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Zephyrhills City Council

Improvements slated for County Road 54 in Zephyrhills

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A congested roadway in Zephyrhills is set to receive some long-awaited and seemingly much-needed improvements to ease traffic patterns and enhance safety overall.

The City of Zephyrhills and Pasco County have come to a cost-sharing agreement for upgrades to a portion of County Road 54 which crosses both city limits and unincorporated county areas.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Ken Burgess (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The scope of the project calls for the following enhancements along a 1.31-mile stretch, east of U.S. 301 east 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
  • Pedestrian signals and ADA sidewalk ramps at the intersections of Wire Road/12th Street, 20th Street and 23rd Street
  • A 10-foot concrete multi-use path on the south side of County Road 54 adjacent to Zephyrhills High School, and a 5-foot to 6-foot path on the north side of the road, plus associated drainage

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 12 unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the county that calls for a 50/50-split on costs for the multi-million project.

An engineer’s estimate for the project’s entirety came in at $6,855,255.44, meaning the city and county each will have an estimated cost of $3,427,627.72.

The entire project will be constructed in one phase. How it’s actually funded will be handled a bit differently, however.

The county has agreed to fund all improvements east of 20th Street to east of 23rd Street, including a new signalized intersection. Any dollars leftover from their cost-sharing portion will be used to help Zephyrhills fund improvements from east of U.S. 301 to 20th Street, which is inside the city’s jurisdiction.

Also, under the agreement’s terms, the county will conduct construction engineering and inspections either by utilizing its workforce or contracting with a third party. The county has also agreed to be responsible for facilities maintenance after construction.

Initial plans outlined many years ago called for the stretch to be widened to four lanes. But, various infrastructure and logistical hurdles necessitated the project to instead feature turn lanes, traffic signals and adjacent multi-use trails.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith (File)

Either way, any improvements to the roadway section are greatly needed, city leaders say.

Councilman Ken Burgess labeled the stretch “a nightmare to navigate for many, many years.”

Councilman Lance Smith similarly called it “probably one of the most congested areas, at times, in the city.”

“I think there’s some necessary segments that we need to do,” Smith said. “I’m a little disappointed that we couldn’t get the four lanes in there, but hopefully, this will help with the traffic.”

The project’s sizable price tag — and how to split funding — had been a snag over the last several months between the city and county.

That in mind, the city does have the option to terminate the agreement should receive bids exceed cost estimates for its funding portion.

Council members acknowledged it’s quite possible that project bids will come in higher than anticipated, but they said they likely still will move forward with project — unless bids come in excessively greater than the engineer’s initial projections.

Smith put it like this: “Nothing is getting cheaper to build. I mean, as much as it’s a bitter pill to swallow, I think it’s something we should go ahead and do.”

Bid opening for the project is anticipated for some time in December, with Pasco County commissioners expected to award the bid/contract in February or March.

Once that happens, Zephyrhills will make an initial payment of $1.1 million to the county within a month of the bid award. From there, the city will pay installments (estimated at $581,906.93, plus change orders) to the county each of the next four years, through fiscal year 2024-2025.

Purchase thresholds upped for small projects
In other business, the council unanimously approved a first reading ordinance amendment increasing purchasing thresholds for when quotes and sealed bids are required.

It’s part of a move to streamline smaller purchases and projects, officials say

In a staff memo, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe and Zephyrhills Finance Director Ted Beason outlined how small projects have been stalled as they’re required to comply with lower, outdated thresholds ($2,500 for quotes; $20,000 for bids) instituted back in 2014.

To alleviate those issues, the altered ordinance raises proposed thresholds for quotes and bids to $5,000 and $50,000, respectively.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

As an example of the ongoing threshold issue, Poe explained how a somewhat routine purchase of a new city-operated pickup truck requires council consideration if it’s greater than $20,000 — which most new trucks are — even though it received prior approval in the regular budget.

The city manager outlined other examples, too.

A damaged handrail on Green Slope Drive cost about $3,600 to repair, but the project “took a while” to complete because the city was having trouble finding three separate quotes, Poe said.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian crossing on Simons Road estimated to cost slightly more than $20,000 is being delayed because it must go out to formal bid “as opposed to taking the plans and getting three prices, and getting the project done,” the city manager said.

“It’s just slowing things down a little bit,” Poe said of the current lower purchasing thresholds. “You know, staff does a great job of finding the most cost-efficient piece of equipment or tool as they can. This just helps…of reducing some of the search time.”

Council members expressed they are on board with the threshold changes. They added there’s still transparency in such purchases and projects, as they’ll still get listed as noted items in regular council meeting packets.

“I’m OK with what we’re doing here, because you don’t want to slow things down,” Councilman Ken Burgess said. “It’s just a formality of making sure that we’re aware of it.”

A second and final reading of the amended ordinance will be considered at an Oct. 26 regular council meeting.

Published October 21, 2020

Zephyrhills renews city attorney’s contract

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Matthew Maggard will continue serving as the city attorney for the City of Zephyrhills, for at least three more years.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously renewed an independent contract agreement with Maggard, which is effective Nov. 1 and runs through the end of October 2023.

The contract terms remain the same as the existing city attorney agreement.

The City of Zephyrhills has renewed its independent contract with City Attorney Matthew Maggard through October 2023. He has been serving the municipality since 2016. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Under those terms, the city is required to pay a minimum fee of $700 per month as a retainer, with attorney services rendered at $150 per hour, and staff services are $50 per hour. The city also will provide Maggard with health insurance on the same basis as it is provided to the council. Another perk: Maggard will be provided an education allowance to attend the Florida Municipal Attorney Association Conference, and an additional local government-related conference.

As city attorney, Maggard, 35, attends all council meetings and workshops, and provides legal counsel to the city council and city staff.

The lawyer represents the city in litigation, collects delinquent taxes, forecloses liens upon real property, prosecutes code enforcement violations, and is the legal advisor to the police and fire departments. He also prepares and reviews all resolutions, ordinances, contracts and legal agreements, too.

Recent undertakings have included: Overseeing consolidation of the city’s fire department with Pasco County; updating the public-private contract on the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, helping the city facilitate a partnership with  a couple of litigation firms to seek damages in a massive federal lawsuit against companies who manufactured firefighting chemicals later found to contaminate some of the city’s groundwater, wastewater and water wells.

Maggard started working for the city in 2016, taking over for then city attorney Joseph Poblick, who held the position for over a decade until he was appointed a Pasco County Court judge.

Maggard also runs private practice in partnership with Danny Burgess, former executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and currently a candidate for Florida Senate District 20.

The Dade City-based law firm, Maggard & Burgess P.A., handles most aspects of Florida law, including injury, family, business, real estate, banking and foreclosures, criminal defense and traffic, and landlord-tenant, as well as wills, trusts and probate.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe, who often works closely with the city attorney, expressed his appreciation for how Maggard goes about his duties.

Poe explained, “If ask him a question and he doesn’t know the answer, he doesn’t try to make something up. He says, ‘Give me a few minutes, let me go figure it out, let me go look it up,’ and he comes back with the right answer. …He goes and finds the answer and gets it to me.”

Council members similarly shared overwhelming positive reviews of Maggard’s performance thus far.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson praised Maggard’s responsiveness, whenever a need arises.

“I feel like we have a great working relationship with all of our staff, particularly (Maggard), and I’m hoping for many more years of success,” she said.

Added Councilman Ken Burgess: “I think he’s doing a really great job for us and we made the right decision there (to initially hire Maggard).”

Councilman Lance Smith acknowledged he was initially “a little concerned” about Maggard’s limited legal experience when the city brought the young attorney aboard several years ago. But, those concerns alleviated over time, Smith said, noting the attorney has “fit in well” with the city.

Maggard has some deep ties in public office.

He is the nephew of both Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley and State Rep. Randy Maggard.

The city attorney is a graduate from Florida Coastal School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2013.

Published October 21, 2020

Upgrades coming to Zephyrhills CRA area

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The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board has approved a budget of $578,244 for fiscal year 2020-2021 — and identified a number of priority projects.

The project is an increase of $91,234 over last year’s $478,010 budget.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved a budget of $578,244 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. That’s an increase of $91,234 over last year’s budget of $478,010. The CRA district includes more than 500 acres —generally encompassing the center spine of the city, between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. (File)

The increase is primarily due to greater revenues collected from ad valorem taxes from the city and Pasco County. Those revenues came in at $426,470, compared to $319,031 last year.

The remainder of the CRA budget is made up of reserves for future projects ($150,174) and miscellaneous revenue ($1,600) from interest and reimbursements from Zephyrhills Main Street Inc.

The CRA board unanimously approved the budget, which then was passed through the Zephyrhills City Council. (Although it is a separate board, the CRA board is made up of members of the Zephyrhills City Council.)

Funds will be allocated to projects within the city’s 500-plus acre CRA district, which generally encompasses the center spine of the city, between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

Priority projects include:

  • Hercules Park upgrades
  • Sidewalk improvement, in partnership with the city’s public works department
  • Lake Necessity improvements
  • Installation of public artwork and artistic connections, such as murals, from Fifth Avenue through downtown side streets
  • Incentives for development opportunities and growth in the CRA

Meanwhile, the budget funds existing grant programs and incentives, such as residential grants (façade, paint, homeownership) and commercial grants (façade, signage).

Zephyrhills CRA Director Gail Hamilton detailed the success of assorted grant programs, noting the agency last year distributed seven homeownership grants, which set a record for new homes purchased within the district in any given year.

The homeownership grant provides $5,000 to new homeowners in the district. It requires a homeowner to apply before purchasing and closing, and file for the homestead exemption for five years.

Funding also is allocated to continue the Saturday neighborhood clean-up improvement program, which was shuttered for much of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff expects to restart the program in 2021, Hamilton said.

Downtown landscaping and public artwork opportunities are just some of the initiatives funded in this year’s Zephyrhills CRA budget. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills)

Elsewhere, the agency has multiple outstanding approved projects budgeted from 2019-2020 that simply will be rolled over to the new budget year.

That includes installing signage posts and frames along Fifth Avenue, from Zephyr Park to Ninth Street. The CRA initially struggled getting bids for the project, as manufacturers shut down or scaled back amid the pandemic.

“Factories are up now, so we can get that project finished,” Hamilton said.

In conjunction with that, the CRA agency currently is consulting with Kimley-Horn planning/engineering firm on developing concepts and modifications for gateway signage, hammering out desired styles and exact locations, such as the prime U.S. 301/Fifth Avenue intersection.

The idea is to give residents and visitors directions to shopping and dining “to draw people down Fifth Avenue,” Hamilton said.

The gateway signage requires the approval of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as it falls under CAF (Community Aesthetic Features) installed in or on the right of way, Hamilton said.

Sprucing up downtown landscaping is another ongoing project that shifted into this year. It involves tidying up circular medians and installing pots, benches and chairs that match existing light poles and trash cans throughout.

Published October 21, 2020

Halloween Howl canceled; smaller event planned

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While it likely won’t generate quite the level of fanfare as Halloween Howl, Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., is working to salvage some type of celebration for the holiday.

The full-on Halloween Howl has fallen victim to a concern for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typically, Halloween Howl features about 100 vendors, trick-or-treating along all the downtown shops, haunted house, hay ride, costume parade, carnival and more.

The Historic Jeffries House, 38537 Fifth Ave., will be decorated for family picture taking opportunities, in lieu of the canceled Halloween Howl event. Candy bags also will be given out around the property on Halloween night. (File)

The event generally attracts more than 6,000 people, including 3,000 kids who went through the haunted house last year.

“It’s a busy day,” said Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency.

When people found out that Halloween Howl had been canceled, they expressed their displeasure, Hamilton said during a recent meeting of the Zephyrhills CRA Board, which is made up of members of the Zephyrhills City Council.

“When we said we weren’t doing anything at all, the community was not happy, so we’re trying to come up with something that is safe for the kiddos and the parents — something to be happy that you live in a small town,” Hamilton said.

So, the organization has proposed an alternative.

It includes decorating the front of the Historic Jeffries House with a “tasteful” Halloween theme to allow families to use it as a backdrop for photos, either standing in front of the house or sitting on the front porch. Additionally, on Halloween night, Main Street volunteers will hand out bags of candy to families that drive along Fifth Avenue; a pull-in parking space for candy bag distribution also will be made available.

Hamilton labeled it a “smaller version of Halloween, just something for the kids.”

The CRA Board offered support for the proposal. “I think it’s a great idea. I’m all for it,” said CRA board member Charles Proctor, also president of the Zephyrhills City Council.

Also, on the topic of festivals, Main Street Zephyrhills’ next major event is its annual Christmas Parade, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 5.

The event remains a go for now, although celebrations in other municipalities have been canceled.

Of note, last year’s Christmas parade drew about 15,000 people to downtown Zephyrhills, Hamilton said.

Main Street Zephyrhills is a 501c3 nonprofit that generally facilitates new business and organizes large events within the historic downtown district. The organization works in coordination with the Zephyrhills CRA.

For more information, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org, or call (813) 782-1913.

Published October 14, 2020

Zephyrhills adopts $60 million budget

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The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a budget of nearly $60.5 million for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The annual spending plan is based on a millage rate of 6.35 million, which is the same rate as the city has had for the last several years.

The tax rate will generate $5,054,921 in ad valorem taxes, based on a citywide property valuation of $837,847,970. The city’s valuation was $774,173,659 last year and generated $4,695,056 in ad valorem revenues.

No one offered public comment during the budget’s second and final public hearing.

Councilman Charles Proctor commended city staffers for organizing a balanced budget — without raising taxes — amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He characterized that accomplishment as “a big deal.”

The councilman went on: “That’s why I’m so proud to live in Florida. We live in a state where it’s in our constitution that we have to have a balanced budget. I believe that should be nationwide, personally, but it’s not.

“We live within our means, and that’s the whole idea of having this balanced budget,” Proctor said.

In another city matter, staffers are reviewing an amended financial agreement from Pasco County on the multimillion County Road 54 enhancement project, which calls for a signalized intersection, turn lanes and a multi-use path along a 1.31 mile stretch, from east of U.S. 301 to 23rd Street. The proposed agreement will be brought in front of city council “very soon,” City Manager Billy Poe said.

Construction on the $2.3 million U.S 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project is slated to begin Oct. 12 and has an eight month completion timeline. The project calls for the relocation of an existing signalized intersection from the shopping plaza entrance to Pretty Pond Road, a signalized intersection at Medical Arts Court, and all other required roadway improvements. “We’ll see some dirt being churned very soon,” Poe said.

Published October 07, 2020

Zephyrhills bids farewell to local fire department

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The Zephyrhills Fire Department — as it has been known for some 100 years — has made its last service call.

The department officially became part of Pasco County Fire Rescue on Sept. 27, through an interlocal agreement that was approved in May.

Zephyrhills Fire Department Station 2 on Sixth Avenue now becomes Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 29. The other station, Zephyrhills Fire Department Station 1 on Dean Dairy Road, is now Pasco County Fire Station 25. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

The hometown fire department’s 24 full-time employees, two stations and apparatus are now part of the county’s fire and rescue operations.

The fire stations’ computer and audio systems become unified within the county’s 911 operations center.

Along with the change, the city’s two stations have been renamed from Zephyrhills Fire Department Station 1 and Zephyrhills Fire Department Station 2, to Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 25 and Pasco Country Fire Rescue Station 29, respectively.

The merger had been coming for some time.

Besides a ballooning annual budget, Zephyrhills Fire Department over the years battled personnel turnover, staffing shortages and outdated equipment.

The city hasn’t had a fire chief for over 18 months, instead dividing those duties among  three battalion chiefs.

The merger is a “win-win” for all parties involved, said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who made an appearance at a Sept. 28 Zephyrhills City Council meeting.

Oakley, himself a Zephyrhills resident, explained that the community will benefit from increased staffing at both fire stations and two operable ambulances, quickening response times inside city limits and surrounding unincorporated areas.

“You’re going to see much better service than you’ve ever seen before,” said Oakley, noting the transition was “very seamless.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley (File)

Oakley also underscored the importance of the county economy of scale to takeover and fully fund the two fire stations, located on Sixth Avenue and Dairy Road, respectively.

The commissioner also relayed a message from a local firefighter who praised the county’s resources, which, for instance, has allowed for a third firefighter/paramedic on a ladder truck to respond to scenes, as opposed to two staffers previously.

“If they’re going out there to save somebody’s life and they need that extra hand, it’s there. That’s going to be a great thing,” Oakley said.

Meantime, the consolidation saves Zephyrhills from having to implement what would have amounted to a pricey fire assessment fee on residents and business owners to keep the local agency afloat.

Its fire department budget the last two years was $3.3 million in fiscal year 2019 and $2.8 million in fiscal year 2020 — nearly totaling the amount the city will pay the county to take fire rescue operations off its hands in perpetuity.

The interlocal agreement (as well as extended employee benefits) costs Zephyrhills roughly $5.5 million total, generally spread out over a period of seven years. After fiscal year 2026-2027, the city won’t have to pay the county for fire rescue services — as it will be solely propped up by a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) assessed to city residents and commercial entities, similar to how Dade City receives such services. An MSTU for fire services is expected to have less financial impact on city residents and commercial entities than a fire assessment fee, officials say.

Zephyrhills City Council President Charles Proctor acknowledged the merger was quite trying emotionally and sentimentally, but said it was something that had to be done for the viability of the city.

“Nobody wants to get rid of an institution,” he said, “but, I think we’re going to save the citizens in the long run, financially, and they’re going to get a lot better service, and that’s what’s important. We have to look at the big picture.”

Fellow council members, including Lance Smith, echoed such feelings.

“We were never really ever able to give the firemen what they needed, and that was a full staff at this station, which is the way to be safe, so I think that we ultimately came to this decision for the good of our fire department,” Smith said.

Though gear and uniforms may now read, “Pasco County Fire Rescue,” many fire rescue personnel at Station 25 and Station 29 are familiar to city residents — having either worked for the former city fire department or new hires with deep ties to the area.

For instance,  a pair of fairly recent Zephyrhills High School graduates are now paramedics running ambulances out of Station 25.

“We’re not completely losing that hometown feel that we thought we might be,” said Councilman Ken Burgess. “We still have it.”

Added Smith, “It’s still the Zephyrhills Fire Department in all of our minds.”

The history of the city’s fire department is believed to date back to 1915, when it started as a volunteer organization. Since the 1970s, it had a paid professional staff.

On a related note, Oakley mentioned as many as five new fire stations could be built throughout the entire county, within the next three or four years.

Published October 07, 2020

Zephyrhills budget decreasing in 2020-2021

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The City of Zephyrhills has adopted its tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year  — and it comes in slimmer than the current year, at $60,412,293.

The roughly $60.4 million budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 represents nearly an 8.8% decrease from this current fiscal year’s budget of $66,293,613. However, it’s slightly greater than the city’s budget two years ago of $59,433,368.

The Zephyrhills City Council had its first reading of the ordinance and first hearing on the proposed budget in a Sept. 14 regular meeting.

The council gave first-round approval, and will have a second reading and final reading before the new budget takes effect on Oct. 1.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Sept. 14 approved a $60,412,293 for fiscal year 2020-2021, based on a 6.35 millage rate. It represents a decrease of about $5.88 million, or 8.8% from the current budget. (File)

The proposed budget is based on an approved 6.35 millage rate, assessed on taxable value of property within the city.

At least one area where the city will begin to see marked savings is the merger of its fire department with Pasco County Fire Rescue. Savings in the first year of the interlocal agreement are tallied at $551,890 compared to the 2019-2020 budget of a fully funded municipal fire department.

The agreement (as well as extended employee benefits) will cost the city roughly $5.5 million total, generally spread out over a period of seven years. After fiscal year 2026-2027, the city won’t have to pay the county for fire rescue services — as it’d be solely propped up by an MSTU assessed to city residents and commercial entities, similar to how Dade City receives such services.

Here’s a rundown of some other proposed budget highlights by the city’s various departments:

Administrative/human resources:

  • 3.5% increase to total health care costs
  • 3% pay increase for employees won’t take effect until April 1, to give the city time to review revenues sources that may decrease as a result of COVID-19
  • City council and city attorney added to city’s 80/20 group health benefits plan
  • Administration expenses for personnel services increased by reclassifying the assistant city clerk position to a public information officer position
  • Human resources worker’s compensation decreased by $9,500 (3%), and property and casualty expenses increased by $51,914 (7%)

Airport:

  • $5.7 million state appropriation for the runway 1-19 extension
  • $800,000 fuel farm
  • $265,000 taxiway alpha design
  • $185,000 airfield beacons

Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA):

  • Revenues expected to increase to $426,470
  • $100,000 building façade grants ($50,000 to rentals; $50,000 to non-rentals/commercial properties)
  • $50,000 sidewalk improvements

 Parks:

  • $60,000 tractor/finish mower
  • $150,000 playground equipment
  • $18,000 re-roof park restrooms
  • $13,500 security camera upgrades
  • $2,500 carpet cleaner

Police:

  • $255,000 for five new vehicles
  • $54,969 for administrative solutions and digital surveillance software, solar speed signs, bulletproof vests, and rifles
  • $29,500 for police laptops and server (funded under IT)

Public Works:

  • $500,000 street resurfacings
  • $275,000 Stormwater Master Plan update
  • $80,000 tree chipper
  • $50,000 sign maintenance truck
  • $35,000 retention pond fencing
  • $30,000 pickup truck for building maintenance
  • $21,000 diagnostic scanner software for heavy vehicles, maintenance building awning/rain splash guards and overhead shop fans

Sanitation:

  • $300,000 new front load commercial garbage truck
  • $40,000 curotto-can cart lift
  • $10,000 city yard security cameras
  • $2,500 diagnostic scanner software for heavy vehicles

Water major projects:

  • $1.5 million water line from Phelps Road to Simons Road along Fort King Road
  • $1 million design of utilities building and land clearing
  • $800,000 water line from Alston Avenue to Tucker Road along U.S. 301
  • $150,000 line replacement
  • $80,000 generator for well No. 12
  • $75,000 for two new utility trucks
  • $75,000 GIS mapping
  • $70,000 well rehabilitation
  • $30,000 supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system

Wastewater major projects:

  • $1.5 million reclaimed water line from Zephyrhills High School to Zephyr Lakes along Dairy Road
  • $1 million surge tank
  • $425,000 new vac truck
  • $350,000 sewer line replacement
  • $350,000 rehabilitation of three lift stations
  • $200,000 rehabilitation of approximately 100 manholes
  • $75,000 lift station generator
  • $70,000 digester cleaning
  • $60,000 new truck
  • $30,000 sludge holding tank coating

Aside from big-ticket departmental expenses, the city budgeted $2.3 million for U.S. 301/Pretty Pond intersection improvements, which is coming from a state appropriation; and $1.1 million towards County Road 54 improvements east of Hercules Park, funded via Penny for Pasco revenues. Elsewhere, the city allocated $40,000 in funding for the East Pasco Family YMCA, and $14,000 for youth sports program grants.

Published September 23, 2020

Zephyrhills finalizes tennis center management

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The City of Zephyrhills has dotted i’s and crossed t’s in its public-private partnership with the newly opened Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center — amending a private management/operations agreement with firm Tennis P.R.O Florida LLC, on the multimillion-dollar facility.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an updated contract with Tennis P.R.O. and its owner, Pascal Collard, during a regular meeting on Sept. 15.

The $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center is now open for business. The complex, at 6585 Simons Road, features 11 regulation outdoor tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts, plus a nearly 8,000-square-foot indoor club. (Courtesy of David Alvarez, DCA Media Consulting)

The agreement repeals and replaces one signed back in October 2017, before construction began on the $4.9 million, state-of-the-art tennis complex at 6585 Simons Road.

It comes in time as the facility opened to the public on Sept. 21, with a grand opening celebration scheduled Oct. 17.

The city-owned complex features 11 regulation outdoor tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts. It also features a nearly 8,000-square-foot indoor club, which contains a fitness center, restaurant/café, and rooms dedicated for cryotherapy, salt therapy, bio/neuro feedback therapy, massage and yoga, among other frills.

Generally, Collard’s tennis management company will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility that will include providing lessons and running concessions. The firm also will handle memberships and fundraising.

The new agreement calls for a 20-year contract between the city and the firm with two subsequent 10-year renewal options with six months’ notice.

Aside from tidying up routine details like property address and parcel ID number, the contract also outlines revenue sources to the city and other parameters.

The city will receive no revenues from the first several years of the facility opening, to allow Collard and his firm to recoup its upfront costs and build a base.

For the remainder of the agreement, however, the firm will pay rent to the city based on a percentage of its profits.

Alcohol sales — beer and wine only — may be sold on the premises, so long as the gross sales do not exceed 49% of total food and beverage sales, so the facility’s indoor café is classified as a restaurant. Relatedly, alcohol sales, retail/merchandise sales and advertisement sales will not be included in revenues due to the city.

However, all other sales, which presently include food sales, academy tuition, lessons, rentals and memberships are included in revenue calculations due to the city.

Other approved changes seem to work in the city’s favor, such as use of property and right to inspection:
• City is allowed to use the facility for special events at no cost, whether it be a multi-agency planning meeting, economic summit, or even a Christmas party
• Contractor must provide audited financial statements at the end of each fiscal year
• Material alterations must be approved by the city
• Contractor will provide restaurant equipment, benches and padel courts
• Contractor is responsible for all landscaping and sod maintenance
• All proposed partnerships with contractor and a third party must be approved by the city
• Collard must retain majority ownership of Tennis P.R.O Florida LLC
• Salaries of each equity owner shall be $100,000 for the purposes of calculating the net income. Any salary above $100,000 may be paid to each equity owner, but will be considered net income and the according percentage shall be paid to the city.

On the whole, the private-public partnership is similar to one Zephyrhills has with East Pasco Family YMCA, in which the city owns the building property, but outsources programming and facility management.

Zephyrhills City Attorney Matt Maggard told council members the updated tennis operations contract summarily contains “reasonable compromises, and the changes are to the benefit of the city.”

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield added of the latest agreement: “There was a lot of work putting that contract together getting it right, so it’ll go forward and there won’t be problems in the future.”

In running the tennis center and serving as its CEO, Collard brings a diverse tennis background to the table.

He previously served as tennis director at Saddlebrook in Wesley Chapel and The Merion Cricket Club, in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

His training includes working with several widely known tennis pros, including Younes El Aynaoui and Martin Verkerk, both of whom coincidentally ranked as high as No. 14 in the ATP Tour rankings back in 2003.

Despite being a challenging time to open up a new facility amid the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders believe the project will be a boon for years to come — drawing international interest, and providing more recreational opportunities for local youth and residents alike. They also praised Collard for his efforts put into the initiative the past several years.

Councilman Lance Smith observed: “We’re going to have people from all over world coming here, participating in events here, playing here, bringing their kids here to the schools, so it’s going to be a really good thing for not only Zephyrhills, but Pasco County, so I’m excited about getting going.”

Council President Charles Proctor among others, echoed those sentiments:  “I believe in the long run, it’s going to be amazing and really make an impression for not only the community, but the city and for the whole the area.”

Published September 23, 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

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