Council meeting Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Like to invite stand. So, Father, we come to you in the precious name of Jesus, Lord, and the stuff that's on the agenda tonight for the proclamation for faith and family
and also for the resolutions that will be coming up and the redevelopment and area. I just thank you for our mayor and our vice mayor and the council and the police department, the fire department and people here to represent the city
with integrity and honor and with character as we do the pledge allegiance. We just thank you for that wisdom and guidance. And you said if a city would acknowledge you in Psalms 33:12 that it would be blessed. So we thank you that you have been blessing this city and the people and the
community and we are grateful all in the name of Jesus. Amen. >> Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Madam clerk, I have role please. >> Mayor John Eric Hoover >> here. >> Vice Mayor Chris Mayer >> here. >> Councilman Robert Huard >> here. >> Councilwoman Lisa Burke >> here. >> Councilwoman Christine Sullivan >> here.
>> City Attorney Nancy Meyer >> here. >> City Manager Don King >> here. >> Thank you. Um, so I'm going to start with our faith and family month proclamation. So whoever I'm giving that to, if you want to go ahead, come forward.
>> Go ahead. >> It could be more than one. Couple of people. >> Okay. Okay. Well, we'll just do it together then. That'll work. >> Have to do it to one, do you? Because all that group's here. pop up on the show. Get up here.
>> Okay. This proclamation and recognition of the recognition of faith and family month June 2026. Whereas faith and family have long served as foundational pillars of strong communities shaping character, values, and the overall well-being of residents. And whereas strong family units rooted in
commitment, stability and mutual support play a vital role in fostering responsible, compassionate and resilient individuals. And whereas families provide love, security, and moral guidance, while faith offer strength, purpose, and encouragement through life's challenges, leaving a lasting impact across generations. And whereas
Faith and Family Month provides an opportunity to highlight the positive role that faith-based organizations, families, and community partners play in supporting healthy relationships and community engagement throughout the city of Port Richie. And whereas faith communities and families work together to promote service, compassion, personal
responsibility, and shared values that contribute to a safer, stronger, and more connected city. And whereas recognizing faith and family month encourages residents, businesses, and organizations to part participate in our activities that strengthen family bonds and support the social and cultural vitality of Port Richie. Now therefore,
I John Eric Hoover, mayor of the city of Port Richie, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 as faith and family month in the city of Port Richie and encourage all residents to recognize and support the importance of faith, family, and community in making Port Richie a
stronger and more compassionate place to live. Dated this 26th day of May 2026. John Eric Coover mayor. Anybody else? >> Thank you, sir. >> I'll do one just for you. >> Yeah. Yeah, sure. You take one more.
I'll take it. >> What about the angle? >> Thank you. Thank you. Listen to my daughter. >> Listen to my daughter too. >> Mark. >> Okay. Next up, we got a set of minutes
from uh April 28, 2026. Looking for a motion to approve. So moved. >> Second. Okay. Motion second. Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Uh, next up is
comments from the general public. I do have a few signups. I'll start with Leonard Lord. Welcome. As you come to the podium, make sure you state your name and address for the record. >> Leonard Lord. I pastor at 9525 Sunbeam Drive.
And I just want to take a moment to thank the council. It's been years of prayer. Been been working 29 years. And if we really believe there's a God and we really believe the word is true, thank God because it says, "How do you make something great?" I believe, as
Pastor Troy would say, we're going to haggi haggi moment where the governor and the high priest or the authority and the church become one in what God wants to bless the city with. And then it says it stirs a remnant of people and the
fear of God comes and he said he will shake the nations and bring the gold and silver and make the latter house of what we're doing together here in Port Richie greater than it's ever been. So God bless you. Thank you mayor council. Appreciate you. Fire department, police
department, all the workers. We pray for you all. Have been for years. And God bless you. Any way we can help, always call. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Bless you. Next up, I have >> Danny Fields. >> Welcome,
>> Danny Fields. 81 14 Leo Kid. And again, uh, as Leonard said, we want to give honor to God. We want to, uh, thank you and for your leadership and your servitude. Uh, and you're, uh, doing a great job. Keep that up. And as Leonard said, we pray, we do pray for the
government. And it says, "Lord of heaven and earth, guide our leaders to seek you and your will with wisdom and integrity and character." And I know you guys has got character and integrity and you're doing a great job. And I've seen the
city improve because of the team that's here and you got people here to support that. And so keep up the good work and bless you and everything you do in Jesus name. You and your family. Thank you. >> Thank you. And last stop I have is uh Troy
Peterson. Welcome. >> Troy Peterson, 8114 Leo Kid, Port Richie, Florida. I'm going to try not to cry. Um but I thank you, Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, Lisa,
you know, and Nancy, uh, I really appreciate your wisdom in law and Mr. King. Um, when you wrote this up and I I I started praying for you and even sitting next to
you on the events committee, God really just I just honor you. Um, one of the things the Lord really wanted me to uh to share with you all is um to give honor where
honor is due. And that's why I'm here today is to honor you guys uh for standing up for faith and family. Um we do have the waterfront park um flyer fam
fest coming up. Uh I was just on the other side of the county uh talking with some pastors there um about the Famfest on June 6. I'm really excited to see how God is going to continue to bless our
city and as we work together um really what I what I come to understand that if we submit to our governing authorities and be ready for every good work um we do some good things in the city uh with
the different events that we do and I'm so thankful for the police department and the fire department too with all the you know we got the backpack giveaway coming up the end of July which blesses a lot of kids and you guys are always there.
You're always there serving with us and I'm just so thankful. >> Should we remind them that there's other 30 mayors on board plus that when we're coming on board? >> Yeah. If if if you could just keep this movement lifted up in prayer too. Um
because really that's what it is. It's a movement. Um and uh it is on the governor's desk. And so if the governor decides that he's going to sign it even before uh or even the second weekend, it doesn't matter. Um once that happens,
there are going to be many more mayors and and uh commissioners. I think there's four county commissions that have adopted this as well. So uh God's definitely in it. uh when we honor him and and faith and and family and raising
our children up in the ways that they should go, then then uh they're they're not going to stray from it when they get old. Amen. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Troy. >> That's all science I have. By show hands, anybody else like to speak? >> Yes. >> Name address for the record.
>> Hi, I'm Robert Goodman from Citizens Defending Freedom. Mayor Hoover and members of the Port Richie City Council. I just want to on the behalf of Citizens Defending Freedom and the many organizations who've been working to make this happen across the state, thank
you with my sincere gratitude. Uh this proclamation means so much. It's more than just a form. It's more than just a formality. It's a declaration that the city of Port Richie recognizes what history has always confirmed that faith and family are the bedrock of every
community in the United States of America. The great Frederick Douglas once said, "The p preservation of liberty requires eternal vi vigilance." And you're showing that today, and we're thankful for it. Um, the word of God speaks to
on every father. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in discipline and the instruction of the Lord. That's from Ephesians 6:4. Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he was old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. And
finally, Proverbs 13:22. A good man leaves an inheritance inheritance to his children's children. These are not just ancient words. They're a blueprint. And we need it now. The family is the first church, the first classroom, and the first most
important government. When fathers lead with faith and families, the family is strengthened. When families are strengthened, your community will flourish. And when communities flourish, cities thrive. you have taken a step and Mayor Hoover, we just want to thank you for your willingness to make this
proclamation. We appreciate all of you. Thank you so much and God bless all of you. >> Thank Thank anyone else. Hey, welcome. >> Uh, address is 8144 Washington Street, Port Richie. >> And I >> Marissa Russell, thank you. I knew I was
forgetting something. Um, thank you first and foremost foremost, Mr. mayor and vice mayor um for just all of your support for this community and for the work of just family in general because you know as a young adult you know
experiencing life in this type of society it's very important and means the world to me and my generation seeing leaders that are rising up to defend faith and family and so you know in honor of uh the faith and family month
this and the event coming up in June And I just want to thank each and every one of you here, all of the leaders, all the people coming together to make it happen because you are making a difference. And you are changing the world little by little, one person at a time. And I thank God for that every single day. So
even though sometimes it doesn't make sense, even though sometimes it gets annoying and frustrating with all of the red tape and everything that has to get put together, don't stop because you are making a difference and it means everything to us. So, thank you so much and God bless you all.
>> Thanks, Marissa. >> Anyone else like to speak before I close public comment? >> Uh, Jessica Russell, 8144 Washington Street, Port Richie. Uh, I just want to thank you, Mayor, Mayor Eric Hoover, and Vice Mayor Chris. Um, I just want to say
thank you for paving the way for our generation. It really means the world to me, um, to my family and also to people that I know in our community. Um, cuz unlike, um, most young adults my age, it's like you guys pave the way for us
in more ways than one. And when you guys take that leadership role and that initiative to say to put your foot down in the authority that God has given you to stand for what is right, that righteousness is established in our city. Righteousness is established in our generation. And I just want to say
thank you for for really holding the line and saying enough is enough and especially when it comes to how um our culture has been defined in the wrong ways. But you guys are taking that stand and I just want to say thank you. God bless. Anyone
else? Public comment. Okay, I'll close public comment. Thank you all for coming. Really appreciate uh you being here. Um now you got to stay for the whole meeting. So we appreciate you. But no, seriously, thanks. Happy to happy to declare this month for you all and it's uh and for everybody here in
city. Um I think faith and family is very important uh pillars of our community. We need we need more more stable families and and definitely uh definitely faith. So definitely appreciate you all being here. Um, next up is uh comments from city manager. Pass Mr. King for his comments. >> A couple of good items that I received
from uh Mike Moore this afternoon, mayor uh as far as the appropriations reference our VAT truck and our um grand and 19 projects. >> You'll steal my thunder. >> Well, that's that's why he calls me first. >> Actually called me first, but go ahead. >> Oh, really? But for the back truck, so
that everybody's tracking, I don't mean to steal the mayor's thunder, but uh we were approved $650,000, which is the full bill of what we requested. The mayor worked hard on that while he was there. And also for grant 19, we also got the $350,000 approved for that. Also
>> 250. >> Oh, excuse me. >> 250. >> As you can see, my handwriting is not good. >> 250 is good. >> So now we need golf. >> Yeah. Yeah. Not getting the ticket. >> Well, the best part of this all approved. Uh final piece is uh Friday
they're going to vote on the actual budget, but the governor still has his opportunity to veto, but from what from what I understand from the inside information from Mike Moore, because of what we asked for, we asked for things that we needed, not things that we wanted. So, it looks like it's probably
going to go through at a 99.9% success rate. So, I look forward to these projects. I look forward to moving them forward for you. And I look forward to setting you up for success, mayor, as we complete these so you guys can do the ribbon cutting for all this. >> Awesome. Um, just one thing on that just people understand. So, as as you said,
so when they go through the budget process that the house has a as a they got to come together and and marry those together, right? So, they're they're both approved. Y >> um they work on that in branches. Um, so you have like water projects and different things. And so what happened was is uh I think it was a week or two
ago they solidified the 650,000 for the factory truck, closed that out. So that's done. There's not going to be any more negotiation on that. That's in. And now just recently, as he stated, the 250 for the golf cart cross for the uh Grand Boulevard uh uh enhancements also closed out. Both sides agree. So now, like you
said, the next step is that that they will vote on a as a body the budget together. Um that'll go to governor's desk. As long as governor does not veto any of those items, those will be our appropriations once it's signed. So, I'd like to make a statement. >> Sure. >> So, I want you all to know and the public to know that it's because of our
mayor who was relentless about getting this money. He went up there, spent time driving up there, driving back here, driving all around the state like a crazy man, meeting people, making relationships, and and thank you. Let's give him a hand for appreciate that, Chris. And his team
effort last year when we got 4.3 million in appropriation money. myself and Bob was up there representing city manager. Uh this time it was myself, Chris and and and Don. So, it's it's a collective effort. They like to see us up there. We have good ass, good results come from that. So, uh you know, I don't want to take all the credit. Um I I did um
obviously when I first got elected, I I uh was curious about the process, come back and realize that we need to hire lobbyists. We did that and as you can see from that one, um that one thing the council had to approve, right? because that was that was investing taxpayer money in a in a lobbyist individual to to to uh to do that work for us. Um that
paid off big time and so um like I said 4.3 million last year very close to another 900,000 this year. So and who knows what next year has hold. So we have lots of needs, lots of asks and we got a good uh good team together to make that happen. and mayor for you, he's going to, I guess, in the next couple of
meetings, uh, he's going to schedule a time to speak before council so that he can give everybody kind of an update kind of where the city is and how well we're doing and the success we're having, you know, up there in Tallahassee. Uh, before we move on, a couple smaller items that I have that I wanted to address. Um, I've been working
with, uh, Council Member Sullivan on a uh, Whoops. Sorry about that. My son wants to talk to me. I don't know why. Sorry about that, folks. >> Time public comment's over. >> Um, we've been working on a code for
enforcement SOP. Uh, she brought it to my attention that there's a lot there's a lot going on in in that realm. I've been I've been diving into it. We we we know our shortcomings. we know where there's areas to improve and um through her assistance, we came up with a pretty good uh uh document at least for not
only for those that are that have code violations, but you know, those that are actually making the uh the actual reports to it and how we manage it across the board. So, you'll see something soon. We're just making sure we get a legal review of it before we disseminate it to the entire public. It'll be on our website and it'll also
be available and we we also have possible trifles that we'll have at the desk if anybody's interested. Uh the special magistrate packet uh that we've been working on for to support our code enforcement is currently under review with legal. Uh she says that it's kind of a good plan with a little bit of work.
>> It's good. Just some tweaks. >> Just a few tweaks in it. Annexation annexation packet. We've been working on that uh pretty intently. Um I think uh June 9th is going to be the big review. when uh the planning zoning sits down, they'll actually be able to see that
there's actually a process in place to actually expand uh Port Richie um the potential of an industrial district and another 203 homes uh voluntarily adding back into the community. So, we're looking uh for that in the near future.
HR director uh we've done our interviews, we've completed them, and we've made an initial offer. We're just standing by to see what happens. Uh we had four um uh interviewees. Uh two showed up, one was a rockstar. So we kind of reached out to see and we'll see
what happens and uh we we'll go from there. >> We're holding off on hiring a finance director at this time because we want to offset our cost with CLA till we get back on our feet. We're getting there very quickly. Uh it looks like it's probably going to take us another two weeks to get our audit complete to get
it in to our auditors. So better, far better than last year and we're not going to be as delayed as we were, but we're getting very close to being finished. We finalized our product that was owed last October. Um I don't know if sal's posted yet, but we're one or two documents away from posting it on
there. We just wanted to make sure that it was clean and clear. Um so it will be there for uh consumption from all residents and anybody that's interested in our page. So we did get that finalized. So fantastic on that. Um, we did do a better job for doing a detailed
city manager evaluation. I worked with um, council member Sullivan on that. Came up with a great format. Um, I I think she liked it. Um, worked on it. Um, it comes in three parts. It's a packet. I sent it to um, Nancy for review. She's doing a review on that.
Once it's complete, we'll get it out. Uh, it'll come out as the the packet itself. It'll come out with some explanations. It'll come out with a support form. and it'll actually come out with an evaluation uh checklist and it'll give you guys uh a a draft checklist so you can see how that piece operates. So doing it for 40 years, I'm
real good at doing those evaluations. So I kind of took everything I knew with uh with the councilman council members input and just kind of threw it together and I think she came up with a great idea that I think we can move forward with here in the near future and I think it'll pay off. But other than that, uh
I've talked too long. We'll move on. Okay. Thank you. Okay, next up is comments from boards and committees. Is there any board committee comments, historic preservation, maybe update? We are holding off on another meeting until September so that we can take an
inventory within the city of what historic uh sites that we have and what the owners of those sites feel um what what the appetite is for what we could possibly do as a historic preservation committee. So, as we build our
inventory, we're going to review a lot of boxes that are stored here at the city hall and um get, you know, information from the county as well and come together again in four months, September, and start fresh.
>> Awesome. Um there understand there's some interest in that committee and we made some changes to it. Do you seem like it used to be seven and then five? >> Yeah. So, let me make some kind of clarification on that because we're Are
we full right now? Okay. So, five. >> Oh, wow. >> Do you remember? It used to be seven. >> No, >> it's always been five. >> There was It's always been five. There was discussion if there was a lot of interest in allowing a modification of the resolution to enhance the quorum.
Um, but it's always been five. >> Okay. I know we talked about them. Yeah, maybe I think we may going to reduce it to try to >> Why don't we set a range instead that we can operate between five and seven? >> Well, I think we did we I think we fixed
the quorum requirement in that so that if you had only three, your quorum requirement was two. >> The quorum requirement is the same as CAC. So, it's based on fluctuates amount of active members. >> Yeah, that's what we changed. >> Okay. So, but the membership's always been five. Okay. >> It's good to have. we can't set a range
of memberships so that we don't have to come back and um adjust as we have more interest. >> Well, I wonder too when we talked about that I think the historic preservation committee is a charter committee which maybe be why we couldn't change it.
>> Let's cue the Jeopardy music. How many folks do you think we have interested? I can't remember where I heard that from, but >> I have not heard of any additional interest, but if we had it, it'd be it would be great. >> See, somebody told me that there was
>> quite a job ahead of us with this review. boxes and boxes of documents. >> Okay. >> If you increased the amount of members, as long as you kept the form requirement based on members, I don't think it would be a problem. >> Yeah. So, I guess
>> in your in your opinion, you think we should increase the size of that? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Um any So, that'd be a resolution you have to draft, I guess, ordinance. That's two two readings to do it. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I think maybe just by consensus, you guys think we should
increase that to seven? >> I do because um right now we have some from Newport Richie that are helping with this, but if as this takes off, we might get more interest from Port Richie residents and then it' be great to be able to let them on the committee. >> What is the five?
>> The minimum is five. >> Well, the quorum is based on the the seated members. So if you have five seated members, it's a three core requirement. If you have three seated, >> it'll stay the same. >> Minimum is three members to function. >> So you can just increase it to seven. >> So seven, it would be if you fully stay
to seven, it'd be four. It would be quorum. But if you don't never get the other two, it's still three. So quum fluctuates with your seated members, not based on >> I'm just I'm just thinking back to some of the times we're trying to fill seats and we couldn't fill seats. Well, that solves the problem because the seats are open, but you base it you base your core
requirement not on the number of seats available, but the number of seated individuals on the committee at the time that show up. >> No, they actually are members. I understand, but showing up. >> Well, that's important too. Yeah, but >> so far we >> minimum of three >> have great attendance. >> If you increase the seven, it's going to
be minimum four. Well, if you have seven members on the committee that we've as council have put on the committee, okay, >> then you'd have to have four president. That's what I just said. That's correct. She said three. No, it's four. >> But if you just increase it to seven until they're actually seven people on there, it doesn't change. The quorum is
based on people on it. >> I consensus agree with that. >> Yeah. You guys good with seven for the committee? And so if we can get an ordinance together for to increase that to seven >> with obviously the same core requirements that you know fluctuates
based on seated members. >> Yes. >> Any else? >> Thank you. >> Y um event committee met um we've got boom on the bayou coming up obviously June 28th. Is that right? >> 28th. >> Is it 28th? Right. Okay. Um which is
Sunday. Dupies events Saturday. Um we follow on on the Sunday. Um, I reported we did have $2,500 in sponsorship from uh the car dealership. Uh, Crown, not Crown.
>> No, no, no. Se I always get it mixed up. Is it Crown up here? >> Which one? Honda. >> GMC. No, >> the GMC is >> Coast. Coast. >> Coast. >> Got Crown, Cross, Coast. I get Coast. They're 2500. I know we sent out S
stuff. Did we get any? You weren't here for me to ask on that committee, but um did we get any back? >> I have not received anything and we sent it out to pretty much every every business within within the city and outside city limits. Okay. That we had we had information for. >> Okay. So, we've all been notified by
that. Okay. I I'll try to grease that a little bit. See if we can get some more sponsorship. We do have the 2500. Obviously, city budget has got the fireworks stuff already covered. >> Yes. >> And we got same um same um vendorist as the Centennial. Yes.
>> So, um, so we're going to meet again. Uh, we are going to have, um, a musical component of it. Um, we're looking at they tell you about the reaching out to the Johnny Cash in person. >> That's already that's already been done. They reached out to them. Uh, they're
currently available and waiting for confirmation. >> Okay. >> So, our next meeting we're going to with that data. So, we we decided we wanted to try to bring him back. He's really good. And so, basically, he would he would play. I think we're going to start at 5:30. What we talked about, open up
5:30. Um he would do his show and then when it got time for the fireworks, we would have a DJ so that the um they would play for an hour. So he would be on for 3 hours. 6:30 7:30 8:30. Yeah, I think three hours at 8:30 that that DJ
would take over in the fireworks and uh close us out. So that's kind of what we've Yeah. Go ahead. >> I I had a question. So, I was at NASCAR in Charlotte this last weekend and they had a drain show that was phenomenal. I mean, it was just outrageous. And I'm
wondering if because we're always competing with the fireworks and Newport here, Chopper, my friends here, and and and we're always wondering, you know, what day we're going to do it. Why don't we let them do some fireworks and we do a drone show and it would be something spectacular because I mean, what I saw
was just like, >> yeah, your jaw hit the ground. We actually talked about possibly looking at a drone show. I think things during centennial or whatever instead of fireworks or even a combination. Um it was kind of decided fireworks. But we can always look for next year after this one's over. We can always look at
something different. >> I think it's well after seeing what I saw. It's well worth looking at though. >> Contract on the fireworks. >> I don't think so. It was year to year. >> Okay. >> Plus it wouldn't make all your dogs wig out. >> Yeah. No, there's there's an advantage
in the drones and like I said, you get to do some really neat things. So, I you know, I'm not opposed to talking about it. So, but obviously we got to get through this this one, but yeah, it's definitely something we can look into. >> I think it's really I think as as the future continues to come upon us, I think you're going to see more and more and more of that. It it's somewhat I
think cost prohibitive now, but uh obviously those costs come down as technology changes. So, you know, we could definitely look at that. Um, and then obviously we've we've already got um, uh, for the ball September 11th on
that Friday. Um, I know Nancy's working on the um, the ability to support a charity. Um, and so, but we'll be talking about that very soon as well. Um, so we get get gearing up for that. We'll at least get that information out there for ticket prices and stuff so
people can hold the date and and whatnot. Um, that's pretty much it from the event committee. Any other boards committees? >> Okay, moving right along to the consent agenda. Item number two, we need a motion to approve the May 26 26 226
consent agenda presented. >> Okay, I did have a question. So, we're chief, we're voting on a gate, right? Or gates for >> fence and gate. >> It's fence and because we we budgeted 80,000, but it's they got $19,000. I
don't know if we're going to spend that same gates for 19,000, are we? >> Yes, we are. >> We had a company come in very cheap compared to the rest of them with a better product. >> We're not we're not paying attention. >> Yes, we had a a company come in with a better estimate than the other ones.
We've had estimates up to 70,000. Um we had one at 40,000 and this one at 19 and this one that we have is actually hurricane proof. It's um warrantied for 10 years and seemed like the best product and the best bang for the buck. So, we're saving $51,000.
>> Yes. That's awesome. It helps pay for some other place stuff, doesn't it? >> I second that. >> Okay. Motion to second. Any further discussion? Any public comment? Seeing none, I put to vote on favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed? Motion carries. >> Okay. Next up, we have a public hearing. Item number three, resolution number 2603, collection of non-ADROM assessments. Um, we go read by title. >> Sure. Resolution number 26-03, a resolution of the city council of the
city of Port Richie, Florida, authorizing the use of uniform method of collection of non-appilum assessments, authorizing the Pasco County property appraiser to provide notices, authorizing the Pasco County Tax Collector to collect city code enforcement fines imposed as leans on properties within the city and other leans and providing for an effective
date. >> Okay, with that, I will open the public hearing and like to speak. Okay, seeing none, I will close the public hearing and bring back to council for motion of discussion. Um, obviously guys, we talked about this. This is um this allows us to take our leans, put
them on a tax roll and and collect on them. Do you have a amount that we're sitting out there on the books right now of uncollected leans? You don't have that with you? >> I don't have that with me right now. I don't think >> it's a lot. This gives us the ability to >> I want to save us around 70 grand or
something out there. We're not cutting people's grass for free for 30 years and then having them sell the house will not get paid. >> Yeah. >> And that's one of the big pieces behind the special mag. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution number 2603 authorizing use of a uniform
method of collection of nonform taxes. Authorizing Pasco County Property Appraiser to provide notices. authorizing the Pasco County Tax Collector to collect code enforcement fines imposed as leans on properties within the city and other leans.
>> Second. >> Okay, a motion second. Any further discussion? Uh just one point of clarification just because uh this obviously is a is a change and people in in this state in this um situation are going to be hit
with additional uh funds under taxes. This was properly noticed, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Motion carries. Uh, next up is council business item number four, resolution number 26-01, city of Port
Richie cafeteria plan. I pass that to Mr. King for introduction. >> Uh, mayor, for both item four and five. They're nested together, but these are basically administrative uh actions that we need to take based on current activities that we currently are doing. So, this is just catching our books and
our paperwork up with our actual act actual practices that we're doing. So, what I'll do is I'll give you a quick read and also for the uh community. Uh resolution number uh 26-1 is adopting the city of Fort Richie section 125
cafeteria plan effective 1 June 2026. The plan formalizes the city employee benefits structures and allows eligible employees to make a pre-tax benefit election for available benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and related benefit
offerings. The resolution also establishes a framework for a voluntary health insurance opt out or cash and blue arrangement and that's what we're focusing on right there so that everybody's tracking. employees should decline the city's
insurance coverage uh maintain qual uh a qualifying alternative group health coverage and complete an annual verification at a station of that requirement. Adoption of this resolution provides an administrative and legal structure for the benefit of the program including eligible standards uh
participation requirements and compliance with section 125 of the internal revenue code. uh the authorization for the city, this is basically authorization for the city manager and designated staff to implement and administer the plan uh fiscal impact for this item is addressed
in resolution 2622. But to give you some side information on that current currently and what you'll what I will discuss on the next one is we currently offer $250 per pay period for people that opt out. And the people that can
opt out are people that either have military retirement health care tri like triricare or somebody that has health care from a family member like that is in a that from a different agency. Let's say I'm married. My wife has Blue Cross Blue Shield. She has me covered under her plan. So I don't need to be covered
here under that plan. So I elect out. So I get 250 each pay period approximately 500 for the month. That being said, I only have five participants that actually participate in this. So, it's a total of $2,500 that I'm paying out in
this in as this opt- out incentive. The cost for each one of these to be enrolled in our health plan is $1,16462. So, basically what I'm acquiring is a savings of approximately $3,32310 by applying this plan to the way we
actually do our HR and and our uh healthcare management. So, it was 250 per pay period and what was the the insurance amount? >> The insurance amounts insurance? Well, it's it's basically 500 for the month and then it's $1,16462 for the month.
>> Okay. So, it's 50 cents on a dollar. >> Yeah. >> So, basically, it's just and it's also to get us in compliance because we've been doing this for a couple of years. So, I just request that we accept the resolution. Okay.
like to make a motion. >> Yeah. Motion to uh to approve resolution number 26-01 city of Port Richie section 125 cafeteria plan. >> Second. Okay. Motion second. Any further discussion? Any public comment?
>> Seeing none, puts a vote on favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Uh next up number five, resolution number 26. I'm sorry. resolution 26-2. >> Yes. 2602 healthcare optout incentive program, >> which is the actual piece that that
applies to it that allows the actual individual to opt out of the uh city's health insurance program. Uh under this resolution, eligible employees who decline enrollment in the uh city's group health insurance plan and maintain qualifying alternative courage uh
coverage would receive the opt out incentive of 250 per pay period. Um, what's going to have to happen with this is there's probably I'm going to need to write an HR policy since we get an HR director in here and make sure we're managing this and then we're managing across the board when we get new
employees on board. So, you'll probably see something like that come up here shortly also for review and probably in the consent agenda showing you something that we have written up for it. But, uh, this uh, document right here just to let you know that the opt out incentive is 250 per pay period. payment would be
made through the city's payroll system on a per pay period basis uh w and would not be made in a lump sum and they're subjected to being to annually providing insurance verification so that we can ensure that the people that are covered
are covered by Florida law we're required to ensure that our employees do have health care so that's that that's the bigger piece for me is I just want to make sure our people are taken care of so you know $500 is $500 but when it comes to your health your life healthare you know, it's I'd rather take care of
you than worry about $500. Uh that's all I have for that one. And uh just uh requesting uh someone make nomination on the resolution. >> I make a motion uh to approve resolution number 26-02 healthcare optout plan.
>> Second motion second. I didn't ask you to read, did you? That's good. Okay. >> Ordinances we have to resolution. >> Right. Okay. Just make sure you want to. >> Okay. Got a motion to second. Any further discussion? Any public comment? See, I put a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed? Motion carries. Uh, next up is item number six, resolution number 26-04, authorizing applications of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a floating improvement program grant. Pass it to Mr. King for induction. >> Yes. Uh the resolution number 26-4
authorizing uh city to apply for a Florida uh fish and game and conservation commission for the Florida boating improvement program grant in the amount of $34,000 in Nicks Park uh rope r uh ramp uh facility improvement project. Staff is preparing a grant
application to support the renovation modernization in the boat ramp and the waterfront facilities at Nicks Park. Uh, one of the grant application requirements is a resolution confirming that the governing body has authorized the appropriate city representative to apply for the grant and administered on
behalf of the city if it is awarded. The resolution authorizes the city manager to apply for the grant and authorizes the operations manager to serve as the project manager if the grant is awarded. No matching contributions is required. However, the city may receive additional scoring points if council elects to
commit a percentage to the match. Okay. >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. >> Second. Motion second. >> You don't you want me to read it or no? Do I need to? >> Yeah. Motion approves staff's recommendation to adopt resolution number 26-04 authorizing application to
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a Florida Boating Improvement Program grant in the amount of $34,500 for the next boat park boat ramp facility improvements project.
>> Okay, second. So good. >> Second. >> Okay, any further discussion? >> No, not at this time. I I would just say uh mayor and for the council and for the residents, you can see that's part of our larger strategy as we start building on our parks is that you're going to see the city manager and the city team going
after grants to go after those facilities that you do want. And I know that there's some concern with council uh ensuring that we build it right. So if we want to improve on it in the future, we can. And those are one of the things that we look at it as we scope the work. Um and until we actually get
the project underway, we really don't have the opportunity to scope work with the actual um organization. But the intent is to scope it so that anything that we do build, even if it is with a grant based on certain limitations, that we scope it out as large as possible in case you want to do anything bigger in
the future as we expand Port Mitchie and what port is going to be in the future. >> Yeah. We don't want to end up building something, tear it down to build something else. But we also want to build something that definitely be useful now. And if we decide to move the ramp, it's still useful, >> right? >> And that's talked about that. >> We need city docks,
>> multiple docks. And and whether they want to build a certain way now, we need to be able to add to it later so we can still have >> Yeah. We maximum amount of docks that we can possibly get. >> Yeah. For sure. We want to be very very cautious as we as we embark on that particular >> and that's a big disc and that's going
to be a big discussion with the core of engineers because they're the ones responsible for that piece of that development. So when it comes to water, anything that hits the water, the core of engineers is going to have the primary say. Our goal is to best influence them, you know, with our future and our vision.
>> Hopefully we'll get some money. Any public comment? Seeing none, put the vote all in favor. Six by saying I. >> I oppose. Motion carried. I think I heard I back there. >> Okay. Six eyes. Eyes have it.
>> All right. Next up is uh that concludes council business. Next up is old business. So item number seven, discussion of old business. Any old business to discuss? >> Um jumping back to the public hearing on the nonavalorum assessments. That's a that's a multi-phase
effort, right? So the next step on that >> the city has to get their agreements with the tax collector and the property appraiser. I believe they they wouldn't do the agreement to read in the resolution, which is opposite of what I I read the rule, but that's fine. We're going to get it done. So then once
that all the agreements are established, then you will actually get a list of here's the properties. So those those people are put on notice. Here's the property. Here's the amount. You will approve that and it will be handed off to >> and so do we need to do another resolution >> you will be at that point it'll be a
resolution >> that happens every year >> yes that's that's coming after the agreement >> so this resolution built a framework now we get the agreement in place and then every year we would basically >> yes make a resolution >> you'll resolution to approve that particular property we have to um to be
handed off to the county to county every year we have to make that agreement county it is a requirement Yeah. >> Moving forward though. >> Yeah. What's going to keep that in the books? Should we do it all?
>> Somebody will have a tickle system. We just >> a tickle system. Is that we will have a threshold meter that constantly touching base with that or what we refer to as a dashboard. >> We don't want to go back to the old way. No, dashboard is the best way for us to
go because it allows us to know when a specific event hits, when it should hit again, and then having something in between letting us know when it's being prepared and sacked and when it should be in motion. >> Yeah. So, that just let you all know don't know this or not, but uh I'd
actually sat in Choppers made in Newport Richie and during their last budget season and um there's there's there's value in being out and about and listening different municipalities, whatever. And that was this was one of the things that I realized that this was something that we could do and here we are. We're going to do ourselves. So
it's a thank you chopper. I'm taking your collection of money lead back there. >> Any other business? No one more business. Okay. Next up we'll go to comments from mayor and city council. I'll start with uh Councilwoman Burke.
>> Nothing. >> Okay. Vice Mayor, >> I just want to say um thank you to the public for showing up to represent u what I would say would be our community's faith supporters and family supporters. Um we understand these
things can be sensitive to some folks, you know, who get fired up real quick, but you know, you guys showed up. God bless you. We appreciate you and thank you for that. That's all I've got to say. >> It's nice to see the new sheriff. Yes, absolutely. Hope you guys are
coming. >> Councilman, thanks for coming. >> Not at the moment. >> Oh, okay. Councilman, >> no. >> Um, I just got a couple things. Obviously, this last council meeting, I was in Bentonville, Arkansas. Um, there,
uh, the Congress for New Urbanism is organization that every year they have a congress and their their goal is to build um, walkable communities. And so, uh, I know Commissioner Starky, uh, goes to those pretty regularly and she, uh,
twisted arms, uh, to get us to go. Um, and so I went, it was very informative. Um, they have a an amazing trail system and they they even built developments around the trail system. You talked about um, developing on roads or whatever. They actually have developments on the trails. Um, they've
invested a lot of money. Of course, they have they have a lot of money there. Obviously the Walmart uh organization is there. So they got lots of uh I think chicken I can't but lot of couple businesses there that that pump a lot of m a lot of money in that community. Um
and so it's really neat to see how that newer development um uh plays a role in building walkable communities. It was it was really enlightening. So hopefully we can do some of that here as we kind of a blank slate. Um and so that was a good trip. Um, and then I I I was fortunate to be asked by uh the American Flood
Coalition um on their dime. They uh they paid for the entire trip to go to DC. Um they're an organization obviously about uh lobbying for for flood relief. Um while we're there, we we met with um unfortunately we didn't get to meet with the actual representatives and senators. Um we got to meet with their lead policy
adviserss um and and whatnot, which in a way probably better to have those contacts because they're the ones >> they write policy. say they're they're the ones that's doing the real work, right? Um they have the ear of the the senator and and representative. So, um I got those contacts. Um I know a big part
of our discussion was around there's a FEMA app that's that's going around to help kind of re redo the way FEMA operates. Obviously, we have about a million plus outstanding and FEMA reimburse from Helalem. uh what I found out with some of the other colleagues
there from different uh areas is they're still waiting on money from three or four hurricanes back like four years of reimbursements. So it's you know in a way we're fortunate but we're still we're very small and that million dollar fronted for for hurricane relief and debris removal and whatnot. um we're
waiting and that was supposed to be expedited. >> Come back to us. >> And and so we we we made that case very very strongly to all the the folks we talked to and they said reach out, let us know. Let's see how we can help you to move that along. Um so I'm going to
pass those contacts along to you to get to Pam uh later. >> Um and then um obviously keep me a loop and see if we can get that uh expedited. and the and the information I got they sent was that some of the stuff um I forget the terminology but it was
allocated and non-allocated I guess and and I asked what that meant I guess non-allocated mean there's I guess there's still talk between the city and FEMA on what exactly the dollar amount's going to be and then the allocated is that the right terminology is >> allocated >> committed or not I can't remember >> committed not committed is probably the
correct terminology because that's what we're dealing with >> yeah so the the committed stuff means both sides have agreed uh we're just waiting on them to pay us. >> Correct. >> Um so fairly certain we could probably get those moving quickly. Now the the non-committed stuff, there may be some additional work to figure out what that amount is, but anyway, we've got
contacts in Washington now to to do that. So it's good. Um the FEMA acts, um we obviously wanted to make sure that they got that on the House floor for a vote, uh and then to get the Senate to support it. If that does go through, that'll hopefully streamline this going forward so you don't have these issues.
Um there was even talk about in that act that they would they would front the money to a certain degree so you wouldn't have to wait on reimbursement which would be good. Um so a lot of good things in that act. Um but um that's in in the works but hopefully we'll see something come of that. Um I also obviously was there let them know about the city and and some of our needs and
that you know we'd reach out as as projects came around that we needed some support from. I know when we met with uh Congressman Gus Baracus here in the city gave us tour he was very receptive to helping us as well. So this I think we just need to come up with some stuff to ask for and we've got the channel open
now to ask. So very positive trip. Um that's all I had. So >> with that look for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion second. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> Mr.