Sandy Murman

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tribune article:

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 22, 2012

TAMPA —

Charges of parliamentary trickery and partisan grandstanding enlivened a largely meaningless debate about county commissioners’ pay at the tail end of Wednesday’s Hillsborough County Commission meeting.

With all other business taken care of and the clock ticking toward 5 p.m., Commissioner Kevin Beckner revived his call for commissioners to accept any pay cuts they impose on county workers in the future.

Beckner had tried to get commissioners to make such a vow Jan. 19, but he was outmaneuvered by commission Chairman Ken Hagan, who put forth substitute language to make commission pay cuts voluntary.

On Wednesday, Hagan’s motion came forward for a final vote on the consent agenda, a long list of items that commissioners usually vote on in a block with no discussion.

But Beckner pulled the item off the consent agenda and reiterated his claim that Hagan’s language was “meaningless” because the Legislature passed a law last year allowing commissioners to voluntarily reduce their pay.

“It’s basically rehashing what’s already in force and again it kind of negates the whole idea,” Beckner said.
Beckner made a motion to add language saying commissioners would accept any pay cuts County Administrator Mike Merrill recommends for employees.

Merrill has already said he won’t recommend any pay cuts in next year’s budget. In fact, he said he is considering a one-time salary increase.

Beckner’s motion was not seconded immediately and other commissioners queued up to speak on the matter. Sandy Murman said she would voluntarily cut her pay.

Hagan, repeating almost verbatim points he made last month, said commissioners had already shown leadership by reducing their car allowance in 2007 and reducing their pay in 2009. Collectively, the reductions amounted to about $4,500 a year.

“No other government has sent a clearer picture to their employees than Hillsborough County,” Hagan said . He then proceeded to read a list of surrounding counties that had not reduced their pay since 2006.

Murman then made a substitute motion to leave policy as it is, with commissioners allowed to voluntarily reduce their pay. Hagan seconded the substitute motion.

But Commissioner Les Miller pointed out that no one seconded Beckner’s original motion so there could be no substitute. Hagan quickly said Murman’s substitute motion was really a new motion.

That prompted rounds of parliamentary discussion, substitute motions and bickering among commissioners.
In the end, commissioners voted 5-2 to support Murman’s motion, which left everything the same as it was before the nearly 30-minute debate. Beckner and Higginbotham voted no.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Times article on homelessness:

By Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, January 27, 2012

TAMPA — A group of heavy-hitting Tampa business executives and local officials is exploring a new strategy to alleviate the problem of chronic homelessness in Hillsborough County.

Known as a “housing-first” approach, the idea is to provide a network of support services and supportive housing to chronically homeless people, an estimated 7,000 of whom live in Hillsborough.

“Most of them need help, and we’ve got a lot of services out there, but nothing coordinated to really do a comprehensive program, and that’s what we’re headed for,” said County Commissioner Sandra Murman, who is involved in the public-private group working on the program.

The group also includes Hillsborough School Board chairwoman Candy Olson, Tampa Bay Lightning chief executive officer Tod Leiweke, M.E. Wilson Company president Guy King, Tampa Tank chief executive officer Calvin Reed and Rayme Nuckles, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Leiweke in particular brings relevant experience to the effort. In Seattle, where he was CEO of the Seattle Seahawks, he led a 2008-09 United Way campaign that raised more than $100 million to help fight family homelessness.

In other cities with housing-first programs, the combination of housing and coordinated social services helps homeless people stabilize their lives and apply for jobs, veterans benefits or other assistance while staying physically and mentally healthy.

That, in turn, helps prevent them from relapsing into substance abuse, mental illness or other problems that send them to jail or the emergency room.

“You cannot fix homelessness and you cannot get people back on their feet unless they have a roof over their heads,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who met two weeks ago with King and the president of a nonprofit program that uses this model in Santa Monica, Calif. “Whatever investment you make on the front end of this problem saves you on the back end.”

While the group has visited cities with similar programs, “we’re still in the conceptual phase,” Murman said.

Buckhorn said he understands that the group is not at this point looking at real estate.

Anything launched as a result of the group’s work will have to be methodical, will not be a quick fix and will require the private sector to be “a player in this in a big way,” the mayor said. He also expects groups such as Metropolitan Ministries, Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army to be involved. And he expects “we’ll start out relatively modestly.”

Leiweke, King, Reed and Nuckles could not be reached Thursday, but the group’s effort came up for a brief discussion during a Tampa City Council workshop on city efforts to help homeless people.

After passing a six-day-per-week ban on many forms of roadside solicitation last fall, council members asked Buckhorn’s administration for a list of city properties that might be used for homeless services.

In September, the council endorsed the idea of creating a shelter and assessment facility modeled on Pinellas County’s Safe Harbor shelter, which provides social services and mental and physical health care.

Thomas Snelling, the city’s acting growth management and development services director, told council members Thursday that officials have looked, but the city does not have a centrally located property that’s big enough, available and suitable for such a facility.

Council members were incredulous.

“A joke,” said council member Frank Reddick.

“I feel like the message that we’re getting is basically, you’ve got nothing,” Council member Mary Mulhern told Snelling.

While Snelling gave council members a summary of the public-private group’s discussion, council members still want to pursue something similar to Safe Harbor. The Pinellas shelter was created inside a former bus building and is managed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It also receives support from St. Petersburg, smaller Pinellas cities, county government and nonprofit groups.

Advocates of a similar facility here have explored the idea of converting vacant bunks at the Orient Road Jail, but Sheriff David Gee has said that’s not feasible.

If the city’s staff does not have ideas to offer, council member Harry Cohen said council members should. He said it’s worth looking at the Hillsborough Correctional Women’s Prison in Riverview, which the state may shutter.

Buckhorn said later he agreed.

“I thought about that when I read that news,” he said. “That may be an option that’s worth pursuing. I’d be open to looking at it.”

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tribune Editorial regarding gas pumping assistance for disabled drivers:

By TBO.COM | Tbo.com
Published: January 23, 2012 Updated: January 23, 2012 – 12:00 AM

It may seem a small thing, but a Hillsborough County ordinance that helps disabled drivers gas up their vehicle illustrates how citizens, elected officials and businesses can work together to quickly address a community need.

A trip to a gas station can be a dangerous challenge to the disabled, who may have to negotiate around cars and gas pumps in a wheelchair.

As the Tribune’s Howard Altman reports, Ben Ritter, government relations director for the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, came up with a smart solution: Put placards at gas stations with a store phone number disabled drivers can call for assistance. The placards have the wheelchair symbol found on handicap parking stickers.

As Ritter points out, most everyone has cellphones these days. There was no need for a costly program.

County Commissioner Sandy Murman pushed the effort, and the industry embraced the ordinance, which enables anyone with a permanent handicap sticker to request aid.

The ordinance includes no penalty. As Murman says, if compliance problems occur, the county can always revisit the issue.

Now a trip to the gas station shouldn’t be daunting for disabled drivers. Yet this was done with only the lightest government touch. Word is Broward County is following Hillsborough’s example. All this happened because government officials paid attention to a citizen’s sensible idea about a public problem.

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Meeting; 1/19/2012.

Commissioner Murman presents a commendation, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, recognizing the University of Tampa’s 80th Anniversary and the University’s contribution to Hillsborough County. Accepting the commendation is Dr. Ronald L. Vaughn, president of University of Tampa.

“Commissioner Sandy Murman honors Walter Lamerton, Jr. for his work to bring a USO Club to Tampa Airport, at a recent meeting of the Hillsborough BOCC.”

Thank you.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Times article on Bayshore repaving:

By Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer
Jodie TillmanTampa Bay Times Posted: Jan 19, 2012 12:14 PM

TAMPA –

Bayshore Boulevard could get a quick facelift in time for the Republican National Convention.

Hillsborough County commissioners told county staff Thursday to come back with a report outlining how much it would cost to repave and spruce up parts of Bayshore. No one said what price would be a deal breaker for the idea.

The decision comes a couple of weeks after Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen publicly complained that the road — likely to be a backdrop setting in national news coverage — isn’t ready for its close-up.

Bayshore is a county-maintained road in the city limits. Hillsborough County gives money to Tampa for routine items, such as filling potholes, but is responsible for major capital projects. Currently, Bayshore’s next repaving project isn’t scheduled until 2014.

County Commissioner Sandy Murman brought up the issue.

“It’s an iconic street adjacent to where the convention is being held,” said Murman. “I guess I’m concerned that the asset we own is not going to have its best foot forward.”

The vote to investigate the cost was 5-1, with Commissioner Les Miller dissenting. Miller said he didn’t think it was fair to prioritize Bayshore over other roads.

“I’m not in favor of moving up one street … and neglecting those ahead of it,” he said.

The other commissioners supported a later request by Miller to ask the staff look at other county roads and determine if any of them also needed to be moved up the list.

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Trib article on anti-tethering:

By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 19, 2012
Updated: January 20, 2012 – 6:36 AM

TAMPA —

Leaving a dog tied up outside and alone for more than a few minutes is now illegal in Hillsborough County.

County commissioners approved by unanimous vote Thursday one of the toughest anti-tethering laws in the state. The vote was greeted with an explosion of applause from an audience full of animal welfare activists, many of whom had been pushing for such a law for nearly 19 months.

“I feel great,” said Susan McClung of Tampa. “It will prevent many instances of animal cruelty and neglect, while still allowing humane tethering.”

The law prohibits tethering unless dog owners or keepers are outside watching and supervising their pet. That language is tougher than wording approved by the county’s Animal Advisory Committee, which said tethered dogs must be “supervised” by the owner or keeper.

Critics pushed for tougher restrictions, arguing that the term “supervised” is vague and would allow dogs to be tied up day and night as long as their owners are in the house and can see the animals.

“You are doing yourselves and you are doing your community and your constituents, who have been very vocal on this, an injustice, allowing a loophole in the definition of supervision,” said Dan Hester, who helped write the anti-tethering ordinance in the Pinellas County city of Seminole.

Most of the 30 or so people who spoke before the vote favored stronger language. But there were others, including a few dog breeders, who argued that existing laws prohibiting abuse and neglect are sufficient to prevent excessive tethering.

Charles Palmer of Lutz told commissioners he watches his daughter’s dog while she works. Palmer said he tethers the dog because it’s a “digger.” But in every other way, the dog is pampered with two or three daily walks, premium dog food and plenty of toys, he said.

“If I’m not mistreating my dog, what is the county’s compelling interest to regulate how I confine my dog on my property?” Palmer asked.

But commissioners were clearly swayed by the breadth of support for a stronger law. Most animal welfare groups say excessive tethering is inhumane and damaging to a dog’s mental and physical well-being.

Commissioner Les Miller argued for a total ban on tethering with no exceptions.

“I just don’t see how we can pass an ordinance that has a loophole in it,” Miller said.

Commissioners wouldn’t go that far, and animal advocates had not asked for a total ban. Instead, a majority favored language proposed by Chairman Ken Hagan requiring an owner to be outside and in sight of his or her dog when the animal is tethered.

Dick Bailey, interim director of Animal Services, wanted to add an exception for “momentary interruptions” when an owner has to step inside. But commissioners decided they could trust the discretion of animal control officers not to cite otherwise responsible pet owners who leave their pets alone for short periods.
Animal activists said there is little danger the law will be applied too broadly.

“Animal Services does not have the time or the will to interfere with people who take good care of their dogs,” said Gael R. Murphy. “This will only be used against terrible abuse and neglect.”

The law does ban tying up puppies, but commissioners rejected language proposed by Commissioner Sandy Murman, and supported by many in the audience, to restrict the weight of chains used for tethering. Bailey assured commissioners his officers know when a chain is too heavy for a dog and constitutes abuse.

Commissioners also approved a motion by Victor Crist to have staff draw up an ordinance increasing fines for animal abuse and neglect.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tribune article about Ballyhoo’s and Upper Tampa Bay Trail:

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 18, 2012
Updated: January 18, 2012 – 8:39 AM

CITRUS PARK —

The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a winding, seven-mile, recreational path that stretches from Memorial Highway through rural northwest Hillsborough County.

The trail, patched together in the past 15 years as land and funding has become available, meanders past rivers and farmland, housing subdivisions and oak-tree lined swaths of old-growth forest and eventually Ballyhoo Bar & Grill off Ehrlich Road.

For nearly a year, Ballyhoo’s owners say, they have been trying to get permission from the county to build a road over the trail, allowing patrons to pass from the restaurant’s main parking lot to an overflow lot when the recreational path is closed to the public at night.

So far, they’ve gotten nowhere.

“You would think that we were seeking an act of Congress,” said Carl Hinson, a Tampa attorney and co-owner of the restaurant. “I just don’t understand what the problem is.”

Hinson said the restaurant has been accommodating of trail users, allowing people to use its parking lot during the day when business is slower.

He said restaurant customers should be able to access the overflow parking lot without going onto Ehrlich Road.
“The reality here is that we were there before they were,” Hinson said.

This month, Hillsborough Commissioner Sandy Murman made an attempt to get the two camps together, asking county staffers to set up a meeting with the owners.

“They haven’t been able to work this out,” Murman said of her decision to intervene in the dispute. “So I put this in the public spotlight to hopefully get the parties together.”

Tina Russo, trail manager for Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, said county staff is reviewing the situation and expect to meet with Ballyhoo’s owners.

She said the county also is concerned that a patio deck in back of the restaurant might be encroaching on the trail. County officials are conducting a survey of the restaurant’s property.

Stanley Kroh, chairman of the Hillsborough County Greenways Committee, said the county frequently receives requests for easements over the trail but seldom approves them.

“There’s always a huge concern about public safety,” he said.

In this case, however, the county might benefit from the road because it would provide more access to the trail for parks department trucks and emergency vehicles, he said.

The committee – it’s a volunteer board that advises the county commission on funding and planning for the countywide trail system – is reviewing the restaurant’s proposal and later will make a recommendation to commissioners, who ultimately will decide.

Kroh said at least two board members have expressed support for the proposal but said he didn’t know when the board, which meets monthly, will vote on a recommendation.

County officials are working on plans to extend the trail eight miles north from Peterson Road Park to Lutz-Lake Fern Road, the southern end of the 41-mile Suncoast Trail.

More than 300,000 people use the trail every year, according to county estimates.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tribune article on getting people back to work:

Published: January 11, 2012
By Mike Salinero

Developers of a massive, mixed-use community in east Hillsborough County won approval Tuesday for changes that will save the company $30 million on roadwork around the development.

On a 5-1 vote, county commissioners approved Newland Communities’ proposed changes to the Lake Hutto Development of Regional Impact. County officials approved the development agreement in 2006 when Pulte Homes was planning to develop Lake Hutto, a residential and commercial development on three parcels totaling 1,127 acres.

Newland Communities, a developer of upscale subdivisions, acquired the property on FishHawk Boulevard in 2007 as the local housing market began to collapse.

With demand for new housing still soft, Newland asked the commissioners to reduce the number of homes in the development agreement from 3,192 to 2,599, while increasing retail and office space by 160,000 square feet.

“Only 56 homes have been built and sold since Lake Hutto was approved,” said attorney Andrea Zelman, who represented Newland at the commission meeting.

Zelman said the reduction in residential units and increase in commercial and office space will result in fewer trips in and out of the development. County transportation officials agree.

“People who live in the houses, some of them will work in the development,” Mike Williams, county manager of development review, said before the meeting. “It makes it less likely they’ll travel downtown.”

Newland used the lower number of projected vehicle trips as justification to scale back road improvements the company is responsible for funding. Instead of the $72 million Pulte agreed to in the original agreement, Newland will widen roads and improve intersections to the tune of $42 million.

County officials pointed out that Newland is spending $19 million more on roadwork than the company would be required to under a law passed last year by the Legislature.

But that explanation didn’t satisfy a handful of community activists who argued that additional commercial use in Lake Hutto will increase traffic in and out of the development. They pointed to FishHawk Boulevard, which Newland has agreed to widen from two to four lanes, but only for the 1.3 miles between the development and Bell Shoals Road. The original agreement called for the road to be widened its entire length from Bell Shoals to Lithia Pinecrest Road.

“Even in the present time, even without Lake Hutto and its traffic, we get backups every afternoon,” Dave Kulow of the Boyette Springs homeowners association said after the meeting.

Pam Clouston, a member of Rural Lithia Neighborhood Defense, said the commissioners were doing a “disservice to citizens of FishHawk and beyond” by removing requirements to widen FishHawk Boulevard and a section of Lithia Pine-crest Road.

Commissioner Sandy Murman agreed with the activists that all of FishHawk Boulevard needs widening. But more important, she said, is getting the road projects under way that Newland has agreed to fund.

“Let’s get something moving,” Murman said. “Let’s get people back to work.”