Dade City staff briefs commission on splash pad opening, personnel and service issues; police urge residents to lock cars

City staff used the meeting to brief commissioners on operations, staffing and service issues, including the splash pad schedule, a new planning director, pending city-manager recruitment steps, hydrant and equipment repairs and a spike in vehicle break-ins.

Acting City Manager Marika Van Ervin told the commission the splash pad has been repaired and will open for the season March 1; staff said the splash pad will operate March through November each year with a winter closure to allow for maintenance. Van Ervin also reported staff had signed a quote to install two-sided fencing at the playground (work expected to start soon and be completed by month’s end) and that Sumter Consulting Group had posted advertisements and will conduct first-round interviews for city-manager candidates; commissioners still need to confirm salary for the new city manager.

The commission welcomed Heather Erwiller as the new planning director; Van Ervin asked commissioners to be patient as staff integrates the new director into current projects.

City Finance Officer Peter Altman briefed commissioners on federal post-disaster funding passing through Pasco County. He said Congress authorized additional recovery money that the county has been allocated; the county’s award totals about $585 million for hurricane recovery and funding will be used for eligible projects in low- and moderate-income areas subject to program rules. Altman said the city will monitor the county process and consider potential project nominations.

Police Chief (introduced as) Chief Dimaskey said he has been on the job a short time and thanked residents for the welcome; he urged residents to lock vehicles and report suspicious activity: "Please lock your cars and make sure if you see something odd to give a call," he said. The chief said department detectives have investigative leads in a recent string of vehicle burglaries and asked residents to avoid leaving valuables in unlocked cars.

Public Works and Utilities reported ongoing hydrant and motor repairs. Staff said hydrant work is continuing across multiple streets and that a damaged motor for a pump site is on order with an estimated arrival next week.

Finally, Finance reported the city’s municipal investments previously held at Wells Fargo are being liquidated by that bank as it reduces municipal relationships; staff said proceeds are being placed in cash and that higher short-term interest rates are now available.

No formal action was requested on these operational updates; commissioners thanked staff and asked for follow-up reports on the city-manager recruitment, the fence installation schedule and any outcomes from police investigations.