Tampa City Council Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Group portrait of Tampa City Council members

Tampa Councilwoman Hurtak says Mayor Castor is limiting her ability to ride along with city departments

Council unanimously passed a motion asking the administration to rescind policy limiting open access to government.

by Ray Roa March 5, 2026March 10, 2026

Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak is no longer allowed to schedule ride alongs with various city departments “during campaign season,” according to communications between her office and the administration of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “[We] were told yesterday in a meeting with the mayor that we are no longer going to tolerate us interrupting their […]

CityofTampa

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hear update to Land Development Code

There are 73 items on the agenda for Thursday, March 5.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Aerial view of the Downtown Tampa skyline and the Hillsborough River on a clear, sunny day. The image shows high-rise office buildings, the University of Tampa, and a major highway interchange with cars crossing the river into the urban center.

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hold special call Fiscal Year 27 workshop on Tuesday

The open discussion lets the body discuss budget priorities ahead of the mayor’s presentation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

ampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak smiling in front of the County Center building in downtown Tampa.

Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak files paperwork to join Tampa mayoral race

She’s the first elected official to enter the race.

by Ray Roa February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

Close-up of a RedSpeed speed and red-light enforcement camera mounted on a metal pole against a clear blue sky, showing the high-resolution lens and protective housing used for automated traffic enforcement.

Tampa City Council could vote to approve Flock-integrated speed cameras in school zones

Councilmembers say they are confident data wouldn’t be inappropriately shared.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

A medium shot of two people posing closely together in front of a glass-walled building. The person on the left is wearing a blue and white checkered button-down shirt, and the person on the right is wearing a white top and holding a grey folder. Both are smiling warmly at the camera.

Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young files for re-election

The 33-year-old became the youngest woman elected to council in last fall’s special election.

by Ray Roa February 17, 2026February 20, 2026

A wide shot of the Tampa City Council seated at a curved wooden dais during a morning workshop. Seven council members are visible behind the desk, with the City of Tampa seal and American and Florida flags centered on the wall behind them. A digital overlay in the corner identifies the meeting as a "Tampa City Council 9:00 a.m. Workshop" dated January 29, 2026.

Tampa Monitor: Council approves additional funding for South Howard Flood Relief project

The project’s future is still in doubt after councilmembers approved moving $21.5 million to the effort.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A daytime street-level view of Rey Park in Tampa. The scene features a corner intersection with a yellow pedestrian crossing sign and a street sign for Howard and Cherry. Large, mature oak trees with hanging Spanish moss shade the park, which is enclosed by a black chain-link fence. In the background, park benches and a small white sign for the park are visible under a clear blue sky.

Tampa Monitor: City council could approve up to $5 million for parks in West Tampa and Gandy

Gandy & Palonis Park, and West Tampa’s Rey Park are up for discussion

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

An infrastructure map highlighting neighborhood relief zones near Hyde Park and the Palma Ceia Golf Course. Major roads like Howard Avenue, Armenia Avenue, and Bayshore Boulevard are labeled to provide context for a city flood mitigation project.

Tampa Monitor: City Council set to vote on ‘Resilient’ South Howard flood project this week

The $64+ million dollar project still hasn’t had a final design or price tag presented but council will be voting to approve an amended $10 million grant agreement Thursday.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor January 5, 2026January 6, 2026

An indoor shot of a formal induction or oath-taking ceremony. The primary subject, wearing glasses and gold jewelry, reads from a certificate while performing a traditional hand gesture of affirmation. In the background, an observer is partially visible holding a small digital camera to capture the moment.

Tampa City Council will honor master clerk Shirley Foxx-Knowles on Thursday

Knowles and Deputy City Clerk Suling Lucas-Harris lead a staff that keeps the city together.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Tampa Monitor: CRA and land use decisions include potential land for TGH facility in Ybor City

Tampa City Councilmembers, meeting as the CRA, will also vote on the CRA services agreement with the city.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A close-up, low-angle view of the Tampa Police Department building. The exterior is composed of dark stone and reflective glass, with the American flag mounted on the right.

Tampa Monitor: Plan to sell downtown police headquarters is moving forward

The expected selling price is $36 million.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 6, 2025December 6, 2025

View of the Tampa Riverwalk showing people cycling and walking on the brick path alongside the water, with outdoor cafes and a raised drawbridge visible in the background.

Despite racial profiling concerns, Tampa City Council advances ordinance banning bike stunts on Riverwalk

The ordinance must pass a second reading during a December meeting.

by Chris Young and WMNF News December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Low-angle view of the Tampa skyline, showing the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, contrasted against several taller, modern glass skyscrapers under a blue sky with white clouds.

Tampa Monitor: Back from break, council will vote on stormwater, TPD data sharing, and more

In total they will be approving over $90 million in spending.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

High aerial view of the downtown Tampa skyline, showing dense high-rise buildings along the Hillsborough River, which flows into Tampa Bay. Highways and urban development surround the central core.

Tampa Monitor: Council takes another step towards increasing multi-modal impact fees

The fees have not been increased since they were adopted in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

View of the historic Old City Hall building in Tampa, showing the clock tower and architectural details against a clear blue sky, framed by dark tree branches.

Tampa Monitor: Council to vote on $7 million for private armed security at city facilities, more

Establishment of the Charter Review Commission, grants for TPD and more are among 80 agenda items for Nov. 20.

by Ray Roa November 17, 2025November 21, 2025

Group photo of six people, including a Black woman in a white blouse (Naya Young, center-right), standing in a city council chamber in front of the official City of Tampa seal and a wood-paneled wall.

Tampa Monitor: Tree trust fund, $350K for the ferry, and a $67 million question in front of city council this week

New Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young will cast her first votes from the dais on Thursday, Nov. 6.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Portrait of a woman wearing an orange blazer and white shirt, sitting in front of a bulletin board, looking off to the side while seated near a microphone.

Naya Young upsets Thomas Scott to win Tampa City Council special election

She’ll be sworn in at city hall on Friday, Oct. 31 after the supervisor of elections certifies the results.

by Ray Roa October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

View of downtown Tampa skyline centered on the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, flanked by much taller, modern glass skyscrapers, including the PNC Bank building.

Tampa Monitor: City attorney apologizes after proposing policy change that would’ve redefined neighborhood leaders as lobbyists

City Attorney Andrea Zelman said it was never her intent to infringe on the public’s ability to speak to their elected officials or the administration.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 27, 2025October 28, 2025

Side-by-side photo of two speakers at an event. On the left, a man in a dark suit and tie speaks into a microphone. On the right, a woman in an orange dress also speaks into a microphone while seated. Both appear engaged in discussion against a dark backdrop.

Elections, News & Views, Tampa Bay Journalism Project, Tampa Bay News

Voting in Tampa’s City Council District 5 election is happening right now—here’s how to do it

Early voting runs through Sunday, Oct. 26. Election Day is on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

by Ray Roa, Chris Young, Seán Kinane and WMNF News October 24, 2025October 24, 2025