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Robert Tungate

More police needed, as city grows

October 19, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

Dade City Police Lt. Robert Tungate was a guest speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce business breakfast meeting, held last month at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills.

Among his talking points during the Sept. 21 gathering was how the local law enforcement agency is managing the municipality’s impending residential and commercial growth and development.

About 6,500 new rooftops and several commercial properties have been approved to be built over the next two decades within city limits.

Dade City Police Lieutenant Robert Tungate was a guest speaker during a Sept. 21 business breakfast meeting hosted by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Homes soon will be popping up across all parts of the city, Tungate said, pointing to scheduled land clearings along Clinton Avenue and U.S. 301, St. Joe Road, and Roberts Road, among other areas.

With that, the local police official predicted the city’s population of some 7,000 residents will “probably” triple within the next five to eight years, and added, “that’s not counting all the amount of traffic that comes in every day to work, especially if we get all these new developments going on.”

“We’re going to swell during the daytime, and then when everybody goes home, we’re, of course, going to have all these rooftops,” Tungate said. “The houses mean more calls for police services.”

As the city balloons, so will its local police department.

The Dade City Police Department presently has five open positions, Tungate said.

One vacancy is due to a retirement, while the other four are newly funded positions in advance of the ensuing growth.

Other changes on tap include the launch of a Chaplain Corps program, to offer advice, counseling and assistance to police employees, particularly in times of crisis and otherwise.

At full strength, the city has budgeted for 27 full-time sworn officers for fiscal year 2021-2022.

This is a number the department hasn’t seen in some time, Tungate said.

To fill these positions, the agency is recruiting local colleges and universities wanting to land “top of the tier” applicants and hires, Tungate said.

To that end, Tungate shared the ongoing battle of being competitive and on par with other Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies in not only recruiting qualified officers, but preventing those from bolting for larger, more prestigious agencies once they gain some field experience.

“This new generation of cops coming in, they’re all saying, ‘What’s in it for me?’ It’s not like the old days where people get a job and they stay there,” explained Tungate.

“These guys are coming in, saying, ‘Hmm, this (agency’s) better, that (agency’s) better,’ for whatever the reason. Sometimes, it’s pay. Not always. Sometimes, it’s working next to a best friend, it doesn’t matter…”

Meanwhile, Tungate thanked the Dade City Commission and Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (who was among dozens in attendance during the meeting) for proactively directing more resources to the police department of late.

“The city manager has done a great job to recognize the need for our police department,” said Tungate. “If we keep growing like we’re growing, the city commission and city manager recognizes that we’re going to grow again.”

This has included increased wages and benefits for patrol officers, detectives and sergeants through new collective bargaining agreements between the city and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, on behalf of the local law enforcement agency.

Moreover, city leaders recently approved increased public safety impact fees on new single family homes (now $449, up 375% from the prior $94) and retail units (now $462 per 1,000 square feet, up 52% from $304).

The measure was recommended by consulting firm Stantec, given the municipality hadn’t increased since 2004.

Additional revenues from the public safety fees will be used to address the police department’s increased costs of service delivery, operations, capital outlay, training and new equipment, including police vehicles.

The public safety fee hikes, Tungate said, “takes the burden off the city to have to come up with Penny (for Pasco) money or your other tax revenues” to fund local police operations.

Tungate is third in command of the Dade City Police Department and is responsible for the supervision of criminal investigations, forensics, property evidence and records and communications divisions, according to the city’s website.

The lieutenant of police administration also serves as the public information officer and is responsible for agency recruitment and professional standards. He also writes, tracks and manages grants; and supports the annual budget preparation process.

Pasco County District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley also spoke during the breakfast meeting, offering general updates on some of the county’s roadway and development projects.

He took a mostly positive angle on the impending growth coming East Pasco’s way.

Said Oakley, “You’ve got all these homes coming into Dade City, guess what it’s going to do for the businesses in Dade City? It’s going to increase. The economic value of those homes, that’s going to pour into Dade City and make it better, so it’s a good thing for everybody.”

Oakley acknowledged more traffic buildup occurring in these parts, but pointed out supporting infrastructure like roadway improvements and schools can’t be furnished until residential developments and communities are built out and related impact fees collected.

Addressing the crowd, Oakley said, “I know you all know how much growth is happening in Pasco County, and a lot of it has moved to the eastern part of Pasco County, which for us, that’s a lot of new things happening. We want to be a premier county, and we’re going to do things the right way.”

Published October 20, 2021

Medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in Dade City

February 5, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

Medical marijuana treatment centers and dispensaries may now set up shop within certain areas of Dade City.

Dade City Commissioners on Jan. 28 adopted an ordinance revising the city’s land development regulations to make the treatment facilities a permitted use in the city’s general commercial zoning district, and an allowed use in commercial and employment center planned development districts.

More specifically, the ordinance lets medical marijuana facilities be situated along U.S. 301/U.S. 98 south and north of town, and certain pockets of the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) district, while avoiding much of the city’s historic downtown main street and central business district.

The ordinance requires any future standalone pharmacies and drugstores to locate within those aforementioned districts, as Florida statutes prevent municipalities from enacting regulations that are more restrictive for dispensaries than for traditional pharmacies.

Also, the ordinance includes language establishing regulations for hand-rolled cigar manufacturing within city limits, something the city had not addressed.

Hand-rolled cigar facilities would be a conditional use, permitted use or allowed use in as many as 10 different types of business or planned development zoning districts.

The commission’s action on the ordinance’s second reading was approved 3-2, with Scott Black and Eunice Penix voting no. The city passed a first reading of the ordinance on Jan. 14 by the same vote. No one from the public weighed in on the issue at either reading.

The city previously had a series of concurrent moratoriums on medical marijuana treatment centers within its municipal limits dating back to 2016, to study its possible impacts.

In September, city commissioners directed city staff to draft an amendment to the city’s land development regulations that would change that, and allow medical marijuana dispensaries in specified areas.

In other action, commissioners:

  • Adopted an ordinance of an annexation petition for JDR Investments Inc., for a 0.41-acre parcel located at 14836 U.S. 301, considered an enclave within the city
  • Adopted an ordinance of an annexation petition for Esplanade Communities of Florida, for a 0.22-acre parcel located at 36221 State Road 52, which was previously not discovered in the subdivision approval process
  • Renewed a one-year contract extension agreement with Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions Inc., for general planning and engineering services

Dade City police officer honored
Commissioners recognized Miguel Velez, who prevented a drug overdose death last fall.

Dade City police officer Miguel Velez, left was recognized by Chief James Walters, for his role in preventing a drug overdose death last fall. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)

The 30-year-old Velez, a four-year veteran of the agency, was dispatched on Oct. 9 to a reported overdose on Hillside Lane in Dade City. When he arrived, he found a 23-year-old woman lying on the ground, unresponsive, with no sign of pulse or breathing.

Recognizing the symptoms of an overdose, he administered his officer-issued Narcan spray, which the police department had received through a donation eight weeks earlier from the Recovery Epicenter Foundation.

Shortly after he administered the Narcan, the woman began breathing and Velez could detect her pulse. Then, Pasco County Fire Rescue arrived and stabilized the woman, whom they transported to a local hospital, where she survived.

Dade City Police Chief James Walters presented Velez with a challenge coin inscribed with the Latin phrase, “Semper paratus, mitte me,” which translates to, “Always ready, send me.” It is the second coin Chief Walters has presented to an active member of the city’s police department. The other was given to Sgt. Robert Tungate in May, for his efforts in trying to rescue a victim from a house fire.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez commended Velez for his “heroic act,” adding, “It is those kinds of things that make our police department so special.”

Public roundtables for downtown splash park
Dade City officials want to hear local residents’ thoughts regarding the design and amenities they’d like to see for a planned downtown splash park/bike hub project.

Two public charrettes are planned to collect that input. They are scheduled for 6 p.m., on Feb. 17 and Feb. 24, at City Hall, 38020 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The meetings will include a small presentation of the park, followed by a brainstorm of suggestions and ideas from residents and stakeholders.

The splash park and bike hub are planned on a 2.23-acre parcel at 3772 Church St., which borders the Hardy Trail and is diagonal from The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce building.

A preliminary concept plan for the project calls for a multi-use water splash pad, bike-share shelter, amphitheater, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playground, open space, a concession area and other features.

The project will likely be completed in phases over the next several years, starting with the bike hub, which could break ground this year, in partnership with Pasco County’s tourism office.

For more information, call (352) 523-5050.

General election set April 13
Three seats are open on the Dade City Commission for this year’s election cycle.

The offices to be filled are for Groups 3, 4 and 5 — as terms expire for commissioners Jim Shive, Nicole Deese Newlon and Eunice Penix, respectively.

The election qualifying period will begin at noon on Feb. 11 and end at noon on Feb. 18.

The general election is April 13. The polling place for the election will be at Precinct 1 at First Baptist Church, 37511 Church Ave. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Those newly elected will serve a four-year term through April 2024.

Published February 05, 2020

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What’s Happening

05/28/2022 – Memorial Day Concert

The “Let’s Do Good Memorial Day Concert” is scheduled for May 28 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Tunnel to Towers provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and builds custom-designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The foundation is committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and aiding the victims of major U.S. disasters. The event will include vendors, gifts, a Forget-Me-Not Garden, and more. Entertainment will be provided by Fred Chandler, Charles Goodwin, Cruz Er Mac, Mike Henderson, and Travis White. Special guests include Congressman Gus Bilirakis and State Sen. Danny Burgess. Rain date is Sept. 10. … [Read More...] about 05/28/2022 – Memorial Day Concert

05/28/2022 – Pet supply drive

Munchies Natural Pet Foods, 1722 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host a Pet Supply Drive on May 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to benefit the Pet Peace of Mind Program at Gulfside Hospice. Gulfside team members will be on site to offer information about the program and to collect donated supplies, such as pet food, cat litter, treats, basic supplies and other items. The donations will be distributed to hospice patients, to help provide care for their pets. For information about the Peace of Mind program, visit Gulfside.org, or call 727-845-5707. … [Read More...] about 05/28/2022 – Pet supply drive

05/28/2022 – Seafood Festival-CANCELLED

The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s Summer Seafood Festival is scheduled for May 28 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz, between the outlets and At Home. There will be seafood, crab races, a kids zone, live bands, craft beer, a local market, a Nautical Art Show, and a crab claw-eating contest. For information, call 727-674-1464. … [Read More...] about 05/28/2022 – Seafood Festival-CANCELLED

05/30/2022 – Memorial Day Ceremony

Lexington Oaks Community Center, 26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in front of the big flag. There will be patriotic songs and readings, and the playing of "Taps."  The event is weather permitting. … [Read More...] about 05/30/2022 – Memorial Day Ceremony

05/30/2022 – Memorial Day closings

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s five offices will be closed for Memorial Day on May 28 and May 30. These offices will be closed on May 30: Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, recreation complexes and community centers; GoPasco public transportation; all Pasco County libraries; Pasco County Animal Services administration office, adoption center, intake/reclaim shelter, and field services; and the Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility. … [Read More...] about 05/30/2022 – Memorial Day closings

05/31/2022 – All about oceans

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host Summer Reading Story Times: Oceans on May 31, for toddlers at 10:15 a.m., and for preschoolers at 11 a.m. The story times will be repeated on June 1, at the same times. For information, call 813-788-6375. To register, visit PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 05/31/2022 – All about oceans

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