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New Port Richey council approves DOJ grant, bike-fest alcohol permit, master plan update and Fire Station task order
Summary
Council approved a U.S. Department of Justice grant to bolster domestic-violence investigations, granted an alcohol permit for the Cody River Bike Fest, authorized $35,000 in additional architectural services for Fire Station No. 2, and agreed to hire Stantec for a master plan update at a reduced cost of $84,000.
The New Port Richey City Council approved a package of items that included a federal grant for police, event permitting, project adjustments on a delayed fire station and a professional services engagement for a master plan update.
Police leadership presented a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to support investigations and prosecutions of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The grant was described in the meeting as approximately $216,498 and would fund training, victim advocate salary portions and overtime, crime scene and translation services, and specialized equipment such as a forensic imaging kit. Council approved acceptance of the grant.
Council also approved an alcoholic beverage special event permit for the Cody River Bike Fest, allowing beer and wine sales at Sims Park on Jan. 17-19, 2025, with hours and a site map agreed by staff and the event organizer. Andre Julian presented the application on behalf of the organizers, and council approved the permit.
On capital projects, staff described that Fire Station No. 2 construction is behind schedule (about 5.5 months) and that the contractor currently owes substantial liquidated damages. Staff requested authorization of a $35,000 task order for the architect to complete additional services that will help move the project to substantial completion; council approved the request with the understanding that the amount will be taken from liquidated damages the contractor owes the city.
Finally, staff recommended using Stantec to update the city's comprehensive/master plan and align it with the Community Redevelopment Agency plan. Stantec agreed to perform the work for $84,000 via a change order to their existing CRA contract. Council approved moving forward and emphasized public engagement and resilience considerations.
