Zephyrhills council approves clerk‑records resolution, a billing staff change and schedules mayor’s caucus; proclaims Black History Month

The Zephyrhills City Council took several routine and ceremonial actions and received community presentations at its Feb. 10 meeting in Zephyrhills.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 846‑25 (urging the Florida Legislature to provide a public‑records exemption for municipal clerks and employees who perform municipal election work or code‑enforcement functions): approved unanimously (motion and second; “aye”; motion passed unanimously).

- Change in staffing in Finance: council approved converting a part‑time utility billing position to a full‑time position (motion and second; approved unanimously).

- Consent agenda: council approved the consent agenda (six items) by unanimous vote; the consent items included routine approvals and an appointment to the Airport Authority. Council discussed that Mike Ward, who was appointed to the Airport Authority, has recently become a pilot and has local ties.

- Mayor’s caucus scheduling: council moved and approved a meeting to accept candidate positions on Feb. 18 at 5:00 p.m.; motion passed unanimously.

Presentations and proclamations

Students from Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a local Boys & Girls Club program, updated the council on youth anti‑tobacco work and thanked the city for a parks no‑smoking ordinance the group had supported. A sixth‑grade member described a recent park cleanup in neighboring Lecanto and urged continued emphasis on keeping parks free of cigarette and vaping debris.

Gail Hamilton, the city’s CRA director, explained that the Hercules Park grand opening was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13, at the school’s request so students could attend; the park will also be open on Friday the 14th. The city will recognize and commemorate Black History Month during the grand‑opening ceremonies because of Hercules Park’s history; Mayor Melanie Bar Monson issued a proclamation naming February 2025 as Black History Month in Zephyrhills.

Alicia Keeter, executive director of the Florida Rural Water Association, presented a certificate of appreciation to the City of Zephyrhills for providing space and logistical support to the association’s emergency response efforts after hurricanes, noting the city allowed the association to use the train station and other facilities to stage generators and equipment.

Administrative and manager items

Ted Beeson, finance director, sought authorization to convert the part‑time utility billing position to full time; council approved the staffing change by unanimous vote. City Manager and other staff reports covered infrastructure items including the tennis center schedule, ongoing stormwater/creek basin work, and water‑use permit negotiations with Southwest Florida Water Management District (staff said the city has been offered an initial permit quantity of 4.11 million gallons per day with potential increase to 4.49 mgd subject to demonstration of demand).

Ending: Council confirmed staff will return on routine agenda items as needed; there were no contested votes at the meeting and no ordinance adoptions on Feb. 10.