The Laker/Lutz News

Alan Knight

Hercules Park redevelopment plan raises questions

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As the redevelopment plan for Hercules Park in Zephyrhills presses forward, at least one resident stakeholder is raising “strong concerns” with its preliminary conceptual plan.

At issue is a portion of the plan that calls for a BMX (bicycle motocross) track, where mountain bike enthusiasts could traverse jumps and obstacles across a circuitous riding trail.

This is an initial conceptual sketch plan of the Hercules Park redevelopment. (File)

Dade City resident Kimberly Barker raised questions about how youths wanting to access the trail would be able to ride their bikes safely through the city’s congested roadways to get to the attraction.

Her remarks came during the public comment period of a Nov. 29 Zephyrhills City Council regular meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall.

An initial rough conceptual sketch plan shows a circuitous riding trail covering roughly 5.29 acres on the southwest corner of the property. There’s also a proposal to build a more traditional multi-use path that surrounds the perimeter of the mountain bike course to accommodate walkers, joggers and casual bike riders.

Barker — a real estate broker for VITIS Realty — pointed to the busy street traffic that surrounds the 12-acre park property, at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

She observed the bustle is only going to grow, as high density residential development makes its way down Eiland Boulevard, as well as west and north of that area.

“Having an amenity there that draws bicyclists and pedestrian traffic, specifically, young pedestrian traffic, to cross what is one of the largest intersections in the city of Zephyrhills, is of great concern to me,” said Barker, a lifelong East Pasco resident and a graduate of Zephyrhills High School.

“I just wanted to speak tonight to voice that concern, and ask the city to maybe pump the brakes a little bit and let’s reevaluate what we’re doing with that property, and what’s going to add the greatest value to the community,” she said.

She also raised another concern — the transients and homeless people who are regularly on the park’s premises.

The speaker told council members she visited the site a couple weeks ago and documented the issue with photos on her cellphone.

“I’d like to see the city do something with that property that is maybe going to eliminate that problem right next to the elementary school, and I don’t know that the current plan is going to do that,” she said.

Meanwhile, Barker encouraged the city develop a citizens advisory committee to oversee the park development, as well as other projects and initiatives.

Council President Alan Knight thanked the speaker for her concerns and feedback.

Knight emphasized that “nothing has absolutely, totally been finalized” yet on the park’s forthcoming features and amenities, so additional citizen comments are welcome.

“Any input you would like to give, we would certainly appreciate it, but we are really finalizing it down, and just on the first couple of looks, it looks pretty nice, and I will think when it gets through, you will really like it,” he said.

Knight added the homeless population inhabiting the park is nothing new, estimating this has been an ongoing dilemma for some 30 years. “The transients and so forth have been a problem on that property,” he said. “It’s always been that way.”

This isn’t the first time reservations have been raised about a BMX track within the park property.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield raised objections to the amount of land being used for the BMX concept, during an Oct. 25 city council meeting.

“It just seems like a lot of the project is going to that, a lot of the land area. We could do multiple things in there, or a couple of things,” Whitfield said, at the time.

Addressing the issue during this latest November meeting, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said he’s had conversations with Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Director Gail Hamilton on significantly “shrinking” the BMX course layout.

“We’ve heard council loud and clear, and citizens have been pretty clear about it as well, so we’re taking a hard look at that,” Poe said. “There is a way to condense it down considerably, and so we’re looking at that, and that’ll be brought back through the whole process.”

In October, city council granted a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, in the amount of $292,985.

Published December 08, 2021

Zephyrhills Council nixes downtown theater renovation

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The idea of breathing life back into the historic Zephyrhills Home Theatre is taking a backseat — at least for now.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 25 voted to deny an appraisal of the dilapidated downtown building, located at 38521 Fifth Avenue.

The $3,600 appraisal — if it had been approved during the regular council meeting — would’ve been performed by NewStream Companies in Tampa, and would have provided some clarity regarding a potential last-minute state appropriations request for the project.

There have been conversations for several years about reviving the 500-seat twin theatre —perhaps transforming it into a playhouse or a venue to hold various community events.

The former Zephyrhills Home Theatre sits at 38521 Fifth Ave. The Zephyrhills City Council denied an appraisal of the historic building, which would’ve been the first step in the remodeling and renovation of the space. (Kevin Weiss)

The theater was built in 1948 by lumber magnate and former Zephyrhills Mayor I.A. Krusen.

Back then, it was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South, with comfortable seats, a wide stage, and a glass-enclosed “crying room” for babies.

The movie house closed in 2007, but remained available for rent. It reopened in 2010, but was shuttered again.

In a memo, city staffers recommended approval of the appraisal and submitted a state appropriations request for the purchase and renovation of the Zephyrhills Home Theatre, asserting it “will bring additional activity downtown, thus spurring additional growth and development.”

The remodeling concept was renewed after state Sen. Danny Burgess — a Zephyrhills native — recently reached out to staffers and encouraged the submittal of a state appropriations request, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

Staff continued preliminary discussions with Burgess and the property owner regarding the possibility of the city acquiring and renovating the buildings, Poe explained.

But council members raised a number of issues about the potential renovation, putting a halt to the initiative for now.

Council members noted that the city already is seeking funding for a trio of multimillion projects. Those are: A sewer main and water main extension for $3.48 million; Zephyrhills Municipal Airport improvements for $5.33 million; and Zephyr Park improvements for $5 million.

Council members voiced concern about submitting a fourth appropriations request to the state to revive the theater, theorizing it might jeopardize one or more of the other projects.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson characterized those other projects as “the things we’re desperate for.”

Another concern is spreading staffers too thin, if all four big-ticket items gained approval.

Councilman Lance Smith noted that the city has a lot going on.

Other potential problems include insufficient time to gather necessary details and the lack of a concrete plan of action.

The deadline for submitting appropriation project requests to the Florida House for the 2022 regular legislation session is Nov. 17.

The city would be unable to get all of the information needed by that date to turn in an accurate request, Poe said.

Another issue involves the feasibility of doing a renovation.

The building’s age and condition also could lead to further unanticipated costs, upon a complete survey and feasibility study.

The city has encountered this kind of a dilemma in the past, with renovations of the Sixth Avenue Fire Station and Historic Jeffries House, to name a few.

Smith noted: “That (theater) building, whatever you can possibly imagine it would cost to renovate it, it’s going to be double or triple, guaranteed.”

Wilkeson agreed: “There’s lots of things that could be wrong with the building.”

The two-story theater building also features two small commercial units on the first floor — a salon and barbershop — and two residential units on the second floor.

Also, if the city purchased the building — that would remove a commercial building off the tax rolls.

Councilman Charles Proctor raised this question: “Are we in the business, as a city, to be purchasing all these properties, and taking them off the tax roll?”

Despite myriad concerns, Poe pointed out that this may have been the window of opportunity to capitalize on the theatre renovation project — given strong representation from Burgess, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, respectively.

Zephyrhills did well with state appropriations last year.

It received $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road; $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The city also was selected as the site for a $25 million state-of-the-art Florida National Guard Armory.

“As we know, kind of all the stars are aligned at the state,” Poe said. “Last year and this year is our best opportunities that we have. We have friendly senators or representatives, as well, in the right seats.”

Council President Alan Knight said he appreciated Burgess for suggesting the idea of renovating the theater. But Knight noted: “I just think that it’s not a real good time right now.”

Wilkeson concurred: “I just don’t think we can put together something professional enough that it would support Senator Burgess’s goals and objectives.”

Published November 10, 2021

Pace of growth quickens in Zephyrhills

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Burgeoning residential and commercial growth has been a prime theme of late, within the City of Zephyrhills.

Thousands of new homes are on the books, and there’s an influx of new businesses, too.

The city now claims a Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Starbucks, and Wawa, too.

The surging growth is keeping the city’s building department busy.

Longtime building official Bill Burgess shared just how busy they’ve been — during an Aug. 9 Zephyrhills City Council meeting,

The department issued 1,765 permits, from Oct. 1 through July 30, according to Burgess’ report.

The Zephyrhills Building Department issued 1,765 permits from Oct. 1 through July 30. The department also handled 6,226 site inspections during that time frame. (File)

General residential building accounted for the bulk of the work — with 788 permits issued for miscellaneous home upgrades like screen rooms, roofs, sheds, air conditioning changeouts and solar panel installations. That represents 44% of total permits issued.

“We’re getting solar permits left and right,” Burgess said.

There’s also been significant demand for new residential building construction — with 407 permits issued for single-family dwellings and multi-family units. That represents 23% of the total permits issued.

Residential additions and alterations accounted for 162 permits, representing 9.2% of the total;  electric service replacement, 159 permits, for 9% of the total; general commercial building, 104 permits, for 5.9% of the total; and, new fire systems, 77 permits, representing 4.4% of the total.

The department also issued 20 new commercial building permits. However, he was quick to point out that those permits don’t necessarily mean that many brand-new buildings are coming aboard.

Some of those permits, he explained, are for signage and other ancillary items.

The building department handled 6,227 site inspections during the October to July timeline, which equates to roughly 35 inspections each business day, Burgess said.

Given the level of activity, the department’s seven staffers — who handle permitting, inspections, code enforcement and other duties — have had their hands full, Burgess said.

“We’ve been busy,” Burgess told council members, noting it has been good for the city and the city’s finances.

“It has been a good year,” he said. “I think it’ll help the budget.”

Times certainly have changed, noted Burgess, who has worked for the city since 1990.

He recalled, with a chuckle, how he used to know just about every person who came into the building department for a permit, inspections and other matters.

“That’s not the case anymore,” he said.

Still, the department tries to maintain its “hometown” feel, he said.

“As we get bigger, it gets a little harder,” Burgess said.

In the discussion with council members, Burgess acknowledged the need for succession planning and boosting departmental staffing in the near future — perhaps in fiscal year 2022-23.

“If things continue the way they are, I will be coming to you all to talk about staff,” Burgess told the council.

“We were comfortable this year, I think this coming fiscal year we’ll be OK…so I think we’re in good shape and we can handle it for another one,” Burgess said.

Councilman Lance Smith, however, noted the cyclical nature of the real estate market and cautioned that the city’s growth may slow in coming years.

Burgess agreed that outcome is possible, but he posited the East Pasco community’s nearby distance to Tampa likely will equate to measured growth for a while.

“I think we’re going to be in a good place for several years, just my feeling, just because of our proximity to Tampa and everybody pushing out,” he said.

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson queried Burgess about the department’s ongoing code enforcement efforts and legal resolutions.

The building official said the coronavirus pandemic “put a damper” on the time frames of trials and arraignments to settle outstanding issues. This included about a six-month lull in such court system meetings, he said.

Though activity picked up in recent months with the courts, Burgess said, questions remain if measures again will begin to slow down amid the surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant.

“Who knows with this new variant if they’ll make a change again,” Burgess said.

After Burgess’ presentation, Councilmen Alan Knight and Charles Proctor commended the building department’s overall level of professionalism and proactiveness in dealing with the public at large.

City Manager Billy Poe echoed those sentiments, sharing a positive testimonial from the owner-operator of the new Chick-fil-A on Gall Boulevard, which celebrated its grand opening late last month.

Poe relayed how the Chick-fil-A manager “had nothing but praise for the building department and how well the building department worked with them.”

Poe also mentioned Chick-fil-A officials being satisfied with the efficiency of the city’s site plan review and permitting process, compared to locations in other municipalities: “They said, that if they were building anywhere else, (the grand opening) would’ve been two weeks to a month later, because the hassles, I guess, they get from other municipalities, so I thought that was good to hear and needed to be passed along.”

Published September 01, 2021

Zephyrhills draft budget shows big jump

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Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

The City of Zephyrhills anticipates a roughly 24.5% increase over this year’s budget.

The proposed budget for 2021-2022 draft is estimated at nearly $75.3 million.

That compares to this year’s budget of roughly $60.5 million.

The proposed budget also is significantly more than it was in the 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 fiscal years, which were approximately $66.3 million and $59.4 million, respectively.

The city’s proposed budget is based on a 6.35 millage rate, assessed on taxable value of aggregate property of just over $946.6 million within the city. At that rate, it is expected to generate about $5.7 million in ad valorem revenues, based on a 95% collection rate.

Within the proposed budget are anticipated leaps in the special revenue fund (estimated at slightly more than $13.1 million in the coming year, compared to about $7.2 million this year); the utility fund (estimated at nearly $22.8 million, up from slightly more than $16.4 million); and the utility impact fee fund (estimated at nearly $6.3 million, up from slightly more than $4.3 million), respectively.

Estimates for other funds are similar to previous years. Those include the general fund, at slightly more than $15.6 million; the Community Redevelopment Agency fund, at nearly $800,000; the impact fee fund at slightly more than $6.1 million; the airport fund, at slightly more than $8.4 million and the sanitation fund at nearly $2 million.

City Manager Billy Poe offered a comprehensive overview of the proposed budget to the Zephyrhills City Council, during its July 26 meeting.
Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate and budget are scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27, both at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., Zephyrhills.

Big-ticket projects abound
Poe during the meeting detailed some of the big-ticket items — including the multimillion expansion of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, which comes in as the highest single-ticket item on the books. That project has a state appropriation of slightly less than $4.7 million.

Another 800-feet of roadwork to complete Simons Road Phase II has an estimated price tag of $2.3 million, which is included in the proposed city budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. The elevated cost surprised several members of the Zephyrhills City Council during a July 26 regular meeting. Shown here is the completion of Simons Road Phase. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The municipality received the state funds to construct additional outdoor hard tennis courts, as well as a 30,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility with the capability for other sports and activities, such as soccer, ping pong, banquets and ceremonies.

The budget item drawing the greatest reaction from council members involves the Simons Road Phase II project, to finish roadwork linking Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road.

The project carries a price tag of $2.3 million, causing some council members to question its cost.

The work — funded through transportation impact fees — calls for paving about 800 feet of roadway. That’s compared to Simons Road Phase I, which cost about $2.1 million, but required about 1.1 miles of roadwork.

Phase I was completed in February 2020, paving Simons Road from Eiland Boulevard to the northern boundary of The Links at Silver Oaks.

Phase II will continue from the Silver Oaks subdivision to Fort King Road, making a continuous link between Eiland Boulevard and Fort King Road, creating a north-south connector, providing residents on the north end of town another option to get onto Eiland Boulevard.

The cost of phase II drew consternation from the dais.

Councilman Lance Smith was quick to question the cost, as did Council President Alan Knight.

Knight characterized the estimated cost as “almost ridiculous.”

Poe said he, too, was surprised by the figure.

He explained the cost — an engineer’s estimate — is attributed to the road section traversing wetlands and low areas, requiring box culverts and retaining walls, among other add-ons.

Zephyrhills Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc added to Poe’s explanation for the sticker shock, observing economy of scale and current market trends also need to be taken into account.

Given the area’s drainage accommodations, the project’s scope is more involved “than just a road section,” LeBlanc explained.

LeBlanc went on: “The engineer’s estimate was $2.3 million, and I also had a contractor look at the engineer’s estimate, and the contractor said in this day and age, that price is pretty close, so we’re hoping when we go out to bid, it’ll be less than that, but we’ve got to make sure we have enough in the budget to cover that.

The City of Zephyrhills draft budget is $75.3 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate and budget are scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27. (File)

“Historically, an engineer’s estimate is high, so that they cover themselves, and we were skeptical and had it looked at, and it’s checked out,” LeBlanc said.

One option would be to package the Simons Road Phase II project with several other citywide roadway projects to benefit from economy of scale with discounts on construction mobilization costs, Poe said.

“We might be able to get it a little cheaper, a little less expensive,” he reasoned.

Smith noted that allocating $2.3 million in the budget for the job might result in higher bids than it would, otherwise.

“We always understand, a lot of times, if you have $2.3 million in your budget, the bids are all around $2.3 million,” Smith said.

LeBlanc acknowledged that a project’s budgeted amount often is one of the first questions a contractor will ask.

But LeBlanc said if the city allotted too little for Simons Road Phase II, and all of the bids came in higher than the budget amount, the city would need to change the budgeted amount, anyway.

The public works director also noted that a 10% contingency is built into the scope.

Major utilities projects are on tap for the city, too.

This includes a $4 million allocated in the wastewater utilities fund for the Northside lift station and force main.

The project calls for a master lift station in the vicinity of 23rd Street and Otis Allen Road, then installing a force main at Otis Allen, County Road 35A and State Road 54, into another lift station in that area. Poe explained the project not only meets septic-to-sewer initiatives but also helps to serve the rapid development on the north end of town.

Other notable utilities projects include a pair of waterline extensions combining to total $3 million — and paid through loan by Florida’s State Revolving Fund (SRF).

One aims to create a waterline loop from Copeland Drive to State Road 39 and Tucker Road ($2 million).

The other calls for a waterline loop that includes Fort King Road from Simons Road to Phelps Road ($1 million).

The city’s proposed budget also includes $1 million in Penny for Pasco dollars for sidewalk improvements throughout town — a big-picture initiative to make the city more walkable for residents and visitors.

Poe put it like this: “I want to be able to create loops in our sidewalks and our trails, so as individuals want to go out and exercise, they have a loop and it’s not just an out and back, so we’re working on connectors, and also connecting our schools to our parks and our neighborhoods, so we’re hoping that $1 million will make a big dent in our needs for sidewalks.”

Meanwhile, another $1 million-plus in Penny for Pasco funds also will go toward park improvements, the bulk set for renovations to Hercules Park.

“We’ve been talking about Hercules Park, and the enhancements we want to make there,” Poe said, “so we feel that we can put $1 million towards that. We don’t believe that will complete the entire project, but that will get us going in the right direction and be able to do a large portion of that.”

While smaller in nature, Gateway and Jennifer Lane roadway projects also would be notable — as they represent the last dirt roads in city limits, Poe noted.
Those projects — funded through transportation impact fees — are estimated at $350,000 and $120,000, respectively.

Personnel matters
The city manager also addressed various personnel matters during the budget discussion portion of the meeting.

The proposed budget calls for several additional positions, including a human resources specialist, senior maintenance mechanic, equipment operator, police officers, water distribution officer, wastewater maintenance/inventory technician and senior utility billing service representative.

Determining how many new Zephyrhills police officers to hire remains an open budget question for Zephyrhills City Council. (File)

The need for additional police officers — and how many to hire — yielded debate among the council.

Poe relayed that Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer has requested hiring six more officers, to accommodate the city’s rapid residential growth.

That would meet the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recommended standards of 2.4 full-time sworn officers per thousand residents, Poe explained.

However, the city manager himself told council he’d prefer hiring just two officers for this upcoming fiscal year, with a plan to bring on additional officers in coming years.

Hiring two more officers this fiscal year would roughly give the city 2.1 full-time sworn officers per thousand residents, he said.

The starting salary for a full-time sworn officer is $44,500 plus benefits — bringing a total cost to the city at about $70,000 per officer, per year, Poe noted.
Brewer did not speak at the meeting.

Councilman Charles Proctor, however, was vocal about considering the police chief’s request, or at least meeting somewhere in the middle.

“Personally, with the growth, I would like to see more (officers),” Proctor said.

“I mean, I’d like to try to get closer to the number that (Brewer’s) requesting. I know six is probably undoable, but if we could do four, I mean, with the growth, I am concerned that we’re going to need more.

“I would definitely like to see more than two (officers), but I know sometimes we can only do so much.”

Also on the personnel front, Poe said the budget encompasses a 3% pay increase for all employees — a total impact of $194,618 spread across the general fund, CRA fund, utility fund, airport fund and sanitation fund.

Another subject at hand is ensuring the city is in line with the minimum wage increasing to $15 per hour in September 2026. Anticipated savings from the merger of the city’s fire department with Pasco County may help methodically offset salary increases each year, Poe noted.

Elsewhere, the city manager mentioned several possible add-ons that are not yet included in the draft budget:

* $2 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to purchase and install permanent generators for the city’s utilities department
• $100,000 to transform an inline hockey rink at Krusen Field into a short-sided turf soccer field
• $65,000 for place branding the city for marketing purposes

These items will likely be considered at another meeting or budget workshop. Meanwhile, Poe said he wants to schedule one-on-one meetings with each council member to gather additional input on budgetary needs and issues.

Published August 04, 2021

Zephyrhills city manager earns solid performance marks

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The verdict is in: Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe is doing a pretty bang-up job.

That’s the general consensus of the Zephyrhills City Council in its performance review of Poe, shared during the council’s July 12 meeting.

Poe earned a combined 4.21 on a rating scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning needs improvement and 5 meaning exceeds expectations.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

Here’s how the scores for Poe broke down:

Council President Alan Knight: 4.84
Councilman Ken Burgess: 4.68
Councilman Charlie Proctor: 4.27
Councilman Lance Smith: 3.82
Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson: 3.43

The 12-page evaluation covered a period from June 2020 to June 2021.

The review consisted of 10 key performance measures — personal, professional skills and status, relations with elected members, policy execution, reporting, citizen relations, staffing, supervision, community, and fiscal management.

The evaluation also gave council members an opportunity to respond to specific questions and include comments pertinent to the rating period. Those specifics could include the city manager’s strengths, performance areas needing improvement and constructive suggestions.

The results were submitted to Lori Hillman, the city clerk; Sandra Amerson, human resources director; and, Pasco County.

After the results were shared, several council members offered remarks about the city’s operations under Poe’s management.

Smith and Burgess each simply stated the city manager is “doing a good job.”

Burgess added: “I think everything is running along pretty good right now.”

Knight was more effusive in his praise. He said Poe is “doing a great job.”

Knight elaborated: “Things that are being done for this city and the growth and all, I’m just real proud of everything. Once again, Mr. Poe, we’re very proud. I know I’m very proud of the job you do.”

Poe’s evaluation period coincides with several noteworthy changes for the municipality. Those include consolidation of the city’s longstanding fire department into Pasco County; the opening of the multimillion-dollar Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; progress on the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project; the launch of the city’s first social media accounts; and, the hiring of its first public information officer.

Poe became Zephyrhills’ city manager during a period of massive residential growth in the city — with over 2,400 homes under construction, not including the numerous developments currently in the negotiation stage. As a result of the growth, an estimated 6,000 people could move into the city within the next two years to five years.

He previously served as city manager in Dade City in 2008, a position he held for over a decade.

He left Dade City to become the assistant city manager in Zephyrhills, in November 2018, then stepped up to replace retiring city manager Steve Spina in July 2019.

Published July 28, 2021

Barbecue and classic car event planned for July 4 weekend

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A Backyard BBQ and Classic Car Show has been set for Independence Day weekend, in downtown Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills City Council cleared the way for the event, by granting a special event request from the Zephyrhills chapter of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

The downtown event, set for July 3 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., will require the closure of some downtown streets.

The streets that will be closed from noon to 10 p.m. are:

  • Fifth Avenue, from Seventh Street to Ninth Street
  • Eighth Street, from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue

Alcohol will be available in a designated area, with off-duty Zephyrhills Police Department officers on hand throughout the event.

The event on July 3 will feature barbecue contests and a classic car show. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Eagles #3752 Facebook Page)

City staff recommended approval of the request, which council members approved unanimously at their June 14 meeting.

An online flyer of the event promotes vendors, hot rods, prizes, live bands, barbecue contests, a full bar and more.

While council members expressed enthusiasm for having the event during the Independence Day weekend, they also advised event organizers that in the future they must coordinate downtown events in advance through Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., and the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Such coordination is intended to help prevent scheduling conflicts with other downtown events and to control the closure of roads, which could affect surrounding businesses and properties along Fifth Avenue, they said.

Council Vice President and CRA Board President Jodi Wilkeson made those issues clear during the meeting.

But she added: “I think this is a great opportunity for the Eagles to promote the downtown community.”

City Manager Billy Poe addressed the councilwoman’s concerns directly.

He explained now that Main Street has just filled its director position with the hiring of Faith Wilson, staffers will be more insistent with local organizations wishing to host downtown events to follow proper communication channels.

“That conversation’s gonna ramp up a little bit more,” Poe said. “I think as we move forward, we’ll have some more communication about different events and how do we coordinate everything together.”

That said, Poe suggested the council go ahead and approve this latest request from the Eagles.

“What the Eagles are putting on is what we want downtown,” Poe said, noting their prior events have attracted visitors from Lakeland and other locales.

Council President Alan Knight added he’s “very happy” to see the downtown barbecue and car show come about.

But Knight wanted assurance from the organization that attendees limit alcohol consumption to a specified block, and not throughout the entire event.

“We just don’t want (drinkers) wandering around or running through town,” Knight said.

Zephyrhills Eagles representative Reed Sutton said the group is amenable to each of the council’s requests and accommodations.

“We are a nonprofit organization, and we are here to help downtown Zephyrhills to grow back up and be something exciting,” Sutton told council members.

“We will do whatever we have to do to work with you city members…and whatever you need from us, we’re here, and we’ll back ya’ll and do whatever we have to do,” Sutton added.

The Zephyrhills Eagles run their charity operation out of a two-story former bank brick building, at 38421 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills

Their regular events and programming include bingo, darts, pool, card games, karaoke, live music, line dancing instruction, and more.

The international nonprofit organization was founded “on a premise of proud, caring, people helping people with a passion for community service.”

Published June 30, 2021

Residents back Zephyrhills golf course

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The future of the Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course remains up in air, as city leaders continue to ponder the possible sale of the property for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

In recent weeks, the National Guard has been scouting the 65-acre golf property situated on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

This development comes as state lawmakers approved allocating $25 million in appropriations to the military organization, for future training grounds in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is designed to provide a public, low-cost alternative compared to other courses in the area. The 18-hole, par 68 course is known as a haven for snowbirds and beginners alike. The course’s future may be in jeopardy if the Florida Army National Guard selects the location as its site for an armory expansion, and the City of Zephyrhills received a weighty offer for the property. (File)

But area residents have come out swinging in support of the 18-hole, par 68 course, at 39248 B Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Avid golfers and course workers alike voiced the need to keep the outdoor recreational amenity intact, during a public comment portion of a May 24 Zephyrhills City Council regular meeting.

The facility — established in 1957, then opened in 1978 — is regarded as a low-cost alternative compared to surrounding golf courses, where snowbirds and others flock to during the year.

Discussion about the course’s future originally came up during an earlier May meeting to approve a lease agreement with Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as course management operators.

But City Manager Billy Poe at the time disclosed how the National Guard had targeted the golf course property for purchase — likely to be a substantial offer — among other site alternatives and parcels throughout the city, following the wave of expansion funding.

Armed with that information, council members tabled the lease renewal for future discussion, given that the city’s present agreement with Under Par won’t expire until April 2022.

With no final decisions yet set, locals came out in full force inside Zephyrhills City Hall to put comments on the record.

Sixteen-year-old Wesley Chapel resident Jake Roberts spoke in glowing terms about his experiences at the course.

The teen, who was the first public speaker to weigh in on the topic, said he learned to play golf there with his father, when he was just 8 years old.

He described the course as “a cornerstone” of his life and “a very important place” for the entire East Pasco community.

“I have a lot of good memories from there,” Roberts told the council. “I’ve grown up there basically, around some of the best, kindest, and overall good people that you could meet.”

He urged council members: “Please allow these memories I will forever cherish to be experienced by more people in this community.”

Roberts’ father, Art, also stood up, wrought with emotion on the course’s uncertain future.

Choking up, the parent shared how course staff and members welcomed his family and rallied around his 12-year-old daughter’s battle with cancer.

Art added that the course was “a place to go” for the family during the traumatic times, then emphasized how the facility is accommodating and affordable for both young and older golfers, including retirees and winter residents.

“The value to our community is immeasurable,” Art said. “There’s a lot of folks that need that place.”

Zephyrhills resident Ken Fabiani can attest, as an amputee veteran who’s played the municipal course the past four years. “It’s about the only golf course that’s feasible for somebody that has, not a handicap, but a little difficulty playing the longer golf courses,” he said, also noting the pro shop offers a 20% veteran discount.

Fabiani also suggested the proposed armory project “be placed somewhere more convenient than taking away the city’s golf course, and let it be that everybody has a chance to play.”

Mike Murrell discovered the course about two years ago when he relocated to Zephyrhills.

He has since become a regular course volunteer, where he’s met hundreds of people young and old — including some players in their 90s, who relish the smaller, beginner-friendly style course. “If it weren’t for that course,” Murrell said, “they wouldn’t be playing golf.”

Murrell also said, “I think it’d be a travesty if the course was shut down, because it’s enjoyed by so many people, especially the six months out of the year when the northerners are down here, it’s unbelievable.”

Longtime Zephyrhills resident Gary Kyle began playing the course about 11 years ago.

He likewise pleaded with city leadership to not compromise the course: “It’s a great place to go to unwind, it does a lot for the community. It gives people, young people especially, a place to go that’s safe, a good, safe environment, and I would really like for the council members and the city to keep the course open.”

In addition to other area residents who spoke up in favor of keeping the facility intact, course employees, like pro shop manager Craig Sexton, expressed concern about closing the course in favor of another development project.

“I don’t see why one company has to die for another to live,” Sexton said.

“I don’t understand why we need to destroy one company that’s functioning, not great, but we’re surviving, and for that to happen post-COVID, I’m confused, I’m not sure what is going on.

“I understand the city has to look out for the city, but I ask that you also consider us employees and just understand that we have something at stake, too.”

When questioned by council about course activity, Sexton said the facility can average upwards of 1,500 players per week and some 6,000 rounds per month, during the busy winter season between October through February.

“When we’re on and everybody’s in the groove,” he said, “it’s busy, it’s crazy out there, but they love it, and we make it happen.”

Sexton contrasted those figures with an undetermined number of National Guard soldiers and staffers who’d train and take base at the would-be armory unit.

He observed, “I mean, it’s really a substantial penalty to the community if we just wipe this golf course off the earth, you know.”

Zephyrhills golf course manager Ayako Burkhart also pleaded to keep the city golf course, describing it as an affordable recreational outlet for all ages and backgrounds.

Burkhart also detailed how the property is a haven for many seniors and winter residents, some who regularly stop by the clubhouse, not just for golf, but for coffee and conversations.

She also pointed out how the facility also is “a safe, comfortable environment” for golfers with disabilities, who may take a while longer to get around the course, by ensuring they aren’t harassed or yelled at for slow play. “People are appreciative of what we’re doing,” Burkhart said, “as a city golf course to everyone.”

Council addresses concerns
Following the barrage of public statements, council members further weighed in on the issue, while also thanking citizens for providing input.

Councilman Lance Smith, who grew up playing the course, acknowledged any final decision one way or the other will be tough given the course’s history and community role.

The councilman encouraged city staffers to visit the course to see its present condition and operations.

He also suggested the National Guard “look elsewhere” throughout Zephyrhills, instead of a golf course “that provides a recreational amenity to how many thousands of people every season.”

“Quite frankly, I’m going to have a very difficult decision to make, because that golf course is very dear to me, personally,” Smith said.

“When it comes down to it, I honestly can’t say which way I’m going to fall on it. …I know this (issue) is going to come before us, but I just want to put it out there that I have a strong attachment to that piece of ground out there.”

Mayor Gene Whitfield similarly advised staffers to best push other vacant sites to the National Guard for an armory.

“It’s been here a long time, it’s almost like a landmark here to many of us,” Whitfield said of the municipal course. “Personally, I’m kind of in the camp that says, ‘We need to keep looking and not make a hasty decision.’”

Councilman Ken Burgess said he’s confident administration “will do what’s in the best interest for the city overall,” then adding “we still have some things to find out before we even make a decision anyway.”

Added Councilman Charles Proctor: “Sometimes we do have to make tough decisions, but I think we can put a little common sense into it and maybe, hopefully, make everybody happy.”

City Attorney Matthew Maggard even chipped in his experiences participating in youth camps as a kid at the course.

It’s where he first learned to properly hit out of a sand trap thanks to an instructor’s memorable tip about envisioning swinging a shallow patch of sand about the size of a dollar bill under the ball. “I used that (tip) all the way through high school when I played on the high school team. That was the best trick I ever learned, and I learned it out there,” he said.

Altogether, Council President Alan Knight may have best summed up what most were thinking: “I have a big place in my heart for that golf course.”

Published June 02, 2021

Zephyrhills councilmembers retain seats

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The names and faces on the Zephyrhills City Council will remain familiar — but some titles are changing.

Incumbent councilmembers Charles Proctor and Jodi Wilkeson have been reelected to new three-year terms, both running unopposed in the 2021 municipal election.

Charles Proctor

They each took the oath of office, in a swearing-in ceremony conducted by City Clerk Lori Hillman during a special meeting on April 15 at Zephyrhills City Hall.

Other members on the voting council include Ken Burgess, Alan Knight and Lance Smith. Mayor Gene Whitfield also sits on the dais, though he doesn’t run council meetings, cannot make motions and cannot vote on matters before the council. He does, however, have veto power on city ordinances.

While the composition of the council didn’t change, there was a reorganization, with Knight selected to serve as council president, and Wilkeson as vice president.

Councilmember liaison appointments were finalized, too.

Burgess will serve on the Pasco County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce; Proctor, on Ridge League of Cities; Smith and Whitfield, on Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); and Wilkeson, on Main Street Zephyrhills.

Proctor begins his fifth term on Council Seat 5.

He was elected to his first term back in 2011, when he defeated then incumbent Manny Funes.

Proctor has owned an auto detailing and coin collection shop on Eighth Street for about three decades.

A native of Portland, Maine, Proctor moved to Florida in 1989, where he quickly landed a job washing cars and as a butcher, before launching his own businesses in Zephyrhills within a couple years.

Jodi Wilkeson

Wilkeson likewise is no stranger to the city’s governing dais — beginning her fifth term — having been elected to a three-year term April 2018 and also previously serving from 2008 to 2014.

She lost Seat 2 in the 2014 municipal election to Knight, a retired educator, but assumed Seat 3 in 2018 after defeating candidates Devon Alexander and Cory Sommers. She took over for outgoing member Kent Compton, who did not file for reelection that cycle.

Wilkeson is the founder and president of an architecture and interior design firm in Tampa.

She’s held numerous volunteer roles over the years, previously serving on the citizen-led Zephyrhills Planning Commission and Zephyrhills Historic Preservation Board.

Besides her council duties, Wilkeson is board president of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

The mayor and city council serve as representatives of the electors of the City of Zephyrhills, and are responsible for establishing the direction and policies of all affairs of the city.

Their primary duties include exercising legislative leadership and policy to promulgate the laws and ordinances of the city, approving an annual budget to provide for the needs and services of the city, setting policy and direction for the various functions of city government, and appointing citizens to serve on various advisory boards and committees.

Council members each receive $6,000 annually for their duties.
It’s undoubtedly a busy time inside city hall — navigating the East Pasco town’s rampant growth, development, infrastructure enhancements and other changes.

Some of the council’s recent and future undertakings include:

• Managing the addition of thousands of new homes throughout city limits

• Multimillion dollar expansions to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, municipal airport and municipal tennis center

• Myriad roadwork projects, such as U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection and paving of Simons Road

• Work to revitalize the historic downtown district

• Overhaul of the city’s 911 dispatch communications system

Zephyrhills City Council
Seat 1: Lance Smith
Seat 2: Alan Knight
Seat 3: Jodi Wilkeson
Seat 4: Ken Burgess
Seat 5: Charles Proctor
Mayor: Gene Whitfield

Published April 28, 2021

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

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The City of Zephyrhills has decided to seek state funding for three improvement projects during the 2021 state legislative session.

Those projects involve improving Seventh Street; expanding the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, improving a runway at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. The total costs for all three projects is estimated at $11.6 million.

This is a rendering of what a complete roadway would include, traversing Seventh Street from C Avenue north to U.S. 301. The 1.5-mile section would be converted from a single two-lane, one-way northbound road to a two-lane, two-way road with the addition of a multi-use trail, a sidewalk, on-street parking (where practical), and drainage improvements. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to submit funding requests for these projects at a Jan. 11 regular meeting.

When the Florida Legislature meets, it considers requests from local governments for assistance with projects of local importance.

Zephyrhills must ask state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, and state Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, to sponsor these projects on the city’s behalf.

Staff will work to complete the applications and then submit to both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, said Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

Monies would theoretically be made available to Zephyrhills in July, should one or more of those projects be approved by the Florida Legislature and signed off on by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Here’s a more detailed look at the proposed projects:

  • Seventh Street complete street

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has proposed to convert U.S. 301 and Sixth Street to a one-way pair street network. Because of these improvements, the city correspondingly wants to construct roadway improvements along Seventh Street from C Avenue north to U.S. 301. The roadway would be converted from a single two-lane, one-way northbound road to a two-lane, two-way road with the addition of a multi-use trail, sidewalk, on street parking where practical, and drainage improvements. The length of the street project is approximately 1.5 miles. Estimated cost is $6.3 million.

  • Indoor tennis complex, plus outdoor hard courts

Shown as Phase II on the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center plans, this includes the construction of a 30,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility with the capability for other sports and activities (soccer, ping pong, banquets, ceremonies), along with associated parking. Additionally, staff would like to construct six outdoor hard courts, allowing for sanctioned hard-court tournaments. Estimated cost is $2.5 million.

  • As part of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s runway 01-19 extension, additional funding is needed for paved runway shoulders, taxiway B extension, stormwater piping and an access road. These projects have a total estimated cost of $2.8 million. (File)

    Zephyrhills Municipal Airport runway extension

The city previously received a state appropriation of $5.9 million for the extension of runway 01-19, which is currently out to bid. However, an engineer’s cost estimate indicates the original appropriation will cover only the design and construction of the runway, and will not cover the paved runway shoulders, taxiway B extension, stormwater piping or the access road. These additional items have a total estimated cost of $2.8 million.

Before deciding to approve the project submissions, there was much discussion during the meeting — mainly concerning the additions to the tennis center and the airport runway extension.

Zephyrhills Council President Charles Proctor, for one, expressed disappointment because the city again must request for additional state funds regarding improvements to the airport runway. He was dismayed, as well, that no state funding requests were presented for improving various city parks facilities, including Hercules Park.

The city manager addressed both matters.

Poe detailed how original airport runway costs were likely underestimated because there was no design at the time of the requests for fiscal year 2018-2019, plus he said there was a short time frame for an engineer to put a package together. Moreover, construction costs have changed somewhat since then, Poe said.

“I agree, it’s crazy to me that $5.9 million doesn’t cover everything we needed out there; unfortunately, that’s where we are on that,” the city manager said.

As for not requesting anything in the way of local parks improvements from the state, Poe suggested next year might be more apt given expected state budget reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic — where officials have said could hit the $5 billion shortfall range.

He mentioned conversations with various state representatives made it appear they’re likely to sponsor fewer projects on the whole because of the pandemic’s lingering effects. For example, Poe said Burgess previously told him he’d be comfortable sponsoring just two Zephyrhills projects this year.

Poe observed: “Let’s be honest, I think this state budget coming up here is going to be very tight. That doesn’t lend itself to a lot of appropriations, but we could be surprised. I think people are spending more than what we thought they would be throughout this past year, so hopefully projections were off.”

The City of Zephyrhills is seeking state funding for a trio of infrastructure projects. (File)

Meantime, there always had been plans to construct an indoor multi-purpose sports complex holding four tennis courts, at some point.

City council members were taken aback that the proposal also includes the construction of six additional outdoor hard-surface tennis courts to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, situated on 10 acres at 6585 Simons Road.

The facility already features nine Har-Tru clay tennis courts, two hard-surface tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts.

If the multimillion dollar expansion project is passed in its entirety, that would give the facility 21 tennis courts in one form or another, plus the pickleball and padel offerings.

Aside from a quartet of indoor/covered courts, Poe explained the reasoning for funding an additional six outdoor hard surface courts is to open the facility to a wider range of tournaments, and to accommodate increasing recreational uses and demands.

In order to host certain tournaments — such as high school district or regional meets — the facility must have a minimum of eight hard-surface courts, he said. (Any indoor courts would not count toward that requirement because they technically have a different playing surface.)

As a further added use — the outdoor hard-surface courts could be converted and taped into pickleball courts as needed, Poe said.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson and Councilman Alan Knight questioned why an extra half-dozen outdoor hard courts weren’t part of original construction plans several years ago.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t plan ahead,” Wilkeson said, adding she’d also like to at some point see some concrete economic data generated from tennis tournaments and other events.

“It would be nice for me to look at it from more of a business plan perspective,” she said. “We talk about these amorphous numbers that impact the community tax revenue, but what other source of revenue is there for the city as it relates to these tournaments, or the tennis center.”

Poe wasn’t quite sure why more hard courts weren’t included from the onset, as he wasn’t the city manager at that time.

He suggested this possibility: “I don’t know that it was anticipated that the center would be as successful as it has been this early.”

He also pointed out there was perhaps more emphasis on constructing clay courts at the time: “I think the thought was the future of tennis facilities is to have the Har-Tru courts. With the clay courts, it’s easier on the joints and offers a little more flexibility to its users,” Poe said.

Despite council’s critiques, they ultimately agreed to seek funding to advance the tennis center’s build out.

Councilman Lance Smith underscored the facility’s importance, to put the matter into perspective: “I was over there for some of the (recent) tournaments and there were people from all over Florida that were in Zephyrhills, spending money in our restaurants, and then some of them lived at homes across the street, too, so there’s an ancillary benefit you get from it.”

Smith continued: “To host a high school tournament…that’s not a significant amount of revenue, but it brings people to the area. All of it generates traffic that wouldn’t otherwise be here in Zephyrhills. That being said, we do need to be careful spending our money.”

Elsewhere, regarding Seventh Street enhancements, Poe explained this project still needs to be designed.

Poe also noted: “There are some elements that could be removed or phased in to make that very large number more palatable for funding.”

Published January 27, 2021

Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns

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The City of Zephyrhills is experiencing booming growth and development that includes thousands of new homes and myriad commercial projects — and that’s on top of a newfound tourism and visitor rush felt with the opening of the $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, at 6585 Simons Road.

As the city begins to add new population and outsiders, concerns are increasing about the ability of the city’s road ways being able to sustain traffic arising from all the happenings in the small East Pasco town.

Those qualms were front and center at a Zephyrhills City Council meeting last month.

“We’re having tremendous growth right now, and I think it’s really hard to stay ahead of it, I really do, from a traffic management standpoint,” Councilman Lance Smith said.

Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

“We see it in (Pasco County). In the county we see the lag that’s happened, and my gosh, how long have they been working on (State Road) 54, adding additional lanes? I’m just concerned that we stay ahead of it,” the councilman said.

Smith directed attention to the Abbott Square development that will add some 700 units surrounding the new tennis center on Simons Road.

The roadway is already becoming a problem with motorists trying to make left-hand turns off the Simons Road/Eiland Boulevard intersection, without a traffic signal, he said.

He also observed “cars stacked up turning left” during a recent event at the tennis complex, therefore increasing the likelihood of accidents and wrecks.

“People get frustrated when they can’t make that left-hand turn, and they’re willing to take a chance when they do that,” Smith said.  “We need to do something.”

In response, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe explained a signalized intersection improvement is tied into a developer’s agreement with the Abbott Square homebuilder, Lennar Corporation. Meanwhile, the city is looking to time up those signalized improvements and connect Simons Road into Fort King Road by the end of 2021, Poe said.

Smith credited city staff for “doing a really good job” with facilitating various development projects — along with getting some transportation projects in the pipeline, such as the busy U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road and County Road 54/U.S. 301 intersections.

But he cautioned that those involved must think of any potential issues that might result before construction actually begins on a particular project: “Just put on your thinking cap when you’re looking at these developments, ‘How’s it going to impact the road network around it?’”

Smith brought up the example of consulting engineers not including a right-hand turn lane into the recent State Road 56/Morris Bridge Road project.

He said: “Let’s try and avoid (those mistakes). Somebody holler and say, ‘Hey, you forgot this.’ It’s a shame to open up a new road and have these goat trails on the side where people are coming up and making their own right-hand turn lane.”

Meanwhile, another Zephyrhills roadway issue brewing is the sustainability of Wire Road. Nearby construction is afoot on Abbott Park, a 500-plus unit development popping up on the site of the former Gore Dairy Supply property.

Councilman Alan Knight observed: “Wire Road’s taking a beating already and you know with the new people coming in, and we’re looking at 500 homes — whew, it’s going to be tough (to maintain).”

Poe explained that Wire Road is scheduled to be repaved at some point but has been pushed back due to Abbott Park’s construction. Also, Poe said city officials are having internal discussions to find some way to get a utility transmission pole relocated, so that Wire Road can be connected with Kossik Road. There’s also designed plans — but not yet budgeted —  for Dairy Road to be extended north to connect with Kossik Road, the city manager said.

Meanwhile, Knight and other council members called for additional funding and resources to move such transportation projects forward.

Knight, for one, made a vocal plea for more help from the Pasco County Commission: “There’s a lot of money coming from our county commissioners that are going other areas…and some of that money needs to come to us. I’ll be the first to be very vocal about it. I see where a lot is going to Wesley Chapel; I understand the growth. I understand a lots going, but Zephyrhills needs to get some of that money. We need to get some improvements. We’re growing at a rate that’s unreal.”

Council President Charles Proctor echoed those sentiments: “This city is growing so fast. We all lived here a long time and I believe we’re doing our best to stay ahead of it, but we definitely need to work with the state and with the county to stay ahead of it.”

Published January 13, 2021