Peter Altman

The agenda for this Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting includes the approval of the February 3, 2026 CRA Meeting Minutes and review of Consent Agenda items concerning Purchases/Payments for CRA Board Approval. Key business items involve the reconsideration of motions for Commercial Interior Build-Out Grant Agreements for 5743 Main St (Chasco Inn) and 5745 Main St (Chasco Inn), as well as the reconsideration of a motion for a Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Agreement for 5743 Main St (Chasco Inn). The Board is also scheduled to address the CRA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.

The City Council meeting covered various agenda items, including public readings of ordinances pertaining to conditional use amendments for electric scooter sales, certified recovery residences, and amendments regarding parking and one-way designations on Railroad Square. Business items involved board re-appointments to the Land Development Review Board and Library Advisory Board, consideration of the Annual Sewer and Manhole Lining Rehabilitation Project, and a resolution inviting Pasco County into an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement. Key discussions during the meeting focused on Automated License Plate Recognition Technology, where the Council ultimately passed a motion requiring the Chief of Police to present the technology usage policy to the Council for approval prior to implementation. Another significant item was the request for a waiver of outstanding fees for the 2025 Chasco Fiesta, which the Council approved for fees incurred up to the current year. Finally, the Council approved staff recommendations for in-kind support funding for multiple special events, allocating the budgeted amount of $80,000.

The agenda for this City Council Regular Meeting included several key items. There was an Audit Presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins and a Police Department Accreditation Presentation. The Council reviewed a first reading of an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances regarding one-way street designations and parking prohibitions on Railroad Square (Nebraska Avenue). Business items involved considering funding recommendations for two cultural programs: $4,500 for the "Boots on the Ground: Celebrating Marchin' On" event and $3,000 for the "¡Viva Cavalire!" event. Bids were addressed for the Fire Station No. 1 Hardening Project and several Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) projects, including the award for Oxidation Ditch No.3 Rehabilitation and Klampress No. 2 Reconditioning, and the rejection of bids for Clarifier No. 3 Rake and Plow Structure refurbishment due to excessive costs. A bid award for the WWTP Administration Building Roof Repairs was approved. The Council also handled the ITB26-013 CDBG Sidewalk Improvements Project bid award after rejecting the previous low bid due to grant compliance issues. Discussions during communications touched upon speed traffic enforcement technology (FLOCK cameras), residential grant programs, and river cleanup efforts related to the Schwettman property.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of the January 20, 2026 Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes. Public comments during Vox Pop addressed grant opportunities, cleanup of the Schwettman property, backflow devices for Tropic Shores, canal dredging, and a program to assist homeowners with remodeling. The Council conducted the first reading and approved an ordinance amending the Fire Pension Ordinance. Business items involved approving the re-appointment of Robert Smallwood to the Land Development Review Board, adopting a Resolution of Necessity regarding slum/blight conditions for the Leisure Lane/Van Doren area to expand CRA boundaries, and approving the purchase of fifty XL-95P Harris Police Portable Radios. The Council also adopted a resolution to transfer ownership of retiring K9 Reaper to his handler. Bids were awarded for the WWTP Oxidation Ditch No.3 Rehabilitation Project, the WWTP Klampress No. 2 Reconditioning, and the WWTP Administration Building Roof Repairs. Conversely, the sole bids for WWTP Clarifier No. 3 Rake and Plow Structure Refurbishment and WWTP Sludge Thickener Rake and Plow Structure Refurbishment were rejected due to significant cost variances. An item regarding the 2026 Inundation Pond Project Task Order No. 6 for Engineering Services was tabled. Communications touched upon the status of property cleanup efforts, river dredging difficulties, potential funding via the RESTORE Act, speed traffic technology, residential grant programs, and an update on the MPO merger.

This master plan for Downtown New Port Richey and the Highway 19 Corridor creates an achievable planning and design framework. The plan focuses on transitioning the community from an automobile-convenient place to a pedestrian-friendly one, expanding markets, and evolving into an expanded downtown while maintaining its inherent character. It outlines functional frameworks for active mobility, parking, public art, housing, and community character and design, alongside geographic frameworks for specific areas such as the Historic Downtown, Railroad Square, Sims Park, and various gateway districts. The overarching vision is to foster a vibrant, well-connected community with diverse uses, enhanced public spaces, and improved quality of life for residents and visitors over the next two decades and beyond.