Committee approves purchase of sealed container for Port Richey centennial time capsule

Port Richey City Centennial Committee members voted to buy an airtight container to hold items for a new centennial time capsule, the committee decided at its April 1 meeting.

The committee approved purchasing a round, food-storage-style container described by members as roughly 15.5 inches in diameter and 15.5 inches tall at a quoted price of about $132. Julie Keenan, who presented the container options, said the wider opening would allow paper items to be stored flat instead of rolled. "Everything would just fit inside this bucket, and then we would seal it on the top," Keenan said.

Why it matters: The committee discovered an earlier time capsule during recent work and discussed whether to return some materials to the ground and how to protect future contents. Members favored a sealable container and additional protection (an outer enclosure and inventory sheets) so future unearthing would preserve items and document provenance.

Discussion and details: Committee members debated size, material and long-term protection. Keenan noted the previously unearthed capsule had been glued shut and items were damaged when opened; she and others advocated for a container that would hold flat documents and small keepsakes without excessive folding. Members also discussed whether to include some items recovered from the earlier capsule and whether to place the container inside a larger protective box or enclosure.

Adam Thompson provided a separate budget update during the meeting, noting the committee had received a $10,000 donation and had remaining centennial funds available for event and materials costs. "We received a $10,000 check from Mr. Burke; right now we have about $9,783.29 left to budget," Thompson said during the budget update.

A motion to purchase the selected container was made and seconded. Chairman Johnny Cooper called the voice vote: "All in favor signify by saying 'aye.'" Hearing "aye," he announced, "Motion carries."

Next steps and implementation: The committee directed staff to order the container so members could inspect it at the next meeting; members discussed ordering one or two containers and using plastic sleeves and inventory sheets for documents. They also discussed building an outer enclosure to sit over the container in the ground and wrapping internal contents in heavy-duty protective material.

Ending: Committee members asked city staff to confirm delivery timing so items and a plaque could be prepared before the centennial events scheduled in May.