Port Richey committee prioritizes short-term drainage fixes, explores dredging and longer-term sea-level planning

The Port Richey City Coastal Resiliency Committee on March 10 discussed near-term drainage fixes, longer-term roadway and utility adaptations and the possibility of dredging and floodplain purchases as part of a broader sea‑level rise strategy.

Committee members front‑loaded near-term priorities for areas that flood during high tides — notably Sunset Boulevard and the Old Post/Bay Boulevard corridor — and agreed to seek additional study, funding paths and agency coordination before recommending concrete capital projects to city council.

"If we do work, even a small amount," the committee’s Tracy Muzitschka said of park and shoreline projects, "we're in the process of updating all of our unit management plans for our district, which is a pretty heavy lift for this year." Muzitschka, who identified herself as representing a district parks office, urged coordination with district park plans and natural‑shoreline approaches.

Member Devon Aaron said he plans to compile permitting and historical dredging records and use artificial‑intelligence tools to prepare proposals and outreach materials. "It can basically put together a full on comprehensive ... pitch deck, and it will do it all," Aaron said, describing a tool he intends to test to accelerate permitting and grant proposals.

Why it matters: committee members said short‑term projects that improve drainage and outfall capacity could reduce routine "blue‑sky" tidal flooding now, while planning and larger capital work are required to address future storm surge and sustained sea‑level rise. Staff reported the city has budgeted $50,000 as a local match and is applying to the Florida Department of Emergency Management hazard‑mitigation program for a $150,000 stormwater master plan grant; the outcome of that application is pending.

Key technical context presented at the meeting: committee members reviewed datum and tide reference issues (Clearwater reference datum and local mean higher high water) and heard that Clearwater projects a about 1.2 feet of sea‑level rise by 2040 and about 2.6 feet by 2070. Committee members used the Clearwater numbers as a working planning baseline while acknowledging regional guidance and NOAA products differ and that local datum conversions matter for infrastructure design.

Discussion highlights and near‑term directions - Short‑term relief: Members emphasized upgrades to storm outfalls and pipes as the fastest way to reduce routine tidal and rainfall flooding on Bay Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard without immediately raising road grades. An engineering estimate discussed for rebuilding the Bay Boulevard corridor — including lift station work and roadway regrading — was described as "in the millions" (committee members gave a planning ballpark rather than a finalized engineer's estimate). - Priority study areas: The committee identified two initial priorities for further study and agency outreach: (1) the Old Post Road/Bay Boulevard corridor (an evacuation route) and (2) Sunset Boulevard (persistent high‑tide flooding). The committee asked staff to open discussions with Florida Department of Transportation district staff and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to identify tools, funding and mapping resources. - Army Corps involvement: Staff reported the Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating whether federal interest exists for a study; if that determination is positive the project could move into a study phase that would open additional federal funding pathways. - Dredging and permits: Members discussed dredging as both a navigational and water‑quality measure and heard that seagrass surveys are required for permitting. Staff said a seagrass survey window runs June 1–Sept. 30 each year, which constrains scheduling for any dredging permit application. An engineer’s planning estimate cited in the meeting for preliminary studies needed to support permitting was described by members as roughly $90,000–$120,000 (scope‑dependent), and members discussed leveraging county and federal grant opportunities. - Conservation easements and managed retreat concepts: Committee discussion included using conservation easements or holding areas (floodplain capacity) to retain space for tidal and storm waters, and consideration of ‘‘managed retreat’’ or designated areas that can be allowed to flood to protect other urban assets.

Quotes - "If we do work, even a small amount ... everything will dissipate a lot quicker," a committee member said about modest grade or outfall changes that could speed drainage. - "It can basically put together a full on comprehensive ... pitch deck, and it will do it all," Member Devon Aaron said of an AI tool he intends to use to compile permitting history and grant materials. - "I think that's what this body really needs to do is look at what are those best practices for communities that have already experienced the things we are going to be experiencing," the chair said when urging comparison to other coastal case studies and state/regional guidance.

Decisions and next steps - The committee agreed to prioritize a targeted study of the Old Post/Bay Boulevard intersection and Sunset Boulevard as initial workstreams and to pursue outreach with Florida DOT district staff and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The committee asked staff to return with more granular scoping, potential engineering costs and an engagement plan for county and state partners. - A staff representative said the city has already budgeted a $50,000 local match and is pursuing a $150,000 Hazard Mitigation grant application through the Florida Department of Emergency Management for a stormwater master plan; the committee will follow up as the grant process proceeds.

Votes at a glance - Approval of previous meeting minutes: motion seconded and approved (no names recorded in the transcript). Outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: motion seconded and approved. Outcome: approved.

Ending: The committee scheduled follow‑up actions and asked staff to pursue DOT and Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council engagement and to return with a more detailed scope and cost estimates at the next meeting.