The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Learns the ins and outs of securing grants

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The Hillsborough County Grants Collaborative is accepting registrations for its annual training conference.

The one-day training will include:

  • Presentations from top-tier grant writers who will share their knowledge and tips for developing winning grants
  • Hands-on sessions covering grant writing, building high-scoring financials and budgets, management, and latest in data mining for creating a highly competitive need section
  • Lunch provided during which a Funder’s Panel, composed of personnel who oversee grants to nonprofits, will be presented

The registration fee is $60.

The Hillsborough County Grants Collaborative is an all-volunteer group that provides opportunities for hundreds of grant writers, nonprofit leaders and their staff, and those interested in becoming grant writers in all types of nonprofits and governmental agencies to come together to learn, network, and share ideas and insights.

Its regular meetings are free and there is no cost to join and receive the group’s emails.

The session will be on Sept. 15, at the Children’s Board Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., in Tampa.

Those interested in attending can register online at hcgrantscollaborative.org
Revised August 24, 2022

Advocates for fire rescue crews keep up the heat on Pasco officials

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Advocates for Pasco Fire Rescue continue the push to reduce emergency response times in Pasco County.

Two speakers appeared before the Pasco County Commission during the public comment portion of the board’s Aug. 9 meeting, pushing for the board to have a greater sense of urgency regarding steps they can take to improve emergency response times.

Jim Carino, of New Port Richey, told board members that he has 35 years in fire service, including teaching stints to provide training for firefighters and emergency responders.

Ladder 38 is located at Pasco Fire Rescue Station 38, at 7541 Paramount Drive, in the Watergrass subdivision of Wesley Chapel. Its grand opening ceremony was on Aug. 27, 2019, several weeks after it began operations. (File)

“I moved to Pasco County in 1973 and have witnessed tremendous growth in the years I’ve lived here,” Carino said.

“I’ve been following with great interest Pasco firefighters’ fight to increase staffing and add more strategically placed fire stations to better serve the citizens of Pasco County,” he said.

“Government’s main responsibility is public safety. It must be a priority. Only a firefighter truly knows the demands and responsibilities that come with the title of firefighter,” he said.

The county’s firefighters have been asking the board for its help.

“The county continues to fall behind in keeping up with the demands of growth,” Carino said, and the additional demands for fire services.

He noted the county doesn’t meet the national standards on response times.

“I came here today to ask you to listen to the emergency workers and to develop a strategic plan and to follow it, to make the lives of the citizens of Pasco — and fire/rescue personnel here to protect them — safer.”

This badge represents Pasco/Fire Rescue.

Carino added: “We must stop kicking the can down the road and get serious.

“The longer we wait, the farther behind we fall and the more expensive it will get.”

Steve Akel, a member of International Association of Firefighters, Local 4420, also appeared before the board, reiterating numerous concerns he’s raised in the past.

He told board members the issue was brought to its attention in July of 2021.

The board continues to approve new construction at every meeting, but there are no new fire stations for emergency crews, Akel said.

“Response times are still above the national average. The department frequently has no ambulances available, and you’re still denying our firefighter his state-entitled cancer benefits,” he said.

“For a year now, Local 4420 has brought to your attention the death sentence you continue to issue to the citizens of Pasco, and the mass deficiencies in the board’s leadership. Leadership that allows fire stations to not be built for, and I quote, ‘for over a decade,’ knowingly putting the public at risk.

“Population increases by thousands monthly, with no support for public safety to retain experienced, or new employees, as is felt by the fire department and the sheriff’s office.

“In April, you were told that over 50% of response times were greater than 10 minutes and reminded that Signal 40 (the lack of available ambulances) was still an issue. In May, you were reminded that the G.O. Bond was approved in 2018, which was supposed to go to Fire/Rescue for five new fire stations and rebuild four, of which we have zero.

“You were told that in the last year we lost 50 firefighters, and that number has only increased,” Akel said.

Pasco Fire Rescue is third-busiest for EMS calls and eighth-busiest for fire calls in the state, Akel said.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick responded to the comments at a later point in the meeting.

Fitzpatrick said she’s proud of the board, county staff and the fire chief for working together to address the issue.

She provided this update on the status of the various projects.

Regarding the four new fire stations:

  • Station 9: Expected to open this fall at the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52
  • Station 3: Bid closed Aug. 9
  • Stations 2 and 4: Out for design and engineering; expected to begin construction in Spring 2023

Rebuilds

  • Station 17: Groundbreaking was held last year. Opening expected in late December or early January.
  • Station 20: Bid accepted. Groundbreaking expected within a month or two.
  • Station 18: Bids close Aug. 9. Groundbreaking expected within the next few months.

Fitzpatrick noted that Stations 9 and 17 were slowed down because of material and construction delays.

She added: “We still have stations 19, 22, and once that’s finished, we’ll be moving forward with the training center.

“I’m very excited to see that all of these stations are moving forward, and the majority of them will be built by next year.”

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey agreed that there’s a lot of activity.

“It’s surprising how slow government goes, but we have to follow all of these laws and rules, in purchasing and advertising and contracts,” Starkey said.

Starkey continued: “We’re doing everything we can up here to expedite these fire stations.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley thanked Pasco citizens for supporting the fire station projects through their approval of the General Obligation bonds, which have provided needed funding.

“We’ve got to be real grateful for our citizens stepping up, to take on some of that burden, along with us,” Oakley said.

Starkey added: “When these are done, our citizens will definitely feel the impact — in a positive way.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said he’d like to see a presentation from Fire Chief Scott Cassin detailing what the county has done during the past 10 years, in terms of fire/rescue improvements.

“I think we’re doing all of the right things, as quick as we can. I think in a very short period of time, we’ll be in great shape,” Mariano said.

Published August 17, 2022

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation opens

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Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation had its first opening day of school, ever, ushering in a host of programs aimed to prepare students for myriad technical and professional careers.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, the newest school in Pasco County Schools, welcomed its inaugural crop of 570 freshmen and sophomores on the first day of school, Aug. 10. The school’s official address is 32555 Innovation Way. It’s where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel. (Fred Bellet)

Some of those work opportunities already exist.

Others are expected to emerge in the future.

In either case, this high school will provide a broad array of opportunities for students, offering technical training, as well as opportunities for advanced placement, dual enrollment and general classroom work.

The school, at 32555 Innovation Drive, is located at the intersection where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel.

The magnet school represents the first technical school of its type on the eastern side of the county.

Housed in a building that has a modernistic architectural design, the school’s programs include: applied cybersecurity and computer science, automotive maintenance and light repair; diesel maintenance; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; digital media and multimedia; applied engineering, robotics; welding technology; patient care technician; and, electricity.

The school opened with 570 freshmen and sophomores, but will add additional grades to create a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.

Students will be able to earn standard diplomas and industry certifications, as well as take Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses.

The school doesn’t have sports teams, but students will be able to play for the schools in which they are zoned.

The school will have clubs, with specifics determined by school and staff.

Published August 17, 2022

The school’s initials — KRAI — are on bold display on a base outside the main entrance of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Meanwhile, in the background, students are heading to classes on the school’s second floor.
Students arrive for the first day of classes in the inaugural school year at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. The magnet school is beginning with just freshmen and sophomores, and will add grade levels to become a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.
Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation Principal Dee Dee Johnson greets students as they arrive for the first day of school. She also waves to cars near the drop-off point.
Fourteen-year-old Urijah Naughton, left, Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Mobley, 14-year-old Jayden Rivera and 14-year-old Joshua Barnes pause on their way to class, for the students to have their picture taken with Mobley, the new school’s resource officer.
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning stands near rows of cameras, tripods and accessories in the Digital Media Multimedia Design class at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Browning took a brief tour of the school on opening day of the 2022-2023 school year in Pasco County Schools.
Jennifer Schwiegart, a learning design specialist at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, helps 16-year-old Malachi Miller find his classroom on a school map.

Incinerators proposed in Lutz

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Hillsborough County’s Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) has announced a virtual public meeting relating to a request for two incinerators in Lutz.

The EPC has received an application from Louis Geraci LLLP, seeking an air permit to allow two air curtain incinerators (ACIs).

The proposed air permit will be for operation of two permanent, above-ground ACIs at a new commercial vegetative yard waste and land clearing debris disposal facility, to be located at 1225 Crystal Lake Road, according to the EPC announcement.

The project is planned on the north side of Crystal Lake Road, across from Idlewild Baptist Church’s north parking lot, according to Jay Muffly, of the Lutz Civic Association.

The applications calls for an air permit relating to the installation of two permanent, above-ground ACIs and associated material handling operations on the property.

This type of operation has the potential to generate smoke and dust from the burning and handling of the materials, according to the EPC notice.

The notice explains that an ACI is designed to blow a curtain of air over the burning material to promote efficient combustion, and minimize the emission of smoke and embers.

The EPC does not regulate any zoning, siting, transportation or location matters.

The EPC has notified nearby property owners and registered neighborhood organizations, and will host a virtual community meeting on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m., to provide an overview of the proposed project, the process for public comments, and an opportunity to address questions and provide answers.

The community notice also points out that operation of an ACI for yard trash disposal also requires a Yard Trash Disposal Facility General Permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and requires the authorization of the EPC director, issued by the EPC’s Waste Division.

The public meeting is expected to last 90 minutes. The link to register for the virtual meeting was expected to be available on Aug. 16, after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

To request access to the link or find out more, contact Diana M. Lee at 813-627-2600, ext. 1276.

Published August 17, 2022

107 homes approved in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that would allow up to a maximum of 107 homes on a 43.5-acre site in Land O’ Lakes.

The property is on the north side of Dogpatch Lane, about 390 feet west of Joy Drive, and abutting Joy Drive, about 690 feet north of Dogpatch Drive.

As a condition of approval, Attorney Barbara Wilhite said her client has agreed to install one 8-foot-wide sidewalk, heading north to south through the subdivision, to provide a safe place for students to walk to school. Normally, a 5-foot-wide sidewalk would be required.

The rezoning, approved unanimously by the county board at its Aug. 9 meeting, changed the zoning from agricultural and agricultural-residential designations to a master-planned unit development.

County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request, deeming it to be consistent with the county’s long-range plan and land development code.

The county board’s approval came despite objections from area residents who raised concerns about potential impacts on wildlife and the prospect for additional traffic on Lake Patience Road.

Prior to the board’s vote, Debbie Moore, who lives nearby, told commissioners: “You guys don’t know this land at all. You haven’t walked it.”

She said she lives on 6 acres and her neighbors live on 20 acres.

“We have wetlands all around us,” she said. “You guys need to go see the area.

“You’re not considering the wildlife,” she added.

Cathryn Baxter Polonitza who lives in a nearby subdivision urged the county board to reject the request.

She said she’d gathered a petition with about 100 signatures of people opposing the proposed development.

She also noted that many area residents were unaware of the request.

Wilhite said the rezoning request was properly noticed.

Pat Rubrecht and other area residents raised concerns about adding traffic to Lake Patience Road, which they said is already dangerous.

Wilhite told the county board that this project is consistent with what the county envisions in its long-range plan.

The density also complies with the plan. The development also will be served by county water and sewer, the attorney said.

During the discussion, Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told county staff that she’d like an update regarding the potential for adding a traffic signal at the intersection of Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41.

Published August 17, 2022

Staff shortages persist in public schools

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School is back in session for more than 300,000 public students in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, but both districts continue battling staffing shortages.

Pasco County had 355 openings for teachers and 55 openings for bus drivers as of last week, according to Steve Hegarty, public information officer for Pasco County Schools.

The number of instructional vacancies is even greater when positions beyond classroom teachers are considered, Hegarty said.

The same goes for shortages of bus drivers, he added, referring to 55 driver vacancies.

“We are also short relief drivers, and there are always “call outs,” which is to say that we have a person assigned to that route, but they called in sick or had a family emergency. So the 55 number simply tells you how many open positions we have,” Hegarty said.

Pasco County School’s Transportation Call Center is open. If you have questions, call between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., or between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., through Aug. 19.
The numbers are: 813-794-2500, 727-774-2500 or 352-524-2500. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Hillsborough County Schools also is reporting a significant number of open positions.

The district has 837 bus routes, said Erin Maloney, director of media and public relations. It has 664 drivers and 174 driver openings.

As Pasco heads into the 2022-2023 school year, the district has added a new high school — the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. The magnet school, located in Wesley Chapel, offers a broad range of instruction, including technical and rigorous academic programs.

Students attending the new school will be able to pursue certifications, standard diplomas, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment programs.

Also, Centennial Elementary School, in Dade City, has transformed into a STEAM magnet school beginning this school year.

In Hillsborough County, Maniscalco Elementary and Lutz K-8, both located in Lutz, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in terms of the largest academic gains since 2019, Maloney said.

Both schools earned A grades.

As students headed back to school, motorists driving down local roads on Aug. 10 were reminded in some locations by flashing signs about the need to slow down, because school was back in session.

On U.S. 41, near Lutz K-8, signs emblazoned with a photo of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, urge drivers to show down.

Even in normal years, transportation always is challenging during the early days of a new school year.

On top of those typical challenges, Pasco and Hillsborough both are grappling with bus driver shortages. Plus, Pasco changed its policy this year — eliminating “courtesy busing” for sixth- through 12th-graders.

Savannah Hall’s first-grade class at Lacoochee Elementary School seem to be having a great first day of classes on Aug. 10.

That change has caused families to readjust, as they figure out how to get their children to school — and some parents, who recently appeared at a Pasco School Board meeting, questioned the method used to measure the distance between their home and their school.

They also told the board that the change is posing a hardship for them because it is not safe for their children to walk to school, but they aren’t able to drive them because they must be at work.

During the same board meeting, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP) and school board members Colleen Beaudoin and Megan Harding urged Superintendent Kurt Browning to do whatever the district can do to lighten the load on employees.

Peace said he expected dialogue to continue on that topic.

“As we gear up for this new year, I hope that we can work together to see to it that we have a positive start to the year and that our employees can feel respected,” Peace said.

Beaudoin and Harding both cited the number of resignations and retirements, and said action is needed to stem the tide.

Beaudoin said the district needs to brainstorm to find ways to take things off the plates of teachers and administrators.

“We really have to lessen the burden on them, in as many ways as we can. They’re working with students every day. Please consider this in your planning,” she said.

Harding shared similar sentiments: “We must continue to look at the workload we are putting on our teachers and staff, and must continue to look for ways to support teachers and staff, around discipline.”

School board members in both Pasco and Hillsborough hope that a proposed referendum to raise property taxes in each county will help them to attract and retain quality staff.

Voters will decide the issue in each county during the Aug. 23 Primary Election.

In Pasco, opponents to the additional tax have spoken at public meetings, criticizing the timing of the vote, noting that primary elections typically attract fewer voters.

Critics also cite funding sources they believe are adequate to address district needs.

District officials, however, have detailed that much of the funding provided must be spent on specific programs.

To find out more about the ballot referendum in each county and about each district’s budget, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us and HillsboroughSchools.org.

Pasco County Schools
Size of district: 86 schools; approximately 84,650 students
Number of classroom teachers: 5,136
Staff shortages: 355 teacher vacancies; 55 bus driver openings

Hillsborough County Schools
Size of district: 250 schools; approximately 225,000 students
Number of teachers: 14,000
Number of bus drivers: 664
Staff shortages: There are approximately 670 instructional openings and 690 non-instructional openings

Published August 17, 2022

Hillsborough adopts rules to protect renters

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Hillsborough County has adopted new provisions aimed at protecting renters.

The new provisions, adopted by the Hillsborough County Commission, require residential landlords in unincorporated Hillsborough County to give at least 60 days’ notice for rent increases higher than 5% and must meet minimum notice requirements for terminating leases, according to a county news release.

Those provisions are included in the Tenants’ Bill of Rights ordinance, adopted by the Hillsborough county board earlier this month.

Provisions to the Tenant’s Bill of Right Ordinance expand the required notifications to include:

  • At least 30 days’ notice before termination of residential month-to-month leases
  • At least 60 days’ notice for the termination of all other residential leases
  • At least 60 days’ notice for residential rent increases of more than 5% for leases with a specific term

The ordinance changes took effect on Aug. 8.

Enforcement penalties for landlords begin on Oct. 1.

Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and any subsequent offenses.

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners first approved the Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance in March 2021, with its provisions going into effect July 1 of that year. The ordinance requires landlords to provide new tenants and those renewing their lease a copy of the Tenant’s Bill of Rights and Resources. Among other provisions, the ordinance bans discrimination based on lawful income, requires written notice of each late fee, and prohibits retaliation for tenants who report a health or safety violation or file a Fair Housing complaint.

Full details on Hillsborough County’s Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance and how to report violations are available at HCFLGov.net/TenantRights.

Published August 17, 2022

Pasco rejects Feeding Tampa Bay’s request to help fund building

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The Pasco County Commission has decided that a quarter-million-dollar expenditure would be better spent on helping to feed the county’s food-insecure elderly than for helping to pay for a food storage facility in neighboring Hillsborough County.

Pasco board members previously discussed a $250,000 budget recommendation to help support the Feeding Tampa Bay project during a budget presentation. The proposed allocation would earmark $125,000 a year, for two years, to support the outside agency.

Commissioner Mike Moore raised objections to the proposal.

He balked at using Pasco County taxpayer funds for a capital project in another county.

Moore also warned colleagues that approving the request could trigger requests from a parade of organizations seeking support for projects outside of Pasco County.

No action was taken during the previous discussion, but the issue was part of the board’s Aug. 9 agenda.

Brian Hoben, the county’s director of community services, provided an overview of the county’s home-delivered meal program for food-insecure elderly.

Hoben said there are 411 people currently on the waitlist for that program.

The number fluctuates as new people qualify for the service and current clients die, move into a facility or move away from the county, Hoben said.

Each delivered meal costs $8.01, Hobel said.

Providing one meal a day for a year costs $2,916, Hoben said. To eliminate the current waiting list would cost $1,198,328, based on current costs. Those costs would be recurring, once the client joins the list.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano attended the Aug. 9 meeting to inform the board that Feeding Tampa Bay had sold a building, on Ehren Cutoff, that initially was paid for with taxpayer funds.

Fasano, a former state lawmaker and a board member on Feeding Pasco’s Elderly, told the board that he helped secure funds to build the original food bank building on Ehren Cutoff.

That food bank later gave the building to another food bank, which then gave the building to Feeding Tampa Bay, Fasano said.

Then, Feeding Tampa Bay sold the building to a private company for $890,000, Fasano said.

“I’d love to know where that money went,” Fasano said.

“Just think of how many people we could have fed in Pasco County. How many seniors we could have taken off that waiting list,” Fasano said.

Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, a former county commissioner, also is on Feeding Pasco’s Elderly board. He told the county board that $125,000 for the next two years would feed 42 seniors who are on the waitlist for services.

Moore said he would not have objected to Feeding Tampa Bay’s request, if it had been for a specific number of meals that would be provided to Pasco residents.

But Moore added: “There’s no way in the world I’m ever going to say yes to a capital project in another county that’s going to provide services that aren’t going to benefit the citizens of Pasco County.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed: “I shouldn’t be paying for their infrastructure in another county. I want to help the citizens in Pasco County. I will do everything I can to help our citizens before I send money to build a building in another county,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano said that when Feeding Tampa Bay was making the decision to sell the building on Ehren Cutoff, the county should have been notified.

“As far as I’m concerned at this point, we made a $890,000 donation. I think we’ve made our contribution,” Mariano said.

Instead of contributing the funds to Feeding Tampa Bay, Moore said they should be earmarked for Feeding Pasco’s Elderly efforts or the county’s senior services.

His colleagues agreed.

Published August 17, 2022

Dade City Museum unveils new website, logo

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The Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum has unveiled its redesigned website and logo.

Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum, at 14206 U.S. 98 Bypass in Dade City, is housed in the old Atlantic Coastline Train Depot, which was preserved and reopened as a tourist destination in 2008. (Mike Camunas)

The museum is dedicated to preserving history, offering education, and promoting public interest and awareness regarding Dade City.

Located at 14206 U.S. 98 Bypass, the museum is housed in a former Atlantic Coastline Train Depot. The depot has been preserved and was reopened as a tourist destination in 2008.

In July 1994, it became the first site in Pasco County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the tracks that run closest to the depot were the first to reach Dade City in 1887.

Through efforts from the city and local residents, the depot was transformed into the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum in 2018, where it now houses artifacts, photographs, documents and records of historic places and longtime residents of Dade City.

The museum consists of a main exhibition space, a model train room and a Community Archive and Reading Room. It is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.

The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and offers tours and periodical events, such as Monuments by Moonlight: a 90-minute walking tour through nearby Dade City Cemetery. The museum also is available for event rental.

Local screen printing and embroidery business, FloriCoastal Print in Dade City, designed the museum’s new logo.

For more information or to support the museum through donations, visit DadeCityHeritageMuseum.org.

Published August 17, 2022

Medical offices, apartments approved on State Road 54

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning for a mixed-use project on nearly 21 acres of vacant land at the southeast quadrant of State Road 54 and Henley Road, in Lutz.

The project calls for 45,000 square feet of medical office space, up to 280 apartments, 5,000 square feet of commercial incorporated vertically in the apartment development and 5,000 square feet of additional commercial.

The medical office building must be constructed on the frontage of State Road 54, with the apartment project located to the rear, according to the conditions for approval.

The project also allows a free-standing emergency facility.

A pet center is planned along the frontage of State Road 54, with a pet park behind it.

The site is about 1 mile west of U.S. 41.

The project has cleared approvals of both a land use change and a zoning change, and can now proceed. The county board voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning at its Aug. 9 meeting, with Commissioner Mike Moore voting against the project.

Moore has consistently opposed the conversion of land that can be used for job-creating uses to residential developments, instead.

He maintained that position in this case, despite testimony by S. Elise Batsel, an attorney representing Liv Development, the applicant. Batsel said that an economic analysis revealed that more jobs would be created under the proposed use than otherwise would have been generated.

Moore questioned the accuracy of the analysis.

He also reiterated concerns that changes that are being granted will result in a proliferation of multi-family developments along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, which is contrary to the county’s quest to increase the availability of jobs in Pasco.

Published August 17, 2022