The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills City Council

Zephyrhills pursues a rebranding effort

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The Zephyrhills City Council voted July 11 to hire a marketing firm to pursue the city’s rebranding efforts.

Council members also approved a contract aimed at revitalizing Hercules Park.

A rendering of Hercules Park improvement project includes amenities such as a BMX track, a Frisbee disc golf course, a nearly 1-acre open playfield, and a 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area. The estimated cost has been set at $4.2 million. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)  

The city came to an agreement with The Northstar Group, a marketing group, to help rebrand and reimagine the image of Zephyrhills.

The city also has signed a contract with a construction management company that will oversee the Hercules Park renovation project.

That project includes renovating the park and adding several new amenities.

Both efforts, which have been spearheaded by City Manager Billy Poe, received unanimous support by council members.

The city has been using “City of Pure Water” as its slogan, but Poe has advocated rebranding the city by choosing a new slogan, as well as a new logo for the town.

By rebranding, the city manager said he hopes to broaden the city’s appeal to a wider range of new residents, to boost its current population of 18,000. He also hopes the effort will help promote economic development, encourage civic engagement and boost tourism.

The rebranding project is expected to take about 34 weeks to complete. It will include market research, brand strategy, creative development, and action and implementation.

The City and Northstar also plan to reach out to citizens for their input.

This effort is separate from PlanZephyrhills 2035, which focuses on the city’s long-range comprehensive plan.

The rebranding project is expected to cost about $68,000.

The city awarded the Hercules Park construction management contract to the Tampa-based Wharton-Smith Construction Group.

Renovation plans have been drawn up for the new park on the land adjacent to Woodland Elementary. The estimated cost of the project is $4.2 million, and includes amenities such as a BMX track, a Frisbee disc golf course, a nearly 1-acre open playfield and a 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area.

No timetable yet has been set for the groundbreaking, beginning of construction or completion of the Hercules Park project.

Published June 20, 2022

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 golf course to stay open

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The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course will remain in play, after all — which is good news for area golfers who enjoy using it.

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. (File)

The Zephyrhills City Council passed a first amendment to its lease agreement with Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as management operators of the 18-hole, par-68 course, at 39248 B Ave.

The action came as part of the consent agenda during a regular meeting on Nov. 29 at Zephyrhills City Hall.

The current lease agreement is set to expire in April 2022.

The new agreement extends the lease for an additional 10 years, until April 30, 2032.

While the initial term is 10 years, the city has the right to cancel the agreement after year five with 18 months’ notice.

Per the lease, Under Par’s annual rent will be $62,000 to the city, and will continue to increase by the consumer-price index (CPI) every two years through April 2027.

Beginning in May 2027, the annual lease will increase by 2% or the CPI each year on an annual basis — whichever figure is greater.

Under Par also will be required to invest $40,000 for the paving of the golf course’s parking lot, within 18 months of the effective agreement. (Should the city cancel years six through 10, the city will pay a penalty of 50% of the remaining golf cart lease and a prorated share of Under Par’s $40,000 capital investment.)

Meanwhile, the course will undergo a slight alteration under the updated lease, as the city secured state funding to construct an access road from Alston Avenue to the airport infield. This access road will be constructed along hole No. 2, along the fence line. The construction will reduce the course’s total acreage by about 0.65 acres, officials say.

Other considerations in the amended agreement include:

  • An option for two five-year renewals
  • No penalties for early termination during the renewal periods, with an 18-month notice
  • Both parties must agree to the renewal at least six months prior to expiration

The city and Under Par have been partners for nearly two decades, as the lessee and lessor originally executed a lease agreement for the course back in September 2002.

Questions had been swirling about the golf course’s future during the past year, as city leaders pondered the possible sale of the 65-acre property.

The National Guard had been scouting the site, on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, for possible use for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

But, the military organization turned its attention to a different location near the airport for an armory to house full-time Army officers during the week, plus hundreds of soldiers and service people visiting and training on weekends.

State lawmakers approved $25 million in appropriations to the military organization, for future training grounds in Zephyrhills, during the past legislative session.

The possible sale of the golf course roused area golfers and residents to rally around keeping the golf course, with several speakers turning out to multiple city council meetings in May to voice their support for continuing its operation.

The course — 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.

It’s also known as a welcoming place for beginners, seniors, and golfers with disabilities.

Representatives with Under Par have previously stated 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.

Published December 08, 2021

Zephyrhills approves contract for Hercules Park design

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Planning for the redevelopment of Hercules Park in Zephyrhills continues to move forward.

The Zephyrhills City Council has granted a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, in the amount of $292,985.

The agreement, approved on Oct. 25, is within 10% of the park’s estimated probable cost, of $3,386,636.

The scope of services includes creating construction documents and doing the permitting, surveying, architectural design and the construction phase services — to implement park elements depicted on the Hercules Park Master Plan, approved by the council.

The Hercules Park renovation project is moving forward, after the Zephyrhills City Council approved a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn. Shown here is an initial conceptual sketch plan of the Hercules Park redevelopment. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Penny for Pasco revenues are being used to pay for the Hercules Park design.

City leaders have been talking for years about the need to spruce up the 12-acre park property, at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard.

Leaders have been pressing for an action plan for vacant park land, which sits next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools. The area once had a popular aquatic center and swimming pool.

“I’m kind of glad to get started on this project,” Councilman Lance Smith said, after the council vote. “It’s been a long time coming.”

One of the more significant amenities proposed for the project is a BMX (bicycle motocross) track where mountain bike enthusiasts traverse jumps and obstacles, at still-to-be-determined heights and difficulty levels.

A rough conceptual sketch plan shows a circuitous riding trail covering roughly 5.29 acres on the southwest corner of the park property.

There also are plans 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.

During a June workshop, several city leaders expressed reservations about dedicating such a large portion of the park for BMX.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield again raised objections to the BMX concept, at the recent 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.

Revisions to the plan are expected in the coming months, contingent on the community’s wants and needs, as well as cost considerations.

Depending on feedback, the BMX course could be scrapped, pared down or rearranged, to take up less acreage, officials said.

“This is like a cartoon drawing, basically, so I think we’ll see something come down a little more evolved, especially as we get down to pricing different things,” Smith said, referring to Kimley-Horn’s conceptual sketch plan.

Meantime, other Hercules Park property upgrades that are expected take on a mostly passive vibe, with a nearly 1-acre open playfield, 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area, and a soft trail surrounding an existing retention pond and lighted fountain spray.

Renderings for the playground call for nature-based equipment beyond conventional slides and swings, such as a rock arch, cave overhang and tree ring surface.

The open playfield area, surrounded with pavilions, offers a grassy space ideal for throwing footballs, Frisbees and so on.

A splash pad — estimated at $350,000 — is listed as an alternate feature that’s also being considered.

Additional creative landscaping and seating options, such as benches, lounge chairs and picnic tables, need to be finalized, too.

A notable update from initial proposals is the addition of a public restroom building.

Restrooms were left out of the plans, given that proximity of bordering a Wawa gas station and Culver’s fast food restaurant, but council members insisted the park needs a restroom.

However, the estimated $250,000 for the facility did raise eyebrows.

Councilman Ken Burgess quipped, “I know we asked for a bathroom, and I know these prices are not the final prices, but they allowed $250,000 for a bathroom? It’s going to be one heck of a bathroom.”

City manager Billy Poe said there are added costs to ensure the facilities are indestructible, or “bomb-proof, basically.” He also noted that public restrooms built downtown behind Clock Plaza some 15 years ago cost about $175,000.

“Unfortunately,” Poe said, “we think that is the proper cost.”

Smith backed up the assertion: “Even though we know everything costs a lot, it’s amazing a bathroom costs as much as it does, it really is, but it does, I know it does.”

Later on during the meeting, Burgess also suggested infrastructure to install security cameras should also be considered throughout the project’s design and planning process.

Poe said that request is a good idea.

Published November 17, 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

Zephyrhills approves street resurfacings

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Two dozen streets throughout the City of Zephyrhills are set to be improved this year.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 25 unanimously approved a construction agreement with Zephyrhills-based Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., to resurface a total of 24 streets within the city limits.

Total cost of the work is not to exceed $598,572, slightly under the city’s budgeted amount of $600,000 for the project.

The streets will be repaired with either cape seal or double-micro surfacing, according to Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

The agreement — part of a piggyback bid with Lee County in southwest Florida — calls for work to be fully completed within 45 calendar days of the notice of commencement.

The action came following a staff recommendation from the city manager and Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc.

The Zephyrhills streets to be resurfaced include:

  • 14th Avenue — First Street to DE West
  • Ninth Avenue — U.S. 301 to First Street
  • 10th Street — North Avenue to 12th Avenue
  • Lincoln Avenue — Airport Road to Parker Street
  • Parker Street — Lincoln Avenue to Kennedy Avenue
  • King Street — Lincoln Avenue to Kennedy Avenue
  • Freefall Avenue — Chancey Road to DE West
  • 13th Street — North Avenue to 16th Street
  • B Avenue — Eighth Street to 20th Street
  • 23rd Street — Sixth Avenue to Heights Avenue
  • Park Drive: This road is a loop that begins and ends at Fifth Avenue
  • Pretty Pond Road — Greenslope Drive to new construction match line
  • 17th Street — Fifth Avenue to North Avenue
  • Fort King Road — North Avenue to 15th Avenue right of way
  • 16th Avenue — U.S. 301 to Fort King Road
  • Airtime Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE East
  • Skydive Lane — Freefall Avenue to Gate South right of way
  • Sun Path Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE West
  • Flight Line Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE West
  • Greenslope Drive — Daughtery Road to Kossik Road
  • A Avenue — 20th Street to Eighth Street alley west
  • Ninth Street — South Avenue to C Avenue
  • 13th Avenue — 14th Street to Eighth Street

• Zephyrhills Water Park north and south side parking area

Published November 10, 2021

CRA agency outlines initiatives

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The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is hitting the ground running regarding initiatives in the city’s historic downtown district, in the new fiscal year.

The Zephyrhills City Council, which doubles as the CRA board, has approved the agency’s 2021-2022 budget for $879,814.

That’s a sizable increase from the previous budget, which was $578,244.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has set forth several initiatives for the city’s historic downtown in its 2021-2022 fiscal year budget. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills CRA)

That boost is partially due to an increase in the agency’s ad valorem revenues during recent years.

In the fiscal 2021-2022 budget, the agency’s tax increment financing (TIF) revenues are proposed to be $562,848 — up from $428,630 in 2020-2021 and $315,410 in 2019-2020, respectively.

“What we’re doing is working,” CRA Director Gail Hamilton told the CRA board during a Sept. 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall. “The values continue to increase, the market doesn’t hurt us any at all, so what we’re doing as far as residential is going well, it’s working. We’ve got some new commercial projects going in the coming year.”

However, Hamilton acknowledged retail spacing “continues to struggle” in the historic district, so the agency is planning some incentive programs to lure new merchants.

The bulk of this year’s CRA budget is set aside for three major capital outlay projects — combining to total $672,500:

  • Little But Loud outdoor venue: $250,000
  • First United Methodist Church of Zephyrhills parking lot improvements: $320,000
  • Entrance signage installation: $102,500

The Little But Loud project, planned at 38426 Sixth Ave., is envisioned as an entertainment backyard space of sorts featuring food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations, and various seating and lounge areas.

It is planned for a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street, and is the CRA’s scaled-down version of Sparkman Wharf, a popular waterfront venue in downtown Tampa’s Channelside.

“I know there are some that say we can’t do it for $250,000, but we’re going to see what we can do,” Hamilton said, referring to Little But Loud.

Hamilton also underscored the importance to lease and repair the church parking lot located right in the center of downtown, at 38635 Fifth Ave.

She said the East Pasco town has few public parking options in downtown, aside from Zephyrhills City Hall, which is often at capacity.

“One of the problems that we encountered last year was that there is no public parking in downtown,” she said.

Besides formalizing a long-term lease, CRA funds will be used to address paving, stormwater and lighting issues on the church’s lot, which is over 20 years old.

“When a developer comes to us and wants to build something, we have strict standards on what the parking lot has to be. We have to follow those standards, as well,” Hamilton told CRA board members.

“It’ll be an asset to have a paved parking lot downtown,” she added.

Installing entrance signage to provide a gateway to the historic district is another noteworthy capital project.

The first sign is expected to be constructed and installed between Fifth Avenue and U.S. 301.

Moving forward, Hamilton said the agency is aiming to launch “a real campaign” about what the city has to offer “and try to get people motivated to look at downtown and the CRA district.”

The CRA director later encouraged city leadership to make suggestions about what else they’d like to see within the historic downtown district — which spans approximately 501 acres and encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

She noted some smaller undertakings in the past year included installing landscaping, benches and pots along Fifth Avenue; installing public Wi-Fi downtown; and installing streaming wireless audio speakers downtown.

“If there is a project, if there is something you see in another community, let us know, let’s talk about it,” said Hamilton. “The CRA has to be nimble enough that we can change and meet the demands of the market, because improving the market, improving the ad valorem taxes is why we’re here.”

Meantime, Main Street Zephyrhills Director Faith Wilson shared several event updates during the CRA meeting:

  • Preparations are underway for Halloween Howl, scheduled for Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., along Fifth Avenue. Family friendly activities will include a pony ride, petting zoo, haunted house, hayride and face painting. There also will be a ghost tour “to offer our citizens something new and exciting,” Wilson said.
  • The 2021 Festival of Lights Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills. This year’s event theme is “Candyland Christmas.”
  • The annual Zephyrhills Founder’s Day Parade and Heritage Festival may need to be rescheduled or pared to an evening event with no parade.

It’s anticipated March 5 date coincides with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest.

The city’s Founder’s Day event is supposed to be on the Saturday closest to March 10, without going beyond it. City officials are actively discussing various options and possibilities, noting parade attendance has fallen off over the years.

  • Main Street Zephyrhills Board of Directors approved a new “community and unity” initiative, which aims to help create a positive narrative around events and partnerships within the city. “We all want to do good for Zephyrhills,” Wilson said, “and by working together, we can do great things for our community, so organizations can join together with Main Street to co-host and coordinate events downtown, and instead of competition, it’s cohesive and we work together.”

One upcoming “community and unity” event is the First Florida Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Fall Rally Honoring Our Nations Veterans, from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14.

  • Wilson also noted that she participated in the Florida Main Street’s fall quarterly conference meeting in Crystal River. “There were some great community branding and marketing strategies presented,” she said.

City of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency fund

Budget: $879,814

  • Personnel services: $112,549
  • Operating expenditures: $69,765
  • Capital outlay: $672,500
  • Contributions: $25,000

Published October 27, 2021

Resurfacing work proposed for Suncoast Parkway

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Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has included a resurfacing project on the Suncoast Parkway, as part of its tentative work program for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Siaosi Fine, of the Turnpike Enterprise, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board about the sole Pasco County project included in that proposed plan, at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.

The resurfacing work would be done on the Suncoast Parkway, from just south of the Hillsborough County and Pasco County line to a little bit north of State Road 52, Fine said.

The design funds are included in the tentative five-year work plan in fiscal year 2024 and the construction funds are included in the fiscal year 2025 plan. The total cost would be $23.1 million for work that includes milling and resurfacing, guard rail installation, and signing and pavement marking improvements, he said

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who sits on the Pasco MPO board, inquired about funding for the two pedestrian/bicycle overpasses that are planned at State Road 54 and State Road 52, respectively, to connect to the Suncoast Trail.

Those projects are being funded by Pasco County, while overpasses in Hernando and Citrus counties are being paid for by the Turnpike, the commissioner said.

“It’s not fair,” Starkey said.

“Board members, citizens of Pasco County are paying for the bike/ped overpasses on (State Roads) 54 and 52, and the Turnpike is paying for the overpasses in Hernando County and Citrus County) who have a lot less traffic than us. I don’t understand how that happened,” she said. She added that she’d like to talk to someone at the Turnpike Enterprise about the possibility of it sharing those costs.

Starkey addressed her MPO board colleagues: “Guys, I really think we should elevate our voices on that,” adding that perhaps that can be done when they go to Tallahassee to address concerns.

“Why are other counties getting it paid for, and we have to pay for our own?” she said. “It bothers me.”

In another part of the meeting, Starkey reiterated her concerns about trail design, urging those who are planning trails to use an approach that allows trails to meander away from roads and to place them behind ponds or landscaping, to improve the experience for users and to make it safer.

In some cases, that might increase costs, she said. But it might not.

“There are ways to make the user experience better. You don’t have to buy more right of way, you just have to plan it as a user would like to use it,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick agreed. She said trails should be farther back from roads, not butted up right next to them, to help keep users safe.

MPO Board Chairman Lance Smith, who serves on the Zephyrhills City Council, agreed that more thought needs to be given to trail design.

“I do want to say that I appreciate the commissioners’ input on the trails because I think this trail idea has evolved over the years,” Smith said.

“It used to be —  well — no trails. Then, over the years, as an afterthought, let’s put in a trail. “Now, we’re thinking more on integrating it as part of the actual construction. I think it’s great to have a landscape architect in there and fight as hard as they can to create these nice spaces on the trail.

“It’s great to have a trail, but if there’s not a piece of shade on it, in August, I don’t know how many people will use it,” Smith said.

“And,” Starkey added, “an occasional bench?”

Published October 20, 2021

Zephyrhills passes $75.3 million budget

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The City of Zephyrhills has adopted a budget of nearly $75.3 million for fiscal year 2021-2022.

The figure represents about a 24.5% increase over this past year’s budget, which was roughly $60.5 million.

The newest budget also comes in significantly higher than the 2019-2020 and 2018-2019 fiscal years, which were approximately $66.3 million and $59.4 million, respectively.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved the 2021-2022 budget at the second and final reading during its Sept. 27 meeting.

No citizens spoke during a public hearing on the matter.

The city’s balanced budget is based on a rate of 6.35 mills, which will generate about $5.7 million in ad valorem taxes based on a citywide property valuation of nearly $946.7 million.

The city’s millage rate has been the same since 2016, according to Zephyrhills Finance Director Ted Beason.

The 54-page budget is broken down into the following categories:

  • General fund: $15,655,783
  • Special revenue fund: $13,154,724
  • Community Redevelopment Agency fund: $879, 814
  • Impact fee fund: $6,143,835
  • Utility impact fee fund: $6,292,000
  • Utility fund: $22,766,563
  • Airport fund: $8,440,931
  • Sanitation fund: $1,963,030

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe highlighted major projects in the upcoming fiscal year in a memo to council members. The fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Notable projects include:

  • Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center multi-purpose indoor facility: $4.655 million, with 100% of the funding coming from the state
  • Simons Road Phase II: $2.3 million, funded by transportation impact fee
  • Park improvements: $1.1 million, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • Sidewalks: $1 million, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • Eiland Boulevard/Simons Road intersection: $800,000, funded by transportation impact fee
  • Dairy Road/Kossik Road extension: $800,000, funded by transportation impact fee
  • County Road 54 improvements, east of Hercules Park: $581,907, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • Seventh Street milling and restoration: $575,000, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • City yard design: $350,000, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • Gateway development project: $350,000, funded by transportation impact fee
  • Hercules Park design: $300,000, funded by Penny for Pasco
  • Jennifer Lane design and construction: $120,000, funded by transportation impact fee

Meanwhile, the new budget calls for several additional personnel, including three police officers (detective, patrol officer, K-9), a human resources specialist, senior maintenance mechanic, water utilities service worker and wastewater utilities service worker.

Also on the city staffing front:

  • Total employee health care costs increased 1.4%
  • Pay increase of 3% for employees and 41 cents per hour to work toward the upcoming $15 state-mandated minimum wage increase by September 2026

Poe shared other citywide updates in his city manager’s report:

  • The 2021 Zephyrhills Economic Summit is scheduled for Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St. Featured presentations will take a look at an aviation cluster study, growth, expansion and development, workforce initiatives, and various updates throughout the state and Pasco County.

• The City of Zephyrhills will host a stormwater master plan public workshop on Nov. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall. “It’ll be a workshop where citizens can come in, look at a map, and have a conversation about their property or their areas of concern,” Poe said.

City of Zephyrhills fiscal year 2021-2022 budget
Total balanced budget: $75,296,680

  • General fund: $15,655,783
  • Special revenue fund: $13,154,724
  • Community Redevelopment Agency fund: $879, 814
  • Impact fee fund: $6,143,835
  • Utility impact fee fund: $6,292,000
  • Utility fund: $22,766,563
  • Airport fund: $8,440,931
  • Sanitation fund: $1,963,030

Published October 13, 2021

Restaurant tabbed for historic buildings in Zephyrhills

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A local restaurant and café is being tabbed for two renovated historic buildings in Zephyrhills.

Before long, the Captain Jeffries House and Carriage House in Zephyrhills are expected to have new tenants — Tina and Joe Novak, of Tina and Joe’s Café in Dade City.

The Novaks have operated the cafe for about seven years, at 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City.

The lunch spot served a variety of fare, including soups, wraps, salads, handcrafted sandwiches, lobster rolls and homemade desserts, including cookies and pie.

A Dade City-based restaurant called Tina and Joe’s Café is expected to relocate to the Captain Jeffries House and Carriage House in Zephyrhills. Lease agreement negotiations are ongoing between the City of Zephyrhills and restaurateurs Tina and Joe Novak. (File)

Over the summer, the City of Zephyrhills opened a request for proposals (RFP) from potential tenants for the adjacent Jeffries House and Carriage House.

The city received three responses — Tina and Joe’s Café, Flowers by Annie and Shell’s Killer Bakery.

An evaluation team ranked the proposals, with Tina and Joe’s Café coming out as the top-ranked firm by a strong margin.

The evaluation team consisted of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency director Gail Hamilton, Zephyrhills building official Bill Burgess, Zephyrhills senior planner Rodney Corriveau, and Pasco County Economic Development Council director of stakeholder engagement Mike Bishop.

The collaborative exercise was designed with the idea of making those historic spaces a catalyst to inject new life into the city’s downtown and attract more foot traffic to the area.

The Jeffries House and Carriage House are in the downtown shopping district, which includes City Hall, the City Library, as well as multiple retail shops and a microbrewery.

The buildings are a short walk to Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Your Turn Board Game Café, Gentleman’s Quarters Barber Shop, and other destinations.

Extra weight was given to would-be tenants willing to use both the Jeffries House and Carriage House, Hamilton said, in addition to letters of recommendation from customers, bank information, business model and overall track record.

Written evaluation comments shared in a city memo pinpointed Tina and Joe’s Café as being well-established and credit-worthy, with an ability to create jobs as a full-service restaurant.

Besides locating the restaurant and café within the Jeffries House, the Novaks plan to use a portion of the Carriage House for a produce and plant makerspace, Hamilton said.

The committee unanimously ranked them No. 1, Hamilton told city council members at a Sept. 13 regular meeting.

“We wanted to make it something that was a draw for downtown, and we don’t have a restaurant downtown, so that was part of the ranking as well,” she said.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted 5-0 to select Tina and Joe’s Café. The action allows city staff the notice to proceed on a negotiations and lease agreement with the Novaks.

Councilman Lance Smith voiced disappointment that more restaurants didn’t submit bids.

But Smith added: “I’m glad we had one, I’m glad that they (Tina and Joe’s Café) have a track record and they’re not a person that has a dream of starting a restaurant.”

Lease arrangements — including terms and length — will be brought back to the council for final approval.

The lease could start as early as Oct. 1.

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson suggested modeling a lease after those used in other municipal historic districts, perhaps encompassing improvement allowances or allowances amortized over time.

“You know, there’s lots of creative ways to make that work, too, so I look forward to seeing what you folks come up with,” Wilkeson said.

Smith added: “We all understand that to create a commercial kitchen in that (Jeffries House) building is going to be very expensive, so we need to get very creative on giving allowances for improvements to the building.”

Hamilton assured council that staffers will work closely with Zephyrhills City Attorney Matt Maggard “to make sure we create a lease that is both creative for the city and for the prospective lessee.”

The Captain Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave., is named after the city’s founder, Captain H.B. Jeffries, who established Zephyrhills as a retirement area for old Union soldiers.

The 2,365-square-foot structure, built in 1912, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 29, 1995.

In addition to the interior space, it has a 600-square-foot wraparound porch. It has original hardwood floors, windows, light fixtures, a fireplace and stained glass windows.

Work completed in 2016 included plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC).

The Carriage House at 5323 Ninth St., was built in 1940. It is a two-story structure of 1,320 square feet, including a balcony on the second floor. It has restored original windows and folding garage doors.

The building has a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom on the second floor, which has its own entrance.

New plumbing, electrical and HVAC work was completed in the structure during 2020.

Published September 22, 2021