Palma Ceia Neighborhood Association

Meeting Minutes

(December 2003) Shedding New Light on Palma Ceia Streets At our November meeting we learned that there is a 7-12 year plan, initiated by former Mayor Dick Greco, to increase lighting on Tampa's streets. It should be noted that, according to information received from the City, these new street lights would by 400% brighter than existing lighting. Some area residents feel this is a little TOO bright. As an alternative, the City will let residents in an area (the precise designations of an area are not clear at this time) choose the type of lighting they would like installed (this can include vintage-style light poles). However, 51% of residents in an area must agree by signing a form which must also be notarized. We hope to bring you this form on our web site soon. This increased lighting will be assessed to each property owner yearly and the amount will vary depending on the type of lighting. ($45.00 per year was given as an example.)

(February 2003) Reclaimed Water Update Representatives from the City of Tampa Sewer Department attended out February meeting and provided an update on Phase I of the STAR project. We learned that Phase I (which includes the north side of Palmira and northward) should be completed by December 2003. The cost per unit (750 gallons) will be $1.34. The Public Works Department is currently assessing different areas of the city on usage to see which areas will be included in Phase II. This research will determine if the remaining areas of Palma Ceia will be part of Phase II. This decision is expected in less than a year. It has not been decided whether Phase II participants will be offered the same free meter as was offered to those residents in Phase I.

(June 2002) Bay to Bay Centre Update Courtney Hayes, manager of the Centre located on Bay to Bay Boulevard, attended our May meeting to answer questions and to give an update on leased spaces. She reported that the property is now 90% leased and a Grand Opening for the entire complex is planned for later in the fall. Look for Starbucks to open near the end of June and Pappas' Restaurant sometime in the fall. Ms. Hayes also indicated that a third dumpster for the use of the restaurants was planned as an attachment to the center building (Building C). In addition, once construction is completed, "Tow Away Zone" signs will be posted on the Empedrado Street side to discourage illegal parking.

(June 2002) Reclaimed Water Recent newspaper articles regarding Phase I of the STAR Reclaimed Water project have prompted numerous questions from our residents. Although a portion of the area covered by our civic group IS within the Phase I coverage area, the majority of residences are located in the Phase II area. Phase I may be completed by December 2003; Phase II completion is 2 1/2 to 3 years off.

(October 2002) Water Main Extension We have been informed by the Tampa Water Department that Dallas I Construction began work October 9 on construction of a water main extension that may affect some streets in our neighborhood area. Those streets are El Prado, Vasconia, Corona, Leona, San Luis, Tacon, Obispo, San Pedro, San Juan, Santiago, Bay to Bay and Empedrado. Brief interruptions of service are probable but the Water Department hopes to minimize inconvenience to residents. If you have special landscaping in the right of way, it should be removed prior to construction. The construction is expected to last 180 days. If you have questions, please contact: Willie Shores, Superintendent @ Dallas I Construction Roger Aughton, Inspector @ Tampa Water Dept. Win Barrett, Chief Const. Engineer @ Tampa Water Dept.

Animal Ordinance
Here are some of the provisions found in the ordinance:
Cats, when outside, are required to wear a current county rabies tag, be micro shipped or be tattooed. Cats allowed outside must also be sterilized. Dogs must wear rabies tags.
Dogs and cats must be confined in their owners' yards unless they are under direct control, or unless the pet owner has been given consent for the pet to be on another's property. Owners of dogs or cats that are on the property of another person without consent can be fined $100 (first violation).
The owners of dogs, cats and pet pigs are required to remove their pets' feces from public property, public walks, recreation areas, or other people's private property. Failure to do so will subject the pet owner to a $50 fine (first violation).
Animals riding in the back of pickup trucks or any other open vehicle on public roads must be confined or tethered to keep them from falling or jumping out.
Effective January 1, 2001, those 62 and older will be given a $30 to $40 discount on adoption fees and a $5 discount on rabies tags.
Owners of impounded dogs or cats may be required to have their animal micro chipped at the owners' expense before the animals are released from the shelter.
Owners of dogs found to be "dangerous" will have to pay an annual $250 registration fee in addition to the annual rabies tag registration.
Ferrets, as well as dogs and cats, four months old or older must be vaccinated against rabies and to be registered with Animal Services.
More information on the new Animal Ordinance can be found on the County's web site at www.Hillsboroughcounty.org/animsvcs/ordinance/home.html.

(March 2002) Transportation Issues At our February meeting Debbie Harrington, City of Tampa Traffic Engineer and William Porth, Neighborhood Traffic Claming Engineer, addressed a number of members' concerns. The city representatives indicated that, although the residential speed limit is being lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph city-wide, our area is not scheduled to be posted with the new lower speed limit signs for another two years. Other projects they are investigating at this time include the installation of sidewalks on the north side of Estrella, speed tables on Estrella and traffic calming ideas for MacDill Avenue.
Ms. Harrington and Mr. Porth welcome input from the community on specific traffic concerns and and to facilitate that input, they provided us with "Citizen Concern Forms" that when completed, can be returned to the Transportation Division for consideration. We hope to have this form available online in the future, but if you would like a form faxed to you, please call 226-8970.
Burglary Alert Residents are cautioned to be watchful for suspicious persons in the neighborhood. Reports we have received indicate that some homes have been burglarized during the morning hours after residents leave for work. There is some indication that these individuals are professional criminals who check behavior patterns so they know when residents are away from home. Look out for yourself AND your neighbors.
Tampa Museum of Art Wants Your Ideas Steve Klindt, Director of Development at the museum (and new resident to Palma Ceia), attended our January meeting to invite our members to participate in a focus group to share their perceptions of the museum and to gather input for an upcoming exhibit of Greek & Roman antiquities. Volunteers are needed (10-20), so if you are interested in participating in this focus group (which should last approximately 1 1/2 hours), please email us.
Tree Canopy Program The Mayor's 1000 Tree Project is in full swing. Now is the time to sign up for your FREE (yes FREE) Live oak or Drake Chinese elm. Meltem Kelly, Horticulturist for the City of Tampa presented the program to attendees at our January meeting. Your property will be evaluated for its suitability (proximity to power lines and other utilities, existing trees and landscaping, etc.) before trees are planted. Keep in mind that the City cannot plant oaks beneath power lines due to the trees' maximum growth height. The City will water the trees for 90 days and recipients should be aware that they are not to trim the trees OR fertilize them for one year. If you have questions or would like to sign up for the trees, contact Meltem Kelly.

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