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Bill Burgess

City of Zephyrhills gives employee service awards

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The City of Zephyrhills recognized several employees with service awards at a regular city council meeting on Jan. 11.

Seventeen employees were presented plaques for achieving benchmarks of five, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years of service, respectively.

A service award ceremony is usually conducted at the city’s annual Christmas party, but the celebration was unable to occur because of COVID-19, according to Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

Zephyrhills Police patrol officer Ray Revell, right, is recognized for five years of service to the city. He is retiring in February having spent a combined 25 years in law enforcement, the bulk with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Also pictured is Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe. (Kevin Weiss)

Of note was a presentation to Zephyrhills Police patrol officer Ray Revell, who reached five years of service with the city, but is retiring having a combined 25 years of law enforcement experience.

Revell previously spent 20 years with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, in various capacities. There, he is known for spearheading a veteran housing unit at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center in 2014, which offers a range of services for military veterans in the way of counseling, rehabilitation, job placement, life skills and an outreach program. Revell came up with the idea upon hearing of a similar program during a leadership planning trip to FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia.

Revell’s last day patrolling the streets of Zephyrhills was Jan. 11. His last official day in uniform will be sometime in mid-February. He joined the local agency on June 21, 2015.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have him for the last five years,” Poe said of Revell.

Meanwhile, the longest-tenured city employees recognized were streets foreman Joseph Galloway and building official Bill Burgess — as both achieved the 30 years’ service plateau. Galloway started working for the city on Oct. 3, 1990. Burgess began Oct. 25, 1990.

“The secret to any successful business or city is the longevity of their great employees,” Zephyrhills Council President Charles Proctor said at the meeting. “I’ve always been a major supporter of our employees and it’s exciting to see people staying with us for so long, and I appreciate all of your service, whether you’ve been here for one year or 30 (years), we appreciate your service to this great city.”

Added Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield: “I just want to congratulate the city employees that achieved the different levels of work and attendance and patronage to the city, and all the city employees who do such a great job. We just thank you all for the work that you do.”

Five years of service
Rodney Corriveau – senior planner – June 2015
Emile Limoges – patrol officer – May 2015
Ray Revell – patrol officer – June 2015
Eugene Howard – patrol officer – September 2015
Jodi Stewart – telecommunications operator – October 2015
Gene Rains – building maintenance specialist II – November 2015
Amy Knoechelman – customer service representative – November 2015

15 years
Peggy Panak – assistant library director – June 2005
Russell Guynn – parks maintenance worker II – June 2005
Stephanie Nelson – telecommunications supervisor – June 2005
Marvin Johnson – utilities service worker II – July 2005
Deborah Lopez – senior circulation clerk – August 2005
Kalvin Switzer – senior code inspector – November 2005

20 years
Tammy McIntyre – utilities department executive assistant – May 2000

25 years
Eugene Brown – public safety inspector – October 1995

30 years
Joseph Galloway – streets foreman – October 1990

Bill Burgess – building official – October 1990

Published January 20, 2021

 

Seeking to improve Zephyrhills’ code enforcement

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The city of Zephyrhills is taking a hard look at its code enforcement policies — in an effort to maintain property values and make the community more desirable.

According to City Manager Steve Spina, that starts with taking “a holistic view” on the issue.

“When people come to visit, they need to drive through town and see a vibrant commercial business community, a vibrant downtown,” Spina said. “People are going to move a business here and look at the schools, the recreation and the quality of life issues — and if they’re driving from the airport to somewhere else, and it’s not a pretty picture, they don’t stay.”

This image, shown during an Oct. 23 council meeting, provides an example of some of the compliance issues on code enforcement. The city of Zephyrhills is analyzing ways to beef up its code enforcement efforts, in hopes of maintaining property values and making the community a more desirable place to live. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhllls)

During a regular Oct. 23 meeting, the city manager and building inspector Bill Burgess delved into the city’s code enforcement efforts — outlining progress and limitations, along with various initiatives and solutions.

Alan Knight, council president, several weeks ago requested an update on citywide code enforcement issues, citing growing concerns about blighted structures and dilapidated communities.

Attacking the problem head-on is a continuous battle, city officials say.

“A lot of times, code enforcement is two steps forward, three steps back,” Spina said.

“Over the last five to six years, there’s been action, but sometimes it’s just hard to keep up with the level of problems that we face,” Spina said.

Burgess concurred: “We have seen a turn a little in the wrong direction, and it’s a little harder to stay ahead of it than it was in the past.”

City staffers this year have made more than 900 code-related contacts, completing 35 mowing and abatements, which has led to issuing $2,400 in citations and $750 litigation. There’s also been one demolition and two neighborhood cleanups.

From 2011 to 2016, Zephyrhills had 36 demolitions and collected $85,000 in mowing fees and abatements, and liens and administrative costs. Additionally, city staff made more than 7,200 contacts with residents and business owners related to code enforcement issues.

That includes Funk Street, formerly a notorious “drug haven,” south of town. In a span of two years, the city removed 34 trailers and cleaned the site up entirely.

But, addressing similar run-down parts of the city has proven to be a challenging and time-consuming task.

The issues, city leaders say, continually are tied to changes in demographics, drug infestation, cheap housing conditions and mental health issues, among others.

Lack of adequate funding and resources is another issue.

Zephyrhills building inspector Bill Burgess updated council members on the city’s code enforcement efforts. He indicated issues have become more widespread over the past year or so, due to several different factors. (Kevin Weiss)

The city’s Building Department has six employees. It had five in 1991.

The code enforcement division has one full-time and one part-time employee, each able to make five contacts to 10 contacts per day.

Local and federal funds for demolitions of blighted structures also have recently dried up.

“We’re back on our dime,” Burgess said.

Meanwhile, legal procedures in repairing blighted structures often delays code enforcement efforts.

“It can be a lengthy process, just to get one house or one property done,” Spina said.

“When you do make contact, it’s not just simply you go up and knock on a door. Sometimes you have to go back, write letters, do research. It’s time-consuming,” Burgess added.

“It seems easy…but, if they don’t (respond) or if they’re not accepting of that, then we have to go through that whole process, where there’s a lot of time involved,” he said.

Spina noted the city continuously deals with repeat violators, some of whom have been to court or have been jailed before.

“We’re dealing with the same people, over and over. We’ve had people that we’ve put in jail and they’re back out, and there’s no resolution to the problem,” Spina said.

The city also has some absentee landlords and revolving tenants, plus cheap rental rates throughout the city, that contribute to the problem, Spina said.

The city is ranked fourth nationally in affordable housing.

“That’s a good thing for different communities, depending on economic and social conditions, and job opportunities, but it also can be a negative,” Spina said.

In light of ongoing struggles, Spina outlined several initiatives to try to solve code enforcement issues “from a number of different ways.”

Some of the ideas he presented, include:

  • Planning for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding to help with neighborhood blight
  • Toughening up city ordinances, to include citing rental owners, as well as tenants, for code violations
  • Consulting with other communities, such as New Port Richey, on their code enforcement plans
  • Utilizing Zephyrhills Police reserve officers, once the reserve program is re-established, to assist with related code enforcement matters
  • Developing an in-house demolition program
  • Continuing with neighborhood cleanups to assist in removing household trash, debris, appliances, tires and so on
  • Adding staff to the code enforcement division

The formation of an interdepartmental intelligence committee, coordinated by the Zephyrhills Police Department is one step that’s already been taken.

The task force — involving police, utility workers, public works employees, Planning Department, Community Redevelopment Agency — places more people on the streets to look for issues, and watch for abnormal behavior and suspicious activities.

Spina noted it’s already netted several arrests since the summer.

“We see how it’s working. It’s a key element of what we’re doing, and it shows the need also for interdepartmental cooperation and how well people work together,” he said.

The city’s lien forgiveness program and neighborhood cleanups also have netted encouraging results, Spina said.

More staffing for the code enforcement division, however, garnered the most attention—and support—from the council.

“Personnel is the key to this,” Mayor Gene Whitfield said.

Council president Alan Knight also suggested taking “a serious look” at staffing, considering the city’s impending growth — like the development of 1,500 new homes.

“I think our code enforcement people are doing a real good job. It’s just a massive job,” Knight said.

Councilman Lance Smith, meanwhile, suggested a “more aggressive” comprehensive plan on code enforcement.

The plan, he said, would specifically identify programs, staffing needs and technological opportunities, to be implemented sometime next year.

“We need to look at it really seriously,” Smith said. “I’d say right now maybe we’re treading water, but if we’re not going to do more, then we’re going to be underwater.”

Published November 1, 2017

Jeffries House undergoing major restoration

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Renovations are underway to the Historic Jeffries House in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) general contractor, Restoration Concepts, recently completed the leveling of the building, at 38533 Fifth Ave. The contractor replaced and added piers under the structure, replaced the latticework and replaced rotten wood on the building’s exterior. Windows were repaired, too.

The home’s porch was replaced by Dwight Hopkins, a longtime Zephyrhills resident. (Photos courtesy of Gail Hamilton)
The home’s porch was replaced by Dwight Hopkins, a longtime Zephyrhills resident.
(Photos courtesy of Gail Hamilton)

After the siding is scraped and sided, the historic house also will get a new paint job.

“They’re really moving along,” said Gail Hamilton, CRA director for the City of Zephyrhills. “They’ve raised the side of the building. It’s still a little off, but it’s a whole lot better than it was.

“We’re getting there. It’s going to be gorgeous when it’s done,” Hamilton said.

The porch floor was replaced, thanks to material and labor donations from Dwight Hopkins, a longtime city resident.

Hopkins contacted the city’s building official Bill Burgess, to see if he could volunteer to replace the porch himself, Hamilton said. Once approved, Hopkins purchased high-quality marine wood and constructed a new porch resembling the original.

The porch replacement was needed, Hamilton said.

“You couldn’t walk on it,” she said, referring to the prior condition of the floor.  “The wood had rotted; the city had put up a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign. Dwight saw that… and he just thought the house deserved the best,” she said.

The City of Zephyrhills purchased the Jeffries House for $111,000 in February 2014. The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency received a $50,000 budget for restoring the historic landmark.
The City of Zephyrhills purchased the Jeffries House for $111,000 in February 2014. The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency received a $50,000 budget for restoring the historic landmark.

“I think that is something that is so great about a small community,” she added, commenting on Hopkins’ efforts.

The project’s final step will be to restore the building’s interior.

With a shoestring budget, the CRA director is currently soliciting bids to install a plumbing and electrical system.

“It wasn’t in my original budget, so I’m trying to get the best deal that I can,” said Hamilton, who was given a $50,000 budget from the city for the restoration of the building’s exterior.

Hamilton expects everything to be completed within the next three months, so the CRA and Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., can shift their daily operations into the building’s first floor.

The second floor will be open for any prospective Zephyrhills business in need of office space, Hamilton said.

“It would be an excellent incubator project,” she said. “I haven’t really created any guidelines or what exactly that would look like. I kind of was waiting to see if somebody was interested. …What a great problem that would be if I had four or five people interested in the second floor, and we try and take those people to the (city) council with a recommendation for use of the second floor.”

The City of Zephyrhills purchased the home — built in 1912 by Zephyrhills founder Capt. Harold B. Jeffries — for $111,000 in February 2014.

Laborers work on making repairs to the back of the Jeffries House.
Laborers work on making repairs to the back of the Jeffries House.

There was a possibility of adding $75,000 for restoration, but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the appropriation which had been part of the budget adopted by the state legislature.

Preserving historic landmarks is important, Hamilton said.

“It is who we are and where we came from. Future generations will look back at us and determine if we were good stewards of our historical assets,” she explained. “It’s what makes Zephyrhills unique and different. If we don’t preserve our history, then we are just a spot in the road.”

Hamilton also noted: “If you walk down the street of any downtown, you should see the timeline: the evolution of the city.

“There should be homes and businesses and buildings that represent the different decades of that city, and really create that sense of history and place,” she explained. “You may not be crazy about mid-century architecture, but it shows a part of your history,” she said.

“And, all of those buildings should be preserved,” Hamilton said.

Published April 13, 2016

Seeking to stop illegal dumping

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The collection bins that people fill with donations of shoes and clothes are a familiar sight around the community.

For the most part, they help local charities that operate thrift stores or have giveaway programs to benefit low-income individuals and families.

In most cases, they’re clean, well marked and routinely emptied.

An unmarked donation bin in a parking lot near Sam’s Club on State Road 56 became a dumping ground for furniture and appliances. (Courtesy of Mike Moore)
An unmarked donation bin in a parking lot near Sam’s Club on State Road 56 became a dumping ground for furniture and appliances.
(Courtesy of Mike Moore)

But, not always. And now, the Pasco County Commission and the Zephyrhills City Council are ready to clamp down on those bins that quickly become illegal dumpsites, and eyesores for the community.

Many of the bins that become dump sites appear to be operated by organizations seeking clothing items to sell.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore came to a February commission meeting with photographic proof of the problem.

“What happens is a lot of organizations will collect items and sell them on the open market,” Moore said. “You’ll see people abandon the bins at times, and at times they don’t make regular collections.”

Pasco County staff members are reviewing ordinances from Deerfield Beach, Jacksonville, Tampa and Manatee County as models for a local draft ordinance to bring to county commissioners.

The city of Zephyrhills also is considering an ordinance to curb similar illegal dumping issues at bins within city limits. City Councilman Lance Smith put the topic on the council’s March 14 agenda.

Within the next month a draft ordinance should be ready for the city council’s review.

Smith’s first encounter with the issue came about two years ago when he spotted a rusty looking donation bin in the right of way by Woodland Elementary School. Code enforcement removed it.

Not every clothing bin is creating eyesores, but Smith said, “When someone leaves a mattress, the next thing it’s a television. It becomes a dumping ground.”

With Pasco County poised to adopt an ordinance, Smith said it makes sense for Zephyrhills to do the same.

Mike-Moore crop
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore would like Pasco County to crack down on illegal dumping near donation bins. (File Photo)

Recently, code enforcement investigated a complaint about illegal dumping at a bin at the Winn-Dixie shopping center on County Road 54. The property owner was notified, said Bill Burgess, Zephyrhills’ building code administrator.

“They had it cleaned up and, I believe, thereafter removed,” Burgess said.

He recalled another bin that from a distance looked legitimate. On closer inspection, it was made of plywood and hand-painted. It had no contact or identifying information.

Draft ordinances for Pasco and Zephyrhills likely would require registration and set standards for maintenance and operation.

Moore said Pasco’s ordinance could require that the bins be clearly marked with a business name, a contact phone number and rules on keeping areas around the bins cleared. Written permission from property owners also should be required, he said.

Moore said he heard from one landowner who told him that over the past years he has had to remove bins and illegally dumped materials from his properties, at a cost of hundreds of dollars.

The ordinance isn’t meant to make money for the county or to hamper businesses, property owners and agencies that act responsibly, Moore said.

“The last thing we want to do is hurt legitimate charities,” Moore said. “We want them to keep doing what they’re doing.”

Published March 23, 2016