The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Produce stand must stop events or face fines

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A produce stand in Lutz that has been a gathering place for events and food truck rallies has been ordered by the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board to come into compliance with county codes, or face stiff fines.

Ron Anderson, the official agent for the owner of the property, CA Properties Inc., and Michelle Gilbert, an attorney for the tenant, County Line Produce, both came before the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board on Aug. 28 to respond to allegations of code violations.

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Officer Rick Garcia explained the nature of the alleged violations to the code enforcement board.

“The property (at 206 Newberger Road) is zoned ASC-1, and they’re operating as essentially a retail business/grocery store, as opposed to what’s allowed for a produce stand. They’re also holding food truck rallies, special events on different weekends of the month,” Garcia said.

“They continue to operate in this capacity and continue to hold events. They originally purchased the property and were in the belief that these activities were permitted because the building had been there previously and used for a similar purpose,” Garcia said.

“I’ve been in constant contact with the proprietor, with the property owner/agent and with the attorney representing the produce stand,” Garcia said.

Gilbert, appearing on behalf of County Line Produce, told board members: “the tenant leased this with the representation that the property could be used for the use they’re doing right now.

“They are requesting additional time to work with the owner, who is represented today, to bring the property into compliance,” she said. “Again, the tenant is at the mercy of the owner, to bring the property into compliance.”

But, Anderson said he “was under the impression that the tenant was hiring the attorney to see about getting a zoning variance so they can operate — evidently outside of the lease, that I have with them.

“They leased the property to grow produce. I have a copy of the current lease, and it says, ‘Use of the premise is to grow produce — vegetables and fruit, and sell them. It doesn’t say anything about all of the other things they’re trying to sell, in relation to a grocery store.

“If they want to do that, they need to get a variance on the zoning. I told them that I would be very cooperative, to help them, with any type of — whatever they had to do to satisfy the zoning regulations, so that they could operate and even operate outside the guidelines of the lease.

“I’m trying to work with them, and help them,” Anderson said.

But, he continued: “The lease clearly states that they can’t cause me to have zoning violations and not be responsible. They’re responsible. I just want them to fix the problem. Do whatever we got to do to solve the problem.”

Gilbert said she plans to submit an application for a conditional use within a couple of weeks.

“Our position is that now, being aware of this problem, where it was misrepresented at the time of leasing, we certainly want to comply and apply appropriately for conditional use and you know, do what we need to do to work with that owner,” she said.

“But again, being very clear, that at the beginning of the lease, it was leased understanding how my client wanted to use the premises, and the reassurances were made that that would be fine,” Gilbert added.

The board found that the property is in violation of Hillsborough County codes, citing both the owner and tenant, and ordered them to come into compliance within 60 days, or face a $250 a day fine.

The board also heard a second case involving a citation against CA Properties Inc., for a property it owns at 19323 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Garcia said the property is south of the produce stand and has been used, in violation of county code, for overflow parking from events at the produce stand. He said as many as 100 cars have been seen on the lot.

Garcia said the property is zoned  ASC-1, and is supposed to be used for pastureland.

He explained that only CA Properties was cited in this case because the produce stand doesn’t have any legal attachment to the lot.

Anderson told the code enforcement board: “The tenant is the responsible party that has caused the violation, and in the lease they’re ultimately responsible.

“I wrote them a letter and told them you have to get permits. I sent Mr. Garcia a copy of the letter. I’m trying to be completely in compliance,” Anderson said.

The board found that CA Properties violated the county’s codes — because of the parking on the lot — and gave the company seven days to come into compliance, or face a fine of $350 per day.

Published September 02, 2020

Carriage House set to get $155,000 facelift

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A notable piece of Zephyrhills history is set to be restored — in hopes of boosting Zephyrhills’  main street corridor, while preserving a landmark of the city’s storied past.

The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a $155,000 project to renovate the Carriage House — a two-story wooden structure connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The Jeffries House was built in 1910 for Capt. Harold Jeffries, the founder of Zephyrhills. Jeffries was responsible for bringing many Union Civil War veterans into the area. The house where he lived is a part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Carriage House is a two-story wooden structure connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave. Renovation of the dilapidated building is part of an effort to beautify the downtown area and contribute to the preservation of other buildings within the Community Redevelopment Area district. (Courtesy of Gail Hamilton)

The council awarded the $155,000 construction contract to Zephyrhills-based Kerns Family Construction Company Inc.

The motion passed 4-1 during an Aug. 24 regular meeting, with Councilman Alan Knight dissenting.

The scope of the project includes myriad interior and exterior improvements to the dilapidated structure. The renovation includes new roof trusses, windows, lap siding, doors and second floor balcony. It also calls for replacing electrical wiring, plumbing, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, among several other enhancements. The project is expected to be completed in four months.

In voting against the project, Knight reasoned the Carriage House attachment should be bulldozed, with the money spent on other projects, such as sidewalk repairs, new playground equipment and sprucing up the Hercules Park property.

“I just can’t see putting $155,000 into that building,” Knight said.

Once the project is finished, the city plans to lease it out to a business tenant for around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

But, Knight also noted, there’s plenty of other empty storefronts along “the main drag” of Fifth Avenue.

He said the city has failed to rent out the Jeffries House, which the city purchased for $110,000  in 2014 and renovated for $50,000 in 2016.

The building is currently utilized by the Zephyrhills CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and nonprofit Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.

“We did the same thing with the Jeffries House, ‘Oh we’re going to lease it out,’ and we never leased anything out,” Knight said.

“I think we made a mistake,” he said.

While Council President Charles Proctor ultimately voted for the renovation contract with Kerns Construction, he sided with Knight’s sentiments about the project, in general.

“Personally, I would’ve liked to have just leveled it over, took the money and spend it on something else, but here nor there, we’re going to redo it and I do hope that it stays in budget, that’s my biggest thing,” said Proctor.

Other supporting council members reasoned that the undertaking is a long-term investment in the city’s historic downtown that will pay dividends in time.

“I totally understand where Councilman Knight is coming from, but I look at it more as like an investment in the downtown area, an investment and maintaining a historical building,”  Councilman Lance Smith said.

“I look at it as this was the property that the founder of Zephyrhills owned, and it should be worth saving, I would think,” he added.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson, expressed support for saving the Carriage House, noting it’s worth the investment.

“This is a learning opportunity,” Wilkeson said. “It’s an opportunity to promote our downtown. It’s an opportunity to promote the Jeffries House, because right now it’s an eyesore (with the Carriage House). When it’s finished it’s going to be beautiful…”

As a bonus, Kerns Construction will organize a series of public workshops at the Carriage House during ongoing construction — inviting residents to see how to complete restoration tasks, such as stripping floors and repairing windows. These “How To” activities also will be  live-streamed on various social media platforms.

“People are interested in that, and it’s attracting young people to our city, and it’s changing the demographic to our community,” Wilkeson said.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also provided updates on several development projects:

  • City staff has submitted required documents to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project.

Issues recently arose over the city’s selection of BRW Contracting Inc., a Land O’ Lakes company that isn’t on FDOT’s pre-qualified vendor list. Poe said “fingers are crossed, prayers are being said,” FDOT will approve the proposal and a forthcoming agreement will be on the city’s Sept. 14 meeting agenda. The intersection project is being funded via a $2.3 million appropriation included in this year’s state budget; the project has a seven-month construction timeline.

  • The bid letting process for the multimillion Country Road 54 enhancement project remains “on hold” until the city and Pasco County can reach an agreement on splitting costs for it. The scope of the project calls for various turn lanes, a signalized intersection and a multi-use path along a 1.31 mile stretch, generally from east of U.S. 301 to 23rd Street.
  • The city’s planning department is working on designs for the Kossick Road extension to Otis Allen Road, to help make way for the Zephyr Lakes single-family residential development. The city manager explained the idea is to tie in a four-lane road, but a large transmission pole may prevent that, “so we’re working on getting meetings scheduled with Pasco County and Duke Energy to see what can be done.”
  • The $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center final completion date is targeted for Sept. 29; the scheduling of a grand opening date is still to be determined.

Published September 02, 2020

New Dunkin’ coming to Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will allow for a new convenience store, with gas pumps and a Dunkin’, near Ehren Cutoff, in Land O’ Lakes.

The 2.38-acre site is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and Ehren cutoff.

The rezoning involved joining two parcels together, one zoned for commercial and the other for rural residential.

Denise Hernandez, county zoning administrator, said the request would not introduce a new gas station onto the property — but replace one that’s already there.

The site plan also calls for a Dunkin’, she said.

County Commission Chairman Mike Moore noted that the new plan is essentially an upgrade from current conditions.

“So, it could use a little makeover and it’s getting a makeover, thankfully,” Moore said, noting that the Dunkin’ (previously known as Dunkin’ Donuts) will be an amenity in the area.

Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed with Moore’s assessment: “That’s what it says on the site plan — they’re redoing that to enhance it. It needs that in that area.”

Moore added: “It kind of goes in line with what we’re trying to do, to try to clean up (U.S.) 41.”

One resident, Rob Park, who lives on Ehren Cutoff, objected to the rezoning.

He questioned a discrepancy between two transportation studies done in the area.

A county staffer said it’s not unusual for two different transportation studies to have different data.

In other action, commissioners:

  • Approved a request for a conditional use to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, liquor; package sales and on-premises consumption, anywhere within the common areas of The Shops at Wiregrass, in conjunction with the operation of a shopping center.
  • Heard an update from Moore regarding tourism prospects. Moore told board members that the county will be getting a volleyball tournament, a golf tournament, a fishing tournament and a basketball tournament. Some tournaments are coming from out-of-state, but others are shifting from other parts of Florida.

Published September 02, 2020

Wildfire smoke can be a health risk

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Wildfire smoke can irritate lungs, cause inflammation, affect the immune system, and make a person prone to lung infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These are flames from a wildfire in Starkey Park that happened on May 6, 2017. Experts say extra preparation is needed to protect yourself and loved ones from wildfire smoke, during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. (File)

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for possible wildfires might be a little different this year.

The CDC is encouraging people to learn how wildfire smoke can affect you and your loved ones during the pandemic, and to learn what to do for protection.

Masks that are used to slow the spread of COVID-19 will offer little protection against wildfire smoke because the masks do not catch small, harmful particles in the smoke that can damage a person’s health.

The N95 respirators can provide protection from wildfire smoke, but might be in short supply as front line health care workers use them during the pandemic.

Here are some tips offered by the CDC to prepare for wildfires and smoke.

  • Limit outdoor exercise or choose lower-intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure.
  • Create a cleaner air space at home by using a portable air cleaner. Never leave a do-it-yourself box fan filtration unit unattended. Use air conditioners, heat pumps, fans and window shades to keep the cleaner air space cool on hot days. Avoid activities that create more indoor air pollution, such as frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming and using gas-powered appliances.
  • Talk with a health care provider about how to protect yourself against smoke. Stock up on medications taken routinely.
  • Have disaster supplies delivered. If delivery is not possible, take recommended precautions to protect yourself and others while running errands.
  • Have a family disaster plan in place for potential evacuation. If necessary, check for pet-friendly shelters. Seek out cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces to move to.

The CDC also recommends that people know the difference between symptoms from smoke exposure and symptoms from COVID-19. If you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, immediately call 911 or the nearest emergency facility.

Those most at risk from the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke are: Children age 18 and younger; adults age 65 and older; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, asthma and diabetes; outdoor workers; people who have lower socioeconomic status, including homelessness or limited access to medical care; and, people who are immunocompromised or take drugs that suppress the immune system.

For more details on wildfire smoke and health, visit CDC.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/default.htm or tinyurl.com/y2j7kbky.

Published September 02, 2020

Rockin’ a good time at music festival

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Families attending the recent Country Music Festival at The Grove at Wesley Chapel, had plenty of options for fun.

The two-day festival, held Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, offered a chance to do line dancing, go for a ride in a hot air balloon, do some rock climbing, jump around in bounce houses, pet some animals, do some shopping, play some games and grab a bite to eat.

And, of course, there was the music.

Country singers Angie Rey, Kelsey Lamb and Samantha Leigh entertained the crowd with their renditions of some classic country hits.

Kelly Gorgon-Snyder, owner of Mama G’s Pierogi, poses for a photo with Celine McPherson and her dog, Kaia.
Ali Trull rocks a custom vest from her family’s upcycling fashion company, Treasure Trulls. The company was among the vendors at the music festival. (Kelli Carmack)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live music, of course, was the main attraction at the Country Music Festival, held at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. Performer Samantha Leigh, shown here, was among those sharing her talents.
You could step right up — and try to win yourself a prize, at the Country Music Festival, Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, at The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Festival-goers could purchase live crabs, or at least get a good look at one.
Families had plenty of choices for fun activities at the Country Music Festival, including bouncy houses, game booths, ax throwing, rock climbing and shopping.

Labor Day closings in Pasco

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Pasco County government offices, including the constitutional offices and the courts will be closed on Labor Day, which is Sept. 7.  Those offices that are offering limited services due to COVID-19 will reopen on Sept. 8, according to a Pasco County news release.
Also, the courts that are maintaining limited services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic will reopen Sept. 8.

The county’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers also will be closed on Sept. 7. However, parks and beaches will be open, dawn to dusk.

The county’s public transportation, libraries, and animal services shelter and field services will be closed on Sept. 7, too. An animal control officer will be available for emergencies.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office and the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County also will be closed on Labor Day.

Published September 02, 2020

School begins in Pasco and Hillsborough counties

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Students headed back to classrooms in Pasco County this week and began learning online for the first week of classes in Hillsborough County — while the impact of a temporary injunction and from a pending legal action are not yet clear.

In response to lawsuits filed by the Florida Education Association and individual plaintiffs, the Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson granted a motion for a temporary injunction against Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s executive order.

“The order is unconstitutional to the extent it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards decision making with respect to opening brick and mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August,” the judge’s order says.

It remains to be seen how the decision will play out in Pasco County, where brick-and-mortar schools have reopened, and in Hillsborough, where they are scheduled to do so on Aug. 31.

In their closing arguments on Aug. 21, lawyers for the Florida Education Association, as well as for individual plaintiffs, argued that the  state’s Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s  Emergency Order 6 was “arbitrary and capricious” and, therefore, unconstitutional.

The order required school districts to submit reopening plans, which included opening every brick-and-mortar school for five days a week, with the school year starting by the end of August.

Kendall B. Coffey, an attorney representing the teachers union, said the state’s order “completely ignored safety. We all agree that a safe education is a paramount duty under the Florida Constitution.”

The state used “financial bullying” to coerce districts to comply with the order, Coffey said.

He noted what happened in Hillsborough County.

The board approved a reopening plan, which the state subsequently approved. Then, the board heard from a panel of medical experts, who advised against reopening classrooms, until COVID-19 positivity cases declined.

The board then voted to open online only for the first four weeks, before activating the previously approved plan.

The state rejected Hillsborough’s decision.

A letter from Corcoran told the district it would need to submit another plan, which justified any proposed closure, on a school-by-school, grade-by-grade and classroom-by-classroom basis.

The district ultimately agreed with state officials to open the school year online only for one week and then reopen brick-and-mortar schools.

But, that decision came after financial pressure from the state, Coffey said. “We know that Hillsborough was threatened with losing $200 million.”

The attorney said it would serve the public interest to allow local school districts to determine when it safe to return to school, without risk of financial penalty.

Attorney David Wells and Nathan Hill, representing the defendants, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Corcoran, said the state was acting under its authority to supervise the state’s 67 school districts.

They said the emergency order considers a range of student needs.

“What are the dangers of not going back to school?” Wells asked. “What happens when children have to learn from home?”

Besides offering the educational benefits of face-to-face instruction, schools provide a wide range of other services for students, Wells said. Schools ensure students have access to meals,  provide services for special needs students and offer an opportunity for intervention when students need protection in abusive homes, or require mental health services.

Remote learning, by contrast, raises issues over whether families have enough digital devices to meet individual student needs, and whether households have internet access, he said.

Both Wells and Hill objected to any attempt to have the court rewrite Corcoran’s order.

“If the governor and the department of education are neutered and left helpless to carry out their constitutional obligations, then the unions will have their way. The schools will not open,” Wells said.

Attorney says key issue is safety for students, staff
Attorney Billy Wieland represented some individual teachers challenging the state’s action.

He told the judge that the issue boils down to this: ‘If we send children and teachers back into the classroom for live, face-to-face instruction — are they going to be safe and secure? We believe you are in the best position to prevent avoidable death.”

But Hill, representing the state, countered: “It is not for this court to second-guess the policy decisions of the executive branch. What they (opposing attorneys) want the court to do, really, is to write a new emergency order. And, that is simply not something the court has the power to do in this situation.”

During closing argument, the judge asked Wells: “Under the emergency order, what choice did the districts have, but to submit a plan in accordance with the emergency order?”

Wells replied: “It’s very clear on Page 6 (of the emergency order), you don’t have to submit a plan.”

The judge responded: “Right, but you lose a lot of funding if you don’t do that.”

Wells acknowledged: “There’s no question about that. I’m not going to dance around it. That’s absolutely right.”

The judge also wanted to know: “To what extent does medical or scientific information play a part in Executive (Emergency) Order 6? It says you’ve got to open.”

Wells said the state had to consider: “The risks I have if I move forward are X. The risks that I have if I don’t open school are Y. How do I make the balance?”

The judge also wanted to know what happens to teachers who will be forced to return because the number of students who want face-to-face instruction.

Hill told the judge: “There is a grievance procedure. They have an adequate remedy of law, under their contracts.”

Meanwhile, another court case is pending. The United School Employees of Pasco has requested an expedited case. No additional information was available on that case, as the afternoon of Aug. 24.

Published August 26, 2020

Safety, flexibility are the bywords as college students return

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With COVID-19 safety protocols in place and enrollments either declining or flat, Pasco County’s colleges and universities have welcomed back students for the fall semester.

Whether it was Saint Leo University or the campuses at Pasco-Hernando State College, most courses were offered online to keep class sizes small. Zoom video conferencing technology was utilized for full interactivity, while hybrid/in-person attendance demanded face masks, hand-sanitizing and social distancing.

Students gather with face masks at Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein/Saint Leo University)

Seat configurations were redone. Plexiglass shields were installed in high-transaction, high-touch point areas. Some student activities were abandoned, while others were offered virtually.

“The keyword for everyone these days is flexibility,’’ said Saint Leo Senior Vice President Melanie Storms. “Of course, there will be a learning curve. But we’re very comfortable with what we’re doing.’’

After a record-breaking 2019, which featured a 40% enrollment increase, Storms said Saint Leo will have the same number of new students (1,000) as last fall. There is a 30% reduction in new international students and a 10% decrease in students living on the main campus. Enrollment in Saint Leo’s online programs are up 16% over last year.

“We got out early with a plan and were very transparent with our students about what we were planning to do,’’ Storms said. “We often talk (in the administration) and wonder what our enrollment might have been had there not been COVID. We might have seen another pretty substantial increase. We believe the fact that we have held steady is a reflection of how strong our new class is and the flexibility we’re providing them.’’

Saint Leo students could choose their educational method — either hybrid (alternating in Group A and Group B between in-person and Zoom), connected (exclusive Zoom in a scheduled class period with other students) or online.

Regardless of the choice, all Saint Leo students are required to have at least one class fully online, so overall traffic at campus sites could be kept at acceptable levels (maximum 50% of the normal population, maximum of 15 students in all classes).

“It’s a lot to take in, but we have a team solely dedicated to analyzing this and manipulating the boxes,’’ Storms said. “We went through the classrooms and determined where we’d need to be for comfortable occupancy. We backed that into the scheduling software and worked to make sure students would have the right mix and be optimized in their educational experience.

Saint Leo University’s social distancing reminder.

“We’re all doing things we’ve never done before. Many students are just navigating their lives and saying, ‘Sometimes I’m on Zoom, sometimes I’m online, sometimes I’m in the classroom.’ It’s interesting that one-third of our students selected connected (Zoom), but our housing is only down 10%. So we anticipate a lot of students coming to live with us who are (solely) studying in the Zoom capacity. It’s a new world. We’re getting our feet wet and making adjustments on the fly.’’

At Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, in Wesley Chapel, and its East Campus, in Dade City, course offerings will largely be online or Zoom. There are notable exceptions, particularly in the health sciences programs, where students need access to laboratories and specialized equipment or disciplines, such as welding or law enforcement.

Porter Campus Provost Kevin O’Farrell said his enrollment was down 24% from last fall during a recent snapshot, but he was optimistic about an upswing due to students making last-minute decisions.

“I know the word ‘unprecedented’ has probably been overused, but there’s no other way to describe the challenges faced by all levels of higher education,’’ O’Farrell said. “At the same time, I’ve been so heartened by the level of innovation and ingenuity everybody is using. I always say, ‘Don’t let a crisis go to waste,’ and by that I mean, it’s an opportunity to rethink all of our processes and problem-solving.

“We went to a virtual waiting room for students to utilize time with advisors. I think that’s going to become a standard now. When the pandemic goes away, I think people would rather wait at home to speak with an advisor instead of sitting in the lobby. We’ll go back to some things, but we’ve found better ways to do other things.’’

At the state college’s East Campus, Provost Ed Goolsby said his faculty has adapted well to working remotely, although some prefer occasionally utilizing their on-campus office.

“They can work from there, but they just won’t be teaching on campus for the most part,’’ Goolsby said. “There will always be a place for the face-to-face teaching and I know some students want that level of accountability. We’ll just have to see what the environment is moving forward to the spring semester and beyond.

“I think we have shown — and we have been forced to show — that education can adapt. We have seen the words ‘fluid’ and ‘pivot’ quite a bit, but those are words that describe what we need to do,” he said.

By Joey Johnston

Published August 26, 2020

Dispute pauses improvements to County Road 54

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Improvements to a portion of County Road 54 through Zephyrhills are on hold, as the municipality and Pasco County struggle to come to financial terms on the project.

The scope of the project calls for the following enhancements along a 1.31 mile stretch, from east of U.S. 301 to 23rd Street:

  • Additional signage and pavement markings
  • Left-hand turn lane at the Dairy Road intersection
  • Right-hand turn lane and new mast arms at Wire Road, turning onto 12th Street
  • Signalized intersection at 23rd Street
  • A 10-foot concrete multi-use path on the south side of County Road 54, and a 5-to-6-foot path on the north side of the road, plus associated drainage

How to split the cost of the $6.78 million project is the crux of the issue.

County staffers have asked the city to fund 50% of the project through an inter-local agreement. The roughly $3.35 million would be paid in installments, over three years.

An initial draft of the contract also calls for the city to agree to pay any cost overruns, in full.

For instance, if the project ends up costing, say, $7 million, the city would be responsible for the $22,000 difference from the engineer’s estimate of $6.78 million.

The Zephyrhills City Council balked at the proposal.

Council members called for a better deal, at the board’s regular meeting earlier this month.

Council members and city staff indicated the proposed agreement had come out of left field.

They said there wasn’t much or any input with them throughout the design/pre-engineering process.

The estimated cost was an eyeopener, too.

“I think we all had sticker shock,” Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

While the city put forth some money into the project’s design several years ago, council members were under the impression it was for a four-lane road extension, as opposed to turn lanes, traffic signals and adjacent multi-use trails.

Any improvements east of 20th Street are not in the city’s jurisdiction, officials noted, so the city should not be responsible for those costs. They also raised a question about whether those improvements are even necessary.

Another snag: The county had already gone to bid on the project before getting the city’s approval on the final agreement. The county later canceled that bid opening, Poe said.

Poe said the ongoing dilemma is that the project won’t be completed, unless the city participates in helping to fund the project’s entire scope — even the portion outside its jurisdiction.

City could do improvements on its own
The city’s other option is to take on the project itself and determine which areas along the roadway are most pressing for improvements, Poe said.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson said work certainly is needed along the busy stretch of road.

She observed the area north of Zephyrhills High School, and south of Wire Road and 20th Street  has “pretty dangerous conditions” with heavy traffic.

Zephyrhills City Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson (City of Zephyrhills)

“People are riding golf carts and walking on the grass there. People tend to ride on the street there because there is no sidewalk, there’s no bike lanes,” Wilkeson said.

However, Wilkeson, like others, expressed reservation about the project’s cost — “a significant percentage of our annual budget” — while also noting city residents have already been taxed by the county through Penny for Pasco for such infrastructure improvements.

She put it like this: “A million dollars a year (for three years) sounds like a lot of money, but honestly, my bigger concern is what kind of precedent are we setting with the county, if we begin to fund 50% of the projects that they’ve already taxed our residents?”

Councilman Lance Smith said some type of project needs to get done along the roadway, one way or another.

“It’s going to get bad,” Smith said. “That road’s bad at certain times of the day.”

Smith suggested his fellow council members extend an olive branch to Pasco County Commissioners, to direct their staff-level employees to negotiate in better faith.

“They’re just pushing us, trying to get us to sign this thing,” Smith said. “I think we need to reach out to them and tell them, ‘We will participate, but we’re feeling strong-armed into this thing right now, and it’s not what we originally talked about.’”

The councilman added the city has partnered well with the county on countless transportation projects in the past, including State Road 56, the Eiland Boulevard/U.S 301 intersection, Copeland Drive, Kossick Road, Simons Road, plus various frontage and reverse frontage roads.

Said Smith: “We do need to remind them of all these things we’ve helped them with in the past. Maybe we suggest, ‘Look, we’ve been good partners with the county and we want to continue to be good partners with the county, so we need some help. We need you to help us out.’”

With that, Smith is optimistic a deal can be struck.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time, that’s all,” he said.

While concurring with other council members, Council President Charles Proctor expressed frustration with the county for trying to take advantage of the city.

“All of a sudden they’re in this big rush for us to put in our portion and nothing’s even broken ground.

“We do have a good relationship with the county and I don’t want to ruin that relationship by any means, but I think it has to be fair for all involved, and I just feel like this was kind of shot at us real quick and we didn’t have a signed agreement, so I think we need to protect our own and look out for the citizens of our great city,” Proctor said.

Meanwhile, Councilman Alan Knight advised the city to take a “wait and see” approach before jumping into the multimillion dollar project with the county. “I think we have to look at it again, I really do,” he said.

Knight also proposed the city look into possibly taking on the project itself and make desired traffic improvements at the most troubled areas along the mile-plus long roadway — such as the Wire Road intersection.

“We could almost do that intersection just with our own money and not have to jump into three or four million dollars with the county,” Knight said.

In a follow-up interview with The Laker/Lutz News, the city manager said it could take several more meetings before a solution with the county is reached.

“It’s a big price tag, and so the message was relayed to Pasco County, so there’s still more conversations to be had,” Poe said.

Published August 26, 2020

Dade City Police seek raises, more resources

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As Dade City anticipates burgeoning commercial and residential development, the city’s police chief said the time is ripe for increased funding for his department.

Dade City Police Chief James Walters addressed the issue during a Dade City Commission budget workshop earlier this month.

Dade City Police Chief James Walters, right, with Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez (File)

Early projections put the police department’s budget at nearly $2.9 million for fiscal year 2020-2021. That represents roughly 44% of the city’s entire $6.51 million general fund.

The agency’s budget this year includes creating a detective sergeant class to assist with span of control and supervision; adding a new civilian position to handle crime scene property evidence; and replacing three police vehicles totaling $165,000. The department originally asked for four vehicles.

A broader issue, however, centers on base salaries and overall pay to the department’s sworn police officers.

As Dade City Manager Leslie Porter negotiates with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association on behalf of the police department, Walters is asking commissioners to consider a “significant pay adjustment” for his police force. He also wants “equity” of police officers in relation to other city employees.

The starting salary for a sworn Dade City police officer is about $37,700, notably lower than other law enforcement agencies in Pasco County, Walters said.

He also stated that starting salary hasn’t changed for numerous years.

“The average pay for a police officer of deputy sheriff in Pasco County is $41,000. That’s not because some departments are paying $42,000 or $40,000, but rather, because we’re at $37,000 and most others are in the mid-40s,” Walters said.

He pointed to Zephyrhills, which is advertising a $44,500 starting salary for a patrol officer. And, he noted that figure is expected to be higher with Zephyrhills’ next budget.

The city’s growth is a factor, too, the chief said, saying hundreds, if not thousands, of new homes have been approved within city limits.

That comes at a time when the agency already is having a challenging time recruiting and retaining qualified sworn officers, Walters said.

Nick Marolda, president of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, touched on those issues without revealing information regarding the ongoing confidential negotiations.

“You’re spending thousands and thousands of dollars training these officers. They get great training, and then in about two years or three years, they look around and they see they’re the lowest (paid) in Pasco County, and they bail on you, and you lose all that money in training, and they go to another agency and you’ve got to start over again.

The Dade City Police Department has the lowest base salary of any law enforcement agency in Pasco County, at around $37,700. Dade City Police Chief James Walters and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association are working to change that. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)

“The goal here is we’re trying to find good people and good officers to come to the department, and we’ve got to pay them for that, because it’s competitive,” Marolda explained.

The city’s police department has 23 sworn officers and about 40 total employees, which includes civilian personnel and part-time staffers.

While its police chief didn’t call for the addition of sworn officers in this year’s coming budget, it’s something he emphasized that commissioners must seriously address in coming years, until development levels out.

As of this year, the municipality had roughly 4,000 residential unit entitlements over the next decade — which means they are actively under construction or review.

“In order to provide the services this community has come to expect and deserve, the police department must grow as well,” he said.

“We are already seeing a tremendous increase in our calls for service, and the more calls for service that we have with the same number of officers, the less time there is to spend on direct speeding enforcement and community outreach and community-oriented policing,” Walters said.

Commissioners later voiced their support for the police department and the concerns raised by Walters, a 25-year veteran of the agency who’s served as chief since 2018.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive said the matter will be handled seriously by city leaders, and other commissioners echoed those sentiments.

Published August 26, 2020