On the agenda

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

   Approval of April 18, 2024 CRA Meeting Minutes

   approved

   The CRA Board approved the minutes of the April 18, 2024 CRA meeting.

   • motion:Motion to approve the April 18, 2024 CRA meeting minutes. (passed)

   #April 18, 2024 CRA Meeting Minutes

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   [00:00:20] The approval of the April 18th CRA meeting minutes. [00:00:27] Move to approve. Second. [00:00:28] All those in favor? 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.

3. 3.a

   Purchases/Payments for CRA Board Approval

   approvedon consent

   The CRA Board approved the consent agenda for purchases and payments.

   • motion:Motion to approve the consent agenda for CRA purchases and payments. (passed)5–0

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   [00:00:30] The consent agenda for approval for the purchases and payments, the CRA. [00:00:38] Do I have a proposal? [00:00:40] Move to approve consent agenda. [00:00:43] Do I have a second? [00:00:45] I'll second. [00:00:46] All those in favor? [00:00:48] Signify by aye. Aye. [00:00:50] Those opposed? We have five nothing.

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

4. 4

   Proposed Redevelopment Grant Award to Suncoast Young People's Theatre, Inc., (a/k/a Richey Suncoast Theatre) for the Rehabilitation of 6237 Grand Boulevard

   discussed

   The CRA Board considered a proposed redevelopment grant of up to $100,000 to Suncoast Young People's Theatre, Inc. (a/k/a Richey Suncoast Theatre) for rehabilitation of the historic theater building at 6237 Grand Boulevard. The theater presented its growth, economic impact, and plans to leverage the grant against state, federal, and county matching funds. Staff recommended approval; public comment supported the grant.

   • motion:Staff recommended approval of a redevelopment grant award of up to $100,000 to Richey Suncoast Theatre for building rehabilitation, authorizing the executive director to enter into a redevelopment grant agreement. (none)

   📍6237 Grand Boulevard📍661 Dune Street🏢Spectrum🏢Suncoast Young People's Theatre, Inc.🏢U.S. Department of Energy👤Angela Saravia👤City Manager Manz👤Doug👤Greg Auerbach👤Jessica Wright👤Mayor Davis#Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 calculator#Bike Fest#Chasco#Christmas Parade#Community Redevelopment Plan#Economic Development Block Grant (Pasco County)#National Register of Historic Places application#Redevelopment incentives budget ($1.55M, ~$700K available)#Wine Stroll

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   [00:00:53] The proposed redevelopment grant award to the Suncoast Youth People's Theater, Inc., [00:01:01] also known as Ritchie's Suncoast Theater, for the rehabilitation of 6237 Grand Boulevard. [00:01:09] This is a proposal to enter into a redevelopment grant agreement with the Suncoast Youth Young People's Theater, [00:01:19] and it's very much to the credit of Greg Auerbach, who did all the work on it, [00:01:26] and so I'm going to allow Greg to present the agenda item to you. [00:01:31] Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. [00:01:33] Welcome to the second half, and thank you, Madam Executive Director. [00:01:37] I couldn't take any credit. [00:01:39] You're a fearless leader, and Doug and the board did all the work. [00:01:43] I'm just here, biggest bald-headed cheerleader with Doug. [00:01:48] Excuse me? [00:01:51] Sir, I'm physically larger than you. [00:01:53] You are follically challenged, but I am larger. [00:01:56] That's just a fact. [00:01:57] You've got to speak truth to power, sir. [00:01:59] I'm sorry. [00:02:01] It's really a pleasure to present this request. [00:02:03] As the Executive Director set forth, it's $100,000. [00:02:06] It is the Suncoast Young People's Theater, Incorporated. [00:02:10] If you check Sunbiz, that's what you'll see. [00:02:12] But they do business as a.k.a. our Ritchie Suncoast Theater. [00:02:17] It's for the rehabilitation of 6237 Grand Boulevard. [00:02:20] You know it. [00:02:21] It's got a gold dome on it. [00:02:23] All right, let's jump into it. [00:02:26] So a little bit of background. [00:02:28] The board knows that we have several grant programs, [00:02:31] and the Community Redevelopment Plan authorizes the agency to partner with property owners, [00:02:35] business owners, developers, and quote-unquote downtown stakeholders, [00:02:39] specifically naming and including the Ritchie Suncoast Theater. [00:02:43] I guess they didn't know about the youth. [00:02:44] They called you Ritchie Suncoast Theater. [00:02:46] To rehab and redevelop structures and properties in furtherance of the plan, [00:02:51] as the circumstances warrant. [00:02:53] And the Ritchie Suncoast Theater is a cornerstone destination of downtown, [00:02:57] and much like our downtown and our city as a whole, [00:03:00] the theater's in the midst of an incredible renaissance. [00:03:03] Led by a dynamic board, the theater's dramatically increased. [00:03:07] Dramatically increased. [00:03:09] Its performances, offerings, and corresponding attendance, [00:03:13] has grown revenues and begun reinvesting in the restoration of the building and its equipment. [00:03:18] And with this reinvestment and restoration in mind, [00:03:21] the theater submitted a funding request of $100,000. [00:03:24] Now the board, we've only been together five months, [00:03:26] but you know that I like a presentation, that I, as a former mayor, I love to do a show. [00:03:32] Don't put a microphone in front of me. [00:03:34] But you have to know when to share the stage. [00:03:37] So I'd like to call up Doug and any members of the board [00:03:42] that would like to share the stage and present this next act of the presentation. [00:04:01] Members of the board, thank you so much. [00:04:03] Call me short. I get it. [00:04:06] All right, my name is Angela Saravia. [00:04:08] I'm the president of the Ritchie Suncoast Theater. [00:04:10] I just want to thank the CRA for considering our proposal. [00:04:13] It is a joy. [00:04:15] I'm also, not only am I on the board, I'm also a performer. [00:04:18] It is a joy as a performer to be in such a historic location. [00:04:22] You walk in and you can feel the history. [00:04:25] You can sense the fact that it was built in the 20s. [00:04:27] There's all these pictures in our lobby of how the theater looks almost exactly like it does today, [00:04:33] but with dirt roads and old cars. [00:04:35] It's just amazing. [00:04:37] But the downside is of building that old, we have to stay one step ahead [00:04:41] of all the problems that might come with having that age building [00:04:45] because audiences come in expecting a great experience. [00:04:48] We want to give them that. [00:04:50] As we've increased our programming, we've noticed people are coming from further and further away [00:04:55] to enjoy our theater as an entertainment destination. [00:04:59] We want to give them the same level of experience that they would get [00:05:02] if they were to go down to Tampa to the Stras. [00:05:05] But we need investments in order to do that so that our AC units don't go out [00:05:10] and now they're too hot, or lights, sound, all those things. [00:05:14] The building, we're really finding that it's the cultural heartbeat of the city in so many ways. [00:05:20] By investing in that with us, we can continue to make this renaissance continue to happen. [00:05:27] Doug, who's going to speak next, has worked so hard. [00:05:30] He knows the numbers inside and out and can talk about it all day long, [00:05:34] and he does talk about it all day long, as you know. [00:05:37] But he also is up on ladders fixing things. [00:05:40] He literally lives at the theater, and he's done such a great job putting all this together. [00:05:44] I just think what I've noticed from this city council that has been so amazing to witness [00:05:50] is that you guys have signaled your confidence in us by encouraging us, partnering with us. [00:05:56] When you do that, then other people want to jump in. [00:05:59] They're like, if the city has confidence in the theater, then I feel good to invest. [00:06:04] We're about to approach the state of Florida looking for grants from them, [00:06:08] and with the city's support, we can show that we're a strong grant applicant. [00:06:12] You can give us that. [00:06:14] Help us continue the renaissance. [00:06:15] With that, I'll turn it over to Doug. [00:06:18] Thank you. [00:06:21] It's been a long night, so I'll try and roll through these pretty quickly. [00:06:28] Like we had said, we're here for a dollar-for-dollar grant, a matching grant. [00:06:34] Really, the grant's focusing on the building, and we'll get into that in a little bit more detail. [00:06:40] It's not a recurring request. [00:06:42] It's kind of a once-off, but that doesn't preclude us from coming back again later in the future. [00:06:48] This is really to kind of kick start. [00:06:51] This last year has been a lot about recovery, and now it's about growth. [00:06:55] That's sort of the name of the game. [00:06:58] What we're talking about as far as scope and eligibility, [00:07:02] Greg and I have gone back and forth about what's eligible under the state statutes for the CRA, [00:07:07] what's ineligible, and we tried to define a list [00:07:10] that really kind of is all-encompassing for what is in scope and what's out of scope, [00:07:15] and to make it really, really clear so you can kind of see. [00:07:19] But really, the gist is it's anything associated with the building infrastructure, right? [00:07:23] So no trade fixtures, no programming support. [00:07:28] It's physical assets tied to the building. [00:07:32] And the way that we have structured this is to look at, you know, how do we administer this? [00:07:37] And so the thought is to look at, you know, the city council approves this proposal, [00:07:42] and then the question is kind of what happens next. [00:07:45] And the goal is that we would then reach out to the executive director's office to say, [00:07:51] hey, we have identified this project. [00:07:53] Here are the quotes. [00:07:54] Here are the estimates. [00:07:55] They would determine, the executive director's office would determine eligibility. [00:07:58] Yes, it's eligible. [00:08:00] Please proceed. [00:08:01] We'd execute the project and then file for reimbursement through the executive director's office [00:08:08] and the finance department. [00:08:09] And that really is sort of the check and balance to make sure that what we're asking for is appropriate, [00:08:14] does meet the guidelines that hopefully you're going to approve here in a few minutes, [00:08:18] and, you know, gives the opportunity for us to provide all the required documentation for your end [00:08:26] to make sure that you can prove to the residents and the taxpayers that their money is going where you say that it's going to go. [00:08:33] So that's sort of the kind of the note on administration. [00:08:37] Really, we talked, there's a lot of different ways to skin this, [00:08:43] and we looked at, you know, organizational agility was key for us [00:08:47] because the flexibility is almost as important, if not more important, [00:08:53] than the actual dollar amount that's being approved. [00:08:55] And I'll use two examples. [00:08:59] Primarily, we were going to look at using this money for AC refurbishment. [00:09:03] I recall last Monday that the county commission, [00:09:07] I applied for a grant to replace two AC units through the economic development block grant from the county. [00:09:12] They called me back and said, we actually want to replace all of them. [00:09:16] So they're going to be putting that towards the county commissioners on August 1st [00:09:20] and money available September 1st. [00:09:23] So the idea is now, all of a sudden, what we were planning on using it for, [00:09:26] we've had an influx of cash, we've been able to do that. [00:09:30] The second one, I got a phone call today, [00:09:32] the U.S. Department of Energy has a grant program that we're in the running for, [00:09:36] which was a we put up $20,000, they put up $40,000. [00:09:39] That is no longer available. [00:09:41] It is now we put up $25,000, they put up $100,000. [00:09:44] And so when we talk about organizational agility and flexibility, [00:09:49] this plan is structured in such a way to give us that flexibility so that as we have donors, [00:09:54] as we have other grants that either fail, which hopefully won't have many, [00:09:58] or as they succeed and are awarded, [00:10:01] we're able to sort of jockey around and make the absolute best use of this money. [00:10:06] One of the things that Angela talked about, [00:10:09] we have a June 1st application deadline, [00:10:12] which is thank you City Manager Manz for helping get this on the agenda in time, [00:10:18] because part of this money is going to be used to go and request matching funds from the state of Florida. [00:10:24] So about, I think it's $75,000 of these funds will then go and be requested [00:10:30] so that we can then almost essentially double this money [00:10:33] and have the county grant match the state grant. [00:10:38] And one provide matching funds for the other. [00:10:40] So very little out of pocket for the theater. [00:10:42] And that is a great, great benefit to us. [00:10:45] So with the grant from the county, [00:10:48] now all of a sudden we're looking at potentially replacing our roof next summer, [00:10:52] which is something that we thought was going to be about three years out. [00:10:55] So that's a tremendous, tremendous kind of change in what's going on. [00:11:00] And a lot of that comes back to this organizational agility, [00:11:04] this flexibility within the structure of this agreement. [00:11:08] One of the big questions is why should the city invest? [00:11:14] When we look at 2022 and 2023, we went from three theatrical performances, [00:11:19] four live music events, 28 total performances, and about 5,800 patrons, [00:11:25] to seven theatrical performances, 22 live music events, 109 total performances, [00:11:31] and roughly about 18,000. [00:11:32] Our year's not over yet, but we're tracking up with about 18,000 patrons. [00:11:37] So a little more than tripling the number of patrons. [00:11:43] And obviously there's a ceiling. [00:11:45] I know Mayor Davis would love us to have an eighth day per week that we could operate, [00:11:50] but that's really not practical. [00:11:52] So one of the things that we've tried to do is give you where we see the ceiling is. [00:11:57] So without any major investment, without any purchases, [00:12:01] without any additional really massive change to our organizational structure, [00:12:05] we think we can get to eight theatrical productions, 30 live music events, [00:12:09] 130 total performances. [00:12:11] So that's doing two shows on Saturday during the high season when the snowbirds are in town. [00:12:16] That's doing kids' shows Saturday afternoon, adult shows on Saturday evenings, [00:12:21] and leveraging more Thursdays. [00:12:24] If I talk about just this past week, [00:12:26] we did a product launch for a corporate event for Spectrum on Thursday. [00:12:30] We participated in a community event Thursday evening, the Wine Stroll. [00:12:35] We did a live community theater Thursday evening after the Wine Stroll from our acting class. [00:12:40] It was the end of their semester. [00:12:42] We did a Michael Jackson performance that was near sellout on Friday. [00:12:47] On Saturday we had a comedy magician in the evening, [00:12:52] and then Sunday we did a talent showcase end of season. [00:12:55] We did, I think it was like six or seven performances just in this last weekend. [00:13:01] So that's the type of cadence that we want to keep up. [00:13:04] That's where we want to get to. [00:13:08] Obviously it's economic development. [00:13:10] We're talking about money, and why should you guys invest? [00:13:13] One of the biggest reasons is that there was a study done from the city of Tampa back in 2016. [00:13:19] We've corrected for the inflation to $2023, $2024 now. [00:13:30] What we found is that plugging in our numbers using their methodology, [00:13:34] it's every dollar spent at the theater, [00:13:37] every dollar that we spend in our operating budget equates to about $6 into the local economy. [00:13:42] If we look, we can see from the chart where our service area is. [00:13:47] We have about 74% of our patrons come from Pasco County. [00:13:50] About 11% of those patrons come from within New Port Richey city limits. [00:13:56] But then you also see that we have Pinellas, Hillsboro, and Hernando counties. [00:14:03] We have people come all the way from the villages down to Sarasota for comics that they like, [00:14:09] shows that they like, performances that they like. [00:14:12] So people are traveling in from outside other areas, [00:14:15] and we are serving a very large portion of western Pasco. [00:14:21] We also did another analysis through the Arts and Economic Prosperity, [00:14:29] and really it just serves to back up the City of Tampa numbers. [00:14:33] So a little bit different methodology, but really what we're saying is it's about the same thing. [00:14:38] So our net impact is $2.25 million into the local economy at a $400,000 budget. [00:14:47] If we look at the milestones for just this past 12 months, what have we done the last 12 months? [00:14:52] I'm not going to run through all of these. [00:14:54] I'll pick a couple highlights, but it's engaging in community events. [00:15:00] You know, like Bike Fest, Chasco, the Christmas Parade. [00:15:04] You know, it's upgrades, digital audio upgrades, [00:15:06] projector upgrades, lighting upgrades. [00:15:09] We just successfully raised about $50,000. [00:15:11] We're about halfway through that conversion process. [00:15:14] You know, we've got lights going up every day. [00:15:17] And if we look at where we were at at the end of last year, [00:15:20] we did about $155,000 in income and revenue. [00:15:25] Where we're at now that we actually, [00:15:27] I just checked a minute ago, [00:15:28] we're at like $455,000 for this year. [00:15:31] So nearly a 3X increase. [00:15:33] And the biggest thing is we've gone [00:15:34] from a net operating loss of $55,000 up to, [00:15:38] you know, what's the number I've quoted up here? [00:15:42] About $206,000. [00:15:43] And that's with about, [00:15:44] so we've taken a bunch of that money this year. [00:15:46] We've taken about $118,000 [00:15:48] and actually reinvested it back into the theater. [00:15:50] You know, redoing the gold dome, [00:15:52] you know, lighting upgrades, sound upgrades, [00:15:55] fixing a lot of kind of broken and damaged items [00:15:58] kind of within the building. [00:16:00] And so we've gone from about 1.3 performances per week [00:16:03] to about 2.4 performances per week. [00:16:06] So we're steadily increasing, steadily getting better. [00:16:11] And we've introduced some new things. [00:16:12] You know, this year is gonna be the first year [00:16:14] in I don't know how many years we're doing [00:16:16] a kids theater camp. [00:16:17] We're doing two weeks of that. [00:16:19] And we're successfully applying for grants [00:16:23] at the city level, at the county level, [00:16:26] at the state level, and at the federal level. [00:16:27] So we're very active in sort of bringing as many dollars [00:16:30] into the community as we possibly can. [00:16:34] One thing I will highlight too is [00:16:36] we have applied through the state of Florida [00:16:38] for the National Register of Historic Places. [00:16:40] That application has been accepted and approved [00:16:42] through the state of Florida. [00:16:43] And now we're moving on to the federal application [00:16:45] through the US Park Service. [00:16:47] The hope was to hopefully have that in [00:16:49] by our 100 year anniversary, [00:16:51] but it's an involved process to do that. [00:16:55] We've been fraught with a lot of paperwork [00:16:56] and a lot of stuff that we have to do, [00:16:58] but we're well on that journey. [00:16:59] And we've got now somebody assigned at the state level [00:17:02] to help us with that. [00:17:06] So where's the limit? [00:17:08] Really what we're talking about is [00:17:09] we think that there's probably a practical limit [00:17:11] at about $790,000 a year in an operating budget. [00:17:16] So going from 155 to hopefully over the next couple years [00:17:19] getting close to that $792,000 budget. [00:17:23] And you can kind of see we've broken down [00:17:25] where we think the incomes and outlays are gonna be [00:17:28] in order to get us there. [00:17:30] And really what that shows is that at that budget [00:17:33] that puts us into a cycle of being able to do [00:17:36] about $200,000 in reinvestment every year, [00:17:39] which puts us on a much more sustainable path [00:17:42] to being able to sustain the theater [00:17:45] over a much longer duration. [00:17:51] Estimated spending, I'm not gonna go through this. [00:17:53] This is very late for a spreadsheet. [00:17:56] But ultimately at the end of the day, [00:17:59] we're looking at about $325,000 [00:18:02] funded through a lot of different avenues. [00:18:05] And the CRA, this grant is a very critical element [00:18:08] because it allows us to kind of kickstart [00:18:10] and get a lot of those kind of matching grants, [00:18:12] matching one against the other. [00:18:14] And a lot of the theaters that are very successful [00:18:17] are the theaters that are able to do this, [00:18:19] where they're able to pair grants with other grants [00:18:22] and very little outlay on their own. [00:18:28] I'm not gonna go into any of the support slides tonight. [00:18:31] Really what I wanna do is I wanna create enough time [00:18:34] for you guys to ask questions, [00:18:35] as well as we've got a couple of members of the community [00:18:37] that wanna get up and talk about, [00:18:39] we've got a couple of people that represent the actors, [00:18:42] a couple of people that represent the business owners, [00:18:44] a couple of people that represent [00:18:45] local interests kind of downtown. [00:18:47] And I wanna make sure we have plenty of time for that. [00:18:49] Would you mind if I complete the presentation third act? [00:18:53] Thank you, sir. [00:18:56] We'll skip through. [00:18:57] But they're there for anyone that wants them, [00:18:59] including meet their team. [00:19:02] Sorry. [00:19:05] Good stuff though, great stuff. [00:19:07] Doug is very thorough. [00:19:08] He works all day and all night. [00:19:10] I like his emails at midnight the best. [00:19:15] Well, we're both night owls. [00:19:17] Maybe there's a correlation with lack of hair. [00:19:21] The agency staff finds the proposal consistent [00:19:23] with the plan is recommending approval [00:19:25] because it will help our theater continue to grow, [00:19:27] improve and thrive. [00:19:28] And a thriving theater helps power our downtown [00:19:31] and brings us closer to realizing our vision for the future, [00:19:33] which is the best walkable waterfront historic hometown [00:19:36] in Florida. [00:19:38] Community theaters can enhance art and culture [00:19:40] in the community, inspiring, educating [00:19:42] and bringing people together, [00:19:44] have a positive impact on the local economy [00:19:46] by attracting visitors and increasing tourism, [00:19:48] creating jobs through direct, indirect [00:19:50] and induced employment, [00:19:52] increasing spending in the local economy, [00:19:54] improve the quality of life, [00:19:56] helps put the live work in play [00:19:57] in the communities they serve for the foregoing reasons [00:20:00] and because they are fun, engaging gathering places [00:20:03] that instill a sense of community pride. [00:20:05] Our community theater, the Ritchie Suncoast Theater [00:20:07] does all of that and more. [00:20:10] And so the proposed grant would allow them [00:20:12] to continue their renaissance and ours. [00:20:14] The bottom line from your economic development director [00:20:16] is still the bottom line. [00:20:18] This grant would allow the theater [00:20:19] to win other grants leverage [00:20:22] and utilizing that arts and economic, [00:20:28] probably on their way to the theater, [00:20:29] economic prosperity six calculator. [00:20:32] It's estimated that every dollar spent by the theater [00:20:34] returns $5.38 in local economic impact in our community. [00:20:39] So the grant would be expected to contribute [00:20:41] to a more prosperous future. [00:20:43] Some important notes, we gotta always have notes. [00:20:46] The grant payments would only be made [00:20:47] after the verification of applicant expenditures [00:20:50] on eligible items. [00:20:51] Any awards in future years are subject to appropriations [00:20:55] and the adopted agency budget includes 1.55 million [00:20:58] for redevelopment incentives [00:20:59] of which over 700,000 is still available. [00:21:03] So naturally staff is recommending approval [00:21:05] of the redevelopment grant award of up to 100,000 [00:21:08] to Ritchie Suncoast Theater for the rehab of the building, [00:21:10] authorizing the executive director [00:21:12] and to enter into a redevelopment grant agreement [00:21:14] and to execute all contracts and forms [00:21:17] consistent with such approval. [00:21:19] And at this time, we would be happy [00:21:21] to take any questions you have, [00:21:23] turn it over to the board. [00:21:24] At the beginning, I thanked the executive chair [00:21:27] as our fearless leader, [00:21:28] and I thank the board of directors, [00:21:32] but let me also thank our board for your vision [00:21:35] and everything that you do to make us the best [00:21:38] and of course, all of our hardworking citizens. [00:21:41] Thank you. [00:21:42] We have a public comment at this point. [00:21:55] Jessica Wright, 661 Dune Street. [00:21:58] I just wanted to add on to some of the benefits [00:22:00] that Doug shared. [00:22:02] I'm a teacher in our county [00:22:03] and I've been here for a long time, [00:22:04] but I work primarily or previously did [00:22:06] with students on the autism spectrum disorder [00:22:09] and intellectual disabilities. [00:22:11] Theater is actually a really great way [00:22:13] for kids to learn how to speak. [00:22:15] It's used by speech pathologists [00:22:17] as well as behavioral analysts and RBTs. [00:22:21] It is a way for students to overcome [00:22:23] a lot of their fears potentially with social interactions, [00:22:26] but it's also a really great way for them [00:22:28] to actually learn how to talk. [00:22:30] And I've seen kids come from nonverbal [00:22:32] to becoming verbal through their involvement with theater. [00:22:36] And I can tell you that the kids in our community [00:22:38] are so excited about what the theater has been doing. [00:22:42] And I absolutely love getting texts from my friends [00:22:45] all over the county that are like, [00:22:46] hey, we're coming into town for a show. [00:22:48] Where's a good place to eat? [00:22:50] So I just wanted to share some of those positive aspects [00:22:52] from an education perspective [00:22:54] that were not previously shared. [00:22:56] That's all. [00:23:01] Frank Starkey, 5988 Central Avenue. [00:23:03] I want to join the bald cheerleader club for the theater. [00:23:09] I can't say enough good things [00:23:10] about how impressed I am [00:23:13] with the current leadership of the theater. [00:23:14] They had a lot of deferred maintenance, [00:23:18] both institutionally and physically to overcome. [00:23:21] And they've set ambitious but realistic goals [00:23:23] and exceeded them. [00:23:24] So I've been very impressed with their professionalism [00:23:27] and their dedication and their stamina. [00:23:30] I really thought when they first took this role, [00:23:34] I thought, well, we'll see how long they last [00:23:35] because they don't have much runway [00:23:36] to get this plane off the ground. [00:23:38] But I think they have launched it quite well. [00:23:41] I'm very impressed with that. [00:23:42] I want to also, obviously, this is one of the, [00:23:45] a handful of the most beloved buildings in town [00:23:48] and deserves our community support. [00:23:52] As a business owner and property owner downtown, [00:23:55] I, you know, of course, like the idea of the entertainment [00:23:58] and liveliness that it brings to the street. [00:24:01] But also as a kid who performed at that theater as a kid, [00:24:07] I was in the Oliver production. [00:24:08] And theaters are a safe space for people [00:24:11] who don't have another safe space. [00:24:13] And that's an important role for a theater [00:24:15] to play in our community. [00:24:16] So support that for all of those reasons [00:24:19] as well as the economic ones, thank you very much. [00:24:22] Thank you. [00:24:34] Seth Cap, 5781 Nebraska Avenue, owner of Steamworks. [00:24:39] I could attest to the economic viability [00:24:41] of having the theater not only volunteering there [00:24:46] but also sponsoring movies and seeing [00:24:50] over the past 18 months what they've done, [00:24:53] the board of directors, and getting it up [00:24:55] to the structure it's at where it used to be is impeccable. [00:25:01] And I also commend them for what they've done. [00:25:04] And I would appreciate it if you'd approve this grant. [00:25:06] Thank you. [00:25:11] Come on down, I see you moving this way. [00:25:16] Poor Julie. [00:25:21] Uh-oh, Judith Koutsos, last four years [00:25:27] I've been the Florida State President [00:25:30] of the International Questors. [00:25:33] And the Questors, we specialize in preservation [00:25:40] and restoration of historic buildings. [00:25:43] And I just want you to know, [00:25:46] this is obviously a historic building. [00:25:50] It was built in 1925. [00:25:52] So next year we will be celebrating [00:25:55] the centennial of the theater building. [00:25:59] It actually didn't open for shows until 26, [00:26:02] but it was built in 25. [00:26:06] We desperately need these funds [00:26:08] to keep this historic building in good shape. [00:26:12] Like you said, a roof, lighting, all kinds of things [00:26:16] that 100-year-old buildings desperately need. [00:26:22] And I just want you to know, back in the day, [00:26:25] there were just a few of us, a couple of couples and myself [00:26:29] that started the Ritchie Suncoast Theater. [00:26:32] We started in 1970. [00:26:35] Plays, and the only place we had to do performances [00:26:38] was the Gulf High School gymnasium. [00:26:42] It was huge and it had a stage. [00:26:45] We did Oliver, and of course all my kids [00:26:47] that are in their 50s and 60s now were the kids in Oliver. [00:26:51] And the marvelous Mr. Pennypacker, [00:26:54] which was done right here in this building [00:26:56] in the old theater upstairs, the city theater. [00:26:59] We had a beautiful theater upstairs [00:27:02] with velvet seats and a nice stage. [00:27:04] And all my kids were the Pennypacker kids. [00:27:07] And then from there, we decided to do something [00:27:12] about the then condemned, shut down, [00:27:15] stinky, smelly, old theater building. [00:27:19] So we managed to get the mortgage [00:27:23] and we all went in there, volunteers, [00:27:26] scrubbed our fingers to the bone, pulled off wallpaper, [00:27:31] got volunteers for, we had to change all the electrical, [00:27:36] all the plumbing, because everything was very old. [00:27:39] We went through a living hell to get that theater [00:27:41] even open, and then we raised funds [00:27:44] for the first velvet curtain with the gold fringe, [00:27:47] the whole thing, and I was the first music director, [00:27:51] and so on and so forth. [00:27:53] And that happened in 1972. [00:27:56] So you can see how long we've been there. [00:28:00] And that's when I decided that with all the productions [00:28:03] I was doing, bringing in the Florida Symphony Orchestra [00:28:07] with Maestro Hoffman, 110-piece symphony orchestra, [00:28:10] all-time first for Pasco County, [00:28:13] and the ballet with a full symphony orchestra, [00:28:16] first time for Pasco County. [00:28:18] Again, we went back to the high school gym, [00:28:21] and I went on a rampage. [00:28:23] I went, sat in the office of Mr. Ellis [00:28:26] at his bank in Tarpon Springs, [00:28:29] and Jack Eckerd, and Jim Gills, [00:28:34] and Jim Gills begged them for money [00:28:39] to start something here for a fine arts center, [00:28:43] and every one of them turned me down, [00:28:45] because I was way before my time. [00:28:48] And what hurt my heart really bad was two years later, [00:28:52] Ruth Eckerd Hall popped up, and that really hurt. [00:28:56] And Jack Eckerd, Jim Gills, [00:29:01] all those guys that I begged money out of, [00:29:04] and they said, oh, no, no, no. [00:29:05] They didn't want to have anything to do with culture [00:29:07] and the fine arts, right? [00:29:09] And theater, and music, and symphony, and ballet. [00:29:13] They put all their money. [00:29:14] That's how Ruth Eckerd Hall got built. [00:29:17] So that really hurt. [00:29:18] So revert back to our theater. [00:29:20] This was the only place that we had to go. [00:29:24] And I, when Pasco Hernando was built, [00:29:29] Dr. Milton Jones came to me, [00:29:31] and he said, get on my board, [00:29:34] because, he said, you're a go-getter, [00:29:37] and you can raise some funds. [00:29:39] On our campus for PHCC, it's a teaching auditorium. [00:29:46] He said, I want to do something better than that [00:29:49] to have an official theater with 1,000, 2,000 seats [00:29:54] and a real stage. [00:29:56] So I took that to, [00:30:00] the community, the county, and the city. Everybody poo-pooed me and they put me down again ahead [00:30:07] of my time. So Mill Jones backed off and they became a teaching auditorium which they're [00:30:12] using and the River Ridge High School as you know. So basically the only thing we have [00:30:18] is our historic theater which is now really roaring with fabulous shows, comedy nights, [00:30:27] all kinds of stuff. And this is the building that we need to preserve and that's why we [00:30:36] need the money. Thank you. [00:30:41] Hello, I'm Donna Jensen, 5922 Wyoming Avenue and a lifetime resident of New Port Richey. [00:30:55] And I would like to commend these people for what they have done to the theater that I [00:31:00] grew up going to on dirt streets. Madison was a dirt street. When I attended the school [00:31:11] next door, Pierce Elementary, Madison was a dirt street. I want you to think of what [00:31:22] is happening in New Port Richey with our beautiful hacienda. What we have done to [00:31:27] that. The theater, the elementary school, I want you to picture in your minds what Golf [00:31:38] High 1922, older than the theater, older than the school next door, what it could be for [00:31:49] this community when we have an education, a cultural, and a recreational center that [00:31:55] is unlike any other town because we're unique. We have a river that runs through us. We have [00:32:04] a community that comes together to support the historical aspects of our town. We need [00:32:15] the theater. We need the school. We need the hacienda. But we also need Golf High and every [00:32:23] inch of the grounds of it. So please support these people. Give them what they need, but [00:32:30] support us also. Thank you. [00:32:41] My name is Dylan Gamez. I am the marketing and public relations manager for the hacienda. [00:32:46] And I am here with the blessing of hotel owner Jim Gunderson. I think you could see tonight by [00:32:52] all of the community leaders and business owners coming together that this theater has really made [00:32:59] an impact as of late. And with the opening of the hacienda and with the success of the theater, [00:33:05] it has been so helpful for us to get guests to come here and not just come for a day, [00:33:10] but want to come and spend the night, go see a show. They'll go to the restaurants, [00:33:15] go have some drinks. It's become such a destination and we need to put everything [00:33:21] we can into that and keep this momentum going because the renaissance is here and it's happening [00:33:26] and you can see everybody's so excited. So keep it going. Thank you very much. [00:33:37] I forgot to say one thing. Sorry. Remember the Sweatman Building also? That's historic [00:33:45] and we need that because we could make a fabulous fine arts center out of that. [00:33:51] Really, let me tell you that. That great big hall that's in there [00:33:55] would be great for the symphony and classrooms. [00:34:03] Working on Ritchie Suncoast Theater right now. [00:34:07] Hello, LaVon Williams, owner of Axel NPR on Nebraska Avenue. I just want to say we've seen [00:34:12] as the theater's growing, we see people coming over and visiting our establishment after they're [00:34:16] at a theater. It's making it into a destination for your date night, your family day, having more [00:34:21] activities to do down here is great. So we would love to see them receive this grant to help keep [00:34:25] building that. Thank you. This is for all of you, even though we're not supposed to turn around. [00:34:40] One very important fact. For these historical buildings, you must have a historical [00:34:47] preservation committee, which the city manager decided to abolish. But if you do not have that, [00:34:55] you cannot access any of the grant money. So your first step is for all of you to fight that [00:35:03] that committee be reinstated. I've had long conversations with the architect, the lead [00:35:09] architect. He told me that there's over 70 buildings in this city that qualify for historical [00:35:18] money. But we cannot touch it until we get that committee reinstated, which the charter, [00:35:26] which I've been up here a number of times and said it is the city councils under the charter [00:35:33] to form committees. And we need for you, if we're going to get some of this money in here for these [00:35:40] buildings, we have to start at the beginning. And that is to reinstate the historical committee, [00:35:47] the historical preservation committee. Anybody else would like to speak? [00:36:01] Thank you, Council. Kate Connelly. And I'm so grateful for everybody here tonight. [00:36:06] Considering this even, I didn't think that it was possible. And I'm so grateful to [00:36:14] Mr. Gregg Orbeck and the way you just made me cry somehow. I think Doug did it too. And hopefully [00:36:20] all of you here tonight. The theater is a special place to me. And I've always thought that it [00:36:25] is going to be even more fabulous than it already is as New Parichi continues to grow and flourish. [00:36:32] And I'm so eager to see what we can do with it. I know that I will be watching closely over Doug [00:36:38] to make sure he's a good steward of it, along with the rest of the board and all of the community [00:36:43] members that enjoy it so much. I find the most pride in those that come up to me and say that [00:36:49] they never thought they'd ever act a day in their life. And they did a local city play or an acting [00:36:56] class or those that say that they came to New Parichi just because of the theater and that [00:37:01] they never knew there was such a downtown like ours. And I'm so thrilled to hear all of this [00:37:07] beautiful sentiment tonight. And I'll stop talking so I don't cry again. But there is a quote that I [00:37:13] wanted to say from Audrey Hepburn, who was an actress that many of you may know. I don't know [00:37:19] if you know that she had survived World War Two and struggled greatly through it. And I'm shocked [00:37:25] and I believe she was shocked that she ever became a star. And she said, nothing is impossible. [00:37:31] The word itself says I'm possible. And as others noted, the theater can be a very safe space for so [00:37:37] many. And I think that that sentiment sums it all up. And thank you all for making this possible. [00:37:43] I'm a little taller. My name is Erin Hearns and I volunteer at the Ritchie Suncoast Theater. I also [00:38:00] have directed a show which is called Silent Sky. I don't know if any of you saw it. I hope you did. [00:38:06] But anyways, I'm real passionate about expanding access for people. And we, along with the board, [00:38:15] were able to, along with donations from an interpreting service, expand access to the deaf [00:38:22] and hard of hearing. We didn't know where it was going to go and how successful it was going to be. [00:38:27] But we based it upon the lead character in the show was deaf. And she created all these things [00:38:35] as a real story, real life story. I won't go into it, but you know. And we thought, okay, if just a few [00:38:42] people show up, you know, the $500 that we had to put into the sign language interpreters, you know, [00:38:49] it would be worth it just to expand access to a few people. We had 100 people show up. They came [00:38:54] from Tampa. They came from all over. And so not only did we do a wonderful thing and expand access [00:39:00] to people who can't have it, but we also brought in people from Tampa as well. And thank you. [00:39:05] It made me cry that day. [00:39:07] Do any of you also like to speak? [00:39:14] Seeing no one else get up, we'll come bring it back to the council. [00:39:18] Let's just start with a motion to approve the request. [00:39:20] Second. [00:39:22] Get right to it. [00:39:23] Right. [00:39:23] Okay, that's my moment. [00:39:25] Yeah, he's second. [00:39:26] Go ahead. [00:39:28] Yeah, I'm just counting heads. And I believe that the folks with the most hair were the most [00:39:35] eloquent. But not for those without it. No, it's something that I think we all share that passion. [00:39:48] My sisters took me to see the blob when I was about five and I had nightmares and [00:39:53] they got in a lot of trouble for that. But there's a lot of memories in this city and [00:39:59] there's a lot of new memories to be made. So congratulations for all the work that you've done. [00:40:05] Yeah, I just want to say thank you to all of you, all the work you put in in such a short time to [00:40:10] really turn things around. I know I've had conversations with Doug in the past about, [00:40:15] you know, its viability and being able to, you know, be very successful. And all of you just [00:40:22] knocked that apart for real. It's come so far. And, you know, you look at the numbers, you see [00:40:28] the numbers, what you see in the future, what you've came from. And that's amazing. But what's [00:40:35] more amazing is the vibe, the buzz that you've been able to put out there in the community. [00:40:41] I used to go around and ask people about the theater to see what their thoughts were. Now, [00:40:45] I don't even bring it up. They bring it up to me. They talk about, hey, what about that show? Hey, [00:40:50] the theater's doing a great job. I mean, it's out there. And you all created that. And that's [00:40:55] amazing. I thank you so much for that. The theater is such an important and vital part of the [00:40:59] community. So, I mean, I'm just ecstatic about it. And, you know, being on the contractor side, [00:41:06] and, you know, I know how expensive these things can be for renovations and HVAC and electrical [00:41:12] and lights, you know, building maintenance. It's, you know, a lot of times I have to look at, [00:41:17] you know, bills I get just for materials and take a second look. I'm like, are you kidding me? [00:41:21] You know, it's just, it's very expensive to upkeep. And when you get kind of hit with it all [00:41:26] at once, when everything's bad, and everything needs to be fixed, it can, you know, seem like a, [00:41:32] you know, black hole. But I think, you know, my personal opinion, as far as the city, [00:41:40] I think it's our obligation to help in any way we can and help you get to where you need to be [00:41:46] because it's important to everyone. So, thank you. Thank you for that. [00:41:51] I think it was Greg that made the comment about how short of a runway that is. And I think you [00:41:57] guys took a whole other approach and just did like Elon Musk and just shot the rocket up right [00:42:01] through space. Forget the runway. When I was serving at Rose's Bistro, I have to say one of [00:42:08] our highest trafficked events was after that theater performances because they just, it brings [00:42:14] that energy downtown and people spend money afterwards. And, you know, I teach seventh grade [00:42:19] math, so don't hold me to this number, but $23,500 is what my quick calculations did. $23,000 is in [00:42:26] what one year you can make if people are spending money downtown based on what you guys projected [00:42:33] as the economic output. And so that's, I mean, in four years, we make the money back on this, [00:42:39] if it's even spent in that time. And that's just from people spending money [00:42:44] in our downtown. That doesn't include, you know, going out of that core circle where that tax [00:42:49] exists. And I wanted to also touch on the school part of it, which is that we had a performance [00:42:55] for Ritchie Elementary School, the Under the Sea performance. And we have the Joys and Sorrows that [00:43:01] was done at Gulf Middle School. And those, at least for the middle school, the theater director [00:43:06] will tell you that a limitation for them is space and is a professional theater atmosphere to thrive [00:43:13] at. And to be honest with you, he didn't even know the Ritchie Suncoast Theater existed. And [00:43:18] it's, we are unique as a city in that Ritchie Elementary, Gulf Middle, and Gulf High School, [00:43:24] they're all international baccalaureate schools. So we have global schools right here in our [00:43:28] community. And one of the things that program pushes is that we try to find real world ways [00:43:34] to link our kids to experience our history in real time. This theater is, and someone said it, [00:43:42] it's the core culture of our downtown. I used to joke when I was working at the rec center, [00:43:48] and I would say, you know, the rec center is our cultural hub. And my supervisor was quick to say, [00:43:54] oh, no, no, no, no, no, we're a hidden gem. But we are not the center of culture. And he didn't [00:43:59] say the theater, but I think that's what it's become is the theater is truly a core of our [00:44:04] culture. And it serves downtown businesses, it serves our kids, it serves our teachers and our [00:44:10] staff, and it serves our residents and non-residents who want to come here and use it for tourism. [00:44:15] I hate to end on a technical note. And so thank you. Thank you really. I mean, [00:44:19] when I saw the numbers, my ears perk up when I hear anything about a grant, [00:44:23] but when I saw the numbers of where the performances have gone and where they are [00:44:27] now and where they want to go, I'm just blown away. So really, thank you. One other thing [00:44:34] that was brought up was Chapter 1801-05, the Historic Preservation Board. And it does say [00:44:41] in here some language about recommending grants. And it also said, you know, recommend, recommend, [00:44:45] but then there is one that says, most of them say recommend, but there's one that actually says [00:44:54] review grant applications. And so I'm curious to know whether this... [00:45:00] Preservation Board would have authority over reviewing this type of application [00:45:05] and if the city staff can provide that guidance before we make a vote on this. [00:45:12] You're asking me to respond to the question. Yes. I'm prepared to. I'd first [00:45:17] like to say that the city manager did not abolish this Commission, but it is [00:45:24] one that I've worked to reconvene and unfortunately with the absence of a [00:45:30] development director our efforts have been stalled. It is something that's a [00:45:35] priority though of us to get back in place so that we can go forward with the [00:45:41] designation of several buildings within the city's downtown area and to be able [00:45:47] to do designations of the buildings as historic structures and to get grant [00:45:54] funding to support our restoration efforts with some grant buildings to [00:46:02] include the Schwetman and former Gulf High School Schwetman Education Center [00:46:08] in particular. So it's now a good time to plug for the immense interest in our [00:46:15] history and our culture that there will be a Historic Preservation Board [00:46:20] applications coming eventually? Certainly. Is it appropriate now or perhaps we can put [00:46:28] into a workshop to talk larger about it what the challenges have been at length [00:46:32] or excuse me right now do we have some sort of date we can fill out in terms of [00:46:38] when we can because I mean there have been frustrations in the community let's [00:46:41] be honest here with this Historic Preservation Board and there's enough of [00:46:44] it to where and I don't want to take the light off of the Suncoast Theater here [00:46:48] but there's been enough of it where can we start to make some sort of small [00:46:52] gestured faith commitment that hey this is what we're doing to reconvene because [00:46:57] there's been a lot of okay well we're have turnover. Can we vote on this first and then come back during communications? [00:47:04] Yeah absolutely. It was raised twice so I just want to put it out [00:47:08] there. So I just want to say with regards to the theater you all know I've said [00:47:13] before that I volunteered there and I choreographed there back in 1979 and 80 [00:47:19] so it's been a long time but I also want to also comment that I've been very [00:47:24] involved with Pepin Academies which is all students with special special needs [00:47:28] and they had a musical theater and that was every student in that school wanted [00:47:32] to be part of that musical theater because that's when they could let [00:47:35] themselves out. You know a lot of them just don't speak there they keep to [00:47:40] themselves but as soon as you put them in musical theater they all want to be [00:47:43] right out in front of everybody and so it completely changed them and it [00:47:47] changed who they were and how they communicated with people so I think [00:47:49] that that's a huge thing for us to be able to promote here but I think this [00:47:54] theater is the center of our city. It's what we need it's what brings other [00:47:59] people here. Since you guys have started you've done such a fabulous job in all [00:48:04] of this redevelopment of it seeing just the the sparks in the street right and [00:48:09] the weekends there's people everywhere and and they're coming into the theater [00:48:13] and they're walking by the theater and they're talking about the shows coming [00:48:16] up. I get people every week that ask me did you know this shows coming up and [00:48:20] what's coming up next time and you know and I think that that's really good and [00:48:23] I like all the diversity in the programming too so there's something for [00:48:26] everybody. If you're not into a play you might be into the music or you might be [00:48:30] into the magicians or the comedy or whatever you have going on but there's a [00:48:36] lot for everybody and I think that that's what's really important too and [00:48:38] I'm really happy to see that we're cities getting more involved with the [00:48:41] theater and really going to help push it to the next level. I came here in 83 [00:48:47] in the late 80s and early 90s um there was probably three four shows at the max [00:48:53] a year and everybody out there in the green shirt can say you know well I [00:48:58] probably went to one a year because the other three didn't fit my age group you [00:49:02] know and that was that was what was going on a theater not that it wasn't [00:49:06] steady things going on but it was only like four shows a year and so I'm what's [00:49:10] happening in the past year or year and a half I'm just so elated about I just [00:49:15] think it's one of the great greatest things going on in town and I'm gonna [00:49:18] back on quote I'm Jim Gunderson you know who came to town and and I thought put [00:49:24] an anchor in in the town with a with a hacienda but he told me he says no the [00:49:30] anchor in this town is the theater I'll support the theater so there you got [00:49:36] where I thought the anchor wasn't he where he thinks the anchor is so that [00:49:39] was really great and then I would like to apologize you know to the theater [00:49:44] because the first and third Tuesday the Entertainment Center is here not at [00:49:52] the Ritchie Suncoast theater but anyhow we'll go ahead and vote all those in [00:49:57] favor aye those opposed was five nothing you had an easy presentation I

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5. 5

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   Update on Strategic Collaboration by and between Great Explorations Children's Museum, the City of New Port Richey, and City of New Port Richey CRA to Establish a Summer Program

   discussed

   Staff presented an update on a proposed strategic collaboration between Great Explorations Children's Museum, the City of New Port Richey, and the CRA to establish a four-month summer program (May–September) as a stepping stone toward a permanent children's museum or Discovery Center in NPR. The program would cost approximately $10,000, with the city covering ~$5,000 from parks/rec and library budgets and local stakeholders raising the other half. No vote was taken; board members expressed support and direction to proceed.

   • direction:Board gave verbal consensus/direction allowing staff and Councilman Altman to proceed with the summer program collaboration and community fundraising for the $5,000 local match. (none)

   📍former Health Department building📍land across from the Hacienda on Main Street📍the bank building🏢Great Explorations Children's Museum🏢Gulf High School🏢New Port Richey Library🏢Pinellas School System🏢Publix🏢Richey Suncoast Theater👤Alan Kale👤Alex👤Andre👤Andy👤Carol Schrier👤Councilman Altman👤Doug👤Grady Pridgen👤Kevin👤Matt👤Morris the Explorer-saurus👤Patel#Brainstorm Science Museum (1990s effort)#Discovery Center concept#Great Explorations summer program (May–September, ~17 dates)#Hometown Extravaganza#Longo's Cove (exhibit)#Peace Hall#mobile planetarium programming

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   [00:50:09] learned stuff that I didn't know but you had us all before you even came here I'm [00:50:14] sure you know so anyhow when moving on with the update on the strategic [00:50:23] collaboration by in between the Great Exploration Children's Museum and the [00:50:29] city of New Port Richey Thank You mr. mayor the purpose of this agenda item is [00:50:37] to give you a status report on collaboration that mr. or a back has [00:50:43] been working with Great Exploration Children's Museum on in the hopes that a [00:50:51] summer program with them might provide a seed for them to become a more [00:51:00] permanent addition to the community and I'm going to let him talk a little bit [00:51:04] about that and verify your level of interest good evening sir thank you [00:51:11] madam executive director mr. chair members of the board aren't CRA meetings [00:51:15] fun I mean they are fun there's so much fun that starting in June we're going to [00:51:20] a standalone meeting on the second Wednesday of the month we'll still have [00:51:23] the before and afters because we have so much action to address from time to time [00:51:28] but the standalone meetings will be the second Wednesday but we're gonna keep [00:51:32] the good times rolling here tonight and we were talking about fun culture [00:51:38] education with our Ritchie Suncoast theater and it's not too different [00:51:43] honestly when you're talking about a children's museum and so tonight we're [00:51:46] talking about the Great Explorations Children's Museum your city of New Port Richey and a proposed summer program for this very summer and that if you [00:51:55] don't know is Morris the Explorer source he is the chief executive dinosaur of [00:52:01] Great Explorations and we're very sorry that he couldn't be here this evening [00:52:06] but maybe maybe in the future so I think you know we're working hard smart [00:52:13] together with citizens all interested stakeholders I'm making NPR the best [00:52:17] walkable waterfront historic hometown in Florida and as part of bringing that [00:52:22] vision to life we're very interested in exploring the establishment of a [00:52:26] children's museum in our community because children's museums can educate [00:52:31] and inspire children to learn which can lead them to better more prosperous [00:52:35] lives which help them the community in the world they have a positive impact on [00:52:39] the local economy by attracting visiting families and increasing tourism and [00:52:43] we're hearing some recurring themes aren't we creating jobs through direct [00:52:46] indirect and induced employment increasing spending and local economy [00:52:50] contributing to workforce development the workforce of tomorrow it starts with [00:52:55] education today and you just don't know how you're gonna reach a kid and how a [00:53:00] children's museum might help reach a kid and what a difference that might make in [00:53:04] the trajectory of a life which can make a difference in the trajectory of a [00:53:07] community so it really gets to be that big and then on top of that improving [00:53:12] the quality of life in the communities they serve and because again they're [00:53:16] fun engaging gathering places that provide their citizens with meaningful [00:53:19] experiences that educate captivate and instill a sense of community pride you [00:53:23] know one of the public speakers during the Richie Suncoast theater brought up [00:53:26] the idea that as the downtown goes the city goes as the theater goes the [00:53:32] downtown goes making the argument that these are interrelated things and and [00:53:36] that's actually very true it's it's part of some of the the best minds and [00:53:42] downtown development traditional neighborhood development will say that [00:53:45] your downtown is really the litmus test it's the indicator for the health of a [00:53:50] community because your community is made up of neighborhoods and your downtown is [00:53:53] the neighborhood you know we all live in neighborhoods but everyone lives in [00:53:58] downtown and so how your downtown goes is a reflection of the health of your [00:54:03] community and then how the special destinations in your downtown go shapes [00:54:07] that downtown and so theaters things like Children's Museums these [00:54:11] cornerstones hugely hugely impactful and so we're giving you an update on a [00:54:16] summer program tonight but really there's a greater plan in play and that [00:54:22] is hey how could this be a stepping stone to a Children's Museum downtown or [00:54:28] elsewhere but I think as the board knows Great Explorations Children Children's [00:54:33] Museum is a 501 c3 they're founded in st. Pete and about 1986 it was actually [00:54:38] the junior league that started them they're currently an industry leader [00:54:42] operating an accredited facility of 24,000 square feet that serves over [00:54:45] 200,000 visitors annually so it's it's a big deal we've included a bunch of [00:54:52] information in the packet we have some in the PowerPoint presentation I think [00:54:56] as the board's also aware Great Explorations has identified the need and [00:55:00] potential demand for a Children's Museum in West Pasco recognizing the [00:55:05] city of NPR as an ideal location and Alan Kale the CEO of Great Explorations [00:55:10] who like Morris the Explorer source wasn't able to be here tonight has been [00:55:14] engaged with conversations with board member slash councilman Altman and other [00:55:18] local stakeholders for several years on how Great Explorations might serve NPR [00:55:23] and the surrounding regions and many ideas have been talked about many [00:55:28] approaches brainstormed including the creation of a full-blown Discovery [00:55:31] Center which can be fairly when you talk about Discovery Center what is that well [00:55:36] it's like if a Children's Museum and a Science Museum had a baby it's whereas [00:55:42] Children's Museums are for a younger audience and the science might be more [00:55:46] technical it's kind of a hybrid it's kind of that sweet spot for everyone and [00:55:50] so the idea of bringing that Discovery Center somewhere maybe the former Health [00:55:54] Department building but you know is there a bad location for a Children's [00:55:58] Museum in New Port Richey I would argue not and we of course had a team that's [00:56:06] been evaluating this opportunity and we have Andre over there we have Andy and [00:56:16] we have Kevin and we actually took the field trip to Great Explorations which [00:56:20] is and down and st. Pete right next to the Sunken Gardens oh you know what you [00:56:29] know that I've been in the limelight plenty but I want you to know I'm [00:56:32] keeping an eye on you you see that look look at that you see that that's all I [00:56:36] need right there I keep it an eye on you guys now this was the Great [00:56:43] Explorations team that we interacted with this is Alan Kale the COO this is [00:56:47] Matt he's in charge of programming and then Alex and development and they gave [00:56:53] us a tour of the facility and when you walk in you have this just huge this is [00:56:57] two stories of volume in here that's actually a preschool that they have on [00:57:00] the second floor in this Longo's Cove is just this huge apparatus that kind of [00:57:08] commands the room and there's all kinds of things going on in this 24,000 square [00:57:12] foot facility in addition to the preschool and like Mr. Wizard shop they [00:57:17] make all their own stuff so they got like a really cool workshop in the back [00:57:21] but they this is kind of the center and off on the spokes you have all these [00:57:25] different rooms how many of you guys have been there have you guys been there [00:57:27] before so you just have all these different rooms I didn't include them [00:57:31] all there's there's a there's a million of them and you know kids learn how to [00:57:38] shop at Publix they learn about going to the dentist you know the manatee [00:57:44] he's been chewing a lot of romaine lettuce probably in violation of the [00:57:48] Marine Mammals Protection Act probably someone's been feeding them lettuce [00:57:51] illegally we don't want to know what this alligator has been eating but [00:57:55] clearly he's he's in for a root canal so that's one of the rooms over there now [00:58:01] when you walk in and you're getting the tour I just want you to see the wonder [00:58:06] in a child's eyes look at the wonder in the child's eyes there as he's [00:58:10] captivated by this room it's it's really it's really special you know you just it [00:58:15] says everything just now I don't know who took this photo but maybe someone in [00:58:25] this party went up to the top of Longo's Cove and took a photo what well maybe [00:58:33] maybe maybe someone did that it was Andy oh no there she is down there it [00:58:38] wasn't Andy all right so important concepts other than it was you know it [00:58:43] was an amazing facility is that the summer program is hopefully an amazing [00:58:47] stepping stone and that great exploration just reiterating that they [00:58:51] they see the need for for something more here and you know it's alluring I think [00:58:59] to it the idea of establishing a destination Children's Museum through a [00:59:05] direct turnkey transaction that that sounds awesome but the desired outcome [00:59:12] of a successful long-term here forever community asset part of the community [00:59:18] type Children's Museum that's usually the result of a grassroots movement that [00:59:22] starts with a critical mass of local supporters and a relatively smaller more [00:59:26] modest beginning an initial location that grows organically so in addition to [00:59:31] fitting that physical location wherever that might be and high-quality exhibits a [00:59:35] leading Children's Museum relies on a deep network of local support and it's [00:59:40] like with any cause right what is local support mean time talent and treasure [00:59:44] time talent and treasure that's that's what it needs right it needs people's [00:59:48] time it needs people's talent and it needs people's treasure what does that [00:59:52] mean it relies it's a not-for-profit that relies on local philanthropy and so [00:59:56] you got to prove that you got to build that [01:00:00] And so, hey, you know what? [01:00:02] Maybe a logical first step is getting this summer program. [01:00:07] So our administrative team that we threw up there, [01:00:10] I can't thank Andre, Andy, and Kevin, [01:00:13] the manager, enough, slash executive director. [01:00:17] We've collaborated with Great Explorations [01:00:19] to propose a four-month summer camp, [01:00:21] summer program, which could be hosted at summer camp, [01:00:25] but also the city library, and select city special events, [01:00:28] like the Hometown Extravaganza, coming up [01:00:32] the weekend before July 4th. [01:00:34] Not July 4th, the Saturday before July 4th, [01:00:38] at a cost of approximately $10,000. [01:00:41] And Great Explorations would provide a mix of programming. [01:00:44] It's got mobile planetariums, large and small. [01:00:48] It has interactive sessions, like on the weather, [01:00:50] chemistry, gross parts of human anatomy, [01:00:54] all kinds of fun stuff for kids. [01:00:57] Approximately 17 different dates [01:00:59] over the course of May through September. [01:01:03] It's not in here, but I gotta call it out. [01:01:05] Andy had this awesome idea, and they were open to it, [01:01:09] of providing a certain number of guest passes [01:01:13] to be put into the library so they could be checked out, [01:01:18] like a resource. [01:01:19] So we're gonna also, we would work on that as part of this, [01:01:23] where families in NPR would be able to, [01:01:25] they had their library card, they had to go to the library, [01:01:27] check out, four passes to go down to the Children's Museum, [01:01:32] and then when they're done, they bring it back, [01:01:33] next family can go. [01:01:34] So just thought that was an awesome idea. [01:01:36] Wanted to give her a shout out for that. [01:01:38] That was innovative awesomeness. [01:01:40] In addition to hosting Great Explorations [01:01:43] and providing in-kind support and coordination, [01:01:45] the city's being asked to offset half of the program, [01:01:48] because it's anticipated the other half, [01:01:50] the other half of that 10 would be raised [01:01:54] by our local stakeholders, [01:01:55] and maybe people with a lot of follicles up there [01:01:59] that are very eloquent. [01:02:00] Maybe they want to raise the 5,000. [01:02:03] Might make this into a whiz. [01:02:05] All right, and so we included it in there, [01:02:09] but I'll say, hey, Doug was right. [01:02:11] It's too late for spreadsheets, [01:02:12] but we work on that proposed summer program. [01:02:16] It's in that PowerPoint presentation. [01:02:18] We are polishing the final dates, [01:02:22] and just some of the budget notes. [01:02:25] This would impose direct costs [01:02:26] to the city of approximately 5,000. [01:02:28] That's available in parks and rec and library budgets. [01:02:33] Again, can't say enough great things [01:02:36] about Andre and Andy and the team. [01:02:38] I don't know if they want to add anything [01:02:40] to this presentation, but they were able [01:02:42] to find the money in their budgets to step up [01:02:45] and say, yeah, let's try to make this happen, [01:02:46] because this is going to move us closer [01:02:49] to our goals as departments. [01:02:51] This is going to bring us closer [01:02:52] to our vision as a community. [01:02:53] And so because the dollar amounts involved, [01:02:56] this was an update rather than a request for approval. [01:03:02] But going back to that big master plan, [01:03:05] it's a fun master plan. [01:03:06] Don't have to grow a handlebar mustache and twist it. [01:03:09] This is a good master plan. [01:03:11] The summer program comes to fruition. [01:03:14] Hopefully we get something started for real, [01:03:16] and then that builds into standing exhibits [01:03:19] at the library, the rec center. [01:03:21] Hey, maybe there's a vacant downtown storefront somewhere. [01:03:23] Maybe the lobby of the Richie Suncoast Theater. [01:03:26] Who knows where some standing exhibits might be, [01:03:30] and that we build this groundswell of support [01:03:32] that leads to something more, [01:03:34] that something more being the Destination Children's Museum. [01:03:39] But that journey's got to start with a step, [01:03:41] and that step is today, and we'd be happy [01:03:44] to take any questions that you might have. [01:03:47] Oh, we're not voting on anything. [01:03:53] Yeah, it's on the agenda. [01:03:55] No, it's an update. [01:03:58] I mean, you could vote to receive the update if you want. [01:04:02] It's just an update, we're not voting on anything. [01:04:04] Oh, okay, well. [01:04:08] So, I guess to the challenge [01:04:11] of the non-follicly challenged person here, [01:04:17] there was a little meeting, Van Gordon, I think, [01:04:21] Van Benden, I'm not sure. [01:04:25] At a meeting that we had here when I left, [01:04:27] gentleman said he was part [01:04:29] of the Brainstorm Science Museum program [01:04:31] that we tried to put on back in the 90s. [01:04:35] He was a member of the board, [01:04:37] because we had raised, as I think I told you, [01:04:39] some several hundred thousand dollars, [01:04:43] but we couldn't get the deal done. [01:04:46] He's offered to join and become part of a group [01:04:49] to do fundraising and to be a support [01:04:52] to work towards this greater goal. [01:04:57] Carol Schrier, who was a teacher in Gulf High School, [01:05:01] has offered to be part of it. [01:05:04] There's a number of other folks [01:05:05] who have joined in their interest. [01:05:07] So, we have a group that's willing to form [01:05:10] to raise the $5,000 and make that commitment. [01:05:14] I'll have to go, since this is not to be voted on, [01:05:18] I guess if the challenge is show me the money, [01:05:22] then I guess my real question to you is [01:05:24] if you would allow me to proceed [01:05:27] on what I think has been a well-presented update, [01:05:32] I'll move forward to try to come back [01:05:34] and show that community support. [01:05:38] That sounds good. [01:05:40] The Discovery Center, again, [01:05:42] I don't know if we've circulated it recently, [01:05:44] but the study that they did [01:05:47] and the demographic study, once again, [01:05:49] and their communication with Pinellas School System [01:05:52] leads, just following up on the little theater, [01:05:56] that we're bringing people from outside of our city [01:05:59] into our city to experience the city's downtown. [01:06:03] And we did give them a tour of the bank building. [01:06:08] So, we have one potential building [01:06:09] that they were interested in, [01:06:11] primarily because it's so close [01:06:13] to the ice cream shop and the playground. [01:06:17] But we also have the land that Grady Pridgen owns, [01:06:20] which is right across from the Hacienda. [01:06:23] And as I've mentioned before, [01:06:24] he was on the board of that Great Exploration Museum [01:06:26] at one time, and he's expressed interest [01:06:29] in helping us to do something on the ground floor [01:06:32] or allowing us to do something on the ground floor [01:06:36] to avoid having houses with their front doors [01:06:38] coming out onto Main Street, [01:06:39] which I don't think is what we want [01:06:42] to create that pedestrian track. [01:06:45] So, if you all are nodding your heads, [01:06:48] could I get maybe a verbal? [01:06:52] Can I come backwards? [01:06:53] Yeah. [01:06:56] Can you get some money for Swetman, too? [01:06:59] While you're at it? [01:07:00] Well, to that point, then let me say. [01:07:04] We'll come back to that in communication. [01:07:06] Okay, good. [01:07:07] No, I'm, well. [01:07:08] We're done about this right now. [01:07:11] Good. [01:07:12] Well, then, where are we, Patel? [01:07:14] All set? [01:07:15] Yeah. [01:07:16] Yeah, I just, thank you for putting together [01:07:19] the presentation, and I honestly was blown away by it, [01:07:22] so I forgot that we still had to speak on it. [01:07:24] But it's great that it's moving forward, [01:07:26] and I hope that this is just a pilot [01:07:28] for some of the other cultural projects we'll be doing [01:07:30] and maybe more of a permanent cultural place here [01:07:35] to add on to all the great things happening. [01:07:39] No, I think it'd be an amazing thing [01:07:43] if we could have this in the future, [01:07:45] and I think this is a good first step, [01:07:47] and having a summer camp and kind of working that way [01:07:52] towards it, it just, I think it adds to the wholeness [01:07:58] of our community and all those different parts [01:08:01] we need to make it successful, [01:08:03] and I think this would be a good part of it, so. [01:08:07] Yeah, so I think it's a good idea, [01:08:09] and I think especially to start with the summer program, [01:08:11] and let's see how that does. [01:08:12] That's a great first step into moving forward with it. [01:08:16] You guys did a great presentation, [01:08:17] and I'm sure you had a lot of fun out there [01:08:19] playing at the Great Explorations. [01:08:21] I'm sure, want to know who climbed up that thing first? [01:08:26] I think it was Andy. [01:08:29] She's very active, so I could see her [01:08:32] climbing up there first. [01:08:33] But I think it's a great idea, [01:08:34] and I'd love to see it all over the city [01:08:37] and in different locations. [01:08:40] The growth in our town and the recognition [01:08:44] we're getting from Tampa Bay area is phenomenal, [01:08:48] and a lot of it was initially the nightlife, [01:08:51] and then the bars and restaurants, [01:08:53] and then things like this during the day. [01:08:57] A couple of the businesses downtown, [01:09:00] retail businesses downtown, [01:09:02] think the thing that we need more is daytime traffic [01:09:07] and reason to come to New Port Richey during the day, [01:09:08] and I think this would be phenomenal [01:09:10] to bring the youth here. [01:09:11] We get them a little bit at Ritchie's Suncoast Theater, [01:09:14] but something where they would come every day of the week, [01:09:17] or multiple days of the week, [01:09:18] and start with four months in the summer would be great, [01:09:21] and then I would love to see it in years down the road [01:09:24] where let's go to New Port Richey. [01:09:26] They've got everything going on there, [01:09:28] and anything from running up down the river [01:09:31] to a museum to an ice cream stop. [01:09:34] So I'm 100% behind it. [01:09:36] Continue to keep working with you and your team, Greg. [01:09:39] Thank you. [01:09:40] You want to add something? [01:09:42] I'm sorry, Mayor. [01:09:43] I did get a little distracted. [01:09:44] I had written down two questions, [01:09:45] but I forgot I had them down. [01:09:47] I had one question, if you don't mind. [01:09:49] The summer camp part of that, [01:09:51] like with the actual facility, [01:09:53] the rec center summer camp, [01:09:55] there was mention of library passes [01:09:57] to go to some of these activities. [01:10:00] Would that be with the summer camp, [01:10:02] or how would that work if it's at the rec center? [01:10:05] So the location, oh, sorry. [01:10:08] Sorry, ma'am. [01:10:09] I apologize. [01:10:10] I forgot. [01:10:11] I forgot my place. [01:10:12] Thank you, ma'am. [01:10:14] So with the locations, there's different locations. [01:10:20] There are physically at the summer camp, [01:10:22] physically at the library, [01:10:24] and then at select special events [01:10:26] where it would actually be set up in like Peace Hall. [01:10:29] And so the checking out of the passes, [01:10:31] that's actually, that's a whole separate asset. [01:10:35] And so those passes would be like checking out a book [01:10:38] or a piece of media from the library [01:10:40] at any day that they're available. [01:10:42] And they might have blackout periods. [01:10:44] They might only be available certain times for use. [01:10:48] But as it relates to the actual summer camp, [01:10:51] some days they have the big planetarium scheduled [01:10:55] where it would fit into the room, [01:10:56] and they have up to 51 different shows. [01:10:59] So Kevin, under Andre's leadership, [01:11:03] is working with his summer camp coordinator [01:11:05] to actually program. [01:11:07] Okay, we want the NASA one. [01:11:09] We want that one. [01:11:10] Oh, but you know what? [01:11:11] Today we can't use the big planetarium. [01:11:13] It needs 25 feet. [01:11:14] We got to use a small planetarium today.

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

6. 6Communications▶ 1:11:15
7. 7Adjournment▶ 1:48:08