[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] >> OUR TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL CONTINUES WITH MEMBERS OF TALLAHASSEE COMMISSION AND LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OUR INPUT NOW COMES FROM YOU FOLKS, NOT ONLY THOSE HERE AT THE WFSU PUBLIC STUDIOS, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING ONLINE AND HAD SOME THOUGHTS AND INQUIRIES FOR THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET RIGHT TO IT HERE.

WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD, THIS IS AN EASY ONE, GUYS.

WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD FOR CITIZENS TO SHARE FEEDBACK TO THE CITY AND COUNTY?

LET'S HAVE A DESIGNATED COMMISSIONER FROM EACH BODY TO ANSWER THAT QUERY IF WE COULD.

>> FROM THE COUNTY, EACH ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAS AN EMAIL ADDRESS.

WE ALSO HAVE TELEPHONES AND ANY CITIZEN CAN APPEAR AT OUR COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

SO WE'RE VERY ACCESSIBLE.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

MR. MAYRA?

>> --: I AGREE.

COMMUNICATE WITH US, EMAIL US, CALL US.

WE ARE READILY ACCESSIBLE.

>> YOU CAN ALSO CATCH US AT PUBLIX.

>> T. Flanigan: BOTH COMMISSIONER MINOR AND COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE DO NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN.

I LEARNED EARLY ON SHE CARRIE A REMOTE RECORDER, DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK'S MEETING?

>> THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME.

>> YEAH, I EMBARRASS HIM A LOT.

>> T. Flanigan: HERE'S SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE COSMIC, IF YOU WILL.

COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SEE TALLAHASSEE IN FIVE YEARS?

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: IN FIVE YEARS, I'D LIKE TO SEE TALLAHASSEE STILL HOLDING HER OWN.

HAVING LEARNED FROM OUR PAST AND DOING THE THINGS WE'RE DOING NOW TO INCENTIVIZE OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR CITIZENS, WE HAVE GOOD PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.

I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN WHO ARE OF AGE WHO I HOPE WILL WANT TO STAY HERE IN TALLAHASSEE AND HAVE FAMILIES.

FIVE YEARS I'D LIKE TO SEE US HAVING GOOD PAYING JOBS, GOOD HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE.

CONTINUE TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL AS HAVING JUST A GOOD OUTLOOK IN LIFE FOR MOVING FORWARD, MOVING OUR CITY FORWARD.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

>> Commissioner Welch: I'D LOVE TO CONTINUE TO SEE US NURTURE PRIVATE SECTOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

LIKE TO SEE US TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN PARKS AND I SOUND EXACTLY LIKE COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WELCOME, WE WANT TO BE A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO.

WE ALREADY KNOW PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE.

WE NEED TO KEEP PUSHING DOWN THE ROAD, MAKE SURE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE KEEPS UP WITH OUR GROWTH AND TRY TO PROVIDE THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN WHILE BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND I THINK IF WE DO THAT THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: THANK YOU, TOM.

TALLAHASSEE HAS BEEN TWICE DESIGNATED IN ALL AMERICAN CITY, BUT THERE ARE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY IF YOU ASK THEM THEY'LL SAY THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY LIVE IN AN ALL AMERICAN CITY.

IT'S IN SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING WHERE I LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN.

MY GOAL HAS BEEN AS A COMMISSIONER TO MAKE OUR CITIZENS FEEL LIKE WHEREVER THEY LIVE IN THIS CITY THAT THEY ARE PART OF THE ALL-AMERICA LABEL THAT WE'VE ACHIEVED.

AND THAT IS PROVIDING SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, HOUSING, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT MAKE FOR A GOOD CITY.

THAT WE GROW, BUT WE GROW IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

WE GROW IN A WAY THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE GROWING.

WE ACHIEVE OUR ENERGY GOALS, AND THAT IS TO BE CARBON NEUTRAL BY THE YEAR 2050 IF NOT SOONER.

THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS I LOOK AT WHEN I LOOK AT WHERE TALLAHASSEE NEEDS TO GO.

I THINK WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE STILL HAVE WORK TO GO AS A COMMUNITY.

>> I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, THAT WE BE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HAS A HOME.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CAR TO GO TO WORK, TO VISIT FRIENDS, TO VISIT FAMILY.

A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FEELS THEY BELONG AND HAS ACCESS TO OUR BEAUTIFUL PARKS AND BEAUTIFUL NATURE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE IN OUR FUTURE AND ALL OF THOSE ARE WITHIN OUR GRASP.

>> I'M GOING TO DREAM BIG.

IN FIVE YEARS I WANT TO SEE THOUSANDS OF NEW UNITS FOR FAMILIES WHO PAY 50% OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME THOUSANDS OF THOSE FAMILIES TO EASILY AFFORD THEIR HOUSING.

I ALSO WANT TO SEE 1000 MORE SLOTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND EARLY LEARNING PROVIDERS SO FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE EARLY LEARNING PROVIDERS.

THOSE ARE THE TWO BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE FACE AND I WANT TO SEE BOLD NUMBERS IN FIVE YEARS.

>> A LOT OF THESE IDEAS HAVE BEEN TERRIFIC.

MOST OF US AGREE ON ALL OF THEM.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON PUT IT WELL IN TERMS OF IMPROVING ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THERE'S SOME GOOD PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND WHAT WE HAVE TO TRY TO DO IS HELP ELEVATE THE AESTHETIC APPEAL OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

HELP THEM BE SAFE.

HEALTH AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE AMPLE STOCK IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS SO PEOPLE CAN LIVE THERE AND RAISE THEIR KIDS THERE.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I WANT TO HAVE INNOVATION PARK LIVE UP TO THE RESEARCH PARK AND ECONOMIC ENGINE WE DESERVE TO BE.

THAT THE WHOLE ANSWER IN ITSELF, BUT I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.

THERE'S A GREAT EXAMPLE THAT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHERE INNOVATION PARK COULD BE.

MARK TALKS ABOUT A VISION FOR TALLAHASSEE.

THAT'S OUR VISION.

LET'S GET BEHIND THAT AND GROW THAT SO WE CAN BECOME THE HUGE ECONOMIC ENGINE IT CAN BE.

WAITING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE FOR THAT.

FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO SEE PASSENGER RAIL ON ITS WAY TO BEING RESTORED IN TALLAHASSEE IN FIVE YEARS.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

HOP ON THE TRAIN, I GUESS.

WITH EVERYTHING MY COLLEAGUES BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVE SAID.

LET ME JUST SUM UP BY SAYING WE WERE RECENTLY NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 20 MEDIUM-SIZED CITIES OUT OF THE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO WORK AND PLAY.

[APPLAUSE] IN FIVE YEARS I WANT TO BE NUMBER ONE.

>> T. Flanigan: HERE HERE.

OKAY.

WE'LL KEEP WATCHING THE RANKINGS.

CHAIR CUMMINGS.

>> Chair Cummings: OF COURSE, I ADOPT EVERYBODY'S SENTIMENTS WHAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN FIVE YEARS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I GUESS MY UTOPIAN NOTION IS WE UTILIZE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY AND FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY COLLEGE MORE THAT WE BECOME MORE COLLABORATORS WITH THEM SO THAT WHEN OUR CHILDREN GRADUATE FROM THESE INSTITUTIONS THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING HERE IN LEON COUNTY IN TALLAHASSEE TO KEEP THEM HERE.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABOUT CREATING JOBS SO THAT OUR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE CAN MAKE WAGES THAT ARE LIVABLE WAGES SO THEY CAN PURCHASE HOMES AND PURCHASE CARS AND SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO COLLEGE AND JUST REALIZE >> T. Flanigan: M. ACCELERATED BY THE FACT THAT THIS IS OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY, WE ARE NOW INTO THE ARTSY TIME OF THE YEAR.

WORD OF SOUTH, CHAIN OF PARKS ART FESTIVAL, SOUTHERN SHAKESPEARE ART FESTIVAL.

WE HAVE A GOSPEL JUBILEE THAT'S COMING UP.

ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF.

>> SPRINGTIME TALLAHASSEE.

>> T. Flanigan: YES, EXACTLY.

LET ME GET SOME MORE INPUT.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK AS FAR AS ONGOING EFFORTS BY THE CITY AND COUNTY TO PROMOTE ADDITIONAL KINDS OF ARTISTIC FESTIVALS AND OBSERVANCES, PARTICULARLY AROUND THAT WONDERFUL CASCADES PARK AT ALETHEA GUIDRY.

WHO HAS IDEAS?

>> COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX AND I SERVED ON THE -- BOARD AND CERTAINLY THAT IS THE MISSION OF THE TDC IS TO INCREASE ARTISTIC HUMAN ARTS TYPES OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE SEE THAT HAPPENING.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS PLANNED THE JUBILEE FESTIVAL THIS COMING WEEKEND.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF BECAUSE IT INCREASES TOURISM, INCREASE TOURISM INCREASES OUR BED TAX AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO MORE OF THAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THROUGH THE TDC.

WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION AS WE BRING THIS TYPE OF OFFERINGS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> T. Flanigan: ANY OTHER IDEAS?

>> Commissioner Welch: I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THIS BEING A PRETTY SPECIAL YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COMMUNITY, I THINK OUR LINEUP OF PERFORMANCES AND SPECIAL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AMOUNT OR TWO AGO TO WELCOME THE CROWD TO THE ORCHESTRA IN RUBY DIAMOND CONCERT HALL.

I'M FRANKLY NOT MUCH OF AN ORCHESTRA GUY, IF YOU COULDN'T TELL.

BUT I SAT THERE MESMERIZED.

I HAD PICTURES OF OUR HISTORY FLASHING IN THE BACKGROUND AS THEY PLAYED THIS INCREDIBLE MUSIC.

I THINK WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY HAS DONE IT CASCADES PARK SETS THE STAGE, NO PUN INTENDED, AS WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE, BUT CERTAINLY OVER THE NEXT YEAR I THINK THE FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY REALLY SHOULD PAY ATTENTION.

CHECK OUR WEBSITES, CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN AVAILABLE AND GET OUT THERE AND EXPERIENCE OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY WITH THE ARTS.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE ARTS.

WE SEE THEM ON THE STAGE IN A LIMITED CAPACITY, BUT I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM DO MORE AND BRINGING THEM ON YOUNGER AND WATCH THEM GROW BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED IN MUSIC AND ART THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP KEEP THEM OUT OF SOME OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO POSITIVE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE OUR CHILDREN PARTICIPATE MORE ART AROUND THE CITY, WHEREVER IT MIGHT BE, WHEREVER THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF.

ESPECIALLY CHILDREN FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN BEING EXPOSED AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINE THAT MIGHT BE OUT OF THE NORMAL PATH THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN.

THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE JUST IMPACTFUL.

EVERYBODY KNOWS I'M FROM QUINCY.

I CAME TO FLORIDA AND HIM BECAUSE OF THE BAND AND I DO NOT PLAY AN INSTRUMENT.

FIND INSPIRATION WE FIND INSPIRATION THAT LEADS YOU TO WHERE WE BE TODAY.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER PORTER.

>> Commissioner Porter: THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

AS MUCH PROGRAMMING WE CAN HAVE, THE BETTER.

OF ACTIVATING OUR COMMUNITY PARKS, ACTIVATING COMMUNITY CENTERS MORE AND MORE, I THINK WE'LL SEE ON A RETURNING BASIS.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME INVESTMENT THERE.

MORE SPOTS, PLEASE.

[LAUGHTER] >> T. Flanigan: OKAY, GREAT.

ANYONE ELSE?

>> Commissioner Minor: I HAVE TWO GIRLS, 10 AND FIVE.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF ARTS EVENTS WE HAVE AROUND TOWN THE STUFF THAT WE HAVE IS A TREASURE.

THE ARTS ARE ANOTHER THING THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING.

WE HAVE THE ARTS IN SPADES IN TALLAHASSEE.

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO TRY TO DO, AND WE ALREADY DO A GOOD JOB OF IT, IS HELP CULTIVATE EVEN MORE LOCAL TALENT THAT WE HAVE.

I WAS PART OF SMALL GROUP THAT ORGANIZED -- WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE BECAUSE IT HELPED CELEBRATE THE LOCAL MUSICAL TALENT THAT WE HAVE ACROSS A NINE DAY PERIOD.

WE DID THAT THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

IT WAS EXHAUSTING.

WE DID IT FOR FREE BECAUSE WE LOVED IT.

THERE'S SO MUCH LOCAL TALENT HERE.

MUSICIANS, VISUAL ARTISTS, ETC.

WE TAP INTO THAT.

YOU ALL AS CONSUMERS, WE ATTEND THESE EVENTS AND HELP PROP THEM UP, BUT WE NEED TO GO FURTHER AND AND OTHERS, THE NEXT GENERATION OF THOSE ARTISTS ARE HERE NOW.

WE NEED TO CULTIVATE THEM SO THEY CAN PROSPER AND SHARE THEIR TALENTS WITH THE WORLD.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE.

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: I LOVE THAT WE FOCUS ON CULTIVATING, SPOTLIGHTING, AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE PROGRAMS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUTH.

FOR MYSELF, BAND DID SO MUCH FOR ME AND SOMETHING I THINK IS GOING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND ARTS.

THE OTHER THING I THINK IS TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE DO TO PROTECT WHY PEOPLE COME HERE.

THINK OF THESE VENUES.

THAT PARK FOR CROSS-COUNTRY AND SCOTTISH FESTIVAL.

THEY ALL HAVE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT, CANOPY TREES IN NATURE.

THE FACT THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THOSE AND REMEMBER THAT DECIDING WHAT WE DO WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT, REMEMBER THAT'S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT AND SPECIAL.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD HIS I WAS IN MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY IS THERE WAS -- IN TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY.

AS A COMMUNITY, THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE MIGHT WANT TO ADDRESS AGAIN.

IT'S COME UP BEFORE, BUT WE MIGHT WANT TO ADDRESS IT AGAIN.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

ONE THING, TOO, AND THIS FOR THE AUDIENCE AS WELL.

EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE TALLAHASSEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ON WHO THE NEXT CONDUCTOR IS GOING TO BE.

DURING THE 2024-2025 CONCERT SEASON, THE FIVE FINALISTS FOR THAT POSITION WILL BE ACTUALLY EXPIRING THE ORCHESTRA THROUGH A CONCERT AND EVERYONE'S INVITED TO GIVE THEIR INPUT AS TO BOY, I THINK THIS PERSON WAS GREAT.

THIS ONE MAYBE NOT SO MUCH.

THAT KIND OF REALLY FALLS ON US TO BE A BIG PART OF THAT DECISION.

AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX, WHEN IT COMES TO THE KIDS THAT SOMETHING I'M SURE OUR OUTGOING MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR WAS JUST AWESOME AT.

HE COULD GET TO SO INVOLVED.

IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

>> I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR BICENTENNIAL JUNCTION CITY AND THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE A CALENDAR OF ALL OF THE EVENTS FOR THIS YEAR AND I INVITE ALL THE CITIZENS TO GET A COPY OF THE CALENDAR, GO ONLINE AND PRINT THE CALENDAR AND MANY OF THE PERFORMANCES, THE GROUPS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HERE TONIGHT ARE FEATURED AND THERE WILL BE VARIOUS PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THIS BICENTENNIAL YEAR.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM, BUT WE WANT ALL OF THE CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY OF THOSE ACTIVITIES.

>> T. Flanigan: VERY GOOD.

FROM HAPPY STUFF TO SOMETHING NOT QUITE SO HAPPY.

WHO HAS A GOOD IDEA, BESIDES COMMISSIONER MINOR BECAUSE HE WAS TO HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SECOND HARVEST AT BIG BEND.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY?

PARTICULARLY IN THE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX?

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: WHAT THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE IS ALREADY DOING IS IDENTIFYING THE LOTS WHERE WE CAN HAVE COMMUNITY GARDENS AND ALSO TRAINING AND TEACHING INDIVIDUALS ON HOW TO HAVE THOSE GARDENS AND ACTUALLY TURN IT INTO AN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFY STRUCTURES IN THOSE COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO BRING OR LURE GROCERIES TO COME TO THOSE COMMUNITIES AND COME WITH A COMMUNITY MIND, NOT COME TO CHARGE, YOU KNOW, $10 FOR A GALLON OF MILK AND WHATEVER FOR EGGS.

BUT SOMEONE WHO'S COMING IN TO MAKE SURE THEIR HEALTHY CHOICES IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, IN THOSE COMMUNITIES LOOKING AT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE.

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: THANK YOU.

FIRST WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE AN EXPANDING THOSE.

WHEN WE UPDATE OUR ECONOMIC VITALITY STRATEGIC PLAN, I HOPE WE CONSIDER INCLUDING RECRUITING, DEVELOPING, AND INCENTIVIZING THOSE PRIVATE GROCERS TO MAKE IT SO WE NOT ONLY MAKE IT EASIER AND COST-EFFECTIVE AND ATTRACTIVE TO BUILD AND OPEN STORES WHERE THERE'S FOOD DESERTS AND CREATE THE JOBS WE WANT TO PROVIDE IN OUR ANOTHER OF THOSE DOUBLE WINS WE PROMOTE A BUSINESS TO THE COMMUNITY NEED.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

MAYOR DAILEY.

>> Mayor Dailey: TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT WILLIAMS-COX WAS SAYING, WE NEED TO GET CREATIVE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, WE PROVIDE BUS PASSES TO HELP WITH MOBILITY AND BE ABLE TO GET OUT AND ABOUT.

WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND THINK HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS AND HOW CAN WE MAKE IT EFFECTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY?

ONE OF THE FIRST VOTE THAT WE TOOK WHEN ELECTED WAS CREATING THE NEIGHBORHOOD FIRST PROGRAM AND BOND AND WE HAVE SINCE EXPANDED THAT REALLY GETTING DOWN ON THE STREET LEVEL IDENTIFYING WHERE WE CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

I ALSO THINK IT'S TIME WE REASSESS OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE STUDY THAT WAS DONE BY A COUPLE OF PROFESSORS MANY YEARS AGO THAT IDENTIFIED SOME OF OUR ZIP CODE CHALLENGES.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON CENSUS DATA.

I THINK WE NEED TO DRILL DOWN LITERALLY ON THE STREET LEVEL.

I THINK WE NEED TO ENGAGE UNIVERSITIES.

LET'S SEE WHERE WE ARE.

LET'S REEVALUATE WHERE OUR CHALLENGES ARE AND MOVE FROM THERE.

>> T. Flanigan: HERE'S A QUESTION THAT CAME IN.

IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN SOUTHWOOD GOT UNDERWAY, THE GRAND PLAN WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A WIDE DIVERSITY OF INCOME LEVELS AND ALL MANNER OF OTHER MIXES GOING INTO THAT DEVELOPMENT.

IS STILL DEBATABLE WHETHER OR NOT THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

BUT MOVING FORWARD WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE COMMUNITY, HOW CAN CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ENCOURAGE MORE DIVERSITY OF INCOME, OF RACE, OF THE ENTIRE MOVE OF WHO LIVES IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROVIDE ENHANCED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE SURE THOSE AREAS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, REGARDLESS.

YES, WILLIAMS-COX.

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: AS WE SPEAK, SUCH A PROJECT AS EXISTING ON ORANGE AVENUE.

COLUMBIA GARDENS ON SOUTH CITY AND WE'RE BUILDING A TRANSIT STATION RIGHT ON THE STREET SO FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO COME DOWNTOWN TO COME STRAIGHT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND MANY OTHERS.

WE MENTIONED TLC AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ARE ALSO THOSE ENTITIES.

WE ALSO HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT JUST BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKS LIKE IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT DOESN'T WELCOME DIVERSITY AND EQUITY, PERHAPS THEY DO BECAUSE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN PLACES WHO HAVE VOUCHERS FROM TALLAHASSEE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO HAS A VOUCHER BECAUSE IT'S NOT OUR BUSINESS.

THEY MAY BE LIVING IN SOUTHWOOD WHATEVER.

WE CAN'T MAKE THOSE ASSUMPTIONS WITHOUT KNOWING SOMETHING ABOUT THE SITUATION.

WE MIGHT BE MORE DIVERSE THAN WE REALIZE.

I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: THANK YOU, TOM.

ONE OF THE POLICIES WE'VE HAD LONG-STANDING IS OUR INCLUSION POLICY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, 25 UNITS.

THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT HAS TO BE AFFORDABLE, QUOTE AFFORDABLE, HOWEVER YOU DEFINE AFFORDABLE.

BUT YOU CAN ALSO BUY THEIR WAY OUT OF THAT.

THAT'S ALSO WHAT HAPPENED IN SOUTHWOOD.

TO BUY THOSE INCLUSIONARY UNITS TO BUY THEIR WAY OUT TELL YOU THE -- HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF VOLUNTARILY DOING THAT.

THEY HAVE SET THE EXAMPLE THE WAYS WE CAN CERTAINLY INCENTIVIZE THE DEVELOPERS FOR DOING THAT KIND OF INCLUSIONARY IN THEIR DEVELOPMENTS.

>> T. Flanigan: HERE IS A VERY, VERY SIMPLE QUESTION.

I WANT YOU TO PICK OUT ONE PERSON ON THIS PANEL, MAY BE A PERSON THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ASSOCIATION WITH.

YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW THEM THAT WELL.

YOU MIGHT NOT EVEN LIKE THEM, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT THEM.

CAROLYN CUMMINGS, PICK SOMEONE.

>> Chair Cummings: OKAY.

YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE FOR THE LAST, WHAT IS THIS, THREE MONTHS OF CHRONICLING THE 2000, 200, SORRY, ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY.

I CERTAINLY HAVE ENJOYED THE MAYOR.

WE HAVE THE GREATEST MAYOR BECAUSE HE REALLY PROMOTES THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND HE DOES IT IN SUCH AN IMPACTFUL MANNER AND I HAVE COME TO REALLY ADMIRE HIM OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS BECAUSE OF THAT.

DIDN'T KNOW HIM VERY WELL, BUT I'VE COME TO KNOW HIM NOW.

I THINK TALLAHASSEE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD THAT HE IS OUR MAYOR.

>> T. Flanigan: VERY GOOD.

MAYOR DAILEY.

>> Mayor Dailey: THIS IS A SOFTBALL FOR BOTH OF US.

I THINK IT'S RAMPED UP OUR CALENDAR QUITE A BIT AS WELL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS THAT WE DO TOGETHER STARTING AGAIN AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING.

I'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW CAROLYN ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND SHE'S A GREAT STATESMAN, GREAT LEADER, AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE ARE HAVING FUN.

>> T. Flanigan: IT'S CALLED RECIPROCITY.

IT'S A GOOD THING.

>> Commissioner Minor: THANKS, TOM.

I WANT TO SAY I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITHIN PARTY POLITICS, BUT WE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH EACH OTHER AT THAT TIME.

I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON PASSENGER RAIL.

WE CAN WORK TOGETHER -- SHE'S WORKING AN ANGLE, I'M WORKING ANOTHER ANGLE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE GOT TO ACCOMPLISH.

FUNDING BEING A BIG ONE.

THE FACT THAT WE GOT A LARGE COMMUNITY HERE THAT WANTS TO BRING PASSENGER RAIL BACK TO TALLAHASSEE.

WILLIAMS-COX AND MYSELF ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO PUSH IS SOMETHING I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR.

>> T. Flanigan: VERY GOOD.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE.

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH COMMISSIONER WELCH'S CHOICE OF HAIRSTYLE.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER PORTER.

>> Commissioner Porter: I DON'T KNOW.

[LAUGHTER] >> T. Flanigan: HOW DO YOU TALK THAT?

>> Commissioner Welch: YOU CAN JUST SAY MY HAIRSTYLE, TOO.

>> Commissioner Porter: I ALSO THINK HE JUST LOOKS SO HANDSOME.

BUT, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON AND I HAVE FUN.

WE HAVE OUR LITTLE BANTER AND I RESPECT HIM AS THE DEAN AND THE PERSPECTIVE HE BRINGS AND THE HISTORY.

HE ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT SOUTHWOOD, SO I ENJOY WHAT I CAN LEARN FROM HIM.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: MINE IS BOTH ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO OUR FAMILIES.

SHARE PICTURES AND EVENTS MINE WHEN I POST ABOUT MY DAUGHTERS AND I LIKE HIS WHEN HE BOASTS ABOUT HIS DAUGHTERS AND HIS SON.

WE JUST SHARE THAT IN COMMON, BEING TOTALLY DEDICATED TO OUR FAMILIES.

AND MY WIFE, OF COURSE.

WITH US THIS EVENING.

>> I'VE GOT TO GO HOME, YOU ALL.

[LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU, TOM.

NO-BRAINER FOR ME.

ME AND COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON HAVE GOT KIND OF A MAN CRUSH GOING ON HERE.

[LAUGHTER] COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON IN THE THREE YEARS I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM IS A ROLE MODEL FOR ME IN TERMS OF WHAT A GREAT FATHER LOOKS LIKE.

IS GREAT DAUGHTERS.

I TAKE NO HIGHER RESPONSIBILITY TO BEING A GREAT HUSBAND AND A GREAT OVER HERE, SHE BRAGS ON THIS GUY.

ALSO AS A POLICYMAKER AND COLLEAGUE, I NEVER HAVE TO QUESTION COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON'S MOTIVES.

I KNOW THAT HIS HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

HE'S A LEGEND AROUND HERE.

HE'S DONE PUBLIC-SERVICE FOR A LONG TIME AND I CERTAINLY ASPIRE TO BE LIKE HIM.

>> T. Flanigan: VERY GOOD.

WE'LL WIND HER UP WITH COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: LET ME JUST SAY THERE'S NO ONE OF YOU I DO NOT LIKE.

I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU ALL, BUT I LIKE WORKING WITH EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM.

ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS I'VE HAD THROUGH THE YEARS HAD TO OVERCOME A CHALLENGE BECAUSE WE FOUND OURSELVES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THINGS ONE TIME AND WE WERE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AT THE SAME TIME AND ENDED UP AT THE SAME PLACE SITTING NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER AND I HAD TO PRETEND THAT I COULDN'T STAND HIM, BUT WHAT WE DID DURING THAT CYCLE IS WE DECIDED TO BURY THE HATCHET AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

WE BOTH WON OUR ELECTIONS AND WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER EVER SINCE.

MAYOR DAILY, IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE EVER SINCE.

>> T. Flanigan: I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BRING THE PROCEEDINGS HERE TO A HALT THE VILLAGE SQUARE'S OUR TOWN FORM.

THANKS TO THE FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE AND WHO TOOK PART ONLINE AND REALLY MADE SOME FANTASTIC SUGGESTIONS AS FAR AS THE QUESTIONS ARE CONCERNED.

WE THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK TOGETHER AGAIN NEXT TIME FOR THE OUR TOWN FORUM FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION AND LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HERE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING.