The purpose of a Community Advisory Committee is to insure that the interests of residents, property owners, businesses and other stakeholders are represented in key decisions relating to the Community Redevelopment Plan and budget for their area. A Community Advisory Committee provides input and makes recommendations to City staff and the Community Redevelopment Agency Board concerning their Community Redevelopment area.

Community Redevelopment areas are authorized under Florida law, Chapter 163, Part III, for the purpose of overcoming slum and blighted conditions. The areas are established by City Council resolution and must meet specific criteria set forth in Chapter 163. They are funded through the increase in property values that are brought about through the redevelopment of the area.

The Tampa City Council also serves as the City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency Board. This is a completely separate role and function from their City Council duties. The Community Redevelopment Agency utilizes City staff, through a contract with the City of Tampa, to conduct the work associated with implementing the Community Redevelopment Area Plan and budget for each area.

Committee members must live or work in the redevelopment area and/or have significant interests within the area. Some members of each Committee should have a background or expertise in the redevelopment process, such as neighborhood planning, real estate development, and/or real estate finance. The membership should represent the diversity of stakeholders in each area.

You can obtain a complete application package from the CRA Manager or department website: Tampa.gov/CRAs. Interested parties that meet the qualifications may apply by completing a Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee Questionnaire and Sunshine Law and Ethics Code Acknowledgement Form and submitting to the City Clerk’s office by the application deadline. Community Advisory Committee members are voted on by the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership (ETCRP) and ratified by the Community Redevelopment Agency Board.

Terms are for 2 years. There is a limit of two consecutive, 2-year terms.

The East Tampa Community Advisory Committee typically meets once a month and may call special meetings as needed. The Community Advisory Committee also attends the ETCRP meeting once a month, and may choose to serve on a subcommittee. On average, CAC members spend about five hours a month, or more depending upon initiatives they volunteer to work on.

Advisory Committees must operate in the “Sunshine” in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 286. Operating in the Sunshine means that all business related to the Community Redevelopment Area must only be discussed in advertised public meetings to avoid a legal violation. This restriction is limited to discussion of Community Redevelopment Area business and does not prohibit committee members from discussing any other matters in private.

The ability to make sound, fair decisions is sometimes affected by other interests. Since conflicts of interest are a regular part of organizational life there are specific rules to govern committee members’ actions. The key point related to conflicts of interest is that no CRA Advisory Committee member shall vote or participate in a matter that would provide them, an organization that retains them, or any close relative with any special private gain that would not also be enjoyed by others. More details can be found in “Section 13 Conflicts of Interest” from the City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency Community Advisory Committee policy (see attached). City staff will provide guidance to appointees regarding Conflict of Interest issues.

Owners of property and businesses within a Community Redevelopment Area are encouraged to participate in an Advisory Committee and this does not constitute a conflict of interest.