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significantly limited at that time. Those provisions were abandoned by the State's Supreme Court <br />when the current Constitution was adopted. A current case which is more applicable to today's <br />standards is a decision regarding the Tampa Sports Authority, Hillsborough County stadium. In 1997 <br />a decision of the Supreme Court clearly said that the Tampa Bay sports facility was indeed for a <br />public purpose and involved benefits for the community and its citizens and was clearly within the <br />' authority of the governmental entities to finance. <br />Vice Chairman Ginn questioned whether the City of Deerfield case would still be considered <br />precedent setting, and Attorney Reid responded that those articles in the 1865 Constitution have been <br />changed and only dealt with municipalities, not counties. In 1969 the Constitution changed how <br />municipalities are defined under Florida law. They became individual powers with home rule and the <br />powers necessary to carry out municipal facilities. Counties were not so affected. <br />Vice Chairman Ginn then opened the floor to public comments. <br />John Clinton, 3636 Mockingbird, wanted to know what the Dodgers intend to use the <br />property for once it is purchased. He felt that if we own this property, we open ourselves up to <br />liability. <br />Administrator Chandler replied that the property will be used for spring training for the minor <br />league team. Those details will be more specifically spelled out in the lease. Also, language has been <br />added to require naming the City and the County as co -insureds on the Dodgers' liability insurance. <br />Frank Coffey, 1335 River Ridge, noted that the MOU specifically states the Dodgers will <br />hold the County and the City harmless. He felt the protection is there. <br />Frank Zorc, 2044 deLeon Avenue, felt that if a vote of the people were taken, the project <br />would not go forward. He felt it is a welfare deal for the baseball business and would be dead today <br />if it had been properly presented to the public. He predicted this will wind up in litigation over the <br />next few years. <br />BK 114 PG 325 <br />JULY 279 2000 -3- <br />