The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Political Agenda 01/29/2020

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Corley issues warning
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has issued a warning that The Voter Participation Center (VPC) again has launched a voter registration mail campaign targeting Pasco County voters, according to a news release from Corley’s office.

The mail campaign contains “inaccurate information that is often alarming and confusing,” the release says.

Previously, these mailings “have been sent to family members who are deceased, their pets and underage children, and adult children who no longer reside or never resided in the household or the state of Florida,” the release adds.

“The mailings that reach eligible voters often arouse suspicion because they are already registered and feel that their registration has somehow been compromised,” the release continues.

Corley also noted that “VPC has also begun text messaging voters in advance of the mailing using an outdated list of phone numbers. We have already received reports that the messages are addressed to people who no longer have the phone number.”

The supervisor of elections also observed: “Our experience has been that VPC tactics further erode voter confidence at a time when the security of our elections is in the forefront. Please know that these organizations are in no way affiliated with my office.”

Pasco voters can register online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/en/Registration/Index. They also can update their status there, too.

They can check their voter registration status online at https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus
For additional information or assistance, call (800) 851-8754.

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd, Wesley Chapel, on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The meeting features speakers, networking, coffee and dessert. New members and guests are welcome. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo (813) 360-9813.

More candidates vying for Pasco County offices
Alison Crumbley has pre-filed in the race of Pasco County School Board, District 4. The school board is a nonpartisan race. No one has filed so far to challenge the incumbent.

Mike Fasano has pre-filed for the office of tax collector. So far, the Republican incumbent does not face any challengers.

 

Pasco County adopts rental registry ordinance

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Pasco County has adopted an ordinance requiring owners of rental properties and vacant properties to register them.

The idea is to give the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office a way to find out who owns a property, or who’s authorized to be on it, when they’re called to a scene.

It also will give county officials information they need to pursue code violations, when a structure is becoming a hazard, property is littered with trash, weeds are overgrown and so forth.

Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the new tool.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco applauded commissioners, noting the registry will help residents who have been dealing with nearby crime and other issues resulting from problem properties.

“They can’t sleep at night. They can’t let their kids out at night. This is something that will help them bring back their neighborhoods,” Nocco said.

The ordinance notes that commissioners recognize that vacant properties and the condition of many rental properties “lead to a decline in community and property value; create nuisances; lead to a general decrease in neighborhood and community aesthetic; create conditions that invite criminal activity; and foster an unsafe and unhealth environment.”

The ordinance also notes that while the total number of homes have increased, the total number of homesteaded properties has declined.

The registry will give the county and Sheriff’s Office a reliable way to communicate with others when properties  are “abandoned, neglected, or left unsupervised, or when tenants/occupants are violating county regulations.”

Owners of rental or vacant properties who live outside of Pasco County must designate a licensed property manager, based within Pasco or adjacent counties. The ordinance defines a licensed property manager as one who holds a current and active Florida real estate license.

The registration form also gives the owner an option to enter into a “trespass agreement” with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, giving the Sheriff’s Office the authority to issue trespass warnings to individuals not listed as authorized occupants on the registry.

“I’m really glad that we’ve arrived at this day. This is really important to the constituents of Pasco County that we take care of this problem,” Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said.

“I don’t know that this will get us all of the way to where I think we need to be, but I think this is a great first step.”

Commissioner Mike Wells, who advocated for the registry, said “it’s going to increase (property) values. It’s going to help life-safety.”

It also will help the Sheriff’s Office and the county’s code enforcement department, Wells added.

At the same time, he said, such ordinances have to be carefully crafted.

“It’s a touchy thing. We don’t want to overregulate,” Wells said.

Joe Farrell, of the Central Pasco Association of Realtors, told commissioners, “we wholeheartedly support this ordinance.”

Published January 29, 2020

Business Digest 01/29/2020

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Bravado Pharmaceuticals to set up in Lutz
Bravado Pharmaceuticals LLC is a new company being established at 4212 Cypress Gulch Drive in Pasco County, according to a release from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Bravado Pharmaceuticals is a new company in Lutz. It expects to create 20 new jobs within three years. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

Brian McMillan, the Lutz company’s owner and CEO, has 30 years of analytical, formulation and process development experience.

The company is investing $3 million in the purchase and building of a 7,500-square-foot facility, and manufacturing equipment, the release said. The company expects to hire 10 new jobs within the next year and up to 20 over the next three years.

Within three months of opening his company, McMillan was invited to be showcased on “Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland,” the release said.

Bravado will be developing and manufacturing pharmaceuticals, will be using the facility as a research center, and have relationships with the University of South Florida and University of Florida, Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC, noted in the release.

“The life sciences industry in Pasco County has been rapidly growing over the last few years, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our business community,” Cronin added.

McMillan, in the release, noted: “I love where I live in Wesley Chapel. It has everything I need, so I wanted to be able to work here as well. I live just a couple miles from my business, how great is that?”

Kilted Axe to open in February
The Kilted Axe, a veteran-owned and operated premier indoor axe throwing range, has set an opening date of Feb. 8. The facility — the first of its kind in Wesley Chapel — will offer a casual urban venue giving patrons a chance to experience axe throwing, whether they be part of leagues, attending private parties, doing team building, or as a walk-in. The facility is at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 208, Wesley Chapel.

New app for SMARTstart Pasco
SMARTstart Pasco is providing a new tool called the Startup Space app for Pasco County’s entrepreneurs. It will help them connect, communicate and collaborate with each other, according to a Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., news release. To download the app, search Startup Space on IOS or Android. For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Tampa and Florida make top lists
Tampa landed at No. 97 in a list ranking the 100 best cities in the world. The list was compiled by Resonance, an international consulting firm, according to a Hillsborough County news release. The list examined crime rates, diversity and data from Google, Facebook, Instagram and TripAdvisor to measure the performance and experiential quality of a city. The city’s highest score was in the rankings for the people category, in which Resonance evaluated the diversity of the city’s population.

In another report, Florida ranked No. 1 as the place to retire for 2020. The report by WalletHub ranked Florida second in affordability, fifth in quality of life and 26th in health care, according to the county’s website. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 47 key indicators of retirement-friendliness.

Esthetics813 opens
Eshtetics813 Facial Spa and Medspa, at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, had a grand opening celebration on Jan. 23, according to the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s events calendar.

East Pasco Networking Group
Bob Hatfield, of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group meeting on Jan. 28 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

How to do a podcast
Learn how to use a podcast to connect with your customers and clients at a hands-on workshop. The session will be at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the events tab to register.

New landscape architecture award
The American Society of Landscape Architects has added a new honor to recognize outstanding and innovative contributions of emerging leaders in the field.

The new category will recognize an individual landscape architect who is early in his or her career, and who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and considerable contribution to the profession of landscape architecture, the prospective recipient’s community, and/or a firm or design team.

To find out more and to enter, go to ASLA.org for details. The deadline for nomination submissions for the 2020 honors program is Feb. 7.

Greater Pasco chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce general membership luncheon is set for Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Tampa North, Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. The cost is $20 for prepaid registration, members only; $25 for invoiced registration, member; and $30 for nonmembers. For more information, go to GreaterPasco.com, and click on the events tab.

Women-n-charge
Women-N-Charge is a group of professional women who support and assist each other in  managing their businesses more effectively, furthering their professional goals, and promoting their health and financial independence. The group meets on the first Friday of each month, with the next meeting set for Feb. 7, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with a lunch buffet served at 11:45 a.m., and the meeting to start at noon. Members pay $15 and guests pay $18, if they preregister and pay online.

For more information, go to the group’s website, Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

Pasco County adding two street hockey rinks

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Pasco County and the Lightning Foundation have partnered on a project that will result in two street hockey rinks in the county, including one in Wesley Chapel.

The Pasco County Commission approved the agreement at its Jan. 7 meeting.

As part of the deal, the county will spend an estimated $240,000 to build concrete pads and associated infrastructure, which will be turned into street hockey rinks, complete with flashboards, scoreboards, scorers’ tables, and penalty boxes.

The Lightning Foundation will establish street hockey programming, including league play and tournaments. And, it will donate two complete sets of street hockey gear, including 80 sticks, two cases of balls, four goal nets, four youth sets of protective goalie gear, four adult size sets of protected goal gear and 80 reversible scrimmage vests, to be kept at the rinks.

One rink will be built at the Wesley Chapel District Park, at 7727 Boyette Road, and the other at the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, at 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd., in Holiday.

Both locations are large enough to accommodate the outdoor street hockey rinks.

Jay Feaster, vice president of Community Hockey Development, told commissioners the street hockey rinks fit into an overall “Build the Thunder” effort.

Feaster said that the National Hockey League, the National Hockey League Players Association and Lightning owner Jeff Vinik are involved in the program.

Over a five-year period, “we committed to donate 100,000 Lightning logo street hockey sticks and balls to children within the five contiguous county area of Amalie Arena,” Feaster said.

That commitment also included visiting 500 schools during that period and donating “500 complete sets of street hockey gear, so the schools could continue to have children playing long after we were gone.

“This is the start of that fifth year. We have thus far donated 106,000-plus Lightning logo sticks and balls to 503 schools within the five-county area.

“About three years ago, we realized that after we distributed all of those sticks and balls that we had a place that those youngsters to play,” Feaster said.

Ten outdoor street hockey rinks are planned.

“We want to proceed to actually build two of those street hockey rinks here in Pasco,” Feaster told commissioners. The rinks will be 60 feet by 120 feet, and are expected to be completed by Aug. 30.

The Lightning Foundation also will provide a public awareness campaign and promote the scheduled clinics and league play opportunities.

It also will present street hockey clinics at the rinks once per quarter using Tampa Bay Lightning alumni and street team members.

And, it will invite the rinks’ street hockey champions to participate in a Tournament of Champions sponsored by the Lightning Foundation.

The Lightning Foundation also will have the sole right to sell sponsorship rights in connection with the dashboard, scoreboard, signs, etc.

“We’re excited about it,” Feaster said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is enthusiastic, too.

“I just can’t tell you how excited our citizens are, and our kids, and I’m really looking forward to this,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano praised the Lightning’s community contributions.

“What you’ve done has really elevated the whole Tampa Bay region,” Mariano said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley marveled at the transformation regarding hockey in the region.

“I grew up in this area. We didn’t have hockey. That was a northern sport,” Oakley said.

Developing future hockey players requires early exposure to the game, Oakley said.

“That’s the way you get ‘em started, you’ve got to start young,” Oakley said.

Published January 22, 2020

Charter school coming to Connected City’s Epperson

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A K-8 charter school could open as early as this fall in Epperson, if all goes according to plan.

The Pasco County School Board has approved an agreement with Metro Apple LLC and Red Apple Development LLC — known collectively as the developer — for a charter school that is planned on the east side of Curley Road.

Details regarding the school are spelled out in the agreement.

Plans call for a two-story school of approximately 55,000 square feet, that will be built on a site of about 8 acres to 10 acres.

The charter school will have a capacity of 765 students.

The proposed concept for the school is based on the acronym of W.I.S.H., which stands for Wellness, Innovation, Science and Health.

The aim is to open the school for the 2020 school year.

The charter school will be built to the state standards, certified by a third-party architect. It will not include any hurricane shelter requirements.

Once construction is completed and students are enrolled, the entity that paid for the design, permitting and construction of the school shall be entitled to school impact fee credits, for the land and facility portion of the impact fee only.

The maximum amount of any fee credits and the cash reimbursement for all design, construction and land costs shall be $18.2 million. Land value for fee credits or cash reimbursements shall be based on a fair market value appraisal obtained by the developer.

Published January 22, 2020

New subdivision approved off Bell Lake Road

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Update: Because of an error in the notice for this rezoning, a new zoning hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

A new subdivision for 27 detached residences has been approved on a site of about 9.5 acres, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Bell Lake Road and Alpine Road.

The site is about 1 mile east of U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The main access to the development will be off of Alpine Road. As part of the approval, the developer must put a turn lane on Bell Lake Road.

The Pasco County Commission approved a rezoning for the development at its Jan. 7 meeting. The approval came despite a recommendation for denial by the Planning Commission, which cited incompatibility with lot sizes in the surrounding area.

Two neighbors also spoke in opposition to the proposed rezoning during the Planning Commission hearing. Their primary complaint was the proposed lot sizes of the project.

But, no one appeared in opposition at the County Commission hearing, and county planners maintained their recommendation of approval for the request.

Todd Pressman represented applicant Michael David Vincent.

Pressman noted his applicant’s initial request for 32 lots had been reduced to 27, and that the minimum lot width also had been increased.

County commissioners approved the request on a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Jack Mariano absent.

Published January 22, 2020

Pasco teachers expected to vote on contract soon

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A ratification vote on a negotiated contract between Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco County has been scheduled for Jan. 29.

The school board and union settled contract negotiations just before Winter Break and now, the union is aiming to  complete the ratification process in time to have salary increases to employees before Spring Break.

Jeff Larsen, of the United School Employees of Pasco County, conveyed that schedule to school board members at their Jan. 14 meeting.

The proposed contract calls for a 3.25% raise for teachers, as well as a number of contract language provisions.

A major sticking point in this year’s negotiations was a proposal by Superintendent Kurt Browning that called for secondary school teachers to take on an additional period of work, so the district could save money to fund salary increases for all employees.

The union fought that idea and ultimately the district dropped it.

As the new year begins, Larsen told board members, “we look forward to continuing to work together to try to do what’s best for the kids, as well as for the employees.”

Published January 22, 2020

Cypress Creek schools get new names

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Pasco County School Board members have changed the name of the school on the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel to reflect the fact that two schools will be operating on the campus beginning this fall.

The school was named Cypress Creek Middle High when it opened in 2017, because it served both middle and high school students.

But, two separate schools will be operating on the campus this fall.

Cypress Creek Middle School will serve students in grades six through eight.

Cypress Creek High School will serve students in grades nine through 12.

The district had intended to have a separate middle school and high school on the campus, but when it couldn’t afford to do so, it used the buildings that were intended for the high school to house middle and high school students. The programs were separated, but operated out of the high school buildings.

The district used that approach so it could relieve crowding at both the middle and high school levels.

Now, new boundaries have been adopted to fill in the extra seats that will result when the middle school students shift out of the high school facilities into the new middle school.

Both the high school and middle school boundaries were changed because there will be added capacity at both levels.

Besides the new middle school, the campus also will house a new performing arts center, called the Instructional and Performing Arts Center, or IPAC for short. That is being built on land donated by Pasco County Schools to Pasco-Hernando State College.

The new center, also intended to open in the fall, will serve college and students from Pasco County schools, and will provide entertainment for the community.

Published January 22, 2020

Business Digest 01/22/2020

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Kathryn Starkey attended the ceremonial signing of the Phase One trade deal between China and the United States in Washington D.C. (Courtesy of Kathryn Starkey)

Kathryn Starkey attends trade-deal signing
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey was among elected officials invited from across the country to attend the signing of the Phase One trade deal between the United States and China, presided over by President Donald Trump and Chinese officials.

“I am excited to watch the benefits of this agreement unfold throughout the country, including in Pasco, where high-wage, skilled manufacturing jobs are beginning to flourish,” Starkey said, in a news release. “I am also grateful that President Trump recognizes the importance of involving county governments in matters like these.  My presence at the White House today is a testament to the Trump administration’s commitment to ensuring all levels of government have a seat at the table.”

Starkey was invited to attend the signing because she is one of 19 government officials sitting on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the United States Trade Representative on commerce affairs affecting state and local governments, according to the release.

Hear about the vision for The Grove
The North Tampa Bay Chamber economic development luncheon will feature a presentation by Mark Gold on the vision for The Grove. Those plans include a family park, an amphitheater for musical performances, a brewery, new restaurants, an indoor adventure facility, beautiful landscaping, and more. The presentation also includes an update on the tenants and Gold’s ideas for his container designs that are intended to attract small, family-owned businesses. The luncheon is set for Jan. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regent Parks Drive in Tampa. Registration closes on Jan. 22 at 3 p.m.. Cost is $25 at the door for members and $30 for nonmembers. Payment at the door is cash or check only.

Director of stakeholder engagement
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has hired Mike Bishop as its new director of stakeholder engagement, according to a news release.

Bishop, the founder of Big Storm Brewing Co., was selected to fill the newly created post, following an extensive search.

The position fits in with the economic development council’s board and staff’s 2019-2021 WIN 2.0 Strategic Plan, the release says.

Bishop had a career in financial services before founding the first microbrewery in Pasco County.

While at Big Storm Brewing Co., Bishop worked closely with the Pasco EDC as an investor and advocate for economic development in Pasco County.
“Mike created a successful business and grew it from the ground up, right here in Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the release.

Bishop’s background as Big Storm’s CEO, chief financial officer, head of sales and head brewer — and his interactions with Pasco EDC through the years, made him “the perfect choice” for his new role, Cronin said.

In his new post, Bishop will seek to enhance the Pasco EDC and Pasco County’s relationships with business leaders. He also will oversee local, national and international event coordination and logistics.

Bishop is a longtime Pasco resident and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, with an emphasis in Finance.

 

Pasco County steps closer to rental registry

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Pasco County is taking aim at a problem that crops up when a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy arrives at a scene, and isn’t able to determine who owns the property, or who is authorized to be there.

The problem also occurs when the county can’t pin down a way to locate who’s responsible for code violations at a specific site.

To address those issues, the Pasco County Commission is considering a new ordinance that requires rental properties to be registered.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims is handling the ordinance for the County Attorney’s Office, and she appeared at the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 7 meeting to give the commissioners a briefing.

At the same meeting, during the public comment portion, a number of speakers — representing real estate, property management and legal interests — offered their input on the proposed ordinance.

Jacob Bruynell, governmental affairs manager, Greater Tampa Realtors, raised concerns about a number of issues, including what would trigger the need for registering a property, some of the definitions included in the draft ordinance and when the new requirement would take effect.

He questioned the target effective date of March 1.

“This seems like an aggressive approach, as most citizens don’t know it’s coming and do not know if their properties fit the ordinance requirement,” Bruynell said.

He also questioned a provision that requires the designated property manager to have an office in Pasco County.

“We request that the ordinance allow property managers from neighboring counties,” he said.

Andrew Dougill, a professional property manager, also weighed in.

Dougill, a member of the board for the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, said his group represents professional managers of single-family rental properties.

“Our organization is here to speak in favor of the rental registry ordinance. We recognize that the Sheriff’s department has a problem with vacant properties, with slumlords, so we’re very much in favor of that.

“We do have a couple of concerns with the ordinance as written,” he added.

“The first one is the requirement that the property manager maintains a business office in Pasco County. Many of the residential properties in Pasco County are managed by property managers in Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando — so requiring a business office in Pasco County will cause thousands of current landlords in the county to lose their professional manager, which is obviously an unintended consequence and is not the intent of the ordinance,” Dougill said.

“The second issue we have is the definition of a property manager.

“As written, it seems to allow a property manager to be unlicensed, in violation of Florida statute. We suggest requiring the property manager to be licensed by the state, is the way to go,” Dougill added.

Licensing makes a difference
Carl Stratton, the broker of Dennis Realty and Dennis Property Management, told commissioners he has two offices in Pasco County.

He said his company currently manages about 500 units in Pasco, but also manages properties in Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Hernando counties.

Stratton also spoke in favor of lifting the requirement for property managers to have an office in Pasco.

He said it “would be a big hardship on thousands and thousands of owners, who have a trusted relationships with their property managers.”

Instead, he supports the idea that a property manager’s office be within a 50-mile radius of the property.

“I think that would be reasonable,” Stratton said.

Harry Heist, a landlord attorney, noted “the ordinance fails to define property manager.”

Heist went on: “A lot of people don’t realize that there’s two types of property managers out there in the world. There are licensed property managers who have real estate licenses that work under a broker and then there are unlicensed people.

“The unlicensed property managers who manage for absentee owners have caused a serious problem in Pasco County and all over Florida.”

Heist asked the county to amend the ordinance to define a property manager as someone who holds a license to manage property in Florida.

“We feel that it will cut down on a lot of problems and this is what will help the problems you are trying to address,” Heist said.

Sims addressed the issues later in the commission’s meeting.

“I had several meetings with some of the people who were here today, as well as other commercial realtors — people representing various groups that would be affected,” Sims told commissioners.

She said those discussions provided insights, which prompted her to recommend changes to the draft ordinance.

She told commissioners her briefing was intended to share the proposed revisions, so commissioners could react to them before the issue is brought to their Jan. 21 meeting for consideration.

Sims told the board: “I’ve come to understand that one of my big problems — and one of code enforcement’s big problems is — these illegitimate, non-licensed property managers: John Smith sticks an index card up in his window at the mobile home park and says he’s the property manager, but he’s not a licensed person. And that park is owned by an entity who is out of state, out of county, etc., etc..”

She’s recommending the definition of a property owner be changed to require it to be a licensed real estate broker.

She’s also recommending those licensed property managers could be from Pasco and abutting counties.

“We feel like we’re going to get responses from people who are holding a real estate license,” Sims said.

She also plans to recommend an April 1 effective date, though the system is expected to go live on March 1, so people would have access to it.

Additionally, Sims plans to bring back two follow-up ordinances. One would duplicate the state law that prohibits a person from acting as a property manager, without the proper licensure.

The other would require apartments, condos and commercial properties to have a permanently posted notice containing contact information for the property.

The proposed changes, she said,  “takes out a lot of the people who aren’t really our problem. It takes out logistical issues for  apartments and commercial realtors, who are dealing with tenants that may come in and out.

“And, I think is more narrowly tailored to address — at least at this point — to address what is our current focus and problem.”

Chase Daniels, assistant executive director, for the Sheriff’s Office said, “It gets us to where we want it to be. It still gives us the teeth we’re looking for.

“We certainly don’t want to impose on these groups that are doing the right thing.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s encouraged to see support for the ordinance.

“I agree with all of the little tweaks. They seem reasonable. We never wanted this to be onerous. But, we want to have a tool,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Mike Wells added: “All of these changes make sense. I appreciate your taking the time to meet with the stakeholders, over and over again, to listen to them.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “You guys have done a great job, working together on this, getting the feedback from the public. We wanted to get an ordinance with some teeth in it, but at the same time not be too onerous.”

Published January 15, 2020