[{"_1":2,"_113":-5,"_114":-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",[32,73,83,93,103],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":-5,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6593221,"mediaKeyId","5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e","parentId",5484240,"title","Dade City CRA gives alleyway update and introduces new CRA director Catherine Ralston","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",250000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e&start=250&end=250","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6593221/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-CRA-gives-alleyway-update-and-introduces-new-CRA-director-Catherine-Ralston","mediaUrl","author","Dade City","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","At the start of the meeting, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) heard a status update on the downtown alleyway project and the commission introduced a new CRA director.

CRA staff said brick for the alleyway has been selected and approved, two French drains are included in the design, and furnishings such as benches, trash cans and flower pots were chosen. Staff said they will present a rendering and a lighting quote to the RAC this month. The design concept includes re-using historic-style street lights at the alley entrances and adding poles between the entrances to support hanging street or string lights; staff said lighting conduit installation and brickwork would follow RAC approval and commission action.

Commissioners and staff also introduced Catherine Ralston as the city's new community and economic development director and CRA director. Van Ervin said Ralston brings years of redevelopment and planning experience and that the city expects her to be an asset to downtown redevelopment efforts.

The CRA approved its March 11, 2025 minutes by roll call, 5–0, and adjourned to the city commission meeting.

","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting 04-08-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Redevelopment Agency received an update on the downtown alleyway project — brick selection, French drains, historic street-lighting concept and forthcoming lighting quote — and staff introduced new community and economic development/CRA director Catherine Ralston.","taxTitle","Dade City, Pasco County, Florida","taxId",54287,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":49,"_50":80,"_52":-5,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":81,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":82,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6593226,"Commissioners agree to revisit naming process for downtown children's park after public critique",3855,1377000,5232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e&start=1377&end=5232","/articles/6593226/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Commissioners-agree-to-revisit-naming-process-for-downtown-childrens-park-after-public-critique","Members of the public and several commissioners asked the Dade City Commission to reopen and reevaluate its recent decision on naming a downtown children's park, and the commission agreed to return the matter to a future agenda for more inclusive community input.

During public comment, resident Dr. Thomas said the previous process made people feel dismissed and criticized how a small group of attendees had prompted the commission to change its earlier decision. Thomas described the concern as a process issue rather than a dispute about any particular name.

Several commissioners, including Cosentino, Church and Mayor Pro Tem Woodard, said they regretted aspects of how the name-selection process unfolded and supported returning the topic to the commission so that broader outreach and clearer procedures can be used. Commissioner Cosentino and Mayor Pro Tem Woodard voiced support for reopening the process and involving children or schools in the selection, citing the park's function as a children's space.

Commissioners discussed practical next steps: re-running or widening the public survey, ensuring outreach beyond a single side of the city, and placing petitions or ballots in schools if the commission chooses to have children participate. Several commissioners emphasized the need to preserve a clear, documented process so the next selection cannot be characterized as skewed.

No formal vote to change the name was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff and the city attorney to prepare the item for a future meeting where the commission can consider revised outreach and selection methods.

","After members of the public and several commissioners said the previous naming process left out portions of the community, the Dade City Commission agreed to bring the park-name issue back for more inclusive public input and to consider letting children participate in selecting the name.",{"_33":84,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":85,"_41":86,"_43":87,"_45":88,"_46":89,"_48":49,"_50":90,"_52":-5,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":91,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":92,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6593231,"Commission appoints Officer William Emery to police pension board, 5-0",112,1665000,1777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e&start=1665&end=1777","/articles/6593231/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Commission-appoints-Officer-William-Emery-to-police-pension-board-5-0","The Dade City Commission unanimously appointed Officer William Emery to fill a vacancy on the police pension board.

City staff told the commission that, under Florida Statute 185.05, the police pension board is composed of five members: two residents appointed by the commission, two police officers elected by plan members, and a fifth member chosen by a majority of the four. Staff said Kelly Curtis Stout, previously appointed, could no longer serve and two officers — Michael Medolo and William Emery — applied for the seat.

Commissioner Shive said Emery's longer tenure with the department (18 years, as stated in the meeting) weighed in his recommendation and moved to appoint Emery. The commission approved the motion on a roll-call vote, 5–0.

","The commission appointed Officer William Emery to a vacant seat on the police pension board, citing seniority; the vote was unanimous.",{"_33":94,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":95,"_41":96,"_43":97,"_45":98,"_46":99,"_48":49,"_50":100,"_52":-5,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":101,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":102,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6593236,"Dade City awards city hall generator bid after FEMA grant; commission votes 5-0",174,3417000,3591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e&start=3417&end=3591","/articles/6593236/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-awards-city-hall-generator-bid-after-FEMA-grant-commission-votes-5-0","The Dade City Commission voted 5-0 to award the bid for a new emergency backup generator for City Hall and directed staff to finalize contract terms.

City Manager Van Ervin told the commission the city applied for and received a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management through Pasco County. Van Ervin said the awarded grant amount is $128,912.57; staff said if costs exceed the grant award there are funds available through local sources (\"penny for Pasco\") to cover any overage.

Why it matters: The generator is intended to keep City Hall operational during power outages, including those caused by storms. Staff described the project as an investment in continuity of essential services.

During the brief discussion, commissioners commended staff for securing the award. The agenda item authorized the bid award; the city attorney and finance staff will return with a final contract for approval after Mr. Brackens and the city manager complete their review.

The motion to approve the staff recommendation carried on a roll-call vote, 5–0.

","The commission awarded a bid for an emergency backup generator at City Hall after staff said the city secured a $128,912.57 grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management; staff will return with a contract.",{"_33":104,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":105,"_41":106,"_43":107,"_45":108,"_46":109,"_48":49,"_50":110,"_52":-5,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":111,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":112,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6593240,"Dade City commission awards amphitheater design-build bid to Beauregard, 5-0",1630,1797000,3427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5484240-78c9491299194fe12ac34cec13863f5e&start=1797&end=3427","/articles/6593240/Dade-City/Pasco-County/Florida/Dade-City-commission-awards-amphitheater-design-build-bid-to-Beauregard-5-0","The Dade City Commission voted 5-0 to award the design-build bid for the city amphitheater to Beauregard, with staff directed to return with contract details and phasing options.

City staff presented two proposals in response to the city's request for proposals. City Manager Van Ervin told the commission that the project is budgeted for $175,000 in the 2024–25 capital budget and that proposals included optional elements that could be removed or phased if the commission chose to do so.

Why it matters: Commissioners focused on practical details that will affect cost, durability and usability — how high the stage should be, whether a metal roof would create unwanted acoustic effects, what audiovisual (AV) equipment would be included, and how to protect or secure AV gear when not in use. Commissioners also pressed staff to include contract protections such as liquidated damages, phased milestones and formal review of any change orders.

Commissioners raised several concerns during discussion. Commissioner Cosentino said local musicians recommended a higher stage to protect equipment from rain and improve sight lines and questioned whether AV packages in the bids were specified enough. Van Ervin said the proposed stage footprint sits on a naturally elevated part of the park but that staff and potential contractors could explore roof and stage height options. Staff said AV equipment had been priced as an optional extra and could be phased in a later fiscal year; staff indicated rental agreements would place responsibility for routine care of AV gear on renters and noted staff had considered ways to secure equipment when not in use.

Commissioner Shive and others asked whether the commission could complete the stage and platform within the $175,000 budgeted amount. Van Ervin and staff said contract negotiations would address whether design fees and contingencies could be restructured or phased so the city could begin construction within this fiscal year and defer AV and other optional items to later budgets.

City staff and commissioners also asked that the contract include phased work, clear starting and completion dates, liquidated damages for delays beyond reasonable force majeure events, and a requirement that change orders above the policy threshold return to the commission for approval. The commission asked that benchmarks be written into any agreement so work moves steadily rather than stalling until the end of a contract term.

After discussion, a motion to award the bid to Beauregard passed on a roll-call vote, 5–0. Staff will return with negotiated contract terms, a timeline, and any phasing recommendations.

Votes at a glance: The commission voted 5–0 to award the amphitheater design-build bid to Beauregard and to authorize staff to complete contract negotiations and return with terms for commission approval.

What happens next: Staff will negotiate contract details with Beauregard, including scope adjustments for the $175,000 budget, liquidated-damages language, milestone payments, and how AV systems will be handled or phased.

","The Dade City Commission voted unanimously to award the design-build contract for a new amphitheater pad and stage to Beauregard after a multi-commissioner discussion on stage height, roof type, audiovisual equipment and contract protections such as liquidated damages and phased work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dade City CRA gives alleyway update and introduces new CRA director Catherine Ralston

Commissioners agree to revisit naming process for downtown children's park after public critique

Commission appoints Officer William Emery to police pension board, 5-0

Dade City awards city hall generator bid after FEMA grant; commission votes 5-0

Dade City commission awards amphitheater design-build bid to Beauregard, 5-0