Kathy Steele

Ownership agreement reached on Hercules Park

July 11, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The city of Zephyrhills and the Pasco County School Board are ready to complete a deal that will deed part of Hercules Park to the city.

A gate and a stop sign block entry into Hercules Park in Zephyrhills. About 9 acres is expected to be deeded to the city, so that the park can be reopened.
(File)

The Zephyrhills City Council approved an inter-local agreement with the school district on June 25. The agreement will be presented to school board members on July 24.

If approved, Zephyrhills would own about 9 acres of the approximately 15-acre park, off Gall Boulevard.

“We’re glad. We’re happy,” Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina said.

Negotiations have been ongoing with school district officials for years on the park’s fate.

The park land is a legacy from about 80 acres once owned by the Hercules Powder Co.

The company, which converted pine stumps into resin and turpentine, had been the city’s largest employer.

The school board, which eventually came to own portions of the property, signed an agreement for Pasco County to operate the park. But, nearly eight years ago, Pasco closed the park as a cost-savings measure.

The park has languished until the city and school board reached this new agreement.

“Sometimes, it’s worth waiting for,” said Spina.

This 2017 rendering shows potential plans for refurbishing Hercules Park. No final decisions have been made.
(File)

In addition to the land, Zephyrhills would receive about $13,000, which could be used for general cleanup or possibly to cover demolition of structures at the park’s former aquatic center.

The money is a donation from developers who bought park acreage from the school board at the corner of Eiland and Gall boulevards. The site has a new WaWa gas station and convenience store, which recently had a grand opening.

As part of the agreement, Zephyrhills’ officials agreed that the remaining park land would be kept for public use only.

Spina said area schools would be able to use the park for special events.

A master plan for Hercules Park is under consideration, but Spina said no decisions have been finalized.

In 2017, plans for the park included trails, a picnic area, a trailhead for bicyclists and an outdoor center.

But, Spina said, “It’s not our intent to open the aquatic center.”

A decision also must be made on what to do with a building located by the swimming pool, he added.

Some playground equipment remains at the park, but Spina said, “It might be replaced. It’s badly out of date and doesn’t meet ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards.”

Published July 11, 2018

Business Digest 07/11/2018

July 11, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Central Pasco business awards

Large Business of the Year (tie)
Cayne Conover, left, David Gainer, Elayne Bassinger, Rob Kress of IERNA’s Heating & Cooling, Kurt Conover of Regional Medical Center Bayonet, and Les Saland.
(Courtesy of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce)

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce held its 2018 Installation & Awards Banquet on June 29 at The Groves Golf & Country Club in Land O’ Lakes.

Annual business awards were given to the following:

Large Business of the Year (tie) – Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point and IERNA’s Heating & Cooling
Small Business of the Year – Architectural Signage & Printing
Civic/Non-profit Organization of the Year – Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club
Community Service Award – Tony Masella
Member of the Year and Ambassador of the Year – Rosie Helm

CO.STARTERS business course
SMARTStart Pasco’s CO.STARTERS program is starting a nine-week business curriculum on July 14 at the SMARTstart Dade City Entrepreneur Center, at 37837 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Classes will be on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. July 11.

The nine-week program will be led by a trained coach in a small, supportive group setting. The course is designed to build the foundations to launch a new product, service, or business week-by-week, by sharing ideas with people like yourself.

The cost is $295.

To register, visit Smartstartpasco.com/upcoming-sessions.

Membership lunch
The Greater North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership lunch July 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.

The cost is $20, but please RSVP.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Network breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet July 11 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch.

The sponsor is Copperstone Executive Suites.

The cost is $10 at the door for members or guests.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

SunTrust Bank opening
SunTrust Bank will have its ribbon cutting July 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., at 34511 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

For information, contact the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at (813) 782-1914, or email .

Common Ground Pitch Breakfast
SMARTstart CO.STARTERS will host the monthly “Common Ground Pitch Breakfast” July 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the SMARTstart Dade City Entrepreneur Center, at 37837 Meridian Ave., No. 309, in Dade City.

Each month, two people present a five-minute pitch to introduce their business ideas to Pasco County’s local entrepreneurial community. Each pitch is followed by a question-and-answer session, and an opportunity for feedback.

The event if free. The SMARTstart programs are supported by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

To register, visit SmartstartPasco.com/events, or call Andrew Romaner, SMARTstart incubator program manager, at (352) 437-4861.

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its July 2018 Momentum Thursday on July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Atria Lutz, at 414 E. Chapman Road in Lutz.

Guest speaker is Special Senior Agent Michael Horn, of the United States Secret Service.

Horn will discuss cybersecurity including common scams and tips on how to protect yourself.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to the chamber at by 5 p.m. July 11, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180.

Storage center opens
Storage Center of Wesley Chapel will have its ribbon cutting and grand opening July 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 1891 Trout Creek, behind WaWa and Nutrition S’Mart, located at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 56.

For information, contact Storage Center’s co-manager Bill Lehman at (727) 432-6636, or email .

General membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership meeting July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway, at Northpointe Village.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley will be the guest speaker.

The sponsor is Asturia-A Hines Community.

The cost for members is $20 if paid by July 12. Afterward, the cost is $25 for members and non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its Monthly Coffee Social on July 19 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

This is a “no agenda” event with time for social networking.

For information, call Grace Martin at the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Zephyrhills mixer
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have a chamber mixer July 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Pin Chasers, 6818 Gall Blvd. in Zephryhills.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Coldwell Banker Top Realtors
Coldwell Banker F. I. Grey & Son Residential Inc., announced the following Top Realtors for the month of June.

Top selling agent by units is Eric Jenkins; and by volume, is Tricia Shade. Shade also is top producing agent by volume. Top listing agent by units and volume is Kristy Thurber. Top producing agents by units is Charles Pardee and Bob Werner (The Super-Agent Team).

Pasco tax revenues are up this year

July 3, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Rising property values in Pasco County could provide about $11 million in increased revenues.

That’s a bigger windfall than the $10.5 million initially projected.

That extra cash – about $650,000 – would play a key role in helping to close a $3.3 million gap in funding requests for 2019 from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Pasco County expected to receive final revenue data by July 1 from the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s office.

The Pasco County Commission received a budget update — including two possible scenarios on the sheriff’s budget — at a June 26 public workshop at Saint Leo University.

Both options on the sheriff’s budget relied on the $650,000 of additional revenue.

County commissioners quickly rejected one option to also withdraw $2.6 million from a reserve fund.

Instead, they accepted a staff recommendation to pair the $650,000 with budget cuts. An estimated $2.4 million for temporary on-site pods at the overcrowded Land O’ Lakes Detention Center would be delayed until 2020. And, a proposed $250,000 for Safety Town would be eliminated.

Commissioners agreed with the staff’s recommendation, except for cutting the Safety Town proposal.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., said funds should be found for Safety Town either from the county’s fund balance or new property tax revenues.

Safety Town is a safety education program for children, ages 5 to 8, that the sheriff’s office operates.

“It’s really for youth,” Wells said. “It’s needed. I think we need to absolutely fully support the sheriff on this.”

The sheriff’s budget for 2019 is nearly $133 million, an 11.5 percent increase. However, most of that increase is related to jail overcrowding.

While temporary on-site inmate housing would be delayed, the proposed budget still includes funds for out-of-county inmate housing.

The existing jail was built for a capacity of about 1,400 inmates but currently is about 200 inmates over that cap. While that’s a dip in recent weeks, the jail, at times, has had nearly 1,800 inmates.

“It’s a safety issue for deputies,” said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco. “We’ve seen a spike in fights going on.”

Currently, Seminole County’s jail has about 60 of Pasco’s inmates, at a cost of under $74 a day per inmate.

The sheriff also said 13 new detention officers will be hired and trained during the next nine- to 12-month period.

When money is available for on-site pods, those officers will be ready, he said.

Commissioners also reviewed funding requests for about 40 items from various departments, split into two tiers based on priority.

One package would cost about $4.4 million for expenses such as wage increases for county employees, restoration of library hours, fire rescue stations, and an additional inmate work crew.

The other package of about $1.1 million would pay for new positions in departments, including public services and development services.

There also was a recommendation for $15,000 to the United Way of Pasco County, for an emergency fund to aid low-income residents who aren’t eligible for other programs.

Wells asked that funding for United Way be increased to $50,000. Later on, Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano suggested $100,000.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey asked for details on those expenses.

“I support the United Way. I just want to know where the money is coming from,” she said.

Anticipated property tax revenues might be enough to fund the United Way request, said Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles.

He also noted that county officials are taking a realistic approach to crafting the 2019 budget to withstand potential revenue losses for 2020.

A major concern is a November referendum for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued more than $100,000. Most county officials expect it to pass, with a projected revenue loss as high as $14 million, effective for the 2020 budget.

Even so, Biles said county officials looked at the potential revenue losses “and what that would do to the budget so we don’t have to go back on any of these decisions for 2019.”

That includes the priority items for wages, library hours and new job positions, he said.

The county also has other referendums in November that could change spending priorities.

County commissioners recently approved four bond referendums for the November ballot that would bring new revenues for public safety, fire rescue, parks and libraries, if approved.

“If the park referendum doesn’t pass, we have a huge amount of backlog for our parks for safety reasons,” Starkey said. “I don’t want to see parks closing down.”

Published July 4, 2018

Local governments share forum

July 3, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County has shared interests with city governments, but it’s a rare occasion for county and city officials to meet in a joint public forum.

But, that’s exactly what happened on June 26 when staff members and elected officials from Pasco County, the town of St. Leo, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Dade City sat down at Saint Leo University to discuss topics of mutual interest, and such meetings could become an annual or semi-annual event.

“We need to do more things together,” Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., said.

Officials from Pasco County, the town of St. Leo, San Antonio, Dade City and Zephyrhills held a joint forum at Saint Leo University to discuss topics of mutual interest. (Kathy Steele)

Most of the talk centered on roads, traffic and redevelopment.

Each of the city and town representatives highlighted accomplishments and issues of concern.

Traffic and road projects topped the list, including one traffic crossroad, known as “calamity corner.”

The intersection is where State Road 52, headed toward St. Leo, takes a turn to the right. But, motorists at that juncture also are navigating along Pompanic Street and College Avenue.

They are guided by signs to stop or yield, and a string of three red caution lights that motorists can find confusing.

“There are a lot of accidents, near accidents, and complaints,” said Eric Stallworth, who serves on the San Antonio City Commission.

Former Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader spoke a few months ago at a Pasco County Commission meeting about the intersection and urged county commissioners to find a fix for it.

One idea was for a roundabout.

That appealed to Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who said the topic could be brought up at the August Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Discussion also focused on current and ongoing road projects, including widening and realigning State Road 52.

An additional extension of State Road 56 is being sought, too.

Currently, State Road 56 is being extended from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills’ officials are seeking additional state funding for a study on linking State Road 56 to State Road 39.

City and county benefit from greater roadway connectivity, said Todd Vande Berg, Zephyrhills’ planning director.

With roads and existing rail lines, Vande Berg said, “We think there’s an opportunity to have an inland port at the (Zephyrhills) Municipal Airport.”

Zephyrhills and Dade City representatives also provided brief views on projects paid with revenues from their Community Redevelopment Areas, or CRAs.

Zephyrhills has used funds for items, including Hercules Park, street lighting and three neighborhood cleanups that removed 900 tons of debris.

“It has made a difference,” said Gail Hamilton, the city’s CRA director.

Future plans include Zephyr Park improvements.

Dade City (which has two CRAs) used its CRA funds, along with Florida Department of Transportation money, to extend Hardy Trail. The trail is envisioned as part of a network of area trails.

The CRA also provides matching grants as incentives to redevelop Dade City’s historic downtown.

The projects brought praise but also criticism of CRAs in general from Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

“It’s no secret. I’m not a big huge fan of CRAs,” he said. But, he added, “I do appreciate both cities doing it properly, and not including the entire city in a CRA.”

Moore and other county commissioners have been critical of CRAs in Port Richey and New Port Richey, which are drawn to include all properties within city limits.

State law has since been amended to be more restrictive, with a CRA being no more than 80 percent of a municipality.

CRAs are special taxing districts that generate property taxes for reinvestment in community projects to end blight within those districts. Once a property tax baseline is established, future property tax revenues are available to the CRA. Those revenues, then, aren’t available to the county’s general funds.

Moore said it doesn’t make sense for areas with expensive homes to be in a CRA. “Obviously, we know an entire city isn’t blighted,” he said. “That’s not too kosher.”

He anticipates the Florida legislature eliminating new CRAs after complaints about mismanagement statewide.

Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina disagreed.

“I’m not sure they’re going away,” he said.

If they do, Spina said the city would lose the incentives it can now offer to spark redevelopment. “We have a much more vibrant downtown now,” he added, because of the city’s CRA.

It’s the “bad apples” that are misusing CRAs that are the problem, said Starkey.

“I’m OK with it, if we add accountability and transparency,” she said. “I think the language in the (Florida) statute was poorly written.”

Published July 4, 2018

Goat yoga brings happy hour to American House

July 3, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Goats turned loose in a yoga class behave pretty much like nature meant them to act – like goats.

They nibble a button on Ron Hinson’s shirt.

A Nigerian dwarf goat strikes a pose – or just balances on three legs while scratching his ear. Meanwhile, humans raise their hands in a stretching exercise during ‘goat yoga.’ (Fred Bellet)

They climb higher plateaus, like Michele Ryan’s inviting back as she drops down onto four hands into the cow pose.

They take snack breaks — and munch the greenery in the enclosed garden at the American House senior living community in Zephyrhills.

Or, they jump into the laps of unsuspecting observers, who thought they could sit in chairs and wonder from inside their goat-free bubble: Why all the fuss about “goat yoga?”

The answer came in a chorus of “ohs” and “whoa” that burst forth from yoga students, charmed by the antics of about a dozen Nigerian dwarf goats.

About 35 people from American House, and local residents, unfurled yoga mats (or sat and watched) for an hour of gentle yoga, with rambunctious goats.

Wesley Chapel resident Kayleen Jenkins, 15, is surprised and delighted when she realizes a goat is balanced on her back. She was one of about 35 people who enjoyed ‘goat yoga’ at American House in Zephyrhills.

The humans gave in to laughter and fellowship.

“See the joy,” said yoga instructor, Leiko “KoKo” Bergers.

“Everyone has a little bit of the love of nature in them. And, the goats bring that out.”

American House resident Jack Hanrahan, 84, laid on his mat while a goat stepped onto his tummy.

He’s an avid yoga student for its health benefits. He thought adding goats was just plain fun and a “good experience.”

Michele Ryan and Judy Chassey saw a flier about the goat yoga experience at their gym.

“We really didn’t know what to expect, but we’re animal lovers,” Ryan said.

Goat yoga was a first for American House, which is home for assisted living and memory care residents.

It won’t be the last.

Yoga instructor Leiko ‘KoKo’ Bergers, center, guided her students through a gentle yoga class with special guests – a dozen Nigerian dwarf goats. Here, one goat shows its appreciation to Bergers.

Animals are a big deal at American House, whether goats or kittens, or birds. Special visits are regular events.

“Animals are always so therapeutic,” said Debbie Kern, American House’s activities director. “We’re always doing something up close with animals and nature.”

Goat yoga started trending about two years ago when a ranch owner in Oregon let her goats roam freely through an outdoor yoga class.

Debbie Canton, founder and executive director of Grady Goat Foundation, rounded up her crew of goats for the inaugural goat yoga class at American House.

Canton and her family operate a working ranch in Thonotosassa, where she has about 90 goats.

On Saturdays and Sundays once a month, people are invited to Hat Trick Ranch for goat yoga. Donations are accepted, and funds given to charities to aid children with physical, mental or economic challenges.

A Nigerian dwarf goat relaxes as Thonotosassa resident Lea Bourlan, in the background, waits for the start of ‘goat yoga’ at American House in Zephyrhills.

The nonprofit foundation is named for Grady, a goat that couldn’t stand or walk at birth. Though he learned to walk, he also was blind and deaf. Canton said his struggles and his perseverance were inspiring.

From the time a goat is born, socializing with humans begins, Canton said.

“They are all handled from Day 1,” she said.

Interaction between goat and humans adds a little spark.

“We consider ourselves to be full-contact goat yoga,” Canton added.

As the class began, she laid down a few rules to follow.

For one, be wary of putting fingers near their mouths.

“They do nibble,” Canton said. “But, they also do like to be scratched anywhere. Under the chin is their favorite spot.”

She enticed a few goats to climb onto students’ backs with small treats of animal crackers. “We take out all the goat ones,” she joked.

There can be hazards during class.

Canton has a spray bottle of cleaner fluid at the ready for goat “accidents.”

Everyone adapted.

“Glad to see you today,” said Hinson, as a pair of goats nuzzled him. One heard the call of nature. “Hey, you’re peeing on my blanket.”

Canton quickly eradicated the blotch.

Chassey summed up the experience in one word: “Awesome.”

Dade City resident Connie Gonzalez, 60, found herself surrounded by goats, eyeing her dangly earrings and climbing on her back.

“You can feel the points of their feet,” she said. “It feels good. And, I have trouble with my back.”

Thonotosassa resident Lea Bourlon shared the feeling.

“I loved it,” she said. “They really give you a good massage when they’re on your back.”

Published July 4, 2018

Business Digest 07/04/2018

July 3, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco Tax collector donation
Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office presented nearly $2,500 in donations to the Connections Job Development Program, according to a news release from the tax office.

(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

Connections was founded in 1991 to help job seekers learn basis skills, including resume preparation, searching and interviewing for a job, and operating a computer.

Career advice and job skills training are free to participants.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano advocated for the program during his terms in the Florida legislature.

The tax collector’s office, at its various locations, collects donations each month which are distributed to local nonprofit organizations.

For information about Connections, contact its executive director, Kim Newgard, at (727) 847-4724, or visit ConnectionsJobDevelopment.org.

Taylor Morrison announces promotion
Taylor Morrison, a national homebuilder and developer, recently promoted Scott Himelhoch to vice president of land acquisition for the Tampa division, according to a news release from the SPR Agency in Arizona.

Scott Himelhoch
(Courtesy of Taylor Morrison)

Himelhoch will be responsible for land development and regulatory agency activities for Taylor Morrison’s Tampa division.

He has more than 15 years in the homebuilding industry experience, and began his career in the warranty/construction department for a national homebuilder in 2002.

He managed a field team of 20 employees in the quality assurance of the division’s home closings and warranty management.

In 2008, Himelhoch joined AVID ratings and provided consulting services to homebuilder clients in Canada and the United States.

He joined Taylor Morrison in 2013 as a land acquisition manager for the West Florida division.

Three years later that division was divided into Southwest and Tampa sections, with Himelhoch joining Tampa in charge of land acquisitions.

Himelhoch has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida.

For information, visit TaylorMorrison.com.

JCPenney jobs
JC Penney is gearing up for the back-to-school season by hiring about 250 seasonal associates in the Tampa Bay area, according to a JC Penney news release

Available positions include cashier, replenishment specialist, and beauty consultant for SEPHORA inside JC Penney.

JC Penney offers seasonal associates a full associate discount of up to 25 percent on its merchandise, as well as flexible holiday scheduling.

JC Penney also is seeking experiences stylists for its in-store salons. Stylists receive perks such as paid artistic training, health benefits for fulltime stylists, paid time off and 401k eligibility.

For information, and to apply online, visit JCPCareers.com. Applications also can be filed at kiosks inside JC Penney stores.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly business breakfast July 5 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Guest speaker is Stan Giannet, vice president of academic affairs at the Pasco-Hernando State College.

The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 872-1913, or email .

The cost is $20, but please RSVP.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Network breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet July 11 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch.

The sponsor is Copperstone Executive Suites.

The cost is $10 at the door for members or guests.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

SunTrust Bank opening
SunTrust Bank will have its ribbon cutting July 11 from 12:30 to 1 p.m., at 34511 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

For information, contact the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at (813) 782-1914, or email .

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its July 2018 Momentum Thursday on July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Atria Lutz, at 414 E. Chapman Road in Lutz.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to the chamber at by 5 p.m. July 11, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180.

The event if free. The SMARTstart programs are supported by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

To register, visit SmartstartPasco.com/events, or call Andrew Romaner, SMARTstart incubator program manager, at (352) 437-4861.

For information, contact Storage Center’s co-manager Bill Lehman at (727) 432-6636, or email .

Neighbors object, but family housing OK’d

June 27, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County can move forward with plans to temporarily house homeless families in a building at the former campus of the Boys & Girls Club in Port Richey.

The coalition, with support from other social service agencies, also will open the Housing Services Center, which will administratively help families and individuals seeking permanent housing and other services.

A former Boys & Girls Club on Youth Lane in Port Richey will be renovated and opened as a temporary shelter for homeless families, and administrative offices for the Housing Services Center.
(File)

The Pasco County Commission, with Commissioner Jack Mariano dissenting, approved the coalition’s plan at its June 19 meeting in New Port Richey.

Commissioners also approved a 15-year lease agreement for $1 a year; and, a $190,000 contract to design renovations of two buildings at 8239 Youth Lane.

During the public hearing, many area residents who live near the site gave county commissioners the same unified message they’ve delivered before: They don’t want the coalition in their neighborhood, and they are voters.

Residents say they worry about crime, loss of property values, and safety.

“We deserve to be heard. We deserve to be listened to. We live and sleep here,” said Suzanne Greene Taldone, a resident in nearby Crane’s Roost. “You keep trying to put a square peg into a round hole.”

Supporters, including most county commissioners, say it’s overdue for Pasco to step up efforts to help the homeless population.

Data from the coalition puts the number of homeless people in Pasco County at about 2,500. Homeless families make up about 1,800 of those people and there are about 700 single adults.

Mary Ashcraft is pastor at Joining Hands Mission Church and opens the church to the homeless in cold weather. She supports the coalition’s project.

“There’s so many families out there,” she said. “I get phone calls, and I have nowhere to send them but Metropolitan Ministries. They go a great job, but they are full and packed.”

The county owns the land on Youth Lane and is providing at least $700,000 in grants, and other sources, to pay for building renovations.

“I think we’re going to do the right thing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “Sometimes, we just have to take a chance.”

The lease agreement has a 90-day written notice of termination clause.

Starkey said, “If it doesn’t go right, we’ll do something about it.”

Crane’s Roost resident Valerie Schaefer said the coalition’s programs would be like a magnet — attracting more homeless people and transients into the neighborhood.

“We taxpayers and voters will hold you commissioners responsible if you vote this through,” she said.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano
(File)

Mariano shared concerns that the Housing Services Center could have people loitering in the area. He also thought spending available grants on Habitat for Humanity houses would be a better option.

“The issue is something we’re all sensitive to. It’s only primarily about location to the neighbors,” Mariano said. “I still don’t think it’s the right project.”

The programs approved by county commissioners were a change from the initial project to open a one-stop navigation center, with wrap-around services and a shelter for adult men and women.

Most supporters liked the shift in direction to help homeless families; while others still favored the original navigation center concept.

Under the amended proposal, the center will house four to eight families in the former teen center that’s on the site. They can receive services for up to 180 days, though coalition representatives say they expect most will be there about 45 days before transitioning to permanent housing.

No more than 36 people can stay there at any one time.

There also will be background checks, curfews, security cameras, and staff members onsite at the family shelter 24 hours a day.

Plus, the coalition will limit services available at the Housing Services Center, which will operate Monday through Friday office hours.

There will be no showers, emergency food or clothing, or health care services.

Those conditions convinced owners of an adjacent shopping plaza to support the coalition.

“This is not going to bring people out of the camps,” said Robert Lincoln, an attorney representing the plaza owners. “There’s not giveaways. It’s not going to be the anchor for bringing those people into the area.”

Chase Daniels, assistant executive director for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, also voiced Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco’s continued support for the program.

The coalition will provide desk space for deputies working in the area. They can stop by and fill out their paperwork, Daniels said. “They will have a presence,” he added.

Published June 27, 2018

TouchPoint brings jobs, good wages to Pasco

June 27, 2018 By Kathy Steele

TouchPoint Medical Inc., a global supplier of technology-based health care delivery systems, will bring 116 new high-paying jobs to Pasco County.

Company officials plan to relocate their headquarters to prime vacant land in Land O’ Lakes. They will build an approximately 125,000-square-foot facility, including a parking lot, on the northwest corner of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54. The site is part of the South Branch Ranch property.

This rendering shows the future campus for TouchPoint Medical Inc., which will be located at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54.
(Courtesy of the Pasco Economic Development Council)

Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2018, with an opening date in late 2019. The company’s capital investment is about $23 million.

The average annual wage paid by TouchPoint Medical will be about $57,000. In addition to new hires, the company expects to retain about 160 existing jobs, largely from positions currently held at several locations, including the Atlanta area and Connecticut.

In addition to serving as global headquarters, TouchPoint Medical also will be the site for its American operations.

“When you mention the words ‘global headquarters,’ it fires us all up,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano.

The impetus to relocate began with the company’s acquisition of Promedica Inc., located in Oldsmar, in 2016. Promedica designs and manufactures custom medical carts and assemblies.

However, the facilities in Oldsmar didn’t meet TouchPoint Medical’s expanding needs, said Brian McNeill, president of the parent company, TouchPoint Inc.

“It’s not an ideal location,” O’ Neill said. “It wasn’t designed for what it currently is used for.”

TouchPoint searched for suitable new locations and settled on Pasco County.

“We are really making a statement here,” said O’ Neill. “The medical business is a huge platform for us.”

TouchPoint, the parent company, is privately owned and focuses on long-term investments, and acquisition of high-growth businesses in manufacturing and technology.

TouchPoint Medical offers hardware and software solutions for health care providers in 100 countries around the world. Products include medical workstations, mobile carrier systems and wall mount systems.

The company also is a major supplier of automated medication dispensing equipment.

The Pasco County Commission on June 19 approved about $1.7 million in incentives for TouchPoint Medical.

Over time, county officials project the direct or indirect creation of nearly 300 jobs, with total salaries of about $252 million. An estimated $125 million will be contributed to the Gross County Product.

Included in the incentive package:

About $464,000 to be paid over eight years in return for providing new jobs
Up to $150,000 in payments or credits for permitting fees
An estimated $980,000 in property tax rebates over 10 years
$100,000 in reimbursable employee training costs

Some of the funds come from the Penny for Pasco program.

TouchPoint Medical will partner with AmSkills as part of training and recruitment.

AmSkills is a Tampa Bay initiative that helps high school students, adults and veterans learn manufacturing job skills.

“It’s feeding the (job) pipeline,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Pasco’s workforce played a role in luring TouchPoint Medical to the area, said Bill Cronin, chief executive officer of the PEDC.

The first question company executives usually ask is does the area have a skilled, diverse workforce, Cronin added.

“They see this workforce is getting trained,” he said. “It seems we’re doing something right when the workforce is so attractive.”

June 27, 2018

Bond referendums will be on 2018 ballot

June 27, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County’s jail in Land O’ Lakes is overcrowded.

Fire rescue needs new and refurbished stations.

And, the upkeep and repairs for parks and libraries are years behind schedule.

Annual budgets, however, barely scratch the surface on the costs to fix these deficiencies.

Pasco County wants to issue bonds to pay for fire rescue improvements to stations, including Fire Station 22, at 9930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
(File)

So, Pasco County commissioners are hoping voters will approve four general obligation bond referendums in November 2018.

If all four were approved, owners of a $100,000 home would pay about $8 a year in each of the first three years. As the loan on the bonds was repaid, the amount would gradually increase to about $31 a year during the lifetime of the bonds.

In a June 19 vote in New Port Richey, county commissioners agreed to put the bond issues on the ballot, and see what happens. No one spoke in opposition at the public hearing.

Two library advocates spoke in favor.

They reminded county commissioners of the bond referendum in the 1980s that paid for libraries operating in the county.

The library bond would collect more than $18 million to help modernize the county’s libraries.

“Certainly technology has changed dramatically in the way libraries offer their services,” said Gail Stout, a member of the library advisory board. “This bond will provide some of the renovations and repairs drastically needed for many years.”

Rosalyn Fenton, president of the Friends of the Library, said libraries make a huge difference in the quality of life for Pasco residents.

“Our library system is a wonderful, wonderful service we provide our citizens,” she said. “We’re really reaching out to provide many more services.”

Voters will mark a simple yes or no response for each bond on the ballot.

About $132 million would be collected in total for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to build a 1,000-bed expansion of the existing Land O’ Lakes Detention Center. About $1.5 million would be collected in the first year, with the amount increasing to about $7.5 million in the third year.

At times, the jail houses more than 1,800 inmates in a facility built for about 1,400 inmates. Pasco is under a judicial order to come up with a plan to resolve the overcrowding, before the inmate count reaches 1,900.

“That means either letting inmates walk or coming up with another solution,” said Bob Goehrig, Pasco’s budget director.

County officials estimate costs of $4 million to $6 million annually to temporarily house inmates in on-site trailers, or offsite at jails in other counties. Funding for this is included in the draft 2019 budget.

The fire rescue bond would collect about $70 million in total. The funds would pay for nine fire stations, either new or refurbished, as well as for equipment and staffing.

Goehrig said some stations were built in the 1970s when the county relied on volunteers, rather than full-time firefighters.

Parks would receive about $20 million to help with a backlog of about $26 million in deferred maintenance. The county’s budget in recent years has included as much as $1.5 million for maintenance at parks in danger of closing.

The approximately $18.6 million bond for libraries would pay for repairs, renovations, equipment and upgrades at seven branch libraries.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey noted that the annual cost to most homeowners for parks and libraries would be $2.55 and $2.35, respectively.

“To me, it’s just critical if these pass,” she said. “I’m hoping the public will look at these as wise investments.”

Published June 27, 2018

Construction soon on safety improvements at sinkhole

June 27, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Construction on two turn-around driveways to ease traffic flow at the site of a sinkhole in Lake Padgett Estates is expected to be done by this fall.

Construction will begin soon on two turn-arounds on each side of a sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive in Lake Padgett Estates.
(File)

The sinkhole opened up on July 14, 2017, causing extensive damage. It split Ocean Pines Drive into two segments, swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat, and caused seven houses in the area to be condemned.

Pasco County is in initial stages of purchasing needed right of way on Ocean Pines Drive for the turn-arounds.

A 6-foot decorative fence, and a gate, also will be installed around the sinkhole.

Pasco County officials also have ruled out any possibility of opening a connection between the sinkhole and Lake Saxon.

Some residents had expressed interest in linking the sinkhole to Lake Saxon in meetings with county officials.

County officials have estimated that linking the sinkhole and Lake Saxon would cost an estimated $2 million.

But, that option has been ruled out, after county officials met with representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

“They were strongly against the connection because of unraveling, deep unraveling, and possible sinkhole activity,” said Margaret Smith, the county’s engineer services director. “They also have concerns about the aquifer, knowing a lot of people are on wells.”

Smith gave the Pasco County Commission an update of the county’s plans during the commission’s June 19 meeting in New Port Richey.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore expressed concerns about the aesthetics of the wrap-around fence.

“What are we going to do to make sure it’s appealing to the eye, and continuing to keep up property values?” Moore asked. “We’re not just tossing a fence up. It’s got to look decent.”

Smith said current plans were for a “little bit of landscaping.” More can be added to the design, but she said the county would own only a strip of land bought for right of way.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder noted: “This is not a county project. We are stabilizing a situation that basically occurred by an

act of God.”

Pasco County commissioners agreed in March to build the turn-arounds and install the fence at an estimated cost of $242,000.

The turn-arounds will provide greater safety when garbage trucks and emergency vehicles drive in and out of both ends of Ocean Pines. Currently, vehicles must back up to exit or back into private driveways to turn around.

County commissioners reviewed several other options, including simply installing a fence.

Published June 27, 2018