On the agenda

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

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Procedural opening: confirmation of quorum, Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for servicemen.

   ▶ Jump to 0:15 in the video

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   [00:00:15] We have a quorum. [00:00:15] I'd like to ask everybody to please stand, join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, [00:00:19] and remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of our servicemen at home and abroad. [00:00:24] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, [00:00:28] and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, [00:00:33] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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3. 3

   Moment of Silence

   Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence observed.

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   [00:00:24] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, [00:00:28] and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, [00:00:33] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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4. 4

   Approval of January 18, 2022 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Council approved the minutes from the January 18, 2022 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting.

   • motion:Motion to approve the January 18, 2022 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting minutes. (passed)

   ▶ Jump to 0:40 in the video

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   [00:00:40] Thank you. [00:00:41] You may be seated. [00:00:44] Next item is the approval of the January 18th special and regular meeting minutes. [00:00:48] Move for approval. [00:00:49] Second. [00:00:50] Any discussion? [00:00:52] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:00:55] Aye. [00:00:56] Opposed, flag sign. [00:00:57] 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.

5. 5Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 0:58
6. 6.a

   Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes - December 2021

   approvedon consent

   Council approved the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes from December 2021 as part of the consent agenda.

   • motion:Motion to approve the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes from December 2021. (passed)

   #Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes - December 2021

   ▶ Jump to 4:44 in the video

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   [00:04:48] Move for approval. [00:04:50] Second. [00:04:52] Any discussion? [00:04:53] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:04:56] Aye. [00:04:57] Opposed, like sign. [00:04:59] Motion passes.

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7. 6.b

   Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval

   approvedon consent

   Council approved purchases/payments as presented on the consent agenda without discussion.

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

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   [00:04:48] Move for approval. [00:04:50] Second. [00:04:52] Any discussion? [00:04:53] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:04:56] Aye. [00:04:57] Opposed, like sign. [00:04:59] 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.

8. 7.a

   Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2247: Voluntary Annexation for JEA Property Holdings, LLC and Hudson Bay Developers, LLC

   approved

   Second reading of Ordinance 2022-2247, a voluntary annexation of approximately 18.9 acres on Seaforest Drive west of Elizabethan Lane (south of South Road) for JEA Property Holdings, LLC and Hudson Bay Developers, LLC. No changes since first reading; applicant team appeared briefly and the ordinance was approved unanimously by voice vote.

   Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2247

   • motion:Motion to approve second reading of Ordinance 2022-2247 annexing the JEA/Hudson Bay property. (passed)

   📍6327 Grand Boulevard, Newport Richey📍Seaforest Drive west of Elizabethan Lane🏢2GH Solutions🏢Hudson Bay Developers, LLC🏢JEA Property Holdings, LLC🏢Razor Transportation Consulting👤Barbara Wilhite👤John Moody👤Mike Razor👤Mr. Cornelius👤Mr. Murphy👤Ms. Mance👤Nick Palamas#Chapter 171 Florida Statutes#Ordinance No. 2022-2247#Voluntary Annexation

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   [00:05:00] Next is the second reading of ordinance number 2022-2247. [00:05:06] This is ordinance number 2022-2247, an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, [00:05:11] Florida, providing for annexation of the within-described tract of land located [00:05:15] on Seaforest Drive west of Elizabethan Lane in Pasco County, Florida, [00:05:19] and contiguous to the existing city limits of the city of New Port Richey, [00:05:23] as legally described in Exhibit A attached hereto, [00:05:25] providing for amendment of the corporate boundaries of the city in accordance [00:05:28] with Chapter 171 Florida statutes providing for conflict, [00:05:31] severability, and an effective date. [00:05:34] Thank you. [00:05:34] Ms. Mance, do we have any changes since the first reading? [00:05:37] We do not have any changes since the first reading, which occurred back in December. [00:05:45] And we do have the applicant present this evening, [00:05:48] JEA Holdings and Hudson Bay Developers. [00:05:52] And Mr. Cornelius has prepared a PowerPoint. [00:05:55] If you would like us to go through that for you this evening. [00:05:59] But basically, it is a voluntary annexation of 18.9 acres of property that is located [00:06:10] on both the east and west sides of Seaforest Drive, just south of South Drive, South Road. [00:06:20] Pardon me. [00:06:23] Member of Council want to listen to the presentation again? [00:06:26] Do they want to say anything themselves? [00:06:30] I guess they do. [00:06:31] And Barbara Wilhite also is representing the plan. [00:06:40] Good evening. [00:06:41] Barbara Wilhite, 6327 Grand Boulevard, New Port Richey. [00:06:45] Proudly have my office in your city. [00:06:47] I am here with my client, Nick Palamas of Hudson Bay and JEA Holdings. [00:06:54] The rest of our team, Mike Razor, Razor Transportation Consulting, [00:06:57] and John Moody, 2GH Solutions. [00:06:59] And we are just so excited about this project. [00:07:02] We hope you annex it and you approve the other items tonight. [00:07:05] Your staff has been amazing to work with, and we look forward [00:07:08] to seeing this project all the way through construction. [00:07:10] Thank you. [00:07:11] Thank you. [00:07:11] When do you, if we say OK tonight, when do you think you'll put the shelves in? [00:07:18] It's a spike plan approval. [00:07:22] Oh, back on us again. [00:07:26] We'll open this up for public comment, if anyone wishes [00:07:28] to address Council on this matter. [00:07:32] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to Council. [00:07:35] Move for approval. [00:07:36] Second. [00:07:38] To the maker? [00:07:39] No, I'm really happy to come. [00:07:40] To the second? [00:07:42] I like the project. [00:07:43] Second, second? [00:07:44] Same. [00:07:45] Same here. [00:07:46] Mr. Murphy, anybody? [00:07:48] In that case, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:07:51] Aye. [00:07:52] Opposed, like sign. [00:07:53] 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.

9. 7.b

   Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2248: Small Scale Future Land Use Amendment from County RES-24 to City MF-HDR-24 for 18.9 Acres on Sea Forest Drive

   approved

   Council held the second reading of Ordinance 2022-2248, a small scale future land use amendment changing the designation of approximately 18.9 acres on Seaforest Drive from Pasco County RES-24 to City MF-HDR-24, to enable development of 32 townhomes and 50 apartments. The motion passed with no public comment.

   Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2248

   • motion:Motion to approve Ordinance 2022-2248 on second reading, amending the future land use designation for ~18.9 acres on Seaforest Drive from Pasco County RES-24 to City MF-HDR-24. (passed)

   📍Parcel 0726160090 001000020📍Parcel 072616009003000020📍Seaforest Drive, south of Seagull Drive👤Mr. Altman👤Mr. Cornelius👤Ms. Manns#Land Development Review Board#MF-HDR-24#Ordinance 2022-2248#Pasco County RES-24#Small Scale Future Land Use Amendment

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   [00:07:54] Next is second reading ordinance 2022-2248. [00:07:58] This is ordinance number 2022-2248, an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing for a small scale amendment of the future land [00:08:05] use map of the city's adopted comprehensive plan, [00:08:08] providing for a change in the land use designation [00:08:10] for approximately 18.9 acres of property voluntarily [00:08:14] annexed into the city, generally located on Seaforest Drive, [00:08:17] south of Seagull Drive, having parcel identification numbers 0726160090, [00:08:24] 001000020, and 072616009003000020, as shown on the map attached here [00:08:34] to his exhibit A, and legally described herein, [00:08:36] providing for the amendment of the land use designation for said property [00:08:40] from Pasco County RES-24 to HDR-24, providing for conflict severability [00:08:45] and an effective date. [00:08:47] Ms. Manns? [00:08:47] As indicated by the city attorney, the purpose of the agenda item [00:08:51] is to assign a future land use classification [00:08:56] to the property of HDR-24, which will allow [00:09:01] for the development of the property, which [00:09:04] calls for the establishment of 32 townhomes and 50 apartments. [00:09:13] We have a PowerPoint, but it's very similar to the one [00:09:16] you saw at the first hearing. [00:09:18] So if you care not to see it again, we'll let Mr. Cornelius stay in his chair. [00:09:22] See the second PowerPoint again. [00:09:26] Seeing no one raising their hands, we'll open it up for public comment. [00:09:31] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to council. [00:09:34] Move for approval. [00:09:35] Second. [00:09:36] Nothing. [00:09:37] The second? [00:09:38] No. [00:09:38] Mr. Altman? [00:09:40] No, we went through this under the first reading, [00:09:42] and I don't see anyone here to object. [00:09:46] No, Land Development Review Board reviewed this in detail [00:09:49] and voted unanimously to approve it. [00:09:52] I think it's a good project. [00:09:54] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:09:57] Aye. [00:09:58] Opposed, like sign. [00:09:59] 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. 7.c

    Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2249: Rezoning of 18.9 Acres on Sea Forest Drive to Planned Development District - Residential

    approved

    Council held the second reading of Ordinance 2022-2249, rezoning approximately 18.9 acres on Sea Forest Drive from Pasco County Multifamily High Density (MF2) to Planned Development District - Residential (RPD). Staff noted the PDD designation gives the city greater control over environmental features and that the actual development density will be significantly less than what could be permitted. The ordinance passed on a voice vote.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2249

    • motion:Approve second reading of Ordinance 2022-2249 rezoning 18.9 acres on Sea Forest Drive to Planned Development District - Residential. (passed)

    📍Parcel ID 07-26-16-0090-00010-0020📍Parcel ID 07-26-16-0090-00030-0020📍Sea Forest Drive, south of Seagull Drive🏢Wade Trim👤Altman👤Brad Cornelius👤Ms. Mance👤Murphy#Land Development Code Zoning District Map#Ordinance 2022-2249#Planned Development District (PDD)#Residential Plan Development Subdistrict (RPD)#Transfer of density rights

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    [00:10:01] Next, the second reading ordinance 2022-2249. [00:10:04] This is ordinance number 2022-2249, an ordinance [00:10:07] of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing for amendment of the Land [00:10:10] Development Code, LDC Zoning District Map, [00:10:13] providing for rezoning of approximately 18.9 acres of property, [00:10:16] generally located on Seaforest Drive, south of Seagull Drive, [00:10:19] having parcel identification number 0726160090001000020 [00:10:26] and 0726160090003000020, as shown on the map, [00:10:33] attached to year two as Exhibit A and legally ascribed herein, [00:10:35] providing for amendment of the Zoning District, [00:10:37] designation for said property from Pasco County Multifamily High Density [00:10:43] District, MF2, to Plan Development District, PDD, [00:10:47] Residential Plan Development Subdistrict, RPD, [00:10:50] providing for development as provided in the site plan attached to year two [00:10:53] as Exhibit B, providing for termination, providing for conflict, [00:10:56] severability, and effective date. [00:10:57] Ms. Mance. [00:10:59] As indicated by the city attorney, and I'll say it much slower, [00:11:06] but the purpose of the agenda item is really [00:11:09] just to establish a zoning designation for the property. [00:11:13] And the zoning designation that was recommended by the Development Review [00:11:18] Committee and then again in turn by the Land Development Review Board [00:11:24] was to establish the land as a planned development district, which [00:11:30] affords the city the most amount of control [00:11:35] so that we can hold on to the environmental features that [00:11:39] exist on the property while ensuring that the development complies [00:11:46] with all the city requirements for multifamily development. [00:11:51] And we are recommending then that you approve the second reading [00:11:56] of this ordinance. [00:11:57] And this may be the last time that you get to see this fine group before you. [00:12:02] Don't we get to come to the opening? [00:12:06] A month or two. [00:12:08] Ms. Mance, if you or somebody from staff could confirm, [00:12:13] it's my understanding this actually reduces the density on this parcel. [00:12:18] Mr. Cornelius is best suited to respond to the question, Mr. Mayor, [00:12:25] and I'll allow him to do so. [00:12:27] Thank you, Ms. Mance. [00:12:28] Brad, this is Wade Trim, a contractor planner here with the city. [00:12:31] Yes, Mayor, the actual development potential density [00:12:34] is much greater than what they are actually developing. [00:12:38] They're developing significantly less than what could be there. [00:12:41] So that is correct, sir. [00:12:44] Mr. Mayor, while he's there, if you'll recall, [00:12:48] when this came up the first time, kind of a last-minute comment of mine [00:12:53] related to the transfer of density rights, [00:12:55] the city paid $1 million at one point, not to get excited out there, [00:12:59] but for some land that had some density on it that we have left to nature, [00:13:05] really. [00:13:06] But we do have a pot of density rights that [00:13:10] can be used if a project comes along. [00:13:13] I don't know, has there been any interest in a follow-up [00:13:16] on whether or not the developers would contribute back to our pool [00:13:22] or what legal issues there are related to, if any, the density rights [00:13:28] and are capturing those? [00:13:31] We actually have had some discussions about that matter, [00:13:34] and we will be pursuing it. [00:13:37] And we'll have a better report for you in coming weeks to pass along. [00:13:41] Thank you. [00:13:42] I'll open it up for public comment. [00:13:45] Seeing no one coming forward, I'll bring it back to council. [00:13:50] Second. [00:13:50] To the maker? [00:13:51] Nothing more. [00:13:52] Second. [00:13:53] Mr. Altman? [00:13:54] No, sir. [00:13:55] Mr. Murphy? [00:13:56] No, we're good. [00:13:56] In that case, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:13:59] Aye. [00:14:00] Opposed, like sign. [00:14:02] 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. 7.d

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2252: Rezoning for 7940 Rutillio Ct.

    approved

    First reading of Ordinance 2022-2252 to rezone approximately 0.93 acres at 7940 Rutillio Court in the Otero Industrial Park from General Commercial (C2) to Light Industrial (LI). The applicant is Nelson's Pest Control; staff and the Land Development Review Board recommended approval. Council discussed the possibility of a wholesale rezoning of the industrial park, noted past resistance from property owners, and approved the motion on first reading.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2252

    • motion:Motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 2022-2252 rezoning 7940 Rutillio Ct. from C2 to Light Industrial. (passed)

    📍6235 Florida Avenue📍7940 Rutillio Ct.🏢Nelson's Pest Control👤Allman👤Arito👤Debbie👤George Romagnoli👤Mr. Cornelius👤Murphy👤Tim#Comprehensive Plan update#Land Development Review Board recommendation#Ordinance No. 2022-2252#Otero Industrial Park#Parcel 332516015B00000350

    ▶ Jump to 14:03 in the video

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    [00:14:03] Next is first reading ordinance 2022-2252. [00:14:07] This is ordinance number 2022-2252, an ordinance [00:14:10] of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing for amendment [00:14:12] to the Land Development Code, LDC zoning district map, [00:14:15] providing for rezoning of approximately 0.93 acres of property, [00:14:19] generally located at 7940 Rutilio Court, [00:14:23] having parcel identification number 332516015B00000350, [00:14:32] as shown on the map attached here too as Exhibit A and legally ascribed herein, [00:14:35] providing for amendment of the zoning district designation for said property [00:14:39] from General Commercial C2 to Light Industrial District LI, [00:14:43] providing for conflict, severability, and effective date. [00:14:47] Mr. Mayor, this is a first reading, and I'd [00:14:48] like Mr. Cornelius to present the agenda item to you. [00:14:51] If he would, please. [00:14:59] Thank you. [00:15:00] I have a short presentation. [00:15:01] As the city attorney stated, this [00:15:04] is a rezoning for 7940 Retilio Court. [00:15:07] The applicant for this project is Nelson's Pest Control. [00:15:11] Currently, this property has a zoning of C2, [00:15:13] as I'm sure the council is aware. [00:15:15] This is in the Otero Industrial Park. [00:15:17] They're off Orchard Lake Road, where [00:15:19] we have industrial properties that have C2 zonings on them. [00:15:23] And so these are starting to come forward now [00:15:25] with these projects. [00:15:27] So again, like I said, this is on Otero Industrial Park. [00:15:30] It's a little bit less than an acre. [00:15:32] Currently, what's in there is a metal manufacturing company, [00:15:36] which requires the industrial zoning for that to operate. [00:15:40] The request is to rezone it to Light Industrial L1. [00:15:43] There's the location of the property. [00:15:46] You can see it's here. [00:15:47] This is Retilio Court, Orchard Lake Road. [00:15:50] It's here. [00:15:51] That is the building and the property right there. [00:15:55] In terms of the zoning map and what [00:15:57] the zonings are out there, and actually, [00:15:58] at your last council meeting, you [00:16:00] did also approve a rezoning in the same area. [00:16:02] And I can't remember exactly which property is, [00:16:04] but it was one of these ones right in here. [00:16:07] Also to industrial. [00:16:08] So this is the property you have before you this evening. [00:16:12] Currently, you have the C2. [00:16:14] And you can see, again, you have a couple that are already [00:16:17] zoned industrial here. [00:16:18] This is zoned industrial down to the bottom. [00:16:20] And the county has industrial over here as well. [00:16:24] And then, like I said, there was an earlier one [00:16:26] at your last meeting that was in this area here to industrial. [00:16:31] In terms of your future land use map [00:16:33] and in your comprehensive plan, your comprehensive plan [00:16:35] has this whole area, this whole industrial park area, [00:16:38] identified as industrial. [00:16:40] So this rezoning would bring it into compliant [00:16:42] with your future land use, your intent for that property [00:16:45] in the long term and for how the city looks [00:16:47] to see that area to develop out. [00:16:49] It's consistent with that industrial land use [00:16:53] that you have all through there. [00:16:55] In terms of the recommendations, the Development Review [00:16:57] Committee, we did review this. [00:16:58] And we do recommend approval. [00:16:59] We do find it consistent with your comprehensive plan. [00:17:02] This did go to the Land Development Review Board [00:17:05] at their meeting last month. [00:17:06] And they also had a unanimous recommendation [00:17:09] of approval of this rezoning. [00:17:11] I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. [00:17:13] Questions? [00:17:16] Hearing none, go ahead. [00:17:17] Mayor, just a question. [00:17:20] Obviously, that's an industrial park. [00:17:22] And do we actually have to ask, each property owner [00:17:28] has to request a zoning change? [00:17:30] Or would it make some sense for us [00:17:32] to do a wholesale of that area to avoid piecemealness [00:17:39] bit by bit? [00:17:41] I brought that up when we did that other small piece. [00:17:44] And that effort is underway in discussion. [00:17:47] And as the council may recall, we [00:17:48] are in the process of doing that. [00:17:50] You're updating your comprehensive plan. [00:17:53] So as the city goes through that process, [00:17:55] that would be very logical that we also [00:17:57] look at the zonings where we have that disconnect [00:17:59] to come forward to you all to fix that. [00:18:02] And I might additionally add that the city did [00:18:08] initiate a rezoning of the area. [00:18:13] And it likely occurred just over a year ago. [00:18:17] And there were several property owners [00:18:19] in the area that are operating commercial businesses that [00:18:22] did not want to be rezoned to light industry [00:18:26] because they were operating commercial businesses. [00:18:29] Or they felt that the classification [00:18:32] to a light industrial classification [00:18:36] might reduce the value of their property. [00:18:44] It might increase it, too. [00:18:46] I don't know which way you would go. [00:18:49] That was the thinking that was expressed by them at the time. [00:18:51] We'll look at the action on this. [00:18:54] I'm going to open it up for public comment. [00:19:05] George Romagnoli, 6235 Florida Avenue. [00:19:08] Actually, our city manager understated [00:19:12] the issue in that neighborhood. [00:19:13] She was kind. [00:19:14] The neighborhood was, the businesses [00:19:16] were vehemently against rezoning. [00:19:19] You can make another attempt, but it was a fight. [00:19:21] That happened while I was planning director. [00:19:23] They did not want it. [00:19:24] And you can try, but they were pretty much against that. [00:19:29] Unless you change part of the code [00:19:31] to allow commercial and industrial zoning [00:19:35] and allow the same uses as in that zone, [00:19:39] they'd probably come out again and be very much against it. [00:19:42] It's a fool's errand unless you really want to do it. [00:19:45] Can it be both? [00:19:47] Can it be and or? [00:19:50] Yes, sir. [00:19:52] What the city could do is go into that industrial zoning [00:19:55] district and include those C2 general commercial uses [00:19:59] as also allowed there. [00:20:00] So that could be done. [00:20:01] Absolutely, sir. [00:20:04] Would that be the route to go, then? [00:20:07] Debbie or Tim? [00:20:08] I think their objection was more industrial. [00:20:10] They thought it might hurt their business. [00:20:12] That's why they didn't want it there. [00:20:14] Do we have any other public comment? [00:20:17] Seeing none, we'll bring it back to council. [00:20:19] Move for approval. [00:20:23] Second. [00:20:24] Thank you. [00:20:24] To the maker. [00:20:26] Yeah, I mean, this was the Mr. Arito [00:20:29] was the original developer of all that way back in the day. [00:20:32] And if you look at a map of the available industrial properties [00:20:37] on West Pasco, you'll see why we don't get any manufacturing [00:20:42] or anything because it just hardly exists. [00:20:45] I think Ridge Road has got a new complex going [00:20:49] in close to Little Road. [00:20:50] But beyond that, there isn't much in West Pasco [00:20:53] for that kind of use. [00:20:54] So I think it might be worth a shot [00:20:57] to try not to push them out and find out [00:21:00] just what kind of commercial. [00:21:02] I mean, they've already got some businesses in there [00:21:05] that they may not want to have. [00:21:09] But I think it would be an interesting exercise, [00:21:13] so long as they weren't injured, to kind of allow that transition [00:21:18] to occur organically. [00:21:21] Second. [00:21:22] Yeah, I toured that area at one time, [00:21:26] and actually with a zone compliance officer. [00:21:29] And it's interesting. [00:21:33] It's really a nice area. [00:21:36] And with various businesses in there, [00:21:40] and it seems like industrial would certainly [00:21:44] be a fit from my observation. [00:21:48] Deputy Mayor? [00:21:49] Nothing more. [00:21:51] Mr. Murphy? [00:21:52] No, it's needed in our area. [00:21:53] And I guess it's a slow process as people sell and buy [00:21:58] and want to rechange zoning for business, [00:22:00] but it's something we need. [00:22:01] So it's part of our future plan, so it just makes sense. [00:22:06] Mr. Allman? [00:22:07] Hold the question. [00:22:09] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:22:12] Aye. [00:22:13] Opposed? [00:22:14] 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.

12. 7.e

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2254: Rezoning for 7944 Rutillio Ct.

    approved

    First reading of Ordinance 2022-2254 to rezone approximately 0.41 acres at 7944 Rutillio Court from General Commercial (C2) to Light Industrial (LI) for property owner GFX Transport, a granite fabrication company. DRC and Land Development Review Board recommended approval; council passed the motion on first reading.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2254

    • motion:Approve first reading of Ordinance 2022-2254 rezoning 7944 Rutillio Ct from C2 to Light Industrial. (passed)

    📍7944 Rutillio Ct🏢GFX Transport👤Cornelius👤Manns👤Murphy👤Peters#Business Tax Receipt (BTR) process#Land Development Code zoning district map#Land Development Review Board#Ordinance 2022-2254#Parcel 332516015B000000301

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    [00:22:16] Next is first reading ordinance 2022-2254. [00:22:20] This is ordinance number 2022-2254, an ordinance [00:22:23] of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, [00:22:25] providing for amendment of the Land Development Code, LDC's [00:22:28] zoning district map, providing for rezoning [00:22:30] of approximately 0.41 acres of property generally located [00:22:33] at 7944 Rutileo Court, having parcel identification [00:22:38] number 332516015B000000301, as shown on the map attached [00:22:45] here too, as Exhibit A, and legally described herein, [00:22:48] providing for amendment of the zoning district designation [00:22:51] for said property from general commercial C2 [00:22:54] to light industrial district LI, providing [00:22:56] for complex severability and an effective date. [00:22:58] Ms. Manns? [00:22:59] Mr. Cornelius, please. [00:23:01] Thank you again. [00:23:02] I'll make this very short. [00:23:03] This is the same thing. [00:23:05] This is at 7944 Rutileo Court. [00:23:07] And the property owner is GFX Transport. [00:23:10] Again, they got the C2. [00:23:11] They're looking to go to the light industrial. [00:23:13] And this is a granite fabrication company [00:23:16] that's there, so again, requiring [00:23:18] the industrial zoning to be able to do this operation. [00:23:24] So this property is actually right next to what we just did. [00:23:27] We just did this one over here. [00:23:29] Now we're doing this one right here. [00:23:31] So it's right next to the rezoning [00:23:33] that you just approved. [00:23:36] That is the location. [00:23:37] Again, same situation. [00:23:39] We have the old C2. [00:23:40] You just approved the rezoning over here to go to industrial. [00:23:43] So if this is approved, this piece [00:23:45] would also go to industrial, again, next to industrial here. [00:23:51] Again, your future land use map, it [00:23:52] is designated industrial on it. [00:23:54] The DRC did review it. [00:23:56] We did recommend approval with it [00:23:57] being consistent with your comprehensive plan, [00:24:00] as well as the Land Development Review Board also reviewed this [00:24:02] and unanimously recommended approval. [00:24:04] I also want to let the council know on all three of these, [00:24:07] I believe, how these came forward [00:24:09] is it was basically through your business tax receipt process. [00:24:13] They were businesses that were either coming in that [00:24:16] didn't have one and started operation without the BTR. [00:24:19] And then when that went through the process, [00:24:21] that's when this was identified. [00:24:23] So that's how these came to you, these cases. [00:24:27] Thank you. [00:24:28] We'll open it for public comment. [00:24:31] Seeing no one coming forward, I'll bring it back to council. [00:24:36] Second. [00:24:37] The maker? [00:24:37] Nothing more. [00:24:38] I just have one question, though. [00:24:40] Is there more on the docket that are coming? [00:24:43] Do you remember? [00:24:45] Next time on the agenda. [00:24:46] I don't think we do. [00:24:47] I don't think we do. [00:24:48] I think this is the last batch right now. [00:24:49] You said how we found these out. [00:24:51] I just wonder if there's others. [00:24:52] Yeah, we had a whole bunch come in right together. [00:24:57] But I don't think we have any waiting [00:24:58] to come forward right now. [00:25:00] Second? [00:25:02] No, sir. [00:25:03] Mr. Murphy? [00:25:04] No, same as before. [00:25:05] Mr. Peters? [00:25:06] In that case, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:25:09] Aye. [00:25:10] Opposed, like sign. [00:25:11] 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.

13. 7.f

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2255: Rezoning for 6530 Orchid Lake Rd.

    approved

    Council unanimously approved on first reading Ordinance 2022-2255, rezoning approximately 0.87 acres at 6530 Orchid Lake Road from General Commercial (C2) to Light Industrial (LI). The property is owned by Elegant Touch Stonework, a granite fabrication company, and the DRC and Land Development Review recommended approval.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2255

    • motion:Motion to approve first reading of Ordinance 2022-2255 rezoning 6530 Orchid Lake Rd from C2 to Light Industrial. (passed)

    📍6530 Orchid Lake Rd🏢Elegant Touch Stonework👤Altman👤Cornelius👤Ms. Manns#DRC review#Land Development Code zoning district map#Land Development Review#Ordinance 2022-2255#Parcel 332516015A000000130

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    [00:25:12] And let's go for three out of three. [00:25:15] First reading ordinance 2022-2255. [00:25:18] This is ordinance number 2022-2255, [00:25:21] an ordinance of the city of New Portage, Florida, [00:25:23] providing for amendment of the Land Development Code, LDC [00:25:25] zoning district map, providing for rezoning of approximately [00:25:28] 0.87 acres of property generally located at 6530 Orchard Lake [00:25:33] Road, having parcel identification number [00:25:35] 332516015A000000130, as shown on the map attached here [00:25:43] to his Exhibit A and legally ascribed herein, [00:25:45] providing for amendment of the zoning district [00:25:47] designation for said property from General Commercial C2 [00:25:50] to Light Industrial District LI, providing [00:25:53] for conflict, severability, and effective date. [00:25:59] Ms. Manns? [00:26:00] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. [00:26:01] Mr. Cornelius, if you would please present the agenda item. [00:26:04] Yes, ma'am. [00:26:05] As the city attorney just read, we have one more rezoning at 6530 Orchard Lake. [00:26:10] It's, again, in the same area. [00:26:13] This is owned by Elegant Touch Stonework. [00:26:14] Again, they're at C2. [00:26:16] The industrial land use, they're looking for the rezoning to industrial. [00:26:20] This one is a little bit less than an acre, 0.87. [00:26:23] It is a granite fabrication company there as well. [00:26:27] This property is a little bit, it's not over here. [00:26:29] This one's actually over here. [00:26:31] This is Orchard Lake. [00:26:32] And this is the property right there that you're [00:26:35] looking at the rezoning for. [00:26:37] So in this case here, it's got the C2. [00:26:40] There's already the industrial here next to it. [00:26:43] Also industrial here and industrial here. [00:26:46] So you have the industrial in that area. [00:26:49] This is the future land use map. [00:26:51] Here's the property here. [00:26:53] And this one we zoomed out a little bit more, so it kind of gives you [00:26:56] the sense of how large that industrial land use is. [00:26:58] It actually covers quite a bit there on the east side of the city. [00:27:01] But this is the property here, again, within that industrial future land use. [00:27:06] Finally, again, the DRC, we did review this. [00:27:08] We do find it consistent with the comprehensive plan [00:27:11] and do recommend approval. [00:27:12] And the Land Development Review also reviewed this and fully [00:27:15] recommends approval of this rezoning. [00:27:17] Happy to answer any questions. [00:27:19] Thank you. [00:27:20] Opener for public comment. [00:27:22] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to council. [00:27:25] Move we approve. [00:27:26] Second. [00:27:27] To the maker. [00:27:30] It's got a momentum, got a train moving here. [00:27:34] Yeah, sounds like it. [00:27:35] I believe you were the second. [00:27:37] Yeah, just doing the same as before. [00:27:39] Mr. Altman? [00:27:41] Well, they can't take it for granted until we get this vote in, I guess. [00:27:44] Oh, god. [00:27:45] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:27:49] Deputy Mayor. [00:27:50] Nothing more. [00:27:51] In that case, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:27:55] Aye. [00:27:55] Aye. [00:27:56] Opposed, like sign. [00:27:58] Thank you very much. [00:27:58] 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.

14. 7.g

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2257: Amendments to Fire Pension Ordinance

    approved

    Council approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2022-2257, amending the Firefighters' Retirement System to update required distribution age from 70½ to 72 per IRS code changes and to clarify pre-retirement death provisions. The plan actuary determined no funding impact. Second reading scheduled for February 15.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2257

    • motion:Motion to approve Ordinance No. 2022-2257 on first reading and schedule second reading for February 15. (passed)

    👤Mr. Allen👤Mr. Murphy👤Ms. Manns#Article 3 of Chapter 17#Firefighters' Retirement System#Ordinance No. 2022-2257#Section 17-41

    ▶ Jump to 28:00 in the video

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    [00:28:00] Next is first reading ordinance 2022-2257. [00:28:05] This is ordinance number 2022-2257, an ordinance [00:28:08] of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing for amendment of article 3 [00:28:11] of chapter 17 of the code of ordinances of the city of New Port Richey, [00:28:15] pertaining to the firefighter's retirement system, [00:28:17] providing for amendment of section 17-41, benefit amounts, [00:28:21] and eligibility to provide for a supplemental benefit 13th check, [00:28:25] providing for severability of provision, providing for codification, [00:28:29] repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith, and providing an effective [00:28:32] date. [00:28:33] Ms. Manns? [00:28:34] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, members of council, the agenda item [00:28:44] is being recommended by the Firefighters Retirement System Board of Trustees, [00:28:52] and is indicated by the city attorney. [00:28:54] It relates to benefit amounts and eligibility and pre-retirement death. [00:28:59] The first change is the result of internal revenue code changes related [00:29:10] to required distribution, and the specific change [00:29:16] is that the distribution has changed from age 70 and a half to age 72. [00:29:25] In respect to pre-retirement death, the plan [00:29:30] is being amended to clarify some numbering for consistency [00:29:35] and accurate references. [00:29:38] The plan changes have been sent to the plan's actuary [00:29:43] to determine if there would be any impact on the funding requirements, [00:29:49] and it's been determined that no funding requirements are impacted [00:29:55] by the proposed changes. [00:29:58] And so [00:30:00] We are asking you this evening to approve the ordinance at its first reading and to [00:30:04] schedule a second reading of the ordinance to be conducted on February 15th. [00:30:10] Thank you. [00:30:11] Open up for public comment. [00:30:12] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to council. [00:30:16] I move we approve. [00:30:17] Second. [00:30:18] To the maker. [00:30:22] It's just, this is basically an ordinance to clean up this system to comply with new [00:30:27] revenue laws and sounds like, as well as to clean up the language a little bit. [00:30:33] Second. [00:30:34] Ditto. [00:30:35] Thank you. [00:30:36] Mr. Allen. [00:30:37] No. [00:30:38] Good. [00:30:39] Mr. Murphy. [00:30:40] Good. [00:30:41] Thank you. [00:30:42] Yeah. [00:30:43] Keep us in compliance with the IRS. [00:30:44] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:30:48] Aye. [00:30:49] Opposed, like sign. [00:30:51] Motion passes. [00:30:52] Next, first reading ordinance 2022-2256.

    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.

15. 7.h

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2022-2256: Prohibiting Boat Trailer Parking

    approved

    Council held first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-2256, prohibiting boat trailer parking on several downtown streets including Main Street, Grand Boulevard, Bank Street, Circle Boulevard, and Florida Avenue. Council amended the motion to also include the east side of River Road from Acorn Street to Main Street (in front of Stonehaven). The motion passed on first reading.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2022-2256

    • motion:Approve first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-2256 prohibiting boat trailer parking, with amendment to add east side of River Road from Acorn Street to Main Street. (passed)

    📍Bank Street between Grand Boulevard and Main Street📍Circle Boulevard between Sims Lane and Grand Boulevard📍Florida Avenue between Adams Street and Main Street📍Grand Boulevard between Bank Street and Delaware Avenue📍Main Street between US Highway 19 and Madison Street📍North River Road📍River Road, east side, from Acorn Street to Main Street🏢Jimmy's🏢Stonehaven🏢Thai restaurant👤Brian👤Mr. Allman👤Mr. Peters👤Mr. Rivera👤Tim#Chapter 23, Article 3 of the Newport Richey Code of Ordinances#One-hour parking proposal (discussed, not adopted)#Ordinance No. 2022-2256#Section 23-63

    ▶ Jump to 30:54 in the video

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    [00:30:54] This is ordinance number 2022-2256, an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing [00:31:01] for amendment of chapter 23, article 3 of the New Port Richey code of ordinances pertaining [00:31:06] to traffic and motor vehicle stopping, standing, and parking. [00:31:10] Providing for a new section 23-63, providing for prohibition of boat trailer parking on [00:31:14] Main Street between US Highway 19 and Madison Street, Granville Boulevard between Bank [00:31:20] Street and Delaware Avenue, Bank Street between Grand Boulevard and Main Street, Circle Boulevard [00:31:25] between Sims Lane and Grand Boulevard, and Florida Avenue between Adams Street and Main [00:31:29] Street. [00:31:30] Providing for definitions of terms, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing [00:31:34] for enforcement, providing for signs, providing for conflicts, severability, and an effective [00:31:38] date. [00:31:39] Yes, ma'am. [00:31:40] Yes, sir. [00:31:41] Mr. Mayor, Mr. Rivera will be presenting the agenda item. [00:31:46] Brian, can you put up the pictures? [00:31:52] So while he's doing that, I'll give you an update. [00:31:54] You may recall that a few meetings ago, we had a discussion about the boat trailer parking [00:32:00] that was in front of Stonehaven on Main Street. [00:32:03] We have overflow parking over in the old church off of North River Road, but several times [00:32:09] a year during boating season, instead of the boaters parking in that overflow parking lot, [00:32:16] they will park along Main Street. [00:32:18] In the meeting, we had some businesses address council and talked about the boaters taking [00:32:24] up spaces in front of their businesses, so council directed staff to go ahead and post [00:32:30] some no parking signs right there on Main Street in that area. [00:32:35] As staff was going out and taking a look at it, you'll notice that the streets that were [00:32:41] added in the first reading here of this ordinance are all pretty much in the downtown area [00:32:48] and have the same characteristics that you were talking about, and so our thought process [00:32:53] was that while we don't have any issues there, but every now and then, we would go ahead [00:33:00] and include the area, and if we started to run into some problems, we would post then. [00:33:08] Because these are regulatory signs, they have to have ordinance read and passed for the [00:33:16] police department to do any type of enforcement action, and so I figured I'd just throw some [00:33:23] pictures here so you'd be able to see the area. [00:33:26] This is, are you turning or am I? [00:33:32] This is Main Street, right there across from Stonehaven, and you can see while the, this [00:33:38] is the PD boat, while our driver is inside the lines, there was no one parking there [00:33:45] that day, and so he was able to take up that whole section of road and pull straight in. [00:33:51] Typically, the boats are not parked that way when you do see them out there. [00:33:56] Can you hit the next slide, please? [00:34:02] So this one's by Jimmy's off of Grand Boulevard. [00:34:08] You can see that we still have the same problem that we do on Main Street. [00:34:13] Next slide, please. [00:34:15] This is on the Central, and you can see that it's into the lane. [00:34:21] Next slide, please. [00:34:23] This is on Main Street on the east side of the bridge. [00:34:28] Next slide, please. [00:34:30] And then this is on Florida Avenue. [00:34:32] Every now and then, we do have a person that does park there right on the 90-degree turn, [00:34:38] and so obviously, that's half in the lane, so we wanted to make sure that we included [00:34:44] that as well, and I think we have one more slide, and then that's on, that's just west [00:34:50] of River Road on Main Street. [00:34:53] And so because this is the first reading, you do have the opportunity to make any kind [00:34:57] of additions or deletions or any types of changes, and we can include them and have [00:35:02] a second reading. [00:35:03] Is that correct, Tim? [00:35:04] It depends. [00:35:05] We may have to re-advertise for a third, depending on how extensive it is. [00:35:10] Thank you. [00:35:11] Open up for public comment. [00:35:14] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back to Council. [00:35:17] Move for approval. [00:35:19] Second with comment. [00:35:20] To the maker. [00:35:22] No, this is, I mean, it's just, you know, the businesses, you know, obviously have an [00:35:27] issue too with parking the spots there and staying there for long periods of time, but [00:35:31] it's just a safety issue. [00:35:32] I mean, sticking out on the road like that, I mean, someone's going to get, you know, [00:35:36] hurt and damaged, so it makes sense. [00:35:39] To the second. [00:35:41] The one spot that was brought up and originally brought this to head was the people at Stone [00:35:46] Haven, and they're also looking at the south end of River Road. [00:35:51] There's a few spots on the south, on the Stone Haven side, which I think we need to [00:35:56] include. [00:35:57] In fact, I think you've even got signs here now. [00:36:00] Two parking spaces. [00:36:03] Yeah, but somebody could put a boat there all day, you know. [00:36:07] And then we want to support the businesses that are on the first floor there. [00:36:10] Mr. Peters? [00:36:11] Yeah, do we have a picture of the map that we can share? [00:36:15] No. [00:36:16] It's on the agenda. [00:36:20] Oh, okay. [00:36:21] All right. [00:36:22] All right. [00:36:23] Okay. [00:36:24] Okay. [00:36:25] That's fine. [00:36:26] Yeah, you know, I think that's what generated the initial inquiries about this was some [00:36:32] of the businesses complaining, hey, the boats are here all day and my customers can't park, [00:36:37] and I understand that makes sense. [00:36:40] You know, we have a few times during the year we have extreme activity with the boat ramp [00:36:45] and boats and parking, and so thus we do have the overflow parking. [00:36:50] But again, it requires people to walk a block or two. [00:36:56] I think we just need to keep in mind that, you know, eventually some of that overflow [00:37:01] parking may develop and there still will be an issue with boat parking or overflow parking [00:37:07] that might be needed. [00:37:08] So just something to keep in the back of our heads as things progress where these folks [00:37:14] might on those busy weekends have a place to go if something happens with our current [00:37:21] overflow parking. [00:37:22] Mr. Allman? [00:37:23] Yes. [00:37:24] You know, I wish we could put the map up that's shown, but basically just to explain it to [00:37:29] those that are not able to see it, all of Main Street, all of Grand, around the circle, [00:37:36] around back to Bank Street and out seems to be our main downtown commercial corridor according [00:37:43] to the map I'm looking at. [00:37:44] And I would like to suggest, and this is first reading, so I don't think we need an amendment, [00:37:53] but I've been asking for some time that that same map have a signage that indicates that [00:38:02] it's one-hour parking because, or it could be two-hour parking, but this is where the [00:38:11] folks come into town and pull in to go to the restaurant shops and do their business. [00:38:17] And not just boats that are in those spots, but there have been people that have been [00:38:22] shop owners who park on those spaces as well as folks who are, you know, leaving their [00:38:30] car for extended time. [00:38:31] So I'm continuing to see in other cities that get busy that are trying to promote their [00:38:40] activity and their retail activity, the benefit of having signage. [00:38:44] Now, with that sometimes comes a lot of enforcement, and even short of the enforcement at least [00:38:51] telling people not to do it and being able to find those who chronically park, blocking [00:38:57] what could be 10 customers a day or 15 customers a day who ought to be parking in a different [00:39:05] place. [00:39:07] I think that you've identified the right spot. [00:39:09] I'm in favor of the ordinance. [00:39:12] The only thing I noticed was that we do have a bait shop that's on Main Street, and I think [00:39:17] I saw a boat or two from time to time pull up to the bait shop in order to run in to [00:39:22] get some bait, which would be pretty convenient if those spaces weren't needed. [00:39:26] So, you know, that's the one downside of regulations when you need them. [00:39:33] Right now, there wasn't a lot going on in the morning when somebody comes in to fish [00:39:37] and they're not going to order. [00:39:39] I don't think the Thai restaurant has any breakfast on the menu or that some of the [00:39:45] other places are that busy. [00:39:48] And so the only spot on that whole map that I would say to accommodate somebody that pulled [00:39:53] over with a boat to run in and get some bait, but they can always go to the ramp and then [00:39:59] come back and get their bait. [00:40:01] So it's not a big thing, but that's the tricky part about regulations, isn't it? [00:40:06] I mean, everyone wants freedom to move, and then once you try to take something away, [00:40:13] that may be an unintended consequence of that new business. [00:40:18] The one-hour parking would solve that because really boat trailers park for extended time [00:40:23] periods. [00:40:25] If somebody had reason to stop and get their business done and get on, it wouldn't be half [00:40:31] the problem it is when they come in in the morning, put their boat into the river, and [00:40:37] go out all day and leave that parking blocked. [00:40:42] So just something for my colleagues to think as we go on. [00:40:48] Limiting the amount of time people can park on the main streets, I think, would be well [00:40:52] received by the business community, and I don't think it hurts anybody. [00:40:57] And I've seen those signs around. [00:41:02] If nothing more, at least it's a friendly reminder, don't camp out on our best spots [00:41:07] just because it's right next to your shop or your business. [00:41:11] Deputy Mayor? [00:41:12] I have a problem a little bit, Pete, when I start thinking about that, because it's [00:41:18] just not the shop owners, it's the person, let's say, that wants to go to the social, [00:41:23] get dinner, and then stay for trivia. [00:41:26] That might be a three or four-hour evening, so that's kind of tough a little bit. [00:41:31] Just as another thought, I know that some of the shop owners are parking right there [00:41:35] all day, so there's kind of a tough one to pull. [00:41:38] But the other thing is that I just want to, this is real important, and we want our boaters [00:41:43] to be here and we want them to be happy, so it's real important that I think we take our [00:41:47] marketing director and get this out, this ordinance out, and also remind them that [00:41:53] two blocks away is our parking garage, so that they can park there and one guy can walk [00:41:57] back, or girl can walk back and jump in the boat, and everything's ready to go. [00:42:01] So we need to really take advantage of the marketing of this change. [00:42:05] And that would make sense, you know, I'm trying to recall if we have a sign at the boat ramp [00:42:09] identifying the overflow parking, and then we'll have to expand that to the parking garage. [00:42:16] Yeah, I would, the only thing I would change on this map, and it's fairly minimal, I would [00:42:27] definitely cover that section of River Road right in front of the Stonehaven, because [00:42:32] that was the other place that people were, but that's... [00:42:37] Can we just add that with this now, so we don't have to read it three times? [00:42:40] Good, if you wanted to add that area, just make that part of your motion or amend the [00:42:45] original motion. [00:42:48] I think you made the motion. [00:42:49] Okay, I'll make it with that, including South River. [00:42:52] I'll second that. [00:42:54] Just for the record, what area is that exactly, what are the boundaries? [00:42:58] Acorn Street to Main. [00:43:00] Yeah, Acorn Street to Main, yeah. [00:43:03] Beautiful. [00:43:04] On the east side, east side. [00:43:06] Okay. [00:43:07] Is that our bus stop location? [00:43:08] Yes. [00:43:09] Yes. [00:43:10] So that's... [00:43:11] You don't want to have boats there. [00:43:15] To what? [00:43:16] The second agreed move, that I didn't get to. [00:43:19] Thank you. [00:43:20] I had not really given much thought to the boats other than right near Stonehaven, but [00:43:27] the presentation accurately points out, and I have, as I'm thinking about it, have seen [00:43:31] it, where we've had boats that have been parked on Main Street between Grand and Bank Street, [00:43:42] and one of the issues, and not picking on the police department, but their boats are [00:43:48] a perfect example, those suckers are wide, and if you put one of those into a parallel [00:43:54] parking place and you don't manage to get the right-hand set of wheels right up against [00:43:59] the curb, they're going to be sticking out into the traffic lane fairly significantly, [00:44:03] so it's an issue. [00:44:07] How many tickets did you give out taking those pictures around town? [00:44:11] For themselves? [00:44:12] For ourselves? [00:44:13] Yeah. [00:44:14] Any further discussion? [00:44:19] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:44:22] Aye. [00:44:23] Opposed, like sign. [00:44:25] 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.

16. 8.a

    Board Re-Appointment: Linda Blake, Environmental Committee

    approved

    Council reappointed Linda Blake to the Environmental Committee for another two-year term ending February 1, 2024. Council members praised her service, noting she serves as the committee's secretary and has excellent attendance.

    • motion:Motion to approve the reappointment of Linda Blake to the Environmental Committee for a two-year term. (passed)

    👤Linda Blake👤Peters#Environmental Committee

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    [00:44:26] Next, we have board reappointment of Linda Blake to the Environmental Committee. [00:44:30] Yes, Linda has been serving since January 21st of 2020, and has indicated her interest [00:44:40] in continuing to serve, therefore, we are recommending her reappointment, and if approved, [00:44:49] Mrs. Blake will serve for another two-year term, and her renewal will be up on February [00:44:55] 1st of 2024. [00:44:59] Thank you. [00:45:00] So, Ms. Blake in the audience? [00:45:02] No, she is not present this evening. [00:45:05] So, no opportunity to tell her to run screaming out if she didn't want it. [00:45:10] No, she appears to want to continue to serve, and she has been demonstrated to be a very valuable member. [00:45:17] In that case, any comment from the public? [00:45:19] Seeing none, I'll bring it back to council. [00:45:23] Move to approve. [00:45:24] Second. [00:45:25] To the maker? [00:45:25] No, sir. [00:45:26] Thank her. [00:45:27] The second? [00:45:28] Yeah, thank you. [00:45:28] Thank you for serving. [00:45:29] Deputy Mayor? [00:45:31] Thank you. [00:45:31] Mr. Peters? [00:45:33] Linda's been a really worker bee member. [00:45:38] If I'm not mistaken, I think she takes on the secretarial duties of that committee, [00:45:43] and I know that she probably has perfect attendance, so we thank her for her service. [00:45:50] Thank you, and my thank you also to Ms. Blake. [00:45:53] Appreciate everything you're doing for the city. [00:45:57] If there's no further discussion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:46:00] Aye. [00:46:01] Opposed, like sign. [00:46:03] Motion passes. [00:46:03] Next is professional service agreement, city engineering services.

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17. 8.b

    Professional Service Agreement RE: City Engineering Services for 2022

    approved

    Council approved a one-year professional services agreement with Ayers and Associates to continue serving as city engineer for 2022 at a fee of $40,000, consistent with the prior three years. Councilman Altman reminisced about earlier practices of having the city engineer attend council meetings and encouraged staff to involve the engineer in early-stage capital project discussions when helpful.

    • motion:Approve the professional services agreement with Ayers and Associates for city engineering services for 2022. (passed)

    🏢Ayers and Associates👤Altman👤Robert Rivera#Land Development Code#Office of the City Engineer

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    [00:46:09] The city has been working with Ayers and Associates since 2016 to serve in the capacity of city engineer. [00:46:21] They have a very wide range of services available to them on their staff, and they provide services [00:46:35] to the city, including consulting, studies and reporting, project design, sometimes general [00:46:43] services during construction, inspection, and supplementary services on special projects [00:46:51] when requested. [00:46:53] The land development code provides for the creation of the office of the city engineer [00:47:00] for your appointment for a one-year term, and the term runs with the calendar year. [00:47:12] The fee associated with their service to the city is $40,000, and this charge is the [00:47:23] same fee that they have requested for the last previous three years. [00:47:31] They have served the city well, and we believe that the fee being requested is consistent [00:47:39] with market rate for engineer services, and we're recommending that you allow us to continue [00:47:48] to work with Ayers and Associates to provide the professional engineering services to the [00:47:54] city. [00:47:55] Thank you. [00:47:56] I'll open it up for public comment. [00:47:58] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back to council. [00:48:01] Move for approval. [00:48:03] Second. [00:48:04] To the maker. [00:48:06] If the staff is happy, then I'm happy for engineering. [00:48:09] To the second. [00:48:10] I'm good. [00:48:11] To the second. [00:48:12] Second. [00:48:13] Mr. Altman? [00:48:14] Yeah, just as my old speech here, having been kind of the silverback of serving the city [00:48:21] here, in the early days, the city engineer sat at the dais with the city council and [00:48:27] provided guidance when we came across an issue of any kind of general infrastructure. [00:48:34] As an example, some of the drainage projects, when we talked about them years ago, we would [00:48:40] have the city engineer help to identify options for us for drainage to move forward, but they [00:48:49] didn't get paid. [00:48:50] So the days in which CPAs were independent and didn't sell stocks, or the days when lawyers [00:48:58] didn't advertise, and the old days are not here anymore, I recognize that. [00:49:03] But I miss the ability sometimes when there are just general discussions about what things [00:49:09] to do, to have that expert to serve us. [00:49:12] And I think you said that they do provide some general services. [00:49:15] So I would just encourage you, when there's an opportunity for us to talk about a capital [00:49:20] project and you think they may be of use, because the ordinance does cause them to serve [00:49:25] us on the council as well, that you might think about sharing some of that service with [00:49:32] us in a public way from time to time as we contemplate, you know, priorities or projects. [00:49:41] The old rule was if you were the city engineer or the district engineer, if you look at the [00:49:47] definition of a city engineer, some of the older definitions anyway, those were folks [00:49:51] that were not, they didn't have a dog in the race. [00:49:54] They were giving you independent advice about what kind of project that you might need. [00:50:02] We're lucky that Robert Rivera has so much skill sets and the ability to parlay all that [00:50:09] and bring us the right engineers forward. [00:50:11] And I know that laws have changed to give you a pallet of engineers you can call from [00:50:15] depending on their specialties. [00:50:17] So I'm not complaining. [00:50:19] As much as I am just wishing for the old days when you could just ask a question, like being [00:50:25] at a cocktail party and asking a doctor if he would take a look at your shoulder or whatever, [00:50:30] you know, I mean, it's nice to have somebody around sometimes in those sort of early discussion [00:50:37] stages of projects. [00:50:40] So if I think that there's a time when it might be helpful, it doesn't hurt to have [00:50:47] an engineer around as well. [00:50:50] I think we had one that was coming regularly some years back. [00:50:53] I don't know if anybody here recalls it, but the gentleman fell asleep a number of times [00:50:58] at the dais, so I don't think he had as much work to do or had a nice supper before he [00:51:04] got here. [00:51:05] But, you know, there isn't always something for everyone to do, but I would encourage [00:51:13] you from time to time if you think it's possible for us to hear from him as he serves us as [00:51:19] well. [00:51:20] Okay. [00:51:21] Thank you. [00:51:22] Thank you. [00:51:23] Any further discussion? [00:51:24] Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [00:51:26] Aye. [00:51:28] Opposed? [00:51:29] Like sign. [00:51:30] Motion passes. [00:51:31] Next is the 2022 100th Anniversary Chasco Fiesta Alcoholic Beverage Special Event application.

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18. 8.c

    2022 Chasco Fiesta Alcoholic Beverage Special Event

    approved

    Council approved the Chasco Fiesta's alcoholic beverage special event application to serve beer and wine during the 2022 festival, including extended hours until 11 p.m. on Sunday, April 3rd for a Night Ranger headliner performance. Discussion also covered shuttle logistics from Schwetman, the carnival's new location, and a shortage of barricades for the parade.

    • motion:Approve the 2022 Chasco Fiesta alcoholic beverage special event application. (passed)

    📍Grand Boulevard📍Schwetman📍Thomas McGann parking lot🏢Chamber of Commerce🏢Chasco Fiesta🏢Hacienda🏢Historical Society🏢Night Ranger🏢Pasco County School Board🏢Pasco County Sheriff's Office🏢Ruth Eckerd Hall👤Al👤Cammie Austin👤Chase Bryant👤Kevin👤Mr. Altman👤Mr. Peters👤Ms. Mann#2022 Chasco Fiesta#Chasco Fiesta 100 year anniversary#Christmas parade barricade shortage#Highwaymen artists#Renaissance Festival (Pasco County)

    ▶ Jump to 51:37 in the video

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    [00:51:41] That time of year again, and the Chasco Fiesta group has submitted an application that was [00:51:52] under review by the special event team, and they have reviewed the alcoholic beverage [00:51:58] special event application on January 18th. [00:52:02] Kevin, do you want to talk about that a little bit, or do you want me to talk to the council [00:52:06] about the detail? [00:52:09] Yeah, so this is the alcohol beverage permit request, and they are looking to serve alcohol [00:52:21] beer and wine every day during the festival except for one Monday, yeah, okay, the one [00:52:33] Monday that the festival is in attendance, so that is the request. [00:52:40] The difference this year, which should be noted, is that on the final day of the event, [00:52:49] which is Sunday, April 3rd, they would like to serve from 1 p.m. in the afternoon to 11 [00:52:56] p.m. at night. [00:52:58] Typically on the last day of Chasco, they tend to close a little earlier, although this [00:53:05] year they have a headliner performing that evening, and so they would like to stay open [00:53:11] for some additional hours, so their request is to serve a little later than they typically [00:53:18] do, but all of the hours that they have proposed to serve beer and wine are in compliance with [00:53:27] your ordinance for serving beer and wine in the park. [00:53:30] So that's Sunday night they're going to... [00:53:33] Sunday, April 3rd. [00:53:34] April 3rd, that we can still rock in America. [00:53:37] We can rock in America. [00:53:41] Just one other question. [00:53:43] In past years, maybe you guys can ask, did you have beer and wine on the night of the [00:53:46] religious night? [00:53:48] Did we have somebody come forward to the mic to answer that, please? [00:53:56] We had beer and wine on Friday. [00:53:58] Okay. [00:53:59] I just want... [00:54:00] I didn't want to hear that down the road. [00:54:01] Hey, how come you had... [00:54:02] Yeah, we did it in 2019. [00:54:03] They were okay with it. [00:54:04] Okay. [00:54:05] All right. [00:54:06] Thank you. [00:54:07] Very good. [00:54:08] Let me open it up for public comment first. [00:54:15] Seeing nobody come forward, we'll bring it back. [00:54:18] Mr. Peters? [00:54:24] Move for approval. [00:54:25] Thank you. [00:54:27] Second. [00:54:28] Second. [00:54:29] To the maker. [00:54:30] I know. [00:54:31] Looking forward to it. [00:54:32] I'm glad Chas is coming back. [00:54:33] Anything we can... [00:54:34] Any little thing we can do to help out. [00:54:35] To the second? [00:54:36] No. [00:54:37] I'm glad it's coming back full bore. [00:54:39] Mr. Peters? [00:54:40] Looking forward to it. [00:54:41] I still need to go online and register the nights I can volunteer. [00:54:46] It's going to be an exciting event. [00:54:48] I did have a couple of questions, if you could come back up to the mic for me. [00:55:02] A few years back, my colleague, Mr. Altman, shanghaied somebody out of Jacksonville to [00:55:10] do golf cart shuttles. [00:55:14] Are you guys doing that or something similar again this year? [00:55:17] Something similar. [00:55:18] We know that the shuttle from the parking garage to the event will be there, so that [00:55:24] will take a lot of the load from that side. [00:55:26] With the carnival being held at Schwetman, we do have, I found out just about two hours [00:55:33] ago, that we do have two shuttle buses that will be running from Schwetman to the event, [00:55:39] and we're going to run it through the churches, through town, and then back to Schwetman again. [00:55:45] So, that will be, or parking there will be at Schwetman. [00:55:49] There's a hundred parking spaces there. [00:55:51] That answers my question, because I did note that you're moving the carnival to Schwetman, [00:55:55] which is, I think, going to be a great location. [00:55:58] They won't feel quite so claustrophobic trying to set up there. [00:56:01] They'll be able to bring more rides in, too. [00:56:03] Exactly. [00:56:04] Will there be beer and wine at Schwetman area? [00:56:06] There will be beer and wine at Schwetman. [00:56:08] You've cleared that with the... [00:56:10] Cleared that with the county. [00:56:12] The school board, right? [00:56:14] The school board, yeah. [00:56:16] Answers my questions. [00:56:18] Good luck. [00:56:20] I'm looking forward to it. [00:56:22] Anything else you want to share about the event while you've got the floor? [00:56:25] People are listening at home. [00:56:27] Well, the event should be, well, it's the 100 year anniversary, so we want to make it [00:56:31] as special as possible. [00:56:34] The Sunday that Ms. Mann was talking about, that's actually an extra day. [00:56:38] We don't normally go to Sunday. [00:56:40] But that was the only day we can get a national act for the rock night. [00:56:45] That's Ruth Eckert Hall putting that on, so that's why the 10. [00:56:49] And that is Night Ranger, and one of their songs is You Can Still Rock in America, [00:56:54] which is why I made the comment I did. [00:56:56] So that should be an excellent show. [00:56:58] That should be an excellent show. [00:57:01] That Saturday is our country show, and that's a national act also with Chase Bryant. [00:57:07] The park will be fenced in, and I've pretty much secured that with our fence people today. [00:57:14] And so we're looking forward to trying that out for the first time. [00:57:19] Is there going to be a car show? [00:57:21] The car show will be just like we did in 2021 downtown. [00:57:28] The car show will be on Sunday. [00:57:30] The 27th, same way downtown. [00:57:33] But with the Thomas McGann parking lot available to us, it won't be as many streets closed up. [00:57:39] Missouri will be opened up more. [00:57:42] That should be a lot of fun. [00:57:43] That was a great event last year. [00:57:48] Mr. Mayor, just to jump in and say full disclosure, I sit on the steering committee with the CHASCO, [00:57:54] but none of us are paid. [00:57:57] On another side note, for the last year and a half, the event has been totally operated by volunteers. [00:58:06] So we've been meeting weekly. [00:58:08] No one is compensated, whether it be the parade. [00:58:13] Al is doing a lot of the logistics work. [00:58:17] Cammie Austin back there is our president, and she's been almost daily camping out in a little office [00:58:25] that the Chamber of Commerce has been kind enough to give us working away. [00:58:30] So look for the new website that's going to come out. [00:58:33] And one additional thing, the Historical Society has been saving memorabilia [00:58:41] and puts it out every year during the CHASCO. [00:58:43] So it appears as if the possibility that that will become part of the event [00:58:50] will be able to promote the Historical Society to those who come in and factor them in. [00:58:56] In the past, it's been sort of their own space, but we're hoping, [00:59:01] and I'll get the chance to say that we're hoping that the highwaymen, [00:59:07] who are traveling artists that are aging 70 to almost 90 now, [00:59:14] who their calendar that they give out statewide or charge by, [00:59:18] has a fishing on the Piffla-Chasco River piece of art. [00:59:23] And one of the things they want to do is, during the event, do art live for people to watch. [00:59:29] And so if anyone is listening or anyone here has pictures, [00:59:33] whether it be out in the gulf in one of the camps, [00:59:37] or a picture back in the 80-acre Great Preserve, [00:59:43] or some of the old buildings that we might pick up out of their own calendar that they gave us, [00:59:49] they're asking us if we send those pictures to them now, [00:59:53] that they'll be making pictures about New Port Richey. [00:59:56] And in fact, the Hacienda owner has, I think he said, [01:00:00] It's like 15 of their art pieces, [01:00:01] because they've been doing that frequently in Lake Placid. [01:00:05] So there's a lot of new things that are really [01:00:07] going to enhance, I think, the integrity of the event. [01:00:13] And the security will allow us to keep folks [01:00:17] from bringing in contraband and or interfering [01:00:23] with the vendor's ability to sell things. [01:00:24] So we're thankful as a committee. [01:00:28] Very good. [01:00:29] Any of the old traditions, like a jail [01:00:32] if you don't have a feather? [01:00:34] I did see some old pictures of that. [01:00:37] But if I can just take one second while I have your ears, [01:00:41] there is the issue of the barricades. [01:00:43] So I was told today that we may not [01:00:46] be able to get the barricades from Zephyr Hills and Dade [01:00:49] City, I mean, Brooksville, no, Dade City. [01:00:52] So any help that we can get from anybody on council [01:00:56] to try to obtain those barricades, [01:00:59] there's over almost 400 of them there [01:01:01] that we were going to be short. [01:01:02] We're already short, as you know, [01:01:04] from the Christmas parade. [01:01:06] So the barricades are, right now, [01:01:07] probably our biggest roadblock, biggest issue. [01:01:10] What is the problem? [01:01:11] That's for the fencing for the parade? [01:01:13] Yeah. [01:01:13] What's the problem with Dade City? [01:01:16] What is the problem with getting them from Dade City? [01:01:18] They're telling us that they have an event going on [01:01:21] and they won't be able to give them up. [01:01:23] We kind of send some of them out throughout the county. [01:01:29] And so we have some, there's a 1,300 total. [01:01:32] They have 200 at Zephyr Hills and 200 at Dade City. [01:01:37] Al, what's the event? [01:01:38] Do you know? [01:01:39] I don't. [01:01:40] I do. [01:01:41] The county is having a Renaissance Festival, [01:01:45] the same dates as Chasco. [01:01:49] And so they put their bid in on those barricades, [01:01:53] is my understanding. [01:01:56] So we've got some pricing on crowd control barricades [01:01:58] to rent. [01:02:00] And they're anywhere from $16 to $18 a piece. [01:02:06] You need $400. [01:02:09] You need probably $600. [01:02:11] So the $1,300 we already have that we [01:02:13] use for the Christmas parade, we were short. [01:02:15] As you know, there was a lot of sections [01:02:17] on Grand that didn't have no barricades on it. [01:02:22] And now if we're expanding the parade down [01:02:25] to Marine Parkway on Grand, we won't have no barricades [01:02:29] for there either. [01:02:36] Anybody can help, that would be good. [01:02:38] Appreciate it, Al. [01:02:40] Any further discussion? [01:02:42] Tarpon Springs, have any? [01:02:45] We haven't tapped Pinellas County yet. [01:02:47] Hillsborough County, Rensom. [01:02:51] So they don't have any. [01:02:52] I just am thinking with the events [01:02:54] they have downtown Tarpon that they might have a few. [01:02:57] I can answer that. [01:02:59] The Sheriff's Office has barricades down [01:03:02] in Pinellas County, not the Tarpon Springs city government. [01:03:10] You reached out as far as to Brooksville? [01:03:13] Not going to Hernando County. [01:03:16] But that's a good idea, if anybody's got a contact there. [01:03:25] Thank you. [01:03:26] We have a motion and a second on the floor. [01:03:28] Any further discussion? [01:03:31] All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. [01:03:33] Aye. [01:03:34] Opposed, like sign. [01:03:36] Motion passes. [01:03:37] Next is quarterly cash and investment performance report.

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19. 8.d

    ↳You arrived here from a search for “Mrs. Feast” — transcript expanded below

    Quarterly Cash & Investment Performance Report

    discussed

    Finance staff presented the quarterly cash and investment performance report as of December 31, 2021. The city held approximately $37.7 million in cash and investments, with the portfolio earning only $712 for the quarter due to rocky bond/treasury markets affected by COVID-19's Omicron variant and rising inflation. Checking increased by ~$3.4 million due to American Rescue Plan funds and ad valorem tax collections.

    🏢Florida Municipal Investment Trust Fund🏢Florida Prime Trust Fund (State Board of Administration)👤Mrs. Feist#American Rescue Plan funds#Quarterly Cash & Investment Performance Report Q1 FY2022#U.S. Treasury obligations / T-bills

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    [01:03:40] And Mrs. Feist will present the report of cash, [01:03:45] our investments, and interest as of December 31st, 2021. [01:03:51] Evening. [01:04:00] All right, so as already stated, [01:04:02] I will provide you with a brief summary [01:04:04] of the city's cash and investment performance [01:04:06] for the first quarter of the fiscal year. [01:04:09] Next slide, please. [01:04:12] So as of December 31st, 2021, [01:04:15] the city had a total of $37,723,963 [01:04:24] in cash and investments. [01:04:26] The total of that total is comprised [01:04:30] of approximately $8.9 million in checking, [01:04:34] $12.5 million in the state board of administration [01:04:38] or the Florida Prime Trust Fund, [01:04:41] $4.4 million in our Florida Municipal Investment Trust Fund, [01:04:45] and $12 million in U.S. Treasury obligations. [01:04:51] You'll see, if you look at the column earned income [01:04:56] in quarter one, you'll see that in total, [01:05:01] the investment portfolio only earned $712 for the quarter. [01:05:07] So the bond and treasury markets had to contend [01:05:10] with a really rocky quarter, [01:05:12] mainly due to the resurgence of COVID-19 [01:05:14] and the Omicron variant and rising inflation. [01:05:18] So it particularly affected that market [01:05:21] in December of the last quarter, especially. [01:05:27] So any income earned pretty much has been offset [01:05:32] with the loss in our Florida Municipal Investment Trust Fund. [01:05:37] Evaluating how this last month closed, January 2022, [01:05:44] both funds ended higher than the previous month, [01:05:48] so higher than December. [01:05:50] So, you know, the analysts [01:05:53] for the Florida Municipal Investment Trust, [01:05:56] they're optimistic that the economy, [01:06:00] that the, you know, it was only temporary [01:06:02] given the resurgence of COVID-19 [01:06:06] and they're anticipating that the economy [01:06:09] will continue to normalize or start normalizing again [01:06:13] and we should see a higher rate of return [01:06:17] than what we've experienced this last quarter. [01:06:21] Next slide. [01:06:24] This slide just provides you with a visual [01:06:27] of what we've already gone over. [01:06:29] You'll see that 33% of the city's investment funds [01:06:35] are in our Florida Prime, [01:06:38] 23% is held in our checking account, [01:06:41] 32% in U.S. Treasury obligations, our T-bills, [01:06:46] and the remaining 12% [01:06:47] is in that Florida Municipal Investment Trust Fund. [01:06:52] Next slide, please. [01:06:55] So finally, we'll go over the change from prior quarter. [01:06:59] In total, the city ended higher at 4.2, [01:07:04] closer to 4.3 million. [01:07:06] There was a change in our checking, [01:07:09] an increase of about 3.4 million, [01:07:12] and that can be, that is due to receiving [01:07:16] the first payment of our American Rescue Plan funds [01:07:20] and the beginning of the collection of our ad valorem taxes [01:07:24] for the fiscal year. [01:07:27] The other significant change from the previous quarter [01:07:31] is in our U.S. Treasury obligations. [01:07:34] So the previous quarter, we had the T-bills [01:07:38] that we had our funds in matured right at year end, [01:07:42] and so at the beginning of December, [01:07:44] we ended up purchasing a $12 million T-bill. [01:07:47] So we basically reinvested those funds, [01:07:53] plus an additional 800, [01:07:55] approximately $810,000 into T-bills, [01:08:00] and that's with a three-year, excuse me, [01:08:02] a three-month maturity. [01:08:05] And that's all I have. [01:08:07] Questions?

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20. 8.e

    Discussion Regarding the Continued Closure of Railroad Square

    discussed

    Council discussed whether to continue the COVID-era closure of Railroad Square. After hearing from two citizens and discussing options, council gave direction to staff to keep the closure but move the western barricades east (closer to the Verizon building) so Rose's Bistro and adjacent parking remain accessible, and to look at more attractive barricades than the current pylons.

    • direction:Council gave consensus direction to continue the Railroad Square closure but move the western barricades east toward the Verizon building so Rose's Bistro parking and adjacent lots remain accessible, and to explore more attractive barricade options. (none)

    📍5781 Nebraska Avenue📍Adams📍Cavalier Square📍Grand Boulevard📍Lafayette📍Main Street📍Old Verizon building / West Verizon lot📍Railroad Square🏢Boulevard Beef and Ale🏢Chasco🏢Cody River's🏢Ordinance 1🏢Pete's Grand Central🏢Potlett's Place🏢Rosie's Bistro🏢Sullivan's🏢The Kangaroo🏢Wanatako🏢Wright's Market👤Charlie Parton👤Chopper👤Danny👤Debbie Manns👤Gene Sullivan👤Jeff Wright👤Mike👤Mr. Valdez👤Pete Altman👤Rosie👤Sher#COVID-19 wet zone#Food truck generator noise ordinance#Railroad Square redesign / concept design#Railroad crossing arms

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    [01:08:10] Thank you very much. [01:08:12] We'll go to communications. [01:08:13] I'll kick it off. [01:08:16] Normally, we got Railroad Square. [01:08:18] Oh, sorry, Railroad Square. [01:08:21] In that case, let's kick off the discussion [01:08:23] on Railroad Square. [01:08:24] Thank you. [01:08:27] Ms. Mance, did you have anything? [01:08:29] Since at your last meeting, [01:08:32] we were due to have a discussion [01:08:35] as to whether or not we wanted to continue [01:08:38] the closure of Railroad Square, [01:08:41] which was initiated back in May of 2020 [01:08:45] to allow businesses to utilize the space [01:08:49] for social distancing purposes [01:08:51] as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. [01:08:56] One of the reasons that we delayed the discussion [01:08:58] was so that we could allow some additional time [01:09:03] for the business owners who were in receipt [01:09:07] of a communication from the city to respond [01:09:12] and to give us their feedback [01:09:15] related to some questions that were posed [01:09:19] about the continued closure of the road. [01:09:24] At your places tonight were the responses [01:09:28] that were received to a couple of the questions [01:09:33] that were asked. [01:09:34] As you can see from that, [01:09:36] there were five responses received, [01:09:38] which was actually a very low response rate. [01:09:42] Three of the business owners [01:09:47] are located on Grand Boulevard, [01:09:49] two on Main Street, Nebraska Avenue, [01:09:54] and a summary of their comments are provided for you [01:10:00] so that you know what their thinking is. [01:10:03] And we were looking for more input [01:10:09] from the affected businesses, [01:10:11] but really didn't receive it. [01:10:14] I know that Mr. Valdez reached out to a good number of them [01:10:20] to try to elicit more feedback, [01:10:23] but unfortunately, for whatever reason, [01:10:27] they did not respond. [01:10:29] So what you have in front of you [01:10:31] is the full report that we have to pass along to you [01:10:34] at this time, [01:10:36] and we don't have a specific recommendation for you. [01:10:41] We just need to know whether you'd like us [01:10:43] to continue the practice or not. [01:10:45] Very good. I'm going to open it up. [01:10:46] In case there's anybody in the audience [01:10:50] that would like to comment or address on this, [01:10:53] please come down. [01:10:58] You got a driver's license? [01:11:05] You have brakes on that. [01:11:11] Margo, this is Sher from Wanatako 5781, [01:11:13] Nebraska Avenue. [01:11:14] I am one of the businesses that is located [01:11:17] right down there on Railroad Square. [01:11:19] I am just coming to the board, [01:11:21] thanking you for hearing me today [01:11:23] and letting you know that I have, in fact, [01:11:26] talked to almost every business that is on Nebraska Avenue [01:11:29] that is affected by this, [01:11:32] and there has been only one business, [01:11:35] which is Rosie's Bistro that I spoke to, [01:11:37] and I love Rosie to death. [01:11:38] We have a good conversation about it being closed down, [01:11:41] and if it doesn't affect her one little parking lot [01:11:44] that she has right attached to there, [01:11:46] she's okay with the road closure, [01:11:48] which we could still continue to do. [01:11:50] We could bring the pylons up a little bit more [01:11:54] right past her little area [01:11:55] and continue to have the rest of the road [01:11:57] utilized as a wet zone. [01:12:00] The patrons that go to the bars, [01:12:03] they like having the walk-around area. [01:12:05] The golf carts like to be down there. [01:12:07] I have talked to Rights Market. [01:12:09] Jeff himself said that he has no problem [01:12:11] with it being closed down if it helps the other businesses. [01:12:15] I know I am one of the businesses [01:12:16] that have most of the functions [01:12:17] that are down on Railroad Square, [01:12:20] and it has brought me in probably about 40 more percent [01:12:23] of business by having that for nightlife, [01:12:25] and I've been able to open my doors more for that [01:12:28] to accommodate with the action and the traffic [01:12:30] that we want to provide down on Railroad Square. [01:12:34] The kangaroo is going to be having a deck [01:12:36] eventually put back there. [01:12:38] They do bull riding, which they've had back there. [01:12:41] Ordinance One has their many maker's markets [01:12:43] that they have back there. [01:12:44] It's safer to have that road closed down [01:12:47] when we have functions back there, [01:12:48] and we are used to those functions for the last two years. [01:12:52] I have bands that are booked for the next six months, [01:12:56] and I get nothing but positive feedback from the bands. [01:13:00] I've only had one complaint [01:13:01] about being extended hours for noise, [01:13:04] and we have not done that since. [01:13:08] Other than that, if there's any other concerns [01:13:10] that y'all have about it being closed down, [01:13:13] I think us businesses as a majority [01:13:15] are liking it being closed down on the weekends, [01:13:17] and I would appreciate you continuing doing that, [01:13:19] because if you don't, I'm going to decline with sales [01:13:24] with what I need for the functions [01:13:25] that I have there on a weekly basis. [01:13:28] What are your recommended hours? [01:13:31] What was that? [01:13:32] Your recommended hours. [01:13:33] For it to be closed down? [01:13:35] I would say between four and five p.m. at night [01:13:37] on all the days. [01:13:39] Sunday, possibly all day, [01:13:41] because you get different crowds that come out there. [01:13:44] Sometimes Wrights has their market, [01:13:46] and that would allow them to extend it all the way around, [01:13:49] because I know they do have more vendors [01:13:50] they'd like to have, [01:13:51] but they only have such an area on Main Street, [01:13:54] which that could come and go into Railroad Square, [01:13:58] seeing he's right on the corner of it there, too. [01:14:02] Yeah, I would say five o'clock, [01:14:04] four or five o'clock in the evening, [01:14:05] until the 11, 12 o'clock hour [01:14:08] that we usually have it closed down to, [01:14:10] because it's really inconsistent right now. [01:14:12] Sometimes they're at three, [01:14:13] sometimes they're at four, [01:14:14] sometimes it's at one. [01:14:17] Sometimes I'm closing them down. [01:14:19] If I have a function or something, [01:14:20] I need that availability. [01:14:23] The pylons look really bad. [01:14:24] I will say that I've heard that [01:14:26] from several other businesses down there, [01:14:27] that we should just lower the Railroad Square gates [01:14:33] on both ends, [01:14:34] and then maybe use a chain for the parking lots [01:14:36] that have a sign in the center of it. [01:14:37] Looks a lot better, [01:14:38] doesn't make it look like we're under construction [01:14:40] all the time, [01:14:41] because probably the 25% of the people, [01:14:43] and I'm just guessing, [01:14:44] that come down as visitors, [01:14:46] other than the townies, [01:14:47] because my business usually is the town, [01:14:52] is what most of my business is. [01:14:54] Yeah, the other people that come down, [01:14:56] the 25% will look and think that the road's closed. [01:14:59] If the pylons. [01:15:00] aren't there and maybe a little different signage saying, [01:15:02] you know, we're assigned something [01:15:04] that when they're walking by or what have you, [01:15:06] it's just a recommendation to let [01:15:07] them know that it's not under construction [01:15:09] and we are actually open. [01:15:13] That's about all I got. [01:15:14] I hope you guys keep it open for us. [01:15:16] It's beneficial. [01:15:17] Thank you. [01:15:18] Thank you. [01:15:18] Anyone else? [01:15:19] I'm Gene Sullivan on the boulevard, live on Lafayette. [01:15:32] Been in Newport for about 40 years. [01:15:36] As far as the square thing goes, I think a couple years ago [01:15:40] when I used to come here, I'm downtown every day [01:15:44] and every night. [01:15:45] And on the weekends, other than the taco place, [01:15:48] having a band once in a blue moon, it takes away parking, [01:15:53] takes away just, you can't drive. [01:15:56] People, especially tourists or something, people don't know. [01:15:59] You can go down that way or whatever. [01:16:01] So I always thought it would be good to make the food trucks [01:16:05] park on the south side of the road on that square. [01:16:08] And on the other side could be golf carts or something [01:16:10] if you don't want cars. [01:16:12] So let's say you want something to eat, you go down, [01:16:14] here's all the food trucks with different varieties of food. [01:16:17] You know, that's where you would go. [01:16:18] Like the fair, state fair or whatever. [01:16:21] Because as it is now, they can park anywhere [01:16:23] they want on the city, in front of any business. [01:16:26] And sometimes there's two or three in a row, [01:16:28] you're driving by and you're a tourist or whatever, [01:16:30] you can't see what's on the other side of the, [01:16:33] like on Main Street, where they always park at, [01:16:36] you know, where they park on Main Street. [01:16:38] So if they're all in one area, food trucks are allowed [01:16:41] to go in one area, number one, like the boats, [01:16:44] they take up sometime one and a half parking spaces. [01:16:47] So Pete, you live in those apartments, [01:16:50] I see the boats there all the time, [01:16:52] I'd be a nervous wreck. [01:16:53] But long story short, have it where it draws you, [01:16:56] you go, let's go here, here's different type, [01:16:59] varieties of food on this side, [01:17:01] and on the side, on the north side, [01:17:02] I would be like for golf parking only or whatever. [01:17:06] Or something, but as far as closing at three o'clock [01:17:08] on a Friday afternoon, there's never nothing [01:17:11] going on down that street. [01:17:12] I've been up here all my life. [01:17:13] You know, there's nothing going down. [01:17:14] You can fake it all you want, [01:17:15] but ain't nothing on that road going on, [01:17:18] other than events, like when Danny does his [01:17:21] St. Patrick's Day thing or whatever. [01:17:23] But anyway, that's just my opinion. [01:17:26] Just one little note for you. [01:17:28] The food trucks are only allowed to be downtown [01:17:31] if they're associated with some business, invited down. [01:17:33] Right, but you're parking in front of the business, [01:17:36] and again, it takes more than one space up. [01:17:38] Yeah, but we can't weigh our ordinances now. [01:17:41] You couldn't take Cody River's truck and put it back, [01:17:44] you know, food truck and put it back behind it [01:17:46] because it doesn't associate with that business at the time. [01:17:49] All right, so if people want to eat, [01:17:52] if they want to put their item, [01:17:53] park it in front of the back of their business, [01:17:55] instead of the front of the business. [01:17:56] That's my point. [01:17:57] Cody River doesn't have a back of the business. [01:17:58] That's fine, but they have just for food trucks [01:18:00] and golf carts on that area only, you know. [01:18:03] And if a business wants to have a band, [01:18:04] they can have a band, but use it for something [01:18:07] other than just people walking around, [01:18:09] and there's very few walking around, trust me. [01:18:11] I mean, I'm there every night, okay, on the weekends. [01:18:15] I'm just giving my opinion, but. [01:18:17] Thank you. [01:18:18] Utilize it a little bit more wisely. [01:18:19] Thank you very much. [01:18:21] The boat thing, they're always at your apartments. [01:18:25] Anyone else? [01:18:27] I'll bring it back to, all right. [01:18:30] Bring it back to council. [01:18:32] Pete, you want to kick it off? [01:18:34] Well, yeah, it's not my boat, first of all, no. [01:18:37] I don't have a boat or a paddle, but I have paddles. [01:18:45] I think we've had this back and forth. [01:18:47] I think the reality is that we've talked about [01:18:50] making the railroad square an exciting place. [01:18:54] We have money we've been spending on design [01:18:57] and concept design, and that's a whole nother discussion. [01:19:03] And where the food trucks are, [01:19:08] I mentioned to the police department, [01:19:09] some of them have them that are extending out [01:19:11] and causing some traffic issues as well. [01:19:14] So when we look at what we heard from the staff's work, [01:19:21] businesses that are trying to make their rent [01:19:24] and pay their occupational bills, [01:19:27] get a little anxious about the food trucks coming in [01:19:30] and not having any revenue come to the city. [01:19:35] But closing the square has just been a temporary, [01:19:39] it was a temporary COVID thing to the wet zone discussion. [01:19:45] I'm a proponent of having a good bit of the area [01:19:49] of our city identified for wet zone, [01:19:51] because people then don't have to down their drink [01:19:54] to go to the next bar. [01:19:55] And frankly, wandering around the streets, [01:19:59] it's not been a problem. [01:20:00] And so I think there are a number of areas [01:20:02] where I've talked to the city manager [01:20:05] about supporting the wet zone concept. [01:20:08] But it's true that many times you go out there [01:20:12] and there's just nobody on the street, particularly earlier. [01:20:14] So what we did hear, Chopper, from your inquiry [01:20:17] was maybe a little later in the day, [01:20:19] after work, something like that. [01:20:21] But we've had so much discussion [01:20:26] about Cavalier Square, Railroad Square, [01:20:31] the parking lot behind the old Verizon building, [01:20:35] golf cart parking. [01:20:37] And we've got some planners and brainpower going. [01:20:44] So I'm anxious to see what their concepts are [01:20:46] and to get a chance to weigh in [01:20:48] before final design of all of that. [01:20:52] So certainly that area needs to be vibrant [01:20:55] and active and things going on. [01:20:57] In the meantime, if what I'm reading, [01:21:02] the solution we talked about before [01:21:05] was moving the barricades just back, [01:21:09] which works fine until you're in the bakery shop, [01:21:11] who now is probably thinking what he can do out back. [01:21:15] And we do have some other businesses [01:21:17] that are climbing out towards Grand Boulevard [01:21:19] but haven't activated the space yet. [01:21:21] So to me, I would say the circulation of the parking [01:21:25] for Rose's Bistro and behind there [01:21:28] is not as active until you get to Ordinance 1, [01:21:31] I think, who does have activity. [01:21:34] So if we could allow people to pull off of Grand [01:21:37] and kind of slow down and decide [01:21:39] that they want to stay in town and find a place to park [01:21:42] versus coming up on Main Street [01:21:44] and finding themselves just, okay, I'm not going back. [01:21:49] So I would certainly support moving the barricades back [01:21:52] to the degree where there's actually business [01:21:54] that wants to take place, if that worked, [01:21:59] to support those who want it. [01:22:03] And again, I know whether it's the fountain [01:22:06] at Cavalier Square that Charlie Parton took three months, [01:22:12] four months, however long to scrub the lime off of the brick [01:22:16] because the water on the fountain didn't work. [01:22:20] If we have features, we should activate them [01:22:23] and try to make them work. [01:22:25] So to me, I'm with you on when we have a big event, [01:22:29] it's kind of cool. [01:22:30] It was made to be Railroad Square. [01:22:32] I don't know what we can do to keep people [01:22:33] from smashing into it, how much the expense is to fix it, [01:22:38] but it would be nice for us to activate the assets [01:22:41] that we have and find out what that's going to take for us [01:22:45] in terms of maintenance and operation [01:22:48] because it did work and maybe it still does work. [01:22:52] So the features that we have to attract people, [01:22:56] I believe ought to be used, but not every Saturday. [01:22:59] Those are features for road closures for the big events [01:23:04] or the activities to me. [01:23:06] The daily activity, parking, we've talked a lot [01:23:10] about the golf carts having a place to go. [01:23:15] So I'm anxious to see the ultimate plan, Debbie, [01:23:18] but as to today's question, [01:23:20] it's a matter of what we do for the next month, [01:23:22] two months, three months, four months. [01:23:26] I think that we could only attempt to deal [01:23:29] with the Heron tea shop and even the beef and ale [01:23:36] and the others about giving them the parking circulation [01:23:40] that they're asking for. [01:23:43] So if you all have any ideas, I'm open. [01:23:46] I, Mr. Allman, I think you've hit the nail on the head. [01:23:51] Moving the barricades back to give access [01:23:54] to those couple little lots would certainly help. [01:23:59] There's no reason that once you get east [01:24:02] of the West Verizon lot, for lack of a better term, [01:24:08] there's no reason that that couldn't be barricaded off [01:24:10] so that if WanaTaco wants to have a band [01:24:13] or something in that section, [01:24:17] which is normally where they have them, [01:24:20] there's no reason that couldn't happen. [01:24:22] And that would also really apply pretty well [01:24:25] to Jeff Wright's things on Sundays [01:24:31] when they need to spread out just a little bit more. [01:24:35] I mean, the last one, they had vendors all the way down [01:24:39] to in front of Potlett's Place on Main Street. [01:24:43] And so there's no reason that couldn't expand out [01:24:45] onto Railroad Square. [01:24:47] Yeah, and so that would, I think would help. [01:24:51] I do question, we spent even, [01:24:57] well, it was before I came on council, [01:24:58] but somebody spent an enormous amount of money [01:25:01] on railroad crossing arms that were supposed [01:25:03] to be able to go up and down. [01:25:04] And I haven't seen them in the down position in years. [01:25:09] If we got them, we probably ought to use them [01:25:13] for some of those events. [01:25:16] You could, but if you're gonna do what you're talking about, [01:25:21] which is doable, where the Grand Boulevard side is, [01:25:26] you wouldn't be able to put those arms down. [01:25:29] You'd have to do that little channeling [01:25:32] with your barricades to leave those parking areas open. [01:25:35] You could do that, [01:25:36] but you could still drop the one at Adams. [01:25:38] You could. [01:25:40] And the food trucks, [01:25:45] they're a mixed blessing. [01:25:48] Personally, I'm not a huge fan of them. [01:25:50] I would prefer to spend my money [01:25:54] with my local restaurants that are paying taxes. [01:26:00] But the problem with the food trucks is, [01:26:04] it is that some of them come in [01:26:07] with very poorly muffled generators. [01:26:13] And there have been occasions when one of the places, [01:26:21] and it was, I've lost the name of it now, [01:26:24] the Combination Bar and Antique Shop, [01:26:29] Pete's, thank you, Pete's Grand Central, [01:26:33] had a few where they would have the food trucks [01:26:37] right out back with the generators. [01:26:40] And it basically killed the ability of Rose's Bistro [01:26:45] to use their outdoor dining area [01:26:49] because it was so noisy, you couldn't hear yourself think. [01:26:53] That's an issue. [01:26:54] And maybe that's an issue for another night. [01:26:56] We talk about if somebody's bringing a food truck in, [01:27:00] that there's either some noise limits on the generators [01:27:05] or that they plug into shore power. [01:27:08] And that might be an answer too, [01:27:12] just so that they're good neighbors. [01:27:16] But long-term, we need to do the redo. [01:27:21] And I think the sooner we do that, [01:27:23] probably the better to get a good idea [01:27:26] of what we can do to make that so it's a happening place. [01:27:31] In the short term, I think move the west barricades [01:27:36] back up closer to the Verizon building. [01:27:40] And if Juana Taco and Jeff and Sullivan's [01:27:45] and all those guys are having stuff [01:27:47] that needs to have the street shut down [01:27:49] so they can spread out, let them do it. [01:27:52] And I don't think we ought to be requiring them [01:27:55] to go through the whole big rigmarole [01:27:58] of alcoholic beverage permit and all that other nonsense [01:28:02] that we do for folks like Chasco. [01:28:04] If they're going to expand out into the street, [01:28:10] it's a semi-permanent wet zone, let's let them do it. [01:28:15] But I think that's a compromise position [01:28:18] that we could probably get to [01:28:22] that'll solve the complaints that we've got [01:28:24] from Boulevard Beef and Roses [01:28:30] as far as the outdoor dining, [01:28:32] and at the same time make it possible [01:28:35] for the folks at the other end of the block [01:28:36] to do what they need to do to thrive. [01:28:40] Mike, you got any thoughts? [01:28:42] So, I love the idea of having had a wet zone [01:28:47] and a lot of activity and walking up and down. [01:28:49] We haven't had abundance of that [01:28:52] since back in the COVID days, [01:28:54] and a lot of it was when Pete left. [01:28:57] Quite frankly, as I look at that, [01:29:01] Pete's Garage had a lot of activity, [01:29:03] that's no longer there. [01:29:05] Ordinance One has occasionally, [01:29:06] but even those have seemed to be dwindled. [01:29:09] There's not a lot of activity there. [01:29:10] Wanna Taco does most of the activities, [01:29:14] which I personally have enjoyed. [01:29:18] So, I like the idea as well as let people pull in, [01:29:23] and if they've got to turn right [01:29:25] and go through the parking lot and go around the block [01:29:27] because they didn't know it was closed, [01:29:29] that's not going to be that many people, [01:29:31] and it still allows for those folks [01:29:33] who want to come in that way and park. [01:29:36] It makes good sense to me. [01:29:37] And the only thing is, I agree, [01:29:42] the road closure barricades looks like, [01:29:45] it seems like we could go with something a little bit nicer [01:29:48] without spending a whole lot of money to channel that off, [01:29:51] so it's a little bit better in appearance. [01:29:54] And I understand it has to be moved [01:29:56] and put back for delivery trucks. [01:30:00] non-open hours, but it seems like we could find something that's not too pricey and too [01:30:08] hard to work with that would still be more attractive than just the barricades. [01:30:15] Fire truck. We've got a new fire truck. The old fire truck. [01:30:21] And that way, you know, and quite frankly, it's just like, you know, there's been several [01:30:26] nights I've gone there and there's like, shoot a cannon through there. [01:30:29] You've seen the first person walking on the street, but other times it's busy. [01:30:34] So it's just it's just like, you know, the rest of downtown. [01:30:37] Sometimes it's busier than others. [01:30:40] Actually wanted to say something. Yeah. Yeah. [01:30:42] I mean, I mean, I like the idea of using the railroad crossings that, you know, makes sense. [01:30:47] It's more the nostalgia thing and for the area. [01:30:51] As far as moving the barricades, I don't I don't know if if, you know, [01:30:54] if you're going to move them all over to the Verizon building. [01:30:56] Well, I mean, you must shut down the whole, you know, the whole street open at that point. [01:31:01] I mean, if we go up to the first little inlet where Rosie's where people can park in the back parking lot, [01:31:06] then you're still kind of parallel with ordinance one. [01:31:09] So it doesn't. So you still have all that area still. [01:31:12] They can do that. That's what I was thinking, Matt. [01:31:14] When I was saying, yeah, I mean, I'll have to rise up to it could weave through that parking lot. [01:31:20] Right. Right. [01:31:22] So they can weave through there, but I wouldn't go any further than that. [01:31:26] And then that way that just satisfy their needs. [01:31:28] They should be happy with that. And then it still would have the rest of the street blocked off. [01:31:36] As far as, you know, like when when one taco has the concert, I've seen a few of them and been there and enjoyed it also. [01:31:43] And the only thing I would say about that is we're trying to we have it open to golf carts, too, and people. [01:31:49] And just make sure we leave a path. Don't take up the whole whole road so people can get back and forth by. [01:31:56] That's all. But other than that, I mean, I think that's that's awesome. [01:32:02] OK, so, you know, what Gene was saying about golf cart parking in there, [01:32:07] I think makes sense, too, for the part, maybe part of the part that we don't block off is to. [01:32:13] Yeah, that way keeps the keep people parking on other spots downtown. [01:32:17] They take up a whole spot for one golf cart. You know, they haven't quite figured that out. [01:32:21] You can park more than one there. And then as far as what Michelle was talking about, you know, we're looking at Railroad Square, [01:32:29] redoing it, making it more friendly walkway area so we can have more events, you know, vendors, things like that set up. [01:32:36] So it's more of a more downtown walkable thing. So, I mean, that's that's something that's coming. [01:32:42] Not necessarily maybe for food trucks, because we have the issue with the restaurants and things, [01:32:47] but that's the whole point of trying to make that area fun, walkable, a place where you can have vendor events and just naturally set up for it. [01:32:57] You know. [01:33:00] Oh, well, this is no, this is discussion among the council. [01:33:06] Chopper, anything? Yeah, lots. [01:33:09] First of all, B.J. from Ordinance One got a hold of me today and we talked for quite a bit to go along with these comments here, [01:33:17] is that he's really worried about the safety aspect. [01:33:21] He says he has people out back, railroads, kangaroo has people out back, especially after dark, [01:33:27] and they just wander between one place and the other. [01:33:31] You know, they they wander out into the street, down to the next place. [01:33:35] So he really doesn't want to see that that open up, especially after dark. [01:33:40] And I think most of the times we see people wander back in that area is after dark. [01:33:45] So. So. And then, you know, just just walk into the parking lot from any one of those bars, [01:33:52] getting over to the parking lot on the east side of the Verizon building. [01:33:56] It's all becomes a set. You know, we've we've trained, trained. [01:33:59] You know, we've we've opened it up to the public. We've trained the public. [01:34:02] This is what's available. And then all of a sudden we put traffic there. [01:34:05] I think they'd be like shocked to be stepping out on the road. [01:34:07] And so there's a whole safety thing. And and that was BJ's talking about it. [01:34:11] And he didn't mind if they moved it back near his place and have that access into the back of roses. [01:34:18] So that that portion there. And I think that, you know, I'm sorry, [01:34:24] but I want to talk about that drum. People, you got there. [01:34:28] They play the same song on every song. Just kidding. Just kidding. [01:34:34] No, no, no. And you had a good point. We need room through there. [01:34:38] And also when a lot of the golf carts do come downtown, [01:34:42] they park on Railroad Square by the Verizon building, [01:34:47] even when there's not a band and by our parking lot because the barricades are up. [01:34:51] So, you know, I think we've we've kind of set the public expectations. [01:34:56] Yeah. You know, so and we're looking at doing something down the road. [01:34:59] So until we make that decision, I don't think we should just open it up, send traffic down there. [01:35:03] Twenty five miles an hour at this point, you know, just as a safety factor. [01:35:09] Also, there was a lot of discussion back when we start putting the barricades in instead of the railroad arm that, [01:35:15] you know, people turn and turn right into the railroad arm and destroy the railroad arm and stuff. [01:35:20] But I think there's probably some very lightweight plastic reflectors that we can put on when the arm comes down, [01:35:26] that they come they come down and when the arm goes up, they go up, you know, [01:35:30] so we could do this type of thing where they would see the reflectors and they're seeing the same reflectors or same type of reflectors with the barricades. [01:35:37] And the barricade idea. I mean, we don't have a concrete idea, but I've had to do with the barricades. [01:35:43] But it is kind of look like it's even you go down there during the day. [01:35:46] It looks like a construction site because the barricades are all standing up next to each other, you know, leaning up. [01:35:51] So there must be some kind of, you know, box. [01:35:54] We can put them in at night and then take them out the next day. [01:35:56] That might set set in the parking lot somewhere and then put them out. [01:36:00] You know, not a dumpster, but something, you know, that would look nice, you know, and put them away. [01:36:05] But I think they need to be put away. You know, I just don't think, you know. Yeah. [01:36:08] Go ahead, Rob. And I agree with you. I think our guys, what we've been doing is they'll open the road up and then they put them off to the side. [01:36:15] So I think what we can do is we can just take and take them back to the complex. [01:36:19] And then when we put them out, that's when you see them. Yeah. [01:36:22] Well, you know, but I have to say that, you know, there's times when we thought they were going to be there and they weren't there yet. [01:36:27] So there's got to be some more consistency. [01:36:30] I don't think they don't need it all the way back, but I'm sure there's some kind of, you know, four by three by four, eight foot long box. [01:36:38] You can put them in and take them back out. So so that dress it up. [01:36:41] And just for just a Rosie's comment, I mean, she's really and her and Jerry are really fuming about this. [01:36:48] I can't believe they're not here, but they say that nobody knows there's blocking and stuff. [01:36:53] And but but the barricades that are on on that end, the West, the West end, [01:37:00] they have a sign on there that says parking and gives an arrow to go around the corner. [01:37:04] So it's not like it's they can't get to this place, you know. [01:37:08] So they they say that their businesses is terrible because of that. [01:37:11] But it's it's they're excited, you know, excitable or whatever. [01:37:15] So we were we're trying to work with them and access their parking lot. [01:37:19] And they and if they've ever people who have ever been there, then they know how to get to their place. [01:37:24] And it's just there's parking in front of their place is parking in front of the theater. [01:37:28] You know, that's right across the street. So. So I think that there. [01:37:31] And then I just think if we take a look at this railroad square, we just need to be flexible. [01:37:37] We can't have hard rules. You know, I mean, if if it if rights is going to have, you know, [01:37:43] the public's ready for this thing to be shut down. So if rights is going to have some events, [01:37:47] it's OK, we're going to have an event this Saturday. Can we close it off? [01:37:50] And instead of going through all this rigmarole with the city and the set plan and this and that, [01:37:55] you know, it's it's a it's a flexible situation. You know, a couple of words, you know, with Debbie. [01:37:59] Debbie says, yeah, I'll get my staff to get out there. We'll set it down and close it up. [01:38:03] You know, just gives a couple, you know, a week or two notice. [01:38:05] So I want some flexibility there instead of the rigid. It's got to be this way or got to be that way. [01:38:12] You know, so I think I think we're kind of all on the same page. [01:38:15] You know, we can we can satisfy the businesses downtown and and also we can dress it up. [01:38:20] You know, but there but both both kangaroo and ordinance one do not have smoking inside. [01:38:27] So there's a lot of people in the evening. They're out there just hanging in the street, smoking a cigarette, [01:38:31] smoking a cigarette and then they go back in. So that's part of what we've kind of given that to them to do. [01:38:37] So I'm kind of looking at, you know, especially Friday and Saturday nights is a is a it's a more of the time. [01:38:43] So maybe it's six o'clock, five o'clock, whatever, till, you know, 11 or 12 o'clock at night on Friday and Saturday. [01:38:49] And then if they want to do something rights or somebody else wants to do something, [01:38:52] they're just going to hold a single set of the public ready for it to be shut down. [01:38:56] They're not going to come bailing, bailing, bailing around the corner and turn into a place. [01:39:01] I think we're mad. I think that the parking issue will become less of an issue here in a few weeks. [01:39:09] Once that shuttle starts running, because, you know, that that seems to be the complaint. [01:39:15] And quite honestly, my wife and I don't have a problem parking on the east side of the Verizon building and walking down to roses. [01:39:22] I mean, it's well, what's the thing is, is that we've, you know, six, seven years ago, eight years ago, [01:39:29] there was nothing going on downtown. So you could park wherever you want, do whatever you want. [01:39:33] Well, now we we've worked. We've got it to economic development has worked. [01:39:37] And now we have busy downtown. And now the people like, oh, I got to walk. [01:39:41] Like you said, two blocks. Well, that's that's what it's going to be. [01:39:44] And that's what it's just with the same thing with the with the boats. [01:39:47] Trailers are going to have park up at the parking lot and somebody's got to walk back two blocks. [01:39:52] You know, that's just going to work. That's probably going to encourage walking. [01:39:56] When you walk by one place, then you get to see another place. [01:39:59] Right. Well, I've always said, if you if you put the the handicapped spots in the back of the parking lot, [01:40:05] and those people had to park back there, they would get healthy again and they wouldn't need the tag. [01:40:12] I'm not sure I'll go that far. Just kidding. [01:40:16] Mr. Altman, anything else? No, sir. [01:40:19] I think we are all sort of of the same mind. And I think without having to have a specific, [01:40:25] it would be nice to have maybe a plan. I don't know, Debbie, [01:40:28] do you feel like you've got some input that you can work with? Yeah. [01:40:32] So input. So let's just keep on, you know, keeping on, keeping on, keeping on. [01:40:40] The point is, we need to make the area available for the businesses that can use it. [01:40:45] But at the same time, not have things just locked down when absolutely nobody is using it. [01:40:51] And a little bit of flexibility until we come up with that new plan for Railroad Square, which hopefully will help everybody. [01:40:59] So now we'll go to communications. Let me kick it off with me.

    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.

21. 9Communications▶ 1:41:02
22. 10Adjournment▶ 2:12:45