Council Gets Final Review of Cell Tower Deal, Carnival Rules at Tuesday Meeting

Rules for carnivals and fairs, a cell tower deal that could net New Port Richey some revenue and language that make sure city ordinances let the state control gun regulations areng Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Council members already approved the ordinances being considered at their first review and the regulations are up for a final vote Tuesday.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 5919 Main St.

The council also will consider approving temporary permits for the sale of alcohol during two festivals, the and this year’s Cotee River Bike Fest.

City laws require the council to approve the sale and consumption of alcohol on city property.

Organizers for the Founder’s Day event reduced the city’s costs this year. No overtime is required for police officers patrolling the event. Instead, off-duty officers will be hired to handle the task.

Off-duty officers will also be hired to patrol the Bike Fest.

The council will where the company could build cell towers and sublease space on the towers.

New Port Richey would get half of what Collier receives for the subleases, although there are no revenue amounts set out in the proposed deal with Collier.

Possible sites include Frances Avenue Park, the city water tower and a wastewater treatment plant, public works complex and fleet complex.

Sims Park was eliminated as a potential site.

Collier has up to two years to find someone to rent space on the towers and then get necessary construction permits.

The council is also scheduled to polish off changes in its rules covering carnivals that need a city permit, adding a requirement that all employees and volunteers pass a sexual predator background check.

The proposed changes to the city’s ordinance governing carnivals also boost liability insurance levels, double the permit fee to $300 and require operators to hire an off-duty New Port Richey police officer for security.

During a workshop discussion Aug. 9, council members wanted the sexual predator background checks as part of the city’s permit rules.

The new ordinance requires the carnival operator to provide a notarized verification that employees and volunteers passed a sexual predator back-ground check.

The city could revoke the carnival permit if an employee or volunteer appears on the back-ground check or if the carnival operator doesn’t perform the back-ground check.

Council members will give their first review of an ordinance that ensures the city complies with a new state law giving Tallahassee full sway over firearm regulations.

The state Legislature this year gave itself control over rules governing guns and ammunition, including sale, storage, manufacture, possession and ownership.

The law pre-empts all local control and the proposed ordinance would put the city in compliance with the law.

The council also will look at signing off on the final payment of the 2011 Street Improvement Project that finished about $115,000 less than the original contract with Gator Grading & Paving.

The contract amount for $849,924 was reduced to $734,026. The council is being asked to approve the final payment of $61,048.