The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Saint Leo tennis standout named All-American

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Saint Leo University women’s tennis standout Marta Vicens Miquel has been named an

Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II All-American, following an 8-2 record in singles action during a shortened 2020 season.

Marta Vicens Miquel (Courtesy of Saint Leo University athletics)

The junior from Port de Pollensa, Spain went 7-2 at the three spot and 1-0 in the second flight while defeating opponents ranked regionally and nationally, and ended the year on a four-match winning streak.

Among the notable moments was defeating Flagler College’s Anika Nissen, who was ranked No. 28 nationally, (6-4, 7-5) to clinch a comeback win at home on Feb. 8

Vicens Miquel is the Lions program’s fifth ITA All-American player in singles — joining

Laura Kemkes (2012), Isabella Robbiani (2015, 2016), Natalia Siedliska (2016), and Marine Beugre Guyot (2016).

Vicens Miquel will enter her senior season with a 40-18 (.689) career singles record.

Bishop McLaughlin nominated for FHSAA sportsmanship award

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The Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School athletics department has been nominated for the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award. It marks the school’s first-ever nomination for the award.

The Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Program honors schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the regular season and the FHSAA State Series. The award is presented to one school in each classification whose entire sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players and spectators.

Criteria for selection of the winners includes programs and activities implemented within the school and community to promote sportsmanship; the number and type of exceptional sportsmanship reports; and the source of the nomination.

Some of Bishop McLaughlin’s accomplishments for the 2019-2020 season include:

  • Over 10 college scholarships
  • Three district championships (girls volleyball, girls soccer, girls weightlifting)
  • A district championship runner-up (boys soccer)
  • An individual regional girls weightlifting title (senior Addy Lee, unlimited division)
  • 1,000-point scorer in girls basketball (junior Isabella Prada)

Classification winners will be selected in June, rewarded with $2,500 and a large plaque. Runners-up receive $500 and a commemorative plaque.

Zephyrhills approves fire department consolidation

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After more than 100 years of tradition and service, the Zephyrhills Fire Department soon will be no more.

Its operations are expected to be consolidated in September, into Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Under the merger, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and hire all 25 of the city’s fire rescue personnel at their proper pay step, pending background checks. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations, and place an ambulance within the city limits. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Pasco County to provide fire suppression/first responder services to the municipality. The action came during an April 27 virtual council meeting.

Per the agreement, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and hire all 25 of the city’s fire rescue personnel at their proper pay step. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations, and place an ambulance within the city limits.

The agreement calls for a 20-year term, with automatic 20-year renewals, unless the city or county provides written notice at least a year prior to the end of a term.

For a merger to take effect, the Pasco County Commission must approve a corresponding agreement. Also, consenting ordinances allowing the county to charge city residents an MSTU (Municipal Service Taxing Unit) for firefighter services will need to be passed at a later date.

Under the agreement:

  • Zephyrhills will continue to handle plans review, fire and building code administration, and annual inspections
  • Zephyrhills will provide Pasco with final approved as-built plans for any new commercial construction
  • Pasco will provide a water usage report to Zephyrhills for any water used through city hydrants
  • Should Pasco not utilize a city station as an operational fire station, Zephyrhills will have the first right of refusal to purchase the property back at its then assessed value
  • Zephyrhills will allow Pasco Fire Rescue housed at Station 25 to use the City Hall parking lot

The agreement also gives transferred city fire rescue employees the option to remain in the Zephyrhills fire stations for six months. After that, each employee will be required to bid to stay in the local stations.

Under the terms, Zephyrhills also agrees to conduct soil remediation at the downtown fire station, if required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Separately, the city has agreed to waive any employee tuition reimbursement requirements.

It also has agreed to pay each current Zephyrhills fire rescue union member 50% of remaining sick time above 120 hours that is being transferred to Pasco, and to award all vacation time up to 500 hours and all accrued comp time.

The agreement (as well as extended employee benefits) will cost the city roughly $5.5 million total and will generally be spread out over a period of seven years, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement that will allow the city’s fire department to be consolidated by Pasco County Fire Rescue. The merger is expected to occur in September. (File)

After fiscal year 2027, the city won’t have to pay the county for fire rescue services — as it’d be solely propped up by an MSTU assessed to city residents and commercial entities, similar to how Dade City receives such services.

For comparison’s sake, the city’s fire department budget the last two years was $3.3 million in fiscal year 2019 and $2.8 million in fiscal year 2020 — nearly totaling the amount the city is prepared to pay the county to take fire rescue operations off its hands in perpetuity.

The fate of the local fire department had been coming for some time.

Besides a ballooning annual budget, Zephyrhills Fire Rescue battled personnel turnover, staffing shortages and outdated equipment over the years.

Also, the city hasn’t had a fire chief for over 18 months, instead splitting those duties among  three battalion chiefs.

Following formal negotiations with the county that been ongoing since last July, Zephyrhills leaders now feel they have an agreement that takes care of the city’s firefighters, enhances fire rescue services for the community and minimizes the city’s costs.

Council president Ken Burgess described the merger as “a difficult, momentous, emotional day for the city.”

He added: “I think we can look at it as a positive moving forward for the city’s firefighters and everyone involved.”

Fellow council members echoed similar sentiments.

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said, “We really feel like we negotiated the very best possible deal for the firefighters. I don’t think any of us are happy about the fact that we’re losing what’s a 100-year tradition for our community, but the bottom-line line is that our long-term fiscal health for the city was dependent upon this merger.”

Councilman Charlie Proctor pointed out, under the merger, the city’s two firehouses finally will be at full staff and will have transport units. That’s something, he said, the city has not had for decades.

“I believe the end result was fair for everybody, and I also believe in the long run the citizens will be served more safely,” Proctor said.

Zephyrhills firefighter union president Travis Geiger, who was heavily involved In negotiations, said union membership supported the merger by a supermajority vote and is “on the same page” with the city’s consolidation plan.

“It’s been quite the journey,” Geiger said.

The entire process required “much discussion, and back and forth, and headaches and everything else,” he said.

The history of the city’s fire department dates back to 1915, when it started as a volunteer organization. Since the 1970s, it has had a paid professional staff.

To preserve a sliver of that history through the consolidation, city officials said fire engines and vehicles will have signage along the lines of “Proudly Serving Zephyrhills,” even though equipment will now be owned and operated by Pasco Fire Rescue.

Published May 06, 2020

Officials express guarded optimism through COVID-19

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As Florida slowly lifts stay-at-home orders — caused by concerns about potential spread of  coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)  —  local leaders and officials are taking a positive, yet guarded, outlook.

They are hopeful that the regional and state economy can rebound sooner than later.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley (File)

Many retailers and restaurants have announced plans to reopen to modified dine-in and foot traffic, while more parks and beaches are reopening with restrictions.

Signs of optimism are beginning to show, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City said, during an April 28 virtual town hall meeting presented by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

“A lot of people feel we’ve crossed the high point of (COVID-19) and we’re on the downward slide. We hope so,” Maggard said.

In the same breath, he urged people to continue to take necessary safety precautions and “use common sense” in public gatherings.

“It will be good to get our economy going. It’s been tough for a lot of businesses here, it’s been tough for a lot of individuals,” he said.

Maggard also addressed “the 800-pound gorilla in the room” during the speaking engagement. And, that’s the fact that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is having trouble managing the massive volume of people filing for unemployment benefit claims.

The state representative pointed out roughly 40% of the 1.8 million claims filed have been either bogus or scams. That has led to further delays in legitimate applicants getting their unemployment benefits, he said.

“The process just takes long when you have to deal with things like that,” Maggard said, adding the DEO is expected to have those issues resolved soon.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, like Maggard, has an optimistic view of the future of the local economy and markets, overall.

“Things will get better. There is a light at the end of that long tunnel we didn’t think we’d have,” Oakley said.”

He said Pasco government activities have not slowed, in the midst of COVID-19.

Oakley noted that neighboring counties haven’t been so lucky as to keep operations moving along when it comes to handling regular tasks, such as reviewing building permits.

“We’ve continued to work, as we do normally,” Oakley said, “except most of our people are working from home instead of our offices.”

Oakley, 74, is still taking the virus quite seriously, however.

He reported the county had 241 positive coronavirus cases and six deaths, as of April 28. One place particularly “hit hard” is the Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City, with 20 positive COVID-19 cases, he said.

The commissioner acknowledged most of the people who’ve died from the disease have had pre-existing conditions. But, he added: “This is not the flu. It’s a little more infectious than the flu is.”

So, while businesses start opening with some semblance of normalcy, Oakley said he’s not yet  comfortable to enter a restaurant or other public spaces.

“You probably won’t see me out in a restaurant, that’s just my feeling,” said Oakley. “Of course, I’m of the age that the virus will treat me a lot worse than it would for younger people, but I think there’s probably a pretty large percentage of young people, middle-aged people that will do that, they’ll go right back out, they’re not fearful of any of that, and hopefully they’re taking precautions.”

Like Oakley, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer remains concerned about the serious nature of COVID-19 and feels it isn’t going away anytime soon — witnessing the virus’s impact on the frontlines.

Brewer said there’s an expectation the county’s coronavirus cases could peak sometime around mid-May, based on joint conversations with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Emergency Management.

“We may be getting close to opening the state,” Brewer said, “but, I don’t think we’re going to be ready yet to open it up completely yet.”

The police chief reported Zephyrhills has 25 positive COVID-19 cases as of April 28, representing more than 10% of all cases in the county. Additionally, the department is tracking a total of 48 addresses under investigation as possible COVID-19 cases as of that date.

Meanwhile, Brewer said the local law enforcement agency has observed spikes in domestic violence and disturbance cases, as well as increased juvenile problems, during the course of the pandemic.

On the other hand, the department has seen fewer accidents and total calls for service overall.

With fewer service calls, Brewer said officers have placed more focus on performing spot checks on local businesses that may not be in compliance with state executive orders.

He also noted the department has enacted an “extensive screening process” to determine whether someone absolutely needs to be sent to jail after an arrest. That approach is being taken to try and limit the spread of COVID-19 within the local criminal justice system.

He said the pandemic “has been a been a unique challenge for law enforcement.”

City of Zephyrhills pushing through COVID-19
Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also offered an update on some of happenings within the East Pasco municipality throughout the town hall discussion.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Poe said the city is “open for business, so there are still a lot of projects that are going on.”

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce organized an April 28 virtual town hall meeting featuring a panel of area leaders and representatives, discussing the various impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

For instance, work is progressing on multiple subdivisions and communities that will bring hundreds of new homes to the area. Those projects include the Oaks at Pasco and Links at Calusa Springs located on both sides of Simons Road; District at Abbott’s Square near the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center; and Abbott Park, situated on the former Gore’s Dairy property that wraps behind the Publix Super Market at Zephyr Commons on Gall Boulevard.

Several commercial developments are moving along, too.

A couple notable projects under final site plan review include a new Veterans Administration clinic along Eiland Boulevard, as well as the Crystal Bar rebuild on Gall Boulevard, a longtime community staple destroyed in a fire last May.

Poe said a Chipotle Mexican Grill franchise at Zephyr Commons “is projected to come here in the next few months.” Also, the Chancey Partners industrial park project continues its build out with “a lot of businesses going in at that location.”

Poe touched on various city-related projects, as well:

  • Relocation of the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road traffic signal should get underway in August, spurring development in that area, which he said will eventually include a Chick-fil-A franchise
  • Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center construction “continues to be strong” and should be complete around July or August
  • Road paving and resurfacing has been ongoing at various city streets the past several weeks

Elsewhere, the city manager encouraged residents to continue to support local businesses “either by takeout or gift cards or anything that you can do.”

He also noted he’s in conversation with Zephyrhills High School Principal Dr. Christina Stanley to “plan something special” for graduating seniors, such as a parade or other community-wide gathering at some point.

Other speakers during the town hall included Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and Zephyrhills City Council president Ken Burgess.

Published May 06, 2020

Dade City taking recovery steps in the midst of pandemic

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As Florida begins to slowly reopen in the midst of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the City of Dade City is likewise looking to bring City Hall operations up to full speed, in multiple stages.

City administration and department heads are in the process of developing an action plan “to recall the full complement of our field staff very soon,” Dade City Manager Leslie Porter said, at an April 28 virtual city commission meeting.

She added: “We know we need to be mindful for the need for sustainability and follow the guidelines from the president and our governor.”

The city has been utilizing split-shifts and having many staff work remotely the last several weeks, at both City Hall and in the maintenance field yard.

Porter also told commissioners the impact on the city’s budget from COVID-19 is unknown to this point, but anticipates there will be some hit from sales tax and Penny for Pasco monies.

“At this time, staff is looking to see if there’s any discretionary spending that can be put on hold. We’ll be entering our new budget cycle soon and also keeping an eye as to where we might be able to save money there,” Porter said.

Meanwhile,  Commissioner Jim Shive advised that the city’s public works department take additional measures to clean up the downtown, noting it’s an opportune time with less business and leisure activity in the area because of the coronavirus.

Shive suggested mulching parking lot landscapes and pressure washing sidewalks, among other measures “to get the downtown looking good.”

“As we’re phasing in the workforce, we need to look at getting some things done downtown while there’s very little traffic down there,” he said.

In other action, the commission:

  • Approved a zoning amendment ordinance recategorizing 64.18 acres of land at the Dade City Business Center on U.S. 301, from Pasco County IH (Industrial Heavy) to Dade City PD-EC (Planned Development-Employment Center). The new PD-EC zoning allows design flexibility and a mix of office, research, light industrial, limited commercial and residential uses.
  • Approved a change order to the Hardy Trail Extension construction project, calling for an additional 120.59 tons of asphalt in the amount of $21,103.25. Contractor Cone & Graham Inc. had to use more asphalt than designer CPH Engineers Inc. originally estimated for certain locations and settings, according to a city memo.

The next virtual commission meeting is set for May 12 at 5:30 p.m. Persons wishing to attend meetings may do so by calling (571) 317-3122 with Access Code 342-617-085.

For additional information, residents or interested parties may contact the City Clerk by email at , or call (352) 523-5052.

Published May 06, 2020

Senior guards leave a lasting impression

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The 2019-2020 season for the Land O’ Lakes High School varsity basketball program is sure to be remembered for some time.

Not only was it the final of 31 seasons for longtime head coach Dave Puhalski, but it also marked the senior campaigns of Mekhi Perry and Chase Farmer — two of the most decorated players in Land O’ Lakes and Pasco County history.

Perry exits as the Gators all-time leading scorer, with 1,616 career points.

Second on the list? Farmer, who finished his Gators career with 1,403 points.

Land O’ Lakes senior guard Mekhi Perry exits as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He’s signed with Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of James Trapani)

Those figures surpassed former Land O’ Lakes star Jeff Baisley’s 1,394 career points — a record held strong since 2005.

The dynamic guard duo and team captains sparkle school record books in many other categories, too.

Perry, a four-year starter, exits as the program’s all-time leader in games played (101), made 3 pointers (178), second in assists (394) and 10th in rebounds (440), steals (138) and blocks (59).

Meantime, Farmer is the school’s all-time leader in dunks (90), seventh in assists (191) and 10th in blocks (72). He compiled those stats in just three seasons, transferring in from Leto High School following his freshman campaign.

Also, both players have been named Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Player of the Year during their career — Farmer his junior year; Perry as a sophomore and senior.

The combo, naturally, won their share of games when on the court side-by-side for three years — going a combined 63-17 and twice reaching the Class 7A regional semifinals.

Their skillsets played off each other well and kept opposing teams off balance.

Land O’ Lakes senior guard Chase Farmer is the school’s all-time dunks leader and second leading scorer. He’s signed with Cape Fear Community College, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

At point guard, the 6-foot-1 Perry played the role of ball handler and outside shooter.

Farmer, at 6-foot-3, offered more as a slasher and rim finisher from the off-guard spot.

Those complementing styles formed “a match made in heaven on the court,” Puhalski said.

“It was tough for teams to match up with us,” he said, “just because if you isolated on one, the other would kill ya.”

Of the hundreds of players coached at Land O’ Lakes, Puhalski considers Perry and Farmer “together, the best one-two guard combination that we’ve had.”

“We’ve had some really good point guards, good two-guards, but these two were the best together at each position,” said Puhalski, who won 479 career games at Land O’ Lakes.

“They were probably two of the better basketball players in Land O’ Lakes, maybe Pasco County. They’re really special kids.”

Their talents shine
While the two generally had separate friend and peer groups at school, Puhalski noted “once they hit the court they were on the same page.”

The pair was a coach’s and teacher’s dream off the hardwood.

“They were just really two good kids,” Puhalski said. “They were never in trouble. They never had a minute of problems at school, never were suspended, never been to ISS (in-school suspension), never any problems off the court, either. Just great kids. I never had any problems with either one of them.”

Puhalski knew he had something special when he first saw Farmer join offseason team workouts and practices in spring 2017. The Land O’ Lakes coach had only heard of the Leto transfer’s talent secondhand from his AAU coach, Mario Lovett.

Puhalski recalled, “You could tell he was already head and shoulders above the kids, him and Mekhi.”

Land O’ Lakes reached the Class 7A regional semifinals the past two seasons, winning more than 20 games in each.

Perry also salivated about the team’s possibilities in initial workouts with Farmer. “As soon as I saw him play and I saw his athletic ability,” Perry said, “I automatically thought we could be a good duo if we both kept developing.”

That, they did.

The pair made it a point to add strength in the weight room “and that just elevated their game,” Puhalski said.

Farmer went from benching 145 pounds as a sophomore to 260 by his senior year. Perry added some size on his own throughout high school, with the help of his father, a bodybuilding enthusiast.

“They had the skillset, and all they needed was some strength,” Puhalski said. “I think that was the key for these guys, to have that next level body when the college coaches came in and looked at them and said, ‘Well, geez, these guys have a next level body already on them, they’re not that skinny high school kid.’”

Both strived to make each other better every day, too.

“We always wanted to push each other, and wanted to push everybody,” Farmer said. “We knew that me and him could get to a different level, so we just wanted to make sure we helped each other every day in practice.”

The accomplished seniors soon will be going their separate ways — embarking on what they hope are illustrious college careers.

Perry is headed to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. Farmer is off to Cape Fear Community College, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Both look back fondly on their prep careers and made memories at Land O’ Lakes.

Farmer said he’ll mostly miss the school’s gameday atmosphere, road trips and being coached by Puhalski. (Land O’ Lakes fans will certainly miss his signature breakaway windmill dunks.)

“It’s a really good community. I like the people,” Farmer said. “Coach P just led me in with open arms; we just went on from there.”

Perry, too, appreciates what was a positive basketball experience overall.

“The different teams I got to mesh with, hanging out with all those guys, it was just fun,” Perry said. “Every year we got closer and closer, but the freshman year varsity team (in 2016-2017) being around all those seniors, that kind of like exposed me to what Land O’ Lakes was about and that was probably one of my favorite years.”

Now retired from coaching, Puhalski will make it a point to catch as many of the duo’s college games as possible. He’s already planning dates to St. Petersburg and North Carolina, as well as a tournament in Orlando that’ll feature Farmer’s new team.

Said Puhalski, “It’s really gratifying that these last few years, with these two guys on the team and the success they had, and we had, just makes me feel real good. Now, I can watch these guys play at the next level, and that’s really the best feeling right there.”

The coach added: “I don’t know how well they’ll be at the next level, but they’ll be great citizens, and that’s the important part.”

Published May 06, 2020

Sunlake hoops trio sign with colleges

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Jordan Golden (Courtesy of Jeff Golden)

Three Sunlake High boys basketball senior standouts are heading to the college ranks, shortly after guiding the team to one of its best seasons in program history — a 17-8 mark and Class 7A district semifinals appearance during the 2019-2020 season.

Jordan Golden, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard and team captain, signed with William Penn University, a nationally ranked NAIA Division I program in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Golden led the Seahawks in points (11.4) and rebounds per game (6.2) this past season. He was named the Sunshine Athletic Conference East (SAC) Defensive Player of the Year this season, and earned first team All-Conference honors for the second time.

Joshua Brent

Meanwhile, Sunlake co-captains Joshua Brent and Justin Lucena both signed with Ave Maria University, an NAIA Division II program in Ave Maria. Brent, a 6-foot-3 small forward, was third on the team in points (9.8) and second in rebounds (5.8) per game this season, and earned second-team All-Conference honors.

Justin Lucena

Lucena, a 5-foot-9 point guard, led the Seahawks in assists (3.8) and steals (2.7), and was second in points (9.9) per game this season. Lucena overcame various injuries throughout his career and was voted “Mr. Seahawk” by his team.

Odessa native signs NFL contract

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Jackson Dennis (Courtesy of College of the Holy Cross athletics)

Odessa native Jackson Dennis signed an undrafted rookie free agent contract with the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals.

Dennis, 23, was an offensive lineman at College of the Holy Cross, an NCAA Division I FCS program in Worcester, Massachusetts. He prepped at Jesuit High School in Tampa.

The 6-foot-7, 308-pound Dennis played in 40 games with 24 starts over his college career. He started 12 games this past season at right tackles for a Holy Cross team that won a Patriot League title and advanced to the NCAA football championship subdivision playoffs. He was part of an offensive line that allowed the team to average 345.8 yards of total offense, 135.9 rushing yards and 22.8 points per game.

Dade City projects progressing, others delayed

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As coronavirus disease-2019  (COVID-19) affects how municipalities and government entities operate, the City of Dade City is striving to keep day-to-day duties relatively intact, while following various safety procedures and precautions.

Not unlike its municipal neighbor Zephyrhills, which is 9 miles down the road, Dade City has gone about minimizing the number of personnel at City Hall or out in the field — incorporating rotating shift schedules and allowing others to work remotely. The city, for example, is limiting the number of staffers inside City Hall to no more than six to 10 at a particular time, Dade City Manager Leslie Porter told The Laker/Lutz News.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

Porter acknowledged the pandemic has presented some logistical challenges, but added “the majority of us have been able to be fully functional, whether we’re remote or in the office.”

She continued: “We’ve been doing our best to keep business moving forward.”

So, while municipal offices on Meridian Avenue are emptier than usual, several projects and initiatives are progressing, albeit with slight delays, Porter said.

For instance, the city recently was able to put two construction projects out to bid:

  • A new concession stand and public restroom building at Moore-Mickens Field, 14318 Canal St. The city has budgeted $150,000 for the project.
  • A visitor’s information center building at the Hardy Trail trailhead, near property that later will be developed into a multi-use splash park/bike hub. The Pasco County Tourist Development Council allocated $250,000 for the information center.

Moreover, the $2.3 million downtown stormwater improvement project is nearly completed and is on track to meet its summer deadline, Porter said.

The scope of the project generally takes underground piping through multiple downtown streets into an existing conveyance system into a reconfigured Irwin Pond, just past U.S. 98 and the CSX railway.

All downtown roadway construction work is done, while “final pieces” of the pond component are underway, Porter said.

There were “a few delays” because of COVID-19, she said.

Other city plans are facing longer postponements, however.

The multimillion dollar Tank Hill wastewater facility improvement project has been put on hold, until on-site pre-bidding meetings can be scheduled, something necessary because it’s a larger-scale project, Porter said.

Also, the splash park/bike hub project is facing indefinite delays. A public draft conceptual presentation was originally scheduled in mid-March, but canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, and has not yet been rescheduled.

A visioning meeting would have allowed residents to provide input and ideas on wanted amenities for the new downtown park, located on a 2.23-acre parcel that borders the Hardy Trail on Church Avenue.

Other updates from the city manager:

  • City Hall remains closed to the public, so utility billing payments are being accepted online, over the phone, or through drop box. The city is absorbing the cost of credit card transaction fees for utility bills.
  • Playgrounds and public restrooms are closed, but city parks and trails remain open with the exception of Naomi Jones Park at 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., due to challenges associated with users not obeying social distancing protocols.
  • Dade City Commissioners Eunice Penix and Nicole Deese Newlon, who are not seeking re-election, have agreed to remain in their legislative roles up until the rescheduling of the Pasco municipal elections. The elections have been delayed per an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis
  • The Dade City Police Department is temporarily pulling back on some of the in-person, community policing efforts, to minimize face-to-face contact in the wake of COVID-19.
  • The city is releasing a quarterly newsletter on its website and becoming more active on social media, to better engage citizens on various happenings and initiatives.

City to begin virtual meetings
Dade City will start holding virtual city commission meetings by teleconference, the first coming on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. The virtual format will continue “as long as necessary to keep business going and keep everybody safe,” Porter said.

Porter added the city also is prepared to hold other noteworthy meetings virtually — such as planning commission board — should stay-at-home orders extend indefinitely. “We don’t want to hold up progress,” she said.

The city had to cancel multiple in-person commission and planning board meetings in March and April due to COVID-19, and needed additional time to explore how to best go about a virtual meeting setup.

Persons wishing to participate in virtual meetings:

  • Call +1 (517) 317-3122
  • Enter access code 342-617-085(Mute your phone unless you wish to speak during public comments)

Comments about items on the agenda will be solicited and heard during the meeting by telephone or communications media technology.

General public comment (limited to 3 minutes) unrelated to an item on the agenda should be e-mailed no later than 60 minutes before the start of the meeting to . If received in a timely manner, the mayor or city staff will read the public comment at the meeting.

For more information on the setup, call (352) 523-5052, or visit DadeCityFl.com.

Published April 29, 2020

Land O’ Lakes jail construction remains on track

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The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect the progress of some Pasco County initiatives, but at least one is moving forward as scheduled — a $128 million expansion of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41 at 20101 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Project design is slated to begin sometime in May, with construction slated to begin in December 2021 and continue through fiscal year 2023 — generally matching original timeline projections, county officials say.

A finalized agreement with design firm HOK and construction management firm Moss & Associates is being reviewed by the county attorney’s office, and should be complete by the end of April or early May.

The Land O’ Lakes Detention Center will undergo a $128 million expansion beginning in 2021. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“We’re on track with where we hope to be,” Pasco County facilities management director Andrew Baxter said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

The expansion will add 1,000 new beds plus major upgrades to the jail’s central services, including medical, laundry, kitchen, intake and administrative facilities to meet a larger capacity. The project is funded through general obligation bonds that Pasco voters approved in November 2018.

When all is said and done, the expansion could total “somewhere in the neighborhood” of 200,000 square feet, Baxter said.

The jail facility presently measures 352,700 square feet and houses 1,432 beds. But, it’s been operating over capacity, as temporary housing brings the maximum population to about 1,900 inmates.

Baxter noted renovations to central services will be built to withstand an inmate population of well over 3,000 — which a facilities master plan indicated may happen by year 2034, and when another bed space addition likely will be needed.

In other words, once 2034 comes around, Baxter said the county won’t again need to expand the medical unit, kitchen and other essential services, just the housing space.

The facilities management director observed, “It’s just building housing at that point (in 2034), which is a little bit easier task to undertake than trying to operate a jail when you’re disturbing all the central service activities.”

The forthcoming upcoming expansion is expected to be a phased project, with new structures coming to the front and back of the jail, followed by interior renovations into the existing jail.

Ensuring the jail remains fully functional through build out is “one of the challenges, and quite honestly, one of the really fun attributes” of the multi-year project, Baxter said.

“The jail is a no-fail facility, and we must keep it running 100% all the entire time while we’re doing the construction activities,” Baxter said.

Repurposing some areas as construction goes along is a possibility. For instance, once a “correctly-sized” kitchen comes along, the old kitchen space may then be transformed into a medical facility, Baxter said. But, those are just some ideas at this point.

The detention center was built in 1991.

Since then, there have been multiple expansions — including a 6,700-square-foot minimum security annex in 1999, then a 96,000-square-foot addition in 2010.

Jail institutes COVID-19 precautions
Well before shovel hits dirt on new construction, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office has gone about implementing new practices to help prevent COVID-19 from entering the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center — both for the safety of jail staff and inmate population.

The sheriff’s office is following all recommendations from the National Institute of Corrections, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Amanda Hunter, the agency’s lead public information officer, wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

Every new inmate is screened upon intake and, when needed, isolated and tested for COVID-19; inmates are selected for testing based on answers to CDC-distributed questionnaires.

When it’s determined an inmate will be tested, the inmate is placed in a negative pressure cell while awaiting test results.

Due to this protocol, jail staff has already tested several new inmates, but all tests have come back negative as of April 20, Hunter wrote.

Published April 29, 2020