVE AN ADDRESS TO BE 
ABLE TO PUT ON A JOB APPLICATION AND ANOTHER PLACE WHERE 
THEY CAN USE THE TELEPHONE TO RESPOND AND REPLY.
I THINK THIS SETTING GIVES US A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STOP 
TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.
AND NO, IT'S -- I'LL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT, IT'S NOT -- 
IT'S NOT THE PERFECT SOLUTION, IT'S NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION, 
BUT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS AND MAKING 
STEPS TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS SITUATION.
AND AS FAR AS THE LOCATION IS CONCERNED, YOU HAVE TO LOOK 
AT THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THIS PROPERTY'S LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF BUSCH 
BOULEVARD AND FLORIDA AVENUE.
TO THE EAST IT HAS A NATURAL BUFFER OF I-275, A SIX-LANE 
HIGHWAY; TO THE NORTH IT'S DIRECTLY BUFFERED BY THE DEFUNCT 
CAR DEALERSHIP THAT WAS THERE THAT'S SITTING ON ACRES; TO 
THE WEST YOU'RE LOOKING AT FLORIDA AVENUE, WHICH IS A 
COMMERCIAL SIX-LANE CORRIDOR; AND TO THE SOUTH BUSCH 
BOULEVARD, THE SAME THING, WHICH ALSO HAS A WAL-MART AND A 
HOME DEPOT SITTING THERE.
SO DON'T -- DON'T GET ME WRONG, I DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE 
NEIGHBORHOODS CLOSE BY, BUT THEY'RE NOWHERE CLOSER THAN -- 
THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT HARNEY AND HILLSBOROUGH, 
DIRECTLY AFFECTING AND IMPACTING AN ESTABLISHED 
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS A -- THIS HAS NATURAL BUFFERING ALL THE WAY AROUND 
IT AND IS ON MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE 
WOULD PROMOTE THE CONGREGATION OF THE HOMELESS.
AND IF ANYTHING, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE STREET, IF YOU'RE ON 
BUSCH, IF YOU'RE ON FLORIDA, OR IF YOU'RE ON THE INTERSTATE 
PASSING BY, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, NOBODY WOULD 
EVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
IT WOULD STILL LIKE A MALL.
AND IN LIKE PINELLAS, THEY CALL IT PINELLAS HOPE.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO COPY THE ACRONYM, BUT IF IT'S 
HILLSBOROUGH HOPE, I BELIEVE THIS WOULD GIVE OUR HOMELESS 
POPULATION MORE HOPE IN LIVING IN AN ESTABLISHED PERMANENT 
FACILITY THAN PUTTING OUR FAMILIES AND OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE 
AND PEOPLE THAT ARE RECENTLY BECOMING HOMELESS IN TENT-TYPE 
SITUATIONS.
AND THANK YOU FOR COMING UP, VAL.
I GUESS BASICALLY WHAT I -- WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO EXPOUND 
UPON IS CAN CDBG -- CDBG DOLLARS BE USED FOR EFFORTS LIKE 
THIS?
I KNOW YOU'RE -- I KNOW THAT THE NEXT YEAR'S CDB FUNDS ARE 
ALLOCATED, BUT JUST IN GENERAL, CAN THEY BE USED FOR THESE 
TYPES OF PROJECTS?
AND IF SO, THE PARAMETERS.
>>VALMARIE TURNER:  VALMARIE TURNER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING 
DEPARTMENT.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR AN 
ACTIVITY LIKE THIS ONE.
IT'S CONSIDERED A SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS, 
AND IT WOULD MEET OUR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME NATIONAL 
OBJECTIVE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT -- THAT I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO 
REALIZE, THAT THE COUNTY IS THE ONLY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY IN 
OUR COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES SOCIAL SERVICE -- SERVICES.
THE CITY DOES NOT, NONE OF THE OTHER ONES DO, AND I BELIEVE 
THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE COME TOGETHER AND FIND SOME 
SORT OF SOLUTION.
AND WHAT I PERSONALLY WOULD ENVISION -- AND, I MEAN, THIS 
IS LONG RANGE, BUT WHAT I HAD ENVISIONED THIS WAS 20,000-
SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY BEING POTENTIALLY BEING CUT IN HALF OR 
SECTIONED OFF, ONE HALF FOR HOMELESS MALE POPULATION, THE 
OTHER HALF FOR HOMELESS FEMALE AND/OR FAMILY AND CHILDREN, 
AND USING THE 10,000 SQUARE FEET THAT THE TAX COLLECTOR IS 
NOW OCCUPYING -- SINCE THAT IS ALREADY BOXED OFF AS OFFICE 
SPACE, USE THAT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVING ON-
SITE ADMINISTRATORS, ON-SITE SOCIAL SERVICES, ON-SITE 
COUNSELING, ON-SITE CARE.
[APPLAUSE]
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN PARTNER WITH USF AND HAVE -- AND 
THE VA, AND I JUST THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY 
FOR US TO -- TO COME TOGETHER AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL 
SOLUTIONS TO OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, AND I THINK THAT ONE 
OF THE -- ONE OF THE REPORTS I READ SAID THE MALL OWNER OR 
MANAGEMENT STAFF MAY NOT BE COMPLETELY IN TUNE WITH THIS 
IDEA, AND IT WAS LEASED OUT AS -- AS RETAIL SPACE OR OFFICE 
SPACE.
I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY -- ANYTHING BUT 
SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN THE MALL OTHER THAN ONE SCHOOL 
THAT'S OCCUPYING IT, AND I SAW ON ONE OF THE NEWS REPORTS 
LAST NIGHT THAT THE SCHOOL WOULDN'T EVEN OBJECT TO THAT.
SO -- AND I THINK WITH OUR DECLINING MARKET IN COMMERCIAL 
LEASING SPACE, I BELIEVE THAT -- IF THIS IS STRUCTURED AND 
PROPOSED CORRECTLY, I THINK THE -- I THINK THE MALL OWNERS 
AND MANAGEMENT STAFF WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE A LONG-TERM 
SECURE TENANT, THE COUNTY, RATHER THAN HAVING AN EMPTY 
FACILITY FOR GOD KNOWS HOW LONG, AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO 
MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO GET WITH REAL ESTATE AND 
THE OTHER STAFFING AGENCIES TO TRY TO FACILITATE SOME SORT 
OF LEASE AGREEMENT AND CONTINUE OUR NEGOTIATIONS AND TRY TO 
COME UP WITH SOME LONG-TERM LEASE AGREEMENT SO WE CAN TRY 
TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTERING FOR OUR -- OUR MOST NEEDY 
HOMELESS POPULATION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AT THIS SITE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  LET ME -- I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR 
COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER, BUT LET ME SAY THIS.
THIS IS SO WRONG IN SO MANY WAYS, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO 
LAY THEM OUT TO YOU.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN A PUBLIC COMMUNITY NOTICE AT ALL.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMMUNITY HEARING AT ALL.
WE'RE DIRECTING OUR ADMINISTRATION TO AMEND A LEASE TO PUT 
A -- AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU, I BELIEVE IT'S GOT MERIT.
EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING I BELIEVE'S GOT MERIT, BUT THIS IS 
SO VIOLATING A -- A PROCESS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, 
NOTICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
I DOUBT -- YOU KNOW, ONE OR TWO PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE READ THE 
NEWSPAPER.
I DOUBT IF 99% OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT WHOLE COMMUNITY OUT 
THERE EVEN KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
THAT'S WRONG.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  WELL --
>>JIM NORMAN:  NO.
YOU HAD THE FLOOR.
LET ME FINISH.
I'VE GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.
YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A -- 
HAVE A CHANGE OF THAT MAGNITUDE -- AND I'M GOING TO TELL 
YOU, IF IT WORKED THROUGH THIS PROCESS, I SUPPORTED THE 
OTHER -- I SUPPORTED THE OTHER PROJECT, AND I WILL TELL 
YOU, IF -- THE THINGS WITH THE -- THE OTHER AGENCIES ON-
SITE AND ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS, THOSE HAVE A LOT OF 
MERIT.
INDOORS, A LOT OF MERIT.
BUT TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC -- THIS SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH 
ASKING OUR STAFF TO INITIATE A FULL COMMUNITY HEARING TO 
SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY'S GOT TO SAY ABOUT IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT, WE DID THE OTHER PROJECT THAT WAY.
THE ROOM WAS FULL.
EVERYBODY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT THE HEARING 
OFFICER, BEFORE OUR BOARD, EVERYTHING.
THE ROOM WAS PACKED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOTICED AND THEY WERE 
INFORMED, THEY GOT TO MEET, AND THE PROCESS PROBABLY WENT 
ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT GOT HERE.
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE -- THE PRINCIPAL -- I DOUBT IF THE 
SCHOOL BOARD'S BEEN NOTICED, THE PRINCIPAL'S BEEN NOTICED, 
THE IMPACTS OF WHAT THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE TO SAY, THE 
NEIGHBORHOODS PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN NOTICED.
THAT'S A PROBLEM, AND WHEN WE'RE DIRECTING STAFF -- AND 
THEN ON TOP OF THAT, HAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY -- HAS ANYONE 
SAT DOWN WITH THAT OWNER OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO THROW THIS 
ON HIM?
I'M THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THAT LEASE HERE AND -- I'M THE ONE 
WHO PULLED THAT LEASE LAST MEETING.
I PULLED IT BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS WRONG THAT THIS 
PROPERTY OWNER HAS GOT US IN A BAD SITUATION AND WE NEEDED 
TO DO BETTER WORK FOR THE TAXPAYER IN REDUCING THAT 
LIABILITY, BUT IF YOU WANT YOUR MOTION TO BE THAT -- ASK 
STAFF TO GET OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS PEOPLE TO MAYBE IN THE 
AUDITORIUM OF CHAMBERLAIN HIGH SCHOOL HAVE A PUBLIC 
MEETING, HAVE THE NOTICE OF EVERYBODY IN THAT COMMUNITY TO 
BE HEARD, NOTICE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, LET EVERYBODY START A 
PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING TO BE HEARD AND BE INVOLVED, I'M 
WITH YOU, BUT TO DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING TODAY IS WRONG, 
WRONG, WRONG.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  WELL --
>>KEN HAGAN:  GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER WHITE.
I'LL LET YOU AND THEN COMMISSIONER NORMAN -- COMMISSIONER 
HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  LET ME RESPOND, COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THE REASON -- THE REASON 
THAT I MADE THE MOTION THAT I DID WAS TO FIND OUT IF THE 
OWNER OF THE MALL WOULD EVEN BE IN CONSIDERATION OF THAT 
BECAUSE IF -- IF THE OWNER OF THE MALL IS NOT IN 
CONSIDERATION OF THAT, THEN THE REST OF THE POINT IS -- 
IS --
>>JIM NORMAN:  HAVE YOU GONE AND SAT DOWN WITH THAT PERSON?
>>KEVIN WHITE:  -- IS MOOT.
>>JIM NORMAN:  I WOULD HAVE IF THAT WAS MY IDEA.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  WELL, I WANTED -- THAT'S WHY I WANTED THE 
DIRECTION OF STAFF.
PERSONALLY I'M TIRED OF DOING THINGS ON MY OWN AND THEN 
GETTING REBUFFED FOR THEM, SO I'M TRYING TO DO IT THE RIGHT 
WAY AND HAVE STAFF DO IT AND -- MAKE THE MOTION AND HAVE 
THE STAFF DO THE NEGOTIATING BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYBODY 
TO SAY I HAD ANY UNFAIR INVOLVEMENT OR UNDUE INFLUENCE, AND 
THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WAS MAKING THE MOTION TO HAVE STAFF 
ENTER INTO INFORMATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OWNER OF THE 
MALL, AND IF -- IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT, THEN 
WE'RE AT A MOOT POINT ANYWAY, AND NOT ASKING THEM TO GO 
INTO ANY TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS BUT JUST 
NEGOTIATIONS TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE EVEN OPEN TO THE IDEA.
IF THEY ARE OPEN TO THE IDEA, WE CAN -- WE CAN PUT THAT 
PAYMENT OF OVER $722,000 OR THE COMMITTED PAYMENT NOW OF 
$592,000 ON HOLD AND THEN START THE PUBLIC PROCESS.
>>JIM NORMAN:  CAN I PLEASE RESPOND?
COMMISSIONER, THOUGH, WE SHOULDN'T TAKE ANY ACTION 
WHATSOEVER IN THAT REGARD UNLESS THE COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE 
FIRST.
THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH IT, BUT UNLESS THEY CAN -- CAN 
VOICE THEIR OPINION TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, WE SHOULD NOT BE 
CUTTING DEALS ON CONTRACTS.
THAT'S MY OPINION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  HELLO.
AND I KNOW THAT I ALSO HAD LOOKED AT THIS AND HAD A THOUGHT 
IN THE SAME DIRECTION, AND I KNOW THAT SOME MAY HAVE SAID, 
WELL, DID HIGGINBOTHAM AND WHITE TALK ABOUT THIS, AND THE 
ONLY THING WE SHARE IN COMMON IS OUR HIRE STYLIST, AND I 
THINK YOU GET THE BETTER -- THE BETTER DEAL.
[LAUGHTER]
BUT IN MY INTENT IT ADDRESSED THE CONCERNS OF -- OF MR. 
NORMAN AS WELL, AND THAT WAS TO ASK STAFF TO LOOK AT THIS 
VIABILITY, WHICH VIABILITY WOULD MEAN COMMUNITY 
INVOLVEMENT, HEARING FROM THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE CONCERNED, IT 
WOULD INVOLVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SAME PROCESS WE WENT 
THROUGH WITH THE OTHER ONE, AND THAT WE TAKE THOSE STEPS 
FORWARD AS A PROACTIVE COMMISSION SO THAT WE STILL -- AS 
I'VE SAID BEFORE, WE CAN LOOK INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES AND 
SEE -- SEE OUR HEARTS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S -- WHERE 
WE WANT TO GO AND FIND SOLUTIONS, BUT THE REQUEST IN MY 
MOTION OR MY -- MY REQUEST FOR THE AGENDA ITEM WAS TO HAVE 
STAFF RESEARCH THE VIABILITY, VIABILITY MEANING COMMUNITY, 
VIABILITY MEANING NOT RENEGOTIATING A LEASE -- AND I DON'T 
THINK THAT WAS -- WAS KEVIN'S INTENT -- BUT JUST TO GET THE 
BALL ROLLING AND FELT THAT IT WAS BEST TO BRING IT FORTH IN 
THIS TYPE OF A SETTING, AND IF THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING -- 
AND I SEE OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON, BUT IF THERE'S AN 
UNDERSTANDING THAT VIABILITY DOES MEAN THE COMMUNITY 
INVOLVEMENT AS -- IS THE INTENT OF MY LANGUAGE, AND I THINK 
THAT IS THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF YOUR LANGUAGE -- THAT WE 
GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED.
THERE'S -- THERE'S A CROSSROAD HERE WITH POTENTIALLY BETTER 
USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS RATHER THAN JUST LOSING THEM IN A -
- IN A LEASE DEFAULT BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT THE PUBLIC TRANSIT, 
YOU'VE GOT THE SUPPORTING AGENCIES AT THIS SITE OR WITHIN A 
SHORT DISTANCE.
SO AGAIN, I COME BACK TO VIABILITY, BRINGING THESE TOGETHER 
AND HAVING STAFF TAKE THOSE STEPS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE 
INPUT FROM CITIZENS WHO ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED.
WE'VE HEARD FROM HOMELESS, WE'VE HEARD FROM A COUPLE OF 
FOLKS TODAY ABOUT THE CONCERN ON THE EFFECT OF SAFETY AND 
VALUE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT -- AS I STATED IN MY 
MOTION LAST TIME TO DENY, THERE WAS A CONCERN ON 
COMPASSION -- COMPASSION BUT EVEN A GREATER CONCERN ON THE 
SAFETY, SO THAT'S WHY THAT'S SPECIFIC WHEN I ADDRESS 
VIABILITY.
SO LET'S HEAR FROM OTHERS, AND THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT OUR 
MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  MY -- MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE ON AN ISSUE 
THAT IS -- THAT INVOLVES THE HOMELESS AND WILL ALSO INVOLVE 
AN AWFUL LOT OF EMOTION -- I MEAN, WE BEGAN TO SEE IT JUST 
A LITTLE BIT TODAY.
I THINK COMMISSIONER NORMAN WAS RIGHT ON THE ONE POINT, 
WHICH WAS THIS HAD NOT BEEN OBVIOUSLY NOTICED TO THE 
COMMUNITY THAT LIVES NEAR THAT AREA, AND SO THOSE WHO READ 
THE PAPER, PERHAPS PICKED UP -- I READ SOME OF THE BLOG 
COMMENTS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND THIS MORNING WHEN I FIRST 
SAW THIS, AND SO THAT WE CAN AVOID A RECURRENCE OF WHAT 
OCCURRED THE LAST TIME WHERE WE'RE PITTING THE HOMELESS 
VERSUS WHICHEVER COMMUNITY HAPPENS TO BE NEAR THE NEWEST 
ENCAMPMENT, AND MY CONCERN ON THE FIRST SUGGESTION -- AS 
MUCH AS, YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANTED TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT 
AND REALLY WANTED TO -- TO DO SOMETHING, I BEGAN TO SEE AT 
THE END LEGAL OBSTACLES -- COMMISSIONER NORMAN TALKED ABOUT 
IT TODAY AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT THE LAST TIME -- PROCESS 
OBSTACLES, AND A DIVIDED COMMUNITY RATHER THAN A UNITED 
COMMUNITY TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE SAYS THEY 
WANT TO SOLVE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND -- WHETHER IT'S CATHOLIC CHARITIES 
STEPPING IN AND SAYING THAT THEY WANT TO PROVIDE SOME 
HELP -- AND I DESPERATELY WANT AND HOPE THAT THE CATHOLIC 
CHARITIES WILL WORK WITH US -- OR IN THIS CASE THE 
OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS -- WITH THIS MALL, THAT IT STILL BE 
INCORPORATED IN WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM PLAN AND PROGRAM THAT 
OUR HOMELESS COALITION HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST -- 
SINCE I'VE BEEN A BOARD MEMBER, AND -- AND MYSELF, I 
STARTED SAYING, OKAY, YOU KNOW -- WE STARTED LOOKING, WELL, 
MAYBE WE CAN DO THIS, MAYBE WE CAN DO THAT, AND THEN WHEN 
YOU REALIZE THAT THE COALITION'S BEEN WORKING WITH ALL 
THESE PARTNERS FROM, YOU KNOW, ALL -- A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT 
MINISTRIES AND A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICE 
ORGANIZATIONS -- IF WE INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE 
OVERARCHING STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THE HOMELESS COALITION 
THEMSELVES HAS PUT TOGETHER, THEN AS NEW RESOURCES COME IN, 
THEY WILL FIT IN TO A GAME PLAN THAT'S ALREADY BEEN 
ESTABLISHED AND THAT WE ALL HAVE KIND OF AGREED UPON.
AND THIS -- THE HOMELESS COALITION'S PROGRAM WAS PRESENTED 
TO THE BOARD IN 2005.
THE CHALLENGE WAS THE FUNDING AND THE RESOURCES.
SO HERE'S A RESOURCE THAT MIGHT BE -- THAT MIGHT BE 
HELPFUL, AND I'LL JUST CLOSE BY SAYING PART OF THE 
CHALLENGE WE'RE GOING TO FACE IS THIS:  NOBODY WANTS AN 
ENCAMPMENT NEAR WHERE THEY LIVE.
I RECOGNIZE THAT.
IF YOU TALK TO RAYME NUCKLES, HE'LL TELL YOU THAT THEIR 
STRATEGY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TRYING TO FIND SMALL SETTINGS 
WHERE YOU BRING TEN AND 20 PEOPLE INTO AN AREA RATHER THAN 
SEVERAL HUNDRED, AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED 
MIGHT NOT AT SOME POINT BE THE ANSWER WHEN WE GO THROUGH 
THIS LENGTHY PROCESS, BUT I THINK THAT THE STRATEGY THE 
HOMELESS COALITION HAS ESTABLISHED, WHICH IS WORKING WITH 
SMALLER NUMBERS -- AND THEN I ABSOLUTELY AGREED WITH SOME 
OF THE SPOKESPEOPLE WHO'VE STEPPED UP AND TALKED ABOUT THE 
NEED FOR MORE SERVICES, MORE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
A GENTLEMAN -- WELL, MR. HART TALKED YESTERDAY AT A 
MEETING.
HE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF THE NEW 
HOMELESS ARE SINGLE MOMS WITH CHILDREN.
WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE AS WELL.
SO I WOULD SAY THAT LET'S TURN THIS OVER TO THE HOMELESS 
COALITION, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE FOLLOW THE PROCESS SO 
THAT -- COMMISSIONER NORMAN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, WE DON'T 
HAVE PEOPLE FLOODING IN HERE BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN WE'VE 
JUMPED THEM WITH A NEW PROPOSAL BEFORE THEY'VE HAD A CHANCE 
TO WEIGH IN AND SAY, HERE ARE OUR CONCERNS, AND THEN MAYBE 
WE CAN ACTUALLY BEGIN TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT PIT 
RESIDENT -- THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY AGAINST CITIZENS WHO 
JUST DESPERATELY NEED SOME HELP.
SO I WOULD -- I MEAN, I'M HOPING THAT WE'LL FIND AN 
AMENDMENT TO -- OR WE CAN AMEND THE LANGUAGE A BIT, BUT I 
THINK WE NEED TO REALLY -- WE NEED TO REALLY WEIGH THE 
CONCERNS THAT COMMISSIONER NORMAN DISCUSSED ABOUT 
NOTIFICATION AND GIVING PEOPLE FULL NOTICE, BUT BEFORE WE 
EVEN DO THAT, PERHAPS WE AGAIN INCORPORATE IT INTO OUR 
EXISTING HOMELESS STRATEGY, LET THEM WORK THE PROBLEM WITH 
THIS POTENTIAL SOLUTION, AND THEN MAYBE WE WON'T FILL OUR 
AUDITORIUMS WITH ANGRY PEOPLE, WE'LL FILL THEM WITH PEOPLE 
COMING IN AND SAYING, HEY, I JUST WANT TO HELP.
THAT'S MY SUGGESTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND AGAIN, I 
COMMEND COMMISSIONER WHITE AND HIGGINBOTHAM FOR MAKING SOME 
INITIATIVES TO GO FORWARD BECAUSE I THINK EACH AND EVERY 
ONE OF US HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUE TO FIND 
ALTERNATIVES AND WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP OUR HOMELESS.
EVERYTHING BASED ON HOUSING, SERVICES.
THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE COMMUNITY PROBLEM THAT AGAIN, YOU 
KNOW -- HOUSING IS GOING TO BE A SMALL ISSUE, SERVICES ARE 
ANOTHER WHOLE ISSUE.
I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER 
NORMAN AS FAR AS THE COMMUNITY PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT 
EVERYBODY'S INVOLVED.
THAT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT THIS IS VETTED.
WHAT I HEARD AND WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM COMMISSIONER 
WHITE'S MOTION WAS WE'RE FIRST LOOKING AT POTENTIAL 
VIABILITY.
I MEAN, BECAUSE WE COULD SCHEDULE ALL THE PUBLIC HEARINGS 
THAT WE WANT, BUT IF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY COMES BACK 
AND SAYS NOT EVEN AN OPTION, THOSE PUBLIC HEARINGS REALLY 
ARE KIND OF MOOT BECAUSE THAT PLACE THEN IS RULED OUT, SO 
I'M 100% SUPPORTIVE OF AT LEAST LOOKING AT THAT AS AN 
OPTION, AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SHARPE, THAT THIS HAS 
TO BE AMENDED INTO A MUCH LARGER AND BROADER PLAN THAT WE 
HAVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY BIG 
ISSUE TO TRY -- FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL TO TRY TO GET THEIR ARMS 
AROUND, LET ALONE A WHOLE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S A 
COMMUNITY EFFORT WORKING TOGETHER THAT WILL SOLVE THIS, 
AND, YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE AND MANY OF YOU HAVE 
MENTIONED, NO MATTER WHERE WE DECIDE THAT WE'RE LOOKING 
FOR -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING, WE'RE GOING TO FACE 
OPPOSITION.
IF WE'RE EXPECTING TO FIND A LOCATION THAT'S PICTURE 
PERFECT, THAT NOBODY'S GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT, I DON'T 
THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND IT.
SO WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT, AND -- BUT AGAIN, WE 
NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A VIABLE LOCATION THAT HAS THE 
APPROPRIATE SERVICES, THAT HAS ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION SO 
INDIVIDUALS CAN SEEK JOBS.
THERE'S A LOT OF THOUGHT THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO THIS, SO I'M 
VERY SUPPORTIVE OF LOOKING AT VIABILITY.
AND ALSO, JUST TO KEEP IN MIND, THAT, YES, WE NEED TO ALSO 
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES.
THEY HAVE PROPERTY THAT'S ALREADY ZONED FOR MULTIFAMILY 
DWELLING IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT STRUCTURE.
I THINK WE NEED TO AGAIN CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, 
WITH THE RESIDENTS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
FROM SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I'VE READ BEFORE, I THINK 
PART OF THE ISSUE THAT I HAD HEARD WAS -- WAS AGAIN THE -- 
HAVING TENTS AND CASITAS THAT WEREN'T NECESSARILY A 
PERMANENT DWELLING.
IF WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS A PERMANENT SOLUTION, CATHOLIC 
CHARITIES HOLDS THE PROPERTY.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS A BOARD IS WORK WITH THEM TO FIND 
OUT, NUMBER ONE, IF -- IF THEY'RE WILLING TO GO FORWARD 
WITH SOME PERMANENT DWELLING, AND IF SO, WHAT CAN THE BOARD 
CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO MAKE THAT A REALITY AND THEN, OF 
COURSE, MAKE SURE THE CITIZENS ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS 
AS WELL SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THEIR INPUT.
SO I AM CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF LOOKING AT ALL THE VIABLE 
OPTIONS.
AS PART OF THAT, I WOULD JUST SUGGEST THAT WE INCLUDE OTHER 
OPTIONS, AGAIN, REVISITING WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES TO TALK 
ABOUT THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY -- THAT THEY ALREADY HOLD.
SO AS LONG AS WE'RE NOT RENEGOTIATING THE LEASE RIGHT NOW, 
WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE VIABILITY, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY 
SUPPORT THAT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
COMMISSIONER WHITE, COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM, THANK YOU 
FOR BRINGING UP THIS ISSUE.
I THINK AS WE LOOKED THROUGH AND COMPLETED THE WHOLE 
PROCESS ABOUT THE -- THE SITE FOR TENT CITY THAT FAILED, WE 
KNEW THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME OTHER SITES IF WE, 
IN FACT, WERE SERIOUSLY COMMITTED TO HELPING THE HOMELESS 
SITUATION.
AFTER I MAKE MY COMMENTS, ACTUALLY TO THAT END I WOULD LIKE 
MR. KELLY TO COME UP AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE 
HAVE DONE IN TERMS OF DOING SOME OF THAT DUE DILIGENCE.
I HAVE TO ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER NORMAN IN 
TERMS OF WHAT WE DID ON THE LAST ONE AND CERTAINLY WHAT WE 
SHOULD DO WITH THIS SITE AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO WITH ANY 
SITE THAT IS EVEN POTENTIALLY CONSIDERED AS AN ALTERNATE 
SITE FOR -- FOR ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOMELESS.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
CERTAINLY THE LAST TIME WE HAD COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
IT WAS HEATED, THERE WERE A LOT OF DISAGREEMENTS WITH A LOT 
OF THE RESIDENTS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS HEALTHY, AND 
ULTIMATELY THAT SITE WAS NOT SUPPORTED.
THAT'S FINE.
SO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT SAME THING AGAIN.
I THINK ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS THIS MORNING TALKED ABOUT US 
NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS OF WHERE WE'RE GOING TO LOOK 
AT POTENTIAL SITES UNLESS WE START WITH COMMUNITY 
INVOLVEMENT.
THAT WE SHOULD LEARN, THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE.
NOTICING HERE FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES HAS BEEN IGNORED, 
AND THE PEOPLE THAT READ THE NEWSPAPER THAT THOUGHT THIS 
WAS A BAD IDEA CAME, THE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD 
IDEA CAME, BUT THERE WAS NO HEALTHY NOTICING PROCESS SO 
THAT PEOPLE THAT WERE MOST INTIMATELY INVOLVED HAD AN 
OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.
WE ARE WAY, WAY OFF AND TOO, TOO PREMATURE ON DETERMINING 
WHETHER THAT IS THE SITE OR THAT ISN'T THE SITE, BUT WE 
HAVE TO LOOK AT PROCESS AND PROCEDURE BEFORE WE CONSIDER 
THAT SITE OR ANY OTHER SITE.
JUST FOR SURFACE COMPARISONS, THE TENT CITY SITE WAS IN 
UNINCORPORATED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
18 SCHOOLS WITHIN THREE MILES, 62,000 PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 
THREE MILES.
FLORILAND MALL SITE AS OPPOSED TO BEING IN UNINCORPORATED 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY IS IN THE CITY OF TAMPA.
INSTEAD OF 18 SCHOOLS, THERE ARE 27 SCHOOLS WITHIN 13 -- 
THREE MILES, 27 IN THREE MILES, AND INSTEAD OF 62,000 
PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN THREE MILES, THERE ARE 135,000 PEOPLE 
LIVING WITHIN THREE MILES.
AND THAT DOESN'T DIMINISH THE FACT THAT WE'RE ALL LOOKING 
FOR ALTERNATE SITES, BUT I THINK THAT THIS -- THIS PROCESS 
WOULD HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO.
I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS TALKED ABOUT GIVING 
THIS TO THE HOMELESS COALITION TO WORK ON, AND I CERTAINLY 
HAVE WHAT I THINK IS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH RAYME NUCKLES 
AND THE REST OF THE LEADERSHIP WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION.
I THINK WE STILL HAVE TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO FIND SITES 
THAT -- THAT WORK AND AT THAT POINT INVITE THOSE 
LEADERSHIPS TO THE TABLE.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES I THINK WOULD BE COMMITTED TO HELP IF 
THEY COULD AND IF THEY WERE INVITED AND IF IT WORKS, SAME 
THING WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION.
I -- THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE CERTAINLY THAT FROM WHAT I SEE 
AND WHAT I'VE READ, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE 
LANDLORD IS INTERESTED IN DOING THIS TYPE OF -- OF A DEAL 
IN TERMS OF A HOMELESS SITE.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO START SOMEPLACE, BUT RENEE, I THINK 
PROBABLY YOU CAN ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.
HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY INDICATION FROM THEM THAT DEFINITELY 
THEY DO WANT TO OR DON'T WANT TO?
I JUST DON'T WANT TO DIRECT OUR STAFF TO DO SOMETHING 
THAT -- THAT IS NOT EVEN INTERESTING -- INTERESTED IN IN 
TERMS OF THE LANDLORD.
>>RENEE LEE:  COMMISSIONER, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY 
COMMUNICATION WITH THE LANDLORD.
I DO UNDERSTAND FROM ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY SUSAN 
FERNANDEZ THAT THE REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED SOME 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE LANDLORD, AND MIKE KELLY COULD 
BETTER ADDRESS THAT FOR US.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MR. KELLY, WILL YOU ADDRESS THAT, AND LET 
ME ASK YOU SOME --
>>MIKE KELLY:  SURE.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  -- OTHER QUESTIONS THAT I HAD.
>>MIKE KELLY:  SURE.
MIKE KELLY, REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT.
THE LANDLORD CONTACTED ME YESTERDAY BECAUSE THE MEDIA WAS 
CONTACTING HIM ABOUT THIS, AND WHAT I SUGGESTED TO HIM WAS 
LET ME GO THROUGH THE MEETING TODAY, FIND OUT THE SPECIFIC 
DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD AND WHAT THE BOARD'S PLAN IS, AND 
THEN I WILL COMMUNICATE WITH HIM.
BUT I WILL SAY HE EXPRESS STRONG CONCERNS AGAINST USING IT 
FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  OKAY.
THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I ANTICIPATED.
BUT ANYWAY, WE WILL HAVE TO DO SOME -- SOME PROCESS WORK 
BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO -- TO THAT.
MR. KELLY, WHILE WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE 
TENT CITY SITUATION PRIOR TO THIS, WE HAD AT LEAST A COUPLE 
OF MEETINGS, YOU, MYSELF, SUSAN FERNANDEZ, AND OUR 
ADMINISTRATOR, AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GO AWAY FROM 
TODAY'S MEETING NOT THINKING THAT WE -- YOU ASSISTING ME 
AND PAT ALLOWING THAT TO HAPPEN -- THAT WE DID A VERY 
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL THE POTENTIAL PROPERTIES THAT 
WE HAVE IN INVENTORY TO -- TO LOOK FOR A SITE THAT WOULDN'T 
INVOLVE THESE SAME TYPE OF THINGS, ABUTTING SCHOOLS WITHIN 
THREE MILES, LOTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN THREE MILES, ET 
CETERA, ET CETERA, SO I DON'T THINK I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE 
SPOT BECAUSE YOU WENT THROUGH A LOT OF TROUBLE SHOWING ME 
THE PROPERTIES, PARTICULARLY THE ONE OUT TOWARDS 
FALKENBURG, BUT BECAUSE OF A DRI THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO 
DO.
LET'S JUST UPDATE OUR PUBLIC JUST VERY BRIEFLY ABOUT WHERE 
THAT WAS SO THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT 
ALTERNATIVE SITES.
I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ONE.
>>MIKE KELLY:  RIGHT.
AT THE BOARD'S DIRECTION, WE WENT THROUGH OUR LAND 
INVENTORY AND OUR REAL ESTATE INVENTORY.
WE DID AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH, AND WE DID NOT FIND ANY 
COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY THAT WOULD MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR 
A SIMILAR FACILITY SUCH AS THE ONE IN THE TENT CITY, ONE 
THAT MET THE ACCESS, THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THE 
AVAILABILITY OF UTILITIES, ET CETERA.
ONE SITE THAT WAS LOOKED AT BECAUSE IT'S VACANT IS THE 
COUNTY OWNS A LARGE TRACT OF LAND OFF OF FALKENBURG ROAD 
WEST OF THE JAIL COMPLEX.
WE BOUGHT THAT FROM TAMPA BAY WATER, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH 
THAT SITE IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL HAS 
GONE ON RECORD WANTING TO USE IT FOR FUTURE JAIL AND COURT 
FACILITIES, NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO, IT'S A DRI THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT OF 
THE DRI.
AND THE THIRD, THE CURRENT ZONING DOES NOT ALLOW 
RESIDENTIAL USE.
SO THOSE WERE THE OBSTACLES TO THAT.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO PERHAPS MAYBE AS WE GO FORWARD WE CAN 
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THAT SAME EFFORT, MR. KELLY, BUT I 
JUST WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THAT FAILED.
I -- THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU.
>>MIKE KELLY:  OKAY.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  WELL, SO THERE WE ARE.
I THINK WE'RE STILL IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT THAT WE WERE 
BEFORE.
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO HELP THE HOMELESS, AND IT'S TIME THAT 
WE DO SOMETHING MORE PROACTIVE THAN IN THE PAST, BUT WE SAW 
THE OPPOSITION FROM ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I THINK WITHOUT 
NOTICING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THERE ARE EVEN MORE 
REASONS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING THIS TO OPPOSE 
IT.
SO WE'RE IN THAT DILEMMA, THAT BALANCE, HELP THE HOMELESS 
AND DON'T PUT IT IN AREAS THAT WON'T ALLOW IT TO WORK, SO 
I'M NOT SURE THAT I SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION, BUT 
AFTER WE FINISH OUR DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO HEAR IT AGAIN, 
AND CERTAINLY AM SUPPORTIVE OF WHATEVER WE CAN DO.
I -- I LISTENED ATTENTIVELY, MR. BECKNER, WHEN YOU TALKED 
ABOUT MAYBE SOME POTENTIAL ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING 
THAT'S VIABLE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T WANT TO 
HAVE GET LOST IN THE SHUFFLE OF THIS DISCUSSION, BUT THOSE 
ARE ALL MY COMMENTS.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER WHITE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO HAVE RAYME NUCKLES COME UP FROM 
THE HOMELESS COALITION, PLEASE, AND JUST BRIEFLY, WE HAD A 
CONVERSATION, AND NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS -- THIS IS THE 
CATCH-ALL, BUT IS THIS CONCEPT -- IS THIS SOMETHING THAT 
FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE AND THE SCOPE OF WHAT THE HOMELESS 
COALITION IS -- IS TRYING TO DO IN ITS LONG-RANGE VISION, 
FIRST OF ALL?
AND I WANT TO THROW SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER SHARPE SAID 
IN THERE IN THE MIX TOO WAS TO HELP -- WHERE MY VISION IS A 
LITTLE DIFFERENT, I THINK -- AND LET ME -- AND PLEASE 
EXPOUND WHETHER MY VISION AND THE HOMELESS COALITION'S 
VISION IS THE SAME OR IF WE'RE DIFFERING -- TO HELP TEN AND 
20 PEOPLE -- OR TEN AND 20 PEOPLE AT A TIME.
WITH OUR HOMELESS POPULATION AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF OVER 
10,000, I THINK WE NEED TO HELP MORE THAN TEN TO 20 PEOPLE 
AND/OR FAMILIES AT A TIME IF WE CAN.
SO EXPOUND ON THAT, AND THEN I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER 
COMMENTS.
I'LL BE BRIEF, THEN WE'RE DONE.
>> SURE.
RAYME NUCKLES, CEO, HOMELESS COALITION, 2105 NORTH 
NEBRASKA.
EXCUSE ME BECAUSE I JUST HAD A SNEEZING FIT, SO I 
APOLOGIZE.
AS FAR AS THIS LOCATION, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE 
NEED TO WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY IN DOING ALL 
THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES TO MAKE SURE IT MEETS ALL OF THE 
CRITERIA, CODING, YOU KNOW, NOTICING THE NEIGHBORHOOD, 
KEEPING EVERYONE ENGAGED.
WE'RE ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS 
ENGAGED IN THAT PROCESS AND TAKING CARE OF OUR HOMELESS 
NEIGHBORS AS WELL.
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE TEN-YEAR PLAN, THE LOCATION 
WITH REGARD TO THE CURRENT SERVICES THAT ARE ALREADY 
LOCATED AT THAT FACILITY, AND HAVING MORE OF A ONE-STOP, 
THAT APPEARS TO BE -- IF YOU KIND OF LAY ALL THE CARDS OUT, 
IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THAT'S A GOOD PLACE FOR A ONE-STOP 
CENTER.
AS FAR AS SHELTER, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK 
AT AND REALLY DETERMINE.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME COMMUNITY INPUT FROM THAT 
PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.
WITH REGARD TO FURTHERING THE TEN-YEAR PLAN, WHAT I WANT -- 
I WANT TO COMMEND ALL OF YOU FOR CONTINUING THESE 
DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE WE'RE FINALLY MOVING THIS PROCESS 
FORWARD, AND WE HAVE BEEN MOVING THE TEN-YEAR PLAN FORWARD 
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT WE'VE BEEN MAKING SLOW PROGRESS.
200 UNITS A YEAR, THAT'S -- THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN, SO 
WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED ABOUT 25 TO 30 
UNITS, THE TEN-YEAR PLAN IS SPLIT INTO DIFFERENT PHASES, 
AND THERE'S A CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, WHICH THIS PROPOSAL 
WOULD PROBABLY MEET THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER 
OPPORTUNITY, AND THEN THERE'S FAMILY SHELTERS AND SINGLE 
SHELTERS.
THOSE FAMILY AND SINGLE SHELTERS WERE SUPPOSED TO -- THE 
INTENT OF THE TEN-YEAR PLAN WAS TO HAVE SMALLER LOCATIONS 
INSTEAD OF CONGREGATING 200 PEOPLE AT ONE LOCATION -- THAT 
WAS THE REAL INTENT OF THE TEN-YEAR PLAN -- AND THEN 
FURTHER WITH THE RECUPERATIVE CARE CENTER WHICH WE JUST 
OPENED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IN COOPERATION WITH TAMPA 
FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS AND THEN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING 
AND PERMANENT HOUSING.
AND SO I THINK THAT CLARIFIES ALL OF THE ANSWERS TO YOUR 
QUESTION.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  YEAH, THAT DOES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING BY.
>> THANK YOU FOR OUR INPUT.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU.
I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE FAILURES THAT WE'VE 
HAD AND ALL OF THE -- THE COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY THAT MR. 
KELLY SPOKE ABOUT, THE SITES THAT WERE NOT CONDUCIVE.
I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND 
START LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT IS VIABLE, THAT IT'S 
ALREADY THERE, IT'S ALREADY SUSTAINABLE, AND SEE WHAT WE 
CAN DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CATHOLIC CHARITIES WHEN THEY WERE 
PROPOSING THE SITE AT HILLSBOROUGH AND HARNEY, THEY SAID, 
WELL, WE'LL GIVE THE LAND, BUT RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE 
MONEY TO BUILD THE STRUCTURE.
WELL, HERE WE HAVE A PLAN THE STRUCTURE'S ALREADY THERE.
THE ONLY THING THAT WE MAY HAVE TO DO IS FUND THE BUILD-
OUT, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS SAYING WITH THE COOPERATION OF 
ALL THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES INVOLVED AND HAVING THEM 
COME TOGETHER OR COMING TO THE TABLE, BUT LIKE COMMISSIONER 
NORMAN SAID -- AND COMMISSIONER NORMAN, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY 
100% AGREE WITH YOU, IT'S GOING TO TAKE COMMUNITY INPUT, 
AND I WOULDN'T DARE TRY TO SAY, BAM, LET'S PUT IT HERE, 
THIS IS IT, THIS IS THE CATCH-ALL, LET'S DO IT AND LET'S DO 
IT NOW.
I WANTED A COMMUNITY PROCESS AND I WANT A COMMUNITY 
PROCESS, BUT THE COMMUNITY PROCESS WAS GOING TO BE A MOOT 
POINT IF THE OWNER AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY OR THE 
MALL PROCESS WAS -- WAS NOT EVEN GOING TO BE A VIABLE 
OPTION.
SO WITH -- WITH THAT BEING SAID -- I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR 
THE ISSUE, BUT I'LL REMODIFY THE MOTION TO HOPEFULLY HELP 
APPEASE ANY HEARTBURN THAT THERE MAY BE ON THE BOARD, TO 
INSTRUCT STAFF TO LOOK AT THE VIABILITY OF THIS TYPE OF 
PROPOSED SETTING IN THIS PROPOSED SITE AND TO WORK WITH 
WHOMEVER THEY FEEL NECESSARY TO BRING BACK THE INFORMATION 
REGARDING THAT, AND IF IT'S POSITIVE THAT -- FROM THE -- 
FROM THE OWNERSHIP, FROM THE ZONING PERSPECTIVE, AND ALL OF 
THOSE THINGS, BRING THAT INFORMATION BACK TO US, AND THEN 
WE WILL GET THAT INFORMATION.
AND THEN IF IT'S VIABLE AND IF IT'S A SOLUTION THAT WE 
THINK IS APPROPRIATE, THEN WE CAN PUT OUT A PUBLIC HEARING 
OR PUBLIC NOTICE, NOTIFY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NOTIFY THE 
SCHOOL BOARD, NOTIFY THE RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND 
THEN HAVE A FULL-BLOWN HEARING AND MOVE FROM THERE.
AND THAT WOULD BE MY AMENDED MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  IT TAKES FOUR VOTES HERE FROM STAFF TO 
DO SOMETHING IN A PUBLIC SETTING, AND I'VE HEARD THAT TIME 
AND TIME AGAIN, YEAH, COMMISSIONER, I HEARD YOU, BUT YOU 
DIDN'T GET FOUR VOTES.
AND THIS SIMPLY IS A DIRECTIVE TO STAFF TO, IF NOTHING 
ELSE, DEMONSTRATE IN AN EARNEST AND A MATERIAL WAY THAT WE 
DO CARE ABOUT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, THAT WE DO HAVE AN 
INTEREST, AND THAT IT IS NECESSARY -- AS I READ THE REPORT 
AND AS COMMISSIONER FERLITA WELL POINTED OUT, THERE ARE NO 
COUNTY ASSETS OR PROPERTY THAT SUIT THESE NEEDS, SO WE'VE 
GOT TO STEP OUTSIDE THE BOX.
WE'VE GOT TO BE WILLING TO -- TO LOOK AT THAT, AND THAT -- 
BECAUSE IT'S SO OUTSIDE THE BOX THAT WE'VE GOT TO DIRECT 
STAFF TO LOOK FOR THOSE, AND THAT'S GOING TO INVOLVE 
WHENEVER WE LOOK AT AN ADDITIONAL SITE -- AND I DIDN'T -- 
WITHOUT BEING SAID BUT STATED HERE, THAT IT WILL INVOLVE 
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, COMMUNITY NOTICE AS WE HAVE DONE IN 
THE PAST, BUT THIS WAS AN OUT-OF-THE-BOX SUGGESTION WHERE 
ALL THE -- THE AGENCIES MEET AT AN APPROPRIATE -- OR AT A 
CROSSROAD, AND IF THE -- IF THE PROPERTY OWNER DOESN'T 
AGREE WITH IT, THEY'RE PART OF THIS -- THIS DEBATE AS WELL, 
AND IT'S SIMPLY A QUEST TO FIND THAT SOLUTION, AND I'D JUST 
ASK FOR THE -- THE FOUR VOTES TO GIVE STAFF THE DIRECTION 
TO RESEARCH THIS ONE BUT ALSO ANY OTHER VIABLE SITES THAT 
WE MAY HAVE TO VACATE, AND THAT DOESN'T -- THAT DOES PUT 
THE -- THAT DOESN'T PUT THE COMMUNITY ON NOTICE THAT WE'RE 
MOVING A HOMELESS FACILITY INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT PUTS 
THE COMMUNITY ON NOTICE THAT WE CARE AND THAT WE WILL 
DEMONSTRATE THROUGH PROACTIVE, POSITIVE, AND AFFIRMATIVE 
STEPS TO BE AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE LESS FORTUNATE AND 
EVEN MORE SO SENSITIVE TO THE -- THE PROBLEMS THAT COME 
WITH A HOMELESS SHELTER.
SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT MODIFIES YOUR -- YOUR MOTION, MR. 
WHITE, BUT IT -- IT TO ME CLARIFIES THE DIRECTION THAT THE 
STAFF NEEDS, AS I'VE HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN, FOUR VOTES, 
FOUR VOTES, FOUR VOTES, SO I'LL SUPPORT THE MOTION TO 
DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE, PROACTIVE 
MANNER TO LOOK AT THIS.
I KNOW IT'S OUTSIDE THE BOX, BUT THIS IS NOT PUTTING -- 
THIS WILL INCLUDE NOTIFYING COMMUNITIES, BUT WE'RE NOT 
MOVING THERE YET, WE'RE JUST HAVING THE DISCUSSION SO STAFF 
CAN TAKE DIRECTION.
IS THAT OKAY?
>>PAT BEAN:  YES.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  OKAY.
SO YOU HAVE A SECOND WITH CLARIFICATION THERE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER WHITE AND 
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM FOR BEING PROACTIVE IN THEIR 
THINKING.
AS I STATED DURING THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES DEBATE, I SUPPORT 
DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR HOMELESS 
PROBLEM.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS SITE, CERTAINLY IT DOES HAVE SOME -- 
SOME MERIT AS FAR AS IT BEING A PERMANENT SHELTER, AS FAR 
AS THE SERVICES THAT EXIST THERE YOU COULD HAVE A ONE-STOP 
CENTER, THERE ARE NATURAL BUFFERS AND MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, 
AS COMMISSIONER WHITE INDICATED; HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, 
YOU KNOW, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO, YOU 
KNOW, THE FOREST HILLS COMMUNITY, TO THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE -
- THAT ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THAT AREA, AND THAT'S WHY 
IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, AS COMMISSIONER NORMAN STATED, 
BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD ON ANYTHING TO INVOLVE THE 
NEIGHBORHOODS BY HAVING COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
I DO THINK IT'S A LITTLE PREMATURE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY 
MEETING BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW IF --
>> RIGHT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- YOU CAN EVEN GO THERE.
>>PAT BEAN:  SURE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  BUT I LIKE THE DIRECTION THAT YOU'RE GOING AS 
FAR AS RESEARCHING THE VIABILITY.
I THINK YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON THIS, COMMISSIONER 
HIGGINBOTHAM, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE ALSO LOOK AT -- 
THAT WE INVOLVE, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY CATHOLIC CHARITIES AS -
- AS COMMISSIONER BECKNER INDICATED AND THE HOMELESS 
COALITION AS COMMISSIONER SHARPE STATED, BUT I WOULD ALSO 
INCLUDE OTHER FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS INTO THIS MIX, AND 
ALSO, YOU KNOW, LET'S LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, ANY OTHER OPTIONS.
LET'S BROADEN THE SCOPE BEYOND JUST THIS LOCATION AND LOOK 
AT ANY OTHER LOCATION.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  I KNOW I'VE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF E-MAILS, I'M 
SURE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE AS WELL, ABOUT DIFFERENT 
PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE PRIVATELY OWNED THAT FOLKS SAID, 
YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD BE AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR SOMETHING OF 
THIS NATURE, SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD SUPPORT THE MOTION IF WE 
CAN AGAIN JUST BROADEN THE SCOPE BEYOND JUST THIS ONE 
LOCATION --
>>KEVIN WHITE:  ABSOLUTELY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- AND GO FROM THERE, BUT CERTAINLY -- 
BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES TO THIS SPOT EVEN IF WE 
GOT PAST THE -- PROBABLY THE LARGEST HURDLE OF THE OWNER OF 
THE PROPERTY BEING WILLING TO -- TO EVEN ENTERTAIN 
SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SO I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SUPPORT GOING 
FORWARD OR EVEN CONSIDERING GOING FORWARD UNTIL WE HAD A 
NUMBER OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS THERE TO DO IT, BUT UNTIL 
WE KNOW THAT IT'S EVEN A POSSIBILITY, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE 
PREMATURE, BUT WE DO NEED TO TACKLE THIS HEAD ON.
AGAIN, I THANK COMMISSIONER WHITE AND HIGGINBOTHAM FOR 
BEING PROACTIVE, BRINGING THIS FORWARD, AND, YOU KNOW, WE 
STILL NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM 
AND FIND SOLUTIONS, SO IF WE BROADEN IT TO OTHER SITES AS 
WELL, I'LL SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, GOING FROM THERE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  I ACCEPT THAT AS AN AMENDMENT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
AND I THINK YOU HIT ON A PRETTY IMPORTANT POINT THERE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, 
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT INITIALLY THAT WE NOT 
OVERCOMPLICATE WHAT WE'RE ASKING STAFF TO DO BECAUSE IN 
ORDER FOR THIS SITE TO EVEN WORK, WE HAVE TO HAVE A WILLING 
PARTNER, AND WE HAVE TO OBVIOUSLY GO BACK TO THE LANDOWNER, 
AND THE LANDOWNER HAS TO, NUMBER ONE, BE WILLING TO ENGAGE 
IN THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND TO DO THAT, THE LANDOWNER WILL 
PROBABLY ASK, WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND, IF HE DOESN'T FLAT-
OUT JUST REJECT IT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO WORK WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION 
AND OUR PARTNERS IN THIS TO GIVE THEM AN INITIAL IDEA AT 
LEAST WHAT WE WANT TO GO INTO THE CENTER, I THINK, BEFORE 
THE LANDOWNER IS WILLING TO GIVE US AN AFFIRMATIVE OR 
NEGATIVE AS WHETHER TO GO FORWARD, AND OBVIOUSLY IF AT THAT 
FIRST STEP HE IS -- HE IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ELSE, 
WELL, THEN, WE HAVE TO GO ON AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT 
ANOTHER -- AT ANOTHER OPTION.
IF HE IS WILLING TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER, THEN THIS IS 
WHERE IT GOES MORE -- TO MORE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC 
INVOLVEMENT AND MORE DETAILED PLANS.
SO THAT'S JUST MY ONLY COMMENT AND SUGGESTION.
LET'S NOT -- THIS INITIAL STAGE WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH THE 
FLORILAND PROJECT, LET'S NOT OVERCOMPLICATE IT.
LET'S LAY OUT A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND FROM 
THE STAFF AND THE HOMELESS COALITION, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, 
WHOEVER ELSE IS INVOLVED IN THIS, AND SEE IF THE 
LANDOWNER'S WILLING TO PARTICIPATE.
IF HE'S NOT, THEN, YOU KNOW, WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ISSUE, 
BUT I'LL SUPPORT THAT MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
CERTAINLY PART OF THIS IS WHETHER OR NOT THE LANDLORD 
AGREES, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE GREATER PART.
AGAIN, I -- I SHOWED REFERENCE TO THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 
WHERE WE WERE AND THIS PARTICULAR SITE, TENT CITY IN 
UNINCORPORATED HILLSBOROUGH, LESS SCHOOLS WITHIN THREE 
MILES, LESS POPULATION WITHIN THREE MILES.
FLORILAND MALL SITE, IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, IN THE CITY OF 
TAMPA, 27 SCHOOLS THREE MILES, 135,000 PEOPLE WITHIN THREE 
MILES.
I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER PARTNERS THAT WE FIRST NEED 
TO PAY COURTESY TO BEFORE WE EVEN TALK ABOUT MASSAGING A 
LEASE OR TALKING TO THE LANDLORD, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ET 
CETERA.
WE TALKED ABOUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND -- AND I THINK 
THAT THAT NOTICING HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVATED AND IT'S BEEN 
IGNORED AT THIS POINT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, UNLESS I'M INCORRECT, CITY OF TAMPA IS 
GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE -- IN ADDITION TO THE CITIZENS OF 
CITY OF TAMPA THAT LIVE IN THAT AREA THAT ARE MOST 
IMPACTED, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME INVOLVEMENT HERE, HUGE 
INVOLVEMENT.
THIS IS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF TAMPA, SO WE NEED 
TO START TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS A COOPERATIVE OR A 
COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA IN 
ADDITION TO HOMELESS COALITION AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES, BUT 
I THINK THERE WILL BE ZONING ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO LISTEN 
TO AND HEAR ABOUT AND SEE WHAT THE -- THE FEEDBACK IS FROM 
THE CITY OF TAMPA AND FROM CITY COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT OF 
COMMITMENTS FROM THE CITY OF TAMPA.
WE CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM.
EVERYBODY'S HAD BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, ARE 
THERE GOING TO BE MORE NEEDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, ARE THERE 
GOING TO BE MORE NEEDS FOR CITY SERVICES THAT PERHAPS THEY 
MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE?
SO I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF HOMEWORK BEFORE WE 
INCLUDE THIS AS A SITE BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IN THE CITY 
OF TAMPA.
NOW, IN TERMS OF A CLEAN SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT SAYS WE 
DIRECT OUR REAL ESTATE TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT OTHER SITES 
AND INVENTORY THAT WE HAVE, EVEN IF IT'S NOT JUST IN 
UNINCORPORATED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BUT IN -- IN CONCERT 
WITH -- WITH CITY OF TAMPA, PLANT CITY, TEMPLE TERRACE, 
THAT'S FINE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT I KIND OF ASKED MR. KELLY TO CONTINUE 
TRYING TO DO, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES HERE THAT NEED 
TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE WE GO FORWARD WITH TALKING ABOUT 
ANYTHING IN TERMS OF A LEASE OR ANYTHING ELSE.
THIS IS IN THE CITY OF TAMPA, AND I THINK THE COURTESIES 
SHOULD BE EXTENDED AGAIN TO THE RESIDENTS, TO THE 
GOVERNMENT OF CITY OF TAMPA, AND WHETHER OR NOT THESE 
ASSUMED COMMITMENTS FOR THEM THAT DOWN THE ROAD THEY'LL 
HAVE TO ABIDE BY.
UNTIL I HEAR FROM THEM BECAUSE IT IS IN THE CITY, I CAN'T -
- I CAN'T SUPPORT GOING FURTHER WITH THIS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  AND I'LL BE REAL QUICK.
COMMISSIONER WHITE, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY, THE 
DIFFERENCE OF THAT OTHER PROJECT VERSUS THIS PROJECT, IT 
WAS -- IT WAS DRIVEN BY AN OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION GOING -- 
FILING -- FILING ZONING CHANGES FIRST OR -- OR HAVING THAT 
HEARING OFFICER PROCESS FIRST, INITIATED THERE, HAVING 
COMMUNITY MEETINGS THERE, AND IT ALL ENDED UP HERE.
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS PROCESS IS IT'S BEING COUNTY 
COMMISSION GENERATED, WHICH IS -- HAS A LOT MORE CLOUT THAN 
STARTING AT THAT LEVEL ENDING UP HERE, AND I GUESS MY ONLY 
THING I WOULD ASK -- AND I'LL LEAVE IT ALONE -- IS THAT 
ANYTHING THAT OCCURS FROM THE MEETINGS WITH THE -- THE 
PROPERTY OWNER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD 
RELATIONS PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY GO GET THE PRESIDENTS OF EACH 
ONE OF THESE ASSOCIATIONS AND WHATEVER AND THAT THEY DON'T 
READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.
AS SOON AS THERE'S FINDINGS, WE PICK UP THE PHONE AND WE 
INCLUDE THEM IN THE LOOP, THAT ANY ACTION THIS BOARD IS 
TAKING FROM HERE -- FROM HERE FORWARD IS THAT THEY GET A 
PHONE CALL THAT THE OWNER SAID THIS OR -- BECAUSE BOARD 
MEMBERS, LET ME JUST TELL YOU THIS.
IF -- AND I DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, POLLUTE THE WELL HERE, 
BUT IF -- IF YOU HAD THAT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING FIRST, THAT 
MAY -- MAY OR MAY NOT CHANGE THE OWNER'S VIEWPOINT ON HOW 
THEY MOVE FORWARD, FRANKLY, SO THAT'S WHY YOU START WITH 
THE COMMUNITY FIRST USUALLY.
SO, I MEAN, I'M ALLOWING -- YOU KNOW, I'M VOTING TO HAVE 
YOUR RESEARCH AND I'M SUPPORTING YOUR CONCEPT, BUT I'M 
SAYING KEEP THEM IN THE LOOP, LET THE CITIZENS KNOW WHAT'S 
GOING ON, AND IT MAY BE RESOLVED BEFORE WE COME BACK HERE 
BECAUSE IF I READ THE PAPER RIGHT, THERE'S LEASES IN THE 
DEAL THAT DEPEND ON OTHER THINGS GOING ON, AND THEY MIGHT 
NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, BUT JUST INCLUDE THAT 
FOR ME, THAT THEY'RE LEFT IN THE LOOP AND I'M FINE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER NORMAN, AND I'LL BE 
HAPPY TO INCLUDE THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION 
AS WELL.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER WHITE, COMMISSIONER FERLITA IS 
NEXT, BUT CAN YOU JUST RESTATE THE MOTION.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  I'D LIKE TO RESTATE THE MOTION THAT WE 
DIRECT STAFF TO RESEARCH THE VIABILITY OF THE FLORILAND 
MALL SITE, INCLUDING SPEAKING WITH THE OWNERSHIP AND 
MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTERMALL PROPERTY TO FIND OUT IF THAT'S 
EVEN A VIABLE OPTION AND TO FULLY EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT 
THE -- THAT THE -- THAT THIS PROJECT WOULD ENCOMPASS OR THE 
GENERAL CONCEPT AND TO REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD AS WELL AS 
INCLUDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF 
TAMPA TO LET THEM NOTIFY -- NOTIFY THEM OF THAT -- THOSE 
FINDINGS AS WELL PRIOR TO -- PRIOR TO THE MEDIA RELEASE AND 
ALL OF THAT, WHICH COMMISSIONER NORMAN STATED AND --
>>PAT BEAN:  AND THE CITY.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  AND THE CITY OF TAMPA AS WELL.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO 
IN TERMS OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS, SHANNON EDGE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  ONCE WE GET THAT INFORMATION BACK, THEN WE 
CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH WHATEVER OUR DECISION MAY BE AS A 
BOARD.
>>KEN HAGAN:  AND THEN DID YOU ALSO ACCEPT MY SUGGESTION AS 
FAR AS WORKING WITH OBVIOUSLY CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THE 
HOMELESS COALITION --
>>KEVIN WHITE:  ABSOLUTELY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS?
>>KEVIN WHITE:  ALL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, PERIOD --
>>KEN HAGAN:  AND THAT WE'LL LOOK FOR VIABILITY OF OTHER 
LOCATIONS AS WELL.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  AND WE CAN LOOK FOR ALL --
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  -- ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE SITES THAT ANYONE 
WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE LOOK AT AND RESEARCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  I WAS GOING TO ASK MR. WHITE TO DO THAT, 
TO INCLUDE THE CITY OF TAMPA, PROBABLY THROUGH THEIR 
NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS, SHANNON EDGE, AND WHAT YOU SAID WAS 
GREAT, AND I JUST -- I HOPE THAT WITH THIS COMPREHENSIVE OF 
A MOTION NOBODY NEEDS TO GET CONCERNED AT THIS POINT.
THIS IS BASICALLY RESEARCH TO BE REPORTED BACK TO US AND TO 
THE CITY OF TAMPA AS IT AFFECTS THEM, SO UNDER ALL THOSE 
CONDITIONS AND FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS, THEN I SEE NO REASON 
NOT TO GO FORWARD AND I CERTAINLY WILL SUPPORT IT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, THE LAST 
STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT 
AS WELL, COMMISSIONER WHITE, WHAT WE'RE -- WHAT YOU'RE 
SUGGESTING HERE IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A NUMBER OF 
OPTIONS WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL BUT COULD ALSO 
INCLUDE IF IT DOESN'T WORK JUST AS AN INTAKE FACILITY.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  OH, ABSOLUTELY.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I MEAN, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE CLEAR.
I DON'T WANT THE CITIZENS TO THINK --
>>KEVIN WHITE:  WE'RE LOOKING -- THIS IS A BROAD-BASED 
APPROACH --
>>MARK SHARPE:  -- THAT WE'RE -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE 
HOMELESS COALITION'S EFFORTS -- THEY HAVE A PROGRAM IN 
PLACE, AND WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS, YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS 
MIGHT FIT NEATLY INTO THEIR ALREADY EXISTING PLAN.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  EXACTLY.
>>MARK SHARPE:  OKAY.
JUST -- THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WHITE, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  WE HAVE A 10:15 TIME CERTAIN.
>>PAT BEAN:  YES.
THERE'S -- THE NEXT ITEM IS OUR 10:15 TIME CERTAIN.
THIS IS AN ITEM BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY COMMISSIONER 
FERLITA AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE NAMING OF THE TAMPA BAY 
HISTORY CENTER BUILDING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>PAT BEAN:  I KNOW THERE ARE SOME FOLKS HERE WHO ARE HERE 
ON THIS SUBJECT.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MR. ROBERTS, C.J., I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE 
IS WITH YOU, BUT WHILE THEY'RE CLEARING OUT, WOULD YOU 
PLEASE COME FORWARD IN CASE MAYBE YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD 
SOME COMMENTS OR INPUT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, MR. ROBERTS.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MS. BEAN, THANK YOU.
>>PAT BEAN:  YES.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  C.J., I'M GOING TO MAKE MY COMMENTS FIRST.
I WANT TO -- WHY DON'T YOU SIT DOWN FOR A SECOND, AND THEN 
ONCE I FINISH, PERHAPS MAYBE IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD 
BEFORE I ACTUALLY ASK FOR SUPPORT FOR THE MOTION, I THINK 
THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME.
IS THAT OKAY?
OKAY.
GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU.
IT IS CERTAINLY -- IT IS ABSOLUTELY MY PLEASURE TO BRING 
THIS AGENDA ITEM TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE HISTORY AND SUCCESS STORY OF OUR TAMPA BAY HISTORY 
CENTER IS AN IMPRESSIVE ONE, AND I'D LIKE TO START WITH A 
VERY BRIEF CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF HOW WE GOT TO TODAY.
1986 THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSION ASSEMBLED A TASK 
FORCE TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A REGIONAL 
HISTORY MUSEUM.
1989 THE HISTORY MUSEUM OF TAMPA-HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, INC., 
501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT, IS ESTABLISHED BY A GROUP OF 
PRIVATE CITIZENS LED BY TAMPA BUSINESSMAN J. THOMAS 
TOUCHTON.
MR. TOUCHTON SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
UNTIL 2000.
IN 1998 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSION COMMITTED 17 MILLION 
IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX FUNDS TOWARDS THE PLANNING AND 
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MUSEUM BUILDING FOR THE TAMPA BAY 
HISTORY CENTER.
2004 TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY LEADERS SIGN AN 
AGREEMENT TO BUILD THE NEW HISTORY CENTER IN COTANCHOBEE 
FORT BROOKE PARK ON A 2.4-ACRE TRACT SECURED BY THE CITY OF 
TAMPA THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE FLORIDA COMMUNITY TRUST.
IN 2006, FEBRUARY, TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS OF BUILDING THE 
NEW MUSEUM, THE CAMPAIGN TO CREATE THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY 
CENTER EXPERIENCE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 
LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 2006.
IT REQUIRES THE HISTORY CENTER TO RAISE $28 MILLION, MORE 
THAN ITS INITIAL PLEDGE OF 11 MILLION TO THE HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY COMMISSION.
MR. TOUCHTON CHAIRS THAT CAMPAIGN.
IN OCTOBER 2007 -- IN OCTOBER OF 2007, BECAUSE OF THE 
SUCCESS OF THE CAMPAIGN AND THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 4.5 
MILLION TO BUILD OUT THE NEW MUSEUM, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
AGREES TO INCREASE THE PRIVATE CAMPAIGN GOAL AGAIN FROM 28 
MILLION TO 32 MILLION.
COMING TO JUNE '08, HISTORY CENTER RECEIVES WORD THAT IT 
HAS BEEN AWARDED A MILLION-DOLLAR CHALLENGE GRANT FROM THE 
PRESTIGIOUS KRESGE FOUNDATION TO HELP BUILD THE MUSEUM AND 
ITS EXHIBITS.
TO RECEIVE THE $1-MILLION GRANT, THE HISTORY CENTER MUST 
COMPLETE ITS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN BY APRIL 1, 2009.
MARCH OF '08, THE HISTORY CENTER SUCCESSFULLY MEETS THE 
KRESGE CHALLENGE, RANGING -- RAISING, EXCUSE ME, $32 
MILLION IN PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS ON MARCH 27, FIVE DAYS 
AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE.
THAT IS THE END OF THE CHALLENGE, AND THE MISSION HAS BEEN 
ACCOMPLISHED, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THAT WAS 
PREDOMINANTLY BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF J. THOMAS 
TOUCHTON.
TOMMY TOUCHTON IS A GIANT WHEN IT COMES TO LEADERSHIP, WHEN 
IT COMES TO GETTING THINGS DONE BY COMMITMENT, BY EXAMPLE, 
AND BY PERSONAL PARTICIPATION, AND I'D LIKE TO JUST VERY 
BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT JUST FOUR OF SOME OF THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
THIS GENTLEMEN HAS RECEIVED.
HE RECEIVED A DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD FROM WASHINGTON 
AND LEE IN 2001; THE TAMPA HISTORY SOCIETY AWARDED HIM ITS 
D.B. McKAY AWARD IN 1999 FOR PROVIDING HISTORY LEADERSHIP 
IN THE REGION; TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDED HIS -- HIM 
THE H.L. CULBREATH JR. LEADERSHIP AWARD IN 2004; AND IN 
2009, FEBRUARY, TOM WAS NAMED THE TAMPA'S OUTSTANDING 
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR BY THE TAMPA METRO CIVITAN CLUB.
THE RECOGNITIONS GO ON AND ON, AND CERTAINLY MR. TOUCHTON, 
SUPPORTED BY AND INSPIRED BY HIS INCREDIBLE WIFE, LAVINIA, 
HAS SHOWN HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
HE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS EARNED THE RESPECT OF ALL IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO CALL HIM MY 
FRIEND.
I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO SUPPORT NAMING THE TAMPA 
BAY HISTORY CENTER BUILDING THE J. THOMAS TOUCHTON TAMPA 
BAY HISTORY CENTER IN HONOR OF J. THOMAS TOUCHTON, BUT C.J. 
ROBERTS HAS SOME COMMENTS I BELIEVE THAT HE MIGHT WANT TO 
MAKE, AND THEN I'LL GO FORWARD WITH THAT AND WOULD 
RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I'LL SECOND THE MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
C.J. ROBERTS, 801 OLD WATER STREET.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING THIS.
NO ONE IS MORE DESERVING OF THIS HONOR, THIS TRIBUTE.
YOU KNOW, EVERY -- EVERY PROJECT LIKE THIS IN THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR NEEDS A TOM TOUCHTON, AND WITHOUT HIS HARD WORK, 
COMMITMENT, AND DEDICATION OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE 
HISTORY CENTER WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, SO I'M HAPPY TO 
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR -- 
FOR CONSIDERING HONORING HIM IN THIS WAY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  ONE OF THE THINGS -- AND I WANT YOU TO STAND 
HERE -- AND I KNOW YOU REMEMBER THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY IS THE 
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY, AND WE ARE THE KEEPER OF ALL 
THE DOCUMENTS AND ALL THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED BACK IN 1992, THERE WAS A -- IT 
WAS IN THE -- IN THIS OLD COURTHOUSE OVER HERE, AND THE -- 
IF YOU LOOK AT THAT MEDIA ROOM OVER HERE, ALL OF OUR 
DOCUMENTS AND ALL OF OUR HISTORY WAS KEPT IN A ROOM ABOUT 
TWICE THAT SIZE ON THE SECOND FLOOR --
>>PAT BEAN:  THAT'S RIGHT.
>> I REMEMBER.
>>JIM NORMAN:  -- OF THAT OLD COURTHOUSE, AND THAT'S ALL WE 
HAD FOR THIS ENTIRE HISTORY OF THIS -- OF THIS GREAT 
COUNTY.
THEN WE TOOK THE NEXT STEP IS WE REALLY WORKED WITH THE 
CITY OF TAMPA AND WE GOT A LOCATION IN THE CONVENTION 
CENTER, SORT OF LIKE BORROWED TIME, BORROWED SPACE, AND 
WORKED IT OUT OVER THERE, BUT IT REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ITS 
IDENTITY LIKE IT REALLY SHOULD TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF OUR 
FOREFATHERS AND HOW WE GOT HERE AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS 
THAT HAVE OCCURRED, AND -- AND COMMISSIONER FERLITA, I 
REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU -- YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I -- I SAT BACK AND WITNESSED A LOT OF THE -- THE CREATION 
OF THIS.
I WAS PRETTY TOUGH ON MR. TOUCHTON.
I JUST WANT TO BE REAL HONEST.
THE MONIES AND THEY WERE ALL PRIVATE DOLLARS, AND THEY 
LIVED UP TO ALL THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT -- THAT THEY SAID 
THEY WOULD, AND THAT'S WHY AT THE END OF THE DAY I 
SUPPORTED IT AND I WAS A TOUGH CUSTOMER SUPPORTING IT 
BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN TAXPAYER DOLLARS 
WERE INCLUDED THAT THEY ACTUALLY WENT OUT AND RAISED ALL 
THOSE FUNDS, AND THEY DID, AND YOU'RE DEAD ON WHEN YOU SAID 
IF THERE'S A PROJECT THAT SHOULD occur -- HOW IT SHOULD 
OCCUR PERFECTLY AND -- AND THE SYNERGY THAT THEY CREATED 
WITH THIS WAS JUST UNBELIEVABLE, AND HOW YOU GOT THE 
COLUMBIA ON THE SECOND FLOOR SELLING SANGRIA, WHAT A DEAL.
[LAUGHTER]
JUST WHAT YOU'VE GOT OVER THERE, IT'S A GEM NOW FOR THIS 
ENTIRE CITY AND COUNTY, AND IT'S GOING TO BE AN HONOR TO 
HAVE MR. TOUCHTON'S NAME ON IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I THANK COMMISSIONER FERLITA FOR BRINGING 
THIS ITEM FORWARD, AND I AS WELL HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF 
OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET WITH MR. TOUCHTON AS THIS PROCESS WAS 
MOVING FORWARD, AND THE CHALLENGE -- ANYTIME YOU BUILD A 
PUBLIC FACILITY -- I'VE -- I WAS THINKING LAST NIGHT ABOUT 
ALL THE ROADS WE BUILD, MAJOR ROADS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S 
ALWAYS OPPOSITION, THERE'S ALWAYS CONCERN, AND -- AND THEN 
WHEN IT GOES WRONG AND THERE'S A PROBLEM, IT REALLY COMES 
BACK AT US BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY 
TO GET IT RIGHT, WE HAVE TO ANSWER WHAT WENT WRONG, AND 
THEN WE'VE GOT TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC AT SOME POINT IN THE 
FUTURE THAT WE CAN'T STOP, WE'VE GOT TO KEEP BUILDING, AND 
SO WHEN WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT GOES RIGHT, IT REALLY MAKES 
A BIG DIFFERENCE, AND I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER NORMAN 
TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE -- THE CHALLENGES AND THE 
QUESTIONS AND ALL THE -- AND I'M SURE HE -- I'M SURE HE PUT 
MR. TOUCHTON THROUGH -- AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE -- 
THROUGH A VERY CHALLENGING PROCESS, WHICH IS THE JOB, 
OBLIGATION, AND RESPONSIBILITY OF A COMMISSIONER.
BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE AND 
ALL THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE HISTORY CENTER AND HAVING THIS 
COME BACK, AND IT'S AN EXCELLENT PROJECT.
EVERY TIME MR. TOUCHTON, ROSE, COMES INTO MY OFFICE, WE 
SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT HISTORY.
I MEAN, IT'S LIKE WE'RE LIKE TWO KIDS LOST IN DISCUSSIONS 
ABOUT INDIANS AND PIRATES AND THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA.
YOU KNOW, IN MY OFFICE, THERE'S ALWAYS BANGING ON THE DOOR, 
YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE, AND WE 
JUST WANT TO SIT THERE AND TALK HISTORY.
AND IT'S FUN, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL 
PROCESS THAT'S GOING TO TELL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE 
ABOUT THE VALUE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TAMPA BAY AND OUR 
ROLE IN DEVELOPING THIS REGION, AND THERE'S SO MUCH TO 
LEARN, AND IT'S GOING TO BE BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY CENTER 
AND BECAUSE OF MR. TOUCHTON, SO I THINK IT WAS VERY SMART 
ON THE PART OF YOU, COMMISSIONER FERLITA, TO SEE THIS.
IT'S ALWAYS CHALLENGING WHEN YOU NAME A BUILDING AFTER 
SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED, 
BUT YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, COMMISSIONER, VERY FEW WERE AS 
PASSIONATE ABOUT PROMOTING THIS AND ALSO AS PASSIONATE, AS 
COMMISSIONER NORMAN SAID, ABOUT GOING OUT AND GETTING THE 
PRIVATE DOLLARS TO MAKE IT WORK.
SO I WOULD IMAGINE -- I'M GOING TO ASK YOU, ARE YOU 
SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RECOMMENDATION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA 
THAT IT BE NAMED AFTER MR. TOUCHTON?
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
NO QUESTION.
HE LED THE CHARGE, AND SO WE'RE -- WE'RE FULLY SUPPORTIVE 
AND WE'RE EXCITED.
WE THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL THING FOR YOU-ALL TO DO.
>>MARK SHARPE:  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  AND THANK YOU, C.J.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  WELL, I CAN SAY THIS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAGNITUDE OF A HISTORY MUSEUM, THERE 
ARE CERTAINLY MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT WENT INTO THE MAKING OF 
THIS GREAT CENTER HERE IN TAMPA.
I CAN TELL YOU WHEN I WAS AT THE GRAND OPENING, THOUGH, AND 
I WAS THERE AND WAS BEING INTRODUCED AS A NEW COMMISSIONER 
AND TALKING TO PEOPLE, EVERYBODY SAID HAVE YOU TALKED TO 
MR. TOUCHTON YET, HAVE YOU TALKED TO MR. TOUCHTON?
YOU'VE GOT TO MEET MR. TOUCHTON.
AND WHEN I MET MR. TOUCHTON, I CAN SAY WITHOUT A PLAY ON 
WORDS THAT I WAS TOUCHED.
TO HEAR HIS VISION THAT HE HAD FOR MAINTAINING THE HISTORY 
OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS IN THE 
MAKING AND ALL THE TRIALS AND THE TRIBULATIONS AND ALL THE 
CHALLENGES THAT, YOU KNOW, HE'S -- THAT HE SPOKE OF OF 
COMING BEFORE THIS COMMISSION AND ESPECIALLY GAINING 
COMMISSIONER NORMAN'S SUPPORT ON THIS PROJECT WAS -- I'M 
BEING HONEST.
IT WAS ONE OF HIS LARGER CHALLENGES.
SO ANYWAYS, IT WAS HIS NAME THAT ALWAYS CAME UP OVER AND 
OVER AGAIN.
I TELL YOU, WHEN YOU HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL LIKE THIS THAT HAS 
THE VISION AND THE TENACITY TO NOT ONLY CREATE AND HELP 
CREATE THE CONCEPT BUT ALSO GO AFTER THE FUNDING BECAUSE AS 
WE KNOW, THE FUNDING A LOT OF TIME IS THE BIGGER CHALLENGE, 
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE FUNDRAISING OUT IN THE PRIVATE 
SECTOR, AND TO FORM THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THIS COMMUNITY AND 
WITH TAMPA, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK HE IS -- IS CERTAINLY SO 
DESERVING OF HAVING THIS BUILDING NAMED AFTER HIM AND 
CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE PART OF OUR HISTORY IN THE MAKING, SO 
COMMISSIONER FERLITA, I'M COMMENDING YOU AGAIN FOR BRINGING 
THIS FORWARD.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND ABSOLUTELY 100% SUPPORT 
THE RENAMING -- OR THE NAMING OF THIS BUILDING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MS. BEAN, DID YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS?
>>PAT BEAN:  YES.
I TOO, OF COURSE, WAS HERE THROUGH ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS 
THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE YEARS, AND I FREQUENTLY FOUND 
MYSELF IN DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. TOUCHTON AND SOME OF THE 
OTHER PLAYERS FROM THE HISTORY CENTER WANTING TO KNOW HOW 
TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BE SUCCESSFUL, AND ONE OF 
THE THINGS I KEPT SAYING WAS THAT TOM TOUCHTON BEING THE 
LEADER THAT HE WAS HAD TO BE CONVINCING TO THIS BOARD, AND 
OBVIOUSLY IT TOOK A WHILE.
WE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS AT THE BOARD LEVEL ABOUT THIS 
PROJECT, BUT -- IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THERE, BUT I NEVER 
DOUBTED THAT HE COULD RAISE THE MONEY.
INITIALLY THE MONEY THAT HE WAS PLANNING TO RAISE WAS A 
WHOLE LOT LESS.
HE FAR EXCEEDED THAT, AND I'LL TELL YOU, IF THERE'S EVER A 
PROJECT THAT I'M GOING TO NEED SOMEBODY TO RAISE MONEY FOR, 
HE'S THE GUY I'M GOING TO GO AFTER BECAUSE HE HAS SUCH A 
SUPERB WAY OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE AND GETTING THEM 
INTERESTED, AND SO I'M HONORED TO BE PART OF THE FACT THAT 
I'VE WORKED THROUGH GETTING TO THIS POINT, AND I'M SO PROUD 
THAT HE HAS AGREED ALSO TO HAVE THE BUILDING NAMED AFTER 
HIM.
HE'S SUCH A MODEST INDIVIDUAL.
>> INDEED.
>>PAT BEAN:  BUT HE'S AN OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF OUR 
COMMUNITY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MR. CHAIRMAN, CAN I JUST MAKE A COUPLE 
COMMENTS?
>>KEN HAGAN:  SURE.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  ONE MORE COMMENT.
PAT, FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR HELPING ME PUT THIS TOGETHER 
AND THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES, OF COURSE, FOR SUPPORT.
C.J., IF TOMMY WERE HERE, CERTAINLY HE WOULD BE TRYING TO 
DISPERSE THE COMPLIMENTS AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE 
AND WHAT MS. RYDBERG HAS DONE AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT HAS 
BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS, SO LET ME THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF HIM 
BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK.
AND -- AND HE HAS A TEAM ASSEMBLED THERE AND AT HOME THAT 
IS UNBEATABLE.
HIS WIFE IS JUST AN INCREDIBLE LADY.
HIS CHILDREN.
I MEAN, THE WHOLE SETTING IS JUST CLASS ACT.
I THINK ANY TIME A GROUP JUST LIKE THIS AND IN OTHER VENUES 
TALK ABOUT TOMMY TOUCHTON, THE ONLY CONTROVERSY IS THAT ONE 
PERSON WILL TRY TO OUTDO THE LAST PERSON THAT SPOKE BY 
COMING UP WITH MORE COMPLIMENTS, AND IT'S NOT VERY HARD TO 
DO.
IN CLOSING, I JUST -- I JUST AGAIN WANT TO JUST PUBLICLY 
JUST THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE DOES.
HE'S DEFINITELY A CLASS ACT.
I KNOW HIM AGAIN AS A FRIEND, AS HIS PHARMACIST, AND AS HIS 
DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER, AND IN ALL OF THOSE VENUES HE 
CERTAINLY SHOWS WHAT HE'S ABOUT.
I COULD UNDERSTAND, MR. NORMAN -- I DON'T NEED TO BELABOR 
THAT -- WANTING TO HOLD HIM TO TASK BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT 
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, AND IN A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE A 
STRUGGLING ECONOMY, PEOPLE DO COME BACK TO THEIR GOVERNMENT 
AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE MAY NEED SOME MORE, CAN YOU DO THIS, 
CAN YOU DON'T?
HE DID MORE WHAT MOST PEOPLE CAN'T AND DON'T DO AT FIRST 
BLUSH.
HE WENT BACK, AND IF THEY NEEDED MORE MONEY, HE DID THAT BY 
HIS OWN PARTICIPATION, AND I KNOW THAT'S SOME SECRET THING 
ABOUT WHAT HE CONTRIBUTED, BUT I HAVE A SENSE IN MY HEART 
THAT IT WAS QUITE A BIT.
AND HE'S JUST -- HE'S JUST THE IDEAL LEADER, AND I 
REMEMBER, IN CLOSING, THAT WHEN HE RECEIVED THAT 
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FROM THE METRO CIVITAN 
CLUB, HIS TEARS WERE SHED BECAUSE OF THE HUMILITY AND THE 
MODESTY THAT HE HAS, AND IT'S JUST A TRIBUTE TO HIM AND TO 
YOU GUYS FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL AND 
THANK YOU.
>>JIM NORMAN:  COMMISSIONER, LET ME SAY ONE OTHER THING.
THERE'S ONLY ONE GUY IN THIS TOWN THAT I KNOW THAT HAS 
PULLED OFF SOMETHING LIKE MR. TOUCHTON HAS DONE HERE.
LET ME CLARIFY THE -- THE STUFF ABOUT THE -- I WAS VERY 
SUPPORTIVE IF IT WAS DONE RIGHT.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SURE.
>>JIM NORMAN:  AND THE IDEA WAS THAT CONSTRUCTION AND 
BRICKS AND MORTAR ARE ONE COST, BUT THE REAL COST TO THE 
TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE BEEN LONG-TERM OPERATION, AND THAT WAS 
THE COMMITMENT THAT HE MADE TO ME THAT HE WAS SUCCESSFUL 
DOING WAS THAT HE SUPPLIED THE ENDOWMENT FOR LONG-TERM 
OPERATION THAT GOT THIS OFF THE TAXPAYERS' LONG-TERM BACK.
THAT IS WHAT -- THAT'S THE SERVICE HE PROVIDED TO THIS 
COUNTY AND THESE TAXPAYERS, THAT -- HE FULFILLED THAT 
OBLIGATION, AND IT GOT ME ONBOARD STRONGLY.
AND THE ONLY OTHER PERSON THAT I KNOW THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO 
BE THAT SUCCESSFUL DOING THAT WAS GEORGE STEINBRENNER.
WE SUPPLIED THE BRICKS AND MORTAR WITH THE YANKEE FACILITY.
HE'S THE ONLY OTHER PERSON I KNOW THAT HAS STEPPED UP TO 
THE PLATE AND PROVIDED THAT LONG-TERM OPERATION THAT THE 
TAXPAYER DOESN'T HAVE THAT LIABILITY.
SO I REALLY -- ACTUALLY, THAT FACILITY'S NOW NAMED AFTER 
HIM TOO.
[LAUGHTER]
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, SECOND COMMISSIONER SHARPE 
TO NAME THE TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER BUILDING THE J. THOMAS 
TOUCHTON TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER, SO PLEASE RECORD YOUR 
VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>> THANK YOU ALL.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. ROBERTS.
NEXT ITEM.
>>PAT BEAN:  NEXT ITEM, COMMISSIONERS, IS ITEM F-3.
THIS IS TO RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE PLAN STUDY COMMITTEE 
FINAL REPORT, AND THIS IS AN ITEM BROUGHT TO THE BOARD BY 
COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  THANK YOU, MA'AM.
AS CHAIR OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN STUDY 
COMMITTEE, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE THIS, AND I'M GOING TO ASK 
DAVE ROGOFF TO KIND OF TAKE OVER.
I KNOW WE'RE LIMITED BY TIME.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HERE WHO TOOK PART IN THE 
COMMITTEE WORK, AND I'M JUST GOING TO QUICKLY NAME THEM.
DR. JOHN CURRAN, JOE CHILLURA, JIM DAVISON, DR. JIM 
DAVISON, EDI ERB, ANTHONY ESCOBIO, DR. STEVE FREEDMAN, MARY 
ELLEN GILLETTE, DEE JEFFERS, STEVE MASON, BOB PARRADO, WHO 
RESIGNED EFFECTIVE AUGUST 7th, AND THEN DR. MARIA RUSS, AND 
IF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WOULD PLEASE STAND JUST 
BRIEFLY JUST TO THANK -- I WANT TO THANK THEM, THANK YOU 
VERY MUCH FOR --
[APPLAUSE]
BOARD MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE -- YOU'VE CONVENED THIS 
TWICE.
WHEN CHAIRMAN -- WHEN JIM NORMAN WAS CHAIRMAN HE CONVENED 
THIS TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT A NUMBER OF ISSUES, AND WE HAD 
MEMBERS -- MANY OF THE SAME MEMBERS PARTICIPATE, AND THEN 
THIS LAST TIME, AND WE MET A NUMBER OF TIMES.
IN FACT, BETWEEN MAY 29th OF 2009 TO SEPTEMBER 25th OF 
2009, COMMITTEE MET EIGHT TIMES, AND THEY TOOK THE JOB 
SERIOUSLY.
WHAT THEY WERE -- WHAT THEY WERE ASKED TO DO WAS TO PROVIDE 
RECOMMENDATIONS BY OCTOBER, WHICH THEY'VE DONE, THAT EXTEND 
THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTH 
CARE PLAN SO THAT WE CAN DO LONGER PLANNING IN THE CONTEXT 
OF THE FEDERAL HEALTH POLICY CHANGES, AND THAT'S VERY 
IMPORTANT.
THE SECOND POINT, WE NEED TO IDENTIFY LONGER-TERM MULTIYEAR 
ACTIONS THAT WOULD ASSURE THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF OUR 
PLAN, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE TRANSITIONING OF OUR PLAN, THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN, TO INTERFACE WITH A 
NATIONAL HEALTH PLAN IF ONE IS APPROVED.
AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THESE LONGER-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS TO 
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION BY APRIL OF 2010.
THE BOARD -- THIS COMMITTEE WAS VERY AWARE AT EACH MEETING, 
CONSIDERING THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE THAT WE'RE IN, THE NUMBER 
OF PEOPLE LOSING JOBS, THE FACT THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE 
DECREASING AT A TIME WHEN THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES ARE 
INCREASING, THAT WE'VE GOT TO STILL FIND A WAY TO KEEP 
PEOPLE HEALTHY BECAUSE ONE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT FACTORS 
ABOUT THE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE PLAN -- I KNOW YOU'RE ALL 
FAMILIAR WITH THIS -- IS THAT OVER HALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO 
PARTICIPATE IN OUR PLAN WORK, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM 
WORKING.
AND WE'D LIKE TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE TO MANY INDIVIDUALS 
WHO WITH NO HEALTH CARE PROGRAM THAT THEY'RE -- THAT IS 
AFFORDED TO THEM HAVING TO ULTIMATELY GO TO THE EMERGENCY 
ROOM, WHICH IS THE REASON WHY WE BEGAN THIS IN THE FIRST 
PLACE, FILLING OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS WITH HEALTH CARE ISSUES 
THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED EARLIER HAD WE HAD A PLAN 
AVAILABLE, AND HOPEFULLY -- AND THAT'S OUR OBJECTIVE, DAVE, 
REDUCING THE COSTS THAT WE ALL PAY IN HEALTH CARE WHEN AN 
ISSUE WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED EARLY WITH SOME 
PREVENTION WAS ALLOWED TO FESTER AND THEN BECOMES A VERY 
EXPENSIVE ISSUE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL THEMSELF, THE HOSPITAL 
IF THEY HAVE TO WIND UP WITH THIS PATIENT AT AN EMERGENCY 
ROOM, AND HEALTH CARE IN GENERAL.
SO WE'RE ASKING -- AND I THINK DAVE'S GOING TO ASK -- WE'RE 
GOING TO HAVE TWO MOTIONS.
THE FIRST MOTION WILL BE TO RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE STUDY 
PLAN THAT CAME FROM THE HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE, AND THEN TO 
AUTHORIZE STAFF TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND BOARD 
MEMBERS, THE REPORT THAT IS PROVIDED WILL SHOW THAT THROUGH 
THE SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS 
WORKED THROUGH, WE BELIEVE WE CAN SAVE $22.4 MILLION IN THE 
SHORT-TERM, AND THEN DAVE WILL ALSO ADDRESS WHAT WE HOPE 
WILL BE OVER THE LONG-TERM SAVINGS TO THE PLAN, TO THE 
TAXPAYER, AND I THANK YOU EACH BOARD MEMBER FOR NAMING A 
MEMBER, FOLLOWING THIS VERY CAREFULLY, AND TAKING THIS 
ISSUE SO VERY SERIOUSLY.
DAVID.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, DAVE.
>>DAVE ROGOFF:  THANK YOU.
DAVE ROGOFF, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
BEFORE I START, I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE A VERY, VERY SHORT 
PRESENTATION THAT SUMMARIZES WHAT'S IN THE REPORT.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO NOTE MY SENIOR STAFF WHO'S HERE, TOM 
CAVALERI, RAY REED, AND VICKI ADELSON, WHO WERE KEY STAFF 
TO THE COMMITTEE, AND THEIR STAFF ALSO HAD PARTICIPATED.
I WANT TO FIRST START OFF WHERE THIS STARTED.
BACK IN FEBRUARY I CAME TO THE BOARD DURING BUDGET HEARINGS 
TO POINT OUT THAT THIS WAS A TIME WE NEEDED TO DO SOME 
PLANNING BECAUSE AT THE RATE WE WERE GOING -- AND THIS IS A 
GRAPHIC THAT WAS ACTUALLY -- IT'S IN THE REPORT, BUT THIS 
WAS A GRAPHIC THAT WAS FIRST PRESENTED TO YOU-ALL IN 
FEBRUARY THAT NOTED THAT BASED UPON PROJECTIONS OF REVENUE 
AND EXPENSES THAT BY THE END OF FISCAL 2010, BY NEXT 
OCTOBER, THAT WE WOULD BE FALLING BELOW WHAT WAS BEING 
RECOMMENDED BY THE ACTUARY AS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT WE SHOULD 
HAVE IN OUR TRUST FUND, AND THAT WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF 
THREE AND A HALF MONTHS' WORTH OF CLAIMS INFORMATION.
SO THEREFORE, THE CHARGE TO THE COMMIT WE WAS HOW WE WOULD 
MEASURE THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY IN SHORT-TERM.
WE NEEDED TO GET TO A POINT THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO DIP 
BELOW THAT MINIMUM BALANCE RECOMMENDED BEFORE THE END OF 
FISCAL YEAR 2011, SO IT'S EXTENDING ANOTHER YEAR SO THAT WE 
WOULD HAVE AN EXTRA YEAR TO BEGIN PLANNING LONG-TERM 
TRANSITIONING AND -- SO THAT WAS THE SHORT-TERM -- AND THEN 
IDENTIFY A STRATEGY THAT IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THAT WE 
WOULD HAVE A CONTINGENCY.
THEN THE SECOND PART OF THE CHARGE TO THE COMMITTEE WAS THE 
LONGER-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO THEREFORE, AFTER TODAY, IF YOU APPROVE THE SHORT-TERM 
RECOMMENDATIONS, WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING IS WE'D START TO 
MEET AGAIN IN NOVEMBER TO BEGIN WITH THE LONGER-TERM 
DISCUSSIONS.
OKAY.
LET ME JUST REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE MISSION OF THE PLAN IS 
TO ENSURE WITHIN AVAILABLE RESOURCES DELIVERY OF QUALITY 
HEALTH CARE FOR THE COUNTY'S ELIGIBLE MEDICALLY POOR 
RESIDENTS WHO LACK OTHER COVERAGE.
AS PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS, IT WAS AGREED UPON BY THE 
COMMITTEE THAT THESE WERE THE DRIVERS THAT WE WOULD -- 
WOULD DRIVE OUR CONSIDERATIONS.
FIRST, THAT EFFICIENT/EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS IS A KEY 
TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE COORDINATION AMONGST AGENCIES, 
EMPHASIS ON THE UP-FRONT THINGS OF HEALTH EDUCATION, 
PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION, AND DISEASE AND CASE 
MANAGEMENT.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND THAT -- IT'S 
IMPORTANT THAT THE CLIENT BE INCENTIVIZED TO DO THE THINGS 
THAT WOULD INCREASE THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
TO GIVE YOU A FLAVOR OF WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF VOLUME, AS 
OF THE -- WE MEASURE VOLUME IN TWO WAYS, WHAT ARE THE 
NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE PLAN AT ANY ONE POINT IN 
TIME, BUT IN ADDITION, WE MEASURE ON AN ONGOING BASIS HOW 
MANY DIFFERENT LIVES WE TOUCHED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
SO AT THE END OF AUGUST, WE HAD 17,200 PEOPLE ENROLLED IN 
THE PLAN ON THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST.
THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS TO THAT WE PROVIDED FUNDING THAT 
SUPPORTED THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF ABOUT 33,700 PEOPLE.
27,300 OF THOSE WERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY ENROLLED IN OUR PLAN.
NOW, THESE ARE DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS.
IN ADDITION, YOU PROBABLY RECALL THAT THROUGH THE HEALTH 
FUNDS, THROUGH THE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE 
THE SERVICES -- THE FUNDING FOR THE LOCAL MEDICAID MATCH.
WE PROVIDED FUNDING SO THAT 3400 PEOPLE COULD GET SERVICE 
THROUGH MEDICAID.
SO WHEN YOU PUT IT TOGETHER, WE TOUCHED THE LIVES IN THE 
PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS OF CLOSE TO 34,000 PEOPLE.
SO THAT'S A FEEL FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY TOUCHED 
BY THIS PLAN.
IN TERMS OF THE GROUP WHAT WE DID, WE LOOKED AT -- AND THIS 
IS IN PRIORITY ORDER.
FIRST OF ALL, WE, AS A COMMITTEE, TRIED TO IDENTIFY THOSE 
KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE COULD REDUCE THE COSTS WITHOUT 
REDUCING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE, AND THAT'S PRIORITY ONE.
WE REALIZED ALSO SINCE WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT WAS OVER $22 
MILLION THAT NEEDED TO BE REDUCED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAT 
IT WOULD BE VERY HARD TO REACH THAT OBJECTIVE THROUGH JUST 
REDUCING KINDS OF SERVICES.
SO THE FIRST CATEGORY, IN ESSENCE, IS REDUCING THE UNIT 
COST, BUT WE WANTED TO DO THAT FIRST BEFORE WE STARTED 
ADDRESSING WHAT WE NEEDED TO -- TO DO IN TERMS OF CHANGING 
IN ELIGIBILITY.
THEN THE THIRD STEP WOULD BE TO LOOK AT CHANGES IN 
REIMBURSEMENT TO PROVIDERS.
IN THE FIRST CATEGORY -- I'M GOING TO QUICKLY RUN THROUGH 
THESE.
IN THE FIRST CATEGORY -- AND I SHOULD NOTE SOME -- MOST OF 
THESE THINGS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY, AND THE BOARD HAS 
APPROVED DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE DID IN THIS CATEGORY.
COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.
YOU AS THE BOARD I THINK IT WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO AGREED 
THAT WE -- AS SOMEONE CAME IN, IF THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR 
THE COBRA, THE -- THE FEDS PAYING THE 65%, WE PAY THE 35%, 
THEN IN ADDITION WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WHERE POSSIBLE ENROLL 
PEOPLE IN MEDICAID, EVEN IF WE PAID THEIR SHARE OF COSTS, 
AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.
FACILITATING DISABILITY DETERMINATION.
SOME OF THE SERVICE CHANGES.
EARLIER IN YOUR DISCUSSION OF THE HOMELESS, YOU HEARD 
REFERENCE TO THE RECUPERATIVE CARE CENTER.
THAT'S ALSO CALLED INTERMEDIATE CARE.
WHAT WE'RE DOING IS NOW THAT THERE'S THAT OPTION AVAILABLE, 
RATHER THAN PUTTING PEOPLE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE ON THE 
STREET IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY, WE PAY A LOWER RATE 
TO PUT THEM IN THE INTERMEDIATE CARE, SO WE WOULD DO THAT.
IN ADDITION, WE'RE LOOKING AT ISSUES REGARDING THE PHARMACY 
CONTRACT.
WE CAME TO THE BOARD A WHILE AGO WITH A NEW CONTRACT THAT 
REDUCED OUR COSTS.
WE'RE ALSO -- EARLIER TODAY YOU APPROVED AN ITEM THAT 
ALLOWED US TO PUSH MORE OF THE -- OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE 
RECEIVING PHARMACY BENEFITS INTO THE FREE DRUG PROGRAM, AND 
THAT SHOULD REDUCE OUR COSTS BY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AND ALSO THEN WE LOOKED AT SOME ISSUES REGARDING DECREASED 
USE OF SPECIALISTS, PARTICULARLY IN CERTAIN TARGETED AREAS.
ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT -- ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT ONE -- PAIN 
MANAGEMENT IS AN AREA THAT WE THINK THAT WE CAN DO SOME 
ADDITIONAL KIND OF REDUCTION OF COSTS, AND IN PARTICULAR 
SOME OTHER SPECIALTY AREAS.
THE LAST BULLET POINT THERE, WHEN THE BOARD APPROVED THE 
FURLOUGH DAYS FOR EMPLOYEES AND REDUCED PAYMENT TO 
EMPLOYEES, THEREFORE THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PAID UNDER THE 
PLAN WILL ALSO HAVE THAT REDUCTION, SO THAT CONSTITUTES 
ABOUT A HALF-MILLION-DOLLAR REDUCTION IN THAT.
SO THE ITEMS IN CATEGORY 1 IN TOTAL EQUAL ABOUT $10 MILLION 
IN REDUCTION.
CATEGORY TWO WAS THAT BACK IN 2005 THERE WERE CERTAIN 
PEOPLE WHO WERE GRANDFATHERED IN WHEN WE REDUCED THE PEOPLE 
OVER 100% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.
THERE WERE -- WE'RE PROPOSING SOME CHANGES IN THE 
GRANDFATHERING.
THE SECOND PART THERE -- NOW, LET ME NOTE SOMETHING.
ONE OF THE -- THE AREAS THAT THE COMMITTEE GRAPPLED WITH 
FOR QUITE A WHILE WAS ULTIMATELY WE KNEW WE HAD TO REDUCE 
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE PLAN TO REDUCE THE 
COSTS.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTED TO ADDRESS IT FROM THE 
STANDPOINT OF JUST CAP IT.
WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN POINT, NO ONE ELSE WOULD BE 
ELIGIBLE.
SO THE DISCUSSION AND WHAT THE GROUP SUPPORTED WAS THE IDEA 
OF TARGETING TRYING TO BE SURE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WAS OFF 
THE PLAN WITHIN 24 MONTHS.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, IT MEANT DOING A LOT MORE 
TRANSITIONING TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT WORKING WITH US TOWARDS MOVING 
TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY, THEY MIGHT BE DISENROLLED.
IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE SOME THINGS AT THE 24-MONTH 
MARK.
IF THE PERSON WASN'T FULLY COVERED, THERE MIGHT BE SOME 
THINGS THAT WE STILL COULD DO BUT AT A LOWER COST.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE ENCOUNTER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIABETES WHO THE 
MAIN THING IS ACCESS TO DRUGS, SO THEREFORE, WHAT WE COULD 
DO IS PAY FOR THE DRUG.
NOW, I WOULD NOTE ON THIS IF WE HAD FULLY GONE THE ROUTE OF 
JUST GOING AHEAD AND CUTTING THAT POPULATION, THE IMPACT 
WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $28 MILLION A YEAR JUST ON THAT ITEM.
WE ARE SAYING THAT WE RECOGNIZE THERE'S A COST OF THE 
TRANSITIONING, SO THEREFORE, TO BE CONSERVATIVE, REALIZING 
THAT IF YOU APPROVE DOING THIS, WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT 
TOGETHER THE DETAILS OF HOW WE DO THE TRANSITIONING, WE 
WERE ONLY ASSUMING $10 MILLION ON THAT ITEM TO BE THE 
REDUCTION, SO THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR FLEXIBILITY IN HOW 
THIS GETS APPLIED AND WHEN WE GO ABOUT DOING IT CREATING 
THE RULES AND, THEREFORE, HOW WE DO THE TRANSITIONING.
THE LAST ITEM WERE THE CHANGES IN REIMBURSEMENT.
THERE WAS ONE AREA THAT WE FOUND IN -- IN THE 
REIMBURSEMENT THERE'S ONLY ONE REMAINING AREA THAT WE 
CONTINUE TO BILL BASED ON WHAT'S CALLED "CHARGES," AND WE 
WOULD CHANGE THAT, AND THAT WOULD BE AN IMPACT OF ABOUT 
$1.2 MILLION LESS REIMBURSEMENT TO HOSPITALS.
ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN LENGTH AND WAS 
DECIDED TO BE HELD OFF TO BE PART OF THE LONGER-TERM 
DISCUSSION, WHICH BEGINS IN NOVEMBER, IS THE CONCEPT JUST 
OF WITHHOLDING PAYMENTS, AND BY THAT, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN -- 
WHAT WE WOULD BE SUGGESTING IS THAT WE WOULD EITHER CAP THE 
TOTAL PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS OR SAYING WE WOULD WITHHOLD 
EITHER 5% OR 10%, PUT IT INTO ESCROW, IN ESSENCE, AND AT 
THE END OF THE YEAR, IF WE WERE FINANCIALLY SOUND, THEY 
WOULD GET PART OR ALL OF THE PAYMENTS.
SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SUPPOSED -- WE TALKED ABOUT 
IN SHORT-TERM, BUT SINCE WE MET THE OBJECTIVES, IT WAS 
RECOMMENDED THAT WE HOLD THAT OFF TO THE LONGER-TERM 
DISCUSSION.
SO THIS LAST CHART HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT -- WE 
ALSO HAVE A COUPLE PEOPLE FROM THE ACTUARY HERE.
WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE MET OUR OBJECTIVES, SO WE RAN 
ALL OF THESE ITEMS THROUGH THE ACTUARY BECAUSE ONE OF THE 
THINGS THAT HAPPENS IS IF YOU REDUCE THINGS LIKE THE UNIT 
COST AT THE TOP, YOU CAN'T THEN SAY YOU HAVE TO USE THAT 
COST WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REDUCTION IN ELIGIBILITY.
YOU WANT TO BE SURE THERE'S NOT OVERLAP, SO MILLIMAN DID 
THE PROJECTIONS FOR US, AND YOU SEE THERE THAT THIS, IN 
FACT, GETS US TO A POINT THAT WE WOULD NOT DROP BELOW -- 
WE'RE PROJECTING NOT DROPPING BELOW THE MINIMUM ACTUARIAL 
THRESHOLD OR THAT THREE AND A HALF MONTHS' WORTH OF PAYMENT 
BEFORE OCTOBER 2011, SO THAT GAINS US THE EXTRA YEAR THAT 
WAS THE OBJECTIVE FROM THE COMMITTEE.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  THANK YOU, DAVE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
DAVID, NO, IN FACT, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BELIEVE THAT 
OR NOT, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE I WAS ELECTED TO THIS OFFICE 
AND DURING MY TENURE WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA AS A CITY 
COUNCIL MEMBER FOR EIGHT YEARS AND BEING IN HEALTH CARE, I 
ALWAYS ADMIRED AND RESPECTED THE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE 
PROGRAM THAT HILLSBOROUGH HAS HAD.
IT IS SOLID, IT IS RESPECTED, AND IT SERVES A PURPOSE IN 
TERMS OF GIVING OUR POPULATION THAT NEED HELP THE HELP THEY 
NEED.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE, FIRST OF ALL, AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR 
PRESENTATION THAT YOU DO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO PHYLLIS 
BUSANSKY, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I THINK IT WAS HER VISION THAT RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF 
THIS PROGRAM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I THINK THAT WHAT THE COMMITTEE HAS PROPOSED IS IMPORTANT 
AND CRITICALLY ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS -- THIS 
PROGRAM BE VIABLE.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE 
THE TIME, AND IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME.
TO DR. DAVISON, IT'S SO, SO NICE TO SEE YOU.
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN SUCH A LONG TIME, AND THE MEDICAL 
EXPERTISE YOU BRING TO THAT COMMITTEE IS INVALUABLE.
I KNOW BOB PARRADO, WHO IS A PHARMACIST HERE LOCALLY AND 
WAS A FORMER BOARD OF PHARMACY MEMBER FOR THE STATE OF 
FLORIDA, WAS MY APPOINTEE, AND BECAUSE OF PROFESSIONAL 
CONFLICTS, HE HAD TO RESIGN, AND I WAS JUST TALKING BRIEFLY 
WITH COMMISSIONER SHARPE -- AND I WILL GET WITH YOU DAVID -
- TO APPOINT SOMEONE ELSE IN HIS BEHALF, BUT AGAIN TO YOU 
AND TO VICKI ADELSON AND HSS, I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT 
PROGRAM, AND IT DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT HAS TO DO, ESPECIALLY 
NOW, BECAUSE OUR NEEDY POPULATION INCREASES.
TO MR. BETTS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS, AND 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR WIFE.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU YOU'VE DONE, SIR.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  I'LL BE BRIEF.
I ALSO DO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
I REMEMBER THIS YEARS AND YEARS AGO YOU JUMPED OUT, YOU 
TOOK THE LEAD, AND THIS IS A MONUMENTAL TASK, A VERY 
SENSITIVE TASK, AND IT AFFECTS SO MANY LIVES, AND YOU TO 
TAKE THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS AND CHAIRING THIS IS A HECK OF 
A COMPLIMENT TO YOU, ALONG WITH THE FOLKS THAT SHOWED UP 
HERE TODAY.
I'VE SEEN SO MANY OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE OVER THE YEARS, 
AND YOUR PASSION ABOUT CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THIS IS -- YOU 
REALLY NEED THANKS FROM THIS COMMUNITY, AND ONE OTHER THING 
THAT I -- I WAS VERY IMPRESSED ABOUT WAS HOW YOU WERE ABLE 
TO -- THIS TASK FORCE -- IS TO CREATE THE CHANGE WITHOUT 
LOSS OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLE AND HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO 
TRANSITION THEM OVER TO DIFFERENT COVERAGE AREAS AND 
MAINTAIN THE BOTTOM LINE HERE AND KEEP THE PROGRAM VIABLE.
THAT WAS -- THAT WAS QUITE IMPRESSIVE, I MEAN, THE WAY YOU-
ALL HAVE COORDINATED THAT.
AGAIN, THANKS COMMISSIONER SHARPE, THANKS COMMITTEE, AND 
THANK YOU ALSO.
GREAT JOB.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  WELL, I'D LIKE TO FIRST THANK THE BOARD 
MEMBERS FOR THEIR KIND COMMENTS, AND IT'S BEEN A -- IT'S 
BEEN A FASCINATING EXPERIENCE, AND I REALLY THINK THAT -- 
THAT MR. ROGOFF AND HIS STAFF AS WELL DESERVES TREMENDOUS 
CREDIT BECAUSE IT'S AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX PROBLEM, AND 
EVERY TIME I OR ONE OF THE -- YOU KNOW, WOULD COME WITH A 
SUGGESTION OR OTHERS WOULD COME WITH A SUGGESTION, YOU TOOK 
EACH SUGGESTION SERIOUSLY, AND WHEN CHALLENGES OR QUESTIONS 
FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE WOULD COME TO YOU, YOU TOOK 
THOSE QUESTIONS AND THOSE CONCERNS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE YOU 
RECOGNIZED -- AND THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE 
ABOUT PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ANY 
OTHER OPTIONS.
EVERYONE RECOGNIZES THAT THIS IS PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYERS 
OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND THAT -- AND THAT TAXPAYERS 
THEMSELVES ARE -- ARE CHALLENGED IN THIS ECONOMIC CLIMATE, 
BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT BY MOVING THIS PROGRAM FORWARD WE'RE, 
I BELIEVE -- AND I THINK THE BOARD MEMBERS BELIEVE AND THE 
TASK FORCE BELIEVES THAT WE ARE SAVING MONEY IN THE LONG-
TERM AND ALSO HOPING TO SAVE LIVES AND MAKING A POSITIVE 
DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO I DO APPRECIATE THOSE 
WORDS, COMMISSIONER NORMAN, AND WITH THAT, I'LL JUST ASK 
THAT THE -- THAT THE -- AND I'LL MAKE THE MOTION THAT THE 
BOARD RECEIVE THE HEALTH CARE STUDY PLAN'S FINAL REPORT FOR 
THE SHORT-TERM CHANGES TO THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HEALTH 
CARE PLAN AND AUTHORIZE STAFF --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SECOND.
>>MARK SHARPE:  -- TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS AS OUTLINED 
IN THE AGENDA MATERIAL.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FERLITA, AND THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  AND I TOO JUST WANT TO COMMEND AND THANK 
COMMISSIONER SHARPE AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE STUDY 
COMMITTEE FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND EFFORTS AND 
LEADERSHIP IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR 
HEALTH CARE PLAN.
SO WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SHARPE, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>DAVE ROGOFF:  THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
>>PAT BEAN:  [INAUDIBLE]
DO THAT AT THIS TIME, AND THAT IS THE 11:00 TIME CERTAIN, 
G-2, REGARDING THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BRINGING BACK 
THE RESULTS FROM THE GALLAGHER STUDY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD?
I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HERE FOR 
THIS ITEM.
JUDGING BY OUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS, I DO NOT SEE IT BEING 
A SHORT ITEM.
>>MARK SHARPE:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?
ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL START.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I'M READY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
INTRODUCE THE ITEM.
>>PAT BEAN:  OKAY.
CHRISTINA.
>>CHRISTINA SWANSON:  GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
CHRISTINA SWANSON OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
I DO NOT HAVE A FORMAL PRESENTATION TO MAKE TO YOU.
YOU HAVE THE REPORT.
WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE FROM -- THE GALLAGHER PEOPLE 
WHO PREPARED THE REPORT THAT YOU REQUESTED THE SECOND GO-
AROUND, WE DO HAVE PEOPLE FROM AON, WHICH IS THE BOARD'S 
CONSULTANT THROUGH THE LAST RFP PROCESS, THERE ARE PEOPLE 
IN THE AUDIENCE FROM CIGNA, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE 
AUDIENCE FROM HUMANA.
I CAN EITHER KIND OF GO OVER WHERE WE'VE BEEN OR -- I KNOW 
IT'S NEAR LUNCHTIME -- ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND IF IT WOULD SO 
PLEASE YOU AND OTHER BOARD MEMBERS, I THINK AN APPROPRIATE 
STRUCTURE PERHAPS WOULD HAVE AN OVERVIEW BY GALLAGHER OF 
THE REPORT AND THEN FROM THERE, THEN, WE CAN GO INTO 
TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ISSUES AT HAND OF SELF-FUNDING 
VERSUS FULLY INSURED, AND THEN WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION 
PERHAPS ABOUT THE CARRIERS.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE DIRECTION IF IT'S THE 
PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.
>>KEN HAGAN:  I'M ALL -- I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
PERSONALLY I DON'T SEE US GETTING THROUGH ALL THAT BEFORE 
LUNCH, BUT IF WE WANT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS NOW, THAT'S 
FINE.
SO DO WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GALLAGHER PRESENT?
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS CHUCK TOBIN.
I'M A BENEFIT CONSULTANT WITH GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES, 
AND IT IS OUR BELIEF AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE INFORMATION 
THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US THAT THE BEST DEAL FOR THE COUNTY 
AND ITS PLAN PARTICIPANTS IS TO SELECT THE FULLY INSURED 
PROGRAM PRESENTED BY CIGNA.
THE COST IS GUARANTEED FOR TWO YEARS.
WITH SELF-FUNDED THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ON WHAT THE CLAIM 
COSTS WOULD COME IN AT.
THEY'VE ENHANCED THEIR WELLNESS OFFERING TO INCLUDE 
$125,000, WHICH WILL HELP MITIGATE CLAIMS GOING FORWARD.
THEY HAVE A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE IN PLACE OF ALMOST A 
MILLION DOLLARS, INCLUDING $300,000 IN DISCRETIONARY 
AMOUNT, SO IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING, 
THERE'S $300,000 AVAILABLE TO YOU TO ACCESS.
THEY HAVE VERY STRONG DISCOUNT GUARANTEES IN PLACE, THEY 
HAVE A LARGE NETWORK OF SPECIALISTS.
ALL THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW YOU READ THE REPORT.
THERE'S A LOT OF -- IN THE REPORT OF A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT 
WE HAD.
THIS IS GLEN VOLK.
HE'S OUR ACTUARY -- LEAD ACTUARY ON THE PROJECT, AND I JUST 
WANTED TO KIND OF IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE BULLET POINTS.
ONE IS OUR CLAIM NUMBER WAS HIGHER THAN WHAT CIGNA'S 
PROPOSING WHAT THEIR CLAIM NUMBER THEY THINK IS.
NOW, THEY THINK THEY CAN DO THIS THROUGH BETTER UTILIZATION 
MANAGEMENT, DISEASE MANAGEMENT, WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AND 
SUCH.
NOW, WE'RE A LITTLE BIT MORE CYNICAL AS WE APPROACH THIS, 
SO THAT'S ONE OF OUR CONCERNS.
BUT CIGNA BACKED THEIR CLAIMS WITH A TWO-YEAR RATE 
GUARANTEE.
THIS IS REALLY PRETTY UNUSUAL IN THE MARKETPLACE.
YOU USUALLY DON'T SEE A TWO-YEAR RATE GUARANTEE, AND YOU 
GUYS WERE ABLE TO SECURE THAT, SO IT'S REALLY A COMMITMENT 
BY CIGNA FROM THE FULLY INSURED STANDPOINT.
THEY ARE VERY CONFIDENT IN THEIR CLAIM PICK, WHICH IS VERY 
INTERESTING, BECAUSE CIGNA HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY BEEN A 
VERY CONSERVATIVE UNDERWRITING -- HEALTH UNDERWRITING 
COMPANY, AND FOR THAT REASON, THEY'RE VERY CONFIDENT THAT 
THEY CAN REACH THOSE OBJECTIVES IN THE PREMIUM.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- IF YOU DO MOVE FORWARD THAT WE 
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU NOTE IS IF YOU MOVE FORWARD 
WITH THE FULLY INSURED PLAN, WILL IS THAT RUN-OUT OF THE 
SELF-FUNDED PROGRAM FOR ABOUT $7- TO $8 MILLION, AND SO 
THAT'S GOING TO BE CASH THAT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THE 
RESERVES.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN APPROVED FOR OVER TIME, BUT THAT'S GOING 
TO BE CASH THAT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF RESERVES TO PAY THAT 
INCURRED BUT NOT REPORTED COSTS.
WE SUGGEST THAT YOU MAINTAIN AS MUCH OF THOSE RESERVES AS 
YOU CAN, AND AT THE END OF THE TWO-YEAR GUARANTEE COST 
PERIOD YOU LOOK AT REEVALUATING THE SITUATION AND MAYBE 
MOVE BACK TO SELF-FUNDING OR CONTINUE ON WITH THE FULLY 
INSURED ARRANGEMENT, BUT AT LEAST RETAIN THOSE RESERVES SO 
THAT IT GIVES YOU THE OPTION.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL LET GLEN SPEAK TO ANY DETAILS ON -- ON 
THE REPORT.
>> THANKS, CHUCK.
MY NAME IS GLEN VOLK.
AS CHUCK MENTIONED, I WAS THE ACTUARY WHO AUTHORED MUCH OF 
THE REPORT.
THERE'S JUST A COUPLE THINGS I WANT TO ADD TO CHUCK'S 
COMMENTS.
I THINK HE'S PRETTY ACCURATELY PORTRAYED OUR FINDINGS.
THERE WAS ONE ISSUE THAT WE RAISED IN THE REPORT, AND IT 
WAS WHETHER THE -- THE SELF-FUNDED PROJECTIONS WERE -- 
WERE -- IF THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF BIAS IN THE WAY THAT 
THEY WERE LAID OUT.
WE NOTED THAT IN THE PROJECTIONS THAT AON DID, THEY 
INCLUDED A 3% CLAIM MARGIN IN THE EXPECTED CLAIMS IF YOU 
WERE TO STAY SELF-FUNDED, AND WHILE WE REALLY DON'T HAVE 
A -- YOU KNOW, AN ABSOLUTE OBJECTION TO THAT FOR WHAT 
YOU'RE TRYING TO DO OR WE BELIEVE THE POINT OF THIS 
EXERCISE WAS, WE DO THINK IT INTRODUCES A LITTLE BIT OF A 
BIAS.
AND LET ME JUST QUICKLY TRY TO EXPLAIN WHY I WOULD SAY 
THAT.
THE -- YOU GOT QUOTES FROM BOTH VENDORS ON A FULLY INSURED 
AND A SELF-FUNDED BASIS, AND IF YOU LOOKED AT QUOTES FOR 
COMPARABLE BENEFITS, WHETHER IT WAS CIGNA OR HUMANA, WHAT 
YOU FOUND IS THAT THE CARRIER'S PROJECTION IF YOU WERE 
SELF-FUNDED WAS 5% TO 6% LESS EXPENSIVE THAN IF YOU TOOK 
THEIR FULLY INSURED PROPOSALS, AND THAT'S -- THE SELF-
FUNDED COST IS BASED ON EXPECTED CLAIMS, AND AS CHUCK SAID, 
NO GUARANTEES, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY'S BEST GUESS.
SO THERE'S THIS 5% OR 6% DIFFERENCE, AND THAT'S A VERY 
NORMAL KIND OF A RANGE.
TYPICALLY IF A CLIENT JUST CAME TO US AND SAID, WHAT'S THE 
DIFFERENCE SELF-FUNDING, FULLY INSURED, THAT'S ABOUT WHAT 
WE WOULD TELL THEM.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS 3% MARGIN THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 
PROJECTIONS -- AND IT'S DISCLOSED, I MEAN THERE'S NOTHING 
SNEAKY ABOUT IT, IT'S JUST THE WAY IT WAS CHOSEN TO BE 
DONE -- THAT THAT 5% OR 6% MARGIN GETS CUT IN HALF.
YOU BASICALLY THROW OUT HALF OF THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF 
SELF-FUNDING, AND I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE TRYING TO COMPARE 
THE TWO METHODS THAT THAT'S THE -- THAT'S THE MOST 
APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO IT.
BASICALLY IT LEAVES YOU IN A POSITION WHERE THE -- ALL 
THINGS BEING EQUAL, YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW A 2% ADVANTAGE TO 
SELF-FUNDING.
I'M NOT SURE YOU'D EVER RECOMMEND SELF-FUNDING FOR A 2% 
SAVINGS, SO I THINK THERE'S A -- AND IT'S JUST -- I MEAN, 
WE -- OUR FIRM WOULD DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, AND IT DOESN'T 
MAKE US RIGHT OR WRONG.
IT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE CHOSEN TO ILLUSTRATE A LITTLE 
BIT DIFFERENTLY.
AND THAT WAS -- I THINK CHUCK HAS ALLUDED TO OUR -- HE USED 
THE WORD "CYNICAL" AS FAR AS CIGNA'S CLAIM PROJECTION GOES.
CIGNA, IF THEY WERE HERE, IF THEY WERE TO SPEAK TODAY, 
WOULD TELL YOU THAT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT SOME 
ACTUARY SITTING IN AN OFFICE IN GALLAGHER CAN POSSIBLY KNOW 
MORE ABOUT THE VALUE OF THEIR DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND ALL 
THEIR OTHER CLAIM UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS THAN THEY 
DO.
THEY HAVE ALL THE DATA, THEY'VE DONE ALL THE MODELING.
WHO AM I TO QUESTION OR WHO ARE WE AT GALLAGHER TO QUESTION 
THE VALUE OF THESE THINGS?
THE FACT IS THEY'VE BUILT IN A CREDIT OF ABOUT 7.5% THAT AS 
FAR AS WE CAN TELL IS -- IS THEIR ASSUMPTION OF WHAT ALL 
THESE -- THESE CLAIM MANAGEMENT TOOLS ARE WORTH.
AND IF THEY'RE RIGHT, THEN -- THEN GREAT FOR THEM.
THEY'VE FOUND SOMETHING THAT THE OTHER VENDORS IN THIS 
MARKET HAVEN'T FOUND, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A REAL 
ADVANTAGE.
THE PROBLEM IS IT'S -- FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, IT'S JUST A 
LOT TO TAKE ON FAITH.
IT'S NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE MARKET IN 
GENERAL AND HERE AND OTHER MARKETS, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE 
A LITTLE BIT SKEPTICAL.
NOW, CIGNA, AS CHUCK MENTIONED, HAS SAID, OKAY, IF YOU 
DON'T BELIEVE US, SO WHAT.
WE'VE GUARANTEED THE RATES FOR THIS YEAR, WE'VE GUARANTEED 
AN INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR.
IF WE'RE WRONG, IT'S OUR PROBLEM, AND THE COUNTY HAS A HECK 
OF A DEAL, AND ULTIMATELY THAT'S WHAT LED US TO THE 
RECOMMENDATION OR TO AGREE WITH THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATION 
THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS THE BEST OPTION ON THE TABLE.
I GUESS HAVING SAID ALL THAT, THE -- THE -- KIND OF THE 
IRONIC THING ABOUT THIS IS WHILE CIGNA MAY DISAGREE WITH 
US, YOU KNOW, ISSUING A COMMENT LIKE THAT IN A DOCUMENT 
LIKE THIS, THE SIMPLE FACT IS IF WE -- IF WE JUST ACCEPTED 
CIGNA'S CLAIM PROJECTION, IF WE DIDN'T DISAGREE WITH IT, 
THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE AGREED WITH THE COMMITTEE.
THEN WE WOULD HAVE SAID THE BEST DEAL NOW IF CIGNA'S CLAIM 
PICK REALLY IS THE RIGHT NUMBER, THEN YOU SHOULD GO SELF-
FUNDED WITH CIGNA BECAUSE IT'S -- NOW YOU'RE STILL GOING TO 
HAVE THAT 5% OR 6% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-FUNDING AND 
FULLY INSURED, SO WHILE IT -- YOU KNOW, I GUESS IRONIC IS 
MAYBE THE BEST WORD, BUT -- I DON'T WANT TO GO ON HERE TOO 
LONG, BUT BASICALLY WE DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT CIGNA HAS 
VERY AGGRESSIVELY PRICED THE INSURED PRODUCT, BUT THEY HAVE 
GUARANTEED IT.
THAT'S NOT AN UNCOMMON OUTCOME FOR A PUBLIC BIDDING TYPE 
SCENARIO, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE HOPING FOR.
YOU WANT TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE VENDORS TO BE AS AGGRESSIVE 
AS POSSIBLE.
SO WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WE THINK THAT THAT IS THE 
BEST OPTION.
WE DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS IN A COUPLE 
YEARS TIME WHEN THE GUARANTEES EXPIRE, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE 
SOME CONCERNS EVEN ON THE FIRST RENEWAL IF YOU ARE IN A 
POSITION WHERE YOU WANT TO MAKE BENEFIT CHANGES TO TRY TO 
REDUCE THE RATE OF GROWTH IN YOUR PREMIUMS, YOU KNOW, 
THEY'VE GUARANTEED ABOUT 12.5% IF THE BENEFITS STAY THE 
SAME.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU NEED TO MAKE CHANGES AT THAT TIME?
WELL, YOU INTRODUCE ANOTHER NEGOTIATING ITEM AS WHAT ARE 
THOSE CHANGES WORTH, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT -- THAT HAS 
NOT BEEN ADDRESSED, AND IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT, 
FRANKLY, TO ADDRESS IT AT THIS STAGE, BUT IT MAY KIND OF 
WATER DOWN THE GUARANTEE A LITTLE BIT.
IT WILL INTRODUCE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE 
DISCUSSED.
AND THAT WAS REALLY -- OTHER THAN WHAT CHUCK HAS SAID, I 
THINK THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF ALL I HAD AS FAR AS A 
PREPARED COMMENT GOES.
OBVIOUSLY WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND --
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER 
COMMENTS?
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  NOT AT THIS TIME.
[INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU.
AND I -- FIRST, WHEN I HEARD THE FIRST PRESENTER TALKING, I 
DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A THIRD REPORT OR NOT BECAUSE IT 
SEEMED IN CONTRADICTION WITH THE ONE -- THE SECOND ONE I 
HAD.
I KNOW WE HAD AN INITIAL REPORT, AND THEN IT WAS MODIFIED 
AND TAILORED MAYBE A LITTLE BIT, BUT THEN I HAVE THIS ONE, 
AND YOU DON'T -- YOU'RE WELCOME TO SIT DOWN.
>> THANK YOU.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU.
WAS THERE -- UNLESS THERE'S A THIRD REPORT.
I KNOW THERE'S MAYBE DIFFERENCE OF VIEW, BUT -- NO, THAT'S 
ALL RIGHT.
BUT I MAY CALL ON YOU IN A MINUTE, BUT I DON'T THINK SO.
I KNOW TWO MONTHS AGO I JOINED COMMISSIONER BECKNER IN 
GATHERING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE NOW AND THAT 
WE'RE LOOKING AT, AND COMMISSIONER HAD ASKED FOR, YOU KNOW, 
AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT TO BRING IN THIS REPORT, AND AT THAT 
SAME MEETING I ASKED COUNTY STAFF TO GET WITH SHERIFF GEE 
AND DISCUSS THEIR INSURANCE PLAN WITH THEM AND TALK ABOUT 
THE COVERAGE THAT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL THAT THEIR STAFF 
HAS USED, AND TO THIS DAY I DON'T KNOW, IN RECEIVING THIS 
REPORT, IF -- BECAUSE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY DIRECT 
FEEDBACK AS TO WHETHER MY REQUEST AND THE BOARD REQUEST WAS 
FOLLOWED, AND I DON'T SEE ANY MATERIALS THAT WERE 
PRESENTED, BUT AFTER I READ THE GALLAGHER REPORT, I'M MORE 
CONCERNED THAN EVER.
ON THE RADIO THIS MORNING WE HEARD THAT PEOPLE STAY WITH 
THEIR EMPLOYERS, NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY LIKE WHO THEY 
WORK FOR OR WITH BUT BECAUSE OF BENEFITS.
BEING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IN THESE TIGHT TIMES THAT WE 
OFFER THE BEST AND HAVE CHOICES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, I'VE 
TAKEN THIS TO HEART AND TO GREAT HEART, AND THE REPORT SAYS 
ESSENTIALLY THERE ARE NO REAL SAVINGS, EITHER A FULLY 
INSURED HEALTH PLAN OR ALLOWING THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO 
SELF-INSURE THIS YEAR AND NEXT; HOWEVER, THE REPORT SAYS 
THAT IN YEAR THREE AND FUTURE YEARS, PURCHASING FULLY 
INSURED HEALTH PLANS WILL BE MUCH MORE COSTLY THAN STICKING 
WITH OUR SELF-INSURED PLAN.
BUT THE REPORT SAYS IF THE COSTS ARE EQUAL, THE COUNTY 
SHOULD ELIMINATE ANY RISK.
THEN IT GOES ON AND IT SAYS -- IN 19 PAGES, PAGE AFTER 
PAGE, CALLING INTO QUESTION THE CALCULATIONS OF CIGNA, AND 
THAT'S WHERE I'M CONCERNED.
THEY HAVE QUESTIONED THE POINT -- AND THIS IS SOMETHING I 
BROUGHT UP BEFORE WE GOT THE REPORT -- ON MEDICAL 
MANAGEMENT, AND REMEMBER WHAT MEDICAL MANAGEMENT IS.
THAT'S WHERE WE START LOSING CHOICE, AND THAT TO ME 
DIRECTLY AFFECTS OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY 
HAVE IN BEING ABLE TO SELECT.
MY OTHER CONCERN IS -- IS -- AS THEY CALL WAS TROUBLING, AS 
I LOOKED IN THE REPORT HERE.
IN YEAR ONE AND YEAR TWO, THE REPORT SAYS THE COSTS ARE 
ESSENTIALLY THE SAME REMAINING SELF-INSURED WITH OUR 
CURRENT PROVIDER, BUT IN YEAR THREE CIGNA ESTIMATES THE 
PREMIUM INCREASE WILL BE GREATER THAN 19%, WHERE OUR 
CURRENT PROVIDER SAYS THAT INCREASE IS 8%, AND WE HAVE THIS 
PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER, AND I THINK THAT IT IS SO 
IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT THIS OVERALL PICTURE.
I'VE HEARD MR. NORMAN TALK ABOUT THE HORROR STORIES THAT 
WE'VE HAD WITH CIGNA, AND HE MAY WANT TO EXPAND ON THAT 
TODAY, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO JUST HAVE CIGNA 
SAY, TRUST US, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN GET IT BETTER THIS 
TIME, AND KNOW THAT WE'VE -- WE MAY HAVE TO GO TO COURT 
AGAIN TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD "TRUST" BECAUSE IT 
WAS COSTLY TO TAXPAYERS.
I FEEL THAT IF THE COUNTY HAD DONE WHAT WE HAD ASKED AND 
STUDIED DAVID GEE'S REPORT, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND SOME 
INTERESTING FACTS, AS I HAVE, AND THAT'S LAST YEAR THAT 
WITH THE SHERIFF'S PROGRAM WHERE HE PROVIDED A CHOICE OF 
THREE INSURANCE PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF TWO, HE OFFERED THE 
EMPLOYEES A COMBINATION OF TWO PLANS THAT WE HAVE AND ADDED 
A THIRD HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN AND A PLAN -- I THINK THEY 
CALL IT FIRST COVERAGE OR COVERAGE FIRST, BOTH MORE 
CONSUMER DIRECTED, GIVING THE EMPLOYEES -- AND I THINK WE 
HEAR THAT ON A NATIONAL SCALE, WE WANT CHOICE, WE WANT THE 
OPTIONS, WE DON'T WANT THIS CRAMMED DOWN OUR THROATS, AND 
I'M CONCERNED THAT WE'LL HAVE THAT PERCEPTION.
THE SHERIFF GOT BUSY AND HE EDUCATED HIS EMPLOYEES, AND IN 
THAT -- THAT FIRST YEAR, 56% OF HIS STAFF, HIS EMPLOYEES, 
SAID, I WANT TO GATHER -- THEY GATHERED INFORMATION AND 
THEY WENT WITH THEIR OWN CHOICE, AND DURING THE SECOND YEAR 
WHEN THEY HAD THAT OPTION, THEY -- ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THEM 
STAYED WITH IT.
GIVING EMPLOYEES A CHOICE I THINK IS PART OF OUR OBLIGATION 
IN MEETING THIS IMPORTANT NEED WITH -- WITH THIS INSURANCE 
PROGRAM.
I LOOKED BACK OVER LAST YEAR, AND I THINK ABOUT, WELL, 
WHAT'S HAPPENED, EMPLOYEES GOT THEIR CHOICE ON DIFFERENT 
PLANS, THEN WE CHOOSE A PLAN THE BEST WAY THIS -- THAT 
MEETS THE SITUATIONS FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
LAST YEAR WE SAT IN THIS ROOM ON APRIL 23rd, 2008, AND 
STAFF PRESENTED TO US A PLAN THAT WE APPROVED -- THESE 
FOLKS RIGHT HERE -- THAT WE APPROVED THAT SHOULD HAVE 
ALLOWED OUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE THE SAME CHOICE THAT THE 
SHERIFF HAD, AND ON JULY 16, 2008, MS. SWANSON SAID -- AND 
I'M GOING TO READ FROM THE TRANSCRIPTS -- WE HAVE TAKEN A 
POSITION THAT WE WANT TO REMAIN SELF-FUNDED BECAUSE IT'S IN 
THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY.
DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT?
WE RETAIN OUR PREMIUM DOLLARS UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT WE PAY 
OUT CLAIMS.
WE KEEP OUR RESERVES ON WHICH WE CAN EARN INTEREST.
WE DO NOT PAY A STATE PREMIUM TAX, WHICH WOULD BE OVER A 
MILLION DOLLARS.
ON MONDAY I WAS FACED WITH A VOTE ON ANOTHER BOARD I SIT ON 
WHERE WE WERE FACED WITH A MILLION-DOLLAR VOTE, PASSING IT 
ON TO THE END USER.
I VOTED NO.
I CAN'T SEE MOVING IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE'RE GOING TO DUMP 
ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS OF EXPENSES ON PEOPLE THAT WE'RE 
SERVING.
TODAY WE'VE -- TODAY WE HAVE NOT EVEN FACED -- DISCUSSED 
THE REALITY OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE HAD GIVEN OUR -- OUR 
EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OPTIONS -- I HEARD SOMETHING 
THERE -- TO HAVE OPTIONS AND TO SAVE MONEY, AND I DON'T 
THINK THEY'D BE HAPPY IF THEY KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING DOWN 
A ROUTE THAT WOULD GIVE THEM MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, WOULD DUMP 
A MILLION-DOLLAR TAX BILL ON THESE PEOPLE.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I KNOW THAT IT WAS COSTLY WHEN WE HAD TO SUE CIGNA THE LAST 
TIME, AND I'VE HEARD MR. NORMAN, AND IT STICKS IN MY MIND.
I FEEL STRONGLY THAT IF WE GO WITH A PROGRAM LIKE WE HAVE -
- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS OFFERED THAT GIVES CHOICE, THERE 
WILL BE SAVINGS, IT WILL GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE 
FLEXIBILITY FOR OUR EMPLOYEES HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND I -- 
TO THAT, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.
IT'LL BE ON THREE POINTS.
ONE IS THAT WE KEEP OUR HEALTH CARE PLAN FOR OUR EMPLOYEES 
AS SELF-FUNDED.
SECOND PART OF THE MOTION IS WE KEEP THE HEALTH CARE PLAN 
FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THE CURRENT PROVIDER WE KNOW WE CAN 
TRUST.
AND THIRD POINT IS DIRECT STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY OFFER TO OUR 
EMPLOYEES THE HEALTH CARE PLAN THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE 
HAS OFFERED HIS EMPLOYEES.
I'D LIKE TO SEE EVERY EMPLOYEE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
CHOOSE WHICH PLAN WORKS BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY AND 
TO START ON THAT NEW PLAN NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1 OF 2010.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>JIM NORMAN:  I'LL SECOND THAT.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I WANT TO FIRST OFF COMMEND GALLAGHER, AND 
COMMISSIONER BECKNER, I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF 
CONCERN, AND I VOICED MUCH OF THAT CONCERN ABOUT DELAYING 
ON A RECOMMENDATION BY STAFF, AND I THINK A VERY THOUGHTFUL 
PROCESS THAT BOTH THE COMMITTEE WENT THROUGH AND AON WENT 
THROUGH TO TRY TO DETERMINE HOW WE COULD SAVE MONEY, AND 
WE'VE HAD LENGTHY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SELF-INSURED, FULLY 
INSURED, AND I THINK THE SENSE WAS THAT WE SHOULD MOVE 
TOWARDS A DIRECTION THAT EVEN THE SHERIFF HAS GONE FROM, 
WHICH WAS SEMI-FULLY.
THEY WERE -- WE WERE SELF-INSURED, BUT THEY WERE INSURED 
THROUGH US, SO IT'S BEEN INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SOMEWHAT 
FULLY INSURED, BUT THEY SHIFTED TO A FULLY INSURED PLAN AND 
THEY ENJOYED SAVINGS.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME QUESTIONS AND I THINK SOME LEGITIMATE 
QUESTIONS THAT REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AT SOME POINT, 
ONE OF THEM, CHRISTINA, A CONCERN THAT I'VE HAD WHICH IS 
THAT APPARENTLY THE SHERIFF HAD OTHER OPTIONS THAT WERE 
AVAILABLE AS WELL, AND IT -- HAD WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
EITHER DISCUSS IT OR MAYBE YOUR -- YOUR COMMITTEE DID 
REVIEW THAT, THERE WAS A VALID REASON AS TO WHY WE DID NOT 
LOOK AT EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF OPTIONS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE 
PROVIDED.
THAT'S ONE QUESTION, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE, BUT IF YOU 
COULD ADDRESS THAT POINT.
>>CHRISTINA SWANSON:  OH, OKAY.
YES, COMMISSIONER.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT TRYING TO MOVE INTO MORE 
CONSUMER-DRIVEN HEALTH PLANS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND WE 
HAVE MADE CHANGES ACCORDINGLY IN OUR PLANS AS WE HAVE MOVED 
ALONG, AND WE DID SUGGEST DIFFERENT OPTIONS LAST YEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, AT THAT POINT IN TIME THE SHERIFF 
DETERMINED THEY WANTED TO PULL OUT AND GO THEIR OWN WAY, 
AND FRANKLY, WE DID NOT FIND OUT THE FINAL DECISION ON THAT 
UNTIL JULY, AT WHICH TIME IT WAS TOO LATE FOR US TO 
COMMUNICATE TO OUR EMPLOYEES THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE 
MANY DIFFERENCES IN THE PLANS, AND SO KNOWING THAT WE WERE 
GOING TO GO OUT TO BID THIS PAST YEAR, WE DECIDED THAT WE 
WOULD WAIT AND MAKE THE CHANGES DURING THE BID PROCESS, AND 
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID WAS ORIGINALLY RECOMMEND SOME 
PLAN CHANGES, WHICH -- TO MOVE US MORE TOWARD CONSUMERISM, 
WHICH CAUSED SOME CONFUSION WHEN HUMANA CAME BACK AND SAID, 
WELL, THEY'RE DIFFERENT FROM OUR PLAN CHANGES.
SO AS THIS PROCESS HAS GONE ALONG, WE HAVE REALLY HAD TO 
SHORTSTOP OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUR WORKING WITH 
EMPLOYEES.
IT IS TRULY OUR GOAL TO GO INTO A MORE CONSUMER-DRIVEN PLAN 
WITH MORE EMPLOYEE CHOICES.
IF I MAY ADDRESS THE SHERIFF'S PLAN, THE SHERIFF HAS MOVED 
THEIR EMPLOYEES INTO WHAT THEY CALL THE COVERAGE FIRST, 
WHICH IS AVAILABLE THROUGH HUMANA, BY MEANS OF A 
CONTRIBUTION STRATEGY.
THIS IS WHY IT'S POPULAR.
THIS PLAN IS THE SAME TYPE OF PLAN THAT WE BROUGHT BACK TO 
THE -- TO THE COUNTY WHEN WE FIRST MADE OUR RECOMMENDATION 
IN JUNE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE IF YOU GO 
INTO A HOSPITAL SITUATION.
THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY TIME IT REALLY COMES INTO PLAY.
AND ANY OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN EITHER INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT 
AT THE HOSPITALS KNOW THE MINUTE YOU GO IN, YOU ARE INTO 
YOUR SECOND THOUSAND DOLLARS.
THEIR DEDUCTIBLE IS 1,000 TO 2,000 FOR SINGLE, AND IT'S 
MORE DRACONIAN THAN WE HAD PROPOSED.
IT'S $3,000 FOR FAMILY.
IT WOULD TAKE THREE INDIVIDUALS IN A FAMILY TO REACH THE 
DEDUCTIBLE.
WE HAD ONLY PROPOSED 2,000 WITH OURS.
I DID GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE COMPARISON OF WHERE WE HAD 
BEEN WOULD WE HAVE TAKEN THE SHERIFF'S PROGRAM, AND IF WE 
HAD TAKEN THAT PROGRAM, BETWEEN WHAT WE PAID LAST YEAR AND 
WHAT WE'RE PAYING THIS YEAR, OUR COSTS -- AND I'M USING THE 
SHERIFF'S PREMIUM RATES VERSUS OUR PREMIUM RATES AND OUR 
EXPENDITURES -- THE COST FOR TWO YEARS WOULD HAVE BEEN 
$156.6 MILLION.
IF WE TAKE OUR CURRENT PLAN AND OUR FIRST-YEAR RATE WITH 
CIGNA THAT'S GUARANTEED, WE'D HAVE $156.4 MILLION, SO IT'S 
ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING.
THE DIFFERENCE IS THE SHERIFF PAID UP FRONT.
REMEMBER, THE SHERIFF HAD A TWO-YEAR RATE GUARANTEE, SUCH 
AS WE HAD, BUT THE RATES WERE EVEN.
THEY WENT ALONG THIS WAY, WHICH MEANT -- AND I TO HAVE 
HANDOUTS IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THEM, THAT -- THEY PAID 
HIGHER PREMIUMS IN THE FIRST YEAR TO SAVE THE PREMIUMS IN 
THE SECOND YEAR.
WE'RE PROPOSING A GRADUAL INCREASE, AND IF I -- IF I MAY 
ALSO ADDRESS, IN TERMS OF THE THIRD YEAR, THE THIRD YEAR 
IS -- IS AN UNKNOWN FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.
WE CAN'T PROJECT IT BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING 
TO BE DOING NEXT YEAR IN TERMS OF MAKING CHANGES.
ALL THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE WITH WHATEVER 
INSURER WE HAVE, BE IT HUMANA OR CIGNA -- AND I KNOW YOU 
TALKED ABOUT MAKING THE CHANGES WITH HUMANA -- I THINK THE 
SAME COMMENT WAS MADE, WELL, IF YOU MAKE CHANGES, YOU'RE 
NOT QUITE SURE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET, BUT WE WORK WITH 
OUR ACTUARIES, WITH OUR CONSULTANTS TO DETERMINE THE RIGHT 
CHANGES, AND IF YOU READ THE GALLAGHER REPORT, THEY DO SAY 
THAT WHATEVER DECREMENTS WERE PROPOSED IN BOTH THE CIGNA 
AND THE HUMANA PLAN, THEY'RE THE SAME DECREMENTS.
YOUR COSTS ARE GOING TO GO DOWN PROPORTIONATELY.
THEY ALL USE THE SAME TYPE OF ACTUARIES, SAME TYPE OF 
UNDERWRITERS, AND SO ON.
>>MARK SHARPE:  WELL -- AND I APPRECIATE THAT ANSWER.
THIS IS KIND OF LIKE OUR HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE STUDY 
MEETINGS WHERE THEY WENT ON AT LENGTH BECAUSE EVERY 
QUESTION HAD A LENGTHY ANSWER THAT WAS NEVER REALLY AS 
SIMPLE AS WHAT WE HAD HOPED OR WHAT WE MIGHT HAVE PRESUMED.
I WANT TO GO BACK AGAIN TO GALLAGHER.
FIRST OFF, I DO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE I WAS 
CONCERNED THAT WE WERE KIND OF DRIVING THIS AND TRYING TO 
GET A -- A COMPANY TO COME IN AND REVIEW, AND IT MIGHT BE 
SOME PRECONCEIVED NOTION THAT YOU HAVE TO COME IN AND 
EITHER ATTACK THE PLAN OR SUPPORT IT, AND I REALLY THINK 
READING THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND READING THE BACKGROUND, 
YOU'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.
YOU'VE LAID OUT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT YOU'VE ALSO LAID 
OUT SOME LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, AND IF WE HAD A YEAR TO GO 
THROUGH THIS, WE COULD GO THROUGH EACH OF THOSE POINTS, AND 
I'M NOT SURE EVEN AT THE END OF THAT YEAR WE'D EVER COME TO 
A SOUND CONCLUSION OF WHAT TO DO.
I DO SEE THE WORD -- AND THE GENTLEMAN -- THE SECOND 
SPEAKER WHO GOT UP TALKED ABOUT, THOUGH, THE FACT THAT 
THERE ARE GUARANTEES IN PLACE AND THAT EVEN IF WE CHALLENGE 
THE ASSUMPTIONS, THERE ARE GUARANTEES THAT CIGNA HAS PLACED 
THAT WOULD -- THAT WOULD PROTECT THE COUNTY.
IT'S THE THIRD YEAR WHERE THERE'S CONCERN, AND -- AND ONE 
OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE ALWAYS FALLEN BACK ON IS THAT, 
WELL, IF THE THIRD YEAR RATES BUMP UP, WE CAN ALWAYS 
SWITCH.
>>CHRISTINA SWANSON:  YES.
>>MARK SHARPE:  BUT IT'S LIKE SWITCHING YOUR PHONE SERVICE.
NO ONE LIKES TO SWITCH.
YOU SWITCH ONE TIME, THERE'S A COST TO SWITCHING, THERE'S A 
COST IN THE MENTAL ANGUISH THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH, THE 
CHALLENGE OF SHIFTING FROM ONE PLAN TO THE NEXT, MAKING 
SURE THAT THERE'S CONTINUITY -- I KNOW WE'VE GOT PROGRAMS 
IN PLACE TO MAKE THAT WORK -- AND THEN SWITCHING BACK.
I REALLY WANT US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION AND STICK 
WITH IT.
>>CHRISTINA SWANSON:  YES, SIR.
>>MARK SHARPE:  AND -- AND SO, AGAIN, I WILL JUST -- I WILL 
JUST CLOSE BY STATING -- BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE NEARLY 
ENOUGH TIME FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT I MIGHT EVEN HAVE, 
BUT I WANT TO THANK GALLAGHER, I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD 
MEMBERS WHO REQUESTED THAT WE DO THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S 
BEEN VERY HELPFUL.
I THINK IN THE FUTURE PERHAPS WE NEED TO HAVE WORKSHOPS 
AND/OR BE ABLE TO --
>>CHRISTINA SWANSON:  THAT WOULD BE NICE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I'D LIKE TO DIG DEEPLY INTO THE SHERIFF'S 
PROPOSAL AND WHAT WE HAVE OR HAVE NOT LOOKED AT, AND I 
THINK COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM HAS BROUGHT UP SOME VERY 
LEGITIMATE ISSUES AND CONCERNS, BUT I THINK THE SUMMARY 
STILL KIND OF SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, I 
WANT TO THANK GALLAGHER, AND ALL THE PARTIES WHO'VE BEEN 
HERE IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS VERY CHALLENGING AND COMPLEX 
ISSUE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  WELL, THANK YOU.
AND FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THAT, MS. SWANSON, I REALLY 
BELIEVE STAFF DID -- YOU DID YOUR JOB BY OFFERING UP WHAT 
YOU ALL FEEL IS -- IS A -- AS A BOTTOM LINE THAT -- I 
BELIEVE PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES ARE JUST -- JUST TOTALLY 
DIFFERENT THAN THAT FINAL RESULT.
I SEE -- JENNIE IN THE BACK, COME HERE FOR A SECOND.
OUR PREVIOUS TIME THAT WE PUT THIS OUT FOR BID, CIGNA WAS 
ALSO OUR CARRIER THEN, AND THAT'S WHEN WE HAD OUR -- OUR 
DIFFERENT -- WE DIDN'T HAVE THESE DIFFERENCES YET UNTIL WE 
CHANGED, BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS A -- THEY PUT OUT A 
FABULOUS RECOMMENDATION BEFORE, AND THIS BOARD DID NOT GO 
WITH THEM, AND I KNOW YOU LIVED A LOT OF THE EXPERIENCES 
THAT I DID WITH -- AND COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM, TO 
CORRECT THE RECORD, WE DIDN'T SUE THEM, WE THREATENED TO 
SUE THEM AND THEY SETTLED.
BUT IT WAS A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT WE DEALT WITH, AND 
I'VE GOT THE LIFE EXPERIENCES OF DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY, 
AND IT'S NOT PLEASANT, AND THAT IS WHAT I TRIED TO EXPRESS 
WITH THE REPORTS THAT I BROUGHT BEFORE.
JENNIE DEALT WITH A LOT OF THAT SETTLEMENT, YOU KNOW, US 
GETTING OUR EXPERTS, TRYING TO PROVE THE MISBILLINGS, THE 
OVERCHARGES, THE -- ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS, AND I -- I 
GUESS I HAVE HER HERE TO ASK AM I -- YOU LIVED THROUGH 
THIS.
HAVE I GONE OFF, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE CRAZY?
EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT TO THE BOARD THAT WE DID HAVE SOME 
DIFFICULTIES, AND -- I'M SORRY.
GO AHEAD.
>>JENNIE TARR:  JENNIE TARR, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
COMMISSIONER NORMAN, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, AND I 
THINK YOU'VE STATED THE SITUATION AND THE HISTORY VERY 
SUCCINCTLY, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN ADD TO THAT.
THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT WE HAD WITH CIGNA AT THE 
TIME WITH BILLING.
I THINK THERE WAS THREE SEPARATE TIMES WE CAME BACK TO THE 
BOARD.
WE DID ULTIMATELY RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES, BUT YOU ARE 
CORRECT, THE BOARD HAD TO BE BRIEFED MANY TIMES.
THERE WAS A LOT OF DATA THAT WENT TO THOSE PARTICULAR 
ISSUES.
ULTIMATELY THERE WAS A RESOLUTION OF THOSE ISSUES.
>>JIM NORMAN:  AND MY POINT I'M MAKING, BOARD, IS FOR ME, 
THERE -- TO GO BACK IN TO THAT SITUATION AGAIN, TO SUBJECT 
OUR COUNTY TO THOSE KIND OF MASSIVE PROBLEMS AGAIN, I DON'T 
HAVE THE TRUST IN THE COMPANY THAT -- FOR ME, YOU LOOK AT 
THE BEST THAT'S BROUGHT FORWARD, AND I CAN'T ACCEPT FOR ME 
PERSONALLY AS A COMMISSIONER THE CIGNA OFFER BECAUSE OF THE 
EXPERIENCES THAT THIS COUNTY WENT THROUGH IN CHANGING 
BEFORE.
WE HAD CIGNA.
WE CHANGED.
NOW YOU HAVE A COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN HERE, THAT HAS BEEN 
LOYAL TO THIS COUNTY, THAT HAS PROVIDED TREMENDOUS SERVICE, 
AND THEY OFFERED A FAIR MARKET-DRIVEN OFFER THAT WON'T IN 
THE THIRD YEAR HIT US OVER THE HEAD AND HAVE SUCH STICKER 
SHOCK THAT WE'RE OUT AGAIN FOR BID, WE'RE DISRUPTING OUR 
EMPLOYEES, OUR FAMILIES.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONSISTENCY, AND AGAIN, LET ME JUST -- 
YOU-ALL WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS, BUT I PROMISE YOU, YOU 
WILL HAVE A NIGHTMARE GOING FORWARD THAT YOU'VE NEVER 
EXPERIENCED BEFORE ON THIS BOARD.
THANK YOU, JENNIE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  ONE WAY OR THE OTHER THIS BOARD'S GOT TO MAKE 
A DECISION.
OUR INABILITY TO MAKE A DECISION UP UNTIL NOW IS COSTING 
THE TAXPAYERS ABOUT $400,000 A MONTH AND CAN BE BETWEEN $5- 
AND $6 MILLION OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
WE'VE HAD TWO SEPARATE COMMITTEES REVIEW THE PROCUREMENT.
THEY'VE BOTH RECOMMENDED CIGNA.
I BELIEVE ONE OF THE COMMITTEES WAS UNANIMOUS.
STAFF'S RECOMMENDED CIGNA.
WE'VE HAD TWO BEST AND FINAL OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERVIEWS.
AGAIN, CIGNA'S COME OUT ON TOP.
OUR BENEFIT CONSULTANT, AON, THE LARGEST CONSULTANT IN THE 
WORLD, HAS RECOMMENDED CIGNA.
THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS BOARD.
WE HAD TO GET A SECOND OPINION.
GUESS WHAT?
THEY RECOMMENDED CIGNA.
WE COULD HAVE TEN CONSULTANTS REVIEW THESE PROPOSALS, AND 
THEY'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE THE SAME CONCLUSION, AND THAT'S 
BECAUSE IN THIS TURBULENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, THE COSTS 
ARE GUARANTEED, AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS THE BEST OPTION FOR 
THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THE COUNTY.
SO AGAIN, I'M STAYING CONSISTENT WITH PREVIOUS ACTION.
I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION, AND WE NEED TO MOVE OFF THE 
DIME ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  YEAH.
I WAS -- I DON'T KNOW THAT I NEED TO RESTATE MY MOTION, BUT 
YOU'RE RIGHT, MR. NORMAN, BUT I -- UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCES 
WAS THE PROPER WAY TO DESCRIBE THAT, AND I JUST -- AS I 
READ THROUGH THE REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THROUGH 
THE 19 PAGES, IT LED ME TO A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION, AND 
THAT'S WHY I WILL STICK BY MY MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
AND FIRST, I'D LIKE TO, NUMBER ONE, THANK THIS BOARD FOR 
INDULGING OUR EMPLOYEES, INDULGING MYSELF, AND OTHER 
CONCERNED MEMBERS IN THIS ISSUE BECAUSE HEALTH CARE IS ONE 
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MOST VALUED BENEFITS THAT WE CAN 
OFFER TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST BENEFIT THAT -- AND ACTUALLY ONE OF 
THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT ALL OF US WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE 
IS THE RISING COST OF HEALTH CARE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER HAGAN, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY 
RIGHT, WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY NOW GOING FORWARD TRYING 
TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AND, YOU KNOW, I -- I PERSONALLY 
APOLOGIZE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY BY NOT 
BEING ABLE TO HAVE A COMPLETE AND MORE ACCURATE PROPOSAL 
LIKE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM GALLAGHER UP-TO-DATE, SO IT'S -- 
I'M SORRY THAT WE'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS COSTLY 
PROPOSAL, BUT, HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, IT WAS NECESSARY, BECAUSE 
I DON'T -- AND I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR STANDING UP FOR 
WHAT I BELIEVE IS RIGHT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, WHAT I BELIEVE 
IS RIGHT IN THE LONG-TERM FOR OUR TAXPAYERS, AND I, AS MANY 
OTHER COMMISSIONERS, WILL ALSO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR 
CHALLENGING REPORTS AND THINGS THAT I SEE ARE INCONSISTENT, 
INACCURATE, OR MAY AT BEST BE QUESTIONABLE AND NEED FURTHER 
REVIEW.
I THINK THAT THIS -- YOU KNOW, THIS BOARD GOING FORWARD, I 
THINK STAFF NOW HAS TAKEN THAT INDICATION THAT WHEN THEY 
COME BEFORE US, THEY NEED TO BE WELL PREPARED AND BE ABLE 
TO SUBSTANTIATE THE INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE GIVEN BECAUSE 
I AM NOT WILLING TO RUBBERSTAMP ANY REPORT OR ANY STAFF 
RECOMMENDATION IF I BELIEVE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER 
DISCUSSED.
WITH THAT SAID, GOING FORWARD, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR 
OUR GALLAGHER REPRESENTATIVES.
I GUESS CHUCK OR OTHER ACTUARY -- EITHER ONE WOULD BE FINE.
ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS -- SO THE REASON WHY WE'RE 
RECOMMENDING THIS PROPOSAL ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS IS REALLY 
RISK AVOIDANCE, IS THAT PRETTY MUCH IT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
AND WHAT WE ENDED UP LOOKING AT HERE IS THAT THE COST FOR 
THE FULLY INSURED PLAN WAS EQUAL TO THE COST -- 
NONGUARANTEED COST OF THE SELF-FUNDED PLAN, SO THE IDEA OF 
HAVING A GUARANTEED COST AND GETTING OUT OF THE RISK 
BUSINESS IS VERY ATTRACTIVE, AND THAT'S WHY -- THAT'S WHAT 
WE BRING TO OUR RECOMMENDATION.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  ON A LONG-TERM BASIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK -
- I MEAN, I READ THROUGH YOUR REPORT, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK 
LONGER TERM IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS -- WHEN WE LOOK LONG-
TERM WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION?
>> LONG-TERM, IF YOU CAN ELIMINATE THOSE PREMIUM TAXES, 
RISK CHARGES, AND THOSE OTHER -- THE 4% TO 5% TO 6% 
ADDITIONAL COSTS IN A FULLY INSURED PREMIUM AND BE SELF-
FUNDED, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE RECOMMEND TO DO, AND OVER TIME 
THAT'S USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, OVER WHATEVER LONG 
PERIOD OF TIME YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, TEN YEARS.
WE HAVE VERY LARGE CLIENTS WHO ARE FULLY INSURED BECAUSE 
THEY CONSISTENTLY ONLY HAVE ABOUT A 3% OR 4% ADD-ON TO 
THEIR CLAIMS, WHICH MAKES IT, AGAIN, MORE VIABLE TO BE 
FULLY INSURED.
SO IT'S A YEAR-TO-YEAR DECISION WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETIMES 
THE FUNDING, BUT WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS MOST OF THE TIME, OVER 
A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, FOR A GROUP YOUR SIZE -- WHICH IS 
100% CREDIBLE IN THE UNDERWRITING EYES OF ANY HEALTH 
INSURANCE CARRIER -- IT WOULD BE BETTER OFF TO BE SELF-
FUNDED AND SAVE THAT 5% TO 6% RISK CHARGE, PREMIUM TAXES, 
AND SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED OUT IN THAT 5% 
TO 6%.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  IS THERE ANY CHARACTERISTICS OR ANYTHING 
FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION THAT IT WOULD NOT BE 
APPROPRIATE TO REMAIN SELF-FUNDED?
AND I GUESS -- I'M JUST REEMPHASIZING THE POINT.
I GUESS THIS IS A SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATION?
>> THIS IS A SHORT-TERM, YEAH.
WELL, THE -- AND LET'S TALK ABOUT SHORT-TERM FOR ONE 
SECOND.
IT IS THE SHORT-TERM RISK OF IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL 
REDUCTIONS IN FORCE, IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL BUDGET ISSUES.
THEN THAT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE SELF-FUNDED 
PLAN BECAUSE YOU HAVE LESS MONEY GOING INTO THE FUNDED PLAN 
AND YOU STILL HAVE THE CLAIMS EXPOSURE FOR THOSE PEOPLE 
THAT HAVE REDUCED FORCE FROM RUN-OUT AND COBRA AND THOSE 
SORT OF THINGS, SO FROM A SHORT-TERM BASIS EVEN UNDER THAT 
SCENARIO, TRANSFERRING THAT RISK TO A FULLY INSURED CARRIER 
IS AN IDEAL SITUATION.
NOW, OVER LONG-TERM, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
IN DECEMBER WE COULD HAVE SOMETHING VERY SIGNIFICANT IN THE 
TERM OF HEALTH CARE REFORM THAT EVERYTHING IS OUT OF THE 
WATER, BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IN THE SHORT-TERM, WE 
BELIEVE THAT THE FULLY INSURED DEAL MITIGATES THE RISK AND 
SOLIDIFIES YOUR COSTS GOING FORWARD.
NOW, OVER THE LONG-TERM, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO 
EVALUATE, AND WE WOULD EVALUATE IT ON AN ONGOING BASIS AND 
TO SEE WHEN -- WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE STEP 
INTO THAT SELF-FUNDING RING.
IT COULD BE YEAR THREE.
AND THAT'S WHY WE IDENTIFIED THAT THIRD YEAR.
WE JUST KIND OF WANTED TO PUT IT OUT THERE.
THERE'S NO GUARANTEES IN THAT THIRD YEAR.
ONE THING THAT WE KNOW AS ACTUARIES IS THAT WE'RE ALWAYS 
GOING TO BE WRONG.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO HIT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO THE 
DOLLAR.
>> EXACTLY.
>> BUT IT'S A GUESS BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S A BEST GUESS BASED ON THE LOSS -- BASED ON THE LOSS 
RATIO AND TARGET LOSS RATIO OF CIGNA.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS, IT'S A BEST GUESS TWO YEARS 
FROM NOW.
IN THREE MONTHS WE'LL HAVE BETTER DATA AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO 
GET A BETTER PROJECTION OF WHAT THAT THIRD YEAR IS GOING TO 
BE.
SO UNDER THE SHORT-TERM, YOU GUYS HAVE AN EXCELLENT 
OPPORTUNITY TO GUARANTEE YOUR COSTS, GET OUT OF THE RISK 
BUSINESS, BUT IN THAT MEANTIME, WHILE THOSE -- THAT TERM 
EXPIRES, YOU EVALUATE YOUR COSTS AND EVALUATE YOUR PLAN AND 
EVALUATE ADDITIONAL OPTIONS AS YOU CAN.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  WELL, THANK YOU.
AND THAT'S -- AND THE NUMBERS WHEN I'VE GONE THROUGH THIS 
ANALYSIS IS MUCH MORE IN LINE WITH MY EXPECTATION AS 
OPPOSED TO THE NUMBERS I HAD SEEN BEFORE THAT TOUT THIS 
MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR COST SAVINGS, SO THE NUMBERS ARE 
EXACTLY AND VERY CLOSE TO WHAT I EXPECTED TO SEE, AND I'M 
GLAD THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GO THROUGH AND HAVE THIS 
HEALTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.
IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATE WE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS 
BEFORE.
PERHAPS ONE THING THAT WE MIGHT PHILOSOPHICALLY AGREE OR 
DISAGREE ON IS THE TIME FRAME, AND I AM -- LIKE I SAID, 
BECAUSE THIS AFFECTS THE EMPLOYEES' LIVES, I AM KIND OF 
CONCERNED ABOUT DOING THIS FLIP-FLOP WHERE ONE TIME WE'RE 
ENTERING THIS TYPE OF TERM AND THEN THE NEXT TIME THE NEXT 
BEST DEAL COMES ALONG AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUT THE 
EMPLOYEES IN A TURBULENT SITUATION WHERE THEY -- EVENTUALLY 
THEY LOOK AT AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW THE BENEFITS THAT 
THEY HAVE, PERHAPS THEY HAVE TO CHANGE DOCTORS, THEY LOSE 
BENEFITS, AND -- YOU CAN -- YOU-ALL CAN SIT DOWN.
I'M JUST MAKING COMMENTS NOW.
THANK YOU.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
UNLESS YOU WANT TO COMMENT.
>> OH, ONE THING THAT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION.
EVEN IF THAT THIRD YEAR THAT 19% COMES INTO PLAY, IT'S 
STILL LESS EXPENSIVE OVER THAT THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME TO 
BE IN THE FULLY INSURED DEAL WITH CIGNA.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  AND THAT WAS ANOTHER ONE OF THE CONCERNS 
IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE COULD COME DOWN THE TIME FRAME AND 
THEN -- YOU KNOW, DOWN THE ROAD, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN 
WE HAVE THIS HUGE PREMIUM HIKE, SO I GET THAT.
BUT ANYWAYS, BACK TO MY COMMENTS.
I LOOK MORE TOWARDS THIS AS A LONG-TERM, AND AS -- YOU 
KNOW, AS MUCH CRITICISM THAT I HAVE GIVEN TO SOME OF OUR 
STAFF MEMBERS AND TO OUR CONSULTANTS, I ALSO GIVE CREDIT TO 
MS. SWANSON AND HER STAFF FOR RISK MANAGEMENT.
WHEN YOU LOOK OVER THE PERIOD OF THE YEARS, THEY HAVE DONE 
AN EXEMPLARY JOB OF MANAGING RISKS, AND THAT'S WHY -- OVER 
THE LONGER-TERM WHY WE HAVE HAD JUMPS AS FAR AS IN OUR 
PREMIUM COST TO THE EMPLOYEES.
IT'S THROUGH THEIR MANAGEMENT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO 
CONTROL THOSE COSTS AND REMAIN SELF-FUNDED ON A LONGER-TERM 
BASIS.
MY LARGER CONCERN ALSO HAS TO DO WITH CHOICE, AND -- AND 
THE FEELING THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL THAT WE HAVE GOING 
FORWARD JUST FEELS TO ME LIKE A GOVERNMENT-ONLY OPTION THAT 
DOES NOT PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH THAT FLEXIBLE CHOICE THAT 
THEY NEED AND DESERVE IN THEIR HEALTH CARE PLAN.
THOSE ARE PRIMARILY MY TWO CONCERNS.
IT'S NOT FOR ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT CIGNA VERSUS HUMANA, IT'S 
ABOUT THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF OUR PLAN, AND -- AND I HAVE 
THE FAITH AND CONFIDENCE ON A LONGER-TERM BASIS THAT MS.  
SWANSON AND HER STAFF HAVE THE FULL ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO 
MANAGE THESE RISKS, AND IT COULD PERHAPS BE THAT, YOU KNOW, 
MAYBE SOMETHING HAPPENS WHERE WE DO HAVE TO SWITCH, BUT I 
DON'T THINK THAT THE STRUCTURE HAS CHANGED ENOUGH OR IS 
WARRANTED ENOUGH TO JUST GO JUMP OFF AND GO TO FULLY 
INSURED AT THAT TIME.
THERE IS ONE MORE POINT THAT I WOULD MAKE, AND I WOULD ASK 
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM ON HIS MOTION TO CONSIDER IS THAT 
-- WHAT WE DECIDE TODAY IF WE REMAIN SELF-FUNDED, WE HAVE 
ONE MORE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY SETTING 
THE CLAIMS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
AS YOU RECALL, WHEN THAT COMES INTO ACCOUNT, WE RELY ON OUR 
CONSULTANTS.
I DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE WITH USING OUR CONSULTANT THAT 
WE CURRENTLY HAVE RIGHT NOW HERE TODAY TO DO THAT ALONE, 
AND I WOULD ASK THAT GALLAGHER BE RETAINED UNTIL THE END OF 
THIS PROCESS TO HELP ALSO EVALUATE THE PREMIUMS THAT WE 
WOULD BE CHARGING TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND ANY OTHER FOLLOW-UP 
RESEARCH THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DO.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  COULD WE DO THAT AS A SEPARATE VOTE?
LET'S DO SEPARATE VOTE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
PLEASE RESTATE YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  ALL RIGHT.
SO TODAY I'M MAKING THE FOLLOWING MOTION:  TO KEEP OUR 
HEALTH CARE PLAN FOR OUR EMPLOYEES SELF-FUNDED, TO KEEP THE 
HEALTH CARE PLAN FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THE CURRENT 
PROVIDER WE KNOW AND CAN TRUST.
THAT'S THE ONE WE'RE CURRENTLY USING.
TO DIRECT STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES A HEALTH 
CARE PLAN THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS OFFERED HIS 
EMPLOYEES.
I'D LIKE TO SEE EVERY EMPLOYEE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
CHOOSE WHICH PLAN WORKS BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY AND 
TO START ON THAT NEW PLAN NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1, 2010.
THAT WAS MY MOTION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THE MOTION'S BY COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM, SECOND BY 
COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 4-3.
COMMISSIONERS FERLITA, HAGAN, AND SHARPE VOTED NO.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
AND MY MOTION WOULD BE THAT WE RETAIN GALLAGHER UNTIL THE 
END OF THIS PROCESS TO WORK IN CONCERT WITH AON TO EVALUATE 
THE PREMIUMS THAT WE CHARGE TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND TO ALSO 
MAKE ANY OTHER EVALUATIONS THAT WE DEEMED APPROPRIATE IN 
EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE PLANS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
MS. LEE, IN TERMS OF WHAT MR. BECKNER'S REQUESTING, IN 
TERMS OF OUR PROCUREMENT OR RFP OR SOMETHING, THIS IS NOT 
SPECIFICALLY WHAT WE HIRED THEM FOR.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM IF IT 
DOESN'T ADDRESS A FAIRNESS ISSUE.
IF WE'RE WANTING THEM TO CONTINUE AS CONSULTANTS THROUGHOUT 
THE WHOLE PROCESS, IS THERE ANY -- SHOULD THERE BE ANY 
OPPORTUNITY AFFORDED TO ANYBODY ELSE THAT DOES THE SAME 
THING?
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THIS LIKE PART "B" HERE, SO -- DID YOU 
HEAR -- I KNOW --
>>RENEE LEE:  WELL, FORTUNATELY MY ASSISTANT AND I WERE ON 
THE SAME PAGE IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRST PART OF YOUR ANSWER, 
AND THAT'S, COMMISSIONER, I AM NOT -- I'M NOT 
KNOWLEDGEABLE.
SPECS AND WHETHER THEY COULD BE EXTENDED TO -- TO THE 
SERVICE THAT COMMISSIONER BECKNER IS REQUESTING.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK AT THAT --
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  I'LL SECOND IT, THOUGH.
>>RENEE LEE:  -- AND MAYBE COME BACK THIS AFTERNOON AND LET 
YOU KNOW.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THAT WOULD BE FINE.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  YOU GOT A SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THE MOTION --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  YOU'RE TALKING TO MR. BECKNER?
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  YEAH.
>>JIM NORMAN:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  TO BRING BACK -- HAVE THE STAFF RESEARCH 
THAT AND BRING THAT BACK THIS AFTERNOON.
>>RENEE LEE:  ABSOLUTELY.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  OH, YEAH, OKAY.
THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU STATED BEFORE.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  THEN I'LL RESTATE MY MOTION, THAT WE HAVE 
STAFF RESEARCH THE -- OF GALLAGHER PARTICIPATING -- 
CONTINUING TO PARTICIPATE INTO EVALUATING THE PREMIUMS THAT 
WE CHARGE TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND ANY OTHER BENEFITS AND THAT 
STAFF BRING BACK THAT REPORT THIS AFTERNOON.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THAT MOTION'S BY COMMISSIONER BECKNER, SECOND COMMISSIONER 
HIGGINBOTHAM.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THAT CONCLUDES THE MORNING AGENDA.
I'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE AT 1:45.
THANKS.


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