On the agenda

1. 4

   Approval of August 1, 2023 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Council approved the minutes from the August 1, 2023 Work Session and Regular Meeting.

   • motion:Approve the August 1, 2023 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes. (passed)

   ▶ Jump to 0:00 in the video

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   [00:00:00] We have the approval of the August 1st meeting, where it says you should have a regular meeting. [00:00:09] Move for approval. [00:00:10] I'll second. [00:00:11] All those in favor? [00:00:12] Aye. [00:00:13] Aye.

   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.

2. 5Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 0:14
3. 6.a

   Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes - April 2023

   approvedon consent

   The Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes from April 2023 were approved as part of the consent agenda with no discussion.

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

   #Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes - April 2023

   ▶ Jump to 11:27 in the video

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   [00:11:27] and we shouldn't be having to worry about [00:11:29] our city officials [00:11:31] trying to force residents out [00:11:33] and not do right by them. [00:11:35] We elected you. [00:11:37] Anybody else [00:11:39] like to address the council tonight? [00:11:43] Seeing no one, [00:11:45] come forth or go ahead and bring it back. [00:11:47] We have a consent agenda. [00:11:49] Move for approval. [00:11:51] Move for approval. [00:11:55] Second. [00:11:57] Any [00:11:59] comments on it? [00:12:01] Go ahead and vote then. [00:12:03] All those in favor? [00:12:05] Aye. [00:12:07] Those opposed?

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

4. 6.b

   Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval

   approvedon consent

   Council approved the consent agenda, which included purchases/payments for City Council approval, by voice vote with no discussion.

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

   ▶ Jump to 11:27 in the video

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   [00:11:27] and we shouldn't be having to worry about [00:11:29] our city officials [00:11:31] trying to force residents out [00:11:33] and not do right by them. [00:11:35] We elected you. [00:11:37] Anybody else [00:11:39] like to address the council tonight? [00:11:43] Seeing no one, [00:11:45] come forth or go ahead and bring it back. [00:11:47] We have a consent agenda. [00:11:49] Move for approval. [00:11:51] Move for approval. [00:11:55] Second. [00:11:57] Any [00:11:59] comments on it? [00:12:01] Go ahead and vote then. [00:12:03] All those in favor? [00:12:05] Aye. [00:12:07] Those opposed?

   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. 6.d

   Budget Amendment

   approvedon consent

   Council moved and approved the consent agenda without discussion.

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

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   [00:11:27] and we shouldn't be having to worry about [00:11:29] our city officials [00:11:31] trying to force residents out [00:11:33] and not do right by them. [00:11:35] We elected you. [00:11:37] Anybody else [00:11:39] like to address the council tonight? [00:11:43] Seeing no one, [00:11:45] come forth or go ahead and bring it back. [00:11:47] We have a consent agenda. [00:11:49] Move for approval. [00:11:51] Move for approval. [00:11:55] Second. [00:11:57] Any [00:11:59] comments on it? [00:12:01] Go ahead and vote then. [00:12:03] All those in favor? [00:12:05] Aye. [00:12:07] Those opposed?

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6. 7.a

   First Reading, Ordinance No. 2023-2281: Lease Agreement w/Edward J. Campbell

   approved

   First reading of Ordinance 2023-2281 authorizing a lease of certain city property to Edward J. Campbell at $900/month for a two-year term, with the city manager authorized to execute documents. The property location is exempt from disclosure under Florida Statutes Section 119.071. Council approved unanimously after public comment.

   Ord. Ordinance No. 2023-2281

   • motion:Motion to approve Ordinance 2023-2281 authorizing lease of city property to Edward J. Campbell. (passed)

   📍city property leased to Edward J. Campbell👤Driscoll👤Edward J. Campbell#Florida Statutes Section 119.071#Ordinance No. 2023-2281

   ▶ Jump to 12:09 in the video

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   [00:12:09] All right, moving on to public reading [00:12:11] of ordinances. [00:12:13] This is ordinance number [00:12:15] 2023-2281, [00:12:17] an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida [00:12:19] providing for the lease of city property, [00:12:21] providing for the lease of certain city property, [00:12:23] providing authorization to the city manager [00:12:25] to execute all documents [00:12:27] in accordance therewith and providing for an effective date. [00:12:31] Do we have any public comment [00:12:33] on the ordinance 2023-2281? [00:12:43] It's a lease agreement [00:12:45] with Edward J. Campbell. [00:12:47] Okay, and you're giving [00:12:49] all the power to whom? [00:12:51] We're not giving any power to anybody. [00:12:53] Well, you just said the city manager, right? [00:12:55] Or what did he say? Can you read that again, [00:12:57] Mr. Driscoll, please, so we can clearly understand? [00:12:59] Does he have the permission? [00:13:01] Does he have to give permission? [00:13:03] Sir, could you please sit down? [00:13:05] We didn't even invite you up. [00:13:07] Could you please sit down? [00:13:09] No, I did not open it for public comment. [00:13:11] Okay, I'll wait until you open it for public comment. [00:13:17] Just to eliminate any problems, [00:13:19] could you just read it again? [00:13:21] This is ordinance number [00:13:23] 2023-2281, [00:13:25] an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida [00:13:27] providing for the lease of certain city property, [00:13:29] providing authorization to the city manager [00:13:31] to execute all documents in accordance [00:13:33] herewith, and providing for an [00:13:35] effective date. [00:13:37] Thank you very much. [00:13:39] A public opinion, you're welcome to come up [00:13:41] if anybody has any questions. [00:13:49] All I just want to say on this, [00:13:51] maybe the council should start taking some responsibility [00:13:53] and stop giving all the responsibility [00:13:55] to the city manager, because that's why you have [00:13:58] all the problems you have. [00:14:00] Would anybody else like to speak? [00:14:04] Are you from Florida? [00:14:06] Are you addressing this [00:14:08] lease agreement, sir? [00:14:10] Of course I am. [00:14:12] Are you from Florida? [00:14:14] I'm not answering that. [00:14:16] It's nothing to do with this. [00:14:18] Because you don't know about Florida Codes [00:14:20] and how you can take care of property. [00:14:22] Anybody else [00:14:24] would like to speak? [00:14:26] All right. [00:14:28] I'll bring it back. [00:14:30] Bring it back to council, please. [00:14:32] Move for approval? [00:14:34] Or a question? [00:14:36] We have a little discussion. [00:14:38] Just address this and let us know [00:14:40] again some details of this, please. [00:14:42] The property [00:14:44] is [00:14:46] exempt [00:14:48] from disclosure. [00:14:50] The location is exempt from disclosure [00:14:52] under Section 119.071 [00:14:54] of Florida Statutes. [00:14:56] The property is [00:14:58] exempt from disclosure. [00:15:00] is being leased to Edward J. Campbell. The monthly rent payment is established [00:15:08] at $900 per month. The term of the lease is for a two-year period of time and [00:15:15] there are responsibilities of your assignment attached to his rental of the [00:15:21] property. Thank you. I move we approve. Second. Any other discussion? [00:15:30] Seeing no one else step forward, we'll go ahead and move for approval. [00:15:37] All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? Unanimous forms it. Moving on to business items.

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7. 8.a

   Acceptance of Donation from the New Port Richey Elks Lodge 2284

   approved

   The New Port Richey Elks Lodge 2284 presented $1,000 donations each to the New Port Richey Police Department and Fire Department, part of a broader June 10th event recognizing first responders across Pasco County. Council accepted the donations by unanimous voice vote.

   • motion:Move acceptance of the donations from the New Port Richey Elks Lodge 2284. (passed)

   🏢Florida Highway Patrol🏢New Port Richey Elks Lodge 2284🏢New Port Richey Fire Department🏢New Port Richey Police Department🏢Pasco County Fire and Rescue🏢Pasco County Sheriff's Department👤Jeff Siegel👤John Connor#Elvis tribute show October 21#June 10 First Responders Appreciation Event

   ▶ Jump to 15:38 in the video

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   [00:15:50] First one, acceptance of donation from the New Port Richey Elks Club 2284. Please [00:15:57] come forward. [00:16:28] On June 10th, we put together an event. [00:16:31] Pull the mic towards you so that people can hear it all. [00:16:33] I'm sorry. [00:16:34] On June 10th, the Elks put together an event [00:16:36] for our first responders in Pasco County, [00:16:39] which included New Port Richey Police, New Port Richey Fire. [00:16:42] It also included Pasco County Sheriff's Department, [00:16:46] Pasco County Fire and Rescue, as well as Florida Highway [00:16:49] Patrol. [00:16:51] Each one of those groups has the same presentation. [00:16:54] And tonight, we're here to present $1,000 [00:16:57] to each to the police chief and each to the fire chief [00:17:00] for them to do whatever they deem appropriate with the funds [00:17:05] because we don't know what their departments may or may not [00:17:07] need. [00:17:08] They know better than we. [00:17:09] So we're not earmarking the money. [00:17:13] It'll be up to them to decide what [00:17:14] to do with it within their departments. [00:17:17] And on behalf of the Elks, my name's [00:17:20] Jeff Siegel, our ER, John Connor's here, [00:17:22] and all the Elks in New Port Richey. [00:17:24] Besides all the things that the Elks do within our community, [00:17:28] we would like to thank the city for everything [00:17:30] that you do and our first responders for everything [00:17:34] that they do to keep us all safe. [00:17:36] And I was at the event. [00:17:37] Very nice. [00:17:38] Thank you. [00:17:53] Thank you. [00:17:54] Appreciate it. [00:17:57] So one question. [00:18:00] How many Elk members do you have in New Port Richey? [00:18:03] So we have a little over 800, almost 900 Elk members [00:18:07] at the New Port Richey Elk Slides, which is over on Congress. [00:18:10] Fantastic. [00:18:12] And you allow people to rent your place [00:18:16] and have some nice events. [00:18:17] I've been to a couple there where your people treated [00:18:21] the people that were having the event very nicely, [00:18:23] covered them as much as you could. [00:18:25] Gentlemen and ladies, excellent job. [00:18:28] Thank you very much. [00:18:29] We look forward to we have many, many, many more events that [00:18:32] are open to the public, as well as people that want [00:18:34] to become members of the Elks. [00:18:35] And when is Elvis coming? [00:18:37] Elvis, the tribute artist Elvis show [00:18:40] is going to be on October 21st at the Lodge. [00:18:42] And tickets will go on sale online. [00:18:44] You'll see it on Facebook or emails or whatnot. [00:18:48] People will all be notified. [00:18:50] And you can only actually get tickets online. [00:18:52] Thank you. [00:18:53] All right, thank you very much. [00:18:54] Thank you, everybody. [00:18:55] Thank you. [00:18:55] Thank you. [00:18:57] You want to try it? [00:18:58] Elvis, go on. [00:18:59] No. [00:18:59] No. [00:19:00] They're going fast, though, probably. [00:19:08] We need a motion, Mr. Mayor. [00:19:10] I'd move acceptance of the donations. [00:19:14] So moved. [00:19:14] Do we have a second? [00:19:15] Second. [00:19:16] All those in favor? [00:19:18] Aye. [00:19:19] Those opposed?

   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. 8.b

   Board Re-Appointment: Richard Melton, Cultural Affairs Committee

   approved

   Council reappointed Richard Melton to the Cultural Affairs Committee for a two-year term spanning through August 15, 2025. A resident spoke in support, and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

   • motion:Motion to reappoint Richard Melton to the Cultural Affairs Committee for a two-year term through August 15, 2025. (passed)

   👤Marlo Jones👤Richard Melton#Cultural Affairs Committee

   ▶ Jump to 19:21 in the video

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   [00:19:21] All right, now reappointment of Richard Melton [00:19:26] to the Cultural Affairs Committee. [00:19:28] Yes, Mr. Melton has expressed interest [00:19:31] in continuing to serve on the Cultural Affairs Committee. [00:19:35] His term actually expired on August 5th of 2023. [00:19:41] The terms of office for the Cultural Affairs Committee [00:19:46] are for two-year periods of time. [00:19:49] So if you determine that it's appropriate to reappoint Mr. [00:19:53] Melton to the Cultural Affairs Committee, [00:19:55] his term would span through August 15th of 2025. [00:20:01] All right, any public comment on Mr. Melton? [00:20:13] We should approve it. [00:20:14] He's a great asset to the city. [00:20:16] Please identify yourself for the public. [00:20:17] Marlo Jones. [00:20:18] Thank you. [00:20:19] Thank you, sir. [00:20:21] Definitely a great asset to the community. [00:20:23] Does a lot of work. [00:20:24] Thank you. [00:20:25] Should approve it. [00:20:26] But also, you said Cultural Affairs Committee. [00:20:28] Can the city manager let us know when [00:20:30] she will be letting us know when the people put [00:20:32] in applications for that same committee, [00:20:35] when they will bring this up to your attention for a vote? [00:20:38] All right, we'll get with it. [00:20:40] Get with it? [00:20:40] OK, thank you. [00:20:41] Thank you. [00:20:46] Do we have any approval for this? [00:20:48] Move for approval. [00:20:50] Second and third. [00:20:51] I don't know which order. [00:20:52] Good luck. [00:20:53] You pick. [00:20:54] All right, all those in favor? [00:20:56] Aye. [00:20:57] Those opposed? [00:20:59] OK, moving on.

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

9. 8.c

   Appeal of Variance #2023-05-0012; Reduction in Required Parking for 5314 Linder Place

   tabled

   Council considered an appeal of a parking variance for 5314 Linder Place, where Creative Growth Group Inc. sought to reduce required parking from 14 to 7 spaces for a proposed office/record-keeping use. The DRC recommended denial while the Land Development Review Board recommended approval. The motion to approve resulted in a 2-2 tie, and the item was tabled to the next meeting.

   • motion:Motion to accept the Land Development Review Board's recommendation to approve the parking variance reducing required spaces from 14 to 7. (failed)2–2
   • motion:Motion to table/postpone the item to the next meeting. (passed)

   📍5314 Linder Place📍Lacoste Road🏢Creative Growth Group Incorporated👤Matt👤Mitch Beag👤Mr. Hall👤Ms. Mann👤Starkey#Development Review Committee (DRC)#Highway Commercial zoning#Land Development Review Board (LDRB)#Variance #2023-05-0012

   ▶ Jump to 21:00 in the video

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   [00:21:00] Appeal for a variance on 2020-305-0012, [00:21:06] the reduction of required parking for 5314 Linder Place. [00:21:12] This agenda item is being presented to you [00:21:15] as a result of the fact that the Development Review Committee [00:21:19] submitted a recommendation to the Land Development Review [00:21:24] Board in opposition of the request the Land Development [00:21:29] Review Board approved the request, which [00:21:35] was for a parking variance for seven parking spaces. [00:21:39] And Mr. Hall has a full presentation [00:21:43] for you, which does a nice job summarizing the request. [00:21:48] Mr. Hall? [00:21:49] Thank you, Ms. Mann. [00:21:52] The owner, Creative Growth Group Incorporated, [00:21:56] is asking for a reduction in the required parking [00:21:59] from 14 spaces to seven spaces for the use of a proposed [00:22:04] office. [00:22:06] Staff has prepared a report that's [00:22:08] part of the public record. [00:22:11] The location of this property is in red. [00:22:14] It's east of US Highway 19, west of River Road, [00:22:18] on the south side of Linder Place, 5314 Linder Place. [00:22:23] The zoning is highway commercial, [00:22:25] and the future land use is highway commercial. [00:22:27] It is currently a vacant building. [00:22:30] It's a residential house, but it's now commercial zoning. [00:22:35] And the proposed use of office is allowed at that location. [00:22:41] Coming in closer, the existing site [00:22:43] shows the building as it exists right here. [00:22:47] And the driveway, there's a handicapped parking space [00:22:51] and an additional parking space there. [00:22:53] So there are two existing spaces on site. [00:22:57] If this building were to open today under current codes, [00:23:00] it would be required to have nine parking spaces. [00:23:08] This is the site plan that the applicant has submitted. [00:23:11] I've got another drawing right after this to clear it up, [00:23:14] but I did want to put this up here [00:23:15] to show that this is what the applicant submitted. [00:23:19] And they showed that it has seven spaces, [00:23:22] and then they added two additional spaces [00:23:24] in the right of way. [00:23:26] I crossed those out to show that that is not [00:23:28] part of this consideration tonight. [00:23:30] It was in the application, because the public [00:23:33] doesn't have the right to just say [00:23:35] they're going to put spaces for themselves in the right of way. [00:23:42] The addition is going to be a process [00:23:45] going to take it from 1,700 square feet [00:23:48] to about 2,650 square feet. [00:23:52] And the applicant, it's a health care office, [00:23:54] and in their records they say that they're mainly record [00:23:56] keeping, which takes up a large amount of space. [00:23:59] And they do not believe that they need the 14 [00:24:01] spaces that is required by code. [00:24:05] So this drawing here shows more legibly [00:24:08] what they're looking to do. [00:24:10] This is the existing building. [00:24:12] They're looking to add an addition, an expansion [00:24:15] to the building, again, from 1,700 to about 2,350. [00:24:21] They're going to have a deck on the back, [00:24:23] and they're going to expand the parking area here. [00:24:26] There was an issue in the original discussions [00:24:29] about the impervious surface. [00:24:31] There's too much coverage. [00:24:33] In a commercial area, they're allowed to have 70%. [00:24:35] So they came back in this light gray area. [00:24:37] They're going to put a pervious parking grid pavers in there. [00:24:41] So there'll be a total of seven spaces and one handicapped [00:24:44] space. [00:24:50] A variance can only be granted when a hardship with the land [00:24:53] exists. [00:24:54] The DRC did a full review of this and recommended denial. [00:24:59] It did not meet the six criteria for granting [00:25:02] a variance in development. [00:25:04] They believe that development would [00:25:05] cause excessive parking that could negatively [00:25:07] affect adjacent businesses in the residential neighborhood. [00:25:10] And the traffic flow could be hindered, [00:25:12] or may be hindered in the lines of sight obstructed, [00:25:14] creating a public safety hazard along Linder Place Road. [00:25:18] This did go to the LDB for review. [00:25:23] And after review and discussions with the applicant, [00:25:26] the LDRB recommended approval of reducing [00:25:30] the total required parking spaces from 14 to 7 [00:25:34] for office use. [00:25:38] I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. [00:25:43] Do you have any public comment? [00:25:45] Please come up. [00:25:50] Your name and address to start with. [00:25:53] My name is Mitch Beag. [00:25:54] I'm the owner of the property. [00:25:56] Address is 5314 Linder Place, New Port Richey. [00:26:01] My only comment is I won't be using the building for people [00:26:07] to be coming in. [00:26:08] It's more for record keeping. [00:26:11] I don't need 14 spaces. [00:26:13] I don't think we would ever cover 14 spaces. [00:26:15] I actually own the property next door. [00:26:17] If I needed to use the spaces, I would. [00:26:19] But I don't see myself using that many spaces. [00:26:28] I'll bring it back for some kind of move here. [00:26:33] Yeah, for discussion, I'm going to move [00:26:35] to accept the Land Development Review Board's recommendation [00:26:41] to approve the variance for discussion. [00:26:46] Go ahead, and you might start. [00:26:47] We'll need a second. [00:26:48] I'll second it for discussion. [00:26:49] OK. [00:26:50] Yeah, I think the first thing that popped into my head [00:26:53] is that city's parking garage and the idea [00:26:56] that we could have a nice bike and ride, [00:26:58] and you could park your car there and ride. [00:27:02] Parking has been, for a long time, [00:27:04] determined not to be a problem in the city. [00:27:08] The lack of parking applying, I don't [00:27:12] know if there's a code that says record retention meets [00:27:17] the definition of commercial, because we [00:27:21] want to encourage commercial enterprise and people [00:27:25] coming and using that space. [00:27:27] So in my vision of what would be the best thing to happen, [00:27:34] it would be more lively activity. [00:27:39] But the type of business and the parking, [00:27:43] I'm guessing that the concerns would [00:27:45] be that someone else would try to use it [00:27:47] and have a lot of people come, and parking wouldn't be there. [00:27:50] But all the parking is private around it, [00:27:53] and I don't think anyone could park. [00:27:57] So I'm just going to think that there was a hearty discussion, [00:28:01] and our citizen board recommended it. [00:28:04] If we have to have a reason for a variance, [00:28:09] I think the argument of the use of space, [00:28:14] and I did not ask how many employees [00:28:16] there are of this company or how many employees. [00:28:18] Only three will be there. [00:28:20] So three employees, record-keeping business. [00:28:23] Obviously, it would fit his needs, [00:28:25] forcing additional pavement or parking. [00:28:29] I'm guessing this is as a result of a request [00:28:32] to expand the space. [00:28:34] One could use it as it sits without having [00:28:37] to come back if they could. [00:28:39] One could use it. [00:28:41] The existing building would require nine spaces. [00:28:43] Why don't you bring that up on the screen, please? [00:28:48] So it's zoned commercial, but they [00:28:50] couldn't use the building there, is what you're saying, [00:28:53] for commercial use. [00:28:55] They would need, it would be either [00:28:58] an existing non-conforming use, but it hasn't been active. [00:29:03] But they would require nine spaces there. [00:29:05] They can fit seven. [00:29:07] The expansion of that required, again, an additional five [00:29:10] spaces. [00:29:11] So going from the nine that's required to 14, [00:29:16] and they can only put seven on the site, [00:29:18] would brought up with the variance. [00:29:22] I don't know. [00:29:23] I'm going to leave my cards like that. [00:29:26] I don't know. [00:29:26] I'm going to leave my cards on the table [00:29:28] and see what my colleagues think. [00:29:29] I'm torn on this. [00:29:34] Go ahead. [00:29:36] Yeah, I was just going to ask, if you could pull up [00:29:38] the slide that shows the properties around it a little [00:29:40] bit more. [00:29:42] And is that, I don't know if anything goes back [00:29:44] any further than that, right? [00:29:47] OK, there we go. [00:29:49] So is that, did the entire areas are green, [00:29:54] or are they all zoned commercial, right? [00:29:57] That whole entire area is highway commercial. [00:30:00] highway commercial. And the applicant also owns the property next door, right? [00:30:11] The east or west? I'm not sure whether this property or this property. The east. The one toward 19, right? [00:30:22] West. With all the parking spaces? It's got a lot of parking spaces. If I may add, our code says [00:30:35] office use, which is one per 200 square feet. It doesn't say record-keeping. It [00:30:40] doesn't say anything of that sort. It's a calculation based on the square footage of the building. [00:30:44] And so commercial highway commercial could accommodate a warehouse, right? Or is that strictly another zoning? [00:30:56] Depends what the use of the warehouse is. If it's just storage for materials inside, potentially yes, depending on what those [00:31:06] materials are, without anything outside. [00:31:13] Matt, you got questions? [00:31:15] No, I think it's more of an observation. I mean, the 14 spaces, I mean, it would be impossible to put 14 spaces on there anyways, [00:31:25] unless you parked them inside the building. So, you know, it just doesn't really make sense. And I think it goes back to our ratios [00:31:35] and things for parking for commercial. I mean, it's a commercial building, but essentially you can't really use it because of parking. [00:31:42] So it doesn't make sense. I would say yes, I'd be in favor of the 7. I just don't know what else we'd do in that situation. [00:31:57] Can I ask the applicant, his property there next door, what's his use of that property currently? [00:32:05] Right now it's currently vacant. I just purchased it 15 days ago. [00:32:12] How many parking spaces does it have? [00:32:15] I think it's like 10 to 18 parking spaces. And then on Lacoste Road, the road over, there's 10 parking spaces that are on the road. [00:32:25] So if we ever, somehow, someway, they have parking on the road the next street over. [00:32:35] I just, I'm having problems here because you just added another whole portion to this. [00:32:43] And I just think you end up owning the property next door. They've got, whatever, 10 spots. [00:32:49] You've got, looks like that picture that you brought up where you're drawing. [00:32:54] Dale, can you bring that other drawing up, please, the one proposal. [00:32:58] No, not his. Yeah, that one there. It seems like, I only see like maybe five spots, you know. [00:33:05] Maybe, let's exaggerate and say six, but I don't know. [00:33:08] I just think that we're trying to shove a parking lot into a, you know. [00:33:14] I just don't see how to get the, you know, the existing code. [00:33:18] And I don't see that this is a hardship, especially since you own the property next door, [00:33:22] that we should move to go ahead and grant this at a number of 14 according to the square footage. [00:33:29] Even, I don't even guess you can get nine in there. [00:33:34] I guess it's not a hardship if you create it on yourself because you want to expand your building. [00:33:39] And that's probably why I did it for discussion. [00:33:42] But, you know, I was a big advocate a few months back of someone who wanted to bring something, you know, vibrant [00:33:49] and bring life and entertainment and activity into the city. [00:33:53] And we've heard Mr. Starkey and others who've said over and over again that our parking rules are excessive. [00:34:01] And we have a big empty parking garage, but I don't know how legally to hang my hat on this thing. [00:34:08] Somehow our Land Development Review Board must have had an opinion based on your actual intent, interest, and use. [00:34:15] But if somebody turned around and you sold it and they wanted to put a coffee shop in there, [00:34:19] then we would have a problem or nobody would be in the coffee shop. [00:34:25] So that wouldn't work either. [00:34:27] I think no matter what's going to be a problem, the problem is it was residential at one time, it looks like. [00:34:31] And now it's commercial. [00:34:32] It was never designed for that. [00:34:33] So you're going to have an issue right from the start. [00:34:36] You know, that one on the corner, that looks to me like that was commercial from the start. [00:34:41] So, I mean, we're going to have to have some leeway somewhere because it's just, you know, why'd we make it commercial? [00:34:48] Good. [00:34:49] So you seconded my motion. [00:34:50] I'll go along with you. [00:34:51] I mean, I don't know if we've got a third vote or not. [00:34:56] Any other comments? [00:35:00] All those in favor of this proposed site say aye. [00:35:03] Aye. [00:35:04] Aye. [00:35:05] Opposed? [00:35:06] Nay. [00:35:07] Nay. [00:35:08] Well, we have a tie, so I guess it will be tabled. [00:35:10] No, it fails. [00:35:11] It fails? [00:35:12] Okay. [00:35:13] No, no, if you have a tie, it's a non-action. [00:35:14] Yes. [00:35:15] So you do need to have an action. [00:35:17] So I would suggest if no one's willing to change their vote that you entertain a motion to postpone this to the next meeting. [00:35:25] Okay, it's tabled. [00:35:26] That's the same idea. [00:35:27] Yeah. [00:35:28] Okay. [00:35:29] Post it, table it. [00:35:30] All those in favor? [00:35:31] Aye. [00:35:32] Aye. [00:35:33] All right. [00:35:34] It will come up in the next meeting, sir, when we have it. [00:35:35] Would the record want to reflect me making the motion to table? [00:35:38] Oh, yeah. [00:35:39] Well, I guess you can. [00:35:40] The mayor tabled it. [00:35:41] We'll let you. [00:35:42] Yeah, he tabled it all on his own. [00:35:43] What happens now? [00:35:44] You have to sit and wait until the next meeting, sir. [00:35:45] It's going to come back up again at the next meeting. [00:35:46] All righty.

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10. 8.d

    RFQ23-021 Engineering Continuing Service Agreements – Consideration for Approval

    approved

    Council approved RFQ23-021, authorizing staff to enter continuing service agreements with 15 engineering firms that responded to the city's request for qualifications. The agreements allow the city to bypass 45-60 days of advertising by going directly to negotiations on task orders.

    • motion:Motion to approve selection of 15 engineering firms and authorize staff to enter into continuing service agreements. (passed)

    👤Marlo Jones👤Ms. Vance👤Robert Rivera#RFQ23-021

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    [00:35:47] All right, moving on. [00:35:49] Yes, the staff has been working for some time now on the RFQ 23-021 engineering continuing service agreement consideration for approval. [00:35:58] Yes, the staff has been working for some time now on the RFQ 23-021 engineering continuing service agreement consideration for approval. [00:36:09] Yes, the staff has been working for some time now after having led a request for qualifications for engineering consulting services, [00:36:26] and since that time they have ranked and established a short list for continuing services, and Robert is prepared. [00:36:35] Mr. Rivera, if you could go forward with your discussion on your recommendation. [00:36:41] Thank you, Ms. Vance. [00:36:42] There were 15 firms that did respond to the city's advertisement. [00:36:46] When we did evaluate them and review their request for qualifications, we determined that all 15 met the criteria. [00:36:55] Fourteen of the 15 firms did have currently had offices in the Tampa Bay area. [00:37:02] The other firm had one in Citrus County. [00:37:13] These continuing service agreements that we have make these firms available to us. [00:37:18] All of them have extensive expertise in government capital improvement projects, [00:37:27] and basically what it does is it helps shave off about 45 to 60 days from us having to advertise. [00:37:35] We can go directly into negotiations and then present those task orders to city council for approval. [00:37:43] So with that being said, we would recommend that you approve the selection of these 15 firms [00:37:49] and allow staff to enter into continuing service agreements with those firms. [00:37:56] All right. [00:37:58] A public comment on this, please. [00:38:11] Marlo Jones, you said 15 companies. [00:38:14] Are you guys going to tell us who these companies are? [00:38:17] They're listed in the – [00:38:20] Can he tell us? [00:38:22] We're at a public meeting. [00:38:23] He should be telling us. [00:38:24] They're listed in the packet and the information is available online and stuff. [00:38:30] So he's not going to tell us publicly here? [00:38:33] I answered your question, sir. [00:38:35] Okay. [00:38:36] You two should be ashamed of what you did to that man. [00:38:39] Excuse me. [00:38:40] Excuse me. [00:38:42] Carry on. [00:38:44] Anybody else like to speak? [00:38:47] All right, bring it back to council. [00:38:49] Move for approval. [00:38:51] Second. [00:38:52] All those in favor? [00:38:54] Aye. [00:38:55] Those opposed?

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11. 8.e

    2024 Aspen St., Pine St., High St., and School Rd. Drainage Improvements - Engineering Services

    approved

    Council approved a task order not to exceed $59,500 for engineering services related to drainage improvements at Aspen, Pine, High, and School Street intersections, in connection with the Grand Boulevard multi-use path project. Funding comes from the CIP miscellaneous flood control projects line.

    • motion:Approve the task order not to exceed $59,500 for engineering services for the Aspen/Pine/High/School drainage improvements. (passed)4–0

    📍Aspen Street📍Grand Boulevard📍High Street📍Pine Street📍School Street👤Manns👤Rivera#Capital Improvement Program (CIP)#Grand Boulevard multi-use path#Miscellaneous flood control projects

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    [00:38:59] All right. [00:39:01] Now we're looking at 2024 Aspen Street, Pine Street, High Street, School Street drainage improvements. [00:39:08] This also is an agenda item that will be presented by Mr. Rivera. [00:39:12] Thank you, Ms. Manns. [00:39:13] We talked about this project in the CIP meeting that we had. [00:39:19] We are asking you to consider for approval the task order in the amount not to exceed $59,500. [00:39:27] It's directly related to the Grand Boulevard multi-use path. [00:39:30] We have a few intersections that we need to have engineering work done for drainage issues prior to construction of that multi-use path. [00:39:40] And so this task order covers those requirements that we need to have. [00:39:46] The funding for this task order is identified and included in the city's capital improvement program under miscellanean flood control projects. [00:39:56] And with that, we would recommend approval of the task order. [00:40:01] Hello. [00:40:02] We're looking for public comment on this. [00:40:08] Seeing no one come forward, bring it back for approval. [00:40:12] I move we approve. [00:40:15] Second. [00:40:17] Any comments? [00:40:20] No, we talked about that a little bit during the capital project meeting, and I think it makes sense to me. [00:40:30] Now I think we need to approve drainage. [00:40:36] Nothing else to move for approval? [00:40:38] All those in favor? [00:40:39] Aye. [00:40:40] Aye. [00:40:41] Those opposed? [00:40:43] Carries 4-0.

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12. 8.f

    RFP23-024 CDBG-CV Engineering Services – Consideration for Approval

    approved

    Council approved the ranking of consultants for the CDBG-CV Engineering Services RFP, selecting Environmental Consulting and Technology, Inc. (ECT) as the top-ranked firm to design approximately 11,000 linear feet of sidewalk near Gulf Middle School, Francis Park, and the public library.

    • motion:Motion to approve the ranking and selection of ECT for RFP23-024 CDBG-CV Engineering Services. (passed)

    📍Francis Park📍Gulf Middle School📍public library🏢Environmental Consulting and Technology, Incorporated🏢Stroud Engineering👤Matt👤Mr. Hall👤Mr. Rivera👤Ms. Manns👤Pete#Beach Street drainage improvement project#CDBG-CV#Community Development Block Grant COVID project#Delaware Avenue stormwater drainage project#Main Street sidewalk improvement project#RFP23-024

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    [00:40:46] All right. [00:40:47] Moving on down. [00:40:49] The RFP 23-024, the CDBG-CG Engineering Services, consideration for approval. [00:40:59] Ms. Manns. [00:41:00] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor, members of council. [00:41:03] The purpose of this agenda item is to establish a rank order for the consultants that responded to the city's request for a proposal in respect to the community development block grant COVID project, [00:41:20] which in essence is a project which provides for nearly 11,000 linear feet of sidewalk to be constructed in the city, roughly in the area of Gulf Middle School, Francis Park, and our public library. [00:41:38] Two firms that responded to the RFP were Stroud Engineering and Environmental Consulting and Technology, Incorporated. [00:41:49] They were invited to an interview on August 10, 2023, and Mr. Rivera conducted the interview. [00:42:00] So, Mr. Rivera, I advise as to what occurred. [00:42:04] Well, thank you. [00:42:05] A committee of us, and Mr. Hall was included on that committee, as well as our construction services manager. [00:42:12] The criteria that we based the ranking on was successful engineering, qualifications of the project manager, engineering experience and the ability to become familiar with the project, project approach, and then the ability to stay within the confines of the project budget. [00:42:31] We would say that ECT is familiar with the city as well as the staff. [00:42:37] They have performed work with the city. [00:42:40] Those projects would include the Main Street sidewalk improvement project that we talked about earlier, the Beach Street drainage improvement project, and the Delaware Avenue stormwater drainage project. [00:42:54] And with that, we feel very confident that ETC would be able to design the project and stay within the budget and meet those standards that are required by the city. [00:43:05] And with that, we would recommend that you do approve them. [00:43:08] Thank you. [00:43:10] Is there any public comment? [00:43:15] Seeing no one come forward, I'll bring it back and move for approval. [00:43:21] I move we approve. [00:43:22] Second? [00:43:26] Do we have a second? [00:43:29] I'll second. [00:43:30] Okay. [00:43:31] Go ahead, comments. [00:43:33] I just made a point that both these firms seem like outstanding firms and scored very highly on the examination and the evaluation. [00:43:45] You know, when you have two good ones like that, you go with the ones that you certainly know and have the experience. [00:43:52] And I'm confident in our public works department, selecting one that I feel like could work well. [00:43:57] So that's why I move for approval. [00:44:00] Matt? [00:44:02] I have nothing. [00:44:03] Pete? [00:44:04] No. [00:44:05] Good. [00:44:06] All right. [00:44:07] All those in favor? [00:44:08] Aye. [00:44:09] Aye. [00:44:10] Those opposed? [00:44:11] It's moving on. [00:44:13] Next is a discussion regarding the collective of solid waste fees. [00:44:19] Ms. Manns? [00:44:20] Yes, sir. [00:44:21] The request before you this evening is to have a discussion about the solid waste pickup and hauling in the city,

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13. 8.g

    Discussion Regarding the Collection of Solid Waste Fees

    approved

    Council discussed how to collect fees for the upcoming single-hauler solid waste system, with staff recommending placement on the property tax roll versus the alternative of adding it to water bills. After debate, council voted 3-1 to place solid waste fees on the property tax bill, with the program expected to launch January 1, 2024 at approximately $120/year per property.

    • motion:Motion to place the fees for solid waste disposal on the property tax bill. (passed)3–1

    👤Councilman Altman👤Councilman Peters👤Crystal Dunn👤Crystal Feast👤Mr. Rivera#January 1, 2024 program launch#September 5 contract recommendation#Single-hauler solid waste system#Solid waste fee collection

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    [00:44:32] specifically about the collection of the fees associated with the pickup and hauling. [00:44:42] And to begin, you are all aware of the fact that in excess of three years ago, [00:44:50] we started to have conversation about converting to a single hauler system for waste pickup and hauling. [00:45:00] hauling and in that respect we did put our six haulers on notice that we would [00:45:06] be converting to that system. The there were many reasons that we had the [00:45:14] impetus to do so, some of which included the number of properties in the city [00:45:19] that did not subscribe to any level of service for trash pickup, the amount of [00:45:26] illegal dumping that was occurring in the city, the impact of having six [00:45:33] companies who were picking up waste and hauling it on our roadway system twice [00:45:42] per week, and the waste haulers who we've met with as part of it and that's Mr. [00:45:50] Rivera and at the time it was Crystal Feast and Crystal Dunn jumped in and [00:45:54] helped us along in this process after Crystal Feast resigned. It reported to us [00:46:03] higher than average experience in their their bad debt and their non-collectible [00:46:10] accounts and we had the motivation to to try to centralize the service to a [00:46:19] single hauler and to provide an incentive to one hauler to assume all [00:46:27] of the accounts in the city. The purpose was driven also by the fact that [00:46:34] we wanted to bring down the rate that our property owners paid for service. The [00:46:43] thinking among staff was that it would cost less to provide service if we could [00:46:49] a guarantee that every property in the city would have service and secondarily [00:46:56] that they would receive payment from every virtually every property in the [00:47:01] city. So we set off with your direction to do so and in that respect it is our [00:47:12] plan to be able to advance a recommendation to you at your first [00:47:17] meeting in September on September 5th to enter into an agreement with a [00:47:24] service provider that is able to provide coverage to the city of New Port Richey. [00:47:32] That being said we need to establish a method by which we will collect those [00:47:40] fees which we expect will be annually in the area of a hundred and twenty [00:47:46] dollars per year and there are really two models available to the city to do [00:47:52] that. We can either ask the tax assessor and the tax collector to add it to the [00:48:03] tax rolls or secondarily we can put the amount on people's water bills and there [00:48:11] are advantages and there are disadvantages to both systems and I have [00:48:16] outlined to you in a communication that I authored a week and a half ago or so [00:48:23] some of the advantages and the disadvantages and the staff's [00:48:30] recommendation my recommendation is that we put the fee on the tax roll and the [00:48:40] reason I felt that it's appropriate to do so is because it ensures a higher [00:48:46] level of collectible accounts and that really is the reason I believe that the [00:48:54] water bill although it provides some advantage of having the cash flow come [00:49:00] in throughout the year it has the downside risk of uncollectible accounts [00:49:07] and a lot of potential for error as as renters move out or as property [00:49:14] transfers hands through a deed change. There is administrative fees of [00:49:26] course associated with putting it on the tax rolls but the amount of the fee [00:49:32] far or the benefit of putting it on the tax rolls far exceeds the administrative [00:49:39] fee that the county would charge us to put it on the tax rolls and with that [00:49:45] Mr. Rivera and Mrs. Dunn and I are prepared to respond to whatever [00:49:51] questions you may have of us and we're opening it up for your discussion. [00:49:57] Alright does public have any comment? Seeing no one come forward we'll bring it [00:50:04] back for a move for approval. Well discussion if I may because I've been [00:50:09] the advocate of the other method which apparently I haven't been able to [00:50:15] outline the two reasons I think we should do it on the monthly basis. The [00:50:20] first is we we can collect everything provided that we have the ability to [00:50:26] assess the property owner which is exactly what is being proposed here is [00:50:31] that the property owner gets the bill pays the bill in advance of the services [00:50:37] on the tax roll or in the early part of its year and I know it doesn't seem to [00:50:42] be a whole lot of money but what is most concerning to me is something that I've [00:50:48] always been concerned with which is the loss of money and the loss of revenue to [00:50:52] the city and its water and utility. So the argument that we don't do a good [00:50:58] enough job of collecting all our water bills because people move and it's [00:51:02] difficult to keep track of them is really an indication that we have a [00:51:05] problem there we have to solve which is making sure that the landowner the [00:51:12] renters landlord understands his responsibility to pay that the [00:51:18] responsibility is on them to pay the water bill so we've gone for a long time [00:51:22] for renters to be able to come in and argue that they that they didn't know or [00:51:28] whatever and and refuse to pay water bill on land they own which are [00:51:35] effectively ability to be a lien on the property. Secondly every year we have [00:51:41] approved at the request of the city manager a list of assessments to be [00:51:46] placed on property to pay for folks that have had code enforcements or have [00:51:51] failed to pay their bills so if someone fails to pay their bill and we can put [00:51:58] that on the annual assessment we can collect every dime that's out there and [00:52:04] furthermore we can allocate some of the costs of our billing and collection to [00:52:11] the sanitary sewer so I did have discussions with the I did have [00:52:17] discussions with the fellow that was at the conference that had all the garbage [00:52:21] cans you all probably saw and I would like to make that as a pitch I think if [00:52:27] we want to make our city look good we could do like all other cities that have [00:52:31] sanitation collection and do some kind of a roll out of this that's in a way [00:52:38] reflective of the idea that we've changed our policy however you vote you [00:52:43] know it sounds easy just put it on the tax bills not a lot of money and but you [00:52:49] are now effectively causing the landlord to say I'm going to increase your rent [00:52:57] by the X numbers of dollars a month to collect that but she could do the same [00:53:01] thing with water bills except they change every month so it does this [00:53:05] doesn't solve the bigger utility revenue problem and it also doesn't [00:53:12] allow the landlord or the owner of the property to cause the renter to pay [00:53:18] directly for the garbage or to use that as an argument or whatever if they don't [00:53:23] so it sounds more confusing more more difficult it really isn't it's the way [00:53:29] it's done in most cities but you have your recommendation and I'll live with [00:53:33] whatever you all decide I'll not make a motion in case somebody wants to forward [00:53:38] a motion to approve the recommendation [00:53:54] so yeah I'll make a move that we I'll make a motion that we place the fees for [00:54:03] solid waste disposal on property property tax bill I don't know that I [00:54:19] don't necessarily want to have to take the responsibility to get this ball [00:54:22] rolling but you know when I first came on council that was one of the things I [00:54:25] talked about a lot about the trash haulers and how many we had and and so [00:54:29] forth and in a mismatch and it was mainly a lot of the fact that you know [00:54:34] there's all that much more noise up and down streets and and just it just didn't [00:54:41] seem as a an efficient system to me and so as I talked to some other [00:54:48] municipalities and how they work things and so forth it seemed that the senior [00:54:52] hauler it was a way to go that ultimately it would result in less fees [00:54:56] per homeowner and a property owner as far as the trash collections and it just [00:55:06] seems to to make sense I appreciate councilman Altman's comments about about [00:55:14] the water bill and you know the waste hauler is a fixed fee water bills are [00:55:22] all over the board up and down and vary from month to month and and sometimes [00:55:28] get out of whack and and I and I don't know that by putting the the and maybe [00:55:34] there's some issues with our collections or so forth on our water I don't think [00:55:38] by putting the trash on that will help that any that's another that's a whole [00:55:42] another issue to work and at least we know that if we go forward in this [00:55:46] position that that we don't compound a problem and it makes it a little bit [00:55:53] simpler and I think for the vast majority of our residents who use solid [00:55:58] waste they'll find a little bit of cost savings and then there's some other [00:56:03] things we got to decide later on as far as haulers and trash cans and all that [00:56:07] kind of stuff but I think we need to go forward on this on this motion at this [00:56:12] time so that we can meet some of the time requirements required I think I [00:56:21] think overall we need to address our you know water collections that issue I just [00:56:27] feel like adding the garbage on to it is gonna potentially cause more problems I [00:56:33] mean you could run a situation where you know you're fighting with them over the [00:56:37] water and the garbage bill and the landlord's paying the garbage bill and [00:56:40] the renters paying the water bill and trying to keep track of that and you [00:56:45] know I don't know I think you know one is enough to try to figure out with the [00:56:50] put on the tax roll I mean everybody's paying they switch hands they sell the [00:56:55] house gets transferred over new tax roll to the new owner gets paid and there's [00:57:00] no issues a lot easier for us I think I just you know other things you guys said [00:57:08] but one other thing is that you know we I've seen numerous times in town where [00:57:12] people pull their car up and dump off trash into somebody's dumpster and so in [00:57:17] this case we'll have 100% you know pickup across the town and like like [00:57:24] this man said it would be lowering the rate so I kind of lean to that way and [00:57:28] the people will be happy with it knowing that their trash is part of their rent [00:57:31] so I really don't have any problem especially we're talking you know if [00:57:34] they pass just a direct fee on you know it's $10 a month so I have no problem [00:57:39] with that so we move for approval no no no I'd like to discuss the motion I'd [00:57:46] like to talk to the motion first of all there would only be one bill it would be [00:57:51] the same bill it would go to the renter and it would be the same as a water bill [00:57:56] so it it wouldn't be two separate bills or two people paying it but the bottom [00:58:00] line is I think we do need to and I appreciate the comments from Councilman [00:58:06] Peters that we do need to look at and try to tighten up and determine if we [00:58:10] can do something to improve the process so that we don't find ourselves with [00:58:14] months of people moving out and trouble when someone new tries to move in and [00:58:20] deposits to return and all kind of things so those problems aren't going to [00:58:25] change my next question though is how how are we going to determine the amount [00:58:31] of money to put on the assessment to get it identified by the tax collector as he [00:58:40] sends the notice of taxes out have we identified a fee for ourselves do we [00:58:51] know the price that we're going to negotiate have we how are we going to [00:58:56] make the deadline to get it on the methodology only because we're waiting [00:59:01] for you to make the award on the bid but we have the schedule slated so that we [00:59:13] will make the deadline and I have had conversation with both the assessor and [00:59:18] with the tax collector and have their approval to go forward to get it on the [00:59:25] tax roll in time for collection and in conjunction with the 24 year and our [00:59:37] plan is not to launch the program until January 1st of 2024 at this time so it [00:59:48] will only be a partial year assessment for the first year that didn't answer [00:59:55] the amount of the assessment how [01:00:00] What would be the amount of the assessment? You have to, you have to submit a tax roll. [01:00:05] So what amount would you be placing on it to be noticed so that people would know that they're going to get this assessment? [01:00:12] I'm not following how you're able to just put a bill on without having a public notice to everybody. [01:00:20] We will have a public notice, and the public notice will indicate the rates [01:00:25] per, like, type of residential unit that you have. Like, if it's a single family, how much it is. [01:00:35] But we'll have to set the rate. [01:00:37] Are we, at this point, just deciding the direction we're going to go? Not necessarily a rate. [01:00:42] Does that help you there? [01:00:44] Only that I know that there are deadlines, and we'll have to have a rate, and we'll have to get it there in time, [01:00:49] and we don't even know what the rate is, so I'm not going to vote against the motion. [01:00:54] I mean, this is what your choice is. I'm just suggesting it's a pretty doggone tight rope you're walking on. [01:01:01] That's my point. We're not choosing a rate now. We're choosing an approach to charge and receive our pay. [01:01:06] But we have to follow the law if we're going to put it on the tax roll. [01:01:10] Now that I know that if you do vote in favor of this motion, then I'll know that I have to add the 2% administrative fee [01:01:22] into what the low bid is, plus the tax assessor's fee. [01:01:32] Right. Plus those fees. [01:01:34] What about our fee as a city for managing this? [01:01:37] We have money for management, administration of the program as well, [01:01:43] and so when we bring forward on September 5th the recommendation to you for the company that we will recommend that you contract with, [01:01:55] we'll also have the additional information for you on what the various rates will be. [01:02:03] So I'm guessing we've already sent out the notice to the tax collector showing our stormwater fee, our transportation fee, [01:02:11] all the fees that would show up on the tax bill. [01:02:14] No, we have not. Let me just respond to that completely. [01:02:19] Preliminary. [01:02:20] We have submitted all of the fees with the exception of the fee that would be associated with the pickup of waste and the hauling of waste, [01:02:32] because we don't have your approval to do that yet. [01:02:35] So it will not appear on your trim notice, no. [01:02:38] Okay, thank you. [01:02:39] Yes. [01:02:40] But somehow we'll make a legal assessment to everybody. [01:02:45] We will, yes, and we'll be sending everyone notices. [01:02:52] Any other questions? [01:02:53] Sounds cumbersome. [01:02:55] So much for saving effort. [01:02:57] I'm sorry, I'm just trying to respond to your question completely. [01:03:00] Would the fee be different if we were doing it, processing it ourself, or would that fee be higher? [01:03:09] Please repeat the question, I'm sorry, I was distracted. [01:03:12] We're sending a fee to the tax collector, you know, a fee for our side. [01:03:16] Now, if we were doing it ourself, would that be a higher fee? [01:03:19] I don't know if it would be higher, but there would be an administrative fee associated with it, yes, [01:03:25] because we would have to have support staff to handle the responsibility. [01:03:29] So by doing it this way, we're potentially saving the customer money? [01:03:35] We are definitely saving customer money by going through a single hauler system. [01:03:42] Right. [01:03:43] In general. [01:03:44] All right, I've tortured you all enough. [01:03:45] I mean, you've got the votes. [01:03:46] Go ahead. [01:03:51] How do you know the answer? [01:03:52] We don't even know what the fees are. [01:03:54] You're asking a question that can't be answered. [01:03:59] Well, we don't. [01:04:01] We have received an edge. [01:04:05] Trash is more important than walk-up water problems. [01:04:08] OSHA says it all the time! [01:04:11] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you. [01:04:13] I'll just wait until you're done. [01:04:15] No, I'm just saying that if it's more efficient for the tax collector to do it, [01:04:19] it's a lesser fee than we would potentially save our residents money than us doing it. [01:04:26] I agree, I agree. [01:04:28] Because it's not that we'd have to, you know, it's going to be added to a bill that's already going to them. [01:04:32] There'd be an additional bill going to them, you know, to the landowner or the landlord, whichever it might be. [01:04:39] There would be no bill to the tax collector if we did it on our end. [01:04:44] So we would be able to collect all the money. [01:04:46] And we wouldn't have to be sending letters to everybody to get them all riled up about putting it on their tax bill. [01:04:53] But, you know, we'll see what happens. [01:04:58] All right, anybody else? [01:05:00] All right, I move for approval. [01:05:04] You have a motion. [01:05:05] All those in favor? [01:05:06] Aye. [01:05:07] Aye. Those opposed? [01:05:09] My chance to say no. [01:05:11] Is that your answer? [01:05:12] Yes. [01:05:13] Okay. [01:05:14] All those in, okay. [01:05:15] Then we have three to one vote.

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14. 8.h

    Re-Appointment of Timothy P. Driscoll, Esq. as City Attorney

    approved

    Council considered the reappointment of Tim Driscoll as City Attorney for another one-year term. After praise from the City Manager and public comment both opposing and qualifiedly supporting the reappointment, a motion was made to extend the contract with a 5% pay increase, which passed 3-1 with Councilman Altman dissenting on grounds that the city should issue an RFP for legal services after seven years.

    • motion:Motion to extend the City Attorney's contract with a 5% pay increase (reappointing Tim Driscoll). (passed)3–1

    📍5755 Indiana Avenue, New Port Richey, Florida👤Debbie Manns👤Jeff Starkey👤Marlo Jones👤Pete Altman👤Shiniki Whiting👤Timothy P. Driscoll#Charter Advisory Board#Florida City and County Manager Association#ICMA Senior Advisor Program#nine-year term limit#whistleblower's law

    ▶ Jump to 1:05:17 in the video

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    Auto-transcript · machine-generated, may contain errors

    [01:05:17] Okay, moving on. [01:05:20] Reappointment of Tim Driscoll to the city attorney. [01:05:25] Certainly. [01:05:26] Yeah. [01:05:27] If I may, Mr. Mayor. [01:05:28] Mr. Driscoll has served as your city attorney since September of 2016. [01:05:36] He is, without question, a valuable member of the city's management team. [01:05:43] He has great breadth and depth of knowledge of law, and that has served the city invaluably. [01:05:52] He enables the staff to make sound decisions in the preliminary stages of projects and processes, [01:06:03] and all the way through the execution of their duties. [01:06:07] And that has truly been a benefit to the city. [01:06:11] His knowledge base really spans far beyond what my experience has been with a traditional city attorney, [01:06:22] which I have to attest to you has resulted in savings to the city, [01:06:30] because we don't consult out as much as other cities do for specialty laws or specialty forms of laws, [01:06:40] because we've been able to rely on the services of the city attorney. [01:06:45] So his merit and expertise are very much to our advantage. [01:06:49] And so I'm hopeful that you will consider approving a reappointment of Mr. Driscoll to the service of city attorney for another year term. [01:07:00] It's open to the public. [01:07:04] Would you like to come forward, please? [01:07:06] Thank you. [01:07:08] I can't believe I just had to sit and listen to that. [01:07:14] Marlo Jones. [01:07:16] So the city manager, once again, has gloated and sung praise about Mr. Driscoll. [01:07:22] And we understand he may be your ace boon coon. [01:07:26] He may be your number one boy, because we know you two are very close. [01:07:30] But let me remind the public that this is the same attorney, right, who is trying to prosecute a 77-year-old woman for a dead treat. [01:07:41] This is the same attorney who tried to go after Black Lives Matter activists with noise ordinance violations. [01:07:49] Yes, I haven't forgot about that. [01:07:51] This is the same attorney who let all the Proud Boys and the KKK and all those people. [01:07:56] You didn't find them that one time, but you find us thousands of dollars. [01:08:01] And then you end up losing that case. [01:08:04] Not to mention what happened in St. Petersburg, allegedly with your drinking. [01:08:11] Now, yes, we're going to bring that up, because the public has a right to know. [01:08:17] And for the city manager to sit here and sing your praises time and time again when you guys have caused us a lot of hell, personally me. [01:08:26] I know you were involved when you guys made up your little plot to arrest me. [01:08:31] I'm sure you were involved when I seen you on the code enforcement video walking around a resident's property. [01:08:36] You maybe weren't picking in the trash, but you were looking in the trash. [01:08:40] Why is a city attorney accompanying code enforcement on journeys to go look in residents' houses and make anti-Semitic remarks about Anne Frank and all that stuff? [01:08:49] Yes, we remember. [01:08:51] And the fact that you have the gall to keep singing his praise, yes, write it down. [01:08:58] You can't ever look at anybody else when we're up here talking about things that matter to us. [01:09:03] But when it comes to people you support, you're going to make sure you get them. [01:09:07] I just want all of you to know, everything that has happened in the last three years, under his watch, under her watch, [01:09:13] if you go ahead and vote this man in again, you are compliant again. [01:09:19] You know all the wrong that has been happening behind the scene. [01:09:23] We've seen the text messages when your former city council member Jeff Starkey called us loons. [01:09:30] And I'm not going to say who, but somebody probably agreed with what they said. [01:09:34] At least that's what the text messages would imply. [01:09:38] So we're going to, once again, waste the city's money, because that's what it is, is a waste of money. [01:09:44] And I'm going to tell it to you straight. [01:09:47] Y'all put me through hell. [01:09:49] And I know he had a lot to do with it, because you are the legal advisor to her. [01:09:53] And you're the legal advisor to the police and everybody else. [01:09:56] So if y'all are going to go give this man a job and keep letting him take the city's money, [01:10:01] but not give a damn about the residents, shame on you. [01:10:04] You know everything he's done. [01:10:06] You've all seen the creative loafing article in the video, the video of him intoxicated. [01:10:12] But his white privilege saved him. [01:10:16] Thank you. [01:10:19] Anybody else like to speak? [01:10:24] That's fast. [01:10:27] Shiniki Whiting, 5755 Indiana Avenue, New Port Richey, Florida. [01:10:33] Honestly, it's a slap in the face. [01:10:36] It's a slap in the face. [01:10:37] City manager, you know what I've been through. [01:10:41] I mean, you've watched the video, even when you watched that video, [01:10:46] you actually were disgusted and pushed yourself back from your desk, [01:10:51] because you couldn't believe that happened to me. [01:10:54] So I think that this city needs to be focusing on other things. [01:10:58] Because what you need to be focusing on is what the city has going on legally, [01:11:05] what the city is dealing with legally. [01:11:08] Honestly, I'm going to keep it real. [01:11:10] There's way too much going on right now to be reappointing Driscoll. [01:11:16] And I'm agreeing with Marlo. [01:11:18] If you all comply to this, it's one, two, three, four, four more slaps in the face. [01:11:25] That's it. [01:11:31] Come on down, please. [01:11:38] I'm not going to object to his reappointment. [01:11:41] We had quite an interesting talk sitting on the bench while we waited for my arraignment. [01:11:48] And I reminded you that you worked for the taxpayer. [01:11:52] You did not work for them. [01:11:54] You did not work for the city manager. [01:11:56] The taxpayers pay your salary. [01:12:00] Personally, I think you've done the best you can in a bad situation. [01:12:05] And I reminded you, too, not only while we sat on that bench, that you worked for the taxpayer. [01:12:12] But I also reminded you, and I'm going to remind the rest of you, [01:12:16] that you are covered under the whistleblower's law. [01:12:20] Any one of you can let the state, either the, generally the whistleblower goes through a hotline that goes through the new, [01:12:33] actually, attorney general, and that's how you can do it. [01:12:39] It also gains you some immunity to some of the complicity that has been going on. [01:12:45] I know you tried. [01:12:47] You kind of apologized to me for what was happening while we sat on the bench waiting for the judge's doors to open. [01:12:55] However, you need to try a little harder because you need to be protecting us. [01:13:01] You are qualified under the whistleblower's law to let them know. [01:13:06] I, of course, am in a position, and all of you know, people talk to me, [01:13:10] especially former employees, and we have so many because of the toxic work environment. [01:13:16] Because of that, I am aware that there have been very arguments in the conference room with our city manager, [01:13:24] and you have done the best you can to keep it legal with a great struggle. [01:13:30] These are the things you need to whistleblow on, and some of the rest of you know about these things, too. [01:13:37] I know. I know that I've told you some things. [01:13:42] If we can't get something done here, there are state statutes, and you know I'm famous for reading them. [01:13:49] But I don't object to approve his continuing as the attorney. [01:13:55] He did try in my case. [01:13:57] I could hear it. [01:13:59] He was embarrassed to be there in my case, and I did appreciate that. [01:14:06] Thank you. [01:14:07] I'd like to speak. [01:14:10] Seeing no one else come forward, I'll bring it back. [01:14:13] Looking for a move for approval. [01:14:20] Move for approval. [01:14:22] Mayor, I'd like to make a motion. [01:14:24] I move we extend the contract to the city attorney with a 5% pay increase. [01:14:33] We already have a motion. [01:14:36] Second. [01:14:39] Open for comment. [01:14:40] Pete, would you like to start up? [01:14:42] Yeah, I'll speak. [01:14:44] I think being subjected to six-year term limits, [01:14:52] having been in the community development district management business as well as being up here, [01:15:00] I've mentioned it before and I think the appropriate thing for us to do is to request proposals and let the city manager or the city attorney join in that request. [01:15:11] So the appearance is so important and I have to say that this continued interruption of our duties over concerns [01:15:28] that are brought forth and are not raised, the number of lawsuits, the losses that we've had in appeals, [01:15:40] the lack of knowledge that I have as far as our city's legal position on some of these things. [01:15:48] I think this is a serious request and it's a request to the council who is charged with making this decision. [01:15:57] I'd like to make the decision with full knowledge of the options and the costs and the experiences. [01:16:05] So I'm not going to vote against the renewal because I'm against hiring the city attorney, [01:16:15] but I'm going to vote against it because I believe that we should have an open opportunity for legal services to be presented to us after seven years. [01:16:27] I think it makes sense that I made a motion just to explain a couple of things. [01:16:36] So we've had the city attorney now for seven years. [01:16:41] I don't think there's been any type of compensation change during those seven years. [01:16:46] The city budget has grown, the city has grown more complex, there's been many issues to be able to deal with. [01:16:53] And, you know, my conversations with other municipalities throughout the state and how they manage that, [01:17:00] often they're not satisfied with how they work things, they work the firm, the costs associated with that, and other questions. [01:17:10] I think there's value here in having someone with the knowledge and the widespread knowledge that he's able to help us with in various areas, [01:17:21] whether it's legislative actions, whether it's building and zoning laws, [01:17:28] whether it's our own way we run meetings up here, parliamentary procedures, it's just vast. [01:17:34] And the fact is that, of course, we're not his only gig, but he's here two full days a week [01:17:44] and has access, our department heads have access with questions as we do on those days, [01:17:53] and he's on call any time in between. [01:17:58] I don't have to worry about making a phone call and asking a question and knowing I'm running up the city's bill. [01:18:03] So, and the fact that he's been here for seven years, he knows the city, he knows the city residents, [01:18:10] he knows what city has done well, and he knows where the city needs to improve. [01:18:19] And there's a, you know, I'd hate to break in somebody brand new to relearn all that [01:18:25] and how many toes we get stubbed and so forth before they get acquired to what's going on. [01:18:31] So that is why, you know, I would recommend his reappointment. [01:18:38] And also because of seven years of that much more experience and budget growing and so forth, [01:18:44] we've increased salaries for many of our different departments and rank-and-file employees. [01:18:50] So I think a 5% is, we're still getting a reasonable, [01:18:55] that's probably still getting a deal with that small increase. [01:19:01] So that's my reason for making the motion that we reappoint him. [01:19:07] Well, I, when I came on board, we had a firm that worked for us, [01:19:13] and we had somebody from the firm assigned to us, you know, [01:19:17] and if that person couldn't answer the question, they went to somebody else in the firm. [01:19:21] We got charged for that person and that person and that person. [01:19:25] And so I think since Mr. Driscoll's come aboard, [01:19:29] he may have gone out and found something else, [01:19:33] but he had brought a lot of knowledge himself and he's also grown with the city. [01:19:37] So I think those extra fees aren't there, you know, across the board as much as possible. [01:19:43] And just one little comment, I'm not derogatory at all, Pete, [01:19:48] but you had the same opinion last year, [01:19:52] but that's our responsibility to go out, it's not Ms. Mann's job, [01:19:56] it's not HR's job, it's our job to go out and find somebody, you know, [01:20:00] so you need to, next year, you know, get a hold of us in April or May and say, [01:20:04] hey, I'd like to do this, not the night that we try to renew it. [01:20:08] So that's kind of where I'm at. [01:20:12] Fair point. [01:20:16] Anything else you'd like to say? [01:20:20] If not, I'll go ahead and listen for a vote. All those in favor? [01:20:24] Aye. Those opposed? Nay. [01:20:28] All right, we've got a 3-1. All right, now we'll go to communications. [01:20:32] Matt, we'll start out with you. I'm actually good for tonight. [01:20:36] Pete, do you want to communications? Yeah, I do. I have a number of things. [01:20:40] First of all, I want to say that one of the other issues [01:20:44] that's been going well and under discussion and really hasn't been [01:20:48] made much progress has been, what were we going to do if we had a charter [01:20:52] advisory board? And at the conference, I talked [01:20:56] to the ICMA and the Florida City and County Manager [01:21:00] Association's Senior Advisor Program, and they have [01:21:04] former city managers who help to lead a [01:21:08] charter advisory committee. They bring the breadth [01:21:12] of a whole, speaking of experience and time, a breadth of a whole [01:21:16] lot of time in office. I don't know if there's a state as many [01:21:20] or any state like Florida that has so many different varieties of charters [01:21:24] even in our own city. We have a mayor who doesn't have any authority. [01:21:28] We have a mayor who's appointed from within the board. We have a mayor [01:21:32] who's elected. We have term limits. Others don't. [01:21:36] We've got, you know, top two get in and others vote [01:21:40] directly. There's a million different aspects that may or may not [01:21:44] bring attention when we start talking to the public about any [01:21:48] modifications of the charter. I don't have any [01:21:52] strategy other than to say I would think that a [01:21:56] third-party manager with some experience might be worthwhile, so [01:22:00] I've scratched this up, Debbie, but if I give it to you, you could [01:22:04] maybe take a look. I know you're a member of the ICMA, and [01:22:09] the gentleman was very positive. For my own [01:22:13] edification, I think, to get it on [01:22:17] the record, the odd thing about our [01:22:21] elections, the three-year cycles and two one year, two [01:22:25] the next, and then mayor, is there's never an opportunity for an [01:22:29] existing city councilman to run for mayor without [01:22:33] resigning to run for mayor, and with a nine-year [01:22:37] term limit, you've got, as in my condition [01:22:41] now, I could, this would only be [01:22:45] my second term because I [01:22:49] took a short term, but I [01:22:53] if I ran again, I'd have to resign after two years because [01:22:57] the charter says you could only be in for nine years, so then am I stuck [01:23:01] with seven years? And so I think there are some [01:23:05] things that didn't really get thought out in the way in which we hold our elections, whether [01:23:09] that's getting, in the old days you got to vote, you know, people would [01:23:13] want to vote against me, run against me, and maybe not against somebody else, [01:23:17] so you could have three people running for a seat because they wanted that seat, [01:23:21] so I would probably be the devil's advocate in any [01:23:25] charter discussion to try to raise that and say what's the [01:23:29] best way for us to have the five [01:23:33] best selected members, and I really think that [01:23:37] a mayor who has served on city council, you had to sit out a year [01:23:41] because you couldn't, you know, your term [01:23:45] wouldn't work, and you can reset again, but I think [01:23:49] any member of a council ought to be probably the most [01:23:53] likely person to have the experience to run and [01:23:57] be a mayor, and I think that doesn't work too well for [01:24:01] anyone other than the mayor because

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15. 9Communications▶ 1:24:05
16. 10Adjournment▶ 1:34:23
17. 1Call to Order – Roll Call
18. 2

    Pledge of Allegiance

    Pledge of Allegiance.
19. 3

    Moment of Silence

    Moment of silence.