On the agenda

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

   Pledge of Allegiance

   Pledge of Allegiance.

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   [00:00:31] Thank you.

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3. 4

   Approval of December 17, 2024 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes

   approved

   Council approved the minutes from the December 17, 2024 Work Session and Regular Meeting. Councilman Altman arrived during the vote and was recorded as voting in the affirmative.

   • motion:Approve the December 17, 2024 Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. (passed)

   👤Altman👤Deschamps👤O'Neill

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   [00:00:35] The approval of December 17th, 2024. Hope we won't say that very much anymore. [00:01:01] Let the record reflect that Councilman Altman has arrived and voted in the affirmative on that motion. Thank you. [00:01:13] Mr. Deschamps and Mr. O'Neill is here as well.

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4. 5

   Proclamation Arbor Day

   approved

   Mayor Chopper Davis issued a proclamation declaring Friday, January 17, 2025 as Arbor Day in the City of New Port Richey, noting the city's participation in Tree City USA since 1989. The event will include a tree planting at 2 PM at Francis Avenue Park and a tree giveaway at 3 PM downtown in cooperation with Keep Pasco Beautiful.

   • motion:Proclaim Friday, January 17, 2025 as Arbor Day in the City of New Port Richey. (passed)

   📍Francis Avenue Park🏢Garden Clubs🏢Genesis School🏢Keep Pasco Beautiful🏢Tree City USA👤Chopper Davis👤J. Sterling Morton👤Mr. Butler👤Mr. Rivera👤Peter👤Robert Revere👤Tom O'Neill#Arbor Day#Environmental Committee#Tree City USA#reforestation

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   [00:01:30] This is a proclamation of the Office of the Mayor of the City of New Port Richey. [00:01:49] Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. [00:01:58] And whereas the holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. [00:02:05] And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. [00:02:09] And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and cooling costs, [00:02:16] reduce the impact of climate change, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. [00:02:23] And whereas trees are a renewable resource and responsible forestry is an important part of a sustainable economy. [00:02:31] And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. [00:02:36] And whereas the City of New Port Richey has celebrated Arbor Day since 1989 and remains an active participant in National Arbor Day's Tree City USA program. [00:02:47] And whereas over the years, the City of New Port Richey has promoted tree giveaways and plantings in partnership with others in the community, [00:02:54] such as Garden Clubs and Genesis School. [00:02:56] And whereas this year's event will include the annual tree planting at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Francis Avenue Park, [00:03:03] and in cooperation with the Keep Pasco Beautiful, a tree giveaway at 3 o'clock in downtown New Port Richey. [00:03:10] Now therefore, I, Chopper Davis, Mayor of the City of New Port Richey, do hereby proclaim Friday, January 17, 2025 as Arbor Day in the City of New Port Richey [00:03:19] and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to plant and care for trees [00:03:26] to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. [00:03:39] Thank you. [00:03:59] The Ochre occasion and other events of that type. [00:04:02] We're just so appreciative and thankful for the support of the City Council, as well as the City Manager, the City Attorney, of course, always. [00:04:09] Great job on reading that too, City Attorney. [00:04:11] I could tell your heart was in it. [00:04:13] And I really appreciate the entire support of the staff, all members of the staff. [00:04:18] Mr. Rivera of Public Works is such an important part of our Tree City USA activities. [00:04:23] Certainly appreciate the support of the library, which makes a big difference in terms of what we do. [00:04:28] And the entire city staff, what a difference it makes to be in a city that's committed to projects like Tree City USA, [00:04:34] like the Arbor Day events, and like the other agroecological activities that are going on in this city. [00:04:40] It makes this city unique in this entire part of Florida, and maybe, I would argue, in the entire state. [00:04:45] I do want to make one quick note about this, that the event is on January 17th. [00:04:51] So I noticed a lot of the council members were writing that on your calendar or putting it in your little cell phone to make sure that you're there, [00:04:58] because we'd love to have a big turnout at the event. [00:05:01] I know the mayor will be there. [00:05:03] Everyone is invited to come. [00:05:05] I don't know if anyone's watching this on TV or getting the feed, [00:05:08] but we want to encourage the entire community to come out to find out about some of the good things that are happening around Tree City USA, [00:05:15] reforestation within the city. [00:05:17] I thank the city council also for augmenting the tree budget a little bit this year, [00:05:24] and we'd like to see more in the future as well. [00:05:27] We've been at Tree City USA for quite a number of years. [00:05:30] I believe the proclamation has in it the first year that it was celebrated, 1989. [00:05:39] Now, that goes back before some of you were born. [00:05:43] It goes back before some of us were born. [00:05:46] But I believe Robert Revere was there on that first one. [00:05:49] Were you not, Robert? [00:05:50] But this guy was. [00:05:52] Tom O'Neill was there at the first planting, and I was there at the first planting. [00:05:56] Peter, I don't know if you were there. [00:05:58] Were you there at that first one? [00:05:59] Okay, so there's just a few of us that have been there for all of them, [00:06:02] and as the years go past, fewer and fewer people remember when we first began this. [00:06:07] But I did want to acknowledge Mr. O'Neill, who's on the Environmental Committee as well, [00:06:13] because he was instrumental at the very beginning of these projects. [00:06:17] And just as a note for everyone here, but anyone that might be watching, [00:06:22] when this complex was built, when the City Hall compound was built, [00:06:28] there were no trees on Main Street here. [00:06:30] Some of you saw the image. [00:06:31] I don't know if you did or not. [00:06:32] There's not a single tree along Main Street in this area. [00:06:35] And yet today, right now, there's a beautiful tree canopy in front of City Hall [00:06:42] and along the Main Street area here. [00:06:44] And that would not have happened if we didn't have a commitment to it. [00:06:47] I appreciate everything that you're doing. [00:06:49] I do want to ask Mr. O'Neill if he would like to say a word or two about the commitment [00:06:54] that we've had for all of these years, since 1989. [00:06:58] The time on the event is 2 o'clock, January 17th, Friday. [00:07:04] That's a week from this coming Friday. [00:07:06] And it will be at 2 o'clock, and we encourage everyone to come, [00:07:09] including Mr. Butler, who's now arrived. [00:07:12] Good. [00:07:13] Tom, if you would. [00:07:16] Certainly. [00:07:17] It's good to be here tonight. [00:07:19] And I just wanted to thank the Council for its continuing commitment over the years [00:07:26] and, in fact, decades for reforestation of the city. [00:07:31] It's a very important thing to do. [00:07:34] I know all of us at this point right now are probably kind of tired of trees. [00:07:38] We saw a lot of them fall down. [00:07:40] We saw a lot of them fall down in my neighborhood. [00:07:43] And so the tree people are busy at this point. [00:07:48] And I'm busy because I do some consulting arborist work on the side. [00:07:54] But, in any event, thank you to Mayor and City Council for your continuing approval [00:08:01] of a budgetary amount for reforestation. [00:08:04] Thanks. [00:08:05] Beautiful. [00:08:06] January 17th, 2 o'clock at Francis Avenue Park. [00:08:09] See you all then. [00:08:10] Thank you. [00:08:19] Anybody else want to get in? [00:08:20] Oh, in front of the whole panel. [00:08:24] Let me get your name out of the way. [00:08:26] I'm going to have a photo op. [00:08:28] Anybody want to get one, too, from the site? [00:08:30] Come on up. [00:08:32] I want to be a part of Tree Arbor Day. [00:08:34] Hold on. [00:08:35] Hold on. [00:08:36] I'm sitting in the Mayor's chair here to remind me of the old days. [00:08:51] Perfect. [00:08:52] Thank you.

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5. 6

   Proclamation Hot Tea Month

   approved

   Mayor Chopper Davis read a proclamation designating January 2025 as National Hot Tea Month and January 12, 2025 as National Hot Tea Day in New Port Richey, recognizing the White Heron Tea and Gifts and its Driftwood Tea Company brand. The owner accepted the proclamation, noting the tea room's ninth anniversary, its role as an economic and tourism driver, and international awards.

   📍6228 Grand Boulevard🏢Destination Tea🏢Driftwood Tea Company🏢Florida Sports Coast🏢LSU🏢Nature Coaster🏢Tea Mastermind🏢Tea Time Magazine🏢U.S. League of Tea Growers🏢University of Florida🏢Visit Florida🏢White Heron Tea and Gifts👤Chopper Davis#Hacienda Hotel#Loquat Festival#National Hot Tea Day (January 12, 2025)#National Hot Tea Month#New Port Richey Centennial / 100th anniversary#Richey Suncoast Theater#Sims Park#West Pasco Historical Society

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   [00:09:15] What discipline. [00:09:16] How are you? [00:09:19] Since I was a rookie. [00:09:23] You were doing duty. [00:09:28] It's been a while. [00:09:31] All right. [00:09:32] We have another proclamation. [00:09:33] We have another proclamation here. [00:09:35] It's the National Hot Tea Month. [00:09:38] Please. [00:09:41] Ready? [00:09:42] This is a proclamation of the office of the Mayor of the City of New Port Richey, [00:09:45] whereas tea has been consumed for thousands of years in the longstanding tradition of enjoying a cup of hot tea is still as relevant today as it was when it was discovered, [00:09:54] and whereas tea is a versatile beverage that is enjoyed on cold winter days to provide warmth and comfort in addition to natural health and wellness benefits, [00:10:02] and whereas today tea continues to be the second most consumed beverage in the world, [00:10:07] and whereas in 2023 global tea production amounted to an estimated 6,604 million metric tons, a 26% increase of the past 10 years. [00:10:19] The largest tea producers worldwide are China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, [00:10:24] and whereas the Camellia Sinensis plant produces different types of teas from the same bush, white, yellow, green, oolong, black, and per hair, [00:10:34] 84% of tea consumed in the United States is black tea, followed by 15% green tea, [00:10:39] and whereas in 2023 Americans enjoyed 85 billion servings of tea, equating to over 3.9 billion gallons of tea consumed. [00:10:50] 159 million people in the United States drink tea every single day, and tea has become an essential part of people's lives, [00:10:58] and whereas the White Tea Heron Tea and Gifts, an award-winning tea room located in historic downtown New Port Richey, [00:11:05] and their award-winning tea brand, Driftwood Tea Company, have developed a unique collection of teas focusing on historic New Port Richey, [00:11:14] which includes the Hacienda Hotel, Sims Park, the Ritchie Suncoast Theater, the West Pasco Historical Society, and downtown New Port Richey. [00:11:23] Now, therefore, I, Chopper Davis, Mayor of the City of New Port Richey, do hereby proclaim the month of January 2025 as National Hot Tea Month, [00:11:32] and January 12, 2025, as National Hot Tea Day in New Port Richey, and urge all residents of our community to visit the White Heron Tea and Gifts, [00:11:42] and to enjoy their delicious selection of teas, and to learn more about the wonderful health benefits of this internationally enjoyed beverage. [00:11:53] Thank you. [00:12:00] 6228, okay. [00:12:03] Thank you. [00:12:04] Thank you. [00:12:07] Good evening, Council, Mayor, City Manager, and community. [00:12:13] I cannot believe that this month is here already, but I also can't believe that this marks the ninth anniversary of our tea room in downtown. [00:12:21] When we started the tea room, everybody thought we were crazy. [00:12:24] How could a tea room possibly work in a historic downtown? [00:12:28] And I admit that I probably questioned it, too, but my love of my community and to drive traffic was the number one reason why we decided to open this type of venue. [00:12:39] So in the spirit of nine years, I have a few little tidbits for you. [00:12:46] Not only have we been here nine years, we've expanded to triple our original size. [00:12:51] We did that within the first year. [00:12:54] We are continuing to be an economic driver in downtown. [00:12:58] Over our last nine years, we have served over 36,000 guests for tea. [00:13:04] Of those 36,000 guests, 80% are from outside of New Port Richey, 60% are from Pasco, 40% outside of Pasco County. [00:13:14] So not only are we an economic driver in the community, but we're also a tourism driver in the community. [00:13:21] We've also been able to help put New Port Richey on the international spotlight with our tea brand, Driftwood Tea Company. [00:13:28] We have two international awards. [00:13:30] Our first was in 2019 when we were awarded the Silver Medal in the Global Tea Championships for our Loquat Green Tea. [00:13:37] That was designed for the Loquat Festival, the only one in the country here in New Port Richey. [00:13:43] Our second, we have some fans back there. [00:13:48] Loquat. [00:13:50] Our second international award came in 2023, at the end of 2023, [00:13:54] with a Lavender Vanilla White Tea that received a highly commended recommendation out of the U.K. [00:14:00] As you know, the U.K. is pretty much the authority on tea. [00:14:03] We were the only tea brand in the entire country to receive any recognition from that designation. [00:14:09] We continue today to have partnerships around the country. [00:14:15] We are currently working on two national grants with the FDA and USDA through the University of Florida and LSU [00:14:22] for harvesting tea in the U.S., which is a growing market. [00:14:26] We also have partnerships currently with Visit Florida. [00:14:29] We are a target market partnership with them through the middle of this year. [00:14:34] We are also a member of the U.S. League of Tea Growers, working on tea production and consumption here in the United States. [00:14:39] Partnerships with Tea Time Magazine. [00:14:42] We've been featured in that. [00:14:43] That's a national tea magazine. [00:14:45] And Destination Tea and Tea Mastermind. [00:14:48] All of them put us on the map, being here in New Port Richey as a leader in the tea industry overall. [00:14:53] We also have local partnerships currently with Florida Sports Coast and Nature Coaster 2, [00:15:00] which drives a lot of traffic to the community [00:15:02] because their outreach is so far. [00:15:04] So for all of our efforts, for people who said, [00:15:07] did the tea room really work in New Port Richey in 2016, [00:15:10] when we were at the cusp of changing our economic tide, [00:15:14] I can tell you yes, and our goal, [00:15:17] in addition to being a representative in the tea industry, [00:15:19] is to continue to represent New Port Richey [00:15:22] on the local, state, national, and international level, [00:15:24] and we look forward to continuing that for years to come. [00:15:27] Thank you. [00:15:28] Thank you. [00:15:29] Thank you. [00:15:30] Don't go away, don't go away. [00:15:32] Do you still have tea cups [00:15:34] with the 100th anniversary on them? [00:15:35] I can make a million of them for you. [00:15:37] I just want to let people know that that's still available, [00:15:40] and the address again for everybody. [00:15:42] 6228 Grand Boulevard, [00:15:44] and in addition to the 100-year cups, [00:15:46] we also have ornaments that we designed. [00:15:49] We do a New Port Richey ornament every year, [00:15:51] the tea room has since it opened, [00:15:52] so we do have the 100-year one there as well. [00:15:54] Actually, we just sold out, so we'll be getting more, [00:15:56] and we do have a centennial tea that we designed, [00:15:59] which is a black boysenberry. [00:16:00] With the help of your city manager, [00:16:02] we were able to identify what we thought [00:16:04] New Port Richey was, and we love this tea. [00:16:06] It's available as well for the centennial celebration, [00:16:08] and we'll continue from this point forward. [00:16:11] Hey, thank you. [00:16:12] Thank you. [00:16:13] You have a box, Bob.

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6. 7Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda▶ 16:16
7. 8.a

   Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes - October and November 2024

   approvedon consent

   Council approved the Cultural Affairs Committee minutes for October and November 2024 by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

   • motion:Approve the Cultural Affairs Committee minutes for October and November 2024. (passed)5–0

   #Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes - November 2024#Cultural Affairs Committee Minutes - October 2024

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   [00:20:57] Move for approval. Second. [00:20:59] All those in favor, signify by aye. [00:21:01] Aye. [00:21:02] That's five nothing. [00:21:03] Okay, the reading of the ordinances.

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8. 8.b

   Library Advisory Board Minutes - August-October 2024

   approvedon consent

   Council approved the Library Advisory Board minutes from August-October 2024 on consent.

   • motion:Motion to approve the Library Advisory Board minutes for August-October 2024. (passed)5–0

   #Library Advisory Board Minutes - August-October 2024

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   [00:20:57] Move for approval. Second. [00:20:59] All those in favor, signify by aye. [00:21:01] Aye. [00:21:02] That's five nothing. [00:21:03] Okay, the reading of the ordinances.

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9. 8.c

   Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval

   approvedon consent

   Council approved purchases/payments for City Council approval by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

   • motion:Motion to approve purchases/payments for City Council approval. (passed)5–0

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   [00:20:57] Move for approval. Second. [00:20:59] All those in favor, signify by aye. [00:21:01] Aye. [00:21:02] That's five nothing. [00:21:03] Okay, the reading of the ordinances.

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10. 9.a

    Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2024-2313: Vacation of Right-of-Way for High Street

    approved

    Council held the second reading of Ordinance 2024-2313 to vacate a 35-foot portion of High Street between Aspen Street and Grand Boulevard. The ordinance was amended to relax conditions (permits for site construction rather than full development), remove the precursor requirement, and add a reverter clause. Council passed the ordinance 4-1 with additional language requiring substantial completion of construction as determined by the city manager.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2024-2313

    • motion:Motion to approve Ordinance 2024-2313 on second reading with amended conditions and added language requiring substantial completion of construction under issued permits as determined by the city manager in the reverter clause. (passed)4–1

    📍5500 Manatee Point Drive, Newport Richey📍High Street between Aspen Street and Grand Boulevard👤Altman👤Eugene Salentini#CE Craft Subdivision number 5#Ordinance No. 2024-2313#Rush Brothers Palm Haven addition#proposed fire station#state recreational trail / bicycle path

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    [00:21:07] The second reading of ordinance number 2024-2313, [00:21:10] vacation right-of-way of High Street. [00:21:15] This is ordinance number 2024-2313, [00:21:18] an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, [00:21:20] providing for the vacation of a portion of the right-of-way [00:21:23] known as High Street, [00:21:24] running between Aspen Street and Grand Boulevard, [00:21:26] and shown on the plat of Rush Brothers Palm Haven [00:21:29] addition to New Port Richey, [00:21:31] recorded in plat book two, page 11, [00:21:33] of the public records of Pasco County, Florida, [00:21:37] and CE Craft Subdivision number five, [00:21:38] recorded in plat book two, page 62, [00:21:41] of the public records of Pasco County, Florida, [00:21:43] providing for conditions of approval, [00:21:45] providing for conflict, severability, and an effective date. [00:21:49] Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. [00:21:51] As indicated by the city attorney, [00:21:53] the request before you this evening is a second reading [00:21:59] in respect to an ordinance to vacate a portion [00:22:04] of High Street, actually 35 feet of High Street, [00:22:09] spanning between Grand Boulevard and Aspen Street. [00:22:13] The original reading took place on December 17th of 2024, [00:22:21] and when that item was presented to you, [00:22:24] there were five conditions originally proposed to you, [00:22:29] and there was some discussion about those conditions, [00:22:32] but I'm gonna review the conditions [00:22:34] that were originally proposed. [00:22:36] The first was that the applicant obtain title [00:22:39] to all properties lying adjacent to [00:22:42] and touching the right-of-way. [00:22:44] The second was that the applicant develop the properties [00:22:47] in accordance with the site plan [00:22:50] and provisions of the ordinance and regulations. [00:22:55] The third was that the applicant obtain certificates [00:22:58] of occupancy from the city for all structures [00:23:01] and improvements in the development. [00:23:04] The fourth was that the applicant provide [00:23:06] for the relocation of all utilities lying under, [00:23:10] over, or on the right-of-way at the applicant's sole expense [00:23:15] in a manner approved by the owner, [00:23:17] the utility infrastructure therein. [00:23:20] And the last was that the applicant convey [00:23:24] to the city all right, title, and interest it may have [00:23:27] in the property currently subject to an egress easement [00:23:32] in the city's favor, providing access [00:23:34] to the city's proposed fire station under construction [00:23:38] and lying adjacent to the properties [00:23:41] in the form and manner provided by the city. [00:23:43] At your meeting, there was some discussion [00:23:46] about some of those conditions, [00:23:49] and there was some sentiment on the part of some of you [00:23:54] that there might be some reluctance [00:23:57] on the part of a financing institution [00:24:02] as to some of the language that was contained therein. [00:24:06] And as it turned out, there was a little bit of a pushback [00:24:11] when the applicant presented the language [00:24:18] to the financing institution that is responsible [00:24:25] for a portion of the project. [00:24:28] And so we have presented to you this evening [00:24:33] an amended ordinance, and it is in front of you [00:24:39] at the dais with a legal description [00:24:43] of the location along with a business impact estimate [00:24:51] and some revised conditions. [00:24:54] And the conditions are that the applicant obtain title [00:24:59] to all properties lying adjacent to [00:25:00] or touching the right-of-way, [00:25:01] just as it was originally stated as a condition. [00:25:08] The applicant must obtain permits for site construction, [00:25:13] which is a little bit different [00:25:14] than developing all of the properties. [00:25:17] They just have to obtain the permits for site construction [00:25:21] in accordance with the site plan [00:25:22] and provisions of the ordinance. [00:25:26] They need to provide a plan for the relocation [00:25:31] of the utilities lying under, over, or on the right-of-way [00:25:36] at the applicant's sole expense [00:25:38] in a manner approved by the owner [00:25:41] of the utility infrastructure therein, [00:25:43] which is a little bit different [00:25:48] than providing for the relocation [00:25:50] intending to the utility relocation. [00:25:55] And then lastly, pretty much in the same form, [00:26:01] in fact, it is in the same form, [00:26:03] conveying to the city the right title and interest [00:26:05] and fee simple to the property currently subject [00:26:08] to ingress, egress, easement in the city's favor, [00:26:12] providing access to the city's proposed fire station [00:26:16] under construction lying adjacent to the property [00:26:18] within 90 days of the applicant's completion [00:26:22] of the condition set forth in the language as advanced. [00:26:27] Since the time that this ordinance was originally proposed, [00:26:35] no, that's not true. [00:26:38] We're recommending to you at this point [00:26:41] that you consider the second reading [00:26:46] and vote favorably [00:26:52] in terms of vacating the right-of-way for High Street. [00:26:57] With those modifications that are in the revised 9AI. [00:27:04] And Mr. Mayor, if I could just jump in, [00:27:05] the city manager did an excellent job [00:27:07] of outlining all those changes. [00:27:09] The only other thing that was changed [00:27:11] is because the prior ordinance made all of the conditions [00:27:15] a precursor to the recording of the right-of-way, [00:27:21] we've removed that precursor requirement [00:27:23] and instead I've added a reverter clause [00:27:26] so that if the conditions are not complied with, [00:27:28] we can go back and retain the street. [00:27:33] So that's the difference between the two readings. [00:27:36] I think it addresses one of Councilman Altman's concerns [00:27:39] about the idea of making them go all the way to CO [00:27:41] and I think that was well-founded [00:27:43] and so we've addressed that [00:27:45] and I think this is a better ordinance as a result. [00:27:48] Do we have any public comment? [00:27:52] Come on down. [00:28:01] You name and address for the record, please. [00:28:01] Yes, my name is Eugene Salentini, [00:28:03] address is 5500 Manatee Point Drive, New Port Richey. [00:28:07] One question I've got on this ordinance change [00:28:09] is that if you only allow them to have this [00:28:13] with permits only, what if they don't develop it? [00:28:18] I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. [00:28:22] Okay, one of your recommendations is to change it [00:28:26] from development to obtaining permits. [00:28:30] I can obtain a permit and not develop the land, [00:28:33] so what's gonna happen? [00:28:37] Mr. Mayor, if I may, I have in the past expressed [00:28:40] that the whole point of us being here [00:28:43] is so that there's a buffer for professional activities [00:28:46] to occur and so to that point, [00:28:48] if the public wants to present a question, [00:28:50] we can then direct staff to answer it [00:28:52] after you're done making your presentation, [00:28:54] but I don't think it's appropriate for them [00:28:55] to be able to question staff directly. [00:28:57] Okay, I'm just saying that to give land up from the city [00:29:04] for a development to develop [00:29:06] and you only require a permit only, [00:29:08] that doesn't guarantee he's gonna develop that. [00:29:11] That only means he obtained those permits. [00:29:14] So if we're gonna give up land, [00:29:15] I think the city should have a guarantee [00:29:17] that they're gonna develop the land [00:29:18] to what they wanted to use it for, [00:29:20] what you guys approved it for. [00:29:23] That's it. [00:29:28] Anybody else like to speak? [00:29:30] Seeing no one else, we'll bring it back [00:29:32] for discussion and vote. [00:29:37] Let's talk about the reverter clause in section four [00:29:40] if we could, just so that might answer [00:29:42] the question that's been asked. [00:29:44] So the reverter clause provides that [00:29:47] if the conditions are not met, [00:29:49] which these are the relaxed conditions, [00:29:51] they're not as onerous as the original set of conditions, [00:29:53] then it would revert back. [00:29:56] One of those conditions, I think, [00:29:58] is a very powerful condition. [00:30:00] And that is the last one that gives the city the easement property that we are now using [00:30:06] as access to our proposed fire station. [00:30:09] That relying on an easement for access to a fire station is really a bad, bad thing [00:30:16] to have. [00:30:17] And so by getting that title to the property, the city is already getting something of great [00:30:22] value to the city by virtue of that final condition. [00:30:25] So you could certainly find that that alone could support the giving up of a section of [00:30:30] this right-of-way because you are getting something so valuable that is so important [00:30:35] to the city into perpetuity. [00:30:38] But the other conditions would have to be performed and those would be the conditions [00:30:41] under which the reverter would kick in if all of those conditions were not met. [00:30:48] I would suggest that it is a good point that has been made and the value of the road going [00:30:57] into this proposed development. [00:31:03] My turnaround is looking at what we hope to have happen, which is the bicycle path coming [00:31:07] out and all of the existing in and outs coming in where our bicycle trail, which would be [00:31:13] part of the state recreational trail at some point. [00:31:17] So the exodus from that road and the usefulness of it is the question as to what we would [00:31:25] lose in terms of that. [00:31:26] So to that point, I think that when you are trying to look at the obtained title part [00:31:36] of it, if the development fails and the title has not, I'm sorry, the building permit expires [00:31:49] or is removed, it would be nice if that was a reverter as well to say with a valid building [00:31:59] permit. [00:32:00] We have all kinds of rules where if you have a non-conforming situation where it reverts [00:32:09] back. [00:32:12] To me, if the development fails, there is no need to have conveyed the land for the [00:32:18] purpose of, you know, my point was just that I couldn't see why it had to be required to [00:32:25] be completed in its full with certificates of occupancy. [00:32:29] I couldn't imagine building something where there was any threat that anybody would see [00:32:35] that it wouldn't be completed. [00:32:38] So I'd like to make a motion to approve this on second reading with the caveat that if [00:32:43] the attorney is able to clarify that provision to further protect the city, that we would [00:32:50] ask him to try to negotiate that. [00:32:53] I'll second that motion. [00:32:55] If I could suggest some language that we could add. [00:32:58] So section four in the reverter section, in the third line after it says section three, [00:33:05] we could add and substantial completion of construction under the issued permits as determined [00:33:12] and continue on as determined by the city manager. [00:33:14] Would that satisfy your concern? [00:33:16] Yes. [00:33:17] If you want to make that the motion, then that can be the motion. [00:33:21] Do you agree? [00:33:23] I would move to modify that language and, you know, obviously if it doesn't work it'll [00:33:27] be back in front of us again. [00:33:28] So I would approve it on second reading subject to that language and we'll go from there. [00:33:38] Yeah, I'll second it. [00:33:41] Anybody else? [00:33:42] Any comments? [00:33:43] Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I've voiced my concern over some of the concurrency aspects of this project [00:33:47] and I believe this ties directly to those concerns and so that's why I'll be voting [00:33:51] against it, just to get that on the record. [00:33:55] All those in favor signify by aye. [00:33:57] Aye. [00:33:58] Those opposed. [00:33:59] Nay. [00:34:00] So it's 4-1. [00:34:01] Moving on to the first reading of ordinance number 2024-2314, amendment to the floodplain

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11. 9.b

    First Reading, Ordinance No. 2024-2314: Amendments to Floodplain Ordinance

    approved

    Council held first reading of Ordinance 2024-2314 amending the floodplain ordinance's substantial improvement definition. Following discussion, the motion was amended to reduce the lookback period to one year (instead of the proposed two) and to repeal the prior emergency ordinance 2024-2012. Passed 5-0.

    Ord. Ordinance No. 2024-2314

    • motion:Approve Ordinance 2024-2314 on first reading, amending the substantial improvement lookback from five years to one year (instead of two) and repealing emergency ordinance 2024-2012 to the extent of conflict. (passed)5–0

    👤City Attorney👤City Manager👤Matt Murphy👤Mayor#50% substantial improvement rule#Emergency Ordinance 2024-2012#FEMA rating system#Flood Damage Prevention Code#Land Development Review Board (Nov 21, 2024)#Ordinance 2024-2314#Section 22.09.00 of Article 2 of Chapter 22 Land Development Code

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    [00:34:07] ordinance. [00:34:08] This is ordinance number 2024-2314, an ordinance of the city of New Port Richey, Florida, providing [00:34:13] for amendment of section 22.09.00 of article two of chapter 22 of the land development [00:34:20] code pertaining to definitions of terms in the flood damage prevention code. [00:34:25] Providing for amendment of the definition of substantial improvement, providing for [00:34:28] reduction of the review period for substantial improvements from five years to two years, [00:34:33] providing for conflict, severability, and effective date. [00:34:38] After experiencing two hurricanes, an emergency ordinance amending the definition of substantial [00:34:47] improvement in the city's flood damage prevention ordinance was effectuated in the land development [00:34:56] code. [00:34:58] Since that time, the matter has been reviewed by the land development review board and at [00:35:12] this time we are recommending to you that you consider an amendment to the rollback [00:35:23] period by reducing the review time in the definition of substantial improvement from [00:35:31] five years to two years, as is recommended to you by the land development review board. [00:35:41] And they did so at their meeting on November 21st of 2024. [00:35:45] Do we have any public comment? [00:35:49] Seeing no one come forward, we'll bring it back for discussion and vote. [00:35:55] Mr. Mayor, I would like to make a motion that we approve this item, but that we add a, we [00:36:02] strike the language for two years and move it to one year. [00:36:05] I had a chance to speak with staff and I can explain my rationale if I get a second. [00:36:11] Do we have a second? [00:36:14] I'll give you a second for the purpose of discussion. [00:36:20] I had a chance to speak with the city manager in regards to this ordinance and we had a [00:36:28] chance to talk about the rating system and that was the principal reason for resisting [00:36:35] the change from five years to two years. [00:36:37] However, it was found that the most significant change in the rating system would have been [00:36:42] from 10 years to five years and so in my mind there isn't a basis for not moving it down [00:36:50] to one year for the reason that we are not going to be penalized by FEMA or our rating [00:36:55] system. [00:36:57] The other aspect is I don't think we should go down to no years as some of the other government [00:37:03] agencies have done in our study that we were presented just because there has to be some [00:37:08] standard for if there is repetitive damage encouraging some of our residents to build [00:37:14] up. [00:37:15] And so for that reason I think it should be one year instead of two. [00:37:18] It's arbitrary to do two given that there's no incentive through FEMA to do two and so [00:37:23] I just think it's better for our residents that way and we received public comment in [00:37:28] the past suggesting that that should be the case. [00:37:32] Second? [00:37:34] So just for the purposes of making clear what we're talking about in the look back is that [00:37:42] if someone has made improvements to their property in the past year under your proposal [00:37:51] and that damage has occurred, then that amount of money that has been spent is added into [00:38:00] the or included in the cost of the 50% calculation in terms of how much it's going to cost to [00:38:11] get it back in place. [00:38:13] So whatever money you have spent plus whatever money you're going to spend, if that goes [00:38:17] over 50% of the value of the building, then you're going to be subject to raising the [00:38:22] building. [00:38:23] So what 3B has to take here is from a public policy standpoint, you know, how hard are [00:38:34] we going to push properties that are beginning to see repetitive flooding to move themselves [00:38:41] into a more resilient and perhaps a brand new building. [00:38:47] So this is really relief for many folks who have experienced flooding and I think I understand [00:38:53] that there are methods that people may turn to to try to protect their properties from [00:38:58] getting that kind of substantial damage. [00:39:01] And so at this stage in the game, I'm happy to support your proposal. [00:39:08] I do want to make sure that for those who have come in saying, well, we really are in [00:39:13] a jam and we need to fix it up again, that, you know, the amount of money that's being [00:39:17] poured out to, you know, to repair things, it really seems to be a big waste if that [00:39:25] repair is not going to be resilient. [00:39:28] So down the road, we'll see what happens if this really is a once in a long time storm [00:39:33] and places like yours, I believe, that haven't flooded for many, many years are able to rebuild [00:39:42] than so be it. [00:39:45] And hopefully there'll be techniques that can be used to allow people to stay within [00:39:50] that 50% rule in the future and be more prepared and find better ways to protect their houses [00:39:55] from flooding. [00:39:56] It certainly was a wake up call for folks that weren't expecting it. [00:40:00] So I'll support your proposal change. [00:40:03] I'll just say that it does make it a little easier because the county is also one year [00:40:09] and so is Pinellas and so I think it makes it a little bit more consistent, which makes [00:40:12] it easier for those that, you know, maybe move out of the city or into the city to have [00:40:16] the same rule. [00:40:17] Yeah, it's kind of a tricky thing. [00:40:20] I understand the purpose of making a two-year, five-year ruling, but I think what comes into [00:40:26] play is, you know, you have people that can't rebuild their home because of this, but then [00:40:34] you have a choice to raise it, and raising a home or making it, you know, viable, I [00:40:42] mean, could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. [00:40:44] So I think until, you know, and I say this, I've said this to many people talking about [00:40:49] because I work in that industry, and until the government or, you know, banks or whoever [00:40:56] entity it is can really shell out the money and provide the loans or provide the grants [00:41:02] to help people do it, I think we're kind of spinning our wheels because if people don't [00:41:06] have the money to do it, then we're just, you know, they're losing what they have. [00:41:10] So it's kind of sticky there, so I'm fine with the one year. [00:41:15] I just want to add that, you know, you want people to invest in their homes, and if they [00:41:19] invest in their homes and something happens in five years and that comes back and haunts [00:41:23] them, that's not really helping them either, you know. [00:41:26] So Mr. Mayor, can I ask for a friendly amendment to the motion as well? [00:41:30] Because this, the proposed ordinance as it's written really extends the emergency ordinance. [00:41:35] We would now need to also provide for the repeal of that ordinance because it's not [00:41:40] going to be extended. [00:41:41] So I would just ask that you have the motion amended to include within section three of [00:41:48] the ordinance that all ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance and [00:41:53] specifically emergency ordinance 2024-2012 are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. [00:42:01] First and second? [00:42:02] So moved. [00:42:03] Yeah, I second. [00:42:04] That's fine. [00:42:05] All those in favor signify by aye. [00:42:08] Aye. [00:42:09] Those opposed? [00:42:10] We have five nothing now on the business items.

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12. 10.a

    Cultural Affairs Committee Request for Funding RE: Riverside Cultural Concert Series

    approved

    The Cultural Affairs Committee recommended approval of $750 in funding for a Spring Riverside Concert Series at Sims Park, running monthly January through April with regional musicians. The funding is matched by the Friends of the Library and the Library's programming budget. Council approved unanimously 5-0.

    • motion:Move to approve the Cultural Affairs Committee's funding recommendation of $750 for the Spring Riverside Concert Series. (passed)5–0

    📍Sims Park by the Dr. Grassen Main Street Bridge🏢Cultural Affairs Committee🏢Friends of the Library🏢Hungrytown🏢Renee Schlegel🏢The Garbage Men🏢The Shalin Band👤Feigart👤Manz👤Tori Ladd#Cultural Affairs Committee November 20, 2024 meeting#Line item 4-4810 (cultural affairs events, FY2025 budget)#Spring Riverside Concert Series

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    [00:42:13] So the Cultural Affairs Committee request for funding on the Riverside Culture Concert Series. [00:42:20] I'm sure you're all aware you have an appropriation in your budget to support Cultural Affairs [00:42:27] and from time to time the Cultural Affairs Committee will submit a request to you for [00:42:42] an event that they would like to offer through use of some of those funds and in this case [00:42:51] Ms. Feigart has a request and we're going to allow her to present that this evening. [00:42:58] Thank you City Manager Manz. [00:43:01] Good evening City Council. [00:43:03] As City Council is aware, the Cultural Affairs Committee supports activities, exhibits, programming [00:43:09] and performances that promote the community's opportunities to learn about, explore and participate [00:43:15] in unique cultural and historical and fine art activities. [00:43:21] At their November 20th, 2024 meeting, the Cultural Affairs Committee considered a cultural programming proposal [00:43:31] in which $750 was requested to assist with the cost of a Spring Riverside Concert Series [00:43:39] to take place if approved at Sims Park by the Dr. Grassen Main Street Bridge. [00:43:47] During the course of the meeting, the Cultural Affairs Committee vetted the Riverside Concert proposal [00:43:54] proposed by the Library's Adult Programming Specialist who is here tonight, Tori Ladd. [00:44:00] It includes regional musicians, original songwriters that showcase a variety of musical genres [00:44:08] originating from diverse traditions, cultural backgrounds or in the case of one band called [00:44:15] The Garbage Men, artistic and earth-conscious endeavors. [00:44:20] So if approved, the concerts are scheduled to take place each month from January to April [00:44:26] and they will include the Shalin Band, The Garbage Men, Hungrytown and Renee Schlegel. [00:44:33] Additionally, I want to point out that funding in the amount of $750 has also been matched by the Friends of the Library [00:44:42] as well as coming from the Library's programming budget. [00:44:47] Staff recommends that the Board approve the Cultural Affairs Committee's unanimous funding recommendations. [00:45:00] to implement the Spring Riverside concert series and approval of this [00:45:05] request would impose the direct cost of $750 and this is available in light [00:45:13] item four four eight one zero set aside for cultural affairs events in City [00:45:18] Council's fiscal year 2025 budget. Members of the Cultural Affairs [00:45:24] Committee as well as the library's adult programming specialists are here [00:45:28] tonight and I or any of them are available if you have additional [00:45:33] questions. Any public comment? Seeing no one come forward bring it back for [00:45:40] discussion and vote. Move to approve. I love it I think it's great I like all [00:45:46] the diversity in the music and I think that it's great for our city. Jumping at the [00:45:52] second because it's so eager to see this take place I just want to thank staff [00:45:56] for being here especially the ones that took the time either scheduled to do it [00:45:59] and thank you to the Friends of the Library for working across committees to [00:46:03] make this happen and recognize the committee members that are the committee [00:46:07] member that is here tonight to help represent the item so I'm looking [00:46:11] forward to it. Again I appreciated that the last word you use was [00:46:17] recommendation but in the in our document it says request so I know it's [00:46:23] a nuance this is a library presented request to a city committee which is [00:46:31] formed for the purpose of advising the City Council so it's important to me [00:46:37] that and you've stated it well but that we continue to make sure that all of our [00:46:43] committees recognize that they are advisory to the City Council that the [00:46:49] proper presentation to us is not that you're requesting money for the Cultural [00:46:57] Affairs Committee you're recommending approval of a cultural activity [00:47:05] because that's the job of the committee you can get requests from [00:47:09] private entities as you do from as you do with our special other special events [00:47:16] in fact you know I think our whole special event recommendation process [00:47:21] almost duplicates what the Cultural Affairs Committee is doing when it comes [00:47:25] to bringing cultural entertainment and music so I'm fully supportive of it to [00:47:35] have a committee that's overseen by the library that's requesting money for a [00:47:41] project that the library is going to put together it's a great thing and I [00:47:46] would join with my colleagues and saying it's great to see it so please don't [00:47:50] misunderstand just the references that I'm giving to try to make sure that our [00:47:55] committees whether it's the Environmental Committee or whatever [00:48:00] committee that it is that it's it's clear that the funds that are being [00:48:05] requested are either going to be spent by the city or they're going to be spent [00:48:09] by some entity that exists for the purpose of providing that in this case [00:48:15] it's the city itself and I'm happy to support the motion the thing that I like [00:48:30] is teamwork putting the event together and that's important to me all those in [00:48:35] favor signify by aye those opposed 5-0 board reappointment of Beverly

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13. 10.b

    Board Re-Appointment: Beverly Barnett, Land Development Review Board

    approved

    Council reappointed Beverly Barnett to the Land Development Review Board for a three-year term ending January 7, 2028. She has served on the board since 2018.

    • motion:Reappoint Beverly Barnett to the Land Development Review Board for a three-year term through January 7, 2028. (passed)

    👤Beverly Barnett#Land Development Review Board

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    [00:48:41] Barnett to the Land Development Review Board Beverly Barnett has expired she [00:48:47] has served since 2018 and has indicated an interest in continuing to serve [00:48:54] pardon me the terms for service on the Land Development Review Board are for [00:49:05] three years in office so if you determine to reappoint her her term of [00:49:11] office would span through January 7th of 2028 [00:49:19] you have any public comment see no one come forward bring it back for [00:49:24] discussion about [00:49:27] approval of the recommendation maker I'm happy to see that good sir anybody [00:49:38] else all those in favor signify by aye those opposed by another questionable [00:49:45] one board appointment of Mike Peters Land Development Review Board mr. Peters

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14. 10.c

    Board Appointment: Mike Peters, Land Development Review Board

    approved

    Council appointed former Councilmember Mike Peters as a first alternate member of the Land Development Review Board for a three-year term ending January 7, 2028. One alternate seat remains open.

    • motion:Appoint Mike Peters to a three-year term as first alternate on the Land Development Review Board, ending January 7, 2028. (passed)5–0

    👤Mike Peters#Land Development Review Board

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    [00:49:53] head is seeking membership on the Land Development Review Board as many of you [00:49:59] will recall mr. Peters served on City Council and attended their meetings very [00:50:12] studiously and has been interested in their work have an opening as a first [00:50:20] alternate member for the board as indicated their terms of office are for [00:50:27] three-year periods of time and we're recommending that you consider [00:50:34] appointing mr. Peters term for an open three-year term therefore his term of [00:50:41] office if you determine that it's appropriate to appoint him would be [00:50:46] through January 7th of 2028 and that would leave one alternate seat open on [00:50:53] the board any public comment Mike would you like to come down all right see no [00:51:04] one come forward bring it back for discussion vote I'll second maker now of [00:51:12] course we all know Mike and work with him for many years so I think he'll be [00:51:17] awesome he's got a good background for this just kidding just kidding we're [00:51:23] glad to have you I'm glad he's getting his feet wet again all those in favor [00:51:29] signify by aye those opposed five nothing 20 2024 stormwater master plan

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15. 10.d

    ↳You arrived here from a search for “Ritchie Drive” — transcript expanded below

    2024 Stormwater Master Plan 10-Year Update

    approved

    Staff and consultant Robert Johnson of ECT presented the 2024 Stormwater Master Plan 10-Year Update, identifying 10 priority drainage improvement projects totaling nearly $10 million over the next decade, including Tanglewood, Grand Boulevard, Congress/Emerson, Massachusetts/Van Buren, Meadow Lane, Cody River Drive, Adams Street, Rio Drive, and George Street. Council discussed concerns about regional resiliency coordination, vulnerability study integration, and the Meadows pond. A motion to approve was made and seconded.

    • motion:Motion to approve adoption of the 2024 Stormwater Master Plan Update. (passed)

    📍Adams Street📍Beach Street📍Cecilia Road📍Cody River Drive📍Congress and Emerson📍Florida Avenue📍George Street📍Grand Boulevard📍High Street📍Louisiana📍Madison Street📍Main Street and US 19📍Massachusetts Avenue and Van Buren Street📍Meadow Lane📍Missouri Avenue📍Rio Drive📍Ritchie Drive📍Riverview📍Tanglewood Terrace📍Tropic Shores neighborhood🏢Environmental Consulting Technology Incorporated (ECT)🏢Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council👤Rivera👤Robert Johnson#2002 Stormwater Master Plan#2014 Stormwater Master Plan#2024 Stormwater Master Plan 10-Year Update#319 grant funds#Anclote watershed#CDS unit#FEMA floodplains#Hazard Mitigation Grant Program#Heights retention and detention ponds#Lower Coastal watershed#MS-4 permit#NPDES permit#Orange Lake outfall#Pithlachascotee (Cody) River watershed#Regional Resiliency Action Plan#SWFWMD cooperative funding#State Revolving Fund loans#Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Resiliency Steering Committee#Vulnerability Study

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    [00:51:37] 10-year update master plan update will be presented largely by mr. Robert [00:51:47] Johnson of Environmental Consulting Technology Incorporated but mr. Rivera [00:51:52] will present the agenda item oh thank you this man's the purpose has been [00:51:57] stated is for City Council to consider for approval the adoption of the 2024 [00:52:02] stormwater master plan update the funding is allocated in the stormwater [00:52:07] utility professional services approved budget the existing stormwater utility [00:52:13] master plan was last updated in 2014 typically every 10 years is when we do [00:52:20] our master plans the city did construct a number of capital projects that were [00:52:25] identified and some of those that were completed there were more than this but [00:52:29] the major projects that were completed in the 2014 plan where the heights [00:52:35] retention and detention ponds the Florida Avenue drainage improvements [00:52:39] that was in the downtown area the Orange Lake outfall which included the flood [00:52:43] gates and some best management practices a CDS unit that removed pollutants [00:52:51] before it went into Orange Lake and then the river the Missouri Avenue drainage [00:52:55] project that began on Madison Street and proceeded into the downtown area before [00:53:01] it had outfalls into Orange Lake as well as the river the Riverview drainage [00:53:07] improvements Tanglewood Terrace improvements Tropic Shores neighborhood [00:53:13] area drainage improvements Grand Boulevard drainage improvements which [00:53:18] was on the north end of town that was the outfall that drained a portion of [00:53:24] Pasco County as well as New Port Richey the and then finally the Ritchie Drive [00:53:29] drainage improvements the 2024 stormwater utility system master plan [00:53:35] update re-examined the city stormwater system by identifying and analyzing the [00:53:41] existing drainage information collected over the past 10 years as well as [00:53:46] information collected during the update process which mainly came from public [00:53:51] input the collection of flood call-outs that we had from the public as well as [00:53:57] staff and then of course the review process of topography of the areas and [00:54:03] the the existing flood conditions that we had identified and so with that I'd [00:54:11] like to introduce Mr. Robert Johnson he's a PE for CTE who performed that [00:54:16] master plan and he can explain it in more detail for you [00:54:27] good evening thanks for having me today appreciate it again my name is Robert [00:54:40] Johnson I'm with ECT in Tampa we were lucky enough to complete the master [00:54:45] plan update for the city so I'm gonna go through it here just a few slides to [00:54:50] kind of go over you know what we did and where we're heading with this [00:54:57] I can get it going here there we go oops so again this is a picture of [00:55:15] flooding of an area down on High Street it was going to be part of the Beach [00:55:23] Street drainage improvements we're going to do you can see we had quite a bit of [00:55:25] flooding there in the past so this is the 10-year update and as a Mr. Rivera [00:55:32] mentioned there was a previous plans completed back in 2013 and then the [00:55:38] original one back in May of 2002 and this master plan is going to update and [00:55:44] provide information on existing drainage conditions and also scope and cost of [00:55:49] doing projects over the next 10 years and 10 drainage improvements have been [00:55:54] proposed we came about those by having input from the city and the residents we [00:55:59] did have a public meeting held in this room earlier this in 2024 so we've [00:56:05] completed basically there's several steps for the master plan and I'm going [00:56:09] to just go through briefly all the different areas first one was looking at [00:56:16] the regulatory constraints as you know there's many regulations the city has to [00:56:20] follow for any kind of stormwater improvements that we do both federal and [00:56:25] state EPA FEMA Army Corps of Engineers Fish and Wildlife National Marine [00:56:32] Fisheries and then with state it's DEP Swift Mud and FWC so really whenever we [00:56:38] do any kind of stormwater projects we have to consider all these regulations [00:56:42] and some of the major regulatory changes that happened since the last update was [00:56:47] the Corps resumed the federal wetlands permitting from FDP and then also Swift [00:56:53] Mud recently last year came up with some new water quality and maintenance rules [00:56:57] that have to be implemented as part of each project the next area we evaluated [00:57:04] and looked at was the maintenance needs for the city for the stormwater [00:57:08] improvements or stormwater maintenance utility division as you can see [00:57:12] maintains about 5 miles of ditches 40 miles of pipes 800 stormwater structures [00:57:17] and 25 detention ponds they also clean and repair and implement and rebuild new [00:57:23] structures as needed and also they have to be complete inspections for [00:57:28] compliance with the federal MPDS permit that the city has MS-4 permit so they [00:57:40] have six full-time personnel field supervisor administrative clerk two [00:57:46] equipment operators and two mechanics and right now we think the level is [00:57:51] adequate for staffing right now but to maintain the existing system and [00:57:57] implement some of the future improvements additional staff may may be [00:58:01] likely down the road so one of the things we also did is looked at [00:58:08] potential things to implement to help reduce the stormwater requirements [00:58:12] within the city for retrofits or for new development some of these items are you [00:58:19] know basically called low-impact development we try to use engineered and [00:58:22] natural systems to try to reduce the amount of runoff from from different [00:58:27] areas especially roadways and parking lots and other areas that are [00:58:30] redeveloped especially in the downtown areas of the city these are just a few [00:58:35] porous pavement bioswales cisterns I'm sure you've heard a lot of these before [00:58:40] and some of them are already in use within the city but others could be put [00:58:43] in during retrofit activities and then the big one backflow preventers which [00:58:48] I'll talk a little bit more about in a minute we also looked at the city's [00:58:52] current level of service which is basically what design storm should we be [00:58:58] designing to to make sure that you can you can have cars pass down roadways [00:59:05] during a different storm event so you know for non-emergency areas it's a 10 [00:59:10] year level of service a hundred year for structures and a hundred year for [00:59:14] evacuation routes 25 year for ponds and channels we also recommending providing [00:59:20] additional stormwater treatment for areas that don't currently have [00:59:23] treatment that discharge to the river or the Gulf of Mexico and then for all [00:59:28] new development and redevelopment make sure they meet SWIP mud water quality [00:59:33] requirements we took a lot of the drainage information that's been [00:59:40] completed by the water management district they've done watershed modeling [00:59:45] throughout Pasco County and the city is basically within four different [00:59:52] watersheds this is just Cody River New Port Richey lower coastal which is out on by [00:59:58] the coast and then the Antelope [01:00:00] best watershed. So they've done a lot of work already with identifying all the [01:00:04] sub-basins. We kind of combined all that together. We have all the models together. [01:00:09] And so we've looked at where the floodplains are based on those models. [01:00:13] We've also identified all the FEMA floodplains within the city. So if [01:00:16] anybody's interested, we have all that information. And then we've also [01:00:20] identified, along with the city's input, flood complaint areas. [01:00:27] So from all that, we kind of came up with the different BMPs that we wanted [01:00:32] to do to try to reduce flooding and improve water quality around the city. [01:00:37] So initially, we came up with about 18 locations with significant flooding. [01:00:41] With conversations with the city and input from them, we reduced that list [01:00:45] to the top 10. So we also looked at the vulnerability study that was recently [01:00:50] completed and looked at sea level rise and tidal flooding. And I know that was a [01:00:55] big issue during the last couple of hurricanes. And then we also looked at [01:00:59] improvements to address water quality. [01:01:03] From that, we developed conceptual designs, came up with cost estimates for [01:01:08] the projects to be implemented over the next 10 years. And there was also [01:01:12] additional future projects that we said could also be done if additional [01:01:16] funding became available. One of the other areas that could be implemented [01:01:21] also is a seawall evaluation study. And again, that's to address sea level [01:01:27] rise issues along the river. And a lot of these projects, they're not really in any [01:01:32] particular order. They can be modified as needed or implemented as needed when the [01:01:38] funding's available. So this is a little hard to read, but these are the 10 [01:01:44] different projects. They range from the Tanglewood area, additional [01:01:49] improvements on Grand Boulevard, Congress and Emerson drainage [01:01:53] improvements, Massachusetts and Van Buren, Meadow Lane, Cody River Drive, Adams [01:02:01] Street, Rio Drive, and George Street. And there's a little description. I'm not [01:02:07] gonna read them all to you, but a lot of them are inlet upgrades and new [01:02:12] additional pipes, along with potential baffle boxes to help with water [01:02:17] quality improvements. And some areas that discharge directly to the river will [01:02:23] have backflow preventers to keep water from spring tides from flowing back in [01:02:27] the drainage system and flooding the roadways. So you can see from the cost, [01:02:31] the overall total cost is almost $10 million over the next next 10 years for [01:02:36] these. We do have contingencies included in this, but as you know, costs can [01:02:42] always change and probably go up. So how are we going to pay for all that? Well, [01:02:47] the city has their general fund. Of course, the stormwater utility provides a [01:02:52] good amount of money for the stormwater improvements as well. And then the city [01:02:57] also relies on a lot of grants, state revolving fund loans, [01:03:03] and matching funds. And these can be the hazard mitigation grant funds, 319 [01:03:09] funds from the state, or also SWFMUD cooperative funding matches. Again, [01:03:19] additional funding may be needed down the road in the next 10 years because of [01:03:24] inflation or if stormwater needs increase within the city. So the next [01:03:31] steps, as Mr. Rivera mentioned, is to approve the draft report. We'll finalize [01:03:37] and update the draft report to include any additional city or public comments [01:03:40] we may get, and then those projects can be included in the next capital [01:03:44] improvement program. So that's it, and I'll be happy to try to answer any [01:03:48] questions. Do we have any public comment? Seeing no one come forward, we'll bring it back for [01:03:55] discussion to vote. I'll move to approve. [01:04:02] I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. My questions are more directed towards staff, [01:04:10] but please, if staff feels the need to tap in. Project number four, the [01:04:18] Massachusetts Avenue and Van Buren street drainage improvements, it says the [01:04:25] stormwater is flowing from Van Buren to Mass, or is it the other way around? Are [01:04:31] we saying Mass down Van Buren? Because my understanding is it sits on Mass and [01:04:35] Van Buren, the water. It does. And so my follow-up question to that is, where do [01:04:42] we see that? We're seeing it just sit there? Because if you go two blocks to [01:04:46] the east, towards Congress, I mean that street there is terrible. Correct. So how [01:04:58] is this impacting that? Can you help visualize it for me? Well, we would pick [01:05:02] it up right there at Van Buren and then head east, and more than likely go [01:05:07] over to the existing pond that's over at the Recreation Center and go that [01:05:14] route. That's the only drainage system that we have that would be [01:05:18] available that we could connect to. So starting at Van Buren gets those two [01:05:23] streets to the east? Madison Street. It'll get all of it? Okay, great, awesome. I think [01:05:27] it was my main question. Thank you. I'm glad that guy included, really. That's [01:05:32] that's been a big thing, so I appreciate that. And I imagine because it's on the [01:05:36] top ten list of priorities, they're the worst sections, the worst [01:05:41] areas that we have to improve. Maybe even the oldest, I don't know. But it should [01:05:46] provide a substantial change in that runoff, I would assume, right? Correct. [01:05:58] I have a number of things to say, and I'm glad it's a short agenda tonight. [01:06:07] Well, my first comment is, well, my first question is, how many people [01:06:13] attended your public meeting that you held here to discuss the stormwater? [01:06:18] I think it was five, maybe? Yeah, it wasn't that many. So I know that, you know, in order for [01:06:26] you to complete your deliverables, that a public hearing or a public meeting is [01:06:32] important. I have been requesting for several years to have some folks to join [01:06:37] the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's working group, which could include [01:06:41] professionals as well as members of the staff. I haven't had any luck at all. This [01:06:48] coming Monday, that group, the Resiliency Steering Committee that holds an annual [01:06:54] summit that has been proposing something called a Regional Resiliency Action Plan, [01:07:00] which you may or may not be familiar with. I'm not sure if you are or if you [01:07:04] participate in any of that stuff. But, you know, what I saw from your report was a [01:07:09] listing of these innovative techniques, including nature-based solutions. And you [01:07:17] did make a reference that you have looked at the vulnerability study, which [01:07:23] was a result of about two years of effort. And recently, we saw that in its, I [01:07:30] think, similar position of being a draft to be added on. And we had some [01:07:38] feedback to that. One of the projects I noticed was on meadowland, or [01:07:45] the meadows. It was in the meadows. And it was to redirect and block a pipe where it [01:07:51] is existing now, and move it to connect it into Beach Street, to direct it into [01:07:57] the river. And so, you know, when we had the vulnerability study, it showed that [01:08:03] when we had the big storm, that we had these large tides, which flooded the [01:08:09] mobile home park off Louisiana, and got into the wilds by the post office, and [01:08:15] did get somewhat into the meadows, that the heavy rains creating all of these [01:08:24] outfalls that are coming into these basins that are leading into the river, [01:08:28] which is a great general technique to evacuate water that builds up in low [01:08:35] areas, is problematic. The county has put a huge pipe underneath Cecilia Road, and [01:08:45] they've continued to develop a project that helps to even bring more water [01:08:51] into our river. So it's important to me, because I've been involved in this for [01:08:57] so long, to see something other than the same approach to where did we have [01:09:04] ponds, let's build a new pond, let's hold that water. And I remember way back in [01:09:11] the day with Marine Parkway, when we had Marine Parkway, which was getting [01:09:15] flooded, and we had a very large extensive public works project [01:09:20] recommended by our engineering, that the reality is, as you mentioned, it's to keep [01:09:28] the roads passable in emergencies, in those kind of cases, and to keep water [01:09:34] out of the properties. So I'm a little boggled at the point that all of a [01:09:42] sudden, to me, I see these projects being recommended for us to include, and once [01:09:47] again, I haven't had any discussion, and I haven't seen any interaction with the [01:09:54] Regional Planning Council on all these other bigger issues. So I would like you [01:09:57] to address the fact that I did not see the $800,000 retention or the [01:10:06] effort that is underway for a grant that we have at Main Street, at the [01:10:12] bridge, which also had a transportation element to it, or the fact that we've got [01:10:16] another multiple acres that we're about to acquire, where that water leaks from [01:10:23] our commercial district down into the river at the boat ramp. So to the degree [01:10:28] I'd like to have some influence over the policy of the way in which we, you know, [01:10:34] use our stormwater funds, I think it's time that we have a discussion first [01:10:41] with ourselves about this Regional Resilience Action Plan, which is talking [01:10:46] about the level of site of seawalls, the implementation of building code issues. [01:10:53] We just talked about the insurance provisions, and we're being encouraged to [01:10:59] try to think ourselves into the new future. And sorry to say, I'm just looking [01:11:05] at projects that appear to be just a continuation to say, okay, now we have a [01:11:09] 10-year plan, because I've been waiting for a long time to talk about a [01:11:13] stormwater utility in the downtown that would free up all of these little [01:11:17] retention ponds so they could be used, which was a recommendation of our [01:11:21] consultant. So I was never a big fan of stormwater. I didn't want to see CDBG [01:11:28] money wasted on it. Now I've turned the other side of it to say stormwater is a [01:11:35] critical safety and health and, you know, future for our city that we have to pay [01:11:42] more attention to it. So I'm happy to see this move forward in the position that [01:11:48] it is, but I'm not looking forward to this document coming out without [01:11:53] embracing some of the things that we could be applying for for these grants [01:11:58] that's asking us to be, you know, A, to cooperate with the county on the Meadows. [01:12:07] One of my big issues is that pond at the Meadows. It's a huge pond, and I don't [01:12:13] guess that it had experienced any real problems. I don't know how far up that [01:12:17] lake gate, but maybe it's a really great asset. It's an asset that belonged to a [01:12:22] homeowners association that failed that now is, according to all I can tell when [01:12:28] I look up the property on the property value, sort of nobody's pond. That could [01:12:36] be a really critical piece of our, you know, larger scale look at what happens [01:12:44] when we have these big storms. So to solve the big storm weather issues, this [01:12:50] might be fine, and maybe I've been just too deep into it to keep hearing about [01:12:55] all of the problems, but we have problems we never had before. And, you know, our TV [01:13:02] weather people are telling us that we need to be prepared and think that it [01:13:05] might continue. And people who look at our city are going to want to see us [01:13:10] leading in that regard. So I would encourage you to put the big D on the [01:13:16] word draft, and maybe ask if you could not become involved in some of these [01:13:21] larger regional solutions, which are supposed to spring out of these [01:13:26] vulnerability studies. So here we have this big study, work with the county, [01:13:30] because I see the potential for the water to go the other way and not into [01:13:36] the river, if in fact the river is flooding. Because a lot of the flooding [01:13:40] occurred from water going into the river, which is why we have that $800,000 grant [01:13:46] at the corner of Maine and 19. So it makes a lot of sense on a normal storm [01:13:54] what is factored into this plan that's going to affect us in 30 years or in 40 [01:14:01] years, and are we really moving the water and thinking about all the alternatives. [01:14:06] So I appreciate that you got to have the plans. What I've been, you know, hung [01:14:12] up on is once the plan is done, then Public Works has its plan and you [01:14:17] implement it, fantastic. And I haven't had any input, and here I am looking to see [01:14:23] 10 projects which are following up on a couple of other large projects that, and [01:14:29] and the lack of any acknowledgement of this innovative $800,000 grant we got, I [01:14:37] don't understand why it's not, why it's not part of our calculations. How are we [01:14:42] going to work with the river? And all I saw was putting water in the river and [01:14:47] cleaning it before it goes in, and we just can't keep thinking the same way, I [01:14:52] don't think. If I may, there's a lot that you're talking about, so I'm going to try [01:14:59] to address [01:15:00] your concerns and if I if I leave one out please let me know and I'll try to [01:15:05] address that as well. I don't think that we can look at this as just one document. [01:15:11] What we have here is multi-facet. Okay, you're talking about doing the same [01:15:16] thing over and over again, definition of insanity. Agreed. We have several [01:15:20] different documents that we never used to work on before. We never used to [01:15:24] correlate all of them together. What I'm talking about is we have we have private [01:15:30] development that our criteria goes by the land development code. We have [01:15:36] to take that into consideration even though we're dealing with a master plan [01:15:40] here that's talking mainly about level of service. So we take those two [01:15:45] documents. We also add the stormwater criteria manual which also talks about [01:15:50] the different standards that you you want to incorporate when you have these [01:15:55] builds. And now we've included the vulnerability study that also gives you [01:16:01] the areas in which we have problems. So back when you just looked at your master [01:16:07] plan and that's what you built on, you don't do that anymore. We've grown to [01:16:12] incorporate what I would call three different types of documents or studies [01:16:17] that we utilize and we utilize them for grants. Why don't we have regional [01:16:22] projects in our stormwater master plan? Because our stormwater our stormwater [01:16:28] master plan is based on what we're trying to plan year after year that we [01:16:34] know that we can accomplish versus working with a regional plan that may [01:16:40] take 10-15 years just for one project just to be able to work together with [01:16:46] the different agencies to try to do a major project. Say like you're [01:16:52] identifying over down at the Meadows that would include, you know, Pasco County [01:16:58] and the city. And so those things we would be looking at maybe appropriations [01:17:03] instead of cooperative funding because the city just would never be able to [01:17:08] entertain the large amount of fundings that would include. Our criteria manual, [01:17:14] our land development codes, when we're talking about seawalls and what we need [01:17:19] to increase those heights and the fundings, those are incorporated in our [01:17:24] criteria manual. You wouldn't see that necessarily, you would see it mentioned [01:17:29] so that we can make ourselves more available when it comes to applying for [01:17:35] funds to where we have it in that document. But to say that we're doing the [01:17:41] same thing over again, I would say it looks like it, but there's a lot of [01:17:47] things that are new. There are some things that are not going to change. When [01:17:50] you talk about major outfalls, we're talking major outfalls that would go [01:17:54] into a body of water. That's what we would call an unlimited outfall. And [01:17:58] you've got to utilize that. And if you're a coastal community, that's the only [01:18:02] thing that you can do. Then a lot of your eggs in that basket are going over there [01:18:07] because that's an unlimited supply. Retention ponds, I would consider a [01:18:11] betterment project. It's not going to alleviate your flooding, but it's going [01:18:15] to make it better than what it was. Because one of the facts that we have to [01:18:19] identify and we have to accept is that coastal community designation with the [01:18:24] topography that we have. Are we going to flood? Yes, we're going to flood. There's [01:18:29] no doubt about that. But what's different from a coastal community [01:18:34] versus inland areas is once we've taken and we've taken that onslaught of water, [01:18:40] it's going back out after the event is over with. So we're trying to deal with [01:18:45] how can we handle that event during the event versus how are we going to pump [01:18:51] for six, eight weeks like the county had to in several different locations to try [01:18:57] to get that water out there. So I think that there's a lot of moving pieces that [01:19:03] are into this that we're doing so much more than what we did before. But when [01:19:08] you look at it, it looks like we're still doing the same stuff, but we've [01:19:12] expanded into a lot of different areas that we are improving. And so [01:19:19] while these events are getting stronger, I would say that the city has [01:19:24] managed to get through those events in a little bit better shape as far as [01:19:32] flooding and stuff than what we did back in the day when we weren't active [01:19:38] in our stormwater utility projects and weren't trying to do those [01:19:43] betterment projects that we've been doing. So I appreciate... [01:19:48] To address how many people were at the meeting, I will say this. We've had [01:19:54] major outreach to the public. When we consider, in the last year, we've [01:20:01] done our stormwater master plan. We've had public invites for people to come [01:20:06] in and give us input. We've had neighborhood meeting over at the Cody [01:20:11] River Bellevue area, North River, where we invited all of the residents. We did the [01:20:16] mail outs, had those in. We talked to them. We talked to them about the [01:20:20] vulnerability study. We had our vulnerability study that had a separate [01:20:24] meeting that we invited the public in. And then we've had public meetings when [01:20:28] we've presented the drafts. And our master plans and the projects that we [01:20:33] bring to you that we talk about every year are ones that have been [01:20:39] expressed by you. And when we look at the broad picture of the stormwater master [01:20:43] plan, a lot of those elements that are described are the ones that you all are [01:20:48] talking about, that the public are talking about. So we're putting [01:20:53] our foot forward. We're not doing the same thing, but it's a very difficult, [01:20:58] fast-paced system. Because who would ever thought that two years ago we would have [01:21:03] had the one hurricane that did the flooding in the first picture. And then [01:21:07] now, two years later, we're still designing our projects based on our [01:21:13] latest master plan. And now we've got two hurricanes in 30 days. It's moving [01:21:19] faster than we're able to implement those projects. And then to address the [01:21:24] inundation project, it's not in that master plan. Because as far as staff is [01:21:29] concerned, we're already moving with that. We have a meeting with the city [01:21:34] manager Thursday to where we can re-advertise and address the strategy to [01:21:40] get that moving. So it's almost like, okay, well, we already know what we're [01:21:45] planning on doing. We've gotten those funds. We may have to address additional [01:21:49] funds for it, but for the stormwater portion of it, we're ready to start [01:21:56] moving on that project. And it didn't seem like it made a much sense to have a [01:22:02] consultant spend their time and energy addressing something like that until we [01:22:06] can take and get the consultant on board with us through an ITB to where they can [01:22:13] go ahead and present to you all the different drainage improvements that you [01:22:17] may want to look at and decide on what criteria you want. [01:22:22] Well, it would be nice if we did get the chance to look at it and think about it. [01:22:27] And obviously, when I see something that's a draft and we're just going to [01:22:30] make a quick motion to approve it and it's a 10-year project, that's why I get [01:22:34] a little nervous. But let me just say that the meeting you're going to have [01:22:40] about that plan is now two and a half years after we got the grant approval. [01:22:47] And that the concept of having municipal created drainage and utility in our [01:22:57] downtown is an important concept that I think needs to be included in this plan. [01:23:02] Because we had, a couple years ago, an engineer who came in here and said, [01:23:06] yeah, we could do, if we go to a stormwater utility in our downtown, which [01:23:11] effectively we have with the lake. Because if you remember, we did get flooding on [01:23:17] Main Street all the way up to City Hall with less water than we had recently [01:23:21] before you started and employed that procedure. So, first of all, it has been [01:23:27] extremely successful. So don't misunderstand that I'm saying that we have failed. [01:23:32] I'm just saying, now's the time for us to look at these innovative concepts and [01:23:37] importantly, economically, I heard a pretty large figure, Larry Shalas, Chip [01:23:44] Waller, all the properties that have flooded in our downtown. And if a new [01:23:49] construction comes in right now, according to our code, they have to do a [01:23:53] retention pond. Matt Potter's got a hole with a bunch of old two-by-sixes [01:23:59] covering it. You know, we should be looking at stormwater in our downtown to [01:24:05] help us economically to make sure that this system works, not relying on [01:24:09] retention ponds. And so, I think that I would love to see a component that would [01:24:14] show an urban stormwater utility. When they came in, they said, and we [01:24:20] could charge the residents some money, because in the minds of engineering in [01:24:25] the past, stormwater utilities have a fee to operate. And we have a CRA right [01:24:31] now that has to try to figure out how to do things, and I think it should get [01:24:36] involved in this project, which it is already, to help supplement the funds. So [01:24:41] my point is, stormwater is an important and critical economic tool that we have. [01:24:47] And we've got to make sure that we use it in every way. So when I just [01:24:55] see a list of the ten projects, it's just too familiar with me. Maybe you put [01:24:59] another paragraph or another bullet point in there that just says, you know, [01:25:03] that you're going to pursue nature-based solutions and look at regional [01:25:08] collaboration. I don't even care if you name the project, but I'd like to see the [01:25:13] plan, Debbie, include the ability for us to be flexible up here to say, you know, [01:25:19] as we redevelop and rebuild, we may find things that are not going to be, you know, [01:25:26] should not be responded to by saying, it's not in our plan. And so that's [01:25:32] where I get a little scared, because I have to wait patiently for the next ten [01:25:38] year study to come out before I see something on the plan that I can try to [01:25:42] sink my teeth into. So that's my comments. I'll vote for this in the draft, but [01:25:48] please consider looking at the commercial downtown area and the [01:25:53] potential to follow the advice we were given to think of terms of, and Largo's [01:25:59] doing it and others are doing it, is there a place like that, like that [01:26:03] attenuation pond, like the big pond behind the hospital that they have asked [01:26:11] us to consider, to dig it deeper, to do something, you know, in a public-private [01:26:18] way, talking about the rec center pond from Van Buren, the water, the hospital, [01:26:24] the rec center, Massachusetts Avenue, that's all I'm saying. I want to make [01:26:32] sure we're looking at the bigger picture, not just to be saying, oh, that's [01:26:36] regional and that's going to take too much cooperation, effort, and time. [01:26:42] I've said enough. Thank you. [01:26:49] I don't have anything else to add. Mr. Mayor, if I may, since there's a couple new [01:26:53] developments there, I'll be brief. I just wanted to speak to the public perception [01:27:00] portion of it, the public outreach, and concur with Councilman Altman that I [01:27:06] think we do this often when we say there was an invitation for a public [01:27:10] meeting, but the reality is that everyone's busy, and so I will give [01:27:14] Public Works the credit that they are owed, which is that when I did my ride [01:27:18] along with Steve Goluboff, I mean, there are a lot of people in this community [01:27:23] that know our Public Works staff on a first-name basis. They go out there and [01:27:28] they knock doors, excuse me, they put things on doors, people meet them in [01:27:32] their lawn, they talk about the issues, and I had a chance to knock doors for [01:27:35] this master plan because, to Councilman Altman's point, our [01:27:39] Public Works director has brought up these reference that there will be an [01:27:43] upcoming master plan presented to us, but I wasn't, I might have missed it, but I [01:27:48] wasn't invited to a meeting to sit down informally and discuss this and learn [01:27:53] more about it. It's being presented to us and we're approving it, and maybe that [01:27:57] calls into question when we talk about the process going forward in our [01:28:01] legislative workshop, if some of these long-term plans should have a feedback [01:28:07] component, a workshop, a chance for us to sit down with the consultant and [01:28:12] facilitated by staff. If it's going to be 10 years, I mean, that's a [01:28:17] big deal, and I don't want to put you on the spot, but I live on Bellevue Avenue [01:28:22] and I did not receive a notice to attend any meeting related to stormwater [01:28:27] draining. The only reason I know that this is happening is because I'm here [01:28:30] now and because we've talked about it before, but if it was sent out to the [01:28:34] Cody River Bellevue area, it did not reach me, so just to your point, there's [01:28:40] give-and-take. There's been a lot of public, I mean, the Public Works does a [01:28:43] great job on getting out there in the public, but at the same time, government as a [01:28:46] whole, we're not being that proactive. We're sending out invitation, [01:28:51] posting on Facebook, doing the bare minimum legal requirement on some [01:28:54] newspaper, and then saying, we invited the public. It's not public [01:28:58] engagement, if you ask me. Thank you, Robert, and I'm sorry, I forgot your name, [01:29:05] but I just think that the thing that we've had this up ideal, it's ten years. [01:29:14] Well, I think stormwater is worked on every day, seven days a week, 24 hours a [01:29:20] day, you know, 12 months a year, every year for ten years. I think to have a broad [01:29:25] outlook is what this is, and just like they said, they prioritize these ten [01:29:30] items over the 18, and if one of those other eight ever surfaced in a [01:29:35] problem, they'd be bringing it to us and adding it to the list. So the ideal of [01:29:39] trying to thumb it down on a ten-year outlook, it's really not what it's done, [01:29:43] what it's about. It's an everyday project, the stormwater. So all those in favor, [01:29:48] signify by aye. Aye. Opposed? It's 5-0. Thank you very much.

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16. 10.e

    Resolution No. 2025-10: Adopting the Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee Report

    approved

    Council adopted Resolution 2025-10 approving the report of the Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee, which was formed in July 2024 to advise council on flood risk and emergency preparedness messaging. Committee advisory member Mike Peters attended to represent the item.

    Ord. Resolution No. 2025-10

    • motion:Motion to approve Resolution 2025-10 adopting the Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee report. (passed)5–0

    👤Mike Peters#Flood Risk and Preparedness Public Information Committee#Resolution No. 2025-10

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    [01:30:00] Next to the resolution number 2025-10 adopting the flood risk and preparedness public information [01:30:11] committee report. This is resolution number 2025-10 a resolution of the city council of [01:30:17] the city of New Port Richey Florida adopting the report of the flood risk and preparedness [01:30:22] public information committee attached here today as provided herein. The flood risk and [01:30:30] preparedness public information committee was formed in July of 2024 and they have many functions [01:30:44] the purpose in large part is to offer advisory opinions and recommendations to council [01:30:52] on best practices for information dissemination regarding flood risk and emergency preparedness. [01:31:03] The formulation of a formal report which identifies priority areas and audiences and [01:31:10] provides an inventory of public information efforts and addresses community messages [01:31:19] and outreach projects is one of their primary charges and tonight they have completed that task [01:31:29] and we are asking that you approve the resolution which adopts the report. A copy of the report [01:31:36] is attached to the agenda item as well as a copy of the proposed resolution [01:31:43] and we have one of the advisory members of the group in attendance Mr. Mike Peters [01:31:55] if you have any questions please let us know. Any public comment? [01:32:02] Seeing no one come forward we'll come back for discussion and vote. [01:32:08] Move to approve. Do we have a second? [01:32:13] I'll second. Maker. I just want to recognize and thank the one of the the excuse me one of the [01:32:20] committee members for being here to represent the item and thank you to staff. Second. No it's good. [01:32:28] I'm good thank you. Pete. Well it's stormwater related but I'm all tuckered out already so they [01:32:33] get the you know. All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Those opposed five nothing.

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17. 10.f

    Fleet Maintenance/Utility Purchasing Warehouse Construction Project – Change Order No. 2/Budget Amendment

    approved

    Council approved Change Order No. 2 and a corresponding budget amendment of $70,091.11 for the Fleet Maintenance/Utility Purchasing Warehouse construction project on Pioneer Road. Additional grouting (370 cubic yards used vs. 200–300 estimated) was needed to stabilize the subsurface, and staff proceeded with the work without prior approval to avoid remobilization costs, then sought retroactive approval.

    • motion:Move to approve Change Order No. 2 and budget amendment of $70,091.11 for the fleet maintenance/utility purchasing warehouse construction project. (passed)

    📍6420 Pioneer Road🏢Central Florida Testing Laboratories👤Rivera#Change Order No. 2#Fleet Maintenance/Utility Purchasing Warehouse Construction Project

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    [01:32:44] Fleet maintenance utility purchasing warehouse construction project change order number two [01:32:50] by the budget amendment. As indicated by the mayor a change order and a request to approve [01:32:58] a budget amendment both in the amount of $70,091.11 and Mr. Rivera will present the item to you. [01:33:10] Great. In addition to the dollar amount the change order that we're requesting is in the [01:33:16] amount of $70,100. As you are aware the construction phase of the city's new fleet building [01:33:26] located on 6420 Pioneer Road began in September. Prior to the construction a subsurface analysis [01:33:34] of the site was performed by Central Florida Testing Laboratories. [01:33:38] The analysis concluded that approximately 200 to 300 cubic yards of grout was estimated [01:33:46] to stabilize the subsurface. Subsequent to the grouting process a total of 370 cubic yards [01:33:55] was used and with that I know that change orders typically go before council before [01:34:05] they get approved before we proceed with the work. In this case to be fully transparent [01:34:12] we've got a contractor that's all set up. They're pumping grout into the ground. It definitely would [01:34:20] cost quite a lot of money to stop them, take them off site and then go ahead and get approved and [01:34:26] then bring them back again, remobilize and so with that we do have guidelines in place with the [01:34:36] study that dictates. We have a monitoring contractor that's out there. They have guidelines [01:34:42] that they have to follow as far as how much they can pump and they all of their quantities are [01:34:48] verified so in that case once you go over it is done in a controlled environment. As you know [01:34:56] Florida has a lot of honeycomb limestone underneath and so you can have voids open up in the middle of [01:35:03] the process of what you're doing and so we do feel good that we did our due diligence just as far as [01:35:10] stabilization of the site and that we did not do any exceedances that were not required [01:35:17] and it is attached in that report that you have that basically states that fact as well and so [01:35:25] with that we would ask that you approve the change order as well as the budget amendment. [01:35:32] Any public comment? Seeing no one come forward bring it back for discussion and vote. Move for [01:35:37] approval. Second. Yeah I first want to say thank you. Thank you for not stopping them [01:35:44] and causing us more money to put on the project. I mean it's something that we were going to have [01:35:50] to do anyway so unlike we could you know back at it and say oh no we're not going to do that now [01:35:54] so thank you for that. Second. One of the seconds. I think a judgment call was made and it was the [01:36:02] right judgment call and now we're transparently communicating that you know the process wasn't [01:36:06] necessarily followed as it should have been followed but I think the public would expect [01:36:10] us to just be transparent about that and that's what we did here and and to your point it's [01:36:14] stabilized and I appreciate the forthcomingness. I agree it's stabilized and saved us some money too so.

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18. 10.g

    Resolution No. 2025-11: Ratifying the City Manager's Extension of the Permitting Fee Waivers

    approved

    Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-11, ratifying the City Manager's extension of building permit fee waivers for property owners repairing damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, covering September 26, 2024 through January 15, 2025. Staff noted FEMA covers permit pulling costs and FEMA applications are also due January 15. Council reminded the public that permits must be pulled before January 15, but work can continue afterward.

    Ord. Resolution No. 2025-11

    • motion:Move to approve Resolution No. 2025-11 ratifying the City Manager's extension of permitting fee waivers for hurricane-damaged properties. (passed)5–0

    🏢FEMA👤Matt👤Pete#Building permit fee waiver program#Hurricane Helene#Hurricane Milton#Resolution No. 2025-11

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    [01:36:23] Yeah fine. All those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Those opposed five nothing. Resolution number [01:36:32] 2025-11 ratifying the city manager's extension of the permitting fee waivers. This is resolution [01:36:41] number 2025-11 a resolution of the city council of the city of New Port Richey Florida [01:36:47] ratifying the city manager's extension of the permitting fee waivers for property owners [01:36:52] following the damages caused to properties in the city as a result of hurricanes Helene and Milton [01:36:58] as provided herein. [01:37:02] As indicated the request before you this evening is to formally approve and ratify [01:37:08] the building permit fee waivers for repairs caused by both hurricanes Helene and Milton [01:37:15] previously granted by the city manager myself for the time period between September 26, 2024 [01:37:24] and spanning through January 15, 2025. As you'll recall as a result of the devastation created by [01:37:34] the hurricanes several initiatives were put in place to assist property owners with tending to [01:37:42] the necessary home repairs and accelerating the review of permit applications. One of them was [01:37:49] allowing them a waiver of building permit fees and so that they could implement repairs of damage [01:37:58] caused by the hurricanes. The property owners now have been afforded a three-month period of time [01:38:06] in which to pull a permit. We have been providing notice of the pending closure of the program on [01:38:15] the city's website and on our social media pages as well as at the city's development department [01:38:22] and with your approval I'd like you to approve and formally ratify the ending of the program [01:38:31] of waiving the building permit fees. Any public comment? [01:38:37] Seeing no one come forward we'll bring it back for discussion and vote. Move to approve. [01:38:42] Second. The maker. First a technical question. This goes all the way back to September. [01:38:50] The time in which the emergency ordinance was active it was still the city's [01:38:57] jurisdiction and purview to approve those or is that how does that work or [01:39:02] because I was under the impression that under emergency order she was able to direct the [01:39:07] development department to waive fees or would that still fall under? Well the emergency [01:39:12] resolutions gave her the power and gave this council the power to waive those fees. This just [01:39:17] confirms that it goes all the way back and this specific ratification of the fee waivers. There [01:39:23] were other emergency powers used during that time period but because this is extending beyond those [01:39:30] emergency resolutions this just covers this particular aspect so it relates all the way back. [01:39:38] I also want to thank the staff, the city attorney and the city manager for their patience with [01:39:44] I think it was at least two rounds of questioning that I had for the city manager [01:39:48] related to this project. Just to put it on the record the final resolution I came to because [01:39:54] it's very hesitant to move forward with closing out the permitting fee given the fact that the [01:40:01] development department is still inundated with requests for hurricane based permitting. [01:40:08] I'm under the impression presented by staff and I'll give them a chance to correct director if I [01:40:12] say anything wrong that FEMA does cover the cost of the pulling of permits as that's what I've [01:40:20] been communicated by staff. So if that's the case I don't see this placing an unnecessary hardship. [01:40:25] It's a fiduciary responsibility that we start to begin to protect certain costs related to the [01:40:30] city and do our diligence to the taxpayer while also making sure that there is some sort of relief [01:40:36] still which in this case would be in the form of FEMA. At least that's what's been presented so. [01:40:44] And I believe FEMA applications have to be in by the 15th too so it coincides with the date that [01:40:50] the FEMA applications have to be in as well so I think that that's the right thing. Who was the [01:40:55] second? That was me. Oh okay. Anything else? No that's it. No I was second. Pete? Agreed. Matt? [01:41:06] Yeah I just want the public to be aware of you get your permit you don't have to have the project [01:41:10] done so just remember to get the permit before the 15th and you can work on your project after [01:41:17] the 15th. So all those in favor signify by aye. Aye. Those opposed. Five nothing. Communications.

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19. 11Communications▶ 1:41:22
20. 12Adjournment▶ 1:55:15
21. 3

    Moment of Silence

    Moment of silence.