City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF NEW PORT RICHEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FIRST FLOOR, CITY HALL, 5919 MAIN ST., NEW PORT RICHEY, FL 34652 July 15, 2025 6:00 PM ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Call to Order – Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Chopper Davis at 6:00 p.m. Those in attendance were Mayor Chopper Davis, Councilman Matt Murphy, Councilman Peter Altman, and Councilman Brian Jonas. Councilman Bertell Butler IV arrived at 6:01 p.m. Also in Attendance were City Manager Debbie L. Manns, City Attorney Timothy Driscoll, Deputy City Clerk Nadine Ward, Finance Director Crystal Dunn, Deputy Fire Chief Adam Darling, Public Works Director Robert Rivera, Police Chief Bob Kochen, Library Director Andi Figart, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Trapp, and Technology Solutions Director Leanne Mahadeo. Human Resources Director Arnel Wetzel participated via electronically. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Moment of Silence 4. Presentations a. Environmental Committee Annual Report Environmental Committee Chairman, Dell deChant, and members presented the Committee's annual report to Council. b. Introduction to the FY2025-2026 Budget and Overview of the Budget Process Finance Director Crystal Dunn presented the FY 2025-2026 Budget and Overview of the Budget Process to Council. 1

5. Approval of Minutes a. June 25, 2025 Work Session Minutes Motion made by Peter Altman, and seconded by Bertell Butler IV to approve the minutes as presented. The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas b. July 1, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes Motion made by Matt Murphy, and seconded by Brian Jonas to approve the minutes as presented. The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas c. July 9, 2025 Work Session Minutes Motion made by Matt Murphy, and seconded by Brian Jonas to approve the minutes as presented. The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas 6. Vox Pop for Items Not Listed on the Agenda or Listed on Consent Agenda City Attorney Driscoll read aloud the rules governing Vox Pop. Mayor Davis then opened the floor for public comment. No one came forward therefore Mayor Davis closed Vox Pop. 7. Consent Agenda Motion made by Matt Murphy, and seconded by Bertell Butler IV to accept the Consent Agenda. The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas a. Purchases/Payments for City Council Approval 8. Public Reading of Ordinances a. First Reading, Ordinance No. 2025-2318: Authorizing the Placement of Speed Detection Systems within School Zones City Attorney Driscoll read the proposed ordinance by title only. City Manager Manns introduced Police Chief Bob Kochen who then presented the item to Council. He stated the purpose of this agenda item was to conduct a first reading of an ordinance which authorizes the placement of speed detection systems in school zones within our city’s jurisdiction, as permitted by Florida Law. He stated that city’s three schools, as outlined in the ordinance have multiple school zones that are staffed with school crossing guards. These school zones are clearly identified by pavement markings, signage, and/or flashing yellow lights, in accordance with state law requirements. The police department conducts traffic enforcement and deploys additional traffic safety measures to include the traffic mannequin being utilized in these zones. All the above resources are in place in our school zones to promote traffic safety for the hundreds of school children who utilize these school zones daily. Despite these measures, comprehensive speed studies conducted in March 2025 across the four school zones, as outlined in Corporal Hazime’s memorandum (see attached), indicate that on average drivers travel more than ten miles per hour over the posted 15 mile per hour speed limit in these active school zones. This means that many vehicles traveling through the school zones identified in the attached study exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 miles per 2

hour, which is unacceptable. The State of Florida has enacted laws in Chapter 316 that authorize counties and municipalities to establish speed detection systems in school zones. These laws are intended to enhance traffic safety within school zones across the State of Florida. He stated this ordinance will enable us to establish an additional layer of traffic safety initiatives by installing speed detection devices in our school zones where speed violations are occurring. This added deterrence and enforcement will help ensure that we are doing everything possible to promote traffic safety within our school zones to protect our children. Upon opening the floor to public comment, no one came forward therefore Mayor Davis returned the floor to Council. Motion made by Peter Altman, and seconded by Bertell Butler IV to approve the ordinance upon its first reading. The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas 9. Business Items a. Resolution No. 2025-21: Supporting the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Regional Resiliency Action Plan City Attorney Driscoll read the proposed resolution by title only. City Manager Manns introduced the item to Council. She stated the purpose of this agenda item was to approve a resolution which supports the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Regional Resiliency Action Plan. She stated that as Council may recall, at your regular meeting on March 4, 2025, Cara Woods Serra from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) made a presentation to you regarding the TBRPC's Regional Resiliency Action Plan. At the conclusion of her presentation, she asked Council to support the Plan. Since that time, city staff as well as the Environmental Committee have reviewed the contents of the Plan. She stated that Mr. Dell deChant is in attendance to present the Committee's overall recommendations for the Plan. As a reminder, City Council previously adopted a similar resolution back in 2021 supporting the TBRPC's Regional Resiliency Action Plan. She then introduced Mr. deChant who then presented the Committee's recommendations to Council. Mr. deChant came forward and spoke regarding two documents within the Resiliency plan that were changed and did not get included in the final plan. He stated the Environmental Committee's recommendation is to to review goal #8. Agriculture, one item was 8.13 allowing small farms and community gardens in land trusts. Upon opening the floor to public comment, no one came forward therefore Mayor Davis returned the floor to Council. Motion made by Peter Altman, and seconded by Bertell Butler IV to approve the item as presented The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas b. 2025 Grand Blvd. Multi-Use Path (MUP) South Project Phase 2 and 3 Project Task Order - Pre- Engineering Services City Manager Manns introduced Public Works Director Robert Rivera who then presented the item to Council. He stated that the purpose of this agenda item was to review and consider for approval Task Order No. 25-001 from Kimmich Smith Architecture LLC for engineering services in the amount not to exceed $109,391.50 for the proposed 2025 Grand Blvd. MUP South Project Phase 2 and 3 pre- engineering services. He stated as Council is aware, this proposed project includes the construction of a MUP on Grand Blvd. from the bridge north to the downtown area as well as east 3

on Delaware Ave. where the MUP will connect to the City’s existing MUP on Madison Street at Main St. Elements include the milling and paving of Grand Blvd., the installation of green space, sitting areas, large canopy trees, landscape, hardscape, decorative smart lighting, and stormwater drainage improvements. The intent is to provide an enhanced streetscape that promotes traffic calming and sets the area apart as an important entrance into the downtown area. The attached task order contains pre-design deliverables that include survey work to verify right of way limits and underground utilities in an effort to provide the city with three (3) concepts made available for City Council and public input. Subsequent to the completion and final concept submission, a final task order will be submitted to City Council for the design, the bid, and construction phases of the proposed project. Upon opening the floor to public comment, no one came forward therefore Mayor Davis returned the floor to Council. Motion made by Peter Altman, and seconded by Matt Murphy to approve the item as presented The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas c. Resolution No. 2025-23: FEMA Grant Authorized Agent City Attorney Driscoll read the proposed resolution by title only. City Manager Manns introduced Public Works Director Robert Rivera who then presented the item to Council. He stated the purpose of this agenda item was to adopt Resolution No. 2025-23 which authorizes the City Manager to designate the Public Works Director to be the authorized signature agent for the Stationary Diesel Generator Installations Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Florida Division of Emergency Management grant application and grant acceptance documentation process. He stated as City Council may recall, on September 28, 2024, a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene was declared with an incident period being issued back to September 23, 2024. Additionally, a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton was declared on October 11, 2024. Subsequent to those storm events, several neighborhoods within the City Limits were flooded. As City Council is aware, the State of Florida Hazard Mitigation (FDEM) Grant Program was made available to local communities that experienced flood damages. In early 2025 the City of New Port Richey applied for grant funding for the proposed projects titled the Bank and Nebraska Lift Station IID Stationary Diesel Installation, the Magnolia and Essex Lift Station IIB1 Stationary Diesel Installation, and the Boat Ramp Lift Station IIC Stationary Diesel Installation, and was awarded the funding from the FDEM. The projects are proposed for the three separate lift station locations with design and construction in the amount of $82,000.00 per location for a total of $246,000.00 with the FDEM responsible for $61,500 per location or $184,500.00 in total. The City would then be responsible for $20,500.00 per location or $61,500.00 in total. This proposed project consists of the installation of stationary standby generators at the three lift stations. These lift stations serve as critical infrastructure for the city. The proposed standby generators are critical for maintaining the operation of city sewer master lift stations during hurricanes, when power outages are common. Without backup power, lift stations can fail, leading to sewage overflows that pose serious public health, environmental, and regulatory risks. Generators ensure continued wastewater service, prevent costly damage and contamination, support faster recovery after storms and are directly aligned with our emergency preparedness plan. Should City Council approve the resolution, this will start the award process to the City. Upon opening the floor to public comment, no one came forward therefore Mayor Davis returned 4

the floor to Council. Motion made by Bertell Butler IV, and seconded by Brian Jonas to approve the item as presented The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas d. Approval of Client Service Agreement with McGriff, a Marsh & McLennan Agency RE: RFQ25-014 Employee Benefits Broker and Consulting Services City Manager Manns introduced Human Resources Director Arnel Wetzel who then presented the item to Council via electronically. He stated the purpose of this agenda item was to approve the Client Service Agreement with McGriff, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, as presented to provide Employee Benefits Broker and Consulting Services to the City. He stated June 17, 2025, City Council approved for Human Resources to enter into contract negotiations with the recommend firm for RFQ 25-014 (Employee Benefits Broker and Consulting Services. McGriff was selected as the leading firm by the Evaluation Committee. Human Resources entered into those negotiations, and the Agreement presented before City Council is the result of those discussions. The Client Service Agreement with McGriff, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, will be a fee-based contract rather commission-based as has been the case with our previous brokers. This arrangement will provide greater transparency related to fees/costs, and allow the City to better anticipate its annual expenses. The Agreement will be for three (3) years with the possibility of two-one (1) year renewals following the original agreement. McGriff’s fees will not increase for three (3) years. After the initial three (3) year period, McGriff is limited to a 3% increase for any renewal. The City and McGriff have the ability to negotiate any increase. The Client Services Agreement will cover the Broker/Consulting fees for McGriff, as well as, the fees for the Benefit Administration Platform with Benefitfirst (a third-party vendor through McGriff). McGriff will be responsible for paying Benefitfirst directly for the platform and their services. The total annual cost for this Agreement will be $100,000 broken down as follows: • McGriff (Broker/Consulting Fees) $82,500/yr. • Benefitfirst (Benefit Administration Platform and related Services Fee) $17,500/yr. Upon opening the floor to public comment, no one came forward therefore Mayor Davis returned the floor to Council. Motion made by Bertell Butler IV, and seconded by Brian Jonas to approve the item as presented The Motion Passed. 5 - 0 Ayes: Chopper Davis, Matt Murphy, Peter Altman, Bertell Butler IV, Brian Jonas 10. Communications Councilman Jonas thanked staff for the presentation and the hard work they put into it. He stated he is working on the bike trail with Pasco County. Deputy Mayor Murphy spoke regarding the County being aware of the bike trail project. Councilman Butler stated that he is a firm believer in consistency and did not agree with Mr. deChant having unlimited time at public speaking. He responded to Councilman Altman and plans to present an agenda item regard the solid waste assessment. He would like staff to look at Oelsner Road as it is in bad shape. Councilman Altman reminded that they all have the right to put something on the agenda. He would like to see the service area agreement on an agenda. He stated he feels that the solid waste ad valorem will incite resident push back. He stated he is very happy about the progress of the Science Discovery 5

Museum project. Mayor Davis stated he has concern about the trash being on the water bill because renters could just walk away from the water bill. 11. Adjournment There being no further business to consider, upon proper motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. (signed) _________________________________ Nadine Ward Deputy City Clerk 6