Aug 2020

Tampa Palms - Surviving 2020 Vital Elections In The Year of Covid 19

Your Voice In Government CDD Supervisor Runs For Local And National Hills County School Board District 3

Voting was probably never more important than today: Neither of the community organizations in Tampa Palms, - We can't count on future elections to cor- not the CDD nor the TPOA, takes a position endorsing rect the bad things that may result from the candidates for office. current elections Voters can well make their own decisions. - We can't count on other people voting the way we expect or want them to. That said there is no candidate more available for residents to get to know than one who is a neighbor, so beginning There Are Three Ways to Vote many years ago with Joe Caetano and including such folks as Shawn Harrison and Curtis Stokes, the newsletter Tampa Palms residents have voting options and can makes everyone aware of the candidacy of owners in our choose the one that best fits their needs : Tampa Palms - TPOA portion - who run for public office. 1. Vote By Mail 2. Vote Early In 2020 Jessica Vaughn of Cambridge II is a 3. Election Day In Tampa Palms candidate for the Hillsborough County School District Board, Seat 3 . For options and help contact the Supervisor of Elections staff at https://www.votehillsborough.org/ Jessica was elected to the Tampa Palms CDD Board in 2016. To get to know Jessica, you can “Contact Jessica” as Don’t Forget the Primary seen below from her web page or go to her web page on August 18, 2020 line at:

Often relegated in the popular mind to “just where the parties choose their candidates”, todays’ primaries are www.jessicavaughn.us far more important.

√ Every race where there are more than two candidates is voted on in the primary. √ If a candidate receives 50% of the vote plus 1 vote, they are elected, otherwise √ The top two vote getters go to the General Election

See Related Article on Page 4

Full election date and precinct location information is provided for Tampa Palms residents. PAGE 2

Its Time For Those Looking For Ways To Make Political Signs …. Again Annual Meeting Safer

With both the primaries only days away and the big day The TPOA Board and General Counsel continue to looming ahead in November, Tampa Palms, and the whole work on ways to conduct the business of Tampa Palms nation, is set to experience another wild and crazy season in a safe and legal manner that conforms to the Emer- with both local races and the general election. gency Orders of the State of and the Governing Documents of the TPOA. Enthusiastic candidates and their supporters are more than The current thinking is that there will be a combination eager to place signs at every of the relevant documents (budget and any required single location where signs CCR changes) sent to each voter rep and owner as well can possibly be stuck. as placed on the web site for review. CAUTION: There are limi- More information will be provided in the coming tations on political signs weeks. placed in yards in resident Recycling Problems Hit Tampa Palms properties in Tampa Palms. Due to a severe shortage of drivers brought about by Many similar upscale communities do not allow residents Covid infections, the garbage and recycle collections to place any political signs in their yards. for Tampa Palms have been reduced. The TPOA leadership is sensitive to the desires of some of its The County took control of the situation and worked members to express political opinions. with the hauler to properly allocate the available re- For that reason the TPOA Board has granted a limited and sources. uniform variance for political signs to be placed in yards. A political sign is allowed (no RMC application required) under • Garbage collection, which is a health and safety the following conditions: issue, will continue as normal on Monday and Thursdays. • Only 1 sign per yard • Recycle collection will be on alternating Mondays, • Signs should be tactful, supporting a candidate or commencing on 7/20, following on 8/3 and 8/17. issue – not attack signs Blue bins will not be collected but if left out, gar- bage drivers will place an orange sticker on them • Placed no more than 6 weeks before the election explaining the dates for collection. • Promptly removed the day after the election The actual variance granted by the TPOA Board reads: One sign supporting a political candidate or position may be erected in the front yard no more than 6 weeks before that election and must be removed the day after the election. The sign must be no larger than 2 ft high and 2 ft 6 in feet wide.

The Tampa Palms Professional Staff PAGE 3 Enjoying The Summer …..With Swimming Pool Safety

Watch That Pool! The Experts Maintain Fun Turns To Tragedy In Seconds Layers of Protection Are Best

This is a most unusual summer season with limits on almost Pool safety experts say that there is no one fail-safe pro- all activities making it vital that parents and others with tection against accidental drowning. They recommend children in the home take stock of their pool safety and the multiple layers of care, ranging from education to devices importance of teaching children about water safety. that secure the pool.

More than 90% of the homes in Tampa Palms have a pool The chart below details five layers of protection. It was or spa. Swimming pools are a great way to have fun, “beat devised to remind parents that no one strategy can be the heat” and at the same time bring families together but solely relied upon for safety. owning a pool is a major responsibility. Said a different way, the most critical elements can be Florida loses more children to drowning than any other boiled down to these three: state, pretty grim statistic to be sure. • There has been a 70% increase in child drownings in • Supervise children at all times when near the pool 2020 over 2019. • Make certain proper barriers, alarms and latches are • The major cause of death for children between 1 - 4 in place. years old is drowning and 60% of the drownings occur • Know what to do in an emergency (CPR) and have in or near the home. phones nearby to call for help. * Data courtesy of Fla Dept of Health

Elections 2020 Are Here Voting In The Time of Covid– Made Easier

Voting In Hillsborough County– Your Choice Upcoming Elections, Dates and Times Register to Vote To vote in any election you must register at 2020 Primary Election* least 29 days before the election. Deadline to register or change party: July 20 Registration is easy and can be done online. Just go on line to https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home Early Voting: August 3 - 16, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for the complete instructions. Election Day: August 18, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Three Ways To Vote Supv. of Elections began mailing out the Vote By Mail There are three ways to vote, allowing every citizen to choose the one that best fits their needs. ballots on July 9, and voted ballots must be in the Super- visor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on August 18. Vote By Mail is probably the easiest way.  You simply request a ballot; it is mailed 2020 General Election* to you with easy - to- follow instructions as to how to fill it out and return it. Deadline to register: October 5  The ballot can be returned by US Mail (safest to return the ballot by mail a week Early Voting: October 19 - November 1, Time before the election), 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.  The ballot can be dropped off from your car in secure boxes available at the Early Voting sites during vot- Election Day: November 3, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ing hours. Supv. of Elections begins mailing out Vote By Mail bal- For more information about “vote by mail” go online to lots on September 24, and voted ballots must be in the https://www.votehillsborough.org/VOTERS/Vote-By- Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on November 3. Mail * In the case of an emergency, all dates are subject to Early Voting change, which will be announced. If you're registered to vote in Hillsborough County, you can vote at any Early Voting site, one close to home or close to work or close to a favorite restaurant. (This is dif- ferent from Election Day voting when you must vote in your precinct.)

There are Early Voting Locations across the County, the closest to Tampa Palms is the Library on Cross Creek. Precinct 357 Precinct 358 Compton Park Com Ctr For more information go online to Grace Episcopal Church 15102 Amberly Drive 16101 Compton Drive https://www.votehillsborough.org/VOTERS/Early-Voting

Election Day Voting On Election Day you must vote in your precinct. There have been some changes to Tampa Palms precincts this year. Maps for the Tampa Palms precincts are to the right . For more information about Election Day Voting go online to https://www.votehillsborough.org/VOTERS/ Election-Day-Voting PAGE 5

Damaged Tampa Palms CDD Gets Ready Blvd Repaired For 2021

Subcontractors Working Along Boulevards Proposed FY2020-21 Budget Not Kind To Tampa Palms Follows Model Introduced In 2016

The heavy equipment used to The FY 2020-21 General Fund Budget is based on the lay cable along the north side CDD’s Five-Year Financial Model. of Tampa Palms Blvd did sub- stantial damage to the turf and The Tampa Palms CDD is the only CDD in the area more important, damage to the known to utilize multi-year financial model to aid in the drainage swales that carry the decision making process. Future-look financial model- stormwater to the swale-based ing: inlets √ Brings rigor to the financial planning process. Because they are working on the public ROW and adjacent √ Allows board members to examine the future utility easements, they have effects of assessment and spending decisions. limited responsibility to restore √ Protects the community’s future boards against what they have damaged. any unanticipated financial “surprises”. (Limited to covering up the holes and throwing the turf • Preliminary Budget Has Been Adopted they displaced back on the area from which it was removed).  No Increase FY 2020-21  Proposed But Can’t Be Increased Now The CDD has re-established the drainage swales and rebuilt • Notice To County Completed the planters across from the  Date Aug 12th / 6 PM Reserve, see below. TECO has restored power to lake foun-  Compton Park tains and most of the street- lights. The streetlights from • Public Notices Coming Halsey Rd to Compton remain  Newspaper Ads (2) out but are reported.  Budget Displayed On Web Site

It is important to note that after MANY complaints to the Even with no assessment increase, the Board assures cable company by the CDD and TECO another subcontrac- tor was selected for the south side. So far good outcomes. owners that the District maintains the ability to preserve and protect approximately $ 20.0 million in community assets.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know FAQ’s For Living In Tampa Palms

FAQ Who do I call if a tree comes down and blocks a roadway or sidewalk? If the road is a public road, not in one of the gated villages, the road and sidewalks belongs to the City of Tampa. The City maintains a Tree Emergency Hotline for such incidents; just call 274-5744. During weekdays, you can call the CDD (977-3933); the CDD will work with the City to see who can clear the road the quickest.

FAQ Who owns the streetlights and who do I call to get one repaired. For all roadways, except those which are in gated villages, TECO owns the streetlights and is responsible for maintaining them. Streetlight outages can be reported by calling 228-0300 or online at https://www.tampaelectric.com/forms/residential/streetlightout/ For assistance, please call the CDD at 977-3933.

FAQ Can a resident take guests to the parks? Residents of Tampa Palms may bring two guests to any park for general park use. (Children un- der 18, accompanied by a resident, are not considered “guests” for the purpose of establishing only two guests.) For tennis doubles, three guests may be brought to the park for tennis only. Guests must be signed in by residents at the park.

FAQ Are “bouncy houses” allowed in Tampa Palms parks? Standard bouncy houses (without water) are permitted in Hampton and Amberly parks - with a reservation application and only in specifically designated areas.

Bouncy houses are not ever allowed in Compton Park.

This is due to the fact that the only place available to locate them is adjacent to the power lines and dangerous.

FAQ Who maintains the “backs” of walls, the sides toward the homes?

The walls in Tampa Palms are unique: many/most owners of homes along the spine roads actually own the walls, which is sometimes a surprise to the owners. Some walls, such as along Bruce B Downs on the east side, were erected on CDD-owned property. Irrespective of ownership, the CDD will repair walls damaged by accidents or other mishaps. There is a project commencing right now to repair (in some places actually deconstruct and rebuild) and “clean up” walls along BB Downs.

Consistent with Florida fence law owners are responsible for the aesthetic maintenance of the walls facing them, eg pressure washing, painting and / or vine maintenance. PAGE 7 Taking Care of The Waters Hillsborough Schools Of Tampa Palms Grapple w/ Reopening

Clean Water Begins With Us The Information Is Fluid Changing Daily

Even if you don't live immediately on a pond, all Parents are overwhelmed with the numerous questions about residents of Tampa Palms do live in what's known as a how the schools will reopen and the “re-opening plans” are watershed (a drainage area). changing to meet the emerging situations including : • The surging Covid 19 experience Fertilizers and pesticides can • Changes in public policy run off into storm drains and • Concerns about curriculum types and teacher into the ponds. Along with shortages trash in the streets, they can A newsletter is not capable of providing up-to-the-minute wreak havoc on pond water information needed by parents so parents are urged to examine quality and on the fragile the information on the School District web page, which can be ecosystems that the water found online at: resources support. https://hillsboroughschools.org/doc/2719/school- reopening-plan/about/openingplan/ Some tips to reduce impact on our water systems and keep our ponds beautiful: • Never allow a contractor working on your home to pour any substance into the storm drains, not even dirty water. • Landscapers should never blow leaves into the storm drains. • If possible make sure the downspout from gutters is Be Careful pointed into the garden, not towards a sidewalk or Back To School Traffic driveway. • If you live adjacent to a stormwater pond, never This Is A School Opening For The Record Books allow clippings from a mower to blow into the pond. Drive With Care

If there is trash in a pond carried by the rains from the No matter how often or how well streets, call the CDD for removal. mom and dad instruct little ones about pedestrian, auto and bike safety, excited children running to meet friends for the first time in months can sometimes forget. It only takes a moment or two for tragedy to strike. Watch For and Heed The Crossing Guards

A. Guard must assess traffic to determine the best time to cross. B. Guards continually scan the roads for potentially conflicting traffic- both before and after entering the crosswalk.

PAGE 8 Tampa Palms Boulevard Bruce B Downs Needs Help Serious Railing Damage

Tampa Palms Blvd New Widened Roadways Is In Very Serious Trouble Invites Speed

There is no doubt in anyone’s There is almost a mile of mind, Tampa Palms Blvd - in classic safety railing along Bruce B Downs as it passes Tampa Palms and somewhat through Tampa Palms. in TPOST 3 - is in abysmal shape. It is a failed road. This safety railing prevents pedestrians from tripping off of the new sidewalks into This couldn’t happen at a worst time. Governments, City, wetlands and prevents any County and even the State, are struggling with revenue vehicles which lose control from falling into the wetlands. shortfalls and increasing costs associated with the Covid crises. In the last few months there have The City Is Stepping Up been a series of accidents which damaged the railing, Disintegrating pavement is Some damage was minor such as to patched and re-patched the left . Some drivers, such as the trying as best they can to one that caused this and the damage keep the roads safe for near Family of Christ Church left without making a report. drivers and pedestrians.

A more serious accident Layers of asphalt poured occurred between Tampa over the potholes and Palms Blvd and Amberly Dr (west side) a few delaminating areas provide weeks ago.. short-term help. Even with the patching, new For some reason a truck areas open almost everyday left the road and literally hung over the wall. It was and the patched locations do protected from falling by not hold and deteriorate the railing. almost immediately. Fortunately the driver was As the voter-approved tax not badly hurt. The same for roads has been defeated cannot be said for the truck. the City is scrambling for funds, such as CIT, to The police were notified handle TP Blvd. and insurance information was received. Bad Roads Affect Pedestrians Too The railing and a portion Watch your speeds on of the wall are badly TP Blvd. Bumps and damaged. craters can cause loss of control, leaving the road, This damage and the with possible tragedy for unrelated damage near pedestrians as shown to the church which was the left. At 30 MPH only described above will be 5 out 10 survive; at 40 repaired in the next few MPH only 1 survives. weeks.

Tampa Palms Has Many Paths Very Important During Covid

Tampa Palms Is Proud of Its Taking Care of Those Using Tampa Palms Many Paths, Along Roads and In Parks Paths & Sidewalks

One of the elements of strategic advantage that Tampa The number of people using Tampa Palms enjoys is the community’s substantial network of Palms sidewalks and trails has explod- paths and sidewalks. This is a network of trails, sidewalks ed with the Covid 19 crises. and paths that is available to every resident and fully con- With the exception of those sidewalks nects Tampa Palms to the rest of the region including USF and trails in parks, all sidewalks and and Wiregrass. multi-purpose paths belong to the City The boulevard paths and sidewalks are under City & State rules for use. provide shade and convenient Bikes and bike-mounted child benches at key locations including: carriers are legal on side- • Huntington-Wellington pond walks as well as the multi-use • Asbury pond on TP Blvd path (See FAQ on page 6) • Mezzo-Palma Vista pond on Amberly

• Cambridge pond on TP Blvd • TPOA pond on Compton With families with small children, both walking and on bikes, and many users, here are some practical sugges- • Enclave entry on TP Blvd tions for path sharing: New benches (3) are scheduled to be placed in in the coming  If a sidewalk or the multi-purpose path is busy, walk weeks where residents can enjoy the to the right and walk in single file. conservation area’s tree-friendly path.  If approached by other walkers or joggers, and if pos- sible to do so safely, one should step off the path until they pass. This is a welcome courtesy in these stress- ful times.  Bicyclists must always yield the right-of-way to any other pedestrians while on a sidewalk or crosswalk. Bikers must also provide an audible signal before The City-County Greenways Plan which went through passing foot pedestrians on a sidewalk or multi- many iterations before it was adopted in 2016 is largely purpose path. responsible for the fact that a wide path extends all the  Always step off the path or sidewalk when ap- way from USF at Fletcher to Wiregrass in Pasco County. proached by baby carriage or wheelchair. (They can- All paths and trails in not easily leave the path.) the adopted plan that  Think of the sidewalk as a two-lane, two-way road. include Tampa Palms Don't pass someone in front of you if there is someone have now been com- pleted. approaching from the opposite direction – wait for them to pass before you get in their lane. That is fortunate as

the current financial environment makes such expenditures unlikely now. PAGE 10 Where Is The “Real” What Are The Tampa Palms Tampa Palms? Organizations

Where Is Tampa Palms Community Organizations Why Is The Name Used So Many Places The CDD & TPOA

The name “Tampa Palms” first appeared as the name of a There are two organizations that work to provide the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) that specified the lifestyle enjoyed by Tampa Palms residents. allowable development for the lands that include three present-day communities : • The Tampa Palms Owners Association (TPOA) - owner support services  Tampa Palms • The Tampa Palms Community Development  Tampa Palms North District (CDD) - infrastructure and maintenance  TPOST 3 services. It is not unusual for DRI’s to include multiple The TPOA is both the standards bearer for Tampa communities: the DRI for West Meadows includes Palms and the organization that coordinates activities for Richmond Place, the DRI for includes all Tampa Palms facilities, both TPOA and CDD. Arbor Greene. They are not the same communities. Residents have the most day-to-day contact with the The original developers planned to make all three into a TPOA. The TPOA is charged with owner compliance single community but due to lost financing in the early with the Tampa Palms standards, as well as, the use and 1990’s, were unable to do so and the banks stepped in. maintenance of two - and arguably the most important - • In the 1990’s Tampa Palms was mostly completed parks in Tampa Palms, Compton Park and River Park. with residents staffing TPOA and CDD Boards The CDD is a unit of special government. It has directing the community. oversight for the infrastructure in Tampa Palms: • The northwest section had no development - not even • Landscape along the City-owned ROW’s and for the roads - only two brick signs along Bruce B Downs. community entries. This area was purchased by Lennar who created the beautiful community of Tampa Palms North. • Entry and village monuments with their LED lighting. • The northeast section was also undeveloped, with • Boulevard fountains only one brick sign along Bruce B Downs. It was • Pumping stations that irrigate the landscape w/o the auctioned by the FDLIC and purchased by New use of potable water. Tampa Inc. Today the area is part of the TPOST CDD and frequently called TPOST 3. • Drainage ponds to treat the storm drainage before it enters the river. There is only one Tampa Palms (name and logo trademarked and used with permission) with two • On-going permit adherence and re-permitting neighbors that are cousins. including State (SWFWMD WUP) and Federal PAGE 11 Senior Property Manager: Bonnie French Senior Property Manager: Brian Koerber Park & Facility Supervisor: Patrick Van Hoose

16101 Compton Drive M-F 9 AM - 5 PM Phone: 977-3337 Fax: 978-8067 Recreation is an important piece of the success of surviving E-Mail: [email protected] the Covid Crises. The Tampa Palms parks are following the Web Site: www.tpoa.net cautious lead of the City of Tampa in reopening amenities Board of Directors with a focus on enhanced resident safety in an environment Bill Edwards, President 977-3337 of open play. Tracey Falkowitz, Vice President 977-3337 Debbie Libertiny, Secretary 977-3337 All amenities have re-opened and are being enjoyed by Jake Schoolfield, Treasurer 977-3337 Tampa Palms residents. Ernie Angelilli Director 977-3337

CDD 16311 TP Blvd. West Maggie Wilson, Consultant Phone: 977-3933 Fax: 977-6571 E-Mail: [email protected]

CDD Board of Supervisors Gene Field (Chair) 977-1162 Jake Schoolfield 977-3933 Jim Soley (Vice Chair) 220-3200 Compton Park is following much the same routines, with Jessica Vaughn 977-3933 added protections for the swimming pool (separating free A. Michael Gibson 977-3933 swimming from lap swimming). One Source (Landscaping ) Large scale meetings have not resumed at Compton due to Joe Laird, Project Manager 267-1756 necessary distancing requirements.

New ceiling fans have been in- Tampa Palms Parks stalled in the Amberly pavilion to Compton Park 972-0897 help “beat the heat”. Hampton Park 972-5699 River Park 971-6241

The pavilion restrooms at both Am- berly and Hampton are receiving Police & Fire 911 enhanced cleaning and access is Non-Emergency Police 231-6130 limited to one person at a time. Non-Emergency Fire 223-4211 Parents enjoying the parks with their children is a joy to watch. Local Schools Tampa Palms Elementary 975-7390 Lawton Chiles Elementary 558-5422 Liberty Middle School 558-1180 Freedom High School 558-1185

Miscellaneous Street Repairs 274-3101 TECO 223-0800 Progressive Waste Solutions 248-2820 Water Department 274-8121 New Tampa Rec Center 975-2794 Councilman Viera 274-7073 Commissioner Hagan 272-5452 Tampa Palms CDD Meeting Tampa Palms Women’s Club Agenda Can’t Stay Still August 12 at 6:00 p.m. Compton Park Recreation Building * Like us all the Tampa Palms Women's Club is somewhat 16101 Compton Drive, Tampa, FL 33647 confounded by the impact of the Covid crises, confound- ed but hardly out of business! 1. Roll Call & Opening 2. FY 2021– Budget Three charities, The R.I.C.H. House, O.A.S.I.S. and 3. Strategic Planning Heart F.E.L.T., each involved with COVID-19 relief 4. Public Comments efforts, were the recipients of TPWC charity donations last month. These donations are usually presented during 5. Board Member Discussions our June Charities Luncheon, always a fun and personal 6. Updates & Information event, but this year held in thoughts and donations only. Signature Projects Community Projects Always optimistic the TPWC is looking forward to a 7. Misc. Board Business 2020 Fashion Show … so save the date. 8. Public Comments 9. Board Member Discussions Tampa Palms Women’s Club 10. Adjourn Fashion Show

*Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82215412910 Meeting ID: 822 1541 2910

Thursday, October 8

“Tampa Palms” and the Palm Tree device are registered trademarks of the Tampa Palms Owners Association Inc.