[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6245428,"mediaKeyId","3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282","parentId",3226486,"title","Council adopts updated Parks and Recreation master plan, recommends creating parks division","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",5222000,"endMs",5489000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282&start=5222&end=5489","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282/thumbnail_5222000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6245428/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-adopts-updated-Parks-and-Recreation-master-plan-recommends-creating-parks-division","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245428-88091525296adaed931f1a4a5fc9e464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203860&Signature=oK7zKhuRq7Zy20Ik6jmdxCw818~iq5tIZgR5mfzAzdDbBIm-rvyjBVuvSYHOLhkPsC-XXBrtK~iWPeAbtrqVf-xqqN-NilrS0B5M0pQnn5fBEkkdxUhBF12uU0YiPWCRXwgd-YOW7iuaFc2Ed93R2nErsQju3aV3XyaMiYixrtUrKkmn5XkecyXcSx2kriHvjE4LJlTNBFT3-5~5E1KV3XTFisAbSRxhGlx07ihnEy5qBURG7pnmdaPcOVNX3u0-AgEnpZZencaOUaSlPNYGSI0Sfx3s3ykfcFQtMdUS1lw9iBG2tBSPDUvLd34W83Xs0qNDhqCPENSyROPjDX2nKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Punta Gorda, FL","date","2025-05-08T05:15:48Z","article","Punta Gorda City Council unanimously approved the 2024 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update on May 7, adopting a framework of goals, strategies and implementation steps to guide parks management, maintenance and programming.

Urban design staff and volunteer contributor Lisa Gillen presented the update, which replaces the 2009 plan and sets priorities including: creating a dedicated parks and recreation division by 2026; developing long-range maintenance and replacement plans for playgrounds and facilities; conducting community outreach and accessibility evaluations; establishing sustainability and invasive-plant guidelines; developing a five-year capital improvement plan for parks; and pursuing new funding sources and partnerships. The plan calls for annual progress reporting and a new community survey to inform the next comprehensive plan update.

Council voted to adopt the master plan and asked staff to continue work on implementation tasks including the proposed organizational change, maintenance standards and funding strategies. Council also praised volunteer support for drafting the document and emphasized the need to include hurricane resilience and 'sponge city' concepts in future work.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 5-7-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved the 2024 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, which recommends forming a dedicated parks and recreation division, improved maintenance planning, accessibility work and multi-year capital and program strategies.","taxTitle","Punta Gorda City, Charlotte County, Florida","taxId",54477,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245433,"Council directs repairs for historic City Hall, seeks cost estimates and mitigation plan",1000,3859000,4859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282&start=3859&end=4859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282/thumbnail_3859000.jpg","/articles/6245433/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-directs-repairs-for-historic-City-Hall-seeks-cost-estimates-and-mitigation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245433-7d492fd19e4c04153c59988f25e61c07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203860&Signature=OQ8mTuEeIwP4kcODhbv9rFWHp904Mfgqh4fgH5FBNsZjIUQF-hHwXBPSUc7omkFsXxhZuBazXBRVXyMN6041ySvhBs4VXSoI8sN8SqFvvgC5WmyJUjxNxnXE9cePPSmSXov9m4V7oir~0UiOAhN7dcuOInRA6q8Ns~TeOJTD3jOi6Zeg2st2AmM7xxkTXPW15mfkC46~mziDDirVczs9GqVAbnZPILfFFOK0GLFbmiVscyzkyCIcvrs2QikcE6ntGhfa~buPomvOnwsM4E7jlWmlpNyDICZZfk4-QNRILg2-G7DYaLnkm22xunDqvl7f3yE~gjdmO8EikJ64gxuKfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented an update on the rehabilitation and potential limited expansion of Punta Gorda's historic City Hall, a 1927 Neoclassical building listed as a contributing structure in the Punta Gorda Historic District.

Urban design and building staff summarized past assessments and preliminary design work, noting earlier expenditures for assessment and architectural design. Staff described deficiencies that need attention, including mold remediation, lead paint and asbestos abatement, roof replacement (roof out to bid), HVAC and electrical work, exterior masonry stabilization and ADA-accessibility questions related to the second floor. A preliminary elevator concept and ADA restroom visuals were presented as examples; building code staff explained Florida's accessibility standards that apply to historic and existing buildings and noted exceptions that may apply to employee-only work areas.

Council members and staff discussed preservation value, maintenance needs, and the trade-offs between doing minimal repairs versus larger alterations or additions. Council expressed consensus to prioritize remediation, emergency repairs and cost estimates for restoring the building to safe and usable condition, with the first floor reused for public-facing city functions and the second floor retained for storage or staff use pending accessibility decisions. Staff noted the roof is out to bid and that FEMA/insurance and procurement considerations are in play for storm-related repairs. Council asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates, maintenance planning and an implementation schedule before considering major expansions.

","Council reviewed rehabilitation and limited expansion options for historic City Hall (built 1927), directed staff to focus on remediation and repairs, and asked for cost estimates including mold and hazardous-material remediation and maintenance planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245438,"Council halves interest, approves 3-year repayment plan for utility liens on 629 E. Charlotte Ave.",0,4193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282&start=4193&end=4193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282/thumbnail_4193000.jpg","/articles/6245438/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-halves-interest-approves-3-year-repayment-plan-for-utility-liens-on-629-E-Charlotte-Ave","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245438-088c009fe001645db0755f471f499271/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203860&Signature=jeiUltNsQjTDEGiSZqEKWSNE3e~Y4Ntg94ANfD~tUl6OonMrXmDpP-1fWIj-Hnkm7igqMGFA1XzXM1M7Tc1t2ai~uABNuISciwf96XB~I73NvqS3IErN5ty73NgUDi4~elbR4MhaUBO6Pb4JVfgcH9JIKXwdHanJd7bvFT-ZfEaqwjXX-GWuWDCufMn6mgqEfG9vSL9ogZ4RcGa1rLqJcKGb9lhqkVoZxCsTDoBJpgGQceVHZ6pUhr4otU~DX3Pe1IvDgePdY7Jnw2X~zXE1p8TG-7fWjT2r961-ImYq2YPyRbdYScACoXZZz5N3CfyM7Pju~f8kxFu~ATLZUalYcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Punta Gorda City Council on May 7 approved a councilmember motion to reduce the outstanding accrued interest on utility liens attached to 629 East Charlotte Avenue and allow the new owner a multi-year repayment plan for the remaining balance.

Kristen Simeon, finance director, explained the Utility Advisory Board had recommended waiving the lien interest and allowing a three-year payback of principal related to unpaid utility fees on the property. Property owner Dr. Gadsden told council he bought the building knowing a lien existed and had begun repairs and improvements, including a new roof and securing the structure. He said the property had no active water usage for years and that meter charges accumulated while prior owners were deceased.

Council discussion included whether waiving interest set a precedent, the administrative work behind lien collection and the public benefit of returning a blighted property to active use. One councilmember proposed halving the interest and granting a three-year payment plan; that motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Staff said once a payment plan is established the city typically suspends additional interest on the unpaid principal. Council also clarified annexation of an adjacent city-owned strip of land is a separate planning matter to be handled through planning and zoning and future agendas.

","After discussion, council voted to cut the accrued interest on outstanding utility charges for property at 629 East Charlotte Avenue roughly in half and allow a three-year payment plan for the remaining principal; staff previously recommended waiving only interest and providing a three-year payback of principal.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245443,"City approves $862,000 design authorization to upgrade master wastewater pumping and booster generator",697,5959000,6656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282&start=5959&end=6656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282/thumbnail_5959000.jpg","/articles/6245443/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/City-approves-862000-design-authorization-to-upgrade-master-wastewater-pumping-and-booster-generator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245443-6f9d1cd7b14b819019a7bb07798f1fde/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203860&Signature=HCcnbSu11systwtq8XFfuJvZjysbc3Q39e2Uq6uAjG4nyiVe6sgCdf~Q3wpznobKlSmpoQtZjUXerE~TdLaCpeeyfqPTtHRbtmga42s~j8cBDxbZjQ5sd7aKt8W8neKaeN~o85z1GwpUEXVZr~BdEUGVu8U31elgkIdZzYptfQNRPJsEaNSSv3PEP3MaPNae~Cm27Elnkx5~g0a7L60Jm08bZsvF6dXrzFt6H2eYbVjQ5TaJrwQtx83fh~fegxSrxnfc6Lo4Qc2nNCDu7SArC7qmSdTBjsKGUKyQN6CfkAXPimfJFPuU3vySJkWKyPEkzyhmjdUJKgzBAPl~Qnz0GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council on May 7 authorized the first phase of work to upgrade two critical wastewater pumping facilities, approving phase 1 design and engineering work with CDM Smith in an amount not to exceed $861,905.

Utilities Director Tom Spencer told council the master pumping station at 900 West Henry Street and the booster pumping station at 4300 Henry Street host aging equipment, undersized backup power and electrical infrastructure needing replacement. Staff and the consultant described the work scope as including new pumps, piping, switchgear, motor controls, variable-frequency drives and replacement or upsizing of generators.

Spencer said earlier budget estimates in prior CIP planning ranged much lower but that an expanded scope and post-storm assessments raised the planning estimate to about $6.1 million for design, construction and equipment. He said the city faced procurement and supply-chain challenges, long lead times for generators and switchgear, and regulatory pressure after sanitary sewer overflows. CDM Smith representatives said the city is likely eligible for federal infrastructure grant funds tied to disaster-impacted wastewater systems and that CDM Smith would assist in preparing grant applications.

Council voted to approve a master agreement with CDM Smith and the first authorization (phase 1) for preliminary design, engineering and related services; staff said subsequent construction authorizations will return to council after design and condition assessment deliverables are complete. The authorization is meant to enable immediate design work and pre-procurement of long-lead items where appropriate.

Spencer estimated construction could be completed in late 2027, subject to scheduling and procurement. Council members emphasized urgency and praised staff for seeking grant funds to defray costs.

","City council approved a master agreement and the first authorization to CDM Smith to begin preliminary design and engineering for upgrades at the master pumping facility (900 W. Henry St.) and booster pumping facility (4300 Henry St.), with estimated total project cost now about $6.1 million and potential federal grant eligibility.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6245448,"Punta Gorda council adopts broad land-development changes after second reading",617,1579000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282&start=1579&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3226486-621ca340e5bc3ac1c086d95a43a49282/thumbnail_1579000.jpg","/articles/6245448/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-adopts-broad-land-development-changes-after-second-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6245448-7db625c717170af470b42a4a3fa02382/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203860&Signature=jvjACG17dF3u0UTMDqvYMrAVQzfSSieqGquoIe2T8QZBgySrUTM-QST7~FPpqhoSj8Jd31RZj0Fi86cvZ1bSzpEosQC-Wk5OTQtt1nlPH0pG17acNM-Cx8lpkF3dp4QT8ilGe4ItshgiqpRq38O4C-1mbNqTwpC~5jtdqwaJWGjBfdK9W6znsmkDPKpMsAqWxrQdlltqaxI8Zp4DSTuVwM7w7UgEnnlVLn1iXLZua3EvWF-lnqXHvOmW5CFetEVdbgVRWfN~MsEHHfx-Si301sMxvrPC0j8HgrlrXdSMWOS0FC3bHb9Vm6blpY5xYTh~FXc7jWZcLCezueNTNnrkXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council on May 7 adopted Ordinance ZA-02-2025, approving widespread amendments to the city's land development regulations covering the Traditional Punta Gorda (TPG) waterfront overlay, multiple residential districts, parking and loading standards, transfer-of-development-rights language, temporary use permits and review procedures.

The council voted to adopt the ordinance following a second reading. Rachel Berry, the city's planning official, told council the item previously had a public hearing and returned for second reading and adoption; no council questions were raised before the vote. The motion to adopt carried by voice vote.

The ordinance text presented at the meeting amends many chapters of Punta Gorda's Code (Chapter 26) including: TPG permitted accessory uses and development mitigation; environmental preserve district special exceptions; single-family and multifamily residential special exceptions; neighborhood center and interchange commercial overlay district special exceptions; regulations on fences, privacy walls and hedges; transfer-of-development-rights provisions; waterfront setbacks; temporary structures; parking specifications and ratios; loading and bicycle parking requirements; native landscaping and vegetation replacement; zoning official powers and duties; application completeness requirements; certificate of appropriateness and demolition permit procedures; development plan and development review committee processes; variance and zoning map amendment rules; and nonconforming use provisions. The ordinance also amends the City Council's, Planning and Zoning Board's and zoning official's authorities as listed in Chapter 26.

City staff said the measure returns certain previously delegated zoning authority to council and other city boards or employees and clarifies multiple procedural and technical standards used in development review and permitting. The council did not propose further amendments at the meeting; the ordinance passed as presented.

Council members and staff signaled the intent to publish the revised code language and move ahead with implementation, while continuing to field any community questions about specific standards and their effect on individual properties.

The ordinance takes effect as provided in the adopted text; staff will update the public code and notice resources to reflect the change.

","City council adopted Ordinance ZA-02-2025 on second reading, approving extensive amendments to Punta Gorda's land development regulations affecting waterfront, residential, parking and review processes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts updated Parks and Recreation master plan, recommends creating parks division

Council directs repairs for historic City Hall, seeks cost estimates and mitigation plan

Council halves interest, approves 3-year repayment plan for utility liens on 629 E. Charlotte Ave.

City approves $862,000 design authorization to upgrade master wastewater pumping and booster generator

Punta Gorda council adopts broad land-development changes after second reading