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Board Sets Aside Seats For Residents

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

EAST TAMPA - When city officials began looking at neighborhood redevelopment, they sought out residents to guide them, leading to the creation of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.

Sam Kinsey was chosen to lead the group, and other East Tampa residents joined him on the executive board.

Nearly five years later, and with a newly elected board, Kinsey is the only resident on the board. As past president, he is a nonvoting member.

But Kinsey soon will have company. The board recommended - and the city council last week approved - expanding its membership from nine to 13. The goal is to permanently set aside four slots for residents.

In its role as the community redevelopment agency, the council also directed the board to include East Tampa business owners among the 13 members.

A recommendation on adding residents and business owners is expected in December.

"We want to make sure membership is spread out," said the partnership's president, Evangeline Best.

The 7-square-mile East Tampa redevelopment area is bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, interstates 275 and 4, and the city limits. It is one of nine such areas the city has created to boost economic and neighborhood redevelopment.

The city reinvests a portion of property taxes from East Tampa in community projects, and the partnership acts as a volunteer advisory board. Tax revenue has grown from about $1.2 million in 2005 to about $5.2 million for 2008.

At a recent meeting, Kinsey noted the lack of residents on the partnership's board. At one time, as many as five board members lived in East Tampa, he said.

"The main constituency of East Tampa, the people who live here, are not here in this group," Kinsey said. "That is a huge concern."

The reasons are varied.

In September's board election, one resident withdrew before the vote. Another resident, Frank Reddick, opted to give up leadership of the planning and evaluation committee to run for board chairman. He lost to Best, who grew up in East Tampa but lives in the Woodland Terrace area, north of Hillsborough.

Other elected members have ties to East Tampa based on family history, past residence, property ownership or employment with nonprofits that focus on affordable housing and jobs in the community.

"You are representative of your total community," the city's East Tampa redevelopment manager, Ed Johnson, told the board.

But there was unanimous agreement that giving residents a permanent place on the board is essential. The partnership's planning and evaluation committee will review the bylaws and recommend amendments.

"We want to do what's right to serve the community," said Maxine Woodside, chairwoman of the health, education and social services committee.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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