Port Richey staff told the council they met with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for on-site visits at Brasher, Olsner, Nix and Waterfront parks and are developing 3-D conceptual models and design ideas. The city scheduled a public open house at City Hall for Nov. 13 to present concepts and solicit public input before engineers and an RFP are engaged.

Staff listed potential features discussed with the regional planners: a splash pad, an amphitheater located near the existing pavilion footprint at Waterfront Park, and an observation tower or observation area at Bradshaw Park tied to a proposed walkway beyond the mangroves. Acting operations manager Sala Carey and CRA resiliency coordinator Derek Smith said the planning council will bring concept boards to the Nov. 13 open house and use public input to refine a packet that can accompany an engineering RFP.

Councilmembers raised permitting and deed-related constraints tied to the FCT (Florida Communities Trust) conveyance of Waterfront Park. Councilwoman Christine Sullivan summarized that the deed requires prior written approval from the FCT trustee for structures and alterations and that older and newer documents are not fully consistent; she recommended presenting a vision first and seeking written approval before committing significant design or construction dollars. Staff confirmed a prior 2022 plan exists and that staff will gather related project-plan documents and any permits, submit the concept to the trustee, and coordinate engineering RFPs for parks where council endorses advancement.

No formal vote was taken; council directed staff to proceed with the Nov. 13 open house and to assemble project materials for submission to the trustee and for subsequent engineering procurement actions if council authorizes them.