Part 2 of 2
The mayors from Tampa Bay’s three largest cities discussed several salient issues, including unfounded municipal criticism, regionalism, smart growth and artificial intelligence at a recent annual forum.
State of the Bay began Tuesday night with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector providing their thoughts on a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and immigration enforcement. Joe Hamilton, publisher of the Catalyst and moderator for the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club event, then asked the three to name “something people regularly blame on the city that you actually have very little control over.”
ALSO READ: Rays, ICE enforcement take center stage at State of the Bay
Castor said county, state and federal issues, and used roads as an example. However, her message to staff is that “if it comes to you, you own it. So, you figure out who is responsible.”
Welch, foreshadowing a visit the following day from Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, said property taxes. “We are the scapegoats for some of the Legislature.”
Rector echoed that sentiment. He said residents typically fail to comprehend the costs associated with running a city, particularly with “all the emphasis … in Tallahassee on saving money” by drastically reducing property taxes.
“But there’s pushback on any government spending right now,” Rector added. “We have big budgets in our three cities, and we can’t turn on a dime. So, what they do and put on the ballot is significant for us. We almost have to be prepared for where we would make some cuts in advance, anticipating what could change. It’s certainly going to have a huge impact on small municipalities in Pinellas County.
“I think we would all agree, whatever gets on the ballot is probably going to pass, because the public just sees the personal advantage.”
Regionalism
Castor said the three represented cities offer unique characteristics that are “attractive, literally, around the world.” She and her two colleagues market the Tampa Bay region when traveling abroad, and “work very closely together.”
Shared support has mitigated a skilled workforce “problem,” Castor said. Welch noted that area leaders have progressed in their pursuit of a “regional voice on transportation,” which was historically “our Achilles heel.”
“I know we’re working on a regional MPO (metropolitan planning organization) that will allow us to more effectively compete for funding with the Orlando region and South Florida,” Welch added.
Rector believes the three cities are no longer “competing at all.” He also emphasized that everyone shares the “saltwater that surrounds us.”
One wastewater or pollution spill affects all of the surrounding communities, Rector said, and local leaders must collaboratively work to protect the marine environment. “It doesn’t matter what city you’re in, in Tampa Bay, your lives are all across the region.”
Smart growth
Rector noted that persistent housing affordability challenges continue to plague Tampa Bay and impede economic development. Clearwater is a hotbed for retirees, short-term rentals and corporate investors, which exacerbates the issue, he said.
“Density is really, I think, our solution,” Rector continued. “It’s not popular, but I think, at least for most of us, that’s the way forward.”
Welch believes local leaders should focus on “the triad of jobs, housing and transportation” to lower soaring living costs. “Density is not a bad word,” he said.
St. Petersburg is “getting the density right where we want it,” in areas along the SunRunner bus-rapid-transit route. Welch said younger generations increasingly want to forgo vehicles in favor of multimodal transportation; the goal is “to become, someday, a community where you don’t need a car to get around.”
Castor said Tampa needs 26,000 additional affordable housing units “today.” City officials and developers are making progress through smart growth, density and “creating entire neighborhoods.”
“Smart growth is incredibly important, because the decisions we make today are going to affect generations to come,” Castor said. “We are growing very quickly, but we’re doing it very thoughtfully and very intentionally.”
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Welch said AI, and the impact it will have on youth and communities, “keeps me up at night.” He believes the technology will, eventually, eliminate some current jobs and college degrees.
However, Welch also compared machine learning to this generation’s Industrial Revolution or the proliferation of personal computers. He stressed that people should “understand the technology and use it.”
“We need to make sure our workforce is ready for the next thing,” Welch added. “That’s why I spend a lot of time thinking about AI as a game-changer.”
Rector believes AI can foster a more efficient and responsive local government. He also wants to maintain a human element and personal relationships.
Rector wants to ensure “we’re not raising a generation that can’t think for themselves.” While Welch agreed that critical thinking is “at risk,” he said AI can be “a great equalizer.”
Castor said local leaders should try to anticipate AI-related changes that are happening “faster and, clearly, much more furious” than those that resulted from previous technological advancements.
Tampa is using AI “in areas that make sense,” including permitting and procurement, to “get that first look-over done very quickly.” Castor added that “there’s certainly not a level of perfection with AI right now, but there’s a great deal of benefit.”
“So, I’m cautious, but I’m not fearful.”
Read Part 1 here.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
