[{"_1":2,"_104":-5,"_105":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6282654,"mediaKeyId","2593478-77d381478283ae77ba412513ce32a313","parentId",2593478,"title","Dade City staff briefs commission on splash pad opening, personnel and service issues; police urge residents to lock cars","audioSeconds",475,"startMs",3439000,"endMs",3914000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593478-77d381478283ae77ba412513ce32a313&start=3439&end=3914","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6282654/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-staff-briefs-commission-on-splash-pad-opening-personnel-and-service-issues-police-urge-residents-to-lock-cars","mediaUrl","author","City of Dade, FL ","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","City staff used the meeting to brief commissioners on operations, staffing and service issues, including the splash pad schedule, a new planning director, pending city-manager recruitment steps, hydrant and equipment repairs and a spike in vehicle break-ins.

Acting City Manager Marika Van Ervin told the commission the splash pad has been repaired and will open for the season March 1; staff said the splash pad will operate March through November each year with a winter closure to allow for maintenance. Van Ervin also reported staff had signed a quote to install two-sided fencing at the playground (work expected to start soon and be completed by month’s end) and that Sumter Consulting Group had posted advertisements and will conduct first-round interviews for city-manager candidates; commissioners still need to confirm salary for the new city manager.

The commission welcomed Heather Erwiller as the new planning director; Van Ervin asked commissioners to be patient as staff integrates the new director into current projects.

City Finance Officer Peter Altman briefed commissioners on federal post-disaster funding passing through Pasco County. He said Congress authorized additional recovery money that the county has been allocated; the county’s award totals about $585 million for hurricane recovery and funding will be used for eligible projects in low- and moderate-income areas subject to program rules. Altman said the city will monitor the county process and consider potential project nominations.

Police Chief (introduced as) Chief Dimaskey said he has been on the job a short time and thanked residents for the welcome; he urged residents to lock vehicles and report suspicious activity: \"Please lock your cars and make sure if you see something odd to give a call,\" he said. The chief said department detectives have investigative leads in a recent string of vehicle burglaries and asked residents to avoid leaving valuables in unlocked cars.

Public Works and Utilities reported ongoing hydrant and motor repairs. Staff said hydrant work is continuing across multiple streets and that a damaged motor for a pump site is on order with an estimated arrival next week.

Finally, Finance reported the city’s municipal investments previously held at Wells Fargo are being liquidated by that bank as it reduces municipal relationships; staff said proceeds are being placed in cash and that higher short-term interest rates are now available.

No formal action was requested on these operational updates; commissioners thanked staff and asked for follow-up reports on the city-manager recruitment, the fence installation schedule and any outcomes from police investigations.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","City of Dade City CRA and City Commission Meeting Feb 11, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","City staff used the meeting to brief commissioners on operations, staffing and service issues, including the splash pad schedule, a new planning director, pending city-manager recruitment steps, hydrant and equipment repairs and a spike in vehicle break-ins.","taxTitle","Dade City, Pasco County, Florida","taxId",54287,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6282655,"Donor update: Tutchton reports park endowment and $11,000 beautification plan for Tutchton Park",517,738000,1255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593478-77d381478283ae77ba412513ce32a313&start=738&end=1255","/articles/6282655/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Donor-update-Tutchton-reports-park-endowment-and-11000-beautification-plan-for-Tutchton-Park","Tom Tutchton, the donor who led fundraising for renovations at the downtown green space named for his grandmother, gave the commission an update on Tutchton Park and thanked city staff and volunteers for maintenance and care.

Tutchton told commissioners he first proposed funding a renovation three years earlier and that the park reopened with a ribbon cutting last April. He said the city's capital role focused on parking and stormwater improvements along South View Avenue and Fifth Street and that the project required a coordinated effort between private donors and city staff.

Tutchton said the park’s beautification committee recently recommended spending an additional $11,000 from the park development fund for spring plantings ahead of an early-April Monarch Butterfly Festival. He said about $25,000 remains in that development fund for future plantings and trees, and he noted Tampa Electric contributed $50,000 when the fund was created.

On operating support, Tutchton said he worked with the Community Foundation in Tampa Bay to create an endowment to help fund annual maintenance. Thanks to an additional foundation gift and investment performance, he said, the operating endowment now totals approximately $375,000 and will generate a distribution to the city of roughly $16,000 this spring to support park care.

Tutchton thanked public-works staff, local volunteers and committee members — including Commissioner Shive, Julie Hale and Joan Hepscher — and emphasized that the park renovation has been successful and is well used.

Tutchton concluded by saying his role is to report on the park’s condition and thanked commissioners for their support.","Longtime donor Tom Tutchton told the Dade City Commission the renovated Tutchton Park is doing well, reported roughly $25,000 remaining in the park development fund and said an operating endowment of about $375,000 will yield an annual distribution of roughly $16,000 for park upkeep.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":50,"_51":91,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6282656,"Dade City names new downtown green space 'Veterans Park'; DAR offers Liberty Tree",972,2522000,3494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593478-77d381478283ae77ba412513ce32a313&start=2522&end=3494","/articles/6282656/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-names-new-downtown-green-space-Veterans-Park-DAR-offers-Liberty-Tree","The Dade City Commission voted 5-0 to name the new downtown playground and splash pad Veterans Park after reviewing public input and a community survey.

The unnamed park, located off the Hardy Trail and adjacent to Church Street near the American Legion hall, has several proposed names recorded in a community survey hosted by the Dade City Heritage Museum. City staff asked the commission to select a name to allow Google Maps updates, signage installation and event advertising.

Commissioners discussed options including \"Veterans Park,\" \"Patriot Park,\" \"Heritage Park,\" \"Hardy Park\" and \"Church Street Community Park.\" Multiple speakers, including local patriots and representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), urged a name that would honor military service while also welcoming broader civic participation. DAR member Marie Wunderlich said the group preferred the name \"Patriot Park\" as inclusive, adding that \"Patriot's Park would also include all veterans active duty and retired.\" The commission prioritized the survey results and community sentiment and chose Veterans Park.

Commissioners and members of the public asked the city to pair the name with visible elements that reflect the theme. Suggestions included a flag display, paving stones or plaques to honor local veterans and a veterans tribute area or pavilion. Commissioner(s) said naming the site Veterans Park would help target design and fundraising, including potential grant requests for veteran-related amenities.

Representatives of the DAR also offered to contribute to the site: Karen Gaskin, chair of the local DAR committee, told the commission her group is willing to plant a Liberty Tree at the splash pad to mark the national semi-quincentennial (the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence) and to participate in related city celebrations.

The motion to adopt the name carried on a roll-call vote of five ayes and no nays. Commissioners said they would return with design options and possible commemorative elements — some commissioners specifically suggested exploring donor recognition for land contributors in a way that fits the park's veteran theme.

What happens next

Staff will draft a resolution to formalize the name and proceed with signage, maps and promotional materials; commissioners signaled interest in pairing the name with physical features (flag court, pavers, a Liberty Tree) and in pursuing grants and community donations to fund improvements.","Commission selected 'Veterans Park' for the new Church Street playground and splash-pad site after public input and a museum-run survey; Daughters of the American Revolution offered to plant a Liberty Tree for the city's 250th anniversary commemoration.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":97,"_43":98,"_45":99,"_47":100,"_49":50,"_51":101,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6282657,"Dade City commission approves solid-waste rate increase, first reading of Water Star ordinance and several contracts in 5-0 votes",1128,1352000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2593478-77d381478283ae77ba412513ce32a313&start=1352&end=2480","/articles/6282657/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-commission-approves-solid-waste-rate-increase-first-reading-of-Water-Star-ordinance-and-several-contracts-in-5-0-votes","The Dade City Commission voted unanimously on several ordinance, resolution and contract items at its February meeting, including adoption of a revised solid-waste rate schedule and first reading of a new Florida Water Star certification ordinance.

The actions together affect utility billing, downtown parking and the city's water-conservation and new-construction water-efficiency requirements. Commissioners recorded five ayes and no nays on each item in roll-call votes.

The commission adopted Ordinance 2025-01 on second reading to raise monthly residential solid-waste collection rates (the ordinance text specifies a new monthly charge and an adjusted deposit). During the public hearing a resident asked whether truck maintenance and past truck leaks had been resolved; staff replied those contract issues remain under separate negotiation and are not fully resolved. Finance officer Peter Altman explained the rate change reflects higher collection costs and a lingering shortfall; the commission said it will continue to monitor related contract and operational issues.

Also approved was Resolution 2025-06, the City of Dade City Water Conservation Plan 2025, described by staff as complementary to the city’s pending Florida Water Star ordinance. The commission recorded a 5-0 roll-call vote to adopt the resolution after a motion and second.

The commission also approved Agreement 2025-10, a contract for improvements to the Eighth Street parking lots. Commissioner(s) asked that staff include completion dates or notify the commission if project schedules change; staff said the project is short-term and expected to take weeks rather than months and that the vendor-signed contract did not include a multi-month schedule.

On public hearings the commission gave first-reading approval, 5-0, to Ordinance 2025-02, which would add a new section to city code establishing Florida Water Star certification requirements for new construction and providing an appeals process; staff reported representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SwiftMud) and the program consultant were available to work with city staff during implementation. Robin Grantham of the district said, \"I'll work with you directly and get with your staff immediately once this passes.\"

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-01 (solid waste collection fee schedule) — Outcome: adopted (second reading). Roll call: Mayor Black — aye; Mayor Pro Tem Normita Woodard — aye; Commissioner Church — aye; Commissioner Cosentino — aye; Commissioner Shive — aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Resolution 2025-06 (City of Dade City Water Conservation Plan 2025) — Outcome: adopted. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Agreement 2025-10 (Eighth Street parking lots contract) — Outcome: approved. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Ordinance 2025-02 (Florida Water Star Certification) — Outcome: approved on first reading; will return for second reading. Roll call: Black/Woodard/Church/Cosentino/Shive — all aye. Vote: 5-0.

- Appointment of Planning Board seat C-4 (Jonathan McCain Chaff) — Outcome: approved (ratified by roll call 5-0).

How the votes were recorded

Each item above was approved after a motion and second and recorded by roll call with five ayes and no nays. Where the transcript did not identify a mover or seconder by full name, the article records the commission's roll-call outcome rather than attributing the motion to a specific individual.

The commission flagged that when short-term construction projects change schedule staff should return to the commission; staff and commissioners agreed on the record to notify the board if project completion timing shifts.","At its first meeting of the month the Dade City Commission approved a range of items including a solid-waste fee increase on second reading, adopted a water conservation plan resolution, approved a parking-lot contract, and gave first-reading approval to a Florida Water Star certification ordinance. All formal votes recorded 5-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dade City staff briefs commission on splash pad opening, personnel and service issues; police urge residents to lock cars

Donor update: Tutchton reports park endowment and $11,000 beautification plan for Tutchton Park

Dade City names new downtown green space 'Veterans Park'; DAR offers Liberty Tree

Dade City commission approves solid-waste rate increase, first reading of Water Star ordinance and several contracts in 5-0 votes