The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pasco County Public Transportation

Chalk Talk 6/08/2022

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SUMMER HAUL PASS

Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation buses on regular routes all summer, for just $20.The special rate is effective June, July and August 2022.

Summer Haul Passes are available at these locations:

• GoPasco Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey

• Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office, East/West Pasco Government Centers

• Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores, in Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel

• County libraries

For more information, please visit bit.ly/SummerBusPass.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• William Brockman, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

• Austin Brown, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

• Mya Cobb, of Lutz, Diversity Scholarship at Appalachian University (Boone, North Carolina)

• Hannah Coleman, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

• Jaelyn Evans, of Odessa, Dean’s List at Mississippi College (Clinton, Mississippi)

• Kassidy Gordon, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

• Jenny Han, of Odessa, President’s List at Georgia State University

• John Martinez, of Dade City, Dean’s List and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management, from Union University (Jackson, Tennessee)

• Ryleigh McElroy, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

• JoAna Mucklow, of Odessa, Chancellor’s Honor Roll at the University of Mississippi. Mucklow is majoring in general business.

• Mykayla Christine Parise-King, of Lutz, Honor Roll of the Academic Dean at Mars Hill University (North Carolina)

• Brynnan Popper, of Odessa, Dean’s List at Tallahassee Community College

SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM

Pasco County Schools Summer Food Service program began June 6 and will continue through July 29.

Breakfasts and lunches will be provided Monday through Thursday to anyone age 18 and younger, at various West Pasco, Central Pasco and East Pasco schools.

Students attending PLACE or Extended School Year programs will receive meals on campus while attending the program.

For school locations, visit Connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us/summerfoodpasco/si te-locations/.

Additionally, buses will be available at these lo- cations, also Monday through Thursday:

• Hilltop Landings Apartments, 37611 Colina Drive, Dade City

• Resurrection House Park, 37124 Lock Street, Dade City

• Trilby United Methodist Church, 37504 Trilby Road, Dade City

• Zephyrhills YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills

• Crystal Springs Community Center, 1655 Partridge Blvd., Zephyrhills

For questions and information, email .

FEE ADJUSTMENT MEETING

Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its board meeting on June 21 at 6 p.m., at the North Campus.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosures.

Published June 8, 2022.

Pasco County offices closed July 5

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In observance of Independence Day (July 4), the Pasco Board of County Commissioners’ offices will be closed July 5. The offices will reopen on July 6.

The five Pasco County Tax Collector Offices also will be closed on July 5, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m., on July 6, for normal business.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed July 5; however, the parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Pasco County Public Transportation will be closed, and bus and paratransit services will not run on July 5.

Other closures for July 5 include all Pasco County libraries, and the Pasco County Animal Services administration office, adoption center, intake/reclaim shelter, and its field services. An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station also will be closed on July 5; however, both will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Published June 30, 2021

Pasco government’s Memorial Day closings

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The Pasco County government offices will be closed on May 31 in observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on June 1.

The county’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed May 31, but parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a county news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be closed, and bus and paratransit services will not run on May 31.

Pasco County Libraries will be closed May 31.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed May 31, and an animal control officer only will be available for emergencies.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on May 31, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices also will be closed, May 29 through May 31. The offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on June 1, for normal business, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

Published May 26, 2021

Pasco MPO has new executive director

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has a new executive director.

Carl Mikyska assumed the helm of the organization in March, and took part in his first MPO board meeting on April 8.

Nectarios Pittos, who had been serving as the interim executive director, shared some of Mikyska’s background with MPO board members before turning the meeting over to him.

Mikyska was selected after a lengthy search, said Pittos, who is Pasco County’s director of planning.

Prior to coming to the Pasco MPO, Mikyska was the executive director of the Florida MPO Advisory Council.

That job involved collaborating with the 27 MPOs in the state of Florida, he said.

Before that, Mikyska said he worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Chicago MPO and the Federal Highway Administration. His experience in the transportation field dates back to 1990.

He told the Pasco MPO board members: “I’m active in our national associations and hope to continue to do so, to represent the interests of Florida, particularly as we look at federal policy.”

Randy Stovall, of the Pasco MPO board’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), told the board that at its meeting, BPAC was “most interested in the item of building some wildlife culverts under S.R. (State Road) 52,” which had been discussed by the board at its last meeting.

“Our ears perk up when we think: Is there an opportunity for some kind of a public use there? Some walking? Some bike riding? Whenever culverts come up, there’s an opportunity, perhaps,” Stovall said.

He also shared that information from the county, regarding the intention to build some restrooms at the junction of Starkey Trail and Suncoast Trail.

“Certainly, that’s very well-received. I think there’s a need there that will be served,” Stovall said.

He said that BPAC was informed of a strategy that involves building segments of the Orange Belt Trail — rather than waiting for all of the funding to be available before getting started.

“I thought that made a lot of sense,” Stovall said.

“We also received an update about the Hardy Trail here in Dade City and the Withlacoochee Trail to the north, and the (U.S.) 301 Trail to the south, and related to that, I’ll just say, some of us attended the groundbreaking here on Dade City, here on March 10, for the new bike hub

visitor center that’s going to be constructed about two blocks from here (Historic Pasco County Courthouse), in the center of the Hardy Trail.

“That will provide really a good stop for people. Bathrooms and other facilities if they wish to stop here, and go up and down the trail — particularly with those connections to the north and south,” Stovall said.

Kurt Scheible, Pasco County Public Transportation director, also updated board members on a few issues.

He told them his department is getting ready to purchase three more vehicles through the Florida Department of Transportation. By doing that, they’ll be able to pay $9,000 versus $90,000 a vehicle, he said.

He also reported: “We’re still seeing some of the effect of COVID, but we’re starting to see some of the numbers rise up. It looks like our ridership is starting to recover, slowly but surely.”

The county bus system also is planning to take a look at all of its service areas, through a route contraction/route expansion study.

As part of that, the department plans to look into adding some transit in Dade City, St. Leo/San Antonio and south of Zephyrhills in the Crystal Springs area, he said.

“We really haven’t moved the transit routes around in a long, long time,” Scheible said.

But, he noted that significant input will be sought from all stakeholders during that process.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves the following municipalities in Pasco: Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

According to federal and state laws, the Pasco County MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Pasco County. Key responsibilities include the creation of the 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan, the five-year Unified Planning Work Program and the five-year Transportation Improvement program.

Published April 21, 2021

Pasco County Good Friday closings

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Pasco County’s offices will be closed on April 2, in observance of Good Friday, and government offices will reopen on April 5.

The county’s parks, recreation and natural resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed on Friday, April 2, but the parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a Pasco County news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation will operate all fixed routes and paratransit on April 2, but the administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers. However, the phone lines will be open.

All Pasco County Libraries will be closed on April 2 and will resume regular business hours on  April 3.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed on April 2.  An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only. The Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim Shelter will resume regular business hours on April 3.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on April 2, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco to update its facilities master plan

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an agreement with Furr, Wegman & Banks P.A., for a facilities master plan update.

The facilities master plan was completed in March of 2015, and this task calls for completing the work necessary to update it.

The agreement specifies that the task must be performed for an amount not to exceed $336,720, according to background materials in the agenda for the Feb. 9 board meeting.

The facilities master plan is expected to be completed within 248 days of the county’s notice to proceed, unless an extension is approved.

In other action, the commission:

  • Approved a change order with Williamson Dacar Associates Inc., to extend the completion date of Feb. 9, 2021, for the Hugh Embry Library Renovations by 365 days. No funding was required for this action. The time extension will allow for completion of professional services, including construction administration and closeout.
  • Approved a change order with Moss & Associates LLC for the addition of two Design Assist Contractors (DACs) for the jail facility expansion and visitation building detention equipment and security electronics during the pre-construction phase. The amount of the change order is for an amount not to exceed $120,487, for a new cumulative not-to-exceed amount of $591,689 in fiscal year 2021.
  • Accepted a grant from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Inc., to expand archery supplies for reimbursement in the amount of $4,578 and to authorize the director of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, or his designee, to execute the grant agreement. The grant will be used to increase the county’s inventory of bows, arrows and targets; thus making archery education more available at passive parks, such as Starkey and Crews Lake Wilderness Parks and Withlacoochee River Park.
  • Approved the purchase of new carpeting in the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, in the amount of $57,991.72. The purchase, being made through a state contract, is to replace carpet that is frayed and worn, and has reached the end of its useful life. New carpeting is required to maintain a safe and clean environment, according to agenda background materials.
  • Approve and accept the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grant funding, through the Florida Department of Transportation, to purchase one vehicle. The grant is specific to Pasco County Public Transportation. Funding for the vehicle Is 80% federal, 10% state and 10% local. The total amount of the award is $90,000, which includes $9,000 match from the state and $9,000 match by the county. If the vehicle exceeds the total cost, the county must make up the difference.
  • Approved a recommendation to approve shortlist firms for roadway design services for design services for the Old Pasco Road widening, from north of Deedra Drive to North of Overpass Road. These are the shortlisted firms, in order: HDR Engineering Inc.; American Consulting Engineers of Florida; WGI Inc.; DRMP Inc.; Madrid Engineering Group Inc.; Johnson Engineering Inc., and Florida Transportation Engineering. The board also authorized negotiations with the top-ranked firm, HDR, to secure a design agreement for the project.

If an agreement cannot be reached with HDR, the board also authorized negotiations could be conducted with the remainder of the firms, in ranked order. An agreement is expected to be brought to the county board for approval within three months.

Commissioners also heard an update from County Administrator Dan Biles, who said the county has signed an agreement that will provide reimbursement to the county for the construction of the interchange at the Suncoast Parkway and Ridge Road.

The county and the Florida Department of Transportation collaborated extensively to execute the funding agreement, in the amount of $20 million. The plan is to deliver the next phase of the Ridge Road extension — opening two lanes between Town Center Road and the Suncoast Parkway this summer.

Published February 17, 2021

Office closures set for county services

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Pasco County government offices and the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office will be closed Feb. 15 for a Staff Development and Appreciation Day.

Departments will be performing staff development and appreciation activities focused on team building, and improving services for area communities and neighbors.

All Pasco County libraries also will be closed that day.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be in service, but will run on the COVID-19 modified service schedule on all fixed routes and paratransit. Its administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers; however, phone lines will be open. To learn more about the route schedule, visit tinyurl.com/p66vg3d6.

In addition, these offices also will be closed on Feb. 15:

  • Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers; however, the parks and beaches will be open to the public, from dawn to dusk
  • Pasco County Animal Services’ administration office, adoption center, intake/reclaim shelter and field services; an animal control office will be available for emergencies only

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III and the East Pasco Transfer Station will remain open to the public and to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Other county government constitutional offices, including the tax collector’s office and the courts, will be open on Feb. 15.

All government offices will return to regular hours on Feb. 16.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published February 10, 2021

Pasco County Thanksgiving closings

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Pasco County government offices, including the constitutional offices and the courts, will be closed on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

All government offices and the courts will reopen on Nov. 30, according to a county news release.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers also will be closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27. Parks and beaches, however, will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be closed, and bus services will not run on Thanksgiving, but will be open on Nov. 27,  and will be providing service on all fixed routes and paratransit.

Administrative offices for PCPT will be closed to walk-in customers on Nov. 27, but phone lines will be open.

Pasco County Libraries will be closed from 5 p.m. Nov. 25, through Nov. 27. Libraries will resume regular business hours on Nov. 28.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27. An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only.

The Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim will resume regular business hours Nov. 28.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public and Pasco County licensed commercial haulers on Nov. 26, and also will be closed to the public on Nov. 27, but they will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers. Regular business hours will resume on Nov. 28.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office will be closed Nov. 26 through Nov. 28.

Published November 25, 2020

Pasco to resume collecting fares on buses

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(File)

Pasco County Public Transportation will begin collecting fares on buses again, effective Oct. 1, according to a Pasco County news release.

The change comes after the county provided fare-free ridership for five months, to support customers facing a hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riders will be required to board through the front door and exit through the rear doors, to minimize crowding at the fare box. Riders are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, practice social distancing guidelines, and be mindful of the health and wellness of customers and transportation department staff, the release adds.

Learn more about PCPT fixed route fares and bus passes by visiting bit.ly/faresandpasses. Find paratransit fares at bit.ly/paratransitfares.

To learn more about Pasco County Public Transportation, including bus routes, transportation news and schedules, visit the PCPT website at RidePCPT.com.

Published September 30, 2020

Pasco considered for new cross-county bus routes

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Pasco County commuters may soon have easier access into neighboring counties, as two new bus routes are being explored along the Interstate 75 and Interstate 275 corridors.

Bus stops along State Road 56 and State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel would allow riders to catch buses traveling to Tampa and Saint Petersburg.

The bus rapid transit project would help travelers move around, while reducing congestion on the highway.

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) has been working on the idea in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) of Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The regional transit authority began a study in 2019 to evaluate the 41-mile bus route.

If implemented, those in Pasco could travel south into Tampa, stopping near the University of South Florida and in downtown Tampa. Bus riders would have the option to continue riding southwest, ending up in downtown St. Petersburg.

The highway also may be widened to accommodate a designated lane for buses as well.

The initiative has transitioned into the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study, with the support of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Trying to find a way to improve transit and ease congestion has been an issue for decades.

Providing more public bus services across Tampa Bay could help reduce the estimated 50% increase in motorists expected over the next two decades, according to TBARTA.

Other cities across the nation —  including Los Angeles, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Las Vegas — already have bus rapid transit.

Routes can be selected based on where there is a high volume of businesses, attractions and daily needs.

Kurt Scheible is the director of Pasco County Public Transportation and sits on TBARTA’s Transit Management Committee.

He pushed for two bus stops when one was originally being considered for Pasco. This resulted in both State Road 56 and State Road 54 being selected, near their intersections with Interstate 75.

“(State Road) 56 is not really a good starting point for Pasco County, (State Road) 54 is,” Scheible said. “(State Road) 54 is where the customers are actually going to be. That’s where the people are and that’s where they’re going to go.”

Currently, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority offers bus rides from Wesley Chapel into Tampa.

While the exact locations of the proposed stops haven’t been pinpointed yet, they will be two new alternatives to the HART bus service.

With the support of FDOT, the project could cost up to $455 million.

Studies are scheduled for completion in 2021, but a construction timetable hasn’t been determined yet.

Published January 29, 2020