>> SO, OKAY.

ENOUGH OF ME.

LET'S GET BACK TO BUSINESS.

LET ME INTRODUCE MY GOOD FRIEND, OUR MODERATOR FOR THE EVENING, TRENDLINES MEDIA PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR NEWS, TOM FLANIGAN.

TOM, FLOOR IS YOURS.

[APPLAUSE] >> T. Flanigan: THANK YOU, DAVID, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT HERE TONIGHT.

DO YOU REALIZE HOW RARE THIS KIND OF EVENT REALLY IS?

I DID A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH JUST OVER THE PAST WEEK TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY COMMUNITIES IN THIS COUNTRY OF ANY SIZE FROM LITTLE TEENY TINY BACKWOODS CROSSROADS ALL THE WAY UP TO MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS HAVE CITY AND COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS COMING OUT TO GET BEFORE A GROUP UNDER THE AUSPICES OF WHETHER IT'S THE VILLAGE SQUARE OR THEIR OWN DOING.

IT IS VANISHINGLY SMALL.

THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL OF OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT THINK THAT'S KIND OF .

ENDEMIC TO WHERE WE ARE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS CONTENTIOUSNESS AND DIVISIVENESS THAT KIND OF PERCOLATED DOWN.

THAT SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE IN TALLAHASSEE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP IT ARM'S-LENGTH AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

THANK YOU FOLKS FOR COMING OUT AND BEING PART OF THIS HERE.

BUNCH OF QUESTIONS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET RIGHT TO IT.

FOR THE FIRST QUESTION, I LIKE TO DEFER TO THE CHAIR AND THE MAYOR AS THE FOLKS WHO WERE PRESENT AT THE UPPER ECHELON THEIR OWN ORGANIZATIONS HERE.

OF THE FLORIDA CHAMBER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SHARED ECONOMIC GOAL OR VISION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

SO WHERE ARE WE TRYING TO GO ECONOMICALLY AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?

CHAIR CUMMINGS, IF WE CAN START WITH YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Chair Cummings: I THINK THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WORKING TOGETHER.

ONE OF THE ENTITIES THAT WE HAVE UTILIZED IS CERTAINLY BLUEPRINT.

WE HAVE AN OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VITALITY AND THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS I THINK WE ALL CAN AGREE THAT BLUEPRINT DID A GREAT JOB IN BRINGING AMAZON TO OUR CITY.

WE WORKED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE TWO ENTITIES WORKING TOGETHER.

WE HAVE AN INFUSION WITH AMAZON OF $33 MILLION IN SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR OVER 1500 PEOPLE HAVE EMPLOYED.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT $133 MILLION IN OVERALL BOOST TO OUR ECONOMY.

SO I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A MYTH THAT SAYS THE CITY AND COUNTY IS NOT WORKING TOGETHER.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME GREAT EXAMPLES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS.

>> T. Flanigan: MAYOR DAILEY, CHAIR CUMMINGS JUST TALKED ABOUT THE AMAZON PROJECT AND THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE THROUGH THE BLUEPRINT OR OTHER MECHANISMS.

ONE OF THE THINGS DO YOU THINK IT'S AN EXAMPLE POSITIVELY WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR THAT SORT OF THING?

>> TOM, THANKS FOR HOSTING TONIGHT.

THANKS TO WFSU AND VILLAGE SQUARE.

I DO THINK WE'RE RIGHT IN LINE.

I THINK WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

I THINK OUR LOCAL REGION HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST ECONOMIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING IT VISUALLY AS GOVERNMENTS.

WERE ABLE TO DROP IN EMPLOYMENT TO 2.7% LAST YEAR ALONE.

WE ADDED 15,000 JOBS IN THE PAST SIX YEARS.

WE'RE RIGHT ON TRACK AS WE EXPAND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES, WE'VE INVESTED OVER HALF $1 BILLION SOUTH OF TENNESSEE STREET IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS ALONE.

LOOK AT THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS WE'RE MAKING.

LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING AT TALLAHASSEE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THIS COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY TOGETHER WITH BLUEPRINT, BUT CITY AND COUNTY COLLABORATIVELY.

>> T. Flanigan: ANY PLANS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE CHAMBER AND SAY WE UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITION, BUT WE BEG TO DIFFER ON THESE.

>> ONE OF THE POINTS THE CHAMBER, WE AS A SOCIETY SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON THIRD-GRADE READING LEVELS.

I KNOW THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR POINTS OF THE FLORIDA CHAMBER.

OF COURSE, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SOCIETY IN THOSE EFFORTS, WE SHOULD.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO A, DEVELOP, I KNOW LIMITLESS OR FORWARD AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> T. Flanigan: SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BLUEPRINT , AND I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP, BECAUSE THE BLUEPRINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY VOTED -- TO BUILD MIXED INCOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.

I THINK WE ALL HAVE HEARD THE TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED IN MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OF COURSE, TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FLORIDA LEGISLATOR WAS ALSO LOOKING AT THAT.

THIS MEANS RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE CITY AND COUNTY PLAY IN THE CONVERSATION?

HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER, AGAIN, COLLABORATIVELY TOWARDS MORE MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS?

LET'S JUST MOVE IT DOWN THE PROCESSION HERE.

COMMISSIONER MINOR, FROM YOUR VIEWPOINT?

>> Commissioner Minor: REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HER OWN STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT LEON COUNTY NEEDS TO ADD 11,500 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BY 2025.

THAT'S ON TOP OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE CONDUCTED IN OUR PIPELINE.

THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE CHALLENGE.

NOW, WE'RE NOT ALONE AND ACROSS THE STATE AND COUNTRY ARE FINDING SIMILAR CHALLENGES.

EVEN THE BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE STATE.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM TRYING TO TACKLE THEIR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGE AND THERE ONLY ADDING 3-4000 UNITS.

IT'S A BIG CHALLENGE.

WITH BLUEPRINT MAKING THE MOVE AT THE LAST MEETING, I THINK IT'S A GOOD STEP FORWARD, RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THAT.

WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE MAY ECONOMIC PROJECTIONS ARE AT AND GO FROM THERE.

MAKING SURE, IN MY OPINION, WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE EXISTING MONEY FROM PROJECTS THAT ARE THEN OUTLINED IN MANY CASES HAVING DESIGN COSTS SUNK IN MANY CASES.

>> T. Flanigan: YOU TALK ABOUT A FORM THE HOUSE AND A LOT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS COLLABORATING BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY TO MOVE THAT FORWARD?

>> I THINK THE STEP WAS TAKEN AT BLUEPRINT IS AN INCREDIBLE STOP FORWARD.

SOMETHING I'M PROUD TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES WITH LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE PUSHING FOR THIS.

THERE'S NO SINGLE BULLET SOLUTION HERE.

IT'S A COMPLETED PROCESS AND IT'S A COMPLICATED PROBLEM, BUT NOT DOING ANYTHING IS NOT AN OPTION.

WE ARE LIMITED WITH OUR RESOURCES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN MANY CASES HAVE TIED OUR HANDS WITH WHAT WE CAN DO.

LAND IS ONE OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE PARTS OF ANY AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOW INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND MAKING A DENT IN THAT PROBLEM I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT EVERYONE NEEDS A SAFE AND DIGNIFIED PLACE TO LIVE WHERE THEY CAN AFFORD, PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTY -- ECONOMY.

FEEL A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHAT THE GOAL NEEDS TO BE.

COMMISSIONER CURTIS RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOT SOMETHING I TALKED ABOUT IN THE 10 YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION, BUT HAVE ACTUALLY DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND WORKED TOWARDS IT.

WHEN I CAME TO THE COMMISSION, SOUTH CITY WAS NOT IN THE CRA DISTRICT.

BUT IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE TALLAHASSEE HOUSING AUTHORITY DIRECTOR, MISS BRENDA WILLIAMS, WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ORANGE AVE., APARTMENTS WERE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION.

IT WAS A 50-YEAR-OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSING PROJECT, SO WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT AREA, SOUTH CITY AREA, INTO THE CRA DISTRICT, AND LOOK WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

COLUMBIA GARDENS AT SOUTH CITY.

I SERVE ON THE BOARD AT THE TALLAHASSEE LINDA'S CONSORTIUM.

WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

AND ALSO I SERVE ON THE CITY COMMISSION'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING I'VE MADE THAT A PRIORITY AND WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS, BUT AS WAS MENTIONED, IS AN ISSUE THAT PLAGUES NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY, BUT COMMUNES THROUGHOUT THIS STATE.

>> T. Flanigan: VERY GOOD.

THIS IS A CITY QUESTION, AND COMMISSIONER DIANE WILLIAMS-COX, YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF SAYING I THINK ANOTHER ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MIGHT BE BETTER INFORMED ON THIS ONE.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A BIT CONTROVERSY CONTENTIOUS BECAUSE THE CITY SEEMS IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH FIREFIGHTERS.

THREE HAVE QUIT IN THE PAST WEEK ALONE.

THE LENGTH OF TIME THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW.

KIND OF UNUSUAL.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO BREAK THE LOGJAM, DO YOU THINK?

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AGAIN THIS YEAR.

TOM, AS YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNION, IT'S VERY DELICATE AND SPECIFIED AS STATUTE HOW YOU MOVE FORWARD.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE EVENTUALLY GOING TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S BEEN PLAYED OUT IN THE MEDIA AND THAT'S NEVER A GOOD THING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET RESOLUTION BECAUSE NOW SOMEONE HAS TO CHOOSE WINNERS AND LOSERS AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE VALUE ALL OF OUR STAFF THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, FIREFIGHTERS AND ALL OF THEM.

WE MUST ABIDE BY THE LAW REGARDING HOW YOU DEAL WITH UNION CONTRACTS.

I, FOR ONE, AS A COMMISSIONER WILL NOT STEP OUT OF LINE AND DO SOMETHING OTHERWISE BECAUSE THERE ARE REPERCUSSIONS FOR DOING THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

I AM HONORING -- MONITORING THE SITUATION AND WE WILL FOLLOW THE PROCESS.

>> T. Flanigan: ALL RIGHT.

THIS NEXT QUESTION GETS US A LITTLE BIT INTO WHAT WE SPOKE OF AT THE OUTSET OF THIS DISCUSSION.

CIVILITY AND HAVING AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE IF NOT IN PERSONALITY.

CORAM, CIVILITY, SOMETIMES SHORT SUPPLY AT OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS.

NOT JUST IN TALLAHASSEE.

THIS IS NOT ONLY OUR ISSUE, BUT WE SEE IT A LOT.

LUCKILY, THERE HAS BEEN NO GUNFIRE AT ANY OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS.

>> PLEASE, DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD.

>> T. Flanigan: BUT WE'VE SEEN IT IN SOME OF THE PLACES.

THAT JUST SHOWS HOW SERIOUS THEY CAN GET.

WHAT CONCRETE STEPS IN ORDER TO KEEP THIS POSITIVE CAN YOU ADVOCATE TO MOVE TOWARDS A MORE COLLEGIAL TYPE OF ATMOSPHERE BOTH IN YOUR OWN BODIES AND ALSO BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY?

IF WE START WITH THE MAYOR AND THEN COME BACK TO THE CHAIR.

>> Mayor Dailey: TO ADDRESS YOUR ISSUE FIRST, WE TAKEN SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL STEPS IN CITY HALL TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S SAFETY FROM EVERYTHING FROM METAL DETECTORS GOING INTO THE CHAMBERS, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT UP THE VIOLET -- VIOLENT ASPECT OF IT.

THE MAYOR TRYING TO REMIND THE PUBLIC PLEASE JOIN US IN SETTING THE TONE AND DIVISION AND MAKE SURE WE OPERATE IN A CIVIL MANNER AND FOR THE MOST PART EVERYBODY DOES, AND I GET THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THOSE WHO COME IN AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE HOT ON WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS.

AS MAYOR, IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE UPSET WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND STABILITY INTO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO SO.

I THINK WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL AS ELECTED OFFICIALS.

MY POOR FRIEND, THE CHAIR, HAD A GAVEL THREE AT THE LAST MEETING.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

WE HAVE TO SET THE TONE AND SET THE EXAMPLE.

THAT'S JUST ME, PERSONALLY.

>> T. Flanigan: CHAIR CUMMINGS, WHAT DO YOU THINK, ADDING TO THE MAYOR'S COMMENTS?

>> Chair Cummings: ADDING TO THE MAYOR'S COMMENT, MR. FLANIGAN, I THINK YOU, WFSU, FOR THIS FORM.

I SEE MY COLLEAGUES DID SO AND I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE BACK.

THANK YOU AND THE AUDIENCE PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE HERE.

OUR COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING LAST NIGHT I COMMENDED MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FOR THE WAY THAT THEY ALLOWED ME TO NOT ONLY CONDUCT THE MEETING, BUT I COMMENDED THEM FOR THE CONGENIALITY THAT WE HAVE ON THE COMMISSION.

WE TRIED TO SET THE TONE OF RESPECTING EACH OTHER.

AS CHAIR, I RECOGNIZE THAT ALL SEVEN OF US HAVE STRONG PERSONALITIES.

WE HAVE STRONG OPINIONS ABOUT ISSUES, BUT I TRIED TO ALLOW THE COMMISSIONERS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, BUT URGE THEM TO DO IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER SO THAT WE CAN ALL EVENTUALLY, AFTER WE'VE HEARD EVERYBODY'S OPINION, THEN WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITIZENS.

SO I BELIEVE FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE TO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF WHY WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE HERE TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS, AND AS COLLEAGUES I THINK SOMETIMES WE LOOSE ITEMS THAT -- OF THAT.

WE HAVE OUR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS, BUT IF WE KEEP THAT AT THE FOREFRONT AND RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER, THEN WE CAN HAVE MORE FRUITFUL MEETINGS.

>> T. Flanigan: UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SUNSHINE LAW, JUST AS A QUICK PERSONAL ASIDE, I RECALL WHEN THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND SOMETIMES CITY COMMISSION WOULD HOLD AN INFORMAL DINNERS.

THEY'D OPEN IT UP TO THE MEDIA AND THERE WOULD BE A REPORTER WHO WOULD BE NO BUSINESS WAS REALLY CONDUCTED, BUT IT WAS MORE OF JUST INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION.

JUST A BUNCH OF FOLKS WORKING TOGETHER GETTING TOGETHER IN AN INFORMAL SITUATION, AND THAT SEEMED TO SOMETIMES LOWER THE TEMPERATURE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SOMETHING THEY TO BE REVISITED SOMETIME, BUT IT SEEMED TO WORK BACK THEN.

JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

BUT TURNING BACK TO GUN VIOLENCE, WHICH WE HATE TO TALK ABOUT, BUT IT APPEARS THE TOOLS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS USING TO COMBAT THIS MAY NOT BE WORKING THE WAY THAT EVERYONE WOULD LIKE THEM TO SOMETHING ELSE, DO YOU THINK, AND IF SO WHAT AND IF NOT DO WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT GUN VIOLENCE EXISTS, PERSIST, AND THERE'S NOTHING TO BE DONE?

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: BECAUSE GUNS ARE SO EASILY AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY, THESE DAYS, BUT WHAT WE KNOW FROM OUR POLICE STAFF 53% OF THE POLICE -- GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY COME FROM GUNS THAT WERE STOLEN FROM UNLOCKED CARS.

LOADED GUNS FROM UNLOCKED CARS.

OVER 50% OF THE GUN VIOLENCE WE SEE IS THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH.

WE'RE PARTNERING NOW WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE AND SHERIFFS DEBARMENT, URBAN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I HAVE A CAMPAIGN NOW WITH MEDIA, BILLBOARDS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO NOT LEAVE LOADED GUNS IN THEIR CARS BECAUSE THAT IS A SOURCE OF A LOT OF THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

COULD, YOU DEAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WHAT DOCUMENT YOU HAVE UNMITIGATED THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME OF THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO THINK HEY, THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS AS CLOSE AS THAT GUN.

>> THANKS, TOM.

CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME?

I THINK IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

I THINK OUR SHERIFF DID A FANTASTIC SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, HOMICIDE PROJECT.

REAL ANALYTICAL APPROACH LOOKING AT THE SOURCE, LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CAUSES OF OUR GUN VIOLENCE PROBLEMS.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU COMBINE, YOU KNOW, LACK OF HOPE, YOU KNOW, MENACING ENVIRONMENTS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T LAW ENFORCEMENT YOUR WAY OUT OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THERE HAS TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT GOES ON AT HOME.

THERE HAS TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW DO WE KEEP KEN'S -- KIDS IN SCHOOL, HOW TO KEEP KIDS SUSPENDED, THINGS LIKE THAT I THINK WILL GO A LONG WAY.

I THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES A GREAT JOB BOTH AT TPD AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE TRYING TO SOLVE A VERY COMPLICATED PROBLEM.

IT'S HARD TO LEGISLATE YOUR WAY INTO PUBLIC SAFETY FROM A GUN VIOLENCE STANDPOINT.

YOU GOT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE DIFFICULT.

YOU GOT TO GOING TO HOMES.

YOU GOT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO INTO SCHOOL.

PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, GET THEM WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB OF THAT.

WERE NOT DOING OUR BEST AND GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, THOUGHTS?

MR. MAYOR.

>> --: I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER WELCH AND WHAT HE JUST SAID, BUT WE CAN'T LEGISLATE OUR WAY.

WHEN I WAS ON THE STATE LEGISLATOR, PREEMPTED ALL OUR ABILITY FROM IMPOSING IN THE LOCAL ORDINANCE WITH GUN VIOLENCE PERIOD.

WE ARE STILL UNDER THAT RULE.

EVEN IF WE CAME UP WITH THE BEST IDEA IN THE WORLD BETWEEN THE CITY AND COUNTY, WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO SO BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATOR AND UNTIL THAT IS REPEALED WE WILL ALWAYS BE IN THIS PLACE.

CURTIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

PEOPLE ASKED ALL THE TIME HOW CAN WE MAKE A SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT ON GUN VIOLENCE IN TALLAHASSEE, AND I WILL REPEAT WHAT HE SAID.

TAKE YOUR FIREARMS INSIDE AND LOCK THEM UP AT NIGHT.

DON'T LEAVE THEM IN YOUR THIS IS NOT A SECOND AMENDMENT QUESTION.

THIS IS ABOUT BEING A RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER.

IF YOU HAVE FIREARM AND KEEP IT IN YOUR CAR DURING THE DAY, TAKE IT INSIDE AT NIGHT AND LOCK IT UP.

WE CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT JUST THAT ACTION ALONE WITH RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP PEOPLE TAKING THEIR GUNS INSIDE.

>> SCRIP SPRING BOARDING OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER WELCH SAID, IN ADDITION TO HOMICIDE STUDY HE ALSO HAS INSTIGATED THE CREATION OF COMMISSION STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS, WHICH IS PREVENTATIVE OF, NATIONWIDE WE KNOW BY DATA WHICH TYPES OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AT RISK FOR EITHER BEING VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE OR PERPETRATORS OF THAT VIOLENCE.

BASED ON THAT DATA HERE LOCALLY, I GIVE THE SHERIFF A LOT OF CREDIT FOR BASICALLY ASTONISHING THAT COMMISSION AND TAKING STEPS TO ASSIST THOSE YOUNG KIDS WHO ARE RIGHT AT THE CUSP RIGHT NOW OF GOING IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER AND WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FUNDING AND EFFORT TO HELP THEM FIND ALTERNATIVES TO BEING ON THE STREET AND JOINING GANGS I THINK WILL HOPELESS STEM THE PROBLEM.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, YOU HAD YOUR HAND THERE.

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, GOOD JOBS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THAT'S HOW WE REDUCE CRIME AND HELP OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES TO FEEL SAFE.

I SAY THAT TO SAY WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.

I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE SHERIFF, THE COUNCIL AND STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS, WOMEN AND GIRLS, ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE STEPPING UP TO FILL THE COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT ARE THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME OR THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

AND IT IS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON?

>> Commissioner Richardson: WE HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

ACRONYM IS TEMPO.

FROM HAVING A SENIOR MOMENT REMEMBERING WHAT TEMPO STANDS FOR.

- - WHO WAS GOING OUT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD INTERFACING WHAT WE CALL STUPID KIDS WHO ARE AT RISK WHO MIGHT'VE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL, MIGHT'VE HAD A SMALL SCRAPE WITH THE LAW.

WHAT HE WOULD DO WAS WORK WITHIN.

THEY NEEDED HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, HE WOULD ENROLL THEM IN ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION, GET THEM A GED, TRAINING FOR JOB SKILL, TCC IF THEY WANTED TO GO THAT ROUTE.

THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAD I THINK ABOUT 1500 KIDS GO THROUGH THAT PROGRAM AT THE TIME IT'S BEEN IN PLACE.

ZERO RECIDIVISM.

NOT ONE HAS BEEN INVOLVED AT ALL IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

SO WE'RE PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE DONE THROUGH THE TEMPO PROGRAM.

THEY NOW HAVE A BUDGET AND STAFF IN THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.

IN ADDITION TO OUR FUTURE LEADERS ACADEMY, WE HEARD IN THE SUMMER.

IT WAS A SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM TO MAKE IT A PROGRAM YEAR-ROUND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SO WE CAN KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS, KEEP THEM OCCUPIED, LET THEM MAKE MONEY SO THEY CAN THEN ASSIST THEIR FAMILIES IF THEY'RE ECONOMICALLY CONSTRAINED.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

>> Chair Cummings: YES, JUST VERY BRIEFLY I AGREE TO THE SENTIMENT ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE.

BUT I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO BE ABOUT TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ALTERNATIVES AS FAR AS CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE, I'M ON THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL.

WE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY, HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE WE ARE FUNDING 11 SUMMER PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE CLOSE TO 1000 YOUTH THIS SUMMER AND THEY WILL BE CONCENTRATED IN STEM PROGRAMS.

THEY WILL BE EXPOSED TO DANCE AND ART.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO SHOW OUR CHILDREN THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS.

WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THEM INTO DOING THAT AGAIN SCHMIDT -- THAT ENGAGEMENT WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM THAT CONFLICT RESOLUTION DOES NOT END IN GUN VIOLENCE.

THAT TIES IN TO US FOCUSING ON OUR CHILDREN, HAVING PROGRAMS FOR THEM SO WE CAN CHANGE THE WHOLE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR FUTURE.

EXPOSE THEM TO DANCE, TO MUSIC, TO DRAMA.

SO THAT THEIR YOUNG MINDS NOW CAN START ON THE PATH TO WHAT THEY WANT FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE AND I THINK THEY WILL COME AWAY SAYING GUN VIOLENCE, EVEN HAVING A GUN HAS NO PLACE IN MY FUTURE.

WE'VE GOT TO INVEST IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> T. Flanigan: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX, FIRST.

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THE MESSAGE OUT THERE THAT IT'S ONLY CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN GUN VIOLENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE ADULTS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN GUN VIOLENCE AND TAKING LIVES AS WELL.

SOME OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

WE ALSO LOOKED AT THE NEED FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH IN SOME AREAS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF STRESSORS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF TRIGGERS.

FOLKS NOT KNOWING HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE LEADS TO GUN VIOLENCE FROM TIME TO TIME.

I JUST WANT TO PLUG IT THAT IT'S NOT JUST OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

IT'S FOLKS THAT ARE YOUNG AT HEART WHO ARE ALSO ENGAGING IN GUN VIOLENCE AND, NEVERTHELESS, WE'RE TRYING TO BATTLE THAT AS WELL.

>> T. Flanigan: THIS HAS BEEN ALL ACROSS THE BOARD.

COMMISSIONER PORTER, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO THROW INTO THE MIX HERE?

>> Commissioner Porter: ONE THING THAT HASN'T MENTIONED, BUT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT MISSION OR CUMMINGS HAS MENTIONED, JUSTICE PROGRAMS IN THE CITY.

SOME THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED OF THE COMMITTEE CENTER, BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING WE CAN EXPAND ON THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE FRUIT OF IN YEARS TO COME AND I WANT IS A GREATER COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER, OUR STATE ATTORNEY, OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS FAILING US AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS POINT.

CONTINUING THESE CONVERSATIONS, COLLABORATING WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, I DON'T SEE THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING AS MUCH AS I THINK THEY CAN AND WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT.

>> T. Flanigan: WONDERFUL.

THIS IS BEEN A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION BECAUSE I KNOW HOW VOLATILE THIS ISSUE IS IN THE EYES AND EARS AND MINDS OF THE PUBLIC.

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE, THOUGH, AND THIS IS BREAKING NEWS BECAUSE THIS JUST CAME DOWN TODAY BECAUSE OF GOVERNOR DESANTIS'S ACTION.

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATOR, OF COURSE, PASSING LEGISLATION AND GOVERNOR DESANTIS THIS MORNING SIGNING A BILL THAT BANS THE UNHOUSED FROM SLEEPING OR SETTING UP CAMP IN PUBLIC SPACES.

AS YOU'RE AWARE, THE LAW REQUIRES MINAS POLITIES TO REMOVE THESE INDIVIDUALS, AND IF THEY FAIL TO DO SO, IT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUE FOR FAILING TO ENFORCE RESTRICTIONS, AND THE BILL FURTHER SUGGESTS THAT CITIES SET UP DESIGNATED ENCAMPMENTS REGARDING A MINIMAL LEVEL OF INFRASTRUCTURE, LIKE RUNNING WATER AND RESTROOMS.

SO WITH THIS NOW IN PLACE, WHAT IS THE CITY AND COUNTY DUE BY WAY OF RESPONSE OF WHAT IS A NEW FLORIDA STATUTE?

CHAIR CUMMINGS.

>> Chair Cummings: YES.

AT THIS POINT, I WANT TO SEE WHAT RULES ARE PUT IN PLACE.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT INDICATES THAT A MUNICIPALITY OR GOVERNMENT THAT PERMITS HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO SLEEP IN PUBLIC PLACES, SO I'M NOT SURE HOW PERMITS IS DEFINED, BUT I THINK BY AND LARGE IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE MORE FUNDING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEGISLATOR ALLOCATED SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 6-7 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT FUNDING IS SUFFICIENT, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT HERE IN LEON COUNTY WE HAVE HOMELESS ISSUE, BUT IT'S NOT AS BAD AS SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES IN FLORIDA.

SO I'M HOPING THAT ONCE WE SEE THE RULES THAT WILL BE PROMULGATED SO THAT THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION CAN BE CARRIED OUT, I BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION WITHIN THE CONFINES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE KEARNEY CENTER.

PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDE OVERNIGHT BEDS FOR THE HOMELESS.

I DON'T ENVISION LEON COUNTY, TALLAHASSEE EVER HAVING ANY HOMELESS CAMPS FOR OUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.

>> T. Flanigan: SAME DEAL, MAYOR DAILEY.

>> Mayor Dailey: THE CHAIR SAID IT BEST.

THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT.

THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY DO NOT HAVE A DIVISION OF HOMELESSNESS.

WE DEPEND ON THIRD-PARTY NONPROFITS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HELP US OUT.

I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY DO.

CAROLYN IS RIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME HOMELESSNESS ISSUE THAT YOU SEE ACROSS FLORIDA.

WHAT HAPPENS IS I THINK WHEN WE DO AN INITIAL ANALYSIS IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE ENCAMPMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT ENVISION IN THIS COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY ARE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR PUBLIC PROPERTY AND THAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE IS WHETHER THEY HAVE PERMISSION OR NOT.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TOGETHER UNDER THE HOSPICE OF -- AUSPICE OF NEW LEGISLATION.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MEN AND WOMEN WORKING THESE NONPROFITS TO HELP US OUT REGARDING THESE EXPENSES AND HOMELESSNESS AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONER MINOR, YOU HAD BEEN DIGGING INTO THIS ISSUE ALONG THE NORTH MONROE ST. CORRIDOR AS PART OF YOUR DISTRICT HERE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> Commissioner Minor: THANK YOU, TOM.

DEALING A LOT WITH FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE STREET THAT ARE IN NEED OF FOOD, SO I'VE GOT SOME EXPERIENCE IN THIS.

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW THAT WAS SIGNED TODAY BY THE GOVERNOR IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS THE ABILITY TO SUE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IF THERE IS NOT SOME PROVISION FOLKS TO BE IN A PUBLIC ENCAMPMENT IF THERE ARE NO RESOURCES ELSEWHERE.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE HERE ABOUT LEON COUNTY IN TALLAHASSEE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE KEARNEY CENTER HAS ABOUT -- THE CAPACITY IS 425.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A STEP OR WE HAVE TO THINK WERE DISCUSSED WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE A PUBLIC KAMMAN IN LEON COUNTY OR TALLAHASSEE.

I THINK IT WILL BE QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE WE GET TO THAT POINT.

I SAY THIS TO EVERYBODY REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUE.

WE NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE STREET.

MANY OF THEM HAVE SUFFERED SOME TYPE OF TRAUMA AS CHILDREN OR YOUNG ADULTS AND THEY ARE JUST STRUGGLING FROM DAY-TO-DAY.

AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SAFE TO BE OUT THERE SLEEPING AT NIGHT.

IT'S NOT.

HOMELESS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, STABBED ON NORTH MONROE.

IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE.

NUMBER ONE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR FOLKS ON THE STREET.

NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION IS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ENSURE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE, BUSINESSES ARE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY THRIVE.

BOTH OF THOSE THINGS CAN US TO TRULY ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS WE HAVE TO TACKLE BOTH OF THOSE ELEMENTS.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE?

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: I'LL ECHO WE ARE WAITING ON RULES, THESE LAWS I BELIEVE ARE UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THEY PUT THE COUNTY, IN MY CASE IT WOULD IMPACT US AND APPLY TO US, OPEN TO LAWSUITS, SIGNIFICANT COSTS THAT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY GO TO HELP SOLVE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS IF THOSE RULES WERE TO COME DOWN.

ALL OF THE EVIDENCE FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS CONFERS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO END HOMELESSNESS IS PERMANENT HOUSING.

I'M GOING TO GO CONTRADICTORY HERE AND SAY MAYBE THERE'S A LITTLE SURPRISE POSITIVE HOW THIS COMES DOWN.

IF THE THREAT OF LAWSUIT FORCES US TO MORE COST-EFFECTIVELY CREATE MORE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING INSTEAD OF PAYING OUT LAWSUITS, ANYTHING THAT HELPS US GET MORE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WILL END HOMELESSNESS.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

COMMISSIONER PORTER?

>> Commissioner Porter: I THINK THIS CONTINUES A TREND WE'VE SEEN FROM THE LEGISLATOR OVERSTEPPING AND NOT PROVIDING GOVERNMENT THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THESE CRITICAL PROBLEMS.

THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, BUT I DO THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STEP UP AND GO ABOVE AND BEYOND, EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES, GET MORE CREATIVE, AND OF COURSE, LEAD WITH COMPASSION AND SEE THE WAYS WE CAN WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS, WHO'VE BEEN AMAZING, BUT DO EVEN MORE.

I THINK WE WOULD BE WISE TO TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND AND EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT MAYBE WE HAVE AN EXPORT YET.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON?

>> Commissioner Richardson: I THINK WHATEVER WE DO WE HAVE TO DO IN A HUMANE FASHION.

THESE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD.

I'M A MAN OF RELIGION.

I BELIEVE THAT AND WE OWE IT TO THEM.

WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS THAT THEY ARE CONFRONTING, WE HAVE TO DO WHATEVER WE DO A HUMANE MANNER IN PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THOSE THAT ARE HOMELESS.

AGAIN, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER HAVING BEEN IN THE LEGISLATOR.

THIS IS NOT NEWS THAT THEY PUT UNFUNDED MANDATES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE.

WE WILL HAVE TO GET TOGETHER AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO THIS.

AND IF IT TAKES GOING BACK TO THE LEGISLATOR BECAUSE WHAT THEY HAVE ALLOCATED, IT MAY TAKE CARE OF THE NEED IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI ALONE, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE 67 COUNTIES AND 400 MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET TOGETHER AND PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS HUMANE AND WHAT GOD WOULD >> T. Flanigan: FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Commissioner Richardson: THAT MIGHT BE THE ROUTE THAT IS TAKEN.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THE CONVERSATION YET FROM THE LEAGUE OF CITIES.

- - AND IF IT TAKES HAVING TO GO THE LEGAL ROUTE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T OVERTAX OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AND IT'S BEEN EXACERBATED BY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR HAS ADJUSTED IN SIGNING THAT LAW.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

COMMISSIONER?

>> NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER.

I WOULD DEFER TO TEAR CUMMINGS DOWN THERE AS A LEGAL MIND, BUT I WOULD'VE SPENT A LOT OF LAWSUITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT WITH THIS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.

I FEEL LIKE COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE MAKES A GOOD POINT.

THE SORT OF PUNITIVE ASPECTS OF THIS DON'T APPLY UNTIL YOU DON'T HAVE CAPACITY LIKE EMERGENCY SHELTERING CAPACITY.

I DON'T KNOW IF NECESSARILY WE'RE IN THAT BOAT YET.

THE CONCEPT OF ENCAMPMENTS IN PUBLIC CAMPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE WAS AN ORDINANCE AT THE COUNTY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT WAS VERY SIMILAR NOT NEARLY AS EXPANSIVE AS PUNITIVE AND I THINK THE LEGISLATOR SEES THAT AND GOES IF YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, WE'LL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THE TONE IN THE LEGISLATOR I'VE READ IS SIMILAR TO THE TONE IN THE COUNTY ORDINANCE THAT DIDN'T GET NEIGHBOR TWO YEARS AGO, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT AS A COMMUNITY ARE WE GOING TO ACCEPT AS AN ACCEPTABLE LIVING CONDITION?

COMMISSIONER MINOR KIND OF MAKES THAT POINT.

WE HAVE TO DO, WE HAVE TO HAVE COMPASSION, BUT I WILL TELL YOU COMPASSION IS NOT LETTING SOMEONE SLEEP ON THE STREET WITH THEIR HEAD FEET AWAY FROM TRAFFIC.

WE HAVE TO REALLY FOCUS IN ON WHAT WE'RE DOING THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE AND HOUSING.

OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A BIG DEAL THING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH, BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

>> T. Flanigan: WHEN I CLOSE THIS OUT WITH COMMISSIONER WILLIAMS-COX.

>> Commissioner Williams-Cox: SERVING ON CONTINUING WITH CARE, WHICH IS THE REGIONAL LEAGUE FOR HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE HAS PROVIDED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING IN THIS PARTICULAR NONPROFIT REPRESENTS SEVERAL COUNTIES AROUND THE BIG BEND AREA.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THEY DO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT THERE'S BEEN, LIKE, 800, LESS THAN 1000 PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN COUNTED TO OF BEEN HOMELESS.

NOW, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MORE, THEY MAY HAVE MISSED THE COUNT.

MANY TIMES WE THINK OF THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE THOUSANDS, BUT IT'S BASED ON THE COUNT IS LESS THAN 1000.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO LAND HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY'VE BEEN SENT HERE OR BROUGHT HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SERVICES IN THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

IT MAY BE TIME THAT WE REACH OUT TO THESE OTHER COUNTIES TO HELP US FINANCIALLY PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

THE LEGISLATOR, OF COURSE, AS WE SAID, GIVEN US ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE, BUT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF IT.

I'M SURE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE END OF IT.

I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT IN FOCUS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS LESS THAN 1000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE COUNTED TO BE HOMELESS.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT WOULD NECESSARILY DON'T WANT TO BE HOMELESS AND DON'T WANT TO BE SHELTERED.

THERE'S THOSE WHO WANT TO LIVE OUTDOORS.

WE KNOW THAT WITH OUR INTERACTIONS WITH THE FOLKS WITH COME ACROSS.

MY COLLEAGUES ARE CORRECT.

WE HAVE TO LEAD WITH COMPASSION BECAUSE BUT BE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD -- OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO NEED THIS ASSISTANCE.

>> T. Flanigan: THANK YOU.

AT THE BEHEST OF OUR OWN MARCHING MANZELLA CONIFER COUNTY FOLKS, SO CITY PEOPLE CAN LEAN BACK FOR A SECOND HEARING.

BUT YOU CAN KICK IN IF YOU WANT TO, THAT'S FINE.

THIS REGARDS THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL AND THE ISSUE ISN'T THAT ANYONE IS DUPLICATED SERVICES ALREADY BEING PROVIDED IN LEON COUNTY.

IT'S JUST IF THE COUNTY REALIGNS ITS FUNDING OF NONPROFITS BY SENDING THE ONES THAT SERVE CHILDREN THROUGH THE CSC MECHANISM, WOULD THAT CREATE DUPLICATION AND WOULD THAT ESSENTIALLY BE BREAKING THE WORD TO TAXPAYERS BECAUSE IT RUNS COUNTER TO HOW THE CSC WAS DESCRIBED WHEN IT WAS FIRST ADVANCED TO THE VOTERS FOR APPROVAL.

WE DEFER TO THE CHAIR FOR THE FIRST RESPONSE.

>> Chair Cummings: THANK YOU, MR. FLANAGAN.

I AM THE COUNTY'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE CHILDREN'S COUNCIL AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE ON THE COUNCIL'S WE HAVE ESTABLISHED SOME CRITERIA TO EVALUATE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ACTUALLY MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THE AREAS THEY ARE SPECIFIED TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT NOW GO THROUGH USPS PROVISION WILL BE SHIFTED TO THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL.

THERE'S BEEN A TWO YEAR MORATORIUM AT THE COUNTY.

WE AGREED TO WAIT FOR TWO YEARS TO SEE IF THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL COULD AGREE WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ON A MECHANISM TO FUND THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOW FUNDED THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

SO I FEEL CERTAIN THAT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, NEXT FEW MONTHS AS WE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ENTITIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CHILDREN WILL BE SERVICED THROUGH THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEY ARE, IN FACT, MOVING THE NEEDLE TOWARD BETTERING OUR CHILDREN AND ESPECIALLY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, THE THIRD GRADE READING LEVEL AND EVEN UP TO EIGHTH GRADE TESTING.

SO WE ARE EQUIPPED TO DO THAT.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL SESSIONS SO THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH SERVICES FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS NOW, AND I PROMISE YOU IT WILL NOT BE DUPLICATED.

THESE WILL BE QUALITY SERVICES THAT WE WILL EVALUATE AT THE END OF THOSE CONTRACTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE THE SERVICES THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE MOVING IN THE POSITIVE DIRECTION WE WANT THEM TO GO IN.

>> T. Flanigan: THANK YOU.

THAT BEING SAID, AND INTERCOUNTY COLLEAGUES WANT TO GET IN?

>> Commissioner Welch: THANK YOU, AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR SERVICES ON THE CHAIR CSE.

WE HAVE VERY LIMITED RESOURCES AT THE COUNTY FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE CITY KICKS IN LITTLE MORE THAN THE COUNTY DOES, BUT IT'S STILL VERY LITTLE MONEY.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS VOTED FOR AND DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO TRY AND FILL IN SOME GAPS WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN SERVICES.

IT MAKES SENSE I WOULD SAY FISCALLY AND JUST FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT TO TRY AND SHIFT SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS OVER.

THE PROBLEM IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFETY NET.

WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYBODY HANGING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

ULTIMATELY, THE GOAL HERE IS MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT.

WE HAVE OTHER NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY THOSE RESOURCES CAN BE GEARED TOWARDS LIKE HOMELESSNESS AND PANHANDLING.

WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AN EMERGENCY SHELTERING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

CHSP IS THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE TO DO THAT AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

>> T. Flanigan: COMMISSIONERS?

YES, O'KEEFE?

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS VOTED ON RECENTLY, WHICH CAME UP PRETTY QUICK.

I'M HAPPY WE HAVE DEFERRED ANY CHANGES UNTIL 2027.

THAT WILL AT LEAST GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LONG-TERM DISCUSSIONS TO MAKE SURE NOTHING ELSE IS FALLING OFF.

WE GOT LEGAL ADVICE THAT IS NOT AGAINST ANY LAW OR PRODUCE ANY DIP LOCATION.

I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE CHILDREN SERVICES COUNCIL OF ITS OWN POLICIES, PROCEDURES RULES AND BOARD.

THEY GET TO DECIDE WAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THE COUNTY CAN'T DICTATE ANYTHING.

I THINK JUST AS A GUT CHECK LEVEL I DON'T THINK VOTERS EXPECTED TO REDUCE FUNDING FROM THIS COUNTY AND APPLY IT OVER TO CSC.

I THINK THEY VOTED FOR NEW MONEY FOR NEW SERVICES.

I THINK IF WE HAVE SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT CAN GET MONEY FROM BOTH TO EXPAND MORE SERVICES, WE NEED SERVICE PROVIDER EXPANDS TO THE MAXIMUM OF THEIR CAPACITY, THEN THEY'LL CHOOSE WHICH FUNDING SOURCE WORKS BEST, BUT THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO EXPAND SERVICES.

WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS THAT WE HAVE BUDGET WISE, I THINK WE SHOULD ONLY STICK TO ADDING TO THE EXTENT WE CAN.

>> T. Flanigan: FAIR ENOUGH.

NOW I GOT SOMETHING FOR REVIEW COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING SEVERAL AMENDMENTS THE CITY CHARTER AND THAT INCLUDES ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW COMMISSIONERS TO SET THEIR OWN PAY AFTER CONVENING A CITIZENS PANEL TO STUDY IT.

DO YOU LIKE THAT IDEA?

THE CITY GET A PAY RAISE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

WE'LL START WITH THE MAYOR.

>> Mayor Dailey: I HAVEN'T SEEN THE LANGUAGE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT REFLECTS THE POSITION OF THE MAYOR AS WELL AS COMMISSIONERS, SO I'M GOING TO HOLD OFF UNTIL I SEE THE LANGUAGE AND RECOMMENDATION BEFORE CASTING JUDGMENT.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

>> IT IS AN ISSUE WE NEED APPLAUD THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEY'VE COME UP WITH THAT WILL BE PRESENTED TO US NEXT WEEK.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE.

IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT WHEN I WAS WORKING FULL-TIME.

I'M RETIRED NOW.

TO BE ABLE TO DO BOTH.

I CAN SEE IN THE FUTURES THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SERVE, BUT THEY CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE OF THE SALARY WE ARE PAID, WHICH IS HALF OF WHAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE MAYOR ARE PAID.

LIKE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT IT BE A CITIZENS COMMITTEE THAT TAKES A LOOK AT IT AND MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMISSION.

BUT I THINK IT CERTAINLY IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR US TO GO IN AT THIS POINT.

>> T. Flanigan: IN THE FEW MINUTES WE HAVE REMAINING, AND THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A FREE-FOR-ALL, IF YOU WILL, GETTING INPUT FROM THE AUDIENCE, NOT ONLY THOSE IN PERSON, BUT THOSE TUNING IN ONLINE TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION AND WE INVITE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO STICK AROUND FOR THAT.

WON'T BE LONG ONEROUS, BUT WE WANTED TO GET MORE QUESTIONS FIELDED TONIGHT IF WE COULD, BUT MAYBE A GENERAL DISCUSSION TO TAKE US OUT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF OUR BROADCAST PORTION IF WE WILL, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT ABOUT THIS TONIGHT, WHETHER IT WAS THE MATTER OF THE HOMELESS SITUATION OR SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATOR.

YOU ALMOST LOST THE COMP PLAN.

BECAME CLOSE TO HAVING A LEGISLATOR SWOOP IN AND SAY OKAY, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

WE'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE.

YOU ALL CAN HANDLE GARBAGE PICKUP OR WHATEVER ELSE IT IS YOU DO.

HOW DO YOU AS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COLLEAGUES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS STATEWIDE GET IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATOR AND SAY, GUYS, MAYBE THIS IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO GO.

COULD YOU AT LEAST CHECK IN WITH US BEFORE YOU ADVANCE SOME OF THESE YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON?

COMMISSIONER WELCH, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I APOLOGIZE.

>> YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD?

>> TOM, I THINK THIS IS A QUESTION WE HAD REPEATEDLY.

I THINK WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION THAT REPRESENTS US PRETTY WELL.

REPRESENTS -- WE TRY TO INFLUENCE THEM AND IMPART ON THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF WE'RE THE POINT OF TOUCH, RIGHT?

WE'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE'RE DEALING WITH THE SMALL ISSUES AND BIG ISSUES AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATOR NOT TO USURP THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TERM LIMITS ON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR COMP PLAN HOMELESSNESS.

IT'S A PROBLEM.

I THINK THE BEST WAY TO LEVERAGE LEGISLATORS TO SAY HEY, SOMEDAY YOU'RE GOING TO BE A CITY COMMISSIONER.

MAYBE YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME IMPACT, RIGHT?

WE HAVE GREAT ORGANIZATIONS WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, AND THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF ADVOCATING, LETTING LEGISLATORS KNOW THE POSITION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT IT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL OVERMAN.

>> T. Flanigan: DO YOU THINK THERE IS MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE LOCAL ELECTORATE?

STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE AND THEN MINOR.

>> Commissioner O'Keefe: I'M NEW TO THIS POLITICS THING SO I'LL DEFER TO THE EXPERTS ON LOBBYING, BUT ONE THING I'VE TRIED TO DO IS IT ULTIMATELY COMES HATE LEARNING THAT TELLING MY VOTERS I WANTED TO DO THIS FOR YOU AND THE LEGISLATOR SAYS I CAN'T.

IT'S NOT REALLY AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER FOR ME.

WHEN DANGEROUS BILLS COME DOWN THE PIPELINE I LIKE TO FIND A WAY TO EXPLAIN TO MY CONSTITUENTS, HEY, THIS IS HAPPENING.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND I WANTED TO SPEAK EXCELLENT -- ONE THING I'M TRYING TO DO IS BRING ATTENTION TO THESE BILLS WHEN THEY COME UP SO IF THE ELECTORATE WANTS TO CAN CALL REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM THEY WANT LOCAL CONTROL.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY.

>> Commissioner Minor: ONE THING WE HAVE IS THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IN FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, WHO ARE STRONG TALENTED ADVOCATES FOR TALKING TO LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE CONS OF PREEMPTION.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES IS IT'S A BIPARTISAN COALITION, WHICHMEANS YOU HAVE REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS , IN MANY CASES REPRESENTING THE SAME JURISDICTION AS MANY OF THESE SENATORS AND HOUSE LEADERS TALKING TO THEM GOING HEY, LISTEN, THE STATE HAS INCREDIBLE POWER TO USURP POWER IN THEY SHOULD.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE MANAGE LOCAL ISSUES BEST.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD OF PROVINCE MEANS, FOR EXAMPLE, MUCH MORE THAN A SENATOR FROM NAPLES WHO MIGHT VOTE ON STATEWIDE POLICY THAT AFFECTS PROVIDENCE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE.

I THINK WE DO A DARN GOOD JOB ON THE CITY AND COUNTY COMMISSION REACHING OUT TO CONSTITUENTS IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY NEED THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO DO.

COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.

>> Commissioner Richardson: I THINK MOST GREATLY IMPACT THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

ONE IS THE UTILITY BOARD.

THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR TO ESTABLISH A UTILITY BOARD THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY TO REGULATE OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES.

WE KNOW THAT 50% OF OUR PROPERTY IS OFF THE TAX ROLL HERE IN TALLAHASSEE, SO THAT'S A TREMENDOUS SOURCE OF INCOME.

THE OTHER IS THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

THERE IS A MOVE TO INSERT A STATE APPOINTED AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AGAIN, TO TAKE AWAY LOCAL CONTROL OF OUR AIRPORT.

AND THEN, LASTLY, THE NOTION OF A SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

SO NOW YOU'RE TAKING AWAY REVENUE, BUT NOW YOU TELL US, WHICH NONE OF US WOULD WANT TO DO, A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES TO SUPPORT THOSE ISSUES, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO THIS PREEMPTION STUFF IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL AND WE MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS IT THROUGH THE ELECTORATE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET POLITICAL, BUT WE DON'T HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION, I'LL PUT IT THAT WAY, THAT'S TRULY LOOKING AT HOW THESE IMPACT OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> T. Flanigan: OKAY, ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

COMMISSIONER PORTER, YOU GET THE LAST WORD.

>> Commissioner Porter: GOT TO GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.

THESE PERCEPTIONS ARE NOT COMING OUT OF NOWHERE.

THEY ARE DRIVEN BY LARGE DEVELOPERS, COMCAST, UTILITIES, AIR B&B AND OTHER HOSPITALITY GROUPS.

LOT OF THIS PREEMPTION LEGISLATION AND I THINK GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THAT IS GETTING THAT KIND OF MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.

>> T. Flanigan: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MEMBERS OF THE LEON COUNTY COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE COMMISSION HERE WITH US ON THAT OUR TOWN SPONSORED BY THE VILLAGE SQUARE, WFSU, PUBLIC MEDIA, AND A HOST OF OTHER SUPPORTERS FOR WHICH WE HAVE ETERNAL GRATITUDE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US THIS EVENING AND WE INVITE OUR AUDIENCE HERE AND ALSO THE AUDIENCE ONLINE TO STICK AROUND AND PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL INTERACTION FOR THESE FOLKS, AND WE'LL BE PICKING THAT UP IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

YOU FOR JOINING US THE ONLINE, RADIO, AND TV AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU DURING THE NEXT HOUR TOWN HOSTED BY VILLAGE SQUARE AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.