The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Deal calls for Pasco to pay tolls

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an agreement to temporarily pay for tolls on the Suncoast Parkway — to accommodate the complete opening of the Ridge Road extension at that interchange.

The agreement is needed because Florida’s Turnpike Authority must collect tolls for users on the toll road, according to background materials in the county board’s Feb. 8 agenda packet.

The county opened two lanes of the Ridge Road extension, between Moon Lake Road/Decubellis Road and the Suncoast Parkway on Dec. 31.

“Two interchange ramps were opened, the ramp from Ridge Road to southbound Suncoast Parkway and the off-ramp from northbound Suncoast Parkway onto Ridge Road. The two remaining ramps (the on-ramp from Ridge Road to northbound Suncoast Parkway and the off-ramp from southbound Suncoast Parkway to Ridge Road) remain closed as a result of equipment backorders, which are preventing the completion of the toll sites along these ramps.

“Work is now nearing completion on all ramps between Ridge Road and the Suncoast Parkway. “However, due to supply chain delays, not all of the toll equipment has been delivered for installation,” according to the agenda packet.

“The county has found it to be in the best interest of the public to open the full interchange as soon as possible,” the packet adds.

Negotiations for the agreement are in progress. The provisions of the agreement address the method by which tolls will be estimated for the period of time that the toll equipment and its installation is delayed, which is expected to be two months or longer.

The amount of the tolls to be paid by the county will be based on the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s traffic counters’ estimates of the number of vehicles that use the ramps during the period when no toll equipment is operational.

The county’s financial obligations are expected to potentially include payment to the turnpike enterprise for one-time costs of traffic counting equipment setup, data processing, and pickup , estimated at about $4,000.

The county also will pay recurring costs of traffic count collection and scheduled maintenance of the equipment, estimated at $1,300 per week, until the tolls are operational.

Additionally, for each vehicle detected by the traffic counters utilizing the ramps while the tolling sites are not operational, the county will pay the turnpike enterprise the blended average toll rate of 33 cents per vehicle.

The total of all of these payments is estimated at $55,000 based on a nine-week period before the tolls will be operational.

However, any delays could require the county board to consider the issue again.

The agreement is subject to review and approval by the county attorney’s office for legal sufficiency.

Published February 23, 20222

Pasco County celebrates its ‘Star’ employees

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The Pasco County Commission took a few minutes during its Jan. 25 board meeting to celebrate the accomplishments of the county’s “Star Employees of the Year.”

Pasco County’s ‘Star Employees of the Year’ are joined by county staff and elected leaders in a photo, during the Jan. 25 public announcement of their honors. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Each year, the county selects an outstanding team, performer and leader of the year.

County Administrator Dan Biles described the process used to select those winners.

“Every department recognizes individuals, which are sent to the branch level. The branch level then picks individuals at the branch-level awards, who then come to the executive team, then out of that pool of 3,200 — almost 3,200 — candidates, these are the ones who were selected this year as the Star Leader, Star Performer, Star Team.”

A county news release detailed some of the contributions made by those receiving honors for their performance in 2021. A summary of the release is presented in the descriptions below.

Here are the recipients:

  • Star Team of the Year: Geographic Information Services (GIS). This team tackled more than a dozen in-depth projects over the past year – including building interactive dashboards, apps and maps – to provide real-time information for internal and external customers. GIS readily volunteers to work on highly technical solutions that other organizations often outsource.
  • Performer of the Year: Dr. Christine Glenn, veterinarian with Pasco Animal Services. She and her team manage more than 3,700 surgeries and 150,000 treatments every year – not to mention the twice-weekly public vaccine clinics they oversee.
  • Star Leader of the Year: Facilities Management Maintenance Supervisor Vito Tambasco. For over 30 years, he has been focused on a single goal: superior customer service. His dedication is infectious, as he guides his team through one of the most challenging times in the county’s history. The team continues to be innovative and to adapt, as it works to provide safe, comfortable workplaces and provide overwhelming support to the Pasco team and community.

“We’re thrilled to recognize our team members who consistently perform at a high level to make Pasco County a better place to live, work and play,” Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey, said in the county’s news release.

“Our 2021 winners truly represent the best qualities of teamwork and leadership, and certainly showcase the incredible talents in Pasco County government,” Starkey said.

Published February 23, 2022

Congratulations to the winner of our “Tell Us Your Love Story” Valentine’s Day-themed contest…. Edna Villanueva!

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Here is her love story:

“I want to tell you about our story of more than 17 years together. Our relationship is the most important thing for us and represents a second chance at love after being in toxic relationships. It is a story of hope and self-respect.

This is how our love story began:

“They were just having coffee, except it wasn’t really coffee at all; he was staring at her and she was staring back at him and it was hearts fluttering eyes flirting and cheeks blushing it was more like souls catching fire so in between each sip of hot steaming coffee never mistake it for “just coffee’ when they were secretly burning for each other.” – N.R.Hart (The Art of Having Coffee)

We took a chance at love and after 17 years we still treat each other like newlyweds. We support each other in good and bad because when someone is down, the other is always there for support and making things better. We have built a community of love around us and now he helps me take care of my parents. We always say that we hit the lotto when we met and are eternally grateful for that first kiss. Winning this contest will help me show my husband how we all appreciate his love and invaluable importance to our families. Just to think that everything started with coffee and a kiss…we are beyond grateful!”

– Edna Villanueva

Thank you to all who voted and stay tuned for our next contest in March.

A towering addition to Sensory Garden

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club raised funds through its Arts & Culture Committee programs to purchase and have installed a large elm tree, standing 15 feet tall, in the club-designated garden at Camp Idlewild in Land O’ Lakes. Lois Cohen, left, and Elayne Bassinger, were there to supervise the placement of the tree (behind them) in the Sensory Garden, which benefits autistic children and others who frequent the special needs camp. As the weather warms up, the women plan to continue to add special features to the garden, including a variety of flowering plants and shrubs to attract butterflies, birds and bees.

State Road 52 has new path in East Pasco

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Construction crews have been working on a project that will widen and realign State Road 52, from Uradco Place to Fort King Road, in eastern Pasco County.

‘Road Closed’ barricades block both sides of the new stretch of State Road 52 that runs through San Antonio, at Curley Road. (Fred Bellet)

Between Uradco Place and Bayou Branch Canal, the existing road will be widened into a four-lane divided highway, according to a project description on the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 website.

Then, east of Bayou Branch Canal, the new alignment will be a four-lane divided State Road 52 — built south of the existing State Road 52 and tying into Clinton Avenue.

Then, Clinton Avenue between County Road 579 and Fort King Road will be widened into a four-lane divided road.

Clinton Avenue, between Pasadena Avenue and U.S. 301, will become part of the new State Road 52.

The section of existing State Road 52, between Bayou Branch Canal and U.S. 301, will be designated County Road 52, after the construction of the new State Road 52 is completed.

The $81.5 million project began in November 2019 and construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.

The website notes: “Daily lane closures and flagging operations are likely throughout the construction area on numerous roads including but not limited to State Road 52, Curley Road, McCabe Road, Prospect Road and Clinton Avenue. Motorists should use caution and be prepared to stop when necessary.”

The contractor performing the work is Superior Construction Company Southeast LLC.

Published February 16, 2022

A displaced street sign lies in the sand at McKendree Road, awaiting its new location.
A flatbed trailer with heavy equipment crosses the intersection of State Road 52 and the newly striped McKendree Road.
Crews work along the new State Road 52, on a stretch between Curley Road to the west and Prospect Road to the east. Motorists will have a grand view looking west toward San Antonio and Interstate 75.
The east-west sidewalk on the south side of Clinton Avenue is temporarily closed, during construction.
From the crest of the hill at Williams Cemetery Road and Prospect Road, new light poles tower above the new State Road 52 intersection.

Company to open 100,000-square-foot headquarters in Trinity

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A three-year-old athletic wear company has purchased property in Trinity and plans to open a 100,000-square-foot headquarters there, according to a news release from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

The company intends to invest $15 million in the facility and plans to hire 30 new employees this year, the Pasco EDC release adds.

The company’s name is NVGTN — which is pronounced navigation.

The online athletic wear company was started by husband and wife, Brett and Ashleigh Schneggenburger, in their studio apartment.

The company recently purchased property in the Trinity Corporate Center, where it plans to locate its customer service and fulfillment operations.

Brett is a United States Air Force veteran and served as an aircraft engine technician for five years.

“Brett and Ashleigh have an ambitious entrepreneurial spirit. They have turned their small at-home start-up into a very successful company in such a short time, and that is something we embrace and are thrilled to welcome to Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, said in the release. “I look forward to building our relationship with NVGTN and to continue to see them grow and flourish.”

The company produces affordable yet trendy and form-flattering athletic wear that’s suitable for everyone, the release says.

It uses social media to market new collections and has developed a global customer base in over 170 countries, according to the Pasco EDC news release.

NVGTN launches new lines every two to three months, and during new product launches, they can have an influx of over 50,000 orders.

To find out more, visit NVGTN.com.

Published February 16, 2022

A curious ‘reflection’

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(Courtesy of Bernie Welton)

Tina James, daughter of Bernie and Kathy Welton of Land O’ Lakes, painted this portrait of the Weltons’ cat, Zee, who was adopted when he could fit in the palm of Kathy’s hand. Zee now is 13 years old and weighs a little more than 20 pounds. When presented with his portrait, Zee took to sitting for a good 10 minutes, just admiring himself in his ‘reflection.’

Avalon Applauds GFWC Woman’s Club

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Congratulations to the GFWC (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) Woman’s Club, a nonprofit 501(3)C group in Wesley Chapel, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club is dedicated to community improvement and helping those in need, through volunteer service and fundraising events. The organization is likely to focus much of its efforts on domestic violence and awareness, homelessness, hospice, and foster care, among other community issues.

The GFWC Woman’s Club has been together since February 2020. It is a small organization led by strong female community members, like newly elected president Shantel Meyers.

In just a small amount of time, the nonprofit provided Luggage of Love with suitcases for children in foster care, raised $500 in college scholarship money for a young lady, installed a little free library in Lexington Oaks, and helped other nonprofits such as Planned PetHood, the Ronald McDonald House, and Caterpillars to Butterflies.

The club also worked closely with Sunrise Domestic Violence Shelter, where it adopted its own room and provided bed linens, wall decor, etc.

“We wanted to dress up the room for women and families for a fresh and positive look for their recovery,” says Meyers.

Meyers and the club also hosted a food drive to provide food for the shelter, and gifted purses stuffed with women’s essentials.

“The most rewarding part about being involved with this organization is the personal satisfaction of helping others and the unexpected personal growth from what we learn and do,” says Meyers.

The club meets once a month, on the first Wednesday, at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“We are always looking for new members to join us,” says Meyers.

For more information, email , or search GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club Inc., on Facebook.

To help support the GFWC Woman’s Club, please mail your donations to: GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club, 7702 Timberview Loop, Wesley Chapel, FL 33545.

Published February 09, 2022

Pasco Schools spending ‘Penny’ funds wisely

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The Pasco School Oversight Committee has determined that Pasco County Schools is properly spending taxes generated by voter-approved Penny for Pasco tax proceeds.

The oversight committee’s charter mandates it “to provide general, financial, design, and construction oversight to the School Board’s capital outlay, maintenance and construction projects involving Penny for Pasco revenues.”

It also is required to issue an annual report, which it did on Feb. 1.

That report says, “the School Board and Citizens of Pasco County can be assured that the funds generated are being used for the express purposes as outlined in the referendum authorizing the implementation of the additional penny sales tax.”

The oversight committee also noted that: “In this, the eighth year of the second cycle, (Penny for Pasco tax) revenue remains good despite all the challenges presented by our ongoing battle with COVID 19. Current collections, as of January 2022, are almost 23% above calculated projections.”

The committee also reported “that real progress is being made with several Penny projects. Hudson High School is on track to complete its renovation by 2023. Plans for the renovation of Gulf High School are on track with construction commencing in the summer of 2022.”

The committee resumed in-person meetings in 2021.

The report highlights a collaborative project between the school system and Pasco County on the Starkey Ranch K8 and Pasco County TLC (Theatre, Library, Cultural Center) project where the combined resources of the school system and county provided “a more effective use” of tax dollars.

“We realize utilization of a combination of resources can be complicated, but they give our taxpayers a better return on their investment,” the committee said.

Published February 09, 2022

Work continues on plans to extend Overpass Road

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Work is set to proceed this spring to lay the groundwork for an extension of Overpass Road, east of Boyette Road to U.S. 301.

Design permitting and re-evaluation of the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is set to begin this spring and is expected to be finished in 2023.

Pasco County is providing $2.5 million and the Florida Department of Transportation also is providing $2.5 million, according to materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 25 agenda packet.

The county board approved a Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) Agreement with FDOT on Jan. 12, 2021, for the design phase of the project.

Under terms of that agreement, Pasco County agreed to fund $2,584,107 and FDOT would fund $2,415,893, of the estimated $5 million design cost.

Typically, TRIP Agreements are funded 50/50, but the FDOT had to reduce its funding by  $84,107 because of fiscal impacts to their Work Program. The state transportation agency agreed to restore those funds in its Fiscal Year 2022 Work Program.

So, the county board approved an action at its Jan. 25 meeting to reduce the amount of funding contributed by the county and increase FDOT’s funding, to arrive at a match of $2.5 million each.

No other changes to the initial TRIP Agreement are proposed.

According to FDOT’s website, the project limits extend from Old Pasco Road on the west to U.S. 301 on the east, for a total length of approximately 9 miles.

Improvements for Overpass Road include the following:

  • Four lanes from Old Pasco Road to Interstate 75
  • A new interchange at I-75 and Overpass Road
  • Six lanes plus two auxiliary lanes from I-75 to Boyette Road
  • Six lanes from Boyette Road to US 301

Published February 09, 2022