Local News

Ray Gadd named to state task force

October 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, has been named to a state task force seeking solutions to address mental health and substance abuse issues.

Gadd told members of the Pasco County School Board, at their Oct. 5 meeting, that he had been appointed by Senate President Wilton Simpson to serve on the Senate Commission on Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

“It’s made up of people that represent education and community mental health from all across the state. We meet about once a month for the next two years,” Gadd said.

The task force has high hopes for improving the coordination of efforts by school systems and community mental health organizations in taking on these problems, rather than using a silo approach, he said.

“I’m hopeful that some really good things will come out of that task force,” Gadd said.

He also invited board members and district staff to bring issues to his attention that he can present in task force discussions.

Published October 13, 2021

New camping rules in effect on SWFMD properties

October 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New camping rules are now being enforced on lands within the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFMD) jurisdiction.

The rules became effective on June 23, but were not enforced until Oct. 1.

The updated rules provide more fair opportunities for all users and create greater consistency with the other water management districts, according to a new release from SWFMD.

Changes include:

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours before the start of the camping permit. No same-day reservations will be accepted.
Campers may arrive no earlier than 3 p.m., on the first day of their reservation.
Campers must depart by 11 a.m., on the final day of their permit.
Camping is limited to no more than seven consecutive days and 30 total days per calendar year. Attempts to circumvent the seven-day maximum or 30-day total annual length of stay are prohibited.
Permittees can hold no more than two active camping reservations simultaneously.
The quiet period is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., at all campsites.

The district may revoke a camping permit if the permittee fails to comply with the rules.

An updated mobile emergency contact phone number is required on each reservation.

More information about camping on district lands is available at WaterMatters.org/Recreation.

Published October 13, 2021

Take a fantastical trip into the surreal, at the Dali

October 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Few art museums in Florida – or most anywhere outside of New York City – rival the allure of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

The Salvador Dali Museum building, with its distinctive glass dome exterior, has been called rational and fantastical. (©2021 – Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL)

On the southern end of downtown, on the waterfront, it boasts the largest collection of Dali’s art outside of a museum he founded himself in his hometown of Figueres, Spain.

Housed in what’s been described as “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime,” the collection includes 2,400 works spanning Dali’s long career. Here, you can see his oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, books, book illustrations and manuscripts, prints, sculptures, photos, textiles and documents.

Dali, who died at 84 in 1989, was a prolific artist and a pioneer in Surrealism, known for his flamboyant personality as much as for his mind-bending art. Some called him a mad genius.

Many know him for his soft, melting clocks and watches, his self-portraits and his obsession with his wife, Gala. Others know him for his gigantic paintings, some with hidden images or imbedded mysteries.

Showcased in the Dali Museum, one titled, “Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea,” depicts his nude wife staring into the sea within a cross surrounded by brown squares. Step back and squint, or put on sunglasses, and you’ll see a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

‘Daddy Longlegs of the Evening-Hope!’ reflects Dali’s Surrealistic style. Oil on canvas, 1940 (Collection of The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, FL (USA) 2021; Worldwide ©Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, (ARS), 2021; In the USA © Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL, 2021)

It’s one of the most popular – among many – of his works in the museum.

It takes several hours to walk through the museum to see all the art and to read descriptions of each piece. To learn more, it’s a good idea to download the Dali Museum app and take a self-guided tour.

In addition to the permanent collection, special exhibits are hosted regularly. Currently on display through Jan. 2, 2022, is “The Woman Who Broke Boundaries: Photographer Lee Miller,” featuring her work in photojournalism and portraiture.

Visitors can see some of her self-portraits, and her photos of Dali and Gala, as well as her portraits of other artists and writers associated with Surrealism, including Man Ray and Pablo Picasso.

Another exhibit, “At Home With Dali,” features photos by five photographers of Dali and Gala at home in Spain in the 1950s and ‘60s.

From Jan. 29 to May 22, 2022, the museum presents “Picasso and the Allure of the South,” which will depict southern Europe’s influence on Picasso’s work. Many works he created in northern Spain and on France’s Mediterranean coast will be shown for the first time in the U.S.

A spiral staircase in the Dali Museum circles like a seashell, with views of Cafe Gala below and blue skies overhead. (Courtesy of Karen Haymon Long)

The museum building is a work of art itself, with its geodesic glass bubble enveloping parts of the exterior, and a spiral staircase winding gracefully upward inside.

Looking around you sometimes feel like you are within a Dali painting, or a seashell, especially while walking up the circular staircase and looking up at the blue sky and billowing white clouds or out to Tampa Bay.

The museum website says the building “combines the rational with the fantastical,” and that’s certainly true.

The fantastical continues outside, too, in the “Avant-Garden,” a green space that includes a ficus called the “Wish Tree,” dangling with strings of colorful admission bracelets marked with wishes of those who have left them, for health, love, world peace and even fame.

This photo of Salvador and Gala Dali, taken by Lee Miller, is among Miller’s works now on exhibit in the Dali Museum. (Copyright Lee Miller Archives 2021)

Dali, always the self-promoter and fantastically popular, would have liked that. In his autobiography, “The Secret Life of Salvador Dali,” he said, at 7, he wanted to be Napoleon. “And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.”

In the garden, also, is a bench that appears to be melting, with a melting clock on it, and a huge Dali mustache sculpture that visitors like to stand in front of for photographs.

Due to COVID-19, the museum is not offering its usual docent-led tours, but it still offers private tours for groups fewer than 10, for a fee above admission.

The Dali museum store and Cafe Gala are both open. The store is filled with everything Dali – from jewelry to books, posters, melting clocks and clothing. The cafe features Spanish tapas.

Some have said Dali’s Surrealism is not their taste, so they haven’t visited the world-renowned museum. But Dali’s art is diverse and there’s probably something here for everyone. And who could resist the fantastical works of a mad genius?

Salvador Dali Museum
Where: One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Thursdays, when it closes at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Advance-purchase, timed tickets are required. Order at TheDali.org.
Cost: Ages 18 to 64, $25; 65 and older, as well as educators, law enforcement and military, $23; students 13 and older, $18; ages 6 to 12, $10; 5 and younger, free.
For self-guided tours and Dali facts, download the Dali Museum app and take headphones or buy ear-buds at the museum.
Covid update: Masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Contact: TheDali.org; 727-823-3767

By Karen Haymon Long

Published October 13, 2021

Pasco wins prestigious tourism marketing honor

October 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

From left: Cathy Pearson, Kathryn Starkey, Mike Moore, Adam Thomas, Ron Oakley, Christina Fitzpatrick, Jack Mariano and Dan Biles. Pearson is the assistant county administrator for public services, Thomas is the county’s tourism director and Biles is the Pasco County administrator. The others are members of the Pasco County Commission. (Courtesy of Ryan Hughes/Pasco County)

Pasco County’s Destination Management Organization, known as Florida’s Sports Coast, won a 2021 Flagler Award at the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held by Visit Florida. The honor came in the Resource/Promotional Material-Consumer category for development and marketing of the Sports Coast Pilsner with Escape Brewing.

In an appearance before the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 15, Adam Thomas, the county’s tourism director, expressed his gratitude to his department’s staff, the county board, the county’s executive team, the Tourist Development Council board, to Elizabeth Blair of the county attorney’s office and to Escape Brewing.

Thomas said all of them have played a role in the county’s tourism success.

Besides congratulating Thomas, in a separate agenda item, the county board approved an item that supports the county’s tourism efforts.

The board approved a request to amend the county’s consulting services agreement with Downs & St. Germain Research Inc., to extend the research firm’s services for another year. The contract is for $48,000 for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 13, 2021

Starkey named state committee chair on federal issues

October 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has reappointed Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey to serve as the chairwoman of the organization’s Federal Policy Committee, according to a county news release.

The appointment is for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

“It is my honor to serve another term as chair of the federal policy committee,” Starkey said, in the release.

Starkey also noted that the FAC “does an excellent job of uniting local voices across the state to develop a federal advocacy program to share with national leaders and lawmakers.”

As committee chair, Starkey will assist the FAC in leading the development process of policies that will guide the formation of the FAC’s agenda for the 2022 legislative session.

“Commissioner Starkey has demonstrated remarkable insight into counties’ needs, as well as a broad understanding of the various challenges facing Floridians today. Her voice is guaranteed to bring much-needed improvements for our communities this upcoming legislative season,” Ginger Delegal, FAC executive director said in the release.

“Having watched her commitment and service over the years, FAC is delighted to welcome her as a key player for rallying behind local voices,” Delegal added.

The statewide organization has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties for 85, with an emphasis on the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best.

Published October 13, 2021

Pasco County extends multifamily moratorium

October 5, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County has extended its temporary moratorium on new multifamily applications — which applies to a specific area of the county — until April 1, 2022.

This shot, taken in the spring of 2018, shows construction crews building apartments at Brightwork Crossing, a mixed-use project at Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 54. This view is from Old Cypress Creek Road. (File)

The approved 185-day extension occurred after Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick called for receiving a report back on the issue within 90 days, but that request received no support from her board colleagues.

The county board initially approved the moratorium on May 4 — retroactive to April 1, 2021 — at the urging of Commissioner Mike Moore, who expressed concerns that his district was becoming oversaturated by multifamily development.

The temporary ban on new applications applies to an area contained in Moore’s District 2, essentially made up of Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.

The area is generally defined as between State Road 52, on the north; U.S. 41, on the west; State Road 54 on the south; and, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, on the east. The boundary zigzags between Moore’s District 2 and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley’s District 1.

Initially, the temporary ban was set to expire on Sept. 28.

The area shaded in pink represents the area where a temporary moratorium on applications relating to new entitlements for multifamily developments has been extended until April 1, 2022. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The temporary ban’s intent “is to study the potential oversaturation due to the existing and all possible future multifamily developments within the moratorium area and to determine whether additional regulations are necessary,” according to a resolution the board approved at its Sept. 28 meeting, to extend the moratorium.

The 185-day extension was recommended by county staff, to provide time that’s needed to complete the study, and to draft and adopt any needed regulations to implement the study’s results, says the resolution, included in the board’s agenda packet.

A housing market research firm is preparing the report and will present it to the board.

That report will cover the current quantity of multifamily dwelling unit entitlements and the current acreage of land zoned for multifamily dwelling units, including the acreage having potential for multifamily units upon approval of a conditional use.

It also will include the potential number of multifamily dwelling units available through existing land use equivalency matrices to accurately calculate and determine the true potential for the oversaturation of multifamily dwelling units within the moratorium area.

More time is needed to complete the report because of procedural delays, staff shortages, and complexities associated with accurate data collection, according to the resolution.

When Fitzpatrick called for a report back to the board within 90 days, Moore said achieving that would require pulling county staff off of other work that needs to be completed.

In granting the extension, the board agreed with the resolution’s finding that the action “is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, and that it advances a valid and important public purpose.”

No additional extensions will be granted, the resolution says.

Objections were raised to the moratorium when it was initially approved, but there was no public opposition before the board’s recent vote.

Published October 06, 2021

Dade City Commission renews administrative contracts, other business items

October 5, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The Dade City Commission tackled a number of business items during a Sept. 27 regular meeting at City Hall.

This included finalizing administration-level employment contracts for its city attorney and finance officer, among other actions, respectively.

Commissioners approved a one-year agreement with Thomas Thanas, through the Bradenton-based firm of Dye, Harrison, Kirkland, Petruff, Pratt & St. Paul, PLLC to provide legal services for Dade City.

Dade City Attorney Thomas Thanas (Courtesy of Dye, Harrison, Kirkland, Petruff, Pratt & St. Paul, PLLC)

The action extends an agreement with Thanas, who has served as interim city attorney May 2019.

The annual contract for Thanas’ services will increase from $84,000 to $92,400, with the designated interim tag also removed.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez described Thanas as “a beacon of light” and “always helpful and always there,” while discussing the action item with commissioners.

Thanas has been an attorney since the 1980s.

He spent much of his career serving as a city attorney and a private practitioner representing municipalities primarily in the Chicago, Illinois area.

He also once served as city manager of Joliet — the third-largest city in Illinois — from 2008 to 2013.

The veteran lawyer shared positive words about working for the East Pasco County small town, addressing the commission.

“I really enjoy working with the (commission) and with the city staff,” Thanas said. “You have a lot of good things going on with this community, it’s a great community, and I enjoy being part of the time,” he said.

“…I’ve learned a lot by being around all of you, so I do enjoy it. We’ll continue on. I really do enjoy working here, and I’d like to continue it.”

Commissioners also approved an agreement with Tampa-based Aclarian LLC to provide accounting and financial services.

Dade City Finance Officer Andrew Laflin (File)

The move makes the Aclarian’s president, Andrew Laflin, the city’s contracted finance officer and removes the designated interim tag.

Laflin has served as the city’s interim finance officer since July 2020. His annual contracted rate with the city will now increase from $78,000 to 84,000.

Laflin’s duties have entailed assisting with the budgeting process, preparing for year-end audits, reviewing and approving payroll and non-payroll transactions, leading various projects such as fee studies, and providing leadership and guidance of the city’s finance and utility billing divisions.

Laflin’s firm provides similar consulting services to the City of Madeira Beach and City of Starke.

He expressed gratitude to city leadership for showing confidence in him to continue to provide financial consulting services, mostly in an off-site or virtual capacity.

“I think we’ve done some good, positive things in the finance group,” he said. “Faced some adversities and challenges, not only with COVID, but the cybersecurity incident and having limited access to our network and files and system, but we’ve persevered and look forward to seeing improvements in the future. And hopefully, being able to use technology and innovation in order to streamline business processes further and just make this a more efficient operation.”

In other action, commissioners:

Approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the police sergeants of the Dade City Police Department through the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. Among the notable changes include new starting salaries for a sergeant being $50,000; and a pay step plan that creates a 2% increase for every year of service between years one and 14, along with a 5% increase at year 15 and another 5% increase at year 20.
Approved changes to the city’s personnel leave policy, including the addition of Juneteenth to holiday observances; increased notice for reporting out sick from 30 minutes to an hour before the shift; and incorporated some updates to the Family and Medical Leave Act provisions, showing inclusion of qualified exigency leave and military caregiver leave.

Dade City Human Resources Director Patty Coram summarized the various personnel leave policy alterations to the commission.

“It’s kind of streamlining what everyone else is doing out there,” Coram said. “It seemed like a lot of entities were moving forward to celebrate Juneteenth; they jumped on that federal holiday, so we’d kind of like to move forward to enact that for our employees, also.”

Published October 06, 2021

Dade City’s budget approaches $25 million

October 5, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The City of Dade City has finalized and adopted its fiscal year 2021-2022 budget — with the price tag coming in at nearly $25 million.

The figure represents an increase of about $7.25 million — or nearly 41% — from this past year’s budget.

The Dade City Commission unanimously approved the second, and final, reading of the new budget, during its Sept. 27 meeting at City Hall.

No residents spoke about the budget during the public hearing.

The fiscal year commences Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2022.

Slightly more than $1.74 million of the budgetary increase is due to a change in budgeting special revenue and impact fee funds, according to the city’s final operating budget book and other documents.

In prior years, impact fee revenues were minor, due to limited growth in the city; beginning with fiscal year 2022, all impact fees funds will be included in the budget.

Also, in prior years, the local option gas tax was treated as a special revenue fund; now, this activity will be included in the general fund.

Capital outlay and debt service represent the largest chunk of the 2021-2022 budget, anticipated to total $13.74 million (55% of the total budget) and up about $5.92 million from this past fiscal year.

Major capital projects include construction of the Dade Oaks retention pond, Howard Avenue stormwater improvements, Tank Hill well and booster station, Morningside Drive extension, wastewater force main and lift station projects, and sidewalk/road improvements.

Personnel costs are expected to be roughly $6.43 million, or nearly 26% of the total budget, and an increase of $626,446 from the last budget.

The increase in personnel costs is a result of:

Funding new positions
Increased health care premiums
The adoption of a new pay scale and associated increases
A 3% salary adjustment for individuals not affected by the new pay scale
Increased wages and benefits through the negotiation of the police union contracts, and associated retirement costs.

Lastly, operating costs came in at $4.73 million — up about $706,000 from this past year’s budget. They represent about 19% of the latest budget.

Changes in operating costs include:

Funding for a comprehensive plan update
Development of a disaster recovery plan
Additional IT security costs
Election year costs
Increases in solid waste collections and utilities
Additional funding of the city’s utility renewal and replacement fund, as per recommendations from a rate study

The 2021-2022 fiscal year budget is based, in part, on a 7.14 millage rate, assessed on taxable value of property within the city.

The city’s certified taxable value is about $340 million.

At the rate of 7.14 mills, ad valorem tax revenues in the city’s general fund are anticipated to levy an estimated $2.3 million, an increase of slightly more than $262,000 from the prior year’s $2 million for general fund expenses.

The breakdown of ad valorem revenues comes from the assessed value of the city’s 1,857 single-family homes, of which 1,231 have at least one exemption, according to city records.

Commissioners held eight budget workshops between June, July, August and September to hammer out myriad details and considerations.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez thanked city administration and staff for “lots of hard work” during the budgetary planning process.

“A lot of things on the table,” Hernandez said of the latest budget. “Hopefully, we are bringing Dade City forward with some additions we’ve made, and certainly some adjustments we’ve made with salaries and staff, and all that…and hopefully only great things ahead.”

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter summarized the city’s financial picture in the finalized 87-page budget book.

Her statement in the budget book reads, “This budget will enable Dade City to begin the path to grow with the demands for services while protecting our thriving and safe community that cherishes its location, unites in its diversity and evolves to meet the continuous challenges that success brings.”

City of Dade City fiscal year 2021-2022 budget: Total: $24,961,790

Expenses by category

Capital outlay and debt service ($13,744, 893)
Personnel costs ($6,433,788)
Operating costs ($4,783,109)

Published October 06, 2021

Pasco County adopts new budget

October 5, 2021 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has adopted a new budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, which includes an increase of $106 million in general fund expenditures.

“The county realized a 10.8% increase in taxable assessed values the past year,” said Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director.

Goehig identified some of items included in this year’s budget:

A wage increase for board and constitutional officer employees
Bringing Fire Station No. 3 and Fire Station No. 9 online. Adding a second rescue unit at Fire Rescue Station 30
Adding a veterans service officer
Adding positions in the planning and zoning divisions
Reaching the recommended reserve level of 16.7% of budgeted expenditures.

Not on that list, however, was full funding for a request by Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, who is Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller.

In previous discussions, the clerk said her office has been covering expenses, which, by law, are the obligation of the county.

In essence, she said her office has been subsidizing the county.

The clerk maintains she is just asking for what she is entitled to, by state law.

During the public comment portion of the hearing, three speakers urged the county board to step up to cover those costs.

The county has agreed to provide the funding, but only 40% of it this year.

In previous discussions, County Administrator Dan Biles said paying the full amount in a single year is too big of an ask.

During the budget hearing, however, Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick made a motion calling upon the county to cover the entire cost.

Her motion failed, for lack of a second.

In action earlier in the day, the county board:

Approved a request by Pasco County Fire Rescue for emergency authorization to purchase $627,481 worth of equipment to enable the department’s personnel to safely respond to needs of COVID-19 patients. Items include patient lifts, infection control airway bags, specialized aerosolized nebulizers, safety goggles and others. The expenditures will be paid for with Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
Approved $865,000 for the purchase of library books, resource subscriptions and other items by Pasco County Libraries for fiscal year 2022.
Held the first reading on a change to the land development code relating to solar facilities, in response to state legislation. Under the change, solar facilities shall be allowed as a principal use in all agricultural zoning categories and as a special exceptions use in commercial/light manufacturing, light industrial and general industrial categories. The second and final hearing is scheduled for Oct. 12.
Approved an amendment to the county’s land development code to change the planned alignment for Tyndall Road, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills, and to make changes relative to administrative review fees in the special planning area.
Approved renaming water and wastewater service impact fees to instead call them connection fees. At the same time, the board approved increasing the charges associated with the connection fees and moving the fee schedule out of the land development code. The new connection fees call for an increase of $499, phased in over four years, for water and sewer connections; and an increase of $475, also phased in over four years, for water, sewer and reclaimed water connections. The last time the rates were modified was 2006.

Published October 06, 2021

Grand opening festivities offered countless fun options

October 5, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Kids competed at Hula-Hooping, checked out the new gymnasium, played some outdoor hockey and had a chance to enjoy other activities, at the grand opening celebration of the Wesley Chapel District Park Recreation Center, at 7727 Boyette Road.

Seven-year-old Reagan Peal, of Land O’ Lakes, concentrates on keeping her Hula-Hoop spinning during one of many games and events at the grand opening of the new facility. She was with her 10-year-old sister, Kendal, and her mom, Samantha. (Fred Bellet)

The atmosphere was festive — from the archway of balloons that greeting those arriving at the rec center, to the free cupcakes doled out to those wanting one.

The celebration also included inflatables, games, music, ball hockey clinics and food trucks.

Children had a chance to play and adults could find out about the various programs that will be offered in the new center.

The new 17,800-square-foot gymnasium and activity rooms have been added to the 144-acre park, making it the largest indoor/outdoor county park in Pasco County.

Many classes will be offered there, including ballet and jazz, boxing, chair yoga and cheerleading, according to the district park’s Facebook page.

Youth ball hockey players honed their skills in a rink outside the new recreational center.

According to previously published reports in The Laker/Lutz News, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore has long advocated for an indoor recreation center to be built at the district park.

He knows how hot it gets at the park: He coached flag football, baseball and soccer there for years, when his three children were younger.

This is a look at the exterior of the new Wesley Chapel District Park Recreation Center, at 7727 Boyette Road. Grand opening festivities drew hundreds. This was one of those times when the cliché, ‘and a good time was had by all’ appeared to ring true.

As designed, the center can accommodate basketball, volleyball, pickleball, summer day camp, toddler activities and community events.

The new facility features a gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court that can be converted into two smaller courts, two volleyball courts or four pickleball courts.

There are restrooms and showers, too.

Multipurpose areas will accommodate a range of activities for groups, such as the Rotary Club, community associations, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

The district park already is packed with outdoor sports activities, including several athletic fields for youth and adults, a lighted soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic tables and grills for barbecues.

It also is home to the county’s only universal playground — designed specifically to enable all children — regardless of their physical capabilities — to be able to enjoy time at the park.

Note: Those wishing to participate in the district park’s programs must purchase a yearly membership for $10 per person, which applies to everyone over age 13. All memberships must be purchased at the district park’s front desk. Membership sales began on Oct. 4. For more information, call 813-345-3145.

Published October 06, 2021