Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Tribune article on the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center:

POLITICS

Hillsborough plans business center to aid startups

By Mike Salinero | Tribune Staff  
Published: May 21, 2014   |   Updated: May 21, 2014 at 05:03 PM

 TAMPA — Hillsborough County is planning to create a new small-business help center which will emphasize technology-oriented startups.

 County commissioners voted 6-0 to create what will be called an Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, where enterprising residents can meet to share ideas and get help in starting new firms or growing existing businesses. Assistant County Administrator Ron Barton said the center will require doubling the county’s small-business program budget to nearly $1 million. Part of that money will be spent on leasing a building, probably in Ybor City. But Barton said he also wants to fund a “entrepreneur in residence” position, which could be an individual or group with experience in starting new businesses and raising venture capital.

“This is where we bring in folks who are serial entrepreneurs,” Barton said. “This is really the mentoring aspect.”

The new facility came out of Commissioner Sandy Murman’s request that the county find a centralized location for its Small Business Information Center.

The county provides workshops and one-on-one consulting for small businesses at the center, 7102 N. 56th St., but several nonprofit partners have left for other sites, citing the inconvenience of the location north of Sligh Avenue.

Barton said the center’s budget is significantly funded by nonprofit organizations connected with business development. The county’s share is between $400,000 and $500,000, he said.

He asked commissioners to double that amount for the new entrepreneurial center.

In addition to providing space and mentoring, Barton broached using public money to support a loan pool for small businesses. That idea drew fire from Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who said he could not support appropriating taxpayer money for loans to private businesses.

“I would have deep concerns about government entering into venture capital and funding that type of idea. … That would take some convincing,” Beckner said.

In response, County Administrator Mike Merrill said Barton had not discussed the loan pool idea with his boss.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Times article on County Administration:

Hillsborough government adds another to its six-figure execs

Will Hobson, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 9:31pm

TAMPA — A lucrative year for Hillsborough County government’s top brass continued Wednesday.

County commissioners confirmed the latest six-figure addition to County Administrator Mike Merrill’s executive team — Liana Lopez, the new chief communications administrator, who will earn $165,000 a year.

Her hiring comes after the March hiring of Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwedel at $180,000 and pay raises for Merrill (to $217,350), County Attorney Chip Fletcher ($212,175) and Merrill’s entire executive team.

This new era of county government largesse is a massive shift from years past, when executive raises prompted heated, hours-long discussions among commissioners and contributed to the ouster of Merrill’s predecessor.

The executive hires and raises do not require adding to the county’s budget, Merrill has said, because of the elimination of vacant positions and other cuts. The executives oversee a county workforce of more than 4,500 and a yearly budget of about $3.5 billion.

“There’s a much higher level of trust for Mike than there was in 2010,” said Commissioner Sandy Murman. “He was kind of under the shadows of the old administration for a while.”

Lopez, 40, will oversee the county’s communication efforts, including marketing, the county’s website, social media, citizen complaints and media relations. Most recently director of communications for Visit Tampa Bay, the county’s tourism agency, Lopez previously was director of public affairs under former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

Two ongoing stories from last year that generated negative attention for the county — problems at the animal shelter and a scandal that ended the Homeless Recovery program — prompted Merrill to start looking for someone else to run the county’s communication efforts.

“I always felt like we were not proactive enough,” Merrill said. “We need to be getting out ahead of stories … or at least not being behind the curve.”

Lopez’s job duties were formerly done by a few different people, but she effectively replaces Helene Marks, Merrill’s chief administrative officer.

Marks, who earns $165,000, will leave the county by the end of the year, Merrill said Wednesday. Merrill is still looking for someone to fill another new position — chief information officer — which will finish out his new six-member executive team, up from four.

The quick, unanimous votes to approve Merrill’s hires this year stand in stark contrast to the first time he tried to reorganize his executive team.

In 2011, commissioners lengthily debated the team of four he wanted to hire and promote, questioned whether one position was necessary, and nixed raises.

Much of the angst then was probably due to circumstances surrounding County Administrator Pat Bean’s firing the year before.

In the midst of the recession, Bean had given several executives raises — and, secretly, one for herself — while other county government employees lost their jobs or saw their wages frozen.

This year’s raises, meanwhile, were not held secret and came in an improved economic climate.

“I don’t mind paying a person well, as long as that person performs,” said commission Chairman Mark Sharpe. “He’ll pay them (executives) well, … but he’s not shy about moving people if they don’t perform.”

For Merrill, the reason for the raises and well-paid hires is simple: He wants good people working for him.

“Its been important to me to be able to hire and keep good people,” he said. “You get what you pay for.”

Will Hobson can be reached at whobson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3400.

Commissioner Murman and Della Cury mentioned in this Tampa Tribune article on St. Stephen Catholic School:

SOUTH SHORE NEWS

Students empowered by visit to county offices

 BY Barbara Routen
Special Correspondent 
Published: May 21, 2014

 RIVERVIEW – On May 7, students from St. Stephen Catholic School met and conversed with the people who make decisions about what happens in Hillsborough County.

Shannon Hall, middle school social studies teacher and moderator of the student council, arranged the visit for members of the student council and National Junior Honor Society.

“This was possible through a colleague of mine – Caroline Johnson Levine – who is the assistant attorney general, civil litigation bureau,” said Hall. “She had met Sandra Murman at a women in leadership luncheon and coordinated this field trip through Sandra Murman’s aide, Della Cury.”

The students attended and were publicly recognized at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, toured their facility and met several county commissioners, including Sandra L. Murman and Al Higginbotham.

Cury led a tour of the Fred Karl County Center building, during which the group met Terry McElroy, Hillsborough County digital media services division director, Ed Albritton, of the public works department, Erick Sumner, geomatics section manager, Jeffrey Ziegler, director of community services for the Supervisor of Elections, and Deputy Marcus Bates who handles security for the County Center.

“With each of these people on the tour, we were able to ask questions and spend time learning how each of their departments impact our lives in the county on a daily basis,” said Hall.

“Whenever I can find an opportunity to empower my students, I do,” Hall said. “I was able to show these students in a tangible way why it is important to study government. They now have a better understanding of what these civic leaders do to impact our lives and how we can have a voice in making changes to the society in which we live.”

Email news of community interest to Barbara Routen at Barbara.Routen@gmail.com.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Times article on Entrepreneur Collaborative Center:

Hillsborough moves ahead with new business incubator

Will Hobson, Times Staff Writer

    Wednesday, May 21, 2014 11:56am

TAMPA — Hillsborough County commissioners moved forward Wednesday with a plan to create a new business incubator to help entrepreneurs and startups.

The new center, Commissioner Sandy Murman said, is an “earth-shaking proposal” to foment economic development.

Currently, Hillsborough operates a Small Business Information Center on N 56th Street, east of Tampa, on a roughly $500,000 annual budget.

The new incubator — called the “Entrepreneur Collaborative Center” —- would probably be located in Ybor City and would require the county to double the budget to about $1 million, according to Ron Barton, the county’s economic development chief.

Details like an exact cost and timeline were not included in Wednesday’s presentation by Barton. The center would provide mentoring for local entrepreneurs and would help connect them with small business loans.

Barton suggested county tax dollars could be leveraged into loans to small businesses, a proposal met with skepticism by Commissioner Kevin Beckner.

“I would have deep concerns about government entering into venture capitalism,” Beckner said.

Commission Chairman Mark Sharpe praised the preliminary plan, and said he’d be interested in proposals to leverage county money for loans.

“This is risky. It’s different.” Sharpe said. “This is a whole new world we’re operating in.”

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Bay Times column by Amy Scherzer:

Amy Scherzer’s Diary: roundup of Tampa social events

• Amy Scherzer, Times Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 4:44pm

Go Red for Women

Over a heart-healthy lunch of boneless chicken and veggies, Go Red for Women luncheon guests heard stroke survivor Rosemary Grasso‘s personal appeal for the American Heart Association. Chairwoman Katie Pemble,her red-dressed executive cabinet, the Circle of Red and the Red Tie Society donors shared their passion and by the last bite of strawberry pound cake, $342,000 had been raised. Lunchtime donors got a pair of gardening gloves at the garden-themed benefit May 8 at A La Carte Event Pavilion.

Early arrivals took part in health screenings and entered drawings to win a Coach purse and a Kitchen Aid mixer, both red, of course. County commissioner Sandy Murman won the $250 gift certificate to Macy’s.

Guest speaker nutritionist-author Cynthia Sass blamed negative emotions, not lack of information or motivation, for derailing healthy intentions. “You don’t crave carrots and apples under stress,” she said. Her advice: “Talk to someone, but not Ben & Jerry.”

An Evening of Champions

“We don’t just give them a diploma in eighth grade and say goodbye,” said Lincoln Tamayo, head of Academy Prep Center of Tampa, inviting class of 2010 grad Chivarsky Corbett to share his experiences at An Evening of Champions. The college prep middle school requires attendance 11 hours a day, six days a week, 11 months a year. “It’s a powerful place,” said his mother, Keshia Ravnell, as the Tampa Catholic senior told the 200 guests he was heading to the University of Delaware.

Before the May 8 dinner, hosted by the fifth grade and emceed by WTSP-Ch. 10’s Grayson Kamm, guests learned about gratitude journals, 23 helping verbs and enrichment classes ranging from animation to Zumba offered the 120 students. Board member Jim Strenski was honored with the Paul Whiting service award; Charlie Poe and Jonathan Field spoke of “light bulb” moments when mentoring the kids. Supporters raised $275,000 for scholarships that night.

Man & Woman of the Year gala

Congratulations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2014 Man of the Year, Dr. Gregoire Bergier, and Woman of the Year, Shelly Glenn, for raising the most money for the Suncoast chapter in a 10-week competition. Florida Cancer Specialists oncologist Bergier and marketing chief Glenn bested 10 other candidates when live and silent auction bids were tallied at the May 9 grand finale gala at the Tampa Hilton Downtown. In all, combined efforts netted more than $300,000.

Brighter Tomorrows

The youngsters chose their outfits, from a shopping trip or their own closet, while the grownups modeled vibrant casual prints and spring cocktail trends from Kit’s Well-Dressed at Brighter Tomorrows annual Mother’s Day fashion show May 3. Event chair Jeanne Gassman and president Mary Ann Donna urged the 175 luncheon guests at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club to bid high on auction items to help domestic violence victims with shelter, counseling and legal aid.

The Next Gen got the message. Ava Relin, 8, modeling for the second year, said “It makes me happy to help families that aren’t as lucky as me.”

Email Amy Scherzer at ascherzer@tampabay.com or call (813) 226-3332.

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Bay Business Journal article on Tampa groundbreaking:

May 8, 2014, 11:54am EDT

Done Deals: Groundbreaking in Tampa

Eric Snider

Staff Writer- Tampa Bay Business Journal

Let’s begin with a groundbreaking, its own sort of a done deal. Hillsborough County Commissioners Mark Sharpe and Sandy Murman joined developers in plunging gold-colored shovels into the ground. They celebrated the building start of Citrus Run apartments in Town ‘n’ Country.

The complex, at Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road, will feature 72 one- and two-bedroom units in three two-story buildings. Citrus Run is slated to open in early 2015, with rents ranging from $800 to $1,250 per month.

The Giunta Group is the developer. EWI Construction and Ellison Development Company will handle construction on the 7-acre site.

Other deals:

• In Bradenton, Belmont Park apartments changed hands for $9.36 million. Nicholas Meoli and Michael Donaldson of Marcus & Millichap’s Tampa office listed the property for the seller, a private investor in Sarasota, and secured the buyer, a New York private investor. Belmont Park, built in 1971, consists of 234 units.
• Chris Bowers of the Eshenbaugh Land Company sold 50.68 acres of vacant commercial land at Interstate 75 and Laurel Road in Venice. Laurel Road Property LLC paid $5 million to OB Waterford LLC (Iberia Bank).
• Steve Ekovich, head of Marcus & Millichap’s National Golf & Resort Properties Group, which is based in Tampa, brokered the sale of two golf courses: TPC Piper Glen in North Carolina for $3.65 million; and TPC Dearborn in Michigan for $3 million. The properties were sold out of receivership to ClubCorp, which owns a portfolio of more than 150 golf and country clubs, and just went public.
• ITT Acquisitions sold a 147,192-square foot warehouse in Brooksville to Exeter Property Group for $11.48 million, according to space-shifter.com. The tilt-wall structure sits on nine acres and has a clear height of 28 feet.

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Times article on stormwater challenges:

Hillsborough looks at how to pay for fixes after flooding

Caitlin Johnston, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 2:26pm

TAMPA — Recent flooding has county commissioners evaluating ways of increasing Hillsborough County’s stormwater fund, which could include raising the fee residents pay.

It’s too late to increase the fee for next year, but commissioners voted Wednesday to ask the county administrator to allocate $5 million of the county’s 2014-15 budget for stormwater projects. This money will serve as a bridge to funding some necessary work until the county can evaluate a potential increase in the annual fee residents pay.

Commissioner Les Miller added the item to the agenda in light of flooding that happened on Friday and Saturday. Heavy rains flooded streets, stranded motorists and canceled events throughout the region as authorities cautioned residents not to drive through standing water.

Commissioner Kevin Beckner acknowledged that the county has long neglected investing in its infrastructure.

“Boy, did it show this weekend,” Commissioner Sandra Murman agreed.

Since 1991, single-family residences have been charged $12 each year for the stormwater fund, which addresses improvement projects, a culvert replacement program and a pollutant discharge elimination system. The fee, which has not seen an increased since its inception, generates about $6 million annually.

Miller said the county faces more than a $200 million backlog in stormwater work that needs to be done.

“It’s time that we start looking at where we are and what we’re doing with our infrastructure,” he said. “The county infrastructure is aging. It’s deteriorating.”

Commissioners asked staff to put together a five-year plan starting with the 2015-16 budget that considers increasing the stormwater fee along with other funding sources such as bonds.

Public Utilities Department director John Lyons said the staff would need to evaluate pending projects and set priorities before reporting back to the board with a proposed plan and payment methods.

A fee increase would involve a separate public hearing and notification process, Lyons said.

“It has to go through a lot of public input,” Lyons said. “We can’t just raise the fee.”

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Bay Times article on Kent King running for City Council:

Kent King files to run for Tampa City Council District 4

Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 1:23pm

South Tampa businessman Kent King has filed to run next March for the Tampa City Council seat now held by first-term council member Harry Cohen.

King, 51, grew up in Tampa and has lived most of his adult life in South Tampa, which is covered by District 4. He works as business development manager for the Tampa Atlantic division of Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida.

A first-time candidate, King said he’s running “because I believe that the citizens and neighborhoods of District 4 deserve the most effective representation possible.”

“With 28 years of business, management and problem-solving experience, I will fight for the citizens and neighborhoods of District 4 to get the best return on their taxes and ensure needed infrastructure and services are delivered to them by the city,” he said in an announcement of his candidacy.

A big issue for King is what he describes as South Tampa’s “overloaded and antiquated stormwater system,” which he said has allowed silt to build up and plug residential canals in South Tampa.

In 2012, King helped pay for a study analyzing the economic impact of expanding Tampa’s program of dredging canals in Sunset Park. (The city is in the midst of a long-sought project to dredge some or all of 10 residential canals along West Shore between Kennedy and Gandy boulevards. The $2.8 million project is aimed at improving water quality, tidal flushing and the habitat for marine life, but it is not dredging every canal in the area nor is it cleaning out all of every canal being dredged.)

The study, by Urban Economics Inc., found 347 homes on a total of 14 canals that were so silted they can’t be navigated. Compared with similar homes on navigable canals, those homes sell for $254,293 less, the study found. Dredging those canals, it estimated, would raise home values by $88.2 million, generating nearly $506,000 more in annual city property taxes.

King has been lobbying Mayor Bob Buckhorn and other top city officials for an expanded dredging program. As a council member, he said he would work to focus more attention and money on the problem.

“After six years of fighting on an issue, it’s become clear that the process of prioritizing capital improvements and addressing needs is skewed,” he said Wednesday.

For his part, Cohen said he has worked “very hard to convince the administration” to start the canal dredging project in West Shore and noted that, after decades of petitions and frustration by the neighborhood, the work began during his term of office.

“I feel that I’ve really delivered on the canal issue,” Cohen said. He said he is working with Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman on the idea of developing a countywide program that could address the need for dredging not only in Tampa but in areas like Town ‘N Country.

The problem, he said, “exists all over the county and the city.”

Cohen, 44, is a lawyer and former chief deputy clerk of the circuit court for Hillsborough County. He works for the clerk’s office part-time on a wide-ranging project to update the agency’s information technology. On the City Council, he is vice chairman, chairs the finance committee and represents the council on the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the board of the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

“I’ve always expected to run (for re-election) and I’ve always expected to be opposed,” Cohen said.  “At some point soon, I’ll forrmalize that and proceed.”

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Creative Loafing article on HART:

Hillsborough

At HART meeting, more talk on the meaning of the agency itself

Posted by Mitch Perry on Mon, May 5, 2014 at 1:41 PM

After years of increases in ridership, CFO Jeff Seward said at a Hillsborough Area Regional Transit board meeting today that ridership has begun to “plateau” as he offered up his preview of the transit agency’s FY2015 budget.

That led to what is often a frequent discussion at such meetings — the true meaning of what the agency is supposed to be all about.

“How are we going to get more riders? More ‘choice’ riders? How are we going to appeal to them? What are we doing with other government entities to stretch out dollars further?” asked Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman.

There has been considerable discussion inside the Transportation for Economic Development group (which includes county commissioners and the mayors of Hillsborough’s three cities) on expanding HART to become the local agency that will oversee all transportation issues in the county. But Murman expressed concerns that the agency isn’t ready to step up just to continue to serve parts of the county that consider themselves underserved at the moment.

“I serve a lot of people in the county and they are begging for service,” she said, referring specifically to South County. “We have over half a million people coming into Hillsborough County by 2025. How are they going to get around? We’re not going to build any more roads, I can tell you that.”

Among the projects that Seward said was a possibility was building another maintenance facility. One additional BRT route would necessitate such an expansion. Murman questioned why the agency isn’t talking to officials in Tampa or the county about collaborating on such a project.

That led John Melendez — selected by Governor Rick Scott back in 2012 to serve on the board — to say he really didn’t think it was that crucial for the agency to expand, saying if decreases in ridership were caused by an improvement in the economy, then there shouldn’t be any angst about growing.

But that statement was shot down by several other board members, like Mark Sharpe. The County Commissioner said that all studies indicate that Millennials (those born between 1982-2001) are extremely interested in the availability of multiple transportation options. “We need to be as aggressive as possible in increasing ridership,” he said.

More on the possibility of HART increasing its authority in the area could be unearthed when the Transportation for Economic Development group meets again towards the end of this month.