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   Discussion Regarding Future Penny for Pasco Projects

   discussed

   Council held a work session to discuss potential spending categories and projects for Penny for Pasco 3, a proposed 15-year sales surtax up for referendum on November 8, 2022. Staff reviewed history of Penny 1 and Penny 2 allocations and proposed categories including public facilities, transportation, parks/recreation, economic development, public safety, community redevelopment, environmental (formerly urban forestry), and utilities. Citizen George Romanoli urged dedicating funds to housing repair programs, and council provided feedback emphasizing forward-looking, exciting projects rather than routine replacements.

   • direction:Council provided staff direction on proposed Penny for Pasco 3 spending categories and project priorities, emphasizing forward-looking projects over routine replacements. (none)

   📍6235 Florida Avenue📍Aspen Street📍Avery Road to Palmetto South, U.S. 19 West to the river📍Conger Street📍End of Congress Street📍Northeast corner of Main Street and River Road📍Southwest corner of U.S. 19 Highway Bridge🏢Grandma Sally's👤Debbie Manz👤George Romanoli👤Mrs. Feist👤Robert Rivera#American Rescue Plan#Aspen Street Drainage Project#CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) System#CDBG grant#Central Avenue Center Median#Downtown Underground Facility Improvements#Fire Engine No. 3#Fire Station No. 1#Francis Avenue Park#Gloria Swanson parking lot#Grand Boulevard Multi-use Trail#Gray Preserve Expansion Project#Hacienda Restoration Project#Infill Housing Program#Infill Sidewalk Program#James Gray Preserve#Local Government Infrastructure Sales Surtax Act#Madison Street Multi-use Trail#Main Street Widening Project#Marine Craft Response Vessel#Marine Parkway Pedestrian Bridge#Northwest Quadrant Drainage Project#November 8, 2022 referendum#Orange Lake Restoration Project#Park Improvement Project#Pavement Management Program#Penny for Pasco#Penny for Pasco 3#Railroad Square Improvements Phase 2#Rental Inspection Program#Resolution 2003-22#Resolution 2012-14#Section 8 standard#Thomas Megan parking lot#U.S. Highway 19 Beautification Project#Yard Debris Compost Program

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   [00:00:00] is to give us an opportunity to talk about the future penny per pasco projects [00:00:07] that we might want to consider in anticipation of having to tell people [00:00:14] what we would spend their money on should this be passed in November. [00:00:22] We do not have—somebody asked me if we had Vox Pop at this, which I said no, [00:00:28] but we would certainly open public comment on any proposed things that we might do in that regard. [00:00:38] George Romanoli asked me if he could say a few words on what he would like to see us [00:00:45] at least think about for including in the penny per pasco. So George, do you want to come up? [00:00:59] Thank you. George Romanoli, 6235 Florida Avenue. Thank you Mr. Mayor for allowing me to speak [00:01:04] and all our councilmen, thank you for being here. [00:01:09] I mentioned before at the last city council meeting about housing and thinking about this [00:01:14] and thinking about where I live and the walks I did when I was campaigning. [00:01:20] It's much more desperate than I thought, the housing stock in our city. [00:01:25] We have a lot of housing stock from the 40s and 50s and there's an obsolescence if they're not kept up, [00:01:31] and we have that. I would point to what Pinellas County did, and of course we're not Pinellas County, [00:01:37] but they took a large chunk, 20% of their penny per pasco and put it towards housing. [00:01:42] I'm not suggesting that, but I'm suggesting that we look at what we can do, [00:01:46] especially to help our existing homeowners that can't afford repairs, [00:01:50] and what I mentioned last week about using rescue plan dollars, [00:01:57] and of course it could be penny per pasco dollars if that's how you decide to spend it. [00:02:02] We have a problem. Our homeownership rate is way below the national average, way below the pasco average, [00:02:09] and we need to increase our homeownership to have our neighborhoods get better. [00:02:16] We're all fortunate people, and you all live in very nice places. [00:02:22] I have a nice house, but there's not a lot of people that are like that. [00:02:26] There's a lot of people that live in desperate circumstances, [00:02:29] and it's not just the renters that live in desperate circumstances, it's also the homeowners. [00:02:34] So two phases on this. [00:02:36] On the homeowners, we're very fortunate to get the large CDBG grant [00:02:42] that's going to help about 20 or so households get repaired, [00:02:46] but I think we need to bring back the small repair fund that we used to have, [00:02:50] the $5,000, $10,000, $12,000 grants we used to give to people to repair their homes. [00:02:57] We had a situation across the street from me that a truck hit a tree, [00:03:04] and luckily the city cut down that tree, but if that homeowner had to cut down the tree, [00:03:09] that would be a $3,000 or $4,000 expense. [00:03:12] A lot of people on fixed incomes cannot spend that much money to take down a tree, [00:03:16] and that's just one example, but we need to expand it to have a large fund available [00:03:22] for those kind of repairs to help people out. [00:03:24] With our landlords, I'm going to hit the third rail, so get ready. [00:03:30] We have a rental inspection program, and I think we're one of the few communities in Florida [00:03:34] that have a rental inspection program, and we look at the outside. [00:03:38] It's time to look at the inside because when it gets to the outside, the inside is already bad, [00:03:44] and I'm not saying bring it up to code. [00:03:46] We can go to a Section 8 standard and have houses inspected every three to five years [00:03:52] to make sure they meet that standard, and as great as our firefighters are, [00:03:56] we need real code inspectors to do that. [00:03:59] Now, what we can do also is create a fund, a loan fund for landlords, [00:04:03] to fix those houses to make them habitable. [00:04:06] So as you go through your Penny for Pasco discussions, you put a large, you know, [00:04:12] looking at the last what we did 10 years ago, we had a large amount for economic development [00:04:16] and a smaller amount for community development. [00:04:19] We may want to reverse those percentages and put more money to housing [00:04:22] and think of different innovative ways to help our residents in Pasco County [00:04:26] live in decent housing and increase our home ownership. [00:04:29] Thank you. [00:04:30] Thank you, George. [00:04:32] Food for thought. [00:04:33] Ms. Metz, would you like to kick off? [00:04:35] Yeah, I'd like to start the presentation. [00:04:37] Okay. [00:04:38] And what we have in mind for you tonight is I'm going to provide just a little bit of background information [00:04:47] on the local government infrastructure sales surtax program. [00:04:53] And after having done so, I will turn it over to Mrs. Feast, [00:05:01] who will talk about Penny for Pasco 1 and Penny for Pasco 2. [00:05:07] In particular, we'll talk about the spending categories [00:05:14] and some of the projects that we implemented in those spending categories. [00:05:21] And then we'll talk about Penny for Pasco 3, at which time Mr. Rivera will introduce [00:05:36] some proposed spending categories for Penny for Pasco 3 and some proposed projects. [00:05:44] And that's where we'll be looking for some input from you. [00:05:51] To begin, the Local Government Infrastructure Sales Surtax Act began in 2004. [00:06:02] It affectionately became named the Penny for Pasco program [00:06:09] because it authorizes Pasco County to impose a local government infrastructure surtax, [00:06:17] one cent per one percent of taxable transactions occurring within the county [00:06:24] that are taxable under Chapter 212 of the Florida statutes. [00:06:30] The revenues are used to enhance the quality of life for residents [00:06:34] through the completion of real capital projects and purchases [00:06:39] that are considered to be needed and necessary [00:06:43] and that would be funded through ad valorem taxation necessarily. [00:06:49] And so at the time that it was instituted in 2004, [00:06:54] it was considered to be a tax-saving measure for the Pasco County taxpayer [00:07:01] because without Penny for Pasco, it would be provided through taxes, ad valorem. [00:07:11] The allocation formula between the county, the school board, and the city [00:07:22] is distributed in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement. [00:07:28] Pasco County receives 45 percent, the school board receives 45 percent, [00:07:35] and the cities share 10 percent of the proceeds of the surtax program. [00:07:44] The percentage that the cities receive is distributed among six municipalities [00:07:51] and the total is based on population. [00:07:56] The city of New Port Richey receives 3.74 percent of the 10 percent that's dedicated to cities. [00:08:05] The allocation hasn't changed since the inception of the program in 2004 [00:08:12] and it is not projected to change now, [00:08:15] which is the Round 3 discussion that we're due to have this evening. [00:08:26] Penny 1 and Penny 2 were 10-year terms. [00:08:29] Penny 3 is proposed to be a 15-year term. [00:08:36] There is increased or continued need for economic development, of course, [00:08:44] public safety in communities, and we still need to acquire natural resources, [00:08:55] constructing public facilities to support the needs of our residents, [00:09:01] and ensuring health, safety, and welfare of both residents and members of our business community, [00:09:11] and that's why we are being asked to promote the next Penny for Pasco election, [00:09:18] which I have indicated to you in the communication that accompanied your agenda packet [00:09:25] that there will be an election for a referendum vote related to this matter on November 8th of 2022. [00:09:35] And with that, I would like Mrs. Feist to begin the introduction of the Penny for Pasco Bucket 1 introduction, if you would. [00:09:50] As City Manager Manz already mentioned, Pasco March 9, 2004, [00:10:00] the first bucket was then passed and became effective January 1, 2005. [00:10:12] Revenues for Penny for Pasco fluctuate from year to year, and it is really based on the state of the economy. [00:10:23] But during the 10-year term for Bucket 1, the City received a total of $13,954,000. [00:10:36] City Council passed Resolution 2003-22 and approved funding categories for those funds. [00:10:45] They were transportation infrastructure, environmental improvements, and public improvements. [00:10:51] Examples of past projects that fell within those categories were the Main Street Widening Project, [00:11:00] which took place in fiscal year 2012. [00:11:04] The Park Improvement Project, which I believe we all remember, took place in fiscal year 2015 and 2016. [00:11:11] And then for public improvements, we were able to replace the Fire Engine No. 3 in fiscal year 2000. [00:11:23] After that term, County voters passed the second bucket of Penny for Pasco, and that took place November 6, 2012. [00:11:34] And the term for that bucket was from January 1, 2015. [00:11:43] During the 10-year term, the City received a total of $16,735,311 at that price increase from the previous bucket. [00:11:55] I did want to note that the previous bucket, that was the time where the City, along with the nation, went through a recession. [00:12:04] So there was a decline over 2006, 2007, and 2008 where the City saw reduced revenues, but it did pick back up. [00:12:23] Resolution 2012-14 was passed, and it approved eight spending categories for this bucket. [00:12:32] In 2021, just last year, we did eliminate the Utilities category, leaving only seven spending categories for bucket No. 2. [00:12:44] So over the next few slides, I'm going to go over those seven categories, actually eight spending categories, [00:12:50] and provide you descriptions of each and some of the past projects that fell into those categories. [00:12:57] And that will be important because when Robert takes over, he's going to be proposing very similar spending categories. [00:13:07] So the detail will be open. [00:13:15] So the first spending category in bucket No. 2 was Public Facilities, and City Council approved a 22% allocation to this bucket. [00:13:24] Some of the projects that are the types of projects that fell within this category were new construction or building improvements or replacements, [00:13:33] replacement of equipment, building hardening projects, and green building technologies and energy efficiency projects. [00:13:41] And some projects that we were able to complete under this category, [00:13:48] which we just completed this year, City Hall improvements, specifically the glass block replacement, and the fire station No. 1. [00:13:59] The next category, okay, that makes a difference, is Transportation, and 20% of the penny funds were allocated to this category. [00:14:09] The types of projects that fall under this category are paving of streets and right-of-ways, sidewalk replacement and expansion projects, [00:14:19] multi-use trails and systems, wayfinding and signage improvements, and parking improvements, very specific. [00:14:27] And so we were able to complete our wayfinding signage upgrades under this category, [00:14:35] Madison Street multi-use trail, two parking lot improvements, Gloria Swanson and Thomas Megan, [00:14:44] and then each year under this category, we provide an annual contribution to the Pavement Management Program. [00:14:52] The next category, okay, that makes a difference. [00:15:00] is Parks and Recreation Facilities, which has a 20% allocation, and the types of programs [00:15:07] under this category include Playground Projects or Improvements, Restroom Facility Improvements, [00:15:13] Recreation and Aquatic Center Improvements, River Access, Ramp and Dock Improvements, [00:15:19] Public Park Facility Improvements, Blueway Greenway Improvements. And so over the years, [00:15:25] we were able to complete the Orange Lake Restoration Project, James Gray Preserve [00:15:31] Property Acquisition, the Fitness Center Expansion and Tennis Court and Parking Lot Renovations as [00:15:38] part of the Rec and Aquatic Center Improvements, Francis Avenue Park Restroom Replacement, [00:15:44] and Seawall Stabilization Project. The next category is Economic Development, [00:15:51] and 18% has been allocated to this category. And under it, the types of programs are Neighborhood [00:15:59] and Downtown Improvement Projects, Eco-Tourism and Tourism Development Projects. And so we were [00:16:05] able to complete the Hacienda Restoration Project, Downtown Parking Lot Improvements, [00:16:10] and the Central Avenue Center Median and Right-of-Way Improvements. [00:16:15] The next category is Public Safety, which has 13% allocated to it. And the types of programs [00:16:21] are Scheduled Vehicle Replacement and Communication and IT Infrastructure Upgrades or Improvements. [00:16:27] So under this category, we are able to replace our police and fire vehicles. We were able to do [00:16:33] a server upgrade at the police station and purchase Toughbooks for all of our police vehicles. [00:16:40] The next category is Community Redevelopment, and currently we have 5% allocated to this category. [00:16:47] And the project description type is Acquisition of Land, Land Improvement, Design, Permitting, [00:16:54] and Engineering Costs Related Thereto, including Debt Service. So we're in our eighth year, [00:17:02] and so far, we have not actually completed any projects under this category, [00:17:08] mainly because we do have the CRA, which functions and provides a lot of community [00:17:12] redevelopment activities for the city. But we do have some planned projects that we want to [00:17:18] complete before the end of the second bucket, and those are the Infill Sidewalk Program [00:17:24] and Purchase of Land, which is a project that we are working on right now, and then we have [00:17:31] and Purchase of Blighted Properties for Rehab and Future Sale. [00:17:38] The next category is Urban Forestry, and we've dedicated 2% to this category. [00:17:44] And under it, we are allowed to do the Tree Replacement and New Tree Planting Programs [00:17:50] and the Neighborhood and U.S. Highway 19 Beautification Program. And that's exactly [00:17:55] what we were able to complete over the years, U.S. Highway 19 Beautification Project and [00:18:00] Downtown Landscaping. And the final category is Utilities, and this was the one that was [00:18:08] eliminated in 2021, so we have zero dedicated to it, but I will go over the types of projects that [00:18:15] were assigned to this category. And they were grant matches for utility infrastructure projects, [00:18:22] which included water, sewer, stormwater, and reclaimed water facilities. Water, sewer, [00:18:28] stormwater, and reclaimed water infrastructure improvements, either solely funded by PENNEY [00:18:34] or in conjunction with other funding sources. Expansion or replacement of utility systems to [00:18:40] encourage economic expansion and stormwater drainage enhancements in flood-prone areas [00:18:47] and water quality improvement projects. So again, we don't currently have any projects that [00:18:54] were funded under this category, but it's something for you to consider adding back as part of bucket [00:18:59] three. And so now I will turn it over to Robert. So the bucket three, if it is passed and approved, [00:19:10] it will be for a 15-year term versus the normal 10-year term, and it will, like Debbie had said, [00:19:16] be on the ballot November 8th. In this section, we want to identify potential spending categories [00:19:25] and proposed projects. So I'm not going to repeat the category descriptions. [00:19:35] They're pretty much the same. I will, however, if we've added a new category or if we've added [00:19:46] some items to that section, I'll call it out as we move along. So public facilities is our first [00:19:51] category. And the proposed projects, and these aren't all of the projects, these are what we [00:19:56] would call main projects that we would propose, would be storm hardening of public facilities, [00:20:03] an element or an example of that would be storm impact windows and doors to our facilities. [00:20:10] We've added the fire station tube project, as well as the fleet maintenance and purchasing [00:20:15] warehouse replacement project. This category is transportation. Proposed projects, you are [00:20:24] familiar with the Grand Boulevard multi-use trail. That's the trail that will connect the existing [00:20:30] Marine Parkway trail head north along Grand Boulevard and tie into the existing trail that's [00:20:38] located at Madison and Main Street. We did continue the 10 percent of the pavement management program. [00:20:45] Reasoning behind that is we felt that as the electric vehicles come online, the local option [00:20:51] gas taxes will probably be reduced in that process. So we wanted to identify a existing funding source [00:20:59] to address that issue if it does happen. And then, of course, the alley improvement project. [00:21:06] That could include several improvements to alleys, as an example, paving. [00:21:14] The next category we have is parks and recreation facilities. You're familiar with the Marine Parkway [00:21:19] pedestrian bridge project. We have that feasibility study that will be presented to you next Tuesday. [00:21:25] The Great Preserve expansion project. The main element of that is, if you may recall, the city [00:21:31] purchased the property at the end of Congress Street. That's where we will have an egress [00:21:37] point inside the city to that preserve. Some of the future elements call for restroom, parking [00:21:44] expansion, a bridge over the existing waterway into the existing trail system, and then some [00:21:52] additional trails. Francis Avenue Park improvements, skateboard project that we have proposed, [00:22:03] and then several recreation and aquatic center improvements. [00:22:07] An example would be the gym floors, bleachers, and play structure. [00:22:12] This category is the economic development. Proposed projects that we have is the future [00:22:19] redevelopment of the northeast corner of Main Street and River Road. That is the existing boat [00:22:26] ramp area that would call for improvements to the existing ramp, as well as some park improvements, [00:22:33] and then some additional redevelopment of the property. [00:22:37] Our next proposed project would be the future county and city boat ramp at the southwest corner of the U.S. 19 [00:22:45] Highway Bridge. We have discussed that. Railroad square improvements, phase two, and then the [00:22:52] downtown underground facility improvements, streetscape improvements. This is a proposed [00:22:58] project that would actually take all of our existing underground facilities, [00:23:03] take and rehabilitate those, replace them, work our way up, and during our renovation process take and [00:23:12] do streetscape improvements that would promote a more walkable, urbanized downtown. [00:23:23] This category is public safety. We've proposed to replace the fire pumper truck, the vehicle [00:23:31] replacement program. We would still propose to be included in this bucket of monies. [00:23:41] A computer-aided dispatch or CAD system improvement project. That would be funding in case the city [00:23:48] chooses to merge with the county's emergency dispatch system. And then finally the purchase [00:23:54] of a marine craft response vessel. Community redevelopment. [00:24:05] That remains pretty much the same as far as what we talked about in the bucket two, the purchase [00:24:10] of blighted properties and rehab and future sale. Annual neighborhood improvements. Those are the [00:24:16] types of projects that would do. Sidewalk installation, trees, curbing, any kind of [00:24:23] improvements that we would do on an annual basis. And then of course the infill housing program. [00:24:33] This proposed category, it's formerly the urban forestry, but we felt that the urban forestry [00:24:40] was too restrictive and we wanted to have a broad category that could include several different [00:24:45] types of environmental items that we see that are happening now. And so the category description [00:24:54] includes the urban forestry of the tree replacement and new tree planting programs, [00:24:59] but we've added alternative energy enhancements, various resiliency efforts including water [00:25:04] quality and flood control, recycling and yard debris management. Our proposed projects that [00:25:11] we have before you are solar panel systems at all city facilities. And then of course the yard [00:25:17] debris compost program, the capital equipment replacement of all of the equipment that it [00:25:23] takes to operate that program. And then we propose to put the utilities category description back in. [00:25:34] Your descriptions are the same as they historically have been. The proposed projects are the North [00:25:41] River neighborhood. It would be the Northwest Quadrant drainage project. The limits are [00:25:48] Avery Road to Palmetto South and then U.S. 19 West to the river. There's existing drainage [00:25:57] problems in that area of that neighborhood. There is no existing storm systems that [00:26:03] are available. I believe they start somewhere around Green Street, I think. And so our proposal [00:26:12] is to take and expand that system to meet the flood control of that neighborhood as well as [00:26:19] some water quality. Right now the streets are the drainage area and they flood directly into the [00:26:25] river. The next proposed project is Aspen Street drainage project. Historical flooding in that area [00:26:32] behind Grandma Sally's where it closes the road by that former hospital. And then the [00:26:39] Gray Preserve and Conger Street entrance reclaimed water project where we would tie [00:26:43] into the existing reclaim at Conger Street and supply some of the areas, green areas that [00:26:50] we have upland in the Gray Preserve. And with that, we'll take any questions or comments. [00:26:55] Just a comment on the North River. The section south of Avery, north of Palmetto and west of [00:27:07] Park is particularly an issue. You get over into the part of the neighborhood where I'm at, [00:27:16] it's less critical. But that, particularly west of Park to 19, that area is flat as a pancake and [00:27:25] I'm sure when there are heavy rains that's going to be a significant issue. [00:27:34] I just have to say when you talk to that we're in the eighth year now and we have two more years [00:27:39] of the existing planning for Pasco and you've identified a capital improvement plan that's [00:27:44] going to be beyond a number of our tenures here perhaps. That the specificity at which [00:27:52] you've tried to put this together in a capital improvement planning way, I have a couple of [00:27:56] comments. One, pending for Pasco was always expressed as a way for us to do things that we [00:28:04] couldn't otherwise do. So I've said it before and I'll say it again, the normal replacement [00:28:11] of existing facilities is not an exciting way to entice people to spend more money, first of all. [00:28:20] Secondly, the real job for us as a city council right now and as a city is to generate excitement [00:28:31] about the need and the future of what we're going to have. So I don't think when it comes [00:28:39] to a newspaper article or a suggestion of how we're going to use our money that the voters who [00:28:47] are not going to be engaged in all of this detail need it. So I think it's a great start on our [00:28:54] capital improvement plan for projects that we get to see that you have in mind to start working on [00:29:01] now whether it's designed to build or getting them built ready or whatever. So I have a couple [00:29:06] suggestions that I would like to add to the discussion just to say our approach as a city [00:29:12] and with other cities. There's a few things that have that I think are important. If we could [00:29:19] suggest that we could use our pending for Pasco three money for matching infrastructure projects [00:29:29] to just go with that and say we need money to match all the money that's out there, it gets [00:29:34] us more points, it helps us to support the overall development which we could express in larger [00:29:42] larger terms. So your topics, your headings are good. I like the resiliency. I like the fact that [00:29:53] we're addressing things that people worry about. But I would suggest that it's a great [00:30:00] opportunity and we've used it, I think, to match. The Orange Lake we matched with some money. [00:30:05] So it's about the success stories that you've got in the first part of your presentation. [00:30:11] We put our success stories together and we put our general needs together [00:30:16] and we don't try to actually outline those specific projects. [00:30:21] And then we also should look at the projects that you had up there that we had in mind doing [00:30:26] and look at the ones that we still have to do over the next couple of years. [00:30:31] And we can start sort of preparing and getting some sense of excitement going that it's coming. [00:30:37] Because, for example, your trails, we've got the bicycle trail stuff coming in. [00:30:42] Hopefully, when we get the report on the trail, we'll be able to begin something [00:30:51] that starts a system of trails or connecting under the bridge to New Port Richey, [00:30:56] the overpass that connects to the Pinellas Trail. [00:30:59] If we could just talk in those that are going to affect the residents' thinking. [00:31:06] So I put down the microtransit that we started. [00:31:14] That's something that develops over time and continues to grow and we have a little excitement. [00:31:20] And so we can continue this whole walkability discussion we all just came from. [00:31:28] I would like for people to say this is where the city is going [00:31:32] and no disrespect for all the work you did because I think it's a great internal tool. [00:31:39] But I'm thinking to myself to say, geez, there will be a different mayor here [00:31:43] or maybe he'll be back by then. [00:31:48] And those of us that are here, you're going to be faced with a whole different potential crowd [00:31:54] over that 15-year period. [00:31:56] If we can establish the trend line that we're trying to put in place, [00:32:01] I think that that would be a good approach. [00:32:05] Quality of life issues, the environment, and the workforce. [00:32:10] We haven't really done much as a city in terms of looking at our workforce, [00:32:14] which requires back to the affordable housing and the folks that can live and work, [00:32:21] job development, innovation district ideas, [00:32:25] things that are going around the state to make our city attractive. [00:32:30] I think it's our chance through our process of relooking at our CRA plan. [00:32:38] I know, Robert, for you to manage the massive amount of projects from transportation, storm water, [00:32:47] sewer water, maintenance, building maintenance, that those are front and center to you. [00:32:54] How do I get those done? [00:32:56] I see you put your own facility off three years here if we waited to do that. [00:33:01] I think the categories are useful, [00:33:07] and I'm hoping that some of those projects that you've listed for Penny for PASCO 3 [00:33:12] are projects that we could begin and actually work on during our three-year terms [00:33:18] and whatever else we've got going. [00:33:21] That's my reply. [00:33:24] The community development district world, and I've mentioned this before, [00:33:28] but in Manatee County, with three or four little cities, there are 50 community development districts. [00:33:35] And so our form of government with all of our complementary departments [00:33:40] and the actual authentic full-plate government are being sidestepped for brand-new communities [00:33:54] with recreation facilities, quality of life, maintenance of their right-of-ways, [00:33:59] and that's what's attracting people to live there. [00:34:02] Now people are attracted to move back to the cities, [00:34:05] and I think that that's what's getting people excited here. [00:34:09] And so I'm just thinking in terms of the role we can play to outline something [00:34:16] that would create enthusiasm on a more short basis without asking you all to refine it to that. [00:34:28] The final thing I wanted to say is we should push partnership. [00:34:32] That 45% of the money that goes to the county or the school board [00:34:39] gives us opportunities to talk about Schwetman School [00:34:42] and having to work with the school system to help develop job training and programs [00:34:50] and support somehow our workforce, which is like the winners and losers in the future [00:34:56] are going to be who gets the workforce to work in their cities [00:35:01] because there's a shortage just from demographics of that. [00:35:05] So I think we could talk more about that. [00:35:08] But partnering with the county with the Main Street project that was done [00:35:14] on the realignment of Main Street and the road that went out to Rowan by the post office [00:35:20] was something I introduced when I was the county commissioner, [00:35:25] forcing them to work with the city where we have both sides of the road. [00:35:29] So I would say Massachusetts Avenue is a chance for us to say, [00:35:34] let's do something with that road that's on our city's boundary that looks like crap, [00:35:39] frankly, because the other side is not maintained. [00:35:45] So maybe we entice and really encourage working together, [00:35:51] dealing with these bigger issues, and not get pigeonholed into dates of projects and everything. [00:35:58] Anyway, thank you, Mayor. [00:36:01] Yeah, a lot to take in. [00:36:03] So I agree with the partnerships with the schools and the county, too, [00:36:08] because that's a better way to utilize some of that money as well. [00:36:11] And there's a lot of projects that we're working on that they could work with us on, [00:36:15] things like the pedestrian bridge, too, the US-19 project. [00:36:24] And also I think we have to work on the neighborhoods. [00:36:27] I think we have to work in community development [00:36:29] and work through some of the neighborhood projects in sidewalks [00:36:32] and things with the neighborhoods. [00:36:33] I think that's really important to people. [00:36:37] And I think they need to see that those are the kinds of things that we're bringing in [00:36:40] and using this money for, and then they're not afraid to spend the money for it, right? [00:36:43] They're not afraid to give that penny out of their taxes for it. [00:36:46] If they see that we're doing some of those things, [00:36:48] that they are definitely interested in, I agree. [00:36:55] Perfect. [00:36:58] Going back to Councilman Altman on the projects and stuff we go, [00:37:04] you know, things change 15 years is a long time. [00:37:07] Try to let some projects, I mean, so many things change in that time, even in a few years. [00:37:12] So, I mean, are you basically saying we should be a little more flexible with stuff [00:37:16] as it comes along and to shuffle things around if we need to, [00:37:19] which I think we can do that, you know, it shouldn't be an issue. [00:37:24] And I think we should be looking at that because, I mean, things change all the time. [00:37:28] We have to be reactive to what's going on at that time. [00:37:36] Just like the underpass, if that happens, [00:37:40] and I know we've talked about on the north side of Main Street on Grand Boulevard, [00:37:46] you know, trying to do something there for a multi-use path along the river [00:37:50] and tying in with the trail that would be going to Madison from Grand from the south side. [00:37:58] I mean, is that something we need to just draw on the radar? [00:38:01] Because it looks like that may be coming sooner than later. [00:38:06] I think if you want it advanced as a project, [00:38:10] this is an appropriate time for you to articulate that as your collective vision [00:38:14] so that we do get it in the plan. [00:38:17] Nothing is getting advanced in 2025, you know. [00:38:20] I mean, that's my issue with looking at it. [00:38:23] It's like it hits me as a disappointment to think, oh, okay, [00:38:26] we're not going to build that or we're not going to do that. [00:38:29] So I think the point is to say this is the track we're on [00:38:33] and we should be moving forward immediately in the planning [00:38:36] and maybe beginning to do things so that they get a taste of it. [00:38:40] Because that's what's exciting people in town is they're seeing it, and you are. [00:38:43] I mean, we have grants right now to begin doing some of the stuff. [00:38:47] You're Main Street in 19. [00:38:49] Hopefully we go out for proposals, we get a developer, [00:38:51] we know what we're going to build there. [00:38:53] And so that's not something we need to use penny for pascoe for when the time comes. [00:38:57] But there will always be something that will follow up from it. [00:39:00] And that's my only comment is I think it's great to say [00:39:04] we have a huge laundry list of things that we would like to do. [00:39:08] I would suggest that we would downplay the repair and maintenance issues [00:39:15] just in terms of the public view because I think it doesn't excite as much. [00:39:22] But I know it's critical and you have to find a place to pay for it. [00:39:27] Yeah. [00:39:29] So, yeah, I mean, that's something that I just want to get, you know, [00:39:34] not looked at and then it catches by surprise. [00:39:37] And then for our boat ramp that we have now, talking about expansion, [00:39:42] was any penny for pascoe used for that? [00:39:44] Is it from the two or anything looked at the three? [00:39:48] Or is it something that's going to come, that you've got planned, [00:39:50] coming out of it totally different? [00:39:52] We haven't made any improvements at the existing boat ramp. [00:39:56] Right. [00:39:57] And so we haven't relied on any penny for pascoe funds, [00:40:00] but we have used penny for pascoe funds in Sims Park. [00:40:04] Right. [00:40:06] Mr. Rivera, I believe he has a comment that might be correcting what I'm saying. [00:40:12] Mr. Rivera, go ahead. [00:40:14] My thought process is, Councilman Altman, I agree with you 100%. [00:40:21] And I think that you can't talk about penny for pascoe [00:40:25] without talking about the strategic plan that the city has in place, [00:40:29] as well as the capital plan, [00:40:31] because you're looking at a 10-year term period for penny for pascoe. [00:40:35] You're looking at five-year increments for your capital improvement plan. [00:40:40] And then your strategic plans are what Council wants us to look at, [00:40:45] as far as what in this part would be like a category. [00:40:48] We've always used the funding sources of penny to project. [00:40:53] And so, like, when we talk about maybe the boat ramp or something, [00:40:57] even though it might be in the pot three proposal, [00:41:01] it doesn't mean that we wouldn't be starting it sooner [00:41:04] and that it wouldn't overlap into that. [00:41:07] And to address your concerns about maybe a different council members being on the board, [00:41:13] well, the implementation of the strategic plan [00:41:16] keeps those broad categories in place to where we can come to you every year [00:41:22] and keep this thing moving forward. [00:41:25] Because we would expect that we would leverage penny money [00:41:28] in any project that we could to get skin in the game. [00:41:33] Thank you, Robert. [00:41:37] And then, of course, the partnership with the county, [00:41:39] like Councilman Altman was talking about, is very important and key. [00:41:43] You know, the bridge on Grand Boulevard was a huge one. [00:41:47] They were going to do renovation, you know. [00:41:50] And we come in and say, well, hey, you know, we'd like to get that raised. [00:41:53] And so we partnered with them on that. [00:41:55] But if we hadn't caught it, it could have been too late. [00:41:59] And then it would have been that way for the next 20 years. [00:42:02] So we definitely need to keep part of that [00:42:06] and working with them on what they're doing too and looking ahead. [00:42:11] Community development inside of our neighborhoods, you know, [00:42:16] like the repair of the homes, I mean, I really do love those programs [00:42:20] to help homeowners out with different things. [00:42:24] I guess one question I have on it is when we do that, [00:42:27] when we do those grants and things, [00:42:29] are there any stipulations as far as, you know, they fix it up [00:42:32] and then the next week they put it up for sale kind of thing? [00:42:35] I think I want to respond to that question [00:42:38] by saying this isn't the best funding source for those type of expenditures, [00:42:43] which is why we rely so heavily on the Department of Housing [00:42:48] and Urban Development and the money we receive through the CARES Act [00:42:53] for that type of programming. [00:42:56] But if someone sells the house, we don't care. [00:43:00] It's an improved structure, and we're just happy about that. [00:43:04] It gets conveyed to a new homeowner that has an upgraded structure [00:43:11] to pass on to someone else, and that's all we're looking to achieve. [00:43:16] Yeah, I agree. [00:43:17] I mean, we don't lose on that. [00:43:18] It's still upgraded regardless of who owns it. [00:43:21] Just a curiosity. [00:43:24] And as far as the utilities, I know it was taken out in 21, [00:43:27] but I've always been a big fan of utilities infrastructure [00:43:32] and making sure that our backbone is working properly [00:43:37] because you can be all pretty on the top you want, [00:43:39] but if the backbone isn't any good, you're running in circles. [00:43:46] So I mean, I definitely think the utilities should be in there [00:43:48] working on some of those projects that help everyone in the city. [00:43:52] So I'm not 100% sure why it got taken out [00:43:55] unless we were just shuffling things around, [00:43:57] but I think it needs to be there. [00:44:01] And then one question is the Marine Craft Response Vehicle. [00:44:05] What is that? [00:44:06] That's for the fire department. [00:44:09] Chris, did you want to respond to the question? [00:44:11] We knew. [00:44:13] Yes, there's a new police department. [00:44:17] It's a boat, so we have a river that runs through the city [00:44:20] and a lot of retention ponds, [00:44:22] and it's our way as a fire department to provide a better service, [00:44:26] a service that we currently don't have a way to provide for water rescue, [00:44:30] whether it's surface water rescue or fire suppression from the river. [00:44:35] So that's our way to provide a better service. [00:44:38] There are some grant opportunities that are out there that we're looking at. [00:44:42] Currently the city of New Port Richey achieved the attainment of a boat [00:44:47] through a grant process that we're looking at the same funding source, [00:44:52] but basically that's what that is. [00:44:56] Thank you. [00:44:57] Any more questions on that? [00:44:59] No. [00:45:00] Can't wait to check it out. [00:45:02] And I guess lastly, I'll just say that I [00:45:05] think with people, especially the citizens, anything [00:45:08] we do to bring up the level in the city, [00:45:14] like with our trails or the multi-use path tied in [00:45:18] with the Pinellas Trail, Suncoast Trail, [00:45:20] you may not be a biker, or you may not [00:45:22] be someone that uses a multi-trail. [00:45:25] But when it's going through your city or your neighborhood, [00:45:28] it's going to help your home value. [00:45:29] So you may not be like, well, what's that do for me? [00:45:31] Well, it raises your property value. [00:45:33] And then they're like, OK, well, I like that project. [00:45:36] That's a good one. [00:45:37] So when people talk about their money, [00:45:40] I think that definitely strikes them as important, [00:45:43] no matter which way you look at it. [00:45:44] So I always try to look at it that way. [00:45:48] Thank you. [00:45:48] Deputy Mayor? [00:45:50] Thank you, Mayor. [00:45:52] A couple of things. [00:45:56] When Penny for Pasco started, some basic formulas, right? [00:46:03] It was just basically to create infrastructure, capital [00:46:07] projects to improve quality of life. [00:46:09] And obviously, as a funding source coming from the sales [00:46:18] tax, now you're acquiring some funding source other [00:46:21] than strictly property owners. [00:46:25] So we have, and of course in Florida, [00:46:27] we rely upon that quite heavily because we [00:46:30] don't have an income tax. [00:46:31] Primary sources is a lot that comes to with our sales tax. [00:46:35] And fortunately for those of us who live here all the time, [00:46:40] some of that comes from our tourists and our visitors, [00:46:42] which we have a lot of and which we'd like to still encourage. [00:46:45] So you guys knew all that, right? [00:46:51] But the point being is that both counties and cities [00:46:56] have taken this money to handle these major projects that [00:47:00] otherwise would be funded on the backs of our property owners [00:47:03] if we didn't have the Penny for Pasco. [00:47:06] Or not built. [00:47:07] Or not built. [00:47:08] Or not built. But if it's something that we demand [00:47:11] and we want, or citizens want, we've [00:47:13] got to come up with the money. [00:47:14] So it's a way we get to share or gather that expense. [00:47:22] We have sales tax we pay for as well, [00:47:24] but we have somebody to help us with that, right? [00:47:26] And it's a progressive tax, as those who spend more [00:47:29] pay more of that tax, right? [00:47:32] So when I look at it as a whole, I [00:47:36] look at the Penny for Pasco expenditures [00:47:40] to be the frosting on a cake. [00:47:42] The city, our basic tax structure, our economics [00:47:47] is a structure we need to serve the meal. [00:47:51] But the Penny for Pasco is a dessert. [00:47:53] It's a cherry on top. [00:47:54] And we need to make sure when we go through our expenditures, [00:48:01] it's done in a way that our residents and our people [00:48:05] feel that way, right? [00:48:09] You know, we've had good support. [00:48:11] The first time Penny for Pasco was brought up, [00:48:14] it failed on the ballot. [00:48:16] So the last two times, it has passed. [00:48:20] It has been supported by the voters. [00:48:26] You may be aware that there's going [00:48:29] to be another tax referendum that's going [00:48:31] to be on this year's ballot. [00:48:33] And that has to do with the increase in money [00:48:38] for the school board. [00:48:40] So there's going to be, so understand there's, well, [00:48:46] well, that's, you know, that could be, [00:48:49] could be bad timing. [00:48:50] But I think that we need to, you know, [00:48:55] address our projects and our, as a sales job to our residents. [00:49:03] Like, that we're really going to use this money [00:49:06] for good purposes, that we're going to see and feel [00:49:09] and touch every day. [00:49:11] You know, the Main Street improvements. [00:49:14] You know, the good examples that we have here, [00:49:17] you know, is talk about the parking lot improvements. [00:49:20] Well, that helps in economic development and also [00:49:23] transportation, right? [00:49:25] So we get, you know, double duty on some of those projects. [00:49:28] And we have many of those to go forward. [00:49:31] So in some degrees, Councilwoman, [00:49:34] you pointed that, hey, it ought to be extra. [00:49:36] I agree with that. [00:49:37] But things like replacement of emergency vehicles [00:49:41] and so forth, that's going to have to be done. [00:49:43] We've got to build that in. [00:49:45] You know, and that's going to be replaced. [00:49:48] You know, I feel like that maybe ought [00:49:51] to be worked into the budget. [00:49:53] But, you know, build, you know, a brand new firehouse? [00:49:57] Yeah, by all means, a different story, you know. [00:49:59] So we read here that in the language [00:50:07] here, it reads the 45%, 10% for job creation [00:50:12] and economic development projects. [00:50:15] Now, we had some economic development projects. [00:50:17] I didn't see anything that really [00:50:18] was struck in as job creation. [00:50:22] You know, like maybe we can find something to work with that. [00:50:25] But public safety, safety infrastructure, [00:50:30] new fire building, certainly acquiring [00:50:34] environmental and sensitive lands, we have that there. [00:50:37] Obviously, the Gray's Preserve. [00:50:42] Infrastructure for new schools, you know, [00:50:44] we have in a city that's already been announced, [00:50:48] construction is going to start soon [00:50:52] for the new Gulf High School. [00:50:54] And we've got some plans for new some sidewalks around, [00:50:57] I think, was it Gulf Middle School that's coming on? [00:51:01] Yeah, so I, you know, we could probably, [00:51:06] some of the other schools, we probably [00:51:08] could improve some sidewalks there, and so forth. [00:51:11] But athletics, of course, our rec center improvements there. [00:51:17] We were talking about the courts, and so forth. [00:51:24] And we've done that in the past with the tennis courts, [00:51:27] and so forth. [00:51:30] But so I guess what I'm coming around to saying [00:51:39] is that we have to have enough flexibility to be moved. [00:51:45] Because we're talking about setting some categories up [00:51:49] that goes out for 10, 15 years, right? [00:51:53] But I think that if we can, and we have some capital projects [00:51:57] that's on the books that we have still [00:51:59] going to get moving on before the end of this year. [00:52:04] And we can point to some of those things. [00:52:06] And I don't have anything specific that I say, hey, [00:52:12] we've got to do this project. [00:52:14] I think we've got a good roadmap laid. [00:52:17] But I think if we can pick out a few of those items [00:52:20] that we really have a good feel for, [00:52:25] and we're zeroed in on, that we try to elevate them. [00:52:30] And perhaps we can advance some of them. [00:52:35] You know, I'll talk about one thing [00:52:37] that may or may not be popular, and it [00:52:39] has to do with the boat ramp improvements and so forth. [00:52:45] I don't necessarily see that particular northwest corner [00:52:53] of River Road and Main Street to be forever a boat ramp launch. [00:53:01] I think there might be a better use [00:53:05] for that particular property. [00:53:06] And I think that maybe we can still [00:53:08] help our citizens have a boat launch that's [00:53:11] available to them. [00:53:13] And certainly that would be a project that we want to have. [00:53:16] I'm just not sure the boat launch and resulting parking [00:53:21] for that needs to be in part of what is our downtown core. [00:53:25] So I certainly would be interested in a project [00:53:30] there for development and redevelopment, [00:53:36] which would still be very much for still the city [00:53:43] maintain a boat launch for our residents. [00:53:47] There may be, it appears to be, a boat launch [00:53:50] that the county is going to build [00:53:52] that's going to help fulfill the need of our county residents [00:53:57] that might take some pressure off the one [00:54:00] that we might need to maintain. [00:54:01] So I didn't mean to go on this long about that. [00:54:06] But I wanted to express my thoughts [00:54:10] of the larger projects. [00:54:13] And I mean, we could go back through that list again. [00:54:15] And I could cross out a couple that I don't [00:54:17] think needs to be there. [00:54:19] And some others might need to be added. [00:54:22] But I think the categories are good. [00:54:25] I worry about, I guess, on the utility infrastructure, [00:54:31] Robert, I'd ask the question, the infrastructure [00:54:35] that's underground in our Main Street downtown core is weak. [00:54:40] And it's going to need to be replaced in some distance. [00:54:44] You got a time frame? [00:54:46] It's something that we need to start talking about [00:54:48] and discuss. [00:54:49] I don't think it needs to be replaced [00:54:51] within the next five years. [00:54:53] But I think it's something that we [00:54:55] need to start taking a look at in our long-term planning. [00:55:01] Coincide it with maybe the upgrades [00:55:03] that you're wanting to do in the downtown area, [00:55:07] and then put those two elements together. [00:55:10] So when you tear it up, you fix it all, right? [00:55:13] Right. [00:55:13] I don't want to end up like St. Pete in Tampa, where they [00:55:16] finally had to start tearing something up, [00:55:19] because they were having those problems [00:55:21] and they were reacting. [00:55:24] And I appreciate your vision on that. [00:55:29] Sometimes, some of us, we get here short-sighted on things. [00:55:33] And it's important to keep an eye on the telescope [00:55:39] as well as the microscope as we look forward. [00:55:42] But the reason I ask that, it's kind of the first time [00:55:44] I had heard that about the infrastructure there. [00:55:47] So obviously, it all needs to be replaced eventually. [00:55:53] But I'd like to continue to see. [00:55:56] One item on there, just here, I'll let you go, [00:55:58] is particularly when I talk about infrastructure [00:56:00] and improving the quality. [00:56:03] And in conjunction with, I believe, our housing stock, [00:56:07] is, again, to look at our alleyways [00:56:10] and enhance those so that maybe it [00:56:13] becomes more inviting for carriage houses, [00:56:17] for some of those properties on that. [00:56:19] I think that that was in the list, too. [00:56:21] Yeah. [00:56:21] Yeah. [00:56:22] So I just wanted to emphasize that I was very much [00:56:25] in favor of that. [00:56:28] Thank you. [00:56:34] Jumping off on something that Councilman Altman mentioned, [00:56:39] which is using some of these funds as matching grants [00:56:46] or seed funding, if you will. [00:56:49] I'm pretty sure that's what we did with the solar [00:56:52] on top of the library. [00:56:53] We had a small match, and we got a grant [00:56:56] that covered the bulk of that. [00:56:58] Certainly, as we're looking at our other buildings, [00:57:03] including the one we're sitting in today, [00:57:05] that have a huge swath of sunlit roof, [00:57:09] there are some opportunities there. [00:57:11] I would prefer that we not be the ones that [00:57:13] are paying the full freight on that [00:57:15] if there are grant opportunities available for us [00:57:21] to take advantage of. [00:57:23] And certainly, we've got other roofs as well. [00:57:25] When, I guess it was Barrett told me [00:57:28] how much money we were looking at saving [00:57:32] on our electric costs to the library about drawing my teeth. [00:57:36] Because it's a huge amount of money, [00:57:38] and you start adding that over multiple buildings [00:57:44] that we own. [00:57:46] I mean, we're potentially talking [00:57:48] about hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in savings. [00:57:55] That's money that the taxpayers aren't going to have to pay. [00:57:58] So I think it's probably a really good opportunity [00:58:03] to look at moving that. [00:58:07] Do appreciate your comment about using some of it [00:58:11] as a possible alternate source to gas taxes. [00:58:15] Very timely today in that Ford started delivering [00:58:20] their F-150 Lightning today. [00:58:25] They're looking at selling a couple million EVs a year [00:58:30] within the next couple of years. [00:58:33] So that change is going to happen really, really quick. [00:58:38] And I don't know the penny for Pasco necessarily [00:58:42] is where we need to be replacing gas tax revenues, [00:58:46] but I think we need to start having that discussion. [00:58:49] Because the gas tax revenues are going to start going away, [00:58:52] and probably sooner rather than later. [00:58:56] And finally, with this thing being for 15 years [00:59:00] and not starting for three more years, [00:59:05] I'll be in my upper 80s by the time [00:59:06] that this finishes out, assuming I'm [00:59:10] lucky enough to still be alive at that point. [00:59:13] Yeah, we may need the council members' retirement [00:59:17] home at that point. [00:59:19] But it is sort of humbling to think [00:59:23] that we are having to plan out that far in advance [00:59:28] to keep this city moving in the direction [00:59:32] that I think all of us want to do. [00:59:33] We've made some great progress. [00:59:36] Penny for Pasco 1 and 2 have certainly helped in that regard. [00:59:41] And if we can convince the voters [00:59:46] that there are some major benefits in continuing that on, [00:59:51] I think we and future members of the city council [00:59:58] will be able to. [01:00:00] do good by the residents of this city of Newport-Riching. [01:00:07] Mayor, you make an excellent point there. [01:00:12] We didn't talk enough about that. [01:00:15] Some of the items that was listed there that's been accomplished [01:00:18] for the past two buckets are outstanding. [01:00:21] I think that you council members who have served here [01:00:26] and the ones that came before us did an excellent job [01:00:30] in selecting the projects and the good use of the dollars. [01:00:35] I think that we emphasize that, and we have a good show and tell. [01:00:42] And I think that we just try to spin off that. [01:00:47] That is the way that we best make this happen. [01:00:50] It may be more important to explain what has been done [01:00:53] with Penny over the last 20 years [01:00:59] and how those things have impacted the city of Newport-Riching. [01:01:03] That may be more important than the laundry list that we [01:01:08] and people that follow us are going to want to come up with [01:01:12] for future projects. [01:01:15] Ten years from now, 15 years from now, [01:01:18] I have no idea what the city is going to be thinking [01:01:22] that they need to be spending Penny for Pasco dollars. [01:01:25] I would not be so presumptuous. [01:01:27] That's a huge point in the future. [01:01:30] But securing that revenue stream so that they can do it, [01:01:34] I think, is important. [01:01:36] And I know the folks that did the original Penny for Pasco, [01:01:42] that did the heavy lifting to get that done, [01:01:45] we owe them thanks every single day. [01:01:50] Because if that first Penny for Pasco had not been passed, [01:01:55] we wouldn't have had the second one, [01:01:58] and we wouldn't have the benefit of any of the things [01:02:01] that we enjoy on a daily basis. [01:02:04] I mean, the Great Preserve and the expansion protecting that land [01:02:10] from becoming waterfront condos, the widening of Main Street, [01:02:23] down by the post office, all of the stuff. [01:02:29] Sims Park. [01:02:31] Sims Park, all of that. [01:02:33] All of that we can point to with, I think, a huge amount of pride [01:02:36] and not taking personal credit for it, [01:02:41] but as a group effort over the last 18 years, [01:02:46] there have been a lot of people that have pushed to make good use [01:02:52] of the taxpayers' money, [01:02:54] and I think that's the message that's got to be communicated. [01:02:57] So irregardless of whatever else is on the ballot this November, [01:03:01] this Penny for Pasco deserves to be renewed. [01:03:12] A few guys? [01:03:15] May I say something? [01:03:16] A little bit. [01:03:18] So proposing the eight categories does allow flexibility to current council [01:03:25] and future council. [01:03:26] I think that was one of your concerns. [01:03:30] What we can do is the description types within each category, [01:03:34] we can broaden those some so that they're not as restrictive for you guys [01:03:39] and for the future council. [01:03:41] The future council, absolutely. [01:03:42] Right. [01:03:43] And do we have to do the percentage? [01:03:45] Is that part of the process here? [01:03:48] We do, but it can be amended from time to time through resolution [01:03:52] over the course of the 15 years. [01:03:54] We did that recently, didn't we? [01:03:56] Yes, with the utilities. [01:03:58] Are we required to put percentages down? [01:04:01] I mean, is that just something we've done, or is it a... [01:04:06] I think we're wrong. [01:04:07] I don't think it is. [01:04:08] I don't believe we are. [01:04:09] That's just something we've practiced. [01:04:11] You remember the trouble we had with the first penny when we had the, [01:04:16] all right, so much goes in here, and it's like, as it says... [01:04:19] We don't have to specify those percentages. [01:04:22] I would not. [01:04:24] Yeah, and it's useful. [01:04:28] I know you all want to know what you have to do, [01:04:30] but it's more fun to just take things as they come. [01:04:36] Not... [01:04:40] I'm not going there. [01:04:42] Not specifically penny for PASCO necessarily, [01:04:49] but I do think the comments that George made about looking at similar [01:04:58] housing stock, the comments that Kelly and I had heard from the, [01:05:07] whatever the Pinellas County version of the Coalition for the Homeless is, [01:05:10] it's a different name, at last Friday's meeting, [01:05:16] about the issues that are causing homelessness and the fact that, [01:05:26] to use Frank Starkey's term from tonight, [01:05:28] the missing middle in housing that we don't have in the area. [01:05:34] These are all issues that I think we need to be cognizant of. [01:05:39] There's some opportunities, and be that with American Recovery Act [01:05:45] or Community Development, Brock Grant, or some other funding sources, [01:05:50] I'd like us to at least have on the table that we ought to be looking at [01:05:55] some of these things. [01:05:58] Housing continues to be a priority, Mayor, and it has been for some time. [01:06:02] You have to understand that we have had some inconsistency as it relates [01:06:07] to the position of Community Development Director, [01:06:10] and that's created some hardship for me. [01:06:12] I understand that, but the point I'm making is if we keep that idea in mind, [01:06:24] that we want to try to both improve the housing stock [01:06:28] and get potentially more homeowners and fewer rental units [01:06:35] so that we're not perennially chasing slumlords, [01:06:40] I think that's a worthy goal, and it's a long-term goal for sure. [01:06:46] It is, but I do have to add that not all owners of rental property are slumlords [01:06:55] and that many are very responsible and that it's become desirable [01:07:02] to rent property for many people that are very responsible rental. [01:07:11] And we do have some of those, [01:07:14] including some that have shown up to talk to us at City Council meetings, [01:07:19] that are good and decent people. [01:07:22] One of the issues that we heard about Friday, [01:07:27] and I've also heard it in other forums, [01:07:31] is that there is a growing industry, for lack of a better term. [01:07:40] There are some large corporations that are coming in [01:07:43] and buying up residential houses, and they've got large reserves of cash. [01:07:50] They swoop into an area, and before somebody can, as a mere mortal, [01:07:57] can go through the process of getting an FHA loan [01:08:01] or even just a conventional bank loan done, [01:08:05] these corporations basically swoop in with suitcase-fulls of cash, [01:08:12] and they buy it, and all of a sudden you've got everything in that area [01:08:19] is now rental, and there are no homeowners. [01:08:22] And that's a problem, and it's nationwide. [01:08:26] I think it was two or maybe three weeks ago [01:08:29] there was actually a segment on 60 Minutes about it, [01:08:31] but we heard it again Friday. [01:08:35] I think you're correct, Mayor. [01:08:39] I read a recent article about as far as the number, [01:08:43] somewhere between 30% and 40% of all single-family homes [01:08:46] are being purchased by investors currently. [01:08:52] But that is now a growing trend for people to want to be renters. [01:08:59] Some people have been through the crash and the uptick, [01:09:03] and they don't want that. [01:09:04] They want the flexibility to move when they want to move. [01:09:07] I think it's all about the city has stepped us up, [01:09:12] and I would encourage you to continue to do that, [01:09:14] to do the code enforcements, to bring those people [01:09:17] who are just noncompliant up to speed. [01:09:20] And I think what happens as a city is that we continue to do those things [01:09:30] to attract people who want to live here. [01:09:35] And that's going to be our parks, our downtown. [01:09:40] We like to build the amenities, and the people will come in. [01:09:45] And those people that want to live here, whether they're in it, [01:09:48] and I think there's a new breed of renters out there. [01:09:54] I look at a single mother who lives right across the street from me [01:09:58] who moved into a rental house, and with her own money, [01:10:03] she mows the yard herself, she's done the landscape, [01:10:06] she's improved the exterior of her home, and she's a renter. [01:10:10] And I think that we see more and more of those than some of the people [01:10:14] that just college students are going to live there for two years [01:10:17] and be out or something. [01:10:20] And I think that along with our alleyway improvements, [01:10:24] if homeowners, property owners there want to build a secondary dwelling [01:10:30] behind their home that could be a mother-in-law suite and so forth, [01:10:35] and they maintain that as much as they do their homeowners, [01:10:38] I think that improves the housing stock. [01:10:41] I'm not sure that we need to go out and give landlords money [01:10:45] to improve their property. [01:10:47] I mean, those are business people. [01:10:48] They've got to take that. [01:10:49] But if we do really have – sometimes we run into elderly homeowners [01:10:54] that just can't do it. [01:10:58] We ought to have some funds available to help them. [01:11:00] And keep in mind, again, that rental properties do not – [01:11:05] they don't have that Save Our Homes benefit in there, right? [01:11:08] And as those appreciations go, we get the full tax credit of that. [01:11:12] So oftentimes we could have rental property that affords us more of a [01:11:18] revenue stream than a homeowner's does for the same amount of money. [01:11:22] That's certainly true. [01:11:24] But when these commercial large rental corporations come in, [01:11:32] buy up a swath of housing, and then jack the rental prices up 30% or 40%, [01:11:37] people are finding themselves homeless. [01:11:40] And that's just the facts of the matter. [01:11:43] And I say this is well documented now from a number of sources. [01:11:49] Predatory is maybe overstating the situation. [01:11:54] But they've got no buy-in in the community other than the fact that [01:12:01] they own property. [01:12:03] And when you have a limited number of these that are buying up large swaths [01:12:10] of it, it is driving up the cost of housing for renters. [01:12:17] Now, if you want to talk about ADUs and how we change our ordinances [01:12:23] to encourage ADUs, I'm in on that discussion. [01:12:27] I think that would be a great discussion for us to have. [01:12:31] But I think we've got to face the reality that there are some market forces [01:12:36] going on right now that are making housing out of reach for normal people. [01:12:44] If they could get a mortgage, they'd be paying less than what they're paying [01:12:48] in rent, significantly less. [01:12:52] I'm sorry. [01:12:53] The comment that Robert said, I want to underline it too because it was a good [01:12:57] comment and something that we really need to do about getting the win-win [01:13:02] or double benefit, which is the infrastructure improvements, [01:13:07] whether they're alleys or drainage or whatever kind of infrastructure [01:13:12] or buried utility lines, whatever we can do gives us the ability [01:13:16] to rebuild the curb appeal. [01:13:20] And the curb appeal is a direct benefit, as you've talked about, the alleys, [01:13:25] which will increase the values and also the appeal of our neighborhoods, [01:13:30] which will change the clientele of the rentals, [01:13:34] which is what we're really talking about because we've had so much improvement. [01:13:39] When I ran for mayor, the first time I won, the topic that I used, [01:13:46] speaking of getting older, not just looking at you, but we all are, [01:13:49] but at the same pace, but it may be a different timeline. [01:13:56] It beats the alternative. [01:14:00] What I ran on was saying you have the right to see your tax money to benefit [01:14:08] you while you're alive to enjoy it, and I think that the message is we celebrate [01:14:13] our past achievements, we have some really exciting current achievements, [01:14:17] so we don't have to talk to them like if you do this, if you pay for that, [01:14:21] we'll do it, but we can really say, and these are the improvements, [01:14:25] our trails, our alleys, all the things we could start to show the benefit of [01:14:30] that would say really we can accomplish this while you're still alive to enjoy it. [01:14:36] Otherwise, it might take us 20 years. [01:14:38] So it's not that we won't do it because it goes back to what you said, Mike, [01:14:44] and I interjected, or maybe don't build it. [01:14:47] Maybe it's also we can bring these improvements in sooner [01:14:53] so you can enjoy them quicker, and it really worked, I think, for me [01:14:58] because folks were saving all their money. [01:15:00] they were being very conservative, and the city at the time had a good bit of [01:15:07] capital laying around. So we did all the sidewalks in town almost, not all of them, [01:15:13] but we made major sidewalk improvements and changed the way people were [01:15:19] living while they could enjoy it. So I think those are just sort of the talking [01:15:25] points that we've all sat on, that we can be helpful to help to promote this. [01:15:34] That's what we'd love to see, is like, this is what we've done, this is what [01:15:39] we're doing, and then we could really knock it out of the park if we could get [01:15:43] this money. I don't know holding it out and saying, if you vote for this, this [01:15:49] will do it. I think the excitement will cause them to come along. [01:15:54] I just don't want us to be, and I like, you know, to be able to enjoy it now, and I know that [01:16:00] it allows us to also use some debt service. I just hate for us to get in a [01:16:06] situation where, you know, like our CRA funds, which such a large percentage of [01:16:10] that annual funding we receive goes to a debt service, that limits what we can do. [01:16:17] I don't want to handcuff our future council members too much, right? [01:16:22] I'm not talking about borrowing money. I'm just saying, let's throw some, let's do an alley or two. [01:16:26] Let's do some stuff and show them what we want to do, and do it in a... [01:16:32] Give us some examples. Yeah, and say, hey, we could really do more of this if you help. [01:16:36] If you like it, then vote for it, type of thing. [01:16:40] Then that's probably not a bad approach. Great discussion, guys. [01:16:48] We only have a few shut eyes in the crowd. [01:16:52] You may have put them all to sleep. [01:16:54] Okay, that's a good sign. [01:16:56] Anything else? [01:16:58] I don't have anything further. [01:17:00] Entertain a motion to adjourn? [01:17:02] Someone's motion. [01:17:04] Thank you.

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3. 3Communications
4. 4Adjournment