On the agenda

1. 1Call to Order – Roll Call▶ 0:00
2. 2

   Pledge of Allegiance

   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence honoring servicemen and women.

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   [00:00:38] And off on that cheerful start, if you could all stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance [00:00:44] followed by a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. [00:00:48] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for [00:00:55] which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   Procedural moment of silence; the record was noted to show Councilman DeBella Thomas in attendance.

   👤DeBella Thomas

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   [00:01:07] Thank you. [00:01:08] You may be seated. [00:01:09] Let the record show that Councilman DeBella Thomas is in attendance. [00:01:12] Thank you. [00:01:14] Thank you.

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4. 4

   Approval of the August 18 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Council approved the minutes from the August 18 Regular City Council meeting without changes or corrections.

   • motion:Motion to approve the August 18 Regular City Council meeting minutes. (passed)

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   [00:01:17] Next item on the agenda is the approval of the August 18th Regular City Council meeting [00:01:21] minutes. [00:01:22] Move for approval. [00:01:23] Second. [00:01:24] We have a motion and a second. [00:01:25] Any changes or corrections? [00:01:26] No sir. [00:01:27] Hearing none, all those in favor please signify by saying aye. [00:01:30] Aye. [00:01:31] Opposed, like sign. [00:01:33] Next item is a proclamation.

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5. 5

   Proclamation: Life Insurance Awareness Month

   approved

   Mayor Rob Marlowe proclaimed September 2015 as Life Insurance Awareness Month in New Port Richey. Rick Senderling, past president of NAIFA, accepted the proclamation and thanked the council.

   🏢Life Foundation🏢National Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)👤Rick Senderling👤Rob Marlowe👤Starkey#Life Insurance Awareness Month

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   [00:01:35] I believe we've got some insurance industry representatives that would like to meet me [00:01:39] at the podium. [00:01:41] Councilman Starkey, you're welcome to come along, too. [00:01:45] Oh, well, thank you. [00:01:55] This is a proclamation of the City of New Port Richey. [00:01:57] Whereas the vast majority of Americans recognize that it is important to protect loved ones [00:02:01] with life insurance, with a recent survey indicating that 83% agree in that most people [00:02:06] need coverage, and whereas the life insurance industry pays $58 billion to beneficiaries [00:02:12] each year, providing a tremendous source of financial relief and security to families [00:02:16] that experience the loss of a loved one, and whereas, despite the importance that people [00:02:21] place on life insurance and the peace of mind that it brings to millions of American families, [00:02:26] there are still too many Americans who lack adequate coverage, and whereas the unfortunate [00:02:31] reality is that roughly 95 million adult Americans have no life insurance and with most coverage [00:02:36] have less than most experts recommend, and whereas millions of Americans realize that [00:02:41] they are underinsured with nearly one in three believing they do not have enough coverage, [00:02:46] and whereas during times like these when so many families continue to struggle, [00:02:50] life insurance coverage is more important than ever because people have fewer financial resources [00:02:55] to fall back on than in years previous, increasing their financial vulnerability, [00:03:00] and whereas the nonprofit Life Foundation and a coalition representing hundreds of leading [00:03:06] life insurance companies and organizations have designated September 2015 as Life Insurance [00:03:12] Awareness Month, whose goal is to get consumers thinking about their need for life insurance [00:03:17] protection, to encourage them to seek advice from a qualified insurance professional, [00:03:21] and to take the actions necessary to achieve a financial security future for their loved ones. [00:03:27] Now, therefore, I, Rob Marlow, Mayor of the City of New Port Richey, do hereby proclaim the month of September [00:03:32] as Life Insurance Awareness Month in New Port Richey, and do urge our citizens to learn more about [00:03:37] life insurance and its benefits. Thank you. [00:03:42] And if any of you would like to say anything. [00:03:47] My name is Rick Senderling. I'm the past president for NAIFA, which is the National Association for [00:03:54] Insurance and Financial Advisors. I want to thank the mayor and certainly city council for allowing this [00:03:59] proclamation. Obviously, we certainly know the importance of life insurance, and we certainly appreciate the time. [00:04:04] Thank you. [00:04:24] Thank you. [00:04:30] Thank you.

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6. 6

   Presentation, Bender & Associates: Hacienda

   discussed

   Architect Bert Bender of Bender & Associates presented a PowerPoint update on the first phase of the Hacienda Hotel Rehabilitation Project, reviewing the schedule (state DHR review through Sept 14, bidding Sept 25–Oct 22, contract award Oct 30, substantial completion April 29, 2016), existing conditions, restoration plans, and budget alternates given an estimated $1,181,000 cost against ~$887,000–$900,000 available. Council expressed support for proceeding to bid and discussed organizing public guided tours of the building (Friday/Saturday) before construction begins.

   • direction:Council directed Mr. Bender to proceed with the project schedule and to coordinate with City Manager Mario on arranging public guided tours of the Hacienda (Friday/Saturday) before construction begins. (none)

   📍Hacienda Hotel🏢Bender and Associates🏢Biltmore Construction🏢D.L. Porter🏢Florida Trust for Historic Preservation🏢Friends of the Hacienda🏢Historical Society🏢State Division of Historic Resources👤Bert Bender👤Brian👤Elaine Smith👤Mario👤Rick Hilburn#Biltmore (demolished historic building)#DHR grant deadline June 1, 2016#Gainesville Depot restoration#Hacienda Hotel Rehabilitation Project Phase 1#Key West City Hall restoration

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   [00:04:51] Next item on the agenda is a presentation by Bender and Associates on the Hacienda. [00:04:56] Mr. Mayor, we have Mr. Bert Bender in attendance this evening. [00:05:01] He has prepared a PowerPoint presentation for your viewing this evening related to his development of the plans and [00:05:09] specifications associated with the first phase of the Hacienda Hotel Rehabilitation Project. [00:05:16] Thank you, Mr. Bender, for being here. [00:05:21] Thank you, Bender and Associates architects. I'm very pleased to be here this evening. [00:05:26] I know that some of you have been through the building, and it's really quite a remarkable project. [00:05:31] So what we're going to do right now is to just take you through where we are on the process and get some feedback from you to see. [00:05:41] Just so that you know, I'm technically challenged. [00:05:46] Are we good now? [00:05:51] I usually bring someone with me, so Brian and I haven't established our relationship yet, but we're going to go through this again. [00:06:21] We've been working on the project now for several months. [00:06:26] What you see in front of you is the schedule, and it shows where we are to date and the steps that we are now proceeding with. [00:06:35] Can you back up, Mr. Bender? I'm sorry. [00:06:40] You've got the schedule there. We see the yellow where we are today. [00:06:45] Can you write it down and then tell us what the final date is on the bottom? [00:06:50] You may be technologically challenged, but my eyesight is terrible. I don't care about these glasses. [00:06:55] I can't read that. [00:07:00] I can understand that, because I have that same problem. [00:07:05] But to take you through the schedule itself, as you start to go through the highlighted line, August 14th through September 14th is a review period by the State Division of Historic Resources. [00:07:10] I spoke with Rick Hilburn, who is doing the review for the State of Florida yesterday, [00:07:15] and he will be working on it later this week and again next week. [00:07:20] The upcoming dates after that is the 100% documents that incorporate the State Division of Historic Resources comments [00:07:29] and any comments that we get back from the city. [00:07:34] Going down further, the next date is a bidding period where we will be going to bid in September. [00:07:39] September 25th to October 22nd for a bidding period. [00:07:44] October 29th, I believe, is when we are planning on having a bid recommendation back to the city with a contract award on October 30th. [00:07:58] Moving down from there, we have substantial completion targeted for April 29th, 2016. [00:08:04] Project closeout scheduled for May 30th with the grant deadline of June 1st. [00:08:12] The state has an extension period so that if our construction is delayed for any reason, [00:08:17] we do have the option of extending the grant period to complete the project anywhere between June 2nd and September 29th, 2016. [00:08:23] Thank you very much. [00:08:40] Thanks for the help. [00:08:45] The photographs that we are going to go through now are in large part existing condition photographs [00:08:50] as well as some of the documents that we have created. [00:08:55] This shows one of the few remaining historic windows. [00:09:00] It is a steel window. [00:09:05] One of the glass panes has been broken. [00:09:10] But this is the basis for the design of all the replacement windows in the building. [00:09:15] The components of the building have been covered over the years. [00:09:20] As people came in and did remodeling renovations to the building and altered the building itself, [00:09:25] they covered components up. [00:09:30] As we went through the building and started to uncover those, [00:09:35] we were able to determine the configuration of the building, the original details, and the original components. [00:09:40] The stair itself, and we will see a historic photograph of it later on in the presentation, [00:09:45] but these columns were part of the decoration of the original staircase. [00:09:50] The original stringers are still in place under the existing stair that is there now [00:09:55] as well as some of these columns and other ornate details. [00:10:00] This is the ceiling in part of the building that is off of where the dining room is. [00:10:06] Above the existing suspended ceiling, you can see to the right-hand side and to the left, [00:10:12] you can see plaster moldings and cornices that are part of the artistic work that was inside the building. [00:10:18] All of those components still remain, and they are recoverable. [00:10:23] All we have to do is take down some of the existing later finishes and expose those and go through a restoration. [00:10:29] We did some excavation work, dug around in the dirt to try and find out if the original components were there, [00:10:39] and you can see where the original line on this photograph that shows the dirt before we started to remove it. [00:10:46] Everything is still intact, so we can bring these components out, excavate the earth, [00:10:51] and return everything back to its original configuration. [00:10:56] This is one of the original transom windows over where the doors were located. [00:11:01] They are restorable. These were wood components, and all the original components and configuration is there. [00:11:08] Where we do need to recreate or construct new components, [00:11:13] we have the originals that we can use as a mold or a guide. [00:11:18] At the rear of the building, which is on the north side of the building, there have been numerous alterations. [00:11:23] I think you are all familiar with this part of the building. [00:11:29] This is what it looked like before that work was done. [00:11:34] The intent of the project, and the grant specifically, is to restore and recover some of these components. [00:11:39] Once those later additions are removed, this is what we will have out underneath that building. [00:11:45] Again, this is in that area as well. [00:11:52] This is what it looked like. This was the rendering from the time when the building was originally designed and constructed. [00:11:58] You can see the balconies that are there. [00:12:03] We have recovered historic photographs, so we are able to recreate all of those details. [00:12:08] The entrance to the building was originally on Bank Street, and you can see the colonnade in the front of the building. [00:12:13] That is where the historic entrance was. [00:12:18] The photograph that you saw earlier, where we were excavating the dirt out in front, that was the historic entrance. [00:12:23] The intent of the documents is to recover that entrance and to restore it. [00:12:28] This is in that same area. [00:12:33] You can still see the configuration of where the door was removed and closed off. [00:12:38] Those doors have been closed off as well. [00:12:43] The intent of the project is to recover these during this phase of the work. [00:12:48] This is a rendering at the same perspective. [00:12:53] This is what the building looked like when it was originally designed and how the building was constructed. [00:12:58] This is the back end of the building. [00:13:03] This is a photograph taken right off of Main Street. [00:13:08] This is what that side of the building looked like before the renovations and alterations, [00:13:13] which covered up all of those details. [00:13:18] It was really a very handsome building, and I think it was a centerpiece of New Port Richey. [00:13:23] I think once the restoration is complete, it will be again the crown jewel of your downtown area. [00:13:28] This is a construction photograph. [00:13:33] These are very valuable in terms of restoration because we know exactly how these components were built [00:13:38] and what they looked like, so we will be constructing as a part of this phase. [00:13:43] The balcony that you see there will be restored. [00:13:48] This is the interior. [00:13:53] The two columns that are there, one in the front, foreground of the stair, [00:13:58] is still visible on the outside of the room. [00:14:03] The photograph that you saw earlier in the presentation is the second column that's behind it. [00:14:08] Both of those columns are there. [00:14:13] On the opposite side of the room, there were two columns that repeated that detail. [00:14:18] Our next steps will be to incorporate DHR comments. [00:14:23] We will establish bid alternates. [00:14:28] I know that we have a budget. [00:14:33] There have been some discussion about the possibility of expanding the scope, [00:14:38] but I believe we have in the range of $887,000 or $900,000 to spend. [00:14:43] Right now, this is a breakdown of the major elements. [00:14:48] We came up with a total cost of everything that is in the documents right now of $1,181,000. [00:14:53] I think that's a conservative estimate. [00:15:00] Remember, I would expect this to be somewhere under that. [00:15:03] In the anticipation that you may want to reduce the construction cost in the scope for this time, [00:15:09] we are looking at some alternates that we can discuss. [00:15:13] One of those is to eliminate the exterior doors. That's a sixty thousand dollar item miscellaneous work that could be removed. [00:15:21] We have a budget number of about three hundred and twenty three hundred and two hundred and twenty five thousand exterior demolition. [00:15:30] The miscellaneous work of about three hundred thousand dollars at the bottom, just above the total of that number. [00:15:37] We're anticipating that we could take out about half of that and then still have all of the balconies that would be reconstructed. [00:15:44] If further reductions are needed, the exterior windows of the buildings could be done in phases. [00:15:52] In other words, instead of doing all of the exterior steel windows replicating the original configuration of the building, [00:15:59] we could, for example, delete or defer, not delete, but defer some of the windows on some of the elevations. [00:16:07] Most likely the west elevation would be the place we would defer. [00:16:11] And that takes us through what I had for the presentation. [00:16:15] And I wanted to discuss alternatives with you and get your feedback about how we should proceed at this time. [00:16:22] Questions from anybody? I think that means just let's proceed. [00:16:34] Let's see what the state's got there. [00:16:37] Things get to get the thing out to bid. I know several of us are really excited to see the bulldozers come in and start taking off the newer stuff. [00:16:47] I think it's a very special project. We have a couple of contractors that we work with in Key West that I have a strong relationship with that are in this area. [00:16:55] One is Biltmore Construction and the other is D.L. Porter. [00:16:59] I've talked to both of them and they're both looking forward to the opportunity to bid the project. [00:17:03] Yeah. Mr. Bender, what was the what was the date in October? [00:17:11] I know you're in some bidding and stuff. How is the internal condition of the building? [00:17:16] Is it is it possible? Let me quote take. [00:17:20] Is it possible that we could talk about some guided tours of the building before you start your demo? [00:17:30] And the reason I ask that is we're getting quizzed over and over and over again, [00:17:37] because a lot of folks that participated in the cleanup have since, you know, as time passes, so do our memories with that. [00:17:50] I know that there's an event coming up next week with the Friends of the Hacienda or some designation. [00:17:58] And we were some of us were at an event on Saturday with the Historical Society. [00:18:02] And there's some anniversary that comes up in October. I think some around the 24th that my my memory is slipping as of from Saturday to today. [00:18:11] I apologize. But and wanted to see if there before we start the construction, if there'd be an opportunity to do some things. [00:18:19] It did come up as a topic of conversation at our recent town hall meetings. [00:18:25] And obviously, I'm sure they'd love to encourage us to pay the freight, you know, the deducts and all that. [00:18:35] In my mind, we've also talked about reengaging them and seeing what kind of interest they have. [00:18:42] So, you know, we'd love to have that opportunity or at least understand what that takes. [00:18:48] And if that takes somebody putting on a hard hat and a yellow vest and having to walk a certain way and do all that. [00:18:55] I think anything we do at this part of the process to continue the the excitement of that. [00:19:02] And everybody look at that because we get quizzed. And, you know, how's the back going to look? [00:19:09] How's those things? So just wanted to see if we could kind of engage that or encourage it or do whatever. [00:19:16] Because obviously, to be perfectly honest with you, the citizens of New Port Richey own that building and have for quite a while. [00:19:24] And that being the case, it would be nice to be able to let them see it now and then appreciate it during the construction phase. [00:19:33] And then when it's restored to its original grace. [00:19:37] I have I've been involved in that type of thing before. I think it's an excellent idea. [00:19:42] I would like to offer that we schedule work on a time. [00:19:47] I can do that with Mario and schedule a time to conduct those types of tours and that type of an event. [00:19:54] I would suggest that we do it over a two day period. [00:19:59] I'm going to recommend that a Friday and a Saturday so that the maximum number of people who might have jobs on a Friday working would want to go through on a Saturday. [00:20:08] I would come up and spend a couple of days. We would arrange for tours. [00:20:13] It could be. And this is I'm talking off the top of my head. Obviously, we'll have to sit down and formulate how to do it. [00:20:20] But I think community involvement and what these buildings and these projects mean to the community is extremely significant. [00:20:29] And I think you are absolutely correct to say that it's an opportunity for us to involve the community, to let them see what they have now. [00:20:38] Also to do something during construction. [00:20:42] We're doing that with the Key West City Hall right now, [00:20:45] which is a restoration of a more of an adaptive use project than a pure restoration of historic school. [00:20:52] That's very dear to many, many people in Key West. [00:20:56] So we have we do conduct tours during construction and prior to that. [00:21:01] So I think the same holds for this. Now, obviously, once construction starts, becomes a construction site. [00:21:08] And now we have OSHA regulations and the tours would have to be a little more controlled. [00:21:12] Then you need hard hats, long pants, clothes, clothes, shoes and all of that type of stuff. [00:21:18] But right now we could conduct. And obviously it's up to you and city staff to concur. [00:21:27] But I would be willing to do that for you. Thank you very much. [00:21:30] You're welcome. And that would be through what day? [00:21:33] What dates are prior to prior to getting involved in the hard hats? [00:21:36] Well, it would be it would be prior to the start of construction. [00:21:39] And what the schedule I'm going from memory right now. [00:21:43] But we're talking about a bid period going, say, from the middle of September to the middle of October. [00:21:49] And then the project would be awarded. We could conduct tours anytime during that time period up until the time that construction starts. [00:21:59] Once that happens, we are effectively turning the building over to the contractor. [00:22:03] The bid awards the 30th, if I remember that. [00:22:06] Yeah, but I would. I don't know. I would imagine it's probably going to be two to three weeks because they have to win it. [00:22:13] Then they have to mobilize once they know they've won it. [00:22:17] It's it's it's not like they could. That's correct. [00:22:21] Yeah, I'd love for him to start the next day. But we that's that's that's extremely unusual, wishful thinking. [00:22:28] And I would use a famous analogy, but I used it on a young man about a month ago. [00:22:34] And I got dead silence when I said, no, we can't beam that down, Scotty. [00:22:39] I got the I got dead silence. And that immediately told me that I had missed my target market with that. [00:22:46] But if you could arrange that with Mario and that, because I we all know what the developer is going to want to do when they get there. [00:22:56] We need that information. We need the public re-engaged because three years ago, [00:23:02] is that three years ago in January is when we had 400 people there for the first time to actually go back through it. [00:23:09] And there's there's so much charm and stuff that we just know, you know, not that anybody can open up their checkbook, [00:23:15] but I'm sure telling you, you know, it really continues, as you know, because you've been involved in that. [00:23:20] It restores that that nature of city and and past history. [00:23:27] And even during the cleanup, you were limited. [00:23:29] Like if you clean up one wing, you weren't able to go to other parts of the building. [00:23:33] People that were working outside, I remember, weren't able to access the building. [00:23:36] So it's a great idea. We have so many residents are passionate about this project, just like everyone up here and yourself. [00:23:42] I'm out. I'm spoiled. I get to kind of go in whenever I want. [00:23:46] And I got to go in with you while you were working there with you with your associate there. [00:23:49] And it was a really, really cool experience seeing it through your eyes. [00:23:52] And you've done this. And I could tell you were passionate about the project from from day one. [00:23:55] But yeah, the sooner the better. I say if we can start working on that and a date and getting notification out to the public. [00:24:01] And you had mentioned some friends from Key West. Obviously, you're you've done numerous projects. [00:24:06] We've you know, Mario did a lot of research prior to hiring you. [00:24:10] Are you going to be using certain contractors that you're comfortable working with on other projects? [00:24:15] Are you just going to bid it out to everyone? You bring some friends up that you're comfortable working with? [00:24:19] Or where you plan on getting? Well, our intent is to bid the project to have a general bid on the project with a lot of preservation projects. [00:24:28] We would pre qualify or post qualify certain artisans and certain people. [00:24:32] So typically we're looking for people who have preservation experience. [00:24:36] The two contractors that I've mentioned that are here in this area, [00:24:40] Biltmore Construction is is in the Clearwater area. [00:24:44] Dale Porter is in Sarasota. Yeah, they're in the Sarasota. [00:24:48] And they both have experience on preservation projects. [00:24:51] And I've worked with both of them. And there are a number of other projects. [00:24:54] People up here. The contractor that we work with on the restoration of the Gainesville Depot would love to do another project with us. [00:25:02] So there there will be interest where obviously there are some criteria in the specifications requiring people to have some experience and show some expertise. [00:25:14] But we will be here to watch over it. I can say I'm for one. [00:25:19] I'm very, very excited about seeing the Hacienda's original footprint brought back. [00:25:22] It's going to be really, really neat. I can't tell you how. [00:25:29] But a change is going to be for the community. I've been through this a number of times. [00:25:33] I've had my practice for 40 years and preservation is something that was the earliest type of projects that we worked on. [00:25:41] And time and time again, it just brings the community together. [00:25:45] And it's just a wonderful thing. It's it's the legacy that we leave for future generations. [00:25:50] And it's the connection. It's the link that ties the community together. [00:25:53] You have a vibrant what is becoming a vibrant central business district downtown core. [00:26:00] And I walked around tonight with Mario and I can tell you that when Hacienda is complete with the other things that are going on here, [00:26:10] you have the opportunity to become a centerpiece for small preservation communities in this area. [00:26:18] If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Elaine Smith and the Recreation Department was putting together a walking tour for this fall. [00:26:26] So maybe we can coordinate that with with with the Hacienda. [00:26:30] And also, Mr. Our mayor said he's looking forward to seeing bulldozers. [00:26:35] But I'm not sure that that's what he really meant, because we're not looking to see bulldozers. [00:26:39] We're wanting to see gentle handling of our sweet lady in downtown. [00:26:45] Well, if anybody's doing anything that will destroy historic fabric, we have a note in which if you read between the lines, [00:26:54] it says if you damage historic fabric, we cut your hands off. [00:26:57] So those are the days when we bring a policeman out to control me. [00:27:01] So that's the best way to do it. We won't be coming in. [00:27:06] You may see some heavy equipment, but generally it's piecemeal work. [00:27:11] It's bringing things down a little more gently than just coming in and bulldozing things. [00:27:15] And the project that we're doing in Key West is Key West City Hall. [00:27:20] That's a LEED certified project. And we're reclaiming all of the material inside the building. [00:27:25] Everything that's come out of the building is being reused and recycled to the extent that we our police department has several horses as a part of their police department. [00:27:39] They have stables there. We even specified that when the lumber that's coming out of the building is being remilled for trailing pieces in the building, [00:27:47] that the sawdust is to be reclaimed because they take it down to the stables and then the police use it in the stalls. [00:27:56] So there's nothing that goes to waste. I'm not saying we're going to get that carried away here. [00:28:00] I don't want to misinterpret. No, but I have to say, [00:28:03] I am really so very pleased and very proud of the council and the community for seeing the value in preserving this historic building. [00:28:13] It was so sad to see the Biltmore being destroyed last week. [00:28:17] And I know that there were other issues involved with that. [00:28:19] But I am just so pleased that we really have embraced our history and are doing what we're doing at this house. [00:28:25] And I, too, am just really excited and delighted to see this happen. [00:28:29] And in terms of the Biltmore, I'm on the board of trustees for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. [00:28:35] And the Biltmore was something that we worked very hard to stop. [00:28:39] And the demolition, I think what happened there was an atrocity. [00:28:45] Let's let's just say that's the most polite word I can use in here. [00:28:49] So those are not the types of things that we like to see or the things we want to talk about. [00:28:55] And I think that you have an opportunity and I commend you and your city staff for taking the direction that I think is the right direction to save the building, to restore it. [00:29:06] The theater that Mary and I went through, it just amazes me the jewels that you have in the community. [00:29:14] And I think what you will be leaving for those future generations, [00:29:19] the legacy that you leave behind by taking these steps is something that has an incredible amount of value. [00:29:25] You can't buy it with money. [00:29:28] I just want to I know the answer to this question, but for the people here in the audience and the people at home are watching, [00:29:35] I just like for you being the architect and your background with preservation, [00:29:40] aren't we really lucky to have this project 90 years old in the condition it's in? [00:29:46] Well, when you're saying, are you really lucky to have this project? [00:29:49] Let's say, well, I mean, us as a city, you know, not you, but us as a city. [00:29:54] Yes, I think, you know, this is luck is. [00:30:00] To me, luck is something that you create. [00:30:02] It's not a word, it doesn't just fall into your lap. [00:30:09] The opportunity is there. [00:30:11] You created the fact that you are lucky to have this project, [00:30:14] that the city is lucky to have it, and that you as a city council [00:30:19] has made that happen along with your city staff. [00:30:22] I think it takes great vision, and the city is very lucky. [00:30:27] The citizens here are very lucky to have the building [00:30:29] and to have the people who are willing to make it happen. [00:30:34] Thank you, Mr. Bender. [00:30:35] Thank you very much. [00:30:39] Next item on the agenda is Vox Pop.

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7. 7Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 30:40
8. 8.a

   Purchase Payments over $25,000 and Recurring Items

   discussedon consent

   The City Attorney read the title of an emergency ordinance declaring a six-month moratorium on applications for blood plasma centers, body piercing establishments, check cashing stores, day labor establishments, pawn shops, tattoo parlors, and cannabis cultivation/processing/dispensing. A correction was noted to strike the vested rights/appeals/exhaustion language and add another provision.

   • direction:Strike the 'providing for vested rights, appeals, and exhaustion of administrative remedies' clause from the ordinance and add another provision. (none)

   👤Pavlik#Six-month moratorium ordinance on blood plasma centers, body piercing, check cashing, day labor, pawn shops, tattoo parlors, and cannabis

   ▶ Jump to 46:01 in the video

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   [00:46:06] Mr. Pavlik. [00:46:08] An emergency ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, [00:46:10] Florida declaring a six-month moratorium [00:46:12] on the acceptance of applications for blood plasma [00:46:14] centers, body piercing establishments, [00:46:16] check cashing stores, day labor establishments, pawn shops, [00:46:20] tattoo parlors, and on the cultivation, processing, [00:46:23] or dispensing of cannabis, and on the issuance of permits [00:46:26] and approvals for any blood plasma centers, body piercing [00:46:30] establishments, check cashing stores, day labor [00:46:32] establishments, pawn shop, tattoo parlors, [00:46:35] and on the cultivation, processing, [00:46:37] or dispensing of cannabis, providing for vested rights, [00:46:41] appeals, and exhaustion of administrative remedies, [00:46:43] providing for severability in an effective date. [00:46:45] To make one correction in the ordinance, [00:46:49] providing for vested rights, appeals, [00:46:52] and exhaustion of administrative remedies [00:46:55] needs to be stricken. [00:46:57] And one other addition needs to be made.

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9. 9.a

   First Reading, Ordinance 2015-2043: Moratorium on Uses

   tabled

   Council began first reading of Ordinance 2015-2043, a moratorium on uses, with the City Attorney reading emergency language to be inserted. The public hearing drew no speakers. Council members could not locate the document in the agenda packet and voted to table the item until later in the meeting so hard copies could be distributed.

   Ord. Ordinance 2015-2043

   • motion:Motion to table Ordinance 2015-2043 until later in the meeting so hard copies could be provided. (passed)

   👤Brian#Moratorium on Uses#Ordinance 2015-2043

   ▶ Jump to 47:00 in the video

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   [00:47:00] After the inaction clause, the following language [00:47:03] needs to be inserted. [00:47:04] An emergency exists necessitating [00:47:08] the inaction of this ordinance. [00:47:10] The foregoing whereas clauses are [00:47:14] incorporated by reference as the reasons [00:47:17] necessitating the ordinance. [00:47:19] Thank you. [00:47:20] This is a public hearing. [00:47:24] If anyone cares to address counsel on this matter, [00:47:29] seeing no one come forward, bring it back to counsel. [00:47:32] Just a question. [00:47:33] Do we have a copy of it? [00:47:36] I know you just read it, but. [00:47:38] It was sent out to you electronically today. [00:47:40] In the email? [00:47:41] That's also in your agenda. [00:47:43] Not my agenda. [00:47:44] Not here. [00:47:44] The new agenda. [00:47:45] Is it in the new one? [00:47:47] One that Brian brought up? [00:47:49] It's not on. [00:47:53] Is it in the HTLM? [00:47:55] Yes, that's what I'm looking at. [00:47:56] It's not here. [00:47:58] I'll try the PDF. [00:48:03] Cover sheet not available. [00:48:05] I'm getting the same thing. [00:48:07] So we should try the email then. [00:48:11] Well, while you're looking, in a brief nutshell, what it is [00:48:14] is we're seeking to. [00:48:16] Yes, sir. [00:48:17] Can we just table it for like 20 minutes [00:48:19] so someone can run some copies and bring them back [00:48:21] and then we'll bring it back up? [00:48:22] Is that OK, Mr. Mayor? [00:48:25] I just, just something in hard copy, I mean. [00:48:28] Yeah. [00:48:28] OK. [00:48:29] I have no problem with that. [00:48:30] Can we get. [00:48:31] And bring it back at the end of the meeting [00:48:33] before communications. [00:48:34] We'll come back to answer the question towards the end [00:48:35] of the meeting. [00:48:36] OK, cool. [00:48:37] We got it. [00:48:39] We'll got it. [00:48:41] He's going to make the changes on that. [00:48:43] Very soon, whatever. [00:48:46] Yeah, if we could get copies of that. [00:48:48] In that case, let's do. [00:48:49] I have the LACC before I vote. [00:48:50] Move the table, the item. [00:48:52] We're going to table this until a little later. [00:48:56] Next item is business items.

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10. 10.a

    Presentation: Audit Report

    discussed

    Auditors Sue Pagan and David Barish from Mayer Hoffman McCann presented the independent audit report for fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. The audit was filed July 31, 2015 after multiple extensions past the June 30 statutory deadline, with 26 journal entries posted including 5 prior period adjustments related to Baptist Church property valuation, River Road, Hacienda Hotel, and water/sewer fund errors. Prior to the audit presentation, Council also approved a license agreement for sidewalk cafe use of public right-of-way for Rose's Bistro at the former Cafe Grand/Papoose location.

    • motion:Motion to approve the license agreement allowing Rose's Bistro to use public right-of-way for sidewalk cafe at the former Cafe Grand location. (passed)

    📍Baptist Church property📍Hacienda Hotel📍River Road📍Southeast corner of Nebraska Avenue and Grand Boulevard🏢Cafe Grand🏢Carl Riggs and Ingram🏢Mayer Hoffman McCann🏢Papoose🏢Rose's Bistro👤Councilman Davis👤David Barish👤Lisa👤Mike Ryan👤Mr. Publick👤Mrs. Ryan👤Peter👤Sue Pagan#CRA Fund#Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)#Fiscal Year 2014 Audit#GASB Concepts No. 6#License Agreement for sidewalk cafe / public right-of-way#Note P – Prior Period Adjustments#Water and Sewer Fund prior period adjustments

    ▶ Jump to 49:00 in the video

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    [00:49:01] We have an add-on, which is a license. [00:49:06] And of course, Mr. Publick was probably [00:49:08] going to tell us about that. [00:49:09] That's going to represent the agenda item. [00:49:12] Between Lisa and I, though, we should be able to do it. [00:49:16] In his absence. [00:49:17] If you would go ahead, then. [00:49:18] Yes. [00:49:19] The purpose of the license agreement [00:49:23] is to allow the use of some public right of way [00:49:27] for a sidewalk cafe. [00:49:29] It is an existing use related to the former. [00:49:34] Help me out, Lisa. [00:49:34] What's the name of the former restaurant? [00:49:36] Cafe Grand. [00:49:37] And before that, Cafe Grand. [00:49:39] Yes. [00:49:41] Where they house their outdoor seating area. [00:49:45] They would like to continue the use of that property. [00:49:48] In order to do so, we need to have a license agreement put [00:49:51] in place, since they're using the public right of way. [00:49:55] And we are recommending that this item [00:49:57] be walked onto your agenda tonight, [00:49:59] so that we do not delay the opening of that business [00:50:03] for a bookkeeping matter. [00:50:07] Open it up for public comment. [00:50:11] And no one bring it back to council. [00:50:13] This is the old Cafe Grand. [00:50:14] I know exactly what it is. [00:50:16] I'm just trying to make sure that it's clearly identified, [00:50:20] not only for us, but the folks in the audience, [00:50:22] and the ones that are listening at home. [00:50:25] And if there's a little additional information, [00:50:28] you could provide why this is being walked on at the moment. [00:50:34] We probably have a pretty good understanding why. [00:50:37] But we serve a larger constituency. [00:50:40] So just a little more information would be helpful. [00:50:42] I can give you a little information [00:50:43] about the location. [00:50:44] The location is at the southeast corner of Nebraska Avenue [00:50:48] and Grand Boulevard. [00:50:49] Again, where the former Papoose, and more historically, [00:50:53] the Grand Cafe has been located. [00:50:56] So a new restaurateur is locating [00:50:58] in that same tenant space. [00:51:01] And they would like to still use that outdoor cafe [00:51:04] area, which happens to be on public right of way. [00:51:07] A license agreement was granted by the city [00:51:12] to the original owner of the Grand Cafe, Mr. Mike Ryan [00:51:17] and his wife, Mrs. Ryan. [00:51:19] And we need to basically re-establish this agreement [00:51:23] with this new tenant. [00:51:25] And so that's the purpose of it. [00:51:26] The tenant has been in the building. [00:51:28] They're operating the restaurant. [00:51:30] And now they want the ability to open the cafe area. [00:51:35] I have a question. [00:51:38] Lisa, you said that it was between Mike Ryan and the city. [00:51:44] Should it be between the owner of the building [00:51:47] so that going forward, whatever tenant comes in, [00:51:50] it becomes part of the lease agreement with them? [00:51:53] Right, just to clarify, Mike Ryan owned the building. [00:51:54] He didn't own Grand Cafe. [00:51:56] Right. [00:51:56] So your city attorney has advised [00:51:58] that the tenant would be the acceptable lessee [00:52:02] for this application. [00:52:03] And he could probably respond better to that. [00:52:05] But that's how it was crafted for the tenant's signature. [00:52:10] We certainly could add the building owner's signature [00:52:13] as well, if that gives you more comfort. [00:52:15] But that was what Mr. Publick had suggested. [00:52:17] They did provide the required insurance, which [00:52:20] should be in your packet as well. [00:52:22] Yeah, the tenant's the one that's [00:52:22] providing the insurance, correct? [00:52:24] Correct. [00:52:25] As I said, I was just confused about that. [00:52:28] Because again, we don't necessarily [00:52:31] want to revisit this with a difficult, I'm assuming, [00:52:37] and let's hoping that Rose's Bistro stays there forever. [00:52:40] That would be wonderful. [00:52:41] But I was just thinking, again, to make sure [00:52:45] that we're doing this well. [00:52:47] And we want to move very quickly on this, [00:52:48] because we're holding up progress [00:52:50] of the folks moving in there. [00:52:52] But I just wanted to clarify that it [00:52:54] seemed like it should somehow include [00:52:57] the owner of the building. [00:52:59] And then whoever goes in there, because he leases the property [00:53:04] then to the tenants. [00:53:06] I mean, it's a good point. [00:53:07] We pay our attorneys to draft these up. [00:53:09] So I hope they're there for years as well. [00:53:13] But there's been a lot of turnover [00:53:14] downtown with restaurants, especially [00:53:16] at this particular site. [00:53:17] So it costs money every time we draft this up [00:53:19] for a new tenant. [00:53:20] So if we can just get it for whoever's in there, [00:53:21] I think that would be more beneficial to the city. [00:53:24] So what we're saying is we want it to travel with the property [00:53:26] whenever the use is? [00:53:28] To whoever's renting it, whatever restaurant that may be. [00:53:35] And again, that's a policy. [00:53:36] We don't want it to travel in perpetuity, do we? [00:53:38] But we want it to travel, because I [00:53:42] think at certain points, depending [00:53:45] on if the use changes, we would like to at least [00:53:47] be in the approval process. [00:53:50] I just don't want to, so every time it moves, [00:53:52] it would move along. [00:53:54] I'm just, I don't know where you're at, man. [00:53:57] If this is not that big a deal for us to approve it, [00:54:00] I'd be concerned about granting this thing in perpetuity. [00:54:04] Whereas if it's for whoever the tenant is, [00:54:07] if the tenant changes, then we get another chance [00:54:09] to take a look at it. [00:54:11] I have no problem with it the way it's written right now. [00:54:14] I wasn't suggesting that we have any problem with it [00:54:17] being that it's the tenant. [00:54:18] But again, if the original agreement [00:54:20] was with Mike Ryan, who owned the building, [00:54:22] then it seems that the current owner of the building [00:54:25] should somehow tie into this, because I [00:54:29] don't know that it should be our concern who the tenant is. [00:54:32] Because each time the owner of the building [00:54:35] leases that property, he's going to create a lease [00:54:39] agreement for the premises. [00:54:40] And the premises would include this property as well. [00:54:43] Premises don't include this property. [00:54:46] Well, it evidently did before if Mike Ryan [00:54:49] was the one that was signing it. [00:54:50] I see what the mayor says, too. [00:54:52] We have no control over what business [00:54:53] is going to go in there. [00:54:54] So it may be a business we may not want using outside patio. [00:54:57] So this is probably the best way to do it. [00:54:59] Yeah, I'm not sure I want video screens doing that. [00:55:03] I could think of a lot of things. [00:55:04] And I know everybody's looking. [00:55:05] I just pulled up Google Earth and tried [00:55:07] to get an idea exactly what we were looking at, [00:55:09] because I wanted to see how that overhang came. [00:55:13] And obviously, we want it for the business that's [00:55:16] going in presently. [00:55:18] But we do need some benchmarks and some stop points [00:55:22] as it goes forward in case different uses come in there [00:55:25] for councils in the future. [00:55:26] I was trying to save attorney fees. [00:55:27] Sorry. [00:55:28] Are you ready for a motion? [00:55:29] I'd entertain a motion. [00:55:30] Move to approve. [00:55:31] We have a motion to approve and a second to the mayor. [00:55:33] Second. [00:55:35] No. [00:55:36] For a second. [00:55:37] No, I appreciate. [00:55:38] And I'm sure on Rose's behalf that we're moving as quickly [00:55:40] as we are. [00:55:41] And I appreciate that. [00:55:43] Deputy Mayor? [00:55:44] I stayed at Holiday Inn last night. [00:55:45] So I am an attorney this evening. [00:55:46] So that's good. [00:55:48] Councilman Davis? [00:55:50] Nothing. [00:55:51] I'm glad to see them getting in the thick of things [00:55:55] by relocating here. [00:55:58] If there's no further discussion, [00:55:59] all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:56:02] Aye. [00:56:02] Opposed, the like sign. [00:56:04] Motion passes. [00:56:06] Next is a presentation of the audit report. [00:56:10] Mr. Mayor, we have two representatives [00:56:13] in attendance this evening from Mayor Hoffman and McCann. [00:56:16] We have Sue Pagan, who served as the senior auditor [00:56:19] on our independent audit for the year [00:56:22] ended September 30, 2014. [00:56:25] And she is with her David Barish, [00:56:27] a shareholder with the firm. [00:56:29] And they're prepared to present to you [00:56:32] this evening the results of the audit report [00:56:35] and respond to any questions that you may have with them. [00:56:38] Thank you. [00:56:38] In that regard. [00:56:40] Good evening. [00:56:41] Good evening. [00:56:44] My understanding is that each of you [00:56:48] has a packet that looks like this. [00:56:52] My intention will be to walk through it. [00:57:00] The first tab is a formal communication [00:57:07] that's required by our auditing standards [00:57:11] to be communicated with those charged [00:57:14] with governance of the entity that we're auditing. [00:57:19] The letter follows a prescribed format [00:57:24] and is not particular to New Port Richey, [00:57:29] but it is tailored to the results of our audit [00:57:33] engagement. [00:57:36] What I'm intending to do is to kind of walk [00:57:39] through these reports relatively briefly. [00:57:44] But I'll leave it to the discretion of the council [00:57:48] as to how much depth you would care to have. [00:57:52] So I guess what I'm saying is this [00:57:55] could be as long or as short as you care. [00:57:58] Only to your discretion, I have nowhere else to go. [00:58:02] The first report starts out with formal communications [00:58:10] of the responsibilities for the audit. [00:58:13] And it starts out with a reference [00:58:16] to a letter that was dated November 21, 2014. [00:58:20] This is a standard engagement letter and contract. [00:58:24] And this letter outlines specifically [00:58:28] what the responsibilities are of the management of the city [00:58:34] and the responsibility of Mayor Huff and McCann. [00:58:38] In general, on any audit. [00:58:41] Just one second here. [00:58:42] I got a note from people watching this [00:58:44] that they can't hear him on the mic. [00:58:50] Or maybe it's not close enough to you, whatever. [00:58:54] Better? [00:58:56] I can't tell you from here. [00:58:57] I just got a note from people at home. [00:58:59] OK. [00:59:03] Try this a little closer. [00:59:05] OK. [00:59:07] In general, on any audit engagement, [00:59:12] management of the entity that we're auditing [00:59:16] is responsible for all of the information [00:59:18] in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, or the CAFR. [00:59:23] This is your financial statements. [00:59:24] This is your results of your operations. [00:59:27] And management is responsible for the content [00:59:31] of that document. [00:59:33] What our responsibility as the auditor is to do testing [00:59:41] and to do verification procedures such [00:59:45] that we can attest to the financial statements being [00:59:49] fairly presented in conformity with accounting principles [00:59:54] and without material misstatement. [00:59:57] So that's the differentiation. [01:00:00] and responsibility between management and the auditors. [01:00:05] We come down to quality aspects of the accounting engagement. [01:00:10] We talk about accounting principles. [01:00:13] There are no new accounting principles that were adopted. [01:00:16] So the financial statements of any entity are intended [01:00:21] to be consistent from year after year after year. [01:00:24] And the accounting policies were consistent with the prior year. [01:00:29] However, there were some accounting policies [01:00:33] and methodologies that are described in note P [01:00:39] to the financial statements. [01:00:41] And those are areas that we will discuss [01:00:45] in a little more detail coming [01:00:47] up about some prior period adjustments that we made [01:00:51] to correct accounting methods from prior years. [01:00:58] And we'll go into more detail in that shortly. [01:01:03] We also want to bring to the attention [01:01:05] that there are accounting estimates that are [01:01:08] in these financial statements. [01:01:10] They are not intended to represent exact balances. [01:01:14] In some cases, some balances are estimated. [01:01:18] And then we talk about what those major items are, [01:01:23] useful lives of fixed assets, assumptions [01:01:26] and actual valuations. [01:01:29] When an actuary does a valuation, [01:01:31] and these are very large numbers in your financial statement, [01:01:34] there are a lot of assumptions and estimates [01:01:38] that an actuary makes as far as life expectancies and claims [01:01:42] and the rate of return on investment. [01:01:44] So these are estimates that are included [01:01:47] in your financial statements. [01:01:49] Also, the last bullet on here, fair value [01:01:52] of redevelopment properties held for resale. [01:01:55] That, again, is an item that came up this year [01:01:58] that we'll talk about some more. [01:01:59] But when you're determining the fair value of a piece [01:02:05] of property, there is an estimation factor involved. [01:02:19] Moving down, we get to a category [01:02:21] of difficulties encountered in performing the audit. [01:02:27] There was no significant difficulties as far as dealing [01:02:32] with management in the performance of the audit. [01:02:35] However, the completion of the audit was delayed due [01:02:39] to some difficulties with the process of obtaining all [01:02:43] of the sufficient and appropriate audit evidence [01:02:46] that we were required to obtain. [01:02:49] How long was that delayed, if you know what I'm asking? [01:02:55] Well, the audit is originally due June 30th. [01:02:59] March 31st. [01:03:02] March 31st. [01:03:03] And I believe we got, or Peter got an extension through May, [01:03:08] and then an extension through June, [01:03:11] and then finally an extension through July 31st. [01:03:14] Four months. [01:03:16] By the state of Florida, it's required to be filed by June 30th. [01:03:22] The city filed on July 31st. [01:03:27] With the extension. [01:03:28] With the extension. [01:03:32] Corrected and uncorrected misstatements. [01:03:34] This is referring to accounting discrepancies, errors, [01:03:42] discrepancies is a poor word. [01:03:45] Misstatements in the accounting records that are discovered [01:03:49] in the course of doing our audit. [01:03:52] We have certain materiality thresholds that are standard [01:03:57] in our practice, and certain misstatements are considered [01:04:02] to be material, is a key word in our profession. [01:04:06] Certain misstatements are considered to be material. [01:04:09] All of the material misstatements [01:04:11] that we discovered were corrected. [01:04:14] There were 26 journal entries that were posted as a result of our audit. [01:04:19] And any immaterial journal entries, or uncorrected misstatements, [01:04:25] are included within the handout. [01:04:29] And these are the items that were discovered but were not adjusted [01:04:33] because they were determined not to be material [01:04:36] to the financial statements as a whole. [01:04:41] Included within the journal entries that were made, [01:04:45] I alluded to before, were corrections of prior periods. [01:04:51] Five material prior period adjustments were made during this year's audit. [01:04:58] These are corrections of errors from prior years, [01:05:02] not necessarily of the current year, [01:05:04] but they were discovered during the current year audit. [01:05:07] And Sue, I think, described the nature of what those adjustments were. [01:05:13] How far back? [01:05:14] Because I want to be clear that this audit report is [01:05:19] for the last fiscal year, 2014. [01:05:23] Doesn't deal with anything in 2015, correct? [01:05:28] That's correct. [01:05:29] And because we are talking about past. [01:05:33] Yes. [01:05:33] As of a year ago today, basically. [01:05:38] That's when the fiscal period ended, the end of September of 14. [01:05:42] And those previous things could have happened in 11, 12, [01:05:48] uncorrected by a former auditor, whatever it is. [01:05:51] Because it is historical, but it does. [01:05:56] Because what I'm trying to be clear about, [01:05:58] it didn't happen in the last 12 months. [01:06:00] A lot of the changes are going to affect what goes forward, [01:06:04] but this really does kind of snap the shot in time as of September 30 of 14. [01:06:10] Is that correct? [01:06:12] It is a snapshot in time. [01:06:15] And I guess to differentiate, what we had is 26 journal entries that we made, [01:06:24] or 26 corrections that were made. [01:06:27] Of those 26, five related to prior periods. [01:06:32] The remainder would have related to the current year that we audited. [01:06:36] Okay, which is 14. [01:06:38] Yes. [01:06:38] Which is fiscal year 14. [01:06:42] Yes. [01:06:43] Not 15, which is what we're in as of today. [01:06:46] I'm just trying to be really, I'm trying to be on point that this is past. [01:06:52] That's correct. [01:06:53] It's not now. [01:06:55] That's correct. [01:06:55] And that's important to us, or it's important to me, [01:06:59] because your intro was, I can be here as long as I want. [01:07:05] Because you don't have any place else to go. [01:07:07] Mr. Bell-Thomas and the mayor and I, on my first night in council in 2012, [01:07:13] spent four hours with the former city manager sitting up here, [01:07:18] going through everything, and telling us where we were going to be now, [01:07:22] then, and where we would be in 14. [01:07:25] So, I can tell you we're not spending four hours on this, [01:07:28] but I want to be clear about the time frame in which we are capsulizing [01:07:32] what your findings are, and then, obviously, [01:07:35] what the corrected steps are as we move forward. [01:07:39] Because it all plays into a number of things that we're looking at. [01:07:43] Yes. [01:07:44] Thank you. [01:07:44] That is the period. [01:07:45] Okay. [01:07:46] I'm sorry, if you would clarify, you said five of them were prior to last year, [01:07:50] so the year that we're looking at is October 1st, 2013, to September 30th, 2014. [01:07:57] That's the year that we're looking at? [01:07:59] Yes. [01:07:59] Okay, and you said before that five journal entries were for previous years? [01:08:03] Yes. [01:08:04] And how many total, because I didn't catch that? [01:08:06] The total was 26. [01:08:09] Okay, so five of them were prior, and 21 of them were October 1st through 20. [01:08:13] Okay, thank you. [01:08:14] That's correct. [01:08:15] You know, prior period adjustments are infrequent in our practice. [01:08:30] They happen, mistakes sometimes are made, errors go undetected, and so they do occur, [01:08:39] but they are being emphasized in our audit reporting. [01:08:46] And so, you know, we don't necessarily need to, I don't think, [01:08:50] go through the nature of all 26 journal entries. [01:08:55] But these five material adjustments or corrections of prior periods, [01:09:00] I did think it would be worthwhile to take a couple minutes just to go [01:09:04] through the nature of what those errors were, because they are a little unusual in nature. [01:09:13] The first prior period related to the value of the Baptist Church property [01:09:19] that was purchased several years ago, and it was reduced to net realizable value, [01:09:25] and that's in accordance with the city's policy, as well as GASB concepts number six. [01:09:32] In addition, River Road was also reduced in value. [01:09:38] The third entry was two properties, the Hacienda Hotel and River Road, [01:09:44] were actually recorded as a capital asset at the government-wide, which was not proper [01:09:53] because their properties held for resale, so they were recorded in the CRA fund. [01:10:01] And then there were several adjustments in regards to the water and sewer fund. [01:10:06] First, the city incorrectly, in fiscal year ending September 30th, 2013, [01:10:15] posted a journal entry that represented a significant misrepresentation of the transaction. [01:10:22] In essence, the entry was posted backwards. [01:10:26] Also, in prior fiscal year, the city overbilled one of its bulk water customers, [01:10:33] and then finally they overstated a liability in fiscal year 2013. [01:10:38] So those are the prior period adjustments, and they're also denoted in the CAFR in note P. [01:10:46] They were also, I think the water and sewer ones, they were also noted in the comments [01:10:52] in that audit of 13, is that correct? [01:10:57] From what I was... [01:11:00] Yes, and I'm going to go over where the resolution... [01:11:04] Because I think the three water ones you mentioned were, because I went back and looked at them. [01:11:08] Yes, one escalated, one was resolved in the current year, the one escalated to not a deficiency [01:11:15] but a material weakness because it was done incorrectly. [01:11:19] And the third entry, I believe, was partially corrected, but that was a reconciliation. [01:11:27] We were notified by the audit in 13, it just wasn't handled in 13 or early 14? [01:11:34] One was resolved, one was partially resolved, and one became worse. [01:11:40] Okay. [01:11:42] The next item in the letter is captioned disagreements with management. [01:11:51] We had no disagreements with city management. [01:11:55] All issues that came up in the course of the engagement were resolved, [01:12:01] mutually agreed to between the city and Mayor Hoffman and Kan. [01:12:07] Management representation letter is a standard part of any audit engagement, [01:12:12] which we received, again, from the city, which represents to us the city's responsibilities [01:12:20] that they are taking and attesting to the fact that they have answered all of the questions [01:12:27] and all of our requests for information. [01:12:29] The next one is management consultations with other independent auditors. [01:12:36] The reason for this communication typically is to identify that there were no second opinions [01:12:44] of any type that occurred during the course of the engagement. [01:12:48] We did add in here that although there isn't necessarily a second opinion from another CPA firm, [01:12:57] there is a CPA firm, Carl Riggs and Ingram, that works with the city and worked with the city [01:13:06] and the city's management to assist them with preparing the financial statements and the books [01:13:14] and records and making certain adjustments. [01:13:17] They were involved in certain consultations and concurring with the approaches that were taken. [01:13:25] I want to let it be known, too, they are the ones that did the audit in 13. [01:13:32] They did, yes. [01:13:39] Other matters, we're just talking here about responsibility [01:13:45] over required supplementary information that's in the financial statements, management discussion [01:13:51] and analysis and some of the other supporting information that's in the financial statements. [01:13:57] Just to clarify that we did not fully audit all of that information. [01:14:03] We're not required to. [01:14:04] Those are management's assertions. [01:14:07] We do look for consistency within the financial statements and within the CAFR [01:14:12] from one section to another, but our opinion is limited to the financial statements themselves. [01:14:20] That concludes the first letter. [01:14:30] Seeing no questions, the next item is our independent auditor's report. [01:14:36] This is our report on the fairness of the presentation of the CAFR, of the financial statements. [01:14:44] The first paragraph or second paragraph and the third paragraph are, again, [01:14:49] delineating the responsibility to the financial statements as to management being responsible [01:14:57] for a fair presentation of the financial statements. [01:15:00] and the content of the financial statements. And our responsibility is to [01:15:04] express an opinion on the financial statement as to their fairness and that [01:15:09] they are not, that they're free of a material misstatement. The last [01:15:18] paragraph in the opinion I thought was one that I wanted to bring a little [01:15:25] attention to, and it talks about risk assessment. And that's a standard [01:15:30] practice that auditors use in determining which areas of the [01:15:35] engagement we're going to focus on a little harder and which areas have [01:15:40] inherently less risk and will therefore require less attention. And as [01:15:50] adjustments are required as misstatements and errors arise during [01:15:56] the course of our engagement, it causes us to reassess risk and the risk of a [01:16:03] material misstatement and it results in a higher risk assessment. And in response [01:16:12] to the higher risk assessment, it requires us as the auditors to audit [01:16:18] more. The more you find, the more you need to look at. And so that is [01:16:26] really the nature of what caused us to expand procedures, to take more time, to [01:16:35] get extensions, and resulted in some of the delays in getting the audit [01:16:42] completed. When did you actually show up on campus? Fieldwork, start? I think we [01:16:55] initially possibly came out in December and we pulled out and then we came out [01:17:04] again in January and we pulled out again because we didn't have enough [01:17:08] information. Information to work. When did you come and you stayed? Well, [01:17:17] really the heaviest work was in June and July. All right, thanks. The next paragraph of [01:17:28] the auditor's report is labeled emphasis of matter. This again is referring to the [01:17:35] prior period adjustments that are detailed in note P. These are again [01:17:42] material errors that were discovered that have been corrected and as a result [01:17:48] of them being corrected, our opinion is not modified. This is a clean opinion, [01:17:56] unmodified opinion. And in the opinion paragraph that follows, we do say that [01:18:02] the financial statements fairly present in all material respects. So as of [01:18:07] September 30th, 2014, we have attested to the fair presentation of these financial [01:18:15] statements. Now the next few paragraphs really just involve the responsibility [01:18:27] over the required supplementary information, the other schedules that [01:18:31] are included in the CAFR and I don't know that it really requires much [01:18:36] additional explanation. I do want to touch on the last paragraph of the [01:18:41] report which refers to our report on internal control over financial [01:18:48] reporting. This is the report where we are reporting the deficiencies in [01:18:58] internal control that were discovered. Mr. McCain, I'm sorry, where are we in [01:19:04] our book? Page 136, purpose of the report, last page. Is that correct? But he's [01:19:11] referring to also to 139, the findings on the financial reporting. Right, I'm just [01:19:18] moving, I'm just finishing the tab 2, which was the independent [01:19:25] auditor's report. So you're referring to the last paragraph, you're talking about the [01:19:30] paragraph on page 3 of that tab 2? Yes. Thank you. And that paragraph is [01:19:39] referring to the report that is the next tab, which is tab 3. It has page number [01:19:46] 135 at the bottom. This is our report on internal control over [01:19:51] financial reporting. And we start out by reminding the users that we don't [01:20:00] audit internal control per se. We look at internal control as a part of [01:20:06] completing our audit. We need to understand the internal controls of the [01:20:12] entity that we're auditing, in this case the city, and we need to understand those [01:20:19] internal controls only enough so that we could complete our audit procedures. [01:20:24] So in performing our audit engagement, certain matters will come to our [01:20:29] attention that where we will notice deficiencies in those internal controls. [01:20:35] It's not something that we are specifically auditing for, but these are [01:20:40] items that come to our attention in the course of performing our audit. Those [01:20:45] deficiencies that we discover, that we make note of, are categorized in two [01:20:52] different types of control deficiency. One is referred to as a material [01:20:58] weakness, the other is a significant deficiency. This is standard [01:21:03] terminology throughout our profession. A material weakness is a deficiency or [01:21:11] combination of deficiencies in the internal control such that there's a [01:21:16] reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the financial statements [01:21:20] will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. So where we [01:21:28] are referring in this report to a material weakness, we are referring to a [01:21:35] control deficiency that was not prevented by the control environment, nor [01:21:41] was it detected and corrected on a timely basis. The significant deficiency is [01:21:49] similar to the material weakness, but it's considered less severe. At the end [01:22:02] of our report, you'll find the schedule of findings and responses. The findings [01:22:07] are broken down into the condition, the criteria that was not met, the cause of [01:22:15] the condition that was discovered, and the effect and our recommendation. That [01:22:22] is then followed by a management response. This is written by the [01:22:29] finance department of the city. We don't audit their response. We don't [01:22:35] concur or not concur with their response. It's simply their response. And [01:22:42] that's stated in the conclusion of our report. So what we are intending now is [01:22:51] to pursue to, I think, briefly touch upon the control deficiencies and the [01:22:57] findings and responses. These are on, it says, page 137. [01:23:05] The first finding we consider to be a significant deficiency in regards to a [01:23:10] cash account balance. The city had a cash account specifically for red light [01:23:15] camera citations, which was not recorded on the general ledger. During the year [01:23:21] it has approximately $1.2 million of activity. Now, they're initially [01:23:28] deposited in this unrecorded cash account and then transferred to an [01:23:34] account in the city's name that is recorded on the general ledger. So in [01:23:40] essence, the net cash balance is not recorded on the city's general ledger. [01:23:47] And we're recommending that all cash accounts in the city's name be recorded [01:23:52] on your books. The second finding is the debt covenants. And during the [01:24:00] course of the audit, the city was not monitoring its compliance with debt [01:24:04] covenants. And this could, obviously, you could not be in compliance with [01:24:10] debt covenants. We did receive the debt covenant calculation sometime in [01:24:16] July and the city was in compliance. But going forward, we're recommending [01:24:21] the city monitor that on a yearly basis. The next finding is in regards to the [01:24:30] bank reconciliations. When we reviewed the bank reconciliations at year end, [01:24:35] there were several items, reconciling items in there that were over a year [01:24:39] old and or weren't being handled properly. They were, for instance, if an [01:24:48] individual didn't know where to record the deposit, they would record it in [01:24:52] the suspense account. So we also concluded that there wasn't proper [01:24:57] review of the bank reconciliation. So going forward, we're recommending that [01:25:04] the bank reconciliations be properly reviewed and approved. The next finding [01:25:12] is the review of the journal entries. And we do consider this to be a material [01:25:16] weakness. As a result of the audit, we saw several entries that were identified [01:25:25] that were posted incorrectly. Some related to prior period adjustments in [01:25:30] regards to the water and sewer. And then there were several others that were [01:25:34] incorrect in the current year. So journal entries, whether non-routine or [01:25:39] routine, should be reviewed by someone other than the preparer. So we're [01:25:44] recommending going forward that be done. On page 139, the finding number five is [01:25:55] the financial reporting, which we do consider to be a material weakness. We [01:26:04] noted that internal controls were not in place to prevent, detect, or correct [01:26:08] errors that did impact the accuracy of financial results. As a result, as we've [01:26:14] discussed, there were several prior period adjustments as well as current [01:26:18] period adjustments being made. Additionally, the closing process resulted [01:26:23] in several post-closing entries and the preparation of the CAFR was not [01:26:29] completed for 10 months after year end. We are recommending going forward that [01:26:35] sufficient procedures be put in place to allow for the proper monitoring of [01:26:40] reconciliation and review of all account balances in a timely basis. And that [01:26:46] there be adequate supervision and review put in place by management to help [01:26:52] prevent this going forward. Finding 2014-06 is the investment policy. The [01:27:02] city, we are required, and I'll go over that report under tab six later, this [01:27:08] year by the rules of the auditor general to review the investment policy to [01:27:12] ensure that the city is in compliance with its investment policy and the city [01:27:16] is not in compliance, nor is it monitoring its compliance with the [01:27:20] investment policy. On page 140, the reconciliation of fund balance, we [01:27:30] consider this to be a significant deficiency. As a result of the audit, it [01:27:36] was identified that the beginning fund balance for the water and the sewer fund [01:27:41] did not reconcile to prior audited ending fund balance. The city was unable [01:27:48] to determine why fund balance did not reconcile, so we're recommending going [01:27:54] forward that the finance department perform a timely review to ensure that [01:27:58] does not occur going forward. Finding 2014-08 is in regards to the prior period [01:28:08] adjustment, which I discussed previously. And this particular one is, I believe, [01:28:16] the Baptist property, where we reduced the value to net realizable value. On [01:28:27] the next page, 2014-09, also relates to the redevelopment fund properties, [01:28:35] reducing one, River Road, to the proper value and then moving River Road and [01:28:42] Hacienda Hotel into the CRA fund because they were recognized as capital [01:28:46] assets when, in fact, they weren't capital assets. And finding 2014-10, it's [01:28:53] also a material weakness and that is in regards to the water and sewer fund [01:28:59] prior period adjustments that I referred to earlier. [01:29:03] Were those the ones that were done backwards? [01:29:07] Yes, one part of that, yes, the General Entry was posted incorrectly, yes, [01:29:13] and backwards. [01:29:20] Tab 4 is our report that we're required to report to the Auditor General of [01:29:28] the State of Florida. The first three paragraphs refer to the reports that [01:29:33] David already alluded to. Prior audit findings were required to respond and [01:29:41] last year there were three deficiencies, meaning they were reported in the [01:29:45] management letter. The first one was the delinquent utility customer turnoff [01:29:50] procedures and we have concluded that that has been completely addressed. The [01:29:56] second management letter comment in the prior year related to the [01:30:00] customer receivable reconciliation, we have concluded that this has been [01:30:04] partially addressed, meaning that the reconciliation is being done, however, [01:30:10] it's not being done timely or consistently and the differences are not [01:30:15] being booked to the general ledger. Prior to your comment in regards to the [01:30:20] water and sewer fund calculation of the wholesale customer monthly billings [01:30:25] escalated from a management letter comment or deficiency into a material [01:30:30] weakness and was a prior period adjustment. On the next page... [01:30:39] I'm using reference of the last year's book. Can you just quickly tell me [01:30:43] which one was which? Which one did they satisfy? [01:30:46] The delinquent utility customer turnoff procedures. [01:30:52] Okay. That was completely addressed. Okay. So then the customer receivable [01:30:59] reconciliation, that's partially? Partially. They are performing that. [01:31:06] It's not always consistent or timely. Would you say that one would be a [01:31:11] significant deficiency still? No, because if it was, that's not a [01:31:19] significant, I would say it would be a deficiency. Because they're performing [01:31:24] the reconciliation, just not booking it to the general ledger, the difference. [01:31:31] On page 144, I really just wanted to point out here the annual financial [01:31:37] report. The auditor general requires the auditors at the end of the year to [01:31:42] agree the City of New Port Richey's final general ledger to your CAFR. [01:31:48] That wasn't able to be performed at July 31st. However, it was performed on [01:31:55] August 14th, and that is noted on page 5, where there was an addendum that [01:32:01] was sent to the auditor general to know that the city has complied with that. [01:32:07] On page 145, there are some additional findings and recommendations that I [01:32:15] was briefly going to go over. The first one is in regards to off-duty [01:32:22] billings. During the course of the audit, we noted that off-duty billings, [01:32:27] which are generally security services performed by off-duty officers for [01:32:32] certain companies or events within the city, weren't being followed up for [01:32:36] collection and outstanding balances that were due to the city. We're [01:32:41] recommending going forward that the city should implement some procedures to [01:32:46] ensure for the timely follow-up for the collection of these [01:32:50] billings. We also noted on the capital improvement projects... [01:32:56] Do you remember any kind of numbers for that? Obviously, we've gone through a [01:33:02] whole issue over eight years of non-collectible code enforcement with [01:33:09] interests on top of interest on top of interest. Obviously, this is for [01:33:14] services that were obligated for under some decision we made up here, and then [01:33:19] it wasn't collected. Is it five figures? I don't remember the off-duty [01:33:28] billing. I don't think that actually we did. I think in December, my senior did [01:33:34] that. I don't remember the number. I'd like an accounting of that. I'd like to [01:33:39] know who we provided service to that hasn't paid us. Please, [01:33:47] thank you. The second comment recommendation is in regards to close [01:33:57] out of capital improvement projects. We did note that the city was closing out [01:34:01] their capital improvement projects prior to completion. We are recommending [01:34:06] going forward that the finance department communicate with other [01:34:09] departments within the city and not close out the projects until they're [01:34:13] substantially complete. The next comment is in regards to the utility rates billed. [01:34:19] We did note that the utility rates were being under billed by one cent. While [01:34:24] that's immaterial, we did note that it's just less revenue for the city. The next [01:34:29] comment related to inconsistent rates between the ordinance and billing system. [01:34:34] We did note that the current ordinance is not consistent with the amounts that [01:34:38] were billed during the fiscal year 2014. I do believe this comment has been [01:34:43] addressed already by the city. The next recommendation is in regards to code [01:34:49] enforcement duties. We know that the city is not following up with code [01:34:54] enforcement policies to collect non-compliance fine during the year. [01:34:59] The city should enforce compliance with code enforcement policies and [01:35:04] procedures and make all efforts to collect any monies due to the city. [01:35:09] Let me ask you a question there. Obviously we've given authorization to our finance [01:35:14] department city manager to create an amnesty element so that, because some of [01:35:21] these charges go back well beyond your audit period, I think in some cases it [01:35:31] was characterized as there might be a few of these, I don't know how many, I [01:35:35] don't know what the word few means, they may go back as far as seven or eight [01:35:39] years. So if we do come to an understanding and a payment, we're going [01:35:45] to have an off, we're going to have a book adjustment, correct? [01:35:49] We're going to have a financial statement adjustment that says we're [01:35:52] writing off $100,000 in compounded interest that was charged [01:36:02] onto a fine that wasn't collected in a timely fashion. Is that a fair [01:36:07] assessment? Correct, yes you can make an analysis. So next year, because you're not going to be [01:36:13] doing our audit, because you're not going to be in the business, you're [01:36:17] phasing out of that type of service platform, so next year we could possibly [01:36:24] see either a material or a weakness or whatever, or we're going to see [01:36:30] a write-off of some of these in our financial [01:36:37] statement, is that? That's fair, they can analyze that and estimate what you [01:36:43] don't believe to be collectible. We gave them a year to collect the money, so. [01:36:46] Correct, understand. I just don't want us all to be surprised next year when there's a [01:36:53] write-off. I guess I want to make sure that my memory still is a year [01:36:57] from now that we gave this approval and there will be a book [01:37:02] entry that says we wrote off X and Y, so we'll get that back to some state of [01:37:09] normalcy, I guess. Go ahead, thank you. The next recommendation are special [01:37:16] assessments at the government-wide statements. The city had not recorded the [01:37:22] special assessments correctly at the government-wide statements. [01:37:28] Can you categorize that a little bit better? That's kind of a [01:37:33] government phrase and I'd like for it to be, you know, can you dumb it [01:37:37] down for me so I can understand what it covers? Certainly, at the fund level you would only record a [01:37:42] receivable if you receive it generally within your availability criteria, which [01:37:47] would be 60 days after year-end. And if not, it would be deferred revenue because [01:37:52] the city hasn't earned that. Okay. At the ND-wide, it's full accrual, so you would [01:38:00] analyze that deferred revenue and if you believe all that's collectible, it would [01:38:06] be shown as revenue at the ND-wide. And there was no analysis of that. [01:38:18] The next recommendation is the city does not accrue for unbilled water and [01:38:25] sewer retail revenues. As we know, water and sewer charges are generally delayed [01:38:33] one month or two months. I think in the city of Newport-Ridgey, it's one month. [01:38:37] Generally speaking, you would have an accrual related to the unbilled retail [01:38:43] revenues. Is that an accrual adjustment? Yes, correct. Okay, all right, because [01:38:50] obviously we can't pre-bill a customer for something they haven't consumed. Is [01:38:53] that a... Correct. It's an estimate because usually you get your water bill in the [01:38:58] month of, let's say, for September or sometime in October, so you'd estimate [01:39:03] that it'd be unbilled. Correct. Okay, all right, thanks. The next comment is in regards to the [01:39:11] reconciliation of accounts receivable and revenue. During the testing of [01:39:16] governmental receivables and revenues, there were several adjustments and [01:39:24] reconciliation items that caused these adjustments and the city should enhance [01:39:30] its internal controls over this process. The next six comments relate to the IT [01:39:39] system. I was not going to go over in detail that those comments. Our firm does [01:39:45] contract out with Scenera and we had provided these comments to the IT [01:39:52] department very early on in the audit. [01:39:57] This would be partially addressed by the new computer system that we've [01:40:03] obligated to bring online, would it? I'm just trying, trying, obviously there was a [01:40:09] book entry that we've, that we've invested in putting in new computers. We, [01:40:14] we, let's put it this way. We're, we're not unaware and did not and, and, and had [01:40:20] recognized a couple of years ago that the, the internal processes of the city [01:40:28] weren't, I don't want to say, I don't want to put this kindly, Mayor, they, they, they, [01:40:34] they weren't, they, they didn't make the millennium turn. We're still working off [01:40:39] Excel documents and doing all this, so I don't want to be summarily dismissive of [01:40:43] the finance, of the finance area, but I also want to indicate that they really [01:40:48] don't have up-to-date tools and you can make any assessment you want through [01:40:52] this and I'm just trying to say that because of what steps we have taken in [01:40:57] trying to implement this new system, which isn't here today, which is going to [01:41:02] create elements of itself, but I think it addresses quite a few of the elements [01:41:08] here, in here, and I, and I know you didn't go into great depth, you just [01:41:11] highlighted them for our, for our knowledge. I'm just trying to make sure [01:41:15] that it, it clearly states that we have tried to make a few steps here. Yeah, no, I [01:41:20] agree. I know the new system isn't in place yet. Generally, when you, you come [01:41:25] in to do the audit for the first year, you're going to review IT. In tab, on tab [01:41:35] five, I, I referred to this earlier where we weren't able to agree your general [01:41:39] ledger into the final CAFR, but this was resolved and sent to the auditor [01:41:45] general. Finally, on tab... Do we have any kind of, do we have any kind of response [01:41:51] back from August the 14th at this point that says that we're in compliance? [01:41:56] Because you said we, you said we finally got it done, right? Yes, you got it done. [01:42:00] I'm not sure if Marilyn Rossetti responded to you that she received this. [01:42:05] Okay. On tab six, it's page 151. This was a new audit report required this year by [01:42:15] the auditor general, which I referred to earlier, where we need to look at your [01:42:19] investment policy to ensure you were in compliance with it. Your investment [01:42:24] policy, you were not in compliance, so this report is qualified. It is not a clean [01:42:29] opinion, and we indicated that you were not in compliance with your investment [01:42:34] policy. Do you have a sense throughout the state of Florida, since this is a new [01:42:38] policy and a lot of things that they do up there are unfunded mandates back to [01:42:42] us, telling us how to, how to run our business when they, when they can't even [01:42:46] balance their pension funds? And I, and I'm making an assessment. My question is [01:42:51] they're telling us how to do it. You're telling us we're not in compliance on [01:42:55] what they came out. I'm just trying to get a sense if, if we stand alone in not [01:42:59] being in compliance, or if you have found across the board, or at your, at [01:43:04] your, at your CPA functions, you have that the comments been, boy, that was, that [01:43:11] was an interesting thing that the auditor general did, and it really has [01:43:14] placed cities in a, in a interesting, because we have it, and the reason I'm [01:43:19] leading into that is on September the 29th, we have an opportunity to go in [01:43:23] front of our legislative delegation and say, look, you know, if you're going to [01:43:28] roll this out, you know, you got to give some time for some compliance. You got to [01:43:32] get some, I don't care what it is, but you know, now we, now we have another [01:43:36] thing that talks about our, our, I just find it hard when somebody can't do [01:43:42] their own investments when they tell you how to do yours. I, I, and that's my [01:43:45] assessment, not yours. I'm not putting words in your mouth. I'm just saying that [01:43:49] I'm just trying to gauge statewide if this has been rolled out, if this has [01:43:53] been a hardship or created an element for other cities, that now we have to [01:43:59] incur additional costs or additional steps so that we are in compliance. I'm [01:44:04] just trying to make sure that we give proper direction moving forward, not only [01:44:08] to manager, but to finance, and that we know what that cost might be, because we [01:44:12] have till the end of the month to decide on what our budget is going to be for [01:44:15] next year. And this, all the auditor general is asking us to do is the [01:44:20] investment policy that the council approved, that the finance department or [01:44:28] someone that is monitoring that to make sure that what you approved, you're [01:44:34] investing that percentage in the, in each category of investments. So, that [01:44:41] said, they're not telling you, so all we're doing is looking at your [01:44:47] investment policy and making sure that you're, whatever city council said to [01:44:52] invest in, it's in compliance, and it's not in compliance. [01:44:58] So that, it's [01:45:00] Not being dictated, that's not being dictated. [01:45:03] Alright, so just so I'm clear, you're just telling us as a city, in your opinion, or the state, whoever, [01:45:09] that if as council we give direction to our finance department, we're going to invest this, this, this, in these categories, [01:45:15] that they follow up and make sure that we're doing that? [01:45:17] Correct. That's all you're doing? [01:45:18] That's correct. [01:45:19] Perfect, thank you. [01:45:20] Correct. [01:45:28] Is there any other questions? [01:45:29] That was the last tab. [01:45:30] We've completed our tabs. [01:45:32] Very good. [01:45:33] There's nothing else prepared, but we can respond to any questions we have. [01:45:38] As is our custom, I will open it up for anybody in the audience that has any questions. [01:45:46] Hearing none, I will bring it back to council. Any other questions, gentlemen? [01:45:52] Start on the north end. [01:45:54] No, I think we answered them along the way so we didn't have to try to keep track of where we might be [01:46:00] because of the six tabs and the information that we had to go along with the big book we got first and then the smaller one. [01:46:07] Just trying to capsulize everything. [01:46:10] It obviously goes back and deals with historical. [01:46:15] It predates some folks in our finance department. [01:46:18] It goes back years. [01:46:20] They have to own what's in here now. [01:46:22] We have to give proper direction on what items are here and how we're going to move forward. [01:46:28] Obviously, we understand where we are today and some of the directions we have. [01:46:35] I appreciate you taking the questions along the way. [01:46:38] I think at this point it would be appropriate for me to entertain a motion to accept the auditor's report. [01:46:45] Move to accept the auditor's report. [01:46:49] Second. [01:46:50] We have a second. [01:46:51] To the manager? [01:46:52] No, I've expressed my opinions through the process. [01:46:54] To the second. [01:46:55] Thank you. [01:46:58] I'm going to hold back on this one. [01:47:01] No comments. [01:47:03] Councilwoman? [01:47:06] Councilwoman? [01:47:09] No, in regards to what's on, what's open right now. [01:47:16] Councilman Davis? [01:47:18] I'd like to thank you for your diligence. [01:47:23] I'm very disappointed in our city, what you found. [01:47:27] We have a lot of work to do to straighten it out. [01:47:31] Especially since we're days away from the end of this fiscal year. [01:47:37] We're just getting the results of last year. [01:47:39] Thank you. [01:47:40] Councilman? [01:47:41] I'm horrible at accounting, but you did a very good job explaining this. [01:47:44] Are you comfortable giving me a grade A through F? [01:47:48] If you're not, that's fine. [01:47:49] I'm just trying to get a grasp here compared to where we should be, in your opinion, from the firm. [01:47:55] I'll let David answer that. [01:47:58] If you're not comfortable, that's fine. [01:48:03] Yeah, you know, I really kind of want to let the reports stand on their own merits. [01:48:10] Good enough. [01:48:11] Rather than trying to assess a grade. [01:48:13] Thank you. [01:48:14] Thank you. [01:48:16] I do have a bit of an accounting background, and this one's ugly. [01:48:22] The pleasure of sitting in the audit committee meeting went over some of this stuff in a little more detail. [01:48:33] Ms. Mantz, speaking for myself, at least, I want to make sure that we give you whatever resources you need to get this fixed. [01:48:43] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [01:48:44] I will do so. [01:48:47] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:48:51] Aye. [01:48:52] Opposed, like sign. [01:48:53] Let's take about a five-minute break. [01:48:56] We'll reconvene right about 9 o'clock, and we'll get the balance of this stuff on the agenda. [01:49:00] Thank you. [01:49:06] Deputy Mayor, with your acquiescence, we will bring this particular item on the proposed ordinance 2015-2024 back off the floor [01:49:18] and discuss it now that we've got a copy of it in front of us. [01:49:22] Mr. Pavlik, would you care to run through this one more time? [01:49:26] Certainly. [01:49:27] In a, I guess, kind of the boiled-down version, what this is seeking to do is to put a complete moratorium on any permitting [01:49:35] or processing of any applications for the uses that I had read in the title. [01:49:41] Staff is proposing a six-month moratorium to give staff time to analyze the different zoning districts [01:49:52] and everything related to these uses to try and figure out how to best regulate these. [01:49:58] Have you corrected this for the other changes that you were going to make? [01:50:01] Yes, I did. [01:50:02] This is reflective of the changes that I read through. [01:50:05] You're going to ask for public comment? [01:50:06] Yes, I am going to ask again for public comment. [01:50:08] So what will happen at the end, and I fully anticipate that we'll bring this back before the 180 days expires [01:50:15] with recommendations to be adopted. [01:50:19] In the event that the 180 days gets here and staff hasn't brought anything, this will automatically expire. [01:50:27] But I anticipate it will be brought back well in advance of that 180-day mark. [01:50:31] Move for approval of the ordinance. [01:50:32] Second. [01:50:33] Open up for public comment. [01:50:36] We did, but we'll ask again just in case. [01:50:40] Seeing none, closed public comment. [01:50:42] We've got a motion. [01:50:43] We've got a second to the maker. [01:50:45] Yes. [01:50:48] The more time I spend up there, the more time it's like deja vu because in 1993 and 1994, [01:50:56] we spent a great deal of time with some adult use elements. [01:51:01] I will tell you that we need to be very introspective. [01:51:09] We need to be very site specific, and we need to make sure that we get this right the first time [01:51:16] because there are elements that open you up to a lot of different moving parts. [01:51:21] So I appreciate staff and everybody calling this time out or putting this into place. [01:51:27] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [01:51:28] Thank you. [01:51:29] A second? [01:51:30] I agree. [01:51:31] I think it's a great time out, and we have a vision for our city, [01:51:33] and we've got to make sure that we're going in the direction of our vision, as our vision, excuse me. [01:51:39] Councilwoman? [01:51:40] Yes, I appreciate you doing this as well. [01:51:42] My concern is itemizing what you have done, is there like a catch-all that can kind of catch all of it? [01:51:51] Because who knows what all? [01:51:53] No, we really can't do something that broad. [01:51:55] We need to specify what we're wanting to place a moratorium on, [01:52:01] and I anticipate should something come up that we hadn't thought of, [01:52:04] and then we're like, hey, we don't have anything in the code that covers this, [01:52:07] I'm going to be probably bringing something else to you guys for that. [01:52:11] Okay, and then I'm sure because of the quickness of it, but the cultivation, I'm sure it's just a typo. [01:52:17] Yes, it is. [01:52:18] As right as you say it, I notice that that spelling error will be corrected. [01:52:22] Okay, great. [01:52:24] Councilman Davis? [01:52:25] I just have a question about this methods of enforcement. [01:52:28] Is there somebody out there that we're looking for right now? [01:52:31] No. [01:52:32] Okay. [01:52:33] This is just in case somebody tries to sneak in and open up something without going through the normal process. [01:52:38] Or in addition to an existing business, would that also be included? [01:52:41] That would cover it if they changed or modified the use of that business. [01:52:44] But there's nobody in mind with regards to that. [01:52:48] All right, thank you. [01:52:50] It reminds me of one shopping center that I think at one point, at least in the past, [01:52:56] had a day labor operation, a check cashing store, a liquor store, and a massage parlor all in the same. [01:53:02] And you didn't call me and tell me where that was? [01:53:05] It was like one-stop shopping. [01:53:08] I think it's appropriate we take a look at this and see how it matches our code. [01:53:15] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, [01:53:19] please signify by saying aye. [01:53:20] Aye. [01:53:21] Opposed, blank sign. [01:53:23] Motion passes 5-0 on first reading. [01:53:26] Next item is an addendum to the city manager agreement. [01:53:31] Who would like to take that? [01:53:33] I'll go ahead and take that. [01:53:34] The city manager is requesting an addendum to the employment agreement, [01:53:38] which would allow for a one-time lump sum payout of unused annual leave. [01:53:43] What you have also before you is a copy of the current employment agreement, [01:53:49] as well as the proposed addendum. [01:53:52] I had given you a revised addendum that added another sentence just to further clarify. [01:53:58] The one that I gave you this evening adds the sentence, [01:54:01] the total number of hours utilized for the payout shall be deducted from the employee's annual leave balance. [01:54:07] This is envisioned to be a one-time payout of the unused annual leave. [01:54:13] The current agreement already provides that the city manager is entitled to 100 percent payout of unused annual leave, [01:54:19] so there is no additional financial impact. [01:54:22] Very good. [01:54:23] Open it up for public comment. [01:54:25] Seeing none, bring it back to council. [01:54:27] Move for approval. [01:54:28] Second. [01:54:29] We have a motion and a second. [01:54:30] Nothing. [01:54:31] Second. [01:54:32] Whichever one of you it was. [01:54:33] Is it time? [01:54:34] Judy's claiming it. [01:54:35] Thank you. [01:54:36] Okay. [01:54:40] No comment. [01:54:41] No. [01:54:42] Councilman Starkey, any comments? [01:54:44] Deputy Mayor. [01:54:45] Yeah, I just want to add. [01:54:46] I appreciate Mr. Poblek adding that other sentence. [01:54:48] I did ask him to kind of bring it. [01:54:50] I wanted to make sure that there was clarity if it was used, how it works at the end, [01:54:56] because of past history on what we ran into with our former city manager, [01:55:02] and not putting her in that category at all. [01:55:05] I just wanted it to be clear in my own mind as to where it was. [01:55:09] Okay? [01:55:10] Thank you. [01:55:11] Thank you. [01:55:12] I've got no problem with this. [01:55:15] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:55:19] Aye. [01:55:20] Opposed? [01:55:21] The like sign. [01:55:24] On the time, Deputy Mayor, we have a three-minute report from Economic Development. [01:55:29] Oh, wait a minute. [01:55:31] Let me get it to the right place. [01:55:33] One minute. [01:55:35] One minute. [01:55:36] Zero. [01:55:37] We're done. [01:55:38] Thank you very much. [01:55:39] Sorry. [01:55:42] You're on. [01:55:43] Of somebody that wants a three-minute. [01:55:45] Let's do the talk. [01:55:46] I wasn't going to paint myself with that same brush, but I tried. [01:55:50] I'm just going to let the clock take care of it. [01:55:53] Basically, the grant program is rolling along. [01:55:57] Obviously, there's some things that would like to work out here, [01:55:59] but we actually have five businesses we've heard in regard to that. [01:56:04] What's really been nice about the grant program is the fact that they're – [01:56:07] my concern is that the realtors have picked up on it and realized that it's a benefit. [01:56:13] Really kind of when they're looking at different properties they have as entrepreneurs, [01:56:17] they know that that program is in place, [01:56:19] which has been a benefit to opening up the realtor supply chain back to the town again. [01:56:24] That was really important. [01:56:26] Real value of the grant program also was the fact that some of these business owners [01:56:32] that are leasing properties are now looking at buying those properties. [01:56:36] We have one specific business downtown in a specific way that acquired the property [01:56:40] that they were leasing in. [01:56:41] Now we're anchoring the business owner to the property that they own in town. [01:56:45] We've had two situations where that occurred. [01:56:49] That's a big benefit. [01:56:51] Seeing a really elevated – my phone's ringing all the time. [01:56:55] People from large franchise organizations all the way down to individuals looking at small businesses [01:57:01] are calling in, coming in, talking to us. [01:57:03] There's generally a really strong interest in being involved. [01:57:07] Thanks to the confidence that these individuals have in the city and its brand, [01:57:12] the conversation has dramatically changed. [01:57:14] We're generally excited about that. [01:57:17] A couple of other minor things here. [01:57:19] We've been working really hard on the old applicant insight property. [01:57:23] That has since sold. [01:57:25] We've been working with the realtor in regard to that. [01:57:28] The prospect of a business moving in there and consolidating in there. [01:57:32] It's kind of nice that we're going to be able to get that property up and running. [01:57:35] All we know is from the property records is that the closing did occur. [01:57:38] We hope to hear some more good information in regard to that. [01:57:41] We think we have a good idea as to what that is. [01:57:44] We're really excited about bringing another large employer down there [01:57:47] into the Marine District like Applicant Insight there. [01:57:51] That's actually 5803 High Street and School Road. [01:57:55] There's 14,000 square foot there. [01:57:57] That program was instrumental in helping get that deal closed down there. [01:58:03] The Magnuson sold. [01:58:05] We met with the developers down there. [01:58:07] I had a really great meeting with them. [01:58:09] Really positive feeling, good vibe. [01:58:12] They've been in the hotel business since 1972. [01:58:15] In fact, they originally built the Quality Inn that was here in town. [01:58:18] They bought and sold several properties. [01:58:20] When I was there, they were just simply thinking about what they were going to do with that property. [01:58:24] They seem to be a really good group and good organization. [01:58:28] I'm excited to see what plans come forward in the future in regard to that. [01:58:32] Just a lot of good things. [01:58:36] The deals are happening so fast, I can't keep track of them anymore. [01:58:40] There's seven things on the table right now that may come to fruition. [01:58:44] Rose is obviously one of them. [01:58:46] The Bistro is really excited about that. [01:58:48] We have quite a number of things that might happen within the next couple of months [01:58:52] that should be interesting to our downtown. [01:58:54] The Main Street Landing contracts, we're working closely with the attorney on trying to detail those [01:59:00] and make sure that those contracts are appropriate. [01:59:03] We're in constant conversation with McGurn and the city manager in regard to those proceeding along. [01:59:09] The last thing here is that the business incubator is... [01:59:13] I tried to park down there today. [01:59:15] I don't know what kind of issues you're having down there, Mr. Mayor. [01:59:17] There's an awful lot of activity down in that corner. [01:59:21] We're excited about the activity. [01:59:24] There's going to be a class that's going to be happening that PEDC sold out. [01:59:30] It's called the Co-Starters Program. [01:59:34] It's an interesting program we're going to be able to provide to entrepreneurs [01:59:37] looking to start businesses over a nine-week course. [01:59:40] It's a program they're doing county-wide, so in the fall they're going to be doing that. [01:59:43] They had 18 applicants that went over in Odessa and they couldn't handle any more people. [01:59:49] We have a lot... [01:59:53] The neat thing about the incubator, I like to call it the community crossroads for entrepreneurs. [02:00:00] As you know, we have several different groups that meet there all the time and it's become [02:00:03] a really good facility in exchange of ideas and we're happy to continue to try to facilitate [02:00:09] how we can make that facility operate better. [02:00:12] Thank you. [02:00:13] Thank you. [02:00:14] And you're right, the parking has gotten noticeably busier. [02:00:17] As you all will recall, back about the first of the year, maybe before that, I was telling [02:00:23] everybody we need to start looking at that Swanson lot and making sure that we had enough [02:00:30] space available for the businesses down there. [02:00:33] That has really become true. [02:00:37] The alley is staying packed continuously, especially now that Hess Chiropractic has [02:00:43] moved into the Roscoe building. [02:00:47] It's gotten very busy. [02:00:50] Anything with the Leverocks purchase? [02:00:53] No, I expect that to take a while, largely due to the fact that that entrepreneur has [02:00:58] several businesses all throughout the Tampa Bay area. [02:01:03] In those original discussions, I think it was quite clear that there's going to be a [02:01:06] permitting process. [02:01:07] They do want to put more boat slips there and that's with the county. [02:01:11] The nice thing is they've kind of cleaned up their property and cut the trees down and [02:01:15] kind of coordinated off. [02:01:16] Yeah, there's kind of a sign out there, but I keep trying to find that. [02:01:22] I know that business owner can run into it and get an idea of what's going on and I've [02:01:26] tried to pursue that a couple of times to see what their plan is and agenda there. [02:01:31] I think the Magnuson selling should make it interesting in terms of what the Leverocks [02:01:36] does because those are two development groups in there that have branded hotels. [02:01:44] I think if they kind of ramp up, I don't know whether they're going to take the building [02:01:47] down or do something, but I did have a meeting with the owner and we had a great discussion [02:01:53] and they were just contemplating what they're doing. [02:01:54] So I think hopefully what they do there might be a benefit to the Leverocks and help them [02:01:59] move along a little bit faster. [02:02:02] Great. [02:02:03] A three minute report on development, Ms. Fierce. [02:02:07] I have to say I'm a little right brained out, too much analytical stuff going on, so I did [02:02:13] something a little more creative that I'm hoping can be like a general education tool [02:02:17] for the public about what we do in the development department. [02:02:25] Welcome to the City of New Port Richey's Department of Development, where we are all about the [02:02:31] quality of life for our corporate citizens and our residents while offering great customer [02:02:38] service. [02:02:41] The department fulfills its mission through the work of its three divisions. [02:02:47] There are eight staff members that carry out the goals and the objectives of the department [02:02:53] each and every day. [02:02:57] The building division is where you go if you are seeking a permit, but it's much more than [02:03:04] just about construction. [02:03:09] The building division provides a range of services including customer service, construction [02:03:16] plan review for compliance with state and local codes, as well as inspection services. [02:03:28] The division strives to ensure public safety while requiring the removal of slum and blighted [02:03:34] properties. [02:03:37] The planning and zoning division is committed to helping the city grow while protecting [02:03:43] its livability and promoting higher standards. [02:03:51] Staff members provide a complete array of planning services from reviewing development [02:03:57] application to ordinance writing to creating long-term plans to help shape the future of [02:04:07] the city. [02:04:10] If you're looking to make changes to your resident or your business, chances are you [02:04:18] will end up chatting with one of our senior planners. [02:04:23] The redevelopment division offers grant assistance to those that are in need. [02:04:30] The program is developed for income-eligible property owners that would like to improve [02:04:34] their property and require financial help. [02:04:39] The development department is located in downtown New Port Richey on the first floor of City [02:04:43] Hall. [02:04:44] We hope that you will stop by and let us know how we can help you. [02:04:50] Thanks to Tyler who helped me do the narration stuff, because I had no idea what I was doing,

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11. 10.b

    Addendum to City Manager Employment Agreement

    discussed

    During discussion related to the City Manager item, the Mayor raised a constituent concern about State Farm/Tim Holloway's sign permit delay near Minuteman Press, asking the City Manager and staff to help resolve it. The City Manager confirmed he was aware and working on it.

    • direction:Mayor directed City Manager and staff (Mario, Lisa) to assist Tim Holloway in resolving the delayed sign permit issue. (none)

    🏢Minuteman Press🏢State Farm👤Councilman Starkey👤Lisa👤Mario👤Tim Holloway👤Tom

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    [02:05:00] but again, that's just a day's worth of work, so not too bad for that, but we'll help to [02:05:03] perfect it and put it on our web and give us a little friendly face to those people [02:05:08] who don't know who we are or what we do. [02:05:11] I know they feel like a fish in a fishbowl there, but I can tell you the thing that I [02:05:15] noticed in the last six weeks, eight weeks, just by opening those blinds, I mean it just, [02:05:21] you know, I know they feel like the information people at Disneyland sometimes, don't get [02:05:27] me wrong, but just by opening those windows when you come in and seeing that, it's just [02:05:33] those little things that really make a difference. [02:05:38] Thank you very much. [02:05:39] Any other questions for Tom? [02:05:41] I just want to, instead of save it for communications, because it has to put the two of you together [02:05:45] State Farm's been having a problem since January, and some of it's State Farm's problem [02:05:52] and some of it's our problems, so I think they're on the road now, there was a gap probably [02:06:00] from March to June or February to June, and it's a signed situation, and I just wondered [02:06:08] if Mario, you, and Lisa can get together, maybe help them with that sign and get it [02:06:15] moving along. [02:06:16] Which State Farm, will it be? [02:06:19] No, no, it's Tim Holloway, north on that plaza where Minuteman Press has been going. [02:06:31] Maybe Mario, you've got a couple dollars to help them with the sign, but it just shouldn't [02:06:34] have taken them nine months, and I think we're at fault and they're at fault. [02:06:43] Mr. Mayor, I am aware of the circumstance, I've already had conversation with Mr. Holliday, [02:06:48] I don't know where the fault lies, but we certainly are interested in helping him get [02:06:54] his sign. [02:06:55] Very good, thank you, I appreciate you letting us know when that ultimately happens. [02:07:03] We're now to the communications and reports part. [02:07:06] Councilman Starkey? [02:07:07] Oh, I don't have too much, being up here, sitting in our seats, I'm sure you all know, [02:07:13] it's a tough job sometimes, we hear a lot, at least I do, a lot of negativity for the [02:07:18] decision makers, and a lot of our residents just seem to have, you know, it's tough to [02:07:24] envision change, a lot of people, you know, just change is tough for them, you know. [02:07:29] I remember when I was in college, at the College of Business, one of the four cornerstones [02:07:33] of the College of Business at UCF back then was adapting to change. [02:07:36] Back then, I was 19, 20, I didn't really realize it, but today it's crystal clear, but for

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12. 10.c

    ↳You arrived here from a search for “Jason” — transcript expanded below

    Three-Minute Report: Economic Development

    discussed

    Council members gave economic development reports highlighting positive community feedback on downtown changes, excitement about the Hacienda Hotel renovation and a proposed public open house/tour, an upcoming Leggett and Platt job fair, ribbon cuttings for new downtown businesses, and PEDC activities including the search for a replacement for John Hagen.

    • direction:Council expressed desire to schedule a public open house / guided tours of the Hacienda Hotel for residents as soon as possible without holding up construction. (none)

    📍Circle Boulevard🏢Cornerstone Pizza🏢HMA🏢Hacienda Hotel🏢Jewish Community Center🏢Johnny Gritz🏢Leggett and Platt🏢Main Street🏢PEDC🏢Parks and Rec Department🏢Publix👤Jason👤Jeff👤Jerry👤John Hagen👤Mario👤Mr. Bender👤Mr. Laneford👤Rose👤Todd Jorgensen#50th anniversary of the hospital (October 3)#In Your Face Friday Challenge#Main Street 25-year anniversary (October 14)#Newport Richey Chat (Facebook page)#Night in the Tropics#PEDC legislative agenda#ecotourism amenities funding

    ▶ Jump to 2:07:40 in the video

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    [02:07:43] some reason, I've been on a roll at least personally, like the last two, three weeks, [02:07:46] I've received so much positive feedback regarding where the city's going, and you know, some [02:07:51] lady cornered me, and I won't mention any names, you all know her, but cornered me in [02:07:55] Publix one Sunday morning, and just basically, I was just trying to get in there and get [02:07:58] some stuff for lunch and get home, and she basically cornered me and said, what are you [02:08:02] doing shutting down Circle Boulevard, you're going to ruin our whole city, what are you [02:08:05] thinking, are you guys just stupid, and I'm like, no, I think it's going to be nice, give [02:08:09] it a chance. [02:08:10] You know, I saw her a week ago, she's like, I mean, it looks good, you guys are right, [02:08:12] not that we're always right, not that I'm always right, but you know, it's just good [02:08:16] to get positive feedback, and the last two or three weeks, I've just been getting it [02:08:19] over and over again, and you know, Mr. Laneford gave me kudos today, you know, I was very [02:08:23] nice of him, so, not just me, us, as a council, and it's, what I'm getting at is it's nice [02:08:27] to hear, you hear a lot of negativity, and people have a hard time envisioning things, [02:08:31] but the last few weeks have been going really well, so I hope it continues, and other than [02:08:37] that, I'm very, very excited about this open house at the Hacienda, like I said, Mario [02:08:42] knows, you know, I toured it with Mario so many times, he let me know Mr. Bender was [02:08:45] there, I got to go in there with Mr. Bender, and you know, this guy's a, he's a cool guy, [02:08:49] if you ask me, he's a very, very, he's very good at what he does, he's passionate about [02:08:53] what he does, we definitely hired the right person, and just going through the Hacienda [02:08:56] with him, and having him pull walls back, and show me pillars, and saying, this is how [02:09:01] it used to be, this is how it's going to be, you know, it's just, it was really, really [02:09:04] cool to see, and so many residents have, you know, just kind of feel left out, they're [02:09:09] not able to tour it, and even when we have the ribbon cutting, with the, you know, back [02:09:15] whatever month it was, I remember it was called, I remember what month it was, but, you know, [02:09:18] we're able to go in the lobby, so I'd like to definitely proceed with that, and make [02:09:22] sure, you know, if we have to set it up 20 people at a time, we'll have something outside, [02:09:25] we now have a hot dog vendor in the parking lot, so maybe he can be there serving hot [02:09:28] dogs, but I just think it would help bring the community back together, you know, with [02:09:33] that cleanup that council organized before I was up here, it just showed the passion [02:09:38] our community has for the Hacienda, and letting people walk through, you know, maybe a guided [02:09:43] tour, and see every inch of it, not just the lobby, there's so much to it, that I didn't [02:09:48] realize until, you know, I was able to tour it more than once, it's going to be a really, [02:09:51] really cool experience, so I definitely want to act on that, and get that scheduled as [02:09:55] soon as possible, because I don't want to hold up any construction, either, but I'm [02:09:58] very, very, very excited about the Hacienda, and I do, I've always felt it's just a staple [02:10:03] point of downtown, I really do, if we can get there renovated properly, and open as [02:10:08] a boutique hotel, which is the goal, and everything works out with our investors, and with this [02:10:13] first stage of the renovation, I just, I think it's going to be huge for New Port Richey, [02:10:16] and I think the timing's perfect, going along with the, you know, changes we're doing in [02:10:20] the park, and the new business is coming, like Mario said, his phone's ringing off the [02:10:24] hook, and we still have a lot to work on as a city, I'm not, you know, discarding any [02:10:28] of that, but I just, I think we're in a good place, and it's encouraging, and I'm excited [02:10:32] about it. [02:10:33] Councilwoman? [02:10:34] It was a very busy week this past week, I just wanted to report that I attended the [02:10:39] PEDC meeting last Wednesday morning, and I brought back some information, I'd like to [02:10:44] pass it along to our city manager, as she sees fit to pass it along to you all, but [02:10:51] September 3rd, there's a job fair, Leggett and Platt, this is a furniture store up in [02:10:57] Hudson, and they have, or the Spring Hill area, actually, it's Hudson, really, but they [02:11:05] specifically targeting our residents, they're looking for 80 salaried positions, and 30 [02:11:13] hourly positions, and that was very exciting to hear that they specifically said that the [02:11:20] residents of our community fit their demographics of what they're looking for, so Leggett and [02:11:24] Platt are the folks that make the interior coils for those beds, you know, not the Tempur-Pedic, [02:11:31] but the other ones, but anyway, to think that they're right there, and they've got that [02:11:36] going, so there's a job fair, I asked them to send me the flyer on it, we uploaded it [02:11:43] a couple of, in a couple of different places, and it's gotten incredible hits, people are [02:11:48] repeatedly sending it out in other, I think there's a Facebook page called New Port Richey [02:11:54] Chat, and it's just exciting to see that happen. September 10th is going to be the ribbon cutting [02:12:04] for Johnny Gritz and Cornerstone Pizza, and so I think that's very exciting, that's going [02:12:11] to be happening as well, we have the opportunity to meet with one of the owners of Johnny Gritz, [02:12:16] Jason, he's keenly excited and delighted to be in our downtown, and to join up with [02:12:23] the other hospitality members in the community. Some of you know, you know, we had an event [02:12:29] last Friday night, Night in the Tropics was the second event of the summer, and it really [02:12:34] was a surprise, because the whole day it appeared it was going to rain, it didn't rain, but [02:12:41] the really neat thing is that there were so many folks that came into the downtown that [02:12:46] night that, as Jeff was saying, you know, this is really a very exciting time to be [02:12:51] in our city, and to see the different restaurants that are opening, just the excitement on behalf [02:12:57] of those folks, you know, Rose is just, and Jerry are just, you know, giddy with moving [02:13:02] and the other two restaurants. The Parks and Rec Department participated in an activity [02:13:09] called In Your Face Friday Challenge, and that was very exciting, as a youthful exuberance [02:13:14] on the part of the Rec Center in these events and activities. [02:13:21] I'm segwaying away from the position I had at Main Street, and it's exciting for me, [02:13:27] the last 15 years or so, doing, hosting historic walking tours and walking up to the Hacienda [02:13:34] Hotel when it was under the Jewish Community Center, then when it was vacant for such a [02:13:38] long time, and now to know that, you know, we've come all this way, and the exciting [02:13:45] thing to know that it's going to be, you know, a beautiful hotel again. [02:13:53] The HMA members meet on the second Wednesday of every month, and they are keenly looking [02:14:01] forward to the addition of Johnny Gritz and the new owners of the restaurant that is hopefully [02:14:09] coming into the cocktails. I know there's a long way off, but we're looking for that [02:14:12] as well. [02:14:14] And just looking down the road a little bit, October 3rd is the 50th anniversary of the [02:14:20] hospital. They're having a wonderful birthday bash or an anniversary party, and the Main [02:14:26] Street program will be doing a 25-year anniversary on October 14th, so we've got some things [02:14:31] to look forward to. [02:14:32] At the PEDC meeting, I did meet with Todd Jorgensen. He is the headhunter that PEDC [02:14:39] has hired to find a replacement for John Hagen, and he's asked for some input from the two [02:14:47] of the cities who are on the PEDC, which is Dade City and New Port Richey. I'm meeting [02:14:51] up with him this week and want to chat with the city manager about that. He wants some [02:14:58] input on us about that. [02:15:00] what we are looking for. PEDC put out a legislative, a draft of their [02:15:07] legislative agenda. When I was reading over it, they had put top priorities and [02:15:12] I asked them to move into the top priorities one of the things that they [02:15:15] had under their tourism, which was to fund ecotourism amenities, the Werner

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13. 10.d

    Three-Minute Report: Development

    discussed

    Council members gave brief development-related reports. Topics included a proposed cross-state bike trail priority, thanks to Public Works, Main Street program, and Police Department for weekend events and activity at Polk and Main, a request to revisit the sign ordinance to allow rear-building signs (citing Cornerstone theater and Hess Chiropractic), praise for Cornerstone Pizza opening with a temporary CO, and recap of three Thursday-night community input meetings hosted by the Deputy Mayor.

    • direction:Staff directed to move forward on a redraft of the sign ordinance for council consideration. (none)

    📍Polk and Main📍Railroad Square🏢Cornerstone Pizza🏢Gulf High🏢Hess Chiropractic🏢Main Street program👤Brian Weed👤Debbie Manns👤Jimmy👤Lisa Fierce👤Mario Izzioni#Boyce State Park#Three Thursdays community input meetings#cross-state bike trail#sign ordinance redraft#temporary Certificate of Occupancy

    ▶ Jump to 2:15:20 in the video

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    [02:15:20] Boyce State Park, and bike trails. And so I brought to their attention the [02:15:25] importance of the state looking at a cross-state bike trail. And so they are [02:15:33] shifting that up into their top priorities. So again I'll share [02:15:37] that particular agenda with Ms. Mann so that she can take a look at it and then [02:15:42] we all can put our input on it. So one final thing I want to thank all of the [02:15:48] folks that have worked with very hard with the Main Street program to put on [02:15:53] events and activities, especially for this past weekend. I want to thank [02:15:56] whoever was in charge of the weather. Thank you all. I know it was many of you. [02:16:00] But I want to thank Public Works and the formation of the Recreation Center [02:16:07] into Public Works. But we could not really have done or it could not have [02:16:10] come. The city really shines when it puts on an event like what would [02:16:15] happen last Friday. And then I can't go without mentioning thank you to the [02:16:21] Police Department for the superlative job that you did in the area on Polk and [02:16:28] Main. I just want to thank you for that. I know there's folks in the [02:16:31] audience who are just so thrilled really seeing that effort. I know that it was a [02:16:36] long and hard time that you were marking that property and we just [02:16:39] really truly appreciate it. And I know a lot of people were thinking that nothing [02:16:43] was happening and I'm sure that all of what you were doing, so much of it had to [02:16:47] be done carefully and under wraps, so to speak, so that nothing [02:16:53] disturbed that. But I really do want to thank you and I appreciate you all being [02:16:57] safe doing it because we really really truly appreciate it. I'm going to ask [02:17:00] herself as well. So thank you guys for doing what you did. Thank you. I've only [02:17:06] got a couple items, Jimmy for our once again. Quiz me about signs. The current [02:17:13] sign ordinance does not allow you to have a sign on the back of your building [02:17:17] unless you've got an entrance and of course all he's got back there is a [02:17:19] stage entrance. So he's got this nasty almost painted over sign there that he'd [02:17:24] really like to replace with a nice looking sign which would probably be an [02:17:29] improvement on Railroad Square. At some point we really do need to visit that at [02:17:36] least that part of the sign ordinance if not the rest of it and see if we can do [02:17:40] something because he's absolutely right. Now that I'm driving past the Hess [02:17:45] Chiropractic, it's got signs all over the back of their building. It just makes it [02:17:50] seem all the more unfair that we're not allowing it for the theater that's [02:17:57] backing up to Railroad Square. There we are moving forward on a redraft for the [02:18:03] sign ordinance for your consideration. Thank you. I was thrilled and thank you [02:18:09] to the Development Department for giving Cornerstone Pizza a temporary CO so they [02:18:13] could open up Friday night. My wife and I went down there and had pizza and I [02:18:17] thought enough of it I went back there Saturday night and bought a whole pizza [02:18:20] and took it home and we've been munching on it ever since. It's good, it's a nice [02:18:26] addition to the downtown. If you haven't been to Cornerstone, check it out. And [02:18:33] last but not least, kudos to the Deputy Mayor for having three Thursdays in a [02:18:40] row that he opened the door and had us talking to the residents and I'm going [02:18:47] to just use that as a segue to Deputy Mayor, the floor is all yours. Thank you, [02:18:52] sir, and again as first of all I want to thank the public for coming out on on [02:18:57] all three nights and again not only the library for their fine settings on night [02:19:03] one, the Recreation Center on night two, and then Gulf High allowing us to to use [02:19:10] their cafeteria. What it really shows is we have a long way to go. We've done [02:19:17] some really nice things the last few years but there are levels of [02:19:21] expectations of us that we don't even understand and some of you, I thank you [02:19:28] for sitting through three Thursday nights and having to listen to me chair [02:19:31] that because I will tell you on the third one you begin to hear yourself [02:19:36] saying that over and over but I appreciate it. Really want to thank Debbie [02:19:41] Manns, the City Manager, also Lisa Fierce, Mario Izzioni, and Brian Weed for being [02:19:50] at all three of those and I know you don't get hazard pay or whatever but you [02:19:55] did have to save me from glitch night and then I consolidated it all

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14. 11Communications▶ 2:20:00
15. 12Adjournment▶ 2:27:50