On the agenda

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

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence for servicemen and women.

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   [00:00:38] If you could all stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, [00:00:41] followed by a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. [00:00:48] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America [00:00:52] and to the republic for which it stands, [00:00:55] one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:01:07] Thank you. You may be seated.

   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.

3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   The council observed a moment of silence in honor of servicemen and women at home and abroad, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

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   [00:00:41] followed by a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. [00:00:48] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America [00:00:52] and to the republic for which it stands, [00:00:55] one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:01:07] Thank you. You may be seated.

   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.

4. 4

   Presentation, Fleischman Garcia: Fire Station Relocation Project

   discussed

   Fleischman Garcia Architects presented findings on the Fire Station Relocation Project, recommending a two-station approach rather than a single centrally-located master station to preserve the city's ISO rating of 3. The study analyzed evacuation zones, flood zones, call response data, and deployment radii, concluding Fire Station No. 2 should be relocated from High Street toward the old hospital area, with Fire Station No. 1 to be renovated or relocated subsequently.

   • direction:Council received presentation and gave direction to proceed with two-station approach, relocating Fire Station No. 2 first using USDA grant funding. (none)

   📍High Street📍Highway 19📍Marine Parkway📍Old Red Apple Schoolhouse location🏢Baptist Church🏢Fleischman Garcia Architects🏢Insurance Services Office (ISO)🏢Leaning Tower Pizza🏢Pasco County Fire Station 19🏢USDA👤Debbie Manz👤Exline👤Fitch👤Jeff Kulczynski👤Judy👤Phillips👤Robert#Fire Station No. 1#Fire Station No. 2#Fire Station Relocation Project#ISO Public Protection Classification#National Fire Protection Act 1710#Tropical Storm Debby 2012#USDA grant funding

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   [00:01:13] Ms. Manz, I believe the first item is a presentation. [00:01:16] Yes, it is, Mr. Mayor. [00:01:18] We have Mr. Jeff Kulczynski, [00:01:21] and I'm sorry if I didn't pronounce your last name correctly, Jeff, [00:01:25] of Fleischman Garcia in attendance this evening. [00:01:29] We also have located at your places a PowerPoint presentation. [00:01:36] Fleischman Garcia was brought on in June of 2015, [00:01:41] the purpose of which was twofold. [00:01:43] First, to mobilize our plans to close Fire Station No. 2 [00:01:50] and construct a replacement station at a location that has not yet been determined. [00:01:56] Secondly, to determine and prepare a recommendation as to whether a two-station fire rescue department [00:02:08] is appropriate and in compliance with National Fire Protection Act of 1710 [00:02:16] or whether we could employ the use of a single master station. [00:02:21] The purpose of the presentation this evening is to bring you up to date on the results [00:02:25] and their findings of the study. [00:02:29] With that, I'll turn it over to Jeff. [00:02:31] Thank you. My name is Jeff Kulczynski. [00:02:33] I'm from Fleischman Garcia Architects, as Debbie just said. [00:02:38] Basically, she pretty much summed up the basic ten of this presentation. [00:02:45] Obviously, Fire Station No. 2 needs to be replaced. [00:02:47] It has significant functional and code problems. [00:02:51] We wanted to look at whether or not a single master station [00:02:55] located in the central portion of the city would best serve the city [00:02:59] or if a two-station approach is the best way to go, [00:03:03] leaving Fire Station No. 1 and replacing only Fire Station No. 2. [00:03:08] To do that, we reviewed all the flood and evacuation zones within the city limits. [00:03:14] We looked at existing and future land use and zoning of the city. [00:03:19] We did extensive research into the fire department call response history [00:03:24] over the last several years. [00:03:26] We looked into applicable codes and standards [00:03:29] that pertain to fire station location. [00:03:32] I'll explain all those things as part of this presentation. [00:03:37] First of all, we looked at... [00:03:41] Wait. [00:03:54] Thank you. [00:03:55] We looked at the evacuation zones that are present within the city limits. [00:04:00] There's four evacuation zones. [00:04:02] The first of this is Evacuation Zone A. [00:04:05] That's in the red portion of the maps on the screens. [00:04:09] These are areas that would be evacuated if an expected storm surge [00:04:13] up to nine feet is predicted in any storm. [00:04:17] Evacuation Zone B is the orange areas. [00:04:21] That goes up to 15 feet. [00:04:23] Evacuation Zone C is 21 feet. [00:04:26] And Evacuation Zone E, the blue, is 31 feet. [00:04:30] Obviously, it makes the most sense to locate a critical facility [00:04:34] such as a fire station in the highest possible evacuation zone. [00:04:40] We also looked at actual flood zones within the city. [00:04:43] There's three flood zones within the city. [00:04:46] The most critical of these is A.E., [00:04:49] which has a base flood elevation of 11 feet, [00:04:53] which means anything that is lower than 11 feet could be built upon [00:04:58] but would have to be raised up to at least 11 feet, [00:05:02] plus usually 12 inches, which would create an island. [00:05:07] If you put a fire station up that high in an area that's going to flood, [00:05:11] you may not be able to get in or out of the fire station in a storm event. [00:05:15] So all the areas in orange here on the maps are the Flood A.E. Zone. [00:05:21] The next flood zone is X1. [00:05:24] This is areas that are higher than 11 feet [00:05:27] but are still susceptible to a 0.2% annual flood chance. [00:05:33] Again, not as critical as A.E., but certainly not optimal. [00:05:37] All the areas in white that are left within the city limits are X Zones. [00:05:41] These are outside of the flood plain. [00:05:44] So from a flood zone perspective, [00:05:47] obviously we want to stay in an X Zone if possible [00:05:50] and the highest evacuation zone of E. [00:05:54] We also got some very interesting data from Fire Rescue Department. [00:05:59] This is information that they put together [00:06:02] when Tropical Storm Debbie came through in 2012. [00:06:06] What's interesting here is that there's some areas in red [00:06:10] which are indicative of a tornado that blew through the city, [00:06:13] which really isn't applicable to our study. [00:06:16] But areas that are in light blue were areas that actually flooded, [00:06:20] and areas in green were areas within the city [00:06:24] that streets flooded and were impassable. [00:06:27] Obviously we don't want to place a fire station in any of those areas. [00:06:32] We then looked through existing land use areas [00:06:37] and future land use areas within the city. [00:06:42] Interesting thing here is that we don't want to place a fire station, [00:06:45] if at all possible, within the yellow zones. [00:06:48] These are areas of low density residential areas. [00:06:53] These are areas that are not too happy to have fire trucks [00:06:57] going off with their sirens and lights at 12 o'clock in the morning. [00:07:02] So trying to locate the fire station outside of those areas would be optimal. [00:07:08] We then looked at significant call generators within the city. [00:07:16] These are things like nursing homes, medical facilities, schools, [00:07:20] and of course Highway 19 on the west side of the city. [00:07:23] Basically what this map says is we have significant call generators [00:07:27] all over the city. [00:07:29] They're not congregated in any one area. [00:07:31] So any point in the city becomes a critical point [00:07:34] where a fire rescue needs to get access to as quickly as possible. [00:07:40] We looked at call responses going all the way back to 2013. [00:07:46] In 2013, fire rescue had 3,360 calls within the year. [00:07:53] In 2014, that went up to 3,695 calls. [00:07:58] This here is showing the calls from January 1st through May 31st, [00:08:03] and you're already up almost 1,700 calls. [00:08:06] What this is telling you is that every year [00:08:08] the call responses are getting greater and greater. [00:08:11] The pressure being put upon the fire departments is increasing every year. [00:08:17] So we want to make sure that we get the location of the fire station correct [00:08:21] and we make everything as large as we can, [00:08:24] which will be addressed in future stages. [00:08:28] Sure. Sorry. [00:08:32] Then we looked at deployment analysis, [00:08:35] and this has to do with the ISO, or the Insurance Services Office, [00:08:40] which does what's called a public protection classification report. [00:08:46] They come out and look at the city, they look at any fire district, [00:08:49] and they come up with a report based on several different items. [00:08:53] These include needed fire flows, [00:08:56] which basically relates to the types of construction, [00:08:59] the type of buildings you have within the city limits, [00:09:02] and how much water would be required to fight or suppress fires related to those. [00:09:08] The next item is the actual water supply within the city, [00:09:12] how much water you have, your hydrants and things like that. [00:09:15] The third item is receiving and handling fire alarms, [00:09:18] and the fourth item is the actual fire department itself. [00:09:22] The equipment that the fire department has, [00:09:25] the staffing of the fire department, [00:09:27] and the training of the fire department staff. [00:09:30] And most importantly for us at this point, [00:09:33] is the geographic distribution of the fire companies, [00:09:36] basically where your fire stations are. [00:09:39] This accounts for 10% of your ISO rating, [00:09:43] and what's so critical about that is your ISO rating for the city [00:09:49] is the thing that property insurance companies are going to base their rates on [00:09:53] for providing property insurance within the city limits. [00:09:57] We want to be extremely careful not to jeopardize the current ISO rating of 3 [00:10:03] in the city of New Port Richey. [00:10:06] So locating the fire station is of critical importance. [00:10:09] What we're showing here is the deployment analysis [00:10:14] based on the two existing stations. [00:10:17] The deployment analysis basically says that the ISO credits [00:10:21] the percentage of the area of the city [00:10:24] that falls within a mile and a half of the fire station. [00:10:28] Anything beyond that mile and a half radius, [00:10:31] it starts to impinge upon the ISO rating in this particular category. [00:10:36] So it's kind of hard to see here, [00:10:39] but fire station one is located right here. [00:10:42] The radius a mile and a half around that [00:10:45] leaves just a few areas on the north side of the city [00:10:48] that are just beyond that mile and a half radius. [00:10:51] Existing fire station two down here on High Street [00:10:54] leaves just a little bit of area down here [00:10:57] on the south side of the city that's just beyond the mile and a half radius. [00:11:02] If we went to a single centrally located fire station, [00:11:07] this would be centrally located near the center of the city, [00:11:10] you can see how much yellow area there would be [00:11:14] all the way around the northwest and south areas of the city. [00:11:19] This clearly tells us that a centrally located master station [00:11:24] would have a serious impact on your ISO rating [00:11:27] and we feel that would be unacceptable. [00:11:29] Do you have any idea how much it would drop to? [00:11:31] Would it drop to four or five? [00:11:32] I can't believe I'm in the insurance industry, [00:11:34] I don't think it would drop past five. [00:11:36] It'd be difficult to say. [00:11:38] And part of the reason I say that, [00:11:40] the last time you had an ISO rating done for the city was in 2012. [00:11:45] You had an ISO of three at that time. [00:11:49] Since then, the ISO rating classifications have changed significantly. [00:11:54] Back in 2012, under the old rules, [00:11:57] this particular aspect of the ISO rating [00:11:59] accounted for only four percent of your overall classification. [00:12:03] Now it accounts for ten percent of your overall classification. [00:12:07] So by having this big of an effect on that single item, [00:12:13] could have a significantly greater effect now under the new ISO rating. [00:12:17] There's no way to project that you'd have to build it [00:12:19] and see what happens after the fact. [00:12:21] It'd be very hard to say because this is only one of many things, [00:12:24] but based solely on this, if everything else stayed the same, [00:12:28] I would assume that we would go to at least a four and possibly a five. [00:12:34] Are you familiar with the county fire department by the old K mark? [00:12:40] Are you familiar with that one? [00:12:41] On Cross Bayou, it's in a flood zone. [00:12:42] Cross Bayou Boulevard. [00:12:43] That's Fire Station 19, I believe. [00:12:47] They're actually, we've talked significantly with staff, [00:12:52] with Chiefs Fitch and Exline about that. [00:12:55] There's not a great amount of cooperation between the two. [00:13:03] Plus we have learned that Fire Station 19 is going to be replaced [00:13:08] by Pasco County and moved to a higher location. [00:13:11] So that really doesn't have a great impact. [00:13:15] You talk about a mile and a half, that's why I ask, [00:13:17] because that eats up into the city a mile and a half to the east of it. [00:13:22] Yes, but your ISO rating doesn't take into account [00:13:26] fire suppression from another district. [00:13:30] Pasco County is beyond your fire district of the city of New Port Richey. [00:13:36] The police department works together with them? [00:13:39] They do work together, but your ISO rating is a separate issue. [00:13:43] Okay. [00:13:44] So it really does make it critical. [00:13:49] So the last slide is where all this is leading up to. [00:13:53] Basically, if we leave Fire Station 1 where it is, [00:13:57] we'd still have the little bits of area on the north side unchanged. [00:14:01] They'd be beyond the mile and a half deployment radius. [00:14:05] But if we took Fire Station 2 and moved it out of the High Street area, [00:14:09] which is close to the river, in a residential area, [00:14:13] on a very small site, [00:14:16] and moved it out a little bit towards the old hospital location, [00:14:23] somewhere in that general area where you have a lot of medical offices, [00:14:26] schools, and other things, rather than heavy, low-density residential, [00:14:33] we would get a deployment radius that would leave [00:14:37] almost the entire southern and west area completely covered. [00:14:41] The little area down here is the Baptist Church, [00:14:45] and that's only a part of their property. [00:14:48] So you'd be able to access the main part of their property [00:14:52] and that would not affect your ISO rating at all. [00:15:00] or a replacement for fire station number two. Can I ask a couple of questions? [00:15:05] Sure. Just first of all, maybe to Debbie and whoever else, [00:15:13] what area are we looking to annex? Are we looking to annex more [00:15:16] to the south or to the north? We did not include any annexation projections [00:15:21] in the review of this data. Yeah, but what we would be, [00:15:26] we should, anyhow, if we're gonna look at an ISO rating down [00:15:29] the road for the station, correct? That's correct. Okay, so that number one. [00:15:34] Okay, now can you flip back to that picture of Debbie? [00:15:40] Not this Debbie. That's another tropical storm. [00:15:45] Okay, you take that green section down in the... That right there, [00:15:50] that's Marine Parkway. Yes. And that's gonna be an access. [00:15:54] We're gonna do a lot of work on that. Robert, pay attention here now. [00:15:56] We're gonna do a lot of work on that road, and yet that's a [00:15:58] flood area. When we get done with the work on that road, [00:16:01] are we gonna be elevating that road? So if we put the fire station [00:16:05] in the harbors area, does that get... Are we gonna be out of [00:16:10] the flood zone in that particular road? Because that seems like that's [00:16:13] gonna be an access road to get yourself up 19 if you're a [00:16:16] fire truck versus trying to run through the neighborhoods. Yeah, our target [00:16:20] area would be... Yeah, right in that area. Right about in this area, [00:16:23] and we can access 19. No, you're gonna access 19, and that's gonna [00:16:27] become a... We're gonna be working on it. I understand Marine Parkway would [00:16:31] be the primary access. Yeah, and we've got that in a flood zone [00:16:34] right now. I'm asking Robert and stuff, are we gonna be [00:16:38] with that, after we do the sidewalk, are we gonna be doing the [00:16:41] street, and then it's gonna be an access area to the harbors area? [00:16:44] I'm looking for some questions here, answers. It would still remain in [00:16:49] the flood zone area though. The flood zone map wouldn't change as a [00:16:53] result of the public improvements on the street. This was just flooding data [00:16:59] from Tropical Storm... Yeah, we're familiar with this area, it floods all [00:17:03] the time. Right. Ask a question? Please do. Chief, do you want one station [00:17:09] or two? I'm asking you, yeah. Because I'm telling you from an insurance [00:17:17] point of view, going... If we were to drop from an ISO rating, [00:17:20] it keeps for an ISO, it's PC, it's protection class rating. [00:17:25] It was five forever. I personally don't think going from a three to [00:17:29] five, if you did want a central location, that's what we end up with. [00:17:32] People's rates aren't gonna double. That happens, you're gonna protect protection [00:17:35] class nine and 10, like rural East Pasco, and there's not a fire station [00:17:39] within five miles, there's not a fire hydrant within 1,000 feet. That's [00:17:42] when you see the rates double. Going from a three to five, [00:17:44] based on the premiums that I've seen, it's gonna be minimal, [00:17:48] I think Judy would attest to that, she worked in the industry as [00:17:50] well. So I'm just trying to look at all aspects and I want [00:17:53] your opinion. Well, obviously, we wanna provide [00:17:59] the best fire protection that we can to the city. [00:18:02] And when I look at these, I'm forecasting [00:18:07] years out, are we gonna change, are we gonna annex, are we going [00:18:11] to someday provide rescue, transport? So you always have to plan for [00:18:18] the future. And according to this data, it's obvious that two stations [00:18:24] would serve the citizens the best. And then will we be looking at [00:18:29] renovating station one, which is much, much needed? In response to the [00:18:33] question, we would need to make some renovations or relocation of fire [00:18:38] station one as well. I'll open it up for public comment or questions [00:18:44] if anybody's got any, as you're all sitting here so patiently. [00:18:50] Seeing no one, Deputy Mayor Phillips? No, Mayor, I'm good. [00:18:56] Any other questions? I didn't have a question, but it just seems like [00:19:02] such an insignificant movement to the left of where it currently is. [00:19:08] So the major issue for moving it out of that area is because [00:19:13] it's a residential area. Well, that and also the existing fire station [00:19:17] too is a tiny station on a very, very small site. [00:19:21] We actually looked at trying to put a larger station on there that [00:19:25] would meet the needs of fire rescue to put at least two pieces [00:19:28] of apparatus there. And it simply won't fit on that lot anyway. [00:19:32] So we would have to find a bigger piece of land to meet [00:19:39] the needs of that particular station. So since we have to do that [00:19:44] anyway, we're trying to look for a more optimized location. That is a [00:19:48] high location. We're talking about the old Red Apple Schoolhouse location, [00:19:51] correct, across from Leaning Tower Pizza? The city owns the property already? [00:19:56] The city does own the property. [00:19:59] It is available to support any public purpose. [00:20:04] It, though, is not large enough to accommodate the new station. [00:20:09] We'd have to buy surrounding land around it? We would. Okay. And would [00:20:13] that be station one then, and where we are now, [00:20:16] it's station two? Is that kind of the approach we're looking at here? [00:20:22] We are looking at a two station approach. [00:20:26] That would not be the location for number two, though, it would be [00:20:29] the location for number one, as you're suggesting. And then a one would [00:20:31] be two? Yes. Okay. But the larger, more efficient would be more centrally [00:20:37] located in the city. And the one that's here now would be renovated, [00:20:41] and the one that we would be relocating would be the larger, [00:20:46] more... Is that correct? We would be relocating fire station number two [00:20:50] as a first project. The next steps involved would be some site evaluations, [00:20:57] at which time we would determine [00:21:01] a detailed list of space programming that needs to occur [00:21:07] in the station. We would bring that back to you with possible layouts [00:21:12] on two or three pieces of... In fact, three pieces of property, [00:21:16] so that we can determine where best it would be situated. [00:21:21] We would employ the USDA grant opportunity to finance the construction of [00:21:27] the project, which is roughly two and a half to a $3 million [00:21:33] project. And it wouldn't be until the conclusion of that, that we would [00:21:38] be prepared to talk to you about any improvements or renovations at fire [00:21:43] station number one. It's USDA. I'm sorry, what did I say? [00:21:48] I don't know. You said USDA, and I don't know what you... It is. [00:21:50] What is USDA? Like the Department of Agriculture? That's what I... Well, [00:21:56] that's what I thought. I didn't know they built fire stations, [00:21:58] that's why I asked. It is an unusual use of funds, [00:22:01] but it is an approved expenditure. Yeah, I'm just... Yeah. [00:22:08] Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

   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.

5. 5

   Presentation on the Proposed Projection Screens Relating to the Sims Park Improvement Project

   discussed

   Kimley-Horn and Thomas Sign & Awning presented three multimedia display options for the Sims Park Improvement Project: a traditional projection screen (~$178,000), a video curtain (~$154,000), and LED video boards with an Optec chip upgrade offered free (~$162,000). Council expressed support for the LED video board option but requested larger sizes (e.g., 10x12 or 10x14) than the proposed 7x10, even if it required tree modifications, and asked for a physical mock-up/flight test to visualize size in the park.

   • direction:Council directed staff/consultants to explore larger video board sizes (e.g., 10x12 or 10x14) and provide a physical flight-test mock-up at the park, including option to remove or relocate trees if needed. (none)

   📍118th Avenue, Clearwater📍Sims Park🏢Bank of America🏢City of Clearwater Centennial Tower🏢City of Madeira Beach🏢Ford🏢Kimley-Horn🏢Optec🏢Publix Supermarkets🏢Sundial St. Petersburg🏢Tampa Bay Rowdies🏢Tampa Port Authority🏢Thomas Sign & Awning👤Councilman Davis👤Debbie Manson👤Deputy Mayor👤Keith Grimminger👤Kevin Hunsaker👤Kyle Tobel#10-mil LED video board#275 Welcome to St. Petersburg sign#Centennial Tower Clearwater#Five-year in-field labor warranty#Optec chip upgrade#Sims Park Improvement Project#Sundial St. Petersburg

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   [00:22:14] Next item we have on the agenda, presentation on proposed projection [00:22:19] screens, Ms. Manson. Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, [00:22:24] Mr. Keith Grimminger here this evening, representing Kimley Horn. Keith is [00:22:30] gonna provide you with some background information, [00:22:34] which will help you understand the thought process that we have [00:22:39] been through in preparing the recommendation, which we have for you this [00:22:45] evening. We also have Mr. Kyle Tobel in attendance from Thomas Sines, [00:22:50] and he will introduce the specific technology that we're recommending for [00:22:56] implementation in conjunction with the Sims Park Improvement Project. Thank [00:23:00] you. Mayor, Council, Keith Grimminger with Kimley Horn. We're gonna walk [00:23:06] you through the history of the study of what we were looking [00:23:09] at for multimedia presentations within the park. [00:23:15] Originally, what we began to look at is the option of a [00:23:19] projection screen. This was based upon the history of how the city [00:23:24] has already done its multimedia presentations based upon the [00:23:29] projection equipment that you currently have. And the idea here was to [00:23:34] split the opportunity to have it displayed on either side of the main [00:23:40] bandshell. As we began to look into this, to have a more permanent [00:23:46] location and display, we developed the cost scenarios to create a projection [00:23:54] screen. And with that, you can see there's a variety of foundations and [00:23:59] steel, some siding, the equipment itself, the projection projectors, and [00:24:07] the screens, total to about $178,000. Once we began to look at this [00:24:14] and look at the real cost, we began to start to say, [00:24:20] well, are there other opportunities? This is basically 1980s technology, [00:24:24] and are there other opportunities that we could be looking at? [00:24:28] The pros of this system is it was current, it was consistent with [00:24:32] what you had previously done. The cons is, again, it's dated technology. [00:24:37] We felt that there was gonna be some washed out visual opportunities due [00:24:44] to the date, if we wanted to do any daytime projections. [00:24:47] As well as, once we did this, we would be storing the equipment, [00:24:51] how that would be stored, where would it be stored, [00:24:54] the assembly and disassembly of the screens. [00:24:59] The other thing was there'd be some landscape modifications. The trees on [00:25:03] either side of the bandshell to provide this good viewing opportunity would [00:25:09] have to be removed, which we preferred not to at this point in [00:25:14] time. Going through the issues that we had and looking at the [00:25:17] overall park, even though we are providing additional tree caliper and [00:25:22] tree canopy, removal of trees, we did... Especially these trees, which I [00:25:27] think were planted on Arbor Day, are a significant impact to the overall [00:25:34] aspect of this. And this is the highest cost of everything that we [00:25:40] had done. You can see, again, it's a rear projection, so it would [00:25:45] be mounted on the top of the restroom building, projecting towards these [00:25:50] screens to be utilized. And again, as we began to say this further [00:25:57] and further, and the costs that were being associated with it, we really [00:26:01] began to challenge whether or not this technology was the right technology [00:26:05] to be doing in 2015. The other, one on the east side would be [00:26:14] mounted on top of the restroom building. The west side would have to have [00:26:17] a stanchion mount that would be elevated to do the projection as well. [00:26:23] So then we began to start studying and saying, well, what are some other [00:26:26] opportunities? We have the design of this framework, this structure to support [00:26:33] a system. Then we began to look at a video curtain. And basically then, [00:26:39] that was what this was doing, is replacing the projection screen with a [00:26:44] video curtain. Again, you can see it's highlighted there in red. It's a [00:26:49] little bit less cost from the equipment standpoint, so it brought it down [00:26:52] to about $154,000. The pros of this is, again, newer video technology, [00:27:02] so it was opportunity there. It's less cost than the projection booth. [00:27:08] But the... And then the cons were, it's still a very low image resolution, [00:27:14] we thought there might be concerns about security and vandalism with this. [00:27:20] And in this case, the landscape modification of tree removal would still [00:27:24] be required. So then we began to really look at a last option [00:27:30] here, a third option, was going to a complete video board. [00:27:34] And what this is, this is the highest and greatest technology that's available [00:27:38] today. And Kyle and his team will get into those details a little [00:27:42] bit more. Again, we're looking at... You see these around, but yet, [00:27:49] again, they will talk about the technology upgrades that we're looking [00:27:52] at. They're a little bit smaller. The other ones were nine by 16, [00:27:56] these would be seven by 10. They're mounted, again, either side, [00:28:00] and you can see a digital rendition of what it would look like [00:28:04] here. The two equipment boards with installation, the cabling and condoing [00:28:10] it, where we go back, we create a... Within the green room, [00:28:14] a production room, basically a PC and a monitor that could operate there, [00:28:20] and the purchase of that hardware. So this gets to about $162,000. [00:28:26] The advantages of this is this is state of the art. [00:28:31] One of the things that you'll hear about tonight from the gentleman with [00:28:35] Thomas signs is we have a unique opportunity that Optech is gonna offer [00:28:41] us an enhanced chip, which is greater visibility, greater clarity. They'll [00:28:46] talk about that a little bit more. It's a $30,000 offering. They're not [00:28:50] in this market, and they're gonna offer that upgrade for free because they [00:28:56] wanna get into this market and show that. The landscape modifications would [00:29:01] only be some tree trimming. Tree removal would not be required, [00:29:05] so a little bit of the tree trimming on either side. [00:29:08] And the real advantage here is programmable content. Basically, this is [00:29:15] a large screen laptop. Whether downloading of game day presentations, [00:29:22] whatever could be put on a laptop, ongoing [00:29:27] advertisement, much that you could type into a laptop or a computer, [00:29:32] this is basically the display board of that. So it really brings you [00:29:36] to all kinds of technology opportunities and advertisement. The con is to [00:29:43] get this Optech, the distributor is asking for a three week notification, [00:29:50] which would extend the installation by three weeks. And it's mid range [00:29:55] of all the costs. So with that, I'm really gonna turn it over to [00:29:59] Kyle. [00:30:00] and the Thomas Sines individuals and let them talk about their product and what this Optech scenario is all about. [00:30:14] Thank you. I'm Kyle Tobel with Thomas Sine and Awning, and I'd like to introduce Kevin Hunsaker, also with Thomas Sine and Awning. [00:30:20] He's going to give us kind of a brief rundown of who Thomas is and what we do, [00:30:24] and then I'll get into a little bit more on the specifics of the boards that you guys are looking at. [00:30:28] Good evening, Council. Thanks for having me. I'm Kevin Hunsaker. [00:30:31] I'm Executive Director of the company. I've been with the company 35 years. [00:30:35] What I would like to first do real quick with you is kind of introduce Thomas Sine and Awning to you for those who may not. [00:30:42] We are public supermarkets providers for the last 23 years, Bank America, and a few of the projects that we've done locally. [00:30:52] We are located just down the road on 118th Avenue in Clearwater. [00:30:57] Our main manufacturing facility, 110,000 square feet. [00:31:02] We are a certified women-owned business. [00:31:05] We have been a state contractor, and we hold about 125 municipal licenses. [00:31:10] And, yes, we are licensed in the city of New Port Richey. [00:31:15] Some of our local projects that you may be familiar with is we're partners with the Rowdy's, the Ford of Blue. [00:31:22] Recently just completed the city of Madeira Beaches, which has a 10-mil electronic message center in it. [00:31:30] We're the designers and builders of the Tampa Airport, Tampa Port Authority. [00:31:35] For those of you who have had any opportunity to go down to St. Petersburg, we designed completely the Sundial project. [00:31:44] We are the – I'm going to kind of skip through our design. [00:31:47] The design, 47 years, gives us some strong credentials on the national market, [00:31:52] being able to design and engineer and install all of our product line. [00:31:58] Facility is a state-of-the-art facility, very computer-enhanced in all my manufacturing processes. [00:32:07] A couple of my more local projects I'm going to get to so I can get you to what you folks want to see is Sims Park's presentation. [00:32:17] We are the designers and builder of the 275 Welcome to St. Petersburg. [00:32:22] That was a partnership in design with the city and, as you know, a donation from a private owner. [00:32:29] The North America's largest Sundial and every product down at that facility was designed and built by Thomas Saenz, [00:32:37] and a recent one was with the city of Clearwater, the Centennial Tower. [00:32:41] Again, in-house design facility facilitated for the city's Centennial. [00:32:47] Sims Park, what I'd like to do is see if we can get that to run the video. [00:32:52] Optech is a 20-year-plus manufacturer of high video boards, electronic message centers. [00:33:00] Are you able to get that to run, sir? [00:33:06] The video attached. [00:33:19] The boards are full matrix, high-definition 10-mil. [00:33:24] They will run full video 365 days a year, so if you can program that far out. [00:33:29] They are computer-programmed. [00:33:32] The boards with the upgraded chips. [00:33:42] I apologize. [00:33:43] It's a really nice video. [00:33:46] Ran quite a few graphics for you. [00:33:48] They're able to be, I'd say, programmed 365 days. [00:33:54] Optech is extending also for this program a full five-year in-field labor warranty as well as all parts of labor. [00:34:03] That ticker company also carries 15-year aftermarket run of all products so that the chips are always available. [00:34:11] We're fortunate for Thomas Sines and our clients that the factory rep happens to be in Sarasota. [00:34:18] So he's able to come up, and he'll be doing the trainings with the city, and he'll be able to partner. [00:34:25] The programming that's being done on this is being presented as a fiber optic. [00:34:30] It is capable of having a cloud base or a phone modem, dimming, auto-on, auto-off. [00:34:41] So the capability is really as much of your imagination it will go on these screens. [00:34:47] One is to be positioned on each side of the current bandstand, but it is a very high-end board. [00:34:56] It is a very high-end unit, and it would be huge for the city to be able to run not only public messages, [00:35:03] but everything that goes on with the park. [00:35:06] I'm going to leave the thumb drive for those who want to see it, [00:35:10] but this is a video that's about a two-and-a-half-minute presentation that goes in to direct what the boards are doing [00:35:17] and putting a full automation to it. [00:35:23] If you have any questions, I'm more than welcome to answer. [00:35:27] Kyle knows the details of this board as he's been working with your team. [00:35:31] Can I ask you two quick questions? [00:35:33] One thing that sticks out to me, the recent technology of TVs and monitors, it's more of a rectangle shape. [00:35:38] Why are these 7 by 10? [00:35:40] They look almost square, like how it's kind of visualized. [00:35:43] They were built on 12-inch pixels. [00:35:45] To be honest with you, when Kimley-Horne contacted us about this, [00:35:48] I actually found it and actually asked him. [00:35:53] These, like he said, are built into 12-by-12 tiles, essentially is what they're called. [00:35:59] And so you can make those into any aspect ratio, really, that you're looking to do. [00:36:03] And so if you wanted to go more of a 10-by-10, obviously it would cost, [00:36:07] but you could go 10-by-7 or any location that they're in. [00:36:11] I thought these were 10-by-7. What are they? [00:36:13] They're 7-by-10. [00:36:14] 7-by-10. [00:36:15] It's all 10-by-5, but then you could do it opposite that or any other way. [00:36:18] You mentioned this is you're offering basically a $30,000 upgrade because it's a new market. [00:36:24] You don't have these monitors anywhere else in the Tampa area. [00:36:27] The $30,000 upgrade is an upgrade to the video chips that are included [00:36:32] that actually drives the LED diodes in that. [00:36:35] And those chips are cutting-edge, and they're not in this market. [00:36:38] So there are 10-mil advertising screens in the market, but not with this new upgraded technology, [00:36:42] and not being used in this application. [00:36:44] So most of the 10-mil screens out there now are customer-specific, [00:36:50] so they're contained on a pylon sign or something along those lines. [00:36:53] This is more of a stadium-type signage where you're able to program advertisements, [00:37:00] show live video, things of that nature that are actually going to showcase that new technology, [00:37:05] and that's the reason Optec's offered that. [00:37:07] I understand. So it's 10-foot high, 7-foot wide? [00:37:10] No, I believe it's 7-foot tall, 10-feet wide. [00:37:13] Optec is in the market. [00:37:15] We have several boards around the area. [00:37:17] We're more than happy to have a board that's at the City of Medina. [00:37:25] Again, if the aspect ratio, the size, dimensions of the screen are of issue, [00:37:29] we can explore different options that would better fit your needs or the surroundings [00:37:34] or anything that you guys would like to address with that. [00:37:41] It all depends on the application, really. [00:37:44] Typically these are used in stadiums, so they look to go as big and bad as they can. [00:37:52] The advertising side, sorry, that's typically regulated by sign code. [00:37:59] If I could ask a question? [00:38:01] Sure. [00:38:02] Walk me through this. [00:38:04] The signs, I mean, the boards are there, [00:38:06] and if an organization wanted to come in and utilize those, what do they need to bring? [00:38:12] The discussion so far has been to include the hardwire of these screens actually [00:38:17] back into the building behind the stage [00:38:20] and include in that the video scaler and the driving components to the video screens themselves, [00:38:26] which would run off of a laptop or computer that would be stationed inside the building. [00:38:30] So the screens themselves come with a programmable software that helps you to either play live video [00:38:38] through computer screens or to program messages to show at certain times, [00:38:43] create advertising content, things of that nature. [00:38:46] So if there was a live venue in the park, what would it be? [00:38:51] The live video. [00:38:52] So you would need wireless cameras or however you would expect to capture the video that you'd like. [00:38:59] But then that is connected straight to the software and the hardware that you're going to be provided with, [00:39:04] and that will, through the fiber optic connection, show that video live on the screen. [00:39:10] The cameras usually run? [00:39:12] I wouldn't know. [00:39:13] That's outside of my expertise, to be honest. [00:39:17] Some of the bands might have their own cameras. [00:39:19] That's exactly it. [00:39:20] Typically, exactly. [00:39:21] News stations, anybody that would want to show content. [00:39:24] And, again, that's really only a concern during live content. [00:39:27] Otherwise, you'd be able to upload it from a video or website or wherever you would find your content. [00:39:32] Let me address that on program if you had someone come in. [00:39:36] They could sit and load it onto a disk, be loaded onto a thumb drive, [00:39:41] and then brought in with a laptop, and then it goes right in. [00:39:43] So the units themselves do hold a memory of 365 days, as I'd said. [00:39:49] They hold memory of instant by the minute, [00:39:52] that if you knew that at 12 o'clock you wanted to have a different shot come up on it, [00:39:58] you're at 4th of July and right at midnight you wanted to blow fireworks and everything to the screen. [00:40:03] That's all through your software that is provided, the training that you'd get. [00:40:08] But outside venues, commercials, if one of the retailers wanted to run a special, you know, [00:40:17] they do a, you can run a live movie. [00:40:21] You can have a kid's night in a park and run a movie through that. [00:40:25] It's great for recycle. [00:40:28] It could be used for blood drives or any awareness that you're trying to portray out to the community. [00:40:34] I know you just had a big bike fest up here. [00:40:37] It would be a great venue there for all your different advertisers that could be ran. [00:40:41] The live video is just that. [00:40:43] You can really have a gentleman on a cam walking around and can radio frequency it in, and that's a live feed. [00:40:51] Can the screens work separately? [00:40:54] They can. [00:40:55] They are separate, each one, because they're not a slave driven. [00:40:57] These are both motherboards, if you would, so you'd be able to run two separate ones. [00:41:03] My first thought is, you know, I've got to like see what's, you know, 10 by 7. [00:41:09] My first thought is 2 1⁄2 sheets of plywood. [00:41:12] You know, that's not much. [00:41:16] Well, you take off the 8 and put it on 2 1⁄2 sheets of plywood. [00:41:20] To me, that doesn't seem very large, so I would like to get an idea of, you know, per square foot, [00:41:28] what are the sizes and what are their costs. [00:41:32] One of the things, too, we did do an infield demonstration where we had Optech come up and bring a board, [00:41:41] but one of the things that we might want to focus in and our art team can do that is to give you a good direct scale, [00:41:47] and then one of the things that we do do for our national clients, [00:41:51] we could put what we call a flight test up and actually put a size of the board with 2 by 4s [00:41:57] and then raise it to the height of where it's at so we can see it. [00:42:00] 7 by 10 is a pretty good size board when you're in that venue. [00:42:06] When you walk back to that center concrete column, which must have been like a projector at one time, [00:42:12] pretty large video at that point, but absolutely can be designed. [00:42:17] Again, 12-inch plates that you have. [00:42:21] So any format of there is what that would be. [00:42:26] I'm happy to explore all options. [00:42:28] One of the things that drove us to start looking at this is the higher definition of the actual visual itself. [00:42:40] That would allow us to actually shrink the size of the monitor, so to speak, so we wouldn't have to impact the trees. [00:42:51] So a smaller monitor with a higher visibility quotient, if that's a good technology term, [00:42:59] was really what we were looking for. [00:43:02] Greater visibility on a smaller screen without having to impact the trees. [00:43:07] I take that screen, if that's proportional, that is 7 by 10 proportional, [00:43:15] and I put it down on the stage itself. [00:43:18] We've got two and a half people. [00:43:21] If we're picking up people on the stage, or if the camera's right up on them, [00:43:27] then of course we have faces and stuff. [00:43:29] But I just was trying to do a relationship of what we're actually picking up on stage. [00:43:35] I'll admit, I think you're very perceptive. [00:43:38] That looks more like a square. [00:43:40] It does look like the 7 by 10 to me. [00:43:43] It's the same because that's the front slide, and what it's doing is kind of showing a little bit of a slide. [00:43:56] It's still on the machine. [00:43:58] Yeah, I'm not going to interrupt you. [00:44:00] What he was just kind of alluding to there is that these screens are faced inward towards the machine. [00:44:06] I understand. [00:44:08] Off skew here for you. [00:44:11] I'm also familiar with that stage. [00:44:14] And I'm also familiar with two and a half sheets of plywood. [00:44:17] Right, right, absolutely. [00:44:19] To be honest with you, when you're driving down the road [00:44:22] and you're looking at some of the larger EMCs, the message centers that you see, [00:44:26] those typically aren't much larger than 4 by 8, [00:44:29] and that's the larger end of those types of signs, [00:44:32] and you can see them from quite a ways down the road. [00:44:35] I think seeing this in person or at least a representation of it in the park [00:44:39] would help you kind of get a perception of that. [00:44:42] I mean, I like it. [00:44:45] Deputy Mayor, any questions? [00:44:47] Yeah, Mr. Mayor, thank you very much. [00:44:49] And Councilman Davis asked some of the same questions that I was focusing in on, [00:44:54] which is obviously the dimensions of those openings on both sides. [00:45:00] sides. To be honest with you, I really want those to be as dynamic as possible. If that [00:45:08] means that we have to do some tree elements, then let's do it. I don't want to go back [00:45:15] and relive this eight years down the road that they look like postage stamps. It was [00:45:21] all driven because we have these big oak trees on the side of the amphitheater. If we have [00:45:28] to relocate them or move or put other trees in so we open up that vista and that view [00:45:34] line, then let's please do it. It harkens me back to the changes that were made at the [00:45:42] rec center to reduce the size of the pool. We've gone back and every time we talk about [00:45:47] doing something at the rec center, we always go back to the pool. [00:45:51] My position is if we're going to make this dynamic, we're going to make it dynamic for [00:45:57] the people that come in to use the facility. We're going to allow them better opportunities [00:46:01] to market to their businesses that want to advertise with them. Then let's put up one [00:46:09] size board on one side or a display and then one on the other side so that us visual learners [00:46:17] like myself can look and see that. To me, it's like we're driving the bus and we're [00:46:24] all dictated by these two trees or whatever on the side. We're putting so much landscaping [00:46:29] into this park that I think if we make some modifications to make that as dynamic as possible [00:46:36] on day one, it's a lot better than Mickey Mouse and around with this. That's my thoughts. [00:46:43] Let me ask you a question. If you were in our seats, would you want larger than 7x10? [00:46:48] Yes. [00:46:48] What would you suggest? [00:46:50] Probably going to a 10x12 or even going as far as a 10x14. Only because of now, as we [00:46:58] start to see the new high definition 4000s coming out on TV, you notice they're more [00:47:02] horizontal than they are on the field. [00:47:04] Let's say you use the 10x12, that's 50 square feet more. Do you have a per square foot price [00:47:11] in the back yard? [00:47:12] No, actually your per square foot bigger will go down a little bit, so I'd have Optech put [00:47:17] some pricing together for us. [00:47:19] It was sort of the same thing I was thinking, and particularly with the rec center regularly [00:47:25] doing movies that are in a widescreen format. I almost wonder if we wouldn't be better to [00:47:30] have one large 10x14 than we would be to have two 7x10s. [00:47:37] The only issue with that is location. Where in the park would you want to do that? At [00:47:43] this point, we're separating the stage and giving two options of viewing. If you only [00:47:47] put one, I think there may be an issue with visibility from all points in the park. That [00:47:51] would be my only concern with that. [00:47:53] Would that be a city decision? [00:47:55] And with the product that you're bringing to us now, is it imperative that this be done [00:48:02] right while we're doing this? Because it would be interesting to see how that's going to [00:48:06] play with what else is going to be there. [00:48:09] The only issue, the 10 mil boards are going to be available for years to come. It's not [00:48:13] an issue right now. The only thing that we are at risk of losing if we don't make the [00:48:17] move here soon is that upgrade to the new contrast, the higher contrast, the better [00:48:21] the video chip that's being offered to us through Optech at this point. [00:48:25] So it's the opportunity of closing the deal, but the finessing of the size and all of that [00:48:31] is still contingent on that? [00:48:32] Let me talk to the partner, Optech, or the vendor. I'm sure I can get them to extend [00:48:38] that. We're one of their larger clients, and we do use them on our national programs [00:48:45] as part of designs. [00:48:49] Like Councilman Davis, I tend to be sort of a visual learner. It would help me, I think, [00:48:56] also if we could put something up there, a flag or whatever, to show us what those two [00:49:03] options would look like in the park, because I have a real hard time visualizing it from [00:49:08] here. [00:49:08] I think what would be a wise idea is allow us to do some exact sizes. We'll get with [00:49:13] Optech, put some different sizes. We'll get my design team to put some graphics together [00:49:18] for scale, and then set up some convenience times so I can bring up one of the crane trucks [00:49:24] and we do what we call a flag drop or a flag test. And then we can all sit, and even with [00:49:30] the crane, we can kind of swing it around and move it to the various positions. So one [00:49:34] is the ideal end unit, and that works. If it ends up being two, then we can kind of [00:49:39] go that, but more than happy to work that direction. [00:49:41] Mr. Mayor, just for the record, I've been in favor of this since day one. I think it's [00:49:45] going to add a huge dynamic that we really, really need in the park to just attract better [00:49:50] events and just have all those visuals I can see. You know, there was a Christmas concert [00:49:55] where kids were singing in the park, and parents are just running each other over to get to [00:49:58] the front row because they can't see their kids singing. You know, you have cameras, [00:50:02] There's so much you can do with these. Like, I think we're all on the same page as far [00:50:05] as we don't want square screens. I personally don't. I agree with Mr. Phillips. I love trees. [00:50:10] I love shade. I love Sims Park. But if we have to take two trees out and plant two trees, [00:50:15] I personally am okay with that. So I don't know, Debbie, if you're looking for direction. [00:50:19] I would like to proceed with this, but I would like to get some quoting at some different [00:50:23] size screens, more rectangle screens, and hopefully a little larger. [00:50:28] Mr. Mayor, I have two other points to make. [00:50:31] Yes, sir. [00:50:33] One is that I would like to do it on the front end. I don't want to test drive anything with [00:50:41] the park. I don't want to have to come back and retrench and do whatever. If we're going [00:50:46] to do hard wiring and things now, let's do it on this side. If the screens are a few [00:50:52] weeks after we do the grand opening or they're set up, that's fine. And then over and above [00:50:57] that, I just think that the dynamics of these screens are exactly what we're looking for [00:51:03] for this project. And my request with Debbie recently was, because of the savings that [00:51:14] we have incurred by buying things on our dime and not paying the sales tax, I think [00:51:23] we've netted some savings. So if we have to up that cost over and above that $150 or $165 [00:51:32] or $180, I just think we're penny wise and pound foolish if we don't do it right, right [00:51:38] out of the gate. So those savings can be reinvested into putting those boards up so [00:51:44] it's very dynamic. [00:51:46] Thank you, Deputy Mayor. We do have a couple of representatives I see in the audience that [00:51:52] are involved with some of the events that go on in the park, so I'd like to open it [00:51:56] up if any of them have any questions or comments. Yes, sir. You give us your name and address [00:52:06] and speak into the mic so that Deputy Mayor Philips can hear you. [00:52:10] Thank you. My name is Nelson Ohihoin, 6220 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey. Now concerning [00:52:19] the size of the screen, I do believe also that seven by ten might be a little bit too [00:52:26] small because the park is really, I think it's going to get a bit bigger. And if you're [00:52:32] having events there, you want people at the back to be able to have a clear view. So I [00:52:38] would want the situation, I think ten by fourteen, something in that range should be the barest [00:52:43] minimum because it's as close as possible to what we call a 16-9 ratio because that's [00:52:49] what people are used to, especially if you're showing movies so you have concerts. So that's [00:52:54] my contribution. [00:52:55] What's the size of the screen behind your stage? [00:52:59] That one, those are four huge TVs, so we are looking at about, I would say, inside of that stage. [00:53:10] You probably mean ten by twelve? [00:53:12] Yeah, I would say something like that. [00:53:14] Eight by twelve? [00:53:15] Yes. [00:53:16] Okay, thank you. [00:53:18] Any other questions, comments? I personally would like to see the two options visually, but [00:53:31] my personal leaning would be towards one big screen as opposed to two smaller ones. And do it [00:53:41] right, and as Deputy Mayor Phillips said, do it while we've still got everything torn up. [00:53:46] Okay, well we can do the mock-ups to aid you in fully evaluating the matter. What I need to [00:53:52] know tonight, though, is that you are interested in pursuing it so that we can develop plans [00:53:57] and specifications and get it to big. [00:54:00] I am also interested, but on this one I'm going to disregard the Mayor. I think the two screens, [00:54:05] one on each side of the stage, is definitely the way to go. That's my opinion. [00:54:11] I'd like to see us proceed and take this a little further down the road. Deputy Mayor? [00:54:19] Yeah, Mayor, I think I'd go with Mr. Starkey. I think one on each side really balances out for the [00:54:26] crowd and the people in the back. And yes, I would like to proceed with the pricing and the elements [00:54:32] so that we can bid it and get it done along with the original construction. [00:54:37] Councilwoman? [00:54:38] Yeah, I just appreciate the fact that you brought us into the 21st century, so I do appreciate that. [00:54:43] Thank you. You're welcome. [00:54:44] Councilman Davis? I think you've got your direction. [00:54:48] I do. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Kyle. [00:54:50] Thank you. I appreciate your time. [00:54:52] Thank you, Keith.

   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.

6. 6

   Swearing-In of Police Officer Timothy Alan Berge

   The City Council held a swearing-in ceremony for new Police Officer Timothy Alan Berge. The Police Chief read the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, City Clerk Doreen Summers administered the oath of office, and Officer Berge's wife Amanda Lynn Berge pinned his badge.

   🏢International Association of Chiefs of Police👤Amanda Lynn Berge👤Doreen Summers👤Timothy Alan Berge#Law Enforcement Code of Ethics#Oath of Office

   ▶ Jump to 54:54 in the video

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   [00:54:54] We all are very happy with our veterans, but we've got some guys here that we should all really be [00:55:00] thanking a lot. We appreciate you folks greatly and have your backs, too. [00:55:05] Thank you. [00:55:07] Great name, by the way. [00:55:09] Next item we've got is swearing in of a new police officer. [00:55:14] Yes. Chief? [00:55:30] Thank you for giving me the opportunity for us to be able to go through our department, [00:55:36] to be able to go through this process of swearing in a police officer. [00:55:39] It's very important to every officer, and they will always remember, and their friends and family [00:55:46] will always remember the day that they were sworn in as a police officer for the first time. [00:55:50] This evening, we will be swearing in Mr. Timothy Burge, and I'll be asking him to come down in just a moment. [00:56:04] But I would like to announce to the family and friends that are here, if you'd like to take photographs [00:56:08] at any time during this presentation, you are certainly welcome to, and you can come down to the front to do that. [00:56:15] With that said, something that I like to do that was very memorable to me, and I routinely look at this [00:56:22] and am reminded of what it means, and that is to briefly read the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. [00:56:30] I'll be presenting a copy to Mr. Burge, soon to be Officer Burge. [00:56:36] And with that, it's a reminder to all of us in law enforcement of what our responsibilities are. [00:56:43] And this was developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police back in the early 50s. [00:56:48] It's been evolved several times since, and this is the Code of Ethics as it stands today. [00:56:55] As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community, to safeguard lives and property, [00:57:02] to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, [00:57:07] and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality, and justice. [00:57:16] I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all, and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me [00:57:23] or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule, develop self-restraint, [00:57:32] and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed, both in my personal and official life, [00:57:39] I will be exemplary in obeying the law and regulations of my department. [00:57:44] Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity [00:57:50] will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. [00:57:55] I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities, [00:58:04] or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, [00:58:12] I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately, without fear or favor, malice or ill will, [00:58:18] never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities. [00:58:23] I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held [00:58:30] so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, [00:58:37] nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies [00:58:44] and their representatives in the pursuit of justice. I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard [00:58:51] of professional performance, and I will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge [00:58:57] and competence. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, [00:59:02] dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession, law enforcement. [00:59:07] And with that, I would like to invite up Mr. Burge and his wife, Amanda Lynn Burge, [00:59:15] and City Clerk Doreen Summers to administer the oath of office. [00:59:38] I'll read it first, and if you would read after me, please. [00:59:42] You'll sign. I'll sign here. I'll put this little seal on that. [00:59:46] This will go to Doreen. [01:00:00] So this is what we're going to read right here, if you would raise your right hand please. [01:00:08] I, Timothy Allen Burge, a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of America, [01:00:18] and being employed by or an officer of the City of New Port Richey, [01:00:25] and a recipient of public funds as such employee or officer, [01:00:34] do hereby solemnly swear or affirm [01:00:39] that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida, [01:00:50] and that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution [01:00:57] and government of the United States and of the State of Florida [01:01:03] against all enemies, domestic or foreign, [01:01:08] that I will bear true faith, loyalty, and allegiance to the same, [01:01:17] that I will uphold the ordinances of the City of New Port Richey, Florida, [01:01:24] and that I will faithfully perform all the duties of police officer of said city, so help me God. [01:01:38] Sign please. [01:01:48] My turn. [01:01:56] This is the city seal. [01:02:06] Congratulations Officer Burge. [01:02:16] An especially meaningful part of becoming a police officer is the pinning of the badge, [01:02:22] and in this case Amanda Lynn, Tim's wife, will be pinning his badge. [01:02:31] He's a tough guy, you can just stab him with it. [01:02:47] Congratulations. [01:02:59] Chief, I'd like one with the Deputy Chief and both your lieutenants as well. [01:03:20] You can step back, just step back here. [01:03:30] And for all of you who don't know, Mr. Burge started with us three weeks ago. [01:03:35] He took a week off last week because he newly married his wife. [01:03:44] Are you more nervous at the wedding or tonight? [01:03:47] Tonight. [01:04:09] Is Mr. Burge's family there? [01:04:12] They'll be right behind you. [01:04:16] They asked me, I think they said something in the radio. [01:04:26] Thank you. [01:04:46] Congratulations Officer Burge.

   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.

7. 7Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 1:05:06
8. 8.a

   Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval

   approvedon consent

   Council approved purchases/payments as presented with a motion and second, passing on a voice vote. Council then took a 10-minute recess.

   • motion:Motion to approve purchases/payments for City Council approval. (passed)

   👤Deputy Mayor#Second reading of ordinance on parking in residential areas

   ▶ Jump to 1:26:28 in the video

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   [01:26:28] Move for approval. [01:26:29] Second. [01:26:30] Motion is second to the maker. [01:26:32] No, comments, thank you. [01:26:34] Deputy Mayor? [01:26:36] No, sir, I'm good. [01:26:40] In that case, all in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:26:43] Aye. [01:26:44] Opposed, like sign. [01:26:47] We are at normally the point where we try [01:26:50] to take about a 10-minute break, so let's do that [01:26:52] and we'll be coming back for public reading. [01:26:54] It's the second reading of the ordinance [01:26:56] on parking in residential areas. [01:26:59] Thank you.

   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.

9. 9.a

   Second Reading, Ordinance 2015-2038: Parking in Residential Districts

   tabled

   Council held second reading of Ordinance 2015-2038 amending the Land Development Code to regulate parking in front/side yards of residential lots, adding allowed surface materials (including organic mulch) and installation specifications. After public comment and council discussion, the item was continued/tabled to allow staff to revise compliance timelines and incorporate council feedback.

   Ord. Ordinance 2015-2038

   • direction:Council directed staff to extend the compliance period beyond 90 days and to bring the ordinance back for assessment at six and twelve months after adoption. (none)

   📍4041 Euclid📍5844 Madison Street📍6335 Missouri Avenue📍7017 Park Drive📍East Main📍Floral Park (between Poinsettia and Marine Parkway)🏢Barlow Elementary🏢Dulcet's🏢Pinellas Real Estate Association👤Antonia Riggs👤Bill Phillips👤George Judson👤Lisa Tinker👤Liz👤Mr. Pavlik👤Mr. Rivera👤Mrs. Fierce👤Paul Black#CDBG grant funding#Ordinance 2015-2038#Ordinance 2016-2062 (referenced by speaker)#Residential inspection program#Section 11.05.00 of Land Development Code#Section 2.01.00 definitions

   ▶ Jump to 1:27:04 in the video

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   [01:27:04] Deputy Mayor, you with us? [01:27:07] I am here. [01:27:08] Very good, in that case, we are gonna reconvene. [01:27:11] Next item is public reading of ordinance 2015-2038. [01:27:14] Mr. Pavlik. [01:27:16] I move the ordinance of the City of New Port Richey, [01:27:17] Florida, amending section 11.05.00 [01:27:19] of the New Port Richey Land Development Code [01:27:21] to regulate parking of vehicles in the front [01:27:23] or side yard of lots within residential zoning districts [01:27:26] or such permitted residential uses [01:27:28] within other zoning districts, [01:27:30] amending section 2.01.00 definitions, [01:27:33] providing for severability, providing for codification, [01:27:36] and providing for an effective date. [01:27:39] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, [01:27:43] we've been working on this matter since January of 2015. [01:27:49] Our last second reading was on June 2nd, 2015. [01:27:55] Since that time, some community input was solicited [01:28:00] and we've made some revisions to the parking code [01:28:07] and Mrs. Fierce is prepared to speak to you [01:28:10] about those things. [01:28:12] Thank you, Mrs. Fierce. [01:28:13] Thank you. [01:28:15] The components of the ordinance are pretty much the same [01:28:18] as what you saw during the first and the second readings. [01:28:22] I would just call out that the difference in this version [01:28:27] is that we've added additional surface materials [01:28:30] and we've added specifications [01:28:31] for how you install those materials [01:28:34] and we have changed the effective date [01:28:37] or the post-effective date for enforcement, [01:28:40] which of course you can extend further, should you like. [01:28:43] But I wanted to go through the exhibits [01:28:45] that illustrate how parking would work. [01:28:48] You've seen these before. [01:28:50] This is the standard residential lot [01:28:52] and we're suggesting that you park, [01:28:55] if you're gonna park in your front yard, [01:28:56] you're gonna do so on a driveway [01:28:58] and you could have an additional space adjacent to it. [01:29:02] This would be a corner lot scenario. [01:29:06] This would be a lot which may have a circular driveway [01:29:10] if you have a large enough property. [01:29:12] We did add this exhibit which shows [01:29:16] how you would install a ribbon type of driveway. [01:29:20] We have created a brochure that will be distributed [01:29:26] to owners who are currently not in compliance [01:29:29] and it does discuss the allowance for grant funds [01:29:33] to be used for driveways to help fund these improvements [01:29:38] in case property owners cannot afford to do so. [01:29:42] Can I ask you a question right there? [01:29:43] Sure. The grant funding [01:29:45] for what I've learned is dependent [01:29:48] on your assessed value of your home [01:29:49] and your household income. [01:29:50] Would that hold true to this as well? [01:29:52] Not for driveways. [01:29:53] Okay. No, not for driveways. [01:29:54] The bulk of our residential grant funds [01:29:57] are limited based on the CDC. [01:30:00] BG aspect of it, so it is based on income eligibility, but for driveways, we have a [01:30:07] different perspective on it, and it would be used general funds for that. [01:30:12] With that, I'd be happy to entertain any questions. [01:30:19] One more question. [01:30:20] Sure. [01:30:21] I saw that they can use mulch for the additional driveway, but it referenced organic mulch. [01:30:27] Are we trying to push our own mulch? [01:30:28] Well, I think we would consider mulch an organic material, which is why we called that out. [01:30:37] For the record, that mulch is available free of charge, and Mr. Rivera's people will even [01:30:41] deliver it to your house. [01:30:43] I'm going to open this up for public comment. [01:30:48] Anyone would like to address counsel on this, please come on up. [01:30:52] Please write your name and address legibly, so we get your name right in the minutes, [01:30:57] and give us your name and address for the record, so we know. [01:31:00] Certainly. [01:31:01] My name is Antonia Riggs, I'll fill it out later. [01:31:04] I live at 6335 Missouri Avenue in the city of Newport, Richmond, I'm a resident homeowner [01:31:09] and a registered voter. [01:31:11] First of all, I'd like to thank Councilperson Bill Phillips, hi Bill, for his vote last [01:31:16] year, last week, I'm sorry, on 2016-2062. [01:31:21] I did appreciate that really courageous thing that you did. [01:31:27] But the parking ordinances is the reason I'm here, again. [01:31:32] Like most homeowners, I take pride and satisfaction in my home. [01:31:36] My yard was edged and cut today by my yard man and his crew. [01:31:41] I do not want to have a junkyard or a used car lot next door to me, however, there's [01:31:48] always a however. [01:31:50] I do not have a backyard parking area because I live right by Main Street. [01:31:57] I cannot exit or enter that way, even if I wanted to. [01:32:02] 99% of the time I have plenty of parking with my concrete driveway. [01:32:08] But when I do have family or guests over, I don't, I really don't want them to park [01:32:14] in the street. [01:32:16] I do not think it is safe, I just don't want it, nor do I want my yard full of mulch, [01:32:22] so that I would meet the criteria for the ordinance. [01:32:26] Can we have a short-term, perhaps two-week parking permit waiver, so that when we do [01:32:32] have overnight guests for visiting our beautiful city and our beautiful state, we wouldn't [01:32:38] be in violation of the ordinance? [01:32:41] Perhaps it could be as bright red like you do when you get a permit for doing repairs. [01:32:46] You could post it in your window, and that way when they were going by, they could see [01:32:50] that you weren't in violation of the ordinance. [01:32:53] Unlike George Judson, my guests and my family cannot push a button and have their cars fit [01:32:59] into their briefcase. [01:33:01] I don't know what to do, I really and truly don't. [01:33:03] I try really hard to keep my yard good, and because of Main Street being relocated, we [01:33:10] had to, not we, the people who owned it way before I even thought about it, just decided [01:33:16] to relocate the way they did things. [01:33:18] And so therefore, because Main Street is in my backyard, I can't do it. [01:33:23] I mean, I'm having guests come down for Thanksgiving. [01:33:26] My granddaughter, maybe two of them are coming down, each will have a car. [01:33:31] I have a guest coming in from Florida. [01:33:33] We plan on going to Dulcet's for Thanksgiving and having a really good time. [01:33:37] And I don't want to play what we used to call, you know, musical cars. [01:33:44] I do understand. [01:33:46] I don't want a junkyard next to me. [01:33:47] I do not want a used car lot next to me. [01:33:50] But at the same time, I want to have a way that I can comply with the ordinance with [01:33:56] good conscience and good faith, and be a good citizen in the city of New Port Richey. [01:34:00] Thanks so much. [01:34:01] I hope I don't have to see you next week, though I'm sure you're all lovely and charming. [01:34:07] Anyone else? [01:34:10] Come on down. [01:34:11] I don't know if you were referencing my neighbor as well that were, regardless if they were [01:34:25] Hispanic in nature, this is America, however, three drivers, six cars, dominates whatever, [01:34:32] I don't know how long that rule's been in effect or has not been in effect, of parking [01:34:35] X amount of cars in a driveway. [01:34:39] But whether they're tagged, expired, not tagged, the loophole is the tarp over the car or backed [01:34:44] in. [01:34:45] If code enforcement can't look at the tag on the car, then you kind of have an issue [01:34:49] of addressing how many cars and what's violation, what's not violation, sitting in a yard. [01:34:54] And a used car lot is not efficient to me because I take, I live in the corner of Grand [01:34:58] right there by Barlow Elementary. [01:35:00] Your sign sits right there that says, welcome to the city of New Port Richey. [01:35:03] I watch them mow it. [01:35:05] It's atrocious to see somebody, so havoc, living next to me. [01:35:09] And five crosses down, I got another car parked up beside the house, backed in. [01:35:14] Oil could be dripping, who knows? [01:35:17] But like I said earlier, I got a violation for pallets. [01:35:20] I'll cut the pallets up, which I've done already. [01:35:22] My violation hopefully should be removed. [01:35:23] I haven't talked to Liz about it yet. [01:35:25] But again, cars, cars, cars, I cannot stress enough the violations that need to happen, [01:35:30] and it is nitpicking. [01:35:32] I've never had a problem with Liz before, and all of a sudden, pallets are becoming [01:35:35] an eyesore as opposed to two, three, five cars sitting in a yard. [01:35:39] It just doesn't make sense to me. [01:35:40] I'm sorry, but if you live next to one, you know what I'm talking about. [01:35:44] Floral Park, I think we call it, between Poinsettia and Marine Parkway over in that area. [01:35:48] There's really no deed restrictions. [01:35:50] Pretty much people just do as they will. [01:35:52] So again, I've got a neighbor right across the street from me, 4041 Euclid, and he's [01:35:56] facing Grand, and he's renting by the room. [01:36:00] And he has motorcycles and cars parked outside, all over the grass and everything. [01:36:05] So you've got to defeat the purpose somewhere, somehow. [01:36:08] And the landlord is not only a landlord, he's a realtor, and he's a property manager. [01:36:13] I've already called the Realtor Association, he doesn't belong to Pasco, he belongs to [01:36:16] Pinellas Real Estate Association. [01:36:18] And they say there is no ethical renting rules for a landlord to be a realtor, to be a property [01:36:25] manager, that sits and has multiple cars. [01:36:28] He's the one renting the out to the individuals, renting the house out. [01:36:31] So I just think it's a little uncalled for. [01:36:33] I mean, I don't know how the rules are about renting out a house by the room in the city, [01:36:37] but it's motorcycles I've got starting up at five in the morning. [01:36:41] It is what it is, people got to go to work. [01:36:43] But it would be appreciative if somebody could address this car issue finally, once and for [01:36:46] all, and have limited drivers to limited cars, like I said, in the driveway. [01:36:51] It's not so much the space for me, it's more the inconvenience of how many are in the yard. [01:36:55] Thank you. [01:36:56] Thank you. [01:36:58] Yes, ma'am. [01:37:05] Hi, Lisa Tinker, 7017 Park Drive. [01:37:10] Driving over here this evening, granted it was dark, but I will notice that probably [01:37:14] 25 to 40% of the people in our neighborhood are in violation of the code as it is written [01:37:21] right now. [01:37:22] We have four people in our family, we have five vehicles. [01:37:26] There is always one parked, typically neatly on the lawn, on the grass, in front of the [01:37:33] trailer. [01:37:34] My sister next door, she has a, I don't know, maybe 15-foot driveway. [01:37:38] I don't know what she's going to do when her daughter drives. [01:37:40] She has no place else to park her vehicle. [01:37:43] I understand the issue that the gentleman's having with junk cars. [01:37:48] Cars that don't have tags, cars that have tarps over them, yes, they shouldn't be on [01:37:51] your property, but in the same aspect, we need to be able to go about our daily business, [01:37:58] go to work. [01:37:59] I don't want to have to move my son's car at 6.30 in the morning when my husband has [01:38:03] to get his car out and go to work, or shuffle when he comes home from work at 11 o'clock [01:38:08] at night. [01:38:09] Okay, now I've got to go move the car yet again. [01:38:12] We should have the ability to park on our property if we're maintaining our property, [01:38:17] keeping it neat. [01:38:19] We have no problems with our neighbors. [01:38:22] Our neighbors park on their grass when need be. [01:38:25] If you have multiple vehicles, you have multiple kids, what are you going to do? [01:38:28] You can't go rent parking spots for, you have four kids, you've got six cars now. [01:38:33] What are you going to do with them? [01:38:35] Yes, you can do street parking, which our neighbor up the street does. [01:38:40] Somebody comes next door, try to get through the road. [01:38:42] You can't always do that. [01:38:44] As far as code enforcement picking on people, we got one on our door the other day for some [01:38:48] buckets I had sitting there waiting for the garbage man who wouldn't pick them up. [01:38:52] It happens, unfortunately. [01:38:55] Until something is done to address the junk cars, the tags, even if you want to go to [01:39:00] the point, okay, all right, you tagged your vehicle, you put a sticker in the front of [01:39:03] the window if you're going to back it in so code enforcement knows it's tagged. [01:39:07] I personally think they should be able to go on your property and see if your car has [01:39:11] a tag on it, because they should. [01:39:13] If you're going to have a car, tag it, if not, get rid of it. [01:39:16] Anyway, that's all. [01:39:17] Thank you. [01:39:19] Anyone else? [01:39:26] Paul Black, 5844 Madison Street. [01:39:31] I just want to say that overall, I am in favor of this ordinance. [01:39:35] I think it should pass, however, having said that, my only concern is this, and I brought [01:39:42] it up at the town hall meeting, concerning the alleyways. [01:39:48] The alleyways between many of the streets are in very poor condition, but the city has [01:39:57] a right. [01:39:58] Number one, we live in the city of New Port Richey. [01:40:00] We do not live out in Timbuktu in the country where people out there have the privilege [01:40:06] and the right if they want to have a hillbilly style parking with no driveway and just park [01:40:11] in the mud. [01:40:12] I think that the appearance of our city is very important, and so I think this is great. [01:40:18] But at the same time, the city is expecting something of us, and I think it's good that [01:40:23] they're wanting this, but at the same time, I want to see the city making it a high priority [01:40:28] to fix these alleyways. [01:40:29] And that's all I have to say. [01:40:31] Thank you. [01:40:32] Thank you. [01:40:33] Anyone else? [01:40:34] Seeing no one else come forward, I'm going to bring it back to council. [01:40:39] City Mayor. [01:40:40] Thanks, Mr. Mayor. [01:40:43] Obviously, we've moved this along and had some town hall meetings and took a lot of [01:40:51] input about this part of the first step in trying to curb some of the aesthetics and [01:40:59] try to create some parking areas on the front. [01:41:02] We know that there's a difference between the homeowner. [01:41:05] We've got some residential or we've got some rental items, and that's the reason I thought [01:41:11] it was important, or at least it worked out to where the residential inspection program [01:41:17] will be implemented on the front end of this, and then obviously we have the parking elements. [01:41:23] And you know, you can go through this ordinance and pick some elements, you know, with the [01:41:30] variance process, the written application, the building permit, organic mulch, you know, [01:41:39] but at the end of the day, you know, I believe we have to move something forward. [01:41:45] The only, the two biggest things I see in this is, you know, the compliance elements. [01:41:55] And then I think to have people get in compliance or 90 days after adoption, I think is way [01:42:01] too short. [01:42:03] I think we're going to create, you know, an issue within our code departments, our building [01:42:10] department development, that trying to bring these places into compliance. [01:42:15] So it would be my recommendation that you obviously extend that compliance period, but [01:42:23] I also would like to add in on the language that this come back before council, an assessment [01:42:31] of how this has been implemented, at least six months after we put it into place, and [01:42:36] then to get it to 12 month mark so that we continually look at this to try to tweak it [01:42:42] because there are going to be so many different exceptions that we're going to need to quantify [01:42:50] those. [01:42:51] And then when you do have those exceptions, that kicks it into another level of evaluation [01:42:58] with a safety plan and some, or a safety review. [01:43:02] So, but at this point, we've been talking about it for over a year. [01:43:07] We need to begin to at least be able to monitor where we are and give people some solutions. [01:43:14] And as long as we have some grant funding available to allow them to work their way [01:43:19] through it, we'll minimize some of the costs, but I still think we're going to have some [01:43:26] burden on some residents that have a household incomes of $40,000 a year or less. [01:43:32] But at this point, we have noticed it. [01:43:37] We've made a priority about it, and I believe it's one of the first steps we need to take [01:43:42] in trying to at least systematically begin to bring our neighborhoods back into some [01:43:48] visual aesthetics that's going to help not only my neighbors and myself with our property [01:43:53] value and the ability to monitor what's happening in our neighborhoods. [01:43:57] That's what I have. [01:43:59] Thank you. [01:44:00] Good points, Mr. Phillips, and I'm with you. [01:44:04] That's New Perch in a nutshell, and on so many aspects we talk about, no neighborhood's [01:44:08] the same. [01:44:10] Your backyard backs up to Main Street, mine backs up to a house, some back up to the river. [01:44:16] Most people don't park, in my opinion, in their backyards unless you are along that [01:44:20] alleyway. [01:44:21] But the bottom line, I'm driving home from work again today, and right on East Main when [01:44:25] I come around the corner of that house that we all know where the occupants are very proud [01:44:29] of their Southern heritage, there's six cars in the driveway, or excuse me, one driveway, [01:44:35] six cars in the front yard, which is not even as wide as from this wall to this wall, and [01:44:39] two motorcycles. [01:44:40] I'm telling you, I don't think two people could walk between two of those cars at one [01:44:43] time. [01:44:46] One thing I've learned about this job, you're never going to make everyone happy, and this [01:44:50] is going to negatively affect certain people that do take care of their properties. [01:44:54] There's no doubt about that. [01:44:56] But at the end of the day, we have [01:45:00] to, and I have to vote for what I think is the best for all of New Port Richey. [01:45:06] I have close friends, I have family members that have said, don't pass this, you should [01:45:11] have a right to park on your yard, but the way I look at it, we're trying to increase [01:45:16] people's property values, we're trying to make New Port Richey a nicer place. [01:45:20] In my opinion, it's a shame we even have to talk about this, I mean it really is, to park [01:45:24] six cars on your front yard, they have no disregard for their neighbors, they have no [01:45:28] disregard for the people entering our city, and it's a shame that we have to address issues [01:45:33] like that, because on the flip side, it does affect people negatively that do take care [01:45:37] of the yards. [01:45:38] I understand your point, if you have someone in from out of town that you may not want [01:45:42] to park on the street, I don't think we're going to have code enforcement officials going [01:45:46] around houses, checking them hourly to see if someone's on the yard. [01:45:51] Obviously this is to focus on a larger picture, but with any ordinance, I'm fine with coming [01:45:56] back six months and 12 months later and seeing how it's working and tweaking it if need be, [01:46:00] but like Mr. Phillips said, and we've been talking about this for over a year, first [01:46:04] came to Council in January, and I know a large group of people in my neighborhood were upset [01:46:09] because they thought we were going to encroach on RVs in the front yard, and boats and boat [01:46:14] trailers in the front yard, and the fact that we're a waterfront community. [01:46:18] This isn't, in my opinion, what this is about. [01:46:20] This is about going after people, one more tool, that don't take care of their properties [01:46:24] and are bringing down the property values around them. [01:46:27] That's the bottom line. [01:46:28] Unfortunately, it's going to adversely affect, once again, people that do take care of their [01:46:32] properties, but I don't know of a better solution than starting with this and going from there. [01:46:37] Free mulch delivery, put a border up, no matter what your income is, if you want a little [01:46:42] side mulch parking lot or at the front, free mulch delivery. [01:46:46] When this first came before us, we were talking about having people, poor asphalt driveways [01:46:49] and concrete driveways that they want to park, but I have people in my neighborhood that [01:46:53] have a three-car driveway, and there's two cars in the front yard every day. [01:46:58] I refer to it as lazy and got reamed out at a town hall meeting. [01:47:02] When I was a kid in high school, if I parked behind my dad at the end of the day, and he [01:47:06] left for work before I got up, and it was summertime, I got up out of bed and moved [01:47:10] my car. [01:47:11] I'm sorry. [01:47:12] That's just how I was raised, and that's how I raised my children. [01:47:16] I was just raised to take care of your property and look out for your neighbors, and don't [01:47:22] do anything to bring their property values down. [01:47:26] Like I said, it's going to adversely affect some people, and I wish I had the magic solution, [01:47:29] but we have to start somewhere. [01:47:30] I agree with Mr. Phillips. [01:47:31] I'm going to vote in favor of this for now, and maybe come back in six months to reassess [01:47:36] it. [01:47:37] As far as 90 days compliance, we're coming up on Thanksgiving, Christmas. [01:47:42] I'm okay with putting it off until maybe March 1st, but education is the key. [01:47:45] I'm so glad to see those flyers. [01:47:48] We need to give people options, and once again, we don't want to come across, as I've [01:47:52] spoke about so many times up here, as the mean city officials are just looking to give [01:47:57] people a hard time. [01:47:58] That's not what this is about. [01:47:59] So people that are in violation, let's educate them, give them options, let them know what [01:48:03] their options are, and go from there. [01:48:06] Councilwoman? [01:48:07] Well, I want to applaud whoever in the city distributed a really neat flyer I got this [01:48:13] weekend. [01:48:14] It talked about the piece of literature included the fact that we were having a cleanup this [01:48:19] weekend. [01:48:20] It talked about recycled water. [01:48:21] Who did that? [01:48:22] That is the city newsletter. [01:48:23] Oh, okay. [01:48:24] Well, that was great to get that, and I think... [01:48:25] It's coming in the mail. [01:48:26] It's coming in the mail. [01:48:27] I didn't get one either. [01:48:28] Well, someone walked up to the door and delivered it, so I'm... [01:48:29] And that was at someone else's house. [01:48:30] It wasn't my house. [01:48:31] It wasn't because I'm on council. [01:48:32] But the point I'm making is, I love the idea that we're providing a brochure. [01:48:35] I think that that should flood the entire city. [01:48:50] I think that should be incorporated into the newsletter. [01:48:52] I don't know if it's a monthly newsletter, but I think that everybody in the city should [01:48:57] be aware of what's happening for all things. [01:49:00] I appreciate the comment that I think Paul made or Gentleman Andrew made about our responsibility [01:49:10] and the idea of the alleyways. [01:49:14] If you envision what we're attempting to do with this ordinance and creating a visual [01:49:22] look for our city, again, I liken it to when you're traveling around on a Sunday afternoon [01:49:27] and you wander into a neighborhood, the street appeal or the curb appeal that a community [01:49:35] would have. [01:49:36] And that's what we're trying to accomplish here. [01:49:38] We're trying to accomplish raising the bar on our curb appeal. [01:49:42] So I think as a city, we are responsible for those properties that we own and the community [01:49:48] areas that are alleyways. [01:49:49] I would be all for us addressing those as well. [01:49:55] I think that we shouldn't approach this as the city having a club that we're going to [01:50:01] pound people's head with, but rather that we're in this together, that we are going [01:50:06] to do this together and we're going to help it along. [01:50:09] I think that 90 days might be a little too quick, especially with the holidays coming, [01:50:13] so I would be very comfortable with a six month. [01:50:18] So long as we all understand and agree that it's not going to be the 11th hour that people [01:50:24] are going to scramble. [01:50:25] I think the conversation should start right now. [01:50:27] The literature should go out. [01:50:29] People should understand what is available to them, whether it's mulch or just guidance [01:50:36] on what to do. [01:50:39] And then as a city, I think that we should pretty up the alleyways as best as we can. [01:50:45] Councilman? [01:50:46] I just have a question on the flyer that you put together, Lisa, who do they call or [01:50:54] do they just call the city number? [01:50:56] We call the development department. [01:50:57] We have our number and an email address to contact someone directly. [01:51:02] That's good. [01:51:03] I like the six months because this is the first time this is going out. [01:51:08] Liz and her team can't see everybody in the first week or two weeks, and with Thanksgiving [01:51:14] and Christmas coming up, I'd like to see the whole program kind of no violations for [01:51:19] six months. [01:51:21] That going first. [01:51:22] I think we have some problem situations, and one I took you and showed you was Oleander. [01:51:30] Going down Oleander along the river, between each house is a street which has grown over [01:51:34] and it looks like people's front yards and neighbor, it looks like their front yard, [01:51:38] but it's actually a street in the city. [01:51:40] So technically they could park on those, if you remember correctly. [01:51:45] You could park on them and it's totally legal, but it's left over from the concept that we [01:51:49] didn't have a Madison Street bridge and the fire department could run down there, throw [01:51:54] a hose in the water and pick up some water. [01:51:57] But that's the concept. [01:51:58] So those people on Oleander could actually pull in between the two houses and be legal [01:52:04] because they're on a street, even though it doesn't look like there's a street there. [01:52:07] So there's some things that I think the staff needs to know and situations that we need [01:52:13] to know. [01:52:14] But I think it's a rollout program and I don't think we should be citing anybody. [01:52:17] We should be helping people for the first six months. [01:52:20] Thank you, Councilman. [01:52:21] The first lady that came up to speak had suggested a short-term permit when you've got family [01:52:28] and friends over. [01:52:29] I actually think that's not a bad idea, if we could offer those permits so that if somebody [01:52:39] is going to have a party, they can say, hey, don't bother us, we're going to park. [01:52:46] And I just don't see that as a problem. [01:52:49] The issue is not the folks that are coming over for Thanksgiving or Christmas or somebody's [01:52:54] birthday party or whatever the problem or the ones that are there. [01:53:00] It's the folks week after week, month after month that are just trashing the entire neighborhood. [01:53:06] I agree with what I've heard from a number of you about the 90 days is too short. [01:53:12] I'm also okay with the 180 and definitely agree we need to revisit this. [01:53:17] This is a pretty big change. [01:53:21] So I would like to see us, if it passes tonight, agenda it for nine months or 12 months from [01:53:29] now to come back and say, is this working or have we created a problem? [01:53:34] May I ask one more question, Mr. Mayor? [01:53:35] Yes, sir. [01:53:36] Whenever you're done. [01:53:37] I was going to say, I can't make a motion, so I'm going to pawn that off to somebody [01:53:42] else. [01:53:43] Just one more question. [01:53:44] A lot of these problem homes with the multiple car parking are rental homes. [01:53:49] Is there any way we can work with the property appraiser website and send the flyer and a [01:53:53] notice to the landlords so they also know what's expected of their tenants? [01:53:57] Because you mail it to the tenants, they're just going to throw it in the garbage and [01:53:59] if they're moving out in six months, they're not going to care. [01:54:03] Mr. Mayor? [01:54:04] Yes, sir. [01:54:05] Yeah, that's the reason on the residential or the rental inspection, there is that portion [01:54:13] on there already that talks about their parking and the things on the front end. [01:54:19] So Mr. Starkey, I think part of that is going to be addressed not only with the tenants, [01:54:26] but also that rental parking or the rental inspection program will be initiated right [01:54:33] after the first of the year. [01:54:35] So at least a third or 45% is going to be addressed in some of the things you were just [01:54:42] pointing out. [01:54:43] So I think they're going to dovetail in together with those elements of those two programs [01:54:51] rolling out after the first of the year. [01:54:53] Great. [01:54:54] As long as that's the case. [01:54:55] Because from a landlord's point of view, they need to know that if you have a house for [01:54:59] rent with a one-car driveway, you may not want to rent to someone that has five cars. [01:55:03] Yeah. [01:55:04] Great. [01:55:05] I move for approval with a six-month instead of 90 days and also a two-week permit available. [01:55:13] We have a motion. [01:55:14] Second. [01:55:15] We have a second. [01:55:16] To the maker? [01:55:17] Second. [01:55:18] Nothing further. [01:55:19] Thank you. [01:55:20] Councilwoman? [01:55:21] No. [01:55:22] Very good. [01:55:23] Deputy Mayor? [01:55:24] No, sir. [01:55:25] I'm good. [01:55:26] Okay. [01:55:27] And I'm okay with this also, provided we do bring it back in a year and see where we [01:55:32] are with the status on it. [01:55:34] Mr. Mayor? [01:55:35] I have some questions about this short-term permit. [01:55:39] I think there's a lot more we have to flesh out. [01:55:41] If you want to get a two-week permit, is there going to be a limit on how many times per [01:55:45] year you can get a two-week permit? [01:55:46] What are the requirements for getting this permit? [01:55:49] Because I could foresee some people just constantly getting a permit. [01:55:54] Okay. [01:55:55] I'll amend my proposal to two a year, and you can just get it in no charge at the building [01:56:02] department. [01:56:03] Once again, though, I mean, like Mr. Republic said, two a year, is it two for that vehicle, [01:56:06] two for that person, two for the homeowner? [01:56:09] That homeowner. [01:56:10] That resident. [01:56:11] I don't know that that would, I mean, I'm thinking of at least four things that happen [01:56:15] in the city that creates a huge, huge parking issue. [01:56:18] Think about the boat parade. [01:56:19] Yeah, the boat parade. [01:56:20] Well, we can start this up. [01:56:21] We have to cater games. [01:56:22] Yeah, but I said we can start this out on, and if we have a problem down the road. [01:56:28] We're not going to. [01:56:29] No, I agree, but like what you're referring to is a daily, if someone has a, you know, [01:56:33] a birthday party. [01:56:34] I'm going to be upset if I hear we're going around passing out tickets to somebody that's [01:56:38] got three cars on the driveway attending a four-hour birthday party. [01:56:41] That's not what this ordinance is about, so as far as the, you know, what you're talking [01:56:46] about, drive down River Road, you know, during the boat parade, there's cars all over driveways [01:56:50] because everyone on the river has a party for boat parade. [01:56:53] I don't think we're talking about the daily and the party things. [01:56:55] We're talking about the cars that are there for, like we said, two weeks, like Ms. Antonia, [01:56:59] sorry, I forgot your last name. [01:57:02] So when she has her family in town for a week or two, then she's able to get that permit. [01:57:05] That's a very good idea, I think, but yeah, I don't think that the permit is for, you [01:57:09] know, two weeks, correct? [01:57:11] Not just, we'll need it for the daily activities. [01:57:13] The maker has suggested we limit these extended permits to two a year for home. [01:57:20] Is that okay with the second? [01:57:23] One vehicle to a year? [01:57:24] No, one resident. [01:57:25] One resident to a year? [01:57:26] Yeah, like I said, this is all new, so I'm fine with that. [01:57:27] We may need to revisit that as well. [01:57:28] Okay. [01:57:29] Any other discussion? [01:57:30] Deputy Mayor? [01:57:31] No, I'm good, Mayor. [01:57:32] Thank you. [01:57:33] Okay. [01:57:34] In that case, all in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:57:35] Aye. [01:57:36] Aye. [01:57:37] Opposed? [01:57:38] Light sign. [01:57:39] Motion passes.

   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.

10. 10.a

    Sign Code Amendment Contract: Mellgren Planning Group/Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, PL

    discussed

    Council considered a contract with Mellgren Planning Group (teamed with law firm Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman) for just under $63,000 to amend the city's sign code in two phases: first addressing constitutional issues from a recent Supreme Court ruling, then a comprehensive update with community engagement via surveys and focus groups. Staff and the consultant explained the scope and rationale; the transcript cuts off before a vote.

    📍Main Street📍US-19🏢Mellgren Planning Group🏢SurveyMonkey🏢Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, PL👤Jeff Kadems👤Lisa Spears👤Pearson👤Starkey#First Amendment / sign code constitutionality#Focus group and public facilitation process#Non-conformity provisions#Sign Code Amendment#Supreme Court sign code ruling (Reed v. Town of Gilbert)

    ▶ Jump to 1:57:40 in the video

    ▸Show transcriptHide transcript

    Auto-transcript · machine-generated, may contain errors

    [01:57:40] Next item is signed code amendment contract. [01:57:41] Mrs. Spears will be representing this agenda item. [01:57:42] Okay. [01:57:43] Thank you. [01:57:44] Thank you. [01:57:45] Thank you. [01:57:46] Thank you. [01:57:47] Thank you. [01:57:48] Thank you. [01:57:49] Thank you. [01:57:50] Thank you. [01:57:51] Thank you. [01:57:52] Thank you. [01:57:53] Thank you. [01:57:54] Thank you. [01:57:55] Thank you. [01:57:56] Thank you. [01:57:57] Thank you. [01:57:58] Next item. [01:57:59] Thank you. [01:58:00] The city had requested qualifications from professional firms to help us amend our sign [01:58:08] code, which we've talked about for many years about having all the problems it has. [01:58:13] And so we received two submittals from two qualified firms, and the one we are suggesting [01:58:20] that we enter into a contract with is the Melgren Planning Group. [01:58:25] They are located out of southeast Florida, and they have the experience, the expertise [01:58:32] to take us through this process. [01:58:37] They are teaming with a law firm also out of southeast Florida to help us with constitutional [01:58:43] rights. [01:58:44] There was a Supreme Court case that was determined this past summer, which does affect our sign [01:58:49] code as well as every other sign code in the nation. [01:58:53] And they will help us with that aspect of it. [01:58:56] So this will be a two-phase approach. [01:58:58] The first will be updating the code with respect to the Supreme Court ruling, and then the [01:59:01] other portion will be the bulk of it, which is the overall sign code. [01:59:08] The fee being proposed is just under $63,000, which has been budgeted, and there is a representative [01:59:15] from the Melgren Group here tonight who's been patient through tonight's meeting if [01:59:20] you have any questions directly about the contract. [01:59:23] Open it up for any public comment or questions. [01:59:26] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to Council. [01:59:29] I need someone to educate me on this one. [01:59:32] You know, I know we spend a lot of money on studies and whatnot. [01:59:35] We had to spend money for the urban core study, which opened up a lot of other things, but [01:59:39] I'm having a hard time figuring this one out. [01:59:42] $63,000 to figure out what kind of signs we can use in our city. [01:59:47] Educate me, Lynn, if you could, because I'm having a hard time with this one. [01:59:51] A third of it is for the law firm that is partnering with the planning group. [01:59:57] That is their fee to help us get through the constitutionality. [02:00:00] issues of the Supreme Court ruling. [02:00:03] That firm will also take a look at the amendments [02:00:05] once we get to the end of it to make sure [02:00:08] whatever amendments we're making are gonna be [02:00:10] deemed constitutional as well. [02:00:12] But, I mean, I guess Mr. Adams, who's here tonight, [02:00:16] can speak to the fee that's being proposed. [02:00:19] I mean, we did have a higher fee when we started, [02:00:22] and this is the lower version of it [02:00:23] that we've put before you. [02:00:25] But we feel it's important and necessary [02:00:28] to have this assistance from an outside consultant. [02:00:32] It's a pretty rigorous process to update our sign code. [02:00:36] It's gonna go through many different iterations, [02:00:38] and it's not something we can handle in-house. [02:00:44] Yeah, I mean, if you wanna come up [02:00:45] and help educate all of us, I guess, [02:00:47] I mean, definitely me, but the objective here [02:00:50] is to come up with a sign code that we're not [02:00:53] infringing on anybody's constitutional rights. [02:00:55] That's gonna make the city more aesthetically pleasing, [02:00:59] and as you drive through, make sure, like, [02:01:00] if there's a large sign on US-19 [02:01:01] that's been there for 50 years, [02:01:03] and now we wanna bring them down, [02:01:05] are we able to do so, and that's what you do? [02:01:08] Tell us if we're able to do that. [02:01:09] I'm just trying to figure this all out, I'm sorry. [02:01:11] Good evening, Mayor, Council, Vice Mayor, Deputy Mayor. [02:01:19] My name's Jeff Kadems with the Milgram Planning Group, [02:01:21] and the project is, as Lisa said, a two-phase approach. [02:01:27] The first one, and it's being done this way intentionally, [02:01:32] first one is specifically to address [02:01:34] the constitutional issues, [02:01:35] which would be considered now defects, [02:01:38] which every municipal sign code in the country, [02:01:41] essentially, has to contend with. [02:01:44] And that is just to get your sign code [02:01:48] out of the red and into the black, essentially, [02:01:50] so that you're not vulnerable to a lawsuit [02:01:54] because of a First Amendment issue [02:01:55] that was raised by the Supreme Court. [02:01:58] Essentially, what the Supreme Court did [02:02:00] is they said that you can no longer [02:02:06] base your regulations on the function of a sign, [02:02:09] and we, all cities, all counties, [02:02:13] rely very heavily on sign classifications [02:02:17] in order to regulate how many, how large, [02:02:20] and many other types of things. [02:02:22] One basic example is a business identification sign. [02:02:28] A lot of cities will allow the most signage, [02:02:33] especially freestanding signage, including wall signage, [02:02:36] for identifying the name of the business, [02:02:38] possibly with a tagline that the business may want to have. [02:02:43] But you often can't have, for example, [02:02:47] what information on what items you're selling [02:02:51] are in sale this week, and phone numbers, [02:02:53] and all this extraneous information [02:02:56] that clutters the sign and makes it hard [02:02:58] to get the message that the sign's intended to impart [02:03:03] as you're driving down the street. [02:03:04] Where it most impacts sign codes is temporary signage. [02:03:09] So, for example, sign codes differentiate [02:03:12] between real estate signs, which can go up [02:03:14] when the property's on the market, [02:03:17] and needs to come down when the property's [02:03:20] under contract, typically. [02:03:22] Construction signs, when a building permit's been approved, [02:03:26] has to come down, that is it, when there's a CO. [02:03:30] Election campaign signs, they go up X number of days [02:03:35] before an election, and they have to come down [02:03:37] X number of days past that. [02:03:39] And in addition to the timeframes that are associated [02:03:42] with when you can display these signs, [02:03:45] the size and the number of the signs [02:03:47] is related to the function that they serve. [02:03:49] So, for example, with an election, [02:03:52] there can be two dozen ballot issues [02:03:56] between actual judges that are up for election, [02:03:59] council members, state elections, federal elections, [02:04:04] state constitutional amendments. [02:04:09] What the Supreme Court has said [02:04:10] is that we can't do that anymore. [02:04:12] We can't make those distinctions anymore [02:04:15] because that's regulating based upon the message [02:04:17] of the sign, and that's a First Amendment violation. [02:04:20] So, the first step of this contract would be [02:04:24] for the attorney to work with your city attorney, [02:04:28] go through the entire sign code, [02:04:30] and essentially sanitize it with respect [02:04:34] to this new Supreme Court ruling, [02:04:36] so that we accomplish as much as possible [02:04:39] with regard to control of signage, [02:04:41] based upon the nuances that affect [02:04:45] where it's appropriate and how much, [02:04:47] but without running afoul of this Supreme Court decision. [02:04:51] We've done this with some other cities, [02:04:54] and I've been involved, and I'm very clear [02:04:57] on the process of doing that. [02:04:59] The second phase would be coming back [02:05:01] and doing what you've talked about, [02:05:03] apparently, for some time, which is taking a fresh look [02:05:06] at your sign regulations, [02:05:07] and not just the main sign regulations, [02:05:09] but your main street, and any way that the signage [02:05:12] ties into other parts of your code. [02:05:15] Sometimes that may mean special event procedures, [02:05:18] and allowances for signage, and that type of thing. [02:05:22] And taking a fresh look, and one of the reasons [02:05:26] that it's as expensive as it is, [02:05:30] is because we want to make this as inclusive as we can. [02:05:33] We know from doing this in other communities [02:05:36] that it is a recipe for disaster [02:05:39] to have a consultant work with the staff, [02:05:42] even though the staff may know what the council intends, [02:05:47] go ahead and put a sign code together [02:05:49] that significantly changes signage allowances [02:05:53] and other standards, and then have the community [02:05:56] come out and raise heck. [02:05:58] So we want to involve the community up front, [02:06:01] and we specialize as well, in addition to writing [02:06:05] sign codes and land development codes, [02:06:06] we specialize in public facilitation. [02:06:09] In a very productive manner. [02:06:10] So that's a key part of this process, [02:06:13] is involving a representative group from the community. [02:06:17] So not only do we want to reach out to the community [02:06:20] through surveys, and analyze that information [02:06:23] to help guide us, but we want to make sure [02:06:26] we're going to establish a focus group [02:06:28] in concert with your staff, that is going to be [02:06:32] representative of the various components of your community. [02:06:36] So we want business owners from US 19, [02:06:40] we want Main Street property owners, property managers, [02:06:44] and we want other folks as well, [02:06:46] so that we have a balanced approach to this. [02:06:49] Whenever we undertake a substantial reconfiguration [02:06:56] of a sign code, and that's potentially [02:06:59] what we could be looking at, [02:07:01] you create a lot of non-conformities, [02:07:03] and how you handle those non-conformities, [02:07:05] which are signs don't comply, [02:07:07] what is going to trigger their compliance, and when. [02:07:10] It's very sensitive, sometimes we need to get very creative. [02:07:15] Council Member Starkey, as you mentioned, [02:07:17] you can't make everybody happy, [02:07:19] because you're trying to find the right balance [02:07:23] between the aesthetics of the community, [02:07:26] the wayfinding function of signage, [02:07:29] and people's property rights, [02:07:31] and the money they've invested in these signs. [02:07:34] So it's a sensitive process, it's a very deliberate process, [02:07:38] and we want it to be a very inclusive process, [02:07:40] so that when we come back to you with that final product, [02:07:45] you can feel good about it, [02:07:47] and you can feel that it represents the, [02:07:50] finds the right balance of aesthetics, wayfinding, [02:07:54] and still the property rights and investments [02:07:57] that the business owners have made. [02:08:00] Very well put, thank you. [02:08:03] Yes, I have lived through the last sign iteration [02:08:08] of our ordinance, and the thought of going through it again, [02:08:14] although the final product, if I'm not mistaken, [02:08:17] I think it was like a five year period of time [02:08:20] where we were able to, yeah, and even at that, [02:08:25] again, 11th hour variances, it was just, [02:08:28] and now, I think the biggest complaint [02:08:30] that I hear from the community, [02:08:32] not just downtown community, but business owners, [02:08:34] is the sign ordinance and parking, those are two issues. [02:08:38] So, you know, I think that we're in tune to that, [02:08:43] but in reading through the scope of services, [02:08:49] help me understand this, you mentioned here [02:08:52] that you're going to prepare an online survey [02:08:55] relating to the importance of signage in the community, [02:08:57] with staff feedback utilizing SurveyMonkey. [02:08:59] So, that seems so basic, I mean, [02:09:06] I think that we would all agree that signage is important, [02:09:09] so are you suggesting that, I guess the last thing [02:09:12] that I want to see is us spending this kind of money, [02:09:15] and then having a charrette, and having the same 40, [02:09:17] 50 people come here, and we go through this thing, [02:09:20] and then we put through the ordinance, [02:09:21] and then the very people that we needed to connect with [02:09:25] show up then, when they get notified [02:09:27] that their sign is in non-conformance. [02:09:28] So, the other thing was that you're going to evaluate, [02:09:33] let me see, it said something here about [02:09:35] you're going to contact people with the staff leading, [02:09:39] and I'm just wondering, what have you used [02:09:45] in other cities to connect with the community on that? [02:09:49] Very good questions. [02:09:52] Ms. Pearson, I talked at length [02:09:54] about the issues that you just raised, [02:09:57] and certainly the first code or two that we did, [02:10:02] we experienced that exact issue. [02:10:06] Yeah, SurveyMonkey, that's not a large part [02:10:09] of the cost itself, actually, the SurveyMonkey. [02:10:12] The surveys add to the timeframe for the project, [02:10:16] but not a tremendous amount of cost, [02:10:18] and it's actually the most economical way to do it. [02:10:21] But we're not going to ask either the most basic questions. [02:10:24] We're going to try to get at the deeper attitudes [02:10:27] that the public has for signs to establish a baseline. [02:10:31] But there's a second survey [02:10:32] that's going to be much more targeted, [02:10:34] and we're going to be looking at what people prefer, [02:10:40] visual preference, I don't know if that was done [02:10:42] the last time or not, but that can be very important, [02:10:47] and try to get into some of the other details. [02:10:49] But the way that we best approach, [02:10:56] or best avoid not having those people [02:11:00] that show up at second reading with the pitchforks, [02:11:04] by not getting them involved early, is this focus group. [02:11:08] We want to go out there and get representation [02:11:13] from the various sectors of the community [02:11:16] so that all the viewpoints are represented. [02:11:20] We want that property owner who's got the 30-foot sign [02:11:23] that doesn't comply and doesn't want to take it down. [02:11:28] We want their feedback as well as the Main Street people, [02:11:31] as well as others. [02:11:32] So that's the best way we know how to do it. [02:11:36] And frankly, you can notice the community, [02:11:39] you can send everybody something in the mail, [02:11:41] and some folks simply won't show up until second reading [02:11:44] when somebody spreads the rumor [02:11:46] that the city's taking away all your signage. [02:11:48] So we think the focus group, [02:11:51] the surveys will raise awareness [02:11:53] of this initiative, of this project. [02:11:56] We want to educate at the same time

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11. 10.b

    ↳You arrived here from a search for “Board of Realtors” — transcript expanded below

    Wayfinding & Signage Contract: KMA Design

    discussed

    Council discussed the wayfinding and signage contract with KMA Design, focusing on the public engagement process for an upcoming sign ordinance rewrite prompted by a Supreme Court decision. Staff described plans for community-wide surveys and targeted focus groups, while council members emphasized coordinating with Pasco County, advertising meetings broadly, and engaging local stakeholder organizations.

    📍Sims Park📍US Highway 19🏢Board of Realtors🏢Chamber of Commerce🏢Greater New Port Richey Main Street🏢KMA Design👤Bella-Thomas👤Davis👤Fierce#Pasco County coordination#sign ordinance#wayfinding and signage focus group

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    [02:11:59] we want to collect opinions. [02:12:00] So it's really a dual purpose, three purposes. [02:12:03] You're noticing people that this is going on, [02:12:05] you're collecting information from them, [02:12:07] and you're educating. [02:12:08] And then through this focus group, [02:12:10] we hope that when we bring to you an ordinance [02:12:14] that even though there will be individuals [02:12:17] that didn't participate, that chose not to participate, [02:12:20] someone may claim they didn't know, [02:12:22] at least their interests will have been represented [02:12:26] by somebody who's in a similar situation as they are. [02:12:30] And that's the intent. [02:12:32] And the other question I have is, [02:12:35] we are a city within a county, [02:12:37] and I know that on US Highway 19 especially, [02:12:40] there's properties that are in the city. [02:12:42] So is the county having to address [02:12:44] these issues as well, do we know? [02:12:46] So this will be hand-in-hand with? [02:12:48] The phase one is being addressed by everybody, [02:12:51] including the county. [02:12:52] They're going through the same review [02:12:54] by their legal staff, yes. [02:12:57] Good, and then the other point was [02:13:00] when you said you're doing a focus group [02:13:03] and that it will be, I mean surveys and focus group. [02:13:06] So are you blanketing the community, [02:13:09] or are you pinpointing the businesses, [02:13:11] the business owners, the tenants, [02:13:14] all of those key people that need to be? [02:13:18] The surveys, we want to blanket the community with them, [02:13:21] but we also want to target certain groups, [02:13:24] like the ones that are affected by the signage, [02:13:27] that have signage. [02:13:28] But with the focus group, it's more finding [02:13:31] those key people in those key sectors of the community, [02:13:37] so that we have a representative group [02:13:39] that'll help guide us through the process, [02:13:42] especially when it comes down to the numbers, [02:13:45] how tall, how high, how many, how long, [02:13:48] these types of things. [02:13:51] Thank you. [02:13:52] Sure. [02:13:53] Councilman Davis. [02:13:54] Deputy Mayor. [02:13:57] Thanks, Mayor. [02:13:58] I really appreciate the Supreme Court [02:14:01] creating a nice cottage industry here, [02:14:04] you know, the opportunity to go back through this. [02:14:06] So, you know, it's really nice that, [02:14:08] and I appreciate the rights that they're protecting, [02:14:11] but, you know, the cottage industry with this, [02:14:13] and, you know, this is gonna be a 12-month process, [02:14:16] and Mr. Bella-Thomas was right on point, [02:14:19] that, you know, here we are addressing our elements, [02:14:22] but we need, we've heard from a number [02:14:24] of county commissioners over time [02:14:26] that we don't take their considerations, [02:14:28] or the Harbor Street signings, all those kind of things. [02:14:31] So, obviously, we'd like to make sure [02:14:33] that ours dovetails into them, [02:14:35] because theirs will be dealing possibly [02:14:38] with billboard signs, and the biggest complaint [02:14:43] I've gotten is the temporary signage that's out there, [02:14:47] and the ability to put up those temporary banner signs, [02:14:51] waving signs on the corners. [02:14:53] So, obviously, that's number one. [02:14:55] Obviously, additionally, is the key differences [02:15:00] between ours and the county. [02:15:02] And the only helpful thing that I can offer to you [02:15:07] and offer to Ms. Fierce, [02:15:09] is that when we did our community meetings, [02:15:13] we thought we advertised them pretty well, [02:15:15] but I guess Chief, you better dust off your flashing signs [02:15:21] for each one of the roadways [02:15:22] to let them know that we're having these meetings. [02:15:25] It's obviously a perfect venue [02:15:27] for our new boards in Sims Park [02:15:31] to let them know that we've got these upcoming meetings. [02:15:34] And then obviously engage with the Chamber of Commerce, [02:15:38] the Board of Realtors and Greater New Port Richey Main Street [02:15:41] if you're gonna have all those folks you wanna show up [02:15:43] and be at these groups. [02:15:45] Because I'm gonna tell you, [02:15:46] you're gonna get the same 50 people [02:15:48] that have been at all the charrettes [02:15:50] that are very involved citizens that we love to see. [02:15:54] But then once again, at the very end of the day, [02:15:56] everybody comes in and throws every curve ball at you [02:15:59] and here you are stuck in the mud [02:16:01] for another three or four months [02:16:03] and then you try to move it out. [02:16:05] And it looks like this process [02:16:06] is already gonna be a year in the making. [02:16:08] So obviously we wanna make sure that we're in compliance. [02:16:13] But once again, anytime you change one thing, [02:16:15] the ripple effect is just overwhelming. [02:16:18] So I guess we might as well batten down the hatches [02:16:21] and get ready for another year of, [02:16:23] let's talk about my sign. [02:16:26] That's it, Mayor. [02:16:28] Thank you. [02:16:29] Can I ask another question, Mayor? [02:16:31] This year's, the sign ordinance that, [02:16:34] when we went through that, [02:16:36] there's a sign ordinance particular

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12. 10.c

    Appeal of Order to Demolish: 6015-6019 Montana Avenue, Gardner Property

    approved

    An appeal by Everbank of an order to demolish the fire-damaged property at 6015-6019 Montana Avenue (the Gardner property) was resolved by agreement: the appellant waives the appeal, must submit an action plan within 30 days, and must repair or demolish the structure within 90 days, or the city will proceed. Council voted to accept the agreement after hearing from a neighbor who described six years of problems with the vacant duplex.

    • motion:Motion to accept the agreement waiving the appeal in exchange for a 30-day action plan and repair or demolition within 90 days. (passed)

    📍6015-6019 Montana Avenue📍6023 Montana Avenue🏢Everbank👤Collette Grossman👤Pavlik👤Preston Davis#Gardner Property#appeal of order to demolish

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    [02:16:39] to the downtown community, the overlay community, [02:16:43] and then US Highway 19, is that correct? [02:16:45] Well, it's, there is segregated areas [02:16:49] of just downtown and overlay [02:16:50] and then everything else is just included [02:16:52] in the rest of the document, so. [02:16:54] And that's all of what we're addressing. [02:16:56] Talking about all of it. [02:16:57] All of it. [02:16:59] Comprehensive look at the code. [02:17:02] I'll entertain a motion. [02:17:05] Move for approval. [02:17:06] Move for motion. [02:17:08] Second. [02:17:09] Second to the maker. [02:17:10] Second. [02:17:12] Now there's enough talk. [02:17:15] We want action. [02:17:17] Councilman Starkey. [02:17:18] Councilman Devala-Thomas. [02:17:21] No, I mean, I do not envy us. [02:17:23] I, as I said, I remembered this the last time. [02:17:26] I think it was the prior iteration [02:17:30] of the Main Street program, [02:17:32] New Port Richey Community Cooperative. [02:17:33] I remember Jim Smetzer from the Pasco Camera. [02:17:36] I remember all of those lollipop signs on Main Street [02:17:39] and how, you know, we went through all of it [02:17:42] and, you know, then the variances that came out of it. [02:17:45] So I think it's great. [02:17:48] I think it's, again, it's coming into play [02:17:50] with all that we're doing [02:17:51] to make our city more beautiful, so. [02:17:55] There's no further discussion. [02:17:57] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [02:17:59] Aye. [02:18:00] Opposed, like sign. [02:18:02] Next item is wayfinding and signage contract. [02:18:05] Ms. Manns. [02:18:05] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council. [02:18:08] As you know, earlier this year, [02:18:11] you appropriated a budget in the amount of $300,000 [02:18:15] for the purposes of implementing [02:18:18] a wayfinding and signage project. [02:18:21] Since that time, Mrs. Spears assembled a staff team [02:18:29] and she issued a request for proposals in that respect. [02:18:35] There were two respondents to the request for proposal. [02:18:38] KMA Design is the firm that we are recommending [02:18:42] that you consider as our design team. [02:18:45] Their fee for the project is $39,942.50. [02:18:52] Mrs. Spears, did I forget anything on this one? [02:18:54] No, you didn't, but I wanted to introduce Barbara Martin. [02:18:57] She's here in the audience tonight with her associate [02:18:59] in case you have questions for this firm. [02:19:02] Thank you. [02:19:03] Open it up for public comment. [02:19:05] Seeing no one, come forward, bring it back to Council. [02:19:07] I have a question. [02:19:09] Where does this fit into what we're doing [02:19:12] with the other signage? [02:19:14] How's that gonna work? [02:19:16] We'll have to work hand-in-hand [02:19:17] because what we do in terms of regulations [02:19:19] we'll have to show through with the wayfinding. [02:19:21] But this is getting people around our town, [02:19:23] this is giving us our brand, [02:19:25] this is having people know where our important buildings are, [02:19:29] our important features are, [02:19:30] all those things that we talk about over and over again. [02:19:32] This is the firm that's gonna help us get there. [02:19:35] This is very, very important. [02:19:37] Very important. [02:19:38] Ms. Mance, once again, did not disappoint. [02:19:41] She went out to find the right company [02:19:43] because this is quite a resume. [02:19:44] If you can get people as excited [02:19:46] in our Newport Ridge as my kids were [02:19:48] when they passed through your Walt Disney sign that you did, [02:19:51] you'd be extremely, extremely impressed. [02:19:53] But much needed. [02:19:54] It's gonna give our city an identity. [02:19:57] And how many times have you heard, [02:20:00] I can't find the rec center. [02:20:01] So I enjoyed reading your proposal. [02:20:06] Deputy Mayor. [02:20:09] Yeah, this is, as Mr. Starkey said, this is key. [02:20:12] We've been kicking this around. [02:20:15] We've got so many signed versions [02:20:16] and things hanging around the city [02:20:18] that have so much age on them [02:20:20] that they were great ideas when they were put up. [02:20:24] Unfortunately, they've lost, [02:20:26] they've just blended in to the background visual noise [02:20:32] or covered up by trees downtown or anything else. [02:20:36] And obviously, I appreciate the firm. [02:20:42] I guess my biggest question is [02:20:45] why were we only able to get two companies [02:20:49] with wayfinding abilities to bid on this? [02:20:53] Because I think 300,000 is pretty good. [02:20:55] 39,000 is obviously about 10.5, 11% of the budget. [02:21:00] And I find it even more interesting [02:21:05] that they have an office in Tampa and one in Pittsburgh. [02:21:09] But I can't say much [02:21:10] because my company's out of Cannonsburg. [02:21:13] And so I understand that. [02:21:17] But obviously, if they've done some things for Lake Worth, [02:21:20] that's okay. [02:21:21] But Celebration and Viera are really two fine communities [02:21:27] that when you pull into those from a logistical standpoint, [02:21:33] you can pretty much find your way around in those settings. [02:21:37] And Celebration is much like, [02:21:39] is obviously is the first iteration of like Longleaf. [02:21:43] So anything that will allow people to understand [02:21:46] where the city of New Port Richey is [02:21:48] and how you can get around, [02:21:49] I think that's a net benefit all the way around. [02:21:52] It really sets us apart from any other city in Pasco County. [02:21:57] Thank you, sir. [02:21:58] Councilman. [02:21:59] Move for approval. [02:22:00] Second. [02:22:01] We have a motion and a second to the maker. [02:22:03] Nothing. [02:22:04] Second. [02:22:05] Very excited about it. [02:22:07] Further discussion? [02:22:08] I just want to thank you. [02:22:10] I do appreciate the look. [02:22:12] And I know that the design team of the Main Street Program [02:22:16] have some very talented folks [02:22:18] and I'd love for you to be able to, [02:22:19] for them to be able to connect with you. [02:22:21] Very exciting times. [02:22:23] Deputy Mayor, any comments to the motion? [02:22:26] No, sir. [02:22:27] Sounds good. [02:22:28] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, [02:22:30] please signify by saying aye. [02:22:31] Aye. [02:22:32] Opposed, the like sign. [02:22:34] Next item is an appeal of a motion to demolish. [02:22:38] Yeah, I'll go ahead and handle that, Mr. Mayor. [02:22:40] I would ask that the appellant's representative [02:22:42] come forward to the podium and introduce himself [02:22:44] and indicate for the record who he represents. [02:22:48] Good evening. [02:22:49] My name is Preston Davis for the Appellant Everbank. [02:22:53] Okay. [02:22:54] When I excused myself earlier in the meeting, [02:22:57] I took the opportunity to meet with the attorney [02:22:59] and try and resolve this beforehand. [02:23:01] We have come to a successful resolution here. [02:23:04] In exchange for the appellant waiving the appeal, [02:23:09] we agree that the city will give the appellant 30 days [02:23:13] to submit an action plan to the city [02:23:15] detailing what repair or demolitions, [02:23:21] what they're gonna do with the property [02:23:22] to give them ample time to go in [02:23:24] and provide a plan to the city. [02:23:27] And within 90 days of today's date, [02:23:32] or 60 days from that 30 day state, [02:23:34] the subject property will either be repaired or demolished. [02:23:36] If it's not, the city will go in and proceed. [02:23:40] Is that our understanding? [02:23:42] That is. [02:23:43] Okay. [02:23:45] Does this qualify as a hearing that I have to? [02:23:48] No, it isn't. [02:23:49] We've come to a resolution, [02:23:52] so there's not gonna be a need to go forward [02:23:53] with the hearing. [02:23:54] We're just presenting this. [02:23:58] In abundance of caution, [02:23:59] is there any public comment on this? [02:24:05] You need to come to the podium so we can hear you. [02:24:11] And we need your name and address for the record. [02:24:14] My name is Collette Grossman. [02:24:16] I'm at 6023 Montana Avenue. [02:24:19] I've been there for 15 years [02:24:20] and had to deal with this building [02:24:23] for six and a half years of people going in [02:24:26] and sleeping in garbage. [02:24:29] The tenant that was there before [02:24:32] thrashed garbage from one end to the other. [02:24:35] It is a duplex. [02:24:36] It's been burnt twice. [02:24:38] Police department, fire department, code enforcement, [02:24:41] everybody's been out there. [02:24:45] I live in the back on the alley [02:24:47] with tons of holes that I'm okay if they don't fix it [02:24:51] because people fly through as it is and it makes me crazy. [02:24:57] Thank you. [02:24:59] They cannot redo it as a duplex. [02:25:03] I don't know what the zoning, those issues, [02:25:06] what we're really talking about now [02:25:08] is the damage that was done to the property. [02:25:10] This is gonna give them the opportunity to go in there, [02:25:13] either fix it or make the determination [02:25:15] that it's not worth fixing and tear it down. [02:25:18] And if they don't get it done within that timeframe, [02:25:20] the city will go in there and do that. [02:25:23] I also heard that if there was a fire [02:25:25] and you have to go burn it, [02:25:28] again, it has to duplex. [02:25:30] I am a duplex owner. [02:25:32] Okay, I'm not aware of what our code is [02:25:34] regarding the duplexes. [02:25:35] That's not what I was prepared to discuss. [02:25:37] Well, I am, and so I will tell you [02:25:39] that the zoning does not allow for a duplex. [02:25:41] It allows for a single-family dwelling. [02:25:43] And if the cost to repair costs more than 50% [02:25:46] of the value of the existing structure, [02:25:47] they'll have to build back a single-family dwelling. [02:25:51] Thank you. [02:25:53] Can I ask a question? [02:25:54] I'm sorry. [02:25:55] Go ahead. [02:25:57] Mr. Pavlik, can you reiterate the time, again, [02:25:59] the timeframe that you took to do it? [02:26:01] Total is from 30 days from today's date. [02:26:06] That's the amount of time that they have [02:26:07] to do whatever on their end [02:26:09] and get to the building department, [02:26:11] start pulling permits, whether it's permits for demo, [02:26:15] if they decide to go that route, [02:26:16] or permits for repair. [02:26:18] 60, well, 90 days from today's date, [02:26:24] it has to be done. [02:26:25] It either has to be repaired or demoed, [02:26:30] whatever their choice is, [02:26:31] based on their financial calculations on their end. [02:26:36] May I ask a question as well? [02:26:37] Yes, sir. [02:26:38] Go ahead. [02:26:38] No, go ahead. [02:26:39] Well, ma'am, thank you once again. [02:26:40] Well, not once again, but thank you for coming tonight, [02:26:42] because these people are the victims, [02:26:45] and that's who we're here to protect. [02:26:46] Was your client the property owner [02:26:48] when this burned down in 2012? [02:26:51] No, and in fact, we're currently not still the property owner. [02:26:54] The property owner, if I'm not mistaken, [02:26:55] is deceased, actually, [02:26:57] which is probably the root of the problem. [02:26:58] Everbank holds a mortgage on the property, [02:27:01] and the property is in foreclosure, [02:27:04] and it has been for some time. [02:27:07] I'm not handling the foreclosure, [02:27:08] so I can't really represent as to the timeline on that, [02:27:10] but obviously, my client has an interest [02:27:14] in making sure that it's collateral, [02:27:16] it retains value, so that once it gets to sale, [02:27:20] it actually retains value, [02:27:21] such that somebody would want to purchase it at sale. [02:27:24] I'm okay with your agreement, [02:27:25] but this is kind of a unique situation [02:27:28] with the owner being deceased. [02:27:29] It's going to foreclosure, [02:27:31] but three years, you have to live like this. [02:27:34] It's six years. [02:27:36] Well, the fire was 2012. [02:27:41] Okay, so it's been vacant for six years [02:27:44] with hoarders coming in and just living there, [02:27:47] and God knows what else is going on. [02:27:50] Yeah, my heart goes out to you. [02:27:51] I'm sorry you've had to deal with this, [02:27:52] and I'm okay with the 30 days. [02:27:54] Let's get this taken care of. [02:27:55] I believe the fire was in 2012, [02:27:56] but part of the unique situation, [02:28:01] part of the unique situation with this is, [02:28:04] it was under foreclosure. [02:28:06] A different law firm who I was dealing with [02:28:08] was handling that. [02:28:10] They did not have the legal authority [02:28:12] to enter the property. [02:28:14] The other firm had to go to court [02:28:15] and actually get a court order [02:28:16] to allow them to enter the property [02:28:18] and have access for it. [02:28:20] So it is a very unique situation with this one, [02:28:23] but I've been assured by the attorney [02:28:25] that this will be done within 90 days, [02:28:27] one way or another, [02:28:28] and he has assured me that within 30 days, [02:28:30] they will submit to the city an action plan, [02:28:32] what they plan to do with this property. [02:28:33] To repair it or tear it down, Chris? [02:28:34] Yes, sir. [02:28:35] We need to do a motion to accept this agreement. [02:28:39] I don't think that would be a bad idea [02:28:41] to go ahead and do that. [02:28:42] Move. [02:28:44] We have a motion. [02:28:46] I'll second. [02:28:47] Second. [02:28:47] Yeah, I'm not happy with that 90 days. [02:28:50] I mean, this has been going on forever. [02:28:52] Well, 30, yeah, I know. [02:28:54] 30 days, they have to tell us what they're gonna do, [02:28:55] and it has to be done within 90 days. [02:28:57] And the reason for the total 90-day period [02:29:00] is in my conversations with the building official, [02:29:02] that was his estimation as the amount of time [02:29:04] it would physically take them to do the repair [02:29:06] should they decide to do so. [02:29:08] I would like to see that happen. [02:29:10] Did you see that property? [02:29:12] Yes, I've been out there personally. [02:29:13] I would like to find the contractor [02:29:14] that could do that in 90 days. [02:29:16] Deputy Mayor, any comments? [02:29:19] No, sir, Mayor. [02:29:22] Further discussion? [02:29:24] All those in favor of the motion, [02:29:25] please signify by saying aye. [02:29:27] Aye. [02:29:29] Opposed, like sign?

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13. 10.d

    Change Order #2: Sims Park Improvement Project

    approved

    Council approved Change Order #2 for the Sims Park Improvement Project, a deductive change order of $244,395.10 with Hennessey Construction Services. The change order allows the city to directly purchase materials (play structure, park benches, kayak launch, drinking fountain, bollards) to take advantage of the city's tax-exempt status, resulting in tax savings of $19,375.68.

    • motion:Approve deductive Change Order #2 with Hennessey Construction Services in the amount of $244,395.10 for the Sims Park Improvement Project. (passed)

    📍Sims Park🏢Hennessey Construction Services👤Lisa👤Starkey#Change Order #2#Sims Park Improvement Project

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    [02:29:30] No. [02:29:32] Thank you. [02:29:33] Motion passes. [02:29:35] Next item is change order number two, [02:29:37] Sims Park Improvement. [02:29:39] Mr. Mayor, members of the council, [02:29:42] the purpose of this change order is deductive in nature. [02:29:46] It is $244,395.10. [02:29:51] It, like change order number one, [02:29:55] is being implemented to take advantage [02:29:57] of the city's tax-exempt status. [02:30:00] by purchasing some of the materials associated [02:30:03] with the project directly, [02:30:04] rather than through our construction manager. [02:30:08] And the items that are included in this change order [02:30:13] are the play structure, the park benches, [02:30:16] the kayak launch, the drinking fountain, and the bollards. [02:30:20] The resulting tax savings is in the amount of $19,375.68. [02:30:25] We're recommending that you approve [02:30:30] the deductive change order [02:30:32] with Hennessey Construction Services [02:30:34] in the amount of $244,395.10. [02:30:39] Open this up for public comment. [02:30:42] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [02:30:44] Move for approval. [02:30:45] Second. [02:30:46] Motion and a second to the maker. [02:30:47] Second. [02:30:48] A little bit more money for those larger screens, hopefully. [02:30:52] Deputy Mayor. [02:30:54] Well said, Mr. Starkey. [02:30:55] Thank you. [02:30:57] I take that to mean you can actually hear us this time. [02:31:01] Yeah. [02:31:02] Very good. [02:31:03] Yeah, it's really nice, [02:31:04] except I'm sure Lisa doesn't like me [02:31:06] looking at the back of her head all night, but that's okay. [02:31:09] I'm okay. [02:31:12] Councilwoman. [02:31:13] No, I'm good. [02:31:14] Thank you. [02:31:15] And I am too. [02:31:15] I'm glad to see we're doing this. [02:31:17] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [02:31:19] Aye. Aye. [02:31:20] Aye. [02:31:21] Opposed, like sign. [02:31:23] Motion passes. [02:31:24] Next, Cooperative Funding Agreement, [02:31:26] Orange Lake Improvements. [02:31:27] Mr. Rivera will be representing this agenda item. [02:31:30] Thank you, Mayor and Council. [02:31:31] This item for council to consider for approval [02:31:33] is the attached Southwest Florida Water Management District [02:31:38] Cooperative Funding Agreement [02:31:39] for the Orange Lake Improvement Project. [02:31:42] As you may recall, the Orange Lake Project [02:31:45] was discussed at the October 20th, 2015 meeting [02:31:50] and was approved. [02:31:52] The elements of that project [02:31:54] that were eligible for SWFMUD funding [02:31:56] were the flood control weir gates, [02:31:58] installations and water quality, [02:32:00] dredging or sentiment removals, [02:32:02] and the installation of CDS unit. [02:32:06] This funding agreement is for the allocation [02:32:08] of $247,000 worth of state funding [02:32:14] towards the city at a reimbursement process. [02:32:17] Approval of this agreement is recommended by staff. [02:32:21] Thank you. [02:32:21] Open it up for public comment.

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14. 10.e

    Cooperative Funding Agreement: Orange Lake Improvements

    approved

    Council approved a cooperative funding agreement for Orange Lake improvements involving $100,000 from Restore Act POP1 funds and $247,000 from SWFWMD. Councilman Rivera requested a follow-up meeting to better understand the upcoming POP2 funding process.

    • motion:Approve the cooperative funding agreement for Orange Lake improvements. (passed)

    🏢BP🏢SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District)👤DeBell Thomas👤Manns👤Rivera👤Starkey#BP settlement#Orange Lake Improvements#POP2 funds#Restore Act POP1 funds

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    [02:32:23] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [02:32:26] Move for approval. [02:32:27] Second. [02:32:28] We have a motion and a second to the maker. [02:32:30] Yeah, Mr. Rivera, my question is, [02:32:33] is I thought we received more than $100,000 [02:32:37] from the BP surplus funds. [02:32:40] Is this just one portion of that funding [02:32:43] that we received from the settlement? [02:32:47] Or is that all the money that we got? [02:32:49] That was all the money that we got from the Restore Act, [02:32:51] what they call the POP1 funds. [02:32:54] Right. [02:32:55] It was $100,000 and then we received [02:32:57] the 247,000 from SWFMUD. [02:33:03] And I'm assuming that there's other items [02:33:09] pending out there with BP and a couple other pools. [02:33:12] Is that correct or not? [02:33:14] Yes, sir. [02:33:15] We had a meeting last week, actually, [02:33:17] to start going over the POP2 funds [02:33:20] and the process on how to apply for those funds. [02:33:25] I'd like to be intimate. [02:33:26] I'd like to understand that. [02:33:28] So I'd like to schedule a meeting some other time [02:33:31] with you and Ms. Manns to make sure, [02:33:33] because we jumped through a lot of hoops [02:33:35] and we get $100,000 on Orange Lake. [02:33:38] I mean, I feel like we're at the end of the pipeline there, [02:33:42] but obviously the water quality controls [02:33:45] and being able to do this and to make sure [02:33:48] that we don't put other pollutants into the river [02:33:54] or limit it as much as possible. [02:33:56] So I think it's obviously an appropriate action. [02:34:00] Thank you. [02:34:01] To the second? [02:34:02] Second. [02:34:03] Councilman Starkey? [02:34:04] No comment. [02:34:05] Councilman DeBell Thomas? [02:34:06] No comment. [02:34:07] Me too. [02:34:08] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [02:34:10] Aye. [02:34:11] Aye. [02:34:12] Opposed, like sign. [02:34:13] Next item is the 1516 Downtown Parking Lot

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15. 10.f

    15/16 Downtown Parking Lot Asphalt Re-Surfacing Project

    approved

    Council approved a not-to-exceed proposal of $37,295 from Gator Grading and Paving LLC for the 2015-16 Downtown Parking Lot Asphalt Resurfacing Project, covering city-owned lots at Florida & Adams Street and behind Jimmy's Restaurant at Grand & Missouri, plus alley improvements. Pricing piggybacks on a Manatee County contract and is funded by Penny for Pasco dollars.

    • motion:Approve the not-to-exceed $37,295 proposal from Gator Grading and Paving LLC for the 2015-16 Parking Lot Asphalt Resurfacing Project. (passed)

    📍Florida and Adams Street📍Grand and Missouri🏢Gator Grading and Paving LLC🏢Jimmy's Restaurant👤Deputy Mayor👤Rivera#2015-16 Downtown Parking Lot Asphalt Resurfacing Project#Manatee County Contract IFB-12-1479-DS#Penny for Pasco

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    [02:34:17] Asphalt Resurfacing Project. [02:34:19] Mr. Rivera? [02:34:22] Mayor and Council, this item for Council to consider [02:34:24] for approval is a proposal on a do not exceed amount [02:34:27] of $37,295 from Gator Grading and Paving LLC [02:34:34] for the 2015-16 Parking Lot Asphalt Resurfacing Project. [02:34:39] The pricing is in accordance [02:34:41] with the Manatee County Contract IFB-12-1479-DS. [02:34:48] This project includes improvements [02:34:49] to the city-owned parking lots located at Florida [02:34:53] and Adams Street, which is right directly [02:34:56] behind the old arcade building. [02:34:58] And then the other parking lot that is behind [02:35:00] Jimmy's Restaurant right there at Grand and Missouri. [02:35:06] We are gonna do a little bit of improvements [02:35:08] to the alley to the south of the parking lot. [02:35:12] The scope of work of this project includes [02:35:14] asphalt millings to the existing surface. [02:35:17] We're gonna have the contractor move those millings [02:35:19] over to the back portion of that alley [02:35:22] and we'll do some improvements there. [02:35:24] It includes an inch and a quarter of asphalt overlay [02:35:29] and the replacement of vehicle stops where needed, [02:35:32] striping of the parking lot, and funding for this project [02:35:37] is identified as penny for PASCO dollars [02:35:40] and we do recommend approval. [02:35:42] Thank you. [02:35:42] Open it up for public comment. [02:35:44] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [02:35:46] Move for approval. [02:35:47] Second. [02:35:48] Motion and a second to the maker. [02:35:49] Second. [02:35:50] To the second. [02:35:52] I didn't know we owned that parking lot [02:35:53] at Florida Avenue and Adams, to be honest, [02:35:55] but they didn't own a city parking lot, [02:35:56] so I'm glad we're redoing it. [02:35:57] Apparently. [02:35:58] Councilwoman. [02:35:59] No, thank you. [02:35:59] Good work. [02:36:00] Deputy Mayor. [02:36:02] Just in the future, if you're gonna identify [02:36:04] penny for PASCO dollars, please identify [02:36:07] if they're in penny one or penny two [02:36:09] so we can make it clearly designated to the public. [02:36:13] Yes, sir, Mr. Deputy Mayor. [02:36:15] I think we've got it. [02:36:18] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, [02:36:20] please signify by saying aye. [02:36:22] Aye. [02:36:24] Opposed, like sign. [02:36:26] Motion passes. [02:36:27] Next item is selection of the city's financial advisor. [02:36:29] Ms. Vance. [02:36:31] Mr. Mayor, members of the council, [02:36:33] the finance director and I worked along [02:36:38] with the assistant finance director on this matter, [02:36:40] and Mrs. Feast will be representing [02:36:42] the agenda item to you this evening. [02:36:45] Thank you. [02:36:46] The included memorandum is to inform city council [02:36:50] that a financial advisor for the city has been selected. [02:36:53] To move forward with the refinancing and financing plans, [02:36:57] it was recommended that a financial advisor be engaged. [02:37:02] Best practices suggest that unless the issuer

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16. 10.g

    Selection of City's Financial Advisor

    Staff informed council that, following an RFQ process with three qualified responses, the City Manager selected Ford & Associates Incorporated of Tampa as the city's financial advisor. The firm is being engaged primarily for the refinancing and financing transaction, with availability for future financial analysis. This was an information-only item; no action was taken.

    🏢Ford & Associates Incorporated🏢SunTrust👤Ms. Feast#Main Street Landings project financing#Potential parking garage financing#Refinancing of existing city debt (~$12 million)#Tax increment financing

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    [02:37:07] or the city has sufficient in-house expertise [02:37:11] and access to market information, [02:37:14] it should hire a financial advisor. [02:37:16] So using those best practices, [02:37:21] while current staff may have a good understanding of this, [02:37:23] it's not at the level of a financial advisor, [02:37:25] so we did move forward with engaging one. [02:37:29] Requests for qualifications were solicited. [02:37:32] We received three qualified responses. [02:37:36] Each firm was invited to meet with myself, [02:37:38] the city manager, and the assistant finance director. [02:37:44] Following the interviews, each firm was evaluated [02:37:47] based on experience, qualifications, [02:37:50] cost of services, and overall presentation, [02:37:53] and exercising her due diligence, [02:37:54] the city manager selected Ford & Associates Incorporated, [02:37:58] which is a firm out of Tampa. [02:38:01] A copy of their presentation was provided to each of you. [02:38:06] At this time, no recommendation or action needs to be taken. [02:38:11] We're currently in the process of negotiating agreement. [02:38:15] Very good, so this is an information item only. [02:38:17] Yes. [02:38:19] Any questions, staff? [02:38:21] No, just a question. [02:38:22] So this firm would be available to us [02:38:28] for advice, financial advice, or? [02:38:32] Currently, we've engaged them, [02:38:34] or we're working to engage them on the refinancing [02:38:37] and financing transaction. [02:38:39] So that's what we primarily have talked to them about, [02:38:42] but of course, in the future, they would be available [02:38:45] for any type of financial analysis, review, [02:38:51] things of that nature to analyze the health of the city [02:38:54] and things of that nature. [02:38:55] So those are other services they provide, [02:38:58] but for now, it was for that specific transaction. [02:39:01] Any other questions? [02:39:03] Ms. Feast, I have a question. [02:39:06] Obviously, we're talking about refinancing the old debt [02:39:09] and then looking at possibly some additional. [02:39:14] It mentions in here the issuance of bonds [02:39:17] or other forms of debt. [02:39:19] Could you define, for me, a couple of other forms of debt [02:39:23] that might be looked at by Ford and Associates? [02:39:30] That would include just direct loans from the bank. [02:39:37] For instance, SunTrust, our current banking provider. [02:39:41] So it wouldn't go through a bond. [02:39:44] It would just be directly with, [02:39:46] a direct negotiation with a financial advisor. [02:39:49] I'm sorry, institution. [02:39:51] Okay, thank you. [02:39:53] Would an example of that be the possibility [02:39:55] of the monies that we're looking at [02:39:59] with the Main Street landings situation? [02:40:04] Do you mean the possible financing of that project? [02:40:08] Yeah. [02:40:10] I don't know if it's financing. [02:40:11] Is that the right term? [02:40:13] It's a form of debt, though. [02:40:14] Yeah, it's a form, okay. [02:40:16] Yes, so any potential financing that's discussed [02:40:21] are included in this transaction [02:40:23] could potentially include the funding [02:40:25] of that project as well. [02:40:28] That's over and above the existing debt [02:40:31] we have in place today, right? [02:40:33] Correct. [02:40:34] Roughly the $12 million, [02:40:35] so anything that we do on an economic development side. [02:40:38] If we've got tax incremental financing dollars [02:40:42] in the future or whatever, [02:40:43] obviously that would be the encumbrance [02:40:45] of borrowing those dollars [02:40:48] to pay for those development activities. [02:40:50] Is that fair? [02:40:52] Yes, that is. [02:40:53] Okay. [02:40:54] That would also include, for instance, [02:40:56] the parking garage we've been kicking around. [02:41:01] Any other questions? [02:41:03] Entertain a motion? [02:41:06] I take that back. [02:41:07] We don't need it. [02:41:08] This is informational. [02:41:09] In that case, thank you very much. [02:41:11] Next item is a request to purchase police vehicles.

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17. 10.h

    Request to Purchase Police Vehicles

    approved

    Council approved the purchase of seven police vehicles for a total of $174,604.48, with six vehicles from Fort Richey Ford and one Chevy Tahoe from Allen J. Fleet Sales, using Penny for Pasco funds. Pricing was obtained through Florida Sheriff's Association and Florida Association of Counties bid awards.

    • motion:Approve the purchase of seven police vehicles totaling $174,604.48 from Fort Richey Ford and Allen J. Fleet Sales using Penny for Pasco funds. (passed)

    🏢Allen J. Fleet Sales🏢Florida Association of Counties🏢Florida Sheriff's Association🏢Fort Richey Ford👤Councilman Starkey👤Deputy Mayor👤Officer Burr#Florida Association of Counties bid award#Florida Sheriff's Association bid award#Penny for Pasco

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    [02:41:14] Mr. Mayor, members of the council, [02:41:16] the request is to purchase seven vehicles. [02:41:21] One 2016 Ford 250, [02:41:25] four 2016 Ford sedan police Explorer interceptor SUVs, [02:41:32] one 2016 Ford F50 XCAB standard bed pickup truck, [02:41:38] and one 2016 Chevy Tahoe SUV. [02:41:45] With the exception of the Chevy Tahoe, [02:41:49] all of the vehicles would be purchased [02:41:52] from Fort Ritchie Ford. [02:41:55] The Chevy Tahoe is being recommended for purchase [02:41:58] from Allen J. Fleet Sales. [02:42:02] And all of the costs are obtained [02:42:09] through the Florida Sheriff's Association [02:42:11] and the Florida Association of Counties bid award. [02:42:14] If this recommendation meets with your approval, [02:42:17] the total cost for the vehicles is $174,604.48. [02:42:24] And the vehicles will be purchased using penny per pasco, [02:42:27] two dollars. [02:42:29] Thank you. [02:42:30] Open this up for public comment. [02:42:32] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [02:42:36] Move for approval, but I have a question. [02:42:42] You're gonna be coming back to us to paint these things, [02:42:46] outfit these things, all this kind of stuff, right? [02:42:49] Okay. [02:42:58] Okay. [02:43:02] We have vehicles that are going offline. [02:43:12] His microphone's not on. [02:43:15] Thank you, that's probably a good thing. [02:43:18] Oh, you probably just need to speak closer to it. [02:43:26] No, I'm not hearing it. [02:43:41] Okay. [02:43:43] Well, now I have two. [02:43:45] We can hear you now. [02:43:47] Deputy Mayor, I believe you were the second. [02:43:50] Yes, sir, I was. [02:43:53] My question back to the chief is, [02:43:55] obviously we purchased some additional vehicles last year [02:43:59] and now we're, looks like four, six, seven more. [02:44:04] What can we anticipate in the future [02:44:07] on your fleet purchases? [02:44:11] I mean, I'm just trying to understand [02:44:15] how many new vehicles we need, [02:44:17] how often we can anticipate seeing some of this [02:44:21] come through, because I'm just trying to understand [02:44:24] a useful life, I guess. [02:44:27] We work, I'm not prepared to fully address, [02:44:31] to respond back to you, [02:44:32] but we work closely with fleet maintenance [02:44:35] to make the decisions on what vehicles [02:44:37] are costing us too much to repair. [02:44:41] We went a number of years without purchasing any vehicles. [02:44:45] And so we're playing catch up at the moment, [02:44:48] but I'd be able to do some projections [02:44:51] working with fleet maintenance. [02:44:55] That's good, thank you. [02:44:56] Thank you. [02:44:57] Councilman Starkey? [02:44:58] Is Officer Burr gonna get one of these? [02:45:00] New cars, Chief? [02:45:01] No. [02:45:02] No. [02:45:03] Just checking. [02:45:04] Chief, how many officers do we have? [02:45:05] Forty-two. [02:45:06] And how many women? [02:45:07] Six. [02:45:08] Six? [02:45:09] I think it's six now. [02:45:10] Thank you. [02:45:11] I'm okay with this. [02:45:12] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [02:45:13] Aye. [02:45:14] Aye. [02:45:15] Aye. [02:45:16] Opposed, the like sign. [02:45:17] Opposed, the like sign. [02:45:18] Aye. [02:45:19] Aye. [02:45:20] Aye. [02:45:21] Aye. [02:45:22] Aye. [02:45:23] Aye. [02:45:24] Aye. [02:45:25] Aye. [02:45:26] Aye. [02:45:27] Aye. [02:45:28] Aye. [02:45:29] Opposed, the like sign. [02:45:31] Next is a three-minute report on the police where the Chief can tell us what he's going [02:45:37] to do with all the vehicles. [02:45:39] You're on, Chief. [02:45:40] Thank you. [02:45:41] Is my mic on? [02:45:42] I can't tell if I'm on. [02:45:43] Yeah, you're good. [02:45:44] Okay. [02:45:45] First thing, and I'll keep this brief. [02:45:46] I know the hour is late, but I'm always excited to talk about the department and some of the [02:45:52] new things that we're doing. [02:45:54] One thing that I'd like the public to know, and certainly for you council members to share [02:46:00] with the public, and that is that we've installed a crime tip line. [02:46:03] It's a telephone line that comes into our detective, actually the phone is the person [02:46:10] responsible for checking the crime tips, is one of our detectives. [02:46:15] And the phone number for that, and we're encouraging the public to use it to give us any types [02:46:22] of crime tips of activities occurring in the city. [02:46:26] The phone number is 815-TIPS, and the last four numbers are 8477. [02:46:33] That's 815-8477. [02:46:34] I think we were pretty lucky to get the tips as part of our number. [02:46:39] That's unusual. [02:46:43] The second thing I'd like to mention, the Fire Chief mentioned with his opportunity [02:46:50] to address you, he gave a few statistics and it made me realize in the entire time [02:46:54] that I've been Chief, I've never really given you numbers that our department has. [02:46:58] And I know numbers tend to be boring, but I look at them closely, looking at what our [02:47:02] performance is. [02:47:04] And I thought you might find it interesting to know that January 1st through yesterday, [02:47:11] that our department responded to 13,197 dispatch calls for service. [02:47:20] We self-initiated 11,531 calls for a total number of calls for service that we've handled. [02:47:27] That's 24,728. [02:47:31] That's quite a few calls. [02:47:32] And when you consider that many of those calls for service require multiple officers, that's [02:47:37] a lot of activity for a department our size. [02:47:42] As a result of that police work, we've made 687 arrests, written 1,317 traffic citations, [02:47:52] and that does not include the many, many verbal warnings that we give as well, the traffic [02:47:58] initiated activity. [02:48:00] We've investigated 437 traffic crashes. [02:48:07] Like I said, numbers tend to be boring. [02:48:09] I just wanted to share some of that data with you. [02:48:12] I'm getting the look from Debbie, yes, she agrees. [02:48:14] So the other thing I'd like to mention, and the public has been very active with this. [02:48:19] About a year and a half ago, the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, which the [02:48:24] common acronym for them is ASAP, they asked us if we would be willing to install a pill [02:48:31] drop container in our front lobby, and we did that. [02:48:36] And every two weeks, we empty that, and of course all the pills go to the incinerator, [02:48:44] they're properly disposed of, and they're brought in, pill vials and pills and whatnot. [02:48:49] Every two weeks, approximately 40 pounds of pills are being disposed of by us. [02:48:56] So it's grown to a tremendous level. [02:48:58] Every two weeks, it's literally starting to come out the top of this bin, and it's like [02:49:02] a small, old-fashioned mailbox, you know, the ones with the little tip lids on it. [02:49:09] So I want to continue encouraging the public to take advantage of that. [02:49:13] Instead of flushing pills, throwing them in the trash, leaving them sitting in their cabinets [02:49:20] to where they could be potentially misused, please bring them to the police department. [02:49:24] It's right there in the front, the pill drop box is right there in the front lobby, and [02:49:28] I would like as many people as possible to continue to use that. [02:49:32] And finally, I just wanted to mention that the holiday parade is coming up, and our department [02:49:38] works very closely with the rest of the city departments in preparing for that, so that [02:49:42] it's a safe and festive event with that. [02:49:45] Thank you. [02:49:46] Thank you, Chief. [02:49:47] Next is a three-minute report from Human Resources. [02:49:50] Good evening, Mr. Mayor and members of City Council. [02:49:55] Currently the city has 248 employees, including full-time and part-time. [02:50:00] There are eight open positions. [02:50:02] Those positions are crime scene technician, part-time, firefighter, full-time, Main Street [02:50:10] program director, full-time. [02:50:13] Interviews for that position are being held this week. [02:50:16] Police officer, recreation leader, part-time, recreation supervisor, full-time, residential [02:50:24] inspector, full-time. [02:50:26] Those interviews are also being held this week. [02:50:29] And a water distribution section leader, full-time. [02:50:32] That position has been offered to an applicant, and we are currently in the hiring process [02:50:37] for that person. [02:50:39] Since the last three-minute report in August, the HR department has processed 206 applications. [02:50:47] On October 21st, the HR department partnered with Walgreens to administer a flu shot clinic [02:50:53] for employees. [02:50:55] The total number of employees that participated were 40. [02:51:00] On November 10th, Valak Financial Advisors presented a Florida Retirement System Seminar [02:51:05] for our employees. [02:51:08] The HR department has successfully implemented a new hire orientation process. [02:51:15] Currently staff is working to add more facets to that process, which will incorporate when [02:51:21] the employees get hired, they're going to start watching some training videos and obtaining [02:51:25] memberships for the library and for the rec center. [02:51:32] Public risk management was on site today and will be back tomorrow, conducting the training

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18. 10.i

    Three-Minute Report: Police

    The Police Chief's three-minute report transitioned into council communications. Discussion touched on officer retirements/new hires, with a new officer to be sworn in early December. Council members shared appreciations for recent city events including the Cotee River triathlon, neighborhood block parties, and staff service.

    📍Congress and Louisiana📍Palmetto Court📍Park Drive🏢Baycare Life Management🏢Genesis Schools👤Brian👤Debbie👤Elaine👤Jeff Starkey👤Matt👤Miss Tinker👤Missy Nuremberg👤Phillips👤Selma👤Smallwood👤Timothy Burge#Cotee River triathlon#Shop Small Saturday#Sims Park monitors#Sydney's Pets#boat parade#street parade

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    [02:51:37] on prohibiting discrimination and all forms of harassment. [02:51:42] The next all-employee training will be held in February of 2016, and the topic covered [02:51:49] then will be a drug-free workplace. [02:51:52] The city has also partnered with Baycare Life Management to conduct some employee workshops. [02:51:59] Some of those topics that will be covered in those workshops will be time management, [02:52:04] conflict resolution, self-confidence, and healthy body image, just to name a few. [02:52:11] That concludes my report. [02:52:13] If you guys have any questions. [02:52:15] Thank you. [02:52:16] Any questions? [02:52:17] I just got one back to the police chief. [02:52:20] We do have guys retiring? [02:52:21] Is that the reason? [02:52:22] Oh, no. [02:52:23] I'm sorry. [02:52:24] Finish your question. [02:52:25] Are we having officers retiring? [02:52:26] Is that why we've got an opening? [02:52:27] We had a couple new ones recently, and we had a new one tonight. [02:52:28] Well, I've also, some officers have left the department. [02:52:29] Oh, okay. [02:52:30] Okay. [02:52:31] But we do have an officer retiring. [02:52:32] Yeah. [02:52:33] I mean, I would like to recognize if we have a retirement. [02:52:34] That's going to come up in a very short time. [02:52:35] Okay. [02:52:36] Thank you. [02:52:37] Thank you. [02:52:38] Thank you. [02:52:39] Thank you. [02:52:40] Thank you. [02:52:41] Thank you. [02:52:42] Thank you. [02:52:43] Thank you. [02:52:44] Thank you. [02:52:45] Thank you. [02:52:46] Thank you. [02:52:47] Okay. [02:52:48] Thank you. [02:52:49] Thank you. [02:52:50] Thank you. [02:52:51] Thank you. [02:52:52] Thank you. [02:52:53] Thank you. [02:52:54] Thank you. [02:52:55] Thank you. [02:52:56] Thank you. [02:52:57] We'll have a new one very shortly. [02:52:58] Okay. [02:52:59] In December, early December. [02:53:00] Thank you. [02:53:01] Good. [02:53:02] Thank you, both. [02:53:03] Next is communications and reports. [02:53:04] Deputy Mayor. [02:53:05] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [02:53:06] Just a couple of things. [02:53:07] One, I appreciate the road work at Congress in Louisiana. [02:53:08] Did have a question why we didn't extend the rest of the road work all the way down to [02:53:09] in front of the great preserve area. [02:53:13] Obviously, where we stopped it, there's issues after that. [02:53:16] But I'm sure they were ready to move on to some other areas that we have in our timeline. [02:53:20] But I'd like that addressed. [02:53:23] Looking forward to the boat parade and the street parade coming up in December. [02:53:29] Appreciated the 5 o'clock wake-up call and being at the Cody Man this weekend. [02:53:35] Quite a nice turnout. [02:53:38] And as Mr. Smallwood indicated, our recreation center, as always, stepped up and went above [02:53:45] and beyond what was expected of them to help pull off that event. [02:53:51] Wanted to thank the Palmetto Court Block Party. [02:53:56] Really showed a really nice, strong neighborhood. [02:53:59] And that's one of the most picturesque streets in the city. [02:54:04] And it was very nice to be invited to that event. [02:54:07] And finally, happy Thanksgiving to everyone. [02:54:10] And we'll see you in December. [02:54:12] Thank you, sir. [02:54:14] Oh, and by the way, Mayor, you'll enjoy this setup on Skype much better than calling in. [02:54:21] And it is a nice platform. [02:54:23] And I wanted to thank Brian for all the time he took to make sure that I was able to participate this evening. [02:54:29] Thank you. [02:54:30] I didn't notice near the lag that we had the last time I tried using the phone to call in. [02:54:37] So it worked a lot better on this end. [02:54:40] Yeah, the Skype right off of your iPad, it really functions well. [02:54:47] Very good. [02:54:48] Thank you, and congratulations, Brian, for pulling that off. [02:54:51] Thank you. [02:54:52] Councilman Starkey. [02:54:55] I spoke to Elaine and Debbie about this, but Missy Nuremberg, who's been a long-time resident of Newport, [02:55:00] a long, long time, not that long, but she's always been a good resident. [02:55:04] She owns the Genesis Schools, and she puts together an event every year called Sydney's Pets [02:55:08] where they raise money so they can deliver pet food to senior citizens in need to help feed their pets. [02:55:14] It's a really cool event. [02:55:16] And she had to reorganize it this year because the park's not going to be ready, I think, [02:55:20] when she was planning on doing it, so they're going to do it around the rec center. [02:55:23] And she just called me. [02:55:24] She was so excited. [02:55:25] She's like, Jeff, I know that the city's been working hard to change its service image with all your departments. [02:55:31] And she's like, I just want to let you know that I met with Selma and Matt. [02:55:37] I had it written down at home, but I didn't bring it. [02:55:39] And she said they were just complete yes people and just helped her just from the minute she walked in. [02:55:45] She said it was just an awesome experience, and they were just so helpful, [02:55:49] and she was so thankful to have met with them. [02:55:51] And then Elaine came in and sat in for the meeting. [02:55:54] She was just ecstatic. [02:55:55] She called me. [02:55:56] She's like, Jeff, I have the best news for you. [02:55:58] I had the best meeting. [02:55:59] I just want to let you know your staff at the rec center just did a fantastic job accommodating us. [02:56:03] So thank you for that, and I know you've already extended your thanks to your staff there. [02:56:09] Congratulations once again to Officer Timothy Burge. [02:56:12] We look forward to having you protect our city. [02:56:16] And I also attended the neighborhood street party on Park Drive. [02:56:21] It's in my neighborhood, the neighborhood I grew up. [02:56:23] My brother lives on the street, so I took the kids down there. [02:56:26] Miss Tinker was here earlier. [02:56:27] I wanted to thank her. [02:56:28] She was unfortunately opposed to the ordinance that we passed and left shortly after, [02:56:32] but she was one of the main organizers for the event. [02:56:35] The mayor was there. [02:56:36] Mr. Phillips was there. [02:56:37] Two guys in the street playing live acoustic music that played for, what, probably six hours, [02:56:41] and very, very, very good musicians. [02:56:44] There was more food than needed and just such a great feeling of just camaraderie between the neighbors, [02:56:50] and everyone had such a fantastic time. [02:56:53] It was a beautiful night, and it was just a really, really cool event to see. [02:56:57] So thank you for that, and thank you to my colleagues on council. [02:57:01] I'm so glad that we all agree and see the value of the monitors for Sims Park. [02:57:06] I'm just ecstatic once again that we are hopefully proceeding with that [02:57:10] and hopefully we can make the price work with the size that we need. [02:57:15] A lot of talk this evening as far as growing downtown [02:57:20] and downtown businesses having to adapt with more people downtown and different events going on. [02:57:27] I ask that these businesses and business owners have patience and work together [02:57:32] because this is growing pains for all of us, the city and your fellow neighbors as business owners, [02:57:38] and try not to get at each other's throats and work together for a common goal which accommodates everybody. [02:57:43] It's going to be very, very important to us proceeding in the future with bringing downtown where we want to bring it, [02:57:49] and I think we're very, very well on the way. [02:57:52] Other than that, I will reiterate Mr. Phillips, happy Thanksgiving to everybody. [02:57:56] Thank you. Councilwoman? [02:57:58] Yes, thank you. I was very happy to be a volunteer at the triathlon this weekend. [02:58:02] I had a very good time, to a point. [02:58:06] I want to also acknowledge that we've got some really wonderful things happening in our downtown [02:58:12] from now through the end of the year, but happy Thanksgiving to everyone. [02:58:17] And I encourage everyone to shop small Saturday, which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. [02:58:23] We have several of our downtown merchants who are participating in that, [02:58:26] so we encourage you to stay home and eat and enjoy Thanksgiving Day [02:58:31] and then make sure if you're going shopping that you remember to shop small and local.

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19. 10.j

    Three-Minute Report: Human Resources

    discussed

    This item, labeled as a Three-Minute Report on Human Resources, actually contained council member commentary on upcoming downtown holiday events (Pasco Christmas at Richey Suncoast Theater, River Lights Boat Parade, Main Street Holidays), concerns about landlords renting by the room and loitering downtown, Pasco County's new branding featuring New Port Richey, progress on Sims Park brickwork, and feedback from a Park Street block party suggesting the city create a simplified street closure form for neighborhood block parties.

    • direction:Council suggested staff explore legal means to crack down on landlords renting by the room and develop a simplified block party street-closure form. (none)

    📍Adams📍Park Street📍Railroad Square📍Sims Park🏢Jimmy Ferrara's studio🏢Main Street program🏢Pasco County🏢Richey Suncoast Theater🏢The Dulcet👤Elaine👤Jimmy Ferrara👤Lisa#Main Street Holidays (Dec 11-12)#Parking ordinance (referenced from earlier in meeting)#Pasco County branding - 'open places and vibrant spaces'#River Lights Boat Parade (Dec 5)

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    [02:58:36] So come into our downtown for that. [02:58:39] The Pesco Christmas is going to be opening at the Ritchie Suncoast Theater that weekend, [02:58:45] as well as Jimmy Ferrara's studio that was here. [02:58:48] He will have his performances the following weekend. [02:58:52] The River Lights Boat Parade is still taking place this year. [02:58:55] It's December the 5th, and that evening immediately after the boat parade [02:59:00] will be an awards ceremony and a post-parade party, I guess, at Railroad Square and behind the Dulcet. [02:59:11] So I hope that folks will be able to come down and enjoy that. [02:59:15] There's live music that evening with a local band that is stopping on their national tour for our city, New Port Richey, [02:59:23] so that will be very exciting. [02:59:25] The following weekend, Main Street Holidays is going to be taking place again in Railroad Square, [02:59:32] and again, it's going to be really neat to see that event there. [02:59:39] We know that the Main Street program and the city of New Port Richey's rec centers are participating with that. [02:59:44] That's going to be very exciting. [02:59:46] There will be snow in the downtown on that Friday evening. [02:59:50] There will be hayrides, just a really, really neat Christmas activity, so that's coming December 11th and 12th. [02:59:58] Thank you. [02:59:59] Thank you. [03:00:00] The comment that was made earlier in the evening when we were talking about the parking ordinance [03:00:06] that we've got landlords renting by the room, that's the residential equivalent of some [03:00:12] of the hotels that rent rooms by the hour, and I think we need to crack down on that. [03:00:18] If there is anything we can do from a legal standpoint to put the kibosh on that, we need [03:00:25] to. [03:00:27] I've received multiple complaints over the last week about really interesting characters [03:00:35] loitering downtown, including three that apparently, one of them in dreadlocks, and I'm not sure [03:00:43] what the other two looked like, but three of them were hanging right outside the Dulcet's [03:00:48] door and frightening people as they were walking out the door. [03:00:54] We've had people that are all but passed out on the benches, and I did see a fellow [03:01:03] who was not in the parking lot while he was drinking at the place across the street, but [03:01:08] he was in fact sitting on the curb across the street from the place with his feet in [03:01:14] the middle of Adams while he drank his drink. [03:01:20] We need to ask the police to please be aware of those, and particularly the people that [03:01:29] are hanging out for no good. [03:01:34] County just sent out an email, and you guys will have it in your mailboxes I'm sure, about [03:01:39] the county's branding, and they included on about page 15 or 16 an example of what a New Port Richey logo that incorporated their branding would be, and I'd encourage you to take a [03:01:52] look at it. [03:01:53] It takes ours plus theirs, and they're describing Pasco County as open places and vibrant spaces, [03:02:04] and they've got us as one of the vibrant spaces in their demo, so it looks sort of nice. [03:02:10] For those of you who haven't been to Sims Park lately, the brickwork is halfway around [03:02:16] the review stands for the parade, so we're making progress. [03:02:23] It's moving a little further every day. [03:02:25] I love watching it. [03:02:27] The block party on Park Street was well attended. [03:02:34] The folks there are incredibly thrilled at the effort that Public Works took to get the [03:02:42] lights working and to do some of the pressure washing on the historic pink sidewalks, and [03:02:49] a good time was had by all. [03:02:50] The one comment I got from Lisa is that the form that you need to fill out in order to [03:02:58] get the street closure is probably way overkill for a neighborhood block party, and she said [03:03:08] as she and Elaine went through it, about half the stuff was just, it's not applicable. [03:03:13] So we might ought to come up with a block party form that just sort of simplifies things [03:03:18] to the bare minimum, and encourage them, because it was a neighborhood building thing in my [03:03:26] neighborhood, and quite frankly, I'd love to see the other neighborhoods in town do [03:03:32] them as well. [03:03:34] It encourages people to get out to meet their neighbors, and you know, guess what, there [03:03:38] were no drug dealers or prostitutes walking that street that night, because the neighbors [03:03:43] in the neighborhood had taken over the street. [03:03:46] That's a good thing. [03:03:50] With that, I am glad we're finally getting out of here tonight.

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20. 11Communications▶ 3:03:54
21. 12Adjournment