On the agenda

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

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Members of Boy Scout Troop 24, sponsored by American Legion Paradise Post 79, led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence.

   🏢American Legion Paradise Post 79🏢Boy Scout Troop 24

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   [00:00:22] on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. We have a couple of scouts from Boy Scout [00:00:27] Troop 24 sponsored by American Legion Paradise Post 79. They're going to come down and lead [00:00:33] us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in honor

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3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   Moment of silence for servicemen and women followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

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   [00:00:37] of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United [00:00:47] States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, [00:00:55] with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. As a disclaimer, many many

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4. 4Approval of Minutes▶ 1:06
5. 5

   School Report: Gulf Middle School

   discussed

   Gulf Middle School Principal Jason Jones and Parent Involvement Coordinator Amy Marin presented an update on the school, highlighting its turnaround progress (chronic absenteeism reduced from 46% to 26%), new dance/theater/art programs, 14 after-school clubs, the award-winning Watch Dogs male role model program, and a partnership with the Grand Gardens Community Garden for a student-designed sign. They invited council and community members to tour the school and to vote on student art entries displayed in the vestibule.

   🏢Anclote Elementary School🏢Grand Gardens Community Garden🏢Gulf Middle School🏢Leadership Pasco🏢Leaning Tower of Pizza🏢National Junior Honor Society🏢New Port Richey Library🏢New Port Richey Rotary Club🏢Watch Dogs👤Amy Marin👤Carl Serpe👤Davis👤Jason Jones👤Jessica Meredith👤Rhonda O'Dell👤Starkey👤Susan Dillinger#Dream It, Own It, Live It mission statement#Grand Gardens Community Garden sign contest#Principal's Crew#Title I school#Watch Dogs program

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   [00:01:33] report from Principal Jason Jones. If you'd like to come forward. May I invite Amy Marin? [00:01:40] Please do. Thank you, Council, for allowing myself, Jason Jones, Principal of Gulf Middle [00:01:50] School, and my Parent Involvement Coordinator, Amy Marin, just to have a few moments tonight. [00:01:55] We wanted to just stop in and take the time to first thank the City Council for all the [00:02:03] improvements they're doing to the city, but also I know that we have some road construction [00:02:07] that we just finished around the school, so we appreciate that. But also we wanted the [00:02:12] Council to know that we want Gulf Middle School to be the centerpiece of the community. And [00:02:17] we are here. We have wonderful kids. We have wonderful parents. We're doing a lot of things [00:02:22] to reach out to those kids and to those parents to get them in the community. Amy Marin, our [00:02:28] Parent Involvement Coordinator, is a big reason why we're able to make that connection, and [00:02:32] we wanted to just extend a handout to the Council and everyone here to just say that [00:02:38] if there's something we can do for the city to be involved with in the city, and if there's [00:02:43] something that, you know, there's some way we can partner, we're surely open to that. [00:02:48] Also, we brought a little video with us to show us some of the great things, or show [00:02:52] you guys some of the great things that go on at our school. So we'll start out with [00:02:57] that, and then we'll give a little commentary behind it. [00:03:13] Students and staff, would you please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. [00:03:27] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for [00:03:33] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:03:43] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for [00:04:13] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:04:43] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for [00:05:13] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:05:44] As you may tell, our mission statement is dream it, own it, live it, and part of the [00:05:51] dream it, own it, live it was developed by our staff at a summer retreat when I was first [00:06:15] placed at Gulf Middle School a little over a year ago, and what I want to share with [00:06:19] the council is that before I came to Gulf Middle School, we had 46% of the students [00:06:25] that were missing over 20 days of school, and it's just really easy math, and as I explained [00:06:31] to the staff, is that this school was perfectly designed for the results that we received. [00:06:37] Gulf Middle School is the only middle school that's a state-mandated turnaround school [00:06:41] in Pasco County. What that means is that our student scores, student response rates on [00:06:48] standardized tests were so low that we scored a D for the three years in a row, and that's [00:06:53] how I came to Gulf Middle School, and so looking at some of the indicators, again, when you [00:06:58] have 46% of the kids missing more than 20 out of 180 days, you can just imagine that [00:07:04] the percentage of those kids being proficient is about zero, and so if you take 46 away [00:07:10] from 100%, you have 54% of the student body left. Out of 54% of the student body, if you [00:07:16] can get a Title I school, Title I school is a school that has over 75% of the kids [00:07:22] receiving free and reduced lunch. If you have 54% and you have half of those proficient [00:07:29] at reading, you'd be doing very well, and we were at like 28% before I came, and so [00:07:34] again, the school is perfectly designed for the results that it's getting. [00:07:40] The first year, with Amy Marin as Parent Involvement Coordinator, you can see that we brought in [00:07:46] theater classes, we brought in dance classes, so we have a full array right now. We have [00:07:52] 134 students that are taking dance every day at the school. We have 167 students that are [00:07:58] taking theater classes. We have added 14 different clubs after school, and so the idea behind [00:08:05] this is to engage kids. Our past year, we shrank the 46% being off track for attendance [00:08:12] down to 26%, and this year we want to shrink it to under 20%. Part of the reason before [00:08:17] that is plain and simple. If students are not in school, they're not learning, and they're [00:08:22] not becoming productive members of society. They're probably dealing with some of the [00:08:27] chief's folks over there, so pulling this all together, having engaging classes, we've [00:08:35] hired over 46% of the staff has turned over in the last year and a half, and so that gives [00:08:41] us a whole new vision, and again, the dream it, own it, live it to our students helps [00:08:47] them to understand that if they can dream it, we'll help them own it so they can live [00:08:52] it out in the real world, and when they graduate from high school, we're saying that they're [00:08:58] life, career, and college ready, and what that really means is that when they walk across [00:09:02] stage and they get their high school diploma, they can stand there with the world in front [00:09:06] of them, and it doesn't matter how much money their parents make, what color their skin [00:09:10] is, but they have the experiences, a foundation to go out in the world and do whatever they [00:09:15] want to do, and have the same opportunities as everyone else, so we're hoping that those [00:09:19] students will go to higher education and help to put New Port Richey back on the map, if [00:09:26] you will. [00:09:27] Thank you. [00:09:28] You bet. [00:09:29] I have one more thing to add. This year we were also able to add art classes, so we have [00:09:33] an amazing art teacher, she's doing a wonderful job, and I have partnered with, sorry, Gulf [00:09:40] Middle School has partnered with the Grand Gardens Community Garden Project to design [00:09:48] a sign that will be displayed at the Grand Gardens Community Garden. Sorry, that kind [00:09:56] of comes out odd. Anyway, out in the vestibule area, we have four of our top entries for [00:10:05] the sign, so our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade art classes were given direction to design a sign [00:10:13] that will then be blown up into proportion size to be displayed at the Grand Gardens [00:10:18] with their name on it, as well as thanks to Susan Dillinger and Jessica Meredith at the [00:10:24] New Port Richey Library will be displaying the top 10 winning art signs, or the top 10 [00:10:30] that we decided needed to be shown off to the rest of you. And I have four in the vestibule [00:10:36] that need to be voted on. We not only will be putting it on a sign, the Grand Gardens [00:10:43] Council or community people, they might be talking to you a little bit more about that [00:10:46] later, are considering putting it on a shirt as well. So we have ballads out there, and [00:10:53] we have four entries that I would like everyone in here, if you get a chance to go out and [00:10:58] circle which one you think should be best and throw it in the box for us, please. [00:11:02] Thank you. [00:11:03] Thank you so much. [00:11:04] I know that Councilman Starkey will say a few words, but I want to tell you that I live [00:11:10] in the neighborhood. I live across the street. Family's lived there since 1962, and I graduated [00:11:16] out of the gymnasium there back in 75. And you guys have done a wonderful job. The parking [00:11:22] lot that you saw in the video doesn't look like that now. They've had it seal-coated. [00:11:27] I want to also recognize our city staff, and especially the folks on getting the roadway [00:11:31] done because you are sharing that school between the elementary school that's under reconstruction. [00:11:40] Everything's gone very well with that so far. And over and above that, just the presence [00:11:46] you have in the neighborhood. But over and above that, I want everybody to know that [00:11:50] that was disco music. And if you didn't have that 45 or the 8 track, and you saw us all [00:11:57] tapping our toes up here. But again, the other thing that I thought you did well when you [00:12:02] first came over there is you finally stopped calling yourself Bears, and you started calling [00:12:07] yourself Buccaneers. Because everybody that's in the city of New Port Richey needs to be [00:12:11] a Buccaneer. We all live the Go Bucs, even though from there. But Mr. Stark, he's been [00:12:18] very involved. [00:12:19] Yes, I'd like to thank you publicly, you and Amy both. Jason and Amy spoke at the New Port Richey Rotary Club meeting about a year, year and a half ago, and just totally inspired [00:12:28] me. And I've toured the school more than once, and what he's been able to do with Amy's help [00:12:33] and the help of his new staff is just a complete transformation of a middle school. You have [00:12:38] to really go see it to appreciate it. I mean, the little video is nice, and your comments [00:12:43] are nice. But there's a lot of kids that go to that school that have no sense of pride [00:12:48] at home, and just really don't understand it. [00:12:55] Sure, they lack hope. [00:12:58] They do. [00:12:59] They lack hope and the ability to understand that they have the power to change their lives. [00:13:03] And so that's what we're doing, giving them confidence in their school and the opportunities [00:13:08] there. So, you know, I open the invitation to any of the council or any of the community [00:13:13] that wants to come in and tour the school at any time. Please, please stop by. We're [00:13:16] very proud. [00:13:17] Yeah, I get choked up, but it is, it's inspiring. So thank you. [00:13:20] Principal, Jason, I'm sorry. [00:13:22] Go ahead. [00:13:23] Thank you. How many students are attending the school? [00:13:26] At Gulf Middle School, we have 793 at Gulf Middle School, and then Anclote Elementary [00:13:31] School has 602. So, on campus at one time. [00:13:35] Wow. [00:13:36] Reminds me of the days of 4515 and double sessions. Mr. Mayor and I lived through that [00:13:43] before they passed the first bond referendum and started giving them a good place to learn [00:13:48] at regular school. [00:13:50] Councilman Davis. [00:13:52] I just have a couple of questions. Do you have another shirt besides green? [00:13:56] I have many green shirts, many colors of green. I had to give my purple ones away. [00:14:01] I did see it in the video, and every time I've seen you, it's been green. But do you [00:14:09] have, how large is your student council, or is there a group of about eight, ten, eight [00:14:19] or ten that we can use for one day? [00:14:22] Absolutely. We have not only, we have student council. Student council is right at 21. We [00:14:28] also have what I call the principal's crew, which is a special group of students that [00:14:32] have hand-picked to help protrude out positive social and academic behaviors. So those are [00:14:38] two groups, or the National Junior Honor Society. [00:14:40] What I'm asking is that I'm looking probably for about ten, because we're a couple hours [00:14:46] on the third Thursday of December, we're going to have Leadership Pasco here, and we're going [00:14:52] to divide them into five groups, I think is what we decided, right? And so we would probably [00:14:57] be able to handle two in each group. [00:15:00] And it'll be just a couple hours from, I think we decided, [00:15:02] like, 11 to 12 to 2, or something in that area. [00:15:05] Who was your teacher of the year last year? [00:15:08] Rhonda O'Dell. [00:15:09] Rhonda O'Dell. [00:15:10] She's a student counselor, right? [00:15:12] And she came and observed us a couple of times along with some [00:15:18] of her class people last year, and obviously, I guess we passed. [00:15:24] Sure. We'd be honored to attend. [00:15:25] Real quick, could you just talk about your Watch Dogs program [00:15:27] and the award that you won for that? [00:15:29] Right now, what we've found, especially in the city [00:15:32] of New Port Richey, is that there's not a lot [00:15:34] of strong, positive male role models in the lives [00:15:37] of the children that attend our school. [00:15:39] There's a program that runs throughout the nation, [00:15:42] and it is called Watch Dogs, and it is a program [00:15:45] that brings strong male role models into the school, [00:15:48] not to provide authority figures for the children or discipline [00:15:51] for the students, but to give them a sense of people who care, [00:15:56] who can help them, who can provide a sense [00:15:59] of maybe structure, character building, set good examples. [00:16:03] The way that our Watch Dog program is set up, [00:16:05] the majority of Watch Dog programs are [00:16:07] in elementary schools. [00:16:08] Ours is actually one of the only middle schools in the state [00:16:11] that has the Watch Dogs program. [00:16:13] I'm very proud that we won the actual state award [00:16:16] for the Watch Dogs program for last year, for 2014 and 2015. [00:16:21] And right now, the participants that we have [00:16:24] in Watch Dog are some parents, some guardians, [00:16:27] some grandparents, and community members that come [00:16:30] and walk the halls of our school. [00:16:32] They sit in our classrooms. [00:16:34] They provide an extra set of eyes and ears for the teachers. [00:16:37] They also go to all three of our lunches [00:16:40] and high-five the kids, talk to the kids, show the kids [00:16:43] that there are positive people [00:16:45] in their lives that care about them. [00:16:47] The positive male role models are not only for the males [00:16:50] in our school either. [00:16:51] They're for our female students as well. [00:16:53] And we're also moving into a mentorship program [00:16:55] with our Watch Dogs where they can provide character building [00:17:00] and talk to our students about respect, responsibility, [00:17:05] and the things that they need to know [00:17:07] that they may not be learning at home outside [00:17:09] of the school setting. [00:17:12] So it's a very exciting program. [00:17:13] And Carl Serpe is what we consider our top dog. [00:17:18] And some of you may know him as the Leaning Tower of Pizza guy. [00:17:22] But we also have some other wonderful male role models [00:17:26] or Watch Dogs as well that with Carl's leadership and a sense [00:17:32] of setting such an incredible example for community outreach, [00:17:38] being a business owner, [00:17:39] being a retired New York City police officer. [00:17:42] He's just a great guy. [00:17:43] And he's really leading the way for these kids. [00:17:45] And they just love having him around. [00:17:47] Thank you. [00:17:48] We're very excited to have Gulf Middle making this transition [00:17:52] as we've been working hard to improve the city in general. [00:17:57] And seeing what you guys are doing [00:17:59] at Gulf Middle is just very exciting. [00:18:02] And Jason was being very sincere. [00:18:04] I do tours of the school all the time. [00:18:06] A lot of times we'll get parents who are concerned [00:18:08] about whether or not they want to bring their kids [00:18:10] to our school and after they come visit, they don't want [00:18:13] to send their kids anywhere else. [00:18:14] So even if you don't have children in the middle, [00:18:16] or getting ready to enter middle school, and you just want to come [00:18:18] and see what it's about, we love showing it off. [00:18:21] Thank you. [00:18:21] Thank you. [00:18:22] Thank you. [00:18:22] We're going to have a box pop where you can come

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6. 6

   World Pancreatic Cancer Day Proclamation

   The Mayor introduced the World Pancreatic Cancer Day Proclamation as the next agenda item, following procedural remarks about the public comment sign-up form.

   #World Pancreatic Cancer Day Proclamation

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   [00:18:32] and address the city council on anything that's not [00:18:35] on the agenda tonight. [00:18:37] We'll also, in the course of the meeting, have an opportunity [00:18:39] for people to address individual items. [00:18:42] And we're going to have a box pop [00:18:44] for people to address individual items. [00:18:46] In order to try to expedite that, and also to make it possible [00:18:50] for the clerk to actually get your name right in the minutes, [00:18:54] we have a form, a sign-up form back in the lobby. [00:19:00] Any of you that are planning on speaking, [00:19:02] if you could carefully print your name on that form, [00:19:05] it'll help make sure the minutes are right afterwards. [00:19:08] The next item I've got on the agenda is the World Pancreatic [00:19:14] Day Proclamation in the City of New Port Richey,

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7. 7

   Promotions, Fire Department

   The Fire Department promoted two members in a swearing-in ceremony. Adam Darling was promoted to District Chief, and Tom Christian was promoted from private to Captain. Fire Chief Chris Fitch spoke about each promotee's career, and the City Clerk administered the oaths of office.

   • direction:Adam Darling was sworn in and promoted to District Chief of the New Port Richey Fire Department. (passed)
   • direction:Thomas J. Christian was sworn in and promoted from private to Captain of the New Port Richey Fire Department. (passed)

   🏢Florida State Fire College🏢Newport Richey Fire Department👤Adam Darling👤Chris Fitch👤Ms. Vance👤Thomas J. Christian#Montana wildfire deployment#USAR Operations Certification#World Pancreatic Cancer Day proclamation (Nov 13)

   ▶ Jump to 19:16 in the video

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   [00:19:19] designating November 13th as World Pancreatic Cancer Day. [00:19:25] It's my understanding, Ms. Vance, [00:19:27] we do not have anyone here today, so we're just... [00:19:29] That's correct, Mr. Mayor, it's by title only. [00:19:31] By title only. [00:19:31] We'll see that this proclamation gets to the appropriate folks. [00:19:36] Next is Promotions, Fire Department. [00:19:39] Yes, Mr. Mayor, it's a great night for the City [00:19:43] of New Port Richey Fire Department tonight, [00:19:47] in particular because it's a proud moment [00:19:50] when we can promote our staff into a position [00:19:55] of increased responsibility. [00:19:58] In the case of the two fine gentlemen we will be promoting [00:20:02] this evening, it is a very well-deserved opportunity, [00:20:10] and we are looking forward to them serving the community. [00:20:15] The City Clerk will administer the oaths of office. [00:20:20] The Chief has a few words as well, and we'd [00:20:24] like to reserve some time for the family [00:20:26] to take a couple of photographs. [00:20:29] We're going to start this evening with Adam Darling, [00:20:33] who has been promoted to the rank of District Chief. [00:20:59] Hello, everybody, good evening. [00:21:00] I'm Fire Chief Chris Fitch. [00:21:02] I just wanted to say a few words to start off the introduction here. [00:21:05] I'm very proud to be standing here with Adam Darling. [00:21:09] His quick bio is he began his career in the department [00:21:19] in 2005 as a part-time firefighter. [00:21:22] He became a full-time career firefighter in 2006, [00:21:25] a licensed paramedic in 2007. [00:21:28] In 2010, Adam became USAR Operations Certified [00:21:32] and became a valued member of the city's search [00:21:35] and rescue team, and earlier this year, Adam was promoted [00:21:40] to a probationary captain, and I'm pleased [00:21:43] to be promoting Adam to the District Chief's position. [00:21:46] It is my belief that Adam will be a great fit in this position [00:21:49] and bring strength and leadership [00:21:51] to the department and his shift. [00:21:53] And just a few introductory comments. [00:21:58] The fire service is full of history and traditions [00:22:01] that have taken place for decades, [00:22:03] and a swearing-in ceremony is one of them. [00:22:06] We have worked to develop a culture [00:22:08] that honors the importance of each individual firefighter, [00:22:12] but together we will do far more than any of us could do alone. [00:22:15] Everyone here makes up the we. [00:22:18] We deliver excellence and service to all who visit, live, [00:22:21] and work in our great city. [00:22:24] And a lot of the firefighters [00:22:26] and people really don't know the meaning of the badges [00:22:28] and the bugles that these officers, [00:22:30] that these two officers that are getting ready [00:22:33] to get promoted wear. [00:22:34] And just a brief little history of that. [00:22:36] The bugles that they wear on their collars [00:22:38] in the early days of American firefighting, [00:22:41] prior to radios, orders were given [00:22:43] at a fire scene using a brass megaphone known as a bugle. [00:22:47] A person holding the bugle was easily identified as the leader. [00:22:52] Today, the bugles these two wear [00:22:54] on their collars is a symbol of leadership. [00:22:58] And the more bugles that you have, [00:23:00] the higher your leadership role is within the fire department. [00:23:04] The badge is not just a sign of graduation. [00:23:07] It's a symbol of rich history. [00:23:09] It's also called a shield. [00:23:11] The shield was once used to protect in battle, [00:23:13] now symbolizes the responsibility of firefighters [00:23:16] to place themselves between an emerging catastrophe so lives [00:23:20] and property can be saved. [00:23:23] No matter what its title, shape, size, or design, [00:23:26] it remains a part of the uniform to remind us of our obligation. [00:23:30] Receiving the badge is much more than a proud moment. [00:23:34] It is an acceptance of that responsibility and acquisition [00:23:37] of a longstanding tradition of service. [00:23:40] Badge is not just a piece of metal. [00:23:42] It is a symbol that carries several hundred years [00:23:44] of heritage and obligation. [00:23:46] And just a brief synopsis of what these two went through. [00:23:51] It takes, to be, to want to be an officer, it takes a lot [00:23:54] of commitment, dedication, it takes a lot of classes, [00:23:58] studying, and it's a very challenging [00:24:01] and competitive promotional process. [00:24:04] And it takes a lot of commitment [00:24:08] on their part and their family's part. [00:24:10] So I want to thank the wives, their wives that are here, [00:24:12] their families that are here for allowing them the time away [00:24:15] from you to study and strive for that goal. [00:24:19] And I don't take, I didn't take promoting these two lightly. [00:24:25] I really think they're both the cream of the crop [00:24:28] and they tested at the top of their tests [00:24:32] of the promotion process. [00:24:35] And the biggest responsibility [00:24:37] that they have now is they're not just responsible [00:24:39] for themselves anymore. [00:24:40] They're responsible for their whole crew. [00:24:43] And the most important thing is at the end of the shift, [00:24:46] make sure that your whole crew goes home to their families. [00:24:52] And we're also going to do a pinning on the badge ceremony. [00:24:56] And Adam Darling's wife is here to pin the badge on. [00:25:12] You can come get closer if you want. [00:25:28] The front row will open their receipts. [00:25:30] I'm William Adam Darling, a citizen of the state of Florida [00:25:58] and of the United States of America and being employed [00:26:04] by or an officer of the city of New Port Richey, [00:26:10] and a recipient of public funds as such employee or officer. [00:26:19] Do hereby solemnly swear or affirm [00:26:23] that I will support the Constitution [00:26:25] of the United States and of the state of Florida. [00:26:29] That I will support the Constitution of the United States [00:26:33] and the state of Florida. [00:26:34] And that I will honestly, faithfully, [00:26:36] and impartially discharge the duties of my trust [00:26:40] as district chief. [00:26:40] And that I will honestly, faithfully, [00:26:43] and impartially discharge the duties of my trust [00:26:45] as district chief. [00:26:46] New Port Richey Fire Department. [00:26:48] New Port Richey Fire Department. [00:26:49] In and for said city of New Port Richey. [00:26:52] In and for said the city of New Port Richey. [00:26:54] According to the law and to the best of my knowledge [00:26:57] and ability, so help me God. [00:26:59] According to the law and the best of knowledge [00:27:02] and my ability, so help me God. [00:27:04] And if you would sign for me. [00:27:06] Thank you. [00:27:19] This is the city seal. [00:27:20] I'm going to bring the whole family down. [00:27:23] You promise me that. [00:27:26] I said I'll get this to chief [00:27:29] and he'll make sure you get it down. [00:27:33] Why don't you bring your family [00:27:34] down and wipe your kids down. [00:27:39] Get in there chief. [00:27:40] I can't let that uniform go to waste here. [00:27:41] Absolutely. [00:27:44] Let the manager of photovoltaics have a performance. [00:28:16] Can we get a picture with the chief? [00:28:20] Yeah Abby. [00:28:20] Abby, can we do this? [00:28:30] Walk the other way. [00:28:33] You've got the phone involved. [00:28:34] We'll be all back like that. [00:28:36] Hold that, just had to get our picture again. [00:28:43] I was going to smooth out fast. [00:28:45] I've got to get really good at that. [00:28:50] Except for Chuck. [00:28:53] Would you like to call off Mr. Christensen? [00:28:57] OK, next we've got firefighter Tom Christian. [00:29:00] He's being promoted from private to captain. [00:29:03] Tom began his career with the fire department in 2001 [00:29:06] as a firefighter EMT. [00:29:07] He then obtained his paramedic certification in 2004, [00:29:11] became USAR operations certified in 2005, [00:29:14] and as a fire safety inspector in 2009. [00:29:17] Tom is one of our firefighters that [00:29:19] recently went to Montana, where he [00:29:20] served as a paramedic for the firefighters fighting [00:29:23] the wildfires. [00:29:24] Tom recently went to the Florida State Fire College [00:29:27] to obtain his honor guard training [00:29:29] to gain specifications and requirements, [00:29:31] and will be serving at our city events. [00:29:34] Tom has been a long standing, highly regarded [00:29:37] member of the department, and I am confident in his abilities [00:29:39] to lead in this promotion to captain. [00:29:43] And again, to pin his badge on will be his wife. [00:29:47] Thank you. [00:30:00] There's your chance. [00:30:01] That's if she draws blood there, Chief, what happens. [00:30:09] Got plenty of EMTs in the house. [00:30:11] They have paramedics. [00:30:22] Bad practice. [00:30:25] Look around. [00:30:30] Look at that. [00:30:33] What? [00:30:33] Now, like I said before, we'll have the city seal here. [00:31:03] Mr. Chief, read this first. [00:31:10] Just repeat after me. [00:31:14] I, Thomas J. Christian. [00:31:16] I, Thomas J. Christian. [00:31:17] A citizen of the state of Florida [00:31:19] and of the United States of America. [00:31:21] Citizen of the state of Florida and of the United States [00:31:24] of America. [00:31:24] And being employed by or an officer of the city of Newport. [00:31:29] And being employed by or an officer [00:31:31] of the city of New Port Richey. [00:31:33] And a recipient of public funds as such an officer. [00:31:37] And a recipient of public funds as such an employee or officer. [00:31:42] Do hereby solemnly swear or affirm. [00:31:45] Do hereby solemnly swear or affirm. [00:31:47] That I will support the Constitution of the United [00:31:49] States of the state of Florida. [00:31:55] Support the Constitution of the United States [00:31:58] and of the state of Florida. [00:32:00] And that I will honestly, faithfully and impartially [00:32:03] discharge. [00:32:04] And that I will honestly, faithfully and impartially [00:32:07] discharge. [00:32:07] The duties of my trust as Captain New Port Richey Fire [00:32:10] Department. [00:32:11] The duties of my trust as Captain New Port Richey Fire [00:32:15] Department. [00:32:16] In and forth said city of New Port Richey. [00:32:19] In and forth said city of New Port Richey. [00:32:21] According to the law, and to the best of my knowledge [00:32:23] and ability so help me God. [00:32:25] According to the law, and to the best of my knowledge [00:32:28] and ability so help me God. [00:32:31] And sign right there, please. [00:32:33] Thank you. [00:32:42] Thank you. [00:32:49] Thank you. [00:32:50] Let's get the seal on here. [00:32:55] Yes, you're all official now. [00:32:56] Thank you. [00:32:58] Thank you. [00:33:15] Thank you. [00:33:18] Next item we have on the agenda is Box Pop.

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8. 8Vox Pop▶ 33:23
9. 9.a

   Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes

   approvedon consent

   Council pulled item D from the consent agenda for separate discussion and approved the remainder of the consent agenda by voice vote.

   • motion:Approve the consent agenda except for item D, which was pulled for discussion. (passed)

   #Consent agenda item D

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   [00:43:06] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to pull item D for discussion, please. [00:43:09] Item D pulled, okay. [00:43:12] Any other items? [00:43:14] Entertain a motion to approve everything except D. [00:43:17] Move to approve the consent agenda. [00:43:20] Second. [00:43:20] We have a motion and a second. [00:43:22] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:43:24] Aye. [00:43:25] Opposed, the like sign. [00:43:27] Item D. [00:43:28] Thanks, Mr. Mayor. [00:43:30] Obviously, we've got, [00:43:33] we have our negotiations coming up next year [00:43:36] with the fire department and the police department, [00:43:39] and I just want to make sure that we're on point

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10. 9.b

    Environmental Committee Minutes

    approvedon consent

    Council pulled item D from the consent agenda for separate discussion and approved the remaining consent items including the Environmental Committee Minutes by voice vote.

    • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda except for item D. (passed)

    #Consent Agenda Item D

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    [00:43:06] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to pull item D for discussion, please. [00:43:09] Item D pulled, okay. [00:43:12] Any other items? [00:43:14] Entertain a motion to approve everything except D. [00:43:17] Move to approve the consent agenda. [00:43:20] Second. [00:43:20] We have a motion and a second. [00:43:22] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:43:24] Aye. [00:43:25] Opposed, the like sign. [00:43:27] Item D. [00:43:28] Thanks, Mr. Mayor. [00:43:30] Obviously, we've got, [00:43:33] we have our negotiations coming up next year [00:43:36] with the fire department and the police department, [00:43:39] and I just want to make sure that we're on point

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11. 9.c

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes

    approvedon consent

    Item 9.c (Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes) was approved as part of the consent agenda. A separate item D was pulled for discussion.

    • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda except for item D. (passed)

    #Consent Agenda#Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes

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    [00:43:06] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to pull item D for discussion, please. [00:43:09] Item D pulled, okay. [00:43:12] Any other items? [00:43:14] Entertain a motion to approve everything except D. [00:43:17] Move to approve the consent agenda. [00:43:20] Second. [00:43:20] We have a motion and a second. [00:43:22] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:43:24] Aye. [00:43:25] Opposed, the like sign. [00:43:27] Item D. [00:43:28] Thanks, Mr. Mayor. [00:43:30] Obviously, we've got, [00:43:33] we have our negotiations coming up next year [00:43:36] with the fire department and the police department, [00:43:39] and I just want to make sure that we're on point

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12. 9.e

    Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval

    approvedon consent

    Council pulled item D from the consent agenda for separate discussion and approved the remainder of the consent agenda by voice vote.

    • motion:Move to approve the consent agenda except for item D. (passed)
    • direction:Pull item D from the consent agenda for separate discussion. (passed)

    #Consent Agenda#Item D

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    [00:43:06] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to pull item D for discussion, please. [00:43:09] Item D pulled, okay. [00:43:12] Any other items? [00:43:14] Entertain a motion to approve everything except D. [00:43:17] Move to approve the consent agenda. [00:43:20] Second. [00:43:20] We have a motion and a second. [00:43:22] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:43:24] Aye. [00:43:25] Opposed, the like sign. [00:43:27] Item D. [00:43:28] Thanks, Mr. Mayor. [00:43:30] Obviously, we've got, [00:43:33] we have our negotiations coming up next year [00:43:36] with the fire department and the police department, [00:43:39] and I just want to make sure that we're on point

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13. 9.d

    Police Pension Board Minutes

    approvedon consent

    A councilmember discussed the Police Pension Board minutes, emphasizing the need to closely monitor pension benefit pools, the DROP program, and funding obligations ahead of upcoming contract negotiations and legislative session. The item was approved as part of the consent agenda.

    • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda item accepting the Police Pension Board minutes. (passed)

    #DROP program#Police Pension Board#Police pension contract negotiations

    ▶ Jump to 43:40 in the video

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    [00:43:44] with especially the pension programs, [00:43:50] and as I read through their minutes, [00:43:52] and I see a lot of things going on, [00:43:54] and obviously, I'm familiar with the drop program. [00:43:57] I'm familiar with how much money's in the program, [00:44:00] all those kind of things. [00:44:02] I just want to make sure that we have a very firm grasp [00:44:07] on those particular benefit pools, [00:44:11] because we're obligated for those, [00:44:15] and I just want to make sure as we begin the process, [00:44:19] and I know that starts next year, [00:44:20] but if these aren't funded correctly, [00:44:24] and they don't have the right elements in them, [00:44:27] we have to make up those dollars, [00:44:30] and I just want to make sure, [00:44:32] because as I read through the minutes, [00:44:35] it's just important to us that we make sure [00:44:38] that we clarify what those benefits are, [00:44:40] how we've provided those over the years, [00:44:42] how we provide them in the future, [00:44:45] and just want to make sure it isn't something [00:44:47] that three or five years down the road [00:44:49] that we haven't been on top of correctly, [00:44:53] and doesn't become kind of an unfunded mandate, [00:44:56] or that we make sure that we know where our legislature is. [00:45:00] going to be meeting earlier this year, not later in the year. They're going to meet right [00:45:05] after the Christmas time frame. And there have been proposals out there in the past [00:45:10] that make some modifications, and those have ripple effects back to us. And all the dollars [00:45:15] that go into that obviously affect how we can fund and do other things. So I just wanted [00:45:20] to make sure that we were all looking at the minutes, understanding those, especially as [00:45:25] we come up on our next round of contract negotiations next year. [00:45:30] Thank you. Any further comments on this? With that, I'd move for approval of that consent [00:45:36] agenda item. We have a motion. Second. Second. Further discussion? All those in favor, please [00:45:42] signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, the like sign. Next item is second reading ordinance

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14. 10.a

    Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2016-2062: Large Group Public Feedings

    approved

    Council held the second reading of Ordinance 2016-2062 regulating large group feedings (over 15 people) in city parks, requiring a permit limited to two per user per park per year. After substantial public comment opposing the ordinance on moral and religious grounds, council passed it with amendments lowering the permit fee to match existing pavilion rental fees ($50 resident/$75 non-resident) and allowing Francis Park gatherings seven days a week.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2016-2062

    • motion:Move for approval of Ordinance 2016-2062 with amendments reducing the permit fee to $50 resident/$75 non-resident and allowing Francis Park gatherings Monday through Sunday. (passed)

    📍4318 Joy Drive, Land O'Lakes📍6335 Missouri Avenue📍7108 Daggett Terrace, Newport Ritchie📍7131 Creek Drive, Newport Ritchie📍9601 Regiment Court, Land O'Lakes, Florida📍Francis Park📍Gray Preserve📍Sims Park🏢Calvary Chapel Church🏢Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey🏢Starbucks🏢United Methodist Church👤Antonia Riggs-Mernick👤Bill👤Carlos👤Clay Colson👤Dan Callahan👤James Bishop👤Ms. Manns👤Shannon Hernandez👤Travis Morehead#Chapter 16 Parks and Recreation#Ordinance No. 2016-2062#Religious Freedom Act#Section 16-3#Sims Park Improvement Project

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    [00:45:49] number 2016-2062. Ms. Manns? An ordinance of the City of New Port Richey, Florida amending [00:45:57] Chapter 16, Parks and Recreation, by creating new section 16-3, regulating large group [00:46:04] feedings in certain parks and recreational facilities owned or controlled by the City, [00:46:10] establishing a prohibition on large group feedings in public parks and facilities without [00:46:15] a large group feeding permit, limiting permits to two per user per park in a 12-month period, [00:46:22] and establishing a prohibition for failing to display the permit to a law enforcement [00:46:26] officer on demand, and providing for appeal from denial of a large group feeding permit, [00:46:33] providing for severability and an effective date. Thank you. We have any presentation [00:46:41] on this? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Since your first reading, the City Attorney made some changes [00:46:52] to the ordinance, in large part driven by the comments that you had at your first public [00:46:58] hearing related to the proper disposal of waste and trash associated with the distribution [00:47:05] of food service, and so we added under Section 2 of the ordinance specific language that [00:47:14] dealt with that issue. We also, in the sixth whereas, on the first page of the ordinance, [00:47:22] removed the reference to criminal acts as we could not find any evidence of such to [00:47:28] have existed. The impetus for the ordinance remains to be anecdotal in nature and based [00:47:39] on complaints that the City has fielded from residents of the community who have considered [00:47:47] the large group public feedings that occur there on the weekend to be a deterrent to [00:47:52] the normal enjoyment of the park. Thank you. I'll open this up for public comment. Please [00:48:08] give us your name and address for the record. My name is Antonia Riggs-Mernick. I'm a resident [00:48:18] of the City of New Port Richey. I live at 6335 Missouri Avenue. I'm speaking about this [00:48:24] ordinance because I really do believe it is unjust and unfair. To begin with, I happen [00:48:30] to have a large family. My son has four adult children who have children. If we all decided [00:48:36] to come to the park for a sandwich and a soda or a juice, we would far exceed the group [00:48:42] feeding. But I know that's really not the intent. The intent is for those who are what we would [00:48:48] likely call the poor in spirit or the hungry. It does talk in all the major religions of the [00:48:55] world about feeding the poor. In Buddhism, it's considered a blessing. In Hinduism, it's [00:49:01] considered part of karma. In Islam, it's considered one of the five pillars. In Judaism, it goes [00:49:08] back to Exodus 16 where the Israelites were complaining to Moses and the Lord literally [00:49:14] fed them so they would not starve in the desert. And in Christianity, Matthew 25 says it all. [00:49:21] For I was hungry and you fed me. For whatever you do to the least important of thy brothers [00:49:28] you do unto me. I'm sorry, I think this is an unjust ordinance. Parks were originally [00:49:35] designed for the royalty, for the rich only. If you went into a park and you were starving [00:49:42] to death and you killed as much as a rabbit, you would be hung. I don't want our parks [00:49:48] to be only for the wealthy, for the well-to-do, for the well-dressed, and the well-fed. As [00:49:54] a resident of the city of New Port Richey, I ask our elected officials not to enact this [00:50:01] unjust ordinance. Thank you so much for your attention. [00:50:21] Hi again. Travis Morehead, 7131 Creek Drive, New Port Richey. In my view, any ordinance [00:50:28] that inhibits human beings from aiding fellow human beings is something that I'm morally [00:50:32] opposed to. I encourage council to also consider the negative press the city may receive by [00:50:37] passing such an ordinance. I would also like you to consider the legal implications of [00:50:42] preventing a church from fulfilling on their purposes per the Religious Freedom Act. That's [00:50:46] all I have to say. Thank you. Dan Callahan, 7108 Daggett Terrace, New Port Richey. Imagine that Jesus returns and finds himself entering the city of New Port Richey [00:51:03] on a Saturday, tired and hungry. He knocks on the door of the United Methodist Church [00:51:08] and they kindly give him directions for the hike up to New Port Richey, where he can receive [00:51:13] a meal. Jesus asks a city official if there's a hot meal closer by, perhaps at that Sims [00:51:20] Park he walked past earlier. He's told no. The city passed an ordinance aimed at a church [00:51:25] in Zephyr Hills that had the nerve to travel those extra miles to ensure the hungry in [00:51:30] New Port Richey have a meal. In fact, the ordinance forbids any religious group to feed [00:51:35] more than 15 people in the park more than twice a year, even with a $100 permit. Jesus [00:51:41] asks why, perhaps remembering a time when a crowd of 5,000 strangers were so moved by [00:51:47] his message of love for others, that they shared food meant for their family with strangers [00:51:51] so that all were fed when there didn't seem to be enough. Jesus is told that the ordinance [00:51:57] made victims into nuisances and criminals when they were fed in public, though the local [00:52:02] law enforcement lacked actual reports where to take their word that respectable citizens [00:52:08] have been hassled or hit up for a dollar or just plain bothered by having to see fellow [00:52:13] citizens so badly off and knowing perhaps that but for the lack of the next week's paycheck, [00:52:18] they too could be homeless and hungry and in need. And beyond that, Sims Park is new [00:52:24] and improved, so those in need of food or a place to sleep or shower can't be tolerated [00:52:30] in such a setting. It's not aesthetically pleasing, as the ordinance says, and for some [00:52:34] people it's morally and ethically uncomfortable. Surely Jesus understands the plight of poor [00:52:39] New Port Richey. Jesus is perplexed and saddened by what he hears and witnesses. What sort [00:52:45] of hubris or ignorance would cause city officials like the royalty and Pharisees of old to turn [00:52:51] their backs on those in need, to relabel them from victims to criminals, all to ethnically [00:52:57] cleanse, excuse me, ethically cleanse the city of undesirables like Jesus? Who can take [00:53:03] pride in the city that shows such contempt for fellow human beings? What does it matter [00:53:08] that the city looks fresh and clean and thriving like the Temple of Jerusalem if it lacks kindness [00:53:13] and compassion? I say to you that in your hard work and wish to make this a better city, [00:53:19] you have lost your way. This ordinance will not make this a better city. It's a stake [00:53:24] right through its heart. Don't seek to penalize those feeding the needy and the needy as well. [00:53:30] Work with them to find a better solution than a fine and six months in jail. Forget this [00:53:35] ordinance. Do the harder work of dealing with the needy as fellow Americans. [00:53:51] Clay Colson, 4318 Joy Drive, Land O'Lakes. Greetings to you, Mayor and Councilmen and [00:53:57] women. I've got to tell you that when I heard about this, I thought, ah, New Port Richey [00:54:03] is stooping to the level of places like Orlando and Tampa and St. Petersburg where they want [00:54:08] to demonize the homeless and demonize those people that feed them. I mean, that's absurd. [00:54:15] They stole all my Jesus thunder, but I'll put it to you this way. I think that every [00:54:18] one of you sitting up there believes yourself to be a good Christian. Being a Christian [00:54:23] means to be Christ-like. Jesus Christ would not require a permit to feed people. Jesus [00:54:30] Christ would not require a permit to bring a gathering together in the park where he [00:54:37] could take care of those who have fallen on hard times. We're living in a society right [00:54:43] now where one out of five people doesn't have a job. Don't have a job, you don't have a [00:54:48] home, therefore you're homeless. They're hungry. They've got to be fed and this idea that somehow [00:54:55] or another they are an imposition on the people in the park, well, that claim has been made. [00:55:01] There were 119 requests made of the city and of the police department to provide documentation [00:55:07] that there are actual complaints out there. None were ever received. I say because none [00:55:12] actually exist. The reasoning for your ordinance is absurd. It has no foundation. It's nothing [00:55:19] more than hearsay telling us that people have complained about people being fed in the park. [00:55:27] You really should be ashamed of yourselves. You've lost your way, as Dan has said. I would [00:55:31] ask you this. If you're such good Christians and you look to be Christ-like, there's only [00:55:37] one thing you need to ask yourselves before you vote on this ordinance. What would Jesus [00:55:42] do? He'd vote no. I expect you to do the same. [00:55:50] Anyone else? Good evening, Council. My name is James Bishop. I live at 9601 Regiment Court [00:55:58] in Land O'Lakes, Florida. My family and I moved down from New Jersey in 2010 to the [00:56:12] Florida region. We moved to Pasco County particularly because of the parks, the open space, the [00:56:19] green areas that are available here. When we came down here, we didn't come down here [00:56:24] with any intention of creating a hassle for any particular person. I actually feel partial [00:56:32] for this ordinance tonight. In March of 2013, my wife and I and our five children with their [00:56:42] guitars and six other families of various sizes gathered in Sims Park. While we were [00:56:49] gathered in Sims Park enjoying a Sunday morning, enjoying the space that we have enjoyed for [00:56:56] a few years prior, we met a gentleman by the name of Bill. Bill was a businessman and Bill [00:57:02] was on the road in Arizona when he was notified by his company that his contract was terminated. [00:57:09] Bill proceeded to make his way back to New Port Richey where he resided, but he lost [00:57:16] everything. When we met Bill, he was sitting on a park bench covered with bug bites. We [00:57:21] had no intention at the time in March of 2013 of feeding the homeless or doing anything. [00:57:26] But see, I'm a retired police officer. I'm also an Army veteran. I spent my entire life [00:57:32] in public service. When I moved down here, I moved down here with the intention of enjoying [00:57:37] my retirement but never forgetting my public service. So we fed Bill. Then we said, you [00:57:43] know what Bill, we'll be back next week. And you know what, almost three years later [00:57:48] we've been doing the same thing every weekend morning. Now Bill recommended, hey Jim and [00:57:54] folks, there are more people going hungry on Saturday mornings than on Sunday mornings. [00:58:00] You know what we decided? Let's go help the people on Saturday mornings because we'll [00:58:04] gather more people. You know why? Because there's a need in the community. And the church [00:58:09] at Zephyr Hills, that's another former New York City police officer who I met in Starbucks [00:58:14] one day who found out, he's like, you're a retired police officer from the Port Authority [00:58:19] Police Department of New York and New Jersey and I'm a retired New York City police officer [00:58:24] and I have a heart for those people, so can I come and help you? And I invited Carlos [00:58:29] to come and help us and he has come periodically from Zephyr Hills to assist and feed. This [00:58:36] is a picnic, this is a potluck breakfast that we bring as a cooperative group of families. [00:58:43] This is not an organization that came out and said we want to disrupt the public. And [00:58:47] in almost three years there has never been one single incident that the police have had [00:58:53] to respond to. And I've been there 95% of the time. So I can attest to the lack of any [00:59:00] type of reporting because I've been there personally. Thank you and have a good night. [00:59:07] Thank you. Anyone else? [00:59:22] Hi everyone. My name is Shannon Hernandez. I live at 7131 Creek Drive, New Port Richey. [00:59:27] I was going to sit back there and clap for everyone because I thought what they said [00:59:30] was excellent, but I've realized that that doesn't really make my voice heard. So I wanted [00:59:34] to come up here and tell you that I agree with everything everybody said. Please vote [00:59:38] no on this ordinance. It's really inhumane in my respect. Thank you. [00:59:50] Seeing no one else come forward, I'm going to close this and bring it back to Council. [00:59:57] Thank you. [01:00:00] Discussion? Motion? I always go first. Anybody else? I'm sorry? I always go first. [01:00:05] Anybody else? I'll move for approval. We have a motion. Second. Second. To the [01:00:10] maker. I don't think we're out here to shut anything down. I think we're out [01:00:17] here to organize. And so I think this is the way we're organizing. I appreciate [01:00:22] the gentleman that it started on his own, but we're willing to work with you. [01:00:26] There must be a dozen, two dozen churches in town. You know, they [01:00:33] have property that will probably welcome people. They're welcome to come [01:00:38] down to Sims Park a couple times a year. So I think we're trying to work [01:00:43] with people. The second. Yes, thank you all for coming tonight and thank you all [01:00:49] for your comments. The gentleman that's a retired veteran, thank you for your [01:00:53] service. I don't think there's anyone up here that our intention is to [01:00:58] not feed the hungry. I think that it's a ministry to feed the hungry. And I [01:01:07] think that it's a ministry that's very well served in this community by not [01:01:11] only the churches, but several organizations that are committed to the [01:01:17] homeless and are committed to feeding them. So we're not suggesting that the [01:01:21] homeless go unfed or that anyone that's hungry go unfed. We just are saying that [01:01:26] it's not appropriate for it to be in public in the park on the scale that [01:01:32] that this ordinance addresses. So I'd say that it's a ministry. I believe that [01:01:39] Calvary Chapel Church, which is in this community, feeds 3,000 homeless. And I [01:01:45] think that organizations that have that that intent that that that's the place [01:01:51] in a appropriate organization that should be doing that. I agree. I mean, [01:01:56] well said. I am personally not against being a homeless and I take offense to [01:02:00] some of the comments that were made addressing council. I'm not judging [01:02:04] anyone sitting there and I don't expect anyone to judge me. You can feed the [01:02:07] homeless in my opinion. I just don't think Sims Park on a weekend basis, every [01:02:12] weekend, is the proper place to do so. I would like to make two amendments to the [01:02:16] motion though. Am I allowed to do that if I didn't? If it's acceptable to the [01:02:21] maker. We currently have a $50 fee for residents that want to rent a [01:02:25] pavilion. If you live in the city limits and you're a city resident and a $75 [01:02:30] fee for non-residents, this ordinance has a fee at $100. I'd like that fee to [01:02:35] match the current fee at $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Also, [01:02:40] I don't know if this was an error, but Francis Park, they say it's only open for [01:02:43] gatherings, which could be a birthday party, a family reunion, whatever you want [01:02:47] to label it, anything over 15 people, Monday through Friday. I'd like that open [01:02:52] Monday through Sunday so people can enjoy the pavilion and the girls that [01:02:56] are out there and have gatherings on the weekends as well at Francis Park. So I'd [01:02:59] like to make those two amendments. Is that acceptable to the maker? Yes, it is. [01:03:05] Anything else, Councilman? No, thank you. Deputy Mayor. Yeah, you know, it gives you [01:03:12] pause when you have this kind of collection come out and I've been in [01:03:15] these settings many times. In some cases, I know the intent of what we're looking [01:03:23] to do. I just think we've set the threshold so low that we create an [01:03:28] additional burden at 15 people. I mean, it's there. I know that we've [01:03:37] noticed that we have some issues and we want to be, we want to make, the [01:03:41] reason that we looked at this initially, and I know when we came out with it [01:03:45] first, I know we want to make sure that we allocate our resources correctly. You [01:03:50] know, if we've got a number of items going on in the city and then a [01:03:54] group shows up with 50 or 75 people and we have to reallocate those, because [01:04:01] obviously we have limited police force, we have limited fire department force, [01:04:05] all those. I'm, like I said, I just, I'm not comfortable with the 15 people [01:04:10] number. I think it's way too low. I think if we get a congregation, you know, I [01:04:16] don't know what that magic number is off the top of my head, but I think 15 really [01:04:21] sets it down and, you know, I'm at a point where it also indicates in this [01:04:29] ordinance that the Gray Preserve location is exempt, not affected. So, you [01:04:35] know, there is a city, there's a large city park that sits on the river that's [01:04:39] going to have access and we just paved the road to it. So, unless we can do [01:04:46] something about the numbers and also about the registration part of it, I [01:04:50] just am not in favor of pushing this thing along. I think we're overreacting [01:04:56] to this and I'm not quite sure that we've got all of our ducks in a row, Mr. [01:05:00] Mayor. Do you have a recommendation on numbers? You know, I think a hundred. I mean, [01:05:09] we're supersizing this playground. I mean, we got to, you know, we get to a [01:05:14] hundred people, you know, there needs to be some kind of crowd control. That's my [01:05:19] number in my mind, Mr. Mayor. I mean, because as people said, if my mom's [01:05:25] family came here on Thanksgiving Day, we'd have 65 people from all over the [01:05:31] state of Florida. I just, it just, it just, to me, I think, you know, the intent is to [01:05:37] know that we have people coming because we want to make sure that everybody [01:05:40] enjoys the park. And over and above that, I think it's also important that we not [01:05:47] make it so restrictive that, and I always hate the word we use, prohibition, [01:05:53] and elements like that. I just think they're very arbitrary words that really [01:05:57] strike a very negative tone. I think, but they're there. We've looked at it on the [01:06:03] first reading. I just think we need to, I would love to see it be a larger [01:06:09] gathering so that it wouldn't preclude some of the gatherings that we have, but [01:06:13] we need to know when there's that many people in the park, because we have a lot [01:06:18] of things that go on peripherally, and we need to make sure we've got our forces [01:06:22] allocated in the city. So those are my thoughts, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. [01:06:28] One more comment, yeah, as well. Go ahead. Well, I think we're missing the [01:06:34] point. I think we're not suggesting that people can't gather in the park and eat [01:06:37] with families. What we're suggesting is that we do not want to see groups come [01:06:42] in specifically to feed the homeless, attract the homeless into the park to [01:06:47] feed them. I think that's the difference. I, too, if I had a gathering of family to [01:06:53] enjoy the park, I don't think that's the point. The point is the [01:07:01] large group feeding permit. That's the difference, I think. Exactly. No one's [01:07:06] saying you have to pull a permit if you want to bring 60 people to the park and enjoy the [01:07:10] park. If you want to sit there and feed more than 15 people, you now have to apply for a [01:07:14] permit if this is approved, and there's a motion on the floor. Thank you. I do [01:07:20] take some offense at being lectured by people that don't live in the city of [01:07:23] New Port Richey or anywhere nearby, and quite frankly, I think there are places [01:07:28] in Land O'Lakes and Zephyr Hills that have homeless problems, and they ought to [01:07:34] be dealing with the people in their own area instead of coming over here. We're [01:07:38] trying to make this a park that is for the citizens of New Port Richey. It's not [01:07:43] for people from outside of the area, and quite frankly, you know, we've had [01:07:52] multiple people that have come and talked to us today who've been opposed [01:07:56] to anything that involves changes at Sims Park, and quite frankly, I'm tired [01:08:01] of it, and I find it reprehensible that some of the miscommunication and [01:08:11] deliberate misrepresentation has happened. So I'm in favor of this, and I [01:08:17] think the people from out of the area need to take care of their own, and I [01:08:23] will take care of homeless as I have in previous weeks when I helped pay for [01:08:28] homeless to eat tomorrow night. So don't lecture me. There's no further [01:08:33] discussion. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like [01:08:38] sign? No. Motion passes. Next item on the agenda is change order number one, Sims [01:08:46] Park Improvement Project. Mr. Mayor, we have the Main Street Landing

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15. 11.a

    Main Street Landing Development Agreement

    approved

    Council approved the Main Street Landing Development Agreement following detailed discussion at the earlier CRA meeting. Councilmembers expressed support while one member reiterated concerns about clarifying deal points, TDR credit values, oversight of furnishings decisions, and acknowledgement from the land leaseholder.

    • motion:Motion to approve the Main Street Landing Development Agreement. (passed)

    🏢Main Street Landings LLP👤Davis👤Debbie👤Mario#CRA#Main Street Landing Development Agreement#TDR credits

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    [01:08:53] Development Agreement. Oh, I'm sorry. Main Street Landing Development Agreement. [01:08:58] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, this item was discussed in detail this [01:09:04] evening at your meeting at 6 o'clock. The staff stands prepared to respond to any [01:09:10] specific questions that you might have. Okay. Open this issue up for public [01:09:18] comment. Seeing no one come forward on this matter, bring it back to Council. [01:09:25] I just want to make one comment. I went over this and wasn't at the CRA [01:09:32] meeting, but I went over this with both Mario and Debbie yesterday, and we're [01:09:37] all on the same page. Unless something drastically happened at the CRA meeting, [01:09:41] then I move for approval. Second. We have a motion and a second. To the maker? No, I'm [01:09:47] happy. I'm looking at the date three and a half years out. Is this the [01:09:51] second? No, nothing further. Thank you. Councilwoman? No. Mr. Mayor, I made my [01:09:59] comments at the CRA and I hope they will be taken into consideration to clarify a [01:10:03] number of these items to make sure that we have proper representation about what [01:10:10] all is included in the deal. As I mentioned, I wasn't going to be an [01:10:17] impediment in this project because we are so far down the road. There's no way [01:10:21] to really stop and go back. Mr. Davis wasn't here, so he missed my [01:10:27] soliloquy of like 12 different points because I want to make sure that [01:10:32] councils in the future don't have to come back and revisit what we've been [01:10:36] doing here. I wanted to make sure that there was clear clarification. I want to [01:10:41] make sure that all the dollars and all of the concessions and the deal [01:10:47] points are in place. We are leaving some flexibility in the agreement. I was very [01:10:56] adamant about understanding what the values are to the developers TDR [01:11:02] credits. Then over and above that, I did want to make sure specifically in the [01:11:09] agreement it was changed. It wasn't changed in my agreement. It was changed on the [01:11:14] PowerPoint about giving staff the ability to have some kind of committee [01:11:19] over the furnishings. I tried to make the point, and I will make it again, that [01:11:25] that's great. Staff can do that. Staff isn't making the final decision. Staff [01:11:30] isn't signing the check. I believe that that final decision needs to go back to [01:11:36] the CRA directors and then recommendations to City Council because [01:11:42] those are key elements in the agreement with making sure that the apartments or [01:11:47] the final units meet the criteria in which we're looking for to make the deal [01:11:54] the best deal possible. Then finally all I asked for was for an [01:12:01] acknowledgement from the land leaseholder venture to Main Street [01:12:08] Landings LLP to make sure that there is some acknowledgement. Not that we're [01:12:13] doing this in a vacuum. I understand that. I just want to make sure that everybody [01:12:18] in the deal knows everything that's going on because they have the land [01:12:23] lease on the property back to Main Street Landings LLP. Those are [01:12:28] my key points. I want to make this deal and this project and these [01:12:35] elements the best it can be because I know that's what was done in the past [01:12:39] but obviously we are where we are today. Thank you. I made my comments at the CRA [01:12:48] meeting but for the benefit of Councilman Davis I'm ready to see this [01:12:53] thing proceed so we can get it done. There's no further discussion. All those [01:12:59] in favor please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Motion passes. Next is

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16. 11.b

    Change Order #1 Sims Park Improvement Project

    approved

    Council approved Change Order #1 for the Sims Park Improvement Project, a deductive change order of $140,844.70 resulting from the city directly purchasing materials (largely lighting fixtures and splash pad accessories totaling $132,551.79) and realizing tax savings of $8,292.91. Discussion included a council request to track cumulative deductive change orders to inform a forthcoming decision on video screen boards (~$150,000), and a request for a running tab of project finances.

    • motion:Motion to approve Change Order #1 for the Sims Park Improvement Project, a deductive change order of $140,844.70. (passed)

    👤Councilman Davis👤Ms. Manns#Change Order #1#Sims Park Improvement Project#Splash pad#Video screen boards

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    [01:13:05] the change order number one. Mr. Mayor, Council it's a pleasure to present to you this [01:13:11] evening change order number one in relationship to the Sims Park [01:13:15] Improvement Project. The change order is deductive in nature. It is deductive in [01:13:21] the amount of $140,844.70. The purpose of the deductive change order is the [01:13:30] result of the fact that the city is purchasing directly many of the [01:13:36] materials that will be used in the implementation of the project and the [01:13:41] result of that is a tax savings to the city. In this specific case the city is [01:13:47] purchasing $132,551.79 in materials which are largely lighting [01:13:54] fixtures and accessories for the splash pad and the tax savings is in the amount [01:14:01] of $8,292.91. Thank you. Open it up for public comment discussion. [01:14:08] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to Council. Move for approval. Second. To the [01:14:14] maker. Thank you. The second. Always nice to have a deductive change order instead [01:14:20] of an add-on change order but let's not characterize it as a savings now [01:14:27] because we were also talking about adding additional elements in here. So [01:14:31] what I'd like to understand before we entertain that at whatever meeting it's [01:14:36] going to be and it's specifically talking about the video screen boards [01:14:42] that have been put back out. So we'd like to know what the deductive change [01:14:47] orders have been to date. So if that allows us to consider even better video [01:14:58] boards than what has been shipped. [01:15:00] is so far at $150,000 because, once again, [01:15:06] I keep referring back to former councils. [01:15:09] I don't want to go down the road that after five years [01:15:11] those boards aren't big enough and somebody's not [01:15:13] happy with them or whatever. [01:15:15] Because every time we talk about the rec center, [01:15:17] we talk about the daggum pool that [01:15:19] got downsized during the process. [01:15:21] And we go over and over that element. [01:15:24] And I would have much rather had a competition pool [01:15:28] in the final thing there, the final piece, [01:15:34] so that then I had the problem of having [01:15:35] to make more parking on the site. [01:15:38] But now I have to look at that. [01:15:39] So I want to make sure, if we're going [01:15:41] to add these additional elements, [01:15:43] let me know where we save dollars [01:15:45] so I'm not spending new dollars. [01:15:47] But I might be spending dollars that we'd already allocated. [01:15:50] And it gives us even more bang for the buck. [01:15:54] So I would much like to see those video boards have a range. [01:15:58] And I spoke to Ms. Manns about it, [01:16:00] a couple of different increments. [01:16:02] Because, obviously, they have a net benefit. [01:16:05] But that's what I need to know to make a collective decision. [01:16:08] Thank you. [01:16:08] Ms. Manns, I believe that's coming up on next week's agenda. [01:16:12] Mr. Mayor, you will have a presentation [01:16:14] at your next meeting. [01:16:17] And if it is acceptable to you that a formal change order will [01:16:23] be effectuated to support the installation of the boards. [01:16:28] Very good. [01:16:29] Any further discussion on this? [01:16:30] I just, while we're discussing this, [01:16:34] I asked, I think, a month ago for a running tab on the park. [01:16:39] So at the end, when we're missing a couple hundred [01:16:41] thousand, that we're kind of watching our numbers. [01:16:43] And the numbers that we were originally given, [01:16:45] I haven't seen anything yet. [01:16:48] In response to your request, Councilman Davis, [01:16:51] and perhaps I didn't understand you completely, [01:16:53] I passed along a copy of a pay application [01:16:56] that has been submitted on the project, which [01:16:58] contain the detail. [01:17:02] And if that's not what you were looking for, I'm sorry. [01:17:04] No, I'm looking for a running tab. [01:17:06] Like, we have this money, we're spending this, [01:17:09] this is coming up, this is going out. [01:17:11] Not just sheets of payouts, a running tab. [01:17:16] I'll try to put together something that will [01:17:18] be more to your satisfaction. [01:17:21] Thank you. [01:17:21] Any further discussion on this one? [01:17:23] No. [01:17:24] No, thank you. [01:17:24] In that case, all those in favor, [01:17:26] please signify by saying aye. [01:17:27] Aye. [01:17:28] Opposed, the like sign. [01:17:32] We are at about a break point.

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17. 11.c

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

    Public Hearing, Special Waste Hauling Applications for the 2016 Calendar Year

    approved

    Council approved waste hauler permit applications for the 2016 calendar year for six companies, five existing vendors and one new entrant. A resident raised concerns about truck traffic on Montana Avenue, early morning dumpster pickups, and pickups occurring on non-designated days.

    • motion:Motion to approve waste hauler permit applications for the 2016 calendar year for the six recommended haulers. (passed)

    📍6330 Montana Avenue, New Port Richey, 34653📍Montana Avenue between Polk and Congress, north of the middle school🏢County Recycling🏢JD Parker and Sons🏢Peterson Service Corporation🏢Progressive Waste Solutions🏢Seaside Sanitation🏢Waste Management of Florida👤Phillips👤Ron Holliday#10% franchise fee for waste haulers#2016 waste hauler permit applications

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    [01:17:35] It's a pleasure of the Council we can do that, [01:17:38] or we can run through. [01:17:39] Five minutes. [01:17:40] Five minutes. [01:17:41] In that case, we'll reconvene in five minutes. [01:17:45] Next item is a public hearing on special waste hauling [01:17:48] applications for 2016 calendar year. [01:17:51] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, [01:17:53] this evening you have a request before you [01:17:56] to approve the waste hauler permit applications [01:17:59] for six waste haulers, five of which [01:18:02] we have previous experience with, one of which [01:18:06] is new to the industry. [01:18:09] The waste hauler applications are due to the city [01:18:13] by November 15th for service the following calendar year. [01:18:19] We have vetted the six companies that [01:18:23] submitted their applications and also verified [01:18:28] that the existing vendors are paying their 10% franchise [01:18:33] fee mandated by the city to operate a waste hauling [01:18:37] operation. [01:18:38] Our recommendation to you is to approve waste hauler permit [01:18:45] applications for the 2016 calendar year for county [01:18:50] recycling, JD Parker and Sons, Progressive Waste Solutions, [01:18:54] Seaside Sanitation, Waste Management of Florida, [01:18:58] and Peterson Service Corporation. [01:19:01] Thank you. [01:19:01] This is a public hearing, and so public comment [01:19:03] would be acceptable, encouraged, if you [01:19:08] hate some particular waste hauler, come on down. [01:19:12] Or like one. [01:19:12] Or if you like one, too, you can do that, too. [01:19:15] Please give us your name and address for the record. [01:19:19] Ron Holliday, 6330 Montana Avenue, New Port Richey, 34653. [01:19:26] In the past, it's been mentioned that we're [01:19:28] going to try to eliminate a lot of the traffic of the trucks [01:19:31] on the city streets. [01:19:33] And I live on Montana, and on Monday and Thursday, some [01:19:37] of the trucks make more than one pass around. [01:19:39] I don't know why they go around the block and come in front [01:19:41] of the house so many times. [01:19:42] And then there's a couple dumpsters that are dumped [01:19:46] between Polk and Congress and north of the middle school [01:19:51] that are banging out there at like 5 o'clock in the morning. [01:19:53] I thought there was a time frame for them to do that as well. [01:19:56] If they're doing it before 5 AM, I think that's pretty early. [01:19:58] Mr. Phillips can probably hear them at his house. [01:20:02] And then sometimes they're on days other [01:20:05] than those designated pickup days on Monday and Thursday. [01:20:08] So I was just kind of curious, if we're giving them [01:20:10] permits, why aren't they for time-specific and day-specific? [01:20:14] Why aren't they? [01:20:15] Contracts are time and date-specific. [01:20:17] If you have a violator, please make us aware of it, [01:20:22] and we can follow up. [01:20:24] I understand if there was a missed pickup. [01:20:26] My hauler always says, if somebody didn't get it [01:20:28] out there the night before, it's not considered a missed pickup, [01:20:30] and they will pick it up the following pickup time, [01:20:33] not make a special trip out to do so. [01:20:36] So I'm just kind of curious. [01:20:38] It depends on the time of day that the call is made [01:20:40] and whether or not there's still a truck in the area. [01:20:42] Yeah, I meant like the following day is [01:20:44] when they were coming by. [01:20:45] Instead of Monday, Thursday, it was like Tuesday, Friday. [01:20:47] I've seen them out there. [01:20:48] But we're trying to limit repairs [01:20:51] on the streets in the past. [01:20:52] And, you know, the special assessments of that. [01:20:56] And just with the road construction lately, [01:20:58] and it only happened for a couple weeks or whatever, [01:21:01] the road construction was done. [01:21:01] There was probably three dozen buses that went up [01:21:04] and down Montana, a steady stream. [01:21:06] It was difficult to get on my driveway [01:21:07] at certain times of the day. [01:21:08] And that has alleviated. [01:21:09] But a few of them are still using it probably more [01:21:10] than they did in the past. [01:21:12] Ever since Main Street was rebuilt 20 years ago, [01:21:14] Montana has been the cutthroat for everybody [01:21:16] to learn that shortcut to avoid the corners [01:21:18] that they can't make downtown, [01:21:19] including some of the fire trucks [01:21:21] that are difficult to get around those corners. [01:21:23] Anyway, that's all I wanted to mention. [01:21:24] Thank you. [01:21:25] Thank you very much. [01:21:27] It should still be out in the hall. [01:21:31] Anyone else? [01:21:33] Seeing none, I'll bring this back to council. [01:21:35] Move to approve. [01:21:36] Second. [01:21:37] A motion, a second to the maker. [01:21:38] None. [01:21:39] To the second. [01:21:40] Councilman. [01:21:41] No, thank you. [01:21:43] Yeah, it's, you know, part of the fee that we put in place. [01:21:47] And I think at two years at 10 and the third years at 15, [01:21:52] I believe it steps up. [01:21:53] But obviously it was for impacts to the roadways. [01:21:56] And then I know we've had some off and on changes [01:21:59] with it's no longer blue bag, it's recycle. [01:22:04] And I think that's Wednesdays. [01:22:07] I'm sure somebody could enlighten me [01:22:09] because now you've got to have a special can for it [01:22:12] because the blue bags didn't work. [01:22:14] I still got four cartons of blue bags. [01:22:17] We'll take blue bags. [01:22:19] But that being the case, we made the point of making sure [01:22:23] that we were starting to get some funds in [01:22:28] to pay for road damages that we were incurring. [01:22:31] And then I do note that it must be for safety reasons [01:22:36] that they go, it seems to me it's like the UPS drivers [01:22:39] now they can only make right hand turns, [01:22:42] but on the trash pickups, they go down one way [01:22:46] and then they come back around. [01:22:47] So they're all, I think maybe because the way [01:22:49] their trucks are situated now, [01:22:51] but it is something we probably need [01:22:54] to monitor moving forward. [01:22:55] But I'm good with this approval. [01:23:00] Any other comments? [01:23:01] Hearing none, all those in favor, [01:23:03] please signify by saying aye. [01:23:04] Aye. [01:23:05] Opposed, the like sign. [01:23:07] Passes. [01:23:08] Next item is selection of an audit committee [01:23:09] and authorization to initiate procurement [01:23:12] of external audit services. [01:23:14] Mr. Mayor, in July of 2015, the city was informed [01:23:19] by our then independent audit firm, [01:23:21] Meyer Hoffman McCann PC, that they would no longer [01:23:25] be providing governmental auditing services. [01:23:29] We were under contract with them [01:23:31] through the end of fiscal year, September 30th, 2016. [01:23:36] Therefore, we need to procure the services [01:23:39] of an external audit service company. [01:23:43] The purpose of this agenda item is to formally ask you [01:23:46] to appoint the city manager, the city's finance director, [01:23:50] and the assistant finance director to serve [01:23:53] in the capacity of an audit committee, [01:23:56] to evaluate proposals provided by qualified firms,

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18. 11.d

    Selection of Audit Committee & Authorization to Initiate Procurement of External Audit Services

    approved

    Council authorized staff to initiate procurement of external audit services and to bring back top-ranked auditing firms at the December 15th meeting for recommendation to perform audits for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017. A councilmember emphasized the importance of selecting an experienced firm with a track record rather than choosing solely on price, given the complexity of the city, CRA, and water/sewer audits and the upcoming Tyler Technologies conversion.

    • motion:Motion to approve selection of audit committee and authorization to initiate procurement of external audit services, with top-ranked firms to be brought back at the December 15 meeting. (passed)

    🏢Tyler Technologies#CRA audit#External Audit Services procurement#FY 2015-16-17 audits#Tyler Technologies conversion#Water and sewer audit

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    [01:24:02] and to bring back to you at your December 15th [01:24:04] city council meeting the top-ranked auditing firms [01:24:08] for a recommendation to perform the audits [01:24:11] for the fiscal years 2015, 16, and 17. [01:24:15] Open up for public comment. [01:24:17] Seeing no one rushing forward to talk about audits, [01:24:20] bring it back to council. [01:24:21] Move for approval. [01:24:22] Second. [01:24:24] The maker. [01:24:25] Yeah, I just, obviously with the audit report [01:24:28] that we received last year, which was for a couple [01:24:31] of years before, and everybody was very, [01:24:39] analyzed those to the nth degree, [01:24:41] and obviously we had a lot of things in them. [01:24:43] So, obviously, and we changed audit firms for a year [01:24:49] and then got noticed that we, you know, [01:24:50] they decided to stop doing the business or whatever. [01:24:53] So, my only request is, [01:24:56] I've heard, not clearly at all, which is fine with me. [01:25:21] Because I don't want to keep training people [01:25:22] to understand what the city of New Port Richey does, [01:25:24] especially when we talk about the city audit, [01:25:28] CRA audit, water and sewer audit. [01:25:33] So, I want to make, you know, [01:25:34] I've always sold my customers that if they buy on price, [01:25:39] they get what they pay for. [01:25:41] So, I'm not opposed to making sure [01:25:44] that we've got the right audit team, [01:25:47] but I also want to make sure [01:25:48] that they've got some track record. [01:25:50] Because I don't want to keep training people [01:25:52] coming in and out of here, [01:25:53] especially as we go through the conversion [01:25:55] to the Tyler Technologies, [01:25:57] because I'm sure that's going to create [01:25:59] some other analytical opportunities [01:26:03] to decide where stuff should have been [01:26:05] and not been and signed off on. [01:26:07] So, enough of my soapbox, [01:26:09] but I want to make sure that this one comes around this time [01:26:12] with not a lot of parade and calliope music [01:26:17] and all that other stuff. [01:26:19] Second? [01:26:20] Nothing. [01:26:21] Else one? [01:26:22] No comments. [01:26:23] Thank you. [01:26:28] There's no further discussion. [01:26:29] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:26:31] Aye. [01:26:32] Opposed, the like sign. [01:26:33] Next is the EWPPTE, [01:26:39] Influent Grinder Sole Source Purchase. [01:26:42] That's easy for Rivera to say. [01:26:44] Ms. Mahentz. [01:26:45] Okay. [01:26:47] That's in his resume, by the way. [01:26:48] The agenda item before you, [01:26:51] as you've indicated, [01:26:53] is a sole source purchase related, [01:26:56] the piece of equipment that we were talking about [01:26:59] is an Influent Grinder for our wastewater treatment plant. [01:27:03] It is for the north unit. [01:27:08] The city did earlier this year purchase this unit [01:27:14] for the south, I'm sorry, [01:27:18] south portion of the wastewater treatment plant. [01:27:22] The request before you this evening [01:27:23] is to approve the sole source proposal [01:27:28] from JWC Environmental in the amount [01:27:32] not to exceed $86,345 [01:27:36] to replace the Influent Grinder, [01:27:39] which is currently more than 20 years old [01:27:42] and uses a rake system technology, [01:27:45] which is by current standards [01:27:48] considered to be quite antiquated. [01:27:51] Open it up for public comment. [01:27:55] Seeing none, I bring it back to council. [01:27:57] Move. [01:27:58] Move. [01:27:59] Second. [01:27:59] Second to the maker. [01:28:00] Nothing. [01:28:01] Second. [01:28:02] Glad we got 20 years out of it. [01:28:03] Really. [01:28:05] Councilwoman. [01:28:08] We're good. [01:28:08] Not my area of expertise. [01:28:10] Councilwoman. [01:28:11] Yes, thank you. [01:28:14] We're not all key grinders. [01:28:16] No, and I'm just. [01:28:18] Organ grinders perhaps. [01:28:20] I'm not touching on this cold discussion. [01:28:27] If there's no further discussion, [01:28:28] all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:28:32] Aye. [01:28:33] Opposed, the like sign. [01:28:33] We couldn't make a grinder sound. [01:28:35] We had that before when we did the other thing we had before. [01:28:39] That's not. [01:28:42] Renewal of the environmental committee memberships. [01:28:45] Ms. Manns. [01:28:46] Mr. Mayor, we have a second item [01:28:48] related to the wastewater treatment plant. [01:28:50] I'm trying. [01:28:51] All right, wastewater treatment plant. [01:28:55] Mr. Mayor, members of the council, [01:28:57] the agenda item before you relates to the operating permit [01:29:01] for the wastewater treatment plant. [01:29:04] It is time to renew the permit. [01:29:07] The permit, which is good for a five year period of time, [01:29:13] is due to elapse in October of 2017. [01:29:18] The Department of Environmental Protections

    This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

19. 11.e

    WWTP Influent Grinder-Sole Source Purchase

    approved

    Council approved a contract with McKim and Creed, not to exceed $28,500, for engineering services associated with the wastewater treatment plant FDEP operating permit renewal application. The transcript title references an Influent Grinder sole-source purchase, but the discussion captured concerns the permit renewal engineering contract.

    • motion:Approve contract with McKim and Creed not to exceed $28,500 for engineering services for the WWTP FDEP operating permit renewal application. (passed)

    🏢McKim and Creed#Wastewater Treatment Plant FDEP Operating Permit Renewal

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    [01:29:22] requires that the permit application [01:29:26] be submitted six months in advance of its expiration date. [01:29:31] McKim and Creed is the engineering firm [01:29:34] that we have worked with on the last three applications [01:29:39] for an operating permit, which includes a capacity analysis [01:29:43] as well as an operations and maintenance report. [01:29:46] Our experience with them has been quite favorable [01:29:49] and therefore we are recommending [01:29:51] that you consider allowing us to enter [01:29:53] into a contract with them for an amount [01:29:55] not to exceed $28,500 for the. [01:30:00] engineering services associated with the wastewater treatment plant, [01:30:03] Florida Department of Environmental Protection operating permit renewal [01:30:07] application. [01:30:08] Thank you. Open it up for public comment. Seeing no one come forward, [01:30:12] bring it back to council. Move for approval. To the maker? No, sir. Second. [01:30:20] Councilman? No comment, thank you. Councilwoman? Thank you. The alternative [01:30:24] just, I don't want to go there, so let's [01:30:30] approve this thing. We're all about wastewater tonight. Exactly. All those in [01:30:34] favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Now we can get to [01:30:39] the renewal of the environmental committee memberships. Yes, Mr. Mayor. [01:30:43] Mr. Jonathan Teets' term has expired on the environmental committee. There are [01:30:50] three other members of the environmental committee whose terms are due to expire [01:30:55] shortly. Kira Atkinson, Cindy Cadle, and Rose Moore. We are asking that all [01:31:01] four be reappointment in concurrence with the dates as noted to you in Ms. [01:31:09] Summers' November 10th communication. Thank you. Open it up for public [01:31:14] comment. Seeing no one come forward, back to council. Move for approval. We [01:31:18] have a motion and a second. Whichever maker? Nothing. Thank you for your [01:31:23] service and hope to continue to add to the city. No, I think this environmental [01:31:29] committee, I've gotten to know more about them over the last 12 months and [01:31:32] they're just a true asset to the city and they're doing some phenomenal things [01:31:35] and I thank you for your efforts and I look forward to what they're [01:31:41] working on. A lot of cool things and I'm excited to see what comes of it. So [01:31:44] just thank you for your time and for all that y'all are doing. Councilman? I'm [01:31:53] thank you for your service. Let's get them approved for renewal before they [01:31:56] change their minds. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed,

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20. 11.f

    Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Operating Permit Renewal

    approved

    The transcript segment provided does not actually cover the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operating Permit Renewal item. Instead it covers the Police Pension Board appointment of Edward Beckman as trustee, which was approved, followed by the start of a fire department report.

    • motion:Move to approve the appointment of Edward Beckman to the Police Pension Board as trustee. (passed)

    🏢Florida West Coast Credit Union🏢Pasco Sheriff's Charities👤Edward Beckman#Fire Department three-minute report#Police Pension Board trustee appointment

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    [01:32:01] like sign. Next item is police pension board application and roster. Mr. Mayor, [01:32:08] there is an open seat on the police pension board for a trustee. The position [01:32:17] is a city appointed position and Mr. Edward Beckman has applied to serve as [01:32:29] the appointed trustee. He is a resident of the city. He has a law enforcement [01:32:38] background and he currently serves on the Florida West Coast Credit Union [01:32:44] Board and the Pasco Sheriff's Charities Board. We consider Mr. Beckman to be a [01:32:50] great addition to the group and we're recommending to you that you approve the [01:32:54] appointment of Mr. Edward Beckman to the police pension board. Open it up for [01:32:59] public comment. Seeing nobody come forward, bring back to council. Move for [01:33:03] approval. Second. To the maker. Just, I know Eddie Beckman real well and I think [01:33:09] he'll be an asset. Second. I would agree. Deputy Mayor. All those in favor, please [01:33:17] signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, like sign. Next is a three-minute report from [01:33:22] our fire department. Chief. Good evening again. Just a brief update on current [01:33:31] affairs with the fire department. Since January 1st, we responded to a total of [01:33:37] 3,667 total calls, including fire, EMS, and general calls for service. We've [01:33:45] completed 4,752 hours of training. Our firefighters have done that. That [01:33:52] includes in-service hours for personnel to maintain their current certifications [01:33:57] and acquisitions of new certifications as well. We've completed 860 monthly

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21. 11.g

    Renewal of Environmental Committee Memberships

    Fire department staff presented an activity report covering inspections, plan reviews, fire prevention week events, breast cancer awareness activities, the ongoing fire station replacement study, and promotional assessments. The transcript excerpt does not contain content related to the stated agenda topic of Environmental Committee membership renewals.

    🏢Fleischman and Garcia#Bike Fest#Breast Cancer Awareness Month#Fire Prevention Week#Fire station replacement study#Promotional assessment center for district chief and captain

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    [01:34:04] building inspections for all the public occupancies within the city limits. 75 [01:34:11] plan reviews with the development department. 111 fire construction [01:34:16] inspections, which has played a positive role in numerous new business openings [01:34:22] within the city. And we've sat in on numerous set meetings for upcoming [01:34:27] events. For an example, like the bike fest that we just had to prepare for those. [01:34:33] We wrapped up fire prevention week with numerous station tours of the fire [01:34:38] station from our city schools, public education, and we had public service [01:34:46] announcements on the city Facebook and website. October was breast cancer [01:34:52] awareness month, and we had a month long of activities. You might have saw our [01:34:57] firefighters wearing the pink t-shirts. We actively played a role in that [01:35:02] awareness. We were actively involved in the fire station replacement [01:35:08] study with Fleischman and Garcia, which is ongoing. And as you saw earlier [01:35:13] tonight, the promotional assessment center process for district chief and [01:35:17] captain was a very long and thorough process that we put together. We are

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22. 11.h

    Police Pension Board Application and Roster

    Brief mention at the tail end of the fire chief's report touching on AFG grant work, Bike Fest vendor inspections, NIMS training, and a forthcoming presentation on a firehouse matter. A councilmember asked the chief and city manager to monitor pending state legislation regarding firefighter cancer susceptibility. The transcript appears mislabeled — content does not match the Police Pension Board Application agenda title.

    • direction:Council requested the fire chief and city manager monitor pending state legislation related to firefighter cancer susceptibility. (none)

    #AFG grant#Bike Fest#NIMS training#firefighter cancer susceptibility legislation

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    [01:35:25] currently working on the AFG grant for future self-contained breathing [01:35:30] apparatus purchases, and we were actively involved in the bike fest doing [01:35:36] all the vendor inspections, and we have positive feedback from everything that [01:35:41] we've heard from that event. And last but not least, we have assisted in [01:35:46] teaching the required NIMS classes for all supervisors in all the city [01:35:51] departments. Thank you. Any questions for the chief? Where are we on the [01:35:58] firehouse down the road? You're meeting with him. Can you expand on that a [01:36:03] little bit? A presentation will be made to you at your next meeting. Thanks. [01:36:10] Yeah, Chief, I had the opportunity to attend a roundtable discussion with one [01:36:19] of our state senators earlier today, and between you and the manager, I would [01:36:24] like for you to stay closely in tune to some of the bills that are going to be [01:36:29] filed. One in particular has to do with, I think it's called, I think it's going [01:36:34] to deal mainly with cancer susceptibility for firefighters. I'd [01:36:39] like to make sure that we're on point about that moving forward, because [01:36:43] there's a heightened belief, I believe, that because of the

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23. 11.i

    Three-Minute Report: Fire

    discussed

    This agenda item is labeled as the Fire three-minute report, but the transcript primarily captures the tail end of a discussion about firefighter exposure to toxins/cancer risk, then transitions into the Parks and Recreation three-minute report. Parks & Rec staff presented updates on Sims Park restroom construction, parade route pavers, swim programs, Silver Sneakers, Quilters Guild, yoga, Puppy Paddle, Trunk or Treat, Youth Advisory Board events, and answered questions about Toys for Tots and fitness center access.

    📍Sims Park🏢Metropolitan Ministries👤Brian👤Elaine👤Greg Smith#Cardboard camp out#Firefighter cancer/toxin exposure concerns#Fit Forever program#Parade route pavers#Power and Posture yoga#Puppy Paddle#Quilters Guild#SAC swim meet#Silver Sneakers program#Sims Park restroom project#Solar Flow yoga#Special Olympics swim team#Tampa Bay home show#Toys for Tots#Trunk or Treat#Youth Advisory Board zombie run

    ▶ Jump to 1:36:47 in the video

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    [01:36:47] environments that you're put in before and after your apparatus and stuff, your [01:36:54] breathing apparatus, that it may place you in an additional level of toxins or [01:37:02] things that may affect health, not today but down the road. I want to make sure [01:37:07] as a city and as a council and from our insurance carriers and all that, that we [01:37:13] place special attention to that, because I do know that we've lost some of your [01:37:16] firefighters and your family this year to cancer. Absolutely. Thank you. Next is [01:37:27] three-minute report, Parks and Rec. Thank you very much. Appreciate the [01:37:30] opportunity. How do I start this, Brian? Just push. Beautiful, thank you. I just [01:37:38] thought I'd show you a few pictures of some of the current projects and [01:37:41] activities we have going on tonight or recently. This was taken last [01:37:46] Thursday. It's the Sims Park restroom progress. We also, the pavers were [01:37:51] started putting in today for the parade route. Recently we hosted the SAC [01:37:57] swim meet, 700 people in attendance. To give an idea of participations we have [01:38:02] in our swim program, we currently have 63 swimmers on our Special Olympics team [01:38:07] and then our city team, we have 89 swimmers on that program. Water aerobics [01:38:13] meets three days a week regularly. They'll meet through the winter. We keep [01:38:16] the pool heated to a nice 82 degrees for them. Our silver sneakers program is [01:38:21] really picking up. We now have 547 members that have actually signed up and [01:38:27] attend, not just that have signed up and gotten the membership but actually come [01:38:31] to our different programs. This is a Fit Forever program that is going on. We [01:38:36] also do children's dance, cheerleading program. We have pickleball five [01:38:43] days a week for anything from beginner all the way through advanced. Our [01:38:48] Quilters Guild has really grown large. They have 180 members now, very active. [01:38:52] Meet regularly. They do instructional programs and they're really gearing up [01:38:56] right now for their large quilt show they'll have in February. Karate program [01:39:01] is everything from six-year-olds up through adults. Tai Chi is just another [01:39:05] one of our programs. You know adults or seniors use to participate. Senior [01:39:10] cards and games. This was a recent, most recent of our Tampa Bay home shows that [01:39:15] we had that was very well attended and completely sold out. We'd have actually [01:39:21] two, sorry that slides a little dark. They do their yoga program in the dark. [01:39:27] We actually have two forms of yoga. This is the the yoga geared towards seniors. [01:39:32] It's called Solar Flow and then we have another yoga called Power and Posture. [01:39:36] And we've also added a boot camp that meets four days a week now. Our most [01:39:41] recent Puppy Paddle, the program is really popular. It's grown to we had a [01:39:45] hundred and sixteen dogs. We had it on October 31st was the most recent for [01:39:50] that one. Tennis, she has a great program with that instruction. We have 59 people [01:39:56] currently signed up in lessons and that's everything from four years old [01:40:01] all the way up through seniors participate in that. Trunk or Treat, we [01:40:05] moved it back to the rec center this year because of the construction going [01:40:08] on down at Sims and around the lake. We had 2,000 in attendance. We used the [01:40:13] gymnasium as well as outside and then ran the movies in the gym. Our Youth [01:40:19] Advisory Board, this was a laser tag program that they did that was very well [01:40:23] attended. One side of the gym had laser tag while on the other side of the gym [01:40:28] they were running activities and games for the kids. They also wanted to do, your [01:40:33] Youth Advisory Board again, wanted to do a zombie run this year for the first [01:40:37] time ever. So we decided sure why not. We had 96 runners so we're really happy [01:40:42] with that. And people were so excited about it they said they can't wait to do [01:40:47] that again. And we got people, parents, that wanted to volunteer and help with the [01:40:51] next one. They enjoyed it so much. And this is just the last slide I wanted to end [01:40:54] with of our Youth Advisory Board. Their most recent project they're doing is [01:40:59] camping out this coming weekend. They're cardboard camp out and they are [01:41:03] collecting canned foods that are being donated, not feeding at our facility, but [01:41:08] they're actually donating those canned foods to local food banks that do [01:41:13] service needy. So that's their project they're working on. Thank you. Any [01:41:18] questions for Elaine? What's the lead time coming up for Toys for Tots? Toys for [01:41:24] Tots is already underway right now. The boxes have been distributed throughout [01:41:29] the area. I believe pickup day is by the 13th of December. It's going to be [01:41:35] done a little bit different this year because of our potential construction [01:41:39] going on at the facility. There is a warehouse that all the toys are being [01:41:44] distributed out of to the charities themselves. So it won't be family [01:41:50] individual distributions where we had 4,000 last year or 10. They're going to [01:41:55] go to Metropolitan Ministries and organizations like that that then [01:41:59] will distribute to their clientele. So we're going to lose the opportunity to [01:42:04] capture them for them to figure out where the rec center is at? I'm just asking. [01:42:08] Is that correct? This year we will not have it, yes. We hope to, I know that [01:42:15] easily we could regain that program next year. Miss Smith, how many times a [01:42:20] year do we do a show, a Tampa show, a Bay show, and a home show? They usually come [01:42:26] to us once a year. This was a special request. Normally they would come to us [01:42:30] more in November, but he was already booked for that. But when council had [01:42:35] asked about having this so we could highlight the different programs the [01:42:39] city, different departments have in the city to help homeowners and [01:42:43] businesses, so we convinced him to hold that. I believe it was in August that we [01:42:48] had it this year. But typically they'll do it once a year with us. This [01:42:53] is the same show that you have down at the fairgrounds and Tropicana Field, so [01:42:57] it's a large, very large show. Thank you. I got a letter from Greg Smith that [01:43:04] was questioning whether we could do any time access to the fitness center from [01:43:11] the outside door. Have we looked into that since that letter? We are. We are looking [01:43:15] into that technology and that is in the discussion plans for that, you know, for [01:43:21] that facility that we would be able to provide access early and late and [01:43:27] regulate it to just in the fitness facility. Yes. Where it is now? Are we

    This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

24. 11.j

    Three-Minute Report: Parks and Recreation

    discussed

    Council members delivered communications reports. Mr. Davis reported on the Association of Fundraising Professionals awards event. The Deputy Mayor thanked the Recreation Department for the city walking tour, discussed the Rivergate brochure from PDC, and announced he would attend next week's meeting remotely due to a business trip to Atlanta. Discussion also covered fitness center expansion plans, hiring childcare professionals, and personal trainers on staff. Councilwoman began sharing upcoming events including Veterans Day and Let's Talk Main Street.

    📍West Main Street and the Acorn District🏢Association of Fundraising Professionals🏢Friends of the Hacienda🏢Paper, Pencil, Play🏢Pasco County Smart Start Business Incubator🏢Pasco Economic Development Council🏢Ponce Asset Advisors🏢Porter family🏢Sansky USA🏢Suncoast Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America🏢Suncoast News🏢Suncoast Richey Theater🏢West Pasco Historical Society👤Bill Murphy👤Carl👤Debbie👤Gary Gans👤Jonathan Kirk👤Jose Cardenas👤Karen Nicole👤Lorian Dean👤Mr. Davis👤Mr. Miller👤Mr. Starkey👤Ms. DeBella Thomas#FF&E purchase for childcare/infants#Let's Talk Main Street#Main Street Landings Project#Marine District#Rivergate#Veterans Day#city walking tour#fitness center expansion

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    [01:43:33] looking at doing it where it is now? We're looking into where if the fitness [01:43:37] center would move to the front of the building. So we're not we're not doing it [01:43:40] now. We're not doing it now, no. One last question, Mr. Mayor. Certainly. I know we [01:43:47] had money in the budget for new equipment and I'm stressing again, [01:43:53] getting out ahead of that. You know, I work out there quite a bit and I'm [01:43:59] challenged. Challenged for variety and stuff. I know I'm challenged. I'm challenged a lot of [01:44:08] different ways, but I just I just feel like we're in that interim flux time [01:44:14] and you know, once we lose people it's hard to get them back. And so I'm [01:44:23] just, I know we had money. I know we talked about buying it, renting it, [01:44:27] dropping it in, doing whatever, but anything we can do to fast-track that [01:44:32] element that'll give you a, you know, a boost during snowbird season. Correct. And [01:44:39] then the carryover and all that. I just I just can't emphasize that enough. So [01:44:43] thank you. Thank you. We are now to one of my favorite parts of the meeting, which [01:44:49] is communications reports. Mr. Davis, we'll flip this around and go the other direction for a change. [01:44:56] All right, today I went to [01:45:00] Spartan for the, let me get this right, [01:45:04] the Association of Fundraiser Professionals. [01:45:07] And that was really interesting. [01:45:09] I never even knew it existed, [01:45:11] but I'll just go ahead and list the winners. [01:45:16] The Philanthropical Small Business was Ponce Asset Advisors, [01:45:21] which is, of course, everybody knows right downtown. [01:45:25] The Philanthropic Corporation was Sansky USA. [01:45:30] The Youth in Philanthropic was Jonathan Kirk. [01:45:36] The Philanthropic Service Club was the Suncoast Chapter [01:45:40] of the Military Officers Association of America. [01:45:44] The Philanthropist of the Year was the Porter family. [01:45:49] And the Volunteer of the Year was Bill Murphy [01:45:51] and Karen Nicole, and I'd like to thank them [01:45:54] for what they do in the community and what they've helped. [01:45:57] And something that I didn't realize, [01:46:01] that Philanthropic isn't just giving money, [01:46:04] it's time and leadership. [01:46:06] So that was kind of nice to hear. [01:46:08] And it was probably well over 200 people there, [01:46:12] and I just wanted to thank them. [01:46:14] The other thing is that since we had our meeting, [01:46:19] our work session last week, and sorry you couldn't make it. [01:46:23] Seems like you're well now. [01:46:26] I probably have been contacted more about that [01:46:28] than anything I have been contacted about [01:46:31] in the last two and a half years. [01:46:33] And the consensus that they wanted to know [01:46:38] if we were putting together a business plan, [01:46:40] and so I ask you and Debbie [01:46:43] whether we're putting together a business plan. [01:46:50] I'm not certain what you mean by a business plan, [01:46:53] but certainly we are looking at improving [01:46:57] the penetration rate of members in the city [01:47:01] of New Port Richey and expanding membership [01:47:04] beyond the boundaries of the city to others. [01:47:06] Well, things that would be financial [01:47:10] would be one of the things. [01:47:12] Do we have people on staff [01:47:14] that are childcare professionals? [01:47:16] We, you mean for the daycare area? [01:47:23] We are in the process right now [01:47:24] of developing a job description [01:47:26] to look at to hire people to do that. [01:47:30] That would be one of the things, [01:47:31] and then also it would be whether [01:47:32] we're going to handle infants or just the young. [01:47:36] We do plan to handle infants. [01:47:38] That's part of our FF&E that we're looking at purchasing. [01:47:42] At that point, that's where the business plan [01:47:45] would address how we're going to pay for that, [01:47:48] pay for those things. [01:47:49] How many people do we have? [01:47:50] I only know of one, and you weren't here to ask. [01:47:53] Ask professional trainers, physical trainers. [01:47:59] I have one, you mean on staff? [01:48:00] Yeah. [01:48:01] I have one that's certified as a trainer on staff currently. [01:48:05] I have another employee, and I'm not going to count her [01:48:08] because her last day is this week, [01:48:11] that has, I'm not sure she has certifications current, [01:48:13] but she has experience in that. [01:48:15] Those are the type of things that I would like to see [01:48:18] in a business plan. [01:48:19] And then we've also contracted with personal trainers [01:48:21] that come in as like our karate instructors and so forth [01:48:25] that have certifications and that will work with people. [01:48:28] We were talking about expanding the size [01:48:29] of our fitness center, so I think that we should have, [01:48:33] that would be part of the things that I would be addressing. [01:48:35] Correct. [01:48:37] Thank you. [01:48:38] Deputy Mayor. [01:48:39] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [01:48:41] I think all of us might have seen [01:48:43] this new Rivergate brochure from the PDC, [01:48:47] and I'm assuming Pasco County, [01:48:49] some are plugged in here too, [01:48:51] but it obviously is formulating the area [01:48:55] on West Main Street and the Acorn District [01:48:59] and right up next to the Main Street Landings Project. [01:49:03] So it's a piece that's been, [01:49:06] it's already been shopped to a lot of developers [01:49:09] and trying to do some assemblage [01:49:12] and some other things in that area, [01:49:14] so they continue to do that. [01:49:17] Wanted to thank the Recreation Department [01:49:21] and the four groups that were involved [01:49:25] in the city walking tour this weekend. [01:49:29] And of course, my colleagues that were there. [01:49:31] It was very, it was nice to spend some time in downtown [01:49:36] with people that don't know much about it. [01:49:39] And I obviously was identified [01:49:41] as having humor and local lore. [01:49:43] Not sure what lore is these days. [01:49:45] I think it meant that I had a lot of gray hair [01:49:48] and some history about the city. [01:49:50] So it was fun to walk around and just spend some time. [01:49:54] There were about 35 in each one of the groups. [01:49:58] So with that count, there were about 150 people [01:50:00] that showed up on Saturday morning at nine o'clock [01:50:04] and weren't served coffee, but that's okay. [01:50:08] They got a lot of other stuff. [01:50:09] Your volunteer group did a nice job. [01:50:12] But it was nice to just walk around, [01:50:15] talk about the history of the city. [01:50:17] And as I said, the Suncoast Ritchie Theater [01:50:23] did a great job with the youngsters. [01:50:25] I'm sure Ms. DeBella Thomas will talk about that. [01:50:27] They did a great job on presenting themselves. [01:50:29] I mean, very, very poised. [01:50:31] Took you behind the stage, so you got to see all that. [01:50:33] It tells you exactly why none of us want to go behind stage. [01:50:36] You didn't try to walk out on there, [01:50:39] especially when you see some of the pictures now [01:50:41] of people stepping off into the orchestra pits [01:50:44] because they're distracted. [01:50:47] Mr. Miller, as always, is just a unbridled source [01:50:53] of Pasco County history and did that at the memorial. [01:50:57] The West Pasco Historical Society did a nice job [01:51:00] in having people around and marketing themselves. [01:51:03] And then, obviously, the Friends of the Hacienda [01:51:06] did a great job walking you around [01:51:09] and giving you a little bit of that. [01:51:11] I know for my council colleagues, [01:51:12] we had an opportunity to talk about some of the other things [01:51:14] that were happening to the peripheral of that [01:51:16] and what was going on and obviously sharing [01:51:19] some of our life stories about growing up in New Port Richey. [01:51:21] And it was really nice to see one of the senior residents [01:51:25] actually bussed in, about 25 people in their bus. [01:51:29] So it was a lot of fun. [01:51:30] And then after that, had a chance to have a cup of coffee [01:51:34] and get roses and then relax for a couple hours [01:51:36] and then go and see the folks over [01:51:38] at the environmental committee and the sustainable gardens. [01:51:42] And I have red milkweed seeds if anybody wants them. [01:51:46] I picked up a couple extra that day. [01:51:47] And it was nice to see them open that up [01:51:51] and I'm very appreciative of Gary Gans [01:51:53] and his partner with doing that in the city. [01:51:57] It really just adds to the other items [01:52:01] that we're doing on a consistent basis. [01:52:04] And I don't know, Mr. Starkey, are you going to speak [01:52:05] about the article in the Suncoast News? [01:52:07] No, you go ahead. [01:52:08] No, I don't want to do that. [01:52:10] No, I'm not and I've got enough stuff to chatter about. [01:52:12] Go ahead. [01:52:12] Well, I just want to make sure, [01:52:14] and I don't want to steal any of the thunder [01:52:16] because Mr. Starkey was very involved [01:52:19] in retaining applicant insights here in the city [01:52:22] and was very instrumental in working with the PDEC. [01:52:25] And I know Carl does a great job, [01:52:29] but we really didn't get as much bang for our buck [01:52:32] in this article. [01:52:33] But at the end of the day, [01:52:36] everybody knows who stepped up and got things done. [01:52:39] They won a nice award for it, for partnering [01:52:41] and all those things down in the Marine District. [01:52:45] But I want to thank Mr. Starkey for jumping in [01:52:47] when it looked like that group was going to be going [01:52:50] down south and really going the extra mile [01:52:53] and really being able to work that through. [01:52:56] It just shows that we are engaged [01:52:58] and we really do try to bring some, [01:53:00] as we call it, rubber to the road and stuff. [01:53:02] So, unfortunately next week, [01:53:04] because of business commitments, [01:53:06] it appears that I am not going to be able [01:53:09] to attend in person. [01:53:11] And I apologize beforehand, [01:53:13] but I'm probably going to be up on the big screen [01:53:15] because some of the items on the agenda [01:53:17] aren't effectively talked about in the delayed status [01:53:22] that the mayor has got to deal with recently. [01:53:26] And I've done on three or four occasions. [01:53:28] I'm probably getting close to my allocation for the year, [01:53:31] but I have to be in Atlanta, Georgia [01:53:33] for a business meeting and some settings [01:53:35] at eight o'clock on Wednesday morning. [01:53:37] And as much as I would love to stay here with you [01:53:39] to whatever time it would be next week, [01:53:41] I don't think I really have it in me to go seven hours [01:53:44] and try to put a full day. [01:53:45] But I want to appreciate that. [01:53:46] And staff has been very accommodating [01:53:49] over the last couple of weeks [01:53:50] when I've asked for meetings and trying to get together, [01:53:53] trying to get ahead of some issues that we have coming up. [01:53:55] And I just wanted to publicly thank you [01:53:57] and appreciate the time that you've taken [01:53:59] to answer my questions early on [01:54:01] so I don't bog the meetings down. [01:54:02] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. [01:54:03] Thank you. Councilwoman? [01:54:06] Yes, I've got quite a few things to share. [01:54:08] First of all, I want to acknowledge the fact [01:54:10] that tomorrow is Veterans Day, [01:54:11] and although some folks do have to work, [01:54:15] we do want to make sure that we thank our veterans. [01:54:19] Thursday is the Let's Talk Main Street, [01:54:22] which is a lunch at the Pasco County [01:54:25] Smart Start Business Incubator. [01:54:27] And it's a Let's Talk about the design team, [01:54:31] which is a vision for downtown. [01:54:32] And the speakers are Jose Cardenas, [01:54:35] who is a renovator, investor, and a designer, [01:54:40] and Lorian Dean of Paper, Pencil, Play, [01:54:43] who is an artist and illustrator. [01:54:45] And they're both going to be discussing their involvement [01:54:47] with the city and the grant program for rehabilitating

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25. 12Communications▶ 1:54:49
26. 13Adjournment▶ 2:12:14