The Plant City Commission approved unanimously July 14, a series of motions that ultimately will illuminate the new soccer fields at Ellis-Methvin Park.
In addition to amendments to the city’s 2013-14 budget and Capital Improvement Budget, the commission endorsed the purchase and installation of high-mast lighting at the park’s two practice soccer fields, six soccer fields and the baseball/softball quadplex. Total cost is $1,094,500, and the city will utilize a $650,000 grant from Hillsborough County to help pay for the project.
“We have the funding lined up, and I think we can do everything that needs to be done,” said Interim City Manager David Sollenberger.
Musco Corporation, DBA Musco Sports Lighting LLC, will supply the equipment and installation services. The price includes a 25-year warranty and maintenance.
“I know that, in a short time, we’re going to complete this park, and it’s going to be a gem in our community and serve our citizens very, very well,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “I know we’ll be proud very soon.”
City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis agreed.
“I have been walking that area, and, let me tell you, the citizens love it,” she said. “Some are out there at 5:30 a.m., so this lighting in that area is going to be phenomenal. Citizens are enjoying it; they are using it. … I can’t wait until (the park’s) completion.”
In addition to the new soccer fields, the 46-acre park, located at 2401-2601 E. Cherry St., is also home to the Plant City Tennis Center, four youth baseball/ softball fields, three picnic shelters, a playground the Optimist Club partially funds, a .42-mile walking trail around the pond and a .47-mile walking trail around the perimeter.
CODE ENFORCEMENT CHANGES
Two former Plant City Police Department employees have been hired to serve in the city’s Code Enforcement Department.
Tray Towles will replace longtime Code Enforcement Supervisor Dennis Sweeney as the city’s new code enforcement manager. Sweeney resigned from the post to pursue an opportunity with Hillsborough County.
Towles holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organizational management from Warner Southern University.
Following the July 18 retirement of former code enforcement officer and interim police chief John Borders, the city appointed police officer Mark Pfister to fill the vacancy. Pfister will retire from the police department Sept. 1, and will assume duties as a code enforcement officer Oct. 6.
These staffing changes will result in the three-position Code Enforcement Department being fully staffed at the start of the next fiscal year.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The City Commission directed city staff to examine its Comprehensive Plan to amend the uses allowed in its industrial district to include a recreational-type use. The directive came at the request Lindsey Hoover, owner of the new Fierce Athletics competitive cheerleading gym. Because of the type of skills and training required for competitive cheerleading, Hoover said her gym requires the space only afforded in larger buildings in industrial areas. The gym is located within that industrial zoning, at 607 Hitchcock St., Plant City. Hoover said she expects her business to bring about 100 families into downtown weekly. The amendment will require three public hearings, as well as approval from the state, said City Attorney Kenneth Buchman.
• Interim City Manager David Sollenberger said the city is searching for assistance from local civic clubs to help replace the dilapidated playground equipment at Courier Field. Repairing the existing equipment will cost $33,000 plus labor, while a replacement playground should cost about $65,000, Sollenberger said.
• City Purchasing Manager Joe Benjamin is an award-winning writer. Benjamin’s two essays were named winners in the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing’s 15th Annual NIGP Diversity Essay Contest and the 18th Annual NIGP Ethics Essay Contest. His awards will be announced at the 69th annual NIGP Forum and his winning essays will be published in an upcoming issue of NIGP’s magazine, “Go Pro.”
