The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Zephyrhills City Hall

Zephyrhills council to weigh in on city manager

By

Zephyrhills City Council soon will be sharing their evaluation of how well City Manager Billy Poe has been performing his job during the past year.

Council members will be completing an annual performance evaluation of Poe, with the aim to “provide important feedback to the city manager identifying areas of strengths and accomplishments, as well as areas in which improvement may be needed,” according to a city memo dated June 14.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe

The evaluation covers a period from June 2020 to June 2021.

Council members are expected to complete the evaluation form and submit to Mayor Gene Whitfield by June 25.

Whitfield will summarize a report during the next regular council meeting scheduled for July 12 at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall Council Chambers, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.

The 12-page evaluation form consists 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.

Performance levels are factored based on a rating scale numbered from 1 (needs improvement) to 5 (exceeds above expectations).

The evaluation also contains a section with an opportunity for council members to enter responses to specific questions and list any comments pertinent to the rating period, such as the city manager’s strengths and performance areas that need improvement, with additional room for constructive suggestions.

The evaluation period coincides with several noteworthy changes for the municipality, including consolidation of the city’s longstanding fire department into Pasco County; opening of the multi-million dollar Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; progress on the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project to pave way for commercial development such as a soon-to-be Chick-fil-A and Chipotle franchises along Gall Boulevard; the launch of the city’s first social media accounts and the hiring of its first public information officer, among other happenings.

Poe has deep ties to the East Pasco community.

Born and raised in Zephyrhills, he began his career as an intern with Zephyrhills city administration, then spent several years working as an assistant city planner.

Poe landed the role of city manager role 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.

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 to five years.

Published June 23, 2021

Maggard addresses state budget, new laws

By

District 38 state Rep. Randy Maggard has reason to be upbeat.

After all, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a record $101.5 billion state budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 — making it official during a notable June 2 appearance at Zephyrhills City Hall.

The state budget allocates more than $66 million East Pasco projects alone, including:

  • $25 million for new facilities at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Dade City Campus
  • $25 million for a new Florida National Guard armory in Zephyrhills
  • $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road
  • $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center
  • $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport

Maggard — who was born in Dade City and grew up in Zephyrhills — gave a positive account of the  latest legislative session and provided other news, as the featured guest speaker for the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s June 3 business breakfast meeting at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills.

District 38 state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City (Courtesy of Florida House of Representatives)

“We have a lot of good things to talk about,” said Maggard, who represents Dade City, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, among other areas, in the Florida House of Representatives.

“Pasco, East Pasco especially, did really well this year,” the state lawmaker said.

Maggard particularly credited the county’s legislative delegation — singling out Senate President Wilton Simpson, a Republican from Trilby and state Sen. Danny Burgess, a Republican from Zephyrhills — for myriad strides made on behalf of East Pasco during the past legislative session.

The legislator otherwise emphasized that the region’s municipalities, businesses and educational institutions have a “prime opportunity” to garner state funding for other future projects and initiatives with the current legislative leadership.

“I can’t say enough about the work the delegation did to help East Pasco,” Maggard said. “This is your time, because you only get these moons and stars to line up so often, when you have people (in the state legislature) from here (in East Pasco).”

Bullish about bills
Maggard detailed several pieces of legislation that he supported, and which ultimately became Florida laws during the recent session.

For instance, he told the audience that the state’s enhanced “right-to-farm” law expands protections for farmers by generally making it more difficult for residents to sue over the impacts of agriculture operations — whether for flooding, burn fields or other reasons.

“You would not believe the lawsuits filed against farmers,” said Maggard. “They get sued more than you’ll ever know.”

The speaker underscored “the pressure” Florida farmers face relating to rapid growth and development — noting the state is now netting about 1,000 new residents per day.

“The farming industry is a lot bigger and we do a lot more than people realize,” Maggard said.

He also talked about a new state law that limits civil liability against businesses for damages related to COVID-19 — creating separate standards and procedures for lawsuits against general businesses and entities versus litigation against healthcare providers.

In other words, the law is designed to protect restaurants, retail shops and other establishments from lawsuits if an individual contracts COVID-19 in those places.

“We had to do something to protect our businesses,” the lawmaker said.

“I can tell you, certain sides were ganging up and getting ready to unload on businesses off of easy and cheap lawsuits, saying, ‘Oh, my constituent got COVID in your establishment,’ and the numbers were startling how they were lining up for that to happen, so I’m particularly proud of that bill that protects the businesses,” he said.

Another bill Maggard helped push through was enhanced civics education programming for public school districts and charter schools, requiring Florida high school students to earn three social studies credits covering U.S. history, world history, economics and U.S. government.

It also requires the Florida Department of Education to develop or approve integrated civic education curriculum that meets certain requirements, including “a comparative discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy essential toward the founding principles of the Unites States,” according to the bill’s text.

The lawmaker said the legislation is needed to educate youth on the perils of communism and socialism beyond “what the world paints, that it’s a little rosy picture.”

“We forget what we have. We forget these freedoms,” said Maggard. “If we don’t teach it, maybe it’s our fault.”

The state representative also addressed the governor’s signing HB1, the so-called “anti-riot” bill, which increases penalties for bad actors who turn otherwise peaceful and constitutional protests into violent assemblies where law enforcement officers are attacked and public and private property is destroyed.

The bill signed into law in mid-April came in the wake of civil unrest throughout the country over the last couple years.

Maggard observed of the highly-publicized legislation: “(It’s) basically saying, you’re not going to defund your police department, and if you want to protest, it’s fine to protest, you have that right, but you’re not going to burn down the Golden Corral to do it, you’re not going to burn down the bank across the street to do it.

“There’s a lot of ways you can (protest) in this country, freely. You can walk up and down this road, but you’re not going to burn anything down. That’s not freedom of speech, that’s called rioting. Rioting’s against the law. We all work hard for this. we all work hard for what we do every day, and I think it’s a great bill, actually. It’s sad that we even have to have a bill like this.”

Maggard also shared his viewpoint on the controversial law prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports, dubbed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.”

Signed by DeSantis on June 1, the law specifies an athletic team or sport that is designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to students of the male sex, based on the student’s biological sex listed on the student’s official birth certificate at the time of birth.

The bill applies the requirements to interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a public secondary school, high school, public college, or university institution.

Maggard said the law “doesn’t allow boys and men to play in girls’ sports,” a comment which a drew rounds of applause from Zephyrhills Chamber members in attendance.

The lawmaker acknowledged the transgender community’s perspective, but also remarked, “How about the other 99.5% of folks? My granddaughter, I’m thinking of her during these conversations.”

The entire measure brought about what Maggard labeled as “interesting testimony” from all involved parties.

“That was a bill we got a lot flak over, but it’s just right,” he said.

“You would not believe the hate e-mails and phone calls we got from that. It was quite interesting,” he said.

Maggard elsewhere described being “most proud of” of a pair of other bills, one related to reclaimed water reuse technology requirements for utility companies; another related to auditing requirements and increased scrutiny of independent special taxing districts.

Meanwhile, Maggard said DeSantis deserves “big credit” for keeping the Sunshine State open and restrictions relaxed amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Not everybody liked it, not everybody was for it,” said Maggard, “but I can tell you, at the end of the day, ask the rest of the nation, when we talk to all of them, they want to be Florida. “People want to go back to work, people didn’t want to quit working, and the kids wanted to go back to school.

“I think we need to thank our governor for standing up, because I’ll tell you what, he took a lot of criticism, a lot of hit from that,” Maggard said.

Published June 16, 2021

Hercules Park workshop set June 10

By

Zephyrhills residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the future development and proposed amenities of Hercules Park.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their ideas and opinions to a public workshop meeting on June 10 at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills.

The City of Zephyrhills will host a workshop on June 10, to gather public input about the development of Hercules Park. Renovations could feature a circuitous BMX bike track with jumps and rollers, plus other passive amenities, based on this conceptual sketch from the project’s consultant, Kimley-Horn. The 12-acre park site is situated at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard. (File)

Other stakeholders in attendance are expected to include the city’s parks and recreation advisory board, CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) board and representatives from the project’s consultant, Kimley-Horn.

The City of Zephyrhills in recent months has pondered ways to spruce up the languished 12-acre park property at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

One possibility for the park’s update includes installing a BMX (bicycle motocross) track where youth and adult bike enthusiasts traverse winding trails and thrilling jumps, in a safe and comfortable setting.

The latest conceptual sketch plan from Kimley-Horn shows a circuitous riding trail spanning roughly 5.29 acres of the park property, albeit with many details still to be hashed out.

Height levels on jumps and bumps haven’t yet been determined, but the track is expected to have variations for beginner, intermediate and advanced bikers — keeping safety in mind, too.

Surface material hasn’t been decided, either, though one option is a dirt track with wooden features for jumps and stunts.

Also proposed is a paved pathway encircling the BMX course for parents, walkers and runners to use for general exercise purposes.

Based on renderings, remaining Hercules Park property upgrades would then take on a mostly passive vibe — with a nearly 1-acre open playfield, 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area, and a soft walking trail surrounding an existing retention pond and lighted fountain spray.

An open playfield —situated at the former Hercules Aquatic Center — would offer a grassy space for throwing footballs, Frisbees and so on.

A playground, meanwhile, could include some nature-based equipment beyond conventional slides and swings — think rock climb, bridges, tunnels, rope play structures and more.

The budget for the entire Hercules Park renovation will be determined from the workshop, where amenities could be added or removed based on community feedback, Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

Final design and construction is expected sometime after park funding is identified for the city’s 2021-2022 fiscal year, Hamilton says.

Depending on the amenities and project cost, the development could be completed in a year, or built out over multiple years, she says.

City officials also have previously mentioned facilitating public-private partnerships for some of the park’s improvements.

In addition to its proximity to local schools, Hercules Park borders a busy Wawa gas station and Culver’s fast food restaurant, which could prompt those patrons to drop by the park to have a relaxing meal.

The park also is accessible to surrounding neighborhood developments through Henry Drive.

Should the BMX concept follow through, it would create an amenity otherwise not readily available to the East Pasco community. (Local BMX enthusiasts have previously tried accessing the Zephyrhills Skatepark at Krusen Field for those purposes.)

The closest public BMX pump tracks in the surrounding Tampa Bay area include Tampa BMX in Lutz and Oldsmar BMX.

City leaders for years have been calling for an action plan for vacant park land that once had a buzzing aquatic center and swimming pool.

Ownership of the land was transferred to the city from the Pasco County School Board in June 2018.

The park land is a legacy from about 80 acres once owned by the Hercules Powder Co.

The company, which converted pine stumps into resin and turpentine, had been the city’s largest employer at one point.

During a city council meeting last month, City Manager Billy Poe deemed the upcoming Hercules Park workshop “important” to provide additional information, plans and ideas to the public and other interested parties.

Published June 09, 2021

Florida Governor pens $101.5 billion budget in Zephyrhills

By

It’s not very often the governor makes a public appearance in Zephyrhills, let alone to make a major statewide announcement.

But that’s what happened on June 2, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared at Zephyrhills City Hall for a state budget-signing ceremony — penning into law a record-setting $101.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

City of Zephyrhills administrators and officials pose for a picture with Gov. Ron DeSantis outside of Zephyrhills City Hall. From left: Council President Alan Knight, City Attorney Matt Maggard, Councilman Ken Burgess, Mayor Gene Whitfield, DeSantis, Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson and City Manager Billy Poe. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The invite-only press conference drew several dozens of area residents, business owners and government officials, in a standing-room only affair.

“It’s great to be in Pasco County,” DeSantis said, opening his speech. “It’s great to be here.”

The Republican governor was accompanied by several members of the Republican-led state legislature, including Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor), state Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Dade City), state Rep. Ardian Zika (R-Land O’ Lakes), state Sen. Danny Burgess, (R-Zephyrhills), state Rep. Amber Mariano (R-Hudson), and state Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), among others.

As for dropping by the City of Pure Water, DeSantis acknowledged plans to stop somewhere in the Tampa Bay region for one of his multiple budget-signing ceremonies. He took input from Simpson and others for an ideal spot in Pasco — which figured to be Zephyrhills’ multimillion dollar statuesque municipal building built in 2018.

The trip from Tallahassee also coincided with particularly strong results for Zephyrhills and the greater East Pasco area, which combined to receive over $40 million in appropriations alone, including:

  • $25 million for new facilities at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Dade City Campus
  • $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road
  • $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center
  • $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
  • $25 million for a new Florida National Guard armory somewhere in Zephyrhills

Altogether, DeSantis stated the county and region “did very well” in the latest budget, and therefore “should feel very proud.”

The governor observed Florida’s largest budget in history overall was made possible because the state reopened more rapidly compared to others across the United States, resulting in unexpected economic and revenue boosts amid the coronavirus crisis.

Governor lauds reopening state
“We made a decision,” DeSantis said, “as other states kept locking their citizens down, we lift people up in Florida.”

Aside from the $101.5 billion, the 2021-2022 budget leaves another $9.5 billion in reserves, for hurricane relief and other unforeseen circumstances.

Gov. Ron DeSantis makes the record-setting $101.5 billion state budget official, during a June 2 invite-only press conference at Zephyrhills City Hall.

It also implements a program designed to cut taxes by $169 million and includes the first seven-day freedom week sales tax holiday, a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and a 10-day disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ vetoes totaled $1.5 billion from this session. He labeled the cuts as mainly “back of the bill” items related to the state’s general and trust funds.

Relatedly, the governor pointed out Florida’s budget is less than half of New York State’s $212 billion mark, despite having “millions of fewer people than we do.”

He added: “We’re very prudent with how we spend our money.”

Throughout the 30-minute briefing, DeSantis hyped up the budget’s commitment to issues regarding education, environmental protection, and mental health.

Said DeSantis, “I think, all thing’s considered, you look at a lot of the major issues, and I think the legislature did a really good job to address all of the key issues, so I thank them for that.”

On the education front, there’s roughly $23 billion for the kindergarten through 12th grade system, plus $2 billion for early childhood education. The budget also includes $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals in the state’s public and charter schools “because they had to work extra hard,” during the pandemic, DeSantis said.

About $2.5 billion is set to address mental health and substance abuse across all associated agencies. DeSantis specifically cited $137.6 million for community-based services for adults and children with behavioral health needs; $120 million for school-related mental health initiatives; and, $5.5 million for youth mental health awareness and assistance.

Noteworthy environmental-related response includes a $500 million stormwater infrastructure grant program — with another $100 million in recurring funds — where Florida cities and communities can apply as needed. There’s also $155 million for beach renourishment, “which is important when you have 1,300 miles of coastline,” DeSantis said.

Another notable budget item: $1,000 bonuses for roughly 175,000 first responders throughout Florida, including police, fire and other emergency medical personnel.

DeSantis underscored the challenges of such jobs throughout the pandemic, as reasoning for creating the bonus pool.

“We understood when COVID hit, there’s folks in white-collar jobs that could work from home, or remote, but the people in uniform have to show up every day.

“They can’t keep the streets safe on Zoom, you can’t put out a fire on Zoom, you’ve just gotta be there, and they were there from the very beginning, day in and day out,” he said.

The governor overall was bullish on the Sunshine State during his in-town visit, emphasizing the increasing number people who’ve relocated and vacationed here — be it related to climate and weather, property values, or fewer COVID-19 restrictions.

“We really served as kind of a respite for other citizens of our country in states that were chafing under these lockdowns,” he said. “I can tell you, I think there’s a lot of people in the last year, year-and-a-half, that have said, ‘Thank God I live in Florida.’”

Meantime, the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus released a joint statement on the day of the governor’s budget signing:

“Thanks to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress passing the ‘American Rescue Plan,’ the governor can tout a state budget that helps Florida recover from the pandemic, allocating billions for the environment, public schools, and community health care.  A big chunk of the $10 billion from the federal stimulus act added to a bounty of transportation and economic development projects all over the state. The money even allowed the governor to dole out $1,000 bonuses to law enforcement, firefighters, and other frontline emergency workers,” the statement reads.

“Unfortunately, as he took his victory lap to hand out the bonuses, and brag about the many programs rescued as a result of the federal help, the governor never once directed thanks to those who made this possible. It was a crass example of freeloading off the hard work of others he doesn’t want to acknowledge because he doesn’t agree with their politics. Shame on the governor. When the president and congressional Democrats stepped up to the plate, there were no political litmus tests. There was only the question of how to help. And how to do so quickly.”

Published June 09, 2021

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

By

Downtown Zephyrhills could get a little louder and livelier in the next year or so — if a proposed project pushes through.

The City of Zephyrhills is considering the creation of its own entertainment backyard featuring food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations and various seating areas. Picture it as a scaled-down version of the popular Sparkman Wharf waterfront venue in downtown Tampa’s Channelside.

The Zephyrhills concept, called “Little But Loud,” would be developed on a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street. The site was once home to a Disabled American Veterans chapter building, and is situated just a block north of Fifth Avenue and adjacent to Zephyrhills City Hall.

‘Little But Loud’ entertainment venue concept renderings were presented by Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton at a January meeting. This one shows semi-rigid covered seating, covered seating area, food cart court, game lawn/overflow seating, outdoor seating and food truck access. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), presented two concept renderings at a CRA meeting in January.

The first concept shows semi-rigid covered seating, covered seating area, food cart court, game lawn/overflow seating, outdoor seating and food truck access.

The second concept shows an event stage/elevated seating area, mobile high-top seating, food and vendor stalls, a semi-rigid overhead structure and raised concrete deck, food truck access and a versatile event lawn.

As for parking, eventgoers could use the nearby City Hall parking lot on nights and weekends.

Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., would likely be tasked with managing Little But Loud, and with arranging the venue’s programming.

The scope of work and budget are not yet final.

No start date has been determined, either, but it’s possible the project could be completed by the end of the year, if the initiative gains the CRA Board of Commissioners’ approval.

Hamilton said the new venue would generate downtown foot traffic and “create a sense of community,” by giving locals and visitors a multi-use entertainment space on weekends.

It also gives the city an opportunity to use “a beautiful lot” that is currently vacant.

“People would want to come, especially in the spring and in the winter when we have beautiful days, to sit out, listen to some music, have something to eat, come downtown. The idea is to create an attraction to get people to come downtown,” said Hamilton.

Two ‘Little But Loud’ concept renderings were presented by Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton at a meeting. This one shows an event stage/elevated seating area, mobile high-top seating, food and vendor stalls, a semi-rigid overhead structure and raised concrete deck, food truck access and a versatile event lawn.

She thinks the project also would encourage residents and visitors to explore other areas of the city, including the historic downtown business district through Fifth Avenue.

Hamilton observed: “This is not to exclude any of the businesses on Fifth Avenue. It’s not to cut them out, it’s to get some activity going here, so that everybody who comes here goes to the restaurants and stores that surround it. You get up, you walk around — it’s a way for people to explore downtown Zephyrhills that maybe have never been here.

“It would bring people in that would go and shop, and try a craft beer that didn’t even know there was a microbrewery down here (at Zephyrhills Brewing Company).”

The intimate property — purchased by the city in 2017 — was originally anticipated to be developed into some type of retail/office space — which remains a future option.

However, Hamilton noted that option is not feasible yet, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lot also could be reserved for some type of apartment or residential concept, but Hamilton doesn’t believe that’s a best use.

“If we wanted to do apartments, we could probably do apartments, but in the long run, that’s not what’s best for downtown, that’s not what’s best for the core of the city,” Hamilton told the CRA board.

If and when the time comes to redevelop the small lot, Hamilton said the Little But Loud concept could simply be relocated to another area of the city, perhaps Zephyr Park on Fifth Avenue.

“It’s a way for us to engage that lot without spending a tremendous amount of money, and when the market gets to the point where we want to build a building on that space, all of it can be picked up and moved somewhere else,” Hamilton explained.

Members of the CRA board expressed interest in the venue concept, with several more tweaks and details to be hammered out and finalized in coming months.

Board member Ken Burgess called Little But Loud “a good idea to get something going,” but advised the project be done in sections or phases, instead of all at once.

Board member Lance Smith said the concept would create an “inviting” atmosphere to downtown, pushing for other accents such as artificial turf and a large-sized television or projector to broadcast movies and sporting events.

Alcohol sales should be another consideration, he said.

“I think it’s interesting,” Smith said of the plan. “I think you need to look at the budget for it, too, because I’ve looked at these (venues) and they’re way more expensive than you think they are, but I think it’s a great concept to take a look at.”

Board President Jodi Wilkeson, too, was keen with the project, but expressed concerns about potential vandalism and possible impacts on surrounding take-out and sit-down restaurants and businesses.

“If we’re doing this to help promote businesses downtown, I think we should make an effort to ensure that they’re not producing food that’s in competition with any other businesses,” Wilkeson said.

She suggested that Little But Loud food trucks and containers stick to offering snack items, such as flavored popcorn and other treats “so that it gives people something to eat, but when they’re really hungry (for a meal), they’re going to go somewhere else.”

Overall, though, she likes the concept. “I think it’s a great idea. I look forward to seeing it a little fleshed out, but I’m in support of it as well.”

Board member Charles Proctor also offered his support: “I think it’s a good idea as well. We’ve gotta do something with (the lot).”

Published February 24, 2021

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

By

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is ushering in the new year with a slew of projects and initiatives in the historic downtown district.

“There’s a lot going on that you’ll see in January that staff has been working on,” Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton said, during an update of the 2021 plans at a meeting with the CRA board of directors last month.

The Zephyrhills CRA is soliciting tenants for the Historic Jeffries and Carriage houses on Fifth Avenue. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.)

The CRA district encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside and Plaza.

Hamilton told board members that the agency has met with a consultant on forthcoming improvements to Hercules Park, a 9-acre city-owned parkland site at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

Discussions have centered around transforming the languished site into a passive park for residents — highlighted with trails and a picnic area, as well as regular maintenance.

Possible improvements include underbrush clearing and designing a more welcoming park entrance, along with installing a park fountain, benches, tree underlighting, and colorful sailcloth.

Another idea involves cultivating an art element into the park that pays homage to the history of the property.

A greater degree of detail will be developed once the consultant’s ideas are presented to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Jan. 21, and then on to the CRA board and Zephyrhills City Council.

Hercules Park improvements are on tap in 2021, with an idea of making it a more welcoming, well-maintained passive park property. (File)

Funding for the park is available in this year’s city budget cycle.

Another CRA priority in the new year is outlining and ramping up a strategy for the Zephyrhills Code Enforcement Task.

Hamilton mentioned Pasco County has started to enforce code cases again “and so we want to at least talk about neighborhoods cleanups.”

Code issues are popping up in the downtown area, and in other areas, she said.

“We want to get back on track with our cleanups and the task force, and so we will start meeting in January,” Hamilton said.

She also reported progress on the renovation of the Carriage House property, which is nearly complete. The two-story wooden structure is connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The property has undergone a $155,000 makeover by Zephyrhills-based Kerns Family Construction Company Inc. Now, it is just awaiting some electrical hookups, Hamilton said.

In addition to uplifting surrounding property values and maintaining a historic structure, the city hopes to lease the space out to a business or residential tenant for around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

The renovated structure has received serious interest from possible tenants — as has its counterpart in the Jeffries House, Hamilton said. Three coffee companies have inquired about setting up some kind of business operation at the Jeffries House, Hamilton said. She also noted a couple of other projects are interested in using both the Carriage House and Jeffries House.

The Jeffries House was built in 1910 for Capt. Harold Jeffries, the founder of Zephyrhills who was responsible for bringing many Union Civil War veterans into the area. The house is a part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Another major undertaking for the agency is facilitating a development opportunity on a city-owned lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue/Eighth Street — situated across the street from Zephyrhills City Hall.

The vacant lot originally was expected to become two-story retail space, but city staff now is working on a plan to transform the corner into a residential property, Hamilton said.

She explained the rationale for the shift: “Right now, trying to get financing for retail is impossible. If it were housing, it would be a whole lot easier, so we’ve come up with an idea that I think you’ll like. We’ve tested (the idea) with some other groups.”

Cost estimates and more specifics are expected to be presented the next CRA Board meeting on Jan. 25.

Other notable updates from the CRA director’s report:

  • Initial design and cost estimates for gateway signage at Gall Boulevard/Fifth Avenue is expected to be ready in January, then presented to the CRA Board for further review.
  • A request for proposal (RFP) is being prepared for a mural design at the Lake Necessity retention pond. The site has already experienced some beautification with an ornamental fence. The plan is to hire an artist to paint the concrete sides of the fence, perhaps incorporating a natural scene with water images.
  • Zephyrhills Main Street has begun redesigning Transplant Park, a 0.2-acre passive park at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 12th Street. The location is just a few blocks east of the historic downtown district. The pie-shaped park, nestled between shaded trees, features landscaping and park benches.
  • Zephyrhills Public Works is completing the installation of irrigated potted plants along Fifth Avenue, specifically around street corners and medians landscapes.
  • Residential ownership incentive grants were approved to new homeowners for the properties at 5416 Eighth St. and 38245 12th Ave. (The grant provides $5,000 to new homeowners within the district, given they apply before purchasing/closing and file for homestead exemption for five years.)
  • A new business, Vintage Chix, recently opened in the downtown district, at 38501 Fifth Ave. The storefront sells vintage, repurposed furniture, including farmhouse, country French, shabby chic and rustic décor. The space also offers instructional craft and painting classes in a café atmosphere.

Published January 20, 2021

Summit speaker shares optimism about Pasco’s prospects

By

From manufacturing hubs and roadway improvements, to myriad residential developments on tap — Pasco County has much to be thankful for during these unique and challenging times.

That was the overarching message put forth by Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley at the annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit, held in October at Zephyrhills City Hall.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley was a guest speaker at the annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit last month. (File)

The county commissioner was among featured speakers during the event organized by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Oakley exuded optimism about Pasco’s future, from the moment he stepped up to the microphone: “Goodness gracious, you couldn’t ask for a busier county, and a busier East Pasco county,” he said.

He’s particularly bullish on an influx of manufacturing opportunities throughout East Pasco.

One case in point: A new industrial park in Lacoochee, headlined by a 25-acre precast concrete plant, with room for additional tenants.

The little town just north of Dade City has struggled to find development for decades — since Cummer’s lumber mill closed back in 1959.

Upgrades to Cummer Road and Bower Road in the area, plus workforce housing opportunities, provide “improvements we need for that manufacturing going there,” Oakley said.

There’s other potential boons, too, such as the 99-acre wastewater spray field on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel that’s being developed as a commercial park by the Atlanta-based Rooker Company.

Oakley also mentioned two warehouses that, taken together, total more than 900,000 square feet, and are set to be developed along State Road 52 and Interstate 75.

“Most people haven’t heard about them, but they’re coming. I’ve been told by the developer that they’re coming. They’re going to provide 600 to 800 jobs,” Oakley said.

People moving to the area for work are going to need places to live, of course.

That’s no problem, as the area continues to add to its residential options.

Oakley pointed to thousands of new homes that are underway, or will be, in large subdivisions in Zephyrhills, and in master-planned developments, including Mirada in San Antonio, and Connected City and WaterGrass in Wesley Chapel.

Oakley also highlighted some major transportation improvements.

Those projects include:

  • Widening County Road 54
  • Improving the intersection at State Road 54 and Eiland Boulevard/Morris Bridge Road
  • Creating the diverging diamond at Interstate 75 and State Road 56
  • Building a new interchange at I-75 and Overpass Road
  • Realigning the intersection at U.S. 301/U.S. 98/Clinton Avenue
  • Widening State Road 50, from North Pasco across the Hernando County line
  • Paving projects on Eighth Avenue and on Jerome Road

Oakley underscored the significance of improving the roadways and transportation connections — in the quest to boost the region’s economy.

Pasco County is poised to be home to some manufacturing hubs, major roadway improvements and a slew of large-scale residential developments.

“You connect all these roads, and you look at the transportation value you have in the roads, and moving of people and products across our county, and with manufacturing and being able to move out from this area to other parts, and come into this area.

“Think about all the road projects, and if they get done. What a change that’ll be to our county and the way we move traffic,” the commissioner said.

In summation, the area’s complementary blend of infrastructure, industrial jobs and housing opportunities signal more positive economic times ahead for the region, Oakley reasoned.

“You’ve got everything that’s going to make this economy boom. You’re talking about a stimulus where, ‘You build and they’ll come.’ People are coming. People are coming from the north, from other areas into this area.

“It’s just amazing what’s going to happen in our area, and it’s a change. Think about three or four years down the road, how these things come about, so it’s great things to look forward to,” Oakley said.

He also pointed to the county’s efforts to reduce bureaucratic red tape that can hamper progress.

Besides being a commissioner, Oakley’s experience includes working in his family’s citrus and agriculture business with his brother and father, and serving as vice president of the family’s transportation company, Oakley Transport, which hauls liquid food commodities in stainless steel tanks.

He understands the need for government efficiency.

“I’ve had my hand in a lot of different businesses and all. I know what we don’t want to see when we go to get a permit, and what we do want to see is a happy face and, ‘Here’s how you get through the process.’ We try to streamline things and make things better for everyone,” Oakley said.

Published November 11, 2020

How local hospitals have responded to COVID-19

By

Just like COVID-19 has done with so many other industries, hospital and medical care systems also have needed to bob and weave, since the entire world changed around March.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City president/CEO Amanda Maggard outlined the medical community’s COVID-10 response — and what the future may hold for the pair of East Pasco hospitals that are part of one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health care systems.

“It has definitely been an interesting year, hasn’t it? 2020 is a year I don’t think we’ll soon forget,” Maggard said, as the opening speaker at the Zephyrhills Economic Summit, held on Oct. 14.

Hospitals staffers have had to be utilized in different ways amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as elective surgeries and procedures were postponed for months. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Zephyrhills)

The hospital administrator detailed many of the initial challenges when COVID-19 cases spiked in March, during the event organized by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and convened at Zephyrhills City Hall.

A major issue involved procuring as much personal protective equipment (PPE) as possible.

“We have had a lot of PPE to serve, but COVID really escalated the amount and types of PPE that we needed,” the hospital executive said.

As a result, the hospital supply chain system has been forever altered. Now, it emphasizes partnerships on domestically produced PPE, while moving away from a just-in-time delivery model for such equipment and inventory, she explained.

In short, the pandemic offered “lessons learned” on how health care conglomerates handle and manage workforce, products, equipment and so on.

“We will never go back to operating our supply chain the way we did before COVID,” said Maggard, who’s had her role since 2017. “We have much more of an inventory across our system today than we did before, and that will stay.”

Since the pandemic touched down in the spring, hospitals have stopped many elective surgeries and procedures, including outpatient physical therapy.

Instead of laying  off those employees, workers were re-deployed in any and every way possible. Some tasks included handling temperature checks, child care services, cafeteria and nutritional services, and even organizing fun activities for other team members, Maggard said.

“I’m so proud of the work that our team has done during this time,” she added.

Local hospitals are “continuing to learn and apply the latest clinical, evidence-based best practices, so we’re taking lessons from all of AdventHealth and around the country, and trying to apply those to make sure that we’re giving the best possible care to patients with COVID,” the hospital CEO said.

For example, the hospital is using Remdesivir, convalescent plasma therapy and “a number of other treatments, as we continue to learn and evolve,” Maggard said.

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication; convalescent plasma therapy involves using blood from people who’ve recovered from an illness to help others recover.

Best practices to attack and treat COVID-19 have likewise involved ongoing learning because it began and still remains a relative unknown virus to the medical industry, Maggard said.

“We’ve been learning new things every day, and every week and every month,” she said, adding  “guidance has changed, as the science has changed and evolved.”

The entire AdventHealth system actively monitors the volumes of COVID-19 cases throughout its various hospitals. The “biggest surge” of cases was seen in mid-July, Maggard said, adding: “It’s declined since then, (but) we saw a little bump up recently.”

Going forward, the hospital system is continuing its myriad health and safety protocols — such as markers on the floor to remind people to maintain six feet of social distance;  temperature checks and screening everyone who enters the facilities every day; requiring masks; and regular deep cleanings throughout entire facilities, as well as other measures.

All patients who are COVID-19 positive, or suspected of being positive, are kept in a separate space — away from other patients — “to try to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Long-term health care consequences
A noteworthy consequence of the pandemic, Maggard said, is how many people have delayed routine or more serious health care issues — largely out of fear of going out to a public hospital or medical facility.

Between March and April, emergency rooms saw a 30% to 40% reduction in visits pertaining to heart attacks and strokes, Maggard said.

Amanda Maggard is president/CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City. She was a guest speaker at the annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit, organized each October by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. (File)

“The truth is, people were still having the same amount of heart attacks and strokes, but they were waiting and not coming to the ER,” Maggard said.

Because of those fear-driven consumer behavior changes, people who recently have been coming back to the hospital have more serious clinical issues, because they chose to delay care.

The same goes for routine screenings, primary care visits and procedures, such as colonoscopies, she added.

“My concern long-term with COVID is not just the immediate impact of COVID, but what is going to be the impact of health of folks around our country and around the world over the next few years, when we may have started to put off that routine care because we’re afraid to go be seen,” said Maggard.

“Don’t put your health care on hold. We want to continue to be here and not see your long-term health suffer because of not getting some of the screenings or preventative care that you may need today.

“If you’re experiencing any of those symptoms, you want to get into the hospital. We want to assure people that we are a safe place to be, we have a number of precautions in place to keep you safe, and we don’t want you to delay that care.”

Another related question is how newly jobless people will get their needed preventative services if they’ve been laid off and therefore lose their employer-sponsored health insurance.

“With the impact to the economy and the number of jobs being lost, what impact will that have in the coming 12 to 24 to 26 months?,” Maggard said.

Another looming question is how the hospital system’s financial losses amid the pandemic — due to postponing elective surgeries and decreased emergency room visits — will impact available capital in coming years. As a nonprofit, Maggard explained such capital would otherwise would be reinvested into the facilities for operating room expansions and technology and equipment upgrades to adequately serve in a growing community, such as East Pasco.

“There have been a number of financial losses,” Maggard said, “and that is something that we’re struggling with right now, is (how) our financial impact due to COVID is going to restrict the amount of capital we have available in these coming years,” she said.

Perhaps one of the positive developments in result of the pandemic is the increased accessibility and availability of telehealth services for physicians, primary care and even specialists.

Telehealth is the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies, allowing for long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

Simply, it allows patients to virtually see a physician or specialists without having to physically visit a hospital or medical office.

Telehealth, Maggard said, is “really, truly a positive thing in health care that could increase access for a number of folks.”

“That’s actually one of the really great things that has come out of COVID,” Maggard said. “The number of guidelines and allowances that came out from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) are allowing more telehealth than we were able to do before, and we get reimbursed for that. I hope that’s something that stays out of COVID.”

Published November 04, 2020

Cancer forces retirement of police dog

By

A cancer diagnosis has forced the retirement of one of the Zephyrhills Police Department’s police dogs.

Zephyrhills Police Department K9 Oscar was recently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a blood vessel cancer. The 4-year-old yellow Labrador is officially retired and now in the care of handler Officer Morgan Upchurch. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Police Department)

It was a somber moment inside the Zephyrhills City Hall chambers when Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer on Oct. 12 officially retired 4-year-old K9 Oscar, amid what he called “an aggressive form of cancer, which is quickly spreading.”

The more technical term of K9 Oscar’s cancer is hemangiosarcoma, whereby malignant tumors are derived from the cells lining blood vessels.

“Unfortunately, he’s starting to exhibit signs of rapid decline in his health, and at this time we think it’s best for him to retire,” said Brewer, who was noticeably choked up.

With the retirement, ownership and care of the dog has been transferred from the city to his handler, Officer Morgan Upchurch.

K9 Oscar— a yellow Labrador from England— joined the city police department in 2018.

Brewer detailed how the canine in two-plus years completed 163 narcotics searches (yielding 134 findings) and 86 arrests. In those findings, K9 Oscar recovered methamphetamines, opiates, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and other prescription pills.

Zephyrhills Police Department K9 Oscar with his handler, Officer Morgan Upchurch. The 4-year-old yellow Labrador was recently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a blood vessel cancer. Oscar had been with the agency since 2018.

“His value to us is going to be well-missed,” Brewer said. “I just want to tell you how much Oscar has meant to all of us, and none more than Morgan (Upchurch), and it’s a shame that he’s only 4 years old, and already suffering these types of issues, and we’re going to miss him a lot.”

The law enforcement agency operates with three police canines, with a long-term goal of working with four. The police chief later told The Laker/Lutz the agency plans to find K9 Oscar’s replacement “as soon as possible,” but added there’s not yet a set timetable “because many factors go into purchasing a dog.”

A slew of law enforcement officials and K9 units attended the retirement proceedings as a show of support for the Zephyrhills Police K9 team. A video tribute of K9 Oscar also was played for the audience at the meeting.

“It’s heartbreaking that such a young dog has to go through this,” said Zephyrhills City Council President Charles Proctor. “My heart goes out to Officer Upchurch. I can’t imagine. Having to put down one of our beloved dogs is always incredibly hard, so my heart goes out to him and the entire police department for their loss.”

Published October 21, 2020

Zephyrhills can handle COVID-19 budget impacts

By

Cities and towns across the country are gearing up for budget cuts because of prolonged COVID-19 shutdowns, but that isn’t true in Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said the city is in good enough shape financially to handle any lingering effects of the shutdown for the rest of this fiscal year, and for next fiscal year, too.

He provided that reassuring news to city council members at their regular meeting on June 8.

Councilman Charles Proctor was elevated to the role of council president at a June 8 regular meeting. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Although state revenues shared with local governments could be reduced by 50% for the months of April, May and June, Poe said that’s “not a super larger part” of the city’s roughly $66 million budget.

The city had larger-than-anticipated revenues at the beginning of the year, which helps to offset lower state revenues, Poe said.

He also noted that some big-ticket purchase items came in under budget.

Plus, the city has flexibility to slow down some city projects that are less critical, he said.

“Talking to the finance director I think we’re going to be OK,” the city manager told the council. “There’s some money that we can move around, so there will be a decrease, but I think we’re going to be OK,” Poe said.

Meanwhile, as the city prepares its 2020-21 fiscal year budget, Poe has directed city department heads “to really hold the line” when prioritizing needs and projects.

Besides the negative revenue impacts caused by COVID-19, the city also is facing higher health care and retirement costs for next fiscal year.

The millage rate will be set during the first week in July. The city will hold two public hearings on its budget, which must be adopted by Oct. 1.

On the upside, the city manager noted a preliminary estimate from the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office shows the taxable value of the city up about $42 million, with $35.7 million in new construction value.

“What it’ll do is offset some of those reductions from the state, those lost revenues as a result of COVID-19,” said Poe.

Council swearing-in, reorganization
Like other government organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Zephyrhills City Council to hold virtual call-in meetings over the past two months or so.

That all changed June 8, when council members gathered inside the Zephyrhills City Hall chambers, for the first time since March 23.

The move came at an appropriate time, as City Clerk Lori Hillman administered the oath of office to Mayor Gene Whitfield and Councilman Alan Knight, who retained their seats since being declared elected unopposed.

Whitfield has held the mayor chair since 2014, when Danny Burgess resigned to run as the area’s state representative in Tallahassee. Whitfield has owned Whitfield Funeral Home in Zephyrhills the past 25 years. He also is former director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Knight, first elected to Council Seat 2 in 2014, is a retired educator who’s worked mainly in Pasco County Schools as a teacher, coach and administrator.

The swearing-in ceremony also coincided with some council reorganization, which happens each year.

Council Vice President Charlie Proctor was elevated to the role of council president, taking over for Councilman Ken Burgess. Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson was appointed council vice president.

As council president, Proctor will be responsible for signing official city documents and chairing council meetings, otherwise serving as the leading voice in business agenda items. He last served as council president in 2014.

Proctor commended Burgess.

Said Proctor, “First of all, I would like to thank former Council President Ken Burgess for doing an amazing job this past year. We really had a rough year, a lot of tough decisions we had to make as a council. Not only that, we had to go through this virus that had us meet online, and it was very difficult, and I think Council President Burgess did an amazing job, along with our staff.”

Liaison appointments were decided, too. Burgess was chosen to sit on the Pasco County Tourist Development Council (TDC), in addition to serving as an officer with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. Other roles remained in place — Proctor serving on the Ridge League of Cities; Wilkeson on Main Street Zephyrhills; and Councilman Lance Smith on the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), with the mayor serving as an alternate.

The council also:

• Approved the last plat for Silverado Ranch subdivision, otherwise known as Phases 10B and 11C, situated on the northern boundary of the development

• Accepted an $85,000 facilities grant United States Tennis Center (USTA), for costs related to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center, 6585 Simons Road, Zephyrhills. The nearly $5 million project is slated to open in July and will include 11 tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts, among other features.

• Passed a second reading ordinance and public hearing consenting to the inclusion of the city’s boundaries into the Pasco County Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) for fire rescue services.

Published June 17, 2020