On the agenda

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

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance and observed a moment of silence for servicemen and women.

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   [00:00:20] We have a quorum. [00:00:21] If I could ask all of you to please stand, join me in the Pledge of Allegiance and remain [00:00:22] standing for a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen and women at home and abroad. [00:00:25] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for [00:00:31] which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   Procedural moment of silence observed at the council meeting.

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   [00:00:42] Thank you. [00:00:43] You may be seated.

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4. 4

   Approval of November 21, 2017 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Council approved the minutes from the November 21, 2017 work session and regular meeting.

   • motion:Motion to approve the November 21, 2017 work session and regular meeting minutes. (passed)

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   [00:00:49] Next item on the agenda is the approval of the November 21st work session regular meeting [00:00:54] minutes. [00:00:55] Move to approve. [00:00:56] Second. [00:00:57] We have a motion and a second. [00:00:59] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:01:01] Aye. [00:01:02] Opposed? [00:01:03] Like sign. [00:01:04] Motion passes.

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5. 5

   Introduction - Jeff Baker, Duke Energy

   discussed

   Jeff Baker, Duke Energy's Governmental and Community Relations Manager, addressed Council about Hurricane Irma response, acknowledging communication failures and outlining the unprecedented scale of the storm (78% of local customers out, 12,000+ workers mobilized). He also previewed Duke's PSC settlement-funded initiatives through 2021, including undergrounding of utilities, $1B in solar investment, grid modernization, EV charging stations, and smart meters. Council requested a post-storm analysis and clearer emergency communication protocols.

   • direction:Council requested Duke Energy submit a post-storm analysis to the City Manager to incorporate into the city's emergency protocols, clarifying communication channels (EOC representative vs. Mr. Baker). (none)

   📍Main and Brank🏢Duke Energy🏢Florida Public Service Commission👤Jeff Baker👤Mayor👤Ms. Manz#2004-2005 hurricane season comparison#Electric vehicle charging stations#Grid modernization ($1.2B)#Hurricane Irma response#Smart meter rollout#Solar investment ($1B / 700 MW)#Storm hardening#Undergrounding of utilities

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   [00:01:07] Next Ms. Manz, we have Jeff Baker from Duke Energy. [00:01:10] We have Jeff Baker in attendance this evening who serves as our governmental and community [00:01:14] relations manager for Duke Energy. [00:01:18] His principal task is advancing relationships with local communities and community partnerships [00:01:25] and I've asked him to say a few words before you this evening. [00:01:28] Thank you, Mr. Baker. [00:01:31] Good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers, Ms. Manz and staff. [00:01:36] I'm actually here at the request of both the Mayor and the City Manager to talk about the [00:01:40] hurricane that happened, obviously, that we're all very familiar with. [00:01:45] One of the things I just wanted to talk about is the magnitude of the storm that we faced, [00:01:50] but I also wanted to answer, my most important role tonight is answering the questions that [00:01:54] you may have. [00:01:56] This particular storm, it was the very first for Duke Energy in that we serve 35 counties [00:02:02] in the state. [00:02:03] This was the first time we've ever had a storm where every single county that we serve was [00:02:07] impacted. [00:02:08] If you think back to the 2004-2005 hurricane season, some of the storms went across the [00:02:13] state, some of the storms went along the coast. [00:02:18] We could pull from our own resources in a storm like that because we had resources available [00:02:24] from other parts of the state. [00:02:25] In this particular case, again, every single area that we serve was impacted. [00:02:32] We have 1.8 million customers in the state of Florida, and 1.3 million of those customers [00:02:36] were out. [00:02:37] That's about 72% of the customers, and here locally, we had about 78% of our customers [00:02:42] that were out at the peak of the storm. [00:02:46] As far as resources, it was the largest mobilization in our history, and what I mean by mobilization [00:02:51] is bringing other utilities into the area. [00:02:54] We had to bring in over 12,000 people to assist us. [00:02:57] To put that in perspective, Duke Energy Florida in total only has about 3,800 employees in [00:03:04] the state. [00:03:05] Literally, within a 48-hour period, we had to transform our workforce by about 400%. [00:03:15] One of the things that we obviously, we feel like we did a really good job in some areas, [00:03:19] the restoration, again, I mentioned 1.3 million customers. [00:03:23] One million of those were on within 72 hours. [00:03:27] The remaining 300,000, obviously, it went longer than expected, and one of the things [00:03:33] that we do certainly recognize is that our customers and you as leaders in the community [00:03:39] rely on us to provide you with accurate information, and we know that in this particular case, [00:03:44] we did not live up to your expectations or to our expectations, and for that, we're [00:03:50] sorry. [00:03:51] One of the things that we, we're obviously looking at all of our systems to see if there's [00:03:55] one of those things where do we purchase a new system or is it an opportunity just to [00:03:59] upgrade the existing systems that we have. [00:04:02] One of the things that certainly contributed to that is during the storm, we had over two [00:04:06] million calls that was received by our call center and the automated system that accommodates [00:04:13] that. [00:04:14] That was certainly one of the challenges, and again, in retrospect, I feel like that [00:04:18] is where our customers were the most frustrated was because they didn't feel like they were [00:04:25] getting the most accurate information. [00:04:27] Again, we are certainly sorry that that happened to the community and to all of our customers. [00:04:34] With that, I'll take any quick storm questions, and then I want to talk real briefly about [00:04:39] one other topic. [00:04:40] Do any of you have any questions? [00:04:44] I just have a question. [00:04:45] In addition to Florida, though, you do have other areas that were affected that were impacted [00:04:50] by Irma as well. [00:04:51] Right. [00:04:52] We do business in seven states. [00:04:55] The primary states that were affected by this storm was North and South Carolina and Florida, [00:05:00] but we were obviously much more impacted than the Carolinas, and we actually had resources [00:05:05] from the Carolinas here even though they were impacted as well. [00:05:12] I'm sure Duke Energy plans for events like this, all right? [00:05:15] It wasn't something that just came out of the blue. [00:05:18] One thing that concerns me, I kept reaching out to Ms. Manns after the storm. [00:05:22] I don't understand what you all went through. [00:05:24] It was devastating, I'm sure, just trying to get the right people in the right spots [00:05:28] and service areas that needed by priority, but I remember Ms. Manns, and several times [00:05:34] I asked her, you know, where is Duke as far as certain areas of our city where our pump [00:05:39] stations were, I believe, that were running off generators and just couldn't get an answer, [00:05:43] right? [00:05:44] I mean, were you... [00:05:45] I had a difficult time communicating with Mr. Baker during the event. [00:05:50] Maybe that's something you can use just positive input or for next time to be, you know, from [00:05:57] the... [00:05:59] When I'm up here, and I'm not up here, but like after the hurricane, when I'm reaching [00:06:02] out to the city manager wanting to know where we are with certain things and she can't get [00:06:05] an answer back from Duke, that's tough, you know? [00:06:09] One of the things I would... [00:06:10] I didn't word that very well. [00:06:11] That's far from eloquent. [00:06:12] I'm sorry, but... [00:06:13] Yeah, but one of the things I would certainly, obviously, you can always feel free to reach [00:06:19] out to me, but in a situation like that, you know, we keep people in all the EOCs, the [00:06:24] Emergency Operations Centers, you know, obviously here in Pinellas, Pasco County, and practically [00:06:31] some of the very small counties, we don't have someone in there 24-7. [00:06:35] But, you know, obviously, I would assume that the city has a representative there as well. [00:06:40] And it's one of those things where that facilitation, and that's something we may need to work on [00:06:44] is, you know, identifying who the resources from the city and who the resources from Duke [00:06:49] Energy that are in the EOC, because obviously lift stations are a very high priority item, [00:06:54] ranking really second only to hospitals and things of that nature. [00:06:58] So, Ms. Manstein, were you aware of that, that there was a rep at EOC? [00:07:01] Yes, I'm aware of that. [00:07:03] Okay. [00:07:04] So, most of our outreach, though, went to Mr. Baker directly as our Community and Governmental [00:07:09] Relations Affairs Manager. [00:07:10] So, in the future, we should just reach out to the rep at EOC, not to Mr. Baker? [00:07:14] Well, I mean, it's one of those things where either or, but especially in this particular [00:07:18] case, you know, obviously, you know, I have 27 municipalities and three counties that [00:07:23] I serve, so it's one of those things where, you know, I was certainly getting back to [00:07:27] everyone as quickly as I could, but, you know, obviously... [00:07:30] Just make sure we're following the right protocol in case this, you know, will happen [00:07:33] again eventually. [00:07:34] You know, should we reach out to you again or reach out to the rep at EOC? [00:07:36] What would you recommend? [00:07:37] I would recommend going directly to the EOC because, again, they are there 24-7 and they [00:07:43] should be in the same room. [00:07:44] It's one of those things where, and it's obviously, because, again, you know, when I get a call, [00:07:48] I'm obviously calling the person that we have at the EOC, so to expedite things, but I would, [00:07:54] you know, obviously like to stay in touch with the mayor and the city manager as well [00:07:57] to make sure that there's, you know, if there are any gaps that are happening, you know, [00:08:01] during the storm, that we can certainly address those. [00:08:05] Thank you. [00:08:06] The term, you know, I hate to put her on the spot, but the thing that I got when I called [00:08:10] her was, well, we're being treated like any other customer, so that was no different than [00:08:14] me in my house, the way I took it from what she said, me in my house and her in the city, [00:08:18] so, you know, I think that communication was, you know, missing a little bit. [00:08:27] Well, it's one thing where, I mean, obviously, like I said, you know, the county EOC has [00:08:32] established priorities for things that are obviously the critical things, and so any [00:08:36] city infrastructure, you know, whether it be lift stations, I mean, that's the only [00:08:42] thing that really comes to mind, well, traffic signals, things of that nature, obviously [00:08:45] take priority over, say, a residential household. [00:08:49] You know, the unfortunate thing as residential customers, in most cases, that's going to [00:08:56] be, you know, a lesser priority, I mean, obviously, getting your schools on, your shelters, hospitals, [00:09:02] things of that nature, that, you know, those are first and foremost, and then, like I said, [00:09:06] lift stations, the EOCs have about a... [00:09:08] Aren't some of... [00:09:09] I mean, this is not just for me, but for the people that are listening, aren't some of [00:09:12] these neighborhoods hooked to the hospital, or, I mean, they're not separate than the [00:09:17] neighborhood around them, are they? [00:09:18] Well, and that's the case, obviously, you know, people joke it's, you know, it's good [00:09:21] to live by a hospital, because, you know, basically, again, I know that you have a tight [00:09:27] agenda, and I don't want to take up too much time, but, you know, the substations, or that's [00:09:32] the... [00:09:33] If you think of it, that's like the heart of the electrical grid, so, you know, the [00:09:38] substations, we have to make sure the substation is fixed first, and then we go to the transmission [00:09:43] lines, and then, ultimately, down to the distribution line, which are the lines that serve your [00:09:47] home. [00:09:48] So, obviously, you know, if you are... [00:09:50] A substation is not going to serve just a specific hospital, it is going to serve, you [00:09:55] know, an area surrounding that hospital. [00:09:57] And that's what I want you to say, so these people are listening, so, you know, just because [00:10:01] their neighbor across the street didn't, you know, they got electricity and they didn't, [00:10:05] it's just, you know, the location of that substation, then... [00:10:09] Exactly. [00:10:10] Okay. [00:10:11] Mr. Mayor? [00:10:12] Yes. [00:10:13] Mr. Baker, I'm sure that with the devastation that you guys were up against, I'm sure you've [00:10:17] done your post-storm overview, so all that I would ask, so that there's not the you-call-me, [00:10:26] you-call-there, is if you would just submit back to the city manager for distribution [00:10:32] within our emergency protocols what steps Duke is taking in the future, because, obviously, [00:10:40] you indicated that this storm impacted a majority, if not all, of your areas, which [00:10:47] is, as you mentioned, also out of the norm, and, obviously, Duke inherited the two power [00:10:55] companies before, so, obviously, there's a transitional mode and there hadn't been that [00:11:01] type of an impact since 2004, 2005, depending on where you were located. [00:11:08] So, to clear up what the steps are, if you would just submit back to her what your post-analysis [00:11:13] is and, in the next one, they can put it in their emergency protocols on reaching out [00:11:19] to you, reaching out to your representative at the EOC, and those elements like that, [00:11:25] and I think, at that point, if we get hit again like that, we won't be down as long, [00:11:30] I don't want to imagine, but there still will be a time period, because you're stretched [00:11:38] and we understand that. [00:11:39] I think all we want is clear delineation on how we can respond back, because Ms. Manns [00:11:46] has five bosses, we have 14,000, and along with others that believe they are in the city [00:11:53] of New Port Richey, but they're in the unincorporated area, so we have a little bit bigger of an [00:11:57] area to look from. [00:11:58] So, that would be my only post-overview request at this point. [00:12:03] Thank you. [00:12:04] And that's something I'll work directly with Ms. Manns, and obviously, we'd probably bring [00:12:08] in the police chief and the fire chief to get their guidance as well, because that's [00:12:12] what we've done in several of the other cities, we've had these similar conversations, but [00:12:18] I think that would be a great idea. [00:12:19] My experience with you responding when I reached out was very good, and I do appreciate that. [00:12:26] The frustration in my neighborhood, which was out for almost a week, was that we were [00:12:31] told fairly early on that the system was down and you were aware of it, and there were crews [00:12:39] that were currently assessing, and I'm okay with that. [00:12:43] The problem was, as we went from day five to day six, all of a sudden the message in [00:12:49] the recording system changed and says, this is the first report we have of an outage in [00:12:53] your area, and it was like, come on. [00:12:56] And at that point, I think my neighbors and I all got very frustrated. [00:13:01] If anything that you guys can do to fix that before the next time we have a storm would [00:13:06] be helpful. [00:13:08] The other thing, and I've been giving this a lot of thought, just reading and hearing [00:13:13] about things that some other communities have done, in hardening certain parts of their [00:13:18] infrastructure to wit, having traffic lights that are running off of solar powered batteries. [00:13:26] We had downtown, Main and Brank was a good example. [00:13:30] We had a traffic light that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't, and generally depended [00:13:34] on whether or not the generator that was chained to the pole had run out of gasoline again. [00:13:40] And if there are some recommendations that Duke comes up with for how we might harden [00:13:47] our own infrastructure, that would be very much appreciated by the city. [00:13:52] And storm hardening, whether you're a utility or a city, we know that storm hardening works. [00:13:57] Just to give you an example from the 2004-2005 time frame, Duke invested over two billion [00:14:03] dollars in hardening our system, primarily the transmission poles. [00:14:08] That's the big large poles, typically the big steel poles. [00:14:12] We've replaced over 20,000 from 2004 until today, and of the 20,000 that were replaced, [00:14:20] not a single one of them failed during this storm. [00:14:23] So those that failed were existing that obviously still need to be replaced and hardened, and [00:14:30] that is something that we will continue to work on doing. [00:14:35] If I might just add one other thing, the community that I live in, or that I think was the very [00:14:40] last, I know it had nothing to do with who, but a big issue in my neighborhood is the [00:14:47] trees and the wires in the trees. [00:14:50] And we're in the 21st century now, where are you at Duke with overhead wires? [00:14:58] Because that creates... [00:15:00] in a particular issue in my own yard where the pole snapped. [00:15:04] You guys had to come in and actually replace the pole, so. [00:15:07] Yeah, now as far as, you're talking about overhead [00:15:10] versus undergrounding, I'm assuming. [00:15:13] Now one of the things, and a lot of people [00:15:14] are not aware of this, but utilities in the state of Florida [00:15:17] were obviously regulated by the Florida [00:15:19] Public Service Commission, and their mandate [00:15:21] is that we build to the least cost method. [00:15:23] In most cases, the least cost method [00:15:26] is going to be overhead. [00:15:28] Obviously, tree damage was a substantial contributor [00:15:32] to this and every storm, and so it's one of those things [00:15:36] where we certainly, again, we're mandated [00:15:40] when we have to cut trees and that sort of thing, [00:15:43] and it's one of those things where, [00:15:44] and that's something that I think everyone [00:15:46] is looking at that, specifically the Public Service [00:15:49] Commission, is the standard that we have today, [00:15:52] is it the right standard? [00:15:54] But one thing, and that actually, I will kind of segue [00:15:57] into my next topic that I wanted to talk about, [00:16:00] is just recently, the Public Service Commission, [00:16:02] we reached a settlement for, we'll cover Duke Energy [00:16:05] for the next four years through the end of 2021, [00:16:09] and one of the things that this new agreement [00:16:12] is going to allow us to do is we're gonna be able [00:16:14] to invest in some undergrounding of utilities [00:16:17] based on outage data only, in other words, [00:16:20] the most, where we have the most outages [00:16:23] that we believe to be tree-related, [00:16:25] we will be able to start a process [00:16:27] to underground some of those. [00:16:29] The Public Service Commission has approved $600 million [00:16:32] for us to do that work over the next 10 years, [00:16:36] so it's one of the things where we will start [00:16:37] looking at that, and typically, that's gonna be [00:16:40] a situation where you have overhead lines [00:16:43] that are in high tree areas or back lot, [00:16:47] meaning behind the homes, that you can't get [00:16:48] a bucket truck to very quickly. [00:16:51] But some of the other things that I wanted [00:16:53] just to highlight from that settlement [00:16:55] that allows us to really move into a more [00:16:59] smarter energy future that is what our customers [00:17:04] is demanding, one of the things you mentioned, [00:17:05] Solar Mayor, about the streetlights, [00:17:07] but we're gonna be, in the next four years, [00:17:10] we're gonna be investing right at a billion dollars [00:17:12] in solar in the state of Florida [00:17:14] that's gonna take us to about 700 megawatts of solar. [00:17:17] To put that in perspective, if you're not familiar [00:17:19] with what a megawatt is, today, we have a little less [00:17:21] than 40 megawatts of solar, so in the next four years, [00:17:24] we will substantially grow our solar footprint. [00:17:28] One of the other things, we're gonna be doing [00:17:30] some significant modernization of the grid, [00:17:33] about $1.2 billion over the next four years. [00:17:36] And then, the mayor, I have to say, [00:17:40] the mayor is the first mayor in all of my territory [00:17:42] that has reached out to me. [00:17:44] We're gonna be installing some [00:17:45] electrical vehicle charging stations. [00:17:48] And Mayor, I know I haven't got your specific location, [00:17:50] but I do have some breakdown now as to 325 of those [00:17:53] will go in multiple unit dwellings, [00:17:55] 100 will go in workplaces, [00:17:57] 75 will go into what they call long-dwell public settings. [00:18:00] And I thought, well, that means like a movie theater [00:18:03] or something where you're gonna be there for a while. [00:18:05] And then, lastly, there will be about 30 [00:18:07] that will go into either highways or truck depots. [00:18:09] And I certainly, the mayor has, on several occasions, [00:18:12] reminded me that New Port Richey needs to be on that list. [00:18:17] While I can't 100% commit that that will happen, [00:18:20] I can certainly assure you that I have not forgotten [00:18:23] that you were the very first person [00:18:24] that reached out to me on that. [00:18:25] So, a lot of good things happening. [00:18:27] A couple other real quick things. [00:18:29] One of the, part of this, over the next couple years, [00:18:32] we'll be upgrading our meters to where, [00:18:35] there will be a smart meter to where, [00:18:37] the good thing about those is, [00:18:39] customers will be able to set their own build date. [00:18:42] Because currently, we still, [00:18:44] while we don't have to physically come to the meter, [00:18:45] we physically have to drive by the home [00:18:47] to collect that data. [00:18:48] So, we still have to, they're done on meter routes. [00:18:50] But now, it'll be sort of like a cell phone, too. [00:18:52] If you wanna know that you've used [00:18:54] 1,000 kilowatts this month, [00:18:56] you can set usage alerts and all that. [00:18:58] And we're starting to phase it in now. [00:19:00] We'll probably have the whole state done [00:19:01] in about four years. [00:19:03] It'll be, obviously, quicker responses to outages [00:19:06] and quicker service when you move in. [00:19:08] If you want your service turned on, [00:19:09] we don't have to physically send somebody out to the house. [00:19:11] We'll be able to do that. [00:19:12] So, that was the things that I wanted to cover. [00:19:14] And unless you have any questions.

   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

   Audit Report Presentation

   discussed

   Andrew Laughlin of Clifton, Larson, and Allen presented the status of the FY2016 audit, which remains incomplete 15 months after fiscal year-end. He outlined one material weakness (timeliness of closing process), two significant deficiencies (cash reconciliations, investment policy compliance), and management letter items on uncollectible accounts and inventory procedures. Council expressed strong dissatisfaction with the delays, attributed primarily to finance department turnover and resource constraints, and directed staff to identify resources needed (including possible use of contingency funds) to complete the audit promptly.

   • direction:Council directed staff to identify resources needed (potentially using contingency budget funds) to complete the FY2016 audit promptly. (none)

   🏢Clifton, Larson, and Allen👤Andrew Laughlin👤Councilman Starkey👤Crystal Feast👤Ms. Manns#Contingency budget $137,160#FRS audit#FY2016 CAFR#Finding 2015-04 information technology controls#Finding 2016-01 timeliness of closing process#Finding 2016-02 preparation review of cash reconciliations#Finding 2016-03 investment policy compliance#Finding 2016-04 analysis of uncollectible accounts#Finding 2016-05 inventory procedures#IRS audit

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   [00:19:17] Any other questions? [00:19:20] Thank you very much for coming and talking with us. [00:19:23] Merry Christmas. [00:19:24] To you as well. [00:19:25] And Ms. Manns, I'll leave my business cards. [00:19:27] You can make sure all the council members have them. [00:19:29] I will pass those along. [00:19:30] Thank you so much, Jack. [00:19:37] Thank you. [00:19:37] The next item we have on the agenda [00:19:39] is the audit report presentation. [00:19:40] Ms. Manns? [00:19:41] Yes, we have Mr. Andrew Laughlin, [00:19:44] who's a partner with Clifton, Larson, and Allen [00:19:46] in attendance this evening. [00:19:47] He has been working with Crystal Feast on our audit, [00:19:53] and he's prepared to make a presentation to you [00:19:56] this evening. [00:19:56] I'm gonna start off with Mrs. Feast, though, [00:19:58] with a couple of comments. [00:20:00] Good evening. [00:20:03] As you know, the city has been undergoing our audit [00:20:06] for fiscal year, of its fiscal year 2016 [00:20:09] financial statements. [00:20:11] Under normal circumstances, [00:20:13] this audit would have been completed by now. [00:20:15] However, over the past several months, [00:20:18] normal hasn't been the case for the finance department. [00:20:22] I know that much of this information [00:20:24] that I'm about to share [00:20:25] has already been communicated to you, [00:20:27] but I would like to take the time to reiterate [00:20:29] some of the reasons for the delay. [00:20:32] Over the last few months, [00:20:33] we've overgone a major transition, as you already know, [00:20:36] into new accounting software, [00:20:38] which included implementing several of the modules [00:20:40] that interface with it. [00:20:42] We've also undergone and completed an IRS audit [00:20:46] and an FRS audit, [00:20:48] both which required a significant amount of time. [00:20:52] Lastly, we've had some turnover in finance, [00:20:55] one of which directly affected the amount of time [00:20:58] that I could dedicate to the audit. [00:21:00] We currently have two vacant positions [00:21:02] that we hope to get filled as soon as possible, [00:21:05] which would help significantly [00:21:06] in getting the next year's audit done [00:21:09] in a more timely manner. [00:21:12] Despite the delays in completing the audit, [00:21:15] the results will identify several improvements. [00:21:19] Looking at the report that was left in front of you, [00:21:23] and it will also be evident in the presentation, [00:21:27] we were able to clear, or partially clear, [00:21:30] six of the 12 findings and comments from last year. [00:21:33] And by the end of the audit, [00:21:35] we hope to have cleared four more [00:21:36] of those findings and comments, [00:21:38] leaving only two to resolve for next year. [00:21:42] During this whole process, the city's audit team, [00:21:44] which is led by Andrew, [00:21:46] has been very accommodating and worked with us [00:21:49] to get the audit done as soon as possible, [00:21:52] given the city's circumstances. [00:21:53] So we do appreciate that. [00:21:55] At this time, I will invite Andrew [00:21:57] to begin the presentation, [00:22:00] where he will provide you with status of the audit, [00:22:04] results of the audit thus far, [00:22:06] and status of prior year findings. [00:22:10] Andrew. [00:22:11] Great. [00:22:12] Well, thank you, and good evening. [00:22:13] Thanks for your time, [00:22:14] allowing me the opportunity to give you this presentation. [00:22:17] I do have a PowerPoint prepared. [00:22:19] I suppose if I was sitting in your chair, [00:22:21] you'd really just want to know two things at one point. [00:22:23] One, where are we on this audit? [00:22:25] What else do we need to get this thing completed, [00:22:28] and when are we going to complete it? [00:22:29] And then two, based on our experiences thus far, [00:22:32] where do we stand on any current year findings [00:22:34] or prior year findings [00:22:35] and current year remediation of those findings? [00:22:38] So Crystal gave a good introduction. [00:22:40] I'll go through some more of the detail on that, [00:22:42] but that's what I wanted to accomplish [00:22:44] in my brief presentation here this evening, [00:22:46] and then take any questions you all might have. [00:22:49] So with that, let's just kind of run through the PowerPoint [00:22:51] slide by slide. [00:23:00] Where am I pointing to? [00:23:05] Oh, got to turn it on first. [00:23:08] That'd be helpful. [00:23:11] Okay, so just results of procedures thus far, [00:23:14] independent audit report. [00:23:15] I cannot provide a report. [00:23:16] The audit is still in progress. [00:23:18] We have no reason to believe we won't have [00:23:20] an unmodified opinion, which is what we desire, [00:23:24] but unable to opine at this point. [00:23:26] The audit's in progress, [00:23:27] and I do have a summary of our remaining open audit areas [00:23:32] on the following slides. [00:23:33] You can see kind of some of the highlights [00:23:36] of what's still open and yet to complete. [00:23:39] Our independent audit report and internal control. [00:23:42] That's our internal control report where we assess [00:23:45] if there are any deficiencies in controls [00:23:48] segregated between material weaknesses [00:23:50] and significant deficiencies, [00:23:51] and if there are any, we identify them there [00:23:54] and then report them in the schedule [00:23:55] of findings and question costs, [00:23:57] which you do have in a separate attachment. [00:23:59] So we had one material weakness, 2016-01, [00:24:02] timeliness of the closing process, [00:24:04] two significant deficiencies, 16-02, [00:24:07] preparation review of cash reconciliations, [00:24:10] and 16-03, investment policy compliance. [00:24:12] I'll go through each of those in more detail [00:24:15] in a bit in future slides. [00:24:17] Then we also issue a, after that comes a schedule [00:24:20] of findings and question costs. [00:24:21] We also have a single audit report [00:24:24] where we test a major state project. [00:24:29] No findings thus far as a result of our testing on that. [00:24:32] Then we have our schedule findings and question costs [00:24:35] that go through the results of these procedures [00:24:37] and what those material weaknesses, [00:24:39] significant deficiencies are, [00:24:41] and if there were any single audit findings, what are they? [00:24:43] We had none to report thus far. [00:24:45] And then comes the management letter. [00:24:46] So any general recommendations we have [00:24:49] to improve financial management, [00:24:51] we would put those in there. [00:24:52] And so we had two, 2016-04, [00:24:54] analysis of uncollectible accounts, [00:24:57] and 16-05, inventory procedures. [00:25:01] We also then issue an independent accountants report. [00:25:04] We did have a modified opinion on compliance. [00:25:06] This is similar to last year, [00:25:07] and this relates to 2016-03 [00:25:11] on investment policy compliance. [00:25:13] So we'll touch on that as that impacts our opinion [00:25:16] on this examination report that's at the end of the CAFR. [00:25:20] And you also have a copy of that report in your materials. [00:25:24] This, I know, is very difficult to see [00:25:27] on the PowerPoint slides. [00:25:30] But again, it's part of the PowerPoint presentation [00:25:32] that you all have. [00:25:34] And it's also included in the schedule, [00:25:38] or in the management letter, is Exhibit A, [00:25:40] or Appendix A of that management letter. [00:25:42] So this just runs through what all our findings were [00:25:45] from previous years, [00:25:46] and what has been cleared versus uncleared [00:25:49] or partially cleared. [00:25:50] So those that were partially cleared or not cleared, [00:25:54] they now relate to a current year finding. [00:25:56] So you'll know as we go through [00:25:57] these current year findings, [00:25:58] that's really what's open and on the table [00:26:01] for next year in the city's remediation efforts. [00:26:05] We also have a few of these comments, [00:26:09] again, that I'm unable to, at this point, [00:26:12] say with confidence, [00:26:13] whether or not they've been appropriately remediated. [00:26:15] One is on improper utility rates bill, [00:26:18] and inconsistent rates between ordinance [00:26:20] and billing system. [00:26:21] Those two findings are kind of interrelated. [00:26:24] That relates to individual customer bills [00:26:26] in fiscal year 2015, [00:26:29] that had incorrect utility rates incorporated [00:26:32] in those customer service charges. [00:26:34] So we need to perform our procedures [00:26:36] in fiscal year 2016, [00:26:39] and we just did recently receive the information to do that. [00:26:42] It's basically a detailed report from the utility system [00:26:47] of all the customer utility detail [00:26:49] and what each component was to their customer charges, [00:26:52] so we can see what the rates are [00:26:54] for each of those customers, [00:26:55] and then be able to ascertain whether or not in 2016, [00:26:58] there were any incorrect utility rates used. [00:27:01] So we still need to complete that testing. [00:27:02] Like I said, we just did get that information, [00:27:05] and we'll be able to wrap that up shortly [00:27:07] and make a determination on those two findings. [00:27:10] The other two are IT security related. [00:27:12] We've had very recent discussions [00:27:14] as late as yesterday evening [00:27:18] and some maybe back and forth today [00:27:19] between the city's IT director and my IT security analyst. [00:27:23] So that's in the process of getting resolved. [00:27:26] I just don't have enough information at this point [00:27:28] to make a determination to share with you. [00:27:31] But the first one, the 2015-04 [00:27:34] on consideration of information technology controls, [00:27:38] there was a few aspects to that. [00:27:41] One was on improving the city's security posture [00:27:45] by taking certain measures, [00:27:47] namely performing penetration testing [00:27:50] to ensure that there's no information technology [00:27:54] vulnerabilities out there that could expose the city. [00:27:59] Another one on security policies [00:28:01] and developing policies, procedures around mobile devices, [00:28:04] information security policy, [00:28:06] and technology strategic plan. [00:28:07] Again, trying to accumulate the information [00:28:09] to determine whether or not those are remediated. [00:28:13] The next slide on remaining open items. [00:28:16] Again, this is just for your information. [00:28:17] I don't need to belabor these items, [00:28:20] but in case you had any questions on any of these, [00:28:22] I'd be happy to answer. [00:28:23] But these are some of just the highlights [00:28:24] of what's still open in the audit [00:28:26] in case you wanted to know. [00:28:28] We have items on just general revenues receivables, [00:28:32] capital assets, and accrued liabilities. [00:28:37] Next piece is on current year findings. [00:28:40] So 2016-01 is just the timeliness of the closing process. [00:28:43] Again, I won't beat this to death, [00:28:45] but obviously we're standing here on December 5th [00:28:48] and we haven't yet issued the CAFR for FY16. [00:28:52] So obviously that's a problem. [00:28:54] Explain in more detail on the condition [00:28:57] and then management's response [00:28:59] on some of the reasons why that happened, [00:29:00] which you've already heard, [00:29:02] and what we're trying to do [00:29:03] to accelerate that timing going forward. [00:29:09] Then 002 was just the preparation review [00:29:11] of cash reconciliations. [00:29:13] We had a couple issues around some of the reconciliations [00:29:16] we saw that had some lingering reconciling items [00:29:19] that didn't get timely cleared. [00:29:22] Again, you can read management's response to that. [00:29:25] They're now re-evaluating roles and responsibilities [00:29:30] in the finance department [00:29:31] to make sure that those preparation activities [00:29:33] get done properly, accurately, [00:29:36] and resolve those reconciling items timely. [00:29:42] Next one, 2016-03, investment policy compliance. [00:29:46] This is kind of a carryover from the previous year. [00:29:49] There were some things from the previous year comment [00:29:51] that did get corrected. [00:29:52] So one was providing quarterly performance reports [00:29:55] that your finance director now does, [00:29:59] but there is a... [00:30:00] There is a component of your investment policy that talks about investment allocations. [00:30:05] So, you can't be too heavily allocated in a particular security or class of securities. [00:30:10] So, we had an issue there at September 30, 2016 and throughout 2016, [00:30:15] where the allocations that were allowed for the policy didn't match what was in the portfolio. [00:30:20] So, the best solution to that is if we like what's in our portfolio, [00:30:24] let's amend the policy so the two will match. [00:30:28] So, that's discussed in management's response there. [00:30:33] The next one, these are just some management letter recommendations. [00:30:36] One is on allowance for doubtful accounts to reevaluate that annually specific for water [00:30:41] and sewer utilities, which management will start to do as part of a closing process [00:30:45] and develop kind of a reliable methodology on how to calculate that [00:30:48] and adjust that allowance balance regularly. [00:30:51] In years past, we've just seen that allowance balance be static from one year to the next, [00:30:56] which indicates it didn't get closely evaluated during the closing process. [00:31:02] Finally, inventory procedures. [00:31:04] So, we, as part of our audit, go out and do an observation on the counts [00:31:09] that were being done, being performed by your internal team members. [00:31:13] And so, we found some discrepancies on some of the counted items that were performed [00:31:18] by the city to what we then recounted and then had some issues with trying [00:31:22] to reconcile what the counted items were and what's then [00:31:25] in the inventory system at September 30. [00:31:28] So, some improvements need to be made around those year-end inventory procedures [00:31:34] and in management's response. [00:31:36] As I talked to the finance director, she'll collaborate with the public works director [00:31:40] to try to find some better solutions, whether that's mandating recounts [00:31:45] by internal account teams or potentially even outsourcing some or all [00:31:50] of the year-end inventory procedure functions. [00:31:57] So, my contact information is here as well as my manager and senior on the engagement team. [00:32:04] And that's really all I had to present to you all for the audit status update [00:32:09] and I'll take any questions if you all have them. [00:32:11] The obvious one, when are you going to be done? [00:32:14] I've been getting emails from the state of Florida asking, when is this going to be ready? [00:32:19] When is it going to be finished? [00:32:20] And I don't know how to answer it because 15 months after the end [00:32:24] of the fiscal year, you guys are still playing with the audit. [00:32:27] Sure. I can address that partly and then I would say the finance director needs [00:32:32] to address another part. [00:32:33] Here's the part I can address. [00:32:34] You've got my full commitment and dedication to getting the audit done [00:32:38] as we receive the information. [00:32:40] It's become more and more difficult because now we're in December, which is prime audit season [00:32:44] for all of our other local government clients. [00:32:47] Therefore, my engagement team members are heavily involved in other engagements. [00:32:51] With that said, you have my commitment. [00:32:53] If I have to roll up my sleeves and do capital assets testing myself [00:32:57] to get this darn thing done, you've got my commitment to do that. [00:33:00] So, let's say in a hypothetical scenario, if we got all the audit information that we needed [00:33:06] from finance to complete the audit, we could probably get everything tested [00:33:10] and turned around within three to four weeks. [00:33:13] Now, you're looking for a timeline as to when is the audit going to get finalized. [00:33:17] I had an email from the state of Florida last week telling me it had to be done by the 8th. [00:33:22] And, you know, this is ridiculous. [00:33:24] I mean, it's absolutely ridiculous that we are sitting here 15 months after the end [00:33:29] of the fiscal year and you're saying it's still another three or four weeks out. [00:33:33] I mean, let's get the thing finished. [00:33:36] There's no way that she can finish, she can make changes to the 2017 items based [00:33:44] on your recommendations from 2016 if she doesn't have them [00:33:47] until we're already into fiscal year 2018. [00:33:49] I am not happy. [00:33:51] Andrew, if I may. [00:33:53] The delays have been internally related. [00:33:59] They are due to all of the variables that I've laid out. [00:34:03] The audit team has been accommodating and flexible with their schedule to accommodate the things [00:34:09] that, you know, the delays on our end. [00:34:12] So, it has nothing to do, you know, with the audit team. [00:34:14] It would be the finance department and just getting through the obstacles and things [00:34:19] that we've been faced with in addition to trying to get all of the documentation [00:34:25] to the auditors to complete their part. [00:34:27] Mr. Mayor? [00:34:27] Yes, sir. [00:34:28] I met with Andrew one-on-one, what, three months ago probably, [00:34:31] and that's exactly the information that he was giving to me. [00:34:36] I'm not trying to beat up our finance department, but at some point, [00:34:39] we have to stop making excuses, get the personnel that we need in there to do the job. [00:34:44] He can't do his audit when he's not getting the information needed [00:34:47] to do the audit from our finance department. [00:34:49] So, I'd love to be able and say, Andrew, it's all your fault, you know, you need to step it up. [00:34:53] But that's not, unfortunately, that's not the case. [00:34:55] The blame is, a lot of the blame, I would say, is within our city, correct? [00:35:01] And if I may also add, you know, prior to me arriving here, a lot of the work to get prepared [00:35:10] for an audit was outsourced by the department, and it cost the city a lot of money. [00:35:15] And that is part of why Ms. Manns brought me in, because I am capable [00:35:20] and capable of doing the work and getting it done. [00:35:23] However, I'm only one person, and I also have a department to run. [00:35:27] And so, we have been lacking in some of the resources needed to actually do everything [00:35:33] that needs to be done in order for these audits to be done timely. [00:35:37] And so, it is a high priority on my list, and also Ms. Manns, to make sure that, [00:35:42] like Councilman Starkey said, get the resources soon, as soon as possible, [00:35:47] so that this is not something that's happening year after year. [00:35:50] We shouldn't be talking about this on December 17th to deal with a fiscal year [00:35:56] that ended in September of 16. [00:35:58] This is not acceptable. [00:36:03] Mr. Mayor? [00:36:04] Yes. [00:36:04] Yeah, I don't mean to pile on Andrew and Crystal, but, you know, this is disappointing. [00:36:11] I know we had a lot of things last year in that audit. [00:36:15] You know, it was two or three pages of things that needed to be rectified and looked at. [00:36:23] But some of your findings, as I said, not only are disappointing, [00:36:27] but they outright offend me in my position as a councilman and as a citizen of New Port Richey, [00:36:36] due to the fact that we're out of compliance on our investment policy. [00:36:40] The policy's there, we're out of balance, and if we have to change it, [00:36:46] then give me a good reason why, or get in the right lane of traffic. [00:36:51] I just, I find that, we had that report three weeks ago. [00:36:57] I also don't, and I don't like showing up and having this on the dais. [00:37:03] I mean, it makes it very difficult to follow all the things that you have up there [00:37:09] and to talk intelligently as a councilperson in trying to help resolve the issue. [00:37:20] Because you're saying three to four weeks out, mayor, I wasn't aware, [00:37:24] mayor's been contacted, and we got a deadline of the 8th. [00:37:28] So now I'm up against a rock and a hard place. [00:37:31] She's down two people. [00:37:32] That's not communicated to me, it's communicated to the mayor. [00:37:36] I think there's five of us, he gets one vote, the rest of us gets votes. [00:37:40] The other thing is, we got a contingency budget here of $131,000, or excuse me, $137,160. [00:37:50] And there's other things that we're probably going to look at with the contingency budget, [00:37:54] but let's do this, identify the resources that you need. [00:38:00] If you have to bring it in to get it done, then let's get it done so we can move on. [00:38:05] Because this doesn't show well for all the other things that we do really well. [00:38:11] This, to me, is extremely disappointing, and it flows back to the management [00:38:16] and back to the management of the department. [00:38:18] And to me, that just doesn't fly anymore. [00:38:22] So give me a game plan, let me know what you're looking at, [00:38:26] and then let's roll up our sleeves and let's get it done. [00:38:30] Mr. Mayor or Ms. Manns, I'm not sure who to ask. [00:38:32] So when we were in a situation a few years back with a need for a city manager, [00:38:37] there was a group called Range Riders. [00:38:39] So what can we do to rectify this situation? [00:38:43] Because I have heard a couple of times that we're down two people, [00:38:46] and it's a situation of not having the right people to do the task. [00:38:51] So who do we need to connect with, and who do we need to bring on staff, [00:38:55] or as a borrowing agent, or whatever, to get that piece done? [00:39:00] Because if the information needs to get to you, [00:39:03] and in three to four weeks we can get the problem solved, [00:39:06] then I think that we need to double-time this. [00:39:11] We are currently recruiting for positions in the finance department. [00:39:16] We do not have any qualified applicants to advance through the process. [00:39:22] What I can tell you from using outside firms, [00:39:25] and that's what was done principally by the city before I accepted the job [00:39:31] as your city manager and before Crystal was brought on board, [00:39:34] we were spending in excess of $100,000 a year on outside accounting firms [00:39:40] to perform schedules to submit to the accounting department. [00:39:44] We don't do that now. [00:39:46] Crystal performs them all herself. [00:39:48] That's a false economy, though, if it leaves us sitting here 15 months [00:39:55] after the end of the fiscal year on something that should have been done [00:39:58] in three or four months, and that's why I'm just not happy. [00:40:03] And when I saw the, when I questioned the e-mail that I got from the state [00:40:11] and started questioning it, and they're telling me, [00:40:15] well, we were promised that this stuff was all going to be done by October. [00:40:19] Well, you know, hell's bells, this is December now, and there's still weeks and weeks [00:40:26] to go with some indeterminate point when it's going to be finished. [00:40:30] I don't blame them for being unhappy, because I'm unhappy, because this should not happen. [00:40:37] You know, we've gone over a year, and I had a meeting with you, but basically, [00:40:44] other than that, it's been crickets as well as far as where are we on this, [00:40:49] when can we expect to have it done, and I know that audits can be done a hell [00:40:54] of a lot faster than what this is. [00:40:57] The state indicated their delinquent date is July 1st. [00:41:03] Well, you know, August, September, October, November, December, [00:41:06] we're five months past that date with no end in sight. [00:41:12] That's not acceptable. [00:41:14] Mayor, just one more thing. [00:41:15] Ms. Feast, I know you're working your tail off, and I don't hold you responsibly. [00:41:20] We can't put all the responsibility on one person. [00:41:23] You're working hard. [00:41:24] I know you came in into a huge mess. [00:41:25] I mean, the finance director prior to you really wasn't even qualified [00:41:29] to be the finance director of a municipality, in my opinion. [00:41:33] But the bottom line is, this is an extremely serious situation. [00:41:36] Andrew relayed that to me during our one-on-one meeting, [00:41:39] and he's relaying that to all of us again tonight. [00:41:42] We have to make this a priority for the city, get the staff in that department, [00:41:47] the qualified staff, if whatever resources we're using right now [00:41:50] to attract qualified candidates is not working, we need to look into other resources. [00:41:55] We have to get the finance department up to speed where it should be, [00:41:59] and you need help to do that, but we have to make it a city priority [00:42:02] because we can't keep making excuses. [00:42:04] We just can't. [00:42:05] It's going on and on and on. [00:42:07] If this requires contracting out to get professionals to come in to get this mess cleaned [00:42:12] up, then it needs to be done. [00:42:13] And Councilman Phillips pointed out there's contingency money available. [00:42:20] Let's get this fixed. [00:42:21] Definitely, if that's the direction of the council, we'll move forward with that. [00:42:28] I've said this before, maybe not up here, but with staff, [00:42:36] I think there's two, this is a pyramid, and the two bases of the pyramid are the finance department [00:42:44] and IT, if you don't have that bottom base of the pyramid, the pyramid's going to fall over. [00:42:50] And right now, you're saying that one-half of our pyramid hasn't even got it together, [00:42:55] and what even scares me more is we're three months past, you know, the end of the last year, [00:43:02] and so where are we going to be looking at this next year, you know, as well. [00:43:06] So if we're bringing in somebody, if we bring in somebody to give us a hand, [00:43:10] let's keep them around and get the other one caught up, too. [00:43:14] I mean, final words from me is I can only keep repeating myself that you have got my commitment [00:43:25] to finish the audit when the audit information is received. [00:43:28] Unfortunately, that's the steps in the process that work. [00:43:31] And Mr. Mayor, if you're directing some frustration at me, if there's something that I can do or say, [00:43:36] maybe we can schedule more individual one-on-one meetings, I'm happy to do that. [00:43:41] I'm willing to see this audit completed as much as you do, believe me. [00:43:45] We can only work as fast as the information that's given to us, and again, I am dedicated, [00:43:50] my team is dedicated to get it done whenever the information comes in, if that makes you feel better. [00:44:02] Anything else? [00:44:05] Thank you. [00:44:06] 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.

7. 7Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 44:07
8. 10.e

   Board Re-Appointments: David Schrader, Greg Giordano and Joy Phillips, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

   approved

   Council reappointed David Schrader, Greg Giordano, and Joy Phillips to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The vote was split so that one councilmember could abstain on Joy Phillips (his wife). Schrader and Giordano spoke, noting 25+ years of service on the board since 1985.

   • motion:Motion to reappoint David Schrader and Greg Giordano to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (passed)
   • motion:Motion to reappoint Joy Phillips to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (passed)

   📍5759 Rio Drive, Newport Richey, Florida👤David Schrader👤Elaine👤Greg Giordano👤Joy Phillips#Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

   ▶ Jump to 54:27 in the video

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   [00:54:27] Seeing no one else, I'm gonna close Vox Pop, [00:54:30] and ask that we, I was asked if we could jump [00:54:33] to business item 10-E, which is board reappointments [00:54:36] for David Schrader, Greg Giordano, Joy Phillips, [00:54:39] on the Parks and Rec Advisory Board. [00:54:42] They've all been, they're quietly seated [00:54:44] to find out if they were gonna get reappointed, [00:54:47] and if we could do that, we can let them go home. [00:54:49] Mr. Mayor, can I ask a question? [00:54:51] Sure. [00:54:52] Can we split the vote? [00:54:53] Absolutely. [00:54:54] I would love to vote for Mr. Schrader and Mr. Giordano. [00:54:57] I don't wanna disqualify myself [00:55:00] because my wife's gonna consider, [00:55:01] she's considering renewing her spot on the board, [00:55:05] and I'd like to vote for them. [00:55:07] I know that I have to abstain voting for my wife, [00:55:09] so if we could do that as a courtesy, I'd appreciate it. [00:55:13] If that is a motion to reappoint Dave Schrader [00:55:15] and Greg Giordano, I would accept that. [00:55:17] Do we have a second? [00:55:18] Yes. [00:55:19] We have a second. [00:55:20] Any other discussion on those two? [00:55:23] Hearing none, all those in favor, [00:55:24] please signify by saying aye. [00:55:25] Aye. [00:55:26] Opposed, like sign. [00:55:28] Entertain a motion on Joy Phillips. [00:55:31] Yeah, I'll make a motion. [00:55:33] We have a motion. [00:55:35] Second, somebody? [00:55:36] Second. [00:55:37] Second, thank you. [00:55:39] Further discussion? [00:55:40] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:55:43] Aye. [00:55:44] Opposed, like sign. [00:55:45] One abstention. [00:55:46] I'd like to ask Dave or Greg [00:55:49] if they'd like to come down and say anything. [00:55:50] You've both been on the board for quite a few years. [00:55:55] Yeah, you're the Dave. [00:55:58] Oh, there's Greg. [00:56:01] No, go ahead. [00:56:06] First of all, thank you for moving me up on the agenda. [00:56:14] Dave Schrader, 5759 Rio Drive, New Port Richey, Florida. [00:56:18] Thank you again for my 25th reappointment to the, [00:56:22] no, thank you again to reappoint me [00:56:23] to the Parks and Rec Department [00:56:26] and I enjoy working with the city [00:56:28] and the city enjoys it. [00:56:29] So I appreciate everything that you guys do [00:56:31] and there's our coach right there. [00:56:34] So again, thank you very much. [00:56:36] Thank you. [00:56:37] And thank you, Greg. [00:56:48] Well, I thank the board for the reappointment. [00:56:50] It's been 25 wonderful years serving on this board [00:56:53] and I'm looking forward to a few more [00:56:55] and enjoy working with Elaine. [00:56:58] She's a fantastic recreation and park director [00:57:00] for this city. [00:57:01] Dave and everybody else on the board, it's just a joy [00:57:04] and I'm also blessed that my daughter [00:57:07] is also a member of the board. [00:57:08] So great things in plan for the future. [00:57:10] Thank you all very much for the support. [00:57:13] Have you both really been on the board for 25 years? [00:57:17] 1985. [00:57:19] That's great, thank you so much [00:57:20] for your service over the years. [00:57:22] Are there other people that apply as well? [00:57:28] Actually. [00:57:29] Is it advertised or anything? [00:57:29] It is advertised and we have one alternate position. [00:57:33] Are those full right now? [00:57:34] All our board members are full [00:57:35] and we have the one alternate position is full. [00:57:37] Okay, so we only have one alternate position currently. [00:57:38] Just one alternate vacant. [00:57:40] That's all we have right now. [00:57:40] Oh, it's vacant. [00:57:41] How many alternates do you have? [00:57:42] Two, total. [00:57:43] Okay. [00:57:44] One's filled and one's vacant. [00:57:45] Okay, 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. 8.a

   Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes - October 2017

   approvedon consent

   The consent agenda, including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes for October 2017, was approved by unanimous voice vote.

   • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda. (passed)

   #Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes - October 2017

   ▶ Jump to 57:47 in the video

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   [00:57:48] With that, we'll go back to the regular course [00:57:50] of the agenda. [00:57:51] The next item is the consent agenda. [00:57:56] Move for approval. [00:57:57] Second. [00:57:58] We have a motion and a second. [00:57:59] Discussion? [00:58:00] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:58:03] Aye. [00:58:03] Opposed, like sign. [00:58:05] 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. 8.b

    Purchase/Payments for City Council Approval

    approvedon consent

    Council approved the consent agenda item for purchases/payments requiring City Council approval by unanimous voice vote.

    • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda. (passed)

    ▶ Jump to 57:47 in the video

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    [00:57:48] With that, we'll go back to the regular course [00:57:50] of the agenda. [00:57:51] The next item is the consent agenda. [00:57:56] Move for approval. [00:57:57] Second. [00:57:58] We have a motion and a second. [00:57:59] Discussion? [00:58:00] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:58:03] Aye. [00:58:03] Opposed, like sign. [00:58:05] 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.

11. 9.a

    First Reading, Ordinance #2017-2131 - Rezoning Application – 5831-5837 Main Street

    approved

    Council held a quasi-judicial public hearing on first reading of Ordinance 2017-2131 to rezone approximately 0.23 acres at 5831-5837 Main Street from MF14 (medium density residential) to downtown district. The applicant, Ann Graffi, purchased the building intending commercial use and sought to bring it into compliance. Council approved the motion and directed staff to pursue a city-initiated rezoning of similar nonconforming MF14 properties on the north side of Main Street.

    Ord. Ordinance #2017-2131

    • motion:Motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 2017-2131 rezoning the property from MF14 to downtown district. (passed)
    • direction:Council directed staff to proceed with a city-initiated rezoning of other similar nonconforming MF14 properties on the north side of Main Street. (none)

    📍4115 Headsail Drive, Newport Richey, Florida📍5831-5837 Main Street🏢Greater Newport Richey Main Street👤Ann Graffi👤Councilman Phillips👤Mrs. Spears#Downtown district#LDRB recommendation#MF14 zoning district#Ordinance 2017-2131

    ▶ Jump to 58:06 in the video

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    [00:58:06] Next is public reading of ordinances. [00:58:08] Ordinance 2017-2131. [00:58:11] Ordinance 2017-2131, an ordinance rezoning [00:58:14] approximately .23 acres of property [00:58:16] generally located on the north side of Main Street [00:58:19] and approximately 100 feet east of Adams Street. [00:58:22] From MF14, medium density residential district [00:58:26] to downtown district, further described herein [00:58:28] and in Exhibit A, providing for an effective date. [00:58:32] Mrs. Spears? [00:58:33] Thank you. [00:58:36] This is a simple rezoning request. [00:58:39] The property is located on the north side of Main Street. [00:58:41] You may know it if you walk by it. [00:58:43] It's situated between Jefferson Street and Adams Street, [00:58:47] shown in the yellow rectangle on the slide. [00:58:50] It contains a building that was constructed [00:58:52] back in the 60s, and this is a view of that building [00:58:56] from Main Street. [00:58:57] To the rear, or to the north, is the backside [00:59:00] of the building where they have additional access [00:59:02] as well as parking. [00:59:05] The western half of the lot is treed [00:59:07] and may be a future home to some new development. [00:59:13] The request is to rezone the property [00:59:15] from the MF14 zoning district, [00:59:18] which is shown up in that salmon color, [00:59:20] and it would go to the downtown district. [00:59:24] The request does meet all the concurrency requirements, [00:59:27] and it is consistent with the comprehensive plan. [00:59:31] The LDRB recommended approval of this application [00:59:34] at their November meeting, and this is [00:59:36] a quasi-judicial public hearing. [00:59:39] Thank you. [00:59:41] Very good. [00:59:42] As a quasi-judicial hearing, has anybody received [00:59:46] any ex parte communications on this? [00:59:49] I have none. [00:59:50] No. [00:59:52] Hearing none. [00:59:54] The applicant, I believe, is in the audience, [00:59:56] and you're welcome to come up. [01:00:00] My name is Ann Graffi. I live at 4115 Headsail Drive, New Port Richey, Florida on Gulf Harbors. [01:00:11] I've lived in the city, in and out, and I've had a business in the city once before. [01:00:17] We've now purchased a building because I'm very proactively trying to make this city awesome. [01:00:22] I would love to see more retail and walking downtown, so we purchased this building believing it was commercial. [01:00:29] That's how it was sold to us. I didn't do my homework, and shame on me because I'm a realtor. [01:00:36] But we found out that it was still residential 14, and for me that was hard to believe. [01:00:41] It used to be a medical center and then was a hair salon and a real estate office. [01:00:46] We're currently renting it. I had met with the person in charge of rezoning or building and zoning once before. [01:00:52] He let me rent it to Greater New Port Richey Main Street as a noncompliant building, [01:00:58] but told me I would need to move forward with the rezoning, which was fine by me. [01:01:02] They want to use it as an office and then also have a little art gallery like Main Street had done on Grand Boulevard [01:01:09] when I was part of Main Street, a volunteer then. [01:01:14] I love this little area, and I don't know how this one slipped through. [01:01:18] When it was made, it was turned into a downtown zoning district. [01:01:23] Any questions for me on this at this time? [01:01:29] None. Thank you. [01:01:31] Thanks for bringing it into compliance, though. We very much appreciate it because otherwise it would be an enclave. [01:01:38] Obviously, with the commercial zoning, which you thought was already there, it's a net benefit. [01:01:46] For it to be consistent, that's my thank you to you. [01:01:51] Then I have a couple of questions for the Development Director. [01:01:54] Thank you for your time tonight. [01:01:56] Very good. Do we have anybody else in the public that wishes to address Council on this? [01:02:02] Seeing none, I'll bring it back to Council. [01:02:04] Councilman Phillips, you had some questions? [01:02:07] I'll move for approval, and then I can go from there. [01:02:11] We have a motion and a second. Go ahead, Mr. Phillips. [01:02:14] Do we have any others that we're aware of at the moment that were passed over, overlooked? [01:02:23] I know we had quite a discussion with regards to this zoning criteria when it related to the old Baptist Church property [01:02:36] and then the parking lot across the street. [01:02:39] If there are any others, we ought to do our best to be proactive to either encourage them to bring it into compliance [01:02:49] or get them into compliance so it all has the same thing in the same zone. That's my question. [01:02:54] In response to the comment or question, I would say that at one point the MF-14, I believe, did allow office uses. [01:03:01] And so that's why you see a series of offices along the north side of Maine between Adams and Jefferson. [01:03:06] We are grateful again to the applicant to bring this forward because it is consistent with the downtown land use. [01:03:12] The staff is looking at other similar zonings on the north side of Main Street [01:03:20] and may be bringing to you a city-initiated rezoning to change those in the future. [01:03:28] Thank you. Any other questions? [01:03:30] That was my question, because when you had that map up before, you had different colors there. [01:03:35] And the other ones that are showing in the mulberry color are? [01:03:40] Also MF-14. [01:03:42] And so they would all need to be in order to? [01:03:45] Well, again, they're legally nonconforming. [01:03:47] If any of those owners want to proceed with any other downtown use, they would need to change it to downtown district. [01:03:54] Again, the city would be inclined to forward to you a city-initiated rezoning. [01:04:01] Why don't we just proactive and take care of it? [01:04:04] That's what I'm suggesting, through city initiation. [01:04:07] Let's do it. [01:04:08] Good job. [01:04:09] Deputy Mayor, any comments or questions? [01:04:11] I don't either. [01:04:12] I'm glad to see us getting this sorted out and look forward to you bringing a more comprehensive look at that whole area. [01:04:19] I was unaware that that was all still sitting multifamily. [01:04:24] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:04:28] Aye. [01:04:29] Opposed, like sign. [01:04:30] Motion passes. [01:04:31] Next is First Reading Ordinance 2017-2129.

    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.

12. 9.b

    First Reading, Ordinance #2017-2129 - Code Amendment - Regulating Wireless Facilities in the Right-of-Way

    discussed

    Council held first reading of Ordinance #2017-2129, creating new Chapter 23 of the Land Development Code to regulate communications/wireless facilities in public rights-of-way in response to the state's Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act (effective July 2017). Consultant Sean Dressler of Kimley Horn presented the 50-page ordinance covering registration, review timelines (14-day completeness, 60-day review, optional 30-day negotiation), fees ($150/year for co-locations, $500/year for new poles), and design standards. The ordinance was previously recommended for approval by the Land Development Review Board.

    Ord. Ordinance #2017-2129

    • direction:Council heard first reading of Ordinance #2017-2129 regulating wireless communications facilities in public rights-of-way; LDRB had previously recommended approval. (none)

    📍West Main Street🏢Duke Energy🏢Kimley Horn👤Baker👤Debbie Manns👤Lisa Fierce👤Sean Dressler#180-day moratorium on wireless facilities#Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act#Chapter 23 - Communications Facilities and Public Rights of Way#Land Development Review Board (LDRB) recommendation#Ordinance #2017-2129

    ▶ Jump to 1:04:34 in the video

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    [01:04:35] Ordinance 2017-2129, an ordinance of the City of New Port Richey, Florida, relating to communications facilities and public rights of way, [01:04:42] amending the New Port Richey Land Development Code, [01:04:45] creating a new Chapter 23 in the New Port Richey Land Development Code to be entitled Communications Facilities and Public Rights of Way, [01:04:51] providing findings and intent, providing definitions, providing for registration of communications service providers, [01:04:57] providing for rules and regulations for communications service providers, wireless service providers, [01:05:02] and small wireless service providers in their facilities, providing for a duty to notify, providing for revocation and suspension, [01:05:09] providing for termination, providing for appeals, providing for application of these rules [01:05:14] to existing communications facilities in public rights away, providing for insurance, providing for indemnification, [01:05:19] providing for construction bonds, providing for abandonment of the communications facility, [01:05:24] providing for pass-through, provider fees and fees for use of city utility poles, [01:05:29] providing for reservation of rights and remedies, providing for conflicts, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. [01:05:35] Ms. Mance, this sounds like something only a geek could love. Do we have a presentation on this? [01:05:40] We do have a PowerPoint presentation on this, Mr. Mayor. [01:05:44] Before I turn it over to Mr. Sean Dressler and Mrs. Lisa Fierce, I'll remind you that we are under a moratorium related to this issue. [01:05:56] The governor signed into law the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act in July of 2017. [01:06:07] At that time, or just subsequent to that, we effectuated a 180-day moratorium to give us time to establish objective design standards as it relates to this matter. [01:06:21] And we have finally concluded our work, and we would like to make a presentation to you this evening. [01:06:27] Just to follow up on that, this is a pretty complicated matter, and it was something for which we sought some outsourcing. [01:06:36] And so we contacted Kimley Horn, and they presented Mr. Dressler with us, who's here tonight. [01:06:44] And he is going to go through a fairly good presentation that he gave to LDRB. [01:06:50] I think he can break it down into some simple E's so that everyone's able to understand it. [01:06:56] And this is something that was reviewed by the LDRB last month, and they did recommend approval. [01:07:03] With that, Sean, here is your clicker. [01:07:11] Do I need to sign this? [01:07:13] No. [01:07:14] Okay. [01:07:16] Only if you want to get some e-mails from us, you're more than welcome. [01:07:20] That's what I need. [01:07:21] As the expression goes, we know who you are, and we know where you live. [01:07:25] And where to find you. [01:07:26] Yes. [01:07:27] Good deal. [01:07:28] Well, and just so it's abundantly clear, I'm Sean Dressler. [01:07:31] I'm an urban planner with Kimley Horn. [01:07:34] And good evening. [01:07:36] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members, Mrs. Mann, and staff. [01:07:42] That was a great tee-off, so you took some of my talking points. [01:07:45] Hopefully I can get through it just that much quicker. [01:07:47] I am going to try and go really quick. [01:07:50] As your director had mentioned, it's fairly complicated. [01:07:56] I'm going to try to start out at a very high level, just why we're here, what this is all about, [01:08:02] and then dive a little bit deeper, talk about review timelines as permits come in, [01:08:07] application fees, and then the design standards that the city would be adopting if this were approved tonight. [01:08:14] And then I'll hit a couple of highlights on some of the discussion that we had at the review board, [01:08:21] the Land Development Review Board, and how we've made a couple of tweaks after that in advance of this discussion. [01:08:34] So the main reason we're here is these two bullet points and sub-bullet points. [01:08:40] Essentially, prior to July 1st of this year, the city had no statutory requirement, [01:08:48] statutory requirement, that's an important word, to permit cell towers in city rights of way. [01:08:54] Essentially, you could rely on your own ordinances within the land development regulations [01:09:00] in a similar way that you would with any type of private utility poll or public utility poll and address it that way. [01:09:07] After that time, with the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act, [01:09:12] the state has mandated very prescriptive regulations as to what has to be allowed within public municipal right-of-ways, [01:09:24] excluding DOT right-of-ways, very prescriptive about time frames for review, [01:09:30] very specific requirements regarding fees, and design guidelines. [01:09:36] And since that time, as the city is aware, pretty much the whole planning community has been sort of scrambling to catch up to this. [01:09:46] That's why you've seen so many moratoriums and abatements throughout the state, [01:09:50] and why we're here tonight trying to get out ahead of the end of your current moratorium [01:09:56] and enact an ordinance that would facilitate this moving forward. [01:10:03] So the act itself really addresses infrastructure in four categories, being co-location, new polls, [01:10:15] ground-mounted equipment that serve that infrastructure, and then microcells, [01:10:19] which are the individual facilities that are installed on either a co-located poll or a new poll. [01:10:25] And in the next few slides, I'm just going to show some examples of what those look like. [01:10:33] So co-location is really just talking about we want to put a microcell on an existing utility poll. [01:10:42] And this, again, does not apply to DOT rights-of-way. [01:10:48] It is only local municipalities. [01:10:50] And one of the specific elements of this is that they can be no more than six cubic feet in volume. [01:10:59] However, once a cell, once a new small cell has been added to a poll, additional ones can be added as well. [01:11:07] Now, they have the burden of showing you that the infrastructure would work from a structural [01:11:14] and a design and safety standpoint. [01:11:17] We're going to get into some of those standards a little bit later. [01:11:21] But from a regulatory standpoint, they would be allowed so long as they can pass that burden of proof. [01:11:31] New polls, I've given a couple examples in the images here. [01:11:35] And essentially, you have a little bit more ability to control the quality of new polls, the character of them, [01:11:44] simply because you're not attaching to an existing poll that already has a character of its own. [01:11:51] And so we have, and we'll go into these a little bit more later, [01:11:57] we have proposed to you some standards regarding height, location, stealth of the polls. [01:12:05] And all of these are really within a fairly tight window of what the statutory requirements allow. [01:12:13] And a lot of the, let's see, I believe it's a 50-page ordinance that you have in front of you tonight, [01:12:21] is really directly addressing the statutes. [01:12:25] Most of the ordinance is pretty well prescribed. [01:12:28] And I'll get into the sections where we have taken advantage of as much as possible the lenience, [01:12:36] the little bit of leniency that's within the statutes to address design standards and character of these polls. [01:12:44] Sean, in this picture, are you showing us two examples of new polls, or is that one poll that's now transformed by? [01:12:50] That's a great question. It's two examples of new polls. [01:12:53] Okay, thank you. [01:12:54] And this may be a silly question, and I don't know if it's for you or Robert. [01:12:57] There are decorative light polls along Main Street that wouldn't pertain to those, right? [01:13:01] Just like powerline polls? [01:13:04] It does apply, yes. [01:13:06] We might just put these big old boxes on our decorative light polls? [01:13:09] And we're going to show you some design standards that we've included in here to try to address those. [01:13:16] Like what, 13-foot high? [01:13:19] So when will we know if we have to use those polls? [01:13:23] Well, actually, they belong to Duke Energy, [01:13:26] and I know Duke Energy is working on their own specifications for what is going to be allowed on their polls. [01:13:31] But I believe what you're proposing is that they have to be included into the poll and can't change the appearance of it? [01:13:39] Essentially, and minimize it in stealth. [01:13:43] And it's a good point. [01:13:44] The difference between a poll that's owned by the city versus one that's owned and maintained by a private utility company [01:13:51] is that the state does not regulate polls that are owned by the private utility company. [01:13:58] So a communications provider would have to enter into an agreement with Duke Energy. [01:14:04] And since it's within your right-of-way, your standards, which you'd be adopting here tonight, would still apply. [01:14:10] They'd still have to come through, and they'd still have to go through the permit and review process that we would outline. [01:14:17] And so would those revenues be going to Duke Energy then? [01:14:22] So we'll get into fees a little bit here in a little bit, [01:14:26] but the short answer to that question is the statutory language is very, very specific on what you can and cannot charge for. [01:14:35] And so there are two areas that we're specifically charging a certain amount of money for within here. [01:14:45] One is related to co-locations, and another is related to new infrastructure, and we'll get into that. [01:14:50] Okay, but when you say co-locations, you're talking about locations on polls that we own as opposed to – [01:14:56] because those polls are Duke Energy's polls, not our polls. [01:15:00] Co-location on Duke Energy's poles, and then there's co-location on poles that we may own? [01:15:05] Correct. Correct. The term just applies to putting a new wireless infrastructure on an existing pole. [01:15:14] Thank you. The ground mounted equipment or the box essentially is exactly what you would think it would be. [01:15:23] It's the non-transmitting equipment that has to be there to serve the small cell wireless. [01:15:32] And the individual equipment for one facility can be no greater than 28 cubic feet in volume. [01:15:43] What you have to keep in mind is, as I mentioned earlier, once you have a facility on an existing pole, [01:15:49] another facility can be added. And so each box can be no greater than 28 cubic feet in volume. [01:15:57] So I could stack four of those on top of each other for different users? [01:16:02] I don't know that you could stack them on top of each other, but you could foreseeably have multiple. [01:16:07] We've come a long way of taking what we used to have on West Main Street, our own identification of stop guards. [01:16:17] And so in the case that you'd have a, if it was Duke and they had a cohabitable pole, [01:16:31] they could put three or four units on it within design criteria. Is that correct? [01:16:39] Correct. But we could end up with something that looks a lot like that? [01:16:45] And I'm intentionally giving you... [01:16:49] Well, you're scaring the hell out of me. And yeah, it's a worst-case scenario. [01:16:52] And yeah, I like how the state decided to give the cellular folks opportunities to piggyback on our right-of-way, [01:17:08] our aesthetics. And yeah, I know you could do a lot of things to them, but you can't dress those ugly things up. [01:17:16] I'm sorry. You can't paint them to look like a bench, because if it's a duck, it looks like a duck. [01:17:22] And I'm not sure. And of course, with the creativity that we have with some folks around, [01:17:28] they become another eyesore that has to be maintained. I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. [01:17:32] No, no, I think you're dead on, Councilman. Go ahead. [01:17:37] Sure, sure. And part of the, again, as I mentioned, I've intentionally showed you some of the examples [01:17:42] that have circulated around the planning community in the last six months [01:17:47] that have driven a lot of the design criteria that is in the back of this ordinance. [01:17:54] And we'll get into some of the ways that you can mitigate these issues when we dive a little deeper. [01:18:03] And then just, they pointed out as a type of facility, it's really just the thing that gets attached to the pole, [01:18:10] but that is the microcell. And this is one that was attached to an existing pole. [01:18:18] And as I mentioned earlier, once the first microcell is approved for a pole, [01:18:22] as long as they can prove that the pole can handle more, they have the right to put more on [01:18:28] as part of the statutory requirements. [01:18:33] And or they could replace the existing pole with a more highly structured pole or a different, [01:18:43] for example, if the structural wind integrity, when you put that on, is to a wind load of 120 or 180 miles an hour, [01:18:54] if it's approved, it's kind of like squatter rights, I've got it. [01:19:00] Now I want to put four on there from different entities. [01:19:05] I could actually come in with a concrete pole or, like Mr. Baker talked about, [01:19:10] them redoing all of their kerosene poles or whatever, all the wooden ones with the new steel ones. [01:19:19] So in essence, once the door is open, they could come in with some interesting structural elements [01:19:30] that would maybe fight with our downtown look and integrity. [01:19:34] So I'm just, I guess I'm devil advocate trying to get ahead of all the worst case scenarios that you could come into. [01:19:43] So I just wanted to make sure that once it's in place, it could be swapped out for something even more interesting. [01:19:52] They would have to go through the permitting process to swap it out to replace an existing pole. [01:19:58] They would have to go through the permitting process for a new pole. [01:20:02] So you would have a little bit more protection there. [01:20:06] Okay, thanks. [01:20:07] Sure. [01:20:09] And so we've talked about a few of these. [01:20:14] In the next couple of slides, we're going to get into the timetable and the fees. [01:20:19] We've already described what co-locations versus new poles are. [01:20:23] We're going to dive into the height limitations and the specific criteria [01:20:29] and the reasonable design standards in the last section. [01:20:35] So I wanted to cover these specifically. [01:20:39] There's a lot in this ordinance. [01:20:41] I know we can't go through it all, so I'm trying to hit the highlights that are most important. [01:20:45] One of the things that came out in the statute is very specific criteria for review timeframes. [01:20:52] And part of this is, and we're already working with staff on this, [01:20:59] from helping them to prepare the documents [01:21:03] and understanding of how to administer this new code. [01:21:07] But it's important that this be paid particular attention to, [01:21:11] because if you don't review within these timeframes, it's essentially an automatic approval. [01:21:17] So what happens is when the first thing that a new communications facility provider has to do [01:21:24] is get registered with the city. [01:21:26] So they go through a registration process. [01:21:28] They can't even submit a permit until they're registered, [01:21:32] which just requires them to submit a bunch of information regarding their licenses and all of that, [01:21:37] making sure they're in good standing. [01:21:40] Is that registration process also dictated to us by the government, I mean by the state, [01:21:45] or is that our own process? [01:21:48] It is a process that your staff will administer. [01:21:52] Most of the elements of the process are dictated by the state. [01:21:57] And then once registered, they're able to come to the city with an application to co-locate [01:22:04] or to install a new pole. [01:22:06] And within 14 days of receiving that application, [01:22:10] the municipality has to make a determination of completeness on the application. [01:22:17] One question there, John. [01:22:20] 14 days, does it define if that's 14 business days, or is it 14 days from day of application? [01:22:31] Worst case scenario is they could submit it on December the 22nd. [01:22:39] Your city government's closed down for effectively over that 14-day time period. [01:22:45] It could be as many as four to five days, plus the weekend. [01:22:50] So, I mean, I know we're getting into the weeds a lot, [01:22:54] but to me what this says is depending on what you're able to chart, [01:22:59] and I know you're going to get there from a permitting side and a fee side, [01:23:04] you may have to have somebody on staff that's your local, you know, communications expert. [01:23:13] Right. [01:23:14] And if they have two weeks vacation, you've approved it, [01:23:17] because that person can't look at it, or somebody else will. [01:23:19] I guess it's worst case, but I'm just trying to really understand how they've shoehorned this thing pretty bad, pretty tough. [01:23:31] Let's keep going. [01:23:33] Sure, yeah, I understand the concern. [01:23:35] To be honest, I don't know the answer as to whether it's business or calendar days, [01:23:38] but I'll make sure I get the answer back. [01:23:40] It is calendar days. [01:23:41] Is it calendar days? [01:23:42] Yes, and the only extension would be if the 14th day landed on a holiday or a weekend, [01:23:48] then it would roll over to the next non-holiday or non-weekend. [01:23:52] What if there's a holiday within the 14 days? [01:23:54] Do you get an extra day? [01:23:55] That would not add time to it. [01:23:57] Okay. [01:23:58] You'd have to work double overtime on the holiday to look at it. [01:24:02] Sure. [01:24:03] So that's something that we'll work with your staff on to determine how to address. [01:24:08] So within the 14 days, you determine complete or incomplete. [01:24:11] If you do not make a determine, it's determined that it's a complete application. [01:24:15] It doesn't mean it's approved. [01:24:17] It just means that it's complete. [01:24:19] And I wanted to point out specifically here that the statutes allow that to be a one application. [01:24:27] It can be for one location or up to 30 locations. [01:24:31] So it's rare that you would get an application that comes in with 30 locations in it. [01:24:37] Our company, Kimley Horn, we actually submit these applications in various municipalities. [01:24:43] It's extremely rare to have that many locations in one application. [01:24:48] But they have the right to do so. [01:24:51] So just so that you're aware of that nuance. [01:24:54] So with 30, if they did the worst case, they could do 30. [01:25:01] You'd have 14 days to approve or deny. [01:25:06] Just to determine completeness. [01:25:07] Completeness. [01:25:08] Correct. [01:25:09] Because it looks like on the very last thing up there, if you deny it with the timetable, it's deemed to be approved. [01:25:17] So I'm just trying to get the depth. [01:25:19] Right. [01:25:20] And each one of them is going to be set in a different location, different traffic pattern, [01:25:27] could be a different wind speed, could be. [01:25:31] Right. [01:25:32] Okay, all right. [01:25:33] So at that point, you're just determining that the correct amount [01:25:36] and type of information has been submitted with the application. [01:25:41] The formal review that would look at things like traffic patterns and wind speeds [01:25:44] and all those details would come after that 14 days. [01:25:48] So then also within that 14 days, the city may request a negotiation period regarding the location. [01:25:56] And that's important. [01:25:57] That is the location of poles. [01:26:00] That's the location of co-locations. [01:26:02] It's the location of equipment boxes. [01:26:05] And so part of the mitigation of that cluster of equipment boxes is getting out ahead of it in the negotiation period [01:26:12] and saying, look, we've got a better solution proposed. [01:26:16] We think that you could locate it in this way. [01:26:18] We think that you could screen it in this way. [01:26:21] And then the communications service provider submitting the application has the responsibility [01:26:28] to come to the table with you and try to sort that out. [01:26:33] If you don't request the 30 days, you go directly into the 60-day review period. [01:26:43] And within 60 days, the municipality must approve [01:26:47] or deny the completed application based on the criteria. [01:26:52] If you request the 30-day negotiation period, it adds 30 days to that time period. [01:26:57] It's 90 days later. [01:27:06] So permit fees are also very specifically addressed. [01:27:09] There's a long list of categories that you explicitly cannot charge fees for. [01:27:17] And, again, we're going to be working with the city on that. [01:27:21] The way you're allowed to address fees are in really two ways. [01:27:26] One is to impose a permit application fee of up to $100 [01:27:32] or to increase the rate of the service tax that applies to the communication service provider. [01:27:40] And currently in our proposal is to do the second option, essentially. [01:27:45] And so you would have a yearly fee per location, per facility. [01:27:53] For co-locations, it's $150 per year. [01:27:57] And for new poles or, and there's a long list of things that would qualify under this category, [01:28:06] for new poles and mile-long stretches of new wireless facility installation [01:28:13] from a connectivity standpoint, it's $500 per year. [01:28:17] So those are essentially the two specific fees that you're able to charge. [01:28:22] Does the state set those fees? [01:28:24] They set limitations on what the application fee can be. [01:28:29] But regarding what your yearly tax structure is, they don't set a specific cap. [01:28:37] They just give qualitative direction. [01:28:41] And coming up with those fees, as we were helping the city to craft this ordinance, [01:28:47] we reviewed a lot of other ordinances throughout the state that have been created in the last six months. [01:28:53] And we are early in this, but this was consistent with what we saw in a lot of other municipalities. [01:28:59] So the statute makes a lot of reference to what are reasonable design standards. [01:29:13] And by reasonable, it defines it in several different ways throughout the statute. [01:29:18] It's one of the ways, non-discriminatory. [01:29:20] In other words, you can't be imposing design standards for this type of utility [01:29:24] that you don't impose for another utility. [01:29:27] And then it goes down a laundry list of things that you can't impose design standards on [01:29:32] and things that are left very fuzzy and things that you can't. [01:29:36] So we have, again, we've reviewed ordinances throughout the state. [01:29:41] And actually in other states, as several states are dealing with this right now, [01:29:46] it actually sort of trickled down from a federal level at first [01:29:51] and then down to individual statutory ordinances. [01:30:00] Through all that, we have come up with what we think is the best practice at the current time, which is what we're proposing to you today. [01:30:07] So what I'd like to do is, if I can, just run through the ordinances. [01:30:14] There's 50 pages there, but I'm going to try and hit it at a very section level, just what the sections are, [01:30:20] and dive a little bit deeper into the design standards, and then take any questions from you. [01:30:26] But I want to take your direction on that. Is that something that you'd like to go through tonight? [01:30:32] We're voting on this tonight, is that correct? First reading? [01:30:35] First reading, yes. There will be two readings. [01:30:40] All right, and so I assume everyone has in front of them the current ordinance that has 50 pages, [01:30:49] and I'll just run through it and hit every section. [01:30:54] The first several sections are what you're going to see in every ordinance, the short title, findings, definitions. [01:30:59] We don't really get into anything that's specific to this ordinance until section four, which is the section on registration. [01:31:13] And all that section really addresses is the process that a new communication service provider has to go through [01:31:21] to become registered in the municipality, as I mentioned earlier, [01:31:24] before they can begin to submit permits for installations or co-locations. [01:31:30] After that, section five regards transfers. [01:31:34] So this is if a service provider sold their equipment, transferred it in some legal mechanism to another service provider [01:31:45] or a passenger service provider, this gives the requirements that they're bound by, and essentially it's just that. [01:31:59] Next is... [01:32:00] It doesn't just limit it to business uses or corporations, it could be LLCs, it could be investment groups, [01:32:12] hedge funds or whatever, they could own the entity and then sell it back and forth. [01:32:18] I'm just trying to understand, is that fair? [01:32:23] Mr. Driscoll, is that a fair that it could be owned by a magnitude or a lot of different entities? [01:32:31] So there could be a lot of transferring and swapping of rights? [01:32:36] I certainly don't know all of the entities that would be able to own. [01:32:41] All right, fine. [01:32:42] But foreseeably, it can be transferred. [01:32:47] And so I guess in seeing that eventuality, they did put language in the statutes about what they would have to do to notify you. [01:32:55] And if the person or the entity that was being transferred to was not a registered entity in the city, [01:33:02] they would have to go through that process. [01:33:04] Thank you. [01:33:05] Sure. [01:33:07] Section 6 really gets into the statutory side of placement of the communication facilities and public rights of way. [01:33:14] It doesn't yet get into what the city would be enacting in terms of its own design criteria. [01:33:30] Section 7 deals with reselling of the communication service that's provided, [01:33:37] which is sort of a nuanced difference as opposed to transfer. [01:33:42] And then Section 8 really gets into the section that we spent the most time on in terms of the design standards [01:33:49] and what the city is doing to protect itself regarding these facilities. [01:33:55] So I'm going to just hit the subsection topics here. [01:34:00] And as you have questions, feel free to reach out and we can go into this in whatever depth you'd like to. [01:34:11] So the first section, 0801, is pretty broad. [01:34:16] You'll notice the first one that a facility can't extend more than 10 feet above the highest point of a vertical structure. [01:34:24] So that's an existing pole if they were to bring a co-location in. [01:34:28] They could not extend 10 feet above the height of that structure. [01:34:32] It talks about illumination. [01:34:35] It talks about, obviously, complying with federal emission standards, local building codes. [01:34:47] Skipping a few sections, the filing review and processing of applications, [01:34:51] that talks about some of the review period and the fees that we discussed earlier. [01:35:00] I'm on page 24 now. [01:35:04] This really continues through the review process, the 14-day notice, the 30-day period, the 60-day period. [01:35:21] A lot of this portion is also dealing with other regulations that it has to be in compliance with, [01:35:30] obviously, Americans with Disabilities Act, Florida Department of Transportation manuals, et cetera. [01:35:39] Section three on page 25 really dives into specifics about co-location of small wireless facilities on city utility poles. [01:35:51] It's my understanding from the discussion with the Land Development Review Board that the city currently doesn't own any [01:35:59] of its own utility poles. [01:36:02] And so there was some discussion about that and how would the ordinance address that. [01:36:08] So we did go back and confirm that regardless, if a co-location or a new pole were proposed, [01:36:19] if it's in your right-of-way, it would still have to go through this process and these design standards. [01:36:26] There was also a question about if it's on private property, would it have to adhere to these design standards? [01:36:34] It would certainly have to adhere to anything within building code, structural, safety, electrical, et cetera. [01:36:43] But there's certainly some debate throughout the planning community in this early time period about whether or not, [01:36:50] if it's not in view of the public right-of-way, should it have to go through these standards. [01:36:56] At this time, we're not including that in the standards. [01:37:00] One of the discussion points also was this is, I hate to call it a stopgap measure, [01:37:08] but essentially it's a very quick time frame to get a workable code in front of you [01:37:14] so that you can have something enforceable that you can then administer. [01:37:20] But this does not preclude you from making adjustments as we go on and as you're administering it [01:37:25] and as you find that the planning community just hasn't thought of this yet. [01:37:30] And so I want you to have that in your minds as we're going through this. [01:37:34] This is based on the best practices that we're able to identify. [01:37:38] But, you know, obviously we're here for you as your planning consultant. [01:37:55] Most of this is what we've already discussed. [01:37:58] One thing I wanted to point out on page 27, we get into some specifics about undergrounding. [01:38:09] And so the way we've set it up in these design standards, [01:38:12] and we know that this is not going to be possible to accommodate everywhere just based on groundwater levels [01:38:21] and all sorts of things, the goal is the first option is undergrounding. [01:38:27] So any time a facility can be undergrounded, whether it's equipment or some other type of facility, [01:38:33] that these standards say that's the first thing you've got to look at. [01:38:39] My assumption, and having been on the other side of that equation in a number of permit applications, [01:38:46] is that there will be a lot of times where it's not practical from a cost standpoint [01:38:50] or from other constraints standpoint. [01:38:52] But we want that to be the best case scenario and the best practice, [01:38:56] that they then have the burden of proof of showing you why they can't do it. [01:39:05] We also, on page 27, talk about stealth design requirements. [01:39:18] This is a specific word, and we're using the word directly from the statutes, [01:39:22] and we've defined it in the definition section, and then described it, how it applies here. [01:39:28] But essentially, this section addresses the, how do we try to conceal from view, [01:39:35] minimize the visual impact of all of these elements as much as possible. [01:39:44] Elements of this have to do with the color of it being in keeping with the existing pole, [01:39:50] the material of it being consistent with the existing pole. [01:39:54] In new poles, as the examples I showed you earlier, [01:40:00] it being a cohesive design that has a facility in a small cylinder on top of the pole or within the pole, [01:40:06] so it's not sticking out at a right angle. [01:40:09] I'm going to show you some images of some of those that we've actually included in the design standards [01:40:14] as examples of what can and can't happen later to try and give the standards that much more teeth. [01:40:20] But just so you know, any time we talk about stealth, this is the section, [01:40:25] and this is where we're trying to minimize the visual impact as much as possible. [01:40:29] On page 28, you'll see a highlighted number that was specifically discussed [01:40:37] in the Land Development Review Board meeting. [01:40:40] The question was, the way this reads, a new utility pole that replaces an existing pole, [01:40:48] previously it read, would essentially have to replicate the character of the existing utility pole. [01:40:56] But there might be situations where the city does not like the character of the existing utility pole. [01:41:05] Let's say you enact a program to change from wooden poles to metal poles or some other material. [01:41:11] And so we modified this one to specifically say that a new pole would be required to meet all the requirements herein [01:41:19] relating to new utility poles and shall not simply be allowed to match the characteristics of the existing pole being removed. [01:41:27] So we hope we've addressed their concerns with that. [01:41:31] And obviously they voted to recommend approval based on the discussion being addressed. [01:41:41] Item number eight on that same page, page 28, References, Photographs Attached as Exhibits to this Chapter. [01:41:48] Those are the exhibits that are in the back of the ordinance and are what I mentioned earlier [01:41:52] in terms of showing examples of what you can and cannot do. [01:42:02] On the next page, 29E, E and following talk about locations within proximity of certain things. [01:42:12] So like, for instance, at least 25 feet away from a traffic signal unless it's mounted on the signal per these requirements. [01:42:21] And obviously the goal there is we don't want a situation where you have 10 poles clustered in an area [01:42:29] and this sort of visual pollution of utilities. [01:42:35] We'd rather have them spaced out in an appropriate way, not just from a visual standpoint, but also from a functional standpoint. [01:42:42] Sir? [01:42:43] Oh, Dr. Younger. [01:42:46] You're losing audience behind you. [01:42:48] If we could try to move this along, please. [01:42:54] That's really all I was going to address in the design standards. [01:42:58] I'm happy to dive into any of them more specifically if you have any specific questions. [01:43:03] But if not, I'll just go through the rest of the presentation. [01:43:08] So the rest of the sections, nine through 21, deal with how do you revoke a permit [01:43:19] if they're not in compliance with the requirements. [01:43:22] Termination of a registered provider if they're not in compliance. [01:43:28] The right to appeal, a decision that the development director has made would then go to the city manager [01:43:35] and then to the city council. [01:43:39] Twelve specifically addresses fees. [01:43:46] Thirteen addresses existing communication facilities. [01:43:49] Fourteen talks about insurance that the applicant would have to carry. [01:43:58] Fifteen is indemnification. [01:44:00] We have bonding in 16 and 17. [01:44:03] Eighteen provides for a security fund. [01:44:07] And just a quick point on the bonds and the funds. [01:44:11] You may be more aware of this than I am. [01:44:13] It was a little bit of an education for me. [01:44:15] But essentially the two bonds have to do with different specific types of construction. [01:44:21] So the construction bond that's set at $15,000 relates to an existing provider that's already registered, [01:44:30] has already done a project in your community, and it's for an individual project. [01:44:35] The performance bond, which is set at $250,000, is for specific uses. [01:44:41] One of them is an initial build, so it would be a new provider's first build, [01:44:45] or specific types of substantial building that are outlined in that section. [01:44:51] And then the security fund is more to do with discrepancies that are regulatory in nature. [01:45:00] of keeping with some compliance to these regulations. [01:45:04] That bond is set at, excuse me, [01:45:07] set at $25,000 and would obviously be for the city [01:45:11] to bring it into compliance if the provider were delinquent. [01:45:16] Number 20 addresses what if a provider [01:45:18] just abandons their facility? [01:45:20] What does the city have the rights and authority to do? [01:45:23] 21 is reserved. [01:45:25] And then the last section, which was added [01:45:27] after the Land Development Review Board meeting [01:45:30] are the exhibits that illustrate the standards. [01:45:36] So starting on page 43, these go through [01:45:40] and in the timeframe that we had available, [01:45:43] these are not simulations of city [01:45:45] of New Port Richey standard poles. [01:45:48] These are examples throughout the state [01:45:50] of different typical types of poles, [01:45:53] different typical types of installations [01:45:56] that would or would not be allowed per these standards. [01:46:02] I don't think there was anything that I wanted [01:46:04] to point out specifically about any of these images, [01:46:08] but I'm happy to answer any questions. [01:46:10] Thank you. [01:46:11] We're going to open it up for public comments. [01:46:14] Seeing none, bring it back to council. [01:46:16] Questions, comments? [01:46:19] Just since we're going to be creating a new revenue stream, [01:46:24] I would highly recommend to the manager [01:46:26] and the finance director that they create a new line item [01:46:32] in the budget, because it's going to be different [01:46:35] than the other service fee side, so you can track it. [01:46:39] And then fortunately or unfortunately, [01:46:42] it's going to be an item that's going to have to be audited. [01:46:47] So there'll have to be an inventory taken [01:46:49] and up-to-date records. [01:46:51] So all of those things fall back on the city, [01:46:57] and all you get is one bite at the apple [01:47:02] on the permitting or the communication service side. [01:47:08] But then you have to maintain that element going forward [01:47:13] unless there's a transfer or change or something. [01:47:16] You don't get a chance to every year. [01:47:19] It is a yearly fee. [01:47:20] So it is a yearly fee. [01:47:22] So yearly, every year, you get to come back to it, okay. [01:47:25] But once again, it's an item that's going to be, [01:47:30] it's going to be regulated, it's going to be revenue, [01:47:34] there's going to have to be a tracking element to it. [01:47:36] So it's another item, okay. [01:47:39] And the examples that you gave there, [01:47:41] I didn't really see that 28 square foot box [01:47:44] on the bottom of all those. [01:47:45] Are they incorporated in them in the poll? [01:47:49] No, they would have been hidden from view or screened [01:47:52] either nearby or within the right-of-way. [01:47:55] Buried? [01:47:56] In a lot of examples, [01:47:58] we would hope that they would be able to be buried. [01:47:59] Some of those, we really didn't focus [01:48:01] on the equipment side of it in the images. [01:48:04] They're described pretty specifically [01:48:05] in the design standards, [01:48:07] what the first case best scenario is, [01:48:10] and obviously the negotiation [01:48:12] that the city would go through. [01:48:14] But we did not include any images [01:48:18] of screening or undergrounding. [01:48:20] Obviously, undergrounding, you would see a sidewalk. [01:48:23] But we didn't give examples of screening. [01:48:26] Otherwise, you'd have a bunch of box [01:48:27] that look like those traffic control boxes downtown. [01:48:30] Yeah, that's what I'm saying. [01:48:31] Those pictures were not showing any of the boxes [01:48:34] like the first one. [01:48:37] And would we be prohibited from creating [01:48:41] some like Trump loyal designs for the boxes especially? [01:48:46] Not the polls necessarily. [01:48:49] Prohibited from creating some what designs? [01:48:51] The Trump, you know, where you see it's a box, [01:48:54] but really it fools the eye [01:48:55] and it looks like something else artistically. [01:48:59] I certainly don't know of any prohibitions. [01:49:01] And I've seen a lot of good examples [01:49:02] of equipment for various types of utilities [01:49:08] that cities have tried to use as opportunities [01:49:13] for public art to varying levels of success. [01:49:20] Any other? [01:49:21] Manatees, they all look like manatees. [01:49:24] Entertain a motion. [01:49:28] We have no other option at this point [01:49:30] other than to, yeah, move to approve. [01:49:34] To the maker. [01:49:36] No, it's ironic that, you know, years ago [01:49:38] when I first got on council, [01:49:39] the big issue we were talking about at that point [01:49:41] was cell towers and did we want them [01:49:42] or not want them in the city? [01:49:44] And now look at this leap forward [01:49:45] and this is something that's just foisted on us. [01:49:49] Second. [01:49:50] No, I have my questions answered. [01:49:52] Thank you. [01:49:52] Deputy Mayor. [01:49:53] I have no comments at this time. [01:49:54] Thank you. [01:49:55] Thank you. [01:49:56] Councilman. [01:49:57] In that case, all those in favor [01:49:59] on first reading ordinance 2117-2129,

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13. 9.c

    First Reading, Ordinance #2017-2128 - Code Amendment - Prohibiting Call Centers and Nicotine Dispensing Device Businesses in the Downtown District

    approved

    Council heard first reading of Ordinance #2017-2128, which amends the land development code to prohibit call centers and nicotine dispensing device businesses in the downtown zoning district and adds definitions for call center, drug paraphernalia, and nicotine dispensing device business. The motion to approve passed unanimously, with council also directing staff to look into a broader citywide ordinance similar to the county's regarding glass pipes/paraphernalia in convenience stores.

    Ord. Ordinance #2017-2128

    • motion:Motion to approve first reading of Ordinance #2017-2128 prohibiting call centers and nicotine dispensing device businesses in the downtown district. (passed)
    • direction:Council directed staff to look into a citywide ordinance, modeled on the county's, regulating sale of glass pipes/drug paraphernalia in convenience stores outside the downtown. (none)

    👤Davis👤Ms. Mance#Florida statute definition of drug paraphernalia#Land Development Review Board#Ordinance #2017-2128#Section 2.01.00#Section 7.11.02

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    [01:51:49] amending section 7.11.02, prohibiting call centers [01:51:53] and nicotine dispensing device businesses [01:51:57] in the downtown zoning district. [01:51:59] Amending section 2.01.00, adding definitions [01:52:03] for call center drug paraphernalia [01:52:05] and nicotine dispensing device business, [01:52:07] providing for severability, providing for codification, [01:52:10] and providing for an effective date. [01:52:12] Do we have a presentation on this, Ms. Mance? [01:52:14] We do not have a PowerPoint presentation [01:52:17] on this agenda item. [01:52:19] This item is being brought to you [01:52:22] at the request of council. [01:52:25] The land development code does not currently speak [01:52:28] to either address call centers [01:52:31] or nicotine dispensing centers in that case. [01:52:35] It is considered to be permissible [01:52:37] under a conditional use application. [01:52:40] And the recommendation to the land development review board [01:52:44] was that they be prohibited in the downtown area. [01:52:49] And we are asking that you consider [01:52:50] their recommendation favorably. [01:52:52] Thank you. [01:52:53] Open it up for public comment. [01:52:57] Seeing nobody coming forward, [01:52:59] I'm going to bring it back to council [01:53:00] and just give my personal opinion [01:53:04] and then I'll ask my colleagues to do the same. [01:53:07] I don't particularly care to see call centers [01:53:10] on ground floor. [01:53:11] I'm not sure that I care if they're in one [01:53:13] of the underutilized upstairs occupancies [01:53:18] that we've got in some of the buildings. [01:53:20] And I have no problem with prohibiting [01:53:24] nicotine dispensing device businesses downtown. [01:53:27] But personal opinion, so I'll toss that out [01:53:30] for my colleagues to think about. [01:53:32] Well, my personal opinion would be [01:53:34] that my experience with call centers, [01:53:36] whether they're on the second floor or the first floor, [01:53:38] are just not warranted for our downtown. [01:53:41] I think that there tends to be a lot of loitering, [01:53:44] breaks, employees take breaks, [01:53:46] cigarette smoking, all of that type of thing. [01:53:48] I just would rather not see them in town at all. [01:53:51] And the question I have about the prohibition [01:53:54] on the nicotine, would that then apply [01:54:00] to facilities or shops that are in the downtown [01:54:04] that might already have those types [01:54:07] of paraphernalia in them? [01:54:08] It would cover that as well. [01:54:09] Okay, thank you. [01:54:12] Any other initial comments? [01:54:14] Sorry to entertain a motion. [01:54:15] I'll move to approve. [01:54:18] Motion to approve. [01:54:19] Second. [01:54:20] To the second, to the make, or anything else? [01:54:22] No, I think, thankfully, that this is coming to us [01:54:26] and that it addresses those shops or stores [01:54:32] in the downtown currently that do have [01:54:33] some of the paraphernalia. [01:54:36] Thank you. [01:54:37] Thank you, to the second. [01:54:38] No, Mr. Mayor, I'm fine. [01:54:39] Deputy Mayor. [01:54:41] When you're referring to paraphernalia, [01:54:43] what exactly are you referring to? [01:54:44] Like rolling papers, like the cigar rolling papers, [01:54:47] or the actual, like, juice for the e-cigs, or? [01:54:49] Yeah, there's a couple of shops in the downtown [01:54:51] that, you know, in the guise of some other thing, [01:54:55] like it's a pen, but it's not really, it's a glass tube. [01:54:58] I think the chief might know what I'm talking about. [01:55:01] So there would be, that would be considered, [01:55:04] I think it would be considered. [01:55:05] And would there have to be anything misconstrued [01:55:08] with that, or can we determine that those items are? [01:55:11] Well, they disguise those items as normal things, [01:55:15] but you can see them in a number of the [01:55:19] lower area stores routinely now. [01:55:24] This is just for the, this is just addressing [01:55:26] the downtown district, right? [01:55:27] I'm just making sure I'm clear. [01:55:29] That's correct. [01:55:30] Okay. [01:55:31] And we did provide to you the Florida statute definition [01:55:35] of drug paraphernalia that we're using within the code. [01:55:39] We're adopting that definition [01:55:40] because the legislature has spent a lot of time [01:55:43] coming up with that, and we think we'll just defer [01:55:45] to their expertise with respect to that issue. [01:55:49] And just one more question for the chief [01:55:50] while we're on the subject. [01:55:51] So outside the downtown corridor, [01:55:53] if it's a convenience store, [01:55:54] can they sell glass pipes currently? [01:55:57] Well, there's an ordinance in the county. [01:55:58] The county doesn't allow it, do we allow it? [01:56:01] Honestly, I don't, off the top of my head, I don't know. [01:56:03] That's something we need to look into as well, [01:56:05] because as far as the glass pipes, [01:56:08] I know there's a convenience store around my house, [01:56:09] and they have a whole glass countertop filled with them. [01:56:11] You would think it was a head shop, not a convenience store. [01:56:14] I would like to see it where it's like the county ordinance [01:56:16] where they have to have a segregated area [01:56:18] within their store, and the children can't see it. [01:56:22] Oh, yeah, this is right next to the front counter. [01:56:23] Some serious fines associated with that. [01:56:26] No, they just imposed some serious fines [01:56:28] on a convenience store. [01:56:29] It's like per device, and it was like 100 bucks per device. [01:56:33] I mean, it was like tens of thousands of dollars, so. [01:56:35] I'm all for this, but that's something [01:56:37] I think we should look into as well. [01:56:39] Thank you, Councilman Davis. [01:56:41] Nothing. [01:56:42] I would agree if we could look at that [01:56:44] as a, not really related to this, [01:56:47] but to come up with that ordinance just across the board, [01:56:52] and look at what the county's done. [01:56:54] We will, Mr. Mayor. [01:56:55] Thank you. [01:56:56] Any further discussion? [01:56:58] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:57:00] Aye. [01:57:01] Opposed, like sign. [01:57:03] Motion passes. [01:57:04] Next is the 2015-2016 Street Improvement Project Bid Award.

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14. 10.a

    ↳You arrived here from a search for “U.S. Highway 19 Continuous Right Turn Lane” — transcript expanded below

    2015/2016 Street Improvement Project - ITB No. 18-001 Bid Award

    approved

    Council approved awarding ITB No. 18-001, the 2015/2016 Street Improvement Project, to low bidder DAB Constructors in an amount not to exceed $1,314,444.44, funded from City Street Improvement Account 701. Staff indicated a future change order may add streets to accelerate the 20-year Pavement Management Plan.

    • motion:Approve the project award and low bid from DAB Constructors not to exceed $1,314,444.44 for the 2015-2016 Street Improvement Project. (passed)

    📍Conger Street from Massachusetts Avenue to Louisiana Avenue📍Forest and Indiana📍Madison Street from Massachusetts Avenue to southern city limits at Cecilia📍Orito Park area🏢DAB Constructors👤Phelps👤Robert Rivera#20-year Pavement Management Plan#2015/2016 Street Improvement Project#City Street Improvement Account 701#ITB No. 18-001#Pavement Management Plan Cycle 1#U.S. Highway 19 Continuous Right Turn Lane

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    [01:57:10] Sir, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Rivera has a recommendation [01:57:13] for you this evening in that respect. [01:57:15] Thank you. [01:57:16] The request of staff for councils to review [01:57:18] and consider for approval the project award [01:57:21] and the low bid submitted by DAB Constructors. [01:57:25] It is a low bid in an amount not to exceed $1,314,444.44 [01:57:31] for the 2015-2016 Street Improvement Project. [01:57:38] We have worked with DAB Constructors in the past [01:57:42] several times with the U.S. Highway 19 [01:57:45] Continuous Right Turn Lane. [01:57:47] They have performed several DOT projects, [01:57:50] so we're very familiar with them. [01:57:52] The scope of work includes the Orito Park area, [01:57:57] Conger Street from Massachusetts Avenue [01:57:59] to Louisiana Avenue, Madison Street from Mass Avenue [01:58:04] to the southern city limits at Cecilia, [01:58:07] and then several neighborhoods south of Louisiana Avenue. [01:58:11] All of these streets were included [01:58:12] in the Pavement Management Plan Cycle 1. [01:58:16] The funding is identified and available [01:58:18] in the City Street Improvement Account 701. [01:58:22] We would ask that you would, or we would recommend [01:58:25] that you approve the low bid and the project award, [01:58:28] and we would expect that we would come back to you [01:58:32] during the project with a change order [01:58:35] that would include additional streets, [01:58:37] because I know that you had indicated [01:58:38] that if we could get the 20-year [01:58:40] Pavement Management Plan completed at a quicker pace [01:58:43] because of a good bid, [01:58:45] that we should take advantage of that. [01:58:47] So right now we're working with the engineer [01:58:49] to include additional streets to start that. [01:58:52] Very good, open it up for public comment. [01:58:55] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to Council. [01:58:59] Move for approval. [01:59:00] Second. [01:59:01] We'll have a motion and a second. [01:59:02] To the maker. [01:59:03] To the second. [01:59:04] Just a quick question, Robert. [01:59:06] You've identified those streets to be under this bid. [01:59:11] If there is a particular, [01:59:13] speaking specifically of Forest and Indiana, [01:59:17] right where the hospital is currently planning [01:59:20] to do their grand opening this Thursday night, [01:59:24] there is a huge hole in the road. [01:59:26] I'm not sure if it's a pothole or whatever, [01:59:28] but is that something that, [01:59:30] and this is an aside just to address that particular thing. [01:59:35] We're looking at such an incredible adjustment [01:59:39] to that facility, and then there's that. [01:59:42] Sure. [01:59:43] Thank you. [01:59:44] Thank you. [01:59:44] To the second. [01:59:47] Deputy Mayor. [01:59:48] Nothing. [01:59:48] Councilman Phelps. [01:59:49] Fine, Mayor. [01:59:51] Hearing no further discussion, all those in favor, [01:59:52] please signify by saying aye. [01:59:54] Aye. [01:59:55] Opposed, like sign.

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15. 10.b

    Professional Service Agreement - Professional Engineering Services 2018

    approved

    Council approved a one-year professional service agreement with Ayers and Associates to continue serving as the city engineer for fiscal year 2017-18, with a $40,000 appropriation. The firm has served as city engineer since 2007.

    • motion:Approve a one-year professional service agreement with Ayers and Associates for professional engineering (city engineer) services. (passed)

    🏢Ayers and Associates👤Chris Martin👤Ms. Mintz#FY 2017-18 city engineer services appropriation ($40,000)

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    [01:59:56] Next is professional service agreement for services. [02:00:00] Professional Engineering Services. Ms. Mintz. Mr. Mayor, this is the third year in a row that we are recommending [02:00:06] Ayers and Associates to serve as the city engineer. They have done so since 2007. [02:00:13] Mr. Chris Martin is the representative from the staff at [02:00:19] Ayers and Associates that has been designated as the city engineer. [02:00:24] His [02:00:26] services have [02:00:28] been high quality and we believe that the price [02:00:32] being requested [02:00:34] by Ayers and Associates to cover these services is fair and consistent with industry standards. They are [02:00:42] we included a $40,000 appropriation for city engineer services in the fiscal year [02:00:49] 17-18 budget and [02:00:52] we are recommending that you consider approving a one-year contract. Thank you. I'll open it up for public comment. [02:01:00] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [02:01:04] To the maker. Nothing. To the second. No, thank you. Councilman. No, sir. Deputy Mayor. Nothing. [02:01:13] That case, no further discussion. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. [02:01:18] Opposed, the like sign. Motion passes.

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16. 10.c

    Recommendation for In-Kind Support for Special Events

    tabled

    Council reviewed staff's recommended allocation of $55,000 in in-kind support across seven annual special events, with requests totaling over $86,000. After extensive discussion about loving Sims Park 'too much,' the value of family-oriented events, and the need for better data on community benefit, council tabled the item to allow more time to review event-by-event allocations.

    • direction:Council directed to table the item and continue working on event-by-event allocations rather than approving the staff recommendation as a single total. (tabled)

    📍5443 Main Street, New Port Richey📍7335 Chinaberry Court, Port Richey, Florida, 34668📍Sims Park🏢Kimley-Horn🏢New Port Richey Main Street🏢Orange Lake🏢Pit Boss🏢Rotary Club of Holiday🏢Suncoast News🏢Veterans Alternative🏢West Pasco Chamber of Commerce👤Chip Wickminowski👤Councilman Bill Phillips👤Councilman Davis👤Councilman Phillips👤Crystal👤Deputy Mayor Starkey👤Dr. Unger👤Kelly Hackman👤Mayor Marlowe👤Mr. Armstrong👤Ms. Menz#Chasco Fiesta#Cotee River Bike Fest#Cotee River Seafood and Blues Festival#Cultural Affairs budget#FY 2017-18 in-kind support budget#Holiday Card Lane#Holiday Street Parade#Kia Fest Main Street Blast#Night in the Tropics#River Lights Boat Parade#Veterans Alternative Freedom Fest#Winterfest Main Street Holidays

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    [02:01:21] Next is a recommendation for in-kind support for special events. Ms. Menz. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor. [02:01:26] Last year the city budgeted [02:01:30] $55,000 to cover the expenses [02:01:33] associated with the city's in-kind support of our annualized special events. [02:01:39] This year's requests were in excess of [02:01:44] $86,000. [02:01:45] We have again [02:01:47] recommended and [02:01:49] budgeted for the [02:01:51] 17-18 fiscal year in the amount of $55,000 to support those recommendations. [02:01:59] 55,000, yes. In [02:02:02] August [02:02:03] you approved the Veterans Alternative Freedom Fest [02:02:07] celebration and [02:02:10] at that time you approved an appropriation in the amount of [02:02:15] $6,022.50. [02:02:20] The remaining funds I have [02:02:24] distributed as follows as a recommendation to you to consider [02:02:29] Cody River Bike Fest [02:02:32] $4,000, the Holiday Street Parade [02:02:35] $2,500, the Chasco Fiesta [02:02:39] $30,000, the Cody River Seafood and Blues Festival [02:02:44] $5,000, [02:02:45] KIA Fest Main Street Blast [02:02:48] $5,000, and the River Lights Boat Parade and Winter Fest Main Street Holidays event at an appropriation of [02:02:56] $3,000. As you can see in large part, I tried to trim minimally [02:03:02] the budgets of our annual events rather than [02:03:09] taking a larger hit at [02:03:13] one specific event. [02:03:19] One of the factors taken into consideration in [02:03:23] determining the amount of appropriation is what other city funds are used to support the event and [02:03:30] in the case of Main Street, the city makes a [02:03:34] $15,000 appropriation each year to support the operation of the program and [02:03:40] in the case of the Chamber of Commerce, we believe that we extend a low rent rate to them for use of our building. [02:03:48] With that, [02:03:51] we are recommending that you consider approval of [02:03:55] the recommendation. [02:03:59] I have a question. [02:04:01] Ms. Manns, is $55,000 an arbitrary? I mean, how did we determine that? We just, that was what was the... [02:04:11] In 2017, that was what we budgeted and we spent it all, and so we appropriated [02:04:16] $55,000 for fiscal year 2017-18. [02:04:22] I'm going to open this up for public comment. [02:04:33] Good morning, I think. [02:04:36] Good evening, Mayor Marlow, [02:04:39] Chip Wick, Minowski, [02:04:41] 7335 Chinaberry Court, New Port Richey, Florida, 34668, or [02:04:45] 5443 Main Street, New Port Richey, West Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Good evening, Mayor Marlow, Deputy Mayor Starkey, Council Members, [02:04:52] City Manager, and our City Attorney. [02:04:55] Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you this evening on behalf of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce. [02:05:00] This chamber truly appreciates the support this City Council and all your employees provide us on a regular basis. [02:05:07] We know that the level of success for our events and the [02:05:10] experience of the events that they experienced, the positiveness, would not be possible without your support, and we thank you very much. [02:05:17] The recently held Cody River Bike Fest and our upcoming Holiday Street Parade [02:05:21] shine a bright positive light on our city and on our surrounding West Pasco community. [02:05:26] These events are part of the long-standing tradition of our area. [02:05:29] This past weekend's ceremonial lighting of the New Port Richey Christmas tree and the Holiday Card Lane throughout Sims Park and our continuing [02:05:37] partnership with New Port Richey Main Street and Dr. Unger's Winterfest provided ultimate exposure to our beautiful Sims Park. [02:05:44] Economically, our local businesses fared very well this past weekend and during Bike Fest. [02:05:49] Tonight, as you consider the proposed recommendations for event support to be provided by this Council, [02:05:55] we ask that you please consider increasing the support recommended to you. Not necessarily just for us, [02:06:00] but for all. This chamber, as well as the other nonprofit organizations that conduct events within the city, [02:06:06] depend upon the proceeds to maintain and operate their existing structures. [02:06:10] We realize that everyone's costs have risen over the years, [02:06:13] but we ask that you please look at the positive impact all these events provide and see if there is a way [02:06:19] to find more money to increase your in-kind funding. Thank you for your [02:06:24] consideration in this matter. Thank you. Anyone else? [02:06:30] Seeing no one else come forward, I'm going to bring it back to Council. I have a question before we get going. Sure. [02:06:37] Is the [02:06:38] culture affairs [02:06:40] funding that we ended up having excess last year, can any of that be applied in this case? [02:06:45] There's 20, right? Yes, it could be [02:06:48] transferred into this account, and the current appropriation and the cultural affairs budget is $20,000. The last year and this year? [02:06:56] The total is $20,000. [02:06:57] There was $25,000 last year, and they did not spend it all, and this year we reduced [02:07:05] their budget to $20,000. So how much carried over from last year? Nothing gets carried over. Okay. [02:07:10] It just gets applied in a thing. It gets it gets all rolled in in that [02:07:15] unappropriated or unfunded area. We had all those conversations at the time we approved a budget, but yeah, [02:07:24] it isn't itemized [02:07:26] well. It's just [02:07:28] unencumbered funds that roll back into this year's operating budget, the way I understand it. [02:07:35] That would be correct. Yeah, let me... [02:07:38] I'm sorry. [02:07:39] Chopper, were you finished? I'm sorry. I just would like to get the numbers again. [02:07:44] It was $55,000, and the request was somewhere, what, $80,000? [02:07:49] $86,000. [02:07:51] How did...so the veterans of [02:07:56] Alternative, they just want the in-kind that they got last year. Is that why it came down to $22,500? [02:08:04] $6,000, $22,500? [02:08:07] Actually, when they submitted [02:08:10] their request to host the event in August, that is the amount of [02:08:16] funding that they requested and you approved. [02:08:20] Their costs are actually closer to $10,000 for the event. [02:08:26] Anything else, Councilman? No, go ahead. [02:08:35] I was just going to see if we could maybe go down by each event and talk about them individually, [02:08:43] because I think there's pros and cons for each event and how much we allot for each separate event. They bring different [02:08:52] things to the city. If that's acceptable to everybody. Go ahead. Deputy Mayor, go ahead. [02:08:57] No, Councilman Phillips wanted to speak, so go ahead. [02:08:59] Yeah, this, [02:09:01] obviously, this is the kind of [02:09:05] backup budget information that I would have loved to have or to have some range of this [02:09:13] when we were in the budget season. [02:09:18] Because now we're into the new budget. [02:09:24] We did a fantastic event, brand-new, [02:09:30] and now because of the dollars that we've [02:09:36] allocated, [02:09:38] we're kind of, it's not penalizing, but it's the reality of the world that we only budgeted $55,000. [02:09:44] So there's, as Mr. Starkey talked about, we can talk about them individually, [02:09:49] you know, you know, and not vote them up or vote them down, but the other is, is that, [02:09:55] you know, we're, [02:09:58] it's kind of backwards again, but that's, that goes without saying, but I said it anyway. [02:10:04] And from my standpoint, [02:10:07] earlier tonight we were talking about [02:10:10] additional audit dollars, and there's a [02:10:14] $131,000 contingency budget, [02:10:18] contingency funds in the budget, as well as some other funding on page [02:10:24] 123, I believe it was, that speaks to, I think it was, overage costs for health insurance. So to me, [02:10:33] if we're going to itemize them, Jeff, I think that not only do you have [02:10:40] cultural fair dollars, but you have other dollars that you can allocate [02:10:46] to try to get to that, and then you've got the next agenda item that talks [02:10:51] totally on a different, on a different subject. So I, I agree with you that we ought to, [02:10:58] we've created our own [02:11:01] element here. We've created, we've created success. [02:11:04] We've created success. And to me, [02:11:09] the only thing that I would do if we do decide to, to make some reallocations, is I [02:11:15] really, really want to see from every group the itemization of the money [02:11:22] they raise, and where it's going back in the community. Because if I'm going to spend more money, if I'm going to [02:11:28] be on board to be more civic-minded for these events, [02:11:34] I want to know, and I want anybody else that sits up here to know, I want staff to know, [02:11:40] I want anybody else that comes to me and questions, why did you add X? [02:11:45] It's because it generated these kind of dollars back into these nonprofits that were, that were, that were [02:11:53] reinvested in the community on things that we can't do ourselves, and nor do we want to do them. [02:12:00] We want those entities to address those [02:12:04] systemic issues in our community with these dollars [02:12:08] they raise, and we give them the most beautiful platform to do it off of in [02:12:12] Sims Park, and with the help of our police department, our rec center, public works, [02:12:18] fire department, and then all the city staff that goes into that. [02:12:21] So I think that, that if that's the case, then we need additional [02:12:27] benchmarks so that we can feel confident on what the overall impact is in the community. [02:12:37] Which is going to be tough. [02:12:41] Yeah, I just wanted to, full disclosure, I'm on the Rotary Club of Holiday, and [02:12:47] Mr. Armstrong spoke before very eloquently, I thought, [02:12:51] to the idea that we really do have an incredible city that has a phenomenal park. [02:12:58] So the venue is so appropriate, as we all saw just this past year, with all these six, [02:13:05] six or seven [02:13:07] events. We have a spectacular park. When the weather cooperates, we have bar none [02:13:14] events that rival any in any other city. And I really hate the idea of us [02:13:24] pitting, if that's the right, that to use Mr. Armstrong's name, word, [02:13:29] with these different organizations, which I think clearly they have all proven themselves to be [02:13:35] first and foremost [02:13:37] wanting to propose, to produce quality events for our city. [02:13:41] And I think they all bring to the table all kinds of excellent ideas in [02:13:49] helping that bottom line on every one of the organizations to be more efficient, more effective. [02:13:55] I'm thinking now, more than ever, we've seen a wonderful [02:14:01] camaraderie among the entities that host events in our city. [02:14:05] And I think that they are to be commended, because I think ultimately all of them, who essentially are volunteers, [02:14:13] want to see these events excel and put our city in its best light. [02:14:18] So I really want to just preface that by saying this past year, I think the events [02:14:23] went above and beyond, and every one of them, I think, exceeded anyone's expectations. [02:14:29] To hear the [02:14:32] remarks that came to us at the end of each of these events, and in particular, so pleased with the [02:14:39] result of the Veterans [02:14:41] Freedom Fest, and then this last event this past weekend, just [02:14:46] tremendous. And I really want to applaud [02:14:50] the city for having the venue, and then these organizations that are willing to do what they do to make them so well. [02:14:57] Thank you. [02:15:00] Councilman Phillips, if you build it, they will come, right? [02:15:02] Well, we've built it. [02:15:04] I'm going to spend my entire communications talking about [02:15:07] quality of life on the county level. [02:15:09] But just based on an article real quick in the Suncoast [02:15:12] News, and I'll dive much deeper into it [02:15:15] during communications. [02:15:18] The county currently is spending 1% of their annual budget [02:15:21] on cultural and recreational facilities, [02:15:25] which is parks, athletic parks, county parks, and libraries. [02:15:29] 1% of the budget. [02:15:30] I just got with Crystal on our break. [02:15:33] We're spending in the city roughly 10%, [02:15:36] 10 times the amount on our budget for parks and rec [02:15:38] and libraries. [02:15:39] So we as a city have created this beautiful park [02:15:43] that a lot of people that are on these boards, [02:15:46] these nonprofits, use to raise money [02:15:49] for the nonprofit events the way I see it. [02:15:52] And there's no other venue to use in West Pasco County. [02:15:56] I mean, I can't think of one. [02:15:57] I can't think of a county park. [02:15:59] So we built it. [02:16:00] But what we have to be cognizant of [02:16:01] is that when we're looking at these in-kind donations, [02:16:07] it's the city's taxpayers that are [02:16:09] paying to support these in-kind donations [02:16:13] that many, many people that live outside the city [02:16:15] are benefiting from. [02:16:17] So I've made it clear, I think, over the last year or so, [02:16:20] I'm all about events in the city. [02:16:22] But I want events that are going to, [02:16:25] I'm not saying if you don't live in the city limits, [02:16:28] we don't want you coming by any means. [02:16:29] But I think we have to be very, very careful [02:16:31] that when we're using city taxpayers' dollars, [02:16:35] that we're looking at the events that benefit the city [02:16:38] residents the most. [02:16:40] And that's why I'd like to go through item by item. [02:16:42] One thing that just sticks out to me, [02:16:44] after this Winter Wonderland and Boat Parade, [02:16:48] where is it on here, River Lights Boat Parade Winterfest, [02:16:53] they asked for $5,000. [02:16:55] We gave $3,000. [02:16:57] But you have the Veterans Affair. [02:16:58] And that event was incredible. [02:17:00] We talked about it earlier today, the amount of kids [02:17:02] and families in the park. [02:17:04] If I visit, I mean, we had kids from my son's and daughter's [02:17:07] soccer teams that had never been to an event in Simms Park. [02:17:09] We told everyone we could about it. [02:17:11] And so many people came. [02:17:12] And it was such a family-friendly, cool [02:17:14] atmosphere. [02:17:15] I think that people that have been to an event like that [02:17:18] in our park during the holidays for the first time, [02:17:20] like Mr. Armstrong said, sparked some interest [02:17:25] as far as families wanting to move into our city and families [02:17:30] that take pride in, like I keep saying it, [02:17:32] take pride in where they live and their community. [02:17:35] And so I'm glad we have this venue. [02:17:37] And we pat ourselves on the back, the city as a whole, [02:17:40] Kimley Horn, for creating such an awesome, awesome venue. [02:17:45] But there's some in here that I think [02:17:47] we should give a little more. [02:17:48] And some, I'm not sure if I want to give as much to. [02:17:50] So I'd just like to maybe, that's just [02:17:52] one thing that sticks out to me. [02:17:55] The Cote River Bike Fest, we gave $6,217. [02:17:59] We lauded. [02:17:59] Chip wants, West Pasco wants $10,000. [02:18:04] We're recommending $4,000. [02:18:06] To me, $4,000 is low. [02:18:07] The Bike Fest is, this is just my opinion, [02:18:10] a very, very unique and cool event. [02:18:12] And it does benefit some of our city businesses. [02:18:15] But like the mayor had pointed out in a couple of meetings [02:18:18] ago, people like Kelly Hackman just basically shut their, [02:18:21] and you know Kelly, basically shut their business down [02:18:23] because it prevents her from making money. [02:18:25] So I think those are the kind of things we have to look at. [02:18:28] But I like the Bike Fest. [02:18:29] I like having it here. [02:18:30] I'm not trying to chase you all out by any means. [02:18:32] And I'd like to give you more than $4,000. [02:18:34] That's one thing. [02:18:35] As far as if I'm comfortable with $10,000, I don't know. [02:18:38] But I mean, do you want to go? [02:18:39] I know it's late evening. [02:18:40] But rather than just approving one total figure, [02:18:44] I'd like to really look at it event by event. [02:18:47] And if we look at the events, Cody River Bike Fest, [02:18:51] if you look at their application, [02:18:53] they're showing a profit of $54,000, [02:18:56] which raises the question to me, why are we [02:18:59] bothering to provide any support for an event that [02:19:04] is making money hand over foot? [02:19:07] And I know we've got 2 thirds of our budget allocated [02:19:15] to Chasco. [02:19:16] And as much as I enjoy Chasco, I've [02:19:18] been very vocal and very upfront that I [02:19:22] think we ought to be cultivating a lot of smaller one-day things [02:19:29] that don't necessarily involve shutting down [02:19:32] the whole city for extended periods of time. [02:19:35] And throwing massive festivals in Sims Park. [02:19:40] Councilman Phillips has rightly pointed out [02:19:43] that we've had the park, I think his term was loved too much, [02:19:52] particularly in the spring months, [02:19:54] when you start with Chasco. [02:19:58] And by the time we get to the Kia Fest in July, [02:20:02] the park hasn't had a chance to breathe, I think, [02:20:04] for a free weekend. [02:20:07] And I'm not sure what we spent on sod and other stuff [02:20:11] at the end of that period to finally get [02:20:13] the park looking decent again. [02:20:15] But we went months without the park literally [02:20:19] having an opportunity to recover it. [02:20:23] And I think Councilman Phillips described it very eloquently. [02:20:28] We're loving it too much. [02:20:31] So I don't want to take on the Chasco folks. [02:20:37] I really don't. [02:20:39] But when we've got $55,000 and we've got a tight budget, [02:20:47] yes, we can burn reserves and we can scrunch money. [02:20:51] It's not reserves. [02:20:54] Or the money we've allocated for rainy days, [02:20:58] we can do that to pick up some of this other stuff. [02:21:02] But the bottom line is, how much do [02:21:08] we want to spend to encourage more [02:21:11] overutilization of Sims Park? [02:21:13] And I have to wonder. [02:21:17] I'd rather see smaller things and stuff [02:21:19] that's like this past weekend that's designed for the kids [02:21:24] and bringing the families into town. [02:21:27] Like you said, the Holiday Street Parade, [02:21:29] that's a big event. [02:21:30] There's a lot of people there. [02:21:31] And that's West Pasco Chamber. [02:21:33] And we're only allotted $2,500 for that compared [02:21:35] to the Veterans Parade, which didn't [02:21:38] have nearly as many people. [02:21:39] That's allotted $6,022. [02:21:41] To me, that's way off balance. [02:21:45] And if you look at these, the Holiday Street Parade, [02:21:49] the River Lights Boat Parade, Winter Fest, and the Kia Fest, [02:21:57] and maybe Kia Fest is on the edge, [02:22:01] but these are basically events without any obvious source [02:22:06] of support. [02:22:10] And particularly when you're talking [02:22:12] about the Christmas Street Parade and Boat Parade [02:22:17] and Winter Fest, those do not get the big sponsorship dollars [02:22:23] necessary to pull off an event that's [02:22:27] going to attract a lot of kids. [02:22:29] And as Mr. Armstrong pointed out, [02:22:31] the kids don't have disposable income. [02:22:33] No, without Pit Boss, it wouldn't have happened. [02:22:35] And I think personally, that's where [02:22:39] I'd like to see us spending our money is on events like that. [02:22:42] And these other events, and that would include Chasco, [02:22:47] that would include the Bike Fest, [02:22:53] where they've got obvious sources of other sponsorships [02:22:56] dollars, they need to hit up those other sponsors. [02:23:02] I don't believe it is the role of the city of New Port Richey to basically underwrite stuff that should be. [02:23:12] And apparently, at least in the case of the report [02:23:16] we got on the Bike Fest, was very successful [02:23:20] from a financial standpoint. [02:23:24] I just don't see it. [02:23:25] I don't think the Bike Fest made the chamber [02:23:27] that kind of money, if I remember correctly. [02:23:29] Just a little comment. [02:23:30] But to go along with what Bill said, [02:23:34] this needs a lot more work than us to sit up here one night [02:23:37] and go through these and pick out once and hash it over. [02:23:42] I think Bill's idea about the monies that they spend, [02:23:46] the monies that they donate to the community [02:23:49] is a real good idea, things that we look at. [02:23:51] And we should be looking at this during the budget season. [02:23:54] So my first thought is to recommend [02:23:57] that we fund this just the same as we did last year. [02:24:00] Maybe add three, five. [02:24:02] You put a number on it for the veterans alternative [02:24:05] and take that out of culture affairs [02:24:07] and let's work on this for many more hours [02:24:10] instead of trying to pick it out at 9.30 at night. [02:24:13] And that's my proposal. [02:24:16] To your point, Mr. Davis, [02:24:18] the fact that we did decrease the budget [02:24:22] for cultural affairs, so there is that 5,000. [02:24:25] I think it's really an important statement [02:24:27] that we're making to our community. [02:24:29] The fact that we encourage the process [02:24:34] of that Veterans Day, it's not only that parade, [02:24:38] it was the event. [02:24:39] Don't forget, it was a two-day activity, a two-day event. [02:24:42] And I think that, again, 35,000 veterans [02:24:45] in our local community, there was such an impressive [02:24:51] compassion on their part for... [02:24:58] They were just so moved. [02:24:59] And I think that as a community, as a city, [02:25:02] the fact that we have Orange Lake with our veterans there, [02:25:08] that it just was an obvious extension [02:25:12] for us to welcome them and honor them. [02:25:15] So I think that is something that we need to applaud. [02:25:19] The other thing is, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Davis, [02:25:23] it's a tough time of the night and time of the year [02:25:26] to be thinking about decreasing any of these events [02:25:32] in the funding, and especially to remember [02:25:34] that these events bring the quality of life to the city. [02:25:39] I had several people who contacted me today [02:25:41] that they said they were not able to come to the event, [02:25:44] I mean, to this evening, that said, [02:25:47] this is why I live in the city, [02:25:49] because we have the quality events [02:25:51] that our residents can walk into our downtown [02:25:55] and experience, as well as to be so pleased [02:25:59] and proud of the fact that this is our city [02:26:02] and a city of our size is able to produce, [02:26:07] because these organizations are willing to make the effort [02:26:11] and the sacrifices that they make [02:26:13] to make these events happen. [02:26:14] So I would be in agreement to at least shift [02:26:19] that additional monies from Cultural Affairs [02:26:22] into these events. [02:26:23] Councilman Phillips, any thoughts? [02:26:26] Yeah, one, the hour's late and you can bounce all these. [02:26:31] I do agree with one thing that's in this, [02:26:35] is that I really do think that the Main Street group [02:26:41] needs to, the Night in the Tropics, to me, [02:26:45] has always been a hit or miss event. [02:26:48] I think they eliminated it. [02:26:50] Well, but there was a requested amount for five grand, [02:26:54] Ms. Manns gave them nothing, I said I'm agreeing with that. [02:26:58] I know it's late in the evening, [02:27:00] but so that one would come off the list. [02:27:03] I'm okay with that. [02:27:06] I really, and I'm in agreement, [02:27:09] if we want to move the Cultural Affairs dollars over, [02:27:12] and then, you know, none of these events [02:27:16] are going to happen until March. [02:27:22] Is that when Chasco is, the end of March? [02:27:24] Oh, that's true. [02:27:25] Yeah, it's the end of March. [02:27:27] I mean, it's moved up again. [02:27:28] Last year it was St. Paddy's weekend or something. [02:27:31] So to me, we've got this information, [02:27:35] it's good information. [02:27:37] We've already said that we can do a budget amendment [02:27:41] or a budget reallocation. [02:27:43] Put that money over, that'll give us a dollar amount. [02:27:46] And then in January, I don't want them to come and lobby me. [02:27:51] I don't want them to dance, you know, [02:27:53] the jig and do all that. [02:27:54] I just want to look at the quality elements. [02:27:57] And then in January, we can look [02:28:00] and see where their requests are. [02:28:03] They may be able to answer one or two questions [02:28:05] so we can be on point. [02:28:07] And then we can, we'll have dollars. [02:28:09] We already know what we've already recommended. [02:28:13] So anything above that's going to be good or better. [02:28:18] So I just think that collectively, [02:28:21] we can help to get there. [02:28:23] And that's the way that I would look at it tonight [02:28:27] with this information in front of us, Mr. Mayor. [02:28:30] Thank you. [02:28:32] We're already past the public comment point. [02:28:35] The only thing that's before then, [02:28:36] would the Holly Street Parade though, [02:28:39] are they have enough funding to have it this year? [02:28:41] So we're not concerned with it right now? [02:28:43] Okay. [02:28:44] If you, I'm even up for having a work session [02:28:47] and go over per event, because if you want to, [02:28:49] but I agree with Councilman Phillips. [02:28:50] I mean, budget season is just, we have a lot going on [02:28:55] and we may, it may have been brought to our attention [02:28:58] that we allocated 55 for in-kind, [02:29:00] but I don't remember. [02:29:01] And like I said, it may be me hearing [02:29:04] that there's a request for more up to this amount. [02:29:06] So then to come and look at it now, [02:29:08] after the fact that they're requesting more, [02:29:10] it's kind of, it's tough for me. [02:29:11] Ms. Mance, when did the requests get? [02:29:14] Two weeks ago. [02:29:16] And that's why. [02:29:17] So, you know, so it's tough for us. [02:29:19] The events were given a deadline date [02:29:21] and all of the event organizers [02:29:23] did not get the requests in on time. [02:29:26] And they were finally all submitted two weeks ago. [02:29:28] And can we try to, for the fiscal 18-19, [02:29:35] start dealing with this? [02:29:37] Yeah, we bumped up the date for next year based on [02:29:39] the fact that we had a hard time getting information. [02:29:41] First of the year type early? [02:29:44] No, I didn't bump it up that far, [02:29:45] but I'd be willing to, Mr. Mayor. [02:29:47] Really, I... [02:29:48] Well, ideally, Mr. Mayor, you're absolutely right. [02:29:51] What you could do is you could look at it [02:29:53] as a two-year allocation. [02:29:55] And in the case... [02:29:56] And deal with it now and then say, [02:29:58] here's where we are. [02:30:00] prove your point and then at budget time you already know what your additional, is that [02:30:04] kind of? [02:30:05] Yeah, exactly. [02:30:09] And I know Crystal's still working on audit from a year and a half ago, but realistically [02:30:17] within the next 30 days I'm going to guess that she's already starting to think about [02:30:22] what's happening for fiscal year 18-19. [02:30:26] It is not too early in January to be looking at the numbers for that and that way when [02:30:33] we get seated down and we have that workshop and start talking about the things that we [02:30:40] want to support and how we want to support them, that we can come up with a number and [02:30:46] instead of trying to cram a number that appears a month into the fiscal year, we've got [02:30:57] numbers that we know that this is what we did last year, this is what the groups that [02:31:03] think they want to do something would like us to help them out with this year. [02:31:07] And let's plan that so that when we get to the budget season, come May-June, that these [02:31:15] numbers are already incorporated into that budget number before we ever get to a final [02:31:21] budget. [02:31:22] Is that what you're talking about right here, 17-18? [02:31:24] Yes. [02:31:25] We don't have to decide tonight, that's what we're saying. [02:31:28] Yeah, well let me say you're getting into 18-19 in this time. [02:31:32] And that's what Councilman Phillips has said, are we talking about let's work this through [02:31:36] and do a two-year thing and just basically figure out this is what we're going to do [02:31:41] over the course of the next two years and be done with it. [02:31:45] Work this out. [02:31:46] And again, we don't necessarily... [02:31:47] I'm just saying, just for my own reference. [02:31:49] Yeah, we don't necessarily need to do it tonight. [02:31:51] The other thing that we need to leave, like say take the whole Cultural Affairs Board [02:31:56] money and put it in with the $55,000 because we found out this year we have an event that [02:32:01] came along that we would have loved to throw some money at, veterans. [02:32:04] So I don't want to take the whole $20,000 and throw it into the $55,000 to make the [02:32:09] $80,000. [02:32:10] Well, there may be other places that we can get the money to do what we want to do with [02:32:15] special events that aren't necessarily coming out of the Cultural Affairs Committees. [02:32:18] Right. [02:32:19] But also, when we start looking at these people's numbers, it's the same thing we do at the [02:32:22] Tourist Development Board. [02:32:24] At some point, we want to start weaning these people off us so that they can start supporting [02:32:28] them. [02:32:29] And if they can't support themselves, then why are they doing this? [02:32:32] Exactly. [02:32:33] Okay. [02:32:34] Mr. Mayans, the last thing is if they are doing this, and obviously they have large [02:32:39] sponsors, in a couple of these cases, they do drive tourist dollars. [02:32:46] So I'd like to know if they're submitting requests to the group that came here. [02:32:53] Because to the gentleman that was here at the last meeting, Mr. Davis, who was it? [02:32:57] Adam Thomas. [02:32:58] Adam Thomas. [02:32:59] Because they've changed people a few times. [02:33:01] And if there's any way that we can assist in letting them know what the numbers are, [02:33:07] because as Mr. Starkey is going to talk about, the woefully underfunding of their park and [02:33:15] recreation departments and the libraries, obviously, and the proverbial large allocation [02:33:25] of dollars to the wide open spaces of Central Pasco for all of those amenities, you know, [02:33:34] we've kind of driven that plus the bed tax here for X amount of years. [02:33:39] Well, just one thing about the Tourist Development Board. [02:33:43] Their money that they receive from the Tourist Development Board has to be spent on advertising [02:33:48] and has to pretty much be out of the county. [02:33:51] So just a little side note. [02:33:53] A little different than ours. [02:33:54] Yeah. [02:33:55] And I think the motive is different as well. [02:33:58] I think that, again, if we look at these events that are taking place in our city, a lot of [02:34:03] them are keyed around our particular city. [02:34:08] And the organizations that are hosting them are doing them for the quality of life issues [02:34:14] that a city of our size is presenting. [02:34:18] So when you go to a small town and you see a city the size of New Port Richey hosting [02:34:23] the kinds of events that we're hosting, that should be a source of pride for us. [02:34:29] There are some cities that host this type of events, and they're the ones that are footing the bill. [02:34:34] The city of Lakeland does an event like Dr. Unger did, and the city pays for that. [02:34:39] Clearwater does an event like that, and the city of Clearwater is paying it. [02:34:43] We are really blessed to have organizations in our community that are willing to do it [02:34:47] for less than we could possibly do it and still keep the quality up. [02:34:52] That's a good point. [02:34:54] I would like, if we're going to talk about that, and the impact. [02:34:59] I saw it today as I was looking to it, and I can't find the exact sponsorship app, [02:35:05] but one of the apps was suggesting that the economic impact was millions of dollars. [02:35:13] With no supporting it, it strikes me as being a number that was pulled out of thin air. [02:35:21] I don't recall. [02:35:22] I was thinking it was the Cody River Bike Fest, and it was not. [02:35:25] It was one of the others that made that assertion. [02:35:30] It might have been. [02:35:32] If I might say something as well, on behalf of the event coordinators, [02:35:37] they would most likely very much appreciate the fact that they'd be looking at an event. [02:35:43] For instance, we're talking about an event that's going to be taking place in March and then in April. [02:35:47] You've got to do your year ahead of time, so they would be most appreciative [02:35:51] if they knew ahead of time what they could anticipate. [02:35:54] That's why I'd like to see us get this nailed down early next year for the following fiscal year [02:36:01] so that these guys know. [02:36:03] Even that's not a whole lot of lead time for the Bike Fest, because the Bike Fest comes up in October. [02:36:12] If we do this in January, that's eight months of lead. [02:36:17] Yeah, it's tight on that. [02:36:22] So to wait until we get right up to the event a month out and say, oh, well, here's the money, [02:36:28] that doesn't make sense for the organizers at all. [02:36:33] Can I ask Ms. Manns if she has direction from us? [02:36:38] Work session in January? [02:36:39] Yes, sir. [02:36:40] Councilman, I understand the directive of the Council. [02:36:44] That would be most helpful, and I think it would help the event organizers as well. [02:36:49] Anything else on this? [02:36:53] Thank you. [02:36:55] The next item is a request for funding from the Ritchie Suncoast Theater for Elf the Musical.

    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.

17. 10.d

    Request for Funding by Richey Suncoast Theatre for Elf the Musical

    approved

    Richey Suncoast Theatre requested $16,450 from the Cultural Affairs Committee to fund a production of Elf the Musical in Sims Park. After the Committee and staff initially recommended denial due to the request exceeding most of the $20,000 annual budget, the theatre revised the plan to host the show at the theatre instead, reducing the request to $5,000. Council approved the $5,000 appropriation.

    • motion:Move to approve a $5,000 appropriation to Richey Suncoast Theatre for the Elf the Musical production at the theatre. (passed)

    📍Sims Park🏢Richey Suncoast Theatre🏢Valerie Theater👤Bertie Higgins👤Bob👤Councilman Davis#Christmas/holiday downtown festivities#Cultural Affairs Committee funding#Elf the Musical

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    [02:37:06] Mr. Mayor, the Ritchie Suncoast Theater submitted a request to the Cultural Affairs Committee [02:37:15] to fund the production of Elf the Musical in Sims Park. [02:37:25] The Cultural Affairs Committee, in respect to the fact that the funding request was for $16,450 [02:37:36] and their budget for the fiscal year is only $20,000, recommended to you that the application be denied. [02:37:47] Since that time, I have had some discussion with representatives who are in the back row [02:37:57] from the Ritchie Suncoast Theater, and they've indicated that if you allow them to host the event at the theater, [02:38:05] they could reduce the cost to $5,000. [02:38:08] To five or by five? [02:38:10] To five. [02:38:13] In large part because they wouldn't need sound and lights, and they could hone in on some other incidental expenses [02:38:22] if it were at the theater instead of Sims Park. [02:38:28] Well, we were not requiring them to host it in Sims Park. [02:38:31] I mean, their option was to do it in the theater. [02:38:34] Let's open it up for public comment. [02:38:37] Seeing as I saw two people getting up and wanting to come down to talk to us. [02:38:42] If the city clerk, I put some of these up there. [02:38:45] Would you hand those out? [02:38:49] This kind of explains, I think, when I met with the city manager, I didn't have this. [02:38:56] And this kind of explains our need for the cost more. [02:39:02] And our application was dated February 27th, by the way, on this. [02:39:08] February of 2017, so that was in last fiscal year's budget. [02:39:14] Correct. [02:39:15] And then the Cultural Affairs Committee had their meeting on it in June, which was last fiscal year, [02:39:22] for an event that's happening in the December time frame. [02:39:26] Is that correct? [02:39:27] Okay. [02:39:28] And our original, we were originally supposed to be doing this along with the city, [02:39:34] and things got dropped. [02:39:39] The Cultural Affairs Committee didn't meet, and so we didn't hear anything. [02:39:44] And so we were going to put the show on anyway, [02:39:49] and so we eliminated the park from the thing because of the $9,000 [02:39:56] that's required for the lights and the sound system. [02:40:00] And that's the part that we thought that the city was going to pick up and help us with mostly, [02:40:09] is the lights and sound, because there was supposed to be another event going on at the same time. [02:40:17] All right. [02:40:18] And so that's not happening. [02:40:20] So we omitted the sound and the lights. [02:40:23] The sound and the lights, that was $9,000, and that brought it down to $74.50. [02:40:29] And then we talked more about it, and we came to $5,000, I think. [02:40:37] And we arrived at that because when we were looking at the outline here of the various tasks that cost money, [02:40:53] when we get to the director, musical director, I think there was some confusion there because that was a $2,000 item. [02:41:00] And really, I want to point out on this little, whatever you call these, pieces of paper, [02:41:07] that the director and music director are two separate issues from our executive director of the theater. [02:41:16] And so it's cheaper for us to have it in the theater, [02:41:20] and it's something that we can do at the last minute as opposed to not hearing anything back for so long. [02:41:29] The mystery, we just had to take some of the mystery out, which eliminated the $9,000 instantly. [02:41:38] So that's where we are. [02:41:40] We're still going to put the event on. [02:41:42] In any case, we're going to charge $5 a person for the event so it's affordable to everybody, [02:41:49] and it's for children. [02:41:51] And you can see that it's mainly children that's in it, a lot of children. [02:41:56] And there's a lot of costumes. [02:41:58] When you look at the amount for costumes, it looks a little high. [02:42:03] But when you have this many kids to dress, I think that's probably why it's as high as it is, you know. [02:42:11] And so this late, while I'm still awake, I see y'all are still wide-eyed. [02:42:18] Not wide-eyed, but awake. [02:42:21] Mr. Mayor, can we ask a few questions? [02:42:26] Sure. [02:42:27] So, and obviously you've got some royalty rights fees that you have to pay for the program. [02:42:33] We have to do that. [02:42:34] You've got to, just like if you play certain music, you've got to do the BMI, [02:42:38] and all that other stuff that comes along. [02:42:39] Exactly. [02:42:40] So initially it was 16-4, and then obviously in an outdoor setting you had much more challenges. [02:42:50] And it appears that when the original dates were selected, you're actually going to do it Friday, [02:42:57] and then there'd be the street parade, and then Sunday. [02:43:00] Am I getting the timeline correct? [02:43:03] I think it was Friday and Saturday originally, but because of the street parade, we moved it to Sunday. [02:43:09] Sure, to make it a weekend element. [02:43:12] Yeah, so now we're doing it on Friday and Sunday. [02:43:15] You know, obviously it's benevolent that, you know, in my mind, [02:43:22] because obviously your hard costs are going to be about $7,400. [02:43:27] And I understand with all the stuff back and forth and doing all those things, [02:43:32] and it was going to be a quasi-sponsored event. [02:43:36] And I guess the good thing is that I've seen some real positives from the theater recently [02:43:43] about some of the things that you're going to be doing now and then into the new year. [02:43:47] I mean, you know, I just, you know, I don't want a front row seat to Bertie Higgins, [02:43:52] but I'll take a balcony because I used to see the movies there when I was growing up. [02:43:56] But, I mean, so from that standpoint, I'd like my colleagues to obviously see where the math is. [02:44:02] And, you know, I think if you can draw, how many is that? [02:44:07] How many seats? 350? [02:44:09] 330. [02:44:10] 330? [02:44:11] 337. [02:44:12] So you got kids downtown and across the street and all that stuff twice. [02:44:18] And, you know, kids may not have money to spend, but mom and dad that they drag, baby, [02:44:23] they know how to get into your pocket pretty good. [02:44:25] And if the police department has his other stuff there and fire truck, heck, you can make a whole day out of it. [02:44:31] But I appreciate that. [02:44:33] I apologize for the communications and stuff and back and forth because obviously, however that happens, [02:44:42] it comes back, it lands to us because we're the, you know, this is where it needs to land. [02:44:47] And I'm disappointed in that point, but I think it's a great musical event. [02:44:54] And I think it'd be nice to add to our Christmas festivities downtown. [02:45:00] go to decorations and everything else, [02:45:02] so to go along with these two weekends. [02:45:05] Actually, we kind of like having it at the theater as well [02:45:09] because it keeps people downtown. [02:45:12] And I think that the benefits, [02:45:14] it benefits the businesses downtown as well. [02:45:17] Advertising this? [02:45:19] Pardon me? [02:45:20] Is this already being advertised? [02:45:21] It is already being advertised, yes it is. [02:45:23] I spoke to people that are going already. [02:45:25] I'm sorry? [02:45:26] I spoke to several people that are going already. [02:45:28] So you must have- [02:45:29] Do we have the ticket? [02:45:29] We have tickets. [02:45:31] Friday, I don't know. [02:45:31] They said they're going Friday night, [02:45:32] a bunch of people I know. [02:45:33] Okay, good. [02:45:34] Yeah, it's gonna be a very popular, [02:45:37] you know when we did it in the park last year, [02:45:39] I went and it's maybe, [02:45:41] I was talking to the city manager about it, [02:45:43] and it might be the coldest I've ever been in Florida. [02:45:47] And those kids were there with not anything [02:45:50] on their legs or anything, [02:45:51] and I'm like, whew, must be great to be young. [02:45:54] I can't even remember that anymore. [02:45:56] You would have a repeat this week. [02:45:58] Let me open it up for public comment [02:46:00] before we get too far into the council discussion. [02:46:02] Anyone wish to address council on this? [02:46:07] Thank you, seeing none, [02:46:08] we'll bring it back for full discussion here. [02:46:11] I just have a couple questions. [02:46:12] Do you have any sponsors for this? [02:46:15] How would you typically fund an event of this type? [02:46:20] We were gonna fund this with sponsorship [02:46:22] with the city and ticket sales. [02:46:25] And still, we're doing that very, [02:46:29] that's exactly how we're doing it. [02:46:32] So there's no other outside sponsors [02:46:34] other than you looking at the city? [02:46:35] No, we have no other outside. [02:46:37] We've never, we were never gonna have any other, [02:46:40] if we'd have known, you know, back in February, [02:46:44] that we would have these challenges, [02:46:46] we would have looked, maybe. [02:46:48] But we didn't, no. [02:46:50] I believe we have, Deputy Mayor? [02:46:53] I have one more question, yeah. [02:46:55] So was Cultural Affairs requested denying this [02:46:59] because of the request for the 16,000? [02:47:01] It was of their 20. [02:47:04] Yeah, their budget was 20. [02:47:06] Right, and so asking 16-4, they were not? [02:47:10] Yes. [02:47:11] Willing to appropriate nearly their full budget. [02:47:13] And then what was the staff's [02:47:17] considerations behind that as well? [02:47:18] Same issue? [02:47:20] Because I thought I read that the staff is, [02:47:25] yeah, staff is requesting denial, [02:47:27] and so is Cultural Affairs. [02:47:28] So it's just based on that. [02:47:29] We're recommending that you approve it [02:47:32] for a $5,000 appropriation. [02:47:33] Oh, okay, all right. [02:47:35] Deputy Mayor? [02:47:35] Move for approval. [02:47:37] We have a second? [02:47:39] Second. [02:47:40] Thank you, to the maker. [02:47:41] This is a family-oriented event that we talked about [02:47:44] that we want to start doing more of in our downtown. [02:47:46] And there's gonna be a bunch of kids in the play, [02:47:48] there's gonna be a bunch of kids attending the play. [02:47:50] It's Christmas time, it's a holiday time, [02:47:51] and it's great. [02:47:53] The second? [02:47:54] Yeah, I agree. [02:47:55] Like I said, I possibly would have talked about [02:47:58] splitting that difference between the other 2,400 [02:48:02] just as a, I don't know, maybe an inconvenience charge [02:48:06] because it didn't get communicated well and all that. [02:48:09] And obviously trying to be what I would be, [02:48:12] fair and equitable. [02:48:13] But if five's gonna work, I would do that. [02:48:16] And that's the reason for my second. [02:48:20] We'll make it work. [02:48:21] I know you will, Bob. [02:48:22] Councilwoman? [02:48:27] You know, it's an event that's coming this coming weekend. [02:48:32] Yeah. [02:48:35] I love the idea that it's an event that's family-friendly [02:48:37] and all of that. [02:48:38] I just, I'm having difficulty with the 310 Ds [02:48:42] versus the $5,000 sponsorship. [02:48:45] It seems like the return on the investment is not great [02:48:48] if that's what we're looking at. [02:48:50] The idea that you're doing it in the theater, [02:48:52] I appreciate that because I think that that's probably more [02:48:56] where this would work better, so. [02:49:00] Councilman? [02:49:01] Yeah, I'm in favor of this. [02:49:02] I just would like Ritchie Suncoast Theater [02:49:04] to challenge itself for more events [02:49:07] than just the, call me right or wrong, [02:49:10] the half a dozen plays that you put on a year. [02:49:13] We're working on doing a lot more things [02:49:16] than we have in the past. [02:49:17] You know, we've met some challenges this year [02:49:20] because of trying to enter into another location [02:49:25] to do black box events and stuff like that. [02:49:28] And the challenges there were great. [02:49:34] And so we have to overcome some of that. [02:49:40] And then we're still moving toward [02:49:43] doing what you're recommending. [02:49:45] Because I visit the Valerie Theater regularly [02:49:49] and they have a wide range of things to do. [02:49:53] Well, we'll be having more. [02:49:54] We'll be having a lot more. [02:49:56] That's our plans. [02:49:58] And we just have to overcome [02:50:01] what we went through this summer. [02:50:04] Adversity. [02:50:05] Yes, thank you. [02:50:06] And a little bit of inertia maybe. [02:50:08] I was tempted to predicate my support [02:50:11] based on a promise of more events during the week. [02:50:14] But Bertie Higgins is a good start. [02:50:16] So let's see how successful that is [02:50:20] and hopefully replicate it with some other stuff. [02:50:23] Yeah, that would work for me. [02:50:25] So thank you very much. [02:50:27] Okay, thank you. [02:50:27] I'd ask to come back. [02:50:29] That may be a little harder. [02:50:33] Although if we have ghost tours in the Hacienda, [02:50:35] maybe not so much. [02:50:38] If there's no further discussion on this, [02:50:40] all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [02:50:42] Aye. [02:50:43] Opposed, like sign. [02:50:45] Three minute report on technology. [02:50:50] Good evening, mayor and council. [02:50:53] Over the past several months, [02:50:54] Technology Solutions has been working on several projects. [02:50:57] We recently completed the microphone upgrades [02:51:00] in council chambers. [02:51:01] So for those who are still with us at home, [02:51:03] they're getting great audio quality. [02:51:08] Moving forward, [02:51:09] we're excited to launch the new city website [02:51:11] along with the mobile app. [02:51:13] In further discussion with the city manager, [02:51:15] we're gonna do that as a transition with the new year. [02:51:18] So that'll go live that first week of January. [02:51:21] And then with Tyler Technologies, [02:51:23] we continue to move forward. [02:51:25] We are in the second month [02:51:26] of our HR and payroll deployment. [02:51:29] That is a six month deployment. [02:51:31] So we hope to have that section of Tyler live by April. [02:51:35] I kind of wanted to touch base on that a little bit. [02:51:38] Councilman Starkey had asked a question, [02:51:40] I believe, last meeting [02:51:41] with regards to the timeline to that project. [02:51:43] So that was a three year scoped project. [02:51:47] The finance module is supposed to take eight to 12 months. [02:51:51] HR and payroll, six to eight months. [02:51:53] Intergov, eight to 12 months. [02:51:55] And then utilities, eight to 12. [02:51:57] What we're doing now that we do have the finance module live [02:52:01] and the other modules require that in order to move forward [02:52:04] is we're moving forward with the HR payroll, [02:52:07] Intergov and utilities all concurrently [02:52:10] so that we can advance that project forward [02:52:13] and continue to move forward on it aggressively. [02:52:16] So we continue to work that. [02:52:17] We hope to kick off with utilities in February. [02:52:20] And then the last item that I have [02:52:22] is the Recreation Aquatic Center improvements. [02:52:25] The data lines were punched down [02:52:27] for that facility last week. [02:52:28] So we hope to get that segment of the network up and running [02:52:32] and start moving staff members into offices [02:52:34] as early as this week. [02:52:37] Thank you. [02:52:38] Now to the part of the meeting that I [02:52:41] think everybody's been looking forward to for a while now, [02:52:43] communications and reports. [02:52:44] Councilman Davis. [02:52:46] I just want to reiterate what's been said about the parade [02:52:49] this weekend and the whole event in the park. [02:52:51] It was just beautiful. [02:52:54] Something that can have that many people [02:52:56] and maybe not do the damage in the park [02:52:57] that you alluded to earlier. [02:53:00] Looking forward to this weekend. [02:53:02] Deputy Mayor. [02:53:04] On Tuesday of last week, I attended a county workshop [02:53:07] for the Parks and Rec and Library, [02:53:08] along with Andy from our library department [02:53:11] and Elaine from Parks and Rec, and Smith from Parks and Rec. [02:53:15] As usual, when I'm passionate about something, [02:53:17] I was quite vocal. [02:53:18] But I feel like I held my tongue pretty quick [02:53:20] so everyone else could speak. [02:53:22] It was in a small room. [02:53:23] There were representatives from the county, [02:53:25] the assistant county administrator was there, [02:53:27] reps from Parks and Rec, from the library. [02:53:29] And the county right now has a, if you [02:53:33] go to their website in Parks and Rec, [02:53:34] there's an online survey you can take. [02:53:36] I've found myself becoming an advocate for this [02:53:39] over the last month or so. [02:53:41] But one, an acronym you're going to hear a lot more of between [02:53:44] now and January 30, which is when the county is scheduled [02:53:47] to have a workshop, is Municipal Service Tax Unit. [02:53:51] It's a funding source that the county is looking [02:53:54] into to generate funding for the Parks and Rec culture [02:53:59] aspect of the county, sports facilities, parks, [02:54:02] and the libraries. [02:54:03] Right now, the county, just like I spoke about earlier, [02:54:08] our budget right now is a little over 10%. [02:54:10] The county's budget is 1%. [02:54:12] They were blaming it, correct me if I'm wrong, [02:54:15] blaming it on the recession and everyone's bouncing back. [02:54:17] Well, as a soccer coach for competitive soccer [02:54:20] with both my children, I go to sports facilities [02:54:23] all over the Tampa area. [02:54:24] Already this year, since this summer, [02:54:25] I've been to Jacksonville, a 500-team soccer [02:54:28] tournament in Jacksonville. [02:54:29] Just got back from Lakewood Ranch, [02:54:30] where there are two incredible facilities within like seven [02:54:34] miles of each other. [02:54:35] Fishhawk Ranch in Hillsborough has a beautiful facility. [02:54:38] I'm talking soccer fields, football fields, baseball, [02:54:42] softball, everything you can need. [02:54:44] Huge parking lot. [02:54:47] Just nice, nice facilities. [02:54:49] Hillsborough has, I kind of compare Hillsborough [02:54:52] north and south to our east and west. [02:54:54] They have Edratis in the north and Fishhawk Ranch [02:54:57] in the south. [02:54:57] But every surrounding county has these huge facilities [02:55:01] for recreation and youth sports events, and we don't. [02:55:05] And like I said at the meeting, the other teams [02:55:08] don't like coming to Pasco. [02:55:10] If there's an article in the Suncoast News [02:55:12] I urge you all to read, and then there's [02:55:13] a quote from me in there. [02:55:14] We're literally a laughingstock. [02:55:16] Youth sports teams and coaches and families that don't live [02:55:20] here don't like coming to Pasco because there's nowhere to park. [02:55:22] Our fields are worn out. [02:55:24] The bottom line is we need much larger sports facilities. [02:55:27] As we learned at our meeting with the county and the city [02:55:31] of New Port Richey, they are currently based on, [02:55:35] this figure came from Catherine Starkey who got it [02:55:37] from their master plan, Parks and Rec and Libraries master [02:55:40] plan that was completed July of 16, $14 million behind [02:55:44] in maintenance and repairs. [02:55:45] And if you're like Brian and I and you're [02:55:47] at these facilities on a regular basis, [02:55:48] you can see how that adds up pretty quick. [02:55:51] The state average right now, we spend on a county basis, [02:55:56] for this funding, half of the state average. [02:55:59] It currently boils down to $13.89 per household [02:56:05] that we charge to fund our libraries, sports [02:56:07] facilities, and county parks. [02:56:09] It's absurd that we're only using 1% of the budget. [02:56:13] Here's a couple of quotes from Keith Wiley. [02:56:15] This is in the paper, so I'm not just calling him out. [02:56:17] He's the county's natural resources manager. [02:56:20] If budget funding remains the same, quote, [02:56:22] we won't have enough money to maintain what we have, [02:56:26] let alone the population growth. [02:56:28] Both departments are getting ready to hit the wall. [02:56:30] We are like in a very, very deep hole. [02:56:32] We are way, way behind on the county level. [02:56:35] And I know this is a city council meeting, [02:56:37] but we also pay county taxes. [02:56:39] We're county residents. [02:56:40] So I urge you to get this information out [02:56:43] to all of your friends and family. [02:56:45] Get their opinion. [02:56:45] Tell them to go to the county website, read. [02:56:48] They have a 14-page summary of the master [02:56:50] plan for Parks and Rec. [02:56:53] Currently, I'm not going to mention names, [02:56:55] but the commission is pretty split [02:56:56] from what I can see leading into this workshop in January. [02:57:00] Some of the commissioners wanted to go to a referendum. [02:57:04] It will not pass a referendum. [02:57:06] When you're elected, this is just my opinion, [02:57:08] to city council or to a county commission, [02:57:10] the people that voted for you are [02:57:15] trusting your ability to make tough decisions [02:57:18] on behalf of the city as a whole or a county as a whole. [02:57:21] To set this to referendum, to me, is, in my opinion, [02:57:25] irresponsible. [02:57:26] No one ever votes for higher taxes. [02:57:27] We determine as a city that we didn't have enough money. [02:57:30] We had not been budgeting for decades for enough money [02:57:33] due to our paving assessment and to pave our roads. [02:57:36] If we sent that to referendum, would it have passed? [02:57:38] Absolutely not. [02:57:39] Did we make a difficult decision and vet it as best as we could [02:57:43] and impose that fee on our citizens [02:57:45] because it needed to be done? [02:57:47] Yes, we did. [02:57:48] And I urge the county to do the same. [02:57:49] This does not have to go to referendum. [02:57:52] The county commission has the power and the ability [02:57:55] to impose a municipal service tax unit to generate funds just [02:57:59] for parks and rec, cultural and recreation [02:58:02] activities in the libraries. [02:58:05] So go on the county website. [02:58:07] Read the summary. [02:58:08] Read what you're reading in the newspaper. [02:58:10] Suncoast News is going to have the first article. [02:58:12] But we really, really, really need this as a county. [02:58:15] I keep hearing the same term, Premier County. [02:58:18] We want to be a Premier County. [02:58:19] It takes money to be a Premier County. [02:58:22] The deluxe package that they're proposing [02:58:24] with the municipal services tax unit [02:58:26] is $8.12 a month per household. [02:58:28] That is less than $100 a year. [02:58:31] And that's a deluxe package. [02:58:32] That has to be on pace for the $150 million [02:58:34] they say we're going to need over the next 10 years. [02:58:36] So that's one large cup of coffee at Starbucks [02:58:38] and maybe a Danish. [02:58:40] I mean, we can make this happen, and it needs to happen. [02:58:42] So I'm just using this public forum right now [02:58:44] to get the word out. [02:58:45] You're going to hear a lot more about it [02:58:46] between now and January 30. [02:58:48] But I urge you, if you're in favor of this as I am, [02:58:51] the county needs to step up to the plate. [02:58:54] And when I say the county, I mean, [02:58:55] we have to set the goals higher, the standards higher, [02:58:59] and do what needs to be done to become the Premier County [02:59:03] that everybody talks about. [02:59:05] It's going to hit some people harder than others. [02:59:07] I realize that. [02:59:08] But there's tough decisions that need to be made. [02:59:10] And I really, really believe it does not [02:59:12] need to go to referendum. [02:59:13] The County Commission has the power to impose this. [02:59:16] And they say, well, we're going to look [02:59:17] into other funding sources. [02:59:18] Why haven't they been doing that in the last 10 years [02:59:21] of the recession and as we've gotten out of this recession? [02:59:23] The sales of the bed tax raised $12 million. [02:59:26] Just real quick, while I'm up here, [02:59:29] back to the referendum vote. [02:59:30] $12 million for the bed tax, the tourism bed tax, [02:59:34] is going towards a new facility in Wesley Chapel [02:59:36] for an outdoor sports facility. [02:59:37] That is very much needed. [02:59:39] I'm not against that facility. [02:59:40] But if I live in Wesley Chapel and this goes to referendum, [02:59:43] why am I going to vote to pay an extra $100 [02:59:45] when I have the facility that I want in my backyard? [02:59:47] Senior citizens that don't utilize these facilities [02:59:49] and don't see the overall picture [02:59:52] and how it could have an impact on our economy [02:59:54] are not going to vote yes or a higher [02:59:56] tax on this in a referendum. [02:59:57] I urge the County Commissioners to make the tough decisions. [03:00:00] and go ahead and impose this because it needs to be done. [03:00:03] It's going to have a huge, huge impact on our economy. [03:00:06] Like I said, we went to a Jacksonville soccer tournament, [03:00:08] took 13 teams from West Pasco soccer, and there were 500 teams in this tournament. [03:00:12] Every hotel within 20 miles was booked. [03:00:15] The potential is there to bring money into our county, [03:00:19] and all these people are moving along the 52-4 and 52-6 corridor, a lot of young families. [03:00:23] We don't have the venues right now. [03:00:25] What's going to happen two, three, four, five years from now when they've all moved in? [03:00:28] We're going to be a laughing stock. [03:00:30] We're going to be playing catch-up just like we're doing on our infrastructure with the roadway east to west [03:00:34] when we allowed all this construction without the roadway to support it. [03:00:38] And we're dealing with that right now on the NPO board, and it's not easy. [03:00:41] We have to be proactive rather than reactive, and it's a very, very important issue. [03:00:45] So I just urge anyone that's watching or watches this back to get involved,

    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.

18. 10.f

    Three Minute Report: Technology Solutions

    Councilman gave a brief report responding to Commissioner Starkey's comments about county tax/parks funding, urging the county to commit to building youth parks in the north, south, and west sides rather than concentrating spending in the middle of the county. He also commented on the recent parade, which he missed but praised based on photos shared.

    👤Starkey#bed tax#municipal tax#parade#youth parks

    ▶ Jump to 3:00:48 in the video

    ▸Show transcriptHide transcript

    Auto-transcript · machine-generated, may contain errors

    [03:00:50] reach out to your county commissioners, attend the workshop on the end of January. [03:00:54] It's really, really important, and it's going to have a very positive impact on our county if we can make it work. [03:00:59] That's all I have. [03:01:00] Thank you. [03:01:01] Thank you. [03:01:02] Councilman. [03:01:05] Mr. Starkey, I appreciate your passion on that. [03:01:08] Obviously, the municipal tax basis is one mechanism that they can use, [03:01:15] but the citizens of New Port Richey are going to tell you we've already stepped up. [03:01:21] We're already doing it. [03:01:23] So they're going to get double taxed. [03:01:25] But at the end of the day, I don't mind them doing it. [03:01:29] I just want them to be on record that they're going to build something in north, south, and the west side. [03:01:42] I just want them to agree on something and follow through because, you know, [03:01:49] I've seen them take money, and they've taken that bed tax money, and now it's in the middle of the county. [03:01:54] And I agree that youth parks are woefully underdone, so I appreciate that. [03:02:04] I wasn't in town this weekend for the parade. [03:02:08] All the pictures that were shared and stuff gave me an opportunity to really brag on my city to a lot of different people, [03:02:18] especially over in Orlando where I was at. [03:02:21] I was down in Pinellas County later that evening and then the next day. [03:02:27] It was really neat for them to kind of walk through and see that. [03:02:30] And so I can tell you a couple of years ago when the park had a nice turnout, what that really is like at night. [03:02:38] It really is impressive, and it really is nice. [03:02:41] And it was glad to see that it was such a mix of people.

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

19. 11Communications▶ 3:02:43
20. 12Adjournment▶ 3:11:24
21. 9.d

    First Reading, Ordinance #2017-2126 - Code Amendment - Mobile Food Vending Regulations

    First reading of a code amendment establishing mobile food vending regulations.

    Ord. Ordinance #2017-2126

    #Mobile Food Vending
22. 9.e

    First Reading, Ordinance #2017-2127 - Code Amendment - Repealing Mobile Vending Regulations

    First reading of a code amendment repealing existing mobile vending regulations.

    Ord. Ordinance #2017-2127

    #Mobile Vending